🌄 No Bluff News #52

G'day {{first_name | Friend}}! We're back with edition 52 of No Bluff News. It's Remembrance Day on Wednesday and the Albany Show opens on Friday, so it's a big week around the region.

Here's what's in store:

Alright, let's crack on!

Tickets for Taste Great Southern dropped on Thursday, and the good ones don't last long. There are 23 events over four days in March, with local chefs and winemakers cooking in spots you already know.

Peak to Plate has you climbing Nancy's Peak in the Porongurups, then down to Karribank for lunch. Galafrey Wines turns 50 and Mount Barker Country Bakery turns 20, so they're throwing a lunch together.

On a tighter budget, the Taste Market sets up at Middleton Beach on Sunday 7 March for $50, and breakfast at the Albany Farmers Market is on the house.

A farm near Denmark was named Great Southern Business of the Year on Friday night. Five years ago, Tullybrook won the award for home-based businesses.

It gives people living with disability a place on the farm to learn work and life skills, and this year it also took out innovation and best small business.

Albany Skips and Waste and trainee of the year Davey Wignall were among the other winners, on a night photographed by Jenny Feast, who jointly won Sole Trader herself.

A big all-ages playground and an off-leash dog park are planned for Sounness Park. They're in the plan for Mount Barker's two main grounds, which councillors signed off 8–0 on 27 October after 250 locals had their say.

New changerooms and lights are in there too. Over at Frost Park, every group that uses the grounds asked for the same thing: a proper toilet and shower block inside the racetrack.

The Shire will now go after grants to build the plan one project at a time.

Hundreds of locals carried lanterns, torches and phones from Ellen Cove to Emu Point on Saturday night to close Albany's bicentenary. Artistic director Annette Carmichael says the line stretched more than 4km, one of the biggest of its kind in the world.

Locals had spent months making their own lanterns for it, and they carried them through wind and rain.

An osprey plunged into the inlet beside a Walpole cruise boat a fortnight ago and burst back out with a King George whiting in its talons. A photographer on board caught it all in more than 200 shots, and the best of them are something special.

Five pairs breed around the inlets, and two are nesting at the Knolls right now, so keep an eye on the water.

Walk off from your dog's business in Denmark and it's set to cost you $100, up from $40. Councillors voted 7–0 on 27 October to replace the Shire's 2001 dog rules, and the bigger fine is in the new draft.

The two-dog limit stays, and locals get at least six weeks to comment before anything's final. Best pack a spare bag.

ReCollect opens at the Museum of the Great Southern on Friday, with a wall saved for the things locals would never throw out. Bring yours in, say why it matters, and it goes up as a Polaroid. You keep the item.

Drop-in days are 25 November and 6 December, and it's free. The artists' own work includes antique lace hankies made into First World War tents.

Cruise passengers spend $195 to $270 a day when they step off in Albany, Southern Ports says. All up, the ships are worth about $6.5 million to the town, and plenty of passengers come back later for a longer stay.

The next big one is the Noordam on 8 December, with 2,500 passengers. That day, the markets in the Town Square are after more stallholders, pirate costumes encouraged.

Remembrance Day service: HMAS Perth's crew march to the war memorial, service 10:15am, then lunch at the RSL | York Street | Wednesday, 11 Nov

Volunteer fire brigade training: Weekly training to give firefighting a go, ages 17 and up, 5:45pm | Albany fire station | Wednesday, 11 Nov

Lions bargain bonanza: The year's last rummage sale, 8–11am, gold coin entry, bring your own stall | Albany Plaza underground carpark | Sunday, 15 Nov

Ashvora Diwali: A festival of lights celebration, 6–9pm | Retravision Stadium | Sunday, 15 Nov

Beautiful Bumps: Free morning for parents-to-be and babies, with belly casting and photos, 9am–12pm, RSVP | Katanning Playgroup | Thursday, 12 Nov

Wonderbox: Sensory theatre for kids with disability, ages 8 and up, 10am and 1pm, $25, carers free | Albany Entertainment Centre | Saturday, 14 Nov

40 Years of Riesling: 12 Castle Rock rieslings from four decades over a long-table meal, 3:30–7pm, $170 | Castle Rock Estate | Saturday, 14 Nov

Nat's What I Reckon: The sweary comedian's Panic At The Bistro tour, 15+, 8pm, from $45 | Albany Town Hall | Saturday, 14 Nov

Julia Anwar at Rockcliffe: Free cellar door music with wine and pizza, BYO picnic, 5:30–7:30pm | Rockcliffe | Friday, 13 Nov

Live at the Earl: Matty Coull's blues on Friday, 6pm, and Terry Mack's ballads on Sunday, 4:30pm | The Earl of Spencer | Friday, 13 and Sunday, 15 Nov

Dig The Dust: A late rock set, 9:30pm–12:30am | Eve Late Night Bar | Friday, 13 Nov

Hoedown at King River: Country night with guitarist Dan Garner, doors 7pm, $20 at the door | King River Tavern | Saturday, 14 Nov

RobV: A Sunday arvo set, 12:30–3:30pm | Barrel Farm | Sunday, 15 Nov

Jonelle Grochowski Duo: Blues, Motown and easy-listening classics, 1–4pm | Karribank | Sunday, 15 Nov

Albany Shantymen: Sea songs and a singalong in the Goldroom, free, 7:30–9pm | Six Degrees Albany | Tuesday, 17 Nov

Gnocchi intensive: Make potato gnocchi and take home dinner for four, 4–6:30pm, $140 | Nilla's Italian Kitchen | Wednesday, 11 Nov

Annie information night: Find out how to join the cast or crew of Annie, with auditions on 21 and 22 Nov, 6pm | Albany Port Theatre | Tuesday, 10 Nov

Big Book Launch: Four local authors talk about getting a book written, free, 5:30–7pm | Albany Public Library | Thursday, 12 Nov

A Tree We Grew: WWII ballet with ex-WA Ballet principals and a film on Albany veterans, 7pm, from $40 | Albany Entertainment Centre | Thursday, 12 Nov

Porongurup centenary exhibition: The park's 100 years in photos, maps and artefacts, daily, free | Porongurup Hall | Saturday, 14 to Sunday, 29 Nov

BRAG Meets Albany: Four artists talk about their new work, free, RSVP, 10:30am | Albany Town Hall | Saturday, 14 Nov

Weaving workshop in Walpole: Weave a wall hanging from garden fibres, 10am–4pm, $150 with materials | Ficifolia Community Garden | Saturday, 14 Nov

Wayne "Hairy" McGlade Memorial 8 Ball: Memorial singles, open to anyone, $10, nominations close 12:55pm | Stirling Club | Saturday, 14 Nov

ADCA A Grade – Round 5: Mount Barker v Manypeaks and Royals v Railways, 11am | Full fixtures | Sunday, 15 Nov

Great Southern Women's lunch: Relaxed networking lunch, register to book, buy your own meal, 12–2pm | The Old Dairy | Wednesday, 11 Nov

At 16, Brett Blake was charged with inciting a riot and assaulting a public officer, and he faced up to 10 years in prison. Little Turd is his story of what happened next, and it was nominated for best show at the Melbourne Comedy Festival. He plays Six Degrees on Tuesday 24 November at 7pm, in a small seated room. It's 18+ and tickets are $35. Get your tickets.

Blue Shaddy started around a kitchen table in Kellerberrin 27 years ago, and the name comes from the wheatbelt word for a wild feral cat. The family band plays blues with a fair dose of country and funk, and they're back in Albany after a long break. Catch them at Wilson Brewing Company on Saturday 28 November at 8pm. It's 18+ and tickets are about $35. Get your tickets.

Nathan "Whippy" Griggs holds five Guinness World Records, including one for cracking a whip more than 100 metres long that he made himself from 11 cowhides. He brings his show to the West Plantagenet Pony Club at Frost Oval, Mount Barker, on Friday 8 January at 6:30pm, in the school holidays. There are no tickets. He passes the hat at the end, so bring some cash. See the event.

Scooter riders, skaters and BMX riders each get two one-minute runs at the Albany skatepark on Saturday 9 January: one in the new section, bowl included, and one in the old. Scores are added together and there are no finals. Freestyle Now runs beginner, intermediate and open divisions, with support from the City of Albany and Rio Tinto. Places in each division are limited, and riders register online. See the event.

Akmal's uncle worked as a doctor for years without going to medical school. He just bought a stethoscope and a white coat. He's one of the relatives Akmal brings to the Albany Entertainment Centre on Saturday 20 February at 8pm. It's 15+ with coarse language, and tickets are $59, or $54 for concession. Get your tickets.

Locals get into the National Anzac Centre for free: Join the free League of Local Legends before you visit. The Rats of Tobruk exhibition opens 16 November. Join now.

Free South Coast breaks for veterans and their families: Albany At Ease gives referred ADF veterans and families a respite stay and a hamper of local gifts. See how it works.

Albany wants some rural builds to skip planning approval: Sheds, granny flats and water tanks that meet set rules wouldn't need an application or fee. Have your say.

Kids on concession cards get a free summer pool pass: It starts 1 December for regional kids aged 5 to 18, through your local council. See who's eligible.

Free-Range Chef has set up at Albany Plaza: Gluten-free baking, quiche and a loaded nacho bar at the Coles kiosk, Thursday to Saturday. See what's on.

Up to $200,000 for Great Southern business projects: Round 9 of the regional development grants closes at noon on 14 January. Read the guidelines.

Barista and all-rounder: $34.50 to $51 an hour, casual, with full training at a locally owned drive-thru open seven days | Brew Lane | Albany

Junior office assistant, gap year: a 12-month role, in a waterfront office with paid birthday leave | Smith Thornton | Albany

Agricultural mechanic: $55 to $60 an hour plus a van and rent-free housing with power, gas and water covered, on a large family farm | RecruitShop | Great Southern

52 Hill Street, Albany: 2-bed, 1-bath on 453m². A 1910 cottage with harbour views, original floorboards and room to redevelop, leased until Oct ‘27 | Offers from $720,000

1 Maskill Place, Albany: 2-bed, 1-bath on 571m². Near-new home facing north over Mt Clarence, with a covered deck and workshop under the house | Offers above $780,000

1 Warthwyke Court, Bayonet Head: 4-bed, 2-bath on 691m². Two-level timber home with views across King George Sound to Bald Head | Offers above $675,000

Pingrup's Belinda Smith retires after 11 AFLW seasons: She was chaired off the field after her last game for West Coast, closing a career that began in Fremantle's first draft in 2016. Smith started out playing juniors with the boys at Lake Grace-Pingrup.

Three Sutton Medallists will coach North Albany in 2027: Four-time premiership player and WA state representative Matt Orzel takes over as head coach, with five-time premiership player and former captain Luke Cameron and Michael Trevenen as his assistants.

Maree Byrne is Walpole's Ferret Queen, tiara and all: She holed 20 shots from off the green this season and took the ladies' eclectic and putting titles too. Caroline Ozolins and Wayne Dumbrell are the Walpole Country Club champions.

And that's a wrap!

If you know someone who'd love the good stuff from the Great Southern, forward this their way or get them to sign up at noblufflocal.com.

Enjoy the Show this weekend, and if you grab Taste Great Southern tickets, let us know which events you picked.

Catch you next Tuesday!