All posts by Sarah O'Connor

Follow Byron’s dancing man

October 31, 2013Latest NewsBrunswick Heads, byron, byron bay, Splendour in the Grass, Tommy Franklin, VIA ByronSarah O'Connor

The Byron shire is warming up for the summer tourist season, with solid bookings from beachfront to national park.

The rainbow shire’s peak tourism body VIA Byron reports that more and more travellers are staying in places like Brunswick Heads, Mullumbimby, Bangalow and the hinterland villages and visiting Byron’s famous beaches and cafes during their stay.

“Byron itself is still a major drawcard” said VIA Byron President Cameron Arnold. “But further afield there are just so many unique properties to choose from, from old dairies to tee pees, apartments and historic homes. You can really get away from it all and soak up the colour, that’s what it’s all about”.

No-one embodies the freedom of the Byron shire more than Byron’s Dancing Man Tommy Franklin. Tommy starred in Splendour in the Grass’s 2012 festival line-up video, which featured him dancing around Byron’s iconic landmarks. Since then he has found national fame as a Grand Finalist on Australia’s Got Talent.

“Tommy puts a smile on the face of everyone he meets, it’s a gift” said Splendour in the Grass’s Jo Hickey, who produced the video featuring Tommy. “He makes you want to just bust out of your stressed out city life. He’s full of magic and life and that’s what Byron’s about, people visit here for a dose of life”.

In true Byron style Tommy is humble about his new celebrity status, recently telling a journalist “I don’t shit golden nuggets” and attributing his childlike joy and wonder to a “Steve Irwin gene”.

The music keeps coming between now and New Years’ Eve in the Byron Shire, with the Byron Latin Fiesta November 1 – 3, Mullumbimby Music Festival November 21 – 24 and the Byron Falls Festival from December 31.

There are still bargains to be had in the rainbow region. Head to www.byronbay.com/deals for specials like

►Five nights for the price of four in a two bedroom bungalow at the deluxe Bayshore Bungalows on Belongil Beach in Byron Bay

► Three nights for $330 or seven nights for $540 from February in a two bedroom apartment in the heart of Brunswick Heads with Brunswick Seaside Holidays

► Three nights for the price of two between May 13 and July 31 at Beach Suites on Byron’s Main Beach

► Two nights for $250 (normally $360) Monday to Thursday at the award winning Apartments Inn in the heart of Byron Bay

► Save 40% when you stay for three or more nights at BreakFree Eco Beach in Byron Bay

With 52 flights a week into the Ballina Byron airport.

Watch Tommy Franklin’s promo video for Splendour in the Grass 2012 http://vimeo.com/41331398

Background for journalists:

With some of the world’s best beaches, stunning national parks and award winning restaurants and cafes, the Byron shire offers respite and inspiration. Home to Australia’s highest concentration of creative professionals and artists per capita, it’s little wonder Byron is a place of annual pilgrimage for many. Whether for a festival, time in or time out the Byron shire, with its politically active communities, Green Council and plethora of healers, is open to all.

www.byronbay.com/deals

Downloadable high resolution images:

Photo 1 – Tommy Franklin – image by Kirra Pendergast for commongroundaustralia.com

Photo 2 – Tommy Franklin – image by Kirra Pendergast for commongroundaustralia.com

Photo 3 – First Sunday of the month, Brunswick Heads – image by Michelle Begg

Photo 4 – Apartments Inn Byron Bay

Photo 5 – Apartments Inn Byron Bay

Ethical restaurateur in vogue

October 16, 2013Latest NewsChampagne dinner, Chef, Esquire, Ryan Squires, The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa, Vogue LivingSarah O'Connor

Ryan Squires did Byron

The stars shone at The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa on the weekend, when the multi award winning resort hosted the annual Vogue Living Champagne Dinner. Guests were treated to the charms and talents of one of Australia’s youngest three hatted Chefs, Ryan Squires of Brisbane’s Esquire and Esq restaurants. Owners Gerry Harvey and Katie Page, who usually attend, were unable to make it this year.

Ryan’s five courses were matched to the world’s finest Champagnes at the soirée, where roses and candles hung from the vaulted ceiling over multicoloured candelabras adorning long tables.

“Ryan’s creativity is well known” said The Byron at Byron Head Chef Gavin Hughes. “But what truly sets him apart is his ethical consideration of the origin of his ingredients and their treatment. To me this establishes him as the Chef of today, the guy is an inspiration”.

Squires, who describes himself as “mad keen on fishing and boating”, has moved away from seafood sourced unsustainably, a choice which has taken a number of species from his menu.

“The tons and tons of fish that would go through restaurants nationally is phenomenal” said Squires. “It’s totally the Chef’s responsibility to put on the menu what they feel is sustainable. It was my choice to give up tuna and I haven’t served tuna, snapper, swordfish or billfish here at the restaurant. The fishmonger is going to tell you what you want to hear, you have to wiggle in there and find out the truth! The fun bit about my job is the creativity and knowing how to work with these species and get the most out of them”.

Seafood dishes served at the Byron at Byron Champagne Dinner included Raw yellowtail kingfish, green mustard leaf and shitake and Blue swimmer crab, corn, almond and malt.

“I respect his stance on sustainable food, it’s a brave thing to do” said Gavin Hughes. “Ryan is a true gentleman and we would be honoured to have him back in our kitchen at any time”.

Upcoming events at The Byron at Byron include a New Years’ Eve party 1920s style party.

www.thebyronatbyron.com.au

Downloadable high resolution images:

Photo 1 – Ryan Squires

Photo 2 – Guests at the Byron at Byron Vogue Living Champagne Dinner

Photo 3 – John Parche, General Manager of The Byron at Byron with Elisabeth Drysdale from The Champagne Bureau

Byron at Byron awarded

September 19, 2013Latest NewsByron at Byron, Hotel and Accommodation Management Awards, Sydney Town HallSarah O'Connor

Last week over 600 hoteliers, industry leaders and suppliers gathered at the Sydney Town Hall for the hotel industry’s night of nights, the Hotel and Accommodation Management Awards.

Now in their 11^th year, the Awards recognise the Australasian accommodation industry’s brightest stars, from hotels to leaders, staff and programs. Over 2,500 entries were submitted this year and our very own Byron at Byron Resort and Spa took out one of the top awards.

The Byron at Byron shared first place in the “Upper Upscale Hotel” category with Pullman Sydney Olympic Park, winning over established icons such as Grand Hyatt Melbourne. Other first place winners were Park Hyatt Sydney (Luxury Property) and Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa (Australian Lodge).

“It’s always a thrill to win an award from one’s own industry” said Byron at Byron General Manager Lyn Parché. “This award belongs firmly with our hard working team. These days instead of being judged annually we are judged every day online. It’s a confronting process, however we come through it and I am thrilled that The Byron at Byron has been consistently voted #1 on TripAdvisor for Byron Bay for the past few years”.

www.thebyronatbyron.com.au

For further information including interviews and images please contact Caroline Desmond

02 66875674 0415 499429 caroline@carolinedesmond.com.au

Planting celebrations at Tallowood Ridge

September 2, 2013Latest Newscelebration, environment, planting, residents, Tallowood RidgeSarah O'Connor

Tallowood residents, land investors and Council representatives will gather in the community’s childrens’ playground on Friday to celebrate the planting of three new large shade trees.

The Champagne celebration is also in acknowledgement of new plans for community garden beds in some of the reserve area between houses. Led by long term seed savers Peter and Beryl Judd, who relocated to Tallowood Ridge from Dorrigo earlier this year, this resident initiative will see the establishment of centralised garden beds for easy access by neighbours.

“The residents here have a common interest in gardening” said Beryl Judd. “So this is a good starting point to build community, to give Tallowood Ridge a strong heart. We all have an interest in feeding ourselves and looking after future generations. We can share our knowledge, seeds and produce with each other. The children come together here anyway so they can learn. Of course out of all the residents here there will be those that take it up and run with it and those that don’t”.

Following a successful application by Tallowood Ridge owners, the 65 hectare site now allows for only 40% residential development, with 32% of the site offered up to be under the strict 7(b) Environmental Protection zoning.

“We have found that Mullumbimby residents in general are into gardening” said Beryl Judd. “That was clear from the roll up last Sunday at the Living Earth Festival”.

With only three lots remaining in the current Stage Two, Tallowood Ridge is the most popular estate in the region. Land is priced from $243,000 for a 677m² block.

www.tallowoodridge.com

For further information including interviews and images please contact Caroline Desmond on 02 6687 5674 0415 499429 caroline@carolinedesmond.com.au