Get the appWonthaggi, VIC 3995 · 13 stories this week
Nearby: Anderson · Archies Creek · Cape Paterson · Harmers Haven · Hicksborough · Kilcunda · Lance Creek · North Wonthaggi
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The Wonthaggi and District Historical Society will hold its annual memorial dinner on Friday, November 27, at the Wonthaggi Workers Club. The theme is the beginnings of the State Coal Mine Park. Guest speakers will recall how the Eastern Area mine was secured to become a heritage tourist site after the State Mine closed in 1968. Tickets cost $50 per person and bookings close November 14.
Volunteers are preparing the annual Bayside Health Fete at the Wonthaggi Senior Citizens Club on Saturday, October 31. The day will include stalls, a major raffle, a sausage sizzle and freshly made scones. Doors open at 9am. Funds raised will support local healthcare. Bass Coast Health Ladies Auxiliary president Raye Tucker says the auxiliary has raised tens of thousands of dollars over more than 100 years. Volunteer and Fundraising Manager Kerry Redmond said past funds have bought syringe drivers for palliative care and a resus cot for the Maternity Department.
Community groups across Bass Coast and South Gippsland have until October 30 to register interest in Stronger Communities grants of between $2500 and $20,000. Federal Monash MP Mary Aldred says up to 20 eligible projects in the electorate will share the funding. Eligible projects may include facility upgrades, sporting infrastructure, equipment purchases and veterans' projects. Projects must cost no more than $50,000 in total and be completed by March 31, 2028. Expressions of interest are considered with a local committee.
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Get the appInverloch's annual Open Gardens returns on Saturday, November 7, with a self-guided tour of private coastal gardens. Hosted by the Inverloch Uniting Church, the event runs from 10am to 4pm. Garden owner Janet Davies, whose property features natives, exotic plants and a vegetable garden, relies on 3,000 litres of rainwater storage for watering. Tours start at the church, where tickets include a hot drink, and proceeds support local community initiatives. Garden addresses remain confidential until shortly before the event.
Wonthaggi volunteer Stella Hitchins has been honoured as a 2026 Community Gem by Jordan Crugnale, State Member for Bass. The award recognises her work at the Wonthaggi Community Harvest Garden, where she has volunteered for 15 years. Hitchins has also distributed food, clothing and household goods to relief centres across the region. Crugnale said Hitchins had left a lasting mark on the community. The Community Gem initiative, now in its seventh year, invites residents to nominate people who show selflessness and generosity.
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.
Wonthaggi Hospital has introduced 20 self-contained units to attract healthcare professionals and alleviate local housing pressures. The Williamsons Sounds Apartments aim to accommodate doctors, nurses, and allied health workers, including podiatrists and physiotherapists, as the hospital plans to expand its nursing staff. Bayside Health Regional Care Group CEO Louise Sparkes highlighted the importance of comfortable accommodation in recruiting and retaining medical professionals. The facility, funded by the State Government's Regional Worker Accommodation Fund, also seeks to free up rental properties for the broader community.
One Gippsland has launched a tool that tracks major party election commitments for Gippsland against its own regional priorities. The Victorian Commitment Tracker covers hospitals, roads and housing. Commitments already announced include a new West Gippsland Hospital and extra funding for the Wonthaggi Hospital redevelopment. Chair Nathan Hersey said residents can compare promises by party and policy area. Voters are encouraged to check the tracker regularly as the state election nears.
One Nation supporters gathered at Pakenham's Railway Hotel on Monday to hear state leader and local candidate Warren Pickering. Pakenham is held by Labor's Emma Vulin, who will not recontest the seat at November's state election. Pickering said many voters want change from the major parties. The latest Resolve Political Monitor put One Nation's primary support at 23 per cent, with the coalition on 28 per cent and Labor on 25 per cent. Victorian Labor and One Nation have both announced new election promises.
Residents of Wonthaggi have shown strong support for their town at the first round of consultation sessions on Bass Coast Shire Council's structure planning review. Local resident Dyonn Dimmock praised the town's access to amenities, bushland, beaches and bicycle trails, and urged wider community participation. Feedback highlighted demand for long-term jobs, an education hub, safer roads and crossings, and better links to walking and bike trails. Residents also raised concerns about water pressure and sewerage capacity. The consultation period runs until October 30, and feedback will inform the next draft of the structure plan.
Bass Coast Mayor Brett Tessari has put forward a notice of motion calling for a pause on the proposed lights and stripes pedestrian crossing in Murray Street, Wonthaggi. The motion follows concerns from local business owners about lost parking, deliveries and traffic congestion. Tessari is seeking a further report on costs, funding, safety, consultation and alternative designs, to be presented to the November 18 council meeting. The motion needs majority support from councillors to proceed.
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.
Former Collingwood star Steele Sidebottom has signed with Wonthaggi Power for the 2027 season, the club has announced. The 2010 premiership teammate of Jarryd Blair joins after an 18-season AFL career in which he played more than 370 games for Collingwood. The Power said his decision was driven mainly by friendship and family, with the chance to play alongside Blair the key factor. Sidebottom has also been involved with the club's junior development since 2014. Power president Darren Brown said the signing would be a major drawcard for members, fans and players.
Three Wonthaggi pharmacists have completed a Monash University course that lets them treat a wider range of health conditions. They are waiting for Victorian Government approval before they can offer the full range of services. The course covered 22 medical conditions, and the pharmacists can only begin treating them once the government recognises each one. Louise O’Keeffe said the changes would allow patients to get care sooner, without waiting weeks for a doctor’s appointment. Some services, including antibiotic treatment for children with impetigo, are already available.
Year 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.
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Get the appThe 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.
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.
New nursing labs have opened at The Gordon's Geelong City Campus, giving 416 Diploma of Nursing students hands-on clinical training in simulated hospital wards. The Gordon chief executive Joe Ormeno said the facilities include assistive technology for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, wheelchair access, adjustable furniture and low-stimulation spaces. Deputy premier Gabrielle Williams said the labs are the first stage of The Gordon's TAFE Centre of Excellence in Disability Inclusion. Work on the remaining stages is underway, with the centre due for completion next year.
Victoria will add 11 AI-powered cameras to its bushfire detection network across the state's east and west. The $3.8 million project is jointly funded by the Victorian Government, Hancock Victorian Plantations and the Green Triangle Fire Alliance. The cameras use artificial intelligence to scan for smoke and fire around the clock, and the expanded network is expected to monitor more than 1.4 million hectares. The new cameras are scheduled to be in place by November 2027. Minister for Emergency Services Paul Edbrooke said early information would help emergency services respond more quickly.
Ken Bodinnar, a 73-year-old former State Emergency Service worker from Paynesville, is fighting to have his workers' compensation claim recognised. His doctors believe his small-cell lung cancer resulted from years of service, including the Black Saturday fires. The insurer rejected the claim, and a medical report later found his exposure to firefighting smoke and diesel fumes was a significant contributing factor. The dispute will go to trial in November. Mr Bodinnar is in intensive care in Geelong and hopes the claim will support his family.
Benton's Square Shopping Centre has reopened, with Woolworths and Dan Murphy's trading again. A fire gutted Harcourts Family Butchers, formerly Lindens Meat. Neighbouring businesses Top Pho and The Pantry House also suffered significant damage.
A new mural has been painted on the Waterhole Creek underpass in Morwell. The project was delivered by Latrobe City Council with local artist Charles Solomon, and it recognises the Brayakaulung people of the Gunaikurnai Nation. Painters Bradley Brown, Erika Brown and Terry Hayes worked on the design, which is titled Rise and Shine. Mr Brown said the artwork is meant to encourage young people. Latrobe City Mayor Sharon Gibson said the mural reflects the diversity of the community. The mural is expected to be finished by the end of the month.
A 62-year-old man from Caroline Springs has been charged after an alleged incident in a change room at the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre on Sunday 25 October. Police allege he used a recording device to film several people in a change room cubicle around 11.10am. He faces charges of producing child abuse material and producing intimate images. Brimbank council says it has terminated his membership and banned him from all council leisure centres. He is bailed to appear before Sunshine Magistrates' Court on 23 March 2027.