Around Gippsland – June 24

BAIRNSDALE

THERE WERE PLENTY of laughs, friendly rivalry and team spirit at Bairnsdale Regional Health Service (BRHS) this week as staff battled it out in the inaugural Men’s Health Week table tennis tournament. Held at the Day Street campus, the event served as a fun way to bring personnel together and spark important conversations around health and wellbeing. The 2026 BRHS Table Tennis Champion is Procurement and Contract Officer Lachlan Langston. Men’s Health Week is a great annual reminder for everyone to check in on their physical health. Community members can utilise the free SISU Health Check Stations until July 12 to test blood pressure, heart rate and other key health indicators. The automated stations are located at the Day Street campus Bower Bird Entrance, Maddocks Gardens, and the main street section of the Ross Street campus.

EAST GIPPSLAND SHIRE Council Mayor Jodie Ashworth loves nothing more than connecting with the community, and last week she attended the Bairnsdale VIEW Club’s June meeting. The VIEW Club (Voice, Interests and Education of Women) brings local women together while raising vital funds for The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program. The Bairnsdale branch currently sponsors 20 local students, helping change the trajectory of young lives within the region. The Mayor took the opportunity to share insights from her own professional journey, spanning small business and tourism to financial counselling, and how those experiences shape her civic leadership. She also presented on the club’s chosen

topic, detailing Council’s Homes for Everyone position paper.

A NEW CHAPTER has begun for Independent Builders Gippsland (IBG), with Matt and Chloe Schlitz officially taking over ownership from Brian and Tania McNamara. Both incoming owners have been integral parts of the IBG team for a number of years—Chloe for eight years and Matt for six years. During their tenure, they have had the privilege of working closely alongside the McNamaras, gaining valuable industry experience while helping deliver quality family homes across Gippsland. They remain strictly committed to continuing the company’s legacy. IBG will continue to operate with the same dedicated local team, trusted trades, and established suppliers, maintaining the strong focus on quality and client service they are renowned for.

BEMM RIVER

EIGHT EAST GIPPSLAND community projects have been announced as successful recipients in the 2026 Tiny Towns grants program, sharing in more than $253,000 from Regional Development Victoria

to support loved local assets. Council’s Skidale Close Reserve is among the successful sites, securing $46,981 for stage two works that will introduce solar lighting and upgraded steps, building directly on the recently finalized stage one improvements. Other grant recipients across the shire include the Bemm River Men’s Shed for a kitchen upgrade, the Bullumwaal Mechanics Hall for structural restumping, Genoa History Park for heritage signage, Mallacoota WWII Bunker Museum for internal cabinetry, the Metung Township for a signage strategy, the Newlands Arm Residents and Ratepayers Association for a permanent outdoor public toilet, and the Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre for its ‘Our Community Our Kids’ initiative.

BOISDALE

LOCAL ARTIST, JEWELLER, fashion designer, master weaver and cultural educator Cassie Fisher Patterson has been named a national finalist in the prestigious National Indigenous Fashion Awards. Fisher Patterson has been shortlisted in the Traditional Adornment Award category for her striking handcrafted echidna spine necklace, representing an outstanding and well-deserved recognition of her creativity, cultural expression, and intricate artistic skill. The National Indigenous Fashion Awards are presented as a centrepiece of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation’s landmark 20th anniversary program, celebrating the ongoing strength, innovation, and future of First Nations fashion and textile design across Australia.

BRIAGOLONG

THE DELTA BRIDGE upgrade on Valencia Creek–Briagolong Road is now approximately 90 percent complete, with major structural strengthening works rapidly nearing the finish line. For local residents, freight operators, farmers, and emergency services, Delta Bridge serves as a vital arterial connection across Freestone Creek. Once fully completed, the upgraded bridge infrastructure will be stronger, safer, and significantly better equipped to support heavy vehicles travelling through the region. Civil construction crews are now focused on completing the approach pavements and road shoulders, ensuring the bridge continues to safely serve the rural community for many years to come.

BIG NEWS FROM the Briagolong Primary School community this week, with the official announcement that the school has been successful in securing a $425,000 Capital Works grant. The funding will deliver a full, modern refurbishment of the school’s current student toilet block. Following the successful installation of the new playground and the comprehensive bottom oval upgrade last year, school leadership and the council are excited to continue improving the educational facilities and amenity for the students.

FULHAM

EAST GIPPSLAND COMPANY

Pearce Cameron has been busy executing extensive landscaping works at the Fulham Solar Farm site. The project team has successfully planted 38,000 native plants, spread 2,000m³ of protective mulch, and completed broad-acre herbicide spraying across the development. With the primary establishment works now finalized, the team is transitioning into the next phase of the contract—24 months of ongoing programmed maintenance to ensure the vegetation thrives and supports the long-term environmental success of the renewable energy project.

GOLDEN BEACH

A NEW VIEWING platform is now

officially open to the public, giving

local residents and visiting tourists a significantly better coastal vantage point to take in the panoramic views of the iconic

90 Mile Beach coastline.

HEYFIELD

LAST FRIDAY, SENIOR Constable Chris Mutsch from the local police station joined several other prominent community identities to take part in Heyfield Primary School’s Big Freeze Challenge. The veteran officer willingly subjected himself to the icy “Big Freeze” dunking to raise vital funds and public awareness for the fight against Motor Neurone Disease (MND). The charity event raised more than $6000 for the cause and was heavily supported by the entire Heyfield community, including members

of the local police contingent.

JACK RIVER

A LOCAL FARMER has been charged by WorkSafe Victoria following a tragic incident where a worker died from machinery injuries. A 47-year-old woman was working alone at a Jack River property on November 13, 2024, operating silage-wrapping equipment when she entered the machine’s danger zone. She was later found critically injured beneath the mechanism by co-workers and was airlifted to hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. WorkSafe alleges the 66-year-old farm operator failed to reduce the risk of serious injury or death by failing to ensure a safety barrier designed to prevent access to moving parts was functioning. The regulator alleges he either allowed the barrier to be disabled or failed to engage a qualified technician to ensure the machine’s interlock sensor operated as intended, while also failing to ensure the machine was isolated before work commenced. Charged with four workplace health and safety offenses, the man is scheduled to appear before the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court today.

LUCKNOW

EXCITING NEWS OUT of Club Eastwood this week, with the local venue taking out

the title for Best Bistro at the prestigious Frontier Hospitality Awards held in Melbourne. Up against some absolute

heavy hitters in the metropolitan and regional hospitality industry, venue staff were pleasantly surprised to walk away

with the major state prize.

MAFFRA

LOCAL WILDLIFE CARER Josh Neille was the guest speaker at the weekly Rotary Club of Maffra meeting held at Duart Homestead. The speaking engagement comes off the back of Mr. Neille being formally recognised among the standout awardees at the service club’s recent Community Service Award presentations for his ongoing dedication to regional wildlife rehabilitation.

ORBOST

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 marked an

exciting milestone for local aged care as Orbost Regional Health residents officially moved into their new home at Snowy

River Views. The moving day was deemed a great success, with residents, families, volunteers, and staff working collectively

to make the physical transition smooth

and welcoming. Residents enjoyed settling into their private rooms, exploring the

state-of-the-art surroundings, and sharing

a communal lunch. It was wonderful to see so many smiles as everyone began this exciting new chapter; facility management highly commended the residents for embracing the major change with such positivity and enthusiasm.

PAYNESVILLE

EAST GIPPSLAND WATER had the

pleasure of hosting the Bairnsdale BEEFLAMM Group at its Paynesville environmental farm earlier this month.

The agricultural group was highly

interested in touring the farm operations

and inspecting the newly completed winter water storage facilities. The East Gippsland Water operations team explained how recycled water is utilised on-site and detailed the environmental benefits of the 300-megalitre winter storage infrastructure. They also covered the history of the property, current agricultural operations, and future sustainability goals. Reducing salinity and utilising strategic crop selection to build up soil quality and encourage beneficial soil microbes remain a key operational focus

for the site. The Bairnsdale BEEFLAMM group meets regularly, rotating between member properties and visiting regional facilities of interest.

KEVIN HOOD PHOTOGRAPHY has been officially named a 2026 nominee for the prestigious AFL National Community Football Photography Award, representing the Paynesville Football Netball Club. Photography has given Hood the unique opportunity to capture the raw passion, emotion, and community spirit that make local football so special, and he expressed his gratitude to the club and league for

the national recognition.

LAST WEEK, LOCAL CFA fire trucks were turned out to Sips and Chips following a small salamander fire in the commercial kitchen. The minor blaze was quickly contained by responding volunteers with no injuries recorded and minimal operational impact to the building. The business owners extended their thanks to the local CFA volunteers for their prompt response and thorough safety checking. It remains business as usual for the popular outlet.

THE LOCAL WINE bar has

announced a temporary reduction to its standard operating hours, effective from June 20 to July 19. During this winter mid-season period, the venue will be open exclusively from Tuesday to Thursday between 3pm and 8pm.

SALE

AT LAST WEEK’S Wellington Shire Council meeting, councillors officially adopted the 2026/27 Budget, setting out the capital projects, community services, and infrastructure investments planned for the financial year ahead. The adoption follows last year’s budget commitments, which successfully delivered the major Aqua Energy redevelopment, park playground upgrades in Coongulla, Heyfield, Maffra, Yarram, and Sale, the refurbishment of the Dock Espresso Bar, renewal of the Seagull Drive Boat Ramp in Loch Sport, and extensive road, footpath, and drainage improvements across Maffra, Yarram, Briagolong, Sale, Heyfield, and Tinamba, alongside the Yarram pool filtration and pumphouse upgrades.

PARKS VICTORIA IS currently investigating an illegal rubbish dumping incident at the Sale wetlands near Cox’s Bridge. Parks Victoria authorised officers expressed deep disappointment at seeing large amounts of loose refuse scattered at one of the region’s much-loved parks, and are keen to identify those responsible. Investigations into environmental illegalities unfortunately take valuable time and resources away from primary conservation duties. With illegal dumping on the rise, anyone who witnesses suspicious activity is urged to call 13 19 63 to make a confidential report. Parks Victoria notes most dumped material consists of standard household waste, which can be disposed of for free or at low cost via local council transfer stations.

WELLINGTON CIU EXECUTED a targeted search warrant at a Moe property on June 10 in relation to a serious burglary that occurred recently in Woodside. Upon arrival, police observed the accused cutting his front lawn using the stolen ride-on lawnmower. In addition to the mower, further suspected stolen property — including two trailers, a vehicle, audio amplifiers, and a generator — was located at the premises, alongside a quantity of a drug of dependence. The accused was formally charged and bailed for theft and theft of a motor vehicle, and is scheduled to appear

in court at a later date.

LOCAL POLICE OBSERVED a dirt

bike traveling dangerously around

York and Macarthur streets on Sunday, June 14 at 10.50am. Officers attempted to intercept the vehicle; however, the rider attempted to evade police by riding over an adjacent nature strip. The rider failed to navigate the terrain successfully and was quickly stopped by police, resulting in the bike being immediately impounded.

License checks revealed the rider was unlicensed and the motorcycle was unregistered. The rider will be summonsed to appear at court at a later date to answer several traffic offences.

LAST WEEK, MEMBERS of the

Wellington Shire Council’s Natural Environment and Parks team joined

Year 12 students from Sale College at the Flooding Creek Reserve to take part in a native tree-planting day along the creek corridor. This ongoing environmental project is made possible by a $284,000 grant from the Victorian Government’s Green Links Grants program. The remediation program will restore more than three hectares of native habitat utilising over 25,000 indigenous plants, supplemented by habitat logs and nest boxes to support the return of local wildlife.

SEASPRAY

LAKES BLUE ENERGY is planning to execute another round of production testing at the Wombat-5 gas well near Seaspray to determine whether the asset can produce commercial quantities of gas. The upcoming work program, which is strictly subject to final regulatory approval, will be temporary, entirely contained within the existing footprint, and subject to rigid environmental and safety controls. The tests will see specialised equipment deployed to the site to perforate selected gas-bearing sections of the well, flow and clean out gas, and conduct an extended production test involving the flaring of gas while monitoring long-term well integrity and performance. The operational works are expected to take between two to three weeks to complete.

STRATFORD

LOCAL BOWLERS CELEBRATED the

start of Val Townsend’s 90th year last week during regular club proceedings. Players taking part in the pairs competition enjoyed a birthday cake, sang the traditional birthday song, and celebrated his long-standing status at the club as a willing volunteer worker and an accomplished bowler. Mr Townsend jokingly admitted to being a major financial contributor to the Royal Children’s Hospital fundraising tin due to rolling too many bowls on the wrong bias.

SWIFTS CREEK

STUDENTS ACROSS EAST Gippsland have been learning about environmental catchments through an engaging mix of live wildlife encounters and creative art workshops, as the East Gippsland

Catchment Management Authority (EGCMA) rolled out its Catchment Connections school roadshow. The program recently visited schools in Swifts Creek, Lakes Entrance, Bruthen, Newmerella and Mallacoota, bringing hands-on environmental learning directly to regional classrooms. Delivered in partnership with Black Snake Productions, the program featured live native animals — including endangered frog and snake species, turtles, goannas, a sugar glider, a bandicoot, a masked owl, a swift parrot, and a fruit bat — as part of an interactive presentation focusing on biodiversity, waterway health, and threatened species unique to East Gippsland. The EGCMA teamed up with the East Gippsland Art Gallery to incorporate a creative element, allowing students to take part in guided art sessions where they decorated a model of a threatened species while learning about its habitat, successfully combining science and creativity to deepen their understanding.