July was a month of wild contrasts for East Gippsland, beginning with traffic mayhem caused by rising floodwaters and ending with record-breaking participation under blue skies on the local waterways.
“Rain, rain go away” was the sentiment for many residents early in the month, as significant rainfall triggered minor flooding across Bairnsdale and surrounding areas.
According to Vic Emergency, the Mitchell River peaked at 6.48 metres around 1.15 am on July 9.
Bairnsdale recorded 57mm of rain over seven days, with the heaviest downpours occurring between Tuesday and Thursday.
The deluge resulted in the closure of multiple roads and the Lind Bridge, creating traffic chaos on the Friday.
The timing proved difficult for commuters, coinciding with the
end of the school term and the
working week.
The month also saw plenty of NAIDOC Week celebrations, running from Sunday, July 6 to Sunday, July 13.
This year’s National NAIDOC Week marks 50 years of the week-long celebrations, and the theme The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy, celebrates achievements of the past and the bright future ahead.
In Bairnsdale, Gippsland East Gippsland Aboriginal Cooperative (GEGAC) held its annual march down Main Street on Wednesday, July 9, with hundreds of families, friends and allies pounding the pavement.
Feedback suggested it was one
of the biggest NAIDOC march
gatherings in memory.
Thousands converged to Lakes Entrance for the Lakes Lights event on Saturday, July 12. It was a magical night of artist-made lantern sculptures, projection art, roving performers, sound installations and local food and beverage offerings.
Local artists worked tirelessly to design and build the stunning masterpieces, along with stilt walkers, mask makers and dancers.
Saturday, July 12, and Sunday, July 13, was dedicated to the thrill of gravity enduro racing, with the Mountain Biking East Gippsland Winter Enduro descending on the Mount Taylor Mountain Bike Park.
The Winter Enduro is a highlight of the local mountain biking
calendar, bringing riders and spectators together for an exciting weekend, and it certainly lived up to its reputation, with plenty of laughs and friendly competition.
The month concluded on a high note with the Twin Rivers Bream Classic on July 23 proving why it is East Gippsland’s premier fishing event.
More than 700 entrants took to
the water, enjoying a complete
turnaround in weather with perfect blue skies.
The event was a record-breaker, with an unprecedented 1600 bream logged via the TrackMyFish app.
The riverbanks were packed with locals and visitors, and it was particularly encouraging to see high participation numbers from young anglers.
Organisers thanked the community and sponsors for their support in making the event a vibrant success.
Aboriginal Cooperative (GEGAC) on Wednesday, July 9, making their way down Bairnsdale’s Main Street as part of NAIDOC Week celebrations.
