🌄 No Bluff News #8: Albany kicks off 2026 with fireworks, Sol Sessions return to Emu Point & summer activities across the region

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

What's in store:

Right, let's get into it!

Albany launched its bicentenary with double fireworks at 9pm and midnight. Hundreds turned out at Anzac Peace Park to watch over Princess Royal Harbour.

The Kaya 2026 launch (Kaya means hello in Menang Noongar) kicks off a year of cultural, sporting and arts events. Local schools showcased work including Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse's Kinjarling, filmed with more than 2,400 students, while Flood the Moon and award-winning Indigenous artist Kayps closed the night.

Mayor Greg Stocks reckons it set the tone for a big year ahead.

Sol Sessions are back every Thursday from 6 to 9pm at Emu Point. Free live music, picnic rugs on the grass, golden hour by the ocean. All ages, no tickets.

Organisers are looking for a couple of food vans and one more music act. If you've got an EPC-style menu or a set to play, hit up Emu Point Cafe.

Bring a rug, sink into the sunset, enjoy local tunes and proper community vibes.

Mt Barker fourth-generation farmer Brad McLean has landed a spot in the 2026 Australian Grain Leaders Program, alongside Darkan-raised Amelia Gooding and Perth-based Julia Payne. Ten people were chosen nationally.

The year-long course includes workshops, coaching, field visits and a leadership project for 18 to 35-year-olds.

GrainGrowers CEO Shona Gawel says the program's built a strong alumni, and these local picks will bring fresh skills back to farms across the Great Southern.

Thirty Year 9 students from four Albany high schools took part in the Career Taster Program late last year, encouraging women to enter trades, wiring circuits, cutting joints and building LED test lamps.

Students said they found trades surprisingly rewarding and now feel more career curious.

CBH Group has taken in more than 22.9 million tonnes as WA nears a record harvest.

The co-op says growers across the Great Southern and wider WA should be proud, with the official total due in February.

Artists across the Great Southern can enter the Great Southern Art Award 2026, running across both floors of Albany Town Hall over Easter.

Entries close 5pm 6 March or when 120 entries are reached (first 80 adults, first 40 under 18s). Over $10,000 in prizes.

Shire of Plantagenet's summer school holiday program runs across Mount Barker and the Shire from 19 December to 29 January with all-abilities, budget-friendly activities.

Many sessions are free or low-cost and carers attend free.

Teepee Dreams Albany is up for grabs after 10 years dressing weddings, kids' parties and community events.

Bec's built the business from scratch and is ready to hand over to someone with an eye for detail. Sale includes trailer, website, inventory, future bookings and full training. Reach out via Facebook or email [email protected].

Bubsie: Free community event celebrating the centenary car replica doing the lap again, 10am | Katanning Town Square | Tuesday, 6 Jan

Eclipse Events: Summer market: Local stalls and makers, 9am–2pm | Albany Town Square | Saturday, 10 Jan

Wisdom Circle Retreat: Two-day satsang retreat with shared silence and open conversation, 10:30am, 2:30pm & 6:00pm | Lyra House, 77 Inlet Drive, Denmark | Saturday, 10 Jan & Sunday, 11 Jan

Cars on the Green: Monthly meet for classic and show cars with coffee and food, 8:30am–12pm | Centennial Oval, Mira Mar | Sunday, 11 Jan

Denmark Markets: Weekly market with local producers, hot donuts, coffee and crafts, 9am–1pm | Denmark High School (South Coast Highway) | Sunday, 11 Jan

Mixed Media Poster Art (ages 6-11): Expressive poster workshop, all materials provided, 10–11.30am | Vancouver Arts Centre, Albany | Tuesday, 6 Jan

Skate Zone (ages 5+): Morning roller-skate session, skates to borrow, no bookings required, 9:30–11am | Albany Leisure & Aquatic Centre | Tuesday, 6 Jan

Get Ready To Enter Youth Art Award (ages 5-11): Drop-in session for art entries, booking essential, 10–11.30am | Vancouver Arts Centre | Wednesday, 7 Jan

Lego Club: Get creative with supplied bricks, ages 6+, 3.30–4.30pm | Denmark Library | Wednesday, 7 Jan and Wednesday, 21 Jan

Photogrammetry Workshop (ages 6–11): Hands-on with ACE Camera Club, booking essential, 9am–12pm | Vancouver Arts Centre, Albany | Thursday, 8 Jan

Skate with Mates: Drop-in skating for all ages with music (under 12s supervised), $7.50, 9–11am | Denmark Recreation Centre | Thursday, 8 Jan

Movie Fun Fridays: Free kids film screenings at 2pm every Friday in January | Denmark Public Library | Fridays, 9–30 Jan

Pinhole Camera Workshop (ages 12–17): Build cameras, process paper negatives and scan prints with ACE Camera Club, 9am–12pm | Vancouver Arts Centre | Saturday, 10 Jan

Decorate a T-shirt and Pencil Case (ages 12-17): Use fabric paints (bring a plain white shirt), 9–11am | Vancouver Arts Centre | Monday, 12 Jan

Yoga Adventure for Kids: Guided yoga for 5–8 year olds, 10.30–11.30am | Denmark Public Library | Monday, 12 Jan

Court Chaos (ages 7-11): Sports, games, roller skating, bouncy castle and arts & crafts, 1–3:30pm | Albany Leisure & Aquatic Centre | Tuesday, 13 Jan

Summer Cooking Class: Free hands-on cooking with Donna, 10am–2pm (10–11.30am ages 8–10; 12.30–2pm ages 11+) | Frost Pavilion, Mount Barker | Tuesday, 13 Jan

Learn to Draw Faces (ages 6–11): Portrait and character drawing with pencils and watercolours, 10am–12pm | Vancouver Arts Centre | Tuesday, 13 Jan

Laserscape at The Forts: Navigate bush and fort tunnels in laser-tag style game, 5:30–7:30pm | National Anzac Centre Forts | Tues, 13 Jan and Wed, 14 Jan

Albany Shantymen: Sing-along sea shanties, 7:30–9:00pm | Six Degrees Albany (Goldroom) | Tuesday, 6 Jan

FREAK MAESTRO: Albany teen indie band, free set, 5pm | Albany Town Hall | Thursday, 8 Jan

Cyclone Tracee Band: Summer session, gates 4pm | Rockcliffe Winery | Friday, 9 Jan

Simon London + the Spirits: Free single launch showcasing new songs from their fifth album, 8:30pm | Six Degrees, 70 Stirling Terrace | Friday, 9 Jan

OLD MERVS "ON A TRUCK": Kojonup duo bring truck-stage festival with Great Gable, Little Guilt, Polly and more, 3–11pm | Albany Racing Club, Torndirrup | Saturday, 10 Jan

The Arcade Lights: Hometown rock with punchy guitars and singalongs, free entry, 8:30–11pm | Six Degrees Albany (Goldroom) | Saturday, 10 Jan

FREAK MAESTRO: Albany teen indie band, free set, 4pm | King River Tavern, 1612 Millbrook Rd | Sunday, 11 Jan

Andy Bradshaw (AB!): Tambellup singer-songwriter with acoustic originals and covers, 5–8pm | Wilson's Brewery Bar, 72 Stirling Terrace, Albany | Sunday, 11 Jan

Denmark Summer Early Music Workshop: Six-day workshop for players and singers of all levels, 8am–5pm daily | WA College of Agriculture Denmark | Sunday, 11 Jan

Writing for Film with Adam Morris: Five-day screenwriting workshop, 1:30–4:30pm | Albany Summer School | Monday, 12 Jan

Botanical Prints Workshop: Make an artist's book from hand-crafted botanical prints, 10am–1pm | Albany's Historic Whaling Station | Tuesday, 13 Jan and Saturday, 17 Jan

Disabled Surfing Great Southern: All-abilities surfing mornings with coaching, wetsuits, sunscreen and free BBQ, 9am–12noon | Albany Surf Lifesaving Club | Saturday, 10 Jan; Saturday, 14 Feb; Saturday, 28 Mar; Saturday, 18 Apr

Great Southern Carnival: Regional seniors T20 carnival with multiple matches, from 12pm | Centennial Park, Albany | Saturday, 10 Jan

Marine Drive Lookout Gets a Refresh: City of Albany has upgraded Marine Drive Lookout with safety upgrades and better coastal viewing. Lookout and carpark now open.

Denmark Markets Seeking Stallholders: The Sunday Denmark Markets at Denmark Senior High (9am–1pm) want local food stalls, small-batch makers and musicians for 2026.

Algal bloom at Albany beaches: If you see discoloured water, avoid contact, keep pets away and pick another beach. Check the health advice from HealthyWA .

The Dam Denmark: Now open seven days, staff working extra hours over the holidays | Denmark | Now open 7 days

Crestline Roofing: Opening books for roof, gutter, shed, patio and farm-structure repairs and maintenance across the Great Southern | Booking now

The Provincial House on Stirling: 50% off Christmas decorations and biscuits | Albany | Open Wed–Sun, 10am–3pm

Cafe staff (cook, barista, floor): Casual roles preparing cafe food and pastries, making coffee and serving customers, supervisor position open | Vancouver Street Cafe | Albany

Farm hand (mechanical/workshop): Manage workshop, maintain tractors, harvesters and vehicles, welding and fabrication, operate machinery | Preston Farms | Cranbrook

Cook/kitchenhand: Multi award-winning coastal restaurant, hands-on prep and team cooking, night shifts required (Tue–Sat) | Liberté Albany | Albany

21 Broome Street, Katanning: 3-bed, 2-bath on 1,400m². Open-plan kitchen/dining, split-system air con, big 9m x 17m powered shed. Walking distance to shops | $389,000

18-20 Leschenault Street, Lockyer: 9-bed, 3-bath on 3,600m². Large block with multi-dwelling development potential. Close to Mount Lockyer Primary | $1,785,000

10 Third Avenue, Peaceful Bay: 4-bed, 1-bath on townsite. Well-maintained seaside cottage with open-plan kitchen/dining/lounge and large front veranda | $450,000

Kye Blight wins Pro Dirt Series Round 7 at Albany Speedway Club: Kye Blight dominated at Atwell Park in Round 7 of the Pro Dirt Series, with "Smokin" Joe Chalmers second and Michael "The Tax Man" Holmes third.

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.

Catch you next Tuesday!