News

Kids Helpline says positive mental health and wellbeing should be a priority in primary schools in 2023 As children across Australia begin a new school year, Kids Helpline is reminding families to keep an eye on their children’s wellbeing at what can be an anxious and stressful time. “ ... read more

CSIRO RESEARCH OFFERS DIETERS A NEW APPROACH TO COMBAT CRAVINGS AND WEIGHT LOSS WITH THE FAST START PROGRAM CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has released new research that will help Australians start healthy weight loss in 2023 by tackling one of the biggest obstacles to successful ... read more

New Anglican Vicar for Barraba St Laurence’s Anglican Church are excited to welcome a new Vicar to start in 2023.  Matthew Hearne, with his wife Chloe and two daughters, Elise and Kate start their ministry here in Barraba this weekend.  They will be welcomed to Barraba by Bishop Ro ... read more

PREMIER’S BACK TO SCHOOL VOUCHING EASING HIP-POCKET PRESSURES ON LOCAL FAMILIES Families across the region can now access $150 worth of vouchers through the Premier’s Back to School NSW program, keeping cash in the wallet of local families by saving on textbooks, uniforms, stationary an ... read more

THOUSANDS MORE WOMEN TO RECEIVE FERTILITY TREATMENT REBATE Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement of an Australian-first rebate for IVF or other assisted reproductive technology. The $80 million expansion of the NSW Affordable IVF Initiative, announc ... read more

NSW GOVERNMENT RESTOCKS KEEPIT DAM The NSW Government’s Fish Stocking Program continues to play a vital role in enhancing recreational fishing opportunities and strengthening fish populations across the state. Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the drought was devastating for fish popul ... read more

PALLIATIVE CARE EXPANSION FOR TAMWORTH HOSPITAL Local palliative care services will be more than doubled with the NSW Nationals in Government today announcing they will deliver a stand-alone, expanded and purpose-built palliative care unit at Tamworth Hospital. Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson s ... read more

REGIONAL JOB CREATION FUND BACK TO BOOST LOCAL BUSINESSES Businesses in the Tamworth electorate are being encouraged to expand thanks to the NSW Nationals in Government’s $100 million Regional Job Creation Fund Round Three that aims to increase job opportunities while building diversity and ... read more

FAST-TRACKING APPLICATIONS FOR $500M ROAD REPAIR FUND The NSW Nationals in Government have fast-tracked the opening of applications for the $500 million Regional and Local Roads Repair Program. Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said councils in the Tamworth electorate would now be busy getting th ... read more

$250 REGIONAL SENIORS TRAVEL CARD RETURNS The region’s seniors will soon be saving another $250 on travel with the return on the NSW Nationals Regional Seniors Travel Card. Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said this was the fourth year the card had been available, and it had proved a hit w ... read more

A new competition for 2023 will be the Sports Shear & Wool Handling Competition at the Barraba Show on the 4th March 2023 organised by Jock & Zac Mallise. Zac was recently placed 2nd in the SSAA National Development Senior Shear 2022 in Bendigo. Come along and support our local and National ... read more

A Big Thankyou to the Barraba Lady Bowlers Recently the Lady Bowlers gave a generous donation to Richardson House. This donation was deposited in the Fundraising account which supports the purchase of items to enhance the lifestyle and comfort of the residents. The residents were asked what they wo ... read more

History Notes The historical society has returned from holiday mode.  At the meeting last week there was much discussion about future events.  The first markets of the year will be held on Saturday 11th February, starting just a little bit later than last year at 9 am.  The present s ... read more

Summer Health   Hazards Summer is a time for outdoor activities, BBQs, and soaking up the sunshine. However, The Australian Digital Health Agency is encouraging people to be aware of the potential health hazards that can come with the warmer weather. Below are some things to watch out for ... read more

New land values published for North West Regional NSW The NSW Valuer General has published land values for the North West Regional NSW Region. The land values reflect the value of land only, as at 1 July 2022. Land value is the value of the land only. It does not include the value of a home or oth ... read more

Graduate Program for Valuation NSW   Valuation NSW has launched a Graduate Program offering opportunities to kick-start an exciting and rewarding career in Australia’s leading property sector. Leon Walker, Deputy Secretary of the Homes, Property and Development group said: “Valua ... read more

Local Land Services is urging farmers to be on the lookout for St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) with current conditions across north west NSW ripe for the weed. St John’s wort contains the toxin hypericin, which causes photosensitisation in sheep, cattle, horses and goats. The skin ... read more

Coordinated Control for a Prickly Problem   Harrisia cactus (Harrisia martinii) is native to Brazil and the Chaco area of Argentina and Paraguay and, since introduction to Australia around 1900, has become a major weed in both Queensland and NSW. The Harrisia Cactus Task Force (HCTF) was es ... read more

Christmas Tree Raffle Winners 1st           Trevor Hill - $1000 meat voucher donated by Barraba Lions Club 2nd          Chris Jobson - $600 Meat voucher donated by Barraba Lions Club 3rd  &nbs ... read more

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GET CLICKING FOR THE 2023 BARRABA SHOW It is definitely time to start thinking about your photography entries for the 2023 Barraba Show – March will be here before you know it! Our feature class (and Pavilion theme) is FISH.  We are looking forward to some creative photos in this class. ... read more

BARRABA SHOW 2023 - WOOL SECTION March 2023 may seem like a long way away but this is a timely reminder to keep some fleeces from your next shearing to enter. With more producers moving to shorter shearing intervals, we have decided to introduce a “Merino Short Wool” class in 2023.&nbs ... read more

Barraba Preschool gets a kitchen garden "The staff at Barraba Preschool are thrilled to be participating in the HealthWISE kitchen garden program. We have been planning to implement a kitchen garden into our daily program and this grant will help us achieve this," Katie Shadbolt said. Local early ... read more

Recognising Warren Woodley OAM. In 2010 the movie ‘Beneath Hill 60’ was released and this is where Warren first had his long association with Barraba school children and the community of Barraba and our Military history. Warren had a link with the movie as his grandfather was one of the ... read more

The Handkerchief Project: Afghan women sew hopes during the war An artistic exchange between Afghan and Australian women, The Handkerchief Project, has been acquired by the Australian War Memorial. More than 40 mixed media handkerchiefs were sent to Afghan women by Australian women during the Afgha ... read more

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked by New South Wales Ambulance just after 2pm on the 2nd January to a camp drafting accident at Upper Horton SW of Bingara. NSW Ambulance Paramedics and the Helicopter Critical Care Medical Team treated and stabilised a man in his 50’s who had suffered le ... read more

The Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme is urging anyone who was impacted by the Robodebt scheme to share their story before submissions close in less than a month. The Robodebt Royal Commission has received 522 submissions to date. The final day to make a submission is 3 February 2023. For ... read more

Lower Cost of PBS Medicines From 1 January The new, lower cost of PBS medicines comes into effect on New Year’s Day, meaning the most patients will pay for a PBS listed medication is $30, down from $42.50. This follows Parliament passing legislation late last year to lower the maximum co-pay ... read more

Karin Thurston has been researching edible flowers and has provided this very interesting website www.thompson-morgan.com/edible-flowers.  Some extracts are included below: “Flowers have formed part of our diet for thousands of years. Chinese cooks were experimenting with edible flowers ... read more

            History Notes Welcome to the new year – hopefully one with normal weather for a change.  The historical society will hold its first meeting this week to organize a couple of functions for the beginning of the year.  ... read more

Here is an overview of outcomes from Tuesday 13 Dec 2022 Council  Ordinary Meeting: ➢ Councillors agreed to allocate $250,000 from the Roadworks Reserve (Financial Assistance Grants roads component) to undertake urgent repairs to a substantial natural erosion issue between Jewry Street and t ... read more

Reflect, respect and celebrate Australia Day 2023 Residents and visitors alike are being called on to come together across this region this Australia Day to reflect, respect and celebrate the strength and spirit of our local communities. Wherever you will be spending Australia Day this year, Tamwor ... read more

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Aust Day Ambassador Dr. Tanya Marie Silveira-Price is a Registered Music Therapist, Subject Coordinator with the University of Melbourne and the 2020-2021 inaugural recipient of Australian Music Therapist of the Year. Tanya's PhD research examined how accessible music-making can impact the han ... read more