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.
Two mobile training units will bring practical courses to First Nations learners in Gippsland and north-west Victoria. A $2.46 million federal investment is funding the project, which is expected to support 600 learners each year. The units will be fitted with training simulators, computers and off-grid power, and are expected to be operational by 2028. They will travel to at least 17 regional and remote communities, offering courses in energy, construction, agriculture and land management. Federal Skills and Training Minister Andrew Giles said the units would help build local workforces without learners needing to travel to city centres.
Wonthaggi Power has re-signed Zac Mabilia as head coach for the 2027 season. The Australian Kelpies midcourter will lead both the club's A and B Grade netball teams. Bec Wright will also return to the coaching staff. Mabilia began playing junior netball at the club and went on to represent Australia at under-17 and under-20 levels. He was also the youngest athlete to debut for the Kelpies.
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Eight carers recently took a four-day walk from Fish Creek to Port Welshpool as part of Interchange Gippsland's 10th Carer Camino. The retreat ran from October 20 to 23, with participants averaging about 10 kilometres a day along the Great Southern Rail Trail. Organisers handled the practical details, while activities included meditation, meals and wellbeing workshops. Interchange Gippsland CEO Rebecca Massaro said the retreat helps carers maintain their wellbeing and caring relationships. The organisation plans to continue offering these carer wellbeing opportunities.
The final MotoGP race on Phillip Island was cancelled on Sunday due to rain and poor visibility, after fans waited through delays all day. The event had been held on the Victorian island since 1989. Fans travelled from across the country for the farewell, and local businesses were busy after a quiet winter. Rosa Scarlato, the race's number one ticketholder, said the loss would be felt by the whole island. Riders and fans still shared one last roar before the circuit's final weekend ended.
A storm cell struck Leongatha around 7pm last Saturday, bringing wind, rain and heavy hail. Leongatha SES received calls about fallen trees, collapsed ceilings and flooding. Three SES teams attended nine fallen trees or branches and five building damage incidents. One rescue was carried out. SES controller Teresa Jans said some drivers showed little courtesy to police and emergency crews at the scene, which she described as a concern. Local SES also cleared trees in Inverloch.
The final MotoGP race at Phillip Island was cancelled on Sunday because heavy rain and poor visibility made it impossible to run. It was to be the last race at the island circuit, which will move to Adelaide in 2027 after three decades on the Bass Coast. Earlier, the Moto2, Moto3 and Australian Superbikes races were also cancelled. Organisers said limited visibility led to the decision, which was announced at 3:30pm after fans had waited in the rain for hours. The official morning warm-up and trackside entertainment, including a legends lap, were also cancelled.
Tobacco Licensing Victoria says it has closed 100 outlets across Victoria, with 12 in Gippsland in the past two weeks. The Mirboo North shop was issued a 90-day short-term closure notice. Monash MP Mary Aldred says closures are too slow, with an estimated 1000 to 1600 illicit shops in the state, and calls for excise cuts. Reports say some shops have reopened online or relocated, and that organised crime is involved in the trade.
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.
Voters in the Melbourne outer-east seat of Pakenham are turning to One Nation ahead of next month's Victorian state election. Frustration over cost of living, crime and infrastructure delays is driving the shift. Labor holds the seat by a margin of 0.39 per cent, and its sitting member will not recontest it. The latest DemosAU poll shows One Nation's primary support dropping two points to 20 per cent. Labor has warned that Victoria risks a minority government including One Nation.
Korumburra community members packed the Middle Hotel to show support for the town's outdoor pool and its future. Community organisers said a local company has approached South Gippsland Shire Council about buying the pool and running it as a community owned asset. Costings of $3.5 million for works were presented, far below the $18 million council has put on the work. Mayor Nathan Hersey encouraged residents to make submissions before feedback closes on Sunday December 6.
Prices were significantly higher than a fortnight ago at Thursday's Leongatha Store Sale, with steers and heifers both selling strongly. Deb Chisholm sold a pen of 14 Angus steers averaging 345 kilograms for $2,090 a head, or $6.05 a kilogram. Jimmy Kyle of SEJ said prices were fair to buyers and sellers, linking the rise to cattle quality and buyer confidence after recent rain. Heifers consistently sold for more than $5 a kilogram, with some pens close to $6.
Landholders and specialists will meet at Koonwarra Hall on Saturday, November 21, to discuss deer damage to farms and native vegetation. The South Gippsland Landcare Network is hosting its first Deer Control Expo, running from 10am to 3pm. Speakers include Parks Victoria representatives discussing deer and fox impacts at Wilsons Promontory. The event follows a $500,000 state government commitment for deer control at the Prom. Lunch is included, and tickets are available through Humanitix.
Melbourne guitarist and singer-songwriter Steph Strings will headline the sixth annual Tarwin Lower Festival on Sunday, November 1, at the Tarwin Lower Recreation Reserve. The community event will feature 16 acts across two stages, along with classic car and machinery displays, market stalls, food vans and children's activities. Gates open at 10am. Tickets are $10 for adults and $4 for teens aged 12 to 17 when bought online before the day, with children admitted free. Organisers say the live music program has been expanded this year.
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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Snakes are drawn to gardens that offer food, shelter and warmth, according to South Gippsland snake catcher Jake Condotta. Messy garden beds, compost heaps and long grass attract the rodents, frogs and lizards snakes eat. Bird seed, pet food, ponds and piles of timber can also draw them in. Condotta says people should keep their distance from snakes and never try to catch or kill them. If someone is bitten, they should call 000 immediately.
Theatre-maker Lyall Brooks has been appointed festival director of the 2028 Castlemaine State Festival, Australia's longest-running regional multi-arts festival. Brooks founded independent theatre company Lab Kelpie in 2012 and was most recently education manager at Malthouse Theatre in Melbourne. Originally from a small Gippsland farming community, he said he feels a real responsibility in the role. Castlemaine State Festival board chair Gary McClure welcomed the appointment. The 2028 festival will run from March 17 to 26.
South Gippsland Shire councillor Sarah Gilligan has called for change in political tone following the attack on Indi MP Dr Helen Haines. Gilligan said words are weapons and that women in politics should not have to weigh their safety when choosing their battles. She criticised groups of people who make accusations against councils and social media abuse. Other councillors and Mayor Nathan Hersey also voiced support, while Bass Coast Shire Mayor Brett Tessari sent wishes for Haines's recovery. A motive has not been outlined for the man accused of deliberately targeting Haines with his vehicle.
Fish Creek Football Netball Club is among 261 clubs to receive funding from the TAC Club Rewards Program, which recognises efforts to encourage safer driving. Korumburra Bena is one of seven clubs to receive the maximum grant of $10,000. Poowong and Kilcunda Bass are also receiving funding. The grants will pay for equipment, facilities and community programs. The clubs will promote the 2027 message Be the Difference. Make the Right Choice. Slow Down on the Road. Minister for Roads and Road Safety Paul Hamer announced the grants.
The Kirra dredge and its workboats have left Inverloch for Middle Park, where a similar sand renourishment project is set to start by the end of the week. Dredging at Inverloch finished in September, when sand was pumped from Anderson Inlet onto the eroded surf beach. Dune monitoring will now run on a rolling schedule, with drone flights about every six weeks and ground measurements from Point Norman to Flat Rocks. The City of Port Phillip says Middle Park's work has been delayed, and dredging is expected to finish by the end of November, weather permitting.
