Real local news. No paywalls. Really. Covering the New England and surrounds of Northern New South Wales, Australia. www.netimes.com.auhttps://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mu532vhrvf2tMoree Plains council releases confidential pool report, but reveals nothing new Moree Plains Shire Council released the confidential report behind its pool decision - but it didn't reveal anything the community didn't already know. https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/08/28/moree-plains-council-releases-confidential-pool-report-but-reveals-nothing-new/?fsp_sid=2543828 Aug 2026 19:41 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu532vhrvf2thttps://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mu4vqjcdjq23Rusty Pickups tour brings live music to four New England North West towns A Queensland country band, four New England North West towns, four nights. And the one at the Baan Baa pub is free. https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/08/28/rusty-pickups-tour-brings-live-music-to-four-new-england-north-west-towns/?fsp_sid=2545328 Aug 2026 18:06 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu4vqjcdjq23https://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mu4n3usvx42lBarraba pushes for health worker housing amid regional drive Barraba says it's missing out on health worker housing while Armidale gets a $200 million upgrade. The local MP wants that to change. https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/08/28/barraba-pushes-for-health-worker-housing-amid-regional-drive/?fsp_sid=2540828 Aug 2026 15:31 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu4n3usvx42lhttps://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mu4dwnxoge24Two men charged in separate local machete incidents Two men have been charged in separate incidents involving machetes, including an alleged home invasion in Narrabri and a high-speed police pursuit in Tamworth. https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/08/28/two-men-charged-in-separate-local-machete-incidents/?fsp_sid=2541728 Aug 2026 12:47 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu4dwnxoge24https://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mu4cue24hk2lLetter: Make them earn your vote Robyn writes that she understands why people are frustrated, but we need to take the time to look beyond what politicians say, and make them earn your vote. https://engage.netimes.com.au/2026/08/letter-make-them-earn-your-vote/28 Aug 2026 02:28 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu4cue24hk2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mu45pmgooc2qPLC Armidale students buck national NAPLAN slide National NAPLAN scores are sliding, with one in three students missing basic benchmarks. PLC Armidale's girls are heading the other way. https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/08/28/plc-armidale-students-buck-national-naplan-slide/?fsp_sid=2539928 Aug 2026 10:56 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu45pmgooc2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mu42amlhc224Make sure you don’t miss any of the latest news from the New England Times. Join our email list below! 👇27 Aug 2026 23:54 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu42amlhc224https://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mu3xe4rmzl2qLocal psychologist named among nation's emerging agricultural leaders A local clinical psychologist has been recognised as one of the nation's most promising agricultural leaders, after being named a recipient of the 2026 AgriEmpower Scholarship Program. https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/08/28/local-psychologist-named-among-nations-emerging-agricultural-leaders/?fsp_sid=2535428 Aug 2026 09:02 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu3xe4rmzl2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mu3ofjqidj2tNSW growth to ride almost entirely on migration NSW's entire population growth for the next 40 years will come from overseas migration, and then some. A new report shows just how much the state's future rides on it. https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/08/28/nsw-growth-to-ride-almost-entirely-on-migration/?fsp_sid=2539028 Aug 2026 06:22 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu3ofjqidj2thttps://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mu2hjkmzay24Manufacturers to converge on Tamworth for Future Made Forum Workforce shortages, rising costs, and a region fighting to secure its manufacturing future. Tamworth hosts national industry leaders next week as the Future Made Forum opens for its fourth year. https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/08/27/manufacturers-to-converge-on-tamworth-for-future-made-forum/?fsp_sid=2538127 Aug 2026 18:46 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu2hjkmzay24https://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mu2cclghbg23Inverell Singers mark ten years with anniversary concert From nervous first rehearsals to a decade of song, the Inverell Singers are marking ten years the best way they know how, with a concert for the whole community. https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/08/27/inverell-singers-mark-ten-years-with-anniversary-concert/?fsp_sid=2537227 Aug 2026 17:12 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu2cclghbg23https://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mu24rsosc223Digital meters catch $364,000 in water leaks across Armidale, Guyra Digital water meters have already caught $364,000 worth of leaks across Armidale and Guyra. With Level 2 restrictions in place and warmer weather on the way, Council says the savings are only going to grow. https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/08/27/digital-meters-catch-364000-in-water-leaks-across-armidale-guyra/?fsp_sid=2536927 Aug 2026 15:34 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu24rsosc223https://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mtzxn3g34t2cGunnedah's Creative Arts Gallery to host landscape printmaking exhibition A new printmaking exhibition exploring artists' relationships with natural and urban environments will open at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery on Friday, 11 September. https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/08/27/gunnedahs-creative-arts-gallery-to-host-landscape-printmaking-exhibition/?fsp_sid=2534227 Aug 2026 14:01 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtzxn3g34t2chttps://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mtzpatn7jo2hTamworth boy's ride comes full circle for Ronald McDonald House A Tamworth boy whose family once relied on Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW is now getting on his bike to help other families in the same situation. https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/08/27/tamworth-boys-ride-comes-full-circle-for-ronald-mcdonald-house/?fsp_sid=2529727 Aug 2026 11:31 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtzpatn7jo2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mtzlt6lbig2vBegin rant: You have always been able to say what you think RK Crosby writes that you have a right to be a bigot. But you do not have a right to inflict that bigotry on other people and pretend it is a valid contribution to our democracy. https://engage.netimes.com.au/2026/08/begin-rant-you-have-always-been-able-to-say-what-you-think/27 Aug 2026 00:30 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtzlt6lbig2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mtzl4mfsq725Join the conversation and have your say on issues that matter. Engage now!  Find us here: https://engage.netimes.com.au/submit/27 Aug 2026 00:18 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtzl4mfsq725https://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mtzgurdyn62cCommunity urged to back Armidale's nurses and midwives ball Organisers of Armidale's first Nightingale Ball are calling on the community to buy tickets and offer sponsorship, with just 10 tickets sold so far and a deadline fast approaching. https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/08/27/community-urged-to-back-armidales-nurses-and-midwives-ball/?fsp_sid=2527627 Aug 2026 09:02 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtzgurdyn62chttps://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mtzda3d7hx2tQW: Who has to go without staff? The three biggest employers in Inverell, Bindaree Beef, Boss Engineering and McLean Care all have large numbers of migrants on their staff. Without them they could not operate. Is Barnaby saying they will not be allowed to have staff? https://engage.netimes.com.au/2026/08/qw-who-has-to-go-without-staff/26 Aug 2026 21:56 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtzda3d7hx2thttps://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mtzcyfojau23Letter: Media circus continues for Joyce The media circus continues for Mr Joyce, bemoaning how badly he has been treated in one breath and acknowledging he has had many chances in the next. It’s easy to lose sight amidst all the performative cowboy nonsense (it can be found under the comedy gold… https://engage.netimes.com.au/2026/08/letter-media-circus-continues-for-joyce/26 Aug 2026 21:52 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtzcyfojau23https://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mtz66zxns52hNew rules to shake up Tamworth's Boulevard of Dreams The free-for-all on Tamworth's Boulevard of Dreams is over. Here's how buskers will be allocated their spots for the 2027 Country Music Festival, and the new sound rules they'll need to follow. https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/08/27/new-rules-to-shake-up-tamworths-boulevard-of-dreams/?fsp_sid=2530627 Aug 2026 06:26 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtz66zxns52hhttps://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mtxya6yqvf2492 finalists named for New England North West Business Awards From Tamworth to Walcha, 92 businesses and individuals are finalists in this year's regional business awards. See the full list and find out who's in the running. https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/08/26/92-finalists-named-for-new-england-north-west-business-awards/?fsp_sid=2527926 Aug 2026 19:07 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtxya6yqvf24https://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mtxteuymvy2vArmidale hairdresser named NSW's top apprentice Armidale hairdresser Nikita Wells was crowned New England's Apprentice of the Year earlier this year has now gone one better, taking out the title across the whole of NSW and earning a shot at the national stage in November. https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/08/26/armidale-hairdresser-named-nsws-top-apprentice/?fsp_sid=2532426 Aug 2026 17:40 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtxteuymvy2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mtxnboptqx2eLuna leads pack as NSW's top dog name Luna is officially NSW's favourite dog name, beating out Teddy, Daisy and Milo. https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/08/26/luna-leads-pack-as-nsws-top-dog-name/?fsp_sid=2531526 Aug 2026 15:51 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtxnboptqx2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mtxism5zyy23Man charged after alleged knife threat in South Tamworth A woman in her 60s was allegedly threatened with two knives at a South Tamworth home. A man known to her is now facing five charges. https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/08/26/man-charged-after-alleged-knife-threat-in-south-tamworth/?fsp_sid=2533326 Aug 2026 14:31 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtxism5zyy23https://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mtxhdj5dgp2lHome care funding certainty welcomed, but a bigger rethink required Four more years of funding certainty for Uralla's home care service sounds like good news, but the mayor says the money still doesn't match demand. Here's what he wants fixed. https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/08/26/home-care-funding-certainty-welcomed-but-a-bigger-rethink-required/?fsp_sid=2525826 Aug 2026 14:04 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtxhdj5dgp2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mtxbt6is6m25‘We will always love you’, world mourns Dolly Parton Flags across the USA will fly half mast for a week as the world mourns the loss of the queen of country music Dolly Parton, who has died of cancer in Nashville. https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/08/26/we-will-always-love-you-world-mourns-dolly-parton/?fsp_sid=2528826 Aug 2026 12:26 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtxbt6is6m25https://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mtxahk4yiw2cArmidale's Gojee named world's best small business app by Xero An Armidale software company built inside a family earthmoving business has been named the best small business app in the world, beating some of the biggest names in the global Xero ecosystem. https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/08/26/armidales-gojee-named-worlds-best-small-business-app-by-xero/?fsp_sid=2526726 Aug 2026 12:01 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtxahk4yiw2chttps://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mtxa4urbba2iNo paywalls, ever! New England Times is committed to free access to vital news. Support our mission—donate today or set up a regular contribution. Every bit helps! #SupportJournalism https://www.netimes.com.au/support-the-new-england-times/26 Aug 2026 01:56 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtxa4urbba2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mtwwfn26hl2hEmmaville Tin Mine very close to go-time Barely any objections, strong local support, and a company confident it will be pulling tin out of the ground by the end of 2028. Emmaville's mining future is looking bright. https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/08/26/emmaville-tin-mine-very-close-to-go-time/?fsp_sid=2524926 Aug 2026 09:01 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtwwfn26hl2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/netimesau.bsky.social/post/3mtvbpobdu725Older Armidale Singles connects the over-50 crowd, one coffee at a time Armidale local Andrew Hunt has kicked off a Facebook group for over-50s across the New England North West, and in just weeks it has become a fast-growing hub for singles looking for friendship or something more. https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/08/25/older-armidale-singles-connects-the-over-50-crowd-one-coffee-at-a-time/?fsp_sid=2522825 Aug 2026 17:19 +0000at://did:plc:haaamxaowgitqscuharwfvoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtvbpobdu725