Video: Archeology dig at Tibradden Station

A very interesting look at some archeological efforts out at Tibradden Station. Geoff Gannon and Chris Lewis from ABC:

Jayden van Beek and an archaeology team from UWA have been exploring the more recent past at one of the area's oldest farming settlements in the Midwest, Tibradden Station. ABC Mid West and Wheatbelt met Jayden as the final stages of excavation were being completed on a shepherd's hut on Tibradden Station. The site was documented but no one was sure what the site had originally been used for and how it had been modified. Jayden explained the task of an archaeologist is to discover "what it was and how it was used, looking for signs of life and proof that someone once lived here". Click here to read more

 

Yet another drug driver caught

A 34 year old male, and a 34 year old female, both from Karloo, were charged after a traffic stop by Police early this morning. 

Around 12:15am this morning, Geraldton Police stopped a Holden Commodore wagon on Naomi Way, Karloo. 

Officers conducted a drug test on the driver, which returned a positive result. 

Upon searching one of the male occupants’ in the vehicle, police allege that a small amount of white crystal substance within a clip seal bag, believed to be methylamphetamine, was located.

Police also discovered that the driver, as well as another occupant in the vehicle, had outstanding warrants for their arrest. 

A 34 year old male from Karloo was charged with breach of bail and possess prohibited drug while a 34 year old female from Karloo was charged with breach of bail. Both will appear at the Geraldton Magistrates Court this morning.

2 British men rowing from Geraldton to Mauritius have called to be rescued for a 2nd time




#Developing Authorities have mounted a rescue for two British rowers attempting a second world-record rowing trip from #Geraldton to Mauritius.

Posted by Geraldton Guardian on Tuesday, July 7, 2015

UPDATE: Diverted oil tanker and police air wing expected to meet stricken rowers anytime soon. See story here.http://bit.ly/1HeOW7r

Posted by Geraldton Guardian on Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Hog's Breath coming to Geraldton

The Geraldton Guardian has reported that the rumours surrounding a Hog's Breath in Geraldton are indeed true. 

National restaurant franchise Hog’s Breath Cafe is coming to Geraldton.Hog’s Breath Cafe franchise development manager...

Posted by Geraldton Guardian on Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Wajarri Dictionary app available for iPhone and Android

A new app has been developed by the Geraldton based Bundiyarra Corp. called the Wajarri Dictionary, and it's now available to download for iOS and Android. 

I had a play with the app, and it's simple to use and easy to navigate. It works on both iPad and iPhone, and worked fine on the Android phones we tested it on. 

You can search English words and see what they translate into, or if you've heard the Wajarri word and want to know what it means in English, you can do that too. 

It's not a comprehensive "learn how to speak Wajarri" resource. Instead, it serves more as an archive of individual words and phrases. In the form of a smartphone app, it is easily accessible to many people whose only computer is their phone. 

It's a free download, and definitely worth checking out. A big thanks to everyone who put so much effort into the project. Protecting this part of our culture and heritage is invaluable. 


From the iTunes App Description

The Wajarri Dictionary app has been developed by the Bundiyarra – Irra Wangga Language Centre (part of the Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation) which is based in Geraldton, Western Australia. The Wajarri language featured in this app was traditionally spoken in the Murchison region of the state, and is now spoken throughout the wider Midwest and with Wajarri people all over the country and planet.

The app features almost 2,000 Wajarri words, taken from the printed Wajarri Dictionary, launched in 2012. Each word has an English translation, as well a detailed description, including cultural and natural information (where available). Audio recordings with syllable breakdown to assist with pronunciation accompany all entries.

Users can add entries to ‘Favourites’ to assist with language learning and to enable easy access to commonly used words.

The information section of the app features information on Wajarri language, a usage guide, pictures of beautiful Wajarri country and a dedication to the many speakers who gave their language and made projects like this possible.

 

Aboriginal Corp. officers have assets frozen by court after "borrowing" $1.7million

Former officers of the Geraldton based Murchison Region Aboriginal Corporation, executive officer, Ashley Taylor, and financial officer, Abul Shahid, have had their assets frozen by the Federal Court after an audit found they had made unapproved loans to themselves totalling about $1.7million.

The ABC:

The registrar said both men had repaid most of the money but still owed the corporation more than $300,000.

However, it gets even messier:

It is alleged Mr Shahid used money from the Wajarri People's Trust, of which he was the trustee, to repay money borrowed from the corporation.

Click to read more

Budget at a glance: Rates to rise 3.9% and new tip charges

Breaking:
Rates will go up 3.9%
$10 per trailer to use the tip 
No verge side pick up any more

The CGG council tonight adopted the budget for the coming financial year. Here's some highlights. We'll publish more soon. 

Budget highlights at glance:
-Total increase in rates revenue limited to 3.9% plus growth.
-It will now cost $10 to use the Meru tip. 
-The verge side pickup is not going to happen any more. 
-Introduction of concessions to soften impact of significant valuation increases.
-Removal of City Centre Specified Area Rate.
-$275,000 for a flood plain management study (grant funded).
-$130,000 allocated to Chapman River Wildlife Corridor and Greenough River.
-$100,000 for Midwest Gascoyne Recovery Project to benefit 19 local
governments.
-Sale of former Greenough Shire office and former Geraldton Depot.
-$4,500,000 to decontaminate Olive Street and provide additional public open
space.
-$50,000 to investigate and establish a Volunteer program.
-$75,000 to fund the HMAS Sydney II 75th anniversary.
-$65,000 for public art.
-$60,000 for an Aboriginal employment and training scheme.
-$150,000 allocated for signature events.
-$94,000 increase in parks maintenance.
-$671,000 increase in road maintenance.
-$182,000 increase in asset management.
-$10,000 for a customer service review.
-$8,000,523 for a Multi User Facility and Youth Precinct on the Foreshore.
-$1,408,000 for 500lux lights at Wonthella Oval.
-$18,071,742 to finalise the Karloo Wandina (Verita Road) Project.
-$7,175,000 for Beresford Foreshore beach protection.
-$1,000,000 for new animal management facility.
-$4,054,700 upgrade to Queens Park Theatre.
-$100,000 Mullewa Transfer Station.
-$486,450 for Town Beach finger jetty upgrade.
-$1,000,000 for Geraldton Airport fire main upgrade.
-$240,000 to provide mobility impaired access to Town Beach.
-$150,000 to refurbish Mullewa Youth Centre.
-$14,458,668 to renew roads and drainage infrastructure.
-$1,693,475 to renew parks and gardens infrastructure.
-$1,701,803 for new roads and drainage infrastructure.
-$1,997,000 to replace ageing plant and equipment.

Truck driver cut from thrown rocks

We have just received a report of a truck driver being cut after a window in the truck he was driving was smashed. 

The incident occurred 200m East of the John Willcock overpass.  

According to the report sent to Everything Geraldton, kids were hiding in the bushes.  

The driver reportedly received a cut to his neck. 

 

 

Alert: Have you seen this man?

Do you know where this man is? Geraldton Police are calling for the public’s assistance to help locate a 25 year old man who they believe can assist them with their inquiries into several burglaries.


Kelvin Peter MALLARD is described as being approximately 176cms tall with a tanned complexion, of slim build, with red hair and brown eyes.

Mr MALLARD has no fixed address and is believed to be moving between various places within the Geraldton area.

Anyone who sights Kelvin MALLARD is advised not to approach him but to call police on 131 444.

Free upgrade to Gold Underlay with any carpet purchased at All Decor

From now until the end of June, All Decor are offering a FREE upgrade to Gold Underlay with any carpet purchased!

Gold Underlay is a thicker layer of cushioning that provides a luxurious feel underfoot and will protect your carpet from wear and tear in the long-run. Gold Underlay also provides insulation against sound, moisture, and heat and can be laid with any carpet from their extensive range. 

Phone today on (08) 9964 4233 or come down to the store at the corner of NWC Hwy and Jensen St to speak to one of their friendly salesmen.

April was our third highest month on record for burglaries

For the Mid West Gascoyne district in April 2015, 187 burglaries of dwellings were recorded by Police. 

This is third highest number we have on record (since July 1999). What makes this number even more startling is that it occurred in April, not a December or January when home burglaries usually spike in number. 

The number is significantly higher than the most recent December and January figures of 142 and 155 respectively. 

The only time 187 has been surpassed was:

January 2014 - 192 Burglaries of dwellings
January 2002 - 198 Burglaries of dwellings

Of note

  • Rangeway recorded its single worst month ever for home burglaries, with 34. That's more than one per day. 
  • The entire suburb of Wandina which includes all of Seacrest, according to data from the WA Police, recorded only 1 burglary for the entire month of April. 
  • In April of 2014, there were 89 home burglaries in the Mid West Gascoyne district, almost 100 less than this year. 

Geraldton fuel prices similar to Perth

During the recent December/January holiday period, Geraldton residents were outraged over the large, inexplicable difference in fuel prices between Geraldton and Perth. 

Apologists for the fuel retailers in town justified the 20 - 30 cent difference by saying it costs more to get fuel to the Mid West, retailers needed to charge the extra just to survive, and if you don't like it, leave. 

MLA Ian Blayney responded to the public outrage over what felt like extortion by calling on the Minister for Commerce to investigate the situation (link).

Since Blayney's call for an investigation, and the public and media outcry, prices have mysteriously come much closer to Perth prices. 

The Perth Metro average today was 137 cents for regular unleaded. 

Prices in Geraldton today ranged from 131.5 cents to 147.9, for regular unleaded. At least 6 fuel stations were less than the Perth Metro average. 

In December, the difference between the Mid West and Perth Metro for the average price of ULP was 25.2 cents. In May so far, the difference has been 6.9 cents. 

Other than the threat of investigation, it's unclear why fuel is all of a sudden able to be sold at prices similar to Perth. 

Average ULP Price Difference between Mid West and Perth Metro

Prices via FuelWatch

Do you know who owns these rings?

Police say they are trying to find the owners of these rings 

The plain gold band ring has an engraved date inside ending 1950.

If you have any information please pass it on to A/SGT FEATHERSTONE or S/C HARRISON at Geraldton Police Station on 99234555.

It would be great to reunite them with the owners.

Bill Rowe's killer back in jail after committing a "terrifying house raid"

Amanda Banks and Gabrielle Knowles for the West Australian: 

"The man jailed for killing farmer Bill Rowe with a cricket bat at a Geraldton beach on Christmas Day in 2007 is in jail again after a burglary that "absolutely petrified" a woman who was at home alone."

  • Mathew McDonald was given only five years for his original offence. 
  • He never applied for parole while service that sentence.  
  • He is now back in jail after another home invasion.  

Missing Child

"Missing my 12 year old brother Macka Couzner last seen in spalding, he's afraid of the dark if anyone has seen or heard of him please contact us on 0428230121 or the police please."

We've spoken with the boy's mother who is quite distressed. If anyone is able to help please contact Geraldton Police on 99234555 or the above number.

Update from Police: @GeraldtonPol: Urgent missing person 12 year old Macka COUZNER, wearing grey hooded jumper, black shorts, black/red skate shoes

Neighbours from HELL

Tania Barras has been living next to the neighbours from hell. 

Despite numerous complaints to the Police and Department of Housing she and her family continue to live under constant harassment and threat. 

Today she shared a little more of the trouble she’s been experiencing, including footage of her neighbours bashing down her fence. Friends contacted GWN who will reportedly be broadcasting more of the story tonight at 5:30. 

After a friend visited Tania today, this occurred: "They've just followed a friend out in her car...waited for her to stop at a light, got out of there car and rushed her window...she's going straight to the police station”

A little later, a GWN7 reporter was stuck inside the house: "Gwn are here. ..stuck in side. ..”

3 pistols 5 rifles stolen in robbery

The following was sent to Everything Geraldton this afternoon: 

 "My house was robbed last night near Binnu around 10pm

3 pistols and 5 rifles were stolen
a reward is offered for solid information 
Browning buck mark 22
357 smith and Wesson 8 shot in stainless
Unique single shot 7mm
Two 30.30 lever action rifles marlin in stainless and old Winchester 
Sako 22 250
Tika 223
Norica air rifle

Believe it was one person in a sedan 

Any help would be greatly appreciated to catch these lowlife scums"

 

This bar appears to have been used to open safe.