Liliwan project leader Professor Elizabeth Elliot said FASD is more common in Aboriginal and remote areas, and advocates higher alcohol taxes.

She also wants women abusing alcohol to use contraceptives.

WAToday [read this story]

The group CAYLUS told the minister better laws to tackle petrol sniffers are needed in WA.

The visit comes after last year’s coronial inquiry into the deaths of several young people from Balgo.

ABC [read this story]

The Rural Health Alliance, which represents many health professional groups, is pushing for the move as part of a strategy to prevent Foetal Alcohol Spetrum Disorder (FASD).

ABC [read this story]

Kim Hames

An internal police report recommended an inquiry into last year’s “Racing the Planet” marathon at El Questro.

The report found the event, in which two women were badly burned, placed undue stress on local health and emergency services and and inquiry needed to be made into the organisers and their management.

This appear to contradict Minister Kim Hames’ statement that there is “no avenue” to hold an inquiry.

PerthNow [read this story]

Courtesy Atlanta Commissioner Emma L Darnell

Sentinel chickens are our early warning system for mosquito diseases.

ABC [read this story]

A cane toad

Kimberley Echo gives advice about how to treat your dog if it has just taken cane toad poison.

Kimberley Echo [read this story]

Kathleen Cox

Broome’s shire president announced three Premiers’ Active Citizenship awards at Town Beach this morning.

They went to Gwen Knox, Rhiannon Hutcheson and Beagle Bay Women’s Group.

You can read a shire media release here:

25 January 2012 EMBARGO – 10am 26 January 2012 Outstanding locals recognised on Australia Day

Gwen Knox, Rhianon Hutcheson and the Beagle Bay Women’s Group have been recognised with Premier’s Active Citizenship Awards during Australia Day celebrations at Town Beach in Broome.

Broome Shire President Graeme Campbell presented the prestigious accolades and said the State-wide awards acknowledged and rewarded local residents and groups for their contributions to community life.

“Gwen is being recognised for her tireless efforts, creativity and time put into organising some of Broome’s favourite events including Worn Art, Sandfly Circus, Theatre Kimberley and Shinju Matsuri’s Carnival of Lights,” Cr Campbell said.

“She has a natural ability to inspire youth in Broome and its surrounding communities through these projects.

“Rhianon has been awarded the Under 25 Years Award. She is an extremely active member of the community who is always willing to get her hands dirty for a good cause.

“She is studying nursing and fills her spare time by getting involved in many community organisations. She is involved in the Kimberley Regional Allied Students in Health, Headspace Kimberley Youth Advisory committee and represented the Kimberley at the CHOGM youth forum.

“The Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Award for a Community Group goes to the Beagle Bay Women’s Group.

“The group was formed by a number of strong women who came together to improve the lives of Beagle Bay families. They began to meet every morning, talking about what they could do to create work and provide support for the young people.

“They have been engaged by the Red Cross to provide the Breakfast Club for school children in the community, and recognising the need for early childhood services have received support to deliver a playgroup service.

“I congratulate Gwen, Rhianon and the Beagle Bay Women’s Group for exemplifying community spirit and thank everyone who attended the event on Australia Day.”

From the Ryan Marron Foundation facebook page

Constable Ryan Marron, stricken with a disease last year at Balgo, managed to start speaking last week.

He has been crippled by Murray Valley Encephalitis, and unable to care for himself.

The mosquito-borne disease affected an alarming number of people last year.

There is no cure and no vaccine for the disease, which causes the brain to swell.

WAToday [read this story]

A family member was shifting her car when the tragedy occurred, and injured the woman and two other family members who were asleep in the driveway of a house in Norman Street, Broome.

ABC [read this story]

The Australian [read this story]