South West

eventsGourmet Escape joins cancelled events

The beloved and popular Western Australia Gourmet Escape today announced it will not go ahead in November due to “ongoing uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and current movement restrictions.”

Catherine Massey

Road crashSerious Crash Yallingup

The RAC rescue helicopter has called to a serious crash reported near Injidup Spring Road and Karli Rise in Yallingup.

Jackson Lavell-Lee

Exclusive picturesHero grandad’s incredible vow before finding Jimmy

The grandfather who found Jimmy, the toddler who went missing in Yallingup bushland for 12 hours yesterday, made a remarkable pledge to the little boy’s mum just minutes before he found his grandson.

Sarah Steger

Parent’s worst nightmareJimmy’s mum feared she would have to ‘bury son’

The mother of a three-year-old boy who sparked a massive, 12-hour search in Yallingup has opened up about the ordeal, revealing she didn’t ‘think I was going find him alive’.

Sarah Steger

Unforgettable‘Sheer happiness’: Inside Yallingup’s miracle reunion

Local police have described the emotional moment three-year-old James ‘Jimmy’ O’Reilly was back in his family’s arms after more than 12 hours wandering through thick bush in WA’s South West.

Sarah Steger

‘Appalling’ conditionsPolice pledge to keep searching until they find Jimmy

Police have pledged to continue searching for a young toddler lost in Yallingup bushland until he is found, despite facing ‘appalling’ conditions.

Sarah Steger

Still missingPolice, volunteers continue search for toddler James

Authorities are searching for the three-year-old in the area around Karli Rise in Yallingup, with the boy understood to have wandered off from a short-stay rental with his family’s two dogs.

Jackson Lavell Lee, Jackson Barrett and staff writers

Open studiosOpen Studios a top draw

The Margaret River Region continues to be a colourful oasis this week, with Open Studios continuing its display of local artwork.

Catherine Massey

Aluminium artart blooms

Local Capes artist Merilyn Hutton last week opened an exhibition of floral paintings at Gralyn Estate’s cellar door.

Catherine Massey

Author visitTown just abuzz about Honeybee author’s visit

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.

Catherine Massey

Worker shortagePush to fill backpacker jobs in bush

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

agricultureIncentives ‘too little, too late’

Warren-Blackwood MLA Terry Redman is calling for a task force to address “unprecedented worker shortages” in regional agriculture and tourism businesses.

Jackson Lavell-Lee

wineCabernet cred put to virtual test

Three days of simultaneous judging of 364 wine exhibits from 29 wine regions in Coonawarra and Margaret River wrapped up the 2020 James Halliday Australian Cabernet Challenge last week.

Jackson Lavell-Lee

Community consultationClear up terms of ‘engagement’, say residents

The Bay to Bay Action Group has taken aim at the City of Busselton’s new community engagement policy after councillors voted to adopt it 9-0 at their meeting last week.

Jackson Lavell-Lee

TravelAgents cry foul on bookings

Travel agents in the Capes area say they have been ignored by the State Government, which has endorsed online booking company Wotif for its Wander out Yonder tourism campaign.

Jackson Lavell-Lee

Royalties for RegionsMP wants more R4R scrutiny

Margaret River-based Liberal MLC Steve Thomas is calling on the WA Government to review Royalties for Regions and offer upkeep funding for local government projects created under the scheme.

Warren Hately

Sporting infrastructureBasketball rues indoor court delay

The Dunsborough Oilers Basketball Club is disappointed its push for an indoor multi-purpose facility in Dunsborough is not included in the plans for the Dunsborough Lakes Sports Precinct.

Jackson Lavell-Lee

marketsMarkets back with bumper reopening

The oldest markets in the South West, the Vasse Markets, returned to trading a fortnight ago with great success after almost six months closed because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Jackson Lavell-Lee

Busselton WaterWater good prize to win

Local artists are being encouraged to enter a book-cover art competition.

Jackson Lavell-Lee

FootballDouble Chance for Pies

The Busselton Magpies completed their journey back to the finals on Sunday with a 78 point thumping of the Harvey Bulls at Harvey Recreation Ground.

Jackson Lavell-Lee

footballjuniors mark their century

Busselton’s future footy stars were on display last week when six Towns Junior Football Club players were recognised for playing 100 games for the club.

Jackson Lavell-Lee

volleyballBusselton squads crack State league finals shortlist

Sunday saw the last of the regular season matches for both the Busselton women’s and men’s Western Australian Volleyball League teams.

Nick Tyler

soccerCity claim ladies’ crown with season’s 100th goal

The Sportspower Busselton City ladies’ premier league were crowned South West Soccer Association champions on Sunday, scoring their 100th goal in the process.

Steve Gibson