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South Gippsland Australia Day Awards 2026 nominations now open and other project updates

Nominations are open for the 2026 South Gippsland Australia Day Awards, recognising locals who make outstanding contributions. Entries close Wednesday 5 November 2025 - nominate someone who makes our community stronger.

By news@gippsland - 28th August 2025 - Back to News

These awards are a chance to shine a light on the everyday people who go above and beyond to make South Gippsland a better place. Whether it's a quiet achiever, a passionate volunteer, or someone who simply makes life better for those around them - now is the time to recognise their contribution.

South Gippsland's 2026 Australia Day Award nominees will be celebrated at Meeniyan Hall, with winners honoured publicly and recorded permanently

This is a fantastic opportunity for residents to bring awareness to a community member's outstanding contribution to the region. Nominations close on Wednesday 5 November 2025. For more information, visit South Gippsland Shire Council website.

Police lives honoured

Our thoughts are with the Victoria Police and the families of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart during this difficult time. We deeply value their service and the vital role all police officers play in keeping our communities safe. Lives should never end this way - and we acknowledge the profound loss felt across the force and the broader community.

Funding ramp upgrades

Council is pleased to welcome $750,000 from the Victorian government's Better Boating Fund, announced in the 2024/25 Recreational Boating Action Plan. This funding will go towards the delivery of the Port Welshpool Accessible Pontoon Project.

Under an arrangement with the Victorian Fisheries Authority, Council will receive full funding for the construction of the project and will not be required to make any financial contribution.

The project will involve replacing the current floating pontoon and installing an all-abilities access pontoon at the Port Welshpool boating facility. The all-abilities access pontoon will provide better boating opportunities for people with mobility constraints via a new hoist system.

Council secured $750,000 for the Port Welshpool Accessible Pontoon Project, delivering improved all-abilities boating access without requiring any financial contribution

What's on South Gippsland

South Gippsland Landcare Network Events

Staying Ahead of the Carbon Curve - Two-part Workshop - South Gippsland Landcare Network is running two sessions on low-emission farming practices, led by engaging local speakers with a combined 45 years of experience. Soil scientist Declan McDonald will provide an introduction to the principles and practices of carbon farming, including strategies for improving soil health.

Farmer Nick Dudley will discuss carbon accounting tools to help you track your farm's emissions, along with an introduction to developing an on-farm emissions action plan. This is an independent and free learning opportunity. Morning tea and lunch will be provided.

Day 1

• When: Thursday 11 September 10.15am - 2.00pm
• Where: Leongatha Memorial Hall

Day 2

• When: Thursday 11 September 10.30am - 2.00pm
• Where: Korumburra Community Hub

For more information and to register, visit Humanitix website.

South Gippsland Landcare Network hosts free workshops on low-emission farming, soil health, and carbon accounting, featuring expert speakers Declan McDonald and Nick Dudley

South Gippsland Dairy and Farming Expo

A one-stop shop for dairy farmers with all the agricultural services and support they might need. Plus, plenty of entertainment for the kids, a 120-metre foot race where participants must wear gumboots, food trucks and more. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and free for kids under the age of 16 years old.

• Date: Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 September
• Time: 10.00am to 3.00pm
• Location: Korumburra Showgrounds

For more information, visit South Gippsland Dairy & Expo website.

The Dairy and Farming Expo offers services, kids' entertainment, gumboot race, food trucks - $15 adults, free entry for children under 16

Free Breast Screens and Women's Health Consultations in Foster

The Women's Health Mobile Clinic is in Foster:

• Free 10-minute breast screens
• When: on now until 12 September 2025
• Where: South Gippsland Hospital, 87 Station Road

To find out more about the program and check if you are eligible, visit BreastScreen Victoria website.

• Free 45-minute women's health consults
• When: on now until 12 September 2025
• Where: South Gippsland Hospital, 87 Station Road

To learn more about the range of services available, visit BreatScreen Victoria - Services website.

Doing It Deadly!

Join this cultural event presented by Foster Secondary College. Incorporating music performances, dance, food, art, storytelling and language, this is bound to be a fantastic night.

• When: Saturday 6 September, 5.30pm
• Where: Foster War Memorial Arts Centre

To purchase tickets, visit trybooking website.

Your community

Discover South Gippsland: Local Favourites from the Visitor Information Centre

Marg Turra, Tourism Information Officer said, "One of my favourite places is Coal Creek Community Park and Museum in Korumburra. The Park is able to tell the fascinating history of South Gippsland in a hands-on way. At present in winter, the creek is rushing through the Park and tumbling over waterfalls. It's also lovely on a warm day in summer when you can picnic on the shady lawns.

The Park is a fabulous and safe place for families, with free entry and lots of interesting historical things to look at. There are also new friendly ducks, and visitors might also spot blue wrens, rosellas, koalas, wallabies and eels. We're fortunate to have this great place on our doorstep, so do drop in and enjoy its many delights!"

Happy exploring,
The VIC Team.

Council is consulting the community on renaming Korumburra Recreation Reserve Oval to 'Summerfield Oval,' honouring Allen Victor Summerfield's outstanding service

Community engagement

Renaming Proposal - Korumburra Recreation Reserve Oval

South Gippsland Shire Council has received a request to rename the oval at Korumburra Recreation Reserve to 'Summerfield Oval' in honour of Allen Victor Summerfield to acknowledge his extraordinary community service.

Community consultation is underway until 21 September 2025. For more information or to provide feedback on the suggested renaming, visit the Renaming Proposal - Korumburra Recreation Reserve Oval page.

Pictures from South Gippsland Shire Council website and South Gippsland Dairy and Expo website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Wellington Shire Council secures $2M for road safety improvements across five Gippsland towns before mid-2027
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• 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.
• The Nationals' $5 Better Roads Plan promises pothole repairs and long-term maintenance across neglected Gippsland road network
  The Nationals' $5 billion Better Roads plan would tackle Gippsland's deteriorating roads, repair one million potholes, restore preventative maintenance and establish Better Roads Victoria for improved standards.
• Melina Bath condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, with Victoria recording nearly twice New South Wales' victims
  Melina Bath has condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, citing Victoria's high theft rate and major increases across eastern Victoria, while calling for more police, stronger bail laws and tougher sentencing.
• Latrobe City Council ranks among Victoria's Top Five for Community Satisfaction in 2026 Snap Send Solve index
  Latrobe City Council has ranked fifth in Victoria for community satisfaction, scoring 64.6 in the 2026 Snap Send Solve Index, exceeding both national and Victorian averages.
• 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.
• New Bairnsdale worker accommodation nears completion, boosting healthcare workforce capacity across East Gippsland communities
  Bairnsdale new 28-apartment healthcare worker accommodation is nearing completion, providing affordable housing for up to 32 staff and strengthening regional health services while supporting local jobs and investment.
• New Lakes Entrance fire station prioritised ahead of 2026 state election
  Council is urging the Victorian government to fund a new Lakes Entrance CFA station, replacing the 90-year-old facility to improve emergency response, safety, capacity and regional resilience.
• Venus Bay IRB Women's Rescue Team, Morrie Tatnell and Jessica Woodward recognised as one of the winners for the Life Saving Victoria Awards of Excellence 2026
  Life Saving Victoria celebrates volunteer lifesavers, aquatic professionals and organisations at Awards of Excellence, recognising outstanding contributions to keeping Victoria’s waterways safe.
• 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.
• Warragul Leisure Centre extends outdoor pool season following community feedback with revised opening hours through April 2027
  Warragul Leisure Centre will extend outdoor pool access from October, introducing revised opening hours following community feedback, with the schedule continuing through April 10, 2027.
• Wellington Shire Council updates flood mapping to improve safety, planning, climate resilience and development decisions across the municipality
  Wellington Shire Council is updating flood mapping and planning controls, incorporating climate impacts, to improve safety, guide development and manage flood risks. Public submissions close 2 November 2026.
• 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.
• Have your say on the Planning Scheme Amendment C161egip - Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area (Revised) to unlock growth until 21 September 2026
  East Gippsland Shire Council is simplifying planning controls in Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area, aiming to unlock housing growth, reduce red tape and support development over the next 30-plus years.
• Draft Omeo District Place Plan released for after 10 months of consultation for final community feedback until 2 October 2026
  East Gippsland Shire Council has released the draft Omeo District Place Plan for feedback, prioritising health, education, housing, employment, social connection, environmental care and emergency preparedness. Submissions close October 2.
• Marlo's Healeys road timber bridge to be replaced with stronger steel structure built for 100 years
  East Gippsland Shire Council will replace Marlo’s ageing Healeys Road timber bridge with a $642,780 steel structure, improving safety, access, load capacity and long-term reliability for local users.
• Baw Baw Shire Council urges election candidates to fund critical projects before Victorian state election in November
  Baw Baw Shire Council is urging Victorian election candidates to fund critical local projects, including road upgrades, trails, sporting infrastructure, business development and a new West Gippsland Hospital.
• 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.
• Darren Chester calls for Aged Care Minister's resignation over home support delays
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has called for Aged Care Minister Sam Rae's resignation, citing lengthy Support at Home delays, unanswered assistance requests and thousands of deaths while awaiting support.
• Maffra student Jaxon Marshall champions resilient agriculture during National Youth Parliament visit to Canberra
  Maffra student Jaxon Marshall represented Gippsland at National Youth Parliament, delivering a passionate speech advocating resilient agriculture, regenerative farming, research and stronger support for farmers and Australia’s future.
• 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.
• Latrobe City extends Phoenix partnership, securing NBL matches and delivering sporting, community and economic benefits
  Latrobe City Council has extended its partnership with South East Melbourne Phoenix, securing two NBL matches across the next two seasons, delivering elite sport, community engagement and economic benefits.
• Darren Chester joined Wellington Shire representatives to welcome 57 new citizens at The Wedge ceremony
  Wellington Shire welcomed 57 new Australian citizens at The Wedge, with Federal Member Darren Chester and council representatives celebrating their milestone and contributions to Gippsland communities.
• Baw Baw Shire Council urges community advocacy for major projects ahead of Victorian state election
  Baw Baw Shire Council is urging residents to support advocacy for the Rokeby to Noojee Trail Extension and urgent Warragul-Drouin intersection upgrades ahead of the Victorian state election.
• Six Latrobe Valley businesses receive funding to diversify, boost productivity and strengthen supply chains during economic transition
  Six Latrobe Valley businesses will receive funding through the Gippsland Supply Chain Resilience Program to improve productivity, purchase equipment, expand markets and strengthen supply chains amid regional economic transition.
• 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.
• Reliable water access drives Busch Organics' sustainable farming success and secures its fourth-generation future in East Gippsland
  Busch Organics relies on Mitchell River and groundwater to sustain organic vegetable production, while soil moisture technology, sustainable practices and family farming strengthen productivity and future generations.
• 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.
• Morwell Rose Festival returns with blooms, aerial acrobatics, night lights, workshops and family entertainment from 6-7 November 2026
  Morwell Rose Festival returns for its ninth year in 2026, featuring thousands of roses, aerial performances, night lights, workshops, market stalls, live entertainment and family-friendly activities.