BAIRNSDALE
THE NEXT MEN’S barbecue in Howitt Park will be held on Sunday from 10.30am-12.30pm. The event is provided by Mr Perfect, a community organisation connecting men across Australia over a relaxed free barbecue to chat about all things life. A chance for some conversation and listening, connecting with new mates.
THE COUNTDOWN IS on to submit entries for East Gippsland Water’s annual National Water Week Poster Competition, which closes at 5pm on Friday. The competition is designed to inspire learning, creativity and action around water conservation. This year’s competition has the theme of “Water Heroes: Save Every Drop”. There are categories for primary-school and kinder-aged children, posters can be made in A4 or A3 size, using any art material or digital technology. Winners will be chosen by how well their poster communicates the competition theme and/or relevant water-related issues, how effective their poster looks from a distance, the best use of art materials, and the use of innovative images, design or concepts. Prizes will be awarded for first and second in each category, the winning poster in each category will also be automatically entered into the state level of competition. East Gippsland Water also produces a yearly calendar featuring the winning entries from each section. Local winners will be announced during National Water Week, which runs from October 20-26 and celebrates the vital role water plays in our lives, our communities and our future.
SPRING IS IN the air, with medical authorities warning, to brace yourself for a severe hay fever season, that’s set to start earlier than usual.
VICTORIA POLICE LAST week announced a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to the arrest of Desmond Freeman following the murder of two police officers in Porepunkah last month. Detective leading senior constable Neal Thompson and senior constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart were part of a group of police who attended a Rayner Track property on Tuesday, August 26. The officers were executing a search warrant as part of an investigation by the Wangaratta Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team. They were confronted by Freeman at his property about 10.30am, resulting in the two officers being fatally shot. A third officer was seriously injured after being shot in the lower body and is now recovering at home. The investigation into the deaths of the two officers and the serious injuries to a third officer is being conducted by the Homicide Squad. As part of the effort to locate Freeman and bring him into custody peacefully and safely, police are offering a reward of up to $1M for information on his whereabouts that leads to his arrest. This reward represents the largest ever offered in Victoria for an arrest. Over the past 12 days, a significant search has been undertaken by Victoria Police in an effort to locate Freeman, otherwise known as Desmond Filby. A number of heavily armed police officers from across a range of specialist areas within Victoria Police continue to undertake a significant search for Freeman, assisted by personnel from a number of other agencies. More than 450 police each day are dedicated to the search. Freeman was last seen at his Porepunkah property on August 26 shortly after the fatal shooting. At this time, police are unaware of Freeman’s current location and are appealing to members of the public who do have information about his whereabouts to come forward. There is nothing to indicate that Freeman is being assisted by a specific person, however given the difficult terrain and the requirement for various supplies this remains a possibility. Police are also open to the possibilities that he remains at large alone or is dead as a result of self-harm. Freeman was last seen wearing dark green (khaki) tracksuit pants, dark green rain jacket, brown Blundstone boots and reading glasses. Police believe Freeman remains armed and advise members of the public not to approach him. Anyone with any information about Freeman’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
ITS TIME TO review your action asthma plan, with the calendar ticking over to Spring. In Victoria, one in nine people live with asthma, a condition that can flare up due to spring allergens. Adults should update their plan every year, children should have their plan updated every six months. Asthma is a serious airway condition that can become life-threatening if it’s not managed properly, so it’s vital to have an asthma action plan in place. People are encouraged to visit their doctor and find out how to best manage your asthma over the coming months and update your asthma action plan. Know the symptoms of asthma and when to call for help. Watch out for symptoms like wheezing, breathlessness, shortness of breath, coughing and chest tightness. If someone is having trouble breathing and their reliever medicine isn’t working, call Triple Zero (000) immediately. If you’re concerned about your symptoms, but it’s not a life-threatening emergency, there are a number of urgent healthcare options available to you.
THERE IS AN urgent call for dog foster carer in Bairnsdale. Animal Aid in is putting out a plea to the local community for foster carers to help care for dogs in need. In recent weeks, the shelter has experienced an unprecedented influx of animals, with more dogs arriving than the shelter can currently accommodate. This increase has put significant pressure on resources, making community support more important than ever. By opening your home temporarily, you are giving a dog the chance to feel safe, loved, and ready for their forever home. Fostering can be short or long-term, depending on what suits the foster carer. Animal Aid provides support, advice, and covers essential costs such as food and veterinary care. All you need to provide is a safe environment and plenty of love.
BENAMBRA
ALL ROADS WILL lead to the Benambra Hall on Friday, September 26, for the Benambra Ball.
BUCHAN
LAST WEEK SAW National Wattle Day. Australians mark the start of spring on National Wattle Day each year by celebrating Australia’s national floral emblem, the Golden Wattle. East Gippslanders celebrating their very own wattle, the Buchan Blue Wattle (Acacia caerulescens), also known as the Limestone Blue Wattle. This wattle grows exclusively on limestone soils between Buchan, Lake Tyers and Bairnsdale.
Listed as endangered in Victoria and as vulnerable nationally, there are only around 1700 plants left growing in 15 wild populations. Major threats include weed invasion, grazing, lack of regeneration, road-widening and altered fire regimes.
DARGO
THE WATT FAMILY farm at Lower Dargo has been broken into and has had multiple things stolen. Items stolen include a water pump with all its fittings (they cannot pump water up for toilets/showers or stock now), Starlink, Honda quad bike, kayaks and jerry cans full of fuel. Cameras have been tampered with and broken, while locks, for all the sheds and huts have been also been tampered with and broken. If you see any of these items up for sale or have any information, please contact Maffra Police.
FERNBANK
THERE HAS BEEN a rise in road accidents involving kangaroos recently. For your safety and theirs, remember these tips when driving in areas with high kangaroo populations, slow down at dawn and dusk, stay alert in all conditions, scan for animals, especially in fog or rain, with vigilance the key. Scan the roadside for wildlife and pay attention to crossing signs, adjust your speed to road conditions to avoid potential collisions. If you see one kangaroo, expect more.
IGUANA CREEK
BUSHWALKING VICTORIA AND the Ben Cruachan Walking Club will host a walk to the Den Of Nargun on Saturday from 9am-2pm. This walk features the Den of Nargun, Woolshed Creek and a small detour to another culturally significant site, Dead Cock Den, and then the Bluff Lookout, with views of the Mitchell River Gorge. There are deep green pockets of warm temperate rainforest on the journey
to this very significant Aboriginal site. This walk is part of the Bataluk Cultural Trail and has cultural importance to the Gunaikurnai people, especially the women. After the walk the group will go the Echo Bend campsite for a cuppa or ice cream. On June 27, 1965, a group of like-minded bushwalking field naturalists, predominantly from Heyfield, Maffra and Sale, hiked to the summit of Ben Cruachan, an 836 metre mountain to the northwest of Maffra. There the Ben Cruachan Walking Club was founded. Today, it has grown to a group of around 140 members, mainly from Central and East Gippsland, ranging in ages from young to the young at heart at 80 plus.
LAKES ENTRANCE
A SPRING CONCERT will be held at the Mechanics hall on Sunday from 2pm, featuring the Metung Singers, JP and the Sweet notes. It will be a fabulous program of choral harmonies, vocal solos and instrumental music.
LOCAL POLICE RECEIVED a report of an assault at the Lakes Entrance Plaza on August 21, where an elderly victim was allegedly assaulted by a male offender who produced a knife during the incident. Police would like to thank the members of the public who promptly reported the incident on the victim’s behalf. Their actions were instrumental in the quick identification and apprehension of the offender. He was processed for the offending and will receive a summons to attend court at a later date.
MORANBAH’S JACOB KING is riding around Australia raising money for Starlight Children’s Foundation. The 27-year-old planned route spans more than 17,000km and the aim it to reach the four extreme points of mainland Australia. King is fundraising because he believes every child deserves unwavering support, also saying while many have the privilege to choose their challenges, seriously ill children face hardships beyond their control. The Starlight Children’s Foundation was established in 1988 and supports seriously ill and hospitalised children by brightening their lives and reducing the stress of medical treatment. It operates Starlight Express Rooms in every major children’s hospital across Australia, while delivering Captain Starlight programs, where trained performers bring fun, distraction, and laughter to kids in hospital. It also runs the Starlight Wishgranting program, creating unforgettable experiences for children and their families, while working with medical professionals to provide programs that improve emotional wellbeing alongside clinical care.
LOCH SPORT
THE LOCAL AMBULANCE Auxiliary is inviting community-minded people with a passion for making a difference to join its committee. Over the past three years, the group has gone from strength to strength – working tirelessly to support the local Ambulance Community Officer (ACO) team and improve health outcomes. The ambulance auxiliary is a great way to support the lifesaving work of the local ACO crews while making a real impact in the community. The ACOs provide outstanding care every day, and the auxiliaries work helps enhance their training and resources. The Loch sport Ambulance Auxiliary has recently held fundraisers, with funds used to boost the number of publicly available automated external defibrillators in town. Having more 24/7 accessible defibrillators in town, means locals and visitors can start CPR and provide a shock from a defibrillator in the crucial minutes before paramedics arrive, which more than doubles the patient’s chance of survival.
MAFFRA
THE ROTARY CLUB recently held its changeover in July, with president Claire Cochrane staying on for a second term. The theme for the evening was “costumes from different countries”, and the meeting was a lot of fun, with the majority of people wearing something from another country. Everyone had to guess what countries they were, and prizes were awarded for the best dressed.
THE MAFFRA NEIGHBOURHOOD House has been awarded a grant from the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal (FRRR). Nearly 100 remote, rural and regional communities across Australia are set to benefit from another $1.2 million in grants, thanks to the FRRR’s flagship Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program. Maffra Neighbourhood House will receive $8182 for an outdoor community space. The money will be used to create a welcoming and accessible environment for seniors participating in community programs by installing a mobility-friendly outdoor seating area.
MEMBERS OF YEARS seven and eight at Maffra Secondary College travelled to Sale College for the fourth annual Golden Satay Indonesian Challenge, a day filled with Indonesian speaking, fun lomba-lomba games (marble and spoon, balloon relay, cracker eating), trivia and delicious food including mie goreng, nasi kuning, sate ayam and rendang. After a very close finish, Maffra came out on top, winning back the Golden Satay Trophy for 2025 by just half a point.
ITS’S BEEN A busy time at the secondary college, with the 2025 Maffra’s Got Talent finalised. First place went to the Spider Monkeys, with second going to the Caitlin, Tom and Charlie, while equal third was the Junior Rock Band and Six Seconds To Australia.
THE SCHOOL WAS also recognised by the Department of Education for being in the top 10 most improved regional schools in Victoria for year nine NAPLAN reading results. A testament the hard work of the staff and students put in each and every day, and the support provided by families at home.
MALLACOOTA
AHEAD OF THE looming fire season, a recent CFA survey revealed that 40 per cent of Victorians living in bushfire-prone areas including Gippsland do not have a bushfire plan in place to save their family. One in five people in these areas do not believe “leaving early” in a fire emergency is the best way to safeguard their loved ones, and 16 percent would stay to protect their property. The CFA annual post-season bushfire community survey has been conducted yearly since 2009 to understand the attitudes, behaviours and preparedness of householders living in bushfire risk locations in Victoria.The survey found that out of the 611 people interviewed, 24 per cent did not feel adequately prepared around their home. Over the last two years, the survey shows the perception of a bushfire being a threat to Victorians and their property has declined, with 50 per cent of people not showing concern and nearly 40 per cent are not alarmed enough to warrant direct interaction with CFA. A further 31 per cent of respondents would delay leaving until threatened by a bushfire, waiting for the danger to increase or for instructions from emergency services. CFA will be running a Get Fire Ready weekend on October 4-5, where many brigades will open their doors to connect with local community members, hoping to build public awareness and preparedness across Victoria.
METUNG
THE BLOODHOUNDS ARE celebrating 30 Years of making an incredible difference across East Gippsland, raising close to $250,000 to support individuals, projects, and organisations in need, during that time. To mark their 30th anniversary, the group is launching the “Bare to Care 2026 Calendar”, a fun and heartfelt fundraiser featuring nine of the original 2007 models, now almost 20 years on, alongside new faces who are baring all for a great cause! This year, proceeds will support Bairnsdale Regional Health Service Emergency Care, helping fund the extra resources that make BRHS such a vital facility for the community.
OMEO
THE SECOND FARMERS Dinner was recently staged at the Golden Age Hotel. It was a fantastic night bringing the farming community together for a social and informative dinner. Victorian Farmers Federation, chief executive Charlie Thomas (from a sixth generation farming family) and drought advisor Kim Tupper. They spoke with and liaised with 48 local farmers, sharing challenges, ideas, and proactive solutions. These events are organised by the Benambra Neighbourhood House, hoping to create a mix of advocacy, connection, and a much-needed break from the daily grind during these dry times.
SALE
GIPPSLAND GRAMMAR SCHOOL recently held its first Dad’s Talk breakfast. The room was full, the conversation was real and former AFL star, Tom Boyd left everyone with some simple but powerful with messages. Boyd eloquently sharing over a coffee and bacon and egg rolls, “There are very few things more powerful than having a conversation with the people who understand your situation. So stop listening to people online who don’t even know you and start listening to the people who actually care about you. They are the people you want in your tool kit”. Thanks to support and generosity of sponsors, the school raised more $10,000 for the Gippsland Grammar Foundation. And due to its overwhelming success, it was announced that Dad’s Talk will become an annual tradition on the school calendar.
RECENTLY BULK FREE pad and tampon dispensers were installed across Wellington libraries and they’re already making a difference. These dispensers provide easy, discreet, and free access to period products, at no cost and no fuss. They are now available at libraries in Rosedale, Sale, Maffra, Heyfield, and Stratford, with Yarram the next to come on line.
THE COUNCIL IS keen to remind punters of the bin rules, to ensure bins get picked up without any problems. They need to be out before 6am on your bin day, on the nature strip, parallel to the kerb, with the lid opening towards the road. Space is to be left from trees, power poles and street signs, with bins at least one metre apart.
THE VICTORIAN SENIORS Festival is back this October with free public transport all month and plenty of fun ways to connect, create and celebrate. In the Wellington Shire there will be a Seniors Community Expo on Monday, October 6 from 10am – 2pm at the Gippsland Regional Sports Complex. It will be a one-stop shop with health checks, local groups, services and more, with free entry and no registration needed. A country concert will be held featuring Wendy Stapleton at The Wedge on Friday, October 10, from 1.30pm, with all your favourite songs from the Swinging Sixties. A Dance Through the Decades session will be held at Gippsland Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, October 14 from 10am – 12pm. DJ classics from the 1950s to today, plus snacks, games and more.
THE COUNCIL HAS been made aware of scams where people are phoning ratepayers pretending to be from council, aggressively warning them they are recycling improperly or “following up” on reports their pet had been run over. It is unknown whether these scam calls aim to trick residents into handing over money or personal details, but here’s how to protect yourself. Council will never ask you to pay over the phone with gift cards or unusual payment methods. If it’s an email, always check the sender’s email address carefully, scammers often use lookalike addresses. If something feels off, hang up or don’t click the link. Scams can look and sound convincing, but a quick check could save you from being caught out. Make sure you have a chat with friends and family so we can all stay scam safe.
THE WELLINGTON SHIRE Council (WSC) is calling on state and federal governments to review how local government is funded. They issues a public statement last week, encouraging an open and honest conversation with residents about the financial pressures facing the organisation, and what it means for local services, roads and facilities. The council is claiming that with local government responsible for a range of services and facilities, from roads and footpaths to libraries, sporting facilities and support for older residents, costs are rising faster than income, leaving regional councils facing serious challenges.
STRATFORD
THE LOCAL FIRE Brigade, with the assistance of four other crews, assisted a home owner last Saturday with a burn that has spread into grass. Punters are reminded to beware that it is drying out with the wind, so have water on hand and be aware of the conditions.
YARRAM
THE YARRAM ARCHIES, the region’s take on the prestigious Archibald Prize, has once again celebrated Gippsland’s rich artistic talent, with Maffra-raised artist Ken Roberts announced as this year’s winner. The Archies continue on display at the Yarram Courthouse Gallery until September 16, giving the public plenty of time to browse portraits by 19 local and statewide artists.
