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Great Southern Rail Trail opens March 2023 and more from South Gippsland Shire Council

South Gippsland Shire Council updates with their projects, community events and so much more.

By news@gippsland - 25th March 2023 - Back to News

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Come along and help us celebrate the opening of the Great Southern Rail Trail (Nyora to Leongatha section) on Saturday 1 April

Great Southern Rail Trail

On Saturday 1 April, the Great Southern Rail Trail (Nyora to Leongatha section) will be officially opened (and no, that's not an April Fools joke). To celebrate, the council and a number of local community groups are coming together to provide a fun-filled day of activities. The official opening will be held in Loch at 11.00am but events will also be held on the trail in Nyora, Jeetho, Bena, Korumburra, Ruby and Leongatha.

Two 24-seat shuttle buses will be running between Leongatha and Nyora throughout the day with additional stops in Korumburra, Bena and Loch. Shuttle buses are free with bookings available for stops in Leongatha and Nyora only. The rest will be on a first come, first served basis. Those cycling the whole way can pick up a Great Southern Rail Trail 'passport' that can be stamped at each stop along the way.

Complete the passport and redeem it in Leongatha for a small prize. Community groups will be hosting bbqs, slices, historical displays and there will even be a clue finding activity. To find out more, please visit Great Southern Rail Trail Official Opening page.

Senator The Hon Murray Watt, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Minister for Emergency Management

Advocacy for South Gippsland

Last Thursday and Friday, Mayor Nathan Hersey, Deputy Mayor Clare Williams, CEO Kerryn Ellis and Customer Communication & Advocacy Manager Nina Barry-Macaulay attended ten meetings with federal MPs and policy advisors to advocate for South Gippsland.

The meetings provided a valuable opportunity to discuss issues that are important for our region including agriculture, transport, mental health and renewable energy. We look forward to developing these relationships which will help ensure we are considered in future federal decision-making.

Over 200 job seekers met 36 local employers and found 250+ vacancies at South Gippsland Jobs Expo

Jobs Expo success

The South Gippsland Jobs Expo was a success, attracting over 200 job seekers and generating many connections with prospective employers. The expo, which was held in Memorial Hall in Leongatha, was one of a number of job events to be held throughout the state.

Council hosted the event in conjunction with Workforce Australia, and the jobs expo was a chance for job seekers to meet with employers to speak about current job opportunities, apprenticeships and career options in South Gippsland and the surrounding region. Thirty-six local employers attended the expo, each with multiple job vacancies. In addition, there were over 250 vacancies listed on a jobs board displayed on site.

Join the 'Governance 101 Training' on free admission on 30 Mar 2023

Good governance workshop

Want to learn about the basics of good governance in your committee role? Run by Michelle Harris from GippSport, this session will run through the basics of good governance. It is designed for anyone involved with an Incorporated Association Committee or anyone thinking that they may like to volunteer in a committee role. This session is free and will be held online on Thursday 30 March. To book, visit Governance 101 Training page.

Small Business Bus

Leongatha

This bus offers businesses free 45-minutes tailored sessions with the Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS). The qualified and professional team from RFCS can provide a range of planning, wellbeing and skills training and support services to help businesses plan for a better future. Access support to help you make informed financial and business decisions in your confidential 1:1 session. The small business bus will be in Leongatha (Woolworth's car park) on Wednesday 29 March from 10.00am to 4.00pm. To book, visit Small Business Bus - Leongatha page.

Korumburra

This bus gives business owners an opportunity to connect with experienced mental health professionals for on-the-spot support and advice. Our friendly mental health consultants work with you to explore how our service can best support your business. The Small Business Bus will be in Korumburra (in the car park adjacent to Kelly's Bakery) on Thursday 30 March from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Bookings not required. To find out more, visit Small Business Bus - Korumburra page.

Free Youth Mental Health First Aid courses by Live4Life, South Gippsland and Bass Coast Shire Councils from March to October

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Live4Life, South Gippsland, and Bass Coast Shire Councils are running FREE Youth Mental Health First Aid courses from March to October. This course teaches adults about adolescent development and the signs and symptoms of common and disabling mental health problems in young people, including crisis situations.

Topics covered include depression, anxiety, panic attacks, eating disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviours. You will learn how and where to get help when a young person is developing a mental illness, what help research has shown to be effective and how to provide first aid in crisis situations. To find out more and to book, visit the Bass Coast South Gippsland Live4Life Youth MHFA Courses 2023 page.

Not-for-Profit Insurance Week is designed to raise awareness of the importance of insurance and risk management in Australia's $100 billion not-for-profit sector

Not-for-profit week

A number of free webinars will be held from 27 to 31 March as part of not-for-profit week education. The webinars cover issues that are currently facing our not-for-profit sector and are being hosted by Our Community. Some of the free webinars on offer include:

Fundraising for NFP's: Prize indemnity insurance and how it can help raise funds for your organisation
NFP insurance premiums explained: A hardening market
Cyber insurance risk: What is ransomware and how to reduce risk
Protector liability
Community events: How to protect yourself and your volunteers

Each day during Not-for-Profit Insurance Week we will be releasing more valuable information and materials. Make sure you keep coming back to get it all. To register, please visit Not-for-Profit Insurance Week page.

Only community, volunteer, and nonprofit organisations can access grant options in the South Gippsland Shire Council Grants Program. Commercial and business entities are ineligible

Community grants

Round 2 of council's Community Grants program closes on March 31 2023. The Community Grants Program aims to support community initiatives that enhance the quality of life, heritage, recreation and cultural opportunities for South Gippsland residents.

In the video above, you will hear from Josh from the Toora Community Garden. Listen to how the garden was transformed with community grant assistance. Find out more, visit South Gippsland Shire Community Grants page.

Connected communities

Telstra has announced that funds will be available for new or existing not-for-profit programs to help support Australia's remote, rural, and regional communities with $600,000 to foster inclusion and resilience over the next three years.

The Connected Communities Grant Program In partnership with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal, grants of up to $10,000 are available to not-for-profits to help them build resilient, sustainable, and liveable communities. If you know of a community group or not-for-profit organisation that could use a hand, the Connected Communities Grant Program might be for them! The program has three themes:

Resilient communities
Sustainable communities
Liveable communities

Applications are open and close at 5.00pm on Thursday 30 March 2023. Successful grants will be announced in June 2023, and successful applicants will have 12 months to complete funded projects. Learn more, visit the 2023 Connected Communities grant round page.

Marinus Link

Marinus Link is hosting a number of drop-in sessions in South Gippsland during April. Council is aware that there is interest in the project in our community so would like to pass on details of the following drop-in opportunities: