The Comedy Emporium brings "The Bloke" to Geraldton

After selling out and turning people away, The Comedy Emporium is back in the Bunker at the Queens Park Theatre on Friday the 11th of July with Aria winning headliner Chris Franklin; one of Australia’s premier comedy stars.

ARIA Winner Chris “The Bloke” Franklin, performs comedy in a ‘Boganeqsue’  style which appeals to all audiences, touching on delicate issues such as beer, sports and relationships.  With the headliner MC yet to be announced, the lineup will consist of Scottish Comedian Alan Chisholm and everyone’s favourite local comedians.

“Despite his rough bogan appearance, Chris Franklin is one of the nicest guys you will ever have the chance to meet.  Not to mention hilariously funny,” explains The Comedy Emporium’s Co-ordinator Emma Howell.

“We promise you will not walk away unhappy.  Unless you are walking away because we have no tickets left and you forgot to buy one… But you might be able to watch through the windows?”

The line up is going to feature one of the most vibrant groups of local comedians that The Comedy Emporium has presented.  With the workshop program almost at capacity, the group aims to  work towards fulfilling its goal of making Geraldton a happier place.

“While the team have done an amazing job, we need to make sure we can continue to develop the project locally from the ground up.  This makes sure that our program promises not the be the Oakajee of Comedy,” Emma said.

To get involved in the workshop program or any of the other activities such as the ‘impro jams’ head to the website.  They take anyone at almost any age.

Doors open 6.30pm, live music from 7.15pm, comedy from 8pm

For more information head towww.thecomedyemporium.com or www.queensparktheatre.com.au

Tickets on sale now for $25 each pre-sale. Tickets at the door for $30 if not sold out (the last  3 shows have sold out) – so make sure you pre book through the Queens Park Theatre. Group discounts apply and for enquiries please ring 0458 306 111. No BYO alcohol. Bar available.

City to host Community Tree Planting days

As it’s now the start of the planting season and is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors, the City of Greater Geraldton is hosting Community Tree Planting Days to help restore Geraldton’s beautiful bushland.

The planting days will take place over a six week period which started last Saturday June 7 at the Chapman River Estuary.

Following planting days include:

• Saturday June 14 from 2pm to 5pm
• Saturday June 21 from 2pm to 5pm
• Saturday June 28 from 2pm to 5pm
• Saturday July 5 from 2pm to 5pm

*Locations to be confirmed.

Everyone is invited to join and no gardening experience is required. Remember to wear clothes suitable to gardening including enclosed shoes, gloves and hat, and bring a hand spade if you own one.

City of Greater Geraldton Senior Sustainability and Environmental Officer, Robyn Nicholas, said the last planting day saw thirty people assist the sustainability team.

“Overall, 500 seedlings were planted, watered and protected from rabbits with corflute protectors into the Chapman River Estuary,” she said.

“Without community help and support we wouldn’t be able to achieve as much, everyone’s time and assistance is gratefully received.”

For more information visit the Million Trees Geraldton Facebook Page on www.facebook.com/milliontreesgeraldton or contact the Environmental Sustainability Team on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Sydney Dance Company 45th anniversary national tour comes to Geraldton

Sydney Dance Company is thrilled to announce that as part of their 45th Anniversary Program they will be touring their internationally acclaimed production, 2 One Another, to cities and towns across Western Australia.

This stunning show, choreographed by Sydney Dance Company Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela, has already enraptured audiences across the globe, from the USA to Russia as part of an extensive eight week international tour taking in 16 cities in three continents at the end of 2013.

At home in Australia the work has been recognised with multiple awards including Most Outstanding Choreography, Most Outstanding Performance by a Company and Most Outstanding Female Dancer (Australian Dance Awards 2013), Best Ensemble and Best Female Dancer (Green Room Awards 2012) and Best Female Dancer (Helpmann Awards 2012).

Sydney Dance Company Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela says,  “I’m really excited to be sharing 2 One Another with our friends in Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales this year, as part of our 45th Anniversary program.”

“Sydney Dance Company prides itself on presenting the same exceptionally high quality productions to our audiences in regional Australia as we do to our capital city and international audiences, and I believe that 2 One Another is such beautiful show that so many people will enjoy.”

Beautiful, dynamic and highly physical, 2 One Another is performed by 16 of the best contemporary dancers in Australia, including multi-award winning Charmene Yap (2013 Best Female Dancer, Australian Dance Awards; 2012 Best Female Dancer in a Dance/Theatre Production, Helpmann Awards.)

The show is the result of an exciting collaboration between Sydney Dance Company Artistic Director and choreographer Rafael Bonachela, set and costume designer Tony Assness, and composer/music director Nick Wales, with poetry by Samuel Webster.

An exultant and sensual study of human interaction and relationships, 2 One Another explores the couple (2), the individual (One), and the group (Another), in ‘A thrillingly fluent piece that maintains its vibrancy over its hour-long journey” (Sydney Morning Herald).

The performance is set against a stunning digital backdrop of motion design and animation and features an exceptional soundtrack - seamlessly embracing Baroque to electronica - shot through with poetry fragments created and utilised during the development of the work.

2 One Another premiered in Sydney in March 2012, and has since toured to Melbourne, Adelaide, Alice Springs and Darwin, and to nine cities across North America, South America and Russia.

Sydney Dance Company’s 45th Anniversary National Tour kicks off at her Majesty’s Theatre in Perth on June 18, before travelling to regional Western Australia, regional Queensland and regional New South Wales.

It will be at Queen's Park Theatre in Geraldton on July 5th. Click here for more information.

Farewell Tim on his journey across the Indian Ocean

Victorian policeman Tim Spiteri is set to launch on his row across in the Indian Ocean tomorrow and he is inviting the community to see him and his crew off.

Tim and his team will depart tomorrow from the Geraldton Marina at 10am, Wednesday June 11th.

"It will be treat viewing from the jetty or if people have watercraft we'd love to have them following us out," Tim said.

In a world-first, Tim and his team of eight, will attempt to row 8,500km non-stop, from Geraldton to Durban in South Africa without assistance – setting a new world record.

The eight-man crew will row in two hour shifts with four rowing and four resting at a time. The journey will take between 45 and 56 days.

This is the second ocean crossing attempt Tim will embark on after successfully crossing the Atlantic Ocean in 2013.

Through the combined crossing attempts Tim and his team aim to raise more than $250,000 for MS Australia.

Tim has been inspired to tackle the ocean rows by his mother Rhonda who has been living with MS for more than 30 years.

“Mum has been a constant inspiration for me. Every day I’m amazed at her courage and positivity and she’s always been there to support me throughout my life,” Tim said.

“This row is another opportunity to help her and to give back to people like Mum who are living with this terrible disease.”

The journey will not be an easy  and it will pose considerable risks to the team with high winds and large swells expected along the way as well as the threat of injury, boat damage and even piracy.

“I’m confident the team will be ready for departure and that they will be able to complete the challenge ahead,” Tim said.

“We’ve been training now collectively for quite some time and there is always a great camaraderie once you get in the boat and head out, because once you’re out there, you have to rely so much on each other.

“I’m sure it will get tough along the way but we have received such wonderful support so far and we know we will have family and friends back home cheering us on. I have no doubt this will spur us on regardless of what the ocean throws at us.”

Tim and his team will depart from Geraldton, (weather dependant) in the next couple of days.

To follow Tim’s voyage, and to support his journey by donating, visit www.timsvoyage.com.

Men's health in the spotlight this week

The spotlight will be shining on Aussie blokes this week.

Men's Health Week is celebrated from June 9 to 15 and is focussed on celebrating the achievements of men and boys and in turn, allows opportunities to think about their health and wellbeing.

In celebrating what it calls, achieveMENts, the Men's Health Week website is encouraging more local events that focus a spotlight on health.

The site outlines that the idea of celebration is about "valuing boys and men and their everyday successes. Improving men’s health requires an approach that engages boys and blokes.

"To improve the mental, physical and social health of boys and men in Australia means working locally alongside them, and understanding how their health is shaped by the various aspects of their lives.

"And we probably all agree that celebrating many small successes in our lives is a great way to achieve better health and wellbeing – it empowers us to take those small or large steps to make today a better day."

The concept of Men’s Health Week gives local communities, local families and local people an opportunity to run events that interest boys and blokes and it allows everyone to think about what issues impact on their health.

If you are hosting a Men's Health Week event, please add it to their website and also let us know at Everything Geraldton so we can help get the word out there.

Beyondblue National Roadshow in Geraldton today!

As part of beyondblue’s 30,000km National Roadshow, the big blue bus is on the Geraldton Foreshore near Dome today from 10am-2pm! There will be free information about depression, anxiety and ways to stay well will be available. Come and chat to beyondblue staff and Goldfields-Midwest Medicare Local Staff, find out about available supports, paint a positive mental health affirmation and check out ‘Roadshow Rhonda’ – the beautiful old bus.

Here's a blog written by GMML's Clinical Psychologist Amanda Burley in conjunction with beyondblue.

At any given time, over two million Australians have anxiety and more than one million live with depression – these are very common conditions. Unfortunately, more than half of those experiencing a mental health condition don’t seek help.  A high proportion of people who take their lives have untreated depression. In Australia in 2012, 2535 people died by suicide. This is far too many.

beyondblue recently set off in a big blue bus on an 18-month journey around Australia to encourage and support people everywhere to ‘Take 1 step’ towards having better mental health.

Working with Medicare Locals and other local organisations on the ground, the bus has been in Western Australia since Anzac Day. This week it visits Geraldton – attending the DeadlyDivaZ health day on 4 June and partnering with Midwest Men’s Health, Women’s Health Resource Centre and Mission Australia for a health expo on the Foreshore on Thursday 5 June (10am to 2pm). Goldfields-Midwest Medicare Local have also helped organise events in Mullewa, Kalbarri and Carnarvon.

The big blue bus is all about encouraging people to tune in to their mental health, to open up about common mental health problems and to take action to get support if needed. If we can encourage people to talk openly and take action early, we can reduce the impact of depression and anxiety on individuals, their families and the community.

Don’t forget to visit the bus while it’s in Geraldton. You can also find out more about the journey at www.beyondblue.org.au/take1step

To find out more about beyondblue, including its 24-hour support service, free information resources and online directory of medical and allied health practitioners in mental health, visit www.beyondblue.org.au

The Goldfields-Midwest Medicare Local and the Panaceum Group is pleased to support the Beyond Blue Roadshow and its visit to our region. Goldfields-Midwest Medicare Local (GMML) will be working alongside Beyond Blue during its visit to provide information to everyone on how to access services for their mental health needs. GMML provides a range of service to support people with mild to moderate mental health issues through the Access to Allied Psychological Supports (ATAPS) program and Mental Health Services Rural and Remote areas program. Both services can be accessed via a referral from a GP.

Goldfields-Midwest Medicare Local is also the lead agency for the Partners In Recovery program which aims to better support people with severe and persistent mental health issues and complex needs. Along with Missions Australia, Hope Community Services, Arafmi WA and Bay of Isles Community Outreach, our Support Facilitators work with clients, their families and carers and support services to ensure the person’s care is coordinated in a way that meets their needs and supports them on their road to recovery. The Partners In Recovery program can be accessed via a self-referral by contacting one of our Support Facilitators or by referral through a support organisation or through a GP.

Members of the Panaceum Group will be at the foreshore on the 5^th June to Support Beyond Blue and the Mental Health provisions in Geraldton, and help break down any barriers to accessing mental health care.

Spotlight on Emergency Management in the Midwest Gascoyne

Former Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police and Head of Royal Commissions into major bushfires, Mick Keelty, will be in Geraldton as headline speaker for an Emergency Management Conference being held at Queens Park Theatre on June 30.

Mr Keelty will highlight the key lessons for the sector drawing upon several major recent Inquiries such as the 2012 Coroner's Inquest into the response of emergency services to the London Bombings of July 2005; the 2012 NZ Royal Commission into the Christchurch Earthquake and Pike River Mine Explosion ad well as the Victorian Royal Commission into the Black Saturday Bushfires and the Perth Hills Bushfires.

He will be joined by International Recovery Professional Sally McKay, CEO Bank of IDEAS Peter Kenyon, Business Continuity Expert Nathaniel Forbes from Singapore, experienced Emergency Management Practitioner Greg Scroope, emergency practitioner and academic Lewis Winter, Vic Bliss from Brookfield Rail and Martin North, Harbourmaster from the Geraldton Port Authority.

The conference is being organised by the Mid West Gascoyne Local Government Emergency Management Network.

Konrad Seidl, inaugural Chair of the Network, said the high calibre of speakers will enhance awareness and knowledge of key players in emergency management.

Mr Seidl said the formation of the Network is a great opportunity to build capacity across the Mid West and Gascoyne in terms of preparing, responding and recovering from disasters that can impact the region’s communities.

“Similar collaborative partnerships have proven successful in other parts of the country and in the South West,” he said.

“Some of the benefits will be realised through local knowledge and the skills and experience on offer from the various local governments participating.

“Cross boundary matters such as communication and access to emergency management training can be addressed through collaborative funding applications,” said Mr Seidl.

He said support for major incidents could be streamlined by establishing stronger relationships and understanding of key emergency considerations of each local government area.

“A key Network outcome will be communication to and from the District, and State Emergency Management Committees and the WA Local Government Association on matters concerning Policy and Legislation.”

Maurice Battilana, Chapman Valley CEO, is deputy chair and brings significant experience in Local Government and Emergency Management highlighted through his involvement with the Carnarvon floods and fires in 2010 and 2012.

The network is supported by a successful funding application through the Western Australian Governments AWARE program and is sponsored by Western Power, Geraldton Port Authority and Brookfield Rail.

Tickets for the Conference are available for $100 and the registration brochure is attached. Registrations close Friday, June 13.

Accommodation can be arranged through the Geraldton Visitor Centre. To book your ticket please complete the Registration Form (last page in brochure) and email to Johannes Muller at the City of Greater Geraldton via johannesm@cgg.wa.gov.au.

For further information contact City of Greater Geraldton Manager of Law and Safety, Konrad Seidl, on konrads@cgg.wa.gov.au or by calling (08) 9956 6600.

Discover our local wildflowers

Chapman River Friends will host two walks this weekend to help locals spot the bloom of early wildflowers.

The first walk will take place on Sunday, June 1st at 3pm with the second walk on Monday, June 2nd at 3pm.

The meeting points for both treks will be at Spalding Park.

Chapman River Friends say it's not only a great way for people to discover the park but a great way to spot the beautiful wildflowers that are starting to bloom.

Wear protective gear, enclosed shoes and bring a hat and water bottle!

50th anniversary for TS Morrow

In March 1964 the first parade of Training Ship Morrow was held.

More than 50 years later, on 24th May 2014, TS Morrow held another landmark parade with an inspection by Flotilla Commander, Lieutenant Commander Bob Hughes.

LCDR Hughes said, "50 years of youth leadership and training by the navy cadets in Geraldton is a great achievement.

"The cadets showed off their skills well and its good to see such a friendly and motivated group. They are a real credit to Geraldton.

"It was pleasing to see that RSL members from as far away as Carnamah and Three Springs traveled to support the unit during the inspection."

Commanding Officer of T. S. Morrow, Lieutenant Anthony Desmond, said it was a great parade for their 50^th anniversary.

"Our next event is a cocktail party reunion is on Saturday 5^th July," he said.

"It would be great to see a large turn up of past cadets and instructors. We’d also love to hear from anyone that has any photos or memorabilia of the unit.”

You can register your interest in attending the reunion by email to tsmorrow50@gmail.com or call 08 9964 2663.

Melbourne Comedy Festival pulls out all stops for Geraldton

It doesn't get much better than watching the comedic stylings of five of Australia's best and upcoming comedians all in one room.

And last night's show at the Queen's Park Theatre did not disappoint!

Gracing our local stage were comedians Kevin Kropinyeri, Anne Edmonds, Luke Heggie, Nick Cody and Tom Ballard.

The mixture of the five very different comedians all brought their uniqueness to the stage which made for a very entertaining, sometimes ludicrous but overall an hilarious show.

MC Kevin Kropinyeri was one of the biggest highlights of the show and his energetic dance moves to Whitney Houston's 'I wanna dance with somebody' were beyond hilarious. It set the mood for what was to be a great night of laughs... And inappropriate jokes of course.

Luke Heggie told the crowd of his time working at a bottle shop. Seems dull doesn't it? Bit it wasn't. His spin on Australian slang and misuse of words were not only funny, but so true.

Nick Cody doesn't like people with food allergies, and he made that well known in his act. "Food allergies for realises?" Nick also expressed his hate for yoga, especially because it's a sport you can't win.

Tom Ballard was not afraid to push the boundaries.... at all! he spoke of his time growing up, his sexuality and the abbreviations of some of Australia's favourite words.

The show ended on a high with the only female act for the night, Anne Edmonds. Her ocker delivery was hilarious, and a rather embarrassing story of a date with an ex-boyfriend was a standout.

The dynamics of the five comedians made for a very energetic and entertaining night out.

The five will perform again tonight at the QPT starting at 7:30 with tickets available at the Box Office.

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

Reconciliation Week in the Mid West

The Mid West will celebrate National Reconciliation Week with some great activities and cultural events.

National Reconciliation Week is celebrated across Australia each year between 27 May and 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey—the anniversaries of the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.

The opening ceremony of the Mid West celebrations will take place in Mullewa on Tuesday, May 27th from 8:30am to 11am. There will be a flag raising ceremony followed by a community morning tea at the Mullewa District office.

That afternoon, schools and community members are invited to attend the Mullewa Film Festival held in the Town Centre from 1pm to 2:10pm with a series of four short films to be played.

Archie Roach and Yamaji Music Showcase will be a will be a highlight for Reconciliation Week with local artists and performers providing a full evening of music and culture.

The concert will include:

-Archie Roach -Red Ochre -Deadly Old Divas and Irra Wangga Language Centre -Wajarri Band -Reynold Indich Dance Group -Midwest Yamaji Band

The event will take play on Thursday, May 29th at the Queens Park Theatre.

Aboriginal art will also be displayed in the Queens Park Theatre's lower foyer and Charmaine Green will be doing a special presentation in the Mezzanine room at 4:30pm with the concert beginning at 5:30pm.

Tickets can be booked at the Queens Park Theatre Box Office on (08) 9956 6600.

Prices range between $10-$30. For more details contact the Queens Park Theatre or visit their webpage.

Community rallies for Darren

Community spirit is set to ignite this Friday with the ‘This is Living’ benefit concert for local, Darren Middleton.

The benefit concert will raise vital funds for Darren and his young family, as he undergoes treatment for brain cancer in his second fight against the devastating disease.

Event organiser Dave Clare is urging the local community to get behind this cause and show their support for the Middleton’s.

“Darren's in the middle of another battle and he and his family need our help,” he said.

“This is our chance as a community to rally together and do what we do best in the Midwest.”

Proudly sponsored by Elite Electrical, Epic Sounds and ATC Midwest, the concert will see performances from a talented line-up of local artists.

“We’ve got the young up and coming Nadine Burchell opening the show, plus we’ll have a performance by State Karaoke champion Emily Ruffin,” said Mr Clare.

Also among the line-up is international vocalist and guitarist Leon Tioke, and closing the show will be local band Blue Mercy.

Event organisers are hoping to draw a crowd of 300, with all proceeds going directly to the Middleton’s.

“Every ticket we sell will support Darren and his family, and help ease their financial burden during this difficult time.”

The “This is Living” benefit concert will take place on Friday May 16^th at the Spalding Park Golf Club.

Mr Clare said guests can soak up the evening’s entertainment in the luxury of the VIP area, and enjoy refreshments and table service throughout the concert.

Tickets are $50 for VIP access and $20 for standard admission, and are available for purchase through Spirit Radio, ATC Midwest and Spalding Park Golf Club.  For more information or to secure your place in the VIP area, call 0417 188 459.

Local students present outback show

The first ever Geraldton Grammar School secondary-school production, The Outback Debutante Ball, will be held at the Batavia Hall on May 22, 23 and 24 at 7pm.

Written by Judith Prior, the play takes place in the outback, with Mid West references, as the local community pull together to save the town hall by holding a traditional debutante ball.

The production will be staged in theatre restaurant style, with supper and beverages available to purchase at the venue, and features a wide variety of popular music for an evening that will entertain the whole family.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased from the Geraldton Grammar Payments Office, or call on 9965 7800.

Midnight Basketball calls for volunteers

After months of planning, the Midnight Basketball Geraldton Community Committee has successfully set up its first 8 week Tournament to be held on Friday nights at the Active West Stadium on Eighth Street.

The players are ready and now the Midnight Basketball Geraldton Community Committee invites all local community members to join in, help make it happen and be part of its success.

Midnight Basketball needs 15 volunteers every Tournament night to help with tasks such as helping to serve dinner, setting up workshop rooms, managing teams, scoring, refereeing and driving buses. Can you help?

Midnight Basketball is a national, community-run program held in a safe environment on Friday or Saturday nights for 12-18 year old 'at risk' youth.

Each 8 week Tournament night includes a hot, nutritious dinner followed by a compulsory life skills Workshop before the tournament basketball begins. A bus takes all players home to their front door around midnight.

“Volunteers are the backbone of Midnight Basketball across the country. They provide a safe, happy and co-operative environment and also provide the opportunity for youth participants to engage with a diverse range of community members who impart knowledge, kindness, friendship and access to future opportunities," said Tess White, Chief Executive Officer of Midnight Basketball Australia.

"The success of Midnight Basketball would not be possible without the support that Volunteers provide on every night of every Tournament around Australia.”

Volunteers commonly report that they find their volunteer experience rewarding because it is a contribution of time that is providing practical solutions.

Volunteers are finding that Midnight Basketball also benefits them.

“There is no doubt, I get as much out of the program as the players, as volunteers we also have just as much fun!” said Jessica Felix from Midnight Basketball Geraldton.

Another volunteer of last year’s tournament Bobby-Lee Martin, says that her role in the Midnight Basketball program had undoubtedly given her increased job prospects.

“I got to meet a variety of people from different organisations which helped me get my foot in the door for work in the youth sector. Midnight Basketball program has definitely benefitted me,” she said.

Come along and see how you can help. Each night requires 15 Volunteers who assist with tasks like helping to serve dinner, setting up the workshop rooms, managing teams, scoring, refereeing, and driving the buses.

PLAYER REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Simone Maloney, Tournament Administrator, Midnight Basketball Geraldton

0428 846 773 geraldton@midnightbasketball.org.au

VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Kristy Geyson, Volunteer Manager, Midnight Basketball Geraldton

08 9921 1433  Geraldton@midnightbasketball.org.au

Hooper won't be deterred by Geraldton's double gees

From ginger haired male comedians, the birth of the first child, her mother-in-law and "Geraldton's double gees", comedian Claire Hooper will have a lot of people laughing at the Comedy Emporium's first birthday show tomorrow night.

The well renowned Australian comedian is headlining the big event for local business The Comedy Emporium, which is set to be a huge night of laughs and celebrations.

Claire is well known around Australia for her comedic stylings and you have probably seen her on Good News Week, The Sideshow, Rove Live, The Circle, Stand Up Australia and The Great Debate.

Everything Geraldton spoke to Claire yesterday and she relived some of her childhood memories from holidays in Geraldton.

"My mum spent her adolescence there so we were always holidaying in Geraldton as kids," she said.

"I remember the beautiful sand dunes and those double gees - yeah those brutal prickles."

We assured Claire she wouldn't hopefully encounter any "brutal prickles" but she said now she's a mum she would be travelling with shoes on.

Claire will mix it with the likes of local young guns Jackson Canny and Ellen Clancy Millett as well as local comics Brian Poller, Mark Canny, Rosie Sitorus, Lachlan Adam and Julian Canny. Professor Alistair Crawford will make his way from Kalgoorlie for the show and city slickers Rachel Mills and Colin Ebsworth will also grace the stage.

Claire said although she has some Geraldton related jokes on the cards, she would be leaving most of that stuff to the local comedians.

"I think I will leave most of the hardcore Geraldton jokes to the locals," she said.

"I'm excited to be back in Geraldton. It's always a warmer experience. It's not too big but not too small and people are just looking for a good time."

Claire said jokes about her mother-in-law always feature but she assures us she isn't overstepping the mark.

"I am blessed to have a really entertaining mother-in law and the thing is - she loves the attention!"

Tomorrow night's show will kick off at the Queens Park Theatre from 6:30pm tomorrow night with live music from 7pm and comedy beginning at 6pm.

Tickets are very limited so get there early to get a ticket at the door.

In one last comment to Everything Geraldton, Claire said she was "road tripping" from Perth to Geraldton with her mum and said, "If you see my mum on the streets of Geraldton, buy her a drink."

FIVE Geraldton celebrates with a nest of artworks

The six-week long community arts and cultural development project, FIVE Geraldton, will host a community celebration and exhibition of works from the project on 8 May 2014 in Post Office Lane and on Marine Terrace in the City of Geraldton.

The event will feature an installation of the large-scale community sculpture created by the community in collaboration with artist Hiromi Tango at the ACDC Gallery and other venues. The event will also screen the projection of digital portraits filmed by Craig Walsh at the Wedge building (part of the WA Museum – Geraldton) during April. Projects from workshops with young adults in Geraldton will also be on display.

“We have been very fortunate to have well-known community artists Craig Walsh and Hiromi Tango visit the City of Greater Geraldton to facilitate broad community-based projects,” said Chris Budhan, Acting City Director, Creative Communities.

“The projects have provided avenues for people to come together and share stories about what Geraldton means to them, and so create a collective narrative for and about the town. It’s something we are very proud of.

“As a project, FIVE is an important community-building tool. Using artistic engagement in this way helps to build, support and maintain a strong, healthy community that aligns with the City’s Strategic Community Plan.”

Raina Savage, Arts Development Manager at the ACDC Gallery, says that the Gallery was delighted to host the whole-of-community workshops that created the sculptural work.

“Hiromi’s workshops have enabled hundreds of people from all walks of life to come together to make art, and to share their stories about family and life in Geraldton,” said Ms Savage. “The process has been vibrant and inclusive, with Hiromi’s warmth and creativity bringing a lot of joy to all participants.”

Artists Hiromi Tango and Craig Walsh have used the concept of ‘belonging’ to generate personal reflections and creative expression. Their combined projects have been shaped around the idea of ‘nests’ for the final exhibition.

“We have been inspired by the idea of nests during our time in Geraldton,” said Mr Walsh. “There is quite a movement here to support the Sea Osprey, with artificial nests created on the foreshore using old lobster traps, for example.

“The community spoke about the Osprey during interviews for the digital artwork, and the idea of building a nest by gathering and assembling a nurturing space is very similar to the work that FIVE is doing in the community. It’s a fitting metaphor.”

Walsh, who will work across four of the FIVE project’s communities, has woven digital stories from participants into a larger digital artwork capturing aspects of community identity in Geraldton.

“We will screen a multi-channel video projection on the walls of Post Office Square,” he said. “The work has been created using video portraits and statements extracted from interviews with about 50 people from this area.

“All contributions to the interviews are combined to form a community portrait defined through personal views of what it means to live and work in Geraldton.

“We hope the work generates a sense of pride and celebration while also raising important questions relative to environment, compassion, empathy, tolerance and participation in a town that is clearly a very special place to many people.” 

Also on show at the community celebration will be work created in a series of youth projects. Photographic narratives created by young adults from Streetwork Aboriginal Corporation will be on display, along with interactive digital works and a mural.

FIVE Geraldton is part of a larger statewide project, called FIVE. It is a two-year partnership between DADAA and Rio Tinto, taking place in Geraldton, Paraburdoo, Busselton, Derby and Esperance.

Led by arts organisation DADAA, the project has aimed to build community resilience and wellbeing through participatory arts activities that have taken place at various sites in Geraldton.

The FIVE Geraldton celebration and exhibition opening will take place in Post Office Lane and on Marine Terrace (near the Clock Tower) from 5.00–8.00pm with formal proceedings and the projection starting at 6.30pm. Pop up markets, street entertainers and street food will add to the vibrancy of the event. The sculpture can also be viewed on 9 and 10 May in the same location.

The event is free and open to the public.

Home based businesses showcase at markets

It won't be long until Geraldton will have access to a ‘pop-up department store’ at the Midwest Home Based Business Markets.

Formerly known as the Midwest Home Business Expo, the event will bring together between 50 and 80 local home based businesses showcasing their products and services.

Local organisation business Its All Sorted is looking forward to the third year of the event.

“As always with our Community Events, the Midwest Home Based Business Markets will be fundraising for a worthy local cause. This year it’s for the Geraldton Emergency Services Cadets Corp (GESCC)!” said Its All Sorted Director Emma Howell.

The GESCC is a community group aimed at youth between the ages of 12 and 17 and aims to promote a challenging, safe, rewarding and engaging environment for cadets to learn life skills not developed in any other environment.

GESCC representative Brie-anne Mauger praised the event and said the funds were vital for the local community group.

“Our cadet unit encourages positive community involvement into adulthood and provides training based around the emergency services, which can lead to a career or volunteer position into their adult life,” Brie-anne said.

Emma said the event always attracted a huge range of exhibitors.

“We have everything from jewellers, party plan sellers, clothing stores, to maintenance, craft, food, plants and so much more...! There aren’t many opportunities to browse a selection of home based businesses like this, considering they are all hidden away inside our homes," she said.

"This is a great chance for people to see products, chat to owners and creators and get a feel for the businesses which might not usually be available.

“Plus it’s an amazing opportunity for the home based businesses, to access hundreds of potential customers in just a few short hours. A really intensive promotional opportunity which isn’t regularly available with the added bonus of a fantastic community contribution.”

The Midwest Home Based Business Markets are part of the 2014 Community Events.

“Our major sponsors The Abrolhos Group and Dr Kim Pedlow are vital to the success of the Community Events, it means that funds raised on the day of the event can go straight to the charity without having to cover costs of insurance, venue hire etc,” Emma explained.

“Plus our gold sponsors Geraldton Community Bank Branch of Bendigo Bank, silver sponsors Maicon Engineering, Harvey Norman and Ian Blayney MLA, media sponsors Geraldton Newspapers, WAFM and Spirit Radio, and marketing sponsors RGI SignWorks and Coastal canvas, make a world of difference!”

The Midwest Home Based Business Markets are on Sunday 18 May, 10am – 2pm at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre. Entry is $5 (children under 10 free) and raffle tickets are $2 each. Exhibitor registrations close on Sunday 11 May and start from just $50.

For more information visit www.itsallsorted.com.au 

Last Paradise hits Geraldton

The world’s greatest story of adventure and innovation Last Paradise, will come to Geraldton on Sunday.

An adventure film based on the evolution of extreme sports and the eternal quest for paradise, the film is the work of physicist-come-filmmaker Clive Neeson.

Filmed over four decades by Neeson and his family the original footage has been restored by Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings technical team who described it as “the most extraordinary footage we have ever seen.”

Speaking of the film, Neeson says, “it is my life’s work and deals with the innovation of extreme sports; specifically sports which engage the wilderness and use natural forces as a source of energy.”

“It began with my mother, who was raised in an orphanage and became a wildlife cinematographer in Africa during the 1950’s. My parents raised four boys remotely and we all became addicted to adventure travel. I began filming at the age of 15 with a broken camera that I bought in a pawn shop, mainly because my parents wouldn’t let me touch theirs,” he continues.

Driven by a passion of exploring new travel frontiers, Neeson and his brothers met likeminded New Zealanders and Australians throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s, and Last Paradise is a culmination of footage sourced over a 45 year period.

The highlight of a lifetime of filmmaking turned out to be Western Australia, which is revealed as the Last Paradise in the film.

“I wanted West Australians to see on the big screen just how amazing and valuable their own wilderness is,” Neeson says.

It is through this unique original footage that a series of stories emerge which will speak to almost anyone, especially those with a thirst for adventure travel and an interest in science and nature. However, it’s not simply an adventure film as there is a deeper message for audiences take away.

Amongst the adrenaline, adventure and nostalgia, Last Paradise addresses issues such as energy development, deforestation, species loss and urbanization.

“I wanted to use original footage to address the world’s biggest problems – in this sense the film is an open letter to a generation inheriting a world vastly different to the one me, my brothers and my friends grew up in, and we were just one generation before the youth of today,” Neeson says.

With a Master’s degree in physics and a career in technology innovation (including the first digital movie camera and climate monitoring system), Neeson skillfully incorporates scientific and educational elements into the storyline and it is hoped Last Paradise will become a reference point for education and a stimulus for cultural and social change amongst the youth of today.

Last Paradise will show at Orana Cinemas on Sunday, May 4th at 6pm and will include a Q&A with filmmaker Clive Neeson.

Call Orana Cinemas box office on 9965 0568 for ticket information.

Inspiring the women of Mullewa

There is a need in every single woman to express themselves and truly let their colours fly. Hunting for Foxes is a photographic exhibition that has let a group of Mullewa women do just that.

Hunting for Foxes is a Mullewa Arts Development Group (MAD) project and is currently exhibiting at the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery.

The project is a series of contemporary photos that challenge long held stereotypes of regional women living on the land being somewhat unsophisticated and not particularly glamorous.

Women were challenged to develop a fanciful vision of themselves, one that is not usually expressed in their everyday lives.

Mullewa District Office Coordinator Community Cultural Development and Project Coordinator, Rachel McKenzie, said participants were able to use their creative sides to explore their fantasies through visioning and photography skill workshops.

“We had professional photographers, fashion stylists and hair and make-up artists to bring the ladies concepts alive,” she said.

“Hunting for Foxes truly displays stunning images of these women and it proves how wrong society is when looking at our regional women.”

City of Greater Geraldton Councillor, Tarleah Thomas, said it’s well worth visiting the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery to see the talent in our region.

“I’ve personally seen the exhibition five times and the feedback I have received has been overwhelming,” she said.

“Participants were given space and creative freedom to explore a fantasy side of themselves, or an alter-ego, that may lay dormant. It’s quite amazing that 50 women took part in the project.”

“It’s a wonderful way to showcase Mullewa and display the professionalism of the themes and photographs,” said Cr Thomas.

The exhibition was opened by Councillors Tarleah Thomas and Jennifer Critch and runs until Saturday May 10, 2014. A book will also be out shortly showcasing the stories of each participant and some behind the scene images. For more information contact Rachel McKenzie on (08) 9961 1007.

There will be a temporary closure of the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery from Monday May 12 until Wednesday August 13, 2014 due to the replacement of the entire air-conditioning system. The City apologises for any inconvenience the closure may cause.