The NSW Environment Awards, hosted by the state’s leading environmental advocacy organisation, Nature Conservation Council NSW, was recently held at Customs House in Sydney.
Environmental protections and tighter housing controls are proposed for a disputed Hastings Point development site, following a court decision allowing its subdivision.
On Sunday the community came together, with close to 200 people gathering at Clarkes Beach for a paddle out, and shore action, to raise their voices and say there are no more excuses for violence against women and girls.
The state government has announced more than 670 additional weekly bus services to run across Northern Rivers bus networks starting from 6 December, 2026.
The government says dozens of cultural and sporting hubs across Lismore, including the town’s iconic City Hall, are now restored and revitalised after suffering flood damage in 2022.
From Sunday, 1 November, Three Blue Ducks is launching Golden Hour at The Farm Byron Bay, with freshly shucked oysters, live music and happy hour drinks every Sunday afternoon.
Hundreds of handmade jewellery pieces have been stolen from a Bangalow artists’ collective, leaving some members without any work to sell ahead of the crucial Christmas trading period.
Time to get together and build caring and connected relationships. Photo Adobe
Parenting can be a challenging experience, with parents often expected to know the answers or how to respond. And sometimes it’s not so simple.
Lismore’s Men & Family Centre is inviting Northern Rivers men and their families to a free Community BBQ and forum in the Lismore Quad and Lismore Gallery on Saturday, 19 September, from 1pm to 3.30pm. Register here.
The free event will focus on how modern dads can go ‘beyond the BBQ’ to build caring and connected relationships with their kids and families.
Men & Family Centre President Stewart Prins said the event would also give dads an opportunity to talk more about the complex challenges facing dads today and learn about local support and ways to get involved.
‘No-one gets taught parenting strategies at school, but when you become a parent you’re suddenly expected to know what to do and how to manage every situation,’ he said.
‘It can be stressful, confronting and confusing – especially if you don’t have a lot of support around you.
‘Cultural expectations and the influence of the so-called ‘manosphere’ can put even more pressure on families.
‘That’s why it is so important to provide families with support, information and an opportunity to form networks with each other.
‘There will be a family BBQ, presentation on research findings from interviews with 1,401 young people by Jesuit Social Services, a panel discussion about how we show up for our kids, a rhythm workshop featuring the wonderful Mitch King, and fun activities for kids from FitnessKidz.
‘The Koori knockout will also be happening across the road at Oakes Oval, so there will plenty of sport to enjoy nearby as well.’
Order of events:
1pm – Community BBQ in the Quad
1.30pm – Start
1.45pm – Presentation from Drew Hangar, Jesuit Social Services (in the Lismore Regional Gallery)
2.00pm – Panel discussion on dads and parenting, featuring Kaiden Powell (Changing the Odds), Penn Molloy (Men & Family Centre), Dave Kerley and Lisa McPhie, hosted by Mick O’Regan.
2.45pm – Rhythm workshop with Mitch King (Interrelate)
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Two young members of Byron Bay Surf Lifesaving Club have delivered outstanding performances at the Paddle NSW State Sprint Championships, held at the Penrith International Regatta Centre over the weekend.
Ballina's Council's last meeting saw a motion from Cr Simon Chate to review swimming pool admission prices, particularly for families, in the face of the ongoing cost of living crisis.
The latest annual Pulse Survey released by national children’s education charity The Smith Family, has revealed almost 60 per cent of families who responded have struggled to afford essential school items for their children this year, with the majority attributing this to the rising cost of living and increased school expenses.
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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. 
