Although opportunity shops in Lakes Entrance are grateful for donations, it is becoming more prevalent for unsuitable articles to be donated.“We are being forced to take up to 50 per cent of donated items to the tip,” Jan Hayes, who is manager at St Brendan’s Op Shop, said.During COVID-19 restrictions the shop was closed and signs put up asking people not to leave any donations at the site, but...

Member for East Gippsland, Tim Bull, accompanied Victorian Opposition Leader, Michael O’Brien, on a tour of East Gippsland last Thursday, which included two stops in Lakes Entrance.First stop was the Lakes Entrance Fishermen’s Co-Operative on Bullock Island where Mr Bull explained the dire need for the upgrade of the unloading facilities.Mr Bull pointed out the disrepair of the jetties,...

Beach Netball returns to Lakes Entrance’s Main Beach this weekend.Registrations have been strong despite COVID-19 restrictions, and organisers will ensure players remain safe and able to access sanitisation easily.“So far we have four under 17, five ladies and eight mixed teams registered,” Lakes Entrance netballAssociation’s Kylie Curnow, said. “We are looking forward to a great weekend after...

A week after avoiding a COVID-19 scare swept across Lakes Entrance, the town is again buzzing with tourists who have surged back into town as the weather warms up.While numerous businesses had to undertake deep cleans and have staff tested, all are back on deck and open for business.Matthew O’Donnell, who owns Albert & Co, first heard his business had been visited by the pair through social...

Wairewa residents, Karren Scott and Vaughan Hibbs, celebrated Christmas and the New Year in their new home.The couple was burnt out in the Black Summer Bushfires after the blaze, which had been burning for weeks, finally arrived in the Wairewa Valley on the night of December 30.Eleven homes were destroyed in Wairewa after the fire skipped across the valley, randomly selecting its targets.Ms...