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South Western Times

Swimmers at the 2026 Busselton Jetty Swim.

Jetty SwimPremiumJetty Swim prepares for more than 6000 swimmers in 2027

The Busselton Jetty Swim is set to welcome a record number of swimmers to Geographe Bay in February, with more than 6000 participants expected for the event’s 32nd edition.

Jack Penniment

The State Government has announced $1.5 million in funding for the new regional hospital which will soon open in Margaret River.

WildlifePremiumMargaret River to host WA’s first regional wildlife hospital

Margaret River is set to host WA’s first dedicated regional wildlife hospital with the State Government today announcing $1.5 million of funding to establish a new state of the art facility. 

Craig Duncan

A busy great-grandfather ignored calls from an unfamiliar number for weeks before discovering he had won more than $650,000 in Saturday Lotto.

LottoBusselton great-grandfather almost misses $652k Lotto win

A busy great-grandfather ignored calls from an unfamiliar number for weeks before discovering he had won more than $650,000 in Saturday Lotto.

Troy de Ruyter

The Harvey Community Radio 96.5FM team outside the station's first home at 72 Young Street in Harvey.

COMMUNITY RADIO PremiumCommunity Broadcasting Awards South West finalists revealed

Two South West community radio stations have been revealed as finalists for national awards recognising people, programs and stations across Australia’s broadcasting sector. 

Rose Patane

Boyanup's Casey Jones in last year’s grand final.

HockeyPremiumBoyanup looking to continue run of dominance over SWHL women

Boyanup are looking to add to their run of dominace over the South West Hockey League women’s competition with Marist standing in their way of glory. 

Jack Penniment

Augusta Abalones snapped a 30-year Onshore Cup premiership drought.

FootballPremiumAugusta Abalones break 30 year drought with narrow win

Augusta Abalones have broken a lengthy Onshore Cup drought in Saturday’s grand final, with a narrow two-point win over Busselton Bombers.

Jack Penniment

Bunbury Catholic College Year 12 student Mali Hart, 17, represented Australia at the International Earth Science Olympiad in August where she received gold, silver and bronze medals.

BRINGING HOME GOLDPremiumBunbury student returns home from international competition

A South West student has returned home with gold after representing Australia at the 2026 International Earth Science Olympiad. 

Rose Patane

Beth Beckett looks to handball.

FootballPremiumFive leading contenders ahead of the 2026 Nola Marino Medal

Ahead of the 2026 Nola Marino Medal being awarded on Friday night, Jack Penniment takes a look at five of the leading contenders for the South West Football League women’s best and fairest award.

Jack Penniment

Bunbury's Aidan Clarke is a major chance at taking home this year’s Hayward Medal.

Football PremiumSWFL: Five contenders for the 2026 Hayward Medal

Ahead of Friday night’s Hayward Medal count, Jack Penniment takes a look at five of the leading contenders for the South West Football League men’s best and fairest award.

Jack Penniment

MLC’s Jessica Repacholi and Eaton’s Natasha Zappia during last year’s qualifying final.

NetballPremiumEaton looking to take down reigning champs MLC in decider

Mercy-Leschenault-Collie will chase a third straight South West Netball Football League premiership when they meet Eaton in Saturday night’s grand final.

Jack Penniment

Marist are looking to break the dominant run of Boyanup in the South West Hockey League.

HockeyPremiumMen’s hockey grand final is set to be a clash of the titans

The South West Hockey League’s men’s premiership will see Marist and Boyanup face off in what is set to be a clash of the titans. 

Jack Penniment

HBL skipper Zoe Roberts streams out of fullback.

FootballPremiumHBL confident they can put together a third strong game

Undefeated Busselton received a scare from Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault in their semifinal clash on Sunday but the minor premiers prevailed and booked their spot in the women’s grand final.

Jack Penniment

Shire of Dardanup’s chief fire control officer Chris Hynes won the Murray Lang Bush Fire Service Award at the 2026 Western Australian Fire and Emergency Service Awards.

FIRE AND EMERGENCY AWARDS PremiumSouth West fire control officer recognised for service

A South West chief bush fire control officer received a major honour at the weekend, recognising him for decades of service and dedication to protecting communities around the State. 

Rose Patane

Swimming Women members Alison Trovato, Anna Bogachova, Penny Feguson, Hayley Bullimore, Katie Masters and Gail Parsons with Vasse MLA Libby Mettam.

FACILITIY OVERHAULPremiumCalls grow for 50m pool and more courts in Busselton

Calls are mounting for major sporting infrastructure in the City of Busselton, with swimming and basketball groups warning a lack of facilities is holding back participation and elite competition. 

Madelin Hayes

Bunbury's Haydn Busher celebrates one of his five goals.

FootballPremiumBulldogs and Dons looking to secure last grand final spot

Bunbury and Donnybrook are set for a mammoth South West Football League preliminary final date on Sunday, coming in off different results.

Jack Penniment

Eight talented South West footballers recently represented the West Coast Eagles Football Club through the Next Generation Academy program.

FootballPremiumSouth West footballers showcase skills in curtain-raiser

Eight talented South West footballers got the chance to showcase their skills on an AFLW stage when they represented the West Coast Eagles in a Next Generation Academy curtain-raiser.

Jack Penniment

Busselton coach Matt Jamieson chats to his team at quarter-time.

FootballPremiumBusselton fight demons of the past to secure grand final

Busselton are no stranger to close finishes in big finals over recent years, with a three and one-point heartbreaking loss in last years semi and grand final to South Bunbury.

Jack Penniment

World record holders Ashwin Basil Eldhose, 10, and Alphy Basil Eldhose, 12.

Out of this worldPremiumBunbury siblings newly minted Guinness world record holders

Bunbury siblings Ashwin Basil Eldhose and Alphy Basil Eldhose have each secured a Guinness world record, one for naming US Presidents and another for naming constellations.

Craig Duncan

New South West black cockatoo recovery working group to be formed to drive conservation of iconic birds.

Endangered Icon PremiumSW Black Cockatoo Recovery Working Group to be formed

A team of conservation champions with the goal of protecting one of WA’s most iconic birds is set to be assembled, with the South West’s leading conservation group leading the charge. 

Craig Duncan

Western Ringtail Possums are critically endangered marsupials endemic to the South West of WA.

Citizen SciencePremiumPossum counts rising in this year’s Ringtail Tally

An ongoing citizen science project looking at the health of one of the South West’s cutest residents has seen some success this year, with possum counts rising in this year’s Ringtail Tally. 

Craig Duncan

The new Voltage Lodge in Collie.

State InvestmentPremiumCollie’s new Voltage Lodge starts welcoming guests

Collie’s new Voltage Lodge started welcoming guests in August, welcoming adventure seekers to the reimagined 90-year-old Collie Co-op storeroom building. 

Craig Duncan

Reuben Ginbey was awarded the Chris Mainwaring Medal as the Eagles’ best clubman.

FootballPremiumGinbey and Hough rewarded for strong Eagles seasons

South West footballers Reuben Ginbey and Brady Hough have been recognised for impressive seasons at West Coast’s John Worsfold Medal night.

Jack Penniment

Cowaramup artist Matt Almera will showcase his pottery during Margaret River Region Open Studios.

OPEN STUDIOSPremiumCowaramup potter Matt Almera gears up for Open Studios

After almost 20 years as a tattoo artist, pottery began as a new creative outlet for Cowaramup artist Matt Almera.

Madelin Hayes

Colin Pratt will showcase his encaustic art during Margaret River Region Open Studios.

OPEN STUDIOSPremiumColin Pratt showcases encaustic design during Open Studios

For Colin Pratt, a chance encounter in England more than 20 years ago sparked a fascination with one of the world’s oldest art techniques. 

Madelin Hayes