COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, FEBRUARY 9, 2023 15
Collie prepares for the spotlight COLLIE will feature on 7TWO’s Our Town episode this Sunday at 3.30pm. Our Town is a television program which focuses on a regional towns in Australia each week. The upcoming episode will look at Col-
lie’s transition from coal, and will feature business operators from Cannaponics and International Graphite. Collie’s mountain biking and walking trails, lakes and murals will also be recognised as tourist attractions in the show.
Mural trail film coming in March COLLIE Delivery Unit representative John Kearney said this week that the group is working with a WA-based film producer on creating a short documentary-style film on Collie’s iconic mural trail. “The film will offer a deep dive into the creative journey of the artists, and what each mural means to the community, and the rich history that journey represents,” Mr Kearney said. “There is a lot of history within these
murals that is tied to the people and families of Collie, and this is a beautiful and very well produced journey to understanding how this transpires into the artists’ work. “Once this is released, and it showcases the amazing mural artwork here in the town, we can certainly expect the interest to visit Collie will pick up.” Mr Kearney said the film may be released at the forthcoming Labour Day festival.
See a photo you love in this week’s bulletin? CONNECTED: Collie Family Centre manager Ronald Donoghue in the new Legal Aid WA virtual office that was unveiled last week.
Virtual office switched on
LOCALS will not need to drive to Bunbury for basic legal appointments, following the unveiling of a virtual legal office at the Collie Family Centre. The virtual Legal Aid WA office will allow for on-screen appointments with lawyers and support workers. It will provide help with a range of family, civil and criminal law issues including family violence and restraining orders, parenting and property settlement, and protection and care. Member for Collie-Preston Jodie Hanns and Legal Aid WA director of early intervention services Julie Jackson attended the unveiling. Attorney general John Quigley attended via video link. The Legal Aid WA program was extended to Collie following a review of the Collie courthouse last year. During the review, the Department of Justice considered closing the courthouse and moving its services to Bunbury. Mrs Hanns said her phone “rang hot” with objections to the proposed closure. Mr Quigley said the closure would never have happened. “This attorney general and this government will never sign off on the closure of the Collie courthouse,” he said. He said that equal access to legal ser-
vices is essential. “Why should you have to get a bus to Bunbury just for an initial meeting?” he said. “People in the regions ought to have equal access to the law.” Mrs Hanns thanked the attorney general for his dedication to providing equal legal access in WA, and said the virtual office was an important investment for Collie. Mr Quigley said face-to-face meetings were necessary for lawyers to provide legal services. “You have to see how the client is reacting, and their distress levels,” he said. Ms Jackson agreed that face-to-face legal advice builds trust and rapport. “We’re really keen to give a face-to-face experience that is almost as if you’re sitting across a desk,” she said. “Post COVID, we’ve all got used to talking online - the people of Collie won’t be put off when coming in to get legal aid. “We think it’s really important for people to come into a space they know and see people they know, '' she said. Since the launch of the first Legal Aid WA virtual office in July 2019, 19 virtual offices have been established in regional WA and outer-metropolitan areas. Appointments can be booked by calling the Family Centre.
Hanns grasps opportunity BEING appointed Parliamentary Secretary to Premier Mark McGowan is seen by Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns as an opportunity to bring knowledge and experience to her role as a local MP. “It’s an opportunity to be working directly alongside the Premier, who we know is committed to securing Collie a bright future, in all of his roles; as Pre-
mier, Treasurer, Minister for Public Sector Management and Federal-State relations,” Mrs Hanns said. “The role allows me greater ability to work and deliver the WA Government’s plans for Collie and the wider region – in turn creating new local jobs, bringing people into town, and delivering new infrastructure projects.”
