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October 20, 2026

Masterclasses for illustrating, writing and pizza

Latest News

Cinema: NAZA

A must-see, award-winning documentary investigating AI warfare in Gaza. Fresh from winning the Special Jury Prize at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival, NAZA, the latest documentary from Academy Award-winning filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor (No Other Land), examines artificial intelligence and surveillance in Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

Other News

Treasurer Jim Chalmers on facts and feelings

Logan boy made good Jim Chalmers fronted up to the Australia Institute in Canberra last week to give a memorable and candid speech about the challenges facing his government, and the nation.

New koala strategy leaves local priorities to later implementation plan

Northern Rivers residents are being invited to help shape a new NSW koala conservation strategy, with specific local actions and investment priorities to be detailed in a separate implementation plan.

Free Musicland talk in Byron

Local author Tricia Shantz will be talking about a seminal time and place in her new book Musicland: When the Music Came to Byron 1970–1995 at the Byron Bay Library on Thursday, 29 October at 3pm.

Call for the community to join the Mullumbimby clean up

The Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce and Community (MCCC) are calling on local businesses and the community to join them in cleaning up the main street of town on Sunday, 25 October from 8am to 10am.

Activists arrested on gas platform

Greenpeace activists boarded Woodside's Scarborough gas platform off Western Australia on the weekend. After staying overnight, police removed the last two yesterday (Sunday 18 October).

Dear Brunswick

After 11 wonderful years, the time has come for our family to say farewell as owners of the Brunswick...

Míša Alexander will share secrets of her craft with the primary school students.

Not everyone gets the chance to get insider info on bestselling writers. Lismore library has partnered with the Byron Writers Festival and StoryBoard to bring a range of publishing industry professionals to Lismore’s young writers.

Lismore Library’s Creative Writing Masterclasses are free events with something everyone and this week Míša Alexander and Siboney Duff will be guest presenters at the venue.

Published illustrator, Míša Alexander will share secrets of her craft with the primary school group. Ms Alexander is a mother of three boys, one of whom is on the Autism Spectrum.

Inspired by the need for more inclusive schools and communities, she co-created and illustrated Fergus & Delilah, a children’s book changing a generation’s view on disabilities.

Míša is Canadian born, but has lived on the Northern Rivers of NSW since 1997. She has worked as graphic designer and illustrator for over 20 years in various studios around Australia as well as internationally for the United Nations as part of the Electoral Commission in East Timor and  Afghanistan.

Siboney Duff’s workshop will cover a broad range of creative writing skills, extending across the secondary curriculum.

On the same afternoon the high school group will have guest presenter Siboney Duff, to present a ‘Preparing for HSC English Creative Writing’ workshop. Siboney is a writer, editor,and teacher. She has been running workshops for children and adolescents for over 25 years and is passionate about fostering creativity and encouraging writing.

Siboney’s workshops cover a broad range of creative writing skills, extending across the secondary curriculum.

She has been a HSC marker of both Extension 1 and Extension 2 English, so she knows what the assessors are looking for.

Even if you are not working towards the HSC, Siboney’s workshop will be a fascinating insight into writing and creativity.

These free events are at the Lismore Library from 5pm until 6.30pm on Thursday 19 March. The library will even be providing excellent pizza to quell the hunger and keep everyone on track!

Creative Writing Masterclasses run every second Thursday during school terms, for 10 to 18 year olds.

For further information, phone the library on 66212464.



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Interview with Genevieve Clay-Smith, director of Boss Cat showing at the Byron Bay Film Festival

When Sonja (Olivia Hargroder) loses her mother without warning, the only steady presence left in her life is her grandmother, Doris. But Doris’s idea of stability means dismantling everything Sonja has built. For Sonja, who lives with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and has spent her life fighting to be underestimated by no one, Doris’ plan feels less like protection and more like erasure. Directed by Genevieve Clay-Smith, Boss Cat is a vibrant, big-hearted Australian dramedy about independence, family and self-determination, anchored by a fearless lead performance.

Something for everyone at the Picture House

From Australian superstar musos, to brand new documentaries, to comedians at the top of their game, there really is something for everyone at the Brunswick Picture House.

Thirty-six unmissable films

The 2026 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival features an unmissable line up 36 films, including five retrospectives which will screen from 28 October to 29 November at Palace Byron Bay and Ballina Cinemas.

A timeless story of self-discovery

A husband with a promotion, two adorable children and a lovely new house. Nora thought she had it all. But did she? What was the discontent that was whispering to her in the shadows?