DAMO OUT AND ABOUT

BAIRNSDALE

THE BAIRNSDALE FARMERS and Makers Market is open for business 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.

BAIRNSDALE POLICE ARE appealing for witnesses for an incident that took place on Friday, August 23 at approximately 12.30pm at the Bairnsdale Bridge Club and Bairnsdale Train Station. Police are looking for people that saw an incident that caused damage appealing to the Bairnsdale Bridge Club. Members of the club reported hearing screaming and a loud bang around 12.30pm on the day, with investigators releasing an image of a man who they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries. The man is described as Caucasian, about 176cm tall, with red hair and beard, wearing all black clothing and a black baseball cap. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

EAST GIPPSLAND POLICE and Aboriginal Community Protocols Against Family Violence (PACPAFV) was launched at Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) on Monday, November 25. The event was attended by approximately 75 community members with representation form multiple communities, agencies and organisations all committed to improving outcomes in the Aboriginal Community. PACPAFV is a Partnership Agreement between Victoria Police, Dhelk Dja Partnership Forum and Aboriginal Justice Forum to improve safety and police responses to violence within Aboriginal communities. The launch related to the production of the PACPAFV booklet which was recently published and disseminated within the community. The PACPAFV booklet is designed to assist police, the aboriginal community and partner organisations when dealing with incidents of Family Violence within the Aboriginal community.

PLEASE BE AWARE that Buruli ulcer is currently spreading. Also sometimes known as the Bairnsdale ulcer, Buruli ulcer is a bacterial skin infection. Lesions typically present as a slowly enlarging painless lump or wound which can initially be mistaken for an insect bite. Case numbers remain high, similar to past years. The disease is spreading geographically across Victoria and is no longer restricted to specific coastal locations including the East Gippsland coast. Prevention measures include avoiding mosquito bites, reducing mosquito breeding sites, covering cuts and abrasions when outdoors and washing any soil or water off your skin following outdoor activities.

THE GIPPSLAND GRAMMAR 2024 School Sport Victoria Academic and Sporting Achievement Medals were this year presented to two amazing year six students, Rhys Rodriguez from Bairnsdale Campus and Lylah Hiskins, St Anne’s Campus. The SSV medal recognises students who display outstanding sporting achievements while also performing well in the classroom. Rodriguez excelled in all sports while attending Gippsland Grammar, receiving numerous age champion medals at the school house carnivals and represented the school at many sporting events while demonstrating excellent teamwork and sportsmanship. He is a standout on the soccer field and this year made it all the way at the State Athletics Championships in discus. Hiskins showed determination to keep working hard academically while making a significant impact through sport. Recently she was successful in the SSV Regionals 100 and 200 metres, both in Gippsland record both times. She placed second in the 100 at state level and third in the 200.

THE WIZARD OF OZ , written by local playwright, Tiffany Vatcher is coming to the Bairnsdale Botanical gardens on January 10-12 and 17-19, with a 3pm start. A chance to get caught up in the colourful journey down the Yellow Brick Road. Travel with Dorothy and her friends as she tries to find her way home in a fantastic, family friendly school holiday adventure in Oz.

BRIAGOLONG

BRIAGOLONG ART Gallery’s final exhibition for the year is open and will be on display until February 16. On exhibition is the annual members show Senses of Summer; the sights, sounds, smells, particular to the season, has been transformed into visual vignettes by the artists.

BRUTHEN

ARTISTS HAVE BEEN locked in for the 2025 Blues in Bruthen Festival to be run from February 14-16. The event will feature Smokestack Rhino, Bill Barbour, The Holding Cell, Paul Buchanan’s Blues Xpress, Maskell, Love Band, Jarrad Shaw, Rhiannon Simpson, Geoff Achison and Tom Waters, Brush with Blues Tour, The Bitter End, Little G, Olivia Lay and Shotgun Sam and his World Famous Blues Band.

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE will be closed until January 18.

EAGLE POINT

THE EAGLE POINT Foreshore Hub cafe has launched their new summer menu, with new fresh options like smoothies, salads and wraps, all made fresh daily. They have kept a lot of your favourites like our toasted focaccias, pies and sausage rolls, with loyalty cards available and your 10th coffee is free. They also have fresh bread, milk, butter, the local newspaper and even mozzie spray.

EAST GIPPSLAND

PLENTY OF LIVE entertainment on New Years Eve in the state’s east, with Olivia Lay / Add Lib / Lincoln and Marcus (Lakes Entrance foreshore), Justin Manwaring (Buchan Caves Hotel), Damon Smith (Floating Tin Shed, Paynesville), Gurry Flynn / Cooper Lower (Marlo Hotel), Ryan and Jamie (Club Hotel, Orbost) and The Badgers (Kalimna Hotel) all playing up a storm.

LAKES ENTRANCE

PLENTY OF GOOD size prawns are being gathered between Metung and Lakes Entrance.

ALACATI MIX GRILL is the new authentic Turkish eatery in town keen to get amongst the tourist trade.

MAFFRA

THE MAFFRA GOLF Club’s fence on the men’s sixth tee is now complete, the old one, damaged in a big storm will be removed. The club is grateful for the support of the Wellington Shire Council who provided a $2,500 “Quick Response Grant” to help finance the project.

METUNG

THE METUNG SUMMER Movie Truck is sure to an attraction for both tourists and locals. It will operate from January 6-20 on the Metung Village Green and will show free screenings of popular and classic movies, the cricket, tennis, documentaries and so much more. The full program is currently being finalised.

PRAWN NIGHTS ARE popular at the Metung Yacht Club this time of year. Sessions will be held on January 3-4 from 6pm.

NOWA NOWA

THE NOWA NOWA Hall will host some outstanding live music in the coming weeks. Including Chloe Matharu, Andrea Kirwin and Claire Evelyn (January 5), Solar Session (January 11), FRITZ (January 15), Tom Harrington and Jack Raymond (January 17) and Kim Churchill (February 7).

THE FIRST NOWA Nowa Creators market for the year will be held on January 18 from 9am at the Nowa Nowa Recreation Reserve.

NICHOLSON

THE TWIN RIVERS New Years Eve fireworks are back, and they’re set to be bigger than ever, from 9.30pm along the Nicholson River for a spectacular show.

ORBOST

THE ORBOST POOL will be hosting a free dive-in movie night on Saturday, January 25 from 4.30pm. It will feature a family friendly screening of Shark Tale (PG) and from 6.45pm, The Meg (M). A free sausage sizzle will be provided on the night. Limited spaces are available please book.

PAYNESVILLE

THE PAYNESVILLE COAST Guard were kept busy pre-Christmas, having to use FLIR, radar and GPS tracking to help locate one broken-down vessel. They had been out prawning, making it hard for the Coast Guard in complete darkness and with a sea mist through the channels. But Coast Guard’s ongoing training paid off and with some help from a portable starter pack, the prawners were headed home. Always ring 000 when you need help, anytime, day or night.

RAYMOND ISLAND

WELLSFORD HERITAGE FARM conducted horse drawn carriage rides last Friday on the island. They proved popular with the punters and the koalas.

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.

BETWEEN AUGUST and November, over 375 Wellington Shire Council residents took part in free community preparedness training sessions, boosting resilience and connectedness across the Shire. Thanks to funding from the Australian Government’s Preparing Australian Communities, Local Stream Grant and the Victorian Government’s 2022-23 Council Flood Support Fund, these workshops were held at local community facilities, supporting participation and community spirit. Residents gained essential skills in first aid, mental health first aid, insurance preparedness, safe food handling and chainsaw safe operations and maintenance.

SALE AMATEUR Basketball Association recently finalised its 2024-2025 executive committee. Josh Stubbe (president), will be assisted by Erin Sellars (vice president), Queylyn Turnbull (secretary) and Julie Hutchins (treasurer).

SARSFIELD

THE SARSFIELD RECREATION Reserve and Community will host its biggest event on January 11 from 4-8pm. The twilight market and five year anniversary event will feature market stalls, local produce, live music, food trucks and roving children’s entertainment.

THE AMAZING IN Common Circus is coming to Sarsfield on Tuesday January 21, with shows from 4pm and 7.30pm.

SEASPRAY

THE BOXING DAY yabby races were again popular at the Seaspray Surf Lifesaving Club, which has reported excellent patronage over the last week.

THE SEASPRAY BEER is the newest addition to the shelves at the Seaspray General Store. Brewed in Gippsland and sold exclusively at the Store, this beer has a limited first drop so get in quick. it’s perfect for a belated Christmas gift or to enjoy during happy hour in your van/tent/holiday house or for anyone who might simply be hankering for a taste of Seaspray.

STOCKDALE

AT APPROXIMATELY 1.30pm last Saturday, the Bairnsdale Fire Brigade tanker was dispatched to a grass fire in Stockdale, joining multiple brigades, aircraft, and DEECA crews. Thankfully due to the excellent work of all involved, the fire was contained quickly and effectively.

STRATFORD

THE WELLINGTON SHIRE Council remind everyone that is getting ready for summer, that if your pool or spa holds more than 30 centimetres of water, it must have a compliant safety barrier and be registered with the council. This applies to permanent, above-ground and indoor pools, hot tubs, bathing or wading pools, and some relocatable pools. It excludes small inflatable pools without multiple parts or assembly.

THE STRATFORD COMMUNITY Association Selection Panel had a difficult time deciding on the winner of our the first ever Stratford Best Christmas Letterbox Competition. After plenty of deliberation the winner was 80 McMillan Street, an incredible effort by Georgia Boyle.

TINAMBA

The local hotel is currently operating a shuttle bus which seats up to 11 patrons, it’s proving popular with nearby campers at Lake Glenmaggie.

WELLINGTON

A VARIETY OF live gigs in the Wellington Shire Council on the final evening of the year, including Da Funk / Jungle Jim Smith / Charlie Bedford (Live at the Bundy, Bundalaguah), Three Chain Road (Dargo Hotel), Matt and Peter Fry (Woodside Beach Hotel), Ten Gallon Rush (Dargo River Inn), The Afterparty (Railway Hotel Heyfield) and Dog Country (Licola General Store and Caravan Park).