Year in Review: The moments that made 2023 in the Great Southern

2023 was a year marred by tragedy in the Great Southern, from the murder of 70-year-old aged care resident Monica Stockdale to the tragic death of a woman who became trapped in a grain train. There were, however, some highlights such as the opening of the radiation oncology clinic and a successful covert operation that resulted in the seizure of a significant amount of meth. Here we look back on the last year in the Great Southern and the moments that made us. 1 Albany mum and grandma remembered after shocking murder Instead of celebrating the new year, Monica Stockdale’s loved ones were mourning the loss of a beloved mother and grandmother after the 70-year-old’s sudden death in November was ruled a murder. 19-year-old aged care worker Jacob Hoysted pleaded guilty to her murder in May. 2 Miracle survival of two pilots in terrifying plane crash Two pilots managed to walk away unscathed after their Boeing 737 crashed in the Fitzgerald River National Park while battling an out-of-control blaze. The plane broke up on impact, bursting into flames with the two men inside. 3 The rescue that turned into a national manhunt What began as an extraordinary tale of survival for three men rescued at sea unravelled into something more sinister when 365kg of cocaine washed up on a Denmark beach inside the men’s recovered boat. All three were eventually arrested after a six-week manhunt. 4 Mayor calls time after 12 years Dennis Wellington announced his retirement after more than a decade as the city’s mayor and over two decades on the council. The local government stalwart was succeeded by businessman and councillor Greg Stocks who won the most votes in the October local elections. 5 Long-awaited cancer centre opens Albany’s radiation oncology centre was officially opened by the Premier and Health Minister in April. The $13.1 million facility means cancer patients in the Great Southern have access to lifesaving treatment in Albany instead of travelling hundreds of kilometres to Perth or Bunbury. 6 Anger over botched live-export consultation Farmers were left fuming after the panel leading consultation on Labor’s live export phase-out made a “surprise visit” to regional WA, blindsiding sheep producers. More than 100 people attended the Albany forum where panel chair Phillip Glyde apologised with one farmer saying Agriculture Minister Murray Watt could “go to hell”. 7 SES brave wild weather in search for missing man Emergency services embarked on an extensive search of Stirling Range National Park in near-freezing conditions after a vehicle belonging to missing Mt Barker man Wayne Michael Parker was found in a carpark in the popular hiking location. Volunteers, police and firefighters scoured bushland for days but were unable to find him. 8 Mass whale stranding ends in tragedy A desperate effort to save 98 pilot whales who beached themselves on Cheynes Beach ended in tragedy when half their number died overnight and the remainder were euthanised. Hundreds of volunteers worked to save the animals, watching in horror as they returned to the beach after an attempt to refloat them failed. 9 Noongar corporation says Heritage Act rushed Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation was in line to oversee the implementation of the 2021 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act in the Great Southern when the controversial Bill was scrapped in August. The group expressed frustration at the process, which they said went against the wishes of several land councils. 10 Albany police seize meth and cash in major drug bust Albany police cracked a major Albany drug syndicate, seizing a significant amount of methamphetamine and cash after a four-month undercover operation. Three people were charged with serious trafficking offences after they were allegedly caught selling 28g of the drug at a home at Bayonet Head on July 19. 11 Albany gathers for Yes vote Hundreds took to central Albany to show their support for the Yes vote in the Voice to Parliament referendum in September. The O’Connor electorate would vote overwhelmingly no, like the rest of the country, with just Denmark polling booths averaging a majority yes in the Great Southern. 12 Tragic death of woman on grain train Police, firefighters and paramedics swarmed a stationary train after blood-curdling screams were heard from the railway line at the bottom of Albany’s main street on a Friday night in November. The effort to save the woman who had become trapped in the train’s engine ended in tragedy when the woman was declared deceased.