Tabletop gamers prepare to roll into Armidale for 40K tournament
Armidale’s tabletop gaming community is preparing to roll the dice for their upcoming 2K Warhammer 40K Tournament, 40K On Ice.
“Standing on the shoulders of giants”: Joel Ulbricht to lead Tamworth festival
Taking on the role of festival manager at the Tamworth Country Music Festival is a “bucket list opportunity” for Joel Ulbricht, who is focused on building on the event’s 54-year legacy.
Gunnedah to host 2026 Yamaha Aussie Flat Track Nationals finale as New England takes centre stage
Gunnedah’s Balcary Park will once again anchor the Yamaha Aussie Flat Track Nationals in 2026, with the New England town set to host a high-stakes season finale that will decide the prestigious Pro 450 crown.
Stamped in time: UNE research features in new Australia Post stamp collection
Almost two decades of UNE research into a deposit of ancient fossils found at Emu Bay on South Australia’s Kangaroo Island has become the subject of a new limited edition stamp collection.
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Local News
Monster garage sale to support Legacy Inverell
A monster garage sale packed with furniture, household treasures and one-off finds is set to take over Flanders House later this month, and organisers say everything must go.
Music with a mission: Jammin’ on the Green returns to Inverell
Jammin’ On The Green will not only bring great music to Inverell tomorrow night, but also help out the community.
Ascent changes services to strengthen delivery model
Ascent has announced it is expanding supported living and respite services while reshaping its Armidale operations to better meet participant needs in a changing NDIS landscape.
Glen Innes supports call for urgent action on regional water security
Glen Innes Severn Council has joined Local Government NSW in urging the NSW Government to commit to long-term, fit-for-purpose funding for regional water infrastructure.
What's On
From India’s biggest gathering to a daily festival in northern NSW
While the world watched millions gather in India for a rare event, a quiet farm in the Tweed Valley celebrates every single day. New Govardhana offers a spiritual sanctuary where visitors can experience a different pace of life.
Be part of Fantastic Feb
Are you someone we can talk to about health, fitness, beauty, and general wellbeing? Throughout February we’re going to be helping New Englanders look and feel fantastic. So if this is your area of business or you have some advice to share, we want to hear from you!
Please drop your details here so we can get in contact and potentially include you in Fantastic Feb.
Events
Sapphire City MarketsEnds: February 15, 2026
Pool Comp @ the St KildaEnds: February 15, 2026
Ash Grunwald @ Welder’s Dog BreweryEnds: February 15, 2026
Line Dancing for BeginnersEnds: February 16, 2026
Trivia Night – O’WeekEnds: February 16, 2026
Politics
Angus Taylor new leader of the Liberal Party
Angus Taylor has been elected Liberal leader after defeating Sussan Ley in a spill, deposing the party’s first female leader after less than a year.
MOU to focus the fight for fairer regional air travel
Two organisations have combined their efforts to fight for better access to regional flights and sustainable regional airports.
New England BESS projects get certainty with government contracts
Three large-scale battery projects proposed for the New England have been awarded state-backed contracts as part of the NSW Government’s long-duration energy storage rollout
Moree Plains Council cautious in progressing the SAP
Moree Plains Shire Council is taking a cautious, staged approach as it moves toward the next phase of the Moree Special Activation Precinct, seeking to balance the long-term economic promise with the financial realities.
Coalition to reunite as feuding leaders strike deal
The leaders of the federal Liberal and National parties have struck a deal to get the coalition back together and return senior MPs to the front bench.
Rethinking farming at Wilmot Field Day
Wilmot Field Day has become a fixture on the agricultural calendar for producers looking for practical insight, honest conversation and a deeper understanding of how farming systems are evolving.
Tax shock for farm trailblazers
Farmers with cellar doors and fruit stands should beware of huge new bills being slapped on them by the state government, NSW Farmers says.
Energy and Environment
First Nations orgs encouraged to apply for climate solutions funding
First Nations-led organisations across regional Australia are being encouraged to apply for a new round of funding aimed at supporting locally driven climate solutions
Armidale warned of falling dam levels
Armidale Regional Council is warning residents to prepare for the possible introduction of Level 1 water restrictions as ongoing hot and dry conditions begin to impact local water storages.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT >
Take a break from the heat and upgrade to an X Series Signature
It has been another uncomfortably hot Tamworth Country Music Festival, and with another heat wave on the way, it is worth asking yourself: is it time to get out of the heat?
Giving little learners a Star Start to school at Your Tutor Armidale
Families across Armidale are being invited to give their children a confident and positive start to school through the Star Starter School Readiness Program, launching at Your Tutor in Armidale in January…
BUSINESS
Interest rate hike risks tipping regional businesses over the edge
There are warnings last week’s interest rate hike will strip cash from small businesses, forcing owners to shelve investment, let staff go and trim budgets.
INDIGENOUS
New plan to address violence against Indigenous women and children
Australia’s first standalone national plan to end violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children has been launched
SPORT
NRL HOGS coming to Gunnedah, Moree, Tamworth
The NRL HOGS National Tour is getting underway today, with the annual grassroots initiative once again rolling into regional communities to promote rugby league, connect with young players and celebrate the people who keep the game strong in rural areas.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Denise’s Desk: Barnaby Joyce’s political midlife crisis comes at New England’s expense
Watching the rise of Pauline Hanson and the renewed chatter about One Nation as a plausible alternative government, it is worth applying a simple test of reality. The post Denise’s Desk: Barnaby Joyce’s political midlife crisis comes at New England’s expense appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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Good News
Tamworth talent search win for Boggabri’s Sam Snape
Boggabri farmer and singer-songwriter Sam Snape hit all the right notes in the TMFM Discovered competition during the 2026 Tamworth Country Music Festival.
New England warmly welcomes new citizens on Australia Day
Across New England, Australia Day 2026 was a day of pride, celebration, and community spirit as councils welcomed new Australian citizens and recognised outstanding locals.
