News Archives - Page 281 of 393

Coronavirus

‘Hearing loss hasn’t stopped me from doing the things I love’, Hallie tells Canberra showcase

Twelve-year-old Gunnedah student Hallie Childs has addressed a Canberra event about her personal journey with hearing loss. Hallie was among the guest speakers at the Power of Speech showcase which acknowledges the achievements of children who are deaf and use spoken language to communicate. One of the primary purposes of the event is to challenge the perceptions of what children with hearing loss can achieve. Children who are deaf or hard of hearing from across Australia and New Zealand address politicians about their experiences as cochlear implant recipients and what can be achieved when children with hearing loss get support […]

Oct 22, 2026

Health minister queried about hospital birthing suite

DYLAN SMITH The state’s health minister has been questioned about the new birthing suite at the upgraded Gunnedah Hospital. Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson queried NSW Health Minister Ryan Park about the number of babies born in the new suite since the $53m health facility redevelopment opened in January. As reported in last week’s Gunnedah Times, full maternity services remain unavailable as recruitment efforts continue to fill all necessary positions. “Carmen Carslake from Boggabri has expressed frustration at being unable to access birthing facilities at Gunnedah Hospital, just 40km from her home,” Mr Anderson told parliament last week. “As a […]

Oct 21, 2026

Thumbs Down

Chaffey seeks to reverse “rushed” gun laws

Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey has moved to repeal the federal government’s controversial firearms legislation, arguing the laws have created uncertainty for regional gun owners, farmers, sporting clubs and firearms businesses. Mr Chaffey moved a motion in the House of Representatives calling for the repeal of the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Act 2026, which was passed in January. The Nationals MP said the legislation had been rushed through parliament without adequate consultation and called for Commonwealth firearms and importation laws to be restored to their previous settings. “Today I rise to call on the […]

Oct 20, 2026

Comic Relief

Theft offences increase across North West, new data shows

The latest crime statistics, published by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), have shown that thefts have continued to rise across parts of the North West. Gunnedah Shire experienced the largest increase, almost 46 per cent, in the 2025–26 financial year, with Narrabri Shire experiencing an increase of almost 25 per cent in the same period. Moree Plains, while experiencing a slight decrease, still experienced the largest volume of incidents among the three shires. Moree Plains recorded 909 incidents, Gunnedah 676 and Narrabri 382. A breakdown of theft offences shows that both Gunnedah and Narrabri experienced increases […]

Oct 19, 2026