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Byron Shire
June 9, 2026

Sweet Moon Language

Latest News

Eclectic Selection for the week beginning 10 June 2026

Eclectic Selection: What’s on this week is a taste of some of the events that can be found in the Byron Shire and beyond this coming week.

Other News

Byron local Stephan Schnierer receives the Order Australia

Stephan Schnierer, a Byron local, has been awarded an Order Australia (OA) from the Kings Birthday honours list.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Saying Goodbye to a Very Handsome Man

Last week an old friend of mine died. His name was Gary Cook. We met here in Byron Bay, when I was 23. He would have been in his early 30s. He was handsome. And funny. And weird. And self-involved. He used to come to Ringos, where I worked as a waitress. He’d sing to himself, bludge cigarettes, and shine up the serviette holder. He loved looking at himself. He’d laugh and say, ‘God, I’m a handsome man,’ and then he’d laugh this really infectious laugh

Cartoon of the week – 3 June, 2026

The Echo loves your letters 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, send us your epistles.

Financial woes

Byron Shire’s financial woes are not the result of a lack of money, but rather the waste of it....

Building sites ‘blitzed’ between Coffs Harbour and Tweed Heads

More than 100 building sites from Coffs Harbour to Tweed Heads have been inspected, which has been described as a 'blitz' by the NSW Labor government.

Marooned yacht on rocks near Ballina

A local photographer has shot a marooned yacht at Flat Rock, in Ballina Shire. It's the second boat to be washed ashore in recent months

Photo by April Byrne

Mazarine is a nine-piece ensemble performing original compositions influenced by Middle Eastern and Mediterranean traditions. With repertoire ranging from orchestral soundscapes to upbeat folk style tunes, Mazarine effortlessly combine rhythmic complexity with layered textures and timbres, taking the listener on an uplifting and inspiring musical journey.

On 20 June Mazarine will be launching their debut album, Sweet Moon Language at Mullumbimby Civic Memorial Hall. The album is a collection of original instrumental pieces composed by Michael Taylor, a multi-instrumentalist and composer specialising in the oud. He will be joined by a group of talented musical friends with a long history of performance in the Australian world-music scene, playing a plethora of instruments including oud, ney, kanun, riqq, bandoneon, cello, double bass and shah kaman.

Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Tea and cake are available during intermission and the album will be for sale on the night. Please note that this is a seated concert for your listening pleasure.

Pre-purchase tickets at $38 via trybooking.com/DLRSI or mazarine-music.au, or available on the door at $45.



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Interview with Peter O’Doherty

Australia’s legendary band Mental As Anything made an historic comeback in 2026 – the first in 25 years – as original founding members Peter O’Doherty and brother Reg Mombassa reunited, leading an exciting new lineup to perform once again under the iconic banner Mental As Anything.

Cinema: The Christophers

From acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh, The Christophers is a sharp, darkly comic exploration of art, legacy and deception, led by Golden Globe winner Ian McKellen and Emmy winner Michaela Coel.

Ayusa Tea: clarity, energy, calm focus

Allie Godfrey At the New Brighton Farmers Market, it’s not just coffee drawing a crowd – there’s also growing interest in healthier, more balanced alternatives...

The Grigoryan brothers and others

The internationally-acclaimed Grigoryan Brothers – Slava and Leonardo, are set to bring their extraordinary musicianship to Brunswick Picture House on Thursday, with their captivating...