G'day, Great Southern!
Welcome to the very first edition of No Bluff News – your weekly wrap of positive local news, weekend plans, and all the community highlights you actually care about.
Every Tuesday morning, we'll send you the latest from across the region – feel-good stories, upcoming events, small business shout-outs, and local wins. Always free, always in under ten minutes.
No crime, no politics, no drama. Just the good stuff.
Why "No Bluff"? It's a nod to Bluff Knoll, our iconic peak. You can read the full story here.
Here's the thing: I want this newsletter to grow with you. Hit reply any time and let me know what you loved, what missed the mark, or what you'd like to see more of. I read (and reply to) every response.
Right, let's get into it!
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
🛳️ Cruise ships are heading back to Albany
Albany's about to get busy on the waterfront. Five international cruise liners are calling in over the summer – Silver Nova (17 Nov), Silver Moon (23 Nov), Riviera (1 Dec), Norwegian Spirit (11 Dec), and Viking Orion (21 Jan).
The City of Albany's rolling out the Boatshed Cruise Hub Experience on cruise days at the Albany Boatshed – think local food, wine, art and produce all set up for passengers to explore as they step off the ship.
Mayor Greg Stocks reckons it's brilliant for the local economy. Cruise tourism brought in about $385 million across WA in 2023–24, with Albany contributing around $6.5 million in 2024–25 and supporting roughly 20 full-time jobs. Plus, it brings the waterfront to life and gives local vendors and tourism operators a boost outside the usual peak season.
🛠️ Pardelup inmates building Mount Barker's new early learning centre
Mount Barker's getting a new not-for-profit early learning centre – and blokes from Pardelup prison farm are putting the finishing touches on it.
Men on the Department of Justice's supervised day-release program have spent the past year doing concreting, fencing and other trades work. It keeps their skills sharp and builds confidence for life after release.
Gowrie CEO Tania Westmore says the centre likely wouldn't be ready without their help. The team wraps up in the next couple of months, and the centre opens early 2026 – a solid example of skills, second chances, and Great Southern communities backing each other.
🎾 Katanning tennis courts get a major refresh
Katanning Country Club just got ten courts upgraded with new synthetic grass and better drainage, thanks to a $132,271 investment through the Cook Government's PlayOn WA program.
After two decades of wear and weather damage, the courts now let locals play year-round on a safer, all-weather surface. As a major regional sporting hub, the upgrade means more events, school and club programs, and visiting teams – keeping Katanning a key sporting destination across the Central Great Southern.
COMMUNITY DIGEST
✨ Great Southern wins big at WA Tourism Awards
The Great Southern cleaned up at the WA Tourism Awards. Albany's Historic Whaling Station won double gold, Denmark's Singlefile Wines took gold and Hall of Fame honours, and Cheynes Beach Caravan Park snagged silver.
All three represent WA at nationals in Fremantle next March.
🏥 St John Ambulance gets a new Albany home
St John WA's Albany crew has moved into a new sub-centre at 76 Sanford Road after outgrowing the old site.
The bigger hub reunites the team and brings first-aid training back on-site. Over-the-counter services pause for a week during the move, but Triple Zero (000) emergency responses continue as normal.
👨🚒 Popanyinning farmer shares his burn survival story
Tim Haslam from Popanyinning nearly died after a 2023 harvest fire left him with severe burns. Now he's fronting a DFES video series sharing the mistakes that nearly cost him his life.
The videos urge farmers to stop and think, wear PPE, and stay in vehicles during fires. The Narrogin premiere moved locals to tears. DFES is showing the series at events and training sessions across the region.
🐔 Mt Barker's chicken painting champions crowned
Winner, winner, chicken dinner! Mt Barker's Bloom Festival wrapped its community paint-off with more than 200 votes crowning winners Animata Pretorius (primary), Aoife Murphy (secondary), and Taylah Nowers (open).
About 100 cheeky, flora-themed chickens dotted the main street, painted by locals aged 3 to 84. Next year's festival switches to a Fantasy Door Festival.
🧓 Albany's Seniors Expo makes a comeback
After 16 years off the calendar, Albany's Seniors Expo returned to ALAC on Tuesday. More than 30 local organisations turned up with line dancing, mobility equipment demos, Pickleball sessions, Cycling Without Age rides, and a minute's silence for Remembrance Day.
Great to see the community turn up for our seniors.
WHAT’S ON
👨👩👧👦 FAMILY FUN
Thursdays On York - Christmas Edition
Albany Town Square lights up at 6pm with inflatables, Santa, carollers, markets and food vans. Wristbands $15, entry free.
Albany Town Square | Thursday, 20 Nov | Link
Summer Lunch @ Tambellup CRC
Casual community lunch for all ages, 11:30am–12:30pm.
Tambellup CRC | Thursday, 20 Nov | Link
Golden Hill Steiner Markets
Family-friendly markets with local stalls, food and live music, 2:45–4:45pm.
Golden Hill Steiner School, 222 Scotsdale Road, Denmark | Friday, 21 Nov | Link
Golden Hill Steiner Spring Fair & Open Day
Spring fair with markets, music, food and activities, 10am–2pm.
Golden Hill Steiner School | Saturday, 22 Nov | Link
Christmas Markets - Albany Town Square
Festive markets showcasing local arts, crafts and food with kids' activities and music. On again 29 Nov and 20 Dec.
Albany Town Square | Saturday, 22 Nov | Link
🎭 ADULTS ONLY
Duke's Vineyard Wine Dinner
Owner and winemaker Ben Cane hosts a 4-course dinner paired with four Great Southern wines. $99 per head, limited seats.
Hilton Garden Inn Albany | Friday, 21 Nov | Link
🎵 MUSIC
Sunday Lemonade - Live at Wilson's
Sunday Lemonade's only Albany show for 2025, celebrating new single "Lucy Goosey" with an energetic folk-rock set.
Wilson's Brewery Bar | Thursday, 20 Nov | Link
Southern Soul's Motown Revue
Twelve-piece band with four vocalists and a four-piece horn section smashing out nonstop Motown classics. BYO drinks, table seating.
Albany Port Theatre | Friday, 21 Nov & Sunday, 23 Nov | Link
Michael Ward Trio & Ally Row
Alt-country, blues and roots night. High-energy hoedown vibes with support from Ally Row.
King River Tavern | Saturday, 22 Nov | Link
Benny Mayhem — Save The Koalas solo show
Free solo show as part of Benny's Save The Koalas tour.
Karribank, 1983 Porongurup Road | Sunday, 23 Nov | Link
🏕️ OUTDOORS
Bushcarers Busy Bees
Fortnightly volunteer bushcare sessions, 9–11am. Free and open to all ages.
Various Albany reserves | Friday, 21 Nov | Link
BirdLife WA Mid-week Campout
Six-night birding camp (limited to 30 people) visiting Lake Seppings, Porongurup, Torndirrup and Wilson Inlet.
Kalgan River Caravan Park | Sunday, 23 Nov | Link
Six Seasons Trail Series
90-minute Kambarang-season cultural walk with Beelya Cultural Tours. Traditional Owner storytelling, smoking ceremony and damper tasting.
Forrestdale Lake Wetlands | Sunday, 23 Nov | Link
🏉 SPORT
Great Southern Shield Cricket (Round 8)
Saturday's T20 matches:
Albany Senior Basketball (Round 7)
Tuesday night games at ALAC:
Men's A Grade:
Women's A Grade:
💼 BUSINESS
RED Grant Information Session
Apply for Round 8 of the RED Grants – up to $250,000 available. Relaxed info session with the Great Southern Development Commission.
Albany Business Centre, 222 Chester Pass Rd, Walmsley | Wednesday, 19 Nov | Link
🏦 CIVIC
Council Meetings Open to the Public
Broomehill-Tambellup
Tambellup Office, 46–48 Norrish St | Thursday, 20 Nov | Link
Albany
Council Chambers, 102 North Road, Yakamia | Tuesday, 25 Nov | Link
Gnowangerup
Gnowangerup Shire Office | Wednesday, 26 Nov | Link
Katanning
52 Austral Terrace, Katanning | Wednesday, 26 Nov | Link
COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD
📢 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
🛠 JOBS
Delivery driver & kitchen hand: Jo Joes Pizza & Kebabs | Albany | Link
Physiotherapist: Albany Community Care | Spencer Park & Great Southern | Link
HR driver: Sands Fridge Lines | Albany | Link
Occupational therapist: Albany Community Care | Albany | Link
Flooring installer – carpet specialist: Solomons Flooring Albany | Albany | Link
🏡 REAL ESTATE
26 Parade Street, Albany: 4-bed, 2-bath from $999,999. Link
15 Piesse Street, Katanning: 3-bed, 1-bath at $425,000. Link
35 Mondurup Street, Mount Barker: 4-bed, 2-bath from $690,000. Link
1 Hunwick Road, Redmond West: 3-bed, 1-bath from $1.5M. Link
532 Lower King Road, Lower King: 4-bed, 2-bath above $795,000. Link
🏀 BASKETBALL RESULTS
Did today’s news feel just right, or was it a tad rocky?
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Catch you next Thursday!
Josh