UTS Central News students visit Tamworth for a regional reporting project on climate change

The University of Technology Sydney sent four student teams to corners of country Australia on a regional reporting project.

The Tamworth team spent some time in the Leader newsroom to grasp the local issues.

"I think what we found from the other groups is that just by going to the pub or talking to the community you really find hidden gems," Kirsten Jelinek said.

"I think it's more that we don't want to be labelled as city-slickers who aren't aware on the ground to actual issues happening in rural towns.

"We can rant all we want in air-conditioned rooms at Central News about the drought, mental health and how the farmers are suffering, but if we're not actually going to these towns then what's the point?"

The team met with former politician Tony Windsor, Calrossy Anglican School students and took a trip out to Chaffey Dam.

Each of the groups had to present a multimedia story on issues like Indigenous firefighting methods, carbon farming, renewable farming or whether the government should financially support families to move off farms.

Students Lauren Klugt and Sidney Boen reported on a climate change rally held at Member for New England Barnaby Joyce's office on Friday.

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The visit was an opportunity to gain insight on the drought that had until recently been largely unreported in metropolitan media, Ms Jelenik said.

"We want to actually understand it and by going there I think it gives us a better insight," she said.

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