ABC Kimberley

14/02/2025

The Bureau of Meteorology has downgraded ex-tropical cyclone Zelia to below cyclone intensity, but the risk remains with major flooding warnings in place north-west WA.

For the latest warnings, visit the ABC Emergency website: https://ab.co/41MLORp

The Bureau of Meteorology has downgraded ex-tropical cyclone Zelia to below cyclone intensity, but the risk remains with major flooding warnings in place north-west WA. Follow live.

14/02/2025

Tropical cyclone Zelia has has made landfall, lashing WA's north with winds up to 290kph and dumping copious amounts of rain further inland. Though the system eased slightly before impacting land, authorities are urging residents to brace for further impact.

14/02/2025

Creeks that were dry days ago are now 100 metres wide as the weather system moves inland, putting some areas at flooding risk.

For the latest warnings, visit the ABC Emergency website: https://ab.co/41MLORp

Creeks that were dry days ago are now 100 metres wide as the weather system moves inland, putting some areas at flooding risk.

14/02/2025

A stunning sky that looks painted on a theatre set - but was just a beautiful evening near Halls Creek. 🤩 📷 Eva Johnson
We love featuring your Kimberley moments, send us pix in messenger.

14/02/2025

⛈️ Severe Weather Warning: HEAVY RAINFALL
⏰5am ​​​​​​​👉 Heavy rainfall remains a continual risk as Ex-Tropical Cyclone Zelia weakens over northern WA.
​​​​​​​⚬ People in the north of WA may experience this type of weather each year at this time but winds and rain may cause damage to property and make road conditions hazardous
​​​​​​​⚬ 93.6 mm was recorded in 1 hour to 3.28pm at Telfer.

📻️ listen to ABC Kimberley 675AM (Halls Creek 106.1 FM), or on ABC listen: ab.co/Kimberley
ℹ️ More Information
⚬ ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Bureau of Meteorology: https://ab.co/BOMWA
⚬ DFES: https://emergency.wa.gov.au/

14/02/2025

Two men have appeared in the Broome Magistrates Court charged with obstructing and assaulting police officers.

On Friday the court heard two police officers were treated in hospital and suffered bodily harm after being allegedly assaulted by 20-year-old Frederick Oscar Quilty and 33 year-old Harold James Madden yesterday.

It’s alleged Mr Quilty obstructed officers in their attempt to arrest his brother Mr Madden in relation to an incident near Broome's Male Oval.

Police prosecutor Kristy Miles told the court Mr Quilty came “barrelling in” and “clocked” one of the officers in the face, labelling his behaviour as “abhorrent”.

The 20 year-old pleaded not guilty to two charges of assaulting a public officer and one charge of obstructing public officers.

Meanwhile, Mr Madden is facing a total of five charges, including assaulting a public officer whilst being allegedly armed with a brick.

Mr Quilty pleaded not guilty to all three charges and was released on bail, to reappear in court on April 14.

Mr Madden did not enter a plea, was remanded in custody and will reappear in court on March 14.

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14/02/2025

: Severe tropical Cyclone Zelia has started crossing WA’s Pilbara coast as a category five system – earlier than expected.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services and BOM are providing an update.

14/02/2025

Tropical Cyclone Zelia is set to cross Western Australia's Pilbara coast this afternoon, with current forecasts showing it making landfall east of the town of Port Hedland as a category five system. Follow live.

All your local emergency information and warnings are at https://ab.co/4hHUePd

Tropical Cyclone Zelia is set to cross Western Australia's Pilbara coast this afternoon, with current forecasts showing it making landfall east of the town of Port Hedland as a category five system. Follow live.

14/02/2025

Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson says a Labor government will enable GPs to both diagnose and prescribe for treatment of ADHD.

Get the news that matters to you straight from the source. Download the ABC NEWS app: https://ab.co/abcnewsapp

Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson says a Labor government will enable GPs to both diagnose and prescribe for treatment of ADHD.

14/02/2025

Yesterday marked 17 years since former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd issued the National Apology to the Stolen Generations.

Survivors, residents and organisations gathered at Broome's Notre Dame University to commemorate the day on Thursday, with musical performances and stalls.

Campaigns Impact Officer with Seed Mob, Djukun woman Yisah Bin Omar, said she welcomed an increase in awareness of the experiences of Stolen Generations survivors and their families.

"When I was growing up I was always told my great grandmother came from Halls Creek and then as I got older I learned it was actually the Stolen Generation and that's where trans-generational trauma comes from - that's our history, that's our disconnection to identity, country, culture," she said.

"I think for our children today, they get to learn about all that, it's not covered up or hidden, it's truth telling.

"They get to grow up with an awareness of the injustices that have been done to Aboriginal people in this nation."

At the age of two, Elder John W Cooper was forcibly removed from his mother in Halls Creek and taken to Beagle Bay mission.

"They put me in the car, I had no clothes on, and I couldn't resist because I was only two years old," he said.

Mr Cooper was in his 20s when he was unexpectedly reunited with his mother on a visit back to Halls Creek from Sydney.

"I cancelled my flight for another two days and I stayed with my mother - she couldn't stop crying," he recalls.

Mr Cooper has travelled the world and said the most important thing he has learned in life was to focus on education.

"I was naive as a child, I didn't understand anything... [when I was] about six or seven I realised I had a white father and a black mother," he said.

"I thought we were different but throughout my travels in life what I have seen and witnessed is we are no different."

Kimberley Stolen Generation Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Tania Bin Bakar said the government needed to act on implementing the recommendations of the 1997 Bring Them Home report.

"It's about recognising stolen generation Elders, past policies and how they were wrong and how they not only affected children that were stolen but also the families of those children until today," she said.

"The state government really has to give a commitment to reparations."

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13/02/2025

WA's little-known opposition leader is fighting for recognition, his seat and the future of his party.

On a road trip through his massive electorate, Shane Love talks about culture wars, frenemies and the time he helped someone vote Labor.

Get the news that matters to you straight from the source. Download the ABC NEWS app: https://ab.co/abcnewsapp

WA's little-known opposition leader is fighting for recognition, his seat and the future of his party. On a road trip through his massive electorate, Shane Love talks about culture wars, frenemies and the time he helped someone vote Labor.

13/02/2025

While exploring the rocky red coastline around Broome, a butterfly landed beside Em A Elle Kir for just a moment.
We'd love to see your Kimberley wildlife and flora photos, send us a message.

13/02/2025

A Kimberley man has been sentenced to four years imprisonment for his involvement in a home burglary of a Broome residence.

The Broome District Court heard yesterday that in July 2023, 36-year-old Christopher James Gerrard forcefully entered the home of the victim, carrying a knife.

He held the knife to the victim's throat, causing mild bruising, before stealing a phone.

Gerrard was found guilty of aggravated home burglary and going armed so as to cause terror.

He will be eligible for parole in December 2025.

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13/02/2025

It's a bit like power ball but without the million dollar prize. These plain plastic blue balls have determined the placement on the ballot for the seat of Kimberley.

Each ball had a candidate's name put inside and was drawn at random out of a box by the WA Electoral Commission's Returning Officer for the seat.

Drawing number one place on the ballot was newly endorsed Greens candidate Jaala Ozies, second Australian Christians' Zoe Golding, third position Labor's Divina D'anna, followed by National Party's Millie Hills and fifth position Liberals Darren Spackman.

The State election is on March 8th. The electoral roll closes tonight (Feb13th) for people to update their details.

Sign up to the ABC Kimberley newsletter: https://ab.co/KimberleyNewsletter

13/02/2025

Residents, survivors and service providers marched in Broome yesterday chanting 'don't silence the violence' at the 10th annual Ochre Ribbon march to spread awareness of family and domestic violence.

The Kimberley region has the highest rates of domestic violence in the state, with more than 1200 reported family assault cases recorded in just three months between October and December last year.

Domestic violence survivor, advocate and author Sheree Schonian said events like this were crucial in raising awareness.

“Before I got into my own abusive relationship I witnessed my mother being in an abusive relationship,” she said.

“I’ve seen my mother beaten to the inch of her life, I had to raise my siblings on the days she wasn’t able to get out of bed.”

At the age of 16 Ms Schonian entered an abusive relationship with her ex-partner, and after leaving 16 years later she decided to use her voice and story to help others.

Aboriginal Family Legal Services chief executive Corina Martin said there needed to be more awareness of the widespread impacts of family violence, particularly on children.

“I myself experienced...watching my mother get beaten up and the impact it has had on me has been profound, especially as you grow older,” she said.

“The most important thing is education of what family violence is, what it can do to people and how it can affect so many people, including a whole community.”

Kimberley MP Divina D’Anna said events like the Ochre Ribbon March were crucial in educating the community about the impacts of family and domestic violence.

“I think education is very important for our young people to teach them about respect at an early age, as well as putting proper supports for those family members that are fleeing from domestic violence,” she said.

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13/02/2025

Port Hedland's deputy mayor says the town is among the most prepared in the world for a category five cyclone, but there are fears for houses that haven't been well maintained.

Get the news that matters to you straight from the source. Download the ABC NEWS app: https://ab.co/abcnewsapp

Port Hedland's deputy mayor says the town is among the most prepared in the world for a category five cyclone, but there are fears for houses that haven't been well maintained.

13/02/2025

Caroline Banton and Christian Barnaby help look after gravesites in Kununurra, 3,000km north of Perth and thousands of kilometres away from their residents' loved ones.

Get the news that matters to you straight from the source. Download the ABC NEWS app: https://ab.co/abcnewsapp

Caroline Banton and Christian Barnaby help look after gravesites in Kununurra, 3,000km north of Perth and thousands of kilometres away from their residents' loved ones.

12/02/2025

The Great Northern Highway between Broome and Port Hedland is set to be closed from 10.30am this morning, as Cyclone Zelia moves closer to the coast.

The closure will be between the Roebuck turnoff on the outskirts of Broome and Buttweld Road, east of Port Hedland.

For more information, click here - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-13/tropical-cyclone-zelia-reaches-category-four-strength/104929202