History to be part of this year’s Armidale Autumn Festival
Heritage skills and historic machinery will take centre stage at Armidale’s 2026 Autumn Festival, with new demonstrations showcasing lost trades and early agricultural innovation
Walcha grazier Sam Mackaway quietly spreads lifesaving message on Muster Dogs
Viewers of ABC TV’s Muster Dogs would have noticed Walcha grazier Sam Mackaway and his bright shirts, but they’re more than a fashion statement, and he’s hoping they’ll save lives after his own tragic losses.
Honouring Country’s Beginnings with Remembering Reg Lindsay
Remembering Reg Lindsay returned to the Tamworth Country Music Festival this year, continuing the long-running tribute to one of Australian country music’s most influential early figures.
Register now: stallholder opportunities at 2026 Gunnedah Youth Expo
Gunnedah Shire Council is calling on businesses, services, education providers and industries to secure their spot at the2026 Gunnedah Youth Expo in April.
Local News
Tributes flow for Uralla Shire Councillor Lone Petrov
Uralla Shire is mourning the loss of Councillor Leonie Christine “Lone” Petrov, who passed away in hospital on Sunday 8 February after a short illness. She was 74.
Interest rate hike risks tipping regional businesses over the edge
There are warnings last week’s interest rate hike will strip cash from small businesses, forcing owners to shelve investment, let staff go and trim budgets.
Strength, confidence, and community at Zero One Inverell
In a fitness industry often dominated by quick fixes and high-intensity trends, Zero One Coaching in Inverell is taking a more grounded, long-term approach, one built on strength, education and confidence.
Inverell’s McLean Care quits aged care, CEO quits McLean
McLean Care is looking to transition its six aged care facilities, including those in Inverell, Guyra and Gunnedah, as well as homecare and other aged care services, to new owners.
What's On
Strength, confidence, and community at Zero One Inverell
In a fitness industry often dominated by quick fixes and high-intensity trends, Zero One Coaching in Inverell is taking a more grounded, long-term approach, one built on strength, education and confidence.
Be part of Fantastic Feb
Are you someone we can talk to about health, fitness, beauty, and general wellbeing? Throughout February we’re going to be helping New Englanders look and feel fantastic. So if this is your area of business or you have some advice to share, we want to hear from you!
Please drop your details here so we can get in contact and potentially include you in Fantastic Feb.
Events
World Wetlands DayEnds: February 12, 2026
Old-time Music Jam @ Welder’s Dog BreweryEnds: February 12, 2026
No Lights No LycraEnds: February 12, 2026
All You Can Eat Pizza & Games @ Welder’s Dog BreweryEnds: February 12, 2026
80s & 90s Drag Trivia @ the BowloEnds: February 12, 2026
Politics
New England BESS projects get certainty with government contracts
Three large-scale battery projects proposed for the New England have been awarded state-backed contracts as part of the NSW Government’s long-duration energy storage rollout
Moree Plains Council cautious in progressing the SAP
Moree Plains Shire Council is taking a cautious, staged approach as it moves toward the next phase of the Moree Special Activation Precinct, seeking to balance the long-term economic promise with the financial realities.
Coalition to reunite as feuding leaders strike deal
The leaders of the federal Liberal and National parties have struck a deal to get the coalition back together and return senior MPs to the front bench.
Rival leaders dig in as clock ticks on coalition deal
Neither Liberal leader Sussan Ley nor Nationals counterpart David Littleproud are willing to cede ground as prospects of an imminent coalition reunion diminish.
Conspiracy theory of Joyce for PM gains momentum
One of the more far-fetched conspiracy theories circulating in political circles to explain the defection of Barnaby Joyce to One Nation last month was that it was part of an elaborate plan to both neutralise the party as a political threat – and ultimately elevate Joyce to the prime ministership.
Rethinking farming at Wilmot Field Day
Wilmot Field Day has become a fixture on the agricultural calendar for producers looking for practical insight, honest conversation and a deeper understanding of how farming systems are evolving.
Tax shock for farm trailblazers
Farmers with cellar doors and fruit stands should beware of huge new bills being slapped on them by the state government, NSW Farmers says.
Energy and Environment
First Nations orgs encouraged to apply for climate solutions funding
First Nations-led organisations across regional Australia are being encouraged to apply for a new round of funding aimed at supporting locally driven climate solutions
Armidale warned of falling dam levels
Armidale Regional Council is warning residents to prepare for the possible introduction of Level 1 water restrictions as ongoing hot and dry conditions begin to impact local water storages.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT >
Take a break from the heat and upgrade to an X Series Signature
It has been another uncomfortably hot Tamworth Country Music Festival, and with another heat wave on the way, it is worth asking yourself: is it time to get out of the heat?
Giving little learners a Star Start to school at Your Tutor Armidale
Families across Armidale are being invited to give their children a confident and positive start to school through the Star Starter School Readiness Program, launching at Your Tutor in Armidale in January…
BUSINESS
Give your unused devices to help kids learn
New England businesses are being asked to donate unused devices to help kids learn as new data reveals a growing number of young Australians are returning to the classroom without access to a computer at home.
INDIGENOUS
New plan to address violence against Indigenous women and children
Australia’s first standalone national plan to end violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children has been launched
SPORT
Real support for local sporting stars of tomorrow
From Europe-bound hockey dreams to a rowing boat named Bubbles, New England’s next generation of sporting stars are chasing big goals with a little help from home.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Opinion: How right wing populism is damaging your brain
RK Crosby says right wing populist simple slogans and cheap lines are cognitively easy to process, deliver a nice dopamine hit, and make scared people feel safe. And we have to fight it. The post Opinion: How right wing populism is damaging your brain appeared first on New England Times Engage.
> Submit your own opinion, letter or comment to New England Times Engage
Good News
Uralla Australia Day honours announced
The Uralla Shire community gathered to celebrate the heart of what makes this region extraordinary, its people.
Crowds flock to Deepwater Races for a cracking day of country racing
The tiny village of Deepwater came alive on Saturday as more than 3,000 visitors descended on the New England town for one of the most anticipated days on the regional racing calendar.
