9.00AM
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THANK you for your company for this morning's BathurstAM report.
I'll be back on deck tomorrow so if you've got something you'd like included in the BathurstAM please email it to nadine.morton@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
If you're already needing something to look forward to this weekend why not pencil the Bathurst Region Farmer's Markets into your diary, it's on at Bathurst Showground from 8am until noon.
8.55AM
ARE you a chess player?
This ad was spotted on page 16 of today's classifieds section.
To place a classified with the Western Advocate call us on 6331 2611, or fax to 6332 4614 or email classifieds.westernadvocate@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
8.50AM
ARE you and your four-legged furry pooch looking for something to do this Saturday?
Don't miss the 2015 Dog Expo which will be held at the Bathurst City Library forecourt.
Nationally renowned dog behaviourist Dr Joanne Righetti will conduct demonstrations on various dog handling techniques.
People are welcome to bring their dog, but all dogs must be on a lead.
A free sausage sizzle will be on offer.
The expo will run from 10am until 1pm.
8.42AM
NOW is the time to cast your vote for in the Crowe Horwath Carillon Business Awards 2015.
Jump online to cast your vote.
8.33AM
A SPLIT second changed the lives of many on January 31 - and the pain of that moment in time still haunts Bathurst man Andy Wheeler.
The first he knew his brother Glenn Wheeler had been involved in a serious road accident was when his mobile phone rang.
Glenn is well-known to many people as a radio and television personality. To Andy, however, Glenn was simply his brother.
"I got a phone call at 9pm saying that he'd been in a serious accident and at that point he was extremely critical," Andy said.
"I saw him in ICU. The first impression was horrifying because he was in an induced coma."
Andy hopes to use this week's Brain Injury Awareness Week to talk about acquired brain injury after his brother's experience. Full story.
8.25AM
EVER fancied yourself as a short story writer?
Parade has come across an upcoming workshop and thinks it is a great idea for budding writers.
Would-be short story writers will have the opportunity to hone their craft at a special week-long residency led by Charles Sturt University English literature academic Dr Tegan Bennett Daylight.
She will guide participants through the six-day Reading and Writing the Short Story workshop at Varuna, The Writers' House in the Blue Mountains from November 2-8.
Dr Daylight is an established writer of fiction and a tutor in English at CSU.
Applications close tomorrow.
Visit Varuna online for more information.
8.15AM
A FREE community recycling centre was officially opened yesterday with Bathurstians encouraged to get involved.
While common household recyclables are collected kerbside each fortnight, many other recyclable items were only collected once a year by Bathurst Regional Council.
But, thanks to a $37,500 grant from the NSW Government, a permanent recycling centre opened at Bathurst Waste Management Centre yesterday.
The centre will accept gas bottles, fire extinguishers, paint, fluorescent globes and tubes, car and household batteries, motor oils, other oils and smoke detectors.
Open seven days a week, mayor Gary Rush said he expects Bathurstians to embrace the new centre. Full story.
- Will accept gas bottles, fire extinguishers, paint, fluorescent globes and tubes, car and household batteries, motor oils, other oils and smoke detectors;
- It is a free service open 7.30am to 4.30pm on weekdays and 8.30am to 3pm on weekends;
- For more information, call 6332 9111 or visit the website Community Recycling Centre website.
8.05AM
POLICE NEWS: Operation Roam is a national operation between Crime Stoppers Australia and all police jurisdictions across the country.
In this operation they are seeking your help to locate some of Australia's most wanted fugitives, who may have fled interstate to escape justice.
Listed here are 20 fugitives who are suspected of significant crimes including murder, assault, armed robbery, rape and drug trafficking.
The list is shown in alphabetical order by state and then each individual is listed alphabetically.
If you have seen any of these person you are urged to make an anonymous report by phoning 1800 333 000 or by using the online report form in the website of your state or territory.
8.00AM
ARTS project in mind? Need some funding?
The 2016 Country Arts Support Program (CASP) is now open and Arts OutWest is encouraging local community groups with arts projects in mind to apply. Applications close October 1.
CASP grants are for small amounts of money - up to $3000 - and are available primarily to cover professional artists' fees, travel and accommodation.
Groups that have applied for past funds include town bands, arts groups and arts councils through to progress associations, RSL sub branches and community service
organisations.
The funding is open to all incorporated associations. Unincorporated groups or collectives of artists are allowed to find a local organisation to auspice their funding.
For more information on CASP funding, visit Arts OutWest online or call Arts OutWest on 6338 6457.
Also, don't miss your Bathurst Arts Council column on page 11 of today's Advocate.
7.55am
A NEW strategy aimed at engaging students and reducing negative behaviour at school has already delivered results at Bathurst West Public School, just six weeks after the program was started.
School principal Darren Denmead said the program involved children in playground activities and was part of a school overhaul of its welfare, anti-bullying and other programs aimed at engaging children in the classroom.
Mr Denmead said the new program gave the children something they could have fun with at school, and was specifically targeting playtime so data could be kept on playground incidents.
Six weeks into the program, Mr Denmead said it was certainly making a difference.
"We've already had boot camp and garden club, both of which were popular among the students," he said.
"The garden club the kids loved, it had a really strong following." Full story.
7.50AM
THE Bathurst SES Unit hosted Commissioner Adam Dent recently.
The commissioner recognised the work and commitment of three of the unit's volunteers, presenting awards for 45 years and 15 years of service.
The commissioner also acknowledged the commitment of a young leader within the unit.
"The Bathurst unit is very proud of these members and appreciated their hard work," a spokesperson said.
"Thanks again to the commissioner for visiting us, and for the work of these three members who have set an example of dedication and commitment to service that we can all strive to achieve."
7.45AM
THE Roy Orbison and The Everly Brothers concert at the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre on Saturday night attracted a great crowd.
The concert featured renowned artists Dean Bourne and the Robertson brothers, Geoff and Ben, who performed memorable songs from Pretty Woman and Only The Lonely to Wake Up Little Susie and Bye Bye Love.
Bourne, who has been performing as Orbison for years, has drawn much praise from critics for his portrayal of the music legend.
The Bathurst concert was part of an extensive Australian tour throughout 2015.
Check out more photos from the event on page 10 of today's Advocate.
7.40AM
DON'T miss picking up a copy of today's Western Advocate for your free three-page education and careers supplement.
You'll find all sorts of information about getting into a career that your are passionate about.
7.35AM
Here is today's community diary:
- IT'S YOUR BUSINESS: Do you want to know the secret to getting more customers? Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre will host a free Business Management Workshop run by Bathurst Regional Council from 11am to 1pm today. Call Tracey Trudgett-Gale on 1800 44 88 96 or email tracey.trudgett-gale@bathurst.nsw.gov.au.
- CHESS TIME: Bathurst Chess Club, which meets each week, has a new venue. The club will now meet each Wednesday at Bathurst Panthers at 132 Piper Street at 7.30pm. Call 6331 8272.
- HAVE A YARN: The Neighbourhood Centre Knit-In will be held at 96 Russell Street from 1.30pm to 3.30pm today.
- MACQUARIE CARE: The Macquarie Care Centre Auxiliary will meet today at St Vincent's Hospital, Gormans Hill at 2pm. Call Beverley Stuart on 6331 5254 or Karen Pearce on 0402 845 300.
- DEVELOPING PERTHVILLE: Perthville Development Group Inc will meet at the Perthville Community Hall at 7.30pm today.
- HOSPITAL AUXILIARY: Bathurst Hospital Auxiliary will meet in the Heritage Building at Bathurst Hospital at 2pm today.
7.30AM
A 17-YEAR-OLD Lithgow man had to be subdued with pepper spray after allegedly attacking a police officer on Sunday.
The incident occurred in Lithgow at 10.30am when police patrolling the area stopped a car for a random breath test.
As the police questioned the driver, the passenger left the vehicle and allegedly attacked the officer.
The scuffle only lasted moments.
The offender was arrested and taken to Lithgow police station, where he was charged with using offensive language, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.
He will face Lithgow Children's Court later this month.
► ORANGE: Almost half the families that stay at Orange's Ronald McDonald House are supporting a child battling a mental health issue.
Since it opened in April, the state-of-the-art Orange house has hosted 29 families from an area covering 86 per cent of the state. Alarmingly, almost half are accessing Orange Health Service's child and adolescent mental health unit.
► DUBBO: Airline services to and from Cobar are set to resume more than 18 months after the town lost its regular passenger flights.
Regional Express (Rex) subsidiary Air Link will offer four return flights a week between Cobar and Dubbo with connections to Sydney from August 31.
► PARKES: Using the Moon and the GPS system, scientists have turned CSIRO's Parkes radio telescope in eastern Australia into a new tool for finding the highest-energy particles nature can hurl at us.
The work was presented last week at the 29th General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union in Hawai'i by CSIRO Fellow Professor Ron Ekers, on behalf of a team from Australia and Europe.
► RUGBY UNION: Beau Robinson has had many proud moments in his rugby union career since his days leading the way for St Stanislaus' College.
Come tomorrow, however, he will experience a first in his chosen sport: he will wear a NSW Country jumper for the first time.
► MOTOR SPORT: Twelve months ago Bathurst's Sean Griffiths had only ever dreamed about racing dirt track sidecars, but now he is preparing to contest the Australian Track Championships in Taree.
Along with passenger Scott Burns, Griffiths has not looked back since he purchased a sidecar in November last year. That pair have already contested five events together and notched up two outright third placings.
► RUGBY LEAGUE: If you see CSU Yellow centre Brad Wright smiling this week it is not just because he scored five tries on Saturday or that his side posted a 78-6 win over Orange Barbarians, it is because he now feels the Mungoes can win the 2015 New Era Cup.
It has been a mixed season for CSU Yellow with eight wins and seven losses from 15 rounds, yet over the last month they have found form.
► NEXT month's BizWeek Business Lunch with Todd Sampson created such excitement in the business community it had completely sold out within days of going on sale.
A total of 130 tickets were sold for the lunch with extra standing room only tickets in the upstairs gallery added. Full story.
► A BLUEPRINT mapping out the possible future of the former TAFE building is set to be unveiled.
Bathurst Regional Council will officially adopt a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for the site when it meets tonight. Full story.
► A FREE community recycling centre was officially opened yesterday with Bathurstians encouraged to get involved.
While common household recyclables are collected kerbside each fortnight, many other recyclable items were only collected once a year by Bathurst Regional Council. Full story.
7.00AM
GOOD morning Bathurst and welcome to Wednesday.
A partly cloudy is on the way with areas of fog and frost this morning.
Slight (20 per cent) chance of a shower about the Blue Mountains, near zero chance elsewhere.
If you've got something you'd like included in this morning's BathurstAM email it through to me at nadine.morton@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
A chilling video has emerged that could show the exact moment a bomb was planted at a famous Hindu shrine in the Thai capital on Monday night. More here.
Need a national news snapshot first thing - well, we have you covered.
► DEVONPORT: HIGH on ice and heroin, 24-year-old drug addict Alex thought he was Ozzy Osbourne. "That's the madness behind it," said Alex. More here.
► HUNTER VALLEY: Stay-at-home mothers and middle-to-high income earners are the real faces of the Hunter’s ice epidemic. New research shows that perceptions about ice users were not representative of the people who actually face addiction to the drug. More here.
► MUDGEE: A covenant or deed poll placed on the cemetery at the former Upper Bylong Catholic Church, located on KEPCO Australia’s 3000 hectare Bylong Coal Project site, has been raised with the company. The company is currently working through the process of identifying and working with descendants of those buried with plans to relocate grave sites. More here.
► LEETON: LEETON High School staff and students have decided on a unique way to honour the memory of their teacher and friend Stephanie Scott. More here.
► WAGGA WAGGA: A WOMAN has spoken of the horror when she found her neighbour’s six-month-old kitten strangled to death in a senseless act that has enraged the city’s animal lovers. More here.
► WIMMERA: Residents are being overcharged for gas because of estimated meter readings. More here.
► ILLAWARRA: It had the heart of a lion; now the notorious ‘‘Torpedo Pig’’ of Lake Illawarra will be turned into cat food. More here.
► GOULBURN: Police have located and arrested a man who escaped from Goulburn Correctional Centre on Tuesday. It is understood the inmate tied bedsheets together to scale a prison wall. More here.
► KATHERINE: LESS than 45 minutes before flying out of the chute in front of hundreds of rodeo fans on Saturday night, 14-year-old Eli Bee was exhibiting a level of calm not matched by cowboys decades his senior. More here.
► BENDIGO: FOUR-year-old Edward Boyer could soon be on the verge of taking his first steps. But, first, he will need to travel to South Australia to undertake intensive treatment for cerebral palsy which is unavailable in Victoria. More here.
► BALLARAT: PRO gamers have been doping for years in a bid to earn the big bucks at pro tournaments. According to Ballarat’s avid gamers, the use of performance-enhancing drugs has always been common in professional gaming tournaments. More here.
► Tony Abbott has moved to heal a rift with Aboriginal leaders over their push to establish a unified Indigenous position on what constitution recognition question should be put to the people. More here.
► A proposed "technologically advanced" cashless welfare card will link to recipients' mobile phones and restrict them from spending payments on gambling or alcohol. More here.
► The appetite-suppressing power of hot chilli is being studied by Australian researchers who hope it will lead to a weight loss drug. More here.
► Thousands of jewels, 400 metres of fabric and dozens of man hours - Aysha Mehajer's wedding dress was as extravagant as the wedding itself. More here.