Skydive For Suzy Turner.

/

Please Help!!

Skydive For Suzy Turner.

Hi all, 

I was recently diagnosed with Synovial sarcoma and as a result lost my left leg below the knee.

I am up and about again with a trainee leg but another young girl needs your help.

I will be completing a skydive with the help of Jurien Skydiving on Sunday 12th of April !!!

Suzy went to dancing as any other night, her life was about to change forever. February 2013, Suzy 17 

her leg broke while dancing. Revealing Suzy had osteosarcoma , her leg was amputated as a result and then 6 months of intense chemo followed to kill any cancer cells that may have got through. Nov 2013 chemo finished, CT scans every 3 months was the deal..All good...BUT Oct 2014 scan revealed tumours growing in Suzannes lungs. Radiation & Radiotherapy was tried ...sadly a big fail. Oncologist painted a bleak picture. 

I am the Dad bloody hell what to do.. discovered A German Cancer Clinic in Cologne Germany.. Doctor Robert Gorter told me today get her over here and we'll do our best to see she's a Grandmother. 

HOPE HOPE HOPE.. 

Suzy has taken the one leg onboard and never dropped her bundle. Suzanne is now 19.She is a true trooper, she could lead soldiers to war, no problem. This kid has to much to offer to give up without a fight.

HELP ME HELP ME get her there please................

 - Louise

http://www.gofundme.com/pdqze0

Get a taste for some of the music that will be featuring at Y Fest 2015

/

#YFEST15

The first of its kind in Geraldton, the Y Fest 2015 mini festival is shaping up to be the Youth event of the year!

Local talent on the bill includes house and dub DJ’s ‘Carfax’ and ‘Phunky Phresh', as well as WAMi award winning MC 'The Apprentice' and local comedy talent Rosie Sitorus as the host.

Get a taste for some of the music that will be featuring at Y Fest 2015 below.

Bringing the festival atmosphere to Post Office lane, behind Corner Surf for one massive night of great tunes and good vibes. 

Tickets are only $10 and can be purchased from the QPT Box Office from 1:00pm - 5:00pm Monday - Friday, or on their website

Y Fest 2015 – Friday 10th April from 7:00pm - 10:30pm – get involved! For more information, phone Alexis on (08) 9956 6649.

*This is a drug and alcohol free event.

CCTV results in arrest 1 year later

/

A burglary at a Geraldton business which was caught on closed circuit television (CCTV) back in 2014 has resulted in an arrest, Police say. 

On the 19th of March, 2014 a burglary occured at Stockyard Stock Supplies on Pass St in Wonthella.

A 32 year old man from Rangeway was captured on CCTV footage and subsequently identified by forensic analysis. He was arrested recently, on March 30 2015. 

He will appear at the Geraldton Magistrates Court on 23 April 2015 charged with the following offences;

1 x Burglary and Commit 

1 x Stealing

14 year old hit by vehicle

/

Look left, look right... 

A 14 year old male pedestrian suffered minor grazing and bruising after being struck by a vehicle in Rangeway on Monday, Police say. 

According to Police, the boy was struck after failing to observe the oncoming traffic prior to crossing the road. The incident occurred around 9am at the intersection of Rifle Range Rd and Scott Rd. 

The driver of the vehicle was unable to stop in time and will not face any charges over the crash.

Police and paramedics attended the scene and the boy was conveyed to the Geraldton Regional Hospital as a precaution.

Man found to have concealed hunting knife strapped to thigh

/

Police say they spotted a man acting suspiciously on Railway St in Bluff Point on Monday (30/3/15) around 2pm.

Based on how the man was acting Police decided to search the man. 

They allege he was concealing a hunting knife, which they found strapped with velcro to his left thigh. 

He was subsequently arrested and charged with the following offence;
1 x Carry or Possess Weapon other than Controlled or Prohibited with Intent to Injure or Disable

The 25 year old male from Waggrakine will appear at the Geraldton Magistrates Court at a later date.

 

 

Vehicle vs House crash

/

A Three Springs man has been arrested and charged after allegedly driving into a house and then driving off. 

The incident occurred around 8:30am on Saturday according to Police (28/3/15). 

The driver lost control as he attempted to make a right turn at the corner of Stokes Ct and Tamblyn St in Spalding. 

Police stated that "Upon heavy acceleration, the vehicle lost traction causing the rear wheels of the vehicle to spin on the road surface."

"Passing to the incorrect side of the road, the wheels of the vehicle collided with kerbing resulting in total loss of control. The vehicle mounted another kerb before crashing into a house on Stokes Court, causing extensive damage."

The driver fled the scene and obviously didn't report the incident to Police. 

After being located by Police, the man has been charged with:

Reckless Driving
Driver Fail to Stop (Property Damage)
Driver Fail to Report an Incident in which Property was Damaged

Western Power’s Mid West Energy Project completed

/

The State Government Tuesday officially marked the completion of one of the largest powerline projects ever undertaken in Western Australia.

Energy Minister Mike Nahan said the Mid West Energy Project, completed this month by Western Power, would be a significant contributor to future State and regional development. 

“Western Power’s Mid West Energy Project is a substantial achievement that will boost power supplies to Mid-West communities and industry,” the Minister said. 

“The $400 million project is more than a single powerline - it’s a combination of two major powerlines and a number of substation upgrades that will enable more than 500 extra megawatts of energy for the Mid-West region. 

“The project will enable the connection of future industrial projects in the Mid-West and facilitate the connection of renewable sources of electricity generation, particularly wind and gas-powered generation in the region.” 

Dr Nahan said Western Power’s new transmission line to Eneabba was the State’s largest powerline development since the line to Kalgoorlie was built in the mid-1980s.

 “Western Power is to be congratulated for completing the project within the original budget of $418.1 million and well under the final budget set by the State Government of $406.5 million,” he said.

“It’s a significant project that will greatly benefit the Mid-West now and enable future growth for many years to come.”

       Fact File

  • The Pinjar to Eneabba powerline is 190km long

  • The project includes 388 steel lattice towers, 2,900km of powerline and has an average tower weight of 24 tonnes

  • It also includes a new 330/132 kV terminal substation at Three Springs

  • Western Power is a State Government owned corporation that is committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity to more than one million customers across a network area of 255,064sq.km

Retail trading hours for Easter and ANZAC holidays

/

Minister for Commerce, Hon Michael Mischin MLC, has approved of the additional trading in the City of Greater Geraldton during the Easter and ANZAC long weekends as part of the Retail Trading Hours Act 1987.

The following extended trading hours will come into place:

  • Monday April 6, 2015 – 10am to 5pm
  • Monday April 27, 2015 – 10am to 5pm

Retailers are invited to exercise their individual discretion as to whether they choose to trade these additional hours.

To further clarify the trading hours during Easter and ANZAC 2015, please refer to the below:

  • Good Friday April 3, 2015 – closed.
  • Easter Saturday April 4, 2015 – normal trading, 8am to 5pm.
  • Easter Sunday April 5, 2015 – closed.
  • Easter Monday April 6, 2015 – approved to open, 10am to 5pm.
  • ANZAC Day April 25, 2015 –closed.
  • ANZAC Monday April 27, 2015 – approved to open, 10am to 5pm.

For more information contact the City Council on (08) 9956 6600.

Summer Rains Spark Profusion of Outback Life

/

By Samille Mitchell

Life-bringing summer rains have drenched the dry earth of the Gascoyne and Murchison sparking a profusion of new life across otherwise red dusty plains.

The unusually high summer rainfall has caused rivers and creeks to swell with rushing waters, lakes and pools to fill, and carpets of lush green grasses to soften the normally harsh reds of the countryside.

The new water sources lure thousands upon thousands of waterbirds– species like swans and pelicans, heron, ibis and ducks - each descending on the region in great flocks from afar having mystically learned of the rain.

Local bird species also proliferate, with budgerigars and raucous flocks of parrots exploding from trees and wheeling through the skies in great shocks of colour and tiny wrens dancing through the undergrowth.

The water sources themselves also come to life with long-dormant species of frogs and fish, crustaceans and turtles emerging from the red earth into newly formed pools to breed furiously before the waters recede.

The resultant writhing, teeming, mass of life is one of Mother Nature’s biggest gifts in what can otherwise be harsh desert country.

Enjoying Mother Nature’s magic is Frances Jones at Wooleen Station, who is watching the long-dry Wooleen Lake fill and lure waterbirds by the thousand.

“The land just experiences this amazing transformation – it goes from so barren to everything just being so alive,” Frances says.

Ms Jones says there a myriad of places to witness the transformation, from simply driving the main roads through the region to taking the self-drive Gascoyne Murchison Outback Pathways trails, or getting off the beaten track and staying at a station stay.

“The station owners can give you access to secrets spots along their rivers and pools,” she says.

“Otherwise all the Gascoyne Murchison towns have pubs, caravan parks, bed and breakfasts and tourist centres where you can enjoy the local hospitality and get a good insight into what to see and where to explore.”

Similarly rapt with the land’s transformation is Karen Morrisey in Mount Magnet. She says, although it’s not wildflower season, the rain causes some species to bloom.

“The mulga acacias begin to flower profusely about three weeks after rain,” she says.

“With the heavy rainfall last month the usually grey-blue trees are now covered in masses of golden wattle flowers.”

Ms Morrisey marks late Autumn as one of the best times to visit the region.

“The rains have refreshed the landscape with a veil of green and rock holes with tadpole-filled water pools reflecting blue skies above red earth,” she says.

Hotspots to visit include the bridge over the Murchison River south of Murchison Settlement, Gascoyne Junction, where the mighty Gascoyne River rushes by, and national parks such as Kennedy Range and Mt Augustus. The national parks look particularly striking with their brooding hulks of ancient rock softened by soft green grasses.

Then there are the myriad of pools and nature reserves across the region – places like Bilung Pool north of Murchison Settlement, Peace Gorge outside Meekatharra, Lake Nallan outside Cue and The Granites outside Mount Magnet.

Each places holds its own special brand of natural magic – be it rushing waters, temporary waterfalls or striking landscapes blanketed with green.

Gypsies bring their Bohemian style to Geraldton

/

Loretta Palmeiro (clarinet/sax), Andrew Scott (accordion), Shannon Haritos (bass), Richard Ashby (guitar), Cameron Jones (guitar)

Sydney based, traditional French gypsy band Spyglass Gypsies will bring their swinging originals to the Queens Park Theatre next month for a one night only show as part of their Western Australian tour leg.

The band brings an energetic and playful flare to the stage with a set of songs that are reminiscent of the bygone days of a bohemian Paris.

Established in 2010, the group came together through a shared love of jazz music and have performed together in previous jazz projects.

“We love the history and traditions of Gypsy Jazz music” said guitarist and band leader Richard Ashby, “but we also love contributing to the genre with our own compositions, bringing a modern slant to the traditional style.”

Performing throughout Australia since 2010, the band have appeared in numerous noted venues such as the Sydney Opera House, Art Gallery of NSW and the Vanguard and appeared as several festivals such as Kiama Jazz & Blues Best, Newcastle Jazz Festival & the Gypsy Jazz Festival in Brisbane.

The Spyglass Gypsies will tour Geraldton with a full five piece band featuring guitars, clarinet, soprano saxophone, accordion and double bass guitar, and will be sure to have the audience on their feet dancing to their original tunes.

Spyglass Gypsies will be appearing at the Queens Park Theatre on Thursday 23rd April 2015, at 8.00pm, tickets are now on sale at www.queensparktheatre.com.au or at the box office on 9956 6662.

Banana bread sweetener from Carnarvon growers

/

A group of Carnarvon banana growers are salvaging what they can from crops ruined by Tropical Cyclone Olwyn, and appealing to the sweet tooth of banana consumers. 

Speaking at the launch of Sweeter Banana Bread into select Woolworths stores today, Agriculture and Food Minister Ken Baston applauded the co-operative members for their entrepreneurial response during a very difficult period for Carnarvon growers. 

“This region is a highly valued supplier of horticultural produce to the Perth market,” Mr Baston said. 

“There are more than 170 fruit and vegetable growers in the region whose crops or infrastructure have been damaged as a result of Cyclone Olwyn.” 

The Sweeter Banana Co-operative has collected damaged bananas which were not suitable for the fruit bowl due to markings on the skin, but ideal for banana bread. 

The Minister said banana crops had been severely affected by the cyclonic winds. 

“Plantations have been knocked down so growers will need to replant and will be out of production for between nine to 15 months,” he said. 

“Sweeter Banana has advised that this banana bread will provide the co-operative with a small income over the next 12 months that will assist them in retaining key staff and paying some bills until bananas are back in production. 

“Co-operative members are not giving up despite the setbacks and they are doing everything they can to provide their customers with a product.” 

Sweeter Banana Co-operative is part of the Buy West Eat Best labelling program, run by the Department of Agriculture and Food. 

The program provides West Australian consumers and the local food industry with a food-specific brand to clearly identify WA grown, farmed, fished and produced food products.

Building levy increase of 50% to hit affordability

/

Today’s increase in the building levy from 0.09% to 0.137% will impact on the cost of construction of a new home in WA.

The levy applies to the value of work which is subject to a building permit or demolition permit valued over $45,000.

Master Builders Director of Housing, Mr Geoff Cooper, said the levy would increase the price of a $350,000 home by $165.

“The 50% increase in the building levy will be another government impost on home buyers in WA,” Mr Cooper said.

“If the WA Government is taking more money from home buyers, it is going to need to use it wisely to tackle planning delays and land supply restraints.”

"We want to ensure that the government doesn't make it harder for young Western Australians to afford a new home.”

“We urgently need the government to deliver reforms to outdated R-Codes in our state and to speed up the slow turning processes of local governments that ultimately push up housing costs.”

“If we don’t see these planning reforms implemented by 1 July as previously promised, this levy increase will not help people wanting to build a new home in our state.”

The increase is in addition to waste levy increases of 500%, plus land tax and stamp duty revenue increases in the last budget.

"It is vital that the government restrain from further punitive tax increases in the upcoming budget that could push home ownership aspirations further out of reach of our next generation in WA."

The increase in levy is designed to fund a range of operational projects which have the potential to benefit the building industry and home buyers. These projects include:

  • Extending the registration of builders to the whole of WA
  • Reforming the estate’s housing indemnity insurance regime
  • Introducing an electronic lodgement process for building permits
  • Free access to the National Construction Code.”  

“What’s needed within each of these initiatives is a transparent budget and accountable time frames to achieve their objectives,” Mr Cooper concluded.

Missing couple in the Mid West Gascoyne Region – JENNIE & RAYMOND KEHLET

/

‪#‎canuhelp‬? - missing couple in the Mid West Gascoyne Region.....

MISSING COUPLE – JENNIE & RAYMOND KEHLET

Police are seeking information regarding 49 year old Jennie Anne KEHLET and 47 year old Raymond Keith KEHLET, who were last seen at the area called Table Top just out of Sandstone on Sunday 22 March 2015.

Jennie is described as fair skinned, with a medium build, approximately 157cms tall, with brown hair and green eyes.

Raymond is described as fair skinned, with a medium build, approximately 170cms tall, with brown hair and blue eyes.

Jennie was last seen wearing a yellow florescent coloured work shirt and Raymond was wearing all blue.

Police were alerted to the couple not being seen for over a week yesterday and a land and air search have been underway since then. Police from Mount Magnet, Morawa and Geraldton are involved in the search, as well as SES Volunteers, Shire Workers and residents.

Police and family hold concerns for the welfare of both Jennie and Raymond.

If you have any information regarding the couple, or know their whereabouts, please call Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

School warns parents after a child is approached by persons in vehicle

/

Have you had the "stranger danger" talk with your child recently?

Wandina Primary School has sent a letter home to parents today asking them and their children to be extra vigilant after a child was reportedly approached by a person/s travelling in a vehicle in the Mt Tarcoola / Wandina area. 

The incident has been reported to Police who are investigating. 

The school reminded parents and children to report anything suspicious to their parents, police and school and provided some other safety tips to help children stay safe.

  • Always travel in a group.
  • Walk on the right hand side of the road so they face oncoming traffic. 
  • Wherever possible, leave space between them and the roadway. 
  • Stay in areas that are well lit. 
  • Stay in view - avoid going into areas that are hidden from view (such as parkland bush or behind shopping centres) and plan trips to avoid such locations. 
  • Be alert - earphones and headphones can reduce awareness considerably. 
  • If they have a mobile phone, have it turned on and ready to dial an emergency number. 
  • If a passing car stops nearby, never get too close. 
  • Provide this advice to brothers and sisters, especially if younger. 
  • Report suspicious behaviour to parents, the school and Police, noting number plates of car and/or clothing or distinguishing features of individuals. 

Emergency: 000
Police: 13 14 44
Geraldton Police station: 9923 4555 (option 4)

18 bags of meth found in traffic stop

/

A vehicle stop by Police last week resulted in nine grams of a crystal substance believed to be methylamphetamine being found. 

Police say they stopped a Ford Territory on the Northwest Coastal Hwy in Howatharra on Friday around 4pm 27/3/15.

A search of the vehicle revealed 18 clip seal bags containing approximately nine grams of a crystal substance, believed to be methylamphetamine. Drug paraphernalia was also located within the vehicle.

A 28 year old male from Ballajura was arrested with bail refused on the following charges;

No Authority to Drive
Possess Methamphetamine with Intent to Sell / Supply
Possess Drug Paraphernalia

The City wants to hear your thoughts regarding the Greenough River Estuary

/

Do you visit the Greenough River Estuary? The City wants to hear your thoughts regarding the river. The City is working in partnership with the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council to engage our community in looking after the Greenough River Estuary at Cape Burney.

Join the City’s online forum, Your City Your Say, here and tell us your thoughts about this dynamic river that connects our inland people with the Greater Geraldton coast. 

Easter Long Weekend – Expect Delays On Kwinana Freeway Southbound

/

Commuters Heading South For The Easter Break Should Allow Extra Travel Time

Main Roads WA advises people heading south for the Easter break and school holidays to expect delays and congestion on Kwinana Freeway.

Due to the Kwinana Freeway Widening Project, an 80km/h speed limit applies fromRoe Highway to Armadale Road.  Two lanes of traffic will remain open.

“We are urging commuters to stagger their departure times if possible, instead of leaving mid to late Thursday afternoon,” Main Roads’ Managing Director Steve Troughton said.

“We advise people to plan their journey and where possible, consider alternative routes, such as Tonkin Highway or South Western Highway,” Mr Troughton said

“Once completed, the widening project will play an important role in improving congestion on the Kwinana Freeway southbound, particularly at the congested Roe Highway entrance onto the freeway.

“Vehicles exiting from Roe Highway will join the freeway in a dedicated lane, without having to merge with freeway traffic.

“This will significantly heighten safety at a critical merge point on the network.” 

Road users are asked to drive safely and remember that double demerits apply over Easter.
Traffic updates are available via Twitter and on the Main Roads website at www.mainroads.wa.gov.au