While restrictions were relaxed last month to allow up to 100 people to gather for Remembrance Day services, the difficulty of attendance registration and resourcing COVID marshalling resulted in many RSL sub-branches holding virtual and private services instead of the usual public gatherings. However, New England MP Barnaby Joyce impressed upon us why taking time out to mark the occasion was still relevant and important.

Social distancing measures and other mandatory COVID procedures did not stop the University of New England from holding a flag-raising ceremony and smoking ceremony to mark the start of NAIDOC Week.

Guest speaker Donna Moodie, a lecturer in Contextual Studies in the School of Education, acknowledged the theme of Always Was, Always Will Be throughout her speech and said: "Indigenous People have never ceded responsibility and custodianship for Country".

Ms Moodie also highlighted the damage being done by climate change, persistent drought, extreme weather, deforestation and species extinction. She called on Australians to have respectful relationships with each other and work together for a healthier future for everyone.

These same climate change concerns were outlined as an imminent reality in the sobering sixth State of the Climate biennial report released by the CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology on Friday. Armidale GP Sujata Allan says the report's predictions could be bad for local residents' health in many ways.

Last week we also shared the story of the remarkable centenarian Olive Tilly, whose attitude to living life with no regrets is a lesson for us all.

Thanks for reading and I hope you have a great week. If you have a news tip, let us know by contacting the Express at armidaleexpress@austcommunitymedia.com.au.