It’s our favourite time of the week – a step back in time to reflect on the changes in our region, the faces and the fun that was being had during the month of July all the way back in 1996.
There was a lot going on around the Collie region at the time.
Heavy rains caused concern, with reports of rubbish and chemicals from the tip flowing into the Collie River. Then councillors Geoff Wilks and Beryl Freestone called for the tip to be closed and the new waste transfer station to be opened, however it wasn’t yet operational.
A flu epidemic swept through the town, with then shire medical officer Dr Jim Turnbull saying the hospital was “full and overflowing” with people suffering from the flu.
The Collie Senior High School’s 100-strong Country Week contingent was also struck with the flu, but managed to battle through the adversity to finish third overall.
Around the same time, lights at the Collie Airstrip were vandalised, causing concern about whether the Royal Flying Doctor Service would be able to land if required to respond to a medical emergency.
To cap off a busy month, there was also a lot of discussion around the time about what should be done about the Goods Shed – whether it should be restored or pulled down.
What do you remember about July 1996?
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