Fire donations
A monster garage sale at Allanson Primary School this Saturday from 8am to 1pm, aims to raise funds for bushfire relief in New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria. Donations of new and very good condition used items can be left at the school on Friday afternoon between 3-5pm.
There will be a sausage sizzle and drinks on sale. Catholics across Australia, including those in Collie, have been asked to contribute on the Australia Day weekend to an Australian-wide appeal to assist those who have been affected by the recent catastrophic fires. All funds collected in this appeal will be directed to the St Vinnies Bushfire Appeal.
BMX for girls
A free clinic for girls and women will be held at the BMX track on Sunday from 1.30pm to 2.30pm.
Fitness in park
Free fitness sessions will be offered at Central Park next week, by Roche Park staff. January 21 at 9.15am and January 28 at 5.30pm, yoga sessions will be available. Zumba is scheduled for January 23 at 6pm and January 29 at 9.15am. Bring a towel and a water bottle.
Australia Day
Our National Day is a little over a week away, so mark your calendars for the events planned for that weekend.
On January 26, the Australia Day breakfast will be held in Central Park from 7am. This event includes a march, presentation of Citizen of the Year awards and a scrumptious breakfast cooked by the Lions Club of Collie.
From 12pm to 7pm on that day, entry to the swimming pool will be free. Inflatables will be free for the duration of the session. There will be an RFS Fundraiser with aquaerobics at 4pm, at a cost of $10 per person. On January 25, the tennis club is holding a competition starting at 2.30pm, followed by a barbecue at 6.30pm. BYO everything.
Summer shuttle bus
Thanks to the Collie Community Bank and the Collie Bus Service, a summer shuttle bus service is operating on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school holidays. Timetables are available from the Visitors' Centre or the Community Bank in Forrest St.
There is a gold coin fare which allows access all day from 9am to 4pm, and you can get on or off the bus at stops, including the Visitors' Centre, Allanson, Potters Gorge, the weir kiosk, Black Diamond, Minninup Pool, the Railway Station, swimming pool, Soldiers' Park, and the Margaretta Wilson Centre.
Coalfields Museum
The Coalfields Museum and Historical Research Centre will be open seven days a week during the school holidays, 9am to 3pm daily.
Children accompanied by an adult will be admitted free during this period. The museum has "treasure hunt" activity sheets to add interest for kids. The rebuilt railway station is open for visitors to see the attractions and have a cuppa or a light lunch.
The current exhibition at the Collie Art Gallery features portraits of 55 Collie people, aged between 7 and 90. It will run until January 19, and can be seen Thursday to Monday, from 10am to 4pm.
Illustrate
The Collie library is holding a creative illustration workshop on Thursday, January 23, from 10.30am to 11.30am, and from 1.30pm to 2.30pm. Contact the library to register.
Family history
The Family History Society is back from its holiday break. Members meet at the Miners' Institute on Tuesdays at 7pm, and on Wednesdays from 9am.
Stay safe
Watch out for children whether it is on the streets or around water. Drowning is a silent event, so do keep an eye on your children whether you are at the beach, the river or the pool. Remember to slip, slop, slap - slip on protective clothing, slop on some sunscreen and slap on a hat.
If you are spending time around Collie, enjoy the beautiful area we live in, and respect the town and the surrounding bushland by respecting the environment. Take nothing but photographs; leave nothing but footprints.
Send it in
You can send in items for your not-for-profit organisations and clubs to me at nrg@highway1.com.au or pop it in my letter box at 87 Jones Street, by 5pm Mondays.
