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Byron Shire
October 20, 2026

Turning Point talks invigorating

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

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.

Nuclear hypocrisy

Nothing illustrates Western hypocrisy quite like the double standards applied to nuclear weapons. Trump insists the US-Israeli aggression against...

Calls on NRPP to defer consent for Mullumbimby’s 57 Station Street DA on Monday

At Thursday’s Byron Shire Council meeting there were multiple calls for a deferral of the 57 Station Street, Mullumbimby car park development application.

Tobias Moran sues police over Simone Strobel murder prosecution

Tobias Moran has launched legal action against NSW Police for malicious prosecution over the withdrawn charge that he murdered his girlfriend, German backpacker Simone Strobel, in Lismore in 2005.

Northern Rivers Bushwalkers Club celebrates their 50th

Little did a small group of bushwalkers know, when they went on their first club walk to Salty Lagoon back in 1976, that their club would still be thriving 50 years later.

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.

Brian Dean, Tyagarah

Regarding the Turning Point Talks, I am a middle-of-the-road citizen who doesn’t seem to be able to please either the left or the right adequately, as I find both points of view have their pluses and minuses.

The Max Igan talk was definitely invigorating and gave me the opportunity to practise staying free of judgement, as some of it was pretty far out there for me.

Nonetheless, as with every Turning Point Talk that I have attended, and will continue to attend, the speaker presented a point of view that I do not have to deem as truth or untruth, or dangerous or benign. I chose, and will continue to choose, to hear and witness a segment of our Australian and world/global population that has a point of view that might be different than mine. Hopefully, if I do my part, I will get to know myself better through the process.

Through commentary here in The Echo though, I did do some research (fact checking?) and found blatant falsehoods. Our local Turning Point Talks are in no way affiliated with the Turning Point US or UK that a previous commentator equated. Further, I found that Politics In The Pub is an event that originated in Sydney, and that Mullumbimby cannot lay claim to its origin nor definition.

 



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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?