Multiple current and former local government officials from across the South West have been recognised at the 2026 Western Australia Local Government Association’s Local Government Awards.
Rose Patane
Helping protect the community for more than 30 years, a chief fire control officer in the South West nominated for a State award says he has no plans to step away anytime soon.
A South West marine rescue team is being recognised for their service, professionalism and dedication after being announced as a finalist for the 2026 Western Australian Fire and Emergency Services Awards.
Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting has chipped in $20 million as St George Mining raises $60m to advance its Araxá rare earths-niobium project in Brazil.
Neil Watkinson
Children at South Kalgoorlie Primary School are enjoying new play tubs which are designed to encourage them to be more connected and engaged.
Isabella Davis
Northern Star Resources’ continued investment in exploration drilling has driven increases in mineral resources and ore reserves at the Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines operation during the past year.
Schools in the South West have secured funding from the State Government as part of the WasteSorted Schools Grants, supporting projects aiming to reduce waste and improve recycling.
A South West support service helping victim-survivors of family and domestic violence is one of 10 set to receive funding from the State Government.
Australia Post is urging dog owners to take action after new data has revealed the South West is a State hotspot for dog attacks on posties.
A South West man has been fined more than $4700 for multiple fisheries offences, including taking demersal scalefish during the West Coast Bioregion closure.
Kalgoorlie-Boulder councillors will not take a 3.5 per cent pay bump after deputy mayor Terrence Winner argued a pay rise during a cost-of-living crisis would send the wrong message to the community.
Tegan Guthrie
A program that provides free driving lessons to people who are unable to afford them is celebrating 1000 learners becoming licensed — including nearly 300 Goldfielders.
Both South West Slammers sides are staring down the barrel of wooden spoon seasons, but coaches are confident their best is yet to come.
Jack Penniment
South West surfers were again the big winners at Round two of the WA Junior Surf Titles at Trigg Beach over the weekend.
New all-inclusive travel packages have been launched to help attract more visitors to Kalgoorlie-Boulder for this year’s annual Race Round.
Australian workers hunting for a new job face a double blow, with fewer roles on offer and a record surge in competition for every position advertised.
Cameron Micallef
Music and maritime safety are coming together in Albany, with the Albany Shantymen using their voices to deliver an important message to local boaties.
Amy Towers
The future of a plot of land adjacent to the Denmark Health Service has sparked fierce debate amongst the Denmark community, as the Shire of Denmark invites expressions of interest for development plans.
Jacki Elezovich
Australia’s participation rate has stalled far behind its global peers, costing the national economy an insane $29bn a year.
Tia Clarkson-Pascoe
A Boddington man accused of assaulting his former friend and leaving him hospitalised with staples in his head has been fined, pleading guilty to a downgraded account of the ugly incident that occurred in 2025.
Grand finalists Eastern Districts and Great Southern Storm have dominated representation in the Great Southern 20, while Burracoppin star Codan Daddow has won the prestigious Harry Reeves Medal.
Cameron Newbold
Decomissioning the Albany network is the only possible option, writes Russell Godsall, executive general manager, gas operations, ATCO Australia.
Russell Godsall
Last years grand finalists South Bunbury and Busselton will meet for the second time this season on the Saturday, adding another chapter to the storied rivalry.
Australians may need to face more bad economic news before inflation is contained and mortgage rates fall again, but not everyone will be happy.
Samina Rakhshani
