17.6 C
Byron Shire
July 11, 2026

Screening tonight raising funds for next Cuba film

Latest News

Plastic not so fantastic

There is nothing healthier than drinking some water – or so I’ve always told my kids. It doesn’t contain sugar or colour additives – as one person used to tell us as children, ‘it’s sky juice’! What could be better?

Other News

1,000 voices raised to end rough sleeping by 2034

Ending rough sleeping is no small challenge for Byron Shire and the Northern Rivers but that is the aim of the Ending Rough Sleeping Collaboration and the release of the 1,000 Voices Byron Shire report just released.

Response to the Special Rate Variation

Why spend $120,000 on a community engagement plan to find out if residents will be happy to see their...

Protests over ALDI supply chain safety issues

Hundreds of transport workers are protesting nationally at Aldi stores as the Transport Workers' Union highlights dangerous practices in the supermarket’s transport supply chain, from lack of maintenance on vehicles to underpayments and worker injuries.

First Nations voices at the opening and heart of writers festival

Byron Writers Festival opens on Bundjalung Country on August 14 with a Calling to Country led by local Arakwal Bundjalung custodian, Delta Kay, and this year will feature the inaugural Rhoda Roberts Oration, honouring the late, beloved Rhoda Roberts AO.

New flood maps could reshape development across Byron Shire

New flood mapping covering much of the Byron Shire could affect future development controls, with a major new study recommending that planning decisions be based on whichever flood source – river flooding or overland flow – produces the highest flood level.

Mandy’s column 2

Congratulations, Mandy Nolan, on winning Greens preselection for the state seat of Ballina. As a swinging voter, I can’t...

Veteran activist film-makers Paul Tait and David Bradbury at Terania anniversary. Photo David Lowe

Local filmmaker David Bradbury is leaving soon for Cuba with his two children, Nakeita, 23, and Omar, 16, to shoot social media posts and a feature-length doco they will be sending back to the Byron community via The Echo online as Trump’s next plans unfold to take over the island.

As a fundraiser to help David and his kids pay for the trip, Bradbury is having a screening tonight of a film he made on Cuba 20 years ago, Fond Memories of Cuba.

The film is laced with lots of great music and dance… and has loads of Cuba’s proud fighting spirit. Which they surely need now with a total oil blockade by Trump, bringing the island to a grinding halt.

‘There is little or no electricity for hospitals, schools, public transport, water and sewage treatment works,’ said Bradbury.

‘There is rubbish piling up in the streets which proud, starving Cubans are forced to rummage through for food scraps because food is too expensive for average Cubans or not available.’

Looking back

Fond Memories was made in 1999, on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the revolution when life was still hard for average Cubans but much better than now under Trump.

‘I’m going back to Cuba in solidarity with the brave Cuban people who I’ve met and known over the last 40 years,’ said Bradbury.

‘I don’t think harm will come our way but you never know what Trump and his henchmen will get up to next – look at what he did in Venezuela, and now Iran. He’s a pig of a man! ‘No, that’s degrading for pigs. They at least know when to back off. Trump doesn’t,’ he told The Echo.

Whatever occurs while Bradbury is there, he’s sure to return with a great film in the can. Your donation, or coming to the fundraiser at the Old Drill Hall in Mullumbimby tonight can help pull that off.

Donate: Frontline Film Foundation, BSB 722 744, Account: 100014882.



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.

Ballina courthouse windows smashed, man charged

Police say a man will face court today, charged after 12 windows were allegedly smashed in Ballina last night.   Police say, 'About 10.35pm (Thursday 9 July 2026), police were called to Martin Street following reports of a man smashing windows'.

Alleged native tree removal continues in Lennox, says councillor

With a government agency now investigating the alleged clear felling of natives on a large private block in Lennox Head, Ballina Greens councillor Kiri Dicker has told The Echo that contractors were felling trees all morning, ‘trying to get the job done’.

Ocean Shores man charged with advocating terrorism online

Police say a 20-year-old Ocean Shores man is behind bars (refused bail) and will face court in Tweed Heads Local Court on 18 September, charged with advocating terrorism.  

Ballina king tide alert for 13–16 July

Ballina Shire Council is encouraging motorists to drive safely over the coming days with king tides leading to minor flooding of some local roads.