I can’t believe the year is racing away!! Not sure about the rest of you but the pace of life these days is pretty jam packed!! This will probably be the last of my specific updates. We are currently in the middle of a restruc-ture at the Shire and my role will be changing, which will see me take on Economic Development and Strategy for the Shire across all four towns – I will still call Onslow home though and be based here. With all the re-source development happening in Onslow and across the Shire it is important that we focus our efforts to en-sure the upcoming growth and development is solid and long lasting, my role will be to support small and local business to grow and harness opportunities and help big business integrate into our community and learn the ropes!! I’m sure over the next few months we will better understand the way forward and some of these areas will be clearer.

Exciting times as usual in Onslow, Wheatstone received final federal Environmental approval yesterday and this will see “FID” (Final Investment Decision) taken very soon I would imagine. Whilst this signals great

opportunity for Onslow it will also come with great change. I can only hope we can all love the way Onslow grows into the future and those coming to share our town with us will respect us in the way forward.

Council signed off in principle on a new provider for Onslow Day Care Services and this should see services commence early in the new year, this whilst I know for some will be long overdue will be a very welcomed support mechanism for many young families. This month and the next sees Volleyball, Badminton and the Onslow Triathlon on offer from a sporting sense – great to see such opportunities on offer!! And what about the line marking on Onslow Road, whilst I know it is an essential safety mechanism, it was a bit sad to see the progress, but wonderful to know we are being heard and protected none the less.

By Amanda O’Hal loran

Executive Manager Western Operations

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September 2011

ONSLOW WELCOMES DEBORAH WILKES

NEW EXECUTIVE MANAGER— COMMUNITY SERVICES

The Shire of Ashburton welcomes new Executive Manager of

Community Services, Deborah Wilkes. Deborah brings a wealth of

knowledge to her new role—with experience managing youth and

community projects from Perth to Florida!

Deborah’s position covers Onslow, Pannawonica, Parraburdoo and

Tom Price, however she is based in Onslow.

Deborah’s resume is peppered with variety. She studied Social Science (Youth Work) at Edith

Cowan University before embarking on a career in youth services. Then followed family/teen

mediation services, a role developing youth programs in Joondaulup, counseling for the North

Metropolitan Community Drug Service Team and onto State Coordinator for School Drug Educa-

tion in Western Australia. A stint overseas working on the Disney Cruise Lines in Florida ads to

her experience where she spent several months organizing fun programs for over 1000 children

each cruise and managing a staff of over 55. Deborah’s most recent role was as manager of Com-

munity Services for the City of Subiaco and we are now very pleased to welcome her to Onslow

as a part of the Shire of Ashburton Team.

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VOTE SO YOU CAN HAVE YOUR SAY! You all should have now received your voting forms in the mail and its time to VOTE

for your preferred candidate in the Local Government Elections.

Onslow has two candidates running for Councillor— Pearse Herbert and Kerry White Take a moment to consider the future of Onslow, place a tick in the preferred box

and post back to the AEC in the replied paid envelope.

Have a say, your voice counts!

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Alan Crawford has worked for the Shire of Ashburton since 26th November 1977.

Alan is currently working as a Town Maintenance Officer and is responsible for the

organisation and upkeep of the Onslow waste site where he has been for 2 years.

Allan has been in the area his whole life and grew up on Redhill Station.

In 1977 Alan moved to Onslow which was then the West Pilbara Shire. When

asked what were the best moments working for the Shire, Alan replied “working on

the road crew for over 20 years, back then we camped under the stars and lived in

swags using plywood caravans from Mainroads at Nullabour Plains”

Alan also said “I’ve seen allot of changes in my time, but when you ask what my future holds.. I’m

staying in Onslow to watch this town develop”

Other moments recalled by Alan included an event in the early 90’s when there was a fire in Karijini

National Park and Alan was in charge of doing the firebreaks. He was being followed by a water truck

and as he continued along he realised the water truck had turned around and he was now surrounded

by flames. He had to drive back through the fire to get out, but all turned out well.

Allan claims to have worn out 4 loaders in his 34 years on the job with the Shire, and we’re sure there’s

more to come!

Allan was presented a gift and certificate at the last Council meeting in Onslow and a big thank you

from Councillors and Executive Management for his service and continued commitment to the Shire, its

greatly appreciated.

RECOGNITION OF SERVICE

Shire CEO Jeff Breen, thanks Allan Crawford

for 33, going on 34 years of service

Shire CEO Jeff Breen, Acting Shire President

Linton Rumble and Allan Crawford

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From the Library……………..

September has seen things slow down in the library compared to the previous few months as most of our tourists have left town and headed back home before the summer heat hits. We have some great new books just arrived from the State Library. Fans of James Paterson will enjoy Tick Tock. “NYC’S number one detective, Michael Bennett, has a huge problem - someone is recreating the crimes of infamous killers form New York’s history. The city has never been more terrified”. It has been described as “the most volatile and most explosive Michael Bennet ever”. We also have a new book for our Tami Hoag fans. Secrets of the Grave has been described by The Boston Globe as having “cliff-hanger scene endings and jump cuts leaving the reader panting and turning the pages as fast as possible”. New DVD’s recently purchased by the Library include everyone’s favourite big dog “Marmaduke”. A great one for the kids and from dogs to aliens – “Paul”, a hilarious comedy about a couple of sci-fi geeks who get caught up on an insane road trip with an alien! Liam Neeson stars as a Doctor who awakens from a car accident in Berlin to discover suddenly that his wife doesn’t recognise him and another man has assumed his identity in “Unknown”. Available now for loan.

Item of the Month – Reviewed by Tanya Hell Island by Matthew Reilly (Talking Book – 2 hours 15 minutes) Hell Island does not appear on any maps. It is a secret place where classified experiments have been carried out that has gone terribly wrong. When all contact with the Island is inexplicably lost four crack Special Forces units are dropped in. Their mission is to land on Hell Island and dis-cover what has happened. Nothing can prepare them for what they find there. You could say they’ve just entered Hell. Only that would be wrong. This is much, much worse.

Tanya’s comments Thoroughly enjoyable but not for the faint hearted. Action packed. Perfect for the drive to Karratha My Rating = (4 out of 5) Onslow Public Library, Shire Building, Second Ave, Onslow Ph 91846001

NEWSLETTER DROPS The Shire of Ashburton is supporting the community by giving a different not-for-profit group from each town, every month, the chance to deliver its newsletter (the Inside Ashburton). If you would like to find out more please contact the Shire of Ashburton Tom Price office for further details on 91884444

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McGrath Ave Sreet Lighting

Installation of seven new street lights on McGrath Ave has commenced.

The seven new lights will be installed from Second Ave up to Otway. The

lighting will add to the safety and security of Onslow residents in that area.

In order for the project to commence ten cottonwood and Olive trees had

to be removed and transplanted elsewhere as they were in the alignment

of where the underground cabling and light poles were to be positioned.

Once the project is completed the Shire will plant new street to replace the ones removed.

This project was funded by the Country Local Government Funds and the Shire of Ashburton

WORKING FOR THE SHIRE OF ASHBURTON

The Shire of Ashburton is undergoing considerable organizational

changes and this will see a number of employment opportunities in a

variety of different positions and towns within our Shire.

All positions will be advertised on our web site www.ashburton.wa.gov.au

and placed on noticeboards around town. If you are looking for work, please feel free to

drop in a copy of your Resume into the office or contact our HR Manager Felicia Mudge on

91884444.

Positions currently advertised:

CLEANER (CASUAL) Onslow $35.04 per hour

Council is seeking applications from people interested in the above position. The suc-

cessful applicant will be responsible for the cleaning of Council buildings and facilities in

Onslow, ensuring a high quality of cleanliness and hygiene. For further information please

contact Leanne McGowan or Gary martin on 91846001.

2 x TOWN MAINTENANCE OFFICERS (CASUAL) Onslow $25.88—$29.33 per hour

The Town Maintenance Officer position is responsible for performing general duties relating to the

maintenance and upgrade of roads, verges, sporting grounds and parks and also general duties

relating to the maintenance and coordination of Councils waste site in Onslow. Employment is

offered on a casual basis with potential to lead to a permanent full time position. Along with a

general cash component the salary package includes superannuation, an annual $3,000

Ashburton bonus and the opportunity for continued professional development additional to the

package. Uniforms are provided. For further information contact Allan Monson on 0427881942.

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At the 2011 September meeting of Council – There was unanimous support for the group CSSU (Children Services Support Unit WA), to provide a 3 year day care service to Onslow.

It is anticipated it will take up to 3 months to finalise negotiations and licensing requirements, which will see the service open early in the New Year. Council recommended supporting CSSU with $15,000 in in-kind and services support to run the Day Care and allocate one of its houses to the group to support staff retention in Onslow.

There will however continue to be a short fall in funding and Council will petition local industry and business for support in this area. CSSU are Pilbara based and provide services to a number of towns in the Pilbara and are able to provide training and regional management out of Karratha.

Acting Shire President Cr Rumble stated “the Council is very pleased to support the re establishment and extension of a day care service in Onslow and its more pleasing to see the Multipurpose Complex finally be utilised for this purpose. CSSU are a solid organisation and we look forward to a positive partnership over the coming years”.

CSSU will provide long day care to the Onslow community a much needed and vital service. If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact Darlene Bodanski 9184 9314.

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