I visited Armidale Tennis Club this week to see their new industrial roller, bought through the Community Building Partnership program.

The club received $23,797 to purchase the roller which will be used to maintain their eight clay courts. Having well-maintained facilities means Armidale Tennis Club will be able to continue hosting regional tournaments as well as their weekly training and competitions.

Younger players will also be able to master their skills on clay surfaces.

Well done to the Armidale Tennis Club for securing this funding.

The club also hosts a Rally4Ever program every Friday which connects disadvantaged people from the community to tennis. They get around 20 participants per week which is fantastic!

Crackdown on illegal vapes and tobacco

Our regional communities have been calling for change on the sale of illegal vapes and tobacco for months. Now the Government is finally acting and they have decided to introduce tougher laws.

This comes after the NSW Opposition announced they would introduce a Bill in Parliament to make NSW the hardest place in Australia to sell the dangerous products.

These illegal shops run by criminals have moved into empty storefronts in our towns and have made these addictive, destructive and harmful products readily available, particularly for young people.

Brendan Moylan was home last weekend, cheering on the Moree Bulls in the Central North Rugby Union competition at Weebolla Oval with some of his mates.

New citizens ceremony

It was a privilege to be part of the Citizenship Ceremony in Armidale on Wednesday. It was exciting to see 44 new Australians receive their official citizenship to our great country. Congratulations to every one of them and thank you to Armidale Regional Council for putting together this special event.

Inverell Shire Youth Advisory Council

I went along to Inverell Shire Council’s Youth Advisory workshop which discussed strategies and identified assets, strengths, and future goals for young people in the region.

Guyra visit

Save and Grow Guyra invited me to visit and check out the Mother of Ducks restoration project. It was also a good opportunity to hear from the community about any concerns.

Glen Innes visit

I had the chance to meet with representatives from GLENRAC to get an update on how things are running.

This was followed by a meeting with Glen Innes representatives from NSW Farmers to talk regional and rural issues.

I also took a visit to the Land of the Beardies History House and attended the Glen Innes Hospital Auxiliary’s AGM.

Northern Tablelands Local Land Services

Local Land Services are hosting workshops in Walcha, Guyra, and Glen Innes on August 13 and 14 to discuss how staying in sheep stacks up. There will be information and insights from Agrista Pty Ltd, Zoetis and District Vets.

For more details and to register, visit Stay in Sheep.

Service NSW mobile centres

Service NSW is bringing their mobile service centre to Toomelah, Boggabilla, and Mungindi.

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 the Community Centre Toomelah on Tuesday, August 19 from 9am to 11am.

The mobile service centre will be at Boggabilla Community Health Centre 74 Merriwa Street on Tuesday, August 19 from midday to 3pm.

The mobile service centre will be at Barwon River Park, 155 St George Street Mungindi on Wednesday, 20 August 2025 from 10am to 3pm.

Service NSW Armidale relocation

From Friday, August 1, the Armidale Service Centre will be located at its new premises at 213-215 Rusden Street.

For information on services and opening hours, visit Service NSW Armidale.

What’s On

Northern Inland Academy of Sport awards at Armidale City Bowling Club on Saturday.

The Stefano Rocco Quartet at Armidale Playhouse on Saturday

Free community barbecue at Curtis Park Playground from 10am until 2pm on Sunday.

Sapphire City Concert Band at the Inverell Town Hall on Saturday night.

Sapphire City Markets on Sunday at Campbell Park.

Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands