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July 14, 2026
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From refugee to community contributor – a personal story

When I first arrived in Australia from Syria, I carried many emotions with me. Like many refugees and newcomers, I was grateful to be safe, but I was also overwhelmed by the challenges of starting over in a completely new country.

Other News

Community rallies behind beloved Byron local facing cancer battle

Locals are rallying behind beloved Byron local Krystal Pillwein after she was diagnosed with stage 2 inoperable cervical cancer, launching a fundraising campaign to help ease the financial burden of her treatment.

Cartoons of the week – 8 July, 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.

Eclectic Selection for the week beginning 8 July 2026

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.

NSW Women of the Year nominations closing soon

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin is calling on residents of the Lismore electorate to get their nominations in for the 2027 NSW Women of the Year Awards.

Response to the Special Rate Variation

Why spend $120,000 on a community engagement plan to find out if residents will be happy to see their...

Music comes to Mullum this weekend!

Wild Rocket blast into Mullum as Mullum Roots Festival lights up the town this coming weekend. Three venues around Mullum will host music, while songwriting workshops will happen at the Drill Hall Theatre on Sunday.

Stories about "drug law reform":

What happened to the war on drugs?

When it comes to drugs like cannabis and psilocybin, as the USA moves steadily towards decriminalisation, regulation and therapeutic reform, Australia's laws remain largely stuck in the past.

Steve Bolt talks activism and the law

Lismore-based lawyer Steve Bolt has recently retired, after thirty years of practice in the Northern Rivers. The Echo caught up with this illustrious local legal legend to talk about the intersection of activism and the law, in his own life and the wider community.

Cannabis laws steeped in racist US past

NSW now lags the nation in drug law reform. Qld has just decriminalised possession of small quantities of all drugs, including ice and heroin.

Jeremy Buckingham back to legalise cannabis

Former NSW Greens MLC Jeremy Buckingham is back on the hustings as the lead upper house candidate for the Legalise Cannabis Party in the NSW state election.

Election candidates disclose their drug use history

With Greens MP Cate Faehrmann’s admission recently that she has taken illegal substances, what better opportunity to ask the three state election candidates about their own drug use?

The war on a gentle weed is totally absurd

Chibo Mertineit, Lillian Rock. Are we ruled by a holy mob? Just found an article reminding me that in 1998 the UN (United Nations) General Assembly Special Session on Drugs (just had a meeting last week) decided to eradicate the Coca plant, poppy seed plant and the cannabis plant by 2008 for an annual cost of half a billion dollars each of the ten years.

Green talks on drug decriminalisation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbuP1FxEtp4 The Australian Greens will continue a national drug decriminalisation tour this week, holding round table meetings on ending prosecutions for individual user. Greens leader Richard...

Oz Grom Open wraps up in Lennox

The 2026 Soundboks Oz Grom Open saw a fairytale finish to competition yesterday with huge performances, bluebird skies and local wins in dreamy two-foot conditions.

Jeff Dawson captures Mullum Roots Festival

Did you make it to Mullum Roots Festival on the weekend?

Coorabell art show inspired by natural world

'Elemental: Conversations with Nature' is the title of a forthcoming exhibition featuring eight established and midcareer artists working across painting, drawing, weaving, ceramics, and textiles.  Inspired by the natural world, each artist explores the forms, patterns, materials, and forces found in nature.

NSW Women of the Year nominations closing soon

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin is calling on residents of the Lismore electorate to get their nominations in for the 2027 NSW Women of the Year Awards.