Drama All Sorts is once again presenting its annual all ability play, It’s a Long Way to the Top on Wednesday, 10 and 17 December at 11am in Brunswick Heads.
Reflecting on 25 years for Brookfarm, Pam and Martin Brook spoke to both the challenges and rewards of developing a sustainable and ethical business in the Northern Rivers that has achieved international success and recognition.
In 2026 The Echo is turning 40 – and something we have learnt is that our community loves a good story. One way or another, we have been in the business of publishing your stories, and you have been in the business of telling them. To celebrate this momentous occasion, we want to do what we have always done, and that is – give your ideas and creativity a platform!
A great night was had by local Byron businesses at Tokyo Doll, celebrating the excellence of the town’s business successes. Pictured is Barefruit Marketing’s Evan and Claire Harding accepting the Service Stars award.
Twenty-five years ago Screenworks began as a way to bring together all the amazing local talent in the film industry. This Monday, 8 December they are inviting everyone to come and join in a free, fun night to celebrate their success at the Brunswick Picture House with the Docker River Band from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.
Carols by Candlelight will be taking place at the Mullumbimby Showground this Saturday, 7 December from 6.30pm.
Tom Franklin (32) from Lennox Head has saved a Ballina woman from drowning at Iluka Break Wall last Saturday morning. Drownings Coming into summer, more and more stories like this one emerge in our area, and some of them are tragic. As...
With schoolies season upon us, the Red Frog organisation is back again to help young people get through the week safely.
I recently visited Airforce Beach and was pleasantly surprised to have 4WD access. What a beautiful spot you have – everyone I saw on the beach was being respectful and enjoying a beautiful part of NSW. It is a...
I support Jeff Johnson’s opposition to Ballina Shire Council’s Special Rate Variation (SRV), (Echo 12 November). The proposed SRV is a callous cash grab in a cost-of-living crisis. It is tantamount to a financial scam on ratepayers. The survey that Council...
At last Thursday’s Byron Shire Council (BSC) meeting long-time member of the Mullumbimby Hospital Action Group (MHAG), Caroline Bass, addressed councillors over the Council’s failure to engage with and inform the community over the future of the Mullumbimby Hospital site.
Once again Waterlily Park in Ocean Shores has been cleared of the invasive salvinia weed. An aquatic harvester operated in the lake for around one week, removing the weed which will be stored on the bank to dry out...
Voting on whether to ‘progress’ Byron‘s Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) by Byron Shire councillors was an indecisive affair – Cr Jack Dods’s arm popped up and down like a jack-in-a-box as he changed his mind repeatedly, eventually voting against the motion he seconded, to ‘pause’ the SEP.
‘Cognitive dissonance’ is a mental phenomenon in which one person holds fundamentally conflicting views. Another Conference of the Parties (COP) ends badly, without a mention of ‘fossil fuels’. It seems we are still in the first stage of grieving: denial....
Considering the amount of big dangerous dogs in our community, owned mostly by people who feel they need protection, I have considered starting my own dog school. My mantra would be: ‘If you have to call ‘em back, it’s...
Three great letters from last week by Heather Rowland, Jan Barham and Annie Radermacher, which are very relevant. Our local Council is ‘planning’ for us, yet seemed to have lost their ‘duty of care’, so of course people are...
The Martins, a local Byron family, will be holding their annual fundraiser lunch on 5 December to raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and to honour their son Oli who passed tragically in 2021
The Bangalow community came together on Sunday for a public meeting to receive updates and create a community campaign to have the Banglow Bowlo returned to the community.
Older women don’t care what you think about them. I know. I’ve become an older woman. It’s a heady kind of liberation from the shackles of giving a F about approval, or not trying not to upset people. Some days I actually think I am in the business of upsetting people.
I refer to an article by David Brown (The Echo, 26 November, 2025). The housing solution offered by a large, decontaminated, publicly-owned site close to town, already serviced, is compelling. There are any number of successful public housing schemes in Australia...
This is a call to action for those women and men who understand and have empathy. Let’s take the time and summon the courage to speak up when we see what we know to be oppression of women in all...
I am a native of Launceston, Tasmania, and was appalled in 1959 when the council allowed the demolition of a beautiful old building right on the corner of our major intersection in town. It was the Cox Bros Department...
As the festive season comes alive, it’s the perfect time to share joy with thoughtful, locally-made gifts that bring both heart and soul to your celebrations. Start with the warm, natural glow of Ahanah Beeswax Candles, hand-poured from pure beeswax...
What do you know about Mexican food? Did you know that the culture is over 3,000 years old? Not quite as ancient as Australia’s First Nations culture but certainly established well before Europeans arrived. Did you know some of our...
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.
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