Home
Search
thewest.com.au‌‌

  1. Vital funding Wheatbelt and Great Southern bushfire brigades get funding

  2. Golden chancePremiumAusgold agrees to try for 5 per cent Indigenous workforce

  3. PINK BUILDING PROJECTPremiumAbandoned ‘pink building’ in Lake Grace set for revamp

  4. AFLCommentsIs the change to Brownlow voting worth it? Fyfe has his say

  5. The West Australian exclusive
    The West Australian exclusive
    COURT    Premium
    The West Australian exclusive
    Katanning woman who stole a $517 parcel for drugs is fined

Professor Helge Janicke, Julian Moore, Mat Lewis, Jason McFarlane, Renu Kannu, Bethany Findlay and Burke Perry spoke at the Fields and Fortunes conference.

Robot worldRobots are coming to Gnowangerup this year, audience is told

About 100 people attended the Shire of Gnowangerup’s Fields and Fortunes regional business forum, with keynote speaker Julian Moore promising robots would be available in the town this year.

Claire Middleton

Shire of Cranbrook and West Arthur have both joined the Warren Blackwood Alliance of Councils.

Forest slumpShires consider axing services after plantation rate switch

Reductions in road improvements and cuts to community grants are being considered by rural councils hit by a change in the way rates are collected from forestry plantations.

Claire Middleton

Cuablling’s Joe Dowling finished with five wickets.

CricketWandering lead ladder ahead of top-two battle as finals loom

There is everything to play for ahead of the Upper Great Southern Cricket Association’s last regular round of A-grade competition as ladder-leaders Wandering tackle Lake Grace in a top-two showdown on Saturday.

Claire Middleton

Kelly Gorter and Brittany Bolt.

YOUNG LADY LEADERSPremiumWA women boost skills at AWI breeding leadership course

Two women from WA were among 26 young people from wool-growing regions across the nation who travelled to South Australia for the AWI breeding leadership course in South Australia.

Danielle Marsland

Members from Narrikup Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade Colin Coxall, Chris Norton and Belinda Rupp.

Vital funding PremiumGreat Southern bushfire brigades get vital funding boost

Six volunteer bushfire brigades from across the Great Southern have received grants to help improve their services. 

Amy Towers

Police received reports of at least three businesses that have been presented with fake $50 notes in the past two months.

FAKE notesVigilance urged as false $50 notes circulate Great Southern

A scourge of counterfeit currency is plaguing businesses across the Great Southern, with Albany police urging staff to double-check any cash tenders they handle at the till.

Melissa Sheil

Jake Thomas Hardie, 29, allegedly led police on a car chase for more than an hour before being arrested in Williams.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Crime Premium
The West Australian exclusive
PremiumAlleged home detention escapee caught and charged

A Great Southern man who allegedly removed his monitoring device and fled from his home detention bail address in Northam has been arrested, and charged with a raft of new offences. 

A wanted Great Southern man has been arrested.

CrimeWanted man arrested in the Wheatbelt

A Great Southern man wanted by police after allegedly removing his monitoring device and fled from his home detention bail address in Northam has been arrested. 

The sudden closure of Beaufort River Meats processing facility in the Great Southern has drawn critcism of the timeliness of live sheep export phase out support grants. INSET: Roe MLA Peter Rundle.

‘Structural Shrinkage’PremiumPremiumSudden Beaufort River Meats closure shocks industry

The announcement of the sudden closure of Beaufort River Meats’ processing plant has drawn criticism over the State and Federal Government’s timeliness in the distribution of live sheep export phase out grants.

Albany police auxiliary officer Juan-Piere "JP" Jordan inside one of the holding cells.

new recruitDay in the life of an auxiliary officer in regional WA

Auxiliary officers are the behind-the-scenes heroes of a police station, with the WA Police Force calling for more people to take on the role that is vital to so many regional areas.

Jacki Elezovich

A Boddington Football Club player and coach have been fined for indecent acts in public.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
COURTPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Country footy coach and player exposed genitals in pub

A Boddington Football Club coach and player who both exposed their genitals to staff and community members at the local pub, have been fined. 

Hannah Whitehead

Subscriber Exclusive

Hailee Hildebrand was allowed out on day release, only four days after another suicide attempt inside the hospital’s youth mental health ward.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
State PoliticsCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Grieving mum’s plea: ‘They were meant to save her’

Stacey Hildebrandt is brokenhearted but insists she wants change — not sympathy — in the wake of her daughter’s suicide while she was an inpatient at Fiona Stanley Hospital.

Jessica Page

Laurence Escalante arrives at the Perth Magistrates Court today. Michael Wilson

Courts & JusticePremiumDramatic scenes as billionaire faces nine new drug charges

Perth billionaire Laurence Escalante has been hit with a raft of new criminal charges as his minder clashed with media outside court in dramatic scenes.

Rebecca Le May

One of seven people charged over a massive cocaine haul found stashed inside a bulk carrier off Perth has had his charge dropped.

Courts & JusticePremiumNew twist as epic trial looms after huge drug bust off WA

One of seven people charged over a massive cocaine haul found stashed inside a bulk carrier off Perth has had his charge dropped.

Rebecca Le May

Marius Sabau, president of the WA Mongols. unknown

Courts & JusticePremiumWA Mongol boss jailed for sophisticated drug operation

Marius Sabau was found guilty for his role in a drug trafficking syndicate, just days after fellow Mongol member David Pye was jailed for organising the assassination of Rebels boss Nick Martin.

Ben Harvey

Promotional

In Case You Missed It

Georgia was struck by lightning in Thursday’s storm.

Disaster and EmergencyCommentsPerth teen details scary moment she was struck by lightning

A 16-year-old girl has told of the terrifying moment she was struck by lightning in the city’s north-east, describing the freak ordeal as like being ‘stabbed with 1000 needles’. 

Jessica Evensen

Yu Xiao Feng CREDIT: Maxi Alonso / shipspotting.com

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
AUKUSCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
China sees red over British submarine spy fears

A senior Chinese diplomat has sternly rejected suggestions a cargo ship that recently berthed near the Garden Island naval base is posing any threat to a visiting British submarine.

Andrew Greene

Better Homes and Gardens will now air twice a week.

TVCommentsCommentsMajor change coming to popular Aussie TV show

The development comes in the show’s 32nd year.

An apology letter disgraced obstetrician Rhys Bellinge sent to Elizabeth Pearce’s family and Muhammad Usman just days before his sentencing has been described as ‘terribly inapt’ by a judge

WA NewsPremiumPremiumBellinge’s ‘inapt’ apology to victims days before sentencing

An apology letter disgraced obstetrician Rhys Bellinge sent to his victims just days before his sentencing has been described as ‘terribly inapt’ by a judge, who also noted a degree of self-pity in his remorse.

Lorde deliveres a powerfully raw performance at RAC Arena.

review
review
MUSICComments
review
CommentsPop star Lorde bares all in emotional RAC Arena show

Some might argue she’s drifting out of the mainstream with her recent releases, but can the Kiwi still get a whole arena to dance and sing all night?

Regional News

Go Girls foundation helps women gain skills to become ready for employment.

Employment supportPremiumLimited spots for women empowerment program

Women in the Goldfields will have a one-of-a-kind opportunity to join a free program set to lead them on the pathway to employment. 

Jessica Antoniou

About 7500 people attended the 2025 Coolgardie Outback Festival.

Coolgardie festivalPremiumCoolgardie rodeo festival will return in August

The Coolgardie Outback Festival will saddle up again this August, with organisers hoping to top last year’s record crowd of 7500.

Isabella Davis

Asbestos tailings at Wittenoom.

Mining Banjima Traditional Owners vs the State Government

Traditional Owners of Country including Wittenoom have launched a $1.5 billion legal claim against the Western Australian government

Phoebe Solon

Mid West Academy of Sport athlete Reuben Chapman.

AthleticsPremiumPremiumChapman continues stellar athletics golden run

Geraldton’s golden boy Reuben Chapman has added another gold medal to his season’s tally after blitzing ahead in the 400m hurdles at the Junior Track and Field State Championships in Perth last weekend. 

An 18-year-old has been sentenced after driving at speeds of more than 140km/h.

Courts & Justice PremiumPremium18yo jailed for reckless driving to escape police

An 18-year-old drove at speeds of more than 140km/h in an attempt to escape police before losing control of his car, which was carrying four passengers, and crashing into a road train. 

Geraldton's Callum Williamson prepares for his homecoming this weekend

MotorsportPremiumPremiumLocal racer gears up for weekend speedway action

Local speedster Callum Williamson is gearing up for his homecoming at the Geraldton City Speedway, as the Maddington Toyota Sprintcar Series touches down in the Mid West this weekend. 

News Flash

More Stories

President Donald Trump

CNBC newsPremiumTrump insists trade deals safe as ruling upends tariffs

President Donald Trump defended his tariff agenda during his State of the Union address even as a Supreme Court ruling striking down his emergency tariffs cast fresh confusion.

Anniek Bao

Before the Covid pandemic, Chinese consumers accounted for about one-third of the global luxury goods market.

CNBC newsPremiumLunar New Year gives brands chance to win back big spenders

Luxury brands from Harry Winston to Loewe are going all in on Lunar New Year collections in a bid to attract Chinese customers.

Hayley Cuccinello

China’s property market, once accounting for more than a quarter of the economy, has seen its annual sales volume halve in just four years.

CNBC newsPremiumS&P bets China property slump will be worse than expected

S&P Global Ratings has lowered its forecast for China property sales this year, barely two months into 2026.

Evelyn Cheng

Chinese coffee giant Luckin opened its first flagship with premium drinks as the company takes on Starbucks Reserve.

CNBC newsCommentsPremiumThere’s a coffee war brewing in China (and now in the US)

As Starbucks sells off most of its China business, local rival Luckin Coffee is expanding into higher-priced cold brews and other drinks. It’s also expanding its footprint in the US.

Evelyn Cheng

WA News

Perth travellers and expats have had their plans thrown into chaos after escalating conflict engulfed the Middle East on Sunday.

WA NewsCommentsPremiumPerth passengers have plans thrown into chaos amid conflict

Perth travellers and expats have had their plans thrown into chaos after escalating conflict engulfed the Middle East on Sunday.

Oliver Lane

Western Roads Federation chief executive Cam Dumesny.

WA NewsCommentsPremiumEast-west rail corridor washed out just days after reopening

Just days after reopening Australia’s east-west rail corridor — crucial for goods supply to WA — has been washed out again after flooding in South Australia. 

Caitlyn Rintoul

WA joint counter-terrorism team have charged Jayson Joseph Michaels over allegations he was preparing for terror act.

CrimePremiumPremiumREVEALED: ID of man who planned WA terror attack

Pictures of a 20-year-old man accused of documenting plans to commit mass casualty terror attacks at WA Parliament, police headquarters and religious places of worship have been revealed.

A teenager has been charged with assaulting a public officer after a wild party in Wembley Downs on Saturday night.

CrimeTeen charged with assaulting police at out-of-control party

Police were called to disperse an out-of-control party in Perth’s western suburbs on Saturday night.

Education leaders have rejected a claim that a rise in faith-based schools and home schooling risks kids growing up without mixing with anyone outside their religious or ethnic group.

EducationPremiumPremiumLeaders reject claims religious schools stop kids mixing

Education leaders have rejected a claim that a rise in faith-based schools and home schooling risks kids growing up without mixing with anyone outside their religious or ethnic group.

Emma Dunkley at home in Byford. Gary Ramage

WA NewsCommentsPinch of rising costs very real for this Byford mum of twins

Mum Emma Dunkley bought for $775,000 in Byford in May 2024 and between full-time work and various side hustles, is already fighting to outpace rising costs. 

Brooke Rolfe