New England communities encouraged to step up for RFBI’s inaugural Grand Stroll
Communities across the New England region are being encouraged to put their best foot forward this Wednesday as RFBI launches its first-ever Grand Stroll fundraiser.
Dolly Parton tribute headlines second wave of Tamworth festival acts
Dolly Parton gets a one-off tribute, Mack Geiger sets a fastest-selling record, and Brad Cox plays his biggest Tamworth shows yet. More details about the lineup for the 2027 Tamworth Country Music Festival is here.
Recycling baskets coming to Uralla’s Bridge Street and Alma Park
Twenty new bin baskets are heading to Uralla’s Bridge Street and Alma Park to catch 10-cent drink containers before they hit landfill. Installation starts next month.
Run-down Werris Creek cottage draws is NSW’s cheapest September sale
A run-down two-bedroom cottage at Werris Creek, about 30 minutes from Tamworth, has sold for $135,000 after drawing 12 offers.
Local News
SBM26: Poetry, personal service and piano
Today for Small Business Month, we’re celebrating three local businesses bringing something special to the New England: a living home for Australian poetry and performance, a family cleaning and pest control business built on personal service, and a piano studio making music learning fun for all ages.
Armidale event asks how research can help the bush prepare for disruption
Armidale will host a morning forum on Friday, 16 October, asking how academic research can do more to prepare regional, rural and remote Australia for challenging and disruptive futures.
Good luck, HSC class of 2026
Year 12 students across the New England start their Higher School Certificate exams tomorrow, Tuesday, 13 October. Schools across the region have taken to social media, wishing them well.
Gardening Australia visit to put New England region in national spotlight
The New England region will gain national exposure as ABC TV’s Gardening Australia team visits Armidale, boosting local tourism and showcasing regional gardens.
What's On
LONG READ >
The High Court coal win that may close the door it opened
WEEKEND LONG READ: Much has been said about a High Court judgement this week relating to what climate impacts should be included in planning decisions. The backlash and election timing could shut Scope 3 emissions out of planning permanently and give workers and communities the confidence they desperately seek.
Events
Annual Human Rights LectureEnds: October 15, 2026
Sapphire City MarketsEnds: October 18, 2026
Armidale Youth Futures Monster Spring SaleEnds: October 21, 2026
The New England Community ShowcaseEnds: October 21, 2026
Holy Trinity Anglican Church Fete, Floral & Craft DisplayEnds: October 31, 2026- Sapphire City MarketsEnds: November 1, 2026
Politics
The High Court coal win that may close the door it opened
WEEKEND LONG READ: Much has been said about a High Court judgement this week relating to what climate impacts should be included in planning decisions. The backlash and election timing could shut Scope 3 emissions out of planning permanently and give workers and communities the confidence they desperately seek.
Gunnedah petition calls for 24-hour police station
Gunnedah is petitioning for a 24-hour police station, but a council voice says the town already has 24-hour policing. Is a staffed station the best use of police?
Chaffey backs migration cut as refugee group warns of cost
Parkes MP Jamie Chaffey says the Coalition’s migration cuts would take pressure off local housing, roads, and schools. Refugee group SSI says halving the humanitarian intake would shut out thousands in need.
Tamworth’s Jeff Bacon joins One Nation upper house ticket
Shooters, then Nationals, now One Nation. Third time lucky, Tamworth gun maker Jeff Bacon has landed second on an upper house ticket promising to repeal NSW’s new firearm laws.
Anderson urges locals to shut the laptop and shop local
Rising costs and a slow economy are biting local businesses. Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson has a simple ask for October: shut the laptop and shop in town.
Wheat prices up, but not from shortage
Wheat prices are rising, but the world is not short of grain. Rabobank says disrupted shipping is the cause, and growers face higher fertiliser and fuel bills as well.
Armidale livestock unit celebrates 50 years
From a handful of traits to trillions of data points, an Armidale unit has spent 50 years reshaping Australian livestock. Now it is throwing a party, and auctioning a heifer.
Energy and Environment
Uralla water upgrades aim to protect supply and reduce waste for residents
Uralla residents are set to benefit from improved water security and fewer losses following upgrades to the town’s network.
Regional women rush clean energy course
Nearly 70 regional women applied in a single month. A new program is training women to help their communities shape the renewable energy rollout, and demand has been huge.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT >
Primary Health Network continues to support and invest in the Glen Innes community
Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC PHN) has reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to Glen Innes through continued investment in local healthcare services, community programs and innovative models of…
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!
BUSINESS
SBM26: Getting it done
Today we’re celebrating three local businesses that the New England trusts to keep them working: a premium business technology support service, a mortgage broker that understands rural lending, and a marketing specialist giving you the tools to do it yourself.
INDIGENOUS
Gunnedah petition demands Aboriginal flag in Council chamber
Gunnedah’s deputy mayor warned of “a reverse type of apartheid” before councillors voted to hang just one flag in the chamber. Now Aboriginal community members are fighting back with a petition.
SPORT
World Cup Show brings four days of entertainment to Tamworth
Tamworth will host four days of free entertainment as the World Cup Show brings elite showjumping and family activities to the region.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- QW: Congrats to the NEGF
Re: Gardening Australia visit to put New England region in national spotlight Congratulations to the hard working New England Garden Festival Committee bringing this year’s third premier event to fruition on 31 October weekend. A special thanks to Armidale Regional Council for their assistance in this matter. These community events bring tourists into Armidale & New The post QW: Congrats to the NEGF appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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Good News
Tenterfield foundation launches with a Wish Bowl for local ideas
What is your wish for Tenterfield? A new local foundation is opening a Wish Bowl at its launch on Saturday, 31 October, and every dollar it raises will stay in the region.
SBM26: Stay, talk, romance
Today we’re highlighting three creative and caring mums that keep the New England talking, reading and caring.
