The extraordinary career of John Olynyk shows humble beginnings in a rural town do not have to be an obstacle to achieving great things.
Claire Middleton
The Denmark Historical Society has earned recognition for its work preserving the region’s railway history, named one of three finalists for a prestigious Royal Western Australian Historical Society Award.
Amy Towers
Eight rural bushfire brigades who banded together in an extraordinary effort to fight major blazes won the volunteer firefighting team achievement gong at the 2026 WA Fire and Emergency Services awards.
Denmark Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service lieutenant Paul Beazley took home a major individual award at the WA Fire and Emergency Services Awards last Saturday, but he said winning the gong was bittersweet.
Jacki Elezovich
The team at the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre celebrated recognition in several categories at the recent WA Aquatic and Recreation Industry Awards.
One of Albany’s most dedicated volunteers was handed the highest individual honour a State Emergency Service member can get at the WA Fire and Emergency Services Awards on Saturday.
Melissa Sheil
While Albany photographer Tracy Ryan is no stranger to professional camera gear, it was her photos taken on her iPhone during a holiday to Norway that caught the eye of international judges
Stunning images snapped by two Albany photographers have won awards in the 2026 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition
A skincare balm made by hand on a Denmark property using solar power and rainwater has taken out a top national beauty award beating entries from Australia and New Zealand.
A Pingelly initiative supporting older residents to remain living in their own community has earned national recognition being named a finalist at the 2026 HESTA Excellence Awards.
Denmark cattle farmer Kevin Hard was named the inaugural Great Southern farmer of the year on Friday night, accepting his award in front of a packed house at the Paul Lionetti Great Southern Farmers Awards.
Narrogin can boast a world record holder after local powerlifter Tom Beynon set a new best in the Capo Nationals which took place in Fremantle earlier this month.
An electrical business based in Robinson has been named the best small sparky company in the country.
Southern Aboriginal Corporation took home a prestigious national NAIDOC Week award, recognised on the national stage for its commitment to caring for country and sharing culture.
A group of Paul Lionetti’s closest friends have come together to buy the naming rights for this year’s Great Southern Farmer Awards, each chipping in to honour a mate who did so much for the region.
Albany Bakehouse couple Ethan and Jaz Baxter are celebrating after winning a clutch of gongs at the WA Baking Industry Awards on Saturday.
Arts Narrogin has secured its second Pinnacle award, named the presenter of the year at the WA performing arts sector’s night of nights.
The prestigious $100,000 Telstra Art Award has gone to Ryan Presley, while winning works include dilly bags made from maps taken from the British Museum.
Liz Hobday
Albany’s Ocean and Paddock has reeled in a big catch, winning Australia’s best Takeaway Fish and Chips at the 2026 National Seafood Industry Awards.
The shortlisted finalists have been announced for the inaugural Paul Lionetti Great Southern Farmer of the Year Awards, with the winners to be crowned at a gala later this month.
The history and character of two Wheatbelt towns have helped inspire a novel that has earned Rockingham author Rosanne Dingli a place on the shortlist of one of WA’s highest literary honours.
A novel telling the story of Aboriginal women imprisoned on islands off Albany’s coast has earned author Tasma Walton a place on the shortlist for WA’s highest literary honours.
A deeply personal memoir tracing one young woman’s journey through identity, grief and belonging has earned Albany author Mabel Gibson a place on the shortlist for one of WA’s highest literary honours.
Frankland River winery Ferngrove took home a top honour at the Decanter World Wine Awards with their 2023 Dragon shiraz awarded best in show, the first wine from the region to claim the accolade.
