🌄 No Bluff News #13: Porridge Bikers blitz Albany kindy, Star Wars film delivers $9.3M & Valentine's weekend

G'day {{first_name | Friend}}! Don't forget Valentine's Day this Saturday as we bring you edition 13 of No Bluff News – your weekly wrap of positive local news, weekend plans, and all the community highlights you actually care about.

What you can look forward to today:

Alright, let's crack on!

The Porridge Bikers knocked over a full-day maintenance blitz at Albany's 69-year-old community kindy on 24 January, tackling outdoor upgrades and internal repairs ahead of the 2026 school year. The local charity group of current and retired police and prison officers joined forces with Triple L Landscaping and individual volunteers to accelerate planned work.

Committee president Chantelle Jones says the partnership delivered remarkable results and helped complete maintenance that would've taken the committee weeks. The kindy's now chasing funding for asbestos removal from the 1955 community-owned building.

Albany streets doubled for Hobart in zombie thriller We Bury the Dead, which landed in cinemas across Australia and New Zealand on 5 February after pulling US$2.5 million at the US box office. Star Wars' Daisy Ridley shot the film here in early 2024 alongside Brenton Thwaites and Mark Coles Smith.

Screenwest points out the production employed about 300 West Aussies and returned an estimated $9.3 million to the WA economy. Ridley's been raving about Albany's restaurants while promoting the movie, calling out Liberte as a highlight.

WA's junior tennis squad scored bronze at the Queensland country championships in Brisbane in December, with five of the eight players trained right here in Albany under coach Vincent Brochard at Oncourt.

Tea Zizek, Denby Sharpe, Zuri Ochieng, Fernando Gatti and Dylan Stone made the trip. Zizek went nearly unbeaten in singles and mixed doubles before a withdrawal due to illness, and the squad beat defending champions Gold Coast in round one.

Tennis West's Colin Thompson reckons the results show Albany's junior pathway is working. The competition drew 400 players overall.

Wagin Woolorama has landed $300,000 in federal funding to lock in the next three shows, with president Fiona Dawson calling it "save our show" money when she announced it on 22 January.

The three-year grant comes from a $22.1 million regional trade events program, and this year's show runs 6-7 March at Wagin Showgrounds under the theme Harvesting Rural Spirit.

Hutchinson Builders has landed the contract to deliver the Albany Health Campus expansion and Meekatharra Hospital redevelopment, using modular construction to get it done faster with less disruption.

Albany gets a 32-bed modular ward and Meekatharra gets upgraded emergency, dialysis, inpatient and ICT facilities under the Cook Government's $4.9 billion health program.

Bremer Bay's Stay On Your Feet group won the Shire of Jerramungup's 2026 community group award at the Australia Day ceremony on 26 January for helping older locals stay active and prevent falls.

Run by community elder Barbara Thomas, the group meets weekly for tai chi, mock ambulance drills and social activities that members reckon have boosted wellbeing and confidence across the small Great Southern community.

Albany's Historic Whaling Station scored a national finalist spot in the 2025 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards after winning Gold at the Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards in the Tourist Attractions category.

The awards night runs 6 March in Fremantle, with the team saying they're proud to take Albany to the national stage.

Construction of a new flyover at Menang Drive and Chester Pass Road starts this month, with Highway Construction Pty Ltd landing the $60 million contract to finish the Albany Ring Road.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti says it'll boost safety, cut city truck numbers and create local jobs by giving trucks a non-stop link to the Port.

Golden Hill Steiner Markets: Community market with local stalls, food vans, music and family activities, 2:45–4:45pm | Golden Hill Steiner School | Friday, 13 Feb

The Albany Antique, Vintage & Collectables Fair: Stallholders offering antiques, vintage items and collectables, Fri 10am–5pm; Sat 9am–4pm; Sun 9am–2pm | The Stirling Club | Friday to Sunday, 13–15 Feb

Bushcarers Busy Bee: Volunteer working bee helping care for local reserves, 9–11am | City of Albany reserves | Friday, 13 Feb

Valentine's Day Market: Local arts and crafts market showcasing makers and gifts, 9am–2pm | Albany Town Square | Saturday, 14 Feb

After School Art Classes (ages 12-17): Six-week classes with local artist Julie Tulip, materials provided, 4–6pm | Vancouver Arts Centre | Wednesday, 11 Feb

Jazz Ballet (Ages 5-8): Eight-week beginner jazz and ballet class, 4–4:45pm | Albany Leisure & Aquatic Centre | Wednesday, 11 Feb

Indoor Soccer (ages 3-4): Gentle intro to soccer building coordination and confidence, bookings essential, 9:30–10am | Albany Indoor Centre | Wednesday, 11 Feb

Little Sports Star: Six-week program for 3–4-year-olds introducing basketball, cricket and soccer, 10:15–10:45am | Albany Leisure & Aquatic Centre | Friday, 13 Feb

YouthCare Pool Party: Pool party for 10–16-year-olds with inflatables, sausage sizzle and music, $10 entry, 6:15–8pm | Mount Barker Swimming Pool | Friday, 13 Feb

Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show: Live family theatre bringing Bluey & Bingo to life, post-show games and meet-and-greets | Albany Entertainment Centre | Fri & Sat, 13-4 Feb

Live at the Earl: Niki C & The Flight Risk: Niki C with Tony for a great night of live music, 6pm | Earl of Spencer Historic Inn | Friday, 13 Feb

Tune for the Tingles: Live, intimate music night showcasing local performers, 6–8pm | Denmark Arts | Friday, 13 Feb

Dig The Dust at Eve Late Night Bar: Live late-night rock, doors 9pm, band 9:30–12:30am | Eve Late Night Bar | Friday, 13 Feb

Gear Jammers and Harbour Lights: Live music night, $20 at the door, BYO nibbles (cash only), 7pm until late | King River Tavern | Saturday, 14 Feb

Craft Music Presents BEN LEE: On Tour Always: Ben Lee brings his lively, all-ages show to Albany, 7:30pm | Albany Town Hall Auditorium | Saturday, 14 Feb

Dig The Dust: High-energy back-stage party with food and tasty brews, 8pm (Free entry) | Wilson's Brewery Bar | Saturday, 14 Feb

Valentines Night Out: Party with The Numbats: Albany favourites bring high-energy dancing and singalongs, 8:30–11pm (18+) | Six Degrees Albany | Saturday, 14 Feb

LIVE AT THE EARL - Matt Black: Solo country set from local singer, 4–7pm | The Earl of Spencer Historic Inn | Sunday, 15 Feb

RnB Soul Train at Barrel Farm: Stripped-back R&B, soul and blues from an acoustic duo (originals and classics), 12:30–3:30pm | Barrel Farm | Sunday, 15 Feb

Italy - Storytelling: Italian storytelling and entertainment, 5–8pm | Denmark Art House | Sunday, 15 Feb

Great Southern Football League – Amcal Albany Women, Rd 2 (Friday, 13 Feb)

Smoke Till Ya Choke Burnouts (Round 2): Two-day burnout meet. Gates open 8am both days | Katanning | Friday, 13 Feb & Saturday, 14 Feb

ADCA Seniors Cricket – Merrifield Real Estate A Grade, Rd 16 (Saturday, 14 Feb)

Great Southern Shield – Bendigo Bank Shield, Rd 18 (Saturday, 14 Feb)

Canva Basics Plus: Free workshop for small business owners to create branded content in Canva, 5:30–7:30pm | Albany Business Centre | Thursday, 12 Feb

First Aid Training for Hospitality and Tourism: One-day accredited first aid course, subsidised by Tourism WA, 8:30am–4:30pm | ATC Work Smart | Monday, 16 Feb

Albany Opens Funding for Regional Events and Film: Cash and in-kind venue support available for events and film projects. Applications close 2 March. Apply for funding.

City of Albany Asks Locals to Shape Council Plan 2026-2036: Review priorities at community sessions (16/20 Feb) or via online survey (by 28 Feb). Have your say.

Denmark Community Grants Round Two Now Open: NFP groups can apply for $1,000 to $10,000 from a $28,500 pool. Applications close 3 March. Apply now.

Albany Party Co.: Modular 5-piece obstacle course converts into a giant water slide for parties, schools and community days. Arriving October. | Albany | Book your event now

Taste Trails 2026 EOI: Free listing for food, drink and tourism businesses offering self-guided specials 5 to 8 March. | Great Southern | Register your business

Toasted Society: Gourmet toasties at Boatshed Markets, serving 15 Feb, 22 Feb, 1 Mar & 8 Mar. | Albany | See what's on the menu

Assistant manager: lead retail team across HILLZEEZ and sister stores, some weekend and public holiday work | Hillzeez Down South Surf Shop | Albany

Senior accountant: tax, compliance and business advisory for established clients, mentoring junior staff | Lincolns | Albany

Deputy chief executive officer: lead day-to-day operations across corporate and community services | Mills Recruitment | Tambellup

123 Serpentine Road, Albany: 5-bed, 3-bath on 756m². Three-level home with harbour views, self-contained flat, 20 solar panels. CBD 180m walk | Offers Over $1,350,000.

77 Ocean Beach Road, Denmark: 4-bed, 1-bath on 450m². 1950s "June Cottage" with renovated kitchen. Walk to town; 5-min to Ocean Beach | Offers From $750,000.

16 Shorts Place, Mira Mar: 4-bed, 2-bath on 726m². King George Sound views. Timber floors with decorative inlay, stained glass, study, fireplace and rainwater tank | $1,995,000.

Harry Taylor smashes double century for Kojonup: Harry Taylor smashed 218 off 131 balls to power Kojonup to a 340-run drubbing of Australs North as the GSCA Bendigo Bank Shield resumed after the mid-season break on Saturday. James Barritt also cracked an unbeaten 122 to steer ladder-leading Broomehill Bandicoots past Tambellup by 30 runs in the top-of-the-table clash.

Former Wildcats run clinics across Gnowangerup shire: Former Perth Wildcats Greg Hire and Damian Martin ran five basketball clinics across Gnowangerup, Ongerup and Borden on 29-30 January, coaching about 70 kids aged 5-21 in skills, resilience and goal-setting. The tour included an open mic night, a community barbecue and fundraising that raised $810 for St John WA's Gnowangerup sub-centre.

And that's a wrap!

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Catch you next Tuesday!