A passion for preserving local history and supporting community broadcasting has earned Julie Dowlean the honour of being named Narrabri Shire Volunteer of the Year.

Julie is widely respected across the region for her longstanding commitment to both the Wee Waa Historical Society and Narrabri's community radio station, 2 Max FM. Through her volunteer efforts, she has helped preserve the stories of the past while keeping local communities connected in the present.

As a dedicated member of the Wee Waa Historical Society, Julie has played an important role in recording and preserving the history of Wee Waa and the surrounding district. Her work has helped protect valuable photographs, documents and stories that form an important part of the region's heritage.

Community members gathered in Burren Junction on Tuesday, 19 May, to meet with the Council’s Strategic Plan representatives.

Residents were asked to place dots on the issues they considered most important to the future of Burren Junction. The overwhelming majority of responses focused on water supply, drainage, the bore baths, roads, and sportsgrounds.

One of the strongest concerns raised was the ongoing water crisis affecting the town’s sports ground precinct.

Member for Barwon, Roy Butler, has tried to amend and delay the NSW government’s rushed laws in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, saying they don’t address the circumstances behind the attack while unfairly penalising regional people.  

The NSW government recalled parliament to rush through laws that can prevent protests, restrict firearm ownership and move firearms licence appeal hearings to the Supreme Court. 

A NSW parliament e-petition opposing the laws that was sponsored by Mr Butler has broken records for becoming the fastest to ever gather so many signatures. 

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has declined to investigate concerns raised by the Member for Barwon, Roy Butler MP, and the Australian Floodplain
Association regarding the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder’s (CEWH) unmetered water diversions and new water entitlements on the Warrego River at Toorale
Station.
ICAC advised that: