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Nine News sports director reflects on his first journalism gig at the Narrogin Observer for its 120 year anniversary. Paddy Sweeney/ Linkedin

120 YEARSPremiumNine sports boss hails Observer as perfect start to career

Reflecting his journey from a one-person newsroom in the Wheatbelt to a leading role in WA sports media, Paddy Sweeney said he “couldn’t have asked for a better start” to his career than the Narrogin Observer.

Melissa Sheil

Alkoomi Wines' Rod Hallett, Sandy Hallett, Laura Penniment and Tim Penniment. Frankland River's Alkoomi Winery celebrates 50 years this year. Laurie Benson

cheers to familyPremiumWinery’s third generation toasting 50th anniversary vintage

Nestled deep among the rolling farmland and trees of the Great Southern are a family who, for three generations have been making wine in the quest to put their tiny town on the international viticulture map.

Melissa Sheil

Middleton Beach Renee Batten is raising money for Red Nose Day by running 3km in costume everyday of August. Renee Batten

RED NOSE DAYPremiumCostumed running fundraiser surpasses goal for Red Nose Day

Anyone who has seen a pumpkin, banana, or nun jogging casually along Middleton Road recently can rest assured they are not witnessing an early Halloween parade, but merely the work of one dedicated fundraiser.

Melissa Sheil

Boxwood Hill's George Bungey was a key contributor in the finals win.

Season over PremiumReigning premiers knocked out by Boxwood Hill in first semi

Lake Grace-Pingrup’s premiership defence is over, knocked out by Boxwood Hill in a thrilling first semifinal at Newdegate on Sunday.

Cameron Newbold

Andy Barnett at the 2024 World Championships.

World champs PremiumBarnett aims to end career with world championships success

Albany’s Andy Barnett kicked off Australia’s World Eight-Ball Pool Championships this week promising his side were going to take the competition by storm.

Claire Middleton

Denmark-based poet and author Renee Pettitt-Schipp is working on her third book.

writer’s worldPremiumDenmark writer Renee Pettitt-Schipp talks new poetry book

The Great Southern’s rich history and dramatic landscapes will become the foundation for Renee Pettitt-Schipp’s next poetry collection, as the acclaimed local writer explores the region’s ecology and history.

Jacki Elezovich

A Kendenup man who assaulted a woman and broke into the unit above the Albany Hotel was handed a suspended prison sentence.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
courtsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Kendenup man avoids jail for Albany pub burglary and assault

A Kendenup man who broke into a unit above the Albany Hotel to look for drugs and assaulted a woman outside a Kendenup home has avoided immediate jail. 

Jacki Elezovich

Kangas' Shanaya Weeden gathers ahead of Narrikup's Laura Tugwell in their thrilling encounter.

Netball wrap PremiumThrilling one-goal win gives Narrikup the minor premiership

A last-gasp fightback from Kangas 1 just fell short as Narrikup 1 held on to win 42-41 and clinch the minor premiership in the Albany Netball Association A1 competition on Saturday. 

Claire Middleton

MAIN IMAGE: Boddington's Mitchell Dobson is pressured as he kicks. TOP RIGHT: Kukerin-Dumbleyung's Jonty Robinson clears. BOTTOM RIGHT: Boddington's Harry Cabalzar takes a mark.

finals tiltPremiumBoddington slip through to preliminary with confident win

Reigning premiers Boddington produced a dominant first semifinal display on Sunday, to end Kukerin-Dumbleyung’s season and progress to the Upper Great Southern Football League’s preliminary final.

Jacki Elezovich

WAMMCO received a big fine over the death of a worker at its Katanning meatworks operation.

Courts & JusticePremiumMeat marketing Co-op handed hefty fine for WA worker death

WA Meat Marketing Co-Operative has been fined more than half a million dollars after the death of a worker at its Katanning abattoir in 2022. 

Jacki Elezovich

Several events will be held at the Albany Town Hall.

2026 EVENTSPremiumDiverse range of Albany projects funded by almost 100k

A winery-based rom-com, marquee speedway event, surf lifesaving State carnival, and a milestone Pride festival are among the events scheduled to dot the beginning of Albany’s 2026 calendar.

Melissa Sheil

Albany singer song writer Simone Keane will be live at Wilson’s on Sunday night with special guests RnB soul Train.

Gig GuideWhat’s on in Albany and the Great Southern this week

From community fundraisers to photographic exhibitions, here’s your guide to the week ahead in the Great Southern.

Albany Advertiser

Manypeaks have hit form at the right end of the season.

Ladder deciders Manypeaks wallop Mt Barker to loom over leaders Spencer Park

The battle for top spot is the feature of the final round of the regular Lower Great Southern Hockey Association on August 30 with both men’s and women’s A-grade competitions up for grabs.

Claire Middleton

Narrogin's Noah Bowen-Zoccoli.

Finals winPremiumHungry Hawks through to first grand final since 2019

Narrogin have progressed to their first league grand final since 2019 after prevailing in an epic second semifinal at Clayton Road Oval on Saturday.

Cameron Newbold

Sen. Const. Michael Fazio was recognised for four decades of service in the police force.

LONG SERVICEPremium“Can’t say it’s been boring”: Albany cop on 40 years service

After four decades of service, seven postings and thousands of call-outs, Sen. Const. Michael Fazio said policing is still as exciting a job it was when he first joined up as a fresh-faced 18-year-old.

Melissa Sheil

Prices in Geraldton surged 20.8 per cent over the year to July to $516,850.

PropertyCommentsPremiumTwo WA cities where house prices have surged to top nation

House prices in two of WA’s major regional cities have surged the most in the nation over the past year, new figures reveal.

Jessica Evensen

Boyup Brook country music queen Shenai Johnston has released her new single.

Country roadPremiumNew single drops from Ongerup country star Shenai Johnston

Ongerup-born country music star Shenai Johnston has released her latest single, the powerful foot-stomper Ain’t A Man

Claire Middleton

Railways' Ryley Valli gets clear of Albany's Bailey Taylor in the final round.

Finals timePremiumTigers claim tight tussle with Sharks to end regular season

Railways will take winning momentum into the second semifinal after outlasting a determined Albany in the final round of the regular season in the Great Southern Football League competition.

Melissa Sheil

Te Taitonga's Sandy Thill defends a shot from Kojonup's Caroline Lindsell.

Grand final decidersPreliminary finals decide grand final contenders in KNA

Saturday brought the preliminary finals to town for the Katanning Netball Association’s junior and senior teams, but the morning got off to a more relaxed start as Net-Set-Go players took to the courts. 

Tina Briscoe

Mt Barker's Camball McMahon kicked six goals.

Final gamePremiumMcMahon boots six as Mt Barker end regular season with a win

Mt Barker enjoyed a 41-point GSFL win over North Albany on Saturday, but it was only in the fourth quarter that they were able to turn a tenacious contest into a comfortable victory.

Claire Middleton

Gnowangerup's Brandon Wise and Jerramungup's Alex Baum in the ruck.

Grand final boundPremiumGnowangerup too good in semi to book OFA grand final berth

Gnowangerup are through to a fifth grand final in six seasons after a tense 19-point victory over Jerramungup in the Ongerup Football Association second semifinal on Saturday.

Cameron Newbold

Denmark-Walpole's Ryan Hick is tackled by Royal's Michael McGlade.

Finals boundPremiumHick shines in Magpies victory as Lions miss out on finals

Denmark-Walpole’s gritty resolve has helped them return to finals, setting up an elimination final showdown with reigning premiers Albany after a memorable home win to round out the regular season on Sunday.

Melissa Sheil

Rachel North spoke about her experience as a flower grower at the Women In Farming Seminar 2025 held at Albany's Retravision Stadium on August 20.

Flower FarmPremiumRachel North: flower farming ‘beautiful’ but ‘hard’ work

Flower farming is just one feather in Green Range’s Rachel North’s hat, who also doubles as a science and AUSLAN teacher at Wellstead Primary School.

Georgia Campion

Albany man Eugene Wayne Bolton had a prison sentence suspended for indecently assaulting a woman in Centennial Park last year.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
courtsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Albany man handed suspended prison term for indecent assault

An Albany man who cornered a woman on her way home from the gym in Centennial Park before indecently assaulting her and following her back to her house has been sentenced.

Jacki Elezovich