Local News

The Geo has been contacted by a Perth based freelance journalist and published historical writer for help with a project. Joseph Poprzeczny who is best known for his biography on Odilo Globocnik, the biggest killer of the 20th century, is currently conducting research on a man who has been described as the most influential Pole in early Western Australian history, Modest Maryanski.

During his amazing life Modest made his way to the South West, drawn here by a metal that brought so many to our state, gold. Modest did not follow the masses to Kalgoorlie or Coolgardie he was drawn to Donnybrook. The gold mine in Donnybrook operated for around 3-4 years and was not the windfall Modest had hoped for.

During his time in Donnybrook Modest called on the services of one of the regions most famous sons, Henry Yelverton. Modest is believed to have placed several large orders for timber from Yelverton before the mine went under.

Joseph Poprzeczny has been collecting information on Modest for several years and needs your help. If any of our readers has pictures or information relating to Yelverton or Modest Maryanski during this period and would like to help can either contact The Geo via email or Joseph direct at janus1@westnet.com.au.

A body found in a plantation south of Busselton last week has been identified as James Drury of Bunbury, Police have confirmed.

The body was found last week at the Baudin Plantation by a forestry worker. Mr Drury went missing on Christmas Eve.

The cause of death is still unknown, though the Police have ruled out any suspicious circumstances. A funeral for Mr Drury will be held on Friday.

A Busselton resident has died of her injuries after being run over by her car on Monday morning.

76 year old Anita Ayres was reversing her car Volvo Sedan down her driveway early Monday morning when she stoped to put her rubbish in her wheelie bin. She reportedly hit be accelerator by accident and lost control of the car. She was thrown from the car and run over by one the vehicles wheels.

Mrs Ayres was taken to Busselton Hospital for treatment but later dies of internal injuries.

Police are still investigating the accident and will prepare a report for the coroner.

Last night Council accepted for a second time the State Governments offer to repair the Jetty and Revitalise the Busselton foreshore.

The Council, which only a month ago voted to repeal the original acceptance, voted 8 to 5 in favour of the motion. Cr Bromell who moved that Council endorse the officer recommendations in the funding comparison report brought on the vote.

"The report compares the upfront capital costs together with the ongoing maintenance costs and makes comment on the overall cost to the Shire over the coming 50 years." The comparison report also featured a detailed financial modelling of the five funding alternatives over a 50 year period. In general the report found that the "Jetty can only be sustainable and cover all future maintenance and capital costs with minimal support from the Shire by accepting the State governments offer towards the rebuild."

When looked at in terms of cash flow, financial impost on the Shire and risk point of view the report indicated that Option D was the most suitable of the five.

Option D includes Full restoration including – rebuilding sections 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10. Repair sections 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 and Scout Road Boat Ramp. Total cost $24.6 million funded by $1.6 million BJECA, $11 million Shire, $6 million State Government and $6 million Federal Government.

When comparing Option D with Option A (BJAC Proposal) there is a saving to Shire ratepayer of around $280 million over 50 years. From the debate in the Council chambers it was obvious that the main concern of those Councillor who voted for the motion was the financial implications on the Shire and its ratepayers. Cr Binks and Hartley both changed there voted from last time to support for the motion.

During his speech Cr Binks looked physically shaken and appeared to be near to tears at several points. There was a feeling of surprise in the Chamber when Cr Binks came out in suport of the motion.

Immediately after Cr Binks speech Cr Stubbs attempted to move an amendment to the motion. The amendment called for the removal of clause 8 of the officer recommendations. Clause 8 states;

The Council last night voted 6 to 6 and therefore in favour of a motion that indicates the preferred location for the new Busselton Hospital is the current site.

The debate was an emotional one, which came down to the wire, with Shire President Wes Hartley casting the deciding vote in favour of the motion.

The motion moved by Cr Tuffin also directs the Shire President to write to the Premier and inform him of the Councils position and ask him to reconsider his Governments position to build the new hospital at Vasse.

The motion follows the decision by the Minister for Health, Jim McGinty, to bypass Council and use his powers under the Public Works Act to have the hospital built at Vasse.

Cr Tuffin believes that by "Throwing the weight of the Shire into the equation must have a marked influence on the Premier." This will not be the first time the Shire has written directly to the Premier concerning the location of the hospital. In November 2006 the then Shire President, Kevin Douglas, wrote to the Premier. The response was one in favour of the Vasse site and it seems unlikely that State Government would changed its position on the matter this time.