BAIRNSDALE
The annual Apex Club of Bairnsdale trivia night will be held this Saturday from 6.30-10.30pm at the St Marys Parish Centre, 121 Nicholson Street, Bairnsdale. Tables of eight are now available, with punters encouraged to dress in their favourite 60s outfit to go in the draw to win a best dressed group prize.
A number of women living with cancer recently gathered at the Hub in Bairnsdale as part of a “Wellbeing Day for Women” organised by Women’s Health Victoria and Counterpart in conjunction with the Bairnsdale Regional Health Service. Similar events were held in other parts of Victoria and while it was a day many wish they didn’t have to attend; it was pleasing to see smiles on faces and people chatting over a cuppa.
Preparations are underway for maintenance and renewal works on the Bairnsdale to Melbourne train line, starting today and going through to Sunday, October 27. While trains aren’t running between Bairnsdale and Traralgon, crews will complete testing and commissioning works for the newly expanded Bairnsdale stabling yard, vegetation management near level crossings in Munro and renewal works on the Thomson River bridge into Sale. Crews will also remove mudholes along almost 117 kilometres of track to ensure the ongoing upkeep of the line. During these critical works, coaches will replace trains for part of the journey between Bairnsdale to Traralgon, and for the entire journey between Bairnsdale and Southern Cross on some weekends.
Registrations are now open for the Bairnsdale Little Athletics Centre season, with the first day back set for next Monday, October 21.
Sustainability Victoria’s “Detox your Home” event is back again this year at the Bairnsdale Saleyards on November 30. This is the time to clean out unwanted household chemicals from sheds and cupboards, disposing of them responsibly, making homes safer and protecting the environment.
On Saturday, October 5, at 9pm a blue Holden Commodore utility (possibly VY or VZ) lost control in the wet while travelling east on Main Street, Bairnsdale. The vehicle rotated clockwise out of control across the road and hit a bus that was parked in Main Street, Bairnsdale. The blue Holden Commodore and its driver immediately left the scene. Police are appealing for witnesses or dash cam footage.
Volunteers have been the lifeblood of St John Ambulance Victoria since 1883. For well over 100 years, volunteers have been saving lives and delivering care and compassion to those in sickness, suffering and distress throughout Victoria. The organisation is currently looking for community-minded individuals who want to support to their community at local events, festivals and in emergencies. The Bairnsdale team is based in the local community and assists at a wide range of events and emergencies each year. If you are keen to volunteer in Bairnsdale, Sale or Wellington Shire, an online session will be held on Monday, November 11, from 6.30pm.
The Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House is chasing large rubber mat that was accidentally sold last Thursday morning. The mat was rolled up as the floors were cleaned, unfortunately someone liked it and it was sold by an unsuspecting staff. If that was you would you please consider handing it back and get your money refunded, we need the mat especially when it is wet to make sure the floor is not slippery.
The Bairnsdale Show is putting the call out to the community for some hay for show day. They are in need of six bales (the small rectangular ones) to pop into the back of the ute for the dogs to land on in the dog high jump competition. Any condition is fine, a soft landing is required for the canines.
BEMM RIVER
The 2024 Purvis Cup will be conducted on Saturday at Bemm River. The event pits the Bemm River Angling Club against the Marlo Angling Club. The event celebrates 88 years of commercial free fishing at Bemm River and honours Jack Purvis who stopped the commercial fishing that would have destroyed the sustainability of the river.
BRUTHEN
Bruthen Football Netball Club was delighted to put together a 17-person strong committee with great representation of both netball and football at last week’s annual general meeting. David Cameron will again head up the club, joined on the executive by Emma Buck (vice president), Brayden Smith (treasurer) and Rachael Johnson (secretary). The club is delighted to welcome Tony Adams, Celeste Calvert, Sally Whillance, Taylah Spong, Darcy Spong, Rhys Kennedy and Nicki Pollard to the committee, who have joined Jarrod Kennedy, Ethan Hubbard, Jesse Gillam, Matt Roberts, Indi Wegmann and Will Matthews.
Bruthen Remembers meets at the Bruthen Neighbourhood House on the second Tuesday of each month between 10.30am and noon. The group likes to reminisce, record and preserve local history and events.
CANN RIVER
The Cann River Community Centre will present lawn mower racing on November 16, between 11.30am and 4pm. The event is family friendly event drugs and alcohol not permitted. As part of the event there will a show and shine display, as well as some fabulous food available.
DARGO
After a hugely successful inaugural event, the Dargo Old School Market is back on Sunday, November 3 from 9am to 2pm. A chance to shop for Christmas gifts including ceramics, artwork, homemade hats, pickles and more.
DELEGATE
The Delegate Team Penning/Sorting event will be held this Saturday and Sunday.
HEYFIELD
The Heyfield and Districts Angling Club will host its Freshwater Fishing Classic from Friday through to Sunday. Fishing is conducted in the Glenmaggie and Licola region.
The Heyfield Football Netball Club annual general meeting will be held tonight from 6.30pm at the Gordon Street, Reserve.
A high tea for the wonderful seniors community will be held at the Heyfield Community Resource Centre on October 30 from 1.30pm. A delightful way to relax, enjoy tasty treats and sip on your favourite tea, all free of charge. This high tea is part of the Seniors Festival this October, with more than 50 free events to enjoy will be hosted in the Wellington shire.
The Heyfield Community Resource Centre have a surplus of lemons and grapefruits, if anyone is interested. They are just inside the gate.
NAMBROK
Precision Pastures will conduct a free Soil Carbon Workshop at The Woolshed (3045 Princes Highway, Nambrok) on Friday from 11am to 1.30pm. Co-run by NAB Agribusiness, the workshop will cover case studies on how to build soil carbon on farms, how it can align with boosting production on-farm, project administration requirements, land management activities, and key considerations for landowners. The presentations will be followed by a question and answer session, paddock walk, and barbecue lunch.
LINDENOW
Lindenow Football Netball Club will host its annual general meeting on Wednesday, October 30, at club social rooms from 7pm. The event will see the election of office bearers for 2025.
MAFFRA
Local police are sounding the alarm on an increase in theft from motor vehicles in the Maffra and Sale area on Friday and Saturday nights. Police are encouraging members of the public to please secure their vehicles. Many thieves are opportunistic, so don’t make things easy for them by leaving your doors and windows unlocked or your valuables in plain sight.
Maffra Neighbourhood House will host a family violence, family advocacy support service information session today between 10.30am-12.30pm. Recovery from family violence, requires vital legal support. The information session hosted by Gippsland Community Legal Service and supported by the Gippsland Family Law Pathways Network should be able to answer all the vital questions.
MALLACOOTA
Mallacoota Angling Club will host its October fishing competition this Friday to Sunday, target species being flathead, bream, trevally and luderick.
MARLO
Orbost Football Netball Club, in conjunction with the Riviera Triathlon Club, will hold its annual Marlo triathlon on January 4, 2025.
METUNG
The Metung Transfer Station will reopen this Saturday from 8am after recent remedial works. The closest alternative locations are Lakes Entrance Transfer Station or Bairnsdale Landfill.
NEWRY
The Newry Hall will host a bush dance featuring the Bushwahzee Band this Saturday night between 6-9pm.
OMEO
Omeo Football Netball Club will host its annual general meeting at the Omeo Recreation Reserve on Tuesday, November 19 from 7.30pm.
ORBOST
Orbost Neighbourhood House will host a legal knowledge training workshop on Wednesday, October 23, between 12-4pm. The information session provides free legal knowledge training and family support service referral information for bush nurses, allied health professionals, frontline workers and community advocates working in East Gippsland locations. The session is catered, and information will be delivered by legal experts from the Gippsland Community Legal Service and Gippsland Family Pathways Network, and is funded by the Victoria Law Foundation.
Orbost Neighbourhood House will also be hosting an event during National Carers Week. Caring can be emotionally and physically demanding, so the house are inviting all carers along for a free barbecue this Thursday from 11.30am. Information will be available from a financial counsellor, carer support programs, care finders, Centrelink Aged Care Specialists, Community Home support Services and Wellbeing local.
It’s time to leaf your mark and vote for the 2024 Victorian Tree of the Year. The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) has selected a lineup of nine trees across the state as finalists in the 2024 Victorian Tree of the Year award, including the critically endangered Cabbage Palm, found right here in East Gippsland’s Cabbage Tree Creek Flora Reserve near Marlo.
This rare palm is the most southern population of any Australian palm and one of only three natural populations left in the state. Voting is open until midnight, Tuesday, October 29.
PAYNESVILLE
Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre is running a free Budgeting Hacks workshop on Wednesday, October 30, from 9.30am to 12.30pm at The Hub, 27 Dalmahoy Street, Bairnsdale. Participants will gain valuable insights on spending habits and explore how to save money across all areas of life. The workshop is free and morning tea is provided, with bookings essential by calling the Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre.
A Sarcochilus Show will be hosted by the Bairnsdale and District Orchid Group on the November 9-10 at the Paynesville Hall. All types orchids are welcome to be entered. Entry
SALE
The candidates for the Wellington Shire Council election have been finalised. There are 16 candidates vying for nine spots on council. The contenders are Scott Rosetti, Jacob Veldhuizen, Liz Foat, Geoff Wells, Edward Lowe, Christos Ilopoulos, Carmel Ripper, Kevin Christensen, John Tatterson, Cameron Hogan, Robin Sidebottom, Garry Stephens, Catherine Bannerman, Cindy Madeley, Marcus McKenzie and Paul Meyer. Voting closes on October 25, with results declared November 15.
Another productive “Coffee with the Cop” session was held at the Gippsland Centre Sale last week, with the town’s amazing local police officers mingling and interacting with grateful locals.
The Golf East Gippsland mixed foursomes championship will be held at the Sale Golf Club on Sunday, November 10. Rohan Dare and Lucy Haussegger are the defending champions.
Wellington Shire Council’s No-Fee Green Waste program to reduce your bushfire risk starts next week. From next Saturday you can drop off your green waste for no-fee at waste facilities (excluding Dargo).
STRATFORD
Locals thought they were stepping back in time on Saturday night at around 11.30pm when a steam train came through town on the way to Bairnsdale for Sunday’s festivities.
The commotion interruptED some dreams and made others think they were in a time warp.
WURRUK
Wurruk Community House, George Gray Centre, Sale Tennis Club and Sale Pony Club are to share in $10,000 of Gippsland Critical Minerals (GCM) grants. GCM’s Community Grants program provides $10,000 in grants each quarter to support community projects and initiatives in Bairnsdale, Sale, and throughout Gippsland, with a focus on local educational, recreational, environmental, and social initiatives. At Wurruk Community House, the grant will help with a new garden shed and tools for their youth garden program, while at the George Gray Centre, the funds will provide art supplies for the inclusive art studio assisting people with disability. The grants will also support much-needed shade sales for the spectator area at the Sale Tennis Club, and at the Sale Pony Club, it will provide funds for furniture and a whiteboard for its learning sessions. Applications for GCM’s next round of community grants open on October 28 and close on November 29. Not-for-profit, sporting and recreational, and community organisations across the East Gippsland and Wellington Council areas are eligible to apply.
VALENCIA CREEK
Following an extensive replacement of the entire floor of the Valencia Creek Hall due to water damage, music is returning. The first concert is a welcome return of the popular five-time Golden Guitar winning country-bluegrass singer Pete Denahy on Monday from 7.30pm.
