BAIRNSDALE
VIOLENCE TOWARDS PARAMEDICS is never ok. Statewide there has been a concerning increase in occupational violence towards paramedics and first responders, including several incidents over the weekend. Any form of abuse – whether physical or verbal – is completely unacceptable and has no place in the community. Ambulance Victoria people dedicate themselves to caring for others and should never have to choose between their safety or doing their job. The festive season can bring added stress, heightened emotions and challenging situations, but directing frustration at emergency services is never acceptable. Please do your part to stop the violence, show respect, protect those who protect us, and help ensure our paramedics, Victoria Police and all emergency service colleagues can return home safely to their families.
FATTY MATTY’S GELATO has opened with a brisk trade at 239 Main Street. Kids and adults enjoying whats to offer.
THE BAIRNSDALE PRODUCTION Line Theatre Company recently held its 2025 Awards Night. The evening was filled with laughter, unforgettable memories, and incredible performances celebrating their year on stage. Those in attendance were treated to performances from the cast of Come From Away, performing Welcome to the Rock, accompanied by the band from Come From Away, with the cast of Heartbreak Choir performing We Will Sing, along with several wonderful individual performances throughout the night. The dress theme for the night was 1920’s, with Susan Hawton, the winner of the best dressed competition, Amy Desmond was second and Xanthe Moser third. The winners of the Outstanding Actor in a Musical were Ellyn McKenzie and Shivani Mahendran. While the Most Outstanding Actor in a Play winners were Simran Kaur and Jayne Baylis. The Best One-Act Play was Driving Test, while the winners of the Outstanding Production Team Member – Musical (Draw) were Haylee Treasure and Grant Van Brummelen. In a play, the Outstanding Production Team Member award went to Will Hardy. A Recognition of Service Award was presented to the incredible Helen Gottschalk, a constant since the very early days of Production Line. As the front of house manager, Gottschalk has done an outstanding job over man years. Rising Star Award winners were Jack Andrewartha and Mahendran, while the Hall of Fame Award went to Peter Martignoles.
FOLLOWING MULTIPLE REPORTS of native armyworms across Victoria, farmers are encouraged to learn how to correctly identify them. Native armyworms can be mistaken for Fall armyworm, which originated in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas but have quickly spread across the world, including to Australia after being found in every state. The Fall armyworm (FAW), also known as Spodoptera frugiperda, is a highly invasive and destructive caterpillar that poses a significant threat to plant species. They are known to feed on more than 350 plant species, including maize, cotton, rice, sorghum, sugarcane, wheat and other vegetable and fruit crops. When identifying FAW, there are several key signs to look for, eggs are laid on the underside of leaves in masses of 100-300 usually with a protective cover of fine bristles and newly hatched larvae (caterpillars) are one millimetre long, pale greenish with a black head. Mature caterpillars are smooth bodied and grow up to 40 millimetres in length and range in colour from dark yellow to green, brown and black with prominent lighter stripes running the length of the body. Males have two distinct white marks on each of the forewings. While having a similar appearance to other armyworm species commonly found in Victoria, FAW can be distinguished by the inverted Y shape on the head. Correctly identifying FAW is especially vital during the late summer and early autumn months, with the larvae being most active around this time.
GIPPSLAND TRUCK CENTRE are excited to announce that they are expanding their business to Leongatha opening a truck repair place and Paccar Parts Store in January 2026.
BUCHAN
THE BUCHAN BLUFF Reserve is a popular picnic spot, especially when the weather warms up, and it’s good to see the community working in partnership with East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (EGCMA) for some much-needed improvements. Works to enhance the health of the Buchan River and improve the visitor experience at Bluff Reserve are now complete. Multiple native species have been planted that will support the river banks, including shade trees such as kanuka and currajongs, trees that have been identified as preferred species in the area. Rivers are dynamic systems, and their shape and direction is often determined by nature. This project aims to enhance the environment in an area that is both highly valued and widely enjoyed by the local community and holiday-makers. EGCMA staff will be checking on the plants regularly over summer and giving them a drink of water but if anyone is visiting the site and wants to lend a hand, feel free to help.
DARGO
CAMPFIRES ARE REMINDED that they are not permitted to lite fires on Total Fire Ban days. These include fires for warmth or personal comfort. They could cause a bushfire, that can have devastating consequences and campers are responsible for making sure they are aware of the fire risks and restrictions, especially on a Total Fire Ban. An escaped fire, particularly on a day of Total Fire Ban, has the potential to have significant consequences for the environment and can put people’s lives at risk. If you are not taking appropriate precautions around fire, you will face the consequences and penalties. Penalties for recklessly causing a bushfire or grass fire include up to 15 years’ imprisonment. The maximum penalty for arson resulting in death is 25 years’ imprisonment.
ENSAY
THE LOCAL COMMUNITY has done something pretty special – launching its own volunteer-run community cafe to coincide with the West mobile library van visits. Building on the great work of the Catholic Care coffee van, locals have completed barista training and now open the cafe fortnightly from 10am to noon at Ensay Hall.
HEYFIELD
A GREAT CHRISTMAS present for the local fire brigade, with the delivery of a new Medium Tanker.
LAKES ENTRANCE
GLAWAC IS PROUD to be a partner of the National Indigenous Disaster Resilience (NIDR) Gathering 2026, to be held on Country in Lakes Entrance on May 5-7, 2026. This national gathering brings people together from across Australia to share Indigenous leadership, knowledge and lived experience in disaster resilience, recovery and Caring for Country. The gathering will be about learning from communities who have lived through fire, flood and long recovery – and recognising the strength that sits within culture, Country and community.
SPEED CONTINUES TO be the number one cause of road trauma and fatalities on our roads. Police are targeting speeding drivers throughout the summer, and you can expect to see us throughout the state. Remember to slow down and stick to the speed limit, leave plenty of distance between you and the car in front, plan ahead and leave with more than enough time to get to where you’re going, take regular breaks when driving for long periods and put distracting devices out of sight.
LOCH SPORT
A HUGE NIGHT is expected in town on New Year’s eve, with entertainment on the front foreshore at the rotunda from 6pm to after the fireworks end. It will be an alcohol-free family event, with DJ Brenno pumping out the best music from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s, plus plenty of country.
WELLINGTON SHIRE COUNCIL and the Department of Health are urging residents to reduce the risk of mosquito bites by wearing long, loose-fitting light-coloured clothing, using insect repellent, ensuring fly screens are intact, removing stagnant water around homes, checking rainwater tank screening, and regularly changing water in pet bowls in coastal areas. This advice comes off the back of routine mosquito trapping in Loch Sport detected Ross River virus earlier this month. Ross River Virus is an illness caused by a type of virus called an “arbovirus”. It is most common in summer and autumn. It’s spread by mosquitoes that bite an infected animal, and then bite a human (you can’t catch it from contact with an infected person). Many people who are infected with Ross River Virus don’t know they have it- they feel well and never develop symptoms. However, others may experience symptoms seven-10 days after being bitten. These include flu-like symptoms such as fevers, chills, headaches, muscle and joint aches. Joint swelling and stiffness which may be more noticeable in the morning. A general feeling of unwellness, tiredness or weakness, and a rash on the trunk and limbs, which usually lasts seven to 10 days.
MALLACOOTA
THE MALLACOOTA BOAT Wash is up and running at 8 Commercial Road, a great place to give your boat a tub, before heading back down the highway.
THE FRIENDS OF Mallacoota is a community organisation dedicated to preserving the local environment. To raise money for a number of initiatives they have newly installed recycling cages around the Mallacoota foreshore Caravan Park, an exciting way to support the Friends of Mallacoota and ensure that your cans and bottles are being recycled.
METUNG
THERE HAS BEEN a significant increase of boats and jet skis on the lakes. Anti-social behaviour including dangerous operation of vessels and driving under the influence of a drug or alcohol increase the risk of harm to the community. Police have been out patrolling the waterways to ensure people are safe and abiding by the law.SADLY THERE HAS been 1048 cases of chidren locked in cars paramedics have been called to in the past 12 months in Victoria. Of the cases where a child’s age was recorded, toddlers aged one to three years old made up the largest group, representing 67 per cent. Although there has been a 14 per cent drop in hot-car call outs, drivers should never leave kids, older people or pets in cars. Most hot-car emergencies occur close to home and can happen to any family. It can only take a brief distraction or a quick stop for a child to be in serious danger, and the consequences can be tragic. Helpful tips include always be aware of where your keys are, don’t give your keys to kids to play with, plan ahead, dress kids in light clothing when travelling in the car on a hot day and try to travel in cooler parts of the day.
ORBOST
UNIVERSITY OFFERS WERE released last week and Orbost Community College and were delighted at the exciting range of opportunities offered to their 2025 graduates. Students were accepted into a wide variety of university courses including Biomedicine (Latrobe University), Space Science (RMIT University), Marine Science (Deakin University), Nursing (Deakin University), Arts – Creative and Professional Writing major (Latrobe University), Sports Coaching and Development (Latrobe University) and Science – Zoology major (Latrobe University). A wonderful achievement and a reflection of their effort and application throughout year 12 and preceding schooling.
CHRISTMAS IS DONE, which means hot cross buns are now in supermarkets.
PAYNESVILLE
A CHRISTMAS DAY rescue is a timely safety reminder. Christmas Day is a great time to try out new toys — but not in gale-force winds and definitely not in a kayak. Shortly after 2pm, Paynesville Coast Guard, Water Police and PolAir were deployed to search for a missing person in a three-metre kayak who was blown from Fort King across Lake King for several kilometres toward the Tambo River. PolAir located the kayaker and stayed overhead until Coast Guard and Water Police arrived and safely recovered him from the water. He was checked by Ambulance in Paynesville and thankfully given a clean bill of health.
PORT ALBERT
THE WINNER OF the Best Decorated Property for the Port Albert / Langsborough/ Alberton region of the Christmas Lights Competition is Sharnie Vicente (38 Russell Street, Alberton). The calibre of light displays this year was exceptional and the effort and thought put in by all participants did not go unnoticed by the many people who took the opportunity to check them out. This year the inflatable decorations really packed a punch, both day and night, and were the most highly rated among all the displays. Congratulations Sharnie. The winner of the Best Decorated Property for the Yarram / Jack River/ Devon North / Woodside region of the Christmas Lights Competition is Anne and Barry Richards (820 Tarra Valley Road, Devon North).
SALE
POLICE ARE REQUESTING the community to please be on the lookout for a blue Commodore sedan – registration 2AG 9PN. The vehicle was seen driving erratically and at dangerous high speeds around the Sale area on Friday, December 26 at approximately 6.35pm. Please call 000 as soon as you sight the vehicle so we can keep the community safe. If you witnessed any of the driving or have any dashcam footage, please contact the Sale police on 51422200.
LOCALS HAVE BEEN giving back to the community at Petstock Country store with a $2 donation in-store or online, helping raise money for Australians in need of animal-assisted programs through Story Dogs and Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Australia. The initiative forms part of the Petstock Foundation’s Christmas Project, which is calling on Australians to help raise more than $520,000 this festive season to support vital animal-assisted programs that deliver comfort, care and connection. As of last week, the Australian total of donations was $254,151.76, with New Zealand, $36,506.44, for a total of $290,658.20. To get involved, visit any Petstock store nationwide or head to petstock.com.au to make a direct donation.
LEVEL UP HAS officially opened at the Gippsland Centre (shop 51). Level Up Arena is Sale’s ultimate indoor sports and entertainment hub — bringing cricket, pickleball, and arcade gaming together under one neon-lit roof.
GIPPSLAND GRAMMAR 2026 school captain Himesh has been presented the John Leaver Award. Presented by the Ecumenical Schools Australia, this announcement was made at the school’s Celebration Assembly. Reverend John Leaver was the founder of many independent schools in Victoria and the annual award honours students who with compassion, resilience, connection and broad-mindedness. Himesh will be invited to a special function in Melbourne early next year to meet other John Leaver Award recipients.
EACH YEAR THE Gippsland Grammar Foundation honours students who truly embody the school spirit and values. These students lead with integrity, learn with curiosity, and live with pride in all they do. This years recipients are year nine student, Lucy and Bairnsdale Campus student Chloe. This Learn Live Lead Award recognises students who, show pride in the school, participate widely in school life, wear their uniform with pride and live by the school’s values every day
STRATFORD
A SOD TURNING signalled the beginning of an exciting new chapter for St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Stratford, with a $6.4 million development set to transform the school. The stage one building project will involve demolishing the existing end-of-life multipurpose facility and constructing a new two-storey building to be completed by March 2027.
SEASPRAY
YABBY RACING AGAIN proved popular at the Life Saving Club on Saturday night, which continues to be action attraction in town. The club will be holding a fin run or walk on Saturday, January 3, with an. 8.30am check in. The five kilometre event is for all ages, fitness levels, with dogs welcome.
in Police uniform. (PS)
