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Walking School Bus Progam Wins VicHealth AwardEast Gippsland’s Walking School Bus program has won the VicHealth 2005 Health Promotion Physical Activity Award. By East Gippsland Shire - 19th December 2005 - Back to News The project has introduced numerous Walking School Buses to the region and the development of a Riding School Bus to Bairnsdale.
The Buses all began operations during 2005 and the program that won the category for projects with budgets from $15,000 to $75,000.was recognised at a presentation ceremony in Melbourne recently attended by 900 people.
East Gippsland Shire’s Walking School Bus Coordinator Kaylene Wickham, Recreation Manager Al Campbell and Sherryn Hewett, a volunteer representative from Bairnsdale West Primary School, accepted the award on Council’s behalf from the State Minister for Health, The Hon Bronwyn Pike.
Ms Wickham said that East Gippsland was the only rural shire to receive an award in any of the nine major categories.
"It was a great thrill to have the efforts of our regional schools, the volunteers, the parents and the kids recognised in such a way," she said.
East Gippsland’s fleet of Walking School Buses now totals seven, two of which operate in Bairnsdale and Orbost twice a week, one in Bairnsdale West and Lucknow once a week while a riding school Bus operates from Bairnsdale 754 School and a walking bus operates at the Lake Tyers trust five days a week.
Ms Wickham was employed by the East Gippsland Shire in October 2004 to implement the Walking School Bus project.
"The objectives were to encourage more primary school children to walk safely to and from school and replace short, regular car trips with daily walking," she said
"We also wanted to support the development of local social and community networks and establish a cooperative relationship between council, primary schools, families and the community."
Shire CEO Steve Kozlowski said the award was recognition of the efforts that had been made by Kaylene Wickham, the schools, volunteers, parents and grandparents and the kids.
"It is a project that has met all its objectives and is making an important contribution the health and lifestyle of the primary school students," he said.
"At a time when there is growing community concern about school children and lack of exercise, this program is a way of encouraging valuable physical activity and is an important contribution to our community well being."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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East Gippsland Libraries have launched CloudLibrary, giving members free access to thousands of eBooks and eAudiobooks anytime, anywhere, supporting learning, leisure, and digital inclusion across the region. - East Gippsland Council streamlines procurement, connecting suppliers through VendorPanel online
East Gippsland Council now manages major procurement through VendorPanel, giving local, regional, and national suppliers fair, simple access to opportunities while supporting transparency, competition, and local economic growth. - East Gippsland Field Days celebrate agriculture, community spirit, innovation and local food security importance
The East Gippsland Field Days celebrate local agriculture, innovation, and community spirit, highlighting food and fibre production’s vital role while showcasing volunteer efforts and regional resilience for a sustainable future. - East Gippsland Youth Art Prize 2025 celebrates creativity, talent, and next generation artists
East Gippsland’s 2025 Youth Art Prize showcased young artists aged 12–25, celebrating creativity, talent, and community engagement, with winners announced at the Forge Theatre and Arts Hub in Bairnsdale. - East Bairnsdale drain transformed into natural wetland enhancing biodiversity, stormwater management, and facilities near Jones Bay
A neglected East Bairnsdale drain has been transformed into a natural wetland near Jones Bay, enhancing stormwater management, biodiversity, flood mitigation, and community amenity through a $1.43 million collaborative project. - East Gippsland children share ideas, hopes, and concerns to shape community and celebrate local voices through MFEG project
Nearly 800 East Gippsland children shared ideas and concerns through the MFEG project, highlighting community connection, recreation, environment, and social care, with postcards now displayed across local towns. - East Gippsland Libraries join Big Summer Read, inspiring children to read, build literacy, and combat the ‘summer slide’
This summer, East Gippsland Libraries join the Big Summer Read, encouraging children aged 0-18 to read, build literacy skills, earn badges, and stay engaged while combating the "summer slide." - East Gippsland Youth Ambassadors lead with vision, proving young voices shape community and lasting impact
Eight months in, East Gippsland Youth Ambassadors are shaping the region's future, addressing key issues, leading projects, and gaining leadership skills that build confidence, community engagement, and long-term positive impact. - East Gippsland residents urged to foster dogs as Animal Aid Bairnsdale faces unprecedented influx and resource strain
Animal Aid Bairnsdale urges East Gippsland residents to foster dogs as rising numbers strain shelter capacity. Support, resources, and costs are provided, ensuring dogs receive safety, love, and a chance at adoption. - Live4Life Baw Baw celebrates 2025 Youth Mental Health Ambassadors, recognising leadership, teamwork and mental health achievements
Live4Life Baw Baw celebrated its 2025 Youth Mental Health Ambassadors, recognising their leadership, teamwork, and mental health initiatives, while marking key milestones and community achievements throughout the year. - Seven students completed East Gippsland Water Vacation Student Program, gaining practical experience and development on skills
Seven university students completed East Gippsland Water’s Vacation Student Program, gaining hands-on experience in engineering, communications, IT, and environmental planning, preparing them for future careers in the water industry. - East Gippsland residents invited to author talk on Pearl Bradshaw - Princess of Hotham on 10 September 2025
Author Stephen Whiteside will present Pearl Bradshaw - Princess of Hotham, sharing remarkable stories of resilience, adventure, and history at special East Gippsland library talks on Wednesday 10 September. - East Gippsland Council reminds pet owners to register cats and dogs to ensure safety, welfare and access to discounts by 10 April 2026
Pet owners are reminded to register cats and dogs by 10 April. Registration ensures pets’ safety, supports animal welfare, and funds community programs, with discounts available for eligible animals. - East Gippsland CMA protects Gippsland’s critically endangered Redgum Woodlands and seasonal herbaceous wetlands
EGCMA and partners are restoring Gippsland’s Critically Endangered Redgum Woodlands and Wetlands, planting native species, improving habitats, and tackling threats across 15 key sites for long-term conservation. - Engaging East Gippsland communities: Listening, learning and shaping council priorities across the region
Over recent weeks, council engaged East Gippsland communities through budget sessions, site visits, and consultations, supporting local projects, stormwater planning, and services while encouraging feedback and early hardship assistance. - Tim Bull says firewood shortage worsened by Labor policies amid abundant bush timber
Tim Bull says Labor’s native timber shutdown has caused firewood shortages in East Gippsland, despite record bush fuel loads, urging practical policy changes to reduce fire risk and supply timber responsibly. - Martin Cameron supports Tee Up for Mental Health Golf Day raising vital funds for Lifeline and Rotary
More than 150 golfers joined the Tee Up for Mental Health Golf Day in Traralgon, raising a record $30,000 for Lifeline Gippsland and Rotary's local mental health initiatives. - Tim Bull highlights East Gippsland patients facing excessive dental wait times amid ongoing public system mismanagement concerns
East Gippsland patients face over 18-month waits for public dental care, with private dentists struggling under short voucher timelines and delayed government payments, highlighting systemic mismanagement, says Tim Bull. - Darren Chester joins East Gippsland community to honour fallen Victoria police officers on Remembrance Day
Darren Chester joined the East Gippsland community for National Police Remembrance Day in Bairnsdale, honouring Victoria Police officers who lost their lives and recognising those who continue to serve. - Darren Chester praises Moogji Aboriginal Council for advancing health and sustainability in East Gippsland
Darren Chester visited Moogji Aboriginal Council in Orbost, praising its vital health, youth, and environmental programs that support East Gippsland communities and promote Aboriginal culture, wellbeing, and environmental sustainability. - Season’s greetings to East Gippsland residents with wishes for a joyful Christmas and prosperous New Year
Wishing East Gippsland residents a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, with gratitude to service workers, reminders for festive safety, and hopes for connection, kindness, and a prosperous 2026. - Tracey Ah Sam named East Gippsland 2026 Citizen of the Year for exceptional service to Omeo community
Tracey Ah Sam has been named East Gippsland’s 2026 Citizen of the Year for over 30 years’ dedicated service, leadership, and lasting impact on the Omeo community. - Have your say on East Gippsland public toilets review until 9 February 2026
East Gippsland Shire Council invites residents and visitors to share feedback on Council-managed public toilets, helping improve cleanliness, accessibility, and maintenance through its Public Amenities Service Review, open until February 2026. - Tim Bull says East Gippsland faces a housing crisis, with social homes declining despite population growth
Victoria’s social housing crisis deepens as Labor policies drive rental providers away, reducing stock. Tim Bull warns record waiting lists and rising homelessness demand urgent government action. - Allan Labor government misled East Gippsland over Paynesville Road inspections, leaving "rollercoaster" section untested, says Tim Bull
The Allan Labor government misled East Gippsland by failing to inspect the problematic Paynesville Road section, delaying repairs and leaving the "rollercoaster" stretch untested for nearly three years, says Tim Bull. - Community feedback wanted on East Gippsland Draft Engagement Policy to strengthen participation in local decision-making
East Gippsland Shire Council is seeking community feedback on its draft Community Engagement Policy, inviting input through surveys, drop-in sessions, and stakeholder consultation to strengthen participation in decision-making processes. - Tim Bull encourages Gippsland East communities to apply for Victorian government’s Tiny Towns Fund Grants until 4 February 2026
Tim Bull urges Gippsland East communities to apply for the Tiny Towns Fund, offering $5,000-$50,000 grants to support tourism, liveability, and local projects for towns under 5,000 residents. - Entries for the 2026 East Gippsland Youth Art Prize open on 25 Mar until 7 August 2026
The 2026 East Gippsland Youth Art Prize is open, inviting artists aged 12–25 to showcase creative works in a gallery exhibition celebrating youth expression and talent across the region. - Darren Chester celebrates Yarram Secondary College student achievements at 2025 annual awards ceremony presentation
Darren Chester attended Yarram Secondary College’s 2025 Awards, celebrating diverse student achievements, encouraging confidence and optimism, and acknowledging outgoing and incoming school captains leadership. - Tim Bull urges Gippsland East households to apply for $100 Power Saving Bonus amid rising costs
Gippsland East MP Tim Bull urges locals to apply for the $100 Power Saving Bonus, helping households manage rising costs. Eligible residents can seek assistance at his Bairnsdale office. - Rising dog attacks concerns in East Gippsland highlight the need for responsible ownership and community safety
East Gippsland has seen over 140 dog attacks last year, 31 this year. Council urges responsible ownership, leashing, and secure confinement to keep pets, people, and public spaces safe. - Jodie Ashworth elected mayor of East Gippsland Shire Council, committed to strong, transparent, collaborative leadership
Paynesville’s Jodie Ashworth elected Mayor of East Gippsland, bringing leadership, community experience, and commitment to strong governance, transparency, and strategic, future-focused planning for the region. - Agriculture advisory committee supports East Gippsland farmers through collaboration and regional advocacy initiatives
The Agriculture Sector Advisory Committee advises on policies, programs, and partnerships to support East Gippsland farmers, addressing biosecurity, water security, pest management, and regional agricultural priorities for a resilient sector. - Darren Chester welcomes Bairnsdale Centre’s innovative regional healthcare expansion and access improvements
Darren Chester praised Bairnsdale’s Centre Combined Health, highlighting its innovative model improving regional access to specialists, allied health, wellness services, and addressing workforce challenges in East Gippsland. - Jodie Ashworth elected Mayor of East Gippsland Shire Council, with Cr Tom Crook as Deputy Mayor
Jodie Ashworth, first elected in 2024, has been elected Mayor of East Gippsland Shire Council, with Cr Tom Crook as Deputy Mayor, pledging strong, transparent, and future-focused leadership. - Banjo Jackson and Chelsea Wellman honoured as East Gippsland’s 2026 Young Citizens for leadership, inspiring community change
Banjo Jackson and Chelsea Wellman, East Gippsland’s 2026 Young Citizens, are recognised for inspiring youth through leadership, courage, advocacy, community service, and transforming challenges into positive impact locally. - Gippsland Water’s mobile trailer supports community events while promoting health, sustainability and reducing single-use plastic
Gippsland Water’s mobile water trailer supports community events, providing free drinking water, promoting healthy choices, reducing single-use plastics, and enhancing public and environmental health across the region in 2026. - Discover Blue Pool in Briagolong State Forest with nature, water fun, walks, and local gems
Blue Pool in Briagolong State Forest offers swimming, walking trails, and camping, with nearby pubs, breweries, and attractions providing a perfect Gippsland getaway for nature, adventure, and local experiences. - Discover Blue Pool in Briagolong State Forest with nature, water fun, walks, and local gems
Blue Pool in Briagolong State Forest offers swimming, walking trails, and camping, with nearby pubs, breweries, and attractions providing a perfect Gippsland getaway for nature, adventure, and local experiences. - Customer Experience Survey shows strong satisfaction as East Gippsland Water uses feedback to improve services and operations
East Gippsland Water’s Customer Experience Survey shows strong satisfaction results, capturing six months of feedback to improve service delivery, responsiveness, and communication across office and field operations. - Danny O’Brien urges Gippsland South women to participate in free BreastScreen Victoria program for early breast cancer detection
Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien urges women aged 50-74 to use free BreastScreen Victoria services, improving early detection, reversing post-pandemic screening declines, and saving lives. - Community invited to join Project Reference Group shaping East Gippsland’s future aquatic strategy and facilities planning
East Gippsland community members are invited to join a Project Reference Group to help shape the new Aquatic Strategy, guiding future facility planning, investment, and service delivery across the shire. - Community-led partnerships restore Kugerungmome/Powlett River catchment health on Bunurong Country, from source to sea
Community, Traditional Owners and agencies are restoring the Kugerungmome/Powlett River, delivering $1 million in on-ground works to protect culture, biodiversity and water quality across a 50,000-hectare catchment on Bunurong Country. - Forge Theatre handed to community for IMMERSIVE takeover and East Gippsland Creative Summit launch on 28 March 2026
IMMERSIVE hands East Gippsland’s Forge Theatre to the community for a month, culminating in the Creative Summit, celebrating local creativity, collaboration, and connection while bringing the Shire’s Culture and Creativity Strategy to life. - Martin Cameron urges Labor government funding commitment on Latrobe Valley mental health unit urgently needing expansion
The Nationals’ Martin Cameron urges Allan Labor Government to urgently expand Latrobe Regional Health’s mental health unit, citing critically limited beds and growing demand for timely care in Gippsland. - Tim Bull urges state government to fund Surf Life Saving, preventing East Gippsland ratepayers covering government shortfalls
Gippsland East MP Tim Bull urges state government to fund Surf Life Saving Victoria, warning councils face doubled contributions while new Emergency Services levy strains East Gippsland and Wellington budgets. - Gippsland Live4Life youth unite at Allambee Camp, fostering confidence, teamwork and mental health awareness through outdoor activities
Live4Life Gippsland youth Crews gathered at Allambee Camp for adventure, teamwork, confidence-building, and sharing mental health awareness ideas, supported by Baw Baw Shire Council. - Spring flows planned to support native fish migration and river health across West Gippsland
West Gippsland CMA's Environmental Water team is planning Spring river flows to support native fish migration, enhance river health, and balance environmental care with community enjoyment of waterways. - Tim Bull criticises Labor government for mismanagement, volunteer cuts, and inadequate fuel reduction ahead of high-risk summer season
Gippsland East MP Tim Bull warns communities face extreme bushfire risk this summer due to Labor’s volunteer cuts, ageing CFA fleet, inadequate fuel reduction, and failure to implement Royal Commission recommendations. - Forge Theatre hosts IMMERSIVE program celebrating creativity, collaboration and artistic experimentation across East Gippsland this March
This March, Forge Theatre hosts IMMERSIVE, a month-long program encouraging creativity, collaboration, experimentation, workshops, performances, and community participation, celebrating East Gippsland’s vibrant, inclusive, and artistic spirit. - Darren Chester meets new BRHS CEO Peter Abraham to discuss future opportunities for East Gippsland Healthcare
Darren Chester met new BRHS CEO Peter Abraham to discuss healthcare challenges, commend local innovations improving patient care, and strengthen collaboration to deliver high-quality, accessible health services across East Gippsland. - Danny O’Brien thanks volunteers and communities for celebrating Australia Day across South Gippsland with the awards and ceremonies
Danny O’Brien thanked volunteers, councils, and community groups for Australia Day events, celebrating new citizens, recognising local award recipients, and highlighting Gippsland South’s community spirit and contributions.
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