Around East Gippsland 15/05/2025

BAIRNSDALE

THIS WEEK IS National Road Safety Week, with drivers pledging to commit to safer driving. This includes no speeding, no distractions, such as mobile phones, no drink or drug driving and protecting vulnerable road users.

LAST WEEK SENIOR leaders from East Gippsland Water representatives Michael Wandmaker (managing director), David Radford (general manager customers, community and communications), Dr Hamish Reid (general manager service delivery) and Neville Pearce (general manager sustainability and infrastructure) visited East Gippsland Shire Council chambers to share updates with councillors and staff on key areas of mutual interest. Topics covered included water recycling plants (Bairnsdale, Paynesville and Lakes Entrance – Bruce’s Track), master planning and growth management, and integrated water management opportunities.

QUIZ EXPRESS COMES to the Mitchell River Tavern on May 21 from 7pm. It’s a trivia revolution, faster, bigger and better, fun, interactive, and totally engaging. No pens or paper, just state-of-the-art wireless buzzers and multimedia trivia on the big screen, with a dynamic live scoreboard, with instant answer reveals, no cheating or delays. Action packed game rounds include, trivia ladder, jeopardy, fastest finger and last team standing.

THE CHILDREN’S WEEK Expo is back on Friday from 2-5.30pm with a free and inclusive celebration for families and kids aged 0–12 at the Bairnsdale Squash and Table Tennis Centre (64 Great Alpine Rd, Lucknow). There will be jumping castles, face painting and craft, as local early years and children’s service stalls including a display by the council waste team. Special appearances from Bluey, Peppa Pig and the waste team’s friendly mascot. Head along to connect, play and explore everything the amazing local services have to offer at the event proudly hosted by Uniting Bairnsdale.

THE COUNCIL WILL host a one-night starting your small business workshop on Wednesday, June 4, from 5.30-8.30pm. The workshop is perfect for beginners looking to launch a small business or side hustle. Whether you are a cleaner, artist, NDIS worker, dog walker, gardener, or just have a great idea, this hands-on session will give you the tools to get started with confidence. You will learn, business structures and registration, insurance and workspace options, crafting a business overview and action plan and where to find ongoing support and resources.

IT WAS GREAT to see Tanner McMillan recognised for his effort with the Lyme Disease Association of Australia, a semi finalist in the Victorian Young Achievers award in the community service and social impact section. He was surrounded by outstanding young (under 30) achievers in all areas of life.

CAROLE PEPPER’S EMBROIDERY exhibition is now on display at the East Gippsland Art Gallery through to June 14. Through each carefully stitched thread, Pepper celebrates the beauty that surrounds us, offering a gentle reminder of its preciousness and fragility.

PLENTY OF PRIDE at New Leaf Cafe with two staff members honoured with the Pride of Workmanship award from the Mitchell River Rotary Club. This recognition of their exceptional work ethic is so well-deserved. Recognition went to Katie Adams (head chef) and Shannon Edwards (all-rounder).

A PERSON WELL known to East Gippslanders, Mary Aldred, who was the founding chief executive officer of the Committee for Gippsland CFG, the region’s leading industry voice to government, looks set to claim the hotly contested seat of Monash in the Federal election. Harry Rees was the chair of CFG when Aldred was involved. Counting still continues in the seat, with preferences likely to decide who heads to Canberra, with Aldred, who got over 30 per cent of the primary vote, looking most likely.

BENAMBRA

THE STAR MOTORCYCLE Club grateful for the efforts of the local hotel, accommodating them last weekend, with great food, beer and times were had by all.

CANN RIVER

EXCITEMENT IS GATHERING for the Cann Valley Op-Shop Ball programmed for July 12, kicking off at 4pm, until late at the Monaro Centre. This year’s Winterfest event is all about fun, different, with all gowns and outfits to be purchased from op-shops or secondhand stores. Before the ball begins, enjoy a twilight market with, food vendors, market stalls, face painting and a light show. There will be live bands or singers, and prizes for best dressed, with the theme 80-90s, so get retro, bold and fabulous.

HEYFIELD

THE ANNUAL VINTAGE Machine Rally will be held this Saturday and Sunday at the Gordon Street Reserve. There will be lots to see for all ages, including steam engines, working horses, Gippsland woodcraft, trucks, cars, motorcycles, tractor pull, blacksmith, tractor trek, grand parade and market stalls.

THE VICTORIAN FISHING AUTHORITY recently nominated the European carp for listing as a Key Threatening Process under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The nomination describes the adverse impacts of the massive carp population on freshwater fisheries and aquatic ecosystems and also sets out the case for preparing a Threat Abatement Plan to inform decisions and coordinate actions to control carp.

THE NEXT ROUND of Heyfield Timber Worker Hall of Fame nominees have been announced with Frank Balcombe, Mick Johnston, Ernie Hug, Terry Higgins, Dianne Blackie, Owen Feenstra, Stash Bednarski, Barry Bedggood, Gary Blackwood, Vince Hurley and the Leeson family all set for induction.

LAKES ENTRANCE

GIPPSLAND LAKES COMPLETE Health is throwing open the doors at their Children’s Centre (May 20, 4.30-5.30pm) and Early Learning Centre (May 21, 4-5.30pm) you are invited. A chance to come meet the team and explore the spaces with expressions of interest for 2026 kinder places open from May 20.

THIS YEAR’S ALPINE Rally of East Gippsland is scheduled to run from November 28-30, based once again in the beautiful Lakes Entrance region.

LICOLA

THE 73RD NATIONAL Lions Australia National conference was held in Traralgon last week with Sari-Elle Kraemer completing an 85-kilometre charity run from Licola Wilderness Village. Joined by the Traralgon Harriers, her run served both as the conference opener and a fundraiser for the Licola Wilderness Village, which supports disadvantaged youth. Kraemer was inspired to support the cause after volunteering at the village over the summer.

THE LICOLA WILDERNESS Village will take over the operation of the Licola General Store and Caravan Park in 2026. The current lease for the store and caravan park is due to end in January, but the Lions Club of Victoria, owner of the entire village, has given the lessee 12 months notice that it won’t be renewed. The move has drawn considerable criticism from the store’s current operator and the town’s community, leading to a protest at the National Conference for Lions Australia in Traralgon.

LINDENOW

ALL ROADS WILL lead to the market on Sunday, operating between 9am-1pm.

REGISTRATIONS CLOSE THIS week for the Lindenow Art Exhibition, to be held on May 23-25.

LONGFORD

A NEW AUTOMATED external defibrillator was installed last month at the Longford Recreation Reserve. Funds were raised by the Longford Community Market, which is held every second Sunday of the month and the Wellington Community Op Shop.

KALIMNA

THE PUB HAS been closed early on this week for some remedial works in the bar area, but it opened for business as usual today.

MAFFRA

THE LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD House is holding an interesting session on Wednesday, May 21, from 1pm. If you like resin and paint pour, you will love this session, come along and enjoy exploring with alcohol ink and you get to frame your final piece.

NICHOLSON

WINE LOVERS NEED to mark Saturday, June 28 on their calendar’s, where from 1pm, a first and exclusive tasting of about 20 early East Gippsland wines, mainly from the 1980s and 90s at Nicholson River Winery will occur. Some are in magnums and include chardonnays, pinot noirs, cabernet-merlot, riesling and semillon. Cheese and biscuits will be provided with the audience to be capped at 20 people. It’s a chance to take a journey into the evolution of styles and varieties in a frontier wine area of Victoria, with an accompanying explanation by winemaker and owner, Ken Eckersley.

NOWA NOWA

THE CREATORS MARKET is on this Saturday between 9am-1pm. This will be the last market before winter, before a spring return.

SALE

WELLINGTON SHIRE COUNCIL will be celebrating this year’s National Volunteer Week with a special event that brings people together and showcases the power of volunteering in connecting communities. The Wellington Volunteer Expo will be held on Thursday May 22, from 5.30-7.30pm at the Port of Sale. Volunteer organisations interested in hosting a stall are invited to submit an expression of interest.

THE TENNIS CLUB will host a Healthy Clubs Workshop at its clubhouse this Saturday. The free workshop is facilitated by Relationships Australia in partnership with Tennis Victoria. The workshop explores the link between gender equality, respectful relationships and the prevention of violence against women, children, and gender diverse people. The club is inviting the whole Gippsland sporting community to join, with the workshop to run from 10am, followed by a free barbecue lunch.

TICKETS ARE NOW on sale for Turner and Australia, a major new exhibition that brings the genius of J.M.W. Turner to Gippsland Art Gallery, alongside generations of Australian artists inspired by his vision Renowned for his luminous skies, dramatic seascapes and revolutionary style, Turner changed the course of art and now his legacy is arriving in Gippsland. This exclusive exhibition, from June 7 to August 24, celebrates Turner’s genius and explores how his vision reshaped the way we see the natural world. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering his work for the first time, this is a rare opportunity not to be missed at the Gippsland Art Gallery (70 Foster Street).

BOTANIC GARDENS WEEK is almost upon us, with the Wellington Shire Council planning three fantastic events to help you dig into the magic of Sale Botanic Gardens. On May 19 from 3.30-5pm at the Nakunbalook Environmental and Cultural Education Centre, a unique opportunity is presented to tour the Bill Cane Living Collection with David and Jenny Cane hearing their personal insights and stories behind the remarkable collection full of native treasures. The next evening at Nakunbalook Environmental and Cultural Education Centre from 5.30-6.30pm, you will learn how to protect Billy Buttons, a unique but threatened plant species from local experts. While on Tuesday, May 20 from 5.30-6.30pm, landscape architect Andrea Proctor will given an inspiring guided tour of the Sale Botanic Gardens through an expert’s eyes. Whether you’re a green thumb or just curious, there’s going to be something for everyone to enjoy.

WELLINGTON SHIRE COUNCIL has confirmed that its applications for State and Federal Government funding for the proposed Sale Integrated Centre for Children and Families have been unsuccessful. The centre, planned for Gibsons Road in Sale, was identified as a priority project in Council’s Early Years Infrastructure Plan and supported by a 2022 feasibility study highlighting future demand for early years services. Council had secured $150,000 from the Victorian Government’s Building Blocks Planning Grant Program to develop detailed designs for the centre. The proposed facility aimed to co-locate kindergarten, childcare, maternal and child health and support services in a central, accessible location to support families, particularly those in Sale and surrounding communities. Council subsequently applied for $4.5 million through the State Government’s Capacity Building Stream and $3.5 million through the Federal Government’s Growing Regions program to support construction. Both applications were unsuccessful, with the State Government advising that the proposal did not meet current demand criteria under the Best Start, Best Life reforms. As a result, the project is now on hold, and Council will redirect the allocated funds in its 2025/26 budget to other community priorities. Council will revisit the project at a future date, as part of a broader review of early years infrastructure needs across the Shire.

SARSFIELD

ANOTHER GREAT BREW club meeting was held last Friday night, the crew brewing a XPA called Home Run, a refreshing, hop-forward beer perfect for the season. This style introduces the group to brewing with grain and malt extract, and features a 15-minute boil, making it a great stepping stone between extract and all-grain brewing.

SEASPRAY

STAR OF THE SOUTH is confident of lodging this year. After five years of preparation, the environmental approval applications for its proposed wind farm offshore from Gippsland, off the back the state government releasing the latest guidelines to implement the offshore wind projects. Their application is backed by a huge body of scientific work including three years studying local marine and bird life, expert advice and technical assessments to ensure Star of the South not only meets environmental requirements but leaves a positive legacy.

STRATFORD

AUSNET HAS BEEN conducting aerial inspections in the region this week. Inspections taking place around Stratford, Llowalong, Briagolong, Maffra, Flynn, Glengarry, Gormandale, Flynn, Flynns Creek, Willung, Hiamdale, Fish Creek, Buffalo, Tarwin Lower, Walkerville, Waratah Bay and Fish Creek. Each year their aerial operations program with specialised helicopters inspects around 40,000 poles on its electricity network. The inspections are carried to help identify, monitor and repair wear and tear on powerlines and poles.

SWAN REACH

CAR BOOT AND Makers Market returns to the Recreation Reserve this Sunday from 9am to noon, with an eclectic range of traders including car boots, makers and growers along with Magic Beans Coffee, music and Twin Rivers Lions Catering Van. Twin Rivers Lions Community Shed will be open during market day hours to enable everyone to swap some fiction/nonfiction books. Be sure to check out their gift range with items made by our members and friends using donated fabrics and bric-a-brac. Funds raised through sales support community projects. Recycle bin is located at the market entry for depositing unwanted “as new” children’s books, fiction and non-fiction books, unwanted spectacles, unwanted new and used postage stamps including stamp albums; fabrics, bric-a-brac, wool and cotton The club also accepts empty cans and bottles for recycling.

TINAMBA

FOR THE MONTHS of May and June the local hotel is donating $5 from Parma/Schnitzel meal to the Little Jem Foundation. The Foundation provides assistance to families in Gippsland who experience the sudden loss of a baby or child, whether during pregnancy, as a newborn, or as a young child.