GERALDTON PRIMARY SCHOOL RE-UNION - 1949 to 1955

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GERALDTON PRIMARY SCHOOL RE-UNION

CLASSES STARTED FROM YEARS 1949 to 1955.

SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS - WHERE ARE YOU NOW?

RE-UNION AT GERALDTON, W.A.

FROM TUESDAY 13th to SATURDAY 17th SEPTEMBER 2016

ACCOMMODATION BEING ORGANISED - SOLO OR SHARED.

CONTACTS:

ERROL RAFTOS
Mob: 0407 180 152
Email: emroy.raftos@gmail.com

BERYL GRACE (nee Gould)
Mob: 0427 861 942
Email: gracetwo@hotmail.com 

Pages Beach given all clear

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Pages Beach North back in action

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise the community that further samples have been taken at Pages Beach North to assess the water quality.

Results have now been received and show there is no current health hazard present and the health warning has now been lifted.

For further information please phone 9956 6600.

Awesome photo of Chapman Valley at sunrise

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Kerrin Rowe sent in this brilliant shot he took this morning, and we had to share it. 

Hey guys, took this shot in Chapman Valley this morning at sunrise, thought everyone might enjoy it. Was some great low lying cloud around, made for some dramatic lighting.

Click to enlarge

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A great home security tip

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Thanks to EG reader Jess for sharing this tip with us. It comes from "The Unintentional Urban Farmer". It's a way to make life a little harder for would be intruders. 

A good home security tip that you may have never thought about.... We just moved into a new home and one of the first...

Posted by The Unintentional Urban Farmer on Sunday, January 24, 2016

An open letter from Geraldton Doctors to the Prime Minister, regarding children in detention

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The Hon Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister of Australia

The Hon Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection

Ms Melissa Price MP, Member for Durack

We, doctors of the Geraldton community, have a moral and legal obligation to report abuse of children living under Australian jurisdiction. It is unacceptable in our professional opinion that the Australian government knowingly places the health of vulnerable children at risk through its policy of mandatory immigration detention. The appalling secrecy provisions of the Australian Border Force Act, which actively restrict doctors from fulfilling their duty to advocate for the best interests of their patients, further compromise the health and safety of children in detention. 

We stand with our colleagues around the country in condemning the detention of children. We advocate that they must be release into the Australian community immediately where they can resume their childhoods and begin to recover from the harms inflicted by immigration detention. 

Earlier this month the Senate passed a motion to remove all children from offshore detention. We the undersigned call on you to ensure passage of this bill through Parliament and that you amend the appalling secrecy provisions of the preventing health professionals and others from reporting abuse and other human rights violations in offshore detention facilities. 

Your sincerely,

 

 

 

Reminder not to leave items near donation bins

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A community member was upset by the mess she found on Monday when visiting the Good Sammy bins. 

Keep in mind that a volunteer will probably have to clean this up.

Please put all donation items in the bins provided, or drop them off during business hours. Leaving them near the bins often results in people rifling through the items resulting in a huge mess for someone to clean.

"Went to drop stuff off at Good Sammy's this morning. Absolutely disgusting, how hard is it to put it in the bins provided?"

- Skye

 

A memorial gift for Greenough murder victims' family

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A community member has decided to put together the following project for the family of the Greenough murder victims. 

"Another anniversary of the Greenough Murders draws closer. As a community we have all spent a long time angry, hurt and confused by this senseless act of violence. We each lost a friend, a member of our community - and with it, a part of our own innocence was lost. These feelings have never left the family of Karen, Daniel, Katrina and Amara. For them it is something they remember every day. For some years now I have been in contact with Karen's sister Evelyn. We've shared memories and frustrations, with many of the good memories and knowing her family are not forgotten, helping her everyday to keep fighting. This year, I'd like to put together some positive support from within our community, a small gift Evelyn and her family. I'd like to create a digital wall of memories. Of OUR memories of our time with the family and invite you all to play a part. If you'd like to be involved, it is very simple .... and it doesn't matter how small a memory it may be. Perhaps something adorable one of the girls did... or a fun moment shared with Karen or Daniel. A hug that made you feel like you'd found your best friend - right there. Simply email your memories to ourcommunitywall@gmail.com and they will be added to a new blog being established, to go live on the eve of February 21st. There will be no limit on the word count and you may choose whether your memories are published with or without your name. Please aim to have your memories sent through by February 18th to be included in the launch."
- Melanie Comito

Locals gathering in a peaceful show of solidarity for children being sent back to Nauru

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A group of locals are gathering this evening in front of of the Geraldton Courthouse in response to news that a group of children are to be sent back to Nauru. 

This is the message they have sent in to EG:

We are arranging a peaceful gathering in solidarity with the children being sent back to Nauru. The gathering is synchronised with others around the nation. 
TONIGHT at 7:00pm
on the lawn in front of the Geraldton Courthouse
(corner of Marine Tce & Forrest St)
Please bring a candle or a small light, 
and a sign such as "Let Them Stay" if you're able. 

Click here for more info on the "Stand for Sanctuary" efforts happening around the country today.

A thank you to the Geraldton Police

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I just wanted to say thanks to all the police officers that worked Australia Day to make sure it was enjoyable for the rest of us! There was a high presence and all incidents were dealt with very quickly :)

- Cassie

I just wanted to say thanks to all the police officers that worked Australia Day to make sure it was enjoyable for the rest of us! There was a high presence and all incidents were dealt with very quickly :)

Posted by Cassie Millington on Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Introducing the Geraldton Youth Precinct - Video

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Introducing the new City of Greater Geraldton "Youth Precinct". 
It opens this Australia Day.

We headed down there this afternoon to have a look and speak with a few folk from CGG about the new foreshore addition. 
It looks like a lot of fun for all age groups. There's a rage cage, some very fun looking electronic games, foosball tables, table tennis, and more.

It will be open each day from 6:30am until 10:30pm. Sports equipment is available from the Visitor Centre with a $5 deposit.

There is a new "Changing Places" toilet facility, that provides unprecedented facilities for restricted mobility members of our community, a first for WA. A beach access ramp for wheelchairs is also on its way.

Stay tuned later in the year when the rest of the multi user facility is finished. CGG have called the multi user facility and Youth Precinct the "jewell in the crown" for our foreshore. It certainly is a welcome addition to our city.

Melissa Price wants a simpler system for penalty rates for employees

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Durack MP Melissa Price is arguing for a simplified system of payment for employees, arguing that a simpler system would encourage more businesses to open more hours, thus creating more jobs. 

Daniel Hurst writing for The Guardian (the international publication, not the local paper):

Melissa Price, who represents the Western Australian seat of Durack, criticised the “complex” existing rules in a submission to the Fair Work Commission (FWC), which is reviewing penalty rates in hospitality and retail awards.

Click here to read the full article. 

Largest Cray Boat in WA ready to go - Video

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It’s believed to be the largest cray boat in WA, and it’s nearly ready to go. Sea trials have been completed, and the Day Dawn is expected to be in the water fishing next week. 
Thanks Hayden for these pic and vids. 
The boat apparently has three tv’s and queensized beds. Thumbs up to all involved, including Xtreme Marine, Dongara Marine and Geraldton Marine Electronics. 

Regarding retailers rejecting "bra money"

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The ABC Midwest ran a story today on shops in Geraldton rejecting money kept in people's brassiere. The story was published on the ABC's national Facebook page, and thus gathered remarks from around the country. ABC claimed that a "growing" number of businesses are putting the sign up. 

I've worked in retail for many years, and experienced people handing over bra money lots of times. Allow me to share my experience. 

  • I don't recall the money every being "sweaty and gross". 
  • Often the woman has children with her, and carrying the cash there seems to be quite practical with her hands otherwise full. 
  • The first time I saw this happen I was a little surprised, but I quickly realised that the skin of someone's breast is likely a lot cleaner than their hands, so I got over it. 
  • When I spoke with one person about why women kept their cash there, they mentioned that it was a lot less likely to be nicked than if they carried a purse around with them all the time. If money is tight, it makes sense to want to protect it as much as possible. 
  • I have seen other women stick their keys or phone in their bra when heading to the beach. "Where else are you gonna put it?" was one comment I got, referring to how most women's clothing doesn't have pockets. 
  • Putting a sign up to say you won't accept bra money achieves absolutely nothing. All someone has to do is take their cash out before they enter the store. Not a very useful system if you really want to protect your staff from breast germs. 
  • I have frequented many mens toilets, obviously. MOST MEN DO NOT WASH THEIR HANDS AFTER USING A TOILET. Sorry, but it's true. If you're honestly scared of germs, and not just discriminating against people who are unable to carry a purse with them everywhere, then you wouldn't accept cash from any male who used his hands to pass it to you. 
  • I had a bloke once pull money out of his socks. From memory, he was a tradie who found it easier to keep his cash there than have his wallet slip from his pocket while working. He looked like he was working hard keeping the economy ticking, and deserved his Iced Coffee. I hardly felt within my rights to refuse his business. 
  • Not everybody has the same background, upbringing, or habits regarding the handling of cash. If a sizeable number of people in our community see carrying cash in their bra as a practical habit, perhaps its worth considering why they do it rather than just declare "that's gross" and ban them from shopping at your store. 

One person interviewed who erected the sign banning bra money told the ABC it was "a matter of respect." 

Respect goes both ways. Understanding that some people live very different lives to you, are dealing with circumstances you will never be exposed to, and are just trying to transport their cash as safely as they can, is probably worth thinking about. Being forbidden from buying food from a store because the safest way for you to carry your cash is in your bra seems a little disrespectful.

Update on water outages in Bluff Point.

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Update on water outages in Bluff Point.

Water Outage in Bluff Point

A broken water main in Bluff Point is causing outages to many households. Water Corporation teams are working hard to fix it as soon as possible, and at this stage it will be 2 to 4 hours before the water is restored.We apologise for the inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience.

From Water Corp: free bottled water is available to  community members who are out of water in Bluff Point while we continue to work to repair the broken service.  Collection point is located in the car park behind the Winter Sun hotel.  Water Corporation thanks residents for their patience.

 

Update: 1:40pm

Water supply has now been restored in Bluff Point. The water pressure will be temporarily reduced until we can increase it gradually and safely.  People who are still experiencing issues with their water supply should call 131375. Water Corporation thanks everyone for their patience and understanding.

 

This local mum bought a Christmas present for the speed camera man

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A local resident has gone the extra mile this Christmas, showing some kindness to someone who normally only gets abuse from the public.

We heard about her act of kindness and wanted to share it with the community.

Sarah lives near a popular speed camera spot, so sees the camera operator a fair amount, and also observes a lot of abuse he receives. 

I asked Sarah what prompted her act of kindness. She said she felt sorry for the guy and just wanted to do something nice for him. So she decided to get him a Christmas present. She said he seemed chuffed with the gift, although surprised.

She says she told him that she saw how much abuse he copped.

It happens so much that "even I feel like abusing him and I don't even drive," she said.

"I love Christmas. It's my favourite time of the year."

Thanks Sarah for reminding us all about what Christmas is all about.