The Margaret River Region continues to be a colourful oasis this week, with Open Studios continuing its display of local artwork.
Catherine Massey
Local Capes artist Merilyn Hutton last week opened an exhibition of floral paintings at Gralyn Estate’s cellar door.
In a successful bid to generate excitement and intrigue, Busselton Dymocks and The River Hotel have secured renowned Australian novelist Craig Silvey for back-to-back author events.
A new campaign by the McGowan Government has highlighted labour shortages in regional WA in the hospitality industry, jobs usually filled by international backpackers.
Catherine Massey and Jackson Lavell-Lee
Augusta-Margaret River locals will have the chance to take a deep and meaningful look into the lives of the people within their community next month when The Bystander Project comes to town.
A well-known South West surfing veteran who was due to stand trial accused of murdering his former wife’s new husband after a fight at a home in Margaret River has changed his plea to guilty.
Shannon Hampton
An east-coast community-focused political party will use the Preserve Gnarabup campaign as part of its drive to contest seats in the South West at next year’s WA election.
Warren Hately
The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and the local Chamber of Commerce are urging residents to get behind their Local Is More campaign after news this week only 45 people had “signed the pledge”.
Margaret River Climate Action Group chairman Julian Kruger says projects stemming from last year’s climate summit are making steady progress, with a summary report card due later this year.
Landowners along the Leeuwin-Naturaliste scarp have raised concerns about impending changes to the Shire’s local planning strategy, which could put new limits on subdivisions and development.
The 24th Sunsmart Gracetown Grommets competition is set to run again at Cowaramup Bay this Sunday in ideal conditions.
Jane Seman
Shire councillors have lost a bid to remove references to native forestry from a new industry prospectus developed for the South West.
A new, recently advertised Shire policy has noted serious concerns about the decline in local volunteering and the challenge presented by the region’s ageing workforce.
Registrations are still open for next month’s Margaret River Ultramarathon.
The Margaret River Region’s Open Studios kicks off with its delayed annual art celebration this weekend.
Conservationists say they will not relax their fight against logging in the McCorkhill forest, despite a lack of action from the State Government.
Brewhouse Margaret River has teamed up with local conservationists for the second time to support a good cause, with the brewery’s new Plover pale ale on tap.
Realtors across the Capes region are reporting a surge in home sales driven by COVID-19.
Kim Macdonald
Margaret River Senior High School surfers have surprised no one by smashing their way to the top at the weekend’s State school surfing titles final event.
Residents have the chance to enjoy “a night in fairyland” at Sunflowers Animal Farm as a way to support local cancer charity River Angels.
Protest group Preserve Gnarabup has added concerns about endangered western ringtail possums to its argument against a proposed five-star resort on the Margaret River coast.
A sold-out fundraiser for the Preserve Gnarabup campaign was a roaring success last week.
Local producers Jardin Estate were “almost speechless” at their recent win at the 2020 delicious magazine awards.
Two councillors have suggested the majority of residents are more concerned with the basics of local government — rates, roads and rubbish — than a creeping focus on the environment.
© West Australian Newspapers Limited 2020
