NAIDOC WEEK 2025: STRENGTH, VISION & LEGACY The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 40 #05 • July 9, 2025 • www.echo.net.au
Biggest little town gets tuneful
Byron SAE/ACAP campus to wind ĎşƱŕ ćƷ ǩǧǩǯ The SAE and ACAP University Colleges at the Byron Bay campus will begin a long-term wind-down process, with operations to conclude by February 2028. Established in 2004 as a degree centre for students in audio and film, it grew as a destination for aspiring creatives from around the world. Matthew Evans, Executive General Manager, SAE University College said, ‘Byron Bay has been more than a campus – it’s been a creative hub for artists, educators, and innovators. However, our institution has evolved, and so has the education landscape’.
Student demand
Locally-based musician, Emily Lubitz, is one of the performers at this weekend’s Mullum Roots Festival. Photo Jeff ‘Off The Very Special Bus’ Dawson
W
ith the opening night gala sold out, the Mullum Roots Festival is shaping up to be a big weekend for the Biggest Little Town in Australia.
The festival line up includes The Waifs, Jeff Lang, Robert Forster, Emily Lubitz, Shane Howard, Claire Anne Taylor, Dog Trumpet, The Soul Movers and a rollcall of local acts like the Versace Boys and Lou Bradley.
Like the Mullum Music Festival held years ago, punters can venuehop through the town and soak up live music with friends. Saturday will have a psychedelic feel, with legendary artist Ellis D Fogg.
‘Hootenanny Sunday’, will feature a laid-back celebration of alt-country and roots. Grab final tickets at mullumrootsfest.com and head to @MullumRootsFestival for artist updates.
‘International student demand has shifted, and domestic enrolment in the region is no longer sufficient to support future operations. With our lease concluding in 2028, this marks a natural end to our time at the Byron campus’. In a statement, SAE and ACAP said the trimester 2 intake in May, ‘was the final cohort of new students to study at the campus with no new enrolments moving forward. Currently, the Byron Bay campus has approximately 180 students and 40 staff members. ‘All academic staff at SAE and ACAP University Colleges will remain in their roles in the immediate term. While there are many variables to student completion timelines, this slow wind-down has been designed to ensure that all current students at ACAP and SAE University Colleges have the opportunity to complete their studies undisrupted ▶ Continued on page 2
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