Albany
How would you define your region?
Albany & the Great Southern Region
Albany is the regional centre of the Great Southern here in Western Australia and is four and a half hours drive south east of Perth and faces the Great Southern Ocean. It covers 39,007 square kilometres from Walpole in the West to Bremer Bay in the East and the northern parts includes Kojonup and Katanning, and heading out North East you travel through Jerramungup (up means place of in Noongar dialect).
What is your region famous for?
Albany is a port city that has a rich colonial history. It was founded in 1826 by the British under Major Edmund Lockyer and was originally called Frederickstown, an outpost of New South Wales to protect the shores from French invasion. Albany is a centre for ANZAC history as it was the final view of homeland that the soldiers saw as they sailed off to Gallipoli in 1914 and thus there are several notable memorials and landmarks to remember the Great War and the sacrifices they made for freedom.
The entire Great Southern Region is rich in natural beauty from the spectacular rugged coastlines, to the famous Plantagenet wine region and the majestic Tingle and Karri forests to the west and much more.
Landmarks:
Albany is famous for the National ANZAC Centre on Mt Adelaide and Mt Clarence Desert Corps Memorial
The Gap at Torndirrup National Park
Treetop Walk at Walpole
The Porongurups featuring Castle Rock
The Stirling Ranges National Park
The Albany Wind Farm
Bremer Canyon, deep water ecosystem
The Bibbulmun Track weaving along the Rainbow Coast
William Bay National Park includes Elephant Rocks and Greens PoolHM Brig Amity replica ship, Princess Royal Drive, Albany
Some Famous people from the Albany & the Great Southern:
Mokare, Indigenous Menang Noongar who helped European exploration of the region
Nurse Ness, famous pioneer nurse in Narrogin
Jim Krakouer, Australian Rules footballer played for St Kilda
Decima Norma, runner (1909-1983)
Famous films -“H is for Happiness” (2019) based in Albany, “Rams” (2020) filmed in Mount Barker
Not people but….. Bess and Sandy, WW1 horses immortalised on the Desert Corps Memorial
Sporting teams include,
Albany Sea Dragons, (Rugby League)
Denmark Walpole Magpies (Australian Football League)
Albany Sharks (Australian Football League)
Albany Rovers (Soccer)
What specific challenges do you wish to assist and support with in your region?
The Great Southern can be an isolated place and some town are generally resistant to change and we would like to encourage people to get out of parochial familiarity and experience real community.
What plans/events do you have that can support your region?
Community cuppas in local parks/cafes
Social walking groups in nature
Photography excursion groups
Bring and share meals
Home school communities and parent support groups
Faith based at home fellowships
Community Gardens
Contacts for other local support groups in your region?
Awake Albany -
- The Commons, Spencer Park
- Cape Cafe, Cosy Corner
- Homeschool Hub
King River Recreational Club
Albany Men’s Shed
Shalom House Albany
Personal message from your Co-Ordinator/s
Lee, Kathy and Hannah are passionate to bring together like-hearted people who love life and freedom and particularly those who have suffered loss into the warm embrace of a dynamic grass roots community.