G'day {{first_name | Friend}}! We're back with edition 35 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:
ALAC's new wheelchairs are opening up the pool for more locals
Uber's coming to Albany for the first time
A Great Southern teen just scored a college soccer scholarship in the US.
Uber's finally coming to Albany. Are you booking a ride?
Alright, let's crack on!
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
🏉 Two AFL greats descend on the Great Southern
Source: Asahi Beverages via their website
Denmark and Albany are about to host a pair of AFL greats, and it's no accident. Josh Kennedy and Lewis Jetta were drafted to Denmark Walpole and Royals through The Carlton Draft, a national scheme pairing AFL legends with grassroots clubs. The Great Southern Football League was the only WA league picked, one of just six nationwide.
Kennedy, a West Coast premiership player and Coleman Medallist, trains with Denmark Walpole Thursday night, while former West Coast teammate Jetta fronts a Q&A dinner at Royals the same evening. It builds to Saturday's derby at McLean Oval, where Kennedy lines up for DWFC and Jetta for Royals, 2:30pm kickoff.
Two AFL greats, two local clubs, and a big weekend to be a Great Southern footy fan.
🎓 Albany's first kindy just needs a few more families to keep its doors open
Source: Albany Community Kindergarten via Facebook
Albany Community Kindy needs ten more enrolments to keep its doors open past this year. It's the first kindergarten in Albany, a fixture for generations of local families now short of the 16 students it needs for 2027, says committee member Jade Malanczak.
A personal note: this is the kindy I went to as a five-year-old, just up the road from my Nonni's old place on Serpentine Road. If you know a family with a toddler, this is the year to send them the applications.
Get in by 23 July to [email protected], and help keep an Albany original going.
♿ ALAC's new wheelchairs open up the pool for more locals
Source: Laurie Benson via The West Australian
Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre has two new aquatic wheelchairs, and it's a proper win for local access. The old ones topped out at 120kg and were falling apart. The new bariatric chairs hold up to 200kg.
Albany's Cheryl Crabtree, who lives with multiple sclerosis, pushed for the upgrade through MSWA after the old gear started letting people down. The chairs were funded through ALAC's annual seven-hour relay challenge for West Australians living with neurological conditions.
"I can walk by myself freely in the pool," Crabtree says. "It's a wonderful feeling."
COMMUNITY DIGEST
🚣 Denmark Rowers are building their own shed
Denmark Rowers are funding their own $60,000 shed at the Riverside Club, entirely through grants and fundraising, after council unanimously backed the plan. Building approval's still to come.
The 16m by 4m shed means both St Ayles skiffs can finally live on-site, instead of one sitting at a member's place, opening rowing up to more locals.
🥧 Mount Barker's quietly been selling 1,000 pies a day for 20 years
Mount Barker Country Bakery sells more than 1,000 pies a day, and it's grown from two people to a 26-staff operation over twenty years. It's the only bakery to win both Great Aussie Pie Competition categories in one year.
New entries are already in the works, fresh off inspiration from a Vietnam trip. Worth a stop through Mount Barker.
🍽️ Liberté's chef is stepping back after 12 years on Stirling Terrace
Amy Hamilton bought a run-down Parisian-style bar in 2014 and turned it into one of regional Australia's best-known restaurants. Twelve years on, she's put Liberté on the market and reckons training up a generation of local chefs and bartenders has been the real win.
She's staying in Great Southern hospitality in some form. Big shoes to fill on Stirling Terrace.
🚗 Albany's about to get Uber for the first time
Passenger rideshare is finally coming to Albany, with the company already recruiting local drivers ahead of a yet-to-be-confirmed launch date. Until now, Albany's only had Uber Eats.
It's part of a wider regional WA rollout alongside Broome, Karratha, Esperance and Kalgoorlie, another sign the city's growing.
🐳 A whale gate-crashed Bryn Westerberg's fishing trip
A whale surfaced just metres from Albany fisherman Bryn Westerberg's boat off Bald Head, scoffing sardines while dolphins and sharks fed alongside it.
He filmed the whole thing, and says it's something he's never seen before, the whale surfacing to feed a dozen times in a row.
WHAT’S ON
🏐 GREAT SOUTHERN REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Netballers from across the Great Southern converge on Albany for the region's biggest weekend of netball, running Friday, 17 July to Sunday, 19 July at ALAC. See full draw and session times.
🕯️ COMMUNITY
Scout Hall Markets: Community market morning with stalls and a friendly local vibe, 8am–12pm | Denmark Scout Hall | Saturday, 18 Jul
Boatshed Markets: Albany's Sunday market with local growers, gourmet food, Great Southern wines and artisan goods, 9am–1pm | Albany Boatshed | Sunday, 19 Jul
WA Police Polar Plunge: Brave a chilly dip off Middleton Beach jetty for Special Olympics WA, 10–11:30am | Middleton Beach | Sunday, 19 Jul
👨👩👧👦 FAMILY FUN
Neon Skating: Wear your brightest gear and hit the rink for a school holiday session, pizza included, 6–8pm | Mount Barker Rec Centre | Wednesday, 15 Jul
Skate with Mates: Family skating session with music, BYO skates or grab a pair, no bookings needed, 9–11am | Denmark Rec Centre | Thursday, 16 Jul
🛝 FOR KIDS
Court Chaos: School holiday afternoon of sports, games, roller skating, a bouncy castle and arts and crafts, ages 7–11, 1–3:30pm | ALAC | Wednesday, 15 Jul
Dune Bugs: Free bush craft activities for kids aged 5–10, 2–3pm | Dune Beer Co | Wednesday to Friday, 15–17 Jul
🎵 MUSIC
Fireside Fridays: Pizza from 5pm and live music, 5–8pm, every Friday | The Dam | Friday, 17 Jul
Lez Karski Live: Acoustic set of well-loved classics, 5–8pm | Wilson's Brewery Bar | Friday, 17 Jul
Rusty Lynch Live: Versatile local favourite returns for a night of live music, 6–9pm | The Earl of Spencer | Friday, 17 Jul
Blues on the River – Albany Blues Club: Statewide Blues Show live at the tavern, 7pm | King River Tavern | Saturday, 18 Jul
Bald Head: Local duo back for a relaxed harbourside session, acoustic rhythm and tight harmonies, 4–7pm | Due South | Sunday, 19 Jul
🍝 FOOD AND CUISINE
Barrel Farm Argentinian BBQ Night: Flame-cooked meats, house-made sides, fresh salads and live acoustic tunes from Rob V, 4:30–7:30pm | Barrel Farm | Friday, 17 Jul
Texas Smokehouse Buffet: Friday-night feast with brisket, pulled pork, Diablo chicken, smoked sausage and Southern sides, 5:15pm | Rock Salt | Friday, 17 Jul
The Big Seafood Bash: Seafood buffet with a proper coastal feast, 5:15–9:30pm | Rock Salt | Saturday, 18 Jul
🎨 ARTS AND CULTURE
Open Studio and Artist Talk with Jem Ham: Meet surrealist artist in residence Jem Ham and hear about his practice and recent work, 12–6pm | Denmark ArtsHouse | Wed, 15 Jul
The Pirates of Penzance: Tetrafide Productions brings Gilbert and Sullivan's classic to the Town Hall in a family-friendly musical romp, 7:30pm | Albany Town Hall | Friday, 17 Jul
Revolt. She said. Revolt again.: Post-modern play looks at womanhood and the systems that shape it, 7:30pm (2pm Sunday matinees) | Spectrum Theatre | Friday, 17 Jul
Luke Kidgell: Good Intentions: Luke Kidgell brings his new world tour to Albany, 7:30pm | Albany Entertainment Centre | Saturday, 18 Jul
Books in the Brewery: Easygoing afternoon with four WA authors chatting stories, reading excerpts and signing books, 2–4pm | Wilson Brewing Company | Sunday, 19 Jul
Restoring Albany's Maritime Heritage: Lawrence Cuthbert shares the story of maritime preservation and the Wildflower restoration, 10:30am | The Co-op Building | Tues, 21 Jul
🏕️ OUTDOORS
Maritime Festival Hatchery Tour: Behind-the-scenes look at Albany's sustainable shellfish industry, 10–11am or 2–3pm | Albany Shellfish Hatchery | Wed, 15 Jul
🏉 SPORT
GSFL – NAIDOC Round 10: North Albany v Mount Barker, Denmark Walpole v Royals and Albany v Railways, 2:30pm | Full fixtures and venues | Saturday, 18 Jul
💼 BUSINESS
Morning Masterclass: Breakfast, coffee and practical leadership tips from executive coach Kristen Brown, 7:30am | Hilton Garden Inn | Friday, 17 Jul
Koodjal Business Support – Pwakkenbak: Practical small business workshops for Aboriginal people, with lunch and networking, 10am–3pm | Mt Barker CRC | Friday, 17 Jul
ON YOUR RADAR
🍻 SEVEN DRUNKEN NIGHTS
The Dubliners' greatest hits get the tribute-show treatment as this feel-good Irish folk celebration marks its 10th anniversary tour, landing at the Princess Royal Theatre on Friday, 24 July, 7:30pm. Tickets run from $44.90 (kids) up to $89.90 (adults). Book here.
🎤 THELMA PLUM: I DON'T PLAY THAT SONG ANYMORE
Award-winning singer-songwriter Thelma Plum strips things back for an intimate acoustic duo show at the Princess Royal Theatre on Saturday, 25 July, 7:30pm, with a chance she'll dust off a few songs she doesn't usually play. Tickets are $73.90. Book now.
🎨 SO DAM CREATIVE
The Dam's art-and-cocktails session returns Saturday, 1 August, 2 to 4:30pm, with a guided step-by-step workshop and all materials supplied, no experience needed. It's sold out before, so don't sit on this one. Book here.
🎶 A WHO'S WHO GUIDE OF BANDS IN ALBANY AND THE GREAT SOUTHERN
Sixty years of local music history gets its own red-carpet launch on Saturday, 1 August, as Kevin Gomm unveils his guide to every band that's played Albany and the Great Southern since 1965. Expect guest speakers, live bands and catering from Messy Fingers at the Stirling Club from 5:30pm, $5 entry on the door, cash only. Find out more.
🎭 OFF BROADWAY
A powerhouse cast runs through the greatest hits of musical theatre, from classic showstoppers to modern favourites, at the Princess Royal Theatre on Saturday, 15 August, 7:30pm. Tickets range from $49.90 to $74.90, with group discounts for 8+. Book now.
COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD
📢 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Denmark lands its first fast EV charger: The 150kW DC charger at the CRC carpark fills the Albany-Walpole gap, tap-and-go, drive-through. See where to charge up.
Denmark's Shire is proposing a rate rise for 2026/27 and wants your comment: Feedback's open online, by email or in person, before 4pm, 22 July. Have your say.
Albany's 2027 calendar wants your best pet photos: The City needs 13 pet photos for next year's Community Calendar, entries close 31 August. Submit your photos.
Mt Barker's photo competition is back, with $3,000 up for grabs: from wildflowers to landscape and photographic art, closing 13 September. Grab an entry form.
📣 BUSINESS ANNOUNCEMENTS
📦 BUSINESS OF THE WEEK
There's an Albany business that does a lot more than sell shipping containers.
Naomi has more than a decade of hands-on experience in the shipping container industry. She started at Storage Solutions WA as the bookkeeper and took over as owner in 2023.
Beyond selling and hiring containers, the Albany family business offers hardstand hire for caravans, boats and trailers, plus shelving, lockboxes and Podroofs that turn a container into a covered workspace or carport.
One customer thanked Naomi for the personal family touch, flexibility and reliable communication that made her stressful move to Albany so much easier.
No Bluff News readers get $100 off any container purchase with the code NOBLUFF.
2026 Great Southern Business Awards: Open for businesses, organisations and individuals across the region, closing 5pm, 17 August. Nominate someone now.
Wild Cabin Denmark: A new stay 50 metres off the Bibbulmun Track, 4km from town, with meals and support for walkers. See what's on offer.
🛠️ JOBS
Senior bookkeeper/BAS agent: BAS, payroll, reconciliations, Xero/MYOB, remote client portfolio | In Control Bookkeeping | Albany
Commercial property manager/assistant: tenancies, leases, maintenance, rent reviews, arrears | Wellington & Reeves Real Estate | Albany
Rural merchandise sales manager: merchandise sales, stock, pricing, branch performance | Great Southern Rural | Katanning, Albany & Great Southern
🏡 REAL ESTATE
56/21 Brooks Garden Boulevard, Lange: 2-bed, 2-bath, 325m². New build, study, double garage, built-in robes, 7-star rating | From $720,000
4A Wattle Way, Denmark: 4-bed, 2-bath, 472m². 2008-built, updated kitchen, two living areas, double garage, side access | From $885,000
17 Anchorage Vista, Bayonet Head: 4-bed, 2-bath, 684m². Harbour views, home theatre, chef's kitchen, side access, double garage | Offers above $1,299,000
🏅 SPORTS
Shelley Thompson lands a US college soccer scholarship: The 18-year-old Albany Caledonian and Perth Azzurri midfielder heads to Iowa Tech Community College, after twice earning State selection and starring for the Great Southern at country week, all while chasing top ATAR results at Albany Senior High.
Great Southern's historic Division 1 return ends agonisingly close: Back in the country championships top flight for the first time in 23 years, Great Southern split their round robin 2-2, with wins over Goldfields (by 22) and Avon (by 38), before a 2-point loss to minor premiers South West in the final round cost them a shot at finals footy.
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!
