Sydney local Nathan Xuereb will be eyeing off his maiden golden guitar harness racing title at tomorrow night’s Carnival of Cups. He’s hoping inform pacer Redbelly Jack will get him over the line – the gelding winning three of his last four starts.

While there were plenty of buskers along Peel Street today, a sea of yellow emerged outside Barnaby Joyce’s electorate office. Members of the Knitting Nannas Against Gas group set up camp, hoping to meet with the Deputy Prime Minister to put an end to coal and CSG mining…and discuss a new health report. “Through this report Dr Geralyn McCarron, she speaks about the increase of hospitalised visits so we’re wondering if that’s what we’re going to see in the New England North West if we continue the industrialisation of our region.” Members travelled from all over the state for today’s event – but unfortunately Mr Joyce was out of the office. (vision and audio in parts)

Football hopefuls have had the chance to impress an English Premier League Scout at the Northern Inland Academy of Sport’s National Football Camp. Stephen McCarthy has been eyeing off local talent, putting players through their paces.

A business park at Armidale airport is one step closer, with council making an official funding application to the state government. The $5-million grant is likely to be approved in the coming months – with council contributing more than $2-million to the project.

Armidale Regional Council says plans to introduce traffic to Beardy Street Mall were put forward by its former executive team. Current Mayor Simon Murray has temporarily withdrawn a funding application, while more community engagement is conducted.

A man from the Snowy Mountains has been named this year’s Star Maker winner. Jindabyne local Brad Cox used his win to pay tribute to teenager Amy ‘Dolly’ Everett, who recently took her own life.

Armidale Council has back flipped on plans to redevelop the city’s Beardy Street mall – withdrawing a $3.3-million funding application from the state government. Under the plan, one controversial option would see vehicle traffic reintroduced into the mall. Mayor Simon Murray says the decision to withdraw the application was made to encourage more community engagement. It follows the announcement last week that a group of concerned residents plan to hold a rally in the mall, in protest of the upgrades next month. (vision only)

Fire crews have worked through the weekend, struggling to contain a blaze burning south west of Narrabri in the Pilliga Forest. A total fire ban is in place for the region, with hot gusty winds due to sweep through this afternoon.

Tamworth’s famous landmark has celebrated a major milestone. On January 22 in 1988, the Big Golden Guitar was officially opened by Australia’s King of Country Music, Slim Dusty. Today on its 30th birthday, many tourists made a pit stop to take a quick snap.. The idea to build a big guitar was brought about by former Mayor Warrick Bennet and festival founder Max Ellis… The 12-metre high fibreglass structure was made by Tamworth local Len Surtees and modelled on the famous Golden Guitar awards. (vision only)

Tamworth’s medical force has been strengthened with 18 new junior medical officers beginning work at the city’s hospital. They will spend the next two years rotating through different specialties and it’s hoped many will choose to stay in rural medicine.