Australia’s first indigenous Olympian Francis Roy "Frank" Roberts lived in Armidale and gave boxing lessons to local youths.  He competed at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics in the welterweight division.

Duval Mountain was named after stockman John Duval, a farmer from Staffordshire, England who, following the break and enter of a property, was sentenced to death in 1825.

The Armidale School was founded in 1894 as the New England Proprietary School.

8.30AM

FEDERAL Member for New England Barnaby Joyce has called for nominations for Australia Day awards.

Mr Joyce said the Australian of the Year Awards profiles leading citizens who are role models right across the community.

He said these Australians were an inspiration with their achievements and it was a worthy challenge for us all to make our own contribution to making a better Australia.

The Australian of the Year Awards is presented in four categories: Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year [those aged 60 years and over], Young Australian of the Year [aged 16 to 30 years] and Australia’s Local Hero.

 Mr Joyce said additional information about the awards is available at www.australianoftheyear.gov.au or by telephone on 1300 655 193.

 “Too often there are quiet achievers within our community who fly under the radar and these awards offer an insight into the Australian identity and celebrate the diversity of our people,” Mr Joyce said.

“These people don’t actively seek recognition, but credit should be given where credit is due.”

MEMBER of the Legislative Council Paul Green was in town on Friday to meet with deputy mayor Jenny Bailey and campaign for the Christian Democratic Party 2015 NSW State Election.

He met with key stakeholders in the community, along with fellow party member Ross Clifford.

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7AM

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The first sod has been turned to officially kick off construction of the new $4 million Emu Crossing Bridge project at Bundarra.

The new bridge over the Gwydir River will replace the existing low-level Emu Crossing Bridge with a higher, longer and wider structure designed to cope with major flooding events and to keep the region’s freight moving.

Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said it was a “momentous occasion for Bundarra and the region” and that he was pleased with the speedy start of the project, since Newcastle-based company Civilbuild Pty Ltd had won the contract to build the new bridge in May.

“Work was expected to commence in August so the community and I are delighted to see the project getting underway ahead of schedule,” he said.