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Byron Shire
June 11, 2026

Latest News

Protests against closure of life-saving facility in Murwillumbah

The announcement that Murwillumbah's Safe Haven would be closed this week due to the end of funding arrangements has been greeted with shock by locals who have come to rely on the mental health support services the facility provided.

Other News

Emily Lubitz added to Lismore Lantern Parade lineup

Fresh from reaching number one on the ARIA Country Charts, Emily Lubitz will headline the  Heartbeat Festival Stage on Saturday 20 June, as part of the Lantern Parade.

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

Bombay to Byron: 12 years of modern Indian on Jonson Street

This June marks 12 years since Bombay to Byron first opened its doors on Jonson Street, and husband-and-wife team...

Byron Youth Service continues to invest in young people and community spaces

Byron Youth Service is celebrating another year of supporting young people across the Byron Shire through a diverse range of creative, educational, and wellbeing initiatives, while continuing significant improvements to The YAC.

Council tightens ‘affordable housing’ rules

Byron Council has tightened its definition of ‘affordable housing’ in a bid to make access to housing more equitable on major projects like the former Mullumbimby Hospital site and 57 Station Street.

Cartoon of the week – 10 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.

April 16, 2025

Byron Shire Echo issue 39.45 – April 16, 2025

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Local News | Comment | Letters | Articles | Good Taste | The Good Life | School Holidays | Bluesfest 2025 Liftout | Soapbox | Crossword | Stars | Health & Healing | Mullum on the Map | Seven Entertainment | Gig Guide | Classifieds | Service Directory | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Backlash
In this issue: Eat Drink Magazine #8, Easter 2025
Download PDF (16MB) Bluesfest liftout
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In this Issue:

Private Kevin Francis Hogan and Private Owen Patrick McGuire

Many people are aware of the Japanese attack, in May 1943, on the Australian Hospital Ship Centaur, but few perhaps realise that a number of war dead and survivors were from the Northern Rivers.

Claims that STRA owners ‘rorting the system’

Hundreds of short-term rental accommodation (STRA) owners in the Byron Shire are ‘blatantly rorting’ the system by falsely claiming they are not required to register their properties, Byron Council has been told.

How do we fix Byron’s economic woes?

What do we want business in Byron to look like in a decade’s time and how will we get there?

Swimmers off to Sydney to represent region

Nine swimmers from Ocean Shores Aquatics have qualified for individual swims at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre at Homebush, Sydney.

Dipping into Byron’s rich history with Jan Dawkins

The birth of the Byron Community Centre in 1980 was a profoundly important moment in the history of the Shire – an event which shaped our community in ways which continue to be felt today. But few who call...

Make friends and influence people with the CWA

The Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW are encouraging women to consider becoming involved in their organisation, with the ‘Find Your Place’ campaign running in April and May.

Byron Public welcomes new principal 

It’s not often you see a school principal playing handball with her students. But Byron Bay Public School’s new chief does just that. And the kids are loving it.

Editorial – Vote for nobody. Nobody is perfect.

The federal electorate of Richmond (Tweed, Byron and Ballina Shires) apparently tops the nation for high-risk properties impacted by climate change.

Interview with Rag’n’Bone Man

Known to the world as Rag’n’Bone Man, Rory Graham burst onto the music scene in 2016 with his breakthrough hit ‘Human’, a track that masterfully blended traditional blues with hip hop and introduced listeners to his powerful baritone voice. 

Creating a way forward for Council and historical unapproved dwellings

Managing unapproved development is not a new challenge for Byron Shire Council (BSC), or other Northern Rivers councils.

Ever thought of being a firefighter?

Mullumbimby Fire and Rescue are looking to recruit a new on-call firefighter for the Mullumbimby 388 station.

Trump’s tariffs are not a local liberation

While Donald Trump talks tough on trade, the real threat isn’t foreign nations. It’s the global corporate system that has hollowed out our economies, weakened democracy and deepened inequality.

Wonderfully Weird

I have always been a weird girl. In fact, I have made my career out of it.

Eclectic selection: What’s on this week (April 16–23, 2025)

Eclectic Selection: What’s on this week is a taste of some of the events that can be found in the Byron Shire and beyond this coming week. (April 16–23, 2025)

James Guppy’s survey

James Guppy’s new exhibition, Now and Then, showcases a series of recent paintings presented alongside a selection of works from his archive that have been curated by Christine Willcocks.

Nine years and getting better

Nine years ago, the Brunswick Picture House opened on Good Friday with Cheeky Cabaret and Lil’ Cheeky and they haven’t looked back.

Award-winning vocalist Emma Pask

The Northern Rivers Conservatorium (NRC) is thrilled to welcome award-winning Australian vocalist Emma Pask, who will be performing again as part of the NRC 2025 visiting artists program on Friday, May 2.

In harmony

The Women in Harmony Vocal Workshop with Imogen Wolf of Northern Rivers Conservatorium is a beautiful, immersive experience – if you love to sing, or even think you might, come and experience the uplifting, healing power of singing with other women. Guided by spirited and inspirational singing facilitator Imogen Wolf, before you know it you’ll be singing simple songs from around the world in beautiful harmony.

Exquisitely perverted

From Berlin basements to Brunswick, Amelia Jane Hunter unleashes comedy, kink and chaos.

Mullum Root’s stellar line-up

The inaugural Mullum Roots Festival has revealed its much-anticipated program for 2025, headlined by iconic Australian acts The Waifs and Jeff Lang. The exciting line-up also features favourites such as Emily Lubitz, JB’s Blues Breakers, The Versace Boys, Shane Howard, The Soul Movers, and many more.

Ballot locked in, now comes the pledges

Buckle up peeps, the federal election is May 3, and there are ten candidates for the marginal Richmond electorate who are vying for your precious vote.

Catering with a personal touch and a great sense of humour

A Chef’s Pocket Catering offers a unique diversity of food-inspired services. Andres and Franco source the best local ingredients to create wonderful experiences – from Peruvian to Japanese, Thai and Italian, Andres and Franco can help you create a...

Byron Farmers Market – where real farmers provide real food

Byron and Bangalow Farmers Markets are two of the longest-running farmers’ markets in Australia, and while much has changed since the first market was held in Butler Street Reserve more than 22 years ago, one important factor has remained...

Community to rally against ‘relentless’ RA house demolitions

Northern Rivers locals and flood-impacted residents will gather in Lismore this Saturday to demand the NSW Reconstruction Authority stop demolishing heritage homes and deliver on broken promises, as community anger at the failed flood recovery reaches a new peak.

Myall Creek walk starts conversations and opens eyes to difficult history

The Walk 4 Stolen Children, Land & Lives has successfully concluded in Myall Creek, having completed 474km on foot from Ballina and visited a number of massacre sites along the way.

Emergency departments buckling under pressure

Nurses working at emergency departments (ED) across the state are continuing to feel the effects of increased presentations and very unwell people coming through their doors, with the latest health snapshot painting a worrying picture of NSW public hospitals.

New exhibitions opening at Lismore Regional Gallery

All are welcome to the official opening of four new exhibitions at Lismore Regional gallery this Friday evening, with live music and a talk from Melbourne artist Sarah Ujmaia.