North West Coastal Hwy Resurfacing Works

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Catwest wishes to advise that it will be undertaking Nightworks for road resurfacing activities on NW Coastal Hwy between Mabel Street and Chapman Valley Road

Resurfacing works is scheduled to undertaken between Tuesday the 29th January to the 8th of February 2019. The anticipated hours of work will be between 7:00pm and 7:00am.

Traffic Management will be in place during this time with some side road closures as required. Detours will be in place and access to nearby surrounding properties will be maintained.

Residents and businesses with properties located nearby are advised to exercise caution and obey all warning signs and direction from the authorised Catwest personnel and contactors.

Any Industrial Properties located on Flores Road are advised to detour all RAV Network vehicles to Place Road during the works when the Road Closure on Webberton Road is in place.

Catwest apologises for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any queries regarding the scheduled works please contact David Serafini, on 08 9923 3957 or email admin@catwest.com.au



Marc Jacobs frames are now Available at Specsavers

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These brand new Marc Jacobs frames have just launched and are available now from Specsavers Geraldton.  

Get two for the price of one, and prices start at just $249 including single vision lenses. 

Multifocals and bifocals are extra.

 

See where TAFE can take you at Enrolment Days

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Photo 1 (L-R) – Tyler Price and Zia Van Der Merwe

Central Regional TAFE (CRTAFE) are getting ready to welcome an influx of potential students at their annual Enrolment Day events.

Each year CRTAFE looks forward showing the community what their local TAFE has to offer and the Enrolment Days are a way for them to find all the information they need in one place.

Experienced staff and lecturers will be on hand to speak to prospective students and discuss the best training options for their needs. Those attending can also tour the campus and view the modern facilities.

Both current and previous students have said the best part of the Enrolment Days is the valuable time spent with staff who assist students in finding the best courses and pathways to suit their interests, availability and lifestyle.

CRTAFE Managing Director Bill Swetman said there is something to suit everyone at TAFE and encouraged anyone thinking about training to come and explore their options.

“From those who have recently completed high school, to those looking for a career change, a promotion at their current workplace or perhaps anyone just wanting to improve their current skills, studying at TAFE can help you get to where you want to be” Mr Swetman said.

“We aim to make the enrolment process hassle free and accessible to all, and this year we also have the added advantage of having the Jobs and Skills Centres on campus which will provide an additional service for the community to speak to staff about employment and career advice” he said.

“We offer flexible training options, a large variety of qualifications, and state-of-art facilities right here in the central regions of WA and we want everyone to come and see what is available at their local TAFE” he said.

Potential students can choose from a Certificate I to Advanced Diploma, apprenticeships, traineeships and short courses. CRTAFE also offers payment plans, University Pathways and has several student support services available.

 

Enrolment Days details:

Geraldton Campus General Enrolment Days

Date: Thursday 17 January and Friday 18 January. For those who have already been offered placements in 2019, enrolment will take place on Wednesday 16 January.

Time: 9am-5pm

Location: Geraldton Campus at 175 Fitzgerald St. Geraldton

Northam Campus

Date: Thursday 24 January and Friday 25 January

Time: 9am-5pm Location: Northam Campus, Lot 1 Hutt Street Northam

Kalgoorlie Campus

Date: Thursday 24 January and Friday 25 January

Time: 9am-5pm

Location: Kalgoorlie Campus, 34 Cheetham Street Kalgoorlie

* Prospective students are asked to bring their identification.

The 2019 Course Guide is available to download from www.centralregional.wa.edu.au

For more information students can contact the TAFE on 1800 672 700 or email info@crtafe.wa.edu.au

Mid West Ports Authority

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Mid West Ports Authority (MWPA) operates with the values of integrity, caring, courage collaboration and accountability. The Community Respect and Equality (CRE) Agreement for Workplaces is aligned with these values and its aim is to improve the imbalance of equality in the workplace.

During the 2016/2017 financial year the Mid West-Gascoyne Police attended over 50 family violence incidents a week. This is a shocking statistic and even more disturbing knowing that only 33% of women who experience physical violence from a current partner actually contacted Police.

Desert Blue Connect and the CRE Reference Group have developed the CRE Agreement in an effort to stop the high incidence of family violence in our community and make it a safer place to live for everyone.

The CRE Agreement is for workplaces to acknowledge and recognise that family violence is a whole of community social and health issue. By addressing the norms, attitudes and behaviours that create the violence we, as a community, can work towards preventing the violence.

Dr Rochelle Macdonald, Chief Executive Officer at MWPA says, “MWPA has made a commitment to the CRE Agreement by signing the CRE Endorsement Certificate and is taking the actions within the Agreement to increase awareness of equality and stopping family violence in our community. MWPA promotes and advocates for a safe and healthy community.”

MWPA is a strong advocate for equality within the workplace in-line with the UN Global Compact Women’s Empowerment Principles and demonstrates this through

  • The provision of corporate leadership for equality;

  • Treating all employees fairly - respecting and supporting human rights and anti-discrimination legislation;

  • Ensuring the health, safety and well-being of all employees;

  • Promoting learning and development for all employees;

  • Implementing enterprise-wide practices that empower all employees;

  • Promoting equality through community initiatives, and

  • Measuring and reporting on progress to achieve equality.

At MWPA we are proactive and taking steps to create a truly gender equitable workplace. By signing up to the CRE Agreement this is just another step to ensuring that our workplace is safe for everyone.

MWPA is implementing a number of things in support of the CRE Agreement:

· The CRE Agreement Agreed Values and Codes of Behaviour for the Workplace included in employee induction packages.

· Family violence information will be made available to all employees through the provision of equality related resources, professional development and meetings.

· MWPA Enterprise Agreement and employment contracts provide prevention of family violence provisions and supports for employees impacted by family violence.

· Participating in safe work month, including a focus on family violence prevention.

· Participation of MWPA representatives in community family violence events.

· The CRE Agreement workplace logo and hashtags will be displayed on MWPA website and in social media.

 

To find out how your workplace can be part of the Community, Respect and Equality Agreement call Desert Blue Connect on 9964 2742 or visit www.communityrespectandequality.com.au

If you are in immediate danger call the Police on 000

If you are feeling unsafe or are worried about a colleague or friend you can contact:

· WA Police on 131 444

· The National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Service 1800Respect - 1800 737 732

·  Desert Blue Connect Geraldton – 9964 2742

·  Sexual Assault Crisis Line – 1800 016 789

· The Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline -  9223 1188 or free call 1800 007 339

· The Men’s Domestic Violence Helpline - 9223 1199 or 1800 000 599

· Kids Helpline (for young people to the age of 25) - 1800 551 800.

WACRH signs on to the Community Respect and Equality Agreement to prevent Family Violence in Geraldton

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WACRH staff are keen to start working collectively towards the prevention of family violence in Geraldton as part of the CRE Agreement.

The WA Centre for Rural Health (WACRH) is one of the first organisations in Geraldton to sign up to the Community Respect & Equality (CRE) Agreement for Workplaces. 

The CRE Agreement enables workplaces and community organisations to stand together to say #violenceisNEVERok. It provides a framework and support for organisations to raise awareness of family violence, how it can be prevented, how to support staff experiencing violence and how to develop internal policies and procedures to embed these actions within the organisation.

Led by Desert Blue Connect and a strong Reference Group of local organisations and agencies, the CRE Agreement is a key component of CRE Strategic Action Plan for the Prevention of Family Violence in Geraldton.

The Midwest has among the highest rates of family violence in WA, with 2819 incidents recorded by the WA Police in the year to June 2017.  These are alarming statistics, however, family violence is preventable and there is something that everyone can do to work towards making our community free from family violence.

Professor Sandra Thompson, Director of WACRH says “As an organisation, WACRH is deeply committed to improving health outcomes.  Family violence contributes more to the burden of disease  of women aged 18-44 years than any other risk factor, including smoking and road accidents. A number of our own staff and friends have been personally affected by family violence, so WACRH as an organisation was keen to sign on to the agreement and work towards its prevention. We also see the consequences and impact of family violence in some of the work we do in the community.”

"WACRH staff have already started looking at how we can implement the Agreement internally as a whole of organisation process. A WACRH Working Party has planning underway to ensure that internal actions and policies align with the CRE agreement. We want to demonstrate WACRH’s organisational support for the prevention of family violence and give visibility to an issue where silence means the problem of family violence that exists in our community is under recognised.” Professor Thompson said.

To find out how your workplace can be part of the Community, Respect and Equality Agreement call Desert Blue Connect on 9964 2742 or visit www.communityrespectandequality.com.au

If you are in immediate danger call the Police on 000

If you are feeling unsafe or are worried about a colleague or friend you can contact:

  • WA Police on 131 444

  • The National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Service 1800Respect - 1800 737 732

  • Desert Blue Connect Geraldton – 9964 2742

  • Sexual Assault Crisis Line – 1800 016 789

  • The Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline -  9223 1188 or free call 1800 007 339

  • The Men’s Domestic Violence Helpline - 9223 1199 or 1800 000 599

  • Kids Helpline (for young people to the age of 25) - 1800 551 800.

2019 KM Photography Xmas Special

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Order any print from their web site, facebook, karlmonaghanphotography, or Instagram, kmphotography62, at 60cm, and they will print on Ilford Smooth Pearl for $100. That's an amazing price for a perfect gift this Christmas. Just pop in a tube and label.

Offer runs till 24th December. Get in quick while the paper stock lasts, or why not pop into their lab and have your own photograph printed and framed for that special xmas gift.

Shop located at 76 Chapman Road, just opposite the old railway.

Desert Blue Connect leads the way in family violence prevention

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Desert Blue Connect, working alongside the CRE Reference group, have been instrumental in developing and introducing the Community, Respect, & Equality (CRE) Agreement for organisations and businesses in Geraldton to collectively say that #ViolenceIsNEVEROk in our community.  The CRE Agreement requires organisations and businesses to endorse the CRE Agreed Values and Codes of Behaviour and commit to actions in the workplace to prevent family violence.  It is now available for organisations and businesses to read, endorse and take action.

“We are encouraging managers and employees of organisations to read the new CRE Agreement online and see what is involved”, said Daphne White, Executive Manager Operations at Desert Blue Connect.

“There are some really easy and practical actions that workplaces can do straightaway such as use of the promotional logos and hashtags that say no to violence.  Desert Blue Connect regularly put on activities that promote a safe community, both in our workplace and in the community, so any workplace can also do it,” she said.

Desert Blue Connect is a non-profit organisation that provide specialist family violence services.  Each year the organisation holds a peaceful community march to raise awareness of family violence and sexual assault and promote respectful relationships.  This year’s March Against Violence (MAV) is coming up and will be held on White Ribbon Day, Friday 23rd November 2018 at the Geraldton Multipurpose Centre, Stow Gardens.  It commences at 9am with guest speakers prior to the march commencing.  Everyone from the community is invited to come and join the event. 

March Against Violence organisers, Sarah and Meg preparing resources for the event

Mid West-Gascoyne District Superintendent Mike Bell is a strong supporter of the MAV event and a CRE Champion. He is encouraging everyone to attend and raise awareness of the impacts family violence has on the community.

“Aside from the adverse impact family violence has on the victim and their family and friends, it also causes a significant economic and social detriment to the wider community”, said District Superintendent Mike Bell. 

“Preventing family violence in our community should be a priority for everyone and this can commence with the strengthening of positive, equal and respectful relations between all community members.”

 

For further information on the MAV please contact Desert Blue Connect, 25 Chapman Road, Geraldton, phone 08 9964 2742 or visit www.desertblueconnect.org.au

For more information on the CRE Agreement, please visit the Community, Respect, and Equality website at https://www.communityrespectandequality.com.au

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

  • WA Police for assistance 131 444 (000 if urgent)

  • Desert Blue Connect Geraldton - 9964 2742

  • 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732

  • Sexual Assault Crisis Line - 1800 016 789

Indigo Security's guide to designing a CCTV system

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Indigo Security have written a guide to assist with designing a CCTV system for the home or business. 

The CCTV guide can be accessed here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1C-hoHg5fzcPwa35RsS78VXAUQnqo-1C5 

If you have any queries regarding CCTV, Alarm systems or Home Automation, message Indigo Security at https://www.facebook.com/IndigoGeraldton 

or 

Indigo Electrical EC13155 at https://www.facebook.com/indigoelectricalgeraldton

The new Community, Respect, and Equality Agreement paves the way for regional respect

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Today, Geraldton is taking its first collective step towards a future where family violence is no more, where all people in our community are safe, and where regional respect is the norm. This step is the introduction of the Community, Respect, & Equality (CRE) Agreement, a collaborative agreement signed by businesses and organisations in Geraldton that says #ViolenceIsNEVEROk.

Family violence is a big problem in Geraldton. Last year the Midwest-Gascoyne Police attended 2819 family violence incidents, a staggering number averaging more than 50 family violence incidents per week. Obviously, this is too many and cause for alarm.  The CRE Agreement is a primary prevention initiative that aims to stop family violence before it starts by challenging the social norms that condone violence in our community.

Organisations and businesses in Geraldton can sign the Agreement to say that they, as an organisation, say no to family violence and the norms that cause it. By signing up, organisations are agreeing to support five agreed values: community collaboration; respect and cultural diversity; equality; safety; and social justice. Once organisations sign up they will be given family violence informational materials which highlight how organisations and businesses can increase awareness of family violence in their workplaces.

Professor Sandra Thompson, the Director of the Western Australian Centre for Rural Health (WACRH) and member of the CRE Reference Group that ratified the Agreement, described the Agreement as an alternative to the current “band aid” style of response to family violence.

“Rather than continually putting band aids on things, the idea is to have some collective action around changing the conversations, to say that ‘this is not okay’ and that we need to work together for a safer and more caring community,” said Professor Thompson.  

“By coming together as a community and signing on to the CRE Agreement, we can begin to change the attitudes that drive family violence in our community and promote healthy, respectful relationships.”

According to Richard Malacari, the Regional Manager, Midwest and Gascoyne, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries who has been involved with the development of the CRE Agreement, the Agreement will give organisations and businesses the resources and skills to work towards gender equality and to support staff who experience family violence.

“The CRE agreement will allow workplaces to make a real difference in reducing family violence. Knowing that our words and attitudes make a real impact on violence in our community, it is crucial that we build positive workplace cultures that support respect and equality”, he said.  

If you are an organisation or business and would like further information or are interested in endorsing the CRE Agreement, please call Beth Brady, Project Officer at Desert Blue Connect on 9964 2742 or email info@desertblueconnect.org.au 

For more information on the CRE Agreement, please visit the Community, Respect, and Equality website at https://www.communityrespectandequality.com.au

 

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

  • WA Police for assistance 131 444 (000 if urgent)

  • Desert Blue Connect Geraldton - 9964 2742

  • 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732

  • Sexual Assault Crisis Line - 1800 016 789

“Sadly, the need for primary prevention is evident in much our work, where we see the harms to people exposed to family violence, particularly when it is severe and protracted. WACRH staff share a common vision of a world where every child, woman and man can fulfil their potential - and this depends upon them feeling safe, valued and having opportunities. This has to start in our homes and local community.” Professor Sandra Thompson, the Director of the Western Australian Centre for Rural Health (WACRH) and member of the CRE Reference Group.

Strath offers Music Industry qualifications

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Strathalbyn Christian College has a long tradition of producing excellent musicals such as 'The Sound of Music', 'Fiddler on the Roof', the 'Mikado' and ‘Pirates of Penzance’.

To expand on our music and drama tradition, Strathalbyn Christian College will be providing an amazing new course for 2019, with the introduction of Certificate II/III in Music Industry.

The Certificate Courses in Music Industry allows students in Years 9 and 10 the opportunity to learn more than just music theory.  This course prepares students for work and life as a musician or producer in the contemporary music industry.

Strathalbyn Christian College is now offering a new pathway which will provide students with the opportunity to learn how to set, record and mix multi-track productions, refine performance skills as a musician, create music loops and beats, set up for live performances and so much more.

If you are interested in a career in the Music Industry, Strathalbyn Christian College has positions available in Secondary School for the Certificate II in Music Industry.

For enrolment enquiries, please email enrolments@scc.wa.edu.au

 

More Options Now at Strathalbyn Christian College

Strathalbyn Christian College has a long tradition of being a small Christian school and we like it that way.

Our students enjoy smaller class sizes, the close-knit community and the way we care for their educational needs.

However, being a smaller secondary school means that we are not always able to offer a large subject selection. Therefore, we are excited to announce that we have partnered with SwanOnline to provide a broader range of subjects from 2019. SwanOnline offers a range of ATAR and General subjects in an online learning platform that fits perfectly with Strathalbyn Christian College’s other courses.

Each online course chosen by students will be timetabled into their schedule. They will be provided with a Teacher Mentor at school who will provide support to the student and their parents.

The flexibility of online learning creates the opportunity for students to take responsibility for their own learning journey.  We have had several students opt for Online courses in the past who have done extremely well.

Many Universities now offer online study options and self-directed learning is the future for tertiary education.

Strathalbyn Christian College is leading the way in Geraldton, offering online study options which will help students be better prepared for tertiary study after they leave school.

 

The Big Pram Walk 2018 – Creating a community of care and support for parents

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We will be holding The Big Pram Walk, an annual awareness raising event for perinatal depression and anxiety.  The event will be held on Thursday 15th November commencing at 9:30am at Stow Gardens (lawn area near the Geraldton Multipurpose Centre).  The Big Pram Walk begins at 9:30am and will be followed by morning tea and children’s activities until 11:00am.  Everyone is welcome, just show up with your family, friends and pram.

The Big Pram Walk coincides with Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness Week 11-17 November 2018, an awareness week that raises awareness about perinatal depression and anxiety, including what signs to look for and where to seek support.  This year the theme is “I wish I knew”, because many expecting parents are surprised by how challenging becoming a parent can be. 

Sarah, co-ordinator of the event is encouraging everyone to attend. 

“We want mums, dads, grandparents and children to come along and walk with us”, she said.

“It is a good opportunity to meet other mums who may be struggling with perinatal depression and anxiety and learn that you aren’t alone if you are feeling like you are struggling”, she continued. 

“We will have other agencies there and our women’s health nurse from Desert Blue Connect.  So come and say hello and spend some talking to them about local supports and activities.”

Other attending agencies at this event include Child and Parent Centre Rangeway, Goodstart Wonthella, Ready Set Grow Bluff Point and Faerie Jo from Face Painting Magic. 

For further information on perinatal depression and anxiety go to website https://www.panda.org.au/, or if you need help and support contact our women’s health nurse at Desert Blue Connect on 9964 2742. 

Desert Blue Connect provide a range of free or low cost services that include women’s health, rural support services, men’s services, family violence response, primary prevention and crisis accommodation for women and children.  

The women’s health program at Desert Blue Connect offers a range of health and wellbeing services that are provided free to women. They include pregnancy tests, STI testing, continence information, relationship/sexual health advice, contraception and mental health support (including perinatal).

For an appointment at Desert Blue Connect, call 9964 2742 or drop into the office at 25 Chapman Road in Geraldton.