BAIRNSDALE
EAST GIPPSLAND SHIRE Council recently issued goods on footpath permit renewals. They have introduced a simpler and fairer fee structure that better reflects the amount of footpath space business uses, helping reduce costs for many businesses while continuing to support safe, accessible and vibrant town centres.
HOUSEHOLDERS ARE REMINDED that East Gippsland Shire hard waste and green waste vouchers attached to your 2025 rates notice must be used by August 31. You can use your vouchers to safely dispose of bulky items and garden waste while helping to reduce illegal dumping and keep the community clean.
LAST WEEK’S LIBRARY after dark session was a hit, with 22 people in attendance at the Bairnsdale Library for a relaxed evening of film, food and connection after hours. Guests enjoyed a screening of Sentimental Value. During the interval, they were treated to a delicious supper of scones with jam and cream – the perfect way to spend a winter evening.
EAST GIPPSLAND’S BIGGEST celebration of the older community is returning this October. This year’s Seniors Festival theme is connect, create, celebrate. With a free concert already confirmed for Wednesday October 14 featuring Wendy Stapleton performing the songs of the 60s, it’s shaping up to be a fantastic celebration.
THE FIRST 50 former Victoria Police officers, many with decades of experience, are being deployed to 26 stations across the state as the first wave of reservists start work at station counters. They bring an average of 21 years policing experience, returning to support station operations and free up frontline police to spend more time in the community. From answering phones and preparing paperwork to taking crime reports and managing exhibits, reservists will take on critical station-based duties that put an estimated 1360 policing hours back into the community every week. Among the first intake are former sergeants, senior sergeants, superintendents and even a married couple returning to the station where they first met more than 40 years ago. With more reservists set to begin training and deployment throughout the remainder of the year, the initiative is already helping deliver more frontline policing where it matters most.
SCHOOLWORKS WILL BE hosting the Big Bairnsdale Book Bazaar on Saturday, October 10. Local writers and illustrators are invited to host a stall (free of charge) and share their books with the local community.
IF YOU HAVE used the Virtual Emergency Department before, you might notice something different next time you log on, it’s had a bit of a refresh. While the look is new, everything that matters is the same, free 24/7 video calls with real emergency doctors and nurses when you need care fast but it is not life-threatening. Since it launched, it’s helped over 900,000 Victorians get the care they needed without a trip to the Emergency Department. This update just brings it in line with Victoria’s other urgent care services (like Urgent Care Clinics and Nurse-on-Call) so it is easier to find the right care at the right time.
THEY RETURNED WITH sore legs, new friendships and memories to last a lifetime. Bairnsdale Regional Health Service (BRHS) nurses Amara Fennessy and Georgia Rettino have returned from the Kokoda Track after taking on steep climbs, rugged terrain, heat and humidity. The registered nurses completed the trek over nine days as part of the Arthur Grassby Kokoda Scholarship program. The program is named in honour of local Kokoda veteran Arthur Grassby, who served with the original 39th Australian Infantry Battalion. Supported through BRHS and Bairnsdale RSL sponsorship, the journey challenged them physically and mentally while building resilience, confidence and leadership skills they have brought back to their nursing careers. For both nurses, the verdict was unanimous: once-in-a-lifetime.
COWWARR
RENOVATIONS CONTINUE AT the Cowwarr Hotel, with every bit of work completed, a step closer to a long awaited reopening. A date to be finalised in the coming weeks.
THIS WEEK IS Landcare Week, a chance to recognise the dedicated Landcare volunteers, facilitators and community groups who work tirelessly to protect and improve Gippsland’s natural environment. Across the region, local Landcare groups are planting trees, restoring native habitat, protecting waterways, fencing sensitive areas, controlling weeds and pest animals, and supporting healthier and more productive landscapes. Much of this important work is carried out by volunteers who generously give their time, knowledge and energy because they care deeply about the future of their local communities. Their practical, grassroots efforts are making a lasting difference for farms, forests, rivers, wildlife and future generations.
LAKE TYERS
COUNCIL HAS BEEN successful in securing $46,981 from the Regional Development Victoria Tiny Towns Fund for stage two development of Skiddale Reserve. The reserve upgrade will commence from mid August and see the partial closure of the site, with alternative pathways in play. The funding will bring solar bollard lighting, safer path improvements and extra seating to the space. Locals who championed the first round of upgrades are already loving the difference it’s made and can’t wait to see this next stage come together.
LATROBE
STUDENTS STUDYING AGED care, allied health, nursing and mental health at TAFE Gippsland will benefit from new employment opportunities through a partnership with Latrobe Community Health Service. The two organisations have signed a historic memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening the local health workforce and creating clearer pathways from training into employment. As part of the agreement, Latrobe Community Health Service will provide $15,000 a year in scholarships to help students with study costs such as textbooks, travel and technology equipment. The organisation will also donate 10 laptops annually to students experiencing financial hardship and offer practical placements across aged care, allied health, nursing and mental health. The partnership will help local students build careers in one of Gippsland’s fastest-growing industries while addressing workforce shortages across the region. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to building a stronger and more sustainable health workforce by creating clear pathways from education to employment. The partnership is expected to support both students and the wider Gippsland community by helping meet growing demand for skilled health professionals.
LOCH SPORT
THE LOCH SPORT Marina Hotel reopens today after being closed for a week while they carried out some renovations and improvements around the pub.
MAFFRA
THE LADIES SHED have been busy creating some remarkable bird boxes. From beautifully weathered rustic timber to freshly built nesting boxes ready for a splash of personality, every single one turned out a little different and that’s what makes them so special. It’s always fantastic to see how everyone starts with the same project but adds their own creativity and style. Some members even decorated theirs with natural branches and seed pods, giving them a truly unique, bush-inspired look.
MT HOTHAM
POLICE DETECTED OVER 200 offences in a recent weekend major road policing operation targeting motorists heading to Victoria’s alpine areas. Operation Eastern Snow has seen police highly visible and enforcing, with a particular focus on roads heading to and from snowfields including Mount Buller, Falls Creek and Mount Hotham. Buses and heavy vehicles are a major focus during the operation, with police working alongside the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to intercept vehicles at designated checkpoints and conducting safety compliance checks. Police detected 213 offences over a three-day period, including for speeding offences (142), unregistered vehicles (27), defect notices issued to unsafe vehicles (21), heavy vehicle offences (13), seatbelt offences (nine), disqualified/suspended and unlicenced drivers (nine), drug driving offences from 48 roadside drug tests (three), and drink driving offence from 1346 preliminary breath tests (one). With the operation set to continue throughout the remainder of the snow season, police are reminding all motorists travelling to the snowfields to drive to the conditions – slow down, remain alert on unfamiliar roads and allow plenty of extra travel time, especially during busy periods. All vehicles entering alpine areas during the declared snow season are required by law to carry wheel chains and fit them when instructed. Failure to carry chains may result in a $418 fine, while failing to fit them when required may attract a $1046 penalty. Car snow chains are essential for navigating steep, icy roads and can be the difference between staying on the road or sliding off it. Police are also asking motorists to check and remove snow from their vehicles before departing the snowfields, to avoid it being dislodged while moving and creating dangerous driving conditions for other road users or potentially impacting driver’s visibility. Operation Eastern Snow will continue throughout the Mount Buller, Falls Creek and Mount Hotham areas during August.
ORBOST
THE ORBOST CLUB has new and improve winter trading hours. It will be open from 10am-6pm on Mondays, and from 10am-late Tuesday through Sunday. The Sunday nights are back by popular demand, giving members and guests another great evening to catch up with friends, enjoy a drink, play the free pool tables, or simply spend time at your local club.
SALE
LOCAL MOVIE BUFFS will be treated to a plethora of movie options when the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) takes its 74th edition beyond the city, with two weekends of screenings. The Sale Cinema is one of eight regional locations that will showcase on August 14-16 and 21-23. Films to be shown include Broken English, Digby and Camille, The Fox, Hard as Puck, Hen, Mad Rush, The Tale of Silyan, Tina Arena: Unravel Me, Wicker and Yesterday Island. Wicker will be the opening night film, with a light supper and drinks from 6.30pm, with the film starting at 7pm.
AT THE RECENT Wellington Shire Council meeting last week, approval was granted to rezone 10 properties in North Sale. The rezone will turn declared farmland into residential land, with hopes of more homes. The areas affected include Chinamans Lane and Gibsons Road, totalling 44.4 hectares.
LOCAL WRITER, DIRECTOR and producer Danielle McAlpine Johnson’s new comedy documentary series Bridey Drake: Pure Average will premiere nationally on Stan on August 10. The six-part series follows social media phenomenon and entrepreneur Bridey Drake’s extraordinary journey from an average outback girl to the founder of a global pyjama empire. It offers a wildly unfiltered look into navigating fame, anxiety, family, business and the messy reality of growing up in public.
TWO NEW EATERIES in town are proving popular. Chez Ami Café – Bistro – Bar at 233-239 Raymond Street is even open for all three meals on Saturday and Sunday. “Chez” means at the home of, whilst “Ami” means friend. Foards Lane is at 214 Raymond Street and is open Wednesday through Sunday. Foards Lane offers a menu designed for every occasion, from delicious share plates and lighter bites to more substantial meals when you’re after something a little more. Pair your meal with quality coffee, cocktails, beer, wine or spirits, then settle in and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.
EMMA FINLEY HAS been appointed to the post of assistant principal at Sale College. Finley will be stationed at Guthridge Campus and contribute to the continuous improvement of the teaching and learning program. She has demonstrated a strong commitment to making Sale College the school of choice for even more families. Her high expectations for quality teaching, meaningful student engagement and strong learning habits, will lead staff in continuing to strengthen calm, predictable and positive learning environments where every student can Learn, Achieve and Succeed.
LAST THURSDAY AT approximately 3am, police were patrolling the Coverdale Drive, Ibis Ave, Wellington Drive, area when they observed an unknown person with a pushbike in the green belt. Police attempted to talk to the person however, they did not engage and left on their bike. Police searched the immediate area and located a whipper snipper and a tool bag hidden in the bushes. Items appeared to have just been placed there recently due to not being dewy from the weather. If anyone in this area is missing a whipper snipper and tool bag, please contact leading senior constable Thompson at the Sale Police on 51 42 2200. A detailed description will be required as proof of ownership upon collection.
STRATFORD
A JOINT VENTURE between the Stratford Community Association, the Lions Club and Wellington Real Estate (Stratford) will see the inaugural staging of “Slices of Stratford” on Saturday, September 5. The competition for local bakers and makers will feature three categories, lemon slice, brownie (non bake and bake) and open category (senior and junior). Slices will be registered on the day at Wellington Shire Real Estate office between 8-9.30am, with eight pieces of the slice on a plate, covered, with a list of ingredients. Entries will need to be shelf stable, as there are no refrigeration facilities on the day, so no fresh cream or raw egg can be used in the slice entries. The slices will be assessed by three local judges, from A Taste of Avon, Avon River Farmhouse and the Stratford Bakery. After the judging takes place, winners and prizes will be announced and awarded from 11am, after which slices will go on sale to the public, along side a community sausage sizzle. Proceeds from the $5 entry fee for competitors (free for entrants under 11 years old), and takings from the slices, will go towards a new “Welcome to Stratford” sign on the rail bridge heading into town. For years, “Free Assange” graffiti was up there, that has been removed in recent times.
YARRAM
DUE TO STAFF shortages, the Wellington Shire Council’s Yarram Hub Customer Service Counter will be closed from August 3-19. The Yarram Library will remain open as usual during this time. Rates and animal payments can be made at your local Post Office or by calling 1300 366 244. If you need assistance with any other council matter, please contact them on the same number or visit the Sale Customer Service Centre at 18 Desailly Street.
THERE HAS BEEN an increase in farm related thefts and burglaries recently – with a particular spike in tractor thefts and attempts. Yarram Police are investigating a series of tractor thefts around July 23-24 and are seeking any witnesses, or information to assist in their enquiries. The most recent incidents occurred on the Old Alberton West Road and South Gippsland Highway in between Gelliondale and Alberton. One tractor remains outstanding as stolen, and two were damaged. There are a number of incidents of fuel thefts as well- which may or not be linked to this offending. Police encourage the community to contact Yarram Police Station to report any suspicious activities, vehicles, or people. The community may also contact Crimestoppers and provide these details via calling 1800 333 000. Yarram Police Station has a dedicated farm crime liaison officer- leading senior constable Dan Elliott. He encourages farmers, their families, farmworkers, and all rural stakeholders within the greater Yarram district to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity and to report any crimes and suspicious vehicles as soon as they can.
