News Flash! We made it!

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WE MADE THE FINALS !!!!!

Midwest Charity Begins at Home have just been announced as a FINALIST in the 2016 Telstra Business Awards in WA. The new category of 'Charity' is designed to recognise the significant contribution of not-for-profit organisations to not only Australian communities but the economy as well.

We are absolutely thrilled to stand with Cystic Fibrosis Western Australia, Telethon Adventurers and the Motor Neurone Disease Association of WA as 2016 WA FINALISTS.

We would like to once again THANK everyone who has supported us and had belief in what we do. You really do mean the world to us x.

Chiropractic Clinic not a pain in the neck

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All this week Geraldton community members have been able to take advantage of visiting Chiropractic students from Murdoch University’s School of Health Professions.

The final year students are offering free chiropractic consultations in a supervised student teaching clinic at the WA Centre for Rural Health.

Don’t worry if you missed out, as they will be returning to the Midwest.

Next week they will be based in Mount Magnet from 27th June to 1st July. They will then back in Geraldton from 4th to 8th July. With another Mount Magnet visit from 29th August until 2nd September.

Geraldton appointments can be pre-booked by contacting Christopher Hodgetts on telephone 0402 422 156.

Mount Magnet appointments can be pre-booked by contacting Lyndon Woods on 0429 209 255.

Letter to Editor: Your opinion wanted on proposed public amenities at the HMAS Sydney II Memorial

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We would like to get the public’s opinion on the Proposed public amenities at the HMAS Sydney II Memorial as designed by the designers Joan Walsh-Smith and Charles Smith of Smith Sculptors.

The HMAS Sydney II Memorial is now recognised around the world and is in the top 1% of places to visit on Trip Advisor.

The Rotary Club of Geraldton is seeking support for this much needed project on behalf of the community and the 40,000 plus visitors of the site annually.

The Rotary Club of Geraldton

Aerial overview of proposed building

Bridge of the ship layout

Bridge of the ship layout

Bridge of the ship

Contemplation area

Front of building

Plan of layout of HMAS II Memorial

Bishop’s soft approach to GST won’t fly in WA

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The Nationals WA Candidate for Durack Lisa Cole has called out Deputy Liberal Leader Julie Bishop for her soft approach to securing a fairer share of GST revenue for WA.

“Contrary to Ms Bishop’s comments at the weekend, it is the role of West Australian elected representatives to put the interests of their constituency before their personal political aspirations as Minister,” Ms Cole said.

“WA’s federal Liberal team should be pulling every lever available to them in order to deliver the best possible outcomes in their own state to secure a fair share of the GST back to WA and they have clearly failed to do this.

“Even Ms Bishop’s state colleague Treasurer Mike Nahan agrees WA needs a far stronger approach from WA’s federal Liberal representatives.”

Ms Cole said while WA’s share of GST revenue had plummeted over the past several years to a record low of 30 per cent, New South Wales would be virtually debt free by the end of the financial year largely as a result of the generous share of GST revenue it received.

“NSW received 97 cents in the dollar last financial year and is now in a position to pay down their debt, yet here in WA we are seeing unforeseen record debt levels due to an unfair distribution of GST,” Ms Cole said.

“At present we have a system which penalises economic success and rewards mediocrity. The current distribution formula set by the Commonwealth Grants Commission (CGC) is clearly flawed and must be fixed.

“If other State’s wish to share WA’s success during the good times, they must also share in the more challenging times, reforming the structure of our Federation will be key to achieving this.”

The Nationals WA team is encouraging West Australians to use the #fixourfederation hashtag online to send a strong message to Canberra.

“By using the hashtag #fixourfederation everyday West Australians will send a loud and clear message to our federal politicians that WA won’t continue to be ripped off on GST.”

Ms Cole said West Australians had an opportunity to send Canberra a message on July 2 by voting for The Nationals WA.

“While The Nationals WA are prepared to cross the floor to ensure WA is a priority in Canberra, the Liberal Party will toe a party line set by their colleagues in the eastern states,” Ms Cole said.

“The people of WA deserve better than self-serving politicians.” 

Works to begin at St Georges Beach

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The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise that works to mitigate erosion at St Georges Beach will begin on 21 June and are expected to take up to three weeks.

Works include the construction of a low level sandbag groyne and sand nourishment works.

Traffic management will be in place during this time. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to exercise caution and obey all warning signs and directions from authorised City personnel and contractors.

If you have any queries regarding this work please contact the City on 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Community Nursery sets new record

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Green Army member Richard Slater with Mayor Shane Van Styn at the Community Nursery.

Over 30,000 local native plants have been grown at the City of Greater Geraldton’s Community Nursery smashing a new record!

A total of 64 different native species make up the collection of plants grown during the 2016 season.

These latest figures are a significant jump in both the number and variety of native plants grown by the group, with this newest figure dwarfing the 16,500 plants that were grown in the 2015 season.

Plants that are grown are made up of species native to the Midwest region including the Geraldton Rose, Beach Spinifex and Cockie’s Tongue.

Playing a very significant role in the revegetation of many of our local natural areas, the dedicated volunteers at the Community Nursery as well as other organisations work tirelessly to ensure the rehabilitation of our natural bushland.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn acknowledged the hard work put in by volunteers and congratulated everyone involved in reaching the milestone.

“Protecting and managing our bushland is an ongoing challenge and having 30,000 native plants available to help with rehabilitation makes a big difference – something that can already be seen around the Chapman and Greenough river reserves as well as Devlin Pool and Bootenal Springs,” he said.

“I want to thank those volunteers and organisations who have put in the hard yards and contributed to the Community Nursery’s biggest season yet.

“Without these volunteers and the hard work of the Community Nursery, our beautiful natural areas could be under threat.”

Volunteers are the backbone of the Community Nursery and this year they have been helped by teams from several other organisations including Skill Hire, MEEDAC, Conservation Volunteers Australia and Green Army.

With plenty of leftover native plants, the Community Nursery will be holding an annual plant sale with local plants available to purchase for your garden.

The plant sale will take place on Saturday 16 July and Saturday 23 July from 9am to 1pm at the nursery located at 31 Adelaide Street Waggrakine.

SAY (Students Advising Youth) Project

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WA Police and The Lions Drug Education Foundation are calling on all WA students aged between 12 and 18 years to be Community Safety Champions as part of the SAY Project for 2016.

This year’s theme is “The impact of alcohol and other drug misuse on family violence.”

Applicants must have support of their school or a member of an established youth organisation to participate. Then compile a 90 – 105 second film to show how you can make your community aware of this year’s theme.

There are some great prizes and for more information visit WA Police Website or contact Senior Constable Jonine Harrison at Geraldton Police Station. 

Police Dog Bucky Assists In Arrest

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On Saturday 18 June 2016 at about 12.40am, Geraldton Police arrested a 16 year old female from Geraldton.

Police allege the 16 year old was the driver of a stolen Holden Commodore which became bogged in sand on the roadside after crashing into wooden bollards causing substantial damage to the vehicle.

It is further alleged, the female ran from the vehicle and was located shortly after by Geraldton Police Dog. She was found approximately 100 metres from the vehicle.

The 16 year old, who did not appear to have any injuries, was charged with the following:
1 x Steal Motor Vehicle
1 x Dangerous Driving
1 x Excess 0.08% and
1 x No Motor Drivers Licence (never held)

She will appear in Geraldton Children’s Court. 

Carriage Café will change hands, not close down

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The City of Greater Geraldton is currently examining alternatives for operation of the Carriage Café, located at the Visitor Centre.

City of Greater Geraldton CEO Ken Diehm said that the Carriage Café was gaining in popularity which is diverting resources away from the prime purpose of the Visitor Centre.

“The Carriage Café has proved to be popular and the City expects that it will continue to be the case, especially considering its vicinity to the Youth Precinct and the newly builty Geraldton Multipurpose Centre,” he said.

“The decision has been made to seek expressions of interest to run the café, which will free up Visitor Centre staff to focus on their main purpose.”

The City will be calling for expressions of interest from commercial and not-for-profit organisations in the near future.

It is expected that alternative arrangements will be made for operation of the Carriage Cafe from early July.

WALGA looking to enhance panel of suppliers

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WALGA is seeking tenders to enhance its panel of suppliers for road building materials and related services, and local businesses are encouraged to apply.

The City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said this was a great opportunity for local providers to be placed on WALGA’s panel.

“I urge local businesses to put in an application to become a WALGA preferred supplier,” Mayor Van Styn said.

“There are many benefits for businesses wishing to become a WALGA preferred supplier details of which are available on WALGA’s website.”

Request for tender documents will be available from WALGA’s website www.walga.asn.au on Saturday 18 June. Further information in regards to the request for tender can be obtained from Craig Grant on 9213 2037.

Tenders must be submitted electronically via the WALGA Provider Portal. Information on portal access is provided within the request document.

The deadline for tenders to be submitted is Thursday 14 July 2016, 3PM WST.

Utakarra getting "competitive priced" liquor store after appeal by business owners

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Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney says he is deeply disappointed that an appeal by Con’s Liquor against the decision to deny its application for a large discount liquor outlet is Utakarra, has been upheld by the Liquor Commission of Western Australia.

“I’m surprised this appeal has been upheld given the range and volume of submissions against this development.

“I remain of the view that the location and size of this particular liquor outlet is not in the best interest of the Geraldton community.

“The Commission has acknowledged that Geraldton is a city with a higher percentage of at risk persons than in other parts of Western Australia and that there are social issues within the town relating to the use of alcohol, and it yet has overturned the initial decision to prevent this development from occurring,” said Mr Blayney.

The liquor store, operating as Con’s Liquor Geraldton and owned by business man Mr Peter Jeffree’s company PDG Geraldton Pty Ltd, submitted that there is no liquor store of the size proposed currently operating in Geraldton and that as a result of existing arrangements consumers have been deprived of competitive prices and access to the multiple advantages of buying liquor as a bulk sale.

Mr Blayney said that the proposed site of this liquor store is near Bundiyarra and Geraldton Streetwork Aboriginal Corporations and both organisations had submitted applications against this proposal, as has many other organisations. Submissions opposing the proposal were also made by the Commissioner of Police and on behalf of the Executive Director of Public Health. 

“I think that the community has a right to expect that all undertakings given by the applicant Mr Peter Jeffree will apply to all subsequent owners and operators of this business. I would expect that the Liquor Commission will make the undertakings a condition of any sale or lease of the licence.

“I am advised that any further appeal must be to the Supreme Court of Western Australia, to determine whether there has been an error in law in reaching the decision to uphold this appeal,” said Mr Blayney.

Letter to Editor: Our jobs going to cheap overseas workers

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A bit of information for Tradesmen out there who may be finding it a bit tough at the moment.
Are you aware that our Australian Government is actively seeking foreign workers to do YOUR job-STILL?
Linked here is the Skilled Occupation List, issued May 2016.
https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Work/Work/Skills-assessment-and-assessing-authorities/skilled-occupations-lists/SOL
On this list you will find
Electrician
Carpenter
Roof plumber
Fitter Turner
Brick layer
Cabinet maker
Shipwright
Tiler
Plasterer
Glazier
Panelbeater
Locksmith
Ships Office
Ships Engineer
Registered Nurse

How did I come across this?
Someone posted a link on Facebook to an Indian website showing it with hundreds of enquiries from people who will in all likelihood, do your job (and mine) for a pittance.
I thought it was a joke, until I searched it up on the Immigration and Border Protection website.
Perhaps you need to write to your local member Melissa Price here
http://melissapricemp.com.au/Contact-Melissa
and ask why, and what she is going to do about this if anything?
Or are you just going to sit on your ass complaining, and do nothing?
Apathy will kill your job, and mine.
You have about a month to do something, to find out where your local member stands, and find out what they are actually going to do.
Just write who you are, what you do and your work situation and ask why foreigners are being sought to take your job.
Doesnt need to be War and Peace.

- Rob. 

Premier undervalues regional tourism

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WA Labor Candidate for Geraldton, Lara Dalton today said she was surprised and disappointed at the Premier’s recent comments about focussing his Government’s tourism efforts on the CBD. 

Ms Dalton said that while she recognised Perth had much to offer, the tourism experience would be better served by also highlighting the many fabulous attractions outside the metropolitan area. 

“I have worked in the tourism and hospitality industry for many years and know how valuable tourist dollars can be to local businesses. 

“I would have thought our Government dollars would be much more wisely spent on promoting our great state as a holiday destination rather than just the Perth city centre,” Ms Dalton said. 

Ms Dalton said that Geraldton and its hinterland had many wonderful attractions including the Abrolhos Islands and the Batavia story, Aboriginal heritage and art, cultural tourism, Greenough historical buildings as well as the beautiful beaches and carpets of spring wildflowers that draw so many visitors to the region. 

“Geraldton is also home to the newly renovated Regional Art Gallery which hosts many wonderful travelling exhibitions, the WA Maritime Museum, the HMAS Sydney Memorial and the many amazing churches designed by Monsignor Hawes, forming a heritage trail of architectural significance.” 

“Our region is well serviced with excellent accommodation facilities for travellers on every budget. 

“It is also blessed with much natural beauty with our rivers, the unique Moresby ranges, the magnificent Kalbarri National Park just up the road and many other scenic areas along our beautiful coastline,” Ms Dalton said. 

“It saddens me that the Liberal/National Government is not looking beyond the horizon and instead is focussing very narrowly on greater Perth.” 

Ms Dalton said she would like to invite the Premier to spend a few of days in Geraldton and the Mid-West so that he could see first-hand exactly what this regional centre has to offer. 

“I would be happy to show the Premier these many attractions which also include our world class foreshore, made possible due to the support of the local community and the Gallop Labor Government. 

“Mr Premier, tourism is an important component of future growth of the regional centres like Geraldton.” 

Maintenance Works on Flood Damaged Roads

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The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise it will be undertaking road maintenance works on the following flood damaged roads:

As access to driveways may be limited during maintenance, the City encourages residents to park their vehicles outside the work area where possible.

Traffic management will be in place during this time. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to exercise caution and obey all warning signs and directions from authorised City personnel and contractors.

If you have any queries regarding this work please contact Moneer Fates, Project Manager on 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au. 

Country Football Showdown

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Avon supporter, Mia Davies MLA and GNFL supporter, Paul Brown MP. 

Nationals WA MP’s Mia Davies and Paul Brown will be on opposing sides during this weekend’s Country Championships regional fixture between the Great Northern Football League (GNFL) and Avon Football Association (Avon), which will take place under the lights at Wonthella Oval this Saturday night.

As Minister for Sport and Recreation Ms Davies is a footy fan no matter what the colour jumper, but as Member for Central Wheatbelt, she’ll be throwing her support behind Avon for the match, with Member for the Agricultural Region and Geraldton local, Paul Brown barracking for the GNFL.

The regional fixture is an initiative between the Western Australian Country Football League and Landmark to bring the Landmark Championships to the regions. Senior fixtures will be held throughout regional WA during the weekend of June 17-19, with a total of six matches being played. Matches will be played in Mount Barker, Kalannie, Narrogin, Geraldton, Bunbury, and Wongan Hills.

“As someone who is passionate about country grassroots sport, it’s great to see the first round of the Landmark Championships will be held in regional WA,” Ms Davies said.

“I’m also pleased the women will be playing a curtain raiser, opportunities like this are now even more important with the announcement of the AFL women’s league this week,” she said.

The Landmark Country Football Championships have been held over 40 years, and the remainder of this year’s fixtures will be played in the metropolitan during the 8-10 July.

Local Geraldton MP Paul Brown said, “This game is a great way to be able to showcase the new lights at Wonthella Oval, along with the refurbishment works that have taken place around the oval and in the grandstand. It will be a great evening of football, and I am looking forward to seeing a very high quality match.”

The day will kick off at 3pm with a Women’s match, followed by a Midwest AFL Masters Match from 3:45pm. The Avon vs GNFL match will commence at 5pm.

“I encourage everyone to come down and see some great local football, support our men and women players, and support WA Country Football,” Mr Brown said.

Letter to Editor: Dealing with Mental Health system

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April 20

I have in the past year been to a psychiatrist twice in Perth as I have bipolar and sciziod personality disorder. The first time the Perth psychiatrist compiled a report back to my Dr here in Geraldton recommending that I see a psychiatrist on a regular basis at mental health.

My Dr referred myself to mental health, I was seen by a triage nurse who refused myself based on the fact that I was not suicidal or threatening others. 6weeks ago I was sent to Perth by my workplace for another assessment by the same psychiatrist and the report came back recommending that I see a regular psychiatrist at mental health.

Once again my Dr referred myself to mental health and 2 weeks ago I was contacted by a lady at mental health who made an appointment to see myself at home. The time was made for wednesday 10.00am. I waited until 10.45am and then rang mental health who got her to ring me.

She explained she forgot and had gone shopping instead and commented that she didnt need to see me now as I seemed ok. She told me that the mental health psychiatrist would make an appointment for me soon.

Today I contacted mental health as it has been a month since the referral and asked when I would be assessed or seen. I was told that there was no referral and to go back to my Dr and request another referral.

At this I got angry and explained that this whole process was frustrating and asked why I was the one why had to try to arrange so called professional when I had the mental health issue? I was told to see my Dr.

As you can imagine I am extreemly frustrated at the lack of communication, lack of response and confusion caused by mental health staff. I feel truly sorry for those clients who are less able than myself to address this type of disfunctional so called service.

- Matt. 

Letter to the Editor: These people have decided to take the ashes of my Pop

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April 30

I just want to take a moment to talk about something that has happened to my family recently. Yesterday my Nans house was broken into.

The entire house was ransacked and many possessions were stolen, but that isn’t what bothers me. What is truly disgusting about this act is that these people have decided for some reason to take the ashes of my Pop.

Yes, they stole the remaining physical piece of a human being from his own family. They have literally stolen a mans dying wish to have his ashes spread with his partner, all for the sake of their own “benefit”.

Although I do not see where there is one. Along with this, the entire house is trashed. Kerosene has been poured over anything flammable in attempts to set the house ablaze and there is bleach throughout the entire house. There is nothing in the house untouched. I don’t know what they were looking for, but they certainly would not find anything of true value to them in my Nans home. My Nans house is an archive; it holds things from generations in our family and there is nothing in her home apart from items of sentimental value.

It is unforgivable to want to destroy something like that. With all this said, in this time of need I have seen people come together. It has been heartwarming to see just how many people have opened their homes to my Nan and offered their services. As we live in a materialistic society it is refreshing and relieving to see that people are still happy to help and not expect anything in return.

I encourage everyone to be more like this. Focus on what you can give to the world rather than what you can receive from it. It isn’t hard to be a decent human being, though do not expect anything in return as you will be disappointed. Kindness is rewarded all in good time.

It infuriates me that there are people in the world who could perform such despicable acts, but if we change our mindset goodwill can easily overthrow disdain.

(By Emily)