Holiday activities
There will be a free screening this afternoon of the movie ET, from 2pm to 3.45pm. The film is rated G, and free popcorn will be available.
Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
The railway station has its electric train set running, and its winter menu available. It is open Wednesdays to Saturdays, 9.30am to 3pm, and Sundays, 8.30am to 3pm, with Sunday breakfast available from 8.30am to 11.30am.
Home-made soup available on Thursdays and Fridays from 11.30am to 1.30pm.
Coalfields Museum is open every day, with children accompanied by a member or fee-paying adult admitted free.
Finding the family
Finding family members has become quite an activity for Collie people - and former Collie people - who visit the Museum.
Those who have tried it say it is really satisfying to find photographs and information about their family members as they wander through the Museum.
They are also performing a service for the research undertaken by the Museum by providing names of family members, and identifying people in the various photographs.
The items on display also stimulate memories of objects being used in daily life, and are a reminder of how much easier life has become since the early days of Collie.
On a cold winter's day, pictures of tents being used to accommodate families arouse sympathy for those who did it tough before the town became more established.
Among the popular exhibits are the barrel organ, or automatic piano, which features in the first room in the Museum, and the Edison phonograph which features in the second room.
Children who have never heard music emanating from anything but an ipod are gobsmacked when they hear the old instruments playing.
The late Stan Cull certainly started something when he started the Museum, and his good work is being continued by today's volunteers.
Christmas in July
A Christmas in July dinner and concert will be held in the Margaretta Wilson Centre on Saturday, July 27 at 6pm. The event raises much needed funds for the Youth chaplaincy in Collie schools.
Tickets are very reasonably priced at $35 for a family, $10 for pensioners and $15 single.
They can be obtained from Raewyn Jones or any local church ministers. Raewyn's contact number is 0497 172 808. If there is no answer please leave a message.
The dinner and concert are supported by community members and the Youth Care Support Group.
Friends of the River
The next Friends of the River event will be held on National Tree Day, Saturday July 27, from 9am to 11am. Complimentary coffee and cake will follow at the Colliefields.
Planting, weeding and tidying will be carried out along the new pathway near the river at the end of Venn and Wittenoom Streets.
There is parking along David-Hay Street, then you can walk towards the river.
RSVPs would be appreciated so plants and catering can be ordered. Contact Donna on 0419 863 220.
First Aid
You never know when you are going to need First Aid, whether it be in the workplace (where it is a requirement these days), on the sporting field or in the home.
St John Ambulance provide one-day flexible learning at their building in Steere Street.
The next one-day course will be held on Thursday, August 8, with an 8.30am start.
To book a place, call 9791 4999. Bookings can be made at any time up until one week before the day of the course.
Trails
The outlook for Collie weather for the next week is for sunny days, so it's a good time to get out and about on the walking, cycling and mountain biking trails around Collie.
We are very lucky to have such variety right here on our doorstep.
You can check the trails out online, or go in to the Visitors' Centre and the friendly staff can help you out.
Send it in
Items for not-for-profit organisations are welcomed for this column.
You can email info to me at nrg@highway1.com.au by 5pm on Mondays, or drop off notes in my mailbox at 87 Jones Street.
Please include a contact name and phone number in case I need to check information.
