Lakes Entrance Action and Development Association (LEADA) held its annual general meeting followed by a town meeting last Thursday evening with a good number of LEADA members, interested public, committee members and
East Gippsland Shire representatives present.
Chair of LEADA, Boyd McPhee, said it had been a busy time and he thanked all on the committee for their commitment to improving the town.
He thanked Bruce Hurley, who did not re-nominate for LEADA committee, for his long standing time and enthusiasm regarding projects within the town
and expressed that he will be hard to replace.
“I am happy to hear he is still going to be involved in a walks organisation,” Boyd said.
Boyd also acknowledged the impact Sharen Cameron has had as chairperson of the Business, Tourism and Events arm
of LEADA.
“She has been a key player in improving the marketing strategies currently in place and bringing more businesses onboard. I also acknowledge LEADA secretary Michelle Whelan and treasurer Sandi Hutchins as without them LEADA could not function,” Boyd said.
He said he’s encouraged by the more than 600 members who afford input and feedback about Lakes Entrance improvements.
As chairperson of LEADA and a member of the Infrastructure Committee, Boyd is proud of his dedication to creating a working relationship with the EGSC. He is grateful for their availability to talk over issues and attend meetings and sees it as very productive.
“(East Gippsland Shire) CEO Fiona Weigall, Mayor John White and General Manager Assets and Environment Stuart McConnell have been most helpful in putting ideas on the agenda and improving ways we can help each other,” Boyd said.
FRESH LOOK
Boyd referenced many of the major improvements in the town including the footbridge playground, which has had unprecedented use, the revamp of Marine Parade, new infrastructure at both ends of the footbridge, progress of the Krauatungalung Walk, the impending design of the new sports stadium and Jemmy’s Point intersection. He thanked Jeff Wilson for his input over many years pushing for improvements to the Jemmys Point path which should be finished by Christmas.
“The events calendar has been action packed with the success of New Year’s Fireworks, Lakes Lights Winter Festival and Rocktober,” Boyd said.
“These events make the hub at Myer Street traffic lights a key focus for visitors with Chants Carnival a major player over Christmas and January. The continued development of the Slipway Precinct is encouraging.”
He said there is still lots of work to be done including working hard to secure funding for the new stadium, Stage 2 of the Krauatungalung Walk, LEADA members’ consultation on Stage 2 of Bullock Island improvements, which he thanked Ted Hare for his drive and enthusiasm, Palmers Road Offices and surrounds with CFA and SES keen to move onto the site, Myer Street business area improvements and looking at more industrial land.
“Kris Cordery and other LEADA members have been actively involved in seeing the surf club precinct move ahead and Bruce Hurley, Jeff Wilson and Arja Toivanen are aiming to improve infrastructure, documentation and web presence of walks around Lakes Entrance,” Boyd said.
BUILDING CONNECTIONS
Chairperson of the LEADA BTE, Sharen Cameron, presented a report highlighting programs initiated this year.
These included Strengthening Local Business Support through a LEADA Marketing Accelerator Program (MAP) which was a self funded training and mentoring program exclusively for LEADA members. She also reported that the Lakes Lights was once more a successful event, along with the Rocktober – Music on Myer.
Her report presented some initiatives for 2026 including a possible mini golf carnival and championship weekend, a proposed maritime heritage festival, and the possibility of acquiring the tug boat Sampson from
East Gippsland Shire as a promotional float.
Sharen said the LEADA BTE has continued to serve as the united voice for local businesses and that she sees membership growth and engagement as a top priority.
“Through the BTE Committee, LEADA aims to bring together local businesses, industry leaders, and community members to attract investment, drive new projects, and advocate for initiatives that support tourism, primary producers, and local manufacturing,” she said.
“By building connections, hosting events, and running programs like MAP, the association helps local operators compete
more effectively both in person and online. Every initiative
aims to bring more money into Lakes Entrance and reduce what flows out.”
Mayor Cr John White briefed the meeting on what work has been done by the shire and emphasised how important Lakes Entrance is to the shire’s economy.
“Through economic development we attract people to Lakes Entrance,” he said.
Two major improvements he highlighted were Bullock Island and the town streetscape. He also listed other initiatives including the Krauatungalung Walk, two new lookouts, Marine Parade upgrade, Jemmy’s Point intersection, Changing Places for disabled participants, safety upgrade at Lakes Entrance Primary School, the future stadium, Palmers Road emergency services precinct and the fishing industry particularly wind farms.
NEW COMMITTEE
The six members elected to the LEADA committee at the AGM last Thursday were Sandi Kate Hutchins, Dale Reynolds, Su Robbins, Dino Zagami, Nick Matolytsch and Ewan Fotheringham. The seventh position on the committee was filled by Sharen Cameron, previously ratified by the committee as the Business, Tourism and Events committee representative.
