INSIDE

Inside this issue

Shire President and Gumala Monthly Report 2

Merry Christmas from all the Councillors 3

Tom Price Community News 4

Tom Price Students Special Feature 5

Tom Price Community News 6

Onslow Community News 7

Paraburdoo Community News 8

Pannawonica Community News 8

Shire Celebrates Movember – Page 8Home Grown Vege Patch - Page 6Kids illustrate for a cause – Page 5

DECEMBER 2010

A jolly time was had by all Shire employees and their families who attended the Shire’s annual Christmas pool party in Tom Price.

A lovely dinner was catered for by Brett Bravington and the Fortescue Cricket Association were kind enough to donate their time to serve the bar.

A special appearance was made by Father Christmas himself and gifts were given to the children on Santa’s “nice list.”

The workers celebrated a great year with the Shire of Ashburton.

Shire of Ashburton president Greg Musgrave wished residents in Ashburton a very Merry Christmas and safe New Year.

He said it was a great evening.

“The mood was super, families and children sitting around “picnic style” and to see the number of children and big kids playing on the Shire’s large floatie was just fantastic and quite entertaining to say the least.”

All in all we all had wonderful fun and it was a fabulous way to begin our upcoming festive season”.

The Shire office will be closed from Thursday 23 December 2010 to Monday 3 January 2011. The newsletter will stop running over the Christmas period and will recommence in the New Year.

Turn to Page 6 for more photos from the Christmas Party in Tom Price.

Merry Christmas from the Shire of Ashburton staff and families

The Shire of Ashburton staff and their family wish everyone in Ashburton a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Parents facing financial hardship as a result of new child car restraint legislation will be aided through hire and loan schemes established by community organisations.

The new laws require restraints to be used up until the age of seven – previously restraints were only mandatory for the child’s first 12 months.

WA Local Government Association President Mayor Troy Pickard said the Community Road Safety Grants Program has partitioned $50,000 of funding to provide assistance in establishing car restraint hire and loan schemes.

“The aim of this grants program is to provide access to the appropriate child restraints for families experiencing hardship in order to keep their children safe,” Mayor Pickard said.

Grants of up to $5000 are being made available for not-for-profit organisations to allow for the purchase of child car restraints that can be hired or loaned to families.

The application for grants will be made available during the 2010/11 financial year or until all funds have been utilised.

Any community organisations interested in applying for grant funding to establish a hire or loan scheme can find out more information from the RoadWise website http://www.roadwise.asn.au/road_safety_grants

Child restraints

Pink Ribbon Celebrations over November in Tom Price raised a record amount of $21,000 towards the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

The celebrations aimed to promote breast cancer awareness and raise donations for breast cancer research and support.

Money was raised at a series of community events including a car boot

sale, lamington drive, a luncheon, auctions and the fun run/walk from Tom Price to Paraburdoo.

The events were headed by the Pink Ribbon Committee which consisted of a small group of dedicated women including Nicole Deegan, Rachel Yugovich, Carly Dawson, Karleen Moore, Heather Patmore, Emily Nona, Karen Grant.

Tom Price raises record amount in the name of breast cancer

This was the winning bra voted by the people. Congratulations to Jasmine Maxwell.

PAGE 2

Shire President’s Report

The festive season has arrived and this quote I believe says the lot.

“The best Christmas gift of all is the presence of a happy family all wrapped with one another”. To me Christmas and the festive period is about bringing families and friends together in a spirit of care and friendship, so please ensure your Christmas is a special celebration bringing your families and friends together.

I also take this opportunity to thank others across our great community for helping us make the Shire of Ashburton the place it is, a pleasant place for families who enjoy leisure and a great lifestyle.

Remember the lead up to our festive period is a busy time for holidaymakers using our roads. I encourage all of us to make a strong commitment to do the right thing so drive safely on the roads, don’t speed and buckle up.

I wanted to demonstrate to the readers of Inside Ashburton a special example of community spirit in our wonderful Shire.

The other day I was playing golf and a fellow golfer Glen Ward accidently fell down a steep chasm and badly broke his lower leg. In response to a 000 call our local ambulance, fire brigade and Rio Tinto mine fire and rescue officers attended straight away.

I made the comment to all watching Glen’s rescue about how this shows our great community spirit in action and really reinforces the value of our volunteers. Glen was finally stabalised and taken to hospital. Since then he has undergone a series of operations and sadly his leg will take about six months to mend.

This brings to my point of the fact that December 5 is International Volunteer Day and in Australia it’s the day we recognise our volunteers and the day we give thanks for their community spirit and dedication for being a volunteer.

On behalf of the Shire of Ashburton I thank all of our volunteers and all those who work behind the scenes. Thank you for your tireless support.

On November 21 I marched with others along Central road to support White Ribbon which aims to stop domestic violence. Myself along with other male leaders in our community signed an oath to publicly support the campaign. We all had a great day and enjoyed the sausage sizzle at Lions Park.

We have included a selection of photos from the march above.

Merry Christmas to all.

Greg Musgrave

The Shire of Ashburton is pleased to announce that tenders for the Town Centre Revitalisation Stage One – Mall Works have been called, with a site briefing for tenderers well attended on November 25.

Two tender packages were issued, Landscaping Works and Demolition/Construction. There was a strong response from companies wishing to bid with twenty three tender packages downloaded from the website. It seems everyone wants to come and work in our lovely town.

Stage One of the Mall Works will see the existing verandas removed and replaced with new canopies, which will wrap around the eastern end of the Mall to create a new bus-stop and vending machines and self cleaning public toilets installed for the comfort of travellers. New chilled drinking fountains, a water play area, a small playground area, mass plantings of turf and climate specific vegetation and a water misting system will all serve to cool the Mall and make it a

place to ‘meet and mingle’.New seating, bike racks, trolley bays and rubbish

bins will update the look and feel of the Mall, and an area for stall holders will receive power and lighting to encourage more activity at night.

Shire of Ashburton project manager Justine Hyams said that these Works will certainly be a challenge for contractors.

“We have put a very tight timeframe on the job to ensure minimal disruptions to business and mall access and most of the works will be conducted at night to achieve this.”

She said they were appealing to residents in Tom Price to be patient during the Works and remember that the short-term interruptions would provide an amazing venue for everyone to enjoy.

The Works has already kicked off, commencing with the Shire replacing and upgrading underground services in the Mall.

Shire of Ashburton acting chief executive Jeffrey Breen said the Shire of Ashburton had been working with planners, engineers and architects for many months to overcome a myriad of technical challenges associated with the project.

“Much of the infrastructure in town is very old, and it has been a challenge to locate and assess many of the services in the Mall area,” he said.

Mr Breen said design work on new drainage, sewer, power and water corridors had to take into account planning issues, existing structures and mature trees and the general design intent of the plan.

“The team have overcome these problems, and we look forward to breaking ground next month.”

The Mall Works are Stage One of the upgrades, with new retail, residential and hospitality buildings in final design stage. To complement these new buildings, the construction of the new sports pavilion will also begin in the first quarter of the new year.

Mall works begin the start of the Shire’s Revitalisation Project in Tom Price

White Ribbon marchers march up the main street.

Greg Musgrave Shire President signing the oath.

As we approach the end of the year people from around the world are preparing for important celebratory events. For Christians it’s a time to remember the birth of Jesus Christ and Christmas Day while for Jews it’s about Hannukkah and the eight day festival. In Gumala’s case, many of the Traditional

Owners are getting ready for a centuries-old custom.

Aboriginal Lore time or Lore (as it’s commonly known) is about ‘boys’ becoming ‘men’ and going through a number of elaborate and traditional “recognition” ceremonies. It’s an important time for those directly going through traditional manhood as well as their families. As one Elder told me about

Lore “it’s about preserving our cultural identity and connection to the land”.

Gumala Aboriginal Corporation provides major funding to enable its Members to experience the joyous occasion of Lore. There are a number of Gumala-funded traditional camp grounds throughout the Pilbara that receive infrastructure and operational grants annually. The activities that occur at the Lore camps are determined by the Elders and involve separate meetings to discuss “women’s business” and “men’s business”. Gumala funds infrastructure development at the Lore camps as part of addressing the growing needs of the Traditional Owners. This includes construction of temporary accommodation, ablution facilities, logistics equipment and open space infrastructure. More than $1 million dollars has been allocated for this period’s Lore time.

Gumala also provides assistance to the families wishing to participate at the Lore camps through subsidising travel and living costs given that the celebrations usually go for more than a month.

While Lore usually starts in December, depending on the circumstances, it can commence as early as November or as late as March. This can be challenging because the festivities at each Lore camp are autonomous to any other Lore camp and the “rules” can vary depending on the decisions made by the Elders at that site. That’s why Gumala Aboriginal Corporation, as a member-based organisation, adopts a flexible approach to serving its Traditional Owners and ensuring that Lore time runs efficiently (administratively speaking).

On behalf of Gumala’s Directors, Management and Staff, I wish everyone Season’s Greetings and trust that this period is a time for celebration, renewal and happiness for you like it is for the Traditional Owners and first Australians.

Warmest wishes

Steve Mav

Gumala Report

PAGE 3

Cr Ivan Dias Paraburdoo Ward Christmas is a time of celebrations and festivities. Not forgetting the main reason for the holiday season, which is the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is also a good time to take stock of our personal issues and to reflect the year that was, building on the positives and learning from the negatives. I am a glass half full type of person, so in spite of the danger of sounding philosophical my Christmas message to all is:Yesterday is only a dreamTomorrow is only a vision But every today well livedMakes every yesterday a dream of happinessAnd every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Cr Leanne Corker Ashburton WardTo everyone in Ashburton, may your Christmas be happy and safe and the New Year bring prosperity. Here's wishing for lots of rain, green grass and fat cattle in 2011.I'm looking forward to another exciting year, working with fellow councillors, management and staff and representing the rural ward of Ashburton to expand the vision of our Shire.

Cr Lisa ShieldsTom Price WardOn behalf of myself and my family I would like to wish all of the residents of the Shire of Ashburton a carefree and enjoyable Christmas and New Year period. I hope you all enjoy the company of your families and a well-earned break for those fortunate to have some holidays planned. A New Year Resolution for us all: Take some time out to really take in our beautiful surroundings and appreciate why we all choose to live in this lovely part of our State. We are a major part of the Pilbara Experience – Let’s Celebrate It!

Cr Stephanie DannPannawonica WardTo all the residents of Pannawonica, may I take this time to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Prosperous New Year. I have had a very productive year in my role as your Councillor, and thank all those who have supported my endeavours this year. Enjoy this special time with your family and friends – with special memories to treasure forever. Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas from the Councillors

Deputy PresidentCr Linton RumbleParaburdoo WardAs your Councillor for Paraburdoo and Deputy President, I would like to take this moment to offer my Season’s greetings and thank all residents including those who are new to town and also the FIFO members of our community. It is a very special time of year when we all think about our friends and family and those who we love and remember. I would like to thank all the hard working members of our community groups that give their time supporting the community. I would like to thank those people who are working away from family in service, in our government departments, also our small businesses and our major employer in the town, Rio Tinto, that operates in Paraburdoo. Remember to enjoy yourself, take care and be safe. Looking forward to seeing you all in 2011.

PAGE 4

Tom Price Community News

The Shire of Ashburton is pleased to announce the release of residential and industrial land to the public in the thriving town of Tom Price.

6 industrial lots and 13 residential lots will be offered for auction on 19 February 2011, with a further 24 residential lots going under the hammer on 19 March 2011.

This is the perfect opportunity for business owners seeking to establish their business or provide accommodation for their staff, as well as for local residents wanting to build

their own home and astute investors.

There is a recognised shortage of private property and accommodation in Tom Price, and these land releases are expected to attract considerable interest.

A Roadshow will also be held in Tom Price in January 2011, allowing builders, finance providers and other related service providers the opportunity to showcase their products to prospective purchasers.

For further details visit www.ashburton.wa.gov.au.

Exciting land release in Tom Price

Pet Profile

About me: I am an energetic and playful pooch looking for love and a new family to spend my very first Christmas with!

I am only ten months old and am so full of love to give; I can’t wait to find my Mr or Ms Right! I just love everything about life, especially being active so my perfect match would need to include me in their busy life. And I promise that I won’t mind being dressed up in tinsel or reindeer ears on Christmas Day!

My favourite pastime is swimming so a clam shell in the backyard will be the best Christmas gift ever! I adore going for walks and am very good on the lead.

In fact, I am good at everything

I have been trained to do so far and will just get better and better, being as clever and eager to please as I am. I am young so you can mould me however you like!

I am looking forward to Christmas but am truly looking for a lifelong commitment well into the future. I am very affectionate and really want to fall in love and I desperately hope you’ll call about me!

You are my perfect match if, like me, you are a lovely combination of cuddles and fun. Is there room for me underneath your Christmas tree?

To find out more about me, please call SAFE on 9185 4634 or check out my profile at www.safe.asn.au.

Name: WallaceAge: 10 monthsLooking For: That special somebody to love.Likes: Swimming is my favourite thing, I love playing in my pool, going for walks and hanging out with humans and canines. And I’m pretty sure I’m going to love Christmas!Dislikes: None, I am not afraid of anything!Appearance: Tall, dark and handsome with irresistibly beautiful eyes.Other Pets Are: Great with me!Relationship Status: Single and looking.

Council MeetingsAgenda Preparation Schedule 2011

The Council of the Shire of Ashburton has determined to schedule the meeting dates, times and locations for the Ordinary Meeting of Council as detailed below:

DATE LOCATION TIME

Wednesday, 16 February 2011 Meeting Room, Community Recreation Centre, Tom Price

9:00am

Wednesday, 16 March 2011 Ashburton Hall Ashburton Avenue, Paraburdoo 9:00am

Wednesday, 20 April 2011 RM Forrest Memorial Hall, Second Avenue, Onslow 9:00am

Wednesday, 18 May 2011 Meeting Room, Community Recreation Centre, Tom Price

9:00am

Wednesday, 15 June 2011 Barry Lang Centre, Pannawonica 8.00am

Wednesday, 20 July 2011 Ashburton Hall Ashburton Avenue, Paraburdoo 9.00am

Wednesday, 17 August 2011 Meeting Room, Community Recreation Centre, Tom Price

9.00am

Wednesday, 21 September 2011 RM Forrest Memorial Hall, Second Avenue, Onslow 9.00am

Wednesday, 19 October 2011 Ashburton Hall Ashburton Avenue, Paraburdoo 9.00am

Wednesday, 16 November 2011 Barry Lang Centre, Pannawonica 8.00am

Wednesday, 14 December 2011 RM Forrest Memorial Hall, Second Avenue, Onslow 9.00am

Location Month Agenda Close(Wed 4pm)

Distribution of Agenda(by Wed 3pm)

Meeting Date

Tom Price February 2011 02 February 09 February 16 February 2011

Paraburdoo March 2011 02 March 09 March 16 March 2011

Onslow April 2011 06 April 13 April 20 April 2011

Tom Price May 2011 04 May 13 May 18 May 2011

Pannawonica June 2011 01 June 08 June 15 June 2011

Paraburdoo July 2011 06 July 13 July 20 July 2011

Tom Price August 2011 03 August 10 August 17 August 2011

Onslow September 2011 07September 14 September 21 September 2011

Paraburdoo October 2011 05 October 12 October 19 October 2011

Pannawonica November 2011 02 November 09 November 16 November 2011

Onslow December 2011 30 November 07 December 14 December 2011

Please note the following:• NoAgendaItemswillbeacceptedaftertheclose-offdate.• LateitemsareonlyacceptedbyCouncilattheirdiscretion.Therefore it is recommended that all reports are submitted into the Agenda

and not provided to Councillors at the last minute.• Travel,accommodationandmealrequirementsneedtobe provided to the EAC at the same time as the Agenda closing.

Meeting Schedule 2011

One of three plan details currently available for viewing.

Lots 501 & 502Warara Street

SELLING AGENT

David (Harry) Hipworth0419 510 390

Survey & Artwork by

11th November 2010All dimensions and areas are subject to survey.

Lot 500Pilkena Street

All I Want For Christmas Is YOU!

PAGE 5

Some people think graffiti is disgusting, some think it is great. Good graffiti is acceptable but when people write bad and negative about other people and swear words it is horrible. Some skate parks accept graffiti as long it is good and interesting.

There are types of graffiti. “Urban Art” is the good kind and ‘Tagging’ is where people do it with textas and write it on fences, buildings and sometimes on train carriages.

Graffiti vandalism is a criminal offence. Defacing other people’s property without their permission is graffiti. The removal of graffiti all over WA is costing our government millions each year.

The State Graffiti Taskforce was established to drive very strict rules into our communities to stop tagging graffiti.

Visit www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au for information on graffiti and how to remove it. The hotline number is 1800 44 22 55.

Although most think graffiti is ugly, others think it is fun. The shire should have designated areas for proper Urban Art only.

By Jeremy Schaefer, Year 6.

Graffiti is starting to become a serious problem in Tom Price especially if it’s against other people. The difference between Graffiti art and tagging is graffiti art is actually interesting to look at especially the illusions. Tagging is just someone writing and scribbling usually about other people.

If you see someone vandalising public or a persons property, call this number 1800 44 22 55 to report graffiti. A wall should be placed near the shops so lots of people can see real urban art, but only people with graffiti licences can display their art on the wall.

In conclusion, if you see anyone tagging call 1800 44 22 and rewards are also offered for information leading to the arrest of an offender.

By Luke McGlew, Year 6

tom price graffiti special

Year Six and Seven students at Tom Price Primary have delved into the prevalent issue of graffiti and looked at whether this is a form of art or a senseless destruction of property. Thank you to Tom Price Primary School for providing the articles to Inside Ashburton.

Graffiti is it good or bad?

I think that graffiti is disgusting and often inappropriate and tagging is very immature.The people that write mean things about other people need to think about what they write, before they

write something on a wall for the whole town to see. If this type of graffiti happens numerous times about the same person it can become a form of bullying.

Tourists that visit Mount Nameless think that it’s okay to tag on the rocks and trees on the summit, because so many other tourists have done it before them. On Mount Bruce this has been prevented by providing a visitor’s book in a metal box that tourists can write in.

I think that the police and the law enforcement services should have increased penalties for graffiti, such as a fine as well as having to clean it off. We can help by reporting graffiti to the police by ringing this number 1800442255.

By Grace.McSkimming, Yr 7

Students in Tom Price have put their creative thinking caps on, drawing pictures for an illustrations competition for the Pilbara Friends of Fire story book called Grandfather Tom.

“Pilbara Friends of Fire” fire safety project transcends cultural and racial boundaries to teach children key aspects of fire safety.

The project consists of a large story book, written locally, and illustrated by some of the students from Tom Price Primary School, North Tom Price Primary School and Tom Price Senior High School.

According to the Kidsafe website, Fire and Burns Factsheet, the majority of child fire and burns, deaths and admissions to hospital occur in children under five.

Following the tragic deaths of two children

in a caravan fire at an Aboriginal community, local people who represent Tom Price PVFRS, Shire of Ashburton, FESA, Tom Price VBFB, Rio Tinto, Tom Price SJA and Gumala Aboriginal Corporation have thrown their support together to prevent this sort of tragedy from ever happening again.

Fire Safety Awareness Committee community secretary Maxine O’Connell said that once the project is fully developed, the committee hopes to distribute it to Volunteer Fire Brigades to teach children about fire safety. “The package will include large flash cards, examples of what to do in the situation of a fire whilst also teaching kids how to avoid creating fires such as not playing with matches”.

Ms O’Connell said she hoped the package will be available in early 2011.

“Once the project is fully developed and tested we hope that with the Fire and Emergency Services Authority help we can roll this out to all Volunteer Fire Brigades to use in their own communities,” she said.

Congratulations go to the following students for their outstanding illustrations:

- Abbey-Louise Franklin, Zali Gill - North Tom Price Primary School

- Laura McSkimming, Jacqueline Graham, Alanna Broderick, Jolie Coope -

Tom Price Primary School- Alysha Billing, Jayden Hall, Chrysta Waller, Sean Stolk, Todd Jones, Banjeeri Dwyer -

Tom Price Senior High School.

Students dabble in colour to create illustrations for an important cause

w rit i n g s on the wall

PAGE 6

Last month the Tom Price Tidy Towns Committee was presented with the Recycling and Waste Management Award 2010 for the Pilbara Region. The award recognised the efforts of the community and special tribute was paid to local Shire worker, Margaret Rowe, in her efforts as recycling and waste management coordinator.

The town received praise for ‘having all its bases covered’. The judges were also impressed by the way in which the whole community was involved in learning about, and taking action to reduce their contribution to, the waste stream with recycling.

Recycling and waste management ‘champion’, as dubbed by the Tidy Towns judges, or Margaret as locals may know

her, received her own award for her tireless efforts. Margaret said she was honored to have received the accolade. “I hope that the community will take this opportunity to give themselves the recognition they deserve for their efforts in embracing recycling in the Shire”.

Tom Price was not the only town within the Shire of Ashburton to receive a prize for its efforts, the Paraburdoo Tidy Towns Committee also received a Community Action Award for their energy, enthusiasm and drive in delivering.

Tidy Towns has been running for 41 years and helps communities set and achieve their goals and be recognised for these achievements.

Ashburton snags Tidy Town Awards

Shire’s annual christmas party in Tom Price

Standing proud, Shire workers Mabel Gough and Margaret Rowe.

Tom Price Primary School has gone back to basics teaching children the importance of homegrown vegetables and how to make a hearty meal, as part of the Australian Sustainable Schools initiative.

The nationwide scheme allows schools to plan projects for sustainability that suit each individual school’s needs, as well as enabling

community involvement and a focus on integrating sustainability education into the classroom.

Tom Price Primary has undertaken many sustainable developments in the past year. As Sustainable Schools coordinator Nikki Rooke explains the school has become a Waterwise School with a focus on recycling.

“Students are encouraged to bring reusable containers for recess and lunch and we have begun composting fruit scraps in pre-primary.”

Recycling is now an important part of life in Tom Price and the students went to visit the Shire recycling facility in Term 3...we recycle paper, ink cartridges, batteries and mobile phones in school.”

However the students’ major project has been their vegetable garden, which following community assistance in June and during Term 3 and 4, has grown into a healthy vegetable patch.

“The students are learning how easy it can be to grow fresh vegetables and use them in preparing healthy meals....classes have made sandwiches, salads and even San Choy Bow,” she

said. Ms Rooke said the school plans to continue

the scheme in the New Year through its ongoing involvement with the Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation’s biodiesel project and an application for solar panels through the National Solar Schools Program.

Tom Price Primary School on the move to a sustainable future

Natural ingredients are used in these gardens to help them thrive.

Students at Tom Price Primary School relish the opportunity to learn about how to create good quality, fresh produce in their backyard.

Shire staff let their hair down at the Christmas Party held at the Tom Price pool last month. Here are some of the best snapshots of the night.

Supervisor Town Maintenance East Mick Buttery and Shire President Greg Musgrave.

Chloe Main receives a gift from Santa.

Old and new, outgoing CEO Keith Pearson stands with acting CEO Jeff Breen.

Brooke and Micah Rogers with Cassie Body and Tahnee Westra.

Tom Price Community News

PAGE 7 PAGE 7

Prizes 1st Prize—$1000.00 2nd Prize—$800.00 3rd Prize—$400.00

and More...

The competition will be judged by three

representatives, votes will be

compiled and the winners will be the

households with the most votes.

The judge’s decision is final.

Its not too late to register!

Households wishing to participate in the Christmas Lights

Competition will be required to register prior to the

Friday 17th December 2010. To register, simply complete a

form and return it to the Onslow Shire Office.

Remember to be mindful of safety when decorating your home with lights.

Salties Social Club

The Christmas Lights

Competition will be judged on Tuesday 23rd

December and will be

announced at the

Onslow Supermarket

Christmas Party on Christmas Eve.

Onslow Community News

Pilbara women are being invited to become involved in the Rural Remote and Regional (RRR) Women’s Network of Western Australia.

Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman encouraged rural and regional women who wanted to make a difference to nominate for the Network’s Reference Group.

“Women who are active in their local

community and interested in areas including health, education, small business, agribusiness, local government and indigenous affairs would be an asset to this reference group,” he said.

The network brings together the views and values of women from different backgrounds, skills, industry sectors and from across all parts

of the StateIt also examines impacts on rural and regional

communities. Nomination forms for the RRR Network

Reference Group can be accessed from the website http://www.rrr.wa.gov.au or by contacting 9368 3182.

Nominations close January 31, 2011.

RRR Women's Network of WA

Recently the Shire of Ashburton in Onslow held a Karaoke and Dance competition.

This was a lot of fun and it is wonderful to see the amazing talent in Onslow. The Shire is hoping to put on more nights like this next year. First Place winners, with their dance moves being a huge hit with the audience and the judges were Kaleb, Jarred and Bryce. Second Place went to singing sensation, Kingsley. He really got the crowd going and engaged with the audience and

almost got a touchdown. Third Place winners were another dance group, this time Bianca,Fernama, Lucie and Bree had all the right moves. Also for having a go and getting into the spirit of the evening was Rhys, Rhiannon and Kiara. All singers received Encouragement Awards from the judges. It was a great night and a huge thank you goes to the judges, Catherine and Liz (the green shirt girls) and also to the two DJs Ian (the Ranger) and Nicole (V-Swans).

Onslow sings its heart out

After months of hard work the Onslow Multi-Purpose facility has finally been completed. This is a fantastic early Christmas present for the town and residents of Onslow. The facility will be used as an emergency evacuation centre with power supply, water supply, fire systems, generator auxiliary power system now finished.

Internally the sports hall and gym area floors have been installed together with all tiled floor finishes and the vinyl floor finishes are in progress. The kitchen area has been fitted out, security, public address and emergency systems now operational.

Air-conditioning systems have been commissioned and are very effective and have functions to reduce power consumption by controlling separate functional areas within the facility.

Externally works progressed on schedule over the past few months with civil works finalised on the front access road and car park and eastern side car park. Concrete kerbing and pathways have been installed together with retaining walls and the majority of external block paving, which has dramatically changed the aesthetics surrounding the facility.

Remaining work that was recently completed included:

• Fit-outofbasketballbackboardsupports and score boards

• Supplyofothersportingequipment• Installationofseating• Finalfit-outofwindowtreatments• Paintingtouchups• Roofingmodificationstomechanicalplant

room• Connectionofexternalcommunication

systems• Commissioningandtrainingoffeatures• Constructionofthedaycareplayarea,

including o Security fencing o Shade sails o Soft-fall to play area• Fit-outofsomeinternalfurniture• Externalandinternalsiteclean-upAny queries about works can be directed to

Geoff Shoemark the Shire’s Project Coordinator on phone 0439 649 430.

Onslow Multi-Purpose update with Project Coordinator Geoff Shoemark

Christmas wishes from the Onslow office

Residents can now take advantage of the benefits of the Multi-Purpose Facility in Onslow.

PAGE 8

Disclaimer

This newsletter is for general information purposes only. The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Shire of Ashburton. The Shire has taken all measures to ensure the contents in this publication is correct, however it accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or the completeness of the material. Readers are advised not to rely solely on this information when making any decision. The Shire of Ashburton reserves the right to change the publication as it sees fit. The Shire of Ashburton disclaims any responsibility or duty of care towards any person for loss or damage suffered as a result of this newsletter.

Copyright

The contents of this newsletter are subject to copyright under the laws of Australia. The copyright in materials in this newsletter as a whole is owned by the Shire of Ashburton. Third parties may own the copyright in some materials incorporated into this newsletter. In reference to the Copyright Act 1968 , please feel free to reproduce parts of this newsletter for personal, educational or any other non-commercial purposes, provided that the Shire is aware of this.

AdministrAtion CEntrEPoinciana st, tom Price WA 6751

(Po Box 567)P) 08 9188 4444 F) 08 9189 2252

E) soa@ashburton.wa.gov.auW) www.ashburton.wa.gov.au

Advertising EnquiriesAdvertising and news enquiries can be directed to Bianca Thair on 9188 4444 or email bianca.thair@ashburton.wa.gov.au As this is a small newsletter and there is only limited space, priority will be given to the businesses/not-for profit groups that get their advertising and news stories in first. Please contact us soon to avoid missing out. If you would like a copy of the advertising rate card please contact Bianca Thair or visit www.ashburton.wa.gov.au.

Newsletter DropsThe Shire of Ashburton is supporting the community by giving a different not-for-profit group from each town, every month the chance to deliver its newsletter. If you would like to find out more please contact Bianca Thair at the Shire.

Paraburdoo Community News

Pannawonica Community News

Last month was not only November; it was also Movember to men across Australia who took part in the month-long event to raise funds for men’s health awareness. ‘Mo’s’ sprouted up all across the Shire of Ashburton and celebrations were held to raise extra funds for the important cause. In Tom Price and Paraburdoo, the Ambrose Golf events were held over

two weekends. Although the game in Paraburdoo was forfeited due to a lack of players, the support demonstrated to the cause from all towns was outstanding. In Tom Price golf competitors battled it out on a nine-hole course, with a bbq, to suppress the hunger, offered after the game.

Movember

Dogstacle Obstacles Residents dogs were on show at a recent Dogs Day Out held in Paraburdoo and Tom Price.

The day drew in a decent sized crowd with almost 50 dogs and owners attending both events.

Dogstacle courses were set up to test dogs’ coordination, obedience and strength. The challenges put the dogs through their paces with hoops to jump and tunnels to run through.

With the kind assistance of Rio Tinto in Paraburdoo, some lucky dogs were even

given treats for their efforts. Shire of Ashburton community services

coordinator Heather Patmore said that fun was had by all who attended.

“The event was something different for the dogs and their owners; it gave them an opportunity to experience something fun and to also test their skills”.

The event raised almost $279 for Assistance Dogs Australia who train Labradors and Golden Retrievers to help people with physical disabilities to lead more independent lives.

Nothing stopped Shire workers Anthony Cox and Rob Paull from growing a mo for charity, however when Anthony’s moustache didn’t appear to show up in the photo, Inside Ashburton’s junior writer Rebecca Parish had a solution to the dilemma.

Joanne and Steve Hudson last month received a Community Recognition Award from Rio Tinto, which paid tribute to their invaluable involvement and commitment to the Paraburdoo Scouts.

Joanne and Steve saw a need for a Scouts program in Paraburdoo because they felt the town needed an organisation that could offer youth a large variety of alternative, fun outdoor activities and a way of teaching them new skills and good moral values within their community.

This year the Paraburdoo Scouts took part in many activities including Clean Up Australia Day, ANZAC Day commemoration and also helping their community plant trees.

The pair said that without the help of the dedicated team of leaders and also the committee behind them, their work would not have been possible.

Joanne and Steve hope that the Scout Program can continue running into the future.

For those that want to get involved please contact the pair on 91895318.

Husband and wife team Joanne and Steve Hudson have been award for their dedication and hard work to initiate a scout program in Paraburdoo.

Paraburdoo Scouts take out a CAG Award

The Pannawonica girls Liz Phillips, Jeanet Barber and Ali West wish residents in Pannawonica a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.