ADMS brings a deliciously wicked Rocky Horror to life
REVIEW: It’s astounding… just how good the latest production from the Armidale Drama and Musical Society is.
Major milestone for Violet Street Bridge replacement
The replacement of Narrabri’s Violet Street Bridge has reached a major milestone, with foundation piling works now complete.
Bingara residents advised of temporary Telstra mobile disruptions during scheduled maintenance
Bingara residents should expect brief Telstra mobile disruptions on Tuesday, 7 July, during essential maintenance.
Sweetie Pies reclaims Best Bakery title after landslide finish
Sweetie Pies Bake Shop has reclaimed its place as New England’s Best Bakery, surging home late in one of the closest contests of this year’s Best in the New England.
Local News
Tamworth event to tackle the succession conversation farming families avoid
A one-day event at Goonoo Goonoo Station near Tamworth will help farming families and their advisers navigate one of the hardest conversations in agriculture: how to pass on the family farm without breaking the business or the family.
Mid North Coast locals praised for correctly reporting sick bird
A sick bird near Hawks Nest could have been bad, but for the locals who didn’t touch, and called for help. NSW has its first suspect case of H5 bird flu, and authorities say it’s proof the system is working.
One week until Tamworth’s 26th Hats Off To Country Festival
Cooler weather, hotter lineup. Tamworth’s 26th Hats Off To Country kicks off 10 July with Amber Lawrence, Brendan Radford, The Bushwackers and more than 50 events across the city.
Regional Australia Bank completes merger with Summerland Bank
Regional Australia Bank has officially merged with Summerland Bank. Here’s what it means for the 49-branch, 450-staff regional network, and for members’ everyday banking.
What's On
Best Pub or Club in the New England?
Whether it’s a cold drink, a great meal or a Friday night catch-up, where’s your favourite local? Which is the best Pub or Club in the New England?
Events
Sapphire City MarketsEnds: July 5, 2026
Stained Glass Weekend WorkshopEnds: July 12, 2026
Seed SwapEnds: July 18, 2026- Sapphire City MarketsEnds: July 19, 2026
2nd Global Summit on Materials Science and Nanoscience (MATERIALS2026)Ends: July 21, 2026
Politics
NSW extends consultation on Crown land bill after land rights warning
Consultation has been extended on a Crown land bill after Aboriginal land councils said amendments were dropped too late to properly consult with the network. The Law Society wants a key clause scrapped entirely.
National gun buyback deadline expires as Parkes MP joins criticism
Labor promised a national gun buyback by 1 July. It’s now collapsed, with states walking away and Parkes MP Jamie Chaffey saying regional gun owners were made a scapegoat.
TRC votes to sell Ray Walsh House after hour-long debate
After four years of uncertainty and more than an hour of heated debate, Tamworth Regional Council has voted 5-3 to sell Ray Walsh House — but the sale isn’t final yet.
Concern brewing as buried Hanson policy threatens affordable medicines
A local mum says she and her asthmatic daughter could die without PBS medicines. She’s not alone — public concern is growing over a little-noticed One Nation policy, and a petition is now calling on Hanson to back off.
Council to vote on Ray Walsh House sale as residents call for caution
Council will vote Tuesday on selling Ray Walsh House. But a residents group says the process isn’t finished — and once the decision is made, it’s very hard to undo.
Armidale scientist named to lead national cotton research body
An Armidale scientist and farmer who cut rice variety development timelines by nine years is now running the national body that funds cotton research. Meet the new CRDC boss.
NSW farmers need urgent action on China beef tariffs
NSW Liberals and Nationals are urging the State Government to press Canberra for action after China’s new beef tariff hit exporters.
Energy and Environment
Pilliga at centre of decade-long push to save Australia’s vanishing mammals
Bilbies, numbats and bandicoots are breeding again in NSW after more than a century of local extinction — and the Pilliga is one of the sites making it happen.
Sundown Solar Farm public meeting cancelled due to low interest
Sundown Solar Farm has another green light, with a planned public consultation meeting cancelled after only one person registered to speak against the proposal.
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
Crofters Cottage brews up a winning formula
Crofters Cottage, overlooking the Australian Standing Stones in Glen Innes, has been crowned the region’s Best Coffee Shop, with customers praising not only its consistently excellent coffee, but also its homemade food, welcoming atmosphere and the passionate team behind the business.
INDIGENOUS
Council appoints two members to Aboriginal Consultative Committee
Preston Connors and Yoorana Delaney have been appointed as community representatives on Inverell Shire Council’s Aboriginal Consultative Committee for a two-year term.
SPORT
Four TAS players earn NSW Schools selection for national championships
Four The Armidale School rugby players have earned NSW Schools selection, with Oscar Saunders securing a surprise place in NSW I.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Opinion: Dismantling the Manosphere
It takes 23 minutes for a social media account mimicking a 16- to 18-year-old boy to be fed misogynistic content. Tanya Plibersek, Minister for Social Services, says the manosphere peddles outrage for profit, and we need to push back on the algorithms that amplify it. The post Opinion: Dismantling the Manosphere appeared first on New England Times Engage.
> Submit your own opinion, letter or comment to New England Times Engage
Good News
R2B2 stands tall again as Warialda principal rebuilds storm-hit icon
Warialda’s beloved black and yellow replica of Star Wars droid R2D2 is back on his feet at the entrance to town, eight months after a violent storm tore his head clean off.
Walcha Coffee adds seven more medals to growing awards record
Walcha Coffee has added another seven medals to its growing awards record after competing at Golden Bean Australasia 2026, one of the coffee industry’s largest competitions.
