Get the appLeongatha, VIC 3953 · 9 stories this week
Nearby: Berrys Creek · Boorool · Hallston · Koorooman · Leongatha North · Leongatha South · Mardan · Mount Eccles
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Harry Hoekstra took another wicket on the morning of day three of the Sheffield Shield match in Hobart. His dismissal of Ben McDermott left Tasmania at 5 for 75. Hoekstra has taken seven wickets in the match so far, including 5 for 46 in the first innings. Victoria needs to win after a poor showing in the first round against South Australia. The Tigers were building a lead, which was approaching 150 runs.
Teams from Korumburra, Wonthaggi and Leongatha won five titles at the 41st Korumburra Junior Basketball Tournament over the weekend of October 17 and 18. A total of 166 teams played across six stadiums in Korumburra, Leongatha, Wonthaggi, Poowong and Warragul. Korumburra's Under 19 Girls won the A Grade title, beating the Traralgon T-Birds 38 to 22. Wonthaggi Coasters' Under 18 Boys completed an undefeated campaign with a 31 to 25 win over Warragul Warriors. Association president John Murdica said the event is an important annual fundraiser and benefits local communities.
Harry Hoekstra was hit on the helmet by Tasmania paceman Mitch Owen in his first over facing, bringing the team doctor onto the field. Hoekstra recovered and scored 10 runs before being dismissed. Victoria trailed Tasmania's first innings total of 241 after making 199 in reply. Hoekstra took 5 wickets for 46 runs off 20 overs, though he dropped an outfield catch. Victoria will hope he repeats the performance in Tasmania's second innings at Bellerive Oval.
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Get the appVictoria paceman Harry Hoekstra continued his strong first-class start with a key performance in Hobart on Monday. Batting first on a first-day pitch at Bellerive Oval, Tasmania lost early wickets to him, including Jordan Silk with his third delivery. Hoekstra claimed his second five-wicket haul in only his second Sheffield Shield match. Cricket Victoria said the bounce of the pitch suited his crafty bowling. By lunch, Tasmania were 7 for 45.
Thousands of motorbikes rolled into Leongatha on Saturday, October 17, for the fifth Biketoberfest held on Bair Street. Organiser Cherie Pritchett estimated around 2000 motorcycles attended on a sunny day. Visitors arrived several days early, and accommodation in Leongatha and Korumburra was fully booked. The festival also focused on mental health and suicide prevention, with Black Dog Ride promoting conversations about wellbeing. Money raised through merchandise sales helps fund the following year's event.
Two more tremors struck the hills above Leongatha on Saturday, October 17. The latest, a 3.0 magnitude quake centred at Kardella South, hit at 2.03pm while local cricket matches were underway. Players at the East Campus Oval said the clubrooms walls shook. An earlier 2.4 magnitude tremor was centred near Wild Dog Valley at about 10.36am. Geoscience Australia has logged 12 tremors in the area since a 4.9 magnitude earthquake on October 3.
Leongatha has appointed Cade Maskell as its senior coach, choosing a figure from within the club who has featured in each of its last ten grand finals. The club announced the appointment on Friday, praising his five premierships, past captaincy, assistant coaching role and several individual honours in the Gippsland League. Maskell will also be expected to develop the club's emerging young players. The timing is significant, as the Parrots lost three-time premiership coach Trent McMicking through resignation and have seen several players depart, including Jack Hume. Ben Willis has been reappointed as playing development coach.
A scale model of the Marinus Link converter station will soon be displayed at the project's community information centre on Peart Street in Leongatha. The station will be built at Hazelwood North, at the end of the energy and data link running through South Gippsland. Energy Minister Jaclyn Symes visited engineers and the local site team ahead of major works. Project Director Andrew Train said the lead contractor has engaged 16 Victorian businesses, six of them based in Gippsland. The project has invested $7.5 million in local businesses across Gippsland and North West Tasmania.
Police have recovered a stolen Toyota Landcruiser, a mower trailer and a Cub Cadet ride-on mower taken from Leongatha on October 12. Detectives executed a search warrant on a Moe property on October 14, then found the trailer and mower dumped in bushland near Tyers. A 21-year-old Wonthaggi man has been charged with theft of a motor vehicle, theft and committing an indictable offence while on bail. His bail application was refused and he remains in custody. A 17-year-old Morwell male was interviewed and released pending further investigation.
The mothers of Dyson Heppell, Eleanor Patterson and Josh Gardiner spoke about their children's careers at an event in Inverloch. Faye Gardiner, Helen Patterson and Ann-Marie Heppell spoke at The Inlet Hotel on Thursday, October 15, as part of the Southern Business Women's Network event. The mothers described supporting their children through setbacks, long travel and early starts. Organisers said 58 people registered for the evening, and the speakers encouraged parents to let children enjoy being young for as long as possible.
Police are investigating a car fire at Leongatha North, where a vehicle bearing stolen plates was found burnt out. A Wonthaggi owner believes it may be a Subaru Impreza stolen from Powlett Ridge Estate. Fire crews said the green grass stopped the blaze spreading. Sergeant Don Haw said burning stolen cars in rural areas during summer presents a serious bushfire risk. Police have also reported an increase in vehicle thefts across Bass Coast and South Gippsland, and urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
Koonwarra-Leongatha RSL cricketer Harry Hoekstra performed with distinction on his first Sheffield Shield appearance for Victoria against South Australia at the Junction Oval. He top scored with 45 in Victoria's first innings and finished with figures of 6/103 with the ball. Victoria lost the match by an innings. Hoekstra said he was pleased with his personal performance. His next four-day match is against Tasmania at Ninja Stadium in Hobart, starting Monday, October 19.
Police arrested a man hiding in bushland at Woolamai on Friday October 9, after officers searching a large rural property found him with help from the Police Air Wing. Later that morning, police arrested a second man in Leongatha after residents reported him allegedly trying to open doors at homes. Police allege a search found suspected stolen property in his possession. Both men have been remanded in custody to appear in court later. Police have urged residents to keep reporting suspicious behaviour.
Eighteen people from South Gippsland officially became Australian citizens at a ceremony on Wednesday evening in the Leongatha Memorial Hall. The new citizens came from countries including Sweden, India, Israel, the Philippines and the United Kingdom, while one was born in Australia. Their reasons for moving to the region included its strong community, rural lifestyle and natural beauty. Among them was Monico Buan Cosning, a nurse who came from the Philippines in 2022 and now works at Woorayl Lodge in Leongatha.
Year 12 students at Mirboo North Secondary College began their final school day with an egg and bacon roll breakfast, many dressed in costume. An assembly followed, where students presented awards to each other and shared a video of photos from their years at the school. Senior School Coordinator Rose Hill said the event was about the students. Students entered in themed groups, and the day ended with a slip 'n slide and lunch at the park. Students in the VCE Vocational Major have finished, while VCE students are sitting exams, including English today.
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Get the appYear 12 students at Korumburra Secondary College have finished their school days. Year 12 Coordinator Steven Scott said the final year is demanding, with both schoolwork and pressure about what comes next. He told students without a clear plan not to panic, and that they can change direction if a path proves unsuitable. Students in the VCE and VCE Vocational Major programs continued the tradition of dancing for staff and younger students. Senior School Coordinator Nicole Creaser said the routines were well rehearsed and praised the students for sharing lollies with the younger pupils.
The Meeniyan Marty Gras drew crowds to South Gippsland for its drag and rainbow-themed events under the theme Rainbow Country. The main night at the Meeniyan Town Hall was briefly disrupted by a hailstorm and a power cut, but a live band kept the party going. The festival raises funds for Opportunities of Development thru Art in Cambodia and the Gippsland Pride Initiative. Organisers say the event has grown since it began in 2018 and that close to 180 guests attended this year's main event.
Melbourne student Aparjot, 21, has self-published her first novel, When We Were Souls, while studying cybersecurity and working part-time. The 376-page story follows two people who meet, fall in love and face the reality that some connections do not last. It is structured around seven Sufi stages of love, reflecting the Punjabi poetry she has written since childhood. Aparjot funded the book herself, designing the cover and editing the manuscript with help from friends. She is now preparing a second book, Ibadat, due in January 2027, which will draw on her Punjabi poems.
A Melbourne couple has moved into a new home that cost $80,000 less than they planned to spend. Jeyakaran Karnan and Shree Harini Vinothkumar chose a $720,000 house-and-land package in Clyde North after finding auctions stressful. They built at the Orana estate, where they hoped their son Yaalan could grow up among other young families. The couple used the federal 5 per cent deposit scheme, which reduced their deposit to $36,000. Construction took about four months, with the keys arriving roughly 10 months after they signed up.
North Geelong will aim to win its fourth consecutive T20 cricket premiership. The Magpies, who are on a 17-game winning streak, open their season with an away match against Lara. Both sides sit in Group D of the Division 1 and 2 competition, alongside Bell Park and Geelong West. Each team plays three round robin games before quarter-finals and semi-finals, with the final set for Tuesday 26 January. Defending Division 2 champions Lethbridge are in Group A with Winchelsea, Meredith and Teesdale.
Altona Meadows Primary School will celebrate the 10th edition of its internal news program, AMP NEWS, on Thursday 29 October. Year five and six students film, write and edit stories on fetes, special days and sports events. Two episodes are produced each term, featuring teachers and students. Teacher Sarah Capri has run the program since 2017, after it was started by a former teacher in 2016. About 60 students took part this year.
Kerry Janten has announced she will contest the St Albans seat as an independent. She says she is dissatisfied with the party system and wants the freedom to address electorate issues without following a party line. Her policy focus includes state debt, cost of living, transport, environment and disability access. Ms Janten will hold a campaign launch on Friday 30 October from 6pm to 9pm at the St Albans Community Centre. She says she wants to hear from a broad range of residents, including homeless people and those whose first language is not English.
WorkSafe inspectors will be able to issue on-the-spot fines from 31 March to reduce fatal falls at work. Employers can be fined for failing to control fall risks, keeping safety records unavailable, or starting high-risk construction work without a Safe Work Method Statement. Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Steve Dimopoulos said falls remain a leading cause of workplace deaths and serious injuries. WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said employers face no new obligations, but those breaking the law will face consequences sooner.
Transport Victoria has confirmed the final design for intersection upgrades along Sunshine Avenue in Taylors Lakes. Construction is expected to begin in 2027. Two roundabouts at Melton Highway and Old Calder Highway will be replaced with signalised intersections, with additional lanes and new signalised pedestrian crossings. New walking and cycling paths and street lighting will also be built. A bus stop on the northern side of Melton Highway will move to the eastern side of Sunshine Avenue.