Paul McNeil

22 years ago I emigrated from New Zealand and my girlfriend and I immediately headed up the NSW coast on a epic road trip (there's no long roads in NZ..). Within a week we had arrived in Byron Bay and suddenly everything, the weather, the food and the scenery was incredible! We thought it must get better the further north you travel...but after getting to Surfers Paradise we realized that maybe we should just go back to Byron Bay. I've been doing that ever since until I finally moved here 6 years ago. The art, surf and music culture of Byron are what I live here for, but the space and beauty are a constant inspiration for my work.

Paul McNeil is a Painter, Childrens book Author, Mambo Artist and Co-Owner of SEA Surfboards in Byron Bay.

Tony Parkes

My wife and I moved to the Northern Rivers from Sydney twenty years ago, which in retrospect was an inspired move. I had quit full time employment after a full-on working life in business and finance. I was able to make the transition to non-executive roles from our new base- a 40 ha ex-dairy farm in the Byron Bay hinterland near Bangalow. Over the next fifteen years I progressively wound back my business activities and became increasingly involved in environmental restoration work through community organisations and statutory bodies and on our own property.

My special interest is the restoration of the magnificent lowland rainforest that once covered large areas of the region but was 99% cleared following European settlement. Caring for its remaining remnants and restoring rainforest on land from which it has been cleared is a challenging but worthwhile task. My wife and love the diversity of the region- particularly its incredibly rich biodiversity and the diverse backgrounds and interests of its people. We are particularly captivated by its magnificent rainforests and beaches, which we enjoy every day we are here.

Dr Tony Parkes is involved in the Big Scrub Rainforest Landcare group 

Vanessa Wagner - Tobin Saunders

I was born in Sydney and lived all over the country and around the world but I eventually fell into the welcoming, warm lap of this beautiful area about 7 years ago. From Brunswick Heads to Suffolk Park and eventually to South Ballina I have lived and lapped up the uniqueness of this special part of Australia. I travel the country as an activist and entertainer but I always love coming back to the peace and quiet of home and the clean air. I’m an ardent nature lover and committed environmentalist. The rivers and beaches here are really special and we need to conserve and protect as much of this precious land as possible. With my commitment to social justice I am working towards an even more accepting, pluralistic society that nurtures diversity of sexuality and lifestyle in the region.

Mungo MacCallum

When I received early release after nearly 20 years working in Canberra, I had already decided my next move would be to the Northern Rivers. The beaches and the prospect of year round swimming were irresistible, and the wonderful hinterland an obvious bonus. But what I had not counted on was the extraordinary community I was about to enter. It must be among the most diverse in Australia, but also the most generous and involved. I found myself among people who were every bit as passionate about their politics as those in the national capital, but were far more tolerant and less cynical. It is truly a place to revive both body and spirit.

Mungo MacCallum continues to work as a political commentator and author from his home in Ocean Shores.

Michael Balderstone

Nimbin is the jewel in the crown of the Northern Rivers for me and I followed other alternative lifestyle pioneers here before the term “tree-changers” was coined. Attracted by the natural beauty and magic of the area, the benign climate and the strong sense of community that Nimbin has, it was the gold at the end of the rainbow for me after years of wandering the planet dreaming of a tribe that wanted to live in harmony with the earth and each other.  Nimbinites are not afraid of colour or free expression and our little village is renowned for its street life, artists, unique MardiGrass festival in May as well as being home to the Rainbow Power Company and Permaculture Centre.

Michael Balderstone runs the very alternative Nimbin Museum which houses an amazing collection of Aquarius memorabilia. He also represents the Nimbin Hemp Embassy which hosts the annual Mardi Grass Festival.

 Keith Cameron

My family and I moved to the Far North Coast from Western Victoria in 1985. We came for the warmer climate and the beauty of the natural forests and rivers. We live at Tabulam near the foothills of the Great Divide and close to the mighty Clarence River. We love the diversity of the people, the warm calm climate and the green summer. The North Coast offers us so much and we feel privileged to call it home. 

Tabulam beef farmer, Keith Cameron, creates gothic furniture and vast sculptures out of scrap metal. His property has become a favourite place for artists’ camps and a massive silo doubles as art gallery and dining room.

Joy Phelps

We came to this area many years ago, and, as one could imagine, have witnessed many changes in that time. However, the area has remained a virtual paradise. There is a country atmosphere and a cameraderie which bring with them a true sense of belonging and friendliness, especially in the village in which we reside. We have a small coffee plantation and coffee shop where locals meet for a cuppa and a chat.
Our neighbours, while not intruding, look after each other in time of need. The climate is probably the best in the country and we are surrounded by a national park with beautiful native trees and birds, and close by the picturesque Clarence River and wonderful sandy beaches.

Joy Phelps runs Woombah Coffee Plantation near Iluka.

 Bob McTavish

After exploring Hawaii, California, and the Pacific surf destinations in the Sixties, I moved to the Byron/Lennox area because it was the best… the surf, the lack of crowds, the beauty, the climate, the just-far-enough-awayness, the relaxed politics. Now forty years later, although some of those things have been a little diluted, I can’t imagine ever leaving because I’ve added to that list: kids, grandkids, parents-in-law, many friends, a low-key business, great food and coffee. And the surf is still good almost daily if you hunt around a bit. What a place in which to enjoy the planet!

Bob McTavish (in the black) with Ray Gleave and son Ben in the background. Bob McTavish is famous for introducing the shortboard to the world and now makes surfboards in Byron Bay

 David Hallett

In 1973 Nimbin’s Aquarius Festival gave me the great escape from the city into the lush greenery and rolling hills of the Northern Rivers. From the rainforest to the sea, the physical attractions of the region were simply captivating; complimented by the vital and growing population of artists, actors, musicians, dancers, performers, writers, designers and craftsmen. The diversity of people, landscape and lifestyle continue to make the Northern Rivers one of the golden places on our little planet.

David Hallett has been writing and performing his poetry since the mid-70’s. During the past 30 years David has developed an innovative, accessible, highly entertaining and original form of spoken word performance. 

 

 Rusty Miller

I am obsessively and constantly fascinated and spellbound by the stream of diversity that exists upon this most easterly promontory of the Australian continent. I have chosen to live here because this area of significant convergences is not limited to its birdlife, ocean species and good waves. It is a place where there is always vibrant motion among the wide range of human creatures and their imaginations...many and varied. It is a life river of constant excitement and creative culture.

Rusty Miller, surfer & owner of ‘Rusty’s Guide to Byron Bay’. 

 

 

 

Digby Moran

I was born in Ballina and grew up on Cabbage Tree Island. I have been surrounded by saltwater all my life.  I am Bundjalung and I have a close spiritual connection to this land. It is the land of my ancestors. I love to walk through the bush and along the beautiful beaches to gain inspiration for my artwork. The beauty of the mountains, the rivers and the ocean is part of me. The Northern Rivers of NSW is the best place to be.

Digby Moran, painter and artist, Ballina  

 

 

 

Rhoda Roberts

The Northern Rivers is my ancestors’ home, a place of great diversity from the regions rainforest, subtropical climate to the Sandy Beaches and mountain ranges. Our National parks are a testament to an ancient Land that has been nurtured and protected by all her residents, young and old.

The Northern Rivers is home in more ways than one. As a Bundjalung woman, living on country, connects us to ancestral lands a country steeped in history. You can hear the ironbarks breath when you witness their majestic limbs. Our people are diverse from the original custodians to the many who now call this place home. They come from all over Australia and indeed the world and now call this piece of heaven home.

The weather is great, the beaches idyllic, the river systems stretch for miles full of bream and whiting, there are no crocs or stingers and the regular rain fall keeps our tanks full. Along with the many residents who now reside on country, have bought with them great coffees, food and wine we all feel that great sense of belonging.  

Kay Cottee

Nine and a half years ago Peter, our son Lee, then aged 4 ½ years, and myself set off from Sydney looking for a holiday house.  We flew to Bundaberg in Queensland, hired a car and started driving down the east coast  stopping at all the little towns and villages along the way.  It wasn’t until we reached Yamba on the mighty Clarence River that we thought we had found our paradise.  Even so we continued on our journey south.  Needless to say nothing caught our eye so we returned to the beautiful Clarence Valley.

Why Yamba?  The warm mild climate, fresh unpolluted air, stunning beaches and the deep and easy to access Clarence River.  We purchased a block of land on the river bank just out of town and instead of building a holiday cottage we built our home, complete with a painting and sculpting studio for me.

Living in the Clarence Valley has given us the chance to enjoy owning Yamba Marina and running it with the help of fantastic local people.   Lee of course loves the life, fishing, swimming, sailing and camping in the beautiful surrounding national parks.