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Byron Shire
October 20, 2026

Flood appeals for Northern Rivers

Latest News

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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.

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The devastation that has taken place with the March 2022 floods has left many people wanting to help and donate. 

There are a number of flood appeals that are being set up for people to donate to but it is important that they are legitimate and can be trusted to distribute to those in need. 

Commissioner for NSW Fair Trading Rose Webb said unfortunately scammers often try to take advantage of vulnerable people during times like these. She urged consumers to be on the alert. This incudes anyone who undertakes work to rebuild homes. 

The Echo will continue to update this page with legitimate flood appeals as they are alerted.

Lismore – Photo Mercedes Mambort.

Lismore City Council – Flood Fund

Lismore City Council has announced they have set up a Flood Fund for public donations to help with disaster recovery and community support.

To help with our flood-affected community, you can donate to the Lismore Flood Appeal by direct bank transfer.

The bank details are:

Name: Lismore City Council – Flood Appeal Account

BSB: 062 565

Account:10864633

Billinudgel – Photo Danny Wakil.

Echo Northern Rivers 2022 Flood Donation appeal

The Echo has started the Echo Northern Rivers 2022 Flood Donation appeal, a flood appeal to help those affected by the recent devastating floods in our region.

‘We will distribute funds as quickly as possible, after consultation with community organisations actively helping people affected by the 2022 flooding, such as the Mullumbimby & District Neighbourhood Centre in the north of Byron Shire, Byron Community Centre and organisations in Lennox Head, the Byron Hinterland, and Ballina, and Lismore,’ said General Manager Simon Haslam. 

‘The Echo has been established for over 30 years in this community, and will distribute 100% of donations without any deduction. We will prioritise organisations who also directly distribute these monetary donations without charging any fees. This page is not for coordination of, or donations of goods or services, we are simply raising money to help the community organisations on the ground. These funds are much needed, and give great flexibility to community organisations to target aid for people, like the homeless, who sometimes fall outside government guidelines.’

Flood Relief Cook Up working together to get meals out to those in need. Photo

Food Relief Cook Up

The Food Relief Cook Up is accepting donations to cook and distribute food to people throughout the Northern Rivers. Yesterday, March 5, they distributed 10,000 hot meals to those in need.

The group has seen a huge group of chefs and hospitality people come together ‘from practically every restaurant and bakery etc in the area’ to deliver meals. They are being supported not only by locals who are driving meals throughout the region to people in need but have managed to get five helicopters on board to deliver to those who are unable to get out of their homes.



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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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Thirty-six unmissable films

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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?