BAIRNSDALE
THE BAIRNSDALE FARMERS and Makers Market is open this Saturday at 2 McEacharn Street, East Bairnsdale, directly beside the Howitt Park Bowling Club. The market is open from 8am and hosts a range of local grown produce and locally made goods. Products include fruit, vegetables, local lamb and venison, locally distilled gin and a range of homemade jams, nuts, cakes and a range of other goods.
THE ROTARY CLUB of Mitchell River is gearing up for its annual Rotary Centenary House Breakfast, to be held this year on Wednesday, April 9 (7-10am), at St Mary’s Catholic Church Parish Centre, Bairnsdale. Rotary Centenary House provides vital accommodation for those in need, with 60 per cent of residents coming from East Gippsland. This event not only raises crucial funds but also increases awareness of the essential service “The House” provides to the community.
INTERCHANGE GIPPSLAND IS delighted to announce that on Saturday they will have host a Friendship Group East’s Mini Golf and Trash Test Dummies Performance activity, commencing from their Bairnsdale office (Eastwood Shopping Centre, Bairnsdale). The event for 18 plus, has limited spots.
LOCAL POLICE INTERCEPTED a male “P” plate driver on March 21 at approximately 11pm, driving on Service Street. The 18-year-old returned a positive evidentiary breath test of 0.067. Not only was he risking his life, driving under the influence, but those of his four passengers. Poor choices occur big consequences, the youngster receiving a $593 fine, losing his licence for six months and will require an interlock device to be fitted to his vehicle when he resumes driving.
VICTORIA POLICE RECENTLY had it’s 50,000th recruit pass through the academy. Early in March, recruit Squad 12 had their swearing-in ceremony, where recruits are awarded their registered numbers and where Constable Matt became the lucky recipient of the milestone number.
ITS PET REGISTRATION time at the East Gippsland Shire, with all cats and dogs over three months old needing to be registered by April 10 each year. Discounts are available for desexed pets, senior pets (10 plus years), working dogs and pets in registered domestic animal businesses. First-time registrations require microchipping.
THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT’S new Emergency Services Levy will result in a significant cost burden on local ratepayers. Rural Council Victoria (representing Victorian rural councils) has this week released data highlighting that $140 million extra will be taken from rural communities each year. About $4.55 million will come directly from East Gippsland, an increase of 52 per cent. The increase for East Gippsland primary producers will be 117 per cent and for commercial property owners 78 per cent. Rural councils will be required to collect this new annual levy through rates notices and then pass the money onto the state.
THE NEXT DANCE program for the Picnic Point Hall dance on April 5 (8-11.30pm) has been released. Music will be provided by BAC to BAC. Looking forward to doing the Merrilyn, Tracey Leigh, Foxtrot, Midnight Tango, Killarney, Queen of Hearts, Evening Three Step, Lucille, Red Rose Saunter, Jaqueline Cha Cha, Balmoral Blues, New Vogue Modern Waltz, Dynasty Blues, Progressive Chicago Waltz, Monte Carlo, Barclay Blues, Festival Glide, Carousel, Swing Waltz, Tangoette and Emmerdale Modern Waltz.
BEMM RIVER
THE TOWN’S NEW footpath’s are now completed, making the town safer and more accessible for locals and visitors. The official opening will take place this Friday at 11.30am in Luderick Memorial Park where there will be speeches, ribbon-cutting, and a community barbecue.
GOLDEN BEACH
The local bowls club has a fresh new look, with a brand-new green surround now in place through support from a quick response grant. This much-needed upgrade has been a big win for the club and community, with over 50 locals and visitors enjoying the refreshed space during the summer barefoot bowls program.
LAKES ENTRANCE
PLENTY OF PEOPLE have been discovering the hidden gem that is Cossticks Weir over the early months of 2025. Nestled a mere 25km east of Lakes Entrance, Cossticks Weir stands as a tranquil reminder of nature’s resilience and man’s determination. Head out east from Lakes Entrance and follow the signs for the Historic Trestle Bridge. While you’ll come across the renowned Stony Creek Trestle Bridge about three kilometres down the road, extend your journey for another two kilometres to discover the serene beauty of Cossticks Weir. Built in response to the devastating 1939 bushfires, this modest structure embodies the resourcefulness of past generations. Using local materials, it was meticulously constructed to ensure a steadfast water supply for firefighting. The project was supervised by John Hilbert Cosstick, a renowned forester whose contributions to the region have been immortalised by this beautiful spot. Today, as you bask in the Weir’s serene ambiance, you’ll encounter the vibrant dance of dragonflies, the delicate flutter of butterflies, and if you’re lucky, the majestic presence of East Gippsland Waterdragons.
LOCH SPORT
CONCERNS OVER THE weekend with a significant fish kill in Lake Victoria along most of the Loch Sport lake front. Vic Fisheries and EPA have been notified and are investigating. Water samples have been collected and a range of dead fish for testing. No obvious/visible cause has been identified at this stage but it seems the fish have been starved of oxygen in the local area.
MAFFRA
PLENTY OF EXCITEMENT with the Gippsland Vehicle Collection set to receive a $1 million grant to future-proof facilities, if the Coalition wins the federal election. Local MP, Darren Chester met with senior colleagues in Canberra last week and highlighted the importance of this project which has missed out on grant funding under the Albanese Government. If the Nationals win government as part of the Coalition on May 3, they are determined to help local community groups improve facilities which make a significant social and economic contribution to regional areas like Gippsland.
MAFFRA FOOTBALL NETBALL Club’s season launch will take place this Thursday night following training. The night includes a two-course meal, jumper presentation, team selections and season announcements.
MAFFCO BREWERY AND Taphouse is on the hut for barbecue judges for an event that they are hosting on April 27.
MEERLIEU
CRICKET CLUB PRESENTATION night will be held this Friday night at 5.30pm at the Meerlieu Hall. The night will honour great performances while enjoying good company, and looking back at another fantastic year for the Meerlieu Cricket Club. The club will be supplying the barbecue, while the senior players are asked to bring a dessert and junior players a salad.
METUNG
THE MEN’S BOOK Group get together at the Metung Hotel will be held tonight at 6.30pm. They are a member group of the Tough Guys Book Club. “Tough Guys” is a men’s club that meets in person on the first Wednesday of every month. There are Tough Guys ‘chapters’ in every Australian state and territory plus Asia, Europe, UK and Canada.
NEWLANDS ARM
OVER THE LONG WEEKEND, the Newlands Arm Landcare Coastcare Group conducted a car boot sale at Dawsons Cove. Many a bargain was gained and in an idealistic setting people watched yachts complete the Marley Point race as they ate a sausage or supported the coffee van. Funds raised will be utilised in revegetation projects. Last week the group conducted an evening event at the Community Centre with ecologist Laura Owen from Wildlife Unlimited presenting information about local bats. Children enjoyed making bat puppets with designated names such as Bruce, Barry and Billy, while other examined tiny bat specimens. Following the informative presentation adults and children enjoyed walking in the nearby habitat and seeking out the resident bats. With Owen using the echo meter at least four different bat species were located including some rare ones. Fruit bats were seen gliding overhead on their nightly pilgrimage for food. The evening concluded with hot chocolate, billy tea, batty biscuits and toasted marshmallows.
The next event “Nocturnal Nightlife” will be held on May 16 with Owen again presenting valuable information to interested parties.
NOWA NOWA
SUNDAY’S FESTIVAL OF Small Halls was well supported and a blast. The night featured some outstanding talents, including Lakes Entrance’s Olivia Lay.
PAYNESVILLE
THE FRIENDS OF Paynesville Library are holding an Autumn Book Sale from April 11-13, operating 10am-3pm. The Paynesville Toonalook CWA will have a stall on the Saturday selling delicious cakes.
SALE
DON’T FORGET WELLINGTON Shire Council pet registrations are due by April 10. Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, all cats and dogs over three months old need to be microchipped and registered. Renewing your registration helps keep your furry friends safe and makes it easier for the local laws team to reunite lost pets with their owners. Plus registration fees help support local animal shelter, pet education programs, animal welfare investigations, and more.
STREET FEAST IS coming to the Sale Showgrounds on July 5. It will be a night of food trucks, dessert stalls, boutique retail stalls and music from 4pm to late.
SALE AND EAST SALE will be the subject of an army training exercise from April 2-6. The fourth Brigade will be carrying out a training exercise (Arras Flash) for professional development of the soldiers. It will be conducted within the community of Sale on public roads and amongst the public. Members of the public are likely to see military personnel and vehicles in the community, and are advised for their awareness. The fourth Brigade members will be in uniform and carrying rifles, and will be using blank ammunition which makes a sound like a gunshot, but does not fire any bullet or projectile. This exercise is being conducted in a safe manner following consultation with Wellington Police and Wellington Shire Council.
THE LOCAL SING Australia group is celebrating 10 years of musical activities in 2025. The group meets on Tuesday nights at Bond Street Event Centre and sings from the Sing Australia songbooks, which are usually older or classical tunes. Members sing along to a piano player and have supper together and sometimes travel for Sing Australia events.
MORE THAN 70 PERFORMING Arts students from years seven through to 12 at the Gippsland Grammar School will bringing the “Newsies” story to the Garnsey Hall stage for this year’s senior campus musical. Newsies tells the story of homeless New York City newsboy Jack “Cowboy” Kelly who befriends two newcomers to his trade. But when publisher Joseph Pulitzer sets new rules that make it harder for the young newspaper salesmen to make a buck, the boys go on strike. The show will run from Wednesday, April 30 to Saturday, May 3.
STRATFORD
WELLINGTON SHIRE COUNCIL is in the process of determining what it deems is the best option for introducing a fourth kerbside bin for residents, which would collect glass and have a purple lid, in line with the state government’s compulsory scheme to have four different bins by 2030. Green waste bin to be introduced next year. Council also confirmed it was investigating how much a purple bin would cost for ratepayers, as well as determining what charge will be added to rates for the food. organics and garden organics green bins, which will be operational in July 2026. The neighbouring East Gippsland Shire and at least 14 other Victorian councils have teamed up to push the state government to abandon or delay the mandatory implementation of the purple glass recycling bin, citing costs to councils and ratepayers.
TINAMBA
THIS SUNDAY SEES the return of the Tinamba Food and Wine Festival. Gippsland is quickly establishing itself as a prominent winemaking region, with an increasing demand for local products both in Australia and abroad. There are more than 50 wineries across the broader Gippsland region, and the Tinamba Food and Wine Festival is one of the most anticipated events on the calendar. The family-friendly street party, beside the iconic Tinamba Hotel, celebrates Gippsland’s world-class artisan producers and award-winning businesses. Punters need to prepare their your taste buds for a diverse range of festival specials, from premium wines and delicious local food, while enjoying live music, including tunes from the talented Sam+Sam and Ashton Hicks. You can even leave the car at home and book a ticket on one of the festival buses, which offers easy connection with the train at Traralgon as well as servicing towns around Gippsland.
YARRAM
EVER DREAMT OF sailing down the coast, but weren’t so sure about life on a boat? Join local author Lorraine de Kluever as she shares tales from The Reluctant Deckhand, her newly published book about a sailing expedition from Queensland to Victoria with her husband. The event takes place at the library on Friday, April 11 from 2.30pm, with afternoon tea provided and signed books available to buy.
