Bairnsdale defeated Paynesville Gold (87 to 63) to claim the division one East Gippsland Bowls Division Saturday Pennant flag at Lakes Entrance Bowls Club at the weekend.Despite speculation play would be called off due to the heat policy, all four divisions got under way on the official starting time.Before start of play both Bairnsdale and Paynesville Gold had won a game a piece against one and...

More than 350 blokes (and a few women) helped raise huge funds for prostate cancer research, cramming into Cremin Hall for the ninth annual Biggest Ever Big Blokes BBQ Lunch on Friday.The yearly fundraiser was deemed a huge success by committee chairman, Bob Yeates, who thanked the blokes, sponsors and supporters of the event for continuing to raise awareness and much needed money for the...

Dry lightning strikes across Gippsland over the past five days have played a role in sparking and reigniting 21 bushfires, including two threatening East Gippsland communities near Dargo, Buchan and Omeo.The Hibernia Black Snake fire, 7km north west of Dargo, has been issued with a Watch and Act alert for nearby residents with firefighters undertaking asset protection works in Dargo.As of...

Southern Rural Water (SRW) is reviewing groundwater management plans in the East Gippsland region.Customers who have been sent a survey and other interested parties are invited to complete a survey relating to the Yarram Water Supply Protection Area and the Stratford groundwater management area. The area extends from the Latrobe Valley to Lakes Entrance and the 90 Mile Beach to Corner Inlet.The...

Farmers from drought-declared areas of East Gippsland will soon be able to apply for a rebate of up to 25 per cent for on-farm water infrastructure spending.During his weekend visit to Gippsland, Federal Agriculture and Water Resources Minister, David Littleproud, said an agreement had been struck between the Federal and Victorian governments under the $50 million On-farm Emergency Water...