A comprehensive report into the 2019-20 Victorian bushfires highlights the need for a major overhaul of current forest management strategies, according to the peak Australian association for forest scientists, professionals and growers. Jointly commissioned by the Victorian and Australian governments as parties to the Regional Forest Agreements (RFA), and conducted by an independent expert...

On Sunday afternoon, a small but dedicated group of individuals decorated the large pine Christmas tree on the corner of Nicholson and Tarra Street to get into the Christmas spirit. The tree has stood for more than 30 years after Tom and Jill Shanahan donated it to the current site. Initially the tree was decorated by Tom Shanahan along with the Orbost Garden Club and Orbost Lions Club members,...

Upgrade works are continuing at Cape Conran boat ramp. The project remains on track to be completed ahead of the Christmas holidays, at which point the ramp will be re-open to boaters. An extension to the jetty along-side the ramp is almost complete.  An access ladder and rubber fenders are yet to be installed and the existing structure will be joined to the new addition. The remaining...

When State Goverment shuts down Victoria’s native timber sector, thousands of regional families will be left without income. In Orbost alone, the move will destroy the incomes for 174 people – 114 directly employed in timber and 60 indirectly employed which equates to 36 per cent of Orbost’s full time jobs. An independent study commissioned by the Wellington and East Gippsland shire councils...

With rural communities all over Australia struggling to attract and retain GPs, Orbost Regional Health (ORH) wants to try something different. Despite a number of requirements and incentives designed to push more local and overseas doctors to rural areas, the shortage of doctors in rural communities persists. A 2020 study by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found that around 20...