Last Friday, the 2025 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour came into Walcha.

It was a fantastic event for the Walcha community with one of Australia’s most iconic sporting trophies in town.

There was a colourful street parade with schools, clubs and local icons taking part. Knight’s Choice’s breeder Norm Bazeley paraded Midnight Pearl, who is the 20-year-old dam of the 2024 Cup winner. Knight’s Choice’s trainer Sheila Laxon was also present for the street parade and the dinner event. The town was also presented with a replica Melbourne Cup trophy – worth more than $1000 – to honour their part in the tour.

Armidale bike track lighting

The solar lighting for Armidale’s bike track, which extends from the University of New England through to the centre of town, has officially been unveiled. The lights were installed to reduce crime and increase pedestrian and cyclist safety.

The project was funded by $772,750 from the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund – Round 5. That program has now been scrapped by the Minns Labor Government.

Funding for McCrossin’s Mill Museum

The Uralla Historical Society runs and maintains the popular McCrossin’s Mill Museum which proudly showcases Uralla’s unique history. The museum has received $18,115 in funding from the Community Building Partnership program to restore the circa 1878 Historic Stables building which has experienced water damage to retaining walls, steps and footpaths.

The Uralla Historical Society has around 100 volunteers who keep the museum open for around 360 days per year! The funding will ensure they can continue to store and rotate exhibits and artefacts.

The Melbourne Cup tour visited Walcha – a fantastic event for the town.

Armidale Hospital Auxiliary AGM

I was invited to attend the Armidale Hospital Auxiliary’s AGM on Tuesday. The Armidale Hospital Auxiliary has a fantastic team of volunteers who run the hospital’s kiosk and donate profits back to the hospital to purchase valuable equipment and resources. In the last year, they have made an incredible $94,000 in profits.

They were also named the New England Regional Volunteer Team of the Year at the New England Volunteer of the Year awards. They have also now been nominated for the NSW Volunteer Team of the Year.

Armidale added to Disaster Declaration

Disaster assistance from the NSW Government has been extended to Armidale Regional Council following the destructive snowstorm on 2 August.

Uralla Shire Council and Walcha Council were included in the first announcement of eligible Local Government Areas while Armidale Regional Council’s damage took longer to assess with such a large area to cover. For more information and how to apply, visit Storm Recovery Grants and Financial Support or call Service NSW on 137788.

Country Arts Support Program

Grants of up to $3000 are now available for arts community groups and arts organisations in the New England North West. The grants are available to not-for-profit incorporated bodies, and local government authorities to assist community arts and cultural activities, increase opportunities, and bring social and economic benefits to the community.

Applications close 25 August. Visit Grants and Funding Arts North West 2025.

Service NSW mobile centres

Service NSW is bringing their mobile service centre to Gravesend, Pallamallawa, 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 Tuesday, September 15 from 9am to 11am.

The mobile service centre will be near Pally Pub, 59 Bingera Street, Pallamallawa, Tuesday, September 15 from midday to 3pm.

The mobile service centre will be at Public Car Park,119 Bradley Street, Guyra on Tuesday, September 23 from 9am to 3pm.

The mobile service centre will be at Apex Memorial Park 55 Bridge Street on from 9am to 3pm on Wednesday, September 24.

Good luck!

Sporting codes across the region are in the midst of their finals’ series.

Make sure to check with your local club to see where they’re playing and get down there and support them.

Good luck to everyone involved.

Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands