Year in Review July to September 2025: The Geraldton Guardian stories that grabbed our readers’ attention

A local sports star reaching his sport’s global pinnacle, the Buccs reigning supreme again, Lotto millions flowing and the fight to save Dozer the dog — here are the stories that transfixed you between July and October this year. 1. RING OF GLORY Geraldton’s Alex Ducas earnt himself a NBA championship ring with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He didn’t feature on court during the play-offs, but was part of the OKC’s squad for 2024-25. He became the ninth Australian to win a NBA ring — and even had a day named in his honour in Oklahoma City. 2. A PREVENTABLE DEATH In July, State Coroner Ros Fogliani handed down her findings into the police shooting death of Yamatji woman JC in Geraldton in 2019. She found the officer who pulled the trigger, Brent Wyndham, acted “too hastily” and that JC’s death could have been prevented. JC’s family reacted to the coroner’s findings with disdain, believing justice had still not been served. 3. SHOW GOES ON Despite heavy rain, Chapman Valley Show’s 75th anniversary was a muddy success. Close to 6000 people flooded into Nanson Showgrounds for the annual ag show. Thousands more went to the Mullewa, Perenjori and Northampton shows. However, the region’s biggest show, the Mingenew Midwest Expo, was cancelled indefinitely. 4. MIGHTY BUCCS The blue-and-gold army helped the Geraldton Buccaneers secure their fourth title in club history when they defeated the Warwick Senators in a thriller at RAC Arena. Johny Narkle was a star all season, but the season was an overall team effort. It was the Buccs’ third championship in seven years. And it still feels just as good! 5. CAUGHT ON CAMERA The State Government’s new high-tech mobile safety camera on a trailer rolled into Geraldton mid-year and made an immediate impact. The AI camera can detect mobile phone use, seatbelt offences and speeding — and after an initial grace period with cautions, fines started to be issued in October. 6. TOWN WITH NO DOCTOR Northampton was left in the lurch at the end of the July when its only GP closed their doors, forcing locals to travel to Geraldton or Kalbarri to see a doctor. After months-long negotiations, the Shire of Northampton came to the rescue, striking up a deal with the Panaceum Group and reopening in November. 7. FOOTY’S KINGS AND QUEENS Brigades were the dark horses heading into the GNFL’s 2025 finals series and they conquered all before them, achieving redemption from their 2024 grand final heartbreak. An 18-point come-from-behind win against Railways earnt the Hawks the club’s eighth flag. In the women’s comp, Chapman Valley enjoyed an unbeaten streak all year, which ended with their second flag — and let’s not forget their epic Pink Pony Club celebration at the local pub! 8. TAIL OF WOE If you’re a local and didn’t know about Dozer the dog and his plight this year, then chances are you were probably living under a rock. Rangers declared the golden lab and beloved pet a dangerous dog after an encounter with a woman walking a German shepherd. After two weeks at the pound, during which time Dozer’s owners initially feared he could be put down, the dog was released, but was still a declared dangerous dog. A legal case was launched and a few months later, the city decide to revoke the dangerous dog declaration. As his owners put it, Dozer was finally free! 9. LOTTO LUCK In mid-September it was revealed an Oz Lotto ticket sold at Geraldton’s Queens Supa IGA was the golden ticket — earning its owner a cool $7.5 million! After a two-week wait, the mystery player claimed their prize. In November, Northampton Newsagency sold a division one ticket worth $1 million. 10. COOL SCHOOLS In some epic achievements for a couple of local schools, Rangeway Primary School took out the wellbeing and learning category at the WA Education Awards, while a Year 6 class at St Francis Xavier Primary School topped the State in the Premier’s Telethon Challenge, raising $25,000 for the iconic charity, which resulted in a behind-the-scenes tour during Telethon weekend.