January 29, 2020
In this Issue:
Veterans Affairs
It was interesting to read that Australia’s Department of Veterans Affairs is giving thoughtful attention to using psychedelic medicine to treat returned soldiers with PTSD.
Climate Action
Many letters in The Echorecently have been very critical of the prime minister,and I heartily concur with those criticisms.
Emissions Targets
Meat and beat – sounds like yet another new diet, doesn’t it?
Dear Barnaby
Politics is the most riveting game in town. Remember though it’s just a numbers game. If you want to know what a politician is up to, just follow the money.
Gina & Rupert
Gina and Rupert told me they had a great holiday, especially after their Prymonster started looking after the kiddies properly.
Water
The article ‘Mullumbimby’s water supply under review’ (January 22) raises some interesting questions for Byron Shire Council (BSC).
On the art of stealing water for profit
Australia is now experiencing devastating fires. So far, it is estimated that over 18 million hectares (46 million acres) have burned. The response from our leaders has been deplorable.
Interview with Philippe Platel, Cultural Attaché of the French Embassy in...
La Nuit des Idées Byron Theatre, Community Centre | Friday 6–8.30pm | $30/35 Philippe Platel is the Cultural Attaché of the French Embassy in Australia. This Friday he joins with Byron Writers Festival Director Edwina Johnson to present La Nuit des...
Renew Fest and Resilient Byron team up
With Renew Fest about to run a crowdfunding early bird ticket blitz to ensure this year’s festival can go ahead, they are thrilled to announce a new key partnership with Resilient Byron, set up to assist in preparing communities for a changing climate.
Won’t be back to parliament early
Calls by local NSW Greens MP Tamara Smith to return to parliament early to enact laws that would allow immediate cash payments to bushfire survivors have been rejected by local Nationals MLC Ben Franklin.
Big weekend of short films
Fresh from its ten day Bondi event, Australia’s largest short film festival, Flickerfest, returns to Australia’s biggest little town from Thursday January 30 to Saturday February 1.
Editorial: Polarised humbug
Every Australia Day, polarised humbug erupts from those who want to just wave a flag to celebrate their culture, and those who see that Aussie flag as a symbol of British genocide and invasion.
Culture in the Byron Shire for the Week Beginning 29 January,...
Culture in the Byron Shire for the Week Beginning 29 January, 2020
A closer peek at Byron Shire Council’s holiday letting policy
Residents have until January 30 to have their say on Council’s short term holiday letting policy that will aim to regulate holiday letting through platforms like Airbnb and Stayz.
Interview with Jimmie Vaughan
Bluesfest | 9–13 April Brother of the legendary Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan is an American blues-rock guitarist and singer, coming to Bluesfest this year. From an early age Jimmie fell in love with the guitar. ‘I was actually trying to...
Shire to welcome the wisdom of Standing Rock as we search...
Next month, two of Native American relatives that had significant roles at the Oceti Sakowin Camp (Standing Rock) are coming to Mullumbimby for two interrelated intercultural and interfaith sharing events, focused on the growing climate emergency.
Cartoon of the week – January 29
Letters to the editor We love to receive letters, but not every letter will be published; the publication of letters is at the discretion of the online and print letters editors. The deadline for the Byron Echo newspaper is noon Friday and letters longer...
Cinema
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZjQROMAh_s 1917 Another war film has hit screens, with a very similar feeling to Dunkirk (2017). Sam Mendes takes the reins for this film as both writer and director. 1917 follows the story of two soldiers who are tasked to deliver...
Mullum’s stormwater and sewerage woes laid bare
A Council assessment has found that nearly 70 per cent of the stormwater network in the oldest part of Mullumbimby is at a high risk of failure, highlighting the urgent need for an assessment of the network across the entire Shire.
Interview with Pussy Play and Wank Bank
Pussy Play and Wank Bank Brunswick Picture House | Pussy Play, Friday and Saturday 7pm | Wank Bank, Friday and Saturday 8.30pm The Brunswick Picture House presents the most fun sex-education classes you’ll ever go to! Pussy Play and Wank Bank...
Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Middle-Aged Mummy Angry About Sugar Daddy
Listen you creepy old rich fucks, leave our young women alone. Stop offering them the rich daddy they never had. It’s pedophilic. When Marilyn Monroe used her baby-girl voice to sing My heart belongs to daddy the flaccid cocks of ageing patriarchs around the world stood to attention.
Francis wants to go all the way with water polo
Alstonville water polo player Francis Rupnik has been representing Queensland in the sport for the last three years and has a vision to make it to the Olympics.
Country lifesavers head to Cudgen for championships
For the second year in a row Cudgen Headland Surf Lifesaving Club will host over 1500 competitors, this upcoming weekend, for the NSW Country Surf Lifesaving Championships.
Wilkinson wins round four of Summer series cycling
A strong field contested the fourth round of the Byron Bay Cycling Club’s Summer Race series at the Woodford Lane circuit last Sunday.
Australia Day awards for local sports stars
A mountain bike rider, rugby players, a footballer and surfer were all honoured as Sportspeople of the Year by local councils across the region last weekend.



















