🌄 No Bluff News #30

G'day {{first_name | Friend}}! We're back with edition 30 of No Bluff News – your weekly wrap of positive local news, weekend plans, and all the community highlights you actually care about.

Today's highlights:

Alright, let's crack on!

Albany Airport has secured $41.6 million for a major upgrade, with the construction tender open and closing 17 June. The Albanese Government ($14.7M), Cook Government ($14M) and City of Albany ($12.9M) are all in.

Runway, taxiway and apron works will make room for heavier aircraft, with more FIFO jobs, firefighting tanker capability and direct east coast flights all on the horizon.

While the big build gets underway, the terminal is worth a visit right now. Denmark artist Corinna Ossinger and Albany artist Katherine Taylor have exhibitions showing at the airport and AEC until mid-June as part of a new City partnership program.

At 97, Geoff Saw can still picture his uncle Bert's slab hut on the Bow River, where glass plates of early south-coast life were developed. He's just donated more than 600 of them to the Denmark Historical Society.

Bert Saw documented Albany and the south coast from around 1900, lugging a 12-kilogram camera through the bush to capture Boer War farewells, early settlers and the Denmark-Nornalup railway. Historians are reassessing his standing among WA's early photographers. One of his images was misattributed in a published book to WA's official state photographer of the era. The collection will be shared with the community.

Kinjarling Keys, Albany's roaming community piano, is set up in the AEC foyer this week for the Eisteddfod, inviting audiences between sessions to sit down and play.

She's been on the move since January, stopping at The Gap, the Historic Whaling Station, Town Square, the Hilton Garden Inn and the National ANZAC Centre. Follow her travels on Facebook. Her next stop is a CBD location on 15 June.

Piano fans have more to look forward to in July: during Folk'n'Shanty (10–11 July), the AEC is placing a Steinway grand in its foyer. Book a 20-minute session before they fill up.

Andrew Eyden has taken out the 2026 Great Southern Volunteer of the Year after 25 years with the Albany Historical Society, coordinating 71 volunteers who collectively clock around 22,500 hours a year across the Old Gaol and Patrick Taylor Cottage.

He dedicated the win to his team. "Without them, the AHS and many other groups would not exist," he said.

The heritage-listed Albany Hotel is getting new tenants on 1 July, with an Albany local taking over from publican Neville Walton and planning to restore it to its original glory.

The venue has been pouring since 1836 and even had a young Herbert Hoover sign the visitor book.

Albany truckie Alan Ettridge rallied farmers and businesses to donate goods for auction at Manypeaks Hall last weekend, targeting $14–15,000 for Manypeaks and South Stirling primary schools.

Proceeds go towards a BMX track and playground repairs. "I drive past the schools all the time," Ettridge said. "It's just taken me 27 years!"

Bloom Festival 2026 is on, with eight Great Southern shires pooling $44,000 to keep it going after its previous organiser folded. The 2025 festival drew 12,607 visitors and pumped $2.3 million into the region.

The Shire of Woodanilling will host the launch, with councils working on a new delivery model for 2027 and beyond.

A southern elephant seal was spotted at Cheynes Beach on Thursday after a neighbouring farmer tipped off Cheynes Beach Caravan Park's Gareth Dunn. Dunn reckons it was a juvenile, measuring about 3–4 metres (adult males can top 3,500 kilograms).

It came close enough to yawn and flash its teeth at onlookers, Dunn says.

R U OK? Free Community Morning Tea: Free morning tea with the R U OK? Conversation Convoy, 9:30–10:45am | Gnowangerup CRC | Thursday, 11 Jun

Golden Hill Steiner Markets: School markets with local makers, food vans and kids activities, 2:45–4:45pm | Golden Hill Steiner School | Friday, 12 Jun

Mount Barker Bingo Night: P&C fundraiser with prizes and a licensed bar, $10 per person, bring a plate, 6–11pm | Frost Pavilion | Friday, 12 Jun

JMOGS Quiz Night: Y2K-themed fundraiser supporting The Shrub (Giulia Kitchin Memorial Association), 6:30pm | Middleton Beach Bowls Club | Saturday, 13 Jun

Denmark Markets: Monthly winter market with fresh produce, handmade goods, hot food and a dog-friendly vibe, 9am–1pm | Denmark Senior High School | Sunday, 14 Jun

Wilson's Lighthouse Sessions: Matt Black with a John Williamson tribute, country rock 'n' roll and pub classics, 5–8pm | Wilson's Brewery Bar | Friday, 12 Jun

RnB Soul Train: Soulful originals and acoustic RnB/pop covers, 5–8pm | Wilson's Brewery | Saturday, 13 Jun

Shaun Kirk: Melbourne-born blues and soul, raw one-man show, 8pm | Six Degrees | Saturday, 13 Jun

Rob.V live at Barrel Farm: Family-friendly Sunday session of acoustic good vibes, 12:30–3:30pm | Barrel Farm | Sunday, 14 Jun

Steve Dougherty: Catch a cheery set of live tunes, 4–7pm | The Earl of Spencer | Sunday, 14 Jun

Friday-Night Texas Smokehouse Feast: All-you-can-eat brisket, pulled pork, Diablo chicken, smoked sausage and Southern sides, 5:15pm | Rock Salt | Friday, 12 Jun

Gnocchi Like Nonna Nilla Makes: Hands-on gnocchi and slow-cooked Bolognese workshop, make it then eat it together, 3–7pm | Nilla's Italian Kitchen | Saturday, 13 Jun

Saturday the Big Seafood Bash: seafood buffet with creamy garlic paprika prawns, 'Marry Me Shrimp' and ocean flavours, 5:15–10pm | Rock Salt | Saturday, 13 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

Albany Eisteddfod Encore: Outstanding performances from the 46th Albany Eisteddfod, featuring performers aged 3–83. Tickets at the AEC box office, 7pm | AEC | Friday, 12 Jun

Two-Day Bud Vase Workshop: Hand-build and decorate a bud vase, 10am–2:30pm Sat, 10am–1pm Sun | Nicci Daniele Pottery | Sat & Sun, 13 & 14 Jun

Winter Garden Maintenance Workshop: Winter garden care with organic gardening expert Neal Collins, 9am–12pm | Ficifolia Community Garden, Walpole | Sun, 14 Jun

LGSWGA Women's Golf Championships: Three-day championship, including an Open Day 4BBB Par round, from 9:30am | Mount Barker Golf Club | Friday–Sunday, 12–14 Jun

Great Southern Colts Carnival: Junior regional footy carnival, first games from 9am | Lake Grace Town Oval | Saturday, 13 Jun

Business Tax Planning: Free interactive workshop, practical tips and Q&A for small business owners, 5:30–7pm | Albany Business Centre | Thursday, 11 Jun

Stress Less: Customer-Facing Roles: Practical wellbeing workshop for tourism, hospitality and visitor-facing staff, 9am–4pm | Albany's Historic Whaling Station | Sunday, 14 Jun

Albany Chamber's June networking evening heads to Phillips Brook Estate in Redmond on Wednesday, 24 June, with In Control Bookkeeping hosting a Q&A on the side. A good one for anyone looking to grow local connections — bookings essential for the 5:30–7:30pm session. Reserve your spot.

Floeur Alder brings a solo contemporary dance performance to the Albany Town Hall Auditorium on Friday, 26 June, exploring the Noongar season of Djilba — Country, grief and healing. Doors at 7pm, performance 7:30–8:15pm. Tickets from $20–$25 plus booking fee. Book now.

More than 100 young people from Kinjarling Albany take to the Princess Royal Theatre stage on Saturday, 27 June with trapeze, silks, acrobatics, original theatre and a live band. Tickets from $20, with family tickets available. Book now.

The Albany Boatshed comes alive on Saturday, 4 July with a free day of St Ayles Skiff racing, aquatics displays, live entertainment, workshops, face painting, food vans and youth markets from 9:30am–2:30pm. A cracking way to spend a winter's day on the waterfront. Full details here.

One of the Great Southern's best-loved annual events, Folk'n'Shanty returns to Albany on 10–12 July with almost 200 artists, shanty singalongs, Irish dance, live sessions, markets, a kids' programme and a tug o' war. The vast majority of events are free, with four ticketed sessions available. See full program.

Amity Health lands $538k for regional food security: funding a three-year pilot across the Great Southern delivering nutrition, cooking and gardening. Read the full story.

Frenchman Bay foreshore plan: The City of Albany's draft plan to address ongoing coastal erosion. Submit your feedback.

Denmark's library is on the move: Council voted 8-0 to relocate to the former Visitors Centre on South Coast Highway, targeting end of 2026. See the full decision.

Denmark VFRS and Albany's Ben Whittle named WAFES finalists: Two Great Southern entries among 35 finalists in the 2026 WAFES Awards. See all finalists.

Total Ag farm supply centre approved for Katanning: Katanning Council voted 7-0 to rezone Cornwall Street for Total Ag's new farm supply centre. See the council vote.

Ausgold locks in Katanning land for gold mine construction: The Shire approved a three-year lease of nearly 2 hectares on Henry Street. Read the council approval.

Chef de partie: prepare dishes and seasonal menus, manage stock and mentor junior cooks | The Dam Denmark | Denmark

Monumental stone technician and installer: manufacture, finish and install stone memorials; full training provided | Albany Monumental Masons | Albany

Sonder responder: casual on-call in-person support and incident response using emergency services, military or security experience | Sonder | Albany

28 Ardross Crescent, Collingwood Park: 4-bed, 2-bath on 738m². Brick-and-tile, freshly painted with new carpet, double garage and large shed | $800,000–$850,000

194 Grey Street West, Albany: 5-bed, 3-bath on 1,368m². Internal lift, upstairs retreat with kitchenette, dual security and double garage | Offers above $2,900,000

19 Craig View, Shadforth: 4-bed, 2-bath on 2ha. Near-new, two kitchens and separate living zones, alfresco balcony with rural views | Offers from $2,425,000

Ryan Kinnear – Royals history, 300 League games: Kinnear became the first Royals Football Club player to reach 300 League games last Saturday at Retravision Stadium, a career spanning five premierships (2004, 2009, 2011, 2019, 2020), the 2007 League Best & Fairest and three years as club captain.

Great Southern Country Championship squad – Division 1 return: Great Southern have named a 51-player squad for the Nutrien Ag Solutions Country Football Championships, returning to Division 1 after back-to-back promotions, with Isaac Baum, Morgan Davies, Ryley Valli, James Charlesworth and veteran Brett Peake among the 51.

And that's a wrap!

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See you next Tuesday!