Quiz night with a great cause

Anyone who has followed the Geraldton Buccaneers from back in the mid-nineties will remember valued player Roneil Powell. Ron was part of the 1997 Buccs team featured great players including Dan Hunt, Greg Brown and Andrew Kennedy.

Ron was known for being a true team player.

On Sunday February 2, former Buccs import player Roneil Powell, 43, unexpectedly passed away of a cardiac arrest.

The devastating news comes just days after the family’s 4-year-old son Ezequiel was diagnosed with a rare form of inoperable cancer.

Ron is American and his wife Alex Porrata, daughter Yolanda and son Ezequiel reside in California’s Marin County.

On a website dedicated to Ezequiel and Ron, Ron is described as, “a beautiful man, beloved by everyone who knew him.”

Ron is remembered as being team orientated and loved his friends and family. He was down to earth and enjoyed life, especially his time in Geraldton. He even became a fire fighter around 2002/03 (after September 11).

To help out Ron’s family, the Geraldton Buccaneers will host a Quiz Night on Thursday, 31st July 2014 to raise much needed funds to help with the ongoing medical costs for Ez.

The funds will go to the family through the website to help care for Ron’s family.

The Buccs would love to have as many people as possible attend to make it a great, fun night and to raise the all important funds to help Ron’s family.

Date - Thursday 31st July 2014

Where - Activewest Stadium 8th street Wonthella

Time - Doors open 6.15pm quiz starts at 7pm.

Cost - $15 per person all tickets to be pre booked no door sales on the night.

If you can't make the quiz night but would like to donate, click here.

If you would like more information or to book a table, contact Ryan Thompson - 0408 954 311 or Lana Thompson 0408 924 523.

Land lines still favoured by older australians

A survey from 2013 has released findings that quarter of older Australians (855,000) only have a fixed-line telephone at home. While increasing numbers of Australians are replacing their fixed-line telephone with a mobile phone, some groups particularly those aged 65 years and over continue to rely on their fixed-line telephone service. ACMA’s latest report ‘Older Australians resist cutting the cord’ shows that despite more Australians 65 years and over adopting mobile phones, over half (55 per cent) identify the fixed-line telephone as their most used communications service.

The survey shows that older Australians were more inclined to have a fixed-line telephone connection at home (93 per cent), the highest percentage across all age groups at December 2013. In contrast, they are the least likely (74 per cent) to own or use a mobile phone.

The survey indicates that older Australians are less likely to use their mobile phones intensively, making fewer calls, sending fewer text messages, spending less time in calls and dialling a smaller group of different phone numbers than other mobile phone users.

What are your thoughts on this, are you an older citizen that has embraced the mobile phone community or are you still reliant on your existing land line ?

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Midnight basketball new tournament starting August 8

Midnight Basketball’s tenth tournament concluded last month but another one is just around the corner! Another tournament will be starting up again with week one commencing on Friday, August 8.

Each eight-week program includes a hot nutritious meal for players and volunteers, life-skills workshops, bus rides home for each player, awards night after the grand final and of course a whole lot of fun.Come and volunteer for Tournament 11 and see which teams will battle it out at the end of the program.

Volunteers are wanted each night for team managers, bus drivers and bus supervisors, catering helpers, general assistants, scorers and so much more.

Fully organised by a local Midnight Basketball Community Committee, with members from Geraldton Amateur Basketball Association, Centacare, PCYC, School Drug Education and Road Aware (SDERA), Community Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS) and the City of Greater Geraldton; the program enables youth to engage with sport in a healthy and safe environment.

City of Greater Geraldton’s Coordinator Community Development, Yvonne Lovedee, said the success of Midnight Basketball is made possible because of volunteers.

“Volunteers are the backbone of the Midnight Basketball program by providing a safe, happy and cooperative environment, they also provide the chance for youth to engage with a diverse range of community members who share their friendship, knowledge, and access to future opportunities,” she said.

“Without the support of our volunteers the program would not be possible.” Come and see how you can help, each night requires 15 volunteers."

For more information contact: Yvonne 0400 207 627 or visit the Midnight Basketball Geraldton website on www.midnightbasketball.org.au/Locations/geraldton/Pages/default.aspx.

$6.68 million to be spent on Midwest cancer centre

Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney has received correspondence from Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Kim Hames MLA confirming funding for vital health infrastructure developments in the city. Mr Blayney said he was delighted to receive confirmation that over $6.68 million would be spent on the initial stages of a Midwest Cancer Centre, plus crucial renal dialysis and associated support services including consultancy and office accommodation at the Geraldton Hospital.

“I’ve been pushing for funding through both State and Commonwealth allocations and am delighted we’ve received funding for such crucial health services in Geraldton,” Mr Blayney said.

“On the downside two funding applications for the redevelopment of the Geraldton Health Campus were unsuccessful but I’m heartened by the Deputy Premier’s lobbying on my behalf for this very important redevelopment, especially since we’ve received confirmation from the Federal Minister for Health that Geraldton Hospital is Dr Hames’ top priority for Federal Funding.

“The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) will also continue to pursue funding sources to progress the redevelopment of the Geraldton Health Campus.”

Mr Blayney said a Cancer Centre submission was successful in receiving $5.48 million through the Commonwealth Government Health and Hospital Fund (HHF) to construct a six chair, one bed chemotherapy unit and a seven double bedroom hostel, while planning is progressing for the Midwest Cancer Centre.

Mr Blayney said that under the Commonwealth’s Bringing Renal Dialysis and Support Services Closer to Home project, $45.8 million has been allocated Statewide to expand renal infrastructure and dialysis and support services.

Geraldton will share in the provision of 17 additional renal dialysis chairs and 46 patient accommodation units for up to 92 patients meaning for the first time many patients with kidney disease will be able to receive dialysis near or in their communities.

The Geraldton Hospital has also been successful in receiving an allocation of $1.2 million to provide additional consultancy and office accommodation that is scheduled for phase two of the project.

WA Department of Health Infrastructure Unit resources estimate the new on-site building at the hospital will commence mid-2015 with an estimated completion date mid-2016.

The estimated construction start date on the Cancer Centre and hostel will commence early next year with an anticipated completion date early in 2016.

Mr Blayney said the WACHS had made two funding applications under the HHF and National Partnership Agreement (NPA) for the redevelopment of the Geraldton Health Campus, while a separate funding application for the development of an Acute Psychiatric Unit was submitted to the HHF in 2011 and followed up by a revised version in January 2012.

Mr Blayney said he hoped these unsuccessful applications could provide the framework for a positive application given the Geraldton Hospital’s top priority for Federal funding. If you would like more information contact Ian Blayney:- (office) 08 99641640 or (mob) 0428 244 020

Using Gift Vouchers - What are the rules?

Buying gifts for people is hard. Everyone hates getting presents they have no use for, and the hassle of swapping clothes that don't fit or appliances you already own is often more a chore than a blessing. But for some reason in our culture handing someone $50 cash is basically the equivalent of saying "I don't care enough about you to know what you want." (I personally have no problem with getting cash FYI).

Which is why gift vouchers have exploded in popularity over the last 10 years. Gift vouchers say "I care enough to make some effort" and "you can choose exactly what you want" at the same time.

But the execution of using a gift voucher or gift card has come up recently, with recent reports to Everything Geraldton that some local businesses not allowing the vouchers to be used multiple times.

Some businesses are more than happy to give change, in cash, when the full value of the voucher is not used, even though according to the Dept of Commerce they're not obligated to do this. However, there is the question as to whether you should be allowed to use your voucher more than once if you don't spend it all the first time.

One local shared their recent experience:

I had a $50 gift voucher to [a local establishment]. A friend and I went for lunch and our meals totalled $33.50. When paying I waited and eventually enquired as to getting my updated gift voucher. The answer I received was that they do not provide cash back for the difference. Fair enough. I explained I did not expect that, and that I only wanted the difference as an updated or new gift voucher. I was given a very condescending analogy along the lines of "if I went to jeans west with a $50 gift voucher and bought $30 jeans I would not be given $20 cash back". I reiterated that was not what I was requesting. The staff member then suggest she speak to the manager. She returned and said that the manager confirmed I have to forfeit the difference. As we all know, this is not how gift vouchers work. I said this to the staff member and received a very blunt "that's how we do things here" in reply. Frustrated that they were ripping me off I offered the remainder of the gift voucher to be used towards the customers behind me, which they did.

The following is from the Department of Commerce's website:

Vouchers:

• must clearly display the expiry date
• can be used more than once
• cannot be reloaded (in other words, the value cannot be increased or added to)
• cannot be redeemed for cash unless there is a remaining amount that, in the reasonable opinion of the trader, cannot be conveniently used'

It pays to know your rights as a consumer.  The local office of the Department of Commerce can be contacted on  (08) 9920 9800.

Blowing up Dad's ashes

I would like to give a shout out and a huge thank you to Ken at Midwest Fireworks. He helped us blow my Dad's ashes up in a an amazing show of fireworks, over the farm where he had planted 5000 Eucalyptus trees years earlier. He has now been laid to rest in a fitting service and returned home. - Aaron Willcox

Is sexual discrimination alive and well in Geraldton?

Editor's note- The company referred to below has not been specifically named as it is not our intention to unnecessarily name and shame businesses who endeavour to serve our community. However, the issue of discrimination does affect us all and is worthy of discussion. The intention of the article is that awareness is brought to the wider issue.

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Since 1984, choosing someone to work for your company based on their gender has been illegal.

In the time that has transpired it is generally agreed that our society has made good steps toward gender equality, but there is still more work to do.

Apart from the fact that gender discrimination is illegal, it's widely accepted that your sex should be no barrier for people your employment prospects. Whether you want to be a plumber or a midwife, your gender should not determine whether you have employment prospects.

But some Geraldton residents were shocked yesterday after a local business advertised a job vacancy specifically calling for a "junior male".

It's possible that the role required some physical activity or lifting, and it's quite likely that the job may appeal to more males than females. But the description of the role gave no indication as to why someone lacking a Y chromosome would not be considered for the job.

The job was posted on the business' Facebook page. One commenter did pose the question as to why a girl could not fill the role. Another local resident complained that their comment asserting sexual discrimination was hidden.

While it's quite imaginable that the person advertising the position would never consider themselves sexist, it does serve to highlight how unnecessary gender biases still pervade our culture and thinking.

Societal expectations placed on impressionable boys and girls have a strong formative effect and, sadly, can prevent both men and women considering themselves suitable for roles they might otherwise excel at.

It can go both ways of course. This author, a male, has experience the opposite where being a man prevented me from obtaining some jobs I tried to get.

A recent viral video on YouTube (37 million views and counting) sought to demonstrate how sexist our thinking still is. The video is called "#LikeAGirl".

It starts with a director asking some actresses and actors to perform certain tasks, like running or fighting, "like a girl".  As you might expect, the people performing the tasks act in a very uncoordinated fashion.

The same tasks are then given to some very young girls, who make no such effort to act uncoordinated. One young girl is asked: "What does it mean to 'run like a girl' ?"

Her response: "It means run fast as you can."

Watch the full video below.

From the Sex Discrimination Act 1984:

Discrimination in employment or in superannuation

(1) It is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against a person on the ground of the person's sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status, marital or relationship status, pregnancy or potential pregnancy, breastfeeding or family responsibilities:

(a) in the arrangements made for the purpose of determining who should be offered employment;

(b) in determining who should be offered employment; or

(c) in the terms or conditions on which employment is offered.

Tonight at 6.30pm, the story of ‘Bundiyarra, a good place to go’ will feature on NITV.

Tonight (Thursday 17 July 2014) at 6.30pm, the story of ‘Bundiyarra, a good place to go’ will feature on NITV. The story was recorded by the Film & Television Institute in July 2013 to commemorate Bundiyarra being Incorporated and operating for 15 years.

On National Apology Day, February 13, 2014, Bundiyarra Life and Board Members travelled to Perth to attend a VIP launch screening in Northbridge.

The invitation from FTI stated ‘Bundiyarra’ is the story of the Bundiyarra Founding Elders and how they fought to win their land, in what became one of the first land transfers in Western Australian history. It was noted that the story of Bundiyarra was one of the strongest stories recorded at that point in time.

The photo below is of one of the Founding Members Mr Rob Ronan on the Big screen in Perth (photo courtesy ABC Open – Chris Lewis).

Geraldton is a Biodiversity Hotspot

Biodiversity - Noun:The variety of plant and animal life in the world, or in a particular habitat, a high level of which is usually considered to be important and desirable. Oxford English Dictionary

The Geraldton area is one of only 34 of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, and is of very high biodiversity value. However it is under significant threat.

The City of Greater Geraldton and the Shire of Chapman Valley are seeking community support to maintain this important and desirable habitat, through a survey to develop private landholder incentives to preserve Geraldton’s ranking as a biodiversity hotspot.

City Senior Environmental and Sustainability Officer, Robyn Nicholas, said the two local governments’ policies and strategies show a commitment to environmental values, and to halting and reversing the observed trends towards collapse of local ecosystems.

“The City has developed a Local Biodiversity Strategy, which can be found on the City’s website under town planning then public consultation on www.cgg.wa.gov.au, to address some of the issues and the values of which historically have been hard to quantify,” she said.

“However, more recently concepts including ecosystem services, triple bottom line, sustainability indicators, natural asset management and carbon price have helped to identify the value of such areas.

“The development of the strategy included substantial community and stakeholder engagement, and to achieve the vision, will need stronger action from government and must provide for stronger support for local community groups and private landowners.

“Indeed an action from the strategy is to develop and support an incentives program for private landholder conservation,” said Ms Nicholas.

“We would like private landholders’ thoughts on how to encourage the retention, protection and management of this vegetation on private land by encouraging them to complete a survey and be in the draw to win 50 local provenance seedlings valued at $165 each.”

To discover how this program could work the City is encouraging private landholders to complete a survey which can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/K8FWC2P and closes on Thursday July 24, 2014. You could get the chance to win two prizes of 50 local provenance seedlings valued at $150 each.

For more information contact Robyn Nicholas on 9956 6629 or robynn@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Mullewa Muster & Rodeo 2014 video

Mullewa Muster & Rodeo Promotional video from Cineport Pty Ltd on Vimeo.

Looks like the Mullewa Muster and Rodeo had another successful year. Check out this video from local film producers Cineport.

For more Muster info head to their website: www.mullewamuster.com

$10,000 available to employers who hire certain mature aged workers

MORE SUPPORT FOR MATURE AGE JOB SEEKERS

The Government last Friday officially launched the Restart programme.

Restart provides a $10,000 incentive to employers to hire and retain mature age job seekers aged 50 and over who have been in receipt of income support for six months or more.

According to the government, the ageing population means increasing workforce participation is critical to our future prosperity, and the Government says that mature-aged workers have a valuable contribution to make to the workplace.

The Restart programme – worth $524.8 million over four years.

Other programmes currently running include:

• the revised Work for the Dole programme, which will be phased in across 18 higher- unemployment areas across Australia;
• Relocation Assistance to Take up a Job, to provide financial support to job seekers to move to areas where work is available; and
• Job Commitment Bonus, which will provide $6500 to young, long-term unemployed people if they get a job, and stay in continuous work and off welfare for two years.

For more information on Restart, contact a Job Services Australia provider on 13 17 15 or visit www.jobsearch.gov.au/provider or https://employment.gov.au/restart 

City staff get set to tread the boards for Foodbank

Think City of Greater Geraldton Council staff are boring pencil pushers with no personality?

Boy, are you in for a pleasant surprise on July 26 when City staff present a variety benefit concert to raise funds for Foodbank Geraldton, at 7pm at Queens Park Theatre.

Some amazing talent lurks amongst City staff who will entertain with music and comedy in the With a Little Help From Our Friends concert, so named to promote the idea of people helping others in need, and of course recognising help from well- known friends outside the City who will support the cast on stage.

Leading the friends will be Geraldton’s own very talented Mia Royce along with Aaron Willcox wielding some guitar magic.

City Mayor, Ian Carpenter said this voluntary initiative from City staff and friends shows great community spirit to raise funds for Foodbank. “Staff from across the organisation are volunteering their time, talent and effort, at no cost to the City, we are simply providing QPT as the venue. They are doing all the arranging and rehearsals in their own time,” he said.

“It will be an enjoyable night and City Councillors encourage the community to get into the spirit of the concert and support this great cause.”

City CEO, Ken Diehm, said it is wonderful to see the musical talents of City staff in a charity concert for Foodbank.

“All too often, we focus on our work, and it’s important to note that people have lives outside of work and people who are less fortunate require our support,” he said.

“It never ceases to amaze me the width and breadth of talent of our staff and I encourage everyone to come along and enjoy a fun evening of entertainment to help Foodbank. The generosity of City staff is to be congratulated – and it’s all for a good cause. Helping those in Geraldton who do not have the same opportunities as many of us do.”

The concert has received support from the Mid West Chamber of Commerce and Industry - long supporters of Foodbank and local charities - with promotion to its members, and CBD Chamber members are separately holding a combined food and blankets donation day for Foodbank and the Salvation Army in the CBD on July 5.

With support from city centre traders, flyers for the With a Little Help From Our Friends City concert will be distributed to the public at that event.

In addition to concert box office proceeds being donated to Foodbank, food donation bins will be available in the QPT foyer on concert night. A feature of the night, to boost the fund raising effort, will be the auction of a beautiful Abrolhos pearl pendant, designed and crafted especially for the concert and generously donated by Chimere Pearls. Tickets for the concert are available from the Queens Park Theatre 9956 6662, the Civic Centre, 63 Cathedral Avenue, Geraldton, or online at www.queensparktheatre.com.au

The Spelt Project

 

Event: The Spelt Project magazine launch

Event Location: Bootenal Fantastic Tavern

Event Details: Amanda Rowland invites all to sample spelt bread and launch a real and e version of a magazine that documents life on a farm during the cropping season.

Thursday 17 July 5.30-7.30pm Who to contact for enquiries: Amanda 0459 991 627 Start Date and Time: 17 Jul 2014 05:30 PM Event Duration: 2 hours

Learn to speak some Wajarri Wangga with 6 weeks of classes catering to all levels of learners

Wajarri Wangga

6-week language course for all levels

Learn to speak some Wajarri wangga with 6 weeks of classes catering to all levels of learners.

When: Saturday mornings 10:00-11:00 July 26 August 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30

Where: Bundiyarra Aboriginal Corp. Cnr Blencowe & Eastward Rds

Cost: Class $10; or Course $50 standard Course $35 concession Registration/

www.bundiyarra.org.au

Information: 9920 7900

Everyone welcome.

Yanayi gula wangga Wajarri irra!

Film - 'I am a girl'

 

Location: Bluff Point Anglican Church (239 Chapman Rd) Details: Women's Health Resource Centre and Chrysalis Support Service in conjunction with the Midwest Anti-trafficking group would like to present the showing of the film 'I am a girl'

Tickets are $10 and all proceeds go to supporting organisations, a light supper will be provided and a door prize up for grabs! Don't miss out on this poetic and observational feature length documentary where you will see remarkable, heart warming stories of resilience, bravery and humour.

Who to contact for enquiries: Chrysalis - 9938 0750 & Marie - 0438 986 194

Start Date and Time: 29 Jul 2014 05:15 PM

Duration: 2 hours

60 year old fisherman missing off Carnarvon

The AAP are reporting a search is underway for a 60 year old man who went missing on his way to a fishing trip at Islands off the coast of Carnarvon. A rescue plane and boats have been deployed to search for the man.

According to the reports, Police said it was believed the man left about midday on Monday to meet a friend off the Bernier and Dorre Islands, about 50km off the coast, but the man didn't arrive.

New online tool for aged care cost estimates

New website useful for working out aged care costs

And it renders great on a mobile too

Press release follows

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People looking for aged care services in Durack now have access to a new online tool that will help them estimate their aged care costs.

The Fee Estimator, available online or via phone, allows people to enter their income and assets, and receive an estimate of the fees they may be asked to pay when entering residential care or accessing home care,” Melissa Price Federal Member for Durack said.

“Navigating the aged care system can be complex, but the Fee Estimator will help people access personalised information to help them prepare for aged care.”

Ms Price said the fee estimator is part of the aged care changes, effective 1 July and that will sit alongside pricing and accommodation information online.

“People can call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to talk to a real person who will help them work through the fee estimator, or you can go online and use the estimator yourself,” Ms Price said.

“Residential aged care providers must publish the maximum prices they will charge, as well as payment options and a description of features of each type of accommodation room on offer.

“The Fee Estimator and the publication of information on facilities will empower consumers and their families in Durack to make decisions about the care that will best suit their needs.”

Ms Price said people often don’t start thinking about aged care services until something happens – such as a fall or poor health.

“But it’s important to start an early conversation about the options because this will help ensure people get the support and care they need to keep them safe and living independently, or to find the residential aged care setting that’s right for them,” Ms Price said.

“The most important thing older people and their families can do is learn about the choices available, so they can plan and make the right decision.

“I encourage residents of Durack, from the Kimberley to the wheatbelt, to find out more about aged care choices by visiting www.myagedcare.gov.au or call 1800 200 422.”

Amphetamine in boxer shorts

Police say they found 2.5 grams of amphetamine in a man's boxer shorts, after a vehicle stop in Utakarra on Friday night. At 10.08pm on Friday 11 July 2014, police stopped a Black Holden Commodore ute on Abraham Street, Utakarra.

Inquiries were conducted and police say that during a search of the man, 2.5grams of amphetamine was located concealed in his boxer shorts.

Police say that after further investigations, they believe the man intended to sell or supply drugs, and will be charged accordingly.

The 33 year old man from Mt Tarcoola will face Geraldton Magistrates Court at a date yet to be determined.

Hidden speed cameras

Have your say.

Should speed cameras be hidden to catch more people?

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From the WA Police Website:

Myth: "Speed cameras are in sneaky positions."

Fact: The Western Australia Police is happy for drivers to be aware of speed camera locations to encourage them to slow down and save themselves from being in a serious or fatal collision. Camera locations can be found on the 'Camera locations' link. Mobile speed camera sites are assessed and approved by specialist traffic police and these sites must conform to the criteria - fatal or serious crash locations; school zones; areas of reported speed related hoon complaints; or areas where 15% or more of vehicles are exceeding the speed limit.

Sites can also be chosen by police if they believe there is a specific risk at that location.

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From an Everything Geraldton reader:

[Is this] "in the spirit of not being revenue raising and not being 'sneaky' ".

Suicide and PTSD - Harley's story

HARLEY recently shared his story with ABC Open, and told of his struggles after the suicide of his father.

Read the full story here.