Amelia Searson
Bunbury, WA
Amelia Searson is a features reporter for ABC South West WA, based in Bunbury.
She joined the ABC in 2020, while finishing off her journalism degree at Curtin University. Amelia has worked across the Pilbara, Perth and Goldfields newsrooms.
You can follow her on Twitter at @AmeliaSearson.
Latest by Amelia Searson
Freediver overcomes fear of ocean to recover precious items dropped from Australia's longest jetty
Peter Wissink struggled with a phobia of the ocean after his father died. Now, he's known around town as the man who saves people's precious items when they are accidentally dropped into the water.
Volunteer firefighter slams emergency water supply theft as 'nuts behaviour' in WA bushfire-prone towns
A brigade near Margaret River says emergency water supplies critical for firefighting have been stolen as the local shire investigates and more security measures are put in place.
After he was caught doing 205kph, a 26-year-old's luxury Lexus is the new face of a road safety campaign
A forfeited Lexus is turned into a roving anti-speeding advertisement to encourage drivers to slow down, as WA's South West region records the worst regional road toll in the state.
Plaque celebrating historic reconciliation an inspiration to spread more Noongar stories
Noongar man Troy Bennell knows the path to reconciliation is not smooth, but he has generations of footsteps to follow, with his Nana and Dad among those taking big strides in the regional WA town of Bunbury.
Country councils want federal government to make decision on Australia Day date as debate rages
A shire president in regional WA says her council is under pressure to appease two sides of the debate around changing the date of Australia Day events, and wants more guidance from the federal government.
Population rebound for critically endangered truffle-loving WA marsupial
Woylies play an important part in the Australian ecosystem but their numbers dwindled because of foxes and feral cats. Now, conservationists are seeing signs of a comeback.
Concerns more freshwater pools may harbour brain-eating amoebas as temperatures rise
Naegleria fowleri, which can cause a deadly infection of the brain, has been detected in one popular swimming spot in Western Australia's South West, and there are concerns it may be in another freshwater pool.
Mary has made her own biodegradable coffin — and knows exactly where she would like to be buried
Books, boxes and knick-knacks might be stored in your spare room, but in Mary Flynn's home studio is a wooden coffin, which she made herself. She's never been frightened of death and wants to spark conversations about natural burials.
Third man faces court on murder charge after discovery of body on outskirts of WA town
Raymond Smith, 68, had been missing for weeks before his body was found near Greenbushes last week.
Second person charged with man's alleged murder in Western Australia's South West
Two men have been charged and a third taken into custody over the alleged murder of Raymond Smith, who last week was found dead on the outskirts of a small town in South West WA.
Alleged catch of prized delicacy leaves 13 people facing prosecution in Western Australia
The government says tight management rules are in place because marron, a native freshwater crayfish species, is susceptible to being overfished, as 13 people in the state's South West face prosecution over an alleged catch of 285.
WA police searching for man after road rage incident involving woman 'going a little bit slow'
Police say a man climbed out of his car and verbally abused a 50-year-old woman while driving the Forrest Highway between Perth and the state's South West before he smashed her phone.
More mental health support promised after brothers' deaths by suicide leave WA mum shattered
Western Australia's Mental Health Commission is developing community hubs across the state to provide young people with "consistent" mental health care.
WA coroner finds supervision leading up to death of disabled girl 'woefully substandard'
A girl who was born with a "severe form" of cerebral palsy died with high levels of codeine in her system, which her mother and her mother's friends denied giving her.
WA court hears 25 people spoke to police over massage therapist's alleged sex offences
The Bunbury Magistrates Court has heard it's "highly likely" more charges will follow, after 25 people came forward to police about a massage therapist who allegedly sexually assaulted two women.
Councillor loses bid to scrap 'tokenistic' Welcome to Country protocols amid Indigenous backlash
A local government in Western Australia's South West has rejected a controversial proposal to abolish ceremonies that pay tribute to Aboriginal people.
Without a harness or safety net, people have climbed these 60m tall trees for decades — but not anymore
The 61-metre karri trees have pegs all the way to the top for climbing but, after improvement works earlier this year, the upper platforms remain closed for further inspections.
'Catastrophic' risk closes bridge, with locals and vital services facing lengthy detours
Harvey community members are concerned that the sudden closure of Forestry Road bridge for urgent repairs could cut the town off from supply trucks and emergency vehicles.
Beck wants stable housing for her daughter but the spread of Airbnbs in her town makes that tough
This single mother was heartbroken when Airbnbs took away affordable rentals in her seaside home and left her struggling to find somewhere stable to live. She hopes a new government incentive will ease the pressure.
'Not going to do anything': Businesses bemoan government's $10,000 Airbnb incentive
Hospitality vendors in WA's South West say a chronic shortage of staff accommodation is crippling their businesses — and new government initiatives to try to solve the problem are inadequate.
Suzin has had two lower leg amputations, but says 'you don't feel disabled' on a horse
Suzin Wells was back on her horse four weeks after her second amputation earlier this year. Now, she's been named a national reserve champion in dressage riding.
Pool plan sinks over concern with rate rises in WA town amid cost-of-living crisis
Shire of Collie chief executive officer Stuart Devenish says he expected the no vote would be even higher.
Almost 90 per cent of people in this WA farming town voted No. Here's why
The resounding No vote in Western Australia has been met with relief by many who say it was a distraction, including those in the Wheatbelt town of Darkan. But others say there will be ramifications for reconciliation.
How milking cows and raising calves is setting these prisoners up to re-enter the community
As the country's dairy industry battles labour shortages, a West Australian prison is working to help fill those gaps by training workers behind bars.
'It's tiring our people': Traditional custodians reflect on mental toll of heated Voice debate
In a week where public comments made by prominent Yes campaigner Marcia Langton prompted a media frenzy, Indigenous people reflect on how the Voice to Parliament debate has impacted their mental health.