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.
New line-up of firsts set to headline 2026 Tamworth Show
Business at the front, party at the back. The Tamworth Show is adding a mullet competition to its 2026 program, alongside a string of other new events, as organisers push to keep the long-running show growing.
Tamworth BMX riders shine in Brisbane as club opens doors to new talent
Tamworth City BMX Club is celebrating strong results from its riders at the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Brisbane, and is now inviting the local community to try the sport for themselves at a Discover BMX event later this month.
Local News
Solicitor charged after alleged 3D-printed firearms seized in Moree
A solicitor has been charged after police allegedly seized four firearms, ammunition and equipment used to manufacture 3D-printed weapons in Moree.
Tamworth Skywalk nears completion ahead of grand opening
Tamworth’s newest tourism drawcard, the Tamworth Skywalk, will officially open to the public on Saturday, 29 August, giving locals and visitors their first chance to walk the elevated path through Victoria Park to the Oxley Scenic Lookout.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
Expanded solar rebate welcomed, batteries are the next step
In a flurry of announcements and changes in the renewable space announced this week are a number of big wins for mid-scale solar projects, including an expanded solar rebate scheme and $100m in concessional funding.
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
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
$1.42m safety upgrade underway at Tamworth precinct
Work has begun on a $1.42 million project to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility at Tamworth’s Sports and Entertainment Precinct.
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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.
