Rob Caudill, renowned for his uncanny resemblance to the legendary Rod Stewart, continues to captivate audiences worldwide – whether he’s stopped in airports for autographs or turning heads in restaurants, Caudill’s presence is unmistakable.
I was changing the oil on Clancy, our barge moored on the Seine not far from the Place de la Concorde (think Marie Antoinette), when I made a big mistake.
Demand for assistance from Marine Rescue NSW remains high, says the volunteer organisation, with their latest data from last month showing 24 search and rescue missions for the North Coast, including 16 emergency responses.
Byron Council has voted to give the community a greater role in shaping the future of the former Mullumbimby Hospital site, despite concerns from some councillors that additional consultation could further delay the delivery of desperately needed housing.
Good sports – these Ballina police officers also thought crowned princess ‘Pom Pom’ was very cute. Photo Tree Faerie.
Blue with her pet human Zara, won the Doggy Dash to retain her title from last year. Good dog Blue! Photo Tree Faerie
This year’s Love Lennox Festival went off with a bang and a bark as the much anticipated Dogly Fun Show took over the main stage area for plenty of K9 fun.
The winning dash (and sit). Blue loves her human Zara AND the treats she has in her pocket. Photo Tree Faerie.
Hundreds of pooches and their people crowded around the Dogly arena to cheer on all the good dogs, with categories including the doggy dash, best costume, best paw shake, and, the very popular peanut-butter-challenge where everyone’s a winner, just to mention a few – there were plenty of prizes and or course, plenty of treats for all the good jobs!
Frankie and ‘Pom Pom’ had high hopes of winning the ‘Best Costume’ prize. Photo Tree Faerie.
Ballina Street was closed to traffic to accommodate easy access for K9s as well as the other events including live entertainment with the Sam Buckley Band, JB’s Blues Breakers, Lily-Grace Grant, The Mumblers and Pink Zinc.
The Car Show was very shiny and the Ross Park Stage focussed on youth and family entertainment, including Joel Salom and Erik the Robot Dog, Bunny Racket and DJ Cam.
Photos Tree Faerie
Pepper and her favourite person Nikky took a few minutes away from their stall to watch the pooch fun – at just 12-weeks-old, Pepper will have to wait until next year to win a prize. Photo Tree Faerie.
The doggy dash was a winner with pups. Photo Tree Faerie.
This doggo loves this human immensely. Photo Tree Faerie.
mmmmm nom nom – peanut nom nom butterrrrrr nom nom. Photo Tree Faerie.
Ziggy made his human Carly very proud when he came second in the peanut-butter-challenge and took home a doggy bag. Photo Tree Faerie.
Competing in the paw shake event, black lab ‘Yeti’ said he would do anything for the love of his life – Elena (and a treato). Photo Tree Faerie.
Fred putting his best foot forward to win the gold medal for the best paw shake. Photo Tree Faerie.
Fred asked his person Sue to drive him all the way from Evans Heads so he could win some treatos. Photo Tree Faerie.
Frankie and ‘Pom Pom’ had high hopes of winning the ‘Best Costume’ prize. Photo Tree Faerie.
Good sports – these Ballina police officers also thought crowned princess ‘Pom Pom’ was very cute. Photo Tree Faerie.
The winning dash (and sit). Blue loves her human Zara and the treats she has in her pocket. Photo Tree Faerie.
Blue with her pet human Zara, won the Doggy Dash to retain her title from last year. Good dog Blue! Photo Tree Faerie
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.
Tiffany Grace is a 22-year-old Brisbane-based singer/songwriter/guitarist. Her original songs are deep, uplifting, and relatable, with an acoustic, pop-country feel that are getting attention worldwide.
If Ennio Morricone (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly) swaggered onto a Tijuana dancefloor, with a touch of Melbourne dust kicked up in the process, chances are the end result would sound exactly like Melbourne Ska Orchestra’s 2025 album The Ballad Of Monte Loco.
As the cooler months settle over Byron Bay, No Bones is embracing the season with a fresh menu designed for long lunches that roll into dinner, shared plates and evenings spent lingering over good food and cocktails.
The first Business Lennox Head After Hours of the new 2026/27 financial year will be this Thursday at the Lennox Hotel from 5.30pm, and organisers say, 'we'd love to see you there'.
Demand for assistance from Marine Rescue NSW remains high, says the volunteer organisation, with their latest data from last month showing 24 search and rescue missions for the North Coast, including 16 emergency responses.
Ballina, Lismore, Kyogle and Richmond Valley shires are set to benefit from seven weed biosecurity projects, which the NSW government says will support the protection of native vegetation and the enhancement of wildlife habitats at key environmental sites.
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’.
Choose how you'd like to support local journalism.
$
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
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. 
