IN PICTURES: Looking back on the year that was for the Wheatbelt South

As the year draws to a close the Narrogin Observer looks back on some of the moments that mattered most to the Wheatbelt South. Stories that move us and shape us — here are 12 pictures that tell the tale of 2023. 1 Fireys recognised in Aus Day awards The Narrogin community came together on January 26 for the annual Australia Day breakfast and ceremony. The active citizenship group award was presented to the Narrogin Bushfire Brigade and the citizen of the year was awarded to chief bushfire control officer Pip Porter in the wake of the 2022 Wickepin-Narrogin bushfire. 2 Church cops $1m damage in arson At about 11.50am on February 23, a member of the public alerted emergency services after seeing flames coming out of the window of the Brookton Uniting Church. A Brookton man was later charged with arson over the blaze that caused an estimated $1 million worth of damage. 3 Cuballing beats Williams in UGSCA final upset The Upper Great Southern Cricket Association 2022-23 season came to a close when Cuballing beat Williams with a wicket to spare, scoring a grand final upset. Cuballing captain Grady Francis took player of the match honours. 4 Narrogin marks historic referendum with forum About 20 members of the community attended the Narrogin Voice forum on May 3 fronted by Reconciliation WA’s Jade Thompson, Labor Senator Sue Lines and Agricultural Region MLA Shelley Payne. The Voice would be defeated in the October referendum when 63.7 per cent of WA voted No. 5 Matilda Dyke makes AFLW debut Narrogin product Matilda Dyke made her AFLW debut for Essendon in their 20-point round four win against Fremantle at Windy Hill. The 21-year-old ruck-defender was playing for Claremont when the Bombers signed her in May. 6 East Narrogin Primary School students wins mural comp East Narrogin Primary School student Lucy Sands won the WA division of a nationwide mural competition in June. Lucy’s bright mural featuring a colourful pair of numbats adorns a shed at ENPS. 7 Shearer breaks lamb shearing record Bruce Rock shearer Ethan Harder gave it his all on September 18 in an attempt to break the merino lamb shearing record. The 24-year-old is the current merino lamb record holder after shearing 624 lambs in eight hours. 8 Dedicated doctor finally kicks up his feet Narrogin Health Service’s senior medical officer Dr Peter Maguire retired from his role at Narrogin District Hospital in September. Dr Maguire served the Wheatbelt South for 13 years. 9 Hundreds mourn death of Tiffany Woodley Hundreds gathered at the John Higgins Community Centre in Narrogin on September 21 to remember beloved mum Tiffany Woodley. Ms Woodley’s alleged murder at the hands of her ex-partner triggered a renewed focus on family and domestic violence in WA. 10 Narrogin local arrested in the US after fatal crash Narrogin local Luke Nardini was accused of killing an elderly couple in a head-on crash while on holiday in California. The devastated community rallied around the well-respected Nardini family who are desperate to bring him home. 11 Police pawn kids in friendly hockey game Narrogin Senior High School students faced-off against local police for a friendly game of hockey in October organised by Sergeant Laurie Seton. Both teams enjoyed a sausage sizzle after the match which was won by police 5-1. 12 Hay Bales concern a hit A highlight of the year was the Perth Symphony Orchestra Narrogin Hay Bales Concert. In November on a farm in the district’s heartland a special time was shared at an event that will be talked about for a long time.