🌄 No Bluff News #20: Arthur River kelpie ends 70-year drought at nationals, Kathleen Hannig sets an Aussie record at 86 & Easter long weekend across the Great Southern

G'day {{first_name | Friend}}! Hope you were spared by the rain and pumped for the Easter Long Weekend as we roll out edition 20 of No Bluff News — your weekly wrap of positive local news, weekend plans, and all the community highlights you actually care about.

Here’s what’s in store:

Know a local gem worth highlighting? Every week we showcase a Great Southern business, event or giveaway. We'd love to hear about it.

Time to get into it!

Arthur River's Ramulam Prickles has become the first kelpie to win the National Sheep Dog Trial Championships in 70 years, posting a 97 in her first run (the highest score ever recorded at the nationals) before backing it up with a 98 in the final.

Owner and trainer Ken Atherton made a 10-week road trip around the country to compete, entering two dogs from his Tarwonga farm. He's been trialling since 1985 and this is his first national title. "It was an unreal feeling," he said. Wife Jenny also made history as only the third woman ever asked to judge the national competition.

Albany's Town Hall had another sold-out Live @ the Town Hall on Saturday, with Perth indie rockers Dice headlining a five-act lineup that also featured Letters to Lions, Gap Year, Lauren and the Goodfights, and local openers Alison Parade.

A smoke alarm mid-set sent the crowd outside briefly. Turned out it was an electrical fault with a subwoofer. Revellers grabbed dumplings from Shaka's and a pint from the Prem, then piled back in within half an hour. Letters to Lions jumped straight back on stage like nothing happened. Albany really does know how to do a live music night.

Albany's Kathleen Hannig has set both the WA and Australian records in the women's over-85 10km at the WA Masters Athletics State Championships in Perth, finishing in 1hr 52min. The 86-year-old hadn't run the full distance in three years and raced in 36-degree heat, with her granddaughter urging "one foot in front of the other" every step of the way.

Hannig developed Functional Neurological Disorder after contracting COVID in 2020, leaving her unable to walk or run. She credits running with her recovery. "Running saved my life, there's no doubt about it," she says.

Now she's setting her sights on the World Masters Games in Perth in 2029, just a month before her 90th birthday. Albany's quietly cheering her on.

The marri (Corymbia calophylla) has taken out the 2026 Eucalypt of the Year, a fitting win for a tree found throughout the Great Southern's jarrah forests from Denmark to Albany. It supports at least 81 native bee species and provides critical nesting hollows for three threatened black-cockatoo species.

Menang Elder Vernice Gilles also points to its cultural value, with the gum used as a strong adhesive and antiseptic on cuts.

Albany Health Campus Cancer Centre has launched its first oncology clinical trial, giving Great Southern patients access to genetic testing that helps guide chemotherapy dosing without the trip to Perth.

The teletrial runs in partnership with Fiona Stanley Medical Oncology and the WA Country Health Service Trial Centre, and is the region's third teletrial overall.

About 170 riders and 40 support crew completed the 24th annual Hawaiian Ride for Youth last week, riding from Albany to Perth over five days and stopping at 16 schools across regional WA to spark conversations about youth mental health.

Funds raised go directly to Youth Focus, supporting clinical services and school counsellors in regional towns including Albany.

Two Kendenup teenagers, Matilda and Chloe, saved a local woman's life after she flatlined from a severe snake bite at her home. Chloe had completed her first aid and CPR course through TAFE just days earlier and performed CPR until paramedics arrived. Kylie Williams was then taken to Mt Barker Hospital for antivenom.

The Shire of Plantagenet has recognised the pair as heroes, and it's a timely reminder to get your first aid cert up to date.

Albany Council has unanimously backed a $42M upgrade for the Harry Riggs Albany Regional Airport, with $28.7M secured from federal and state governments and the City covering the balance. Works include renewing the main runway, strengthening taxiways and aprons, and upgrading terminal access.

Detailed design is underway, with construction targeted for the 2026/27 summer window.

Annual Ringtail Possum Tally 2026: Join a citizen science project to count Western ringtail possums near you | Submit Online | Wed, 01 Apr to Sat, 02 May

Friday Night – Bistro & Barefoot Bowls: Casual bistro night with barefoot bowls, meals and drinks, 4–8pm | Denmark Riverside Club | Friday, 3 Apr

Gun Salute: Historic 9-pounder gun salutes, free to watch (standard National Anzac Centre entry applies), 10.30am and 1.30pm | National Anzac Centre | Tuesday, 7 Apr

Easter Markets: Five local bands, arts and crafts, food vans, kids activities and the Easter Bunny, 9am–2pm | Albany Town Square | Saturday, 4 Apr

Denmark River Arts Markets: 60+ handmade arts, craft and food stalls with live music and kids activities, entry $5 (under 18 free), 9am–3pm | Berridge Park | Saturday, 4 Apr

Porongurup Easter Sunday Market: plants, oils, honey, jams and local art and craft, dog-friendly and free parking, 10am–1pm | Porongurup Community Market | Sunday, 5 Apr

LASERSCAPE: Laser-tag outing with return bus to Laserscape Albany and lunch included, 9am–2.30pm | Mount Barker Recreation Centre | Tuesday, 7 Apr

Skate Zone (ages 5+): Holiday roller-skating with skates to borrow, $6 per session, 9.30–11am | Albany Leisure & Aquatic Centre | Tuesday, 7 Apr and Thursday, 16 Apr

Nocturnal Wildlife Tour: Hour-long guided twilight tour to meet local nocturnal animals, 6pm. Require to book | Albany Historic Whaling Station | Tue–Thu, 7–9 Apr; 14–16 Apr

Tony Mango: solo set blending beatbox, guitar, trumpet, didgeridoo and blues harp, 5–8pm | Wilson's Brewery Bar | Thursday, 2 Apr

Rob V & Dougy @ Tarifa – Ludovica Memorial: Live music in memory of Ludovica, 6.30–9.30pm | Bar Tarifa | Friday, 3 Apr

No Hat No Play @ Wilson's: High-energy rock and pop with local support from Freak Maestro, 8.30–10.30pm | Wilson’s Brewery Bar | Friday, 3 Apr

EXP @ Rockcliffe: Great Southern psychedelic blues-rock tribute playing classic rock favourites, 5.30–8.30pm | Rockcliffe Winery | Saturday, 4 Apr

Brewshed Open Weekends: Brewery-fresh beer, rotating food trucks and live tunes from 2:30pm, 12–6pm | Lights Beach Brewing | Saturday, 4 Apr & Sunday, 5 Apr

Jazztrix Duo plays Karribank: Live jazz duo performance, 1pm | Karribank | Sunday, 5 Apr

Rob V at Due South Tavern: Rob V acoustic set for the Easter long weekend, 4–7pm | Due South Tavern | Sunday, 5 Apr

Women in Whaling: Jo Wassell's portraits bring the overlooked lives of whaling families into focus, 9am–5pm daily | Albany Historic Whaling Station | From Thursday, 2 Apr

Art in the Porongurup 2026: outdoor sculpture exhibition in Porongurup bushland with an indoor craft bazaar, 9am–4.30pm daily | Porongurup Hall | Fri, 3 Apr to Sun, 11 Apr

Mill Art Group Exhibition: Free exhibition of paintings, prints and crafts by the local Mill Art Group, 10am–4pm | Denmark CRC Gallery | From Friday, 3 Apr

Sunlight to Starlight: Explore the tingle forest by day, watch the sunset then stargaze from the Tree Top Walk, 9am–9pm | Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk | Sat, 4 Apr

Albany Harbour Swim: Iconic 4km open-water swim across Princess Royal Harbour, open to individuals and teams, 7.30am | Princess Royal Sailing Club | Saturday, 4 Apr

Southern Ocean Classic Mile: Community surf mile along Ocean Beach, 10am–1pm | Ocean Beach, Denmark | Sunday, 5 Apr

Clubs share in $1.78M state sport grants: Albany Basketball Association, Football West and the Shire of Gnowangerup each landed $30k. See the full list of grant recipients.

Have your say on Katanning’s proposed 300–350 DIDO worker village at Lot 101 Crosby Street: submissions close 5pm, Thursday 3 April. Lodge yours here.

Fitstop Albany: Coach-led 45-minute functional fitness classes focused on strength and progression, opening May 2026. Register your interest.

The Yard Gym Albany: Boutique dual-zone gym with a RIG for lifting and TURF for conditioning, opening May 2026. Join the waitlist.

Apprentice motor trimmer: Family-run workshop offering motor and marine trimming, welding, auto electrical and fibreglassing | Ken Stone Motor Trimmers | Albany

Pub manager: Hands-on country pub role covering bar, dining, takeaway and bottle shop, with scope to grow accommodation and events | Royal Hotel Kojonup | Kojonup

Arts teacher: Perm FT secondary Arts role with country allowance, temporary incentive, subsidised housing and relocation support | Department of Education | Katanning

39 Mount Barker Road, Mount Barker: 3-bed, 1-bath on 994m². Art Deco with timber features, beautiful gardens, workshop, garage and two-car carport | From $590,000

5 Harlequin Street, Denmark: 3-bed, 1-bath on 678m². Parkland outlook, rear access for boat or trailer, workshop, undercover alfresco and slow-combustion fire | From $825,000

13a Wylie Crescent, Middleton Beach: 3-bed, 2-bath on 856m². Water views, indoor spa, 3-car parking, short stroll to cafés and swimming beach | Buyers in the $3m's

Albany Basketball – Men's A Grade Grand Final: Sonics A Blue downed Denmark Magpies 46–22 at ALAC on Friday night to claim the title. Kayden Collins top-scored with 15 points as the Sonics pulled clear after a tight first half.

Albany Basketball – Women's A Grade Grand Final: SRMG Barking Owls cruised past Denmark Magpies 57–32 at ALAC to take out the championship. Rebecca Benson led all scorers with 13 points, with Milla Trichilo and Dakota Bremner also starring as the Owls built a commanding lead through the second half.

And that's a wrap!

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See you next Tuesday!