WA

Horizon Power has demonstrated the Onslow microgrid's full capacity after successfully powering the Pilbara town for a total of 80 minutes. Electricity was powered by 700 kilowatts of customer generated solar and 600 kilowatts of utility solar, while supported by battery technology.

Humpback whales have been spotted along the spectacular Ningaloo Coast, with Western Australians encouraged to support tour operators amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With the humpback whale swim tour season starting soon, visitors to the Ningaloo Coast have the opportunity to swim with these magnificent creatures in their natural environment.

Western Australian Farmers Federation (WA Farmers), Media Release, 20 June 2021 Coming up this week at the Muresk Institute! Full programme available here : https://mcusercontent.com/ed5615f2f2dcdae89984e60d1/files/2e17dbc9-1d62-087c-c8f9-0110d9c4af29/FINAL_WAFarmers_Muresk_Programme.pdf

Trainer Cliff Green is quietly confident Benji’s will finish in the top five in the WAROA-Belmont Guineas (1600m) on Saturday at Belmont Park. Benji’s improvement between every run including since his fourth in the Raconteur Stakes (1400m) on June 5 has given Green confidence he will run a good race.

In the long-term Mitchell Fwy could extend to the Military Rd and Indian Ocean Dr intersection in the Shire of Gingin, according to Main Roads WA ... “Main Roads recognises Military Rd as an important local link and the access it provides to the Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory."

The Shire of Ashburton is pleased to welcome PHI International to Onslow Airport. PHI International are leaders in high quality helicopter services and boast an advanced and varied fleet of helicopters that supports a range of international businesses across Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Ghana, Cyprus and Saudi Arabia.

West Kimberley Turf Club, Media Release The date is now set for the Derby Cup - Saturday 17th July, 2021. Location : Ashley Street, Derby WA...

In an effort to boost numbers of the Western Ground Parrot, a critically endangered bird now only found in areas near Esperance, scientists and volunteers have taken the bold step in translocating a number of birds with the hopes of establishing a new mainland population ... The delicate operation involved locating and capturing the birds, with a vet and zoologist from Perth Zoo on-site to assess the birds in preparation for travel.

The first of its kind in Australia, a new online and interactive wine tourism guide called The Wine Adventurer has been published designed to inspire and inform international and domestic visitors to help them plan their trips into WA’s wine regions. Eight wine regions are featured in the e-brochure that includes each region’s unique wine tourism experiences and hero wine varieties.

Over 12,000 event attendees celebrated the return of the nine-day Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster held in Kununurra, Western Australia ... New events added to the program this year included Art in the Park featuring 40 local artists, Storytelling Night around a fire by Miriwoong elder David Newry, and the free family-friendly event, Party in the Park to close the festival ... The nation’s most remote party was headlined by one of Australia’s most successful female artists, Jessica Mauboy, who last performed at the Muster as an up-and-coming 16 year old in 2006.

The SunSmart WA Bodyboard Titles presented by Good Earth Surf concluded in spectacular fashion at Clayton’s Beach in Mindarie over the weekend, with WA's first State Champions of the year crowned in exciting high-performance bodyboard waves. After beginning in Mandurah back in March, the SunSmart WA Bodyboard Titles attracted some of the State's most experienced riders who went head-to-head with WA's new generation of bodyboarders, who impressed in the wedging 2-3 feet waves on offer at Clayton's.

A planning study to determine the future requirements for Indian Ocean Dr between Breakwater Dr in Yanchep and Seaview Dr in Lancelin is underway ... Main Roads WA said based on projected land-use changes and traffic growth a dual carriageway was likely to be required in the future.

Earthworks and preliminary works have commenced for the Marapikurrinya Park pop-ups project, delivered in partnership by the Town and BHP. The project is part of the reinvigoration of the West End district, which includes the current greening works. Trade from the pop-ups will boost economic activity, support local job creation and foster skills development.

Shire of Ashburton are thrilled that the Neil and Judy Baker Shell Museum opens this week in Onslow ... “Council has supported and worked hard to be able to showcase the impressive shell collection from residents Neil and Judy Baker so that it can be enjoyed by tourists and the community for decades to come”, said Councillor White. “Accumulated for over 60 years, most of the shells have been collected from the waters and islands surrounding Onslow, with others coming from Europe as collector items.

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is almost here and this year’s theme ‘More than a word, Reconciliation takes action’ is all about Australians making impactful social change. Events are happening throughout Geraldton as well as online from Wednesday 26 May to Thursday 3 June, and most of them are free.

The Kwinana Recquatic Centre is now a ‘Gold’ Waterwise Aquatic Centre, recognised by Water Corporation for demonstrating best practice water management ... Mayor Carol Adams said the City’s aim was to be a water sensitive and climate resilient community.

Get up close and personal with RAAF Hawk jets and PC21 training craft when Geraldton Airport throws open the tarmac to the public to celebrate 100 years of the Royal Australian Air Force.

As Stage Two of the Chinatown Revitalisation Project progresses, the Broome community will start to see the installation of several public artworks to enliven the streets of our town. The Shire of Broome has worked closely with community representatives and local Broome artists to integrate over a dozen artworks into the historic Chinatown precinct, inspired by the rich heritage and culture of Broome.

Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia, Keith Pitt, said the Bill means the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) will now be extended for a further five years to 2026. “The NAIF has already committed $2.9 billion to projects across the north that will support around 9,000 jobs. Our changes will increase its ability to back even more projects."

This year the Honey Festival is with us again. Much more space this time so expect this to be something special. There will be talks, demonstrations, competitions and special activities for children. An amazing programme once again - There will be dance – the Wadumbah Aboriginal Dance Group and also the Mad Tatters with their Morris dancing and fantastic costumes. There are camel rides , pony rides and the Dinosaur train. The Mounted Games will be on in the arena again. There will be Goats, Sheep, cattle and, of course, the Alpaca Show and Sale. The Bullsbrook Poultry Club will be having a young birds show.

The 20th Ord Valley Muster, from 21 to 29 May 2021, features an outstanding line-up of over 30 events across nine exciting days including two nights of side splitting comedy, a real county rodeo, fringe shows, cultural experiences and performances, a traditional Corroboree, a secret suppers series, Art in the Park, music, early morning bliss with floating yoga boats and a family-friendly closing party that includes a diamond dig.

The Shire of Toodyay is one of the two WA towns to have achieved ‘wildflower-friendly’ status as a result of the 2020-21 Wildflower Friendliness Award Scheme. The scheme encourages local governments to protect WA’s valuable wildflowers and native vegetation along roads and in nature reserves for visitors and locals to enjoy. WA has one of the largest display of wildflowers with more than 12,000 species – which is a unique selling point for the State.