🌄 No Bluff News #18: World's biggest light show hits Albany, Courtney Moir wins Muster Dogs & double album launch at Torbay Hall

G'day {{first_name | Friend}}! Lighting the Sound is in full swing as we bring you edition 18 — your weekly wrap of positive local news, weekend plans, and all the community highlights you actually care about.

What we have for you today:

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Albany lit up its 200th birthday in record-breaking style over the weekend. Lighting the Sound illuminated 10 million square metres of coastline across Princess Royal Harbour, Torndirrup National Park and the Vancouver Peninsula, officially the largest light installation ever created.

Finnish artist Kari Kola (who's previously lit the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum and Stonehenge) co-designed the display with Menang Noongar elders. The concept, Roots of the Sky, draws on the bloodroot plant and stretches across 800 LED lights, 15 towers and 15km of shoreline.

Heavy rain couldn't keep the crowds away. Moorditj Nop dancers performed, Governor Dawson paid tribute to the bond between Menang people and Albany's early settlers, and the show continues for six more nights across the coming fortnight.

Albany's Menang-Gnudju Noongar Elder Carol Pettersen OAM JP has been inducted into the 2026 WA Women's Hall of Fame, recognised for more than four decades of service as a cultural educator, author, Justice of the Peace and Indigenous adviser.

At 84, Carol has spent her career championing Indigenous advocacy, justice, land care and mentoring. She was named the 2026 Annette Knight Community Citizen of the Year just weeks before the induction.

She's the only Great Southern representative among the 20 inductees. A proud moment for Albany and the region.

Four years ago, Courtney Moir was watching the first season of Muster Dogs from her couch near Wellstead and thought "I could do that." Last week, she and her border collie Blossom were crowned Season Four winners.

The 32-year-old moved to her husband's family farm from Albany just before her first child was born, and the transition hit hard. The former bank employee says dog handling became the thing that filled her cup and gave her an identity beyond motherhood and farm life.

Since the episode aired, she's heard from women all over Australia who get it. "I think other rural women understand that feeling of trying to find your own identity on a farm," she says. She and Blossom are already planning their next chapter in trials.

More than 80 motorcyclists rode from Denmark to Katanning last weekend for the region's 12th annual Black Dog Ride, raising awareness of mental health and suicide prevention.

Riders set off from Kwoorabup Community Park on Sunday, stopping in Cranbrook and Gnowangerup before wrapping up at Katanning Lions Park with a barbecue. A dinner and auction at the Denmark Tavern kicked things off Saturday night.

Albany-based not-for-profit Advance Housing has secured $21.8 million in state and federal funding to build 36 social and affordable rental homes in Bayonet Head, with construction starting this year and completion due late 2027.

The project delivers 25 social and 11 affordable rentals for singles and small families, built to Gold Livable Housing standards. Advance Housing has managed 400-plus properties across the Great Southern for over 25 years.

More than 115 volunteers turned out at West Cape Howe Wines on 6 March for the Shire of Plantagenet's annual Thank a Volunteer Sundowner, with emergency services, sporting clubs, community groups and charities all represented.

Shire President Len Handasyde noted Plantagenet's volunteering rate sits well above state and national averages, backed by more than 70 community and emergency service organisations and 37 sporting clubs across the shire.

Albany's annual Spinathon has raised a record $51,716 for the Albany Community Hospice. Eighteen teams took part, 15 completed the full 24-hour challenge, and Tammy Bemben and her 13-year-old daughter Millie both rode solo for the full day.

The money goes toward closing an $800,000 funding gap to keep free local palliative care running.

Four Great Southern health professionals were recognised as finalists at the 2026 WA Rural Health Excellence Awards in Perth on Saturday: GP Dr Carly Roxburgh (Pioneer Health Albany), specialist Dr Tom Bowles (WACHS Great Southern), community health professional Jemma Mustey (Southern Regional Medical Group) and intern Joshua Luhrs (WACHS Great Southern).

The awards celebrate the dedication of health professionals keeping rural and remote WA communities healthy.

2026 Katanning Harmony Night: Celebrate cultural diversity with markets, live music, a parade, skate event and family zone, 3:30–8:30pm | All Ages Playground | Friday, 20 Mar

ADHD Families' Support Group Morning Tea: Morning meet-up for parents and carers to share resources and strategies, 10am–12pm | Cull Park | Sunday, 22 Mar

Leeuwin Open Day: Gold coin aboard STS Leeuwin II with ship tours, meet the crew and learn about youth sail programs, 10am–4pm | Albany Town Jetty | Friday, 20 Mar

2026 Cruise Markets: Pirate and maritime market stalls welcoming cruise ship Viking Orion, new stallholders welcome, 9am–2pm | Albany Town Square | Saturday, 21 Mar

Albany Day Sail aboard STS Leeuwin II: Half-day tall-ship sail with professional crew and coastal views, 10am–2pm | Albany Town Jetty | Saturday, 21 Mar

Puppet Playtime – The Return of Thelma the Unicorn: Storytelling and hands-on craft for 3–5 year olds, 9:30–10:30am; 11am–12pm | Co-op Building | Monday, 23 Mar

Spare Parts Puppet Theatre: Free, all-ages retelling of The Return of Thelma the Unicorn; puppetry, music, games, 10–11am | Mount Barker Public Library | Tuesday, 24 Mar

Tease in the Trees: Burlesque-themed show at the Leopard Lounge, doors 7:30pm, tickets $30 via Paperbark Merchants | Leopard Lounge, Spectrum Theatre | Saturday, 21 Mar

Albany Sound Original Night: showcase of Great Southern music: Mata Music (5pm), Phoebe Jean (6pm) and Tony King (7pm) | Wilson's Brewery Bar | Thursday, 19 Mar

Dig The Dust @ Six Degrees: Local power trio playing 70s and 90s rock, Aussie classics, pop, funk and disco, 8:30–11pm | Six Degrees | Friday, 20 Mar

New Nausea (Freo) and Kisses (Melb) – Double Album Launch: BYO picnic, kids under 12 free, 4–8pm | Torbay Hall | Saturday, 21 Mar

Rock The River: Live music fundraiser, $20 entry, 5–10pm | King River Tavern | Saturday, 21 Mar

Live @ the Town Hall March 2026: Original live-music night showcasing emerging WA and touring acts, 6:30pm | Albany Town Hall Auditorium | Saturday, 21 Mar

Rusty and Bindi: Local duo playing from 7:30pm | Plantagenet Hotel | Saturday, 21 Mar

Matt Black @ Albany Boatshed Markets: Local singer-songwriter playing blues, rock 'n' roll and country, 9am–12:30pm | Albany Boatshed Markets | Sunday, 22 Mar

Adam Grok @ Due South: South-coast singer-songwriter with ambient blues, roots and soul, 4–7pm | Due South Albany | Sunday, 22 Mar

Pub Cinema Albany – In the Shadow of the Gallows + Vendetta 19: Double feature with dinner and drinks, 7–9pm (doors 6pm) | Six Degrees Albany | Wednesday, 18 Mar

Movies in the Katanning Town Hall – Sweet As: Screening of the Australian coming-of-age film, 5:30–7:30pm | Katanning Town Hall | Thursday, 19 Mar

C.W.A Quaranup Craft Camp: Four-day CWA craft camp for makers at historic Quaranup, 8am–5pm daily | Quaranup Camp | Friday, 20 Mar–Monday, 23 Mar

Ocean Film Festival World Tour: Three-hour celebration of underwater cinematography and surf adventures, 7pm | Albany Entertainment Centre | Friday, 20 Mar

Learn to Make Ravioli with Nonna Nilla: Hands-on class making spinach and ricotta ravioli, then share the meal, 3:30–7:30pm | Nilla's Italian Kitchen | Saturday, 21 Mar

Get Found on Google – Denmark: Bring your laptop to set up and update a free Google Business Profile, 1–2pm | Denmark CRC | Friday, 20 Mar

Amcal Albany – Women's GSFL Round 7: Three women's matches across the Great Southern, first bounce 5:30pm | Full fixtures and venues | Friday, 20 Mar

ADCA Seniors Cricket – Finals Round 3 (Merrifield Real Estate A Grade): Manypeaks A v Royals A, 11:30am | Centennial Park / Turf North C | Saturday, 21 Mar

City of Albany Ordinary Council Meeting: Community welcome to observe council business, 6–8pm | City of Albany Council Chambers | Tuesday, 24 Mar

Albany Spends $24k to Improve Middleton Beach Surf Reef: The City of Albany spent $24,000 repositioning 18 rocks at the Southern Ocean Surf Reef.

Katanning Seeks Feedback on Crosby St Workforce Accommodation: Information session 18 March, 4–6pm at Katanning Country Club. Submit feedback by 5pm, 3 April.

Plantagenet Shire Autumn School Holiday Program: Bookings essential — grab your spot now.

Designer Dirt Pop-Up Shop: Open at 186 York Street, Wed–Fri 10am–4pm and Sat–Sun 10am–2pm | Albany | Plan your visit

Albany's Historic Whaling Station: took Silver (Cultural Tourism) and Bronze (Tourist Attraction) at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards | Albany | Watch the announcement

Bloom Festival – Event Holder EOIs Open: Great Southern Treasures is calling businesses, community groups and venues | Great Southern | Register by 15 May

Experienced dough maker: consistent dough production, 4-days-on 3-days-off roster | Royale Patisserie | Albany

MC/HC drivers (dangerous goods): bulk fuel and lubricant deliveries, CoR and fatigue compliance required | Great Southern Fuel Supplies | Katanning

Manager corporate services: full-time Level 5 from Term 3, leading finance, HR, asset and ICT management | Denmark Senior High School | Denmark

23 Synnott Avenue, Katanning: 3-bed, 1-bath on 807m². Modern kitchen, wood fire, split-system AC, spa bath, workshop/garage | $449,000

42 Brazier Street, Denmark: 3-bed, 2-bath on 1,012m². Rear lane access, double garage, subdivision potential | From $899,000

175 Peace Street, Shadforth: 4-bed, 2-bath on 3,379m². Elevated with Wilson Inlet and Porongurup views | From $1.4 Million

Albany trio crowned state pickleball champs: Jenny Rickerby, Yvonne Denham and Geoff Belz won doubles gold at the WA Pickleball Championships in Perth, earning spots at the national finals in Brisbane. Rickerby took gold twice, with Denham in women's doubles and with Belz in mixed, at a tournament that drew 450 players across 86 events.

And that's a wrap!

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Catch you next Tuesday!