BAIRNSDALE
SATURDAY WAS IDAHOBIT Day, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia. Celebrated every year on May 17, IDAHOBIT marks the date in 1990 when the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases. It’s a powerful reminder to remember that discrimination, harassment and exclusion have no place in our workplaces, schools, services or public spaces. It’s also a day of pride for those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer, asexual and more. Everyone, in every community has the right to live free from fear and to be celebrated for who they are.
ST MARYS NAGLE Cricket Club recently held its annual general meeting with James Counihan elected president for season 2025/26. The is club grateful for the contribution and leadership of outgoing president Paul Capes, who has given so much time and energy to the club, both on and off the field. Adrian Chila (vice president), Greg McCarrey (treasurer) and Vanessa Hack (secretary) make up the executive, to be supported by the general committee of Dan Hack, Mick Mann, Charles Stansfield, Andy Webster and John Capobianco.
THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT will make public transport free for all children from next year in a bid to relieve cost-of-living pressures. Starting from January 1 everyone under 18 will be able to access a “youth” myki card, allowing free travel across Victoria’s trams, trains, buses and coach services every day of the week. The card will stay valid until the child turns 18.
COACHES WILL REPLACE trains on the Gippsland Line from May 23-28 for all or part of the journey.
BAIRNSDALE REGIONAL HEALTH Service recently embraced International Nurses Day (May 12), celebrated on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. Nightingale is revered for her work on the battlefield during the Crimean War and is regarded as the pioneer of modern nursing. The day each year is a chance to reflect on the impact nurses have on the health and wellbeing of patients and the East Gippsland community. This year’s theme was , “Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for Nurses Strengthens Economies”, which highlights the critical importance of supporting the health and wellbeing of nurses and reminds everyone of the value nurses bring. A healthy nursing workforce is essential not only for delivering high quality care, but also for strengthening and improving health systems.
BENAMBRA
TWENTY EIGHT COUNCILS and community groups across the state will receive close to $1 million from the second round of AusNet’s Energy Resilience Community Fund. East Gippsland recipients included the Benambra Neighbourhood House ($40,000) for a fully equipped, self-powered mobile kitchen and food trailers to service remote and vulnerable community members during extended power outages and emergencies. Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Corporation will receive $50,000 for a generator to create an emergency response centre. This will help maintain critical services such as cooking facilities and medical equipment, as well as heating, cooling and lighting. Wellington Shire Council received $17,000 for targeted training across multiple locations for the community to learn the skills needed to maintain energy resilience equipment such as generators and solar and battery systems. Grants for the next round open on Monday May 26.
BRUTHEN
THE MECHANICS HALL will host Bruthen’s Biggest Morning Tea 2025 on Saturday from 10.30am.
BUNDALAGUAH
GIPPSLAND GRAMMAR MUSICIANS are gearing up for their very own concert at Live at the Bundy. A number of school ensembles featuring students from years five-12 will perform at The Bundy on Friday, May 30 from 6pm.
LAKES ENTRANCE
WALK TO SCHOOL day was well attended with it great to see so many children and families participating.
MAFFRA
THROUGHOUT JUNE, LOCALLY owned company Mac Waste Group is running a community fundraising campaign called “Why We Give”, partnering with local businesses in Gippsland to support the Little Jem Foundation, which was established by Matt and Amy Daly in loving memory of their daughter Jemma Sue. The Foundation assists families in Gippsland who experience the sudden loss of a baby or child. “Why We Give” aims to raise the visibility of the Little Jem Foundation’s vital work supporting families during their most difficult moments through grief support, financial assistance, and memorial services and funds to support the local charity’s continuation of important services. Many Gippsland businesses are contributing to the cause, including Quick Cuppa in Heyfield, which is donating 50 cents from every coffee sold in June, Tinamba Hotel, which is offering a $35 “Little Jem Parma/Schnitzel Special” with $5 from each meal going to the foundation, Seaspray General Store, Nicholson Wines, Sodafish, The Dock Espresso Bar, The Beet and Wild Honey.
WELLINGTON HIGHWAY PATROL is investigating two unregistered dirt bikes riding dangerously in the township between May 6-13. These riders have been putting other road users at risk due to high speeds and dangerous driving. Police are urging members of the public to come forward with information, and any CCTV footage, in an effort to hold these riders accountable and to keep the community safe.
NEWRY
ESSENDON FANS ARE expected to flock to the Newry Hall this Saturday, when Kevin Sheedy, Michael Long and Dustin Fletcher will appear on a panel. Doors open from 6.30pm.
NYERIMILANG
THE HERITAGE HOMESTEAD will host Devonshire teas and a light lunch on May 25 from 10am-3pm, with Moore Fiddling Around providing musical entertainment.
ORBOST
THERE’S PLENTY OF excitement in town with a division two tattslotto winner last Saturday night, winning $14,571.95.
RESULTS ARE NOW finalised for the Community Laws colouring-in competition, launched at the Orbost Show in March and followed up at the East Gippsland Field Days in April. Bruce and Monkey, the Community Laws puppets had a really tough time choosing the winners but with the assistance of the Community Laws officers, the winners were Lily Foster, Ella Whitelaw, Tyler Tomlinson, Sasha and Ella Crutchfield.
A COMMUNITY ARTS Exhibition will be held throughout June and July at the Orbost Arts Centre. It’s open to all artists across East Gippsland, with all mediums welcome.
PAYNESVILLE
THAM DYNASTY is closed to June 3, with staff and management having a well deserved rest.
THE PAYNESVILLE COAST GUARD recently towed a 38 footer vessel from Aurora Channel with a stuck throttle. They are keen to remind all boat owners that regular maintenance is important before you head out onto the water. But if you get into trouble, don’t hesitate to ring 000.
THE LOCAL CRICKET Club is delighted to announce the appointment of David Matthews as the new president for 2025/26. With his extensive experience and dedication to the game, they are confident that his leadership will take them new heights.
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 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.
POLICE ARE CONTINUING to receive reports of theft from motor vehicles across the Gippsland region. Police are identifying these offences as opportunistic, so we need to ensure we don’t make things easy for them by leaving vehicles unlocked, often with valuables inside or in plain sight. In recent weeks there have been several reports of thefts from unlocked cars. Please ensure all of your vehicles are locked. The community are the police’s eyes and ears so please continue to report any suspicious activity or behaviours in your local area.
MOTORISTS ARE REMINDED that when they see flashing lights ahead, slow down as directed. The roadside is a risky, dangerous, unpredictable and an ever-changing environment, not only for emergency services, but for others who work roadside as well. If you see an emergency vehicle stopped roadside, you need to slow down to 40 kilometres to pass them safely. When you pass through roadworks, ensure you’re driving to temporary speed limits in place.
LOCAL POLICE ARE investigating the circumstances surrounding a string of thefts in Sale that occurred in the early morning of May 13. It is believed the offender attended the intersecting roads of Lansdowne and Cunninghame streets at about 1.30am and stole a number of items from residential vehicles. The offender is described as being 177cm tall and was dressed in black/dark clothing. Anyone with information, CCTV footage or believes they may have been affected by this incident is urged to contact Sale Police Station.
DIMMEYS WILL OFFICIALLY close on June 19, currently there is 50 per cent off everything storewide with some stock 90 per cent discounted.
ENTRIES FOR THE 2025 Wellington Shire Council Youth Arts Prize are now open. If you are young artist aged 12–25 who lives, works or studies in Wellington Shire or has in the past four years, the prize is open to you. This year’s theme is My True Colours, with the competition open to all art forms, with prizes for three age categories, plus People’s Choice and The Middle of Everywhere Prizes. All entries will be exhibited at Gippsland Art Gallery, with free entry closing on August 24.
LAST WEEK’S THE Middle of Everywhere Jobs and Careers Fair was an outstanding success, the expo was buzzing with energy as attendees made real connections, explored new pathways, and discovered what’s possible in the Wellington Shire Council. From eager job seekers and students to local employers and business owners, the event brought together a fantastic mix of talent, ideas and opportunities all under one roof.
THE GIPPSLAND GRAMMAR school got right into the spirit of “Boarding Week” last week at Blackwood House. From heartfelt moments to fierce (but friendly) competitions, the Australian Boarding Schools Association’s National Boarding Week gave everyone perfect opportunity to reflect on the spirit, pride and connection that makes boarding at so special.
THE SALE CRICKET Club recently held its annual general meeting, with Peter Padula re-elected as president. He is joined in the executive by John Mayman (vice president), Raquel Mayman (secretary) and Dayne Wynn (treasurer). General committee members for the 2025/26 season are Matt Raidal, Andrew Giles, Andrew Duffield, Daniel Padula, Ben Jones and Monty Mayman.
SEASPRAY
TUESDAY NIGHT TAKE-AWAY meals are so popular at the general store they have decided to an extra dinner special next week, a Sri Lankan feast on Saturday May 24.
STRATFORD
SEVERAL RECENTLY PLANTED trees were recently damaged after being pulled from the ground. The trees were planted as part of Council’s Urban Forest Renewal Program, which is designed to improve local streetscapes, provide shade and support a healthier environment. Vandalism like this comes at a cost, with replacing a single street tree including the tree, site preparation, planting and ongoing care can cost up to $500. When multiple trees are damaged, the cost to ratepayers adds up quickly and delays the long-term benefits these trees were meant to provide to the community. Wellington Shire Council is committed to maintaining and enhancing public spaces, but they rely on the support of the community to help protect and care for them.
YARRAM
THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT is helping to transform Yarram and surrounds into a vibrant and thriving tourism destination. Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced a $47,770 investment towards the Yarram and District Progress Association to develop a Tourism Economic Development Strategy, one of the first steps towards attracting more tourists to the area, the funding is coming through the Forestry Transition Program’s Community Development Fund. The strategy’s first phase will investigate activities that attract current visitors to the area and identify how the district can support a larger tourism economy, the process will start by seeking the community’s view on how Yarram should define itself as a tourism destination.The Future of Yarram has worked with communities in the district to develop ideas that could boost the local economy.They identified opportunities to expand the tourism offering in areas such as outdoor recreation, attracting more performative and creative arts to the area, improving employment and training opportunities, and building eco-tourism experiences around the Strzelecki koala.Yarram is one of 11 Victorian towns and communities receiving support to transition and implement new economic strategies in their local communities following the end of native timber harvesting.
LOCAL APPRENTICE TATE Chisholm has won the 2025 State Apprentice of the Year, Junior Apprentice award. Chisholm is apprentice to Wayne Coulthard.
