Collie River Valley Bulletin, March 2, 2023

BULLETIN

COLLIE RIVER VALLEY Published by LOCALS for LOCALS EDITION No. 122

Thursday, March 2, 2023

$2.50

Heritage group hits back:

Shed is not shop CANCER CRUSADERS THREE Collie people who have lost loved ones to cancer are planning to ride 200 kilometres to raise money for research into the disease.

Shelly Matthews, Casey Jones and Colin Bebbington have formed a team, Cranking for Cancer, to take part in the event in October.

See story page 7.

Restored truck unveiled IT TOOK a community effort over two years to restore the Geldert 1926 Chevy truck to its former glory.

Page 3.

Football lights fallout Eagles Football Club president Matt Blackford has hit back at claims the club gets “free kicks”.

Pages 4 and 5.

THE Collie Goods Shed is heritage, not a shop. That is the reaction of Collie Heritage Group president, Bob Oehlman, to comments made to Collie Shire Council by “pop-up market” operators Glenda Savic and Tina Long.

“What they have said is totally untrue,” he said.

Mr Oehlman said the first his group knew about the approach to council seeking the lease to the goods shed was when they read the Bulletin’s front page story.

He said there has been no contact from the council about holding discussions about the approach.

“Our usual association meeting will be held tomorrow, and we will be discussing this matter,” Mr Oehlman said.

He said the group, which holds the lease of the goods shed, is a very happy group.

“We have been operating the fortnightly markets for 20 years now, and we have a very harmonious group,” he said.

“We are happy with our fortnightly opening, that’s what markets are.

“We are also interested in rail heritage, and we have our rail museum. We are not interested in being a shop, which is apparently what these people want to operate.”

Mr Oehlman said the two ladies had asked permission to operate stalls on two days a week.

“We agreed to that, at a very cheap

rate, but basically as they wanted more space, and more and more hours, they were making a takeover bid,” he said.

“They wanted their space, and they used it as a storage space, there weekin and week-out. They wanted extended hours, a shop open five days a week – that’s not markets.

“Some long term people who have had stalls at our Sunday markets left as they didn’t like the atmosphere which was developing, and others were not happy as the ladies wanted their space and had asked them for it, so they left.”

Mr Oehlman said the members who worked in the rolling stock shed restoring wagons and coaches habitually adjourned to the goods shed for their tea break, using the tea making facilities there, and sitting around for a chat.

“They (the ladies) did not want them there, they didn’t want the guys having their tea and coffee,” Mr Oehlman said.

“We have people coming through who are railway enthusiasts and the guys enjoy talking to them about what they are doing. People like to see the shed, which is heritage listed. If we are not open, people can contact Keith Robinson and he will come down and open up for them.

“We have done that for school groups and others.

“Any funds which are generated from the markets are put into promoting rail heritage,” he added.

2 COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, MARCH 2, 2023

AAAAAA What's on, When and Where Labour Day Festival Saturday March 4: Spark Plugs on the Hill, recreation ground; Water ski spectacular, Lake Kepwari; South32 Wambenger Cup; Collie Country markets; Concert, Collie Eagles clubrooms; Sunday, March 5: Premier Coal Water Ski spectacular, Lake Kepwari; Goods Shed markets; Historical competition motorbikes, Motorplex.

Western Riders Coalfield Classic Saturday, under the pines, Wallsend Ground Curry night CSHS Anzac Tour Group 6pm Saturday at RSL, dine in or take away.

Collie Art Prize Collie Art Gallery, open 10am to 4pm, seven days a week for duration of CAP exhibition.

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 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 from 12.30pm.

Baby Business (for parents and carers with children birth to two years) Fridays at 9am.

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 would like to have details of your events or organisation published in this column, send copy to nola.crvbulletin@ gmail.com or classies@crvbulletin.com.

Deadline 5pm on Fridays.

Readers rally for Ukrainian family THE Ukrainian family recently settled in Collie will soon be able to see news of what is happening in their homeland, courtesy of a television provided by a Bulletin reader.

The paper reported - in its February 16 edition - on the family after it escaped war torn Ukraine and soon offers to help were forthcoming from readers.

Rob Walton, who recently moved back to Collie from Yallingup Siding, offered a television and DVD player, while a local woman offered to pay the family’s children to mow her lawn.

Mr Walton said he wanted to offer the goods after reading of their brave journey to Australia.

“As soon as I saw the story, I figured it was a good chance to pass it on,” he said.

“I am a big supporter of Ukraine. It is horrifying what is happening over there, so if there’s anything I can do to help, I want to do it.”

Mr Walton said the goods belonged to his father, who died in 2018.

“They haven’t been used much since,” he said.

GOOD SAMARITAN: Rob Walton with the television and DVD player he offered to the Ukrainian family seeking refuge in Collie.

350 entries for Collie art prize

Alli Greenmount year 8. In the photography section Brayden Hughes was the winner.

The finalists’ work will be on display for eight weeks in the lesser gallery.

MORE than 350 entries have been received for the $50,000 Collie Art Prize (CAP).

The winner will be announced at a special function on Saturday night.

CAP is the richest regional individual acquisitive prize in WA, and one of the richest in Australia.

Entries have been narrowed down to 47 artworks which have been unpacked and hung this week by trained gallery volunteers.

Three judges worked independently to choose the finalists, and the final judging was carried out at the gallery yesterday (Wednesday).

Judges Dr Diana McGirr, Dunja Rmandic and Christopher Malcolm brought a wealth of experience to the task, with Dr McGirr having held posts at the Tate Gallery, British Museum and the National Museum of Australia.

Dunja Rmandic has more than 15 years experience in the arts sector, while Christopher Malcolm is the chief curator at the John Curtin Gallery and has curated and designed exhibitions for more than 30 years.

In addition to the first prize of $50,000, the Rotary Club of Collie sponsor two prizes of $5,000, South32 sponsor a $5,000 prize for the best artwork by a WA artist, Whispering Pines Bed and Breadfast sponsor the People’s Choice Award The Pollie Packers’ Prize of $1,000 is sponsored by Jodie Hanns MLA and Dr Steve Thomas MLC. The gallery will be open seven days a week for the next eight weeks, giving as much opportunity as possible for people to view the CAP exhibition.

The lesser gallery will feature the work of the young Kid-entity finalists.

A GIRL reported missing on Wednesday of last week was located that night.

Police issued a text message at about 6pm stating that the 16 year-

old was missing somewhere in the Collie area.

Police issued a second text message at about 8.30pm to advise she had been found.

TWO Collie Shire Council light vehicles have been replaced after being written off by the shire’s insurer.

Corporate Services Director Nicole Wassman reported that an incident at the shire depot led to the two light vehicles being written off, and replacement of them was necessary to enable normal operations to continue.

Ms Wassman said that at the time of adopting the 2022-23 budget, no expenditure had been identified for capital plant purchases, and the intention was to review the situation and present a budget amendment. She told council other plant and vehicle purchases will be brought forward under a separate budget amendment request.

Proud parents Amanda and Matt Fuller, with their daughter, Sarah, who won the year 5/6 section.

Kids shine at art award evening EXCITED young artists and their families crowded the Collie Art Gallery last Friday night for the presentation of the Kid-entity awards.

Kid-entity, run in conjunction with the Collie Art Prize, challenged participants to depict their favourite place, and explain briefly why they were happiest there.

More than 350 entries were received from children at the five participating schools, with judging carried out by local artist and former teacher Marion MacIntyre, and fellow local artist Cheryl Rochester. The event is sponsored

by Synergy, and 24 prizes were handed out to artists ranging from pre-primary to secondary school by Synergy’s Brent Italiano.

Section winners in the painting section were Jamilyah Dawes pre-primary,

Noah Bolderson year 1/2, Georgia Golding year 3/4, Sarah Fuller year 5/6 and

Georgia Golding

Missing girl found safe

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Kym Saunders 0419 197 131 Printed and published by Joe Italiano, 52 Bucktin Street, Collie for Collie Community Publishing Pty Ltd., 1B Collie Park Shopping Centre, Collie, WA, 6225

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Shire light vehicle replacement

Modular housing boost COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, MARCH 2, 2023 3

COLLIE’s social housing stock is being boosted by seven modular homes currently under construction.

Four of the homes are already on site, with another three under construction in Perth before being relocated to Collie later this month.

Housing Minister John Carey said the homes will be a boost to the town’s housing stock.

Two homes, each with three bedrooms and one bathroom, are being built on the same site.

Two larger five-bedroom, two-bath-

room dwellings are going on other sites in Collie.

Mr Carey said the homes use high quality materials and have the same aesthetics and structural benefits of a home built on-site.

The modular homes are part of the State Government’s record $2.4 billion investment in social housing and homelessness services throughout WA. "Our modular build program is delivering new social homes.

“We’ve added more than 1,000 social homes across WA. Our modular build

UNVEILED: Geldert truck restoration workers Kevin Massara, Hamish Pipe and Mark Paget joined Geldert family descendant Rob Geldert (third from right) at the unveiling last Friday.

Restored iconic truck unveiled IT TOOK a community effort over two years to restore the Geldert 1926 Chevvy truck to its former glory.

The restored truck was unveiled at the Coalfields Museum last Friday, and will take part in the Spark Plugs on the Hill event at the recreation ground this Saturday afternoon.

When the new committee took over responsibility for the museum in 2017, cleaning out accumulated “stuff” at the rear of the building was one of the first chores.

In the process, the Geldert truck was discovered in a corner under piles of “stuff”, in a very dilapidated condition.

Museum volunteers were assisted along the restoration process by a community grant from Synergy, help from Ian Guppy and Co, spare parts and advice from Charlie Pizzino and Colin Danks, from Donnybrook, Collie Radiator Service, the men’s shed, Collie Machine Shop and a lot of perseverance.

Guppy’s restored the chassis, the

fenders and the running gear, Collie Radiator Service did the radiator, timber came from Saunders Mill and the men’s shed sized it and dressed it, while Collie Machine Shop provided a radiator cap and steering box.

The tyres had to be replaced, and while two could be sourced within Australia, two rare tyres had to come from the USA. To the dismay of the voluntary crew, one of these popped as soon as it was fitted, and had to be repaired with a patch.

Geldert family descendant Rob Geldert was present at Friday’s launch, and handed over a cheque to help with expenses.

He was quick to point out that the timber sideboards of the truck were original, and the name of the business can still be seen surviving through the years.

The truck is the second iconic vehicle to be restored by the museum, with the Della bus attracting much admiration from visitors.

program is speeding up our social housing delivery.”

Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns welcomed the arrival of the homes.

“While the modular homes are constructed off site, once transported here to Collie, it’s local trades and local business who undertake assembly, earthworks, concreting, plumbing, electrical, landscaping and fencing.”

She said the program was providing a boost to the local economy.

“I'm proud of the government’s investment in these new modular dwellings

Park St clean up

A CLEAN UP is to take place in the Park Street area this Sunday.

Friends of the Collie River Environmental Group organiser Donna Davies said the area has been impacted with litter and weeds and needs a clean up.

She said the group would welcome any residents able to assist.

“It should take a couple of hours and all equipment needed will be supplied," said Mrs Davies.

“Our group encourages and values the participation of members of the public when we conduct clean-up activities.”

She said litter creates a bad image of the town, and can also introduce toxic substances into the natural environment.

Volunteers have been asked to bring a hat and water and meet in Lowry Court at 10am on Sunday.

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4 COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, MARCH 2, 2023

Football Lights FALLOUT

Football president:

No ‘free kicks'

COLLIE Eagles Football Club president Matt Blackford (pictured) will attend the next Collie Shire Council meeting to hit back at claims the club gets “free kicks”.

His visit will follow councillors' comments made at the last meeting regarding the donation of the recreation ground’s old light towers to the Collie Racing Drivers’ Association (CRDA).

Councillors debated whether the CRDA should pay the football club for the lights, and Cr Elysia Harverson said the towers were council’s property and therefore the speedway should not have to pay for them.

“If there’s one club in Collie that gets free kicks, it’s the football club,” she said.

“They’ve just got new lights and the shire pays to maintain their ground.

“I don’t see the speedway owing money to the footy club. The speedway relies on

sponsorship and gets nothing from this council.”

Mr Blackford said Cr Harverson’s comments were “slanderous” and “offensive”.

“I will go to the next council meeting, and I am prepared to ask them questions,” he said.

“I want to know what they provide for us? What free kicks do they give us?

“Councillors are supposed to be leaders in our community, so what’s she (Cr Harverson) basing the ‘free kicks’ comment on?”

Mr Blackford said the lights were installed using a combination of donations and shire funding.

“Two towers were donated by Griffin Coal and Western Collieries,” he said.

“The rest of the money was donated by Mines Rovers, Collie Saints and Fossils football clubs and community donations.

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“The labour was donated, including trades, the cement footings and the crane hire.

“The shire at the time put in $10,000 to $12,000 out of a total of about $60,000.”

Mr Blackford said the club paid for and organised maintenance of the lights, including crane hire, electricians and new light bulbs, which cost around $1200 each.

“The club has never asked for any money for those lights, and we have appreciated anything the shire has done for us,” he said.

Mr Blackford said he met with chief executive officer Stuart Devenish, director of corporate services Nicole Wassman and football club stalwart Greg Coverley late last year to discuss disposal of the old light towers.

“We wanted a straight answer as to whether we could use them for scrap metal as we thought they were ours.”

He said Mr Devenish’s comments that “the football club has received a lot of assistance from council” were incorrect.

“What assistance is he referring to?” he asked.

“The shire doesn’t give us any money to run our club - it costs about $350,000 a year and that comes from sponsorship,

bar money and memberships. The shire spends about $60,000 to $70,000 for the maintenance of the oval.

“If they think that money is being spent well, they obviously haven’t seen it.

“The oval is in the worst condition I’ve seen in 20 years of playing senior football.”

Mr Blackford said the football club is involved in many community events, including hosting funeral receptions, housing the local bushfire brigades during fires, and hosting charity functions.

He said the club, whose clubrooms were paid for by fundraising, does not charge for the hire.

He questioned whether the shire was also trying to claim the football club.

“Are they trying to claim our football club because that’s on shire land too?

Because that’s not going to happen,” he said. “I feel some councillors don’t know the history of how things happened.”

Mr Blackford said he first read about the lights decision by reading the Bulletin, and liaising with the CRDA. “I haven’t been contacted by anyone at the shire to say what is happening,” he said.

“I have been liaising with CRDA, which has been great, but I would like to liaise with the shire instead.”

Football Lights FALLOUT

COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, MARCH 2, 2023 5

Soccer club: ‘Why weren’t we told?’

COLLIE Power Soccer Club was overlooked when lighting towers were replaced at the recreation ground.

Club president Shane Cole said the club was blindsided by the decision to give the old lights to the Collie Speedway.

He said he had asked the shire about the towers early last year, but was told the poles needed to be reengineered.

“At that stage, I don't think the council was willing to do the reengineering.”

“I was told two were not suitable due to rust, and that they needed to be fully recertified.”

Mr Cole said after being told the lighting towers were not available, the club and Collie River Valley Little Athletics made plans to join forces and relocate.

“We were told the towers weren’t going to be recertified and, if we were to go with a new project, then we might as well go with new stuff,” he said.

To establish at a new location would

be close to $300,000, while installing the existing towers, and associated infrastructure at Roche Park, would have cost between $150,000 and $200,000, Mr Cole said.

“We weren't happy that we weren't told the towers were available,” he said.

“I don’t think anyone was asked, and I know it wasn’t advertised. I’m disappointed in the communication.” He added that a number of sporting groups were unhappy with the council.

Shire president Sarah Stanley said the shire always looks to balance the various needs and expectations of community and sporting groups.

“Although it was initially thought the superseded light poles were unsuitable for use, further investigation revealed four of the six poles could be re-purposed for limited applications,” she said.

Cr Stanley said the shire will work with the club to seek funding for appropriate solutions for the soccer fields.

believe no demands from the club were made at all for the towers as stated in the headline.

Secondly, I would like our CEO to explain how the shire has come to the conclusion that the towers are a shire asset.

The lights and towers were originally purchased and installed by the Collie Saints and Mines Rovers football clubs, with both clubs forming a joint committee to raise the funds.

Both clubs contributed the same amount of money and the committee sought the rest from the local mines and other businesses around the town. For the 30 odd years that the lights have been up and utilised by the community,

not once has the shire paid any money for their upkeep.

A grossly undervalued $150,000 would have been needed to upkeep these lights when you factor in the need for cranes and EWPs to do the maintenance.

Two years ago the club replaced 11 of the 45 lights at a cost of $140 each. To fund this we had help from a local business.

The lighting towers and the upkeep has always been left to the football club.

These lights have always been made available to our community and the cost to run the lights always came back to the club.

Continued page 8

‘Absurd’ council lights comments challenged LLLLLL EEEEEE

Send your letters to editorial@crvbulletin.com I WRITE regarding the page 2 story “Light towers donation conditions demanded” in last Thursday’s Bulletin.

I respond to some absurd statements from some of our shire councillors and to give the community some perspective around the lights and lighting towers who actually owns them and who, I believe, should be the owners of the new

COLLIE BETTA STOCK

lighting towers.

From day one of Collie Eagles amalgamation, I have been a player, member, vice-president and president, so I believe I have all the facts correct.

I believe the article and the statements in it were a swipe at the club with numerous false statements made. After speaking with the current president I

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Labour Day Festival:

Something on offer for everyone on weekend SOMETHING for everyone – that is the promise of this year’s Labour Day Festival.

From trail bike rides, to a water ski spectacular; from vintage vehicles to a fireworks display; from street markets to a lion and dragon display, there will be entertainment for all ages.

Lake Kepwari is the venue for the Premier Coal Water Ski Spectacular on Saturday, from 10am to 6pm, and again on Sunday from 9am to 1pm.

The South32 Wambenger Cup moun-

tain bike race will be at Potters Gorge on Saturday from 8am. The bikes will be closer to the town centre on Sunday, when the Wagyl Biddi Trails bring activity to the Collie Senior High School oval and surrounds.

Motor vehicle enthusiasts will be catered for at the Spark Plugs on the Hill at the Collie Recreation Ground from 10am to 3pm on Saturday.

A free public concert will be held at the Collie Eagles Football Clubrooms at 6pm on Saturday, featuring South West band Ponyfish, supported by Jimmy Cameron from Jimmy and the Survivors.

The clubrooms will be open for dinner and cold drinks during the concert.

At 8pm, the sky will light up above the recreation ground with a fireworks display sponsored by the MEU and the AMWU unions.

On Sunday, Central Park will feature street markets from 11am to 4.30pm, with a large range of food vans, live music, kids’ entertainment and games operators present.

The Synergy Chinese Dragon and Lion Show will add a touch of the exotic to the entertainment.

Log chops will take place from 11.30am to 3.30pm.

The band Lock’n’Load will be on stage from 3.30pm to 5.30pm to round off what promises to be a great weekend.

Ride for cancer

THREE local people impacted by cancer will ride 200 kilometres in October to raise money for research into the disease.

Colin Bebbington and mother and daughter Shelly Matthews and Casey Jones will ride in the MACA Cancer 200 Ride for Research in memory of loved ones who lost their battle with cancer.

They have formed a team, Cranking for Cancer, for the event.

It will be Shelly’s seventh ride and Casey’s sixth, following the loss of their sister and aunt, Carol, nearly three years ago.

Colin will participate for the first time, following the loss of wife Debbie to metastatic bowel cancer in November 2021.

He started training for the event last year, but an accident on the Munda Biddi trail derailed his preparation. The accident, last October, led to Colin being airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital with five broken ribs, a broken collarbone and a punctured lung. He spent a week in the trauma unit.

He said he should not be riding yet, as a fall could redamage his collarbone plate.

However, that did not stop him from setting an initial fundraising goal of $4000.

“I thought I’d raise what I could, and then put the rest in myself if I had to,” he said.

After little more than a week, he had quickly surpassed his goal, reaching almost $7000.

“So I’ve raised my goal from $4000 to $10,000,” he said.

Colin is second overall on the fundraising leadership board.

“I’ve got a good reason for doing this,” he said. “I wanted to do something, and I

got the opportunity when I was invited to participate. I jumped at it.”

Debbie was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer in October 2016, and underwent treatment and surgery.

“We had a ‘gap year’, where we thought it was gone,” Mr Bebbington said. “But it metastasized to her lungs. They gave her two years with treatment.

“All up, she got five years. Statistically speaking, she was a survivor because she made it to five years.

“It wasn’t until the last three to four months that Debbie knew she was going to die.”

Debbie died a month after her five-year milestone, and was one month off starting a trial treatment. “You wonder, if the funds were available earlier for the trial, what could have happened?” Colin said.

Shelly and Casey will ride for Carol, but also other family members who have battled cancer, including another of Shelly’s sisters who is battling endometrial cancer.

Shelly said her journey with the ride started when she was approached by her nephew, and Casey joined in the following year.

“I’m doing it for three reasons,” Casey said.

“One is to raise funds, because cancer affects all of us somewhere along the way, but secondly for the family and friends of those who are suffering.

“Thirdly, I am doing it for the challenge.

It is nothing compared to what people go through in treatment.”

To donate to Shelly, Casey or Colin individually - or to the Cranking for Cancer team - visit www.cancer200.org.au.

COLLIE CYCLE CLUB PRESENTS THE SATURDAY MARCH 4 - SUNDAY MARCH 5

Forrest Street will be closed between Harvey Street and Steere Street from 9am to 6pm on Sunday 5th March 2023.

The electrical vehicle charger will be closed from 7am until 6pm on Sunday 5th March 2023.

8 COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, MARCH 2, 2023 SEDDON on THURSDAY

TTTTTTTT TTTTTTTT

with Alison Kidman

Stories from the sandpit

JJJJJ’’ ’’’’’’’’

LLLLLLL EEEEEE

Send your letters to editorial@crvbulletin.com

‘Absurd’ council lights comments challenged Continued from page 5 We never sourced payment or received money from the shire or people utilising them. If the shire is now claiming these lights as its own, should the club now go back through their financials and invoice the shire for the maintenance?

Thirdly I would like some clarification around some statements from our CEO who is quoted: “Historically the football club has received a lot of assistance from council”. And, Cr Harveson: “If there’s one club that gets free kicks, it’s the footy club. They’ve just got new lights and the shire pays to maintain their ground” The club pays rates as do all our members and players so the shire can maintain our ground. This is what shires do - they maintain grounds around towns for the general public to use. All football ovals around Australia are maintained by local councils.

We are not asking for anything out of the ordinary.

And if you think that the ground is maintained to a standard good enough for SWFL football, you may want to go for a little jog on it. Apart from watering, fertilising and mowing the grass, I cannot see what else the shire does to maintain it.

We are grateful for the new fence on the western side but the rest of the ground envelope is an eyesore. The velodrome looks like a waste sewerage facility in winter and the fencing around the tennis and bowling clubs are outdated and unsafe. It is an embarrassment for our town.

Visitors must cringe when they have to come here to play.

On a weekend when we have all our travelling junior and senior teams at

home, our studies show that we have 2000 plus people here to play or watch. I would hazard a guess that some of those visiting would be spending money in our town, helping Collie’s economic growth a touch.

The club also lost its beautiful grandstand that was insured for $1 million. It was never replaced and those funds were allocated elsewhere around the community. Art gallery anyone? We received some bitumen and a patio out of that insurance money.

The football club also did the groundwork for the new lights grant through our previous local member, Mick Murray, and then it was delivered by our new member, Jodie Hanns, not by the shire.

In fact, when it was confirmed that we were receiving the grant the shire pretty much ambushed the grant and claimed it as their own.

Can we please get some clarification and evidence that the lights are actually the shire’s, as I believe the grant was given to the club not the shire. As it was a government grant, the shire had to manage it and the flow of the funds so everything was above board. Is the football club being hoodwinked into thinking it now doesn't have any control over who owns and manages the lights? It would not be the first time this trick has been pulled.

The vocal bashings and untruths told about the Collie Eagles must be rectified.

Some research before posting the article would have uncovered all of this information.

This is a letter from a member of the Collie Eagles and not from the club. I do hope they respond with one of their own.

- Jamie Pitchers, 12 Birch Place, Collie.

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

Organ donor friends launch

AS A Member of Parliament, you get to meet some incredible people.

Last week I helped to launch the Parliamentary Friends of Organ Donation, a cause very close to my heart. The event was attended by organ donors and their families and organ recipients and their families and highlighted the critically low rates of organ donation in WA. The startling statistic was that at any given time 1800 people are on the waiting list for organ donation.

Sadly, they are not the same 1800 people, like my father, who die waiting for an organ transplant and are replaced with others joining the waiting list. If you are interested in registering for organ donation visit donatelife.gov.au.

I WAS very excited to hear ruckman Jackson Broadbent is going from strength to strength and selected to play for South Fremantle in 2023. I wish you all the best with your new club Jackson.

DID you know that one in five of the enrolments in the McGowan Labor government’s free in 23 TAFE initiative is from regional areas? So far close to 13,000 places have been taken up.

If you are interested in finding out about free or reduced fee TAFE courses visit South Regional TAFE Collie Campus for more information.

JEFF Riley is in the midst of my office renovations and has also nearly completed the new jobs and skills centre in the main street. The centre is part of the $4.9 million government investment to support the workforce as part of Collie’s Just Transition Plan. Nat Cook,manager of the centre, is very excited to see the progress.

FINALLY, see you all at the Collie Labour Day Festival this weekend. There’s lots to see and do over the weekend with something for everyone, including mountain biking, waterskiing and vintage car displays.

I HAVE some very fond memories of playing in sandpits.

There was a sandpit at primary school which, as I recall, was huge.

Of course, it may have shrunk in that annoying way things from your childhood memory do.

But back then, it was a hive of activity for me and my fellow captains of industry from grade one.

Every recess and lunch we were held in its thrall, building, burrowing, digging, experimenting, sifting, sorting, co-operating, possibly eating (it doesn’t taste great, but then again I’ve paid more for food with less flavour and more grit) and generally having fun.

Nobody was left out - there was space for everyone.

On any given day there might have been one main project or several sub-projects on the go.

New elements might be introduced leaves, pieces of wood, perhaps feathers.

A rudimentary house might be built, which then required a driveway and then a neighbouring house, then some shops and so on.

These may have been mostly in our imaginations, but that was enough.

Then there was the infinite fun to be had playing in the sand at the beach.

Here there was the added ingredient of water to spice things up a notch.

Not only could you build more robust structures with water as a binding agent, there was the added frisson of danger.

You could be so engrossed in your project that you failed to notice the tide was coming in.

Suddenly a wave would swoosh up and wash all your hard work clean away.

No matter, you could start again further up the beach, utilising fresh strands of seaweed and fragments of shells.

Which brings me to another sandpit that has come to my attention in the last couple of years.

You know the one, you can’t miss it should you be driving to the wilds of Treendale or other flatland destinations.

And my, haven’t lots of people been having lots of fun there!

Why wouldn’t they? Have you seen all the fun toys they’ve got to play with?

Trucks of all shapes and sizes dumping a pile of sand here, and then bulldozers bumbling along after and pushing it over there.

Water trucks are spraying water around so they’ve got all the fun of the beach, but no errant waves to worry about.

Someone’s brought in a load of rocks and there’s a side business going on in a nearby creek bed.

Not only that, but there are elaborate works in progress further down the road as well.

Will they eventually join up in a peaceful collaboration, or will there be a stand off, with someone threatening to mess up the other’s work?

Maybe the whole lot will be messed up and they’ll all move on to another game.

British Bulldog for instance.

Only time will tell.

COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, MARCH 2, 2023 9

CCCCCCCCC PPPPPPP People, places and contributions to Collie life

Mary’s had no time to feel sorry

People ZOE HAWKS

MARY Coverley does not have time to feel sorry for herself.

She came to this conclusion a long time ago when forced to leave home to pursue a career in education.

“You can either sit down and feel sorry for yourself or you can get up and get moving,” said Mary.

Mary knew the career she wanted to pursue from a very young age.

“I’d always loved school, I wanted to be a teacher from grade one.”

This led her to leave home at the age of 16 to board in Bunbury to complete upper school at Bunbury Senior High where she became a prefect.

Upper school was not offered at Collie and very few Collie students decided to continue schooling after completing lower high school studies.

“There were probably four Collie kids my age at Bunbury. You had to really want to go on to leave home, and a lot of people didn’t want to leave home,” she said.

Leaving home was hard at times for Mary, especially in the beginning.

“I bawled for a week,” she said. “If you needed a boarding house in those days you had to take what you could get.

“I had a shocking boarding house, especially in year 12,” she said, recalling that an occupant of her boarding house often played darts “over my head” while she studied.

After high school and before she had completed any formal teacher training, Mary was thrown in at the deep end.

“They were very short of teachers and they needed to get people qualified as quickly as they could.

“So I had to go out and do some monitoring, I started out at Lyalls Mill.”

She taught eight students from grades one to three.

“I had no idea, I could only pull on my own experiences. I learned more in that one year than all other years of my life."

During the same year, Mary also met her future husband, Mayne, travelling each day with the Lyall’s Mill workers.

“Because there was no other transport and my dad didn’t have a car, I had to go at seven o’clock, then school finished at 3.15 and the bus didn’t leave until five o’clock,” she said.

JJJ’’ JJJJJ I KNOW a guy who’s addicted to brake fluid, but he says he can stop at any time.

■■■ THE Vatican website shop offers Paypal transactions.

■■■ POOR people don't eat venison because it's dear.

“That’s where I met Mayne.”

Mayne lived at Lyall’s Mill and was travelling into town twice a week for football training.

“He was very shy, he sat next to me on the bus but he probably wished he didn’t have to because all the blokes on the bus gave him hell,” Mary said.

When Mary finished her year at Lyall’s Mill she went to college in Perth where she became a qualified English and home economics teacher.

Mayne and Mary stayed in contact during this time.

His footy career took him to East Perth for a season before he chose to come home to Collie.

Mary began her first year of qualified teaching on her 21st birthday at Manjimup.

She moved back to Collie the following year to be married to Mayne and began as a home economics teacher at Collie High School.

She taught for five years, having two sons and a daughter - John, Greg and Robyn - during this time.

“I had no intention of going back to work after having Robyn. She was only six or eight months old when we were flooded. We lost everything,” she said.

The family was in the process of building a home and had to sell the property following the floods.

Mary went back to teaching at the high school and worked for a further 16 years, becoming the second longest serving teacher at the school.

During that time she recalls boys being introduced to home economics.

“The other home economics teacher wouldn’t take them, so I took them and we had some great fun, but gee they were messy,” she said.

She said many of her students still

THE

thank her for the skills she taught them in the kitchen.

While she enjoyed teaching, she does not envy today’s teachers.

“I wouldn’t be one now if they paid me double the wages. There's no respect left. But it's on both sides. The teachers have to respect the kids and the kids have to respect the teachers,” she said.

Mary’s expertise in the kitchen paid off when she began fundraising for the kindergarten which needed money.

Working with another home economics teacher, Sally Davies, Mary published the Family Favourites cook book as a fundraiser for the local kindergarten.

Many editions of the Family Favourites cookbook were published after the first came out in 1967.

Profits from the books were all donated, with some always going to children's cancer research as well as local groups, such as riding for the disabled, girl guides and scouts.

Mary was inspired to fundraise for children’s cancer after a visit to camp quality.

“After Mayne died I went to camp quality, I thought I might be able to be a volunteer there.

“It was the darkest time of my life.

When I saw those beautiful children, I got a bit emotional and I was having a few emotions myself.

“So I decided from that point on, my main purpose in life would be to raise money for childhood cancer,” Mary said.

It was during this dark time that Mary was encouraged by Irma Needham to join the Lionesses group, which has since merged with the Lions club.

Lions was to become a great support during her tough times.

She is now a life member of Lions and

has also received a 30 Year Monarch Award. Mary is also a life member of the Collie Art Group, Collie Agricultural Society, Mines Rovers Football Club and Collie Women's Hockey Association where she was a player, umpire and club president.

She has received a Distinguished Service Cross from Red Cross, a 30-year service award from the WA Government and is a past Rotary Citizen of the Year.

Additionally, she has found time to be in business at Collie Menswear and Pine Hauliers and to sponsoring a family in Bali, by helping put the kids through school.

“When people went over for a holiday we'd send money with them,” she said.

Mary said she was always well supported in her community work by the people of Collie.

Mary has been invested in football all her life, with a particular devotion to the West Coast Eagles.

“I am a crazy mad Eagles supporter.

We bought shares in Indian Pacific, which is what they were when they started and kept up our membership until the year before last,” she said.

Football is a passion she picked up early in life from her dad and brother, the late Dick Earl.

“My dad was the inaugural president of the Collie-Bunbury football club which later became the South West league.”

Her father’s involvement in the community influenced the way Mary lived and her dedication to the many clubs and organisations she has been part of.

“He was very definite, if you joined something you had to help. You didn’t just take all the advantages,” she said.

It is safe to say that Mary followed her father’s belief.

BYSTANDER LOOKS AROUND

Celebrity visit A museum committee person checking up on arrangements for the launch of the restored Geldert and Son 1927 Chevy last Friday asked if it had been confirmed that Mr Bob Geldof was definitely coming.

Good thing the event was on Friday as Geldof is well known for his hit “I Don’t Like Mondays”.

Fortunately, Rob Geldert was able to attend.

Food wins Young artists who entered the child section of the Collie Art Prize, Kid-entity, were asked to write a short blurb about their choice of subject for their favourite place.

One chose Maccas because he likes the food, and another chose Australia

because you can get a barbecue snag at Bunnings.

Oops While on the subject of food, eclairs are a quintessential item for any self-respecting social food spread, however, they should come with a warning – handle with care. This was the thought of one person who found the cream filling had a tendency to squirt all over his shirt.

10 COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, MARCH 2, 2023

TWO WA doctors with strong Collie connections have been named as finalists in the 2023 WA Rural Health Excellence Awards.

Dr Jared Watts, who graduated from Collie Senior High School in 1999, is a finalist in the Specialist of the Year (non GP) Award.

The winners will be announced at the 2023 WA Rural Health Excellence Awards on Saturday, March 11.

Dr Sterry’s Collie training

Dr Jared’s full circle career

THE rural chapter of Dr Jared Watts’ career was something of a full circle moment.

He completed his medical training at the place he was born, Broome Hospital, working alongside the midwife who delivered him.

This led to Dr Watts’ dream job as a specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist in the Kimberley.

He currently heads the obstetrics and gynaecology department in the Kimberley and is also the director for obstetrics and gynaecology at WA Country Health Service.

Dr Watts is passionate about teaching and is a medical co-ordinator and senior lecturer at The Rural Clinical School of WA. He is heavily involved with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Currently he co-chairs a joint committee for GP Obstetrics and Certification Regional Fellows.

Dr Watts also volunteers internation-

Dr Kylie Sterry, who completed her rural GP training in Collie, is a finalist in the Rural GP of the Year section.

FORMER Collie GP Dr Kylie Sterry is one of three finalists in the GP of the Year section of the WA Rural Medical Awards.

ally, teaching in Cambodia and Laos, and as an obstetrics and gynaecology specialist for Medicine Sans Frontiers in Nigeria, Syria and soon to be Sierra Leone.

The Kimberley Aboriginal women he treats during remote outreach clinics, affectionately call him the “ladies’ doctor”, welcoming him into the sacred space of “secret women’s business”.

Dr Watts’ parents were both teachers.

His father taught at Collie Senior High School and his mother at Allanson Primary School.

2023 Collie Small Grants Program now open.

Synergy welcomes applications for up to $5,000 from community groups who make a difference to the Collie community. Grants will help support projects, initiatives and events that benefit the community and make Collie a vibrant place to live.

Applications close 9am Monday 3 April 2023 To apply visit synergy.smartygrants.com.au or for further information please contact community@synergy.net.au

Dr Sterry has spent her life living and working in regional WA. She grew up in Newman and completed her rural GP training in Collie.

In 2008, she moved to Kalgoorlie, where she went on to become the lead

medical co-ordinator for The Rural Clinical School of WA. Ten years ago, Dr Sterry became practice principal of Plaza Medical Centre, with the aim of providing a city quality medical service to the Goldfields.

The centre, which she manages with her husband, currently employs four GPs, three GP registrars and mentors many medical students on rotation.

Dr Sterry completed her Masters in Women’s Health in 2015 and Reproductive Health in 2019. During that time, she travelled to Uganda, Africa, as part of a University of NSW women's health program, to conduct research and be involved in teaching local nurses to improve cervical cancer outcomes.

A GP Obstetrician, Dr Sterry has built partnerships with Perth-based fertility clinics, so she can conduct fertility-tracking ultrasounds on patients in Kalgoorlie enabling them to access this vital care closer to home.

Dr Sterry is an advocate and example of the life-changing impact a long-term, viable GP obstetrician can have for people living in regional Western Australia.

COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, MARCH 2, 2023 11

The Collie Art Prize is one of regional Australia's richest single art prizes, and as such, has attracted artworks of the highest calibre from across the nation. The work of finalists on show have been selected from more than 360 entries.

Award Announcement

Prize winners will be announced at a gala event 4 March 2023.

Exhibition

An exhibition of the winners' and finalists' work is on show 10am-4pm, seven days a week from 5 March to 30 April 2023.

Entry fees apply.

The Collie Art Gallery Committee and artist community sincerely thank all our partners and supporters.

Major partners Jodie Hanns Member for Collie-Preston

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Harris River Estate Brew 42 Collie River Valley Tourist Park Central Garage Collie River Dental Centre Jacksons Drawing Supplies

Betta Home Living, Tosca’s Boutique, Ian Guppy Smash Repairs, Tyrepower, Unity Bank, Chook Scraps, Collie Salvage & Hardware, Piavanini Welding, Mystical Presents, Collie Motel, Victoria Hotel

Bronze Collie Motel, Under The Sun, The Wagon, Collie Florist, Cheeky Squirrel, Henderson Hardware, Collie Garden Centre, Pete’s, Deanna's Hair Design, Little Blue Door, Joinrite Cabinets, Canvas Works South West

12 COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, MARCH 2, 2023

RRRR EEEEEE

Ideal low maintenance investment HHHH with Mitch Davidson AN OPPORTUNITY to invest or downsize to a property with a low maintenance interior and exterior is on offer in Atkinson Street.

The home has been well built in double brick and tile and has endless potential.

A generously sized living room with a cosy wood fire and carpet is one of many things on offer.

Vinyl flooring features in two of the bedrooms and the kitchen, which also includes a breakfast bar.

The queen sized master bedroom has roller blinds and curtains.

Reverse cycle air conditioning and a wood fire make this home comfortable all year round.

Two primary schools are conveniently located just short walks away.

Built in 1982, the property has annual water rates of $1488.73.

The 720 square metre block has annual land rates of $1576.72.

WHY BUY ME: ►Living area with carpet and reverse cycle air conditioning; ►Cosy log fire; ►Kitchen boasting vinyl flooring and breakfast bar; ►Queen size master suite with vinyl flooring, roller blinds and curtains;

►Double size minor bedroom with vinyl flooring; ►Queen size minor bedroom; ►Bathroom featuring shower, bath and vanity; ►Generous size laundry; ►Patio entertaining area; ►Garden shed; ►Wood shed; ►Fully enclosed rear yard; ►Side access; ►Electric hot water system; ►Double brick and tile home.

Land Rates: Approx. $1,576.72 PA Water Rates: Approx. $1,488.73 PA Block Size: 720m2 Year Built: 1982

HOME FACT FILE Location: 199 Atkinson Street Price: $319,000 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 1 Cars: 1 Contact: Mitch Davidson 0408 910 337

RRRR EEEEEE

COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, MARCH 2, 2023 13

Allanson business opportunity HHHH with Matthew Blackford THIS charming three bedroom, one bathroom cottage is in Allanson.

There is more to it than meets the eye, with a commercial building frontage that can bring in more than $20,000 a year.

The home is surrounded by bushland and next to a popular primary school, making it perfect for those who love the outdoors.

The modern interior amenities make it the perfect place to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet, while the spacious living room features a fireplace and there are multiple reverse-cycle air-conditioning systems throughout.

Stainless steel appliances and plenty of counter space feature in the kitchen.

The bathroom has recently been ren-

ovated, and has a separate shower and designer vanity unit. With a shop frontage, this home has many options for business-minded buyers as it holds the Australia Post licence for Allanson.

This licence requires the owner to simply open for two hours a day during the week to allow residents to collect their mail.

The licence holder will need to complete a two-day course which, once completed, offers more than $20,000 a year in income.

In the backyard there is a large outdoor entertaining area and patio and a toilet.

WHY BUY ME: ►Side and rear lane access; ►Plenty of parking, with an additional single car carport; ►An 8x8m powered workshop with car access and additional garden sheds; ►A rainwater tank with a pump to supply the laundry and outside toilet; ►Courtyard; ►1012-square metre block.

HOME FACT FILE Location: 21 Bedlington Street, Allanson Price: $499,000 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 1 Cars: 2 Contact: Matt Blackford 0405 919 121

ON THE

MARKET WITH

MATT

Born and bred Collie, I aim to promote our beautiful town and help lift property value for everyone!

Matt made selling our home such an easy and stress free experience. He was always honest, reliable and the communication we could not fault him. His knowledge was invaluable.

Thanks Matt!

0405 919 121

matt.blackford@elders.com.au 80 Forrest St, Collie Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm

14 COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, MARCH 2, 2023

CHURCH NOTICES

March 2nd 1

2

ACROSS

3

4. group of musicians (9) 6. ocean between Australia and Africa (6) 9. outgoing tide (3) 15. abominable snowman (4) 16. move heavily on wheels (7) 17. Caesar lettuce (3) 18. Siegfried and ____(3) 20. doctor (9)

4 5

6

7

8 9

10

11

13 15

12

DOWN

1. creeping toward (7) 2. afternoon ____ (3) 3. Coke’s rival (5) 5. in one’s view (7) 7. prime a gun (4) 8. front tooth (7) 10. solitary (4) 11. shillings and _____(5) 12. senior citizen (9) 13. speak to God (4) 14. despondent (6) 19. nervous twitch (3)

14

16

17

CLUES

18 19 20

Across 17. Caesar lettuce (3) 7. prime a gun (4) 4. group of musicians 18. Siegfried and ____ 8. front tooth (7) 9) (3) 10. peace 15. ninth ACROSS DOWN (4) 7. mint 10. solitary 6. ocean between 11. heirloom 3. dinner 1. quiver and _____8. mound 20. doctor (9) 18. copenhagen 11. shillings Australia and Africa (6) 12. perch 19. mumble 4. urban 9. birth Down (5) 2. busy 13. berth 20. knead 5. quirky 6. peach 14. echo 9. outgoing tide (3) 1. creeping toward (7) 12. senior citizen (9) 15. abominable 2. afternoon ____ (3) 13. speak to God (4) snowman (4) 3. Coke’s rival (5) 14. despondent (6) 16. move heavily on 5. in one’s view (7) 19. nervous twitch (3) wheels (7)

16. perth 17. enables

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 Fridays 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: snr Elder Bob Greig 0418 903 693 Elder Stephen Sopolinski 0457 896 365 Sunday Service : 9.30am Visitors Welcome.

Kid's church: during Service.

Morning tea after service.

Ladies Bible Study Group: Tuesday 10am 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: 43 Venn Street, Independent Baptist Church, Simple Bible Preaching, Psalms, Classic Hymns and Spiritual Songs, KJV, Friendly Congregation. Main Service Sun 10am Bible Study Sun 4pm. All Welcome! Tea and Coffee Refreshments after Services.

Enquiries: Pastor Josh Denford 0403 300 802 coalfieldsbaptist@gmail.com facebook.com/cbccollie 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

Truck danger for children Collie parents were concerned for the safety of their children catching a bus on Don’s Road.

Families living in the area were concerned that heavy haulage log trucks travelled too fast on the gravel road and could hit the school bus.

Seven children from three families used the bus.

Speed limit rise defended The speed limit on the western fringe of Collie was to be raised despite a push for lowering it.

Collie Shire Council approved the increase from 50km/h to 80km/h on the Coalfields Highway. Shire CEO Ian Miffling defended the change, saying it was in line with community thinking.

Contributed by Kym Saunders Appointment of second physio to cut wait times A second physiotherapist was appointed to the Collie Health Service in order to help reduce long appointment waiting times.

Director of Nursing Louise Julian said the appointment would improve access to physiotherapy services.

Suspended sentence for school assaults A Collie woman who assaulted a principal and teacher at a local primary school received a seven-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months.

The presiding magistrate described the woman's behaviour as, "grossly inappropriate."

Council reject Ross River research Collie Shire Council was one of two councils in the South West that didn't support a specialised medical research project into Ross River Virus.

Fourteen councils were approached to support the funding by contributing $1000 annually, and only Nannup and Collie refused.

Sport Surprise winner in Collie Cup Pinjarra-trained outsider Sir Cadet was the surprise winner of the Collie Cup, storming home to beat race favourite Bluetello. The Cup was held at the Bunbury race course after the Collie club failed to get insurance because of necessary upgrades to the Collie track.

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

Parish Priest: Fr. Gerald Tan Secretary: Marie Hicks. ON LEAVE Office: 9793 2011. email:stbrigidscollie@optusnet.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.

Vinnie’s shop: 9734 5664. Shopping hours: 9am to 1pm, 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, MARCH 2, 2023 15

BBBBBBBB CCCCCCCCCCC HOW TO LODGE A CLASSIFIED

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 CLARK (John Ernest): Optometrist in Bunbury and Collie (1972—1995). Beloved father of Iain (Isabel), Grandad of Elizabeth, husband of the late Joan (née Peacock). RAF veteran, Freeman of the City of London. Died peacefully on 16 February 2023, aged 88, at Joondalup Health Campus after a long journey with Alzheimers. A private funeral has taken place in accordance with his wishes. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate a donation to the Australian Alzheimers Research Foundation (www.alzheimers.com.au).

Correspondence and reminiscences are welcomed by the family at jeclarkhousehold@gmail.com.

EMPLOYMENT

SHIRE OPPORTUNITIES General Hands x 2 Grader Operator WHS Officer (part-time) The Shire of Collie has a number of exciting vacancies that would suit applicants who are looking for a fast-paced and interesting role in a friendly and safe workplace.

We are looking for motivated and enthusiastic individuals who want to make a difference!

If you want to contribute to our community then we have a choice of jobs for you.

Information about the positions can be found on the Shire of Collie website: www.collie.wa.gov.au

FOR SALE

PUBLIC NOTICES

BBQ JUMBUCK: Four burner, good condition, cover included. $100. Tim, 0429 016 445.

CHEST FREEZER: Fisher and Paykel.

Length 105cm, width 55cm, height 90cm. $100. Phone 9734 2820 JOHN'S BOOK EXCHANGE: Will be open at Ag Society building, 9am to noon, 06.03.23. Great selection of books. Phone 0428 341 470.

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

E-BULLETIN: Subscribe at colliebulletin. com.au or contact Megan on 9734 1024. $100 inc gst for one year.

Application for Temporary Road Closure The Shire of Collie would like to advise that an Application for Temporary Road Closure of Forrest Street between Harvey Street and Steere Street, then Forrest Street to Johnston Steet has been submitted.

The event is 2023 Collie Labour Day Festival held on Sunday 5th March 2023 between 7:00am to 8:00pm.

FUNERALS FUNERAL NOTICE VERNON:

The Funeral Service for the late Mrs Pamela Mary Vernon formerly of Collie will take place in The Funeral Chapel, 9 Spencer Street, Bunbury commencing at 2:30pm on TUESDAY afternoon (7.03.2023).

No flowers by request, donations please to Schizophrenia Research would be appreciated.

9752 1484 COLLIE

Post an eTribute at barretfunerals.com.au South West Family Owned

IN MEMORIAM WOOD (Cynthia): 28.02.21. Time will pass and fade, cherished memories will last forever. Bob, Ron, Les, Kym and families.

WOOD (Cynthia): 28.02.21. Greatly missed, forever in our hearts. Ron and Sue.

Notice of Temporary Road Closure

The Shire of Collie advises that Minningup Rd Collie will be closed on Sunday 5th March 2023 between 8:00am and 12:00pm and again Sunday 19th March 2023 between 8.00am and 12.00pm for the Bunbury Triathlon Club Events 3 and 4.

Stuart Devenish Chief Executive Officer COLLIE ART GROUP AGM: March 10, 2023, 10am. Old Police Station, Throssell Street, Collie.

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

FESTIV ARTY AGM: Collie Festival Committee will be holding the AGM on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at the Collie Public Library. All positions vacant. Nomination forms available at the library.

THURSDAY MORNING LADIES BADMINTON: Our Thursday ladies begin the 2023 season on March 9, from 8.30am.

(Next Thursday). We are a very social club and look forward to welcoming new players. Enquiries please contact Linda on 0419 199 403.

Donewyouarrihave a val?

We would love to meet them!

Send your baby’s photo and details to editorial@crvbulletin.com

Complimentary new arrival is open to babies aged 2 months and under

Applicants are asked to submit: 1. An application form which can be found on our website; 2. A current resume (and any associated tickets/licences; 3. A cover letter of not more than two pages which includes a response to the selection criteria.

Stuart Devenish Chief Executive Officer

COLLIE FESTIVAL COMMITTEE Festival Co-ordinator Performing Arts Co-ordinator Visual Arts Co-ordinator

Remuneration offered.

Submissions close April 4, 2023 More details contact hello@festivarty.com

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16 COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, MARCH 2, 2023

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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

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Let th e trad es wo rk fo r you!

Inspiring young brains at Fairview FAIRVIEW Primary School hosted its first session of the Inspire to Learn Through Play program last Thursday.

The program is a collaboration between the school and Collie Early Education Centre.

Children aged two to five years were accompanied by a parent to learn important life skills.

Director of Collie Early Education Jenny Fry said the program incorpo-

rates interests from home to provide learning opportunities in literacy, numeracy, creative arts, physical play and science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) sensory play.

She said the first session was a great success.

The program will be held every Thursday from 9am to 11am at Fairview.

Daisy Samson and mum, Alana.

Adria Dejussing and mum Rhyanan Dejussing.

Alexandra Ritchie and Keah Ritchie.

Jake Crowe.

18 COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, MARCH 2, 2023

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Stone’s masterclass first win GOLF

IT WAS another big field and another new, young member having a first win at Collie Golf Club last Saturday.

Bevan Stone put on a masterclass to win the Rambone sponsored 18-hole stableford event, which attracted a field of 88 players who tried to match Stone but no one came close.

Stone set his win up with 25 points on the back nine before adding 21 on the front to record 46 and drop a few shots off his handicap.

Kalev Kutt put in a solid effort, claiming the runners-up trophy with a well-crafted 42.

Jackson Broadbent continued his good form with 40, while Jim Larsen and Dan-

ny Clayton had 39. Greg O’Neil and Jason Mumme had 38 followed by Joel Simmonds, Tim Buller, Ricky Colombera on 37, Tony Barker-May and Phil Huggins 36, Max Thomas and Phil Rabjones 35.

The sponsors provided all 18 novelties with the winners listed on the noticeboard in the clubhouse. The highlight of the novelties was on No. 8 where the tees were moved forward, making it a driveable par four.

Young Broady took the prize with an eagle and almost a hole-in-one. Joel Simmonds also eagled on the same hole.

The ladies’ winner was Nancy Lynn with 36. She won on count back from Shelley Barker-May. Rhonda Annandale had 34 and Bev Moyses and Lesley Motion were rewarded for 33 apiece.

A FIELD of 34 played for the Dave Carter sponsored Tuesday leisure day event last week.

Riley Brown returned the best score, posting an impressive 44.

Connor Mumme was next best with 37, while Brett Smith and Kevin Ireland both had 36 followed by Max Thomas 35, Fred Bronickis and Ian Shannon on 34, Graham Williams 32, Ian Edwards, Neil Motion, Charlie Buemi and Dave Carter 31.

THURSDAY scroungers attracted 33 players including Greg White who shot the light out to take out the double, winning the gross and nett.

White had 24 points for a three under 33 off the stick (six pars and three birdies).

Jackson Broadbent returned 20, followed by John Wray and George Dorozenko on 19, Kevin Ireland, Graham Williams and Terry Reeves 18.

NINETEEN ladies played in the ninehole Wednesday event.

Lee Massara recorded a countback win over Peta Ellery with both ladies scoring 18. Vicki Graham and Anthea Dyson both had 16 followed by Angela Ireland and Rhonda Annandale on 15.

THIS week’s events Today (Thursday), nine-hole scroungers; Saturday, Jaydon Ellery, Hayden Fogarty, Jason and Connor Mumme multiplier four-ball stableford; Tuesday, leisure day sponsored by David Carter; Wednesday, ladies’ nine-hole event.

Cougars 16s balance the ledger BASKETBALL

Top scorers Jason Miles, Hayley Digney, Hunter Jones and Ben Rupnik

Maddison Dallywater and Matilda Roney.

Good numbers at hockey cup COLLIE Underwater Hockey Club held its annual Collie Cup at the local pool last weekend.

There were six adult teams and 40 juniors from as far away as Perth and Margaret River.

The higher number of juniors meant that for the first time the event was split into two age divisions, highlighting the growth of the sport.

Participants were impressed with the pool and being able to play on one of the best tiled surfaces in the state.

Hayley Digney was the female highest goalscorer, while Jason Miles, Ben Rupnik and Hunter Jones tied in the male section.

Kya Digney and Troy Bolderson were top scorers in the under 19s, while Matilda Roney and Lilly Palmer drew for girls and Oscar Roache for under 15s.

Underwater hockey is played at the Collie pool on Mondays and Wednesdays and new players are always welcome.

COLLIE Cougars under 16 boys competed in division three of the country championships where they had two wins and two losses.

The first game was against a strong Narrogin team.

The Collie boys were outsized but never took a backward step, going down 3020.

Game two was against Australind who jumped out to an early lead before the Collie boys found their feet and finished strongly, going down 52-36.

Sunday was a 7am start and after trailing by four points at half-time they came away with their first win of the carnival, beating Bindoon 37-35.

The Cougars saved their best for the final game, against Merredin, recording a convincing 50-24 win.

The boys are to be commended for their sportsmanship, often receiving compliments from referees and opposition teams post game.

COLLIE Cougars under 18 girls team made its way to last weekend's country championships in division three, playing five games and winning three.

The first game was against Dongara.

The girls took control of the game early and came away with a strong 36-24 win.

Game two was against the eventual winners, Narrogin who came out on fire and had Collie on the back foot. They shot well early, and Collie could not get back into the game, losing 49-34..

Denmark was the Cougars third opponent and it was a tight tussle with neither team leading by more than four points as both teams played hard nosed defence before Denmark came away with the win in the dying stages, 20-19. This game would eventually decide the grand final playoff.

Sunday's games were against Margaret River and Waroona. Collie started to gel together a lot better and was rewarded with wins against both teams, beating Margaret River 33-17 and Waroona 4218 to be third overall.

With little training prior, the girls competed hard all weekend and conducted themselves in a very professional manner on and off the court.

COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, MARCH 2, 2023 19

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NEW GREEN: Club vice-president Hans Wiggers is looking forward to playing on the new synthetic grass green at Collie Bowling club.

Bowling club’s new synthetic green

A SYNTHETIC grass surface is being laid to replace carpet on one of the Collie Bowling Club’s greens.

The replacement is costing the club $140,000 or $30 a square metre.

Club vice president Hans Wiggers said the project was fully funded by the club’s activities.

Bar takings, and the recycling of bottles, cans and paper helped fund the project, together with fees paid by club members Mr Wiggers said the new synthetic grass should last 15 or 16 years compared to a 10 year life span for carpet.

The used carpet was given to the

Collie Eagles Football Club for use in their change rooms.

Mr Wiggers said the club’s second green will remain carpet for the time being.

The new sand filled green will be completed this week and ready in time for the weekend's bowling events.

Gibbs takes title

BOWLS HEATHER Gibbs was the winner of the ladies’ championship singles which concluded at Collie Bowling Club last week.

The prestigious event is sponsored by the Harrison family and on this occasion the ladies’ vice-president represented the sponsors. She presented the trophies to Gibbs and runner-up Glenice Kaurin.

The championship fours start this week.

The pennant team travelled to Binningup last week and came home with three of the four points on offer. Rose Colgan, Eileen Hindle, Kerry Scott and Heather Gibbs won 19 to 14; Rose Godfrey, Penny Valli, Glenice Kaurin and Lynn Mitchell lost 17 to 19. This result put the team into the final which was played on Tuesday at Capel.

PAIRS and triples were played with a change of teams for the second game at last week’s Wednesday meat pack event. Winner was Ray Colgan with 4 plus 22, from John Waywood, 4 plus 10, and Max Cubic, 3 plus 4..

COMMUNITY bowls attracted another good roll up, with Terry winning the spider. The ladies’ touchers were Jinzeng from Offyatrolley, Jody from Incredibowls and Margaret from Senior Cits.

Men’s winners were Ian from Bendigo, Ryan from Ball Bangers and Shane from Derby Road.

The winners on the night were Bendigo Bank.

THE men’s first division pennant team played Bunbury at home and lost 4-nil. The team of Wayne Simmonds, Kevan McKenzie, Ron Guilfoyle and Trevor Welsh lost 19 to 21, while Warrick Ferris, Jeff Crowe, Brian Bass and Rob Ferris lost 17 to 26.

The fourth division played Busselton Red at home and lost 3-1. George Saggers, Peter Kaurin, Jim McElroy and Tom Gale won 22 to 18 but Neil Roberts, Barry Lowe, Jamie Godfrey and Ian Bushell lost 12 to 23.

Last Saturday the first division lost 5 ½ to half a point against Eaton Gold at home. Rod Garner, Harley Johnston, Tom Edwards and Garry Keep drew 22 all. Trevor Welsh, Warrick Ferris, Rob Ferris and Ash Collins lost 10 to 25. Ron Guilfoyle, Ray Colgan, Brian Bass and Jamie Parker lost 20 to 23.

The third division team hosted Harvey and won 3-1, with Peter Kaurin, Brian Butcher, Jim McElroy and Tom Gale losing 19 to 20.

Jamie Godfrey, Kevan McKenzie, Hans Wiggers and John Waywood won convincingly 26 to 9.

THERE was a great attendance at Sunday scroungers with five teams of fours and a team of triples. As usual the six rink winners played in the semi-finals with the winners playing in the final. Ray Colgan won from Jamie Godfrey and John Waywood. The highest scorer was Max Cubic and the consolation winner was Barry Hore.

20 COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, MARCH 2, 2023

SPORT

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

ALL THE GOOD SPORTS ARE IN THE BULLETIN

Tribunal decides:

It's Bulldog Broadbent JACKSON Broadbent has finally secured a transfer to WA Football League powerhouse South Fremantle.

His journey from Peel Thunder to his new club came via a lengthy tribunal hearing which started early last week and took until Friday to be resolved.

Broadbent’s case went to the tribunal after his request for a transfer from Peel had been rejected.

He said South Fremantle was one of a few clubs which reached out to him and he was drawn to it by its connection to local resident and former Bulldogs champion Stephen Michael.

Broadbent began training with his new club on Monday and is excited for what the season ahead holds.

“I’ll hopefully get some individual and team successes,” he said.

Broadbent spent four years at Peel which he said was a “great club”. However, he sees more opportunities at the Bulldogs and a better path to the AFL. “If I play well enough I could possibly get drafted in the next few years,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to working with Brock Higgins, he’s been one of the best WAFL ruckmen,” he said.

Broadbent has been preparing for the upcoming season in Collie with the local club.

“Collie has been really helpful during the pre-season, allowing me to train here and get my fitness up,” he said.

South Fremantle is helping Broadbent find accommodation and employment ahead of a planned move to Perth for the upcoming season.

CLUB SWITCH: Jackson Broadbent's long wait to join South Fremantle is over after the WAFL tribunal approved his transfer from Peel last Friday.