BAIRNSDALE
POLICE LAST WEEK arrested two people and seized a variety of illicit drugs from an address in Bairnsdale. As part of an ongoing investigation, officers from the East Gippsland Neighbourhood Policing Team executed a search warrant on January 29. A man and woman were arrested before officers seized quantities of heroin, methamphetamine and cannabis. The pair were charged with trafficking drugs of dependence and cultivating drugs of dependence. The woman was bailed, while the man was remanded to appear before Latrobe Magistrates’ Court on February 12. The Neighbourhood Policing Team proactively targets local community concerns including illicit drug activity and anti-social behaviour. Anyone with information about drug trafficking is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
HAVE YOU SEEN Manjouir? The 14-year-old was last seen at Wyndham Vale train station around 2pm on January 17. He was last seen wearing a black vest, grey cargo pants and blue/white Nike shoes. Police believe he may be in the Wyndham Vale, Sunshine, Manor Lakes and Bairnsdale areas. Police and family are concerned for his welfare due to his age. Anyone with information on Manjouir’s whereabouts is urged to contact Werribee Police Station.
POLICE ARE ALSO keen to catch up with Darren Proctor. Multiple warrants have been issued for the 47-year-old’s arrest in relation to burglary, theft, drug and other offences. Proctor is known to frequent the Reservoir, Preston and Lakes Entrance areas. Anyone with information on his current whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
IF YOU ARE looking for a good read, the East Gippsland Shire Council’s libraries have reported that the current top picks are Exit Strategy (Lee Child), Framed in Death (J.D. Robb), Apples Never Fall (Liane Moriarty), Legacy (Chris Hammer) and Nightshade (Michael Connelly).
EAST GIPPSLAND RESIDENTS aged 20–59 can get a free measles vaccine through a new program by the Gippsland Region Public Health Unit and council, with 2000 doses available until June 30.
Measles is highly contagious; getting vaccinated protects you, your family and the wider community. Book your vaccine or find session times online.
WORLD WETLANDS DAY was recognised on February 2. East Gippsland has the marvellous Gippsland Lakes – a remarkable 60,000-hectare Ramsar-listed wetland stretching from Sale Common all the way to Lake Tyers. The Gippsland Lakes are Australia’s largest estuarine lagoon system – a haven for wildlife and a treasure for our community. The lakes, marshes and lagoons provide essential habitat for more than 90 species of waterbird, including the bar-tailed godwit, which makes an 11,000km journey from Alaska, and the straw-necked ibis pictured, the nationally vulnerable growling grass frog, and fish including black bream. Beyond wildlife, the lakes are a place everyone loves and appreciates – whether you are fishing, boating, camping or just enjoying the view.
KEEPING YOUR PETS’ details up to date with the council could make all the difference if they ever go missing. All pet owners are reminded to check and update their contact details before renewing their pet registration. Accurate information helps lost dogs and cats get home faster. All dogs and cats over three months old must be registered, and new pets must be microchipped before registration. Annual registration renewals are due by April 10. While renewal notices are sent out, it’s important to make sure your details are current.
STAGE ONE WORKS to the Bairnsdale Aquatic and Recreation Centre (BARC) are progressing well. Works to the plant room are now complete, and the management team is currently regulating water quality and pool temperatures. The pools may feel slightly cooler than usual for a few days while heating systems return to normal following the closure. As contractors have moved faster than expected, gym works will now commence earlier. The pools have now reopened; the gym will be closed from February 16 to March 16. Further short closures of the full facility will be required to safely use cranes for roof works. Dates will be confirmed and communicated as soon as possible. Dry group fitness classes will continue during the gym closure. Classes will operate from the BARC Stadium and Bairnsdale WORLD Sporting Precinct. Direct debit memberships will be adjusted to reflect impacted areas. Term memberships and visit passes will be extended by the closure period. Members continue to have full access to Orbost Outdoor Pool and Lakes Entrance Aquadome. While the aim is to reopen as scheduled, works may be impacted by unforeseen circumstances. Any changes will be shared via email, the website and social media.
DENISON
GIPPSLAND PRODUCES NEARLY a quarter of Australia’s milk, thanks to its lush valleys, rolling hills and a unique microclimate that supports both high productivity and sustainable farming practices. The region is recognised for its strong dairy heritage, making it an exceptional place to live, work and grow in a vibrant rural community.
GLENGARRY
THE GLEN FREEZE fundraiser, proudly hosted by the Glengarry Hotel, is back for 2026 with a bold goal of raising $10,000 for MND Victoria. Last year, the Glen Freeze raised more than $9000, a powerful reminder of the generosity and community spirit that defines Gippsland. This year, organisers are aiming even higher. A number of local personalities have already put their hands up to take the plunge, literally, braving an icy soaking to help raise vital funds to fight Motor Neurone Disease. The Glen Freeze team is calling on individuals and local businesses to donate auction items, vouchers, goods or services to help boost fundraising on the day. Whether it’s a product, a service, a voucher or a unique experience, every contribution helps get closer to the $10,000 target.
THE LOCAL COMMUNITY garden is excited to take delivery of nine brand new timber raised garden beds. The beds were delivered by Loy Yang B Power Station through its Community Partnership Grant. The beds were created by the Traralgon Men’s Shed and Woodworking Incorporated.
LAKES ENTRANCE
THE NEWLY INSTALLED EV charger is already making an impact. In just its first two weeks of operation, the charger has been used 33 times, delivering 856 kWh of electricity and helping avoid an estimated 413 kilograms of CO₂ emissions, a great early result for cleaner travel in East Gippsland. What has been especially pleasing is where visitors are coming from. EV drivers plugging in at Lakes Entrance have travelled from across Victoria and New South Wales, including Port Kembla, Bega, Glenroy, Surrey Hills, Nunawading, Ringwood East, Mulgrave, Keysborough, Bellarine Peninsula, Bendigo, Seymour, Doreen, Pakenham and Mornington. This early uptake shows Lakes Entrance is now firmly on the map for EV tourism – supporting lower-emission travel while welcoming visitors who are giving the local economy a boost.
LEADA HAS DISTANCED itself from being involved in organising the market stalls for Hooked on Lakes 2026 (March 8). LEADA officials stated that, as the food trucks have been invited by the event organiser with no fee charge, they can’t justify charging market stallholders a fee either. That means the market won’t operate as a fundraiser for the 2026 New Year’s Eve event as it has in the past.
BONNIE ROTHERAM has been recognised as a finalist in the prestigious Wurreker Awards, which celebrate excellence in Koorie training, education and employment. This is an outstanding achievement and a testament to Bonnie’s hard work, dedication and determination to build a strong future for herself and her community.
LOCAL MUSICIAN MIKE Elrington spent the weekend playing in Queensland, performing at the Royal Mail-Goodna and the Curra Blues and Brews.
METUNG
THE SPLASH PARK at Patterson Park is temporarily closed from February 9–13 for scheduled maintenance and upgrades. The splash park will not be operational during this period, and there may be some disruption to the nearby park areas.
NEWRY
THE GARDINER FOUNDATION has announced 12 recipients of its 2026 Tertiary Scholarships, investing $705,000 to support students studying in fields critical to the future of Victoria’s dairy industry and regional communities. The 2026 intake includes more scholarship recipients than previous years, responding to growing workforce pressures across health, engineering, veterinary science, food technology and agribusiness in dairy regions. The scholarship recipients are Aaron Shuren, Elizabeth Ford, Ella Berry, Emily Benson, Evie McCosh, Hector MacAulay, Bonnie Ross, Josh Gale, Luke Dwyer, Sage Dennen, Brittney Kelly and Andrew Jeffers. Research shows students who study in regional areas are more likely to remain there, with place of origin and regional placements playing a strong role in shaping long-term career pathways. Gardiner’s enhanced scholarships are designed to retain skills and talent within dairy communities by strengthening pathways into study and work.
Recipients are pursuing careers that address key regional gaps, including medicine in northern Victoria, engineering in Gippsland, and allied health and agricultural science across south-west and Gippsland dairy regions. The scholarships are named in honour of respected dairy leaders Max Fehring, Neil Black, Shirley Harlock, Jakob Malmo, Bill Pyle and Doug Weir. Dwyer is from Newry and the recipient of the Max Fehring Scholarship. Dwyer is a former student of Catholic College Sale and will study a Bachelor of Agriculture at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga. He plans to return home to run the family dairy farm and is committed to mentoring the next generation of dairy farmers through his involvement in local sport and surf lifesaving. MacAulay is the winner of the Neil Black Scholarship. He is from Jack River in south-east Gippsland and a former student of Yarram Secondary College, and will study a Bachelor of Agriculture at the University of Melbourne. He plans to pursue a career as an agronomist, helping dairy farmers apply the latest science to improve productivity and sustainability in his home region.
ROSEDALE
POLICE ARE SEEKING dash cam footage or any information relating to a hit-and-run that happened on February 5 between Sale and Rosedale on the highway around 7pm. It is alleged that a Kluger was travelling towards Rosedale and overtaking a green sedan. The sedan allegedly drove into the side of the Kluger, causing significant damage, and it had to be towed away. If anyone has any information about this green sedan or dash cam footage, they are asked to call Sale Police Station or Crime Stoppers, or report online at https://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
SALE
A MAN ON a mobility scooter has died following a collision in Sale last month. Emergency services were called to reports a car had collided with the mobility scooter at the intersection of Patten and Montgomery streets just before 3pm on January 26. The man, a 95-year-old Sale man, was transported to hospital, where he died on January 29. The driver of the vehicle, a 39-year-old Sale woman, stopped at the scene and was not injured. Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives continue to investigate the circumstances of the collision. Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has footage or information, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
POPULAR LOCAL real estate agent Chris Morrison recently clocked up 30 years of employment with Chalmer Real Estate.
THE NATIONAL SERVICEMEN’S Association of Australia (NSAA) is looking for any person who was called up between the years of 1951 and 1972. The NSAA asks that they assemble in the forecourt of the Shrine of Remembrance at 11.45am on Sunday to march off at 12 noon. Proceedings will begin with a flyover by the RAAF Museum at Point Cook at 12.15pm.
GIPPSLAND GRAMMAR WILL host a free community information session for parents navigating the increasingly complex digital lives of tweens. The session will be hosted by respected digital parenting researcher Mark Yeowell. The Digital Middle Years: What Every Parent of a 9–14 Year Old Needs to Know session will take place on Thursday night from 7–8pm at Garnsey Campus in Sale and is open to all parents in the Gippsland community, not only Gippsland Grammar families. The tween and early teenage years are a critical period in a child’s digital life, often marked by the introduction of smartphones, group chats, online gaming and increasing social independence. The session will explore what everyday digital life really looks like for nine-to-14-year-olds and provide parents with practical strategies to respond with confidence. Topics will include managing screen time and devices without constant conflict, navigating group chats and online pressures, understanding Australia’s under-16 social media changes, and having the right conversations to support safe and balanced digital independence.
POLICE HAVE ARRESTED a man following an incident in Sale on Monday. Officers were called to reports of an erratic vehicle in Fernbank about 7am. The vehicle was followed before being dumped on Campbell Court, Sale, and the male driver fled on foot. He was located on the roof of a property on Alexandra Avenue and police attempted to negotiate with the man. The 29-year-old surrendered a short time later and was arrested without incident.
FREE CAT MICROCHIPPING IS now available for cat owners from Animal Aid at Fulham. Microchipping is one of the most effective ways to make sure lost cats are quickly reunited with their families, but compliance is still low. This is a great opportunity to get your cat chipped and registered at no cost.
MICHAEL CLAPTON HAS been inducted as a Life Member of Sale City Football Netball Club. The prestigious honour recognises more than a decade of dedicated service as both a coach and administrator, where he has consistently represented the club with integrity and collaboration at all levels. Clapton’s journey began with a remarkable tenure as chairman of selectors and bench coach for the senior football side from 2015 to 2018, as well as serving as reserves coach during the successful 2016 premiership season. His impact has only grown in his current role as president, where he has led the club to tremendous success both on and off the field and court. He has ensured the club remained financially secure and viable during the challenging COVID-19 period, where he worked tirelessly to keep operations running smoothly. The current stability within the club is a testament to his leadership, communication and dedication. His voluntary role requires immense time and effort, emphasising his commitment to the community. Additionally, Clapton has stepped in as head trainer during his presidency, further demonstrating his dedication as a volunteer.
YARRAM
OUTSTANDINGLY TALENTED comedian Anh Do had the crowd in stitches last week at the Regent Theatre.
YARRAM POLICE AND Wellington Highway Patrol are urging drivers to re-think before getting behind the wheel after wrapping up a four-night operation in the Yarram area. A total of nine motorists were found to be driving impaired, with six motorists detected drug driving and a further three found to be drink driving, while 13 other traffic offences were recorded over the period and three vehicles were impounded. A 53-year-old male detected speeding returned a breath alcohol result of four times over the legal limit, and a 35-year-old male observed driving erratically returned a breath alcohol result of three times the legal limit; both vehicles were impounded. Though the operation is over, the public should expect more high-visibility patrols in the area as police continue to hold offenders to account and keep roads safe.
A LARGE CROWD congregated at the Recreation Reserve on Saturday morning, walking alongside the Travers and Field families to raise awareness and vital funds for muscular dystrophy research.
This cause is especially close to home for the Travers family, with Shelly Travers’ son Nathan having been diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) as a young child. The group walked from Yarram to the Alberton Hotel. The community support on display was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when people come together for an important cause.
