Price welcomes Dob in a Dealer launch – Australia’s fight against ice

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Federal Member for Durack Melissa Price has today welcomed the launch of a new million dollar partnership between the Turnbull Government and Crime Stoppers Australia to establish a national Dob in a Dealer campaign.

The Turnbull Government is providing $1 million to fund the national Dob in a Dealer campaign to raise awareness of methamphetamine, or ice, and encourage local communities to contact Crime Stoppers to help tackle the issue of manufacturing and distribution in their local area.

Ms Price said crimes relating to ice continue to be a concern for local police in Durack, with strong links between those who commit drug offences and those committing other violent crimes.

“Drugs such as ice can have devastating consequences for entire communities, and putting a stop to it will require a whole of community response. Police can’t do it alone,” Ms Price said.

“This is a vital campaign in Australia’s fight against ice, but its level of success will be reliant on the local intelligence Crime Stoppers receives.

“I urge all Durack residents to say enough is enough and to rid our streets, parks and neighbourhoods of criminals profiteering from the misery of ice, by undermining any criminal business models operating in our local area.”

Minister Keenan said the National Ice Taskforce Final Report, delivered in December, identified that the most important strategies to protect Australia from this devastating drug – and the violence it causes – is to disrupt supply and reduce demand.

“We’ve made significant investment in policing our borders and our streets and committed an additional $300 million over four years to improve treatment, after care, education, prevention, support and community engagement,” Mr Keenan said.

“While it is critical that these efforts continue, targeted Dob in a Dealer campaigns will help ensure our communities are no longer the end-game for international drug kingpins.

“Crime Stoppers provides residents with a safe, secure and anonymous avenue to report those suspected of being involved in the manufacture or supply of ice and other illicit drugs.

“It is up to all of us to work together to do all we can to protect our communities from the devastation of illegal drugs.”

If you have information about someone who is manufacturing or dealing in ice call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online:crimestoppers.com.au.

Great service at Ultratune- Letter to Editor

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 "Hi, is it possible to post the following on your page/website please? TIA ..... Huge praise to Ultra Tune Geraldton for their professional excellence. They are very gracious and understanding of circumstances and overall provide an amazing, fantastic efficient service above and beyond the expected. Ian and the whole Ultra Tune team receives highest recommendation I can possibly give to anyone needing mechanical services, as they are definitely the best I have ever dealt with in over 30 years in Geraldton. To describe Ultra Tune Geraldton team in one word it would be AWESOME. Thank you once again."

- Ric

No Fish Traps for the Gascoyne - February 24th Deadline for comment

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Vince Catania MLA, member for North West Central has reacted angrily to proposals for fish traps to be trialled by commercial fisheries in the Gascoyne.

The Department of Fisheries has called for community comment for the fish trap proposal and has given the public only two weeks to make submissions.

“The proposal to use fish traps in the Gascoyne is highly contentious. We have only been provided two weeks to comment on this proposal which is ludicrous” said Vince. “People in the Gascoyne have long memories and many recount the reason these traps were withdrawn originally in the 80’s.” he added “Fish traps are an idea that belong in the last century, we now fish for the future.”

Vince has listed many environmental concerns including the depletion of entire stocks of fish in an area when fish traps are used as commercial fishers attempt to fill their quotas around recreational fishing areas, the unacceptable risk of traps being lost and fishing “forever”, the impact on recreational fishing areas and damage to juvenile fish as the traps are raised and as juveniles are released at the surface.

“Recreational Fishing is an important pastime in the Gascoyne both for visitors and locals. This proposal has the potential to decimate recreational fishing, resulting in significant economic losses in the recreational fishing and tourism sector.” Said Vince.

“I am also extremely concerned that the proposal would allow Trap fishing from Shark Bay to Coral Bay one of the most pristine areas of the Australian coast. The damage fishtraps would cause on sensitive coral areas would be irreparable.”

Vince is preparing a petition which will be circulated to stop the fish trapping proposal. “There needs to be an inquiry into how this proposal has been put forward with minimal time for public comment. There is definitely something fishy going on here.” Said Vince “The proposal is not on the Department of fisheries website. Why the rush for something that could be so devastating?”

Bumper stickers are also being printed. “I fish, I vote, no fish traps in the Gascoyne” stickers will be available in the next few days from Vince’s Carnarvon office.

“I urge everyone to sign the petition, call the office for a sticker and write to Recfish and Minister for Fisheries to express their concerns about this proposal. The deadline for comment is 24th of February so please act now. If we don’t make our voices heard this trial will go ahead and it will be too late for our fish and our fishing future.”

Fish trap trial in the Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery

Form for Petition in Relation to Fish Traps in The Gascoyne

Give Geraldton Youth a Go

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Master Builders is asking the Geraldton Community to support its youth during the economic downturn in the building industry and the economy generally.

Master Builders Director Michael McLean said that in a time of economic uncertainty, where there are fewer jobs available for trades people, it’s important we support the development of our younger generation.

“We’re calling on local businesses and employers to assist the school leavers, apprentices and young tradies who are coming up through the ranks to provide them with some work experience or job opportunities,” Mr. McLean said.

“WA has just come off an extraordinary period of high construction activity thanks to the mining sector. However, with many of these projects now coming to an end, new jobs are in short supply.” 

Master Builders Regional Manager Di Gilleland is concerned that unless young people are provided with educational, training or work opportunities they are likely to leave the mid-west region.

“The housing industry is forecast to experience a 26% downturn in the number of dwelling starts, from over 31,000 in 2014-15 to about 23,000 in 2015-16,” Mrs Gilleland said.

“Unfortunately we haven’t seen the worst yet. Housing starts are said to drop even further over the next two years which means we need to plan ahead now to help our younger generation”.

“Master Builders is aiming to engage the regional business community in Geraldton to assist in this local initiative to give young people a go. Giving them the opportunity to work at the local supermarket or fast food outlet, assist in their training and development, or taking them on as work experience students or apprentices will all help with their self-esteem and encourage them to stay in the region”, Mrs Gilleland said.

“Although the displacement of labour can occur during a downturn, we want to instill confidence in our youth. Even if their initial work experience might not be their first choice of career path, developing skills in communication, problem solving or customer service will assist them in being better trained and job ready in the long term.”

“Although there may be harder times ahead in WA, there are many exciting opportunities available for our youth; it’s just about how much they’re willing to go looking for them,” Mrs. Gilleland said.

“We would like the Geraldton media outlets to get behind this initiative to publicize those employers who are prepared to give Geraldton youth a go”.

“If this campaign is successful and embraced by the business community there is no reason why it couldn’t be extended to other regions which will be exposed to the same challenges,” Mrs. Gilleland concluded.

$10 Lunch Boxes at Barbeque 4 U

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Looking for something different for lunch? Why not come in and try the new Barbeque 4 U, at the Bluff Point Shopping Centre.

Barbeque 4 U are offering $10 lunch boxes between 11am and 3pm, and if you order 5 or more lunch boxes you get FREE delivery – so you get great food, at a great price and you don’t even have to leave the office!

Barbeque 4 U are open Tuesday to Friday 11am to 3pm, and 5pm to 9pm; and Saturday – Sunday 4pm to 9pm. They are closed Mondays.

Call them on 9923 1716 or come in and see them to experience some Authentic Pakistani cooking!

 

Mullewa tip undergoes transformation

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The Mullewa landfill will soon become a fully operable transfer station.

The Mullewa landfill is undergoing a transformation over the coming months that will see it moving away from a general disposal site to a fully operable transfer station.  

The transformation of the site is required to improve environmental outcomes and better meet the needs of the local community. 

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the construction of the Waste Transfer Station will provide residents with an improved waste management system.   

“The construction of the Waste Transfer Station will provide residents the opportunity to separate their refuse into various streams such as green waste, construction and demolition waste and car bodies,” he said. 

“The waste transfer station will also help educate the local community about the importance of environmentally-conscious waste management practices.” 

When completed, the transfer station will feature a 2m high, 15 m long retaining wall where members of the public will be able to dispose of their waste into the appropriate skip bins. 

In the interim, customers at the site are asked to follow the various signs directing them to the appropriate disposal area based on the type of waste being disposed. 

Members of the public that need to dispose of asbestos must contact the City first and organise an appointment to do so. This will ensure that human and environmental health standards are maintained.  Any asbestos containing material needs to be double wrapped in thick plastic to ensure that the dangerous fibres do not get airborne.  

The asbestos containing material will then be buried as soon as possible to prevent the release of asbestos fibres into the atmosphere. 

Liquid waste is no longer being accepted for disposal in Mullewa.  Members of the public wishing to dispose of liquid waste must take their liquids to the Meru Waste Facility in Geraldton.

Turn It Up Dancewear – GRAND OPENING 20/2

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Turn It Up Dancewear is a locally owned and passionately operated business that is just about to open its doors in Geraldton – come join them for their Grand Opening this Saturday 20th February from 9am – 18 Anzac Tce.

Come in to see their great range of top quality brands and products for dancewear, gym wear and fitness wear, and take advantage of their fantastic opening specials and go in the draw to win some amazing giveaways.

Sign up to Turn It Up’s Loyalty Program and as a member you can earn reward points that can be used on your future purchases in Turn It Up. It will be also keep you up to date on the new release products, specials and any VIP invitations that come up.

 

Bushfire ADVICE for the northern part of Eradu South in the City of Greater Geraldton

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ALERT LEVEL:
A bushfire ADVICE remains for people near Geraldton Mount Magnet Road in the northern part of Eradu South in the City of Geraldton.

  • There is no threat to lives or homes but there is a lot of smoke in the area.
  • Although there is no immediate danger you need to be aware and keep up to date in case the situation changes.
  • The fire is burning in bushland near Geraldton Mount Magnet Road, the closest intersection is Eradu Road South. 

BUSHFIRE BEHAVIOUR:

  • The bushfire is contained but not yet controlled.
  • The bushfire is stationary.

WHAT TO DO:

  • Stay alert and monitor your surroundings.
  • Watch for signs of a bushfire, especially smoke and flames.
  • Close all doors and windows, and turn off evaporative air conditioners but keep water running through the system if possible.
  • Read through your bushfire survival plan.
  • If you do not have a plan decide what you will do if the situation gets worse.

IF DRIVING:

  • Be extremely careful when driving through the area.
  • Turn your headlights on and drive slowly.
  • Watch for emergency services personnel and follow their directions.
  • If you cannot see clearly, pull over, keep your headlights and hazard lights on, and wait until the smoke clears.
  • If you have a respiratory condition and you have been affected by smoke you should contact your local doctor or call Health Direct on 1800 022 222.

ROAD CLOSURES:

Avoid the area and be aware of fire and other emergency services personnel working on site.

No roads are closed.

Road information may also be available from Main Roads WA by calling 138 138 or visiting www.mainroads.wa.gov.au.

WATER

The fire has caused a power outage to Water Corporation’s borefield, which supplies drinking water to Mullewa.

Power has now been restored but the tanks that supply drinking water to the town are now low.

Mullewa residents are encouraged to be careful of their non-essential water use over the next 48 hours.

Please avoid using water outside the home on gardens, and try to conserve water indoors if possible.

WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING:

  • 12 firefighters are on the scene.
  • Firefighters are monitoring the area. 

EXTRA INFORMATION:

  • The incident was reported at 6.26pm 15 February 2016.
  • The fire has burnt approximately 800 hectares. 
  • The cause of the fire is unknown.
  • The City of Greater Geraldton is managing the fire.

KEEP UP TO DATE:

Visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter @dfes_wa or listen to news bulletins.

Please keep an eye out for an injured gull like this one and contact Parks and Wildlife

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A Message from the Department of Parks and Wildlife:

"A Pacific gull like this one has fishing line and a hook stuck in its mouth - it's often found near the BBQ area at Foreshore Drive in Geraldton. Can anyone who spots the gull please contact the Parks and Wildlife office on 9964 0901, so we can go out and remove the hook. Thanks for your assistance!"

 

Regarding the proliferation of Go-Fund-Me listings

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(The purpose of the following article is to reduce the amount of questionable Go Fund Me listings that are sent around each day, so that the ones that are genuine are actually effective. Please don't think we want everyone to become hard hearted and stop giving. Geraldton is famous for its generosity, and it's something we can all be proud of.)

If you spend any time on social media, you've probably noticed the huge spike in Go Fund Me listings over the last few months. They've become a popular way for people to reach out to their fellow citizens and ask for money. Everything Geraldton gets sent about one Go Fund Me link each day.

Did you know Geraldton has a local charity that helps a lot of people?

Before I rant on about Go Fund Me listings, I want to share some info about a fantastic charity Geraldton has that I'm surprised so many people still haven't heard about. 

They're called "Midwest Charity Begins at Home".

The term "charity begins at home" is an old proverb, essentially meaning "help those close to you first."

Sometimes we get so overwhelmed with world events we forget to help those in very real need right on our own doorstep. 

Midwest Charity Begins at Home is run by a bunch of locals who see the needs in our community, and want to do something about it. 

I spoke with Chris Dobson about the work they do.

Who can Mid West Charity Begins at Home assist?

The person must be a Mid West resident, and in financial need due to serious illness. 

Do you give money or physical items?

We can only give cash. 

How does someone ask for help?

On our website we have an application form. We do need a doctor's certificate. We (the MWCBAH folk) meet up and discuss the application. We usually have funds within a few days. 

Wow that's fast!

Because we’re small and local, we can act on it pretty quick. 

Go-Fund-Me listings

Sometimes Go Fund Me really is the best way to organise community support around a particular issue. It certainly has its place and is very convenient. 

But many of the listings we are sent make us question several things. 

Here's a list of some of the problems we are seeing. 

(NOTE: We're not telling people to not share their Go Fund Me listings with us. If the need is verifiable and the listing ticks all the boxes, we'd love to help out by sharing it.)

1. There's so many of them now that people have become numb to them. People simply can't donate to every one they see, so they just keep scrolling. 

With each Go Fund Me listing people donate to, they are less likely to donate to the next one. Locals have expressed to EG that they feel like they're overwhelmed with people asking for money every day. 

2. Some of the listings are spreading confidential or personal information. 

A Geraldton resident named Jake Drage was in an Indonesian prison in 2014. 

A Go Fund Me listing was created by a well meaning friend of his raising money to bring him home. But this Go Fund Me listing was how the media learned of the situation and, according to people assisting Jake, hamstrung efforts to get Jake released from jail.

I often see Go Fund Me listings set up by acquaintances of who the money is ostensibly for, sharing information that I doubt the people involved would want published for the world to see. 

The media love the listings though, as they have become a great source of inside information on tragedies. 

Before you publish anything, ask yourself if you're ok for this info to go viral, and for every person in town to know it. 

3. There is no accountability as to where the money goes. 

We see many listings that claim to be raising the money for a third party. Donors have no way of verifying if the funds ever make it to the intended source, and in many cases even if a genuine need exists. Legitimate local charities like Midwest Disaster Relief or Midwest Charity Begins at Home do verify if actual need exists first before handing out money or goods, and they themselves must be accountable with funds that they receive. 

4. It's hard to tell who is ACTUALLY in need

I've seen Go Fund Me listings for people I know to be quite wealthy. They've been set up by friends of the families following an accident or other event. The people who the money is for owned their home, a successful business, multiple cars... they're basically wealthier than most of the people that are donating to their cause. 

The friends who set up the Go Fund Me listings probably don't know their net worth, they're doing it as a kind gesture, the first way they can think of to help out. 

EG was sent one the other day where the family in question didn't seem to be in dire straits financially at all, and specifically told me that they wanted to go on a holiday with the money raised. I kid you not. The Go Fund Me listing didn't mention that, of course. 

I've seen other people in desperate need who have a Go Fund Me listing, and they can barely raise enough money for a tank of fuel. 

When we see so many Go Fund Me listings each week, some with serious need, others with questionable need, we grow numb to all of them. So that means people who are in GENUINE need are getting less donations because of all the listings that get created and shared. 

5. There are formal ways of getting assistance that already exist. 

Yes, many people fall through the cracks and we all need to reach into our own pockets to help others out. No one is saying Australia's social welfare is perfect. 

But, many of the Go Fund Me listings are written as if Centrelink and Medicare didn't exist. Australia has, despite its shortcomings, one of the most generous health care and welfare systems in the world. 

Moreover, there are charities that exist specifically to help people in crisis, and not only are they accountable for the money they handle, but donations to those charities are tax deductible. 

Midwest Charity Begins at Home is one local charity that does a fantastic job of getting assistance to people in need in our community suffering financial difficulty due to illness. More about them above. 

Mid West Disaster Relief give out countless amounts of second hand furniture and other items to people needing assistance. They're a fantastic asset to our community. 

There are plenty of others too... The Salvos and Sun City Care spring to mind.

Now in saying all that, Everything Geraldton will not institute a policy of never sharing a Go Fund Me listing. We're simply asking that people creating these listings consider the points mentioned. 

1. Has the person who the money is for actually asked for a go fund me listing to be created?

2. Are you sharing sensitive information? Are you happy with whatever you publish to be known by every person in Geraldton?

3. Have you already exhausted all the official ways of getting financial assistance that exist?

4. Have you spoken with Midwest Charity Begins at Home, or other relevant charities?

Keep in mind that the more Go Fund Me listings we see each day, the less effective they are. 

So save them for genuine needs and use existing channels to raise money whenever possible. 

Brilliant idea to improve Buy and Sell safety

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It's hard to tell how much of our economy has moved to "Buy and Sell" sites now. They've become an extremely efficient way of getting rid of unwanted items, but plenty of people are running actual businesses in them too. 

There's always the concern of giving complete strangers your home address though, especially when they're coming over to inspect the flat screen TV you're trying to sell. Are they scoping your home? Will they be back later tonight to help themselves? We've all had those thoughts. 

One very forward thinking cop shop in the US is offering local residents a safe place to conduct their transactions. Farmville (I know, right) in North Carolina has a monitored parking lot at the local police station where people can exchange goods and money, with the assurance a camera is watching. 

Here's what they published on FB:

The Farmville Police Department now has an area in the Police Department parking lot where you can exchange items purchased over the internet. This area is located where the officers park their cars at night, right in front of the PD main lobby, and is under 24 hour surveillance. There are parking spaces designated as an Internet Exchange Location and Police Vehicles Only, these areas can be used to exchange items.
With the increase in people buying and selling items online and through social media we wanted to make a location people could feel safe making the exchange.
We understand people feel hesitant to give someone their home or work address or meet them in a random parking lot and wanted to provide a location that was public, monitored and accessible.
If a buyer or seller is unwilling to meet you at this location to exchange items, you probably don't want to be doing business with this person anyway.

Do you think this is something Geraldton needs?

Leave a response in the comments below. 

The Farmville Police Department now has an area in the Police Department parking lot where you can exchange items...

Posted by Farmville Police Department on Monday, February 15, 2016


Thanks Aleisel for the heads up. 

This is why we shop local: Letter of thanks from crash victim

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I would like to give a Very big thank you to Ray Hicks of Geraldton Toyota. 
After a car accident early in January it was found a mix up by a bank had put a lien on my work van ( I had paid cash for it) and my insurance company was unable to pay out the claim until it was removed.

At this stage I had no idea of what I could do against a large multinational bank, it's than that Ray from Geraldton Toyota came to my help.
Firstly dealing with the bank, sorting out copies of the PPRS forms to prove that no one had or should have any claim on my van. Once the bank lien had been lifted he also supplied copies to my insurance company so that my claim could proceed. 

So Again thank you Ray Hicks and Geraldton Toyota for helping me out in my time of need.

Polly Perham

Geraldton doctor murder trial: Chamari Liyanage says husband beat her, forced her into online sex acts→

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Bonnie Christian for the ABC:

Under cross-examination, defence lawyer George Guidice gave Liyanage a series of pornographic images, including of children, and asked whether she had seen them before.
She replied she had seen "thousands of images showing this kind of material".

Click here to read story. 

Discussions over future of family day care

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The decision for the City to discontinue its involvement in family day care was discussed at the Council Agenda meeting last night and will go to Council for the final decision next week. 

Negotiations are currently being undertaken between early parenting and early childhood specialists, Nglala, and the Geraldton Regional Community Education Centre (GRCEC) for the organisations to take over as the approved provider of the current City run Bright Stars Family Day Care Service. 

City of Greater Geraldton Acting CEO Ross McKim said Bright Stars Family Day Care would be in very capable hands if the decision were to go through council and the Ngala Board choose to progress with this direction. 

“This matter is something we haven’t taken lightly and Bright Stars have been a very integral part of our organisation,” he said. 

“If Bright Stars was to be operated by Ngala and GRCEC we know that it would be in extremely capable hands. This would be an excellent outcome for our community.” 

The City has been actively involved in the provision of family day care since 1978 and since then, the City’s Bright Stars Family Day Care Scheme has grown to service Geraldton and the Gascoyne and Pilbara regions.  

More recently, they were the winners of the WA Best Service Award for excellence in Family Day Care in 2014. 

“Our successes are largely due to our staff who prides themselves in providing service excellence,” Mr McKim said. 

GRCEC is community organisation which has been operating in the Mid West Gascoyne and Murchison regions of Western Australia, delivering a diverse range of programs since 1975. 

The organisation is committed to providing services to children, youth and families to build individual, family and community capacity.  

GRCEC’s Director Jenny Allen said Ngala and GRCEC are committed to further enhancing their partnership. 

“We have available the resources, experience and commitment to continue to deliver a high quality education and care service for families,” she said. 

Ngala is a provider of early parenting and early childhood services with a focus on supporting and guiding families and young children and CEO Ashley Reid said the organisation was very excited to be part of this initiative with GRCEC. 

“With a long history of child health and early childhood development services in WA, we look forward to working with all involved for the benefit of local families,” he said.

Mr McKim said if the decision goes through council the long-standing reputation of Bright Stars would continue on its positive path. 

“If Council and Ngala make the decision for Bright Stars to be run by Ngala and GRCEC I am confident that both these organisations will be able to continue the legacy that our Council has made over the last few decades,” he said. 

The Council meeting will be held at 5pm Tuesday 23 February 2016, in Council Chambers, 63 Cathedral Avenue, Geraldton. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

Problems with School Bus - Letter to the Editor

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"We seem to have a problem with our school bus service, one bus in particular, the 007 which goes from Strathalbyn to Geraldton Senior and return. This bus has not had any airconditioning both last year and this year and the bus driver has also commented to the kids that the engine cooling system is also defective and they have to stop regularly to cool it down, there are no windows for airflow, these ongoing problems result in the children being late for school. The driver has taken this issue up with his employers but nothing has been done about it. This issue is not adequate in this day and age and numerous times the children are having to get of the bus with heat exhaustion problems."

 

- Sean Williams, parent.