To celebrate 150 years of The Salvation Army, Geraldton Salvos will hold an open day on Sunday 25th October 12 noon till 4:30. Lots of FREE activities including a BBQ , jumping castle and cake. (See poster for more details)
Member for Durack Melissa Price is encouraging families in Durack to apply for the Australian Government’s new Nanny Pilot Programme, with applications only open for a few more days.
Ms Price said the pilot will greatly benefit families who struggle to access child care because of where they live or the hours they work.
“We know the cost and accessibility of child care is a barrier for parents in Durack who want to work or work more hours or those who work shifts—like police officers, hospitality workers, nurses and emergency workers,” Ms Price said.
“The Nanny Pilot Programme will help families meet the cost of using a nanny, making an additional form of subsidised care available to families.
“This two-year $246 million pilot will help the Government determine how to provide more equitable support for those families to access child care in their family home that meets their circumstances.
“This is a great opportunity for parents who need to use a nanny, and I encourage families in Durack to put in their applications as soon as possible so they don’t miss out. Families have until 30 October to apply.”
Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham said the Nanny Pilot Programme was part of the Australian Government’s Jobs for Families package.
“The Australian Government is investing almost $40 billion in child care over the next four years, including an extra $3.5 billion into the Jobs for Families package to make child care simpler, more affordable and more flexible for families,” Minister Birmingham said.
“Our Jobs for Families package will encourage an estimated 240,000 families to increase their involvement in paid work, including almost 38,000 jobless families.”
Families are eligible for the Nanny Pilot Programme if they earn less than $250,000, both parents (or in the case of a sole parent family, the sole parent) work, train or study at least eight hours a fortnight, and at least one parent is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Applications for families close on Friday 30 October.
For further information visit: dss.gov.au/nannypilot or by phoning 1800 249 873 (business hours)
9 Mile through to Greenough is fishing well with Mulloway to 10-14kg and Tailor from 50-70 cm
Greenough 1-2 point are also holding plenty of tailor, South gate has been the hot spot at the moment with 3 mulloway caught in three mornings all over the 15kg mark School mackies are still coming from this area with consistent catches of Tailor.
ROSNE WITH A 19KG MULLOWAY
Separation Point is also fishing well for whiting and tailor and if you’re after a feed of herring PointMoore is the place to be, also Squid have been found in this area.
Drummonds cove has also been a hot spot for tailor with anglers catching there bag limit regularly
JONO AND A MATES BAGGING OUT ON THE TAILOR
ROSNE WITH ANOTHER IMPRESSIVE MULLOWAY
With the Greenough river out of action people are turning to the chapman river and it hasn’t disappointed with good fish from the 35cm mark and Giant herring cruising the river as well, please be mindful that the Chapman is a small system and should be fished with respect as cannot handle the pressure of fishing with the Greenough river out of action.
DANIAL WITH A SOLID 35CM PB BREAM ON HARD BODY LURE
IZZY WITH A THUMPER BREAM ONYA MATE
The Fisherman’s wharf has started to fire up with big bream to 35cm holding tight to structure and tailor to 4ocm around the light feeding on baitfish there are also Big Cod around but do not keep these fish as they a Demersal
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FISH REPORT WRITTEN BY
CRAIG WISE
20 ANZAC TERRACE GERALDTON WA
08 99216822
THIS IS AN OPEN LETTER TO CYCLISTS RIDING ON HEAVY HAULAGE ROUTES DURING PEAK PERIODS.
I am an open minded wife of a farmer who is currently carting canola to Geraldton.
I love physical activity, slow down to pass cyclists safely and value humanity.
The emotion I observed in my husband whilst listening to the ABC Rural Report this morning was overwhelming. Truck drivers and farmers are very connected to land and life. They have families and they feel profound responsibility. They quite simply do not want to kill someone.
We all have a right to use the roads. We are all happy to share. We all have a responsibility to ourselves and our fellow human beings.
I would like to invite cyclists to come ride with us. The passenger seat in our road train is empty and you are welcome to sit in it and experience being part of 79t moving down a tired road without sealed verges at 90km/hr. Passing another truck with 1m between you is something to behold. Heaven forbid doing so over a bridge. Seeing a cyclist evokes the kind of stress that few would admit to but I can tell you that it is very real.
I would like to encourage other farmers and truck drivers to make the same offer. This is not an opportunity to berate each other. This is an opportunity to practice radical honesty. This is jumping in the passenger seat to connect with another human being who is having a different experience to you whilst using the same piece of infrastructure. Another human being who has just as much right to be there as you. Another human being who is genuinely concerned for your welfare. Another human being who has a family. Another human being who doesn’t want to end up broken after taking someone’s life whilst trying to make a living.
We all have rights. We also have responsibilities to each other.
A suggestion has been made that reducing the speed limit by 30km/hr would make our roads safer. Assuming this suggestion is limited only to heavy haulage vehicles, I would argue that it may make them more dangerous. The roads in question are well worn and do not have large sealed verges. Slower moving heavy vehicles would encourage smaller vehicles to overtake in less than desirable locations on a road that is precarious at best. “The braking distance of a loaded road train is about 70 metres if the vehicle is travelling at 60 kilometres per hour. That distance increases to 170 metres when the speed is 90 Kph.”http://bit.ly/1kxQpiC. Yes – that is a significant difference but I’m not sure if 70 meters is really enough time to stop on these roads and I would question the accuracy of these figures. I have attended a defensive driving school and stood on the side of a road whilst an ex-policeman/paramedic drove a car at 110km/hr and braked to a stop. None of us guessed the distance it would take accurately. We are literally talking about the difference between dead and deader.
Agriculture and farmers are the reason why Chapman Valley Road and Morrell Road exist. The licence fees paid by small vehicle users or land rates of those residing on rural residential blocks in Chapman Valley could not possibly cover the cost of maintaining such infrastructure.
It costs $12 314.10 to licence our roadtrain (prime mover with two trailors) which carts grain to Geraldton.
Last financial year, our farming enterprise outlayed $21 401.37 to the Department of Transport for annual licences.
The typical family with two 4WD vehicles and a trailor pays $1636.35 annually to licence these vehicles. Bicycles incur no licence fees.
This is not an open letter written to antagonise or point the finger at anyone. I am appealing to all road users to walk a mile in each other’s shoes and seriously consider whether riding bicycles on Heavy Haulage routes during the harvest period is an absolutely necessary activity. It is only 10 weeks of the year.
Please think about your comments - lets find a balance together through mutual respect.
Come ride with us – I’m about to jump in right now!
Renaye Stokes
City of Greater Geraldton’s Michele McGinity, Jamie Robertson from 361 Degrees, Janell Kopplhuber from the City of Greater Geraldton and Johnathon Woolsrey and Debra Zanella from Hope Community Service.
The City of Greater Geraldton and Hope Community Services received national recognition at the International Association of Public Participation - IAP2 Conference for projects enabling the community to have their say.
The City won the ‘Smart Budget’ award for the Community Summit held in March earlier this year.
City Mayor, Shane Van Styn, said the priority list of non-mandatory services co-created by the community during the Summit was an important document Council used to inform the 2015/16 budget.
“In the past months the City and Council has been impacted by reductions in State and Federal Government grants, increased utility costs, a growing backlog of infrastructure renewals and an outcry from the community to keep rate rises down,” he said.
“The priority list was an important piece of information that assisted Council in deciding which services we will continue to deliver and those we will reduce or discontinue altogether when determining the 2015/16 budget.”
Hope Community Services and 361 Degrees won the Highly Commended Award for Health for their community engagement process around the establishment of the Hope Springs Community Farm, a social enterprise in Walkaway that provides professional and life skills training for people affected by alcohol and other drug issues in a farm setting.
Hope Community Services CEO, Debra Zanella, said in order to be successful, the project would have to be of benefit to, and involve the whole community.
“We were encouraged by the support we got from Geraldton residents, local community groups, teachers, members of the church and business owners. Over the last year we have striven to provide information in a way that was accessible to everyone, listen to input and address any concerns and we will continue to do so moving forward through six monthly updates on our progress to meeting our commitments to the community,” she said.
“To ensure this conversation continues we have established a Community Farm Reference Group comprised of community members, rehabilitation residents and staff, held a community workshop where information on the project was shared which resulted in a unique model for the farm that blended the complimentary elements of a community farm with the traditional therapeutic community model – a proposition unique in the rehabilitation sector in Australia.”
The City is pleased to see other organisations not only choosing to engage with the community but to be doing it so well.
“It is very encouraging to see organisations like Hope Community Services engaging so well with our community and congratulations on receiving national recognition for their efforts,” said Mayor Van Styn.
“I’d also like to congratulate City staff who were involved in the Summit and thank them for their dedication and ongoing commitment to engage with our community. It is great to see our City recognised for punching above our weight, at the national level.”
WA Labor Shadow Minister for Tourism, Corrective Services and Defence Issues, Paul Papalia will visit Geraldton in early November.
Paul was born in Bunbury and raised in Burekup. He joined the Navy at 15 years of age and remained in the military for 26 years.
During this time, Paul became a Navy Clearance Diver, served in the counter terrorist squadron of the Special Air Service Regiment and was deployed twice to Iraq on operations.
After leaving the military in 2004 he worked with his wife in small business and was elected to the Parliament in 2007
Agricultural Region MLC Darren West said he was delighted to have Paul Papalia in the MidWest for a two day visit on November 4 and 5 to meet with community groups and stakeholders.
“Investment in the Mid-West has virtually stopped under the Barnett Liberal/National Government and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to not only outline areas of need but also to also give stakeholders the opportunity to meet with the Shadow Minister,” he said.
Paul will be attending a “Pollies in the Pub” at the Camel Bar to answer questions and meet with members of the community. Everyone is welcome.
Mr West said that anyone interested in meeting with Paul at the “Pollies in the Pub should contact his office on 9964 1001.
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At a time when the pressures on families are high and services in regional communities are stretched, more than ever we need the facilities promised by the Liberal National Government here in Geraldton. In particular the dedicated acute mental health facility that was promised to enable people to be treated locally rather than have to transfer to Perth.
The effects of mental health are far reaching and is an Australia-wide problem that impacts on all of us.
As reported in a recent article1- delays, indecision and a lack of political will is part of the crisis Australia faces dealing with mental health. The article also lists 10 telling facts that were tabled to the Senate Select Health committee including:
Over a lifetime, nearly half of the Australian adult population will experience mental illness at some point—equating to nearly 7.3 million Australians aged 16 to 85. Less than half will access treatment.
It is the ability to access local facilities that is at issue here. We need increased services to take the pressure from current providers and to enable people to be treated closer to their home.
Only recently this very news outlet was involved in a siege that took place in Geraldton – the lack of local support being one of the reasons cited.
The Ice Summit held in Geraldton in June enabled community members and service providers to relay how ice has impacted on people’s lives. What was made clear from their stories is that this is a complex problem that needs to be addressed at multiple levels. It is a social problem that impacts on community, legal, education and health systems.
When community services are lacking, the hospital system bears the brunt. Locally the emergency department is dealing with daily presentations from people with drug and alcohol related problems that consumes a disproportionate amount of services.
There were calls at the summit for local mental health services so that people can receive initial and ongoing treatment locally. And there have also been calls in the local media by the medical profession to establish a specialist mental unit in Geraldton as a matter of priority.
Back in August 30, 2013 the Minister for Mental Health told the community that Geraldton was her first priority for an acute mental health facility given that at that time, “the number of patients flown from Geraldton to Perth for treatment had increased by 80 per cent over the three years she had been Minister”. That commitment was reaffirmed in December 2013.
Then in March this year the Minister gave a watered down commitment that Geraldton would receive 21 hospital beds for mental health patients and 12 beds for alcohol and drug rehabilitation – subject to Cabinet approval.
Despite these commitments there is no funding in the 2015/16 Budget and it is doubtful that the community will ever see these vital services under the Liberal/Nationals’ watch.
But of course there are many contributing factors to mental health other than alcohol and drugs.
Earlier this year we saw the closure of the Mid-West Men’s Health following the withdrawal of State Government funding.
Men are traditionally not the best at accessing support services but Mid-West Men’s Health provided the help needed across the community. The location was also ideal and could be visited with a degree of anonymity.
We believe that the Government needs to fulfil its promise to the community, provide the funding and get on with it. The Mid-West can’t afford to wait any longer.
This needs to be made abundantly clear to the Premier and the Minister during their upcoming Cabinet meeting in Geraldton later this month. They should make good on their promises to the community to build a facility for acute and other mental health patients.
Our community deserves better than the hollow promises made so far. Trying to squeeze mental health services into the already under pressure health facilities will not do.
If this raises any issues for you or someone you know, call:
Darren West MLC
On Friday 16 October 2015 Geraldton Police arrested a 52 year old male in Rangeway who was conveyed to Geraldton Police Station where he participated in an interview regarding an assault involving a machete.
Police allege the 52 year old entered the victim’s yard via the rear gate and approached another male who was sitting out the back celebrating at birthday party with a group of friends. Police believe the 52 year old and the victim are known to each other.
It is further alleged, the 52 year old struck the male twice before being fended off by other guests at the party.
The 52 year old male from Geraldton was charged with Acts with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm and will appear at Geraldton Magistrates Court.
On Saturday 17 October 2015 Geraldton Police stopped a vehicle on Chapman Road, Bluff Point. Police conducted a drug swipe on the 33 year old female driver which indicated positive for Methamphetamine. During a search of the driver, police allege they located approximately 1.2 grams of Methamphetamine and 1.4 grams of Cannabis in her possession.
The female who is from Wonthella has been charged with 2 x Possess Prohibited Drug and will appear at Geraldton Magistrates Court.
There may be further charges relating to driving offences pending further inquiry.
To celebrate the 47th Fremantle to Geraldton Ocean Classic the Foreshore will come alive for a day of fun as part of the Geraldton Yacht Club’s Open and Try Sailing Day.
On Sunday, 25 October from 7am to 5pm, the public is invited to join in a jam packed day of activities which include jet packs, yoga, Kite West demonstrations, lots of local entertainment and fun for all the whole family plus - you can try sailing a boat!
Mayor Shane Van Styn said he encourages locals to get down and support the iconic race and enjoy the huge amount of activities that will be on offer.
“The City of Greater Geraldton is proud to be supporting a race that has been around nearly 50 years,” he said.
“This year we will be having a huge celebration on the Foreshore for all the community to enjoy.
“And if you’ve ever wanted to try sailing – here’s your chance to come and have a go!”
The City has partnered with Geraldton Yacht Club and South of Perth Yacht Club to bring the Fremantle to Geraldton Ocean Classic back to our shore.
The iconic off shore yacht race will kick off from Fremantle on Friday, 23 October and is expected to bring a fleet of approximately 20 boats to Geraldton.
With a total of 250 nautical miles of what can be very challenging and treacherous waters skirting some of Australia’s most stunning coastline, the final destination of Geraldton is sure to put on a spectacular show before the yachts return to Fremantle on Friday, 30 October.
Geraldton MLA Ian Blayn ey has welcomed the announcement of ongoing funding for Geraldton’s Women’s Health Resource Centre and Chrysalis House.
“These two agencies offer important services for women in the Midwest.
“WHRC provides clinical services, counselling programs, unplanned pregnancy support and counselling, health promotions as well as the Mum’s Matter Program and complimentary health services,” said Mr Blayney.
“Chrysalis House is a safe non-judgmental environment providing shelter and refuge as well as outreach services for women.”
“I am very pleased that the important work carried out by these agencies has been acknowledged,” said Mr Blayney.
The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise residents of the demolition of the Back Beach toilet blocks on Monday 26 October. Temporary toilets will be in place prior to the demolition taking place and will continue to be provided during the construction process.
The works are expected to take approximately three days to complete. Construction of the new toilet blocks will commence once demolition is complete.
New toilet blocks are scheduled for completion by the end of January 2016.
For further information contact the City of Greater Geraldton on (08) 9956 6600, email to council@cgg.wa.gov.au, or visit the City’s website at www.cgg.wa.gov.au.
Tickets for Star Wars: The Force Awakens are available to purchase now between the 17th-23rd of December. Unfortunately due to the high demand this film will bring, the studio will not allow gift vouchers to be exchanged for tickets to the film until it's 3rd week of release. Tickets will be available online in the next few days but people can come into the cinema between the hours of 10-3:45 and 5:30-11 on weekdays and 12:30-11 on weekends to purchase tickets.
All of us at Rigters would like to give a big thank you to the people of Geraldton!
You helped us to achieve our $10,000 fundraising target as part of Chevron’s City to Surf for Activ – And we got a much better response than we could have hoped for!
Manuel from the Activ Foundation came up from Perth to collect the cheque.
A huge thanks from all of us at the Rigters Group!
First of all to outgoing Mayor - Ian Carpenter
Over the 10 years you have served on Council and being the Mayor since 2007 you have always been a hardworking diligent servant to the community who has set the bar of work ethic very high. Your honesty and integrity is beyond reproach and is something I will uphold.
You have always conducted yourself as a statesman and I will do my best to emulate that. You have truly left me with very big shoes to fill and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing me what the traits of a great Mayor are.
To the outgoing Councillors
To Jerry Clune, Peter Fiorenza, Richard DeTrafford and Des Brick (retired) thankyou for all your hard work and service to the community.
To the returned Councillors
To Cr Neil MacIllwaine, Cr Tarleah Thomas, (Both of which won unopposed) and Cr Bob Hall it is great to see you all back.
To the incoming Councillors
To Cr Michael Reymond, Cr Graeme Bylund (Welcome back), Cr Lewis Freer, Cr Renee Ellis, well done to you all on being elected. I look forward to getting to know you and working with you all collaboratively.
To the ongoing Councillors
To Cr Jennifer Critch, Cr Steve Douglas, Cr Victor Tanti, Cr Simon Keemink, Cr Laurie Graham and Cr David Cauldwell I too look forward to working you all in my new role as Mayor
To the other mayoral candidates
To Rob Jefferies, Gavin Hirschhausen and Shane Hill. It really was a strong field and Geraldton should feel proud of attracting you all as candidates.
To the staff of the City of Greater Geraldton
There has been much talk of change during the campaign and I will allow the recent wave of change time to make its mark financially and for people to settle in to the current new structure.
We will look for continued efficiencies but in a way that staff welfare is placed at the forefront of our mind, after all we cannot deliver the essential services our City requires without you.
To my supporters in this election
To my letter folding team: Marika Smith, Nardia, Chris and the Stephenson family, Adair Gillan and family, Sun City Security staff and Johnny Cartwright. Thankyou for putting up with all the paper cuts.
To the many people who voted for me, thankyou for your vote of confidence.
To the people who did not vote for me, I ask only for a chance to earn your respect through working hard and listening to your concerns. Your feedback is always most welcome.
My final thanks to my Mum who made it all the way up to Geraldton from Mandurah to see me being sworn in, thankyou.
Finally to Greater Geraldton
It really is a great privilege to be elected to serve the community as your Mayor and I promise I will not let you all down.
Shane Van Styn
Mayor of the City of Greater Geraldton
Written and Authorised by Shane Van Styn, 51 Gregory Street Geraldton WA 6530
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The City of Geraldton has announced the election winners:
The results are in and the new Mayor is Shane Van Styn.
Councillor winners by ward are as follows:
Chapman Ward: Lewis Freer
Willcock Ward: Renee Ellis
Hills Ward: Michael Reymond
Port Ward: Bob Hall
Champion Bay Ward: Graeme Bylund
The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise residents to stay out of the water at Greenough River and other local rivers due to potential contamination.
The water is unsafe for swimming, especially if you put your head under the water.
There has been a number of fish that have died, suspected of having a common fish virus so as a precaution, do not eat any fish from local rivers.
Any dead fish found should not be touched or handled as they could pose a biological hazard and may be covered in bacteria.
Testing will be conducted in the Greenough River to determine the health risks, and until results can be obtained residents are asked to refrain from water activities until further notice.
Other health risks of swimming in these natural waters can include infection by protozoa such as amoeba which can lead to various illnesses.
Permanent health warning signs exist at sites along the Chapman and Greenough River warning of this risk.
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