Thursday, June 16, 2011



The anticipation of departure and arrival...


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Friday, January 28, 2011

GBH


This in from Police Media...Wannanup is allegedly also known as Florida and Port Bouvard...

Fremantle Detectives have charged a 18 year old Wannanup man with Grievous Bodily Harm after an incident at Rottnest Island at about 11.20pm on Wednesday night 26 January 2011.

It will be alleged that the man and a group of his friends approached a 21 year old man and a verbal altercation took place followed by some pushing and shoving. It is then that the 18 year old man struck the 21 year old male to the head causing him to fall to the ground and strike his head.

The injured man was taken to the Rottnest Island Nursing Post before being transferred to Perth for further treatment for a head injury.

The 18 year old man was taken into custody by Rottnest Police and later charged. He is due to appear in the Fremantle Magistrates Court on Tuesday 1 February 2011.

Police are requesting any person who may have witnessed the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Friday, January 21, 2011

near Rottnest


Pottering about - this just in from the Dept of Fisheries...

The Department of Fisheries has welcomed a magistrate’s decision to ban two men from fishing for 12 months and the big fines imposed on them, for illegally pulling other fishers’ lobster pots.

In Fremantle Court this week (Tuesday 18 January 2011), Magistrate Robert Lawrence ordered the men to pay fines, penalties and court costs of $6128.40 each, after they pleaded guilty to seven charges against both of them.

Magistrate Lawrence also warned the men that, if they breached the order preventing them from being involved in any fishing activity for a year, they would be committing a further offence and would be liable to a potential fine of $10,000 and six months imprisonment.

Jose Manual ROCHA of Fremantle and Joao Garces GONCALVES of White Gum Valley were fishing near Rottnest on the 29th and 30th of March, when Fisheries and Marine Officers observed the men pulling a total of 19 recreational rock lobster pots.

Acting North Metropolitan Compliance Manager Ryan Parker said not only had the pair pulled more than the daily limit of four pots, our investigations quickly determined that some of the pots did not belong to them and they had not been given permission by the lawful owners to retrieve them.

“We get a lot of calls from rock lobster fishers, who suspect their pots have been interfered with, so this is a warning to wrong-doers that we can and will pursue those who fish illegally in this way,” Mr Parker said.

“When they were apprehended at the Leeuwin Boat Ramp, the men had also knowingly concealed excess catch and undersize fish. The magistrate said all the offences were very serious and the pair had shown a blatant disregard for the law. The big fines and the fishing ban he has imposed deliver a significant outcome that will be a major deterrent.”

More details about the rules for recreational rock lobster and crab fishing are available from the Department of Fisheries’ website at www.fish.wa.gov.au.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Hmmm

Not the book that springs to our mind when we think of the beautiful
island...

Sunday, January 16, 2011

media mayhem


There are sharply contrasting reports in the weekend media about the beautiful island.

A food review in The Weekend Australian magazine gives the hotel food two Weekend Australian maps out of five, while a report in The West's travel mag talks about fantastic quality of food.

John Lethlean's review in the Rupert organ is summed up: "Tweedle dee or tweedle dum".

"For an east coaster, the place has a kind of Côte d'Azur-like mythology surrounding it," he says.

But getting to the beautiful island is costly, he complains: "You’re basically down $100 before even your first sip of sem/sav, official Juice of the West."

The plan was to review Aristos', but the salt and pepper shakers gave John a shiver. He said he went "next door" to the pub, which we guess is more or less right.

The pub workers were cause for comment: "Both tell me it's their first day in different accents..." and then later: "The very same dishes return three times before we make it clear to a United Nations of waitstaff: bring us fresh burger and fish, please..."

John liked the chips.

A bit different is Niall McIlroy's piece: "The January sun glints off the turquoise ocean and seagulls screech and swoop..."

The news is Jason Gelineau from Canada is in charge of the hotel.

"...I worried a bit about what I would find here because, let's face it, the quality on Rottnest was not worth what was being charged. But the staff here are fantastic. There's a mixture of travellers, university students and those who are here throughout the year, and they all want to learn and grow," the Canuck says.

He says executive chef Georg Hessler is doing a great job: "The kitchen is small but the quality of food Georg is putting together is fantastic and the staff are so excited to work with him because of his knowledge. It's not pub fare, it's quality, and even though we may be putting out 2000 meals a day it consistently good."

Accompanying image is Tom Jellett's artwork with the Lethlean review.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

booming business


Another report from the beautiful island in that journal of record, POST Newspapers...the accompanying image was taken a year or two ago and is of a trolley full of specials.

Overseas business is booming for Greg Brindle.

The businessman's company Maranel Pty Ltd has had two Rottnest Island leases re-awarded to him and also picked up a third.

Mr Brindle's leases on the Thomson Bay and Geordie Bay shops were extended, and he also got the surf/clothing boutique shop in Thomson Bay.

The Rottnest Island Authority was tight-lipped about the deal and would not answer questions about leases on the island.

The POST understand Mr Brindle's leases were extended for 10 years.

The RIA would not say how many firms tendered for the business, or provide a copy of the tender agreement.

It did say the lease included a refit of the premises.

“A two year trial of a new water based seasonal fun park, Just 4 Fun, has begun operations for summer,” said spokeswoman Nicole Bailey.

“The picture hall is being operated by the RIA until a suitable long term operator is found.

Friday, January 14, 2011

new faces


This news of the beautiful island from tomorrow's POST...we assume the other members are Laurie O'Meara, Geoff Totterdell, Denis Glennon, and Suzie Hunt.

A local advertising guru has joined the Rottnest Island Authority board.

John Driscoll, the chairman and CEO at the Marketforce Group in West Perth, was
elected to the body.

Mr Driscoll is a committee member of the Rottnest Channel Swim Association.

Another new board face is Sally Hollis, the national project manager at the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program.

She is also involved with the Tourism Council of Western Australia and is working with Ecotourism Australia.

Sue Murphy and Karen Jacobs retired from the board.