🌄 No Bluff News #21: Albany lands a $1.4M artificial reef, Nyabing cricket rises after 38 years & PORTFEST hits the waterfront

G'day {{first_name | Friend}}! Hope you had an epic Easter long weekend. We're back with edition 21 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:

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Now, onto the good stuff!

Albany has landed a $1.4 million artificial reef in King George Sound, less than 7km from the Emu Point boat ramp. Sitting in sheltered waters off Ledge Beach, it gives local anglers a new spot to chase samsonfish, pink snapper, skippy, salmon, whiting and squid.

Purpose-built concrete modules will build complex underwater habitat and grow fish numbers over time. The design was shaped through consultation with local fishers and backed by Recfishwest and the City of Albany.

The City is running the tender now, with the reef expected in the water by early 2027.

Councils along the Bibbulmun Track are backing a bid to list the world-famous trail on the WA State Register of Heritage Places. The 1,000km route draws more than 80,000 hikers a year and ends right on the Albany foreshore.

A nomination was lodged with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage late last year. Conservation scientist Professor Kingsley Dixon points out the track passes through some of the planet's most biodiverse temperate forests, with plant species potentially dating back 65 million years to Gondwana.

A listing would also shield the track from future mining expansion along its northern sections. The Heritage Council will consult communities before scheduling a full assessment.

Nyabing cricket was dormant for 38 years. Allan Hobley fixed that, and the WA Cricket Community Awards just named him junior coach of the year for it. His under-13 side finished third in the Great Southern Cricket Association on debut, winning six of 12 games.

Parents, volunteers and the shire all chipped in to green up the oval and sort the admin. "The first training was a disaster," Hobley laughed. "Kids tripping over pads, getting hit with the ball. But we entered the competition and did pretty well."

The club now gives kids from Pingrup and Newdegate a genuine cricket pathway. Nyabing was also a finalist for country cricket club of the year.

Albany City Isuzu's Ashleigh Henderson has taken out the national customer care award at the 2025 Isuzu Care Awards, beating dealerships from across the country.

An 18-year veteran of the dealership, Henderson was recognised for lifting communication, follow-ups and service standards across sales, service and parts. Principal John Cannon reckons it's well deserved.

Kojonup indie rock duo Old Mervs have landed a 2026 APRA Music Awards nomination for their track "Everyone Will See It", putting the Great Southern two-piece in the Most Performed Rock Work category alongside Jimmy Barnes, Amyl and The Sniffers and Ocean Alley.

The ceremony is on 29 April at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion.

Albany grower Kelsey Freemantle has smashed the WA state pumpkin record with a 408kg Atlantic giant at the Lower Kalgan Pumpkin Competition, beating both the previous 361kg record and her sister Amarah's 406kg entry.

The pumpkin is on display locally while Kelsey waits on official confirmation from Australian Giant Pumpkin and Vegetable Supporters and saves seeds for next season.

The Shire of Plantagenet has unanimously adopted its first-ever Health and Wellbeing Plan for 2026–2030, developed alongside WA Country Health Service.

Mental health access is the standout priority, with the Shire committing to dedicated office space for regional providers. The plan also targets alcohol harm through expanding the Good Sports program, currently with three member clubs.

The Katanning Early Childhood Hub has secured $394,000 in new capital funding, led by a $250,000 contribution from the Minderoo Foundation.

The package includes $86,000 held by the Lions Club and $58,000 in accrued interest on existing state funds, keeping the project on track toward completion.

Easter Family Fun Day: Free community day with kids' crafts, activities, raffle prizes and food, 11am–2pm | Katanning Town Square, Clive Street | Wednesday, 8 Apr

Gun Salute: The 9-pounder gun fires twice daily at Princess Royal Fortress, 10:30am & 1:30pm (standard entry) | National Anzac Centre | Thursday, 9 Apr & Tuesday, 14 Apr

Tambellup Caravan Park Grand Opening: Free community celebration to mark the new caravan park, 10:30am–12:30pm | Taylor Street, Tambellup | Friday, 10 Apr

AMX Albany Bike Meet: first bike meet with store deals, free gift with purchases over $50 and a $100 gift-card door prize, 1–3pm | AMX Superstores | Saturday, 11 Apr

Mingle with Singles: Casual meet-up for singles to socialise and make connections, 1:30–5pm | Denmark CRC, Strickland Street | Saturday, 11 Apr

AI Workshops with EdgyX: school-holiday AI workshops for 10–17-year-olds, BYO laptop, 9am–3pm | City of Albany | Wednesday, 8 Apr & Thursday, 9 Apr

MEGA Thursdays on York: Five inflatables, dodgeball gala (ages 7–12, $500 prize), free Easter craft and face painting, 11am–7pm | Albany Town Square | Thursday, 9 Apr

Soccer Clinic: Free all-abilities junior soccer clinic with former Socceroo Rhys Williams, 11am–4:30pm | Gnowangerup Sporting Complex | Friday, 10 Apr

Youth Festival Colour Run: Obstacle-packed, colour-splashed run for ages 10–25, 2–5pm | Multipurpose Oval | Saturday, 11 Apr

Rock Wall: Climbing wall for ages 6+, 10am–3pm | Mount Barker Recreation Centre | Monday, 13 Apr

Inhabit the Character: High-energy theatre workshops for young people, $75 for the week, 2.5-hr sessions daily | Albany Entertainment Centre | Monday–Friday, 13–17 Apr

Stand Up Comedy Workshop: Hands-on session for 12–17s to build confidence, write jokes and perform, 9am–1pm | Albany Public Library | Tuesday, 14 Apr

The Country Blues, Ragtime and Vintage Jazz Roadshow: classic country blues, ragtime and vintage jazz, 6:30–9:30pm | View St Studios | Thursday, 9 Apr

Tony Mango: Beatbox, guitar, trumpet and didgeridoo all in one — sun-soaked roots, reggae and blues, 4–7pm | Boston Brewery | Saturday, 11 Apr

Julia Anwar: Soaring vocals and rhythmic acoustic originals, 5–8pm | Wilson Brewing Co | Saturday, 11 Apr

King River Tavern Hoedown: Country-roots night with Michael Ward and live music, 7–10pm | King River Tavern | Saturday, 11 Apr

Sing Along: Crowd favourites with Piano Man, American Pie, Living on a Prayer, 7–10pm | Denmark Uniting Church | Saturday, 11 Apr

Cosentino Tricked: Australia's top illusionist with grand stage illusions, close-up wonders and daring escapes, 7:30pm | Princess Royal Theatre | Thursday, 9 Apr

Sculpture at Binalup: Free outdoor sculpture exhibition with large-scale works exploring Menang Noongar Country, times vary | Middleton Beach | Fri, 10 Apr – Sun, 19 Apr

About Face: Large-scale oil portraits of locals by Lee Garvey, Mon–Fri 10am–4pm; artist talk Sat 2 May | Vancouver Arts Centre | Opens Friday, 10 Apr

Southern Africa Storytelling: Stories and culture from Southern Africa, 5–8pm | Denmark Arts House | Sunday, 12 Apr

Delirious WEST 100 & 200 Miler: Bibbulmun Track trail race from Northcliffe to Albany. 200 starts 7am Wed, 100 starts 7pm Thurs. | Register Online | Wed, 8 Apr – Sun, 12 Apr

Walking the Bibbulmun: Bibbulmun Track Foundation share practical tips on walking the track. Part of the WA Tree Festival, 5:30–7pm | Albany Public Library | Thursday, 9 Apr

Living Landscapes Djeran Series – Ancient Tingle Walks: Guided hike beneath towering red and yellow tingle trees, 9am–2pm | Bookings via Humanitix | Saturday, 11 Apr

Amcal Albany – Women's GSFL Round 9: Three women's matches across the Great Southern, first bounce 5:30pm | Full fixtures and venues | Friday, 10 Apr

Albany Skatepark Competition: Scooter, skateboard and BMX heats across beginner, intermediate and open divisions, 10am–5pm | Albany Skatepark | Saturday, 11 Apr

Bloom Community Information Session: For locals wanting to host an event. Support, ideas and registration, 11:30am–12:30pm | Katanning Public Library | Thursday, 9 Apr

Live @ the Town Hall: Albany's Town Hall stage is open to original local acts in 2026. Submit an expression of interest.

Maritime Exhibition 2026: Artists aged 16+ can enter the Vancouver Arts Centre's Maritime Exhibition from 8 April at 10am. First 70 spots, $15 entry fee, show runs 2–30 July. Enter from 8 April.

Southern Art and Craft Trail 2026: Applications close 11 April for artists to exhibit on the Trail (26 Sep – 11 Oct). The Vancouver Arts Centre is splitting its main gallery into four spaces to give more artists a run. Apply by 11 April.

Albany Sportsperson Awards: Nominations close 9am Wednesday 8 April (deadline extended). Clubs are encouraged to put forward senior and masters nominees, with winners announced 23 April. Nominate here.

Albany Kinjarling Monopoly Edition: A limited-run local twist on the classic, celebrating Albany landmarks and businesses. $79.99 click and collect, or $89.99 posted Australia-wide. Order through Albany CCI.

Fitstop Stadium: Railways Football and Sporting Club has renamed its ground after a naming rights deal with Fitstop, which is also opening in Albany soon. See the announcement.

Regional football specialist: regional football development across the Great Southern | WA Football | Albany

Youth justice officer: youth-focused casework within the justice system | Department of Justice WA | Albany

Administration officer (civil infrastructure): admin support across civil works and infrastructure projects | Shire of Denmark | Denmark

94 Sixth Ave, Kendenup: 2-bed, 1-bath on 4,025m². At the end of a no-through road and close to the primary school, with room to subdivide | Offers over $495,000

21 Lowood Road, Mount Barker: 4-bed, 2-bath on 1,194m². Former bank converted to flexible commercial space with street-art gallery and on-site accommodation | Offers above $799,000

30 Bandicoot Drive, Lange: 4-bed, 2-bath on 642m². As-new with ocean-to-city views, galley kitchen, double garage | Offers above $1,300,000

Albany Pickleball Club: Former Australian champion Jayne de Silva visited ALAC for free beginner and skills sessions funded by a City of Albany grant, filling all eight courts. A coaches' clinic also helped local teachers lift their game.

Southern Ocean Classic Mile: A record 165 swimmers hit Denmark's Ocean Beach for the 20th-anniversary event, returning after a two-year break. Adam Sudlow led the men's field in 19:29 (Andy Donaldson 20:17, Max Coten 20:24), with Rebekah Weller first woman home in 21:46.

And that's a wrap!

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Catch you next Tuesday!