R.M.Williams announces partnership with Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft & Rodeo Association
R.M.Williams has partnered with the Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft & Rodeo Association, building on an 80-year connection with Australian rodeo and regional communities.
Narrabri fire control centre to open doors to community
The NSW Rural Fire Service will open the doors of the new Narrabri Fire Control Centre to the community this Saturday.
Armidale partners with community groups to support local youth
Armidale Regional Council is partnering with local organisations to deliver youth-focused events and activities across the region.
Cabbage, culture and craft beer: Armidale gears up for a day of fermentation
Armidale will play host to a full day of fermentation science, food and celebration when the first-ever Fermentation Festival is held on Saturday, 19 September.
Local News
Uralla calls for changes to disaster funding reform
Uralla Shire Council is calling for changes to proposed disaster funding reforms, warning they could leave regional councils facing greater financial uncertainty.
Tamworth’s CBD to glow for the City of Lights festival
Tamworth’s Peel Street, Fitzroy Plaza and Bicentennial Park will come alive with light, culture and community as the Tamworth Chamber and the Tamworth Business Collective join forces to bring back the City of Lights festival.
Telstra maintenance to affect mobile coverage in Tamworth CBD
Telstra customers in the Tamworth CBD may experience temporary disruptions to mobile coverage while maintenance work is carried out this week.
Ella Baché Armidale named ‘The Gold Ella’ National Salon of the Year
Ella Baché Armidale has taken out the top honour at the 2026 Ella Awards, winning ‘The Gold Ella’ National Salon of the Year as the skincare brand celebrates its 90th anniversary.
What's On
LONG READ >
No water, no REZ: how Armidale is using the REZ as leverage to fix a decade-old problem
WEEKEND LONG READ: There’s an $800m price tag on getting water security for Armidale and Uralla, and ratepayers don’t have it Now the state wants a $24 billion energy zone built here, and Mayor Sam Coupland is using that need as leverage: no water, no REZ.
Events
Guyra Craft MarketEnds: August 22, 2026
The Ladies Lounge – Celebrating Women of Rock & PopEnds: August 22, 2026
High Country Theatre’s performance of “Lonely Love”Ends: August 23, 2026
Guyra Craft MarketEnds: August 29, 2026
Nemingha Community Garden Build a Wildlife Pond WorkshopEnds: August 29, 2026
Stained Glass Art WorkshopEnds: August 30, 2026
Politics
Building inspectors give New England sites tick of approval
Just four fines from 32 building sites: New England’s builders have impressed state regulators during a compliance blitz that also swept through the Mid North Coast.
Joyce denies One Nation are ‘a pack of homophobes’
“You can absolutely bet I will not go.” Barnaby Joyce denies One Nation are homophobic, but won’t say if he backs Mardi Gras, only saying he won’t be there and he doesn’t have an opinion.
No water, no REZ: how Armidale is using the REZ as leverage to fix a decade-old problem
WEEKEND LONG READ: There’s an $800m price tag on getting water security for Armidale and Uralla, and ratepayers don’t have it Now the state wants a $24 billion energy zone built here, and Mayor Sam Coupland is using that need as leverage: no water, no REZ.
Hillvue Public Preschool opens as first new regional public preschool in 20 years
Tamworth has landed the first new public preschool built in regional NSW in more than 20 years, with Hillvue Public Preschool now open to 80 children a week.
Wee Waa Health Service extends opening hours after years of lobbying
Wee Waa Health Service is extending its hours to 7am to 10pm from October, more than three years after a staffing crunch forced them back. But the fight for a full emergency department isn’t over yet.
New environmental standards, guide, leave farmers with more questions than answers
Farmers are being asked to work under a new set of national environmental rules that the NFF says is too complex and uncertain to use with confidence
Canola crush growth hinges on meal, not just oil
Australia could double its canola crush, but Rabobank says it all comes down to one thing: finding buyers for the leftover meal. NSW growers and graziers are in the mix.
Energy and Environment
New battery discounts welcomed, but farmers want more
Batteries just got cheaper for NSW businesses and farms, but Farmers for Climate Action says the savings won’t count for much without a fix for the regional grid.
Data centres forced to pay their own way under reforms
Fast-tracked data centres will have to comply with standards on water and energy that the state government says are needed to protect local communities.
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
Farmers celebrate as agriculture hits $100 billion
Australian agriculture has passed $100 billion in farm-gate output four years ahead of schedule, a milestone farming leaders, politicians and industry figures celebrated at Parliament House in Canberra.
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
The Armidale School caps undefeated season with 39-0 win over King’s
The Armidale School’s First XV has gone the whole season without a loss, sealing an undefeated run and the AAGPS Third Grade Premiership with a 39-0 rout of King’s.
On engage now
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- Regional and rural Australians ‘left behind’ by telco services – new report
Mark A Gregory says that the ombudman's report into how to fix regional telecommunications are a good start. The post Regional and rural Australians ‘left behind’ by telco services – new report appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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Good News
New England communities celebrate RFBI Showcase Awards recognition
New England aged care workers and volunteers are among those recognised in RFBI’s annual Showcase Awards, celebrating excellence and dedication across the sector.
The Alternate Root cleans up at Business Uralla Awards
The Alternate Root was the big winner at the Business Uralla Awards on Friday night, with the host venue and its team collecting a string of major honours.
