Got something you want to say? Quick word comments can be on any topic relevant to the New England, up to 100 words.
Submit your Quick Word here.
QW: The sad closure of Ben Lomond school
The closure of the Ben Lomond Public School is a sad event that indicates a reduction in working class families living locally. This trend in regional Australia is also found in other centres where government investment in infrastructure projects is absent.
Still, it indicated that Sydney government desk jockeys have the power to make and break regional communities. No public services means no future attraction for possible residents.
This bodes ill for the ”bike path to nowhere to see nothing” proposal supported by ARC Mayor and General Manager against the wishes of ARC ratepayers. The Mayor believes that city people will visit the panoramic vistas of Ben Lomond, the closed railway station, the closed school, the non-existent shop, the War Memorial Hall and pay premium prices for absent Ben Lomond accommodation and limited availability in near-by Guyra that has not increased since the proposal was first raised about a decade ago.
Local entrepreneurs have voted with their closed wallets.
Got something on your mind? Go on then, engage. Submit your opinion piece, letter to the editor, or Quick Word now.
QW: Bondi massacre
As a woman of Irish/Cornish heritage, I am deeply aware of the shadows of generational ambiguous grief, and how this act will impact the future for our next generations.
To the brave Jewish people and others I know as friends: I bend my knees and ask, from the heart of my soul, to know how I can help.
Got something on your mind? Go on then, engage. Submit your opinion piece, letter to the editor, or Quick Word now.
QW: Barnaby’s senate move
Barnaby has jumped ship to do better for Australia. He knows he can do more when he gets into the senate rather than sitting on the back bench. He has been true to himself and the Australian people.
If he hadn’t spoke up about nett zero the Nationals would have done nothing, then Barnaby speaks up, then they take all the credit. He is outspoken to bring benefits to Australia.
This government and past governments have given too many of Australia’s assets away for the rest of the world to profit from our gas and iron ore let alone our farms being sold off to foreign owners.
Barnaby has his heart in the right place and try’s his best to make Australia the great country it has been in the past and is taking it through to the future.
Got something on your mind? Go on then, engage. Submit your opinion piece, letter to the editor, or Quick Word now.
QW: trains
The ARA report shows the rail industry’s contribution to the economy has increased 30 per cent in the last five years alone, rising to $38.8 billion BUT as I see it, in the Armidale Regional Council area it remains at almost Zero! Can our economy afford not to totally embrace both freight and passenger trains.
Got something on your mind? Go on then, engage. Submit your opinion piece, letter to the editor, or Quick Word now.
QW: Maybe just shush
Sounds like Chaffey (Chaffey’s Corner Labor-Greens environmental deal) should stay in his own corner and at least contemplate the old addage…”It maybe better to say nothing and be considered a fool than speak out and leave no doubt.”
QW: Hooray for a healthy business community
It has been so wonderful to see such a flurry of news about new businesses, new later night shopping in Inverell, new chamber of commerce in Armidale, and so many other signs that our local business community is booming!
I know so many small businesses have struggled with the changes to tax and super payments and the cash flow crisis that has resulted. Here’s hoping that we won’t lose too many more and that our thriving local scene – and locals shopping locally – can continue to ensure a health business community throughout the New England North West.
Got something on your mind? Go on then, engage. Submit your opinion piece, letter to the editor, or Quick Word now.
QW: Re: I take it all back, Barnaby’s a fool
In response to: https://engage.netimes.com.au/2025/12/i-take-it-all-back-barnabys-a-fool/
If Barnaby can position a vote for ON as a protest vote against both the Nationals AND Labor, there could be a huge loss of National Party MPs in Northern NSW and in Southern QLD. There is plenty of discontent against the Nationals but no real alternative until ON came along in the 1998 Qld state election.
Got something on your mind? Go on then, engage. Submit your opinion piece, letter to the editor, or Quick Word now.
QW: “Some hurt in this”….
Barnaby’s defection to Hanson’s One Nation was glaringly predictable; no “hurt” to his betrayed electorate, just relief.
What was glaringly absurd however, was the venue chosen to announce their joyful union…… cattle sale yards? Pauline at a cattle sale?…..now that is not only bizarre but to anyone who has been involved in breeding and selling cattle that was an insult.
Got something on your mind? Go on then, engage. Submit your opinion piece, letter to the editor, or Quick Word now.
QW: Time to return to an independent
”There are more One Nation members now in Tamworth than there are Nationals members.” Barnaby Joyce SMH 011225
Perhaps it is time to return to an INDEPENDENT representative of the community voters.
QW: “With a heavy heart” Joyce resigns
Barnaby Joyce’s “heavy heart” syndrome stems from the fact that no-one in Parliament …not even his biggest political ally Senator Canavan, has fallen for his bizarre political stunts and posturing.
Got something on your mind? Go on then, engage. Submit your opinion piece, letter to the editor, or Quick Word now.
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.