The South Western Times’ top 12 photos from 2024

If a picture’s worth a thousand words, get ready for an essay.

From an underground oasis to the terror of a tornado, we’ve been out on the ground looking to capture some of the biggest moments of the year from across the South West.

Now that we’re in the new year we wanted to look back at our top 12 photos from 2024.

1. ‘Environmental vandalism’

The illegal destruction of an 800-year-old peppermint tree was felt like a punch in the gut to South West nature tourism guide Peter Murphy when he found the felled icon.

The tree was chopped by a contractor hired by the DCBA to remove a single fallen branch but who instead removed all of the ancient wonder.

Standing on the broken trunk of the magnificent tree under the remaining canopy, Mr Murphy said the destruction was an act of “environmental vandalism” which ultimately went unpunished.

2. After the storm

When a freak tornado ripped though Bunbury Elaine Bartels was in the process of preparing for a relaxing night in at her College Grove home. Over the next few minutes, her home of 17 years was reduced to rubble.

Standing in the rubble of what once was a three-car garage Mrs Bartels reflected on the terrifying ordeal.

Despite the destruction, she said the event brought out the best in the community with so many offering support just moments after the catastrophe.

3. Final siren

With an extensive career stretching more than a decade, South West Football League goal umpire Katrina Edwards made the decision to hang up her flags in August after officiating 701 games.

Looking back with on her 12-years of umpiring, Edwards cited a lack of support from both inside and outside the umpiring fraternity as one of her reasons for calling time.

Receiving a guard of honour from the teams of Eaton and Busselton as she left the field for the final time, Edwards stressed she was not leaving the game on bad terms and her career had been largely positive, though she wanted to share her experiences in the hope of inspiring change.

4. Emu invasion

A prefect example of “pics or it didn’t happen”.

An emu mob’s invasion of invasion of a Pemberton football pitch in the middle of a league game became a viral sensation across social media as onlookers gawked at the uniquely Australian experience.

It took several minutes for players and umpires to usher the birds off the field so play could resume.

5. Once-in-a-lifetime view

A mix of record rainfall and scorching fire gave onlookers at a South West icon the opportunity to see a once in a lifetime view as Lake Cave’s water level hit its highest point since the 1940s.

After the devastating Calgardup bushfire ripped through Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park in 2021 the bare ground made an easy pathway for rainwater to reach the cave.

With water levels starting to rise in June 2022, the cave met its max depth between late 2023 and early 2024 with experts saying it is unlikely the showcase will be seen again for several decades.

6. Surprise soccer star

Junior players from Bunbury United got a surprise visit from Perth Glory’s Josh Risdon in August as the soccer superstar returned to his home ground.

After meeting a flurry of junior players eager to hear about his journey from their club to the world stage, Risdon reflected on his own time with the club.

“It’s one of those full-circle moments to be back here where I learnt to play soccer,” he said.

7. And they’re off

Conditions couldn’t have been better as more then 4000 swimmers took the the water to compete in the 2024 Busselton Jetty Swim.

With more than 3000 registered for the 3.6km solo swim around the entire jetty and more than 1000 taking on the one mile and 500m categories the event had more than 10,000 people touching down in town for the event.

Australind-born swimmer Kyle Lee took the top spot in the men’s division with record breaking time of 38min.6sec. and Rosie Wilson taking the top women’s spot with her time of 43:46.

8. Anzacs on guard

Communities across the country gathered together to honour and remember those who have served their nation at war last Anzac Day.

Across the South West thousands took to their local monuments to recognise the momentous sacrifices of the countless men and women lost in conflict.

In Bunbury, veterans stood to attention as the sun rose over over the CBD before laying wreaths at the base of the war memorial.

9. In a suburb not so far away

Bunbury resident and Star War’s enthusiast John Forbes captivated the country with his hand-built AT-ST standing tall in his front garden in Glen Iris over Christmas.

The half-scale icon of the Galactic Imperial Army stands at 5m tall and was built by Mr Forbes and a friend for May the Fourth (international Star Wars Day) after years of idle chat.

Mr Forbes said his AT-ST would be up standing once again on May 4 this year, with plans to make his celebrations even bigger and better.

10. Minion Mayhem

The sound of splashing and cheers of the crowd were overcome by the screams of a man dressed as a minion at Harvey’s inaugural Rotary Recycling Regatta.

The event took the community by storm in November as a host of competitors took to the water in crafts built entirely from recycled bottles and duct-tape.

Competitor Collin Nabbot managed to to not only dominate in the free-for-all race but also went home with the prize for best dressed.

11. Top cop’s farewell

To mark the end of a 47-year career, spanning five regional districts, South West Supt Geoff Stewart officially hung up his hat last month.

At his retirement more than 50 officers from across the state gathered outside Bunbury police station to give the Ssuperintendent a guard of honour for his decades of service.

In an emotional speech to the gathered crowd he reflected on what he called the “best job in the world,” giving his heartfelt thanks to all those in attendance and the communities he had served.

12. End of an era

Standing for almost 40 years, the scoreboard at Bunbury’s Hands Oval was taken down in July, to make way for a new digital billboard.

First going up in 1986, the scoreboard acted as a backdrop for some of the most memorable moments in Bunbury’s sporting and cultural history.

Standing where the old board once stood, South West Football League general manager Jason Crowe admitted it was a bittersweet moment to say goodbye to the Bunbury landmark.