BAIRNSDALE
THE ANNUAL GENERAL meeting of the Bairnsdale Show will be held on Wednesday, March 5, from 6pm at the Bairnsdale racecourse. It’s an opportunity to become a volunteer and be part of one of the biggest events in town.
THERE WAS PLENTY of exceitment last Sunday at the Riviera Christian Church with former pastor Phil McCourt speaking in the morning service. Phil and Tracey McCourt, the senior pastors at Encounter City Church in Western Australia, are passionate and anointed communicators who believe in releasing people into their God-given purpose and releasing their gifts. They were the senior pastors at Riviera Christian Church for 15 years, and are much loved in the church and had a significant impact on this region.
A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY to improve your swimming skills currently exists, whether you are a beginner or looking to perfect your technique. Adult swimming lessons for all abilities are currently running at the Bairnsdale Aquatic Recreation Centre on Tuesday evenings from 5.15-6pm. Austswim qualified instructors will guide you through each stroke, offering personalised tips to help you improve, no matter your skill level.
FEDERAL MEMBER OF Parliament Darren Chester met with representatives from One Gippsland, a peak regional advocacy body for our diverse region, in the nation’s capital last week. One Gippsland brings together all six Gippsland councils, industry leaders, and education providers, including Food and Fibre Gippsland, TAFE Gippsland, Destination Gippsland, Federation University, and Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation. The body’s shared aim is to support collaboration between government, business and community while collectively championing the interests of Gippsland and its people. Chester’s conversation with the group centred on the One Gippsland 2025-26 Federal Pre-Budget Submission, which identifies critical priority areas for investment to best support community growth across the diverse Gippsland region. These priority areas include freight, tourism, digital connectivity, energy, skills and education and disaster resilience.
THE ROTARY CLUB of Mitchell River is gearing up for its annual Rotary Centenary House Breakfast, to be held this year on Wednesday, April 9 (7-10am), at St Mary’s Catholic Church Parish Centre, Bairnsdale. Rotary Centenary House provides vital accommodation for those in need, with 60 per cent of residents coming from East Gippsland. This event not only raises crucial funds but also increases awareness of the essential service “The House” provides to the community.
BAIRNSDALE PRODUCTION LINE Theatre Company is seeking a guitarist or mandolin player for its upcoming production, Come From Away.
FREE CAR WASH for Seniors has started up again in 2025, every Friday between 8.30-10.30am at 1st Class Restorations directly behind Bunnings. In their commitment to bringing positivity and goodwill to our community, they are pleased to offer a complimentary car wash for elderly individuals. Understanding that maintaining a clean car can be a challenge, they want to lend a helping hand.
BUNDALAGUAH
LOCAL COUNCILLOR CARMEL Ripper opened last week’s Country Women’s Association (CWA) North Gippsland Group annual general meeting at the Bundy Hall, warmly hosted by the Sale Branch. The CWA is an integral part of the shire, bringing people together through friendship, advocacy and community service. Their dedication makes a real difference, supporting local families and strengthening the region.
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.
GOON NURE
THE BAIRNSDALE AND District Model Aero Club will host its Bairnsdale Action All Scale Rally on March 8-9. The event will see pilot’s choice awards presented for both civilian and military aircraft.
HEYFIELD
THE APEX PARK will host an outdoor movie night on Friday, March 7, from 7.45pm, a chance to bring a picnic, rug and chair, and settle in for a fantastic family movie under the stars, with Jumanji showing. There will be face painting by Marshall Arts Face Painting before the movie.
LOCAL POLICE SERGEANT Scott Wilkinson racked up 35 years on the job last week.
KILMANY
SEVERAL PASSENGERS WERE injured in a crash between a truck and a V/Line passenger train last week. Police say the truck was towing an excavator when it and the train collided at 10.10am on Tuesday. The train contained more than 100 passengers, who thankfully only suffered minor injuries.
LAKES ENTRANCE
THERE ARE PRESENTLY opportunities to join the Gippsland Lakes Coordinating Committee, with expressions of interest currently sought for passionate community members to provide advice to the Minister for Water on environmental issues and priorities within the Gippsland Lakes and its catchment.
GIPPSLAND JERSEY HAS taken on the Europa Cheese factory, a 54-year-old cheese business in Pakenham. This is a big step for the team at Gippsland Jersey, who are self-confessed
newbies when it comes to cheesemaking. But luckily John Interlandi is passing on his traditional recipes and wisdom. The Interlandi family have built something incredible over the years with Gippsland Jersey honoured to continue that legacy, using Australia’s best Jersey milk to craft exceptional cheeses that stay true to the recipes and values.
LINDENOW
EAST GIPPSLAND SHIRE Council has identified the need to construct a new pavilion at the Lindenow Recreation Reserve, incorporating female friendly changerooms, umpire changerooms, public toilets and first aid facilities. A new pavilion has been designed to Netball Victoria and AFL Guidelines, and if successful in obtaining funding, the Lindenow Recreation Reserve will be upgraded to female-friendly standards. The project will provide a modern, fit-for-purpose facility and most importantly fully female friendly changeroom facilities. Currently there are no fit-for-purpose facilities for local and visiting teams. The existing toilet block that is currently used as a changing room for netballers will be demolished to allow for the new construction. The new facility will be available to all sporting teams that use the recreation reserve, and community usage throughout the year.
LUCKNOW
IT’S BLACK AND WHITE Ball time, with the Lucknow Football Netball Club and Lucknow Cricket Club hosting the gala event at the football clubrooms on March 8 from 7pm.
MAFFRA
THERE’S PLENTY HAPPENING at the Gippsland Vehicle Collection (GVC), with a visit early last week from the Leongatha Men’s Shed a chance to show off everything great about the shed. Unfortunately all the news isn’t great with the museum reaching out to it’s followers/supporters to ask for your help to ensure the long-term survival of GVC and all it brings to the community. The building and its roof are now more than 80 years old with the roof being constructed using asbestos sheets which are unfortunately slowly deteriorating. The building and the surrounding areas have been tested and the advice is it is quite safe at the moment, but it needs to be replaced sooner rather than later. This has become more urgent given the increasing severity of weather events, which is likely that at some point to the roof being compromised. If that were to happen, the museum would close immediately and Maffra, the Gippsland region and the car world would lose all that the Gippsland Vehicle Collection brings including the facilitation of Club Plates, social and economic benefits and of course the unique displays of classic vehicles. It has been decided to try and raise the necessary funds with a view to undertaking the replacement between February and June 2026. The project will cost over one million dollars based on today’s quotations, but this is likely to increase by the time February 2026 comes around. Grants are being applied for and some funds have been set aside, but donations from members and the community are being sort. Donations over $2.00 are tax deductible and donations over $500 will be recognised once the project has been completed.
MALLACOOTA
WHILE THE SCHOOL holidays were in progress, local primary and secondary school students certainly haven’t been laying dormant. They have been honing their entrepreneurial skills over the summer months, trading lip balms, calendars, hair accessories, tea towels, tote bags and insect bite balm at the local community market. Around a third of all school students have now participated in the Social Enterprise Schools program, established in 2023 by The Wilderness Collective, as a means of encouraging community development and economic sustainability in the remote town.
THE MALLACOOTA AIRPORT has now re-opened the sealed runway for service. The unsealed runway remains closed until further notice.
MEERLIEU
The local cricket club held a disco for its young members last week, with DJ Sparkles controlling the beat.
NOWA NOWA
THE LOCAL PONY club rooms have a fresh new look with the completion of recladding works, thanks to an $18,000 Tiny Towns Fund grant supported by the East Gippsland Shire Council. The old wooden walls, damaged by termites and rot, have been replaced with durable colorbond steel, ensuring the building stands strong for years to come. The club is a hub for equestrian enthusiasts across East Gippsland, and are excited to see these upgrades take place creating a safer and more welcoming space for the club and community.
NUNGURNER
WHAT A GREAT experience for the children from the local primary school recently, not only to be a part of an ABC Backroads episode with the amazing Marine Mammal Foundation but also the opportunity to experience the making of a television program. Last week the grade five and six students made crepes for the whole school. They followed the recipe and instructions in French, getting a délicieuse result.
ORBOST
THE ORBOST ARTS CENTRE will host a live comedy show with renowned Aussie comedian Austen Tayshus on Saturday from 8pm.
RAYMOND ISLAND
A CAR SHOW will be held on March 1 from 2.30pm, raising money for Variety the children’s charity.
ALTHOUGH KOALAS LOOK relaxed, they are not slow like sloths, they are just super chilled. They rest a lot because their diet provides low nutrient values, but don’t be fooled, they can go fast. A koala can run up to 32 kilometres per hour, and leap up trees in two metre bounds. When they need to be, they can be fast, agile and powerful animals.
SALE
THE SALE MUSIC Festival is on again at a new 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.
BABY’S DAY OUT is back for Park’s Week (March 1-9). It’s a great opportunity to bring your little ones (0-4 years) to Brennan Park on Monday March 3, from 10am-1pm for a day of fun. There will be a jumping castle, face painting and petting zoo, as well as a trackless train with a station master, bubbles and magic with Aurora the Mushroom Fairy, with a free sausage sizzle by Sale Lions Club. Representatives from the Wellington Shire Council, Uniting Care, Maternal Health, NDIS, Police and the Toy Library will be there to chat, support and participate in activities.
THERE’S BEEN RECORD breaking visitors at the Port of Sale in January, with nearly 20,000 visitors passing through its doors. Gippsland Art Gallery had its biggest January ever, with 3874 visitors. Sale Library’s Itty Bitty Book Sale re-homed 5000 books. The free summer school holiday program was a hit with Blinky Bill, Aussie Animals crafts, and a wildlife show. With 241,000 visitors in 2024, this community spaces is booming.
THE 2025 YOUTH Council was officially sworn in at the Port of Sale last week, with proud parents, friends and community members there to celebrate. Deputy mayor Cindy Madeley was on hand to present certificates and recognise the commitment of these young leaders. The mayor Scott Rosetti spoke about strong bonds between councillors and Youth Council, acknowledging its role since 2008 in giving young people a platform to lead, learn, and shape their community while fostering connection, pride, and positive change, just like councillors do.
SARSFIELD
THE NEXT MEETING of the Sarsfield Brew Club will be this Friday night. On the night the group will be brewing two unique creations – a pale ale from a wort kit and a refreshing raspberry and lime cider from an extract kit. The group’s expert brewers, Craig and Wayne, will be on hand to answer all your brewing questions and guide everyone through each step of the process. The Sarsfield Brew Club is for more than just beer enthusiast, so whether you’re interested in brewing, fermenting, or simply curious about the craft, everyone is welcome to join. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with others who share your passion.
STRATFORD
COURT IN THE Act Theatre will be performing at the Courthouse from Thursday, February 27 to Sunday, March 2. Will the resident Potato Race champion take the title for yet another year? Nikki Armstrong, mother of four rambunctious boys, finally has some decent competition with every female crossfitter between Bowral, Boggabri and Brisbane competing in the racing event of the year (well, for Appleton at least).
VALENCIA CREEK
CELEBRATED SINGER SONGWRITER Sara Storer and her brother Greg will be performing a special concert at the Valencia Hall on Friday night, from 8pm.
