National Police Remembrance Day: Remembering fallen officers

POLICE officers and their families will gather at services around the country today to mark National Police Remembrance Day. This year is expected to be a particularly sombre occasion following the shooting deaths of two police officers in Victoria last month, and the murder of a Tasmanian police officer in June. Acting NSW Police Commissioner [...]

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Collarenebri and Walgett targeted for new weir and fishway upgrades

NEW designs for weirs and fishways in western New South Wales are being reviewed, with the state government aware the Collarenebri, Walgett, Louth and Tilpa communities are strongly opposed to any reduction in local weir heights. The $56.8 million Fish Passage: Reconnecting the Northern Basin Project aims to improve native fish migration and boost river [...]

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Queensland youth criminal rehabilitation programs to help restore safety

QUEENSLAND is delivering three new post-detention intensive rehabilitation programs for young offenders, in a key initiative to help make the state safer. Staying on Track offers up to 12 months of rehabilitation for youths exiting detention, including at least six months’ intensive support to reintegrate them into the community and prevent them falling back into [...]

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Term 4 roll-out of purpose-built AI education tool to NSW public schools

ALL public school students from years 5 to 12 will soon have access to the NSW Department of Education’s purpose-built, state-of-the-art generative AI app following a successful trial in 50 schools. NSWEduChat will be rolled out to all schools from the start of Term 4. As the sophistication and use of generative artificial intelligence rapidly [...]

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Record pain for small businesses across NSW

WITH Small Business Month about to launch in October, a recent Business NSW survey shows small businesses across New South Wales are being squeezed by rising costs, worker shortages and compliance pressures. Meanwhile, the state government has axed Business Connect, a vital support service for small businesses, on the eve of month-long celebrations. The NSW [...]

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Rodney Robb calls time on 50-year training career

IN 1999, Nyngan racehorse trainer Rodney Robb bought a brand-new Isuzu horse truck and started driving to race meetings across Australia. During the next 25 years, Robb clocked one-and-a-half-million miles in the Isuzu – but it’s how he got the cash to buy the truck in the first place that makes for a better yarn. [...]

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Plan to keep essential regional face-to-face bank branches open

AN alliance of regional banks and community organisations has provided Treasury with a detailed plan to ensure the sustainability of essential face-to- face regional bank branches, amid a continued crisis of branch closures across Australia. The Regional Banking Investment Alliance said the modest and easily implementable plan involves an industry community service obligation which, links [...]

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Run the Plains running festival launches with record numbers

THERE was running room only in Balo Street Friday night when Run the Plains 2025 was launched in front of a record crowd under perfect conditions. Hundreds of spectators lined both sides of the main street as runners of all ages and abilities contested a series of running events designed to promote health, fitness and [...]

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Brendan Moylan’s Weekly Report

THE Armidale branch of the Country Women’s Association has launched a $5000 scholarship (in perpetuity) for a female medical student from regional, remote or rural New South Wales to put towards their studies at the University of New England. The student is to study locally at UNE and the intention of working in the region [...]

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Moree jiu-jitsu super-classes with world champion Roberto Frias October 4

DUAL Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion Roberto Frias – Professor Bob – will be in Moree in October to exclusively teach super-classes for kids and adults. Brazilian jiu-jitsu, known as BJJ, is a self-defence martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting and submission holds. Moree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club will host Frias at an [...]

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