University offers HSC workshops and study support for Year 12 students
HSC students will have access to expert exam markers at a series of workshops at the University of New England’s Tamworth study centre this week.
Petition launched seeking support for Banksia detox facility proposal
An NSW Parliament e-petition seeks government support to repurpose Tamworth’s former Banksia mental health unit as detox.
Five artists named Faces of the Festival as 2027 Tamworth Country Music Festival launches
Five country music artists have been named the 2027 Faces of the Festival, leading the promotion of the Toyota 55th Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Mum from Gunnedah charged over young son’s death
A woman raised in Gunnedah has been charged with murder after the death of her young son on the Central Coast. The state government has now launched an independent review.
Local News
Another back to back win: Darks retain Best Plumber
When something goes wrong with the plumbing, reliability matters. That’s exactly why Dark’s Plumbing has been crowned the New England’s Best Plumber for the second consecutive year.
Man dies in three-vehicle crash west of Narrabri
A man has died after a three-vehicle crash on the Kamilaroi Highway, west of Narrabri.
Tamworth community invited to celebrate NAIDOC Week together
Tamworth community members are invited to celebrate 50 years of NAIDOC at a family fun day this Wednesday.
ARC ducks questions about City Vitality Plan
“The world’s most expensive bollard” – the Draft Armidale City Centre Vitality Plan is now open for comment, but Council is not keen on answering questions about it, and Coupland admits his position is that traffic would not be returned to the mall.
What's On
Best Butcher in the New England?
From weekend barbecues to Sunday roasts, who cuts the best meat and always offers great service? Which is the best Butcher in the New England?
Events
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
2nd Global Summit on Materials Science and NanoscienceEnds: July 21, 2026
Politics
Right-wing rivals locked in ‘race to the bottom’: PM
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has taken a broad swipe at right-wing rivals, telling the Labor Party faithful they are only interested in airing grievances.
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.
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
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.
Water secured for communities as NSW opening allocations announced
Communities across NSW have essential water secured for 2026–27 despite mixed seasonal conditions and variable opening allocations statewide.
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
Great Central Hotel steals Best Pub title in one-vote thriller
After one of the closest contests in this year’s Best in the New England, the Great Central Hotel in Glen Innes has snatched the title of Best Pub or Club from reigning champion The Bolt Inn, winning by the narrowest possible margin.
INDIGENOUS
Tamworth NAIDOC Week celebrates 50 years of deadly
From flag raisings in the Tamworth CBD to family fun days on the Liverpool Plains, this year’s NAIDOC Week program across the region is shaping up to be one of the most extensive in recent memory, with events running from Thursday, 3 July to Friday, 11 July.
SPORT
Rugby grants open for round two
Rugby clubs and councils across NSW can now apply for a share of $2.15 million in World Cup legacy funding, with grants of up to $150,000 on offer. Applications close 14 August.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Denise’s Desk: When Labor found its courage
Denise says the gambling reforms voted on at the NSW Labor Conference on the weekend felt different. The post Denise’s Desk: When Labor found its courage appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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Good News
80 student volunteers to descend on Uralla, Deepwater for The Big Lift
Eighty student volunteers from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) will arrive in Uralla on Tuesday, 7 July, as part of The Big Lift’s 2026 Winter Trip across regional New South Wales and Queensland.
Peter Allen honoured with Blue Plaque at Armidale Folk Museum
An Armidale boy who grew up to become one of Australia’s most celebrated entertainers has been honoured with a Blue Plaque at the newly renovated Armidale Folk Museum.
