14.9 C
Byron Shire
June 25, 2026

Santos: Wild Octave celebrates its first birthday

Latest News

Planets and weather align for Cape Byron Steiner Winter Solstice success

Last Thursday, in the days before the Winter Solstice, and after weeks of on and off rain that had more than a few parents nervously eyeing weather apps, Cape Byron Steiner School's annual Winter Festival went ahead.

Other News

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Vagina-Maxxing

It’s a thing. It popped into my newsfeed as a story. I had to click. I mean, what new vagina fashion has come into play. Maxxing? Is this some new big vagina trend? Are our vaginas now not ‘big’ enough? Are we trying to create a spare room in our womb?

Greens say NSW budget ‘locks in pokies misery’

Cate Faehrmann MLC says the NSW government has knocked any hope of gambling reform on the head in yesterday’s state budget, with tax concessions to clubs with poker machines totalling $1.252 billion, while revenue from taxes on poker machine losses have been revised upward by a whopping $638.2 million over the forward estimates.

Momentum hosts free skate workshop for girls and women

Whether you are stepping on a skateboard for the first time, sharpening your skills or getting ready to compete, a free school holiday workshop is being offered to all female skaters up to 25 years.

Site confirmed for future high school at Pottsville

The NSW government says it has secured a site for a future high school in Pottsville, delivering on its commitment to future-proof public education for the growing Tweed community in the Northern Rivers.

Winter Warmer fundraiser for homelessness

The annual Winter Warmer Homelessness Relief campaign, hosted by Dharma Care, will return for 2026 with cabaret at Salt, Kingscliff, on Thursday 2 July, headlined by comedian Mandy Nolan, interactive performance artist The Space Cowboy and the Kinship Doobai Dancers, with a Welcome to Country from Aunty Jackie.

A Byron kickback with the Gimelli family

The Gimelli family ran a small Italian restaurant on Jonson Street from about 1995 into the early 2000s. It was a classy joint, ahead of Byron’s culinary curve, serving dishes from every corner of Italy.

Jackie, owner of Wild Octave in Brunswick Heads. It’s a place to ‘strengthen the bonds that make this community so special’.

Santos Organics has long been woven into the fabric of the Northern Rivers food scene, connecting people with organic produce, local growers, and sustainable food systems for over four decades. As a social enterprise and not-for-profit, they say, ‘our mission has always been bigger than food alone. We exist to nourish community while supporting the people who make conscious living possible.’

That’s why they are especially proud to be collaborating with Wild Octave in Brunswick Heads, a much-loved store and cafe that has been part of the community for over 25 years. Originally a local haven for organic produce and connection, the space entered an exciting new chapter last year when it rebranded as Wild Octave and was taken on by new owner, Jackie.

This month, Santos are teaming up to celebrate Wild Octave’s first birthday under its new name and vision.

For Santos Organics, the connection runs deep. Santos General Manager, Rob Baldwin says, ‘Jackie was once a valued member of our team, and her passion for health foods, sustainability, and community wellbeing has only grown since. Now, as the owner of Wild Octave, she has created a sanctuary where locals can find nourishment, sit and connect, and feel part of something bigger.’

‘Wild Octave is more than a health food store, she explains, ‘It’s a place for people to recharge, share in good food, and strengthen the bonds that make this community so special.’

Rob says, ‘Seeing Jackie carry forward the ethos she once shared with us into her own venture is a proud moment for Santos Organics. It highlights the ripple effect that happens when values are lived and shared.’

‘At Santos Organics, we believe there’s nothing more important than supporting those who are doing the real work of sustaining our food systems. From local farmers to food innovators and passionate advocates like Jackie, these are the people who ensure our region continues to thrive as a leader in conscious food culture. So, as Wild Octave celebrates its first birthday, we’re not just marking a milestone for a local store, we’re celebrating the strength of our food community and the shared vision for a healthier, more sustainable future in the Northern Rivers.

‘Here’s the challenge, pause before heading to the big chains. Choosing your local independent health food store is a powerful act. It keeps money in the community, supports people who carefully curate healthy products and helps safeguard the future of our food systems.’



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.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Kyogle bridge build completed in under three months

Kyogle mayor Danielle Mulholland says a new bridge on Gradys Creek Road, off Summerland Way and north of Kyogle, has opened to traffic. She says it took Council less than three months to build Methvens Bridge.

57 Station St, Mullumbimby amended DA on public exhibition

The development application (DA 10.2025.212.1) for the carpark at 57 Station Street, Mullumbimby is now back on exhibition for eight weeks from 22 June.

A Byron kickback with the Gimelli family

The Gimelli family ran a small Italian restaurant on Jonson Street from about 1995 into the early 2000s. It was a classy joint, ahead of Byron’s culinary curve, serving dishes from every corner of Italy.

12 winners at Byron Bay Herb Nursery

The Byron Bay Herb Nursery continues to create constructive pathways to achievement with 12 students from Byron Bay Herb Nursery’s disability support program recently graduating with a Certificate II in Horticulture.