I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Easter long weekend.

Whether you are spending it with friends and family, or just taking the extra days to relax, I hope it is enjoyable for you.

To those essential workers who will continue to serve our communities, thank you for the tireless effort you put in.

TAS rugby carnival

More than 1200 players from 66 teams took part in The Armidale School’s annual rugby carnival at the weekend.

Teams came from NSW, Queensland, the ACT and Western Australia to take part in the largest junior carnival in Australia.

Congratulations to all the teams and players who took part, especially the Northern Tablelands locals.

Long weekend double demerits

There will be double demerits in place over the Easter long weekend from 12:01am Thursday, April 17 to 11:59pm Monday, April 21, 2025.

There will also be double demerits on the Anzac Day long weekend from 12:01am Thursday, April24 to 11:59pm Sunday, April 27, 2025.

Member for Northern Tablelands, Brendan Moylan, at the annual TAS rugby carnival last weekend.

Anzac Day

Anzac Day is a very important date on our calendar. It is a day where the community gathers to show their respect and pay tribute to our servicemen and women who made huge sacrifices for our country. I look forward to joining the Guyra community next Friday for their Anzac Day service.

Hunter New England Health submissions deadline extended

The deadline for submissions into the inquiry Health Services Amendment (Splitting of the Hunter New England Health District) Bill 2025 has been extended to May 8, 2025.

The proposed Bill aims to dissolve the current Hunter New England Local Health District to establish two new districts – Hunter Local Health District and the New England Northwest Local Health District.

It is very important the community is heard on this crucial issue.

You can make your submission to the Legislative Assembly Committee on Community Services before submissions close on 8 May.

Japanese encephalitis free vaccine

Five Local Government Areas in the Northern Tablelands are now eligible to provide the free Japanese encephalitis vaccine; Glen Innes Severn, Gwydir, Inverell, Moree Plains, and Uralla. I am working on getting Armidale included in that list.

The vaccine is available through General Practitioners, Aboriginal health services and pharmacists.

Once vaccinated, protection can take up to two weeks to develop. For more information on the free JE vaccine program, visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/jev/Pages/vaccination.aspx

Service NSW mobile centres

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

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-3.30pm.

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

The mobile service centre will be at the Public Car Park, 119 Bradley Street in Guyra on Tuesday, May 20 from 9am – 3pm.

The mobile service centre will be at Apex Memorial Park 55 Bridge Street, Uralla, on Wednesday, May 21 from 9am-3pm.

Commentary from Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands