Former and current Victoria Police members enjoyed a meal and catch-up at the regional Victoria Police Legacy lunch at the Nicholson Hotel on Tuesday where a special presentation was made.Guests travelled from near and far, as they do every time the luncheon is conducted, including Shepparton, 180 kilometres north of Melbourne, and Bateman’ s Bay, more than a fiveand-a-half hour drive away up...

East Gippsland farmers have welcomed the East Gippsland Shire’s decision to offer rate relief to those affected by the drought.The Victorian Government’s $1.51 million Local Government Service Support Payment will be passed on to farmers in full, effective from December 31, 2019.Chris Nixon, who farms at Bete Bolong on the Snowy River, has welcomed the decision.Mr Nixon, who sits on the East...

This weekend the Bairnsdale Kart Club will host the 2019 Victorian State Cup (black plate) event.Drivers will be coming from all over the state and interstate to compete in the event, all wanting to take home the black plate for their respective class to display on their karts for the next 12 months.Racing is on all weekend and free for the public to come and watch, there will be a great display...

Many of the fires in the area north of Bairnsdale, Bruthen and Nowa Nowa, remain uncontained and the recent rain has done little to reduce the risk of bushfires.At a community meeting on Tuesday night in Bruthen, attendees were reminded that if they haven’t already done so, to prepare themselves for this fire season.“The rain was very welcome and helped provide water to households, however, with...

If you want to know anything about the Australian bass you’d do well to ask young Jack Batty and Zane Kilpatrick.“Bass start spawning at six years of age and they’re fully grown at about 25 years,” Swifts Creek year seven student, Jack Batty, said.“They can produce 500,000 eggs a year, and their average life span is about 40 years but they can live up to 45.“They also spawn in the saltwater...