The anticipation of departure and arrival...

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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.

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.

Hmmm

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

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.

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.

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.

family visit

Some good Rottnest pics here to soothe lovers of the beautiful island during the hideous intense unrelenting mainland heat.

Snaps include a quokka on the beach, the interior of a ferry heading back to civilisation at 9pm and a Pinky panorama.

The author/s have trouble with spelling Thomson Bay correctly, and indulge in apo abuse, but the pics are the thing.

forget Vegas or KP

For those brides-to-be distressed by CHOGM cramping wedding style in Kings Park, there's always the beautiful island.

We happened on this PDF pushing Aristos: the Bunbury-born Mr Papandroulakis has an "extravagent range of affordable hospitality packages" for your nuptials.

He even spells Thomson Bay right: "Imagine spending your wedding within metres of the breathtaking Thomson Bay as your guests dine on only the finest quality seafood. Aristos Waterfront Rottnest specialises in creating a unique and relaxed dining experience that will ensure an unforgettable day."

He's a can-do host, but there are some things even he can't shift: "Weather permitting, we can seat 200 people, however our outside table are fixed to the floor and cannot be rearranged."

In our view prices are more than reasonable: the house white is $32 a bottle, and Fat Yak, Big Helga and Stella are a mere $10 each.

"Allow Aristos Waterfront the opportunity to help you turn Rottnest into your very own island getaway while you ease into enjoying your new life together."

best job

We are grateful to Paul 'Fremantlebiz' Weaver for alerting us via Stalkbook to this job ad:

Ranger Full Time, Permanent, Level 3 Rottnest Island (Residential).

Residential! Living on the beautiful island...escaping the ragged heat of the mainland...fishing every day...going to - oh, stop it. The torment!

The details:
Implementation of the Marine & Terrestrial Reserve’s compliance program
Participation in environmental projects
Assisting emergency services
Provision of information, knowledge and advice to visitors, island residents and other local groups.

The money: $55,913 - $60,707 p/a

The RIA wants you to have:
Demonstrated practical experience as a Ranger in a related or similar setting, including experience in statutory investigation and reporting.
Well developed interpersonal skills and a strong customer focus, with proven negotiation and conflict resolution skills in a compliance setting.
Demonstrated initiative and decision-making ability in high-pressure situations.
Practical experience in natural resource management activities.
Current “C” Class Licence.
Possess or have the ability to attain, prior to appointment, recognised recreational SCUBA qualifications. (The successful applicant will require an AS2299 current Dive Medical clearance for scientific diving (SCUBA) )
Possess or have the ability to attain, prior to appointment, Current Senior First Aid certificate and recognised qualification in Oxygen Resuscitation.

Get those applications in by January 21

tragic history

"Three hundred and seventy two Aboriginal prisoners are still buried on Wadjemup/Rottnest. They were imprisoned for crimes such as spearing a sheep."

We are grateful to the City of Melville for the heads-up on an artisitc event about the beautiful island.

The venue is Applecross, but the subject is Rottnest’s tragic past as a place of imprisonment and death for Aboriginal men...

The Quod Project is a multidisciplinary art exhibition by Non-Indigenous Artist Tania Ferrier about The Quod – a building that is better known as the tourism accommodation called the Rottnest Lodge.

South Fremantle Artist Tania Ferrier said unearthing the history of Rottnest (or Wadjemup as it is referred to by Noongar people) was an emotional experience.

“It is estimated that 373 Aboriginal prisoners died on Wadjemup/Rottnest and five of these people were executed by hanging. Three hundred and seventy two Aboriginal prisoners are still buried on Wadjemup/Rottnest. They were imprisoned for crimes such as spearing a sheep,” Ferrier said.

Historian Dr Neville Green was a source for Ferrier and in his book Far from home – Aboriginal Prisoners of Rottnest Island 1838 to 1931 Dr Green states that the number of Aboriginal men who died on the island makes it the largest deaths in custody site in Australia.

“This is Australia’s colonial history but you don’t hear about it because it’s actively suppressed,” Ferrier said.

The Quod Project is significant in size and includes a range of mediums from photographs and paintings to video and installations. Fortunately, for the purpose of the exhibition, three patients’ rooms inside the Heathcote gallery mirror the layout of the cells in The Quod.

One of the installations is a life-size cell which is based on research of the appearance of a Quod cell prior to it being turned into a holiday unit. The installation is accompanied by recordings of Indigenous Elders reading from texts about actual conditions in the cells.

In collaboration with James Kerr, Ferrier has produced approximately 25 large format photographic prints, as well as a series of digital prints on canvas that are re-worked archival Wadjemup/Rottnest tourist posters.

The exhibition included the involvement of Indigenous Elders Cedric Jacobs and Noel Nannup, who modelled for the photographs and added their voices to recordings.

For a photograph called ‘Ascension’, Indigenous dancer Michael Smith chose to interpret the history of The Quod by creating a dance called ‘Wardong Wadjemup’, which translates to Rottnest Crow. The crow embodies the spirit of the dead prisoners as Michael leaps, flies upward, ascends and sets their spirits free.

“Ascension transcends The Quod Project and speaks for Indigenous youth in prison today. It speaks for the past that has affected the present,” Ferrier said.

A series of small oil paintings called ‘Diatribes’ juxtapose images of Ferrier’s family holiday history at The Quod with images from the Rottnest Quod Penal history.

City of Melville Curator Soula Veyradier said, “I find the untold histories of the place both fascinating and extremely sad. But The Quod Project is ultimately positive because this public presentation and discussion means that we, as a community and a place, will know ourselves better.”

“I expect a range of responses to the exhibition from the very positive to denial of the damage done to the Aboriginal community.

“The Quod Project exposes hidden history and holds up a mirror to ourselves; are we responsible for our ignorance?”

The Quod Project will be opened by the Manager of Artsource’s Regional and Indigenous Development program Ron Bradfield (Jnr) at the Heathcote Museum and Gallery on Friday, 21 January from 6.00pm. People are invited to RSVP to the opening by Tuesday, 18 January 2011 to claire.bushby@melville.wa.gov.au or phone 9364 5666.

The free exhibition will be open to the public from Saturday, 22 January to Sunday, 27 February 2011.

An Artist’s Forum with Artist Tania Ferrier, Writer Josephine Wilson and Indigenous Elder Noel Nannup will be held on Sunday, 20 February from 1.00pm to 3.00pm.

The Heathcote Museum and Gallery is located at Heathcote Cultural Centre, Swan House, Duncraig Road in Applecross. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Friday 10.00am to 3.00pm, Saturday and Sunday 11.00am to 3.00pm.

For further information contact 9364 5666 or visit www.melvillecity.com.au/facilities/museums

no neoprene

The epic and glorious event that is the Rottnest Channel Swim looms.

The great day is February 26: alas, international commitments mean Rotto Bloggo will not be in (or even on) the water next month.

But we were grateful for this update from the RCSA site...

This is a notice to advise that under clause 22 of the Constitution, the Rottnest Channel Swim Association Committee at the Committee Meeting on 30 November 2010 amended By-law 1. Final confirmation of the Committee Meeting Minutes will take place at the next Committee Meeting to be held on 14 December 2010, however the Committee wishes to inform and advise Members that By-Law 1 which governs the use of swim wear and artificial swimming aids has been amended and approved to be in force with immediate effect. For ease of reference, By-Law 1 reads as follows:

In any Rottnest Channel swim attempts, no swimmer shall use or be assisted by artificial aids of any manner. Swimmers are permitted to grease the body before a swim, use goggles, wear a maximum of two caps, nose clip and earplugs. Swimmers must wear one bathing suit that does not contain neoprene, rubber or any other material that aids buoyancy and complies with FINA’s Rules for Open Water Swimming with the exception that until 28 February 2012 the bathing suit may be a swim skin of any brand, or the pointzero3 or nero swim suit made by Blueseventy. In addition to one bathing suit that complies with this rule, swimmers may wear one rash vest or stinger suit made of porous textile material (such as nylon or lycra), which does not extend beyond the ankles, the neck or the wrist.

jetty jitters

More wholesome news of the beautiful island from POST Newspapers...we've since heard a rumour the jetty problems might be something to do with ferry wash.

One of the pics shows bricks to be used as reinforcements below the waterline.

A CHUNK OF the ferry jetty at Rottnest Island was cordoned off last week while repairs were made to the structure and the sea bed.

Island authorities were tight-lipped about the reason for the work, but holiday-makers said there was a problem with the sea bed.

A Rottnest Island Authority spokeswoman would not answer questions about how the damage happened or how much of the jetty was roped off.

A holiday maker said a worker told her the damage happened a few days before Christmas.

“He said something happened to the sea bed and divers were fixing it with white bricks,” she said.

“He said whatever happened caused the collapse of part of the jetty.”

About 50m of the jetty was cordoned off while the repairs were made.

Another holiday maker said it looked as though something big and heavy had been dropped onto the side of the jetty.

“Berth 2 has been closed to facilitate the works and ferry operators moved to other berths,” The RIA spokeswoman said.

“This will have no impact on ferry schedules.”