Weather Delays Indian Ocean Row Bid

The Indian Ocean record attempt by rowers James Ketchell and Ashley Wilson has been delayed due to unpredictable weather conditions.

Adventurer James and Scout leader Ashley, who survived Hodgkin lymphoma at the age of 19 and has lived with epilepsy from the age of seven, were due to begin their attempt to cross the 3,600 miles from Australia to Mauritius on May 8.

But concerns were raised that their feat to beat the fastest recorded time of 85 days, two hours and five minutes would be threatened by severe weather conditions caused by Cyclone Quang.

Ashley, 37, from Wickham, Hampshire, said: "The news from the challenge weather router Charlie has come as a great blow to both James and myself.

"Having meticulously planned our departure for this weekend, this latest severe weather update may stall our launch from Geraldton by several days.

"It just goes to show you who's the real boss in this challenge and we have to respect both the ocean and its weather system to get to Mauritius safely."

Last year James, 33, from Basingstoke, became the only person in history to row the Atlantic Ocean, climb Everest and cycle unaided around the world.

He added: "This last-minute delay is necessary to avoid any potential Cyclone Quang-type weather in the coming days that could have proved catastrophic to the challenge and our world record attempt."

The departure delay does mean that the two Scout ambassadors will have the opportunity to visit scouting and young people groups in Western Australia as they continue to raise awareness and money for Young Epilepsy, The Scout Association and The Elifar Foundation.

Lisa Farmer, director of development at Young Epilepsy, previously said:
"Everyone at Young Epilepsy is amazed by Ashley and James's courage, and very moved that they are taking on this challenge to help inspire young people with epilepsy.

"Ashley is a hero and we know that thousands of young people will be glued to this adventure. He is an inspiration and is helping us by raising vital funds and fighting stigma."

A new departure date has been set for either May 16 or May 17 from Geraldton marina. To follow their progress or support their fundraising efforts, visit www.nothings-impossible.co.uk.

Stolen vehicle

Police are asking the public to keep an eye out for a stolen car - a Grey Nissan Pulsar registration ZDRAGON

Call Geraldton Police on 99234555 if you see it.

Do you know who owns these rings?

Police say they are trying to find the owners of these rings 

The plain gold band ring has an engraved date inside ending 1950.

If you have any information please pass it on to A/SGT FEATHERSTONE or S/C HARRISON at Geraldton Police Station on 99234555.

It would be great to reunite them with the owners.

Annual verge side collection postponed

The City’s annual verge side collection has been postponed as part of the ongoing review of the range and level of services being provided to the community.

City of Greater Geraldton CEO, Ken Diehm, said the review was prompted by results of the Community Summit in which verge side collection ranked #39 on the priority list of services and suggestions received from participants indicated the community’s concern with the cost of providing the service.

“Although 65% of Summit participants voted for the verge side collection to continue the comments and suggestions we received during the Summit expressed their concerns about the amount of people using the service in relation to the $200,000 it costs to provide verge side collection to the community,” he said.

“Council also received some suggestions on how the service could be made more cost effective and we want to investigate these ideas.

“The City is in a time of financial constraint and it’s Council’s highest priority to ensure all services provided to the community are not only cost effective but are also good value for money,” said Mr Diehm.

Residents are encouraged to take their household waste to the Meru Landfill where trailer loads up to 300 kilos and green waste can be disposed of every day from 7.30am - 4.30pm free of charge.  Household goods that are still useable can be taken to the Cogman Recycling Tip Shop.

Alternatively, green waste can be composted at home and unwanted goods sold at a garage sale or put up for sale on a variety of ‘buy and sell’ Facebook pages in Geraldton.

A full list of items that can be disposed of at Meru and recycling options available in Geraldton can be accessed on the City’s website onhttp://www.cgg.wa.gov.au/live/my-environment/waste-and-recycling/recycling-in-geraldton.aspx.

For further information contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or via council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Beach activities you can still enjoy in winter

Winter is approaching and the weather is starting to cool down, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the beach for the next few months. Geraldton Surf & Sail stock a wide range of winter and summer gear and clothing that you can still enjoy, no matter what the weather is outside.

Wetsuits

Geraldton Surf & Sail stock a wide range of wetsuits that are designed to keep your body warm in cold water with its thermal insulation material that stops heat from escaping. Geraldton Surf & Sail stock a wide range of wetsuits, including Junior Energy S/S Springsuit, Peak Climax Pro Steamer 3/2, Peak Energy Sport John and much more. All wetsuits they stock are lightweight, comfortable to wear and don’t restrict body movement. Now you can still do the many beach and water activities you enjoyed during summer and stay warm in the process. Different types of wetsuits are designed for different temperatures, so pop in today and browse their large variety of brands and sizes.

Kayaking

Kayaking is a fun water activity/sport that can be enjoyed all year round and is fun for all ages. A kayak is a canoe-like boat with a hollowed out opening that a person can either stand or sit in. Kayaks are very lightweight and come in a variety of sizes and generally seat one or two people. Kayaking is a great way to get fit or just to sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery whilst doing some light paddling. Geraldton Surf & Sail stock ‘The Fun Ski’ that is 2.6 metres long and comes with a storage port, carry straps, water bottle cage and is available in a variety of colours. 

Sand boarding

Sand boarding is a popular beach activity for families, but is often avoided in the cooler months due to not having the right clothing. Whilst sand boarding can be done in just a t-shirt and board shorts, this choice may not the comfortable during the winter months, as summer clothes will not keep you warm. Geraldton Surf & Sail sell a decent variety of sand boards and warm clothing designed for the beach that won’t fill the car with sand afterwards. Geraldton Surf & Sail also sell FCS Wet Caps that are designed to stay secure in harsh winds and the occasional tumble.

Surfing

Geraldton Surf & Sail have prepared for the winter swells and have ordered in custom surfboards from Stuart Surf Designs. These boards are designed to be hardy and their pointed nose is able to push through choppy waves and is easier to maneuver. These boards are great for both small and medium waves and the size of the board is wide enough for the kids can have a paddle on close to the shore. And yes, Geraldton Surf & Sail also stock wetsuits for children and rashies for children.

So although the weather is cooling down, you can still enjoy the many fun beach activities, no matter what the weather is like. Head on down the Geraldton Surf & Sail today and then get on down to the beach.

• Geraldton Surf & Sail are located at 6/208 Northwest Coastal Highway, Geraldton (in the home maker centre).
• They’re open Monday – Friday from 9:00am – 5:00pm, Saturday from 9:00am – 2:00pm and closed Sunday.
• Phone (08) 9921 7873. 

Join Bunnings Warehouse Geraldton to support The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal

This month, Bunnings Warehouse Geraldton is again teaming up with The Salvation Army to raise funds for its annual Red Shield Appeal, urging locals to get behind the cause and dig-deep to show their support.

The Red Shield Appeal is The Salvation Army’s biggest annual fundraising drive and Bunnings is pleased to continue its long-standing involvement to help raise vital funds to support Australians in need.

The Salvation Army assists more than one million Australians in need each year - which works out to be around one person every 30 seconds. In a typical week, the Salvos provide 100,000 meals, 5,000 food vouchers for the hungry, 2,000 beds for the homeless and refuge to 500 victims of domestic violence.

During the annual fundraiser, volunteers from The Salvation Army will be visiting local Bunnings stores nationally to give customers the opportunity to make a donation.

Dr Bruce Redman, Media Director for The Salvation Army, is grateful for the ongoing relationship between The Salvation Army and Bunnings and hopes to raise more funds than ever before to support the Salvo’s valuable work in the community.

“By donating to The Red Shield Appeal, Geraldton residents can make a significant difference to people’s lives, whether it is a local doing it tough or someone on the other side of the country, every donation helps support those who need assistance,” he said.

Bunnings Warehouse Geraldton Complex Manager, Natalie Kennedy is encouraging Geraldton residents to head down to their local Bunnings and show support for the Salvos.

“We look forward to once again supporting The Salvation Army’s annual Red Shield Appeal, as it makes a huge difference to so many Australians in need,” Natalie said.

4 low maintenance plants that will look great in any garden

Low maintenance plants are becoming a very popular choice in the Midwest region because they are tolerant of hot and windy weather conditions and require little watering. Low maintenance plants come in a variety of colourful species that will not only give you a beautiful looking garden, but also save you money and time in the long run. Although gardening is a fun weekend activity and is very rewarding, dying plants that fail to survive in harsh weather conditions can make the experience quite frustrating and costly.

Local nursery, Mooreview Plants and Trees, has been growing and supplying a variety of plants and trees for over 7 years that are suited to the Midwest region. Owner, Caroline Wright, says any of these 4 low maintenance plants will give you a beautiful looking garden without all the hassle in between. 

Eremophila - The Emu Bush

Caroline ranked the Emu Bush as one of her favourite low maintenance plants because of its beautiful coloured flowers and easy maintenance. Eremophila plants are guaranteed to put a splash of colour into your garden and they are very easy to maintain with their low water requirements. These plants thrive in direct sunlight and only require watering several times per year (too much water rather than not enough will kill the plant). Eremophila plants are extremely hardy and tolerate strong winds and warm weather.

Grevillia Olivacea

This lush native shrub makes a great garden hedge for blocking wind and is very easy to prune and maintain. Grevillia Olivaceas’ grow up to 2 metres tall and flower all year round. They’re adaptable to any soil condition and are a fantastic plant that will attract birds into your backyard. Once established, they no longer require hand watering, as the occasional shower of rain is more than enough. Caroline says the Grevillia Olivacea is one of the lowest maintenance plants she grows.

Westringia – Native Rosemary

Westringia’s are a low compact bush that will do great in any landscape setting and thrive in both direct sunlight and in the shade. Westringia plants tolerate hot climates very well and only require watering 1-3 times per year. Due to its compact size and rate of growth, these plants make fantastic garden hedges, so early pruning is recommended.

Anigozanthos – Kangaroo Paw

Kangaroo Paws are a fantastic and colourful plant to have in the garden that is not affected by strong winds and grows best in direct sunlight. Kangaroo Paws grow up to 2 metres tall with long flower stems that come in a variety of colours, including yellow, red, pink and orange. Kangaroo Paws have a slightly higher demand for water during the warmer months, but are still quite drought tolerant. Watering them lightly once a fortnight during warm temperatures is more than enough. Kangaroo Paws adapt well in any garden and also make great pot plants. They will thrive all year round, as long as they’re lightly watered during summer and spring. 

So, if you’re looking at giving your garden a fresh new look, why not head on down to Mooreview Plants and Trees? If you're after something different, they also have a wide range of native seedlings, fruit trees, advanced trees and exotic, non-native plants to choose from.

• They’re located at 6538 Nangetty Road, Walkaway
• Phone 0427 261 180
• They’re open Monday – Wednesday, Saturday – Sunday from 9:00am – 5:00pm and closed Thursday and Friday.

Aquarena’s new geothermal system up and running.

The indoor swimming pools and air temperature inside Geraldton’s Aquarena are now heated using state-of-the-art geothermal technology.

The indoor swimming pools and air temperature inside Geraldton’s Aquarena are now heated using state-of-the-art geothermal technology.

By using innovative heat exchanger technology, water pumped from 50 metres below the ground is used to heat the pools and air inside the centre. The water is then injected back into the ground at another location.

Geothermal energy is renewable and cost efficient, making the Aquarena environmentally friendly for a sustainable future.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Ian Carpenter, who officially flicked the switch turning the system on, said the geothermal system was a big win environmentally and financially for the City.

“The new system has the potential to cut the Aquarena’s gas consumption by up to 70 % per annum, saving the City of Greater Geraldton around $84,000 every year,” Mayor Carpenter explained.

“Along with the reduction in gas consumption, the geothermal heating system will also have a huge impact in reducing CO2 emissions with an average annual carbon offset of approximately 108 tonnes.”

The project has received generous funding from the Department of Industry and Science, with the Federal Government generously provided a grant of $795,822 for the works. The remaining funding has been provided by the City.

The total cost for the energy efficiency project was just over $1million. This includes the installation of variable speed drives, pump upgrades, pool blankets and water wise technologies.

The combined energy efficiency upgrades will see a positive return to the City after three years.

Champion Croquet player comes back to Geraldton May 9,10,11 - 2015

Martin Clarke, who started his croquet career at Geraldton, is returning to the Geraldton Croquet Club to play a demonstration match, coach local players and join in club games. Anyone is welcome to come along on Saturday morning around 11 am to watch a demonstration match, and the game will be explained to those who have not had the opportunity to learn about it before.

Martin has won events in Geraldton and represented WA three times whilst residing here in the early – mid 90’s. Since then, he has represented WA many more times, captained Australia, and played in several World Championships and competitions in locations all around the world, including most recently in the Golf Croquet World Championships held in New Zealand earlier this year.

In Golf Croquet, Martin is currently ranked no 1 in the state, No 4 nationally and No. 62 in the world.

If you are interested, come along to see what this most flexible sport is all about, or contact coaches on 99383619 for further information.

The club is located in the South West corner of Maitland Park, entry is from Maitland Street.

Waterwise program benefits Mid West businesses

Five Mid-West businesses participating in the State Government’s Water Efficiency Management Plan (WEMP) program will reap the benefits of saving 680 million litres of water last financial year. 

The program assists 338 businesses State-wide who use more than 20 million litres of drinking water each year to reduce their water use. 

In 2013-14 these businesses saved a collective 14 billion litres of water, which is the equivalent of 6,222 Olympic swimming pools. 

The five Mid-West businesses to receive major awards are:   

• Geraldton Hospital Campus – Champion and Gold Award
• Iluka Resources Ltd Midwest Operations – Platinum Award
• Mid West Ports Authority – Gold Award
• Nor West Seafoods Pty Ltd – Gold Award
• Novotel Ningaloo Resort – Silver Award 

Member for Geraldton MLA, Ian Blayney, thanked the participating businesses for their commitment to water efficiency, particularly the 106 which were recognised for water saving at today’s ceremony. 

“Congratulations to the businesses in the Mid West for their efforts to save water through the WEMP Plan program,” Mr Blayney said.  

“We often forget that businesses – like households – are making changes to the way they operate in order to save water, and money.  

“It is excellent to see these businesses making permanent changes to their operations which continue to deliver significant savings in the long-term.”

There are 338 businesses participating in the WEMP program across WA.  

Since the Program was introduced in 2007 it has saved 45.7 billion litres of water – the equivalent of more than 20,000 Olympic swimming pools of water.  

Champion Awards are presented to businesses who receive Platinum or Gold awards for two consecutive years, Platinum Awards are for more than 50 per cent improvement in water use, Gold Awards are for 35-50 per cent improvement, Silver Awards are for 25-35 per cent improvement and Bronze Awards are for 10-25 per cent.

City gives back to the community

Community Grant recipients, Midwest Community Living Association, will use funds from Round 16 to help with events like the International Day with a Disability basketball games at the Foreshore.

Twenty local groups are celebrating financial boosts with the money going towards community driven projects, all thanks to round 16 of the City of Greater Geraldton’s Community Grants Program.

A total of $175,000 was awarded to the community groups for projects which aim to make a positive contribution to the Geraldton area.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Ian Carpenter, said community groups aren’t often acknowledged for their hard work and contribution to the public.

“People often turn a blind eye to our community groups and that’s where the Community Grants Program comes into play,” he said.

“Each grant is valuable and beneficial to not only the groups receiving it, but to the community.

“The Community Grants program provides the opportunity for local groups who need our assistance to continue with their efforts and communal projects,” said Mr Carpenter.

Grants will see projects including the Short Term Accommodation for Youth’s (STAY) Learner Driver Program, Chrysalis Support Services’ Volleyball Against Violence, Ex Victoria District Hospital Staff Associations reprint of ‘Miss Crowley’s Girls’ book, and the Geraldton City RSL Sub Branch Birdwood House project, all put in place.

Recipients for the 16th round include:

• STAY
• Tenindewa Progress Association
• Community Group of Greenough (Inc)
• Midwest Community Living Association
• Geraldton Aboriginal Regional Medical Service
• Chrysalis Support Services
• Women’s Health Resource Centre Inc
• Batavia Coast Maritime Heritage Association
• Wonthella Bowling Club Inc
• Wonthella Progress Association
• Ex Victoria District Hospital Staff Association Inc
• Friends of Geraldton Gardens Inc (FroGGs)
• Mullewa Women’s Indigenous Group
• DADAA Ltd
• The Apex Club of Geraldton
• Inspired Living Foundation
• Pollinators Inc
• Geraldton Amateur Swimming Club
• Mullewa District Agriculture Society Inc and,
• Geraldton City RSL Sub Branch

The purpose of the Community Grants Program is to provide assistance for one off events, activities, projects and programs delivered by local community groups and organisations.

For further information relating to the Community Grants Program, contact the City of Greater Geraldton on (08) 9956 6600 or via council@cgg.wa.gov.au. 

*Twice each year the City of Greater Geraldton returns funds to the community in the form of community grants. Last financial year, 37 Community Grant Submissions were successful with $275,830.20 returned to the community for projects valued at $931,981.94.

Law Week: 11-15 May 2015

Law Week is a National event, which is celebrated every year by highlighting the role of the law and the legal profession in the community and our daily lives. 

This year, Geraldton Resource Centre Inc.is collaborating with Durack Institute of Technology’s Certificate IV and Diploma in Community Services students to host an “AMAZING RACE – LAW EDITION” event on Friday, 15thMay.   

We are inviting 10 teams of 4 to register and participate for amazing prizes throughout the Race plus, thanks to our sponsors:  Clayton Utz;the Law Society of Western Australia; Blue City Mediations; and Cowan Legal, we are offering a first prize of $500; second prize of $250 and third prize of $100.  The registration fee per team is only $20.00 ($5.00 per member) and teams can be from a school, workplace, club or just a group of friends or family members. 

During the Race teams will receive information about the law and legal and associated services while having to complete challenging activities in order to progress to the next stage of the Race.  These challenges will take the teams to various local agencies who work within the legal system.  As the teams successfully complete each challenge they will be given clues that will lead them to the next location. 

The Race will officially start at 8:30 am at Maitland Park and, after visiting all agencies involved;it will finish at Edith Cowan Square where the Prize Ceremony and a sausage sizzle will take place.

For more information or to register your team you can contact Hester Coetsee at Geraldton Resource Centre on 9938 0600 or Johanna Bell at Durack on 9956 6137 or you can email either of them at hester@grc.asn.au or Johanna.bell@durack.edu.au. 

The general public is invited to support the teams along the way.  Come and have fun with us, cheer your favourite team on, enjoy the event and obtain free legal resources and information about the law and the services that Geraldton Resource Centre and other local agencies provide.

5 reasons to get pet insurance

We all love our furry friends and we want to do what’s best for them and give them a long, happy and healthy life. However, many owners have not heard of pet insurance, or are not fully aware of the benefits it provides. I am also guilty of this, where I disregarded the idea of insuring my 7 month old Bulldog, named Bibi and brushed it aside thinking, “I won’t need it, she’s young and healthy”. Consequently, several weeks after dismissing the idea, Bibi developed a slight limp and there was a distinctive clicking/popping sound coming from her hips. It turned out she had hip dysplasia, which is a degenerate joint disease that is often caused by genetics, among other environmental factors. It’s conditions like these that are very hard to detect and there’s no way of knowing it’s going to happen until it happens. Of course I’ll go through with the surgery, but purchasing pet insurance would have saved me thousands of dollars and taken some of the stress out of the situation.

Bibi, the Bulldog

After doing a bit of research, I condensed and simplified the many benefits of pet insurance into 5 key points and I encourage all pet owners to read it. Note: dogs, cats and equine animals are eligible for pet insurance.

1.) You can add pet insurance onto your existing health cover, depending on who you’re insured with. Medibank, RACQ, HCF and Bupa offer pet insurance options that you can add onto your existing policy. This makes signing up very easy and some insurance companies offer a discount to existing members.

2.) Most pet insurance companies pay anywhere from $7,000 to $20,000 in annual benefits that cover around 80% of vet bills for hundreds of conditions and procedures, including accidental injury, cancer treatment, surgery, prescription medicine, skin conditions, eye conditions, tick paralysis, gastrointestinal problems, consultations, after hours emergency care and much more. All policies vary, so be sure to read thoroughly what procedures your pet will be covered for.

3.) Pet insurance is very affordable and is worth every cent when the unexpected occurs. Policies are generally broken down into 3 different plans, being Accidental Injury Cover, Comprehensive Cover and Ultimate Comprehensive Cover (names may vary). You can apply for comprehensive insurance when your pet is over 8 weeks of age and younger than 9 years. There is no upper age limit for accidental injury cover. 

• Accidental Injury Cover: Covers only injuries from accidents. Prices range from $13 - $20 per month.
• Comprehensive Cover: Covers both accidental injuries and illnesses. Prices range from $40 - $60 per month. This is the most popular choice of cover.
• Ultimate Comprehensive Cover: This is the highest policy you can get and it covers accidental injuries, illnesses and routine checkups. Routine care includes anything from vaccinations, worming, nail trimming and flea, tick and heartworm preventatives. Prices for Ultimate Comprehensive Cover range from $60 - $100 per month.

There is also the convenient option of paying fortnightly or annually for all three policies.

4.) Most pet insurance policies guarantee life-long cover for the duration your pet is insured for. This will give you that peace of mind knowing that if something ever happens, your pet will get the treatment they need without forking out thousands of dollars. Note: no pet insurance company will cover treatment costs for a pre-existing condition. Check with your provider for further clarification.

5.) It takes no more than 5 minutes to sign up and all accidental injuries are covered immediately, once approved. There is generally a 30-day wait for illness conditions and the cooling off period is around 21 days.

To find out more, feel free to get in touch with some of these pet insurance companies:

• Pet Insurance Australia – 1800 043 552
• RSPCA Pet Insurance – 1300 881 492
• Medibank Pet Insurance – 134 190
• Bupa Pet Insurance – 134 135
• Petplan – 1300 738 225
• HCF Pet Insurance – 1300 630 681
• RACQ Pet Cover – 131 905
• Prime Pet Insurance – 1300 881 735
  

House cleaning tips for allergy sufferers

Suffering from dust allergies can be a struggle for some and the smallest things can often trigger symptoms to develop. People with dust allergies are likely to experience anything from an itchy throat, watering eyes, and a stuffy nose to a pounding headache, sneezing and even tightness in the chest.

This makes household cleaning quite a difficult task and can do more harm than good if not maintained regularly, as it will lead to a build up of allergens. Common indoor allergens include dust mites, pet dander, fumes from cleaning products, mould and even pollen from indoor plants.

Karyn, from Norfolk Cleaning Services, has provided us with a few handy cleaning tips that can help relieve and reduce allergy symptoms. She also emphasises that regular household cleaning is strongly encouraged to keep on top of the build up of dust and other allergens.

Vacuum regularly:

Dust is one of the most common allergens in homes. Thankfully, it is manageable through regular vacuuming of carpets and window tracks. Dust builds up quickly and if vacuuming only occurs once or twice a month, you will most likely trigger allergy symptoms by bringing up excess dust into the air when cleaning. A simple vacuum once or twice a week is the best thing you can do to keep on top of it.

Use a HEPA filter:

HEPA vacuum filters are designed to remove dust that is both on the ground and in the air, through its powerful suction. Many older modelled vacuum cleaners do not have HEPA filters, which is why some older vacuum cleaners collect dust and blow some of it back out into the air. So investing in a HEPA filtration model vacuum cleaner is a wise choice and they’re sold in most white goods stores. 

Switch cleaning chemicals:

While most cleaning chemicals are effective, certain brands that are scented can easily trigger allergies for those who are sensitive to the fumes. If this is the case for you, Karyn recommends switching to a diluted white vinegar solution and/or fragrant free cleaners which are available in most shopping centres.

Check for and remove mould:

If you notice a few specks of mould, the best thing to do is wait until the surface is completely dry before treating it. Turning on a fan for a few hours will do the trick. Once thoroughly dry, mix vinegar and baking soda with warm water and spray the solution onto the affected area. It is recommended to wait a few hours and then remove the mould with a normal scrubbing brush. Remember, mould can grow anywhere in the house, so using non-toxic chemicals is the safest solution for your family and pets.

Leave it to the professionals:

The best way to avoid irritations and allergies from cleaning is to either get someone else who doesn’t suffer from allergies to do it for you, or leave it to the professionals. Norfolk Cleaning have been operating in Geraldton for over 20 years and specialise in all areas of cleaning and are here to do the hard work for you.  For more tips on how to allergy-proof your home, give their friendly team a call today.

• Norfolk Cleaning Services are open Monday – Friday from 7:00am – 5:00pm
• Phone 0409 374 572

Bill Rowe's killer back in jail after committing a "terrifying house raid"

Amanda Banks and Gabrielle Knowles for the West Australian: 

"The man jailed for killing farmer Bill Rowe with a cricket bat at a Geraldton beach on Christmas Day in 2007 is in jail again after a burglary that "absolutely petrified" a woman who was at home alone."

• Mathew McDonald was given only five years for his original offence. 
• He never applied for parole while service that sentence.  
• He is now back in jail after another home invasion.  

Click here to read full article.   

Two year old dead in Geraldton home

A two year old has died in a home in the Geraldton suburb of Rangeway this morning around 6am.  

Two ambulance vehicles attended the home followed by a number of Police. 

Detectives are still at the scene. 

The child was reportedly a 2 year old male. 

While the cause of death is unclear at this point, Police have stated they are not treating the death as suspicious. 

Neighbours said the death of the child was tragic.  

Attempts to revive the child were unsuccessful. 

Missing Child

"Missing my 12 year old brother Macka Couzner last seen in spalding, he's afraid of the dark if anyone has seen or heard of him please contact us on 0428230121 or the police please."

We've spoken with the boy's mother who is quite distressed. If anyone is able to help please contact Geraldton Police on 99234555 or the above number.

Update from Police: @GeraldtonPol: Urgent missing person 12 year old Macka COUZNER, wearing grey hooded jumper, black shorts, black/red skate shoes

Time to get gardening

If you're looking for some inspiration to get you into the vege patch this might help, from Supergreenme.com 

Click here for full article.  

An interesting history of the Camaleer

Fascinating piece from Monash Journalism (Mojo) on the Camel drivers of early Australia, including a great quote from the Geraldton Guardian in 1917 on the use of the Camel in World War 1:

“Their work is arduous and monotonous in the extreme, and consists mainly of conveying water rations, fodder and ammunition to the mounted column that has hurried Johnny Turk over the border of Egypt into his own territory again.

Right well has the job been done, and but for the Camel Transport Corps the campaign would have been impossible. Day after day, week after week, huge trains of camels loaded with war materials, attended by Arab drivers and superintended by the C.T.C., have moved across the blinding, shifting desert.

… Personally, I look on them both as evidence of the wonderful spirit of our men, who, after a year of fighting over one of the most arid deserts of Africa, are able on reaching the other side to behave like big joyous schoolboys seeing only the bright side of life. ”

Click here for full article

Neighbours from HELL

Tania Barras has been living next to the neighbours from hell. 

Despite numerous complaints to the Police and Department of Housing she and her family continue to live under constant harassment and threat. 

Today she shared a little more of the trouble she’s been experiencing, including footage of her neighbours bashing down her fence. Friends contacted GWN who will reportedly be broadcasting more of the story tonight at 5:30. 

After a friend visited Tania today, this occurred: "They've just followed a friend out in her car...waited for her to stop at a light, got out of there car and rushed her window...she's going straight to the police station”

A little later, a GWN7 reporter was stuck inside the house: "Gwn are here. ..stuck in side. ..”