WELL that is it for BathurstAM for Monday, September 22.

Enjoy the sun while you can over the next two days as it looks like rain is headed our way.

8.50AM

Heard of the Ribbon Gang?

Tomorrow marks 184 years since a group that came to be known as the Ribbon Gang escaped from their master and roamed the countryside in the Fitzgerald Valley, south of Bathurst.

The group of nine men visited propertied and stole food, guns, horses and ammunition. The gang persuaded other convicts to join in until the gang grew to around 50. One Sydney newspaper was reporting a full scale rebellion of 500 escapees roaming around Bathurst! A local press report written by George Suttor of Bathurst mentioned the leader of the gang wearing "a profusion of white streamers in his hat". Some called them the ribbon boys. Many of the gang were of Irish extraction and may have copied an Irish secret society known as the 'Ribbon men' using this as a sign of their rebellion. Hence their name - The Ribbon Gang.

8.45AM

AND to Bathurst's final little legends - the St Pat's under 14s.

They held off Bloomfield Tigers to win their grand final 12-6.

Bloomfield had gone the entire season undefeated but Pat's rallied at the right time to hand them defeats in both the major semi-final and Saturday's decider.

There's nothing like an underdog success story.Well done boys.

8.40AM

HERE is a good milestone.

True-blue Bathurst legend Al Elliot celebrated his 90th birthday on the weekend doing what he loves - having a few beers in good company.

Over the years Jack Duggans Irish Pub has become Al's second home.

Every day, for as long as anyone can recall, he has walked to the pub from his West Bathurst home to enjoy a drink or two.

The occasion was marked with a birthday cake organised by the staff at the pub. Al was born in Bathurst in 1924.

Hope you had a good birthday Al.

8.35AM

ALMOST 100 stores were involved in this year's Crazy Day in Bathurst, with thousands of dollars saved by eager shoppers.

This year's theme was the awesome eighties, with retailers taking the opportunity to wear fluro, leg warmers and of course the popular mullet hair style.

Take a flick through these photos to check out the fantastic costumes and then vote for the best dressed store.

Take note of the photo number for the store you think is the best dressed and click that number below to vote.

The store will the most votes will score a $200 prize.

Voting is open until noon today.

8.30AM

THE days are ticking down until the 2014 Bathurst 1000 and while some drivers and teams are enjoying a brief break, that is not the case for Erebus motor sport.

They are racing to get Lee Holdsworth's car ready for Mount Panorama after a massive crash at Sandown.

Check out their progress.

8.25AM

THIRD on the list of Bathurst's Group 10 Junior Rugby League premiers for 2014 are the under 13 Bathurst Panthers.

They weathered an early battering and emerged victorious with a 16-12 win over the Cowra Magpies.

After falling behind 12-0 just 14 minutes into the decider, the Panthers stepped up their game to deny the visitors any more points for the rest of the match.

Now that's a good response!

8.20AM

SENATOR Penny Wong's Light on the Hill address on Saturday night was considered electrifying, and earned her a standing ovation.

More than 330 people turned out to hear the popular senator speak.

President of Bathurst Labor Dr Miranda Gott said this was about 150 more than last year, a mark of Senator Wong's popularity and of the renewed interest in Labor politics locally.

"Penny Wong really captured Ben Chifley's vision from the Light on the Hill speech he gave 65 years ago, and brought it into a context for today's social and political challenges," Dr Gott said.

8.15AM

LINES will be painted on George Street to help drivers park at 45 degrees under a trial given the green light by Bathurst Regional Council.

Council's traffic committee had already recommended the trial, which had to be rubber-stamped by councillors.

Committee chairman Councillor Warren Aubin led the discussion on the matter, saying the way drivers currently park around the CBD was "woeful".

8.10AM

IT is school holidays time and if your children are looking for something to do, here are some suggestions.

-Stars in a Jar. EOOSH holiday program $55per day. Book on 0429 371 205 or eglinton-oosh@bigpond.com. Something fun and different every day.

- PCYC holiday program: Dancing and Art / Craft, 8.30am - 12.30pm. Indoor sports Arts / Craft 12.30-4.30pm. $25 half day, $40 full. Details: 6331 2191 email Bathurst@pcycnsw.org.au

-Kids Art workshop for 5-7 year olds ($15 including all supplies) between 9am - 10.30am. Pigments & Palettes Art Workshops For Kids. Details: 0428 344 035 www.kidsatpigs.com

For more ideas of what you can do this week CLICK HERE

8.05AM

THE second group of young Bathurst footballers to win a Group 10 Junior Rugby League premiership were the under 12 St Pat's White side.

Pat's provided coach Peter Colling with the perfect retirement present as they held on to win their grand final 16-10 over Bloomfield.

That victory made it two consecutive undefeated premierships for this group of Saints.

What a mighty effort boys.

8AM

ENJOY fashion? Well then why not cast your vote on some of Bathurst's best dressed.

It was another wonderful celebration of the best in Bathurst and our business community walked the red carpet on Friday night to mark the occasion.

Vote for the best dressed person at the Crowe Horwath Carillon Business Awards presentation dinner this year by CLICKING HERE. 

7.55AM

DID you know that it was on this day back in 1885 that Ben Chifley was born in Bathurst?

Chifley was the son of a blacksmith who went on to become Australia's 16th Prime Minister.

When John Curtin died in July 1945, Frank Forde became Prime Minister for eight days. Chifley defeated him in the leadership ballot and replaced him as Prime Minister and Curtin as Labor leader.

Once the war ended a month later, normal political life resumed, and Chifley faced Robert Menzies and his new Liberal Party in the 1946 election, which Chifley won with 54 percent of the two-party-preferred vote. It was the first time that a Labor government had been elected to a second full term.

7.50AM

THE Group 10 Junior Rugby League grand finals were held at Carrington Park on Saturday and by the time the final whistle has blown, Bathurst had for premiers. We are going to give mention to each of those on BathurstAM this morning.

First up is the under 11 St Pat's Blue side who posted a 30-6 victory over Bloomfield. That made it 10 wins in a row for the young Saints. Well done boys.

7.45AM

HERE is an enlightening blast from the past.

In September 1924, Bathurst residents were anxiously awaiting their chance to switch on as a new electricity scheme was underway.

According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald "The work of preparing for electricity scheme is proceeding satisfactorily, and most of the poles have already been erected, while several houses and business premises have been wired and prepared for the installation of electric light. It is generally anticipated that it will be possible to switch on the current in about a months' time.

7.40AM

BATHURST kids - sharpen your pencils and dig out your crayons.

Bathurst Regional Council is holding a colouring in competition for school children aged between 5-13 years as a part of the celebrations for the Bathurst 1000.

Bathurst kids can win a ride in a V8 Supercar Transporter Truck during the Transporter Parade on Wednesday, October 8.

The winner and four runners up will receive exclusive V8 Supercars merchandise packs. CLICK HERE for your form

7.35AM

NOW that spring has arrived and with it some warmer weather, it is a good chance to get out and explore Bathurst and the surrounding areas.

However, if you are planning to do some bushwalking, make sure you are prepared - yesterday a man had to be rescued and winched to safety in the Blue Mountains.

A 47-year-old man attended Wentworth Falls where he joined another group and hiked to Vera Falls. After reaching the falls the man decided to leave the group and walk off on his own but became lost as he attempted to navigate his way back.

He was able to climb an escarpment near Hippocrene Falls and obtain mobile phone signal before contacting emergency services.

7.30AM

AND making national news headlines today:

Cracks have emerged in the bipartisan political response to the rising terrorist threat, with concern inside Labor at the extent and practicality of enhanced powers the federal government plans to grant security agencies.

Attorney-General George Brandis on Sunday claimed he had secured the Opposition's backing for the next tranche of anti-terror laws - the so-called foreign fighters bill - to be introduced to Parliament on Wednesday.

POLICE have confirmed that two men are currently at Port Macquarie Police Station assisting detectives with enquiries into the stabbing death of a man in the CBD on Sunday morning.

Police media said the two men had not been charged.

Earlier on Sunday, police appealed to the public for information from the public as they investigated the stabbing death of a man.

SOUTH Sydney coach Michael Maguire has declared his Rabbitohs "a different team" to the one felled in preliminary finals in the past two years as they bid to not only dispel their September demons but overcome arch rivals who are grand final qualifying specialists.

"We're a different team," Maguire said on Sunday. "I've got to say, with the way the young boys have come into the team and the experience of the boys that have been there before have now. We are a different team."

7.20AM

IN news from across the region today:

An Orange councillor is appalled and embarrassed a hospital the size of Orange's has no designated palliative care unit.

Cr Glenn Taylor will put a motion to the next meeting of Orange City Council calling on his fellow councillors to support his bid to lobby for a palliative care unit at the hospital.

Mudgee's Carol Bryant, Lisa Ramien and Andrea Sauerbier have been named in the 2014 NSW Hidden Treasures Roll, acknowledging the contribution of volunteer women in rural NSW communities.

"This Honour Roll provides a long lasting legacy to the tireless women volunteers who are the backbone of rural and regional communities, including ours," said Member for Orange Andrew Gee as he introduced the latest edition of the annual list compiled by the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

A Dubbo-owned company has plans to spend more than $150 million on new housing projects in the city in the next 20 years.

Maas Group Properties recently purchased four land subdivisions in the city's south-eastern section, taking its holdings to between 1700 and 2000 lots.

A man has died in a quad bike accident at Nymagee, near Cobar.

On Friday police were contacted after a man failed to return from a hunting trip while at a rural property on the Hermidale-Nymagee Road.

On Saturday police conducted a search of the property where they located the 69-year-old Pymble man dead.

7.15AM

MAKING local news today:

WORKERS at Simplot's Bathurst and Kelso plants have indicated they are willing to take industrial action as wage negotiations enter the next stage.

Simplot management has baulked at workers' pay demands for a CPI increase plus one per cent, instead seeking a wage freeze.

The gravity of the financial situation facing the Bathurst Diocese of the Anglican Church hit home this weekend for members of the 47th Synod.

Bishop of Bathurst Ian Palmer implored representatives of parishes from Bourke to Bathurst to accept the need for fresh approaches to ministry across the Central West.

Cityfit has won the Carillon Award for the Most Outstanding Business of 2014.

Gary and Margot Webster were proud and elated when the announcement was made at Friday's Crowe Horwath Carillon Business Awards. They have paid tribute to their staff, saying that it is their hard work and dedication that has been rewarded. At peak times around 40 staff are employed by the business. 

7AM

Welcome to another week.

This morning there will be areas of fog in parts of Bathurst, but we are expecting a mostly sunny day reaching 20 degrees.

If you have any information you wish to share with BathurstAM this morning, email me at anya.whitelaw@fairfaxmedia.com.au

Keep an eye on the clouds here: