9AM: That's it from me here this morning. I hope everyone has a wonderful Monday.
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Keep updated with all your local news today on your local website:
8.45AM: If you are celebrating your Birthday today, we wish you a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
You share your birthday with Patrick Swayze.
8.30AM: A great story about young kids staying calm in a crisis.
A Bathurst man who severed two fingers in a wood-chopping accident on Friday believes quick action by his two young sons saved his life.
Henry Mahara, who is recovering in Westmead Hospital following emergency surgery on Friday, was splitting yellow box at his West Bathurst home when a moment’s inattention with a hydraulic wood splitter resulted in him severing two of his fingers.
8.15AM: Who went along to the Dubbo Jazz Festival over the weekend?
The festival, which ran from Friday to Sunday, featured performances in a number of locations from Club Dubbo to St Andrew's Church.
Member of Moochers Inc Rafe Morris said it was his first time performing in Dubbo and the first time being in Dubbo for most of the band.
8AM: Did you know it's the RSPCA's cupcake day today. Are you or your business holding an event for this great fundraising cause? Let us know by emailing your photos to lpinkerton@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
7.45AM: Taking a look around the region and nation this morning:
* A man who severed two fingers in a wood-chopping accident on Friday believes quick action by his two young sons saved his life. Henry Mahara, who is recovering in Westmead Hospital following emergency surgery on Friday, was splitting yellow box at his West Bathurst home when a moment’s inattention with a hydraulic wood splitter resulted in him severing two of his fingers.
* There are no plans to create any more parking spaces at Orange hospital despite criticism from the public there aren’t enough places for patients and visitors.
* Prime Minister Tony Abbott flew into Mudgee in time to join the annual Pollie Pedal on Saturday morning, as around 50 riders began the final two stages of a 1000km charity ride. Mr Abbott, a founder of the Pollie Pedal, missed most of the week-long ride from Moree to Penrith due to overseas commitments.
* For most families moving house takes planning and consideration, but when the ‘kids’ number in the hundreds and come in all shapes and sizes it becomes a strategic exercise of almost-military precision. Pam Ahern, founder and director of Edgar's Mission Farm Sanctuary, is moving her family of assorted rescued animals to new premises in Lancefield.
* Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop has urged compromise with the Senate crossbench to repeal the mining tax and pass contentious budget measures, citing John Howard's GST compromise.
* And we have some wonderful photos taking a look at last week's major events across the country.
7.30AM: And taking a look at local headlines this morning we have:
* A firefighter has died and another was injured battling a blaze at COBAR'S New Occidental Hotel early Sunday morning. “It is with a heavy heart I confirm the death of a Fire and Rescue NSW officer in the state’s west today,” Minister for Emergency Services Stuart Ayres said. “The officer was attending a fire at a hotel in Cobar when a wall collapsed and he suffered what is believed to be cardiac arrest
* A truck decked out with state-of-the-art medical training equipment rolled into Dubbo Hospital this week to provide valuable learning opportunities for local health professionals. The Health Education and Training Institute's (HETI) Rural Mobile Simulation Centre (MSC) contained a replicated emergency room and hospital ward featuring computerised mannequins as the patients.
* Tom Perry Park in NARROMINE will be extended to accommodate the town's Cenotaph. Council voted in favour of extending the park rather than moving the Cenotaph back into the park at its meeting on Wednesday night.
* The community has thanked long time volunteer Wendy Blake for her more than 34 years of dedication to the Wellington Eisteddfod which ended with a spectacular grand concert at the Civic Centre before a big crowd. ‘’Over the years people who I have guided have gone onto the big things from this Eisteddfod and by being part of it you just never know where you end up’’ she said.
* Blood donors will get the "Blood Signal" today - a call to arms to blood donors they are urgently needed. Stocks are under two days' supply in NSW for O-Negative and O-Positive blood.
* A furry visitor paid a special visit to Dubbo Hospital this week to share gifts, cuddles and hope. Cancer Council NSW mascot Dougal Bear popped in to the children's ward to raise awareness of Daffodil Day later this month, a national day of hope for Australians to show they care about beating cancer.
7.15AM: We had some terribly sad news from Cobar with Sunday morning's fire at the New Occidental Hotel claiming the life of firefighter Daniel Howard.
Daniel has been described as "A gorgeous young man, a beautiful and brave one that I felt honoured to know," by Cobar's mayor Lilliane Brady.
Police also issued an appeal last night asking for anyone at the site taking video of the fire to please come forward. A police spokesperson said the footage could help in assisting with the investigation.
7AM: Welcome to Monday's Morning Grill. You are here this morning with Lynn Pinkerton in Dubbo.
To start you off for the working week stay with us as we bring you live updates from local, regional and national news.
If you have something you would like to share with us this morning, email thegrill@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
Taking a quick look at the weather for the working week:
* Dubbo / Trangie / Nyngan - Cloudy. Isolated showers until evening. Winds SW 20 to 30 km/h. Temperatures reaching 15 degrees.
* Bourke / Cobar - Partly cloudy. The chance of showers in the northeast late in the morning. Winds SW 20 to 30 km/h becoming light in the late evening. Temperatures reaching 14 degrees.
