🌄 No Bluff News #37

G'day {{first_name | Friend}}! We're back with edition 37 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:

Right, let's get into it!

Fifty-five venues and more than 500 artists are opening their doors for the Southern Art+Craft Trail's 24th year, with Plantagenet alone landing a record 14 venues this time round.

The trail runs Saturday, 26 September to Sunday, 11 October across Denmark, Mt Barker, Porongurup, Kendenup, Nornalup and Albany, turning sheds, kitchens, wineries and galleries into public exhibition spaces for the fortnight.

Ninety-one-year-old June Smith is back for her 21st straight year on the trail, sharing the spotlight with Indigenous muralist Charlie Colbung and hundreds more locals throwing their doors open.

Albany's said goodbye to Steve Marshall, the bloke who spent more than 50 years making sure nobody spent Christmas alone.

The last 20 of those years went into Albany's free community Christmas luncheon, a tradition that earned him Albany's senior citizen of the year in 2025 and a state volunteer of the year nomination. He served as a city councillor too.

Every year, whoever walked through the door on Christmas Day got a hot meal, good company and a bit of festive cheer, no questions asked. Albany's a better town for having had him in it.

Denmark's New Farm, New Country festival has locked in its biggest name yet for round two, The Waifs' Vikki Thorn, fronting a new trio called The Red Tails with Tammy and Simon London.

It's a leap for a festival that didn't exist two years ago, now pulling 21 acts from WA, Victoria, NSW and Tasmania for three days of music and camping, 6 to 8 November.

With William Bay National Park just down the road, it's shaping up as an easy weekend win for locals and visitors alike. Tickets and camping are on sale now.

Katanning's got a new safe place for women and children escaping family violence. Kareba House has officially opened, offering trauma-informed support and accommodation for up to five women and their kids.

Palmerston Association and Kadadjiny Aboriginal Corporation are running it together, culturally grounded care shaped by what locals asked for in their own community plan. The name Kareba means tenderness and mercy in Noongar, chosen by local Elders.

Albany's punching above its weight at this year's Gold Plate Awards, with Rustlers Steakhouse and Grill, Hybla Tavern and Vancouver Street Café all named 2026 finalists among WA's best.

Rustlers picked up nods in Family Dining and Steakhouse/BBQ, Hybla's up for Licensed Casual Dining, and Vancouver Street Café is in the running for Unlicensed Café. Winners land in October.

Sarah and Chris Koppens swapped the chapel for the summit, marrying on top of Bluff Knoll to fulfil a childhood dream. She even climbed up in her wedding dress, a $100 online find she wasn't fussed about wrecking.

Sarah says the minute they got back down, they were already keen to do it all again.

Kirby's Atelier de Cuisine has closed for good, with owners Frederick and Jacqueline Kirby stepping back for health and family reasons. It leaves as Albany's top-rated restaurant on TripAdvisor, without a single review under five stars in two years.

The Kirbys thanked staff, suppliers and the community for the memories made inside the historic R Bell & Co building. It's the five-star run and 138 sold-out classes locals will remember most.

The Great Southern's whale-tracking program just got bigger, with new funding stretching survey coverage from Denmark to Cape Arid. Citizen scientists and Indigenous rangers will keep tabs on southern right whales returning to breed.

Volunteers have already logged 587+ hours and helped identify 41 whales since 2024. Fancy joining them? No experience needed, just keen eyes and a phone camera.

Albany Farmers Market: Fresh local produce, breakfast, coffee and live music every Saturday morning, 8am-12pm | Collie Street, Albany | Saturday, 1 Aug

Denmark Community Garden Social & BBQ: Shared food and wood-fired pizza, by donation, 4pm | Denmark CRC (page 18) | Saturday, 1 Aug

23rd Porongurup "Snow" Ball: Dress-up community night with supper, prizes and BYO drinks, 7:30pm | Porongurup Hall | Saturday, 1 Aug

Albany Boatshed Markets: Fresh local produce, Great Southern wines, artisans and live music every Sunday, 9am-1pm | Boatshed, Albany | Sunday, 2 Aug

I, Daniel Blake: Homelessness Week fundraiser screening in support of Albany Community Foundation, 1:30pm | Albany Public Library | Monday, 3 Aug

Little Party Packages Launch Morning: try the new indoor play session with ball pits, slides, bouncy castle. Free tea/coffee, 9am-12pm | Hilton Garden Inn | Tuesday, 4 Aug

Maritime Themed Kids Gym: Nautical-themed play session for ages 1 to 4, dress-up encouraged, $6 entry, 9:30-10:30am | ALAC | Thursday, 30 Jul

HOW YA GOIN?: High-energy stand-up with Mickey Wilson, doors 7pm, 18+ | Six Degrees | Friday, 31 Jul

So DAM Creative: Guided art workshop with all materials and a complimentary cocktail on arrival, 2pm | The Dam, Denmark | Saturday, 1 Aug

Tigercello Ladies Day: Coastal Mediterranean-themed adults-only afternoon with food, cocktails, games, prizes and live music, 2:30pm | Fitstop Stadium | Saturday, 1 Aug

Time for a Cocktail!: 18-plus night with drinks, food, music and DJ Hectic, 6:30pm | Centennial Stadium | Saturday, 1 Aug

Born a Wanderer Tour: Brian Letton returns with a live concert, 7:30pm | Katanning Hub CRC | Wednesday, 29 Jul

Michael Jackson HIStory Show: Tribute show with live band, dancers and full theatrical production, 7pm | Albany Entertainment Centre | Thursday, 30 Jul

Open Mic Night: Monthly open mic for music, poetry or comedy, free drink for each performer, 5-8pm | Wilson's Brewery | Friday, 31 Jul

The Jig Is Up: Music and dancing with Sienna Raii, The Primordial Notes and special guests, 7:30pm | King River Tavern | Saturday, 1 Aug

Nikki C and the Flight Risk: Harmony-rich takes on Powderfinger, Crowded House, Missy Higgins and The Waifs, 1-4pm | Karribank, Porongurup | Sunday, 2 Aug

Through the Curtains: Albany Light Opera and Theatre Company celebrates 60-plus years with music, costumes and memories, 7:30pm | Albany Port Theatre | Friday, 31 Jul

The Botanical World of Mary Delany: Touring exhibition of botanical prints from The British Museum, open daily 9am-4pm | Princess Royal Fortress | Saturday, 1 Aug

Wangee Boodja: Menang artist Shandell Cummings shares the stories behind the Mokare Public Art Project, 10:30-11:30am | Albany Town Hall | Saturday, 1 Aug

Book Launch: A Who's Who Guide of Bands in Albany and the Great Southern: Guest speakers, live bands and catering, 5:30pm | Stirling Club Albany | Saturday, 1 Aug

Ngoolak, Karrak Cockatoo Art Workshops: Community arts workshops with Jen Wilson and Aunty Carol Pettersen, 10am-3pm | Jenny's Arts Studio | Sunday, 2 Aug

Tuesday Curatorial: Protecting Albany's Wildlife: Free talk on local conservation work, the Ringtail Tally and roaming cats, 10:30-11:30am | Co-op Building | Tuesday, 4 Aug

Albany Tournament 2026: Competitive badminton weekend with two skill-based divisions plus a Saturday night dinner and quiz | ALAC | Saturday, 1 Aug – Sunday, 2 Aug

Best Foot Forward: Free workshop helping job seekers sharpen their resume and interview skills, 3:30-6:30pm | Albany Public Library | Wednesday, 29 Jul

Women in Business Coworking Day and Lunch & Learn: business women can drop in for coworking and a lunch workshop, 9am-5pm | Albany Business Centre | Friday, 31 Jul

Filmmaker Josephine Jay premieres her new documentary celebrating Albany's makers, from glassblowers and luthiers to a scrimshander carving stories into whale bone. The afternoon runs live music on locally made instruments either side of the screening, plus artist exhibits, from 2pm, Saturday, 8 Aug. Reserve your spot.

Perth indie-rockers Lazy Haze roll into Albany on their national Coast 2 Coast Tour, known for soaring anthems and a stage show that's earned them sold-out shows across the country. Catch them at Eve Late Night Bar from 9pm, Friday, 18 Sep. Tickets are $23.50. Grab yours here.

Stirling Terrace shuts to traffic and turns into a two-night pedestrian precinct, with live music, roving entertainment, market stalls, wine tasting and family activities from 5 to 9pm. It runs Saturday, 26 Sep and Sunday, 27 Sep, and it's free. Full details here.

Comedian Joe Avati brings his clean, family-friendly show about growing up Italian in Australia to the Albany Italian Club, the kind of night three generations of the one family can enjoy together. Doors open 7pm, show starts 8pm, Friday, 9 Oct. Tickets are $59.90. Book here.

Caravãna Sun return to the Great Southern for their only 2026 show, playing brand new material alongside the fan favourites. It's an all-ages outdoor afternoon with support acts, dancing and bus transport on offer, from 4:30pm, Saturday, 17 Oct. Tickets and bus bookings here.

$90 Million in Cost-of-Living Student Payments Open to WA Families: $250 per secondary student, $150 per primary/Kindy child, claims close 25 September.

Four Great Southern Projects Land Coastal Planning Funding: $260k in CoastWA grants, including $200k for a Bremer Bay hazard plan. See where the funding's going.

Free Parenting Program Kicks Off Next Month: Eight-week Circle of Security Parenting course for carers of kids 0-6 starts 3 August. Register here.

Albany's Trail Network Keeps Growing: Work's underway on Heritage Park Link, Rifle Range and Mounts MTB Trails, plus a new Whaling Station Trail concept. See the papers.

Denmark's Town Centre Gets a Rethink, and Locals Get a Say: $150k locked in for streetscape design, plus a new Community Working Group for input. See the full item.

Katanning Business Workshop Series: Six subsidised leadership workshops with executive coach Kristen Brown, from $180. Book your place.

Barista/all rounder: drive-thru café role, $34.50–$51/hr | Brew Lane | Albany

Motor trimmer/apprentice: learn motor and marine trimming in a family-owned workshop | Ken Stone Motor Trimmers | Albany

Ranger: patrol townsites and reserves, handle animal complaints and local law compliance, $39.37–$42.51/hr | Shire of Plantagenet | Mount Barker

94 Hillman Street, Spencer Park: 3-bed, 1-bath on 1,012m². Access for caravan or boat, shed, fruit trees, subdivision potential, 2.4km from Albany CBD | Offers $730,000+

14 Barrett Heights, Denmark: 3-bed, 2-bath on 793m². 2016-built, double lock-up garage, north-facing alfresco, Wilson Inlet outlook | From $899,000

6 Meyers Way, Mount Melville: 3-bed, 1-bath on 812m². R30-zoned, jarrah floors, fireplace, garage and carport, subdivision potential, CBD views | From $649,000

Albany netball sweeps every division at Great Southern champs: Albany claimed all six divisions at the Great Southern Regional Championships, from a 26-24 12U grand final thriller to a dominant 61-54 Open Division win, with hundreds of players across 34 teams taking part.

Bodhi "Bull" Stubber wins Terry House Medal: The Railways product was named best on ground for WA Country in the State clash with South Australia, holding strong in defence.

Christine Murray swims the English Channel in 10hr 3min: The Albany open-water swimmer's solo crossing beat the average time by more than three hours, recorded as an unofficial success by the Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation.

And that's a wrap!

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See you next Tuesday!