TWO Northern Tablelands residents received the honour of a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), while one received a Public Service Medal (PSM) when the King’s Birthday Honours were announced on Monday.
Cyril ‘Jimmy’ Tanner received an OAM for service to rugby league in Armidale. Jimmy has fulfilled numerous roles in the sport at the Armidale Rams over many decades including player, coach, groundsmen, barbecue chef and fundraiser.
Glen Innes’ Jan Lemon received an OAM for her dedication to the local community. Jan has served, and continues, on the Glen Innes and District Australia Day committee in numerous positions, is a long-term committee member of the Lioness Club of Glen Innes, radio presenter at 2CBD and STA FM, a life member, president, treasurer, referee, canteen manager, and committee member of Glen Innes Basketball Association, and a volunteer at Glen Innes Show.
Bingara’s Max Eastcott received a Public Service Medal for his outstanding public service to local government and the Gwydir Shire. He has worked for more than 50 years at local government throughout NSW including Sydney, Byron Bay before landing at Gwydir Shire Council in 2001. Max goes above and beyond for local government.
I would like to congratulate these recipients on being recognised for their dedication to their communities and their professions.
Support Walcha businesses
The Oxley Highway is scheduled to have one lane opened for traffic this weekend. Please be patient and take care.
Walcha’s small businesses are struggling with a lack of tourists due to closures to both the Oxley Highway and Thunderbolts Way. I have written to both the NSW Minister for Small Business and Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin and the Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain, asking for support.
I also encourage the Northern Tablelands community to get down to Walcha and spend some money in the town to help them out. A little bit goes a long way.
Funding for level crossings
More than $211,000 has been secured for Armidale Regional Council and Uralla Shire Council from the NSW Government’s Level Crossing Improvement Program – Regional Council Minor Works.
Armidale Regional Council will be able to improve the level crossing road approach at Old Gostwyck Road, as well as widen and upgrade the road while Uralla Shire Council will improve level crossings and carry out resurfacing and line marking at Eastern Avenue and Eastern Avenue South, Wollun Road, Gostwyck Road and Thunderbolts Way.
This funding will benefit local communities and visitors passing through the Armidale and Uralla regions.
Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Felicity Wilson, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris and Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan attended the Myall Creek Massacre Memorial on Sunday.
Moree Hospital redevelopment begins
Construction has started on the $105 million Moree Hospital Redevelopment. It is scheduled to be completed in 2027. Hospital services will continue during construction, but some access points will be altered.
Vehicle access for the hospital is provided via a two-way driveway from Victoria Terrace.
Access for community health and mental health is via Alice Street. Signage is in place to assist with the modified traffic and pedestrian movements.
Flood recovery assistance
Grants are available to eligible primary producers, rural landholders and small businesses directly affected by the east coast floods for clean-up, repairs and recovery work.
Visit Flood Recovery Updates for more information.
Fishing program for NSW schools
The Get Hooked . . . Fish for Life school fishing education program has been expanded to include New South Wales high schools.
The program is a teaching resource for New South Wales high schools that inspires students to adopt sustainable fishing practices and appreciate marine conservation. It includes curriculum-aligned units: Fishing in NSW; Understanding Fish Habitat; Conserving Fish Habitat with lesson plans, activities and assessments tailored to Year 7 to 10 students.
It also educates students on sustainable fishing practices, including habitat conservation and biosecurity, to protect the environment for the future.
For more information visit High Schools Get Hooked on Fishing.
Funding
Applications for the Multicultural NSW Stronger Together Festival and Event Grants Program are open. The program provides funding of between $5000 and $20,000 for multicultural and multifaith community groups to deliver festivals and events that celebrate cultural diversity.
The grants are for festivals and events held between September 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026.
For details and how to apply visit Stronger Together Events Festivals.
Service NSW mobile centres
Service NSW is bringing their mobile service centre to Toomelah, Boggabilla, Mungindi, Yetman and Deepwater.
The mobile service centre can help with driver knowledge tests, drivers licence applications and renewals, working with children check, birth, death and marriage certificates, and more.
The mobile service centre will be at the Medical Centre Toomelah on Tuesday, June 17 from 9am to 11am.
The mobile service centre will be at Boggabilla Community Health Centre 74 Merriwa Street on Tuesday, June 17 from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.
The mobile service centre will be at Barwon River Park, 155 St George Street Mungindi on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 from 10am to 3pm.
The mobile service centre will be at Yetman Store car park 1 River Street on Tuesday, July 15 from 10am to 3pm.
The mobile service centre will be at Apex Park, 30 Young Street, Deepwater Thursday, July 17 from 9am – 11.30am.
Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands
