🌄 No Bluff News #31

G'day {{first_name | Friend}}! We're back with edition 31 of No Bluff News – your weekly wrap of positive local news, weekend plans, and all the community highlights you actually care about.

What's coming your way today:

Time to jump in!

Denmark locals raised close to $700,000, bought a 104-hectare potato farm and flooded it. The Eungedup Wetlands has now recorded 108 bird species, including endangered Australasian bitterns and migratory waders flying in all the way from Siberia to rest and feed before heading back to breed.

The Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee has slashed fox numbers by 85 per cent since taking over the site in 2023, with feral cats the next target.

A bird hide and 100-metre interpretive trail are on track to open before the year's out, with remote cameras and audio recorders already in place.

Six years ago, Albany musician Eddy Jay bet his dad (a concertina teacher) he could build one on a 3D printer. No-one thought it would work. Now dozens of Jay's instruments are in the hands of musicians around the world.

Each build takes about a month. His wife Josephine (who he met while delivering a concertina) plays a five-string blue violin he made for their wedding. She calls it "velvety smooth."

Jay now runs workshops across the Great Southern to share the method. Wooden instruments are already on the drawing board.

Advance Housing has locked in its biggest regional investment to date: a $21.8 million build at Bayonet Head, with Wauters Building Company appointed to deliver 25 social homes and 11 affordable rentals.

The homes include energy-efficient designs, private outdoor spaces and communal green areas, with local jobs expected from the build. The Department of Housing and Works and Housing Australia backs the project.

Chair Peter Adams says the development will help Albany families build secure, connected lives.

Albany Airport has recovered the $456,065 Regional Express owed before going into administration, through a Federal Government Regional and Remote Airport Support Grant. The money goes straight into the Airport Reserve and Albany ratepayers are made whole.

The City kept REX flying as the debt mounted to avoid stranding locals who rely on the Perth–Albany route for medical care, study and work. Services have since resumed under new ownership.

Cecilia "Cis" Sounness, Mt Barker's community matriarch for more than 60 years, has passed away aged 103. A CWA stalwart, Medal of the Order of Australia recipient and Mt Barker Agricultural Society life member, Cis shaped the Plantagenet district for generations.

She won the Mt Barker golf championship 24 times and was still playing at 100. Known for hospital volunteering and never missing a birthday, she'll be remembered as a quietly generous woman who helped build this community.

Katanning Landcare has spent years building artificial nesting hollows and watering stations for endangered Carnaby's black cockatoos. Now, State Government funding has put motion-sensing cameras on six of those hollows and two stations, so the team finally knows which birds are using them, day or night.

The grant also covers revegetation at four sites this July, creating feeding habitat. A Carnaby's cinema night in November will feature Noongar elder Graham Eades speaking to why these cockatoos matter in Noongar culture.

Three Great Southern residents have landed a Medal of the Order of Australia in this year's King's Birthday Honours, part of 95 Western Australians recognised nationwide.

Albany's Peter Bruce Watson (service to the WA Parliament), Gnowangerup's Philip Garry Patterson (service to primary industry) and the late Mount Barker winemaker Antony Frederick Smith (service to winemaking) are among 948 Australians honoured this year. Congratulations to all three.

Ben Whittle spent two days getting an injured climber off Bluff Knoll by stretcher after a helicopter couldn't fly in fading light, then led Albany SES crews through last March's devastating storm. The 12-year volunteer is now a Peter Keillor Award finalist at the 2026 WA Fire and Emergency Services Awards.

Denmark VFRS earns a team nomination for rallying after a fire-truck rollover on the Muir Highway seriously hurt two crew in April last year, while Lieutenant Paul Beazley is also up for individual achievement after pulling the driver clear. The ceremony is in Perth in September.

Golden Hill Steiner Markets: Community markets with local stalls, live music and family activities, 2:45–4:45pm | Golden Hill Steiner School | Friday, 19 Jun

Katanning Farmers Market: Monthly market with fresh produce, preserves and crafts, 8am–12pm | 4 Pemble Street | Saturday, 20 Jun

Scout Hall Markets: Community markets with stalls, food vans and family activities, 8am–12pm | Denmark Scout Hall | Saturday, 20 Jun

Denmark Community Garden – Social BBQ: Free community BBQ at the CRC garden, by donation, 4pm | Denmark Community Garden | Saturday, 20 Jun

Bornholm Hall Bicentenary Dinner Dance: Two-course dinner with live music by Camp Fire Country, tickets $35, 6–11pm | Bornholm Hall | Saturday, 20 Jun

Dark Dune 2026: Winter solstice celebration with fire, live music, food stalls, mystics and warm wine, 6–11:30pm | Dune Beer Co. | Saturday, 20 Jun

The Slow B's: Free acoustic set with vocals, guitar and upright bass, 6pm | Bar Tarifa | Thursday, 18 Jun

Roger Haese: Local Earl legend returns for a night of acoustic tunes, 6–9pm | The Earl of Spencer Historic Inn | Friday, 19 Jun

Lighthouse Sessions – Harbour Lights + Simon London & The Spirits: Two Great Southern acts with original music, 8:30–11pm | Wilson's Brewery Bar | Friday, 19 Jun

The Deepfakes: Funky soul and groove trio, 8:30–11pm | Wilson's Brewery Bar | Saturday, 20 Jun

Matt Black: Live local country music, 4–7pm | The Earl of Spencer Historic Inn | Sunday, 21 Jun

Albany Rock n Roll – The Rug Cutters: Rock n Roll, swing and jive with beginners welcome, 5–7pm | Albany Bowling Club | Sunday, 21 Jun

Albany Maritime Folk Music: Free maritime folk night with the Shantymen, 7:30–9pm | Six Degrees | Tuesday, 23 Jun

Mama's Birthday Dishes: Hands-on cooking class featuring lasagna, torta and paste nere - Mama Nilla's signature recipes, 3–7pm | Nilla's Italian Kitchen | Saturday, 20 Jun

A Wine Journey with Castle Rock Estate: Guided tasting evening with wine-paired bites, 6–9pm | Hilton Garden Inn Albany | Saturday, 20 Jun

Knives Out: Free community screening of the 2019 whodunit, 1:30–3:40pm | Albany Public Library | Thursday, 18 Jun

Bluebirds & Bubbles: Pinch-pot pottery workshop to craft a ceramic bluebird, with grazing board and a drink, 6–8:30pm | Katanning Arts & Crafts Centre | Thurs, 18 Jun

Great Southern Storytellers – Mid Winter Tales: Storytelling evening with a plate to share, cash at the door, $20/$15, 5–8pm | Denmark ArtsHouse | Sunday, 21 Jun

A Gift of Truth Telling – Journal Launch: Public launch with 18 local history articles, incl. short talks from editors and contributors, 2–3pm | Albany Public Library | Mon, 22 Jun

Barmup Kangas / Bluff Rock Bushcarers Busy Bee: Community bushcare for all ages, 10am–12pm | cnr David Street & Collingwood Road | Sunday, 21 Jun

Albany Netball Association – A1 & A2 Round 7: Full afternoon of senior netball, from 1pm | ALAC | Saturday, 20 Jun

Home Group Great Southern – Round 8 (Think Mental Health Round): Regional senior footy round, 2:30pm | Full fixtures and venues | Saturday, 20 Jun

Albany City Kart Club – Club Run Day: Entry-level racing for racers 7+, free spectator entry, canteen and bar on-site, from 10am | Albany City Kart Club | Sunday, 21 Jun

Coffee and Connect – apprenticeship support: Meet the local Apprenticeship Support team and connect with local business, 10–11am | Albany Business Centre | Tues, 23 Jun

Albany's NAIDOC Week opens at Albany Town Hall on Friday, 26 June with an 11:30am ceremony, launching a season of exhibitions, artist talks, workshops, kids' activities and community gatherings honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, leadership and community. See the full program.

A new music production comes to Denmark Civic Centre on Saturday, 27 June. Sixteen original pieces by Louise McKenna Travers with poetry by Jen Fraser, performed by Woven Women's Vocal Ensemble, children's choir Swing Into Sing, soloist Nola Formentin and an eight-piece band. A silent auction and complimentary supper follow the show. 5–7:30pm. Book now.

Artist Erin Coates leads an intensive hands-on graphite drawing workshop at the Albany Historic Whaling Station on Friday, 3 July, covering composition, lighting and shading from observation. All materials and morning tea included, 16+ only, bookings essential. 10am–1pm. Book now.

Irish folk duo Fiona Rea and Amaidí take over the back room at Wilson's Brewing Co on Sunday, 12 July for an afternoon of Celtic tunes, heartfelt ballads and foot-stomping trad, part of the Folk'n'Shanty Festival. Grab a pint and settle in. 1:30–3:30pm. Get your tickets.

Kirby's Atelier de Cuisine runs a five-hour hands-on cook-up on Sunday, 12 July with Eggs Benedict, crumpets, crepes, rosti and more, finishing with a communal feast. Great for beginners and enthusiasts alike. From $165, 12–5pm. Get your tickets.

Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks upgrades underway: New boardwalks and decks are coming by December. Read the announcement.

Albany Sporting Walk of Fame: Albany's honouring local sports legends as part of its bicentenary, with inductees recognised at Retravision Stadium. Nominate now.

Pivot Support Services now on York Street: Emergency relief, employment services and the Community Hub have moved to 265 York Street. Walk-ins welcome.

Denmark winery proposal: The Shire is calling for comment on converting a workshop into a winery; closes COB Thursday, 19 June. Have your say.

Gnowangerup wins state award: The Shire has been formally recognised for its community-led Stirling Range Cultural and Tourism Precinct plan. Full story here.

Gnowangerup recreation precinct: GNP360 gifted an old service station site to the Shire for a pump track, skate park and hard court alongside Nobarach Park. Read the decision.

Oral health therapist – orthodontics: fitting/removing braces, 3D scanning, aligner issuing and patient education; $65–$85 an hour | The Albany Orthodontist | Albany

Program coordinator – student services: lead wellbeing, engagement and case-management programs; permanent FT, starting Term 4 2026 | Dept of Education | Albany

Approved manager: day-to-day venue ops, front-of-house leadership, cash and stock, liquor licensing compliance | The Denmark Tavern | Denmark

Unit 6, 45 Angove Road, Spencer Park: 2-bed, 1-bath on 95m². Courtyard, reverse-cycle A/C, open kitchen/dining; walk to shops, 2.8km to CBD | Offers above $429,000

11 Harbour View Parade, Warrenup: 4-bed, 2-bath on 874m². 226sqm of living, powered 7.5m×8m shed, drive-through double garage | Offers above $870,000

53 Matthew Road, Youngs Siding: 3-bed, 1-bath on 10.12ha. Elevated with timber floors, woodfire and kitchen. Two dams, private bush surrounds | Offers above $1.1M

Stephen Michael – Channel 7 Sport Award: Kojonup-raised Stephen Michael has taken out the Channel 7 Sport Award at the 2026 West Australian of the Year Awards. Two Sandover medals, 243 games at South Fremantle, and now the Stephen Michael Foundation backing 5,000+ kids across 40+ schools.

Great Southern Colts Carnival – Eastern Districts go through unbeaten: Eastern Districts swept the carnival without a loss, then knocked off GS Storm by 26 points in Finals Round 1 to stay the only unbeaten team. Standout performers are now in contention for the CBH Colts Championships beginning 9 July.

And that's a wrap!

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See you next Tuesday!