🌄 No Bluff News #23: Peter Bol comes to Albany, St John gets a purpose-built home base & ANZAC Day this Saturday

G'day {{first_name | Friend}}! We're back with edition 23 of No Bluff News – your weekly wrap of positive local news, weekend plans, and all the community highlights you actually care about.

ANZAC Day is this Saturday, and we've got a full round-up of services from Albany to Walpole. Here's what's in store:

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Albany's St John WA crew has moved into a new purpose-built sub-centre with 19 undercover ambulance bays, dedicated rest zones, first-aid training rooms, volunteer break areas and secure parking. This upgrade sets the team up for what's ahead.

District operations manager Toni Melia points out the facility is open to St John staff and volunteers from across the Great Southern. For anyone in the region who's ever had to call an ambulance, this is where the crew comes from. "Pop in and have a chat," she says.

Peter Bol is coming to Albany. The four-time 800m Australian champion and three-time Olympian headlines the Wellington and Reeves Albany Sportsperson of the Year Awards at Retravision Stadium on Wednesday, 23 April.

Bol claimed his fourth national title at the Sydney national championships earlier this month and is locked in for Glasgow 2026. He won Commonwealth gold in Birmingham in 2022 and finished fourth at Tokyo.

Finalists across overall, senior, junior and masters categories will be announced ahead of the night. Organisers say the junior field is particularly strong this year.

Denmark Shire has voted 7-1 to call expressions of interest for a 7-hectare reserve on Research Station Avenue, with housing, aged care and health services all in the frame.

The Kwoorabup Community Park site sits close to the town centre and Denmark Hospital. Council was already fielding calls before the vote, with a community housing provider making contact in December and a health services group in July. Adjacent open space stays protected.

It's early days. But if it proceeds, it could add much-needed housing and aged care capacity right in the heart of town.

More than 4,500 people turned out for PortFest to mark 200 years of the Port of Albany, more than doubling Southern Ports' previous open day records.

Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Warramunga drew big crowds to the wharf. With ANZAC Day this Saturday, the port's role from the first ANZAC convoys through to today carries real weight.

Daniel McBlane spotted blurry CCTV cameras during work experience at the Gnowangerup Community Swimming Pool and fashioned a cleaning tool from a cloth and broom handle. The sharper footage later helped police identify culprits after a break-in.

The Shire presented Daniel, who turned up at the pool each Friday with his support worker, with a certificate for his initiative. He turned up each Friday. This time, it made a real difference.

Albany's Desert Mounted Corps Memorial on Mt Clarence honours the light horsemen who served in Egypt, Palestine and Syria from 1916 to 1918. Albany was the last piece of Australian soil many of them ever saw.

The replica was unveiled in 1964 after the original was destroyed in the 1956 Suez Crisis. The City of Albany has a full program of ANZAC Day commemorations on Mt Clarence this Saturday. Catch the full details in What's On below.

The Fremantle to Albany ocean race returned this weekend after a six-year break, with Obsession claiming line honours in just under 44 hours as part of Albany's 2026 bicentenary.

Ken Court's 1993 record of 37 hours and one minute survived. Obsession finished nearly seven hours outside the benchmark, leaving the $10,000 prize unclaimed. Presentations are on tonight at Wilson's Brewing Co on Stirling Terrace. Worth swinging by if you're keen.

Albany's Jayden Ralph may have pulled off the most regional proposal in WA history, faking a shearing mishap at the Williams Shearing Expo to get Jas Chamberlain on stage with a ring hidden in a towel.

Jas said she was still working out whether he was spurting blood or proposing when it clicked. No date set, but the wedding will keep the shearing theme.

Dementia Australia Workshop: Free session for carers and the community, 10am–12pm. Bookings essential | Denmark CRC, 2 Strickland St | Wednesday, 22 Apr

Seeking the Moytj: talks, supper and a riverside walk looking for Moytj and Western ringtail possum, 5–7pm | Gilcreek Scout Camp | Wednesday, 22 Apr

Gun Salute: Historic 9-pounder fired from the Princess Royal Fortress. National Anzac Centre entry applies, 10:30am / 1:30pm | National Anzac Centre | Thursday, 23 Apr

Circus Workshop: Beginner-friendly juggling, tumbling and simple tricks, 4–5pm | Denmark Civic Centre | Thursday, 23 Apr

Jazz Ballet (Ages 2–4): Weekly 40-minute classes building coordination and confidence through music, 10:30–11:10am. Runs Tuesdays 28 Apr–16 Jun | ALAC | Tuesday, 28 Apr

Drag Trivia & Show: Raunchy trivia and jaw-dropping drag acts featuring Terry Daktyl and Frankee. 18+, 5–8pm | Premier Hotel | Sunday, 26 Apr

Happy Plate: Community dinner night with simple meals and good company, 5–7:30pm | Denmark CRC | Friday, 24 Apr

Texas Smokehouse Feast: Friday smoked meat buffet featuring brisket, pulled pork, Diablo chicken, smoked sausage, 5:15pm | Rock Salt Albany | Friday, 24 Apr

Saturday Seafood Bash: Buffet showcasing Rock Salt's signature prawns and 'Marry Me Shrimp', 5:15–10pm | Rock Salt Albany | Saturday, 25 Apr

Wet Drops 2026: Fresh hop beer day showcasing local brewers with talks from the makers and Great Southern Hops, 11am–8pm | Dune Beer Co. | Sunday, 26 Apr

Two Folks Stars & One Clonk Star: Kris Mizzi, Isabel Rumble and Tim Darby swap songs and stories in the round, 7–9pm | Albany Uniting Church | Thursday, 23 Apr

Eric Bibb + Band: Grammy-nominated blues singer-songwriter playing songs from One Mississippi and favourites, 7:30pm | Albany Entertainment Centre | Thursday, 23 Apr

RnB Soul Train: Laid-back acoustic RnB with Maton steel and nylon guitars, 5–8pm | The Dam | Friday, 24 Apr

Dig The Dust: Free 18+ party night spanning 70s to 90s rock, Aussie classics, pop, funk and disco, 8:30pm | Six Degrees Albany | Friday, 24 Apr

Blackwood Rising: Blues duo playing a raucous mix of originals and covers, 7pm | King River Tavern | Saturday, 25 Apr

RnB Soul Train: Albany duo playing originals and soulful acoustic RnB covers, 5–8pm | Wilson's Brewery | Saturday, 25 Apr

Matty Coull: Relaxed Sunday session of live music, 1–4pm | Karribank | Sunday, 26 Apr

Dan Howls Band: WAM blues-song award winners with big drums, howling vocals and screaming guitars. Beth Chia opens, 6–10pm | Albany Skate Shed | Sunday, 26 Apr

Andy Bradshaw: Tambellup's Andy Bradshaw with an intimate set of songs and stories, 6:30–9pm | Uptown Music | Tuesday, 28 Apr

Art Conversations 2026: 'About Face' Lee Garvey: Free gallery conversation with guided looking, 2:30–3:30pm | Vancouver Arts Centre | Wednesday, 22 Apr

Living Landscapes Denmark Surf Camp: Weekend surf lessons for beginners and developing surfers, Sat 9–11am; Sun 7–9am | Parrys Beach | Sat, 25 Apr and Sun, 26 Apr

Historic Stone Drains Walking Tour: Free guided walk exploring Albany's 1860s stone drain network, 2pm Sat; 10am Sun | Melville Street | Sat, 25 Apr and Sun, 26 Apr

Albany Roller Derby – 2026 Season Launch: Info and registrations night for junior, adult and officials programs, 5:30–8:30pm | ALAC | Thursday, 23 Apr

GSFL – ANZAC Day (Round 3): North Albany v Railways, Denmark Walpole v Albany and Royals v Mount Barker, first bounce 2:10pm | Full fixtures and venues | Saturday, 25 Apr

OFAL – ANZAC Day (Round 3): Boxwood Hill v Gnowangerup and Newdegate v Lake Grace/Pingrup, 2:15pm | Full fixtures and venues | Saturday, 25 Apr

ACCI Social Sundowner: Mix and mingle with Great Southern businesses, bookings essential, 5:30–7:30pm | Albany Business Centre | Wednesday, 22 Apr

Albany's Stone Drains Up for Heritage Listing: The City is proposing to heritage-list its 1860s granite stone drains. Albany Library drop-in sessions today and tomorrow.

Telstra Upgrading Ocean Beach Coverage: Improved 4G / new 5G from Mon 28 April. Enable Wi-Fi Calling now and connect EFTPOS to NBN/Wi-Fi. Check Telstra for updates.

City of Albany's Free Antenno App: Report damaged infrastructure and dumped rubbish. Set alerts for bin days, road closures, bushfire warnings. Download now.

Amity Health Community Survey: provide input to shape local family programs. Complete before 30 April and win a $200 supermarket voucher. Take the survey here.

Mt Barker Library and CRC merger: into a single hub for information, learning and community support. New hours are Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 9am–noon.

Macks Massage Wellness Centre: A new holistic wellness centre with 10+ new practitioners is opening at 180 York Street. Grand opening on 30 June, 4–7pm. RSVP now.

Chef: full-time role in an award-winning kitchen with menu costing, stock management and food safety | Pepper & Salt Restaurant | Denmark

Disability support worker: personal care, medication assistance and community access for people with disabilities and older Australians, $42.57–$54.90/hr | Hireup | Albany

People & culture lead: lead HR and people strategy for a values-driven community organisation | ATC Work Smart | Albany

17 Green Street, Manypeaks: 4-bed, 1-bath on 1,221m². Solar, two water tanks and double garage on a dual-access corner block, 30 min to beaches | Offers $545,000+

94 Minsterly Road, Ocean Beach: 3-bed, 1-bath on 1,001m². Solid 1990-built home between Ocean Beach and Wilson Inlet, single carport, NBN FTTP | From $895,000

26 Miramar Road, Mira Mar: 5-bed, 2-bath on 1,119m². Split-level dual living with two kitchens, sweeping harbour, lake and ocean views | Offers above $1,250,000

Albany Lawn Bowls: Albany Gold claimed their first division one pennant since 2017-18, upsetting favourites Emu Point Red 65-60 on their home greens. Stalwart Craig Hitchcock: "We had no expectations, but things fell our way."

Great Southern Cricket: Germinario, Douglas and Badger were the region's only picks at last week's WA state Talent Series in Perth. Germinario scored 62 (3rd, U18 men), Douglas hit 56 (4th), and Badger finished 2nd on wicket-takers (U15 women).

And that's a wrap!

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Catch you next Tuesday!