Albany 2026: An air of excitement around for 200-year milestone in southern city that has warmed my heart

Albany has a very special place in the hearts of many and 2026 is going to be a year like no other.

A city full of rich history, in a chilly but beautiful part of southern WA – Albany is the place I have called home for my entire life.

I fell in love with Albany growing up here as a kid, going through my schooling journey and then into my professional career.

I’ve always been a passionate sportsperson and after completing high school at St Joseph’s College, I was lucky enough to get a start as a teenage sports reporter here at the Albany Advertiser.

Since then I’ve spent nearly 15 years working in the city I hold dearest, working my way from sports reporter to chief of staff and now editor.

It is an absolute privilege to be the editor of my city’s newspaper, helping cover the biggest milestone year in our history.

Our paper is committed to telling the stories of Albany across the entire year and in every edition of the Advertiser and The Extra, there will be at least one page of special bicentenary content.

The first bicentenary in WA history, Albany 2026 is something we all should be excited about.

This momentous occasion will be an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the rich history that runs deep in Albany.

Albany has a rich and storied history, being the home of the Anzacs, the last whaling post in the Southern Hemisphere and importantly, the ancient home of Menang Noongar culture.

Tourism is expected to boom in Albany for 2026 with visitors from around WA, Australia and the rest of the world coming to visit, many potentially for the first time.

Those visitors will get to experience world-class natural landscapes not seen anywhere else and get a closer look at the unique, tight-knit community culture that includes sporting, arts, environmental groups and lots more.

The bicentenary will feature a huge program of events that will not disappoint, including the Kari Kola’s aurora spectacular, Lighting The Sound, which is set to break the record for the biggest outdoor light installation ever.

The Advertiser has documented Albany’s history for the majority of its 200-year history, and we hope to continue telling the city’s stories for many years to come.

- Cameron Newbold is the editor of the Albany Advertiser