Abc New England North West

💡NEG PASSES💡
The Federal Coalition has passed the National Energy Guarantee, now it has to convince its state colleagues to sign up too. Where do you stand on the plan?

🎡 TAMWORTH SHOW SCALES BACK LIVESTOCK EVENTS 🐴
The drought has taken its toll on many of the region's shows, with some even cancelling altogether.
But for Tamworth's annual event, the show will go on even if a few livestock related events have been canned.
... For the first time the show will be held at the Australian Equine Livestock and Events Centre.
Committee member Grace Raynor said while some events can't go ahead - like camp drafting, team pegging and dairy cattle judging - there's plenty of other things on offer.
"Unfortunately I've just had to cancel a couple of things we were having, because we're not going to be having any entrants in those due to the drought impacting on those which has been quite sad but we're still running the show which is great, lots of entertainment coming through as well," she said.
There'll be plenty of support for farmers across the two days too.
"I know we have a lot of community traders coming on board, that are going to be there at the event. We have some CWA, I think the Salvation Army might be coming. So I know that we do also have some counsellors that are going to be there," Ms Raynor said.
The show will be held on Friday August 31 and Saturday September 1 at the AELEC.
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🐄NO BULL "WOMBRAMURRA'S" 60 BULL SALE ON WEDNESDAY🐄
We are hearing about many farms across the state having to dramatically scale back their production due to the very tough drought conditions.
But at Peter Howarth's "Wombramurra" at Nundle even though they've had to reduce their numbers, they have still been able to produce a draft of sixty bulls for their annual bull sale.
... "Wombramurra's" history dates back to the 1850's when it was known as the largest devon stud in the Southern Hemisphere before it became a Black Simmental Stud in the late 1980's.
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📷PLAYING WITH PICTURES📸
Have you tried this technique?
Rod Evans sent this image of a curious cow from Tingah #ABC #picoftheweek.

🎶MUSICAL HONOUR🎶
The wonderful Roger Knox was inducted in the National Indigenous Music Awards Hall of fame on the weekend. Here's a song he played for us a few years ago. We're chatting to him live after 9.30 this morning about this latest honour.

🍊🍓🥖🍔 ONE IN SEVEN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS REGULARLY GO WITHOUT FOOD 🍞🍗🌮
While almost four in ten regional undergraduate students (38 per cent) have expenses exceeding their estimated income.
The Universities Australia Student Finances Survey 2017 has found it's a struggle for students to afford to go to uni.
... What's been your experience? Are you struggling with paying your way through uni? Are you supporting your son and daughter to help them get their degree?
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🍽️WINTER WARMER🍽️
BEEF CASSEROLE with olives, white beans and rosemary
1kg gravy beef... 400g diced tomatoes 250g pitted black olives 1 x cup red wine 1 x sprig rosemary 4 x carrots (peeled and chopped) 4 x celery sticks (chopped) 2 x onions (diced) 4 x small zucchini (chopped) 1 x can butter/cannellini beans (drained and washed)
• Brown beef with a little flour • Add tomatoes, wine, olives and all the chopped vegetables except zucchini • Bake, simmer or slow cook for 1 to 1 1/2 hours • Add drained beans and zucchini and heat through
HOT TIP! If your liquid is too runny add 1 tbsp of gravy mix and 100ml water to thicken. If you want extra flavour, add a couple of spoons of caramelised onion.
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🐄🐖 CRACK DOWN ON RISING FEED AND FREIGHT COSTS 🐑🐴
The NSW government yesterday announced a crackdown on skyrocketing feed and freight rates, with Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair appointing former NSW Farmers Association president and Corowa farmer Derek Schoen to oversee the state’s $500m emergency drought fodder and transport subsidy scheme.
“Every dollar rorted is a dollar that doesn’t help a farmer and I won’t accept anyone gaming the system,” Mr Blair said.
... What are your experiences trying to source feed for your stock?
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💫 🚘 THE NEED FOR SPEED 🚘 💫 Meet Taylor, she’s eight years old and took part in her first drag racing event this weekend. Dozens of car lovers turned out for the Tamworth Drag Racing Association’s 1/8 mile competition this weekend at the Gunnedah airport.

A little night time-lapse from Glenn Kirk at Uralla, 712 images stacked together. 30 second exposures at 33 second intervals. nice work!

THANK YOU AUSTRALIA! Thanks to your generosity, the ABC-Red Cross Appeal to help Australian farmers hit by the worst drought in living memory has so far raised $1,028,000. What a sensational achievement! And there are likely to be more donations over the next few days as our farmers continue to struggle through this crisis. You can donate here: https://ab.co/2w2EznQ http://bit.ly/2MjHqTP... Emotional toll of the drought: https://ab.co/2MFHdqO
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🤠 💧 RUSTY GOLD CHARITY AUCTION 💧 🤠
Dozens of people turned out this morning to support Warrah Creek in their effort to buy an emergency water tank. Water stocks are low in the area, so they banded together to raise money for the cause.

💰UPDATE!💶
As of 7am this morning ABC’s drought appeal had raised $854,000 for the Red Cross- thank you everyone!

🌺 SATURDAY GARDENING 🌺 The wonderful Warren Sheather is taking your gardening calls this morning☎️.
Ask a question or join the conversation on 1300 648 222 or TEXT 0467 922 684.
... P.S How wonderful are these photos from Warren! We'd love to see your gardening photos 📸📸 get in touch here or email nenw@abc.net.au
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👏THANK YOU BEN LOMOND🎉
Couldn’t have asked for a warmer welcome! We took our drought busting tour on the road last night. First stop this great little village north of Guyra. Big thanks to Ben Lomond school for opening the show, New England Conservatorium Russell Bauer and Toby for some fantastic tunes, and as to the ABC players... we had a ball, believe us, you’ve never seen Red Riding Hood like this! Thank you ALL for coming. What a great audience.😀🥇👏 Next stop #Bellata

When you find a friend your size! This little guy played with a lamb near Gilgai, New South Wales. For more of the best photos from this week: https://ab.co/2KJ2vCp 📷 | ABC Open contributor Jode & Dan

🐄DROUGHT PAYROLL TAX RELIEF?🐑
Inverell based Nationals Senator John Williams says if corporate tax cuts are rejected by the Senate in coming weeks, the money saved should be used to abolish payroll tax.
Senator Williams estimates New South Wales collects $9 billion from the tax each year, and says the Federal Government needs to help the states move away from that income source.
... He says removal of the tax would be a welcome reprieve for businesses struggling in the drought.
The idea has come from a meeting Senator Williams had with major employers in Inverell.
He's spoken to the NSW Deputy Premier, John Barilaro and NSW Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair, who are supportive of the idea.
He says he will take it to the federal party room on Monday.
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HOW IS THE DROUGHT AFFECTING YOU?
With NSW now 100 per cent drought-declared, the big dry is taking its toll — both physically and mentally — on farmers and those in the rural industry.
This week a young truckie was admitted to hospital for exhaustion after driving tens of thousands of kilometres in four weeks carrying hay. It typifies just how hard people are working to get through the big dry. "He's burnt himself out on the workload that's been placed on him and trying to ...get hay up to these poor bloody cockies that have got no food at all."
Click on the link in the comments to read the powerful stories of ordinary people trying to survive in extraordinary circumstances.
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Great interviews and great stories, listening and getting out there what people want to hear

Great interviews and great stories, listening and getting out there what people want to hear