This document was written without fear or favour, by The Echo editor Hans Lovejoy for the politically curious who are considering a tilt at public life, or those who are interested in the inner workings of local politics.
My intention is to hopefully inform and engage aspiring political...
Mayors have already been announced, and now the NSW Electoral Commission has pressed the button to determine the final list of local councillors for the next four years, with all preferences having been allocated.
The peak body representing community and residents’ groups, Community Alliance for Byron Shire (CABS), have posed the following questions to councillor candidates. All candidates replied to CABS/The Echo except mayor Michael Lyon.
The peak body representing Byron Shire’s community and residents’ groups, Community Alliance for Byron Shire (CABS), have posed the following questions for councillor candidates....
The Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce will host a free ‘meet the candidates’ event, specifically aimed at Byron businesses, on Monday, September 9, from 4.30pm to 5.30pm at the Byron Community Centre
With any election, political hopefuls enter the race as insiders (already in the ‘political tent’ and seeking re-election), or being outsiders, meaning they generally...
Echo: It is well known that career politicians and bureaucrats suffer from narcissistic and sociopathic behaviour problems. These characteristic traits include a lack of...
Monday’s ‘meet the candidates’ event at the Byron Theatre saw a full house, with Council aspirants for the September 14 election well supported by their supporters.
There are 24 candidates vying for nine Byron Shire Council seats, including four candidates running for mayor. Find out what they represent on Monday 2 September at the meet the candidates forum.
Bright Future Byron is a group of progressive independents giving voters an alternative to voting Green or Labor, free from party politics. Our vision...
The Greens ticket includes
Cr Sarah Ndaiye (Mullumbimby), Elia Hauge (Main Arm), Delta Kay (Byron Bay), Michelle Lowe (Byron Bay) and Nell Schofield (Mullumbimby) on...
Incumbent Mayor Michael Lyon (The Pocket) leads his team with Max Foggon (Wilsons Creek), Rhett Holt (Byron Bay) and Jeannette Martin (Mullumbimby).
Michael Lyon has...
The Labor team is Asren Pugh (Bangalow), Janet Swain (Ocean Shores), Mark Swivel (Byron Bay), Peter Doherty (Bangalow), Diana James (Byron Bay) and Linda...
A must-see, award-winning documentary investigating AI warfare in Gaza. Fresh from winning the Special Jury Prize at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival, NAZA, the latest documentary from Academy Award-winning filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor (No Other Land), examines artificial intelligence and surveillance in Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
When Sonja (Olivia Hargroder) loses her mother without warning, the only steady presence left in her life is her grandmother, Doris. But Doris’s idea of stability means dismantling everything Sonja has built. For Sonja, who lives with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and has spent her life fighting to be underestimated by no one, Doris’ plan feels less like protection and more like erasure.
Directed by Genevieve Clay-Smith, Boss Cat is a vibrant, big-hearted Australian dramedy about independence, family and self-determination, anchored by a fearless lead performance.
From Australian superstar musos, to brand new documentaries, to comedians at the top of their game, there really is something for everyone at the Brunswick Picture House.
The 2026 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival features an unmissable line up 36 films, including five retrospectives which will screen from 28 October to 29 November at Palace Byron Bay and Ballina Cinemas.
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