🌄 No Bluff News #29

G'day {{first_name | Friend}}! We're back with edition 29 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:

Time to jump in!

At 82, Dick Ward blasted up the Mt Clarence Hill Climb in a 1967 Fiat Abarth in 30.17 seconds on Saturday, kicking off Albany's biggest motorsport weekend in years. Yannis Hondros was second (31.04), James Edwards third.

Sunday's Albany Classic marked 90 years of Around the Houses racing through a CBD circuit barely changed since 1936, with 150 drivers and vintage cars. "I'm amazed at how this event has grown," says club president Glenn Badger.

Stage 1B of the Albany Motorsports Park also opened in Drome that weekend, a 1.1km sealed circuit on the way to a 3.2km world-standard layout.

Mount Barker's SES volunteers are finally getting a proper base. The Shire of Plantagenet has backed a $3.37 million build to replace the current facility, which is partly condemned and has asbestos. DFES is contributing $2.55 million, with the Shire covering the remaining $816,000.

The new two-bay facility at 8 Bourke Street includes vehicle and appliance bays, an operations and comms room, training space and kitchen, with room for other emergency services down the track.

Tender is next, with funding expected in 2026/27.

Former Albany mayor Dennis Wellington has been made an Honorary Freeman of the City, recognising 23 years on council that delivered the National Anzac Centre, the Centennial Sporting Precinct and the $250 million Albany Ring Road.

Wellington kept his acceptance simple. "Is it good for Albany? Then go for it. If it's not, don't."

He joins Alice Rule and Terry Eaton as a living Freeman of the City. Albany's bicentenary year, fittingly, is when the recognition landed.

Empowering Plantagenet Seniors has scored $111,375 to launch GO-PHER, a community meals program filling the Meals on Wheels gap in a shire with no approved aged care meal provider.

The funding pays a dedicated cook and around 20 meals a week for locals in need, with the program targeting 175 meals a week within two years.

After 19 years with the Jerramungup sub-centre, St John WA volunteer Danielle Wisewould has been inducted into the Order of St John, the organisation's highest honour. WA Governor Chris Dawson presented the award at Government House on 9 May.

Wisewould has served as operational EMT, volunteer development officer, chairperson, storeperson and mentor. Her son has since joined the sub-centre. "I've always liked helping people," she says.

Albany will host the 2027 WA Tourism Conference from 24 to 26 May, with more than 200 delegates expected.

Mayor Greg Stocks calls it a reflection of what the bicentenary year has done for the city's profile, and a nod to the businesses, volunteers and event organisers who got Albany here.

Denmark's Tracey Whooley has won the inaugural WA Wine Press Club Industry Development Scholarship, a $2,000 grant recognising 15 years at Single File's cellar door, six kids raised in Denmark and a 2024 Wine Communicator Award.

She's using it to build Great Southern Sip, a platform showcasing the region's wines and producers.

Walpole's Gary Muir has been named Local Tourism Legend at the WA Tourism Awards, recognising more than 30 years building nature-based tourism through his WOW Wilderness eco tours.

"You can only be a legend if you have a great team," he told ABC's WA Regional Drive. More than half his life has gone into eco-tourism in the Great Southern.

Dune Quiz Nights: Weekly winter quiz nights with quizmaster Kev, teams up to 8. Book via Dune's website, 6pm | Dune Beer Co. | Wednesdays from 3 Jun

Arts and Culture Strategy – Snags & Stories: yarning circle and BBQ to share culture and help shape the Shire arts strategy, 12–2pm | Mt Barker Library CRC | Fri, 5 Jun

Q&A with Fleur McDonald: Nyabing CWA and Bookclub chat about her Kalgoorlie series, DVAssist advocacy and jillaroo life, 2–4pm | Nyabing Community Hub | Sun, 7 Jun

LEGO Club: Build and create with fellow LEGO fans, ages 6+. Bookings essential, 3:30–4:30pm | Denmark Public Library | Wednesday, 3 Jun

Beers & Braids #1: Dads learn hair-braiding with pro Kate Samiotis over a pint and nibbles, 6–8pm | Dune Beer Co. | Thursday, 4 Jun

Golden Hill Steiner Markets: Community markets with local stalls, food and live music, 2:45–4:45pm | Golden Hill Steiner School | Friday, 5 Jun

Mingles: Social night for all ages, 5:30pm onwards | Boston Brewery | Friday, 5 Jun

Dig The Dust: Late-night rock, doors 9pm, band 9:30pm–12:30am, 18+ | Eve Late Night Bar | Friday, 5 Jun

Wholly Local Festival: DangerMice, 3Fifths, Southern Right Blues Band and EXP live, doors 3:30pm, 4–9pm, 18+ | Albany Town Hall | Saturday, 6 Jun

Kendenup Country Club Karaoke: Community karaoke with Elijah, free pool table and darts, 6pm (doors 5pm) | Kendenup Country Club | Saturday, 6 Jun

Turbulence: Fibre textile and kinetic sculptures by Lizzie Riley exploring turbulence, drift and arrival of calm, 9am–5pm | Historic Whaling Station | Wed, 3 Jun – Tues, 23 Jun

KiN: True story of family, culture and belonging blending Kathak, Mallakhamb, contemporary dance and aerial artistry, 7:30pm | AEC | Wednesday, 3 Jun

Afternoon Tea & Stories with Peter Watson: with Olympian-turned-politician Peter Watson celebrating his memoir, 2–3pm | Albany Public Library | Friday, 5 Jun

RAPTURE: Dance, woven sculpture and immersive sound inspired by Torndirrup coastline, with paired menu. From 3:30pm | Historic Whaling Station | Friday, 5 Jun

46th Albany Eisteddfod: Week-long showcase of soloists and ensembles across piano, brass, woodwind, voice and strings, various times | AEC | Monday, 8 Jun – Thursday, 11 Jun

What the Heck are Comics with Aśka: Free talk and beginner comics workshop for teens and adults, with drawing and book signing, 5–6pm | Albany Public Library | Tues, 9 Jun

Texas Smokehouse Feast: Smoked meat buffet with brisket, pulled pork, Diablo chicken and Southern sides. Seats limited, 5:15pm | Rock Salt, Albany | Friday, 5 Jun

Saturday the Big Seafood Bash: Seafood buffet with signature prawns and the Marry Me Shrimp, 5:15–10pm | Rock Salt, Albany | Saturday, 6 Jun

Home Group Great Southern – Round 7: Royals v Railways, North Albany v Albany, Denmark Walpole v Mount Barker, 2:30pm | GSFL Round 7 fixtures | Saturday, 6 Jun

Albany Pro SWBC'26: Two-day pro bodyboarding with Pro, Women, Dropknee, Masters and Junior divisions | Middleton Beach | Saturday, 6 Jun – Sunday, 7 Jun

Distilling the Dry – Dealing with Challenging Seasons: Interactive workshop for farmers on resilience in dry seasons, 1pm | Woodlands Distillery | Thursday, 4 Jun

Artists and Creatives Workshop: Facilitated workshop to help shape the Shire of Plantagenet's Arts and Culture Strategy, 12–2pm | Mt Barker Library CRC | Thurs, 4 Jun

Grant Writing Workshop: Free workshop on finding grants and writing stronger applications, 5:30–7:30pm | Margaret Coates Boardroom | Tuesday, 9 Jun

Two days of farm tours, panel discussions and expert sessions land in Albany on 25 and 26 June. Thursday's tours take in Milne Feeds, Glenridge Park, Mt Barker Chicken, Ravenhill Pastoral and the CBH Albany terminal, a rare behind-the-scenes look at Great Southern agriculture in action. Friday is a full conference day, finishing with the CBH Group Gala Dinner featuring local producers. Tickets from $200. Register now.

Majuba Bistro is pairing a four-course European dinner with a curated selection of Limeburners single malts on Friday, 26 June, 6–9pm, with each pour guided through its flavour and story. Grab a seat.

Kirby's Atelier de Cuisine is running a hands-on Italian cooking class on Saturday, 27 June: caponata, ossobuco, polenta and orange zabaglione, finishing with a shared communal feast. It's five hours from 3–8pm for $165, with Alkoomi wines on the night. Book now.

Nurse-turned-comedian Georgie Carroll brings her brand-new show to the Princess Royal Theatre on Tuesday, 30 June. Sharp storytelling and riotous humour from someone who's seen it all from behind a hospital curtain. Runs 1 hour 20 minutes, recommended 15+. Tickets from $59.90 concession or $64.90 adult. Book now.

A $10 waterfront night of live bands, DJs and local food stalls at the Albany Boatshed on Friday, 3 July, part of the City of Albany's Maritime Festival. The Cannabis Botanical Distillery runs the bar, 6–11pm, 18+. Grab your tickets.

Free kids' respiratory clinic, 4–5 June: Free bulk-billed children's respiratory clinic at Albany Health Campus (GP referral required). Get the details and organise a referral.

Princess Royal Harbour coastal plan, submissions close 3 July: Albany's draft coastal hazard plan is open for feedback. Review the draft and make a submission.

Great Southern Farmer Awards: Nominations for Farmer of the Year, Female Farmer, Young Farmer and Farm Innovation. Ceremony 21 August in Denmark. Nominate now.

Wild West Bowling – Kids' Birthday Parties: Birthday party packages with bowling, food, BYO cake and arcade access. Plan your Wild West birthday party.

Business & Community Directory 2027: Listings open for the 2027 edition, reaching 23k+ Great Southern homes and businesses. Book a listing for your business.

Live @ the Town Hall – Artist Callout 2026/27: Albany Town Hall wants original and emerging acts for its 2026/27 Live series. Submit your EOI.

Front of house all-rounder / barista: espresso and front-of-house service (till, smoothies, floor shifts); weekend availability preferred | Mrs Jones Denmark | Denmark

Director of outdoor learning: lead outdoor education programs covering camps, tours, curriculum-linked learning, plus teaching duties | Great Southern Grammar | Albany

Chief executive officer: lead a small team and build government, industry and community partnerships to grow the region | RDA Great Southern | Albany

24 Lower King Road, Collingwood Heights: 2-bed, 2-bath on 900m². Double-brick, reverse-cycle AC, double garage plus caravan driveway, solar | Offers above $650,000

7 Wishart Place, Denmark: 4-bed, 2-bath on 4,048m². Elevated with Wilson Inlet views, double-bay lock-up shed | From $1,300,000

164 Grey Street West, Albany: 3-bed, 2-bath on 665m². Panoramic harbour and national park views, water-view lounge, rear-lane double garage | Offers above $1,300,000

WA Longboard State Titles: Jack Medland and Georgia Young took out the Open divisions at Parry's Beach, Denmark, with titles decided across 13 divisions from Lola Boykett and Maxen Horwood in the Under 18s to John Haddow retaining the Over 70 crown.

Ray Squibb – Great Southern Service to Sport: Tambellup's Ray Squibb gave 50 years to the hockey club as player, secretary, president, coach and volunteer, and says he was "totally surprised" when his Great Southern Service to Sport award was announced at the Mike Stidwell Medal presentation. He still marks the ovals.

Darren Berry – Mike Stidwell Medal: Albany Basketball Association stalwart Darren Berry took out the Mike Stidwell Medal after more than a decade as president, vice-president and committee member, including steering NBL1 West fixtures to ALAC. He calls the honour humbling and credits the team around him.

And that's a wrap!

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See you next Tuesday!