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Byron Shire
June 6, 2026

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Cartoon of the week – 3 June, 2026

The Echo loves your letters 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, send us your epistles.

Other News

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Saying Goodbye to a Very Handsome Man

Last week an old friend of mine died. His name was Gary Cook. We met here in Byron Bay, when I was 23. He would have been in his early 30s. He was handsome. And funny. And weird. And self-involved. He used to come to Ringos, where I worked as a waitress. He’d sing to himself, bludge cigarettes, and shine up the serviette holder. He loved looking at himself. He’d laugh and say, ‘God, I’m a handsome man,’ and then he’d laugh this really infectious laugh

Drug driving reform introduced to NSW Parliament

Greens MP and drug harm reduction spokesperson Cate Faehrmann has welcomed news that reform to drug driving laws for medicinal cannabis patients will finally be introduced into NSW Parliament.

Earth to stars

Is the world we live in, more than what we understand? Theories challenge the known facts, so does any...

Murwillumbah biz networking breakfast cancelled

Join the Murwillumbah business community for their June Business Murwillumbah Networking Breakfast, to be held at at Crystal Creek Estate.

Ballina Council wrap

With local government meeting practice across the state returning to confusion following the NSW Legislative Council's recent decision, Ballina Shire Council's last meeting included a lot of unanimous decisions and an argument about the remnants of the Big Scrub, in which Mayor Cadwallader used her casting vote to squash Cr Simon Chate's motion.

Byron Bay-based hydrofoil company awarded ‘Best of the Best’

Flite, a brand of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) and the global pioneer of electric hydrofoil technology, have been awarded the Red Dot: "Best of the Best" – the highest distinction in the internationally renowned Red Dot Design Awards.

January 19, 2022

Byron Shire Echo issue 36.32 – January 19, 2022

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Local News | Comment | Letters | The Byron Shire Quiz | Articles | Health & Healing | Community at Work | The Good Life | Good Taste | Hello Summer | Seven Entertainment | Soapbox | Gig Guide | Cinema | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Service Directory | Crossword | Classifieds | Stars | Backlash

In this Issue:

Free Skills for Recovery course available

Byron Community College say they have received NSW Government funding as part of the Skills for Recovery initiative.

Daintree buyback sees more forest retained

Over the last two-and-a-half years, the Mullumbimby based Rainforest 4 Foundation has had a mission to buy back parts of the Daintree Lowland Rainforest that were subdivided for sale in the 1980s. 

A new Mungo needed

A new Mungo is needed to investigate, report and comment, because the major media sure as hell ain’t! When is the Australian Government (via the Therapeutic Goods Administration) going to register the COVID-killing nasal spray Viraleze by Melbourne’s ASX listed...

Validity of a visa

As a 90-year-old, I have travelled many years since I was 18 years of age; to America, the UK and Europe on a ‘visa’, ever recognised as a ‘valid entry’ to countries being visited. Currently, it seems Djokovic was provided...

Happiness

Mick woke up this morning to a great epiphany. So, we’ve decided to forget all our activism, we’re going to join the Hillsong Church, and organise a dance/singing party, which will go on for eternity, and make the world...

Boat people we are

We here in this country, now called Australia, need to be reminded that we started off as ‘boat people’. The First Fleet arrived (including my ancestors, Major Johnson and Esther Abrahams) without an invitation from the Indigenous inhabitants, and most...

Israel and Palestine

As an apologist for Israel, Michael Burd (Letters, 12 January) conveniently ignores the harsh truth of Israel’s brutal oppression, while claiming there are two sides to the conflict and that Palestinians are treated equally. I believe that only one side...

Biz step up to feed frontline staff

Local paramedics will be able to get free coffee and snacks at selected local cafes, as part of a major community effort to support frontline health workers during the ongoing and increasing COVID-19 outbreak.

Astrological gravitas

The Mullum Aeronautics and Space Administration (MASA) will soon launch the Spiders Webb telescope, which will break through to deeper levels of Advanced Astrological Psychodelics – looking right back in thyme to the origins of love in the sinoatrial...

Vax the child

I am writing about the upcoming COVID-19 vaccinations for children. I am and remain a vax-sceptic. My reasons are many, but hinge around the fact that we are still a provisionally approved medical product. So, if for no other...

Ocean Shores DA threat to biodiversity, say residents

A proposal to subdivide one lot (2,097m2) into three lots, and build two dwellings and three secondary dwellings, in densly forested riparian land in North Ocean Shores would create ‘Gold-Coast-style overdevelopment’, say residents.

Disaster prevention pledge welcomed

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has welcomed a pre-election commitment from Federal Labor to invest up to $200 million per year in disaster prevention and resilience.

Rainbow Temple squeezed by Lismore Council 

For two decades, the Rainbow Temple in Rosebank has stood as a striking reflection of the region’s proudly beating spiritual heart.

Editorial: Dear Committee Secretariat

The federal Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts has commenced a new inquiry into Australia’s regional newspapers (print and digital).  According to its terms of references, the Committee will consider: ‘The impact of decisions in a number of markets...

COVID strategy

Our PM and premier have decided to fall back on the old ‘Dunkirk Strategy’: Retreat, withdraw and claim a victory. Harald Ehrlich, Balmain

Discourse

Dear Editor, good on you for your piece reminding us about the importance of public discourse. Like you, I find Drs McCullough and Malone pretty credible (can one ever know for sure?). Though in these troubled times I often keep...

Bungawalbin primitive bush camp: death by a thousand cuts

Locals are raising concerns in relation to a Development Application for a ‘Community Facilities – Primitive camp ground' near Coraki that they say is a site prone to severe flooding and fire risk.

Vale Byron girl, Patricia Marcia Dailhou 

Patricia, better known as Pat or Patsy, was born in Byron Bay in 1933 and was the second eldest of nine, to Horace Cecil Vernon Freeman (better known as ‘Bluey’) and Dorothy Lulu Freeman (nee Daniels). 

Daintree buyback sees more forest retained

Over the last two-and-a-half years the Mullumbimby based Rainforest 4 Foundation has had a mission to buy back parts of the Daintree Lowland Rainforest that were subdivided for sale in the 1980s. 

Localisation shines as supply chains weaken

While Coles and Woolworths struggle with supply chain issues caused by the Omicron outbreak, local farmer’s markets and independent food retailers appear to be coming into their own.

The Lord and that ‘dance’

Two things happened during the last week that perfectly illustrate the federal government’s position on religious discrimination in Australia.

Hospitals under strain

With ever increasing pressure on health services across the nation and locally, how are health staff coping – and are there enough ICU beds and ventilators to cope with the ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases?

Food for thought?

‘The fundamental cause of the trouble,’ he wrote, ‘is that in the modern world, the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.’ Bertrand Russell said this. I wonder if Mr Perrottet has read it? M Easton, Ballina

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Emergency response for our emergency responders

We need our nurses. Right now, they are the most important workforce in the country. Not politicians or real estate agents or tradies or miners. Nurses. Paramedics. Hospital doctors.

Bioenergy precaution

The notion of ‘Green Energy’ has recently excited business investors and no doubt the public. We need positive solutions to pollution / pollutants as we face the sixth extinction. Air pollution has, for many years, been labelled the highest...

Marooned yacht on rocks near Ballina

A local photographer has shot a marooned yacht at Flat Rock, in Ballina Shire. It's the second boat to be washed ashore in recent months

Echo celebrates 40 with awards night tomorrow

Tickets are selling fast! Come join a fun-filled night of community celebration – This Saturday (tomorrow) The Echo is set to mark its 40th year in style with a ’30s swing-era style party and community awards night featuring the dynamic sounds of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra.

Author Tristan Bancks follows up with Two Wolves sequel

Local author Tristan Bancks launched his new book for readers 10+, Raised By Wolves, at Byron Book Room last night (Thursday 4 June).

Lismore City Council recognised for environmental leadership at LG awards

Lismore City Council has been recognised for outstanding achievement in environmental leadership, resilience and community infrastructure at the 2026 LG Professionals NSW Local Government Excellence Awards.