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, of which Max played a huge role in refurbishing.

Congratulations to Max on a long and successful career and enjoy retirement.

Leeah Daley is now the acting general manager of Gwydir Shire Council.

A win for Yetman Public School

After a lot of work behind the scenes with Yetman Public School’s P&C, principal Katherine Walker and the Minister for Regional Transport, we managed to save the school bus route, and it will continue beyond 2025.

All schools play a critical role in their community but none more so than those in isolated areas.

This is an important win for Yetman and helps lock in a strong future for the school and local families.

Thank you to everyone involved for their tireless efforts in making sure the bus remains.

Funding for heritage sites

Armidale Regional Council, Glen Innes Severn Council, Moree Plains Shire Council and Inverell Shire Council have each secured $25,000 as part of the 2025-27 Local Government Heritage Grants program.

The funding will help each council identify and protect places and stories significant to the local area and community.

We have many important heritage sites across the Northern Tablelands and it is important it is well looked after.

The funding will ensure councils can manage conserve, promote and celebrate heritage sites for future generations.

School holiday activities

School holidays starts now and with the cold weather making outside activities difficult, it can be a testing time for families! If you’re looking for a way to get the kids out of the house, check out your local library. Libraries across the Northern Tablelands are putting on school holiday activities.

Armidale, Guyra, Glen Innes and Inverell libraries have planned activities while Moree’s PCYC and SHAE Academy are also putting on programs for kids.

Contact your local library or visit their social media pages for more information.

Infrastructure Grants program (Clubgrants Category 3)

Applications for the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Grants program (Clubgrants Category 3) are now open. Local not-for-profits, schools and councils are encouraged to apply.

These grants are between $50,000 and $300,000 and funding is available for infrastructure projects in four areas: Arts & Culture; Community Infrastructure; Disaster Readiness; and Sport & Recreation.

To apply and to check eligibility, visit Club Grants Key Information. Applications close July 21.

Local Sport Grant Program

Applications are open for the Local Sport Grant Program 2025.

The program aims to increase regular and ongoing participation opportunities in sport across NSW through accessibility, reducing barriers, improving facilities and more.

Grants of $2000 – $20,000 are available, with up to $50,000 available in each electorate.

Eligible applicants must be incorporated not-for-profit grassroots sports clubs or associations who organise and deliver sporting activities and develop members’ skills.

For more information on eligibility and how to apply, visit Local Sports Grant Program.

Applications close August 18.

Seniors’ Festival grant program

Applications are open for the NSW Seniors’ Festival Grant Program 2026.

Grants of $1500 to $10,000 are available to eligible applicants to host community programs and activities.

They can be for small scale; multiple and larger activities held during the festival period.

Events should align with the objectives of the NSW Seniors’ Festival, which empower seniors to participating in their communities and stay safe, active and healthy. The Festival runs from 2 to 15 March 2026.

For eligibility and to apply, visit Seniors’ Festival Grants Program. Applications close August 12.

Washing machine exchange program

Low-income earners, social housing tenants, veterans and pensioners can now apply to upgrade their washing machine to save on water and energy costs.

Eligible households can apply to have a new 8kg front-loading washing machine delivered and installed for $250.

To check eligibility and to apply visit Washing Machine Exchange Program.

Service NSW mobile centres

Service NSW is bringing their mobile service centre to Yetman, Deepwater, Uralla and Deepwater.

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 Yetman Store carpark 1 River Street on Tuesday, July 15 from 10am to 3pm.

The mobile service centre will be at Apex Park, 30 Young Street, Deepwater Thursday, July 17 from 9am to 11:30am.

The mobile service centre will be at Public Car Park 119 Bradley Street, Guyra on Tuesday, July 22 from 9am to midday.

The mobile service centre will be at Apex Memorial Park 55 Bridge Street, Uralla on Tuesday, July 22 from 1.30pm to 4pm.

Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands