The Class of 2026 at Chairo Christian School in Leongatha has marked the end of its school years with a series of celebrations. A carnival morning used a toy-themed design, with graduates dressed as characters and running stalls for younger students. The next day, the final assembly featured a devotional message from school captain Meg Stokes and flowers presented by Prep students. That evening, a Valedictory Dinner recognised the graduates and their families. Principal Amy Stork said the school was proud to celebrate with the students.
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.
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.
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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.
Victoria needed just 19 runs to beat Tasmania at Bellerive when Hoekstra came to the crease. Liam Blackford had been dismissed for 80, and Fergus O'Neill was on 44 when he was caught in the deep with nine runs still needed. Hoekstra reached his mark, and a mix-up saw him safely back in his crease. Victoria needed five runs when Harry was the last man out, caught behind after a slash at a ball that might have won the match.
Students at Leongatha Secondary College dressed up and shared breakfast before a final assembly marking the end of their Year 12 school days. A valedictory event at Leongatha Memorial Hall will follow on Thursday, with students, family and staff attending. Principal Brad Hutchinson urged students to remember their roots, while the school gives equal importance to VCE and VCE Vocational Major students. Students will sit exams at Leongatha Recreation Reserve this year because of building works at the school.
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.
Victoria 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.
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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.
