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The Harvey Shire council chambers in Harvey.

SMART GLASSES PremiumHarvey Shire council to address use of smart glasses

The Harvey Shire council will address growing concerns over the use of smart glasses and wearable recording devices in the region, with the item listed on the agenda for the next council meeting.

Rose Patane

A Busselton couple were sentenced to jail terms for the torture of their bull terrier puppy, Douglas (circled).

Animal crueltyPremiumRSPCA reveal 25 per cent rise in Busselton abuse complaints

RSPCA has revealed the worst animal cruelty hotspots in WA, with complaints in Busselton rising by 25 per cent over the 2025-2026 financial year. 

Madelin Hayes

Connor Wright gets some airtime during the 2026 Cape to Cape MTB event.

Mountain BikingPremiumConnor Wright finishes second in Cape to Cape MTB event

Burekup’s mountain biking star Connor Wright has finished runner-up at the Cape to Cape MTB event after a four-day battle with Swiss national champion Casey South across the South West.

Jack Penniment

Bunbury Regional Prison.

INSPECTION REPORT PremiumIndependent inspection report released for Bunbury prison

An independent inspection report has found the Bunbury Regional Prison has continued to perform strongly despite ongoing challenges and pressures from the custodial system. 

Rose Patane

Caillin Blackwood hits into the legside for Colts.

CricketPremiumAll sides on the park with Colts claiming another strong win

Colts claim back-to-back strong T20 wins to start the Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association seasons while Leschenault and Hay Park kick their campaigns off with victories. 

Jack Penniment

Leschenault Community Nursery manager Jess Humphries at the Living Legacy Forest near Wellington Dam.

Council PremiumNatural burial forest proposed for Nannup cemetery

Nannup could be taking its reputation as a forest town to a whole new level, with a proposal to allow residents to be laid to rest among the trees set to go before the council this week. 

Serian Lockwood-Jones

A Brunswick business has said ongoing roadworks on the South Western Highway has cost it customers and revenue.

Small businessPremiumOngoing roadworks leave Brunswick business struggling

A Brunswick business owner has slammed Main Roads WA, claiming ongoing roadworks have cost him thousands of dollars and customers. 

Rose Patane

Harvey author Jordon Garbellini celebrated the launch of her first children’s picture book Icky and Old Scaley Chops.

BOOK LAUNCH PremiumHarvey resident publishes her first children’s picture book

A Harvey author marked a milestone moment earlier this month as she released her first published book. 

Rose Patane

Manjimup police have uncovered an alleged drug haul during a chance highway stop in Donnybrook.

PolicePremium65-year old woman charged after police uncover drug haul

A 65-year-old woman has been refused bail after Manjimup police uncovered a haul of illicit drugs, including methamphetamine, LSD and cannabis-infused brownies, during a routine traffic stop near Donnybrook. 

Serian Lockwood-Jones

Boy & Bear will headline Blues at Bridgetown this year.

Blues at BridgetownPremiumBoy & Bear to headline Blues at Bridgetown 2026

Bridgetown is gearing up for another weekend of live music, with Australian favourites Boy & Bear and the Pierce Brothers set to headline this year’s Blues at Bridgetown festival. 

Serian Lockwood-Jones

Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault women’s coach Nathan Smith will depart the club after a breakout 2026 campaign.

FootballPremiumCoaching changes take shape at Bulls and Lions

Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault and Harvey Bulls have begun shaping their coaching line-ups for the 2027 season, with changes across their respective women’s, reserves and colts programs. 

Jack Penniment

Paul Beech as stepped down as a volunteer with St John WA in Harvey after 30 years.

ST JOHN WA PremiumHarvey St John WA volunteer steps down after 30 years

After three decades of serving the Harvey community, a dedicated St John WA volunteer has made the decision to step down.  

Rose Patane

Witnesses are being asked to come forward after a vehicle failed to stop for police in Glen Iris on Thursday. 

POLICE PremiumVehicle fails to stop for police in the South West

Witnesses are being asked to come forward after a vehicle allegedly failed to stop for police in Glen Iris on Thursday. 

Rose Patane

GEN Royal Lifesaving WA Bravery Awards at Kings Park. Gold Star recipient Jamie Lamb (centre) with Darrilyn Dawson and Vaughan Davies.

BRAVERY AWARDED PremiumSwim instructor awarded for saving six-year-old girl at sea

A swim instructor who swam 1.5 kilometres off Peppermint Grove Beach to rescue a six-year-old girl stranded on a paddleboard has been recognised for his bravery. 

Madelin Hayes

Susan Armstrong at the Good Sammy Busselton store.

Second-handPremiumSouth West op shops being used as ‘dump’

South West op shops are calling for people to consider what they are donating as bags of unusable contributions pile up.

Hayley Primmer

Marlie, a six-month-old blue-and-gold macaw, was surrendered after inspectors found he was being kept permanently covered by blankets in a cold, dark garage near Bunbury.

ANIMAL CRUELTY PremiumBunbury named second worst in the state for animal cruelty

Shocking results released by RSPCA WA revealed the City of Bunbury as the second-worst regional local government area for the highest number of animal cruelty reports in 2025–26.

Madelin Hayes

Shirley Stanbury OAM and Ross Stanbury OAM at the Order of Australia Medal Luncheon in Harvey.

IN PICTURES PremiumOrder of Australia Medal recipients gather in Harvey

A “collection of community legends” is one way Harvey shire president Michelle Campbell described the special group of people who gathered in Harvey last week. 

Rose Patane

Amy Rudd, Michaela Perinsloo, Julie Daniels, Lachlan Forth and Natalie Ward joined in the Spring Harmony Ball celebrations.

All AbilitiesPremiumAll Abilities ball brings harmony to Manjimup community

Deanmill’s Macedonian Community Hall came alive on Friday night as locals gathered for the third annual Spring Harmony Ball: A Celebration for All Abilities. 

Serian Lockwood-Jones

While rental rises have stalled in Perth, higher rates are still on the horizon for South West residents.

RENTPremiumRentals continue to rise

Rents continue to rise in the South West, after new data shows stalling prices in a number of capital cities across the nation. 

Hayley Primmer

Free skin screening checks in Manjimup in 2024 found 51 people had lesions.

Skin CancerPremiumFree skin cancer checks return to Manjimup

Almost half of the people screened for skin cancer during a free Manjimup clinic two years ago were referred for further testing, with the potentially lifesaving service set to return this weekend.

Serian Lockwood-Jones

Rotary Blackwood Relay chairman Neale Armstrong.

Blackwood RelayPremiumBlackwood Relay shake-up attracts 55 triathletes

The Blackwood Relay is gearing up for one of its biggest transformations in decades with a new triathlon already attracting 55 solo competitors.

Serian Lockwood-Jones

Harvey senior librarian Ruth Campbell-Hicks, The Pantry Mama founder Kate Freebairn and Harvey shire president Michelle Campbell at the launch event for Freebairn's book Easy Sourdough On Any Schedule.

BOOK LAUNCH PremiumKate Freebairn celebrates release of her first cookbook

Harvey’s Kate Freebairn has celebrated a special milestone earlier this month as she officially launched her first cookbook. 

Rose Patane

The Eaton foreshore.

BAD SMELL PremiumInvestigation launched into unusual odour in the South West

Investigations are under way after an unusual smell was reported in the South West 

Rose Patane

Swimmers hit the water for the 2026 Busselton Jetty Swim.

Jetty SwimPremiumBusselton Jetty Swim apologise for incorrect entry emails

Thousands of swimmers hoping to take part in the 2027 Busselton Jetty Swim have been left frustrated after an email error incorrectly told more than 2000 applicants they had secured a place in the event. 

Jack Penniment