A newly refurbished respite home has opened in Armidale, helping fill a critical gap in disability support services in New England
Penny Lamaro
Posted inArmidale, Disability, Federal Politics
NDIS overhaul to kick 160,000 people off, hit regions hardest
Up to 160,000 people could lose NDIS support under sweeping reforms — with regional communities expected to feel the impact most.
Posted inArmidale, Business, Disability
Ascent changes services to strengthen delivery model
Ascent has announced it is expanding supported living and respite services while reshaping its Armidale operations to better meet participant needs in a changing NDIS landscape.
Posted inArmidale, Disability, Good News, Social issues and services
Regional voices take centre stage at Armidale’s Disability Summit and Awards
Armidale will place inclusion, accessibility, and community leadership firmly in the spotlight this December as The Ascent Group prepares to host two major back-to-back events: the Armidale Disability Summit during the day, followed by the Inclusion in Action Disability Awards that evening.
Posted inDomestic Violence, Economy, Grants and funding, NSW Politics, Roads and Infrastructure, Social issues and services
‘Disappointing’ NSW Budget delivers limited support for regions
The Minns Government’s 2025–26 New South Wales Budget, handed down today, has already come under fire for failing to deliver for regional areas.
Posted inArmidale, Community development, Good News, Youth
By kids, for kids: Trackside’s brave and innovative model that just might work
As most communities in the New England struggle with youth issues, the community with the youngest population is trying something new – and they don’t have the money to do it.
Posted inAwards, Women
NSW Women of the Year announced
Five of the state’s most exceptional women have been honoured as recipients of the NSW Women of the Year Awards 2025 at the International Convention Centre in Sydney this week. […]
Posted inDomestic Violence, Investigation, Social issues and services
Walcha: a sexual abuse and domestic violence blind spot
Women who have suffered sexual and domestic violence in Walcha have felt discouraged from reporting abuse at night because the local police station does not operate around the clock, and they feared Tamworth officers could not intervene quickly enough.
Posted inDomestic Violence, Investigation, Social issues and services
Breaking the Indigenous family violence cycle in New England
An indigenous men’s behaviour change program in the New England region could be the missing piece of the puzzle to put the brakes on a domestic violence scourge, but a funding shortfall is robbing families the chance to heal and reunite.
Posted inDomestic Violence, Investigation, Social issues and services
‘Ripped from us’ – the scourge of rampant domestic violence across New England
The domestic violence rate in the New England is more than double the state average, and the systemic drivers and obstacles to safety are much harder to contend with