Latest news with #Geraldton-based
West Australian
28-05-2025
- General
- West Australian
ATSB release preliminary report into tragic Ogilvie plane crash that killed 67yo pilot Eric Roulston
The pilot killed in a fatal light plane crash earlier this year texted a maintenance worker 18 minutes into the fateful flight that he was worried about the oil temperature, a preliminary report has revealed. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau released a preliminary report on Wednesday outlining the findings collected so far in its investigation into a deadly crash involving a Cessna 150 light aircraft near Ogilvie in the Mid West. About 11.15am on March 21, 2025, a motorist reported that a Cessna 150M singe-engine aircraft named VH‑WWU had crashed into terrain in Ogilvie, about 84km north of Geraldton. The pilot, 67-year-old Eric 'Rollo' Roulston — a stalwart of the regional aviation scene who operated a charter business out of Shark Bay — was the sole occupant of the aircraft and did not survive the crash. According to ATSB's preliminary report, the aircraft had departed Geraldton Airport on a planned ferry flight to Shark Bay, taking off roughly 75 minutes before the wreckage was reported. Eighteen minutes into the flight, Mr Roulston texted a staff member at a Geraldton-based maintenance organisation that had released the aircraft from maintenance three days prior. 'In the text, the pilot was positive about the aircraft's performance, but noted a slightly higher than usual oil temperature,' ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said. 'The temperature shown in the photo was towards the upper end of the normal range, but below the 240°F maximum oil temperature limit.' Mr Roulston's text message read: 'WWU flies beautiful, smooth, and tight. Oil temp a little high for a cool day so we might have to look at fitting those coolers back onto WWU. I'd hate to see the rings suffer.' The report stated the maintenance worker acknowledged the message and sent a reply, which was delivered to Mr Roulston's phone at 10.18am, indicating the device was still functioning at that time. Witnesses at Geraldton Airport said Mr Roulston appeared unwell prior to take-off, and he had reportedly mentioned experiencing gastroenteritis in the days leading up to the flight. However, witnesses did not observe any obvious speech or physical impairments at the time. 'The ATSB's ongoing investigation will include the collection and review of all available medical history and post-mortem information for the pilot,' Mr Mitchell said. 'It will also include examination and review of all the other evidence gathered, including CCTV and CTAF recordings, aircraft, pilot and operator documentation, witness reports, the aircraft's maintenance history, and the evidence gathered at the accident site itself.' Initial ATSB findings show the wreckage trail stretched about 23m. Impact marks suggest the aircraft struck the ground at high speed in a nose-down position, with no post-impact fire recorded. 'No pre-impact defects were identified and bending and damage to the propeller was consistent with the engine running at the time of impact,' Mr Mitchell said. Weather conditions on the day of the crash were clear, with light winds of up to 5kt and a temperature of 34C. In a tragic twist, Mr Roulston's 23-year-old son Bradleigh, also a pilot, lost his life in an another aviation tragedy while on a goat-culling operation in the Gascoyne 17 years ago. A final report, including safety analysis and findings, will be released by the ATSB at the conclusion of its investigation.
West Australian
26-05-2025
- General
- West Australian
Mid West trio presented with respective medals following Australia Day honours
Australia Day honours for a Mid West trio were officially presented at a ceremony earlier this month, recognising their significant contributions to the community. On Australia Day this year, Geraldton resident Peter Stratford OAM and Jurien Bay's Robin Randall OAM were awarded their respective Medals of the Order of Australia, with the medals officially handed over at Government House by WA Governor Chris Dawson. Mr Stratford, who has lived in Geraldton for the past 20 years, has held a number of roles within the community. In particular, his contribution to the Drummond Cove Progress Association and Fishability contributed heavily to his nomination. His volunteering record is extensive, having previously been a career firefighter in NSW. Mr Stratford previously told the Geraldton Guardian the honour was a nod to all volunteers who gave their time for noble causes. 'I think there are a lot of people around Geraldton, volunteers, different services, different organisations,' he said. 'So I'm accepting this on behalf of all the volunteers and services — police, fire brigade, ambulance, doctors, everything. 'There are a lot of worthy recipients around Geraldton who dedicate enormous amounts of time for no pay or anything. They just do it because they really, really like to help people.' Jurien Bay's Robin Randall was honoured posthumously, following his significant contribution in the Shire of Dandaragan. He was recognised most notably through his service to Marine Rescue Jurien Bay, where he volunteered for more than 30 years. His daughter Sandra said it was the epitome of her father's character. 'He saw there was a need for radio operators and when he threw himself into anything, he did so wholeheartedly,' she said. 'He took on pretty much every single role there was. He did his cert four so that he could do the official training. 'He loved it and lived it, he was down at the base almost every day during the summer.' Meanwhile, another Australia Day honour went to Geraldton-based paramedic Nic Chadbourne ASM. The 44-year-old was one of the first community paramedics, and was awarded the Ambulance Service Medal on Australia Day. Over 17 years, Mr Chadbourne has been invaluable when responding to emergencies and disasters over his paramedic career, including assisting in 2021 through cyclone Seroja.
West Australian
21-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Geraldton-based football club Rovers pleads to council to write off $50,000 debt for cancelled project
A Geraldton-based football club is urging the local council to write off nearly $50,000 worth of outstanding debt for a project to update their changerooms that never got off the ground. Rovers Football Club told the City of Greater Geraldton agenda forum on Tuesday that they were not in a position to pay off the debt immediately. Back in 2022, Rovers was approved for a grant application and self-supporting loan to upgrade the changerooms and canteen at its home ground of Greenough Oval. According to the city, Rovers received its first payment of $48,717 in December 2023, but due to the project changing from the original approved design, delays occurred. The agenda forum document for May stated the Department of Local Government, Sport, and Cultural Industries in November informed the club their funding had been withdrawn, and no other money was paid. Two months later, Rovers wrote to the city advising they were unable to complete the project, and was unable to repay the first payment having already spent the funds on design and engineering. The club requested the amount be waived, and to negotiate a 'reasonable settlement'. However, the council's executive recommendation was to not approve the debt write off, and to negotiate a repayment schedule of the full amount plus four per cent interest over seven years. Speaking at the agenda forum, Rovers vice president Clive Edwards said the club was hoping to defer the payment until next year when they would be in a better financial position. He said there were members of the committee who changed the plans without the approval of the rest of the board, causing the costs to increase. Mr Edwards said those responsible were no longer on the board, with the club on an upward trajectory financially, having acquired new sponsors. He said the club had managed to pay back the majority owed to creditors, but was mindful there were only four home games left for Rovers in 2025, saying the club would struggle to pay back the finances immediately. According to Mr Edwards, his partner was a 'book keeper by trade' and had taken on the treasurer role to help stabilise the club going forward. Cr Kim Parker asked if the decision to waive the debt would open other groups to do the same. Chief executive Ross McKim said setting precedence was something councils needed to consider, adding it was tricky. Rovers has been a club for more than a century, producing a number of AFL talents including Liam Ryan and Judd McVee. The club has had recent on-field success, winning three league premierships in four years between 2019 and 2022. Council will debate and vote on the matter at the council meeting on Tuesday, May 27.
West Australian
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Homegrown talent Jade Baynes to hit Sydney's Capitol Theatre in award-winning musical The Book of Mormon
A multi-talented Geraldton-born singer and actress has scored an important role in one of the world's most beloved musicals, showing in Sydney. Jade Baynes has been cast as a swing for the critically-acclaimed musical The Book of Mormon. She recently appeared as Bec in the Geraldton-based Stan original series Invisible Boys based on the novel by Holden Sheppard, and has starred in major productions such as Matt Ward's Priscilla: Queen of the Desert and the Aussie premiere of All Shook Up The Musical. A Tony, Olivier, and Grammy award-winning production, The Book of Mormon follows the misadventures of two Mormon missionaries in a remote Ugandan village as they attempt to spread their faith and will. Baynes has been cast as a swing — a performer who understudies multiple ensemble roles, ready to step in at any time if a member is unable to perform. Swings may also cover other principal roles in addition to their ensemble duties. Baynes said she was ecstatic to be a part of such a huge musical, and hoped she can do her role justice. 'When I found out I'd been cast as a swing in The Book of Mormon, I was genuinely shocked,' she said. 'I've done everything from ensemble to lead roles before, but never swing, which is easily one of the most complex and demanding jobs in musical theatre. 'The fact that the creative team saw something in me that said, 'Yep, she can handle this,' still blows my mind.' The musical, which will open in July at Sydney's Capitol Theatre stars a cast including Sean Johnston (Hairspray) as Elder Price, Nick Cox (Beauty and the Beast) as Elder Cunningham, Paris Leveque who is making her professional debut as Nabulungi, Tom Struik (Sister Act the Musical) as Elder McKinley, Simbarashe Matshe (Filthy Business) as Mafala Hatimbi, Augie Tchantcho who is reprising his role in The Book of Mormon as The General and Matthew Hamilton (Tina – The Tina Turner Musical) as Mission President. With cast and creatives coming from Broadway to deliver the show in Sydney, Baynes said she was 'more than ready' to use 'every bit of my brain capacity' and 'be the best swing I can be.'
West Australian
01-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Geraldton jetty project at standstill after lack of investment from State, Federal political parties
A jetty in Geraldton appears to be at a standstill after it was revealed there has been a lack of political support for the project. In November last year, the City of Greater Geraldton council decided to write to each of the candidates for the seat of Geraldton at the State election and the seat of Durack at the Federal level to determine if funding for a jetty would be considered. A $50,000 business case prepared for the project outlined three options: a $12 million 125m jetty at Midalia's Beach, a $12m 125m jetty at the Durlacher Street groyne near Dome Cafe, and a $24m 125m jetty extending outwards from a walkway between the groynes at Midalia's Beach. It was revealed at Tuesday's council meeting there had been a lack of interest in funding the construction of the jetty from the State and Federal level. At the State level, the Liberal Party pledged $12m to build the jetty, but the party failed to form Government at March's election. On the Federal level, Liberal MP Melissa Price has long advocated for a Geraldton-based jetty but the party did not make a pledge to construct it should it win the election. Ms Price confirmed to the Geraldton Guardian she would push for further discussions about Federal funding if she was re-elected and if the Coalition formed Government. A council motion to note the actions and responses of candidates and to receive the financial modelling as applied to the business case was moved by Cr Peter Fiorenza. He said city staff had done as requested, which set the platform for the council to consider whether or not to move forward with the project. Cr Steve Cooper said he believed it was not appropriate to continue to go ahead with the project at this stage given the lack of financial backing and more discussions needed to be held. Cr Aaron Horsman proposed that if the original motion failed $50,000 be put in the 2025-26 capital works program to progress to a site selection study. He said a big section of the community had got the project this far and it should continue. Cr Victor Tanti said it was positive to get the numbers but the costs didn't include the extras required to make the jetty 'people-friendly'. 'We've gone as far as we can with this at this time,' he said. Cr Fiorenza said if the project was to progress, it would likely result in a rate rise. The original motion was passed 9-1.
