Farmers are being reminded to cover up and think about sun safety, after new research from the University of New England highlighted alarming statistics. Many forgetting to slip, slop and slap before heading out for a busy day’s work.

The big day is still more than a fortnight away, but the Tamworth community is already embracing the Christmas spirit. The annual Carols in The Park saw hundreds sing along to some festive favourites.

Police are investigating a single-vehicle crash that killed a 27-year-old man in Armidale on Friday night. About 9 o’clock, emergency services were called to Elm Avenue, following reports a Nissan Navara had crashed into a tree. The driver was taken to hospital, but he sadly died a short time later. There were no passengers in the vehicle.

A 56-year-old man was flown to Tamworth Base Hospital Wednesday afternoon following a high-speed rollover. The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to the Gwidyr Highway outside Warialda before 1 o’clock. He was treated on the scene by paramedics for multiple injuries, before being flown to Tamworth.

The improvement in quality of the region’s cattle grids is the first project Tamworth Regional Council will embark upon, after being approved to use federal drought funding. Bulk water-filling stations will also be installed in six of the city’s surrounding villages, as well as an additional facility in Tamworth. The new stations will be similar to the one already in place on Lockheed Street. Council says it will help with filling rain-water tanks and providing drinking water for stock.

The region’s junior rugby league stars will soon have the chance to train with the pros. The University of New England is hosting a State of Origin Clinic next month, to be run by Blues coach Brad Fittler. Details are not yet confirmed, but it’s expected both boys and girls will take part – getting some tips from one of the greats. “Not long ago, UNE hosted national sports camps. It already hosts a rugby camp, a soccer camp as such, so the rugby league camp Brad Fittler was extremely keen to bring that back to Armidale and the region.” The New South Wales Origin Squad is also set to take part in a camp of its own, to strengthen teamwork ahead of the upcoming season.

Work on Tamworth’s Manilla Road is moving along, but it’s expected there will soon be significant disruptions to local traffic. The busy section of road near the Jewry Street intersection is being upgraded to introduce a dual carriageway. Locals are being encouraged to attend one of two drop-in sessions being held this week to ask questions about how they’ll be impacted. “Engineers and council staff will be there for anybody who would like some information about what those traffic changes will mean.” Sessions will be held at the intersection Thursday night and Friday morning.

For sportspeople in regional areas, opportunities to compete at a national level are few and far between. But the University of New England’s Sports Academy is working to change this, with applications for 2019 now open.

The Moonbi Lookout is a popular stop-off for both locals and tourists – but many still don’t know about its rich past. A plaque has been unveiled, commemorating decades of work that’s gone into the historic attraction.

The heated pool at the University of New England has always been a ‘go-to’ for Armidale swimmers, but age eventually caught up with it. Now, after months of repair work, it’s on the way to becoming a state-of-the-art facility.