Anzac Day is one of the most important dates on our calendar.

It was excellent to see respectful and large crowds attend services across the region. I ventured to Armidale’s dawn service and then Guyra’s main service where both communities turned out in force to show their respect and pay tribute to our servicemen and women.

Moree Show

The annual Moree Show got underway on Friday and carried on through Saturday. It was also Mark Coulton’s last official engagement as the Federal Member for Parkes and a great event to be part of.

New police officers for Moree and Inverell

Six new probationary constables will join the Northern Tablelands next week. Four will be based in Moree with another two in Inverell. They are part of a cohort of more than 300 recruits who are graduating from the Goulburn Police Academy. The new recruits will receive 12 months’ on-the-job training and study by distance through Charles Sturt University. A few of the new recruits to our region are locals so it is great to see them return to their hometown to serve.

Mungindi childcare centre

I visited Mungindi this week to view the progress being made on the construction of the new childcare centre.

The project has been community-led with the Mungindi Country Education Association fundraising tirelessly to get it up and running. The project is being managed by Moree Plains Shire Council.

Congratulations to everyone involved.

Inverell retired farmers group

NSW Farmers’ Inverell retired farmers group invited me to their monthly meeting at the RSM club on Tuesday.

Plenty of issues affecting regional and rural NSW were discussed including health care, ag policy and more.

Thank you to the group for having me along.

Inverell Sporting Complex light upgrades

Inverell Shire Council received $73,349 from the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Grants program to install new lighting at the Inverell Sporting Complex. The new lights will be 100 lux which are competition standard and will extend the hours of use at one of the town’s busiest grounds.

Walcha’s Old Stone Church has been restored, thanks to a community-led project.

Old Stone Church at Walcha

A special service was held on Wednesday to celebrate the restoration of the heritage-listed Old Stone Church in Walcha. It is a beautiful old building which dates back to 1862 when the first foundation stone was laid. It was a community-driven initiative which led to the restoration of the building.

Virtual fencing to be legalised

The NSW Government has announced virtual fencing will be legalised in NSW. I have been calling for this commonsense decision for six months after a parliamentary inquiry into the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Virtual Stock Fencing) Bill 2024 recommended the NSW Government legalise virtual fencing for commercial use.

The technology allows for more productive, economical and effective farming practices.

It allows easier pasture management, it can help protect sensitive environments, monitor animal health, and makes moving stock in major weather events much easier.

It is a no-brainer.

Walcha motorcycle rally

Walcha Council has voted to continue running their annual motorcycle rally for another three years. This is great news for the town. It brings a lot of people to Walcha for the weekend and money is spent within the town which bolsters the local economy.

Business NSW’s New England North West Regional Chamber Forum

Business Chambers from around the region came together in Armidale this week for Business NSW’s New England North West Regional Chamber 2025 forum. It was a great opportunity for different chambers to work together to discuss all things small business. Shadow Minister for Small Business, Tim James MP, joined me at the forum to answer questions and chat with the attendees.

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 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.

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

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

Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands