A very good news story

Lew Hills from Geraldton Sign Makers was having a morning cuppa at Dome, and hadn't realised his wallet had fallen from his pocket. 

He said it had over $1000 cash in it, which he never expected to see again. 

He rang Dome in the off chance it had been handed in, and they told him it had. To his very pleasant surprise, nothing at all was missing from the wallet. 

He wanted to express his enormous gratitude to the team at Dome, and whoever the mystery person was that found and handed in the wallet.

Sheep's head causes power failures

Info from Western Power

WESTER POWER RESPONSE:

Attributed to Western Power’s Regional North Manager Adrian Stewart:

“Western Power crews covered a vast area north of Geraldton yesterday to find and repair faults on the network that affected approximately 2,000 customers in the Shires of Northampton and Chapman Valley, and the City of Greater Geraldton. 

“When we experience periods of increased fire danger, as we have in the Greater Geraldton area in recent days, our crews need to visually inspect powerlines to locate and repair faults before power can be safely restored.

“Our inspection efforts yesterday included patrolling the network on the ground and from a helicopter. 

“After an exhaustive search the crew located what appeared to be a sheep’s head on power pole equipment. It is suspected that the remains may have been dropped by an eagle.

“Many customers were without power for up to 15 hours before electricity supplies were safely restored last night.

“We know it is frustrating to lose power and we apologise to our customers for the inconvenience and thank them for their patience, but it is essential our crews do everything necessary to ensure power is restored safely.

“We encourage everyone that if you see a fallen powerline or potential network hazard to make the safe call to Western Power’s 24/7 emergency line on 13 13 51.”

Towns affected 13 January 2015 (yesterday):
Mullewa, Tenindewa, Pindar, Wongoondy Moonyoonooka, Durawah, West Casuarinas, Bringo , Devils Creek, Ambania, Eradu South , Nunierra, Kojarena, Tardun, North Eradu, East Chapman, Wicherina Northern Gullym, Northampton , Horrocks, Binnu, Gregory, Nabawa, Nanson, Alma, Sandy Gully, Ogilvie Ajana, East Bowes, South Yuna, Naraling, East Yuna, Nolba , Yuna.

Mullewa today
“Western Power crews were called out to locate and repair a fault that affected approximately 770 customers in Mullewa.
“30 customers have been reconnected at 2pm today, and crews are working as safely and quickly as possible to restore the remaining 740 customers in the Mullewa area this afternoon.

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Thank you to Barry Anderson for the information. 

Do you know who this belongs to?

Request for Assistance

Police are seeking to identify the owner of the above pictured dinghy for its safe return.

At about 10.20am on Monday 12 January 2015, police responded to a call that the dinghy was located overturned, drifting in the ocean, approximately 2 nautical miles out to sea, west of Flat Rocks Beach.

The dinghy was towed back to land and preliminary inquiries suggest the dinghy was beached and drifted out to sea on a high tide.

Anyone with information is requested to contact Geraldton Police Station on 9923 4555

Video: Why you want to wear a helmet at the skateparks

Wear a helmet

OUCH!
Heads up, the video is pretty intense

Cody sent this footage from the Tarcoola Beach skatepark in to Everything Geraldton, and recounted being there when another young person injured themselves a few days ago.

“I would just like to say to Everything Geraldton Luke was skating and he asked my brother let him have a shot back flipping, and he did it the first time and just made it, then he tried again and then he hit his head on the copping then i ran over to him and asked if he was ok, then i took his shirt off and held it on the head where he split his head open and I pressured it then asked him where is your phone he said in his car, but my brother had already gone over to the playground and got two ladies to come over and call an ambulance. 
Just something to say everyone to use a helmet."

We've spoken to the girlfriend of the young man who says he is still pretty sore but he's doing ok.

Wildlife deaths from fire upsets community - 15 year old charged over fire. Warning: graphic image

Pic: Karl Monaghan Photography

A 15 year old has been charged with light fires that cause damage following yesterday's (10/1/15) fires in Geraldton.

Geraldton police could not release a large amount of information because the suspect is a juvenile, but they expressed that it was a very serious matter. 

While the offender is unlikely to receive the full penalty, the offence carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. 

Police said that the drain on their resources and other emergency services was a serious matter. The 15 year old will face Geraldton Children's Court early February. 

Click here for more images from fire. 

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The following was sent in by Darren Darch from Fauna for the Future. FOTF relocate wildlife from land developments, rescue sick and injured fauna, and remove snakes from homes. They were on the scene at yesterday's fire to try and assist any wildlife they could. 

I apologize in advance for these pictures.
These DEATHS are a direct result of the fire which was started deliberty in Webberton area 10th Jan 2015. Please people who have the intention of lighting fires contact me and we can walk through the bush together and I can show you how many lives you will affect with your actions. 
This is not good enough and needs to be stopped at a grass roots level, before they light the fire.
The community can also be vigilant and call police regarding any suspicious activity.

Lifesaving machine in Queen Elizabeth II Seniors and Community Centre

Mayor, Ian Carpenter, and local resident, Irene Shepherd who regularly uses the QEII Centre, showcasing the new defibrillator.

With a heart attack every second counts, for every minute a person is in cardiac arrest their chance of survival is reduced by ten percent.

Determined to save lives the City of Greater Geraldton has installed an automatic external defibrillator (AED) machine at the Queen Elizabeth Centre (QEII).

An automatic external defibrillator is a life-saving machine that gives the heart an electric shock to restart during a sudden cardiac arrest, a condition that occurs when the heart unexpectedly stops.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Ian Carpenter, said the placement of the AED machine was in support of St John Ambulance WA Community First Responder program.

“According to St John Ambulance WA around 30,000 Australians suffer sudden cardiac arrest every year and fewer than five percent survive, often because help does not arrive in time,” Mayor Carpenter explained.

“Early intervention is crucial in saving the lives of patients suffering a sudden cardiac arrest, which is why we decided to place an AED machine at the QEII.

“These machines are not meant replace the need for an ambulance but when someone suffers a heart attack every second counts.”

According to the Mayor staff will be trained to use the automatic external defibrillator; however the beauty of the machine is that anyone can use it.

“People just have to follow the instructions given by the machine, they are safe to use because the AED automatically assesses the person’s heart and will not shock a normal heart beat,” he explained.

St John Ambulance WA’s  Community First Responder program is a community based initiative designed to create a direct link between St John Ambulance WA, the triple zero (000) call centre, local communities and organisations.

For more information on the Community First Responder program visit www.stjohnambulance.com.au/st-john/ambulance-and-health-services/first-responder

Bushfires spark safety reminder

Volunteer firefighters from the Mullewa Central and Tenindewa Volunteer Bushfire Brigade extinguish a fire on Christmas Eve.

Bushfire season is upon us and City of Greater Geraldton Chief Bushfire Control Officer, Andy Darbyshire, says it’s the perfect time to remind the community to be bushfire safe.

Local fire authorities have been out in full force with several bushfires over the holiday period.

Mr Darbyshire has praised Volunteer firefighters from the Mullewa Central and Tenindewa Volunteer Bushfire Brigade for their tireless efforts in containing a fire which broke out on Christmas Eve.

The bushfire which was sparked by a lighting storm, south west of Mullewa, burnt fiercely for over seven hours until it was contained around1am on Christmas Day. 

“The volunteer firefighters did an amazing job in hot and smoky conditions to bring the fast moving fire under control, ensuring it didn’t impact nearby farmland, roads and rail line,” Mr Darbyshire said.

“They worked in challenging conditions including rocky ground, gusty 45km winds and heavy fuel loads of dead scrub and dry grass.”

The firefighters worked in the early hours of Christmas Day to ensure the fire was thoroughly mopped up to prevent re-ignitions or escapes.

More recently, a blaze at an illegal campsite on Saturday caused close to five hectares of bushland to be destroyed and there was another bushfire in Mullewa on Sunday night.

While acknowledging the volunteers’ efforts, Mr Darbyshire reminded the community to be vigilant and safe this bushfire season.

“While our volunteers are well trained and ready to respond to bushfires, everyone needs to play their part by ensuring their family and property are well prepared,” he said.

The community are reminded to do have the correct fire breaks in place, reduce fuel loads around the home, cut long grass and dense scrub, remove all rubbish and rake up leaf litter, twigs, bark and material that may catch fire, maintain a two-metre gap between your house and tree branches and keep gutters free of leaves and other combustible materials.

For more information about how to prepare for bushfires visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au

The community is urged to contact local police if they see any suspicious activity relating to bushfires.

Shark Alert

Sent in: Just wanted to put a warning out to people. Hubby just got back from pulling his pots.  

Whilst out there in front of Mitchell and brown, had a HUGE shark come up to dingy. Our dingy is 14ft and the shark was as long as it easy, didn't have any way of taking video, worst luck.

Yes yes , it's the ocean and of course there's sharks and all that ridicule that people will come back with, but this was huge and I would rather put a warning out just in case. - Dannielle 

Motor Home rolls through fence

Pic  Coralie Potter

Everything Geraldton was contacted several times last night following an unfortunate incident in Rangeway. 

A motor home had rolled down a street and crashed into a fence. 

The incident happened on Howes St in Rangeway. 

According to reports from neighbours, this occurred around 10:30pm last night (1/1/15)

A nearby resident said they believed no-one was injured in the incident, and a crane and tow truck were required to remove the vehicle this morning. 

Dog dies after New Year attack

The owners of a small dog that has had to be put down after being attacked by another dog are asking the community for help. The owners of the dog that has died have asked to be contacted on 0423722488 if you have any information.

The following information was shared in the Everything Geraldton app:

The below was shared in the Geraldton Neighbourhood Watch group:

Yesterday while my family and I were fishing at Southgates there was a few people there with a big brown Pit Bull looking dog which KILLED our little Maltese Shitzu.

The owner took off in a hurry without leaving any details whatsoever.

My fiancee and young children are devastated.

Please if you have any information ring me on 0423722488

This person needs to be spoken too.

Thank You

Geraldton Police commence Operation Archipelago

Geraldton Police have announced on Twitter: 

"Geraldton Police have commenced Operation Archipelago for NYE. Big police contingent through the mid-west. Welcome the new year safely."

Hungry Jacks on Fire

Just sent in to Everything Geraldton:

"Hungry Jacks on fire, everyone evacuated outside building."

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Update:

The fire appears to have been minor. 

A manager of the store has contacted Everything Geraldton and advised the store will be opening tomorrow (New Years Day) at 7am. 

A person claiming to be familiar with the matter says the fire started when "a filter in the exhaust fan that fell into the chip fat and burst into flame."

Family focus on New Year’s Eve event

There will be a family friendly feel on the Foreshore this New Year’s Eve with a fireworks display and family activities sponsored by the City of Greater Geraldton.

The young ones won’t have to stay up until midnight to bring in the New Year with the fireworks predicted to get underway around 9:30pm. 

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Ian Carpenter, said the City was happy to support the event.

“Bringing in the New Year is something that everyone should celebrate, no matter what age,” he said.

“We’re glad that there is a community event that families can participate in to celebrate the New Year and we are proud to be part of it.”

In addition to the fireworks, the City is proud to present a broad range of family-friendly entertainment on the east side of Dome Café, including activities, a bouncy castle and rides, from 5.30pm until the fireworks at 9:30pm, on Wednesday, December 31.

Assistance needed for injured boys

The four young boys that were involved in a serious car crash three weeks ago are in need of ongoing medical care in PMH.

One in particular has serious injuries and has needed operations.

For anyone who would like to financially assist an account has been made in their name at the NAB.

Account name: The Berry Boys
BSB 086874 
Acc No: 7314 26 080
Bank: NAB

You can donate online or in the branch. 

Any enquiries to Jo 0428 384 692

Please give generously. Thank you. 

Royal commission finds Christian Brothers knew about abuse and did nothing

Courtney Bembridge for the ABC

"An inquiry into child sexual abuse at four Christian Brothers institutions in Western Australia has found that the organisation was aware of abuse allegations for decades - and the damage it could cause - but did not stop it."

Tardun was one of the locations where the abuse took place.  

Perhaps most shockingly:

"Sixteen brothers were named as perpetrators of sexual abuse, but only four were ever charged and of those, only one was jailed."

Click here to read full article.  

Click here for Royal Commission report

Driver who flipped car Christmas Day has this message for other drivers

"Just a reminder to everyone to please drive safely this Christmas. Just yesterday on the way to a family lunch for Christmas I fell asleep at the wheel, hit the curb and flipped my car multiple times before resting against a power pole. 

"I'm told I was extremely lucky to be alive seeing as the roof caved in and I was pinned between the seat and the roof. Although my car is now totaled, I'm just so very thankful that I survived this ordeal and very thankful for all the people that stopped their Christmas celebrations to come and help me. 

"Thank you to all the police, and ambulance officers that were very quick thinking and to the staff at the Regional Hospital Geraldton ED for putting up with me, being so caring and getting things done quickly. 

"So my message to everyone driving this Christmas, please don't work too hard and if you start to feel sleepy, please...PULL OVER no matter how much of a hurry you may be in. I was lucky to escape with my life, next time someone might not be as lucky."

- Michelle

Pic: Bec Botica

Pic: Supplied

Mr Capurso's side of the story: Regarding the story of a 74 year old man charged with interfering with lobster pots

Everything Geraldton published a media release from the Department of Fisheries earlier in the week. It stated that Mr Capurso was charged with taking crays from other people's pots. His lawyer contacted us and said that Mr Capurso did not take any crays from anyone else's pots. He technically "interfered" with other pots, but this was only to check to see if they were his, and he had some go missing earlier. 

According to Mr Capurso's lawyer, it's true he had an extra two crays, he checked his wife's pots while she was not on board, and he technically pulled up some other pots, which according to Mr Capurso was only to see if they were his. 

Everything Geraldton incorrectly published the assertion that Mr Capurso had "raided" other people's pots. This was not stated in the press release from Dept of Fisheries, only that the pots had been interfered with.

Below is a release from Mr Capurso's lawyer published in full.

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Mr Robert Bogumil and the fisheries Department have severely exaggerated the conduct of Mr Frank Capurso in their media release. They are guilty of highly unfair conduct towards him in order to facilitate the release of their propaganda warnings to the community.

Mr Capurso WAS NOT charged with “raiding other people’s Cray pots” as reported in “Everything Geraldton” on 21 December 2014.

 He was charged with INTERFERING with pots. What does not appear in the media release from fisheries and Mr Bogumil was that 2 of the pots belonged to Mr Capurso’s wife and the fact that she was not on board at the time that he pulled those pots resulted in “technical”  breach of the regulations. What was also not reported was that Mr Capurso only pulled another 4 pots by pulling two of them half way up and then letting them go and pulling two on board and then throwing them back. He did so to check if they were pots he had lost about 4 weeks before. He reasonably believed that they might be the pots which were missing because the ropes were covered in algae and slime. But by pulling them to check he was technically guilty of interfering with them.

The magistrate accepted that Mr Capurso’s conduct was at the very bottom of the scale for this type of thing and only fined him $500. The maximum he could have fined him for the charge alleged on 25 February 2014 was $25,000. This shows that the court did not treat the charges as being serious. His Honour said that it appeared that Mr Capurso’s “curiosity killed the cat”.

Fisheries and Mr Bogumil also did not say in their “press release” that they asked the magistrate to order forfeiture to the state of Mr Capurso’s boat, outboard motor, trailer and other gear and the magistrate refused to do so in the circumstances of this case and ordered that the equipment be returned to him including a shirt which was on board. The magistrate told the fisheries in court he was “not going to take the shirt off his back either”.

They did not say also that it took from 25 February 2014 to 27 October 2014 to charge him and only because his lawyer wrote to them about the boat and trailer and gear they confiscated at the time.

While everyone agrees that people should respect each other on the water in recreational fishing, this case of Mr Capurso, in the way it was reported, was entirely unsuitable to be used as a vehicle by the fisheries to warn the public about serious offending and complying with the regulations.

The authors of the release showed reckless disregard for and were prepared to sacrifice (for their own ends) the reputation of a 74 year old hard working member of the community and a highly respected family man (at Christmas time) who only retired from bricklaying when he reached 73 years old.

Mr Capurso has the upmost respect for the law and the community and his fellow recreational fishers said his lawyer Mr George Giudice. Mr Giudice said that the false reporting has caused his client and his client’s family much hurt and trouble at Christmas. People deserve to know the truth of the matter and Mr Giudice is hopeful that the publication of the accurate story will put the record straight and stop the abusive phone calls to his client’s home which have resulted from the unfair and deplorable publicity arising from the media releases not only to this forum but to Geraldton ABC radio which kindly published a retraction.

Do you know what this is? Found at the bottom of the ocean

Sent in to Everything Geraldton: My friend found this in the bottom of the ocean, it's very old, very heavy (cast?) and has been under water for a long time - just wondering if anyone out there could help us identify it? - Sarah

Inaugural Cape Burney Santa Run spreads Christmas cheer

Members of the Cape Burney Bush Fire Brigade with Father Christmas at the Santa Run.

Members of the Cape Burney Bush Fire Brigade put on a show for local residents with their first ever Santa Run over the weekend.

The brigade packed into their truck and made their way through the streets of Cape Burney across to Rudds Gully Road to spread Christmas cheer this festive season.

Over 230 bags of lollies were donated from local, Veronica Woods, and handed out to local families and there was an appearance from the man of the moment, Father Christmas.

Cape Burney Bush Fire Brigade Captain, Rob Roffey, said the exercise was all about spreading good cheer.

“The response from the community was overwhelming and it was such an amazing feeling to see families out on the street cheering us on,” he said.

“Our goal for this exercise was purely just to spread Christmas cheer over this festive season.”

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Ian Carpenter, said this sort of community exercise was a great testament to the people who perform a very important job in our community.

“It’s great to see our volunteers out and about spreading festive cheer, it’s what this season is all about,” he said.

“It’s also a great time to remind people to be bushfire safe this summer.”

The Cape Burney Bush Fire Brigade say they hope to make this an annual event.

Geraldton not even mentioned in an Australian Regional Cities report

The tiny southwest towns of Harvey and Capel were acknowledged in a recent paper published by the Regional Australia Institute, but Geraldton Albany, Broome, Kalgoorlie and Karratha were not. 

According to an article from the ABC, the WA Regional Capital Alliance took issue with the report calling it "lacking" and "insulting" 

"It just seems like they haven't actually been to Western Australia, you know, they're that far off the mark it's laughable quite honestly" - WA alliance president Ron Yuryevich.

The Regional Australia Institute felt a response to the comments was not necessary. 

Click here to read the full article.