Australia Day
The weather forecast is looking promising for the Australia Day long weekend.
Why not start the day at the Australia Day breakfast on Saturday?
The march starts at 7.30am, with proceedings in Central Park officially underway at 7.45am.
Awards will be presented to Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community organisation or event of the Year and the Environmental Award.
Lions will be serving breakfast at $5 per person immediately following the presentations.
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.
Collie Community Radio 101.3fm will be doing a live broadcast of proceedings as usual.
Been a busy week for the station with Ben keeping updates on the bushfire going last Sunday.
Swimming pool
Entry to the Mineworkers' Memorial Pool will be free all day Saturday.
Speedway
Make your way out to the Collie Speedway Saturday night for night one of the Street Stock State Titles.
Round one will be held on Sunday night.
This is a great family night out.
Think pink
Collie's Year 8 cricketers have decided they want to raise $550 towards a breast cancer nurse, inspired by the Pink Day on Day 3 of the Sydney Test.
The money goes to the McGrath Foundation.
The boys will be holding a car wash at the PCYC car park from 2pm to 5pm today (Thursday).
Maybe your vehicle got a bit sooty during Sunday's fire.
Here is the perfect opportunity to get it washed and support a good cause.
Morning tea
Fairview Primary P & C is hosting a small morning tea on the first day of school, to welcome all new and existing parents and guardians.
After dropping off your child or children, make your way to Room 1 to renew acquaintances and make new friends.
Business connections
The next in a series of information nights about the future of business in Collie will be held at the Collie Ridge on Wednesday, February 6, from 6pm to 8pm.
The session is free, but you need to register online.
See the Business Connections Facebook page.
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.
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.
Fire safety
If Sunday proved anything, it showed we cannot be complacent about fire safety.
It was a salutary lesson in how quickly a fire can develop if the right conditions prevail.
Fortunately, a combination of expertise on the ground and in the air stopped the fire in the nick of time.
We can only imagine what it was like for the firies in those dreadfully hot conditions.
It is not surprising that some had to be treated for heat exhaustion.
Well done to all concerned, the various emergency services coming together to do a superb job.
Well done to those who quickly rallied round to help their friends and neighbours, particularly in evacuating and caring for the animals caught up in the event.
I don't know if every horse float in Collie was mobilised, but it surely seemed like it.
All those hours of training paid off in a job which has drawn widespread admiration.
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.
