Social Archives - New England Times Engage

Posted inSocial

Merits of Regional Rail Renewal vs a Rail Trail: Failures of Decision-Making in New England

1 day ago7 November 2025

Train advocate Siri Gamage says we are stuck between a rock and a hard place: dependent on governments to meet our transport needs, yet repeatedly let down by their inaction.

Posted inFeatured, Social, Something to Think About

Boys are still in the grip of crippling masculine stereotypes

2 days ago7 November 2025

Michael Flood from QUT says rigid norms of manhood, based in manly confidence and toughness, are still influential for young men.

Posted inFeatured, Social, Something to Think About

How the world’s constant crises are quietly fuelling anxiety in Australians

2 November 20252 November 2025

Psychotherapist Diane Young says an increasing number of people, especially young Australians, are feeling perpetually anxious and trapped in a cycle of consuming distressing world events, yet powerless to make a change.

Posted inEnvironmental, Social

No justification for intimidation and a lack of leadership on renewable energy

24 October 20251 November 2025

Recent reports about farmers being harassed for hosting renewable energy projects may have shocked city readers, but to us they rang true.

Posted inSocial

Letter: Is Armidale Regional Council getting the bum steer?

20 October 202520 October 2025

Rick Banyard writes he finds this proposal to tear up our rail tracks to make very costly Rail Trails very confronting.

Posted inSocial, Something to Think About

Duval High School needs to be reinstated as a school

19 October 20251 November 2025

Teacher Jan Hall says putting the entire town’s public high school students together was just asking for trouble

Posted inSocial, Something to Think About

Global crises, real fear: Why the world’s problems are fuelling everyday anxiety

15 October 20251 November 2025

Constant exposure to global crises and negative news is fuelling rising anxiety – especially among young Australians. South Pacific Private urges people to pause, reflect and take their free online anxiety self-assessment to find support.

Posted inFeatured, Political, Social

Who cares for the carers?

27 September 202527 September 2025

A local nurse says the health system is crumbling under pressure, and it’s not just patients who are suffering.

Posted inOpinion, Social

1 in 8 households don’t have the money to buy enough food

13 September 202527 September 2025

Around one in eight Australian households, or 1.3 million people, could not afford enough food in 2023. Rising housing and energy costs are cutting into food budgets, forcing families to buy less nutritious food or skip meals.