Canteen facilities for Gunnedah’s Junior Rugby League are about to receive an upgrade with a $1,208 Local Sport Grant. The upgrade of storage cabinets and patching some holes in the roof of the Longmuir Playing Fields canteen will make life much better for the volunteers who run it during the footy season.

The show is certain to go on with $327,705 to four local showgrounds to upgrade and improve the safety, use and condition of their buildings and support jobs in the local economy. This is great news for these towns. It has been a difficult time in our region with the impact of the drought, the bush fires and of course the COVID-19 pandemic.

Female toilet facilities at the Gunnedah Pistol Club are in for a long overdue makeover with a $4,100 Local Sports Grant. This is great news for the Club as the facilities are pretty much unchanged since the Club was established about 50 years ago.

A perfect pick-me-up for COVID-19 blues presents on Monday, 1 June with beauty and nail salon operators allowed to begin treatments under strict COVID-safe guidelines. This is great news for these small businesses who have been doing it tough since the social-distancing restrictions were introduced a couple of months ago. But we should always be aware, the key to the relaxing of this restriction is introducing practices to protect the safety of both customers and beauticians.

Domestic violence victim-survivors in the region will receive vital help available during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a share of more than $21 million invested to boost frontline services and other supports. This package will be a great boost to locals impacted by domestic violence or provide help to protect women and children and ultimately to save lives

Nominations are officially open for the 2020 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll. The Hidden Treasures roll shines a spotlight on the contribution of women in this region who willingly lend their time and skills to make the community a better place. Female volunteers from Barraba to Bendemeer, Werris Creek to Walcha and Manilla to Nundle keep local organisations running, lend a helping hand where it is needed, fight bushfires and so much more.

Preliminary works for the $480 million Dungowan Dam project are expected to begin in October after the signing of agreements today with partner company WaterSecure to oversee the project. Water is one of the most important issues affecting Tamworth’s residents and this is why I have fought tooth and nail to fast track this project.

The forestry and timber industry in the Walcha area will benefit from the planting of 500,000 softwood seedlings after the summer’s disastrous bushfires. The rejuvenation of burnt-out forests over the next 12 months will grow into timber for house frames, floorboards, decks, fences, bridges, power poles and other essential renewable timber products.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has congratulated semi-retired Tamworth farmer, Keith Harris, who has been elected to his second term on the board of the North West Region of the Local Land Services. Mr Anderson said while the impact of the drought was no longer visible, the long-reaching effects of an unprecedented drought were still in play.

The appointment of two full-time Patient Experience Officers at Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital will create a welcoming and safe environment for everyone who arrives at the emergency department.

A $640,000 funding injection will allow Tamworth, Gunnedah, Liverpool Plains and Walcha Councils to redirect funds to critical core services and deliver financial support for the local community.

Walcha locals are set to benefit from $50,827 invested in safety upgrades for the town’s important and historic showground complex.

Intra-state travel restrictions are to be lifted from Monday 1 June, 2020, creating opportunities for locals involved with tourism, accommodation, dining and other businesses in towns like Walcha and right across the region as COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease.

Gunnedah and District Pony Club will get the jump on relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions with a Local Sport Grant of $5,000 to upgrade existing and to buy new equipment.

Students from Tamworth to Gunnedah, Barraba to Bendemeer, Manilla to Nundle and Werris Creek to Walcha will be back in the classroom full-time from next Monday, 25 May. The health advice is very clear; a return to full-time face to face teaching is safe.

We’ve seen some incredible challenges our region with the unprecedented drought, the bushfires and now the COVID-19 pandemic. Nominations are now open for the 2020 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards. This is a chance to recommend selfless locals that have stood tall during these difficult times. To each and everyone, we thank you for your service.

The new Gunnedah rail overpass is one step closer to reality, as the NSW Government continues to deliver vital infrastructure projects to regional economies.

Walcha Council’s efforts in hosting a motorcycle rally for the town last year have been recognised with a funding announcement of $95,000 to plan and organise a long term future for the event.

Water security in Tamworth has been increased thanks to funding announced by the NSW Nationals and State government to fast track critical water infrastructure projects in NSW.

The NSW property market will roll out the welcome mat this weekend with agents and vendors able to hold traditional property inspections and on-site auctions after a six-week limited shutdown due to COVID-19.