BAIRNSDALE
LAST ECHO SUPPORT group meeting will be held on Thursday night at the RSL from 6pm in the Rivers Room. The Last Echo is a space for those who have experienced the loss of someone to suicide. Whether your loss is recent or something you’ve been living with for years, this space welcomes you exactly as you are. There is no expectation to speak, to explain, or to be okay. There is no fixing, no diagnosing, no pressure. Just presence.
VICTORIA POLICE ARE introducing a shorter training program for new recruits, designed to boost police presence on the state’s streets. The new course will take 25 weeks, in contrast to the existing 31-week training course which has not changed significantly in content for 15 years. Police recruits will still complete a Diploma of Policing, which remains unchanged in length at 116 weeks. The shortened program will enable the force to take an extra 72 police officers a year. The first in-take for the new course will start in mid-July.
THE GIPPSLAND TRAIN line upgrade is set to be finally completed this year after numerous delays and cost blow-outs. The State Government announced it has included $52 million in the 2025-26 Victorian State Budget to deliver train services every 40 minutes along the Traralgon line. Due to the upgrade works, along with Victoria’s Big Build works impacting the metropolitan network, coaches will replace trains on the Traralgon and Bairnsdale lines for part or all of the journey between Saturday, June 14, and Wednesday, August 13.
MINDFUL MOMENTS IS back at the Bairnsdale Library. The popular Mindfulness Art Workshop for Parents and Carers is held every Wednesday between 1-3pm. It offers a chance to slow down, breathe and enjoy some well-deserved creative time. Facilitated by our wonderful Uniting volunteers Sharon, Graham and Sharyn, you’ll be guided through calming art activities using materials like paper, markers and paints. No art experience needed. You are also welcome to bring along your own creative project to work on. It’s all about creating space to relax and connect in good company.
GIPPSLAND WOMEN’S HEALTH is hosting a free community event on June 19 at the Hub from 10am-1pm to talk about real health issues affecting women in the region. This session is a chance to listen, learn, and have your say in shaping what support looks like locally. Explore what supports women’s mental wellbeing and help understand what’s working, what’s not, and where it can do better.
THE BAIRNSDALE SCOUTS and Girl Guides are hosting a Winter Warming as part of the 2025 East Gippsland Winter Festival. They invite everyone to join them on Sunday, July 13 from 11am for Nuts about Knots, Camp gadgets, Old-time games (tug-of-war, sack races, catapult), Foosball table, Face painting, Scavenger hunt and raffle, Scouting and Guiding History and plenty more.
BEMM RIVER
THE NEWMERELLA HERITAGE Bike and Car Club will host a swap meet, show and shine, with free entry on July 12 at Luderick Park Reserve from 9am.
BRIAGOLONG
GIPPSLAND INTREPID LANDCARE will host its 2025 edition of the much loved Plant and Dance on July 26-27. It’s being hosted on a beautiful property in Briagalong East, where they will planting 4000 native trees along a section of Freestones Creek. They aim to stabilise the section of creek with revegetation to prevent further erosion and increase biodiversity. The planting will be followed by an evening of live music with a fully catered dinner and camping. All bands will be announced over the next few weeks.
BRUTHEN
BRUTHEN’S GOT TALENT returns at the Hall on June 14 from 11am–2pm. It’s open to everyone, especially young people and new performers. Sing, dance, play an instrument or recite a poem, its your time to shine.
IF YOU ARE missing a lantern for the magical parades and festivities planned across the region for the Winter Festival, don’t panic the Neighbourhood House is hosting a family-friendly Jar Lantern Workshop on June 18 from 11am-4pm.
PLANNING IS WELL underway for the Medieval Winter Fire Festival on Saturday June 21, the opening weekend of the 2025 East Gippsland Winter Festival. The Bruthen Arts and Events Council invite you to join them in “The Paddock” behind the Mechanics Hall from 3pm on the Winter Solstice and celebrate the longest night of the year with a medieval theme.
BUCHAN
NOT LONG TO THE Buchan Foothills Festival of Colour, a magical evening bursting with colour, rhythm, and fun for the whole family on July 4 from 5.30pm. The night kicks off with the enchanting Lantern Walk, lighting up the valley as the group weave their way to the Butter Factory in a river of glowing lights. Then the energy turns up with a Neon Dance Party, think dazzling lights, epic beats, and non-stop movement as DJ Boomer brings the vibes and the dancefloor literally lights up. Expect roving entertainers, face painting, food trucks serving delicious eats, and activities to delight kids (and the young at heart).
EAGLE POINT
THE WINTER FIRE Awareness at the Hub last Sunday proved popular with people from throughout the region.
THE COMMUNITY HALL Market returns on Saturday with stalls still available.
HEYFIELD
FORMER MAFFRA CLERIC Jim Connelly spoke recently at the Heyfield Men’s Group. Connelly is now retired in Warragul and is now an author. He has published 14 books and now writes exclusively about Gippsland. His latest titles are Round and About in Gippsland, Stories of Old Gippsland and Calling Gippsland Home, which tells the story of 12 famous Australians who lived part of their lives in Gippsland.
LAKES ENTRANCE
SATURDAY WILL SEE the return of Lakes Entrance Mechanics Hall Indoor Market. Get along and have a look between 9am-2pm and purchase the Lioness famous Devonshire tea.
OLIVIA LAY’S NEW song Train of Thought will be released on Friday.
LINDENOW
THE LOCAL FOOTBALL Netball Club is pumped to bring one Australia’s most in-demand comedy acts to town on Saturday, with Tom Siegert, the Suburban Footballer appearing at the club from 7pm. Siegert is a former footballer turned full-time funnyman, with more than 10 million views on YouTube. If you love your local footy, you’re going to love this night, full of relatable laughs, footy banter, and top-tier comedy gold.
MAFFRA
THE MUNICIPAL BAND will play its autumn concert on Saturday between 2.30-4.30pm at the Maffra Memorial Hall. The concert will spotlight the string ensemble and the Ukestra. The Ukestra has 30 members who love performing well known pop and rock songs, old and new, arranged for ukulele.
REMEMBER HOW YOUR mum or nan made delicious meals when the pantry looked bare? Well the local Neighbourhood House is going to run a meals from scratch workshop on July 9 from 10am-2pm. They will show you to use what’s on hand to prepare simple, delicious, and nutritious food. Learn how to make some new family favourites with pantry staples. Recipes include lentil and veg soup, cottage pie, beef and noodle stir fry, sweet and sour with rice, family pasta and baked rice pudding.
THE NEXT MARKET at Maffco is on Sunday, June 8 from 9pm.
METUNG
WORK TO IMPROVE the Boardwalk is about to begin, with the first stage (May to July) all about improving safety, extending the life of the boardwalk, and keeping it accessible for everyone. Stage 1 of the project will run from May to July 2025, to avoid peak tourist times and reduce disruption. Access to sections of the boardwalk (near the walking path to Lawrence Court ) will be closed while works are underway. Some carparks at the marina will be used for plant and equipment during the works. Around 50 metres of the boardwalk, including the ramp north of Metung Marina, will be renewed. This work will address pest activity and timber deterioration by replacing the timber decking with a fibre-reinforced polymer surface, which provides grip in wet or sea-affected conditions and will stand up better to fire, rot and insects. Later stages will proceed dependent on funding.
THE NEXT MARKET on the foreshore will take place on June 14 from 8am-12.30pm. Stallholders will be selling a variety of goods including local gin, kombucha, home baked cakes and biscuits, fresh local fruits, vegetables, flowers and organics. Delicious preserves, spice mixes, ghee, breads, pastries, handmade clothing, artisan items and more. The Lions will be running a sausage sizzle.
NICHOLSON
THE TWIN RIVERS Bream Classic is back in 2025 from July 18-20, for another epic weekend of fishing, fun, and community vibes in beautiful East Gippsland. Held annually on the third weekend of July, this family-friendly competition draws hundreds of locals and visitors chasing the longest bream across the stunning rivers and lakes.
ORBOST
FREE FAMILY COOKING Classes will be held on Wednesday nights (June 4, 18 and 25) at the Secondary College Food Tech Building. Free childcare and transport is available, an opportunity to partake in a beginners budget course where you will be shown how to create healthy and hearty family meals using basic pantry staples. After each session, all participants will receive a free recipe book and ingredient goodie bag.
THERE IS ONLY one week left to see Peter May’s exhibition Times Have Changed, which showcases a brilliant collection of iconic local scenes and buildings. You could not ask for a better example of Australian “vernacular architecture”. Peter’s books also cover the history and stories behind the buildings, with Times Have Changed and Dairies of the Orbost District both available for sale at Orbost Arts Centre during the exhibition.
PAYNESVILLE
THE COAST GUARD is proud to announce that Gail Perry, Donna Bailey and Peter Bailey all took their Association Pledge at last week’s meeting and are now regular members of this flotilla.
AT LAST WEEK’S Lions Club meeting, Margot Byrne inducted Graeme Radford as new member with president John Waller as his sponsor. Guest speaker was Meg Hopman who brought two of her therapy dogs, while president John presented food van coordinator Mary Hammond with her new food handler certificate.
SALE
A NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING Forum will be held at the Sale Greyhound Club on Thursday from 1-4pm. The Victoria Police Neighbourhood Policing Forum welcomes local services and community members to talk with police about what issues are important in your community. The forum will explore topics including, current crime trends and crime prevention, family violence, young people, road policing, as well as drugs and drug related crime. The forum will be run by a Victoria Police panel and questions will be taken from the audience throughout the event.
THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION Op Shop is opening for business officially from 9.30am today at 200 Raymond Street, Sale.
THE WELLINGTON SHIRE Council are proud to share that 27 projects have been awarded a total of more than $151,000 through the March 2025 Community Assistance Grants program. These grants help bring local ideas to life, supporting projects that activate spaces like halls, parks, and clubrooms, encourage people to get involved, and promote inclusion and pride across the Shire. From arts and culture events to facility upgrades, accessibility improvements, youth and senior programs, environmental works, and more, this round reflects the diversity and commitment within community groups. The next round of Community Assistance Grants opens June 16.
THE SHIRE’S BIGGEST ever Volunteer Expo was a huge success, with over 30 local groups represented at the Port of Sale. A fantastic opportunity to discover new ways to get involved and meet like-minded locals, and celebrate the vital role volunteers play across Wellington. The event was well attended by representatives of Council including mayor Scott Rossetti, deputy mayor Cindy Madeley and councillors John Tatterson, Carmel Ripper and Geoff Wells, who took the time to chat with stallholders and thank volunteers for their contributions. A standout moment of the Expo was the question and answer session with Sparie Nass from Go Helpie and Golden Beach Fire Brigade captain Paula Grosveld. They both shared their volunteering journeys and answered thoughtful questions asked by mayor Rossetti, giving attendees valuable insights into the impact of their work.
STOCKDALE
EMERGENCY SERVICES RESPONDED to a fatal collision in Stockdale on Sunday afternoon. It’s believed a car and motorcycle collided on Stockdale Road near Briagalong-Stockdale Road just after 1pm. The yet to be identified motorcyclist died at the scene, the driver of the vehicle stopped at the scene, was not injured, and is assisting police with their enquiries. Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam footage or any other information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
STRATFORD
STRATFORD FOOTBALL NETBALL Club past players and officials will be holding their annual supporter’s day last Saturday. As part of the day the club will be celebrating the 1965 seconds, 1975 thirds, 1990 seniors, 1995 thirds, 2015 seconds, and 2015 “A” and “B” grade netball premierships.
THE LIBRARY RENOVATION is getting close to the finish line. It’s being transformed into a more modern, welcoming space and it’s really starting to take shape. Interior painting has been completed, while the new carpet and blinds have been installed. Furniture and finishing touches are on the way, to get everything back in place and ready to welcome the public on June 2.
SWAN REACH
TWIN RIVERS LIONS Club are calling out for donations of any unwanted spectacles for adults and children’s. They can be dropped off at the Community Shed at Swan Reach on Tuesday between 10am-2pm or alternatively on Wednesday and Thursday, between 9am-3pm at the Twin Rivers Men’s Shed in Johnsonville.
THE NEXT CAR and Boot Sale will take place on June 15 at 8am-3pm at the Swan Reach Recreation Reserve. It’s a great local community market, suitable for families and pet friendly.
SWIFTS CREEK
TOUR DE TAMBO is on again this winter, departing Swifts Creek to Ensay and return on July 6 at 10.30am. It’s a great day out for families and friends, as they ride their bikes along the picturesque. Support vehicles are available for those whose don’t want to do the return, with refreshments available at Ensay Recreation Reserve.
VALENCIA CREEK
ICONIC AUSTRALIAN MUSIC, The Bushwackers will be performing at the hall on June 20. Now celebrating their 54th year of performing, The Bushwackers continue to captivate audiences with their timeless appeal and high-energy shows. Expect a rich blend of Australian bush classics like Ryebuck Shearer and Lazy Harry’s, alongside powerful original songs such as Beneath the Southern Cross, Friend for Life, and Henry’s Men. Their unique rendition of I Am Australian, co-written by Dobe Newton, is always a crowd favourite. This will be a lively, family-friendly musical experience not to be missed. Show begins at 7.30pm.
