The Helping Hands Community Forum on this Sunday, 24th March @ the Korumburra Community Hub from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm will partly focus on engaging members of the Korumburra community on what the next steps might be in order to turn some of the ideas for Korumburra into a reality.

We would love you to have a look at the list of Ideas for Korumburra on this website and then provide us with a heads up on one or some of the ideas for Korumburra that you are keen to work on…… Contact us

We were amazed by the strong positive response that we had to a recent post that the Helping Hands project posted on this website, facebook and instagram - about welcoming new people to Korumburra & surrounds.

So much so that we have ensured that there will be ample time at our upcoming Community Forum on this Sunday 24 March at the Korumburra Community Hub, to welcome new people to the community at the free BBQ lunch.

Have you invited your new neighbour to the Community Forum?

The Helping Hands project is very excited that Laura Muranty will be sharing some of her experiences in how she took the next steps to implement ideas at our upcoming Community Forum on Sunday 24 March 2024.

Here’s some information about Laura…

Laura Muranty is a secondary school teacher at Mary Mackillop Catholic Regional College in Leongatha. She moved to Korumburra with her young family 12 years ago, and has been an active member on childcare, kinder and school committees throughout that time.

Additionally, Laura has participated as an actor and director in multiple productions with FAMDA, Wonthaggi Theatrical Group and Leongatha Lyric Theatre, where she currently sits on the committee, as well as chairing the Lyric Youth Committee.

Laura loves being engaged in her community and understands the importance of volunteering and contributing her skills where they can be utilised effectively.

Laura is also committed to acknowledging and celebrating First Nations history and culture in our region and diversifying the landscape through multi-culturalism and community development.

For more information about Korumburra Staying Strong’s - Helping Hands Community Forum please see click on this link: Community Forum 24 March 2024

The Helping Hands project is very excited that George Manis will be sharing his experience of how he took the next steps to implement an idea at our upcoming Community Forum on Sunday 24 March 2024

Here’s some information about George…

The essence of me is my love of People. I love working with people and the community and watching them grow and flourish. Having a successful background in Marketing and Finance coupled with my current work in the Health sector in the Disability field I have come across a variety of people from all walks of life .

I firmly believe we all want to feel that we belong in a community and be part to f it . We all have something to offer no matter what our background or experiences. Being genuine and transparent is the key.

Give people fish and you feed them for a day . Show them how to fish and you feed them for a lifetime. (Proverb)

I moved to Regional Victoria twenty years ago and have never left. I was one of the early ones who were part of the Government’s Move to Provincial Victoria Campaign. I have been living in South Gippsland for seven years.

During my time in Regional Victoria, I have involved myself in various community groups and worked within the not for profit and private sectors. My main focus now is the Arts in South Gippsland.

Art Connect South Gippsland of which I am the founder, was established three years ago during Covid to connect Artists together who reside Full Time/ Part - time in the South Gippsland Shire region. We promote this via Events and networking with Individuals.

Our most recent Event is the Art Connect South Gippsland Open Studio/Art Trail.

For more information about Korumburra Staying Strong’s - Helping Hands Community Forum please see click on this link: Community Forum 24 March 2024

Oscar has proudly looked after & grown his hair for 4 Years & now is ready to let it go for a good cause, that may have effected us all in someway.

Please support Oscar and His Team "OOO" for this Big Event and Great Cause in anyway Small or Big.

Please share and spread the news.

Mullet goes on the 27th March 2024.

Event will be supported & held at St Joseph's Korumburra Hair will also be donated.

Link to Leukaemia foundation donation page

The Helping Hands project is very excited that Janet Powell will be sharing some of her experiences in how she took the next steps to implement an idea at our upcoming Community Forum on Sunday 24 March 2024.

Here’s some information about Janet…

There are many people and interests in my life that I find fill up my days, although not at the same hectic pace as when I was young.

I am a mother of three, grandmother of eight, a wife and a sister. My husband Roger and I moved to Korumburra from Camberwell 6 years ago because we wanted a change of scene.

As part of the wish to meet locals and get involved in the community, we joined the Lions Club of Korumburra. It was struggling with membership, but is now in a healthy position. I have been involved in many community events, and as Secretary of the Lions Club, I’ve been in communication with people from across our area on many different issues.

Community welfare is important to me. It is wonderful to see the progress being made with various projects locally. While not everyone has the same opinion on all these changes, everyone can have a voice.

Sharing ideas with fellow residents or business owners is an important part of our society, and can bring the community together. Accurate information and knowledge about a proposed project is always a better starting point for forming an opinion and plan, rather than relying on social media.

In terms of my working life, I’ve had a diverse career. Starting out as an industrial chemist, I managed to fit in presenting with a travelling science show, party plan selling, house-cleaning, customer service at ANZ Bank, early childhood education in a kindergarten and finally running my own business as The Parenting Coach. All this while running our home and family.

For more information about Korumburra Staying Strong’s - Helping Hands Community Forum please see click on this link: Community Forum 24 March 2024

The wonderful Community groups of Korumburra & surrounds have organised a perfect weekend of local events:

1) Friday night - Poowong Consolidated School Outdoor movie night

2) Sat & Sun Annual Vintage Rally

3) Sunday - 7.30 am - 1.30 pm Leongatha Show n Shine meet

4) Sunday 10 am - 3 pm. Arawata Pet Show

5) Sunday 3.30 pm - 7.30 pm Korumburra Showgrounds Twilight Markets

Check out the Events section of the Korumburra Community website to keep up to date with all local events.

Events

The Helping Hands project is very excited that Meredith Freeman will be sharing some of her experiences in how she took the next steps to implement an idea at our upcoming Community Forum on Sunday 24 March 2024.

Here’s some information about Meredith…

For thirty years, Meredith worked in education, developing curriculum and teaching in secondary schools and at La Trobe University in Melbourne. She has always had a vegetable garden and kept chooks and shares with her family and friends a deep concern for social justice, the environment, and the future of the planet.

Since 1996 she and Gil have lived, farmed, and gardened on nine acres in South Gippsland, the subject of the book she published in 2022. Their three sons and their families all now have a strong connection to South Gippsland; and with her son Rhys, Meredith has authored a book on growing Australian native food plants in South Gippsland based on their own experiences on the land.

About fifteen years ago Meredith and Gil founded Grow Lightly, now incorporated  as a community not-for-profit committed to supporting organic growers and the distribution of local food to local people.

Meredith has a PhD in education and a Diploma in Permaculture. In 2023 she was awarded an OAM for service to conservation and the environment.

For more information about Korumburra Staying Strong’s - Helping Hands Community Forum please see click on this link: Community Forum 24 March 2024

In the tranquil landscapes of Gippsland, where nature's serenity intertwines with the warmth of community spirit, a quiet but prevalent issue persists: loneliness among the elderly. Recent studies reveal that 1 in 5 older people admit to experiencing feelings of isolation, a figure that sadly escalates to 1 in 3 for those residing in Aged Care Homes. These statistics serve as a poignant reminder of the imperative need for initiatives that extend solace and companionship to our older community members.

Ageing with Grace, a not-for-profit organisation, stands at the forefront of addressing this pressing issue by facilitating connections between volunteers and older people seeking companionship. Supported by funding from the Australian Government, Ageing with Grace operates the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS), a program designed to connect volunteers to older people and make a meaningful difference in both the lives of the older people and the volunteers.

Recognising the profound impact of loneliness on both mental and physical well-being, ACVVS offers a lifeline through regular companionship and support. The program operates on the principle of matching volunteers with older people based on shared interests and geographical proximity, fostering genuine and enduring connections that enrich the lives of both parties involved.

Esis, CEO of Ageing with Grace and a longtime resident of Gippsland, passionately advocates for the ACVVS and reflects on the program's profound impact over the years. "We've witnessed firsthand the positive outcomes of enhanced well-being, sustained independence, and a deeper sense of community connection not only for the older people but also for volunteers. So often I hear from volunteers the joy this service brings to their lives" shares Esis. "Our experienced Program Coordinator, Joy Martin, based in Gippsland, is actively seeking referrals for older individuals in need of companionship and volunteers willing to lend a helping hand."

Volunteers participating in the ACVVS program commit to visiting their matched older friend on a weekly or fortnightly basis, engaging in simple yet meaningful activities such as chats, strolls, or short outings to local cafes. These gestures, though seemingly small, hold immense significance for our older people, offering them a sense of belonging and connection to the world around them.

Helen, a dedicated volunteer, exemplifies the spirit of ACVVS through her enduring friendship with Annette, an older companion. Their bond serves as a testament to the transformative power of companionship, with Helen emphasising the profound impact of their regular visits. "Our time together is cherished, and the simple act of listening brings immense joy to Annette," shares Helen.

For those interested in submitting a referral or exploring volunteering opportunities with ACVVS, Joy Martin can be contacted via email at joym@ageingwithgrace.org.au or by phone at 0475 035 222. Together, let's combat loneliness and foster meaningful connections among Gippsland's older population.

One of the things that attendees at the Helping Hands Forum on 24 March 2024 will be encouraged to do is to select an idea for Korumburra that they would like to work on with other community members.

That is, how do we as individuals, or as a group of individuals or through a community organisation, take these ideas along the next steps, towards realisation?

Over the past days, we have been approached by two individual community members who have said that they would like to see more done for the youth/young people in Korumburra. One suggestion was that we as a community, could support and encourage young people to be interested and undertake some community projects.

In the other instance, a community member believes that young people in Korumburra need their own physical “hang out space”. This was one of the ideas for Korumburra captured from the first forum in October 2022.

So if you are passionate about this idea for Korumburra and/or others, we really look forward to seeing you at the Korumburra Community Hub at 10.30 am on Sunday 24 March 2024.

To see how we as a community can take some of these ideas for Korumburra to the next step.

We are very excited to invite community members to the upcoming Korumburra Staying Strong Community Forum

You are all welcome to come along to:

> welcome new members to the community

> take some of the ideas for Korumburra to the next step

> have a chat with Korumburra’s Community Groups

& enjoy a FREE BBQ & DONUTS

When: Sunday 24 March 2024 10.30am to 1.30pm

Where: Korumburra Community Hub

Please find some very helpful information from the Victorian State government about Relief and Recovery

Thanks to Jasmina Tomkinson for this great photo that was posted on Facebook.

Assistance update from Milpara Community House at abouyt 10.30 am Thursday 15/2/24:

“We can:

-Charge mobile devices (byo charger)

-Emergency food bank

-provide boiled water and drinking water

-tea and coffee

-heat up ready made meals

-toilets

-keep you updated on the situation

-help you log in to myGov for Centrelink

Come to the top door at Korumburra Hub 15 Little Commercial St, Korumburra.”

ADMIN Storm Updates 15/2 6:30am

(We will try and keep this updated to avoid the repeat posts)

Power - not yet restored in Korumburra

AUSNET update- Saturday 17/2 5:00pm 😞

Phone -mobile service available

Any EMERGENCY call 000

AUSNET - Faults 13 17 99

SES 132 500 (high volume of calls so be patient)

Schools

KPS - open with skeleton staff

St Joes - Closed

KSC - open with skeleton staff

Karmai Children’s Centre - Closed

IGA- CLOSED

WOOLWORTHS Leongatha OPEN

(No cold food)

Kellys Bakery - OPEN at 10:30 am

Austral Top Pub bistro OPEN

(And bottle shop - cash only)

Burra Brewing Co. OPEN @ tbc ?

Pizza and cans Call - 0429 146 771

FOOD VAN - offering hot food at Korumburra Showgrounds.

Korumburra Fish and Chips - ?

Petrol stations that are OPEN

* Evans Petroleum BP in Leongatha

* Loch

🏥 Gippsland Southern Health Service

ABLE to receive calls 5667 5555

We are still operating on generators and providing care apart from elective surgery.

We have additional staff at our reception areas to support any queries and our maternity and urgent care centres are open.

CHEMISTS

💊 TerryWhite Chemmart Korumburra will now be open from 9:00am - 1:00pm for urgent scripts.

No power- so cash or account trans only.

No Eftpos

Chemsave - CLOSED

But scripts can be transferred to TWC ⬆️

Countrywide Clothing OPEN

If you need lights, torches , gas cooking, butane gas cylinders.

PHONE CHARGING (BYO charger)

* Fishers Timber & Hardware (+ Hot Water)

* Burra Barber

OPEN for Business

* Korumburra Florist

* Discount Shop

* Burra Garden Supplies

If you have further updates we can amend this

Message from Ausnet

“This is Ausnet. Our crews have completed assessments of the electricity network in your area. Due to the unprecedented damage caused by the extreme weather on 13 Feb, we are estimating that it could take up to 6pm on Sat 17 Feb to restore electricity in your area. We apologise and will continue to update you via SMS as restoration efforts progress.If you're in immediate danger, call 000. For emergency services, call the SES on 13 25 00.”

Updates on what is open and where to get help - updated regularly for those not in the Facebook community group.

South Gippsland Shire Council has purchased property at 27 Commercial Street, Korumburra.

Previously home to a newsagency, the property was damaged by fire in 2022 and has not been rebuilt. Council intends to use the space to increase pedestrian connection between Commercial Street and Little Commercial Street, which is home to the new Korumburra Community Hub.

In the short term, Council will investigate options to create safe public access through the site.

Council will then explore landscaping and further design opportunities to complement the upcoming Korumburra Streetscape works.

This was one of the project ideas that was captured at the Korumburra Staying Strong Community Forum held on October 2022

Ward boundary review begins for South Gippsland Shire Council.

Between February and April this year, 10 Victorian councils will undergo ward boundary reviews to make sure voters are represented equally at the next local council election. The first group of reviews, including South Gippsland Shire Council, kicks off next week.

The Minister for Local Government has asked the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) to carry out the reviews for councils with one or more wards where the number of voters per councillor is forecast to be outside the legislated +/-10% tolerance at the next local council election.

After the VEC finishes its review, the minister will decide whether to accept its recommendations.

The review of South Gippsland Shire Council is in group A along with the reviews of 3 other councils.