Local News
8 March 2025 - Armidale Blues Knockout thrives in the wet
Despite the weather, the enthusiasm of participants and spectators was strong at the annual Armidale Blues Knockout carnival, held this year with support from Origin’s New England Community Investment Program.
Senior Engagement and Social Performance Specialist Ross Murray said “Origin was pleased to support what is an essential fundraising opportunity for the club.
“Having as many teams as possible participate is key to its success,” Ross said.
Although Tropical Cyclone Alfred caused some disruptions with teams from the coast and Dorrigo unable to attend, around nine teams participated in both the men’s and women’s divisions. The Armidale Blues Men’s team triumphed in the Men’s Knockout, defeating Tamworth Rugby Union Sporting Club 12-0, while Pirates Rugby Club from Tamworth claimed victory in the Women’s Knockout, winning 10-5 against Tamworth Rugby Union Sporting Club.
Armidale Blues Rugby Union and Netball Club President Anthony McMillan said, “Origin’s funding helped us secure a medical team for the event and cover the cost of referees, which is always a significant expense. It also boosted the prize money, encouraging more teams to take part.
“This was our 43rd Knockout event since it began in 1983, and support like this goes a long way in making it a success,” Anthony said.
14 February 2025 - Fifteen local groups share in first round funding
Fifteen community groups were successful in the first round of the New England Community Investment Program, receiving support for a range of upcoming local events and activities.
Armidale Rugby Union and Netball Club – 2025 Armidale Knockout Competition
Museum of Printing /Black Gully Print Makers - Wimble Wayzgoose 2025
New England Regional Art Museum - Gondwana Indigenous Art Project
Gumbaingarr Traditional Owners Corporation - Women’s and Men’s Workshops
PEDAL Early Intervention - Sensory Garden Therapy Room
Walcha Show Society – 2025 Walcha Show
Walcha RYAG Sheep & Wool Committee – RYAG Sheep Camp
The Armidale and District Cricket Association - New England Veterans Cricket Carnival & Mens Shed
Walcha Dog Trials – Custom trailer project
Walcha United Football Club – Goal posts replacement
Walcha Polocrosse – 2025 Walcha Polocrosse Carnival
Rotary Club of Walcha - Kitchen Kiosk Hood Replacement
Walcha Golf Club - 2025 NSW Veterans Sandgreen Championships
Seasons of New England - 2025 Seasons of New England Festival
Friends of McMaugh Gardens Inc - 2025 Annual Charity Golf Day
Applications for the second of two annual funding rounds are now open until 11 March 2025.
More information is available here.
16 December 2024 - Online Community Survey Extended
Following feedback and requests to extend the planned end date, the Voconiq Local Voices survey will remain open until 31 December 2024.
The link to access the survey remains the same: Origin – New England - Voconiq Local Voices
27 November 2024 - Community survey opens
Communities across the New England region are being invited to participate in a survey being conducted by Voconiq (on Origin’s behalf) in late November and early December. The information gathered will help inform planning and decision making for our proposed renewable energy projects.
The survey takes about 15 minutes and can be done on-line or in person. Participation is 100% confidential, no personal details are shared.
By participating you’ll receive an e-token for a local community group of your choice. When the survey closes these will be added up and a donation made as a way of saying thank you. You can also receive a $20 local supermarket or café voucher if you participate in person at one of the following locations and dates.
For more visit www.voconiqlocalvoices.com/origin-newengland
4 November 2024 - New England Community Investment Program announced
Origin has proudly supported communities across NSW through community investment programs for more than a decade.
Origin would like to support local communities in the New England during the planning phases of the Ruby Hills Wind Farm, Northern Tablelands Wind Farm and Salisbury Solar Farm projects through the New England Community Investment Program.
Advertisements have been placed in the Armidale Express, Aspley Advocate and Uralla Wordsworth. Applications will be invited twice yearly, with the very first round now open until 11 December.
More information is available, and applications can be made here.
27 October 2024 - Meteorological masts installed on Ruby Hills Wind Farm
Two new meteorological masts will help assess the potential wind resource and find the best locations for future wind turbines on the Ruby Hills Wind Farm.
The recently constructed masts, one in the north one in the south of the proposed project area, are now collecting important data on wind speed, direction, and other vital weather parameters essential for wind farm development.
You can read more about how this technology ensures we harness the full potential of wind energy in this blog post.
8 July 2024 - Northern Tablelands Wind Farm meteorological mast installation
Gathering accurate wind and weather data is crucial for finding the best locations for turbines and making sure we harness the full potential of wind energy.
We’ve recently installed two meteorological masts, known as met masts, at our proposed Northern Tablelands Wind Farm project site.
The masts, combined with other technologies, provide crucial data on wind speed, direction, and other vital weather parameters.
Here’s a time lapse video showing the installation and you can read more about how this technology and precise planning are driving wind development in this blog post.
5 July 2024 - Cultural Heritage monitoring at Ruby Hills Wind Farm
Guidance provided by Armidale Local Aboriginal Land Council, Amaroo Local Aboriginal Land Council, and other registered Aboriginal parties is helping shape First Nations Engagement for the proposed Ruby Hills Wind Farm.
Positive relationships and collaboration with local Aboriginal Land Councils and the First Nations people of Dunguhtti and Anaiwan groups is essential to identifying and preserving potential Cultural Heritage across the project.
Representatives from these groups recently provided cultural knowledge and cultural heritage monitoring for the selection of meteorological mast (met mast) locations that will assess the site’s wind potential.
23 April 2024 - Tour de Rocks Charity Ride
We’re proud to contribute to this year’s Tour de Rocks 2024 – Armidale and New England’s premier charity cycling event.
Tour de Rocks started 9 years ago as a community-driven initiative to tackle cancer with the simple motto of ‘what can I do, how can I help’.
This year’s event saw 390 community participants, ranging from 12 to 80 years old, take on the 266km route from Armidale to Woolgoolga raising over $300,000 for cancer research.
A huge thank you to the army of volunteers, supporters, and local businesses who make this event possible.
15 April 2024 - World Sand Greens Championship for Women
Walcha was bustling with activity last week with the “World Sand Greens Championship for Women – Powered by Origin Energy”.
Origin was excited to be naming sponsor for the inaugural event, hosted over three days at the Walcha Golf Club (Walcha) between April 9-11.
The Walcha Golf Club had the grounds and fairways looking amazing after some late summer rain - picture perfect with the final day broadcast live to a national and international audiences.
As well as helping lift the profile of regional sport, events like this increase visitors to the region and provide flow on benefit to the Walcha, Uralla and Armidale communities.
Our sponsorship ensured that event organisers contributed directly to Walcha Golf Club for improvements to clubhouse facilities which are used for meetings and functions.
12 March 2024 - Supporting Sheep Dog Trials at the Walcha Show
We’re pleased to continue with Walcha Energy’s sponsorship of the extremely popular Sheep Dog Trials at this year’s Walcha Show.
Being crowned top sheep dog is hotly contested and with 190 dog entries this year it’s easy to see how the event has grown tremendously over the last 10 years with people coming from all over the New England and northwest NSW.
We’re looking forward to supporting more community events and activities like this in the future as we progress the recently acquired Ruby Hills Wind Farm and Salisbury Solar Farm projects.
24 March 2024 - Introducing Origin to host landowners
Thank you to the host landholders of the proposed Ruby Hills Wind Farm and Salisbury Solar Farm who accepted the invitation to meet with us this week at the Walcha Showgrounds as part of Origin’s commitment to engagement on both projects.
Our aim was to introduce Origin as an energy company with demonstrated experienced in responsibly delivering projects, explain how we strive to develop sustainable relationships and importantly, to listen.
We recognise getting to know each other is the start of the journey and the relationships we build and the agreements we reach and maintain landholders who host project infrastructure on their properties and with neighbours.
Engagement with host landholders and stakeholders is essential to progressing our development aspirations in the New England region.
15 March 2024 - Shearing shed catchup with the neighbours
The shearing shed on Warrane provided a great location to catch up with neighbours directly adjacent to the property to have a yarn over a BBQ and provide an update on the proposed Northern Tableland Wind Farm.
Everyone was keen to hear about our plans and timeframes and we were able to share information and answer some questions on met masts and the LiDAR technology we’re about to install, and what information this helps us to gather.
Early engagement, being transparent and open to feedback is part of our approach as we seek to build positive relationships and trust with landowners and the community.
