Community meeting
The AMWU has organised another community meeting in Central Park on Friday, January 25, at 5.30pm.
The new WA Minister for Energy Bill Johnston MLA will be present and address the meeting.
Everyone is welcome to attend, to hear about possibilities for the future of Collie.
Lots of people say they have ideas about Collie's future, and many are quick to criticise.
Here is your chance to have a say, and make a difference, rather than just start an argument.
Australia Day
Collie will celebrate Australia Day with the community breakfast in Central Park, a joint celebration organised by Collie Shire Council and Collie Lions.
Activities will begin with a march, so if you belong to a local organisation, proudly wear the club shirt to wave the flag.
As well as raising the flag, hear from the 2018 Citizens of the Year, senior and junior, and see this year's nominees and winners recognised for their contributions to the community.
Enjoy the Australian music.
Tuck into the scrumptious breakfast prepared by the Collie Lions.
Because Saturday is not the gazetted holiday, many people will still have to work on that day, and have the day off on the Monday, but this should not prevent them being part of the celebration before work.
Be connected
If you are a senior who would like to become more proficient on a computer, the Collie Public Library can help you out.
Regular sessions are held on Wednesday afternoons, with the next one due on January 23, from 2pm to 3pm.
There is no need to RSVP, just go along to the library.
The subsequent sessions are all for the same time, 2pm to 3pm, and will be held on February 6 and 20; March 6 and 20; and April 3 and 17.
Information
It is not surprising that the library is a source of information, but as well as all those books, magazines, dvds, newspapers and so on, there is a community information hub.
This will give you lots of information about all sorts of organisations and events in Collie, very useful for those not on Facebook.
Those wishing to get the news out about their events can keep this in mind when they do their publicity.
Take your posters and flyers into the library to have them included in the hub.
Library activities
Call in to the library to browse the papers and magazines, check out some books or dvds, or go online.
Take the kids in to see what activities are on at the moment.
Become a member and start borrowing items.
Do some of the community jigsaw puzzle.
If you have some spare books you have finished reading, take them in to the library to share with others, or place them in one of the little libraries around town.
There is one in Central Park, and most Collie schools have one.
Things to do
There are a number of things to do in Collie during the holiday period.
Enjoy our Central Park, with its water park area, play equipment for kids, lots of lawn, shady areas, barbecues, picnic tables and the cafe.
Chill out at Soldiers' Park, more play equipment, starting point for walks, lots of shade and right next to it is the Skate Park, still providing lots of fun.
The rebuilt Railway Station has undergone a face lift and is worth a visit, especially for those keen on trains and rail history.
Call in to the Visitors' Centre to browse the range of souvenirs and gifts, see the replica underground mine and look at the steam locomotives, plus Polly of course.
With swimming lessons on during the morning, the heated pool is getting good use, but if you visit during the afternoon, there is much to enjoy in the various pools.
There are swimming spots at the river and in our former open cut mines.
Cyclists and mountain bike enthusiasts are spoilt for choice with the abundance of bike trails around our town.
Go for a walk around town, on the Karaak Trail or through the bush.
Watch out for the dinosaurs which have invaded the library - especially as they have brought with them a number of fun activities for the kids.
So much to do - we are spoilt for choice.
Art Gallery
The "Elemental - Land-Layers-Life" exhibition continues at the Art Gallery until February 4.
The work is by Perth-based artist Carol Rowling.
It explores the landscape from above, to present a different point of view.
If you haven't had a look at it yet, the Gallery is open Thursday to Mondays, 10am to 4pm.
You can also chat to the friendly volunteers about what courses and workshops are being offered in 2019, sign up as a member, and/or become a volunteer.
Open museum
Rather than closing down for the holiday period, the enthusiastic volunteers at the Coalfields Museum and Historical Research Centre are opening for extra days.
During the year, the museum closes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but the doors will be open all through the school holidays and kids will be admitted free provided they are accompanied by a responsible adult or by a member.
Thanks to the volunteers who will be giving up their time to keep the doors open for these extra days.
Many visitors and locals are taking the opportunities offered at the museum to find information about their families, and the way they lived in former times.
Water safety
Collie's swimming pool is an accredited Watch Around Water pool, so certain rules apply.
They are very sensible, and would be good to remember if you are anywhere near the water, whether it be at the beach, at the river, or one of our former open cut mines.
Children under 10 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and constantly supervised.
You must have a clear view of the child or children at all times.
Children under 5 must be within arms' reach at all times.
Unaccompanied or unsupervised children at the pool will be removed from the water.
Remember, drowning is silent, and it can take just a minute or two of inattention to cause brain damage or death.
Water is fun, but there is a constant need to be vigilant.
Fire safety
Collie is now in the prohibited burning period, so that means no fires in the open, whether you are camping, or wanting to burn off rubbish in your back yard.
Now is not the time.
We have all seen the devastation which fire can cause, let's all be careful, and give the firies a pleasant fire-free holiday period.
Litter
Last summer, swift action by local people resulted in Black Diamond being cleaned up after the Australia Day long weekend brought hundreds of visitors to the picturesque spot.
Please do not litter, we do hold the title of the State's Top Tidy Town, and the National judge will be visiting Collie on February 21 and 22 to have a look at the many projects and improvements around town.
It would be good if there was absolutely no litter for her to see!
If you go camping or picnicking, collect your rubbish, bring it home and dispose of it thoughtfully.
We live here, and we want to keep it clean.
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.
