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Byron Shire
June 21, 2026

Ashleigh Grice’s accused murderer to face court

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The NT intervention laws that shape lives

This Sunday marks 19 years since the then Howard Government announced the Northern Territory Intervention laws – ‘The Intervention’ began with a media release by Mal Brough, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, on June 21, 2007.

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Local media needed

Congratulations to The Echo for 40 years of providing our community with independent review and scrutiny and information that...

Shark culls not the answer

It has been a confronting and devastating year with a 12-year-old killed by a shark in Sydney and another shark attack in Coogee over the weekend. The NSW government has said there is nothing off the table in response to the latest shark incident. But it is vital that we don’t just start going out there and randomly culling sharks.

How to stop the erosion of our human rights

Let’s celebrate Refugee Week, 15–21 June, which was initiated in Australia 40 years ago and now observed worldwide.

Northern Rivers clubs shine at Clubs & Community Awards

Club Lennox and Twin Towns were among Northern Rivers clubs recognised at the Clubs & Community Awards, held last Thursday in Sydney.

Film buffs flock to Bangalow

Nicholas Hope (left) who was Bubby in Rolf de Heer’s (right) groundbreaking movie of 30 years ago, Bad Boy Bubby, a film featuring clingfilm, which screened last Saturday at the Bangalow Film Festival. The fabulous festival continues until Sunday evening.

The NT intervention laws that shape lives

This Sunday marks 19 years since the then Howard Government announced the Northern Territory Intervention laws – ‘The Intervention’ began with a media release by Mal Brough, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, on June 21, 2007.

Around 400 people came to pay their respects and mourn the loss of the young life of Ashleigh. Photo Tree Faerie.

A man accused of murdering 23-year-old Ashleigh Grice in Mullumbimby in September is to face court again in the new year.

Police arrested 29-year-old Jai Oden-Jenkins on 20 September and charged him with Ms Grice’s domestic violence murder.

Officers said the two had been intimate partners.

Mr Oden-Jenkins was refused bail and is to remain behind bars after appearing by video link in the Lismore Local Court on 26 November.

The matter is due for mention in the same court again on 14 January.



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Hemp industry given boost with development plan

A Hemp Industry Development Plan has been announced by the NSW government, which promises 'to unlock new opportunities for NSW businesses and add value to the state's low-THC hemp industry, which is forecast to become a $100 million Australian industry by 2032'.

Gambling harm recognised by Tweed Council, supported by Wesley Mission

Faith-based, not-for-profit organisation providing community services in NSW, Wesley Mission, has welcomed Tweed Shire Council’s decision to publicly recognise the impact of gambling harm and advocate for stronger harm-minimisation measures.

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.

Tweed Shire Council presents flood resilience series – part one

Over the coming weeks, Tweed Shire Council will present a flood resilience series, which looks at how 'Tweed's story is different from the standard flood recovery narrative and what happened next'.