Nominations are now open for the New South Wales Government's Hidden Treasures Honour Roll, which recognises women and girls who volunteer in regional, rural and remote communities. The program is run by the New South Wales Rural Women's Network. Every eligible nominee is placed on the Honour Roll and receives a certificate of service. Women aged 18 and over can self-nominate or be nominated by others, while a parent or guardian must submit nominations for girls under 18. Submissions for the 2026 Honour Roll close on 31 December.
The Cabonne Women Writers will present the winners of their annual writing competitions at a free awards ceremony in Molong. The event will be held from 10.30am on Saturday 7 November at Cobb & Co. Organisers say last year's gathering drew a strong turnout and lively interaction. Treasurer Penelope Hewett praised the high standard of entries and the encouraging feedback from the judge. Java Café will provide catering, and guests can network and share their passion for regional writing.
Six NSW police stations, including Penrith, will accept surrendered firearms from November 2 under a new national gun buyback scheme. Eligible licence holders will receive compensation at a fixed price schedule. More stations will join in December, and the scheme will run for 12 months. Participants must book through the Gun Safe portal, as walk-in surrenders will not be accepted. Police and Counter-terrorism Minister Yasmin Catley said fewer guns in the community would make it safer.
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Eligible NSW firearms licence holders can surrender surplus and reclassified guns for compensation under a national buyback scheme. Bookings must be made through the Gun Safe portal, as walk-in surrenders at police stations will not be accepted. Holders with recreational hunting or vermin control reasons are limited to four guns each, while other eligible reasons allow up to 10. Metro stations, Grafton, Griffith and Dubbo accept surrenders first, with more stations joining from December 1 and January onwards. Bookings for later stages open on November 24.
Beauty therapist Brodie Taylor has opened Cabonne Beauty Co at a new Bank Street location in Molong. She previously worked from a room at the rear of Glosse hair salon after moving her services to Molong three months ago. Ms Taylor, who has seven years of industry experience, says she wants clients to leave feeling better than when they arrived. The salon offers brow, lash, waxing, tinting and nail treatments, with spray tanning to be introduced shortly and pedicures planned later. Ms Taylor said the Molong community has been strongly supportive of local small businesses.
The Australian Taxation Office is urging people to lodge their 2025-26 returns before the 2 November deadline rather than leaving it until the last minute. Around nine million returns have already been processed, but about two million people who usually prepare their own returns have yet to submit. ATO Assistant Commissioner Anita Challen said straightforward returns take an average of eight minutes through myTax. Lodging late can bring penalties of up to $1820, and delaying does not change the payment due date.
Cabonne Mayor Kevin Beatty has welcomed the Australian Government's decision not to proceed with proposed changes to disaster recovery funding. Council unanimously backed advocacy against the reforms in August. Analysis for Cabonne found Commonwealth funding could have fallen by more than $4.6 million under the proposed model. Two infrastructure betterment projects, which secured more than $7.4 million, could also have received only a fraction of that amount. Council will again sponsor the Australian National Field Days, held from 22 to 24 October.
A cook is encouraging Australians to prepare traditional Valencian paella respectfully, to avoid misinformation about the Spanish dish. Paella began as a simple farmers' meal cooked over open fire in the Valencia region. World Paella Day is marked each year on 20 September. The recipe calls for chicken, rabbit or extra chicken, green and butter beans, saffron, pimenton and Valencian rice. Cooks are told not to stir the rice once the stock is added, and to finish with a crispy base called socarrat.
Parramatta Lanes recorded its biggest year yet, attracting more than 386,000 visitors over four nights from 21 to 24 October. The free festival used the city centre's streets, laneways and car parks for more than 400 performers, 70 food vendors and 10 stages. Lord Mayor Cameron MacLean said the event showcased the city's cultural diversity and its growing appeal in Western Sydney. The City of Parramatta said the festival was funded by the council and the NSW Government, with a $350,000 Open Streets grant to help deliver the event over three years.
Blacktown pilot Aglaya Papadokokolakis flew the first commercial aircraft out of Western Sydney International Airport on Sunday. She said the milestone was a career highlight, launching operations in her home region. Her father is also a pilot, and she encouraged young women to pursue aviation despite its male-dominated reputation. The airport opened after about eight years of construction and is set to run around the clock. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese officially opened it at a Sunday morning ceremony, and its first international flight arrived on Monday.
As part of Small Business Month in October, three New England and North Coast businesses are being highlighted. Steve Shaw runs GH Innovations in Thrumster, helping local firms attract customers through online search and sales improvement. Di Wade runs Rawspice Boutique in South West Rocks, offering independent fashion and lifestyle products. Meagan Hudson and Rory Taylor run Beardy Downs in Emmaville, making small-batch tallow and beeswax products through BD Collection.
Credit Corp Group, which buys bad debts at a discount and collects them, is on track for another record result this year. The listed business posted a record $105.5 million net profit in 2025/26 and is targeting between $112 million and $120 million this financial year. Chief executive Thomas Beregi told shareholders the purchase of one of HSBC's run-off credit card books was a key driver. Its consumer lending arms grew almost a fifth in the September quarter, led by its Wallet Wizard loans, which carry an annual interest rate of 47.8 per cent.
