City celebrates International Day of People with Disability

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The City of Greater Geraldton will host a number of events in recognition of International Day of People with Disability 2014.

International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is an annual global event that aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability, and celebrate the achievements and contributions that people with disability have made to the community.

 Starting next week, the City and community will hold three days of activities to celebrate the occasion.

 Deputy Mayor, Neil McIlwaine, said the internationally celebrated event was something very significant for the City to recognise.

“The City is committed to facilitating the inclusion of people with disability and supports the celebration and recognition of the great work done within our community,” he said.

“We are proud to support International Day for People with Disability by hosting an art exhibition and special library activities.”

To kick off three days of events, there will be a story time session at the Geraldton Regional Library on Friday, November 28 from 9.30am to 10.30am. Join the friendly library staff for a morning of fun songs, stories, rhymes and crafts, no bookings are required.

On Tuesday, December 2, the Queens Park Theatre will be host the Creative Waves Art Exhibition 2014. The exhibition showcases art created by people with disability which was supported by local Disability service providers. This will be open for viewing until December 15.

The Foreshore will be packed with activities on Wednesday, December 3, from 5pm to 7pm. Enjoy activities including Spin Out wheelchair basketball, beach volleyball, a bouncy castle and face painting.

A sausage sizzle and the Sun City Cinema will conclude the evening. The Ride, an inspirational documentary about four men who ditch their wheelchairs for a quad bike adventure, will be showing from 7:30pm. There will also be a Q&A Session with Craig Parsons after the movie. Free popcorn will be provided. For more information on this event call Regional Home Care Services on 9920 7600.

For more information about IDPwD, visit www.cgg.wa.gov.au.

Congratulations to Serena Guidice - National Young Builder of the Year

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Serena Guidice, a young WA builder was named National Young Builder of the Year at the National Building and Construction Awards last night.

Serena is the first ever woman to win this recognition in the building industry.

WA Senator and the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women Michaelia Cash was on hand to present the Award which she hailed as a breakthrough for women in the traditionally male dominated industry.

Serena is Director of Geraldton Homes, a role took on after her father, who was an inspiration to her, sadly passed away a few years ago.

“Serena’s journey to being the first ever female Australian Young Builder of the Year is an absolutely inspiring one,” Wilhelm Harnisch CEO of Master Builders Australia said.

“Serena has overcome enormous challenges to claim her place among the best and brightest in the building and construction industry.”

“She has overcome personal loss too, through sheer talent and determination to become both a successful woman and respected leader in a male dominated industry,” he said. 

“A registered builder since 2009, Serena has built on her father’s legacy to take her business from strength to strength. Geraldton Homes has an exemplary reputation for producing outstanding outcomes for clients in both quality of workmanship and value for money,” Wilhelm Harnisch said.

“Serena has also ensured her firm lives and breathes an absolute commitment to safety on building sites.”

Executive Director of Master Builders Western Australian Branch Michael McLean said “Serena’s ability, integrity and honesty means she has already become a leader in the state’s building industry. She is currently Chair of Master Builders WA’s Northwest Branch and there are undoubtedly greater leadership roles ahead of her.”

There was $237.3 billion worth of work done by the construction industry in 2014, which as the nation’s third largest employer employs more than 1 million people.

“Serena’s entreprenurial flair in addition to her proven excellence ability as a builder means the future of this vital industry is in great hands,” Wilhelm Harnisch said. 

Big Dig starts - Public welcome

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Don't forget, the BIG DIG welcomes members of the public to come along to the area in front of St Francis Xavier's Cathedral, Geraldton, from 9am to 3pm today and during the week to participate in the excavation of a late 19th and early 20th century rubbish dump. Work commenced on site last week to prepare for this BIG EVENT. Please wear work clothes and enclosed footwear.

Healthy and Wealthy would like to invite anyone interested in weight loss, increasing energy levels, cleansing and detoxing.

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Healthy and Wealthy would like to invite anyone interested in weight loss, increasing energy levels, cleansing and detoxing.

When: Saturday, November 29, 2014, 6:00pm - 7:15pm

Where: 264 Foreshore Drive, opposite the museum.

Come and learn all about ISAGENIX. Nibbles provided on the night. (No obligation to buy, just spreading the word about this amazing product)

Please RSVP as seating is limited . Please contact via : email to healthyaddwealthy@gmail.com or call Allan Butson on 0409 081 989

Want to win an iPhone 6?

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Win the new iPhone 6 simply by posting in the Everything Geraldton app. 

Post your questions, news, photos or community discussions in the Everything Geraldton app to go into the draw for a brand new iPhone 6. 

The more you post, the more entries into the draw you get. 

There will also be weekly movie ticket giveaways. 

Phone winner will be drawn Feb 26. 

The Everything Geraldton app is available for iPhone and Android. 

iPhone: http://evth.in/GeraldtoniPhoneApp

Android: http://evth.in/GeraldtonAndroidApp 

Utakarra wastewater pump station odour mitigation

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Water Minister Mia Davies has taken steps to reduce wastewater flows through the Karloo Wastewater Pump Station in Utakarra to address odour concerns.

Local residents have complained for several months of odours from the pump station and are concerned wastewater flows through the station would increase significantly as more neighbouring areas joined the sewerage network. 

Ms Davies said a planning review of Geraldton’s wastewater system had identified a viable alternative that would see some of the flows being transferred direct to Narngulu Wastewater Treatment Plant instead of via the Karloo pump station, in Clematis Crescent. 

The Water Corporation outlined the plan to local residents at a meeting in Utakarra on Monday, which involves diverting flows through other pump stations and construction of a future new station.

“I am delighted at this positive outcome for Utakarra residents who can now be assured that Karloo Wastewater Pump Station will not be South Geraldton’s main wastewater transfer facility,” the Minister said.

This is just one of a number of steps the State Government is taking to progress a solution to odour issues experienced in the area.  In October, a biological odour reduction device was installed at Karloo pump station and had significantly reduced odour incidents.

Work will begin in February to fully upgrade the pump station including the installation of larger pumps, motor and switchboard.  This work will increase the pump station’s capacity to transfer flows which will further help to prevent odours escaping into the environment.

“I am now confident the Water Corporation’s full suite of works to be completed in March next year will significantly reduce the likelihood of odours being experienced regularly in the area,” Ms Davies said.

National Broadband Network rolling out in Geraldton

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Around 2600 households and businesses in Geraldton are a step closer to getting access to the National Broadband Network, with build preparation work underway.

In coming weeks, work will be visible in streets as pre-construction activity begins, such as the clearing of Telstra’s pits and ducts. Premises included in the build preparations sites released this week are situated in the suburbs of Tarcoola Beach, Wandina and Mount Tarcoola.

The NBN will update its online maps in coming months to inform residents when physical construction of the network has begun, and when the network will be ready for service. Detailed maps which show construction progress including green shaded areas for the ‘build preparation’ phase are available at: www.nbnco.com.au/maps

Member for Durack, Melissa Price said it was an important milestone for the area, with greater certainty for homes and businesses as they prepare for superfast broadband.

“The message for Tarcoola Beach, Wandina and Mount Tarcoola residents is that superfast broadband is on its way,” Ms Price said.

Since the election just over 12 months ago, NBN Co has more than doubled the reach of its fibre network, now passing more than half-a-million premises nationwide.

Total connections to the NBN’s various networks, including the fixed line and wireless networks and the interim satellite service stand at 290,000. Across the country, work on NBN Co’s brownfields fibre network is underway in towns and suburbs covering more than 600,000 homes and businesses.

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the release of around 15 new areas for build preparation each month was delivering on the Government’s promise to get the rollout back on track.

“When we came into Government, one of our chief priorities has been to get this rollout done sooner, cheaper for taxpayers and more affordably for consumers” Mr Turnbull said.

Trade deal with China

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The Abbott Government has concluded negotiations for an historic free trade agreement with China – our largest trading partner – which will deliver significant benefits for both Australia and the Durack electorate, Melissa Price, Member for Durack said today.

In a little over 12 months in office the Abbott Government has now concluded three landmark free trade agreements with the major economies of North Asia, including South Korea, Japan and China. These agreements will add billions of dollars to the Australian economy and create tens-of-thousands of jobs in the years ahead. They will also bolster the standards of living Australians enjoy.

The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) gives Australian exporters new levels of market access to the world's second largest economy, its 1.36 billion people and growing middle class.

Ms Price said that more than 85 per cent of Australian goods exports (by value) will be tariff free upon commencement of the agreement rising to 93 per cent within four years.

“ChAFTA will deliver significant wins for Australia across key areas such as agriculture, resources and energy, manufacturing exports, services and investment,” Ms Price said.

Households and businesses will also reap the benefits of cheaper goods and components imported from China such as vehicles, household goods, electronics and clothing, placing downward pressure on the cost of living and the cost of doing business.

"This is an outstanding agreement, which will translate into greater economic growth, more jobs and higher living standards for the households and businesses of Durack," Ms Price said.

“Durack will particularly benefit from the elimination of tariffs on exports of items such as beef and seafood.”

The Abbott Government has also secured an unprecedented deal for a broad range of Australian services: the best ever market access afforded by China to any foreign country. This will provide enormous scope to build on a services export market already worth $7 billion.

"Australia is a services economy and ChAFTA will provide a range of new opportunities for our service providers everything from legal services, financial services, education, tourism and travel, through to health and aged care services, architecture, urban planning, transport and several more," Ms Price said.

"The Abbott Government, as promised, has now delivered a powerful trifecta of trade agreements with South Korea, Japan and China, economies which now account for more than 61 per cent of Australian goods exports. Without these agreements our future competitiveness would not be assured.”

St Francis Xavier Primary School 3 Year Old Program 2015

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St Francis Xavier Primary School 3 Year Old Program 2015

Children born between July 2011 and June 30 2012 are invited to apply for our 3 Year Old Program commencing Term 1, 2015.

The program is offered by an experienced Early Childhood teacher to children who have turned 3 and is held on Mondays and Fridays of the school term.

The program is grounded in Early Childhood Education beliefs and practices immersed in a Catholic environment. Applicants must be fully supportive of the objectives and ethos of Catholic education.

For a flyer on the day to day running of the program see http://web.sfxpsgeraldton.wa.edu.au/3yearoldinfo.pdf 

There are no Catholic/non Catholic parameters so anyone can apply.

Applicants must be fully supportive of the objectives and ethos of Catholic education.

More information is available on our website http://web.sfxpsgeraldton.wa.edu.au/enrolment.html or by phoning 9921 1711 or email admin@sfxpsgeraldton.wa.edu.au

Crypto Currency, Music and Geraldton - Introducing SongCoin

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Geraldton resident David Prince has an ambitious idea for the future of music. 

Not just music in Geraldton. Music everywhere. 

Ever since Napster and the digital revolution, individuals and companies have been struggling to find ways to distribute music and monetise the creative efforts of the artists. 

Nowadays, YouTube, surprisingly, is the number one place to get your music. It's easy to create playlists and free is a nice price for most people to pay. 

For those of us who like a little more convenience, services like Spotify, Pandora and iTunes are the ways to get our tunes. 

But some artists (*cough Taylor Swift cough*) feel that their current options for distributing music aren't as financially viable as they once were. 

David Prince's idea is to build a platform that allows music lovers to not only purchase songs, but purchase a share in a song's success.

This means that those who buy the song early have the opportunity to profit if the song becomes popular. 

David hopes to give music artists a creative way to raise money, allow music lovers to access the songs they want in a convenient manner, and let you profit from music you invest in. 

 

As the backbone for it all David has built a new crypto currency called SONG COIN. 

If you have heard of bitcoin, you'll have some understanding of what song coin is. 

Essentially it's a digital currency that uses complicated and mind bending mathematical techniques behind the scenes to prevent forgery and authenticate payments. 

Bitcoin is the internet's crypto currency of choice at the moment, but a large number of "alt coins" have emerged in recent years, usually with slightly different variables and characteristics. 

Google "what is bitcoin" if you want an education on crypto currencies. 

David Prince hopes that as usage of SongCoin grows, so will it's value, making it desirable for artists and giving him a way to fund the entire operation. 

To learn a bit more about SongCoin click here. 

(Note, the coin in the photo is not a coin, it's a clever looking USB storage device with Song Coins on it.)

Be rip aware in Geraldton this summer

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Summer is here. In Gero that means lots of sunshine, heat and trips to the beach. 

Each year surf life savers and passing locals have to rescue swimmers who get themselves caught in rips along our coast, so take a few moments to get educated on what a rip is and how to avoid trouble. 

Info from beachsafe.org.au/surf-ed/ripcurrents

What is a rip?

When waves break on a beach, they push water towards the shoreline. Once that water reaches the shore, it has to find a way to get back out to sea, and it does this by flowing downwards into deeper channels in the surf zone. Once the water is in these deeper areas, it can flow back out to sea away from the shoreline. These deeper channels are called rip currents.

How dangerous are rips?

Rip currents are the number 1 hazard on Australian beaches being responsible for at least 21 drownings on average per year, as well as being the cause of many rescues. Rip currents often lead to drowning when swimmers attempt to fight the current trying to swim directly back to the shoreline, become exhausted and begin to panic.

Rip currents can also be deadly for non-swimmers as a person standing in waist deep water can be dragged into the deeper waters of the rip current, where they can drown if they are unable to swim and are not wearing or holding a flotation device.

How do you spot a rip?

The key signs to look for are:

  • Deeper darker water
  • Fewer breaking waves
  • Sometimes sandy coloured water extending beyond the surf zone
  • Debris or seaweed
  • Sometimes it’s easier to look for where the waves are breaking consistently, and then look to each side where they don't break consistently. That’s the rip current!

What do I do if I get caught in a rip?

If you get caught in a rip current, you need to know your options:

  1. For assistance, stay calm, float and raise an arm to attract attention. 
  2. While floating, rip currents may flow in a circular pattern and return you to an adjacent sandbar.
  3. You may escape the rip current by swimming parallel to the beach, towards the breaking waves.
  4. You should regularly assess your situation. If your response is ineffective, you may need to adopt an alternative such as staying calm, floating and raising an arm to attract attention.

These may sound like simple options, but rip currents are complex, dynamic processes and all responses also have their pitfalls. You could float on an unpatrolled beach and not be returned to a sandbank with no-one there to help. You can also swim parallel and end up swimming against a longshore current which can flow along a beach; this will see you get tired quickly.Therefore, the best thing you can do is avoid them!

The best thing you can do is stay out of a rip current in the first place!

The best ways to do this are:

  • Always swim between the red and yellow flags
  • Learn how to spot rip currents and avoid them

Dr Rob Brander of the University of New South Wales explains how to identify a rip current. For more beach safety information visit www.sls.com.au

Midwest Fishing report by Tackleworld Geraldton

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BEACHES

PATRICK WITH SOME NICE LUCY TAILOR

PATRICK SITE CASTED THIS TAILOR AS IT WAS SURFING THE WAVES TOP EFFORT

HANIS CAUGHT THIS IMPRESIVE SHOVEL NOSE WHILE FISHING FOR MOLLUWAY AT SOUTH GATES

MICHEAL LANDED THIS 6’ TIGER SHARK THIS WEEKEND IT WAS HIS FIRST TIME SHARK FISHING WELL DONE MICHEAL

RIVERS

TAHA WITH SOME IMPRESIVE DONGRA BREAM

A HEALTHY DONGRA BREAM

TAHA TAMING THE DONGRA RIVER

CRAIG GOT THIS NICE LITTLE BREAM ON A DUO ROZANTE 63SP THE CHARTREUSE AND BLUE STAND OUT WELL IN MUDDY WATERS

WEEKEND FORECAST

THIS WEEKS VIDEO

Midwest Fishing Report by Tackleworld Geraldton 

20 ANZAC TERRACE GERALDTON WA

08 99216822

AFL player Dayle Garlett charged over stolen car, drug possession→

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Via ABC:

"Troubled footballer Dayle Garlett is due to face court in Geraldton next month after being arrested for drug possession."

79 year old woman wanted to bite attacker

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9News broadcast an interview with the resident of the home where this attack took place, who said the 79 year old victim was disappointed she was unable to get her teeth into him. 

 

"She was upset she couldn't get a bite in. She really wanted to bite him."

Sounds like one feisty 79 year old!

She remarkably received only grazes. 

If you can help identify the attacker in this video please contact Police. 

Posted yesterday:

Your help needed - shocking robbery of 79 year old woman footage captured this morning. 

The robbery occurred at 9:05am Tues, 18th Nov 2014 on Hutchison Street. 

The 79 year old woman was approached by an unidentified male from behind. 

As the footage shows, the woman was pulled to the ground and dragged along as the thief tried to yank the woman's bag from her. 

The video then shows the residents of the home coming to the aid of the victim. 

The offender stole property belonging to the victim and ran off down the path between Hutchison Street and North West Coastal Highway towards Rangeway.

Geraldton Detectives require the public’s assistance in identifying the male offender. 

Please share this and any person with information is asked to please contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or Geraldton Detectives on (08) 99234555.

$1000 fine for obscuring your number plate

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Police are reminding the public that vehicle registration plates must be clearly visible. 

The Road Traffic Regulations enforce how numbers plates are to be fitted to vehicles and section 25AA creates the offence for anything that prevents effective identification of a number plate in varying conditions.

The penalty of which is a fine of $1000.

Click here to view a copy of the regulations.

Video - Shocking robbery of 79 year old woman footage captured this morning in Geraldton

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Your help needed - shocking robbery of 79 year old woman footage captured this morning. 

The robbery occurred at 9:05am this morning (Tues, 18th Nov 2014) on Hutchison Street. 

The 79 year old woman was approached by an unidentified male from behind. 

As the footage shows, the woman was pulled to the ground and dragged along as the thief tried to yank the woman's bag from her. 

The video then shows the residents of the home coming to the aid of the victim. 

The offender stole property belonging to the victim and ran off down the path between Hutchison Street and North West Coastal Highway towards Rangeway.

Geraldton Detectives require the public’s assistance in identifying the male offender. 

Please share this and any person with information is asked to please contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or Geraldton Detectives on (08) 99234555.

Geraldton school wins $10,000 worth of shade

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Mt Tarcoola Primary School is set to benefit from $10,000 worth of free shade thanks to Cancer Council WA after winning a statewide SunSmart competition. 

The announcement of the competition winner has been made during National Skin Cancer Action Week. 

This is the fourth year Cancer Council has run the competition to raise awareness about the importance of shade in schools and to promote the SunSmart schools program.  

Principal at Mt Tarcoola Primary Mark Whisson said the win meant a lot to the school.

“We’ve been a SunSmart school since 2008 so our students are very aware of the need to protect themselves appropriately,” he said.

“Winning the school shade competition means we will be able to significantly increase the shade area for our students, the cost of which would have put this project out of reach without the support of the Cancer Council,” said Mr Whisson.

Mark Strickland, SunSmart Manager said the competition was an excellent way of reminding schools about the importance of shaded play areas. 

“Skin damage during childhood and adolescence greatly increases your risk of developing skin cancer later in life, so it’s really vital we educate young people about the risks of skin cancer and to make shade available to them at school. 

 “The more we promote SunSmart message through measures such as this competition, the more successful we will be in reducing their risk of developing skin cancer in the future,” he said.

The free SunSmart Schools Program aims to minimise student and staff exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun at school and during school-associated activities.

For more information about the competition and SunSmart Schools program visit www.GenerationSunSmart.com or phone (08) 9388 4351.