Regional coverage
Regional News
THE Big Chill Festival returns for its fifth year with more energy, flavour, and fire than ever and this year, it’s backed by a powerhouse local partner, the University of New England. UNE has signed on as major sponsor for the 2025 Big Chill event, marking a bold step forward in celebrating and supporting regional [...]
Roadworks
ROADWORKS to restore parts of the Newell Highway between Gurley and Goondiwindi commenced last week. Work started 14 kilometres north of Gurley at Tycannah Creek on Tuesday and is expected to be completed today, Saturday, May 10, weather permitting. Crews will then move to Boggabilla, near the intersection of the Newell Highway and Bruxner Highway, [...]
Northern Tablelands
THE late Jan Sharman OAM was a much-revered member of the Glen Innes community and her legacy to the town was commemorated with a permanent bench in her honour outside of Glen Innes Hospital. Ms Sharman served her community in various ways for more than 50 years including as part of the Glen Innes Hospital [...]
Regional News
REPRESENTATIVES from Tamworth Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and Tamworth Regional Council came together on Friday for an historic ceremony celebrating the Mara Ngali Partnership Agreement. Mara Ngali, which means our two hands in Gomeroi language, will be the first time in Australian history that a local council has signed a formal partnership with an Aboriginal [...]
Police News
A woman has been charged with murder over the death of two children in Coonabarabran early last week. Just after 2pm on Monday, police were called to a home on Emu Lane, Coonabarabran, following reports of a concern for welfare. On arrival, officers attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District located a woman and the bodies [...]
Regional Education
THE University of New England has officially welcomed new Chancellor, Dr Sarah Pearson, at the first stand-alone Chancellor installation ceremony for the University in thirty years. Dr Pearson was this week installed by Governor of New South Wales, Margaret Beazley, at an event attended by staff, students, indigenous leaders and dignitaries on the lawns of [...]
Regional Health
A significant landmark across Tamworth’s skyline for almost a year will be farewelled this weekend. Known as ‘Lofty’, the 31-metre-high tower crane, which supported construction for the new Tamworth Mental Health Unit, is due to be dismantled and removed on Saturday. Health Infrastructure Executive Director Rural and Regional, Amanda Bock said Lofty had played a [...]
Regional News
GUNNEDAH Shire Council has been named a finalist in two categories of the 2025 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards. The awards, run by Local Government Professionals Australian NSW, celebrate outstanding achievements and promote innovation and continuous improvement within NSW local government. Gunnedah Shire Council governance officer, Sienna Miller, has been named a finalist for the [...]
Police News
RESIDENTS in Coonabarabran are struggling to come to terms with the tragic news two young brothers are dead and their 66-year-old maternal grandmother is arrested after allegedly trying to take her own life. Police were alerted to the tragedy when conducting a welfare check at the family home just after 2pm on Monday when the [...]
Regional Health
A pioneering research project addressing a devastating heart condition has received funding recognition, with NSW Cardiovascular Research Network awarding its inaugural Rural, Regional, Remote Project Grant to Dr Rukshan Rafeek of the University of New England in Armidale. Dr Rafeek, working within the UNE program on Immune Complications of Post-Streptococcal Complications, is spearheading innovative research [...]
