Brendan Moylan’s Weekly Report
The 26th annual Uralla Thunderbolts Festival was held on Saturday and what a fantastic day it was. There was fantastic support and large crowds of people from both the local community and tourists who all enjoyed the many things on offer. There were rides, food, music, demonstrations, entertainment, a parade, shows and market stalls as
Brendan Moylan’s Weekly Report
Parliament resumed this week for the second week of the October sittings. This week, I delivered Community Recognition Statements on Starlogixs of Deepwater, Inverell’s Marie Tanner, Emmaville Central School, Inverell Community Kitchen’s Zoe Hannam, Armidale’s Neil Horton, The Heart of Glen Innes, Moree locals supporting palliative care patients, NERAM’s Packsaddle Art Exhibition, Glen Innes Op
Brendan Moylan’s Weekly Report
NSW Parliament resumed this week for the first week of October sittings. I delivered Community Recognition Statements on Walcha CWA, Sapphire Speed Shear, Inverell’s Josh Cathie, Mungindi Cotton Growers Association, Warialda Cultural Community Centre, Bingara Westpac Helicopter Support Group, Moree’s Kamala Wheeler, Walcha’s Lacey Newton, and the Bundarra Garden Festival. This week I tabled Questions
Brendan Moylan’s Weekly Report
It is great to see BackTrack’s Night Crew program receive $120,000 in funding from the NSW Government for it to be continued. The program sees youth workers on Armidale streets between 8pm and 7am three nights per week to engage young people at risk. The trial earlier in the year was hugely successful with a
Brendan Moylan’s Weekly Report
The end of Term 3 for students meant many high schools have held their graduations and valedictory ceremonies. Congratulations to all students who have finished their high school journey and I wish you all the best in the HSC and in the future. It was great to attend the Armidale Secondary College valedictory last Friday
Brendan Moylan’s Weekly Report
THE Armidale branch of the Country Women’s Association has launched a $5000 scholarship (in perpetuity) for a female medical student from regional, remote or rural New South Wales to put towards their studies at the University of New England. The student is to study locally at UNE and the intention of working in the region
Legislative Assembly Committee on Law and Safety in Moree this week
AS part of the community safety in regional and rural communities’ inquiry, the Legislative Assembly Committee on Law and Safety will be in Moree on Wednesday. The inquiry has received nearly 200 submissions from individuals and organisations from across New South Wales, including councils from Narrabri, Inverell, Gunnedah, Dubbo, Ballina, Bega Valley, Port Macquaire, Lake
NSW Greens propose new law to fine owners of “unsupervised” cats
THE phrase “like trying to herd cats” will take on a whole new meaning if the Greens get their way with a proposed law effectively making people responsible for keeping cats at home. New laws to be proposed by the Greens in the NSW Parliament in October will give New South Wales councils the discretion
Brendan Moylan’s Weekly Report
The events which occurred in my hometown of Moree at the weekend are shocking and disgraceful. Police allege a group of teenagers broke into a motel and stabbed the 52-year-old owner of the motel who was airlifted to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. I have been in contact with the victim’s family. He came through surgery
Labor blocks reforms to deal with regional crime crisis
THE Minns Labor Government has walked away from protecting regional communities dealing with the youth crime crisis, voting against the Opposition’s strong bail reforms in Parliament today. NSW Nationals party leader Dugald Saunders said the Nationals has been pushing for swift and calculated action since a letter signed by the entire party room was sent
Regional and rural health care crisis: why both the state and Federal Governments need to act
Four weeks ago, I received a call from my friend and colleague Steph Cooke who was attending the ED in Moree. She is the Cootamundra MP and as Shadow Water Minister, was visiting for work. She had been taken to the ED in an ambulance and was waiting to be assessed by the doctor. I
Brendan Moylan’s Weekly Report
I was back in Parliament last week for the first of the September sitting weeks. I delivered Community Recognition Statements on the Uralla Community Spirit, Transport to Treatment, Sweetie Pie’s Bake Shop, ASC’s Nyla Chemane, Glen Innes’ Judy Vivers, Walcha’s Friends of Riverview, Special Olympics North West New England – Polar Plunge, Gather for Gwydir
Brendan Moylan’s Weekly Report
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
New era of transparency for council meetings
NEW rules for council meetings will soon be in place as the State Government spearheads a change of culture to boost transparency and community confidence in local government. A new Model Code of Meeting Practice for local councils, released on Friday, will come into effect in councils from January 1 next year. The changes to
Brendan Moylan’s Weekly Report
The emergency department at Moree Hospital has been left without a doctor on numerous occasions over the last few weeks. During those periods, Hunter New England Health have continually failed to inform the community of around 8000 people when there is no doctor on-hand. Instead, patients who present to emergency are forced to use an
Brendan Moylan’s Weekly Report
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
High school students urged to take part in My First Speech competition
THE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick, and Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey have launched the My First Speech competition for students in the Parkes electorate. The national competition challenges students in years 10, 11 and 12 to envision themselves as newly-elected Members of the House of Representatives and write a 90-second speech,
Chaffey’s Corner
THIS week is the 52nd year of the AgQuip Agricultural Field Days in Gunnedah, one of the biggest field day events in the Southern Hemisphere and a significant week in the agricultural calendar. This event brings together primary producers, representatives from a huge range of support industries, and many, many people who just want to
Brendan Moylan’s Weekly Report
Glen Innes Business Chamber held the annual Glen Innes Business Awards on Saturday night at the Services Club to recognise and celebrate the achievements of businesses, organisations and individuals across a wide variety of industries. Congratulations to Sweetie Pie’s Bake Shop who was named the 2025 Glen Innes Business of the Year. Congratulations to all
Butler: Hunter New England Health split will create extra jobs
A parliamentary committee will hold public hearings in Narrabri and Tamworth this week regarding Member for Barwon Roy Butlers’ Bill to split Hunter New England Health, with Mr Butler saying there should be more consideration given regarding extra jobs and investment that would flow into the New England and north-west regions. Hunter New England Health
