🌄 No Bluff News #2: Awards night, Ocean Beach reopens & your weekend sorted

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We're back with edition two of No Bluff News – your weekly wrap of positive local news, weekend plans, and all the community highlights you actually care about.

In today's edition:

Right, let's get into it!

🏆 Great Southern businesses shine at 2025 awards night

Albany threw a ripper of a night on Saturday for the 29th Great Southern Business Awards. This year was massive, with a record number of nominations and 44 finalists making the cut.

Quality Apartments Banksia Albany took home the big one as Great Southern Business of the Year. Two brand-new awards also debuted: the Love Local Award and the Future Focused Award, celebrating businesses doing right by local suppliers and the environment.

Other local winners? Albany Skips and Waste Services, Skylar Early Learning, Ganzer Electrical, Kirby's Atelier de Cuisine and Albany's Historic Whaling Station all scored gongs. Kristeen Ko was named Business Person of the Year, and Pamela Watts won Rio Tinto Employee of the Year.

It's a proud moment that shows just how strong and resilient our Great Southern business community really is.

🎨 Denmark embraces dual naming to honour Noongar heritage

Denmark Shire Council has backed dual naming for 15 local spots, including rivers, inlets, hills and coastal places. It gives our landscape its full story in both English and Noongar.

After more than a decade of research and yarn with Noongar community members, including Wagyl Kaip and the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council, names like Kwoorabup / Denmark River, Marjit / Wilson Inlet and Kwallup / Peaceful Bay are getting official recognition. They honour the deep connection Bibbulmun and Minang people have always had with this country.

Shire President Aaron Wiggins reckons it's a milestone that strengthens our shared connection to place.

Next up, the names head to Landgate, and the Shire will work with local Aboriginal community members on signage and education, including how to say each name properly. It all lines up with Denmark's Our Future 2035 vision and Aboriginal Heritage Policy.

✨ Albany's coastal gems get a major glow-up

Albany's best coastal spots just got a whole lot better, thanks to an $11 million boost from the State Government. You'll notice the difference next time you visit.

Little Beach at Two Peoples Bay now has a sealed car park with double the space (52 standard bays plus two long-vehicle spots), new footpaths and an accessible toilet. The Gap's got fresh dunnies and better parking too.

With Two Peoples Bay pulling more than 80,000 visitors last year (up 11%) and Torndirrup National Park topping 660,000 visits (up 10%), the upgrades make sense for everyone.

The work's been a win for local jobs, too. About 20 people were engaged through DBCA and local contractors like Develyn, Albany Formwork and WCP Civil.

More improvements are on the way at Cable Beach: a new lookout, better beach access stairs and a coastal path linking Cable Beach to The Gap. It's all about keeping visitors longer, protecting the environment and giving local businesses a boost.

🚒 Wagin's volunteer firefighters score a clever new water tanker

Wagin's volunteer brigades have a handy new asset. The Shire converted a 35,000-litre Nationwide Oil fuel trailer into a water tank, complete with a volunteer-designed transfer system and murals by local artists.

It's funded by a DWER community water grant and shire investment. A practical upgrade that helps get water to the fireground faster and shows the community backing its volunteers.

🎗️ Katanning's restored war memorial hosts moving Remembrance Day service

More than 100 people turned out in Katanning on Remembrance Day to pay their respects at the town's newly refurbished 1920 war memorial. It was the first service since the 18-month restoration wrapped up and the memorial was re-dedicated on October 25.

The restored site now includes the Turkish war trophy cannon, fully stripped of rust and protected under a new structure with storyboards about its capture and Katanning's two Victoria Cross recipients. School students, veterans and local groups laid wreaths, and the crowd fell silent even as a passing grain train rolled through town.

🏆 Albany bookkeeper takes out top national award

Albany's Joanne Tindale has been named Australia's Certified Professional Bookkeeper of the Year at the 2025 Luca Awards in Melbourne. She also took home gongs for small professional practice and service-to-bookkeeping advocate.

It's a huge win for In Control Bookkeeping on Peels Place and a proud reminder of the vital work bookkeepers do keeping local businesses running.

🏥 Albany Health Campus expansion moves forward

Good news for the region. The WA Government has put out a tender for design work to expand Albany Health Campus and redevelop Meekatharra Hospital.

Both projects will be delivered by a single contractor, and Albany's set to receive a new 32-bed modular ward. Mayor Greg Stocks says the quicker timeline is welcome, and he wants those beds, nurses and facilities in place for the whole region.

🎨 Great Southern students connect with Noongar culture at Nowanup

More than 150 students from Jerramungup, Bremer Bay and Ongerup spent a day at Nowanup for NAIDOC Week, learning Noongar language, stories and landcare from local elders and the Nowanup Rangers.

They made damper with wattle seeds, went bushwalking, painted regional landmarks with their Noongar names and reflected on country. The day was led by Yarramoup Aboriginal Corporation elders and built friendships right across the district.

It also highlighted the National Trust's work restoring Nowanup's 400 hectares of bush.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 FAMILY FUN

Sharpy's Shootout Pinball Tournament Weekend tourney with $3,000 in prizes. Junior, women's and open divisions. Wild West Bowling Alley | Friday, 28 Nov

Hawthorn House Christmas Fair Craft stalls, local produce, sausage sizzle and baked goods. Gold-coin entry. Hawthorn House | Saturday, 29 Nov

Albany Christmas Markets Local arts, crafts, food stalls, kids' activities and live music in Town Square. Albany Town Square | Saturday, 29 Nov

Torbay Hall Markets Historic hall fundraiser with handmade crafts, plants, books and food. Gold-coin entry. Torbay Hall | Sunday, 30 Nov

Great Southern Ability Festival Free community festival with market stalls, performances 12:30–2pm and family activities. Albany Town Square | Tuesday, 2 Dec

🎭ADULTS ONLY

Tales from Other Trails Member's night with trail stories from Israel and Romania. Bookings essential. Albany | Friday, 28 Nov

Over 30's Daytime Disco '80s–today anthems, giveaways and confetti. Tickets from $25. Eve Late Night Bar | Saturday, 29 Nov

Holistic Health Expo Talks, demos and sample therapies. Gold-coin entry. Retravision Stadium | Saturday, 29 Nov

🎵 MUSIC

Open Mic – AusMusic T-Shirt Day Nine local acts, $10 pints and raffles. Donations support local musicians. Wilson's Brewery Bar | Thursday, 27 Nov

Rob.V Solo Acoustic Local muso in the historic pub with food and drinks. The Earl of Spencer | Friday, 28 Nov

Andy Penkow & Blackwood Rising Americana/alt-country night from 9pm. Eve Late Night Bar | Friday, 28 Nov

Jerry Fraser 'King of Oysters' Fresh oysters, Willoughby Park sparkling and live music from 3:30pm. Boston Brewing Co. | Saturday, 29 Nov

🎨 ARTS AND CULTURE

TAFE Denmark Visual Art Showcase Student exhibition opens Thu 27 Nov, 5:30pm. On display daily 28 Nov–4 Dec, 10am–4pm. Denmark CRC Gallery | Thursday, 27 Nov

Elements in Motion Albany Academy of Dance end-of-year concert. Family-friendly. Albany Entertainment Centre | Sat 29 Nov & Sun 30 Nov

Seascape Art Workshop Paint-and-sip creating textured Greens Pool art. All materials included. The Dam Denmark | Sunday, 30 Nov

Denmark Liberty Community art and entertainment evening. Bookings essential, 5:30–7pm. Denmark Civic Centre | Sunday, 30 Nov

🏕️ OUTDOORS

Menang Cultural Walk 1.5-hour guided tour of Oyster Harbour Fish Traps. Free for ACCI members, $33 others. Oyster Harbour Fish Traps, Lower King | Thursday, 27 Nov

Intro to Trail Running Beginner-friendly 5.7km and 6.4km trail options. Kids from $10, adults $25. Hardinge Park, Orange Grove | Saturday, 29 Nov

Ocean Heroes Albany Free inclusive surf program for neurodivergent people. No experience required. Middleton Beach | Saturday, 29 Nov

🏉 SPORT

ADCA Seniors Cricket – Rd 6 (Saturday, 29 Nov)

Bendigo Bank Shield Cricket – Rd 9 (Saturday, 29 Nov)

Albany Senior Basketball – Rd 8 (Tuesday, 2 Dec)

Men's A Grade:

Women’s A Grade:

Rainbow Coast Carnival Surf sports weekend for Nippers, Youth and Seniors. Registrations open. Bremer Bay | Friday, 28 Nov

LGSHA Annual General Meeting 7pm, complimentary pizza and drink. Committee positions open. LGSHA Clubrooms | Tuesday, 2 Dec

💼 BUSINESS

Oyster Harbour Science Forum Latest monitoring and water-quality updates. Light supper, RSVP required. Albany Surf Lifesaving Club | Thursday, 27 Nov

ATC Work Smart Free BBQ Brekkie 7–8am. Hear about wage subsidy programs, enjoy coffee and door prizes. Centennial Park | Friday, 28 Nov

Women in Business Coworking Day Free coworking 9am–5pm. Morning tea 10:30am with UWA Albany. Albany Business Centre | Friday, 28 Nov

🏦 CIVIC

Gnowangerup Shire Council Meeting Open to public, 3:30–5:30pm. Gnowangerup Shire Office | Wednesday, 26 Nov

Katanning Shire Council Meeting Open to public, 6pm. 52 Austral Terrace, Katanning | Wednesday, 26 Nov

📢 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Denmark's Ocean Beach reopens Ocean Beach and boat ramp back after major upgrades. New paths, heated showers, refurbished clubhouse, landscaped turf and better access. Kiosk opening early next year.

Denmark awards $25,000 in community grants Ten local not-for-profits sharing $25,000 for equipment, training room upgrades and sustainability projects.

Free Christmas hampers in Katanning Katanning Baptist Church taking names for free Christmas hampers. Distribution 15–18 Dec.

🛠 JOBS

Agronomist Graduate or experienced role supporting local farmers. Option to join Nutrien Graduate Program. Great Southern Rural | Katanning, Albany & Great Southern

Bakery team member Early-morning kitchenhand at Bred Co sourdough. 6am–1pm Wed–Sat, $33–45/hr. Kitchen exp. preferred, training offered. Moon & Dawson | Albany

Associate dentist Four days a week at modern practice. General and restorative care. Minimum three years' experience required. Sanford Dental | Albany

🏡 REAL ESTATE

22 McWhae Drive, Albany 4-bed, 2-bath family home on 560m². Single car space, leased at $640/week until Mar 2026. $775,000.

56 Daping Street, Katanning Character 4-bed, 1-bath with sunroom, slow-combustion fire, garage, carport and 20×30ft shed on 2,064m². $495,000.

34-36 Ingoldby Street, Mount Barker 4-bed, 2-bath on rare dual block (1,470m² total). Double garage, 9×6m enclosed shed, decked alfresco. From $780,000.

🏀 BASKETBALL RESULTS

Albany Senior Competition – Rd 6 (18 Nov)

Men's A Grade:

Women's A Grade:

And that's a wrap!

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Catch you next Tuesday!