Month: August 2025

Glen Innes Locals Honoured in Aged Care Awards

Glen Innes Locals Honoured in Aged Care Awards

Two Glen Innes locals have been recognised among the best in their field, named as finalists in the Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution (RFBI) 2025 Showcase Awards. The announcement of finalists forms part of RFBI’s Aged Care Employee Day celebrations. This year, 21 individuals from across the organisation have been shortlisted for their outstanding service. Irene Gallagher, Hospitality Manager at RFBI Glen Innes Masonic Village, has been nominated in the Cook/Chef of the Year category. Her finalist status acknowledges her commitment to resident well-being through the delivery of high-quality meals and food services. Volunteer Kevin Jones has been named a finalist…
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Entries Open for Christmas in the Highlands Art Trail

Entries Open for Christmas in the Highlands Art Trail

Glen Innes Severn Council is inviting artists, schools, clubs and community groups to submit original banner artworks for display in the Glen Innes town centre during the Christmas in the Highlands – Illuminations event. Sixteen artworks will be selected for the 2025 Christmas Art Trail, which will decorate the main streets from Saturday 29 November 2025 through to 11 January 2026. This year’s theme is “What does Glen Innes at Christmas mean to you?” and participants are encouraged to explore ideas such as highland magic, cultural and festive traditions, Celtic roots, starry nights, or their own creative interpretations. “We’re looking…
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Glen Innes Welcomes Essential Workers

Glen Innes Welcomes Essential Workers

New residents were treated to a warm and lively introduction to Glen Innes at the recent Welcome to Glen Innes Pizza Night, held on Saturday 19 July at the Great Central Hotel. Organised by Local Connect as part of The Welcome Experience — a NSW Government–funded program aimed at supporting the settlement and retention of essential workers in regional communities — the evening brought together around 30 guests in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Led locally by Glen Innes Community Connector Pagan Kelly, the event provided an opportunity for essential workers who are new to the area to meet one…
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Wellbeing Week Wraps Up Term 2 at Red Range

Wellbeing Week Wraps Up Term 2 at Red Range

Red Range Public School wrapped up Term 2 on a high note with the celebration of its annual Wellbeing Week, a dedicated program aimed at nurturing students’ mental wellness, resilience, and personal development. Held during the final week of term 2, Wellbeing Week offered a vibrant and thoughtfully planned timetable of activities that encouraged students to embody the school’s learner qualities: being Mindful, Self-Motivated, Brave, and Gritty. Under the leadership of Relieving Principal Kelly Vimpany, the school community came together to prioritise student wellbeing through engaging and inclusive events, all of which were offered at no cost to families. This…
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Glen Innes Chapter of Silent Book Club Starts This Week

Glen Innes Chapter of Silent Book Club Starts This Week

If you’re a frustrated reader, the Silent Book Club might be for you. SBC is a global phenomenon with nearly 2,000 chapters in 55 countries.  Unlike conventional book clubs, where prescribed readings and discussion occurs, the silent book club encourages some socialising, followed by quiet time dedicated to reading whatever the reader chooses, finishing with talking about what has been read.  The main aim is for all attendees to incorporate some more reading time in their lives. The Glen Innes chapter of SBC is starting this coming week.  The plan is to meet on the first and third Thursday of…
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Free Training to Help Boost Local Business

Free Training to Help Boost Local Business

Retailers in the Glen Innes region are being encouraged to take part in a free training initiative designed to attract more customers and revitalise the local shopping experience. The Town Boosters program, funded by Glen Innes Severn Council, offers local businesses access to an online course that uses placemaking principles to help boost trade and foot traffic. The program is open to up to 100 local businesses, with the training valued at $199 being offered at no cost. The flexible online course includes four short modules, taking a total of just 33 minutes to complete. It covers proven strategies for…
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Glen Innes Covered in Snow as Highway Closes

Glen Innes Covered in Snow as Highway Closes

Glen Innes was blanketed in snow over the weekend with significant snowfall occurring in parts of the Northern Tablelands. According to the State Emergency Service, some areas in the region recorded up to 50 mm of snow. While Glen Innes is no stranger to winter chills and the occasional dusting of snow, accumulations of this scale are rare. The snow created picturesque scenes across town but also brought with it disruption to travel and local activities. The New England Highway was closed in both directions between Glen Innes and Armidale on Saturday afternoon due to dangerous driving conditions. Later in the…
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Glen Innes Karate Duo Excel at National Championships

Glen Innes Karate Duo Excel at National Championships

Mother and daughter martial artists Karen and Isobel King represented their local dojo, Jin Ryu Kan, at the National World Koshiki Karatedo Federation (WKKF) Karate Championships in Brisbane on 6 April, returning home with a string of strong results and national rankings. Isobel King competed in two kata divisions and two kumite (fighting) divisions. Kata, a set sequence of karate movements performed with precision, was her first event. Despite facing more highly ranked competitors, including both boys and girls, she delivered flawless performances and placed 4th and 5th in her divisions. In kumite, Isobel fought a total of three matches.…
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New England Highway Closed Between Glen Innes and Armidale

New England Highway Closed Between Glen Innes and Armidale

The New England Highway has been closed in both directions between Glen Innes and Armidale due to hazardous conditions caused by snow and ice. Transport for NSW has urged motorists to avoid the area altogether and to delay travel where possible. Authorities are also advising drivers to avoid unnecessary travel in the region more broadly. “If you must drive, be careful,” a Transport for NSW spokesperson said. The wintry conditions have created dangerous driving conditions on one of the region’s key transport routes. Motorists are encouraged to monitor traffic updates and weather warnings for the latest information before setting out.
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Glen Innes Helps in Mid North Coast Flood Recovery

Glen Innes Helps in Mid North Coast Flood Recovery

Glen Innes Severn Council has supported recovery efforts in the MidCoast Council area following the severe flooding event that struck the Mid North Coast in late May. The flood, classified as a 1-in-500-year event, caused widespread damage to infrastructure and local road networks across the region. In response, a coordinated inter-Council support initiative—led by Lake Macquarie City Council—was launched to assist with emergency recovery works. As part of the initiative, Glen Innes Severn Council was contracted to carry out urgent road repairs in the Gloucester area. Council deployed a jetpatcher truck, operated by staff member Stephen Crabbe, to assist with…
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