BAIRNSDALE
ALL COUNCIL BRIDGES for the first time in East Gippsland are free of load limits, allowing unrestricted access for heavy vehicles, emergency services, logging trucks, and freight operators. Bridges with limits can delay firefighting efforts and disrupt essential transport during emergencies. Removing these restrictions makes East Gippsland safer and more connected. Council has upgraded more than 200 bridges across the shire, including in bushfire-affected and remote areas. This work improves emergency response, supports businesses and strengthens local supply chains. Unfortunately some bridges managed by VicRoads, DEECA or Parks Victoria may still have restrictions, therefore High Productivity Freight Vehicle and Overmass vehicle drivers should consult the VicRoads Heavy Vehicle Map.
UNFORTUNATELY THE BAIRNSDALE Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has had to make the difficult decision to not go ahead with the Easter Laneway Festival this year. The BCCI rely on sponsorship, grants or donations to facilitate Laneway 3875 events and to keep them free and accessible for the community. However, we have not been able to source sufficient funds to fund this year’s Easter event. The BCCI understands this news is likely disappointing and shares that disappointment. As a non-funded, not-for-profit entity the BCCI is heavily reliant on volunteers, the generosity of members, whatever grants it can access, and donations made by local businesses and the community. This is not sustainable. BCCI is increasingly concerned that if it cannot secure funding and support moving forward it will find it difficult to facilitate further Laneway3875 events.
ON APRIL 2 THE CFA celebrated 80 years of serving Victorians. It marked an incredible history of supporting Victorians through some of their most challenging times and how this has shaped the organisation that is in place today.
GOOD NEWS WITH the warm water pool and spa now reopened and in full working order at the Bairnsdale Aquatic and Recreation Centre.
BEMM RIVER
THE TOWN’S NEW footpaths linking up all the important spots are opened and look sensational, joining the boat ramp, jetty and going through town to the famous Bemm River Hotel, where locals enjoyed a barbecue lunch as part of the celebrations, including locally made venison sausages.
BRIAGOLONG
THE BOISDALE BRIAGOLONG Junior Football Netball Club will hold its jumper and dress presentation night for all football and netball teams ahead of the 2025 season on April 23 from 5.30pm at the Briagolong Recreation Reserve.
BRUTHEN
HOME GROWN TALENT Andrew Wishart will be playing after the Bruthen Football Netball Club’s round one clash against Lindenow South Football Netball Club this Saturday at Bruthen Recreation Reserve. Many years ago Wishart slotted 32 goals in an under 16 match for the club and the Bulldogs are thrilled to welcome him back for a one-off show after the game.
BUCHAN
THE PRECISION RIFLE Club will hold its annual general meeting on Tuesday, April 15, from 6pm. Topics to be discussed on the night include new committee, new target set, NRL22/PRS22 matches, next NRL22X match, club rifle and ammunition use and where the club is and what its achieved.
LAKES ENTRANCE
GIPPSLAND LAKES COMPLETE Health has volunteer opportunities where you can turn ordinary moments into something special. Whether delivering a meal or sharing a laugh, your time can make a world of difference and bring plenty of joy along the way. Current opportunities include Meals on Wheels, Children’s Centre, Social Support and the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program.
LINDENOW
THE LINDENOW MARKET is looking for extra stall holders for its Easter Sunday Market (April 20), with carpark and hall stalls available.
MAFFRA
BLUE GABLES WINERY will host its longest lunch this Friday from noon. It’s the perfect pairing: Gippsland’s best wine, food, and live music, a chance to indulge in a six-course degustation lunch, where each course has been thoughtfully matched with the award-winning, estate-grown wines of Blue Gables. The careful pairing of food and wine is designed to enhance the natural flavours of each, creating a multi-sensory experience that is as refined as it is memorable. It celebrates the Tinamba Hotel’s Chef’s Hat for the fourth consecutive year, this event bringing together two culinary powerhouses, combining the skill and passion of Gippsland’s finest chefs with the finest wines from one of the region’s top wineries. To round off the day, enjoy live music by the incredibly talented Ashton Hicks (third year Monash University music student), providing the perfect soundtrack to an unforgettable afternoon.
THE WELLINGTON DISABILITY Advisory Committee (WDAC) is looking for some welcome additions to its vibrant group. It is looking for people with the skills, knowledge or experience to help shape a more inclusive Wellington Shire. People with lived experience of disability, carers, advocates and those working in disability services to join the WDAC. This important committee helps make sure the Wellington Shire is welcoming, accessible and inclusive for everyone. As a member you will participate in project steering groups and provide advice on disability-related issues, while helping guide the new Disability Action Plan. Help make a difference in local policies, programs and services. Applications close Friday, April 11.
MALLACOOTA
RECENT COMMUNITY DISCUSSION has focused on the new kerb installation at the corner of Develling Drive and Maurice Avenue, part of ongoing streetscape works to improve the intersection’s layout, define parking areas and enhance garden beds. Drivers are reminded to take extra care when travelling through the work zone and to adhere to the 40 kilometre per hour speed limit. To further highlight the intersection changes, contractors will install additional signage and trees will be planted as part of the works. Motorists are reminded that this is a live work site, with traffic conditions subject to change throughout the construction period, with safe and attentive driving is essential.
VISITORS AND LOCALS can now recycle eligible bottles and cans at Mallacoota Foreshore Holiday Park using dedicated container deposit scheme trailers. Every container returned means 10 cents goes directly to Friends of Mallacoota, supporting their vital environmental work. This trial aims to reduce waste, ease pressure on park staff, and keep Mallacoota beautiful. Running throughout April, including Easter, it’s a simple way to do good while you holiday.
METUNG
LEARN TO SAIL lessons will take place at the Metung Yacht Club from April 14-17. Sessions will run each day from 8.30am-12.15pm and 1-4.45pm.
EAST GIPPSLAND SHIRE now offers free textile recycling. They are working with UpCycle4Better to keep textiles out of landfill. This means you can drop off clothing, shoes, bags, belts, soft toys, swimwear and household textiles for free at the Bairnsdale Landfill or Metung, Lakes Entrance and Orbost transfer stations The fashion industry is also stepping up, with a new guide that helps designers create sustainable products.
THE LOCAL BOWLS club will host its sponsors and members day on Sunday, April 27 from 2pm, with barefoot bowls and a barbecue on the agenda.
OMEO
THE COMMUNITY HALL has some chairs that need to be rehoused. If you’ve attended a hall event in the past 10 years, you’ve probably sat on one and they are comfortable. They would be great shearing or backyard shed additions. Free to good homes but a small donation to the hall would be appreciated.
ORBOST
A COMMUNITY WALK and talk will be held on Saturday from 10-11.30am through the red colonnade and on to the deck of the Snowy River Rail Bridge. A chance to read the history and hear about the project with Save The Snowy Rail Bridge committee members. All interested parties are to meet in the Eastern Car Park.
PAYNESVILLE
THE FRIENDS OF Paynesville Library are holding an Autumn Book Sale from this Friday to Sunday, operating 10am-3pm. The Paynesville Toonalook CWA will have a stall on the Saturday selling delicious cakes from 10am to 1pm.
THE LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD House is hosting a Community Expo on Saturday, October 4, from 10am to 1pm. The Community Expo is bringing together local emergency services, community clubs, groups and community members to showcase what they all do. There will be local Landcare groups, Koala groups, CFA, Kingfisher Dragon Boat Club, Water Police, SES, Coastguard, Sea Scouts and local interest groups. The Paynesville Library will also be open on the day. The event will be a family-friendly event with lots of fun things such as show bags, Rhyme Time at the library, face painting, a Tinkering Zone, VR Headsets, Giant Games along with some surprise guests for the children. It’s a great chance to discover what there is to do in the local area as well as an opportunity to join a club or group. Food will also be available to purchase from the Lions Club, Berry Dairy and the CWA.
THE NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE community garden is up and running. Thanks to some dedicated locals and three horticulture students from TAFE Gippsland, plenty of seedlings were planted last week.
SALE
PROUD POPPY, AN Australian-founded small business, is opening in the Gippsland Centre Sale on April 20. It’s the companies seventh store and they are on a mission to bring fun, affordable, and trendy fashion to as many women as possible. They proudly cater to sizes six to 30 and believe in fashion that should be inclusive, empowering, and accessible to all.
THE NEWLY-RESURFACED netball courts at the Gippsland Regional Sports Complex are looking absolutely sensational and they’re already buzzing with activity. Netball is one of the most popular sports in the Gippsland and the Wellington Shire Council are delighted to invest in quality facilities that help bring people together, keep active and strengthen local sport at every level. The first to take to the brand-new surface was the Sale Netball Association’s Monday night competition and the energy on court was fantastic.
AT LAST WEEK’S Wellington Shire Council meeting, councillors passed a Notice of Motion to escalate advocacy to the Victorian Government, calling out the change to the Fire Services Levy, now rebranded as the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF). It’s not just a State Government rebrand, from July 1, Victorian households, businesses and farmers will be hit with levy hikes of up to 180 per cent. In Wellington, this is a near 130 per cent increase to be paid to the state government via rates notices. That’s an extra $5.5 million this year alone in Wellington Shire money that will go straight to the State Government, not to council or the local community. The council demanding the State Revenue Office take back responsibility for collecting this tax and stop shifting the burden to local households and businesses.
THE NEW POOL is progressing well, with the roofing on, steel work nearly done, tiling started in the changerooms, and the water play area brickwork all complete. This is a huge step forward in the redevelopment, bringing closer to a bigger, fresher and more modern facility later this year.
RED KNIGHTS AUSTRALIA are after old batteries, with funds raised going to the Salvation Army and St Vincents De Paul.
SARSFIELD
THE LOCAL BREW club is meeting again this Friday night at the hall. They will be making the new club favourite Tutti Fruti using an extract brewing kit, while kegging the January brew and making a red wine using a concentrate kit.
TINAMBA
GOOD FRIDAY WILL see the staging of the “Little Jem Foundation Fun Run”. Matt and Amy Daly established the Little Jem Foundation, which assists families in Gippsland who experience the sudden loss of a baby or child (whether during pregnancy, as a newborn, or as a young child), in memory of their daughter Jemma Sue. Born 13 weeks premature, Jemma was airlifted to Mercy Hospital in Melbourne, where she valiantly fought for her life for eight days before tragically passing away. Each year, Matt and Amy host an event at Newry Golf Club to raise funds to support other Gippsland families. In the wake of the tragic plane crash in November that claimed the lives of 15-year-old Dusty Daly and his cousins, Luke and Benny, a community-driven running and walking event raising funds for the foundation has been established. The Little Jem Foundation Fun Run features three events, each paying tribute to the three young men who lost their lives: Luke’s Long Haul (21.3 kilometres), Benny’s Blitz (13 kilometres) and Dusty’s Dash (five kilometres). Luke’s Long Haul will begin at the Macalister River Park in Maffra, Benny’s Blitz at the Tinamba Hotel and Dusty’s Dash at Brown’s Fertiliser in Tinamba West, all finishing at the Newry Golf Club ahead of the golf day. Fun run participants are encouraged to wear the colour purple, Dusty’s favourite colour.
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 from 2.30pm, with afternoon tea provided and signed books available to buy.
LOCAL BELINDA SMART was a member of the victorious South Gippsland Koorooman Sapphire Ewes team who completed their Back to Back wool challenge on Saturday, March 29. There win meant they retained the Australian Championship title for another year. Times for the teams were: Koorooman Sapphire Ewes 11 hours 42 minutes and 12 seconds, Sisters in Stitches 11 hours 56 minutes and 58 seconds and Yarn it All 13 hours five minutes and 14 seconds. Congratulations to Yarram’s Belinda Smart who was a member of the South Gippsland team who took out the Back to Back wool challenge and retain the Australian championship title. The Back to Back Wool challenge raises money for Rare Cancers.
POLICE ARE SEEKING witnesses who may have been in Jame Street in the early hours on March 15. Approximately around midnight, it is alleged that a male was involved in an assault and theft of bicycle.
