Tamworth to host Aboriginal business leaders as NSW builds economic ‘Foundations of Tomorrow’
Aboriginal business leaders will gather in Tamworth next month to explore new opportunities for growth, government procurement and investment.
Tamworth’s Tim Coates recognised for lifetime of regional service
Tamworth business leader Tim Coates has been recognised for more than 40 years of service to the region, receiving a prestigious Business NSW award.
Hazard Reduction Burn to reduce bushfire risk near Warialda
A 50-hectare hazard reduction burn will be carried out south of Warialda on 15 and 16 August as part of ongoing efforts to reduce bushfire risk across the district.
Tamworth Netball Association wins funding for Skills Clinic revamp
Tamworth Netball Association has scored a $2,000 Woolworths grant to revamp its Skills Clinic and better engage young players.
Local News
Inverell Legacy gears up for badge appeal as Legacy Week returns
Schools, cadets and clubs across the Inverell district are rallying behind Legacy Week again this year, as the local branch prepares for the national badge appeal running from Sunday, 30 August to Saturday, 5 September.
Annual Fiesta returning to the Country Music Capital
The region’s premier multicultural event, Fiesta La Peel, will return to Bicentennial Park, Tamworth, on Saturday, 17 October.
New England communities celebrate RFBI Showcase Awards recognition
New England aged care workers and volunteers are among those recognised in RFBI’s annual Showcase Awards, celebrating excellence and dedication across the sector.
Namoi Gwydir Bush Fire Risk Management Plan on public exhibition
The Namoi Gwydir Bush Fire Management Committee is inviting community feedback on its draft Bush Fire Risk Management Plan, which is now on public exhibition.
What's On
LONG READ >
Armidale nurse takes rural retention message to national stage
An Armidale nurse has used a national platform to push for the governance changes needed to keep nurses working in rural and remote communities.
Events
Craft Your Own Vintage Keepsake JournalEnds: August 15, 2026
Sapphire City MarketsEnds: August 16, 2026
The Ladies Lounge – Celebrating Women of Rock & PopEnds: August 22, 2026
Nemingha Community Garden Build a Wildlife Pond WorkshopEnds: August 29, 2026
Stained Glass Art WorkshopEnds: August 30, 2026
Tingha Community MarketsEnds: September 5, 2026
Politics
Hillvue Public Preschool opens as first new regional public preschool in 20 years
Tamworth has landed the first new public preschool built in regional NSW in more than 20 years, with Hillvue Public Preschool now open to 80 children a week.
Wee Waa Health Service extends opening hours after years of lobbying
Wee Waa Health Service is extending its hours to 7am to 10pm from October, more than three years after a staffing crunch forced them back. But the fight for a full emergency department isn’t over yet.
Saffin wins national Human Rights award
Tenterfield’s state member has won Labor’s top human rights honour. Nearly 72 and still “skiing down the hill on one ski,” Janelle Saffin’s fight has spanned four decades, Timor-Leste and Myanmar.
Joblink Plus Artist Bursary returns to support emerging artists
Applications are now open for the 2027 Joblink Plus Artist Bursary Program, which will support artists performing at the Toyota 55th Tamworth Country Music Festival.
New England REZ rollout caused ‘avoidable harm’
A NSW parliamentary inquiry has found the New England REZ rollout caused “avoidable harm” due to a lack of a coherent, enforceable, whole-of-government planning framework.
Knee-jerk reaction to flawed ABC program may make food more expensive
In the continuing fallout from the ABC’s Four Corners investigation Duped, more highly experienced food industry professionals have come out and criticised the program, warning that a knee-jerk reaction from government could make food more expensive.
Return help available for illegal farm workers, department says
Workers told the ABC they couldn’t afford to fly home. The Department of Home Affairs says return costs are usually covered, and help is available for those who need it.
Energy and Environment
New project aims to give Southern New England’s farm dams a health check
Workshops at Kentucky and Uralla, demonstration sites and even carbon-monitoring floats, Southern New England Landcare wants your farm dam in better shape within 12 months.
Uralla council calls for stronger local voice in REZ rollout
Uralla Shire Council says it backs the New England renewable zone, but wants a real seat at the table before more substations and transmission lines are locked into law.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT >
From open homes to open hearts: Professionals Armidale’s community BBQ making a difference
A real estate agency might not be the first place you’d expect to find a community fundraising program, but Professionals Armidale is quietly becoming as well known for its local giving as…
Is your IT structured? Or just functioning?
Many regional businesses only review their IT support when problems escalate. But more businesses are reassessing how their technology systems are managed, and the story of what happened to Acacia Medical tells…
BUSINESS
Grain groups combine for national advocacy strength
Social media excerpt: Three grower groups, one national voice. NSW Farmers, GrainGrowers and GPSA have signed pacts to tackle the toughest operating conditions grain growers have faced in years.
INDIGENOUS
Moree’s Freedom Ride history gets a Blue Plaque, as nominations open for the next round
Moree’s role in the 1965 Freedom Ride will be marked with a Blue Plaque this Thursday, as the NSW Government opens nominations for the next round of the state’s heritage program.
SPORT
Tape drive funds rural mental health push
One piece of tape, worn by NRL stars from Cairns to Melbourne, has turned into more than 50 mental health programs for communities that have never had this kind of support.
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- Roy’s Roundup: Attorney General visits Barwon, Cobar water storage update and bilateral trade with India.
Read the latest newsletter from Member for Barwon Roy Butler The post Roy’s Roundup: Attorney General visits Barwon, Cobar water storage update and bilateral trade with India. appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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Good News
Narrabri Shire honoured for turning vandalism into art
A vandalism hotspot turned into public art, and it worked so well the tagging stopped. Narrabri Shire has picked up two Local Government Week awards, its fourth year running.
Ron Vickress awarded Armidale’s highest honour
He was 17 when he joined the Navy, watched Japan surrender in Tokyo Bay, and never stopped serving his community since. Now, at 101, Armidale is giving Ron Vickress the keys to the city.
