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Awards

Ocean and Paddock owner Trenton Brennan and his daughter Annabelle, 10.

BEST CHIPPYAlbany again home to WA’s best takeaway fish and chips

Ocean and Paddock snatched back the mantle of WA’s best chippy from their cross-town rivals Hooked this year, securing the top title thanks to the machinations of the owner’s 10-year-old daughter. 

Melissa Sheil

Lecturer Bronwyn Bennett with 2025 South Regional TAFE campus award winner Leonard Emmins. South Regional TAFE

TAFE awards Leonard Emmin named Narrogin TAFE Campus student of the year

Narrogin nursing student Leonard Emmins has been awarded the 2025 Student of the Year at the Narrogin South Regional TAFE campus, recognised for his approachable nature and willingness to support others.  

Amy Towers

The 2025 student of the year Ehsherwahdah Dah with South Regional TAFE managing director Blair Marsh.

TAFE Awards PremiumTwo of Albany’s TAFE students recognised with major award

Multiple Albany-based students have been recognised in the 2025 South Regional TAFE awards. 

Amy Towers

The 2025 Katanning campus student of the year Karen Watson.

TAFE Awards PremiumKaren Watson named Katanning TAFE Campus student of the year

Katanning educational assistant Karen Watson has been awarded the 2025 Student of the Year at the Katanning South Regional TAFE campus, recognised for her dedication to supporting students. 

Amy Towers

Cathy Freeman shakes hands with Governor-General Sam Mostyn after receiving her latest honour. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

AwardsPremium'Inspiration': Freeman receives top civilian honour

Athlete and campaigner Cathy Freeman has been presented with the Companion of the Order of Australia award by Governor-General Sam Mostyn.

Sebastian Tan

Graeme Savage (Ongerup), Darren Robertson (Gnowangerup) and Richard Milne (Borden) receiving awards on behalf of their bushfire brigades as community group of the year.

Community awardsBushfire brigades recognised at shire’s first Dandjoo Day

The bushfire brigades of Borden, Gnowangerup and Ongerup have been honoured at the Shire of Gnowangerup’s first Dandjoo Day celebrations after being named the community group of the year.

Claire Middleton

Former state leader Annastacia Palaszczuk received her AC medal from Governor-General Sam Mostyn. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

AwardsPremium'Resilience' rewarded as ex-premier receives top honour

A former premier's service to public health, education and multiculturalism has been formally recognised with the nation's highest civilian honour.

Grace Crivellaro

The governor-general says the Bondi shopping centre heroes showed strength and profound courage. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

AwardsPremium'It stays with you forever': massacre heroes honoured

Two people who died in the Bondi Junction shopping centre attack are among eight heroes whose courage is being honoured by special bravery awards.

Abe Maddison

City of Albany acquisitive award winner John Manson with his piece Over the Horizon.

Art Awards Manson’s Over the Horizon wins at Great Southern Art Awards

Creativity is on full display in Albany as the 2026 Great Southern Art Awards bring together some of the regions most talented artists with one standout work rising above the rest. 

Claire Middleton and Amy Towers

City of Albany CEO Andrew Sharpe, Albany mayor Greg Stocks are presented the diligence in safety award by LGIS chief executive James Sheridan.

AwardsCity of Albany wins awards for wellbeing and volunteering

Staff at the City of Albany claimed a double win this month, earning two awards for its strong commitment to safety and community volunteering.

Amy Towers

Indie band Old Mervs’ David House and Henry Carrington-Jones.

Music AwardsPremiumOld Mervs song Everyone Will See It nominated for APRA award

Kojonup indie rock duo Old Mervs are in the national spotlight after securing a nomination at the 2026 APRA Music Awards.

Amy Towers

Ashleigh Henderson has won a national award for her excellent customer service.

Award honour Care specialist wins Australia-wide Isuzu service award

A customer servicewoman has taken out the national gong for the “above and beyond” dedication she displays at her Albany workplace. 

Amy Towers

Dolphin Lodge’s Kiara Hambley and Kate Newport after their business received glowing reviews.

Award win Dolphin Lodge Albany wins two awards for visitor reviews

The Dolphin Lodge Albany has added two awards to its trophy cabinet being recognised for excellence by both Booking.com and Agoda. 

Amy Towers

Clinical Associate Professor Peter Kendall was recognised at the 2026 annual WA Rural Health Long Service Awards.

Service celebratedPremiumHonour for specialised rural patient care long service

A respiratory physician specialist who has travelled thousands of kilometres to deliver critical care to regional patients for more than two decades has been honoured for his dedication and service.

Hannah Whitehead

Katelyn Weinert, Nina Gill, Jen Bane, Peter Bell, Alice Ackley and Danielle Fletcher. Amy Towers

Awards honour PremiumAlbany tourism icon wins wins two gongs at national awards

Albany’s Historic Whaling Station has taken out national honours, bringing home two awards at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards on March 6. 

Amy Towers

Dr Carly Roxburgh, Jemma Mustey, Dr Tom Bowles and Joshua Luhrs have been named as finalists in the WA Rural Health Excellence Awards.

Awards finalists PremiumWA Rural Health Excellence Awards finalists announced

Four health professionals from the Great Southern have been named as finalists in the 2026 WA Rural Health Excellence Awards.

Amy Towers

Three employeers form Hilton Garden Inn are finalists for the 2026 AHA and Perth Airport Accommodation Awards.

AwardsAlbany hospitality employees nominated finalists for awards

Three employees from Albany’s Hilton Garden Inn are finalists for the 2026 AHA and Perth Airport Accommodation Awards for Excellence. 

Amy Towers

Dr Tom Bowles is a finalist in the 2026 WA Rural Health Excellence Awards.

AwardsPremiumAlbany surgeon named finalist for State health award

An Albany surgeon has been recognised at a State level, with Dr Tom Bowles shortlisted for a prestigious award saluting his contribution to developing the Great Southern as a training hub for rural surgeons. 

Amy Towers

Narrogin Sen. Const. Emma Page was presented an honour by the WA Police Union for her service to fellow officers.

RARE POLICE HONOURNarrogin cop given rare police award for trauma support

A humble Wheatbelt senior constable has accepted WA Police Union’s highest honour, the first time the institution has granted the rare award in six years.

Hannah Whitehead

Phillip Crute, representatives from Brookton Ladies Golf Group Fay Ellington and Kelly Fullwood and Murray Hall.

Awards honour Dual winners of Brookton citizen of the year honour

The Shire of Brookton announced dual winners of their major citizen of the year award for 2026, with Phillip Crute and Murray Hall sharing the honour at the Australia Day presentation

Amy Towers

Dianne Gray with Stay On Your Feet's Shire of Jerramungup community group award.

Group honour Group wins award for helping older community members

A Bremer Bay group has been named the winner of the Shire of Jerramungup’s 2026 community group award for its impact on the small Great Southern community. 

Amy Towers

Jason Richter (on behalf of his son Hayden Richter), April Langdon, Barbara Thomas, shire deputy president Cr Paul Barrett, and shire CEO Martin Cuthbert at the citizenship awards ceremony.

AwardsStars of Jerramungup named in community awards

The Shire of Jerramungup’s best and brightest came together on January 26 to receive awards honouring their valuable contributions to the community. 

Amy Towers

Ava Rawlings has been awarded the Global Voices Fellowship enabling her to attend Canberra workshops and an AI summit in Switzerland later this year.

AwardNarrogin law and journalism student chosen for fellowship

Narrogin-raised Ava Rawlings has been awarded a prestigious fellowship, which will enable her to meet with government leaders in Canberra this month before travelling to Switzerland for a United Nations summit.

Amy Towers

Woodanilling's citizenship award winners.

AwardsWoodanilling citizenship awards took place last week

The Shire of Woodanilling celebrated community spirit and achievement last week drawing community members for a morning of recognition, entertainment and family fun.

Amy Towers