It was another busy week in the Northern Tablelands, travelling far and wide.

I went from Walcha to Yetman and Boggabilla, and everything in between.

Thanks to everyone for having me and talking to me about your concerns within our region.

Autumn Festival

Armidale’s annual Autumn Festival went ahead at the weekend and the sun finally came out for the event. It was excellent to go along with my family. Everyone enjoyed the weekend. It was well-attended and there was something for everyone. Well done to Armidale Regional Council for putting on another great Festival.

Stars of Armidale

The Cancer Council’s Stars of Armidale dancing fundraiser was on Saturday night and I was asked to judge alongside Jenny McFadyen and Cr Kay Endres.

Darren Schaefer and his wife Marsha won the judge’s choice category and the highest funds raised trophy.

The event raised nearly $80,000 to go towards the Cancer Council.

Well done to everyone involved in such making it such a fantastic event.

Harrisia Cactus

Harrisia cactus is a serious problem in the Gwydir and Moree Shire Councils.

It is a particularly nasty and aggressive plant which choke out pastures to a level which is unsuitable for livestock.

The other issue with the harrisia cactus is that it can puncture tyres of side‑by‑sides, quads and even motor vehicles. One flower will have approximately 1,000 seeds in it and are spread by birds.

To its credit, the Government has a program in place to try and combat the spread harrisia cactus but a lot more needs to be done. I have spoken about this issue in parliament, and I have written to the Minister for Agriculture to press the government to do more.

Funding for the Northern Tablelands

Yetman Public School will soon have a new memorial with funding from the Community War Memorial’s Fund.

Up to $400,000 for our electorate has been secured from The Local Small Commitments Allocation program.

The LSCA program provides benefits to local communities through a range of events, services and local playground and park upgrades.

This week I announced Cranky Rock Recreation Reserve near Warialda would receive $24,000 for a new shade structure.

Bush Babies maternity services campaign

Rural maternal health advocate Jen Laurie has started a Parliamentary ePetition to address the decline in maternity services in rural and regional New South Wales.

The ePetition needs 20,000 signatures to be debated in Parliament. It is currently sitting at around 1400 so we need a lot more!  You can sign the ePetition at www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/la/pages/epetitions-list.aspx and sign under ‘The Bush Babies Campaign’. During the last sittings I also filed a Notice of Motion in relation to Maternity Services in regional NSW which will hopefully come up for debate in the May or June sittings of Parliament.

School holiday activities

Further to last week’s weekly report, my team and I have identified the following school holiday activities for families in the Northern Tablelands.

To view the organised school holiday activities in the New England North West region and to register your children, visit www.nsw.gov.au/regional-nsw/holiday-fun-for-regional-youth/new-england-north-west-holiday-break-activities

The Bank Art Museum Moree will have workshops with South Australian artist Meg Wilson to weave and create custom trampoline mats. The workshops are free.

The times are:

Monday 14 April 9:30–11am and  3pm–4:30pm

Tuesday 15 April 9:30–11am and 3pm–4:30pm

Wednesday 16 April 9:30–11am and 3pm–4:30pm

Visit BAMM Team Trampoline for more information and to register.

Armidale Regional Council also has a range of activities for all ages including Anzac Day poppy folding, museum trail, Easter bingo, Lego Duplo free play, outdoor games and barbecue, and more. Visit the Armidale Regional Council website for more information.

NERAM also has Easter holiday workshops with egg and basket making, and paint and shakes. Visit Neram Workshops.

The Moree PCYC has numerous activities planned throughout the school holidays.

Check out the schedule and how to attend on the PCYC Moree website at Moree PCYC School Holidays.

Glen Innes will have the New England Stage and Screen Academy throughout the school holidays.

For more information visit New England Stage and Screen School Holidays Program.

Service NSW mobile centres

Service NSW is being their mobile service centre to Pallamallawa and Gravesend.

The mobile service centre can help with driver knowledge tests, drivers licence applications and renewals, working with children check, birth, death and marriage certificates, and more.

The mobile service centre will be at Moffat Park, Gwydir Highway, Gravesend on Monday, May 12 from 1pm to 3.30pm.

The mobile service centre will be at near the Pally Pub on 59 Bingera Street, Pallamallawa on Tuesday, May 13 from 10am to 3pm.

Electorate Office closures over Easter

The Armidale, Moree and Inverell Electorate Offices will be closed on Good Friday (April18) and Easter Monday (April21). The offices will reopen Tuesday, April 22.

Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands