🌄 No Bluff News #15: Record $37,700 for Albany Hospice, 13cabs rolls into town & Middies 2026 Festival kicks off

G'day {{first_name | Friend}}! Edition 15 of No Bluff News lands in your inbox, your weekly wrap of positive local news, weekend plans, and all the community highlights you actually care about.

Here's what's in store:

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Now, onto the good stuff!

A restored piano is popping up at Albany's most recognisable spots, and anyone can sit down and play. Kinjarling Keys on the Move places the instrument at the National ANZAC Centre, Binalup / Middleton Beach and Albany Town Square, turning everyday public spaces into impromptu concert halls throughout 2026.

It's a genuine community effort. Helen Bolton got the ball rolling, Peter Bailey restored the donated instrument, the Albany Men's Shed built a custom cradle for safe transport, and artist Sara Coyne with Kadadjiny Aboriginal Corporation staff painted the murals.

Albany 2026 coordinator Adam Gregory says it creates real moments of connection, whether someone's playing for the first time or just stopping to listen. Check the Kinjarling Keys page to see where it's headed next.

Albany Community Hospice's annual Footy Stars Weekend has raised a record $37,700, with hometown hero Jeremy McGovern back as special guest. The two-day fundraiser topped last year's total and put a big one on the board for local palliative care.

McGovern joined longtime host Glen Jakovich for the full run, visiting hospice patients, surprising nursing staff's kids, speaking at the Motel Le Grande dinner and auction, and teeing off at Albany Golf Club on Sunday.

Chief executive Jackie Boyce says events like this prove the hospice was built by the community and is sustained by it. Local businesses trimmed their costs across the weekend so more money goes straight to care.

A national taxi operator has landed in Albany for the first time. 13cabs launched on 10 February with a two-car fleet, making it the first major national player to enter a market previously dominated by local operators Albany City Cabs, Rainbow Coast Taxis and Great Southern Taxis.

The big selling point is fixed-price fares: you see the cost before you book, and it stays the same regardless of traffic or time of day. Book through the app, the website, or by calling 13 2227.

Local drivers approached 13cabs looking for national brand support and app-based bookings, which prompted the move. Albany joins Broome, Kalgoorlie and Bunbury on the network, with the fleet set to expand if demand picks up.

Four Antarctic type B killer whales, including a calf, have been spotted at Bremer Canyon in what's believed to be a first for WA waters. The visitors sent the local pod packing and made off with the remains of their beaked whale kill.

Tour operator Gemma Sharp says the newcomers had distinctly different features: dusty grey skin and oversized eye patches. Researchers say the encounter backs recent genetic evidence of mixing between Antarctic and local orcas, putting Bremer Canyon on the global marine science map.

A magnitude 2.9 earthquake struck 25km north of Gnowangerup on Valentine's Day, the largest in a cluster of weekend tremors hitting the area. UWA seismologist Vic Dent says a magnitude 4 or even 5 is possible as activity continues.

Dent has relocated a portable recorder to Gnowangerup's SES unit and is installing a second on Tie Line Road to help pinpoint the fault line to within about a kilometre.

Katanning Landcare has wrapped up the final stage of its Drain to Living Stream project, clearing invasive grass, weeds, concrete and rubbish from the section between Park and Bokarup streets. A turtle survey during the clean-up found 19 long-necked turtles living in the adjacent bush.

Replanting of native trees, shrubs and sedges along the banks kicks off this winter, and the community is encouraged to get involved.

More than 160 players are heading to Albany on 28 February and 1 March for the Great Southern's first ever state-ranking badminton event, competing for a share of a $22,000 prize pool. Olympian Setyana Mapasa, who represented Australia in women's doubles at Tokyo and Paris, is among the field.

The tournament runs at Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre across seniors and juniors, with singles, doubles and mixed competitions. Entry is free for spectators.

Denmark Shire has signed a five-year deal with eLumina to replace its slow chargers with battery-backed fast charging stations at Berridge Park and the Shire Administration car park. Installation, operation and maintenance are all covered by eLumina at no upfront cost to the Shire.

The battery-backed tech means faster, more reliable charging during peak holiday periods without major upgrades to the power network. Shire president Aaron Wiggins says it ties Denmark into the wider WA Electric Vehicle Network.

Just A Farmer: film screening on rural life and mental health; guest speaker Paul Anning, $20 w/ light meal, doors 5:45pm | Plantagenet District Hall | Fri, 27 Feb & Sat, 28 Feb

Pride PARKRUN: Free community parkrun for runners, joggers and walkers, dress-ups and dogs on lead welcome, 8am | Three Anchors | Saturday, 28 Feb

Tarmac Rally Sprint Markets: Market stalls and food vans alongside the Tarmac Rally Sprint, 9am–4pm | Binalup / Middleton Beach | Monday, 2 Mar

Di Filippo Marionette: Classic marionette puppet show featuring elaborate traditional puppetry, $20–$25, Fri 7pm & Sat 10am | Albany Italian Club | Fri, 27 Feb & Sat, 28 Feb

Fair Day & Dog Show: Festival day with DJ Her Highness, 25+ market stalls, roving performers and the annual Dog Show, dogs on lead welcome, 10am | Albany Town Square | Saturday, 28 Feb

Free Family Fun Day: Jumping castle, face painting, mini golf, early learning centre guided tours, 10am–12pm | 33 Warburton Road, Mount Barker | Sunday, 1 Mar

Tomas Clifford Got Stood Up: Award-winning musical-comedy cabaret about one man's dating misadventures, 7:30pm | Albany Entertainment Centre | Thursday, 26 Feb

End of Month Drinks: Celebrate a decade of Albany Pride on balcony while the Town Hall is lit in rainbow colours, free entry, 5:30pm | The Premier Hotel | Friday, 27 Feb

Middies 2026 Festival: Albany's first-ever beach festival with headline bands and DJs, licensed bar (18+), 3pm | Middleton Beach, Albany | Saturday, 28 Feb

Graze Mount Barker 2026: graze your way around Mount Barker wineries; grazing plate and award-winning wine for $25 | Mount Barker wineries | Sat, 28 Feb – Mon, 2 Mar

Barn Dance 2026: Pride barn dance with OUTdance line lessons, drag acts BarbieQ, Dan Murphy bar and food trucks, 6pm | Albany Boatshed | Saturday, 28 Feb

Drag Bingo: Festival-favourite drag bingo with BarbieQ, Alexas Armstrong and Veronica Jean Jones, doors 5pm | Retravision Stadium | Sunday, 1 Mar

Open Mic Night: Music, poetry or comedy with PA provided, free drink for performers and $10 pints, 5–8pm | Wilson Brewing Co | Thursday, 26 Feb

Martin Lee Cropper: Bridgetown bluesman plays authentic 1920s Mississippi Delta and Hill Country blues on National guitars, 5–8pm | Wilson Brewing Co | Friday, 27 Feb

Roger Haese: Local favourite playing live, 6–9pm | The Earl of Spencer | Friday, 27 Feb

The Albany Folk & Shanty Club: Open-mic for shanties, folk or poetry, BYO drinks and nibbles, $5/person or $10/family, 7–10pm | King River Hall | Friday, 27 Feb

JET, Birds of Tokyo & Little Birdy: Big outdoor concert among vineyards and tall trees, 3pm | Castelli Estate Wines | Saturday, 28 Feb

Touch of Country: Night of country music, 7:30–11:30pm | Riverview Country Club | Saturday, 28 Feb

Critical Hippo: Denmark's newest local band back at the brewshed, 3:30–5pm | Lights Beach Brewing | Sunday, 1 Mar

Limehouse – Live at The Earl: Jazzy, bluesy, folky and funky duo playing covers and originals, 4–7pm | The Earl of Spencer | Sunday, 1 Mar

Kris Nelson – Lighthouse Live Sessions: Award-winning indie/folk artist from the Great Southern playing live, 5–8pm | Wilson Brewing Co | Sunday, 1 Mar

LOST LOUNGE | Laura Newbury: Collagraphs and works offering glimpses into Albany's history, Mon–Fri 10am–4pm, Sat 10am–2pm | Vancouver Arts Centre | Fri, 27 Feb

GSFL Amcal Albany Women's Football – Rd 4 (Friday, 27 Feb): Triple-header, starting 5:30pm | Railways Oval & McLean Oval

Merrifield Real Estate ADCA A Grade – Rd 20 (Saturday, 28 Feb): One Day fixtures, 12:15pm | Centennial Park, Mount Barker

2026 Albany Bicentenary Badminton Tournament (Sat, 28 Feb & Sun, 1 Mar): State-ranking event with 28 categories and a $22k prize pool, free entry for spectators | ALAC

Coffee and Connect with MEGT Australia: Meet MEGT hosts and connect with the Great Southern business community, 9–10am | Suite 13, The Link Centre | Thursday, 26 Feb

Albany Rural Roundtable: Chat with elected members and City staff about local issues, registrations essential, 6–8pm | Green Range Country Club | Thursday, 26 Feb

City of Albany Seeks Community Reps for Advisory Group: join the Communications and Engagement Strategy Advisory Group, meeting quarterly.

Postal Polls Set for Four Great Southern Shires: Voters in Jerramungup, Gnowangerup, Cranbrook and Ravensthorpe will vote to fill council vacancies in March. Full details here.

Albany's Local Member Picks Up Heritage Portfolio: Scott Leary, the Member for Albany, has been appointed to the Shadow Heritage portfolio. Full details here.

Dental assistant trainee: learn on the job supporting dentists with chairside care and patient communication, full training provided | Pioneer Health Dental | Albany

Head chef: lead the kitchen, design seasonal menus and manage staff, stock, costs and compliance for a 7-day tavern (diploma and 2+ years' XP) | Denmark Tavern | Denmark

Mathematics teacher: perm FT role teaching Years 7–12 from Term 2, 2026; $88–$128k plus housing allowance and benefits | ASHS via Dept of Education | Albany

41 Mount Barker Road, Mount Barker: 3-bed, 1-bath on 1,012m². Renovated family home, single garage plus two open car spaces, walk to shops | From $599,000

44 Curtiss Road, Albany: 5-bed, 2-bath on 2.87ha. Renovated rural home, new kitchen, ensuite, flooring and wood heater. Big shed and 4-car garage | Above $1,250,000

69B Minsterly Road, Ocean Beach: 5-bed, 3-bath on 5,898m². Floor-to-ceiling glazing with Wilson Inlet access, timber and polished concrete finishes | From $2,000,000

Dumbleyung Lawn Classic: The 26th edition drew a record 160 players over Valentine's weekend, with ~200 participants competing. Local pair Jack Pearce and Jack Faulkner took men's A-grade, Jodie Martens and Megan Henry won women's A-grade, and 12-year-old Narrogin prodigy Zander Wilkie racked up two wins across the weekend.

State of Origin: Great Southern had four sons at a sold-out Optus Stadium as WA took on Vic. Railways' Jordan Clark led the way with 27 disposals and nine intercepts, North Albany's Darcy Cameron had 15 touches and 17 hit-outs, Katanning's Shai Bolton chipped in 24 disposals and a goal, and Pingaring's Liam Baker added 23 possessions and six intercepts. Vic won 18.17 (125) to 15.11 (101), but it was a proud night for the region.

And that's a wrap!

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Catch you next Tuesday!