Your local and independent news from the Prom Coast and South Gippsland.
This fortnight in the Prom Coast News: the state election campaign is heating up with important local questions about neighbourhood houses and energy costs; and with Halloween, the Tarwin Lower Festival and Meeniyan Marty Gras all around the corner, the social calendar is packed. Read on for all the stories, or grab the latest digital edition here.
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Quote of the fortnight
“When I went outside, everyone was so friendly. It was like going up the street.” — Prom Country Aged Care resident Reg Williams, on the community garden working bee.
NEWS
Neighbourhood House funding pledge “falls well short,” says Manna Gum. The Nationals have pledged $10 million for Victoria’s Neighbourhood Houses ahead of the November election — but Foster’s Manna Gum Community House says the commitment, while welcome, amounts to less than a 2.5 per cent annual increase per house, far short of the 25 per cent immediate increase the sector needs just to meet current costs. Read more →
Want to keep your local pool? Then use it. South Gippsland’s pools face a $41 million funding gap and Council is consulting on their future until 6 December. For Foster and Toora, the message from pool operators is clear: families can help by turning up, buying a season pass and making the pool part of summer again. Pool operators Carol and Ernie say cost pressures are keeping some families away, and the off-season aerobics crowd has dwindled. Have your say at southgippsland.vic.gov.au/aquatics. Read more →
COMMUNITY
Manna Gum Community House is calling for volunteers across a wide range of roles: from gardening and cooking to literacy support and governance. Nearly half of everything that happens at 33 Station Road, Foster, is powered by volunteers, worth more than $260,000 a year to the community. Drop in, call 5682 1101 or email office@mgch.org.au.
South Gippsland Hospital wants to hear from anyone with a lived experience of cancer: complete the community survey before 6 November, or attend a discussion session on 13 November at Foster. Contact Tanya Cook on 0437 859 944.
And the Cup Day Garden Party on 4 November at 65 Pioneer Street, Foster, will reveal the fascinating local story of Harold Lasseter (of Lasseter’s Reef fame) who once lived and worked right here in Corner Inlet. Raising funds for the Foster Historical Society. Garden gate opens 1.30pm.
LIFESTYLE
Meeniyan Marty Gras kicks off on Thursday 22 October with four days of Rainbow Country fabulousness including Drag Bingo, Drag Trivia, the main event on Saturday night ($55), and the Drag Dog Show at Trulli Outdoors on Sunday.
Halloween arrives on the Prom Coast this Saturday 31 October with three celebrations: a school art exhibition and BBQ at Manna Gum in Foster from 5.30pm, the Curse of Dumbalk at the Dumbalk Hall from 6pm sharp, and a BBQ, trick or treating and a Halloween disco in Welshpool from 4pm.
The Stony Six and Milk bring an afternoon of acoustic folk to Meeniyan Hall on Sunday 1 November at 2pm — BYO drinks. Van Walker and the Badlanders headline Sandy Point Community Centre on Saturday 7 November.
Foster Golf Club launches two big events in November: a 4BBB Mental Health Day on 8 November ($20 entry, contact Kiwi on 0467 532 665) and the Legends of the Green Charity Golf Day on 14 November, featuring PGA coach Peter Croker, a $40,000 hole-in-one car challenge, and Foster’s Xavier Duursma at the Sports Night from 7pm.
SPORT
Fish Creek Bowls Club had a mixed start to pennant season. Division 4 and Division 2 midweek both won well, while Division 2 Saturday and Division 6 both went down narrowly. Foster Bowls Club lost pre-pennant honours to Fish Creek before kicking off their midweek and Saturday pennant campaigns last week.
Foster Cricket Club’s Ryan Williams has made a spectacular start to his first season at the Tigers, with an unbeaten 167 in Round 2 at Nyora before backing it up with 75 in Round 3. Foster has won both games convincingly.
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