New funds to inspire and entertain

The Geraldton community is invited to share in the benefits of two new programs to bring dynamic shows and performing artists to regional centres.

Nationals WA Member of Parliament and candidate for the seat of Geraldton Paul Brown MP said the investment of $1.3 million in the New Work in the House and Artists in the House initiatives would see performances created that were relevant to local audiences, along with exciting artist-inresidence programs.

“I encourage Geraldton performing artists to pitch their ideas and apply for funding,” Mr Brown said.

“This is about supporting and creating regional jobs in the arts sector, while entertaining and inspiring local residents.

“It is another example of the Liberal National Government’s commitment to ensuring country communities have access to as many cultural opportunities as possible.”

The funding has come from Royalties for Regions, through the four-year, $24 million Creative Regions program.

“The $1 million New Work in the House program will challenge Western Australian performers and performing arts companies to create work that will engage both regional and metropolitan audiences,” Mr Brown said.

“But the bottom line is that the performances will have to be produced and premiered in country WA, which will help drive job creation and community engagement.”

The $315,000 Artists in the House program will help fund artist-in-residence programs designed to activate regional venues.

“I have no doubt the Geraldton community will benefit because both programs will support strong interaction between performers and local residents,” Mr Brown said.

“The two new programs will dovetail with other Creative Regions initiatives, which support touring shows and improving local venues.”

Applications for stage one of New Work in the House are now open and close on 15 December 2016. The second stage opens February 2017 and closes at the end of March 2017. Applications for Artists in the House open in February 2017 and close at the end of March 2017

For more information on the new grants programs, visit: http://www.dca.wa.gov.au/onlinegrants/online-grants-programs/

Students volunteer their skills to help the community and local economy

Geraldton Senior College students and staff gather with members of the Geraldton Clay Target Club and Construction Onsite Training to celebrate the completion of the building project.

Year 11 students studying at Geraldton Senior College rolled up their sleeves last term to assist the Geraldton Clay Target Club. These students are studying certificates in Building and Construction and Engineering pathways with Construction Onsite Training whilst completing their schooling at Geraldton Senior College. Under supervision of their teachers and tradesmen, they built a brick trap house with a custom metal roof. This, in turn, enabled smooth running of the recent Crayfish Carnival held at the Geraldton Clay Target Club which hosts over 150 visitors from within WA and interstate over the three day event.

“We can’t find the words for what these students have done,” said Club President Laurie Oliveri. “They have done such a good job and we are so grateful.

“When we first spoke about the project, we had a definite deadline with the annual carnival. The young people really got into it and finished the job two weeks early. I have received many comments on the high quality of the workmanship and its accurate positioning. We all thought it was so good that we decided to repaint the other trap houses so we could renumber them and call the one built by the students’number one.

“The whole process saved the club a lot of money and gave these young people a chance to show themselves and the community what they can do. They took a lot of pride in their work. Their supervisor had a lot of patience for them, worked with their abilities and everyone learned a lot.

“The Carnival went very well and the extra trap house made our club look more professional. We have visitors from as far away as Darwin and Melbourne. The person who took out ‘High Gun’ for the day was from Mulgoa NSW.”

To show their appreciation the Geraldton Clay Target Club held a thank you event to bring together the families of the students, various staff within the school and club members. Attendees were able to try out the sport as well as enjoy lunch and a presentation.

For mum Denise Beard, this program has been a welcome change, “Programs like this are priceless in developing skills for my son’s future. Doing real-life activities in various types of trades helps our youth make decisions about being part of specific industries such as building and construction. Its’ hands-on experience that will help him secure a job in the future.

“They also participated in a community service task of cleaning up an elderly gentleman’s garden. They didn’t have to do it but chose to. They were all proud and happy to help out.

“My son hasn’t missed a day of this program. He wants to be there, doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty or cleaning up. Each week his pop has been enjoying seeing his progress and that of the project.”

Geraldton Senior College representative and Career and Vocational Education Manager, Cameron Todd said, “It is so beneficial to have a real-life project for students to work on rather than just creating a practice wall where you build it then take it down at the end. This has been a real game changer for the students involved.”

Principal of Geraldton Senior College, Greg Kelly said, “This is a brilliant example of the partnerships that we develop between the school and community. It gives the opportunity for our students to develop confidence in doing high level tasks while having the support of a teacher or tradesman nearby.”

Extreme fire conditions forecast for Tuesday

Residents in the Midwest Gascoyne, Great Southern and Goldfields Midlands are being urged to prepare their families and properties this weekend, with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting dangerous fire conditions on Tuesday.   

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) Acting Assistant Commissioner Country Murray Bawden said the predicted weather conditions will make it extremely hard for firefighters to bring bushfires under control. 
 

"Tuesday is predicted to bring a dangerous combination of 40 km/h strong winds, temperatures in the high 30s, and possible dry lightning,” A/Assistant Commissioner Bawden said.  

"These are extremely bad conditions for a fire, and DFES is getting ready by putting preformed incident management teams and strike forces on standby. 

"Tuesday also coincides with the anniversary of the 2015 Esperance fires, with it being a stark reminder of the heartbreaking destruction bushfires can cause.” 

A/Assistant Commissioner Bawden said DFES is getting ready for the bad fire weather, however everyone needs to play their part.  

"This weekend sit down with your family and have a chat about what you will do if a bushfire occurs, and make sure you have an emergency kit ready to go. 

"Also take the time to prepare your property by pruning back trees, cutting long grass, clearing your roof gutters and removing rubbish from around your house – taking an hour to prepare now will give you, your family and property the best chance of surviving a bushfire. 

"On Tuesday you will need to be extra vigilant of your surroundings, and if you see smoke and flames report it immediately to triple zero and put you bushfire survival plan into action.” 

For more information about preparing for and responding to bushfire visit emergency.wa.gov.au  

Funding approved for underground power in CBD

The removal of dangerous and unsightly timber power poles and overhead power lines on Chapman Road and Durlacher Street in the Geraldton CBD is one step closer with the City being approved for funding in Round Five of the Western Power State’s Underground Power Program Localised Enhancement Project.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the undergrounding of power in the CBD was one of the key issues he wanted Council to focus on under his leadership.

“The undergrounding of power in the CBD was a key component of my mayoral campaign and I am very pleased that we are one step closer towards achieving this goal,” he said.

The removal of power poles and provision of underground power will improve road safety whilst providing a more reliable power supply and enhanced streetscapes.

“The power poles on Durlacher Street are an ongoing safety concern as a number of vehicles have collided with the poles in the past,” said Mayor Van Styn.

“Underground power also reduces the risk of blackouts during inclement weather due to downed power lines.

“Once the timber power poles are removed the City can take the first step in the beautification of these thoroughfares which starts with the renewal of the footpath on Durlacher Street between Chapman Road and Sanford Street.

“The project involves replacing the old concrete block footpath with a continuously poured reinforced concrete footpath will improve pedestrian and cyclist safety in this location,” Mayor Van Styn added.

Undergrounding of power in the CBD has also been recommended in the City’s Integrated Transport Strategy, City Centre Vibrancy Plan and in the recently released draft Growth Plan. 

The project has now entered the Detailed Proposal Stage which will confirm the final project boundary and total project cost. The City has allocated $500,000 in the 2016/17 Budget to match the State Underground Power Program Grant contribution.

Removal of tree in Rundle Park

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise it will be removing a dead Tuart tree in Rundle Park on Tuesday 15 November 2016.

Although the City is always reluctant to remove trees as they add to the liveability of the urban space, in this case the tree located in close proximity to the footpath presents a serious risk to pedestrians and motorists.

During the removal of the tree, motorists and pedestrians are requested to exercise caution and obey all warning signs and directions from authorised City personnel and contractors.

The City apologises for any inconvenience these works may cause.

If you have any queries regarding the renewal works please contact the City on 08 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au. 

Geraldton Apprentice is WA’s Top Building Apprentice

Jamie Desmond, a third-year carpentry apprentice with Aussie Sheds Group in Geraldton is the 2016 Master Builders WA Most Outstanding Apprentice, beating six other finalists to take home this prestigious award. 

Master Builders Training Director, Neil Du Rand said Jamie was a standout winner.  

“The three-member judging panel was very impressed with Jamie and how he conducted himself in the interview. He has a broad skill set, is very articulate and a good thinker, all the qualities we look for in an apprentice. He will be a great ambassador for Master Builders and other apprentices in the industry,” Mr Du Rand said.  

“The Master Builders Apprentice of the Year Awards are vital for our industry as they celebrate and acknowledge the innovation, skill level, dedication and leadership of the new generation of workers in the construction industry, those who will lead our industry in the future,” Mr Du Rand said.   

Melanie Battilana, Office Manager at Aussie Sheds Group said Jamie has excelled in leaps and bounds since he first started with the company in 2013.

“Jamie is well respected by all his co-workers and other trades onsite. He uses his initiative in getting the job done in a safe and timely manner, and is constantly coming up with new ideas to make the working environment run smoother,” Ms Battilana said. 

“Jamie is a huge asset to Aussie Sheds and all of our clients in the mid-west region,” Ms Battilana concluded. 

Other finalists for the Master Builders Apprentice of the Year were:

• Gary Clegg – Apprentice carpenter, Skill Hire’s Most Outstanding Apprentice;
• Jordan Westray – Apprentice plasterer, the Most Outstanding Solid Plastering Apprentice nominated by the WA Solid Plasterers Association (WASPA);
• Beau Simpson – Apprentice bricklayer, Now Living (Most Outstanding Bricklaying Apprentice);
• Jacob Moore – Apprentice wall and floor tiler, Silver Fern Tiling (Most Outstanding Floor and Wall Tiling Apprentice);
• Tameka Kenny – Apprentice painter and decorator, MPA Skills (Most Outstanding Female Apprentice); and
• Jeremy Allan – Apprentice carpenter, Broome Builders (Most Outstanding Regional Apprentice).

 Congratulations also to Tameka Kenny, a third-year painting and decorating apprentice with MPA Skills for winning the Most Outstanding Female Apprentice at this year’s awards. 

“This year we saw the highest calibre of female apprentices enter the awards, among the 79 female apprentices in our industry in WA, so Tameka did extremely well to win,” Mr Du Rand said. 

“The passion and dedication she displayed, along with the outstanding achievements she has attained to date made her a standout in an extremely competitive year for female apprentices.”     

“All finalists for the Female Apprentice of the Year Award should be proud of themselves and their ability to perform at the highest level in the traditionally male dominated industry,” Mr Du Rand said.  

“It is remarkable that for the third time in the last five years, an apprentice from Broome has won our Regional Apprentice of the Year Award,” MBA Geraldton Regional Manager, Di Gilleland said. 

“Well done to Jeremy Allen who is employed by Broome Builders in being adjudged the most outstanding apprentice across five regional areas of WA.”  

“Congratulations to all winners in this year’s Apprentice Awards. These awards are highly contested, and so to win is a great achievement that all finalists should be very proud of,” Mrs Gilleland concluded.  

Master Builders acknowledges the generous support of Cbus Super and the Department of Finance as our major alliance partners, along with all our other sponsors and supporters in helping to make this special event happen.  

The annual Master Builders Apprentice of the Year Awards were held on Friday, 4 November at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre before a crowd of nearly 300 apprentices, builders, contractors, trainers, sponsors, and other supporters including family members. Finance Minister Hon. Sean L’Estrange MLA represented the Premier. 

Open-Plains Zoo planned for Western Australia

Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney has today welcomed the Premier’s announcement of a proposed open-plains zoo for Western Australia. 

“I visited Adelaide in 2013 and spent a day at the open plains zoo at Monarto, 70 kilometres east of Adelaide. 

“I was so impressed that on my return to Geraldton, I wrote to Premier Barnett advocating for such a zoo to be established in Western Australia. 

“Open plain zoos will have a huge role in the preservation of endangered species. The animal that first comes to mind is the rhinoceros. These imposing animals are fast being driven to extinction in Africa, by poachers selling their horn. 

“I’d hoped that Geraldton might be considered for such a facility but it is important that the zoo is located within an hour’s drive from Perth. I think Chittering is a good choice. 

“There is nothing quite as amazing as seeing these animals roaming freely in the open plains, living peacefully,” said Mr Blayney. 

The proposed zoo will be located on the Avon River at Lower Chittering next to the Avon Valley National Park. 

“it will be an amazing attraction for visitors to Western Australia and locals alike,” said Mr Blayney.

Meth strategy delivers 10 new Midwest rehab beds

The Liberal National Government has announced funding for 10 new residential rehabilitation treatment beds in the Midwest as part of its $14.9 million WA Meth Strategy announced in May. 

Mental Health Minister Andrea Mitchell said the contract for the 10 beds at Hope Community Services in Geraldton, was one of a number that would provide a total of 60 new treatments beds across the state, all of which will be available from January 2017. 

Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney said the beds represented a significant boost in treatment and support for users and their families in the Midwest who wanted to address methamphetamine use. 

“Recent statistics show that methamphetamine use and its associated harms is a significant problem in regional areas right around Australia,” Mr Blayney said. 

““These beds will add to the existing stock of treatment beds in the Midwest and ensure continuity of treatment options for people in Midwest communities who are experiencing meth-related harm.” 

Minister Mitchell said the WA Meth Strategy 2016, had already delivered a boost to staffing in community alcohol and other drug counselling centres across the state, a dedicated Meth Helpline, a specialist meth outpatient clinic and front line worker training.

“There is no one-size-fits-all treatment model for treating people with drug and alcohol problems,” Minister Mitchell said. 

“The best outcomes are achieved when the type of treatment matches the specific needs of the individual and State Government is ensuring that the entire spectrum of treatment and prevention options is supported and available across the State.” 

Seniors Week jam packed with activities

Seats are quickly being snapped up for the popular Mayor’s Mystery Bus Tour.

Seniors in our community will be celebrated during Seniors Week with a jam packed program of events!

Kicking off on Saturday 5 November, a bumper line up of activities has everything from music, sport, art, different workshops and have a go days.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the week-long festivities was a great way to acknowledge the hard work and contribution of local seniors.

“We have some amazing seniors in our community that make a very big and important contribution in all different facets of our community,” he said.

“Seniors week is a great way to recognise all that hard work and we’re extremely proud that we can offer such an amazing line up of activities and something that will appeal to all seniors.”

Mayor Van Styn will officially open Seniors Week on Sunday 6 November from 2pm onward with the Neil Diamond Tribute concert at the Queens Park Theatre.

There will be a prelude event on Saturday 5 November with the screening of Young @ Heart at 6pm by the Friends of Queens Park Theatre.

During the week there will be a huge line up of activities from the popular Mayor’s Mystery Bus tour, quiz afternoon, bingo session, workshops, have-a-go sessions and much more.

“These celebrations would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the Seniors Week Committee, as well as the businesses who have made generous donations,” Mayor Van Styn said.

Along with prize contributions, select businesses are also offering discounts to those with valid pensioners or seniors cards.

Pick up a program booklet from the QEII Seniors & Community Centre or download a copy from the City’s website at www.cgg.wa.gov.au.

Bookings are essential! Tickets are available from the QEII Seniors & Community Centre from 8.30am until 2.00pm weekdays.

New Fixed Speedcamera on Indian Ocean Drive

From the "Lancelin" FB page:

NEW FIXED SPEED CAMERA

This flash looking speed camera was recently installed on Indian Ocean Drive, a hundred metres north west of the Sovereign Hill estate turn-off. 

It targets traffic travelling towards Perth and as part of the installation, new armco has been installed to protect the 2+m high unit.

Be warned that if you're doing over the 110km/hr, you may well be a candidate for a speeding fine.

There's also another video camera trained on this installation just out of the shot.

A year of change in 2 minutes

Thanks NACC for producing this video. It shows changes occurring on our coast over the course of a year.  

Stolen Property Located

In the afternoon of Friday 14 October 2016 local shopkeepers had reported items being stolen from their store that day.

Police located a 42 year old Spalding Woman who matched the description given by public and had cause to search her. During the search police located 24 items of property secreted on her person.

Police allege the woman stole from three separate shops. Most of the items where jewellery and clothing.

Whilst at Geraldton Police Station the woman requested medical assistance and was conveyed to Geraldton Regional Hospital by police where she was left with medical staff. A short time later police returned to the hospital for a report of a disturbance.

Police located the same female exiting the hospital with a large bag filled with various items. She was spoken to by police and it was ascertained she did not have permission to take the items from the hospital.

The 42 year old began loudly insulting police whilst inside the hospital. She was arrested and conveyed back to Geraldton Police Station where she was further charged with disorderly conduct.

She will appear at Geraldton Magistates Court at a later date after being charged with 4 x Stealing and 1 x disorderly conduct. 

Traffic Crash John Willcock Link

At approximately 3.20pm on Friday 14 October 2016, Geraldton Police responded to a report of a traffic crash which occurred on John Willcock Link near the intersection of Fitzgerald Street.

A road train was carting a load of iron ore to the Geraldton Port and driving along John Willcock Link. At the same time a four year old girl was riding her bicycle and attempted to cross from the northern side of John Willcock Link to the southern side.

Another vehicle was travelling in front of the road train and entered into the right turn lane when the driver observed the four year old crossing the road. The driver of the vehicle came to a stop just prior to the pedestrian crossing point to allow the four year old to cross in front of him. After the driver of the truck noticed the vehicle stopping in an unusual position he immediately reduced his speed however the girl crossed in front and collided with the front corner of the bull bar.

The four year old was taken by ambulance to Geraldton Regional Hospital where she is being treated for injuries sustained to her leg and is in a stable condition.

If you have any information about this incident make a report online at crimestopperswa.com.au or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, where all calls are strictly confidential, and rewards are offered. 

Letter to the editor: $500 REWARD for information of the person/s responsible

$500 REWARD for information which leads to the arrest, conviction and jailing of the person or persons responsible for smashing our main lounge room window TWICE in the past three weeks. Charles Street, Bluff Point. Clearly done with a ging in both instances. Anyone who had been standing on the other side of the window at the time would have surely been killed. The police have attended the scene, taken away evidence and are investigating. Glass shards were found in the adjacent room 10m away along with these steel nuts and a number of rocks. If you have information, please Contact Geraldton Police.

A story on an Aboriginal community from the view of a foreigner

We recently had American film maker and travel writer , Gareth Leonard, visit our School, Pia Wadjarri Remote Community School in the Mid West Education District. We are only a bit over three hours from Geraldton, our main shopping centre, and near the Murchison Settlement.

He was interested in seeing a positive story about Aboriginal communities after hearing lots of negative stories

Here is the film he produced.

- Kevin McKenna

Maxine Howlett "A Walk Down Memory Lane"

Maxine’s love of painting has been with her since the 70’s. When living in Darwin camping was a way of life and with a convoy of friends and their families they would pitch tents near creek beds and waterfalls and Max would pull out her easel and carefully place it in the middle of these water ways, settle herself into a camping chair, a scotch and coke at arm’s reach, her oils even closer and away she would go painting stunning mirror image art, all of it being luscious territory landscapes. The paintings were that well done, when you looked long enough you could feel the cold spring waters and hear the pandanus trees rustling. Truly majestic work from someone who never went to art classes or was coached, this work then and now is simply a ‘gift’.

During Maxine’s time in Darwin she had two wonderful daughters – Meagan and Leanne.  Leanne has a son Brett.

Maxine’s love of the brush and canvas continued, especially with oils for another thirty years. Moving to Perth in the early 80’s her work was not as fluent, but it was still a passion that when the mood caughther, out would come the ‘tools’. Maxine became inspired all over again when her and her husband moved to a property in the hills of Jarrahdale W.A.again showcasing stunning scenery which Maxine couldn’t wait to put on to canvas.

Never ever did Maxine feel that her work was good enough to exhibit let alone sell? Her friends however, believed differently and would want her work on their walls; Max reluctantly gave them her work not because of any other reason than she was convinced they were not ‘that good’ to be placed on display, which they definitely were.

In 2011 Maxine suffered a major stroke affecting all of the left side of her brain.  This resulted in her losing most of her function in the right side of her body.   Maxine spent months and months in Darwin hospital learning to walk, talk and eat  ( using her left hand ) with only the left side of her body fully functional. There was still one passion and love she wanted to try with her left hand now, and that was to see if she could paint.

Maxine can write a few words, but this can get tiresome for her as it does when she talks. Everything Maxine does today must be done in small doses, as the concentration required to do even small tasks exhausts her, except for painting. Maxine can paint for hours on end with a precise steady left hand; her art work is now what you see before you.

Maxine lives and breathes for her art and what she sees at the end of her work. Still to this day she does not see how inspirational she is, bringing out beautiful colours and creating bright, living and wonderful work. 

Maxine Howlett, a truly gifted individual that still to this day under estimates just how special and talented she really is.

We love her ….

Maxine has moved into Juniper Hillcrest Residential Aged Care (Geraldton) where she has focussed on her art – learning to work with her non dominant hand – now painting with her left hand -she spends most of each day in her studio corner at Hillcrest continuing to create her pieces of art.

UK Government admits cannabis has a medicinal effect

Christopher Hootern for The Independent:

The government’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has found that Cannabidiol (CBD) has a “restoring, correcting or modifying” effect on “physiological functions” when administered to humans, in a potential milestone in the campaign.

Click here to read more.  

Town Towers' building site has been robbed 8 times already... $500 reward for your help

For the last eight weeks, SMF Projects have been underway doing the renovations works to the Town Towers. 

In that time, they are reporting that they have been broken into eight times. The offenders have caused damage to the property, and are adding cost and time to the building process. 

SMF Projects are offering a "$500 reward for information that will lead to an arrest."

If you can identify any of the individuals in the images below, please contact Geraldton Police on 9923 4555. 

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Our recent video on the announcement of Town Towers renovations being underway. 

Graffiti Laws

At the stroke of midnight tonight the State Government will have delivered another blow to graffiti vandalism in Western Australian communities with its tough new graffiti laws coming into force.

Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney said the Liberal-National Government had delivered another key election commitment by creating a stand-alone graffiti offence which carried significant maximum penalties of a $24,000 fine and two years behind bars. 

“This sends a clear message to those people who have a complete disregard for someone else’s property, that they are committing a serious offence and will pay a high price,” Mr Blayney said. 

The Graffiti Vandalism Bill would also include:

• mandatory clean-up orders for convicted vandals
• confiscation of property, like smart phones and laptops, used to record and transmit graffiti vandalism
• strengthened Public Transport Authority (PTA) powers to ban serial offenders from buses, trains and stations
• strengthened local government powers to enter private property to remove graffiti
• an offence for possession of a graffiti tool or implement. 

“These new laws support local councils and many home and business owners who know the grind of cleaning up graffiti vandalism,” Mr Blayney said. “Now offenders will understand the effort it takes to clean and plenty of time to rethink their unacceptable behaviour,” Mr Blayney said. 

“The laws strengthened what the Liberal National Government was already doing to combat graffiti vandalism, which costs WA about $8 million a year to remove. 

“We endeavour to clean graffiti vandalism within 24 hours and now we will remove the ability for the vandal to broadcast it.  If it isn’t already, now graffiti vandalism will truly be the most pointless past-time in WA,” Mr Blayney said.

Women’s Refuge handover true recognition of service to our community

Photo Caption: L/R Anne Pekaar (Chair, Chrysalis), Alison Adam (CEO, Chrysalis), Minister Brendon Grylls, Paul Brown MP

Chrysalis Support Services will be handed ownership of their properties in a proposal put forward by Nationals WA Member of Parliament and candidate for the seat of Geraldton Paul Brown MP.

The Minister for Housing Hon Brendon Grylls MLA, recently made the announcement to transfer the three properties to Chrysalis Support Services (Chrysalis) at a celebratory event in Geraldton, thanking CEO Alison Adam, along with members of the Board and staff.

Mr Grylls said, “I would truly like to thank everyone from Chrysalis for providing services such as these in times of utmost need for people seeking compassion, care and support.”

The properties are currently owned by the Housing Authority and leased to Chrysalis on a peppercorn lease.

“The Housing Authority has considered the support that they have been able to give to Chrysalis over many years as fundamental to ensuring that women and children remain safe in our community,” Mr Grylls said.

Mr Brown said, “Freehold title will give Chrysalis security into the future, and provide them with an asset that will help them to meet their objectives in continuing to provide this vital community service.”

The Housing Authority has supported Chrysalis with the provision of housing since 2010. The Chrysalis refuge provides safe, supported accommodation for women and children escaping domestic violence, and at risk of homelessness. Chrysalis provide a variety of support services including helping young children with trauma associated with family and domestic violence.

Mr Brown said “I would also like to thank the previous Minister for Housing, Colin Holt who gave me his full support for the ownership transfer when I took the proposal to him some months ago, and I also thank Brendon for his commitment to see the ownership transfer through to completion.”

“Chrysalis Support Services has also recently been able to undertake significant renovations to their women’s refuge centre due to a $123,277 grant from the Royalties for Regions funded Regional Grant Scheme, which I also happily supported.”