BAIRNSDALE
A SAFE NUMBER plate installation day will take place in the Bunnings Carpark on Saturday, September 6 from 9am to noon. It’s a chance to head along and have your number plate screws replaced with one-way anti-theft screws courtesy of East Gippsland Neighbourhood Watch volunteers. No appointment is required.
LOCAL MP DARREN Chester is supporting the community campaign for an independent environmental audit of the Gippsland Lakes. He recently tabled a petition in Federal Parliament that supports the need for the long-overdue audit. The last audit was undertaken by the CSIRO in 1998, and Lakes are a dynamic system that is subject to a range of external impacts and influences. It’s the environmental future of the lakes and rivers which causes Chester and Friends of the Gippsland Lakes most concern and the ongoing failure to properly measure, manage and take practical action to improve water quality, reduce the impact of pests and ensure the Lakes are passed on to future generations. An independent audit would provide an effective stocktake or condition report.
LAST WEEK SAW the observing of International Left Handers Day, an international day observed annually on August 13 to celebrate the uniqueness and differences of molly-dookers. The day was first observed in 1976 by Dean Campbell founder of the left-handers club. This day was established to raise awareness about the challenges and experiences faced by left-handed individuals in a predominantly right-handed world. Around seven to 10 per cent of the world’s population are left-handed including Barack Obama, Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman and a host of famous sports stars including Rafa Nadal. Apparently Queen Elizabeth II was a leftie, as was Mozart.
THE OFF FIELD facilities at Howitt Park are widely used by sporting clubs and the local community but they need some work. It’s great to see them benefitting from $20,000 to upgrade the toilets to meet modern standards under the Stronger Communities Program. The Stronger Communities Program was developed by the former Coalition Government to provide targeted small grants to every electorate in Australia to support grassroots organisations as they fundraise to improve infrastructure and encourage participation in sporting and community groups.
THIS YEAR’S BAIRNSDALE Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 6, with pre-registration interest now open. The theme for this years event is “Christmas Around The World”.
TRAINS ARE BACK on the Gippsland line, however coaches will replace trains between Southern Cross and East Pakenham from Friday, August 29 to Friday, September 5. A bonus for Traralgon Line passengers with an extra 87 new services added to timetable from September 14. There will be 55 new weekday services and 32 new weekend services, made possible by the completion of the Gippsland Line Upgrade. This means Traralgon passengers have access to a train approximately every 40 minutes between 8am and 9pm seven days a week. The additional services are part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to deliver almost 200 extra weekend services, which are being progressively rolled out across the regional network.
THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT plans to cut around 350 jobs as part of a restructure to its Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). Losses are expected to affect public sector workers in a variety of areas, including Agriculture Victoria, Solar Victoria, the First Peoples group and bushfire and forest services.
DISBELIEF AT THE Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House this week when management discovered that four fruit trees that had been planted, have been stolen.
BRIAGOLONG
STRATFORD AND BRIAGOLONG Police recently conducted a joint operation with the Game Management Authority regarding illegal hunting and drug trafficking within the Wellington Shire area. Police executed a search warrant where a 29-year-old Briagolong man was arrested. Police recovered stolen firearms, illegal hunting equipment, and trafficable quantities of methamphetamines. He was bailed to appear at the Sale Magistrates Court in October.
BUCHAN
THE ANNUAL SNOWY River Sprint will be held on September 13-14. It will cause the closure of roads from the Old Buchan CFA to Painted Line Track from 7am to 5.30pm on both days. In exciting news, for the first time ever, the rally cars will depart from the main street at 8am on both days. Official lunch breaks and finishes will also be held in town. A unique chance to see the cars and crews from all around Australia up close and personal.
BUNDALAGUAH
SUCCESSFUL ENTERTAINMENT VENUE Live at Bundy has been busily checking its security cameras to see who took all the firewood and left a bin full of sawdust. People have also been taking cans from recycle bins over the past few months, but they have had enough. At last week’s committee meeting it was decided to install gates where there are currently some openings and adding padlocks to make it difficult for people to enter the premises.
CANN RIVER
LAWN MOWER RACES are returning on November 15 with an indoor market supporting the event. Expressions of interest from stallholders wishing to have a stall at the event are now being taken.
BULLUMWAAL
THE BULLUMWAAL MECHANICS Hall will celebrate its 130th birthday with an open day this Sunday from 11am to 2pm. The event will feature a local history and mining display and the historic stage curtain will also be on display. Sausage sizzle, tea, coffee and light refreshments available.
HEYFIELD
THE NATIONAL TIMBER Workers Hall of Fame will host a reunion at the Gordon Street Recreation Reserve on Saturday, December 13 from 11am-3pm.
LAKES ENTRANCE
SPORTING GRANT PROGRAM successful recipients were announced recently, among them were Lakes Entrance Football Netball Club, Bairnsdale Football Netball Club, Paynesville Football Netball Club and the Sale Tennis Club.
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY Victoria officers are supporting Gippsland Ports Authority as they try to track down the source of a diesel spill, which was first reported at the end of July. Gippsland Ports believes it was probably caused by a boat pumping out bilge that had become contaminated with diesel fuel. While the actual quantity of fuel was probably not large, it had a substantial spread and the surface area of the slick was approximately one kilometre by 150 metres wide. Tracking the source, with thousands of boats using the lakes and waterways in Gippsland, is difficult but if you have information that could help, you can contact Gippsland Ports Authority.
LICOLA
VICTORIA STATE EMERGENCY Service volunteers from throughout the state refined their search and survival skills in some of Victoria’s most remote terrain recently, ensuring they’re prepared to act swiftly and safely to support community members in an alpine emergency. Sessions were held in isolated country at Mount Stirling and Licola and saw volunteers train the vital skills needed to support Victoria Police with complex search and rescue operations, including being able to be entirely self-sufficient for 24 hours in the event of a prolonged rescue effort. Surrounded by breathtaking views, volunteers navigated the challenging terrain, built emergency shelters and cooked food in snowy conditions, all while gaining valuable experience simulating a real-life search operation.
LOCH SPORT
THE LOCAL COMMUNITY House and Public Hall is the latest recipient of the Gippsland Critical Minerals Community Grants Program, receiving $2000 to support the purchase of new play equipment for local families.
LOCH SPORT CFA conducted a registered planned green waste burn last week. The exercise showed the community what it is capable of and how they use their knowledge and skills. They organised teams so that no one was left on their own and always had crews of two or more working on an area. They carry portable radios to communicate with each other and the exercise saw 12 members participate. One fire truck was on standby on scene to turn out to any fire calls.
MAFFRA
A RED GUM tree in Macalister River Park has been cut down in an bizarre act of vandalism. The tree, estimated to be more than 40 years old, provided significant habitat and was an important part of the natural environment. Victoria Police are investigating and anyone with information is encouraged to come forward.
MARLO
IT’S THE ANNUAL Girls Only Night fundraiser at angling clubrooms this Saturday night from 6pm. It will feature DJ Deb and Karaoke, with all funds going to the Arrow Bone Marrow Foundation.
RAYMOND ISLAND
THIS YEAR’S FERRY slippage will run longer than usual, over four weeks, from Monday, November 10 to Sunday, December 7. The extra time is needed for full external blasting and repainting of the ferry’s superstructure. These essential works keep the ferry safe and reliable for the East Gippsland community and visitors.
SALE
WELLINGTON SHIRE Council is thrilled to announce after a year of strong advocacy, partnership building and putting the region’s case forward, it has successfully secured a huge $4.7 million from the Australian Government’s Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program. This funding will work to deliver the Renewable Energy Land and Infrastructure Plan, helping guide land use, infrastructure and community benefits from renewable energy projects in Gippsland. Alongside the South Gippsland Shire Council and the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation, this will prepare towns near Barry Beach and Port Anthony for the workforce and industry needs of the offshore wind sector. The council worked hard for this funding meeting with State and Federal Ministers, Lily D’Ambrosio MP and Chris Bowen MP, to make sure Wellington’s voice was heard loud and clear in Canberra.
HARD WASTE PICK will start on September 29 this year and will include e-waste as well. That means anything with a plug or battery can go on your nature strip in a separate pile. Collection is based on what day you put your bin out, Friday (starts September 29), Thursday (October 6), Wednesday (October 13), Tuesday (October 20) and Monday (October 27).
FREE PAINTING WORKSHOPS to celebrate Gippsland’s threatened species will be held on Saturday, September 6, as a result of the local council’s sustainability team partnering with Gippsland Art Gallery, Nakunbalook, and Gippsland Concerned Artists Resisting Extinction (CARE). The workshops that will run hourly between 10.30am and 2.30pm, will help raise awareness about threatened species in Gippsland.
SALE GREYHOUND RACING Club recently hosted a Good Friday Appeal “Regional Thank You Event”, which was an opportunity for the appeal’s team to acknowledge and thank supporters. The 2025 total raised by the groups represented at the event was $117,651. Present was Sale Lions Club, Heyfield Good Friday Appeal, Maffra Fire Brigade, Stratford Fire Brigade, Sale Greyhound Racing Club, Bunnings Sale, Ace Radio, Woolworths (Sale and Bairnsdale) and Chemist Warehouse Sale.
THE SALE-MAFFRA Junior Cricket Association recently held its annual general meeting at the Wurruk Cricket Club. John Mayman shared his chairman’s report outlining the exceptional 2024/25 season and also acknowledged the continued challenges facing junior participation. All positions were declared vacant and filled as follows: John Mayman (chairman), Craig Young (executive officer), Cathy Dobson (secretary), Shaunagh Murphy and Corey Moncrieff (directors).
GIPPSLAND GRAMMAR SCHOOL’S St Anne’s Campus came alive with connections, conversations and cherished memories recently as they welcomed back more than 25 Old Scholars for the annual St Anne’s Day celebrations earlier this term. Guests joined current students for a special Fellowship service where former deputy principal and class of 1980 Old Scholar, Jan Henry, shared heartfelt reflections on the lifelong friendships formed at school, including her own 50-year bond with schoolyard best friend Jane.
SARSFIELD
THE SARSFIELD RECREATION Reserve and Community are looking for people keen to be part of Sarsfield’s exciting future. There is so much going on with a new hall, events and community connection. The annual general meeting will be held on Saturday, August 30 and they are looking for some new members who want to help the community thrive.
THE BREW CLUB held its monthly meeting last week making a Lime Lager using a $11 beer concentrate from the supermarket and some fresh limes to spruce it up. They are also going to make a delicious ginger beer.
SWAN REACH
UPCOMING REPAIRS WILL be taking place on the Lower Tambo River fishing platforms from August 19-22. The platforms involved are those situated on the Tambo River between the Swan Reach Bridge and Sardine Flat Road.
YARRAM
BENDIGO BANK has confirmed it will close its Yarram branch on September 26 this year and will not take up a proposal for a locally operated Community Bank. The Bank has cited “disappointing” business growth since other banks left Yarram, alongside rising operating costs, as reasons for the closure. It also claimed a Community Bank model would face the same challenges as the current branch and therefore could not be sustained. The decision is a bitter blow for Yarram and comes despite strong community backing for keeping local banking services and a practical proposal from the Yarram and District Progress Association to keep face-to-face banking in town, a service vital for older residents, people with disabilities, small businesses and community groups.
AT AROUND 11.10PM on Friday August 8, while patrolling, local Police observed a white Ford Wagon travelling on Commercial Road. The vehicle was intercepted and a preliminary breath test was conducted which returned a positive result. The 47-year-old male driver was transported to the Yarram Police Station where an evidentiary breath test was conducted and returned a result more than two times the legal limit. It was also identified that the vehicle was unregistered and false plates were displayed. The male had his licence suspended for a period of 10 months and the vehicle was impounded for a period of 30 days at a cost of $1025. The male will appear at the Magistrates Court at a later date.
VARROA MITE, a honey bee killing parasite has been detected in several hives in Gippsland, the latest infestation at Yarram, which is the southern-most detection of the parasite in the state. Local hobby beekeeper Marc Wilson found the tiny red mites in his hives recently. Varroa mites attack European and Asian honey bees, feeding on the adult insects and their larvae. They are considered one of the greatest threats to Australia’s honey and pollination industries, with economic losses estimated to reach up to $1.25 billion over 30 years.
