Deputy mayor under fire for ‘working mum’ remarks
New deputy mayor Rob Hooke says his predecessor couldn’t do the job because she’s a “working mum”. She’s hit back, and revealed the real reason she stepped aside.
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.
Have your say on the future name of Killean
New owners of McLean Care want your help in naming the main home, and have put up $5000 to make it worth your while to have your say. Vote now!
Pearse, Tighe returned unopposed in Moree Plains
Moree Plains has its leadership locked in for another two years, with Mayor Susannah Pearse and Deputy Mayor Wayne Tighe both returned unopposed. Next week, four more New England councils go to a mayoral vote.
Local News
Tamworth Regional Sports Awards nominations open
Nominations will open this week for the 2026 Tamworth Regional Sports Awards, recognising the region’s leading athletes, coaches, teams, volunteers and sporting organisations.
Gunnedah gallery to honour late artist
Gunnedah’s creative community is invited to honour late artist Alex Bayliss with a new men’s exhibition at the Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery, opening next month in tribute to his life and work.
Fuller returned in Gunnedah as Tiemens unopposed in Narrabri
Councillors in Gunnedah and Narrabri have selected their leadership teams for the next two years, but the neighbouring councils took markedly different paths to their results.
Armidale music teacher helps make Australian brass history
An Armidale music teacher has helped Sydney City Brass secure a historic fourth-place finish at one of the world’s leading brass band competitions.
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
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
Stained Glass Art WorkshopEnds: September 20, 2026
Tenterfield Womens TalkEnds: September 21, 2026
Politics
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.
Screen time caps coming to NSW schools
NSW public schools will cap daily screen time from next year, after new research found teenagers spending up to seven hours a day on devices and literacy results going backwards.
Youth takes the helm at Liverpool Plains
At 38, Charlie Simkin is Liverpool Plains Shire Council’s new mayor. He’s flagged waste, housing and infrastructure as priorities for the next two years, working alongside new Deputy Mayor Jason Allan.
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.
Free qualifications on offer for tradies
Up to 6,000 experienced tradies could get a free, faster pathway to formal qualifications, as a new national training program launches first in NSW.
Boggabilla agricultural leader Rebecca Fing named 2027 Nuffield Scholar
Boggabilla’s 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
Glen Innes Severn calls for fair REZ funding model
Glen Innes Severn Council is pushing for a fairer funding model to share New England Renewable Energy Zone benefits across communities.
Guyra water treatment upgrades bolster blue-green algae preparations
Guyra’s drinking water supply is better prepared for blue-green algae season following major upgrades to the town’s water treatment plant.
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
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.
INDIGENOUS
Aboriginal Rangers to gather at Trelawney Station
More than 200 Aboriginal Rangers will gather near Tamworth next week to share knowledge, strengthen culture and learn new ways to care for Country.
SPORT
Stunning day at Varley Oval for cracker AFL grand finals
Inverell turned the tables on the Tamworth Swans to claim the Regional Australia Bank Cup, while Gunnedah overcame a determined home side in the women’s decider during the AFL North West grand finals at Varley Oval on Saturday.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Opinion: Breaking through the infloglut: the vicious cycle between information overload and anger
COVID, global warming, conspiracy theorists, natural disasters, financial collapses — and a sham social media ban. It’s no wonder young Australians are glum, writes Professor Axel Bruns The post Opinion: Breaking through the infloglut: the vicious cycle between information overload and anger appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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Good News
Jack’s Creek named world’s best Wagyu for third straight year
Australian beef producer Jack’s Creek has been crowned the world’s best Wagyu producer for a third consecutive year at the 2026 World Steak Challenge in Amsterdam.
Tamworth Quality Business Awards salutes community stalwart Helen Tickle
More than 840 people turned out for Tamworth’s biggest business night of the year, with a four-decade community stalwart taking home the top honour. See who else took home a trophy.
