Local News

Youth Booth Named Awards Finalist

Youth Booth Named Awards Finalist

The Youth Booth has been named a finalist in the 2025 Local Government Week Awards for delivering one of New South Wales’ most outstanding Youth Week programs. The nomination places Glen Innes Severn Council in the spotlight for its efforts to support and engage young people across the region. The finalist recognition comes after the success of Youth Week 2025, which featured a diverse range of events tailored for young people living in Glen Innes Severn. Activities included a gaming night, movie night, inflatable fun day and a guided cultural walk at The Willows — all planned and delivered with…
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Trivia Night to Raise Funds for Year 12 Formal and Beyond Blue

Trivia Night to Raise Funds for Year 12 Formal and Beyond Blue

Glen Innes Services Club will play host to a fun-filled evening of trivia on Saturday 2 August, with a special event planned to raise funds for the Year 12 2025 Formal. The event, which kicks off at 6pm, will also support mental health organisation Beyond Blue. Community members are invited to form tables of eight for the trivia night, which will also feature an auction, raffle, and a whole lot of fun. Entry is $15 per person, and bookings can be made at the Services Club reception. Food platters are available to pre-order through the reception, with two options: a…
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Decades of Dedication Honoured at Glen Innes Hospital

Decades of Dedication Honoured at Glen Innes Hospital

Mahatma Gandhi once said: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service to others.” Earlier this month Glen Innes District Hospital highlighted the extent of service and depth of experience of its team members at a Years of Service celebratory lunch. The event acknowledged team members in nursing, allied health, maintenance and administration who had served with NSW Health for a decade or longer. 32 awardees were honoured, for delivering an amazing combined 640 + years of service. As Health Service Manager Emma Clifton-Smith commented about the celebration: “It offered the perfect opportunity to recommit our…
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Obituary – Roy Colin Wells

Obituary – Roy Colin Wells

Roy Colin Wells was born at ‘Eastlund’, a property on the junction of Arrawarra Creek and the Severn River, on March 24 1923. Following his birth Roy was transported to the Vegetable Creek Hospital, Emmaville. Roy passed away peacefully at that hospital on Thursday 3 July at the age of 102. A grand innings, and a fitting closure to a circle of life well-lived. To live to such an age is a wonderful achievement in itself, but to live your life as Roy did –that is truly exceptional. Roy lived his long life with a generosity of spirit, a gentle…
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Meals on Wheels Volunteers Replaced

Meals on Wheels Volunteers Replaced

After around 40 years of community volunteer involvement, volunteers are no longer being used in the Glen Innes Meals on Wheels service. As of 1 July 2025, the delivery of meals is being carried out entirely by paid staff from Life Choices Support Services (LC-SS), a division of Glen Innes Severn Council, using its existing workforce. Council has pointed to changes in aged care legislation as the main reason for the transition, stating that a professional delivery model ensures compliance with increasingly stringent requirements for training, documentation, accountability, and oversight. “The meal delivery service will transition to a professional service…
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Australian Standing Stones Now on the Map

Australian Standing Stones Now on the Map

The Australian Standing Stones in Glen Innes have received formal recognition from the NSW Government, with the site now officially named and gazetted by the Geographical Names Board of NSW. The decision marks a significant milestone in acknowledging the cultural and historical importance of the monument. The official name now appears in the NSW Government Gazette, meaning the site is formally included in state records and mapping systems. This change supports the landmark’s ongoing preservation and raises its profile in regional planning and tourism materials. Located in Centennial Parklands, the Standing Stones are widely recognised as a nationally significant cultural…
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Book Review: Diving Into Deep Water

Book Review: Diving Into Deep Water

Squirrelled away in everyday corners of Australia, people pen stories to intrigue, to uplift or to edify. It’s no different in the New England area of New South Wales. Once a month, the High Country Writers, a group of avid authors come together in Deepwater to inspire and encourage each other’s writing efforts. High Country Writers have taken the plunge from writing to producing a printed result by publishing a book of eclectic micro-stories. Their recent collective work, Diving Into Deep Water, has been published by High Country Books and will be officially launched on July 19th at the Makers…
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Councils Diverting Almost $500 Per Ratepayer to Cover State Costs

Councils Diverting Almost $500 Per Ratepayer to Cover State Costs

A new report commissioned by Local Government NSW (LGNSW) has revealed that councils across New South Wales are now shouldering an annual cost shifting burden of $1.5 billion—an increase of $140 million since the 2021/22 financial year. Prepared by independent consultants Morrison Low, Cost Shifting 2025: How State Costs Eat Council Rates outlines how State and Federal governments are increasingly transferring responsibilities to councils without providing adequate funding. Over the past decade, the cumulative cost of this shift has reached $11.3 billion. LGNSW President Mayor Cr Phyllis Miller OAM said the situation was becoming unsustainable. “Councils are at breaking point.…
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Ready to Get Stronger? Here’s How to Start Resistance Training Safely

Ready to Get Stronger? Here’s How to Start Resistance Training Safely

Small steps and simple movements can make a big difference to your health and confidence Committing to regular exercise is one of the most effective ways to improve your health and wellbeing—but knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to strength training. Resistance training, also known as strength training, uses bodyweight, bands, or weights to build muscle strength, endurance, and bone health. While it may sound intimidating at first, it’s one of the most beneficial and accessible forms of exercise—especially for older adults or those managing chronic conditions. So, where do you start? For beginners, the…
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Speed Limit to Change on Severn River Road, Dundee

Speed Limit to Change on Severn River Road, Dundee

Motorists are advised of an upcoming speed limit reduction on Severn River Road, Dundee, set to take effect within the next two weeks. The change will see the current 100 km/h speed limit reduced to 80 km/h along the stretch between the New England Highway and Rangers Valley Road. The change will not be enforced until new signage is in place. Drivers are reminded to always follow the speed displayed on road signs, as these reflect the legal limit at all times. The adjustment comes in response to concerns raised by the local community, with safety and road conditions being…
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