Collie River Valley Bulletin October 20, 2022

COLLIE RIVER VALLEY EDITION No. 105

BULLETIN Published by LOCALS for LOCALS Thursday, October 20, 2022

Kaya’s 125th birthday bash Two hundred people paid $200 to be part of a once-in-a-lifetime dinner at the Wellington Dam quarry area last Saturday night.

A marquee and orchestra stage

Archbishop in the dark

APOSTOLIC nuncio Archbishop Charles Balvo responds to allegations made by Fr Gerald Tan. Page 3

$2.50

were set up in the quarry for the big event.

The event was part of the Kaya Collie 125th birthday celebrations.

See also page 12.

Healthy rivers water forum

FORUM attendees were told Lake Kepwari will be a refuge where native species can survive.

Page 5 and 21

$2m graphite agreement

INTERNATIONAL Graphite Limited announces a financial assistance agreement with the State Government.

Page 6

Riverview/ValleyView Residence is your local provider of Home and Aged Care in Collie.

Community owned and operated we provide a range of aged care services from Rental Apartments at Riverview, to Home Care services in the community and Residential Care at ValleyView.

Want to know more about what we do?

Call us on 97340222 and speak to Renaye or Tia or email us at reception@valleyview.org.au reception@ reception@valleyview.org.au | valleyview.org.au | 3-5 Vernon St, Collie

Child neglect couple face court A COUPLE charged with neglect following the death of their son could have their charges upgraded to murder. Page 10

2 COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN,OCTOBER 20, 2022

AAAAAA What's on, When and Where Scone day CWA club rooms Wednesday October 26, 10.30am.

Morning tea Thursday, October 27, 10.30am, meet new people, bring a coffee or drink to rotunda in Forrest Street Tiny Art Show Collie library until Friday, October 28, 8.30am to 5pm, paint, sculpt, draw, free, up to 18 years.

Art Gallery Howard Taylor art on display at the art gallery. Opening hours Thursday to Monday, 10am to 4pm.

Wildflower display At the Visitor Centre until October 23.

Opening hours 10am to 4pm, Thursday to Monday.

Coalfields Museum Open seven days a week, 9am to 3pm.

Parkrun Soldiers’ Park every Saturday, 8am.

Friday lunch Senior citizens offer a hot lunch at the Margaretta Wilson Centre the first Friday of the month, and a small lunch every other Friday from 11.30am to 12.30pm.

Rhyme time Rhymes and songs with Mrs Potts, Collie Library, Mondays 9am.

Baby business Fridays 9am – 10.30am for parents and babies up to two years, Child and Parent Centre.

Bingo Thursdays at clubrooms. Doors open 6.30pm, eyes down 7.30pm.

Riff Raff dancing PCYC Mondays 7.30pm.

Jo’s Bargain Bazaar Showground Pavilion, Mondays and Thursdays from 9am to 12 noon.

Police rangers PCYC on Mondays, 4.30pm to 6.30pm for 11 years old and up.

Signing centre Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, from 9.30am to 12 noon, and on Thursdays from 1.30pm to 3pm, at the Courthouse.

Op shops The Anglican Op Shop, at Noyes Hall, is open from Tuesday to Friday each week, from 9am to 3pm.

Vinnies at former Bargain Barn open Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 3pm.

Send it in If you would like to have details of your not-for-profit events published in this column, send copy to nola.crvbulletin@ gmail.com or classies@crvbulletin.com.

Deadline 5pm on Fridays.

Please return medals APPEAL: RSL president Gary Benton and member Grahame Old hold sets of medals similar to those stolen.

THE only value of two sets of war service medals stolen recently from the home of a Collie returned serviceman is the sentimental value to the elderly owner.

Collie-Cardiff RSL president Gary Benton is appealing for the return of the medals.

They were kept in a secure box in the home of the owner, together with other items, and the returned serviceman is very distressed about the loss.

“Please return them, they have no commercial value,” Mr Benton said.

“Their only value is to the owner, as

they are his service medals from World War II and his father’s medals from World War I. “If the medals are offered to any reputable dealer, the first thing they will look at is the details of the soldier which are on the reverse of the medals, then they will ask if the person attempting to sell them actually has the authority to do so.

“If it was a Victoria Cross or something like that, there would be a value, but once again, a dealer will question what authority the seller has.”

Mr Benton said the medals could

Changes to Roche Park fees INCREASED use of Roche Park Recreation Centre has caused changes in the centre’s fee structure.

The most significant fee changes will be for the stadiums, where fees will be charged on a per day basis.

Shire of Collie chief executive officer Stuart Devenish said changes will come into effect in early November after public notice.

He said fees were reviewed to make it easier to calculate user charges, particularly for weekend and multi-day events.

“Changes will ensure fees are in-line with levels of service provided, such as staff attendance and required cleaning,” “This will simplify the booking process

and benefit users.” The major stadium will cost $350 per day Monday to Friday, and $200 per event on Saturday and Sunday.

This is a reduction from $400 per day Monday to Friday, and $150 per event on Saturday and Sunday.

To book the major stadium across two or three days, it will be from $450 per event to $260 per day.

Mr Devenish said there will be no changes to fees for Collie sporting associations for regular sporting fixtures.

Usage fees after 6pm on a Saturday and Sunday have been waived.

The day event rate will apply to all single event bookings.

be left at a number of different places anonymously.

“We have a letter box at the RSL where they could be left, or maybe they could be left at Jodie Hanns’ office,” he said.

“They could be posted back to us or Jodie Hanns, or left in the letterbox of the person they were stolen from.

“They could be dropped near the service desk at a supermarket – they will pick them up and investigate who they belong to so they can be returned.

“Please, just return them, that is all we ask.”

Two cars involved in Mumballup crash A CRASH involving two cars occurred on Collie-Preston Road in Mumballup at about 9am on Tuesday.

The crash happened near the intersection of Donnybrook-Boyup Brook Road.

Emergency services attended and the RAC rescue helicopter was sent to assist.

There was thick smoke in the area at the time of the crash from prescribed burn offs by the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions.

HOW TO SUBMIT NEWS/SPORT News and sports contributions are welcome. Simply email your contributions to: editorial@crvbulletin.com SPORT DEADLINE: Monday 5pm ADMINISTRATION

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Priest’s sidelining:

COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, OCTOBER 20, 2022 3

Archbishop in the dark

THE Pope’s representative in Australia, Archbishop Charles Balvo had no knowledge of why a Collie priest was stood down from his duties for six months in 2020.

Collie Roman Catholic Church priest Fr Gerald attempted suicide in 2019, and accused the bishop of ignoring his pleas for help.

He claims the Bishop of the Diocese ofBunbury, Bishop Gerald Holohan, kept him from working as a priest following the attempt.

Fr Gerald was cleared to work by his psychiatrist in December, 2020, but was not re-appointed by Bishop Holohan until June 2021.

Fr Gerald Tan also accused Bishop Holohan of bullying him while he worked at St Patrick’s Cathedral.

Archbishop Balvo said allegations of Bishop Holohan breaking the seal of confession were outside his remit.

“The Holy Father (Pope) is the only person who has the authority to appoint a bishop, to accept his resignation and, if the conditions warrant such an action, to remove a bishop from office.

“Therefore, no apostolic nuncio, anywhere, has such authority.”

Archbishop Balvo said that according to Canon Law, or church law, a confessor who directly violates the sacramental seal incurs a “latae sententiae”, by the very act itself, or automatic excommunication, while one who does so indirectly is to be punished according to the seriousness of the offence.

“There would have to be an investigation to determine if the seal of confession has been violated, and to which degree.”

Archbishop Balvo said when a bishop reaches his 75th year of age, he submits his resignation. Bishop Holohan is older than 75.

However, the Pope could ask the bishop to remain in his office for some time, according to the needs and circumstances.

Archbishop Balvo has held the position of apostolic nuncio for 17 years, and has served in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, Kenya, the United Nations Office in Nairobi and South Sudan, and the Czech Republic. He was appointed to the role in Australia on January 17, 2022, and arrived on March 18.

MASTERPIECE: Premier Mark McGowan and minister for education and training Sue Ellery were impressed with the art on display at Collie Art Gallery as part of the Howard Taylor exhibition last Saturday.

Collection opens at gallery AN EXHIBITION by reclusive Western Australian artist Howard Taylor opened at Collie Art Gallery last Saturday.

The exhibition features 32 works from the Kerry Stokes Collection.

The media mogul’s wife, Christine Simpson Stokes AM, minister for education and training Sue Ellery, minister for culture and the arts Dave Templeman, Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns and Premier Mark McGowan were special guests.

Minister Templeman said it was a remarkable collection.

“It is really important that these works have an opportunity to be seen in places like Collie,” he said.

“There is no better regional art gallery than Collie. It is a remarkable gal-

lery because this community recognises the creative industries.”

Mr Templeman acknowledged Collie as a beautiful town to practice art.

“There is a very creative flame flowing through it, and a very sophisticated understanding of the population of WA and the importance of the arts.”

Minister Templeman said artists are the greatest storytellers.

“There is no better town than Collie to have a beautiful gallery like this, there is no better place to have a Kerry Stokes Collection exhibition and there is no better place to celebrate great Australian artists than here in a great heritage town of Western Australia.”

The exhibition can be viewed from Thursday to Monday, 10am to 4pm. It closes on Sunday, December 11.

Safety focus for coal miners

AFTER two tragic mine fatalities in the Pilbara, and accidents at local mines, Collie coal miners are being urged to keep safety uppermost in their minds.

“We are telling members that safety first is the most important thing and to stay focussed,” Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) secretary Greg Busson said this week.

“Obviously people are concerned, and we have been talking to members telling them to ask questions if they are not sure that something is safe.

“Don’t take any risks, get your heads right before you go on site.”

Mr Busson said everyone has had basic safety training.

The union is concerned that with closure dates announced, there could be a reluctance to replace worn out machinery and equipment.

“Especially with Griffin in receivership it would not be surprising if there is a decision not to spend money on upgrading or replacing machinery,” Mr Busson said.

“But there will be a need to mine coal for some years yet.”

Mr Busson said he has been in talks with the receivers, De Loitte, and the mines department.

“De Loitte assured me that Griffin’s superannuation entitlements were paid up to the end of August,” he said.

“They had three months to catch up to date.”

Mr Busson said he has some concerns for small businesses around town, who may be owed money.

“Make sure you are a registered creditor. If anyone has an issue, they should raise it with our local member.”

Shop online. Ask us how today.

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4 COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN,OCTOBER 20, 2022

DISTANCE: Stacey Malatesta and her father Peter Welhan running along Collie-Preston Road last Saturday morning shortly after starting the marathon to raise money for Heart Hub South West road trauma group.

Run raises over $10,000 LOCAL Stacey Malatesta raised more than $9000 for road trauma support group Heart Hub South West (HHSW), after running 45.77 kilometres last Saturday.

The marathon effort was dedicated to her brother, Jamie Welhan, who died in a tragic motorcycle accident in Collie in 2010.

Mrs Malatesta began her run at 7am from Saunders Sawmill on Collie-Preston Road, running towards Mumballup Pub, before she turned back towards Collie.

Mrs Malatesta arrived at the Federal Hotel at 1.50pm for a celebratory round of drinks with friends and family.

“It was absolutely mind blowing,” she said.

“Coming into town, I had people waiting and cheering me on everywhere. It was the most amazing experience I had ever had.”

Mrs Malatesta said she suffered cramping by the end of the run.

“This route is such an amazing chal-

lenge that we are looking at making it an annual event.

“We have had heaps of interest already and, to live in a town such as Collie has just shown again, you can not beat our community spirit.

“It is absolutely heartwarming and truly amazing and I have not been able to thank people enough.”

HHSW president Tarryn Sanford said it took a lot of strength and courage for family and friends to continue with life following a loved one’s road death.

“To raise awareness and money for a charity close to your heart is so selfless and something to be admired,” she said.

The money raised will go towards providing free counselling and mindfulness support to families impacted by road trauma.

HHSW support centre is located at Unit 10, 13 Forest Street, on Mondays from 9am to 3pm.

For phone support, call 0480 302 695 on Mondays to Fridays 10am to 5pm.

Registrations open for school bus service PARENTS are urged to register their children for the 2023 orange school bus run.

The service is free to eligible children through the Public Transport Authority’s School Bus Service (PTASBS).

Children starting school for the first time, changing schools, or changing their home address need to have their details

POWERING COMMUNITY SUPPORT

registered with PTASBS before they can use the service. Children who already use the bus and are not changing their arrangements do not need to re-register.

Students need to register before November 25 to have access from the first day of school.

Parents can complete an application online at www.schoolbuses.wa.gov.au.

NEED FUNDING TO HELP IMPROVE OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY? Yancoal Community Support Program call for applications Premier Coal is a proud and active member of the local community. Yancoal’s 2023 Community Support Program offers community groups the opportunity to apply for funding to support projects, events and initiatives that help make a genuine positive difference to the Collie area.

If you have a project or idea with the potential to benefit others across the areas of health, community, environment, arts, culture, education or training, please visit: www.premiercoal.com.au

Applications close on 4th November 2022

River forum: Resilience is Bird breeding the objective is on rise in

COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, OCTOBER 20, 2022 5

THE goal of the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) is to maximise resilience of rivers in a drying climate, a forum on Lake Kepwari and the south branch of the Collie River was told last week.

Around 35 people who attended the forum were told Lake Kepwari would be a refuge where native species could survive in a drying climate.

As well as climate change, the announcement of power station closures may mean the end of supplementation of the system from mine dewatering.

Presentations were made to the forum

by DWER officers Andrew Cresswell and Tim Storer, with input from local residents, particularly from Cardiff.

“The lake slows the filling of the river, that is the real concern,” Cardiff resident David Graham said.

“Before mining, the rivers flowed, and then the mines used to pump to supplement the river – we used to have green feed in summer.

“The real issue is not just the lake, but that if coal mining stops, that supplementation will stop.”

Mr Cresswell said flows into the river are a response to rainfall, and supplementation is only there to maintain the level of pools. “This is not a case of lake versus river, they are part of the same system,” he said. “The Minister (Dave

Kelly) has said we do not support supplementation of rivers from lakes, although in an emergency situation we would act.”

Mark Colgan commented: “So the health of the lake outweighs the river – that’s a bit of a shame.”

Joe Hetherington said that in 2015, the Cardiff town pool was dry. “If there had been gates at Lake Kepwari there would be no need to have this meeting,” he said.

“At the beginning of winter, you would open the gates. Just put a gate in and let the lake make its own level.”

Mr Cresswell said he had spent 10 years studying the hydrogeology and hydrology of the system in the coal basin, including Lake Kepwari, Graham, Long and Cardiff town pools.

“It is a complex system, and we do readings on a three-year rotation of strategically placed spots,” he said. “We have nine to 10 core sites in the upper Collie River, three on the South Branch, five on the East Branch, and there’s a couple on the Harris.

“In 1994, the water table dropped due to mining,” Mr Cresswell said.

Mr Storer said that the condition of the south branch was similar to previous years, or better, since Lake Kepwari was opened. “There may be some evidence of nutrient and salinity benefits from the lake,” he said.

See also, page 21.

legacy forest

BREEDING SEASON: Carnaby’s Crusaders chief crusader and installer Dean Arthurell holding carnaby, Mango, at the Living Legacy Forest last Sunday.

THREE artificial breeding tubes have been fitted at the Living Legacy Forest on Wellington Dam Road.

And despite it being early in the breeding season, Carnaby’s Crusaders chief crusader and installer Dean Arthurell said it is going well so far.

Mr Arthurell said finding breeding habitats for birds - specifically forest red tail black cockatoos and carnabies - has become challenging.

“They require a tree older than 200 years and with logging, there are less and less of these trees around,” he said.

Mr Athurell hopes that with the installation of the tubes, the breeding season will continue to flourish and Collie will see an increase in birds around the Wellington State Forest.

“The idea of the tubes is to create a space for them to breed that will give them the right environment,” he said.

Carnabies can breed in any environment, Mr Athurell said. However, the forest red tail black cockatoo needs more encouragement.

The birds begin breeding at three years old and then fledge their first chick at five years old. Mr Arthurell said it is possible that a bird will produce 30 to 35 offspring in its lifetime.

$2m graphite agreement 6 COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN,OCTOBER 20, 2022

INTERNATIONAL Graphite announced on Tuesday that it has finalised a $2 million financial assistance agreement with the State Government.

The agreement formalises the grant announced in July 2021, and is available via the Collie Futures Industry Development Fund.

International Graphite recently commissioned its pilot micronising and spheroidising plant at Collie.

Executive chairman Phil Hearse said the agreement was key to creating new jobs in town.

“Graphite is critical for global decarbonisation, and we are proud to be partnering with the WA government in Collie to establish a new sovereign supply for Australia and a new global source for international battery manufacturers,” he said.

The funding will assist in developing a

1000-tonne per year commercial graphite micronising facility, plus ongoing research and development at the company’s planned battery anode material (BAM) plant in Collie.

The company is also working to procure production qualification scale equipment, as well as commercial scale equipment, to complete frontend engineering and design for the Collie micronising facility by the end of 2023.

International Graphite’s planned downstream operations aim to process graphite concentrates from the company’s Springdale Graphite Project, near Hopetoun.

The micronised and spheroidised graphite product will then be purified, and is also expected to be coated, for use as lithium-ion battery anodes.

It is hoped coated BAM would be used for export.

COLLIE Shire Council has endorsed a working relationship with the Coalfields Museum and Historical Research Centre (CMHRC) to identify a suitable future museum site.

It is supporting discussions about the reserve between the visitors’ centre and the roundhouse to see if the museum could be relocated there after two other proposed sites were discounted.

The museum committee is hoping for a favourable outcome to the discussions, as the need for more space becomes press-

ing. Large display pieces with strong connections to Collie’s history have been promised to the museum by the power stations and coal mining companies, but these cannot be accommodated on the existing site.

The shire’s Director of Development Services, Matt Young, told council the new museum project would only be successful if planned realistically.

“There needs to be a clear focus, after detailed consideration of the associated costs and risks,” Mr Young said.

He said a business case will assist in providing project justification for funding sources.

Mr Young approached the National Trust to see if the eastern end of Reserve 47127 would be considered for a museum, linking the roundhouse and the visitors centre.

The National Trust has advised that Be Our Guest Holdings has exclusive option over the whole site.

The shire has been in discussion with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions to develop a pump track on the same site, although alternative locations previously considered also include the reserves on the northern side of the railway in Forrest Street, around the Collie Fire and Rescue Service/State Emergency Services training area.

The museum committee has been searching for a new site since plans to redevelop on the existing site proved impracticable.

Cost factors because of the sloping site, and the difficulties posed by having to

pack up and move the entire collection during construction, having to store the collection adding to the cost, and having to close for the period of construction proved to be insurmountable.

Several other sites were considered, but were ruled out for a number of reasons, including ease of access and parking.

A site near the RSL building and close to the old Wallsend mine was the most favourable, but it became apparent that this site is not expandable and the large display pieces would not fit there.

The Collie Rotary Club was looking for a site to place the fire tower it plans to relocate and restore, and it was suggested part of an area unused by the Forestry Products Commission (FPC) could be suitable.

Council officers wrote to the FPC asking that the site, at 20 Throssell Street, be transferred to the Shire of Collie, but FPC formally advised that it is committed to operating the office and depot for some time, hence it was not available.

Council to help in museum search

GRADUATED: Collie Senior High School year 12 students Narsiah Mumme, Madison Brisbane and Piper White celebrated their final day at school with dress ups.

End of school for year 12s COLLIE Senior High School’s year 12 students spent their final day at school last Monday.

The graduating class started the day with a shared breakfast, cooked by teacher Chris Kenny.

Principal Dale Miller said the students had been an amazing group.

“They have graduated through a pandemic, supporting each other and supported by staff, families and the community,” she said.

After breakfast, students participated in a Leavers’ Talk, hosted by Red Frogs, Police and Emergency Services.

“We want our young people to stay safe,” Ms Miller said.

The students then played a game of soccer against their teachers at recess, which staff easily won with five goals to nil.

A special assembly was held in the school gymnasium that afternoon.

“The final year 12 assembly was highlighted by the memories and photos of all the year 12s in their younger days,” Ms Miller said.

While the traditional muck up day is a thing of the past, it did not stop staff and students from taking to the school oval with plenty of water and streamers.

“You can still have fun with water,” Ms Miller added.

COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, OCTOBER 20, 2022 7

Parking scheme mooted COLLIE Shire Council is developing a town centre parking strategy and budget following a survey of businesses and residents on parking concerns.

As part of the town’s transitioning process, traffic and car parking pressures are being experienced because of the influx of tourists and recreational trail users.

Council had received a number of complaints about parking problems, vehicle conflicts, accidents and feedback from businesses on staff and customer parking.

Almost 75 percent of those who responded to the survey were not in favour of timed parking or paid parking.

Concerns were raised about the need to re-line parking bays, and a need to ensure there is compliance with restrictions.

Development services director Matt Young reported to last week’s council meeting that as well as developing a strategy, there was a need to plan for long term coach parking and caravan parking, including the location of associated facilities such as dump sites and ablutions.

Provision needed to be made for parking of taxis and coach parking.

Parking on Forrest and Throssell Streets has not been evaluated since upgrades were carried out.

The impact of traffic movements since the improvements needs to be assessed, Mr Young said.

He also pointed to the need to have a long term plan for the parking in town, with possible future sites identified, as well as the cost of providing parking.

Councillors asked if rangers were legally entitled to police the use of disabled parking bays.

A total of 277 people linked to the survey, with 113 completing the survey, almost all of them local residents.

Eighty percent said they experienced parking problems in Collie, with 65 percent saying Forrest Street was a problem, and 61 percent in the town centre generally.

There have been increased weekend and event-based demands on parking, including from long-wheelbase four-wheel drive vehicles with bike racks.

Council staff were instructed to liaise with local businesses about the maintenance standard of privately-owned car parks.

Are you new to town?

IN RESPONSE to questions about how to meet people when you are new to town, a local woman has organised an informal morning tea to be held next Thursday in Central Park.

“I noticed a number of people asking on Facebook how to meet people, so I thought I would organise a get-together in the rotunda in the park in Forrest Street,” Donna Davies said.

“People could bring along a cup of coffee or a drink, and just meet around 10.30am.

If anyone would like more information, they can ring Mrs Davies on 0419 863 220.

Mental health week event

HAPPY: Attendee James Waywood jumped for joy when he was involved in the colour event at Roche Park Recreation Centre last Saturday.

MENTAL Health Week ended with a celebration last Saturday at Roche Park Recreation Centre.

The event, which is from October 8 to 15, featured loads of colour and meditation.

It was open to all members of the public from 10am, with fitness instructor Teresa Briggs leading attendees through a meditation session.

Manager Kellie Geere said the event was to bring the community together.

“The event promoted being active and celebrating each other,” she said.

Attendees then ran through the colourful obstacle course on the oval.

The Aged Care Quality Standards are being reviewed. Now is the time to have your say, because quality aged care matters.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety final report challenges us to create better aged care services and a better standard of care for older Australians.

In March 2021, the Australian Government announced a review of Aged Care Quality Standards (Quality Standards) in response to Recommendation 19 of the Royal Commission final report.

We’re encouraging input from older Australians, families and carers, aged care providers, the workforce and anyone interested in contributing to the future of aged care in Australia.

Consultations are open between 17 October to 25 November 2022.

To have your say about the Quality Standards, visit the Aged Care Engagement Hub or call the My Aged Care’s freecall phone line.

Phone 1800 318 209 Visit agedcareengagement.health.gov.au For translating and interpreting services, call 131 450 and ask for My Aged Care on 1800 318 209.

To use the National Relay Service, visit nrschat.nrscall.gov.au/nrs or call 1800 555 660.

8 COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN,OCTOBER 20, 2022 SEDDON on THURSDAY

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with Alison Kidman

Escape artists

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Send your letters to editorial@crvbulletin.com

JODIE HANNS, Member for Collie-Preston, reports...

Does the pool trump the river? Many meetings THE people of Collie have had their say on the heated swimming pool and Collie River environment issues.

Last Wednesday’s Collie River public meeting was attended by 30 people (excluding staff and speakers.) This is well down on the 100 odd that turned out for the heated pool meeting held last February.

To refresh, validate and conclude, last January council decided to hold two public meetings. One to deal with a heated swimming pool, and the other with Collie River environmental issues.

The pool meeting supported by former local member Mick Murray and our current MLA Jodie Hanns was held within a month, whilst the river meeting took nine months.

Further to this council, after abandoning the effective weeds and waterways advisory committee, has formed a new committee to advise and support pool intent.

Can you see where I am coming from?

Minister for Water Dave Kelly refused to attend last week’s river public meeting, sending along three public servants to tell us how well things were going and

that it was being managed with Lake Kepwari and the south branch of the Collie River.

Many claims made by Mr Kelly and his advisors will not stand up to scientific finding and scrutiny.

Back to the meeting - Ian Miffling chaired with patience and gave all a fair go.

Unfortunately only questions were allowed, and someone with a background and scientific credibility in such matters could not be found to balance and respond to what was said and claimed.

The absence of the traditional owners from that meeting came as no surprise.

We have found that Lake Kepwari - a man-made tourist attraction that holds 40 billion litres of water that belongs to the south branch of the Collie River - has now been incorporated into the Collie River Waugul Aboriginal heritage sites, which includes the entire Collie River system.

Mick Murray’s budgeted Lake Kepwari pump - to be used when needed - is not expected to wear out.

Ed Riley, 17 Walter Drive, Collie

Logging is destroying habitats

I AGREE with Kathryn Melbourne’s comments on logging off Williams Road (Collie River Valley Bulletin, October 13, 2022).

We were passing through there a few weeks back and we were absolutely disgusted in what we saw.

It is also not the first time in that area either.

They have window-dressed the habitat trees along the roadside, but I believe they have not left the required amount of vegetation within the recommended radius around a habitat tree to be able to support life.

They are also not very good at identifying habitat trees, as they have pushed down many bigger/older tree species that

allow hollows to be made and left the smaller/younger trees that are no good to any of the wildlife in the area.

It is happening all around us and it seems as though no one cares - all the logging companies care about is raping the forest bare until they are phased out.

Would be nice if decorum was considered in trying to preserve as much as they could whilst logging, instead of just annihilating everything in their path.

If you can not convince them, confuse them.

Natasha Sunderland, Prinsep Street, Collie.

More letters page 21.

FANTASTIC news this week that International Graphite has finalised a $2 million financial assistance agreement with the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (JTSI). This grant is funded through the Collie Futures Industry Development Fund.

The financial assistance is earmarked for the development of a graphite micronising facility and ongoing research and development at the company’s planned battery anode material plant in town.

We are another step closer to establishing this exciting new industry and creating new jobs in Collie.

The Kaya Collie Quarry Dining Experience was last Saturday night, and it was such a beautiful event in a stunning and unique location.

Thanks to everyone who nominated community members for my giveaway of tickets to deserving community members. The tickets were awarded to Kasey Collier, Carol English, Dianne Dickinson and guest, Barbara Instance and guest, Bronwyn and Brian Kippin, and Terry and June Ransome. I hope they had an enjoyable evening.

It was a big week for meetings in Collie during the last week.

I hosted a community meeting with Julie and Kristine from Legal Aid WA to discuss the opportunity to establish a virtual legal aid office in Collie.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the shire, justices of the peace and community service organisations.

Thanks for the time and valuable feedback of all who attended - watch this space.

I also attended the council working group meeting for the Collie indoor pool, which was a productive opening dialogue around the planning stage. This was an election commitment from the McGowan government in 2017.

Finally, to the year 12 students who celebrated their final day of school this week - congratulations.

ALLOW me to introduce you to the concept of Escape Rooms, if you haven’t heard of them already.

They’re a fun thing where you get together with a few friends and/or family and are locked in a room.

Your task is to work together to find clues that will enable you to escape the room within a set period of time.

There might be a jacket hanging in the corner, with a secret code tucked into a pocket.

This code might unlock a padlock attached to a wardrobe door, which reveals a secret passageway into another room.

And so it goes, with the timer ticking all the while.

There is immense satisfaction in beating the clock, but if you don’t, it doesn’t matter. The staff will let you out anyway and congratulate you for trying.

Afterwards you can all go somewhere nice for lunch to round out a fantastic day.

The French have taken this a step further and have cunningly disguised train stations and airports as escape rooms.

In a devilish plot twist, you are racing against a real clock and if you don’t manage to escape, you end up missing your flight and sleeping on an airport floor.

And instead of an enjoyable lunch afterwards, you get to sit in stony silence for 20 hours, wedged amongst your former friends and/or family, eating airline food.

We recently experienced firsthand the skill of the French in designing escape rooms.

We entered an escape room called Gare du Nord (North Station) in Paris recently.

The aim was to unlock a secret portal that would grant us access to Charles de Gaulle International Airport and then our flight home.

The first obstacle was the ticket machine. Which one of the 53 options will buy you the correct ticket?

Ha! You’re not going to find out until you’ve made it to the ticket barrier with eight minutes to go before your flight.

But before that, clutching either the right or wrong ticket, you have to negotiate your way through several more obstacles to get to the airport train.

So having survived several gruelling rounds of the escape room, the three of us arrived breathless but triumphant at the final obstacle - the airport ticket barrier - with identical tickets in hand.

Was there a shock plot twist? Of course there was - this is France.

Only two of the tickets worked, leaving the MOTH (male of the household) stranded, along with a hapless American who had purchased the wrong ticket.

I briefly considered carrying on without the MOTH, but then I might have to chop my own firewood.

Oo-er.

Fortunately, at that moment a fairy godmother appeared.

Neatly stepping over the American, now in the foetal position on the floor, she released some pixie dust from a vial around her neck, clapped her hands and - voila! - the MOTH joined us.

Now that we’re safely home, all I can say is that the new airport train station is just not trying hard enough.

COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, OCTOBER 20, 2022 9

CCCCCCCCC PPPPPPP People, places and contributions to Collie life

Shaun’s RISE to the TOP PEOPLE: Amy Dorozenko

SHAUN Pianta went blind on holiday in Bali in 2008.

He was with seven friends, celebrating completing his boilermaker welding apprenticeship.

The group organised a white water rafting experience, and Shaun had no idea his life was about to change in more ways than one.

“We had been over there (Bali) for four or five days,” he said.

“I woke up that morning and wasn’t feeling like myself, but we had organised to go white water rafting.

“I went along with it, despite not feeling well, and as the day progressed, my health started to deteriorate.

“By the time we got to the rafting spot, I was losing my eyesight and once we had finished, I was 100 percent blind.

“What was a great holiday at the beginning, turned bad very quickly.”

After a night at the Australian embassy hospital, Shaun was airlifted back to Australia.

“Doctors started running all these tests and they could never give me a straight answer as to what was going on,” he said.

Shaun spent three weeks at Sir Charles Gairdner hospital, during which time he suffered complete kidney failure.

He was placed on dialysis and made a full recovery, however he never received an answer on what caused his blindness.

“They said it was some type of virus, but they could never tell me what virus it was,” he said. “They would say one thing and then rule it out based on another symptom, so they could never give me a straight answer.”

Shaun was more interested in the strategies to fix his condition.

“It was not going to change the damage, so I wanted to know if my eyesight would ever return,” he said.

“It was a ‘wait and see’ game, and now 14 years later, I still have not recovered and I have about 10 percent vision.”

Prior to the incident, Shaun loved snowboarding and went on numerous holidays where he could partake in his favourite pastime.

However, when Shaun was introduced to para-alpine skiing in 2012 by Disabled Wintersport Australia at an expo in Melbourne, he knew he had found his calling.

“As soon as I tried skiing, I fell in love with it,” he said.

In a spur of the moment decision, he signed up and dedicated himself to the sport. In no time, he gained invitations to train with the Australian Paralympic Team and travel to Europe. “Being out

GGGGGG’’ GGGG When you dream of a toilet in your sleep, don’t use it. n n n An ice cream truck has crashed on the highway. Police attending the scene have put cones out.

in the mountains, it is sort of like a form of therapy,” he said.

“You can go and work on life’s problems as it is pretty hard to be hard on yourself when you are standing on top of a mountain.”

Two years later, Shaun’s resilience was tested again when he broke both legs in a training run in Austria shortly before his international debut.

It took more than six months, three of which were spent in a wheelchair, before Shaun could ski again.

He then started working with ski guide Jeremy O’Sullivan and started to prepare for the 2018 Winter Paralympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Visually impaired skiers are led by a guide, who calls out the turns as the pair race down the slopes.

“People always say everything hap-

Paralympics that he had done enough and would compete. His damaged ACL would be repaired after the competition.

“When I went to the opening ceremony, it was an incredible experience and it is hard to explain exactly what that was like, but that feeling once I learned I would compete was unbelievable.”

Shaun said he remembers standing at the start gate, in absolute disbelief that he had been given such an opportunity.

“Unfortunately the lead up was not what I wanted,” he said.

“In those six weeks, I only spent five days on the snow. My performance was not exactly what I wanted it to be, but I am still grateful that I got to be there.”

Shaun said having a group of 14 of his friends and family to see him compete at the Paralympics was a major highlight.

“When the vision impaired skiers are

ALPINE: Shaun with his sighted guide, Jeremy O’Sullivan. The pair worked closely together throughout Shaun’s competitive years.

pens for a reason and I could not really see that until I started to get these opportunities with the new circumstances I was facing,” Shaun said.

In the lead up to the Paralympics, the duo competed at the IPC Alpine Skiing Europa Cup in Switzerland, placing second in the men’s Super-G race two and giant slalom.

The same month, they debuted at the World Championships and the Para-alpine Skiing Championships in Italy.

But Shaun’s luck was again about to be tested.

“Six weeks before the Paralympics, I tore my anterior cruciate ligament (ACL),” he said.

“I spent time at the Australian Institute trying to rehab it and pass the fitness test to get the clearance to compete.” Shaun found out two days into the

THE

competing, the MC asks for quiet until the athlete crosses the line because they need to be able to hear their guide the whole way through,” he said.

“What I remember clearly when I first crossed over the finish line, was the cheers of all the people who had come over to watch. It was pretty cool.”

After the Paralympics, Shaun had surgery on his knee. He spent 12 months on the sidelines. His recovery was followed by the COVID-19 pandemic and then he married his now wife, Hannah, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Belle.

He said he hopes to return to Mount Hotham, New South Wales, next winter.

These days, Shaun works as an ambassador for AtWork Australia, a company which promotes the employment of people with disabilities.

“I do a lot of speaking, promoting the

FAMILY MAN: Shaun with wife, Hannah and daughter, Belle. company and sharing my personal experience as a person with a disability who struggled to find employment,” he said.

“This helped me to develop my skills as a speaker and occasionally I do speaking appearances, which I enjoy and am always looking out for new opportunities.”

Shaun has also learnt a lot about his own mental capabilities and resilience.

“For me, in the beginning I never thought it (blindness) would become a permanent barrier, so I always kept a positive mindset, thinking it was only a matter of time and I would be back doing what I was doing before.

“By the time I had actually accepted that it was going to be permanent, I had learnt to live with it and so I adjusted a lot easier than I would have thought.

“The worst is you lose a sense of yourself, including your drivers’ licence, and your independence.”

For an elite athlete to get to the top of their sport, it takes a lot of sacrifice from not just the athlete, but their family and friends too.

This is something Shaun does not take for granted.

“They get me through, as there are as many down days as there are good days, and their support meant the world to me,” he said.

“When I was injured, I would relate it back to where I had come from and, in the scheme of things, it was generally not that bad.

“When you are in the middle of Europe and you have a bad day skiing, life cannot be that bad.”

in the operating theatre, seeing the complex set up of pipes, wires and air conditioner equipment in the ceiling cavity was an eye opener.

All will be hidden from view when the ceiling goes in, so it was a privileged look “behind the scenes”.

Crossed wires A woman who uses her hands to indulge in a favourite pastime, sewing,

was perplexed to be notified by a Perth hospital that her “hand operation” was scheduled to go ahead as planned later this month.

That’s when she’s off to a sewing bee, so it would make things difficult if she had to be in hospital.

Fortunately, the hospital had its wires crossed. It had sent the appointment out to the wrong person.

BYSTANDER LOOKS AROUND

Some operation “It’s not often you see a bobcat in an operating theatre!” was the startling announcement to the community reference group receiving an update on upgrades at the local hospital.

The works being undertaken are so major that the machine was needed to bring in some of the essential equipment.

While not quite on the scale of a bobcat

10 COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN,OCTOBER 20, 2022

CWA Scone day

Business taxation Personal taxation Self-managed super funds GST compliance Business structures

For more information please contact us at the Forrest Business Centre: Unit 10, 13 Forrest Street T 9734 1000 rsm.com.au/collie

TASTER: Sue Murfett samples a CWA made scone.

COLLIE CWA has organised a scone day at its clubrooms in Throssell Street on Wednesday of next week.

Morning tea will be on sale for a small fee at 10.30am, and anyone is welcome to go along and enjoy the CWA’s famous scones.

“It is good now that COVID restrictions are lifted that people can get out and about and catch up with friends,” member Wendy Hoskins said.

“People new to town might like to come along and meet some people, maybe make some new friends, and have a chat to our members to find out what we do at CWA.”

Couple face court on child neglect A COLLIE couple charged with neglect following the death of their nine-monthold son could have their charges upgraded to murder once a cause of death has been determined.

It comes after Jahley Poata and Maraea Te Oke Mae Hunia appeared via video link at Perth Magistrates Court last Friday.

The prosecutor alleged Miss Hunia had coercive control over Mr Poata, and had ignored advice from the infant’s grandmother to seek medical help.

They are accused of neglecting their son, Jahley, in the months leading up to his death on October 5.

The police prosecutor alleged the baby had only gained 1.5kgs in the months after his birth, and only had one wet nappy per day in the fortnight before he was admitted to hospital on September 26.

It will take at least six weeks before an exact cause of death is known.

The prosecutor said allowing the couple back into the public there was a risk of endangering the safety of the couple’s other seven children, and could potentially interfere with witnesses.

Mr Poata’s lawyer Leah Clemens said there was a question over the extent of her client’s culpability.

Ms Clemens said genetic testing would be needed to investigate the possibility of a birth disorder which could have led to the baby’s alleged malnourishment and developmental delays.

She said there was evidence the baby died of pneumonia, after contracting a bacterial infection in hospital, and there was no history of Mr Poata being violent towards his other children.

Miss Hunia’s lawyer Melissa Sanders said the baby appeared to be improving when he was at Collie Hospital, but deteriorated at Perth Children’s Hospital.

Magistrate Brionie Ayling ruled bail be set at $10,000, with a $10,000 surety.

The couple is not allowed to discuss the case with each other or prosecution witnesses, and is not allowed to have any unsupervised contact with children under 16.

The accused surrendered their New Zealand passports and are not allowed to leave Australia.

They will return to court in December.

MEDIA reports that a replica firearm was at the centre of last week’s siege, in Wallsend Street, have been downplayed by police.

When approached about the reports, police media told the Bulletin that it had no idea how information other media publications had reported “made it to the public”.

Police reiterated, as reported last week, that they did not see a matter of self-harm being a case of public interest.

They also did not indicate the reports were incorrect, only that they did not

know how the media came up with the information.

The siege, which occurred on Wednesday of last week, ended when police took custody of an elderly man who was taken to Bunbury Regional Hospital.

It ended a five hour standoff during which time police, including members of the tactical response unit, cordoned off Wallsend Street, at both ends, and at the Rigby Street junction.

The replica firearm reports were published by a number of media outlets, including the ABC.

THE Hunter region of New South Wales is undergoing a transition away from coal and is looking to Collie for ways in which to negotiate the journey.

Next Wednesday, it will hear from Collie residents Phil Massara and Daniel Graham at a public forum in Singleton.

The Singleton Argus newspaper reports that the Collie men, together with Amalgamated Metal Workers Union secretary Steve McCartney, “speak about their experience navigating their town

through the closure of two mines and three coal fired power stations”.

The paper said the mood in Collie is “optimistic”.

“There has been a half-billion support package granted by the State Government, particularly to target blue collar jobs growth in industry,” it reported.

“There is investment in renewables and land rehabilitation, a boost to tourism, potential for a new ‘green’ magnesium refinery, and more.”

Replica firearm claim in Wallsend St siege

Collie speakers at NSW forum

COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, OCTOBER 20, 2022 11

COMMUNITY HOME CARE IN FOCUS

Centre to host open day COMMUNITY Home Care (CHC) will provide an insight into its day-to-day operations at an open day on November 2.

The staff at the CHC centre at 7 Vernon Street will be on hand to answer questions on joining in at the social centre.

CHC provides a fun and inviting environment which helps friendships to flourish and social activities to thrive.

Lifestyle and wellness co-ordinator Fiona Pither said there are a lot of different activities at the centre.

“We offer lots of different avenues and services for our members to help them get the best out of their lives,” she said.

These services can include one-on-one personal support, house cleaning, and transport assistance.

The ceramics group will hold a stall and sell some of their work at the open day, and local artist Fran Dorozenko will display interactive art and meditative activities.

Several organisations will also display stalls, including Health Sense Chemist,

Will be holding a stall and selling some of their work.

Hearing Australia, Alzheimer’s WA, Angaline’s Beauty Salon, Hocart Lodge and ValleyView Residence.

Entertainment will be provided by musician, Greg Butcher.

Backyard Donuts will be on site to provide hungry attendees with food and beverages.

There are lots of activities planned for members throughout the year.

These include Wildflowers Club for the dementia patients, art classes, ceramics classes, swimming at Donnybrook’s heated pool and many other activities.

Each Tuesday and Thursday, there is a morning and afternoon tea.

Fiona said the group also joins in with other CHCs around the south west.

“On Wednesdays we travel to places like Busselton and Pinjarra for an outing or a function to give our members a safe, supported day out,” she said.

The open day will start at 10am, and finish at 2pm.

For more information, contact the centre on 9734 5353.

Will be attending with his guitar and some songs.

Will be there, with maybe furry friend or two.

Will be on hand to sell delicious donuts and coffee.

Are offering hand massages and nail treatments

Will be bringing along some assistant aids

12 COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN,OCTOBER 20, 2022

Feast fit for the occasion It was a feast fit for the occasion when 200 people sat down for dinner in a marquee at the Wellington Dam quarry last Saturday night.

With an orchestra providing the music, dinner guests were treated to an Aboriginal inspired meal prepared by head chef Paul “Yoda”Is-

kov and the Fervor catering team.

The black tie event attracted a wide cross-section of the local community, along with dignitaries and people from neighbouring shires.

The Kaya Collie event was part of Collie’s 125th birthday celebrations.

Photos: BIANCA TURRI.

Workforce shortages hit locals

COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, OCTOBER 20, 2022 13

We’re protecting WA’s forests The State Government is committed to protecting our environment and native forests.

workers. “New industries in Collie, such as International Graphite, Cannaponics and Frontline Fire and Rescue, are opening up new employment opportunities,” Cr Stanley said.

THE old Ewington school will celebrate its 100th birthday on Saturday, November 26 from 1pm to 4pm.

The school is now the clubrooms for the Lions Club of Collie, and Lions are holding a celebration.

The first 100 people through the gates will receive a free sausage sizzle.

The old school yard will echo to the sound of amusements from the olden days, with skipping, marbles, knuckle bones, quoits, egg-and-spoon races, sack races, hoops and a three-legged race to name just a few.

Coffee and afternoon tea will be on sale.

“We continue to work collaboratively to attract industries to invest in Collie,” she said.

“These industries create new employment opportunities and to grow the resident workforce across the shire.”

Chamber executive officer Tara van Beuningen said new businesses are coming to town. She said the chamber was working with IPS Management Consultants to conduct workshops on attracting, retaining and managing staff.

100th birthday for Ewington school

The FMP provides the legal framework for cultural, recreation, economic and conservation activities in our native forests.

This includes the protection of 400,000 hectares of karri, jarrah and wandoo forest in new national parks and reserves.

It’s now your turn to help shape how WA’s native forests – from Lancelin to Denmark – will be managed for the next 10 years.

2022_536 1022 129x186

COLLIE businesses are feeling the labour shortage pinch, with 10 local jobs advertised last week.

Data from the Collie Chamber of Commerce shows low unemployment has affected many businesses.

Jobs include a range of skilled and unskilled positions, including an automotive service advisor at CTEC Mechanical, development engineer and heavy machinery technician at South32 Worsley, cafe all-rounders at Colliefields, pharmacy assistants at HealthSave and TerryWhite chemists, and a mechanic at LJ Mechanical.

Collie shire president Sarah Stanley said a tight labour market could be causing employers to reach further to attract

The decision to end large-scale commercial logging of our native forests takes effect in 2024, at the start of the next Forest Management Plan (FMP).

Public comment on the draft FMP is open until 18 December 2022.

Have your say at dbca.wa.gov.au/forest-management-plan

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TOP BLOKE: Aaron Giles hosted a “Blokes’ Day” at his home on Saturday to raise funds for breast cancer support. He is pictured with his late mother, Carolyn, who lost her battle with breast cancer earlier this year.

Fundraiser raises $20,000 A “BLOKES’ Day” fundraiser has raised $20,000 for breast cancer support.

Almost 100 people attended the event last Saturday, which was organised by local group “Blokes’ Day”.

It was hosted by committee member Aaron Giles at his house in Mary Street, Collie.

Raffles, games and an auction raised money, with all items donated from local businesses and individuals.

Aaron knows the devastation breast cancer can cause, after losing his mum, Carolyn, to the disease earlier this year.

“Many families in our community have experienced the devastation cancer can cause,” he said.

“The impact it has on the person fighting the disease and also those all around them living the battle by their side.”

Aaron said there were many organisations helping those in need and expecting little in return.

“Our family supported mum through her illness for six years until the battle was too great for her to overcome,” he said.

“Fundraising for these organisations gives them the ability to continue to provide services to those fighting the battle.”

Aaron said his mum always spoke highly of the care and compassion she received from BreastCare WA. Blokes’ Day was started in 2013 to collect donations and host events to fundraise for a nominated charity.

“The generosity we received from businesses and people who attended the day was amazing and it is hard to describe the vibrant atmosphere,” Aaron said.

Rowlands Road, LIA

First train trip to Colliefields

COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, OCTOBER 20, 2022 15

MUSEUM MORSELS Contributor: TOM REARDON IN THE February 3, 1898, edition of the Bunbury Herald, an article appeared suggesting that a large number of Bunbury residents would be interested in seeing the coal fields at Colliefields.

Since the rails had been laid to Colliefields from Brunswick, it was suggested that the contractors, Messrs Atkins and Law, could be persuaded to run a special train for the people of Bunbury, a full three months before the line was officially opened.

Letters to the paper soon started appearing requesting such a move.

As a result, on Easter Monday, April 12, 1898, in unfavourable weather conditions, a train left Bunbury with 450 people on board.

The suggestion was made that if rain had not fallen before the departure of the train, some 250 more people (mostly women and children) would have joined the day out.

So, what did these people experience on this trip and what information about the coalfields was given to them?

About half an hour before the trip was due to start, light rain began to fall which made it very uncomfortable for the people travelling in one of the 10 trucks, several of which were overcrowded.

The ladies travelling were mostly accommodated in three covered vans lent by the railways for the excursion.

The train left Brunswick at 9.30am stopping at several places enroute to pick up passengers.

The passengers were amazed that for most of the journey the train line was constructed through very rough hilly country with steep gullies on either side of the line and passing through broken and heavily timbered country.

Many passengers remarked on the size of the trees as they had never seen trees that tall and so close together.

The greater part of the trip was through the land of Sir John Downer of Adelaide, who decided to do nothing with his property although he had been approached on numerous occasions to sell or lease the land.

When the train arrived at the 21 Mile, where the Collie West Company had its coal and pottery works, a stop of about 20 minutes was made to allow the visitors time to look at the buildings and works, most of which were situated on either side of the line for about 100 metres.

The visitors learnt that the company had expended a large amount of money on its leases.

Because of this, the buildings were

substantial, and many visitors were impressed with the way the pottery and fire brick works were laid out because to them it was evident that the company was striving to open a permanent business there.

The visitors learnt that the bricks produced there had been pronounced the best in the colony and equal to the imported fire brick, and because of the railway being so handy, their bricks could be easily transported to Perth, other colonies, and the world.

Although the visitors could have stayed longer to learn more about what was planned, the train whistle blew and all took their seats on the train again.

After travelling four miles, the visitors arrived at the Colliefields townsite only to be told that the government mine had been discontinued by the government when companies took up leases given to them on very favourable terms.

Unfortunately reports published in newspapers in the East spoke very unfavourably about Collie coal. This may have been because a Mr Pittman had been sent by the New South Wales government to report of the minerals in Western Australia and after a flying visit to the Colliefields took samples from the Government mine from a heap of coal which had been lying perishing at an old test workings for nearly four years.

It was generally believed that it was from these samples that Pittman published his opinion of the quality of Western Australian coal.

It was pointed out to the visitors that the Western Australian government had its own geologists examine the coal samples and if they were not convinced of the viability of the coal of this area, a railway line would not have been built to Colliefields.

After the train arrived, the hotels were rushed for lunch, and it appears both Mr Carrigg’s Colliefields Hotel and Mr Cox’s Victoria Hotel were well supplied and ready for the influx of visitors.

Many visitors brought their own lunches and gathered under the cover of the newly erected government railway buildings to eat their food.

After lunch the visitors went in various directions. Some went to the sports being held about 400 metres from the train while others went to see the mine.

Unfortunately, light showers began to fall again in the afternoon and very few stayed until the end of the sports and returned to the hotels.

Most of the women and children were obliged to take shelter in the government houses until after four o’clock when they took their seats in the carriages ready for the trip back to Bunbury.

Shortly after five o’clock the whistle sounded to board the train and thankfully the rain had stopped by then, so the trip home was bearable.

However, there was one unfortunate incident on the way back to Brunswick when a drunken man fell off one of the trucks.

The accident occurred after dark when the train was close to the 4½ Mile bridge.

The man, known as Harry King, a plumber, who worked on the Collie quarry works, had been drinking heavily during the day.

He was seated on the side of the second last truck and after dozing off he toppled over the side.

The men in the truck with him first caught a glimpse of his legs in the air outside the truck. Loud calls were made

FULL STEAM AHEAD: The Colliefields Railway Station circa the 1900s. to the driver, who did not hear the men calling but did eventually see a red lantern held by one of the guards and stopped the train.

A policeman on the train, Constable Vaughan, organised a search but expected to find King dead.

However, when they came to the spot where he had fallen, they found him sitting on the side of the track smoking his pipe.

Constable Vaughan stayed with him while the train was reversed to collect King and the policeman.

This unfortunate accident delayed the train, which did not arrive in Brunswick until 8.30pm.

The goods train from Perth was waiting and the passengers were taken to Bunbury, arriving just before 10pm.

Before leaving Brunswick, the passengers gave three cheers for Messrs Atkins and Law, which from all reports was well deserved.

It was revealed that the engine on the excursion burned only Collie coal and the driver and fireman spoke “most favourably of its steaming qualities”.

16 COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN,OCTOBER 20, 2022

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The lounge area features bay windows with plantation shutters next to the open-plan kitchen, with ample bench space and a dishwasher.

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Situated close to the Collie hospital, schools, restaurants and other essentials, the property is proof that you do not need to compromise on convenience.

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WHY BUY ME ►Lounge area featuring bay windows with plantation shutters ►Open-plan kitchen, featuring ample bench space and dishwasher ►Ducted evaporative air conditioning throughout ►Reverse-cycle air-conditioning to kitchen and lounge area ►Floating flooring to living area ►Queen-size master suite with carpet, timber blinds, air conditioning and builtin robe ►Single-size minor bedroom with carpet, timber blinds, air conditioning and robe access ►Double-size minor bedroom with carpet, timber blinds and air conditioning ►Laundry with ample storage ►LED downlights throughout ►Powered workshop ►Paved patio entertaining area ►Double-bay carport off shed ►Single-bay carport off house ►Side access ►Ample off-street parking

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It offers 114-metres square of internal space, and has a kitchen with plumbed hot and cold water.

There are also two toilets, including a unisex with wheelchair access.

The exterior benefits include a spacious rear sheltered paved alfresco, plus separate storage space.

The property is currently leased at $12,600 per year plus GST and outgoings for the next two years with a one year option.

The current tenants have spent about $30,000 fitting out the unit, which includes two new air conditioners, laying new carpets and installing partitioning which will remain when vacating.

COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, OCTOBER 20, 2022 17

FACT FILE Location: 1/88 Johnston Street, Collie Price: Offers from $150,000 Contact: Ben Wood 9780 0540 or 0418 880 338

18 COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN,OCTOBER 20, 2022

CHURCH NOTICES

ACROSS

1. end (5) 4. official boycott (7) 5. honking bird (5) 10. second to last (11) 13. stage play (5) 14. Shakespeare play, Much ____ About Nothing (3) 15. Age of Reptiles (8) 17. moderniser (9) 19. close community (5, 4) 20. blister-like growth (4)

DOWN

2. military expedition to recover the Holy Land (8) 3. feather scarf (3) 6. formal dance (4) 7. popular US game show (8) 8. swimming pool game (5, 4) 9. Scooby Doo breed (5, 4) 11. female nature deity (5) 12. soil depletion (7) 16. collarbone (8) 18. split (4)

ACROSS 2. shilling 4. taka 9. kuna

10. ringgit 12. peso 13. kwacha 15. dollar

17. real 18. manat 19. pound 20. krone

DOWN 1. dong 3. lek 5. zloty

6. dram 7. euro 8. lira 11. dinar

14. franc 16. rupee

ALL SAINTS’ ANGLICAN CHURCH: 46 Venn Street.

Church Services: Every Sunday at 9am.

Morning tea after the service.

Holy Communion: First and second Sundays of each month.

Morning prayer: all other Sundays.

Enquiries to warden: Gwen Molnar.

Phone 9734 4020 or 0439 375 598.

Op shop: Open Tuesdays to Friays 9am - 3pm Church office: Tuesdays only.

Secretary email: collieanglican@gmail. com Website: www.allsaintschurchcollie.org BAPTIST CHURCH: Cnr Prinsep and Elouera Streets, North Collie.

Church Enquiries: Pastor Timothy van Aarde 0450 880 775.

Collie Hospital Chaplain: Timothy van Aarde.

Sunday Service : 9.30am Visitors Welcome.

Sunday School during Service.

Ladies Bible Study Group: Tuesday 10am at the Church.

Prayer Meeting: Monday 5pm-6pm at the Church.

CHURCH OF CHRIST: 165 Prinsep St. Pastor: Shayne Goldfinch 0422 515 257.

Elder: Evan Mandry 0407 445 788.

Secretary: Glynis 0403 159 668.

Sundays: 9.30am, Family Service and Kids Church.

Thursdays: 9.30am, Craft & Friendship – Phone Heather 9734 4066 Saturdays: 7.30am, Periodically, Breakfast – Phone Evan 9734 1354.

Weekly Bible studies on various days.

All enquiries welcomed. Vision Radio (87.6FM) is a Ministry of our Church.

COALFIELDS BAPTIST CHURCH: An old fashioned, independent Baptist Church. You are warmly invited to join us for our worship service, Sunday, 2pm, CWA Hall Throssell Street. Enquiries Pastor Chris Manessis 9797 0056, 0439 970 059. pastorcbcaustralind.com FOURSQUARE GOSPEL CHURCH: 46 Johnston Street, Collie. All are welcome to join with us in fellowship.

Friday: Food Ministry 10am-12noon, Prayer meeting 7pm Sunday: 10am morning service. Sunday School during service. For enquiries phone Pastor Garry Fisher on 9734 3796.

NAME_____________________________AGE____ Drop your entries to the Collie Bulletin by 4pm Monday

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

20 years ago

Danger poser The Department of Conservation and Land Management would consider drastic measures to prevent further accidents at the old Co-operative Minesite after a local schoolboy suffered serious burns there. Arron Jackson received burns varying from first- to third-degree - on his lower right leg when he stepped into a patch of hidden coal ash that had been smouldering undetected since a bushfire had swept across the area.

Decisions on Wellington salinity The battle against salinity was set to enter a new phase with farmers, indus-

Contributed by Kym Saunders try and community representation to take part in a process to decide how to combat salinity in the Collie catchment and the waters of Wellington Dam. A focused workshop was to be held in late November to look at options to overcome the problem.

Six retailers were hit in vandals’ spree Offenders left a trail of damage around Collie town centre when they went on a rampant vandalism spree in October, 2002. Windows and doors were smashed, cars damaged and shop fronts in the Coop Shopping Centre were damaged af-

ter the offenders managed to break in.

Coaltown Motors, Station Motors, Collie Home Improvement Centre, Deanna’s Hair Design, Collie Dress Circle and Marshall’s Jewellers were all targeted.

Kaleidoscope colour to accompany Land Grab Forrest Street was set to take on a festive air, with the Collie Life Kaleidoscope Festival set to provide entertainment, activities and fun to accompany the third Collie Land Grab Auction in November, 2002. The auction was expected to draw dozens of bidders from Perth and around the south-west.

ST BRIGID’S CATHOLIC CHURCH Cnr Prinsep and Medic Streets.

Parish Priest: Fr. Gerald Tan Secretary: Marie Hicks. ON LEAVE 0414 755 054. Office: 9734 2183. email:collieparish@westnet.com.au Weekend Masses: St. Brigid’s: 6.00pm Saturday, 10.00am Sunday.

St. Mary’s, Darkan: 8.00am, 1st and 3rd Sunday each month.

Baptisms and weddings by request. Reconciliation cancelled, at present, due to social distancing.

Vinnie’s shop: 9734 5664. Shopping hours: 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday.

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH: Cnr Wittenoom & Steere Streets You are welcome to fellowship with us, we meet every second and fourth Saturday. Bible Study 9.30am, Service 11am.

88.0 faithFM WEST ARTHUR: The Uniting Church meets on the first and third Sunday of the month at 9am.

KYB is held on Tuesday at 9.30am at the Old Duranillin School.

The Catholic Church meets on the first and third Sunday of the month at 8am.

The Anglican Church meets on: Second Sunday of the month at 8am at Darkan Fourth Sunday of the month at 8am at Darkan Third Sunday of the month at 8am at Arthur River.

COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, OCTOBER 20, 2022 19

BBBBBBBB CCCCCCCCCCC Classified advertisements can be lodged at: 1B Collie Park Shopping Centre (opposite post office), Steere Street, or by email to: classies@crvbulletin.com Minimum charge is $10 including GST for up to 15 words, then 33 cents a word DEADLINES: Tuesday 4pm (lineage) Monday 1pm (display classifieds)

DEATHS OLD (George Frederick): Passed away peacefully 18/10/22 aged 84 years. Dearly loved husband of Melva, devoted dad to Gary, Trevor (dec) and Leanne. Fatherin-law to Terri and Rob. Grandfather of six and great-grandfather of four.

My darling husband of 62 years. So many wonderful memories of our time together.

Until we meet again. All my love always, Melva.

Our dear dad, grandad (buddy) and great grandad. Always there to share your advice, wisdom and ice cream!! A kinder, more generous man we have never known. The world would be such a better place if there was more like you. Free now to do all the fishing and wooding you like. Love always Gary and Terri, Regan and Emma, Corey and Rikki, Kaiden, Oakleigh and Malia xx Our darling dad and grandad, to the world you were but one, to us you were the world.

Love forever Leanne, Rob, Jye, Trent and Neve xx OLD (George): Dearly loved brother-inlaw of Ron, Norma, Peter, Michael and family. Our love to Melva, Gary, Terri, Leanne, Rob and families. You made life more beautiful by your unselfish deeds, generous thoughts of others needs and your happy, smiling content nature. You were always well respected wherever you went and no-one could sing Barnacle Bill like George! Happy memories always.

OLD (George): My sincere condolences to Melva, Gary, Leanne and families on the passing of my long time friend and fishing buddy. Farewell George till we meet again somewhere. John Shep and family.

OLD (George): Sincere sympathy to Melva, Gary and the Old families on the sad loss of George. Management and Staff, Collie River Valley Bulletin.

FOR SALE BOOKS: John’s Book Exchange. Open every Monday 9.00am to 12.00pm in Collie Agricultural Society building. Great selection of books. Phone: 0428 341 470.

Government of Western Australia Department of the Premier and Cabinet

PROJECT MANAGER Web Search No: DPCT3731 Salary: $120,725 - $129,033 pa Location: WEST PERTH / COLLIE The Department of the Premier and Cabinet are seeking a Project Manager to support a number of programs and initiatives to deliver a Just Transition for the Collie community as it reduces its reliance on the coal industry.

The Project Manager is responsible for the delivery of projects supporting the objectives of the Collie Delivery Unit and the Collie Transition Package, including the $200 million Collie Industrial Transition Fund.

Visit: jobs.wa.gov.au and key in the Web Search No. DPCT3731 to access detailed information.

For Specific Job Related Information: Please contact Annelies de Ruiter on (08) 6552 6867.

Closing Date: 4pm, Friday 28 October 2022 DOPCR_11423

PUBLIC NOTICES Worsley Alumina Community Liaison Committee Expressions of Interest

Representatives from the local community, business and industry are invited to join Worsley Alumina’s Community Liaison Committee. The Community Liaison Committee (CLC) is a group established to ensure that, through regular discussion, Worsley Alumina and the Community are responsive to each other’s needs and expectations. The CLC meets on a quarterly basis.

If you are a resident of the Collie, Harvey, Bunbury or Dardanup Shires, have had experience working on a committee before, have a strong interest in the local community and are interested in joining the Worsley Alumina CLC, please apply in writing to worsleycommunity@south32.net Expressions of interest close 28 October 2022. For further information phone 9734 9621.

Please note this is a voluntary position and sitting fees are not paid.

Public Notice Wellington Dam Road Bridge Closure Please be advised the Wellington Dam Road bridge has now been closed to both vehicles and pedestrians in line with recent safety and engineering advice.

Traffic management is in place, and visitors and road users are asked to please follow signage.

All vehicles can still access the main parking areas at the mural and kiosk via Wellington Dam Road. Light vehicles can also continue to access these areas via River Road. There is no change to access to downstream attractions within the Wellington National Park, including Honeymoon Pool.

Visitors can still enjoy an excellent view of the Wellington Dam mural from the elevated viewing platform near the carpark Work to replace the bridge with an improved structure is being progressed as a priority.

For more information and updates on the Wellington Dam Road bridge replacement project, visit: https://www.watercorporation.com.au/Outages-and-works/OngoingWorks/Wellington-Dam-Road-Bridge-upgrade

watercorporation.com.au

CLIVIAS: Orange Clivias in 30cm pots, $20ea. Phone John Vlasich, 0428 341 470 E-BULLETIN: Purchase single issues or subscribe at colliebulletin.com.au. Only $100 for one year, a saving of $25. For more information call 9734 1024.

LIME and FERTILISER: Bulk ag lime and fertiliser delivered bulk to Collie and surrounds, call Mumballup Organics. 0417 322 007.

PULLETS POINT OF LAY: Collie October 25, 0417993890 MALTESE X SHIH TZU PUPS: 3 males, 1 female. Vet checked, immunised, microchipped. $3000 each. 9703 2814.

(Local number).

PUBLIC NOTICES

EMPLOYMENT

HOW TO LODGE A CLASSIFIED

Where to get your Bulletin: - Amaroo Deli - Ampol Collie - Coles Collie - Collie Bulletin Office - Visitor Centre -Reubens Newsagency -Sizzles Deli -Spry’s Butchers -Steere Street Deli -Wilson Park Store -Woolworths

Out of town outlets:

-Callows News, Busselton -Eaton Fair Newsagency -Forum News, Bunbury -NewsXpress Treendale

Preliminary Notice of Annual General Meeting Nomination of Directors This is a preliminary notice that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for Riverview Residence Collie (Inc). will be held on Thursday, November 24th, 2022, at 11.00am. The purpose of this notice is to enable you to nominate a person for election as a Director. A formal notice of the AGM will be provided closer to the meeting, in accordance with the organization’s Constitution and Commonwealth Corporations Act 2001.

Under the organization’s Constitution Rule not less than a third of the Directors must retire at each AGM. These Directors can seek re-election.

If you would like to nominate a person for election as a Director at the AGM, the nomination must be received on or before Thursday 27th of October 2022.

All nominations for Directors must be a member of Riverview Residence Collie (Inc). A form for the nomination of a person for election can be collected from ValleyView Residence Reception.

If you have any queries about nominating a person for election, please contact us on 9734 0222.

Jo Stanley Business Manager Riverview Residence Collie (Inc).

NOTICE OF AGM

The Collie Eagles Football Club Friday 18th November 2022 Commencing at 6.30 pm

Doors Open at 5.00pm

Notice of motions to be forwarded to the Club Secretary by 5pm Friday 11th November 2022.

To request a committee member nomination form please email the Club Secretary at cefc_secretary@hotmail.com

PUBLIC NOTICES FRESH, FREE RANGE EGGS: at The Mumby Shop, $6.50 per dozen.

COLLIE ROTARY CLUB: Drop your cans at Collie Mowers and More or cite the account number C10397872 at the Cash for Cans depot at 2 Marshall St, Collie to help raise funds for community youth programs.

THANK YOU TO ALL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS: Thank you for a great week of lunches, mornings teas, cards, and flowers to celebrate my 90th birthday. It will always be remembered. From Norma Wallis.

20 COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN,OCTOBER 20, 2022

BBBBBBBB TTTTTT

AIR CONDITIONING SOUTH WEST REFRIGERATION & AIRCONDITIONING

BUILDING

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CELEBRANTS

FERTILISERS

COOL SUMMER | WARM WINTER

Commercial Residential

DESIGN

9734 4866 | 0456 041 510 swrac@westnet.com.au

Lot 2057 Sweeny Crt, Collie

AUTOMOTIVE

CARPET CLEANING CARPET & tile

→Hot Water Extraction Carpet Cleaning, →Tile Cleaning and Upholstery Cleaning →Strip & Seal Available PHONE 0477 858 233 Find us on Facebook

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Logos Flyers Invitations Business Cards and more!

Need something designed and printed?

The Collie Bulletin team can help!

Email classies@crvbulletin.com Phone 9734 1024 or pop into our office at 1b Collie Park Shopping Centre to learn more!

51 Throssell St, Collie

HARDWARE & SALVAGE

We also offer photocopying and colour printing

ENGINEERING DRIVING LESSONS

BOOKKEEPING HAPPY BALANCE BOOKKEEPING

Bookkeeping services available All enquiries welcome

0403 454 764

A ERT DRIVING Anna Farrell: 0427 344 953 alertdriving@hotmail.com Collie & Surrounding Areas Friendly, Helpful & Patient Fully Insured & Qualified Female & Male Instructors

ELECTRICAL

BIN HIRE

COLLIE ELECTRICAL SERVICES Commercial Builders Household Car Body Removal Bins from 2-9 metres Asbestos Removal

Phone Paul Sweeney

9734 3414 / 0409 680 315

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1013

The voice of our town with the best music

Machining Light Fabrications On-Site Fiiing Sand Blasting Specialised Protective Coatings

JOIN OUR STATION:

WE WILL TRAIN PRESENTERS

Rowlands Road, LIA

HARDWARE

COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, OCTOBER 20, 2022 21

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Email classies@crvbulletin.com Phone 9734 1024 or pop into our office at 1b Collie Park Shopping Centre to learn more!

TELEPHONE SUPPORT

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call an ambulance/police on 000 now.

Beyond Blue Emergency Response Line | 1300 555 788 Kids Help Line (5-25 years) 1800 551 800 Lifeline | 13 11 14 Men's Line | 1300 789 978 Mental Health Emergency Response Line | 1300 555 788 Rural Link | 1800 552 002 SALVO CARE | 1300 36 36 22 Suicide & Self Harm Call Back Service 1300 659 467 Youth Beyond Blue (12-25 years) 1300 224 636 Youth Line WA | 1800 198 313

TREE SERVICES

OZARB

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BUSINESS CARDS, FLYERS, BIRTHDAY INVITATIONS BROCHURES RECEIPT BOOKS and MORE

PAINTING

SEPTIC TANK CLEANING

T.R. ANDERSON painting

YARD MAINTENANCE

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Water forum healthy rivers

Healthy Rivers site

ANYONE wanting information about the state of local rivers can access the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation website, “Healthy Rivers”, which can be located at www.rivers. dwer.wa.gov.au.

The program focuses heavily on the intrinsic environmental values of rivers, particularly the diverse, unique and often rare biodiversity – which contributes to the south-west being listed as one of 35 world biodiversity hot-spots.

A properly functioning river ecosystem not only provides clean water for drinking and domestic use, but also water for

agriculture and industry and for maintaining public spaces, such as sports grounds.

It also allows movement of water through the landscape for the purpose of irrigation, drainage and flood management.

Waterways also provide places to relax surrounded by natural beauty and, for many people, a sense of place and identity.

South-west waterways have always been a focal point, with more than 80 percent of our population living or working around waterways.

REDFIN perch are a significant and increasing threat to native aquatic species in open pools, the water forum was told by Tim Story.

Redfin perch prey on a wide variety of fish and invertebrates, and the eggs and fry of larger fish.

As they spawn several months earlier than native fish, they prey on hatching native fish larvae and limit recruitment success of native fish.

When studies were done on the incidence of aquatic species, the exot-

ic ones found were redfin, gambusia and trout.

Native species included night fish, pygmy perch, western minnow, cobbler, blue spot goby, lamprey, marron, gilgies, koonac, shrimp, rakali, mussels and turtles.

Mr Storer said Lake Kepwari is a breeding ground for cobbler and marron.

Cobbler require large pieces of wood to breed and this can be found in Lake Kepwari.

Redfin threat to native species

LLLLLL EEEEEE

Send your letters to editorial@crvbulletin.com

Warm weather is here and so are the risks - protect yourself

NOW is the time to remember our reptile community is waking up and ready to explore and get something to eat.

Always put on good shoes or boots for protection if you like bush walking to look at our wildflowers coming to life, long sleeves, hat and water if you are going to go for a bit of a trek.

Also remember not to take your dog in the car if it is hot.

We have read in the papers about dogs and children dying from dehydration after being left alone.

Make sure there are plenty of water containers around your home. Yes, it does happen far too often really.

Our schools have a good policy about wearing hats at school - make that rule is the same when children are home.

We have just returned home after volunteer long service leave.

It was good to see our town clean and green and tidy.

Remember if you pick up cans or bot-

tles, pick up the litter too. That was very evident in a lot of other towns here and South Australia.

We have a good cans for cash facility so why not educate the kids to get some pocket money by saving them and not putting them into the yellow bin to go out of town.

And last but not least, watch your children while they have fun in the pool or in a dam or one of our recreation waterways.

Remember don’t drink alcohol and swim. They don’t mix - you end up drowning!

Well done council for the extra seating in Central Park and at Tosca’s coffee place. They paid for the seating. Council put them in - good co-operation between council and a Friends of the River Environmental Group local business.

Geoff Wilks, Regent Street, Collie.

22 COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN,OCTOBER 20, 2022

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Celebrity Chef wins the Cup

From back page.

This was the first leg of a successful quaddie investment for the Punter’s Club. The other local to score was Fleur du Maquis in the Griffo’s Soft Serve Pace for trainer Bianca Ashcroft and reinsman Kyle Symington.

She started a well-supported $3.20 shot, paying $1.70 for the place after leading all the way and fighting on doggedly to outstay the favourites, Been Scootin and Let It Linga.

Symington continued his good form in the next event, the TAB Touch Pace, when he came off the 50-metre backmark with $2.30 and $1.30 favourite Batavia Blackhole for trainer Hayden Reeves.

His was a very strong performance as he faced the breeze for most of the journey.

Their charges, Jamanco in the Ed Brendan Riley Telstra 5G Pace, and Lorinda Kate in the Burek/Sparks Corner Pace, both led all the way from their inside barrier to score narrow wins by less than a head.

Jamanco was a $6.60 and $1.70 shot while Lorinda Kate returned $2.60 and $1.70 as favourite.

The Aiden DeCampo-trained and driven Minor Catastrophe justified her shortpriced $2 favouritism in the Davies Two Step Pace.

She overcame an early check to move into the breeze, before bursting to the front with a lap to go and running away

by 15 metres.

The meeting came to a close with the Collie Bin Hire Pace for two-year-old pacers.

Sanford Bart won his first race when he led the moving line outside first starter Constellationjewel and outstayed her in the straight for trainer reinsman Hayden Hancock as a $2.40 and $1.60 favourite.

Graeme Waters with eight points leads Hayden Reeves by one point in the Club Hotel Trainer award, while Symington and Hayden Charles are locked together on eight points in the Ray Aramini Memorial Leading Reinsperson award.

Symington leads in the Brian and Cally Ellis Leading Claiming Junior Reinsperson award.

As well as an action-packed eightevent programme, the pick four on races one to four was not selected so the prize will jackpot to a $300 tote voucher for the next meeting on October 30.

Alex Davidson was thrilled to have his name drawn to win a bike.

Another bike and sporting goods will be given away, alongside packets of sweets for the Halloween Eve meeting.

Seven lucky patrons won prizes off the chocolate wheel and another seven prizes will be drawn at the next meeting.

Two successful quaddie results, as well as a winner and a first four success, meant the Punters’ Club kicked off the season with a $13.80 profit.

The share price is now $50.24.

TOP TEAM: Len Flynn, Hans Wiggers, Trevor Welsh and Rod Garner won the men’s championship fours last Sunday at Collie Bowling Club.

Garner’s team win fours title BOWLS ROD Garner, Trevor Welsh, Hans Wiggers and Len Flynn came home strong with a score of eight plus 41 in the men’s championships fours played at Collie Bowling Club.

The event, sponsored by Pedro Wallace and family and Tom and Carol Gale, was played last weekend.

Only one shot separated the teams going into the final round, with three teams battling it out for top honours.

The team of Ash Collins, Kevan McKenzie, Ian Corley and Jamie Godfrey placed third with six plus 19.

Second placed Jamie Parker, John Waywood, Paul Bebbington and Barry Lowe faltered in their last game, walking away with eight minus two.

The Collie River Valley Medical Centre sponsored championship triples was won by Glenice Kaurin, Kath McElroy and Eileen Hindle.

Penny Valli, Ang Bolton and Cheryle Brown were runners up.

Kaurin, Valli and Brown went to Capel for a gala day, recording a win and two losses.

The veterans and novice championship singles will be played on Novem-

ber 27, with nominations on the noticeboard.

A luncheon will be held on November 1 for the Melbourne Cup, and a game of bowls will be played.

Tom Edwards, Jim McElroy, Kath McElroy and Vicki Daniel travelled to Donnybrook Bowling Club last Friday.

They were the only team to win all four games, handing them the overall carnival win.

GEORGE Saggers won the meat pack Wednesday, October 12 with four plus 31.

Two games were played, with a change of partners for the second game.

Each player carried their scores over to the second game.

Jock Davidson was runner up with four plus 26 and Len Flynn placed third with four plus 19.

A SMALL group joined in for the game of scroungers last Sunday, with many competing in the championship.

Vicki Daniel won, with Glenice Kaurin and Stan Wasielewski placing second and third respectively.

Kaurin was the highest scorer, while Krys Roberts was the consolation winner.

Fields in for the Collie Cup RACING TEN horses have been nominated for Saturday’s Elders Collie Cup. The ten nominations are among 65 for the six-race program.

Applecross Electrical and Testing Service will sponsor the day’s other main race, the Collie Sprint over 1400m.

Other Sponsors are TABtouch and SRG Global.

A Collie Race Club spokesperson said an enthusiastic crowd is expected, and there is huge interest in the Mooney Valley’s Cox Plate.

“To enable patrons to join in the excitement, extensive television coverage is available for all local, WA and eastern states racing,” the spokesperson said.

The TAB will also cover all venues, with a bookmaker on course.

Patrons are urged to book entry tickets online or through the Collie Visitor Centre, as a large crowd is expected. Tickets will also be available at the gate.

Fashions on the Fields, organised by Natasha Wright, is expected to be another major drawcard. Local businesses have donated prizes for the various categories.

To celebrate Kaya Collie, the organising committee will sponsor an open section in the Fashions on the Fields.

Entrants are encouraged to dress up in 1900s period clothes. Kaya Collie will also sponsor decorations around the course and in the corporate tent.

Face painting will be available for children.

Canteen and bar facilities will operate, and eftpos will be available from the tote.

After the last race, the band 6220 will provide entertainment.

Buses will take patrons to the races from 11.10am and 12.10pm from the Collie Caravan Park. Pickups will be the Collie Ridge, the Collie Railway Station and the Banksia Motel. Buses will return to town from 7pm.

COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, OCTOBER 20, 2022 23

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Darren’s dazzler!

O’Brien’s 77 hits for 46 pts GOLF DARREN O’Brien had his finest hour on the course with 77 off-the-stick in last Saturday’s Collie Golf Club 18-hole stableford.

O’Brien easily won the Banks, Pokrywka, Clark and Annandale event with a staggering 46 points, six better than Graham Williams, who had 41 and would, on most other occasions, have romped in.

It was the first time the then 15 handicapper had broken 80 and it will cost him when he next fronts up for a round as he lost 3.1 shots, going from a 15.5 handicap to 11.9.

Frank Battista chipped away during the event to finish on 40 to take the trophy for third spot while there were no bragging rights for either Phil Warburton or Joe Italiano who finished on 38.

Others to be mentioned during presentations were Alan Kent, Colin Giblett, Trevor McCormick, Wayne Waywood and Jackson Broadbent 37, Tony Barker-May, James Abbott 36, James Connell, David Laird, Stephen Miller, Dean Rakich, Neil Motion and Clayton Flynn 35.

There were 73 participants, including 11 ladies and their event was won by club president Lesley Motion who asserted her authority with 38 points. Bev Moyses and Michelle Tate had 37, while Nancy Lynn and Rhonda Annandale finished on 36.

Novelty winners were Joe Italiano (No. 1), Stephen Miller (4), Dot Sullivan (4), Darren O’Brien (6), James Abbott (7), Fred Bronickis (9),

Vicki Graham (12 and 14), Beau Wright (15) and Neil Motion (18).

RAY Cooper is in rare touch at present and was far too good for the opposition in last week’s Tuesday leisure day 18-hole stableford.

Cooper breezed his way around the course for 42 points, way better than the next best score of 34, which was returned

by Alan Kent, Kalev Kutt, Danny Cheng, David Laird and Peter Coombs in the field of 32.

Five other players had 33 and were also rewarded with vouchers. They were Chris Shea, Max Thomas, John Brown, Tony Barker-May and Neil Motion.

Max Thomas won the novelty on No. 4, while other novelties went to John Brown (7), Neil Motion (9), Graham Williams (14) and John Sheppard (18).

JIM Tyler was the only golfer to beat Ray Cooper in last week’s midweek events, winning the Thursday nine-hole scroungers with 21 points, just one better than “Scoop’s” 20 and two better than the 19s posted by Rodney Simmonds and Dean Rakich.

Ed Riley, Jim Larsen, Peter Coombs and Tom Wardell were also allocated vouchers for scores of 18.

Rick Shea (No. 1), Bruce Miller (4), Jim Larsen (6) and Ron Annandale (9) won the novelties.

THIS week’s events Today (Thursday), nine-hole scroungers stableford; Saturday, 18-hole par for a club trophy; Tuesday, 18-hole leisure day stableford; Wednesday, ladies’ 18-hole event.

BALL: Rebels 14-and-under basketballer Rory Mumme heads for the basket after evading opponent Mitchell Cheng.

Saints win in five-point thriller

BASKETBALL

SAINTS basketballer Harris Miller was on fire during the 14-and-under boys’ game at Roche Park Recreation Centre on Monday afternoon.

He scored 28 of the team’s 40 points.

Saints won the match, beating Rebels 40 to 35.

Xavier Stewart had a stellar game for Aces, scoring 34 points.

The final score was Aces 50 to Royals 27.

RESULTS: 12-and-under boys: Saints 41 d Rebels 30, Aces 40 d Cougars 23; 14-and under-boys: Saints 40 d Rebels

35, Aces 50 d Royals 27; 16-and-under boys: Royals 36 d Aces 31; 18-and-under boys: Royals 47 d Aces 41, Saints 45 d Rebels 30; MEN: North Collie Zinga’s 51 d Bullets 36, Wanderers 57 d Rebels 50, Aces 72 d Saints 54.

RESULTS for October 11: 12-and-under girls: Aces 24 d Rebels 13, Saints 38 d Royals 34; 15-and-under girls: Aces 46 d Rebels 22, Saints 34 d Royals 30.

18-and-under girls: Rebels 34 d Aces 19, Royals 20 d Saints 17; WOMEN A: Saints 37 d Aces 25, Rebels 54 d Wanderers 33; WOMEN B: Aces 45 d Rebels 9, Saints 25 def Wanderers 17.

Underwater hockey registrations open

REGISTER for this season’s underwater hockey on Wednesday, November 2, at 7pm at the Collie Swimming Pool.

Access is by the after hours side gate.

Players from 8 years and upwards are welcome, all you need is the ability to snorkel.

Some equipment can be loaned for

those who want to have a go, and the first three games are free. The season opens on Monday, November 7.

The club has several players who have trialled for the Australian championships, and they are expecting to know soon if they have been successful in making the state team.

SAFETY: MLA Jodie Hans recently presented new Belt Up safety campaign basketballs to association president Matt Harker, Andrew Roney, Ijah Coyle and Odinn Kirk.

24 COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN,OCTOBER 20, 2022

SPORT

Get your sporting goods in store

Email your sporting stories and photos to: editorial@crvbulletin.com Deadline: Monday 5pm

Celebrity Chef wins Cup ALL THE GOOD SPORTS ARE IN THE BULLETIN

TROTS CELEBRITY Chef won the Spry’s Meat Market King Coal Cup on Sunday at Collie Harness Racing Club.

The Chris Playle-trained and driven horse took the lead early, before surrendering to backmarker Silent Reaction, driven by Trent Wheeler.

Playle then pulled Celebrity Chef off the fence in the straight to overcome the leader to score by three metres.

The winner paid $11.80 for the win and $3.20 the place as another successful start to the late quaddie for the Punter’s Club.

Silent Reaction was good value at $2.70 the place.

The Graeme “Grumpy” Waters, Hayden Charles trainer/reinsman combination scored a double.

The Wayne Justins-trained and Jack Justins-reined Axle Rocks won his first start in the SportFirst Collie Pace.

The horse had lucrative odds of $14 for

OFF AND RACING: The Chris Playle-trained and driven Celebrity Chef, won the Spry’s Meat Market King Coal Cup at Collie Harness Racing Club last Sunday.

PHOTO: Craicpot Photography. the win and $3.40 for the place. Justins was positioned beautifully behind the

leader, short-priced favourite Be Home Soon. The three-year-old colt came out on

the home turn to score by a neck.

Continued page 22.

COLLIE CUP AT RACES THIS SATURDAY - See page 22