The Warragul and Drouin Gazette

d8849315a903f30750a5cce15d84f809

About Us Contact us

Friday, 6 June 2025

Log in Subscribe

Standing together against “insane cash grab”

by Emma BallingallNever previously inclined to attend a rally, Lardner Park chief executive officer Craig Debnam declared “today is the day when this community must be heard.“Mr Debnam, one of six submitters at Wednesday’s meeting, spoke strongly of...

Emma Ballingall

Most popular

News

Mayor suspended

by Emma BallingallA “deteriorating relationship” within a “dysfunctional” former council has resulted in current Baw Baw Shire mayor Danny Goss being suspended for 21 days .The suspension will be effective from the conclusion of tomorrow night’s...

Emma Ballingall

12 May 2025
Sport

Hawks explore move

by Nicholas DuckThe Drouin Football and Netball Clubs are exploring the idea of a potential move to the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition - with a catch. Having previously applied for entry to the league in 2018 before ultimately staying...

Nick Duck

26 May 2025
News

Tough times

Paddocks lack an autumn break, dams are low or empty, and stock are being culled from herds - that’s the heartbreaking reality facing farmers across West Gippsland. But there’s a human cost - the farmers and their families doing it tough - they’re...

Yvette Brand

26 May 2025
News

Record breaking A Girls’ Day Out

by Yvette BrandA record breaking $158,000 was raised at the annual A Girls’ Day Out event on Saturday, when 700 women gathered at Lardner Park for a day set in the Greek Islands with a Mamma Mia theme. The community’s generosity again overwhelmed the...

Yvette Brand

02 Jun 2025

Record breaking A Girls’ Day Out

by Yvette BrandA record breaking $158,000 was raised at the annual A Girls’ Day Out event on Saturday, when 700 women gathered at Lardner Park for a day set in the Greek Islands with a Mamma Mia theme. The community’s generosity again overwhelmed the...

CFA volunteers join levy protest

A firefighter sent a clear message that the levy “in no way pays for volunteers” before a councillor paid an emotional tribute to volunteerism at last week’s Baw Baw Shire council meeting. Allambee Fire Brigade member Susan Spanitz, one of many...

Planning delays a concern for builders

A lack of local knowledge within council planning departments is holding up development and impacting success rates, according to local builders and developers. No fast-tracking mechanisms for permits within precinct structure plan (PSP) areas was...

Most popular

News

View all

Mary is officially Member for Monash

by Emma BallingallNewly installed Member for Monash Mary Aldred declared Friday morning’s declaration of the poll as “a very significant moment.““It’s the most significant privilege of my life,“ the emotional Liberal Party member told Monash voters...

Emma Ballingall

Off-the-grid entertainment for Kiwi travellers

Explore off-the-grid entertainment for Kiwi travellers with streaming, games and apps that enhance your travel downtime.

CFA volunteers join levy protest

A firefighter sent a clear message that the levy “in no way pays for volunteers” before a councillor paid an emotional tribute to volunteerism at last week’s Baw Baw Shire council meeting. Allambee Fire Brigade member Susan Spanitz, one of many...

Flemington racecourse guide

Explore our complete Flemington racecourse guide with history, race day tips, betting advice, and track layout insights.

Sport

View all

Wonderful Wells

The Ellinbank and District record books had to make room for another name on Sunday after Longwarry’s Jason ‘Jay’ Wells booted a magnificent 18 goals against Bunyip on Sunday. Just two weeks after Neerim’s Mason McGarrity scored the same number...

Second spot up for grabs for Bloods, Crows

by Davyd ReidLongwarry host Trafalgar in a match between second and third to headline round nine of Ellinbank and District football. Both enter the contest at 7-1 and in good form in their pursuit of a double chance. This contest is set to be...

Contenders clash in standalone Mid Gippsland fixture

by Rob Popplestone Two of Mid Gippsland’s best sides will clash in a “standalone” clash on Saturday, with a top spot up for grabs. Playing in the only game over the King’s Birthday weekend, Fish Creek and MDU have an opportunity to secure footing in...

Agriculture

View all

Why do dam repairs fail?

As dry conditions continue across Victoria, many farmers may be considering repairing leaking or failed dams to increase on-farm water storage capacity once it rains. Dam repairs are often high-risk, expensive, and should be only be undertaken when...

Are your livestock fit to load?

As drought and difficult conditions continue across Victoria and livestock producers consider further destocking, Agriculture Victoria is issuing a timely reminder. Agriculture Victoria livestock industry development officer Hannah Manning said it...

Twin lamb disease

As we move towards winter sheep producers may begin to see cases of pregnancy toxaemia or twin lamb disease in their ewes. Twin lamb disease occurs when ewes have an inadequate energy intake during the last four to six weeks of pregnancy. During this...

Arts and Culture

View all

Arts and Culture

Art show is a showcase of Tanjil Valley

The Tanjil Valley Art Show is now in its 19th year and has become a community event appreciated by both children and adults alike. The art show will be held at the Hill End Community Centre, 22 Paynter’s Road, Hill End on the King’s Birthday...

Upcoming Events

Arts and Culture

Special Warragul Acoustic Unplugged winter program

Warragul Acoustic Unplugged will transition to a special daytime program over the winter months, beginning next Saturday afternoon. Instead of the typical program of evening events held on the second Friday of each month, during June, July and...

Arts and Culture

Talented cast bring 80s musical to life

by Emma BallingallMemorable performances from a talented cast are on offer as “The Wedding Singer” continues at the West Gippsland Arts Centre this week. Warragul Theatre Company’s latest musical isn’t your traditional offering; it is 80s, loud, fun...

Emma Ballingall

Arts and Culture

Director role for Kylie

Kylie Sinclair is thrilled to be directing “The Wedding Singer” for the Warragul Theatre Company. She has thoroughly enjoyed working with the fabulously talented cast and crew, along with the very hard-working creative team. Originally a Melbourne...

Arts and Culture

Musical captures an 80s love story

by Bonnie CollingsBig hair, loud costumes and fantastic performances will greet audiences when Warragul Theatre Company presents musical “The Wedding Singer” at the West Gippsland Arts Centre. Opening on Friday night, the company will offer eight...

Bonnie Collings

Upcoming Events

Education

View all

Playground provides new adventures

Yarragon Primary School recently unveiled a new adventure playground - a project that has been four years in the making. Principal Melissa Rock said students from prep to year six had had input into the project and the whole school was excited for...

Ellinbank Primary School values CARE

Ellinbank Primary School recently brought together families to celebrate and officially launch the re-development of its school values. The initiative emphasised the importance of student input, as students were actively consulted throughout the...

Students change the culture of bullying

Students from Neerim South Primary School and Neerim District Secondary School combined forces recently with a lap-a-thon to raise awareness for “Do it for Dolly Day” - an annual day of awareness and action dedicated to spreading kindness and taking...

Our History

View all

Noojee rail - an engineering classic

The railway from Neerim South to Noojee swoops and soars through some of Victoria’s most attractive scenery. Yes, I know that should be in the past tense, but I’m ever the optimist. Unfortunately, burned-out trestle bridges no longer safely spanning...

Snapshot of the past

A photograph capturing Main St in Drouin, including the brick building of Henry Pease and Sons on the corner of Hope St, c1917. Henry Pease purchased the business from J. G. Hearn in 1906 and leased part of the premises from him. Mr A. Wehsek, who...

O’Marney, The Pied Piper of Hallora

The first settlers of the Hallora area were typical of the many families in Victoria which joined the “Land Rush” of the 1870s. From Clunes there were the Hickmans, the Aikmans and the Brocks. The Simpsons and the Hallyburton brothers came from...

Snapshot of the past

A photograph of Mounted Constable James Wellwood of Drouin c1900. James Wellwood was born in Fitzroy in 1864 and joined the Victoria Police force on March 8, 1887. Constable Wellwood worked in Fitzroy for three years before being transferred to Ben...

Branded Content

View all

Is the cost of car ownership on the rise in Australia?

You need to spend money to make money – there’s no avoiding it. Whether it’s paying your rent or mortgage to keep your housing, paying for groceries each week, for your phone bill, your power bill, your gas bill, most of the expenses that...