General Newsletter - 21 May 2025

In this Issue

• Welcome from the Chair
• RDA-NI Chairman Reappointed
• Over 100 Essential Workers Welcomed
• Red Shield Appeal More Important Than Ever
• Major nbn Fibre Upgrade Coming to Narrabri
• Featured Grants and Funding Opportunities
• What's On in the Northern Inland

 

Welcome from the Chair

Dear Northern Inlanders,

I am genuinely humbled by the Australian Government's recent announcement that I will continue as Chair of RDA-NI. I am proud of the difference we have made over the last ten years since I commenced in this role in January 2015, and this reappointment bears witness to the success of RDA-NI in helping our region to prosper.

In the last ten years, we have delivered a range of hands-on, results-focused projects that directly benefit our region. We have helped to attract thousands of skilled workers through our Skilled Migration programs, provided life skills to school students at our Shearing and Welding Schools and shared the stories of our local businesses who survived the trials of the drought, bushfires and the Covid pandemic in succession in our Stories of Resilience project.

Through our consultancy, economic and data analysis services, Grant Writing Assistance and our free Online Grants Database and Newsletters, we have helped to support countless projects and directly aided in over $100 Million of successful grant applications for our region. These grants have helped many great projects to be conducted in our region, including, but not limited to, the Angry Bull Trails in Tenterfield, Copeton Dam Foreshores in Inverell, and the Armidale Regional Airport Industrial Precinct.

Today, we continue focusing on active, on-the-ground projects such as facilitating The Welcome Experience in Armidale, Tamworth and Uralla in partnership with the NSW Government. This brilliant initiative provides free, individualised support for essential workers to move to our region, settle in and stay for the long term. We are also continuing to expand our popular Come On Inland website, which provides a wealth of information for new and current residents in our region. Our two new staff members, Emma and Katrina, have hit the ground running, and in the last six months, they have supported over 100 new essential workers to make the move and enjoy the benefits of living in our region.

Reflecting on our achievements over the last ten years, the importance of working together is evident. Listening and tailoring our projects to the needs of our communities has been an essential part of all our projects. Yet, none of this would be possible without the invaluable insight of the tireless contribution of our committee members, who volunteer their time, and the dedication of our staff, many of whom have been working with RDA-NI for over ten years. I want to take this opportunity to thank the Committee members, both past and present, our staff, whom we couldn’t do any of this without, and the countless community members who have taken the time to support and contribute their knowledge. I look forward to continuing our work together over the next three years to help make our fantastic region even better.

Regards,

Russell Stewart
Chair

RDA-NI Chairman Reappointed

We are pleased to announce that the Hon. Krist McBain, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, has reappointed Russell Stewart of Narrabri as our Chairman. This three-year renewal to 2027, will continue Russell’s already long-term dedication as Chair for the last ten years, and reflects the positive outcomes being achieved by RDA-NI.

“I congratulate new and returning RDA Chairs, who will work closely with their community, local businesses and all levels of government to drive growth and development in their regions,” Minister McBain said. “With more than $117 million from the Australian Government set to flow across all of the RDA committees over the next five years, it is an exciting time for the new and returning chairs, as they’ll have the opportunity to work with their members to set the future agendas for their RDAs.”

Russell was honoured by the announcement and the reaffirmation of the outcomes being achieved. “Continuity has its own rewards. We have been fortunate to have a small team of staff who have stuck with us for the long haul. They have a lot of experience with our region of Northern Inland NSW and have won more than $100m for projects over the past ten years.” he said. “That the Government is maintaining the status quo is a pat on the back for our staff and Committee. They are saying keep up the good work and we will do just that!”

“I’m proud of the town and the region that I call home. We have strength in our diversity. Like anywhere, we have big challenges, but sustainable growth can only be achieved by being positive and working together on genuine solutions. That’s why we’re one of the best RDA regions in Australia; we kick goals and don’t get bogged down in negativity,” he said.

RDA-NI Executive Director, Nathan Axelsson, welcomed the news. “Russell is more than a solid Chairman. His connections in our region and beyond to decision-makers in government and business are extensive. He knows how to get things done and focuses on achieving direct outcomes through projects that are tailored to the needs of our communities.” he said. “Over the last ten years, Russell has contributed countless hours as our Committee leader, listening to community members and advocating for our region. Many of our communities have benefited from his tireless efforts, and this continuation of his term as Chair reflects that.”

Russell will continue to lead a regionally representative Committee comprised of Acting Deputy Chairman James Pryor from Armidale, Charlotte Hoddle from Gunnedah, Fiona Barden from Walcha, Les Knox from Narrabri and Neil Argent from UNE. Applications are currently open for Deputy Chair and three Committee Member positions, with applications closing on the 30th of June.

Over 100 Essential Workers Welcomed

Attracting essential workers is key to our region's future growth and prosperity by directly addressing the skill shortages, particularly in the health and education sectors. We are proud to take positive action towards this issue by providing The Welcome Experience in Armidale, Tamworth and Uralla in partnership with the Department of Regional NSW. This program provides free individual and tailored support to essential workers that are planning to or have recently relocated.

“The program has been an outstanding success. Our Local Connectors, Emma and Katrina have already welcomed over 100 new essential workers in just the past six months since we started providing the program here.” said RDA-NI Executive Director, Nathan Axelsson. “Moving to a regional area can be daunting, especially if you are moving from overseas or have only ever lived in the city. Having a friendly face that can help you get settled and answer all your questions can make a huge difference. Helping essential workers move to our region is a big step forward in addressing the large number of vacancies in our education and health sectors.”

“Emma and I have just attended the Royal Easter Show with other Local Connectors to promote The Welcome Experience and our region. The number of people keen to experience the slower-paced and friendly lifestyle our region offers was incredible.” said Katrina George, Local Connector for Armidale and Uralla. “Having someone there to help when you move to a new place, makes such a difference. I have met so many amazing people, and I really enjoy lending them a hand to get settled.”

“Katrina and I have been helping participants with a wide range of requests to suit their individual needs. Housing, partner employment and community connections have been the most common areas of support requested.” Said Emma Grant, Local Connector for Tamworth. “Being able to connect with people that have similar interests can really help someone feel at home in a new city. Not feeling alone and making new friends is so important when you move, but doing so can be overwhelming. If people can’t make those connections, they won’t stay. Local businesses and departments have been trying to support new workers on their own, and it is great to be able to work alongside them to retain the workers they need.”

The feedback from participants has highlighted the positive impact the program is having. “The Welcome Experience has been immensely helpful for me. It gave me relevant information that would otherwise take several months for me to know. The most valuable aspect of the The Welcome Experience is that it is living i.e. it does not provide a one-time information and leave you to find the rest yourself, instead we constantly receive new and upcoming events to keep us engaged with the communities.” said one participant. “The Welcome Experience helped to connect me with a local gym and assisted me in finding local activities to engage in on the weekend. It was also helpful to meet a friendly person with knowledge of the area as it made me feel welcomed and calm during a turbulent relocation.” said another.

The Welcome Experience is a free service for people who work in occupation areas identified by the NSW Government. If you are planning to relocate or have recently relocated to Armidale, Tamworth or Uralla, or know someone who has, details on the eligibility criteria and the support that can be provided are available on The Welcome Experience page of our website.

Red Shield Appeal More Important Than Ever

The recent Social Justice Stocktake conducted by The Salvation Army, has highlighted the negative impact that the cost-of-living increases is having on our communities.

Housing affordability and homelessness were identified as the top issue for the New England electorate and NSW, with 75.5% of New England respondents recognising it as an issue for the community, a significant increase from 2022 (44.1%) and higher than NSW (68.8%). While housing affordability and homelessness were ranked third in the Parkes electorate, it is still a significant issue, with 57.8% of respondents identifying it as an issue for the community. Not having a safe and secure home makes every other part of life more difficult, and it is foundational to addressing other social justice issues.

The responses in the Parkes electorate identified the ongoing difficulty in accessing and affording health care as the number one issue, with 66.7% identifying it as an issue for the community. In the Parkes electorate, 40.4% of people felt they had waited longer than acceptable for an appointment with a GP, mor than double the national average of 18.6%, and only a third of GP clinics in the electorate offer bulk-billing.

The rising cost of living is impacting everyone, and this is evident in the number of respondents identifying financial hardship and inclusion as an issue in Parkes (45.1%) and New England (47.1%), up substantially from the 2022 stocktake, where it was identified by 25.2% and 21.6%, respectively.

From April to June this year, The Salvation Army is conducting the Red Shield Appeal, including a national doorknock this weekend on the 24th and 25th of May. The funds raised will help The Salvation Army to deliver community programs and social services to help those in need, including emergency relief and programs to create long-term change.

Donations can be made directly to communities through the Digital Door Knock:

• Armidale
• Inverell
• Gunnedah
• Moree
• Narrabri
• Tamworth
• Tenterfield
• Or search for your community

Additional information about the 2025 Social Justice Stocktake and the Red Shield Appeal can be found on The Salvation Army’s website. Further information on the statistics for the New England or Parkes electorates, NSW and Australia are also available on their website.

Major nbn Fibre Upgrade Coming to Narrabri

Over 2400 homes and businesses in Narrabri will soon be able to upgrade to full fibre under via nbn Fibre to the Premises. nbn’s delivery partner, Downer, will soon be in the area undertaking works as part of nbn’s national fibre upgrade program, including parts of Narrabri that are currently on fibre to the node technology. The work will start in the coming weeks and continue throughout the remainder of the year.

Upgrading to full fibre via nbn FTTP can enable access to a faster and more reliable nbn broadband service, delivering a range of benefits including smoother, higher-resolution video calls, enhanced streaming, faster downloads, and the ability to connect more devices simultaneously. With the recent announcement of speed boosts for higher tier plans and the introduction of multi-gigabit speeds from September 2025, there’s never been a better time to consider upgrading to nbn fibre.

Head of nbn Local NSW Tom O’Dea said the upgrades deliver a better, and more reliable internet experience for homes and businesses. “Households are consuming more data than ever to the things they love like streaming 4K on multiple devices, online education, next level gaming, conference calls, and uploading and downloading large files for work,” he said. “Fibre upgrades are just one way we are bringing better broadband to our major regional centres. Places like Narrabri are no longer just areas people stop in while commuting, or for holidays. Faster, more reliable internet is enabling people to live and work remotely in places they otherwise wouldn’t be able to. With the nbn network carrying 87 per cent of our country’s download data – and Australians consuming more of it than ever – the availability of full fibre for more homes across Australia has never been more important.”

Selected premises with fibre to the curb technology will also be able to upgrade to full fibre if they order an eligible plan. Homes and businesses in the area are encouraged to check their address at the nbn website to see what service is available to them on the nbn website.

Featured Grants and Funding Opportunities

Below are some featured grants and funding opportunities from the multitude of open grants listed in the Grants and Funding Opportunities area of our website. Our website is updated weekly with new listings and updates and all are applicable to our region, so it is a great resource if you are looking for funding for a specific project.

You can also sign up to our Business and Infrastructure Funding Opportunities and the Community Grants and Award Programs newsletters through the simple form located on the left-hand side of our website: www.rdani.org.au, to receive monthly summaries of currently open grants.

 

Thrive Community Grants - 2025
Closes: 30th of May 2025
Value: Up to $50,000
Run By: St George Foundation

Each year, Thrive Community Grants provide smaller, local charities with one-off grants of up to $50,000 to assist children and young people to connect with friends, family and the community, participate in activities that build resilience, develop new skills, enrich lives, and create a sense of belonging. Their support is focussed on children and young people experiencing discrimination and disadvantage.

They invest in charities that support the direct involvement of children and young people to:

• Foster individual learning and interests through education, training or skills development
• Develop independence, engage in society and join the workforce
• Create connections and build relationships with others
• Feel they belong to a wider community, social or cultural group
• Build resilience, self-awareness and confidence
• Have the practical things they need to participate and develop as active members of the community
• Have a positive sense of identity and culture
• Have a say about things that matter to them

 

Mental Health Month Grants - 2025
Closes: 6th of June 2025
Value: $500 to $1,000
Run By: WayAhead

A Mental Health Month project or event is a great way to encourage awareness of mental health, and social and emotional wellbeing in your community. It can decrease stigma, and empower people to seek help, for themselves or others.

Each year, Wayahead extends over 30 small grants of either $500 or $1000 to community groups and organisations across NSW, facilitating the initiation of Mental Health Month projects or events.

Please be advised that grant applications must align their event dates with Mental Health Month (October), enhancing the significance and impact of the program.

Grant Categories:

• General Grant
• Youth Grant
• CALD Grant
• LGBTQIA+ Grant
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Grant

 

Community Energy Upgrades Fund Round 2
Closes: 13th of June 2025 - 5:00 pm
Value: $25,000 to $2.5 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

The Community Energy Upgrades Fund Round 2 will provide matched funding of up to $2.5 million of eligible expenditure for energy efficiency and electrification upgrades for local governments to deliver reduced energy bills and emissions from local government-owned and/or operated facilities. The program will also support the Commonwealth led National Energy Performance Strategy (NEPS).

The objectives of the program are to support:

• the Government’s broader efforts to reduce emissions and improve energy performance, and contribute to Australia meeting its emission reduction targets of 43 percent by 2030, Net-Zero emissions by 2050, and 82% renewable electricity generation by 2030
• local governments to decarbonise their operations and reduce energy bills through energy efficiency and load flexibility upgrades, and electrification of their existing facilities
• the improvement in energy performance necessary to more easily utilise renewable electricity and improve system reliability.

 

Strengthening Rural Communities - Small & Vital - Round 25
Closes: 24th of June 2025
Value: Up to $10,000
Run By: Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal

The Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Small & Vital stream gives small remote, rural and regional communities across Australia the opportunity to access funds for a broad range of initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities.

Grants up to $10,000 are available for a broad range of grassroots, community-led initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities that strengthen local people, places and climate solutions, with a preference for smaller communities (populations under 15,000).

FRRR’s Small & Vital program supports thriving, resilient, and sustainable remote, rural and regional communities across Australia. In particular, priority will be given to projects that:

• Support communities to implement generational transition;
• Invest in outback, remote, and less resourced communities;
• Build capacity and resourcing for a just and equitable energy transition;
• Support First Nations-led initiatives that strengthen culture, country, economic participation, and reconciliation.

 

What's On in the Northern Inland

Armidale Second Hand Book Fair
Saturday 17th of May to Saturday 24th of May 2025
Armidale

Social Group Arts and Craft
Wednesday 21st of May 2025 (Weekly on Wednesdays)
Tamworth

Currabubula Red Cross Art Show
Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th of May 2025
Currabubula 

New England Yard Dog Championships & Cattle Dog Trial
Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th of May 2025
Armidale

Glen Innes Cottage Markets
Saturday 24th of May 2025 (Every Saturday)
Glen Innes

Glen Innes Men's Shed Car Boot Sale and Markets
Saturday 24th of May 2025
Glen Innes

Guyra Farmers’ and Craft Market
Saturday 24th of May 2025
Guyra

Tamworth Community Saturday Markets
Saturday, 24 May 2025 (Every 2nd, 4th & 5th Saturday)
Tamworth

Calala Markets
Saturday, 24 May 2025 (4th Saturday of Month)
Calala

Inverell & District Lapidary Club Open Day
Sunday 25th of May 2025
Inverell

Markets in the Mall
Sunday 25th of May 2025 (Last Sunday of Month)
Armidale

Meaningful Connections – a healing day for mob and the community
Sunday 25th of May 2025
Tamworth

National Cutting Horse Association Futurity
Sunday 25th of May to Sunday 8th of June 2025
Tamworth

Wee Waa LALC Market
Sunday 25th of May 2025
Wee Waa

Drake Village Markets
Saturday 31st of May 2025 (Last Saturday of Month)
Drake

Woolomin Monthly Markets
Saturday 31st of May 2025 (Last Saturday of Month)
Woolomin

Narrabri Rotary Markets
Saturday 31st of May 2025
Narrabri

Moree Markets
Sunday 1st of June 2025 (1st Sunday of Month)
Moree

Sapphire City Markets
Sunday 1st of June 2025 (1st and 3rd Sunday of Month)
Inverell

Torrington Market Day
Sunday 1st of June 2025 (1st Sunday of Month)
Torrington

High Country Markets
Sunday 1st of June 2025 (1st Sunday of Month)
Uralla

Lake Keepit Open Day
Sunday 1st of June 2025
Keepit

Uralla Bike and Car Night
Friday 6th of June 2025 (Monthly)
Uralla

Tingha Community Markets
Saturday 7th of June 2025 (1st Saturday of Month)
Tingha

Tenterfield Railway Markets
Saturday 7th of June 2025
Tenterfield

Hillgrove Social Night
Saturday 7th of June 2025
Hillgrove

Craft Shed Markets
Saturday 7th of June 2025 (1st Saturday of Month)
Tamworth

Myall Creek Massacre Memorial – 25th Anniversary
Sunday 8th of June 2025
Myall Creek

Armidale Farmers’ Market
Sunday 8th of June 2025 (Monthly)
Armidale

Winter in Walcha
Sunday 8th of June 2025 (2nd Sunday of Month - June to August)
Walcha

Khanacross
Sunday 15th of June 2025
Armidale

Men's Circle
Sunday 15th of June 2025 (Monthly)
Tamworth

Tenterfield Farmers & Producers Market
Saturday 21st of June 2025 (3rd Saturday of Month)
Tenterfield

Winter Solstice at the Australian Standing Stones
Saturday 21st of June 2025
Glen Innes

Winter Solstice @ Uralla
Saturday 21st of June 2025
Uralla

Ranch Horse Assoc. of Australia NSW State Show
Friday 27th to Sunday 29th of June 2025
Armidale

Outdoor Living and Camping Expo
Friday 27th to Sunday 29th of June 2025
Tamworth

Glen Innes Men's Shed Car Boot Sale and Markets
Saturday 28th of June 2025
Glen Innes

Garah Country Music Muster
Saturday 5th to Sunday 6th of July 2025
Garah

Orange Festival
Saturday 5th of July 2025
Bingara

Pally Bush Markets
Sunday 20th of July 2025
Pallamallawa (Pally)

Drake Village Markets
Saturday 26th of July 2025
Drake