BAIRNSDALE
POLICE ARE ATTEMPTING to locate the owner of a kayak found at the end of Lake Victoria Road on the Banksia Peninsula recently. If you believe you are the owner of the kayak, please contact the Bairnsdale Police Station on 5150 2600 and provide proof of ownership.
AT PRESENT SOME households may receive a phone call from independent market research agency TKW Research, inviting them to take part in an East Gippsland Shire Council survey running until April 3. The survey helps the council understand how the community views their performance and where they can improve their services. Around 400 residents will be interviewed to ensure the results reflect the broader community. Callers will not ask for your name. If you’re invited to participate, the council would really appreciate your feedback. All responses are confidential, and only identified results are reported to council.
THE LOCAL COUNCIL are keen to give feedback on how best to utilise green waste. Residents should include leaves, grass clippings, twigs, small sticks and common garden weeds. They should not include noxious environmental weeds (e.g., agapanthus, bridal creeper, blackberry) or pet droppings. Please bag these and put them in your general waste (red-lid) bin or take them to your local transfer station. Add coarser items such as sticks and dry leaves to the bottom to stop fresh grass clippings sticking. Put your green waste bin out for collection every fortnight, even when not full, to prevent rotting and odours. Keep your bin in a shady spot and make sure the lid can close properly—do not overfill. Give your green waste bin a rinse every now and then, and contact the council if the lid is damaged or needs replacing.
BAIRNSDALE SECONDARY COLLEGE invite students, parents, and carers to their Information Evening for 2027 Year Seven students on Wednesday, April 29, from 5–7pm. It’s a chance to find out what the school is all about. The evening includes tours, an opportunity to chat with staff, enjoy demonstrations, College band performances and discover the many things the school offers.
THE MOUNTAIN CATTLEMAN’S Association of Victoria has set a date for its 2026 get-together, with organisers planning the best weekend ever. The event will be held from October 16–18 and marks the 50th anniversary of the first gathering. It will feature on-site camping, three nights of live entertainment, and high country heritage and traditions. Members’ tickets will be released on May 1, with general release on June 1.
GOOD BREW COFFEE have updated their opening hours. They are now open Monday–Friday, 5.30am–4pm; Saturday, 6.30am–3pm; and Sunday, 7am–3pm.
YOUNG PEOPLE IN Gippsland are gambling online, and schools are asking for help. Teachers and wellbeing staff say more students are gambling online during school hours, with one principal estimating about 25 per cent of senior students have been involved. In response, Latrobe Community Health Service’s Gambler’s Help team is delivering Be Ahead of the Game to secondary students across Gippsland. Sessions help young people understand the facts about gambling, the risks involved, and where to get support. Over the past six months, there has been a 143 per cent increase in demand for gambling harm workshops in Gippsland schools, compared to the same time last year. The three sessions available to schools and community groups are: When Gaming Meets Gambling—looking at the link between online gaming and gambling; Know the Score—helping young people understand sports betting; and Your Money Matters—teaching young people about money goals and why gambling is not a safe way to become financially independent. Each session runs for around one hour and is delivered free across Gippsland.
RECENTLY NAGLE COLLEGE’S Eco Warriors class headed down to the Mitchell River backwater with Fishcare Victoria to learn about sustainable fishing practices, including bag and size limits and the effect of marine litter. They caught two bream, an eel and some rubbish, but gained plenty of knowledge.
BRIAGOLONG
PLENTY OF CAMPERS were about on the weekend, with the Quarry Reserve at full capacity.
BUCHAN
IF YOU ARE heading to Buchan Caves, don’t forget to stop by the new Buchan River Café. They are serving fresh homemade pies and a delicious mix of Asian and European cuisine. Located in a beautiful spot, just one minute’s drive from the caves at 9 Saleyard Road, it’s perfect for a relaxing break and a good feed.
DARGO
THE LOCAL BUSH Nursing Centre and its Board of Management recently welcomed Deb Saltmarsh to the team as Administration Officer.
GLENALADALE
HIGH COUNTRY HOOCH had an amazing night at the Scottish Business Network Victoria Small Business Awards, coming away with an award. They are delighted the network applauded their vision for a little patch of the High Country. You know you’ve had a great time when you end up spending the night in jail. I wonder how they made bathtub whisky in Pentridge in the day. Now it’s time to put the city in the rear-view and head back to the hills.
GLENMAGGIE
LAKE GLENMAGGIE’S Caravan Park Ramp Two is set to be upgraded in the coming years, with all planning work complete. Any upcoming construction will require government funding. Better Boating Victoria plans to extend the existing boat ramp further out into the water to allow greater access when water levels are low.
GIPPSLAND CRITICAL MINERALS are pleased to be invited to join the Australian Government delegation at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention in New York and Washington. There is growing interest in securing supply of Australian critical minerals and rare earths. East Gippsland has a role, with the Fingerboards Project containing some of the world’s highest-quality zircon, light, and heavy rare earth deposits.
GOLDEN BEACH
GIPPSLAND GRAMMAR Year Eight Geography students headed to the coast last week for a fieldwork excursion to Golden Beach, The Honeysuckles, and Seaspray. During the visit, students investigated hypotheses by collecting, processing, and analysing data gathered in the field, using a range of geographical skills to record observations and measurements. The information will now be used back in the classroom as students prepare detailed fieldwork reports.
HEYFIELD
COMMUNITY COFFEE AND Chat with Victoria Police will return this month, bringing locals together once again in a relaxed setting. The session will be held Tuesday, March 31, from 9.30–10.30am near the roundabout in Heyfield, hosted by Quick Cuppa and More, with local police in attendance along with the Mobile Police Facility. The facility provides a visible and accessible space for community members to speak with officers, ask questions, raise concerns, or simply connect informally. All community members are welcome, with free small coffees available.
LAKES ENTRANCE
GIPPSLAND LAKES COMPLETE Health’s Emily Jackson has won the Alliance of Rural and Regional Community Health (ARRCH) Team Player Award. Jackson received the award last Saturday night at the ARRCH Gala Dinner in Ballarat, in front of more than 200 community health leaders from across Victoria. Much of Jackson’s work has focused on rolling out a new client management system to support the Federal Government’s Support at Home reforms, ensuring older people continue receiving the support they need to remain living independently. Other nominees were Helen Gottschalk, Tara Crees, Amanda Crombie, and Lisa Tyter, highlighting work in dementia care, palliative support, volunteering, and aged care reform. Long-time Bairnsdale volunteer Gottschalk was nominated in the Community Health Champion Award category after more than 50 years of service with Meals on Wheels. Crombie and Tyter, Dementia Nurse Consultants, were finalists in the Innovator Award for developing an inclusive dementia care model. Crees, a Palliative Care Support Worker, was nominated in the Living the Values Award for her compassionate approach supporting people and families.
LAKE TYERS
WORKS HAVE BEGUN at Lake Tyers Beach. During construction, the lower section will be fenced off, with pedestrian access via the path from the carpark through the Waterwheel Beach Tavern to Cross Street. Improvements include new picnic settings, play equipment, and landscaped areas.
LINDENOW
THE RECENT Paddock to Plate night at the Lindenow Farmers Home Hotel was an outstanding success. The evening had the venue buzzing, with produce provided by local businesses, farmers, and producers from East Gippsland. The event is set to become an annual celebration.
LONGFORD
THE LOCAL PRIMARY School will celebrate its 150th year on Saturday, March 28. In 1871, local families requested a rural school to serve the growing number of farming families. Approval took five years, by which time about 50 children needed schooling.
MAFFRA
THE LOCAL DRAMATIC Society Inc. is bringing the ultimate cult classic to The Wedge, Sale, this week with Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show. Audiences follow Brad and Janet as they stumble into Dr Frank–N–Furter’s world, with participation encouraged. Shows commence Friday night, with Gala Night Thursday, March 26.
THE LOCAL ROTARY Club ran another successful Mardi Gras last Saturday. The 69th annual event raised a record $47,410.92, featuring music, a petting zoo, face painting, food and market stalls, and the grand parade. Music was provided by Emily Nock, The Mafeking Hillbillies, the Maffra Municipal Band, and Sale Pipe Band. The Maffra Mardi Gras is the longest-running street event in Wellington Shire, starting in 1957 to raise funds for the Maffra Hospital.
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT LANDCARE Grants are now open, with $3.55 million available in 2026 to support Landcare and environmental volunteer groups. Project grants of up to $20,000 are available for on-ground works, community education, engagement, and group development. Support grants of up to $500 assist with insurance, incorporation, and operational needs. All grants are open to environmental volunteer groups, including Landcare, friends, Conservation Management Networks, Coastcare, Committees of Management, and Aboriginal groups. Applications close April 23.
MEERLIEU
RECENTLY AT the monthly Gather and Grow meeting, although the group was small, a lot was achieved. Strawberries were removed for replanting, worms added to a wicking bed, garden beds weeded, and watering systems extended. Next month’s Gather and Grow will be on Sunday, April 12, due to Easter.
PAYNESVILLE
LAST WEEKEND saw the eight-year anniversary of the Paynesville Wine Bar. The venue has become a great place for people to meet, enjoy a laugh, and share sad times. It has hosted over 275 music events with 713 performers and continues to thrive after surviving COVID.
PORT ALBERT
REPAIR WORKS ARE now underway on a section of the Port Albert seawall near Rutter Park. These priority works follow an engineering assessment funded by the Australian Government’s Disaster Ready Fund. Further repairs are planned as part of the Wellington Shire Council 2026/27 capital works program and are expected to continue throughout the year, weather permitting.
TWO PEOPLE HAD a lucky escape when their boat capsized in the Port Albert entrance recently. They activated an EPIRB while hanging to their overturned hull. The signal alerted the national Rescue Coordination Centre, which activated police air wing and local Australian Volunteer Coastguard units, including Port Welshpool Coastguard. The EPIRB gave coordinates directing SAR units to the scene. Although rescued by another vessel before the Coastguard arrived, the incident highlights the importance of carrying an accessible EPIRB in offshore waters.
ROSEDALE
LOCAL POLICE joined Maffra members at the annual Mardi Gras, engaging with the community and showing them the Mobile Police Facility, on loan from Melbourne. Thank you to all community members who stopped for a chat.
SALE
WELLINGTON SHIRE COUNCIL last week approved a motion to write to Premier Jacinta Allan requesting urgent resolution of land sale issues at the former Sale Police Station and Sale Specialist School to allow redevelopment.
BLUE LIGHT DISCOS will return to the Sale Memorial Hall on Friday night for children in grades three to six. No mobile phones are permitted. Glow wear, drinks, and snacks will be available, with free water and cups. Parents wishing to stay must notify Leading Senior Constable Kim Kell and hold a current Working with Children card.
SALE COLLEGE invites all prospective families to the Guthridge Campus for the 2027 Information Night on Wednesday, March 25. School tours start at 4pm, with information sessions from 5pm.
SARSFIELD
ON MONDAY, March 9, at approximately 3.30pm, Bairnsdale Highway Patrol detected a vehicle at 143km/h in a 100km/h zone on the Great Alpine Road. The driver, a “P” plater with no displayed plates, recorded 0.183 on a breath test and tested positive for cannabis. The vehicle was impounded, and the driver from the ACT will appear in court.
STRATFORD
AFTER SIX WEEKS of fundraising, including a last-minute rush of raffle ticket sales, Stratford Scouts raised $18,508.08 at the Mardi Gras. Their float also won the environment award. Scouts sold 2,000 raffle tickets, cooked 1,000 sausages, rehomed over 2,000 items, and recycled more than 7,500 cans and bottles.
WHAT STARTED AS one local bloke wanting to “do something different” has grown into one of Gippsland’s most powerful grassroots mental health events. Since launching Walk and Talk for Mental Health in 2022, Stratford’s Cal Coleman has raised more than $60,000 for the Black Dog Institute. This year’s walk is on Saturday, May 2. The 20km walk departs from Pine Lodge at 8am and travels through the bush to Briagolong, with drink stations every five kilometres. Participants can join at any marker and walk as little or as much as they like. From 12pm, Briagolong Recreation Reserve will host a community after-party with live music, sausage sizzle, food trucks, face painting, jumping castle, car show, raffles, and a Zero Suicide Community Awareness display. The event is about starting conversations, supporting each other, and raising funds for vital mental health research.
WOODSIDE
WILDCATS FOOTBALLERS Chris Witchell and Blake Reed are gearing up for an incredible challenge in the 2026 Shitbox Rally this June. Competing as team “The Witchity Grubs,” they will drive a car worth $1,500 or less from Mildura to Townsville over seven days, tackling thousands of kilometres to raise money for the Cancer Council. The team name honours their fathers, “Witchy” and “Grub,” who were both lost to cancer in their mid-50s. Every dollar raised goes directly to the Cancer Council.
WY YUNG
FOR A SHORT period, the Wy Yung Bakery will be open from 6.30am–3pm, Monday to Friday.
