BAIRNSDALE
AN INTERESTING TALE involving a library book that turned up a long way from home has Brits wanting to know more. Somehow, a book borrowed from Dudley Library near Birmingham, England, has been returned to the wrong library – some 16,950km away. And that library happens to be the Bairnsdale Library. As reported by the BBC, the book – a copy of The Hive written by British author Gill Hornby – must be the kind of story that travels well. After its remarkable journey, Bairnsdale staff called the Dudley librarians and offered to return it, but the bemused team made the decision to re-home it in Bairnsdale, where it is now ready for local readers to discover.
EAST GIPPSLAND AND Alpine area fire restrictions were lifted on Tuesday.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATIONS ARE now open in the East Gippsland Shire for 2026. East Gippsland’s Central Registration Service (CRS) makes it simpler for families to apply for kindergarten places across participating services through a single, streamlined process. Registrations are open through to June 30. First-round offers for three- and four-year-old places will be issued mid to late August. Late registrations are accepted and processed fortnightly as received. Children must turn three or four years old on or before April 30 in the year they commence kindergarten to be eligible.
THE LOCAL FIRE Brigade have finalised their 2026 Easter colouring competition. They were blown away by the creativity and effort put into every single entry. Choosing the winners was no easy task for the volunteers, with over 100 entries. But this year’s winners are Ruby C (0–5 years), Elena W (6–10 years) and Kobi (11–15 years), each taking home an Easter goodie basket.
WITH DAYLIGHT SAVING coming to an end, the RACV and the Country Fire Authority are reminding locals to take a simple but crucial safety step: test your smoke alarms when you put back your clocks. Checking your smoke alarms is one of the most important things families can do to stay safe. Firefighters respond to 3000 house fires annually, and many fatalities occur in homes without working smoke alarms. The first 30 seconds after your smoke alarm goes off can make the difference between life and death. House fires can become lethal within three minutes. Smoke alarms play a crucial role in early fire detection and safe evacuation, yet only 45 per cent of properties attended by fire services had smoke alarms, and 31 per cent of those alarms were not working. RACV and CFA recommend testing all smoke alarms monthly using the test button. Dusting alarms and replacing nine-volt batteries should occur annually. Alarms should be installed in all living areas, hallways, and bedrooms. Interconnected alarms powered by 10-year lithium batteries are recommended. Alarms should be replaced if they are yellowed, making intermittent beeps, false alarms, or are older than 10 years.
LAST THURSDAY ON the opening day of 2026 Easter Operation Nexus, Bairnsdale Highway Patrol and uniformed members conducted a preliminary testing site along the Princes Highway. This resulted in 210 preliminary breath tests (PBTs), out of which two drivers were detected committing offences. A 23-year-old male provided a positive PBT and refused to accompany police for a further evidentiary breath test. He will be summonsed to attend court. A 29-year-old female driver from Drouin was found driving with a suspended licence and will also receive a summons to attend court.
BILL WYNDHAM AND Company Livestock and Real Estate are the newest member of the RMA network, Australia’s largest independent membership body for livestock and rural property agents. Bill Wyndham and Co traces its origins to 1948, when Albion William “Bill” Wyndham and his partners began selling livestock across Bairnsdale and Orbost. Today, the business remains proudly family-owned by Bill’s children, with grandchildren playing key leadership roles. While the agency has expanded to include residential and commercial real estate, livestock remains at the heart of the business. Backed by decades of local knowledge and trusted relationships, the livestock team continues to play a critical role across East Gippsland. The livestock team is led by livestock manager and auctioneer Jake Fullgrabe, supported by stock agents Gerard Ogilvie, Mick O’Callaghan, Bill Downey and Georgia Anderson, along with livestock admin Adelaide Tomlinson-Dale.
CANN RIVER
DEECA’S new work centre is taking shape in town. Construction is underway on the $19.5 million modern facility that will boost DEECA’s ability to respond to bushfires and other emergencies. The new facility will include a state-of-the-art, level-two Incident Control Centre, new depot sheds and upgraded infrastructure, and office accommodation for agency staff and seasonal firefighters. Works are expected to be completed in December. Construction is also delivering economic benefits to the region, with local trades and contractors engaged wherever possible.
DARGO
THE OLD SCHOOL Market on Easter Sunday was popular with locals and visitors. There were plenty of stalls, and kids were out early for the 9am Easter Egg hunt, with the weather capping off an outstanding event.
HEYFIELD
ARTS AND CRAFTS store Sawdust and Stitch recently moved to 22 MacFarlane Street after Gippy’s Woodfired Pizza and Pasta closed last year. The store is now a three-in-one community enterprise, also housing the brand-new Heyfield Timber Museum and a small garden centre. It hosts monthly catch-ups with former timber workers, known as ‘timber talks’, a great way to celebrate the town’s rich history.
THE HEYFIELD HOSPITAL recently celebrated 100 years of service with an open day on March 29. The celebration also incorporated 30 years of service at Laurina Lodge. The day included a barbecue lunch, tours of the facilities, activities for kids, and speeches from past staff, doctors and the Board chair.
JOHNSONVILLE
THE BLACK STUMP has reopened, offering an impressive array of ice creams to complement its hot food and drinks, including coffee.
LAKE BUNGA
TRANSPORT VICTORIA will deliver vital maintenance works to replace a culvert on the Princes Highway, 520 metres north of the Old Bunga Road intersection. Works will run during the day from 7am to 6pm from mid-April to May. Single-lane closures with reduced speed limits will be in place to ensure the safety of crews and all road users.
LAKES ENTRANCE
GLAWAC’S oyster farming trial in the Gippsland Lakes continues to grow. Recent measurements show their Sydney Rock Oysters are thriving, boosting prospects for a commercial oyster industry in the Lakes. Last weekend, the project won the Victorian Seafood Industry Award for Research, Development and Extension. The award recognises the hard work of Harley Wanganeen, Tyler Hood and Tyrone Hayes, core members of GLaWAC’s Aquaculture Enterprise crew, and other On Country staff. The awards were held in Port Campbell, with Hood and Hayes representing GLaWAC alongside project partner Craig Ingram from the Victorian Fisheries Authority. Off The Wharf Seafood Cafe also won the Restaurant Award.
CUNNINGHAME ARM MEDICAL Centre has launched a community-backed campaign to attract an experienced GP to expand appointment availability and support junior doctors and registrars. The initiative brings together local businesses, community leaders and health professionals to showcase Lakes Entrance’s strong community spirit and lifestyle by the water.
GLAWAC is proud to be a partner of the National Indigenous Disaster Resilience (NIDR) Gathering 2026, to be held on Country in Lakes Entrance from May 5–7. The national gathering will bring people together from across Australia to share Indigenous leadership, knowledge and lived experience in disaster resilience, recovery and Caring for Country.
THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED RSL renovations are well underway.
LINDENOW
THE FARMERS HOME Hotel are finalists in the AHA (Vic) awards for “Parma of the Year” and “Bush Pub of the Year”. The team will head to Melbourne in May for the Awards Night.
LOCH SPORT
THE LOCH SPORT Business and Tourism Association is sponsoring a public information session on Thursday, April 16 at Peli’s at 6pm. Ausnet Network Engineering and Community Liaison will present on electricity supply, outage history and causes, identified threats such as storms and bushfires, future supply plans, technology and retail options, risk mitigation, and recommended household preparation.
COUNCIL CONTRACTORS recently completed sealing the rear RSL car park, funded through government grants to improve community facilities. Works included surface preparation, asphalt sealing and parking space marking. The upgraded area provides safer, more organised access, supports increased visitor access, long-term maintenance efficiency, and compliance with accessibility standards.
A COMMUNITY information update was issued by VicEmergency regarding water quality at Lake Victoria, Loch Sport. Authorities confirmed a marine algal bloom has been detected. Avoid direct contact with the water, including swimming or water sports, until further notice.
MALLACOOTA
RESIDENTS can collect more firewood this autumn, with Forest Fire Management Victoria topping up collection areas near the town. Around 500 tonnes of by-product from hazardous tree removal were moved to collection areas at the start of the season. The mosaic burning approach supports biodiversity and reduces future fire risk. FFMV plans to restock this site after Easter due to strong community interest.
MARLO
WORKS will soon begin to improve the Marlo Foreshore, enhancing recreation, accessibility, and visitor experience. Upgrades include a new barbecue, picnic tables, accessible footpaths, improved parking, and supporting infrastructure such as bin and bicycle stands.
NEWMERALLA and MARLO primary school students swapped classrooms for the riverbank at a recent community event. Activities included sustainable fishing talks, bug and fish identification, casting lessons, and native plant giveaways. Scientists demonstrated electrofishing techniques to monitor river health and fish populations.
METUNG
THE LOCAL Men’s Book Group meets tonight from 6.30pm at Metung Hotel. Even if you haven’t read this month’s book, The Narrow Road to the Deep North, you are welcome to join, meet the crew, have a drink and see what they are reading next.
FRIENDS OF Gippsland Lakes welcomed Sam McLennan and Project Interrupt, with his boat HEART, docked at Metung Jetty. The Local Pizzeria screened McLennan’s story of building HEART from ocean rubbish and sailing it from Tasmania to mainland Australia.
ORBOST
THE CLUB HOTEL parma of the week is “The Hot Honey” with napoli, pepperoni, local chilli honey and loaded cheese – sweet heat with a proper kick.
THE AUSTRALIAN Wood Design Exhibition at the Orbost Arts Centre is well worth a visit. Opened last week, it features works from across the region and beyond, including Wodonga, South Gippsland, ACT, South Australia and NSW. Mayor Jodie Ashworth, deputy mayor Tom Crook, and councillor Joanne Eastman opened the exhibition. Works include handcrafted boxes, guitars, furniture, turnings and bark paintings. The centre is open seven days a week from 10am to 3pm and is located alongside the Slab Hut (visitor information) and Forest Park playground.
ROSEDALE
ROD KENNEY said goodbye to Leeson’s Logging last week after 44 years with the company. He began in 1982 as a truck driver and took personal pride in his vehicles, helping build the company’s reputation. He later moved into truck coordinating and management, including harvesters and forwarders.
SALE
COLLEGIANS Cricket Club had their mower stolen from a locked shed before Monday, March 30. It is a red Kubota ZD Pro Commercial ride-on mower in good used condition. Anyone with information should contact Sale Police or the club.
LAST WEEK, local council co-hosted Defence 101 at the Port of Sale alongside the Office of Defence Industry Support. Attendees heard directly from Defence Primes and local Gippsland suppliers, gaining practical insights into the defence sector.
ANZAC WEEK Airshow at West Sale Airport on April 18–19 is set to be the biggest yet, featuring aerial displays, family activities, local food, and trade stalls. Online ticket purchases enter a draw to win a free helicopter ride. Students across Wellington Shire recently attended an Aviation Taster Tour, gaining hands-on experience with careers in aviation, including visits to West Sale Airport, Esso Heliport, Jet Aviation, Miltek Aviation, and interactions with engineers, pilots, and operations teams.
CYCLING WITHOUT AGE Gippsland enjoyed a sunny ride with new passengers from Sale Gardens Care Community, creating social connections and memorable experiences for older Gippslanders.
SIXTEEN secondary students from three Wellington schools took part in an aviation tour on March 17, learning about fixed-wing and rotary operations, maintenance, and career pathways.
THE AMOUNT OF criminal incidents in Wellington Shire rose more than 10 per cent in 2025. There were 4,031 incidents compared to 3,657 in 2024, with 5,680 offences recorded, up 3.6 per cent. Sale recorded 2,259 incidents, Maffra 359, Yarram 181, Rosedale 157, and Heyfield 148.
SEASPRAY
THE LOCAL surf club participated in Life Saving Victoria’s Celebrating Women in Lifesaving event, following on from the Pink Patrol, Brave Beauties Fundraiser and Sunset Soiree events.
TINAMBA
THIS SUNDAY is the annual Tinamba Food and Wine Festival, celebrating the best of the region with artisan wines, award-winning food, live music from The Hip Pockets, and helicopter rides over Lake Glenmaggie. Dogs are not permitted.
WY YUNG
SADLY, between March 30–31, the much-loved boat from Wy Yung Apex Park Playground was stolen. It had been part of the playground for over 20 years and was recently restored. East Gippsland Shire Council asks for its return with no questions asked. Anyone with information should contact 5153 9500 or Bairnsdale Police on 5150 2600.
