Latest news with #JerryClune
West Australian
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Outback Bloom: Mullewa's wildflower festival prepares for exceptional display of native flora
Mullewa's biggest and most beautiful time of year is about to bloom, which brings with it an influx of visitors. As the 2025 wildflower season draws closer, Mullewa is preparing for its Outback Bloom festival which will coincide with the Mullewa Agricultural Show. This year, entry to the show is free thanks to sponsorship from Community Bank Geraldton Bendigo Bank. Famous for its stunning array of native flora, Mullewa is gearing up to showcase some of the Mid West's most breathtaking natural beauty. City of Greater Geraldton mayor Jerry Clune said this year's weather conditions should lead to blooms a-plenty. 'Mullewa's wildflowers are truly a sight to behold, and thanks to the plentiful rainfall this year, we're expecting an exceptional display,' he said. 'If you make the effort to see them each season or have never enjoyed the magic of the Mid West's wildflower season, this is the perfect year to make the journey.' From Thursday, August 28 to Sunday, August 31, visitors to the small town can enjoy the Outback Bloom festival. Among the many activities to choose from are a range of guided walking tours, flower displays in the town hall, painting workshops, bush tucker yarns and a photography workshop. The Mullewa Agricultural Show takes place on Saturday August 30 at the Recreation Ground. 'Both events (are) highlights on the Mullewa calendar and provide a great opportunity to experience the town,' Mr Clune said. 'I also encourage visitors to check out Helen Ansell's gallery and Suzie's Aboriginal art studio to view local artwork inspired by the region, additionally be sure to call into the Mullewa Community Resource Centre for the latest information about what's happening in the area.' More information for both events can be found on the VisitMullewa website.
West Australian
5 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
City of Greater Geraldton's Buy Local Geraldton Gift Cards program goes digital
The City of Greater Geraldton's local gift card program is going digital, making it easier to support local businesses through gifting and spending. Buy Local Greater Geraldton Gift Cards, which was launched in 2021, originally allowed people the chance to purchase a physical gift card and spend it at a number of local participating businesses. With 9320 physical cards already sold and spent at 82 various locations across Geraldton, the city hopes going digital alongside the physical cards will encourage more buyers by making it easier to access and spend. 'The Buy Local Greater Geraldton Gift Cards have been wonderfully utilised by our community since its inception with more than $670,000 spent through the program,' City of Greater Geraldton mayor Jerry Clune said. 'Businesses using contactless payment systems can now be involved which responds directly to requests from locals, and makes participation more accessible for small businesses. 'Every dollar spent locally strengthens our economy by circulating through local wages, suppliers, and services stimulating a multiplier effect of well over $1 million going back into our community. 'This program has always been about your money staying local and having positive impacts on our businesses – so I encourage people to continue buying, gifting and spending the Buy Local Gift Cards.' The digital option is set to also benefit the environment by limiting card rubbish and aligns with the city's commitment to a greener future. Local businesses interested in joining the program can find more information on the city's website.
West Australian
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Geraldton Youth Centre, transformed from old Club Rocky's Gym, set to open this school holidays
City staff and local students toured the newly refurbished youth centre in Geraldton this week. The centre will be officially opened on July 24, but in the meantime the state-of-the-art facility will be trialled during the winter school holidays with a stacked program of activities. In collaboration with PCYC, the new Geraldton Youth Centre is offering a range of free activities including netball, wheelchair basketball, indoor soccer, cooking and craft classes, drumming sessions, flower arranging and handprint painting as part of NAIDOC Week. The Geraldton Guardian was invited for a sneak peek of the centre this week. Located next to PCYC and across the road from the Aquarena and Wonthella Skatepark, the new space features a multi-use sports court with scoreboard, netting, padded walls and spectator seating, CCTV security and a versatile space for workshops, training programs and presentations. City of Greater Geraldton mayor Jerry Clune was looking forward to seeing young people enjoy the new centre. 'Our officers have prepared another fantastic school holiday program and one of the most exciting additions this break is a selection of activities being hosted at our Youth Centre,' he said. 'Those who book into the programs being held at the Geraldton Youth Centre will get an exclusive first look, and in usual school holiday program fashion, I encourage you to secure your tickets quick because they always sell out.' The city committed $1.5 million from its 2024–25 budget to deliver the multipurpose space, that together with a $950,000 Lotterywest grant, supported the transformation of the former Club Rocky's gym delivered by local contractor GBSC, into a dedicated youth hub. The winter holiday program also features events held at various locations around town including the Museum of Geraldton, Sunflower Studios and Maitland Park. For a full list of locations and times of activities visit the city's website at .
West Australian
05-06-2025
- Health
- West Australian
City of Greater Geraldton releasing its first public health plan with National Push-Up Challenge
Community wellbeing is being pushed to the fore as part of the City of Greater Geraldton's first public health plan. To launch the plan, the city is taking part in the National Push-Up Challenge to raise awareness of mental health issues, with all money raised donated to headspace Geraldton. The challenge is 3214 push-ups over 23 days, representing the 3214 lives lost to suicide in Australia in 2023. City of Greater Geraldton mayor Jerry Clune aims to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and is challenging local groups and figures to get involved. 'We'd like to throw out our first challenge to the Mid West Ports Authority and our local member, Kirrilee Warr. The push-ups are in your court,' he said. Mr Clune said he was going to build up to his push-ups. 'I don't want to do myself an injury. Go too hard, too fast. I did two yesterday. I've done three today. So, by the 23rd day, I'm hoping I'll get up to my quota,' he said. 'If we can bring the numbers down from what it is and the conversations that are had aren't too late; everyone thinks 'I should have done this. I could have done that'. 'So it gets people talking, gets people activated. There's nothing like a bit of physical activity to get the brain cells working,' City manager regulatory services Andy Gaze said people could take part as a team. 'It doesn't have to be a proper push-up — on the knees, sit-ups, squats. It's not just about doing push-ups but talking about mental health, suicide prevention and maybe saving a few lives,' he said. The city's health blueprint, Living Well in Greater Geraldton — Wellbeing Plan 2026-2031, aims to make it easier for the community to access greener spaces and provide inclusive programs, safer neighbourhoods and healthier environments. 'Public health is about preventing diseases, promoting healthy behaviours and addressing health disparities to prolong life. That is why we are committed to the development of our first public health plan, which will guide decision-making to foster healthier outcomes,' Mr Clune said. The public is invited to have their say on the development of the city's wellbeing plan, with feedback earning an entry into a draw to win a fitness tracker, yoga mat/towel or a smart water bottle. The survey is available at and closes on Monday, August 25, at 9am. Lifeline 13 11 14
West Australian
03-06-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Exmouth, Kalbarri, Geraldton and Denham feature prominently in 7NEWS 2025 Top Tourism Town Awards
Tourism jewels along WA's Coral Coast shimmered in all kinds of variety — gold, silver and bronze — at the 2025 7NEWS Top Tourism Town Awards last week. In an incredible feat, Exmouth won gold in the small tourism town category for the fourth year in a row, with Bridgetown and York coming in second and third. Kalbarri scored back-to-back gold, taking out the tiny tourism town category ahead of Pemberton (silver) and Denham (bronze). Exmouth and Kalbarri scored a $10,000 and $5000 airtime package respectively to promote their towns on 7 Regional WA. Geraldton's night had a massive silver lining, awarded silver for the fourth consecutive year in the top tourism town category, pipped at the post by Fremantle. The winners were announced at the 2025 Perth Airport WA Tourism Conference dinner last Wednesday night. The gold winner in each category will also receive a professionally produced Storytowns custom audio guide of their town, featuring two local legends. More than 8000 people voted for their favourite tiny, small and top tourism towns. 'Congratulations to this year's winners of the Top Tourism Town Awards. Fremantle, Exmouth, and Kalbarri have all displayed an exceptional commitment to delivering high-quality visitor experiences,' Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said. 'All medallists have impressed both an industry panel of judges and the public through consumer voting. They will now go on to represent Western Australia on a national level in the Australian Top Tourism Town Awards in September.' City of Greater Geraldton mayor Jerry Clune said the city was proud to claim another silver and gave a 'huge shout out' to all the other Coral Coast localities for their achievements. The 11th version of the WA Tourism Conference will be held in Carnarvon between May 25 and 27, 2026. More than 200 delegates are expected from across WA, providing a significant boost to the local economy. Shire president Eddie Smith said it was a thrilling moment for the Carnarvon community. 'Carnarvon is a place of stories from ancient landscapes and rich Aboriginal culture to our world-class produce and iconic attractions. Hosting this event will allow us to share our region's unique character with industry leaders from across the State and showcase why Carnarvon deserves to be on every visitor's itinerary,' he said.
