Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News

Smart Specialisation | Regional Produce Trust Token Progress & moreWelcome to the weekly catch up! Updates on smart specialisation, regional produce trust token progress and more! By Portal Admin - 1st March 2020 - Back to News Making Progress on A Regional Produce Trust Token
From jamologists to providores, craft brewers to agri-tourism businesses, they came from far and wide across the region and beyond to collaborate on establishing a trust token to validate the authenticity of food and fibre produce from Gippsland.
Picking up on conversation that began in 2019, the development of a "mark" to validate Gippsland’s produce took a big step forward in a positive direction when a diverse group with representation from industry, community, government at all levels, educators and research gathered at Narkoojee Winery for a workshop and discussion forum in late January.
Click here to read more.
Opportunity to Sell Gippsland Produce at City Pop Up Locations
The City of Port Phillip has access to two venues in St Kilda and would like to fill them with produce and crafts from bushfire affected regions.
If you are interested in participating in this program, all you need to do is fill in the EOI in this link. Filling out this EOI does not commit you to participate. Someone from the Victorian Tourism Industry Council or City of Port Phillip will be in touch to discuss next steps. The EOI must be submitted online by 5pm this Sunday 9th of February.
A Collaborative Mix of Bottom-Up and Top Down
Smart Specialisation is playing a significant role in re-imagining the future for our valuable food & fibre industry in Gippsland.
In partnership with the Latrobe Valley Authority, Food & Fibre Gippsland is already engaging with community, industry, government and research as work continues on the development of a number of smart specialisation initiatives across the region.
Our Acting CEO, Dr Nicola Watts is passionate about this innovative, bottom-up way of thinking and doing – and in an article recently published in LinkedIn, she explains the collaborative power of working this way, and what it will mean for the prosperity of Gippsland.
Click here to read more.
Be Part of the Fight Food Waste Revolution
The Fight Food Waste CRC has a survey open for food industry business owners and managers, looking at where in the food industry food waste occurs, and what training could be done (or is being done) to combat the problem.
So if you are a chef, farmer, food retailer, hospitality, food manufacturer, food processing or work anywhere in the food industry supply chain, we'd appreciate your time to take part and to share the survey link amongst your food industry colleagues. You can win a $200 VISA gift voucher OR choose to have $200 donated in your name to your favourite food rescue charity of choice!
Here is the link to the survey.
Food & Fibre Gippsland is an Industry Partner of the Fight Food Waste CRC and proud to be part of the fight food waste revolution in Australia.
Vegetable Innovation Days will Assist Bushfire Recovery
East Gippsland, like many other regions in Australia, is still experiencing the ongoing impacts of bushfire and will be for some time. It would have been easy to cancel the Vegetable Innovation Days this year but the Organising Committee is doggedly determined to work on because staging the events in May will remind Australia and the World that East Gippsland is "open for business" and in need of your support and patronage.
Opportunities to sponsor the event must close soon.
Call Bonnie on 0407 683 938 or email info@egvid.com.au to get your copy of the sponsorship prospectus and make a booking. The award-winning Innovation Days were fabulous in 2017 but they’ll be bigger and better in 2020, and Food & Fibre Gippsland is proud to be supporting the EGVID team in the delivery of the event.
Hospitality Forum #2 - FEBRUARY 2020
Following on from our successful first hospitality forum in mid 2019, we are bringing everyone together again.
In partnership with TAFE Gippsland, this will be a great opportunity to workshop further ideas for the future as we focus on supporting the food services and hospitality sector to build capacity, drive stronger connectivity to the region's food producers, and address logistics challenges.
There'll also be a presentation on how restaurants and cafes can streamline all their local produce orders via an App, as well as an opportunity to reduce your food waste disposal costs with an innovative food waste dehydrator.
With the region's growing reputation in the food tourism market, the workshop content will be designed to complement initiatives from partner organisations like Destination Gippsland and East Gippsland Marketing.
Join us to be part of the collaborative force supporting greater prosperity in the hospitality sector. Participation is free, but registrations are essential!
Click here to reserve your seat.
More Diversity as the Member Clan Grows!
Our Food and Fibre Gippsland member clan continues to grow!
We are loving the diversity, innovation and enthusiasm that each member brings and this week, we welcome Jacican!
Based in Mirboo North, Gippsland, Jacican is all about regional Gippsland produce.
A qualified chef with a Bachelor of Business and Commerce degree, owner Operator Jaci Hicken is a woman of many talents and is passionate about Gippsland, its produce, farmers and people.
She loves helping others follow their food dreams and has a wealth of knowledge, resources and networks available to share. Her Food Studio and Teaching Kitchen host a number of scheduled and private cooking classes, as well as harvest lunches and food events all year round - you'll find a list of these and lots of other good stuff on her website.
We're looking forward to collaborating with Jaci - we've got a few ideas cooking together - more on that soon !
Awards Season Coming Up!
After a hugely successful inaugural program and gala event in 2019, we are busily working on the 2020 Food & Fibre Gippsland Excellence in Agribusiness Awards, and there'll be plenty of exciting news to tell in the coming weeks.
We're delighted to share with you that KPMG has returned as the sponsor of one of our Premier Awards, the Agribusiness of the Year, the winner of which receives a scholarship to attend a KPMG Agri-Food Tech Traction Tour. It's a 7-day international tour that offers an opportunity to access unique insight into emerging agribusiness technology from a leading agri-food location around the world, valued at $15,000.
Our 2019 winner, Flavorite, will be attending the 2020 tour to The Netherlands in June this year and we plan for them to share their tour highlights at the Awards Gala Dinner. There are still places available on the 2020 tour - to find out more, click here.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: support@gippsland.com

Related Articles- Latrobe Regional Gallery launches spring season with five exhibitions and live mural creation on 19 September 2026 In Morwell
Latrobe Regional Gallery will launch its Spring Season on Saturday, September 19, featuring five exhibitions and a live monumental mural by Japanese-Australian artist Twoone/Hiroyasu Tsuri during the Morwell event. - Latrobe Regional Gallery unveils spring exhibitions celebrating place, culture, community, history and the natural world
Latrobe Regional Gallery spring program features five exhibitions exploring Gippsland places, community, culture, history and nature, alongside Japanese traditions and contemporary artistic responses. - Regional ambulance response times deteriorate across Eastern Victoria under Labor, Melina Bath demands answers from Carroll government
Melina Bath has criticised deteriorating ambulance response times across eastern Victoria, saying every local government area is worse than 12 years ago and calling on Labor to restore timely emergency care. - Regional Development $750,000 investment expands employment and education support for 120 Latrobe Valley young people through 2028
The Victorian government is investing a further $750,000 in the Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley Program, supporting 120 young people with employment, education, training and independence opportunities through 2028. - Regional hospitals face staffing and funding pressures as new nurse-to-patient ratios take effect across Gippsland health services
East Gippsland Shire Council is installing two louvered roofs at Bairnsdale Library, improving shade, weather protection and outdoor activities, with works expected to take two weeks. - Regional hospitals face staffing and funding pressures as new nurse-to-patient ratios take effect across Gippsland health services
New nurse-to-patient ratios have passed Parliament, with Gippsland hospitals reclassified, but workforce shortages and funding pressures raise concerns over implementation and patient care. - Visa delays threaten regional harvest workforce as farmers and tourism employers demand urgent federal government action before summer
Farmers, tourism operators and regional employers warn visa delays could cause critical workforce shortages during summer harvest and tourism periods, urging the Federal government to restore timely visa processing. - Labor government criticised over regional childcare shortages, workforce gaps and red tape following parliamentary inquiry findings
A Victorian parliamentary inquiry found regional childcare providers face severe workforce shortages, vacant places, growing waitlists and excessive red tape, with Melina Bath calling for stronger accountability and practical solutions. - Labor announces four new regional early learning centres for 2029, expanding access to kindergarten and long daycare places
Labor will open four new Early Learning Victoria centres in Alexandra, Drouin, Hamilton and Seymour from 2029, providing more than 400 childcare and kindergarten places across regional Victoria. - Martin Cameron backs Regional road funding to fix dangerous, neglected Latrobe Valley roads and bridges
A proposed $288 million Country Roads and Bridges program would give Latrobe City $1.5 million annually for four years to repair and upgrade local roads and bridges. - Latrobe City Council will push six reforms addressing regional investment, housing, infrastructure, funding fairness and sustainability at MAV State Council
Latrobe City Council will take six reform proposals to the MAV State Council, targeting fairer funding, housing, planning, investment, infrastructure and support for regional communities. - Latrobe City recognised among Australia's most affordable regional centres for businesses, investors and skilled workers
Latrobe City welcomes research ranking Traralgon-Morwell third nationally for affordability, highlighting lower costs, skilled workers, infrastructure and investment opportunities across emerging industries. - Farmers across East Gippsland and Wellington are invited to shape regional agricultural priorities, advocacy, support and investment
Farmers across East Gippsland and Wellington are being asked to complete a survey helping three agencies update agricultural priorities, identify emerging challenges and strengthen regional advocacy, support and investment. - Darren Chester welcomes progress on critical Krauatungalung Walk boardwalk link at Lakes Entrance
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed progress on the Krauatungalung Walk’s next stage, with local firm DesignCo Builders awarded the contract to complete the critical boardwalk link at Lakes Entrance. - Darren Chester welcomes progress on critical Krauatungalung Walk boardwalk link at Lakes Entrance
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed progress on the Krauatungalung Walk’s next stage, with local firm DesignCo Builders awarded the contract to complete the critical boardwalk link at Lakes Entrance. - Latrobe Valley commuters will receive longer trains and more seats under a Nationals-Liberals plan to increase regional rail capacity and reduce crowding
The Nationals and Liberals plan to allocate five additional V’Locity sets to Traralgon and Bairnsdale, delivering 1,100 extra seats and reducing regional rail crowding. - International partners visit Gippsland to explore energy diversification and regional development opportunities firsthand together
One Gippsland hosted European partners for a five-day Gippsland visit, exploring energy diversification, regional development, workforce opportunities, infrastructure, agriculture and collaboration between Australian and European regions. - Darren Chester says Labor's national firearms buyback unfairly targets law-abiding regional firearm owners instead of addressing crime and security
Nationals representatives Gemma Rendell, Darren Chester and Bridget McKenzie joined East Gippsland firearm owners in Bairnsdale, opposing Labor's buyback and further restrictions while supporting lawful firearm use in regional communities. - Katie Noonan brings intimate 'Alone But All One' tour to Cowes for regional Australian audiences on 10 October 2026
Katie Noonan brings her intimate Alone But All One tour to Cowes’ Berninneit October 10, with interview opportunities September 23 and ticket giveaways available for audiences through Gippsland.com. - The Nationals warn visa delays threaten harvest workforce, food supply and regional farmers already facing mounting pressures
The Nationals warn visa delays are threatening critical harvest and agricultural workforces, urging Labor to provide certainty, faster approvals and migration settings supporting farmers, regional communities and food supply. - The Nationals unveil $40M plan offering health workers incentives to fill critical regional jobs across Gippsland and Victoria
The Nationals propose $40 million over four years for a Victorian Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme, offering eligible regional health workers up to $10,000 for relocation, accommodation and professional development. - Gippsland Water reports progress on major projects, renewable energy and community engagement commitments
Gippsland Water’s 2026 Community Report highlights progress on major infrastructure projects, achieving 100 per cent renewable energy, emergency support initiatives and increased community engagement through its Sounding Board. - Upgraded Traralgon Indoor Stadium welcomes more community sport and elite events with $6M investment
A $6 million upgrade to Traralgon Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium delivers improved facilities, creates local jobs, and positions the venue to attract more elite sporting events and community participation. - Nationals and Liberals unveil $40M plan to strengthen Gippsland's regional health workforce and services
The Nationals and Liberals propose a $40 million rural health workforce scheme, offering incentives up to $10,000 for relocation and accommodation to attract healthcare professionals to regional Victoria. - East Gippsland Council advocates National Sovereign Wealth Fund to deliver long-term regional benefits from resource revenues
East Gippsland Council will advocate for a national Sovereign Wealth Fund funded by resource revenues, supporting long-term regional investment, infrastructure, resilience and intergenerational benefits while reducing reliance on competitive grants. - Sailors Grave Brewing celebrates ten years, turning East Gippsland's produce and remote coast into a destination
Sailors Grave Brewing celebrates ten years, growing from an Orbost butter factory brewery into a celebrated Marlo destination showcasing East Gippsland’s produce, landscapes, creativity and community through distinctive beers and local food. - The Nationals slam Labor's secret public transport tax funding costly suburban rail loop as regional Victorians bear the burden
The Nationals accuse Victoria's Labor government of secretly taxing public transport users $8 billion to fund the Suburban Rail Loop, while regional communities receive disproportionately less infrastructure funding. - South Gippsland offers more than 40 free and low-cost activities during Victorian Seniors Festival month this October
South Gippsland will celebrate Victorian Seniors Festival month in October with more than 40 free and low-cost activities, including movement, sport, socialising, learning, arts, culture and creative events for seniors. - Gippsland commuters stranded after V/Line services end early, prompting calls for reliable regional rail services
Melina Bath criticised Gippsland rail disruptions after AFL fans were stranded following an early service cutoff, calling for reliable regional transport and promising 1,110 additional seats on Traralgon and Bairnsdale services. - Walhalla Museum launches virtual reality experience bringing gold mining history to life for visitors through new Regional Tourism upgrade project
Walhalla Museum has launched a $50,000-funded virtual reality experience showcasing its gold mining history, with multilingual and accessible visitor facilities supported through the Victorian government's Tiny Towns Fund. - Gippsland Line set for longer trains and more seats under Nationals-Liberals plan to tackle peak-period overcrowding
The Nationals and Liberals have pledged five additional VLocity sets, adding 1,110 seats on Gippsland services to reduce overcrowding and improve peak-period travel for passengers. - Morwell CBD double-storey car park set to deliver more than 120 additional free parking spaces soon
Preparation works have begun for Morwell’s new double-storey CBD car park, expected to start construction in October, adding more than 120 free spaces and completing Latrobe City’s Regional Car Parks Fund projects. - Gippsland Water invests $3.4M renewing ageing water and sewer infrastructure across regional communities
Gippsland Water invested $3.4 million renewing ageing water and sewer assets, replacing 3.9 kilometres of water mains and relining 6.2 kilometres of sewer mains across Gippsland. - The Nationals blame Labor government after 84 more jobs cut at Maryvale paper mill in Latrobe Valley
Nationals MP Martin Cameron blamed the Victorian Labor government after Opal announced 84 job cuts at Maryvale, arguing forestry policy and timber supply failures caused ongoing workforce losses. - Trafalgar BMX track upgraded for safer, faster and more enjoyable riding experiences for local riders
Trafalgar BMX track has reopened following a $26,000 upgrade, featuring reshaped jumps, straights and berms, improved drainage and enhanced safety. Council says the works will support active recreation and the growing local BMX community. - Martin Cameron seeks government answers over delays threatening Latrobe Magnesium's commercial project and regional investment
Martin Cameron is pressing the Victorian government over delays affecting Latrobe Magnesium’s commercial project, warning investment and hundreds of Latrobe Valley jobs could be lost. - Melina Bath accuses Labor of failing to curb illicit tobacco crime and escalating violence across regional Victoria
The Nationals have criticised Labor over ongoing illicit tobacco crime, citing alleged abductions, violence, intimidation and suspected illegal stores, while questioning Victoria’s tobacco licensing scheme effectiveness. - Baw Baw Shire endorses revised Community Engagement Policy to strengthen participation and build trust in council decisions
Baw Baw Shire councillors have unanimously endorsed a revised Community Engagement Policy, aiming to strengthen community participation, ensure meaningful feedback and build greater trust in Council’s decision-making processes. - Howitt Park pedestrian bridge replacement begins, delivering safer and more accessible Clifton Creek crossing by December
Work begins this month to replace Howitt Park's ageing timber pedestrian bridge with a $652,420 accessible steel and concrete crossing, improving safety and accessibility before expected completion in December. - Dental experts warn Labor plan could worsen lengthy public dental waits for vulnerable Gippslanders across regional Victoria
Dental experts warn Labor's proposed public dental expansion could worsen Gippsland wait times, with vulnerable residents already facing waits exceeding two years in some areas.
|
|