The co-founder of Wardell CORE, Joel Orchard, has been named the 2026 Northern Rivers Volunteer of the Year, recognising his contribution to community connection, disaster preparedness and food relief through the Wardell Neighbourhood Centre.

Students gaining practical emergency response skills while helping build the next generation of volunteers has been the focus of the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Youth Internship Programs across the state during this school term.

Inspired by a lifetime surrounded by emergency responders, 17-year-old NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Mullumbimby Unit volunteer Scarlett Rushton is proudly following in her family’s footsteps to serve her community.

Former Marine Rescue Point Danger Unit Commander, Keith Smith, has been elected unopposed as the new Northern Rivers Regional Director for Marine Rescue NSW.

Volunteers play a critical role in times of disaster, and to better prepare for future events, Byron Shire Council, together with emergency response organisations, local services and groups will be holding three information sessions about volunteering in a disaster.

There is one super easy way to be happier, more fulfilled, connect with community, and to get off socials – volunteer. Volunteering is this incredible two-way street. You give back to your community, and in return you feel good about yourself. It’s better than 100 likes on a Facebook post! Actual real likes from people with actual faces!

'Turning The Tide', the extraordinary story of Ballina Rotary's response to the 2022 floods crisis, was launched on Friday evening at Cherry Street Sports Club.

Tweed Shire Council will use National Volunteer Week to celebrate the significant contribution volunteers make across the Tweed, and to spotlight those who selflessly give back to the community.

I’m just a girl who can’t say ‘No’. It’s been my default setting for as long as I can remember. It’s probably why, when I’m offered a drink, I’ll have six instead of one. Or if I’m offered a piece of chocolate I’ll want the whole block. I’m not a moderate person. I don’t understand moderate people and how they think. How do they so easily set limits for themselves? I tell myself that moderate people live in beige houses and live beige lives. 

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.