Get the appJulie O'Shea founded the charity Who Gives a Cluck in 2017 and has saved nearly 13,000 laying hens from being culled. This year, she and her volunteers plan to rescue about 1,700 hens from a commercial caged egg farm. The hens are checked for health, and those that fail go to the charity's hen hospital or a local sanctuary. Rescued hens are adopted at events held across the region, including at Mullumbimby in northern New South Wales.
For Small Business Month, three regional enterprises are profiled. In Tenterfield, The Bungalow and Ivy Leaf Chapel run a boutique bed and breakfast, wedding venue and garden destination on a historic 1915 timber property. Dorrigo Transit, launched in October 2021, offers shuttles, door-to-door transfers and charters linking the North Coast and New England. At Mullumbimby Showground, a not-for-profit community reserve, markets, hireable halls, camping and the annual agricultural show bring people together.
Three Northern Rivers community groups have shared $30,000 in Australia Post grants to boost mental wellbeing, social connection and disaster resilience. Each receives $10,000. Rainbow Roos AU in Lismore will run play-based sessions for more than 250 children and families. Seed Northern Rivers in Mullumbimby will deliver trauma-informed workshops for disaster recovery. The Wilsons Creek, Huonbrook and Wanganui Community Association will stage four seasonal creative gatherings. The grants are part of a national $700,000-plus program backing 81 initiatives.
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
Get the appThe NSW government has extended the Hunter Valley Operations Continuation Project until 2045, which will produce over 800 million tonnes of climate pollution. NSW Fire and Rescue are urging residents to reduce fire hazards around their homes, including clearing gutters and disposing of flammable materials. Firefighters attended 1,005 residential fires in NSW during the spring of 2025, with 45 per cent lacking working smoke alarms.
A Mullumbimby resident has raised concerns about road safety on Coolamon Scenic Drive, which connects Mullumbimby to Ocean Shores. The resident highlights issues such as speeding, tailgating, and unsafe overtaking, which pose risks to cyclists, pedestrians, and residents. A submission to Byron Shire Council has been made, requesting a formal review and potential safety improvements. The resident calls for a broader community conversation to address the road's safety challenges, as it is used by a diverse range of road users. The community is invited to share their experiences and opinions on the matter.
The Echo invites readers to contribute letters on topics of local significance to the NSW north coast community. Submissions must be received by noon on Fridays, with a maximum length of 200 words. The publication of letters is subject to editorial discretion. Correspondence can be sent via email to [email protected] or posted to the Mullumbimby office. This week's cartoon highlights the paper's engagement with its readership.