BAIRNSDALE
LUCY KAISER WILL be the keynote speaker at the 2025 Rising Strong Forum on Friday at the Forge Theatre (10am-3pm), marking five years since the Black Summer bushfires. Kaiser brings deep wisdom from her work in Aotearoa, New Zealand and the Māori Disaster Research Centre, with powerful insights into community-led recovery and resilience. This is more than a forum, it’s a chance to connect, reflect, and plan together. The event will be livestreaming so everyone in East Gippsland, wherever you are, can be part of the conversation. Hosted by journalist Tracee Hutchison, with a powerful line-up of speakers, the event will cover mental health and delayed trauma, indigenous community resilience, local business and economic recovery, person-centred emergency planning and long-term recovery and preparedness.
LAST WEEK THE East Gippsland Shire Council came together at Club Eastwood to honour the strength, wisdom, and leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders across East Gippsland. Around 60 Elders gathered with mayor John White, councillors Arthur Allen, Tom Crook, Joanne Eastman, Bernie Farquhar, CEO Fiona Weigall, and council staff to reflect, connect, and celebrate culture. The morning began with a powerful smoking ceremony led by Gunaikurnai man Harley Finn, followed by a minute’s silence to remember the Elders who have passed.
LUCY THOMAS, CEO and founder of Project Rocket, visited Nagle College last week and spoke to all its students about challenging cyberbullying and building mental health online.
INTERCHANGE GIPPSLAND IS thrilled to announce an upcoming Family Cinema Session. It will be held at the Bairnsdale Cinema on June 22 from 1pm and is open to all families who care for a child with a disability. You do not have to be affiliated with Interchange Gippsland to attend.
THE MAKE A WISH Christmas in July function will be held at the Mitchell River Tavern on July 27.
THE AUSTRALIAN BREASTFEEDING Association Gippsland Branch will host a connect and share session at 22 Service Street on Friday between 9.30-11am. Many mums wonder if their baby is feeding too often, for too long, or not often enough. The truth is, there’s a wide range of what’s considered normal when it comes to feeding frequency and duration and these patterns can change over time. This session is a relaxed and informative chat about feeding, common patterns, and what to expect.
A FREE MEN’S COMMUNITY barbecue will be held at Howitt Park on Sunday from 10.30am-12.30pm. The event is run by Mr Perfect, a community organisation connecting men across Australia over a relaxed free barbecue to chat about all things life. Chat can be about anything including weather, work, footy, family challenges and life changes. It is a chance to get outside, chat and meet new people.
BRIAGOLONG
A RAFFLE AT the local hotel has raised $5548 for families affect by the car accident in the town on May 4. Both families are super thankful to everyone who took the time to check in with them, offer kind words, donate money or prizes, and buy tickets. Your support has meant the world and has made a real difference.
BRUTHEN
THE LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD House is thrilled to announce the successful completion of the recent Rural Industry Skills Training Program, made possible through the support of the Gippsland Community Foundation. Delivered in partnership with Thrive Training and Compliance, it provided a fantastic opportunity for local women to gain nationally recognised certifications in crucial rural skills. Over two intensive days, participants honed their knowledge and abilities in chainsaw maintenance, trimming, and cross-cutting techniques. This training instilled a new skillset, a sense of empowerment and self-sufficiency, allowing these women to confidently and safely navigate tasks like firewood collection and other chainsaw-related activities.
THE TOWN TRULY lived up to its reputation as a close-knit community at the recent “Biggest Morning Tea”, which proved to be once again nothing short of “Tea-riffic”. The event was a heartwarming display of generosity and community spirit, with attendees enjoying a morning filled with homemade delicious treats and amazing prizes. From the overflowing raffle tables showcasing the talents and wares of local businesses to the sheer enthusiasm in the air, the morning was a fundraising success. A substantial amount was raised to support the vital work of the Cancer Council, $1200 and still rising.
BUNDALAGUAH
TONY ANDERSON WAS recently made a life member of the local cricket club. Anderson has been the embodiment of loyalty, service, and genuine club spirit. From the moment he first donned the Bundalaguah colours as a 10-year-old in the 1985/86 season, Anderson has lived and breathed the great club. Despite time away due to education and work commitments, Anderson returned in 2004 and has been a driving force ever since, both on and off the field. Anderson has racked up 196 senior games and served as treasurer and an executive committee member for a total of 15 years (2007–2016, 2018–2024), a role he performed with absolute professionalism and integrity. Whether managing finances, chasing grants, or lending a hand at working bees, Anderson does it all with a smile and an unshakeable commitment to the club’s wellbeing.
DENISON
SUNDAY WAS WORLD Milk Day an opportunity to celebrate and support the dairy farmers who supply us with nourishing, home-grown milk and milk products.
The dairy industry is a huge part of the Australian economy and underpins many communities, so the event gives us an excellent opportunity to show it some love and indulge in your favourite cheeses, milkshakes, and all the other brilliant things that milk can give.
HEYFIELD
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR Gippsland Darren Chester participated in a different kind of question time this week with grade five and six students at St Michael’s Primary School, welcoming the local politician to discuss his work in the community. Chester was impressed with the students’ depth of knowledge on local, state and federal issues, with many of the students having a deep understanding of issues, well beyond their years, and they were keen to advocate for their community. Raising local issues, scrutinising political decisions, and presenting logical arguments for their positions in a respectful manner, particularly when it came to local jobs and natural resource management.
LITTLE JEM GOLF Day and the Heyfield Lions Club Fun Run have raised an incredible $83,760, an amazing result wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of sponsors and the wonderful community that came together for this special cause. Supporting the Little Jem Foundation means supporting grieving families after the devastating loss of a baby or child. Your contributions helps provide financial assistance, peer support, and access to professional therapy for families navigating the most unimaginable heartbreak.
JOHNSONVILLE
SMOKE ALARMS IN bedrooms are important for your safety and the local CFA are accepting referrals to, and bookings for, their upcoming Safer Homes Winter Program, specifically Smoke Alarm Installations and Property Advice Visits during June and July. This is a significant community safety life saving service provided all for free by trained CFA Volunteers from Johnsonville Fire brigade to the community. It can take only minutes for smoke to fill a room. Experience shows is that If you don’t have a working smoke alarm in your bedroom, you are less likely to survive a fire at night.
KILMANY
CRIME STOPPERS VICTORIA and the Transport Accident Commission with support from Victoria Police, have launched “Brake the Habit'” to encourage drivers to slow down on the roads. Speeding, even at low levels, continues to play a significant role in road trauma across Victoria, contributing to at least 25 per cent of serious injury crashes and 30 per cent of fatal crashes. Brake the Habit, Lower your Speed.
LAKES ENTRANCE
IT WAS A huge weekend for Big Bears Donuts, hitting the Queen Victoria Market for the annual Donut Festival, with all the best Donut shops in Melbourne, and Big Bears , all in one place at the same time.
LONGFORD
THERE IS A huge day planned for the local Kings Birthday Market on Sunday, between 9am-1pm.
MAFFRA
THE NEXT MARKET at Maffco is on Sunday from 9am.
THIS YEAR THE George Gray Centre (GGC) are celebrating 60 years of community, care and creating opportunities for individuals with a disability. From humble beginnings it has become a leading advocate for inclusion and disability support across the Wellington Shire. To mark this milestone, GGC is producing a commemorative 60th anniversary book, and they need your help to write the next chapter. They are calling on past and present families, staff, volunteers, participants and community members to share their memories, photos and stories of the organisation over the years, whether it’s a snapshot from a special day, a reflection on how GGC made a difference or simply a great story worth retelling, they would love to hear it. Submissions close on August 31.
THE MAFFCO DACHY Dash is back on August 17 from 11am. Time to start getting your dog fit.
MALLACOOTA
VICTORIAN FISHERIES AUTHORITY scientists have been out and about conducting dusky flathead surveys in the Gippsland Lakes and Mallacoota systems. It’s the third year they have done them in the Lakes and the fourth year at Mallacoota. Similar to their sand and yank flathead surveys in Port Phillip, the team is looking for small fish to determine how successful recent breeding has been, this helps to forecast how well the fishery will perform into the future as these fish grow up to catchable size. For these surveys, research nets are used in shallow water to capture baby duskies at multiple sites. The scientists are getting closer to establishing a long-term monitoring program for dusky flathead, which will provide a baseline to understanding their recruitment dynamics and fluctuations in both systems.
NYERIMILANG
AS PART OF THE East Gippsland Winter Festival, Dr Derek Russell president of Birdlife East Gippsland is giving a talk on the Sea Eagles of the Gippsland Lakes, biology and breeding success. The event will take place at Nyerimilang Heritage Park on July 6 from 2-4pm.
OMEO
AN EMERGENCY SERVICES Open Day will be held on Sunday, June 29, at 110 Bilton Street, a chance to watch a live car rescue by the skilled local crews, while enjoying a free barbecue lunch. The vehicles will be on hand for inspection, and there will be CPR training sessions. It’s a day of leaning, fun and community spirit.
PAYNESVILLE
THE PAYNESVILLE CLASSIC Boat Rally and Maritime Festival team will hold an information session about the volunteer roles they have available to help deliver the great event in early 2026. They need a wide range of capabilities and skills to assist them, and most importantly, a “can-do” positive attitude. The information session will be at the Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club on June 15 from 2-4pm, with afternoon tea provided.
ITS REPAIR CAFE time again at the Neighbourhood House this Saturday between 10am-12pm. Bring your broken items and let’s fix them together, for free.
THANKS TO A Landcare Victoria grant, Friends of the Gippsland Lakes has been able to purchase a new Smart 3 Colorimeter. The device can be used to test for around 60 substances in water but we will be using it to check nitrate and phosphate levels. Data will be submitted to Waterwatch.
PORT ALBERT
THE LOCAL MARITIME museum will be closed all June for renovations internally and externally. They look forward to seeing you in July.
SALE
THE LOCAL PISTOL Club will host a “Girls Try And Shoot Day” on Sunday, June 15. The club offers a morning (10.30am-12.30pm) or afternoon session (1.30-3.30pm). The event will feature one on one coaching.
LOCAL NURSING HOME, Ashleigh House, is now compliant with national aged care standards, less than six months after a report found the aged care facility was non-compliant in personal care, clinical care and governance, after the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission conducted an extensive report. It was found that most residents or their relatives gave positive feedback about the care provided, however Ashleigh House “did not demonstrate consistency in identifying and managing high-impact or high-prevalence risks”.
LAST WEEK THE Gippsland Regional Livestock Exchange (GRLE) welcomed agriculture students from Gippsland Grammar School for a hands-on learning experience. As part of their safety in agriculture studies, the students got a behind-the-scenes look at how GRLE staff safely receive and handle cattle ahead of the Wednesday prime sale. They learned about staying alert, even with quiet cattle, as well as low-stress handling techniques and using a flag cane instead of force. They were also shown how to keep safe distances and use gates for protection.
GIPPSLAND ART GALLERY is about to transform, currently preparing for the major launch of Turner and Australia, a spectacular exhibition beginning on Saturday. It will feature 11 original pieces by J.M.W. Turner and the biggest names in Australian art.
GIPPSPORT AND THE Wellington Shire Council are partnering on a new initiative to prevent “dooring”, when a car door is opened into the path of a cyclist. This simple but dangerous mistake is one of the leading causes of injury for people riding bikes. They are raising awareness about how to safely exit your vehicle. It only takes a few seconds to: check your mirrors, do a quick shoulder check and open your door slowly and carefully. Whether you’re the driver or a passenger, looking before you open your door and you could save someone’s life.
TRADIES IN THE region are reminded to lock up their tools. Police are currently seeing an increase of opportunistic thieves in the area targeting tradies utes and toolboxes. Tradies are advised to make sure that utes and Toolbox are locked at all times.
WELLINGTON SHIRE COUNCIL deputy mayor, councillor Cindy Madeley inspired more than 600 local students, staff, and local leaders last Friday as she officially opened Live4Life 2025 at the Gippsland Regional Sports Complex. Madeley congratulated the year nine and 10 crew on their powerful theme: The event also welcomed new year eight students into the Live4Life movement, encouraging them to build connection, show kindness, and support each other’s mental health. Guest speaker Xavier Chalkley from Control the Scroll spoke about how too much screen time and constant scrolling can affect wellbeing and what we can do to look after mental health online. The event is supported by the John Leslie Foundation, whose continued support made the event possible for the second year in a row.
VICTORIA POLICE ARE seeking any witness or CCTV / dashcam footage that may have captured a Blue Volkswagen Amarok bearing New South Wales registration DE43DY driving on Dawson Street, York Street and Princes Highway on Friday, May 23, between 7.30-8.20am. The vehicle was involved in a collision on York Street, opposite to the Gippsland Grammar main campus at approximately 8.15am.
SEASPRAY
VICGRID HAS RELEASED the draft 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan, a statewide strategy that outlines how Victoria’s electricity network could change to deliver more renewable power in the future. The first of its kind in Victoria, the plan identifies proposed Renewable Energy Zones and the possible transmission infrastructure needed. This process is being led by VicGrid, and they are now inviting feedback from landholders, residents, First Peoples, industry, and other stakeholders across the state. You don’t need to be an expert to have your say. Whether you live near a proposed Renewable Energy Zone, have questions about the future of Victoria’s energy network, or simply want to stay informed, your voice matters. You can visit one of the up coming hub sessions being held in Yarram, Seaspray and Rosedale or make a submission on line.
STRATFORD
AFTER WEEKS OF renovations, the library has reopened with a fresh new and modern look. Whether it’s to borrow books, use the public computers, study in peace, or enjoy storytime with the kids, the new and improved space has something for everyone.
THE LOCAL PRIMARY school will benefit from a new inclusive playground, transforming the once uninspiring asphalt outdoor area into an exciting all-abilities outdoor learning space with sensory equipment and a school garden for students to learn, play and socialise in. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester assisted the official opening this week, with Foundation student Sage Alexander helping him cut the ceremonial ribbon.
WOODSIDE
THE VESSEL GABO Bay sunk last week neat Woodside Beach, thankfully the crew were rescued safely.
YARRAM
A FLOOD AID concert will be held at the Regent Theatre on June 20. It will be Gippsland’s Biggest Benefit concert to raise funds for farmers of the New South Wales floods. Acts will include Mick Harrington, Ally Row, Jungle Jim Smith, Grand Baxter, Ethan Cawley, Todd Cook, Honey Ducky, Sean McGuiness, Kate Spacey and Ishbel Burattin. Every artist is playing for free, every dollar from your ticket goes straight to helping farmers through the legends at Need for Feed Australia.
