Issue Number 244— May 2013 Cost $ 2.00 incl. GST

Crn Main and Savage Streets, PO Box 129 Meekatharra WA 6422 Phone: 9980 0600 Fax: 9981 1505

Email: ceo@meekashire.wa.gov.au Web: www.meekashire.wa.gov.au

2

‘The Meekatharra Dust’ is a non-profit community

newspaper.

Articles or advertisements can be posted to

PO Box 315 Meekatharra,

faxed on

(08) 9981 1505

or left at the Shire Office

Or try emailing us at

cdo@meekashire.wa.gov.au

Advertising Rates:

It’s been a busy month or two in Meekatharra since the last edition of the Dust. We’ve seen an Emergency Drill

out at the airport (thanks to all involved), a moving ANZAC Day ceremony, and the Meekatharra Gymkhana

(an exciting display of horse mastery). In the coming months leading up to the Meekatharra Outback Festival,

we will be calling on interested people to help with preparations and fundraising events for the big event. On a

less happy note, recently one of the youth workers at the Youth Centre was almost hit by rocks as a result of

young people using gings. I would urge both young people and parents/caregivers to understand that gings are

weapons, and that they could cause severe injury to a person or worse. Young people using gings around areas

and activities that are run by youth centre workers are warned that they will be subject to bans from those

activities and will be reported to the Police.

Finally, I have been approached by a member of the community offering help wuth the Meekatharra Dust. I’m

very happy with this – it will mean that the Dust will get published in a timelier manner! Please submit your

articles and photographs for publication— it makes all the difference.

If you would like to subscribe

to

“The Meekatharra Dust”

simply complete the form

below and send with your

payment to:

Subscriptions are:

(1) Address in WA: $33.00 (inc GST)

(2) Address in other States $38.50 (inc

GST)

Subscriptions are for a 12 month period

from the date stated on your form.

CO-ORDINATOR

“The Meekatharra Dust”

PO BOX 315

Meekatharra WA 6642

NAME:________________________

POSTAL ADDRESS _______________

_____________________________

DATE:________________________

POSTAL ADDRESS: Size B & W Colour

Full Page $46.50 $66.00

Half Page $23.80 $38.50

Quarter Page $14.70 $22.00

Eighth Page $12.45 $16.50

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH WHAT’S

HAPPENING IN YOUR

COMMUNITY !

3

Disclaimer: The Meekatharra Dust is a publication of the Shire of Meekatharra.

The Shire of Meekatharra, staff and councillors, take no responsibility for accuracy of or omissions in any material published.

Information contained within the Meekatharra Dust does not necessarily reflect the views of The Shire of Meekatharra or its employees or councillors.

Calling for Submissions If you have any articles with information,

about events, or photos you have taken

that you would like included in the

Meekatharra Dust, please drop them into

the Shire before the closing date shown

on the back page.

Note from Council

All items to be presented at Council Meetings need to be submitted to

Shire Staff two weeks prior to Council Meeting dates. All items

received after this time will be held for further consideration.

COUNCIL MEETING

SHIRE OF MEEKATHARRA COUNCIL CHAMBERS

SATURDAY 18TH MAY

ANNUAL MEEKATHARRA GOLF OPEN

SATURDAY 18TH—SUNDAY 19TH MAY

ENQUIRIES/ENTRIES TO CLARRIE 0428 699 685 OR JENKY 0419 046 985

MEEKA FM MEETING

MONDAY 20TH MAY

THE RADIO STATION ON HILL STREET, 5.30PM

AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST MORNING TEA

FRIDAY 31ST MAY, 10.30AM

SWIMMING POOL LAWN

4

5

Squash Court

OPEN

Located at the back of the Sports Complex

Agreements, Keys and Tokens are available from the Shire Office.

Fees and Charges are as follows :

Key Bond (Fully refundable) - $100 Cash.

Court Hire—$11.00 per token = one hours use

We do not hire equipment (racquets/balls etc)

Entry is permitted to key holders only

Meekatharra Library

Did you know we get a new exchange of books every month? Come in and check out

what is new this month!

If there is a particular novel or author you are interested in, we can request these for you, just pop in to the Shire office and see

Bithun.

Please note that you must be an existing member of the library to

order in books.

IT’S EASY (AND FREE) TO JOIN UP!

The Library is open: Monday to Friday

8.00 am to 4.30 pm.

HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT THE SHIRE MUSEUM LATELY??

IT’S ALL PART OF THE

MEEKATHARRA LIBRARY EXPERIENCE!!

Located in the Shire Office

6

7

8

GREEN MINING Pty Ltd

Six tonne 2007 HINO 6.7 x 2.5m tray with 3 tonne trailer. (8.5 tonne payload)

Available for local and regional freight

services

Personal pick-ups, deliveries, removals and metal recycling service.

Will collect from site and deliver locally or to Perth or Geraldton

Call Roy on 0427 374 102

YULELLA VISION STORE

Will now be opening six days a week to give

everyone the opportunity to browse and save on

Household, Electrical, Hardware, Clothing,

Manchester & Giftware.

NEW OPENING HOURS

MONDAY TO FRIDAY

9:00am – 4:00pm

SATURDAY

9:00am – 12:00pm

62 Main Street

Meekatharra

Telephone: (08) 9980 1756

DOG CONTROL

WHEN WALKING YOUR DOGS ON

THE TOWN OVAL THEY MUST BE

ON A LEASH AT ALL TIMES AND

HELD BY YOU - THE OWNER.

YOU MUST BE IN COMPLETE

CONTROL OF YOUR ANIMAL AT ALL

TIMES AND DISPOSE OF ANY

DROPPINGS IN THE RUBBISH BINS

PROVIDED BY THE COUNCIL.

Thank you, Meekatharra Shire

9

MEEKATHARRA WAR MEMORIAL

SWIMMING POOL IS CLOSED FOR

WINTER. THE POOL

WILL RE-OPEN IN

SEPTEMBER.

MURCHISON DENTAL TEAM VISITING SCHEDULE 2013

Meekatharra 6th May - 17th May

Mt Magnet 27th May - 7th June

Sandstone 10th June - 14th June

Meekatharra 24th June - 5th July

Cue 22nd July - 2nd August

Meekatharra 19th August - 30th August

Burringurrah 2nd Sept - 6th Sept

Mt Magnet 16th Sept - 27th Sept

Meekatharra 14th Oct - 25th Oct

Mt Magnet 11th Nov - 22nd Nov

Meekatharra 2nd Dec - 20th Dec

10

11

12

Handyman Services

Painting

Lawns mowed

Reticulation repairs

and Installation

Commercial Cleaning

Small Motor Repairs

Whipper snippers

Brush cutters

Lawn Mowers

Chainsaws

Paul Morris

Phone : 99811836

Mobile: 0419959628

Tues—Fri 9:00am—5:00pm

Saturday 9:00am—2:00pm

Punography

(Some terrible, terrible puns)

I changed my iPod name to Titanic. It's syncing now.

I tried to catch some fog. I mist.

Jokes about German sausage are the wurst.

I know a guy who's addicted to brake fluid. He says

he can stop any time.

England has no kidney bank, but it does have a Liv-

erpool.

I got a job at a bakery because I kneaded dough.

Haunted French pancakes give me the crepes.

Velcro - what a rip off!

Cartoonist found dead in home. Details are sketchy.

Broken pencils are pointless.

13

YOU CAN ALSO CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE

WWW.MIDWESTSEPTICS.COM.AU

OR EMAIL US AT : MIDWESTSEPTICS@GMAIL.COM

14

15

16

17

The 2013 Meekatharra Gymkhana was held on the 27th of April at the Race Course. As usual the

organisers and riders put on a great show. The photographs shown here were taken by Hope Lawson.

18

19

REFRIGERATION & AIR CONDITIONING MEEKATHARRA

43 MAIN STREET

PH: 9980 1212

GET YOUR COOLING SYSTEMS WORKING THEIR BEST BEFORE THE HOT WEATHER

IMPROVE PERFORMANCE AND REDUCE ELECTRICITY COSTS BY CARRYING OUT

PRE SUMMER MAINTENANCE – FOR ADVICE OR TO BOOK A SERVICE,

CALL TODAY – PH: 9980 1212

WE CATER TO ALL REQUIREMENTS -

REPAIRS, MAINTENANCE AND NEW INSTALLATIONS for

DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL AND MINING.

ALL AREAS – KUMARINA, WILUNA, CUE,MAGNET, SANDSTONE and SURROUNDS

20

21

April Youth Holiday Program by Anita Seery & Belinda Hicks (Youth Ser-

vices)

On the first week of the school holidays,

Monday & Tuesday kicked off with a huge

splash literally, with a massive bouncing

castle and slippery slide at the sporting

complex. The kids absolutely loved it, with

over 100 children, young people & adults

participating! The Family Fun Days also

saw a barbecue on both days, being kindly

donated by Mitch from Frontier Services.

Mitch put in a huge amount of effort to feed

such a large number of young people, hand

making salads and burgers for the day.

Thank you so much Mitch for all your hard

work.

The Holiday Program continued with a

range of activities, including cooking, craft,

clay, colouring competitions and science

based experiments. We made some really gooey, sticky green marshmallow and popcorn

sculptures, yummy chocolate snowballs and lolly encrusted biscuits. Pizza pinwheels

and even some traditional stir fried noodles were made by young people attending the

program, with some valuable

cooking skills learned! There

was also plenty of running, ball

games, dancing, aerobics, and

food challenges.

22

We were lucky enough to have ‘Eddie On

the Road’ come and visit for couple of

days. We would like to give a huge thank

you to the team from Edmund Rice who

provided a range of entertainment at the

Youth Centre, Kids Zone, and Sports

Complex over the weekend of the first

week of school holidays.

We wound up the holidays with a disco held at the Kids Zone on the corner of Darlot and

Savage Street. The disco was for 6-12 year olds, while the Youth Centre ran for 12-18

year olds. All kids who attended the disco had a great time, and a huge thank you to

Anita Seery for all her hard work in putting together the play list, organising lighting, and

even bringing along material for the kids to use as outfits for the night.

A huge thank you also to Anita, Mary Joy,

Bithun, Dave, Mitch, Lou, Robyn, Tamika,

Jump N Bump, & Edmund Rice Camps for

making this terms program such a huge

success! A very special thankyou to Anita,

Mary Joy, and Mitch, for all the extra hours

you put in.

23

Budgeting easier with Schoolkids

Bonus In the remote community of Derby in the Kimberleys, Western Australia, there’s less choice when it comes to retail outlets, so school equipment and uniforms can be quite expensive.

Single mum Kyleen Clements, 37, is glad the Schoolkids Bonus is available to help out with things like school shorts and shoes for her son Azryn, six.

She bought him a selection of uniform items when she received the Bonus in January, and says she will probably buy more shorts with the July payments.

“Shopping in other places like Broome can be a lot cheaper but it’s not always possible. We have to buy things locally and it’s expensive as they grow so fast at this age,” the Bardi woman says.

Since January eligible families get the Schoolkids Bonus paid straight into their bank account by the Australian Government, to help them cover educational costs.

Payments are made in January and July. For each child undertaking primary studies there’s a $410 payment, paid in two installments of $205 in January and the same amount in July. For each child undertaking secondary studies, there’s an $820 payment, $410 being received in January and the other half in July.

Payments are timed to coincide with the demands of the school year.

A typical family with two kids would receive $15,000 in payments during the course of their children’s schooling.

Kyleen is training to be a teacher’s aide with Notre Dame University, through a block release program designed to make training more accessible to Aboriginal people from remote areas. Naturally she appreciates the importance of education.

‘”Every little extra thing helps, including the Schoolkids Bonus.”

The Schoolkids Bonus is paid automatically to all families receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A, as well as young people in school receiving Youth Allowance, and others receiving certain income support or veterans’ payments.

It does not matter whether the children are attending a public or private school.

It is important to update your family’s educational details with Centrelink by June 30 to make sure you get the correct payments in July – simply ring 136 150.

Families with shared arrangements for a child or children receive a percentage of the School-kids Bonus based on the percentage of the Family Tax Benefit Part A they receive.

To check on eligibility or find out more visit www.australia.gov.au/schoolkidsbonus.

24

25

To find out about local resident fares - call or email Lanie on the above

details

26

Meekatharra Community Garden by Mitch Fialkowski

The idea behind a Meeka Community Garden is to engage a group of people who want to put their hands and backs into developing a garden that will benefit the community of Meeka. Gardening will not be the only focus – we want people to be involved in sharing the produce of the Garden thus developing another avenue in which to create community spirit.

We have in mind the use of the old farm land located at High School and with the aid of Yulella (which will provide some machinery and expertise) we would like to plan and develop a garden to produce fresh and healthy vegetables, as well as try our hands at growing some bush tucker.

The set up will be for ground level garden beds and raised beds some under shade cloth and others in the open and choosing the vegetables that are suitable. There will be a range of bed types ranging from individual to family or community patches.

There are some compelling reasons for supporting this kind of gardening. For instance:

1. The vegetables you grow will be fresh and not smothered in pesticides.

2. With some planning you can have a longer producing time.

3. Getting out of the house and meeting with people.

Garden therapy – think through issues bothering you while you work to create something beautiful and nutritious.

We would like to hear from people with knowledge of local bush tucker to help inform us where can we find or gather the seeds so we have a wider base of food supply (nutrition is very important for our children and grandchildren).

The Garden will take a little time to set up but we are confident, given the support of institutions and groups such as Yulella, Meekatharra District High School and committed individuals, that it will be possible. We hope to hold a number of meetings before beginning the Community Garden project to discuss as develop our goals and aims and will keep you informed through the Meekatharra Dust of the start date of the project. We encourage families and individuals to take up the challenge.

Contacts:

Mitch Fialkowski 9981 1053 or 0419 547 175

Svenja Clare: meekagoesgreen@gmail.com

Mal Wood: cdo@meekashire.wa.gov.au

27

28

29

30

31

MEEKATHARRA HEALTH CENTRE

SERVICES

As all dates are subject to change—please confirm appointments the day before.

(Appointments availability is usually determined by prioritising according to

health needs)

RFDS MEDICAL SERVICE

9981 0604

Outpatient Opening Times : Monday—Friday 9am—12 noon (except

Thursday 10am—12 noon) & 2pm—4pm. Medical Services are prioritised

according to urgency.

After Hours is for EMERGENCIES Only

Meekatharra Hospital: 9981 0600

Community Health: 9981 0636

Aged Hostel: 9981 0645

Mental Health: 9981 0625

RFDS Clinic/Reception - Doctors Appointments: 9981 0604

2012 Festival DVD’S ON SALE

NOW!

$10

FROM THE SHIRE OFFICE

32

MEEKA MEATS

Meeka Meats

33

Meeka FM readies for new life

Your local radio station needs you

by Anita Seery

Our community radio station, Meeka FM, is gearing up for a new lease of life. A lack of volunteers has been the cause of Meeka FM's passive profile recently. Hopefully, that is about to change!

Radio MAMA, based in Geraldton, has been assisting with the re-fit of the studio with programming computers and transmission equipment. Until we recruit and train local people to broadcast local programs, Meeka FM re-broadcasts Radio MAMA's programs. At certain times of the day our studio computers take over and broadcast content that is specific to Meekatharra.

Future plans include upgrading the transmitter to extend the broadcast signal further and include some of the mine sites around Meekatharra. Radio MAMA is also willing to help Meeka FM become a program hub for future services to nearby communities such as Yulga Jinna and towns such as Cue and Wiluna.

We will hold a meeting later this month (May) to elect a new committee. I have been involved with Meeka FM for a number of years. Although I am unable to continue an active role I am happy to support others into vital roles such as Chairperson and Treasurer. Radio MAMA and others are also willing to support the new committee as they learn various tasks that, when shared, can be easily managed. Helpfully, Radio MAMA handles the administration of paid sponsorship announcements (bookings and invoicing clients; monies are paid directly into Meeka FM's bank account).

We also have the support of Health communication Resources (HCR), an organisation that will train volunteers, facilitate workshops for service providers to help them plan and prepare educational and information messages, and help re-engage the community with the station through various activities, radio programs and radio program projects involving youth, community organisations and other sectors of the community. HCR will offer volunteers the opportunity to earn an accredited Certificate III in Media.

34

Tune in to Meeka FM 98.3 at these times. Currently Radio MAMA programs run from 7am to 2pm Monday to Friday. Meeka FM then switches back to it’s own music (and, in future, locally presented radio programs). Meeka FM then switches back to Radio MAMA's feature programs consisting of Country Crusin (Monday 5-7pm), MAMA sings da blues (Tuesday 6-9pm), the Mary G Show (Wednesday 7-10pm), Melomania for youth (Thursday 8-10pm), Talking AFL (Friday 5pm) followed by Aussie Home Grown Country Music. Weekend programs include Changing Lives Gospel Show (at 8am) followed by the popular Sports Shed. On Sunday from 4am-12noon Pixie Jenkins Bush Breakfast is followed by MAMA’s Aussie Bush Brekkie including bush poetry and bluegrass.

I hear you say, "I can't go on the radio! My voice us terrible!" Don't worry. We have loads of off air things for you to do. For example:

learn how to load music CDs onto the computer for the playlist;

be responsible for selecting and uploading new music from legal inter-net sources;

operate the broadcast panel while someone else speaks on air;

maintain studio procedures;

assist HCR to coordinate training and workshops;

clear the mail box;

be the point person for Radio MAMA's technician who might ask you to go into the studio to adjust a setting on a piece of equipment or re-boot the computer after a power failure;

learn how to train others to use the studio equipment.

An immediate need is to tidy up the studio to create a more user-friendly working space and the station toilet is in great need of attention.

Local, community-centred radio, is a vital community asset. We have such an asset right here! The Shire, key service providers and a number of resi-dents, are enthusiastic about the added value that Meeka FM can bring to our community.

Be a part of it! Mark your diary now to attend a public meeting on Monday 20th May 2013 at 5:30pm at 62 Hill Street (in the same yard as SES). For more information about the radio station, and committee tasks and re-sponsibilities phone me (Anita) on 0400761747. If you have questions about training or radio programs you can present locally, contact Ross James on 0417912205.

35

36

Contact our friendly staff today –

Mobile: 0437 785 221

Office: (08) 9981 1613

Fax: (08) 9981 1714

37

38

39

COUNCIL NEWS

Staff changes

We are sad to say goodbye to staff members Liz Campbell-Pay and Hope

Lawson. Liz was a great source not only of interesting information but also

of tasty food during her stay with us. Wonderful but fattening recipes, Liz!

Best of luck to you in your new job. We will introduce you to our new staff

in the next issue of the Meekatharra Dust.

Regional Marketing Strategy

At the April 20th meeting, Council agreed to give some support towards a

regional tourism strategy involving Shires in the Murchison and Upper

Gascoyne Regions. Additionally Council adopted Billy the Bungarra as the

mascot for the Shire of Meekatharra. Here’s a picture of Billy:

40

41

42

43

Pumpkin Scones Makes 12 portions

Ingredients

1 tablespoon margarine

¼ cup sugar

1 tablespoon hot water

1 egg

1 cup of pumpkin,

cooked

1 ½ cup of plain whole-

meal flour

½ cup of white plain flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

Method:

Preheat oven to 180° C.

Blend margarine and sugar with hot water.

Beat in egg and pumpkin.

Mix flours and baking powder together and stir to wet mixture.

Mix until no dry areas are left. If pumpkin is dry you need to add

more water.

Using two spoons drop mixture onto a lightly greased tray.

Bake in a 180° oven for 12 to 15 minutes.

Wrap individually in cling wrap and store in freezer until needed.

44

45

COUNCIL MEETING

SHIRE OF MEEKATHARRA

COUNCIL CHAMBERS

SATURDAY 18TH MAY

MEEKA FM MEETING

MONDAY 20TH MAY

62 HILL STREET, 5.30PM

Closing date for submissions for the Next

meekatharra Dust Edition: Friday June 7th

ANNUAL MEEKATHARRA GOLF OPEN

18-19TH MAY

ENQUIRIES/ENTRIES TO CLARRIE 0428 699 685

OR JENKY 0419 046 985

AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST MORNING TEA

FRIDAY 31ST MAY, 10.30AM

SWIMMING POOL LAWN