Category: Community

ALBANY kids will now have the opportunity to cuddle up with a dog and a book as the Albany Public Library commences their Paws for Reading program again.

The uniquely furry initiative was introduced last year at the library to encourage children improve their reading skills.

The program runs in partnership with Mt Barker Dogs Boarding Kennels, with patient pooches Spottie and Faith making their way to the library on the second Tuesday of every month.

Youth Services Librarian Dora Adeline said the community has gladly accepted the program, with 30 children coming to read to Spottie and Faith last year.

“Studies showed that children who read and are read to have a much higher vocabulary and a greater understanding and empathy of different topics in their lives and the world around them,” she said.

“Unfortunately learning to read can be very difficult for some children and the Paws for Reading program can provide an opportunity for them to engage in a great experience and develop a love of reading rather than feeling worried or judged.”

Paws for Reading also has additional support for children with dyslexia and other reading difficulties.

“Knowing that even a small increase to daily reading can make a huge difference to children as adults is what inspired Naomi from Mt Barker Dogs Boarding Kennels and myself to introduce a reading with dogs program to Albany,” Ms Adeline said.

“The program demonstrates that reading can still be a good experience for struggling readers as well as a great opportunity for all children to spend time reading with our dogs, or their own at home.”

Due to popular demand, 15-minute sessions with Spottie and Faith must be booked in advance, and can be found on the Albany Public Library website or organised by calling 6820 3600.

THREE Boyup Brook teenagers aspiring to attend the WA College of Agriculture in Denmark have each received $1000 to help make their dreams come true.

Roreigh Curran-Jones, Josh Coole and Georgia Dalton were the successful recipients of scholarships from Rylington Park Research & Training.

The students met the criteria of living within the Shire of Boyup Brook, put forward a compelling case outlining their desire to attend an agricultural school and performed well at an interview with a panel from Rylington Park Management Committee.

WA College of Agriculture Denmark Principal Kevin Osborne said he was thrilled the three students chose his school.

“We strive to encourage our students to take part in study streams that matter to them and gain knowledge and skills that they can take with them into every-day life when they graduate,” he said.

“I have no doubt that Georgia, Roreigh and Josh will be able to take back to their communities a wealth of learning during their time here.”

GREAT Southern locals are being encouraged to dress up in their finest white attire this Sunday in support of a sailing club’s disability program.

Sailability is an initiative that aims to get people of all abilities into sailing through specialised equipment and experienced support.

Now in its third year, the annual Le Dejenur en Blanc – white picnic for the non-French speaking linguists – is an afternoon of picnicking that raises funds for Princess Royal Sailing Club’s (PRSC) Sailability program.

Held on picture-perfect parkland right next to the sailing club, attendees are asked to setup their own picnic spread and let the good times roll as local musicians entertain.

Gracing the stage will be the Albany Pipe Band, Phil and Plune, Shanty Lilies, Mike Hyder and David Rastrick.

Raising almost $7000 since the event first started in 2018, organiser Georgie Walker is hoping for another strong turn out on Sunday.

“We’ve got a coffee van this year,” she said.

“People have asked me about having add-ons, but I feel it’s enough to ask them to bring everything.”

There’s also a prize for best looking table, with the winner banking dinner for four at Lime 303.

“Some of the ideas are fantastic,” Ms Walker said.

“It was really difficulty to judge last year’s winner.

“People do go out of the way with their food and presentation. It looks great.”

Since the Sailability program started at PRSC about a decade ago, it’s played a big role in re-shaping the identity of the club, according to former Commodore Clive Walker.

“We’re reaching out more into the community, rather than just being all about racing,” he said.

“We’ve spent about $250,000 on infrastructure since the program began.

“Originally there wasn’t even a ramp into the front of the club. It’s made a huge difference to people.”

Mr Walker said the club also took people with disabilities out fishing if that was more their thing.

“It’s growing,” he said. “Royal Perth Yacht Club said we probably have the best Sailability program in the state right now.”

With the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Mr Walker said participants could even have their sailing fees covered.

“If they come to the club they can get the details, but NDIS will cover even the $55-an-hour coaching fees,” he said.

‘DEMONIC’ Dave is his name and chilli is his game.

Albany man Dave Shorter has been munching on chillis and all things hot and spicy since he was five years old and is aiming to lock down the title of Chilli King in just about every competition there is in existence.

He is part of the UK’s League of Fire, is an accredited top-tier Golden Ladle Chilli Head with the N.E.U.K Chilli Heads and is now eyeing the title of best in Australia when it comes to eating hot things.

Mr Shorter already has the title of best in WA but that’s not enough.

So, he’s heading to New Zealand in May to take on the eating challenge of eating challenges.

But before he goes, Mr Shorter has been hard at work accruing points in various chilli food challenges.

The rules are simple: eating certain foods is worth a certain amount of points, and the winner is the person with the most points.

Each challenge must be filmed live and you have to film the “afterburn” too, not just the eating part.

The hottest thing he’s had recently was the Tube of Terror.

“It’s a tube of peanuts,” Mr Shorter said.

“I had cramps for about six hours afterwards.

“And when I’ve spoken to lady competitors, they compared the cramps to giving birth.”

Mr Shorter has to eat chilli in some shape or form regularly to maintain his ability to eat it successfully.

The key to eating it successfully also comes down to prep work – he drinks plenty of milk and eats lots of carbs beforehand, and drinks lemon and lime juice afterwards.

He has chilli-flavoured candy every day at lunch time – his co-workers find it weird and hilarious.

But, chilli is Mr Shorter’s thing and he loves it.

So much so, he wants to start a chilli festival in Albany.

“We need to bring chilli to Albany,” he said.

“It could be our thing.

“We could invite growers from Perth and over east and they’d supply their products, and it would encourage local growers as well.”

Mr Shorter is currently working on a chilli-eating challenge with new Lockyer cafe D&C Grill Taste of Albany.

You can watch Demonic Dave take on food challenges with Carolina Reaper Peppers, Scorpion Chilli, Bhut Jolokia Chilli and 13M Capsaicin Crystals, or offer him some of your own chilli-hot products to review, on his Facebook page.

Just search Dave Shorter.

FOR most women, buying sanitary products is something they don’t give a second thought about.

They need them, so they buy them; if anything, they see them as just another annoying thing they have to add to the shopping list.

But for some women, buying these essential items is difficult – they can’t afford them, they have been prevented by others from buying them, or they have to forgo them for other essentials, like food.

Share the Dignity is a charity designed to aid girls and women experiencing homelessness, domestic violence or poverty by giving them sanitary products such as pads and tampons.

The organisation has an annual Dignity Drive for such products and the Albany drive starts next month.

“There are so many people using services like this in Albany,” Coordinator Trish Robinson said.

“I was contacted once by a school because a young girl had been using the same tampon for two days … the health risks associated with that are huge.

“I’ve heard of people using toilet paper or socks instead of sanitary products … and it’s not just young girls – there’s a whole generation of women out there without pads and tampons.

“That’s why it is so important that we can do this.”

The Albany Dignity Drive begins on March 1 and will continue until March 31.

There will be collection points for sanitary products – pads, tampons, incontinence pads, cups, and underwear – at various stores across Albany, including Woolworths, for that time period.

“We only ask for products, not money,” Ms Robinson said.

“And anything collected in the Great Southern stays in the Great Southern.”

ANIMALS who have assisted with war efforts throughout history will be remembered at an event this weekend at Albany’s National Anzac Centre.

National War Animals Memorial Day commemorations will commence at 11am on February 23 and include a display by the 10th Light Horse Albany Troop.

Troop President Maxine Brown said this year was the first time the event had ever been held in Albany.

“It recognises all animals who have served in all wars, not just the wars within the past 100 years,” she said.

“Animals, particularly horses, were used to transport troops and gear, but animals were also used as mascots.

“And then you’ve got the explosive detective dogs that are used in Afghanistan, and a lot of dogs become very good companions to soldiers with PTSD.

“Animals are just so important.”

Premier Mark McGowan will travel to Albany to attend the Sunday event and said the opportunity to commemorate mateship and the role of loyal animals was very special.

“Animals including horses, dogs and even pigeons have been loyal mates for our troops in times of need and it is fitting we recognise their role as part of the National War Animals Memorial Day,” he said.

A FAMILY passion passed down through the generations is the backbone of an annual event that showcases all things vintage cars, tractors and machinery.

This Saturday’s fifth annual Cars & Coffee is a chance for Great Southern motoring enthusiasts to display and sell their treasured collectables.

The event is the brainchild of the Walmsley family, who have been running the swapmeet since it started in 2014.

The late George Walmsley was a passionate collector of vintage machinery.

According to grandson Charles Walmsley, he owned one of the biggest Massey-Ferguson tractor collections in Australia, and passed his love for vintage pieces down the family tree.

“When my grandfather passed, it was all handed down to my father Gordon and he wanted to showcase it,” Charles said.

“He wanted to open a museum but this was the next best thing.

“We also wanted to showcase what we have and what everyone else in the community has in their collections.”

A gold coin donation gets you entry, with all proceeds going towards running the event and supporting not-for-profit group Albany Community Hospice.

There will be food vans and coffee vans onsite, or you’re welcome to bring your own snacks and refreshments.

People with interesting wares to sell are also encouraged to setup small stalls.

“The beauty of our event, unlike a lot of car shows, is people can come and go whenever they want – you don’t have to stay,” Charles said.

“We are doing it the week before Racewars as a bit of a warm up. There will be a lot of Racewars cars here.”

Charles said Cars & Coffee was a great networking opportunity for classic car enthusiasts, offering up the chance to buy a gem piece you’ve always dreamed of.

The event will be held from 10am to 3pm this Saturday at 278 Robinson Road, Albany.

For more information about the event, contact Charles Walmsley on 0439 097 515.