Armidale teens from Ezidi, Congolese and other multicultural backgrounds get their shot at being scouted next week, home schoolers included, as NIAS brings its Talent ID Day to SportUNE.
Social issues and services
Posted inArmidale, Federal Politics, Immigration, Long Read
Demographic bulimia: why immigration is a stuck-in-the-muck issue
Labor, the Coalition and One Nation all say they want fewer migrants. Australia’s economy, its farms and its own refugee-resettlement towns all need more of them. It’s a clash between electoral populism and policy reality with no solution.
Posted inFundraiser, Grants and funding, Health, Youth
Push to lower Young Australian of the Year age after Dusty’s Canberra walk
A 12-year-old walked 540km to Canberra for sick country kids, and came home with $2 million and a push to change the rules for Young Australian of the Year.
Posted inCrime, Tamworth
Tamworth diversion pilot gains ground
A Tamworth youth diversion pilot is coming, backed by $8.4 million, as new figures show violent youth offending up 20 per cent and the major parties clash over how tough the response should be.
Posted inLegal, NSW Politics, Social issues and services
Gun debate gagged, motion to disallow buyback fails
A motion to scrap the state’s gun buyback failed after debate was gagged, with the mover accusing government MPs of not understanding firearms and warning the laws will push voters to far-right parties.
Posted inEmployment, Good News, Indigenous, Inverell
Inverell’s Tahnee Capon turns hardship into hope through education
A Kamilaroi woman who spent a year couch surfing before living in a converted bus has been named a 2026 Adult Learners Week Ambassador, crediting study with turning her life around from homelessness to a career helping others in Inverell.
Posted inArmidale Regional, Parenting and kids, Social issues and services
New group offers support for twin parents in the New England
A new support group has opened in the New England region for local parents of twins to connect through Facebook.
Posted inCrime, Moree
Man charged and ammunition seized after pursuit near Moree
A 22-year-old man has been charged and ammunition seized following a police pursuit north-west of Moree.
Posted inAgriculture, Federal Politics, Immigration, Workers and Unions
Cotton industry calls for visa clarity
Cotton growers are being warned visa uncertainty could hit the seasonal workforce needed for picking and ginning, as industry leaders demand answers from Canberra.
Posted inCrime, Tamworth
CCTV released after string of Tamworth break-ins and alleged kidnapping
Police have released CCTV images as they investigate a string of break-ins, vehicle thefts and an alleged kidnapping across Tamworth earlier this week.