2 COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, FEBRUARY 9, 2023
AAAAAA What's on, When and Where Bird Show South West Avicultural Society, Saturday, February 11, 9am-1pm, CWA Hall. Free entry. Bingo Collie Eagles football clubrooms, Thursdays, doors open 6.30pm, eyes down 7pm. Library activities Sing along story time, weekly, Mondays, 9am. Junior board game starts today, then fortnightly Thursdays 3.30pm. Lego Club weekly Mondays, 3.30pm. Parkrun Parkrun at Soldiers’ Park every Saturday 8am. Collie Child and Parent Centre Playgroup Mondays at 9am (for parents and carers with children birth to five years old). MyTime support group (for parents and carers with children with additional needs), Tuesdays, February 7 from 12.30pm. Baby Business (for parents and carers with children birth to two years) Fridays at 9am. For more information call 9734 3364 or drop in at 6 Cable Street Collie. Collie Art Gallery Open Thursdays to Mondays, 10am to 4pm, new exhibition. Coalfields Museum Open every day, 9am to 3pm. Children under 16 free when accompanied by an adult. Riff Raff dancing Every Monday from 7pm at Collie PCYC. Beginners welcome, no partner necessary. Supper provided. Cost is $5 per person. Signing centre Monday 10am to 12-noon; Thursday 2pm-3.30pm; Friday 10am to 12-noon at the courthouse. Op shops The Anglican Op Shop has reopened, Tuesday to Friday, from 9am to 3pm. Vinnies open Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 3pm. Jo’s Bazaar, Monday and Thursday, 9am to 12pm. Send it in This column offers free publication of events for not for profit clubs and organisations, or for items of social news. If you want details of your events or organisation published, send copy to nola. crvbulletin@gmail.com or classies@ crvbulletin.com by 5pm Friday.
EDITORIAL Michelle Loxton | 0481 893 606 Managing editor ADMINISTRATION
Megan Creemers | 9734 1024 Office Manager ADVERTISING
Elysia Harverson 0477 360 087 Printed and published by Joe Italiano, 52 Bucktin Street, Collie for Collie Community Publishing Pty Ltd., 1B Collie Park Shopping Centre, Collie, WA, 6225
Spate of fires at weekend FIREFIGHTERS battled five suspicious fires in Collie at the weekend. A fire was detected in bushland near Patstone Road on Friday at 6.30pm. It burnt half a hectare of land before it was controlled two hours later. A Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions(DBCA) spokesperson said no homes or lives were endangered, but it is suspected to have been deliberately lit. There were also four fires in the area of the Wambenger river walk near David Hay and Venn Streets on Saturday and Sunday. The cause is unknown. The largest fire was on Sunday, and burnt roughly three hectares of land. It took an hour and a half to gain control, and was fully contained within three hours. Shire of Collie Volunteer Bushfire Brigades and Collie Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service were assisted on Sunday afternoon by the DBCA water bombers. No lives or homes were directly threatened, as weather conditions moved the fire away from residential properties. Crews remained on the scene for several hours to consolidate and strengthen containment lines and continue to extinguish hot spots. Three small fires reported on Saturday and Sunday were controlled within an hour, by crews who arrived within five minutes. The public is reminded that if they see a fire, avoid the area. Collie Shire acting chief executive officer Matt Young said excess traffic and personnel in affected areas significantly impedes firefighting efforts and puts additional lives at risk.
Arson charge follows fire
REGEN Hillbrick Miles appeared in Bunbury Magistrates Court yesterday, charged with lighting a fire in Collie on Monday, February 6. Police allege the 28-year-old Collie man set fire to grass in bushland in Patstone Road, near Harris River Road, about 7.45am. He was remanded to appear in Bunbury Magistrates Court on March 23. The arrest was a joint investigation by Collie police, Bunbury detectives and Strike Force Vulcan investigators. The maximum penalty for the offence is 20 years imprisonment.
Riverview tender out
“This is a timely reminder for all residents in the Collie Shire to have a bush fire plan in place and make sure that you and your family understand it and know what to do should your home be impacted by fire,” he said. “Fires can start anywhere and at any time, putting property and lives at risk. “Doing your part to reduce the risk around your home may help attending fire fighters to protect what matters most to you.” For the most up to date information refer to the Emergency WA website. If you notice any suspicious behaviour, please report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the local police. If you notice any unattended fires or smoke, call 000 immediately.
THE FIRST stage of the Riverview redevelopment project was put out for tender last Friday. ValleyView board chairman Neil Martin said five builders are interested in constructing the over 55s village along the Collie River. The first stage of the project will consist of 54 units, including 16 on the lower portion of the land. It is estimated to cost $20 million. “This is a significant project both for Riverview, and the Collie community who have long awaited for quality retirement living,” Mr Martin said. “There has been an enormous amount of time and work to get to this stage, with significant funds already spent by Riverview, and whilst it is later than hoped we are still pleased to be progressing to this point.” Tenders will close at the end of February. Mr Martin said the successful tenderer is expected to be selected by mid March. Earthworks are then expected to be completed by June 30. “All of the first stage units will be for sale, and anyone who wishes to join our expressions of interest list can do so by ringing Valleyview residence,” Mr Martin said.
at the football oval where Ben was exercising four-month-old border collie cross kelpie, Nugget. “I was walking Nugget when I noticed him,” Mr Collins said. “He was just wandering around, he came over for a hello and then he never left.” Mr Collins said Gingie was more than happy to follow him and Nugget back to their home in Jones Street. “He came home, played with Nugget and she let him have one of her bones,” he said. When she noticed Gingie missing from the backyard, Mrs Russell frantically posted on Collie’s noticeboard page. She then took to the streets, calling his name. In the meantime, Mr Collins also posted on the noticeboard page that he had found a friendly beagle. Gingie’s cute face seemed to attract a bit of attention, with many people saying beagles are known for their escape skills and their ability to follow their nose. The two posts crossed, and Mr Russell said one of her neighbours told her Gingie had been found. She said Gingie has been through obedience training, but is used to running on 20 acres. In dog years, Gingie is 14. And like most teenagers, he is beginning to push the boundaries. “Since coming to Collie, he has felt a bit restricted in the backyard,” she said. “He’s got a mind of his own, and he’s an
ESCAPEE: Gingie, the beagle, escaped from his home last Thursday and went touring the streets. He is pictured with his owner, Kim Russell (right), and Ben Collins and his dog, Nugget, who dogsat Gingie until his owner was found. escape artist. He can open doors, and knows how to push chairs over to the fridge. “I was so grateful he was found. I knew he would eventually come home - but at what time?”
DEMANDING WEEKEND: Fire crews filled up on David Hay Street while fighting bushfires on Saturday afternoon.
Gingie the beagle enjoys his day out in town A TWO-year-old beagle caused a bit of fuss recently. Gingie managed to escape his owner Kim Russell’s backyard in Deakin Street on Thursday, making the most of a gate that had not been shut. “The gate was pushed to, but it wasn’t latched,” Mrs Russell said. “Gingie noticed, so he knew how to get out.” Gingie then em-”barked” on his adventure. He took off toward town, stopping in
HOW TO SUBMIT NEWS/SPORT News and sports contributions are welcome. Simply email your contributions to: editorial@crvbulletin.com SPORT DEADLINE: Monday 5pm
HOW TO BOOK AN ADVERTISEMENT Advertisements can be booked by ringing 0499 904 801 or by emailing bookings to: advertising@crvbulletin.com DEADLINE: Monday 12 noon
HOW TO LODGE A CLASSIFIED Classified advertisements can be lodged at 1B Collie Park Shopping Centre (opposite post office), or by email to: classies@crvbulletin.com
