Glen Innes Severn Council has launched a new monthly initiative giving residents the chance to speak directly with Councillors and Council staff in a relaxed setting about issues affecting themselves and the wider community. The emphasis is intentionally informal, with the sessions—called Conversations with Councillors—held at the Highlands Hub once a month on a Thursday from 4pm to 6pm. Councillors attend when available, and at the third and most recent Conversation those present included Mayor Margot Davis, Deputy Mayor Carol Sparks, and Councillor Anne Vosper, with General Manager Bernard Smith also on hand to respond to questions and suggestions. Attendance…
Christmas in the Highlands – Illuminations will take place in Glen Innes this Saturday, 29 November, transforming the town centre into a light-filled precinct for all ages. Proudly funded by the NSW Government’s Open Streets Program in association with Glen Innes Severn Council, the event will feature lighting installations and projections, interactive and creative experiences, twilight markets, food trucks, live entertainment, reindeer in the park, and the lighting of the town Christmas tree across two themed zones - North Pole and South Pole precincts. Christmas in the Highlands - Illuminations is community-driven, with local makers, musicians, performers, businesses, volunteers, and…
Nominations are currently open for 2026 Australia Day awards. Forms are available from the Council office and online at www.gisc.gov.au grab a copy and nominate a special person, group, or event that has contributed an outstanding voluntary service to our community. On 26th January this year, we honoured 2025 Emergency Services Volunteer of the Year Lachlan Johnstone who has served in uniform for nearly 36 years, either in the uniform of the Australian Defence Force or the Rural Fire Service. “I was exceptionally honoured and humbled to receive the award, considering the many tireless volunteers who work to provide…
Karinya, Glen Innes, is a home-grown housing model which has housed 144 people in its 50 years of operation. This anniversary was celebrated by residents and the community recently in the garden at Karinya. “The thing that I would like to get across about Karinya” says John Lee, President of the Glen Innes Karinya Association Inc., “is that it is run entirely by volunteers, it is owned by the Glen Innes community and we are so grateful for the continuing community support over the past 50 years.” Karinya provides individual self-care homes for people aged 65 or over who are…
Move over Sydney Morning Herald. Step aside Guardian Australia. Make room—wide berth, please—for the new titan of Australian journalism: Glen Innes News. Yes, our humble, home-grown, community-powered newspaper has once again punched well above its weight, landing squarely on page 2 of the SMH on Monday, 17 November. All thanks to an article penned by retired local solicitor and part-time national influencer, Bill. Page two, folks. Not buried among the classifieds. Not squeezed between ads for discount mattresses or suspiciously cheap solar deals. Page two—prime real estate usually reserved for Very Serious People doing Very Serious Things. And there, glowing…
Three Dedicated Volunteers Awarded Life Memberships at 2CBD-FM Community spirit was front and centre on Monday night as Deepwater & Districts Community FM Radio Inc. (2CBD) bestowed Life Membership on three long-serving contributors whose efforts have shaped the station across two decades. The awards, presented at the Association’s annual meeting, recognised the exceptional service and commitment of Wayne Jones, Andrew Parsons, and Barry Luxford—each of whom has played a pivotal role in building and strengthening the region’s volunteer-run community radio station. President Laurie Newsome made the presentations. Wayne Jones A former President of the Association (2006–2009) and long-time breakfast presenter,…
Paul Jopson loves his work. He keeps an immaculate green at the Glen Innes Bowling Club (Bowlo) and he enjoys introducing novices to the delights of bowling. But another of his superpowers is his own bowling ability. Paul was one of the New South Wales team at the recent National Senior’s Championship held at the Devonport Country Club from the 14th – 18th of November organised by Bowls Australia. The team consisted of twelve players, three rinks of four. New South Wales won the championship; the first time since 2019. They defeated Victoria in a hard fought and very close…
SPEND IN GLEN RETURNS WITH CHRISTMAS CHEER AND THE BELOVED BARREL A favourite Glen Innes Christmas tradition is back for 2025, with Spend in Glen once again encouraging everyone to shop locally, support small businesses, and enjoy the festive spirit that makes our community so special. Organised this year by an enthusiastic group of local businesses and proudly supported by Council, Spend in Glen will run from 20 November to 24 December. Simply spending $20 or more at a participating Glen Innes business gives shoppers the chance to win a share of $10,000 in Shop Local Gift Cards. And yes…
With talk of establishing a local School of Arts & Music it is a good opportunity to recall that Schools of Arts once flourished in Glen Innes and surrounding villages. However, these historic institutions were very different from the current proposal. Our Schools of Arts, a name interchangeable with Mechanics Institutes, Literary Institutes and Miners Institutes all provided at least a library service in the very early days. School of Arts were established at Ben Lomond, Deepwater, Dundee, Furracabad, Glencoe, Red Range, Shannon Vale, Skeleton Creek, Stonehenge, Tent Hill and Waterloo, a Miners Institute at Emmaville and a Literary institute…
Over the October long weekend 75 family members of the late Arnie and Gwen Hartmann gathered in Glen for a weekend of sport, socialising, the odd drink and generally a wonderful time of reminiscing. Six of Arnie and Gwen's seven children attended. Dal, Ron, Barbara, Ross, Sue and Errol (Tom). Cedric, who lives in the USA could not attend. Along with a large number of their 41 grand children, great grand children and great great grand children there was plenty of catching up. Friday saw some playing pickle ball at the tennis club followed by a day at the race…
