Wattle Bank Community Group Inc.

03/09/2026

Information sessions on Bird Flu.

26/08/2026

You may be aware that Kongwak Public Hall Inc. has received a grant from AusNet to upgrade the Hall with facilities to be used by the Community in the event of an emergency.

The Hall already has a commercial kitchen, including a cool room and we have recently installed a generator and a Starlink internet connection. We are currently working on upgrading the septic system so that we can install a shower in the not too distant future.

The main event when you might think about wanting to use these facilities will probably be an extended power outage, such as we experienced in February 2024 and again earlier this year.

Once the power has been out in Kongwak for an extended period, the Hall Committee may open the Hall to the Community for several hours each day (according to the needs of the community and the availability of volunteers). When the Hall is open there will be an A frame in place in front of the main door. You may be able to access power to re-charge your phone, space to do some work, the internet and the kitchen as needed, including hot water.

If the power is out for over 24 hours then the cool room may be available to store your food, (please store it in a large plastic tub and put a sticker with your name on the front). At this stage we don’t have a freezer.

Next time it happens, (we all know it will!) please come down and have a cuppa and say hello.

In the meantime, if you have any feedback please email us at [email protected]

Regards,

President, on behalf of the Committee of Management

25/08/2026

🖥️ Webinar – H5 bird flu in backyard poultry and pet birds

Do you have backyard poultry or pet birds? Are you keen to find out more about how to lower the risk of H5 bird flu spreading to your flock?

Join the H5 bird flu in backyard poultry webinar
📅 Friday 28 August
🕚 1.30 pm to 2.30pm
🔗 Click to register: go.vic.gov.au/4wLtX9g

In the meantime, you can help by continuing to:

🚫 AVOID contact with sick or dead wild birds or wildlife and their environment.
📝 RECORD what you see, including:
• Location
• Species
• Number of animals affected
📞 REPORT online or by calling the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

👉 More information: agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdflu

If you notice something unusual, talk to your local vet or call the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888.

Read more 🔗 go.vic.gov.au/4gNznME

24/08/2026

Planning on collecting firewood this spring?
The spring firewood collection season starts on Tuesday 1 September.
Maps of firewood collection areas will go online on that date at ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood.

22/08/2026

🚗🚲🚶 We’re developing a new Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan to help make our roads safer for everyone — and we want to hear from you.

Whether you walk, ride, drive or travel around Bass Coast in other ways, your local knowledge and experiences can help us understand the road safety issues that matter most and identify practical actions to address them.

💬 Have your say
Complete our online survey or drop a pin on the interactive map to tell us about road safety issues, experiences and ideas across Bass Coast.

You can also join us at one of two community workshops with Safe System Solutions Pty Ltd. Both workshops will cover the same content, so simply choose the session that suits you best:

📅 Thursday, 13 August | 12:00pm – 2:00pm
📍 Berninneit, 91–97 Thompson Avenue, Cowes

📅 Monday, 24 August | 5:30pm – 7:30pm
📍 Wonthaggi Town Hall, Baillieu Street, Wonthaggi

The project has been funded through the Transport Accident Commission's (TAC) Local Government Grant Program and responds to road safety concerns raised by the community during consultation on Council's Integrated Transport Strategy.

Have your say & learn more 👉 engage.basscoast.vic.gov.au/RSSAP

22/08/2026

It takes years of work, dozens of volunteers, picky pollinators and a special fungus to save Australia’s endangered orchids. Here's why people drive from all over the country to do it anyway.

More: https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2026-08-09/rare-rosella-spider-orchid-planting-day/106961778

22/08/2026

We’re thrilled to have won the People’s Choice Award – Food & Beverage at the 2026 Bass Coast Business Awards! 🥂

A huge thank you to everyone who voted for and supports Harman Wines, and to our amazing team for everything you do. We couldn’t do it without you! 💛🙏

22/08/2026

19/08/2026

Would you know who to call if you suspect environmental or wildlife crime?

If something doesn’t look right on Victoria’s public land, report it to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000.

You can report:
🪵 Firewood crime: felling trees in State forests, or taking firewood outside of designated collection areas
🦜 Wildlife cruelty: illegal poisoning, trapping and harming of wildlife
🦎 Illegal wildlife possession: taking animals from the wild or keeping them without authorisation
🏍️ Misuse of public land: activities that damage public land and native vegetation, such as off-road trail bike riding and four-wheel driving

Community reports play an important role in helping us identify, investigate and prosecute wildlife and environmental crimes.

Report anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au.

17/08/2026

A quick update on bird flu

The Maru team is closely monitoring the bird flu situation and has enacted a response plan to help protect the animals in our care, our staff, visitors and the surrounding environment.

As you explore Maru and the wider Gippsland region, please remember we all play a role in protecting our wildlife and ecosystem.

When visiting Maru, especially after visiting farms, parks, reserves or beaches, please use our wash stations and arrive in clean footwear and clothing.

Please also remember to only feed purchased kangaroo food to the kangaroos. This helps avoid attracting wild birds, and any uneaten food can be returned to the baskets around the park.

If you see a sick or dead bird:
AVOID — Keep your distance and don't touch
RECORD — Note the time and location
REPORT — Emergency Animal Disease Hotline: 1800 675 888

Thank you for helping to protect wildlife and the wider environment. 💚