Spotlight on rural crime at free Tamworth community event

RESIDENTS and members of farming communities from across the New England and north-west are invited to a special event in Tamworth focused on rural crime in the district. University of New England will this week bring together three of Australia’s leading rural criminology experts to examine this often-overlooked issue. The free event, on Thursday, September [...]

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Hunter and New England residents urged to avoid handling bats during warmer months

HUNTER and New England residents are urged not to touch or handle flying foxes or microbats, no matter how distressed or injured the animal may appear. Hunter New England Local Health District Public Health Physician, Dr David Durrheim, said the warning is particularly timely with the arrival of spring and warmer weather, when people may [...]

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Gurley Rural Fire Brigade now has double water storage, thanks to GrainCorp

GURLEY Rural Fire Brigade has received funding through the GrainCorp Community Foundation, which will this year award more than $300,000 to 28 grassroots organisations across eastern Australia. Gurley Rural Fire Brigade received $7500 to future-proof the Gurley water supply, and used the grant to purchase a second water tank to more than double the village’s [...]

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Digital Makerspace Discovery Program launches at Armidale Regional Libraries

ARMIDALE Regional Libraries is inviting people to explore the technology available at its Digital Makerspace and discover how they might use it to expand their creativity and learning. Library team leader, Liz Thomas, said the Makerspace Discovery Program will showcase tools and technology over four weeks – tools that support innovation, learning, and artistic expression. [...]

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Moree to Narrabri Newell Highway upgrade nears completion

THE north-west region’s largest heavy vehicle rest area is now open, and marks the completion of a three-year project to upgrade the Newell Highway between Narrabri and Moree, with all sections of the highway now open to traffic. The jointly funded Newell Highway Heavy Duty Pavement Upgrade was made possible with a $205.73 million investment [...]

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Aberdeen: Teen dies following pursuit, crash

A critical incident investigation is underway after a teenage boy died and four people were taken to hospital following the pursuit and crash of a stolen car near Aberdeen in the Hunter Valley overnight. Officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command first attempted to stop a vehicle travelling on the New England Highway at [...]

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Tamworth hosting two-week Australian Pro Tour tennis event

TAMWORTH is set to serve up top-class tennis this month, with the city to host its first Australian Pro Tour event – the Capital of Country International. Australian tennis legend John Fitzgerald was in Tamworth recently to launch the new event alongside Tamworth Regional Council mayor Russell Webb and Tennis NSW CEO Darren Simpson. Running [...]

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Mural breathes colour into Manilla’s main street

RESIDENTS and visitors to Manilla have a new piece of public art to admire, with the completion of Jordan Lucky’s breathtaking new mural, On River Time. The 20-metre-long mural is situated in front of Tamworth Regional Council’s Manilla branch and library, and is based on the theme of Overhead and Underneath. The artistic concept invites [...]

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Goondiwindi: 400 children enrolled in Dolly Parton Imagination Library

THE Dolly Parton Imagination Library in the Goondiwindi region has officially reached a new milestone, with the 400th local child signed up to receive free monthly books through the international literacy program. Goondiwindi councillor Phil O’Shea said the milestone reflects the strong support from families and the broader community. “Reading with young children builds confidence, [...]

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Ryan Whillas elected as Narrabri Shire’s newest councillor

RYAN Whillas has been elected as Narrabri Shire’s newest councillor, following the 2025 Narrabri Shire Council countback election this week. Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens is looking forward to Mr Whillas joining the Narrabri Shire Council. “Ryan is a motivated Wee Waa local who has shown his commitment to his community through his many volunteer [...]

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