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Byron Shire
October 20, 2026

About Ray’s long walk

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

Courtney Act puts Gerwyn Davies’ colourful world in the spotlight

Sequins, spandex and seaside souvenirs will be up for discussion when Courtney Act takes the interviewer’s chair in Murwillumbah next month.

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.

Cheaper school pool access proposed as Byron faces financial squeeze

Byron Shire’s schools could receive cheaper access to Council pools for swimming and water-safety programs under a proposal going before councillors on October 15.

Double trouble as Byron High fundraiser hits $20,000!

A thousand dollars was enough to put Byron Bay High School’s principal in the barber’s chair. Twenty thousand means she’ll have company.

AI growing up quick

We are exactly at the point where we lose control of the AI, and it will try to hide...

Suffolk residents raise concerns over Clifford Street DA

Last Tuesday saw around 40-50 Suffolk Park residents come together to discuss the latest development application (DA 10.2026.476.1) for 9-15 Clifford Street, Suffolk Park. Two previous DAs from Denwol have been refused by the Land and Environment Court and this is the fifth public meeting addressing development at this site over the last four-and-a-half years.

Thank you Dr Ray Moynihan and The Echo for the recent article on his long walk along the pristine and health restoring strip of coastline that has been kept free of human interference.

We have laws to protect areas like this, but they only work when there is enough political will to enforce them. One very precious law is the one for compulsory voting. We all have to have our say. Collectively we can decide whether we conserve what’s left of our natural inheritance.

In six weeks time we get that opportunity in the local government elections.  It’s not hard to work this one out.  We have a prime example under our noses. Right now the old (zombie) DA to allow a large housing development on the Wallum site is being challenged by a passionate and devoted community group, supported by our Greens candidates, and derided by others. 

We cannot reverse our white history, steeped in the belief that this land is ours to do what we want with it. But we can say, at the ballot box, the remnants of forest, coast, rivers, with living examples of unique plants, animals, birds and reptiles are to be protected.  

Many of us are becoming responsible tenants of this land so that our children and grandchildren can walk the walk that Ray has so eloquently described to us.



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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?