Teenager charged with 17 offences in Moree

AN 18-year-old man has been charged with 17 offences, with 11 of the charges relating to an incident on Jones Avenue in Moree where a police vehicle was allegedly rammed. The alleged incident occurred at 3.30am on Sunday, June 22, with charges including take and drive conveyance; never licensed; use offensive weapon prevent lawful apprehension; [...]

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Scott Sweedman keeps incredible Mungindi strike-rate intact

SIX years ago, heavyweight Inverell hoop Scott Sweedman took four rides at the Mungindi Cup meeting – Swiglars, Brown Brown, Valleseco and Newcastle Dancer – and returned home with four winners In 2023, he secured three rides at the once-a-year meeting – and rode two winners. On Saturday, the 48-year-old jockey drove to Mungindi for [...]

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The Sound of Music coming to Moree in spectacular fashion

MOREE Arts Community Theatre has climbed every mountain to present its latest offering to Moree, with well-known musical director Stevie Drenkhahn’s long-held vison to present The Sound of Music to a Moree audience only weeks away. The Sound of Music, one of the most beloved musicals of all time, will play consecutive weekends in late [...]

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Bingara Orange Festival biggest on record

ON a normal day, the population of Bingara sits around the 1500 mark. But at the weekend, that figure more than doubled when the idyllic little town – nestled in the Gwydir River catchment 40km south of Warialda – hosted the annual Orange Picking Festival. The festival, covered at the weekend by the Weekend Sunrise [...]

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Police undergo “spike” training at Moree airport

NSW Police held spike training exercises at Moree Regional Airport on Thursday, teaching officers how to safely deploy tyre deflation devices – known as “spikes” – as part of advanced driving and tactical drills. Training included realistic scenarios on the airport’s main runway, using weighted training spikes, with a focus on safe pursuit management. Controlled [...]

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Brendan Moylan’s Weekly Report

Long-term Gwydir Shire Council general manager Max Eastcott has retired after 24 years in the role. He has worked for more than 50 years at local government throughout New South Wales, including Sydney and Byron Bay before landing at Gwydir Shire Council in 2001. Gwydir Shire Council hosted a retirement dinner at the Roxy Theatre, [...]

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Local Land Services’ annual farm census underway

NSW landholders are being asked to report their livestock numbers and land use information as part of Local Land Services’ annual farm census. The Annual Land and Stock Return collects important information that helps shape the delivery of essential animal health and biosecurity services and prepare for emergencies such as bushfires and biosecurity outbreaks. Landholders [...]

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Big Chill, big impact: How festivals enhance regional economies

THE Big Chill Festival has once again proven regional events are more than just a good time – they’re a powerful force for economic growth and long-term resilience in communities like the Armidale region. This year’s sold-out festival delivered a staggering $3.6 million in total economic benefit, including $2.3 million in direct visitor expenditure. With [...]

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Mungindi Cup hope Awesome Tycoon chases holiday exes for Clement

ARMIDALE gelding Awesome Tycoon chases a hat-trick of bush cups when trainer Jane Clement legs up 3kg-claiming apprentice Bronte Simpson in the 1400m Namoi Cotton and B&W Rural Mungindi Cup on Saturday. Awesome Tycoon won the Boolooroo Cup at Moree picnic races in May, when ridden by Eloise Drews, before annexing the Walgett Cup in [...]

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Figures show 20 per cent of fatal or serious crashes occur in school holidays

NSW Police are urging drivers to take extra care on the roads during the next two weeks, with data indicating 20 percent of fatal or serious crashes occur during school holiday periods. Motorists who plan to travel across the state are being urged to drive to the weather conditions which are typically adverse in the [...]

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