8:00 AM AEST | For the first time in many years the people of Bathurst can look forward to the excitement of a big New Year’s Eve bash complete with fireworks. The family friendly celebration will take place at the city’s new adventure playground, which Mayor of Bathurst Paul Toole describes as the ideal location. Cr Toole said while the celebration is still just a concept at this stage, money has been set aside for it in council’s budget.

8:02 AM AEST | IT’S regarded as one of the toughest endurance events in the world, but two Bathurst triathletes are on an Ironman mission to help local wheelchair athlete Emilie Miller make it all the way to the top in her chosen sport. The young Bathurst girl suffered severe spinal injuries in a freak training accident at Lithgow Swimming Pool in January 2008.

8:03 AM AEST | TEAM Maclean is the participation-based fundraising brand of the John Maclean Foundation, which was founded by legendary wheelchair athlete John Maclean. Maclean was the first wheelchair athlete to complete the Hawaii Ironman in 1997. He was the first Australian and only wheelchair athlete to be inducted into the Ironman Hall of Fame.

8:09 AM AEST | THE Bathurst Bulldogs claimed their fifth straight local derby victory over CSU in the Central West Rugby Union on Saturday, out scoring the students 35-20 at University Oval. Not since round three in 2007, when the students finished strongly to win 25-12, have the Bulldogs suffered defeat at the hands of CSU in the regular season.

8:10 AM AEST | BATHURST cycling talent Mark Renshaw was part of Tour de France history on Saturday as he took part in the first ever stage to be held in Monaco, the 15.5 kilometre individual time trial launching his 2009 assault on the world’s toughest cycling tour.