Bret Mosley Dinner/Show at the Bootenal Family Tavern

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BRET MOSLEY

DINNER and SHOW

BOOTENAL FAMILY TAVERN
SATURDAY 6th AUGUST

With the popularity of the Andrew Winton Dinner/Show recently we've organised another interesting & talented musician to entertain you with his music & knowledge, from the USA this time.

Bret Mosley enthralled the audience over two days at the Nukara Music Festival in March this year with his Americana styled grooves. 

And what an interesting guy as he has done everything from been a ranch hand, linebacker, fur trapper, ballet dancer, stockbroker, actor, computer programmer, Pilates instructor & art handler, plus he's been playing music since he was 6 years old. What a fulfilled life!

Tickets are limited again to 60 places @ $60 per head which includes a 2 course meal. Avoid missing out on this show by booking ASAP.

BOOKINGS: please phone 99233707 (eftpos/credit card or cash if you're out at the Booty)

Shore-Tension Units a potential boost for Geraldton tourism and industry

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The use of Shore Tension mooring units are a potential game-changer for Geraldton’s tourism and export industries, according to local MP Ian Blayney. 

Mr Blayney, Geraldton MLA, said “I am very excited about the potential of the Shore Tension units recently trialled at Geraldton Port. 

“This would be a real shot-in-the-arm for Geraldton tourism and extra business for the Port. 

 “Berth 2 could also be suited to regular visits of live cattle export ships, which could allow the expansion of the Midwest as a finishing region for pastoral cattle and switching of export from Fremantle. 

“A number of options have been looked at to address the issue of the long- wave, or surge, in Geraldton Port.  The shore-tension units appear to address it, and could be highly cost-effective.”

Mr Blayney said “I have discussed the Shore Tension unit’s potential with the Port Authority and with Premier Colin Barnett. 

“The Premier is very interested in them and I expect, if the trial report is positive that he would support the procurement of sufficient units to open this window of opportunity,” Mr Blayney concluded. 

The units are a Dutch invention and when deployed maintain a constant mooring line tension.  Traditional rope mooring lines have limited capacity to control the movement of a moored vessel under high wind or swell conditions.  Uncontrolled movement of moored vessels is a significant risk to port and vessel infrastructure.  

The constant mooring line pressure applied by the Shore Tension units is designed to dampen the movement of moored vessels and enables vessels to remain safely moored in conditions that would be otherwise unsafe.  

Mid West Ports has recently trailed the use of Shore Tension units to assess their performance in Geraldton harbour’s high energy environment.  The trial was conducted under the guidance of Dr Tim Gourlay from Curtin University’s Centre for Marine Science and Technology.   

The trial report is being drafted and we hope this will confirm that Geraldton’s under-utilised Berth 2 could be used for the safe and reliable mooring of future cruise vessels in most weather conditions. 

Go to www.shoretension.nl to have a look at the units.

Record student numbers and courses continue to grow at GUC

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Student numbers at the Geraldton Universities Centre (GUC) continue to grow and so too the range of quality supported and mix-mode delivered programs offered at the Centre to grow community capacity and higher education engagement in the region.

With the addition of 43 newly enrolled students starting programs in 2nd semester, GUC now has a record 279 students studying across its programs in 2016.

New students are enrolled in Bridging (STEPS), Accounting, Business, Education, Nursing and Psychology.

GUC is also looking to introduce at least one new program in 2017, with the Board endorsing Secondary Education to its suite of CQUniversity Education programs.

“This development would strengthen education options for mid-west students who will then be able to graduate in programs from early childhood and primary education through to secondary education, providing qualified local professionals for the region across the whole education system,” Director Natalie Nelmes said.

“Already GUC has run a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education, but now this new course will be available for students with no previous degree.”

Subject to signing off on an agreement with CQU, the potential for Secondary Education to run at GUC will see students undertaking mixed mode delivery across education core units and units in their chosen discipline area of secondary teaching.

Discipline Teaching areas include; Accounting, Business, Biology, Chemistry, English, Geography, Health and Physical Education, History, Home Economics & Hospitality, Industrial Technology & Design, and, Mathematics.

The CQU program also offers a unique opportunity for trade-to-teacher pathways. Students enrolling in discipline areas of Industrial Design and Technology or Home Economics and Hospitality can receive recognition of prior learning if they have previously completed a trade certificate, an Australian apprenticeship with teaching experience or 3-5 years trade work experience in the relevant industry.

“Trade professionals who have experienced a downturn in their fields of industry locally can consider upscaling their education and find a pathway into alternative employment as a trained professional secondary teacher,” Ms Nelmes said.

Photo credit: New STEPS students at Orientation session.

Letter to the Editor: Fed up with builders in Geraldton

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Being in Geraldton for five years,and still renting a house,we have decided to start building our own house. One reason being that we have been paying someone else's bond now for five years. The other reason, is that we are not getting younger and it would be nice if we have our own house to retire in. So, we decide on building a house because then you can have your own design and your own choice,right?  

So after saving some money we bought the land...nice big one,no problem there. We started with builder number 1 - he took us to few show houses, and we immediately liked one of them and decide to get the building done, but wanted them to add another metre to the rooms - that's it,no other changes. The gentleman tried his best to talk us out of adding to the house and recon that the house was big enough as it was! As if it is for him to decide!! So we decide to try a other builder - number 2:  He was really helpful and talked with us numerous times,but unfortunately they closed doors and was unable to assist us further. So off we went to builder number 3: He was VERY keen and promised us lots and lots of things. He told us if we find one of their designs that we liked,he will help us change it to our taste. But the minute we had the plan drawn up,changed and printed,his promises soon changed to no more than just talking about it.

So off we went to builder number 4:  He listened to our story,shook his head and told us that we are to get someone to plan our house and pay a fee for it, then that way we have exclusive rights to it. He even gave us an business card from the designer of his choice.
We phoned him and set up an meeting. He very happily came to our house to do the design. Then he said he was scheduled for surgery,but will get hold of us as soon as he can and in meantime will sent us a few of his designs - are still waiting. Eventually, he phoned us after 2 months!! 

So we went to builder number 5:  They told us as soon as we step in the door that they were going on a holiday,but said that they will soon return and in the first week after their return get back to us so we can set up an meeting......we are still waiting!! 

We are now on builder number 6: Our last option because according to the word on the street and customers did not have a pleasant experience with them....we shall see soon.

We are also thinking to just buy existing and leave the building until, one day we can find SOMEONE that is really looking for business and are able to give us what we need,because it is just like banging your head against the wall. Is it really that hard to get what YOU want in Geraldton - it is not that you get it for free or What? 

One unhappy client
Retha Bezuidenhout

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 during the month of July.

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

$23.1million secured for Beresford Foreshore works

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City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn, Ian Blayney MLA, Paul Brown MLC and Minister Terry Redman.

A total of $23.1million has been announced for erosion works along the Beresford Foreshore.

Minister for Regional Development and Lands Terry Redman was in Geraldton yesterday and made the announcement which includes $17.28million from the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program, $4million from Mid West Ports and $1.85million from the City of Greater Geraldton.

The project will involve off-shore works to mitigate erosion including a protective 100 metre breakwater extension to the detached breakwater, a 45m extension to the existing groyne and three shore based retaining structures.

Public amenities will also be included in the works which will be funded by the City’s contribution.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said he was happy to hear Minister Redman say the works would help enhance and unlock the area and create a space that people want to be a part of.

“We’ve been working constructively with the State Government for more than two years and this is the best outcome we could have hoped for,” Mayor Van Styn said.

“This is a great collaborative effort between many parties to finally bring together a long term solution for our coast.

“It has taken some time but this is a very significant start and we look forward to continuing the discussions to ensure the best result for our whole city,” Mayor Van Styn added.

The City undertook engagement workshops with the community to develop a priority list of amenities to be included in the staged development of Beresford Foreshore.

Local residents had their say on the repair of damaged paths and landscaping, the replacement of facilities already lost from erosion and the inclusion of other amenities.

Amenity works on the foreshore will include landscaping, barbecues, picnic settings, benches, bicycle racks, showers, play equipment, lighting, drinking fountains and shade structures.

The works led by the City are set to be completed mid 2018 with tenders to go out in approximately four weeks.

Kids come to the crease at Bluff Point

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Children at Bluff Point Primary School enjoying the after school Cricket Skills program.

Children at Bluff Point Primary School (BPPS) have been enthusiastic participants in an after-school Cricket Skills and School Attendance Program.

Sponsored by the Geraldton Sporting Aboriginal Corporation (GSAC) and Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA), the nine week program ran every Wednesday afternoon throughout Term Two.

GSAC provided three trained staff, the cricket equipment and healthy food for the sessions, and the WACA paid for a coordinator to supervise the students at each of the sessions.

The idea for the program was developed in conjunction with Research Assistant Lenny Papertalk from the WA Centre for Rural Health, in consultation with the Bluff Point Primary School (BPPS) Aboriginal Parent group.

‘Parents and teachers of BPPS were looking for something to engage the children and improve attendance levels at school.’

‘An after school sporting program seemed like a solution to keep the kids engaged and active,’ Ms Papertalk said.

Principal of BPPS Celine Bellve said the program was a great success with a huge turnout of children attending each week.

‘It’s been great to see such a mix of ages come along and to watch the older children being role models to the younger ones.’

‘Best of all, this program has encouraged our children to play a sport and have a go,’ Ms Bellve said.

With renewed funding, BPPS and GSAC would like to see the program continue at the school, possibly with a different sport.

GSAC Project Officer Adrian Bartlett can see the potential for programs like these to grow and be run in schools across Geraldton.

‘There is no doubt in my mind that sporting programs increase children’s health, behaviour and willingness to attend school.

‘Children learn the importance of sportsmanship, team spirit and respect for each other by creating a fun, positive, healthy environment for children to look forward to,’ Mr Bartlett said.

Long tedious grant applications – a thing of the past

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Water Monitoring with the Friends of Moore River Estuary.

Long tedious grant applications may be a thing of the past – as a new quick and simple approach has proved successful for five community groups in the NACC NRM Region to obtain funding for small coastal projects.

Dune restoration and protection at Coronation Beach and Glenfield Beach; revegetation at Jacques Point and the Lancelin foreshore; and water quality monitoring at the Moore River Estuary; are just a few of the projects that were funded through the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council’s easy to apply Coastal Quick Step grants program last year.

The grant program has been designed exclusively to service community groups for small one-off projects, up to $2,000, that can be completed in a short timeframe.

NACC Coastal and Marine Project Officer Hamish Longbottom said “The grants are designed to be easy for groups to quickly turn good ideas into reality. It’s amazing what a difference these relatively smaller projects are having in our coastal communities.”

The Coastal Quick Step grants are a part of NACC’s Coastal Community Grants program which will be opening in mid-July providing up to $10,000 for larger projects aimed at improving the management of our region’s unique coastal environment.

“We are looking forward to seeing more of these kinds of projects that contribute towards the successful protection and management of our coastline,” said NACC Coastal and Marine Project Officer Vanessa McGuiness.

For more information on the NACC’s Coastal and Marine Program, and opportunities to apply for the grants, please contact Vanessa McGuiness at Vanessa.McGuiness@nacc.com.au or on 9938 0108.

The grants programs are supported by NACC, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme. 

Revegetation of the coastal dunes undertaken by the Kalbarri Boardriders and local volunteers at Jacques Point.

Funds for Beresford Foreshore erosion works

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Works to address erosion of Beresford Foreshore in Geraldton are part of a $23.1 million project announced today.

Nationals WA Member of Parliament and candidate for the seat of Geraldton, Paul Brown MP, said this project is vital to protect an important part of our community and is supported by $17.28 million from the Royalties for Regions program, and would address an ongoing and expensive erosion problem along the Beresford Foreshore.

“The Beresford Foreshore, along with St George’s Beach, Sunset Beach and Drummonds Cove, all located north of the Geraldton port, have all been severely impacted by coastal erosion in recent years,” Mr. Brown said.

“Works will soon begin on the Beresford Foreshore to address the threat to the sensitive coastal environment and critical public and private infrastructure including a protective breakwater extension and an extension to the existing groyne.”

Also speaking at the event on behalf of the Minister for Transport Dean Nalder MLA was his Parliamentary Secretary, the Hon Jim Chown MLC.

“I have actively been lobbying for a state government solution for the Beresford foreshore and it is pleasing to see the Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister for Transport acknowledge the role that the Geraldton Port and its infrastructure have played in hastening coastal erosion in the City,” Mr Brown said.

The Beresford Foreshore project will involve off-shore works to mitigate erosion including a protective 100m breakwater extension to the detached breakwater, an extension to the existing groyne and three retaining structures.

“This project is the outcome of multiple coastal engineering investigations based on extensive wave, current and sediment flow data gathered over a decade,” Mr. Brown said.

“The detailed sand nourishment and protection structure designs have been heavily scrutinised and peer reviewed by national and international experts.”

Mr. Brown said the project will reactivate and revitalise the Beresford shoreline making it a more attractive and versatile public space for locals and visitors alike

The project will be managed by the City of Greater Geraldton and is expected to be completed in 2018. 

Mayor Shane Van Styn, Ian Blayney MLA, Paul Brown MP and Minister Terry Redman MLA.

Letter to Editor: Thank you for your honesty

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Last weekend Saturday I bought some clothing from Best and Less to enter my son into the Funrun over the weekend.

Somehow, don't know how, it got misplaced. But this morning (July 6) I got a phone call to say someone dropped it back into B&L.

I would like to say Thank You for being honest and returning back to the shop. My son was happy to have the bag of clothes back.

- Keisha

Ian Blayney calls on the State Government for Coastal Erosion Assistance

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Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney has called on the State Government to offer financial assistance to protect Geraldton from the impacts of coastal erosion at Beresford Foreshore and Drummond Cove, two sites of immediate concern.

During a Grievance to the Minister for Transport, Mr Blayney outlined the damage to property that had occurred to date and the vulnerability of millions of dollars of both State and Local Government infrastructure.

“I have contacted 560 households at Drummond Cove to gauge local feeling on this issue,” said Mr Blayney.

“From the responses I’ve received so far, about 68 per cent of the residents are in favour of preserving the current coastline, while 22 per cent consider retreat a more sustainable option.

“In relation to Whitehill Road 89 per cent of the residents wish to retain a road in a similar position.

“Assets at risk along this stretch of coastline include a high voltage electrical cable, a telecommunications cable and sewerage infrastructure. If the coastal erosion extends further inland beyond the tree line, there is significant risk to residential housing,” said Mr Blayney.

The Minister responded that the Department of Transport had been closely involved in the development of a solution for Beresford Foreshore and the Government was in the final stages of considering a long term solution to an ongoing and permanent erosion problem that threatens critical infrastructure and liveability along the priority Beresford coast.

He also thanked the Member for Geraldton for raising the issues with him on behalf of the people of Geraldton, and he looks forward to working with Mr Blayney to find a long term solution for the community.

Geraldton Universities Centre unveils Birndu Nyina Garden in honour of Aboriginal graduates and award winning students.

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Geraldton Universities Centre will this week unveil the Birndu Nyina Garden with a NAIDOC Week morning tea on Friday 8 July, from 10.30am-12noon. 

Birndu Nyina means to sit quietly in Wajarri language, with the extended title; Birndu nyinamanha, nganggun-nganggunmanha meaning to sit quietly thinking, to ponder. 

Overlooking Geraldton CBD, the secluded native garden is a commemorative and meeting space celebrating the achievements and contributions of Aboriginal students who have graduated in Geraldton and those that have been awarded scholarships through organisations supporting the Hollomby Foundation. 

Featuring a central sitting place where a native tree will grow - shading the area - will be plaques of the names of alumni Aboriginal students, supporting organisations and the scholarship recipients. 

“Building aspiration and increasing the numbers of Aboriginal students at GUC to reflect the percentage of Aboriginal people in our wider population is a key aim at GUC. This garden will be a special place for students to come and relax and take in the beautiful surrounds, but also a place to recognise the wonderful achievements of Aboriginal students who have graduated out of programs here” GUC Chair Steve Douglas said. 

To date there have been 14 Aboriginal graduates in programs such as Nursing, Social Science, Indigenous Sector Management, Business Accounting, Early Childhood and Primary Education. Over the last 4 years 9 Aboriginal students have been awarded scholarship through the Hollomby Foundation, including recent recipient, Dainira Papertalk, who was awarded the inaugural Ku’Arlu Nursing scholarship and industry placement at the St John of God Hospital Geraldton, as well as the Yanburi scholarship through Sinosteel Midwest Corporation. 

Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation is an integral long-term donor through the Hollomby Foundation and has supported scholarships for Aboriginal students, with the current recipient in 2016 being Rianna Pension. 

Currently, 18 Aboriginal students are enrolled in programs at GUC across all the programs currently offered; Bridging, Accounting, Business, Education, Engineering Nursing, Psychological Science and Social Work. 

GUC acknowledges the financial support from Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation to host this event during NAIDOC Week 2016, and the language support from Irra Wangga Language Centre. 

Opinion - The Skippy Paradox: On eating kangaroos.

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I have been thinking about kangaroos – eating them, to be precise. The whole industry is tanking across WA and Macro Meats from South Australia are the company selling us human grade roo meat in the supermarkets. 

Recently Macro Meats upped the marketing from their Gourmet Game site to include a very sexy I Love Roo campaign; so while was I going on and on like a drain about the nutritionally dense qualities of this fabulous meat and its value as food-is-medicine, my argument was trumped instantly by a picture of a muscled chick wearing a sports-bra plastered with the legend ‘lean meat, lean body’.

I concede that Macro Meats have the marketing chops - but not the whole story. CLAs, or Conjugated Linoleic Acids, are the good fats that are found in the meat of a ruminant when omega 3, the green in all growing things, undertakes its complex transformative journey through the digestive processes of a rangeland grazed animal. Lamb from station country is high in CLAs and considered good tucker, but kangaroo meat registers 5 times richer in these good fats and makes excellent health sense as an anti-inflammatory food. It is anti-diabetic, anti-carcinogenic and brought to you only by ruminants grazed on biodiverse pasture – stock that are grain-fed or grazed on paddocks with limited plant variety register way lower on the CLA count. 

Kangaroos, naturally, also score highly on all measurements made to register environmental sustainability. They live here, they are adapted to the arid lands and they have been a favourite protein choice of Australians for over 40,000 years. 

It is only in the last 150 years or so that people have chosen to take kangaroos off the menu to both revere them as a National Symbol or shoot them for dog food or as Rangelands vermin. This is the Skippy Paradox; it makes no sense from a bio-security food or environmental sustainability angle and for anti-meat crusaders this muddled sentimentality doesn’t help kangaroos because wherever you stand in this thinking kangaroos carry on dying in enormous numbers. They die as a result of poor seasons and at the hands of farmers, pastoralists and Government conservation agencies as they safeguard their core business; growing (introduced) stock whilst attempting to minimise the total grazing pressure that leads to eroded land.

The raw pet food industry is diminishing with the only signs of growth being in the wild dog bait business; South Australia has an effective monopoly on selling us their roo meat; the roo leather industry is severely reduced despite its incredible qualities as leather and kangaroos are being shot and left to rot across agricultural and pastoral zones. 

My desire is that we start to treat kangaroos with more respect. Rather than push roo corpses into holes in the ground, let us do the research to see if it is possible to manage numbers and benefit economically, socially and culturally from the situation in our severely depleted rangeland communities. 

There are many anomalies surrounding the kangaroo industry and a lot of unexamined emotional issues that need to be dealt with before the kangaroo can take its rightful place as one of the most abundant and profound gifts the WA Rangelands has to offer to its own people and the world.

Perth truck driver jailed over crash that killed young mother near Geraldton

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A DISTRACTED truck driver has been sentenced to two years in jail for a fatal crash near Geraldton that killed a young mother.

 

While 23-year-old Chloe Rumble died instantly from horrific head trauma, miraculously her infant son Kobi, then 11-months-old, who was in a baby capsule in the back seat, survived with only minor injuries.

 

Click here to read more.

Funds for Beresford Foreshore erosion works

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Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney has welcomed works to address the erosion of Beresford Foreshore in Geraldton as part of a $23.1 million project announced today.  

“This is the first section of Geraldton’s vulnerable foreshore to be addressed,” said Mr Blayney. 

“The project, which is supported by $17.28 million from the Liberal National Government’s Royalties for Regions program, will address an ongoing and expensive erosion problem at Beresford Foreshore. 

“The Beresford Foreshore, located north of the Geraldton marina, is an important part of the Geraldton waterfront and has been severely impacted by coastal erosion in recent years,” said Mr Blayney. 

“Works will soon begin to address the threat to the sensitive coastal environment and critical public and private infrastructure including a protective breakwater extension and an extension to the existing groyne.” 

Mr Blayney said the project will involve off-shore works to mitigate erosion including a protective 100m breakwater extension to the detached breakwater, an extension to the existing groyne and three retaining structures.  

“This project is the outcome of multiple coastal engineering investigations based on extensive wave, current and sediment flow data gathered over a decade,” Mr Blayney said. 

“The detailed sand nourishment and protection structure designs have been heavily scrutinised and peer reviewed by national and international experts.” 

Mr Blayney said the project will reactivate and revitalise the Beresford shoreline making it a more attractive and versatile public space for locals and visitors alike 

The project will be managed by the City of Greater Geraldton and is expected to be completed in 2018.

“I have also surveyed residents of the Drummond Cove area, to better understand their expectations regarding the stabilisation of the coastline, and the consequences of this action.  

“I look forward to working with the Council, state government agencies and the residentsof the affected areas, to find ways to address the coastal erosion issue as a matter of priority,” said Mr Blayney.

Emergency sand nourishment to slow Drummond Cove coastal erosion

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In an effort to slow down the rate of coastal erosion, save trees and protect at risk state government infrastructure sand nourishment works will begin today along Whitehill Road in Drummond Cove.

The works expected to take five days to complete will see approximately 5,000m3 of sand placed along the shoreline.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said that although Council recognises sand nourishment is only a temporary solution, it aligns with the community’s preferred option to combat the erosion of Whitehill Road.

“Council understands sand nourishment is only a stop gap measure but we are faced with an imminent threat and understand the sand could wash away quickly,” he said.

“However, it is better than no action at all and has the support of the Drummond Cove Progress Association and was also identified by the local community as the preferred temporary solution during the Whitehill Road Community Workshop held in May.

“At this point, $50,000 in emergency funds for sand nourishment will hopefully buy us some time to continue discussions with Western Power, Telstra and Watercorp regarding at risk infrastructure and medium term solutions such as sand bags, rock revetments or concrete squares on matting can be investigated.

“Permanent solutions to coastal erosion at Drummond Cove cannot be considered by Council until data collection and modelling of the ocean currents in the area are undertaken and Coastal Adaptation Planning for the entire Geraldton coast has been completed,” Mayor Van Styn said.