Memories
The Coalfields Museum and Historical Research Centre is proving to be a popular resource for local people reviving memories of their childhood and a valuable resource for those looking for their family history.
The photographs which volunteers post on Facebook asking if people can put names to faces attract a lot of attention, as did the article in last week's Mail on Mrs Cunningham.
Mick Murray called to tell me he was delighted to see the photo of Mrs Cunningham, and went on to tell me of his memories of Mrs Cunningham and junior footy.
As she lived just across the road from the rec., Mrs Cunningham would cut up oranges at home and bring them across the road for the juniors.
That was on warm days - on cold days, she would bring a big pot of tea across to warm up the boys.
Mrs Cunningham was a great supporter of Collie juniors, so if you have any memories you would like to share, please contact me.
Don't hesitate to come forward, it is better to receive information several times than not at all.
If you have items you feel should be in the museum collection, there is a formal process in place to record donations now. This process ensures items are properly looked after and acknowledged.
You can also obtain copies of photographs at the small cost of $5 a print, with proceeds going to the museum to further restoration and preservation.
Markets
If you love markets, this weekend provides a bonanza for you.
The Country Markets are on at the Wallsend Ground on Saturday from 8am to 12 noon.
There is a wide range of stalls with local produce, handicrafts, books, dvds and cds, and bric-a-brac, plus morning tea.
On Sunday, the Goods Shed markets will be open from 8am to 12 noon, also with a wide range of stalls, and morning tea or coffee available in the restored railway carriage.
The markets are always a good place to catch up with friends, as well as maybe picking up a bargain or two.
Love Collie
Tomorrow evening, Collie tourism will be relaunched at a function at the Visitors' Centre, from 6pm to 8pm.
You can reserve your place to find out what it is all about by contacting the Visitors' Centre.
With the new trails in place, the wildflower season in full swing, the museum and the art gallery attracting many visitors, the weekly activity at the Motorplex, Collie's tourism is undergoing a huge expansion.
Happy 90th Ev
There are many Collie people who will remember a lovely lady who manned the office at Collie Senior High School for many, many years, and before CSHS, the office at Amaroo Primary School.
Miss Evelyn Austin celebrated her 90th birthday on the weekend, with family and friends, but I am sure there are many out in the community who wish her well on becoming a nonagenarian.
Ev has been the guardian of high school history for decades, and was one of the first invited to school reunions.
If you wanted to check something in a back copy of the Arch, it was to Ev that many of us first turned.
Happy birthday, Ev, you are a big part of Collie's history.
Connect Collie
Local residents can enjoy an increased connecting service to Perth, with buses leaving the Visitors' Centre at 2.12pm to Brunswick Junction, transferring to the Australind and arriving in Perth central just after 5pm.
The return Australind service leaves Perth central at 9.30am, to reach Brunswick Junction at 11.40am, transferring to the bus to Collie, arriving at 12.10pm.
The Tuesday and Thursday bus which left at 10.20am has been discontinued.
A new weekend bus service will leave the Visitors' Centre on Saturdays at 10.20am, arriving at East Perth at 1.55pm, returning to Collie on Sundays from East Perth at 1.30pm, arriving in Collie at 5.10pm.
Bookings can be made at the Visitors' Centre.
Front page
Making the front page of the local paper is a big deal, and for Collie's Kate Hindle, that happened this week in Mildura, Victoria.
Kate recently released her first video, and is currently touring the Eastern States - not as a tourist, but as a singer and performer.
This has been a big year for Kate, and making the front cover is just part of it.
She was a finalist in the Miss Fashion Week awards held in Melbourne recently.
Parents Wally and Shirley are very proud of her, as they have every reason to be.
Well done, Kate, you go girl.
Adventure race
The 18th consecutive Adventure Race will be held on October 13 and 14, at Minninup Pool.
While the race is 18 years old, it is only the second year the event will be held over two days.
The Saturday event is the traditional five stage event in a number of categories.
On the Sunday, there will be opportunities for those who may not be elite athletes, with a short course event for trail runners, mountain bikes, and an optional canoe leg.
The Premier Coal Junior Adventure Race will cater for those aged 12 and under.
Railway station
The Railway Station is a good place to visit during the school holidays, with Thomas, Clarabelle and Annie all on duty, plus the electric railway operating.
Light lunches and morning or afternoon teas will be available.
You can browse the souvenirs and coal figurines and perhaps pick up some ideas for some early Christmas shopping.
Fiera
The Collie Italian and Sporting Club is planning a Fiera on Saturday, November 3, from 10am to 2pm.
This event was very successful last year, and you may want to take a bay, at a cost of $15, to sell your goods.
They are expecting lots of market and food stalls, and there will be a car boot sale.
To book, call Greg on 0402 041 375.
Remembrance Day
This year marks the centenary of the signing of the armistice which ended the Great War.
The Collie-Cardiff RSL is planning to make the 2018 Remembrance Day service a special one, so watch this column as the date, November 11, draws nearer, for more details.
Send it in
Items for not-for-profit organisations are welcome for this column.
You can email information to me at nrg@highway1.com.au by 5pm on Mondays.
Please include a contact name and phone number in case I need to check information.
