DECEMBER 2013HEDLAND’S COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

This year’s Pink Ribbon Breakfast on 25 October was another sell-out occasion, thanks to the incredible support from Hedland’s community.The breakfast was held at the Ibis Hotel and involved a massive amount of organisation. The Pink Ribbon Breakfast Committee - comprising about eight ladies including the staff of the Well Women’s Centre - deserves a huge pat on the back and should feel extremely satisfi ed with the end result.

Clearly an event close to everyone’s hearts, all 150 tickets sold quickly. Guests were in a generous mood and approximately $30,000 was raised as a result of fundraising activities such as auctions, raffl es and lucky dips.Samantha Wainwright, Administration Offi cer, Well Women’s Centre, said, “This is one of our highlights. It was such a great morning! There was a sea of pink, and we awarded prizes for the best-dressed male and female. Our guest speaker, breast cancer survivor, Rosemary Miles, was quite an inspiration.”

Live entertainment from local musician, Tracey Morrison, added to the fun atmosphere and the breakfast was a wonderful start to the working day.

The Pink Ribbon Breakfast is an initiative of the ongoing partnership between Hedland Well Women’s Centre and BHP Billiton. An enormous vote of thanks is due not only to the Ibis Hotel and BHP Billiton, but also dozens of other individuals and businesses who made the event possible. All sponsors have been acknowledged in the North West Telegraph.

PRETTY AS A PICTURE IN PINKPRETTY AS A PICTURE IN PINKPRETTY AS A PICTURE IN PINK

Pretty in Pink: Adele Cruikshank looking angelic at the Pink Ribbon

Breakfast. Photo by Free Range Photography. Below: MC Fran Haintz, left, with Well Women’s Centre CEO,

Denise Bevins. Photo by Tracey Morrison.

HEDLAND’S COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER WWW.HEDLINES.COM.AU

A FITTING FAREWELLCassia Primary School is a fi nalist in the WA Primary School of the Year award - a fi tting farewell and accolade for the School’s Principal, Janine Kinninment, who leaves in December.Following a written submission based on fi ve categories of student

achievement; positive learning environment; high-quality teaching; effective

leadership; managing school resources; and community engagement,

Cassia Primary School was shortlisted to a fi nal group of four high

performing schools. The next step saw judges (the Chairman and Executive

Offi cer from the Department of Education’s WA Education Awards 2013)

visit Hedland in October to see students and staff at work, and the results

will be revealed at a ceremony in Perth in early December.

For Janine, the School’s award nomination is one of the high points of her

eight years as Principal of Cassia and 12 years as a school administrator in

Port Hedland, and recognises the excellent work of teachers, students and

community members in making Cassia such a great school.

Janine said, “What is most satisfying is knowing that getting to this point

has been a collective achievement from the entire school community.

Everyone knows the ethos of the school and what is expected of them.”

Janine has also been selected to attend an Executive Leadership Program –

an invitation extended to only three groups of 20 educators in WA who show

CRUISERS RECEIVE HEDLAND HOSPITALITYNo doubt refl ecting the warm welcome given to passengers on previous visits, Radiance of the Seas docked at these shores again.

Hedland’s population swelled on Wednesday 6 November when voyagers from

Sydney disembarked to enjoy a day in the North West, before continuing their

journey to Perth.

Even though the town is used to large vessels with the regular stream of bulk

ore carriers, receiving a sizeable passenger vessel still brings great excitement.

Radiance of the Seas is almost 300 metres long and is over 50 metres above

sea level.

For many, it is their fi rst time in the region and Hedland operates like a well-oiled

machine on these occasions, knowing there might be up to 2,300 passengers

fi nding their land legs. Volunteer guides and town ambassadors were kept

busy, pointing visitors in the right direction, passing on advice and sharing their

knowledge of Hedland’s history.

Cruise ship passengers are always impressed by the Hedland’s friendliness and

this visit was no different. For craftspeople, traders and small business, the infl ux

of tourists provided a welcome boost to local industry.

Positive Legacy: Janine Kinninment has

achieved a great deal in her time as Principal of

Cassia Primary School.

Bon Voyage: Hedland’s community

farewelling the Radiance of the Seas on a previous visit.

highly-developed leadership skills. The program is a chance to extend those skills in a six day course that takes place in two-day blocks over three terms.

Cassia Primary School has fl ourished under Janine’s leadership. The next stage in

her career sees her returning to her Mandurah home base and becoming Principal

at Bungaree Primary School in Rockingham. Cassia’s loss is Bungaree’s gain, but

as Janine says, she will always have fond memories of a great town, wonderful

people and true friendships.

PLAYGROUP CHRISTMAS CHEER The festive season is well underway at the Cooke Point Playgroup.The playgroup started in 1986 and operates fi ve days a week in the Andrew McLaughlin Centre on Keesing Street. More than 90 families are enrolled, plus casual members, with approximately 150 children accessing programs and a small number of dads, grandparents and carers regularly attending. The Twilight Markets held at the Andrew McLaughlin Centre on 16 November signalled the start of a Christmas Extravaganza, with crafts and activities specially designed for little ones.

Sue Bray, the playgroup’s Vice-President, said, “In addition to the markets we are also transforming huge boxes into Santa’s house and a gingerbread house for the children to play in during our playgroup program. It will be exciting with everyone singing carols and completing Christmas crafts. We are holding a Christmas party for each session, with face painters, a bouncy castle and Santa coming to hand out presents.”

Currently on maternity leave from her role as Deputy Principal at Baler Primary School, Sue has lived in Hedland for 13 years. As well as her playgroup position, she relishes her role on the Committee at the Andrew McLaughlin Centre, all of which adds up to keeping her pretty busy! For more info on Cooke Point Playgroup please ring 0457 494 187; or email cookepointplaygroup1@gmail.com; or visit www.cookepointplaygroup.com.au; or go to the Facebook page Cooke Point Playgroup. New families are welcome.

Hard at work: Care for Hedland

volunteers at De Grey River.

Festive fun: Luciana and Evan Baran enjoy

a Christmas playgroup activity.

DE GREY RIVER BECOMING DE GREENVolunteers from Care for Hedland and two other environmental organisations have been channelling their efforts into the catchment area around the De Grey River.Since 2012, work has been scattered over the length of the river from

its mouth then inland through Yarrie and Warrawagine stations.

The collaboration started when Greening Australia opened its offi ce up to

Care for Hedland and Rangelands NRM (Natural Resource Management),

creating an enviro-hub in the West End. Through their co-location,

an exchange of views was sparked between these organisations and

others such as the De Grey River pastoralists. The idea of formalising

their collaboration went from being a great idea into a landmark project

that uses the strengths of all three groups: Care for Hedland’s networks

and volunteers; Greening Australia’s vegetation management; Indigenous

training and project management; and RNRM’s pastoral land management

and Indigenous networks.

This is the fi rst planned landscape-scale work done by the groups in this

area. Much has previously been done in town by Care for Hedland and

Greening Australia to help rehabilitate areas such as the Cooke Point dune

system. Remediation work has also been undertaken by the pastoralists

on their own stations.

So far the groups have removed various weeds of national signifi cance, carbon and biodiversity sampling, seed collecting

and fi sh and river monitoring.

There have already been over 100 volunteers over fi ve different trips

including Care for Hedland members, disengaged youth and local Aboriginal

groups, staff from the groups in the enviro-hub and expert scientists.

Pip Short, Coordinator, Care for Hedland, said, “We have camped on all

the trips and it is always one of the best parts of the weekend, along with

swimming in the beautiful De Grey!

“The lasting hopes are for improved landscape health, and for pastoralists

and Indigenous groups to have the capacity to undertake long-term

conservation and land management of their lands,” Pip concluded.

HEDLAND’S COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER WWW.HEDLINES.COM.AU

ROADSHOW BLOWS IN TO TOWNTwo information sessions were held in mid-October to help prepare the Hedland community for the November-April cyclone season. Members of the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), Department of Fire and

Emergency Services (DFES) and Department of Child Protection (DCP)

toured vulnerable regions, presenting topical information and addressing

questions and community concerns.

Hosted by the Town of Port Hedland and the local State Emergence Service

(SES), information stands contained leafl ets and brochures, and presentations

were made that identifi ed key risks, the need to prepare, when to act and

how to work together to manage risks.

The Hedland event included morning and evening sessions to attract as

many community members as possible.

The BoM presentation focused on tropical cyclone categories and the risk to

community. Participants heard about the accuracy of forecasts and tracking

maps, storm surge likelihood versus consequences, and services and access

to information regarding natural hazards.

The DFES presentation covered community alert stages, movement during

Red Alert, evacuation (storm surge/fl ood) and why we prepare for the worst

case scenarios (personal attitudes to risk).

DCP representatives discussed welfare centres that would be open, when and

why they would open, the responsibilities of individuals using the centres and

other DCP services provided during the ‘response and recovery’ period.

The DFES believes that the overall risk posed by cyclone and fl ood hazards in

the Town of Port Hedland area has increased in recent years due to growth in

population both within the town and remote mining villages, which could widen

demands from emergency services. The presentations were to increase the

community’s preparedness with cyclone season nearly upon us.

If you missed the sessions and would like to fi nd out how to become ‘cyclone aware’, please see www.dfes.wa.gov.au or contact Peter Cameron, District Offi cer East Pilbara on 9158 1305 or 0419 917 559.

Damage control: SES team members

demonstrating proper roof safety systems.

TIME TO NOMINATE FOR AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS One of the highlights of the Port Hedland calendar is the town’s Australia Day breakfast held in January each year.Soroptimist International of Port Hedland - a worldwide organisation for women who serve to advance human rights and the status of women has hosted the breakfast for approximately 20 years and, more recently, have co-hosted the event with the Town of Port Hedland.

Soroptimist, Julie Hunt, a Hedland resident for over 50 years, remembers attending the inaugural breakfast and has been involved with the event ever since. Julie wears many ‘hats’, including that of Councillor and Manager of the Dalgety House Museum.

In the lead-up to Australia Day, the Town of Port Hedland calls for nominations for: Citizen of the Year; Junior Citizen of the Year (for under-25s); and Community Event or Organisation of the Year. A panel consisting of a Soroptimist member, a Council staff member and a Councillor considers the entries.

There is never a shortage of nominations, which refl ects the big-hearted and generous-spirited Port Hedland community.

The breakfast is held at the Ibis Styles Hotel and is always a sell-out with approximately 120 people.

“We get inspirational guest speakers – sometimes new Australians, always people who love our country. The event always brings out the Australian patriotism in all attendees. The weather is usually extreme - two years ago, the town was on Blue Alert for a cyclone and everyone had to dash home and batten down the hatches before we moved to Yellow Alert,” Julie said.

As the end of year approaches, there will be posters around town calling for nominations, and information will also be available on the Town of Port Hedland website www.porthedland.wa.gov.au

The breakfast is held at the Ibis Styles Hotel and is always a sell-

“We get inspirational guest speakers – sometimes new Australians, always people

2013 award winners with Mayor Kelly Howlett, left, and Julie Hunt, right.

Photo by North West Telegraph.

WWW.HEDLINES.COM.AUHEDLAND’S COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

WHERE DO YOU READ HEDLINES?Operated by ESS (a division of Compass Group), Port Haven is a 1,202 room village with ensuite accommodation, five minutes from Port Hedland airport and 17 kilometres from the town, with amenities that match the highest of industry standards.The village is used by resource sector workers, local businesses, community services staff and many other residents. The dining hall is open to the community and 80 rooms are also made available to visitors via bookings through the Port Hedland Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY... AND AWAREChristmas is a time of year when many people travel. Senior Constable Ray Holt from South Hedland Police offers some tips on keeping your home secure while you are away. If your home is going to be vacant, it’s a good idea to give the impression that someone is living there, including:

• Get a neighbour to park their car in your driveway.• Have someone collect your mail, put out your bin, mow the lawn

and water your garden. Tell neighbours where you are going and leave contact details.

• Think about installing security devices such as alarms and fl oodlights. Intruders hate noise and light. Consider having a camera set up with the view showing on your computer. You can then log in from anywhere in the world and see if anything is amiss.

• Phone your local police station to let them know and provide your contact details. Offi cers will do patrols of the area.

• Fit deadlocks and key locks to doors and windows, and don’t keep spare keys under doormats or in obvious places.

• Make it as diffi cult as possible for an offender to want to steal your property i.e. engrave or mark all items of value.

• Be prepared for a worst-case scenario and have an asset register detailing major items of value (with photos, if possible).

Stay safe: Senior Constable Ray Holt encourages

everyone to think about security this Christmas.

Ray said, “When joining the Police Force, we are made aware that public holidays are just another working day for us and we expect to work unless we happen to have those days rostered off. As a general rule of thumb, offi cers are supposed to have Christmas Day off every three years. I’d like to use this chance to wish everyone a happy, safe and secure Christmas.”

Hedlines on the go: Andrew Farnfi eld, Manager of Port

Haven Village, looking rather business-like by the pool!

UPCOMING EVENTSThis community newsletter is proudly supported by BHP Billiton Iron Ore. Designed by Creating Communities Aust Pty Ltd.

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

hedlines.com.au

SCAN USING YOUR MOBILE DEVICE TO GO DIRECTLY TO

AN INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEYDigging deep, Nikki Radosevich scaled Africa’s highest peak in August.Flicking through an Amnesty International (AI) newsletter in March, Nikki, a Production Team Leader at BHP Billiton’s Nelson Point site, noticed a story about a Kilimanjaro Challenge to raise money for the charity that works hard to defend human rights within Australia and around the world. “I agree with what AI stand for - that every human deserves to be treated as an equal. The team was leaving in July so I convinced my friend to come along and we booked to go to Tanzania by the following day! Joining the group nine months later than everyone else meant we had to knuckle down to fundraise, get fi t, plan our trip and assemble the necessary gear,” Nikki said.She trained doing weights and endurance sessions, and went for a run a couple of times a week. A practise hike with a weighted pack in Karijini went well, so Nikki thought she was ready!

The team of 20 climbed 5,895 metres in seven days, trekking up to 10 hours a day. Conquering severe altitude sickness and a migraine were some challenges she experienced, however the guides and the doctor’s motivational talks helped Nikki to persevere. “You have to rely on your guides a lot because your common sense and decision-making ability really does go astray. Our Amnesty host cried when we all reached the summit,” she added, movingly.Nikki spent two months in Africa. “I met some of the most inspirational people and had the honour of climbing Kilimanjaro with them. Our fundraising goal was $80,000 but we smashed that by raising $103,000. Less than a third of the teams make the summit as a group so this was a massive achievement. The support from friends, family, corporate sponsors and colleagues was amazing and overwhelming at times,” she continued.

BHP Billiton Iron Ore generously donated $4,420 through the Matched Giving program, which doubled Nikki’s fundraising. She also received corporate

sponsorship from local businesses including Savannah Engineers and Veolia, for which she is extremely grateful.

sponsorship from local businesses including Savannah Engineers and Veolia, for which she is extremely grateful.

Reaching the summit: Nikki, elated and

exhausted, with team members at the top.

Christmas Flicks – Arthur ChristmasSaturday 29 November, South Hedland Town SquareLive acoustic music from 6.30pm; Film starts 7.00pm.Santa’s youngest son, Arthur, embarks on an adventure to deliver the fi nal gift to a child, to save Christmas. Come with family and friends, bring a picnic blanket or chair and enjoy this magical tale as you get in the festive mood. Food and refreshments available.as you get in the festive mood. Food and refreshments available.

Markets and Melodies

Saturday 7 December 4.30 – 7.00pm,

South Hedland Town Square

A great opportunity for some Christmas shopping!

There will be a variety of stalls with fundraisers, crafters and food,

and on-stage live acoustic music. and on-stage live acoustic music.

Hedland Art Awards @ The Courthouse GalleryEnds Tuesday 19 DecemberGallery open Monday - Friday: 9am to 4.30pm, Saturday: 9am to 2pm, Sunday: 9am to 2pm.Only a few weeks left, so take advantage of your fi nal opportunity to see the amazing array of talent in this year’s Art Awards. It’s also your last chance to vote on your favourite artwork for The People’s Choice award, which will be announced at the end of the exhibition.

Please visit www.courthousegallery.com.au

Cash for Trash

Saturday 14 December, 9.00-11.00am

Help with the counting of bottles and other tasks at:

• Port Hedland Turf Club • Shay Gap Park • Daylesford Park • South Hedland Landfi ll

If you are keen to lend a hand please email

coordinator@careforhedland.org.au for information.coordinator@careforhedland.org.au for information.

Aquatic Super Series 2014Friday 31 January, Saturday 1 FebruaryVenues West Challenge StadiumIf you’re in Perth at the end of January, catch international water polo and swimming teams in action as Australia takes on Brazil, China, Croatia, Japan and South Africa at this BHP Billiton-sponsored event. Please visit www.aquaticsuperseries.com.au