Our experience at the Wintersun

I just wanted to finish off my night writing a few words about The Wintersun restaurant. After being recommended this recently refurbished family friendly restaurant, my wife decided to take myself along with our son (4) and daughter (3).

We ordered our meals and were offered pencils and colouring in sheets that occupied the kiddies. Meals arrived with 3 waitresses presenting the dishes all ready to go, nobody had to wait watching the others eat.

No sooner did we start eating our meals (I had a perfectly cooked steak and my wife had "the best chilly mussels ever"), that my son had an accident. He had rocked on his chair, slipped causing the chair to flip out with him crashing to the floor. He was soon followed by his bowl of pasta that shook hands with his head, resulting in a split on his scalp...and a good measure of blood.

The staff jumped into action assisting my wife and I. The recently first aid trained staff member (that I regret not asking her name) was phenomenal at reassuring my wife it was going to be ok. Confidence with her first aid and strategically offered Freddo frogs quickly resolved matters. We were additionally presented with a fresh bowl of pasta (at no charge).

We would like to sincerely offer a whole hearted thank you to all the staff at The Wintersun Hotel. We will definitely be returning. The friendly, efficient and extremely helpful staff made our experience one to remember. Given that one day we will have to explain were my son got that scar from, one not to forget either.

Thanks
Grant and Cathy

"Just finished harvesting"

Anthony Johnson shared this with Everything Geraldton:

"Hey guys just finished harvesting last load into Yuna! 800kgs on the ute! With Reece Jones"

Greenough River Re-Opens

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise that there is no health hazard present at the Greenough River.

Since the river was declared closed on 15 October, bacterial samples were taken to assess the water quality for recreational use at the time of the incident as well as one week after; results have now been received and show that there is no health hazard present. 

While the results from the samples taken show no harmful bacteria is present, there are general health risks of swimming in these natural waters and permanent health warning signs exist at Greenough River, Chapman River and Ellendale Pool.

The health risks mainly exist to people or animals that drink the water or place their head under the water where water could rush up the nose; which could result in illnesses such as amoebic meningitis or bacterial infections.

Further information is available through the Healthy WA website.

http://healthywa.wa.gov.au/Healthy-WA/Articles/A_E/Amoebic-meningitis

http://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/Corporate/Articles/A_E/Bacterial-water-quality

Reflections on growing up in Geraldton and leaving

Name, date of birth and place of birth. Three questions asked repeatedly throughout my life. It is so ingrained into me, that I can write it down in less than ten seconds. It has become part of who I am just because I’m reminded so often. Like an immigrant is so often asked where they come from, so am I. It’s just that my place of birth doesn't resonate in people’s memories. 

The place of birth is Geraldton. 

And for the first eighteen years of my life, home was Geraldton. 

I learnt to walk and talk in Geraldton.

I made friends in Geraldton.

I passed my driving test in Geraldton.

I graduated in Geraldton.

Then my future was finally in reach, in my own hands. I could go anywhere, do anything, be anyone, whenever I wanted.

The world was my oyster and Geraldton was blocking me in.

I applied and got accepted into university in Perth. Started to travel; Australia and overseas. Made new friends, lost old friends. Got a puppy. Rented a house. Two years passed in ‘The big smoke’ but still it did not feel like home. 

Just recently in one of my uni classes we were discussing rural versus city education. I was the only one in my class that did not graduate in a Perth high school. They talked about the weekend classes teachers organised, and resources and people they had available. School swimming pools, numerous unit options, high quality teachers and the list went on. They had so much more to take for granted than I could even imagine.

But then I realised something else. 

I learnt more in my eighteen years in Geraldton then they could ever learn. 

I learnt how to get past the furnace sand to the beach without getting blisters.

How to go fishing and crabbing.

To climb trees, and ride bikes on sand.

To find an outfit that works from only a handful of shops. 

To keep my word, and always be on time.

To make friends and keep friends.

To be in the moment (And why not? Everything is only five minutes away).

To teach myself and do the best with what is at hand.

To put family first, friends second and to love myself and everything else will fall in place.

To always come prepared, but to live spontaneously.

To bring sunscreen and bathers no matter what they say.

The list is endless.

Geraldton has the lifestyle, the beaches, the ranges. It is undeniably beautiful. But what I miss is what I used to hate. How simple it is.

Geraldton was my home. It probably won't be again. But I thank Geraldton, and all its people I met in those eighteen years. Geraldton was not blocking me in. Rather, it was my starting point, and looking back, I could not have hoped for better. 

World Lung Cancer And COPD Day – Walk For Awareness Tues 17th Nov 11 AM

This event is aimed at getting as many people as possible out walking to raise awareness of Lung Cancer, COPD, Lung and Respiratory Diseases, to spread the message that there are things you can do to reduce breathlessness and support groups like Yarraly available to all.

It doesn’t matter how far or little people can walk. Australian Lung Foundation will add up the distances walked by each participant across the country and track these on our On-line Map. A gold coin donation is all it costs to participate.

The walking event will be held in the park on the foreshore just north of Dome with participants doing laps beginning and ending at an information table. The idea is that groups are able to measure out and record the distances completed so that these can be tracked on Lung Foundation On-line Map.

All we need to do is –

• The walking event - This has been organized for Tuesday 17th Nov 
• The event is held at – Foreshore just North of Dome – 11am
• Measure out some distances – 25m, 50m, 100m, 300m, 500m 1km and provide walkers with a Participation Form
• A gold Coin donation will be requested by all participants – this will go to the Australian Lung Foundation.
• Invite a local politician or celebrity to participate or any members of other groups that you might be involved with, work colleagues etc. It will only be an hour out of their day, but could end up saving a life.
• If unable to attend the Foreshore possible measure a distance in the office and get staff to do a walk and send through total distance and donations.
• Invite local journalists to cover the event (provide them with the Media Press Release prior to the event)
• An information desk for passers by will be set up to let them know about COPD and Lung Cancer. This is World Lung Cancer Awareness day.
• Get as many participants in the walk and submit your group’s distance via the On-line Map Tracker – contact Michelle to upload. 0432580613
• Lung function screening, tests undertaken on the day – The Respiratory Nurse at the Geraldton Regional Hospital will be conducting the screenings on the day for us from 11 - 1.

If anyone would like to order Green TShirts as worn in above photo they are $10 ea.

Lungs in Action TShirt

Or a white or black Lungs in Action TShirt these are $18

Show Us your Lungs T Shirt

These Show Us your Lungs T Shirts are $30

These can be ordered by yourself directly with the Australian Lung Foundation or we can take your orders and make one bulk order. Size range for XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL. We will need numbers very quickly to ensure that they don’t get sold out and that the order has time to be sent across to us here in Geraldton.

If we could all please get behind this important event and support it would be great. Our lungs are so important to life yet get very little recognition.

Addressing Huff & Puff in Our Community

Yarraly – Midwest Lung and Respiratory Support Group Geraldton, helps raise awareness this World COPD Day with a Walk for Awareness on 17th Nov 11am – 12pm, on the Grassed Area North of the Dome Geraldton.  The will also be information displays at Geraldton Regional Hospital Foyer both on the 17th – World Lung Cancer Day and the 18th – World COPD Day.  Free Spirometry (lung Testing) will be done at the hospital on 17th November.

To mark World COPD Day (18 November), Lung Foundation Australia is encouraging all Australians over the age of 35 to take breathlessness seriously and ask their health professional for a lung health check.

“Contrary to what people think, breathlessness is not a normal part of ageing.  Feeling out of breath is a symptom - a symptom not to be ignored,” said Professor Christine McDonald, Respiratory Physician at Austin Hospital, Melbourne.

“When we exercise it is normal to huff and puff and experience breathlessness. That feeling of being out of breath is temporary and, with rest, our breathing returns to normal.  If you are feeling breathless when doing simple activities like walking up a flight of stairs, it’s time to see your health professional because you could have COPD,” she said.  

COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a progressive long term disease of the lungs which causes shortness of breath1.  

Yarraly – Midwest Lung and Respiratory Support Group in conjunction with GRH Rehab Physio Dept is raising awareness of the prevalence and impact of COPD.

Yarraly – Midwest Lung and Respiratory Support Group representative said, “We want everyone in Geraldton who is more breathless than others their age or who has a cough that won’t go away to get a lung health check by visiting their health professional.”

Lung Foundation Australia estimates that approximately 1.45 million Australians have some form of COPD.2,3 This represents approximately one in seven Australians aged 40 and over.2

Lung Foundation CEO, Heather Allan, said that over 750,000 Australians2,3have COPD that has progressed to a stage at which symptoms, such as breathlessness may already be present and affecting their daily lives.  “Half of these people do not have a doctor’s diagnosis of COPD and are therefore not taking the important steps to slow down the progression of the disease.4 “

In Australia, COPD is the fifth leading cause of death5.

If you are 35 years or older and have a history of smoking or had occupational exposure to dust, gas and/or fumes and you have a persistent cough with or without phlegm or are more breathless than others your age, it is recommended you speak to your health professional for a lung health check.

Lung Foundation Australia encourages everyone to take a couple of minutes to do a simple online lung health checklist at www.lunghealthchecklist.com.au  and to join a local World COPD Day event to help raise awareness of COPD. 

---

World COPD Day Local Event Activity Details:

What: Walk for Awareness
Where: Grassed Area north of Dome
When: 17th November 2015 at 11am
Cost (if any): Gold Coin donation
Contact: Michelle0432580613

What: Display and Information Booths – Also free Lung Testing on 17th Nov
Where: Geraldton Regional Hospital Foyer
When: 17 and 18th November 2015
Cost (if any):  No Cost
Contact: Michelle0432580613

Roadwork on Cathedral Avenue-Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd of Nov

The City of Greater Geraldton will be conducting works on Saturday 21-11-15 on Cathedral Ave between Sanford st and Chapman rd.

As such there will be a partial road closure in place.

Traffic will be permitted from the Chapman rd intersection south onto Cathedral Ave heading towards Brand Hwy.

Traffic heading north on approach to Sanford st on Cathedral ave will be diverted down Sanford st.

Please follow Detour signs and Traffic control.

The SGIO car park will be closed to the public on this day. Closure of the car park will commence Friday night at 8pm.

For further details please feel free to ring Stewie from Tru-line on 0409119265.

Changes to Transwa Sunday bus service

Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney has welcomed Transport Minister Dean Nalder’s decision to make changes to two of Transwa’s weekend bus services.

“Transwa have decide to terminate the Sunday service from Perth to Leeman. The last service will be on Sunday 6 December 2015.

“This service will be replaced with an additional Perth to Geraldton service, which will operate along Indian Ocean Drive.

This service will commence from Sunday, 13 December 2015.

“The northbound Sunday service will depart East Perth station at 9:30am (Joondalup at 10:00am) and arrive in Geraldton at 3:25pm

“The southbound Sunday service will depart Geraldton at 9:30am and arrive at East Perth at 3:25pm.

“These new services will be advertised soon.

“I am very pleased that Minister Nalder has made these changes in response to my representations on behalf of constituents, who use these services regularly. The new times are more consumer friendly and will assist people who wish to travel to Perth for the weekend,” said Mr Blayney.

74th HMAS Sydney II Memorial Service parking

As part of the 74th HMAS Sydney II Memorial Service which will be held on Thursday 19 November, the City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise that Gummer Avenue Carpark will be closed to traffic from 4:30pm to 8pm.

Parking is provided at the QEII Community and Seniors Centre where the City has provided a free shuttle bus service, departing from the centre between 5pm – 5:50pm and returning at 7.30pm.

It is recommended that those people wishing to attend the ceremony allow themselves extra time in order to avoid arriving late.

The service will commence at 5:50pm.

Final results of the Geraldton Croquet Club Spring Pennants

The victorious Blue Team, l-r Ken Morris, Maureen Edwards, Margaret Stokes and Ruth Shave.

The third and deciding round of Spring Pennants was played on 14th November 2015. The results are as follows: 

Blue Team won the Pennant by winning 11 games with a total score of 98 hoops

Black Team won 10 games, also with 98 hoops.

Red Team won 9 games with 88 hoops, and

Yellow Team won 6 Games with 58 hoops.

 Round Three game details:

Yellow Team: l - r Jenny, Wendy, Sheryl & Coralie. (Jenny substituted for Colin in round one)

Blue Team: l - r  Margaret, Maureen E, Ken & Ruth

Red Team: l - r Rhonda, Kay C, Pamela & Sandra. (Beth substituted for Pamela in final)

Black Team: l - r Maureen N, Robyn, Paul & Christi who substituted for Jeannette in round one.

Photos by Maureen Nanson

Why it’s time to improve your home

The property market in Geraldton is looking to be in something of a slump. With property prices stagnating, experts are predicting a fall in the average house price by the end of the financial year.

This slump is evident when you look at the rental market here. Houses that a year ago, were pulling in $400+ per week are now struggling to get $300 – and that’s if they can get anyone at all.

Demand for rental properties in Geraldton over the last 12 months.

So it’s evident that if you’re renting out a home in Geraldton, you are in a growingly competitive market. 

This doesn’t mean that it’s not still possible to get a decent income (or sale price) from your property – It just means that you’re going to have to make an investment to stand out.

How can I make my property stand out?

Well, there’s two ways to do this…

• Renovate.

Renovations can be done well at relatively low cost. It’s all about dressing your home up for street appeal – if you can ‘wow’ people before they come in the door, then half the battle is already won. Of course, if you have limited capital for investment, then you will have to choose carefully exactly which areas you’re going to focus on. 

It’s well worth speaking to a home renovator who can give you some advice on how to maximise your investment and give you a quote.

• Extend.

As a rule, generally the more room your property has, the more money it will be worth. So an investment in extending the home to have a extra bedroom / bathroom can really pay off. 

Again, if you speak to a home improvement specialist then they can give you a good idea of how you can increase the value of your property by adding extra room.

It’s a buyer’s / tenant’s market in Geraldton at the moment, and if you want good money then you will have to take action as soon as possible.

If you want to find out more about making your property stand out, give Christian Ferraloro a call on 0427 907 072 – His business, Home Additions & Improvements adds value to homes all around Geraldton.

0427 907 072

Man charged over woman's death

Major Crime Squad detectives have charged a 42 year old man from Geraldton with Unlawful Assault Causing Death as part of their ongoing investigation into the death of a 69 year old woman in Beresford on Friday evening, 13 November 2015.

The man has been refused bail and will appear in the Geraldton Magistrates Court on November 16.

---

About 9:30pm on Friday evening Police were called regarding a disturbance at the front of a unit complex on Simpson Street. Further information was received a short time later that a person was deceased.

Officers from Geraldton Police Station attended the scene and located a deceased woman. 

Anyone with information regarding this incident, or who saw or heard anything suspicious in the Simpson Street area between 8:30pm and 9:30pm on Friday evening, is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au

Severe fire danger advice

The following alert has been issued by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).
Time of issue: 4.55pm
Date of issue: 15 November 2015

Severe fire danger advice for inland parts of the Central West on Monday

A Severe Fire Danger Rating has been forecast for Monday 16 November for the inland parts of the Central West.

This includes the local government districts of:

- - City of Greater Geraldton – inland part
- Shire of Chapman Valley – inland part
- Shire of Mingenew
- Shire of Morawa
- Shire of Northampton – inland part
-

These are very hot, dry and windy conditions for a bush or grass fire.

If a fire starts and takes hold:

- - It will be unpredictable, move very fast and difficult for firefighters to bring under control.
- Spot fires will start and move quickly. Embers may come from many directions.

If you live in or near bush, or a forested area you are at risk and need to act now:

- Read through your bushfire survival plan. If you do not have one decide what you will do if a fire starts.
- If you are not prepared to the highest level, leaving bushfire risk areas early in the day is your safest option.
- Homes that are prepared to the highest level, have been constructed to bushfire protection levels and are actively defended may provide safety.
- You must be physically and mentally prepared to defend in these conditions.

To find out what the Fire Danger Rating means to you visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au or call 9395 9300 during normal office hours.

Check the Fire Danger Rating for your area by visiting www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 213 (call charges apply).

Cold Chisel in pictures

Geraldton was graced with a show from legendary rock group Cold Chisel last night. 

Thanks to Hayden Wright for these great images from the event. 

Woman found dead in Beresford after a distubance

• A woman was found dead in Beresford last night. 
• The woman is in her 60's
• A man known to the deceased is assisting Police

Detectives from the Major Crime Squad and Geraldton Detectives are seeking information regarding the death of a woman at a residence in Beresford last night, Friday 13 November 2015.

About 9:30pm Police were called regarding a disturbance at the front of a unit complex on Simpson Street. Further information was received a short time later that a person was deceased.

Officers from Geraldton Police Station attended the scene and located a deceased woman, who is in her 60’s. A man, who is known to the deceased, was located nearby and is currently assisting with the investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident, or who saw or heard anything suspicious in the Simpson Street area between 8:30pm and 9:30pm last night, is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au. 

 

Smart energy made simple

We have promotions running on selected solar installation packages from time to time.

We currently have an unbelievable offer on the new German made Bosch Inverter Packages that are battery ready.

Bosch’s brand new 5Kw inverter has just hit Australia. Sun City Solar is proud to be one of a handful of companies offering this stand out German-made model at a very low introductory price to the Australian market.

Save over $5000 on this system with full rebates and promotion discounts.

$7490 for this premium system installed in Geraldton. 

Take advantage of an introductory new price and reduce your power bills!

Give us a call on (08) 9965 4089 for more details.

Interim Chair appointed to Developing Northern Australia CRC

The Australian Government progressed the agenda for developing the north today, appointing Richmond Shire Mayor, Mr John Wharton AM, as the interim Chair for the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Developing Northern Australia.

Congratulating Mr Wharton on his appointment, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Christopher Pyne said establishing the new CRC was a key element of the White Paper on Developing Northern Australia.

Member for Durack Melissa Price welcomed the appointment and said Mr Wharton was familiar with the challenges of doing business in the north.

“Mr Wharton has a long history of leadership in local and regional development issues in the north and brings a wealth of practical experience to the position,” MS Price said.

As the interim Chair, Mr Wharton will consult extensively with stakeholders to set the direction and research agenda for the CRC, which is expected to commence in early 2016.

“I encourage businesses in Durack to participant in discussions and engage with the CRC to ensure its work provides benefits for our region,” Ms Price said.

“The Australian Government is investing $75 million in this industry-led CRC to assist businesses, governments and researchers to work together to identify opportunities for business and growth in the north,” Mr Pyne said.

“Mr Wharton is well placed to lead the establishment of this CRC. He brings to the role extensive experience in regional development and primary production, and he has strong links to the north as a long serving local government member.”

Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia Josh Frydenberg said the CRC would be located in northern Australia and focus initially on areas where the north has particular strength, for instance in agriculture or tropical health.

“The north has particular strengths in areas such as agriculture and tropical health, among others. With Asia's burgeoning middle class on its doorstep, significant opportunities exist to commercialise research and development and establish new industries in these fields,” Frydenberg said.

The CRC will build on existing research, expertise and networks to quickly identify areas where collaborative research can deliver real-world outcomes of benefit to industries in northern Australia.

The CRC will form a consortium of partners, drawing from northern industry, the research community, government jurisdictions and international organisations.

The CRC will also work closely with the Industry Growth Centres, sharing knowledge, experience and resources to improve the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of northern Australia’s industries.

Aveda products 30% off today & tomorrow only

In celebration of our new Summer Salt Collection 2015 – Samsara Organic Hair & Tanning are excited to offer a super sale of 30% off all Aveda retail products for today & tomorrow only! 

Make your order via text message or call to 0419644093 or email to oliverisara8@gmail.com

Call in and see us at 98A Marine Terrace, Geraldton WA 6530.

 

St Francis Xavier Primary School 3 Year Old Program 2016

Children born between July 1 2012 and June 30 2013 are invited to apply for our 3 Year Old Program commencing Term 1, 2016.

The program is offered by an experienced Early Childhood teacher to children who have turned 3 and is held on Mondays and Fridays of the school term. The program is grounded in Early Childhood Education beliefs and practices immersed in a Catholic environment.

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

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

Applicants must be fully supportive of the objectives and ethos of Catholic education. The cost of the program equates to approximately $50 per day based on a ten week term.

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

---

 

NO FRILLS NOVEMBER at Midwest Auto Group!

It is a November of No Frills at Midwest Auto Group where we are offering the lowest prices guaranteed across our vehicle range. These prices are too good, even the manufacturers won’t allow us to advertise these special offers!

To find the full list of our stock and other special offers, LIKE us and FOLLOW us on facebook at MidWest Auto Group. You will be glad you did!

Our special prices for No Frills November can be found on our range of Nissan, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Subaru, PMX Campers and Used vehicle range! We have something for everyone at Midwest Auto Group! Stop by and meet the team!

Get in quick! These prices won’t be repeated! But be sure to LIKE and FOLLOW us on facebook today by clicking here: