Media Release Archive
2018
December
December 5: GSDC Board appointment
Former port authorities chief Brad Williamson has been appointed to the Board of the Great Southern Development Commission.
October
October 30: Medal search starts
Community groups and individuals with an interest in natural resource management are invited to join the search for the next recipient of the GSDC Medal.
August
August 3: Ambulance equipped for heavy patients
St John Ambulance in Albany has taken delivery of a bariatric ambulance that will serve the entire Great Southern, improving the handling of people with high body mass. READ MORE
July
July 17: Motocross on track for new heights
Great Southern motocross riders can take their skills to a new level at the Sukey Hill motorcycle track near Cranbrook.
June
June 22: Local enterprise on stage
A new stage in the assembly hall at Flinders Park Primary School is one of many State Government-funded projects under a scheme that emphasises local jobs and content.
May
May 25: Celebrating the human voice
Denmark’s Festival of Voice, now in its 15th year, has grown to become one of the highlights on the Great Southern events calendar.
May 24: Breath pleases critics
Printed and online reviews of Great Southern-located movie Breath are adding to critical praise for Simon Baker’s directorial debut.
May 23: Albany to explore trails future
Albany will investigate its potential as a ‘trail town’ at a free community workshop on Thursday 31 May. Trail towns are population centres that are accredited destinations featuring high quality trails for outdoor experiences, supported by appropriate facilities, signage and services.
May 8: Bloom interest
A celebration of the Great Southern's magnificent flora is taking shape for the 2018 Bloom Festival program and the organisers are open to new ideas.
March
March 23: Biosphere status celebrated
Outstanding biodiversity in the south coast's Fitzgerald Biosphere has been reaffirmed by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Man and the Biosphere program.
March 19: Community enterprise opportunities
New opportunities to develop community enterprise activities have opened up following the launch of the Albany Community Enterprise Development Centre.
March 9: Festival focus on sustainability
A provocative look at food chain vulnerability is one of the highlights of the 2018 Great Southern Sustainable Living Festival program.
February
February 26: International perspective in speaker series
US Consul General in Western Australia Rachel Cooke will draw on decades of international experience as the first guest in the 2018 program of the Great Southern Speaker Series.
February 22: Flavoursome invitation
Great Southern food and beverage producers have put out the welcome mat for Perth people to visit the 2018 Taste Great Southern celebration of regional flavour.
February 16: Pub makes way for hub
Demolition of the former Nyabing Inn has made way for a start in March on the final stage of the Nyabing Community Hub project.
February 9: Food horizons expand
Great Southern producers recently explored innovative ways to grow the region's food economy at a design thinking workshop initiated by the Great Southern Development Commission.
February 8: Research reveals Chinese preferences
Opportunities and challenges lie ahead for Great Southern businesses aiming for a bigger share of the Chinese tourism market, according to a Curtin University researcher.
January
January 31: Mount Barker Campdraft Permanent Arena Fence
The annual Mount Barker Campdraft Competition was held on the Australia Day long weekend with competitors from around the state making use of the new permanent arena fence which was installed at the Frost Park Equestrian Centre late last year.
January 25: Plantagenet District Hall
A two-year project has transformed the Plantagenet District Hall into a state-of-the-art multi-purpose venue.
January 23: Hall upgrade for Kendenup
The refurbished Kendenup Agricultural Hall was officially opened by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan on Saturday 20 January.
January 16: Friends camp out to celebrate Twertup
The Twertup community has recently celebrated the completion of the Twertup Field Studies Centre after it was substantially damaged by a bushfire in 2008.
2017
October
October 26: Launch supports disabilities programs
A motor launch providing new opportunities for people with disabilities entered service at the Princess Royal Sailing Club on Saturday 21 October.
October 23: Bloom closes on a high
A month-long celebration of the Great Southern’s floral riches closed on a festive high in Mount Barker on Saturday.
October 6: Outdoor activity boost
Partners in the Great Southern Centre for Outdoor Recreation Excellence have welcomed the official launch of the initiative.
September
September 8: Sports boost for Tambellup
Sporting teams and spectators in Tambellup are celebrating the opening of an upgraded pavilion and new facilities at the town's sports grounds.
September 7: Wine workshop to grow export skills
Great Southern wine and beverage producers have an opportunity to enhance their ability to grow export markets through a workshop supported by the Great Southern Development Commission.
July
July 3: New department to benefit WA regions and industries
The new Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has commenced operating from I July as part of the State Government’s commitment to create a more efficient public service. Read more.
June
June 21: Fresh look for Hidden Treasures
Hidden Treasures of the Great Southern is rolling out a new look across the region.
May
May 15: Japanese delegation visits Great Southern
Regional investment opportunities were in focus when eight Japanese delegates, including the Governor of Hyogo Prefecture, Mr Toshizo Ido, visited Albany in April.
March
March 24: Great Southern musical talent shines
Talented musicians from the Great Southern are laying down tracks in a West Australian Music project supported by the Great Southern Development Commission.
March 24: Student housing project starts
Units under construction in the Norman House precinct in Albany will provide affordable accommodation for 20 higher education students.
March 22: Festival of flavour
Food fans across the Great Southern are salivating at the prospect of weeks spent celebrating the region's finest flavours at Taste Great Southern 2017.
March 22: Sustainability focus
Great Southern towns from Denmark and Albany in the south to Ongerup and Katanning in the north are focusing on sustainable living in March and April.
January
January 27: Grants build stronger region
New funding for projects in the Great Southern is set to make the region stronger, according to the Chair of the Great Southern Development Commission.
2016
December
December 21: Program to address housing needs
Seven Great Southern shires will gain housing for independent seniors and key regional employees with the help of $11.5 million funding through the Growing Our South initiative, made possible by the State Government's Royalties for Regions program.
December 7: Community drives new hub
Community cooperation is playing a big part in the creating a new heart for Nyabing, in the Great Southern's north-east.
November
November 24: Festival brings music and pop-up museum
Rock and soul music, classical performances and a pop-up museum of water are among the highlights of the fifteenth Great Southern Festival in February and March 2017.
November 23: Tour group samples regional attractions
Food importers, executive chefs and travel writers from Malaysia and Singapore enjoyed Great Southern hospitality recently on a familiarisation tour of the region, supported by the Great Southern Development Commission.
November 8: Gnowangerup set for summer dip
Gnowangerup has a new swimming pool to help take the heat out of summer.
October
October 28: SEGRA highlights regional issues
Opportunities and challenges in regional development were explored in detail at the Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia (SEGRA) conference from 26 to 28 October.
October 28: Multiple gains in Denmark clubhouse
Denmark's riverside bowling greens are now graced by a new clubhouse that is a significant asset for the south coast community.
October 24: Big things happening in our regions
It is now possible to discover all projects being delivered through Royalties for Regions, thanks to the launch of an online mapping application using cutting-edge technology.
October 14: Ready welcome for SEGRA delegates
More than 300 attendees will take on the big issues in regional development at the SEGRA 2016 conference in Albany at the end of October, in one of the biggest turn-outs in the event's 20-year history.
September
September 22: Nominees sought for GSDC Board
Nominations are being sought for a community appointment vacancy on the Board of the Great Southern Development Commission.
September 13: Strong SEGRA program revealed
Program details for October's SEGRA conference are now available online.
August
August 30: Great Southern's great outdoors
Outdoor activities in the Great Southern will get a big leg up from a new initiative to build programs and enterprises focused on outdoor recreation excellence.
August 16: Blueprint video online
A quick and easy video overview of the Great Southern Regional Investment Blueprint is now available online.
August 12: New Chair of GSDC Board
Denmark businessman and farmer Ross Thornton has been confirmed as the new Chair of the Board of the Great Southern Development Commission.
August 1: Funding applications invited
Community, public and not-for-profit organisations have new opportunities to secure funding support for projects that build the Great Southern.
July
July28: Projects to build opportunity and lifestyle
Thirteen Great Southern organisations will build opportunities and lifestyle in the region with the help of more than $1.5 million in funding through the most recent round of the Regional Grants Scheme run by the GSDC.
July 15: Grants support 21 projects
Community Chest Fund grants through the GSDC will support 21 projects enhancing economic and social development in the Great Southern.
June
June 17: New pool promises summer fun
Summer in Gnowangerup is shaping up for a cool change as the town eyes completion of its new swimming pool.
May
May 31: Breath in the can
Shooting has finished on the production of the feature film Breath, directed by and starring Simon Baker.
May 27: Seagrass restoration pioneer honoured
Seagrass restoration pioneer Geoff Bastyan was named the twelfth winner of the prestigious GSDC Medal at a gala dinner in Albany on Friday 27 May.
May 27: Great Southern stars
Promotional video clips showcasing the attractions of the Great Southern are now online through the GSDC website.
May 26: SEGRA registration opens
Registrations have opened for the Albany and Great Southern SEGRA Conference, to be held from 26 to 28 October 2016.
May 24: Aquaculture set to surge
A major forum is about to survey the future of aquaculture in Western Australia, including potential initiatives in the Great Southern's clean ocean.
April
April 28: Four nominees on medal shortlist
In a break with standing practice, four finalists have been named on the shortlist for the 2016 GSDC Medal.
April 14: Government and industry align to set WA aquaculture development strategy
Registrations opened this week for the inaugural Aquaculture Western Australia State Forum, which will be held in Perth on Thursday 26 May.
April 11: Nyabing makes way for community hub
Nyabing has started demolishing parts of its hotel to make way for a new community hub and accommodation.
April 5: Changes for GSDC Board
Katanning farmer and businessman Peter Rundle has resigned from his position as Chair of the GSDC Board, effective as of 1 April, 2016.
March
March 31: Support for early childhood boost
Great Southern children will continue to benefit from the A Smart Start early childhood initiative through a transition arrangement which is being supported by the Great Southern Development Commission.
March 18: Multicultural pride flies high
Katanning's multicultural pride is flying high as the Katanning Action Network unfurled the flags of 19 nations over the town on Friday 18 March.
March 4: SEGRA calls for speakers
Australia's premier national conference on sustainable regional growth is calling for speakers for its upcoming Albany and Great Southern conference.
February
February 12: Firm foundation for men's shed
After more than a decade of patient preparation, the Albany Men's Shed is starting to take shape.
February 12: Grant deadlines approach
Time is running out for regional organisations to apply for two Great Southern Development Commission grant rounds.
January
January 28: Year for development focus
In 2016, the Great Southern will host two significant forums that will focus on development issues in the region.
January 27: Medal winner lauds innovation boost
GSDC Medallist Gary Muir has commended the biennial award as a boost to innovators, with only weeks remaining for nominations for the 2016 selection process.
January 8: Tourism business development opportunity
Tourism operators in the Great Southern are invited to take part in a business development initiative supported by the Great Southern Development Commission.
January 4: Grant opportunities open
The Regional Grants Scheme and the Community Chest Fund will open to community groups and local governments across the Great Southern on Monday 11 January.
2015
December
December 11: Tourism champion steps down
Regional tourism champion Di Holly has stepped down from her role as Chair of the Hidden Treasures group after more than 15 years of voluntary service.
December 8: Search starts for medal nominees
Leaders, innovators and experienced practitioners of natural resource management are eligible for the 2016 award of the Great Southern's prestigious GSDC Medal.
October
October 8: New improved dieback fight station
A new and improved version of the Phytofighter dieback cleaning station was launched at the 2015 GSDC Medal Field Day in September.
September
September 16: Great Southern tourism on the map
Travel enthusiasts visiting the Great Southern for the 2015 Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) National Rally will be able to navigate the region’s attractions with ease thanks to a new self-drive map.
September 7: Medallist Muir showcases invention
A locally designed boot cleaning station which aims to help prevent dieback in the region's iconic bushland will be showcased by GSDC Medal winner Gary Muir at a field day on Monday 14 September.
August
August 28: Festival program blooms in 2015
Brilliant blooms, enticing events and country hospitality will be on show when the 2015 Great Southern Bloom Festival officially starts on 11 September.
August 25: Funding boosts Albany Clipper connection
A group of daring adventurers are set to take on the world in 12 identical 21m yachts when the 2015 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race starts in London on Sunday 30 August.
August 20: Nyabing crop yields community spirit
Nyabing's heart is set for a revitalising lift, with the first stage of the Nyabing Community Hub project recently securing a $150,000 grant from the Royalties for Regions-funded Great Southern Regional Grants Scheme.
July
July 31: Funding strengthens regional towns
New funding for seniors' accommodation in the Great Southern is expected to strengthen regional communities.
July 20: Noongar stories on the record
Noongar elders with connections to Gnowangerup are set to relate their experiences for a video record of Aboriginal life in the area.
May
May 28: New view of old story
Noongar people in Albany celebrated a new way to tell an old story when the Oyster Harbour Fish Traps project was officially opened on Thursday 28 May.
May 22: National conference for Great Southern
Albany and the Great Southern will host Australia's premier national conference on regional issuess in 2016, the Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia conference, following a successful partnership bid led by the GSDC.
May 5: Minister to address Budget lunch
Regional Development Minister Terry Redman will address a lunch gathering in Albany on Friday 15 May following the release of the State Government's 2015 Budget.
April
April 1: Dedicated duo drive Early Childhood Hub
Two dedicated mothers in Katanning recenlty saw a long-held ambition begin to take shape as the town's Early Childhood Hub gained major funding through the State Government's Royalties for Regions program.
March
March 25: Wetland studies for medal finalist
GSDC Medal finalist Basil Schur has flown across the globe to gain new perspectives about Great Southern waterways.
February
February 26: Celebration of fine produce
Taste Great Southern, the region's annual flavour indulgence, started wtih tasty treats at the Henderson and Hwang function centre near Mount Barker on Thursday 19 February.
February 4: Community Chest grants approved
New grants through the Great Southern Development Commission’s Community Chest Fund, a $370,000 Royalties for Regions program, will support 26 projects and events in the Great Southern.
2014
December
December 24: Bus ticket to holiday fun
Holiday fun is a $5 bus ticket away for young people from inland areas of the Great Southern, thanks to the Holiday Bus program.
December 11: Glamping concept for Bremer
Visitors to Bremer Bay could soon have a new accommodation option: 'glamping', or glamour camping, based on concepts developed by Curtin University students.
December 10: New Deputy Chairman for GSDC Board
Denmark Shire President Ross Thornton has been named the new Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Great Southern Development Commission.
November
November 21: Strong interest in grant opportunities
Community groups, public agencies and not-for-profit organisations are awaiting the outcome of contestable funding applications in a Great Southern Development Commission grant program.
October
October 31: Grants opportunities open
Two new funding opportunities totalling almost $1.5 million are available for grants made possible through the State Government's Royalties for Regions program.
October 22: Comment deadline looms
The public comment period for the development of the Great Southern Regional Blueprint closes at 5pm on Friday 31 October.
October 22: Ambitious aged housing aspiration realised
Accommodation options for aged residents in the Shire of Plantagenet were given a boost at the weekend when stage one of the Collet Barker Court development was officially opened.
September
September 9: Blueprint for a strong region
Seven major initiatives that will build the Great Southern over the next 25 years are revealed in the recently-released draft version of the Great Southern Regional Blueprint.
May
May 5: Finalists leading the region
Three regional leaders are in the running for the 2014 GSDC Medal following the close of nominations for the prestigious award.
January
January 22: Chance to preview floral attraction
Great Southern residents have until April to take a sneak peek at a growing tourist attraction at Discovery Bay in Albany.
2013
December
December 20: Medal search starts
Nominations are now open for the prestigious GSDC Medal, which brings a $12,000 grant package for an innovator or leader in natural resource management in the Great Southern.
December 4: Festival temptations
Perth International Arts Festival artistic director Jonathan Holloway dangled temptation in front of hundreds of fans when he launched the Great Southern Festival program on Thursday 28 November.
November
November 21: Broomehill holds records
Broomehill has a new responsibility as the holder of archival records for four Great Southern local governments. The Broomehill Archive Repository was opened on Thursday 7 November.
November 15: Gold for Great Southern
From bush foods to deluxe accommodation, the Great Southern's tourism products are among the best in Western Australia, as demonstrated by golden wins at the WA Tourism Awards.
November 5: Malleefowl on screen
Visitors to Yongergnow Malleefowl Centre in Ongerup can take a virtual step inside the giant aviary that houses a few of the vulnerable birds, via live video from webcams in the aviary.
October
October 8: Lake's new lease on life
A major restoration of Lake Ewlyamartup is under way.
August
August 16: Sign of spring
Spring's first bloom has arrived with the launch of the Hidden Treasures of the Great Southern Bloom Festival program.
August 13: Experts show winning work
Two winning approaches to management of the Great Southern's natural resources were on show at the inaugural GSDC Medal field day on Tuesday 13 August.
July
July 30: New heights for surf club
Surf lifesavers have a special place in Australia's sense of identity, and now they have a special place at Middleton Beach, following the Albany Surf Life Saving Club refurbishment.
July 26: Cranbrook celebrates caravan park success
Cranbrook is celebrating the success of an upgrade to its caravan park, undertaken with the help of Royalties for Regions funding through the Great Southern Development Commission.
April
April 10: Biennial honour for NRM leaders
A review of the GSDC Medal, the Great Southern's most prestigious natural resource management award, has recommended a change to a biennial presentation.
March
March 28: Tourism products to gain an edge
A grand vision for tourism product development is set to guide Great Southern tourism operators to enhance their businesses and entice more domestic and international visitors to explore the region.
January
January 22: Taste menu unfolds
What's on the menu? Food fans across the Great Southern and further afield are eagerly opening the pages of the 2013 Taste Great Southern program to see what is on offer in this year's program of culinary delights.
January 11: Katanning's story in print
Katanning's experiences welcoming people from diverse cultures are contributing to the national discussion about sustainable growth in regional areas.
January 9: Summer road trip
Young people from inland towns in the Great Southern leapt at the opportunity to take a break in Albany when the Holiday Bus called in recently.
2012
December
December 21: Travellers' guide to regional history
Travellers with an eye for history have a new guide for their sojourns in the Great Southern.
December 19: Indigenous corporate skills boost
Indigenous leaders in the Great Southern are enhancing their corporate governance and planning skills through an initiative of the Great Southern Development Commission.
December 11: Ambulance volunteers celebrated
Four long-serving St John Ambulance volunteers were honoured at the opening of a major upgrade of the organisation's Mount Barker centre on Saturday 1 December.
November
November 30: Holiday fun on the horizon
Summer days have an extra sparkle each year for young people in the Great Southern hinterland thanks to the Holiday Bus service supported by the Great Southern Development Commission.
November 27: Haven for Gnowangerup visitors
Travellers have a new incentive to spend time in Gnowangerup following the opening of a travel stop in the central Great Southern town.
November 20: Africa trip reveals helpful Aussie wasp
New ways to control the invasive weed Sydney golden wattle could arise from a research trip to South Africa by 2011 GSDC Medal for Excellence in NRM winner John Moore.
November 16: Surf patrols to continue
Surf patrols will operate as usual at Middleton Beach this summer despite a busy construction project at the Albany Surf Life Saving Club.
November 16: Festival buzz begins
Big numbers dominated the launch of the 2013 Great Southern Festival program at the Albany Entertainment Centre on Wednesday 14 November.
November 6: Early childhood program honoured
A Great Southern early childhood program won accolades as an outstanding regional project in the 2012 WA Children's Week Awards recently.
October
October 25: Native foods gather momentum
Potential growers and consumers gained an insight into the future of boutique produce in the Great Southern at a Native Food Field Day at Beaufort River on 11 October.
October 15: Cyclists' shelter rises in the forest
Cyclists planning to tackle the Great Southern section of the Munda Biddi Trail can look forward to rest and recuperation in an enviable location, with construction of a custom built shelter under way.
September
September 28: Kojonup tourist train on track
Visitors to Kojonup will soon be able to combine history, scenery and the nostalgia of a vintage train journey when a revamped tourist train is launched on Saturday 6 October.
September 17: Spotlight on southern landscape
Delegates from 16 of Australia's most significant natural environments are in Albany this week to experience the attractions of the Great South West Edge National Landscape.
September 17: Bloom Festival celebrates spring
Spring is officially sprung in the Great Southern, following the launch at the weekend of the region's second Bloom Festival.
September 5: Board members appointed
The appointment of four new members to the Board of the Great Southern Development Commission (GSDC) was announced today.
September 4: State's first cemetery in better shape
Albany's historic Memorial Park Cemetery now offers better access to its precious heritage that dates back to 1840 and beyond.
August
August 28: Mount Barker celebrates
Mount Barker celebrated the completion of town centre improvements on Tuesday 21 August.
August 15: Spring events set to bloom
Spring is on the horizon and a host of events are about to bloom in the Great Southern.
August 6: Great Southern expertise boosts north
Agricultural technology from the Great Southern will help to establish the viability of fodder cropping in the Pilbara, building on the benefits of a GSDC Medal grant.
August 1: Spotlight on science
Penguins, whitebait, weeds and woodlands will be under the microscope at the Great Southern Great Science conference on Friday 10 August.
July
July 30: Town centres refreshed
Town centres across the Great Southern look fresh and friendly following a range of projects undertaken with Royalties for Regions funding through the Great Southern Development Commission (GSDC) over the past year.
July 27: Aboriginal art centre to relocate
Aboriginal artists in the Great Southern will gain fresh marketing opportunities as the Mungart Boodja art centre takes a new direction.
July 16: Cranbrook boosts housing stocks
Six new home units in Cranbrook are providing better housing options for public sector employees and local citizens.
July 6: Warmer welcome at Mitchell House
Mount Barker's home of the arts is offering a warmer welcome to artists, guests and community members.
June
June 22: Taking weed control to new heights
Agricultural scientist John Moore wants to get right on top of the Great Southern's looming Sydney golden wattle problem and he now has a working prototype of a remote control quadcopter to do just that.
June 19: Region's wines on world stage
Five Great Southern wineries put in a strong showing at a major world wine trade expo in Hong Kong at the end of May.
June 14: Honoured scientist for Albany post
Honoured Australian plant conservation biologist Professor Stephen Hopper AC is headed for Albany to take up a new position at the University of Western Australia Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management.
June 1: Horse training project on track
New training facilities for horses are taking shape at Mount Barker's Frost Park.
May
May 25: Wineries target South Korea
Great Southern wineries will push further into Asia with a gala tasting event for the wine trade in Seoul, South Korea, in June.
May 17: Dry refuge for golfers
Damp golfers can finally put away their umbrellas when they return to the clubhouse at Narpanup Golf Club.
May 14: Great Southern wines at world's biggest show
Great Southern wineries will join 1000 exhibitors from 28 countries in Hong Kong this month for Vinexpo Asia-Pacific, the world's largest wine trade show.
May 11: Support for GSDC Medal
A review of the Great Southern's most prestigious natural resource management award has revealed continuing strong sector support for the initiative.
April
April 27: Serene harbour shot wins
An elegant, calm photograph of Princess Royal Harbour by Albany photographer Katrina Bartley won the 2012 Great Southern Development Commission digital photography competition.
April 23: New home for agriculture group
Cranbrook's former bowling club has a new look and a new purpose hosting the Gillamii Centre agriculture improvement group.
April 10: Wineries prepare palate pleasers
Great Southern wine producers will present their finest palate pleasers when the Western Australian Trade Office in Shanghai brings 11 wine trade delegates to the region in April.
April 2: Aged care, community health on Royalties for Regions agenda
The first 14 projects to receive funding under the Regional Development Council's Action Agenda Funding Round were announced today by Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls.
April 2: Club refurbishment taking shape
Dedicated Denmark Country Club members are beginning to see the fruits of their volunteer labour take shape in their club refurbishment project.
March
March 19: Skills for future workers
What skills will be in high demand in the Great Southern workforce of the future and how many people will need to have them?
March 2: Capture the region's essence
Photographers are invited to focus on the "Essence of the Great Southern", the theme of the 2012 Great Southern Development Commission digital photography competition.
February
February 28: Workshops aim for promotional edge
Tourism operators and other interested parties are invited to explore the Great South West Edge at a series of National Landscape workshops in March.
February 27: Wine and tourism making news
Great Southern wines and tourist attractions will make headlines in the Philippines following the fourth Great Southern Wine Trail.
February 10: Born troublemaker
Nigerian storyteller and London poet Inua Ellams claims to have been a troublemaker even before he was born, and he invites Katanning to hear his tale.
February 8: Feast of events
Fine dining is in focus across the region as Taste Great Southern unveils its 2012 program of food and wine events.
February 6: Festival season
From Cottesloe Beach to the Albany foreshore, festival time is here.
January
January 30: Tip-top track for titles
Amid the high-speed thrills of this weekend's World Series Sprintcars at the Albany Speedway Club, fans might notice some improvements to the track and facilities.
January 19: Munda Biddi Trail pushes ahead
Construction crews have crossed South Coast Highway as they push the Munda Biddi Trail along old rail formations between Albany and Denmark.
2011
December
December 23: Trial plan for native plant fodder
Environmentally friendly native plants could help to nourish Australian livestock if experiments by last year's GSDC Medal for Excellence winner bear fruit.
December 21: Gnowangerup builds caring capacity
Two new homes for aged people are nearing completion in Gnowangerup, strengthening the town's capacity to care for its residents.
December 19: New edge on show
Australia's Great South West Edge will be on show in Albany next year when the National Landscapes forum hits town.
December 16: Multiple gains in Cranbrook centre
Cranbrook's former bowling club is gaining a new lease of life and will soon host the Gillamii Centre agriculture improvement group.
December 14: Bus ride to summer fun
Every summer the coast beckons young people in the Great Southern hinterland but for those too young to drive, visits can be few and far between.
December 13: New home for Noongar heritage
Noongar cultural heritage is set to find a new home in Gnowangerup next year.
December 7: Borden builds sporting health
Weekend sport makes a strong contribution to sustaining regional towns, and Borden is ensuring that it is well placed to meet residents' recreational needs.
December 6: Great Southern makes arts conference shortlist
A major national arts conference could be headed for the Great Southern in 2014.
November
November 24: Regional festival scores a ten
Great Southern Festival fans are looking forward to a new feast of culture and arts following the release of the popular event's 2012 program.
November 17: Mount Barker centre meets needs
Mount Barker residents are already reaping the benefits of the town's ambitious $2.8 million Community Resource Centre (CRC) project, supported by $140,000 of Royalties for Regions funding through the Great Southern Regional Grants Scheme.
November 14: Wine push targets Taiwan, Hong Kong
Hong Kong and Taiwanese wine buyers took advantage of close encounters with Great Southern wines at trade initiatives from November 3 to 7.
November 10: New edge for Great Southern
Australia's Great South West Edge has a new web presence, and the Great Southern is in the middle of the action.
October
October 26: Taste event on awards shortlist
Taste Great Southern, the region's celebration of fine food and wine, is up for a major tourism award.
October 25: Floracopia springing to life
Thousands of native plants are beginning to spread their roots and soak up the spring sunshine at Whale World's spectacular Floracopia development.
October 24: Wineries build Asia marketing
Great Southern wineries will put up a strong showing at key wine marketing events in Hong Kong and Taiwan in November.
October 4: Festival seeks cultural benefactors
Lovers of culture and the arts have a new way to show their support for the Great Southern Program of the Perth International Arts Festival.
September
September 29: Drive trail with a story to tell
Visitors to Bremer Bay can tap into local stories with the opening of a drive trail that links popular and significant sites around the holiday destination.
September 21: Festival blooms
A new tourist drawcard is blooming across the Great Southern this spring.
September 16: Grant boosts saleyard project
Katanning's $25 million sheep saleyard project received a $7 million boost in the first round of funding through the Commonwealth Government's Regional Development Australia Fund announced on Wednesday 7 September.
August
August 29: Regional produce highlighted
Wine and food delights served at the exclusive Maitraya retreat this week will help to raise the profile of Great Southern produce in Asia.
August 26: Royalties for Regions funding for Great Southern community projects
Great Southern Development Commission Chair Peter Rundle today announced 16 successful projects in the Great Southern from the third round of the Liberal-National State Government's Royalties for Regions Regional Grants Scheme.
August 23: Wineries entice Philippines market
A potential new market in the Philippines is in focus for Great Southern wineries this week.
August 22: Weed expert honoured
Veteran weed expert John Moore was named the tenth winner of the prestigious Great Southern Development Commission Medal for Excellence in NRM last week.
July
July 28: Perth presence for wine DVD
Virtual Wine Tasting, the Great Southern's innovative wine tasting DVD, will be launched in Perth today.
July 22: Medal judges at work
A committed natural resource manager will be honoured by the award of the tenth Great Southern Development Commission Medal for Excellence in NRM in August.
July 22: Great Southern scales wall into China
Great Southern winemakers and food producers extended their reach into China at trade events in Shanghai and Beijing recently.
June
June 27: Spring into events opportunity
A new tourism drawcard is set to bloom in spring this year, when hidden treasures of the Great Southern will be revealed.
June 21: Great Southern wineries woo China
Five Great Southern wineries head to China next week to entice importers with the region's fine wine and produce.
June 17: Skilled migrant scheme explained
Great Southern employers and community agencies attended a breakfast forum on Wednesday 8 June to learn about the potential to use sponsored migration to manage skills shortages.
May
May 29: Wine subtleties on screen
Wine marketers have a new tool to help trade buyers appreciate the subtleties of Great Southern wines.
May 17: Unit will double Friendship House capacity
Royalties for Regions funding of $85,000 through the Regional Grants Scheme is helping the Rotary Club of Albany East to provide a respite unit for people with disabilities and their carers.
May 12: Playground stimulates development
King River's new sensory playground is showing the way for play facilities in the Great Southern.
May 4: Leaping to a win
Two flying leaps from a Bremer Bay sand dune helped Albany caravan park proprietor and keen photographer Ed Nelson win first prize in the Great Southern Life photo competition.
April
April 29: Strong interest in grants offer
Royalties for Regions funding on offer in the latest round of the Great Southern Regional Grants Scheme drew 71 applications requesting grants totalling $6.2 million.
April 7: Poster pair
Riesling and oysters make the perfect combination for a Great Southern taste treat and for an eye-catching promotion.
April 5: New life for cemetery
A careful makeover will start soon on a key part of Albany's history.
April 4: Search starts for tenth medallist
Nominations are now open for the region's most prestigious natural resource management award.
April 4: Eventful breakfast
Better management of events is on the breakfast menu at the Dog Rock Convention Centre on Friday.
March
March 16: Virtual tastings to promote wine
Innovative digital delivery of wine appraisals will help promote Great Southern wines at a major Chinese trade event in May.
March 11: Great Southern: A Region in Profile released
The details of Western Australia"s nine regional economies have today been highlighted with the launch of the Regions in Profile series of publications, developed by the Department of Regional Development and Lands in conjunction with the Regional Development Commissions.
March 9: Story trail tale begins
Noongar and settler stories could become the kernel of bold new tourism trail enterprises in Albany, according to a recently-released report.
March 2: Wineries to welcome trade buyers
Wine buyers from key Asian markets are taking part in the second Great Southern Wine Trail this week.
February
February 28: Grants deadline looms
Groups seeking grants in the latest round of the $1 million Royalties for Regions-funded Regional Grants Scheme have until 4.30pm on Thursday 10 March to lodge applications.
February 22: Wine information to cross language barrier
Chinese wine buyers will soon have access to information in Mandarin about Great Southern wineries.
February 7: Cultural treats in store
Western Australia's premier regional arts program starts this week and promises a sparkling range of events for the Great Southern.
February 7: Prize boost for photo competition
Big prizes are on offer for photographers who can capture top pictures on the theme of 'Great Southern Life'.
February 3: Medal finalist tackles dieback
New weapons to help limit the spread of dieback have been developed by Great Southern Development Commission Medal for Excellence finalist Gary Muir.
January
January 24: Priorities set for maritime assets
Thirteen Great Southern maritime heritage assets are listed as tourism development priorities in a report commissioned by the Great Southern Development Commission in partnership with the Heritage Council of WA.