Hello from Bello+Beyond…
We're heading to Urunga this week — to Jordan Barbour's wood-fired dining room, named after her dad. From there it's back into Bellingen: Carmen Williams on what earns a place on the shelves at A Chair in There, before speaking with Sean Killeen on what osteopathy actually looks like day to day at Bello Osteopathy. It's a beautiful weekend to match — the Arts Trail opens over 40 doors across Bellingen and beyond, plus the Urunga Riverside Markets return to the foreshore.
This Week's Journal Stories
Wood-Fired, Her Way
Summer's coming — perfect timing for Elroy's in Urunga, where the iced coffee, juice and milkshakes all come in custom cans. Most of the menu touches the wood-fired oven, where owner and chef Jordan Barbour slow-cooks brisket, smokes her own cheeses and turns out the popular pizza sando.
Beautiful First, Then Useful
At A Chair in There, old isn't enough — it has to be beautiful too. Carmen Williams is strict about what earns a place on the shelves. Read how a wet market day turned into five years on Bellingen’s main street.
Body, Mind and the Town Around Them
Sean Killeen treats everyone from infants to the elderly at Bello Osteopathy & Massage — and can tell a sore shoulder from something more serious. It's a family-run practice with the Shire community firmly in mind. "We like looking after the community," Sean says simply.
What's On
With the weekend ahead — here's what's worth circling:
The Singing Roadshow — 6 November, Bellingen Memorial Hall.
Temple of Tease: Saloon Party — 6 November, Bellingen Brewing Co.
Bellingen Shire Arts Trail Weekend — 7–8 November, 39 venues shire-wide.
Tree-O Artisan Collective Grand Opening — 7 November.
Urunga Riverside Markets — 8 November, Morgo Street Reserve.
Freshly Added
Coffs Canyons has joined Explore — Leo Tregret's guided canyoning outfit, running trips into the gorges around Dorrigo from the Rainforest Centre. Read the story on what brought him north for the water.
Good to Know
Bowerhouse Library of Things is after your spare tools, kitchen gear and camping kit — drop them at the Community Drop-Off Day, Sunday 8 November, 9am–12pm at Maam Gaduying Park.
Discard & Reimagine — turn old jeans and fabric scraps into hand-sewn Christmas decorations at Saturday’s workshop, 10:30am, $35. Book your spot here.
Town Runs — a new neighbours-sharing delivery app launching in Bellingen. Need something from town? Someone already headed that way can grab it for you.
One Last Note
Yikes! Christmas is nearly here… (ah!) and we're already pulling together some festive content to share with you over the coming weeks.
Got something festive coming up you want the Shire to know about? Submit your event and we'll help spread the word. And if there's something else specific or worth discussing, we'd genuinely like to hear it — drop us a line any time at [email protected].
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Thank you for reading. See you in the Shire…
Bello+Beyond