COLLIE Collie is a small but growing community on the western highway that services the Collie Coal mines and mine infrastructure. Collie has a significant role in the provision of electricity for Western Australia. There are two coal mines in the town and two power stations.The Collie district has been mining coal for nearly a hundred years. First underground but now open cut. The extent and success of the mines have not been without incident with a high accident and miner death rate. So much so the memorials to the lost miners and their lady folk match that of the war dead. Collie itself is a nice and friendly town that has a strong sense of community care and heritage management. Collie was once referred to as a "dirty mining town but on 8 April 2006 it won the Australian Tidy Towns Competition from finalists from six States and the Northern Territory. Collie was named the top Tidy Town because of the commitment of the community to recycling, waste management, beautification and community projects. The Anglican Church is (we think) is a Federation structure and Catholic Churches are classic buildings. All denominations are represented The Mine Memorials should be given an appropriate look. The War Memorial Gardens are nicely set up and colourful. The Federal Hotel has a classic WA ‘Legends’ picture remembering the sportspersons and era is a test. The Federal Hotel is famous for the meals served. All of the hotels are of the turn of the century era. The Museum and grounds are well presented and are informative give a good background to Collie’s history. Be sure to stay for a few days and check the place out.