Reward offered for stolen photos

Last night my nana and pop were broken into around 9 o'clock pm in the Beresford area nearby Allendale school. 

They stole her handbag and their mini iPad and left to 5th Street IGA in Wonthella where they attempted to use her bank card but failed twice as seen through bank statements. 

The card has been locked through her bank but on their iPad there are many photos of their trip around Australia that they only got back yesterday from. 

The iPad is locked so is no use to the bulgars but means a lot to them. In her handbag were two extremely sentimental black and white photos that she would very much like to get back. 

She doesn't care about much else but the photos as they mean a lot to her. If anyone saw anything unusual around that area last night or knows of anything about this burglary may you please contact police as soon as possible. 

This would mean a lot to her if these photos were back in her possession and a reward will be given to whom ever can provide us with any useful information or to hand back these lost possessions. 

Thank you

- sent in to Everything Geraldton 

Public meeting on the future of Geraldton Secondary Schooling

Public meeting on future of Geraldton secondary schooling

Thursday, 6 November 2014 

• Community meeting to be held Thursday, November 13
• Education Minister to share results of community survey 

Parents and community members with an interest in the future of public education in Geraldton are invited to attend a community meeting next week.

Education Minister Peter Collier will visit Geraldton to host the meeting and share the results of a recent online survey about local public secondary schooling.

More than 300 people responded to the survey, and Mr Collier said it was important to hear the views of the local community about what made a good secondary school.

“I want to have a close look at education in Geraldton - a major regional centre of our State,” he said. 

“This process is about looking at the way we deliver secondary education and whether it is most effective, or if we can do better for students in this area.”

The Minister said all students needed the opportunity to study a broad range of subjects, and have access to pastoral care programs and support services that parents would expect of a good secondary school.

Fact File

• The meeting will be held from 6pm-7.30pm, November 13 at Geraldton Surf Lifesaving Club, 260 Willcock Drive, Geraldton
• Survey findings will be published online following the meeting at http://www.education.wa.edu.au 

Minister’s office - 6552 6300

Seniors Week to commence with stage production at Queens Park Theatre

Seniors Week 2014 will kick off next Sunday November 9 with the live stage production of Cis and Barbiche at the Queens Park Theatre.

Commencing at 2pm with an afternoon tea, and then followed by the live stage production, Cis and Barbiche is a lively, romantic story of two lovers in wartime Europe recounted by their letters and diaries from over 70 years ago.

‘Cis’, as he was affectionately known by his family and friends, was a gunner on Halifax Bombers and part of a squadron allied to RAF in WWII, whilst ‘Barbiche’ remained in Liverpool awaiting the return of her young airman lover.

Following their exciting and passionate journey through a dialogue created from the actual letters preserved from the war.

The production is proudly being toured by Agelink Theatre Incorporated and is currently celebrating 21 years of producing professional theatre based on history, including touring ‘Cis & Barbiche’ to the prestigious York Theatre Royal UK for the Grand Depart of the Tour de France in York earlier this year in July.

Tickets for Cis & Barbiche are only $12 for Seniors which includes afternoon tea at the show, available at www.queensparktheatre.com.au or directly through the box office on (08) 9956 6665 between 1pm and 5pm weekdays.

Development Industry to be hit by a new Tax

The State Government Cabinet is holding a meeting this week to consider a new tax on developers and Councils that donate or contribute electricity infrastructure to Western Power.

City of Greater Geraldton CEO, Ken Diehm, said only just learning about this plan was disappointing as it has been done without seeking additional public comment.

“It was originally proposed in April this year but a decision was deferred due to the public outcry,” said Mr Diehm.

“It was my understanding the State would seek public comment before considering this matter, clearly this is not going to happen now and it has been quietly snuck back into the Cabinet door”.

Under the plan, a tax of 13.9 per cent will apply to any work completed by a third party and then gifted to Western Power, or for any modifications to the existing network and network connections, including subdivisions, street lighting, pole to pillar, built strata, network extensions, substations and transmission lines.

Mr Diehm said the tax will hit the development Industry and Councils across WA and is likely to reap the State around $24M annually.

Mr. Diehm said that the new tax will:

• Push Local government’s rates up as Councils will need to recover the tax from the community through their rates and charges. 
• Increase the cost of development, which will result in some developments being shelved or deferred.
• Push land prices up because of higher development costs.

“This is a really disappointing outcome and a body blow to the development industry during a time when everyone is doing it tough,” said Mr Diehm.

“I would urge the government to reconsider this matter.”

Major Accident

Major accident north of Chapman Valley Rd on NWCH. Hwy blocked. Use Beattie Rd. 

Emergency beacon activation results in safe rescue

At about 8:45pm on Wednesday 29 October 2014 police responded to an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) activation.

The owner of the EPIRB, a 48 year old man from Geraldton, had gone fishing with a friend and had failed to return to his home address.

Police say that the man had set off his EPIRB after experiencing difficulties due to an engine malfunction.

With the assistance of Water Police, a GPS location was provided where the Geraldton Volunteer Marine Sea Rescue group and Port Authority vessels were deployed, subsequently locating the stranded vessel approximately two kilometres offshore.

The vessel, with two persons on board, was towed back to the Geraldton marina safely without further incident.

Police urge all boat owners to ensure that their EPIRB’s are correctly registered with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). They can be registered at www.beacons.amsa.gov.au 

Update on Jake Drage in Indonesia

Tiena Drage, mother of Jake has held a media conference outside the Pelabuhanratu, West Java, courthouse this morning.

Tiena says “I have come from the courthouse to check that the paperwork for the decision of the court of 16/10 has been processed. It's disappointing that it has not been. This is the fifth time I have attempted to pay the fine and check if anything has been lodged by the prosecutors, having done so on 21, 22, 23, 27 and 30 October”

Tiena goes on to say “Jake has not appealed the decision and contrary to media reports, I am informed by the Court that there has been no appeal lodged by the prosecutor’s office during the appeal period”. 

And “This is despite an attempt by officers to get Jake to sign a document, yesterday, Wednesday the 29th October. I was present with Jake when 3 men came asking Jake ‘for a memory’. They handed over paperwork which was not in English. It was dated the 25th of October and had Jakes name and was signed by the prosecutor, Rio. There was no translator and because it was back dated we refused to sign”. “I’m not sure which division of the justice system these men were a part of” she added. 

“The family of Kokom, Jake, I and everyone who cares, wants this to come to a conclusion. At all times we have respected the Indonesian Justice system, it's time that this is similarly respected and this comment is directed at anyone who questions whether they have not acted in the best interests of the Indonesian Justice system. All Jake and I want to do is pay the fine set by the judge on the 16th of October, 2014 and see the end of this nightmare. We have found the whole process very frustrating. It must come to an end”

Christmas Shoeboxes - Thank you Brett from Geraldton Freightlines

Fiona sent this in to Everything Geraldton. 

Hi there. I'm Coordinator for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes in the Midwest. Every year Brett from Geraldton Freightlines transports the boxes collected in the Midwest to Perth for FREE and I was wondering if you might give a thanks and shout out to him on Everything Geraldton.

It is soooo appreciated by me and such a blessing to Samaritans Purse who coordinate the shoeboxes.

If anyone is interested in doing shoeboxes next year - we do it in Term 3 through Lighthouse Church or they can send an email to occmidwest@gmail.com to have a reminder sent each year when it's happening. Fiona 😊

Relocation of Pony Club→

Ian Cutler from the Guardian has a good article regarding Council's decision last night on the future of the Spalding Pony Club:

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/regional/gascoyne/a/25378428/pony-club-move-will-take-three-to-five-years-city/

Dangerous Dogs on Loose

3 x large dogs on the loose on Chapman Road. Dangerous. Police and rangers at scene. If anyone has dogs that have escaped please attend. 

Via Geraldton Police

Shoppers are loving these

Everything Geraldton has received multiple reports from very happy shoppers regarding the new trolleys at Woolies.

Apart from being shiny and lacking in the wonky wheels we all adore, there's more of the popular smaller trolleys.

And they even have a cup holder.

Thanks Jessica May and Damien Ethell for the pics. 

Please Please Please! Lock up your motor bikes

Everything Geraldton has been receiving a massive amount of reports of stolen motor bikes, dirt bikes, quads and mopeds over the last few months.

We reached out to Police on the matter who say they have been pleading with the public for some time to secure their bikes securely.

They are soft targets, and theft of them seems to be an "opportunity" crime. 

Geraldton Police: "Typically we find a lot of theft reports come as a result of cars/homes not being locked and vehicles such as off-road motorbikes/mopeds not being secured."

While it may be a shame we live in a world where we have to secure our valuables, the reality is bikes are an easy target by criminals and need to be well secured.  

WA Country Builders will build one of these four things

WA Country Builders are going to build a monument in Geraldton for free.

The decision on what is to be built is to be made by Geraldton residents.

What do you want WA Country Builders to build in Geraldton?

Choose between

• A welcome entry statement to Geraldton 
• Upgrade to community garden nursery
• Marina Beach Seating and Shelter
• Toilet Blocks @ Back Beach and Glendinning Park

This Doctor should not have been allowed to practice in Geraldton

Dr John Myers has been found guilty of professional misconduct by the State Administrative Tribunal, following his actions at Geraldton Regional Hospital in June 2012. 

Extracts from the SAT decision:

• Dr Myers is guilty of professional misconduct between 14 and 19 June 2012
• On an occasion when the patient was doing a crossword in her room, Dr Myers entered [the patient's] room and shut the door behind him, moved behind [the patient], while enquiring how she was, put his right arm over her shoulder and fondled one of [the patient's] breasts without her consent.
• Subsequently went to leave the room, said words to [the patient] to the effect of 'he would have another hug' and then hugged [the patient] and fondled her breast again while doing so, without her consent.
• The following morning, Dr Myers said to [the patient] words to the effect that 'he felt a lot of ladies needed a breast massage in the hospital but not to tell anyone because they'll all want it'.
• One evening, Dr Myers visited [the patient] and kissed her on the cheek and said words to the effect of 'Goodnight sweetie, I'll see you tomorrow'.
• On another occasion, Dr Myers attempted to hug [the patient] while she was standing and asked her to kiss him.
• Dr Myers said to [the patient] on several occasions, words to the effect of 'he wanted her to suck his cock' and 'he wanted to put his cock between her breasts' and 'rub his cock all over her body'.
• Dr Myers also told [the patient] how gorgeous she is and while standing next to her said words to the effect of 'feel it, see how stiff you're making me'.  On that occasion, [the patient] told Dr Myers to go away and behave himself.  
• Dr Myers did so but returned an hour later saying words to the effect of 'he was going to be good but couldn't help himself'.
• One day, [the patient] was about to get up to have lunch when Dr Myers came into her room, leaned over and patted her twice on the bottom.  When the patient looked up in response, Dr Myers said words to the effect of 'it's alright but I just wanted to smack your bottom'.
• Dr Myers touched and rubbed [the patient's] knee and stroked her hand.
• On various other occasions, Dr Myers said to [the patient] words to the effect that:,1.9.1 'if she had a computer, they could make passionate love over the computer', 'think of him when she makes passionate love to her husband', 'he would like to get inside her robe with her', and said to [the patient] words to the effect that: he had a double bed at his house and gave her directions to go there and stay with him one weekend and, she was sumptuous, beautiful and sexy.

During the submissions it was noted several times that Dr Myers was not responsible for the patient, referred to only as PJD, and Dr Myers struggled to give an answer as to why he attended her. 

Dr Myers maintains his innocence, and claimed that the patient was manipulative.

The SAT board disagreed with Dr Myers' stating that the "allegation that PJD was manipulative, without any basis for that allegation, strikes us as an attempt to attack PJD's integrity so as to detract from Dr Myers' conduct and statements."

The matter of what the penalty will be is still to be decided. 

The Medical Board is to file and serve submissions on penalty within 14 days of these orders.

Dr Myers is to file and serve submissions in response on the question of penalty within 42 days of the date of these orders.

---

The doctor in question, who was practicing in Geraldton but was from Victoria, also had past findings against him:

• Indecent assault in 2000
• Unprofessional treatment of an elderly couple in 2000/01 including creating a "destructive relationship between the couple and their children"
• "Unprofessional conduct of a serious nature" in 06/07
• Had his registration cancelled in 2013 following a relationship with an infatuated patient from 1999 to 2008.

---

You can read the full SAT decision here: http://decisions.justice.wa.gov.au/SAT/SATdcsn.nsf/%24%24OpenDominoDocument.xsp?documentId=8E1B3FB93DA71F0F48257D7B0019A7AD&action=openDocument

This drone could reach a drowning person four times quicker than a human lifeguard

View fullsize

Every year, local volunteer life guards as well as search and rescue operators are put through their paces in the Mid West, but soon a new technology may be available to help keep our coastline safer. 

An Iranian company are planning a purpose built drone or UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) which drop life preservers to drowning people.

From Bloomberg Businessweek:

Amin Rigi says drones should be used to save lives, not spy or kill. The Iranian, who has a bachelor’s degree in robotics engineering, is launching RTS London to manufacture flying robots that drop life preservers to drowning people. His selling point is speed: A video shot on the Caspian Sea shows his prototype reaching a swimmer in 22 seconds, four times faster than a lifeguard.

Preorders have poured in from 25 countries since Rigi, 27, posted the one-minute demonstration video on YouTube. He aims to ship his drones, which could cost up to $10,000 each, by mid-2015. Rigi, who will soon relocate to London to take part in an accelerator program for tech startups, predicts his business, which is developing an array of rescue robots, “will lead a revolution,” unleashing the power of drones to do good.

Pars is an Aerial rescue robot which is designed and made for saving human lives. The first purpose of building the robot is the relief of people drowning near coastlines. By developing its applications, it can be used in ships and off shore reliefs.

---

Would you like to see Geraldton surf life savers equipped with technology like this?

Year 12 student misses graduation after tragedy

Yesterday on the 25th of October, 2014, a 17 year old classmate of mine Ben Phillips, known and loved by many within the Geraldton community, suffered a burst aneurysm on the left side of his brain whilst diving for crayfish. He has since been flown down to Perth for treatment in critical condition, and his family are awaiting results accessing the extent of the damage. His life is still hanging in the balance.

His classmates, including myself, have sought to raise money to assist the Phillips' family for medical/travel/hotel and all manners of other expenses. For more information on how to help, please visit http://www.gofundme.com/gb920o. If you wish to pay using another method, please contact me on lamakieran@gmail.com. I am in direct communication with his family at the moment and will make sure to find a way to get your money to them.

He missed his graduation due to this tragedy, and all we want is to be able to see him well again. Thanks for reading, please do check out the link, and have a good one. Keep fighting Ben, we love ya.

Kieran Lama

#ForBen

GERALDTON RESIDENTS ANSWER THE BEACH CLEAN UP CALL

Participants gathered to hear instructions before heading out to collect rubbish.

Proving that Geraldton residents love their beaches, more than 100 people showed up to take part in Geraldton’s Massive Beach Clean Up last Sunday. The Geraldton-wide beach clean-up complemented the 10th anniversary of the West Australian Beach Clean Up conducted by the Tangaroa Blue Foundation.

Tangaroa Blue Foundation continue to collect and collate data on the rubbish washing up on our beaches every day. The information collected helps identify the sources of environmental contamination, assisting development of innovations to reduce future impacts.

Sorting in action!

Although Geraldton Coast Care Groups are no stranger to annual beach clean-ups, having conducted smaller scale clean ups for over a decade, it was decided Geraldton was ready for a larger city-wide event.

On Sunday, many Geraldton locals joined forces to be a part of Geraldton’s Massive Beach Clean Up, organised by the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council (NACC) and the City of Greater Geraldton (CGG). Locals gathered on the foreshore to register before heading out to their favourite beaches between Drummonds Cove and Cape Burney, with collection bags in hand.

Participants then returned to the foreshore to enjoy a BBQ lunch and live music from local artist Daron Keogh whilst they sorted through their bags and recorded their findings.

Some unusual items returned to the sorting stations, including a discarded microwave, pieces of bed head and a car jack.

Dr Mic Payne, Coastal and Marine Program Coordinator at NACC said, “it was a fantastic turn out with over 93 people registering on the day, and 260kg of rubbish collected over 14 kilometres of coastline.”

“All of which would not have been possible without huge contributions from the rest of the project partners: Drummond Cove Progress Association, Point Moore Coastcare, Sunset Beach Coastcare, the Department of Fisheries and the Batavia Coast Maritime Institute. In addition, Apex Australia, Culinary HQ, Lattitude 28 and the Water Corporation all donated prizes or equipment for the event,” said Dr Payne.

As a result of the amazing response from the public, NACC and the CGG hopes to continue this event in the future with plans to make it bigger and better next year.

Police engaging community in Spalding

Geraldton Police will be present at the intersection of Broome Street and Goldsworthy Crescent in Spalding on Wednesday 22 October 2014 between 10am and 2pm in a mobile police facility.

They are initiating a local strategy in an effort to engage and interact with the community in a high visibility setting. 

This initiative aims to give the public the opportunity to approach and converse with members of the Geraldton Burglary Suppression Team and Volume Crime Team. 

Geraldton Police encourage the community to interact and engage with their local police during this initiative to provide information in an effort to solve local issues. Geraldton Police also request for the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour.

The strategy hopes to gather intelligence and information in an effort to resolve recent, and prevent further, incidences of burglary offences in the area. This initiative aims to consolidate the relationship between the community and your local police.

Your help needed to find sick girl's family

My 9 year old daughter is sick and the Drs need additional information from my side of the family tree which I don't have.

My name is Kristy Logan and I'm looking for anyone who may have known a man called "Ted Steers" who lived in Geraldton or near here around 35/40 years ago. I know this is a long shot. 

I wouldn't be doing this at all if it wasn't a medical emergency. This will be kept private but my daughter needs help or I wouldn't be asking.

If someone can HONESTLY help her then please call 0448387690. Please no crank calls as I have enough to deal with and am finding that going in this direction hard enough as it is. Thank you.

Anyone with info can even go through a third party so they don't have to deal with me if that is what they are more comfortable doing. I will do it any way they would like. My daughter is only 9 and doesn't have a say, so someone please, please help us. Any information on "Ted Steers" especially medical, would be a god send for us. 

Sincerely 

Kristy Logan 

0448387690

Revival of an edible local nut

In Western Australia we have a new story that is very old. It concerns the use of WA Sandalwood (Santalum Spicatum). Before European settlers arrived in Western Australia the indigenous people used the sandalwood fruit and nuts extensively for food and medicine. In the 1800s the settlers exported the stems and roots of S.Spicatum to India and China for their ceremonial use. In the late 1800s in WA the value of the export of this sandalwood oil and wood exceeded that of all other exports.  To a small extent this kind of export continues. 

However the development of S.Spicatum ‘orchards by Connie and Marty Winch-Buist on their 40 hectare property east of York at Greenhills in Western Australia is reviving the indigenous food culture of these nuts.

The Sandalwood tree requires host trees for healthy growth; these hosts provide extra water and nutrients to the sandalwood.

For Connie and Marty their journey with the sandalwood tree began after buying their property in 2005 and establishing their initial planting of 2 hectares of host trees in 2007. In 2008 they planted their first sandalwood seeds and with other plantings they now have 10 hectares of WA Sandalwood on their 40 hectare property. In 2011 Marty and Connie decided to commence their new nut journey to confirm that WA Sandalwood nuts can be used in the domestic food market. After many trials and cooking processes they established their WA Sandalwood Nut food business. They now grow, harvest, process, package and sell a range of Sandalwood nut food products.  Among the products so far developed are the roasted nuts, a dukkah and a chocolate covered nut.

During their journey they learnt about the Woylie (Brush Tailed Bettong) and the importance of the Woylie to the historic distribution of the native Sandalwood tree. The Woylies would scatter and hoard nuts like squirrels, burying them and forgetting about them, so that the seeds germinated and the trees regenerated naturally. The Woylie is listed as a critically endangered native animal and there is a captive breeding program at Kanyana where Connie and Marty are donating their Sandalwood nuts.

Nuts forming

Train loaded with Sandalwood on Railway Jetty - Geraldton - 1920's