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.
Good News
Posted inAgriculture, Good News, Grants and funding, Local News
New England researchers chase cotton breakthroughs with five funded projects
Mite-filled capsules dropped by drone, satellite dashboards, beans as fertiliser: five New England projects have landed almost half of the country’s cotton innovation grants.
Posted inArmidale, Arts, Good News
Myers part of Australian first on world stage
An Armidale music teacher just helped make history in the Netherlands, becoming part of the first Australian band ever to crack the World Music Contest’s elite division.
Posted inArmidale, Awards, Education
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.
Posted inArmidale, Good News, Sport
TAS students shine on national and world stage
While most students spent the school holidays relaxing, these TAS students were busy winning national and international titles in rugby, hockey and rowing.
Posted inCommunity action, Good News, Uralla Shire
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.
Posted inGood News, Local festivals and shows, Narrabri Shire
A weekend of fire, iron and community: Eulah Creek’s big event returns
A beloved fixture on the north-west calendar is gearing up for its 28th year, with the Eulah Creek Vintage Machinery Day and Cast Iron Chef Weekend set to draw crowds to Beulah Park Hall once again.
Posted inArts, Glen Innes, Good News
New home for the arts strikes a chord in Glen Innes
Glen Innes’ new School of Arts & Music threw open its doors on Saturday, 20 June, with a free community day that filled the historic former Severn Shire Council Building with music, laughter and creative activity from morning to mid-afternoon.
Posted inGood News, Warialda
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.
Posted inArmidale, Arts, Awards
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.