Join us for our first live show of 2026 — we’re thrilled to be back in the Community Newsroom.

To open the program, we speak with Australia Day 2026 Honours List recipient Nicole Lockie, a remarkable local woman from the Northern Rivers who has made an extraordinary contribution to our community. Nicole is a long-term volunteer with Marine Rescue NSW, serving at the Point Danger Unit in the Tweed Shire. As a coxswain, she has dedicated more than 24 years to marine rescue. Nicole reflects on some of her most challenging moments on the water, including helping to rescue a trawler off the Tweed Coast in 2017 and carrying out six rescues in a single day.

Newsroom Cadet Emma Setterfield-Smith also speaks with Maiy Azize, National Spokesperson for housing campaign Everybody’s Home, about the end of the National Rental Affordability Scheme. Introduced in 2008 to increase access to affordable housing for low to middle income earners, the scheme’s end is expected to push many people into the private rental market. Maiy shares her concerns about the impacts and discusses what steps the Federal Government should take next.

Midway through the program we are joined by Aslan Shand from Echo Publications, who has just announced a change of role within the organisation. Aslan and former editor Hans Lovejoy have swapped positions, marking a new chapter for the publication. We hear what prompted the change, the plans ahead and how The Echo has continued to remain a trusted voice within the Byron Shire community.

We also hear the mid-day Northern Rivers News with Anny Reid, with production assistance from Karen Crick.

*producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated. Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org

NRN Community News Room Pic: Aslan Shand, Print Editor of Echo Publications (Emma Setterfield-Smith)