13.2 C
Byron Shire
August 29, 2026

Ballina Duck Fest set to make a splash for charity

Latest News

How can we keep paying for incompetence

The only way forward is going backwards. That’s how I explain the current situation of Byron Shire Council. The...

Other News

Swain on Station St

This morning at Ocean Shores Shopping Centre, a lovely lady by the name of Janet Swain was holding an...

Science in the Pub digs into hydrodynamic modelling

With half the Northern Rivers suddenly an expert on how water moves across the landscape, there will be a chance to hear from some real experts at the next Science in the Pub, to be held on Thursday 3 September at the Federal Hotel in Alstonville.

Peek behind the scenes of ‘Love for One Night’

Directed and devised by Julian Louis, NORPA's acclaimed production 'Love for One Night' returns to the Eltham Hotel this Thursday, running until 12 September.

Appeal to locate man missing from Broadwater

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate a local missing man.

Given up the ghost

We are informed that Byron Shire Council (BSC) has, in a sense, ‘given up the ghost’.  It has run...

Brisbane band awake in Byron

Don’t let the name fool you – Vancouver Sleep Clinic (VSC), who are returning for their first Australian show in half a decade, are not Canadian!

Ballina Rotary’s Jamie Marshall. Photo David Lowe.

Ballina is preparing for a high-energy celebration as Ballina Duck Fest returns on Sunday 8 March from 11am to 3pm at Captain Cook Park, raising funds for local community projects.

Presented by the Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond, this year’s festival has expanded into a full family-friendly experience.

Some of the contenders among the ducks sponsored by Ballina businesses in the 2023 charity duck race. Photo David Lowe.

There will be live entertainment, children’s activities, food stalls, the colourful Best Dressed Duck Competition and the much-anticipated Community Duck Race on the Richmond River.

The powerful rhythms of Batala will bring the sounds of samba reggae drums to the riverfront, creating a vibrant festival atmosphere.

The energy of the Brazilian percussion group is expected to echo across Captain Cook Park and draw crowds throughout the day.

Adding to the entertainment, Sprung Dance Theatre will showcase dynamic and creative performances, bringing colour, movement and artistic expression to the festival program.
Entry to the festival is free, with food, activities and duck race participation available on the day.

The Rotary Duck Race is back in Ballina for 2026. Photo Jodie Shelley.

The Community Duck Race, where hundreds of bright yellow ducks will take to the Richmond River, remains a highlight of the afternoon, alongside the creative Best Dressed Duck Competition, involving local businesses and community groups.

Ballina Duck Fest raises funds for Rotary community projects while bringing the community together in a fun, inclusive and uniquely Ballina way. Don’t miss it!

Sunday 8 March, 
11am–3pm, 
at Captain Cook Park, next to Ballina RSL.



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.

Greens urged to back pathway to end native forest logging

Some of NSW’s most respected and long-standing forest campaigners and scientists have today urged the Greens not to support the Nationals' attempt to disallow the Improved Native Forest Management (INFM) method.

Ballina Council makes decision on Ross Lane

With the absence of all four of its progressive councillors for various reasons, Ballina Council pushed ahead with its agenda at yesterday's monthly meeting, including a decision which is likely to close Ross Lane for months while the road is upgraded.

Mullumbimby puts new governance models first, and now wants to build it

Imagine Northern Rivers says Mullumbimby is the only community across the region to rank new models of governance and decision-making as the number one element of its preferred future, and last week locals gathered to work out how to make it real.

Appeal to locate man missing from Broadwater

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate a local missing man.