News

Claypan Corner We’re pleased to announce the Claypan and Fuller Gallery are now open for sales, regular weekly activities and workshops now lockdown is lifted. Come in and browse the new display in preparation for our Spring Festival.  Whilst the doors have been closed work on renovatio ... read more

History Notes This week the society has had a chance to have a small meeting.  There was not a lot to discuss but it is always great to have a gathering, however small.  The markets might be on in October – we just hope there are no more lock-downs.  The date will be the 9th an ... read more

Barraba Landcare Update I am pleased to announce that last week’s meeting was successful and a group has been formed and we are working together to start on a project at the Bicentennial Park. If you know of any members in the community that would like to be involved, please forward this info ... read more

The Royal Flying Doctor Service is running a Pfizer vaccination Clinic for everyone aged 12 years and above at Upper Horton Sports Club on MONDAY 27 SEPTEMBER FROM 10.30 am TO 2.30 pm. NO BOOKING NEEDED! ... read more

Joey's News It's wonderful that staff and children have returned to learning together at the school campus this week. We started the week with an extra-long morning play time so students could catch up and enjoy each other's company. A month of home learning has been challe ... read more

STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS LIFT FOR BARRABA! Tamworth, Gwydir, Armidale and others out of lockdown, but not Narrabri! Parts of regional NSW currently deemed low risk and which have seen zero COVID cases for at least 14 days emerged from lockdown at 12:01am Saturday 11 September, but will continue to oper ... read more

Shutter Bug News Members of our club occasionally enter various photography competitions and shows.  Several members have achieved remarkable results over the past few years. Our latest “proud moment” is for member Paula McIver claiming two “Commended” prizes in the pr ... read more

           History Notes Sitting down to write some history notes this morning with a blank mind and then remembered the 1960 Chronicles that I haven’t had time to look into for the rebuilding of the Barraba Bowling Club. The Barraba Shire Co ... read more

COLLEGE CHAT  Hi, I am Tanya and I am the Community College Coordinator for Barraba. What a challenging time we have had with the whole of NSW in lockdown.  Community College has had to adapt to this challenge with some of our classes being delivered by remote learning. With lockdown re ... read more

Book Week 2021 Week 7 was to be a week of celebrating our love of books alongside the CBCA Book Week celebrations. Sadly, due to COVID we were unable to celebrate as we normally do – with a parade of some very creative costumes, from some of our most favourite books! Instead we went virtual ... read more

SHUTTER BUG’S STILL CLICKING DURING LOCK-DOWN How amazing is the latest public art project in Barraba - “Beyond the Walls” by Jenny McCracken! Two local photographers; Brenda McColl and Paula McIver, would like to extend a special thank you to the Barraba Public Art committee for ... read more

   History Notes 8th Sept 21 Nothing to report from the historical society with everything closed.  The Annual General Meeting date is fast approaching but nothing can be done about it at the present moment. Since last week’s notes I have been able to search through some Barra ... read more

Singles Bubble Rule & Compassionate Care Visits Explained Singles bubble If you live alone – which means there are no other adults who live in the same home – you can have a nominated visitor. In regional areas, you do NOT need to register your nominated visitor. A nominated vis ... read more

THE SEARCH FOR OUR LOCAL WOMAN OF THE YEAR BEGINS The hunt begins to identify the regions outstanding and influential women with nominations now open for the 2022 NSW Women of the Year Awards. Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the NSW Women of the Year Awards is a great opportunity to highli ... read more

Making Rural and Regional Road Safety Everyone’s Business Australians are being urged to put safety first on regional and rural roads as Rural Road Safety Month gets underway. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said “ ... read more

STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS LIFT FOR BARRABA! Tamworth, Gwydir, Armidale and others out of lockdown, but not Narrabri! Parts of regional NSW currently deemed low risk and which have seen zero COVID cases for at least 14 days will emerge from lockdown at 12:01am Saturday 11 September, but will continue to ... read more

Applications for the Heritage Assistance Fund have been extended to Thursday 16 September. Each year, Council provides partial funding to renovations or restoration works across the region. Steps to apply for the Heritage Assistance Fund Background research to support works. Determine work to ... read more

Joey’s News  As lockdown is continued at Joey's we are concentrating on taking care of each other's well-being over the next few weeks. Home-learning can be a wonderful experience, but it can also be very challenging. Sometimes if things aren’t going well then it’s ... read more

PERMANENT WATER RESTRICTIONS IN BARRABA Just a friendly reminder that under Permanent Water Conservation Measures (which all town water supplies in the Tamworth Regional Council area are on at the moment), you should only be using a sprinkler, spray, microspray, or fixed hose between 4pm and 9am. ... read more

Empowering Rural Women Northern Slopes Landcare Association have received funding from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal with their successful Tackling Tough Times Together, $16975 grant application for The Rural Women’s Catch-Up. “This could not be possible without fundi ... read more

Property Manager - Manilla At Hart Rural Agencies you can explore the many roles and activities of an industry leader in Australian agribusiness. We have a vacancy for the role of Property Manager at our Manilla branch. The successful candidate will be in charge of a portfolio of 80 - 100 re ... read more

History Notes Well the lockdown drags on and we get inquiries about the Markets, Meeting, etc. and there are no answers!  This week I have had an enquiry re the Bowling Club which I will need help with from an older member of the club – one who remembers the first rebuilding of the club ... read more

Here is an overview of outcomes from the Ordinary Meeting of Tamworth Regional Council on Tuesday 24th August 2021:                 Tamworth Regional Councillors tonight decided to delay making a decision about funding a stu ... read more

THE NATIONALS CREATE HISTORY WITH AGRICULTURE VISA  The Nationals have delivered a vital agriculture visa to help secure the future of rural and regional Australia. The Agricultural Worker Visa will provide a long-term, reliable workforce for our critical industries while solving one of regio ... read more

COVID-19 SEWERAGE DETECTION IN TAMWORTH Due to a detection of COVID-19 in the Tamworth sewerage network, we are encouraging anyone in Tamworth to come forward and get tested at one of the following COVID-19 testing clinics even if you do not have symptoms: Tamworth Minor League Park - Plain Street ... read more

Hospital Happenings Barraba Multi-Purpose Services Emergency Department open 24 Hours, 7 Days per week Disabled access to Hospital via driveway (Front Entrance) and Community Health. Community Health Child and Family Health – Tuesdays 9am till 4.30pm – Appointment Only Dressing Cli ... read more

Premier's Debating Challenge This year we had two teams of brave and talented debaters participating in the Premier's Debating Challenge. The competition involves four rounds of debates against other local schools. For most students this was their first year being involved in debating an ... read more

BARRABA MEDICAL CENTRE We would like to remind the community if you are experiencing ANY cold or flu-like symptoms, respiratory illness, fever, ear, nose, throat or chest symptoms, please inform medical staff BEFORE presenting to the Medical Centre or the Emergency Dept at Barraba Hospital. Thank y ... read more

Extended to 28th August 2021 Stay safe folks! STAY AT HOME RULES The Stay at Home Rules as we published last week remain in place until at least 28 August. Visiting other homes is not permitted. The exercise rules and face mask rules have been tightened; you MUST wear a face mask whenever you le ... read more

Do you know someone who struggles to use the QR Code check-in with a smartphone? Service NSW is offering a personalised “check-in card” to anyone who needs one. The card operates in the same way as a Dine & Discover NSW voucher but is used to check in when entering a shop or busine ... read more

On the history side of things there has been one request for information which is unusual, especially when so many people are at home. The poetry section with Beryl’s poems reminds me of all the poets in the Barraba district over the years – there was even a special group of people writ ... read more

From “The Barraba Chronicle”, Thursday, August 20, 1942 These lines came with the footnote: “Written at the request of A.I.F. men who have been left, as the writer is, in the Middle East.” A Message to Australia To guard their country in her hour of need And see her throu ... read more

OTHER WORLDS As I gaze into the night At the stars above all shining bright The planets whirling round in space In their allotted time and place I contemplate the beauty of The sparkling lights in the sky above Space and matter far away In their given place they stay Eternity is in our sigh ... read more

Winter Woes “My throat is sore, comes the plaintive cry, She fills the kettle, and gives a sigh. “I don’t feel well, I’ve got a headache,” “Have we got any medicine I can take?” She takes him a cup of coffee in bed, Puts her cooling hand on his fevered ... read more

Essential Energy working to strict Covid-19 protocols to ensure network reliability As stay-at-home orders impact the entire NSW footprint of the electricity distributor, Essential Energy is confirming that as an essential service, all employees are authorised workers and are abiding by comprehensi ... read more

‘Beyond the Walls’ in Barraba Barraba Public Art committee are pleased to announce that the latest public art project in Barraba is now complete. Beyond the Walls, by internationally acclaimed artist Jenny McCracken, is an explosion of colour and nature, featuring local landmark Horton ... read more

Regional NSW Covid-19 lockdown extended to 28th August and masks are mandatory outside unless exercising. ... read more

As a condition of funding received from the Foundation For Rural and Regional Renewal the college is now able to home deliver the Barraba Community News to rural roadside mail boxes in the Barraba region for one year. This week the post will send out the newsletter to Barraba rural mail boxes as una ... read more

Public toilet upgrade at Barraba’s Rotary Park delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions The planned refurbishment of the public amenities at Rotary Park Barraba, originally scheduled for September 2021, has been delayed due to current NSW Public Health Orders. The contractors employed to carry ou ... read more

UPPER HORTON, NORTH STAR, COOLATAI AND BOOMI SHARE DROUGHT RELIEF FUNDING The Australian Government is continuing to back drought-affected communities, with projects across the nation to receive a share of more than $1 million under the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal’s award-winn ... read more

Hi, I am Tanya and I am the Community College Coordinator for Barraba. Community College is closed for this week and hopefully we will come out of lockdown next week.  We will be back to normal face to face classes at the end of lockdown so please stay home, stay safe and we will get through t ... read more

Let's have some fun with poetry from our local Poets Poem Beryl Henshaw RAIN I wake to hear the drumming rain As it falls down from the sky And nourishes the earth below That once was brown and dry   The gutters soon are flowing They make a gurgling sound And puddles soon are for ... read more

The Weather Forecaster Terry Threlfall 2015   The common theme for any group, In the pub, on the bus, on the train, On farm, in city, or the bush, "Tell me: is it going to rain?"   Many years ago I worked it out, As I travelled to different parts. I had studied meteorolog ... read more

From Barnaby Joyce COVID-19 Disaster Payments available for Tamworth and Armidale lockdowns The Liberal and Nationals Government has confirmed eligible workers in Commonwealth-declared pandemic hotspots of Tamworth and Armidale in New South Wales can apply for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment. Deput ... read more

Salvation Army Family Store It is with a thankful, sad heart I write for the last time as the Manager of the Salvation Army Family store. I wish to thank the team of volunteers who have worked so very hard in the last ten days we were open to clear out all we had for our customers to browse and bu ... read more

Barraba Potters and Craft Guild have been nominated for the Tamworth Business Awards in the Outstanding Community Organisation category. “Thank you to the mystery person who sent in the nomination” said Karin Thurston, President of the Guild. “It was a very pleasant surprise to be ... read more

Barraba Hospital Auxiliary News The Auxiliary held the AGM last Friday and after much discussion, it was decided to continue in a recess mode for the next year.  Due to Covid restrictions, the Auxiliary is very limited in fund raising activities.  However, with the funds currently availab ... read more

At Hart Rural we are celebrating Tracy Kelly, who has been employed with us at our head office in Barraba for 25 years! What a fantastic milestone to reach – we thank Tracy for all her hard work and loyalty over the years, it definitely hasn’t gone unnoticed. She has been with us from ... read more

History Notes It seems that the C.W.A history and recipes went down a treat!  It is nice to know that people have treasured the old recipe books even if they do not always use them these days. There has been some discussion about the markets on Saturday.  At this stage they are on at the ... read more

LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND COUNCILS INVITED TO TAKE PART IN 2022 SENIORS FESTIVAL Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has encouraged local organisations and councils to apply for grant funding for activities for local seniors during the 2022 NSW Seniors Festival. Mr Anderson said the $200,000 NSW Seni ... read more

The back page photo last week started a search of both recipe books and history folders.  No I have not heard of anyone visiting the C.W.A. home in Glen Innes – it may have been more for those down on the coast.  However, I knew we did have a branch of the C.W.A. in Barraba. The Bar ... read more

COLLEGE CHAT Hi, I am Tanya and I am the Community College Coordinator for Barraba. Classes have started at the College for Term 3 with our Technology Skills Centre courses.  The Get Digital class was well attended with 10 new enrolments.  This class is aimed at helping with every aspec ... read more

Joey's News The Joey's annual Athletics Carnival was a great success even though it had to be a bit different this year. The Carnival couldn't be attended by parents this year, who normally provide great moral and practical support. There was perfect winter weather for the day which ... read more

Miss Marshall's year 5/6 class are busy preparing for their performances of the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical at the end of next term. Following auditions students have been cast in their parts. They are currently rehearsing the play with scripts. Next term students will start their ... read more

Come and learn about how your local show is organised and how yow may be able to help. We need lots of people to contribute in lots of ways if the show is to keep going! 6pm Tuesday 13th July Barraba Bowling Club Limits on numbers and other restrictions may be imposed at short notice in accordance ... read more

We will still have our Warm and = Woolly display on our walls for everyone to come and enjoy commencing tomorrow the 1st July. However, like everyone in NSW, we must comply with the new COVID restrictions so our soup lunches and Devonshire teas will NOT be available. Like all venues and shops we w ... read more

Due to the extension of COVID-19 restrictions across NSW, two shows scheduled for Tamworth’s Capitol Theatre this weekend and next Thursday 1 July, have been postponed. Performance of The Studio’s A Whole New World will now go ahead on 14 and 15 August, 2021. The other impacted Capitol ... read more

Last Thursday night, the Barraba Lions Club held their annual changeover when the club executives for the previous year are replaced by the incoming executives for the next year. Because of Covid restrictions last year, this could not be held in 2020, so those in office continued their positions for ... read more

Due to high traffic volumes Council has made some changes to the entrance and exit points of the drive through COVID testing centre at the Riverside sporting fields. Drivers will now be required to enter Carter Street off Bridge Street only. Plain Street will be used as an exit only. The Carter Stre ... read more

Are you enjoying our frosty mornings? There is a suggestion that our weekly service should move to 10am for winter. If you have a firm opinion one way or the other, please speak to Daniel. On Saturday, 3rd July there will be a working bee: roll along any time after 8am. There will be a service at ... read more

Church Service Times Barraba Anglican Parish 9am Sunday - St Laurence's Barraba 11:30am 2nd Sunday - St John's Woods Reef 11:30am 4th Sunday - St Mark's Bereen Catholic Church Barraba - 1st & 5th Sunday 5pm. 2nd, 3rd & 4th Sunday 9am Upper Horton - 3rd Sunday 11am ... read more

This has been a quiet week for history with few queries but next week is leading up to the July Markets and sure to be busier. The Society will be represented at the Collections seminar in Tamworth next week and there are sure to bea few fresh ideas. As promised last week we continue with the Cobbad ... read more

Last Saturday was a fine winter’s day in Bingara. The crowds who came in great numbers for the annual orange picking festival had a great time. The main street was closed off for two blocks; it was lined with dozens of stalls selling all sorts of items and tasty food (as well as freshly squeez ... read more

WHAT: An orphan, Oliver Twist, is one of many young kids in the Parish Workhouse. There, the Beadle, Mr Bumbleand the Matron, Widow Corney, deal out a strict discipline, and a repetitive meal of gruel. Oliver is selected by hismates to ask for ‘MORE’. Mr Bumble decides to evict Oliver fr ... read more