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Byron Shire
June 6, 2026

Latest News

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

A double dingo film screening

Following a sold-out screening at the Brunswick Picture House, Defend the Wild and Dingo Culture are proud to host a double screening event on Saturday, 13 June in Evans Head, on Minyumai Country, whose rangers feature in the film.

ISIS vs Australian Israelis

Dear Rod Murray (Letters, 27 May) In reply to your very long letter, far exceeding 250 words, (in itself...

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.

Free disability workshops 3 and 4 June

On June 3 and 4, the Physical Disability Council of NSW (PDCN) is partnering with the locally based Disability Advocacy NSW (DA) to deliver two days of free, engaging events in the Northern Rivers. 

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.

Latest chuckle of stand ups stake to the stage

After stepping away from the role for 12 months, Mandy Nolan returned to Byron Adult Education to teach what Mandy believes is the best, and possibly most successful stand up comedy course in the country. 

January 24, 2024

Byron Shire Echo issue 38.33 – January 24, 2024

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In this Issue:

Doco sheds new light on home birth

After seeing the impacts of a traumatic hospital birth suffered by a dear friend, Binna Burra mother of two, Emma Maidment, knew she would have to find a better way when her time came.

Editorial – We’ve had complaints

The Australian Jewish Association (AJA) sure did stir up a lot of complaints to The Echo, given their inflammatory and inaccurate statements in their page 5 advertisement last week. 

Australia Day/Survival Day celebrations

There are a few Australia/Survival Day celebrations in Byron Shire to choose from today starting at 8am in Brunswick Heads.

Invasion Day – time to create unity through recognition and justice

As 26 January approaches our communities are once more gripped by polarised views of the date.

No time frame on Upper Main Arm roadworks

Upper Main Arm residents have no time frame for when their dangerous, pothole-ridden road will be repaired.

Bangalow Road ‘workers housing’ development draws mixed support

Plans for a $9 million ‘workers housing development’  at 58-60 Bangalow Road, Byron Bay, have received a mixed response from locals, with some supporting the addition of diverse housing options, while others argue there will be wide-ranging negative impacts for little overall benefit.

Expensive card habits versus cash 

How many of us use our cards routinely to buy just about everything, while barely giving it a thought?  Once we were seduced by being offered frequent flyer points and receiving rewards for our customer loyalty.

Mullum hospital site

I was interested in your article ‘Former Mullum hospital site Q&A (Echo, 17 January). I thank you for this article, and for drawing attention to several issues that will affect the local residents. In particular, I refer to your...

DA for music venue

I strongly disagree with the concept of a music venue in Banksia Drive. The suggestion by the owner putting forward the development application (DA) that the decibel level would not affect the surrounding residential estate is ludicrous – this...

Young Spencer to speak on wallum

Mandy Nolan saw 13-year-old Spencer Hitchen speaking at Woodford and was so blown away, she has invited him to come and speak locally about his ideas for the environment.

Farewell piano busker, AJ Hickling 

Sad news crossed the Tasman recently, with the passing of AJ (Alistair John) Hickling, known to many simply as the piano busker.

Giving youth a say in Earth’s future

For much of her young life local teenager, Monet Shortland, has engaged in what she describes as ‘a kind of silent activism’.

Future water for Rous County Council

I read with interest Philip Rudd’s 27 December 2023 letter about Rous County Council’s Future Water Strategy and was quite frankly bemused at what I see as potentially misleading the community. As well as being a Councillor on Lismore Council...

Fed Sheds

The recent approval of the Federal Sheds is a concern. Overwhelmingly this development application was opposed by the Federal community. Why do we vote for councillors? My understanding is that they represent the communities that put their faith in...

Cartoon of the week – January 24, 2024

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.

Mandy Nolans Soapbox: No to STRUTH, Yes to TRUTH

On 26 January we celebrate 236 years. It’s like celebrating a single grain of sand instead of the entire beach. If we are going to celebrate colonisation we need to face up to the ugly stories of what our ancestors did. Not just about what was stolen, but how. Because some of us are the beneficiaries of what was stolen while others inherit generational trauma.

Twilight Japanese pop-up picnic and dance

Byron Taiko is hosting Tribal Dance, a twilight Japanese pop-up picnic dinner and live music event in Lennox Head. This will be a wholly interactive experience at Lake Ainsworth Sports & Rec Centre on Saturday.

Cinema: Wonka

https://youtu.be/otNh9bTjXWg?si=cIRWV-n9VC5aDslO If you are old enough you’ll remember Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Gene Wilder in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory from 1971. In 2005 Johnny Depp played Willy in the telling of Charlie and...

Luku Ngärra: The Law of the Land 

A free event will be held at Byron Theatre on the evening of Survival Day to celebrate the launch of Yolŋu Elder Rev Dr Djiniyini Gondarra’s Truth-Telling Together education movement.

The hot, steamy, wet antidote

Hot steamy days and wet nights… yep, it’s been a Bruns summer all right – and the Brunswick Picture House crew have got the antidote for you – they have started a jam-packed January with a superstar comedy program and the biggest names in showbiz, plus the mother of them all is back!

Country and western’s Crockett

The country and western superstar returns to Australia after his mind-blowing sold-out shows here in early 2023. The Man from Waco, Charley Crockett, will deliver a scorching night of country classics – oozing Americana and drenched in timeless classic tales. Charley’s neo-traditional country swagger lassos the listener into dreamlike nostalgic westerns of wandering, whiskey, and the wild, wild west. Look out Byron Bay – he’s on his way!

Top four takes shape in Northern Rivers first-grade cricket with Goonellabah...

Goonellabah Workers Cricket Club (GWCC) has retained top place in the Far North Coast first grade LJ Hooker League after beating local rivals Alstonville, while Cudgen solidified a top three placing after beating the Casino Cavaliers. In the two-day game...

Local wins Ballina Open tennis tournament

Mullumbimby Tennis Club member Marielou Baudouin won the  Ballina New Year Open tournament winning the open women’s division in straight sets. ‘The Ballina tournament was a great success. We had a total of 188 players enter. And over 40 players...

Local wins Australian junior water polo gold medal

Alstonville Junior Water Polo Club member Sarah Vanem was part of the University of Queensland (UQ) team that won the U/14 gold medal at the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships earlier this month. The Alstonville club had a total of...

Quench your thirst at Mullum and New Brighton farmers’ markets

Victoria Cosford It’s going to be a long hot summer. The big hats and the cool caps can be seen bobbing amongst the crowds at the markets, and it’s no surprise where the longest queues are as customers seek to...

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.