Latest news with #Narrogin
Perth Now
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Bailey Banfield Spider-Man pledge touches hearts
Narrogin Year 4 student Nicholas Reeves is a star who is shining a light on one of the Fremantle Docker's most cherished AFL rounds, with a little help from your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man. The nine-year-old, who battled leukaemia, will toss the coin to start Sunday's clash with St Kilda in the club's 32nd annual Starlight Purple Haze game. During one of his many long stints in Perth Children's Hospital for treatment, Nicholas met his Fremantle idol, Bailey Banfield, and another popular former Docker Tom Emmett. A game of snap led to a promise that Banfield kept in round 16 last season after kicking a goal in their thrilling one-point win over the Sydney Swans at the SCG. 'Bailey and Tom asked Nicholas if they kicked a goal would he want them to do a special celebration? Well he was a bit stumped but they were playing this game of snap and the cards they were using were Marvel cards and the one that turned over was Spider-Man so that was it,' Nicholas' father Scott said. Nicholas' spirits rose when Banfield goaled and turned to the camera to give him his special Spider-Man signal. 'He was over the moon, I have never seen him smile so much. Ever. And when it made the news , well, wow,' Scott said. Now in remission, Nicholas is one of six Starlight Purple Haze Hero kids, along with Paige McKay, 7, Mateo Domazetovski, 6, Demi Sattler, 6, Luca De Groot, 4, and Grayson Pianta, 4, who will take part in the day of celebrations which raises money and shines a light on sick kids. Dockers players will wear a special Starlight jumper to capture the spirit of the occasion. Fans can pledge any dollar amount for each goal the Dockers kick during the game and sponsor South32, will match each pledge dollar for dollar, up to $50,000. Purple Haze beanies will be sold outside Gate D for $30 and inside the ground, with $15 donated directly to the foundation. Starlight wands can also be purchased for $10 inside and outside the ground. The Dockers and their fans have donated more than $3 million to the foundation. Banfield did a spiderman celebration dedicated to Nicolas last year. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian Banfield described as a privilege the small but significant role he played in bringing joy to Nicholas and his family. 'It was a great game against Sydney when the celebration happened but the biggest part was it touched Nicholas and his family which is pretty special,' he said. 'This is a round the club gets around and it it's one our club and members love as well. 'The club and the playing group, men and women, really buy in and the fans can see that. 'Above all, they are just great kids. To be able to help them out at some of the lowest ebbs of their lives, and their families as well, is pretty special.' And will there be another celebration should Banfield feel lucky enough to kick a goal against the Saints? 'Nicholas has given me another challenge. It is similar to Spider-Man with a bit of an extra twist. I'll leave it at that and we'll see how we go,' Banfield said. 'As far as degree of difficulty goes, it's going to be harder than Spider-Man so I'm going to say it's a seven or an eight out of 10.'
West Australian
a day ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
School boy Nicholas Reeves puts Star into Star-light as Bailey Banfield makes heartwarming pledge
Narrogin Year 4 student Nicholas Reeves is a star who is shining a light on one of the Fremantle Docker's most cherished AFL rounds, with a little help from your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man. The nine-year-old, who battled leukaemia, will toss the coin to start Sunday's clash with St Kilda in the club's 32nd annual Starlight Purple Haze game. During one of his many long stints in Perth Children's Hospital for treatment, Nicholas met his Fremantle idol, Bailey Banfield, and another popular former Docker Tom Emmett. A game of snap led to a promise that Banfield kept in round 16 last season after kicking a goal in their thrilling one-point win over the Sydney Swans at the SCG. 'Bailey and Tom asked Nicholas if they kicked a goal would he want them to do a special celebration? Well he was a bit stumped but they were playing this game of snap and the cards they were using were Marvel cards and the one that turned over was Spider-Man so that was it,' Nicholas' father Scott said. Nicholas' spirits rose when Banfield goaled and turned to the camera to give him his special Spider-Man signal. 'He was over the moon, I have never seen him smile so much. Ever. And when it made the news , well, wow,' Scott said. Now in remission, Nicholas is one of six Starlight Purple Haze Hero kids, along with Paige McKay, 7, Mateo Domazetovski, 6, Demi Sattler, 6, Luca De Groot, 4, and Grayson Pianta, 4, who will take part in the day of celebrations which raises money and shines a light on sick kids. Dockers players will wear a special Starlight jumper to capture the spirit of the occasion. Fans can pledge any dollar amount for each goal the Dockers kick during the game and sponsor South32, will match each pledge dollar for dollar, up to $50,000. Purple Haze beanies will be sold outside Gate D for $30 and inside the ground, with $15 donated directly to the foundation. Starlight wands can also be purchased for $10 inside and outside the ground. The Dockers and their fans have donated more than $3 million to the foundation. Banfield described as a privilege the small but significant role he played in bringing joy to Nicholas and his family. 'It was a great game against Sydney when the celebration happened but the biggest part was it touched Nicholas and his family which is pretty special,' he said. 'This is a round the club gets around and it it's one our club and members love as well. 'The club and the playing group, men and women, really buy in and the fans can see that. 'Above all, they are just great kids. To be able to help them out at some of the lowest ebbs of their lives, and their families as well, is pretty special.' And will there be another celebration should Banfield feel lucky enough to kick a goal against the Saints? 'Nicholas has given me another challenge. It is similar to Spider-Man with a bit of an extra twist. I'll leave it at that and we'll see how we go,' Banfield said. 'As far as degree of difficulty goes, it's going to be harder than Spider-Man so I'm going to say it's a seven or an eight out of 10.'
ABC News
14-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Narrogin residents seek community investment from renewable energy boom
A town of fewer than 5,000 people is on the precipice of Western Australia's renewable energy boom, with $18 billion worth of developments proposed. The Shire of Narrogin, about 180 kilometres south-east of Perth, has been considered prime territory for wind, solar and battery because of its open farmland and proximity to the state's grid. Projects proposed for the Narrogin Renewable Energy Zone include a $2.4 billion, 168-turbine wind farm of 1209 megawatts, a $400M solar farm and a $400M battery project. Narrogin Shire President Leigh Ballard said the council had welcomed the projects for their economic benefits but wanted a community fund created so residents could benefit. The shire recently requested the battery project include a community fund or public art funding, which was rejected. Mr Ballard said the growth of the projects was putting stress on the community and its infrastructure. "It's an issue we, as a shire, are trying process, comprehend and plan for," he said. "Each individual project has a small impact, but when you put all these projects together it's a huge impact for the region." He said pressure points included housing, roads, general resources, procedures and baseline community functions. The WA government released draft guidelines on Thursday which said it would ensure "all Western Australians benefit from the energy transition". It said community arrangements on projects differed and a lack of consistency created uncertainty for communities and proponents. The proposed guidelines include $500 to $,1000 per megawatt per year for wind projects and $150 to $800 for solar projects. Under the proposal, a 200-megawatt wind farm project would contribute between $100,00 to $300,000 each year, the government said. It said the final benefit could differ depending on the size of community and whether multiple communities were affected. "In sparsely populated areas, a lower … amount may be appropriate compared to areas of higher population," it said. The draft proposed community funds could be administered through local governments or a community trust fund. Mr Ballard said the situation required clear-cut legislation from the Cook government. "Our community is getting told what's happening, they're not getting brought along with the process or involved with it," he said. "We look at it as a bit of social license from these projects, coming into the community and changing our landscape." WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the government had listened to industry and communities to develop the concept. "The draft guideline provides support for the community and renewable energy developers to achieve sensible arrangements that balance benefit for the local community with the affordability of energy," she said in a statement. Planning Minister John Carey said WA was in a "critical moment in the state's history" with large renewable projects proposed and under construction. "It's a significant opportunity in terms of economy, for jobs, and meeting the renewable energy transitions but we understand there are concerns in local communities and what the community benefit will be," he said. Energy analyst Ray Wills said baseline payments per hour or megawatt per project were a sensible starting point. He said the direct benefits of farmers and other landholders hosting projects needed to be balanced against the indirect impact on the wider community. "Because otherwise all of the expenditure that company will look to do will be captured by one person, rather than being more broadly available," Mr Wills said. "On the other hand, not having any of those payments made to the community is going to see a restriction of projects going forward." He said any community funding requirement needed to be carefully calibrated so investment was not deterred.
West Australian
11-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
UGSFL 2025: A one-point Williams victory marks their second win for the season
Williams notched a nailbiting one-point win at home while Narrogin and Katanning Wanderers were also impressive winners in round six of the Upper Great Southern Football League competition on Sunday. The Cats claimed their second win of the season, coming from behind in the last quarter to beat Brookton-Pingelly. Both teams kicked three goals in the final stanza, but the home side managed 3.3 as the claimed a tense victory, 10.7 (67) to 10.6 (66). The Panthers kicked the first goal of the game and led by a single point at quarter time. There was plenty of pressure from both sides but the Cats hit back with four majors to the Panthers' one, giving them at a comfortable 19-point lead at half-time. The tables turned in third quarter, as the visitors took control with four majors to hold a slender one-point lead at three quarter time. Jackson Ryan and Gerard Medlen proved vital for the Cats with three and two goals respectively while Kyle Shanahan, Simon Panizza, Bradley Jetta, Brady Hill and Nic Fry were outstanding as the Cats clawed their way across the line. For the Panthers, Finn O'Reilly was dynamite in the forward half booting five majors in a losing affair. Panthers Ryley Conlan was strong in the air with his marks while Jacob Sounness, Liam Beacom, Adam Brock, Finn Taylor and Bailey Parsons all worked tirelessly. Reigning premiers Boddington had their winning streak ended by a feisty Narrogin side, with the previously unstoppable team finally roadblocked with a 26-point defeat at Clayton Road Oval. Malachi Bolton stunned for the new ladder-topping Hawks, booting a whopping seven majors in the upset, well supported in victory by Brad Timms, Coen Jackman, Declan Phillips, Tom Kilpatrick and Fraser Goode. Ben Sherry (one goal), Matt Giumelli (one), Blake Reynolds, Jarrod Salmeri, Jacob Schorer, Jordan Hughes and Luke Kirk (three) all shone for the Eagles in their first loss of the season, 13.15 (93) to 10.7 (67). Katanning Wanderers were keen to impress at home on a special memorial pink day, rallying from a neck-and-neck third term to dispatch Wagin with a 14.13 (97) to 11.8 (74) win. Corey Eades, Joshua McMahon (both three) and James Laurino (two) starred as the Tigers headline act as they kicked five goals in the final term to steal a 23-point win. Jake Blight, Braydon Keley and Thomas Hamon also played well for the Tigers. The Bulldogs were best served by Nick Menegola, George Gibson, Nicholas McMahon, Riley Hill, Alfred Finlayson and Max Mumme. Kukerin-Dumbleyung took a strong early lead and were on track for an upset win over Wickepin at Nenke Oval. The Cougars and entered the long break 35 points up but their confidence was rattled in the second half, and they rolled over as the Warriors went on to win 12.16 (88) to 9.8 (62). Ryan Melvin (four) and David Roche (three) were the main avenues to goal for the visitors while Dion Anthony, Flynn Spark, Damon Watt and Royce Melvin were also influential. The home side were well led by Will Liston, Howie Clegg (four), Jye Depane, Charlie Keast, Matt Dare and Mitchell O'Neill.
West Australian
10-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Darkan Golf Club host Great Southern Men's 4BBB Championships as Wagin pair claim title
The Darkan Golf Club hosted the annual Great Southern Men's 4BBB Championships on Saturday, with more than 70 golfers from across the region turning out to compete for the title. A competitive field of 74 players from clubs including Darkan, Moodiarrup, Narrogin, Cuballing, Boddington, Lake View, Williams, Katanning, Wagin and Pingelly competed across the championship categories and novelty prizes. Competitors had a cool start to the morning but the weather turned out perfect for a day out on the course. This year's championship competition was sponsored by Patmore Feeds, Pederick Engineering, Acciona Energia, Narrogin Toyota and Narrogin Mazda. Wagin pair Ken Adams and Rod Shemeld claimed the title of champions, with Narrogin's Wayne Palumbo and Brett Coxon finishing runners-up. The nett winners for the day were Boddington golfers Milton Keen and Rodger Wotherspoon, with runners-up Murray Steddy from Darkan and Darryl Abbott from Moodiarrup. Third place in gross went to Michael Hulse and Tim Buller who both played for the host club of Darkan, and third place in nett was claimed by Williams pair Matt Cooper and James Scanlon. Katanning's Michael Kowald also impressed with an eagle on the par five 12th hole. A total of 18 novelty categories were also won on the day, with competitors from a range of clubs claiming prizes for feats including longest putt, nearest second and third, and longest drive.
