The good old days

/

Unfortunately I am now sounding like my father.

I came back from a short holiday and I found myself saying “I remember back in the old days

Diesel was only $1.35/litre not like now $1.60/litre .”

That is what I said, but in this case the old days were only 2 months ago.

What is going on with fuel prices, I am feeling ripped off and over taxed.

I am aware the federal government haul in over a Billion dollars in fuel tax each year.

There is a leak in there tax system because several large companies pay no fuel tax at all

and these companies use huge amounts of fuel.

So as far as I can calculate I pay roughly $1.00 /litre plus tax.

These large companies pay nothing near $1.00.

While on the subject of being over taxed here in WA there is GST on the fuel we buy (after the fuel levy)

36% of the GST collected is returned to the state government, if we received 100% we would not have a state debt

and better roads.

I digress, As a small service business we run 3 vehicles for sales and deliveries and a further 8 vehicles are run by our team of installers . Today I fuelled up one vehicle ,costing $140.00. for 90 litres of fuel. If I had the time I would make my own biodiesel

For a cost of 12cents a litre ,but I see something better on the horizon.

I have eagerly been watching the rise and rise of the Tesla company ,with their production of electric cars and I have

noted that Apple have been employing automotive and electrical engineers from all over the world .If they make an electric car I

hope there batteries are better than their phones.

Electric cars have been widely criticised by the people with the most to loose .

Oil companies ,conventional car companies ,major media have all been unfairly negative about electric vehicles.

I just realised Tesla spends no money with traditional media hence there negative view.

There is huge pent up demand to get away from 100 year old tech that, uses our resources and pollutes the air.

I eagerly await affordable electric vehicles that have a long range between charges and my fleet of oilers will be replaced.

My plan in part is solar panels on the roof feeding a flow battery then charging the electric cars.

Free electricity from the sun running cars that don’t need oil changes and oil filters.

Let’s see how long it is before this is a reality in regional Western Australia.

Cheers

Limitless.

Aquarena leisure pool closed for maintenance

/

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise that the Aquarena will be closing its leisure pool for a period of eight weeks from Monday 16 July through to 9 September 2018 for scheduled maintenance.

The main pool and the hydrotherapy pool will remain open during this time.

Works include tile repairs, installation of new lane rope anchors and the cleaning of the over-head air duct. To ensure public safety during this time the leisure pool will be fenced off.

Customers are requested to obey all warning signs and directions from Aquarena staff during this time.

The City apologises for any inconvenience these works may cause.

If you have any queries please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Wreck at Dongara beach identified

/

Research by the Western Australian Museum into a recently discovered shipwreck at 7 Mile Beach in Dongara points to it being the Margaret Ann.

WA Museum Maritime Archaeology Curator Dr Ross Anderson said his work was greatly assisted by leads provided by the local community, after a call out for its help to identify the remains of the motorised wooden cray boat.

Chris Akerstrom contacted the Museum with information that the Margaret Ann LFB16, operated by her late husband Mick Akerstrom, sank at its moorings in the early 1960s and was never salvaged.

“A number of other leads were followed up, but from the available evidence the wreck is most likely the Margaret Ann,” Dr Anderson said.

“It was a 6.6-metre motorised, single-mast, carvel-planked wooden vessel, which matches the archaeological information the Museum had recorded.”

The area where the wreck was found is a haven for fishing boats as it is sheltered from prevailing southerly winds.

Dongara teacher Aletta Bussenschutt, who discovered the vessel at a depth of about three metres while snorkelling and reported the find to the WA Museum, said she is glad a name can be put to the wreck.

“It’s been a great response from the community – hearing old stories from past fishermen and their family members, current fishermen interested in local history have been raising questions, and Dongara District High School students are excited they personally know the finder and can’t wait to go snorkelling on a shipwreck!” Ms Bussenschutt said.

The WA Museum would like to thank everyone who provided information during this investigation.

“Throughout this process we also found out about three other vessels that were wrecked in the area – two of which there were no records of previously,” Dr Anderson said.

“It just goes to show how much valuable information is held by the community!”

Verified information is being added to the Museum’s shipwreck database and is helping document the evolution of the Mid West crayfishing trade.

July Savings!

/

For the month of July only, bring your puppy in for their first vaccination, pay for the first and second vaccination and get the third one FREE!

At Chapman animal hospital it is our passion to keep pets safe from preventable diseases. Parvo virus is highly contagious and easily preventable by ensuring our pets are vaccinated from puppy through to old age.

Our vet Jackie

Nurse Renae and Clover

Adorable Pepe

Call us today on 99642828, and speak to one of our friendly staff to book your puppy vaccinations and begin the journey to a healthy, happy life with your dog.

*Terms and conditions apply.
 

 

Central Regional TAFE announced as award finalists

/

Central Regional TAFE (CRTAFE) are finalists in this year’s WA Training Awards in two categories.

  • WA Large Training Provider of the Year 2018
  • WA Industry Collaboration Award 2018

The Hon Sue Ellery BA MLC, Minister for Education and Training announced the organisational finalists yesterday and said that this year's finalists demonstrate how the training sector delivers vital education and training opportunities while providing important services to the community.

“The WA Training Awards encourage continuous improvement, innovation and excellence in a sector that is critical to building the State's capacity” she said.

CRTAFE is the only regional TAFE amongst the three overall finalists in the WA Large Training Provider of the Year category.

The college is being recognised as a leader in industries such as maritime, agriculture, land management, community services, local government, mining and nursing. Also for continuing to place students, industry partners and strong links with community and Aboriginal people, at the forefront of activities.

There are also three overall finalists in the Industry Collaboration category. CRTAFE are finalists for being the training partners of the Biodiversity Conservation Collaboration Project (in Geraldton) to manage invasive aquatic species and restore key ecosystems on Australia's Coral Coast.

The project gives students real world experience while helping to protect WA's Abrolhos Islands. CRTAFE won the ‘On-ground Coastal Management Award’ for the project earlier this year at the WA Coastal Awards for Excellence.

CRTAFE Acting Managing Director Joanne Payne said it was fantastic to be recognised amongst such an outstanding group of training organisations.

“We are so proud to be finalists and to be recognised for the many achievements we have had over the last year” she said.

“Our staff work tirelessly to support and guide students through their vocational education journey and strive to establish innovative training programs that are beneficial for local industry” she said.

Ms Payne said the college was particularly excited to see the conversation project at the Abrolhos Islands recognised as it has been a significant collaborative effort for the TAFE and project partners, spanning across 4 years and involving over 600 community volunteers, students and stakeholders.

“Staff at our Batavia Coast Maritime Institute still oversee ongoing activities which have resulted from the project to ensure successful outcomes continue into the future” she said.

“We would like to congratulate all of the other finalists of this year’s awards for the great work they do in ensuring the continual improvement of the WA training sector” she said.

Award winners will be announced in September. Winners may also be eligible to compete against the nation's best at the Australian Training Awards later in the year.

National Redress Scheme begins in Durack

/

Member for Durack Melissa Price said survivors of child sexual abuse living in Durack should apply to the National Redress Scheme that launched on 1 July.

The National Redress Scheme was a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Ms Price said the Scheme was established to provide counselling, an acknowledgement from the institution involved and a redress payment to people who were sexually abused in an institutional setting as children.

“To apply for redress, people will complete a form explaining what happened to them and how it has impacted them. You can do that on paper or online through myGov,” Ms Price said.

“Redress Support Services are available to help people understand the Scheme and complete their application, while free legal and financial support is also available.

“I encourage anyone in Durack who is a survivor of child sex abuse to apply for the Scheme.

“This is an important part of the healing process. Redress will acknowledge the hurt and the harm suffered by survivors, and ensure that institutions take responsibility for the abuse that occurred on their watch, by their people.”

For more information about the National Redress Scheme:

People who need immediate assistance can contact:

  • Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24 hours)
  • 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732
  • MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978

Street works in CBD

/

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise damaged manhole and drain covers located on the corner of George Road and Durlacher Street will be replaced tonight, Tuesday 26 June 2018, with works starting from 7pm.

Traffic control will be in place but members of the community are requested to exercise caution and obey all warning signs and directions from authorised City personnel and contractors.

The City apologises for any inconvenience these works may cause.

If you have any queries please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Tree pruning on Durlacher Street

/

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise it will be pruning the Hibiscus tree, also known as the ‘heart tree’, located on Durlacher Street on Wednesday 27 June 2018 in the hours between 6.30am and 9am.

To ensure community safety the road between Marine Terrace and Foreshore drive will be closed and a detour in place.

Members of the community are requested to exercise caution and obey all warning signs and directions from authorised City personnel and contractors.

The City apologises for any inconvenience these works may cause.

If you have any queries please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Member for Geraldton elated that Southgate is saved

/

The decision to refuse the approval of Amendment No. 4 of the City of Greater Geraldton Town Planning Scheme NO. 1A is welcomed by Local Member for Geraldton, Ian Blayney MLA.

“The amendment initiated the planning scheme to rezone the land at Southgate for development purposes”, said Mr Blayney.

“Given the significance of the Southgate Dunes in the region, I am pleased development and subdivision will not be implemented.

Mr Blayney said there was widespread consternation throughout the community when changes enabling the subdivision of 780 hectares on Southgate Dunes were reported in the paper in 2016.

“I wrote to the Minister for Planning several times advising against the proposed changes.

“Southgate is an environmentally sensitive area and any disruption to the dunes may impact on local beaches.

Mr Blayney said that he opposed the changes not only because the dunes are a significant natural asset but also because Geraldton already has problems with beach erosion.

“Any disruption to the sand recharge could further exacerbate coastal erosion in the area.

“This will not only detract from the attractiveness of Geraldton’s beaches but will also add to local government costs as they would have to address such effects.

“I am delighted the Southgate Dunes have been saved.”

We all need to follow this example: Jim Jefferies interviews Jordan Peterson

/

Jim Jefferies, an Australian comedian famous for sounding like an Australian version of a redneck, using the word "c###" a lot, and yet somehow making the American left love him because he attacked US gun culture in a Netflix special once.

I found it odd to see Jim Jefferies (JJ) had chosen to interview Jordan Peterson (JP). On the cover it seemed like the highschool pot head deciding to go toe-to-toe with Einstein. 

But I watched the interview anyway. 

As one expected, 90% of the video is JJ speaking over snippets of carefully cropped footage chosen to support the narrative being painted. Much of it was patently misrepresenting JP, which was hardly a surprise given the audience JJ is clearly pandering to. 

But there were two notable surprises in the video. 

The first I want to mention is how the video ends, which is with JJ essentially agreeing with JP that people should be allowed free speech. This appears obvious, and it then seems absurd most of the video was spent trying to discredit JP. 

The other interesting point is where JJ points out a double standard JP would be holding by saying it's good to force businesses to serve black people but bad to force businesses to serve gay people.

What's admirable on JP's part is he doesn't hide from JJ's (or JJ's producer's) observation. He acknowledges it and says "maybe I was wrong about that." The issue deserves more than 15 seconds of a YouTube clip to parse, but what we do get to see of JP there was him honestly addressing the point being made and having the integrity to admit he may need to change his opinion.

This is a practice both the left and the right are in desperate need of adopting. When we're in an argument, it should be our goal to discover the truth, not win the argument. If truth appears from the person I'm arguing with, I need the courage and insight to stop arguing and agree with their position.

Students showcase skills on national stage

/

Two Central Regional TAFE (CRTAFE) students had their skills put to the test at the WorldSkills Australia National Championship held in Sydney earlier this month.

Isabelle Crosswell from the Geraldton Campus placed fifth in the Hairdressing competition and Travis Watts from the Kalgoorlie Campus placed sixth in the Automotive Open competition.

This is the second time a competitor from Geraldton represented Western Australia at the national competition and a first for the Goldfields region.

Both Isabelle and Travis competed in the regional competition for their respective trades and progressed to represent Team WA at the WorldSkills Australia National Championship (the nation’s largest trades and skills showcase) held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney on 1-3 June.

Participants from around Australia showcased their skills against others in their field by completing a series of projects and tasks throughout the three day event, whilst being scored and judged by experienced industry professionals.

Isabelle, who recently completed her hairdressing qualification and was announced this year’s CRTAFE Apprentice of the Year, said the once in a lifetime experience was exciting and rewarding.

“It’s a roller-coaster of emotions. One minute you’re confident then you’re a ball of nerves; it’s both physically and mentally challenging, especially because we don’t find out what the challenge is until five minutes before starting” Ms Crosswell said.

“I would 100 percent encourage others to give it a go. It gave me so many opportunities to network and meet new people from around Australia” she said.

“I also worked alongside world renowned hairdressers and stylists who were team mentors or competition judges, it’s really been a great learning experience” she said.

Travis, a third year Automotive Apprentice at Kalgoorlie’s Performance Gas Mechanical said the atmosphere at the national championship was fantastic and that the competition opened up new opportunities for learning and growth.

“The stress levels whilst competing go through the roof because you are under time constraints for each phase of the competition, whilst still having to worry about accuracy, solving problems and safety aspects” he said.

“There’s a lot of hard work leading up to each completion but it’s all definitely worth it when you get there” he said.

CRTAFE Managing Director Bill Swetman said both students did the college and WA proud.

“Isabelle and Travis have done exceptionally well and should be congratulated for the efforts they have made in preparing for each stage of the WorldSkills program and the professionalism they have demonstrated throughout the competition” he said.

“Their success is a great testament to the dedication they have towards their training and a credit to both their lecturers and employers” he said.

Mr Swetman added “WorldSkills competitions boost young people’s confidence and career prospects, challenges their skills on the national stage and allows them to gain valuable feedback from well-regarded industry professionals.”

This year’s championships was also particularly special for CRTAFE with Kalgoorlie Campus Automotive Lecturer Adrian Gooneratne invited to be one of the judges at the national event.

WorldSkills regional competitions will once again be held in 2019.

For more information please contact Central Regional TAFE on 1800 672 700 or email info@crtafe.wa.edu.au More information about WorldSkills Australia can be found at https://www.worldskills.org.au/

Drainage works in Francis Street

/

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise it will be undertaking drainage maintenance works at the corner of Francis Street and Marine Terrace with works commencing on Wednesday 27 June 2018 and are expected to be completed by Thursday 28 June 2018.

During the works, the intersection will be closed to ensure community safety and detours will be in place. Members of the community are requested to exercise caution and obey all warning signs and directions from authorised City personnel and contractors.

The City apologises for any inconvenience these works may cause.

If you have any queries please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Nature playground opens in Wandina

/

Wandina Primary School students celebrate the officially opening of the Derna Park Nature Playground, which was constructed in partnership by the school and the City of Greater Geraldton.

Getting back to nature just got a whole lot easier with the official opening of a nature playground today in Derna Park in the heart of the Wandina suburb.

The unique project saw the construction of a playground on land owned by both the Wandina Primary School and the City.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the school’s proposal to build the playground aligned with the City’s plans for Derna Park.

“When the playground proposal came through in 2016, the City was already planning upgrades to the Park which included the construction of a toilet block,” he said.

“It goes without saying the nature playground has added real value to the park and with the addition of the toilet block, which opened in August 2017, Derna Park has become a top location for local children and families from across Geraldton to visit and enjoy.”

Wandina Primary School Principal Di Miller said she was thankful to the City and project funders for supporting a playground that will challenge children of all ages.

“By pooling Wandina Primary School, Wandina Primary School P&C, Seacrest Corporation and City funds we were able to successfully leverage grant funding and build a play space that will be enjoyed by students during recess and lunch times and by the community throughout the day,” she said.

“The new nature playground will provide our school and community with a fantastic play space where children will be able to be creative and imaginative as well as develop their gross motor skills through play in a more natural environment, for many years to come.”

Construction of the $200,746 nature playground was jointly funded by Wandina Primary School, Wandina Primary School P&C, the City of Greater Geraldton, and Seacrest Corporation with the State Government Regional Grants Scheme, managed by the Mid West Development Commission contributing $149,167 towards the project.

Permanent closure of Allen Road bridge

/

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise of the permanent closure of the Allen Road bridge in Moonyoonooka on Friday 22 June 2018.

To ensure community safety, barriers will be put in place to prevent vehicle access to the 88 year-old bridge which has reached its end of life and may be demolished in future.

Members of the community will be able to use the adjacent bridge located on the Narra Tarra-Moonyoonooka Road.

Members of the community are requested to exercise caution and obey all warning signs.

The City apologises for any inconvenience these works may cause. If you have any queries please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Central Regional TAFE Geraldton Campus - Semester Two Enrolment Days

/

Come down to our Geraldton campus Semester Two Enrolment Days!

June 28-29, 9AM to 5PM

Choose from over 300 courses, speak to lecturers and check out the campus. Don’t wait until next year! Your local TAFE can help you get the skills you need now.

Save time and register on our website or give us a call today!

www.centralregionaltafe.wa.edu.au
1800 672 700

Being a Better Man From Caveman to Great Man Workshop

/

Do you ever feel like your anger might be getting out of control? Do you have trouble calming down when you get angry? How do you express these feelings?

Being a Better Man is a 6 week programme of psychoeducational workshops which has been developed by Centacare Family Services in Geraldton, WA to assist men who use destructive and offending behaviour to others and themselves.

This unique, innovative and intensive programme combines recent advances in neuroscience and their applications in understanding and re-designing an angry brain.

The Being a Better Man program will require 1.5 – 2 hours per week in a group of up to 12 participants, with a facilitator guiding the course. The primary objective of this programme is to:

  • Learn about the brain, anger and reactive aggression.
  • Learn how to identify and assess anger.
  • Recognize the impact of unhealthy expression of anger on physical health and relationships.
  • Enhance skills and confidence in applying strategies of cognitive neuroscience in controlling anger and offensive behaviour.
 

Info Sessions on Ward and Councillor review

/

Community information sessions on potential options to change the current ward system and council representation will be held by the City at the end of the month.

The sessions are part of a review of ward boundaries and the number of Councillors is being undertaken in accordance with the Local Government Act 1995.  All local governments with wards must carry out reviews of their ward boundaries and the number of Councillors for each ward at least once every eight years.  The last time wards and representation were reviewed was in 2011, when the then City of Geraldton-Greenough merged with the Shire of Mullewa.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the purpose of the information sessions are to inform the community on the review process and present the various options for future representation.

“Currently, we have seven wards with 14 elected members and a popularly elected mayor,” he said.

“However, there are a number of options up for consideration which include changing or reducing the number of wards or the number of elected members representing a ward or even abolishing wards altogether.

“The pros and cons of these options will be presented at the information sessions along with the opportunity for attendees to provide their feedback on what they have heard.”

The Geraldton Community Information Session will be on Wednesday 27 June 2018 at 5pm, in the Function Room at the City Civic Centre and the Mullewa Community Information Session will be on Thursday 28 June 2018 at 5pm, in the Dining Room at the Recreation Centre.

Mayor Van Styn encourages everyone to have their say on how they will be represented by local government in the future.

“The feedback we received from the community will help Council identify the system of representation that best reflects the characteristics of our community which include communities of interest, physical and topographical features, demographic trends and economic factors,” he said.

When the Review is complete, a report on the process and Council’s resolution regarding wards and representation will be submitted to the Local Government Advisory Board for assessment against the requirements of the Local Government Act and consideration of any recommended changes. The Board’s recommendations regarding the review are then submitted to the Minister who has the final decision on wards and Councillor representation in the City.

For more information on the review or to make a submission visit the City’s website www.cgg.wa.gov.au