🌄 No Bluff News #16: Bruce the bull lands a book deal, St Patrick's turns 100 & Taste Great Southern is on this weekend

G'day {{first_name | Friend}}! Autumn is officially here, and edition 16 of No Bluff News is landing right on cue. Your weekly wrap of positive local news, weekend plans, and all the community highlights you actually care about.

Here's what's in store today:

Got 20 minutes? You could win $50. We're looking for readers willing to share honest feedback about No Bluff News. What's working, what's not, and what you'd love to see more of. Everyone who books a chat goes in the draw to win a $50 Visa gift card.

Okay, time to get stuck in.

If you've spotted a Brahman bull strolling Nanarup Beach or pulling up at the Albany bowling club, that's Bruce. And he's very much a local institution.

The 1,100-kilogram bull has called Albany home since 2018, when former Kalgan Rodeo organiser Tom Kennedy rescued him from an uncertain fate and set about showing the town just how intelligent and sociable Brahman bulls can be. These days Bruce rides in the back of Kennedy's truck on request, turns up at community spots around town, and draws visitors from well beyond Albany for a meet and greet.

The social media fame has now landed him a book deal after an eastern states author spotted a video of him chasing jet skis. Kennedy reckons that's just the next chapter for Brucey. "People right now need something simple and real to smile at," he says, "and Bruce just has the ability to make people happy and laugh."

Katanning's St Patrick's School turns 100 on March 14, with hundreds of past and present students, staff and families expected to make the trip back to mark the milestone.

Founded in 1926 as St Rita's by the Sisters of Our Lady of the Mission, the school opened with just 47 pupils. Several of the sisters who taught there decades ago will be returning for the occasion.

The day runs from a commemorative Mass through formal presentations and open tours of the heritage-listed classrooms and church, with displays of photos and memorabilia around the grounds and a sundowner to close. Principal Brett Wilkie reckons it'll be a day worth remembering. "I am sure there will be a lot of reminiscing and sharing stories of St Pat's," he says.

The Albany Shantymen marked their 10th anniversary with a trip to Bremer Bay, performing at Bremer Bay Resort and walking away with $2,200 raised for local St John WA services.

The group donated their $1,000 performance fee on the night, with the crowd chipping in another $1,200 across the weekend. Formed in 2016, they now draw from a pool of 18 singers aged 19 to 81.

The past decade has taken them to some interesting places. Standout moment for member Crispin Travers: a gig in front of 29,000 Dockers fans at Optus Stadium, which led to an end-of-season invite and a spontaneous singalong with then-Premier Mark McGowan. Travers reckons the key is simple. "By saying yes to things, we've gone down some fairly interesting paths," he says.

Ten Wheatbelt and Great Southern volunteer bushfire brigades have landed grants through Western Power's Bushfire Volunteers Grants Program, with Katanning Central and Kojonup among the local recipients sharing in $70,000 distributed across 43 brigades statewide.

Popanyinning put their grant towards a heavy-duty dryer so crews can wash smoke-soaked gear and get back out quickly. Practical stuff that makes a real difference when fires run across consecutive days.

Albany's Sean Ramsell set off from home in late February on a three-month motorcycle lap of Australia, raising funds for the Black Dog Institute and dropping into Men's Sheds along the way to spark conversations about mental health. He's already raised $8,920 from 99 donations, with his $10,000 goal well within reach.

Employer Endurance Mining has thrown in fuel sponsorship and a $3,000 donation to help keep him on the road. Sean is due back by mid-September. Follow the journey or donate at the link above.

The first 20 of 46 new residential lots at Oyster Harbour Stage 9 in Bayonet Head are now on the market, priced from $285,000 and ranging from 510 to 752 square metres. Seven lots are reserved for social housing, with civil works kicking off in May 2026 and titles expected by December.

DevelopmentWA is also progressing more than 190 additional lots at Clydesdale Park Estate in McKail to keep land supply ticking along in the years ahead.

Albany's Alyce Burton is swimming daily at Emu Point throughout March as part of the national Laps for Life fundraiser, chasing 40km and a $5,000 target to support ReachOut Australia's free online mental health services for young people. It's her third year taking on the challenge, motivated by the loss of her stepson to suicide in 2023.

Locals who donate through her fundraiser page go in a raffle with prizes from Albany and Great Southern businesses. Worth a look if you'd like to get behind her.

Albany's Dr Tom Bowles is a finalist for Specialist (Non-GP) of the Year at the 2026 WA Rural Health Excellence Awards, recognised for nearly two decades of service and his work turning the Great Southern into a rural surgical training hub.

As Clinical Director of Surgery for WA Country Health Service, Dr Bowles co-founded the Great Southern Specialist Centre and launched the ASPIRE program, which prepares junior doctors for the national surgical training pathway. Winners are announced at a gala on 14 March.

International Women's Day Morning Tea: celebrating the women of Walpole. Bring a plate; tea and coffee provided, 10am | Walpole CRC | Friday, 6 Mar

Thank a Volunteer Sundowner: Shire of Plantagenet's free evening for volunteer members; supper and refreshments, 5–7pm | West Cape Howe Wines | Friday, 6 Mar

Monsterball Dodgeball Championship: Six-week dodgeball series for juniors, teens and adults, 3:30–7:30pm | Thursdays on York, Albany Town Square | Thursday, 5 Mar

Friday Night Bistro & Barefoot Bowls: Casual bistro, barefoot bowls and community catch-up, 4–8pm | Denmark Riverside Club | Friday, 6 Mar

I Hate It Here?: Free original comedy created and performed by Southern Edge Arts school-holiday workshop participants, 4:30pm | Denmark Civic Centre | Saturday, 7 Mar

Drag Queen Bingo!: Perth drag stars BarbieQ and Alexas Armstrong host adult-only bingo with prizes, licensed bar, 6–11pm | Plantagenet Hall | Saturday, 7 Mar

Keely Brittain at Rockcliffe: WAAPA-trained vocalist returns home for a sunset acoustic set, wine and pizzas on hand, 5:30–7:30pm | Rockcliffe Winery | Friday, 6 Mar

Rachel Laven & Adele Oliver: An evening of Alt-Country and outlaw folk, 7–9pm | Wilson's Brewing Co | Friday, 6 Mar

The Skipjacks: Free pub-style roots and country-blues with gravelly vocals and searing harmonica, 7pm | Albany Entertainment Centre | Friday, 6 Mar

Blak Tui with Harbour Lights: High-energy rock comeback with special guest bassist Julian Price and support from Harbour Lights, 9pm | Eve Late Night Bar | Friday, 6 Mar

String & Bone with Bethwyn Marie: Quirky, heartfelt folk-funk-bluegrass, 6:30–9:30pm | Denmark ArtsHouse | Saturday, 7 Mar

The Winston Brothers: Local acoustic duo with smooth harmonies and a mix of chilled Aussie classics and '90s favourites, 6:30–9:30pm | Wilson Brewing Co | Saturday, 7 Mar

Tony Mango: Multi-instrumental powerhouse mixing beatbox, guitar, trumpet, didgeridoo and blues harp, 5–8pm | Wilson Brewing Co | Sunday, 8 Mar

The Gray Brothers: Live music and social night, 5:30–8:30pm | Scotsdale Hall | Sunday, 8 Mar

Visiting Author Michael Trant: Author talk and Q&A, 5–6pm | Tambellup CRC | Friday, 6 Mar

First Lights Kinjarling – Reflection #1: Guided cultural reflection led by Iris Woods and Olivia Roberts, 2pm | Middleton Beach Car Park | Friday, 6 Mar

First Lights Kinjarling: drone light shows telling Menang stories, with daytime Elders' walking tours, 6:30–8:30pm | ANZAC Peace Park | Friday to Sunday, 6–8 Mar

Merrifield Real Estate A Grade – Round 21: Three one-day A-grade matches, 12:15pm | Centennial Park, Albany | Saturday, 7 Mar

Amcal Albany Women – Round 5: Triple-header at Retravision Stadium | Retravision Stadium | Sunday, 8 Mar

Men's A Grade Basketball – Round 16: Albany Senior Competition matches from 6pm | Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre | Tuesday, 10 Mar

Women's A Grade Basketball – Round 16: Barking Owls v Denmark 7pm, R2 Tigers v Sonics 8pm | Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre | Tuesday, 10 Mar

International Women's Day: Free all-day coworking with lunch, a glass of sparkling and a free headshot (with registration), 9am–5pm | Albany Business Centre | Friday, 6 Mar

Committee Meeting – Community and Corporate Services: Public meeting, all welcome, 5:30–7:30pm | City of Albany Council Chambers | Tuesday, 10 Mar

Middleton Beach Toddler Playground – Have Your Say: After 221 local responses, the City has five concept designs. Vote for your preferred design.

Plantagenet Shire Locks In 10-Year Housing Strategy: Council has adopted the Shire's Housing Strategy 2025–2035, to boost housing supply, diversity and affordability.

Denmark Visitor Centre's Final Exhibition: The Denmark Chamber has locked in Wendy Binks' Elephant Dreaming as the Visitor Centre's last show.

Albany Seeks Mobile Sauna Operators at Emu Point and Surfers Beach: three-month trial with the option to extend to a year. Apply for one or both sites.

Denmark Kwoorabup Sustainable Home Awards 2026: Built, renovated or gradually improved your place? Enter by Monday, 13 April.

Motel manager: live on-site and oversee day-to-day operations of a 25-room 3.5-star motel | Mount Barker Valley Views Motel & Chalets | Mount Barker

Frame assembler: assemble light-gauge steel frames in a busy workshop, opportunities to progress | Bilco Group Pty Ltd | Denmark

Deputy principal: drive school improvement and support staff, student wellbeing and community in a permanent FT leadership role | Dept of Education | Albany

83 Beaufort Street, Katanning: 3-bed, 1-bath on 991m². Solid double-brick with polished floorboards and a 9x6m shed with rear access | $399,000

26 Bavin Street, Denmark: 3-bed, 1-bath on 1,151m². Double-brick with raked ceilings, newly renovated kitchen. Close to town, schools, hospital and beaches | From $850,000

101 Jorden Road, Kalgan: 4-bed, 2-bath on 21.5ha. Renovated 320m² designer home with 450m Kalgan River frontage, 2,000 mature olive trees | Offers above $2,490,000

Lower Great Southern Tennis – Junior Season Wrap: Thirty juniors wrapped up the LGSTA's season in Mount Barker, with Fernando Gatti taking out yellow ball division one, Zuri Ochieng winning the girls' yellow, Jack North topping boys' yellow division two, Lucas Beech claiming the green ball and Patrick Perry the orange.

GSCA Cricketer of the Year – Seb Ballard: Kendenup's Seb Ballard has taken out the GSCA's cricketer of the year after 602 runs (including a blistering 130 off 56 balls) and 19 wickets in a campaign that saw his side win 12 of 14 games. The GSCA finals kick off 7 March with Broomehill taking on Kendenup in the elimination final.

And that's a wrap!

If you know someone who'd love the good stuff from the Great Southern, forward this their way or get them to sign up at noblufflocal.com.

Catch you next Tuesday!