Guided tour
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If you have never had a look at the replica mine next to the Visitors' Centre, why not take advantage of a guided tour being held tomorrow at 1pm.
The cost is just $5 for adults, $2 for kids, and for a family of four, $12.
Book launch
The latest local history book by John Bird is set to be launched on Saturday, December 8, at the Buckingham Church at 1.30pm.
The book tells the stories of Bucks, Shotts, Muja and Bowelling.
After the launch, there will be a tour of Bucks house and afternoon tea.
Books will be available for sale at $20
RSVP to John Bird at 0407 445 704.
Art Group open day
On Saturday, December 8, the Collie Art Group will be holding an Open Day at the Old Police Station in Throssell Street.
You can have a look at what the group has been up to, and many of the arts and crafts will be for sale, as well as plants, cakes and some second hand items.
This is always a good event to pick up some unique Christmas gifts, especially if you are sending them out of town - you can proudly say "made in Collie".
Charity bike ride
The Collie charity bike ride is in its 22nd year of brightening Christmas for children in need.
It leaves from the Visitors' Centre at 10am on Saturday, December 8.
For more information, ring Evan on 0407445788 or Robbo on 9734 2410.
What a great job this pair do every year.
Carols in the Park
Bring your blankets, chairs and singing voices down to Central Park on Sunday, when Collie YouthCARE Group is once again presenting Carols in the Park.
A sausage sizzle starts at 5pm, and singing gets underway at 6pm.
There will be a Carols choir, and performances by school choirs and the Collie Senior High School band.
This is a lovely way to get ready for Christmas, and you will be supporting the school chaplaincy programme.
Christmas hampers
The Collie Family Centre, Collie Vinnies, Shire of Collie and Mick Murray's office have joined together to do Christmas hampers for people in need in the Collie District.
You can leave food, money or vouchers at the Collie library, the Collie Family Centre or Mick's office up until December 18.
If you are in need, please phone Mick's office, 9734 2073, or the Family Centre on 9734 5343.
Music showcase
Kate's music students will be showcasing their talent at the Music Shell in Central Park on Friday, December 7, from 4pm onwards.
Go along and support the students at a free concert.
First Aid
The final St John Ambulance First Aid course for the year will be held on Friday December14, from 8.30am, at 222 Steere Street.
Phone 9791 4999 to book in up to a week ahead.
Noggerup Hall Christmas
A Christmas barbecue will be held at the Noggerup Hall on Saturday, December 8, at 6.30pm.
Bring your own nibbles, salads and dessert, and your own drinks.
Meat and buns will be supplied.
Friends and families are welcome, and it would be good to see some old Noggerupians coming along too.
Cheerio Club party
The Cheerio Club's Christmas party will be held in the Miners' Institute on Thursday, December 13.
This is a wonderful chance to catch up with friends and enjoy getting in to the Christmas spirit.
It is amazing how the hard working volunteers (many of whom actually qualify to be sit-down guests) transform the hall into a Christmas wonderland before the scrumptious feast also prepared by volunteers.
If you can help out with cakes and/or slices, they will be gratefully received and can be left at the hall on the Thursday morning.
If you are a pensioner and unable to attend the party, please let the Miners' Union office know so they can arrange delivery of a meal.
Collie Community Radio will be present to deliver a live broadcast of proceedings to those unable to attend.
Once again, this is thanks to the volunteers who set up the sound system and broadcast equipment.
Christmas pageant
Collie's Christmas Pageant, scheduled for Saturday, December 15, is billed as the biggest and best in the South West, and with good reason.
The Lions Club of Collie does a great job organising it, and receives wonderful support from local businesses and organisations in presenting the parade.
Action in Forrest Street and Central Park starts at 2pm, and the parade moves off at 6pm.
There will be plenty of food and drink stalls, novelties and craft at the Christmas markets.
Roving entertainers will keep everyone entertained, and there will be lots of fun activities for the kids, as well as sideshow rides.
If you are in the street parade, please assemble at the Veterans' Car Club before 6pm.
No lollies are to be thrown during the parade - if you wish to share lollies or giveaways, you must have people walking to hand them out.
This is to protect children, it is no fun to be hit by a lolly, and it also prevents children from running out on to the road where they could be hit by one of the vehicles.
Shop local
If you are getting in early with your Christmas shopping, do have a look around at local businesses to see what is on offer locally.
If we don't support them, we will end up with shops closing and no local shopping outlets, not to mention money going out of town, and no jobs for our kids.
Buy local, and buy local jobs.
If you feel you can get a better deal out of town, tell local businesses and give them the chance to match prices, always bearing in mind that larger city shops have the advantage of bulk buying - but they don't spend their dividends here.
Our business community does.
There has been some good feedback recently about the wonderful service offered locally, helpful accommodating and cheerful.
BETS and TETS
I had to go to an appointment in Perth on the weekend, and found the BETS and TETS were out in force.
The BETS are those who Believe they are Entitled To Speed, and the TETS, usually found on the Kwinana Freeway between Perth and Mandurah, are the Tradies Entitled To Speed (usually with a trailer in tow).
They slalom their way down the Freeway, weaving between vehicles and lanes, tailgating motorists silly enough to be driving at the speed limit.
Let's hope they don't cause crashes as traffic builds up closer to Christmas.
Share the dignity
Collie can be proud that the Share the Dignity project is the first in the South West.
If you can spare a handbag or two, they will be filled with goods such as toiletries, a brush, a comb, tissues, sanitary items, incontinence items, scarves, shampoo, conditioner, socks, and deodorant.
Any of these items can be donated to help make the day a bit brighter, and restore the dignity of those doing it tough.
Giving even a little can make a big difference.
Mick Murray's office and Woolworths will each have a big pink bin to receive items.
Handbags and items left at the drop-off points will be distributed locally.
Contact Raewyn on 0497 172 808 for more details.
Send it in
Items for not-for-profit organisations are welcome for this column.
You can email information to me at nrg@highway1.com.au by 5pm on Mondays.
Please include a contact name and phone number in case I need to check information.
