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Made Here – Issue #3, Spring 2022
What we are and what we will become is in our hands. How we treat ourselves, those around us, our environment, and how we imagine our future creates the opportunities for what happens to, and in, our world. When the ‘hippies’ moved to the hills and beaches of the Northern Rivers in the 1970s they were turning their ideas into the world they wanted to create and that has become the reality we see in the region and that continues evolving here today.
Those ideas, art, music, politics and philosophies continue to shape the lives of people far and wide, even the humble Echo and this Made Here magazine are outcomes of those ideas and what has been created here.
Thankfully we don’t stand still. There is never a perfect world and we can constantly self-critique, improve, and see new opportunities individually, culturally, and in business.
Innovation is certainly part and parcel of the region – from bread baking and vegan food, from footwear to creating art, jewellery, and incense; there is no shortage of ways people express themselves to heal, inspire, and support each other.
‘I think what we do know is the Northern Rivers has an entrepreneurial element to it,’ says Jane Laverty, regional manager Northern Rivers for Business NSW.
‘There is everyday oxygen and Northern Rivers oxygen. This is a real strength to our region as a place, as a tourism product, as an inspirational place to come and create.’
This can be seen in the development of the Tweed Artisan Food Week that takes place between 21 and 30 October, the Sample Food Festival in Bangalow, and the Harvest Food Trail, all of which celebrate food, growing indigenous produce, unique products, and innovative cooking in the region. These events are complemented by a range of music and arts festivals, such as the Mud Trail for sculptors, Bluesfest for musicians, and many more that celebrate artists of all types.
As many say, the limits are really our own imaginations and if there is a place to make your dreams come true then it is certainly here in the Northern Rivers. Fight for what you believe and make the difference you want to see.
– Aslan Shand, editor
Made Here – Issue #2
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Welcome to our latest publication, Made Here!
There is an idea of belonging that often inspires people to try the waters of the Northern Rivers. An idea that, if they come here, they might discover themselves and others in a more true and connected way. It is often based on the principles that those original hippies came here in the 1970s as they sought to reassess and redefine their relationships with themselves, their community and society at large.
Those ideas were based how to change the relationships with the people around them positively, how to protect the environment and how to reconnect…
While it may have started with the Barter Field and moon dances in Main Arm, the Aquarius Festival in Nimbin, and the Terania Creek protests, it continues to grow and change. You can still head to local markets like The Channon and buy things that have been lovingly made by local hands and minds, but it has also become an area where ideas and businesses can seed and grow beyond the region.
The focus on community has allowed the development of The Farmers Markets and Lismore Produce Market that provide an outlet for local growers to connect directly with their customers. At the other end of the spectrum you can now pick up Byron Bay Cookies on the other side of the globe, and there are businesses like Brookfarm – which has expanded from muesli and macadamia oil into a successful range of healthy food products.
Whether it is food and farming, woodwork, essential oils or art the key is that being part of a local community allows people to come together, to make connections and support one another. That can be in so many different ways: from helping build tiny homes for the homeless and supporting the local community centres, to innovative regenerative farming practices and business development and employment. As all these elements weave together they create community, support lives and the local economy. The hope is that as we move forward the idea of community is not lost, that what has been created, in terms of connection and support, can grow stronger in the face of the challenges of climate change and political corruption. That integrity, hope and the value of people, the environment and caring is one of the things we can keep as an integral part of what we have made here and what might continue to inspire.
Aslan Shand, editor
Made Here – Issue #1
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• Made Here Issue #1 was distributed with The Byron Shire Echo issue 36.16
• Made Here Issue #2 was distributed with The Byron Shire Echo issue 36.45
• Made Here Issue #3 was distributed with The Byron Shire Echo issue 37.17
