Frost and fog greeted athletes on the first day of competition at the 2009 Eastern University Games that started at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst on Monday 6 July. The cool weather remained but cleared for the successful completion of all rounds of competition. Teams manager for the CSU teams, Mr Nik Granger, said that the more than 1 500 participants from 15 universities were assured that while Bathurst weather isn’t always like this, it could be worse. “At least it’s not windy and snowing,” Mr Granger joked. “Last week, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Goulter, suggested that the weather could provide our CSU teams with a home-town advantage, but I suspect that all the competing students come from such a wide range of geographical backgrounds that whatever the weather, it will still be a level playing field. Our main wish is that all the participants enjoy a wonderful competition and return safely to their home campuses with fond memories of their time at Bathurst and CSU.”