The Alpine Rally - the motor-sport tradition continues in East Gippsland.

A long rallying tradition is set to continue on 1^st to 3^rd December 2017 when Australia’s largest and most spectacular gravel rally for two wheel drive cars is based in picturesque Lakes Entrance,  East Gippsland. The rally is sure to be even more exciting and challenging with a number of new innovations that have made it an outstanding success.

I have to admit being a bit of a “petrol head”  to put it mildly, and having been somewhat involved in this rally in past years, it is one of my favourite regional events, a great spectacle and now a great photo/video opportunity and the simple enjoyment of mingling with the crews and admiring the cars.  At the spectator points there is nothing better than the sights sounds and smells of the Alpine Rally.  This is for petrol heads, car lovers, (yes there is a difference) even for families who want to enjoy a good day out with spectacular entertainment. Put it in your calendar now.

The TSHD Tommy Norton - but why is she called "Tommy Norton?"

Gippsland Ports and the Gippsland Lakes at large have long awaited the new dredge, but why the “Tommy Norton”?  

Over the last couple of years we have all kept an eye on the progress of a new dredge for Lakes Entrance. Some thought it would never happen, others certain in the knowledge that finally, after many temporary fixes, an effective dredge for the iconic Entrance, the only link from the Gippsland Lakes catchment to Bass Strait, would happen.

But why is it called “Tommy Norton?”

COFFEE - a flippant guide to coffee and those who drink it.

Most of us have an ongoing love affair with coffee, but does your choice of coffee say anything about you ? Read on... do you know anyone who fits the bill?

Lets start with an old faithful, the CAPPUCCINO…                         A kind warm hearted person, but sometimes totally oblivious to the world around you.  Once in a while friends have to remind you to wipe the froth from your lips !                                                                                                                    

OK, now for all you LATTE lovers…You are often indecisive but reflective and a real thinker.     You prefer the safe option in a world of variable and unknown quantities. You follow the crowd.

The Green Thing

Is this something new, something that us older folk have to learn?, perhaps just a new name for old habits? What do you think?

Checking out at the supermarket, the young cashier suggested to the much older lady that she should bring her own grocery bags, because plastic bags are not good for the environment. The woman apologized to the young girl and explained, "We didn't have this 'green thing' back in my day."     The young cashier responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation didn’t care enough to save our environment for future generations."  The older lady said that she was right – adding “our generation didn't have the "green thing" in its day”. The older lady went on to explain:

Back then, we returned milk bottles, soft drink bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed, sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled.  But we didn't have the "green thing" back in our day.

East Gippsland Events: Friday 9 to Sunday 11 June

“Variety is the spice of life so they tell me  -  Variety is what you have this long weekend”

Friday:

Bairnsdale Senior Citizens Club    1.00PM - 4.00PM  52 Anderson Street Bairnsdale  New members always welcome   Phone: 5152 4389   

Bairnsdale Machine Knitters 10.00AM Bairnsdale Knitters meet on the first and third Friday of each month.    Mitchell Studio Education Hub - Cnr Dalmahoy and Service Streets. All knitters welcome. Experienced and novice knitters are welcome to join us. For further details. Contact Mary McPherson 0427 551 636 (Secretary)

More Faces and Places of East Gippsland

At the Art Space, Lakes Entrance Visitor Centre.  9am to 5pm, 7 days. 

An exhibition of images captured by John Munns continues at the Lakes Entrance Visitor Information Centre, with prints displayed in different styles and mediums.

Mounted canvas prints of photos like these below would provide a uniquely Gippsland touch to your home, office or restaurant.  For purchase details phone 5155 1966.

East Gippsland Events: Friday 26 to Sunday 28 May

Arts, crafts, history and music are the go as winter sets in…

Friday:

BGs Re-imagined  Paynesville Wine Bar  Esplanade Paynesville  8pm to 10-30pm. Relive those songs we all remember with this cover band.

Bairnsdale Senior Citizens Club    1.00PM - 4.00PM  52 Anderson Street Bairnsdale  New members always welcome   Phone: 5152 4389   

Bairnsdale Machine Knitters 10.00AM Bairnsdale Knitters meet on the first and third Friday of each month.    Mitchell Studio Education Hub - Cnr Dalmahoy and Service Streets. All knitters welcome. Experienced and novice knitters are welcome to join us. For further details. Contact Mary McPherson 0427 551 636 (Secretary)

Saturday:

Family History Research Centre – Lakes Entrance - rear of Visitor Centre Marine Parade. 1pm -5pm  and again  1pm to 5pm every Monday.  Ever wondered about your ancestors. Drop in and chat with the experts who can help you knock down those “brick walls”. Do you have a convict, publican, butcher, baker or even candlestick maker in your family. Extensive local and overseas records available on site. All are welcome.

Review: The Long Paddock

The Long Paddock, 93-95 Main Street,  Lindenow, Victoria  3865.    Ph: 5157 1638

www.longpaddock.com.au        Email: eat@longpaddock.com.au         Instagram: @lindenowlongpaddock

Open Hours:   Monday:  7:30am - 3:30pm.   Tuesday: CLOSED.   Wednesday - Friday: 7:30am - 3:30pm.  Saturday - Sunday: 8:00am - 3:30pm.   Ring during holiday times as closed on some public holidays.

“Leisurely Lindenow lunches at The Long Paddock, it’s the pick of the crop.”

Location:              Lindenow, often referred to, and arguably worthy of the title, “market garden of Victoria", due the huge amounts of varied produce grown in the area, is just a short drive (under 15kms) from Bairnsdale.  The drive will provide some magnificent views over the Mitchell River valley and of the rows of produce at varying stages of growth. Entering Lindenow the main street with its wide nature strip and a quiet service road, I suspect made wide enough to turn bullock trains in years gone by. 

East Gippsland Events: Friday 19 to Sunday 21 May

Cooler weather setting in but it’s still hot to trot around the region with things to do and see…..

Friday:

Matthew Bentley from 7pm  at the Main Hotel Bairnsdale   Influenced by John Butler, Gippsland Push Start winner in 2016, 18 year old Matthew Bentley from Bairnsdale loves with his Maton 12 -string and the earthy sounds he produces with it, indulging his love of raw acoustic roots music.   Book a table call the Main on 5153 0083.

Beauty and The Beast 7.30PM - 10.30PM  Forge Theatre and Arts Hub  80 McKean St. Bairnsdale  Ph: 5152 1482

Bairnsdale Senior Citizens Club    1.00PM - 4.00PM  52 Anderson Street Bairnsdale  New members always welcome   Phone: 5152 4389   

Bairnsdale Machine Knitters 10.00AM   Mitchell Studio Education Hub - Cnr Dalmahoy and Service Streets. Bairnsdale Knitters meet on the first and third Friday of each month.  All knitters welcome. Experienced and novice knitters are welcome to join us. For further details. Contact Mary McPherson 0427 551 636 (Secretary)

Review: MMM Truffles Bairnsdale

MMM Truffles Bairnsdale         

26 Bailey Street Bairnsdale 3875   Graeme Reynolds     

PH:   0488 555 864.   www.mmmtruffles.com.au        mmmrtrufflesfactory@gmail.com       

“Mmm - sit back, relax and enjoy”

Location:             A fresh new location in the CBD of Bairnsdale sees MMM Truffles expanding and providing not only weekday but weekend opening hours.  This location is light bright and interesting, has al fresco tables on the street and inside a retro style array of seating options, “cintique” chairs and lounges, tables for six, four or just two. Take your choice and whilst there you can discover an interesting range of collectibles even some antiques which are displayed for sale. The venue follows the quaint style of Graeme’s Lakes Entrance shop so well liked and patronised with music to suit the collectibles era played “live” on the record player! Table service is provided and a wash room is available on premises.