as posted on PerthNow
WITH just two sleeps until the big day, The Sunday Times and PerthNow bring you some good news for a change - a celebration of some of WA's most inspiring Christmas miracle stories.
BASHED Gosnells grandmother Elizabeth Foster credits her miraculous recovery to the wonderful letters of support she received from a Perth primary school.
When Mrs Foster gets the giggles, she finds it hard to stop.
This week, the Gosnells grandmother met two of the Willandra Primary School students who gave her cause to smile when she needed it most -- as she lay bloodied and bruised in hospital after being bashed in July.
Through months of treatment and rehabilitation, loving letters flooded in from around the state. But it was the kindness of Willandra's Year 7 class that hit a chord.
"What the children wrote was so beautiful. Whenever I felt a little down, I would pick them up or have the nurses read one to me,'' Ms Foster told The Sunday Times.
There were lots of giggles when Ms Foster met Stacey Leeb and Ashlee Bratt this week. She got to thank two of her cheer squad when they dropped in at Ms Foster's son's house in Southern River with teacher Jen Merema.
The Willandra pupils, both 12, were moved to write letters and send paintings after reading about Ms Foster's harrowing assault and seeing the gruesome photos that accompanied reports.
The 79-year-old woke up to find a man at her bed, wielding a weapon. After multiple heavy blows to her head and arms, the intruder fled without a cent.
Ms Foster has never seen the photos of herself that followed. ``I knew how bad I felt, so I didn't need to see how bad I looked,'' she said.
As her skull slowly repaired, and steel inserted into her forearm, the letters were a source of comfort and calm to Ms Foster.
"We just wanted to do anything we could to help her,'' said Stacey.
Teacher Jen Merema beamed as she watched the three chat and share cake on Thursday.
"Elizabeth's story inspired the students in a way you don't see very often,'' she said.
"We have a big focus in the classroom on principles such as courage, tolerance, bravery and kindness and I guess the kids recognised these in Elizabeth.
"But it was the reply they received from Elizabeth that gave them a real kick.''
Despite the steel in her arm and the loss of sight in one eye, Ms Foster wrote back to the class as soon as she could.
"To the wonderful children of Year 7 who sent me so many beautiful drawings and lovely, kind thoughts,'' she wrote.
"I have been home only for a few weeks after more than 3 months in hospital. I have only now been able to read all the cards.
"I thank you, and if I could, I would like to visit your school ... at present it is not possible.
"If I feel a little bit sad, I only have to look at your cards and it truly makes me feel better.
"My writing is not very good because of my injuries. I make a new goal for myself every day and feel good about it when I can achieve it!''
Ms Merema said the children were in awe at the determination Ms Foster had shown through her ordeal.
"It was a good lesson in empathy and fairness for them,'' she said. "The kids knew it was horribly unfair for such a dignified lady to be treated so cruelly.''
Ms Foster is not bitter. "I don't hate the man that did this. I don't really feel anything for him, though I did have a couple of nightmares,'' she said.
"The sad thing is, he could have just asked me for the money and I would have given it to him, but he didn't give me that chance.''
Ms Foster will never drive again, and lives with her family while she tries to sell the Gosnells unit in which she was attacked.
She has been invited to visit Willandra Primary School in the new year. Elizabeth Foster has a lot to teach about courage and grace.
as posted on PerthNow
Sunday 23 December 2007
Tuesday 18 December 2007
Teacher admits to abusing students
was originally posted on West but has been removed ..
A 31-year-old high school teacher pleaded guilty in Perth Magistrates Court today to multiple charges of sexual and indecent dealings with children under his care.
Delmar Evans of Gosnells admitted to sexually penetrating and dealing indecently with four different girls under his care between September 2005 and November this year.
The victims were aged between 15 and 17 years old.
Child Protection Squad Detectives arrested and charged Evans on November 16 this year.
The assaults took place in and around Perth’s southern suburbs where Evans worked as a high school teacher.
Evans will remain in custody until February 22 when he will appear in the District Court for sentencing.
BELLE TAYLOR
A 31-year-old high school teacher pleaded guilty in Perth Magistrates Court today to multiple charges of sexual and indecent dealings with children under his care.
Delmar Evans of Gosnells admitted to sexually penetrating and dealing indecently with four different girls under his care between September 2005 and November this year.
The victims were aged between 15 and 17 years old.
Child Protection Squad Detectives arrested and charged Evans on November 16 this year.
The assaults took place in and around Perth’s southern suburbs where Evans worked as a high school teacher.
Evans will remain in custody until February 22 when he will appear in the District Court for sentencing.
BELLE TAYLOR
Be greywater wise
as posted on COGsite
Looming summer heat has prompted a warning for residents to use greywater appropriately to avoid health hazards.
City of Gosnells Director Governance Trevor Perkins said the City welcomed and encouraged the use of greywater but cautioned against storing of waste water.
“Using water from showers and washing machines for disposal on gardens is fine if done immediately, but grey water should not be stored or used on vegetables and edible plants.
“It can quickly turn septic, smell and become hazardous to health,” he said.
“The Department of Health Code of Practice for the Reuse of Greywater permits the disposal of greywater onto the ground by bucketing directly from a laundry wash trough or shower.
“This method ensures that any health risks are kept to a minimum.
“Waste water from kitchen sinks and dishwashers must not be reused as it may contain organic material, bacteria, fats and caustic additives.
“For public health reasons and long term sustainability, greywater is best disposed of by a pumped reticulated system below ground in compliance with the Code of Practice.”
Further advice can be obtained from the Department of Health or the City’s Health Service.
as posted on COGsite
Looming summer heat has prompted a warning for residents to use greywater appropriately to avoid health hazards.
City of Gosnells Director Governance Trevor Perkins said the City welcomed and encouraged the use of greywater but cautioned against storing of waste water.
“Using water from showers and washing machines for disposal on gardens is fine if done immediately, but grey water should not be stored or used on vegetables and edible plants.
“It can quickly turn septic, smell and become hazardous to health,” he said.
“The Department of Health Code of Practice for the Reuse of Greywater permits the disposal of greywater onto the ground by bucketing directly from a laundry wash trough or shower.
“This method ensures that any health risks are kept to a minimum.
“Waste water from kitchen sinks and dishwashers must not be reused as it may contain organic material, bacteria, fats and caustic additives.
“For public health reasons and long term sustainability, greywater is best disposed of by a pumped reticulated system below ground in compliance with the Code of Practice.”
Further advice can be obtained from the Department of Health or the City’s Health Service.
as posted on COGsite
Monday 17 December 2007
Kids help O’Hern overcome Open loss
as posted on TheWest
Professional golfer and almost Australian Open Champion Nick O’Hern visited Subiaco’s Ronald McDonald House today to provide the children some advice on the art of driving a club like a PGA champion.
The kids, for their part, seemed a little more interested in rolling the golf balls down the plastic slide in the playground with a satisfactory clanking sound than learning the delicate art of putting, but O’Hern didn’t seem too concerned.
The Perth-born champion is preparing for a charity round on Wednesday at Gosnells to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House, which provides accommodation for families of children who need medical treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital.
Many thought today would see O’Hern revelling in the role of Australian Open Champion, but a disappointing loss to Craig Parry on the weekend meant the title eluded him yet again.
“I played beautifully yesterday, unfortunately my putting just let me down there towards the end all credit to Craig Parry though he played very well,” O’Hern said.
“I’ve had some really good rounds in my career where I’ve thought I can’t really hit the ball much better and that was definitely one of them. The whole week I struck the ball fantastic but getting the ball in the hole was the problem once again.”
O’Hern spent much of the past year competing on the lucrative US golf circuit. He plans to take a month’s holiday after the Charity Pro Am on Wednesday before heading back to the US to continue competing.
He said he expects to play between 22 to 23 tournaments next year.
“The money we play for in the US is a little bit out of control but it’s a lot of fun over there and if you play well you get rewarded,” O’Hern said.
“I’ve had a good finish to the year. I seem to play well in the last event of the year - maybe it’s knowing I’m going to go on holiday.”
The Nick O’Hern Ronald McDonald House Charity Pro-Am will begin with a shotgun start at 12.30pm on Wednesday at the Gosnells Golf Club.
High Profile players will include Steve Collins and Stuart Beament.
BELLE TAYLOR
as posted on TheWest
Professional golfer and almost Australian Open Champion Nick O’Hern visited Subiaco’s Ronald McDonald House today to provide the children some advice on the art of driving a club like a PGA champion.
The kids, for their part, seemed a little more interested in rolling the golf balls down the plastic slide in the playground with a satisfactory clanking sound than learning the delicate art of putting, but O’Hern didn’t seem too concerned.
The Perth-born champion is preparing for a charity round on Wednesday at Gosnells to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House, which provides accommodation for families of children who need medical treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital.
Many thought today would see O’Hern revelling in the role of Australian Open Champion, but a disappointing loss to Craig Parry on the weekend meant the title eluded him yet again.
“I played beautifully yesterday, unfortunately my putting just let me down there towards the end all credit to Craig Parry though he played very well,” O’Hern said.
“I’ve had some really good rounds in my career where I’ve thought I can’t really hit the ball much better and that was definitely one of them. The whole week I struck the ball fantastic but getting the ball in the hole was the problem once again.”
O’Hern spent much of the past year competing on the lucrative US golf circuit. He plans to take a month’s holiday after the Charity Pro Am on Wednesday before heading back to the US to continue competing.
He said he expects to play between 22 to 23 tournaments next year.
“The money we play for in the US is a little bit out of control but it’s a lot of fun over there and if you play well you get rewarded,” O’Hern said.
“I’ve had a good finish to the year. I seem to play well in the last event of the year - maybe it’s knowing I’m going to go on holiday.”
The Nick O’Hern Ronald McDonald House Charity Pro-Am will begin with a shotgun start at 12.30pm on Wednesday at the Gosnells Golf Club.
High Profile players will include Steve Collins and Stuart Beament.
BELLE TAYLOR
as posted on TheWest
Heritage FM now online ...
tune into HeritageFM and you can connect online to hear their local broadcasts
and some HertiageFM history ...
After months of hard work and planning the then 93.7 Heritage FM began broadcasting on Australia Day 1998 from studios in the Orchard Avenue, Armadale. In the lead up to this historic occasion a small group lead by then Mayor of Armadale, Councillor Spike Fokkema worked hard to establish a broadcasting facility that the community could be proud of. The opening day's broadcast began at 10.00am - 96FM’s Darren DeMello hosted the first hour on-air - featuring Australian music in the lead up to a simulcast of the City of Armadale's Australia Day Skyshow, these simulcasts continued on the station over the next few years.
For the first few months on air the station was only able to broadcast from 4pm Fridays to 11pm Sundays however in July 1998 Heritage FM was granted a licence to broadcast 24 hours a day.
Throughout 1998 more and more locally produced programs were added to the schedule. In 1999 the station applied for and received a grant to purchase new studio equipment and this was installed into a new larger studio during early 2000. In 2002 the station moved to the current studios in Mills Road, Gosnells and in mid 2002, the station changed to the current 107.3 frequency.
Special mention must be made of the following people for their hard work and tireless dedication to the station over the years - they include, Spike Fokema, Martin Jansen, Henry Zelones, Anne and Henk Heuvink, Susan Iwanyk, Ryan Honschooten, Brett Tizard, Rosalie Powers, Phil Youd, Fiona Williams, Eric t'Hart, Neil Haring and many others. We would like to encourage anyone who was involved in establishing the station and has a story to tell to contact us so we can add your name and information to our History Page. Photographs of events and copies of news clippings and memorabilia would also be appreciated.
To be continued …
If you would like to get involved in the exciting and ongoing future of 107.3 Heritage FM please contact Robyn at the station on (08) 9398 3100.
as posted on HeritageFM
and some HertiageFM history ...
After months of hard work and planning the then 93.7 Heritage FM began broadcasting on Australia Day 1998 from studios in the Orchard Avenue, Armadale. In the lead up to this historic occasion a small group lead by then Mayor of Armadale, Councillor Spike Fokkema worked hard to establish a broadcasting facility that the community could be proud of. The opening day's broadcast began at 10.00am - 96FM’s Darren DeMello hosted the first hour on-air - featuring Australian music in the lead up to a simulcast of the City of Armadale's Australia Day Skyshow, these simulcasts continued on the station over the next few years.
For the first few months on air the station was only able to broadcast from 4pm Fridays to 11pm Sundays however in July 1998 Heritage FM was granted a licence to broadcast 24 hours a day.
Throughout 1998 more and more locally produced programs were added to the schedule. In 1999 the station applied for and received a grant to purchase new studio equipment and this was installed into a new larger studio during early 2000. In 2002 the station moved to the current studios in Mills Road, Gosnells and in mid 2002, the station changed to the current 107.3 frequency.
Special mention must be made of the following people for their hard work and tireless dedication to the station over the years - they include, Spike Fokema, Martin Jansen, Henry Zelones, Anne and Henk Heuvink, Susan Iwanyk, Ryan Honschooten, Brett Tizard, Rosalie Powers, Phil Youd, Fiona Williams, Eric t'Hart, Neil Haring and many others. We would like to encourage anyone who was involved in establishing the station and has a story to tell to contact us so we can add your name and information to our History Page. Photographs of events and copies of news clippings and memorabilia would also be appreciated.
To be continued …
If you would like to get involved in the exciting and ongoing future of 107.3 Heritage FM please contact Robyn at the station on (08) 9398 3100.
as posted on HeritageFM
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)