The Black Gully Festival: sustainability you can feel
Each year, the Black Gully Creek Reserve behind the New England Regional Art Museum fills with music, colour and conversation in a festival that brings sustainability to life. Read part 2 of our special investigation.
Tahs on the hunt for next champion cricketer
Do you have a young Ellyse Perry or Josh Hazlewood in your midst? Applications are open now for the 2026 Waratahs Ian Campbell Scholarship
Glen Innes rates increase application lodged
Glen Innes Severn Council has formally lodged an application with the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal seeking approval for a Special Rate Variation that would see general rates increase by 48.3 per cent over three years.
Categorisation spat as Armidale Road continues to decline
Responsibility for maintaining Armidale Road has become the centre of a growing bureaucratic dispute, as closures on other key routes continue to push more traffic onto a road described as both dangerous and chronically underfunded.
Local News
Choosing a healthier life may not be easy, but it’s worth it
More and more, people are choosing to take control and break bad habits, whether that’s quitting smoking, vaping, drinking, or any other vice.
Armidale: The story that doesn’t fit the stereotype
New England is often seen as sceptical of climate change, but Armidale has a rich history of caring for the environment dating back over half a century. Read part 1 of our special investigation.
New England dogs, and a teacher, learning new tricks on ABC’s Muster Dogs
By day, Ian Worley is the Quirindi High School principal and outside of school hours he’s been back in the classroom, joining the cast of ABC TV’s Muster Dogs.
Royal Life Saving to host first aid, CPR, and lifeguard training in Tamworth
Tamworth residents will have the opportunity to gain vital life-saving skills when Royal Life Saving brings a series of first aid, CPR and pool lifeguard courses to the city in February.
What's On
Choosing a healthier life may not be easy, but it’s worth it
More and more, people are choosing to take control and break bad habits, whether that’s quitting smoking, vaping, drinking, or any other vice.
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
Armidale AmblersEnds: February 4, 2026
Pub Choir @ Big Welder’s DogEnds: February 4, 2026
No Lights No LycraEnds: February 5, 2026
In the Shadow of the Gallows – Pub CinemaEnds: February 5, 2026
Walcha CupEnds: February 6, 2026
Politics
Nationals leader secure after spill bid falls flat
David Littleproud will remain leader of the Nationals after Queensland MP Colin Boyce failed to garner the support of colleagues for a spill motion.
Victim relief as key sentencing test to be abolished
People convicted of a crime will no longer receive lesser sentences because they are of “good character” in a seismic change to deliver more justice to victims.
Hastie out of leadership battle; Nationals given deadline to save coalition
Sussan Ley’s leadership of the Liberals is more certain, as she gives the Nationals a week to rejoin the coalition.
Party elder pleads for Nationals to stop the infighting
The Nationals must put aside their grievances and target being an effective opposition, a former deputy prime minister says, while another local politician points to a possible new leader.
Nationals set for leadership challenge
David Littleproud will face a challenge for the leadership of the Nationals when parliament resumes from a close ally of Barnaby Joyce.
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.
The century-long battle against weeds heads to space
It might have a romantic name but African lovegrass wreaks havoc on the landscape, as researchers trial satellite technology and AI to combat the invasive weed.
Energy and Environment
Narrabri maintains level 4 water restrictions with limited sprinkler exemption
Level 4 water restrictions will remain in place for Narrabri township, however a temporary, town-wide sprinkler exemption will be introduced to help balance community needs with water supply sustainability.
Narrabri moves to Level 4 water restrictions as heat drives demand
Narrabri Shire Council will implement Level 4 water restrictions for the Narrabri township from 7am Saturday, 24 January, due to sustained high demand and forecast extreme heat
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
Major NBN fibre upgrade milestone reached in Wee Waa
More than 900 homes and businesses in Wee Waa are now eligible to upgrade to full fibre through the National Broadband Network’s Fibre to the Premises service.
INDIGENOUS
NSW Aboriginal Languages Educational Scholarships Open for 2025–26
Aboriginal people across New South Wales are being encouraged to apply for the latest round of funding under the NSW Aboriginal Languages Educational Scholarship Program, with applications opening in December.
SPORT
Revenge is brewing in the PBR Australia bucking arena
Australia’s biggest bull riding showdown is back, as the 2026 PBR Australia Monster Energy Origin Series reignites the fierce NSW–Queensland rivalry—with the Maroons out for revenge after a record-breaking Blues victory last year.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Australia needs to get real about Trump’s changing America
Mark Carney’s Davos speech warns American leadership is no longer a reliable anchor for the US-Australia alliance. Australia must now move beyond comforting myths, hedge with regional partners, and invest in independent capabilities to ensure security. The post Australia needs to get real about Trump’s changing America appeared first on New England Times Engage.
> Submit your own opinion, letter or comment to New England Times Engage
Good News
Tenterfield Australia Day honours announced
Tenterfield Shire Council honoured local heroes and welcomed new citizens during its 2026 Australia Day celebrations at the Tenterfield Showground.
Where tomorrow’s Country stars begin: inside Tamworth’s Golden Gig
If your kids came home from the Tamworth Country Music Festival buzzing with big country music dreams, they’re not alone. Each year, the Festival becomes a launchpad for young performers from across Australia, and one of the most exciting opportunities for junior artists is the Golden Gig talent search.
