A $108,000 grant was secured to install a permanent irrigation system at Glen Innes Rugby Park through the NSW Rugby World Cup Legacy program.

The grant program is aimed at increasing inclusion and participation at rugby union clubs across the state by improving infrastructure and facilities. The funding win is great news for the Elks whose volunteers have to manually water the field.

The grant will go towards installing a permanent watering system and accompanying tanks, which will be operated with the press of a button, making it a much less time-consuming task.

2026 New England Regional Volunteer Awards

Congratulations to all the nominees and recipients from the 2026 New England Regional Volunteer Awards.

The awards on Tuesday saw volunteers from Armidale, Uralla, Walcha and surrounds recognised for their contribution to the community.

To be put forward by their peers for recognition is a testament to the impact they have on the lives of others and everyone who was nominated at the 2026 New England Regional Volunteer Awards was deserving of their name being put forward.

Award Winners

New England Regional Volunteer of the Year: Armidale St Vincent de Paul secretary Nick Hanson

New England Regional Volunteer Team: CWA of Armidale.

New England Regional Senior Volunteer of the Year (65 and over): Nick Hanson

New England Regional Adult Volunteer of the Year: NSW RFS Dumaresq’s Sam Baker

New England Youth Volunteer of the Year: Armidale Uralla Meals on Wheels volunteer Maielle Parsons

Moree Town and Country Club upgrades

A total of $25,000 was secured for the Moree Town and Country Club to upgrade accessibility across the venue.

It has long been a place for locals to stay connected but areas of the venue can be difficult to access for our older and disabled community members so the funding will go a long way in improving that. With this funding, these local organisations can ensure kids and teenagers have somewhere close to home to go without breaking the family budget.

Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan and Moree Town and Country Club president Gail Goldman. The club will undergo upgrades thanks to $25,000 from the Community Building Partnership program.

Funding for school holiday activities

A total of $33,200 was delivered to councils and clubs in Glen Innes, Gwydir Shire, and Walcha through the NSW Government’s Holiday Break program.

These programs are important in giving young people in regional areas the chance to engage in social and recreational activities.

Funding Recipients

Glen Innes Pottery Club: Winter Mud Larks

Glen Innes Severn Council: Regional Youth Holiday Break program

Gwydir Shire Council: Red Carpet Formal Trivia Night in Warialda

Walcha Council: Holiday Breakaways

Warialda’s Biggest Morning Tea

The Warialda Cultural Community Centre, more informally known as Carinda House, hosted a garden party as part of the Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea fundraising effort on Thursday.

It was great to see many community members turn out to raise funds for an important cause.

NSW Volunteer of the Year awards

There are only two weeks left in the 2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.

The awards celebrate the numerous people who contribute to our communities by selflessly offering their time.

Although they don’t do it for recognition, the Volunteer of the Year Awards provide the opportunity to formally thank and acknowledge how valuable these people are in our communities.

For more information or to submit a nomination, visit The Centre for Volunteering’s website HERE.

What’s On

May 23: Moree picnic races

May 23 and May 28-29-30: Inverell Theatre Society production of My In-Laws are Outlaws at Beaulieu Memorial Theatre. Tickets available HERE.

June 6-7-8: Bingara Bush Bash Open Championship Tennis Tournament. Nominations HERE.

June 7: Drought Time Out for our farming community. From 11am at 7459 Bruxner Highway, Dumaresq Valley

June 20: Uralla Arts Winter Solstice Celebration at The Glen, Uralla.

Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands