BAIRNSDALE
PUNTERS ARE ENCOURAGED to consider the consequences of their actions and help prevent potential bushfires this summer. The penalty for recklessly starting a fire is up to 15 years in prison. Always monitor the Fire Danger Rating forecast for your location and regularly review real-time emergency information and warnings. Consider what you can and can’t do during the declared Fire Danger Period, and on days of Total Fire Ban. Adapt your plans to changing weather conditions and safety advice. Never burn off during prohibited periods or without a permit, use equipment or machinery on days of increased fire risk and neglect regular maintenance of farm equipment that may spark. Always have an sufficient number of appropriate fire extinguishers available, and properly extinguish fires before leaving any site. Campfires should never be left unattended, properly dispose of barbecue coals and cigarette butts, and never light a fire while intoxicated.
SOME GOOD NEWS for the Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House, successful in receiving a 2025/2026 Community Food Relief Program – Local Grant. The house received $70,000 to expand food relief operations by upgrading equipment and infrastructure, including cold storage, a walk in freezer and a loading pad to improve volunteer safety and efficiency, and the hiring of a dedicated project coordinator.
LAST WEEK WAS ‘International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women’ and the beginning of the global ’16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence’, leading into International Human Rights Day on December 10. To stand in solidarity with victim-survivors and send a clear message that they are not alone, Parliament House in Canberra was illuminated in orange, symbolising a bright and optimistic future free from violence against women and girls. Gippsland is facing a family violence crisis, East Gippsland has the highest family violence incident rate in Victoria, with a 24.2 per cent increase over the past year. Latrobe City is second in Victoria and the Wellington Shire is sixth and recorded a 13 per cent increase in incidents. Across the region, around three-quarters of victim-survivors are women, and almost half of all incidents occur in homes where children are present. East Gippsland Shire, Wellington Shire and Latrobe City Councils are hosting a range of events during the 16 Days of Activism to raise awareness and encourage action.
THE CROOKE STREET Wetlands will have its official opening on Thursday, December 11 from 11am. Better water quality, less pollution, reduced flood risk and enhanced biodiversity – that’s something to celebrate. It will be an opportunity to learn about why this wetland area is important to protect the Jones Bay Wildlife Reserve – home to more than 100 bird species, including important migratory birds. The event will feature a ribbon-cutting, speeches, photo opportunities and a ceremonial tree planting led by East Gippsland Shire Council’s Youth Ambassadors.
BRIAGOLONG
THE BRIAG ROAD Book Exchange needs your help. They are calling all families, tiny readers, and book-loving grown ups to grab a book or five from their Roadside Library, as it is officially overflowing. Your help will make room for boxes of new stories waiting to go out. Adventure, mystery, romance, kids’ books — you name it, it’s probably sitting in the Little Red Book Nook right now, waiting for you.
BUNDALAGUAH
THE LOCAL CRICKET club held its first club event of the season over the weekend, an amazing quiz night, hosted by Tony Anderson, full of wit and able to get the whole room laughing.
CASSILIS
THE CHRISTMAS Market for the Cassilis Recreation Reserve Committee of Management which will be held this Sunday. All funds raised goes towards maintaining the Cassilis Recreation Reserve and supporting local small businesses.
FERNBANK
THE VICTORIA STATE Emergency Service (VICSES) is urging motorists to take extra care on the roads this holiday season, with volunteers responding to a rising number of road crash rescue incidents across the state this year. VICSES provides the largest road rescue network in Australia, with 105 accredited Road Crash Rescue provider units across Victoria, and 22 Rescue Support Units. Last year, VICSES volunteers attended more than 2200 road crash rescues across Victoria, providing critical support when people were trapped and needed emergency extrication, this has jumped from 1859 incidents in the year prior. Recent data highlights a continued upward trend in incidents across multiple regions, underscoring the importance of road-safety awareness and the vital role played by local VICSES volunteers. In the East and West Gippsland, incidents have risen from 28 to 54 between 2022/23 and 2024/25, reflecting a broader statewide trend. These rising numbers continue to challenge emergency responders and highlight the shared responsibility we all have in staying alert and making safe choices on the road. Fatigue is a major contributor to road trauma, contributing to an estimated 16–20 per cent of all crashes in Victoria. Holiday travel often includes long distances, unfamiliar roads, and fatigue factors that and the potential for fatigue which can significantly increase crash risk. Ahead of the holiday period, VICSES volunteers are reminding all road users to plan their trip, know your journey and conditions and take a break at least every two hours, while sharing driving responsibilities where possible, avoiding driving late at night or when tired. Allow extra time for traffic and weather conditions, always drive to the conditions.
HEYFIELD
THE NEXT NATIONAL Timber Workers Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be at the Heyfield Memorial Hall on January 17, 2026. Inductees include Bluey Lineham, Ray Armstrong, Ronald Hanneford, Allan Drew, Anthony Hutchinson, Noel Bransden, Gerry Egan, Arthur Ashley, Doug Membrey, Maurice Killeen, and Bill, Dennis and Geoff Munson.
LOCAL SOCIAL MEDIA sensation, Josh Neille, has been recognised on one of the biggest stages in digital media, taking out the ‘TikTok For Good Award’ at the annual Australian/New Zealand TikTok Awards. Dubbed ‘the Oscars of social media’, this year’s event filled the newly minted TikTok Entertainment Centre in Sydney with more than 5000 people in attendance and millions more watching live on TikTok and Stan, making it the largest TikTok Awards event in the world. Neille shares his passion for wildlife conservation with his family, who star in his social media posts alongside the animals they rescue. Their ability to engage, educate and inspire a massive online audience with outstanding content has put Gippsland firmly in the international spotlight. Neille’s videos have generated millions of views, currently his page has 869,000 followers.
HILLSIDE
THIS SATURDAY WILL see the 2025 Hillside Rosehill Community Christmas (545 Bairnsdale-Dargo Road, Hillside) take place from 5pm. Everyone from the surrounding areas (Calulu, Fernbank, Flaggy Creek, Lindenow, Lindenow South, Walpa and Woodglen), whether you are a long-time local or new to the community is encouraged to attend. It will be a relaxed evening of good food, great company and plenty of Christmas cheer.
LAKES ENTRANCE
DIFFERENT WATERWAYS AND different vessels have their own rules. Before you head out this summer, take a moment to get Back to Basics and make sure both you and your vessel are ready for the conditions wherever you’re going.
LINDENOW SOUTH
FIRE PREVENTION SLASHING is underway across East Gippsland, with two contractor crews busy reducing roadside fuel loads and keeping access routes clear for emergency services – helping keep the community safer as summer approaches. Works have been completed in Calulu, Clifton Creek, Glenaladale, Lindenow, Lindenow South, Wy Yung,Cann River/Tamboon area, Wangarabell, Wallagaraugh, Errinundra and Benambra (Limestone Road region). Next on the list are Goon Nure and Wattle Point, moving south toward Forge Creek and Paynesville, and the Nicholson and Sarsfield corridor, heading west toward Bairnsdale. Some wetter spots from earlier areas will be revisited once conditions improve. Crews will continue through the south-western section of the shire, with work in the central shire area expected to start sooner than planned.
OMEO
THE TAMBO SES Unit was busy again early last week, paged to another mountain bike accident accident on the Flomeo trail. A combined rescue party from the CFA, SES, Ambulance Victoria and local council made their way up the four-wheel drive access track and walked in the 150 metres to the patient. After being accessed by a paramedic and diagnosed with broken bones in his leg, he was stabilised and placed into the mule stretcher and wheeled out to the waiting ambulance, then transferred to the Omeo Footy Oval where HEMS was waiting to fly him to Melbourne.
IN FURTHER TAMBO SES news, last week they were successful in being one of the VICSES units to receive a VESEP grant ($68,000) to help us build a satellite shed in Omeo. This will enable us to take their two SES vehicles out of the Omeo CFA shed and into a building of our own in Omeo.
ORBOST
CHRISTMAS IS JUST around the corner and it is almost time for the Orbost Community Carols event to take place again. An adult choir has been formed and they have been busy practising some entertaining carols. A primary choir from the Orbost Community College will also feature as well as a Secondary Vocal group. There will be plenty of popular carols for everyone to join in with and a Christmas party supper will follow (please bring a plate of food to share). They hope to see a large crowd there on Sunday at 6pm at St Andrew’s Uniting Church.
DECEMBER IS HERE and the Orbost and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ODCCI) is kicking off the festive season with colour, cheer and plenty of community spirit. After another big year, the Chamber is encouraging everyone to celebrate Christmas the Orbost way — to get involved in all of the Christmas festivities and by supporting the local businesses that keep the town thriving. Give local, give easy – Chamber gift cards are the perfect no-stress gift. These Eftpos-style cards can be used at around 30 businesses in Orbost and Marlo, giving recipients the freedom to support multiple local stores. Gift cards are available at Andrews Land and Surf, with loadable amounts from $10 to $1000, with transactions at businesses being able to be spread across all member businesses.
LUCKY SHOPPER 2025 is now underway. Giving locals even more reasons to shop close to home this December. Anyone who spends over $20 at participating businesses will go into the draw to win.Three weekly draws of $100 will take place on December 5, 12 and 19. Winners will be notified by phone and advertised on social media. The major prize draw will take place at the Orbost Christmas Eve Festival, with $500, $200 and $100 Chamber vouchers up for grabs.
CHRISTMAS LIGHT MAPS will be published in the December 17 and 24 editions of the Snowy River Mail. Homes wishing to be included on the map should have their decorations up between December 3 and 13, when volunteers drive the town to create the map. Public voting has been removed this year with a secret voter in place. This year’s categories are best overall, novice, best decorated garden (doesn’t have to have lights/ can include inflatables) and best decorated tree (in garden or in window).
PAYNESVILLE
THE CWA PAYNESVILLE Toonalook Branch are again holding their annual Christmas stall on Saturday, December 13, from 10am to 1pm, outside the Paynesville Library. They will be selling their fabulous Christmas Puddings along with great Christmas Fare and gifts. All funds raised assist their programs for vulnerable women, children and families within the Paynesville Community.
SALE
COFFEE WITH A Cop returns to the region on Thursday, the event providing an opportunity for community members to connect with local police officers for a relaxed chat over a cup of coffee. It will be held at Bunnings (Macarthur Street), between 10 and 11am. A chance for a relaxed chat over a cuppa.
ROSS RIVER VIRUS has been detected in mosquitoes trapped in Wellington and East Gippsland. Ross River virus is spread by mosquito bites and symptoms may include fever, joint inflammation and pain, rash, fatigue and muscle aches. It occurs in regional Victoria, particularly around inland waterways and coastal regions. Local councils are actively working to reduce mozzie populations, but your best protection is avoiding bites. Protect yourself and your family by wearing loose-fitting, light-coloured long sleeves and pants, apply insect repellent containing deet or picaridin, avoid being outdoors at dawn and dusk, remove standing water around your home and check that window and door screens are secure. The Department of Health and high-risk local government areas run the Victorian Arbovirus Disease Control Program to track mosquito activity in the state. Weekly surveillance is underway, and traps are showing high mosquito numbers this season.
THE SKY ABOVE West Sale Airport will again be filled with thrilling flying action next April. The ANZAC Week Airshow will be held April 18 and 19, 2026. The biennial event, previously held around Anzac Day, will next year be held on the weekend preceding the public holiday.
SARSFIELD
THE RECREATION RESERVE committee has made the difficult decision not to hold a Twilight Market in January 2026. Due to the hall build project, there are issues around oval access and overall safety that mean they are not comfortable holding a major event.
YARRAM
LOCAL SECONDARY COLLEGE student, Ruby Marazzato, has been selected as a Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholar. The fantastic achievement, reflects her dedication, ambition, and academic excellence.
The Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program is a prestigious two-year enrichment program from the University of Melbourne that offers inspiring events and activities to broaden students’ academic and personal horizons and help prepare them for future success at university and beyond. Each year, high-achieving year 10 students from across Victoria and selected border schools apply, making this recognition especially impressive.
