G'day {{first_name | Friend}}! We're back with edition 19 of No Bluff News — your weekly wrap of positive local news, weekend plans, and all the community highlights you actually care about.
What's coming your way today:
Walpole's Mike Filby has spent up to $100,000 of his own money picking up roadside rubbish for 20+ years — and the Governor just dropped by to say thanks
Albany lands the AFL's Superkick program, only the second regional centre in WA outside Bunbury to host it
This weekend is your last chance to catch Lighting the Sound — plus the Festival of Halls kicks off Saturday and the basketball grand finals are on Friday
Up for a chat? We're looking for readers willing to share honest feedback. What's working, what's not, and what you'd love to see more of. Help shape the future of No Bluff News!
Alright, let's crack on!
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
🏙️ York Street is filling up again
Source: Mack's Massage via Facebook
Mack's Massage has locked in the old Wombat Lodge at 180 York Street, with a move-in date of 1 July 2026. They're already teasing the space will be "more than just Mack's Massage", hinting at a broader wellness offering when they open the doors.
It's not the only movement on the strip. Designer Dirt has opened a pop-up at 186 York Street, timed to the Albany Chamber of Commerce's Thursdays on York activation nights. The former Ray's Sports building has also been snapped up by Hillzeez Subculture.
The street still has vacancies, but there are new "coming soon" signs, fresh pop-ups, and locals backing locals. The strip is shifting.
🚗 Meet Mike Filby: Walpole's clean-up legend who's spent up to $100,000 of his own money
Source: Government House WA via their website
Walpole's Mike Filby has clocked enough kilometres in his 1975 Lada collecting roadside rubbish to have circled the globe four times. He's been at it for more than 20 years, spending up to $100,000 of his own money, supplemented with a small stipend from the Shire.
Governor Chris Dawson dropped in during a recent regional visit to say thanks, presenting Mike with a commemorative Governor's medallion and scoring a spin in the Lada for good measure.
The community has had its say too. A GoFundMe set up in Mike's honour hit its $30,000 goal and is still open if you'd like to chip in.
🏉 Albany lands AFL's Superkick, second regional centre in WA to host it
Source: Amy Towers via The West Australian
Albany is getting the AFL's Superkick program, kicking off Saturday, 9 May. Designed for Year 2 students, it bridges the gap between Auskick and junior competition. It's more game-based, with longer matches and a focus on kicking, marking and spatial awareness.
Sessions run every Saturday under the Southern Districts Football Association. Great Southern regional football specialist Harry Grigson says interest from families and schools has already been strong.
Albany is only the second regional centre in WA to host Superkick outside Bunbury.
COMMUNITY DIGEST
🎉 Katanning's Harmony Festival draws thousands for a night of culture and community
Around 5,000 people turned out for Katanning's annual Harmony Festival on Friday, five hours of multicultural celebration with cultural dance, live music, market stalls, international food and a community parade kicking off at 5:30pm.
Kids had a dedicated area with face painting, a bouncy castle and an animal farm, while teens got their own zone at the skate park.
💙 Albany swimmers raise $37,000 for MS WA, pushing the 14-year total to almost $400,000
About 120 swimmers dived into ALAC last Saturday for the annual MSWA fundraiser, raising more than $37,000 for locals living with neurological conditions including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's and motor neurone disease.
MSWA chief executive Melanie Kiely, who swam on the day, says the funds go straight into local nursing, counselling and assistive equipment so people can stay independent at home.
🏅 Mount Barker's Evie Waddington wins Oceania Olympic-distance triathlon title
Mount Barker's Evie Waddington took out the 14–19 age-group title at the Oceania Olympic-distance triathlon in Devonport, Tasmania, cold water and a forgotten wetsuit included. The 17-year-old told ABC Great Southern Breakfast the 18°C conditions made for a tough swim.
She's now got her sights on the world triathlon finals in Spain, aiming to earn selection.
🩺 Albany respiratory physician Peter Kendall honoured for 25 years of rural outreach
Albany-based Clinical Associate Professor Peter Kendall was the only specialist recognised at the WA Rural Health Long Service Awards on February 13, honoured for roughly 25 years running outreach respiratory clinics in Narrogin, Katanning and Denmark. He's been in medicine for 51 years and still makes the quarterly regional rounds despite being semi-retired.
Kendall reckons rural patients deserve the same standard of care as city folk, and his patient list across the Great Southern is a pretty good argument for it.
🏗️ Albany Ring Road flyover construction kicks off as new shared path opens
Construction has kicked off on the Albany Ring Road's Menang Drive and Chester Pass Road flyover, with earthworks now underway after Highway Construction was awarded the contract in late 2025. Main Roads puts the build at around 18 months.
The new Grey Street shared path extension is also open, giving cyclists and pedestrians a direct, heavy-vehicle-free route between the Albany CBD and Torndirrup Peninsula. Sections of the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail have been realigned to follow it.
WHAT’S ON
💡 LIGHTING THE SOUND – FINAL WEEKEND
This is the last chance to catch Albany's record-breaking bicentenary light show. The 10-million-square-metre harbour installation runs 6–9pm across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with free shuttle buses from around 5:30pm (Emu Point, Middleton Beach, ALAC and Albany Highway). Stirling Terrace closes to traffic from 5pm. Full details at albany2026.com.au/events/lighting-the-sound.
🕯️ COMMUNITY
Harmony Festival 2026: Albany's multicultural Harmony Festival with markets, a cultural showcase and family activities, 10am–2pm | Albany Town Square | Saturday, 28 Mar
Broomehill Community Fun Day: Family-friendly day with games, food stalls and local sport, 2:30–8:30pm | Broomehill Sporting Complex | Sunday, 29 Mar
👨👩👧👦 FAMILY FUN
Albany Orchid Society Easter Raffle: Daily raffle prizes, orchids for sale and growing tips from club members | Bayonet Head Shopping Centre | Thursday & Friday, 26 & 27 Mar
Bornholm Dinner Dance: Two-course meal and live music from Campfire Country, BYO drinks, tickets $35. Book Julie on 0408 989 858, 6–11pm | Bornholm Hall | Sat, 28 Mar
2026 Cruise Markets: Pirate and maritime-themed stallholders welcome the Crown Princess, 9am–2pm | Albany Town Square | Monday, 30 Mar
🎭 ADULTS ONLY
Spanx and the City – Denmark: Perth comedian Emma Krause and her show on midlife, parenting and perimenopause, 6:30–7:30pm | Denmark Riverside Club | Sunday, 29 Mar
🎵 MUSIC
Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed the World: Toronto-based Duane Forrest's award-winning music-storytelling show, 8:30pm | Albany Town Hall | Thursday, 26 Mar
Adele Oliver Live: Kimberley-rooted alt-country singer with earthy, storytelling songs, 5–8pm | The Dam | Friday, 27 Mar
City of Albany Band – Glitz and Glamour: The band rolls out the red carpet with old favourites and modern hits, 7:30pm / 2pm | Albany Port Theatre | Fri 27 & Sat 28 Mar
Surf Shop Cops – Live & Free: Perth indie rock with punchy power-pop, free entry, 8:30–11pm | Six Degrees Albany | Friday, 27 Mar
Small Swing Dance with Jazztrix and Guests: Friendly swing night with Jazztrix Quartet and special guests, 6–10pm | Denmark Country Club | Saturday, 28 Mar
Blue Sturka's 10th Anniversary: Blue Sturka celebrate a decade with a blues-rock set, 7–11pm | King River Tavern | Saturday, 28 Mar
What You Need – The Best of INXS: Australia's premier INXS tribute band with full concert production, 7:30pm | Albany Entertainment Centre | Saturday, 28 Mar
David Rastrick plays Karribank: Local guitarist David Rastrick performs a relaxed live set, 1pm | Karribank | Sunday, 29 Mar
Cyclone Tracee: Intimate semi-acoustic evening with Cyclone Tracee, Lindsey Wells and Bob Patient, 5–8pm | Rockcliffe Wines | Sunday, 29 Mar
🎨 ARTS AND CULTURE
Duck Pond: Circa's cheeky circus reworking of Swan Lake with aerials, acrobatics and feathers, 7:30pm | Albany Entertainment Centre | Wednesday, 25 Mar
Tree of Dreams: Intimate cinematic theatre with live music, object storytelling and shadow play (ages 8+), 6pm | Albany Town Hall Auditorium | Thursday, 26 Mar
Brave New Works: Denmark's fringe-style festival with small, intimate performances across multiple venues, times vary | Multiple venues | Friday–Sunday, 27–29 Mar
Festival of Halls: Art SouthWA's 10-week program reviving historic Albany community halls with local music, art, workshops | Various halls | Saturday, 28 Mar to Sunday, 7 Jun
🏕️ OUTDOORS
Denmark Mountain Bike Club – 2026 State Series: State-level MTB racing across Denmark's trails, 8am–5pm | Denmark Mountain Bike Club | Saturday, 28 Mar
Ocean Heroes Neurodivergent Surfing: Neurodivergent-friendly surf sessions (45 min) with equipment and volunteer support, 9am–1pm | Middleton Beach | Sunday, 29 Mar
🏉 SPORT
Men's A Grade Grand Final: Deciding match of the Albany Senior Competition, time TBC | Albany Basketball Association | Friday, 27 Mar
Women's A Grade Grand Final: Albany Senior Competition decider featuring Denmark Magpies, time TBC | Albany Basketball Association | Friday, 27 Mar
Farmers Centre 4BBB Classic: Four-person teams classic with prizes and meals included, entries capped at 44 teams, 12pm | Katanning Country Club | Friday, 27 Mar
💼 BUSINESS
Free Business Consultations – Katanning Hub CRC: starting a business, licences, planning, market research, 10am–3pm | Katanning Hub CRC | Wednesday, 25 Mar
Women in Business Coworking Day: Free coworking day with morning tea and a catch-up with Scott Leary MLA at 10am, 9am–5pm | Albany Business Centre | Friday, 27 Mar
COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD
📢 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Denmark River Arts Markets – Volunteers Needed: 30 volunteers needed for gate management, set-up and pack-down on Saturday, 4 April. Sign up here.
Gladville Structure Plan – EOIs Close Wednesday: 10–12 locals to join a Community Reference Group shaping the future of McKail. EOIs close 5pm, 25 March. Apply here.
City of Albany Community Development Grants: $1,000–$5,000 available for community projects running July 2026 to June 2027. Read the guidelines and apply.
📣 BUSINESS ANNOUNCEMENTS
🌿BUSINESS OF THE WEEK
Albany's had a qualified acupuncturist on Brunswick Road this whole time
If you've been dealing with chronic pain, poor sleep or a stubborn health issue that conventional medicine hasn't quite cracked, Mitchell Macgregor's practice on Brunswick Road is worth knowing about. Dr Mitchell (BHSc) trained in acupuncture and Chinese Medicine across four years in Australia and the UK. It's a 2,500-year-old practice, AHPRA-registered and set up in central Albany. Locals dealing with everything from plantar fasciitis to insomnia are finding their way to his door, with 4.9 stars across 15 Google reviews.
Albany Event Hire – For Sale: Established marquee and event hire business, loyal Great Southern customer base, mostly weekday work. View the listing.
Hooked on Wheels – Now Open: Mobile oyster-shucking van serving Leeuwin Coast Albany Rock Oysters and taking event bookings. Follow on Instagram for locations.
Dolphin Lodge Albany – Two Awards: The guesthouse has taken out the Booking.com Traveller Review Award (2026) and Agoda Gold Circle Award (2025). Read the full story.
🛠️ JOBS
Lecturer (nursing): part-time (0.6 FTE), clinical supervision and simulation-based learning, $118,150–$138,812 pro-rata plus 17% super | University of Western Australia | Albany
Manager corporate services: finance, HR, assets, ICT and admin as an executive team member to align resources with the school's business plan | Denmark SHS | Denmark
Front of house all-rounder: café role in a heritage building, espresso training provided, weekend availability preferred | Mrs Jones Denmark | Denmark
🏡 REAL ESTATE
24 Lathom Street, Broomehill Village: 3-bed, 1-bath on 1,771m². Open-plan living, split-system A/C, tile fire, fruit trees, undercover entertaining and large shed | $289,000.
41 Erindale Court, Yakamia: 3-bed, 2-bath on 685m². Quiet cul-de-sac, double garage plus powered shed, solar and ducted A/C | Offers above $749,000.
33 Barry Court, Collingwood Park: 8-bed, 8-bath on 928m². Boutique coastal hotel 200m from Middleton Beach, 8 car spaces, zoned Tourism | Buyers above $2.1M.
🏅 SPORTS
Bendigo Bank Shield: The Broomehill Bandicoots chased down Tambellup's 98 in 16.2 overs to win by nine wickets and claim their fifth consecutive Shield. Max Jordison 51*, Jack Batchelor 34, James Barritt 4/16.
ADCA A-Grade: Royals edged Manypeaks by one run in the grand final at Turf North — 6/253 to 9/252. Ryley Valli 89, Paul Donaldson 90, Alby Berridge 70, Matthew France 3/35. The Lions' third flag in six seasons.
Did today’s news feel just right, or was it a tad rocky?
And that's a wrap!
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Catch you next Tuesday!
