White Elephant Ball returns for another big night supporting local youth
Tamworth is getting ready to dress up, dig deep and make a difference, with the White Elephant Ball returning for its 12th year in support of youth mental health.
Blues come from behind to score back-to-back triumph
The Armidale Blues staged a second-half comeback to secure back-to-back first-grade titles, while Walcha, the Tenterfield Bumblebees and Glen Innes Elks also celebrated grand final victories. Read what happened.
NSW strategy aims to grow Aboriginal businesses and regional opportunities
A new five-year NSW strategy aims to help Aboriginal businesses overcome barriers, access funding and create opportunities across regional communities.
Tickets released for 2026 New England North West Business Awards
Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 New England North West Business Awards in Quirindi.
Local News
The coolest job in Uralla making everyone’s GPS work better
Did you know Uralla has a space facility, working on a new program making GPS ten times more accurate across Australia and New Zealand? Lockheed Martin is hiring someone to run it, and admits it’s a bit of a unicorn job.
Glen Innes businesses urged to Rise & Thrive
Glen Innes businesses will have access to workshops, networking events and practical support throughout October as part of NSW Small Business Month.
Hazlewood tips Smith to make a statement in South Africa
Josh Hazlewood believes Steve Smith could have a point to prove when Australia returns to South Africa for its first Test series there since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
Pharmacy reforms to bring more health care closer to home
NSW communities will gain easier access to everyday health care as pharmacists expand treatment options for a range of conditions.
What's On
LONG READ >
A Hillgrove miracle: is this the happiest workplace in the region?
WEEKEND LONG READ: At the re-opened Hillgrove Mine, staff say the culture, not the antimony, is the real story. How did they avoid the Armidale curse?
Events
Weekly Womenโs Tea & TalkEnds: September 14, 2026
I Love Your Faces: The Don Lane StoryEnds: September 16, 2026
Stained Glass WorkshopEnds: September 19, 2026
Sapphire City MarketsEnds: September 20, 2026
Tamworth Weiner Dog Festival 2026Ends: September 20, 2026
Stained Glass WorkshopEnds: September 20, 2026
Politics
Saffin defends regional ministers after confirming administrative error
Janelle Saffin says the numbers back up what she told budget estimates all along, it was never misuse, just a mix-up over which budget line her Sydney travel came from.
Coalition ramps up attack on Saffin over expenses
“One night, out of a year,” she said of a Ballina hotel stay. Now the Coalition is dragging Minister Janelle Saffin to the Auditor General to explain that and dozens of other travel claims that may not be right.
One down, 10 to go: Webb re-elected Mayor in Tamworth
Eleven New England councils choose their mayor within a month. Tamworth’s result is in โ the 5-4 split that’s ruled council for two years just held again. A challenge is confirmed for Gunnedah. Who’s next?
F4CA report says farmers carry industry’s climate load
Farmers are already propping up Australia’s climate accounts for free, while coal, gas and oil buy their way out of cutting pollution at the source, according to a new report from Farmers for Climate Action.
Chaffey urges tobacco excise cut to break black market’s grip on New England
Parkes MP Jamie Chaffey says a 30 per cent rise in tobacco use proves Labor’s approach has failed, as he pushes an 80 per cent excise cut to smash the New England North West’s black market.
Boggabilla agricultural leader Rebecca Fing named 2027 Nuffield Scholar
Boggabillaโs Rebecca Fing will take her farm safety research overseas after being named a 2027 Nuffield Scholar.
New England households to benefit from energy support funding
New England households will get help cutting energy bills, with Southern New England Landcare sharing $4.7 million in state funding.
Energy and Environment
Guyra water treatment upgrades bolster blue-green algae preparations
Guyraโs drinking water supply is better prepared for blue-green algae season following major upgrades to the townโs water treatment plant.
Inverell Council to renew Yetman’s water mains
Yetman’s water mains have been breaking down for decades. Inverell Shire Council has now signed off on a $485,853 fix for the ageing asbestos cement network.
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 asโฆ
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 tellsโฆ
BUSINESS
Rivers of antimony: Hillgrove Mine officially reopened
Australia’s oldest new critical minerals mine is up and running near Armidale, expected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Locals say it’s bringing families back to the village, and antimony for solar panels is just the start.
INDIGENOUS
Anฤwan language reawakens at UNE
Lost to colonisation, kept alive by a decade of research and a handful of archival recordings, the Anฤwan language is being spoken at UNE again, every Thursday morning.
SPORT
World Tennis Series returning to Tamworth
Tamworth will welcome international tennis players back to the city next month, with the Capital of Country International returning for a second year.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Begin rant: Growth means more than moving on
RK Crosby has been reflecting on the Armidale Secondary College series from 2023, and says we need to be brave enough to say stop. The post Begin rant: Growth means more than moving on appeared first on New England Times Engage.
> Submit your own opinion, letter or comment to New England Times Engage
Good News
Tamworth ambulance staff honoured for courage and outstanding service
NSW Ambulance staff have been honoured in Tamworth for courage, clinical excellence and dedication while responding to emergencies across the region.
Jenny Bourke named New England-Northern Inland Volunteer of the Year
Armidale volunteer Jenny Bourke has been recognised for her dedication to the community, taking out the regionโs top volunteering honour.
