Latest news with #GeraldtonGuardian
West Australian
15-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Spalding Park Open Pro-Am Series: PGA Pro Jordan Doull gears up for second bite of the cherry in Geraldton
From this Friday to Sunday, the Spalding Park Golf Club will host the 51st annual Spalding Park Open, showcasing the best pros in Australia as they converge on the Mid West for the Pro Am Series. One pro hoping to make his mark on the tournament is Perth's Jordan Doull. Doull returns to Spalding Park with unfinished business to attend to. After finishing second in last year's Open, the 26-year-old will be looking to go one better this year and take top honours. The Geraldton Guardian sat down with Doull ahead of the tournament's start on Friday as he reflected on his career to date and his hopes for the weekend. What age did you start playing golf? First time I picked up clubs I was pretty young. I was about six or seven but didn't really start playing till I was about 14. I played soccer actually for most of my life, and then snapped my ACL so turned to golf. What was your pathway to pro like? I played golf outside of school at Mount Lawley Golf Club, and then when I was 18 I moved to the US to play college golf at Columbus State in Georgia, where I spent five years. Then I returned to Australia, got my pro card, and started the journey of being a pro about a year ago. Favourite club in your bag? My driver. Probably the strongest part of my game too. Where has the game taken you? I have played in the US, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea but I have my first tournament in Europe in October, so I am looking forward to tick that off the list too. Favourite course you have played on? Pretty hard to go past Augusta National. That course is perfect, not a blade of grass out of line I mean, all the trees are tied together to stand up straight. It's just a very special course. What is one highlight that sticks out to you so far? Winning the 2025 Perth Webex Players Series in front of a home crowd was pretty awesome. It was played at Royal Freo so had a home crowd supporting me, which was great. What do you think of Spalding Park Golf Club? Obviously played here last year and came second, so I know the course now. It's really nice. I feel comfortable here. My coach is from Geraldton. The wind is something to take into account when playing here, and it's blowing a bit more than last year so that will be something to look at. But I like the course, the set-up is great, and the conditions are awesome. Any tactics going into the weekend? The wind is something to think about, but I feel like I figured it out last year. If I can make it through the first two to five holes at one under or even, it should set me up for a good day. I struggled to get used to it early in the round last year, so this year hopefully will be different. What are your aspirations for the future? Just keep playing golf for a living. I mean no matter where it is. Australia, Europe, Asia, it doesn't really bother me as long as I'm playing golf for a living and having fun. Sixty pros, 15 amateurs and 45 local members will be teeing off in the 51st Spalding Park Open Pro-AM Series from Friday-Sunday.
West Australian
01-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Federal election: Labor's Karen Wheatland the Durack ‘underdog', looking to step up for region she grew up in
The Geraldton Guardian asked the Liberal and Labor candidates questions on various topics ahead of Saturday's Federal election. Labor's Karen Wheatland concedes she's the underdog, but says her focus is on showing up and being there. Q. What is your coffee order? Piccolo. Q. What is your favourite cafe in Geraldton? Quiet Life. Q. What was last thing you binge-watched? Designated Survivor. Q. How many kilometres have you covered during this campaign? Easily upwards of 40,000km — I've travelled right across Durack: from the Central Wheatbelt to the Kimberley, through the Pilbara, the Gascoyne, and the Mid West. It's been a huge undertaking — but worth every kilometre. Q. What is the funniest thing that's happening to you campaigning this time? I think one of the most real times was meeting locals/supporters at the Gassy in Carnarvon at the same time as the Old Bastards Club was on. Started yarning with them and I think they didn't believe me when I said I used to fish and work on boats. Wasn't until I name-dropped the names of a couple of old salties I use to work with did they realise I was speaking the truth! Loved meeting them. Q. What do you think of your party leader and his performance during this campaign? I think Albo's shown what real leadership looks like — steady, honest and focused on people, not politics. He doesn't shout the loudest but he listens, and he leads with empathy. He knows what it's like to do it tough. That kind of lived experience shapes the way he leads — and I respect that deeply. Q. Will you move to Geraldton if you win? Gero is always home to me and since Dad has passed, I have been looking at real estate in the area. It's expensive but when I find the right place, I will invest in something. Q. Can you draw much from the State election result, in particular the anti-Labor swing in the regions? For me, the key has been — and still is — showing up, listening and getting around. That's how you build trust. I'm focused on connecting with as many people as I can right up until the last vote is cast. Q. What are the biggest issues affecting Durack and in particular Geraldton and the Mid West? Cost of living is the largest issue by far, followed by housing. Q. Would you agree neither party has promised much exclusively for the Durack electorate this election campaign? A re-elected Albanese Labor government will open an Urgent Care Clinic in Geraldton. The Geraldton Urgent Care Clinic will be the second one in Durack with one already operating in Broome. The Midwest Multicultural Association will get $50,000 for their Festival of Lights Celebration if the Albanese Labor Government gets in. Q. How would you rate your chances and your party's chances on Saturday? I think Federal Labor is going well. Albo is focused and will continue to work hard, but it's not time to contemplate the result. There is still a lot of work to do and it's not over until the polls close. My chances? I am the underdog here, but never say never! Q. One word to best describe your main competition? Honestly, I've been so focused on showing up for the people of Durack, I haven't seen them around. Q. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received? That's a tough question and it makes me emotional but it's got to be another one from the old man. Don't compromise yourself. Draw a line in the sand and step over it for no one. Like both of my parents had to, I have rebuilt my life from struggle. This has helped me throughout my life. Q. How much has Donald Trump and US politics affected this Federal election campaign? Here in Durack, most people are focused on getting by. It's the cost of living, paying the bills, keeping food on the table — that's what's front of mind. That said, trade does matter. The Albanese Government's been getting on with it — like the work behind the scenes that saw the rock lobster ban to China lifted last year. That trade's back up and running, and our commercial fishers are finally seeing better prices again. Q. How is your party best placed to tackle the cost-of-living crisis? We're best placed because we're already doing the work. The Albanese Labor Government has delivered real cost-of-living relief — cheaper childcare, expanded bulk billing under Medicare — and there's more in the works, with additional tax cuts, and energy bill relief for households and small businesses.
West Australian
01-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
2025 Federal election: Durack candidates have their final say ahead of polls on Saturday
Ahead of the 2025 Federal election on Saturday, the Geraldton Guardian reached out to the nine candidates in the Durack electorate so they could deliver their final pitch to voters. Here's what they had to say on why they deserve your vote, in order of how they appear on the ballot. Melissa Price (Liberal) I've had the privilege of representing Durack since 2013. Over the past 12 years, I've worked hard to deliver the infrastructure and services our vast electorate deserves — better roads, mobile coverage, NBN upgrades, and support for local mining and council projects. I am proud of the Liberal Party's strong commitment to mental health, including new headspace centres across Durack, which are making a real difference for young people and families. One of my proudest achievements is helping establish the Pilbara Kimberley University Centre, which is transforming access to regional education and workforce development. My team and I have helped thousands of constituents resolve complex issues with Centrelink, the NDIS, veterans services and immigration. We live here, we understand the challenges, and we care deeply about the people we serve. This Saturday, I ask for your support to continue delivering for Durack with experience, energy and determination and a Liberal government ready to get Australia back on track. Kat Wright (Legalise Cannabis) Lisa Simpson once said: 'The whole damn system is wrong.' And let's be honest — she's right. In Durack and across regional Australia, people are doing it tough while the same old systems protect the few and leave the rest of us behind. Whether it's housing, jobs, farming, or climate — what we have isn't working. It's time for a reset. That's why I'm running for the Legalise Cannabis Party — not just to legalise hemp, but to use it to build something better. Hemp can power real, grassroots reform: affordable housing made from hempcrete, jobs in regional processing, regenerative farming that heals our land, and a circular economy where waste becomes opportunity. This isn't a pipedream — it's a practical, profitable and sustainable path forward that starts right here in Durack. Martin Luther King Jr warned us against political apathy when he said: 'If you fail to act now, history will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clammer of the bad people but the appalling silence of the good people.' I won't be silent. I will stand up because our system needs fixing. Together we can overGROW the government. Bailey Kempton (Nationals) During the aftermath of cyclone Seroja, I witnessed the neglect that regional people face even during crises. In Durack, we work hard, and we love where we live, but we get only a fraction back of what we contribute to the nation's economy. We're being let down by the Government, and we need a different approach. We deserve access to quality health care, education and to travel on well-maintained roads. It's clear that families are struggling with the cost of living and need real action that will help their back pocket now, not in 15 months. By halving fuel excise, we will provide immediate relief to those who need it most. I decided to run for politics after becoming tired of watching these issues persist without change. The current Government seems unconcerned about the opinions of Australians, especially those outside the city. This is confirmed through recent remarks by a senior Labor member about the Voice being inevitable, despite the referendum result. My campaign has been about stepping up, engaging with the community, hearing your concerns and offering a different choice. Durack needs someone with common sense who won't back down in the fight because where we live is worth fighting for. Mark Berry (One Nation) Durack stands at a crossroads. We can stick with the same failed policies that have made life harder, or we can choose a new path —one that puts everyday Australians first. For too long, both major parties have put ideology ahead of common sense. They've driven up the cost of living, neglected essential services and allowed our freedoms to erode. That must end. As your One Nation candidate, I won't make empty promises. I will fight to reduce the tax burden on working Australians and eliminate billions in government waste. I stand for real reform — not more bureaucracy. Freedom of speech must be protected. It's a cornerstone of our democracy, and I will work to enshrine it in our Constitution. The major parties won't defend this right — but I will. As a proud Australian Army veteran, I served this country to protect our values. I won't stand by while they're stripped away. This election is about reclaiming our voice, restoring our freedoms and building a fairer future for all Australians. With your support and trust, we can lead that change — together. Jason Hunter (Indigenous — Aboriginal Party of Australia) As a Nykina man, I'm running to finally put First Nations voices at the heart of Durack's future. For too long, our communities have been sidelined while politicians treat Indigenous issues as political wedges. My first priority is protecting the Martuwarra (Fitzroy River) and all our precious waterways from fracking and over-extraction, respecting 60,000 years of Indigenous water stewardship that major parties continue to ignore. The cost-of-living crisis demands more than temporary rebates. I'll fight to break the Coles/Woolworths duopoly through enforced ACCC reforms and invest in regional food security projects to actually lower prices at the checkout. Unlike the majors who protect mining profits, I'll make corporations pay their fair share to fund lasting solutions. On housing, I'll push to tax vacant properties, cap investor tax perks, and expand safe caravan park spaces for those struggling to find homes. For health care, we'll clean contaminated water supplies and replace punitive approaches with proper mental health support and preventative care focused on nutrition and healthy living. Durack deserves an economy beyond mining booms. I'll champion sustainable industries like hemp and renewables, fight to keep rural hospitals open, and create Indigenous-led housing and education programs with real job pathways. Healing country begins when traditional knowledge guides decision-making. After generations of empty promises, I'll bring that change to Canberra. Maarten Kornaat (Trumpet of Patriots) Putting Australians First. I will fight to ease the cost of living by introducing a 15 per cent iron ore mining levy, with proceeds used to reduce national debt and raise the tax-free income threshold. Education must be a right, not a burden — university will be free for Australian citizens, and all HECS debts will be forgiven. Government waste will be addressed through a full audit, with spending redirected to benefit Australian citizens and interests. I will fight to restore freedom by reducing government overreach, eliminating red tape, and empowering individuals and small businesses, especially in regional areas. Farmers must be free to farm, and doctors free to heal patients without interference. A royal commission into the government's COVID-19 response will be launched to identify failings, ensure accountability and learnings will be implemented to protect our rights. Australia's sovereignty comes first. I will review all international memberships, including with the WEF (World Economic Forum) and WHO, to ensure they align with national interests. All public-private partnerships will be audited to guarantee they serve the Australian people — not foreign or corporate agendas. I will be listening to and addressing the concerns of the people of Durack. Let's shape the future of Australia together! Karen Wheatland (Labor) I'm running because Durack deserves better — better health care, better jobs and a future our kids can actually afford. Real change doesn't happen from the sidelines. It happens when you're in the room, helping to make the decisions that matter. Voting Labor is the best way to get things done — on cost of living, climate, housing, health care — all the everyday big stuff. The Albanese Labor Government has a real plan to deliver cost-of-living relief, build more things right here, and make housing more accessible. Labor's already delivering — from Medicare Urgent Care Clinics to major road upgrades — and I want to keep Durack moving forward, not backwards under Peter Dutton. I've lived the life so many in Durack are living right now. I've worked the boats, raised my kids on my own, and fought hard to survive each day. I know what it's like to be stretched, doing your best, and still turning up. That's the kind of representative I'll be — someone who shows up, fights smart, and never forgets where they came from. Durack deserves someone who gets it. I do. And I'm ready to get to work. Brendan Sturcke (Greens) Durack is a remarkable electorate, my time as a farmhand and in the mining industry has created deep ties with the area and I'm excited to be able to offer people the opportunity to vote for real change. We know farmers and fishers are some of the most affected by the climate crisis and supermarket price gouging, which is why we're pushing for stronger climate action and strengthening protections like making the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct mandatory. As I've travelled across the electorate, the overwhelming feedback I've been receiving is people are feeling abandoned by the Government. We know local communities have the answers to the problems they're facing, we need to be listening and working with people on the ground to find meaningful solutions. Now isn't the time to be tinkering around the edges, the majority of people are struggling with housing, cost of living, and health and the Government must act. The Greens are the only party taking real action on the climate and cost-of-living crises. This election is a pivotal moment in history, not only for the planet but also the people of Durack. Nothing changes if you don't vote for it. Australian Christians candidate Eugenie Harris did not respond to the Geraldton Guardian's request for comment.
West Australian
01-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Federal election: Liberal MP Melissa Price eyeing fifth term but says Durack race is tight
The Geraldton Guardian asked the Liberal and Labor candidates questions on various topics ahead of Saturday's Federal election. Liberal MP Melissa Price is eyeing off a fifth term as the Durack MHR. Q. What is your coffee order? Flat white. Q. What is your favourite cafe in Geraldton? We are very lucky here in Geraldton — we have many delicious cafes, and it is hard to choose just one. Q. What was last thing you binge-watched? White Lotus, Season 3 Q. How many kilometres have you covered during this campaign? Too many to count! Q. What is the funniest thing that's happening to you campaigning this time? People saying that the photo on my corflute is not me. Q. What do you think of your party leader and his performance during this campaign? Peter Dutton is a smart, strong leader. He is devoted to his family and this country and is passionate about improving the lives of Australians doing it tough. He is quick-witted and has a good sense of humour. During the campaign he has worked hard and communicated our policies well. He has been quick to admit where errors have been made, which I think is admirable and what you need in your leader. Q. If you win a fifth term, will you run for a sixth? Do you foresee an end to your political career at some point? Every political career will eventually come to an end. I have been working hard for the Durack community to ensure that I get to choose the end point. I am, however, not planning on a new career anytime soon. Q. Can you draw much from the State election result, in particular the anti-Labor swing in the regions? There are mixed reactions across Durack. In the Kimberley there is support for Labor, whereas in the Mid West and the Pilbara it has declined rapidly. Q. What are the biggest issues affecting Durack — particularly Geraldton and the Mid West? Cost of living is the number one concern — from rising mortgage and rent payments to soaring grocery, fuel and power bills. Housing availability is a major issue in Geraldton, with too many families and key workers struggling to find a place to live. Community safety is also front of mind, with locals rightly demanding more action on crime and antisocial behaviour. The push from our communities to reverse Labor's reckless live export ban and keep the sheep is also front of mind. Q. Would you agree neither party has promised much exclusively for the Durack electorate this election campaign? I disagree and I'm proud to be fighting for real, community-driven projects across Durack. We are backing upgrades to the Newman netball courts, Bindoon Mountain Bike Park, Broome Rec Centre, Kalannie hockey goals, Geraldton Tennis Centre, Carnarvon Premier Oval and the Nabawa Rec Centre. We're also boosting community safety with CCTV in Geraldton and Kununurra. These are practical, local commitments that reflect what people in Durack have asked for. Q. How would you rate your chances and your party's chances on Saturday? The race to win Durack is very tight. I will be fighting until 6pm on Saturday to convince the Durack voters that I should be given the honour to continue as their Federal representative. On a national level, I think it is currently neck and neck and hopefully the undecided voters will see us return to government. Q. One word to best describe your main competition? Enthusiastic. Q. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received? It is never too late to get an education. As someone who left school at 15 and went on to study law and eventually became a solicitor at the age of 32, I am convinced that anything is possible. Q. What do you realistically hope can be achieved if you're in Opposition for another term? That would be disappointing, however if we did end up in Opposition, I would continue to hold the Labor Government to account and fight every day to improve the lives of regional West Australians. Q. How much has Donald Trump and US politics affected this Federal election campaign? I don't think it has, apart from peoples' social media feeds being filled with American politics, making it harder for Australian political parties' messages to cut through. Q. How is your party best placed to tackle the cost-of-living crisis? We will deliver energy bill relief, lower grocery prices by taking on the big supermarkets, increase housing supply, support small businesses with tax cuts, and boost fuel security to keep prices down. We have a proven track record of strong economic management, and only the Liberals have the experience to bring inflation under control.
West Australian
01-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Geraldton jetty project at standstill after lack of investment from State, Federal political parties
A jetty in Geraldton appears to be at a standstill after it was revealed there has been a lack of political support for the project. In November last year, the City of Greater Geraldton council decided to write to each of the candidates for the seat of Geraldton at the State election and the seat of Durack at the Federal level to determine if funding for a jetty would be considered. A $50,000 business case prepared for the project outlined three options: a $12 million 125m jetty at Midalia's Beach, a $12m 125m jetty at the Durlacher Street groyne near Dome Cafe, and a $24m 125m jetty extending outwards from a walkway between the groynes at Midalia's Beach. It was revealed at Tuesday's council meeting there had been a lack of interest in funding the construction of the jetty from the State and Federal level. At the State level, the Liberal Party pledged $12m to build the jetty, but the party failed to form Government at March's election. On the Federal level, Liberal MP Melissa Price has long advocated for a Geraldton-based jetty but the party did not make a pledge to construct it should it win the election. Ms Price confirmed to the Geraldton Guardian she would push for further discussions about Federal funding if she was re-elected and if the Coalition formed Government. A council motion to note the actions and responses of candidates and to receive the financial modelling as applied to the business case was moved by Cr Peter Fiorenza. He said city staff had done as requested, which set the platform for the council to consider whether or not to move forward with the project. Cr Steve Cooper said he believed it was not appropriate to continue to go ahead with the project at this stage given the lack of financial backing and more discussions needed to be held. Cr Aaron Horsman proposed that if the original motion failed $50,000 be put in the 2025-26 capital works program to progress to a site selection study. He said a big section of the community had got the project this far and it should continue. Cr Victor Tanti said it was positive to get the numbers but the costs didn't include the extras required to make the jetty 'people-friendly'. 'We've gone as far as we can with this at this time,' he said. Cr Fiorenza said if the project was to progress, it would likely result in a rate rise. The original motion was passed 9-1.
