In our new sustainability series, we talk to Byron hinterland locals doing great things for our planet.  

Hemp Collective, run by Mullumbimby locals Maxine and Mike Shea, produce hemp hair, body and pet care products.

Their business is growing and it’s all down to changing consumer preferences. As Maxine explains, there's an increasing awareness of the benefits of hemp as well as growing consumer support for sustainable products and business practices.  

It was when Maxine was diagnosed with a pituitary brain tumour nearly nine years ago, the couple stumbled across hemp. 

“It’s a non-cancerous tumour but it sits on my pituitary gland.  It was causing depression, severe headaches, fluid retention and terrible fatigue. I just knew something wasn’t right,” Maxine said. 

“Long story short, within three months I had brain surgery. Once the mass was out, I was a hundred times better, but unfortunately it grew back quickly. Mike started researching natural therapies and we kept coming across hemp. We thought, 'what an amazing plant, it actually has the potential to heal me' and it was from there our journey with hemp really started. 

“We’d been living in Mike’s home country of New Zealand and holidaying in Mullum and Bruns for years. We wanted some downtime so I could focus on my health and thought it would be great to live in Mullum - we’ve always found it a really healing place. The move all happened really quickly with a rental and my son getting into school straight away. 

“I’ve changed a lot of different things with lifestyle, stress levels and diet but I’ve had very marginal tumour growth during that time. It has definitely been a tool for my health journey. Ultimately, I know my own body and it has worked for me.

“We just fell in love with hemp and thought there was a real market opportunity for good quality products. Not just internally but also externally, so we started with hair and body care. I’ve come from an education, sustainability and zero waste background and wanted to thread that through the business,” she said. 

Hemp Collective doesn’t just say they have a commitment to sustainability. They offer very little plastic across their product range and can demonstrate a sustainable and transparent supply chain.  

“The only plastic we use is on our labels for our tins and droppers, but we are in the process of looking at ways to change that. The Pet Shampoo Bar is enclosed in a thick cardboard tube and the human shampoo and conditioners are sold in refillable tins,” Maxine said. 

“We’ve really thought about our ingredients, packaging and supply chains. It has been both time consuming and challenging. For example, with our conditioners, we thought we were palm oil free, but after checking with all our suppliers and going through all their ingredients a small component used to make the product contained palm oil. That’s when we ended up moving to a certified sustainable palm oil supplier,” she said. 

To understand why hemp is so misunderstood, you have to look at United States' history. Before the early 1900s, cannabis was available in pharmacies across the United States to treat a variety of medical ailments. But when a global opium crisis broke out in the early 1900s, governments around the world started to crack down on drugs and cannabis and indirectly hemp were caught up in it. There’s a great summary here. 

Basically, hemp just gets a bad wrap because of it’s cousin THC, but hemp contains very low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), less than 0.3%.

Hemp is both versatile and eco-friendly. Hemp fibre is used in the production of paper, textiles, rope, sails, clothing, plastics, insulation, dry wall, fibre board and other construction materials. Hemp seed oil is used as a lubricant and base for paints and varnishes, as well as in cooking and beauty products. 

“With the hemp seed, we press it and get hemp seed oil as well as protein and flour for baking,” Maxine said. 

In the Hemp Collective's pet range, they've combined Australian hemp seed oil and chia seed oil together, which can help as a supplement adding magnesium, calcium and all the goodies that come in with the hemp seed oil Omegas into your pet's diet.

“We definitely need to be doing more hemp education and having mainstream products such as the shampoo bars made of hemp, we’ve had amazing results with general awareness. People are starting to realise it’s so nourishing and hydrating and it can be made into loads of different things,” said Maxine. 

“For the past half century, many people around this area tried to get hemp off the ground. We’ve seen locals who invested lots of money into hemp, but they were just too early to the market and failed. I feel like we’re starting to get over that hump now and there’s now much more openness to hemp products. 

“Awareness isn't hard in the Northern rivers. You have so many open minded people here who genuinely think differently and that’s why we’ve had such strong local support for our hemp products.

“Gen Z is definitely more aware of the impact of their purchases and want to support more purposed brands with sustainable ethics,” Maxine said. 

Check out the Hemp Collective range. 

Know of a sustainability superstar in the Byron hinterland? Let us know! 

Looking for a reason to escape to the Hinterland? We've compiled the best events in the Northern Rivers for the rest of 2019. 

Contact us to add your event.

Weekly and Monthly Markets 

Every Friday - Mullum Farmers Market 7-11am Mullumbimby Showground

Every Saturday - Lismore Farmers Market 7-11am Lismore Showground

Every Saturday - Bangalow Farmers Market 7-11am Bangalow Hotel car park

1st Saturday - Brunswick Heads Markets 7-2pm Memorial Park

1st & 3rd Sunday Lismore car boot market 7-2pm Lismore Square car park

1st Sunday - Byron Bay Markets 8-2 Main Beach Foreshore

2nd & 5th Sunday - Lennox Markets 8-2pm Lennox Head Community Centre 

4th Sunday - Bangalow Market 9-3pm Bangalow Showground

Read our post on the top hinterland markets. 

AUGUST

2 – 4 Aug Byron Writers Festival

The annual Byron Writers Festival is Australia’s largest and leading regional celebration of storytelling, literature and ideas. More than 150 sessions are held during Festival Week attracting more than 12,000 people to the area. More info.

17 - 18 Aug North Coast Mud Trail – Open Studios

Once a year, as part of The Australian Ceramics Association’s Open Studios, Northern Rivers’ artists open their spaces to the public for one weekend only, giving the opportunity for visitors to see demonstrations, hear artists’ talks, participate in workshops, learn about their processes, and purchase ceramics directly from the artists themselves. Read More

SEPTEMBER

7 Sep Sample Food Festival 

Each year foodies from far and wide have the opportunity to “sample” the best food and beverage, Northern New South Wales has to offer. The region’s top restaurants compete for the coveted “Gold Fork” awards and collaborate on a special luncheon. It's on at the Bangalow Showground. $5 entry at the gate. Kids Free. Free Parking all day onsite. Read more

OCTOBER 

31 Oct - 3 Nov Byron Latin Fiesta

Enjoy 3 days and 4 nights of Latin dance workshops and parties with international, national and local instructors and performers. Catering to beginners and seasoned dancers alike, there is something for everyone at Australia's longest running Latin dance festival. Read more

12 - 13 Oct Byron Bay Guitar Festival 

The Byron Bay Guitar Festival celebrates all things guitar with the best guitarists and a weekend of performances, masterclasses and showcases. Held in the iconic Byron Bay Brewery, the BBGF has staged some of the best guitarists including Kevin Borich, Ash Grunwald, British India, Dallas Frasca, Lloyd Spiegel, Jeff Martin, Hussy Hicks, Tash Wolf and the late Phil Emmanuel. Read more

NOVEMBER  

10 - 11 Nov Mullumbimby Show 

They say it's the biggest little show in Australia, situtated at the beautiful Mullumbimby Showgrounds at the base of Mount Chincogan. Read more

14 - 17 Nov Mullum Music Festival

No gates. No big headlines. No VIP areas. Basically a no hassle street festival where artists and performers mingle and where shows are held in halls, clubs and pubs rather than tents. It's a great way to experience the vibrant village of Mullumbimby. More info.

DECEMBER 

24 Dec Bangalow Christmas Eve Carnival 

The Bangalow Christmas Eve Carnival is famous shire-wide. With street performers, food trucks, fair-ground rides and Christmas cheer in abundance, this is the most wonderful family-friendly event! Join in the festivities of this delightful community event held every Christmas Eve in the main street of Bangalow. Read more

The Northern Rivers is known for their markets and world-class produce.

Most residents are fiercely loyal to their local farmers and will find the majority of their weekly food shop from their markets and family butchers.

They shun the likes of Coles and Woolies due to expensive prices, stupid amounts of plastic packaging and tasteless fruit and vegetables that go bad within days. A great Choice article gives you the low down on what you’re actually eating when you buy from these chains.

Health regulations prevent you from taking pets to any of these markets which is really unfortunate. They are the perfect place to take your fury friend on a sunny day.

Here's our pick of the top five markets in the region. 

Bangalow Farmers Market

The market is held in the Bangalow Hotel car park at 1 Byron Street Bangalow every Saturday from 8 – 11am. You can tie your fury friend up at the entrance and whip in and grab your goodies.

The Bangalow Farmers Market is fantastic for local produce.  If you’re visiting and plan to cook, definitely head here. The vegetables are amazing, you will see a true rainbow of different goodies and there are numerous meat stalls with a variety of fresh and cured meats.

There are usually around 20 stalls so it’s not huge but the quality is fantastic. 

Unfortunately there is no coffee stall but after the markets you can head onto Bangalow’s main drag to grab one. We recommend Sparrow Coffee at 32-24 Byron Street. Say hello to Alice, she’s awesome.

Our top picks

French bread stall – they are there without fail, the bread is top notch and the ladies are lovely.

Nimbin Valley Dairy – they are not always there but I always grab a few bits of cheese if they are. The washed rind and marinated goats cheese are both delightful.  

Boomerang Creek Farm - Will runs a bio-dynamic farm and their produce, especially the garlic, is beautiful. Boomerang Creek basically starts at Nightcap Ridge so we know the water they’re using is the best in the world.

Apples - they can sit on the bench for weeks and still taste as fresh as the day they were picked. Apples aren’t really grown around the area so they come from a farm out at Stanthorpe.

Bangalow Market

The Bangalow Market is held on the fourth Sunday of the month from 9am – 3pm inside the Bangalow Showground. Get in early to beat the long lines of flash cars winding through Bangalow to get a park at the Showgrounds.

There is a great range of goods on offer with a definite artsy feel. You can find clothing, plants, art, records as well as hot food and the mandatory coffee.

The Showground is a lovely location for markets, especially in good weather. You wander under the huge trees and you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time.

Lismore Car Boot Market

The Lismore Car Boot Market is held in the carpark under Lismore Square on the first and third Sunday of each month from 7:30am – 2pm.

On first inspection it looks a bit daggy but, like Lismore, there’s so much to love! It’s a huge market with a wide range of different items on offer and a great community vibe. There are four or five decent coffee stalls there but I recommend getting there early to beat the lines before you start wandering around.

You can find an abundance of fruit and vegetables, hot food, plants, bric-a-brac, antiques, records and books, linen tea towels, wool and crocheted blankets. Lismore has a rich musical history and you get a sense of it there with the fabulous buskers and performers.

Our top picks

Cupcake stall - walk in the main entrance on the corner or Uralba and Brewster Street and she is on the right. They are freshly baked and the flavours are always changing. She is such a delight as well.

Knitwear - there are many stalls with nice older ladies showing their knitted items such as beanies, jumpers, blankets and baby clothes. For the quality and time items would take to produce, it’s all reasonably priced.

Handmade furniture – we have purchased a few sets of Aidrondack chairs from OzMark Creations. They are made out of recycled fence posts so they will stand the test of time and the quality is excellent. Mark and Sue are lovely

Plants – I never leave the car boot sale without purchasing a few plants. My favourite stall is Miss Tree. Stephanie lives locally, in Rosebank and she always gives good advice.

The Channon Craft Market

Held at the Coronation Oval in The Channon on the second Sunday of the month from 9am – 3pm.  

It’s known as the longest running market in the Northern Rivers. You’re in true hippie territory here and it’s awesome. The whole community comes out for the Channon Market and it has a bit more of a crafty, chilled vibe.

It has a great range of fruit and veg stalls, fruit trees and plants, hot food, clothing, baskets, and arts and crafts. 

It’s held around the outside of Coronation Oval and they will often have musical acts in the middle where kids run around and dance and play.

I haven’t been there at the end of the market but apparently there’s a drumming circle in the middle and everyone joins in and dances.

I’d recommend getting there early and getting a park as the traffic can get a bit hectic (for country standards!) around lunchtime. Have a gold coin ready for entrance to the carpark.

Our top picks

Tridosha – they’re a small family business from Bangalow who make salt, pepper and spice blends. You buy the shaker, which is a really nice gift, and you can buy packet refills. The Mediterano blend goes with just about anything.

Shopping baskets – the hand-woven baskets are a must-have for market shopping!

Waffles – their waffles with banana and ice cream are pretty awesome.

Mullum Farmers Market

Held every Friday morning from 7 – 11am at the Mullumbimby Showground located at 51 Main Arm Road, Mullumbimby.

The Mullumbimby community is known for their clean, green way of life and the market is a perfect example of this.

You will find all of your fruit and vegetables as well as homemade jams, local meats, baked goodies and a wide range of other items. You wander under the massive fig trees and there’s always really good live music and a great community vibe.

Our top picks

Alive Foods – if you’re into fermented foods, you will love their traditional Sauerkraut and Kim-Chi.

Bangalow Potatoes – their Dutch Cream potatoes are absolutely delicious and perfect for your potato salad and great for frying. They’re also at Bangalow Farmers Market.