World Localisation Day is being celebrated through the month of June, and for Byron locals, an event is planned by Relocalise Northern Rivers at the Marvell Hall in Byron Bay on Saturday, June 28.
The event is called Local Prosperity Lab, and co-organiser, Susan Wanmer, says localisation is as simple as connecting those needing to trade a service or product with each other.
She says, ‘This ability to connect, to be resourceful, to have the finger on the pulse of who knows what and who does what, is the essence of prosperity – and the fabric of community resilience’.
‘Woven person by person; handshakes, hugs and smiles create the rich tapestry of generosity, kindness and creativity that the Northern Rivers is renowned for’.
Wanmer says, ‘We want to spotlight a local voice that informs, connects, and links us to the pulse of Byron, the pulse of the region: local media’.
‘No industry has been more affected by globalisation taking over local stories, than the media industry. In 2008, Australia had just over 500 newspapers, and now we have less than half that number.
‘An often overlooked cornerstone of our cheeky, disruptive, laid back, yet opinionated Byron character is our independent media.
‘We are one of the few places in Australia blessed with not only this independent newspaper, but also community radio Bay FM 99.9.
‘Deeper than the witty tagline under each week’s Echo logo is the commitment to socio-political, grassroots representation – the press being a vital pillar of democracy.
‘We will be sharing a short history of The Echo – The compelling story of the freethinkers who gave a unique community its voice – video excerpt by Sharon Shostak, plus an opportunity to discuss democracy, local issues, media, cost of living as well as many other topics,’ Wanmer says.
For a half day or full day ticket, visit www.relocalise.org.
Happy Birthday to The Echo
And as part of the Local Prosperity Lab event on June 28, this humble, locally-owned publication will be featured.
For those new to the area, The Echo just celebrated its 39th birthday.
It was started by locals who were fed up that mainstream media were not reporting the police dope raids in the hills behind Mullumbimby.
While many people were involved in The Echo’s inception in 1986, it was co-founded by editor Nicholas Shand and production manager, David Lovejoy.
Both myself and The Echo online editor, Aslan Shand, are the second-generation Echo voices.
Independent media is quite simply one of the few mechanisms a society has to hold the powerful – or the mediocre powerful – to account.
It can be tough work. What isn’t tough is taking pot shots at the vulnerable and less powerful.
That is generally called ‘punching down’.
It’s worth keeping in mind when you read about ‘dole bludgers and drug addicts, etc’ in other media.
That narrative is generally spun by the Murdoch press, for the benefit of distracting us from the super wealthy and their rorts.
The public benefit accrues when the media does its job of asking tough questions – of everyone.
And without fear or favour!
Hans Lovejoy, editor
News tips are welcome: [email protected]
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
