Around Gippsland

BAIRNSDALE

A DIRECTOR IS required for Bairnsdale Production Line Theatre, October production. The production will either be The Odd Couple, Cosi, The 39 Steps or ‘Allo ‘Allo. Whether you are an experienced director or ready to step into the role for the first time, they would love to hear from you. A supportive creative team awaits.

UNFORTUNATELY THE BAIRNSDALE Aquatic and Recreation Centre had to close on Sunday for several hours due to some acts of vandalism overnight. The facility reopened on Sunday afternoon, after being closed due to circumstances outside the council’s control.

SADLY MORE THAN $21 billion in unclaimed superannuation earnings is languishing in the forgotten accounts of millions of Australians, new data has revealed. About 7.3 million accounts belonging to Australians across the country currently contain unclaimed superannuation. Over the last seven months, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has “reunited” about 360,000 Australians with a whopping $600m in unclaimed superannuation. To track any potential lost funds, Australians are being urged to log into the ATO online services through myGov or through the lost super search line. If funds cannot be reached, the balance can be transferred to the ATO until it can be claimed. Super accounts are reported to the ATO by super funds if the fund has lost contact with someone or if the account hasn’t received any contribution or rollover for 12 months. They are otherwise reported if no contributions or rollovers are received for five years.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE Arthur Grassby Kokoda Scholarships are now open to year 11 students residing in the East Gippsland Shire. This year’s trek will be in the June–July school holidays, and it is anticipated six to seven students will be selected from the region to walk in the footsteps of soldiers from East Gippsland. The scholarship involves each student being allocated a soldier from their local area and carrying their photograph while walking in their footsteps on the nine-day 138-kilometre trek. The students will visit the Bomana War Cemetery where they visit the graves of the fallen, including “their” soldier, and make a commitment to them about how they will live the rest of their lives. It is a powerful experience for the students as in some cases the soldiers they carry and then visit the graves of are the same age as the students. Successful applicants must have a high level of resilience, obtain a good level of fitness and must commit to the 10-week training program in the lead-up. Those who wish to apply for the scholarships have until the end of February, and the application involves an essay of not less than 400 words on what the Kokoda story means to Australia. Applicants are then shortlisted for interviews with ex or current service defence force personnel who make the final decision. The application details and forms have been provided to every secondary school in East Gippsland. Grassby was a Kokoda veteran who was just 16 when engaged in battle with the Japanese; in later life he resided in Bairnsdale and was pleased to have the scholarship commence in his name before passing in 2022.

BRUTHEN

MAIN STREET VETERINARY Clinic in Bairnsdale is reporting that there have been a small number of cases of an unknown toxicity in Bruthen. Dogs are showing neurological signs and have been walked on the Bruthen Walking Trails. Owners are advised to please monitor dogs closely and keep them on lead if walking in the area.

FULHAM

LOCAL TRUCK DRIVER Danny Lipman has been inducted into the Wall of Fame in Alice Springs. Lipman grew up in a transport industry family. His parents Bill and Mary Lipman operated trucks that transported logs, sand and lime throughout Bill’s career. Lipman’s first job in driving trucks began in 1983, when at the age of 19 he drove for his father carting sand and lime. In 1990, Lipman and his wife Jane purchased their first truck from Bill and Mary, creating their own company and business D&J Lipman Transport. They began carting wood chips, two years later progressing to carting spuds for Smiths Chips in Brisbane. From there, Lipman progressed to the grain industry, carting whole grains, mixes and pellets to dairy farmers in the local Gippsland area. Grain supplies were sourced from Melbourne and Northern Victoria. Today Lipman currently runs four trucks with their two younger sons being employed as drivers along with two other drivers. Their eldest son is a subcontractor to their business. Lipman is now taking a small step back to organise and run the company but he still does the odd load in the truck when needed.

GENOA

THE LOCAL DISTRICT Community Group has received a $10,000 Community Impact Grant for its Genoa History Park – Heritage Interpretation and Signage project. The project will enhance the way local history is shared with residents and visitors. On a recent visit to Genoa, East Gippsland mayor councillor Jodie Ashworth and general manager of assets and environment Stuart McConnell presented a certificate celebrating the successful grant and the dedication of volunteers who turn these great ideas into reality.

LAKES ENTRANCE

A LOCAL WOMAN is celebrating a life-changing win after a late-night ticket check revealed she had scored $250,000 in a recent Keno draw. The local player held a Keno Classic entry in draw 51, drawn on Monday February 16, and matched 20 numbers on her 40 Spot entry to secure the quarter-of-a-million-dollar prize. The thrilled winner said the $250,000 boost would go a long way toward easing financial pressure, revealing she plans to use the money to significantly reduce her mortgage. Her winning entry was purchased online via the Keno – Let’s Play app.

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.

LONGFORD

THIS YEAR’S ANNUAL Vintage Tractor Pull will be held on March 7–8, with the event offering up something for the whole family. The event usually attracts a huge crowd to the Longford Recreation Reserve. Usually a one-day event, the organisers have thought outside the square this year, with a Saturday evening session commencing at 5pm and continuing under lights. The usual Sunday action will commence at 9am, with the event run under NHMA guidelines. There will be pulling classes from garden tractors through to open. There will be full catering and plenty of activities for the kids.

MAFFRA

WORKS HAVE STARTED to remove asbestos from the Gippsland Vehicle Collection; as a consequence, the grounds are closed for camping and overnight stays until further notice.

MALLACOOTA

VICTORIAN FISHERIES AUTHORITY have been busy stocking the first of this season’s dusky flathead into two East Gippsland estuaries. Mallacoota Inlet and the Gippsland Lakes at Lakes Entrance both received 10,000 fingerlings. These fingerlings are offspring of broodfish flathead that were collected from Mallacoota back in January with the help of volunteer anglers. Those big breeding fish were returned to the system to do their thing in the wild next season. More releases of our dusky flathead are scheduled for other East Gippsland estuaries in coming weeks.

IT WAS A busy weekend in town with the Mallacoota Unit of the State Emergency Service (SES) hosting a boating workshop strengthening the relationship between local volunteer emergency services and government agencies including SES, Mallacoota Coast Guard, Surf Lifesavers, Ambulance Victoria, Country Fire Authority, Marine Search and Rescue, Victoria Police and the Water Police. The exercise honed the combined skills and capabilities in responding to marine incidents. A range of boating-related items were placed at various locations around the lake involving scenarios searching for a missing boat.

MARLO

THE LOCAL ANGLING Club will be the venue for a free event to be hosted by the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority on March 11, who will present on the recent Snowy River flow trials. Activities include Snowy River flow trials presentations (1 and 5pm) and guided walks from the club with discussions around local flora and the estuary (2 and 4pm). Arthur Rylah Institute scientists will be doing electrofishing demonstrations (weather dependent) and talking about the health of the Snowy River. There will be fishing activities hosted by Fishcare East Gippsland promoting responsible fishing practices. Wildlife Unlimited will be on hand to guide people through water bug identification, the importance of them and their life cycles. Moogji Aboriginal Council have a native Australian plant nursery in Orbost, open to the public, where they specialise in growing and nurturing a wide variety of indigenous species perfect for gardens or landscapes. A selection of their plants will be available on the day. Parks Victoria will have activities available with a Parks Ranger.

NAMBROK

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR Gippsland Darren Chester recently congratulated the newly appointed student leaders at Nambrok-Denison Primary School, following a visit to the school’s assembly to present leadership badges for 2026. Chester thanked the school community for the warm welcome and said he was always inspired by young Gippslanders who stepped forward to lead and support their classmates. “Student leadership roles in primary school help young people build confidence, responsibility and a strong sense of community from an early age,” Chester said.

NEWRY

AFTER THE RECENT theft of their defibrillator, the local golf club recently were approved a grant by the Wellington Shire Council to enable the purchase of a new unit. Last week training was held with members and the new unit has found a safe home inside the clubrooms.

ORBOST

POLICE INTERCEPTED a vehicle on February 9 in the Orbost area with a 44-year-old male and a 22-year-old female onboard. Subsequently a drug search was conducted on the vehicle. During the search a combination of drugs was located including methylamphetamine, GHB, cannabis seeds, methamphetamine, heroin, various other substances and drug trafficking paraphernalia. The male was remanded in custody to appear at Bairnsdale Magistrate Court and the female was charged and bailed to appear at the Orbost Magistrates Court at a later date.

PAYNESVILLE

THE BEACH BOAT ramp carpark will be closed from 9am on Friday to 5pm on Sunday for the Paynesville Classic Boat Rally. Any vehicles parked in the car park during this time may be towed.

RAYMOND ISLAND

THERE WILL BE temporary alteration to the timetabled Raymond Island Ferry service on both Saturday and Sunday this week during the 2026 Gippsland Lakes Boat Show. The ferry service will be suspended between 10am and midday to allow for the Grand Parade sail past to take place. The crew will remain on standby, and the service will immediately resume if emergency services are required to access the island. Due to expected high traffic volumes in the area during the event, it is recommended that at least an extra 45 minutes is added to planned travel times.

SALE

POLICE ARE APPEALING for public assistance to help locate Warren John Jennings. The 60-year-old man is wanted on warrant for burglaries, dishonesty offences, state false name, drug offences and breaching a condition of bail. Jennings is described as Caucasian in appearance, approximately 165 centimetres tall, with short brown hair, fair complexion and thin build. He is known to frequent the Melbourne, St Kilda, Port Melbourne, South Melbourne and Sale areas. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers or make a confidential report online.

AT LAST TUESDAY night’s meeting of the Wellington Shire Council, a motion was carried to contact the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) State Council, calling for support for a Payment in Lieu of Rates (PiLoR) framework for offshore electricity generators. The motion asks the MAV to write to Victoria’s Minister for Energy and Resources, seeking a system that ensures offshore wind projects contribute fairly to local government — just as onshore renewable projects already do. Councillor Scott Rossetti, who moved the motion, said the proposal isn’t about councils receiving a windfall, but making sure local ratepayers don’t get stuck paying for the extra costs that come with offshore energy activity, noting impacts on local roads and services as offshore projects drive increased onshore activity.

CATHOLIC COLLEGE SALE last week hosted the Diocesan Launch of Project Compassion 2026 at St. Mary’s Cathedral. The event began with a prayer service celebrated by Bishop Greg, followed by refreshments generously prepared by the year 10 hospitality students. College captains, house captains, and special ministers were invited to attend, with the liturgical choir providing beautiful musical support. Project Compassion raises funds to empower people living in poverty around the world.

WELLINGTON SHIRE COUNCIL Community Assistance Grants are now open, with the aim to build community capacity by encouraging participation, promoting inclusion, growing partnerships, providing learning opportunities and supporting social connectedness. These grants encourage the utilisation and activation of our open spaces, community and cultural facilities. Community Assistance Grant applications are made available for not-for-profit community groups looking for funding of $2501–$6000.

THE RECENT FIRE at the former Sale Police Station has renewed calls for the Allan Labor Government to fast-track action on the long-vacant site. The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien, says the fire, alleged to have been deliberately lit, should mark a turning point after more than a decade of inactivity. With the building now destroyed, O’Brien says the site must be cleared as soon as it is declared safe. Neighbours and local police had repeatedly raised concerns about anti-social behaviour at the site, including previous fires that did not spread. O’Brien is also calling on the Government to finalise the long-proposed sale of the property, which is Crown land and has reportedly been delayed due to native title matters. Describing the land as prime real estate near Lake Guthridge, the CBD and major roads, O’Brien believes it presents an opportunity for a hotel, restaurant or other key development that would benefit both Sale and the wider region.

STRATFORD

THERE HAS BEEN a significant increase in the use of counterfeit and prop money in both the Wellington and East Gippsland areas. These offences involve the illegal possession of counterfeit money and the possession of what is known as prop money, which is a legally regulated tool used for entertainment. Prop money is marked with specific wording indicating that it is prop money and not legal tender, although it can be used in deception offending. Counterfeit money is specifically intended to deceive and defraud. Punters are advised to be vigilant when receiving cash and check the notes before accepting the money. If you have any concerns that the money is fake, please do not accept it and contact Police.