17.6 C
Byron Shire
July 5, 2026

Festival and event grants on offer

Latest News

Vale Eve Sinton 20/11/52–30/06/26

In February this year, Eve Sinton was admitted to Tamworth Hospital. All tests and biopsies were taken. Before announcing the diagnosis to Eve, the doctor asked ‘First Please tell me what was your occupation?’ Eve replied, ‘I am a journalist’.

Other News

Memorial to recognise fallen Marine Rescue volunteers

A Community Memorial, recognising the sacrifice and service of Marine Rescue Ballina volunteers, all first responders and to remember fallen Marine Rescue Ballina volunteers Bill Ewen and Frank Petsch who lost their lives during the Ballina 30 rescue tragedy on May 4, will be held on Sunday 5 July, 11am at RSL Memorial Park, Ballina (beside Ballina RSL club).

The Buttery celebrates NAIDOC Week with ‘Imagine’

The Buttery, in partnership with its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Committee, is proud to celebrate NAIDOC Week with a free community screening of the acclaimed First Nations animated feature film Imagine, inviting the Northern Rivers community to come together to reflect, learn and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, stories and achievements.

Missing man in Ballina

Police are appealing for assistance to locate a missing man. Caine Tierney, aged 47, was last seen on Ross Street, Ballina, about 12.30pm on Wednesday 24 June 2026.

Mandy Nolan confirmed as Greens candidate for Ballina

Following the Ballina-Byron Greens preselection ballot, Mandy Nolan has been selected as the party's candidate to contest the state seat of Ballina in the 2027 election, currently held by Tamara Smith.

Councillor’s integrity

In last week’s Echo, there was a wonderful editorial, plus another article about the Station Street development for affordable...

Award-winning writers coming to BWF

The Byron Writers Festival has announced a number of prize-winning authors who will be appearing among 150 international and Australian writers at this year's festival, representing a wide range of genres.

Japanese festival

Community organisations are encouraged to apply for NSW government grants to bring cultural festivals and events to life across the state over the coming year.

In a media release, the NSW government say, ‘Community organisations are invited to apply for their share of the Stronger Together Festival and Event Grants Program, with grants between $5,000 and $20,000 for events and activities that bring people of all backgrounds together to share in the vibrant cultural diversity that defines NSW’.

‘Applications are open for multicultural festivals and events taking place between 1 October 2026 and 30 September 2027.

‘Each year the NSW Government supports hundreds of events that foster inclusion and celebrate diversity through food, music, entertainment and cultural celebrations.

‘The program has previously funded a diverse program of popular events including:

‘Multicultural NSW administers the grants on behalf of the Minns Labor Government and applications close at 4pm, Monday 13 July 2026’.

For more information or to apply, visit https://multicultural.nsw.gov.au/stronger-together-events-festivals/

 



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.

Positive future for Byron’s visitor economy

Last Thursday saw Destination Byron bring together over 150 attendees looking at the future of Byron and its visitor economy.

Pet adoption day – 4 July in Ballina

Northern Rivers Animal Services Inc (NRAS) are hoping the sun will be out for their monthly adoption day on Saturday, 4 July from 10am until 1pm at the NRAS Rescue Shelter at 61 Piper Drive, Ballina.

Artists sought to transform factory space into multi-artform event

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for artists to transform a former factory in Lismore – The Joinery – through performance, installation and site-responsive art.

What’s on in Tweed for NAIDOC Week?

NAIDOC Week celebrations will be held from Sunday 5 July to Sunday 12 July 2026, under the national theme 50 Years of Deadly.