BAIRNSDALE
THE EAST GIPPSLAND Shire Council’s new website is now live. They have launched a new site designed to make it easier to find the information, services and online resources you need. The updated portal features clearer navigation, a simpler structure, plain English content, and improved accessibility. The redesign was informed by customer feedback and website usage data, and was designed and built in-house by council’s ICT team. Take a look and explore the new site at www.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au.
THE BOOK NOOK Cafe at SchoolWorks is closing on Friday, September 18. After 12 wonderful years, rising costs unfortunately mean the café is no longer financially viable. However, the bookshop is thriving and will continue to operate as normal, with SchoolWorks maintaining its focus on books, books, and more books. A new self-serve coffee machine, cold drinks and biscuits are available weekdays from 9am–5pm. Visitors are always welcome to grab a drink, find a comfy spot and relax with a good book. The community space will also remain available for local groups, meetings and activities.
A TEACHER WHO worked across several East Gippsland schools has been charged with possessing child abuse material. Bairnsdale Secondary College casual relief teacher Christopher Rimmer was recently charged by police and had his registration suspended by the Victorian Institute of Teaching last week, barring him from teaching statewide. The circumstances of Rimmer’s alleged offending remain unclear, including how the material was obtained. He has not yet been required to enter a plea. Under Victorian law, knowingly possessing child abuse material carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment. The Department of Education is currently in the process of informing parents, and Rimmer is scheduled to appear before the Bairnsdale Magistrates’ Court on December 9.
WITH THE VICTORIAN election approaching, candidates, supporters and local councils are reminded of the rules surrounding electoral signage and electioneering. On private property, one sign per property is allowed up to a maximum size of five square metres, alongside standard planning requirements. Electoral or political signs are strictly prohibited on council land, which includes roads, footpaths, parks, reserves and nature strips. Electoral material may be handed out in public places provided a clear 1.2-metre footpath pathway is maintained.
THE SAUNA AT Bairnsdale Aquatic and Recreation Centre (BARC) is currently closed while repairs are carried out. East Gippsland Shire Council will provide an update when the facility is ready to reopen.
EAST GIPPSLAND SHIRE Council mayor Jodie Ashworth, CEO Fiona Weigall, and Recovery and Resilience Officer Blanche Evans attended the Rural Councils Victoria annual forum in Swan Hill last week. The event gathered leaders from 35 rural councils across Victoria to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping regional communities. As a strong collective voice for rural municipalities, the peak body is advocating for a fairer deal from all political parties ahead of the upcoming state election. As part of the forum, the local delegation was invited to take a lead role in a breakout session on emergency preparedness. Weigall facilitated the session, while Evans shared her significant knowledge and lived experience alongside Campaspe Shire Council’s Kate Goldsmith.
SEVERAL EAST GIPPSLAND communities have turned roadside emergency static water tanks into vibrant works of art, with murals now complete at Wairewa, Nowa Nowa, Doctors Flat and Tambo Upper. Local artists Lee Nickless (Doctors Flat) and Simon White (Wairewa, Nowa Nowa, and Tambo Upper) worked alongside CFA volunteers and residents — who shared their own design concepts — to bring these once-plain tanks to life. While maintaining their operational role in emergency management, the tanks now serve as a canvas for communities to tell their stories of resilience and recovery. Additional installations are planned for static tanks at Gipsy Point, South Buchan, and Benambra.
VICTORIA POLICE HAS launched a new online tool allowing the public to check whether a vehicle is listed as stolen. Now live on the Victoria Police website, users can enter a suspect vehicle’s registration, make and model to check its status and report its location directly to authorities. Information is drawn from Victoria Police’s Law Enforcement Assistance Program (LEAP), VicRoads, and the National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System (NEVDIS), refreshing each time a new report is logged. Once a stolen vehicle is recovered, it is removed from the system. The tool aims to help police locate stolen vehicles sooner, adding to the roughly 80 percent recovery rate achieved over the past year. Police urge owners to implement preventative measures, such as installing affordable, self-installed on-board diagnostic (OBD) port locks to block reprogramming devices. Using steering wheel locks, parking off-street in garages, locking vehicles at all times, and never leaving running cars unattended are also recommended. Suspected stolen or abandoned vehicles can be reported to the Police Assistance Line on 131 444, or to municipal councils for collection co-ordination if abandoned. Immediate emergencies should be directed to Triple Zero (000). The check tool can be accessed at police.vic.gov.au/stolen-vehicle-check-victoria.
BRIAGOLONG
SENATOR RAFF CICCONE last week opened new facilities for staff and students at Briagolong Primary School. The upgraded hardcourts are designed to encourage physical activity and improve educational outcomes. The project delivered a new full-size synthetic turf multipurpose court for netball, basketball, and volleyball, as well as a quarter-size pickleball court complete with dedicated posts and rings. Delivered with $428,735 in federal funding through round two of the Schools Upgrade Fund, Senator Ciccone noted that significant work went into creating modern working, teaching, and learning spaces for the school community.
LAKES ENTRANCE
HEAVY EQUIPMENT IS on site filling eco-friendly sandbags to form the foundational structure for the next stage of the Krauatungalung Walk. Local firm Design Co Builders secured the contract for the “missing link” section of the boardwalk, which will connect the esplanade pathway with the existing track behind the Eastern Beach Caravan Park. Major works are currently underway, involving the construction of an environmentally friendly outer barrier, foreshore sand re-nourishment, and final boardwalk installation.
MALLACOOTA
THE LOCAL LIBRARY collection has received a major refresh. The Mallacoota library team has been busy updating the shelves with multiple boxes of new books, introducing fresh release stories, adventures, and mysteries for local patrons.
ORBOST
EXCITING TIMES ARE underway at Orbost Community College this week with three scheduled nights of the school production, Freaky Tiki. Cast members have completed intensive rehearsals to bring the show to life and are ready to transition from the rehearsal room to the stage. Performances run Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings.
PAYNESVILLE
THE PAYNESVILLE MARITIME Precinct is officially open, with over 250 residents and key stakeholders attending the opening event. Highlights included a vessel launch demonstration by Gippsland Lakes Boat Storage and a display by the Dragon Boat Kingfisher Club. Years in the making, the upgraded infrastructure is designed to boost regional tourism, support local marine businesses, create jobs, and improve public access to the Gippsland Lakes.
SALE
WELLINGTON SHIRE COUNCIL’S annual hard waste collection service commences next month, running over five weeks from Monday, September 28. Available to households receiving kerbside bin collection, pickups correspond to regular collection days: Friday routes (week of September 28), Thursday routes (week of October 5), Wednesday routes (week of October 12), Tuesday routes (week of October 19), and Monday routes (week of October 26). Waste must not be put out more than seven days prior to the designated week and must be placed on the kerbside by 6am on the scheduled Monday. E-waste (battery or plug-operated items) is accepted but must be placed in a separate pile for recycling co-ordination.
SCHOOL CROSSING SUPERVISORS in Sale have recently reported several near-miss incidents involving vehicles driving through active crossings while stop signs were displayed. Drivers are reminded to observe the 40km/h speed limit in school zones between 8am–9.30am and 2.30pm–4pm on school days, and to exercise caution when approaching active crossings.
POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING an attempted robbery at a Reeve Street service station on August 9 at approximately 7.15pm. An offender entered the store, approached the counter, and demanded cash while gesturing inside their jacket to simulate a firearm. The offender fled empty-handed, and the victim contacted police immediately. The suspect is described as tall with a slim build, very dark skin, and speaking with an accent. He was wearing a white hooded jacket with fur trim, dark trousers, and dark shoes. CCTV images have been released, and anyone with information is urged to contact local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
THE GIPPSLAND ART Gallery hosted a capacity audience last Saturday night for its Spring launch, announcing the recipients of the 2026 John Leslie Art Prize and Wellington Youth Art Prize. Natasha Bieniek won the $30,000 acquisitive John Leslie Art Prize for her miniature landscape work, Labyrinth, while Kate Shaw was awarded Best Gippsland Work for Last One. In the Wellington Youth Art Prize, Emily Meyerd won the 20–25 section with Stories (runner-up Charlie Page with Listening to Country); Ava De Boer won the 16–19 category with Lotus Eater (runner-up Meg Ross with Lost in Thought); and Elisha Hayter won the 12–15 age group with My Hope is Not in the World (runner-up Ella Lamb with Torn). The Middle of Everywhere Prize went to Shylah De Boer for Escape Button.
GIPPSLAND ART GALLERY will present a landmark exhibition, The Golden Hour: Australian Impressionism – Origins, Icons and Echoes, from March 6 to July 11, 2027. Exclusive to the gallery, the showcase brings together over 90 works curated in partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria and major state institutions. The exhibition explores the Heidelberg School period (c.1880–1900), featuring iconic works such as Tom Roberts’ Shearing the Rams (1890), Frederick McCubbin’s Lost (1886), and 12 original panels from the 1889 9×5 Impression Exhibition, alongside modern works by Mary Tonkin and Michelle Hiscock. Tickets go on sale in November.
THE AUSTRALIAN FLORAL Art Association (AFAA) 50th anniversary convention is underway at the Port of Sale from September 7 to 12. Titled ‘Flowers in the Middle of Everywhere’, the event features competitive floral displays created by arrangement artists from across Australia. The public is invited to view competition entries taking shape at 70 Foster Street, with finished works and winning displays open for public viewing from Thursday through to Saturday lunchtime.
SEASPRAY
H5 AVIAN INFLUENZA has been detected along the Wellington Shire coastline as the strain continues to spread through wild bird populations across Victoria. While the risk to pets remains low, authorities advise dog owners to keep pets on leads near wildlife areas, prevent animals from contacting dead wildlife, and restrict domestic cats from roaming. Suspected cases of bird flu in native birds, poultry, or mammals should be reported immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 or online via DEECA.
STRATFORD
WELLINGTON SHIRE COUNCIL will deliver a series of road safety infrastructure projects after securing $2 million through the Victorian Government’s Safe Local Roads and Streets Program. Delivered in partnership with the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), the criteria-based grant funds high-priority local council roads with a history of crashes or high traffic density. Approved projects include a new roundabout and upgraded pedestrian crossings in Stratford; a roundabout and pedestrian crossings at the Boisdale and McLean Street intersection in Maffra; intersection treatments at Dawson Street and Guthridge Parade in Sale; a raised pedestrian crossing near the Gippsland Centre in Sale; and targeted speed limit reductions across Sale, Wurruk, Stratford, and Heyfield. Wellington Shire Mayor Cindy Madeley said the funding accelerates long-identified community priorities. Construction begins before Christmas, with complete project delivery expected by mid-2027.
MEMBERS OF THE local fire brigade recently completed a practical training exercise at the Victorian Emergency Management Training Centre (VEMTC) in Fulham. The session focused on Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA), power pole hazards, and electrical line safety protocols to build operational readiness for community emergency responses.
