Lennox Head Landcare and partners recently won the Environmental Award from Ballina Shire Council, particularly for their efforts to protect Lake Ainsworth from the highly invasive plant water hyacinth, which is capable of doubling in size every five days.

Geoff Hutchinson has taken out Ballina Shire's Citizen of the Year Award for his exceptional service, leadership and dedication as a volunteer with Marine Rescue Ballina, saving lives on local waterways.

Nominations for Lismore City Council’s 2026 Australia Day Awards are now open, say Lismore Council staff, with two new categories: Academic Excellence and Contribution to Economic Excellence.

The Ballina Shire Council have announced the nominees for their 2025 Australia Day Awards, commemorating individual and community achievement throughout the shire

Designed to recognise ordinary people in the community who are doing extraordinary things, Ballina Shire is now seeking nominations for its 2025 Australia Day Awards.

The last meeting of the Ballina Shire Council saw another rancorous discussion about whether the local community awards ceremony should coincide with Australia Day.

Ballina Shire's Citizen of the Year was recently announced as Joel Taylor. A Lennox local since birth, Mr Taylor has made quite an impact in the world of surfing and beyond.

At its last meeting, Ballina Shire Council voted for one of the three Rs of local government – roads, rates and rubbish – to be entirely taken over by a private company, with council's existing rubbish collection vehicles to be sold off as part of the deal, for $740,000.

Kerrie Gray has recently received a Medal of the Order of Australia and is also Ballina Shire's newest Senior Citizen of the Year. She met The Echo in Alstonville to talk about the ongoing crises facing our region, and what everyone can do to help.

Koala conservationist Maria Matthes was named Ballina's Citizen of the Year in yesterday's Australia Day Awards, which were closed to the public but livestreamed from the Lennox Head Cultural Centre.