The Lennox Wave

14/09/2025

Ceramic artist Ben Ruble creates unique, handcrafted pottery from his studio Wild Nature Clay in Upper Main Arm. Originally from the U.S., Ben moved to the Byron Shire in 2012, drawn by its natural beauty and creative spirit.

“I really love it here and appreciate all of the natural beauty that surrounds us,” he says.

Ben's pottery journey began in a college class he took on a whim. It quickly turned into a lifelong passion, leading him through years of study and wood-firing residencies in California before settling in Australia.

He ran the ceramics program at Shearwater Steiner School until 2021, and now focuses full-time on his own practice.

Ben works with both commercial and wild-harvested clay, often using traditional kilns and Raku firing for unpredictable, dramatic finishes. “The wild clay is just more special and satisfying,” he says. “I know exactly where it comes from and how much work goes into it.”

He also runs workshops, drawing on his 17 years as a teacher. “Clay is forgiving,” Ben says. “I enjoy watching beginners learn by doing, even if things don’t always turn out perfect – and I’m still learning myself.”

This spring, he’s teaching and exhibiting around the Northern Rivers, including a Raku workshop at The Paddock Project on 14 September.

12/09/2025

The river has stories — and this spring, we’re gathering to hear, honour, and share them.

After the 2022 floods, locals formed Richmond Riverkeeper to restore the health of the Richmond River — making it drinkable, swimmable, and fishable again. At the same time, Revive Northern Rivers was launched to raise awareness of our ecosystems’ tipping point.

Now, Richmond Riverfest is back for its third year — running 28 Sept–26 Oct — with a month-long program of tree planting, paddling, storytelling, fishing, science events, and more across the catchment.

The launch on World Rivers Day (28 Sept) at Fawcett Park, Ballina, includes:�🗣️ River yarns from local storytellers�🎶 Music by NIDALA�🐟 Talks on fish kills & river restoration�🚤 Tinny adventures + more!

Because the more we connect with our rivers, the more we’re inspired to care for them 🌱💧

📍 Ballina, Nyangbul Bundjalung Country�📷 Photo & words by Tom Wolff ( )�🔗 Program coming soon at richmondriverfest.com

10/09/2025

🎶 Z-STAR TRINITY live in Mullumbimby 🎶

Mullumbimby welcomes London-born Trinidadian frontwoman Zee Gachette with her band Z-STAR Trinity to the Ex-Services Club on Sunday 14 September. An international powerhouse described by Rhythms Magazine as channelling Hendrix, Prince and Nina Simone, Zee is known for her magnetic stage presence, hypnotic vocals and genre-shifting sound that moves from heavy rock to psychedelic R&B and soul.

Joined by drummer Beck Flatt and bassist Vini Mel, Zee and the band will deliver a mind-blowing wall of sound that kicks off at full throttle and only climbs higher from there.

📍 Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club
📅 Sunday 14 September
⏰ Doors 5pm | Live music 6–9pm
🎟️ Tickets $35 | Group bookings available
👉 Book here: trybooking.com/DFDYQ
👉 FB event: link

Don’t miss this chance to see a world-class act right here in the Northern Rivers.

30/08/2025

The new September edition of the Lennox Wave is packed with fresh stories and updates from around Lennox Head, bringing the community closer with engaging content and local highlights.

This issue captures the spirit of the town with features on upcoming events, inspiring local voices, and vibrant snapshots of life in the area.

Our stunning cover photo this month is by artist Naomi Malone

27/08/2025

Australian rock legends the Hoodoo Gurus are set to headline a one-night-only benefit concert for Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital on Saturday 27 September, joined by Grammy-nominated singer Toni Childs, Brisbane indie favourites Screamfeeder, and high-energy groove band The Honey Sliders.

All proceeds will go directly to supporting the hospital’s lifesaving mobile wildlife work, which provides treatment and rehabilitation for sick, injured, and orphaned native animals across the region.

The event will be held at The Green Room, a 1,600-capacity venue within the 300-acre home of Bluesfest Byron Bay, and promises an evening of live music, community spirit, and a shared commitment to protecting wildlife.

📸:Dr Bree Talbot treating an injured echidna, The Hoodoo Gurus (source supplied)

Visit: for more info🐨

03/08/2025

We are thrilled to announce that Northern Rivers Media came first at the Ballina Business Awards for Creative Industries.

Our wonderful editors work every month to bring Byron, Ballina and Lennox their latest community news. They always manage to capture the stories from true local legends and gain insight from the people work tirelessly to keep the community spirit alive!

Our Ballina Wave Editor, Kate Parry, also made it as a finalist for the Outstanding Employee Category!

We always hope to deliver quality community content and put a smile on your face while doing so! Thank you to everyone who supports their local community magazine🌊🌊

03/08/2025

02/08/2025

We’re excited to bring you the latest Lennox Wave Edition, featuring the stunning cover shot by Harry O’Brien from the Soundboks Oz Grom Open.

Dive into local stories on community spirit, beach clean-ups, achievements of our junior surfers and uplifting milestones across Lennox Head.

Each page celebrates the unique people, places and the small wonders that make our community shine.



Pick up your copy and discover what’s happening in Lennox this August🗞🗞

29/07/2025

Celebrating 20 years of tree planting in Lennox Head with over 200 volunteers and more than 1,000 native seedlings in the ground!

What started as a revegetation effort on cleared land in the 1870s, has grown into a thriving community tradition—bringing back Tuckeroo, Guioa, Coastal Banksia and even the swamp wallabies.

Huge thanks to everyone who’s helped make this happen over the years, especially Geolink, local schools, volunteers, and the Lennox Lions for keeping everyone well-fed.

27/07/2025

This feature dives into the powerful story of Claire Atkins: athlete, and environmental advocate living in Northern NSW, who found her strength and purpose through ocean swimming.

Once a long-distance runner, Claire turned to the sea after knee pain and COVID restrictions changed her path. What began as a fearful step into deep water became a life-changing connection to nature, community, and conservation. Claire now leads open-water swims along the Northern Rivers, encouraging other women—especially those in mid-life—to embrace the ocean and overcome fear through shared experiences.

She’s swam with turtles, sharks, and rays, explored lesser-known reefs, and now dedicates her travels to marine conservation efforts, like plastic cleanups and turtle rescue initiatives. Her story is also one of creativity and risk-taking:

“I don’t go looking for trouble, but our lives are far too short to play it safe. And why would we? After all, it’s in our nature. We are wild things.”

Claire’s mission reminds us that facing the unknown, especially in nature, can lead to personal growth and a deeper sense of purpose.

27/07/2025

Festival update: Due to weather, the Wardell River Festival is now set for Saturday 30 August in Ballina!

Go and celebrate with an awesome lineup of local youth bands including Savage Cabbage, The Bones, Ziggy Brown and more!

There will also be contemporary folk music from Bella Frankie Music, toe-tapping fun from Cigar Box Smithy, local rockers River Drive and tropical soundscapes of . The Wardell River Festival will not be one to miss!

13/07/2025

A major new residential development near Lennox Head, Saltwood @ Kinvara, is drawing both strong support from developers and significant concern from local residents as it moves through the application process.

The project, which plans to deliver around 2,500 homes over 15 to 20 years, has prompted debate over stormwater management, flood risk, and environmental impact. Residents worry the removal of earth and changes to natural land could worsen flooding and damage sensitive ecosystems.

As one community group put it, “Replacing impervious grassland with hard surfaces increases runoff,” highlighting fears that the development could bring more frequent and severe flooding to the area.

The developer has responded by promising further environmental assessments and collaboration with local authorities, but the project remains a test of how to balance growth with community and environmental responsibility.