Bonshaw Rural Fire Brigade’s new and modern facility was officially unveiled on Saturday after a fire destroyed the previous shed in January, 2024.

The $230,000 shed features two bays, new toilets and showers and will also serve as an emergency point for the local community.

At the official opening, 30 members of the RFS received National and Long Service Medals. Congratulations to all recipients and thank you for all the work you do in keeping our communities safe.

PCYC Moree upgrade

The gym at PCYC Moree will become 24-hour thanks to a $13,172 grant secured from the Community Building Partnership program.

The gym will install a 24-hour fob system which will allow members to use the gym area at any hour of the day.

This will give a wide variety of community members more flexibility in reaching their health and fitness goals.

Uralla funding

The sum of $250,000 has been delivered to Uralla Shire Council from Round 3 of the NSW Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund.

This means council can tick all boxes when planning for growth, development and housing.

This means council can plan for what the community needs; they can make sure the right studies are done, the right land is available, and any new housing will be well-located and supported with adequate infrastructure.

The right planning will ensure families can stay living locally and close to the community they are familiar with.

New England and Northern Inland Regional Volunteer of the Year Award ceremony

Volunteers are the backbone of our communities and the region’s volunteers were recognised at the New England and Northern Inland Regional Volunteer of the Year Awards in Armidale on Thursday. Thank-you to everyone who volunteers in our communities and congratulations to all nominees and winners.

Moree’s Kamala Wheeler won the big award in being named the New England-Northern Inland Volunteer of the Year.

Kamala and her family have been dedicated volunteers in Moree for a long time and is a truly deserving recipient of this honour.

All Winners

New England and Northern Inland Volunteer of the Year: Kamala Wheeler (Moree).

New England and Northern Inland Young Volunteer of the Year: Caitlin Blanch (Tamworth).

New England and Northern Inland Senior Volunteer of the Year: Margaret Lenord (Inverell).

New England and Northern Inland Emergency Volunteer of the Year:  Sam Berry (Narrabri).

New England and Northern Inland Young Volunteer Team of the Year: Ruby Mae’s Wish (Barraba).

Bushfire danger period

The bushfire danger period has now commenced in parts of the Northern Tablelands.

Fire permits are now required for the Armidale Regional, Glen Innes Severn, Uralla, Walcha and Inverell council areas. Permits can be obtained from the NSW RFS.

EnergyCo consultation and feedback submissions

EnergyCo has published a consultation paper on the New England Renewable Energy Zone and have opened feedback.

The consultation paper can be found at EnergyCo New England REZ Access Scheme.

Feedback can be submitted to [email protected] with ‘Your Name – New England REZ Generation and Storage Consultation Paper’ in the subject line.

Submissions close September 12, which is a woefully short and insufficient amount of time. It does not allow the community to digest the paper and prepare a response.

I will be raising this inadequacy with the Minister, as well as next week in Parliament.

Polar Plunge – Special Olympics North West New England

Special Olympics North West New England, along with NSW Law Enforcement Torch Run, are hosting a Polar Plunge at Dumaresq Dam to raise money for Special Olympics.

Around 95 people have registered to take part in the Plunge at 9am.

There’s still time to register to participate and raise funds to support athletes with disabilities.

All participants will receive a LETR shirt, a beanie and free breakfast.

The Armidale Lions Club will be there to cook breakfast.

For more information and to register, visit Special Olympics North West New England.

Grand final fever

Congratulations to the Group 19’s premiership winners after their grand finals on Sunday: Inverell Hawks (top grade), Warialda Wombats (reserve grade), Tingha Tigers (league tag) and Glen Innes Magpies (under-18s).

There are more sports with their grand finals this weekend.

On Saturday, New England Rugby Union will host their deciders at Bellevue Oval. In first-grade the Walcha Rams take on the Armidale Blues, second-grade see Tamworth Magpies take on newcomers Dorrigo Rangers, third-grade have Tenterfield Bumblebees taking on St Albert’s College, and the women’s 10s final is between Tamworth and Albies.

The Central North grand-finals are at Weebolla Oval on Saturday as well, with the mighty Moree Bulls facing Quirindi in first-grade, and Tamworth Pirates in second-grade and third-grade.

The women’s 10s game is between Narrabri and the Pirates.

Group 19 has their junior rugby league grand-finals at Warialda on Saturday.

On Sunday, there’s more grand-finals in Moree with Group 4’s deciders at Boughton Oval.

The mighty Boars have three grades represented – ladies tackle, reserve-grade and first-grade.

NIAS applications

Applications for the 2025-2026 Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS) programs are open. Information and registration are available at NIAS Sports.

nbn grants

The nbn grants program for digital businesses is now open. Seven $15,000 grants are available for digital businesses in agriculture, arts and tourism, education, health, Indigenous business, sports and recreation, and women in regional business.

Applications close on October 12, 2025 and successful recipients will be announced on November 11, 2025.

For more information and to apply, visit Innovate With nbn Grants.

Scholarships for prospective teachers

The NSW Department of Education’s scholarship program applications are now open to Year 12 students, university students or those wishing to change careers and study teaching.

Successful applicants will receive financial incentives and are guaranteed a permanent teaching position in a NSW public school following studies.

For more information and to view the list of scholarships, visit Education NSW Get Paid to Study.

Roads Act review

The NSW Government is undergoing a review of the Roads Act 1993 which affects how roads are planning, managed and used across NSW. Transport for NSW is seeking feedback from councils, road authorities, advocacy groups, infrastructure planners, and community organisations after publishing an Options Paper.

For more information and to Have Your Say visit Have Your Say Roads Act.

Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands