Happy New Year!
I hope that you had a lovely, relaxing and safe Christmas and New Year filled with the people you care about the most. So far, 2016 is looking like a pretty great year. We are excited to introduce a more regular posting schedule here on the blog as well as plenty of new initiatives (and the revival of old ones like the Wheatbelt Walking Challenge).
First up, here’s what has been happening around the Wheatbelt…
- The Hon Mia Davies is wanting to hear your opinion about public art in the Wheatbelt, in particular on CBH silos like in Northam. You can join the discussion on her Facebook page or send her an email at mia.davies@mp.wa.gov.au
- A new study has revealed that the mental health of Wheatbelt farmers has suffered due to the effects of climate change on their lands and communities. Newdegate farmers were surveyed by researchers from Murdoch University, who discovered that the negative impacts of climate change had a negative impact to their mental health. Find more details here.
- We loved watching Fiona Palmer’s video “A Day in the Life of an Australian Author”. Be sure to have a look yourself. Find the video here.
- We have put all of our #lifeinthewheatbelt Instagram takeovers onto the Wheatbelt Local website, making them easy to find and scroll through. The project is designed to connect Wheatbelt residents by having people of all ages, occupations and locations share a day in their life in the Wheatbelt. Find out more about the project (and how you can get involved) here.
- The Shire of Cuballing says there is no clear alternative site for a new regional landfill facility, to service seven local councils, after the original plan was scrapped. The plan for the facility was dropped after opposition from green groups that believed it would have threatened endangered numbats. Read the rest of the story here.
- We love finding new blogs written by Wheatbelt residents. Embracing Us was launched at the start of this year and is the reflections of an unschooling, neurodivergent family who spilt their time between a farm in the Wheatbelt and the city. Have a read here if it interests you.
- We are running a Wheatbelt Local community survey for the first time, so that we can get an idea of what how you engage with Wheatbelt Local and what sort of stuff you love the most. We would love you to take a few minutes to do the survey, so that we can keep Wheatbelt Local as a place that inspires, connects and assists you. Find the survey here.
- The first ever Wheatbelt Christmas Card Exchange was a great success, with cards being exchanged across all areas of the Wheatbelt. You can read the wrap-up (and register your interest for next Christmas) here.
And coming up…
- The Lancelin Ocean Classic is on again from the 14th to 17th of January. It is one of the leading watersport championships and you can get involved by watching the race, taking part yourself or attending the Lobster Brunch. Find out more here.
- Australia Day is just around the corner and shires, businesses and organisations across the region are organising events to help you celebrate. There’s everything from pool parties to sausage sizzles, and bound to be something near you. Have a look at the online Australia Day events calendar to check.
- The Fremantle Dockers will be heading to the Wheatbelt (Merredin in particular) at the end of February and beginning of March, visiting schools, running a NAB AFL Auskick “Super Clinic” and signing session, holding a coaching session and a sportsman’s night. To find out more, and get your tickets for the sportsman’s night, click here.
Are you still on holidays? We head down south today for a two week beach holiday! Wherever you are, and whatever you’re up to, wishing you a lovely week!