BAIRNSDALE
IT WAS ANOTHER successful Bairnsdale Toy Run last Sunday with 145 bikes enjoying the outstanding weather, with the Salvation Army very appreciative of $2000 donation of gift cards to go with the numerous toy gifts collected.
THE BAIRNSDALE BOWLING Club free barefoot bowls on a Friday night between 5-7pm is proving popular with punters.
THE FIRE DANGER period for the East Gippsland and Wellington Shires started on Monday at 1am.
GIPPSLAND RESEARCH FARM is currently the site of a project which actively aims to build more topsoil, with an outlook on improving adaptability to climate variation. In addition to increasing the soil’s nutrient holding capacity, ‘Growing More Topsoil’ seeks to answer two specific questions, can we double the water holding capacity of our top soil and can we extend our top soil from 150mm to 300mm deep. Funded by the Future Drought Fund and delivered by Gippsland Agricultural Group Inc, the initiative has been underway since mid-2023 and is beginning to produce visible results.
SUPERVISING OR LEARNER drivers looking to improve your skills on the road can become involved in the Green Light Initiative, for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities, a community-based program which aims to strengthen partnerships between learners and their supervising drivers plus promote safe driving in Australia. In the free program participants will learn key road rules and safety tips, explore safer travel options and connect with Victoria Police to discuss road safety. Interest can be registered at https://forms.office.com/r/0MxbvuR0X9.
FORMER AND CURRENT East Gippsland Shire Councillors joined senior staff to acknowledge the 30th anniversary of local government amalgamations in Victoria. The amalgamation on December 2, 1994, saw East Gippsland Shire Council created from the former City of Bairnsdale and Shires of Bairnsdale, Omeo, Orbost, Tambo, and part of the Shire of Rosedale. The East Gippsland Shire Council is the second-largest shire in Victoria (by land size) and across the past three decades, the shire has had 17 mayors, including eight who served multiple terms: John White, Mark Reeves, Mendy Urie, Joe Rettino, Dick Ellis, Jane Rowe, Harvey Bates, and Shaun Beasley.
MAKE A WISH East Gippsland branch held its annual Christmas Shopping Spree last Friday night and what a fantastic evening it was filled with laughter and excellent shopping opportunities. The organisation extending its gratitude to the more than 60 shoppers who visited various stores in Bairnsdale’s CBD, where they experienced generous discounts and festive cheer from 10 highly supportive businesses. As per tradition, participants concluded the evening at the Mitchell River Tavern, which graciously provided the venue and a superb supper for the dedicated shoppers. This popular annual event is instrumental in raising funds for the branch, which supports Make-A-Wish Australia in granting life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The shopping spree’s success is made possible by the generous support of participating businesses, shoppers, and dedicated branch volunteers.
BENAMBRA
THE BENAMBRA ANGLING Club will have its Christmas Get Together on Saturday night.
BRUTHEN
THE COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS carol celebration on Saturday afternoon proved popular with punters of all ages.
BUCHAN
BASIN CREEK FALLS is not far from Buchan, in the Snowy River National Park and is proving popular this time of year. The 2600 metre (return) out-and-back walk follows a steep track down through heavenly-scented bush to the base of the Falls. Nearing the base of the majestic falls, you’ll find a grassy clearing to enjoy a picnic with views of the waterfall to the north and the mighty Snowy River to the south. Worth the trip.
DARGO
THE TRANSFER STATION will have extra opening hours after Christmas with the holiday season bringing extra visitors to the High Country. Days going forward will include Thursday, December 26 (10am – 3pm), Friday, December 27 (1-4pm), Saturday, December 28 (1-5pm), Sunday, December 29 (10am – 3pm), Monday, December 30 (10am – 3pm), Tuesday, December 31 (10am – 3pm), Wednesday, January 1 (closed), Thursday, January 2 (10am – 3pm), Friday, January 3 (1- 4pm), Saturday, January 4 (1- 5pm), Sunday, January 5 (10am – 3pm), Monday, January 6 (10am – 3pm) and Tuesday, January 7 (10am – 3pm). Regular hours resume from Wednesday, January 8.
FULHAM
On December 5 at approximately 7.23pm, Wellington Highway Patrol were conducting patrols along the Princes Highway at Fulham. When they received information to keep a look out for a grey coloured BMW sedan that had been involved in a collision in Traralgon. The vehicle was located and the driver, a 52-year-old Hawthorn woman, underwent a preliminary breath test that returned a positive result. The female was conveyed to the Sale Police Station where she underwent an evidentiary breath test that returned a positive result of more than five times the legal limit. As a result her licence was immediately suspended, her vehicle was impounded for 30 days and she will be summonsed to the Sale Magistrates Court at a later date for a number of traffic offences.
HEYFIELD
PEAK SUMMER SWIM Season kicks off this Friday with free pool parties at the Heyfield, Stratford, Aqua Energy (Sale), Maffra and Rosedale pools, including free entry, barbecue, pool games and a lucky door prize. The Wellington Shire Council will also offer free swim Friday’s at all six pools, all season long.
LAKES ENTRANCE
OPEN MIC AT the Slipway takes place this Friday night from 5-9pm.
LINDENOW
REAL CHRISTMAS TREES sold out quickly at the Community Hall car park last Saturday.
LUCKNOW
BAIRNSDALE STOCKFEEDS and Firewoods has new owners, with Chris and Annette Eaton, their children Laura and Colin and their partners Jack and Meg taking over from Adam and Carlee Harvey. The regular friendly faces of Trudy and Meg will still be in the popular shop going forward as the new owners endeavour to make the changeover as smooth as possible.
LOCH SPORT
THE TRANSFER STATION at Loch Sport will also get more use over the holiday season bringing extra visitors to the beautiful coastal region. Opening hours and days will include, Friday, December 27 (12 – 5pm), Saturday, December 28 (12 – 5pm), Sunday, December 29 (12 – 5pm), Monday, December 30 (12 – 4pm), Friday, January 3 (12- 5pm),
Saturday, January 4 (12 – 5pm), Sunday, January 5 (12 – 5pm), Monday, January 6 (12- 4pm), Wednesday, January 8 (12- 5pm), Friday, January 10 (12- 5pm), Saturday, January 11 (12 – 5pm), Sunday, January 12 (12 – 5pm), Monday, January 13 (12 – 4pm), Wednesday, January 15 (12- 5pm), Friday, January 16 (12 – 5pm), Saturday, January 18 (12 – 5pm), Sunday, January 19 (12 – 5pm), Monday, January 20 (12 – 4pm), Wednesday, January 22 (12-5pm), Friday, January 24 (12- 5pm), Saturday, January 25 (12 – 5pm), Sunday, January 26 (12 – 5pm), Monday, January 27 (12- 4pm) and Wednesday, January 29 (12 – 5pm). Regular hours resume from Thursday, January 30.
MAFFRA
THE MAFFRA XMAS twilight festival will be held tonight from 5.30pm. The event in Johnson Street will include live tunes, street eats, market stalls and late night shopping, animal attractions, rides, entertainers and much more.
GEORGE GRAY CENTRE will present a session of theatre tonight at the Maffra Memorial Hall. The magical adventure of Jack and the Beanstalk will be the order of the day, a fun and whimsical show perfect for all ages. This is a free event, but a gold coin donation is appreciated.
THE GIPPSLAND VEHICLE Collection’s last coffee, cars and bikes display in the main street was well attended and the cars sparkled in last Sunday’s sun.
CHRISTMAS LIGHT ARE up and running at the fire brigade. They are on display daily from 7.30-11.30pm.
AS GOOD AS the lights are at the fire brigade, they pale into insignificance in comparison to the region’s best display at 356 Three Chain Road, which are a must see.
NEWRY
It was a busy day at the Newry Golf Club last Sunday, with the AGM conducted and the inaugural staging of the three-person ambrose cross country event. The 2025 executive committee will consist of Alan Murnane (president), Andrew Holmes (vice president), Ray Macgregor (secretary) and Errol Blanch (treasurer). The inaugural cross country saw the course utilised in ways it has never seen prior. The event started in front of clubhouse, before heading across the footy oval to the fourth green. Then players headed 100 metres down the fifth in the trees to tee off, before trekking the way to the sixth green. Then it was to just over the gully on the seventh, across to the third green over the trees and so on. Winners of the event were Alf Jessup, Janice Marchesi and Karyn Boyle.
MARLO
ORBOST FOOTBALL NETBALL Club, in conjunction with the Riviera Triathlon Club, will hold its annual Marlo triathlon on January 4, 2025.
MARLO ANGLING Club’s Christmas party and presentation night was a great success, with Santa a huge hit all the kids and parents. The club thankful for the support of of the Marlo CFA.
ORBOST
EAST GIPPSLAND’S ICONIC cycling trails are proving popular this time of year. Locals constantly hear from riders that East Gippsland has some of the best trails in Australia. Highlights include trestle bridges, scenic routes and that they are perfect for all riders.
PAYNESVILLE
BOAT LICENCE AND First Aid/CPR courses are currently being offered by the Paynesville Neighbourhood House. Boat licence courses will be held on December 18. First aid courses will be staged on December 19.
THIS YEAR’S CHRISTMAS Family Fiesta will be held on December 21 at Gilsenan Reserve.
SALE
THE POPULAR SALE BAPTIST Church “Carols on the Lawn” will be held this Sunday from 6-8pm. Pre-carol activities will start from 4pm, which includes kids activities and food.
THE WELLINGTON SHIRE Council recently turned 30, a huge milestone in local government history. It was formed in 1994 from the amalgamation of five councils Alberton, Avon, Maffra, Rosedale, and the City of Sale-Wellington Shire has grown into a resilient and future-focused municipality. Over the years the council has embraced transformation, streamlining 177 committees, modernising governance, and fostering collaboration.
FRIDAY NIGHT’S SUMMER Season launch at the Gippsland Art Gallery was a celebration of art and community, with Wellington Shire Council Mayor, Scott Rossetti delivered the opening speech highlighting the gallery’s incredible role in tourism and culture in The Middle of Everywhere, with more than 54,000 visitors walking through the doors this year. The current exhibition features. Jan Learmonth’s Passage, The Art of Annemieke Mein, Alison Lester, Adventures, Elves and Gumnuts and Borun and Tuk. The Gippsland Art Gallery is open every day, except for Christmas day.
THE 27TH ANNUAL Keith Hamilton Toy Run will depart the Sale Clocktower Mall at 9am on Saturday, arriving back at the Maffra Shed at 11.30am for the mass ride to the Esso Community Festival for the presentation of toys at 1pm. Toys will be handed over to the Salvation Army and St Vinnies from Sale to the border.
STRATFORD
STAFF AND STUDENTS at St Patrick’s Primary School in Stratford will benefit from the construction of a new two-storey facility, including a multipurpose space, staff facilities, a lift, general learning areas, reception, offices and meeting rooms and a deck and break out spaces, which will improve student educational outcomes. The project will be delivered with the support of Australian Government funding of $3,600,000 through the Capital Grants Program.
TOONGABBIE
A BEAUTIFUL SUMMER’S night saw a great crowd out and about at the Toongabbie Twilight Christmas Market last Sunday night. People were out enjoying the evening sun and stocking up on some Christmas pressies, while enjoying the food and entertainment.
VALENCIA CREEK
THE MAFFRA AND District Car will hold its presentation night this Saturday at the Valencia Creek Hall, starting at 5pm, with the theme, PJ Party.
YARRAM
SHARING IDEAS AND making new friends is what the Yarram Craft Group is all about. The group gather every Thursday at the Yarram Library from 10-11.30am where they share inspiring ideas. In recent weeks they have been creating Christmas decorations, which they sold them at the recent Yarram Show. The money raised helps them buy new supplies for further craft days. As a new group for Yarram, the group is all about being inclusiveness. It was started by newcomer to the town, Trish Adamson, as a way of meeting new people and at the same time being able to share her extensive craft skills with others. When the craft session is over, and all the bits and pieces are packed away, this group head off to one of the local eateries for lunch together.
