Items filtered by date: July 2023

Volunteer committee members of the East Gippsland Rail Trail Committee of Management were disappointed to learn a set of newly installed gates on the trail at the Simpsons Creek Road crossing were deliberately rammed by a vehicle on the weekend.
The recently installed gates are part of a multi-million dollar upgrade to the 96km long trail and are designed to prevent illegal vehicular access to the trail, as well as a visual reminder to trail users they are approaching a road crossing and need to slow down and approach the crossing with care.
This latest vandalism comes on the back of a water fountain being deliberately damaged at Mossiface last year shortly after it was installed, and the theft of gates at Joiners Road, Newmerella in March this year.
A reminder the only vehicles permit-ted on the East Gippsland Rail Trail are committee of management vehicles and those approved by the committee (ie contractors working on the trail).
Orbost Police is working with the rail trail committee in an attempt to avoid further damage to the community asset.
Police are investigating the collision damage believed to be caused by a vehicle and other damage caused but recreational motorcyclists.
If you’ve witnessed or know of any details regarding the damage, contact Crimestoppers or 000.

IMAGE: A set of new gates on the East Gippsland Rail Trail were found rammed by a vehicle on the weekend. The recently installed gates are part of an upgrade to the 96km long trail. (PS)

Nowa Nowa hosted its first East Gippsland Win-ter Festival event recently with a FAT (Food, Art and Tunes) bike ride along the East Gippsland Rail Trail to Orbost.
Organisers were thrilled to see 52 riders turn up along with their supporters and all enjoyed a toastie provided by The Local – Metung, some music from DJ Leif and a smoking ceremony before the ride began.
The ride was a gentle 40 kilometres along the rail trail suited to just about any bike with refreshments and tunes at the start, halfway mark and at the finish. 
There were many families, older riders and the more dedicated ready to enjoy the ride.
Nowa Nowa will also host a trivia and tunes night at the local hall on July 8. There will be local food vans, folk/indie-pop duo Ally Row, prizes for best beanie and lots of laugher and fun.

IMAGE: Alena, David and Vicky Walmsley together with Hazel Nichol, of Bruthen, were all set for the bike ride.