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.
The Grand Ridge Project in Mirboo North has started serving its tap beers, with owners Kelly and Andy McCarthy set to officially open the venue on Friday, October 30. The kitchen is still being completed, so visitors can drink at the bar and eat from food trucks parked outside. Four beers are currently on tap, including a pale ale, hazy IPA and lager, with a dark ale due in about a month. The beers are brewed at Burra Brewing in Korumburra, with plans to move production to the old Mirboo North brewery once renovations are finished.
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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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.
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.
Cricket returned to the Latrobe Valley for the 2026/27 season at the weekend, with early rust evident across grades. In the Rod Dunbar Shield, Raiders beat Churchill, while Glengarry made 6/240 against Imperials, with Sam Marks unbeaten on 105. Morwell beat Rovers with a bonus point, and Ex Students defeated Moe by eight wickets. Several clubs suffered heavy player unavailability, leading to frequent forfeits in lower grades.
The Traralgon parkrun community marked parkrun's 22nd birthday on Saturday, October 3, with participants wearing tutus. Since starting in 2015, the Traralgon event has had more than 6000 participants and over 600 volunteers. Local runner Errol Poole has completed 591 parkruns over more than 14 years. In NSW, Kylie Murray was the first woman to finish the 57 kilometre Port Stephens Trail Run. The Harriers' summer season began on Thursday, October 8, with trail and hill runs.
Leongatha residents can now book an Uber after the rideshare company switched on its service in the town and 14 other regional Victorian centres. The Leongatha zone also covers Korumburra, Mirboo North and Inverloch. Uber said driver availability would build over the coming weeks, and riders should allow extra travel time during peak periods. Eligible Victorian Seniors Card and Seniors Savers Card holders can get discounts on their rides. Uber is still recruiting drivers in all 15 new centres.
