Yellow submarine makes room for construction site

/

Yellow Submarine #geraldton #summer #yellowsubmarine

A photo posted by Annaleis (@teapotsandtractors) on

The City of Greater Geraldton is advising the public that the ‘Yellow Submarine’ located beside the Geraldton Visitor Centre will be moved into a secure storage facility to safeguard it during the construction of the Multi User Facility and Youth Space in the West End of the CBD.

The submarine will be securely stored off site until funds have been sourced to complete its restoration and relocation.

Some interesting facts about the Yellow Submarine, from the plaque that stood beside it:

The Yellow Submarine was made available to the City of Greater Geraldton by Geraldton local Max Cramer, and was restored in 2008 by Maicon Engineering with funding provided by Lotterywest.

This submarine was invented by another Geraldton local Severn Graham, who was commissioned to invent a prototype cray fishing submarine for the M G Kailis Fishing Group.
The vessel was submerged for its inaugural launch in Geraldton on September 6, 1969.
The submarine was designed to test the feasibility of establishing a fishery for green crayfish which abound in the tropical waters north of Learmouth. The submarine never entered operational service as it was discovered that gas emissions from the batteries caused major technical problems.

A 9cm thick laminated Perspex viewing port fitted into the box of the submarine was designed to enable the two-man crew to navigate and manipulate external fishing equipment.

The submarine became an icon in Geraldton and was painted yellow after the Beatles famous song. Severn Graham made two prototypes, one of which has been donated by the original owners to the Derby Museum.

The not so yellow submarine - believed to be late 60's early 70's
shared by Catherine Brady on Lost Geraldton

Hero pilot went off designated flight path to find missing people

/

Sent in to Everything Geraldton:

Just want to give a shout out to my dad, Dennis Teale, local pilot for many years, found the missing people today east of Sandstone. On instinct flew up a track, off the designated search and rescue flight path and found the people alive! A very humble local hero in my books!

- Peter Teale 

If you want to start or grow your business, these guys are here to help

/

There were a few disappointed voices when the Small Business Development Centre closed down a few months back. 

But funding has now been provided to continue the service, and RSM Bird Cameron has won the tender to provide that service. 

The service is called Business Local. Business advisors are available to assist you FREE OF CHARGE. 

Some of the services they say they can help with include

  • practical help
  • business information (including finance, marketing, business planning and licensing) 
  • referal to specialist advisors
  • help through the maze of government departments

 

To get in touch head in to the RSM Bird Cameron offices or call 1800249562 
 
They are also more than happy to make a time to come to you. 

Sadly, this is what we do if our neighbours are in trouble

/

Once upon a time there was a normal family. They were called the Jobs family. There was a mum, a dad, a little boy, and a little girl. 

They lived in a beautiful street with many different homes. Some were large, some were small. Some were elegant and some were simple. 

The Jobs family lived in a simple home. It had stood for many years, and was a great asset to the street. 

One night, the Jobs family home burnt down. It was no fault of the Jobs family. There was some shoddy wiring which started an electrical fire. The family all survived the fire, but all their possessions were destroyed. They had no beds, no clothes, just a few coins in their pockets and the pyjamas they were wearing. 

With nowhere to go, they headed to their neighbour's home to ask for help. Perhaps their kind neighbours would put them up for a few nights and help them a little. 

They headed to one of the largest homes in the street. This large house was home to the Abbott family. They were a very fat family, because they had way more food than they could ever eat. The house was so large that it was often difficult to find someone in it. And importantly, the family was a Christian family. They claimed they loved people just like Jesus, and thus they had a rule that if anyone ever came inside their home and asked for help, they would do everything they could to help them. 

Their reputation for kindness was well known. So the Jobs family went and knocked on their door. 

But things had changed recently at the Abbott family residence. The Jobs family didn't know this, but the head of the household had convinced many people in the family that anyone who comes to the door asking for help is dangerous, or wants to take all their food. Despite all being morbidly obese, some of the Abbott household members started fearing the imaginary scenarios that Mr Abbott had told them about. So they put together an armed force to stand outside the home to arrest anyone who approached the door. 

Inside the home, there was still a plaque on the wall that said "We will help anyone who comes inside and asks for help." This made all the residence of the home feel nice. They were able to tell themselves they were lovely and kind. Sometimes they would open a window and throw a few dollars out of it. That really made them feel special. 

The Jobs family were arrested before they even got to the front door. The children and the parents were all taken away to a factory warehouse on the other side of town, where residents of the Abbott home could not see them. One of the young children who lived in the Abbott residence asked why the poor family with no home couldn't come inside.

Mr Abbott started to make fun of the little boy who asked the honest question. He reminded everyone in the home that he was a Christian, and wanted to protect the family. But some people within the family started to question the need to be so harsh on the Jobs family. Everyone in the Abbott residence knew of the tragic fire. It had been all over the news. But the people who were worried about the Jobs family were told to keep the noise down because the footy was on.  

Meanwhile, the Jobs family were taken to one of the most horrible places they had ever imagined. During their stay, one of their children was sexually abused. They were imprisoned and treated like criminals, and they had no idea if they were ever going to be able to leave. They cried every day. Some of the people that ran the warehouse were horrified at the conditions. They went and told Mr Abbott how bad it was. But instead of fixing the problems, Mr Abbott decided to make a new house rule. If anyone spoke about anything that happened at the warehouse, even of sexual abuse, they would be locked under the stairs for two years. 

The Abbott family continued getting fatter and fatter, and celebrating what wonderful Christians they all were.

And no one really knows what happened to the Jobs family.

Wire across Rd in Wandina, residents warned

/

 

This was just sent in to EG

"I was driving on Herbert Street in wandina, the new area.  When I almost didn't see this wire going across the road,  could of been some serious damage to someone's car,  or even worse an accident. Especially if someone was on a motorcycle.  I'm assuming kids did this,  I don't know how dumb they can get. Absolutely no reason to be doing this sort of thing,  think about what could happen next time you do something so stupid!"

List of all parks and playgrounds that are open or closed

/

Many folks have been asking for a list of which parks have had their playgrounds closed and which are still open. The City has a web page with the info. 

Click here to visit.  

The following press release from the City provides an update on the situation

 

Play equipment safety audit completed

A report on the condition of play equipment located in parks across the City region conducted by industry specialists has been completed and submitted to the City for review.

The play equipment safety inspections took into consideration the condition and noncompliance of all 167 pieces of play equipment were part of an ongoing program of asset audits the City conducted over an 18 month period. 

City of Greater Geraldton CEO, Ken Diehm, said although the audit took longer than expected the comprehensive report it produced is an important document the City and Council needs to make decisions that put the safety of families and their children first.

“Although it took much longer than the City anticipated to inspect every piece of play equipment across the City the audit report, which is more than 700 pages long, has shown playground equipment is generally in poor condition with 31 pieces being of an unacceptable standard and that many of the soft fall areas need to be upgraded as well.

“Some of these things are safety issues that need to be addressed, that’s why 15 parks have been closed and equipment has been removed and until these issues are rectified playground areas cannot be opened for use by children and their families,” said Mr Diehm.

Although $349,000 has been allocated in this year’s budget to fund the renewal of playground equipment, according to the report it would cost an estimated $1.7M to replace all of the play equipment.

To assist in prioritising which parks will have their play equipment repaired or replaced the City is utilising the Public Open Space Strategy.

“Playground equipment in parks listed as high priority in the strategy will be replaced progressively in the next few months.  Until this work is completed, the fences will remain in place to ensure community safety.

“Where parks that have had their equipment removed or identified as non-compliant and are not listed as high priority in the strategy, these may not be replaced in the near future,” said Mr Diehm.

A report to Council is currently being prepared on this matter identifying those parks that will have their playground equipment replaced or removed.  The report will be available from the Council website as part of the Council meeting agenda.

“I can appreciate the community would like to see the repairs and replacement of play equipment completed as quickly as possible so they can enjoy these facilities with their children and I apologise for the delays however, it is my responsibility as the City CEO to ensure that all play equipment meets safety standards before they are opened again for community use.”

Below is a list of parks currently closed or have had some of their equipment removed and parks that are partially closed where only some of the equipment is available for use.

 

A list of parks which are open, current closed or partially closed to the public can be found at the link at the top of this article. 

As play equipment in parks are reopened to the public, these parks will be added to the website list.

The Public Open Space Strategy is available at the City Civic Centre, Mullewa District Office or on the City website by clicking here. 

Hot air balloon floats over Geraldton

/

The RAAF balloon has hit the skies for a farewell flight. 

At approximately 6.30am this morning, Squadron Leader Damien Gilchrist took off from Queen's Park, Geraldton, for a display flight over the city. 

At approximately 7.30am, the balloon landed in an empty lot in Kane St, Wandina, and approximately 50 local residents came outside to talk to the pilot and take photos. 

Around a dozen children had the opportunity to join the pilot in the basket (but not all at once!). 

The children were then safely returned to their parents and the balloon continued its flight. It landed safely in a paddock southeast of Geraldton at around 9am.

"Bin Man" rewarded

/

Local resident Courtney was pleasantly surprised yesterday to find her bin had been emptied, despite having not put it out. 

The bin was on the other side of the street. 

She decided to check her home's security footage to find out who the Good Samaritan was. ​

What she discovered prompted her to contact us and express her gratitude. ​

We shared the message of thanks to the Veolia driver who had gone the extra mile for Courtney onto our Facebook page. 

Geraldton residents loved the post, sharing it far and wide. Currently over 36,000 people have seen Courtney's note of thanks.  

Rob, a manager at Veolia, reached out to us, in the hopes of working out who the driver was. 

After working out where the house was, it was discovered that the helpful driver was "Zatie Hazel". 

He's been rewarded with a $50 Bunnings voucher.  

If you have kids that love watching the rubbish bin truck come past like I do, you've probably seen Zatie before. He's perhaps the friendliest driver I've ever come across in my time on this earth. 

Thanks for making Geraldton a better place Zatie.  

Letter to the editor: Re Sun City Cinema

/

​Dear Friends and Supporters

I have been overwhelmed with the support shown by the public after my message on the Sun City Cinema facebook site. Having come to the end of my initial agreed three year tenure with the CGG, I have asked for several ideas to be put in place including an element of funding so that I can keep the cinema going, expand on what we are doing and build it to an amazing family weekly event. 

My last meeting with the CGG left me deflated and some comments were made that left us feeling as if the CGG couldn’t really care less. Of course this was the feeling I got from one person. I made it clear that Sun City Cinema is not non profit and has to be successful in order to maintain a high quality.

I stated very clearly that the CGG have been supportive in the past and partnered with me on some ideas I put forward including the New Years Eve Event, Film Festival etc.

Since yesterday's comments, I have had GWN call me,  several businesses wanting to set up the cinema in their place and one councillor, David Caudwell, who was very concerned and has since spoken to me.

I have explained where we are at and David has expressed a wish to take the issue to other councillors and the CGG as he believes the cinema is a worthwhile part of Geraldton and sees my vision of it adding to our foreshore and family entertainment in the Mid West. 

I will keep people posted. The least that can happen is that we can have a cinema that keeps its focus on people and not just profit. 

Sincerely

George Scicluna

Information sought regarding contamination at Eastbourne Reserve Sunset Beach

/

 

Published on behalf of Sunset Beach Community Group Inc. (SBCG).  

Can you help?

The City of Greater Geraldton (CGG) has kindly allowed members of the Sunset Beach Community Group (SBCG) to develop the Eastbourne Reserve as a community friendly Public Open Space. We have a Landscape Architect who has drawn up several concept plans for consideration by the broader Sunset Beach community.

However, there is anecdotal evidence that there may be contamination on part of the site where drums of oil and DDT were apparently stored. At the moment the group is trying to find information to that effect before any further works can be considered. There seems to be no documented records of contamination as far as we know. If anyone can help with information or photos, the SBCG can be contacted by email at admin@sbcg.org.au or PO Box 3496, BLUFF POINT 6530

Thank you.

Videos: Mountain Bridge and Milo Crossing following heavy rains

/

In case you missed it, here's some footage sent in last week by a community member. Shona shared footage of Mountain Bridge and Milo Crossing, east of Dongara, following heavy rains. 

She said "must have come through with some force as it uprooted an entire tree, roots and all."

Mountain Bridge

Milo Crossing

Some photos also shared. 

Crossfit for Kayla

/

​

Can you believe the first image belongs to this gorgeous 11 year old Geraldton girl Kayla Walker. Kayla has Cerebal Palsy and requires 24hr care. Kayla had to be rushed to Princess Margaret Hospital 3 months ago due to her ribs and spine crushing her internal organs. 

Tomorrow 1st August at 8:30am CrossFit Geraldton will be holding a workout to raise funds for this local family. This is an open community event and all you pay is a gold coin donation. Participation in the workout is not essential. We would like to see the community there just to show support for the Walkers. Raffles, food and coffee will be available to purchase tomorrow. 

Kayla has seen her sibling twice since being flown to Perth. As you can imagine life is tremendously difficult for this family. Kayla's mum is also her full time carer and has struggled being apart from her 4 other children here in Geraldton. It would be fantastic if we can raise the much needed funds to have Kayla's special chair repaired so a visit back home to Geraldton can be planned. The ultimate dream would be for the Walker family to raise enough money to access specialised treatment for Kayla outside of Western Australia. 

Please join us tomorrow at Cross Fit Geraldton 

Saturday 1st August

2/5 Crawford Street Webberton

8:30am Start

Regards

CrossFit Geraldton


Travelling con-men alert

/

Travelling conmen warning after reports in Geraldton

Consumer Protection is once again warning consumers not to deal with ‘bitumen bandits’ who offer to lay driveways on-the-spot with material supposedly leftover from another job and then leave town before you can challenge them about their shoddy work and materials.

Reports received by Consumer Protection’s Mid-West office suggest that two men in high-visibility work clothes, driving a white ute with a New South Wales plate, are approaching home and business owners in Geraldton with the offer of drive-way laying services.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection Anne Driscoll says carrying out work there and then is a sign of a travelling conman.

“Any tradesperson that approaches a consumer uninvited and carries out the job immediately is breaking the Australian Consumer Law by failing to allow a 10-day cooling off period for the customer to think over the unsolicited offer,” she said.

“Experience tells us that travelling conmen can be convincing salespeople and mislead consumers about the value of the work being carried out and quality or source of the materials being used. They have been known to pressure the vulnerable or elderly and have even driven some customers to the bank and used stand-over tactics to get them to withdraw cash.”

The Commissioner says because ‘bitumen bandits’ usually avoid staying in one place for too long that the warning is relevant to all Western Australians.

“Once local authorities such as police and consumer protection officers are aware that these operators are targeting the area, alerts are issued, which can prevent the travelling conmen from convincing further consumers to part with money.

“For that reason all home and business owners in WA, not just those in Geraldton, should shop around for quotes and use local reputable tradespeople when having work carried out.

“Ordinarily if you have a problem with a service, such as a bitumen driveway laid too thinly or of inferior quality, you can seek a repair, replacement or refund under the Australian Consumer Law. However, when travelling conmencome to you unannounced and with limited identification your opportunity to find them and exercise your rights is extremely limited.”

Report travelling conmen by calling Consumer Protection: 1300 30 40 54 with descriptions of the offenders, personal or business names used and vehicle registration numbers if possible.

Help bring the boys home→

/

Chad Fairley, Mason Carter and Murray Turner are missing off the coast of Karratha. The last communication was on Saturday the 11th of July. We need as many planes, boats, crew etc out there as we can get! If you could please spare a Few bucks to help cover the hire costs it would be deeply appreciated. Let's bring these boys home alive!