Bathurst sides have so far taken out the major regional competitions in the three biggest winter sports, and the Bathurst Giants’ women’s Australian rules side has the chance to make it a clean sweep this weekend.

Bathurst women have so far enjoyed success on the rugby field, with Bathurst Bulldogs taking out the Ferguson Cup women’s competition; Premier League Hockey, with St Pat’s downing Lithgow Panthers in the final last weekend; and League-Tag after St Pat’s defeated Orange Hawks in the Group 10 grand final.

The Giants women will go in as underdogs against Dubbo in their Australian rules grand final at George Park 2 on Saturday but the home ground advantage and cheers of a proud sporting city will work in their favour.

Might be time for the Bathurst men to pick up their game?

OK, Parade gets it – we love our pets.

Some people are cat people, some people are dog people and some people love their rabbit.

But can’t we just love our pets without having to endure yet another Love Your [Insert Animal Name Here] Day? Apparently not.

A press release landed on Parade’s desk this week breathlessly advising that Friday is International Hug Your Dog Day.

It was not that long ago [about three weeks, actually] that we were celebrating National Dog Day but it seems the nation’s pampered pooches are a needy bunch – though not all of them.

International Hug Your Hound Day is also, the press release says, a chance to “talk to children in regards to the safety message when it comes to hugging dogs”, because some don’t want to be hugged at all.

“Body language is key when it comes to dogs,” the press release states.

It’s all getting to be too much for Parade.

Roll on International Day Of Nothing To Hold An International Day For.

Now that’s a day Parade could really support.