Armidale’s Kay Endres has been named Northern Tablelands Woman of the Year as part of NSW Women’s Week.

Kay makes an enormous contribution to a wide range of different areas.

She serves as a councillor, contributes to charity and community organisations, and dedicates her time to various causes, organisations, schools and more.

Kay is very deserving of the accolade with continued commitment and dedication across many fields.

Kay goes above and beyond for her community, and I would like to congratulate and thank her for everything she does for the Northern Tablelands.

Regional Shows

The Inverell Show last Friday and Saturday was once again a huge success.

A healthy crowd turned out for the many events there.

Well done to the Inverell Show Society volunteers for putting on a wonderful event and congratulations to Rhona Brabant who received an honorary life membership.

The Armidale Show started yesterday and continues today.

Bindaree Beef visit

Bindaree Beef at Inverell is one of the region’s biggest employers and I got the chance to visit the facility to meet with staff to talk all things ag, local jobs, cattle and logistics.

The Inverell site has been in operation for more than 30 years and export all over the world. It was great to see behind the scenes of the large scale operation.

Bindaree Beef at Inverell is one of the region’s largest employers and Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan visited the complex to see how the operation works behind the scenes.

Feral pig review

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarity announced yet another review into feral pig control.

We do not need another review. We need helicopters in the air, boots on the ground and pigs being shot, baited and trapped at pace and scale.

Every month the government spends talking about ‘making management bigger and better’ is another month pigs are breeding, destroying crops, damaging native vegetation, river systems and spreading significant disease risk. The Minns Labor Government needs to stop hiding behind announcements and start backing farmers and regional communities with the funding and decisive action they deserve.

Water buybacks

The Federal Government recently announced they are targeting entitlement holders in the northern Murray-Darling Basin, including in the Gwydir Valley area.

The Minns Labor Government must act to prevent any further water buybacks.

Recovery targets for returning water to the river system in the Gwydir zone have already been exceeded.

Along with meeting the environmental needs, the Gwydir Valley catchment also supports wetlands, irrigated agriculture and mixed farming operations.

Taking more water entitlements jeopardises local jobs, industries, supply chains and the viability of towns. The Premier has said he opposes further buybacks in NSW and now he must stand by that to put regional communities in the Northern Basin first and protect them from being targeted again

Community Building Partnership applications

Applications for the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership program are anticipated to open soon.

Now is the time for not-for-profit organisations to start pulling together their applications for community infrastructure projects that deliver positive social, environmental and recreational outcomes while also promoting community participation, inclusion and cohesion.

To sign up for alerts about the next round of CBP funding, please visit Community Building Partnership.

Walcha women’s workshop

A free wellbeing and self-care workshop is coming to Walcha through the Rural Women’s Network and Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP).

The workshops will discuss stress and its impacts, how to manage stress, values and how they impact wellbeing, self-care, strategies and action plans.

The Walcha event will be on Tuesday, May 19 from 9.15am until 3pm at Walcha Vet Supplies.

It is free but you need to register to secure your spot.

Light lunch will be provided. Visit Walcha Women’s Workshop for information and to register.

What’s on

March 6-7: Armidale Show

March 6-14: The Woman In Black. Details: [email protected] Tickets: The Woman In Black Tix.

March 6-7-8: Minerama Fossicking, Gem and Jewellery Show, Glen Innes at Glen Innes Showgrounds

March 14-15: Grafton to Inverell Cycling Classic

March 9-14: Moree Plains Seniors Week.  Information from Moree Plains Shire Council.

Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands