Coffee is never just about coffee.
It’s a morning ritual, fuel for the day, or something to be shared, savoured or simply sipped in solitude.
This month we celebrate 20 years of Bun Coffee (p. 6), a local business that began with a Turkish roasting machine in a Bangalow storage shed – and has since fuelled school fundraisers, weekend markets and many a kitchen bench conversation.
One such coffee drinker is Grant Rasheed, the stylish proprietor of Bangalow’s main street gallery, Ninbella, often spotted – latte in hand – out the front of his business. Read more (p. 8) about his fascinating career, which spans the glamour of Milan and the beauty of Australia’s Central Desert art communities. He is truly an International Man of Mystery.
Likewise, Brooklet photographer Brian Hodges has made a career exploring – and documenting – the world around us. Committed to global storytelling through the medium of photography, his work – from Ugandan soccer kids to his family’s transformation of a former lychee farm – makes for wonderful reading (p. 12).
Where there is reading, there is also writing. This month we ramp up our coverage for the Byron Writers Festival, to be held next month in the Bangalow Showgrounds. Warming up for a weekend of ideas, a handful of Australian writers reveal the books that changed them – or their writing – in this edition (pp. 18–20).
We also acknowledge John Bennett, a Bangalow local of 45 years, who was recently awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his outstanding commitment to philanthropy.
Whether your cup is filled by coffee, the arts, community or giving back – there’s something in these pages for almost everyone.
There’s a thread that runs through all these pieces – a reminder that what we grow, create, or show support for always leaves an impression
Sally Schofield
Greg Nash travelled to Sydney to attend the AGM of Norths Collective after having earlier submitted a number of hard-hitting questions and comments regarding the lack of progress on promised… Read more: Norths grilled over delays on Bowlo promises
This year, the Bangalow CWA is honoured to be hosting the Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea – Thursday 22 May – and we warmly invite the community to join us… Read more: Cuppa for a cause
Many of you will remember my partner, Richard Rombouts, as one of the friendly faces from the Bangalow Newsagency – an icon of the village, which sadly, no longer exists.
With a history dating back over 60 years, The Land Sydney Royal AgShows Young Woman competition celebrates the community spirit and leadership of young women in rural and regional NSW.… Read more: Advocating for agriculture
For as long as she can remember, Heidi Keller’s life has been filled with music. Growing up in a family where music filled the home, it seems inevitable that she… Read more: Aurora Quinn lights up Bluesfest
Despite a childhood fear of animals, Tegan Ward has found her calling as one of Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary’s newest Keepers, writes Georgia Fox.