WA

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.

With power out throughout the Midwest and extensive damage to properties in the region, the City of Greater Geraldton is reminding people to be cautious of food safety and to be asbestos aware.

Excitement is building ahead of all important second event of the Woolworths WA Junior Surf Titles presented by SunSmart, with some of Western Australia’s best junior surfers preparing to spend their school holidays competing along the metropolitan beaches.

The Shire of Broome is seeking community input and feedback on a new strategy that will shape the organisation’s economic development activity for the next five years ... Tying in with the Shire’s long-term visionary strategies such as the Strategic Community Plan and Corporate Business Plan, the new draft economic document provides an overview on successful recent projects and details future potential opportunities.

Flights between Geraldton and Perth are on the rise with the City of Greater Geraldton and Qantas remaining committed to enhancing the flight schedule. Qantas has now increased the number of weekly return services from seven to 12, allowing same day return on weekdays.

The ‘Do-Over’ is part conference, part hands on place-making, and will include 1.5 days of interactive activities along Dowerin’s Main Street.

Seven champions have been crowned after an exciting opening event of the 2021 SunSmart WA Bodyboard Titles presented by Good Earth. Mandurah provided summer-like conditions over the weekend with small, clean and sun-drenched waves on offer for the diverse mix of talent who converged from right across WA to compete.

David Landini, Riverina State Group. The Labor party victories in the recent Queensland and West Australian State elections are a reminder that a Labor government will eventually be elected federally as well.