ANGLERS REST
REPAIR AND STRENGTHENING works to the Cobungra River Bridge continue with the work required to maintain its current load limit. This includes replacing the northern abutment and other timber components. Work is expected to be completed by March 2025. The bridge will remain open, but short closures (up to 15 minutes) are currently occurring. While its exact construction date is uncertain, some of its original timber piles date back to the early 1900s. To maintain the bridge’s traditional appearance, timber has been sourced that closely matches the original materials. This approach ensures that while essential repairs are made, the bridge retains its familiar look and character.
BAIRNSDALE
THE LOUD SCREECHING of tyres on February 8 at approximately 10.30pm quickly had the Bairnsdale Highway Patrol into action. A short time later, police observed a blue Holden utility performing a number of donuts in Bosworth Road. The vehicle was intercepted and impounded for 30 days at a cost of $950. The driver, a 24-year-old Bairnsdale man, will be summons to court at a later date for a number of offences. Crime Stoppers and Victoria Police are calling on the community to report and share footage of any high-risk driving.
THE BUSINESS VICTORIA Small Business Bus will be in Bairnsdale on Tuesday, March 4, offering free one-on-one mentoring. It’s a chance to get guidance to clarify your business direction and develop an action plan to achieve your goals. The bus will be outside the library, between 10am-4pm. There are five in-person mentoring sessions available, with bookings essential.
A 21-YEAR-OLD from Wurruk had his car seized on February 13 at approximately 1am after the Bairnsdale Neighbourhood Policing Unit observed a silver Holden sedan “fishtailing” down the Main Street. The vehicle was intercepted and impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1625. The driver will be summons to court at a later date for a number of offences.
THE ANNUAL GENERAL meeting of the Bairnsdale Show will be held on Wednesday, March 5, from 6pm at the Bairnsdale racecourse. It’s an opportunity to become a volunteer and be part of one of the biggest events in town.
ON FEBRUARY 14 at approximately 10pm, the Bairnsdale Neighbourhood Policing Unit observed a grey Holden sedan “fishtailing” down the Main Street. The vehicle was intercepted and impounded for 30 days at a cost of $950. The driver, a 19-year-old female from Wy Yung, will be summonsed to court at a later date for a number of driving offences.
IF YOU DIDN’T vote in the 2024 local council elections, you might hear from the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC). The VEC is sending “Apparent failure to vote” notices to people who appear not to have voted in the 2024 local council elections. This is not a fine but your chance to explain why you didn’t vote. If you receive a notice, respond in writing within 28 days with your reason and any supporting evidence. If you don’t respond, the VEC is required to issue a $99 fine.
THE RAIN MADE an appearance on Sunday morning, but soon cleared, however unfortunately some stallholders from the Howitt Park Market opted to pull out. Those that stuck it out were rewarded with another well-attended market.
THE GIPPSLAND REGION Public Health Unit recently released a list of Gippsland’s top four notifiable diseases reported this summer. They were Mpox, Whooping Cough, COVID-19 and Mosquito-borne diseases. These diseases are serious, but you can protect yourself, stay safe and prevent the spread.
BEMM RIVER
IT WILL BE Karaoke and Open Mic night at the Bemm River Hotel on Friday night from 8pm. The musically talented or not talented are asked to bring along their voices or instruments and clapping hands. The evening will be hosted by Cindy Parrett.
BRIAGOLONG
THIS SATURDAY the local hall will host the Briagolong Ukelele Festival. The festival will begin with a strumalong to warm up the fingers, followed by two engaging workshops presented by Sally Carter and Keith Rea, designed for players of all abilities. An afternoon concert featuring local ukulele performers and headline act the fabulous, Green Fieldz will keep the crowd entertained.
BUCHAN
A COMMUNITY SCREENING and Fun Day will be held on Sunday, March 30. The featured movie will be Just a Farmer, which amplifies the often-overlooked voices of rural communities and sheds light on mental health struggles. It’s designed to create awareness, dismantle stigmas, and impact the well-being of rural Australia, fostering understanding and assuring individuals they don’t face darkness alone.
CAPE CONRAN
NAGLE COLLEGE YEAR nine outdoor education students had an amazing time at a surf camp held in the region last week. Cape Conran is such a beautiful location, with its stunning beaches and natural surroundings, perfect for a surf.
DARGO
ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, at 12.45am, a 28-year-old male from Trafalgar South thought it would be a good idea to perform 60 seconds of circle work outside a business in Dargo. The vehicle only narrowly missed the fuel bowsers at the store and left rubber all over the road. Subsequently CCTV footage was viewed of the incident and a registration of the offending vehicle was obtained. The registered male owner of the vehicle made full admissions to being the driver at the time and he was required to surrender his vehicle to the impound unit for 30 days at a cost of nearly $1300.
THE LOCAL HOTEL will come alive on Saturday, March 8, when Melbourne band, Single Income rocks the venue. They are a six-piece rock cover band, with many years of experience and their new lead singer Chenai Boucher is sure to keep the crowds singing and dancing the night away.
DELEGATE
THE LOCAL CAMPDRAFT will take place from March 7-9.
GLENALADALE
ECHO BEND CARAVAN Park will embark on a celestial journey from March 28-31. The event is being organised by the Astronomical Society of Victoria, Latrobe Valley Astronomical Society and Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society and promises to be an unforgettable annual gathering.
LAKES ENTRANCE
CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA Day is being held this Sunday. It is the perfect opportunity to make a difference in your local community by keeping East Gippsland clean and beautiful. All you have to do is register your site with Clean Up Australia Day and encourage friends, family, and colleagues to join in. It could be a park, trail, beach or bushland, every action counts. It’s recommended that participants have gloves, sturdy shoes, hat, sunscreen and a reusable bottle of water.
THE NEXT OPEN Mic season at Float will be held on March 7 from 5-9pm.
MAFFRA
MAJOR COLLISION INVESTIGATION Unit detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal collision in Maffra last week. Emergency services were called Stratford-Maffra Road after two cars collided about 12.20pm. Detectives believe the driver of a silver 2001 Toyota Corolla sedan had come to a stop on the road to turn into a driveway when the vehicle was hit from behind by a 2022 Mitsubishi Triton utility. The investigation remains ongoing.
NEW DRINKING FOUNTAINS are now flowing at the Maffra skate park and Stratford Memorial Park, thanks to a partnership between Gippsland Water and the Wellington Shire Council. Designed for hydration on the go, the fountains also feature stunning artwork by Gunaikurnai artist, Alice Pepper and even includes a dog bowl.
MAFFRA DRAMATIC SOCIETY is currently presenting its first pantomime in 15 years, with Little Red Riding Hood taking centre stage at the Maffra Memorial Hall. From a backpacking granny rapping to Vanilla Ice, to the three little pigs covering the Mikado, to villainous asides by the big bad wolf and cameos by Jack and Jill, the production embraces a sublime and ridiculous collision of fairytale and pop culture references into a satirical melodrama. The show is directed by first-time director Ally Orr, features a cast of 40 larger than life local performers and goes through until Sunday.
PAYNESVILLE
THE PAYNESVILLE STREETSCAPES Festival is set to go with only a few details to be confirmed. The biggest detail is to ask for volunteers to help out on the festival day (Sunday, March 9), at their choice of venue and time. Help is essential for the festival to succeed so attend if you can. The interest and support for this event will also influence how extensive the 2025 program might be for East Gippsland Verge Gardens. After the festival the current committee of three will be asking for help to run the program over this year.
GIPPSLAND LAKES Yacht Club is delighted to announce and welcome punters to join the Marine Mammal Foundation (MMF) and Friends of the Gippsland Lakes for a charity screening of the documentary The Dolphin Dilemma and an update from MMF vet Dr Kate on the current research on the critically endangered and iconic Gippsland Lake Burrunan dolphin. Screens will be staged at the Slipway in Lakes Entrance (March 11, 11am and 5pm) and St Mary’s Church Hall, Bairnsdale (March 10, 5pm). The Dolphin Dilemma has now been accepted into 86 international film festivals across 28 countries, and has received 55 awards. It’s a gripping documentary on the impacts of global climate change and the local devastation of freshwater skin disease, this exposé hopes to educate and inspire critical conservation action in an ever-changing climate. The documentary is not publicly available yet so the charity screening offers a unique viewing opportunity. With an estimated 30 resident dolphins remaining, coupled with the high detected levels of toxicants, concerns of a localised extinction event are very real.
OPPORTUNITIES CURRENTLY EXIST to learn how to play bridge at Bairnsdale and Paynesville bridge clubs, who are both conducting beginner’s courses. A series of online and video lessons conducted by an accredited bridge teacher provides the opportunity to learn at home on your own, with the family or with friends. Weekly supervised play is provided to support each lesson.
SALE
BABY’S DAY OUT is back for Park’s Week (March 1-9). It’s a great opportunity to bring your little ones (0-4 years) to Brennan Park on Monday from 10am-1pm for a day of fun. There will be a jumping castle, face painting and petting zoo, as well as a trackless train with a station master, bubbles and magic with Aurora the Mushroom Fairy, with a free sausage sizzle by Sale Lions Club. Representatives from the Wellington Shire Council, Uniting Care, Maternal Health, NDIS, Police and the Toy Library will be there to chat, support and participate in activities.
POLICE ARE REQUESTING public assistance for anyone who may have dash camera footage of a white VS Holden commodore utility with a gold canopy driving erratically on Bengworden Road and Somerton Park Road between 6.30-7am on February 13. If you have any information or dash cam footage, please contact the Sale Police.
THE GIPPSLAND ART Gallery is getting ready for a new Autumn Art Collection launch. Therefore the gallery will be temporarily closed from February 24-28.
STRATFORD
COURT IN THE Act Theatre will be performing at the courthouse from Thursday through to Sunday. Will the resident Potato Race champion take the title for yet another year? Nikki Armstrong, mother of four rambunctious boys, finally has some decent competition with every female cross fitter between Bowral, Boggabri and Brisbane competing in the racing event of the year (well, for Appleton at least).
WATER POLICE AND SES were called out on Monday, February 10, to a woman and her dog stuck in floodwater when the Avon River rose quickly. While the woman made her own way ashore Water Police were required to rescue the dog which was in a crate in the ute tray. The following day Wellington Highway Patrol responded to a vehicle stuck in floodwater on Bengworden Road in Clydebank and assisted the male driver to safety from his vehicle. Drivers are reminded not to drive through floodwater and not to camp in riverbeds or nearby. Rivers can rise very quickly often as a result of rainfall in their catchment away from your location.
YARRAM
FOR MORE THAN 50 years Mirridong Services has been providing independence and opportunities for adults with a disability. Last week they officially opened their newly extended and renovated day services centre. It’s a wonderful new facility for a special group of people in the community.
LOCAL APPRENTICES HAVE been among the awards recently. Adam Janssen and Tate Chisholm took out top honours at the Master Builders Victoria Regional Apprentice of the Year Awards, hosted in Morwell recently. Janssen took out the Gippsland Apprentice of the Year – Future Builder Award, while Chisholm was the winner of the Gippsland Apprentice of the Year – Junior Apprentice Award. Both lads will head to the Victorian State Apprentice of the Year Awards being hosted at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Thursday, May 8.
