Made Here – October 2024
Welcome to the Northern Rivers. The place where we all came to make it big. And make it small. But mainly make it local!
Mandy Nolan
I loved it so much I made my own people here. Made in Mullum, literally – three lovely humans, conceived, grown, and home-delivered in the Byron Shire. We love making stuff. We are creative thinkers. We are home growers. We are makers.
I love our ‘made local’ economy. It was what first attracted me to this region – the markets! I have always been blown away by the creativity and the stunning out-of-the-box thinkers. In fact there was once a guy we called The Box King. Because he made things out of boxes!
We came here as dreamers! As schemers! We are all about the big idea!
The awesome unique invention that means you no longer work for the man! The idea that will give you the freedom to set your own hours, to be your own boss! The idea that has our hands in the soil to grow organic vegetables in our rich chemical-free soil. The idea that has us sticking hand-drawn labels on kombucha bottles. The idea that has us creating a tea tree plantation that later becomes the site of a sculpture show.
We love to use our home to make stuff. I remember strolling the markets and seeing how creative this region was. Like sandals made from recycled tyres. Hub cab handbags with seatbelts for straps. Like signature hats. Like jewellery made from cutlery. Or driftwood mobiles. The Byron markets were the birthplace of innovation. Eventually that innovation found its way from kitchens to garages to the Arts & Industry Estate to shop fronts.
We have such an incredible diversity of locally-made products.
Some of my favourites are made by friends. Like Bella Rosa. In a street full of ice cream and gelato, it’s worth noting that this particular Byron-based locally made gem is named after the daughters of the owners. Also made here. The store dates back to 1999 and has been bringing sweet treats to the people for 25 years! I love that it’s not a franchise. You can only get it here!
Some of our local bakeries supply the best bread on the planet. As a gluten-intolerant person who thought she had moved to the land of hard bread. That’s bread that can’t be cut with anything that’s not a buzz saw. But in Mullumbimby there’s a bakery that makes the best gluten-free bread I have ever eaten. It means I can have a sandwich. It gives me a reason to live!
We make surfboards, and furniture, we make breadboards from camphor laurels, we make hand-printed silks, and floaty goddess garb. We make things people want. We don’t waste.
We grow our own. Literally. Organic, locally-grown vegetables. Locally-grown bacon. We are sensualists. We even once created our own trademarked exercise routine… yogalattes! Did you know that was us? Well, a local yoga teacher who made her own original pilates blend!
I love buying locally-made products. I love knowing that I am supporting a local maker. I love knowing that what I am using was made here and it hasn’t involved the labour of the third world. I love that what I have bought isn’t part of the global product economy of harmful materials being flown around the world. I love knowing that buying locally not only supports my friends and community but it has a low carbon footprint.
I love supporting innovation. I love knowing that we can create eco-friendly makeup, and massage oils, and plum jams, and tasty beer. There is something very satisfying about a good Davidson’s plum jam.
Aboriginal people who lived here for thousands of years long before colonisation had the wisdom. They were the original made local culture. Everything you ever need is already here. Be respectful. Be sustainable. Be creative.
Made in Byron isn’t just a brand. It’s a way of living. It’s a value system which is centred around the environment. It’s about not being exploitative. And it’s about doing things differently!
So let’s really make it, and make it here!
Made Here – November 2023
Made Here – Issue #3
Made Here – Issue #2
Made Here – Issue #1
• 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
• Made Here 2023 was distributed with The Byron Shire Echo issue 38.22
• Made Here 2024 was distributed with The Byron Shire Echo issue 39.21
