BAIRNSDALE
AS H5 BIRD flu continues to spread, housing requirements have been extended for at least 28 days for poultry flocks of 50 or more birds along the south of the state. Poultry owners in these areas must continue to house their birds or otherwise take measures to prevent contact with wild birds wherever practical. Confining poultry is still recommended in other areas, where possible. Housing poultry is an additional risk mitigation option aimed at reducing exposure of poultry to infected wildlife. Wild birds are a known source of H5 bird flu. Stringent biosecurity practices remain essential. The ACCC non-enforcement of free-range labelling applies for up to 90 days while a housing order or recommendation is in place. If you notice unexplained illness or deaths in your birds, report it immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
THREE UNKNOWN PEOPLE were observed driving a champagne-coloured Holden Cruze through Eastwood on July 20 at approximately 2am. They were noticed canvassing unlocked vehicles at multiple addresses and removing items. Police are asking anyone who may not have reported related matters to please contact First Constable Natarsha Acton at the Bairnsdale Police Station on (03) 5150 2600.
EAST GIPPSLAND SHIRE Council Mayor, Councillor Jodie Ashworth, recently spent a few fantastic days at the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) 75th Anniversary Conference in Manly. The event celebrated 75 years of women contributing to local government while looking towards the future. The theme, “Bold Beginnings, Brighter Futures,” featured inspiring speakers and thoughtful discussions about leadership, resilience, advocacy, artificial intelligence, women on boards, and engaging with diverse communities.
CANN RIVER
THE LOCAL COMMUNITY Centre opened its Fern and Feather Cafe on Monday. The venture is wholly community-owned and aims to fill a gap in town services that came about when one of the commercial cafes burned down in 2024. The initiative aims to provide cafe services while acting as a training hub for hospitality students. Operating hours will be 10am to 3pm, six days a week. All profits will be returned to the community.
THE CLUB TERRACE Community Reserve Committee of Management has utilised $17,140 of Gippsland Community Foundation (GCF) funding to install additional water tanks and purchase a ride-on mower for fuel load management. The volunteer committee of management provides washing, dryer, and freezer services to the community on a low-fee basis, ensuring the small amount of revenue raised assists ongoing operational costs and provides a vital community service. The Noorinbee Hall and Recreation Reserve has utilised $29,789 of GCF funding for ground maintenance, drainage, fire pits, seating, and a barbecue. This area is proving popular with overnight travellers in addition to the Cann River Caravan Park, with a small fee assisting sustainability. Meanwhile, the Bemm River Community Recreation Centre received $31,294 of GCF funding for a small fridge and to install a generator to ensure power supply to this vital community service, which includes Neighbourhood House activities and the Food Bank. The Tamboon Inlet Community Association is implementing its TICA 2026 Fire Plan as a result of $10,260 in funding from the GCF.
DARGO
THE DARGO BUSH Nursing Centre will reopen on Fridays from September 4, taking opening hours back to five days a week, 9am to 5pm. The Centre acknowledges that there has been no magical solution to its budgetary constraints; however, staff are committed to finding a way to provide the community with the service they have come to expect. They will continue to seek additional funding streams and have also been floating ideas about introducing a Major Annual Fundraiser for the Bush Nursing Centre.
KALIMNA
KALIMNA HOTEL, BRUTHEN Music, and Warrior Records proudly present the Kalimna Hotel Battle of the Bands. Local bands will battle it out across four Wednesday night heats this October, with top acts earning their place in the grand final on Friday, October 30. Heats will be held on October 7, 14, 21, and 28.
LAKES ENTRANCE
LOCAL POLICE ARE advising locals to keep an eye out for missing 80-year-old Damien, who has dementia. He left his care facility in Clarinda about 12pm on Thursday and has not been seen since. It is believed he may have taken his walking frame with him. Damien may be trying to make his way to Lakes Entrance or Sydney. Anyone who sights Damien or has information on his whereabouts is urged to contact Moorabbin Police Station on (03) 9556 6565.
LAST WEDNESDAY, EMERGENCY services held a simulated emergency exercise in town, resulting in a larger-than-usual presence of emergency service vehicles and personnel in the area. The exercise was part of PacWave26, an international tsunami preparedness exercise conducted to test emergency services’ ability to detect, communicate, and respond to a simulated tsunami hazard. East Gippsland Shire Council, Victoria State Emergency Service, SES Gippsland Region, CFA (Country Fire Authority), CFA District 11 Headquarters Brigade, Victoria Police, VicEmergency, Parks Victoria, DEECA Gippsland, Ambulance Victoria, Rapid Relief Team AU, and Emergency Management Victoria were all involved.
MAFFRA
THE GIPPSLAND VEHICLE Collection (GVC) reopened in town over the weekend, with plenty of classic cars and their custodians turning out for the grand reopening after recent renovations. The celebration, complete with a ribbon cutting by Wellington Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Cindy Madeley, and dedicated GVC volunteer Ness Noble, commemorated the completion of a major asbestos roof replacement project. The GVC is completely volunteer-run, and their passion for preserving motoring history for the community was on full display at the reopening. An exhibition honouring “Local Legends” is now safely housed under the new roof. The museum is open Saturday through Monday, and daily during school holidays.
THE LOCAL WOMEN’S Shed has participants who travel from as far as Metung, Yarram, and Glengarry. They meet on the first and third Saturday, and second and fourth Sunday of the month, and are a friendly, welcoming group.
MALLACOOTA
THE TOWN IS a finalist in the 2026 Tidy Towns and Cities – Sustainability Awards in the Litter category. The recognition celebrates a partnership between Friends of Mallacoota and the Mallacoota Foreshore Holiday Park, which introduced a trial container deposit scheme at the holiday park. Visitors and locals can return eligible bottles and cans through dedicated collection trailers, with 10 cents from every container going to Friends of Mallacoota to support local environmental projects. It is a simple initiative helping reduce waste, keep Mallacoota beautiful, and turn discarded containers into funding for environmental work. The awards will be held in Melbourne on September 30.
OMEO
THE UPDATE ON Flomeo 2.0 is done and dusted. The crew has wrapped up stage two and will now roll straight into stage three of the Flomeo 2.0 rebuild. With the digger continuing its march down the hill, trail builders are one step closer to delivering a fully refreshed Flomeo packed with smoother flow, improved drainage, fresh lines, and plenty of new trail goodness. During stage three works, Flomeo will be temporarily reclassified as a black trail. Flomeo will provide access to Pendulum and Rowdy while works are underway. Riders choosing to continue down Flomeo beyond this point will need to be comfortable riding black-rated terrain and navigating temporary trail network changes. Blue riders will need to follow the signed diversion via Log Slide down to Muster. From Muster, you can either take Crikey back into town or follow Green Sheep to rejoin Flomeo at the Lowpoint Gravity Hub. For the safety of riders and the trail crew, all closed sections of trail remain strictly off-limits while machinery is operating. Riding through closed sections not only puts people at risk, but can delay works and reopening timelines.
ORBOST
LOCAL POLICE WERE conducting speed enforcement in Nowa Nowa on Wednesday, August 19, when they observed a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed in a posted 60km/h zone. The speed locked in on police radar was 102km/h. Subsequently, the driver was also found to be an unaccompanied learner. Due to safety concerns related to ongoing offending as an unaccompanied learner and high-risk driving, the vehicle was impounded at a cost of $1445. The driver will be summonsed to court to face driving-related charges at a future date.
PAYNESVILLE
THE OFFICIAL OPENING of the Slip Road Maritime Precinct will take place at Slip Road today at 9am. The event will include a live demonstration showcasing how the new facilities operate and an opportunity to take a closer look at the precinct. Information about berths will be available on the day, including opportunities to be added to the berth waitlist. Whether you are a local resident, boating enthusiast, or part of the wider community, come along – everyone is welcome.
THE PAYNESVILLE MOTOR Cruiser Club (PMCC) held a networking day on the weekend. Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club Commodore Anne Delahay and Vice Commodore Mark Lainson, along with representatives of the Lake Wellington Yacht Club, Port of Sale Boat Club, and Metung Yacht Club, were guests of the PMCC for a networking cruise from Paynesville to Metung via Sperm Whale Head. This was an initiative by the committee of the PMCC to create stronger relationships and cooperation between the various clubs on the Gippsland Lakes.
SALE
LAST WEEK’S MOVING Forward Expo was created to help address a common challenge faced by people with disability and their support networks: finding the right opportunities and connecting with the right people. The expo at the Sale Memorial Hall helped bridge that gap, bringing together students, families, carers, employers, and support services in one place to start conversations, make connections, and explore what is possible after school. Attendees explored opportunities in employment, volunteering, education and training, and community participation. There were also interactive activities, a barbecue, fairy floss and, thanks to the sunshine, a great atmosphere throughout the day.
THERE IS A new drinking tap at Aqua Energy. Gippsland Water partnered with Wellington Shire Council to provide free, fresh drinking water for visitors.
A LANDMARK EXHIBITION featuring some of Australia’s most iconic artworks is coming exclusively to the Gippsland Art Gallery in 2027. The Golden Hour: Australian Impressionism – Origins, Icons and Echoes will bring more than 90 remarkable works to Sale, including pieces by Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton, and Frederick McCubbin. This is a fantastic opportunity for our community and visitors alike to experience some of Australia’s most celebrated art right here in The Middle of Everywhere. The exhibition will run from March 6 to July 11, 2027.
CATHOLIC COLLEGE SALE (CCS) recently hosted the annual Wellington Shire Peace Mass, welcoming nearly 2000 students, teachers and staff from across the region. Established in 2003 during the Gulf War, the Peace Mass has become a cherished tradition for CCS and the six Catholic primary schools in Wellington Shire. Every year, the event provides a meaningful opportunity for school communities to come together to reflect on peace, unity, and hope. Held in the Bishop Phelan Stadium, the Mass began with the traditional procession of school banners, each representing the unique identity of the participating schools. A display of national flags followed, highlighting the importance of peace across our diverse and interconnected world. The celebration also included an Acknowledgement of Country. This year’s theme was “Towards an Unarmed and Disarming Peace”. In the lead-up to the celebration, students from all participating schools wrote messages of peace and diversity on strips of coloured paper. These messages were then linked together to create a monumental chain, symbolising the schools’ united stance for peace and their shared hope for a more peaceful and inclusive world. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop of Sale Greg Bennet, who encouraged students to recognise that peace begins within each of us. The combined choirs of CCS and St Mary’s Primary School, Sale, helped create a beautiful atmosphere of celebration, reflection, and peace. The event was also attended by local dignitaries, representatives from Marist Schools Australia and Diocese of Sale Catholic Education, and the Sisters of Sion from Melbourne, who joined the school communities in prayer.
CATHOLIC COLLEGE STUDENTS Trent Lyon (year seven) and Edward Crouch (year eight) both took out first place in the Wellington Zone Final, qualifying them for the Vicspell State Final in September.
WELLINGTON SHIRE COUNCIL has secured $2 million through the Victorian Government’s Safe Local Roads and Streets Program to deliver important road safety upgrades across the community. Projects will be delivered in Heyfield, Maffra, Stratford, Sale, and Wurruk, including new roundabouts, improved pedestrian crossings, and intersection and speed limit safety upgrades. These improvements have been carefully chosen using road safety data, community feedback, and future planning to help make the roads safer for everyone walking, cycling, and driving. Works are expected to begin before Christmas, with all projects scheduled for completion by mid-2027.
