66 Gippsland Life Autumn 2026

gippsland life ISSUE # 66

autumn

$9.95

WOODSIDE BEACH

Autumn’s perfect secret getaway

A Taste of Gippsland

A journey through the region

Misty Harlowe

Gippsland’s rising songstress

Phillip Island Winery

Dream location for your perfect day

ISSN 1838-8124

What's On this Autumn

Gippsland travel, food, art, lifestyle + more!

FUNCTIONS SPACE & COCKTAIL BAR Nestled in the heart of Maffra, The Barrel & Bliss Function Room offers a stylish and versatile space for private events and celebrations.

Located upstairs, the space offers a dedicated cocktail bar and a modern, relaxed setting, with balcony access and oak barrel features that add a unique touch for birthdays, engagement parties, corporate events and special occasions.

Enquire today - Let’s start planning!

L1, 122-126 Johnson St, Maffra, 3860 (03) 5141 1566 www.barrelandbliss.com.au

NEW NAVARA HAS ARRIVED

1 Roughead Street, Leongatha, VIC 3953 | Tel: 5662 2327 | www.edneysnissan.com.au Dealer Licence MD LMCT 1500

Contents

A carrer in healthcare with a community focus

6

A Taste of Gippsland Journey through the region's finest produce

14

The Curry Club Local home of flavour

64

The Hidden Treasures of Tarra Bulga National Park An enchanting rainforest

28

Autumn Events and Markets in The Middle of Everywhere

A special celebration for this charming historic town

96

Over 50's Living 70

106

Palm Lake Resort Seeing with Stars Astrology

A Beach Where Memories are Made Woodside Beach

The Winey Bear Woodfire pizza and wine bar

Artist and author

22

Olive at Loch Home of baking

Loch Village is 150

Marguerite Sharlott

Dr Patrick Kinsella

74

116

Your Autumn Horoscopes Pet Corner

120

All pets great and small!

78

36

Special Indexes Gippsland Gourmet Eat, Drink, Enjoy

11

Gippsland Art

Port Albert

Dream Location for the Perfect Day Phillip Island Winery

44

Music Leading Olivia Along the Way Olivia Lay, musician

52 56

Janine Riches' Change of Pace Janine Riches, artist

4 | gippsland life autumn 2026

60

84 90

South Gippsland Shire Council Autumn in South Gippsland

92

Autumn Events and Markets in South Gippsland

51

The Middle of Everywhere

68

Gippsland Explore Travel, stay and play in Gippsland

83

Gippsland Lifestyle

Wildlife Cruises Wilson's Prom full day cruise

Wild About Misty Misty Harlowe, musician

A seaside home away from home

Get to know our amazing creative Gippslanders

94

Creating comfort and style in your sanctuary

101

CONTENT Editor Melissa Cane Assistant Editor Wendy Morriss Creative Design Ivy Hajduk design@ivyhajduk.com.au

Writers Natalie Box, Melissa Cane, Wendy Hall, Chris West Contributors Stephanie Johnson – Seeing with Stars Astrology Photographers Penny Chadwick Photography, Ryan Frith, Rayleen Slegers

ADVERTISING For all advertising enquiries, phone: 0418 314 005 Sales Manager, Maxine Sando

CONTACT Facebook, /gippslandlifemagazine Instagram, @gippslandlifestyle

DISTRIBUTION Gippsland Life Magazine is published quarterly and is usually available at the beginning of each season. It is distributed to selected newsagents and retail outlets within the Gippsland region as well as surrounding Melbourne regions and parts of Victoria.

Issues are also available to read online at issuu.com/james448

A word from our editor…

THIS QUARTER, I HAVE HAD the privilege of diving into the stories of some of Gippsland’s most talented creatives. There is something incredibly rewarding about sharing the journeys of artists and musicians whose work reflects the depth, beauty and character of our region.

In this edition, we feature artist Janine Riches and artist Marguerite Sharlott, two remarkable creatives whose works are deeply connected to place and storytelling. We also shine a spotlight on musicians Misty Harlowe and Olivia Lay, whose dedication to their craft continues to elevate Gippsland’s vibrant music scene.

Food, as always, plays a central role in our pages.

I thoroughly enjoyed sourcing local ingredients from the Spud Shed and Gippsland Food and Wine, celebrating the incredible producers who make it easy to create dishes filled with flavour and provenance. We also feature Olive at Loch and The Winey Bear, both contributing to the rich food culture of Loch as the town proudly celebrates its 150-year anniversary, a milestone that reflects generations of community spirit and resilience.

This issue also explores some of Gippsland’s most beautiful destinations. From the sweeping shores of Woodside Beach to the lush trails of Tarra-Bulga National Park, and the historic charm of Port Albert, including the stunning Boat Harbour Jetty B&B, our region continues to offer experiences that are both grounding and inspiring. If you are in the mood for something bold and comforting, the Curry Club delivers authentic Indian flavours that are not to be missed.

We are also proud to feature Dr Patrick Kinsella, Australia Day Ambassador, whose leadership and service embody the strength of regional communities.

Gippsland is rich in talent, history, produce and heart. I hope you enjoy this edition as much as I have enjoyed bringing it together.

Mel Cane, Editor/Director

Grow Gippsland acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and communities.

We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures, and to Elders past and present.

ON THE COVER

gippsland lifeTM is published by

Woodside Beach

GROW GIPPSLAND

Photographer, Penny Chadwick Photography

ABN 96 653 366 959 Address, Phone, Email,

Floor 1, 66 Church Street, Traralgon VIC 3844 +61 411 795 367 gippslandlifestyle@outlook.com

Location, Woodside Beach gippsland life autumn 2026 | 5

Dr Patrick Kinsella

A Career in Healthcare with a Community Focus An unassuming, tireless contributor to the East Gippsland community received some richly deserved recognition around this year’s Australia Day celebrations.

Words, Chris West | Photos, Ryan Frith and courtesy of East Gippsland Shire

D

r Patrick Kinsella, a longserving, dedicated and highly respected GP at Gippsland Lakes Complete Health in Lakes Entrance, was proud to accept an invitation from East Gippsland Shire to be its 2026 Australia Day Ambassador. “It was quite an honour,” he stated.

As part of his ambassadorial duties, Dr Kinsella delivered a keynote address and presented three notable awards at the Shire’s Australia Day Awards ceremony held on January 21st at the Lakes Entrance Surf Life Saving Club.

“It was a lovely evening.

I was delighted to be able to say a few words about our region and celebrate what a wonderful place it is to live and raise our families,” he said. “In addition to speaking, it was wonderful to have the opportunity to present the Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Event of the Year awards.”

An immigrant to Australia himself from Ireland more than forty years ago, Dr Kinsella felt humbled to be selected as the Australia Day Ambassador. “I suspect a couple of things may have led into this,” he suggested. “In 2024, I was awarded the Victorian GP of the Year from the Royal Australian College of General

6 | gippsland life autumn 2026

Practitioners and then a couple of months later I was fortunate enough to be selected as the RACGP National GP of the Year, selected from the list of state winners.”

East Gippsland Shire Mayor Cr Jodie Ashworth said Dr Kinsella exemplifies the spirit of service and connection that the Australia Day Awards celebrate. “Dr Kinsella’s contribution to East Gippsland spans decades and touches health, education, community media, sport and culture. He represents the quiet, consistent leadership that strengthens communities over time and we are honoured to have him as our 2026 Australia Day Ambassador.”

Community-mindedness was a recurring theme within Dr Kinsella’s keynote address, which also touched on various milestones in his remarkable life story. “Australia Day means different things to different people. For me, it is about asking all of our community to come together to celebrate what it is to be Australian,” he said.

Hailing from Dún Laoghaire, just south of Dublin, Dr Kinsella undertook his medical training at University College in Dublin and came to Australia in 1976 soon after qualifying as a doctor at the age of 23. “In those days, representatives »

FEATURE

gippsland life autumn 2026 | 7

Dr Patrick Kinsella (left) and East Gippsland Shire Mayor Jodie Ashworth (right) with Citizen of the Year Tracey Ah Sam (centre) at the Australia Day Awards Ceremony.

8 | gippsland life autumn 2026

from Australia came over to Ireland and offered flights and jobs to new graduates. I and quite a few of my classmates took up that offer and came with a plan to stay for a few years, have an adventure and then return home,” he recalled. “Most of us arrived in Queensland but now the ones who are still here are scattered around the country. I’m still in fairly regular contact with a couple of them.”

Dr Kinsella’s first placement was at the Royal Brisbane Hospital. After a year he was sent out to work in rural Queensland. “It was a real baptism of fire,” he remembered.

“I was less than two years qualified as a doctor, and the only doctor looking after towns and hospitals in Central Queensland. But I survived it and it made me a better doctor, and I believe made me realise that rural work was much more interesting than city work, especially as a GP.” After nearly three years in Australia, Dr Kinsella intended to head home to Ireland in 1979 but travelled via Canada and stayed for a year working in Newfoundland.

After spending the next couple of years in Ireland, he then returned to Australia. “I had always planned to come back but not necessarily remain here permanently, which is how things turned out,” he said.

Dr Kinsella found his way to Melbourne where his work included a period as an extended locum doctor in West Brunswick. It was while working in Melbourne, he met his wife Wendy at a St. Patrick’s Day dance. “Wendy was a nurse who was originally a country girl from the Upper Murray in Victoria. Although we enjoyed life in Melbourne, we both wanted to leave the city,” he recalled.

Then in 1984, Dr Kinsella saw an ad in The Age newspaper offering a GP position at a Community Health Centre in Lakes Entrance. “I think we had spent a long weekend in Paynesville once, but I wasn’t particularly familiar with Lakes Entrance at the time,” he noted.

“However, we didn’t need much convincing to come. The location

clearly had great natural attractions and was by the sea like my hometown in Ireland. I’d always wanted to be a GP even in medical school and my concept of that was someone who looked after their community. Working in a Community Health Centre with many medical services under one roof seemed the perfect match.”

Dr Kinsella has remained based at the facility now known as Gippsland Lakes Complete Health ever since.

Across more than 40 years as a GP he has seen many advances in medicine and changes within his profession. “I used to do a lot more house calls. I still do some, but they are now mainly related to palliative care. Telehealth consultations came in during COVID and have also changed the way we see many patients,” he commented.

“In terms of medical advancements, lots of incredible things are being done nowadays.

At the same time, the level of bureaucracy has gone up enormously during my time in medicine, which is a downside from my perspective.”

Dr Kinsella also noted that the changing times in modern society have made it challenging for rural towns to continue to attract the

doctors of tomorrow. “Lakes Entrance is an area with so much going for it, yet we have trouble attracting doctors to our practice. It’s a multifaceted problem. There’s not one simple answer to it. Rural areas are now more serviced by overseas doctors like me rather than Australian born graduates,” he observed.

Like most GPs, Dr Kinsella developed some special areas of interest during his career. One of those was his weekly visits to the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust, which he took over from one of his mentors Dr Elizabeth Bakewell following her retirement in 1998. “I used to go out to the community there on Tuesday mornings up until 2025, but they have employed their own doctors now,” he explained.

“For most of the time, I was assisted by a nurse Linda Wright, who was hugely important to that community. In later years, I would alternate with my colleague Dr Kath Connor. I look back over that long period of involvement with the LTAT with very fond memories, not only of the place but many of the people I met and all the things I learnt about Aboriginal culture.”

Medical education became another of Dr Kinsella’s key interests.

“As the old saying goes, the best way » gippsland life autumn 2026 | 9

to learn something is to teach it,” he said. “My involvement in medical education started after we decided we’d accept trainee doctors at our practice, and I became a sort of mentor for that. I enjoyed that role, then I got the opportunity to apply for a wider role in medical education regionally and it all led on from there.

My involvement spanned about 20 years, educating the trainee registrars. Later I also took over the professional development of all the supervisors, people like myself in practices who are taking trainees.”

Dr Kinsella said that general practice training went through several iterations during his involvement. “Initially it was run by the College of GPs, then it was broken into regional training organisations, then they were rationalised two or three times. Just before I finished it came back under the auspices of the College of GPs. At the end, I was looking after the professional development of the supervisors in the eastern half of Victoria,” he explained.

After Dr Kinsella arrived in Lakes Entrance and settled into the

Dr Patrick Kinsella with wife Wendy

10 | gippsland life autumn 2026

community, he also developed some interests beyond medicine encompassing media, sport and the arts. He was instrumental in the establishment of Radio East Gippsland (REG) and served as its first President. The Community Health Centre became REG’s first permanent home and Dr Kinsella hosted radio programs including Voyage, focused on folk music, and the much-loved Country Practice on Radio. “Radio East Gippsland has gone from strength to strength.

Although I am no longer involved, I still listen to it a bit and it’s something I might revisit at some point in the future,” he stated.

In the sporting field, together with his wife Wendy, Dr Kinsella founded the Lakes Entrance Junior Soccer Club at St Brendan’s. The club hosted the annual Shanley Cup for many years, drawing teams from all over Gippsland, from the Latrobe Valley to Mallacoota.

Dr Kinsella was also a founding member of the Nowa Nowa Men’s Choir. “The choir has been singing for around twenty years, and I was with them for about the first eight

years. I might also possibly go back to that one day,” he said.

“Another brief claim to fame was being involved with a musical called ‘GP -The Musical’, which was written by a couple of my colleagues in medical education. It was originally written for an annual conference and went down so well that we went on to do a sold-out week at the Melbourne Comedy Festival. We also performed it for a week at NIDA in Sydney and at the RACGP Conference in Darwin.

It was a fantastic time and great fun,” he reflected.

Dr Kinsella and wife Wendy still reside on the small farm near Lakes Entrance that they bought soon after their arrival in the town. Their three children, daughter Roisin and sons Michael and Daniel have also pursued careers in the medical field.

“Roisin is a GP in Orbost, Michael is a paramedic living in Melbourne but is an area manager for the Bendigo region, and Daniel is a GP in Castlemaine. He is also involved with the Bendigo District Aboriginal Corporation. Wendy and I are extremely proud of all of them,” he commented.

Dr Kinsella acknowledged that Wendy gave up her own nursing career to be a stay-at-home mother to their children and take primary responsibility for managing the farm while he was working. “It wouldn’t have been possible without the sacrifices Wendy made,” he insisted.

“The local community also played an important role in helping to raise our children and many others like ours. The swimming club, tennis club, footy club, cricket club and the surf lifesaving club were all great for the kids. Our son Michael was inspired by a mentor at the Lakes Entrance Surf Life Saving Club, Murray Colvin, to become a paramedic.”

After more than four decades attending to the health of the local community, Dr Kinsella has reduced his work schedule at Gippsland Lakes Complete Health to two and a half days a week but has no immediate plans for retirement. “I intend to continue working for a while yet,” he pledged. “I’m very lucky that my health remains good.” gl

gippsland

GOURMET Get out and treat yourself to some amazing food and produce

Nullamunjie Olives, Photo by everyday nicky

gippsland life autumn 2026 | 11

Gippsland Gourmet Index

Get listed on the gippsland life gourmet index Are you a local cafe, restaurant or eatery? Contact us today to get noticed in our world-famous Gourmet Index.

E: gippslandlifestyle@outlook.com

Barrel & Bliss

Loch & Key

Maffra Community Sports Club L1, 122-126 Johnson St, Maffra Phone: 5147 2670 www.barrelandbliss.com.au

32 Victoria Road, Loch Phone: 5659 4236 www.lochnkey.com.au

pg 2

pg 27

Brent Sinclair Catering

My Seaside Cafe

FEAST ON US & SPACE 47 47 McCartin St, Leongatha Phone: 0447 728 547 brentsinclaircatering.com.au

1/9 Beach Road, Rhyll Phone: 5900 0666 www.facebook.com/myseasidecafe

pg 26

pg 19

Coal Mine Café

Ocean View Hotel

19-37 Garden Street, Wonthaggi Phone: (03) 8427 2118 www.facebook.com/wonthaggstatecoalminecafe

3531-3533 Bass Highway, Kilcunda Phone: 5678 7245 kilcundaoceanviewhotel.com.au

pg 27

Craig Young's Butchery & Spit Roast Catering 90a Ridgway, Mirboo North Phone: 5668 1632 www.facebook.com/ craigyoung’sbutchery

pg 19

Phillip Island RSL 225-243 Thompson Ave, Cowes Phone: 5952 1004 www.pirsl.com.au

pg 32

pg 50

Leongatha RSL

Phillip Island Winery

Cnr Smith St & Michael Pl, Leongatha Phone: 5662 2747 www.leongatha-rsl.com.au

414 Berrys Beach Road, Ventnor Phone: 8595 2155 www.phillipislandwinery.com.au

pg 21

pg 126

12 | gippsland life autumn 2026

Gippsland Gourmet Index

Redi Milk Australia

The Pantry

Phone: 9702 4262 www.redimilk.com.au

7 Vista Place, Cape Woolamai Phone: 5952 6770 www.facebook.com/ thepantrycapewoolamai

pg 50

pg 20

Riverview Hotel Tarwin Lower 11-15 River Drive, Tarwin Lower Phone: 5663 5211 www.facebook.com/riverviewhotel

The Rhyll Tavern 11a Beach Rd, Rhyll www.therhylltavern.com.au

pg 40

pg 33

Rosedale Butchers

The Winey Bear

32 Prince Street, Rosedale Phone: 5199 2210 www.rosedalebutchers.com.au

10 Smith Street, Loch Phone 0409 798 525 www.facebook.com/the.winey.bear. wine.bar

pg 49

pg 36/41

The Curry Club

The Wooli Tavern

119 Thompson Avenue, Cowes Phone: 0455 673 312 www.thecurryclub.au

1 Vista Place, Cape Woolamai Phone 5956 6836 www.thewoolitavern.com.au

pg 20/22

pg 42

The Gurdies Winery

The Westernport Hotel

215 Gurdies-St Helier Rd, The Gurdies Phone: 5997 6208 www.thegurdieswinery.com.au

161 Marine Parade, San Remo Phone: 5678 5205 www.thewesternport.com.au

pg 34

pg 33

The Middle Korumburra Hotel 81 Commercial Street, Korumburra Phone: 5655 1024 www.korumburrahotel.com.au

pg 35

gippsland life autumn 2026 | 13

A Taste of Gippsland A journey through the region’s freshest produce.

Words, Melissa Cane | Photos, Melissa Cane and courtesy Gippsland Food and Wine

O

n a warm weekend drive through Gippsland, the rolling green hills led the way to Yarragon, a township known for its charm and thriving community of local producers. With a focus on showcasing the region’s exceptional food culture, the journey began just outside Trafalgar at the iconic Spud Shed, a roadside destination that proudly celebrates Gippsland’s agricultural roots. From the Princes Highway, the shop announces itself with a playful sculpture of giant potatoes perched on forks, an unmistakable landmark that captures the spirit of the place — welcoming, down-to-earth and proudly local.

Stepping through the doors, the rich aroma of freshly roasted nuts fills the air, immediately creating a

14 | gippsland life autumn 2026

sense of warmth and abundance.

Despite its name, the Spud Shed offers far more than potatoes.

Shelves are thoughtfully lined with vibrant local fruits and vegetables, alongside quality meats, dry goods and specialty pantry items sourced from across the region. Jars of small-batch jams and preserves sit beside health foods and artisan products, each one representing the work of a dedicated local producer.

It is the kind of place that invites slow browsing, where every shelf reveals something new and inspiring.

Carefully selecting ingredients for the weekend’s cooking became a pleasure in itself. Prom Country Cheeses’ Persian Feta stood out immediately a soft, creamy cheese with a rich texture that spreads effortlessly and delivers a beautifully balanced flavour. Nearby, the Spud Shed’s own pitted dates offered natural sweetness, their plump texture a testament to careful preparation. Honeycomb from My Girls Honey provided the perfect companion to the feta, its smooth, delicate sweetness enhancing rather than overpowering. Fresh produce was abundant, with glossy eggplants, vibrant asparagus, fragrant dill and ripe cherry tomatoes all reflecting the quality of Gippsland’s fertile land. Fresh roasted salted nuts added crunch and depth, while bread from Hope Farm Bakery and Gippsland Wild Yeast completed the selection.

The Turkish sourdough delivered a crisp crust and soft, chewy centre, »

FEATURE

gippsland life autumn 2026 | 15

while the herb and garlic loaf offered subtle citrus notes layered through its rich, yeasty base.

The journey continued into Yarragon itself, where Gippsland Food and Wine stands as a celebration of the region’s finest offerings. The town was alive with visitors enjoying coffee, conversation and the relaxed pace of a Sunday afternoon. Inside, the store presents an impressive collection of locally sourced wines, deli goods and pantry staples, all displayed with care. The adjoining café provides an inviting space to experience these products prepared fresh, further connecting visitors to the region’s food story.

Exploring the wine selection revealed the depth of Gippsland’s 16 | gippsland life autumn 2026

winemaking talent. A Tambo Estate Malakoff Shiraz 2018 was chosen for its smooth body, gentle acidity and rich fruit character, an ideal partner for a grazing platter.

For a lighter pairing, the Wild Dog Victorian Chardonnay 2023 offered crisp freshness with subtle notes of pear and grapefruit, its clean finish perfectly suited to seasonal dishes.

A locally produced pork, fennel and chilli kabana from Country Style Meats added another layer of regional flavour, its balanced seasoning and aromatic fennel highlighting the craftsmanship behind small-batch production.

This journey through Trafalgar and Yarragon highlights more than just exceptional food; it reflects a region deeply connected to its

producers. Gippsland’s strength lies not only in its fertile land, but in the passionate people who grow, create and supply these ingredients and the local businesses that bring them to the community. From carefully crafted cheeses and freshly baked breads to award-winning wines and vibrant produce, every item tells a story of dedication and pride. With such extraordinary quality available close to home, Gippsland continues to prove itself as one of Australia’s most rewarding destinations for those who value fresh, local and thoughtfully produced food.

From these exceptional ingredients, two simple yet striking dishes came together, each designed to let the quality of the produce shine. A grazing platter showcased the region’s richness, featuring the creamy Persian feta paired with golden honeycomb, fresh breads, roasted nuts and homemade eggplant dip, all complemented beautifully by the smooth, fruit-forward Tambo Estate Malakoff Shiraz 2018. The main dish centred on a perfectly cooked lamb rack, served alongside white bean hummus, roasted beetroot and fresh asparagus, finished with a peppery rocket vinaigrette.

Paired with the Wild Dog Victorian Chardonnay 2023, the dish achieved a perfect balance. The wine’s crisp acidity and bright citrus notes cut through the richness of the lamb, while enhancing the freshness of the vegetables, creating a meal that truly celebrated Gippsland’s outstanding local produce. gl

Grazing Platter INGREDIENTS

METHOD

* Prom Country Cheese – Persian Feta

In a baking tray place the two eggplants, 2 zucchinis, 1 head of garlic and trusted cherry tomatoes. Generously coat with olive oil salt & pepper and roast on 250C for around 30 minutes or until the eggplant its soft.

* My Girls Honey – Honey Comb * Spud Shed pitted dates * 2 tbls Greek yoghurt * 2 tsp tahini * 2 tbls olive oil * Small handful flat leaf parsley * 2 medium eggplants * Fresh roasted salted nuts * Turkish Bread Sourdough from Hope Farm Bakery * Herb & Garlic Bread from Gippsland Wild Yeast * 20 trussed cherry tomatoes * 2 medium zucchinis * Emporium Brie – Aldi Stores Australia. Proudly made in Gippsland * Country Style Meats – Pork Fennel & Chilli Kabana * Spud Shed – roasted * Half head of garlic * Tambo Estate Malakoff Shiraz 2018

To make the eggplant dip: In a food processor add ½ head of roasted garlic, 2 tbls Greek yoghurt, 2 tsp tahini, two cubes of feta, flat leaf parsley and the inside of the roasted eggplant. Do not include the skin as this may be bitter. Blend on high until you get a smooth creamy consistency. This is best served warm or room temperature. Place in a small dip bowl for serving.

Meanwhile, use the oil from the fetta to brush both sides of your garlic herb bread and place it on an oven safe tray for toasting. On the tray also place the uncut Turkish bread. Bake for 5-10 minutes until slightly toasted. Once toasted, cut both breads into strips for dipping and spreading.

Place the roasted zucchini in a nice small dip bowl or similar. In another bowl place the rest of the feta without the oil and top with a piece of the honey comb.

The sweet honey and salty feta make an amazing combination.

On your platter organise all of your ingredients in a rustic fashion as in pictures. Enjoy with a lovely glass of Tambo Estate Malakoff Shiraz 2018 and some good friends.

gippsland life autumn 2026 | 17

Lamb Rack with White Bean Hummus, Roasted Beetroot, Asparagus and Rocket Vinaigrette (Serves 2) This dish celebrates the depth and elegance of Gippsland’s finest ingredients, bringing together tender lamb, earthy roasted beetroot and vibrant greens, balanced by a creamy white bean hummus and a bright, peppery rocket vinaigrette. Each element plays its role, creating a plate that is both visually striking and rich in flavour.

METHOD Begin by preparing the white bean hummus. In a food processor, combine the cannellini beans, tahini, Greek yoghurt, roasted garlic and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper then blend until smooth and creamy. The texture should be silky, with no remaining lumps. Spoon into a bowl and finish with a light dusting of roasted paprika and a drizzle of olive oil to preserve its smooth surface. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 200°C. Cut the beetroot into small, even cubes, approximately 1.5cm in size. Place on a roasting tray, drizzle with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Roast for around 30 minutes, or until tender and lightly caramelised. Around 12 minutes before the beetroot is ready, add the trimmed asparagus to the tray, lightly coating it in olive oil and seasoning. Roast until just tender, while still retaining its vibrant colour.

INGREDIENTS * 1 x 8-point lamb rack * 1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed * 2 large beetroot, peeled * 1 x 400g can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained * 1 tablespoon tahini * 2 tablespoons Greek yoghurt * 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for roasting * ½ head roasted garlic * Roasted paprika, to finish * 50g fresh rocket leaves * ½ cup extra virgin olive oil (for vinaigrette) * 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar * Pinch of sugar * Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper * Wild Dog Victorian chardonnay 2023

18 | gippsland life autumn 2026

To prepare the rocket vinaigrette, place the rocket leaves, olive oil, white wine vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper into a clean food processor. Blend until smooth and emulsified. The result should be a vibrant green dressing with a fresh, peppery aroma.

For the lamb, heat a heavy-based frying pan over high heat. Season the lamb generously with salt and pepper, then sear on all sides until a rich golden crust forms.

Place the lamb fat-side down and transfer the pan to the oven. Roast for approximately 18–20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 63°C for a perfect medium-rare. Remove from the oven and allow the lamb to rest for at least 5 minutes, ensuring the juices redistribute throughout the meat.

To assemble, spread a generous spoonful of the white bean hummus onto the plate, using the back of the spoon to create a smooth swipe. Scatter the roasted beetroot evenly across the plate, followed by the asparagus spears. Slice the lamb rack into two portions and place gently over the asparagus. Finish with a delicate drizzle of rocket vinaigrette across the plate.

The result is a beautifully balanced dish, where the richness of the lamb is complemented by the creamy hummus, the natural sweetness of roasted beetroot and the fresh bite of rocket. Paired with a glass of Wild Dog Victorian Chardonnay 2023, its crisp acidity and citrus notes elevate each element, creating a refined and memorable dining experience.

At My Seaside Cafe in Rhyll, enjoy hearty breakfasts, satisfying lunches, and friendly service — all while taking in the beautiful views of Westernport Bay, whether you’re sitting inside or under our covered outdoor area.

If you want to have a break or simply appreciate some time out to relax with a perfect coffee, a delicious bite to eat then head to My Seaside Cafe located on the esplanade at Rhyll, Phillip Island.

1/9 Beach Road, Rhyll VIC 3923

Boasting the best ocean view in Bass Coast Live music Saturday night and Sunday afternoon Beer garden | Carlton Draught + Guinness + Stone & Wood on tap

Open 7 days from Boxing Day to Easter, 12 noon to close Open Thurs – Sun rest of the year Bookings preferred (03) 5678 7245 kilcundaoceanviewhotel.com.au

3531-3533 Bass Highway, Kilcunda 3995 | kilcundaoceanviewhotel.com.au

N Y PE DA O RY E

EV

!

The Curry C lub MODERN INDIAN CUISINE Where every curry tells a story!

Home cooked, soulful meals made with passion, care and the finest ingredients.

Licenced restaurant, no BYO. COWES 119 Thompson Ave Ph: 0455 673 312

SAN REMO 1141 Marine Pde Ph: 0434 443 288

LOCAL BUTCHER & DELICATESSEN LOCAL FLAVOUR • PREMIUM PRODUCTS Fresh cuts of quality meat, Artisian cheese, free range small goods, free range eggs, small batch pasta, local wines, take home meals and a range of salts, rubs, sauces and gourmet ice cream.

The Pantry,

7 Vista Place, Cape Woolamai OPEN 7 DAYS PH: 5952 6770 E: thepantrycapewoolamai@gmail.com FB and Insta: thepantrycapewoolamai

WONTHAGGI 55–57 McBride Ave Ph: 0434 441 236

BOOK ONLINE! thecurryclub.au

Leongatha RSL Sub-Branch

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Earn Reward Points Daily Food & Beverage Promotions 10% Discount on Food and Beverage Thursday Members night – Happy Hour, Members Draw, Raffles. Fab Friday’s – Members Draw, Meat Tray Raffles, Joker Poker

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Dinner Bookings Essential

Let us look after your event and create an event to remember! With a large range of function services available, Leongatha RSL is here to provide you with memorable events and great local service.

Shows & Events

Venue Trading Hours

Red Poppy Café

For Upcoming Shows and Events check the Website regularly

Monday – Wednesday: 10am-10pm Red Poppy Café pays homage to our Service Thursday & Friday: 10am-11pm Men and Women and offers a bright space for Saturday: 11am-11pm | Sunday: 11am-10pm coffee and a light snack every day of the week.

COURTESY BUS AVAILABLE | THURSDAY – FRIDAY – SATURDAY AND OTHER TIMES BY APPOINTMENT MEMBERS ONLY

For All Bookings and Enquiries Phone: (03) 5662 2747 Address: Cnr Smith Street and Michael Place, Leongatha 3953 For all information see Website

leongatha-rsl.com.au

22 | gippsland life autumn 2026

FEATURE

The Curry Club, Local Home of Flavour Authentic home-style recipes have been the key to The Curry Club’s popularity with new restaurants in Wonthaggi and San Remo adding to its flagship location in Cowes.

Words, Chris West | Photos, Ryan Frith

W

hen Bunty Singh and his wife Vanita secured approval in 2020 for an idea they had developed to prepare Indian meals from their home in Cowes for locals on Phillip Island, they had no plans to become restaurateurs.

The home kitchen concept was designed as a simple pickup and takeaway service to provide a side income. However, the timing changed everything. Covid lockdowns closed restaurant doors and created huge demand for takeaway meals.

“The Covid period was unfortunate for many people but certainly worked in favour of our business,” Bunty recalled.

“We commenced in the middle of 2020 but due to the lockdowns we had to operate a home delivery service. With the local restaurants being forced to close their doors temporarily, we became extremely busy very quickly.”

Within just a couple of months, Bunty and Vanita realised that the business was already too big to manage from home and they would need to find commercial premises.

“We found a great location next to the Woolworths supermarket on Thompson Avenue as the site for the Cowes Curry Club and opened as a takeaway outlet just before Christmas in 2020,” Bunty said.

“The following year, the shop next door also became available.

We were able to get that and add a dine-in restaurant to the business.”

In the last twelve months, The Curry Club has expanded significantly with the addition of two more modern Indian restaurants in Wonthaggi and San Remo. “Wonthaggi started » gippsland life autumn 2026 | 23

“We have customers who take our Butter Chicken everywhere.

One lady liked it so much she took some to Warrnambool for her grandmother.”

trading in May last year, then soon afterwards, we also saw an opportunity in San Remo that was too good to miss and opened there as well in November,” Bunty explained.

“Previously, when we only had the Cowes Curry Club restaurant, we knew we had a lot of people coming from Newhaven, Cape Woolamai, and San Remo and further on to Wonthaggi, so the expansion has enabled us to cater more conveniently to the demand from those places. All three restaurants are doing very well and get a lot of support from local people.”

A key to The Curry Club’s popularity has been the authentic, flavoursome recipes used to prepare the food served on its menu. “We started out using the kind of home-style recipes that we would eat ourselves at home and still today we are using the same recipes,” Bunty stated. “We 24 | gippsland life autumn 2026

try to be very consistent with our recipes across all three locations and always use the best available ingredients. We don’t want to change our taste, as that’s what makes us different and has been an important part of our success,” he added.

The Curry Club’s menu offers a choice of relaxed restaurant dining or the convenience of takeaway meals. Both the Cowes and San Remo venues also offer alfresco tables for street dining. Being licensed restaurants, The Curry Club has no BYO availability.

Popular choices on the menu include a selection of large sized curries — Rogan Josh, Korma, Vindaloo, Madras, Saag and Jalfrezi.

Tikka Masala is available in Chicken, Paneer and Prawn varieties. Curries can be complemented with a range of bread and rice sides. Tempting entrée dishes include Jalapeno,

Corn and Cheese Bites, Indian Style Fish Bites, Tandoori Chicken Tikka, Vegetable Samosas and Cauliflower Pakora Bites. A kids’ menu is also available, along with desserts and beverages, including Mango Lassi, which is a popular mango-based drink made on site.

Bunty however, was in no doubt when asked to nominate The Curry

Club’s signature dish. “By far we are most known for our Butter Chicken,” he said without hesitation. “I think the reason it’s such a favourite is that we have a really unique recipe.

It’s on the mild, sweet side and always leaves you feeling very full and satisfied afterwards. We have customers who take our Butter Chicken everywhere. One lady liked it so much she took some to Warrnambool for her grandmother.”

The Curry Club also offers various specials, including the Lunch Box Deal available on weekdays from 12 noon to 4 pm at all three restaurants, which provides a choice of six popular curries with rice and pappadums for just $15.99.

Customers can also add on Naan, Mango Lassi or a soft drink for a small additional cost. “We are also trialling a Local Legends Combo takeaway deal at Cowes, which offers two large curries with rice, Naan and pappadums for $49 and perfect for sharing. This offer is also extended to San Remo and Wonthaggi as well, as we have had a great response from customers,” Bunty noted.

In addition to walk-ins, customers can reserve a table or order takeaway either online or by phone.

Home delivery is available through The Curry Club’s website or Uber Eats in Cowes and surrounding suburbs.

In Wonthaggi and surrounding suburbs, customers can order home delivery through Uber Eats only.

Having expanded rapidly over the past 12 months, 2026 is anticipated to be a year of consolidation for The Curry Club. “This year the focus is about making sure all three restaurants run fluently while giving maximum value to our customers,” Bunty said. “One day in the future we could possibly look to expand further to somewhere in Melbourne but that is not really on our radar at present.

We are very happy to concentrate on our three existing locations.”

The restaurants have not been the only things expanding in Bunty’s life lately. In January, Vanita gave birth to the couple’s third child.

“We now have a son, along with two daughters who are aged six and four,” Bunty revealed. “It’s been a very busy time keeping up with everything to do with family and

business, but it has all gone well and it’s been really exciting.”

To accommodate its recent growth, The Curry Club has now assembled a dedicated team of around 30 staff members. “They are fantastic people and have been big contributors towards our success,” Bunty commented.

As well as building a reputation for serving delicious food through the restaurants, Bunty is also renowned for his community mindedness and generous heart.

“Ours is a very community-focused business. We put the community first. Our local population is very important to us,” he emphasised.

“We also work closely with the PICAL Pantry, a local not-for-profit organisation in Cowes, donating some meals to them and assisting people in need.”

Looking back, Bunty is amazed by the transformation and growth

of The Curry Club venture. “When we started out from home nearly six years ago, it was never about operating a restaurant at that time, so I could not have possibly imagined that we’d now have three,” he reflected. “It’s been like a movie story for us.” gl

Taste The Curry Club COWES Shop 11, 119–135 Thompson Ave. PH: 0455 673 312 SAN REMO 141 Marine Pde. PH: 0434 443 288 WONTHAGGI 55–57 McBride Ave. PH: 0434 441 236 Open 12noon–9pm daily Facebook: /Thecurryclubcowes Insta: @cowescurryclub www.thecurryclub.au

gippsland life autumn 2026 | 25

TRUCKING AROUND GIPPSLAND TO ALL YOUR EVENTS, WE CAN CATER ANY LOCATION. We are fully self-contained and can take care of everything including attendants.

BOOK US FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS - EVENTS & CORPORATE FUNCTIONS

We also offer catering for many other occasions including birthdays, weddings and engagements.

You can find us at Markets around Gippsland and we can prepare our menu to suit your event.

Contact us today on 0447 728 547 or brent@brentsinclaircatering.com.au

118

gippsland lifestyle summer ����/�3

Please visit our Facebook @BrentSinclairCatering for weekly changing menus and specials.

When looking for a superior culinary experience from an intimate gathering to a lavish banquet choose Brent Sinclair Catering.

Relax and have the Brent Sinclair Catering team handle all the details and tailor any menu to perfectly suit your event.

Call Brent Sinclair on 0447 728 547 146 McCartin Street, Leongatha, Vic 3953 E: brent@brentsinclaircatering.com.au www.brentsinclaircatering.com.au

WONTHAGGI COAL MINE CAFE BREAKFAST: 9am–Noon | LUNCH: 11.30am–3pm | Bookings Available & C HOM AT EM ER A IN DE G AV CAK AIL ES AB LE !

Gluten Free, Vegetarian/Vegan options offered. We can cater for large groups

Phone: (03) 8427 2118 | 19–37 Garden Street, Wonthaggi 3995

Loch Key &

Restaurant & Bar

Unlocking The Flavours Of South Gippsland Through A World Of Influences ..

32 Victoria Road, LOCH

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.

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www lochnkey com au

experiences@lochnkey.com.au

(03) 5659 4236 (phone bookings taken Thurs Sun)

28 | gippsland life autumn 2026

FEATURE

Olive at Loch Home of Baking Words, Chris West | Photos, Rayleen Slegers

F

ar more than just a cosy café, Olive at Loch occupies a building steeped in local history. Originally constructed as a branch of the Colonial Bank in the 1890s, the premises in Victoria Road became a bakery and tearooms in the early 1920s.

Nearly a century later, Sandra and Rob Gawn arrived in Loch in their green Kombi van named Olive in 2014. Deciding to stay, they bought the business and restyled it as a café and gift shop.

Olive at Loch’s present owner, Craig Fathers took over the business three years ago and moved from Melbourne. The approach has always been business as usual.

“The major change I have made was to open to customers the former bakehouse at the rear (restored by Rob Gawn and one of his sons Adam), which has an old woodfire oven that used to supply the villagers and loggers with bread when it was operating,” Craig said.

“This area provides a lovely setting » gippsland life autumn 2026 | 29

30 | gippsland life autumn 2026

that we have open daily for lunch or afternoon high teas.”

Other sections of the main café premises tell their own story about the building’s past. Olive at Loch’s dining room was originally the bank manager and clerk’s office, the window in the middle of the building was the teller’s service point and the space that the gift shop occupies was the bank’s customer area. But rather than seeking to withdraw or deposit money as was the purpose in days long past, it is the delicious, freshly made fare and high-quality tea and coffee that ensures a constant flow of customers to the building on a daily basis from breakfast until mid-afternoon.

Sweet smelling aromas greet visitors on arrival and an array of tempting treats is displayed in clear view for all to see. The hardest part is deciding what to choose. The café is renowned for its Loch Dark Ale Pie, which Craig described as a Gippsland version of the worldrenowned Steak and Guinness Pie. “The Dark Ale comes from the Loch Brewery and Distillery, (which also

used to be a bank in its past), and Gippsland Beef from Rod Spokes Butchers in Leongatha. The pie filling is slow cooked in the oven to produce a rich gravy with tender chunks of beef,” Craig noted.

“We also get very favourable comments about our New York style Reuben Sandwich, as well as our iconic slices such as Caramel Walnut, Walnut Brownie, and Cranberry and Blueberry,” he added.

If those favourites don’t take your fancy, there’s no shortage of other options for breakfast, lunch or an inbetween bite, including a wide range of sumptuous home baked frittatas, sausage rolls, tarts, muffins, scones, bagels, croissants, cakes and freshly made sandwiches and Gourmet toasties. The daily menu always includes vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options to cater to all.

Tea and coffee drinkers are also spoiled for choice with everything from English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Peppermint, Lemongrass and Ginger and Green teas to Expressos, Long Blacks, Cappuccinos, Lattes and more. The café has a house blend

called All Time supplied by Industry Beans, which features a rich, strong smooth flavour.

Adding an extra touch to a visit, Olive at Loch’s giftware section includes many nifty present ideas that are easy to take home.

Customers are encouraged to take their time at the café and appreciate the history within its walls. There are plenty of dining tables inside and out, along with a selection of board games including chess, draughts, dominoes and Scrabble if you’re not in any rush.

A bench by the open window is a great place to sit and watch people passing by in the village while you enjoy a coffee or snack.

Olive at Loch’s friendly and professional team of staff always aim to maintain the highest standards in customer service.

“A lot of our custom comes from day trippers and visitors to popular tourist spots like Wilson’s Promontory. We host tour buses from Melbourne twice a week that tend to stop here early in the morning.

Loch is a good meeting place for lots of different people. The holiday seasons and weekends are always popular,” Craig stated.

Readers should also note that places for Olive at Loch’s annual Mother’s Day Afternoon High Tea in May are always in keen demand.

To book a High Tea simply text to the shop number (0417 381 962) an email address and the Olive at Loch team will organise your booking from there. All High Tea bookings are pre-booked and pre-paid.

But whatever the occasion, or time of year, a visit to Olive at Loch is always the perfect place for those who fancy savouring a special culinary delight. gl

Olive at Loch 38 Victoria Rd, Loch Village Mon–Thurs: 7am–3pm Fri–Sun: 7am–4pm PH: 0417 381 962 FB: /Oliveatloch

gippsland life autumn 2026 | 31

PHILLIP ISLAND RSL

A venue for all of life’s occasions

H O N O U R I N G O U R PA ST • S E R VI N G O U R CO M M U N I TY CELEBRATING EVERY OCCASION

• Extensive Veterans events & welfare support • Executive Chef’s Specials – changes weekly

• Kids menu & play area

• Native Memorial Garden

• Private function rooms & terrace with bespoke menus

• Library with cosy fireplace

• Private boardroom with catering options

• Family friendly & fully accessible with seniors menu

• Tab Keno, sports bar & lounge with big TVs

OPERATING HOURS: Open 7 days a week | 10.00am till late | Open on all Victorian school and public holidays, except for Christmas Day LONE PINE BISTRO: Lunch: 12pm – 2:30pm | Dinner: 5:30pm – 8:30pm Bookings recommended – book via web or call our concierge

225 - 243 Thompson Avenue, Cowes, Phillip Island, VIC 3922 03 5952 1004

| INFO@PIRL.COM.AU

|

WWW.PIRSL.COM.AU

COURTESY BUS AVAILABLE • FUNCTION ROOM • SPORTS BAR • POOL TABLES • DIGITAL TAB

HAPPY HOUR

4pm–5 pm EVERYD AY

Live music Saturday night & Sunday afternoon 11–15 River Drive, Tarwin Lower VIC 3956 • Tel: 03 5663 5211 • Open 7 days a week, 11am till late Lunch 12pm – 2.30pm, Dinner 5.00pm – 8.30pm • riverviewhotel.au

Great Wedding Venue

Take a Detour to The Gurdies Winery Located on the top of the hill at The Gurdies, our winery boasts breathtaking views of French Island and Western Port Bay. Our large Cellar Door with open fire place, huge patio and outdoor function area, caters for all your special occasions.

Come and experience what The Gurdies Winery has to offer.

OPEN FRIDAY TO SUNDAY 11AM TO 5PM WE ARE OPEN FOR VICTORIAN SCHOOL & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS EXCEPT CHRISTMAS DAY

215 Gurdies-St Helier Rd, The Gurdies VIC 3984 22

Phone (03) 5997 6208 | Email gippsland life Spring

info@thegurdieswinery.com.au

| www.thegurdieswinery.com.au

Vot e

dN

DownloadH the app and otel in P become aeople Victo r ’ member! A s Cho ia

war d

Australian Hotels Association Victoria Winner 2024 Parma of the Year | Best Outdoor Area | Overall Hotel of the Year

Bar & Bistro | Functions | Beer garden | Takeaway & Delivery | Online Ordering Live Sports | Specialising in Dietary Requirements | Dog Friendly Beer Garden

o.1

ice

The Winey Bear Woodfire Pizza & Wine Bar Words, Chris West | Photos, Rayleen Slegers

L

och’s fashionable haven for great food and fine wine, The Winey Bear Woodfire Pizza & Wine Bar, can truly be described as a real family affair.

Formerly known as the Loch Wine Bar, the business was acquired by husband and wife Helen and Aaron (The Bear) Maslen almost twelve months ago and rebranded for the change of ownership in April last year.

Helen brought with her a passion for cooking and Aaron a deep appreciation and knowledge of fine wines. Joining them in the business was Helen’s son, also named Aaron and his wife Elizabeth, who relocated their young family from Sydney for the venture.

36 | gippsland life autumn 2026

All four members of the team bring a range of different talents that complement each other and enjoy their hands-on involvement within the business. Helen expertly guides everything from the kitchen to the front of house and is the creative force behind The Winey Bear’s amazing cakes, desserts and home-style dishes. Both Aarons can generally be found busy at the pizza oven, whilst Elizabeth runs the bar, crafting cocktails and creating a drinks list, which complements the food menu.

Collectively, they have placed their own stamp on the business, implementing changes including lightening the internal colour

scheme, enhancing the menu options and introducing other initiatives to help create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

The Winey Bear has positioned itself as being all about good vibes, great food and even better wine, with much of it sourced from the Gippsland region. Customers can choose to dine or drink at a table indoors or outside if the weather is favourable.

The family-friendly restaurant’s standout feature and main talking point is its large woodfire oven, which prepares the wide selection of classic and gourmet pizzas that have quickly become local favourites. All of The Winey Bear’s pizzas are made in true »

FEATURE

gippsland life autumn 2026 | 37

All of The Winey Bear’s pizzas are made in true traditional Italian style, thin-based, crisp and full of flavour using fresh dough made inhouse daily, premium ingredients and classic Italian sauces.

38 | gippsland life autumn 2026

traditional Italian style, thin-based, crisp and full of flavour using fresh dough made in-house daily, premium ingredients and classic Italian sauces. The result is simple, authentic woodfired pizzas that are made to share.

Feedback on the subtle changes made to the dough has been hugely positive and customers particularly love the Cheese and Garlic Classic Pizza that features The Winey Bear’s delectable house made garlic confit butter.

In addition to all the tempting pizza favourites, the menu also offers small bites including Arancini on Balsamic Rocket, Devil Wings and Greek Salad. There are also even smaller options for kids such as Spaghetti Bolognese with a slice of garlic bread, Chicken Dino Nuggets, and a 7-inch pizza with a choice of Tropical, Pepperoni, Garlic and Cheese or Margherita.

A range of delicious dessert pizzas in 9 and 11-inch size options are available as a last course to finish off the dining experience.

If coming in simply to enjoy a drink, The Winey Bear offers a full-service wine bar stocked with some of the best selections of red and white wines from Gippsland and further afield to other regions including Marlborough in New Zealand.

Now with an extended beverage range, the bar is also stocked with a great selection of tap and bottled beers, pre-mixed cans, ciders, a variety of cocktails, soft drinks, milkshakes and tea and coffee.

The cocktail list includes more than a dozen of the traditional favourites including Espresso Martinis, Black and White Russians, Manhattans and Mojitos.

All of The Winey Bear’s house wines are available by the glass or bottle. Some of the other wine selections from Lightfoot, Rochford and Krooked Row are consumed by the bottle.

With no pub or bottle shop in Loch, The Winey Bear has also found another little niche through its licence to offer takeaway sales

of alcoholic beverages. Often customers calling in to purchase takeaways will also order a pizza for the trip home at the same time.

Both the food and beverage menus offer a range of monthly specials, which allows the family team at The Winey Bear to experiment with different options, whether it be pizzas and other dishes, wines, beers or cocktails to gauge their popularity with customers.

One of the recent specials in February, Yogi’s Honey Pot Pizza, received rave reviews. This mouthwatering creation utilised The Winey Bear’s signature house made garlic confit butter base, topped with mozzarella, Calabrese salami, rocket, creamy burrata cheese and drizzled with hot honey. Given the level of response, it is under consideration for inclusion on the permanent menu.

The Winey Bear’s first year of trading has exceeded the owners’ expectations. “It’s been amazing.

We seem to have been getting busier and busier, and haven’t experienced a quiet period yet,” Elizabeth commented.

“It’s a very close-knit community here and we’ve been very well supported by local people.

Whenever we try something different, we get feedback from the locals. If they like it, then we know we’re onto a good thing. If they don’t like it, we change it.”

The Winey Bear is planning to introduce two special classes for the upcoming Easter holidays — a cocktail making class and a kids’ pizza making class. More information will be available on their Facebook page.

Located at 10 Smith Street in Loch Village, The Winey Bear is

open on Thursdays from 5pm – 8pm, Fridays from 5pm until late, Saturdays from 12 noon until late and Sundays from 12 noon – 8pm.

Reservations can be made by emailing bookings@wineybear. com.au or by phoning 0474 795 772.

The mobile phone is manned from Thursday to Sunday. The Winey Bear also always welcomes walk-in and takeaway customers. gl

The Winey Bear 10 Smith St, Loch bookings@wineybear.com.au www.wineybear.com.au

gippsland life autumn 2026 | 39

Your new local on the Rhyll foreshore Gather your mates, grab a meal, and soak up the view, the Rhyll Tavern.

FAMILY FRIENDLY BISTRO BEER ON TAP BEAUTIFUL LOCAL WINES COCKTAILS LIVE ENTERTAINMENT FRI, SAT, SUN POOL TABLE COURTESY BUS AVAILABLE

HAPPY HOUR

4PM-5PM EVERYDAY

Bookings via Open Table 11a Beach Road, Rhyll PH: 59569370 Open 7 days a week, 12pm till late www.therhylltavern.com.au

formerly The Loch Wine Bar “Under New Ownership”

What’s coming soon ?

Come down and meet Aaron and Helen Maslen the new owners at your local Wine Bar — The Winey Bear Woodfired Pizza & Wine Bar (formerly Loch Wine Bar). Your go to spot for great wine, mouthwatering pizza and a warm welcoming atmosphere.

We are turning up the flavour with the launch of desserts, hot and cold tapas ideal for pairing with your favourite glass of wine.

We are proud to serve a carefully curated selection of local Victorian wines alongside our signature woodfired pizzas — perfect for sharing over laughs and conversation.

Plus we are excited to extend our hours on Thursday nights from 5pm to Late.

We can’t wait to welcome you in and make this your favourite place to eat, drink and unwind.

10 Smith St, Loch VIC 3945 • Phone: 0474 795 772 • Dog friendly • Outdoor seating Open Thur/Fri 5pm – Late, Sat/Sun 12pm - Late • facebook.com/the.winey.bear.wine.bar

HAPPY HOUR

4pm–5 pm EVERYD AY

FAMILY FRIENDLY BISTRO • BEER ON TAP • BEAUTIFUL LOCAL WINES • COCKTAILS LIVE ENTERTAINMENT FRI, SAT & SUN • POOL TABLES AVAILABLE • BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR & INDOOR FACILITIES COURTESY BUS FRI/SAT FROM 5PM • DIGITAL TAB 1 Vista Place, Cape Woolamai VIC 3925 • Tel: 03 5956 6836 or Open Table for Bookings Open 7 days a week, 12pm till late — all day dining • www.thewoolitavern.com.au

WHERE COUNTRY HOSPITALITY MEETS CITY SMARTS

FAMILY & DOG FRIENDLY | BAR & DINING | WEEKLY SPECIALS | LIVE MUSIC | OPEN 7 DAYS 161 Marine Parade, San Remo • PH: 03 5678 5202 • www.thewesternport.com.au

Dream Location for the Perfect Day Greater flexibility and seasonality have enabled the experienced team at Phillip Island Winery to ensure any wedding or event becomes a truly seamless, personal and unforgettable occasion all year round Words, Chris West | Photos, Ryan Frith and courtesy of Phillip Island Winery

44 | gippsland life autumn 2026

FEATURE

gippsland life autumn 2026 | 45

W

hen owners Nick and Misha Say and Kyra and Dan Leary purchased Phillip Island Winery in 2018, they recognised its considerable untapped potential as an event destination if certain limitations at that time could be overcome.

The previous owners only had the winery’s restaurant to accommodate weddings and events on a small scale and were also further restricted by being weather dependent. “We quickly realised we needed to weatherproof the venue and increase the capacity.” Misha stated.

The two related couples, who form the ownership group, each brought individual skills and experience to the table elevating the winery business to new heights.

Misha and Kyra are sisters who grew up in the King Valley, the heart of wine country in North East Victoria.

Misha met her husband Nick working in Melbourne’s hospitality scene in the early 2000s and after marrying, they ran the Westernport Hotel in San Remo for nearly two decades.

46 | gippsland life autumn 2026

In taking on the Phillip Island Winery venture together, Nick leads as CEO, while Misha curates the cellar door and retail space, The Yards. Kyra also performs an important role in keeping the business humming behind the scenes, while her husband Dan, ever ready with his tool belt, is hands-on with the venue’s ongoing evolution.

Setting out to put their own stamp on the venue, the inspired solution the owners devised was the creation of a large and spectacular additional space with floor-to-ceiling glass known as the Atrium, which adjoins the existing restaurant and has become the winery’s epicentre for weddings and events. “That decision has completely transformed the event side of the business. The Atrium has season proofed us and helped take the venue to a whole new level,” Misha commented.

Phillip Island Winery can now host sit-down weddings for approximately 140 guests and stand-up style for as many as 220 people. “We offer two different spaces, with the Atrium also being

complemented by still having the restaurant. We can do sit-down in the restaurant for forty to seventy people, which makes it ideal for the more intimate events, not necessarily weddings, but more so for parties and conferences,” Misha explained. “But it also gives us the versatility to run two events simultaneously, or if necessary one big event that combines both spaces. We’ve had some weddings where guests have dined in the restaurant and then we’ve turned the Atrium into a wonderland of band, dancefloor and lots of different activations. Importantly, it also means that we have a wet weather plan.”

The Atrium is designed and equipped to suit all seasons. There are also picnic tables and barrels outside, which on fine evenings becomes a great area to serve canapes or even set up an oyster bar or charcuterie cart, depending on the package chosen. In contrast, the glowing warmth of a fireplace inside the Atrium becomes a focal point during the colder months.

“We’ve had ceremonies in front of the fireplace, which enables us to do winter weddings. That’s a market we’re becoming more active in. We offer a different price point for the off season, covering from May to August but have a cap on numbers, which makes that period more suited to smaller weddings,” Misha said.

“Across the board, our wedding coordinators have also done an amazing job with growing the business outside of the traditional Saturday bookings. We’re booked out about a season in advance, but we still have availability for the winter off-peak months and midweek times.”

The improvements to the wedding facilities at Phillip Island Winery extend beyond the creation of the Atrium. The owners continue to explore new ways to add a further dimension to the events offering at the venue. A recent addition this summer has been the opening of a new multi-purpose space known

as Salta, located adjacent to the winery’s cellar door — The Yards.

“Salta is named after Kyra and Dan’s favourite Argentinian town. We’ve incorporated a big Argentinian grill so we can do beautiful smoked meats every weekend. We also offer a full bar there, making it perfect for feeding and refreshing walk-in visitors when the restaurant is regularly booked out on weekends,” Misha noted.

“Salta can also be the location for pre-wedding cocktail drinks or postwedding champagne bar, filling another little niche.”

Close by Salta, on an expansive lawn area is a large wooden arbour, which is where outdoor wedding ceremonies at Phillip Island Winery take place. The backdrop provides spectacular water views looking out over farmland to Bass Strait.

“One of the great attributes of our winery as a wedding venue is that it now has so many different areas.

We are able to take our guests on a journey here,” Misha said.

“For people who are interested in finding out more about the venue and our wedding package options, our website is often the first place they go to make an enquiry.

The website can give people a feel for the venue, but the next

“One of the great attributes of our winery as a wedding venue is that it now has so many different areas. We are able to take our guests on a journey here.” step is usually to schedule a walk through here, which is a great way to experience the magnificent surroundings, view the facilities and have any questions answered.”

A high percentage of couples marrying at the venue have some form of connection to Phillip Island, “About three quarters of our brides and grooms are either locals from the island or have holidayed here in the past,” Misha revealed. “The remainder are predominantly coming from the Mornington Peninsula. The feedback we generally hear from them is they have been to lots of weddings there and wanted their guests to enjoy a change of scene to experience something different.” »

gippsland life autumn 2026 | 47

Although the winery does not yet have on-site accommodation, the venue encourages people to host their wedding recovery day there as well. “Recovery days have become quite a fashionable trend and I think now people do like to allow a couple of days afterwards to unwind,” Misha suggested. “We have some lovely accommodation options available really close by.

Five Acres, which is just around the corner, is amazing and is our highend accommodation referral.”

Much goes into making weddings and events at Phillip Island Winery so memorable. “The beauty of this place is that we are a sum of lots of parts,” Misha commented. “We have put together an amazing team, and the weddings draw on each department, everyone from the wedding coordinators down to our bussies and waiting staff and of course, our incredible kitchen team. One of our great assets is the cohesiveness and strength of our team as a whole.”

In addition to weddings, Phillip Island Winery is also a popular choice for engagement parties, milestone birthdays and corporate 48 | gippsland life autumn 2026

events. The venue always attracts a busy stream of casual visitors including tour groups and in increasing numbers, cruise ship passengers arriving on the island.

“One of the things we work really hard at doing is giving people lots of reasons to visit and making sure that for our repeat visitors that there’s something new each time they come here. We change our menu seasonally and have rotating specials,” Misha said.

As part of its focus on showcasing more off-season events on site, the winery is keen to put in people’s minds that Phillip Island is not just a great place to visit in summer but holds year-round attraction. “We have a lot happening here at the winery in March that we’re looking forward to, including a vintage and designer clothes market and then on the last Sunday of the month a big bushfire relief charity day with a country theme that promises to be a lot of fun for a great cause,” Misha said.

“We’re also excited to be tapping into the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival by doing our first Forage + Fire experience on Sunday, 22nd March. The concept involves people

buying a ticket and a local girl Jess takes them on a foraging adventure around the island. They then come back here to the winery and we cook them a wonderful lunch feast over the fire using the foraged items. It’s something that we will roll out not only as part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, but we’ll probably repeat it again in a few months’ time off our own bat.”

These and other event-based initiatives are helping to make Phillip Island Winery more than a destination, but an experience to savour and enjoy through all four seasons of the year.

The winery’s owners have made the venue all about old-school hospitality with a fresh, local twist.

Surrounded by rolling hills and rustic charm, it offers the perfect canvas for your wedding day or special celebration of any kind. gl

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ART

A celebration of Gippsland’s creative community

ARC Gallery Yinnar, Photo by everyday nicky

gippsland life autumn 2026 | 51

Music Leading Olivia Along the Way The launch of a new EP late last year has ensured East Gippsland-based singer/songwriter Olivia Lay has commenced 2026 on a high note.

Words, Chris West | Photos, Ryan Frith and courtesy of Olivia Lay

I

n just a few months since its release in December, Oliva Lay’s latest EP titled ‘Along the Way’ has elevated the profile of the talented young artist from Lakes Entrance and set her star on the rise.

“I’ve been stoked with the reaction so far. It’s all been very positive and supportive,” she revealed. “To my surprise, I’ve had over 100,000 streams on Spotify for the songs, which is a feat I didn’t think I’d achieve for many years!”

Of the five tracks, ‘Train of Thought’ was the first song released off the EP and has performed the best in terms of streaming numbers.

“The messages in ‘Train of Thought’ also mean a lot to me personally and I think the instrumental is my favourite from my tracks, also being my first song with that level of production,” Olivia said.

The EP’s title ‘Along the Way’ is a reflection of a common theme of journeys and transitions involving different modes of transport featuring within the songs. It also has parallels with the upward trajectory of Olivia’s career with her guitar and voice taking her on a musical journey full of potential and possibilities.

At 25, the proudly independent artist is determining her own future and has put a fledgling career as a field ecologist on hold to concentrate on making the most of her musical opportunities.

‘Along the Way’ is Olivia’s third release, following her debut album ‘Soundscapes’ in 2022, which was a 52 | gippsland life autumn 2026

full-length album of instrumental tracks, and an EP titled ‘24’, which dropped in 2024 and introduced her vocal talents to its listeners.

Two of the songs on ‘Along the Way’ were recorded with Nathan Cavaleri in Sydney, with the remainder produced locally in East Gippsland at Bruthen Music Recording Studio by Brent Hodgkins, who has also been a huge supporter of Olivia and the East Gippsland music scene.

“I always wanted to be a rockstar through primary school and can’t remember a time when I wasn’t in love with music."

Olivia’s three favourite artists — John Butler, John Mayer and Newton Faulkner have been most influential in helping to shape her musical direction. She uses words such as “rootsy, folky and bluesy” to describe her style. “I’m a bit of everything.

I haven’t really decided yet because I like too many genres,” she observed.

Olivia adopts some intricate guitar techniques such as percussive playing and right hand tapping.

She also writes all her songs. “Every song is so different, but they usually start with just playing around on guitar and I have a big list of lyrics in my phone that I add to randomly whenever something inspires me,” she noted.

Music has been part of Olivia’s world for as long as she can remember. Growing up in Sale, the albums of artists like Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Dire Straits, Billy Joel and Tommy Emmanuel provided the soundtrack to her home life. “I’m thankful that my parents had great taste in music,” she reflected.

“I always wanted to be a rockstar through primary school and can’t remember a time when I wasn’t in love with music. While continuing on through high school, I performed at all the school events but wasn’t sure I could be a professional musician.”

Olivia’s father Doug enjoyed strumming the guitar at home and gave her his prized vintage Maton when she was about fourteen. “He always said he would hand it over to me when I could play better than him. It’s something that’s very sentimental to me,” she explained.

In addition to the encouragement and support of parents Doug and Michelle, another person who identified Olivia’s potential and became an influential figure in her early musical development was music teacher Brett Glover. She was one of his pupils at Guthridge Primary and again later for a period at Sale College during her high school years.

“Brett helped foster my musical passion and was also responsible for landing me my first ever gig at ‘Live’ at the Bundy in Bundalaguah at the age of seventeen. He ran the event and put me forward to open for the band Custard,” Olivia recalled. »

FEATURE

gippsland life autumn 2026 | 53

A couple of years later, Olivia made a return appearance at ‘Live’ at the Bundy as a contestant in the 2019 Regional Battle of the Bands competition. It proved to be a lifechanging moment for the aspiring performer. She won the contest and the resultant prize was to open for Ruby Fields and Baker Boy at an event in Leongatha. “Everything snowballed from there. Within a very short time, I was getting about eight gigs a month and I’ve never stopped since,” she said. “Who knows what my music journey would have been if I hadn’t won Battle of the Bands, but I guess the universe puts you on different paths for different reasons.”

Her late teens and early twenties were a period in which Olivia was facing choices and embracing changes in her life. After finishing high school, she moved from Sale to Lakes Entrance, a town where she holidayed many times growing up and had always considered her second home. “I spent so much time in Lakes Entrance, it became a very significant place to me,” she said.

Olivia also attained a Bachelor of Science degree at university and was working as a field ecologist while her musical career was beginning to really blossom. “It was a lot to manage but I was able to combine studies and then work

54 | gippsland life autumn 2026

simultaneously with the gigs for quite a while. It wasn’t until last year that I decided to give away the field ecology work, although maybe not necessarily for good, to focus on my music,” she stated.

“Outside of being a full-time musician, I also work doing project and event management as well as music booking.” Olivia has established her own event management company — Serendipity Music Events, which is already notching up some early success stories. One example was running last year’s Snowy River Country Music Festival in Orbost, which sold out and was extremely well received in the local community.

Another motivation for Olivia is her desire to strengthen the music scene in East Gippsland. “I’m really big on trying to build the local music community. Part of that has been through hosting open mic nights and helping other local musicians get gigs,” she said.

That commitment encapsulates her deep attachment and love of the region. “When I was younger, I always wanted to move away but after doing some overseas travelling a few years ago, I realised that there’s no better place to call home than Gippsland,” she commented.

“I think it’s the natural landscapes and all the variations here that make this part of the world so special. From the stunning beaches to the beautiful high country, everything you could possibly want in terms of natural wonders can be found here.”

As much as Olivia feels at home in the great outdoors in Gippsland, the nature of her music career regularly takes her to all parts of Victoria and even further afield

for gigs. Amongst her many recent performance highlights was opening for Thirsty Merc at the Torquay Hotel. “They’re one of my favourite bands, so that was a huge highlight,” she said.

Olivia also enjoyed the opportunity to play on the famous Blues Train in Queenscliff and recently opened for the Pierce Brothers at the Lake Tyers Waterwheel Beach Tavern.

Her latest accomplishments over the summer period have included opening for Nathan Cavaleri in Glengarry and making the line up at the St. Kilda Blues Festival.

Looking ahead, she is particularly excited to have been booked to appear at the National Folk Festival in Canberra over the Easter holidays, where she will be performing sets on two days.

At the time of writing, Olivia was in the process of organising two events where she will also be performing — firstly the Grassroots on the Hill mini music festival in Kalimna on March 1st, followed by an event at the Forge Theatre in Bairnsdale on March 15th.

In between those engagements, she is also looking forward to performing at Bond Street Event Centre in Sale.

“Bond Street means a lot to me as I played some of my first open mic nights and gigs there and the owner Dave was very supportive of me on my journey,” she acknowledged.

Although she now has three album releases behind her, Olivia is happy to still be described as an emerging artist. “I may be well established in East Gippsland, but there is a whole world still out there.”

‘Along the Way’ is available everywhere digitally via all the streaming services (free and paid) and Olivia also has CDs that can be purchased at her gigs. gl

Listen to Olivia Lay Facebook: olivialaymusic Insta: @olivialaymusic Youtube: @olivialaymusic

Advertise in Be seen by thousands of readers every issue Download a media kit today at www.gippslandlifemagazine.com.au

Set in Jindivick’s rolling green hills discover an acre of recycled metal sculptures and browse the gallery space hosting the work of contemporary artists and Laurie’s small stories sculptures.

Call in anytime, no cost and see the studio (amongst the metal chaos!)

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Wild about Misty From Marlo to Nashville, East Gippsland’s rising Americana songstress Misty Harlowe is building a legion of new fans wherever the road leads her.

Words, Chris West | Photos, Courtesy of Misty Harlowe

56 | gippsland life autumn 2026

FEATURE

T

he past six months have been full of highlights for singer/songwriter Misty Harlowe. The release of her debut EP ‘Welcome to the Wild West’ in August last year was immediately followed by her third career-shaping visit to Nashville.

Upon returning home, she then embarked on a short tour of the East Gippsland High Country with newly Golden Guitar Award-winning William Alexander in November, which included a Farm Concert in Marlo and performances in Omeo and Buchan.

“It was awesome to do the High Country tour with William. He came down all the way from Dubbo for it. At each show we performed our own sets and also did a couple of songs together. Playing at the Omeo Agricultural Show was a wholesome highlight, nestled in amongst the award-winning carrot cakes.” Misty added.

“I always enjoy going to the High Country. It’s such a beautiful, sweet little pocket of the world. My dad’s family were from Gelantipy and my great grandparents were from the Benambra and Omeo area.”

Following the High Country performances with William Alexander, up next was a solo Summer Tour, which took Misty all the way up to Tamworth for the town’s annual Country Music Festival in January. “I packed the car and drove the twelve hours on my own to get there,” Misty said.

“It was a pretty exhausting schedule and it took a bit of adjusting to the heat. I did about ten shows in a short space of time. For most of them, I was joined by my fantastic band that I usually play with in Melbourne.

One of the standout shows was playing at the Tops Day Out, an Americana event curated by Mother Hen Touring and Stanley Records.

While up there, I also performed at the Nundle Rocks Festival, alongside an incredible international altcountry, folk and roots line-up.

The shows were completely jammed packed and the whole tour went really well,” she added.

This was Misty’s third appearance at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. “Not only was I lucky to be able to perform with some of my favourite musicians, I also met a lot of new folks this year. Being very familiar with the festival now, I had some specific intentions of doing a bit more networking and really wanted to get the most out of it that I could,” she revealed.

“By chance, I also connected with a fiddle player from Dubbo named Jessie May. We had a spur of the moment jam on the bunk beds at the hotel accommodation in Tamworth and I invited her to play on the gig that night. That was great and she ended up joining me on another show as well.”

Misty’s performances in Tamworth combined a mix of a few songs from her EP ‘Welcome to the Wild West’, along with some of her earlier singles and several songs, which have yet to be released.

“The new songs have been recorded in Melbourne and are in the process of being mastered for my next EP. The five tracks in that collection will be waterfall released one by one throughout 2026,” she revealed.

Misty’s Summer Tour culminated with a second Farm Concert in Marlo upon her return home in late January, this time with Melbourne duo the Ironbark Brothers. "The concert was super successful. It was the perfect night with the sunset backdrop then the moon shining » gippsland life autumn 2026 | 57

“I always enjoy going to the High Country.

It’s such a beautiful, sweet little pocket of the world.”

Photo: Marcus Coblyn

down whilst we sang on the truck bed. It was great to hear people were travelling from the wider Gippsland region to attend."

The contemporary roots-oriented Americana music genre in which Misty’s style best fits emerged in the 1990s. It has elements of country, but is more accurately a fusion of American folk, country, blues, bluegrass, soul and rock. “As a genre, Americana is less well known here in Australia but is massive in the States,” Misty commented.

With just a guitar and her velvety voice, Misty has the capability to single-handedly captivate and charm audiences. Her sound has been described as what you’d hear if Stevie Nicks and Marty Robbins wrote a song around a campfire.

More insight into Misty’s music can be found through her website and social media platforms. She’s active on Instagram, Facebook, and recently added TikTok. Her songs can be discovered on Spotify, Apple music and YouTube.

Misty has been singing since her early childhood that was spent growing up on a dairy farm overlooking the delta of the Snowy River.

58 | gippsland life autumn 2026

“It all started when I was a very little kid and used to sing around the house,” she said. “Although I was quite shy, I would make up little songs, sit on the porch and sing them to a builder named Rick whilst he was working at our place.

I'm sure he was entertained! He encouraged my mum to get me singing lessons and I think my family cottoned on to the fact that I could hold a bit of a tune.”

“When I was about eleven, I started out busking. I would sing a cappella in front of shops with a little hat to collect money.

My repertoire would include a bit of Slim Dusty, Kasey Chambers and probably Carly Simon. I definitely learned a lot about singing through busking,” she recalled.

Misty went on to study a Bachelor of Music Degree at Monash University in Melbourne. “That’s when I started to get more serious about my music.

In 2020 I started doing my own solo gigs around the Gippsland area while living in Melbourne,” she said.

In 2022, Misty recorded her first single ‘Run Me Down River’, which was followed in 2023 by two more — ‘Old Omeo’ and ‘Days of Summer’.

“I started out recording with producer Damian Cafarella in Melbourne, utilising my band from university,” Misty stated.

In March 2024, she then took the brave step of travelling to Nashville, the capital of Tennessee and heart of country music in America with no real plan other than to stay with a good friend Danny Finkelstein, who she met while studying at Monash.

“Danny is originally from up Cairns way and is a drummer and producer who played on some of my earlier recordings,” Misty explained.

“I was only meant to be visiting him in Nashville for about three weeks but extended the trip to almost three months.”

Nashville proved to be more of a sophisticated city than the kind of slow-moving, hick town that Misty imagined. She familiarised herself with the surroundings through plenty of bike riding and walking. “I connected with people and made friends pretty quickly,” she commented.

While staying with Danny, the pair co-wrote songs which ultimately formed the basis of Misty’s debut EP ‘Welcome to the Wild West’. Misty returned to

Nashville twice in 2025, both before and after the release of the fivetrack EP. “The EP was kind of a whirlwind experience, and all done in a quick little time capsule of about three weeks of writing and a week of production. It was tracked at Grammy Award-winning guitarist Chris Condon’s studio where I was lucky to have access to some incredible session musicians that Chris pulled together, some of whom have played for the likes of Dolly Parton, Zach Bryan, Willie Nelson, Colter Wall to name a few. Then we mixed it all and continued to produce it at Danny’s studio,” she said.

“It’s a very Americana collection of songs. Each song has its own journey and I would say it’s quite a reflection of the session musicians that are on the tracks and the production style. Some of the songs are quite cinematic, especially ‘Boundary Line’. ‘Magnolia Wine’ is very different, more of a pop tragic romance track.

“Most of the songs were cowritten with Danny, but I also collaborated with a fellow Gippslander, Michael Saleta from Sale to write one of the tracks. I also co-wrote the song ‘Welcome to the Wild West’ with a Californian friend Alex Jordan. We met randomly at a bar in Nashville called Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge while Alex was on a tour and heading to Hawaii. Before he left, we agreed to do some writing together and as a result of that came up with ‘Welcome to the Wild West’, a song inspired by my first couple of nights in Nashville.”

Misty has remained in touch with Alex Jordan. “We have another song that we co-wrote that’s being mixed at the moment. It’s kind of a honkytonk waltz that I’m really excited about. He’s also helped co-produce a few more of my tracks that are yet to be released,” she revealed.

‘Welcome to the Wild West’ has had a great response since dropping on 22nd August last year. A music video for it, set in a saloon bar, looks like it could have been filmed in Nashville but was in

fact created in the Lulie Tavern in Abbotsford in Melbourne.

While in Nashville last September, Misty was excited and proud to be invited to perform in the Sounds Australia segment of the Americana Fest, which was designed to specifically showcase Australian artists to the American audience.

To be included within that set at such a significant event was a real feather in her cap.

Not only was 2025 full of musical highlights for Misty, the beginning of last year also heralded her return to her East Gippsland roots.

“I’m now living in the Marlo area, not far from the farm where I spent my first nine years. This area is where the Snowy River meets the sea and looks out on the mountain ranges as well. My family has been farming in East Gippsland for a long time, going back three generations on both sides,” she noted.

“It’s been awesome to reconnect with the people and the land here.

I’ve settled back in very comfortably and feel quite grounded. I consider myself lucky to be able to call a place like this home.”

Misty believes it is a help to her music that the road has taken her back to East Gippsland. “I loved Melbourne but I think I always had

a yearning to one day return to the big wide space and be a country girl again. Being back home has influenced my writing and given me the space to work on it,” she said.

Some of the songs Misty has written and recorded to date have connections to Gippsland, including ‘Old Omeo’, ‘Run Me Down River’ and ‘Gold Fever’.

“Several of my unreleased songs also have stories that are directly related to either people or places around Gippsland. I think those songs are one day going to form an album that I’m pretty excited about,” she suggested.

Misty expects the remainder of 2026 to feature a lot of song releasing. “That’s going to be a big part of the year, but I’m also really keen to get back on the road. Going up to Tamworth gave me the fire to get back on the road and tour.

I’m applying for festivals later in the year and also aim to get back to Nashville,” she said.

“With 2026 being the Year of the Horse, I’m going to lean into that and do some galloping of my own.” gl

More of Misty mistyharlowemusic.com

Photo: Athanasios Lazarou

gippsland life autumn 2026 | 59

Janine Riches’ Change of Pace It seems fitting that most of Janine Riches’ work is now all around the walls and floors of her lovely home in Drouin. This is her space and the place where she continually and prolifically creates her fabulous art.

Words, Wendy Hall | Photos, Rayleen Slegers

J

anine has achieved considerable celebration of, and accolades for her work.

She has exhibited and sold for decades locally, across Australia and overseas in galleries, online to private collectors and in specialist retail settings. She is currently represented by Violet and Ivvy in Warragul, Nissarana galleries in Noosa and Richmond and Arthouse Asia. Nissarana Richmond recently offered her a solo exhibition in June, which is very exciting! She creates in oil, acrylic, pastel and collage.

However, after spending so long immersed in the complexities of commercialism, Janine is ready for the pace of life to change while still channelling her creativity. So she is stepping away from her past methods of marketing and wants to invite anyone who is interested to come to her home, meet her (and that’s a joy), see the breadth and brilliance of her art for themselves and have a coffee on the lawn outside her funky little studio, which is nestled on the extensive, manicured lawn at the rear.

Her home will be her gallery.

Janine’s lifetime of work is deeply resonant of herself; her deep connection to family, nostalgia, the land and her passion for connection and care.

The strongest recurring motif in her art however, is the child-like, fanciful and playful figures whose whimsical naivety immediately »

60 | gippsland life autumn 2026

FEATURE

gippsland life autumn 2026 | 61

Janine’s lifetime of work is deeply resonant of herself; her deep connection to family, nostalgia, the land and her passion for connection and care.

captivates the viewer. They are mostly painted in black and white, calling out to you from, and contrasting with the hues of their often colourful backgrounds. They are faceless. Their bodies are black.

It is not a culturally referenced black though. They are who you want them to be. “There are no rules,” Janine stressed. Their innocent poses and deliberate absence of facial detail allow everyone to navigate their own responses, however they are felt. They ‘speak’ of connection, community, giving and receiving, kindness and joy. These things define the artist equally.

The many threads of Janine’s life stitch together the tapestry of the beautiful pictures she creates.

The tapestry is rich and colourful, the pieces all hold together seamlessly and the finished cloth is very fine.

Janine was born in Oakleigh in 1962 and lived a simple family life with her parents and siblings. Both of Janine’s parents loved art and music. Her father painted and there was always music in the home.

Her Mum was a stay-at-home ‘housewife’ of the 1960s but Janine remembers her as always wearing a perfect dress and sporting a brilliantly coiffed beehive hairstyle.

She also had a fascination with the wallpapers of the era and was constantly repapering their walls.

Similarly, Janine loves and almost exclusively wears dresses. The style of 60s wallpaper is very much evident in her large abstract paintings

62 | gippsland life autumn 2026

too, along with splashes of graffiti reminiscent of Melbourne laneways and many geometric shapes.

She always loved drawing and art and for a short time, took lessons in Oakleigh at the tender age of 11.

She is otherwise self-taught.

Janine’s Mum would tell her stories of her ancestry and researching this has been a fascination for her all her life.

Her ancestor was purportedly an aboriginal pearl diver from Broome.

There are suggested links to her great-grandmother Annie Clark and Janine has spent much time searching for the pieces of the puzzle of her heredity. There is no evidence of a supposed indigenous connection because there was no physical documentation recorded at the time. The mystery endures. Janine does not claim this lineage but it is part of the narrative of her life and its many facets. Janine hopes to return to Broome in the future to continue to unravel the story.

This connection has seen her spend time in far North Western Australia, so consequently the landscapes of places like Palm Valley, Alice Springs, Hermannsburg and of course Broome are frequently referenced in her work. She also lived in Darwin for a period of time.

Her affinity with the land and all indigenous cultures runs deep in her soul and lies gently in her creativity.

Raising a family has been intermingled with her artistic life for a long period of time. In the late 1980s she was creating handpainted clothing for Channel Nine’s Bugs Bunny show. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, she exhibited extensively and received innumerable awards and accolades for her work.

Between 2009 and 2019, she had a large volume of work on display at Jinks Creek Wine Bar and Gallery in Tonimbuk. But as many will recall, the area suffered catastrophic fires in 2019 and unfortunately the business was razed to the ground along with 41 of Janine’s paintings.

Between 2014 and 2018, then in her 50s Janine decided to complete a Bachelor of Fine Art at Curtin University, WA. “Just because I could,” she remarked. She is justifiably very proud of this achievement.

Janine’s compassion and enthusiasm for life is contagious and inhabits each painting in different ways. She believes we are all connected and strives to have us seek reconciliation however one chooses to interpret the word.

You will find her work both strong

and gentle, complex and simple, busy and calm, personal and universal and exuding femininity and masculinity simultaneously. It is always underpinned with joy and warmth. It can wrap you in a soft blanket of comfort and happiness or awaken intrigue and questioning.

You are the guardian of your reaction and engagement with her painting.

Janine now wants to encourage people to come and share with her. She is a warm, open and joyful artist, more than happy to tell and listen to stories. She almost always finds a way to connect with people, enriching both parties in the process.

You can visit all of this at her home by appointment. She is very available and will make you feel welcome in an instant. It will be difficult not to leave with a treasure, but there is no expectation other than finding some joy.

Janine said, “The best judge of art is someone who walks in and likes it.”

Walk in! gl

More of Janine E: info@janinerichesart.com Insta: @janine_riches11 FB: /janinerichesart

gippsland life autumn 2026 | 63

Marguerite Sharlott, Artist and Author Marguerite describes herself as, “Just a woman in Tonimbuk that paints lots of horses.” As far as over-simplifications go, this is certainly up there, because there is so much more to this prolific artist.

Words, Wendy Hall | Photos, Rayleen Slegers

M

arguerite paints, sketches, writes and creates a cornucopia of ‘quirky’ pieces and although there is an emphasis on horses in her work, it is definitely not exclusive. Cats and foxes come and go in her paintings, childlike characters inhabit her sketches and written narratives and material art grows from all sorts of salvaged pieces she collects including from nature.

She lives in a small cottage in Tonimbuk with her long-time partner Raymond and her cat, who is Coffee Bean Buckley, surrounded by art, collected treasure, works in progress and all manner of what could be

64 | gippsland life autumn 2026

described as bohemian bric-abrac. It is all colourful, whimsical and idiosyncratic. “A day out for us is a trip to the tip to find things,” she said.

Her style is best described by her as: “It always turns out the Marguerite way,” but it is eclectic, rustic at times and definitely quirky.

The 2019 Bunyip bushfires are a large feature of the life-journey that is Marguerite’s story. Her entire home (which no-one would insure for fire) and all her art works were obliterated. Oddly, the little horse float at the side of the house, the ‘special little thing’ that survived, sits proudly outside her home now as a mini-studio, a poignant reminder

that although life throws all this crap at you, you can survive and reinvent yourself, just like the little float.

She was also living in Cockatoo at the time of the Ash Wednesday fires but in that instance, she did not lose her home. However, this tenacious lady refuses to be defined by these disasters. She accepts it all and said, “It is what it is” and importantly, “I have a good sense of humour.” As she maintains a joy for life while comfortable just moving on with optimism and stoicism, her positivity is infectious.

Marguerite came to Australia with her parents and three siblings (a sister and two brothers) as ‘ten- »

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Marguerite has lived through loss and change. Losing every single thing you own is a very sobering experience. But this lovely lady is not angry, she is resilient.

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pound Poms’ in the early 60s when she was just 18 months old, so she has little recollection of England from that time or the journey. There is still a subtle accent that pops into her speech though, as she has spent so much time with her mother throughout her life to date.

The family settled in Lilydale on six hectares of what was then bushland and she recalls it being joyous playing in nature at will.

The bush has always called her back ever since, despite many moves including, in no particular

order, Cockatoo, Phillip Island, bayside Melbourne, Kilsyth, in and around North West Gippsland and even The Whitsundays for a time.

But the animals, the land and the seasons are the fodder that feeds her creativity.

Marguerite lived with her aging mother as did her sister Michelle at various times over a long period.

She is now in care in Warragul, bright and creative at 86 despite declining health. She was and still is a writer and illustrator of children’s books also. Her father was a painter but

passed away just before Marguerite’s 13th birthday. Her stepfather, who passed away recently, was a singer/ songwriter so creativity has always surrounded her development.

Her partner of 45 years, Raymond, is also an artistic spirit who used his background as a mechanic to allow him to create sculptures from car parts and such. He has been quite successful in his own right.

After leaving school at 16, Marguerite has undertaken many and varied jobs. She laughed as she recalled her first job as a bull handler. Different jobs here and there have punctuated her life but she is most animated recounting how she and her sister found themselves working on Good Morning Australia with Bert Newton in the 90s, demonstrating how to make fashion from recycled paraphernalia. “We had no sewing skills, no talent in this direction whatsoever, just creativity.” At one point they created a wedding dress out of pillow cases and worked with television presenter Bridget Duclos, whose interest was sparked by their sheer innovation, imagination and originality.

Marguerite’s paintings are often what inspire her desire to write and she has self-published quite a number of illustrated story books.

“My dream is to find a mainstream publisher,” she said. Each page features her art from which the life of the stories is born. Predominantly they showcase her paintings, but some use her beautiful sketches.

Most notably and recently, she published a trilogy: ‘Six Robins and the Silver Mare’, ‘The Colt with the Crescent Moon’ and ‘Helena at Honeysuckle House’. There are many more and they are available on Amazon and in physical form at the Walhalla Store.

She and Raymond purchased a very steep, hidden block of land in Walhalla some years ago as home ownership became increasingly elusive for them. It is their retreat, their getaway, their escape. They visit as often as they can, always adding to the special setting with new pieces of art, furniture and their own creations. There is an old caravan sitting perilously at the top of the block, which is becoming a canvas also. They have christened it ‘Chateau Precarious’. Deer made of gathered sticks, an easel likewise, rusty sculpture, a garden and colourful personal items bring the space to life and make it somewhere they love to visit.

The deer that ravage the garden have begun to populate a current phase of Marguerite’s artwork as

she works to perfect kooky deerhead wall plaques.

Currently Marguerite is working at the WGAC in Warragul as an usher, which she loves but laughed and said, “I shut the door in John Waters’ face once!” Her work has appeared in the exhibition space of this venue, at a Phillip Island gallery and at The Bowerbird in Neerim South. She also sells by word-of-mouth and via her Facebook platform.

Marguerite has lived through loss and change. Losing every single thing you own is a very sobering experience. But this lovely lady is not angry, she is resilient. She is not regretful (although losing her childhood teddy and her books in the fires still brings sadness).

She exudes a ‘get on with it’ and ‘make the most of it’ presence. She is a happy and engaging human with a thirst for life and a deep love for the landscape and its creatures.

These things dominate her art.

When asked what is next? She replied, “I keep imagining drunken foxes sipping red wine in a vineyard or cats!” Of course. gl

More of Marguerite Insta: @sharlottmarguerite FB: /Aplaceofyourown

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ANZAC Week Airshow

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The Hidden Treasures of Tara Bulga National Park

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A Beach Where Memories are Made

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The Hidden Treasures of Tarra Bulga National Park Extravagent star-shaped fern gullies, giant mountain ash and an historic suspension bridge from which to take it all in.

Words, Natalie Box | Photos, Penny Chadwick Photography

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his enchanting rainforest is like something out of a fairy tale. Tarra Bulga National Park is deep in the Strzelecki Ranges, a quick 20-minute drive through lush farmland from the historic town of Yarram. Mr Charlie Tarra is the park’s heroic namesake, the brave Aboriginal guide who led explorer Paul Edmund de Strzelecki and his party of five on their intrepid journey in 1840, trekking from New South Wales via Omeo in the Victorian Alps and through Gippsland. Located 190 kilometres east of Melbourne and 33 kms south of Traralgon, Tarra Bulga

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National Park is one of Australia’s most impressive temperate rainforests, promising some of the most jaw-dropping spectacular fern gullies in Victoria.

We crossed the iconic Tarra River, which weaves its way alongside Tarra Valley Road through the park for 56 kms, all the way to the mouth at Corner Inlet, just east of Port Albert where we stayed. There are so many gorgeous bridges to cross. After turning a corner, a shallow section of river appeared, reminiscent of a babbling brook from a storybook.

An unplanned stop but when beauty beckons you must take notice. Nature must be experienced outside the car. Shallow water peacefully rushed over the rocks, and the foliage surrounding the river is luminously green.

Along Tarra Valley Road, beautiful guesthouses and farm stays are nestled in the forest. Tarra Falls is conveniently located by the roadside and has a small carpark.

The waterfall lookout is only a few steps from the road where you can enjoy the calming chorus of rushing water and singing birds.

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This page: Willis Track suspension bridge Left: Schoolhouse Falls

We heard whispers about the Diaper Track. The trailhead is at the Visitors Centre but just up the road from Tarra Falls the track meets Tarra Valley Road.

Slightly more adventurous, this 8.2km track is wild and beautiful, albeit a little overgrown. It rained overnight so the scent was fresh.

Moss covered everything. It is not as well maintained as other tracks, however even walking under the fern canopies drooping overhead for a few minutes is breathtaking.

After arriving at the Visitors Centre, the anticipation of seeing

the fern gully in person was electric.

If we had longer, we would have taken the Lyrebird Track, connecting with the Ash Track then onto the Fern Fully Track. However, we wanted to see the fern gully in full light so we drove around to Bulga Picnic Area Road and began the short 25-minute walk to the suspension bridge. From the carpark we headed along Wills Track, which becomes Fern Gully Track. The bright afternoon sun shone through the canopies overhead turning every tree and leaf fluorescent green.

We felt like tiny ants scurrying

under the giant mountain ash trees towering above us. We paused along the way to capture the beauty and magnitude of these ancient timber giants, their limbs soaring skyward with great freedom.

In 1938, Corrigan Suspension Bridge was transported here from Alberton West so travellers could witness this spectacular sight.

In 1982, a replica of the original was built by the Army Reserve.

We turned off Fern Gully Track and walked casually down the path towards the bridge’s entrance.

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Walking Tracks Corrigan Suspension Bridge via Wills Track Trailhead: Bulga Picnic Area Road Distance: 1.2km, 25 minutes one way from Wills Track (For a longer walk, park at the Visitor’s Centre and follow the signs from Lyrebird Ridge Track and Ash Tracks).

Ash Track (Beginner) Trailhead: Take Lyrebird Track at the Visitor Centre (Ash Track links Lyrebird Track with Fern Gully Track) Distance: 680m, 15 minutes one way

Scenic Track (Beginner) Trailhead: Visitor Centre Distance: 1km, 20 minutes one way

Fern Gully Nature Walk (Beginner) Trailhead: Bulga Picnic Area Road Distance: 720m, 15 minutes return

Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk / Cyathea Falls Trailhead: Tarra Valley Picnic Area Distance: 1.4km, 35 min return Tara River

Lyrebird Ridge Track (Intermediate) Trailhead: Visitor Centre Distance: 2.4km, 45 minutes return

Willis Track suspension bridge

Forest Track (Advanced) Trailhead: Take Lyrebird Track first then continue onto Forest Track Distance: 4.4km, 1.5 hours return (Note: Unsurfaced and steep sections)

Diaper Track (Advanced) Trailhead: Visitors Centre to the Tarra Valley Picnic Area Distance: 8.2km, 2.5 – 3 hours (Note: Unsurfaced. Also accessible from Tarra Valley Road)

Eat beauty I witnessed as we walked across — thousands of starshaped ferns stretched out their branches upwards like a green forest sky, forming a thick layered carpet below me.

Slowly, silently, I walked forward, inching over the valley. I was the only one there. A spider web glimmered in the sunlight behind it. I was separated from the haven of green below me by only a few planks of wood. Each fern appeared to have a different shade of green. The suspension bridge is secure and hardly moved; my slowed speed was more in reverence. This sacred scene was like nothing I had ever witnessed. I can only imagine the passion the explorers felt when they discovered this, and I am thankful that this land and this natural marvel is protected for generations of visitors to experience for themselves. Words and pictures cannot do it justice. You simply must come. gl 72 | gippsland life autumn 2026

Inline Café Balook Scones and tea await you! They also do a wonderful lunch.

Open: Sat & Sun 10am–3pm Address: 1885 Grand Ridge Rd, Balook

More Info friendsoftarrabulga.org. au/park-information/ walking-tracks

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A Beach Where Memories are Made Woodside Beach is a golden paradise hiding secretly on the southern tip of Ninety Mile Beach in Gippsland’s Wellington Shire.

Words, Natalie Box | Photos, Penny Chadwick Photography

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oodside Beach is a strikingly understated stretch of golden sand that promises peace and quiet to all who have come longing. It’s just 10kms from the town of Woodside, 230kms southeast of Melbourne, 28kms north of Yarram and a quick 25-minute drive from Port Albert.

With around 300 residents living nearby, this smaller local beach is perfect for families, couples or solo travellers looking for a quiet and authentic experience.

I removed my shoes and walked delightfully barefoot over the dunes.

The fine sand cooled my toes.

The sun, an hour away from setting and the bright blue sky, slowly dimmed to pastel. Over the dunes, I stepped onto the stage of Woodside Beach and the wild waters of Bass Strait greeted me. All my senses were awakened. Deep blue waves reached up silently before breaking and turning white as they crashed, the wind whipped my hair into my face and the scent of salty sea air brought calm. I was the only human soul there. This land felt familiar and welcoming. I looked around and considered the hundreds of thousands of childhood memories that may have been created on this very sand and still would be today.

Woodside Beach is patrolled between November and March by volunteers from the Woodside Beach Surf Life Saving Club. The club was formed in 1968 and is a thriving pillar of the community, regularly gathering nearby towns together through junior lifesaving carnivals.

Though summer is popular, autumn and winter make for perfect times to visit, fish, picnic and explore.

On the waters’ edge, the waves cleverly paint foam like artwork.

The light is gorgeous at this hour — golden and warm. A group of hungry birds are gathered in a »

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“[Woodside Beach is] such a relaxing and calming place. It doesn’t offer a hive of activity, but hearing the waves at night is very peaceful.”

circle, laser focused and eagerly devouring a grand seafood buffet washed up for them. Two dogs arrived with their owners and their shadows flitted across the shore as they chased waves and birds, never catching either, but this beach is reward enough. Dogs always look so much happier by the seaside, the freedom to run in nature far away from concrete paths and fences.

We humans are much the same.

Since the 1880s, Woodside Beach has drawn loyal travellers looking for an authentic seaside experience. In 1958, the Woodside Beach Caravan Park was established. Current owners Steve and Anna Priest moved from the busyness of Melbourne thirteen years ago and they love the peace and quiet of this special beach.

Steve shares, “It’s such a relaxing and calming place. It doesn’t offer a hive of activity, but hearing the waves at night is very peaceful.”

Sounds perfect and the very thing so many people are longing for.

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Nearby, the Woodside Hotel (The Woody) originally opened in 1849 and was renovated in 2022. Steve tells me all the locals have been supportive with a shuttle service to and from the caravan park.

Although Ninety Mile Beach offers a multitude of sand and sea options to choose from, Woodside Beach’s drawcard is that it’s small and quiet.

Footprints are few and far between, so often you’ll have this stretch of seaside extravagance all to yourself, which feels excessive but that’s the magic of Gippsland; outrageously generous.

“If you live in Woodside, this is your home. People look out for each other here, we support each other,” Steve said. For so many, this beach is an extended backyard. Adults and children visit before and after school or work. Woodside Beach feels like a ‘this is the beach we’ve been coming to since childhood’ beach. It’s a wonderful place to create childhood memories for your children, or perhaps it’s the place to remake them for yourself. gl

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Autumn Events Events Autumn Community Events MAFFRA ROTARY MARDI GRAS 2026

ST MICHAELS ANNUAL DUCK CUP 2026 Purchase a Duck and go in the draw to win $1,000, $500 or $250 or one the lucky duck $50 prizes. The ducks are raced in the Heyfield wetlands with a carnival like event to add excitement to the day. There will be food available for purchase and lots of activities for the kids to do.

1A MacFarlane St, Heyfield VIC 3858, Australia Sunday Mar 29 from 11:00am, to 2:00pm

PORT ALBERT EASTER FAMILY FUN DAY 2026 As part of the Tarra Festival, each year, the Port Albert Progress Association hosts the Easter Family Fun Day and the Remembrance Floating Lantern Festival held in Rutter Park on Port Albert's Foreshore.

What's On: Live Music, Food Trucks, Animal Petting Zoo, Rock Climbing Wall, Facepainting, Art Show & Curios.

Rutter Park - 12 Bay St, Port Albert VIC 3971, Australia Sunday Apr 5 from 5:00pm, to 9:00pm

A family fun day with a carnival like atmosphere. There will be face painting, an animal petting zoo, jumping castles and arcade games, music, a street parade with colourful floats, walking groups and vehicles, and plenty of food and craft stalls. We are very grateful to Wellington Shire Council for continuing funding and assistance with this event.

The theme for the 2026 Mardi Gras will be Australiana! Parade kicks off from 6pm Johnson St, Maffra VIC 3860, Australia Saturday Mar 14 from 4:00pm, to 8:00pm Email: maffra.mardigras@rotary9815.org.au

SALE MUSIC FESTIVAL Designed to bring the community together, the Sale Music Festival offers a full day of free family fun and premier entertainment. While the music takes center stage, the festival also provides a wealth of free activities to keep younger attendees entertained from start to finish. Guests have the flexibility to bring their own picnics or support local community groups at the refreshment stands, making for a standout day on the local calendar.

Sale Botanic Gardens - Guthridge Parade, Sale VIC 3850, Australia Sunday Mar 29 from 12:00pm, to 7:00pm Email: salemusicfestival@gmail.com

WELLINGTON SUSTAINABILITY FESTIVAL THE MIDDLE OF EVERYWHERE ANZAC WEEK AIRSHOW The ANZAC Week Airshow returns to West Sale Airport with an expanded lineup of breathtaking aircraft, highenergy aerobatic demonstrations, and immersive displays. This premier event offers attendees a rare opportunity to get up close to a diverse range of military, commercial, and recreational aviation marvels.

Beyond the runway, the airshow features a vibrant festival atmosphere with local exhibitors, live music, and regional produce.

West Sale Airport - Princes Hwy, Fulham VIC 3851, Australia Saturday Apr 18 from 10:00am, to 4:00pm Sunday Apr 19 from 10:00am, to 4:00pm Email: info@saleairshow.com.au

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Enjoy a full day of activities including interactive workshops and demonstrations, tours of the Seed Community Garden, renewable energy displays, and stalls from sustainable businesses. There will be live music, kids’ activities, local food vendors, and a vibrant community market showcasing eco-friendly products.

Nakunbalook Education Centre Montgomery St, Sale VIC 3850 Saturday Mar 14 from 10:00am, to 2:00pm Email: enquiries@wellington.vic.gov.au Phone: 1300 366 244

See See themiddleof themiddleof everywhere.com.au for more information on everywhere.com.au any event listed here. for more information on any event listed here

LOADED DOGS LIVE Loaded Dogs are 3 muso's that love playing rock tunes, covers from the 70's thru to modern rock. The boys bring you a high energy show that is sure to get you moving!

Heyfield Railway Hotel - 24 George St,

PARKS WEEK MOVIE NIGHT IN PORT ALBERT Parks Week Movie Night in Port Albert The Port Albert Progress Association (PAPA) is once again hosting its Movie Night at Rutters Park on the Port Albert foreshore. This is an annual event to celebrate Victorian Parks Week 2026. Please join us for a picnic style movie night under the stars.

Rutters Albert, 12 Bay St, Port Albert VIC 3971, Australia Date: Sunday March 8th 2026 Time: Activities begin from 5.30pm.

Movie starts from 7.45pm.

2023 LVTX COWWARR CLASIC RACE 2 The Cowwarr Classic is part of the VIC Triathlon Regional Series and is perfect for first-timers, returning athletes, and anyone keen for a fast, friendly hit-out.

Cowwarr Weir – Front Entrance 124 Weir Rd, Cowwarr VIC 3857 Email: latrobevalleytriclub@gmail.com 2026 CREATIVE ARTS EXHIBITION The North Gippsland Group of the Country Women's Association (CWA) of Victoria Inc. is proud to present the 2026 Creative Arts Exhibition. This annual event showcases the exceptional talent and craftsmanship of CWA members from across the region.

Maffra Memorial Hall - 11 Foster St, Maffra VIC 3860, Australia Saturday Mar 21 from 9:00am, to 3:00pm Email: nggcwa@gmail.com Phone: 0427 432 614

Music TAXIRIDE & KIER STEVENS LIVE Aria winners Taxiride are joined my Melbourne's Kier Stevens. Come along for a night of unforgettable music and fun.

795 Maffra-Sale Rd, Bundalaguah VIC 3851, Australia Saturday May 9 from 6:00pm, to 11:00pm Email: liveatthebundy@gmail.com

Heyfield VIC 3858, Australia Saturday Mar 7 from 8:30pm, to MAHALIA BARNES & KATHLEEN HALLORAN Come join us for a night of amazing music from these two blues powerhouses.

795 Maffra-Sale Rd, Bundalaguah VIC 3851, Australia Friday Mar 6 from 6:00pm, to 11:00pm Email: liveatthebundy@gmail.com DAMN’D SAM & THE PREACHERS Damn'd Sam & The Preachers are headed over the hills for the first time this Labour Day Long weekend. They’re a road-worn country band from Victoria’s Ovens Valley, drawing influence from Chris Stapleton and the Turnpike Troubadours, filtered through a life grown in the bush rather than the glare of Music Row. Dargo Hotel - 108/110 Lind Ave, Dargo VIC 3862, Australia Saturday Mar 7 from 8:30pm, to Sunday Mar 8 at 12:30am

11:30pm Email: admin@railwayhotelheyfield.com.au Phone: (03) 5148 2694 OLIVIA LAY & RICKI WOOD LIVE Join us for a relaxed Sunday afternoon of original Australian music in the intimate Bond St Event Centre.

Licensed Bar Available. Catch us during breaks and after the show for a chat and connect with others. Connection and community is what it's all about.

Bond Street Event Centre - 10 Bond St, Sale VIC 3850, Australia Sunday Mar 8 from 1:30pm, to 5:00pm Email: bondstreeteventcentresale@gmail.com Phone: (03) 5182 8770

Email: admin@railwayhotelheyfield.com.au Phone: (03) 5140 1231 POCKET ROCKET LIVE Taking the stage is Pocket Rocket, an acoustic duo that masters the art of 80s and 90s classic rock while keeping the energy high with modern hits.

Heyfield Railway Hotel - 24 George St, Heyfield VIC 3858, Australia Saturday Mar 7 from 8:30pm, to 11:30pm Email: admin@railwayhotelheyfield.com.au Phone: (03) 5148 2694

SOUNDS BY THE SEA - SUMMER SESSIONS Sounds by the Sea - Summer Sessions The Port Albert Progress Association (PAPA) is hosting their Sounds by the Sea - Summer Sessions Music Event at the Port Albert Hall, featuring 2 x live bands (Johnjohn & Uncovered) and a great-value licensed bar. (Cans of Beer $5, Premix cans $8, Glass of wine/bubbles $5, Soft drink $2). Cafe AGA Food will be onsite, offering a tapas-style menu along with nonalcoholic and hot drinks to cater for the event.

Port Albert Mechanic Institute Hall - 20 Victoria Street Port Albert Vic 3971 Saturday Mar 21 from 6:00pm, to 11:00pm Email: eventsbypapa@gmail.com Phone: 0413 476 423 gippsland life summer 2025/26 | 57 gippsland life autumn 2026 | 79

SummerEvents Events Autumn

GOOD FRIDAY WITH ETHAN CALLAWAY & FULL BAND Come and enjoy a weekend of live music at the Dargo Hotel! Ethan Calway hails from the small bush town of Drouin in Victoria's Gippsland region, where his deep-rooted passion for music took hold early on in his life.

Dargo Hotel - 108/110 Lind Ave, Dargo VIC 3862, Australia Friday Apr 3 from 9:00pm, to Saturday Apr 4 at 12:30am Email: enquiries@thedargohotel.com.au Phone: (03) 5140 1231 GECKO LIVE AT RAILWAY HOTEL Hailing from Traralgon, Gecko is a seasoned cover band with years of professional experience under their belt.

Known for their incredible versatility, they boast an extensive catalogue that spans virtually every genre, ensuring there is something for every music lover in the crowd.

24 George St, Heyfield Saturday Apr 4 from 8:30pm, to 11:30pm

ROSS WILSON & THE PEACENIKS Ross Wilson is hitting the road with his all-star band The Peaceniks to celebrate over “50 Years of Hits” including all the Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock favourites you’d expect along with the latest offering from an almost 6-decade career, tracks from his latest EP on Bloodlines Records, “She’s Stuck On Facebook All The Time” and everything in between 210 Commercial Rd, Yarram VIC 3971 Saturday Apr 11 from 8:00pm, to 10:00pm Email:info@yarramregenttheatre.com Phone: (03) 5182 5441 BEN LEE - ON TOUR ALWAYS After reminding fans and media nationwide why they fell in love with his songs and antics on his widely successful Awake Is The New Sleep 20th Anniversary Tour, Ben Lee is back with a string of 40 regional dates in 2026.

1 Railway Ave, Glengarry VIC 3854 Saturday May 2 from 6:00pm, to 10:00pm Email: liveintheglen@gmail.com

Email: admin@railwayhotelheyfield.com.au Phone: (03) 5148 2694 Website: railwayhotelheyfield.com.au ALLY ROW LIVE Ally Row are a folk rock/alt country duo blending genres with their toe tapping music and heartfelt lyricism.

They wowed us on the outdoor stage at the all-ages gig last March and we are excited to bring them back for another big night on The Peppercorn stage.

Wits End Bar will be serving locally crafted beer, cider and wine.

Doors open 7pm.

Tickets $20/$15 conc 66 Princes Hwy, Stratford Saturday Apr 11 from 7:30pm, to 10:30pm Email: stratfordcourthouse@gmail.com Phone: 0431 513 579 Website: stratfordcourthouse.com.au

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Theatre & Performing Arts

ECHOES OF PINK FLOYD 2025 marks the diamond anniversary of Pink Floyd’s inception, and to honour this milestone every era of Pink Floyd’s illustrious career will be celebrated in grand style in a brandnew concert production by Australia’s own Echoes of Pink Floyd.

100 Foster St, Sale Friday Mar 6 from 8:00pm, to 10:45pm Email:box.office@wellington.vic.gov.au Phone: (03) 5142 3200 Website: thewedge.com.au DOLLY FOREVER Staring Joanne Caligiuri as Dolly Parton, a seasoned character performer with a passion for celebrating iconic women in the Entertainment industry with nothing but respect, love, care and endless energy that Joanne is known for.

100 Foster St, Sale Saturday Mar 7 from 7:30pm, to 9:30pm Email:box.office@wellington.vic.gov.au Phone: (03) 5142 3200 Website: thewedge.com.au

MEG WASHINGTON: NATURAL BEAUTY TOUR Solo, Meg’s shows are an intimate, captivating spell. Alone at the piano, the soaring melodies and lyrical poetry of her songwriting are laid bare, as Meg makes her way through a selection of songs from her impressive five-album catalog. Each night is truly unique, with a setlist often chosen according to the special, connected moment that is shared between artist and audience.

100 Foster St, Sale Saturday Apr 11 from 7:30pm, to 9:30pm Email:box.office@wellington.vic.gov.au Phone: (03) 5143 3200 Website: thewedge.com.au

TINA TURNER – BETTER BE GOOD TO ME This high-energy production features a dynamic ensemble with backup vocals and dancers, creating an unforgettable tribute to Tina Turner's legendary career.

210 Commercial Rd, Yarram VIC 3971 Sunday Mar 8 from 2:00pm, to 4:00pm Email:info@yarramregenttheatre.com Phone: (03) 5182 5441

Markets Markets HEYFIELD MARKET MARKET

Date: 1st Saturday every month Time: Time: 8.00am to 1.00pm Where: John Memorial Where: JohnGraves Graves MemorialPark Park Contact: 5148 Contact: 5148 3408 HEYFIELD RAIL RAIL TRAIL TRAIL MAKE MAKE IT, IT, BAKE BAKE HEYFIELD AND GROW GROW IT IT MARKET MARKET IT AND

THE ROCKY HORROW PICTURE SHOW Join sweethearts Brad and Janet on a wild, glitter-filled journey to Dr. FrankN-Furter’s castle of rock, science, and scandal. Bursting with iconic songs, outrageous characters, and plenty of surprises, this electrifying production will have you singing, laughing, and dancing in your seat. Don’t dream it – be it! Book your tickets now before they vanish into the time warp!

100 Foster St, Sale Friday Mar 20 from 7:30pm, to 9:30pm Saturday Mar 21 from 7:30pm, to 9:30pm Sunday Mar 22 from 2:00pm, to 4:00pm Thursday Mar 26 from 7:30pm, to 9:30pm Friday Mar 27 from 7:30pm, to 9:30pm Saturday Mar 28 from 7:30pm, to 9:30pm Sunday Mar 29 from 2:00pm, to 4:00pm Email:box.office@wellington.vic.gov.au Phone: (03) 5142 3200 Website: thewedge.com.au

Date: 2nd Sunday Sunday every every month month Date: 2nd Time: 9.00am to 1.30pm Time: Where: Railway RailwayReserve, Reserve,Heyfield Heyfield Where:

GLENGARRY MAKERS, BAKERS BAKERS & & GROWERS MARKET MARKET GROWERS Sunday every every month month Date: 3rd Sunday Time: Time: 9.00am to 2.00pm Where: Main Where: MainStreet Street Contact: 0400 Contact: 0400 182 400 GORMANDALE CRAFT CRAFT & & PRODUCE PRODUCE GORMANDALE MARKET MARKET Date: 3rd Saturday Saturday every every month month Date: 3rd Time: 10.00am to 2.00pm Time: Where: Mechanics Where: MechanicsHall, Hall,45 45Main MainRd Rd Contact: Contact: gormandalecraftanproduce market@gmail.com market@gmail.com LONGFORD COMMUNITY COMMUNITY MARKET LONGFORD MARKET Date: 2nd Sunday Sunday every every month month Date: 2nd Time: 9.00am to to 2.00pm Time: 9.00am 2.00pm Where: Longford Where: LongfordRecreation Recreation Reserve Reserve Longford Community Community Facebook: Longford Markets

SEED COMMUNITY COMMUNITY GARDEN GARDEN IN IN SALE SALE SEED Date: 1st Saturday every month month Time: Time: 9.30am to 11.00am Where: Montgomery Where: MontgomeryStreet Street seedcommunitygarden.org seedcommunitygarden.org STRATFORD MARKET DAY STRATFORD MARKET DAY Last Sunday Sunday every every month month Date: Last 9.00amto to 2.00pm 2.00pm Time: Time: 9.00am Where: Market Street Where: MarketGreen Green– Tyers – Tyers Street Contact: Contact: statfordvictoriasundaymarket statfordvictoriasundaymarket @gmail.com @gmail.com ANGLICAN PARISH OF YARRAM ANGLICAN PARISH OF YARRAM COMMUNITY MARKET COMMUNITY MARKET Date: 2nd Saturday Saturday every every month month Date: 2nd Time: 8.30am to 12.30pm Time: Where: 95 Where: 95Commercial CommercialRoad Road Contact: 0407 369 486 486 Contact: 0407 369 YARRAM SCOUT HALL SUNDAY YARRAM MARKET SCOUT HALL SUNDAY MARKET 4th Sunday every month Date: Date: 4th Sunday every month 8.00am Time: Time: 8.00am Where: Commercial & Church Roads Where: Commercial & Church Roads Contact: 0459 428 196 Contact: 0459 428 196

Download Download the app the app

ROSEDALE COUNTRY COUNTRY MARKET MARKET ROSEDALE Sunday every every month month Date: 2nd Sunday Time: 8.00am to to 1.30pm Time: 8.00am 1.30pm Where: Prince Where: PrinceStStReserve Reserve Contact: 0401 Contact: 0401 133 470 470 ROTARY CLUB CLUB OF OF MAFFRA MAFFRA ROTARY COMMUNITY MARKET COMMUNITY MARKET

LUKE O’SHEA LIVE Settle in for a powerful night of live music at the Stratford Courthouse Theatre, where connection, storytelling and song take centre stage. In this intimate venue, Luke O’Shea’s voice, humour and heart-filled songwriting shine — delivering a show that feels as personal as it is unforgettable.

66 Princes Hwy, Stratford Wednesday Mar 25 from 7:30pm, to 10:30pm Email: stratfordcourthouse@gmail.com Phone: 0431 513 579 Website: stratfordcourthouse.com.au

Date: 1st Sunday Sunday every every month month Date: 1st Time: 9.00am to 12.30pm Time: Where: Island Where: IslandReserve, Reserve,McMahon McMahon Drive Drive Facebook: Rotary Club of of Maffra CommunityMarket Market Community SALE PRODUCERS PRODUCERSMARKET MARKET SALE Date: 3rd Saturday Saturday every every month month Date: 3rd Time: 8.00am to to 1.00pm Time: 8.00am 1.00pm Where: Sale Where: SaleShowgrounds Showgrounds Contact: 0409 697 697 254 254 Contact: SALE SUNDAY SUNDAY MARKET MARKET SALE Date: Sunday every every month month Date: 3rd Sunday Time: 7.00am Time: 7.00am Where: Canal Reserve, South Where: Canal Reserve, South Gippsland H’way Sunday Market Market Facebook: Sale Sunday gippsland life life summer 2025/26 gippsland autumn 2026 || 59 81

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Narkoojee Winery and Restaurant , Photo by everday nicky

gippsland life autumn 2026 | 83

Port Albert

A Seaside Home Away from Home A quiet coastal town with rich maritime history, an authentic community, luxury waterfront accommodation that feels like home, and delicious ‘straight off the boat’ seafood.

Words, Natalie Box | Photos, Penny Chadwick Photography

84 | gippsland life autumn 2026

FEATURE

I

grinned as I glimpsed the sparkly teal waters of Corner Inlet and a string of Norfolk Island pine trees that welcomed us to the seaside town of Port Albert.

Established in 1841 and the oldest port in Gippsland, the peaceful haven of Port Albert sits on the coast of Corner Inlet, just 236 scenic kilometres south-east of Melbourne in Gippsland’s Wellington Shire.

Although the town is aesthetically magnificent, and a stone’s throw from the southern entry point of Ninety Mile Beach, Port Albert is not just a pretty face.

Once the gateway port to Melbourne, centuries of fascinating maritime stories are carefully safeguarded by the town of just shy of 400 residents; a visit to the Maritime Museum is well worth it and tells the important tales of hundreds of seafarers. Boasting five colourful jetties and a four-berth boat ramp, Port Albert is one of Gippsland’s premier recreational and commercial fishing spots. Bright orange life rings stand to attention, faithful ropes connected with carabiners hold eager boats from drifting, and bobbing vessels float in rows attached to the jetty like limbs; like us they long for adventure.

Boat Harbour Jetty B&B, the perfect place to stay in Port Albert, is serenely situated on the

harbour overlooking the jetty connected to many fishing boats, each carrying stories of the past.

Sharon Radon and her dog Ruby greeted us with our room keys and, as if introducing us to a dear friend, Sharon proudly showed us the three luxury waterfront studios her and her husband Mark dreamt up in 2019 and said, “My passion is luxury hospitality, so the aim was to create three beautiful spaces.”

Both originally from Melbourne, Sharon and Mark fell in love with Port Albert 35 years ago, with their hospitality roots running deep in the family. “In the 1980s, my mother-inlaw opened Customs House as the Port Albert Café. We prepared the lunches for the school house. We put a cappuccino machine in and served the first cappuccino in the area.”

The café became the highlight of the town, so much so, it attracted renowned cartoon artist Jeff Hook AOM. “Jeff rode down on his bike and did a portrait of our café. He even included his little hook.”

In 2017, Mark and Sharon purchased their waterfront property and in 2019, Boat Harbour Jetty B&B was born. I sensed Sharon’s deep respect and love for the town, akin to the way one feels about an old friend. “We absolutely love this town,” she said. “We do whatever we can to

support it. Everyone is so incredibly proud to live here. This is a fishing and farming community where everyone wants to help each other.”

Their vision is simple and generous. “To create a space of quiet luxury that helps people slow down and take a breath.” Each suite comes with Sheridan linen, gorgeous bath and body products, Smeg kettle and toaster, Nespresso machine, fully stocked kitchen and extravagant daily provisions. Each studio has a queen bed, lounge area with sofa and coffee table, dining area as well as a table on the deck to enjoy the harbour views.

Everything is purposeful, considered and thoughtful.

Port Albert isn’t merely a seaside town with a collection of stores to browse. It offers a rich and personal community experience. This extraordinary town is bolstered by impassioned small business owners offering outstanding customer service. We walked 250m to the end of the jetty to Port Albert Fish and Chip Co. We ordered and joined the families, friends and couples sitting at bar tables on the deck. Our legs dangled above crystal blue water as we enjoyed fish caught about six hours earlier. Owner Jake popped out to say hello, making us feel a wonderful sense of belonging there. » Maritime Museum

gippsland life autumn 2026 | 85

Sharon Radon of Boat Harbour Jetty B&B

It’s a six-minute drive to the iconic Victoria Hotel (The Albo).

I ordered steak and to my delight, it arrived with scallop potatoes.

The locals at the bar gave us an important instruction; “You CANNOT leave without ordering The Albo!” A few moments later two extravagant ice-cream sundaes appeared. With wide eyes, we attempted the challenge with great gusto but sadly failed. The sunset is spectacular so after dinner we joined the locals on the waterfront.

Early morning pre-dawn the town was quiet. The harbour’s peaceful whisper beckoned so I eagerly walked across the road to sit on the old wooden jetty with legs dangling over the edge, and watched a single jellyfish glide through the turquoise water below. Magpies warbled, water swished against fishing boats but capturing my attention was a beautifully restored vintage boat.

86 | gippsland life autumn 2026

I couldn’t take my eyes off its forest green soft top roof and vintage wooden hull.

Colourful Marine Buoys decorate the town. Sharon explained it was a passion project that brought the town together. “The locals are fiercely dedicated to preserving the town’s maritime history. The buoys were decommissioned after 75 years out at sea. They would have gone to scrap so we saved them.”

Spearheading this project and many others is the Port Albert Progress Association, made up of twelve passionate town members working tirelessly to keep its history alive.

“President Jenny is the lifeblood of the town” This colourful thread of history running through the town is a treasured nod to the past.

The sun appeared on the final morning in Port Albert. I hugged my cup of tea and sleepily wandered across the road to my usual spot on the jetty. A baby seagull chick joined me, screeching its little lungs out to its mother for more food.

The fishermen on the end of the jetty had been up for hours, buckets and hearts full. A gentleman passed me on the jetty and we begin chatting. Out of all the boats on the marina, he pointed to the vintage boat that intrigued me. “See that green Couta Boat over there? It was built in the 1880s and it has been restored a number of times.” We continued speaking and he said he’d been coming to Port Albert for »

gippsland life autumn 2026 | 87

« Stay Boat Harbour Jetty B&B

Hosts: Sharon and Mark Radon Address: 25 Wharf St, Port Albert Book: portalbertboatharbourjettybnb.mydirectstay.com

Eat Port Albert Fish and Chip Co. (Jake and Katie)

Open: Tue–Thu & Sun: 11am–3pm / Fri & Sat: 11am–7:30pm Address: 60A Wharf St, Port Albert

Port Albert Trader Food Truck (Kate and Jackie)

Open: 9am–3pm / 5pm–7.30pm 6 days a week Address: 9 Wharf St, Port Albert Boat Harbour Jetty B&B

decades to fish. Even the visitors are like locals here.

A bustling crowd of locals gathered at Port Albert Fresh Seafood to join my chat with owner and fifth generation resident, Wendy. Across the road at Port Albert Trader, Kate and Jackie impressed me with their extensive food truck menu. It’s sad to leave after meeting such lovely new friends.

Sharon and I bid farewell and I shared my gratitude for her warmth and hospitality.

The attention to detail, love, care and intentional consideration Mark and Sharon put into each individual guest experience is inspiring.

The myriad of tourism industry awards for outstanding hospitality they have received are testament to that. They include: Winner of the 2025 ‘Accommodation and Tourism Award’ for the Gippsland Business Awards; 2025 Bronze Winner for the Victorian Tourism Awards; 2025 Star Ratings Australia Gold List Achiever for ‘Hosted Accommodation’ for consistently exceeding guests’ expectations; Silver Award for the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards ‘Hosted Accommodation Category’ in 2024; and maintaining consistent 9.8 ‘Exceptional’ rating on Booking.com.

Port Albert is a very special place.

I understand why so many return after living away. The unseen rumble of community movement going on behind the scenes of this tiny town is remarkable. Good things do come in small packages. If you’re searching for an authentic seaside haven to rest and refresh, visit Port Albert — the magic is there. gl

Port Albert Fresh Seafood (Wendy)

Open: Thu: 4pm–8pm / Fri & Sun: 10am–3pm / Sat: 10am–8pm Address: 40 Wharf St, Port Albert

Port Albert General Store (Rob and Bree)

Open: 9am–5pm daily Address: 49 Tarraville Rd, Port Albert

Victoria Pub Alberton (aka The Albo) Open: 10am–11pm daily Address: 53 Turnbull St, Alberton

See & Do Port Albert Port Albert Maritime Museum

Open: Wed–Mon 10am–4pm Address: 78 Tarraville Rd, Port Albert

Port Albert Heritage Walk

www.portalbert.vic.au/walks-tours

Christopher Robinson Trail

Address: Old Port Foreshore Road, Port Albert

Port Albert Art Gallery (Warren Curry) Open: 10am–4pm Weekends Address: 69 Tarraville Rd, Port Albert

Port Albert Hire Boats (General Store) Open: 9am–5pm daily Address: 49 Tarraville Rd, Port Albert

38 South Fishing Charters

Open: Charter bookings 8am–6pm (seasonal) Address: 25 Wharf St, Port Albert

Sailing – Port Albert Yacht Club

Sailing season is between October and May.

See & Do Surrounds Tarra Bulga National Park

Address: Visitor’s Centre, 1885 Grand Ridge Rd, Balook

More Info www.portalbert.vic.au

Agnes Falls

Address: Agnes Falls Road, Hazel Park

Wilsons Promontory

100kms and approx. 1.5 hours’ drive from Port Albert 88 | gippsland life autumn 2026

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Remote Shores Adventure WILSONS PROM FULL DAY CRUISE There is a point where roads stop, walking tracks thin out, and Wilsons Promontory National Park becomes something else entirely. To reach its far eastern coast, you have to come by sea or commit to hiking trails.

Departing from Port Welshpool, this full day boat tour with Wildlife Coast Cruises follows the rugged eastern edge of the Prom. The coastline reveals itself slowly, headland by headland.

That sense of distance is exactly what keeps this part of the park so untamed.

As the boat continues south, beaches appear without footprints, forest presses hard against the shoreline, and granite cliffs rise from the water. Dolphins often surface briefly before slipping back beneath the swell, while seabirds skim low across the waves. This is not a place shaped for crowds or convenience.

Further along is the Kanowna Island fur seal colony. From the water, the colony feels raw and immediate. It is noisy and busy, with some curious seals slipping into the water for a closer look at the boat, while others carry on with the steady rhythm of life on the rocks.

The route then takes you past Skull Rock, a towering monolith rising straight from the ocean, marking the southern extent of the cruise.

After these southern highlights, the pace shifts at Refuge Cove.

Sheltered and calm, the bay feels like a pause in the landscape.

Granite headlands wrap around pale sand and clear water, offering stillness along an otherwise exposed coast.

There is time to swim, paddle across the bay, or step ashore and wander the coastal tracks. With no roads or facilities, the cove feels genuinely removed from the everyday, a place largely unchanged by time.

This journey offers a deeper look at the Prom’s remote eastern coast and southern edge, where access is limited and the landscape remains in its natural state.

Experience it during the limited season from February to April. gl For more details and to secure your place, reach out to Wildlife Coast Cruises at (03) 5952 9500or visit our informative website, www. wildlifecoastcruises.com.au.

PROMOTION

To book your unforgettable cruise, hop onto our website

Autumn in South Gippsland AS AUTUMN SETTLES OVER South Gippsland, the region comes alive with celebration. From March through to June, golden days and crisp evenings set the scene for a calendar brimming with much loved legacy events and seasonal highlights. With Easter nestled into the heart of autumn, community spirit flourishes and the invitation to explore becomes irresistible. From milestone moments to bi annual festivals, South Gippsland offers something to delight every visitor and local.

Coal Creek Heritage Day — First Saturday of the Month Starting in March, Coal Creek Community Park and Museum invites visitors to step back in time with its much loved Heritage Days, held on the first Saturday of each month from 7 March. With the welcome addition of a food vendor, these immersive sessions promise a rich blend of history, atmosphere and local flavour, making it a must do autumn experience.

Loch and District 150th Anniversary — 6 to 9 March, and Ladbrokes Stony Creek Cup — Sunday 8 May Labour Day weekend launches South Gippsland’s autumn events calendar in style, with a jam packed long weekend of celebration. Highlights include the Loch and District 150th Anniversary, the Ladbrokes Stony Creek Cup, and a vibrant mix of community markets dotted throughout the region. The 150 year milestone for the Loch and District area will be proudly marked across the entire weekend, celebrating generations of heritage, resilience and community spirit. On Sunday, the Stony Creek Cup draws racing enthusiasts from across the nation for the region’s premier horse racing event.

Sandy Point Art Show — 3 to 6 April

Southern Rail Trail Running Festival — 30 May Rounding out the autumn season, the Southern Rail Trail Running Festival takes centre stage along the iconic Great Southern Rail Trail. With distances ranging from a 2-kilometre Family Dash through to a challenging 100-kilometre ultra run, the event offers something for runners of all abilities – and delivers an unforgettable way to experience South Gippsland’s spectacular landscapes. gl

WHAT'S ON IN AUTUMN Sample some of the regions finest produce nestled in the rolling hills of Foster, Fish Creek and Waratha.

Camp in the off season at any of our coastal townships like Venus Bay, Sandy Point, Waratha or Walkerville.

Walk, run or ride on of the scenic rail trails – Great Southern Rail Trail and Grand Ridge Trail.

Spot some of the regions iconic landmarks including the Cape Liptrap Lighthouse, Port Welshpool Long Jetty, Agnes Falls and the Walkerville Lime Kilns.

Live Music and Entertainment Music at Mossvale — 1 March.

Lyrebird Presents Sarah Blasko at the Meeniyan Hall — 5 March.

As autumn continues, Easter weekend brings the much anticipated Sandy Point Art Show to the Sandy Point Community Centre, running from Friday through to Monday. Now celebrating more than 20 years, this beloved event showcases creativity from every corner of South Gippsland, with an impressive range of categories and prizes on offer. It’s a stellar celebration of local talent and a highlight of the Easter calendar.

Lyrebird Presents M.Ward (USA) at the Meeniyan Hall — 7 March.

Fish Creek Tea Cosy Festival — 16 to 24 May

Lyrebird Presents Fantastic Negrito (USA) at the Meeniyan Hall — 14 March.

May sees the return of the bi annual Fish Creek Tea Cosy Festival, transforming the quaint township into a hub of colour, creativity and charm. This truly one of a kind event attracts visitors from across Australia – and even overseas — for eight joyful days celebrating the humble tea cosy. It’s a festival that perfectly captures the region’s quirky spirit and strong sense of community.

92 | gippsland life autumn 2026

Lyrebird Presents Willie Watson at the Meeniyan Hall — 8 March.

Lyrebird Presents Annie and The Caldwells (USA) at the Meeniyan Hall — 13 March.

Lyrebird Presents Josh Pyke at the Meeniyan Hall — 19 April.

For more information, please visit visitsouthgippsland.com.au/events

SOUTH GIPPSLAND

autumn events

AUTUMN Exhibitions

March

ArtCubes around South Gippsland A unique arts initiative by South Gippsland Shire Council. For the very first time, the ArtCubes have been split into three locations. www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/artcubes

Toora Pear Party Sunday 1 March from 10.00am to 3.00pm

Cube 1: Fleet Wines, Leongatha, Cube 2: Venus Bay Community Centre Cube 3: Saggasser Park, Toora.

Meeniyan Art Gallery Three galleries of changing exhibitions plus giftshop. www.meeniyanartgallery.com Details: Whitelaw Street, Meeniyan. Open 10.00am to 4.00pm (Closed Tuesdays).

Art Lives Here at Coal Creek, Korumburra Both the Entry Gallery and Auditorium Gallery showcase changing exhibitions of different media. www.coalcreekcommunityparkandmuseum.com Details: 12 Silkstone Road. Open Thursday to Monday 10.00am to 4.00pm. Open 7 days in Vic school holidays.

Stockyard Gallery, Foster Changing exhibitions plus workshops and giftshop. www.stockyardgallery.au Details: Corner of Main and McDonald Street, Foster Open Thursday to Monday 11.00am to 3.00pm Leongatha Art and Craft Gallery Changing feature exhibitions plus giftshop. www.leongathagallery.com.au Details: Corner of McCartin Street and Michael Place, Leongatha. Open 10.00am to 2.00pm, Monday to Friday and 10.00am to 1.00pm Saturday.

Pick your own pears. Live music, market and food stalls, kids entertainment at the Toora Heritage Pear Orchard, 18a Mill Street, Toora.

Music at Mossvale Sunday 1 March from 2.00pm – 5.00pm A range of music for all generations performed by local artists at Mossvale Park, Berrys Creek.

Tickets: $20 per adult / $15 concession Stony Creek Racing – Ladbrokes Stony Creek Cup, Sunday 8 March from 11.30am Fashions on the Field, food trucks, live music, kids entertainment.

Tom Curtain’s Here’s to you Tour Saturday 14 March from 5.30pm to 8.30pm Award-winning show “Katherine Outback Experience”.

Live Music, horse, working dogs. Meeniyan Pony Club.

Lyrebird Presents Weekends through out March Musical artists Sarah Blasko, M.Ward (USA), Willie Watson, Annie and The Caldwells (USA) and Fantastic Negrito (USA) at the Meeniyan Hall.

April Sandy Point Easter Art Show Saturday 4 to Monday 6 April from 10.00am to 4.00pm Showcasing artists from Gippsland and beyond ath the Sandy Point Community Centre, Church Parade.

Lyrebird presents at Meeniyan – Josh Pyke Sunday 19 April from 8.00pm Feeding the Wolves and Other Stories Tour. Singersongwriters and ARIA award winner performing at the Meeniyan Town Hall, Whitelaw Street.

94 | gippsland life autumn 2026

May Coal Creek Living Heritage Day Saturday 2 May 10.00am to 4.00pm Free guided tours, historical displays and heritage craft displays at Coal Creek, 12 Silkstone Road, Korumburra.

Fish Creek Tea Cosy Festival Saturday 16 to Sunday 24 May Competition Exhibition, artist talks, workshops, market stalls, Devonshire teas and more at the Fish Creek Hall and township.

Southern Rail Trail Running Festival Saturday 30 May Running festival with distances ranging from a 2-kilometre Family Dash through to a challenging 100-kilometre ultra run along the Great Southern Rail Trail.

autumn markets Kongwak Market Kongwak General Store and Sheds Every Sunday from 10.00am to 2.00pm

Third Saturday of each month from 8.00am to 12.00pm

Toora Lions Den Market 67 Jetty Road Toora

Jumbunna Bush Market

First and Third Saturday of each month from 8.00am to 1.00pm

Jumbunna Hall, Cruickshank’s Road

Rail Trail Community Market

First Sunday of each month from 9.00am to 1.00pm

Coal Creek Farmers Market Coal Creek, 12 Silkstone Road, Korumburra Second Saturday of each month from 8.00am to 12.30pm

Loch Lions Summer Market Loch Railway Station Reserve Second Sundays from 9.00am to 1.00pm (October to April)

Loch Lions Winter Market Loch Public Hall Second Sundays from 9.00am to 2.00pm (May to September)

Prom Country Farmers Market

Railway Precinct, Leongatha Third Sunday of each month from 8.30am to 1.00pm

Mirboo North Market Baromi Park, Ridgway Last Saturday of each month from 8.30am to 1.00pm

Tarwin Lower Market River Drive (next to Hall) Monday 9 March (Labour Day) and Monday 6 April (Easter Monday) from 8.00am to 1.00pm

Promontory Produce and Craft Market 70 Station Road, Foster Sunday 8 March and Sunday 5 April (Easter Sunday)

For more information and to see what’s happening in South Gippsland, please scan the QR code or go to

visitsouthgippsland.com.au/events

War Memorial Arts Centre Hall, Foster gippsland life autumn 2026 | 95

Loch Village is ��� A special celebration in March will deservedly place the spotlight on one of South Gippsland’s most charming and historic locations.

Words, Chris West | Photos, Rayleen Slegers

96 | gippsland life autumn 2026

FEATURE

gippsland life autumn 2026 | 97

A

nyone who has driven along the South Gippsland Highway near Korumburra and never been curious enough to take the quick detour through Loch Village has denied themselves of a real treat.

Following the signposts leads to a collection of boutique shops and cafes in a picturesque setting that makes it the perfect place to stop on any journey.

People love Loch and it’s easy to see why. Strolling along the village’s main street (Victoria Road) and stepping inside the quaint cottage-style shops in restored heritage buildings, it is impossible not to sense the history and admire the beauty. The tree-line streets are adorned with flowers, which bloom with vibrant colours, no more so than during autumn.

Loch’s 150-year celebration in March recognises the land selectors who first came to the area and 98 | gippsland life autumn 2026

opened it up for settlement in 1876.

The town was established in 1887, when word that the Great Southern Railway (now disused) was coming through the area and was named in recognition of Victoria’s governor at the time, Sir Henry Loch.

The railway line eventually reached Loch in 1890, which helped grow the local population.

Over time through the 1900s, many people eventually moved away to larger towns, but in more recent years the village has maintained relevance through astutely reinventing itself as a boutique tourism destination that is becoming increasingly trendy and popular with visitors of all ages.

For the many that have discovered Loch, the fairytale village is no longer a hidden gem.

The secret is well and truly out. It has become particularly renowned as a haven for foodies, and the additional attraction of the Loch

Brewery and Distillery, which opened in 2014, has been a significant drawcard. As well as offering a range of culinary delights to experience, Loch is also a treasure trove for homewares, antiques, collectables, art and gifts of all kinds.

If time during your visit to Loch allows, beyond the shops there is much more to see and explore around the town and nearby areas.

Sunnyside Park is a great place for families to relax, or enjoy the play equipment, skate park and barbecue equipment.

Maps can be obtained for the Loch Village History Walk, an easy self-guided walk encompassing dozens of historical points of interest.

The suspension bridge over Allsop’s Creek is another of Loch’s notable tourist landmarks. Built in 2000 as a tribute to the local servicemen and women, the bridge connects Loch Village to Loch Memorial Reserve.

The Great Southern Rail Trail also passes through the town, offering a number of different walking or cycling opportunities.

For spectacular views of South Gippsland’s beautiful rolling hills, head just out of town to Cape Horn Lookout before leaving the area.

These and many other attractions have made the village a vibrant destination while it’s tucked away in its own uniquely tranquil and romantic setting.

Popular community events such as the annual Loch Village Food and Wine Festival have also helped spread the word about the town’s great appeal.

The local population, which presently numbers around 600-700 people, is looking forward with great anticipation to celebrating its 150th Anniversary across the Labour Day long weekend in March. All local businesses will be open and ready to welcome many visitors from

surrounding areas to the village for the milestone occasion.

A special 150 Years Committee formed by the Loch and District Historical Group has organised a busy schedule of events across four days and has received an array of photographs and memorabilia items on loan to add to its own collection for display.

The celebrations will commence at 5pm on Friday, March 6th with a sausage sizzle at Sunnyside Park and the launch of a new book that honours Loch’s 150-year history, updating the last quarter of a century from 2001 to 2026.

A packed program on Saturday, March 7th begins at 10am with the unveiling of a commemorative seat and Loch Primary School ‘Tree of Life’ in Centennial Park. Other highlights during the day will be the digging up of the Loch Football Club time capsule from 1993 at Memorial Reserve at 12 noon, » gippsland life autumn 2026 | 99

which will also be the location for the Loch Young Farmers Reunion/ Sports Day from 1pm-4pm. There will also be a display of old cars, tractors and machinery at Memorial Reserve throughout the day.

In the evening, there will be a commemorative cake cutting and local history trivia night in Loch Public Hall. This is a free ticketed event limited to 150 people commencing at 6.30pm and also includes a historical re-enactment relating to one of the town’s first settlers — Mrs A.R. Smith.

The program on Sunday, March 8th commences with the Loch Village Summer Market at Loch Railway Reserve from 8am to 1pm. Other attractions that also form part of Saturday’s program, includes the Loch CWA ladies serving Devonshire Tea at Loch Public Hall from 11am to 3pm, Open Days at Loch Primary School 100 | gippsland life autumn 2026

(grounds), Loch CFA Fire and Rescue, Loch Uniting Church and Loch and District Pre-School.

The display of old cars, tractors and machinery will continue at Memorial Reserve on Sunday and there will also be photo and memorabilia displays at Loch and District Bowling Club and Loch Public Hall on both days.

The program on Monday, March 9th commences with a combined church service at the Uniting Church from 9.30am to 10.30am. Loch Primary School will be welcoming back former students for a Back to School tour at 11am, followed by a sausage sizzle from 12 noon onwards.

When visiting Loch, take the time to peruse the village shops and dining outlets, which have helped make it a must-see destination.

There’s something for everyone, from the Loch Brewery and Distillery, Loch Village Food Store and Café, Loch Grocer, Loch Cheese Merchant and Loch and Key Restaurant to popular retailers such as Yakkity Yak gift shop and Carrington’s for furniture, antiques and homewares. gl

gippsland

LIFESTYLE Creating comfort and style in your sanctuary

Idle Lake House, Photo by Madeline Kate

gippsland life autumn 2026 | 101

Gippsland Lifestyle Index

Alex Scott & Staff

Hilltop Conveyancing

113a Thompson Ave, Cowes 3922 Phone: 5952 2633

14B Hotham Street, Traralgon Phone: 5175 0773

www.alexscott.com.au

www.hilltopconveyancing.com.au

pg 123

pg 114

Carpet Court

Melaleuca Nursery

PHILLIP ISLAND CARPET COURT 9 The Concourse, Cowes 3922 Phone: 5952 6377

50 Pearsalls Road, Inverloch Phone: 5674 1014

SPACE CARPET COURT 41A Smith Street, Warragul 3820 Phone: 5622 3933 LEONGATHA CARPET COURT 43 Blair Street, Leongatha 3953 Phone: 5662 4164

www.melaleucanursery.com.au

pg 55

Palm Lake Resort

www.carpetcourt.com.au

78 Ashley St, Paynesville Phone: 1800 960 943

pg 108

palmlakeresort.com.au/paynesville

pg 106/110

Coastal Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning

Rigby Homemakers

1/60 Genista Street, San Remo 3925 Phone: 5678 5190

24 Inverloch Road, Wonthaggi Phone: 5672 5906

www.coastalrefrigandaircon.com.au

rigbyhomemakersfurniture.com.au

pg 104

pg 109

Encore Retirement Living

The Melbourne Furnishing Co.

2 Flagship Drive, Trafalgar 3824 91 Coast Avenue Paynesville 3880 Phone: 1800 362 673 www.encoreliving.com.au

119 Graham Street, Wonthaggi Phone: 5672 1027 www.melbfurnco.com

pg 111

pg 103

Virtue Homes Haymes Paint COWES 215 Settlement Rd, Cowes Phone: 5952 2522 WONTHAGGI 5–7 Korumburra Rd, Wonthaggi Phone: 5672 5522 LEONGATHA 68 Blair Street, Leongatha Phone: 5662 2941

pg 109

DISPLAY HOMES 2–8 Broadway Boulevard, Traralgon 68 Marshalls Road, Traralgon Phone: 5176 5997 www.virtuehomes.com.au

pg 112/BC

Get listed on the gippsland life lifestyle index Are you a local lifestyle business? Contact us today to get noticed in our world-famous Lifestyle Index.

E: gippslandlifestyle@outlook.com

102 | gippsland life autumn 2026

Explore the relaxing retirement lifestyle you deserve Secure your dream villa and enjoy a bonus pergola on us!* • Be part of a community within a community • Enjoy resort living everyday

PERGOLA VALUED AT $10,950!* Trafalgar

Paynesville

STAGE FIVE SELLING NOW

STAGE ONE SELLING NOW

2 Flagship Drive, Trafalgar (Enter via Hardy Drive)

59 Ilfracombe Way, Paynesville

1800 362 673 encoreliving.com.au Scan here to learn more *Terms & conditions apply.

Trafalgar village pictured. Images for illustrative purposes only. EL225559

WHY CHO O SE DAI KI N? EXPERTS IN AIR CONDITIONING As specialists, air conditioning is all we do. We take pride in designing products that provide clean, efficient, and superior comfort in the places we live, work and play.

SPECIALIST DEALER NETWORK With over 450+ strong dealer network, Daikin is available through our Specialist Dealer network, who will assess, plan and install the right air conditioning solution for your home.

QUALITY AFTER SALES SUPPORT Our comprehensive range of services from our dedicated after sales support team will ensure the long term durability and keep your Daikin running smoothly for many years to come.

WE’RE VEU* REGISTERED F IN D OUT ABOUT I N CE NT IVES TODAY!

* VICTORIAN EN ERG Y UPG RADES

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gippsland life Spring ����

SENSITIVE CHOICE® APPROVED Daikin's split system air conditioners are approved by the National Asthma Council Australia Sensitive Choice® program, and are the only split systems that carry the blue butterfly symbol

Trasform your home into a haven

1/60 Genista Street, San Remo After hours commercial breakdown Ph: 5678 5190 Em: office@picra.com.au www.coastalrefrigandaircon.com.au COMMERICIAL & DOMESTIC REFRIGERATION & AIR CONDITIONING | REFRIGERANT TRADE AUTH NO: AU 51246 - PI 48651 gippsland life Spring ����

15

“Over-50s Living Is Not What You Think” When Stephen and Julie Beggs first considered moving to an over-50s resort, hesitation crept in. Like many, they carried preconceived ideas of what that lifestyle might look like. Four months after making the move to Palm Lake Resort Paynesville, those doubts feel laughable.

PROMOTION

“I

’m pinching myself every day that we get to live here,” Julie says.

The couple’s decision was driven by a desire to downsize without downsizing their lifestyle. They wanted to let go of constant yard maintenance while embracing the relaxed coastal pace of Paynesville — without sacrificing social connection, activity or independence.

One walk through the resort’s Latitude Country Club sealed the deal.

“Don’t get me wrong — we love our Palm Lake Resort home,” Steve explains. “But it was the lifestyle that attracted us. We can walk up to the Country Club, enjoy a few drinks with friends and then stroll home afterwards.”

An avid lawn bowler with more than 20 years’ experience, Steve was instantly drawn to the resort’s championship-level, undercover, floodlit eight-rink bowls green. Accredited as a coach, he’s excited to contribute his skills and help grow a strong, welcoming bowls community.

“There’s no better sport for bringing people together,” he says.

Beyond the green, Julie has embraced resort life with equal enthusiasm, enjoying yoga classes, weekly Happy Hours and shared meal nights. The couple love that close friends already live within the resort — and that they’re meeting new, like-minded people every week.

Family remains central to their lives. With two children and six grandchildren living nearby, their new home needed to comfortably host gatherings and overnight stays — something Palm Lake Resort easily accommodates.

Peace of mind has also been a major benefit. Living within a secure, gated community with on-site caretakers means Steve and Julie can travel freely. They’ve already locked up their home and taken a six-week caravanning holiday, confident everything would be safe while they were away.

But they’re always happy to return.

Paynesville and the surrounding Gippsland region offer endless opportunities to explore. A short ferry ride leads to Raymond Island and its famous Koala Trail. Hiking trails like the Den of Nargun loop wind through rainforest and waterfalls, while nearby 90 Mile Beach delivers kilometres of pristine, often deserted coastline.

Snorkelling, paddleboarding and boating across the Gippsland Lakes are everyday pleasures, and golfers are spoiled with nearby Bairnsdale Golf Club — one of Victoria’s most picturesque country courses.

Steve and Julie haven’t looked back.

“This next chapter is already shaping up to be our best yet,” Steve says.

With more than 48 years’ experience creating lifestyle communities, Palm Lake Resort continues to redefine what over-50s living looks like. According to Sales Manager Sandy Martin, the Paynesville resort offers an environment where residents form genuine friendships, discover new passions and live active, connected lives.

Because over-50s living isn’t about slowing down — it’s about finally living well. gl Find out more at palmlakeresort.com.au/paynesville

I N T R O D U C I N G PA R K Y : T H E N E X T G E N E R AT I O N O F T I M B E R F L O O R I N G PARKY is a real hardened timber floor you can truly live on. Designed to stand up to life’s everyday demands, it offers impressive impact, abrasion, water and scratch resistance while remaining beautifully easy to care for. Kinder to your home and the planet, PARKY uses home-friendly finishes and up to 25× less timber, all while preserving the natural beauty of genuine wood.

PHILLIP ISLAND CARPET COURT 9 The Concourse, Cowes P 5952 6377

SPACE CARPET COURT 41 A Smith Street, Warragul P 5622 3933

LEONGATHA CARPET COURT 43 Bair Street, Leongatha P 5662 4164

*You must be a Qantas Frequent Flyer member to earn Qantas Points. Members will earn 1 Qantas Point per dollar spent on retail flooring products, window furnishings, tiles and services purchased from Phillip Island, Space and Leongatha Carpet Court or online. Full terms and conditions available at www.carpetcourt.com.au/qantas-frequent-flyer

PAINT SHOP Celebrating 90 years – Australia’s First Family of Paint Born in Ballarat in 1935, Haymes Paints is the outcome of Henry Haymes’ passion to provide quality and inovative paint and coating products to all Australians.

Proudly Australian made and owned, guaranteeing quality product and price commitment.

COWES

WONTHAGGI

LEONGATHA

215 Settlement Rd, Cowes VIC PH: 5952 2522 E: cowes@haymespaintshop.com.au

5 – 7 Korumburra Rd, Wonthaggi VIC PH: 5672 5522 E: wonthaggi@haymespaintshop.com.au

68 Bair St, Leongatha VIC PH: 5662 2941 E: leongatha@haymespaintshop.com.au

Visit us at 24 Inverloch Rd, Wonthaggi VIC 3995

*Norsit Henrik Recliner & Footstool. H2 Seating

Melbourne Furnishing Co has been providing quality furniture — wrapped up in good oldfashioned customer service — to local families for over 100 years

e

rner Loung

Houdini Co

Bellamy Sofa Bed

Maxwell Bedroom Suite

Celebrating 115 years servicing Bass Coast & Gippsland

York Table with Falkland Chairs

119 Graham St, Wonthaggi PH 03 5672 1027 • www.melbfurnco.com

VIRTUE HOMES | BUILDING EXCELLENCE

Sitting proud on a corner in Traralgon’s esteemed Franklin North Estate, this stunning mid-century abode was inspired by the owner’s passion for hosting and vision of integrating the outdoors with the home’s open and airy interior. Lavish finishes give this exquisite feat of modern design a luxe feel, while intentional landscaping maximises the home’s lot and location.

A STUNNING OASIS IN THE HEART OF

Gippsland

Feeling inspired? Explore this beautiful home and many more custom-built projects on our website www.virtuehomes.com.au

GIPPSLAND’S MOST AWARDED CUSTOM HOME BUILDER

Our aim is to provide you with quality conveyancing services at minimal cost and inconvenience to you.

For all your conveyancing needs, whether you are buying, selling or transferring land, the team are here to assist

CHRISTINE FERGUSON PH: 03 51750773 christine@hilltopconveyancing.com.au Licensed Conveyancer Member AICVIC 14B Hotham Street, Traralgon, Vic 3844 www.hilltopconveyancing.com.au

Outlets Gippsland Life Outlets Bairnsdale newsXpress 21 Bailey St Bairnsdale Main Street Newsagency 212 Main Street Briagolong Post Office & Newsagency 4 Avon Street Bunyip IGA 2-6 Main Street Cape Woolamai Food & Liquor Express 2 Vista Place Cowes Newsagency Chapel Street Drouin Newsagency 93 Princes Way Fish Creek Discount Pharmacy Plus 25 Falls Road Foster FoodWorks 37 Main Street Heyfield IGA 18-22 George Street Heyfield Timberline General Store 1 Tyson Road Inverloch FoodWorks 10-12 Reilly Street Kilcunda General Store 3535 Bass Highway Korumburra Michael's Supa IGA 1 South Railway Cres Leongatha Authorised Newsagency 30 Bair Street Leongatha Michael's Supa IGA Cnr Church & Bruce Sts Metung Village Store 62 Metung Road Morwell Newsagency 174-176 Commercial Road Neerim South IGA 147 Main Road Noojee Little Red Duck Café 1 Bennett Street Omeo Post Office 155 Day Avenue Rhyll General Store 41 Lock Road

Rosedale Butchers 32 Prince Street Sale Newsagency 308-310 Raymond Street San Remo IGA 135 Marine Parade San Remo Newsagency and LP0 105 Marine Parade Swifts Creek General Store Great Alpine Road Tarwin Lower IGA 45 River Drive Trafalgar IGA 5 McCrorey Street Trafalgar Newsagency 97 Princes Hwy Traralgon News & Lotto 55-57 Franklin Street Ventnor The Anchorage Caravan Park Ventnor Road Venus Bay General Store 139 Jupiter Blvd Warragul Newsagency & Officesmart 43 Victoria Street Welshpool Supermarket 18 Main Street Willow on Main General Store 8 Moe-Willow Grove Rd Wonthaggi Coal Mine Café 19-37 Garden Street Yanakie General Store 3640 Meeniyan-Promontory Road

Ritchies Supa IGA Stores Maffra 102 Johnson Street Paynesville 3-5 Wellington Street Sale 177 York Street Wonthaggi 160 Graham Street

This magazine is distributed throughout Victoria. All photographs in this publication are copyright to Gippsland Life Magazine, and if any are used in other publications or used in a commercial sense, you are liable to prosecution. Permission to use any photos in the publication must be obtained by contacting Grow Gippsland via email to: gippslandlifestyle@outlook.com Disclaimer: © Grow Gippsland 2026, All Rights Reserved, has the discretion to add or remove words or photos that are deemed unsuitable for the magazine. Grow Gippsland is not responsible or liable for any inaccuracies, omissions, or use of information contained within these pages, offering no warranties, either expressed or implied with respect to any material contained within the pages. Material in this magazine cannot be published or reproduced without Grow Gippsland's written consent. Failure to heed to this could result in prosecution. The opinions and views expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers.

This publication is printed under ISO 9001 Quality Certification and ISO 14001 Environmental Certification.

Photo by everyday nicky

Autumn

Your Stars ARIES

CANCER

Mar 21–Apr 19

Jun 21–Jul 22

Autumn asks Aries to slow the pace and refine strategy. After a high-energy start to the year, this quarter is about consolidation — reviewing finances, sharpening goals and investing in long-term stability. Professionally, careful planning yields better results than bold leaps.

In relationships, patience will serve you well; not every conversation needs to be a contest. By late May, clarity around money and direction brings renewed confidence.

Community and collaboration feature strongly this season. Autumn highlights long-term aspirations and who you want alongside you as you pursue them. Career progress may come through networking or shared ventures.

Emotionally, boundaries are essential — not every responsibility is yours to carry. A balanced social calendar restores perspective. May offers clarity around a professional decision.

TAURUS

LEO

Apr 20–May 20

Jul 23–Aug 22

With your birthday season arriving mid-quarter, this is a powerful reset. Autumn grounds you, encouraging thoughtful growth rather than impulsive expansion. Career matters stabilise, especially where consistency has been applied.

A personal reinvention — subtle but significant — may emerge. Health and routine benefit from small, sustainable changes. Celebrate quietly but confidently; this is your season of steady strength.

Recognition builds this quarter, but it arrives through discipline rather than drama. Career and public reputation take focus; leadership opportunities may surface. Autumn encourages you to refine your long-term vision and take practical steps toward it. At home, stability strengthens confidence. Financially, conservative planning now creates freedom later. Your influence grows steadily.

GEMINI

VIRGO

May 21–Jun20

Aug 23–Sep22

This quarter brings introspection before your birthday momentum builds. Autumn encourages you to tie up loose ends and clear mental clutter.

Behind-the-scenes work pays off later, so resist the urge to broadcast every idea prematurely.

Friendships may require honest conversations.

Financially, practical thinking outperforms quick wins. By late May, energy lifts and opportunities begin to circulate.

116 | gippsland life autumn 2026

Autumn aligns well with Virgo’s analytical nature. Expansion through learning, travel or strategic partnerships is possible. You may revisit a qualification, contract or broader life direction. Practical organisation leads to greater flexibility. Relationships deepen through honest communication. Late May may present a decision that sets the tone for the second half of the year.

LIBRA

CAPRICORN

Sep 23–Oct 22

Dec 22–Jan 20

Shared resources and deeper emotional matters come into focus. Financial agreements, investments or joint ventures may require review.

Autumn asks you to assess what feels balanced — not just financially, but energetically. Intimacy strengthens when transparency increases. Career shifts may occur quietly rather than publicly. By the end of the quarter, a sense of equilibrium returns.

Creativity and personal expression flourish this quarter. Autumn softens Capricorn’s typically pragmatic focus, inviting enjoyment and calculated risk-taking. Romantic prospects may intensify. Professionally, innovative thinking strengthens your authority. Financial stability remains steady, provided indulgences stay measured. A personal passion project could quietly evolve into something more substantial.

SCORPIO

AQUARIUS

Oct 23–Nov 22

Jan 21–Feb 19

Partnerships — romantic or professional — are central this season. Autumn encourages honest negotiation and recalibration of shared goals. If something feels misaligned, you’ll be prompted to address it directly. Career collaborations can be productive, provided expectations are clear.

Personal growth accelerates through vulnerability.

May brings renewed harmony in key relationships.

Home, family and foundations take precedence.

Autumn invites reassessment of living arrangements or long-term security plans. You may feel drawn to strengthen personal roots before pursuing external ambitions. Career developments unfold gradually. Emotional clarity improves through open dialogue. By the end of the quarter, stability creates space for new ambitions.

SAGITTARIUS

PISCES

Nov 23–Dec 21

Feb 20–Mar 20

Daily structure becomes a priority. Autumn highlights work routines, health and efficiency.

Small operational improvements at work may significantly increase productivity. Avoid overcommitting socially; your energy is better invested in refining systems. Financial gains may stem from disciplined budgeting. By late May, momentum increases and a new project may ignite enthusiasm.

Communication and learning define this season.

Autumn supports strategic conversations, short travel and skill development. Contracts or agreements should be reviewed carefully; attention to detail prevents future complications. Financial prospects improve through negotiation. Creative ideas surface unexpectedly — document them. By late May, confidence grows in both voice and vision.

gippsland life autumn 2026 | 117

Jeff Bourman

is your local MP for the Eastern Victoria electorate in the Victorian Parliament’s Legislative Council Jeff fights for regional jobs, promoting regional and rural lifestyle.

Jeff is your voice in the Upper House of the Victorian Parliament.

Jeff Bourman MP Member for Eastern Victoria 76 Main Street Bairnsdale 3875 Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party Victoria (03) 5623 2999 Jeff.Bourman@parliament.vic.gov.au Authorised by Jeff Bourman, 76 Main Street Bairnsdale, Funded by Parliamentary Budget

gippsland lifestyle summer

/

11

BITE THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN

THE HIDDEN DANGER FACING PETS IN SOUTH GIPPSLAND matters. Research shows that pet that can cause weakness and FLEAS AND TICKS - A owners are only consistent with difficulty breathing, and in some YEAR-ROUND ISSUE monthly treatments around 8 out of cases can become life-threatening if

South Gippsland’s rolling farmland, bushland and coastal surrounds make it a wonderful place to live and explore with your dog — but they also mean fleas and ticks can be part of life for pet owners.

While paralysis ticks are not commonly found locally, they are present along Australia’s east coast, particularly in coastal and bushland areas of Queensland, New South Wales and eastern Victoria. Pets can be exposed when travelling or holidaying in these regions, and may bring ticks home with them. We also occasionally see ticks “hitchhiking” back down south in caravans, cars or even luggage after travel, where they can then find their way onto a dog at home.

Paralysis ticks can be dangerous.

Once attached, they release a toxin

not treated quickly. Because ticks are small and often hard to find, prevention remains the safest option.

In South Gippsland, fleas and ticks can be active at different times throughout the year, with warmer months bringing an increased number of parasites and risk to our pets. Pets that enjoy outdoor life — from backyard play to farm walks and coastal trips — may be exposed more often than owners realise.

That’s why year-round protection

WHY VETERINARYGRADE PROTECTION MATTERS Not all flea and tick products are created equal. Veterinary-grade treatments, available through your vet, are carefully tested for safety, effectiveness, and longlasting protection.

These products are formulated to target the specific parasites found in Australia, including Brown Dog ticks, paralysis ticks and fleas.

In contrast, many supermarket or over-the-counter products provide limited protection, may

12 months each year, leaving pets vulnerable during the remaining months. At Gippsland Veterinary Group, we offer a convenient option for our canine clients that provides 12 months of flea and tick protection with a single treatment.

One visit, one treatment, and peace of mind for the year ahead — no monthly reminders required.

Contact your local Gippsland Veterinary Group clinic today to learn more or to book your pet’s appointment for ongoing parasite protection.

not cover ticks that transmit diseases like ehrlichiosis, or require more frequent dosing — increasing the risk of missed treatments and gaps in protection.

With just one visit to our clinic, your dog can now receive yearround protection against fleas and ticks with a single dose. This longacting option removes the stress of monthly reminders while ensuring continuous coverage, even during peak parasite seasons. It means more carefree walks, more playtime outdoors, and fewer worries for you.

WWW.GIPPSVET.COM.AU

Pet Corner... www.gippsvet.com.au Brahma

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Chip

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Kitty Soft Paws

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Lucky

Lucy

Do you want to place a photo of you favourite pet in PetCorner?

It’s easy. Just email us your pic and their name at Gippslandlifestyle@outlook.com

…all pets great and small!

Proudly brought to you by Gippsland Veterinary Group

Mini

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www.gippsvet.com.au Tato

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Leongatha • Wonthaggi • Foster • Mirboo North • Newhaven • Inverloch • Grantville

414 Berrys Beach Road, Ventnor | phillipislandwinery.com.au

BUILDING DREAMS WITH VIRTUE HOMES PODCAST Be taken on a custom home building journey from enquiry to selections and learn about the exciting process of building your forever home with one of Gippsland’s most acclaimed builders.

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