The spirit of giving is very much alive and well in the Inverell area with one local truck leaving for Queensland next week to deliver a load of hay to farmers in severely flood-affected regions.

BARRY Johnston, a previous sceptic of the need for the National Broadband Network, is now publicly backing the move to bring the high-speed internet connection to Inverell.

A GRADE Staggy Creek played Royal Rats at Varley Oval on day one of their two-day clash. Royals batted first and were restricted to a modest 77. Lachlan Binnie (17) and Michael Cutmore (16) were the pick of the Royal batsmen.

NEW England MP Tony Windsor has warned the community that there appears to be a spate of scams circulating within the region and the community should be very cautious about any unsolicited approaches by phone, email or in writing.

Opera Australia’s Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini, who is coming to this year’s Opera in the Paddock (OP) concert at Mimosa, Delungra on Saturday, March 19 to mark its 10th anniversary, is no stranger to regional events.