Funded by Lotterywest, Great Southern Development Commission and the Great Southern Economic Development Committee, the revamped portal provides an up-to-date look at the region.

Community-based Albany Gateway (albanygateway.co.au) was first launched in 2000 as part of the Federal Government’s initiative plan to network the nation.

The not-for-profit organisation offers a range of services for the community at a cost recovery or no-cost basis.

Income is generated by advertising from small businesses and organisations.

Albany Gateway chair Julie Wallis said there were benefits for both locals and anyone wanting to visit the region.

Included were business listings and reviews of businesses, a calendar of events, lifestyle and community information, and services for tourists.

“It’s the next best thing to word of mouth,” Ms Wallis said.

Fellow board member Dave Rowley from Leapfrog Business Solutions said he was attracted to living in Albany after finding the website through a major search engine.

Secretary Vicki Brown said the launch celebrated the beginning of the next era of community connectivity for the region.

“The new platform provides many new possibilities whilst still managing to retain the local community noticeboard feel of the old site,” she said.

Seven people shared in $1,000 worth of prizes in the Great Southern at Work digital photography competition presented on the night.

Colin Richardson won both first and second prizes for his “Unloading” and “Sun Princess” photos.

Julie Holland took out third prize for her “Sheep in the Plantagenet area” photo.

Other prize-winners included Vicki Duncan, Mary Leonhardt, Janet Perkins, Joe Baker and David Belfield.

All received encouragement awards for their photographs.

The Great Southern Development Commission (GSDC) partnered with Albany Gateway to run the competition to update its image bank.

GSDC Chief Executive Officer Bruce Manning said he was thrilled with the range and quality of photographs submitted.

“In running the competition we were looking for technically strong images which showed the region at work and also represented the industries, facilities and products which contributed to the economic well-being of the region,” Mr Manning said.