Wheelchair taxi bus plan

COLLIE could soon have a state-of-theart wheelchair bus.

Taxi operator Julie Ransome is set to apply for a government grant to put towards purchasing the new wheelchair vehicle.

Mrs Ransome, who operates Mario’s Taxi Service, said she was devastated when she had to take her previous wheelchair-accessible bus off the road, in December.

“To have it fixed up was going to cost $25,000 so I didn’t have a choice,” she said.

“I was extremely upset to have to take it off the road.”

Mrs Ransome said she originally ac- quired the bus due to a family member being in a wheelchair.

The bus service has not been profitable but she was reluctant to take it off the road due to the service it provided those who needed it.

“Unfortunately there's not much demand because most people have their own vehicle,” she said.

“But when their vehicle breaks down, or the Valleyview bus breaks down, they call me.”

Mrs Ransome will know the outcome of her grant application within a few months and, if it is successful, she will look to purchase a new wheelchair accessible bus.

Railway heritage on the list

TWO of Collie’s rail icons, the goods shed and the overhead footbridge, are now on the State Register of Heritage Places.

A plaque acknowledging the importance of the two structures was unveiled last week as the culmination of a long process.

The goods shed was placed on the register of heritage places as an interim arrangement on August 28, 1992, and it has taken almost 31 years to formalise its entry.

Shire president Sarah Stanley said the registry entry recognises the significant community and cultural value of the goods shed and footbridge.

“This goods shed and footbridge are remnants of what was once a large and busy railway yard, which had at its peak, 11 railway lines and was second only to Fremantle’s railway yard in size,” she said.

The first goods shed was built in 1908, but it lacked a platform. A new shed was being constructed in 1911, designed by renowned engineer C.Y. O’Connor.

The goods shed was the centre of much activity in the 1940s and 50s, and signs of this can still be seen on the timber columns inside the shed.

As goods were unloaded from the trains which would pull into the shed, they were stacked next to the appropriate columns to be collected through the large doors on the Forrest Street side.

Construction of the overhead footbridge began in 1913, after lobbying by residents to the State Government.

Both the goods shed and the footbridge were lucky to survive moves to demolish them.

The Collie Heritage Group, led by then Cr Margaret Graham, fought to retain the building, and has since renovated and maintained it.

Foundation member Keith Robinson was on hand to see the plaque unveiled.

The footbridge was closed to pedestrian traffic for some time, but it underwent significant conservation and restoration works in recent years, including replacement of steel, hot riveting and hot galvanising, new decking, refurbishment of support piers and repairs to the foundations.

The day the bridge was re-opened, a huge crowd of Collie people triumphantly marched, cycled and wheeled across it.

Conservation works have been carried out on the goods shed in the past two years under a program designed to preserve skills, and pass on knowledge from retired craftsmen.

The Heritage Council of WA’s Yolanda Cool said the program is very important as it conserved skills as well as the building.

Noongar in Fairview’s schedule

NOONGAR language is set to be taught at Fairview Primary School from next term.

Principal Andrew Whitney said Noongar will provide students with a better understanding of the rich local language and culture, and build a deeper respect for Aboriginal people.

The school joins Wilson Park Primary School which also teaches Noongar.

Students from Years one to six will spend an hour a week learning about local Aboriginal culture through Noongar language.

“An important part of our curriculum is developing an understanding and respect of Aboriginal culture, both at a lo- cal level and a national level,” Mr Whitney said.

“This will be an important step in this process.

“I look forward to seeing the greater links that we can start to make between our learning and the place in which our school and community are set.”

A selection process is underway to recruit a Noongar languages other than English (LOTE) teacher for term two.

“While this takes place, there has been a speech, language and drama program running for students,” Mr Whitney said.

St Brigids and Allanson primary schools teach Italian for LOTE while Amaroo Primary School teaches Auslan.