Rapid Relief Team serves up support at Armidale Vinnies sleepout
Armidale volunteers have served up hot meals to support locals raising money for homelessness services at the Vinnies Community Sleepout.
Inverell’s Tahnee Capon turns hardship into hope through education
Inverell’s Tahnee Capon is using her experience of homelessness to inspire others after being named an Adult Learners Week ambassador.
Walcha publican rallies community to help flood-ravaged Nepal
Walcha publican Ganesh Sedhain has lost 11 friends and has more than 60 others missing after catastrophic flooding tore through his home region of Nepal, and is now turning his grief into action with a major community fundraiser.
Free event links locals to clean energy jobs
There’s lots of jobs in the energy transition – and a a free Armidale event next month aims to link young locals to renewable energy careers.
Local News
Extra funds tip Violet Street Bridge budget over $7m
Narrabri Shire Council has tipped in almost half a million dollars more for the Violet Street Bridge, taking the total budget to $7 million.
Six Wee Waa projects share in grants windfall
More than 400 votes later, six Wee Waa community projects, from bird boxes to a multi-generational workshop series, have landed a share of $23,000 in grants.
Gardening celebrities to headline festival
Two Gardening Australia stars are headlining the New England Garden Festival for the first time, with workshops, tours and a charity fundraiser across two days in Armidale.
Beyond the stones: big plans to grow Celtic Festival’s reach
Could the Celtic Festival soon take over the whole of Glen Innes? A bold five year plan to grow its reach is open for feedback now, with drop-in sessions in September.
What's On
LONG READ >
Three strikes and still not out: the weak council rules unable to deal with populist politicians
They run the same playbook as Pauline Hanson and Donald Trump: turn every sanction into persecution. Inside the NSW rules that still can’t make badly behaved councillors stop.
Events
The Rusty PickupsEnds: September 3, 2026
Tingha Community MarketsEnds: September 5, 2026
Spring Garden ExpoEnds: September 5, 2026
Make Your Own Macrame Hat HangerEnds: September 5, 2026
A Decade in Harmony: Ten-Year Anniversary ConcertEnds: September 5, 2026
A Decade in Harmony: Ten-Year Anniversary ConcertEnds: September 5, 2026
Politics
Three strikes and still not out: the weak council rules unable to deal with populist politicians
They run the same playbook as Pauline Hanson and Donald Trump: turn every sanction into persecution. Inside the NSW rules that still can’t make badly behaved councillors stop.
Moree Plains council releases confidential pool report, but reveals nothing new
Moree Plains Shire Council released the confidential report behind its pool decision – but it didn’t reveal anything the community didn’t already know.
Barraba pushes for health worker housing amid regional drive
Barraba says it’s missing out on health worker housing while Armidale gets a $200 million upgrade. The local MP wants that to change.
Barnaby Joyce fails to clear up One Nation migration confusion
Barnaby Joyce said his colleague was wrong on One Nation’s migration numbers, then confirmed that PALM workers don’t count. But he refused to say what skilled workers the New England would have to go without.
New Englanders to get some answers from ‘King Rat’ Barnaby Joyce
Barnaby Joyce will address his dramatic defection from the Nationals and his new political partnership with Pauline Hanson in an Australian Story episode airing on Monday night.
NSW floodplain harvesting audit begins
Only 58 per cent of floodplain harvesting storages in NSW were compliant as of June, and now a watchdog audit wants to know if the water take data can be trusted at all.
Armidale regulator’s slow approvals slammed
A new global study says slow, costly approvals are cutting Australian farmers off from new technology, reigniting scrutiny of the Armidale-based APVMA’s slumping performance.
Energy and Environment
Glen Innes energy evening to help locals cut power bills
Want to cut your power bill? Glen Innes locals can get free, practical energy advice from farmers, a professor and energy experts next month.
Digital meters catch $364,000 in water leaks across Armidale, Guyra
Digital water meters have already caught $364,000 worth of leaks across Armidale and Guyra. With Level 2 restrictions in place and warmer weather on the way, Council says the savings are only going to grow.
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 as…
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 tells…
BUSINESS
Tamworth Skywalk officially opens with community celebration
Tamworth’s new $18 million Skywalk is officially open, connecting Victoria Park to Oxley Scenic Lookout with a 1.5-kilometre elevated walk built for every ability.
INDIGENOUS
Funding to prevent violence through Aboriginal sport
A $625,000 fund is open to Aboriginal groups across NSW running sport programs aimed at preventing family and sexual violence, with applications closing in October.
SPORT
Combat sports referred to parliamentary inquiry
Bareknuckle boxing, power slap and backyard fight clubs are under the microscope, as the state government refers combat sports laws to a parliamentary inquiry.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Letter: New management at Bupa impresses
Damien writes there have been many positive changes at Bupa Aged Care Tamworth under its new General Manager, Katie. The post Letter: New management at Bupa impresses appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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Good News
Vote now to send Tamworth clubman to AFL grand final
He’s played, coached and manned the barbecue for the Tamworth Swans for three decades. Now Paul Kelly needs your vote to make the AFL Grand Final.
Hillgrove teen wins Tahs scholarship
Hillgrove’s Rocco Eastwood, 15, has landed the Waratahs Ian Campbell Scholarship and a training stint with a Sydney Premier club.
