Around Gippsland

BAIRNSDALE

THE BAIRNSDALE BOWLS Club is thrilled to announce the appointment of Tom Vidovic to the position of General Manager. Vidovic is relocating to East Gippsland and will take up his position on May 11. During the interview process, Vidovic impressed with his skills, attention to detail, and strong operational knowledge in gaming and hospitality. He is an experienced leader with high expectations, who is very willing to be hands on, and the club believes those skills and his personal qualities will allow him to manage the club effectively and efficiently.

MEMBERS-ONLY TICKETS for the Mountains Cattlemen’s Association of Victoria (MCAV) 50th Anniversary Get Together are now live. Members are rewarded exclusively for backing the MCAV and everything they stand for. This year’s event will be held at McCormack Park, Merrijig.

FROM SATURDAY, MAY 9, a Justice of the Peace (JP) will be available at the Bairnsdale Police Station between 10am and noon. They will have the power to witness a range of legal documents, including statutory declarations and affidavits, and certify true copies of documents. JP signing services are also available at libraries and service centres. They generously give their time and do not charge for this service. As availability can vary, we recommend calling ahead before visiting. As a guide: Bairnsdale Library (Monday, Wednesday and Friday 11am–1pm), Lakes Entrance Service Centre (Monday 11am–1pm, Tuesday 3pm–5pm, Thursday 10am–12pm and Friday 11am–1pm), Paynesville Service Centre (Tuesday and Thursday 9am–11am) and Orbost Service Centre (by appointment only).

TONIGHT THE COMMUNITY will come together for the inaugural East Gippsland Candlelight Vigil. The group will walk from the Corporate Centre to the Bairnsdale Rotunda – or you can meet there from 5.00pm. This is a moment to pause and remember those who have lost their lives to family violence, and to stand with survivors, their families and each other. Family violence continues to have a devastating impact across East Gippsland, and this vigil is a reminder that preventing it is a shared responsibility. As part of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, the evening will include live music, a free barbecue, and a candle lighting at dusk – a quiet symbol of hope and a shared commitment to change. If you can be there, you are invited to light a candle wherever you are as a sign of solidarity, because showing up in any way matters.

THE COUNTDOWN IS on to the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s (CBCA) Early Childhood Book of the Year Award, celebrating outstanding contributions to Australian children’s literature. This year’s muster celebrates stories that spark imagination, curiosity and page-turning fun for young readers. From frogs singing their first song to adventures in Paris and even a letter to broccoli, there is something magical for every child to discover. This year’s shortlisted titles are The Thing About Christmas (Jo Dabrowski, illustrated by Briony Stewart), Derek (Anne Donaldson, illustrated by Matt Shanks), Frogs Are Our Friends (Toni D’Alia, illustrated by Madeline White), My Nonno Loves (Adelle Frittitta, illustrated by Claudia Frittitta), The Colours of Home (Sally Soweol Han) and The Emperor’s Egg (Rae Tan). The winners of the Children’s Book of the Year Awards will be announced on August 21.

SALE SEXUAL OFFENCES

Sexual and Child Abuse Investigation Team detectives are investigating a sexual assault incident on Sunday, March 29. It is believed a man sexually assaulted a woman in a small red sedan, which was parked in the vicinity of Frawley Road about 10am. The man and woman are known to each other. Police were told a passerby stopped and spoke to the parties in the vehicle. They believe he may be able to assist with the investigation. Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

THE HIIT FACTORY last week handed over a fundraising cheque to the Mount Taylor Fire Brigade for $8000 from their Colour Ya World event.

THE MACLEOD MORASS Wildlife Reserve has certainly been “a twitch” with birders since the reported sighting of the Forest Kingfisher last Wednesday, confirmed again on Thursday. It is the first sighting since 1977, drawing birdwatchers from far and wide to the Morass. Many have enjoyed success, while others have had less luck. The Long-toed Stint, the only one reported in Victoria this year, continues feeding on the mudflats, along with Pectoral Sandpipers and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, although all are expected to depart north very soon.

BRIAGOLONG

FOR 24 YEARS, the Briagolong Art Gallery has provided an accessible and affordable grassroots venue for emerging and established Gippsland artists to exhibit contemporary artwork. Drawing weekend tourist traffic, the volunteer-run multi-purpose building has hosted events, workshops, and served as a studio space and shopfront for locally made artworks and artisan gifts. The modest venue, owned by the late Bill and Rose Annears, was originally set up as an exhibition space for artists involved in a local workshop group facilitated by the late Pate Waters. But following the death of surviving owner Ros Annears in September last year and the family’s decision to sell the building, its ongoing tenancy has been placed in doubt. In an effort to preserve the community asset, a fundraising campaign has been established by the managing committee to purchase the building. The committee has been sourcing donations, applying for grants, staging raffles, artwork sales and other fundraising activities. As a not-for-profit organisation, the gallery recently achieved charity status and has set up a GoFundMe page: https://gofund.me/79daca145 to support its goal. The gallery is one of the last main street buildings still open to the public in Briagolong, with most other shops having closed.

FERNBANK

WITH WINTER FAST approaching and fog rolling in, road users are encouraged to drive to the conditions. Useful tips include using low-beam headlights, as high beams reflect off fog and create glare, reducing visibility. Low beams point downward and help improve road visibility. Use fog lights only when visibility is significantly reduced, and turn them off once conditions improve. If you do not have fog lights, continue using low-beam headlights. Keep lights on even if visibility is limited, as they ensure your tail lights are visible to vehicles approaching from behind.

KILMANY

POLICE ARE REQUESTING information regarding a missing AED/defibrillator from the Kilmany Public Hall. Between Sunday, March 1 and Sunday, March 8, the AED was removed from Freshwaters Road. The device is publicly accessible and registered online, and can be accessed by opening its case. Police are seeking information on whether it was used for legitimate purposes or stolen. Anyone with information is urged to contact Sale Police or Crime Stoppers.

LAKES ENTRANCE

THE LEARN TO SWIM pool at the Aquadome has reopened earlier than planned following the completion of essential repairs ahead of schedule.

STAGE TWO OF the Marine Parade upgrade, being delivered by local contractor CAL Civil, is expected to take around 12 weeks and focuses on the Barkes Avenue T-intersection in Lakes Entrance. The project received funding under the former Coalition Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and builds on earlier streetscape works along Esplanade and Marine Parade. Bones coffee shop will remain open during works. The upgrade includes full road reconstruction, improved drainage, and new kerb and channel. Marine Parade will remain open, with some lane closures and minor delays expected. The Barkes Avenue intersection will be closed for most of the works, with detours in place. East Gippsland Shire Council is delivering the project, working with residents to maintain access wherever possible.

MAFFRA

MAFFRA SECONDARY COLLEGE (MSC) had a film crew onsite last week, with the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) filming teachers and leaders. The school’s implementation of explicit teaching practices is being captured to create resources for use in schools across Australia.

A MODERNISED ALL-TERRAIN capability is ensuring Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) Maffra Unit volunteers are well placed to support remote search and rescue operations. A new four-seat Argo all-terrain vehicle has replaced a 20-year-old predecessor, marking a major upgrade already proving valuable. Following a recent call-out near Howitt Plains in the Alpine National Park, VICSES Maffra Unit volunteers used the vehicle during a complex recovery operation, working with Victoria Police and clearing access tracks before retrieving a patient from a remote hut. The Argo can carry up to four people and additional equipment, including a stretcher. VICSES Maffra Unit is one of a handful of Gippsland units with an all-terrain vehicle capability, alongside Wonthaggi, Warragul and Loch Sport. So far in 2025/26, the unit has responded to almost 50 requests for assistance, including 23 supporting other agencies.

MEERLIEU

ANOTHER POSITIVE community garden session was held on Sunday, with new and familiar faces contributing. Trellises were erected, weeds cleared, and beans and garlic planted in a productive and well-supported day.

ORBOST

ON FRIDAY, APRIL 24 at approximately 8pm, police intercepted an unregistered motor vehicle along Scott Street, Orbost. The driver, a probationary licence holder, was not displaying plates and returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.148. The driver’s licence was immediately suspended and the vehicle impounded.

NICHOLSON STREET is receiving a makeover, with about half of the 115 metres of new footpath between Clarke Street and McLeod Street now complete. New concrete and exposed aggregate edging are taking shape, replacing the ageing path. Works are staged to minimise disruption, and businesses remain open.

PAYNESVILLE

THE PAYNESVILLE CRUISER Club has updated kitchen hours ahead of colder weather, including Monday (5.30–8pm), Wednesday–Friday (12–2pm and 5.30–8pm), Saturday (12–2.30pm and 5.30–8pm), and Sunday (12–3.30pm and 5.30–8pm).

SALE

“COFFEE WITH A COP” will return to Wellington on Thursday, May 21 at Muffin Break Café inside the Gippsland Centre from 10–11am. The event brings police and the community together for informal conversation over coffee, offering an opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns.

ROBERT MURPHY is currently wanted on warrants for burglary, theft, committing an indictable offence while on bail, and contravening bail conditions. He is known to frequent Sale, Morwell and Bairnsdale. Murphy is described as 23 years old, Caucasian, approximately 160cm tall, with medium-length wavy brown hair, brown eyes, a thin build and a beard. Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

THE NEW BUNNINGS Warehouse in Sale is now operating. Concerns have been raised with police regarding illegal traffic movements in and out of the carpark, including prohibited right-hand turns and driving over traffic islands. Penalties apply, and police will monitor compliance while working with council and transport authorities on solutions.

SALE COLLEGE’S Guthridge campus was evacuated after a bomb threat made by phone. Police and emergency services determined the threat was a hoax, and the all-clear was given.

OFFSHORE WIND INDUSTRY stakeholders met at the Port of Sale to launch the Gippsland Offshore Wind Sector Plan, guiding regional development and supporting Australia’s clean energy transition. The plan is led by the Gippsland Offshore Wind Alliance, including the Committee for Gippsland and the Gippsland Climate Change Network.

THE $40 MILLION restoration and construction project at the former Our Lady of Sion Convent site in Sale continues. The site will become a Catholic education precinct, with completion expected in 2027.

YARRAM

LOCAL MUSIC DUO Ally Row is set to support Australian artists Ian Moss and Troy Cassar-Daley on tour across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. The Gippsland-based duo is known for blending folk rock and alt-country, featuring multi-instrumental live performances and songwriting focused on love and mental health themes.