BAIRNSDALE
GIPPSLAND POLICE have recently received several reports of counterfeit Australian currency circulating in the Latrobe area. Businesses and consumers are being urged to remain vigilant. Some counterfeit notes are of high quality, but most still look or feel slightly “off.” Anyone who comes across a suspect banknote is advised to store it safely, handle it as little as possible, and place it in an envelope. Record any relevant information about how it came into your possession, and report it to your local police station as soon as possible. Anyone with information about the production of counterfeit currency is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
ROAD USERS are reminded to check VicTraffic for road closures and traffic conditions. Several roads remain closed following recent fires, so drivers should
not assume that roads have reopened. For the latest emergency updates, check emergency.vic.gov.au/respond or the VicEmergency app.
UPGRADES will soon begin at the Bairnsdale Aquatic Recreation Centre (BARC). Stage one roof works will result in temporary closures: the entire facility (January 27–28), pool hall (January 29–February 8), wet change rooms (February 9–March 2), and gym (March 2–30). These essential upgrades are designed to keep BARC safe, modern, and fully operational for years to come.
ANIMAL AID is seeking animal lovers to volunteer at the Bairnsdale shelter. Weekend helpers are needed for cuddles, walks, and general assistance around the centre. Volunteers make a huge difference to the animals and help support the existing team.
NAGLE COLLEGE is considering introducing a new uniform in 2027,
which will be gradually phased in over several years.
JOHN DICK departed Whelans last week after an 18-year career. From operations to hands-on work with ground crews, managing finance, overseeing road maintenance contracts, handling logistics, contributing to the workshop, and being part of the executive group, Dick has done it all. His dedication, leadership, and versatility have shaped much of what the company has achieved. Dick now embarks on a new venture alongside his father at Bairnsdale Fruit Supply.
FATTY MATTY’S GELATO now offers
take-home tubs. The 500ml container is available in one or two flavours, while
the one-litre tub is available in one,
two, or three flavours.
THE VICTORIAN LABOR Government is undertaking a rapid review of Victoria’s firearms laws, led by former Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay. Submissions close on February 3, so interested parties are urged to get in and make their voice heard.
DAHLSENS recently announced their
2025 “Account Manager of the Year,”
which was won by East Gippsland’s own Dane Chambers, with Sydney’s Liz Bell runner up.
BOISDALE
THE BOISDALE BRIAGOLONG Football Netball Club will host its season launch and twilight market at the Boisdale Recreation Reserve on Sunday, February 22, from 3.30pm to 7.30pm. The club is inviting the community for a relaxed, family-friendly afternoon and evening to celebrate and officially launch the 2026 season. Attendees can enjoy a mix of local stalls, food trucks, live music, and activities for all ages, including a licensed bar and hi-tac raffle draw from 6.30pm. The event is part of the club’s Mardi Gras fundraising calendar, with all proceeds supporting netball court upgrades.
JONATHAN OUTHART was awarded a life membership of the Boisdale Briagolong Cricket Club last week. His dedication and time he has put into the club, both on and off field, has been outstanding for the best part of 15 years and the club could not thank him enough.
CLUB TERRACE
LOCAL AUTHOR Lindy Rawlings
recently released Volume 2 of the hugely popular ‘Weed Eaters Field Guide’ series. The book was three years in the making and includes heaps more plants from the East Gippsland region.
DARGO
AGRICULTURE VICTORIA is reminding farmers affected by recent bushfires that dedicated grants and concessional loans are available for cleanup, restoration, and rebuilding. Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants of up to $75,000 can cover costs including replacing fences, plant and equipment, or disposing of damaged goods and deceased livestock. Concessional Loans of up to $250,000 can be used to restore assets or cover working capital where income has been impacted.
HEYFIELD
THE ANNUAL YABBY races
fundraiser was held at the Railway Hotel last weekend. Proceeds are usually
directed towards someone who is unwell, but this year the funds went to Josh Neille and his mum Rhonda, local unfunded wildlife warriors.
LAKES ENTRANCE
GREAT NEWS for locals and visitors: the new electric vehicle charging station at the Lakes Entrance Library car park is now operational. The 50kW DC fast charger, with dual plugs (CCS2 and CHAdeMO), is available via the Chargefox network (fees apply). While charging, drivers are supporting local businesses by spending time and money in shops, cafes, and restaurants. The charger forms part of
East Gippsland Shire Council’s growing
EV network, supporting cleaner transport and making it easier to travel electric
across the region.
PEOPLE living across country Victoria are more likely to be diagnosed with, and die from, melanoma than those living in major cities. According to the Victorian Cancer Registry, 3179 Victorians were diagnosed with melanoma in 2024, the deadliest form of skin cancer. More than a third of cases occurred in regional Victoria, where residents are 51 per cent more likely to be diagnosed and 35 per cent more likely to die from melanoma than city dwellers. Treatments for non-melanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, also increased, with 170,743 treatments recorded in 2024, up from 164,736 in 2023. SunSmart Victoria head Emma Glassenbury notes that 95 per cent of melanomas and 99 per cent of non-melanoma skin cancers are caused by UV overexposure, but these cancers are largely preventable with sun protection. She advises daily checks of UV levels
to prevent skin damage and reduce
cancer risk.
OUTSTANDING LOCAL MUSICIAN Olivia Lay is heading to Bendigo to perform on the Blues Tram with Charles Bedford on Saturday, February 14. She has written a song, Tram Stop Blues,
specifically for this performance.
BULMERS raised $1,171.45 for the
Lakes Entrance Neighbourhood House
from the donations placed into the box on their counter.
LOCH SPORT
FIVE MEN were rescued after their boat overturned in Loch Sport last Saturday night. Emergency services responded to reports of the group in trouble on Lake Victoria about 11.30pm. The Police Air Wing, Paynesville Water Police, Paynesville Coast Guard vessels, and Ambulance Victoria (HEMS) all attended. The Air Wing conducted a flyover, spotting the five men on the upturned hull of the boat. The Coast Guard was guided to the rescue location by the Air Wing chopper lighting up the area from above. All five men were successfully retrieved and transported back to dry land by the Coast Guard crew. Ambulance Victoria assessed the men and they were given a clean bill of health. The men are all in their 30s from Mirboo North, Tanjil South, and Leongatha. The circumstances surrounding the incident will be investigated.
LONGFORD
THE ANNUAL VINTAGE Tractor Pull will be held on March 7 and 8 at the Longford Recreation Reserve. The NHMA-sanctioned event caters to classes from garden tractors to open class. It features full catering, kids’ activities, exhibitor camping, and the popular Saturday night pulling under lights, which serves as a prelude to the all-day Sunday program.
MAFFRA
THE LOCAL WOMEN’S shed has returned for another year. The first session welcomed new and returning members, full of laughter, learning, and creativity. The initial project was a practical book holder to support hands-free reading, perfect with a cup of coffee. The shed is welcoming, inclusive, and supportive, with no prior experience required. Members can learn at their own pace, sharing knowledge
and stories, and create projects they
are proud of.
HOMICIDE SQUAD DETECTIVES last week charged a 45-year-old Maffra man with one count of murder. The charge follows reports that emergency services responded to a Mills Street address around noon on Monday, January 19, where a 63-year-old man was found unresponsive and could not be revived. Police believe the parties involved were known to each other.
THE LOCAL GOLF Club Pro-Am will
be held on Sunday, March 1, commencing
at 1pm with a shotgun start.
THREE MEN have been charged after an allegedly stolen truck fled from police in Trafalgar on January 25. Members from the Wellington Highway Patrol tracked the Kenworth Tipper in the Maffra area at about 11.35am on January 25, where stop sticks were successfully deployed, puncturing two of the truck’s tyres near Trafalgar. The Air Wing followed the vehicle from above. The vehicle allegedly continued onto a dead-end road, drove through several paddocks, and destroyed farm fences. Two men allegedly jumped from the truck and hid in a nearby property, where they were arrested. The driver of the truck allegedly continued back onto the Princes Freeway, where he attempted to flee on foot but was arrested a short time later. The driver, a 29-year-old Wandong man, was charged with theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving whilst pursued by police, drug driving, criminal damage, and burglary. He was remanded to appear at Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on January 27.
NICHOLSON
FISHING in the Mitchell, Nicholson, and Tambo rivers is about to get even better thanks to your fishing licence fees. The East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority has received a $98,000 grant to increase woody habitat for native fish including black bream, estuary perch, and Australian bass.
PAYNESVILLE
THE RAYMOND ISLAND ferry will cease operations at 8pm on Wednesday, February 4, for maintenance on the ferry’s chain support system. A water taxi will be available for pedestrians during this time, with Sampson on standby for emergency services. Normal ferry service will resume on Thursday, February 5.
MYRTLEBANK
ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, a white Holden Commodore was observed driving erratically south-east on Maffra–Sale Road from Myrtlebank to Sale and then onto Princes Highway toward Stratford. Anyone who witnessed this or has dashcam footage is asked to contact Wellington Highway Patrol on 5142 2200.
SALE
BIG NEWS at the Star Hotel, with
Hard Rated Orange now on tap.
The beer is zesty, juicy, and bold, ideal
for hot summer days.
THE SKY above West Sale Airport will once again host thrilling aerial action in April. The ANZAC Week Airshow is scheduled for April 18–19, 2026, ahead of the public holiday weekend.
CENTRAL GIPPSLAND HEALTH recently suffered vandalism at Sale Hospital’s car park, rendering nine fleet vehicles unroadworthy on January 13 around 1.15am. Police are investigating.
THE WELLINGTON SHIRE Council Community Assistance Grants are now open, offering up to $6,000 to support local events, projects, and facility maintenance. The grants are designed to help community groups enhance Wellington’s vibrancy and connectedness.
A HUGE CROWD attended the Live at the Bundy event at Sale Memorial Hall last week. AC/DC tribute band Riff Raff entertained a sellout audience, exactly 50 years to the day since AC/DC performed in the same venue.
THE GIPPSLAND GRAMMAR shed at Sale Canal was refreshed during a weekend working bee by students, parents, and coaches. The project was supported by a community grant from Wellington Shire Council.
WELLINGTON CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION Unit detectives are appealing for information following a home invasion in Sale in April last year. Investigators have been told around 1am three offenders forced their way through the front door of a Ross Street house on April 12. A 54-year-old woman was home alone at the time. The offenders, armed with weapons, made demands for money and drugs. They assaulted the woman before leaving the house with keys, a PlayStation, and a tent. Investigators believe this may be a case of mistaken identity, as one of the offenders apologised before they all left in a car. The victim was treated for minor physical injuries. Anyone who witnessed the incident, with footage or further information, is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.
BOND STREET EVENT Centre, in partnership with the Sale Cemetery Trust and the Sale and District Family History Group, will be delivering a Cemetery Walk on Saturday, March 28.
STRATFORD
THE LOCAL SHAKESPEARE Festival Committee announced entries for the 12th annual Sheila Malady Short Story Competition. This year’s theme is Much Ado About Nothing. Prizes are awarded in three categories, including a $300 cash prize and a handcrafted wooden quill for the open section winner. Shortlisted entries will be judged by Carolyn Martinez, publishing director of Hawkeye Books, offering authors a chance to get their work in front of an acquiring editor.
DARYL COOPER is the 2026 Stratford Citizen of the Year. Cooper has served as treasurer of the Stratford Tennis Club for 28 years, fulfilling the same role at the Stratford Football Netball Club for 13 years, where he is a life member. He’s an active member of the Stratford Past Players and Stratford Bowls Club, where he is the chief barbecue cook.
WOODSIDE
TELSTRA will be upgrading its mobile
base station in Woodside to improve 4G and 5G services. Temporary service outages are expected on February 6
, 11, 12, and 13, 8am–5pm, with a full site outage from 7am February 9 to 7pm February 10. Landline, NBN, and satellite services will not be affected. Mobile calls to 000 during outages will automatically reroute to alternative networks for emergency services.
YARRAM
THE LOCAL GOLF Club will host a $15,000 Pro-Am on Sunday, February 7. Professional golfers also have the opportunity to win a $30,480 Mitsubishi for a hole-in-one on the first hole. The event caters for male and female amateurs across multiple grades.
THE 2026 YARRAM Citizen of the Year is Robert Anderson, with Holly Kilgower the Junior Citizen of the Year.
It was an event that amused the whole family, with plenty of laughs. (PS)
