Stories of Geraldton: How we got into fostering kids is we were naïve

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How we got into fostering kids is we were naïve. We had no idea about the huge need that there was for it in Geraldton. We went into it thinking that it would be nice a couple times a year if we gave kids a place to stay for a short amount of time. The reality is that there is a huge need, a massive need and the second our paperwork was done, three children were in our house that day and they’re still there now. After that, two more came, and they became ours as well. It was never DCP pushing them on us, it always seemed to be us going to them. They’d come for a weekend, or an emergency and they just fit right into our household and it always seems to be us campaigning the department to get more. They are very reluctant to go over a certain number so we go in with proposals saying we feel we can manage this, we can do it, so now we have 14. After 7 it really made no difference how many we had because the routine was there. Luckily we haven’t had to say goodbye to many as they end up staying with us and becoming ours. We have a baby at the moment and it will be devastating if he has to go, so my husband and I love him like we’ve got him forever. We don’t ever hold back and will give him every bit of love he deserves. One of our girls we have had since she was 7 weeks old and as soon as she was handed to us, the bonding was intense. It was like a birthing experience, it was the weirdest thing and I wasn’t prepared to hold this perfect child and fall absolutely in love with them. We had two years of thinking she was going to go and it would keep us awake at night.  We’re her legal parents now and she’s 7 and a half. Every time I look at her I think just think how lucky I am and I never take it for granted. So with him, I just enjoy giving him as much love as I possibly can and not worrying about whether he will stay forever.  At the moment, 5 of them have become ours, 2 of them are going to court this week, so we hope by the end of the year that 11 of them will be ours.

 

 

In the footsteps of the wonderful Humans of New York, Everything Geraldton has been sharing stories of everyday people in Geraldton. If there's a story you think the community should know about, get in touch.

 

New Season Stock Rugs @All Decor

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With the weather starting to get colder, why not help warm up your flooring with a new rug from All Decor.

All Decor have just bought in the latest season stock of rugs, in a variety of sizes and colours – so there is sure to be something that you will like.

And to make room for these new rugs some of our other rugs are up to 50% off.

Come and see the whole range @All Decor – the big blue building on the highway.

 

Spotlight on Mid West Aquaculture at inaugural - Aquaculture Western Australia State Forum

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The inaugural Aquaculture Western Australia State Forum to be held in Perth on Thursday, 26 May 2016 has had an overwhelming response with the Mid West Aquaculture Industry being featured.

The Forum is a collaboration between eight Regional Development Commissions, each of which identified aquaculture as a transformational economic growth opportunity in their respective Regional Investment Blueprints released over the last 12 months.

This follows the State Government’s landmark Statement of Commitment released in August 2015 to develop aquaculture in Western Australia.

Hosted with support from the Aquaculture Council of Western Australia and the Department of Fisheries, Forum attendees will learn from the experiences of existing commercial operators and investigate opportunities for the industry’s development in Western Australia. The event will conclude with a workshop that will inform an industry development strategy and identify priority areas for investment.

The Mid West and Pilbara Development Commissions are working on behalf of the Forum partners to manage the inaugural industry event.

Chairman of the Mid West Development Commission Murray Criddlesaid a state-wide strategic approach to aquaculture development was a smart move in a competitive market.

“The Forum is a great example of the Regional Development Portfolio working in partnership with industryto maximise economic outcomes for regional WA,” Mr Criddle said.

“To be competitive in the global market and provide the best return on investment we need to work together to make strategic investment decisions.”

Chief Executive Officer of the Pilbara Development Commission Terry Hill said aquaculture offered an important economic diversification opportunity that would bring new skills, jobs and investment to the regions.

“With its pristine environment, disease-free status and research expertise, Western Australia is well-placed to develop a sector that can supply a major share of high-value seafood and other products to world markets,” Mr Hill said.”

The State Aquaculture Forum is presented by Western Australia’s Regional Development Commissions, in partnership with the Aquaculture Council of Western Australia and the Department of Fisheries.

New partnership for Land for Wildlife conservation program

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The Department of Parks and Wildlife’s well-regarded Land for Wildlife conservation program is partnering with NRM WA to help participants manage their bushland for wildlife habitat.

Land for Wildlife is a voluntary scheme to encourage and assist private landholders to provide habitat for wildlife in bushland on their property.

There are currently 1941 registered landholders, with a total of 286,614 hectares of bushland being managed as wildlife habitat through the program.

Mr Jim Sharp, Director General Parks and Wildlife, said the collaboration with NRM WA regional organisations would benefit private land managers and the State’s biodiversity conservation.

“This agreement and partnership arrangements with the NRM organisations is an exciting development for private land conservation in Western Australia,” he said.

As a result of the agreement, the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council (NACC) will take on a leading role to deliver Land for Wildlife in the WA’s Northern Agricultural Region – encompassing 7.5 million hectares from Gingin to Kalbarri and east to Mullewa, Perenjori and Kalannie.

NACC CEO Richard McLellan said the organisation was excited by the new collaboration, and was looking forward to working with Parks and Wildlife.

“We are particularly looking forward to connecting with existing Land for Wildlife member land managers across the region, to maintain this important land stewardship program, and to introducing the scheme to new land managers,” he said.

“Our role in the partnership will be to provide field extension and expertise in land management support to landholders; community engagement; and information dissemination; as well as providing considerable local knowledge about land management practices and local biodiversity conservation.”

Mr Sharp said Parks and Wildlife, which has run Land for Wildlife since 1997, will continue to administer the program through coordination of property assessments, registering and supporting new participants and communications including the Western Wildlife newsletter.

Jim Sullivan, Chair NRM WA, said the services each NRM organisation will provide to Land for Wildlife members would be determined in coming months.

“It is anticipated that NRM bodies will work with landholders in each region, linking them into networks and local communications,” he said.

For more information or to become a participant, visit www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/landforwildlife

Update on Barrett Dr T Junction

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New comment from Victor Tanti on "Near miss - Barrett Drive T Junction":

Good news regarding this dangerous intersection from Main Roads:

'We are improving the service at the intersection of Brand Highway and Ackland Road through the installation of traffic signals.

Currently, this non-signalised intersection experiences significant delays during peak travel periods. The right turn movement from Ackland Road onto Brand Highway is at low-level of service, resulting in increased congestion for commuters. This has a flow-on effect to Barrett Drive for roadusers attempting the same traffic movement.

Signalising the intersection will provide direction and safety for road users by allocating and reallocating right of way. The will also significantly improve the performance of Barrett Drive intersection by giving breaks in the traffic flow and room to cross Brand Highway safely when exiting.

Works are expected to commence in May and completed by August.'

The plans were recently presented to Council and met with approval.

V Tanti

Click here to read original article

 

Harvey Norman Electrical’s Once a Year VIP Sale

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This Saturday 28th May you’re invited to Harvey Norman Electrical’s Once a Year VIP Sale. There will be staff prices on all products across all departments at Harvey Norman Electrical – whitegoods, cooking appliances, air conditioners, LED/LCD TVs, hi-fi, small appliances, heating, vacuums, coffee machines – just to name a few!

So you don’t miss out, make sure you get down to Harvey Norman Electrical this Saturday between 9am and 4pm and grab yourself a bargain.

 

Shane Crothers Homes' staff, customers and creditors still in the dark

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Staff, contractors, and customers are still in the dark and wondering what to do as Shane Crothers Homes has still not entered into administration, despite Mr Shane Crothers telling staff, creditors and customers it was happening about 25 days ago. 

Mr Crothers also told customers that he had sold the business. Everything Geraldton has learned that this is not the case. 

A group of creditors who claim they are owed large sums of money have joined forces to try and make something happen, after still not being informed of who the administrator is. 

Below is a copy of original letter sent to customers around four weeks ago. It states that Shane Crothers Homes was to enter into Voluntary Administration immediately. Mr Crothers also told Everything Geraldton himself that Shane Crothers Homes Pty Ltd had entered into voluntary administration. 

Several staff from Shane Crothers Homes have contacted Everything Geraldton upset that they have not been paid money they are owed, have not been fired or let go officially, and have no idea what is going on. Apart from being owed holiday pay and entitlements, we were informed that some of the staff were still attending work until recently.

Multiple customers who were building homes through Shane Crothers Homes have also spoken with Everything Geraldton asking if anyone knew if the company had entered into administration yet, as they have been unable to move forward with insurance claims etc, and are just sitting in the dark. 

These are copies of emails sent to staff of Shane Crothers Homes over the last week or so, provided to Everything Geraldton by staff of Shane Crothers Homes. 

In one of the letters Mr Crothers blames a technical issue with the banks, lawyers and accountants for the delays.

Debbie Crothers contacted Everything Geraldton upset over a comment made on our website claiming they were "rubbing their hands together".

"It's all lies," she said. "It's just not true. We've lost everything. We even had to sell the boat to make sure everyone got paid."

What happened with the supposed sale?

We spoke with a local builder Mick Desmond, who told us he had been in discussions to take over the building of the homes through his company Norwest Building Group. "We were approached and asked if we would like to finish the houses off," Mr Desmond told us. "We said yes. I talked to some of the creditors and tried to get to the bottom of which trade did what on each home [in an attempt to be able to use them again on that home]."

Mr Desmond tells us the plan was for him to pay a sum of money into a trust account, which would then apparently be used by liquidators. In exchange Mr Desmond would then complete the building of the homes using tradies and contractors that were originally used on the homes. The contractors would not have received old monies they were owed, but the intention was to provide them work moving forward, according to Mr Desmond. 

Mr Desmond said he did not go through with the arrangement, and walked away from it last night. 

"I couldn't get to the bottom of how it's going to work. I couldn't get a guarantee of where the money would go," said Mick Desmond. "I met with Mr Crothers yesterday as part of doing due diligence," he said. Mr Desmond told us he wasn't satisfied with the state of the stocktakes he saw on the homes, and decided to walk away from the arrangement. 

"We're happy to still be involved in finishing the homes," said Mr Desmond. "However we've exhausted all opportunities through this avenue."

We asked Mr Desmond who it was that approached him to ask him if he wanted to finish building the homes, and were informed by him that it was representatives from a company called Hall Chadwick. 

Who is Hall Chadwick?

Hall Chadwick, according to their website, is a Chartered Accountant and Business Advisory firm with offices around Australia, including Perth. 

Everything Geraldton contacted them to ask questions regarding their involvement with Shane Crothers and Shane Crothers Homes, but they were not willing to talk. 

"We respectfully decline to make any comments in relation to Shane Crothers," was their response. 

Will people still get their homes built?

From the Department of Commerce for WA:

Residential building work contracts in Western Australia are governed by the Home Building Contracts Act 1991 (the Act). If residential building work valued over $20,000 is to be undertaken, the Act requires that a builder take out home indemnity insurance in the name of the owner before accepting payment or commencing work.
What is home indemnity insurance?
HII protects owners against financial loss if a builder cannot complete residential building work or meet a valid claim for faulty or unsatisfactory building work because of death, disappearance or insolvency.

Based on information provided by Dept of Commerce, it appears customers should be insured for exactly this kind of situation, and are able to have their homes completed if their builder becomes insolvent. The policy is in the name of the owner, not the builder.  

Click here to read more.

So what now?

We contacted Mr Shane Crothers this morning, who rang us back, but was not willing to make any comments at that time, other than that he was going to make a comment later this afternoon. 

We asked if it was true that the company still had not entered into administration, and were told a comment would be made later this afternoon. 

We asked if was true that Mr Crothers was leaving Geraldton, as per assertions made by creditors today. Again we were told a comment would be made this afternoon. 

We will update this article when Mr Crothers provides said comments. 

Update: Mr Crothers has sent the following statement

Our key priority throughout this process has been our clients. Our clients have been kept informed of our efforts to find another quality builder to facilitate a fast takeover of the unfinished jobs, avoiding delays related to the Home Indemnity Insurance system. 
This process has unfortunately taken a lot longer than we had anticipated due to negotiations with all parties involved and we regret the effect this has had on our clients, staff and creditors.
We will proceed with appointing a liquidator next week.

Isn't liquidation different to administration?

Yes. 

Read more here.

Mayor exercises discretionary powers for emergency works at St Georges

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City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn has exercised his discretionary powers under the Local Government Act to begin emergency works to mitigate erosion at St Georges Beach.

On Tuesday Mayor Van Styn approved immediate works which include the construction of a low level sandbag groyne and sand nourishment works.

Mayor Van Styn said it was with careful consultation with City staff that he decided to make the executive decision.

“I understand how rare it is to utilise this power but this is an extremely important issue that demanded immediate attention,” he said.

“Without me exercising my rights under the Local Government Act, this process could have potentially taken months which is time we just don’t have.

“We have very important community infrastructure at risk and that’s why I took immediate action.”

CEO Ken Diehm said the City asked the Mayor to consider the urgency of the matter and move this forward as erosion posed imminent threat to essential community infrastructure.

“We regularly review and monitor coastal erosion and it is vital we take the necessary steps to protect our essential community and public infrastructure,” Mr Diehm said.

“With damage that occurred over the weekend, we can see that the toilet block at Rundle Park and the road near St Georges Beach is under great threat.

“We have to act fast and look at our options, hence why the Mayor has used his discretionary powers to ensure an interim solution can be implemented before any further damage occurs.”

The City have engaged specialist consultants Royal HaskoningDHV to develop a foreshore protection scheme for St Georges Beach. A report from the company showed that erosion was the result of short period wind generated waves coinciding with high water levels.

The City are now working off Haskoning’s recommendation for a low-crested sandbag groyne and sand replenishment works.

“We believe the groyne will help to capture the sand that is getting washed away and it will give us more time to work on a long-term solution not just for St Georges but for the rest of our coast including Sunset Beach and Drummond Cove,” Mr Diehm said.

Whitehill Road in Drummond Cove has also been under scrutiny following damaging storms over the weekend.

Mayor Van Styn said the process being undertaken to combat erosion could not be rushed.

“We are not trying to jump the gun and we are going through all appropriate processes. A long term solution is something that cannot be rushed,” he said.

“Sand is moving from the south to the north and we are working with specialists on the Beresford Foreshore and are following the Department of Planning’s coastal hazard risk management and adaptation planning guidelines (CHRMAP) process.

“We know this is a sensitive issue and we have engaged with the community to ensure we get the best outcome for our residents.”

Works at St Georges Beach are estimated to cost $650,000 and there is money in the 2015/16 budget to undertake the project.

The groyne and sand works will begin in the coming weeks and may take up to two weeks for completion.

Traffic management will be in place during this time. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to exercise caution and obey all warning signs and direction from authorised City personnel and contractors.

Mums and Downsizing Corporates Reap Coworking Benefits

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Members of purpose coach Fleur Porter’s Incubators program at work in Pollinators’ coworking spaces. Pictured are Kym Duncan, Kate Tonkin, Fleur Porter, Carolyn Correll and Clara Harris.

Work-from-home mums and downsizing companies in Geraldton are reaping the benefits of coworking as a way of escaping the home office and adjusting to a downsizing economy.

Pollinators, which offers the state’s leading regional coworking premise, is experiencing an increase in interest from both sectors as they adjust to personal needs and economic fluctuations.

Pollinators Space Lead Angie West said coworking offered the idea blend of social interaction and professional work space that mums who usually worked from home were seeking.

“Working from home is great but there are times when we yearn for the opportunity to network, to work from a professional space, and to bring clients to corporate meeting rooms,” she said.

“It’s amazing the kind of magic that can happen when like-minded people come together and meet while making a coffee in the coworking kitchen – it’s what’s known as the watercooler effect.”

Mrs West said coworking was also proving an attractive alternative to companies downsizing in response to changing economic times.

“It means these companies can maintain a professional office space and essential services such as a boardroom and meeting spaces without the overheads of having their own premises,” she said.

“And of course there are the benefits in reducing overheads by using a shared office space.”

The graduates of Geraldton Purpose Coach Fleur Porter’s eight-week ‘Incubators’ program meet in the coworking spaces monthly to support, encourage and inspire each other.

"We're all solo business people who are working on our own so it's great to be able to come together for that feeling of community and to encourage and support each other," Ms Porter said.

"I formed the Incubators graduate group to have that sense of tribe or community so coworking provides a way for the people working locally to extend that and get together."

The coworking trend in Geraldton is part of an international movement towards coworking, with the number of coworking spaces increasing by 36 per cent worldwide, according to the Coworking Europe Conference in Milan.

The conference survey found there are around half a million people working in coworking spaces across the globe. 

ACDC joins CreativeHub

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ACDC Chairman Brendan Penzer, committee members Lizzy Robinson and Peter Howard, Pollinators Chairman Paul Dyer, Pollinators Space Lead Angie West and Pollinators Board Member Natasha Colliver.

Pollinators’ new CreativeHub premises is transforming into the vibrant, multipurpose creative space that Pollinators have planned for, with the Arts and Cultural Development Council (ACDC) the latest venture to move into the West End CreativeHub premises at 189 Marine Tce.

The ACDC move marks a major transformation for the region’s peak arts organisation, which is not only moving premises but also revamping the range of services it offers to the Mid West arts community.

ACDC Chairman Brendan Penzer said the move marked exciting times for the organisation.

“The move to CreativeHub will mean we’re part of this really exciting creative space,” Mr Penzer said.

“We’ll have a dynamic and flexible new exhibition and workshop space, and we’ll be around fellow creatives, who also use CreativeHub.

“We’re going through a period of real renewal and this move is one part of our transformation.

“It’s exciting times here at ACDC and we can’t wait to really revitalise the arts community from this new venue.”

Pollinators Space Lead Angie West said the ACDC move to CreativeHub married perfectly with Pollinators’ vision of offering a collaborative space for makers and creators to co-locate in a maker space.

“ACDC joins The Comedy Emporium and Headspace Geraldton as arts and youth services working from the same venue,” Mrs West said.

“We’ve also got plans for the entire top floor of the CreativeHub building located next door to be transformed into a ‘MakerSpace’ for smaller-scale creative ventures that will be able to link in with ACDC for exhibition space and workshops in the future.

“With the gorgeous artwork on the front of the building, and these exciting creative ventures inside, there’s a real sense of vibrancy, innovation and excitement – which is exactly what Pollinators had hoped for. 

"Watch this space for more developments at the CreativeHub.” The CreativeHub is supported by Panaceum Group and St John of God Hospital. ACDC is funded by the City of Greater Geraldton and Country Arts WA.

It's Geraldton

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Nationals WA Member of Parliament and candidate for the seat of Geraldton Paul Brown MP, is thrilled with the announcement that Geraldton has been chosen as the home of Central Regional TAFE.

“Following the recent TAFE Reform announcements, there was a great deal of fear and uncertainty in the Geraldton community around the future of the former Durack Institute of Technology,” Mr Brown said.

“I lobbied extensively in Parliament and out in the community for Geraldton to be the home of Central Regional TAFE and am thrilled with today’s announcement.”

“Geraldton’s former Durack Institute of Technology is an award winning institute that features prominently year after year at the Australian Training Awards at National and State levels. It is fitting and a sensible decision that Geraldton has been chosen as the site of Central

Regional TAFE. It is a testament to the highly experienced and valuable educators, both past and present who have worked hard for this acknowledgement.” Mr Brown said.

The decision to base Central TAFE in Geraldton follows the recent announcement of former Durack Institute of Technology Managing Director Bill Swetman as the interim Managing Director of the Central Region TAFE.

TAFE reform has seen the amalgamation of the eleven TAFE colleges and their 70 campuses,many located throughout regional WA, to a network of five TAFE colleges. These five TAFE colleges have two TAFE colleges located in the Perth metropolitan area, and three TAFE colleges in regional WA. Regional TAFE colleges have be amalgamated under Northern Regional TAFE, Central Regional TAFE and South Regional TAFE.

TAFE campuses located in Exmouth, Carnarvon, Wiluna, Kalgoorlie, Merredin, Northam,Moora and Geraldton have come under the management of Central Regional TAFE.

The Geraldton campus will be the primary location for the college’s Managing Director Bill Swetman and the main administration centre. Additional executive staff will be situated across the other regional campuses to maintain a strong staff presence at these locations.

Coastal voices uniting in Geraldton

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Sorting through beach wrack on Geraldton's coast.

Geraldton beach lovers are being called on to express their interest in joining a Geraldton-wide coastcare group.

The Northern Agricultural Catchments Council (NACC) is seeking to facilitate the establishment of the new group as well as bring together the number of dedicated coastcare groups already working on different sections of the Geraldton coastline, such as Drummonds Cove, Sunset Beach, Bluff Point and Point Moore.

The aim of this project is to establish a new umbrella coast care group across Geraldton that includes representatives from the existing groups and focuses on coastal issues that affect the entire Geraldton coast.

Geraldton’s coast is not only an important recreational asset for the community but it is also a very important ecosystem that requires community protection.

NACC Coastal and Marine Program Coordinator Dr Mic Payne said: “Most Geraldton residents feel a strong connection to their coast; it helps define our community and is a place where we go to relax.This new group will give local residents the capacity to become directly involved in managing this precious asset.”

Projects that the new group might undertake to help protect this environment include revegetating degraded dunes, managing pedestrian and off-road vehicle impacts, various community monitoring projects, controlling invasive weed species such as African Boxthorn and liaising with authorities on coastal erosion issues.

Dr Mic Payne said the group would provide more support for those wanting to volunteer their time in protecting the Geraldton coastline.

“Many local Coastcare groups are feeling the pressure of increasing impacts on coastal ecosystem whilst experiencing decreased Coastcare group membership. I hope that a broad membership base for this new group will help spread the workload and allow for frequent turn-over of office bearers to avoid burn-out,” he said.

The project is supported by the NACC and the City of Greater Geraldton, through funding from the the Department of Planning’s Coastwest Grants Program and the Australian Governments National Landcare Programme.

The inaugural meeting of the new group is planned for June this year.

iTunes tax payment scam

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In the latest version of the phone scammers pretending to be the ATO, you will be asked to pay a tax debt via iTunes cards.

WA ScamNet has a copy of a similar voice message used in a previous scam. 

On 6 May 2016 a 52-year-old Mandurah woman reported to Consumer Protection that she had bought about $7,000 worth of iTunes cards to pay phone scammers. 

On 9 May 2016 a Melbourne grandmother told 9NEWS a similar story after losing $5000 on iTunes gift cards.

From time to time the ATO may contact you by phone, but you should be wary of unsolicited phone calls claiming to be from the ATO and offering you a tax refund or aggressively demanding a payment.

Our advice hang up or ignore the message. Do not call these scammers back. 

If you are unsure, contact the ATO directly on 1800 008 540.

More information and advice about this scam is available on WA ScamNet.

Budding Filmmakers in Action

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Kids at Leaning Tree learn the art of filmmaking as part of the Scinapse’s SciFilms workshops.

Budding filmmakers have their creations on YouTube after learning the art of filmmaking at Scinapse's SciFilm workshops on April 29 and 30.

A group of students at Learning Tree school, and a group of adults at Pollinators’ CityHive, learned how to use their mobile devices to capture three-minute science-related stories, then edit them and prepare them for the big screen.

The top 15 shortlisted films from across the state will be screened on cinemas as part of Inspiring Australia's SciFilms competition, run in partnership with Film Harvest. Audiences will then vote live for their favourite.

Cash prizes will be presented for Judge's Choice and People's Choice.

You can view their creations on YouTube at https://youtu.be/kJVcb7KKWhc.

Scinapse chairperson Emma Jackson said the workshops were a fun and hands on way to learn how to tell a

science story, and share that in a visually interesting way to others.

She said the kids at Leaning Tree were particularly interested in learning the techniques of filmmaking using the simple story of washing hands.

"We got some great feedback, especially from the kids who got right into the subject - they couldn't believe that 95 percent of people don't wash their hands properly," Ms Jackson said.

Filmmakers can still submit three-minute films for the competition, with entries closing on July 22.

For more information on the SciFilm competition, visit the website www.scifilm.com.au.

200kg of meth seized following seizure of suspicious boat in Geraldton

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Police will be holding a press conference later today in Perth regarding drug seizures related to the suspicious boat that came into Geraldton earlier this month.

It's being reported by ABC that up to 200kg of meth has been seized from an international drug syndicate following raids on homes in Perth on Saturday, in connection with the men arrested.

Details of the case and those charged has been suppressed by the courts up to now.

Around midday on 2 May 2016, some Everything Geraldton readers spotted the suspicious boat in Geraldton's port, and a number of men, pictured below, who according to onlookers "appeared foreign" were seen being questioned by authorities, before being taken away.

Police later confirmed 8 Chinese men with no entry visas for Australia had been arrested and placed in immigration detention, but would not comment on their investigations. 

The boat remained in Geraldton's port for several days while it was searched and contents from the boat removed.  

The suspicious boat

​

The men who were arrested  

The boat that took the men away  

Turn It Up Dancewear - Store Wide Sale SATURDAY 28 MAY 2016

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If your wish list is bigger than your budget, then get down to Turn It Up Dancewear on 18 Anzac Terrace between 9.00am to 1.00pm thisSaturday 28 May for their Storewide with up to 50% off.

Turn It Up Dancewear also have a great range of dancewear, active wear, dance shoes, gymnastics equipment, make up, and accessories. Turn It Up are the proud stockist for a range of great brands.

Owner Roshelle is always looking into ways to offer additional services to our local dancers in Geraldton. Most recently Roshelle met with Bloch representatives in Perth to bring back to Geraldton a range of limited edition dancewear, and had some product training and over the coming weeks Turn It Up Dancewear will be receiving Pointe shoe training. This will allow in the future for local ballet dancers to be able to be fitted locally and assist those students not having to make an 800k round trip to Perth.

 

Finding meaning through helping others - Letter to the editor

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Hi Everything Geraldton,

I have recently moved back to Geraldton after leaving the South West. Upon arrival I sourced help through Center Care for my depression and anxiety. After my final visit and finding myself ready to take some action towards improving my health I inquired into some volunteer organizations. Fortunately for me a voice from behind me piped up a said "Hi my name is Simone (Simone Mahoney) and I run midnight basketball." Simone also manages PCYC in Geraldton. Unfortunately Midnight basketball didn't start for another 6 months.

Like a good fishermen Simone dragged me into her net of fabulous volunteers at PCYC, where I have been able to give back to the community that I once called home. Under the guidance of Simone PCYC is getting busier than ever, hence this cry for help.

The volunteers at PCYC are an amazing mix of people and the array of positions are many. Fortunately the growing workload opens doors for others.

I would love for the people of Geraldton to realise that their community has a treasure in the PCYC and all it has to offer, but organisations like this can't function without the help of its community, and volunteers are a rare commodity.

People of Geraldton, if you feel like making a difference in the community then I can highly recommend being a volunteer at PCYC. Changing the world starts with our youth. So I'm encouraging anyone out there that needs to find some direction in their lives or just has time that could be used in a productive fashion to get in touch with PCYC and get involved with some of the fun and rewarding programs that they have to offer. There are no age requirements, just a desire to have fun and help others is all that's needed.

- Shane Williams

20%-70% off Frames and Sunglasses at Specs 2-4-1

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Between now and the end of June, Specs 2-4-1 are having a massive 20-70% off sale on selected frames and sunglasses.

Specs 2-4-1 have a great range of frames to choose from and with brands such as these being available during the sale it will be difficult to pick just one pair.

Come in and see their friendly staff at 132 Marine Tce for details and to have a look at their available range, or call 9964 8922 to make an appointment for a bulk billed eye test so you can have the sharpest vision in the latest fashions at a great price.