#hedland

[jeeez-louise]

My art collection is growing! 🎨#SpinifexHillStudio #WendyNanji #SelenaBrown #Art #IndigenousArt #PortHedland #Hedland #Pilbara #WestEndMarkets #CourthouseGallery

[deadlytreadly]

Broome

I left the safety and comfort of Karratha to get back on the road, heading for the Kimberley. It took me three days to cycle from Karratha to Hedland. There were more trucks on the road in this section than any other type of vehicle. They were mainly long or oversize mining trucks carrying ore, plant, and supplies. There was already fairy gusty winds pushing me around and that coupled with the cacophony of engine noise, rattling, and vibrations from the trucks when they passed close-by, around 100km/hr quicker than me certainly got the heart racing. The trucks punch through the air and create their own wind. When the wind hit me it was so powerful and direct, it felt similar to having a wave crashing over me in the sea. Given the headwinds I welcomed the trucks heading the same way as me, I surfed their wind. I got dumped by trucks heading West. In this stretch I met a couple that are running a marathon every day to get around Australia in one year. They are raising awareness for healthy eating and lifestyle, and are raw-vegans themselves. Inspiring stuff! I subsequently met a nice Canadian guy riding the whole way round Aus. He had very minimal gear and was traversing 200-300km per day. My bike looked ridiculous in comparison. I have taken inspiration from him to reduce my own belongings to get somewhat closer to the bare minimum, and will be posting more stuff home before leaving Broome. I stopped in South Hedland for lunch and to fill up my waterbags. The town seemed to have some issues. I had a major gripe because they’ve removed the handles from all of the publicly accessible water taps. I don’t know what they’re trying to achieve by removing the handles. I think the water belongs to the people and I can’t see the good in denying access to this service. I wasn’t pleased when I tried to fill up for the first stage of the 600km leg to Broome. I generally camped out in water runoff drains or in the open areas made for accessing rail and telecommunications infrastructure. The temperature seemed to increase daily as I rode and mirages seemed to appear more commonly. I loved the desert look of the raised ground above the plains melting into the surrounds like a popsicle dropped on the pavement. On my first day past Hedland I met some travellers broken down on the side of the road. I lent them my tools but they weren’t substantial enough to solve the problem. I did however manage to open a can of braised steak and onions for them so I guess that counts as a small contribution to aid their plight. Pardoo roadhouse was my first destination, around 140km from Hedland. I thought it would be an easy 'day and a half' ride but super strong headwinds made for long days of cycling. On the end of the second day from leaving Hedland I’d only just got to Pardoo roadhouse with about 50km on the daily odometer. The wind dropped off in the afternoon and I decided the only way I was going to be able to get to Broom in a reasonable timeframe (and without running out of water!) would be to start up the night riding again. I left Pardoo in the dark, however by that stage there was very little traffic on the roads. The stars were amazing, the air was cool, there was no wind, and I was riding fast. It was good. I managed 111km by the end of my first big night ride. I was glad to get to Sandfire Roadhouse a couple of days later, where I met quite a few of the travellers that were passing me. I generally judge roadhouses on the exotic birds they keep. Sandfire Roadhouse has peacocks. It was awesome!!

  The next stretch was about 300km and took me to Roebuck Roadhouse, just out of Broome. There is very little in between. My left headphone stopped working after I set off from Sandfire, which caused some anxiety but the right held in for the journey. I hit my 3000km on this section and whilst celebrating on the roadside (yelling) someone pulled over as they thought I looked like I was in a state of emergency. A couple of days out of Broome I started to notice the trees change and there seemed to be butterflies everywhere. I make little goals at the start of each day and the goal a day out of Broome was to get an ice pop from Roebuck Roadhouse by the days end. I got it! After filling up my depleted waterbags at the roadhouse I found a nice drain about 30km from Broome to set up the tent in. It would be my last drain-camp for a little while. Nine headwind riddled days after leaving Karratha I gladly arrived in Broome. My first task after arriving was to wash my filthy clothes and have a shower to get rid of the red grime hat was ingrained into my skin. After that I headed down to Cable Beach for a drink and some deluxe food for dinner at sunset.

  Whist at the beach I met some cool travellers from France, Britain, and Japan and we had some drinks and food together. We spent the next day at the beach where we swam, ate, and saw a lot of sun. I love Broome. It has really good tropical vibes. I’ve spent most of my time here relaxing. One night I went to a bohemian beach party that was hidden behind some dunes. There was DJ decks, lights, a fire, awesome food, and fire twirling. Someone taught me Poi (spinning balls of fire suspended on short chains), which was great until I got over-confident and one of the flaming balls hit me in the chest. I passed them on shortly after.

  From Broome I’ll be heading up to James Price Point, and One Arm Point north of Broome. I’ve loved the Kimberley so far and I can’t wait to see more!

[janfordrealestate-blog-blog]

Port Hedland named WA's tidiest town

HEDLAND - including the Port and South Hedland - has been named WA's Tidest Town in the Sustainable Communities Awards for the second time in three years.

The State winner was announced during a ceremony on Friday in Fremantle that recognised community efforts to improve the appearance and environment of towns.

KAB WA Chair Mel Hay said Hedland’s win was indicative of the strength of local community groups and businesses that took pride in developing and improving the town.

“Hedland has demonstrated a commitment to not only improving the town’s infrastructure and environment but also to helping further develop positive relationships among people in the community,” he said.

“Hedland has strongly grasped the ideals required to be a successful sustainable community.”

Esperance received a special commendation for its commitment to a whole-of-community approach to litter prevention, maintenance of amenities, caring for the environment and providing for the needs of people of all ages.

“Tidy Towns has been running for 43 years and continues to enjoy great support. This shows that it is meeting a need – it helps communities set and achieve their goals and recognises them for those achievements,” Mr Hay said.

A total of 64 Western Australian towns and communities registered with Tidy Towns – Sustainable Communities program this year and 56 submitted entries for the awards.

As the 2012 State award winner, Hedland is now in the running for the national Tidy Towns - Sustainable Communities awards to be announced in 2013. Western Australia’s 2011 State award winner, West Arthur went on to win the Water Conservation award at the national ceremony held in Canberra in May 2012.