as posted here
CHALPAT SONTI
October 9, 2009
Perth's Samoan community was supposed to celebrate this weekend. Instead they will mourn.
In the wake of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that killed about 170 people in their homeland last month, Samoans based in WA will get together on Sunday to remember the victims, who include members of their own families.
And they hope the wider WA community joins them.
Sunday is traditionally called "White Sunday" in Samoa, an annual event celebrating young people.
But this year, it would be "tainted with sadness", said Reverend Konelio Tali, of the Samoan Congregational Church of Perth.
"Many villages in Samoa will not be celebrating White Sunday because of the tsunami," he said.
"This is because many children have been killed while many are still unaccounted for, while at the same time many parents who have lost their children will not be celebrating White Sunday due to their own loss."
Reverend Tali's Gosnells-based church will hold a tribute to the memory of the children who lost their lives, with a collection to aid villages affected by the disaster.
The service will take place at the Uniting Gosnells Church, Hicks St, from 11am.
as posted here
Saturday 10 October 2009
72-year-old woman bashed for nothing
as posted here
POLICE are searching for the culprit of a vicious attack on a 72-year-old woman at Kenwick Train Station on Thursday night.
The woman was asked for a cigarette before being pushed backwards.
The robber then searched the fallen woman and repeatedly struck her over the head when he couldn’t find anything of value.
He took off in a northerly direction while the victim sought refuge at a nearby home.
The woman has suffered bruising to her face and jaw, and a fracture to her left shoulder as a result of the attack.
The offender is described as being between 18 and 25 years of age, around 180 cm tall with a tanned complexion and short wavy black hair.
He was wearing a white long-sleeve shirt.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
as posted here
POLICE are searching for the culprit of a vicious attack on a 72-year-old woman at Kenwick Train Station on Thursday night.
The woman was asked for a cigarette before being pushed backwards.
The robber then searched the fallen woman and repeatedly struck her over the head when he couldn’t find anything of value.
He took off in a northerly direction while the victim sought refuge at a nearby home.
The woman has suffered bruising to her face and jaw, and a fracture to her left shoulder as a result of the attack.
The offender is described as being between 18 and 25 years of age, around 180 cm tall with a tanned complexion and short wavy black hair.
He was wearing a white long-sleeve shirt.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
as posted here
Ghost walks get underway on Halloween night
as posted here
The City of Gosnells begins its annual Ghost Walk season on Halloween night, Saturday October 31.
Trained guides will lead groups of people along a 5.5km bush track under the moonlight in search of the spirits of our old pioneers.
In the 1860s the Mason and Bird timber mill company employed more than 100 men to create a thriving community in the Orange Grove hills. Those men and their families come alive on the City’s ghost walks as volunteers assume the role of our early pioneers to provide a glimpse of the past.
Come along and meet Joe Dart – an English convict who became the best teamster in the company. He was buried in Kenwick Cemetery and his descendants still live in the area.
Ghost Walks are held from October to March and the cost is $15 per adult, $9.50 per child or $41 for a family of two adults and two children.
Cost includes a delicious supper at the end of the Ghost Walk.
This event is suitable for family groups and bookings are essential.
For more information or to make a booking, please call Leisure Services on 9452 9901.
as posted here
The City of Gosnells begins its annual Ghost Walk season on Halloween night, Saturday October 31.
Trained guides will lead groups of people along a 5.5km bush track under the moonlight in search of the spirits of our old pioneers.
In the 1860s the Mason and Bird timber mill company employed more than 100 men to create a thriving community in the Orange Grove hills. Those men and their families come alive on the City’s ghost walks as volunteers assume the role of our early pioneers to provide a glimpse of the past.
Come along and meet Joe Dart – an English convict who became the best teamster in the company. He was buried in Kenwick Cemetery and his descendants still live in the area.
Ghost Walks are held from October to March and the cost is $15 per adult, $9.50 per child or $41 for a family of two adults and two children.
Cost includes a delicious supper at the end of the Ghost Walk.
This event is suitable for family groups and bookings are essential.
For more information or to make a booking, please call Leisure Services on 9452 9901.
as posted here
Thursday 8 October 2009
Bikies unite to fight anti-association laws
as posted here
The Attorney General, Christian Porter, says he is not concerned by plans to establish a council of bikie gangs in Western Australia.
Seven bikie gangs in Perth and the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club are expected to join forces next week as part of the United Motorcycle Club of WA.
The council is similar to those set up in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia, and will be used to fight the State Government's proposed anti-association laws.
Mr Porter says the Government will push ahead with the legislation.
"These organisations can meet as often as they like, and make whatever arguments or noises they feel fit," he said.
"But this Government won't be reversing its position, which is to bring in legislation which will allow these organisations to be declared unlawful.
"I've got no surprise whatsoever that they're going to do whatever they can to oppose it, because it's bad news for bikie gangs, But that won't stop us. That's why we're doing it, we will progress this legislation."
as posted here
The Attorney General, Christian Porter, says he is not concerned by plans to establish a council of bikie gangs in Western Australia.
Seven bikie gangs in Perth and the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club are expected to join forces next week as part of the United Motorcycle Club of WA.
The council is similar to those set up in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia, and will be used to fight the State Government's proposed anti-association laws.
Mr Porter says the Government will push ahead with the legislation.
"These organisations can meet as often as they like, and make whatever arguments or noises they feel fit," he said.
"But this Government won't be reversing its position, which is to bring in legislation which will allow these organisations to be declared unlawful.
"I've got no surprise whatsoever that they're going to do whatever they can to oppose it, because it's bad news for bikie gangs, But that won't stop us. That's why we're doing it, we will progress this legislation."
as posted here
Pomersbach shouldn't be on the roads
as posted here
Luke Pomersbach is a privileged young man. He’s also a dill.
They are the only conclusions we can draw from yesterday’s court case, where the WA and international cricketer was granted an extraordinary driver’s licence after losing his regular licence for drunken driving.
Pomersbach was arrested in August after crashing a four-wheel-drive vehicle into a skip bin and a pergola in City Beach, and then pushing a police officer through a window.
He was subsequently fined $3500 by the court and $10,000 by the Western Australian Cricket Association, which also barred him from representing his State until 2010, dependent on his response to counselling. He was allowed to continue playing with his club Gosnells.
This week Pomersbach turned up in court again to apply for an extraordinary licence to allow him to travel from his home in Scarborough to training and games with the club.
He claimed he’d been forced to catch taxis when his father couldn’t drive him.
Questioned by the magistrate why he didn’t use public transport the elite sportsman claimed it was inconvenient waiting for buses in Gosnells.
Anyway, he reckoned he did not know how to catch public transport, having not used it since school.
Given that every day tens of thousands of Perth commuters use trains and buses to travel to and from their destinations and that Scarborough and Gosnells are on main routes, Pomersbach’s case had little credibility.
The court should also have taken into account his mammoth earnings from his contracts with Australian cricket and the Indian Premier League that would have easily covered taxi fares.
The decision that has allowed this irresponsible young man back on the road confirms there are different rules for the rich and famous.
as posted here
Luke Pomersbach is a privileged young man. He’s also a dill.
They are the only conclusions we can draw from yesterday’s court case, where the WA and international cricketer was granted an extraordinary driver’s licence after losing his regular licence for drunken driving.
Pomersbach was arrested in August after crashing a four-wheel-drive vehicle into a skip bin and a pergola in City Beach, and then pushing a police officer through a window.
He was subsequently fined $3500 by the court and $10,000 by the Western Australian Cricket Association, which also barred him from representing his State until 2010, dependent on his response to counselling. He was allowed to continue playing with his club Gosnells.
This week Pomersbach turned up in court again to apply for an extraordinary licence to allow him to travel from his home in Scarborough to training and games with the club.
He claimed he’d been forced to catch taxis when his father couldn’t drive him.
Questioned by the magistrate why he didn’t use public transport the elite sportsman claimed it was inconvenient waiting for buses in Gosnells.
Anyway, he reckoned he did not know how to catch public transport, having not used it since school.
Given that every day tens of thousands of Perth commuters use trains and buses to travel to and from their destinations and that Scarborough and Gosnells are on main routes, Pomersbach’s case had little credibility.
The court should also have taken into account his mammoth earnings from his contracts with Australian cricket and the Indian Premier League that would have easily covered taxi fares.
The decision that has allowed this irresponsible young man back on the road confirms there are different rules for the rich and famous.
as posted here
Wednesday 7 October 2009
Perth to expand Income Management programs with Centrelink
as posted here
Income Management for Child Protection and Voluntary Income Management will be expanded across Perth to help families better manage their budgets to meet the costs of essential everyday goods such as food, rent, clothing and utilities.
Currently, more than 220 families across Western Australia have voluntarily signed up to income management agreements with Centrelink – using the measure to allocate funds for essentials and reduce household debt.
Over the next few months, Centrelink will offer this free and confidential service on a voluntary basis to people in Armadale and Gosnells, Fremantle, Spearwood and Rockingham and Morley, Warwick Grove and Innaloo.
The new service will become available in Armadale and Gosnells on 19 October, Fremantle, Spearwood and Rockingham on 16 November and Morley, Warwick Grove and Innaloo on 7 December.
Centrelink will also start rolling out the Income Management for Child Protection initiative across these districts in early 2010.
This initiative gives the Western Australian Department for Child Protection the power to recommend to Centrelink that a family’s income support and family payments be quarantined to be used for the benefit of children.
The safety of children is a national priority for the Australian Government. These initiatives form a crucial part of our child-centred approach to protecting children from child abuse and neglect.
Currently, more than 60 families across Western Australia have been referred onto income management by the Western Australian Department for Child Protection.
Income managed families will have up to 70 per cent of welfare payments and 100 per cent of lump sum payments quarantined for use on essential needs.
Income managed funds cannot be used to buy alcohol, tobacco, pornography or gambling products.
Income Management commenced in Cannington and in the Kimberley in November 2008, and was expanded across Perth’s northern and eastern suburbs in late April 2009.
Today’s announcement highlights the Australian Government’s active role in assisting families to budget for their needs to enable them to provide for themselves and their children.
Residents are encouraged to attend a community consultation session at their local Centrelink office to learn more about Voluntary Income Management.
Australian Government funded financial management support services will also be available in the new locations to support families who begin income management.
Families on income management will have access to the BasicsCard for the purchase of day-to-day items, such as food and clothing and direct-debit arrangements will be used for major expenses, including rent and utility bills.
The Australian Government has committed $18.9 million over two years for the trial, which will be evaluated to provide evidence for the Government’s broader welfare reform agenda.
as posted here
Income Management for Child Protection and Voluntary Income Management will be expanded across Perth to help families better manage their budgets to meet the costs of essential everyday goods such as food, rent, clothing and utilities.
Currently, more than 220 families across Western Australia have voluntarily signed up to income management agreements with Centrelink – using the measure to allocate funds for essentials and reduce household debt.
Over the next few months, Centrelink will offer this free and confidential service on a voluntary basis to people in Armadale and Gosnells, Fremantle, Spearwood and Rockingham and Morley, Warwick Grove and Innaloo.
The new service will become available in Armadale and Gosnells on 19 October, Fremantle, Spearwood and Rockingham on 16 November and Morley, Warwick Grove and Innaloo on 7 December.
Centrelink will also start rolling out the Income Management for Child Protection initiative across these districts in early 2010.
This initiative gives the Western Australian Department for Child Protection the power to recommend to Centrelink that a family’s income support and family payments be quarantined to be used for the benefit of children.
The safety of children is a national priority for the Australian Government. These initiatives form a crucial part of our child-centred approach to protecting children from child abuse and neglect.
Currently, more than 60 families across Western Australia have been referred onto income management by the Western Australian Department for Child Protection.
Income managed families will have up to 70 per cent of welfare payments and 100 per cent of lump sum payments quarantined for use on essential needs.
Income managed funds cannot be used to buy alcohol, tobacco, pornography or gambling products.
Income Management commenced in Cannington and in the Kimberley in November 2008, and was expanded across Perth’s northern and eastern suburbs in late April 2009.
Today’s announcement highlights the Australian Government’s active role in assisting families to budget for their needs to enable them to provide for themselves and their children.
Residents are encouraged to attend a community consultation session at their local Centrelink office to learn more about Voluntary Income Management.
Australian Government funded financial management support services will also be available in the new locations to support families who begin income management.
Families on income management will have access to the BasicsCard for the purchase of day-to-day items, such as food and clothing and direct-debit arrangements will be used for major expenses, including rent and utility bills.
The Australian Government has committed $18.9 million over two years for the trial, which will be evaluated to provide evidence for the Government’s broader welfare reform agenda.
as posted here
Monday 5 October 2009
In a Nutshell - Simply no Soap for Kids YET!!!
I have contacted the Environmental Health Directorate regarding your query about the provision of hand cleaning supplies in schools.
They have kindly provided the information below:
Unfortunately, the Health Act 1911 is not binding on the Crown, so our legislation cannot be used to force government schools to provide soap, toilet paper and hand drying facilities in student toilets. We strongly recommend it.
The staff facilities are captured by Worksafe's legislation, which is binding on the Crown.
Hand washing is a primary defence against the spread of infectious disease and should be available in every toilet.
The Communicable Disease Control Directorate can provide further information on the efficacy of hand washing.
The Department of Education and Training may also be able to provide further information to you regarding this issue - www.det.wa.edu.au
Kind regards,
Judith
On behalf of DoH, PR Contact
AND
Mr Evans,
Thank you for your online query on 2nd October 2009. The subject of school hand hygiene has been a problem, not only in Western Australia, but in many first world countries, such as America and the U.K., and it has been discussed at many health forums of late, particularly in regard to reducing the spread of the H1N1 pandemic flu, as well as other contagious illnesses.
At present, hand hygiene in schools is managed by the Principal of the individual school, based on a Policy developed by the Department of Education & Training, or DET (attached). Unfortunately, as you have pointed out, paper towels and soap are often the first to go under budget cuts, and as toilets are often subject to vandalism, their loss can be justified. The antibacterial gels are also of concern, as they may kill bacteria and viruses, but do not remove dirt and oils, and they also work to improve resistance of pathogens to existing antibacterials.
The Department of Health (DOH) is currently involved in liaising with various agencies, governmental departments, universities involved in testing, as well as the hygiene industry (such as soap-makers, dispensers, and the like), in order to establish some solutions to this wide-spread problem.
I apologise for not being able to give you a more definite answer. The DOH has been aware of this problem for some time, however, a solution is yet to be found, not only in WA, but the whole of Australia, and it requires funds, resources, and backing of politicians. In fact the DOH and DET are currently researching a hand washing system which may solve many hygiene concerns in schools, and my colleagues are seeking support from senior politicians in the coming weeks. Unfortunately the system is seeking patenting, so I cannot elaborate.
If you have any further queries, don't hesitate to get in touch.
Regards,
Jaala Downes
Scientific Officer
Environmental Hazards Unit
Environmental Health Directorate
Grace Vaughan House
Ph: 9388 4950 Fax: 9388 4905
To all parents, do your kids attend a Public School, I know that they are on holiday at the moment, but you need to ask them something before they go back to school, when they use the toilet at school, can they wash their hands, do they have soap available, can they dry their hands, seems like a question you should not have to ask your kids, but you may be surprised by the answer you receive.
They have kindly provided the information below:
Unfortunately, the Health Act 1911 is not binding on the Crown, so our legislation cannot be used to force government schools to provide soap, toilet paper and hand drying facilities in student toilets. We strongly recommend it.
The staff facilities are captured by Worksafe's legislation, which is binding on the Crown.
Hand washing is a primary defence against the spread of infectious disease and should be available in every toilet.
The Communicable Disease Control Directorate can provide further information on the efficacy of hand washing.
The Department of Education and Training may also be able to provide further information to you regarding this issue - www.det.wa.edu.au
Kind regards,
Judith
On behalf of DoH, PR Contact
AND
Mr Evans,
Thank you for your online query on 2nd October 2009. The subject of school hand hygiene has been a problem, not only in Western Australia, but in many first world countries, such as America and the U.K., and it has been discussed at many health forums of late, particularly in regard to reducing the spread of the H1N1 pandemic flu, as well as other contagious illnesses.
At present, hand hygiene in schools is managed by the Principal of the individual school, based on a Policy developed by the Department of Education & Training, or DET (attached). Unfortunately, as you have pointed out, paper towels and soap are often the first to go under budget cuts, and as toilets are often subject to vandalism, their loss can be justified. The antibacterial gels are also of concern, as they may kill bacteria and viruses, but do not remove dirt and oils, and they also work to improve resistance of pathogens to existing antibacterials.
The Department of Health (DOH) is currently involved in liaising with various agencies, governmental departments, universities involved in testing, as well as the hygiene industry (such as soap-makers, dispensers, and the like), in order to establish some solutions to this wide-spread problem.
I apologise for not being able to give you a more definite answer. The DOH has been aware of this problem for some time, however, a solution is yet to be found, not only in WA, but the whole of Australia, and it requires funds, resources, and backing of politicians. In fact the DOH and DET are currently researching a hand washing system which may solve many hygiene concerns in schools, and my colleagues are seeking support from senior politicians in the coming weeks. Unfortunately the system is seeking patenting, so I cannot elaborate.
If you have any further queries, don't hesitate to get in touch.
Regards,
Jaala Downes
Scientific Officer
Environmental Hazards Unit
Environmental Health Directorate
Grace Vaughan House
Ph: 9388 4950 Fax: 9388 4905
To all parents, do your kids attend a Public School, I know that they are on holiday at the moment, but you need to ask them something before they go back to school, when they use the toilet at school, can they wash their hands, do they have soap available, can they dry their hands, seems like a question you should not have to ask your kids, but you may be surprised by the answer you receive.
Local government wipeout: Castrilli to cull one-third of councils
as posted here
EXCLUSIVE: A once-in-a-century shakeup of local government in Western Australia is likely to see a swathe of shires stretching from the Northern Territory border to the Southern Ocean erased forever from the State's political map.
The revelation means a legion of candidates elected in the upcoming October 17 local government elections will not serve out their full four-year terms.
A list of condemned councils, penned by the powerful Local Government Reform Steering Committee and obtained exclusively by WAtoday.com.au, will see the State's least sustainable shires, cities and towns culled.
The committee was hand-picked by Local Government Minister John Castrilli.
The Department of Local Government has already told at least 45 shires on the secret list that amalgamation is "required".
WA has 139 councils and is the last state in Australia to embark on significant local government reform.
In August, Opposition spokesman Paul Papalia slammed the"bumbling" Mr Castrilli's refusal to release the list.
Under the sweeping reforms, Metropolitan Perth, and possibly the Kimberley, are the only two of WA's 10 regions to avoid the amalgamation spotlight.
Ominously for the Kimberley, the list fails to mention 28 shires, including that region's four councils - though it is known that at least the Shire of Broome has avoided endangered council status.
The department wants the world's largest municipality - the 380,000 square kilometre Shire of East Pilbara - to merge with one of its gigantic council neighbours.
Meanwhile, Australia's smallest shire - the 1.1 square kilometre Peppermint Grove, which sits in Premier Colin Barnett's leafy western Perth electorate of Cottesloe - has been spared the amalgamation axe.
Also in the Premier's electorate, the tiny Town of Cottesloe joins Peppermint Grove, East Fremantle, Mosman Park, Nedlands and Victoria Park as minute municipalities WAtoday.com.au understands have escaped mandatory mergers.
Other councils understood to have only been asked to "consider" mergers are Rockingham, Busselton, Albany, Esperance, Kalamunda, Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Denmark.
A string of Wheatbelt and Great Southern shires have also been placed in this category and are likely to escape the Castrilli cut.
The Perth councils of Subiaco, Vincent, Cambridge and Bassendean are understood to have been spared the amalgamation spectre altogether, achieving a coveted "Category One" rating, indicating they are meeting community needs.
WA's largest city by population, Stirling, and the state capital of Perth are also understood to have achieved this status.
Other Category One councils apparently let off the hook are Armadale, Augusta-Margaret River, Bassendean, Bayswater, Belmont, Joondalup, Gosnells, Harvey, Mandurah, Melville, Mundaring, Murray, Plantagenet, Serpentine-Jarrahdale and Swan.
The list of 45 councils the government wants culled from WA's political landscape is:
Boddington
Boyup Brook
Bruce Rock
Carnamah
Chapman Valley
Chittering
Coolgardie
Coorow
Corrigin
Cuballing
Cue
Cunderdin
Dalwallinu
East Pilbara
Katanning
Kellerberrin
Kent
Kondonin
Koorda
Lake Grace
Laverton
Leonora
Meekatharra
Menzies
Merredin
Mingenew
Morawa
Mukinbudin
Mount Magnet
Mount Marshall
Nannup
Narembeen
Narrogin (Shire)
Nungarin
Perenjori
Ravensthorpe
Sandstone
Three Springs
Toodyay
Upper Gascoyne
Victoria Plains
Wyalkatchem
Yalgoo
Yilgarn
Wiluna
as posted here
EXCLUSIVE: A once-in-a-century shakeup of local government in Western Australia is likely to see a swathe of shires stretching from the Northern Territory border to the Southern Ocean erased forever from the State's political map.
The revelation means a legion of candidates elected in the upcoming October 17 local government elections will not serve out their full four-year terms.
A list of condemned councils, penned by the powerful Local Government Reform Steering Committee and obtained exclusively by WAtoday.com.au, will see the State's least sustainable shires, cities and towns culled.
The committee was hand-picked by Local Government Minister John Castrilli.
The Department of Local Government has already told at least 45 shires on the secret list that amalgamation is "required".
WA has 139 councils and is the last state in Australia to embark on significant local government reform.
In August, Opposition spokesman Paul Papalia slammed the"bumbling" Mr Castrilli's refusal to release the list.
Under the sweeping reforms, Metropolitan Perth, and possibly the Kimberley, are the only two of WA's 10 regions to avoid the amalgamation spotlight.
Ominously for the Kimberley, the list fails to mention 28 shires, including that region's four councils - though it is known that at least the Shire of Broome has avoided endangered council status.
The department wants the world's largest municipality - the 380,000 square kilometre Shire of East Pilbara - to merge with one of its gigantic council neighbours.
Meanwhile, Australia's smallest shire - the 1.1 square kilometre Peppermint Grove, which sits in Premier Colin Barnett's leafy western Perth electorate of Cottesloe - has been spared the amalgamation axe.
Also in the Premier's electorate, the tiny Town of Cottesloe joins Peppermint Grove, East Fremantle, Mosman Park, Nedlands and Victoria Park as minute municipalities WAtoday.com.au understands have escaped mandatory mergers.
Other councils understood to have only been asked to "consider" mergers are Rockingham, Busselton, Albany, Esperance, Kalamunda, Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Denmark.
A string of Wheatbelt and Great Southern shires have also been placed in this category and are likely to escape the Castrilli cut.
The Perth councils of Subiaco, Vincent, Cambridge and Bassendean are understood to have been spared the amalgamation spectre altogether, achieving a coveted "Category One" rating, indicating they are meeting community needs.
WA's largest city by population, Stirling, and the state capital of Perth are also understood to have achieved this status.
Other Category One councils apparently let off the hook are Armadale, Augusta-Margaret River, Bassendean, Bayswater, Belmont, Joondalup, Gosnells, Harvey, Mandurah, Melville, Mundaring, Murray, Plantagenet, Serpentine-Jarrahdale and Swan.
The list of 45 councils the government wants culled from WA's political landscape is:
Boddington
Boyup Brook
Bruce Rock
Carnamah
Chapman Valley
Chittering
Coolgardie
Coorow
Corrigin
Cuballing
Cue
Cunderdin
Dalwallinu
East Pilbara
Katanning
Kellerberrin
Kent
Kondonin
Koorda
Lake Grace
Laverton
Leonora
Meekatharra
Menzies
Merredin
Mingenew
Morawa
Mukinbudin
Mount Magnet
Mount Marshall
Nannup
Narembeen
Narrogin (Shire)
Nungarin
Perenjori
Ravensthorpe
Sandstone
Three Springs
Toodyay
Upper Gascoyne
Victoria Plains
Wyalkatchem
Yalgoo
Yilgarn
Wiluna
as posted here
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