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The Byron Shire Echo Issue 40.25 – November 26, 2025

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ISSUE #9 ~ SUMMER 2025 A celebration of the amazi ng food, drinks, and delights of the Northe rn Rivers

FOOD FOR THOUGHT The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 40 #25 • November 26, 2025 • www.echo.net.au

Tasty bonus with this issue!

Activists ¨IJĕ dşưĕƷƆ ćşƱ şƖƐ ƱĶƐIJ Ǖŕëō īĶī Ķŕ ſƖŕƆ march for an end to DV Aslan Shand This year the call for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence against women and girls is particularly poignant following the death of local woman Ashleigh Grice, allegedly at the hands of her partner, on Friday, 19 September in Mullumbimby. Multiple events are happening throughout the Northern Rivers to mark the 16 Days of Activism from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to 10 December, International Human Rights Day. This year’s theme, UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls, calls for urgent action to make online spaces safe and respectful. ‘Digital violence is real violence. It harms women and girls every day, and it’s changing what young people think is normal,’ Emma Siegel, Acting CEO, Women’s Health Northern Rivers (WHNR) told The Echo. Choking has become more common, and has led to an increase in brain damage and in some cases death (itleftnomarks.com.au). ‘One area of concern in the digital space, and in the porn space, is that sexual choking has been normalised making it seem like everyone’s doing it and that it’s an activity that is risk free,’ said Madeline Smith from WHNR. ‘We know it’s not risk free and we are seeing women with ▶ Continued on page 2

After ten years The Loveys are hanging up their bassoon. Janet Swain, Pam Freeman, Belinda Eadsforth, and Jenny Parenteau have endeared themselves to the Shire and well beyond. Described as brilliantly original, heroic, glorious and fabulous, The Loveys will be missed. Photo Jeff ‘Loveys Will Tear Us Apart, Again’ Dawson

Future of Mullum Hospital site up in the air Eight years ago, the state government agreed to sell the old Mullumbimby Hospital site to Byron Shire Council (BSC) for $1 in a stunt by National Party member Ben Franklin. Council staff’s proposal to sell the site to developers will come

before this Thursday’s Council meeting. Responding to the proposed sale of the site Byron Council’s Greens councillors said they want the NSW government to buy the land back, and take responsibility for implementing

the community’s vision there. ‘This is a large project that requires a big lift to deliver, but it is absolutely aligned with our community’s vision and housing objectives at all levels of government,’ Greens Mayor Sarah Ndiaye said in a press release last week.

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‘We cannot forgo one of our only opportunities for public and diverse housing that’s close to town, on flood-free land, in our Shire.’ However, the Mullumbimby Hospital Action group (MHAG) have pointed out in a letter to councillors ▶ Continued on page 4

Now’s a great time Making the to visit Byron’s most of summer bustling A&I ▶ p22 living ▶ p24

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Jonson Street, Byron Bay • 02 6685 6878 • www.byronbayservicesclub.com.au


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