RAAF hot air balloon visits Geraldton

The Royal Australian Air Force Balloon is currently on tour and scheduled to ‘land’ in Greater Geraldton.

Update, Tell your friends: 

The Tethered RAAF Hot air balloon rides have been brought forward to Wednesday (tomorrow) at Queens Park from 4.30pm, instead of Thursday.

---

Up, up, and away… the Royal Australian Air Force Balloon is currently on tour in WA and scheduled to ‘land’ in the City of Greater Geraldton on Tuesday 25 August for a three day visit. 

Over the three days, the community can enjoy the sight of the balloon flying over the City and the opportunity of free tethered flights on Wednesday 26 August where local residents will be able to experience the excitement of balloon flight first hand - weather permitting.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Ian Carpenter, said the Air Force Balloon Tour is a great way for people to learn more about aviation and the Royal Australian Air Force first hand from Air Force personnel.

“The Air Force Balloon Tour provides a great opportunity for community members to meet RAAF personnel and learn about the Royal Australian Air Force and aviation, especially how to fly without wings and engines, ” said Mayor Carpenter.

“Residents can also experience the joy of balloon flight first hand during free tethered balloon flights available on a first come first served basis on Wednesday 26 August from 4.30-8.00pm at Queens Park, weather permitting of course.”

Early risers will be able to catch glimpses of the RAAF Balloon flying over Geraldton on the mornings of the 25th and 26th from 6.30-7.30am.

The hot air balloon will also be visiting the Walkaway Primary School on Tuesday 25 August from 10am-2pm and St Francis Xavier Primary School on Wednesday 26 August from 10am-2pm. 

You can keep track of the Air Force balloon during its tour of WA on Facebook www.facebook.com/RAAF.Balloon; Twitter @Aus_AirForce.; Instagram @AirforceAustralia

Leaning Tree Community School Spring Fair

In its third year, the Leaning Tree Community School Spring Fair is a celebration of the student's creativity, community, and fun.  From 10am to 2pm on Sunday 23 August, the grounds of Leaning Tree will be full of creative activities and homemade treats. Join in at the make-your-own bunting stall or decorate a gingerbread man. Enjoy fresh made lemonade, devonshire tea, soups, juices and other tasty goods. Try your luck in the raffles with hundreds of dollars worth of prizes donated by the generous Geraldton community. Find a bargain at the white elephant stall and enjoy entertainment including the annual maypole dance.

The school offers guided tours and as an official open day, staff will be available to answer any questions about the school's ethos and quality curriculum.Leaning Tree Community School is a co-educational, independent school, with children attending from Kindergarten to Year 6.  The early years of childhood and parenting are supported with Rainbow Playgroup for children from birth to 4 and their families.

The core value of Leaning Tree Community School is to nurture the whole child.  This means that the school community focuses on the overall well-being of the child including literacy and numeracy, problem solving, friendships, environmental consciousness, nutrition, creativity, nature play and respect and care for self and others.

GCC Annual Tournament

The Geraldton Croquet Club Annual Tournament was held from 8th - 11th August 2015. Visitors came from Cambridge, Moorabinda, Dunsborough and Fremantle Croquet Clubs and enjoyed a well-run tournament in Geraldton.

Four competitions were held:

• Golf Croquet Level Play Singles,
• Golf Croquet Handicap Singles,
• Golf Croquet Handicap Doubles, and
• Association Croquet Advanced Handicap Singles.

The Golf Croquet Level Play Singles, Block A was won by Max Woolf pictured below receiving his prize from Club Patron Beryl Scott. The runner up Kay Chynoweth is pictured below (centre) lining up a shot during the competition. At right below is Paul Dodson who came third in Block A.

The Golf Croquet Level Play Singles, Block B was won byMaureen Edwards pictured below, left. Runner-up was Owen Keane pictured receiving his prize from club patron Beryl Scott.

The Golf Croquet Handicap Singles

 Block A was won by Paul Dodson, pictured below, left. The runner up was Brian Hadley pictured at right, below.

Block B was won by Paul Christmass, pictured below, left. The runner up was Eleanor Roberts pictured at right, below.

The Golf Croquet Handicap Doubles was won by Kay Chynoweth and Paul Christmass pictured at left, below. The runners up were John Jury and Margaret Stokes pictured below right.

Photos by Maureen Nanson

The Association Croquet Advanced Handicap Singles was won by Geraldton Croquet Club President, Trevor Hansen, pictured below left. Runner-up was Geraldton Croquet Club Captain Ann Bunter pictured at right, below..

A presentation celebration was held on Saturday evening where the Golf results were announced.There was another presentation for the Association players at an afternoon tea on Tuesday afternoon

The raffle was drawn on Sunday evening. The winners were Maureen Nanson, Laureen Lutz and Paul Dodson. The Geraldton Croquet club is very grateful to the following Geraldton businesses for their generous donations to the raffle which was very successful.

At the presentation the Club President and Club Captain thanked the many people who had worked to make the tournament a success, referees, people who dressed the courts, arranged morning and afternoon teas, fetched and served lunches etc. A special thanks went to Ann Bunter for managing the tournament so well.

Mullewa Events Heat up the Winter

As the cool winter weather continues Mullewa will heat up the region with two of the region’s largest events this month - the Polocrosse Carnival and Agricultural Show.

The fun begins with the 20th Annual Mullewa Polocrosse Carnival 22-23 August at the Mullewa Polocrosse grounds where spectators are welcome to attend free of charge.

The tournament which is held every year in August features competitors from other Mid West zone clubs battling it out for top honours. Saturday night entertainment provided by Micky Mullet and the Moresby Rangers.

The Mullewa Agricultural Show on 29-30 August, which isn’t just about agriculture, features new events and activities for the whole family this year including a monster truck demo, side show alley rides, camel rides and the 10th Lighthorse Display in recognition of 100 Years of ANZAC.

With $5000 up in prizes for The Mullewa Gift – the richest footrace in regional WA and another $5000 the Mullewa Quick Shear competition is sure to be tense.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Ian Carpenter, said more than 1600 people attended last year’s Ag Show and took in some of the more traditional sights and activities.

“Last year visitors enjoyed the various pavilion competitions, machinery displays – both old and new – shopped at stalls in the market place and finished off the day watching a fireworks display after the sun went down.”

The Mullewa Wildflower show also falls on the same weekend and the whole town will be alive with tours of historical buildings, the wildflower walk and drive trails and the Women’s Art Centre will also be open showcasing a wide range of Aboriginal Art.

“Mullewa is rolling out the welcome mat in the coming weeks and I encourage people to visit the town and enjoy the fabulous events and activities that aren’t available in the City.  I look forward to seeing you there,” said Mayor Carpenter.

Colourful mural depicts strength and struggle

Tammy Wykes, Rahai Gray and Nykita McNeair start work on the Radio Theatre mural at Yanay Yanma Hall at Beachlands earlier this year.

“Just a minute, I’ve got something to say – and I want you all to listen.”

These words of the late Aboriginal Elder, Alice Nannup, will be immortalised (for the foreseeable future anyway) on the front of the Old Radio Theatre on Marine Terrace, Geraldton.

In February of this year, Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation (BACAC) held a ‘come yarn with us’ community consultation about the City of Greater Geraldton’s City Vibrancy strategy.

The City funded the project for a mural to be painted on the front of the building and Bundiyarra Board Member Bianca McNeair gathered together a group of enthusiastic people and got to work.

“This was such a great opportunity,” said Ms McNeair, “this project is about breaking down the walls and making Aboriginal people visible.

“And it’s also about preserving some of our stories.”

The story depicted in this mural is very relevant to this location as it tells of the time Elder Joan Gray’s mother, Alice Nannup, stood up in front of the audience at the Radio Theatre in the 1950s - when Joan was about 10 years old - and confronted them about racist taunts towards her children.

“It is a significant example of Aboriginal struggle and strength and is directly linked to the site of the mural,” said Ms McNeair.

With permission from Joan Gray (daughter of Alice Nannup) an excerpt from the book When the Pelican Laughed, by Alice Nannup was presented as a reference to this event.

Five generations are represented on the mural and four generations worked on it. The design includes images of Alice Nannup and her family, including great granddaughter Rahni Gray and great-great granddaughter Isabelle. The mural will tie five generations of Alice Nannup’s family together to show the connection of strength this one event has brought through to the present day family and community.

Along with text from the event at the Radio Theatre, the mural will include local flowers and Aboriginal Art designs.

Artists for the Mural include Joan Gray, Rahni Gray, Tammy Wykes, Diane Gray, Isabelle Gray and Nykita McNeair.

“The Bundiyarra City Vibrancy Mural Committee and artists are very excited about the project and look forward to adding to the current vibrant murals along Marine Terrace, and thank the City of Greater Geraldton for this wonderful opportunity,” Ms McNeair said.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Ian Carpenter, said the City was pleased to partner with Bundiyarra on this project.

“The City has invested considerable time and resources into the vibrancy strategy which is already resulting in both historic and positive artistic outcomes for the community,” he said.

“The City has in place a Reconciliation Action Plan which encourages cooperation with Aboriginal people and the wider community and projects like these fit this mould perfectly.”

The community is invited to see the mural panels revealed on Saturday 8 August between 12 and 1pm and good, old fashioned popcorn will delight all those who make it along.

Premier festival to hit Geraldton shores

Festivals on the Foreshore is Geraldton’s newest premier event which will see a collaboration with the City of Greater Geraldton, Geraldton’s ever-popular Sunshine Festival and G-Fest, the only cutting edge Fringe festival in regional WA, in a new exciting waterfront location.

From October 2 through to October 11, the Geraldton Foreshore will be a sea of people, fun, colour and entertainment for the whole family!

Think awesome activities for the kids and family meets night happenings of fire twirlers and sword swallowing and the infamous De Parel Spiegeltent.

Set in a fabulous new waterfront location, the Spiegeltent offers a magical venue for intimate contemporary arts performances.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Ian Carpenter, said the festival was a culmination of two of the City’s most popular events and the aim is to showcase the diversity and vibrancy of our region.

“We want to build capacity, pool our efforts, collaborate and create an event that will attract people to the Mid West region during the school holiday period,” he said.

“We plan to have something for everyone from the festival parade, children’s activities and workshops, contemporary arts performance, garden tours, art exhibition, water activities, music, astronomy, art markets, circus acts, a wide selection of food and drink and heaps more.

“We encourage everyone to invite their friends and family down to the event whether they are locals or from out of town.”

The ten-day event will be split into ‘sunshine’ activities and ‘moonlight’ activities to fit in with both the previous targets of the Sunshine Festival and G-Fest.

Sunshine activities will have a specified and increased focus on children and family activities while the moonlight activities will still be attractive to families but will also include some edgy adult-only activities.

Just one of the huge drawcards for the event will be the De Parel Spiegeltent. Purchased by Lotterywest as an asset for the entire State, this Belgian 'mirror tent' was built in Europe during the Art Deco era, and is beautifully decked out with velvet and brass booths, parquet floors, stained glass windows and thousands of reflecting mirrored surfaces. It dazzles and delights. Truly sensational. 

Renowned entertainer and singer Mojo Juju will be one of the headline acts for the event, and award-winning Aboriginal songstress Emma Donovan will bring her big soul sound home to her father's country for the first time.

Colourful raucous band Junkadelic will be performing, roving and offer a masterclass for budding performance musicians. Fringeworld winning stars Natural Wings Dance Theatre will lead a fabulous circus line-up with their show 'Tandem', while Cougar Morrison, 'the love child of David Bowie and Edith Piaf' returns from rave seasons at Melbourne and Sydney Fringe. 

Festival Director of G-Fest, Raina Savage, said they aimed to up the ante this year.

“Moving our fabulous Spiegeltent and Moonlight Pleasure Garden to the Foreshore to create an atmospheric playground of delight is just one of the big changes we’ve made,” she said.

“We have an amazing line-up, showcasing some of Australia's best music and most outrageous fringe arts performers; really living up to our motto of offering something to delight and offend just about everyone."

Sunshine Festival Director, Yvonne Marsden, said the team are very excited about the new waterfront location.

“This means the Sunshine Parade will start at QEII Seniors Centre, walk down Durlacher to the Foreshore, and it will be joined with the pet parade to add more colour and involvement,” she said.

“The theme this year is Sunshine – so we’re encouraging people and their pets to be dressed in bright yellows and this will take place on Sunday, 4 October at 2pm.

“Scitech will be there offering great hands on experiments and there will be many children’s workshops on offer, from cartooning to circus skills. Triple JJJ’s the Set List will also have an awesome band for youth.”

There will be music workshops, Jump and Bump, children’s workshops, the Toll Truck Pull and the Iluka Sunshine Parade plus a lot more.

A detailed program and more information will be released in the near future. Watch this space!

There will be heaps of entertainment for youth including a variety of workshops.

The G-Fest component of the Festival have said they will up the ante this year with plenty of ‘moonlight’ activities.

The Foreshore will be filled with colour, music and fun as many different acts hit the stage.

Just one of the huge drawcards for the event will be the very popular De Parel Spiegeltent.

Astronomy events will also be part of the new Festival.

The Festival Parade will be one of the events to delight the whole family.

Mastering the art of puppetry, papermaking and sculpture

A giant puppet that Kalbarri residents helped make and operate under the guidance of a professional artist at last year’s Kalbarri Zest Festival.

Kalbarri visitors and residents are invited to try their hand at creating puppets, paper, origami and sand sculptures in the lead up to the Kalbarri Zest Festival on September 19 and 20.

Following the extremely popular puppet making workshops held in the lead up to last year’s Zest Festival, professional artist Karen Hethey will return to Kalbarri to run workshops teaching adults and kids how to construct and operate Japanese Bunraku puppets.

She will operate a ‘drop-in’ workshop for people of all ages between August 15 and September 18, at the old St John Ambulance Sub Centre building on Kaiber Street.

Interested people should try to arrive for the first session at 10am on August 15.

Ms Hethey will also be calling for about 15 volunteer puppeteers to learn the art of operating the puppets in preparation for their use in the Zest Festival’s Chamber of Rhetoric performance on Saturday September 19.

The performance will bring together music, dance, acting and poetry to create a mesmerising performance at sunset in the glow of a giant bonfire on Chinaman’s Beach.

Zest Festival director Rebecca Millar said the puppetry workshops and performance at last year’s festival had captured the hearts of the township.

“These workshops were just amazing – not only for the way we learnt how to make these incredible and enormous puppets but also for the way they brought people together in a really informal setting.

“It was just beautiful to watch young and old and the impromptu conversations that unfolded as these people worked side by side on their craft.

“And then, to see the puppets come to life at the performance was spellbinding.”

In other activitiesartist Marianne Penberthy will conduct a papermaking workshop for interested residents at Kalbarri’s Art and Craft Centre on August 15 from 1pm to 4pm.

In addition, another artist, Marina Baker, is calling for volunteers to learn the art of sand sculpting at 10am on Wednesday September 16.

She will enlist locals to help her create a giant Buddha sand sculpture for show at the Zest Festival. On the festival weekend, festival-goers will be able to witness the sculpture while watching an attendant gracefully rake the sand.

Festival goers will also have the chance to view large origami sculptures up to one metre high, situated on the Kalbarri foreshore. Some of the sculptures will have been dissembled, in the hope of enticing the brave and patient to return them to form.

Other festival weekend cultural activities will include making theatre masks, flying box kites, learning tea ceremonies, and reading calligraphy and poems.

This year’s Zest Festival focuses on the cultures of China and Japan in the fourth year of a five-year festival commemorating the 300th anniversary of the sinking of the Dutch East India merchant ship the Zuytdorp on the cliffs north of Kalbarri.

The festival is funded by the Community Arts Network WA, Catalyst Community Arts Fund and the State Government through Tourism WA’s Regional Events Scheme, which is jointly funded by Royalties for Regions.

The Zest Festival is assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.

For more information visit the website www.zestfest.com.au.

Its All Sorted presents Ladies indulgence for a good cause

Ladies it’s time to bring our your favourite cocktail dress and gather the girls for a good time and a good cause. The annual Ladies Indulgence Evening is back and will be held on Saturday 22 August 2015 at a very exciting, very exclusive new venue.

“We just can’t wait for it to be here already! With a vintage theme and this awesome venue, it’s going to be the best one yet” says local Event Management company Its All Sorted’s Emma Howell.

The 2015 Ladies Indulgence Evening will be held in the usually unnoticed 149 Marine Terrace building. Next to the antique pop up store on the corner of Marine Terrace and Cathedral Avenue, is an unobtrusive door ­ through which is a beautiful old building full of gorgeous rooms, topped off with a dance hall overlooking Champion Bay.

“This year we’ve added the event into the Good Fun section of the Goodness Festival, so we’re lucky enough to have a bunch of generous locals willing to help us get in and give the building a spruce up before we move in for the week”, explains Howell.

Once it’s all dressed up, local ladies will be invited to join in for an evening of glamour, indulgence, entertainment and fundraising. A welcome drink on arrival served by handsome waiters, Josh Phillips serenading the ladies throughout the evening, a well stocked bar, gourmet canapes and gifts on hand; what more could you ask for a night out?

How about a handful of local product and service showcases ­ with things like jewellery, candles, beauty therapy, skin consultations, romance products and more; on display and on sale. Plus a selection of these up for grabs in the raffles and door prizes. Topped off by the fact that all of the proceeds go to a number of local charities, including the Women's Health Resource Centre, Chrysalis Support Services and Soroptomist International, who will also be on display on the night.

“Last year we raised over $4000 at the Ladies Indulgence Evening. We’d love to top that so we can gift these three crucial charities more than $1500 each”, says Howell. “All of the Community Events that we run, like this one, are possible thanks to the generous support of our major sponsors; the Abrolhos Group and Dr Kim Pedlow. Without them we couldn’t keep giving, so why not come along and give back too?”

For just $70 you can be part of this exciting evening and spoil yourself and your friends. Head to www.itsallsorted.com.au for tickets before they run out. 

Sleep In Your Car 2015

Dozens to Sleep in Their Cars for the Homeless 

Fusion Australia will be hosting ‘Sleep in Your Car 2015’ in August to raise awareness and funds for homelessness in Australia.

Held during or just after Homelessness Prevention Week, the event hopes to create understanding of the plight of those living without a home by having participants experience homelessness first hand.

In Geraldton on August 15 from 7pm participants will spend the night sleeping in their cars at 225 Lester Ave.

There are over a hundred thousand people who are homeless every night in Australia - 48% of these are under 25 years old. ‘Sleep In Your Car’ aims to raise funds and increase awareness about the homeless.

For the first time, Fusion, in partnership with GRC and GRCEC, will run the event in Geraldton “We are so excited about the opportunity for people to sleep out and make a real difference for the thousands of people that don’t have a home or a bed tonight,” said event organiser Alison Hilton.

So far 14 individuals have volunteered to give up their bed and sleep rough on August 15. The Geraldton team hopes to have 30 participants sleeping outand to raise at least $3000 from this local event.  Money raised supports Fusion’s homelessness programs, GRC (Geraldton Resource Centre) and GRCEC (Geraldton Regional Community Education Centre).

Activities on the night will include games, a sausage sizzleand the sharing of information about homelessnessin the Midwest and beyond. 

Participants over 18 raise a minimum of $100(under 18 raise a minimum of $50). The reason for this minimum is that we want people to do this that are committed to raising funds and creating awareness for homelessness.Fusion is running the event nationwide, with people participating in at least nine different locations.

For further information or to register, visit http://www.sleepinyourcar.com.au or call 0423 895 979.

Free activities from Our Home Our Streets

Free activities from Our Home Our Streets

Local residents are invited to register now to take part in free activity sessions being held at the Spalding Community Centre as part of Our Home Our Streets.

Our Home Our Streets is a community project being piloted in Spalding. The project aims to connect, support and empower neighbourhood communities and improve the health and wellbeing of local residents. The City recognises that there are pressing social issues in Spalding and is taking action.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Ian Carpenter said the activities were quick wins resulting from initial community consultation.

“In May the City, in collaboration with the Department of Housing, WA Police, Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation, and the WA Centre for Rural Health, held a community event at the Spalding Community Centre,” the Mayor explained.

“As a result of community consultation at the event the City has decided to host a 10 week program of activities at the centre.”

“The program contains activities for young people including a community art project and hip hop classes as well as a seniors program of activities.”

The free sessions will commence in the week starting 20 July 2015. To attend sessions people are asked to register online.

All activities will be held at the Spalding Community Centre in Mitchell Street and run for 10 weeks.

Places are limited and people are asked to register their interest as soon as possible. Preference is given to those who reside in Spalding.

For more information and to register visit www.cgg.wa.gov.au and search Our Home Our Streets or phone the City on 9956 6600.

Geraldton’s First Ever Poetry Weekender

The Geraldton Poetry Club is bringing audiences the intriguing experience of performance, writing and poetry combined for a weekend of artistic thrills. For the very first time in Geraldton, the Port City Poetry Weekender on August 1 and 2 will feature a free writing and performance workshop, the well-loved Poetry in the Pub show and a delicious breakfast to top it all off.

Join renowned Western Australian poets Kevin Gillam, Allan Boyd and Maitland Schnaars as they lead audiences and workshoppers through the wilds of collaborative performance poetry, intertwining music, spoken word and carefully spun yarns for a bewitching evening of wordy goodness. This special 3-hour workshop run by these poet extraordinaires will be held at the Geraldton Regional Library as part of the two-day residency in Geraldton for the first ever Poetry Weekender.

Each poet is an expert in their own field and will focus on different aspects of poetry to extend and expand the audience’s poetic horizons. With sessions on starter ideas and voicing in poems, performance poetry and the delivery of a subversive text, as well as a brief entree into the history of Aboriginal poetry and collaborative performance, there is something for every and any poet in the port city.

“Performance poetry is the noisy cousin of 'traditional' poetry. It’s in your face and it's dynamic and it's a lot of things that poetry can't just be on the page. It's a well-written celebration of the spectacle of the spoken word,” explains Event Organiser, Rosie Sitorus.

The free poetry workshop is brought to you free of charge by the Geraldton Poetry Club with the immense support of the City of Greater Geraldton and the Geraldton Regional Library.

After this exciting workshop, the Geraldton Poetry Club will be showcasing the poet’s new talents at the Poetry in the Pub show featuring the poetic stylings of the poets-in-residence. Poetry in the Pub is your annual fill of words and wine at one of our region's most atmospheric venues, the Hampton Arms.

Audiences are warmly invited to bring along their own words and poems to share during the open mic sessions.

“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. At Poetry in the Pub, punters will have the chance to throw their hat in the ring alongside some of our state's best,” says Rosie.

The Poetry Weekender wraps up on Sunday 2 August with a Poets' Breakfast at Tropicano's at Point Moore.

"Poetry at the Point will be a great, relaxing end to the weekend of wild words," continues Rosie. "It'll be a chance to listen to the guest poets read more of their poetry and to discuss the culture surrounding our local poets in Geraldton."

You can sign up for the workshop through the link below:
www.geraldtonpoetry.com

To get a ticket to Poetry at the Pub, $55 gets you a spot on the bus (leaving from Geraldton Regional Library) , a spot at the table for dinner and a part in the magic of the evening that will be Poetry in the Pub.

Tickets strictly limited and available from the link below:
www.geraldtonpoetry.com

Tickets for the Poets' Breakfast are $20, include the Tropicano's buffet breakfast and are available from www.geraldtonpoetry.com

Graeme Connors touring 25 years after launch of pioneering album

See Australia's greatest storyteller, live on stage with his legendary band, in a special two hour performance, celebrating 25 years since the release of his pioneering hit album North.

Hear all the songs from North performed live, followed by a selection of No.1 chart hits from his 17 album catalogue.

Touring Victoria and South Australia in July before heading over to Western Australia in October 2015 as part of his National tour.

Don’t miss this multi-award winning, Gold & Platinum selling artist, and the songs that have cemented him a place in the Australian music story.

Tickets are now on sale from the Queens Park Theatre, call 9956 6662 or book online at www.queensparktheatre.com.au

The Comedy Emporium Set to Break New Ground at Breakers

View fullsize

Get ready to break some new ground, The Comedy Emporium are breaking from tradition and partnering with a local pub for the very FIRST time to bring you the best local comedy in Geraldton. The Comedy Emporium Winter Pub Comedy Show will help comedians break the ice for audiences and give them a huge night of laughs, live music and good times down at Breakers Bar on Friday July 10. With a big following in Geraldton, The Comedy Emporium are doing great things all across regional WA, and once again will partner a massive lineup of national comedians with local talent to show regional audiences that these Gero comedians have become nothing short of unbreakable on stage.

“We’re really excited to see our Geraldton comedians doing such amazing thing across regional WA, after having our second birthday in Geraldton this year things are just getting bigger and better all of the time. The guys will be sure to break a leg come showtime at Breakers!” - said The Comedy Emporium Ringleader Julian Canny.

After already achieving great things in the two short years since it’s inception, The Comedy Emporium Geraldton have given light to so many regional comedians and taken their talent to regional centres across WA. Bringing it back home again to Geraldton, there is going to be some seriously Breaking Bad comedy for The Comedy Emporium Winter Pub Comedy Show.

“We are so excited about this show that we are really trying to break new ground. We even tried to fit in as many puns into our media release as possible but I don’t think we will break any records.” - said The Comedy Emporium Ringleader, Julian Canny.

The Comedy Emporium Geraldton is a comedy club that aims to develop the local comedy industry in Regional WA by empowering locals to learn and perform stand up comedy. There are a lot of people out there who find it hard to breakout of their nine to five cycle, give comedy a go, and find time for some laughs instead! Laughter is pretty important to The Comedy Emporium team who make their unbreakable promise to partner with local funny men and women (through their free workshop program) with some of the country’s best touring talent to showcase to Geraldton audiences the huge amount of awesome local talent out there.

In other breaking news, the long list of local breakthrough talent is giving Geraldton audiences the chance to see why this regional centre is fast­becoming the best place for local comedy. The Comedy Emporium’s long list of exciting workshops, fun programs and great partnerships with other international and local comedians, really shows how laughter can bring people together and unite a community.

“Our local Geraldton team are doing such awesome things within the comedy scene and really giving Geraldton a great reputation as the best regional town for local comedy. Laughter brings people together and we are all about uniting the community and showing audiences what Geraldton is made of!” - said The Comedy Emporium Producer Emma Howell

There will be a massive list of great international acts and performers alongside our Geraldton locals giving audiences a jam­packed night of back­breaking laughs. Audiences can come along for a big night out at the Breakers Pub, stay all night for a big night of comedy and then kick on afterwards and be part of the Break­fast Club to keep the party cranking past midnight.

Limited presale tickets are available from The Comedy Emporium website at www.thecomedyemporium.com for $22 Pre­sale each, or on the door for $25 on the door.

Live Music 7.30pm, Comedy 8.30pm. Head down to Breakers for dinner before the show.

For enquiries please ring 0458 306 111. No BYO alcohol. Bar available.

July School Holiday Fun

Looking for something to do these school holidays to keep the kids entertained? The City of Greater Geraldton has got you covered with a number of activities happening across the region for kids of all ages.

The City has worked with several local organisations, such as the PCYC and the WA Museum Geraldton to create an exciting calendar of events for the July school holidays.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Ian Carpenter said the community had expressed concern that there is not enough for young people to do, particularly in the school holidays.

“We have listened and have tried to address these concerns by working with local organisations to facilitate a number events and activities to take place across the two weeks of the holidays in Geraldton and Mullewa,” the Mayor said.

“Some of the events include Hip-hop dance and singing workshops at the Queens Park Theatre, basketball clinics and competitions, beach excursions, as well as a number of workshops and activities at the Museum and Geraldton Regional Library. And youth in Mullewa have been well catered for with a range of activities and events.” 

For a full run down of events and activities over the July school holidays visit www.cgg.wa.gov.au

School holiday activities for Geraldton

Download PDF

Festival of Surfing set to make waves in Geraldton

Surf’s up: (Back) Dave Williams, City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Ian Carpenter, Bruce Montgomery, Brian Hood, Ben Mardon, (Front) Sam Salmond, Danny Williams and Rory Nelson.

Cowabunga! The Geraldton Festival of Surfing is about to make waves in the Midwest as the event hits the City for the very first time.

As part of an exciting partnership between the City of Greater and Surfing Western Australia, the Midwest will be put in the spotlight as an attractive surfing destination as five premier surfing events hit our coast.

Spanning from June to September, surfers will enjoy Geraldton’s ideal winter conditions at some of the City’s most iconic surf locations.

City of Greater Geraldton Deputy Mayor, Neil McIlwaine, said the event is set to showcase the best of local surfing talent as well as talent from around the state.

“We’re a hotspot for surfing here and the winter weather makes for perfect conditions,” he said.

“It’s an exciting partnership with Surfing WA and we hope this event is something we can continue into the future to line up with our strategic plans to enhance tourism and events which will have a positive economic overflow into our community.”

There will be a total of five events as part of the festival.

• HIF Pro AM - June 20 and 21
• WA Junior Series – July 18 and 19
• SunSmart School Surfing Titles – August 3
• Sunshine Surfmasters – September 5 and 6
• Batavia Coast SUP Surf and Race – September 10 and 11

The Festival will kick off on June 20 and 21 with the final HIF Pro Am State Title event which will see 10 state champions crowned for 2015. 

The final round of the WA Junior Surfing Series will follow with WA’s brightest young surfers set to tackle the Midwest. The event is set to have a record turnout giving surfers an opportunity to compete against their friends and eventually reach the pinnacle of junior surfing.

The SunSmart School Titles also form part of the junior development pathway, with the first of the qualifying series historically held in Geraldton. Schools will travel from the North West and Midwest districts to compete.

The 39th WA Country Builders Sunshine Surfmasters is the oldest surfing event in the state. Built and developed over the years by the local Geraldton Boardrider Club, the event continually pushes the standard of competition and event delivery each year. It will attract some of the state’s top shortboard riders with its unrivalled history and prestige amongst the surfing community.

The final event of the Festival will be the inaugural Batavia Coast SUP and Race. With the rapidly increasing popularity of Stand Up Paddle Boarding, the event looks to have a range of surfers in both age and ability.

Surfing WA Events Manager, Justin Majeks, praised the Midwest and said it was an incredible time of year for surfing in the region.

“This new partnership will see the amazing waves and beaches around Geraldton utilised by some of the best surfers in WA,” he said.

“With such strong and well established grass roots clubs in the area the festival will continue to push and develop the sport of surfing in the Midwest.”

For more information on the event visit the City’s website at www.cgg.wa.gov.au

FUNdraising towards a Cancer Free Future

Event Nation is once again taking part in the Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea FUNdraiser. Thursday 28th May 2015 is the official morning tea day, though hosts are encouraged to hold an event any time in May or June.

Therefore Event Nation is inviting Mid West residents to get swept up in the fun of its highly popular Leah Mainwaring Let’s Kick Cancer Brunch FUNdraiser on Sunday June 21 from 9.30am to 12.00pm

Buoyed by the sold-out success of last year’s inaugural event, which raised $4671.18 for cancer research, prevention and support services, while also honouring a beautiful friend and tireless Cancer fundraiser Leah Mainwaring, organisers expect this year’s event to be even bigger and better.

Last year’s Mad Hatter theme ensured an entertaining atmosphere and outrageous attire, and this year’s colourful theme of ‘Fluro (for the tradies’) and Flowers (for the ladies’) promises similar hilarity.

Event Nation director Jodi Reilly said this year’s brunch would include games, prizes, live entertainment, fabulous auction items including a Red FM radio advertising package and accommodation and tickets for four to the West Coast Eagles V Adelaide Crows July 11 home game and several inspirational talks from our special guests including Cancer Council Director - Melissa Price MP and cancer survivors local business owner Wendy Mann and Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service CEO Deborah Woods.

She said for those with children, they needn’t miss out as there would also be a ‘Kidz Zone’ supervised by a qualified child care giver for those aged under 12.

“On the day there will be ‘hand pampers’ by donation and fresh flowers in our ‘Pop Up Florist’ so you can purchase your gorgeous fresh weekly blooms for any amount above the reserve price, all to help raise money for cancer,” Ms Reilly said.

“This year will also see the introduction of our ‘chain of hearts’ in which we’ll invite guests to make a donation and write a special message on their chosen cardboard heart.

“These hearts will be linked together to form the start of out official ‘chain of hearts’ bunting for our 2016 fundraiser.

“Each year guests will be invited to make additions to the bunting.”

Tickets are $50 per person and include a complimentary champagne on arrival, a tapasstyle brunch or continental selection, self-service tea, coffee and juice, live entertainment and the chance to win one of many prizes all whilst having a ball FUNdraising for a good cause.

Tickets for children aged under 12 are just $5 a child, which includes hangout in the 'Kidz Zone', movie, toast and spreads, fruit, fruit juice and water. Children are welcome to bring their own games, iPad etc.

This year Cancer Council aims to recruit 35,000 generous morning tea hosts nationally to support Cancer Council’s life-saving work into prevention programs, world class research and support services (like Cancer Council 13 11 20) for all people affected by cancer.

Tickets sales are available from Chimere Pearls, 272 Foreshore Drive and online eventbrite https://letskickcancerbrunch.eventbrite.com.au or call Event Nation on 99646088.

HBF Geraldton RunFest

Your challenge, your choice!

Join the rest of Geraldton and participate in the HBF Geraldton RunFest on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th of July 2015. In celebration of the 16th annual Geraldton marathon, you have the opportunity to choose your own challenge.

Juniors can join in the Junior RunFest on Saturday afternoon completing either 1, 2 or 3 'miles' on a safe, marshalled and fun circuit along the foreshore and esplanade. 

Meet us at the Geraldton foreshore on Sunday 5th of July for a scenic, great value and friendly community run and walk. If the full 42.2km marathon is a challenge too far, consider the 21.1km half marathon or 5km. 

Challenge your work colleagues, family or  mates and form a team to compete the Run Further Teams Challenge. The team with the greatest cumulative distance completed will win $1000 for their preferred charity. 

Enter early to make the most of the best value running and walking event in the Midwest. Geraldton Harriers Club and HBF members should enter before June 21st to receive a discount on their entry. 

Go to our website for FAQ's and registration details. Further information can be found by emailing runfest@geraldtonharriers.com or phoning either Damon on 0488 126 773 or Liz on 0427 541 491.

Dewayne Everettsmith to hit the road for BEYOND SURRENDER national tour, with special guest Sietta

Dewayne Everettsmith’s 2014 release, the beautiful and captivating SURRENDER, provided an insight into a gifted young singer and songwriter.  The album, equal parts uplifting and haunting, took the listener on a journey through Dewayne’s life and experiences.  It featured ‘It’s Like Love’, a song that Tourism Australia adopted for a major international television campaign in 2012, providing the backdrop to one of the most visually arresting television commercials in recent times.

Some twelve months later, Dewayne is preparing to take the songs from ‘Surrender’, along with a selection of newly minted tracks, on a journey across Australia on the BEYOND SURRENDER national tour.  From Warragul to Alice Springs, Bunbury to Mackay, he will take in the vast expanses of regional Australia, sharing his stunning songs with live music enthusiasts in all corners of the country.

Joining Dewayne on the road is Sietta, a duo comprising of vocalist Caiti Baker and producer/instrumentalist James Mangohig.  Theirs is a union traditionally of soul, blues, hip hop and electronica; but when the opportunity presents, Caiti and James strip their songs back to tasteful rhythm and blues guitar and soulfully soothing yet gutsy vocals. In the special occasion of supporting Dewayne, Sietta will fuse rich live vocals with neck-groovin’ guitar; performing songs from their back catalogue as well as some newly written tunes. 

This inspired combination, bringing together two of Australia’s most exciting musical acts, promises an event not to be missed.

Catch Dewayne Everettsmith’s BEYOND SURRENDER national tour
With special guest Sietta.     Tickets on sale now.

JULY
Wednesday 1st                      Queens Park Theatre,  Geraldton, WA

ABOUT DEWAYNE EVERETTSMITH:
Descended from both the Aboriginal community of Cape Barren Island and the Gunai/Kurnai people of Victoria, Dewayne’s career started at an early age, performing amongst his own Tasmanian Aboriginal community. Through various trials and tribulations he has grown as a performer, playing festival stages around Australia and across the Pacific, supporting the likes of Gurrumul, John Farnham, Archie Roach and Guy Sebastian, and dueting with Paul Kelly.  Back in 2011, music critic Bruce Elder stated that he is … ‘a uniquely gifted singer with hints of the soul of Marvin Gaye and the sunny beauty of Johnny Nash.’
 
Whilst developing his music, Dewayne has also lent his support as national ambassador for the official Save The Tasmanian Devil Appeal, earned a Human Rights Week award for bringing Tasmanian Aboriginal Culture and language to the broader community, educating children and working to protect his aboriginal heritage, and was a Young Australian of the Year (Tasmania) Finalist 2014.

‘Surrender’ album out now
website / facebook / twitter

ABOUT SIETTA:
Sietta is the musical combination of singer songwriter Caiti Baker and producer/instrumentalist James Mangohig (B2M, Daniel Johns, Jessica Mauboy, Manuel Dhurrkay). Since commencing their musical union in 2007 in Darwin, Northern Territory, Sietta have released 2 EPs and 2 full length albums encapsulating their broad musicianship in genre-pushing sounds and themes. With songs written and inspired by struggle, love, stigma, mental health, storytelling and fantasy; Sietta present their sound in unexpected forms echoing the influences of Caiti’s childhood exposure of blues, soul, gospel, country and rock n roll.

After years touring nationally and internationally, Sietta have garnered rave reviews for their live electronic performances, although they feel most at ease when they simplify their songs by way of soulful guitar and raw bluesy vocals.  A perfect combination of old and new, Sietta are forever surprising their audiences and gaining new fans everywhere they play.
https://www.facebook.com/siettamusica?_rdr