Michelle Cowan of Grafton has been awarded the title of the 2026 Clarence Electorate Local Woman of the Year in recognition of her extraordinary service to the Clarence Valley community, NSW Nationals MP for Clarence, Richie Williamson has announced.   Michelle is a specialist trauma counsellor, specialised grief counsellor and case manager, and the founder of Marahn — a unique, integrated therapy and support centre in the Clarence Valley. Through her work, Michelle supports

Clarence Nationals State MP for Clarence, Richie Williamson will announce the Clarence Electorate Local Woman of the Year   WHEN & WHERE   10am, Tuesday, 3 March Richie Williamson’s Electorate Office, 11 Prince Street, Grafton   The Local Woman of the Year Awards program provides NSW MPs with the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the contributions of an outstanding woman in their electorate as part of International Women’s Day celebrations.     All media inquiries to Deb

The NSW Labor Government must immediately respect the Fair Work Commission’s recommendation yesterday to increase funding for the community preschool sector, bringing the pay of early childhood teachers in line with their colleagues in public preschools, according to State Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson.   Mr Williamson said the Fair Work Commission had accepted calls by the Independent Education Union of Australia NSW/ACT Branch, which has been advocating for lo

Members of the public are invited to provide input on the proposed listing of the MV Beardmore – a tugboat used in the sugar industry on the Clarence River from 1914 – on the NSW State Heritage Register.   State Nationals MP for Clarence, Richie Williamson, said the MV Beardmore may hold State historical significance for its role in the sugar industry throughout the 20th century and encouraged local residents to have their say.   “The MV Beardmore played an important role in

The $263.8 million redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital continues to progress, with early works well underway and new traffic arrangements in place as the next phase of construction begins.   Welcoming the latest milestone, State Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson said early works out the front of the main hospital building are well underway with changed traffic conditions now in place on Arthur Street to allow for the construction of a new pedestrian crossing, imp

Clarence Nationals State MP for Clarence Richie Williamson has welcomed the news that Grafton’s Jenny Worrell has been named a finalist for title of NSW Regional Woman of the Year at the NSW Women of the Year Awards, describing the recognition as a proud and historic moment for the Clarence Valley.   Mr Williamson said it is believed to be the first time a Clarence Valley resident has been named a finalist in this prestigious category, which recognises outstanding women livin

Clarence Nationals State MP for Clarence Richie Williamson is calling on the NSW Government to urgently commit $17.8 million to address the dangerous deterioration of Armidale Road, backing Clarence Valley Council’s long-standing request for financial compensation following the stalled road handover process.   Mr Williamson said Armidale Road is a critical regional link between the Clarence Valley, the Northern Tablelands and the North Coast, yet years of uncertainty around r

Clarence Nationals State MP for Clarence, Richie Williamson, met with angry Clarence River commercial fishers in Maclean on Thursday amid growing frustration over what he has described as the Minns Labor Government’s “deafening silence” on the future of the industry following the prolonged White Spot outbreak biosecurity restrictions.   Mr Williamson said commercial fishers have been left “high and dry” after the NSW Minister for Agriculture and her Department of Primary Indu

Clarence Nationals State MP for Clarence, Richie Williamson will stand with Clarence River commercial fishers in Maclean to support their calls for the NSW Labor Government to urgently engage with industry and provide clarity and fair financial support for fishing families whose livelihoods are at risk by further White Spot biosecurity restrictions.   Mr Williamson said fishers have been left in limbo by the Minns Labor Government’s failure to respond to correspondence or ack

Four new Probationary Constables will join the ranks of the Clarence and Richmond Valleys following their attestation at the Goulburn Police Academy on Friday, 12 December last year, Clarence Nationals State Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson has announced.   The new officers form part of a wider intake across the Coffs/Clarence and Richmond Police Districts, with one Probationary Constable commencing duties in the Richmond Valley at Casino, and three officers stationed i

NSW Nationals State MP for Clarence Richie Williamson has said it was an honour to present a NSW Premier’s Award to 14-year-old Millie Trustum of Tatham today, recognising her extraordinary courage, leadership, and tireless advocacy and fundraising for childhood cancer research.   Mr Williamson said Millie’s story is one of remarkable strength and selflessness, supported every step of the way by her family.   “Millie has faced challenges that no young person should ever have

NSW Nationals State Member for Clarence Richie Williamson MP has invited members of the local community to come together for a vigil to pay their respects to the innocent victims of the tragic events at Bondi.   “As our nation continues to come to terms with the senseless act of violence we witnessed on Sunday, many people have asked how they can honour those who lost their lives and show support for the families affected,” Mr Williamson said.   “The Dean of Christ Church Cat

Long peak-hour queues and growing frustration for local commuters have prompted NSW Nationals State Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson to call on the NSW Labor Government to reinstate dual-ferry operations at the Bluff Point ferry service at Lawrence.   Mr Williamson has written to NSW Regional Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison seeking a firm commitment to operating two ferries on an ongoing basis — particularly during morning and afternoon peak periods — to ease traffic del

Clarence Valley Council has been successful in securing $14,210 through the NSW Government’s Community War Memorials Fund to support the relocation and restoration of South Grafton’s historic war memorial gates, NSW Nationals State Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson has announced.   The wrought iron gates — originally donated by the South Grafton RSL Sub-Branch and dedicated by Rev C E Nahle — have been a significant feature of the former South Grafton Indoor Pool and Boy

The Nationals MP for Clarence, Richie Williamson, has today blasted the Minns Labor Government for abandoning the Clarence prawn industry as the current biosecurity control order expires and a new, expanded order immediately takes effect.   Mr Williamson said the existing control order will expire on Tuesday, 9 December 2025, with a new control order replacing it without pause, extending the requirement to cook prawns across a new merged control zone area, further crippling t

5 December 2025       Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has congratulated the Grafton Rowing Club on the official opening of their stunning new clubhouse on the banks of the mighty Clarence River.   Mr Williamson said the magnificent building, now a centrepiece of Grafton’s riverside and Memorial Park precinct, is a real credit to the Grafton Rowing Club, the architects, and local builder, Ron van Vyfeyken from Nanobuild who used local tradies to deliver this fantastic

Clarence Nationals MP, Richie Williamson, is backing a community-led petition calling on the NSW Labor Government to urgently reform youth sentencing laws, following growing concern across Casino and the wider community about repeat juvenile offenders.   The ePetition, organised by Casino resident Judith Karam, urges the NSW Government to review and strengthen current legislation to prevent violent and repeat youth offenders from returning to the community without adequate co

Clarence Nationals MP, Richie Williamson will join with members of the local community to support the launch of a community-led ePetition calling on the NSW Government to urgently reform youth sentencing laws following rowing concern across Casino and the wider community about repeat juvenile offenders.   The ePetition, organised by Casino resident, Judith Karam, urges the NSW Government to review and strengthen current legislation to prevent violent and repeat youth offender

Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson today joined local paramedics in Grafton to launch a community e-Petition calling on the NSW Government to urgently support an increase Intensive Care Paramedic (ICP) staffing across the Clarence Valley.   The e-Petition, now live on the NSW Parliament website, urges the Government to upgrade Grafton Ambulance Station from a Category B to a Category A station — a change that would increase staffing to 12 ICP positions and deliver round-

Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson will join local paramedics to launch an ePetition advocating for 24/7 Intensive Care Paramedic (ICP) coverage in the Clarence Valley.   The ePetition calls on the NSW Government to work with and urge NSW Ambulance to upgrade Grafton Ambulance Station from a Category B to a Category A station. This upgrade would increase staffing to 12 ICP positions and ensure ICP coverage 24 hours a day 7 days a week across the entire Clarence Valley.