Warragul & Drouin Gazette
Helping hand
Reaping the benefits of a high yielding hay season, West Gippsland farmers are extending their hand of generosity by donating fodder to fire-impacted Victorian farmers. Only days after the call for help, a Lions Need for Feed semi trailer was pulling...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Summer splash
Leaping in to cool off in the Warragul outdoor pool on Friday are Lochie Tyrrell, Harry Sage, Luca Cosenza and Eli Mason. More photographs
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Parkrun celebrate 500
Brooker Park in Warragul was a sea of blue early on Saturday morning as Warragul Parkrun celebrated its 500th event and the first run of 2026. Saturday’s event saw 237 people take on the track, including 17 newcomers. Attendees came from across the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Perfect weather for races
by Bonnie Collings Following several years of disruption and hot weather adjustments, the Drouin Picnic Races was back in full swing on Boxing Day, drawing a crowd of about 1000 people. Drouin and District Racing Club president Mark Leighton said the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Fifth acting CEO for council
Baw Baw Shire has announced the appointment of its fifth temporary leader in 12 months. Sally Jones will join the organisation as acting chief executive officer on January 6. She has been contracted to February 3. With more than 25 years of local...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Christmas shop delivers joy
A community Christmas shop in Warragul has provided presents for 174 children from 87 families experiencing financial hardship this festive season. The shop, run by West Gippsland Healthcare Group’s allied and community health department, operated for...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
“GO AWAY”
Shady Creek farmers have spoken loud and clear battery storage facilities don’t belong in their neighbourhood. The emotional pleas of property owners were simple - “go away.” Gathered for a meeting of proximal neighbours to the proposed Darnum...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
A living promise for support
Born from loss, built with hope and now ready to offer vital support, Warragul RSL has celebrated the official opening of its new welfare centre. “It’s not just a building, it’s a living promise,” Baw Baw Veterans and Family Centre manager Ben Vahland...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Demons deliver draft dream
From Trafalgar Junior Football Club together to the AFL, Gold Coast’s Bailey Humphrey (right) made a quick trip home on Thursday to be with close friend Tom Matthews when his draft dream came true. Tom celebrated his Melbourne selection with family...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Creating a field of remembrance
More than 3000 handmade poppies will create a “field of remembrance” at the Warragul cenotaph today for Remembrance Day. Working on a production line to sew poppies onto panels at Warragul RSL last week are (from left) Sally Standen, Marg Reynolds,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
ALMOST GONE
Warragul’s iconic Exhibition Hall is almost gone. Demolition works began at the Howitt St site early Friday morning. Work began at the back of the building due to its structural design. While works were paused at the end of Friday for the weekend...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
100 years young
Age is no barrier for Garfield North farmer and current Garfield Rotary Club president Harry van den Broek who will celebrate his 100th birthday on Thursday. His life story reads like an adventure novel.
Read Full Story (Page 1)
FOUND after three years
Three years to the day after she went missing, police located human remains in the renewed search for Lucinda Miller last Thursday. Acting inspector Paula Linford said the remains, clothing and a vodka bottle that were located 80 metres off the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
$310,000 record
Meat, mates and men’s health were at the top of the agenda at the 12th annual Baw Baw Big Blokes BBQ, which raised a record-breaking $310,000 on Friday. With 700 men in the room, it didn’t take long for the fundraising spirit to kick into top...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Ram raid - wrong target
Overwhelming community support has inspired the owners and staff of the Longwarry Supermarket to keep going after the family-run business was ram raided early Wednesday morning. Despite significant damage to the front of the store, owners Janet and...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
DESPERATE NEED
A social housing development in Mason St, Warragul will provide desperately needed housing security for 51 households, only slightly easing the pressure on the growing list in West Gippsland. Developed by Housing Choices Australia (HCA), in...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
PURR-FECT
It was the Cats’ day on Saturday with Neerim-Neerim South taking out the premiers and champions double in both the senior football and A grade. A record crowd of almost 5000 people attended the Ellinbank and District Football Netball League grand...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
The face of homelessness
There are many faces of homelessness. On the streets of Warragul, Red is one of them. Many locals would have seen Red, with his trolley of belongings, in search of somewhere warm to sleep. His story of rough sleeping is a familiar one and while he...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Spring has sprung
With winter rainfall well below the 115-year average, it is no surprise spring is well and truly upon us. Despite a wet end to winter with 53mm of rainfall recorded for Warragul last week, the signs of spring are evident at Blyth Bros’ farm at...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Keep fighting levy
Baw Baw Shire councillors, who voted unanimously to oppose the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund and write to the State Government to repeal the levy, have urged ratepayers to “keep fighting the fight.” For ratepayers who received rates notices...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Book lovers
“Book an adventure” is the theme for this year’s Book Week and local students will be doing just that as they bring their favourite characters to life during Book Week activities this week. Reading their favourite stories are Drouin Primary School prep...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
New school friend
Drouin South Primary School has welcomed a new school yard friend. Students Phoenix and Quinn love spending time with wellbeing dog Bonnie.
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Community Sleepout
As the homelessness crisis continues to deepen, community awareness, empathy and actions need to increase. We hope a Community Sleepout will be the first step. The Gazette has worked with a number of passionate community leaders to bring this...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Snowfest success
Warragul’s central business district was transformed into a winter wonderland on Friday night when an estimated 20,000 people turned out for Snowfest. Left: The smiles say it all for Willow and Sebastian Cross of Warragul as they race down the popular...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Bernard still chipping away
Just shy of his 90th birthday, Bernard Rabl is still chipping away at the jobs that need to be done - especially his volunteer work. A valued member of the Warragul Lions Club’s woodcutting crew, Bernard is on hand every Monday morning to lend a hand...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Celebrating NAIDOC Week
The Deadly Hoops basketball competition and a Kurnai Culture Expo at the West Gippsland Arts Centre wrapped up NAIDOC Week celebrations for 2025. The Deadly Hoops basketball competition was played at the Warragul Leisure Centre basketball stadium on...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Game changing
A new sporting pavilion and bike pump track will be built in Warragul after attracting a combined $1.5 million in State Government funding. The two projects were amongst 41 projects announced by Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence on Tuesday. An...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Punching high in new home
From boxing by car headlights to training in a new home - Warragul Boxing Gym hosted members from Doveton Boxing Club, Blitz Boxing Gym and Moe Youth Club for some sparring practice last weekend. Full story by Nicholas Duck
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Leading the charge
As female presidents become the norm in professional and amateur leagues, four women are making their mark in the Ellinbank and District Football and Netball League. Breaking down traditional roles and leading the off-field charge for on-field success...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
THANK YOU!
Nilma Primary School students gave a special shout-out to local emergency services workers on Wednesday for Thank a First Responder Day. Ty, Tye, Bobby and Violet were excited to meet and thank Warragul SES members Lucy Cardwell and Charlotte Brown.
Read Full Story (Page 1)
OAM honour for Jim
Warragul resident the Reverend Doctor James (Jim) Connelly was awarded with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in yesterday’s King’s birthday awards. On learning of the award Dr Connelly said he was “gobsmacked.” “In a way I feel ‘inadequate’ at...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Protests heard, levy increase paused
People power has won with the State Government announcing a backflip on its controversial Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy on Friday afternoon. Amid protests, backlash from rural communities and Baw Baw Shire Council taking a stand to...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
TOUGH TIMES
Paddocks lack an autumn break, dams are low or empty, and stock are being culled from herds - that’s the heartbreaking reality facing farmers across West Gippsland. But there’s a human cost - the farmers and their families doing it tough - they’re the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Community vision brought to life
The Gerry Eversteyn Neerim District Men’s Shed was officially opened on Thursday with a community celebration fitting for the volunteers who have brought the vision to life. The ceremony has been a long time coming for the shed’s dedicated group of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MAYOR SUSPENDED
A “deteriorating relationship” within a “dysfunctional” former council has resulted in current Baw Baw Shire mayor Danny Goss being suspended for 21 days. The suspension will be effective from the conclusion of tomorrow night’s council meeting. The...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
CLOSE CALL
Monash remains undecided. In a battle too close to call for any candidate, a complex counting of preferences continues to unfold in Monash with the Australian Electoral Commission at this stage only releasing primary vote figures for...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Lest we forget
Heather Steenholdt (centre) proudly wears the service medals of her father Stanley James Nichol who received a Military Cross for service in France during World War I. He fought at Villers-Bretonneux. Heather gathered with family members to lay a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
We’re off to see the wizard...
Warragul Youth Theatre brought to life a theatre classic over the school holidays with six performances of “The Wizard of Oz” at the West Gippsland Arts Centre. Whisking audiences away to the “Merry Old Land of Oz”, cast members captured the magic of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Park running for 10 years
Warragul Parkrun participants donned their brightest colours on Saturday morning in celebration of the event’s 10th birthday. In the pre-run briefing, event director Lea Naismith thanked everyone who attended the celebration before cutting a special...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
LEVY ANGER
Residents have every right to be furious about a proposed new tax which will strip $5.37 million from the pockets of Baw Baw Shire ratepayers, according to mayor Danny Goss. Farmers are expected to be “those punished most” - paying almost double the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Election fever hits Farm World
Farm World was the perfect stage for campaigning on Friday for Monash candidates who hit the ground running within hours of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announcing the May 3 federal election. With thousands of farmers, exhibitors and community...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Kitchen of care
As the cost of living crisis deepens, a Warragul charity is rapidly expanding to meet a growing need to put food on the table. Frankies Community Kitchen cannot meet the current demand from local food relief centres. It is sadly a reflection of the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Wine to the world
Yarragon winemaker Bill Downie is taking his pinot noir to the world, with his William Downie label selected to be showcased at the iconic La Cité du Vin trade museum in Bordeaux, France.
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Potato traditions on show
Thousands of spud lovers descended on Thorpdale on Sunday for the bi-annual Thorpdale Potato Festival. Despite the hot weather, event organisers were pleased with the turnout. While the official numbers were yet to be confirmed, organisers estimated...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
SHOWTIME!
Perfect weather and large crowds combined on the weekend as Warragul Show organisers celebrated the 140th anniversary of the show. The show’s traditional agricultural themes combined with carnival fun to offer something for everyone.
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Show tradition spans five generations
As the Warragul Show celebrates its 140th anniversary this weekend, a local family will have a celebration of its own as grade two twins James and Lachlan Gleeson and their three year old sister Saoirse become fifth generation exhibitors at the iconic...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Fans swoop on Pies party
It was a sea of black and white as Collingwood faithful from around West Gippsland swooped into Western Park last Tuesday. Collingwood Football Club hosted a series of clinics and school visits as part of its Community Camp program. Featuring the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
DRY DAYS
Well, it is summer! But the West Gippsland area’s brown and yellow countryside tells a story of an unusual dry stretch across the region. January was the sixth successive month that rainfall was well down on the 115-year average. At the Bureau of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
School’s back
After years of community campaigning to save Neerim District Rural Primary School, 15 students walked through the gates last week for the 2025 school year. The school has been de-staffed and non-operational since late 2019 due to low enrolments. After...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Rodeo action
There were plenty of thrills, spills and action at the Neerim Rodeo on Saturday that attracted a sell-out crowd of 3000 people. Ruth O’Donoghue from Bunyip was one of the local competitors to show her skills in the open barrel race.
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Inspiring young artists
About 60 children visited Trafalgar Public Hall on Wednesday for the annual “NGV Kids on Tour” event run by Baw Baw Arts Alliance. Baw Baw Arts Alliance members have hosted the free art activity day for children and young people for the past seven...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Bowl it like Bumrah!
When a Warragul youngster showcased his “Bumrah” bowling style in a game of family cricket, he never expected the man himself to be watching nearby. Jack Cameron, just 11-years-old, was bowling in Watsons Bay, Sydney when Indian bowling sensation...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Warragul Warriors Swimming Club members were out in force for the Gippsland swimming meet held at Warragul Leisure Centre on Saturday. Taking a break between their events in the pool are (from left) Taj Reid, William Wang, Troy Oswald, Logan Gibson and Hu
The first game following the festive season break was a double-header for the Gippsland Goannas veteran cricketers. The Vic Country teams, with players coming from anywhere between Horsham, Maryborough and Wodonga, arrived in Traralgon on Saturday to...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Races back with a bang
The traditional Drouin Boxing Day picnic races were back to their traditional glory on Thursday, drawing a healthy crowd to the six-race meeting. About 800 people braved the heat as the mercury climbed to 36 degrees mid-afternoon. But, by then, the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Nature on Your Doorstep books now available
More copies of the latest booklet produced by Friends of Drouin’s Trees have arrived and have plenty of tips on where to enjoy more than 30 nature walks not far away. Most also offer ideal spots to break the walk with a picnic lunch. “Nature on Your...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Youth crime epidemic
An alarming youth crime epidemic and the psychological distress to victims has been condemned by local police. Baw Baw police said the youth responsible for serious offences were not being held to account and walking away with nothing more than a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
PEOPLE ARE HURTING
There is a lot of “hurt and pain” in the community this Christmas - and West Gippsland is no different, according to federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton who heard first hand the increasing demand on Baw Baw Food Relief yesterday. Cost of living...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Mt Baw Baw up for grabs
The search is on for a private operator to lease Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort. However, despite a local politician questioning the tourism attraction’s future if a lease cannot be secured, an Erica business owner has emphasised “it’s business as usual”...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Double delight
It was double delight for Warragul at the AFL National Draft last week when locals Alix Tauru and Jasper Alger officially found their way onto AFL lists. Tauru, a high flying defender who was predicted to be taken in the first round on Wednesday,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Mini tornado rips through streets
Warragul residents have likened a sudden wind storm to a tornado as tiles were torn from rooftops, fences snapped and birds blown into bushes. A trail of destruction was left in the Dawson Drv, Howard St and Normanby St areas after the storm struck...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
COUNCIL OVERHAUL
The community has demanded change with seven new faces amongst the nine councillors elected onto Baw Baw Shire Council. After some sleepless nights for candidates, distribution of preferences on Thursday afternoon determined the seven councillors who...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Feeding the needy
Volunteers are the backbone of the Longwarry Lions Food Relief program, but as demand continues to rise, more volunteers are needed to support community members in need. “There’s a job for everybody, many hands make light work,” said spokesperson...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Blokes BBQ tops $200,000
The 11th annual Baw Baw Big Blokes BBQ raised $208,000 on Friday in an afternoon filled with laughs, drinks, food and most importantly, discussions about men’s health. The event saw 700 men descend on Lardner Park to raise money for prostate cancer...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
New life for historic trailer
An historic trailer used mainly to transport wool bales to port about 120 years ago and now looking as good as new left Warragul early today on the back of a truck headed for its original home in South Australia. Its destination is Hiltaba Station...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
150 years of school
About 200 people attended 150th anniversary celebrations at Drouin West Primary School on Sunday – the oldest operating school in West Gippsland. A commemorative mural made possible through school community fundraising efforts was unveiled. The mural...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
YOUNG PERFORMERS SHINE
Warragul Youth Theatre performed “Hammered - A Thor and Loki Play” at the West Gippsland Arts Centre last week. The cast wowed audiences with their strong physical comedy, fantastic costuming, and deep exploration of character and emotion.
Read Full Story (Page 1)