Armidale set for major economic boost as UNE scales up graduation
THOUSANDS of visitors are arriving in Armidale this week as the University of New England rolls out its largest graduation, bringing a significant surge in economic activity to the region. More than 2500 students will graduate across six ceremonies, held between May 4 and 9, with around 1200 attending in person. Each graduate typically brings
Volunteering Connection Hub and Expo planned for Moree May 21
MOREE residents and wider communities are invited to attend an important volunteering expo at Moree Community College on Thursday, May 21. The Moree Volunteering Connection Hub and Expo, supported by The Centre for Volunteering and Department of Social Services, will showcase a number of not-for-profit community organisations and vital services that rely heavily on volunteerism.
NSW Police Class 368 attest as the largest in 13 years
THE NSW Police Force on Friday welcomed 349 new probationary constables, as Class 368 became the largest class to graduate in 13 years. NSW Police Force Commissioner Mal Lanyon, Governor of NSW, Margaret Beazley, and Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley welcomed the new students on Friday. The graduating students will begin their first
Meet Australia’s biosecurity top dogs
WHEN it comes to stopping biosecurity threats at the border, some of Australia’s most effective frontline defenders walk on four legs. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has named detector dog Ghost as its Top Dog for 2025, recognising an exceptional year of service protecting Australia from exotic pests and diseases. The Top Dog
Public consultation to commence on New England rail trail framework
ARMIDALE Regional Council has started public consultation as part of the preliminary works being undertaken on the New England Rail Trail Framework following the project’s endorsement at the October 2025 council meeting. The New England Rail Trail proposal aims to revitalise the disused Great Northern Rail corridor between Armidale and Glen Innes, transforming it into
Armidale’s BackTrack’s night crew program here to stay with funding boost
MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan welcomed further funding to extend the operation of BackTrack’s successful Night Crew program in Armidale. The Night Crew program sees youth workers active on Armidale streets between 8pm and 7am three nights per week to engage young people at risk. It was initially trialled in early 2025 after BackTrack
Narrabri’s boost to emergency services on track
THE new Namoi Gwydir Fire Control Centre in Narrabri is nearing completion, marking a major step forward in strengthening emergency response capability in the state’s north-west. The $13.1 million facility will provide the Rural Fire Service with a modern, purpose-built base to support operations into the future. The project delivers on recommendations from the 2019-2020
Tayla Frahm’s Mungindi head shave raises $2870 for Leukaemia Foundation
SPENDING Easter at hometown Mungindi with family and friends was a little bit different this year for Tayla Frahm – she turned up at the bordertown with flowing locks, but went home to Queensland with a new, quite shiny look. Tayla now lives at the Gold Coast with partner Paris and returned to Mungindi earlier
Next generation of bull riding stars named for PBR Origin 2026
EMERGING bull-riding stars, 13-year-old Kassedy Carlon from Bundarra, 10-year-old Chase Berry from Gunnedah and 16-year-old Liam Birks from Tamworth have been selected to represent New South Wales for the 2026 Professional Bull Riders Australia Monster Energy Origin Series’ junior teams. Junior riders will compete at all three Origin events in Newcastle, Brisbane and Sydney, with
Fair Work transport order hits councils, communities with new costs
LOCAL Government NSW warns the Fair Work Commission’s Road Transport Contractual Chain Order will impose significant new costs on councils, with flow-on impacts for communities across New South Wales. LGNSW vice-president Khal Asfour said the order would add further strain to councils already under intense financial pressure. “Councils are working hard to protect essential services
