Local Community, Respect & Equality Champion set to highlight family violence and women with disability

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Local woman, Chris Kerr has joined the Community, Respect & Equality (CRE) champion project to highlight the impact of family violence on women with disability and provide awareness around prevention. Ms. Kerr, a leader in the women’s, education and disability field in the Midwest, is passionate about supporting people with disability. Her community message is “family violence doesn't discriminate - know how, and know where to get help".

"I became a champion as it felt like the right thing to do,” said Ms. Kerr. 

“I do not condone family violence and being able to be a champion is a way of highlighting the issue of family violence against women with disability which occurs at a higher rate than other women. It is important to me that women with disabilities are provided with education and information that will support them to be empowered to keep themselves and their family’s safe, as well as know where to seek help and support if they are experiencing family violence.”

According to Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) State of Knowledge paper (2015), women with disability are more likely to experience and have an increased risk of violence than women with no disability. Women with disabilities experience the same forms of violence as other women, however the dynamics associated with their experience are complex and they are exposed to more forms of violence across a variety of settings. It is also believed that there is considerable under reporting to police and agencies by women with disability. 

The Doors to Safety Project, run by Women’s Community Health Network (WCHN) will be in Geraldton next week offering workshops that focus on education for women with disability, the disability sector and professionals working in the family violence sector with women and disability. 

“It is also important that the service providers who work with women with disability understand and address the dynamics of violence that affects women with disability,” Ms. Kerr said.

“These workshops provide opportunity for everyone in the disability sector to upskill and look toward preventing violence from happening in the first place. It will enable women with disability to come forward and be appropriately supported if they report family violence,” said Ms. Kerr.

The workshops have been developed by women with disability and will be presented by Zel Iscel, who has expertise in education and training and disability advocacy and is blind. The workshops will be held at Desert Blue Studio, 25 Chapman Road, Geraldton, contact Zel for further information on 0413 813 885 or email ziscel@wchnwa.org.au

The CRE Champions project is a primary prevention initiative managed by local family service organisation Desert Blue Connect. CRE Champions are local leaders who promote messages about family violence in Geraldton by being visible, approachable and attending awareness events and activities. For further information contact Sarah at Desert Blue Connect on 9964 2742 or email saraho@desertblueconnect.org.au

If you feel unsafe or would like confidential advice please call:

  • WA Police for immediate help 000
  • 1800 respect on 1800 737 732
  • Desert Blue Connect – Geraldton 9964 2472
 

Coastal Planning Workshops and Survey

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Coastal erosion and rising sea levels are affecting our community. The City of Greater Geraldton needs your input to develop a coastal adaptation plan to address these risks by:

  • Identifying what makes our coastline special
  • Examining options to manage coastal hazard risks
  • Providing feedback on options to address the risks

How to get involved – 
Take the online community survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/GeroCAP
Or hard copies of the survey are available at the Civic Centre and the Geraldton Regional Library.

Register and take part in the community workshops on Saturday 14th October 2017 at the QEII Seniors and Community Centre Upper Hall.
Workshop 1 is from 9am to 12noon and is for the coastal area between Cape Burney to Town Beach.
Workshop 2 is from 1pm to 4pm and is for the coastal area from the Marina to Drummond Cove.
Refreshments will be provided.

For more information or to register to attend one or both community workshops contact Janell Kopplhuber on 9956 6945 or 0429 687 037 or janellk@cgg.wa.gov.au

 

Go glare free this summer with Specsavers

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Specsavers have an amazing offer that will get you ready for summer!

Don’t be blinded by the sun, get into Specsavers Geraldton to get FREE polarising on your second pair of glasses.

Get into Specsavers Geraldton before 8th Novemberand buy two pairs of glasses from the $199 range and you can get FREE polarising in your second pair.

Don’t ignore the glaring obvious, get into Specsavers and be glare-free this summer!

Specsavers Geraldton are located at Stirling Central, or you can call them on 9964 7555.

 

Free Concert - Watoto Children’s Choir - Signs and Wonders

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Watoto Children’s Choir will be coming to Geraldton this October for a free concert – Signs and Wonders.

The Watoto Children’s Choir, whose members are orphans and other vulnerable children, present worship music from Watoto Church in Uganda and invite audiences to expect an encounter with God. 

Signs and Wonder celebrates the joy of salvation.

Through song, dance and stories the children proclaim the good news of the salvation that is available for all. They share testimonies of how their lives have been changed, and how they have been called into a life of purpose to transform their communities. 

Audiences are given the opportunity to respond by partnering to rescue vulnerable women and children in Africa, raise them up as leaders, so they can rebuild their nation. 

Watoto Children’s Choirs have toured since 1994 as ambassadors of millions of African children in need of hope. Their audiences come from all walks of life including the Queen of England, President George Bush, the UK, Australian, Canadian and Scottish parliaments, and the greater public; warming many hearts wherever they go.

Watoto Children’s Choir will be in Geraldton on Wednesday 11th October from 6:30pm (to about 7:45pm) at Sun City Christian Centre, 14 Assen St, Karloo.

 

Ladies Day at the Geraldton Turf Club

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Sunday 15th October 2017 is Ladies Day at the Geraldton Turf Club!

Enter the WA Country Cups Fashions on the Field Geraldton heat. The winner will receive fabulous prizes from Leon Baker Jeweller PLUS a trip to Perth to compete in the final at Perth Racing. The winner of the final will win a trip for two to London to visit Royal Ascot with $10,000 in spending money!

You must be registered in order to enter the Regional Heat. Registrations will be taken on the day at the Fashions on the Field registrations desk. Registration and heat times will be available closer to the date.

There is FREE entry to the course or buy tickets for the Garden Party Marquee. Tickets are just $65 each for reserved seating, canapes, a glass of sparkling on arrival, race book and entertainment, with spot prizes throughout the day including best fascinator.

To purchase tickets contact Sandy on 0418 942 282 or message the Geraldton Turf Club Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GeraldtonTurfClubInc/

 

Anthony Grzelka – Australia’s Ghost Whisperer – is coming to Geraldton

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Anthony Grzelka is considered to be one of this country’s leading Mediums, with his unique talent to connect to those seeking confirmation that life exists after death, with a down-to-earth, practical and compassionate approach. Anthony’s skill for connecting with and conveying messages from loved ones passed is simply astounding, and has given him the name of Australia’s Ghost Whisperer.

In these awe inspiring events Anthony Grzelka will entertain and enlighten, while at the same time having attendees questioning what they think about heaven and the afterlife. Anthony will answer questions about spirituality; give messages from loved ones passed and help with real life decisions. Quite possibly in the process, changing people’s lives and making believers out of die-hard sceptics.

Anthony is coming to Geraldton for 2 great events in October.

On Friday 6th October 2017 Anthony will be doing a Mediumship Demonstration at Golden Pond Retreat, 58 Giles Road Moonyoonooka, 7:30pm to 10pm (please arrive at 7pm). Tickets are just $65.00 each. 

The moment Anthony open the doors between this world and the next, anything can happen. Without fail the dearly departed will come through, each with a message of love or comfort for a loved-one in the audience. Pets too, are not shy in coming forward. They will often bound in, usually straight through the middle of a reading, wagging a tail or purring with love. The experience that unfolds is often deeply compelling, occasionally chilling, sometimes humorous but almost always heart-warming, with Anthony’s down to earth, honest and compassionate approach, it will be impossible for those in the audience not to be moved. And within each individual’s message of love rests a solution for everyone.

Then on Saturday 7th October, join Anthony on an exclusive night tour and investigation of the Historic Greenough town site. Tickets for the Greenough Ghost Hunt are $200 which includes meals and accommodation. 

Greenough was one of the first settlements in Western Australia and there are eleven buildings standing that you can explore. Boasting two churches, a convent, presbytery, school, government complex that houses the court house and old gaol facilities and a community hall where the old time dances are still held today. The buildings of Central Greenough Historic Settlement were constructed between 1863 and 1913 and are now conserved by the National Trust of Australia (WA), and are located on the corner of Brand Hwy and McCartney Rd, Greenough.

This is a sleepover tour starting at 6:30pm on 7th October, until 10am the following day. The ticket price includes buffet meal and breakfast. You will need to supply your own sleeping gear, swag sleeping, bag etc... There are some shower facilities available.

Revelations given and predictions made throughout the nights will take audiences on a spellbinding journey both emotionally and spiritually. Each connection made will be a step towards demystifying the spirit world and will leave audiences with one important message — Spirits can and will communicate with the living.

Tickets for both events are available at www.whispersfrombeyond.com.au or calling 08 9791 8529. Booking is essential for both events, so make sure you get your tickets today.

The Midwest Show & Shine is back for 2017

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The Midwest Show & Shine is back in Port Denison for 2017.

This fun-filled family day is on Sunday 24th September, with cars coming from all over WA to take part. All vehicles are welcome to enter on the day from the normally hidden away beauties to the all-out street machines and motor bikes. There are no categories, it’s just about having a great day out and enjoying the cars, so the more the merrier.

If you want to bring your car along the entry fee is $10, but if you just want to look at the display of awesome machines on show, entry is FREE. Gates open at 7am for vehicles and 9am for spectators.

The Midwest Show & Shine will again this year be joining forces with the Port Denison Sprint. Watch the pre-1985 cars sprint around the Port Denison foreshore, while you enjoy the Show & Shine.

Plus there will be trade stalls, club displays and plenty of food and drink. Come and make a day of it at the Midwest Show & Shine, on the Port Denison Foreshore, Dongara.

 

Enrolments for Y7-9 available at Geraldton Grammar School

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Geraldton Grammar School is now taking applications for students for the 2018 and 2019 school year for their middle school (years 7 to 9).

Geraldton Grammar School run more than 30 subjects and participate in 28 different sports, musical groups, clubs and societies, giving their students a broad range of options for their education. They run an extensive outdoor education and camp programs, as well as an excellent tutelage in Instrumental Music across the campus together with outstanding performance opportunities. 

Geraldton Grammar School were recognised as the top performing school in the Midwest in both primary and secondary education sections for the 2016 NAPLAN assessment, and they have achieved the highest ranking in the Midwest for the Vocational Education and Training in Schools awards. They are small enough to care for every child, but big enough to challenge all students.

For an enrolment application or to organise a personalised tour of the school with the principal call them on 9965 7800 or email ggs@gegs.wa.edu.au. More information can be found on their website www.geraldtongrammarschool.wa.edu.au

 

Style yourself at Stirlings for Spring

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Join Stirlings Central for their FREE event to style yourself for spring!

Join in the fun on Saturday 23rd September and enjoy make up, nail painting, hair styling and a fashion parade. PLUS receive a FREE goodie bag when you register your attendance online – but be quick goodie bags are limited to the first 50 people.

This special event runs from 10am to 1pm, with the fashion parade starting at 12:30pm, and will be held next to Flight Centre.

For more information and how to book your free ticket, go to https://www.stirlingscentral.com.au/whats-on/style-yourself-at-stirlings-for-spring/

 

Join Desert Blue Connect in a Summit to address Family Violence

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On September 28, Desert Blue Connect Inc. will be holding a Community, Respect and Equality (CRE) Summit and launching the CRE Strategic Action Plan for the prevention of family violence at the Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Seniors and Community Centre in Geraldton.

Family violence is a significant social issue in our community which is preventable and can be effectively reduced by prevention activities and collaborative community action.

The rates of family violence in Geraldton and surrounding communities are amongst the highest in the state. Each month, the Midwest-Gascoyne Police Family and Domestic Violence Response Team attend an average of 234 Family Violence incidents for a total of 2819 incidents for the 2016/17 financial year. 

It is estimated that over 80% of women who experience violence from a current partner do not contact Police, making the estimated number of actual number of family violence incidents in the region closer to 14,000 per year (Source WA Police; ABS Census 2016, ABS personal safety survey 2012).

Over the last twelve months Desert Blue Connect have managed the CRE project and have developed with community consultation a CRE Strategic Action Plan to address primary prevention of family violence in our local community.

The CRE project aims to inspire, innovate and connect community leaders, sector and service organisations, and government to work together on creative and sustainable strategies for the primary prevention of family violence. 

“Desert Blue Connect have advocated for a long time that Geraldton needs a high level strategic action plan and to focus on primary prevention to reduce the levels of family violence in our community,” says Executive Manager Operations, Desert Blue Connect Daphne White. 

“The CRE Summit is the start of our community journey in primary prevention. It will inform, educate and create momentum within the community to drive prevention activities.”

“We are fortunate to have five experts in the field of primary prevention at the Summit whose knowledge will be invaluable to those attending, as will be their sharing of successes and challenges working in the field.”

Promoted as a state-wide event and the first of its kind in regional Western Australia, the Summit aims to attract services workers, professionals from all fields (education, family violence, youth, health, sport and business), government and non-government agencies, policy makers and community with an interest in primary prevention.

The CRE Summit will be a forum that will raise awareness of family violence in the community. It will provide a sound, evidence based foundation from which the community can start a unified journey to challenging and saying no to violence within a regional context. 

The Honourable Minister McGurk will be opening the CRE Summit and launching the CRE Strategic Action Plan. 

Funded by the Department of Social Services the CRE project will see the publication of a community led Action Plan for the Primary Prevention of Family Violence in Geraldton.

Desert Blue Connect is the region’s leading provider of support to women and children experiencing family and sexual violence. It provides services that include women’s health, family violence response including services for women, men and children, primary prevention and crisis accommodation for women and children.

For more information on the CRE Summit or CRE Strategic Action Plan, contact Daphne White at Desert Blue Connect on 9964 2742 or visit the website www.communityrespectandequality.com.au.

 

Desert Blue Connect – Enriching & Empowering the Community

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Desert Blue Connect unites the Women’s Health Resource Centre and Chrysalis Support Services into a new organisation. Using their combined strength, connection and engagement with the community, Desert Blue Connect provides safe and inclusive services. They open their doors to the community and can connect you with services to meet your individual requirements.

Desert Blue Connect provides services that include women’s health, family violence, primary prevention and crisis accommodation for women and children. 

Women’s Health – 
The Desert Blue Connect Women’s Health program offers a range of health and wellbeing services that are provided free or at low cost to women in the community. Medical services including female GP, Pap smear clinic and general nurse consults. Also available is individual women’s counselling and unplanned pregnancy counselling.

Family Violence Response – 
Desert Blue Connect provide a range of family violence counselling, outreach and advocacy services available to women, children and men with the following services offered free to clients – 

  • Sexual assault counselling
  • Child sexual assault therapeutic counselling and support
  • Relationship and family violence counselling
  • Family violence advocacy and support
  • Family violence outreach service
  • Local support co-ordination – response and proactive outreach
  • Family violence intervention service – Barndimalgu Court 

Primary Prevention – 
At Desert Blue Connect they are driven by a pursuit in supporting change by providing education and awareness by

  • Health promotion
  • Community education and events
  • Community, Respect and Equality Project
  • Child Protection and Abuse Prevention Teacher Training.

Crisis Accommodation for Women and Children – 
Chrysalis House Women’s Refuge offers safe and supported short term accommodation (up to 3 weeks) for women and their children who are escaping violence or at risk of being homeless as a result of crisis.

Make an appointment with Desert Blue Connect to access their FREE or low cost services by calling 9964 2742 or by coming into the office at 25 Chapman Road in Geraldton. A referral isn’t required but they do encourage you to bring a friend or family member to support you.

Chrysalis House Women’s Refuge – 9964 2173
Sexual Assault Crisis Line – 1800 16 789