Past Collie shows
The Agricultural Society is seeking any photos or memorabilia from the Collie Show in years past to be part of a special display at this year's show. If you can help, contact the Ag Society through their Facebook page.
They say they will scan any photos and return the originals to their owners.
Bee theme
The theme of this year's show is an insect without which we would all starve. Bees pollinate food crops as well as flowers, and are essential to our survival on this planet.
They also give us yummy honey, so do grow bee-friendly plants in your garden, and be careful in the pest control methods you use.
Our Community Garden ran bee hotel workshops a couple of years ago, and opened the eyes of some of us to the native bees which are vital to the future of native plants.
The blue-banded bee is a favourite of mine.
Story writers wanted
The Collie library is looking for young people with story ideas to write for children.
Anyone between the ages of 5 and 16 can write a children's story of 300 words or less, and submit it no later than Friday, July 5.
One story will be chosen and transformed into a wonderful picture book to be housed at the library.
The book will be released on August 19 for Children's Book Week. So, budding authors, get your imaginations buzzing, and write something exciting, fantastic, adventurous, interesting and enjoyable and submit it to the library.
Your story can be hand written or typed, and should include name and contact details. You could be the next J.K.Rowling or A.A.Milne.
Local artists
It is great to see local artists showing their works at the Collie Art Gallery.
In years past, their only opportunity would be at the Collie Show, Griffin Festival, or other small local exhibitions.
To have your work displayed at a real art gallery would be a wonderful thrill, and to have that happen in your home town just adds to it.
Elisha McGuckin recently showed her work at the local gallery.
Collie artists were lucky in the past to have art studies available at the Collie TAFE.
Two local artists, Fran Dorozenko and Merilyn Piavanini, are products of those courses.
Both have been creating for many years, and have joined together to present "Bits and Pieces".
The gallery is open Thursday to Monday, from 10am to 4pm.
Minninup comment
The deadline for comment on proposals for sustainable day use and low scale nature-based camping at Minninup Pool is tomorrow.
If you haven't had your say yet, go to www.haveyoursaycollie.
Re-use shopping
The Collie Re-use shop is now open at the Waste Transfer Station.
Items for sale are $10 or less, and by shopping there, you can re-use, re-cycle and reduce the amount of stuff going to landfill. Win-win.
Other recycling chances can be found at the Red Cross Shop, the Anglican Op Shop at Noyes Hall, and St Vinnies at the old Bargain Barn.
Shop local
The Collie Mail has been an advocate for shopping locally for many years, coming up with the slogan "Shop local and buy your kids a job".
The Collie Chamber of Commerce and Industry runs campaigns supporting local businesses, and has organised a Christmas in July.
The campaign is underway until July 26. Spend more than $50 at a local store and go into the draw for a great prize.
Welcome rain
The sound of rain on a corrugated iron roof is hard to beat, and it certainly has been resounding locally this week.
Let's hope the rain continues, so that our dehydrated bush can recover, the bushfire risk can diminish, and our gardens can revive - not forgetting freshening up the river and filling dams.
In the old term, send 'er down, Hughie.
Send it in
Items for not-for-profit organisations are welcomed for this column.
You can email information to me at nrg@highway1.com.au by 5pm on Mondays, or drop off notes in my mailbox at 87 Jones Street.
Please include a contact name and phone number in case I need to check information.
