Latest news with #Moora
ABC News
10-07-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Brain surgery, motorbike crash inspire Wheatbelt mums' RFDS charity run
When Ash King came home sick from school complaining of a headache, the last thing her family expected was for the teen to be diagnosed with a bleed on the brain. Without the fast response from the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), who flew her the 170 kilometres from Moora to the Perth Children's Hospital, her mum Kym Reilly believes she may have died. "As we got off the plane and into the hospital, Ash had her first seizure, and if we had still been in Moora, I don't know what would have happened," Ms Reilly said. Scans revealed Ash, who was 15 at the time, had an arteriovenous malformation that had haemorrhaged and needed to be removed from her brain, leading to multiple surgeries, including one lasting 26 hours. During 11 months in hospital and another six undertaking rehabilitation, Ash, with the support of her family and medical team, re-learned how to walk and talk. For Moora teacher Erin McPherson, an afternoon of motorbike riding in December turned into a rescue mission when her son Gus failed to return to the group. The 10-year-old had ridden into a gate and broken multiple bones. "When we found Gus, we didn't know the extent of his injuries; all we knew was it was serious," Ms McPherson said. "When the ambulance arrived, we were met by four local volunteers who were our guardian angels that night, who kept that hope alive that Gus was going to be okay. "Not only were they keeping Gus safe, but they were doing it for us as well; they're heroes." Originally united by their passion for local netball, Ms Reilly and Ms McPherson have now used their shared RFDS experience to create their own fundraiser for the service. The Heroes to Hub event will see more than 160 participants run, walk, ride a motorbike or even a horse 26 kilometres from Newhome Farm to the Mogumber Hub in Western Australia's Wheatbelt this weekend. "Ash and Erin were having a bit of in-house banter about if Ash could endure 26 hours of surgery, Erin should be able to run 26 kilometres," Ms Reilly said. "We call ourselves lucky because we had the best medical support in a time that no-one would call lucky or want to be in." Ms McPherson said the 26-kilometre run put Ash and Gus's experiences into perspective. "I never really linked Gus and Ash's stories together before, but we're inspired by these two beautiful, strong children who showed resilience through the challenges they faced," she said. "Not only are we raising funds for the RFDS, but it is a way for us to give back to our community who rallied around us and our kids during some of the hardest times of our lives. "It was the phone calls, hospital visits and meals from people back home that made all the difference during those times – they are also heroes to us." Gus will be riding his motorbike along the event course, while Ash will join a group of her friends from school for the last 3-kilometre leg to the Mogumber Hub. It is not just locals getting involved, with a nurse who looked after Ash during her time in hospital taking part from Africa. "Pip was my very favourite nurse in the whole world," Ash said. "She now volunteers in Magacascar on the Mercy Ship and will run 26 kilometres there because she had the honour of caring for me." Ash is now completing Year 12 and dreams of working as a nursing assistant, idolising the team who cared for her during her time of need. Gus is completing his final year of primary school and is back on the bike and kicking goals for his local football team. With an original fundraising goal of $26,000, the event has surpassed organisers' expectations with donations exceeding $65,000 just days out from the run.
West Australian
03-06-2025
- General
- West Australian
Cervantes secure victory on the road in round six of the Central Midlands Coastal Football League
Cervantes prevailed over Moora away from home in a 34-point win for the Tiger Sharks during round six of the Central Midlands Coastal Football League. Scoring was spread amongst the squad for Cervantes with James Corner and Leo Lambert booting three goals apiece while Jack Beer, Harry Sankey and James Venturini kicked two each. It was a similar story for Moora who had six goal kickers with Kyle Murray leading the way with three goals while teammates, Blair Humphry and Kyle Mirco kicked two each. Singles went to Stephen Kane, Nelson Kent and Josh Paull. Best on for Cervantes was Joel Peters while Mathew Thompson, Gus Devitt, Harry Sankey and Joshua Harris also impressed. As for Moora it was Zak Meloncelli with Nelson Kent, Bailey McCauley, Curtis Purser and Lachlan Taylor playing their part in the contest. Cervantes jumped out to a four-goal start in the first term while Moora were left in the dust trailing by 23 points going into the first break. Moora attempted to sneak their way back into the contest before half-time but the Tiger Sharks charged ahead and continued to make the most of their opportunities in front of goal. Cervantes exploded in the third quarter with a five goal term as the visitors put Moora to the sword. Moora impressed in the final term with a six goal quarter but it was too late for the home side as the Tiger Sharks secured the victory, 15.13 (103) Final score to 10.9 (69). The other game played in the Central Midlands Coastal Football League was between Jurien Bay and Dandaragan, with Dandaragan managing to get a 44-point win away from home. Archie Wedge was judged best on for Dandaragan alongside teammates Angus Laurisson, Todd Kenny, Mathew Helms and Jesse Reinke. For Jurien Bay it was Jaygar Martin while Beau Riley, Jaye Colegate, Mitchell Price and Austin Britza also impressed. Dandaragan jumped out to a 29-point lead going in to the half-time break. A four-goal third term saw Jurien Bay claw their way back into the contest before Dandaragan put the foot down in the final quarter with a six-goal onslaught. Final score, Jurien Bay 6.5 (41) to Dandaragan 12.13 (85). North Midlands and Gascoyne Football leagues had byes over the long weekend.
ABC News
27-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Favourable conditions hint at fruitful citrus season across Australia
Challenging weather, labour issues and low stock have hit Australian citrus growers for the past few seasons, but this year could turn things around and break the industry export record. In Moora, 170 kilometres north-east of Perth, the tough conditions brought by recent seasons have taught growers a number of important lessons. Moora Citrus is the largest citrus producer in Western Australia, with an estimated 10,000 tonnes of fruit expected to be picked across its three Mid West orchards. Chief executive Shane Kay said 2024 had been a particularly light year. "We average around 8,000 tonnes per year and we were below that," Mr Kay said. Mr Kay grows lemons, mandarins and grapefruit, but it is the oranges he has his eye on right now. Cold weather is required to turn the fruit from green to orange on the tree. Once picked, packing sheds then use equipment which grades fruit based on blemishes. Marked fruit will go to lower priced offerings, while first grade product is sold to retailers locally or exported internationally to markets which pay a premium for high quality fruit. Though the colour does not affect the taste or internal makeup of the fruit, Citrus Australia chief executive Nathan Hancock said appearance had a massive influence on the price. "In Australia in particular, we've sort of been coached into believing that fruit mustn't have any blemishes on the outside," Mr Hancock said. He said production across Australia would be strong in 2025, as well as demand from international markets. Export demand has been strong enough to potentially break the record tonnage sent out of Australia, which was set in 2019 at 304,000 tonnes and had an export value of $541 million. Chinese markets took the majority of exported fruit, importing 83,000 tonnes. Last year over 280,000 tonnes of citrus were exported, with a value of $590 million. Most international markets for citrus sit in Asia, with large volumes going to Japan, China and Thailand as well as the United States, Canada and United Arab Emirates. "The fruit size is looking good as well. We need fruit to be of a certain size for it to be in that profitable market range because cost of production in Australia is very, very high," Mr Hancock said. One of the biggest costs facing growers is wages. "Our wage costs have just continued to climb and it's not really aligned with the returns we get," Mr Kay said. "So that's causing some challenges; we're trying to find ways of increasing production and improving efficiencies." In his Moora orchard, Mr Kay is implementing a three-hectare trial block of protective netting. It has so far proven successful, helping to decrease wind impact and water use. "We're doing a cost-benefit analysis of that right now, because it's not cheap," Mr Kay said. "But there are some really good water savings which is important."
