Year in review January to March: Images of tragedy, community, milestones defined start of 2024 in Geraldton

The year 2024 has been one of highs and lows, devastating tragedies and remarkable triumphs, good news, bad and everything in between. What better way to reflect on the year that was than by the photographs that defined the year in the local news landscape — the pictures that are worth a thousand words? In part one, we look back on what made news and what grabbed our attention in the first three months of the year. 1. NOT AGAIN It was a case of history repeating itself — in January, Geraldton’s famous Horizon Ball was again the target of vandals. Graffiti tags were scratched into the artwork, including “Mad dog” and “6642” which is believed to represent the postcode of Meekatharra. Mayor Jerry Clune called it “frustrating”, but thankfully up until this point the rest of 2024 was smoother sailing for the landmark. 2. OZ DAY Despite the ongoing debate about changing the date, Australia Day 2024 in Geraldton was spent by thousands down at the foreshore, enjoying a day filled with family-friendly activities, ending with a concert and fireworks display. 3. CLIFF TRAGEDY It was a shocking loss of life that rocked the community — the deaths of 22-year-old mates Matthew Farr and Louis Eeles when their car plunged off a cliff 10km north of Horrocks Beach in the early hours of February 4. The pair, with another friend, had decided to go four-wheel-driving just after midnight during a camping trip. Incredibly, the 21-year-old back-seat passenger survived, climbed up the cliff and walked to raise the alarm. Friends and loved ones paid tribute to Mr Farr and Mr Eeles as ocean-loving souls who would be deeply missed. 4. HOT SPELL Do you remember how hot last summer was in Geraldton? We do. Especially during a spell during Februrary when it was heatwave after heatwave. Geraldton’s previous hottest day on record was 47.7C, set on January 9, 1954, and more than 70 years later that was smashed on February 16 when the mercury soared to a high of 49.3C. As we welcome another summer, here’s a sweat-inducing thought: will that record be broken any time soon? --- 5. THOR-SOME TO MEET YOU Geraldton boy and Marvel superfan Amon Holland had the best summer holidays experience ever earlier this year when, thanks to the Starlight Foundation, he met Thor actor Chris Hemsworth at his Byron Bay home. Hemsworth quickly became an Amon fan. “The love and kindness that radiates from this young man is beyond inspirational,” Hemsworth posted on his Instagram account. Hammer-drop. 6. SHARK ATTACK A woman — an overseas tourist in her 40s — was left fighting for life after being attacked by a 2m tiger shark off Jurien Bay on February 26. The shark mauled her leg while she was in waist-deep water during a sea lion tour. The woman was airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital, where she received lifesaving treatment. Kane Krollig, of Turquoise Safaris, said the crew responded incredibly and described the ordeal as a “freak incident”. 7. MEGA MILESTONE The first installation in the Murchison of these 2m-tall Christmas tree-shaped antennae marked a key milestone in a project that could unlock some of the universe’s biggest secrets. In March, the first of 130,000 antennas were installed in the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope, which when built will be the largest of its kind on the planet. 8. ON LOCATION IN GERO In February and March, Geraldton was abuzz as a film crew came to town to shoot scenes for Invisible Boys, the Stan adaption of Geraldton author Holden Sheppard’s debut novel. Everyone was on alert and many were keen to be extras. Soon after the crew left town, the first still images from the 10-part series were released, only adding to the excitement and anticipation of what should be a release some time in 2025. We can’t wait to see Geraldton on the big (small) screen. 9. AXE AND HAMMER ATTACK Former police officer Adrian Barker was left with internal bleeding and a broken hand when he was allegedly attacked by a group of armed juveniles he had confronted after discovering them trying to break into his Wandina home on March 17. When he followed them, he said the group turned on him, swinging an axe and hammers. 10. NATS PICK THEIR WOMAN Almost a year out from the 2025 State election, the line-up contesting the Geraldton electorate started taking shape when the Nationals WA chose their candidate in late March. Former city of Greater Geraldton mayor Shane Van Styn, Chapman Valley shire president Kirrilee Warr and chire of Northampton vice-president Rob Horstman all threw their hats in the ring for preselection, but in the end Ms Warr secured the party’s endorsement. 11. STRICKEN YACHT SAGA Multi-million-dollar yacht, Azure II, had been ripped from its moorings in Port Denison’s boat harbour in bad weather in January and became grounded on shallow reef. A group of local fishermen took action and removed it from the reef in February. More drama ensued when the yacht languished at the town’s service jetty for more than a month before it was finally moved by its owner, local farmer John Grove.