Newlands Arms residents, John Kramme and Judy Leadoux, are hoping that a directive by the Environment Protection Authority to East Gippsland Water to prevent wastewater entering the environment will be heeded. The couple, who live on the edge of Newlands Arm, have witnessed dead fish, baby eels and mussels being washed up on the shoreline. They claim that treated effluent, which has been...

A poacher who was reportedly illegally shooting across private property in Dargo last week has had her firearms license suspended and her firearms seized. The 26-year-old woman, who lives in the Heyfield area, was arrested by Briagolong Police on Wednesday and formally interviewed. Senior Constable Stuart Brewer said the woman, who had five high-powered firearms, consisting of rifles and a...

Former East Gippsland Shire councillor, Ben Buckley, will be farewelled at a funeral in Benambra next Friday, March 4.  Mr Buckley passed away peacefully at home early last Thursday morning. The 85-year-old had dedicated his life to local government and was heavily involved in community and sporting events. His funeral at the Benambra Recreation Reserve at 11am will be open to everyone who...

The Bruthen Blues & Arts Festival, held over the weekend, has been hailed a roaring success. Good weather ensured the festival attracted a large crowd for all its performances, which were mainly staged outdoors because of COVID-19 restrictions. It was the 25th anniversary of the festival which attracted a number of big name acts, including the Badloves (pictured), who played the Bruthen...

Former East Gippsland Shire Councillor, Ben Buckley, sadly passed away at his home in Benambra on Thursday morning. An enormously popular figure in the community, Mr Buckley served on five consecutive councils with the East Gippsland Shire from 2003 until his retirement in 2020. He had previously been an Omeo Shire councillor, prior to the amalgamation of various municipalities in the region,...