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Margaret River Swim School named WA’s Best Regional Swim School and recognised among Australia’s top finalists.

Top honourPremiumMargaret River crowned WA’s Best Regional Swim School

A Regional Swim school has been recognised as the best in the State for its small size and is among the best in all of Australia.  

Craig Duncan

Public input is sought on a policy for renewable energy.

Green energyPremiumPublic comments sought for region’s renewable future plan

The Margaret River community is encouraged to have their say on a renewable future plan for the region before the policy heads back to the council.

Craig Duncan

Ambulances lined up at Bunbury Regional Hospital on June 11, 2025.

Ramping recordsPremiumSmall calls out ‘sick joke’ Medicare is good for Bunbury

Forrest MP Ben Small has lashed out at Federal Health Minister Mark Butler calling his claims the Medicare system is working well in Forrest a “sick joke” while the region faces record ramping

Craig Duncan

A WA tourist hotspot has been transformed through fire and now offers visitors a once in a lifetime chance to see this icon like never before.

Ethereal soundsPremiumPhoebe Dunbar captures sounds of WA in experimental album

Imagine sitting by the mirrored waters in the depths of Lake Cave — that is the feeling Phoebe Dubar has captured as part of a new experimental album drawing inspiration from sounds across Western Australia.

Craig Duncan

St Mary's Anglican Church and graveyard received a heritage grant.

Heritage PremiumSouth West history benefits from $1.2 million investment

This week the State Government annouced 39 grant recipients from across the State to support heritage conservation, documentation and interpretation projects with seven recipients in the South West. 

Craig Duncan

Bianca Todd and Ian Mutch with their collaborative piece for the Callum and Jake Robinson Foundation.

COMMEMORATIVE COLLABORATION PremiumDunsborough artists unite for Robinson brothers tribute

Dunsborough creatives have joined forces in a heartfelt collaboration for the Callum and Jake Robinson Foundation, contributing a special silent auction piece.

Madelin Hayes

The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River council.

local governmentPremiumNew members urged to find their voices

WA’s lacklustre participation in local government elections was slightly higher in Augusta-Margaret River, figures reveal.

Warren Hately

The Inne Town Backpackers building is being replaced with seasonal workers accommodation.

BACKPACKER REMODELPremiumInne Town is out, with backpackers set for major remodel

A locally registered heritage building in Margaret River is set to be demolished and rebuilt to house seasonal workers, with councillors giving the final nod for destruction. 

Will Corbett and Amber Lilley

Kevin Nettleton's cattle farm in Boyanup.

Summer farmingPremiumSouth West farmers ready to be tested with the hot summer

With the spring rains coming to an end and a hotter than usual summer coming up, South West farmers are determined to keep their production stable.

Yousuf Shameel

The South West has missed out on a State Government $14.8m FDV accommodation boost.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PremiumSouth West misses out on $14.8m FDV accommodation boost

Despite repeated calls from South West refuges for greater support, the region has been excluded from a $14.8 million State Government investment to expand family and domestic violence accommodation

Madelin Hayes

The IIF luncheon closed with a panel of keynote speakers Dr Natasha Teakle, Ben van Delden and Stephen Dawson MLC.

INNOVATIONPremiumBunbury Mayor, and other speakers support local argi-future

Speakers from across the country have recognised the South West as a focus point for agricultural innovation. They say with the right steps, the regions can boost production efficiency and value. 

Will Corbett

A sketch of the proposed clock tower in Donnybrook.

new landmark PremiumDonnybrook to have a new landmark after Shire green light

A new landmark has been given the green light to stand tall over Donnybrook. 

Yousuf Shameel

Tuart Discovery Trail.

TrailsPremiumCouncil approves trails draft plan

The Shire of Capel Shire is poised to adopt a master plan for trails, with the public able to now provide feedback.

Yousuf Shameel

Jasmine Leigh, 12.

Cultural ExchangePremiumBunbury students return after cultural exchange trip

Students who visited Bunbury’s Japanese sister city have returned after two weeks of cultural exchange and learning.

Yousuf Shameel

Recipients receiving grant from Synergy.

Community GrantsPremiumSouth West organisations received grants from Synergy

Synergy has provided grants to organisations through its Community Giving Fund to help bring local ideas to life.

Yousuf Shameel

Two whale carcasses were discovered in Yeagarup Beach, west of Windy Harbour on Tuesday.

SharksPremiumWhale carcasses were discovered on Yeagarup Beach

Two whale carcasses were reported at Yeagarup Beach (west of Windy Harbour) on Tuesday, sparking concerns about an increased presence of sharks in the area.

Serian Lockwood-Jones

Minister for Local Government, Disability Services, Youth, Volunteering and the Gascoyne region Hannah Beazley. Kelsey Reid

International Day of People with DisabilityPremiumSouth West invited to Celebrate our Unity

The South West was invited to celebrate unity yesterday as International Day of People with Disability took place. 

Craig Duncan

The late Indigenous artist Shane Pickett and his exhibition Kaanarn at Indigenart.

ART PremiumThe Collie Art Gallery will open a new exhibition

Collie Art Gallery will open the latest exhibition titled

Rose Patane

Busselton Senior High School principal Jennifer McMahon with Year 9 student Mikaela Phin.

ANZAC TOUR PremiumTwo South West students are heading to Darwin and Singapore

Two students in the South West have been selected to take part in the 2026 Premier’s Anzac Student Tour where they will have the opportunity to learn more about the Anzac legacy and Australian history

Rose Patane

Founder of Taffys Sam Morris.

TAFFYPremiumSam Morris is retiring after 22 years in business

After 22 years of making saltwater taffy and chocolates, Bunbury’s Sam Morris is moving on from his store Taffys

Rose Patane

Libby Iriks’ debut novel Home to the Heart Country.

NEW BOOKPremiumInspired quaint Nannup streets mum achieve book dreams

Inspired by the quaint streets of Nannup, a socially anxious mum with a dream of writing took on the ultimate challenge of writing a romance novel based in Australia’s regional towns. 

Amber Lilley

West Coast club champion Ella Roberts and coach Daisy Pearce.

FOOTBALLPremiumRise Margaret River product Ella Roberts continues

The rise and rise of Ella Roberts has continued as the West Coast Eagles superstar became the youngest player in club history to win back-to-back club champion awards.

Amber Lilley and Ben Smith

Nick Thompson was the first West Australian over the line during last year’s Ironman 70.3 Western Australia Asia-Pacific Championship triathlon in Busselton.

IRONMANPremiumNew Ironman and Ironwoman to be crowned in Busselton

A new Ironman and Ironwoman are set to be crowned at the weekend as thousands of athletes and spectators converge on Busselton for the Ironman Western Australia Asia-Pacific Championship. 

Amber Lilley and Madelin Hayes

The Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup council chambers.

COUNCIL PremiumSecond councillor resigns from Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup

One more seat has been left empty in the Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup council chambers following a second resignation. 

Rose Patane