Latest news with #KalgoorlieMiner
West Australian
4 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Bol returns to Elite Mile track that offered ‘stepping stone' for Olympic career
Veteran Olympic runner Peter Bol completed a triumphant return to Leonora at the weekend and claimed his second title during the Elite Male Mile — an event which helped launch his athletic career nine years earlier. Bol completed three laps of the Tower Street circuit in an impressive 4min. 6.43sec. to edge out Adam Goddard (4:6.80) and Matthew Ramsden (4:7.33) in a thrilling finish to this year's $65,000 Leonora Golden Gift program. The 31-year-old arrived in the northern Goldfields town with the fastest 800m time in Australian history, 1:43.79 set in Perth in April. A veteran of three Olympics (2016, 2021, 2024), Bol won his semifinal at the Paris Games in 2021 before running a close fourth in the final — missing out on a bronze medal by 0.53sec. In 2016, he became the first WA runner to claim victory in the lucrative Elite Male Mile at 22 years old. On Sunday, he described his first Leonora Golden Gift victory as a vital 'stepping stone' to his Olympic career. 'Nine years ago, this was my stepping stone to my first Olympic Games and I really needed that funding,' he told the Kalgoorlie Miner. 'It was through Leonora that I was able to get the funding and go chase my dreams at the Olympic Games in Europe. 'It's great to come back after nine years and then win again.' Resurfacing of the Tower Street circuit was completed last week, for which Bol said he was 'grateful'. 'I noticed it straight away,' he said. 'It made it pretty quick, I think that was one of the fastest miles on this course. 'That's not because we're fitter, but because of the surface here and the weather that kind of played to our advantage.' After his victory, Bol engaged with spectators and invited children to join him on a cool-down lap of the circuit. The star athlete was then reunited with a runner he once coached during a visit to Leonora more than a decade ago. 'Over 10 years ago I used to come out here and do clinics,' Bol said. 'One of the (spectators) . . . came up to me and said 'I met you about 10 years ago', and I was like, that's pretty incredible that he remembered. 'He introduced me to his family, and we got photos together. 'I love the community over here. I do believe everyone deserves a chance.' The Sudanese-born runner said he hoped to inspire the next generation. 'If you just kind of keep going and chasing your dreams, you'll get there,' he said. 'I come from Thornlie, and even back then I came from Sudan and Egypt. 'I've been able to make my life over here and (become) a three-time Olympian, Young Australian of the Year, so many accomplishments. 'That's all credit to the community, it's really important and we've got that here.' The Olympian said he hoped to return to the Goldfields town next year to engage with the community further. 'We'll have a chat, probably to the Shire of Leonora, to come out here a few days earlier and (engage) with the community, rather than just coming to run and go,' he said. Elite Mile winners pocketed $7500 in prize money and a one-ounce gold coin valued at more than $5000.
West Australian
4 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Goldfields-Esperance police named finalists in excellence awards for annual Goldfields Outback 2 Ocean ride
The Goldfields-Esperance police district has been named a finalist in excellence awards for its annual ride in support of families of fallen officers. The team's Goldfields Outback 2 Ocean bicycle ride raises money for WA Police Legacy and sees dozens of participants cycle from Kalgoorlie-Boulder to Esperance. The team is one of four finalists in the regional teams category of the WA Police Force Recognition of Excellence awards, with winners being announced on July 17. Acting Superintendent for the region Mick Kelly told the Kalgoorlie Miner it was 'absolutely awesome' to see the team recognised. 'It is certainly not something that we ever thought would happen, but someone in the community has taken the time to nominate the ride,' he said. 'It's a wonderful feeling to be able to raise so much money for Police Legacy, which provides that assistance to the children, sadly, when our men and women don't come home at the end of their shift. 'So it's an awesome feeling to be nominated.' Supt Kelly said registrations were open for the 2026 G020 ride, as well as sponsorship for the event. There were 213 nominations across WA Police services for this year's awards, with nominations submitted by the public and the police force.
West Australian
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Leonora hive of activity once again as Golden Gift takes over Goldfields town
The northern Goldfields town of Leonora was once again a hive of activity on the WA Day long weekend as the annual Golden Gift athletics and community festival took over the town. The two-day carnival for all age ranges peaked on Sunday afternoon with the men's and women's elite mile races, with Olympian Peter Bol the headline runner in the men's event. The total prize pool this year was $65,000. Other running events on the town's main street on Sunday included 120m, 600m and mile events for all ages. Saturday saw the popular work boot sprint, as well as children's activities, a fireworks display and performances from bands — this year Coterie and Renegade were the featured acts. A bowls tournament took place during the weekend, and the Leonora Art Prize was opened. The Golden Gift usually takes place in conjunction with the annual Goldfields Cyclassic, however this event was cancelled this year. Full coverage in the Kalgoorlie Miner this week.
West Australian
29-05-2025
- West Australian
Paul Michael Lamp: Heartfelt plea for support in search for missing man near Coolgardie
The devastated family of a man believed to be missing around the Coolgardie area say they will continue their search despite police efforts ending. The family of Paul Michael Lamp sent out a heartfelt plea to the community to help them continue search efforts for Mr Lamp, who has been missing since May 9, after police confirmed they had suspended their search efforts at the weekend. The 54-year-old was last seen leaving his home in Chidlow before travelling through Northam and obtaining some cash and a small amount of food. He was then seen at a business in Kalgoorlie before travelling west towards Coolgardie. His phone last pinged off a tower near Coolgardie, giving police a 1600sqkm search radius a bit south of the Great Eastern Highway as a potential location. With the help of SES, police and air wing, the area was searched before efforts were suspended on the weekend. His wife, Yasmin, broke down out the front of Coolgardie Police Station on Thursday that she 'just needed him back'. She told the Kalgoorlie Miner she was not sleeping, not eating, and their boys aged 14 and 16 were not coping. His sister, Rachael, said the father-of-two was from a big family and everyone loved him. 'If he's out there and he can hear us, the boys need him,' she said. 'Yas needs him, his nieces, his nephews, his siblings, his parents. 'If anybody has any information, please contact police and let them know.' She thanked the police, SES and community members who had already helped them in their search efforts, but asked for ongoing community support as they continue their own searches of the area and further out. Mr Lamp's brother, Joshua, said anyone with information from the area who wished to remain anonymous could reach out to the Find Paul Lamp Facebook page. WA Police Goldfields-Esperance Acting Superintendent Mick Kelly said the some areas in the search zone were 'quite dense' and only accessible by four-wheel-drive, where others were more sparse. 'But there's nothing to say that Mr Lamp has continued outside this 1600sqkm search area until we get an activation or the handset is turned back on and recharged,' he said. 'And I can say that his vehicle has not activated any ANPR cameras, our assets that alert us to positions of vehicles.' Acting Supt. Kelly said police had no suspicion of criminality in relation to Mr Lamp's disappearance, and while he was someone who enjoyed prospecting shows, there was no indication he had gone prospecting. He said the family had no understanding of why Mr Lamp was in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder or Coolgardie areas, other than the family previously coming here when he was younger. 'There's grave concerns for his welfare,' he said. 'If someone was to sight him, call police, and if he does hear or see this particular message, please reach out to your family. 'Your loved ones are hurting. They just want to know that you're safe and well. And then we can bring him home.' Mr Lamp is believed to be driving a blue Nissan Navara utility with the registration 1HNT095. He is described as being approximately 180cm tall, having tanned skin, a medium to solid build with thick, short, dark hair and brown eyes. Updated search maps and information are being added to the Find Paul Lamp Facebook page. Anyone able to help with search efforts, or who has information, is urged to message the page or phone 0405 731 750. Police can be notified on 131 444.
Perth Now
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
How WA skimpy's wild experiences have changed her life
Wild stories collected from her time as a skimpy in Kalgoorlie-Boulder has helped propel Tiffy Texas' comedy career to Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The former stripper and slowly retiring skimpy has found herself quickly picking up extra comedy gigs since taking off at Perth and Adelaide Fringe. With the majority of her content stemming from her work in the region, Tiffy is planning a special comedy show in Kalgoorlie-Boulder in July ahead of her London and Edinburgh trip in August. 'Most of my material is all the stories from on the job, just the craziest things I've been tipped for or made money doing,' she said. 'The thing about this job is that things can come across farfetched, but it's actually 100 per cent accurate — especially out here in Kalgoorlie. Tiffy Texas pictured at The Grand Hotel, Boulder. Credit: Carwyn Monck/Kalgoorlie Miner / Kalgoorlie Miner 'That's why I haven't completely given it up yet, I'm still stretching out the retirement that little bit only because the material is just too golden.' Tiffy started out as a stripper in Perth before becoming a manager and house mum at a strip club, which eventually led her to skimpy work with Gold Class Girls. Kalgoorlie-Boulder quickly became one of her favourite places not only to work, but also to live. And while she technically still lives in Adelaide, she spends more of her time here than anywhere else. Pushing 40, Tiffy decided to slowly start stepping away from skimpying, and instead focused on skimpy DJ-ing — working once a month at the Exchange Hotel — event emceeing, and now comedy. 'I'm having such a great time just doing all different kinds of things,' she said. 'Sometimes I'll get booked for all of it, I'll emcee and do comedy and then skimpy DJ at the end. 'This is what I love about skimpying, it can open so many doors for you. 'A lot of people see it as a means to an end, but it can give you so many opportunities and for me it really pushed me into new areas which I really love.' Tiffy's comedy show will take place at the Grand Hotel on July 5 with Perth comedians Bruno Oliveira and Ian Burke.
