City of Albany appoints community ambassadors to build a 2026 Bicentenary celebration for all

A group of Albany residents will use their industry experience and cultural knowledge to help plan Albany’s Bicentenary celebrations over the next four years.

Albany will mark 200 years since European settlement in 2026, while honouring the Menang Noongar history that stretches back thousands of years before the arrival of British ships in December 1826.

The City of Albany has already started planning a year-long event and marketing program to entice tourists to the region to celebrate its heritage, history, arts and culture.

The City on Friday announced the appointment of 19 bicentenary ambassadors to help with the planning and programming of the milestone.

Ambassadors from small business, tourism, volunteering, heritage, creative industries and Menang Noongar community were picked following an expression of interest process and endorsement from the council.

Impact Services director Stuart Roberts and elder Mark Colbung have been appointed as bicentenary ambassadors to champion the Menang Noongar community, as well as the Albany Aboriginal Heritage Reference group.

Albany Youth Support Association CEO Ian Clarke, Southern Aboriginal Corporation CEO Asha Bhat, musician Geoff Waldeck, Southern Edge Arts artistic director Anne Sorenson, Albany Historic Whaling Station general manager Elise van Gorp, Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Lisa Smith and White Star Hotel owner David Steytler will also lend their expertise as ambassadors.

Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington said the bicentenary was an opportunity to recognise Albany’s rich history, while celebrating the vibrant community that calls Albany home today.

“Milestones such as 2026 are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create lasting legacies for places and communities, and our Bicentenary ambassadors will have the opportunity to contribute to defining what this legacy looks like for Albany,” he said.