🌄 No Bluff News #27

G'day {{first_name | Friend}}! We're back with edition 27 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:

Alright, let's crack on!

Not many 17-year-olds from a small WA town can say they're Australia's best at something. Henri Bellanger can. The Denmark sailor and crew Mia Waters have won the Australian NACRA 15 national title, earning selection for the World Championships in Plymouth (25 July – 1 August) and the Youth World Sailing Championships in Portugal in December.

Bellanger learned his craft with Walpole locals and the Princess Royal Sailing Club in Albany. The whole region had a hand in producing Australia's top youth catamaran sailor. The pair are fundraising to cover the trip. Support Henri's campaign or chip in for Mia.

Albany's Ocean and Paddock has won WA's best takeaway fish and chips for the fourth time, with fellow Albany favourite Hooked also in the running at the 2026 WA Seafood Industry Council Awards. Four WA titles in a competitive industry. Something's clearly going right on Middleton Road for owner Trenton Brennan and his crew.

The push to enter came from his 10-year-old daughter Annabelle, who works the shop and asked him to nominate. She was right: the family is heading to the national final in Sydney on 30 July.

Ten years ago, a group of Albany volunteers started packing bags for women leaving the refuge with nothing but the clothes on their backs. A decade on, Albany Soroptimists and Anglicare WA now pack those bags with toiletries, clothing, school supplies and furniture vouchers, getting them to 47 drop-off points across Albany, Denmark and Mt Barker.

The drive runs through June. AWC manager Joanna Fictoor calls the kits "essential." The refuge supports more than 100 women and children every six months. Find your nearest drop-off site or donate at the Anglicare Collie Street office.

Denmark and Albany have both landed in the national top 50, ranked 44 and 47 respectively on Australian Traveller's 100 Best Towns to Visit for 2026.

For context: Broome came in at 6, Margaret River at 20. Two Great Southern towns in that company is a proper result.

Denmark's councillors voted 6-0 to support a structure plan for 144 residential lots on 16.88 hectares east of town, enough for roughly 160 homes and 400 new residents. It now heads to the WA Planning Commission for sign-off.

The site also flags 305 Black Cockatoo habitat trees and a potential Boorna Gnamma (a rock hole of deep cultural significance to Noongar people), both earmarked for protection. If it gets up, it'd be one of Denmark's bigger housing boosts in years.

Denmark residents returned more than 1.6 million containers last year. The new Drop & Go station at the Hollings Road side access makes it easier than ever to add to that tally. Bags are collected weekly, and if you write a local charity's name on yours, the refund goes straight to them.

"To know more money can stay within our community. That's really important to me," says local organiser Serena Kirby. Wine and spirit bottles join the scheme from 1 July.

Local artist Larissa Chen has transformed a concrete pump tower at Katanning's Piesse Park wetlands into a canvas of abstract banksias and WA native blooms. The structure was once used to pump salt water. Now it's a reason to stop and look twice.

Friends of Piesse Park deputy chair Bev Lockley says locals are loving it. A second tower is planned, and Chen's already thinking about what WA animals to paint next.

An Albany great-grandmother has landed a $100,000 Scratch'n'Win using the same wooden clothes peg she's had for over a decade (her grandson sanded it just right). She scratched it on her patio, flew to Perth to collect the prize, and came home with plans.

With eight children, 17 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren, first order of business is a massive bucket of chips for the whole family. Then a bathroom reno and a fresh coat of paint on the house.

Australia's Biggest Morning Tea: Fundraiser at the Albany Italian Club with Italian sweet and savoury treats, raffles and an auction, 10:30am | Albany Italian Club | Thurs, 21 May

Country Week Quiz Night Fundraiser: Quiz night supporting the Katanning Senior High School boys basketball team, tickets $10, 7:30pm | Sprigg Bar | Friday, 22 May

Antique & Collectables Fair: Antiques, collectables and local stalls, 10am–3pm | Broomehill Town Hall | Friday, 22 May & Saturday, 23 May

National Sorry Day – Rabbit Proof Fence Screening: Screening followed by a talk from a Stolen Generation survivor; light catering, 1–3pm | Albany Town Hall | Tuesday, 26 May

Golden Hill Steiner Markets: Market stalls, music and kids' activities, 2:45–4:45pm | Golden Hill Steiner School | Friday, 22 May

Hype Engine – Low End Vol. 001: New night of UKG, bass and drum & bass with Boston Switch, Stabbs and Sik Papis, 10pm–late | Eve Late Night Bar | Friday, 22 May

Albany Sound Original Night: local original music night with David Gillett (5pm), Claybird Duo (6pm); RnB Soul Train (7pm), 5pm | Wilson's Brewery Bar | Thurs, 21 May

OVATION: Four of Australia's top musical theatre and opera stars perform solos, duets and ensemble pieces, 7:30pm | Albany Entertainment Centre | Thursday, 21 May

Wammy: 90s alternative rock, pop and grunge throwback night, 8:30–11pm | Wilson's Brewery Bar | Friday, 22 May

Albany Sinfonia – First Symphony: Beethoven's First Symphony and a new arrangement of Waltzing Matilda w/ singer Rusty Lynch, 3pm | Free Reformed Church | Sat, 23 May

EXP – Rolling Stones & Led Zeppelin Tribute: High-energy tribute to two of rock's all-time greats, 7–10:30pm | King River Tavern | Saturday, 23 May

G-Train Swing: Sunday swing party with a beginner lesson, live swing band and licensed bar. Lesson 3:30pm, live music 4–7pm | Denmark Country Club | Sunday, 24 May

DJ Sunday Sesh: $10 selected pints, $11 canned wines/spritz and $20 burger and chips, 4–7pm | Boston Brewery | Sunday, 24 May

Texas Smokehouse Feast: 18-hour hickory brisket, apple-wood pulled pork, Diablo chicken, smoked sausages, 5:15–10pm | Rock Salt Restaurant | Friday, 22 May

Saturday Seafood Bash: Creamy garlic paprika prawns, 'Marry Me Shrimp' and other coastal favourites on the buffet, 5:15pm | Rock Salt Restaurant | Saturday, 23 May

Peter Watson – On the Front Foot Launch: Author Peter Watson launches his memoir in conversation with Ian Hooper, 5:30–7pm | Albany Public Library | Wednesday, 20 May

Acrylic Canvas Workshop with Louise Stewart Brown: large canvas, paints, brush and lunch for a full-day session, 9:30am–3:30pm | Vancouver Arts Centre | Saturday, 23 May

Relive The Films – KAYA 2026: Screening of the cinematic works from Albany's 2026 NYE concert, followed by Q&A, 6:30–8:30pm | Albany Town Hall | Saturday, 23 May

Ainsley Maclean – Echoes of a Tension: debut of 12 abstract works by a local artist living with ME, Mon–Fri 10am–4pm | Vancouver Arts Centre | Mon, 25 May – Fri, 29 May

No Limits Netball – Come and Try Day: Inclusive netball for people aged 12+ with disabilities, all genders welcome, 1–2pm | ALAC | Saturday, 23 May

Business Before Hours – Leadership in the Age of AI: Monthly small business meetup. Free bacon and egg sandwich. 7:30–8:30am | Albany Business Centre | Thursday, 21 May

Koodjal Business Support: Practical workshops for Great Southern Aboriginal people on starting and growing a business, 10am–3pm | Albany Business Centre | Friday, 22 May

Coffee and Connect with Skill Hire: Relaxed networking coffee with Great Southern business members, 10–11am | The Link Centre | Tuesday, 26 May

Three days of singing, workshops and performance in Denmark (Kwoorabup), 29–31 May. The festival opens with a Noongar-led Welcome to Country and wraps with a free closing event at Lights Beach Brewing from 3pm on Sunday. Browse the program.

A WA Day long-weekend tradition: a 12km surf craft race from the Albany Boatshed to Middleton Beach featuring surf boats, skis, boards and outriggers. Race starts at 8am on Sunday 31 May, with spectators welcome along the course and at both ends. Full details at Albany SLSC.

The 90th edition of Albany's famous CBD time-trial runs on WA Day Sunday, 31 May. It's a unique format: drivers nominate their own lap time and lose points for every second they deviate. Kicks off at 9am. Tickets $20 adults, $5 seniors and students, free under 12. Grab yours here.

Free family day at the Museum of the Great Southern on Monday 1 June, 10am–2pm, with live music, creative workshops and a Living Histories storytelling space. See what's on.

A seventies-themed night of live Great Southern music at Albany Town Hall, Saturday 6 June. DangerMice, 3Fifths, Southern Right Blues Band and EXP are on the lineup. Doors 3:30pm, music 4–9pm, 18+. Dust off your flares. Tickets $40 general, $30 concession. Book now.

Your Great Southern story could air on WA Day: WA Museum Great Southern is collecting locals' memories for their Living Histories project. Submit your story.

William Bay caravan park, public submissions open: A four-site nature-based caravan park is proposed for Bell Road, William Bay. Submit feedback by 26 May.

Government releases surplus land for regional housing: Denmark is among several WA towns to receive surplus social, affordable and service worker government land.

Gnowangerup's community grants come with a Shark Tank twist: Rolling year-round applications are capped at $2k, with bigger asks requiring a Shark Tank-style pitch.

Howard Taylor's Material Practice at Albany Town Hall: The State Art Collection show runs until 20 June, Tue–Sat, 10am–5pm. Check it out.

Pardelup inmates help restore the Brig Amity: ahead of the city's bicentenary, replacing timber and refurbishing the captain's area. Read more.

Artisan baker: FT role baking breads, pastries and sourdough using artisan techniques; early-morning starts; AQF III or 3+ years' exp. required | Bred co | Albany

Brewer: full-time brewing and cellar operations; core and seasonal beers; forklift licence and driver's licence preferred | Boston Brewing Co. | Denmark

Consultant physician, general medicine: launching Albany's Hospital in the Home service; inpatient, home hospital, outpatient care | WA Country Health Service | Albany

32 Chiltern Road, Ocean Beach: 3-bed, 1-bath on 3,063m². Brick veneer with double detached garage; no inspections, cash sale | Sheriff's Auction, 28 May

48 Slater Street, Lower King: 3-bed, 1-bath on 948m². Brick-and-tile with updated kitchen, reverse-cycle A/C, undercover patio and double garage | Offers above $740,000

44 Earl Street, Albany: 3-bed, 2-bath on 597m². Elevated CBD position with harbour and national park views | Offers above $1,276,000

Steven Moss, WA Water Ski Association Hall of Fame: Albany's Steven Moss has been inducted into the WA Water Ski Association Hall of Fame, recognising a career that started on the Kalgan River and reached the international stage.

Football West Female Football Week Awards: Albany Rovers coach Cassie Paxman took Coach of the Year and 16-year-old ref Georgia Whitelaw took Referee of the Year at Football West's Female Football Week Awards in Perth.

And that's a wrap!

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Catch you next Tuesday!