An individual will be considered for the Living Legends list if they are currently living within the Bathurst Regional Council area and have contributed to making Bathurst a great place to live and visit.

Living Legends are announced on Proclamation Day in May each year. Legends also have a tree planted on the Living Legends Avenue of trees on Bradwardine Road, with a plaque identifying each Legend's tree.

To nominate a person you think is worthy of becoming a Living Legend, visit YourSay Bathurst. Nominations close Friday, January 31.

NRL tickets on sale

TICKETS are now on sale for next year's clash between the Penrith Panthers and Cronulla Sharks at Carrington Park on Sunday, May 10.

It will be the seventh year Bathurst has hosted the Penrith Panthers at Carrington Park and next year's match is sure to attract a good crowd.

The game brings plenty of people to our city each year and brings immense benefits to our community, creating seven full-time jobs and injecting more than $880,000 into the local economy.

Early bird prices are available until January 7 and tickets are available via Ticketek and BathurstNRL.com.au

Caretaker's Cottage

THE refurbishment of the Caretaker's Cottage in Machattie Park has been completed.

The building is used by the Mitchell Conservatorium for music lessons.

Council has contributed approximately $200,000 to the project, which included repairs and restoration to some of the main features to highlight the historic designs and architecture of the building.

WE want to ease the pressure of travel costs for seniors living in the bush and help them stay connected with family and friends and access services.

That's why the NSW Government is launching the new $250 regional seniors travel card. Preloaded with $250, the card will be valid for 12 months and can be used for pre-booked NSW TrainLink Regional train and coach services, fuel and taxi trips.

The card will make it more affordable for seniors living in rural and regional areas to travel to access essential services, do their shopping or visit family and friends.

To be eligible, you must be an age pensioner with a valid Pensioner Concession Card or hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card issued by either the Department of Human Services or Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Seniors must live in regional NSW outside Wollongong and Newcastle City Council boundaries.

Eligible seniors will be able to register for their card through Service NSW in late January.

Junior doctor scholarships

THE NSW Government is committed to helping build a strong, long-term medical workforce in the bush so people can be cared for closer to home.

We are now offering up to 50 new scholarships worth $3000 each for junior doctors embarking on careers as rural generalists in regional and rural NSW.

These new scholarships complement initiatives already underway to attract junior doctors to the bush, such as dedicated pathways for medical graduates wanting to work in rural areas and supported training programs.

We're funding a record 8300 frontline doctors, nurses and allied health positions across NSW over this term, with nearly half of those positions going to rural and regional areas.

The program works in close partnership with Local Health Districts and rural health services, who provide the training and support for the advanced skills trainees.

This initiative will further encourage and support trainees to embark on fulfilling rural careers with exposure to a wide, varied and interesting range of clinical practice.

Mobile phone detection cameras

WE know that some drivers are continuing to put the safety of themselves, their passengers and the community at risk: in a pilot of the camera technology earlier this year, more than 100,000 drivers were found to be using their phones illegally.

Driving while using a mobile phone is dangerous behaviour and motorists need to know that they can be caught at any time.

Wherever a driver is on the network, the message is simple - get your hand off it.

There is strong community support for more enforcement, with 80 per cent of people surveyed supporting the use of detection cameras to stop illegal mobile phone use.

For the first three months, drivers caught by a mobile phone detection camera will receive a warning letter.

After that, drivers will receive a $344 fine, or a $457 fine in a school zone, and five demerit points - 10 during double demerit periods.

NSW Police will continue to enforce illegal mobile phone use and issue infringements as part of regular on-road operations during the warning phase of the camera program.

For more information, visit www.roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/mobilephones/technology.html