Armidale gears up for Polar Plunge at Dumaresq Dam
Armidale’s Polar Plunge returns to Dumaresq Dam on Sunday, 23 August, as organisers look to build on last year’s icy dip in support of local Special Olympics athletes.
Narrabri to host 2026 NSW Rural Women’s Gathering
Narrabri has been named host of this year’s Rural Women’s Gathering, bringing about 300 women from across regional, rural and remote New South Wales to the North Western NSW town.
Two nights, two vibes: Bellingen’s Beyond Jazz Weekender is back
Bellingen Memorial Hall will transform into a jazz club for two nights this month, with the Beyond Jazz Weekender returning for its second year on Friday, 14 August and Saturday, 15 August.
Woman charged in Moree after police drone assists in arrest
A police drone circling over Moree tracked a woman from a backyard shed straight into a domestic violence arrest.
Local News
Armidale’s annual sleepout asks locals to feel the cold for Vinnies
More than 1,100 Armidale locals sought help from Vinnies last year. Now the charity wants the wider community to spend a night feeling what that means.
Cult horror thriller Pontypool set for Australian debut in Tamworth
A cramped radio station, a town driven violent by a mystery virus and a cast of Tamworth locals: Pontypool is about to make its Australian debut at the Capitol Theatre.
Former New England radio announcer releases debut novel
A two-week ultimatum to move to Armidale for a radio job in 2012 became the start of a career, and now a debut novel, for former FM100.3/2AD announcer Stephanie MacFie.
UNE research finds depression affects all five senses
Armidale researchers have found depression dulls all five senses, not just mood, a discovery they hope will reshape how the condition is diagnosed and treated.
Events
Opera Australia: “Don Giovanni”Ends: August 6, 2026
International Film FestivalEnds: August 7, 2026
Lonely Love @ Lodge TheatreEnds: August 7, 2026- International Film FestivalEnds: August 8, 2026
Armidale Farmers’ MarketEnds: August 9, 2026
New England Sporting Car Club KhanacrossEnds: August 9, 2026
Politics
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.
NSW Farmers moves to strip MLA of NLIS database project
NSW Farmers moved to ask the government to strip MLA of the NLIS database uplift project at last week’s conference, after years of what one delegate called “lip service” from the agency running it.
Regional councils claim historic win in national funding shake-up
A new national deal has just delivered a big funding win for councils. Here’s what mayors and MPs say it means for your rates, roads and jobs.
Tenterfield council defends secrecy around audit committee minutes
Tenterfield residents want to know why audit committee minutes were kept secret. Council says the answer comes down to guidelines, and the growing threat of cyber attacks.
Reardon brings a lifetime of agriculture to NSW Farmers presidency
Rebecca Reardon has been elected NSW Farmers president, bringing a lifetime in agriculture and a commitment to strengthening the industry’s future for generations.
Armidale scientists turn satellites into nitrogen advice for cotton growers
Armidale researchers are turning satellite images into real-time fertiliser advice for cotton growers; in a project the University of New England hopes will change how the industry manages one of its biggest costs.
Energy and Environment
Clean energy body admits trust problem, proposes royalty scheme
The Clean Energy Council admits regional Australia doesn’t trust renewables, but it’s solution is not likely to fix the problem.
Aerial applicator fined for overspray at Bendemeer
A helicopter spraying company has been fined more than $70,000 after herbicide drifted onto trees at Bendemeer. The pilot admitted to spraying “by eye”.
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
Electric vehicle sales soar during fuel price crunch
Australian motorists are voting with their feet and wallets as electric cars drive a path through the market.
INDIGENOUS
New initiative puts Aboriginal communities in the driver’s seat of licensing support
Transport for NSW is launching an Australian-first program training Aboriginal driving instructors to expand culturally safe licensing support statewide.
SPORT
Daley makes right call after rewriting Origin legacy
Laurie Daley faced enormous criticism during his time as NSW coach but he ensured he finishes a winner after stepping down from the role.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Opinion: Neurodivergent Children Are Asking to Be Seen, Not Fixed
Laetitia Andrac from Understanding Zoe says too often, we talk about neurodiversity as though awareness alone is enough - in reality, it isn’t. The real problem is the disconnect in how support is organised. The post Opinion: Neurodivergent Children Are Asking to Be Seen, Not Fixed appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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Good News
Nominations open for women in local government awards
Rising stars, mayors and general managers alike, nominations are open for the state’s top awards recognising women in local government.
ASC recognised for refugee pathways
As Armidale became a regional refugee home, a team from Armidale Secondary College rebuilt the pathways from school to work and study. Now their “Pathways to Belonging” program has earned a NSW Humanitarian Award.
