Great Southern Migrant Services

🚫🔥 Please do not to put your batteries into the regular bin, but dispose of them safely at the tip shop.🔋🔋

Did you know, WA's SLOMO (Slow Down, Move Over) laws require drivers to slow to 40kmh around emergency and other first response vehicles displaying flashing emergency lights. 🚨

In addition to police, fire and ambulance vehicles, the law also covers tow truck drivers, roadside assistance vehicles and main roads incident response cars. 🚛

The peak body for WA's tow truck drivers says the death of a truck operator on Forrest Highway shows laws designed to protect vulnerable roadside workers are not being properly enforced.

The 27-year-old man was securing a vehicle on the back of his flatbed truck on Friday night when he was struck and killed by a Toyota Landcruiser.

WA's SLOMO (Slow Down, Move Over) laws require drivers to slow to 40kmh around emergency and other first response vehicles displaying flashing emergency lights.

In addition to police, fire and ambulance vehicles, the law also covers tow truck drivers, roadside assistance vehicles and main roads incident response cars.

But Wayne Russell from the WA Tow Truck Drivers and Owners Association says the law isn't being properly enforced, and the penalty for a breach - currently $300 and three demerit points - is too low.

Mr Russell said he was yet to see anyone booked for speeding past a crash or accident scene, despite witnessing dangerous behaviour on numerous occasions.

"It needs to be a blitz on people that are offending, and the fines need to be massive," he told Chela Williams on Mornings.

"Someone's life has been taken here, there's near-misses every day, with all of us.

"The government needs to be taking things seriously.

"It should be $3000 and six demerit points, and on the second offence it should be loss of license."

The Major Crash Squad is continuing to investigate Friday's crash.

South West Police Superintendent Paul Van Noort said he had passed the man's truck while returning to Bunbury from Perth.

"It clearly stood out to me, I slowed down and moved to the outside lane to steer clear," he said.

"He's somebody's son, he'll have mates and potentially siblings as well.

"It's such an avoidable tragedy."

🎧Listen to the full interview: https://ab.co/3Rx8QbP

Be prepared. Be safe.

WA… this one’s really ramping up 😲🌪️

Cyclone Narelle is now a Category 2 system, tracking fast west-southwest offshore along the Pilbara coast towards Exmouth.

The Bureau says Narelle is a large system and is expected to intensify to a Category 3 overnight before turning south and potentially strengthening further to a Category 4 on Thursday, ahead of passing the North West Cape (including Exmouth) on Friday.

But Narelle’s exact path and intensity at crossing remain uncertain, with the system potentially crossing anywhere from Exmouth as a Category 4 to as far south as Jurien Bay as a Category 2.

Impacts are starting to build, with gales along the Pilbara coast and the potential for severe impacts along the far western Pilbara coast late Thursday, extending south towards Denham as the system turns on Friday, along with dangerous storm tide between Exmouth and Denham bringing large waves, coastal erosion and flooding of low-lying areas.

From Saturday, Narelle is expected to move south-southeast, spreading heavy rain and stormy conditions through the Central West, including Perth, with the potential for damaging winds, and further inland and south across the South West Land Division.

One thing’s for sure… now is the time to prepare:
✅ Review your emergency plan
✅ Pack an emergency kit including a portable battery-operated radio, torch, spare batteries, mobile phone and charger, first aid kit, prescription medication and enough food and water for 5–7 days - pets included 🐶
✅ Secure loose items around your property – tie down trampolines so they don’t end up in your neighbour’s yard 🤦‍♂️
✅ Travellers and tourists – reconsider travel to the warning area

And do emergency services a favour will ya... stay well clear of floodwaters! Even if you think your trusty 4WD can handle it, it’s not worth the risk 🚙

ℹ️ For the latest information visit emergency.wa.gov.au or download the Emergency WA app, where you can track the cyclone's path and set a 'Watch Zone’ to get instant notifications when warnings are issued and updated 📲

So grateful we were part of it! ✨️🎉🌎

✨️ Friday night was the place to be in Katanning for the annual Harmony Festival, which this year was intimate and community-based. Located amongst dappled shade of the trees around the All Ages Playground, there were many stalls covering agency information, goods to buy and delicious foods, activities, making community connections, and of course local entertainment on stage by many cultures.
Children and adults alike used the playground throughout this wonderful event and many folks sat on their picnic rugs sharing time and food with family and friends. The festivities combined many celebrating Eid. We were happy to be part of this wonderful celebration again this year! Well done Katanning community 👏🏾✨️🌎🎉🧡

We will be there, floating and having chats with our clients and community! So, come ask us anything about settling in Katanning 🧡 Enjoy the Festival 🥳

4 MORE DAYS!!

Come together to celebrate culture, community, and connection at the Katanning Harmony Night, 20 March, from 3:30pm – 8:30pm.
Enjoy a vibrant evening filled with:

🍜 Delicious food vans
🛍️ Market stalls
🎶 Live entertainment
🎯 Youth Zone
🎨 Children’s Zone
🏳️ Flag Parade
…and plenty more!

Bring your family and friends and come down for a great time celebrating the amazing diversity of our community. There’s something for everyone — we can’t wait to see you there! 🌈



Multicultural WA
Tourism Western Australia
CBH Group
Katanning Business & Community Hub

Youth Week and Easter holidays coming up! Here is an overview of (free and some paid) events for different ages for your family:

🐣 The April school holidays are creeping up fast!

To make planning easier, we’ve put together our latest School Holiday Calendar with everything in one place.

The calendar includes:
✅ Event dates and times
✅ Age groups
✅ Costs and booking requirements

Some activities require bookings and all links are now live, so if you’ve spotted something fun, be sure to secure your spot early.

Youth Week WA also runs from 10 to 16 April, celebrating young people across Western Australia. Here in Albany we’re marking the occasion with the Albany Youth Festival on Saturday 11 April, featuring three events for 10 to 25 year olds. You’ll find all the details in the calendar too.

Explore the full program thanks to the City of Albany Community Development team (proudly supported by Rio Tinto, Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre and Arts and culture

👉 Check out the full calendar and book your events here
https://bit.ly/3NEPRuw

**Please note: Events for children under five have now been included!

What do you think? Often these workers do jobs that can't be filled locally, hence why employers sponsor workers from overseas.

A South West farmer has defended his solution for housing nine Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) workers in a residential property after it sparked backlash from locals.

SMASHASTRAWB owner Paul Da Silva put in an application to the Manjimup Shire to change the listed use of his privately owned residence from dwelling to worker accommodation.

Three neighbouring homeowners wrote letters of objection, saying it would impact the residential area's amenity and character.

Neighbours raised several concerns, including noise, privacy, general safety and strained social cohesion.

The application split the council's vote, gaining approval after the shire president invoked her vote to break the stalemate.

Mr Da Silva says the same workers have been coming back to Manjimup for the last five years.

"It's extremely disappointing that people in a town like Manjimup get so upset about these types of workers coming here," he says.

"They're not transient, they don't drink at all they're catholic, all they're here to do is help their families.

"A fly-in fly-out worker two weeks on one week off - it's exactly the same except they do nine months on three months off."

Mr Da Silva says PALM workers shouldn't be blamed for the lack of local long-term accommodation.

"I think there's a lot of animosity because of the housing shortage," he says.

"It's absolutely out of control.

"I can guarantee you it's absolutely not the farmers adding to the housing shortage."