This is a time for our school communities to show off the talents and achievements of their student body but also for the community to recognise the dedicated teachers, mentors and tutors that our youth learn from, and work with, every day.

It is a privilege to attend these assemblies and see the determination, interest and passion shown by the students.

It is an opportunity for the schools to showcase the talents of all their students - those who excel in their subjects or who have shown great improvement over the year, and also those who embrace all the opportunities that school provides such as the chance to pursue drama, music and sporting activities.

The school community can also acknowledge the hard work of the school’s staff in guiding the learning and development of our youth.

The Bathurst Youth Art Awards and showcase concert was also held this week, with performances from the 10 award winners, and once again this was representative of the wonderful guidance and mentoring these students receive from their teachers and tutors.

For three of these finalists, they will also have the opportunity to perform at Council’s Australia Day ceremony in Machattie Park and be in contention for the $1000 scholarship that is provided to the overall youth arts award winner.

These awards provide opportunities for young performers to further develop their skills and talents.

It is a program that is also only possible because of the ongoing support and sponsorship of 2BS and the Arts Council.

Their long-term support and the work of our local educational facilities is recognition of the importance of investing in our youth and providing them with opportunities to pursue their passions in learning, performing and achieving.

THIS week I’ve joined a campaign to raise awareness about a free service that has helped more than two million people with legal problems in this state in the past 15 years.

LawAccess NSW is a great starting point for anyone with a legal issue. The support it provides will cost you nothing and could save you a lot of time and anxiety.

LawAccess has launched a Communications Toolkit to help people and organisations spread the word about its services, after Law and Justice Foundation research showed one in five people with a legal problem in NSW don’t do anything about it.

The LawAccess phone line 1300 888 529 provides free legal information, referrals and - in some cases – legal advice on civil, criminal and family law issues.

The LawAccess website www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au contains self-help information on a range of topics including debt, fines, family and neighbour disputes.

It also has a guide to representing yourself in a court or tribunal.

Card-carrying riders

FROM March 2017, bicycle riders will be encouraged to use emergency contact cards as an alternative to mandating carrying identification, following consultation with peak cycling groups.

The alternative solution strikes the right balance between safety and convenience and builds on the first six months of cycling reforms, which has delivered improved road safety outcomes for bicycle riders.

Emergency cards will be made available through Cycling NSW and Bicycle NSW and will ensure family members can be notified in the event of a crash, and to assist emergency services staff in providing the best medical treatment possible.