Speed camera Place Rd near Oasis Deli

Speed camera Place Rd near Oasis Deli

Geraldton author publishes first book

Geraldton local Ceinwen Langley has published her first novel 'The Edge of the Woods'  last week and it is already hitting the top ratings.

After it's release, the novel was ranked #1 in the Australian kindle store under the Young Adult Women & Girls category and #860 overall.

The 26-year-old writer grew up in Geraldton where she completed her schooling at Mount Tarcoola Primary and then went onto Nagle Catholic College.

Ceinwen self published 'The Edge of the Woods' and said her inspiration came from a previous short story she wrote.

The Edge of the Woods is a Young Adult fantasy novel following Emma, an underprivileged young woman stuck in a village governed by a fear-mongering Mayor. She wants to make a good life for herself and her mother, but the only way of doing that is to convince someone to marry her by her eighteenth birthday – which turns out to be harder than she thought. Meanwhile, there are old horror stories about young women being lured into the woods. Ultimately, she has to decide whether to run away from her future or face up to it.

You can buy 'The Edge of the Woods' in paperback or eBook from Amazon as well as iBooks and Kobo.

You can also read the first three chapters of the book for free on Ceinwen's website.

Geraldton Parent Council wins award for excellence

Geraldton's very own St Lawrence’s Primary School P&F were acknowledged at the recent Parents & Friends Federation of Western Australia Inc (PFFWA) Annual Conference on may 23 and 24.

The PFFWA 2014 Awards for Excellence were presented at the Conference Dinner in Perth to honour the contributions of groups and individuals who had excelled in Building School Community.

St Lawrence’s Catholic Primary School P&F was acknowledged for members’ commitment to working collaboratively with the school’s Principal and staff in promoting community involvement.

PFFWA President Joe Monterosso said the P&F was nominated for the award for members’ outstanding efforts to participate in the consultation and planning of a nature playground as well as promote speakers for the school community.

Representatives from the school attended the PFFWA Conference and gladly accepted the award.

More than 100 parents and Catholic school representatives attended the conference to discuss and learn about coming education changes and challenges. Hosted at Sacred Heart College, in Sorrento, attendees travelled from as far as Broome, Port Hedland, Carnarvon, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Esperance and Albany to participate in the event.

PFFWA Conference guest speakers, School Curriculum and Standards Authority CEO Allan Blagaich addressed changes to the WA Certificate of Education from 2015 onwards and Minister for Education, the Hon Peter Collier MLC spoke about the future of education in WA.

My Kitchen Rules 2011 contestants Daniela and Stefania entertained and educated attendees about healthy ideas for children’s lunchboxes and after school snacks.

Plus there was an interesting and informative Open Forum and Panel Discussion about young people and alcohol. Panel experts included WA secondary supply law campaigner Sam Menezes, School Drug Education and Road Aware (SDERA) Manager Bruno Faletti, Hope Community Services Service Delivery Manager Lee Lombardi, Life Coach and Adolescent Specialist Susan Macintosh. Focus 4 Success co-Director Claire Orange facilitated the session.

PFFWA President Joe Monterosso said the conference was a great way to celebrate the Federation’s 60th Anniversary as well as the parents and communities that support WA Catholic schools,.

“The Annual Conference acknowledged and celebrated 60 years of Service and Influence within the WA school community,” Mr Monterosso stated.

“As always attendees gained insightful information from our speakers to take and share with school and P&F members.”

Weekly Sports Wrap Up

Basketball A shot just before the buzzer saw the Geraldton Buccaneers take victory over the Mandurah Magic, 92-90. It was a thrilling match for the crowd as they packed into the Activewest Stadium and the crowd roared unlike before as Bennie Lewis hit the winning goal for the home side to secure the win. Carter Cook was a stand out for the match and it was as close as they come with scores 90-all with just seconds left in the game. The Buccaneers sit on first spot on the SBL ladder ahead of the Rockingham Flames.

Football GNFL

It was a close match up between Towns and Rovers on the weekend as Towns maintain their first position spot on the GNFL ladder after a close 119-114 win. It wasn't so much of a close affair between Brigades and Northampton with the Rams only managing 35 points and the Hawks booting an impressive 181 points. The last game of the weekend saw Mullewa and Chapman Valley go head-to-head. Chapman Valley couldn't find the strength to get in reach of their opponents and Mullewa managed a 149-80 point win.

Netball

It came down to the wire in the Falcons vs Kazuals match with Aztecs managing a 2-goal win. Aztecs held the lead for the majority of the game but Kazuals gave it all they had to claw they way back and with just minutes left in the game it was 43-all. A goal from Aztecs but them 1 ahead but with their centre pass another swift goal saw the final score 45-43. Falcons annihilated Lightning in a 44-goal win on Tuesday night. Falcons are surging through the season with some big wins and it seems as though they still look prime to take this year's cup.

Hockey

It was a 3-1 win to Rovers over Saints in Saturday in the Men's A-grade match and it was Casuals who secured an easy 4-1 win against Australs on Friday night. A last goal haul by Australs in the women's A-grade match saw them defeat Swans 3-1.

15% off ALL dishes at Chilli Fusion!!

Chilli Fusion will be holding a Winter Sale where ALL dishes on the menu are 15% off for the entire season! Our chef has devised a menu to suit all palates by using authentic spices and ingredients to create mouthwatering dishes.

We offer a diverse range of delicious dine in and takeaway foods from our menu and will even do FREE HOME DELIVERY up to 10km for orders over $40. We offer a range of dishes from seafood dishes, vegetarians, diverse ranges of bread, chicken, lamb and beef mains, rice and delicious desserts. 

So why not come down and try Chilli Fusion for yourself and discover the ultimate dining experience. 
Check us out in the directory:  http://everythinggeraldton.com.au/listing/chilli-fusion/

Speed camera Durlacher St near St Francis

Speed camera Durlacher St near St Francis

Check out this amazing Buzzer Beater to get the Buccs home

[tentblogger-youtube bp2nUm9yTp4] The Geraldton Buccs snuck home with a win Saturday night after a game winning field goal from #22 Bennie Lewis.

The final score was Buccs 92 to Mandurah Magic 90.

Thanks Mel for sharing this sweet clip of the game winning buzzer beater.

Verge Side Collection 2014

Here's everything you need to know about Verge Side Collection for 2014. Week 1: Commencing Monday 16 June 2014 Items must be placed on verge PRIOR TO SUNDAY 15 JUNE for all northern suburbs. Collection commences in the north, i.e. residential properties in Parkfalls, White Peaks, Coffee pot, Bayside, Drummonds Cove, Glendfield, Sunset Beach, Waggrakine, Forrester Park, Moresby, Bluff Point, Spalding, Strathalbyn, Beresford, Webberton, Wonthella (North of Eight Street), Mooyoonooka, Woorree, Deepdale (North of Geraldton - Mount Magnet Road)

Week 2: Commencing Monday 23 June 2014 Items must be placed on verge PRIOR TO SUNDAY 22 JUNE for all Southern suburbs. Southern Suburbs includes: residential properties in suburbs including Geraldton, Beachlands, Mahomets Beach, Tarcoola Beach, Mt Tarcoola, Wandina, Rangeway, Karloo, Wonthella (south of Eighth Street), Utakarra, Mooyoonooka & Deepdale (South of Geraldton - Mt Magnet Rd), Eastlyn, Meru, Cape Burney, West End and Walkaway.

Mullewa Township Collection will be on MONDAY 30 JUNE 2014 - ONE DAY ONLY

Please note: Material placed out for collection must comply with the listed conditions. Items placed on the verger area after the collection or non-compliant items will not be collected and will be required to be removed by the resident to avoid incurring a littering infringement. All green (garden) waste to be stacked separately. NO TYRES - NO ASBESTOS

For more information click here.

Geraldton Dog Rescue Dog of the Week

Jake is this week’s Dog Of The Week. Jake is a large male mixed breed. Approximately 1 year old. He has had obedience training and heels on lead, sits and stays etc. He is great with kids and cats. Loves to play with toys and loves the beach. Jake would be best suited to a home with a 2^nd dog as he likes company.

Geraldton Dog Rescue is a not for profit organisation run solely by volunteers. All GDR dogs cost $350 and have been bathed and flea treated, vet checked, vaccinated, wormed, micro-chipped and de-sexed. If you would like to view a dog or become a volunteer please call 0400219719. Geraldton Dog Rescue can also be contacted via their website www.geraldtondogrescue.com.au or you can find them on Facebook.

Microscopes for Midwest Primary Schools

Primary school students in the Midwest have been given a special gift and can take a closer look at the world around them, thanks to a project sponsored by the Rotary Club of Geraldton.

The Rotary WA Microscopes in Schools Project is an initiative of the Chief Scientist of WA Professor Lyn Beazley and the Rotary Club of Freshwater Bay.  As part of this primary schools are provided with microscopes and activity booklets with which students can study plant structure and soil composition and learn how plants adapt to available water.

Three Midwest Schools, Yuna Primary School, Geraldton Primary and St Mary’s School in Northampton and the Water Corporation will contribute activity books. A Water Corporation Education Officer will also visit the schools to conduct lessons as part of the Corporation’s Waterwise Schools Program.

The Waterwise Schools Program aims to educate students to value water and to understand the need to conserve and protect it. It’s a long term, whole-of-school approach to water education which seeks to change students’ behaviour towards using water.

The Magnifying Microscope Project is supported by the Science Teachers Association of WA (STAWA) an independent association of science educators dedicated to promoting science and science teaching. The project helps primary school students develop a greater interest in science and in exploring the natural world.

Susanne Warr, Science specialist from St Mary's School, welcomed the project. “Thanks to the generosity of the Rotary Club of Geraldton and initiatives such as the Microscopes in Schools Project, primary school students in the Midwest will have the opportunity to explore the amazing world of microscopic organisms," she said.

“Children are naturally keen to explore and study things they normally can’t see with the human eye. Science investigation engages children immensely and it is enlightening to observe their excitement and amazement when learning about living things under a microscope.

"Allowing opportunities to engage and explore from a young age increases their desire to question why things are like the way they are in life.”

Lorraine Jones Yuna Primary School science leader said, "students were discovering a genuine interest in and enthusiasm for science, partly because of the involvement and generosity of groups such as Rotary."

"Our junior room students are looking forward to using the microscopes to observe a batch of frog’s eggs more intensely as they follow the life cycle of frogs.”

Scam alert: Change your eBay passwords

eBay has issued a statement urging its 145 million active users to change their passwords after a recent cyber attack.

The call has come after a database containing encrypted passwords, customer names, email addresses, physical addresses, phone numbers and date of birth information was subject to the hack.

"Our company recently discovered a cyberattack that comprised a small number of employee log in credentials, allowing unauthorized access to eBay’s corporate network," a statement from eBay said.

"As a result, a database containing encrypted password and other non-financial data was compromised.  

"There is no evidence of the compromise affecting accounts for Paypal users, and no evidence of any unauthorized access to personal, financial or credit card information, which is stored separately in encrypted formats.  The company is asking all eBay users to change their passwords."

Midwest Fishing report by Tackleworld Geraldton

Offshore The Island have had a good run of pelagic’s lately with a lot of yellow fin tuna and big cobia and mackies around King reef. Snapper baldies and trout can be found at the Hummock.

Closer to town there has been good numbers of Dhu fish and coral trout around the 20-30m marks

NEW MARINER & FISHERMANS HARBOUR

The Fisherman’s Harbor is firing at the moment with big bream around the 35cm mark, yellow fin whiting and Fingermark also in big numbers.

BEACHES

Mulloway have started to show up at Greenough river mouth, and behind the live Cray factory tailor have been patchy with Tarcoola producing some big greenbacks. Big Dhu fish have been landed around flat rocks and the Southgate’s reefs.

RIVERS

Greenough River is firing with lots of bream to 35cm, the mouth of the river fishing the best.

The chapman river is also worth a try with big bream and tarwhine on the bite.

Product Plug

Check out this video of the new range of soft vibes at Tackleworld Geraldton!

Midwest Fishing Report by Tackleworld Geraldton 

20 ANZAC TERRACE GERALDTON WA

08 99216822

Experimental performance poetry workshop

Join the as-yet unformed Geraldton Performance Poetry Club on 7 June as they run an experimental performance poetry workshop and poetry slam with renowned Perth performer Allan Boyd.

This community first will be held jointly at the Geraldton Regional Library (workshop) and CityHive (poetry slam) and will give local poets, performers and anyone looking for something different the chance to experience the thrills of an art form popular the world over.

“Performance poetry is very different from what people often expect from poetry,” explains event organiser, Rosie Sitorus.

“It’s noisy, irreverent, confronting and exciting. It really celebrates the spectacle of the spoken word – there’s nothing like it.”

Rosie said praised performer Allan Boyd.

"He’s been doing his poetry ‘thing’ around WA for years now and is very well respected. It’s a great privilege to have him in Geraldton,” says Rosie.

“There are so many people in Geraldton just itching to try new things and whilst poetry is nothing new, we think this is a great reinvention of something people know and love.”

Rosie has also been involved with The Comedy Emporium, the Geraldton Choral Society, and the newly formed Debating Club, and says that Geraldton is a great place for innovation in social enterprise.

“It’s a wonderful, supportive town. Coming from Perth, where there isn’t the same sense of community, I was so pleasantly surprised with the eagerness with which the town embraces new experiences,” says Rosie.

“Performance poetry is another new thing and there has already been great interest from the community. Geraldton really is the place to try it all.”

Tickets to the events are $10 for a single event or $15 for both (paid in cash on the day). The poetry slam at CityHive is BYO with some food provided.

You can register for the event here: bit.ly/1lm8VGn or contact Rosie at rosie.sitorus@gmail.com.

For more information, check out the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1419549904979586/?fref=ts

Taking control of our beach wrack

The usual winter blankets of seaweed and seagrass are again covering local beaches in abundance.

This mix of seaweed and seagrass, (collectively known as beach wrack) creates smells that can be considered a nuisance by some beach goers.

However, beach wrack plays a vital role in our coastal ecosystem by recycling nutrients back into food chains that include popular recreational fish species such as herring. Wrack also helps protect beaches from erosion by stopping waves washing sand away and assisting the formation of protective dunes.

The Northern Agricultural Catchments Council (NACC) is engaged in a project to discover how much wrack washes onto Geraldton beaches, what it is made of and what happens to it.

Learning more about wrack dynamics on our coast will help us strike a balance between wrack removal, or beach grooming as it is sometimes called, and maintenance of important coastal processes.

According to Dr Mic Payne, Coastal and Marine Program Coordinator at NACC, “Some types of wrack are better at preventing erosion than others and it would be a sensible strategy to leave this wrack on eroding beaches such as Drummonds”.

The study will make use of video taken by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flying over beaches between Pages to Southgates. This video will be combined with on-ground photos taken at the same time to provide estimates of wrack volumes.

In addition to video and photos NACC, in conjuction with Edith Cowan University, will be organising wrack monitoring workshops in June to accurately measure beach wrack volumes, sort wrack into its different components and conduct invertebrate and nutrient sampling. 

If you are interested in these workshops or would like further information on this project please contact Felicity Beswisk on 9938 0108 or felicity.beswick@nacc.com.au. 

Top 5 Geraldton images shared with us this week

This week produced some stunning sunsets and sunrises. This beautiful sunset was captured by Celeste Black.

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It isn't something we see too often in Geraldton but the fog over Moresby Ranges made for some spectacular scenery. This photo was shared with us by Raechel Buxton.

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Bill Belson shared this stunning image of the Point Moore Lighthouse, taken early in the morning.

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We couldn't go past the beautiful colours of this sunset sent in by Maria Crisp.

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This photo was taken at Big Rat Island at sunrise by Michelle McKoy.

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Post your pics in the Everything Geraldton app, the Everything Geraldton Facebook Page or email them to petak@justeverything.com.au. We’d love to share them.

Scam Alert: council procedural payment

WA ScamNet is once again warning Western Australians about out-of-the-blue phone calls from scammers pretending to represent a government or other well-known organisation and asking for money.

Below is information shared from the WA Scam Net website:

The City of Melville has reported to us a scam where someone claiming to be from the Council calls residents to ask for a “procedural payment”.

You can read their warning here.

Apparently, when challenged to give a name, position and official contact telephone number, the phone scammer ended the call by hanging up.

It’s not the first time we have heard of a scam like this and it won’t be the last.

If someone phones you and says they are from a government agency, official organisation or reputable company that does not mean they are who they say they are.

Would you hand over money if someone walked up to you in the street claiming to be from one of these places? If you wouldn’t fall for it face-to-face, don’t fall for it over the phone.

If a cold caller requests personal or financial details, or payment of any kind, alarm bells should ring!

You may be asked to pay by wire transfer (e.g. Western Union or Moneygram) or electronic voucher likeUkash or they might just ask for a direct bank transfer or credit card payment.

The types of phone scams we have seen previously include:

• Fraudsters pretending to be from a utility company and claiming you urgently need to make a payment to avoid your household power, gas or water supply being cut off.
• Offers of fake grants, rebates or refunds in return for up-front payments – the caller may falsely say are from the Australian Tax Office or a Banking Association.
• The prolific technical support scam where phone scammers pretend to be from Microsoft, Telstra, Big Pond etc. and want to access to your computer, supposedly to help you with a problem like a virus or upgrading software – they often get you to log on to a website that allows them to connect with your computer.

WA ScamNet tips:

• When in doubt about the authenticity of a call, don’t commit to anything. Instead hang up and call the government department or company directly to verify that the call was genuine. However, DO NOT use contact details provided by the caller. Instead find the number via an independent source such as your last bill, the phone book or the organisation’s official website.
• NEVER confirm or provide personal details, credit card numbers or other account information over the phone unless you initiated the call and can verify the purpose for which you are providing that information.
• SAY NO and hang up if a cold caller wants remote access to your computer even if they claim to be from a reputable IT or telecommunications company.
• REMEMBER that you can still receive scam calls even if you have a private number or have your number listed on the Do Not Call register. Scammers can obtain your number fraudulently from black-market sources.

To fight back against phone scammers who call asking for money, TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY that Government agencies, well known organisations and major companies just don’t work in this way. Or use the share buttons below to spread the message via social media.

3 Day Sale at Anytime Fitness Geraldton!

Anytime Fitness Geraldton is running an exclusive 3-Day Sale starting TODAY and ending Saturday the 24th of May! Sign up by Saturday and receive $0 joining fees and no membership fees until July 2014.
Go in the draw to win 3 months of FREE membership where all proceeds go to raising funds for Our Friend Seth. Tickets are only $2 each or 3 for $5. The lucky winner is drawn on Saturday 24th of May.

So come on down and take advantage of this fantastic offer!

For further details, contact Geraldton Club Manager
Alicia Tomchuk: 0455 182 166
Geraldton@anytimefitness.com.au

Speed camera Rifle Range Rd

Speed camera Rifle Range Rd

Parents can have say in children and family planning

Following on from National Families Week, with the theme stronger families, stronger communities, local parents and carers are encouraged to take part in a survey to help plan the development of a children’s services plan.

The Family and Children’s Service Survey will help determine how services in Greater Geraldton are currently supporting families to be stronger, and how the suite of services could be strengthened for the future.

Karen McDowell, Manager of City of Greater Geraldton owned and operated Bright Stars Family Day Care, said the City is consulting with parents, children, educators and service providers about current and future services.

“The City has teamed up with Child Australia Inc and encourages parents and carers to complete the survey to share their experiences with child and family services and spaces,” she said.

“It will help inform future planning of children’s services in the Mid West.”

The survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FamilyandChildrensServices and hard copies are available at the Geraldton Regional Library and Mullewa Library and also Queens Park Theatre and the Queen Elizabeth II Seniors and Community Centre. Completed surveys can be lodged at these venues.

Juvenile charged with burglary, stealing and stealing a vehicle

A juvenile has been charged with 3 counts of aggravated burglary, 3 counts of stealing and 1 count of stealing a motor vehicle.

The 14-year-old male from Karloo was arrested during the Police's operation to combat burglaries committed in the Geraldton district.

Officers were investigating burglary offences that occurred between May 7 and 12.

The male appeared in Geraldton Children’s Court yesterday and the matters were remanded to 27 May 2014