LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AND EVERYONE IN BETWEEN, IT’S … The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 39 #51 • May 28, 2025 • www.echo.net.au
ëŕīëōşƱ ćşƱōşȜƆ ōćĶĕȜƆ ſĈIJĶĕ ëſƐƱşſŊ ĶƆ ëŕ ëćƆşōƖƐĕ īĕŔ Save Wallum parent company court battle endures losses ĕŕƐĕſƆ Ǖŕëō ƆƐëīĕ
T
Hans Lovejoy
he community-led effort to protect a rare and endangered habitat in Brunswick Heads from urban development is now in the final stages, with final submissions now delivered by both sides in the Federal Court of Australia. The significant coastal wallum ecosystem was earmarked for development by Clarence Property, but faced stiff community opposition. The issue divided the previous Council, led by former mayor, Michael Lyon. His casting vote in early 2024 enabled works to begin for 123 residential lots and three small-medium density sites. But with community-led fundraising the Save Wallum organisation was able to get an interlocutory injunction to stop development works, which has been in place over the site since July 2024.
With the parent company of the Bangalow Bowling Club, Norths, Collective posting a $2,585,559 loss last financial year, The Echo sought comment around the company’s commitment to major upgrades as promised, and to reassure the Bangalow community that their club is not in danger of becoming insolvent or being sold off. In January 2022, the bowling club stopped trading briefly and went into voluntary administration owing creditors around $80,000. By 2023, the Bangalow community was divided on whether Norths should amalgamate with the club after then-president, Rowan Keast, warned of the bowlo’s shaky financial position.
Material uncertainty Apart from the $2.5m loss last financial year, North’s ‘current liabilities exceeded its current assets by $13,526,964’, according to its recent annual report. This in part prompted North’s independent auditor to conclude in their report (page 39) that, ‘these events or conditions indicate that a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the company’s ability to continue as a going concern’. Additionally, a recent newsletter from the club says they aren’t, ‘currently in a position financially to commence a multi-million-dollar major upgrade’. Norths CEO, Luke Simmons told The Echo, ‘Norths Collective held ▶ Continued on page 3
Byron foreshore plans get greenlight ▶ p2
Trystan and Albertine at home in Bangalow. Photo Eve Jeffery. Pictured right is Albie’s portrait which was selected for the Young Archie competition. Photo NSW Art Gallery Paul Bibby
I
t was a slightly melancholy selfie sent from the other side of the world that inspired Albie Eeles to paint a picture of her dad. With her ‘papa’ sharing a picture while in London for work, the seven-year-old from Bangalow decided to paint his picture for a class project on portraiture. ‘He was in London and I missed him,’ the Bangalow Primary School student says.
Emotions of the moment Not only did the painting capture the emotions of the moment, but it would also later capture the
No joke – Mandy quits stand-up comedy ▶ p5
attention of the judges in the Young Archie competition – the junior version of the Archibald Prize. The striking artwork was selected as a finalist for the 5–8-year-old category and is now proudly hanging in the NSW Art Gallery. The youngster went down to Sydney two weeks ago to see her painting and was more than a little chuffed. ‘Excited!’ was Albie’s brief but energetic description of her feelings upon seeing her painting in the exhibition. The gallery made the young artist and her family feel special, giving them free tickets to the full Archibald Prize exhibition and
Grassroots campaign showing them around. ‘We’re very proud of Albie and very impressed by the gallery,’ Albie’s mum Leila says. ‘They made such a fuss of us – people were even asking for autographs.’ ‘I remember when she did the painting I thought, “there’s something about this one, but maybe I’m just biased because I’m her mum”. I’m glad the judges saw something special too.’ Held every year in conjunction with the Archibald Prize, the Young Archie competition is judged by the NSW Art Gallery’s family programs manager, and a guest judge, based on merit and originality.
What’s the future Making for the Nats? wonderful ▶ p12 spaces ▶ p17
It follows the grassroots campaign, which commenced in August 2023. Save Wallum spokesperson, Svea Pitman said, ‘After months of protest activity on the controversial site, a legal case was established by a pro-bono legal team consisting of barristers Jonathan Korman and Richard Reynolds, and lawyer Natalija Nikolić, who came together to champion this cause’. A three-week trial began in February 2025 in the Federal Court, with final submissions being delivered on Monday, May 26 and Tuesday, May 27. ‘The entire trial has been ▶ Continued on page 3
A hub of creativity, Byron’s A&I Estate ▶ p20
Gigs, shows and amusing whatnot ▶ p23
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