Elves descend on Marine Terrace last night to make it a festive Wonderland

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Last night a Christmas blizzard hit Marine Terrace. 

Barbara Thompson said the magic of this Christmas blitz was obvious from the Courthouse right through to the roundabout at Orana Cinemas.

Some tinkling bells were heard late last night and reports of some happy Elves, and Santa helpers in resplendent red suits and white beards were weaving their Christmas cheer up and down the Terrace.
With it being so close to celebrating Christmas the helpers thought Geraldton needed some help to put a heart back into the City centre, lift traders’ spirits and encourage people back into the centre of town to view their handiwork.
The bollards and some Norfolk trees have received some special Christmas attention and indeed the City centre looks very Christmassy indeed.
The Festive helpers were very impressed with the extra effort the businesses are making in decorating their windows for the Geraldton Best Decorated Christmas Window Competition. The results of this will be announced and applauded on the 21st Dec, just four sleeps before Christmas.

Peals of laughter and clapping of congratulations were heard from the 50 plus helpers when they stood in awe of the special effort made by the Ray White and Rotary Clubs ‘A little Ray of Giving’ collaboration which will open up the doors of this display this Thursday 10th December when the Christmas on the Terrace evening celebrations are in full swing.

All gifts will be kindly accepted and gifted to children so they too may celebrate a happy Christmas.

A faint message was spotted on a window and on closer inspection this morning it was thought to have said “Joy, Peace and Goodwill to All” and “to all a goodnight” 

Consumer scam warning - WA ScamNet

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Consumers looking for loans online are again being stung by paying fees or charges upfront to scammers who have stolen the identity of legitimate credit providers.

In the latest case reported to Consumer Protection, a small Sydney based operator, Finance Money Australia Pty Ltd, had their identity stolen.

A WA consumer has lost $4,000 by paying upfront taxes and insurance fees for an unsecured loan. Consumers throughout Australia are feared to have lost up to $20,000 after falling victim to the fake website. This website has now been closed down. 

This type of scam targets consumers who may have had difficulties getting loans from traditional sources. 

Consumers are warned to:

  • not reply to what may be a scam email
  • not click on links in these emails and 
  • be wary of online ads.

You can report scams to WA ScamNet via email or by calling 1300 30 40 54.

Locals to sail yacht from Geraldton to Rockingham in preparation from Cockburn Sound Regatta

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On Friday 18th December, a crew of approximately 8 Geraldton crew and Skipper, will depart our pristine waters, setting sail for Rockingham, 230 Nautical Miles South, in preparation for the Cockburn Sound Regatta. 

Not only is the sail south an adventure of some significance, which may take up to 40 hours, but it is the first Geraldton yacht to nominate in a Perth regatta for some time. 

The West Coast of Australia is some of the roughest coast in the world, and is home to some of Australia’s worst maritime disasters, The Batavia and HMAS Sydney II. The coast can be strewn with boat-strangling cray pots and infested with sharks, but the crew is keen to embrace the adventure.

The Cockburn Sound Regatta, 27th-30th December, will feature 100’s of boats in various classes, and being in the festive season, will gain exposure to many tourists and Perth locals. 

The Shady Doctor, previously known as The Fremantle Doctor, is renown on the West Coast as a competitive race boat, and will gain significant interest. 

The Crew and Skipper of The Shady Doctor are keen to promote our Geraldton lifestyle to the population south of Perth, and in doing so, seek sponsorship for costs associated with the journey south, crew logistics, boat maintenance, and regatta race fees. 

In exchange for sponsorship, we can offer promotion of businesses in the form of flags featuring the business logo, Stickers on the hull, logo/sign writing on crew apparel and local promotion. Or, come aboard for some team building, and experience the thrill and exhilaration of being part of a racing crew.

 

Get all your Christmas Decorations at Let’s Party!

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Are you tired of your old Christmas decorations that you have had for years? Want something new that will wow your friends and family on Christmas Day?

Well look no further than Let’s Party who have all your Christmas decorations in one place. They have all kinds of decorations including table wear, Tom Smith crackers and stocking fillers.

With their large range, there’s something for everyone this Christmas.

Come in to Let’s Party today and have a look at their range! Cathy and crew will help make this Christmas a special one for you and your family.

Let’s Party is also a sponsor of the Everything Geraldton Christmas Lights competition and everyone who submits an address with Christmas lights to add to the map will go in the draw to win a $250 voucher from Lets Party.

Give us a call 9965 4744.

 

Christmas Trading Hours

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Minister for Commerce, Hon Michael Mischin MLC, has approved the City of Greater Geraldton’s application for temporarily extended retail trading hours over the 2015 Christmas period.

Trading hours will be extended on the following days:

  • Sunday 13 December - 10am to 4pm

  • Sunday 20 December - 10am to 4pm

  • Monday 21 December - 6pm to 9pm

  • Tuesday 22 December - 6pm to 9pm

  • Wednesday 23 December - 6pm to 9pm

It is up to the discretion of the individual trader whether or not they choose to open their doors for these additional hours.

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

Bundiyarra-Irra Wangga Language Centre marks 10 years

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Christmas won’t be the only celebration on at the Bundiyarra-Irra Wangga Language Centre next week.

This year marks 10 successful years for the Language Centre and to celebrate the milestone, a Lunch for Language will be held at Bundiyarra on Wednesday 16 December.

A healthy spread of tucker including damper, stews, barbecued sh and salads will be provided.

Guests will be entertained with tradi onal dancing, music and entertainment. It’s the perfect opportunity for a catch up yarn with friends, an opportunity to make new ones and share some pre-Christmas cheer.

The Irra-Wangga Language Centre moved to Bundiyarra in 2005 building on the extensive work already done by the Yamaji Language Centre with languages in the Mid West, Gascoyne and Murchison regions.

Since that me, Irra-Wangga has gone from strength to strength producing more than 20 publica ons including the popular Wajarri Dic onary that was 25 years in the making – and which will go into a second print run next year thanks to the generous support of Sinosteel Midwest Corpora on.

Other publica ons include the Badimaya Dic onary, various language alphabet posters and myriad language recordings and oral histories.

Language Centre Coordinator, Jennifer Kniveton-Gregory, said the Language Centre has worked hard to capture the full picture of language, not just the words on the page, or in the air, but complete with the full cultural context.
“The role of the Language Centre is to help capture that essence. Language has a real connec on to country and all languages in the region face the possibility of being lost in one genera on,” she said.
“Community is invited to Bundiyarra on Eastward Road, Geraldton from noon on 16 December to help celebrate the wonderful past decade of language work and inspire the next 10 years.”

Please RSVP to Bundiyarra on 9920 7900 for catering purposes. 

Thursday Night in Lights

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Looking for something to entertain the kids this Thursday night, 10th December? 

Why not come downtown to our static display for Little Ray of Giving. Kids can enter the colouring completion while they are there, write a letter to Santa and have a photo with Santa. Kids and parents will each get a present to take home. 

Entry requires a present (under $10) or a donation in which we will buy presents with for the Little Ray of Giving. 

There will be colouring stations, letter writing desks and a gift wrapping section!

We will be there from 5.30-8pm, Thursday 10th December, on the corner of Durlacher St and Chapman Rd.

 

Mobile black spots on the agenda

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Member for Durack Melissa Price has again asked for nominations of mobile black spot locations in the electorate of Durack to be submitted by December 21st for consideration under Round 2 of the Mobile Black Spot Programme.

“The Commonwealth Government has committed $60 million which will help provide new or upgraded mobile coverage in Durack under Round 2 of the Mobile Black Spot Programme,” Ms Price said.
“I strongly encourage residents of Durack to nominate mobile black spots in the local area before the deadline of December 21.”
Black spot nominations for Round 2 of the Programme can be made online at communications.gov.au/blackspots or emailed to Ms Price at Melissa.Price.MP@aph.gov.au.
“The Turnbull Government understands the importance of mobile coverage in regional and remote areas of Australia. The Coalition invested $100 million under Round 1 of the programme which will see almost 500 new mobile base stations built nationally. This is the biggest one-time increase in mobile coverage from a single funding programme in the history of mobile telecommunications in Australia,” Ms Price said.

Locations nominated as mobile black spots by people living in Durack will be added to a national database.

The database will be provided to mobile operators as part of a competitive selection process, where operators will be required to nominate sites where they would build new or upgraded base stations to serve the black spot locations nominated by the public.

The Government will then select successful locations in accordance with the ranking process set out in the Mobile Black Spot Programme Round 2 guidelines, which will be issued publicly prior to the commencement of the competitive selection process.

The competitive selection process is scheduled to begin in early 2016, and the Government expects to be in a position to announce the successful locations under Round 2 by the end of 2016.

Over 6,000 locations were nominated under Round 1 of the programme, with Round 1 set to provide new or upgraded coverage to around 3,000 of the nominated black spots.

Black spots which are not set to receive new or upgraded coverage under Round 1 of the programme will remain in the database as eligible locations for Round 2.

 

School community supports parent struck down with lung cancer

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Quintin De Klerk was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer earlier this year.  He has been on a clinical trial for chemotherapy in Perth, which has been working well. 

Personal Assistant to the Principal Fiona Davidson at Strathalbyn Christian College advised college parents via email, asking for their support. 

Recently in Perth the Oncologist advised Quintin that he has 3 cracked vertebrae (from the spread of cancer) and will need radiotherapy treatment.
Quintin and his wife Jenine (who is a member of staff at the College) do not have permanent residency in Australia, so they have to pay for the radiology treatment up front (no Medicare cover is available). 
The cost will be $20,000. If Quintin doesn’t receive the treatment urgently he soon won’t be able to walk, and therefore wouldn’t able to work and support his family – so time is of the essence.
If you feel led to donate to this lovely family, a Go Fund Me Page has been set up to assist with Quintin’s treatment costs:
https://www.gofundme.com/quintindeklerk

Around $5000 has been raised so far. 

Visual Arts students graduate

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Durack Institute of Technology celebrated the graduation of students in its Diploma of Visual Arts qualification.

The program, in its second year of delivery in Geraldton, has now seen 17 students graduate.

A showcase of selected works from the 2015 graduating class is now on display at the Aboriginal Learning Centre at Durack’s Fitzgerald Street campus.

The exhibition is free to attend and will be open to the public from Friday 27 November until Friday 4 December.

Durack’s Managing Director, Bill Swetman, said the wonderful work on display was a testament to the hard working visionary creatives who commenced their Diploma journey in February this year.
“The eight individuals have covered a lot of technical and theoretical areas, much of which I imagine was enjoyable, however some challenging as well.”
Bill continued, “The wonderful efforts of the students should be acknowledged, the works showcased in the exhibition are finished to a professional level.”
“The graduation event and exhibition was named Illuminarty ‐ The Grad Show by the student group because it is a celebration of the 12 month journey of artistic practice and hard work.” Durack Arts Coordinator Lexie Lazenby said.
“This qualification has given the students a chance to study across a wide range of disciplines including theory, photomedia, sculpture, textiles and environmental art, whilst preparing them for entry into work at a professional level.”
Lexie continued, “The artwork on show is polished, innovative and offers a glimpse into the professional future for this year’s eight graduates.”

Durack’s Diploma of Visual Arts qualification allows local students to commence a study pathway and progress to further learning in vocational and higher education in Advanced Diploma or Degree qualifications. As a result, Durack’s graduating Diploma students can articulate directly into the second year of a university Visual Arts Degree.

Fenella Bryant, 2015 graduate, said she has grown both personally and professionally while completing the course.
“This week I was accepted into the Australian National University School of Art as an undergraduate in a Visual Arts Degree! I couldn’t have achieved this without accomplishing the Diploma of Visual Arts at Durack Institute of Technology.”
“Attending Durack this year has not only fulfilled a life‐long ambition, but it has been a truly life changing experience. I discovered parts of myself I had hidden for years and exposing them through the techniques I learned has not only been a very positive experience, I gained confidence to apply for east coast art schools. I cannot recommend the course and tutors highly enough.”

Visitor Centre generates millions for local economy

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Research has revealed tourists spend more than $100 per trip after receiving information on what there is to see and do from Visitor Centres.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Shane Van Styn said the number of people coming through the door at the Geraldton Visitor Centre increased by more than 7,000 people or 15 per cent from last year which generated almost $6 million in total for the local economy.
“Over the past twelve months more than 57,000 people came through the visitor centre doors, and according to the ‘Value of Visitor Centres’ report, the information provided by visitor centres increases visitor spending on average by an additional $104 per trip which equates to an additional $5,928,000 being spent in Geraldton.”
"Increases in visitor numbers at the Geraldton Visitor Centre is attributed to several factors including the new location, an exceptional wildflower season and an increase in cruise ship visits and.
“One year ago today the Visitor Centre moved into the refurbished Original Railway Station located right on the Foreshore and in the heart of our CBD,” he said.
“The Original Railway Station in one of Geraldton’s iconic buildings, a tourist destination in itself, offering travellers and locals an opportunity to have a coffee at the Carriage Café whilst planning what they want to see and do in our fantastic City region.
“For the first time ever, the City was promoted across the state as the hub for wildflower tourism with many visitors stopping at the Centre to see the beautiful wildflower display before heading out to go on their own tour,” said Mayor Van Styn.
“The number of cruise ships stopping over in Geraldton has also increased with 13 ships anchoring in the past year. 
“With almost 20,000 passengers and crew coming ashore, many of whom stopped in at the Visitor Centre, spent on average $60 per person making the financial benefit to our community over $1 million.”

Other highlights during the Centre’s first year in its new location included holding its first art exhibition in conjunction with Yamaji Art, being named a finalist in the GWN 7 Top Tourism Awards and receiving the Professional Development award and the Geraldton Cruise Ship Meet and Greet volunteers won the Community Excellence Award for Not For Profit organisations 2015 at the Thank a Volunteer Day and Volunteers of the Year Awards ceremony on Friday night.

Midwest Auto Group is excited to be your new local Suzuki dealer!

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Midwest Auto Group, on the corner of Phelps and Urch Streets in Geraldton, are proud to announce the official addition of Suzuki to their list of franchises and product range.

We are now your one stop local shop for all things:

  • Nissan
  • Ford
  • Honda
  • Hyundai
  • Subaru
  • Suzuki
  • PMX Campers

Let us assist you with all your motoring needs and requirements.

Midwest Auto Group would also like to take this opportunity to welcome individuals to join our friendly and growing Midwest Auto Team. We are seeking experienced and trainee sales consultants to become a part of the Midwest Auto Group family.

If this sounds like something you would be interested in, do not hesitate to contact 

Mike on 0423 085 086 or email michaelt@midwestautos.com.au 

Come in for a chat. The view is great and we are keen to meet you.

 

Family fundraises despite adversity

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A Father's passionate plea for good luck comes following one of his children being struck down with a mystery illness. The family already works hard to care for their middle child who suffers with severe cerebral palsy.

Ashley Walker wrote his plea on Facebook saying:

I'm a father of five, our middle child has Severe Cerebral Palsy and is cared for by her brilliant Mother and Sisters with help from our awesome Carers. We built a basic special home and care for Kayla Koo Walker. We fundraise every year for PMH children's hospital to help people wherever we can. I have always worked and still constantly have bad luck now our second eldest has been struck down with a mystery illness and will lose her eyesight. We just want some good luck.

Despite all this, the family works hard annually to raise funds for the PMH Foundation who supports the family through Kayla's visits to Perth for medical treatment.

Commencing in 2013, Kayla’s Christmas Lights was started in order to provide a lasting tribute from the Walker Family for their 10 year old daughter and sister, Kayla is no longer palliative as of February this year and isn’t ventilated anymore. The lights are now a celebration of Kayla’s Life and Strength.

Kayla was born prematurely in 2008 with a virus in her brain which has left her with Cerebral Palsy (Quadriplegia – which in turn means she has no head, neck or limb control), wheelchair bound for life, epilepsy and multiple complex care requirements such as a tracheostomy (a tube in her neck which is her airway), a PEG (for nutritional support – this is a tube inserted into Kaylas stomach) and an infusaport (this is intravenous access for medications, taking bloods etc which I do myself at home as to reduce the amount of time Kayla is hospital).

"In its first year Kayla’s Christmas Lights raised a whopping $11,800 for the PMH Foundation as a part of the PMH Foundation's Christmas Lights Campaign. 

The Walker House is on Strathalbyn Road in Geraldton and has a massive 88 metres of road frontage on a corner block making it the perfect location for families and visitors young and old to marvel at hundreds of kilometers of lights. Christmas Eve (2013) it was estimated that over 2000 locals visited leaving donations over $1200. 

2015 will be the last opportunity to raise funds for the PMH Foundation due to the much anticipated move to Perth Children’s Hospital which is expected to take place in April 2016. 

Mother Nic Walker said when Kayla was first diagnosed doctors didn’t expect Kayla to live long and prepared us to take her home to die.
"The outlook should she survive was bleak, as they believed Kayla would never recognize us, respond to stimulation and basically endure a short life in a vegetative state.
"Despite such a poor prognosis and multiple bumps in the road Kayla is a beautiful little 11 year old with a very outgoing personality, Kayla knows who we are, responds appropriately emotionally and follows our every move with eye movement and a little head control.
"This year Kayla has spent 5 months in Perth with inoperable scoliosis to her spine, which saw her unable to even sit in her wheelchair due to her pelvis being wedged under her rib cage. Surgery was deemed too dangerous and during the investigations it was discovered Kayla had multiple clots throughout her major blood vessels which have been left permanently damaged, however with a bit of research and the financial support of the local community via Kayla’s Go Fund Me page we obtained a special suit and with day physio has allowed Kayla to sit up again and even attend school for the first time in 3 years.
"Every year we switch on our lights on the 1st of December however this year our celebration of Kayla’s life was delayed when our 15 year old daughter Storm began experiencing extreme eye pain. Our optometrist discovered Storm has a condition called Bilateral Hemianopia which in most cases is caused by a tumour of the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. This time it was Storm who was rushed down to Perth and we were told the devastating news that Storm has permanently lost most of her peripheral vision and the doctors are unable to isolate the cause or get the worsening pain under control.
"As a family we are so grateful to the PMH Foundation for their support over the years and really want this year to be successful in our fundraising, it will make all the effort we have put into our display worthwhile and bring us a lot of joy to know that we are still making a difference to other families like ours," she said. 
 

Notice of Road Closure - Christmas On The Terrace

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Notice of Road Closure - Christmas On The Terrace

Mall closure on Marine Terrace between Freemasons Hotel and Skill Hire will be in place during the Christmas On The Terrace Event.

Mall closure will be on the 10th December 2015 commencing from 4.00pm – 9.00pm.

If you have any queries please contact 1800 878 546 or Stewart Stellmaker – Traffic Manager - 0409 119 265.

Hundreds of millions to be invested in tackling ice

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Durack will benefit from extra efforts to tackle the drug ice as part of recent announcements by the Turnbull Government Member for Durack Melissa Price said today.

The Government will invest almost $300 million over four years to improve treatment, after care, education, prevention, support and community engagement to tackle ice.

The package includes an additional $241.5 million to be invested through the 31 Primary Health Networks (PHNs), which will use their local knowledge to boost the alcohol and other drug treatment sector and reduce demand for ice, and an additional $13 million to introduce new MBS items for Addiction Medicine Specialists to increase the availability of treatment.

The announcement follows the Ice Forums Ms Price hosted in Broome in Geraldton, to form part of the final National Ice Taskforce report presented to the Prime Minister.

“Police all over Australia including our local police have done a great job, making a record 26,000 arrests in 2013-14. In 2014, customs intercepted more than 50 times as much ice by weight than in 2010,” Ms Price said.
“But ice remains easy to get, and the price hasn’t changed. The Taskforce says we must also address demand if we are to be effective in combatting ice.
“I’m very pleased to see local people will make decisions about how best to help our region’s ice problem. This is much better than Canberra deciding what’s best for us.”

Minister responsible for drug and alcohol policy Senator the Hon Fiona Nash said helping those who are hooked on this drug to get off it takes the biggest buyers out of the market and reduces demand.

“PHNs will choose what forms of treatment is best bang for buck in the local region – be that counselling, rehabilitation or other forms of treatment. Government and PHNs will also work closely with the Aboriginal Community Controlled health sector to invest in culturally appropriate services.
“Existing services will be extended by another 12 months to 30 June 2017 to allow considered planning of service delivery by PHNs going forward.
“The PHNs also deliver mental health treatment services which will provide a vital link between the drug and alcohol treatment sector and the mental health sector.

This means helping people who are on the drug to get off it, and educating others never to start taking it. Removing the buyers from the market will break the business model of the drug dealers. For more information about the National Ice Taskforce, including the Final Report, go to pmc.gov.au/ice

 

Writer hopes to inject more positivity into the world

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A Kalbarri writer is attempting to inject more positivity into the world with the launch of her new magazine Inspired.

Inspired features profiles about everyday people doing extraordinary things in the world.

Speaking at the Inspired launch function in Geraldton on Friday, Samille Mitchell said the magazine was designed to uplift, engage and inspire.

“As a long-time journalist I knew it was writing in-depth stories about positive topics that really fired me up so Inspired is my outlet to do that,” she said.
“I get so fired up by the people I interview – I’m amazed by their awesomeness and thrilled by what’s possible.
“I hope that reading these stories may make other people feel compelled to unleash their best selves on the world.
“If everyone’s taking that extra step, just imagine the possibilities for nature, for humanity, for the planet.”

A crowd of about 40 supporters attended the launch function at Hot Locs Hair Body and Soul in Geraldton.

Samille raised money for the magazine’s first issue through a crowdfunding campaign.

The magazine features stories like the Australian man who launched the charity Skateistan, which helps Afghan girls find confidence through skateboarding, as well as a formal education.

It covers Free the Bears Fund founder Mary Hutton’s efforts to save bears across Asia, it recounts the personal tale of a woman who acted as a surrogate mother for her sister, and a whole heap more.

“The magazine features 10 of the stop stories from the Inspired website, which offers new stories every fortnight,” Samille said.

Samille is now seeking partners and advertisers to produce a second issue in mid 2016.

Anyone interested in finding out more, reading Inspired stories, or ordering a copy of the magazine, should visit the website www.inspired.org.au

There is an actual bull running around the Geraldton CBD

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Geraldton Police have confirmed a bull has escaped from the Geraldton wharf and is running around the Geraldton CBD. If you spot it call them on 9923 4555

We'll update when we have more info. 

Random Acts of Kindness encouraged this Christmas

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Alyce Bain suggested a great idea this festive season:

With all the terrible stuff in the news at the moment I want to challenge everyone with a '3 Acts of Kindness for Christmas' movement. This December, Pay it forward with 3 anonymous acts of kindness. It could be as simple as leaving a nice note on someone's car, paying for someone's lunch, or helping someone to load shopping in their car. Whatever it is, let's spread the love and Christmas cheer this holiday season 🎄🎄