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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

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

Vasse Village by Bunbury Farmers Market will celebrate its first birthday on Friday.

APPLE-SOLUTELY THRIVINGPremiumVasse Village celebrates first birthday

Vasse Village by Bunbury Farmers Market is blowing out its first birthday candles this week, marking one year of creating more than 250 local jobs and championing local produce. 

Madelin Hayes

Bunbury’s Sam Whiteman scored 70no in a one-day match against Victoria.

CRICKETPremiumSouth West duo combine for two wickets and 70 runs.

South West duo stand out for WA in One-Day Cup match against Victoria on Tuesday. 

Will Corbett

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

Bunbury Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is one of 12 UCCs to benefit from an $8.4 million grant.

HEALTHCAREPremiumBunbury UCC to benefit from federal funding.

Lines are set to shorten at Bunbury’s urgent care clinic, with federal funding to boost staff numbers over the silly season.  

Will Corbett

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

More social housing is key to reducing homelessness, says a local housing advocacy group.

HOUSINGPremiumMandatory Inclusionary Zoning the fix for local housing

A local homelessness charity is fighting to re-conceptualise homelessness, and has urged people to think twice when sharing information about housing. 

Will Corbett

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

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

Vasse MLA Libby Mettam, Leigh, Laura, Archie, 10, and Morgan, 12, Trevaskus and Georgiana Molloy Anglican School principal Brad Evans.

BUS SAFETYPremiumSafety fears mount over seatbelt-free school buses

Families and schools across the South West are calling for ‘green buses’ to be fitted with seatbelts.

Madelin Hayes

Pindari's Joe Smith, Leigh Snailham, Gary Nurick, Clare Dickson, Derryn Shand, Bianca Cope, Natalie Venosi, Candy McKay and David Pidek.

BUSINESS AWARDSPremiumPindari wins Indigenous Business of the Year

Dunsborough-based contracting company Pindari has been named Indigenous Business of the Year at the 2025 WA Business Awards. 

Madelin Hayes

Jetstar has added a fourth weekly flight from Busselton to Melbourne to keep with with the Christmas rush.

CHRISTMAS RUSHPremiumJetstar adds fourth weekly Busselton-Melbourne flight

Jetstar will introduce a fourth weekly flight from the Busselton Margaret River Airport to Melbourne over the Christmas period to meet increased demand.

Madelin Hayes

Pemberton’s iconic Gloucester Tree has been closed since late 2023.

TourismPremiumRe-opening of iconic Gloucester Tree still unknown

The grand re-opening the South West’s beloved Gloucester Tree is still unknown with school holidays soon to kick off.

Craig Duncan