The long-awaited announcement has been made this morning that the application for exceptional circumstances for the Bundarra district has been approved.

EIGHT small tips in the region will be closed and others transformed into recycling centres as part of reforms to improve waste management.

Belinda Emery and Matt Ross of Emross Shorthorn stud are celebrating a historical win at the National Shorthorn Show and Sale, held in Dubbo last week.

The annual memorial commemoration ceremony for those who died in the Myall Creek massacre was held on Saturday with a strong focus on education.

Five people from the New England/north-west New South Wales are among 474 Australians who have received awards in the Queen's Birthday honours.