The 2026 finalists for WA’s Australian of the Year Awards, announced this week, showcase the compassion, creativity and quiet grit that run deep through the State.
Caitlin Vinci
A newly-recruited Narrogin NAB employee has received one of the highest internship honours for his outstanding road safety education work last summer.
Hannah Whitehead
Mt Barker played host to the best wine producers across the State last week, with WA’s premier wine show celebrating vino products from the diverse viticulture regions.
Melissa Sheil
Without his parents at home and relying on his brother to phone paramedics, a 14-year-old boy’s courageous act saved his grandfather’s life.
Caleb Runciman
Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry has announced this year’s list of finalists for the prestigious annual Great Southern Business Awards, recognising the region’s top commercial names
Jacki Elezovich
US President Donald Trump has posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk.
Nandita Bose
Donald Trump says Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado told him in a phone call she had accepted the Nobel Prize in his honour.
Trevor Hunnicutt and Steve Holland
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has won the Nobel Peace Prize "for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela".
Gwladys Fouche and Terje Solsvik
Explosions have rocked central Kyiv as a major Russian aerial assault set a high-rise ablaze and cut power to parts of the Ukrainian capital.
Staff Writers
From agenda-setting investigations to heart-tugging photographs, Seven West Media has been recognised with a raft of nominations in this year’s WA Media Awards.
Bethany Hiatt
West Aussie Carli Beange has been named the country’s best midwife for her work in setting up the State’s first midwife-led maternity service.
Claire Sadler
A regional family day care centre that provides crucial services across the State has been named a national finalist for its exceptional support for small-town educators, children and families.
A long-time Cuballing farmer and former president of the WA Pork Producers Association has been honoured by the industry body for three decades of formidable committee and community service in the industry.
Legendary British actor Gary Oldman will be knighted during a ceremony at Windsor Castle.
Jordan Reynolds
Daniel Popovici never would have believed that when he started his career in Romania a decade ago, he would one day be named Australia’s best service technician.
A Narrogin parts technician has taken out top honours at the national John Deere Technician of the Year awards, with the title marking her second win in the competition in three years.
Several of the Great Southern’s tourist magnets, including the Historic Whaling Station and Cheynes Beach Caravan Park, have been named as finalists in the 2025 WA Tourism Awards for Business Excellence.
Claire Middleton
Australians, prestige dramas and Hollywood legends line up for what could be one of the most record-breaking Emmy nights ever.
ANDREW DALTON
With a record-breaking season for critically acclaimed television, the 77th Emmys promises a close race for the top prizes. Clare Rigden offers a preview of what to expect at Monday’s awards.
Clare Rigden
Albany-born firefighter Ian Anderson received the Department of Fire and Emergency Services operational staff individual achievement award at the WA Fire and Emergency Services awards last month.
Narrogin Betta proved that WA customers cannot find better with a third State retailer of the year award for local owners Damian and Loshni Mercuri last month.
US President Donald Trump says he's awarding former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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.
Connections of Woodlands Distillery in the Porongurups are toasting a decision to turn an old shearing shed into a distillery after their single malt, single cask whisky won gold in a prestigious competition.
