G'day {{first_name | Friend}}! Hope you had a good ANZAC Day weekend. We're back with edition 24 of No Bluff News - your weekly wrap of positive local news, weekend plans, and all the community highlights you actually care about.
What we have for you today:
An Albany family cleared five tonnes of rubbish from 43km of Albany Highway, and finished with a vanilla slice
Emma Crisp honoured her great-grandfather at ANZAC Day AFL on the Western Front
School of Rock opens at Port Theatre, Mother's Day markets and a big music weekend.
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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
🏥 Albany scores $60M hospital expansion
Source: Albany Health Campus via their website
Albany's getting 32 new hospital beds. The 2026–27 State Budget fully funds a $60 million modular expansion at Albany Health Campus, delivering a new inpatient ward to boost capacity, ease pressure on the emergency department and keep elective surgery on schedule.
The new ward will sit next to the existing campus and connect via a purpose-built link. Building it off-site using modular construction means the same build standard with less disruption while works are underway. Hutchinson Builders is already on board under the Early Contractor Involvement process.
For a regional city this size, more inpatient beds and a more resilient emergency department makes a real difference for the whole Great Southern.
♻️ Just Bin It: five tonnes of rubbish, ten months of work and a vanilla slice in Mt Barker
Source: Just Bin It via ABC Great Southern
A family from Albany just wrapped up ten months of Friday pick-ups along 43 kilometres of Albany Highway, finishing with a well-earned vanilla slice at a country bakery in Mount Barker.
Debra Docking, sisters Rhonda and Jennifer Western Wignall, and brother-in-law Len Wignall are the Just Bin It crew. Over 800 bags, five tonnes of rubbish and 2,000+ containers for Containers for Change later, they hit the finish line. The bakery knew they were coming and put the vanilla slices aside for free.
They credit their mum Jeannette for teaching them to look after country. The sisters head to Broome next, but Debra keeps doing spot checks on Albany Highway over winter.
🏠 Albany gets 12 new homes for people at risk of homelessness
Source: Advance Housing via their website
Twelve new long-term homes have opened in Albany's McKail suburb for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, following a $4.27 million project led by My Home Australasia and built by Smith Constructions.
The six one-bed and six two-bed homes are built to Silver Livable Housing Design Standards. Fresh air exchange systems, double glazing and north-facing living areas keep running costs low for tenants. Advance Housing, Albany's local not-for-profit housing provider with more than 25 years in the region, will manage allocations and tenancies.
Each home arrived fully stocked with appliances, homewares and a pantry, thanks to Rotary, CWA, the Albany Men's Shed, Lions and Soroptimists. New tenants say they're overwhelmed by the care.
COMMUNITY DIGEST
🎖️ Albany's Emma Crisp takes great-grandfather's story to Villers-Bretonneux
Albany's Emma Crisp played in the Anzac Day AFL match at Villers-Bretonneux on Saturday, representing the Australian Spirit Team after tracing her great-grandfather Capt. Ralph Harry Crisp's WWI service to the same Western Front battlefields where Australians helped halt the German advance in 1918.
Now based in Amsterdam, Crisp joined a team of Australians living across Europe for a four-day program of battlefield visits ahead of the match. She said she hadn't dug into her family history before the selection process, but was "chuffed" to carry a bit of Albany onto an international field.
📖 South launches tomorrow — Albany's stories, all in one book
South officially launches tomorrow. It’s local historian Malcolm Traill's collection of the stories that shaped Albany, spanning First Nations history, whaling, The Waifs, Greenpeace and the Snake Run, timed for the city's bicentenary.
Drawn from articles written for local publications and organised into 12 alphabetical themes (fitting, for a former Battye librarian), it's a book you can dip into anywhere. Available in shops and online from today.
🏃 Delirious West wraps in Albany as 122 runners conquer the Bibbulmun Track
The Delirious West 2026 finished in Albany last week, with 122 starters tackling 100- or 200-mile courses along the Bibbulmun Track from Northcliffe. Chris Atkinson won the 200-mile in 67hrs 30min and Justin Mulhair the 100-mile in 24hrs 32min.
Walpole was the first sleep station, and runners had already covered 140km on foot by the time they arrived. Local businesses got a special shoutout for looking after crews and volunteers all the way through. The 2027 race is locked in for 31 March.
🏆 Jordan Clark headlines Albany's Sportsperson of the Year
Jordan Clark took Albany's 2025 Sportsperson of the Year at Wednesday's City awards, following a career-best AFL season with Fremantle that included his first All-Australian selection and an average of 24.3 disposals across 23 games.
Keely Berry landed the Junior award for standout seasons in both basketball and netball. Jess Waldron claimed Senior after dominating mountain biking across Australia and Oceania, and Tanya Bailey took Masters after winning world gold at the UCI Masters Downhill Championships in Cairns.
🏉 Royals product Williams lands spot in WA U/18s AFL squad
Albany's Elijah Williams has been named in WA's initial 39-player Under 18 AFL squad ahead of the 2026 Marsh AFL Boys National Championships, a big milestone for a Royals FC product making his way through the state system.
The 187cm defender is listed with Claremont and holds a West Coast Eagles Next Generation Academy tie. The squad's national championship campaign opens against South Australia on 13 June.
WHAT’S ON
🎸 SCHOOL OF ROCK — ALBANY PORT THEATRE
Albany Light Opera Theatre Company is staging School of Rock across four weekends in May: 30+ local performers, a live kids' rock band every night, and Andrew Lloyd Webber's score driving the whole show. Based on the 2003 film: a failed rock star bluffs his way into a posh school and accidentally builds a band from his class of straight-A students. Contains mild adult themes. Full details at Albany Port Theatre.
🕯️ COMMUNITY
Two Mile Petrol Tank Farm: New signs telling the WWII story of the Mt Melville petrol tanks, 11am–12pm | Two Mile Petrol Tank Farm | Wednesday, 29 Apr
👨👩👧👦 FAMILY FUN
Albany Pottery Group Mother's Day Pottery Market: Handmade pottery. Fri 11am–5pm, Sat 8:30am–4pm, Sun 9am–12pm | St John's Anglican Hall | Fri to Sun, 1 to 3 May
Albany Mother's Day Markets: New market with food vans, coffee, arts and crafts and ice cream, 9am–2pm | Albany Town Square | Saturday, 2 May
🛝 FOR KIDS
Jazz Ballet (Ages 5–8): Weekly beginner jazz and ballet class for 5–8 year olds, 4–4:45pm | ALAC | Wednesdays from 29 Apr
Nyabing CWA Intergenerational Playgroup: Teddy bears picnic with storytime and morning tea, 9–11am | 10 Richmond Street, Nyabing | Thursday, 30 Apr
Made with Love for Mum: Free Mother's Day craft session for kids, 10–11am | Mount Barker Library and CRC | Saturday, 2 May
Hip Hop Dance (Ages 5–8): Weekly beginner Hip Hop class for kids 5–8, 4–4:45pm | ALAC | Mondays from 4 May
🎭 ADULTS ONLY
How Ya Goin? Mickey Wilson: High-energy stand-up from Darwin-born comedian Mickey Wilson, 7:30pm | Six Degrees | Thursday, 30 Apr
🎵 MUSIC
Open Mic at Wilson's Brewery: Music, poetry and comedy. PA provided, free drink for each performer, 5–8pm | Wilson's Brewery | Thursday, 30 Apr
Women in Big Band: WA Youth Jazz Orchestra celebrates women composers, arrangers and bandleaders in jazz, 7:30pm | Albany Entertainment Centre | Friday, 1 May
Hugh Jennings & Elk Bell: Local and touring musicians pair up for an intimate folk/pop set, 6:30–8:30pm | Wilson Brewing Co | Friday, 1 May
Fundraiser Party: Community fundraiser with live music and refreshments, 7–10pm | Denmark ArtsHouse | Saturday, 2 May
The Gearjammers at King River Tavern: Classic rock covers from INXS to AC/DC, 7:30–11pm | King River Tavern | Saturday, 2 May
Simon London + The Spirits at Six Degrees: Simon London fronts his three-piece Spirits with rockier cuts from their new album, 8:30–11pm | Six Degrees | Saturday, 2 May
Tony King at Karribank: Afternoon of live music from Tony King, 1–4pm | Karribank, Mount Barker | Sunday, 3 May
🍝 FOOD AND CUISINE
Happy Plate: Community dinner and catch-up, 5–7:30pm | Denmark Dance Company | Friday, 1 May
Texas Smokehouse Feast at Rock Salt: Friday-night smoked meat buffet; brisket, pulled pork, Diablo chicken and smoked sausages, 5:15pm | Rock Salt | Friday, 1 May
Saturday Big Seafood Bash at Rock Salt: Signature seafood buffet with prawns, oysters and coastal favourites, 5:15–10pm | Rock Salt | Saturday, 2 May
🎨 ARTS AND CULTURE
The Track: Fiona H Evans: Author talk about her novel The Track, 2–3pm | Albany Public Library | Friday, 1 May
Writing the Self, Belonging and Defiance: Workshop with spoken-word poet Fleassy Malay with practical exercises, 1–2:30pm | Denmark ArtsHouse | Sunday, 3 May
🏕️ OUTDOORS
Planting Workshop: planting of local endemic grevilleas with botanists, kids welcome, sausage sizzle after, 9:30am–12pm | Twin Creeks Reserve | Sunday, 3 May
🏉 SPORT
Amcal Albany Women's GSFL – Preliminary Final: Albany v Denmark Walpole Women, 6:45pm | Retravision Stadium | Friday, 1 May
Home Group Great Southern League – Round 2: Three matches at Railways Oval, Sounness Park and Retravision Stadium, 2:30pm | Full fixtures | Saturday, 2 May
Albany Netball Association – A1 & A2 Round 1: Season opener across A1 and A2 grades from 1pm | ALAC | Saturday, 2 May
💼 BUSINESS
Free Business Consultations – Katanning Hub CRC: advice on planning, licences, market research, finance and marketing, 10am–3pm | Katanning Hub CRC | Thursday, 30 Apr
COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD
📢 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Midds Reef Community Survey: The City of Albany wants your feedback on the Middleton Beach Southern Ocean Surf Reef. Survey closes Wed 30 April. Have your say.
Wendy Binks: Elephant Dreaming: Original artworks by local artist Wendy Binks, open Mon–Fri 9:30am–3:30pm at the Denmark Visitor Centre. Closes this week.
BaptistCare Refresh Retreats: Free three-day retreats in Albany (9–11 June) for people recently diagnosed with dementia and their support person. Registrations open now.
📣 BUSINESS ANNOUNCEMENTS
🐾 BUSINESS OF THE WEEK
Little Grove has a certified Animal Naturopath who also washes your dog.
Simone Barker has been running Pampered Pooch Parlour in Little Grove since 2020. She holds multiple animal health certifications, including Animal Naturopath, Canine Nutrition, and Canine Behaviour, along with many natural therapy certifications, bringing a truly holistic level of care.
Services cover warm hydrobath, blow dry, de-shedding, and nail clipping, with natural paraben-free shampoos and conditioners. All breeds, all sizes. Flea rinse is complimentary if required. Regularly booked clients get free dietary and coat care advice from Simone directly.
The Marron Tale: Bow Bridge's family farm café closes this Sunday indefinitely. Go for a final Debs Favourite while you still can | Bow Bridge | Last day Sunday 3 May
Fitstop Albany: New locally-owned gym signing up foundation members, now also the naming rights holder for Railways FC | 170 Albany Highway | Opens 23 May
Katanning IGA: Grand relaunch under new ownership with a new look, better deals and more savings | Katanning | Open now
🛠️ JOBS
Electrician / security technician / comms staff: commercial, industrial and maintenance work across the Great Southern | J&S Castlehow Electrical Services | Albany
Territory manager (beef): drive sales and customer success for virtual fencing across Southern WA beef farms. $168–211k per year OTE + Vehicle & ESOP | Halter | Albany
Chef / cook: 4 on, 3 off roster, competitive pay at $75–90k per year, accommodation included | Denmark Hotel | Denmark
🏡 REAL ESTATE
45 Mira Flores Avenue, Porongurup: 2-bed, 2-bath on 4.85ha. Solar-passive home close to Porongurup NP and wineries | Offers above $799,000
114 Morgan Road, McKail: 3-bed, 1-bath on 1.52ha. Horse-friendly with stables and a powered shed. 7km to Albany CBD | Offers above $950,000
151 Bay View Drive, Little Grove: 4-bed, 3-bath on 1,500m². Dual-level with unrestricted Princess Royal Harbour views | Offers above $1,900,000
🏅 SPORTS
64th Australian National Soapbox Championship: Albany dominated Easter's nationals on Mt Clarence. Bella Specht won juniors, Tom North took seniors. Next club race is Sunday 3 May at Apex Drive.
Albany Sporting Walk of Fame: The City of Albany is recognising athletes, coaches and officials who've reached state, national or international level with plaques at Centennial Park. Nominations open now. Athletes must be retired for at least two years.
Did today’s news feel just right, or was it a tad rocky?
And that's a wrap!
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See you next Tuesday!
