18 year old loses car for 4 weeks for hooning

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At about 7.20pm on Thursday 2 July 2015 a male drove a Holden Commodore out of Green Street onto North West Coastal Highway, Spalding.

It will be alleged, police observed the male as he exited Green Street accelerating heavily causing the rear wheels to lose traction and rear of the vehicle to slide out to the left into heavy traffic.

The 18 year old male from Drummond Cove was stopped by police and charged with Reckless driving under Hoon Legislation. The man’s vehicle was seized for 28 days and he will face Geraldton Magistrates Court at a later date. 

Letter to the Editor: Overpass Fencing Needed

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My complaint is the City Of Greater Geraldton has failed to provide adequate infrastructure in the form of Overpass Fencing at the Durlacher Street Overpass. This is a public safety hazard that has posed immanent danger to both myself, and many others. Furthermore, either a lack of communication between Police and Council or the City’s neglect to address the issue has allowed this risk to continue to exist into the present day. 

One Friday night at approx. 6:55PM, I was driving my vehicle along the North West Coastal Highway and immediately under the Durlacher Street Overpass. A number of solid objects hit the roof of my car while I was travelling at a speed of approximately 70 KM/H. I immediately slowed the vehicle, turned into the left safety lane and stopped the vehicle. Initially, I was unsure as to the cause of the noise and impacts on the roof of my car. Had I not watched an episode of 'Australian Story' broadcast on the ABC earlier that same week about this very issue, it may have taken me a good deal longer to realise my car had been the target of rocks dropped or thrown from the Durlacher Street Overpass under which my car had just travelled. 

Being the time of year, the evening was already dark and it was difficult to see anything without artificial light. Nevertheless, and quite possibly inspired by having recently viewed said Australian Story on the ABC, I felt compelled to mitigate risk to the public by stopping the perpetrators. I was of course also incensed by my car having been struck by rocks, and my own life put in danger. 

After exiting my vehicle I orientated myself to where the rocks would have been ejected from the overpass above and dashed up the embankment. Seconds later, I arrived at the top of the embankment to witness the last of a small pack of 'bipeds' exiting the scene at speed. Hampered only by a low-lying, black plastic coated wire mesh fence, I hurled myself over the fence and at the biped at the back of the pack. I brought him to ground with a rugby style tackle to the legs. 

I wrestled this biped whom upon visual identification, I would describe as a mixed race White/Aboriginal boy of approximately fifteen years of age, to the bottom of said overpass and into my car. This was only accomplished I might add to the very vocal and physical objections of said boy. I had considered throwing him in the boot of the car, as this would be the only way I could realistically contain him while also driving the vehicle. Having been recently brainwashed by the bureaucratic bunk of studying for a Graduate Diploma in Education, I caved into my own fears of committing socio-political impropriety. Even though the pragmatist in me knew it would prove fruitless, instead of throwing the feral into the boot of the car, I delivered him into the passenger seat of my vehicle c/- the driver’s door. I attempted to start the vehicle with my right hand while restraining him with my left hand as he lashed out at me with punches and attempted to exit the vehicle from the passenger door. As I knew it would, my not putting him in the boot amounted to an exercise in theatrics rather than a pragmatic solution for delivering this young criminal to the local police station.

The young fellow’s cohorts had meanwhile responded to his screams for assistance and returned not only to the scene of their crime but to the embankment and within a few meters of my car. As my captive ducked according to their instructions, they proceeded to hurl not small rocks at me. Most rocks hit the outside of my car. Perhaps three or four rocks landed inside the car and I was indeed fortunate to escape being struck on the head at close range which may have rendered me unconscious or dead. In the course of the assault I relaxed my grip on my captive and he escaped into the night with his friends. Now together once again, they resumed hurling rocks at both my car and I from the top of the embankment until I drove from the scene.  

I was surprised to discover as I rounded a turn on this same highway, not fifty meters from where the incident had occurred, the spectacle of flashing police lights. I stopped my car behind the police car and ran over to police officers who were taking a statement from the driver and passenger of another vehicle with a smashed front windscreen. It was immediately obvious to me this vehicle had also been the target of rocks thrown from the Durlacher Street Overpass. A quick word with the driver confirmed this. I told the police officers I’d had one of the perpetrators in my custody only moments previously and that the culprits were still in the vicinity of the overpass. The police officers seemed to me to be slow to respond. Instead of taking chase they continued to take their notes and told me to attend the local Police Station to make a statement. I drove directly to the Geraldton Police Station where I made an incident report.

When asked by the police officer at the station if I had sustained any injuries I replied that I had been punched and also kicked in the leg/knee multiple times while wrestling the young fellow down the embankment and into my car. I said my knee was a bit sore but nothing serious. My arms and legs showed some slight redness but there seemed to be no serious injury, yet bruising would not show for at least a day or two.  

It was indeed two or three days later that I began to feel pain in my abdomen and stomach especially when I sat down, stood up or exerted any physical strain. Within a week after the incident I noticed swellings around my stomach. I thought they may be hernias as I had had a hernia repair some twenty years or more previously so I knew what a hernia looked like. I couldn’t understand why this would be the case however as I hadn’t been doing any physical labour around this time. Rather I was only doing sedentary work. I then realised I must have sustained these hernias as a result of my efforts to stop the offenders throwing rocks off the Durlacher Street Overpass. A doctor’s appointment referred me to an Ultra Sound. The Ultra Sound confirmed I had sustained a double hernia: one large, abdominal hernia and, a smaller, umbilical hernia. 

There is no doubt in my mind these hernias were sustained as a result of my having extending myself up the embankment, tackling and then wrestling said perpetrator down the embankment and attempting to restrain him for delivery to the local police. 

My hernias were finally repaired at Geraldton Regional Hospital. Convalescence to light physical work where I could resume usual household duties took about one month. I have a large block that requires regular maintenance. I was able to resume most gardening duties after a few months but will never be able to do some work that was previously effortless. 

Similarly, I’ve been advised, by the operating surgeon that I should never again do isotonic training (i.e. working out with weights at a gym) or any activity that requires excessive physical exertion. Suffice to say my enthusiasm for participating in many physical activities has been impaired or compromised by having sustained said hernias. Furthermore, I have periodic or recurring / intermittent pain in my stomach. I have discovered this is blocked energy as a result of hernia repair scar tissue in a complex and sensitive meridian region. 

Over the course of the years following this incident I have heard reports from various sources including Taxis and Trucks about rocks being thrown from the Durlacher Street Overpass onto traffic below. Considering the danger to public safety, the fact the City Of Greater Geraldton either hasn’t been properly briefed on this issue by Police or has simply failed in their duty to protect the Public Health & Safety is, startling. A channel of communication obviously needs to be established between police and the city council so such issues can be adequately addressed. 

In retrospect I feel I should be compensated for having put myself in harm’s way in the public interest and having sustained injury that has ultimately compromised my employability and quality of life. It also seems to me that unless the city has something similar happen to one of its own inner circle or stands to lose money through a suit for damages or compensation they will not afford the matter attention. 

Yes, Overpass Fencing needs to be erected at Durlacher Street Overpass YESTERDAY.

- TC

Hope brings Geraldton to the world stage

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On July 1 Hope Community Services’ experience in Western Australia was featured  as an international best practice in a panel on social enterprise at the World Expo in Milan. The panel discussed the topic of social enterprise in rural areas and exploring diverse themes such as alternative development, social enterprise start up, permaculture, quality assurance and certification of  “socially conscious” products.

Monica Luppi, Public Relations and Media manager for Hope Community Services, spoke about the unique challenges and opportunities for social enterprise in Western Australia, specifically using the example of Hope Springs Community Farm in Geraldton as an example. The farm was launched almost a year ago and has been collaborating with local non profits and community members  to provide a variety of benefits to the local community, including vocational and life skills training to people in recovery from drug and alcohol issues. Other innovative solutions to complex social issues that were presented included a project that converted illicit crops in northern Thailand into profitable agri-businesses focused on coffee and macadamia and a permaculture farming project in impoverished areas of Brazil.

“It’s a real honor to represent the Midwest on an international level, as a region with a strong sense of community and caring, a forward thinking place with a real knack for innovation”, explained Ms Luppi. “Geraldton is home to a strong network of amazing community organizations, local residents and has such a rich variety in terms of expertise, we are just glad to be able to share  what have accomplished and learnt so far”.

The World Expo is held every five years, the 2010 edition held in Shanghai. The Milan edition’s theme, “Feeding the Planet, energy for life” explores themes around agriculture and sustainability, including social, environmental and economic aspects. A total of 144 countries had pavilions at the event, which runs from May through October. 

Mid West Cat Shelter Cat of the Week

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Our Cat of the Week is available for $100 to the right home. Meet Sweetie!

Sweetie really is a sweetie! She’s very shy but once she learns she can trust you, she’s a very sweet girl.

The adoption fee for our cats is $150 and kittens is $200, (with the exception of Cat of the Week) which includes microchip, sterilization, immunization, vet check, worm and flea treated. That is a huge saving on the vet work alone!

Mid West Cat Shelter Inc is a registered charity whose main objective is to rescue and re-home, lost abandoned and homeless cats and re-home them to responsible pet owners.

We promote sterilization and containment, for the wellbeing of your cat, your neighborhood and the environment. As part of the implementation of the new Cat Act, MWCS has recently received grant funding from the State Government, to provide a sterilization subsidy to low income earners in the City of Greater Geraldton. So if you have an adult cat that is not yet sterilized you can find the Application forms at your local vet.

If you would like to adopt any of our other cats or kittens, visit our website www.midwestcatshelter.com our Facebook page www.facebook.com/midwestcatshelter or phone 0487 193 244 to speak to a coordinator.

Police ask for public's help over rock throwing

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The Geraldton Police have asked the public for their assistance over the large number of rock throwing incidents in the community. 

Police say they have had several reports of rock throwing on roads between the Durlacher Street Overpass on North West Coastal Highway and Utakarra Road, as well as Rangeway and Geraldton-Mt Magnet Road.

A statement from the Geraldton Police said "In order to implement strategies to combat this problem we are seeking the public’s assistance for information on suspicious activity around this problem. If you have information about rock throwing incidents or know someone who may be able to assist with inquiries, please contact Geraldton Police Station on 9923 4555."

Budget at a glance: Rates to rise 3.9% and new tip charges

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Breaking:
Rates will go up 3.9%
$10 per trailer to use the tip 
No verge side pick up any more

The CGG council tonight adopted the budget for the coming financial year. Here's some highlights. We'll publish more soon. 

Budget highlights at glance:
-Total increase in rates revenue limited to 3.9% plus growth.
-It will now cost $10 to use the Meru tip. 
-The verge side pickup is not going to happen any more. 
-Introduction of concessions to soften impact of significant valuation increases.
-Removal of City Centre Specified Area Rate.
-$275,000 for a flood plain management study (grant funded).
-$130,000 allocated to Chapman River Wildlife Corridor and Greenough River.
-$100,000 for Midwest Gascoyne Recovery Project to benefit 19 local
governments.
-Sale of former Greenough Shire office and former Geraldton Depot.
-$4,500,000 to decontaminate Olive Street and provide additional public open
space.
-$50,000 to investigate and establish a Volunteer program.
-$75,000 to fund the HMAS Sydney II 75th anniversary.
-$65,000 for public art.
-$60,000 for an Aboriginal employment and training scheme.
-$150,000 allocated for signature events.
-$94,000 increase in parks maintenance.
-$671,000 increase in road maintenance.
-$182,000 increase in asset management.
-$10,000 for a customer service review.
-$8,000,523 for a Multi User Facility and Youth Precinct on the Foreshore.
-$1,408,000 for 500lux lights at Wonthella Oval.
-$18,071,742 to finalise the Karloo Wandina (Verita Road) Project.
-$7,175,000 for Beresford Foreshore beach protection.
-$1,000,000 for new animal management facility.
-$4,054,700 upgrade to Queens Park Theatre.
-$100,000 Mullewa Transfer Station.
-$486,450 for Town Beach finger jetty upgrade.
-$1,000,000 for Geraldton Airport fire main upgrade.
-$240,000 to provide mobility impaired access to Town Beach.
-$150,000 to refurbish Mullewa Youth Centre.
-$14,458,668 to renew roads and drainage infrastructure.
-$1,693,475 to renew parks and gardens infrastructure.
-$1,701,803 for new roads and drainage infrastructure.
-$1,997,000 to replace ageing plant and equipment.

Why living in Geraldton is amazing

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I had a friend from Perth with me for a couple of days in Geraldton this week. 

While he was in town he made some comments about Geraldton that stood out to me; things that one might take for granted after living in Geraldton for a long time. 

“Everyone’s so friendly”

As we walked along the streets in town, perfect strangers smiled and nodded. My Perth friend was amazed. 

Of course they do, I thought to myself. But watching his constant amazement made me realise this isn't normal. It isn't like this everywhere else. 

“The drivers are courteous”

We had a large vehicle, and more than once friendly drivers let us into traffic. I accepted this as normal, everyday friendliness. But my friend explained to me that would rarely happen in Perth. I suggested to him that everywhere was only 7 minutes away, so drivers generally aren't in a rush. He told me it made him feel guilty and want to be a more courteous driver too.  

“Everyone knows everyone”

At one point my friend spotted a person on the street and began to critique their choice of clothing. I then piped up; "Hey, I know her. That's so and so." I gave a wave and smile. 

After a couple of days of constantly saying hi to people who I knew by name in the street, my friend began to realise that's just what happens in Geraldton. 

Oh, I forgot to mention the glorious winter weather, brilliant coffee, and fast NBN. 

The sense of community is strong, although it's hard measure the way one can measure the crime rate.

Once every city in the world was just a large village, where people knew each other and spoke with each other as they made their way around. 

But in the age of motor cars, freeways, computers and suburbs, one can live in a city of 2 million people and feel completely alone. 

Counter-intuitively, it's easier to have a large number of friends you see regularly in a smaller city like Geraldton, than it is in a large place like Perth or Melbourne. 

As the Geraldton community currently grapples with its share of issues, like increased burglary rates, unemployment, and the cost of living, it's worth keeping in mind the things we posses that can't be measured on a graph. 

Geraldton is special. It's worth protecting. 

Truck driver cut from thrown rocks

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We have just received a report of a truck driver being cut after a window in the truck he was driving was smashed. 

The incident occurred 200m East of the John Willcock overpass.  

According to the report sent to Everything Geraldton, kids were hiding in the bushes.  

The driver reportedly received a cut to his neck. 

 

 

Karl Monaghan Photography – Two Day Landscape Photography Workshop

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Do you have a passion for photography? Are you always looking at expanding your skills and wanting to capture the perfect photo? Then this workshop might be for you. Award winning and accredited professional photographer, Karl Monaghan, and renowned nightscape shooter, Stephen Humpleby, are holding a two day landscape photography workshop on July 4th and July 5th 2015. With expert advise and training, you will learn how to photograph a variety of seascapes and turn them into a work of art.

The workshop will be held in Greenough and will be covering a wide range of techniques and processes including:

  • Creating a Catalogue
  • Using Lightroom Modules
  • Develop Module and RAW Image Adjustments and Local Adjustment Tools
  • Importing Images
  • Using Various Editing Tools – Gradient, Clone, Blur
  • Sharpening and Output
  • Using Adjustment Layers, Highlights and Shadow Control
  • Black and White Conversions
  • Cloning and Removing Objects
  • Manual Focus in the Dark
  • Light Painting – you will also be shooting the Milky Way and Star Trails
  • Editing Techniques for Night Photography

This workshop is only $480 and you will return with a wealth of knowledge and skills for producing fine photography. The workshop is limited to 15 participants so to secure your spot, visit the website where you can read more about it and register online. For more information, contact Karl Monaghan on (08) 9921 3001 or karl@karlmonaghanphotography.com

Click here to visit website

Health Hub Launches Charity

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Left to right, Client Services Team members Michelle O’Brien and Lorraine Bombara, Chiropractor Lisa Naera and Naturopath Charlotte Inwood from Straight Up Health are excited to have launched the charity Health Helping Home to support the efforts of Midwest Charity Begins at Home.

As a health care professional Straight Up Health director and chiropractor Lisa Naera had becomeupset by the frequency and random nature of serious illnesses such as cancer befalling the Mid West community.

Determined to do something to help, and keen to give back to the community that supports her business, Ms Naera and the team at Straight Up Health have launched the charity ‘Health Helping Home’ to provide funding to Midwest Charity Begins at Home (MWCBH), which provides financial support to people struck by serious illness.

To raise money the Straight Up Health team will block out four days a year and commit those days to seeing only new patients or clients.

The new clients will pay the normal consultation fee on the day, but Straight Up Health will donate 100 per cent of that fee to MWCBH. Clients are considered new even if they have visited Straight Up Health before, but seen a different practitioner within the practice. The first ‘new client day’ is Saturday July 25.

“These are going to be huge events, and if you and our community will support us, we think we can raise $15,000 every year to help families in the Mid West to get through a horrible time,” Ms Naera said.

Ms Naera said she wanted to support MWCBH as a way of giving back to the Mid West community, and because of the way serious illness can strike without warning.

“It just comes all at once,” she said.

“One minute they are ticking along just fine, and the next, they are diagnosed with something horrible. It could be you or me, or someone in our family. It’s scary.

“And then, the reality of the situation hits. Who is going to pay the bills when the ones that earn the money can’t work? How do they pay for the trips down and back from Perth, or the place they have to stay when they are down there? What happens to the kids? School fees, mortgages, car payments and all the other costs of living. What if there is no insurance? What happens then?”

The volunteer-run MWCBH has raised and donated more than $1.2 million dollars and helped ease the financial burden of serious illness for 110 Mid West familiessince it started eight years ago.

Ms Naera urged new clients to book early for the first ‘new client day’ clinic on July 25 to help raise money for MWCBH.

“Please come and support us,” she said.

“We all know how quickly things can change in life. If it was you, you’d be so thankful for the help in bad times.”

Straight Up Health is Geraldton’snatural health and wellness hub. It offers chiropractors, a naturopath, nurse practitioner, midwife and doula, exercise therapist and a personal life coach and parenting specialist.

It also provides workshops on homoeopathic remedies, making your own non-toxic skin, tooth and hair products, healthy eating, diabetes control, parenting, as well as Qi–gung and yoga classes.

For more information and to book your new client consult contact Straight Up Health on 9964 4205, email appointments@straightuphealth.com.au

Skin – A Universal Approach welcome new Beauty Therapist

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Kellie Carey will be joining Skin – A Universal Approach on July 1st  2015 and will be bringing in an array of beauty treatments and services, such as waxing, facials, manicures and pedicures. 

Kellie has a Diploma in Beauty Therapy, TAFE lecturing qualifications and has been in the beauty therapy industry for over 12 years. When the amazing Kellie joins their team, she brings with her the full ENVIRON range of skincare and treatments, along with Nail Tech services. 

Skin is now taking bookings for Kellie’s services on (08) 9965 4737. Phone today for further enquiries.


Everything you need to know about NBN

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It’s fast, it’s reliable and it’s exciting!

It’s been the talk of the town for some time but now you can have all your questions answered at a free National Broadband Network community information session.

Greater Geraldton residents are invited to the free community information session on Tuesday, 30 Juneat the Geraldton Regional Library from 3-6pm.

As the result of some very strong lobbying from the City, Geraldton householders will be one of few communities across Australia to receive the benefit of full fibre to their premise.

This ensures lighting fast internet speeds and presents some great opportunities to those who operate home based businesses.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Ian Carpenter, said it was important for locals to get the information they needed regarding their network and this was the opportune time.

“Some landlines will be affected and this is the opportunity for people to learn about the future of their existing services,” he said.

“We don’t want people to be left in the dark so I would encourage all those with questions and queries about the NBN to come along so they are fully aware of future changes.”

The NBN is replacing most existing networks, so to keep using affected services, you need to move them to the NBN before they’re switched off.

Some existing landline networks for phone and internet services are scheduled to be switched off and replaced by the NBN in parts of Geraldton on July 10, 2015.

You can find out more about the NBN services at the free community information session.

It is open to all local residents and businesses. Retail service providers will be in attendance so you can drop in for a chat at any time – there is no need to make an appointment.

For more information about the event visit the City website at www.cgg.wa.gov.au

Street fight results in multiple arrests with Bucky's assistance

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Three men have been charged after a fight at the intersection of Utakarra Rd and Rifle Range Rd was broken up by Police last night. 

According to Police, around 9:30pm on Thursday night (25/6/15) the Police Canine Unit was conducting patrols in Rangeway when they say they spotted three males fighting. 

Despite intervening and requesting the men to stop, the fight continued with the men yelling and swearing at the Police. 

Police arrested one of the men, and a second man decided it was a good idea to try and intervene in the arrest, according to Police. Bucky the Police Dog assisted with the arrest of the second man. 

A 30 year old male will face Geraldton Magistrates Court on 16 July facing charges of disorderly conduct and obstruct police.

A 29 year old male from Karloo will also face Geraldton Magistrates Court on this day facing charges of obstruct police.

A 48 year old male from Rangeway will be summonsed and face Geraldton Magistrates Court on charges of disorderly conduct at a future date. 

Swell of the decade

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Yikes!

Bonnie Christian and Nicolas Perpitch for the ABC: 

 West Australian surfers from Margaret River to Gnaraloo are preparing for massive waves ahead of what is being billed "the swell of the decade".

Quoting Paul Vivers from BOM:

"Out at the Abrolhos Islands you'll be expecting swells of five metres on average, so you know there could be possible 30-foot waves out there occasionally as a result of this"

Click here for full story.