January

Around 25,000 community members and visitors gathered in Anzac Peace Park on New Year’s Eve for Kaya 2026; a powerful celebration that welcomed the new year and officially launched Albany 2026, Western Australia’s first bicentenary.

The free, family-friendly event transformed the waterfront into a place of music, storytelling and connection, setting the tone for a year of reflection, recognition and shared celebration.

Images: Jenny Feast, Video: Edify Media.

The summer holidays saw strong visitation continue at Albany Then & Now: Historical Panoramas of Menang Noongar Boodja at the Museum of the Great Southern. Having opened in December 2025, the exhibition quickly became a popular experience for both locals and visitors.

Through immersive curved-screen projections, interactive touchscreens and layered storytelling, visitors were invited to experience Albany from a new perspective. Historic streetscapes, changing coastlines and stories of Menang Country sit alongside moments from community life across generations, creating an experience that is both deeply personal and cinematic.

As one of the first major Albany 2026 experiences available to the public, the exhibition helped set the tone for the year ahead by encouraging people to reflect on the many stories, perspectives and histories that have shaped Albany over time.

The Binalup/Middleton Beach Festival brought the community together on Australia Day for a full day of connection, reflection and family-friendly entertainment. The event featured the Australia Day Big Breakfast, Citizenship Ceremony and Citizen of the Year Awards, alongside a packed program of free activities, live music, cultural performances and community entertainment.