99 year old WW2 POW will be in Geraldton for screening of documentary

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This really is a once in a lifetime event. 99 year old ex POW Harold Martin will be in Geraldton on March 23 for a screening of a documentary made about his return to Myanmar and Thailand to remember his past and pay tribute to his fallen comrades. Attendees will have the chance for a Q and A with the film director Samm Blake, and also to meet and talk with Harold Martin.   
Presented by Film Harvest Midwes and screening at Orana Cinemas Geraldto.
Tickets will go fast, so please get yours quickly. Fundraising is for Geraldton RSL to send students to Hellfire Pass this Anzac Day. 
Call Christina Ross on 0437 325 279 to get your tickets.

Check out the video below

Click here for more info on the event

Fascinating look beneath the waves by a local crayfisher

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This video was produced by Chris Lewis from ABC Open Midwest.  

It's a beautiful and fascinating look at what goes on under the surface with footage taken by local crayfisher Zack Mankelow.  

Set to a beautiful sound track, and with interview footage of Zack the video shows some absolutely stunning marine life. Keep an eye out for the very rare Sun Fish that Zack managed to video. 

Fantastic new learning facilities for Geraldton - video

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Yesterday, Thursday March 3 2016, Durack Institute of Technology officially opened three fantastic new facilities.

  • Health, Education and Community Services Facility
  • Aboriginal Learning Centre
  • Evolution Hair, Beauty and Massage Training salon

Hon. Liza Harvey and Hon. Terry Redman MLA were in attendance for the opening, along with staff, students and others. Check out the short video above, which gives a brief look at these great new assets for our community. 

Someone at Seven has a sense of humour: Chicken truck rollover video

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A truck carrying chickens has had an accident on Lord Street Ellenbrook. Several chickens have died and many are across the road.STORY: http://yhoo.it/1UlUMeQ#7news

Posted by 7 News Perth on Tuesday, February 23, 2016

And this wins best comment

Do you know what this worm-like creature is? - Video

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Sent in to EG:

"I would like to ask the public if anyone knows what the worm lookalike thing is as our son was was playing in the sand at camp over the weekend (just North of Buller River) and it gave him a bite - like a mozzie bite, small red lump about 3-4mm diameter but with a puncture wound on the middle like a small hole, he screamed and instant tears. I put ice and an antiseptic cream on it and it came good within a hour.
BUT, when I put this in a container, and put a stick near it, it would stand up like a snake would do defending itself, Hubby and I were like "why is it doing that" was weird. We thought worm too straight away, but we were curious to why it would defend itself like it did, and the pain and wound our Son got from it?"

- Alanna

Corellas to be culled after residents complain that birds were simply relocated to other parts of Geraldton

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Deepdale residents are hopeful that they'll be able to deal with the large number of corellas in their area, after obtaining permits from Dept of Parks and Wildlife to conduct a small cull of the birds. 

In January, City of Greater Geraldton CEO Ken Diehm said the amount of corellas in the City is estimated at 7500, half of last year’s population. He hailed a relocation program conducted by the city as a success. The Relocation Program uses a gas gun, firecrackers and a handheld device that fires percussion cartridges into the sky close to where the birds roost. 

But some residents of Geraldton disputed the success of the program, claiming the birds had simply moved to other Geraldton suburbs, outside of the CBD. 

We spoke with one local affected by the birds who said a few residents got together to discuss what they could do about the bird problem and investigate the matter. They applied to the Department of Parks and Wildlife for a permit to carry out a small cull on the birds. The Department confirmed that permits had been issued in the Deepdale area. 

City of Greater Geraldton CEO Ken Diehm said regarding the culling of the birds,

“The control and management of native wildlife is a State Government responsibility dealt with under the umbrella of the Department of Parks and Wildlife. As per the Department of Parks and Wildlife website it is clear that each property owner is responsible for their own land. It is the decision of the individual land owner to obtain a permit to undertake culling of wildlife on their property. This is not a Local Government decision. In 2015 it was predicted that populations of Corellas were sitting at over 15,000 and this year and after the City’s recent relocation program the numbers have halved.”

Image: David Ford

Can't Win

Opinion

In the past, the CGG has conducted its own culls on the corella population. But following complaints from some members of the public, they investigated an alternative way of moving the birds on. 

While the city said the program was a success, in that it has stopped the tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage to public infrastructure and valuable trees, some residents feel like the city should have just bit the bullet and used ... a bullet. 

But even the more pleasant method of scaring the birds attracted complaints. EG received multiple complaints from irate members of the public who believed that even scaring the birds was a terrible idea. 

What seems lost on most people complaining though is the amount of damage the birds do, and the fact that they're an introduced pest. 

Nobody bats an eye at the hundreds of foxes, rabbits, cats, pigs and dogs the Shire of Chapman Valley talk about, very publicly, shooting each year. They even have competitions to see who can get the most kills, with prizes and cooked breakfasts.

Unless you're a vegan and have an underlying philosophy of never harming a living creature, I can't understand the complaints.

It seems quite odd for people to eat Chicken Treat for dinner, and then complain that a bird has been shot. 

It doesn't seem to matter what the team at the City of Greater Geraldton does on this matter, one group or another are going to be up in arms. (No pun intended.)

It's nice to see a group of proactive residents take up the task of dealing with the birds, rather than just waiting for a government body to do it for them.

The birds in question are an introduced species, and are not native to this region, according to information from NACC. (See below.)

Comments posted on EG's facebook page following news of the CGG Relocation Program's success. (Link)

The City of Greater Geraldton will introduce a new method to relocate corellas from its CBD. The corellas that the...

Posted by Northern Agricultural Catchments Council (NACC) on Thursday, December 10, 2015

"Keep a eye out around the airport you might be lucky enough to see a wedge tail eagle having a cockatoo dinner like I did yesterday."- Lawrence Hillary

Posted by Everything Geraldton on Saturday, January 23, 2016

 

From the interwebs: Watch this mum try and dress triplets and a toddler. Hilarious

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Mom vs Triplets + Toddler!A must watch! 󾆜🏼󾆩🏻󾆩🏻󾆩🏻 .. Give super mom a share! Being Mommy Dan Gibson Ellen MommyPage Parenthood Being Daddy Parenting.com Twin Magazine Parent Life Network ellentube

Posted by The Baby Gang on Thursday, February 4, 2016

Obviously a humourous dramatisation, but hilarious none-the-less. 

Click here to view video if you can't view it above. 

 

Geraldton local Declan Knowles is the new Australian 250cc Speedway Champion

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Knowles wins Australian Championship

15 year old Geraldton resident Declan Knowles took out the 250cc Speedway Championship last month with what was described as a "dominating display."

He now has his sights set on the world championships in Europe later this year. 

According to Gillman Media, "Knowles had to come through the hard way after a big crash in his fourth ride."

Following the crash he had to repair his bike with gaffer tape, which held together long enough to make it over the finish line. 

Declan also had a stroke of luck when the race favourite, Matt Gilmore, fell early in the race. 

Declan Knowles is the first W.A rider to ever win this event.

The Race

In speedway solo racing motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes. Racing takes place on a flat oval dirt track. Competitors use this surface to slide their machines sideways, powersliding into the corners. On larger tracks the bikes can reach up to 110km/h.  4-6 riders compete in each heat over 4 laps in an anticlockwise direction.  

Here's a short video of Declan's winning final.

"A" Final AusieTites 250cc 2016

Main Final Aussie Titles 2016 250cc- Thanks Mick

Posted by Declan Knowles Racing on Monday, February 1, 2016

Background and the future

Declan Knowles is a talented 15 year old Solo rider from Geraldton W.A who is in his 5th season of racing this year. He is the current 250cc Australian Champion and the only Western Australian to ever hold the title. He has his sights set high on this year's World Title.

Declan began his riding career on a 125cc junior bike and rode competitively at Pinjar Park on the 125cc in Perth for 3 seasons. During this time he had great success including runner up W.A State title, club championships and the Chum Taylor Foundation Cup.

From there Declan stepped up a level to the 250cc class. In his first year in this division he once again excelled, winning the W.A State Title, Fairest and Best and Club Championships. He competed in his first Australian Title on the 250cc in 2014 coming in 7th. At the 2015 Australian Title he improved on that coming in 5th which earnt him a place in the 2015 FIM World Youth Cup in France. Unfortunately he was not able to attend that event due to financial hardship. 

It was then decided that Declan should begin competing at a higher level again to improve his skill and gain more experience on other tracks, competing against other top level riders around the country. His parents put a massive amount of effort into sending Declan to various tracks and events in the eastern states which was difficult financially for the family, but a necessary step towards his goal and dream of riding overseas for Australia. It was an effort that has paid off greatly with Declan having various successful rides in State titles and events across the country and then winning the Australian 250cc Title. This win has earnt him a place to compete at he 2016 FIM World title in Germany in July this year where he has a chance at becoming World Champion 250cc.

Click here to help Declan get to Germany.

Please have a read of my fundraiser and donate to help me get to the World Cup in July. It would also be great if you...

Posted by Declan Knowles Racing on Monday, February 8, 2016

Gwn news story tonight.

Posted by Declan Knowles Racing on Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Or you might like to help out by buying this bike...

Video: Intruders caught on camera kicking door in

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Josie sent this video to Everything Geraldton with the following caption:

"Anyone know these fellas? They left their wallet, I would like to return it to them."

If you can identify the people in the footage please call Geraldton Police on 9923 4555. 

At around 2:50 in the video you can witness them kicking the door in. 

 

Introducing the Geraldton Youth Precinct - Video

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Introducing the new City of Greater Geraldton "Youth Precinct". 
It opens this Australia Day.

We headed down there this afternoon to have a look and speak with a few folk from CGG about the new foreshore addition. 
It looks like a lot of fun for all age groups. There's a rage cage, some very fun looking electronic games, foosball tables, table tennis, and more.

It will be open each day from 6:30am until 10:30pm. Sports equipment is available from the Visitor Centre with a $5 deposit.

There is a new "Changing Places" toilet facility, that provides unprecedented facilities for restricted mobility members of our community, a first for WA. A beach access ramp for wheelchairs is also on its way.

Stay tuned later in the year when the rest of the multi user facility is finished. CGG have called the multi user facility and Youth Precinct the "jewell in the crown" for our foreshore. It certainly is a welcome addition to our city.

Do you recognise this person? Call Geraldton Police

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The folks at Adams Store would like to know if you recognise this person. 
If you recognise this person please contact Geraldton Police on 9923 4555. 

Adams Store

The folks at Adams Store would like to know if you recognise this person. If you recognise this person please contact Geraldton Police on 9923 4555.

Posted by Everything Geraldton on Thursday, January 14, 2016

Click to see a cool video of Dolphins off the coast

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Dolphins swimming off the coast. Thanks to Leilani for sharing. 

Dolphins doing their thing this morning :) while my boys were pulling pots

Posted by Leilani Liprino on Thursday, 10 December 2015

Local musician makes top 5 in Vance Joy competition

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Local musician Ashton Kate has caught the eye of successful recording artist Vance Joy.

Miss Kate has been selected as one of five winners for the Fire and the Flood contest.

Each entrant submitted a video of them singing a Vance Joy cover and each winner will receive a meet and greet including tickets to a show. Vance posted to his social media to congratulate the five winners saying:

"The covers were amazing. I wanted to choose so many because it was so great seeing you guys singing with heart and soul. Was a pleasure to see and hear. Thank you. It was very difficult to choose only 5. Thank you to everyone who entered. Sorry I couldn’t choose you all. 
Ashton posted to her Facebook saying My cover of Vance Joy's Fire and the Flood is one of five winners in this competition.
I had already recorded and shared the cover long before the competition was ever announced - so when I saw Vance's tweet about the competition, I decided, why not enter? Nothing to lose!
Vance is an Aussie, so I was a bit silly and assumed this must be an Australian/worldwide competition... However after entering I finally managed to find the terms and conditions, and I am pretty sure you were supposed to be a U.S or Canadian resident to be eligible. After reading this I assumed I would be automatically disqualified after saying on the entry form that I live in Australia.

Photographer Kristi Teakle Photography

I had to enter my address and other details in order to enter, so I am not sure if this just got overlooked, or what is going to happen from here. The prize is tickets to a show and a meet and greet with Vance!
As incredible as that prize is, and as disappointed as I will be if it does turn out that I am ineligible, I am still so honoured to be a winner, and it has again encouraged me to continue my musical journey despite doubts and nerves.
I truly cannot believe that Vance has heard my voice, let alone liked the cover enough to share it as one of the winners... I am speechless and so excited about this.

Below is Ashton Kate's entry to the competition: 

The covers were amazing. I wanted to choose so many because it was so great seeing you guys singing with heart and soul....

Posted by Vance Joy on Friday, 11 December 2015