June showcased the region’s generosity, welcomed rainfall and a love of reading that brings communities together.
The Bairnsdale Football Netball Club once again led the charge in fundraising for Motor Neurone Disease, with its annual FightMND event smashing all previous records on Saturday, June 7 at Bairnsdale City Oval.
More than 20 brave participants, including “Pope” Frank Desio and Kaitlyn Mathers, took the icy plunge to support the cause.
By the end of the event, the club had raised a remarkable $162,595, exceeding its initial target of $100,000 and surpassing Big Freeze Geelong by more than $50,000.
Club president Mick Mann praised the generosity of the East Gippsland community, saying, “Supporting Fight MND to beat the beast is such a worthy cause. We feel privileged as a club to be a vehicle for the community to come together.”
East Gippsland also welcomed much-needed rainfall in June, with some areas recording up to 45 millimetres during the King’s Birthday long weekend.
The cold snap brought snow to Mount Hotham, with total falls reaching 70mm, providing a perfect start to the snow season, particularly benefiting High Country areas such as drought-affected Benambra.
East Gippsland local Uncle Harry Stewart was inducted into the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll, recognising his role as a mentor, advocate and cultural leader.
Born in Orbost, Uncle Harry is a proud father, grandfather and Elder of the Gunaikurnai people and has been a part of many organisations and initiatives to help create
opportunities for work, culture and community in the
Bairnsdale area.
With the winter chill also came the fifth edition of the East Gippsland Winter Festival, which kicked off for a full month from Friday, June 20, to Sunday, July 20.
With locations ranging from Cape Conran, Orbost and Bemm River up to the High Country and down to the shores of Paynesville, locals and visitors explored the region while also experiencing a series of unique winter festival events.
June also highlighted the joy of reading with the 25th National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS).
On June 6, libraries, schools, early learning centres, homes and community hubs across Gippsland joined millions of Australians in reading The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel, illustrated by Danny Snell.
The annual event, designed to strengthen literacy and foster a love of storytelling, reminded communities of the importance of shared learning experiences.
Bairnsdale Library and five other Gippsland libraries hosted lively sessions, celebrating connection, imagination, and the simple joy of reading together.
From record-breaking community fundraising and welcomed weather relief to literacy celebrations and regional development, June demonstrated the resilience, generosity, and creativity of East Gippsland communities.
