BAIRNSDALE
THE BAIRNSDALE FARMERS and Makers Market is open this Saturday at 2 McEacharn Street, East Bairnsdale, directly beside the Howitt Park Bowling Club. The market is open from 8am and hosts a range of local grown produce and locally made goods. Products include fruit, vegetables, local lamb and venison, locally distilled gin and a range of homemade jams, nuts, cakes and a range of other goods.
EXCITING NEW CHANGES happening at Nagle College with Brooker Builders about to start building the new Vocational Major Learning Centre. The new centre will be perfect for students who are more hands-on and interested in practical, real-world skills. This new building will make the experience even more immersive and engaging for students.
A SAD DAY last Friday for staff one of Australia’s iconic brands. Staff at Rivers Bairnsdale were notified of the shock announcement that the company will be closing all its stores across Australia. At this time the Bairnsdale team have not been given a closure date.
AS PART OF Operation Amity, Bairnsdale Highway Patrol, Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance uniform members have been conducted RBT sites across the East Gippsland area to keep roads safe from substance affected drivers. East Gippsland was very busy area during holiday times with both holiday makers and drivers on our rural roads.
CRIMESTOPPERS VICTORIA and Victoria Police are calling on the community to share footage of high-risk driving. By sharing footage to Crime Stoppers, you can help keep roads safe.
AS STUDENTS RETURN to school this week, please remember to drive safely in school zones. Keep a close eye out for children on their way to and from school and follow the guidance of the school crossing supervisors, who are there to help keep everyone safe.
AN OPPORTUNITY EXISTS to unlock the future of red meat at Gippsland’s premier conference at Riviera Convention Centre, Bairnsdale on Tuesday, February 18 from 9am.
Whether you’re a meat industry veteran or just starting out, the 2025 Gippsland Red Meat Conference is where you need to be. You will walk away with actionable insights to tackle challenges head-on and set your farming enterprise up for future success, all with the support of East Gippsland Shire Council, proudly backing local farmers and the red meat industry.
Speakers include industry legends like Simon Quilty, Robert Herrmann and Nathan Scott.
THE EAST GIPPSLAND Sustainable Living and Makers Market will take place at the Bairnsdale racecourse on Easter Saturday (April 19) from 9am-3.30pm. It’s a celebration of lost and emerging trades, live music, artisan demonstrations and children’s entertainment.
BENDOC
GULF ROAD BRIDGE will be closed from February 3 to March 3, for urgent replacement works. Motorists are advised to Haydens Bog and Legge Roads for access west of the bridge. Signage will be in place to guide and advise of the detours and closure, three days
prior to the road closure. This project will replace the current timber bridge with a stronger steel and
concrete structure, ensuring safer travel in the future.
BRIAGOLONG
THE SALE POLOCROSSE grounds will be the venue for the Briagolong Team Penning’s “Team Penning and Ranch Sorting” event on February 22-23.
BRUTHEN
THE BRUTHEN AND District Neighbourhood House Colour Run will take place in the Bruthen Police Paddock from 11am on February 15. The family friendly free event will feature colour, markets, and cool tunes.
BUNDALAGUAH
THERE WERE TWO Wellington Shire recipients of Australia Day honours, Barrie Wrigglesworth (OAM for services to cricket) and Jo O’Doherty (Maffra), Australian Service Medal for service with Ambulance Victoria.
COWWARR
THE LATROBE VALLEY Triathlon Club will hold events at Cowwarr Weir on March 16 and 30. The events will include a fun distance event (200 metre swim, 10 kilometre ride and two kilometre run) and sprint/enduro event (200 metre swim, 10 kilometre ride and two kilometre run). The enduro event will see the course completed twice, with racing beginning at 8.45am.
GLENMAGGIE
THE GLENMAGGIE AND District Boat Club will host its 70th anniversary on Saturday, March 8, 2025. The event will take place at the clubrooms between 10am-4pm. There will be memorabilia, veteran and current race boats on display.
GOLDEN BEACH
IT WAS A huge long weekend at Golden Beach with the small community having plenty of entertainment for locals and visitors. Friday nights twilight bowls was again a hit, with Saturday seeing a big day at the community garden and the hosting of a popular market and cent night. Dinner at the newly opened Causeway Diner proved popular, while the golf club reported
good numbers throughout all three days as people flocked to the region for the Australia Day Fishing Competition.
HEYFIELD
THE HEYFIELD TIMBER Festival returns again on February 15-16. Saturday’s event features around the Gordon Street Reserve, the action will include woodchops, truck show, car and motorcycle show, Tim Coleman stunt show, dog high jump, helicopter rides, face painting, free petting zoo, carnival rides, country market, food trucks, heritage draft horses, vintage engine display, bar tent, live music, firework display, merchandise tent and family entertainment show. Sunday will see the annual street parade, with awards for truck of the show, best log truck, best working truck, best tipper truck, best fleet, best display, best vintage truck, best classic car and best motorbike.
A NUCLEAR POWER information session will be held at the Heyfield Community Resource Centre on February 11 from 6.30pm. Host, John Gwyther will lead an objective discussion about the hot topics surrounding nuclear energy generation, how it works, energy markets in the future and the risks associated with a nuclear future.
HOLLANDS LANDING
THERE IS CURRENTLY an algal bloom of synechococcus in Lake Wellington with precautionary warning signage now in place at Marlay Point, Hollands Landing, and Roseneath Caravan Park. Although Synechococcus algae is not usually considered harmful, testing is currently underway to determine its level of toxicity. For some people and pets it may cause irritation. If you come into contact with water and this causes irritation, rinse immediately with fresh water and seek medical advice if concerned. People and pets should avoid contact with the water if the water is discoloured and clumps or scums of algae are evident.
LAKES ENTRANCE
THE TEMPORARY MARVELOO is being removed to make way for a brand-new, permanent changing places facility. Changing places toilets are larger than standard accessible toilets and provide people with disability and high support needs access to suitable, safe and private bathroom facilities. Changing places enable many people with high support needs to enjoy day-to-day activities that many of us take for granted, such as going to work, playing in the park, or attending cultural, sporting, or social and family events. Construction kicks off in February and wraps up in mid-2025. During construction, the standard accessible toilets will remain available at the Lakes Entrance foreshore, it is only the changing places facility that won’t be available.
GIPPSLAND LAKES COMPLETE Health is offering an upcoming workshop for parents of trans and gender diverse Individuals. Parents and guardians of trans or gender-diverse individuals are invited to an insightful workshop, designed to provide guidance and support. The session will delve into understanding common parental experiences, exploring feelings of fear, grief, and doubt, and learn why these emotions are common. It will assist with effective ways to help your trans or gender-diverse family member thrive and gain strategies to manage in today’s cultural and political environment, and understand the significant influence parents have. It will be facilitated by Ari Heart, a therapist, educator, parent, and trans non-binary individual with extensive experience supporting trans people and their families. The session will be on February 6, 2025, from 2.30-4:30pm via zoom.
LONGFORD
ON JANUARY 26, Wellington Highway Patrol conducted patrols within the Longford area when a motorbike was detected going 157km/h in a 100km/h zone on Longford – Loch Sport Road. The motor bike was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $950. The rider’s licence was immediately suspended for 12 months and will be summonsed to attend court regarding excessive speed.
ORBOST
AN INTENSIVE SWIM PROGRAM will be hosted by the Orbost Pool from February 10-14 and 17-21. The 30-minute lessons will be held daily, with enrolments closing on January 31.
MEERLIEU
The Meerlieu community garden has an event on February 2 from 9am-12pm. It’s your chance to be part of the brand-new community garden for a morning of connection and learning. You will meet and connect with others in the community, whilst learning tips on growing fresh produce.
METUNG
THE METUNG HOT Springs and Country Club has reopened after closing last Tuesday to implement a new booking system and conduct staff training.
NOWA NOWA
POLICE ARE SEEKING information on recent thefts at the Nowa Nowa Community Centre. Twice in the past month, an individual has forced open a locked honesty box, stealing cash meant for the Friends of the Community Gardens.
PAYNESVILLE
PAYNESVILLE COAST GUARD are proud to announce that Mark Alford was presented with his five-year long service award at last week’s meeting by Flotilla Commander, Michael Doyle.
RAYMOND ISLAND
A CAR SHOW will be held on March 1 from 2.30pm, raising money for Variety the children’s charity.
SALE
THE SALE MUSIC Festival is on again next year at a different venue, moving to the adjacent to the boat ramp at the Port of Sale. The free festival will be held during the Labour Day long weekend on Sunday, March 9, from 11am to 7pm.
AS PART OF OPERATION Amity, Wellington ED6 / PSA Management, Wellington Highway Patrol, Wellington CIU and Sale Uniform members joined forces on Monday morning to man the RBT line outbound from Sale towards Traralgon and Melbourne. The Princes Highway Sale is access for many drivers passing through town returning from several different holiday destinations. Many of the road users were heading back home as we farewell the 2025 Australia Day Long Weekend.
ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 25 at approximately 11.50pm, Sale Police observed a Red Holden Captiva with Queensland plates travelling at a slow and cautious rate of speed along Cunninghame Street. Police intercepted the vehicle and conducted a Preliminary Breath Test of the driver who returned a positive result. The driver was a holder of an International drivers licence as he is from Vanuatu and had just arrived in Australia last week. The driver was conveyed to Sale Police station and recorded a reading of almost three times over the legal limit on the evidentiary breath test. The vehicle was impounded for a period of 30 days at a cost of $950 and the driver will be summonsed to attend court at a later date.
SUNDAY’S AUSTRALIA DAY Ceremony in Victoria Park welcomed 40 new citizens to the Wellington Shire. They come from 17 countries around the world including Pakistan, Russia, India, UK, Kuwait, Netherlands, NZ, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, Switzerland, USA, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Italy, and Zimbabwe. Mayor Scott Rossetti officiated the Citizenship Ceremony with the assistance of the Hon Darren Chester MP Federal Member for Gippsland. There were smiles, tears, and laughter, kids’ activities and music from the Sale City Band and Briagolong Bush Band.
TOMMY HARRINGTON from Guthridge Primary School recently received a Junior Young Leader Award from Rotarian Ted Pickering.
VALENCIA CREEK
CELEBRATED SINGER SONGWRITER Sara Storer and her brother Greg will be performing a special concert at the Valencia Hall on Friday, February 21, from 8pm.