G'day {{first_name | Friend}}! Coming at you with edition six of No Bluff News – your weekly wrap of positive local news, weekend plans, and all the community highlights you actually care about.
What you can look forward to today:
Colin Bairstow's Yakamia home drawing 70+ visitors for festive light switch-on
Denmark and Jerramungup each receiving $800k+ to protect against bushfires
New Year's Eve concerts, buffets and fireworks right across the Great Southern
Time to jump in!
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
🎄 Colin Bairstow decks the halls of his Yakamia home as Albany glows bright with festive displays
Source: Laurie Benson via The West Australian
Albany's suburbs have gone full Christmas mode, and Colin Bairstow's Yakamia home is leading the charge.
Colin started decorating back in the 1990s and now turns his Hayward Crest home into a twinkling spectacle each December 1. He dresses up as a nutty elf, hands out lollies and drew about 70 people for the switch-on this year. Father Christmas in a cement mixer, lit-up kangaroos and waves of lights turn the street into a neighbourhood celebration.
Colin reckons the smiles make it all worthwhile. Other homes on Hume Corner are joining in with Australiana-themed displays, giving families plenty of cheery drives and photo stops around town.
🔥 Denmark and Jerramungup score $800k+ each for bushfire protection
Source: Denmark VFRS via Facebook
Denmark and Jerramungup have each landed more than $800,000 from the State Government's Mitigation Activity Fund to cut bushfire risk. The grants (part of $4.24 million spread across six shires) will fund firebreaks, better access and fuel‑reduction treatments over three years.
Denmark's planning mulching, ploughing, cultural burning and prescribed burns on State‑managed land.
Jerramungup's CEO believes the funding is a game changer. Three-year planning means no more chasing annual grants, and locals and firefighters get better protection after recent destructive blazes. Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia says prevention work like this is vital across a bushfire-prone state.
🎵 Albany scores $150k to pump up Town Hall live music
Source: City of Albany Events website
Albany has landed $150,000 from the Australian Government's Revive Live program to grow live music at Albany Town Hall in 2026.
The funding backs Live @ the Town Hall. Five concerts will showcase Australian headliners, Great Southern musicians, early‑career performers and under‑represented genres, plus an all‑ages show with Youth Services. Several 2025 shows sold out, so demand is solid.
The program also includes youth videography training, artist development workshops and a photography competition. Executive Director Nathan Watson is bullish it'll build momentum in the region's music scene and give local artists more professional stage time.
COMMUNITY DIGEST
🏛️ Katanning council wraps 2025 with practical wins
Katanning council closed out 2025 by backing amendments to Local Planning Scheme No.5 for new business land, adopting heritage and private-works policy updates, and accepting the 2024–25 Annual Report.
Council also moved to fairer monthly Emergency Services Levy payments, approved recovery on four long-outstanding rate accounts, thanked bushfire volunteers and set the Annual Meeting of Electors for 24 February.
🏀 Albany's Billy McRae brings home FIBA silver on Australia debut
Billy McRae made his Australia debut at the FIBA U17 Oceania Cup in Samoa and came back with a silver medal. The Raiders junior and Perth Wildcats Academy product put up 19 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and four steals in the semi-final.
He's just signed with the Warwick Senators for more NBL1 West game time and says wearing the green and gold was a dream come true. Under-21 and under-18 rep spots are in his sights for next year.
🏗️ Denmark's Berridge Park upgrade gets underway
The Shire has awarded the Berridge Park redevelopment tender to CONVIC Pty Ltd, kicking off detailed design for a new skate park, playground, multipurpose sports court and better amenities.
The fully funded $5.5m+ project celebrates Aboriginal and European heritage and reflects community feedback. Construction starts around mid next year.
🏛️ Albany council defers Water Management Strategy after community pushback
Albany council on 16 December sensibly deferred the Water Management Strategy to March after strong calls for more consultation around Nanarup desalination and DWER OP13. Residents also pushed for Yakamaya Forest protection with bicentenary park proposals.
Council approved Nanarup shoulder widening for road safety, a $1.5m grant to complete Albany Regional Tennis Centre lighting, Browns Road Reserve closure to protect wetlands, and invitations to Gallipoli and Péronne for ANZAC 2026.
🥾 Evan's Bibbulmun run funds boot-cleaning stations for Walpole wilderness
Walpole outdoor instructor Evan set out to run 1,000km along the Bibbulmun Track to raise funds and protect Coalmine Knoll from dieback. Injuries stopped him partway, but he raised enough to install two boot‑cleaning stations with WOW Wilderness and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
The stations give local kids and walkers a practical way to protect the bush. Community backing (and partner Keira) made it happen.
WHAT’S ON
👨👩👧👦 FAMILY FUN
Hilton Garden Inn Christmas Lunch Buffet: Festive buffet; $195 adults, $75 kids, under-5s free. Bookings essential | Hilton Garden Inn Albany | Thursday, 25 Dec
New Year's Eve Concert at The Dam: Family outdoor concert with Dig The Dust, Synesthesia and Sandon Phillips. $10 adults / $5 u18 | The Dam | Wednesday, 31 Dec
Kaya 2026 New Year's Eve: Free family festival launching Albany's bicentenary with live music, storytelling, food vendors and fireworks | ANZAC Peace Park | Wednesday, 31 Dec
Karribank New Year's Eve: Southern Right Blues Band, VIP and standard tickets with meals, canapés, drinks and champagne | Karribank, Porongurup | Wednesday, 31 Dec
Countdown to 2026 Buffet Dinner: All-you-can-eat buffet with welcome drink; adults $79, kids $35, under-5s free | Hilton Garden Inn Albany | Wednesday, 31 Dec
🛝 FOR KIDS
Christmas Cookie Decorating: Festive cookie workshop for 10–17-year-olds with Teagen from Wild at Heart Sugar Cookies; $10 | Vancouver Arts Centre | Tuesday, 23 Dec
🎭 ADULTS ONLY
Boxing Day Races: live thoroughbred racing, offering a chance to unwind after Christmas and celebrate the holiday period trackside | Albany Racing Club | Friday, 26 Dec
Albany NYE Warm-Up at Six Degrees: Free pre-countdown party with live DJ and drink specials, 7–9pm before waterfront fireworks | Six Degrees Albany | Wednesday, 31 Dec
🎵 MUSIC
The 4 Fathers Live at Wilson's Brewery: Free Boxing Day set. High-energy pop, punk and rock covers, 8:30–11:30pm | Wilson's Brewery Bar | Friday, 26 Dec
Benny Mayhem — Save The Koalas Tour: Albany-born folk‑punk artist plays free solo show as part of regional tour | Karribank, Porongurup | Sunday, 28 Dec
LIVE AT THE EARL - Jordy Morcom: Jordy Morcom strumming up a storm, 7–10pm | The Earl of Spencer Historic Inn | Sunday, 28 Dec
🎨 ARTS AND CULTURE
The Mill Art Group – Art Exhibition: Summer show with 20+ local artists, open daily 10am–4pm | Denmark CRC Gallery | Sunday, 28 Dec – Monday, 26 Jan
A Sea Change art exhibition & sale: Textile artist Anne Cochrane's ocean‑inspired collection. Gallery open daily | Albany Historic Whaling Station | Thursday, 1 Jan
Reflect, Respect and Reactivate: Year-long immersive program celebrating Noongar culutre | Albany's Historic Whaling Station | Albany 2026
Albany 2026 Mural Project: large-scale hyper-real portraits and community artworks celebrating Menang Noongar stories | Various venues | Albany 2026
King River Flora and Fauna Mural and Trail: Community-designed mural by Karlee Bertola linked to nearby bush-trail markers | King River Hall | Albany 2026
KINJARLING DJINUNG MAAT program: Menang Noongar-led season to shape a lasting Djinung Maat pathway from Yirrirup to Binalup | Various, Albany | Albany 2026
🏦 CIVIC
Special Council Meeting - 23 December 2025: Shire of Kojonup meets to consider urgent council business | Shire of Kojonup | Tuesday, 23 Dec
COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD
📢 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Wagin & West Arthur Win $70k State Firefighting Grant: emergency water tanks, pipe upgrades and standpipe swipe‑card monitoring for local firefighting supplies.
Denmark Shire Enters Prohibited Burning Period: From 16 Dec no outdoor fires (including camp and cooking fires) are allowed anywhere in the Shire until 15 March.
Total Fire Ban — Kojonup (Tue 16 Dec): Shire declares total fire ban from Tuesday 16 December. No open fires or activities that could start a fire.
Vendor call-out: Port of Albany Open Day 2026: Southern Ports seeks musicians, entertainers and food/general vendors for free Port of Albany Open Day on Saturday 11 April 2026 (Albany's bicentenary).
🛠️ JOBS
Community development coordinator: lead and deliver community programs, coordinate partnerships and secure grants | Shire of Plantagenet | Mount Barker
Middle years primary teacher: teach full-time in 2026, delivering engaging differentiated WA Curriculum lessons | Great Southern Grammar | Albany
Chef / experience cook: prepare and plate seasonal dishes pairing with Dune Beer Co's craft beers and friendly taproom experience | Dune Beer Co | Albany
🏡 REAL ESTATE
1459 Millbrook Road, King River: 5-bed, 2-bath (plus 2 WCs) on 64.87ha. Double-brick & Colorbond home, 3 parking, secluded specialist farm | Offers above $2,900,000
11 Piesse Street, Katanning: 4-bed, 1-bath on 2,060m². 1930 Federation with six‑car garage/workshop, drive-through, rear-lane access, gardens and covered patio | $575,000
50 Bedwell Street, Emu Point: 3-bed, 1-bath on 1,005m². Two car spaces, rear access for boat/trailer | From $1,500,000
🏏 CRICKET RESULTS
ADCA Seniors Cricket – Rd 10 (Friday, 19 Dec)
Manypeaks (177) beat Mount Barker (173) by 4 runs — Oliver Douglas's 77 and Thomas Leaver's 49* led the way.
ADCA Seniors Cricket – Rd 11 (Saturday, 20 Dec)
Mount Barker (222) beat Royals (182) by 40 runs — Neil Ferreira 83, Matthew France 61
Collingwood Park saw off Denmark (132) by 8 wickets in 23 overs — Jesse Spaanderman 67*, Buddy Robinson 4-13
Manypeaks (8/219) downed Railways (184) by 35 runs — Thomas Leaver 74, Ambrose Clayton 3-10
Bendigo Bank Shield Cricket – Rd 13 (Saturday, 20 Dec)
Broomehill Bandicoots (5/115) chased down Australs Norths Lions (114) by 5 wickets in 17.1 overs — Max Jordison 55*
Kojonup Cougars (2/160) cruised past Tambellup (158) by 8 wickets in 18 overs — Harry Taylor 87*, Travis Abbott 27*
Kendenup (5/180) downed Katanning Wanderers (74) by 106 runs — Jared Ballard 60, Jakob Douglas 60*, Beau Sobey 4-7, Clinton Gilbert 3-16
Bendigo Bank Shield Cricket – Rd 14 (Saturday, 20 Dec)
Tambellup (1/70) saw off Australs Norths Lions (70) by 9 wickets in 9.1 overs — Daniel Nazzari 31*, Henry Gillam 4-6
Broomehill Bandicoots (3/153) edged Kojonup Cougars (153) by 7 wickets in 19.3 overs — Max Jordison 55, James Barritt 29*
🏅 OTHER SPORTS RESULTS
Joker wins Princess Royal Sailing Club harbour race: Josh Hughes overcame a 10-minute handicap to lead Joker to victory ahead of Flasheart and Jessie James.
Colin Rose wins Elleker time trial: Colin Rose blitzed the field in Albany Cycle Club's second Elleker time trial, clocking 25min 32sec (avg 43.5km/h).
Did today’s news feel just right, or was it a tad rocky?
And that's a wrap!
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Catch you next Tuesday!
