ABC Great Southern

07/08/2025

Kevin Richardson runs a YouTube channel about prospecting for gold.

While filming a video for his channel, he and his wife made the discovery of a lifetime.

Hear it now on the free ABC listen app: https://ab.co/ABCListenApp

Kevin Richardson runs a YouTube channel about prospecting for gold.

06/08/2025

A prospector has captured the incredible moment he literally struck gold in Western Australia's Goldfields and unearthed a seven-ounce nugget.

Kevin Richardson, who runs an educational Youtube channel sharing his prospecting tips and tricks, was demonstrating the importance of searching under bushes when his metal detector started beeping loudly.

📝 Andrew Collins via WA Regional Drive
🎬 Tim Carrier
📹 YouTube/BK Gold Prospecting

06/08/2025

Police Commissioner Col Blanch says police would respond differently now if confronted with a report of domestic violence similar to the tragedy that claimed the life of Lynn Cannon. Here's what has changed.

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Police Commissioner Col Blanch says police would respond differently now if confronted with a report of domestic violence similar to the tragedy that claimed the life of Lynn Cannon. Here's what has changed.

06/08/2025

The employment support service Forrest Personnel has announced it is closing with operations to wind down in the coming months.

The organisation has been helping people with disabilities get into the workforce for more than 40 years and has offices across regional WA, including Bunbury, Albany, Kalgoorlie and Esperance.

Chief executive Lynne Harwood said despite being awarded the new disability employment service contract it was unsustainable for them to continue.

"We're disappointed, but we're determined," she said.

"Our determination is to transition all our programs, all our participants and indeed as many as of our employees as possible to new providers."

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06/08/2025

A Victorian prospector has literally struck gold while making a tutorial video on the subject in WA's Goldfields, unearthing a 7-ounce nugget.

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A Victorian prospector has literally struck gold while making a tutorial video on the subject in WA's Goldfields, unearthing a 7-ounce nugget.

06/08/2025

Whether it's their weirdly bald head, rubbish-eating tendencies, or distinctive aroma, the ibis has become an easy target for scorn.

But despite living near landfills and stealing the odd chip, they're not universally disliked.

Or, at least, they're not disliked as much anymore. A growing number of people see them as misunderstood, lovable bin scamps that have cleverly adapted to a new, human-centric world.

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As we count down to discovering Australia's most underrated animal, there are plenty of worthy contenders that didn't make it into this year's top 10.

06/08/2025

The Shire of Plantagenet has greenlit an $8.4 million redevelopment of the Mount Barker swimming pool.

The spend is written into the Shire's 2025/26 budget which was adopted last night.

It also detailed a 4.8 per cent increase in property rates, and $4.4 million road maintenance cost, including repairs from March flooding.

Shire President Len Handasyde says the 50-metre swimming pool requires major works.

"We've got a new building along side it, and the rest of the works will bring the rest of the facility up to firstly modern standards and repair or replace the damaged bowl," he said.

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06/08/2025

How about some bagpipes with that? 🎶🏖️

Over a hundred people gathered at Ocean Beach earlier today to witness the opening of Wilson Inlet.

The channel, dug out by machine, connects the inlet with the Southern Ocean, preserving the ecology of the catchment and protecting it from flooding.

Each year, the Denmark community gathers to mark the occasion with this year's opening featuring a unique soundtrack.

Denmark local Tom Powell serenaded onlookers with the powerful sounds of the bagpipes as the work got underway.

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06/08/2025

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has re-classified a former tannery site in Darkan as "contaminated and remediation required".

A review — prompted by community concerns shared by the Shire of West Arthur — found contaminated soils and sediments.

The Department has asked the owner to remove all remaining infrastructure, undertake further investigations, and provide a definitive Remediation Action Plan by the end of September.

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06/08/2025

A WA resident who was lucky to escape an electrical blaze is building his new home with a fireproof space dedicated to charging devices, amid debate about safe battery storage and disposal.

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A WA resident who was lucky to escape an electrical blaze is building his new home with a fireproof space dedicated to charging devices, amid debate about safe battery storage and disposal.

05/08/2025

Albany baker on the rise 🔥

The Baking Industry Association of Western Australia reckons Albany baker Susan Retzlaff has the best caramel slice in the State.

Last year, she took out second place for best caramel slice and this year she has topped the competition as well as winning medals for her lemon coconut and ginger slice and brownie.

Ms Retzlaff started her career as a qualified chef but became gluten free when she developed celiac disease.

Unable to taste many of the foods typical of a chef, Ms Retzlaff set up her own business, selling gluten-free cakes at the local IGA.

In the decade since, the Free Range Chef has developed something of a following.

“I have had people, especially men, stand at the stall and eat something and look at me – they’ve got the look that they’re going to tell you that it’s crap … And then they stand there and they go ‘Oh my god, that does not taste gluten free, mate’,” Ms Retzlaff said.

“There’s true love there in what I do.”

What is the best baked good you've ever tasted?

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05/08/2025

A damming policy 💧

The Shire of Plantagenet is seeking community feedback on a proposal to make it easier for farmers to build dams.

The shire's draft policy waives the requirement for landowners to obtain planning approval for dams that meet a set of criteria.

Requirements include a minimum lot size of one hectare, a setback of at least 40 metres from wetlands or naturally occurring waterways, and no clearing of native vegetation.

Public comment is open until August 25.

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