New “lick” for historic Birdwood House

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Having been built in 1935, it’s always been a battle to maintain the appearance of Geraldton’s historic Birdwood House … but no more.

Thanks to a $10,000 community grant from City of Greater Geraldton, the Geraldton Sailors, Soldiers and Airman’s Memorial Trust will be able to paint the building exterior, which is home to the Geraldton City Returned Services League and Birdwood Military Museum.

“The money has come at an opportune time, given the fact we are in a cycle of 100 years of Anzac history,” said Museum president Barry Stinson.

“The building is indelibly connected to our community and Anzac heritage, with it being named after Field Marshall Sir William Birdwood, who commanded the Anzacs at Gallipoli.”

Several community groups also use Birdwood House for meetings and group activities. The RSL recently hosted a group of motorcycle riders travelling around Australia to raise funds for malaria research.

“It really is an all-purpose meeting place for many people,” Mr Stinson said. “The City is a great supporter and this will ensure the building is kept for posterity.

Work will start soon after Anzac Day (25 April) and is expected to take several weeks.
  
Further information, Barry Stinson, 0408 222 653.

Kite Surfer rescued by local

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At 6:20 Thursday evening Everything Geraldton received a message from a reader along with some photos.

It said:  "Heroic action on kite surfer currently happening at the point."

A few photos later we received the good news that all were safe: 

 "Rescuer and the rescued safely in."

It was a friend of the brave man who swam to the rescue that messaged us. He filled us in on the story and the hero's identity. 

 "It was only one lone kite surfer who stacked it on their kite and were out in the water not moving getting sucked out towards hells gate passage, entangled in their kite lines, the rescuer swam out there about 1km off shore and untangled him and helped him swim back to shore, if it wasn't for him the sharks would of got him or he would of drowned, the rescuer was Ryan Tomlinson."

Beware of needles

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Everything Geraldton has been getting an increased number of reports of needles being found dumped around town lately. 

This pic was sent in by a reader last week: "Found at the path at sunset beach near the caravan park."

It might be a good reminder to have a chat with the kids about what to do if they find something like this on the ground.  

Works to begin on Wonthella Skate Park extension

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Outline sketch of proposed works at Wonthella Skate Park.

The local skating community will be able to put their skills to the test after the Wonthella Skate Park undergoes a refurbishment and extension. 

The skate park will be fenced off from Monday, 20 April as construction takes place. The planned extension to the skate park will cover an area of approximately 700m2 and will include various new elements for both beginners and established skateboarders.

The various new transitions and obstacles will complement the existing skate park structure, with the existing section to undergo a considerable refurbishment.

The completed skate park will include a number of tried and tested features such as grind rails, ramps, quarterpipe runs, banks, ledges and steps.

A significant area of the new extension will be utilised to house a bowled area which will be an entirely new feature of the skate park.  

Mayor Ian Carpenter said the extensions were a result of feedback from the community.

“We listened to what the community had to say and we have taken their suggestions on board with the design of the newly refurbished and extended skate park,” he said.

“Local youngsters have been rallying for this project for quite some time and we are happy to see it come to fruition.

“The finished product promises to be a big hit with the local skating community.”

CONVIC Pty Ltd has been awarded the contract for the project and the business has an extensive background in skate park construction.

The award-winning team are one of the leading contractors in this field and will be utilising a number of local contractors to provide secondary services during construction.

CONVIC have built prized skate parks throughout Australia and the world, including Australia’s largest skate park in South Hedland. CONVIC have a swag of awards under their belt including awards for their skate park construction in Fremantle and Singapore.

Beresford Electrical Services have been separately contracted to provide and install the new floodlighting.

Works will begin on April 20 2015 and completion is expected by June 30. During this period, the entire skate park will be closed to the general public.

Camp Gallipoli - Be a part of the once in a lifetime FREE family event

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Camp Gallipoli – commemorating 100 years of ANZAC spirit. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for everyone to come together on the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli to sleep out under the same stars as the original ANZAC’s did 100 years ago.

We invite you to join in a special night of remembrance, entertainment, mate-ship and the birth of the ANZAC spirit. Space will be set aside for camping. Bring your own swag and be like one of the diggers.

The 100th anniversary of Gallipoli is your chance to share a moment in history with family and friends. EVERYONE is welcome.

There will be Main Stage Entertainment and Ground Entertainment which includes poetry, Maori Haka, Open Mic Fun, Family History and much more. Click here to view our full flyer and detailed events for the night.

View our flyer
  • When: Friday, 24th of April 2015
  • Time: Gates open 3:00pm. Opening ceremony is at 5:00pm
  • Where: Bundiyarra, Eastward Road, Geraldton

Register online here

Parking available at the Geraldton Turf Club - 71 Eastward Road, Geraldton

Drug and Alcohol free event. 

Video: Reliving WW1 Trench Warfare - ABC Open

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"Some amazing volunteers here in #Geraldton who took 2 years to make a replica trench from WW1"

Watch this amazing reenactment video produced by Chris Lewis for ABC Open, and read more here: 

https://open.abc.net.au/explore/92498

Half a million $ damage in fire at Durack

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This image was shared last night of the fire at Durack.  

Shared on Everything Geraldton. Pic of the aftermath.  

Around 8pm last night (9/4/15)  a fire broke out at Durack Institute of Technology located on Fitzgerald Street. 

Fire and Emergency Service Authority officers and Police were in attendance, making attempts to extinguish a fire within a ground floor building.

It is believed that damage to the building is estimated to be in the vicinity of $500,000.

Police attached to the Arson Squad say they will be arriving in Geraldton later this morning to commence inquiries into the incident. 

This is the second fire in recent weeks at Durack. On March 25 a fire broke out in an air conditioner which caused around $20,000 worth of damage. 

Image from the March 25 fire at Durack.  

High speed chase ends

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Everything Geraldton just received this from a community member: 

 "We just had a high speed chase through Rangeway ... ending with this car being pulled over outside my house. There were 2 males in the car..."

Update: Vehicle is reportedly a white Hilux ute. 

Utakarra resident considers legal action over stench→

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Bonnie Christian reporting for the ABC:

"A resident in the Geraldton suburb of Utakarra considers legal action after an upgrade to a leaking sewer main near his home fails to stop a foul stench from blowing through the neighbourhood."

Click here to read more.  

Fire in Narngulu

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Submitted.  

At about 6:15am on Saturday 4 April 2015, a property on Kemp Street, Narngulu was effected by fire.

Police and Department of Fire and Emergency Services attended the property where it appeared that four unlicensed vehicles had been set on fire. The structure, which housed the vehicles, sustained only smoke damage. The damage was estimated to have been $20,000.

Inquiries are continuing by officers attached to the Geraldton Detectives office. 

Woman dies after car catches fire near Geraldton→

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ABC: ​

A woman has died after her car caught fire in Western Australia's Mid West region.

Click here to read more.  

Update: 

Geraldton Police have issued the following information: 

On Saturday 4 April 2015 a vehicle was travelling on the Geraldton – Mt Magnet Road, Northern Gully.

It is believed that the vehicle veered to the side of the road at low speed before coming into contact with the gravel shoulder. It will be alleged that the vehicle travelled approximately 45 metres on the gravel verge before coming to a rest in the bush area. It is believed that the bush surrounding the vehicle has caught fire, resulting in the vehicle being incinerated.

Police, St John Ambulance and Department of Fire and Emergency Services attended the scene where the vehicle was destroyed by fire. The 42 year old female driver of the vehicle died as a result of the incident.

Inquiries are ongoing by officers attached to the Mid West-Gascoyne Traffic office. 

Skydive For Suzy Turner.

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Please Help!!

Skydive For Suzy Turner.

Hi all, 

I was recently diagnosed with Synovial sarcoma and as a result lost my left leg below the knee.

I am up and about again with a trainee leg but another young girl needs your help.

I will be completing a skydive with the help of Jurien Skydiving on Sunday 12th of April !!!

Suzy went to dancing as any other night, her life was about to change forever. February 2013, Suzy 17 

her leg broke while dancing. Revealing Suzy had osteosarcoma , her leg was amputated as a result and then 6 months of intense chemo followed to kill any cancer cells that may have got through. Nov 2013 chemo finished, CT scans every 3 months was the deal..All good...BUT Oct 2014 scan revealed tumours growing in Suzannes lungs. Radiation & Radiotherapy was tried ...sadly a big fail. Oncologist painted a bleak picture. 

I am the Dad bloody hell what to do.. discovered A German Cancer Clinic in Cologne Germany.. Doctor Robert Gorter told me today get her over here and we'll do our best to see she's a Grandmother. 

HOPE HOPE HOPE.. 

Suzy has taken the one leg onboard and never dropped her bundle. Suzanne is now 19.She is a true trooper, she could lead soldiers to war, no problem. This kid has to much to offer to give up without a fight.

HELP ME HELP ME get her there please................

 - Louise

http://www.gofundme.com/pdqze0

Western Power’s Mid West Energy Project completed

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The State Government Tuesday officially marked the completion of one of the largest powerline projects ever undertaken in Western Australia.

Energy Minister Mike Nahan said the Mid West Energy Project, completed this month by Western Power, would be a significant contributor to future State and regional development. 

“Western Power’s Mid West Energy Project is a substantial achievement that will boost power supplies to Mid-West communities and industry,” the Minister said. 

“The $400 million project is more than a single powerline - it’s a combination of two major powerlines and a number of substation upgrades that will enable more than 500 extra megawatts of energy for the Mid-West region. 

“The project will enable the connection of future industrial projects in the Mid-West and facilitate the connection of renewable sources of electricity generation, particularly wind and gas-powered generation in the region.” 

Dr Nahan said Western Power’s new transmission line to Eneabba was the State’s largest powerline development since the line to Kalgoorlie was built in the mid-1980s.

 “Western Power is to be congratulated for completing the project within the original budget of $418.1 million and well under the final budget set by the State Government of $406.5 million,” he said.

“It’s a significant project that will greatly benefit the Mid-West now and enable future growth for many years to come.”

       Fact File

  • The Pinjar to Eneabba powerline is 190km long

  • The project includes 388 steel lattice towers, 2,900km of powerline and has an average tower weight of 24 tonnes

  • It also includes a new 330/132 kV terminal substation at Three Springs

  • Western Power is a State Government owned corporation that is committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity to more than one million customers across a network area of 255,064sq.km

The City wants to hear your thoughts regarding the Greenough River Estuary

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Do you visit the Greenough River Estuary? The City wants to hear your thoughts regarding the river. The City is working in partnership with the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council to engage our community in looking after the Greenough River Estuary at Cape Burney.

Join the City’s online forum, Your City Your Say, here and tell us your thoughts about this dynamic river that connects our inland people with the Greater Geraldton coast. 

ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR CYCLONE-AFFECTED COMMUNITY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney has welcomed Commonwealth Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett’s announcement that disaster assistance has been extended to the local government area of Greater Geraldton in response to Cyclone Olwyn.  

The assistance is being provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA). 

Assistance available under the NDRRA may include:

  • personal hardship and distress assistance for families and individuals, essential repairs to damaged homes and the replacement of essential household contents
  • financial assistance for local and State government authorities to undertake counter-disaster operations and to restore damaged public infrastructure
  • interest rate subsidies for small businesses and primary producers who have been directly impacted by the cyclone
  • freight subsidies for primary producers to assist with the costs of transporting livestock, fodder or water for livestock and machinery and equipment.  

Mr Blayney agrees that the cyclone and associated flooding had caused widespread damage to the local community. 

“I hope all affected residents and businesses take advantage of this assistance,” said Ian Blayney. 

“This assistance will help ease the financial burden the local council endures when preparing for natural disasters, undertaking clean-up operations and restoring local infrastructure, such as roads and bridges,” the Premier said. 

“The Australian and Western Australian governments will continue to work together to ensure that communities have the support they need during this difficult time,” Mr Keenan said.

MMG 2015 Community Grants Now Available

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MMG Ltd’s Golden Grove 2015 Community Sponsorship Program is now open for applications.

The Community Sponsorship Program is designed to provide assistance to local community groups and organisations which deliver initiatives in areas related to education, social and cultural development, economic advancement and health and wellbeing.

MMG strives to be a responsible business which is underpinned by strong values and a belief that ‘we mine for progress’ – our progress and our stakeholders’ progress.

Benefits of our operations are shared by investment in the sustainable future of the communities in which we operate. Some of the initiatives MMG has previously sponsored are:

  • Mullewa Muster and Rodeo
  • Sunshine Festival Parade
  • Men’s Shed Programs
  • Geraldton Primary School Nature Playground
  • Mid West Art Award

If you would like to apply for assistance to benefit a local initiative that delivers a sustainable community benefit, visit our website or download an application form BY CLICKING HERE. Grants are capped at $5000.

Submissions close on Friday 3rd of April, 2015. For more information please contact Brooke Creemers, Community Relations Advisor, GGCommunity@mmg.com

Fire at Durack causes $20,000 damage

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Ricci shared this image of the fire at Durack yesterday.  

A fire yesterday at Durack Institute of Technology (DIT) has caused $20,000 worth of damage according to staff there, and will cause a minor disruptions to operations. 

Maintenance work was being carried out on an air conditioner when the fire occurred.  

DIT claim the incident was just minor, and the local fire brigade was called as part of their safety procedures.