BAIRNSDALE
THE MAKE-A-WISH Christmas in July function will be held at the Mitchell River Tavern this Sunday from noon.
SCHOOL RETURNS THIS week, with all drivers reminded to slow down, stay alert and park safely around schools. By working together everyone can make school zones safer. Drivers should stick to the 40 kilometre per hour speed limit between 8–9.30am and 2.30–4pm on school days. Parking is only in designated spots, with time limits to be adhered to at all times. Stop, look, and listen at school crossings, whilst always follow the crossing supervisor’s directions. The East Gippsland Shire Council will be carrying out regular patrols, and fines will apply for illegal parking.
THE FIRST GROUP of new Ambulance Victoria recruits for 2025/26 are hitting the road to help meet rising winter demand. AV recently welcomed 59 new graduate ambulance paramedics, off which 45 will be placed in regional areas. The organisation now have 5500 on-road paramedics delivering the very best life-saving care. Last financial year, AV met its target to recruit 229 new graduate and qualified paramedics.
BRIAGOLONG
GIPPSLAND INTREPID LANDCARE will host its 2025 edition of the much-loved Plant and Dance on Saturday and Sunday. It’s being hosted on a beautiful property in Briagolong East, where they will be 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.
CANN RIVER
THE NEW DISABILITY toilet construction is underway at Mick Baum Park. When completed it will be another great addition to the local community.
CLYDEBANK
LOCAL RESIDENTS WILL soon be able to access a brand-new bridge along Crofts Road that meets modern standards, with construction to start in September. Southern Rural Water has announced civil construction company Jarvis Norwood Constructions as the successful contractor to complete the design and construction works. The bridge is located just north of Sale and acts as an overpass for the Lake Wellington stormwater drainage channel. The new structure will be a like-for-like replacement of the ageing bridge and involves the removal of the existing abutments and forming of new foundations near the channel. The works are expected to take between eight to 10 weeks to complete, with an anticipated opening date of mid-November. The bridge on Crofts Road will remain closed until the completion of the works, with traffic diversion in place. However, local traffic will continue to have access in and out of the area.
FERNBANK
THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT is helping local councils to be better prepared for the upcoming fire season, with additional funding announced for the Roadside Weeds and Pests program. Acting Minister for Local Government, Melissa Horne announced councils would receive up to $85,000 each to help manage harmful weeds and pests along rural and regional roads. Councils can use the funding for a range of activities, such as treating and preventing the spread of harmful weeds including blackberry, box thorn and serrated tussock, Councils can also use the funding to manage rabbit populations. Local Government Victoria and Agriculture Victoria will work closely with each council to ensure plans to tackle weeds and pests are tailored to their local area. Invasive plant and animal species threaten native biodiversity and can have a serious negative impact on agricultural production.
FULHAM
ANIMAL AID FULHAM is one of the successful applicants in State Government’s Animal Welfare Grants Program. It will receive $42,148 to build four dog-running yards and place artificial grass in four existing yards at its shelter. The project aims to reduce the stress levels of dogs in care and will assist in their recovery, training and readiness for adoption.
GLENGARRY
LAST WEEK TRARALGON’s Peter Agius, 23, was sentenced in the Melbourne County Court to nine years and eight months’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of six years, after being found guilty by a jury of culpable driving causing the death of livestock agent Adam Sutton and negligently causing serious injury to Mr Sutton’s son, Darcy, on January 31, 2023. Agius was distracted by a series of Snapchat messages and caused the crash at the intersection of Traralgon-Maffra and Farmers Roads in Glengarry. Mr Sutton, 35, had just collected six-year-old Darcy from his first day of school when Agius’s vehicle collided with their car, Mr Sutton dying at the scene, while Darcy was flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital with critical injuries, suffering a permanent brain injury. The court heard Agius sent 44 Snapchats and received 41 responses while driving down the road, the last one just 20 seconds prior to impact.
GLENMAGGIE
TRUE GRIT, AUSTRALIA’S ultimate military-inspired obstacle course is returning in 2025, bringing more mud, obstacles and adrenaline. Think you have done tough? Maybe it’s time you tackled True Grit on November 29.
GOON NURE
THE EAST GIPPSLAND Field Days are excited to announce they are running a second event in 2025. The Father’s Day event labelled ‘Blokes Day Out’ will be held on September 7 from 10am-4pm at the Bairnsdale Aerodrome. The event will feature live music, food, breweries and distilleries, stalls, workshops, car displays and fun games. The event will be the perfect place to showcase goods and services, for clubs to promote their membership and activities and for families to enjoy a fun day out together. Stall holders’ bookings are now being taken.
GORMANDALE
POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING the circumstances surrounding a burglary in the town on June 28. It is believed an offender attended the Hyland Highway business about 6.23am where they rummaged about drawers, cupboards and till before fleeing when an audible alarm was activated. The offender is described as having a stocky build, Caucasian, with a shaved head and was wearing a green wind cheater and black pants. Investigators have released an image of a man who may be able to assist with enquiries. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
LAKES ENTRANCE
POLICE ARE APPEALING for witnesses or information following a spate of graffiti/damage that have occurred throughout public toilets in the Lakes Entrance area. The graffiti has caused significant damage to public property and police are working to identify those responsible. Police urge anyone who may have witnessed suspicious behaviour report it. Every piece of information helps, even something minor could prove crucial. The East Gippsland Shire is doing great work to stay on top of the graffiti. However, due to damage being caused to toilet infrastructure, some of these toilets may be closed for repairs. If you have any information, please contact the Lakes Entrance Police Station or Crime Stoppers.
MAFFRA
CAMERON SPORTING COMPLEX is part of the second round of recipients of the State Government’s Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund (RCSIF), which is investing almost $24 million. Through the fund, the Cameron complex will receive $918,555, which will go towards a refurbishment of the change rooms, which will include two player changerooms with amenities, umpire rooms, first aid, scorers’ box, office, accessible amenities and ramp.
MCLOUGHLINS BEACH
THE JETTY REBUILD has been rebuilt as part of a $18 million state government package for piers and jetties across the state. The jetty was last upgraded in 1985, is an important landmark of the local community as well as a popular choice for recreational boaters, anglers and sightseers who visit the area. Works on the jetty included new fibre reinforced plastic piles, beams, deck and handrails. The jetty is now wider, safer, and more accessible for locals and visitors to the area. The new jetty features Fibre Reinforced Polymer piles, beams, deck and handrail, supplied by Wagner CFT. Construction was undertaken by Gippsland Ports in partnership with Carter Marine Group. Eight other peers and jetties were also upgraded from the funds made available in 2022.
OMEO
ALMOST 500 OFFENCES were detected recently during a major road policing operation targeting motorists heading to and from Victoria’s snowfields. Labelled “Operation Eastern Snow”, there was a highly visible and enforcing police presence, with a particular focus on roads heading to and from snowfields including Mount Baw Baw, Mount Buller, Falls Creek and Mount Hotham. Buses and heavy vehicles were a major focus during the operation, with police working alongside Safe Transport Victoria and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to intercept vehicles at designated checkpoints, conducting safety compliance checks. Offences detected over a four-day period, included 277 for speeding, 52 defect notices issued to unsafe vehicles, 40 unregistered vehicles, 28 heavy vehicle offences, 10 disqualified/suspended and unlicensed drivers, six mobile phone offences, four drink driving offences from 1350 preliminary breath tests, four drug driving offences from 202 roadside drug tests, five vehicle impoundments, two seatbelt infringements and two disobey traffic sign misdemeanours. With the operation set to continue throughout the remainder of the snow season, police are reminding motorists travelling to the snowfields to drive to the conditions, slow down, remain alert on unfamiliar roads and allow plenty of extra travel time, especially during busy periods. All vehicles entering alpine areas during the declared snow season are required by law to carry wheel chains and fit them when instructed. Failure to carry chains may result in a $395 fine, while failing to fit them when required may attract a $988 penalty.
ORBOST
BAIRNSDALE BUSINESS HAIR Studio 126 will be opening soon at 160 Nicholson Street. Shop renovations are just being finalised prior to commencement, with an opening date expected soon.
PARADISE BEACH
A PROPOSED $10 billion Victorian offshore wind farm project has abandoned the project. Gippsland Dawn was to be a two-gigawatt offshore wind farm built between Paradise Beach and Ocean Grange. The proposal received major project status from the Federal Government in November and promised to deliver power to more than one million homes. Project instigator, Blue Float Energy withdrew from the construction after major shareholder Quantum Capital said it was no longer commercially viable to invest in the sector. The withdrawal has prompted fears Australia may not reach its renewable energy targets. The Victorian Government has a renewable energy target of 40 per cent this year, increasing to 95 per cent by 2035, which includes at least two gigawatts from offshore wind by 2032. Australia has a target of achieving 82 per cent renewable energy by 2030.
ROSEDALE
MYSTIC AND Hollow and Sweet Co continues to attract plenty of interest. The business is home to a collection of hand-crafted miniature buildings, displays and self-contained environments, unrivalled in Australia. It’s a wonderland of intrigue, showcasing life-like landscapes and historically accurate buildings to ethereal and fantasy-based environments. This miniature emporium is also a sweets shop offering an extensive range of sugary, chocolatey treats.
SALE
WELLINGTON SHIRE COUNCIL mayor Cr Scott Rossetti recently met with Lily D’Ambrosio, the State Government minister for Climate Action to discuss how the council can be better supported during Victoria’s transition to renewable energy. Offshore wind and transmission projects are underway, with the council calling for fairer access to the Shoreline Renewable Energy Zone for landholders, as well as Local Government contributions, like a PiLoR-style payment, for councils impacted by offshore wind. They would like to underground transmission lines in sensitive areas, and hyper-local community benefit programs that support those most affected.
BESTSELLING AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR Kelly Rimmer is coming to Sale Library for her only Victorian event in 2025. Rimmer will be in attendance on Wednesday, August 6, from 7pm, sharing her new gothic mystery, The Midnight Estate, a haunting tale told across three timelines, full of dark family secrets and an irresistible book-within-a-book twist. She will be joined by fellow author Lisa Ireland for a rich conversation, book signing, and plenty of bookish banter.
ST ANNE’S GIRLS Grammar School known more commonly these days as the Gippsland Grammar School began more than 100 years ago as a country school for country girls. The founder, the late Right Reverend Cranswick, Bishop of Gippsland, envisaged a school in which girls would be given an education and training of the best and most efficient type, with the highest of Christian values. To coincide with this year’s St Anne’s Day, St Paul’s Cathedral invites all families in the St Anne’s Campus and wider Gippsland Grammar community to a service celebrating St Anne’s Day on Sunday at St Paul’s Cathedral, Cunninghame Street, Sale from 10am. St Paul’s Cathedral and Gippsland Grammar have had a long and close relationship, with both Sale campuses of the school starting on site at St Paul’s.
THE TURNER AND AUSTRALIA exhibition at the Gippsland Art Gallery, continues to attract steady crowds and growing numbers of visitors from across the region and beyond, as it enters its second month. This unique exhibition features 11 original JMW Turner paintings and dozens of Australian works inspired by the English Romantic master. Other artists featured include Frederick McCubbin, Eugene von Guérard, Clarice Beckett, Tom Roberts, Jessie Traill, Tracey Moffatt, Tony Smibert and Valerie Sparks, who have each drawn influence from Turner’s example in some way. Public response has been positive, with many describing the exhibition as “transcendental”, “superbly presented”, and “a major exhibition as good as you would see at the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria)”. Gallery director Simon Gregg said the emotional engagement from audiences had been deeply rewarding, and the exhibition’s success reflected the calibre of the works on display and the powerful narrative they collectively told. The exhibition is open until August 24.
BRIEF AFFAIR OWNER Paula Skeels had planned to close her boutique after almost 19 years in business, albeit reluctantly. With the end in sight, local businesswoman Elle James has purchased the store, ushering the retail icon that has been on Raymond Street for over 36 years into a new chapter.
THE CITY OF SALE Squadron of the Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) is seeking passionate volunteers to join the team and help inspire the next generation of young Gippslanders. They are looking for people with a diverse set of skills and experience in areas such as project management, administration, STEM, education and youth development, as well as an obvious interest in the AAFC.
On Thursday, July 31, and Monday, August 18, at 6.30pm, City of Sale Squadron AAFC is hosting online volunteer information sessions, covering all the need-to-know info about becoming an AAFC volunteer. City of Sale Squadron AAFC is seeking to fill various roles, including safety officer, administration officer, finance officer, supply officer, commanding officer, executive officer, training officer (operations), chief instructor and training officer. All information session attendees will be invited to the AAFC Volunteer Expo at RAAF Base East Sale.
YARRAM
THE LOCAL SHOW was runner-up last week in the Best Innovation Award Small Category at the Victorian Agricultural Show Awards. The Koroit Show won the award with its Koroit Field Day innovation. Yarram Show’s Honeyeater Trail impressing judges.
