As we settle into the second half of the year, it’s a great time to reflect on what we’ve achieved together, and there’s certainly a lot to celebrate!

In the past 12 months, Alpine Shire Council has delivered more than $17 million worth of capital works projects right across the Shire. That’s a huge achievement for a small council, and it’s all thanks to the strong partnerships we’ve built with funding bodies and the dedication of our project teams and community.

Most recently, we celebrated the official opening of the Tronoh Dredge Hole Precinct Upgrades in Harrietville - a project that’s transformed this already beautiful space, through terrific collaboration with the local community, into an even more welcoming and accessible place for locals and visitors to enjoy year-round.

It joins a long list of community facilities and spaces that have received significant upgrades or been newly built over the past year, including Myrtleford Splash Park, Tawonga Memorial Hall, Dinner Plain Activation Projects, Savoy Soccer Club upgrades, Ablett Pavilion in Myrtleford and Myrtleford Tip Shop.

These projects are about more than bricks and mortar - they create places for people to connect, be active, celebrate, and feel part of a thriving community.

We know how important these spaces are, and we’re proud to be delivering real outcomes for our residents across the Shire.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed ideas, provided feedback, attended openings or simply made the most of these new spaces. Your involvement helps ensure these projects meet the needs of our growing and evolving communities.

There’s still plenty of work ahead, and we look forward to continuing to deliver projects that support a healthy, connected, and vibrant Alpine Shire.

Warm regards,

Cr Sarah Nicholas
Alpine Shire Mayor

The Dinner Plain Sled Dog Sprint 2025 is shaping up to be a thrilling winter spectacle!

Held on Saturday, 9 and Sunday, 10 August, this beloved annual Alpine event brings together mushers and their dog teams from across Australia (minus the NT) to race through the snowy cross-country trails of Dinner Plain Village.

Here’s what makes it so special:

• Team sizes: 1 to 6 dogs, with open classes for 2, 3, 4, 6, and even 8 dog teams
• Heats: Two heats over two days, with faster teams seeded for the second day
• Start intervals: Teams launch every minute, creating exciting overtakes on the trail
• Prizes: Winners earn trophies, gear, and premium Black Hawk Dog Food

• Touring/Social Class: Perfect for beginners or older dogs who just want to enjoy the snow
• Mini Musher Sprint: Introduced in 2022, this lets kids under 12 ride with an adult and up to two dogs
• Junior Class: A 2-dog race designed to build confidence and skills in young mushers

• Free entry for all visitors - no dogs allowed
• Race times: 9am to 2pm both days
• Best viewing spot: Left of the Dinner Plain front entry near the Dinner Plain Hut and the playground
• Expect 70+ teams, lots of excited barking, and plenty of photo ops
• No spectator dogs allowed to keep the sled teams focused

Whether you're cheering from the sidelines or dreaming of joining the mushers one day, this event is a heartwarming celebration of teamwork, snow, and canine spirit.

This will be the best place for spectators to view the dog teams. We have 70+ dog teams competing in, so come down and check out all the action.

So come and join the fun. Expect lots of dog noise with hundreds of very excited sled dogs. Feel free to take photos and videos. Stick around after the racing has finished and have a chat so some of the mushers and be prepared to give some belly rubs and get some Husky cuddles in return.

Join us at Myrtleford Library to welcome special guest author, Moreno Giovannoni introducing his new book, 'The Immigrants'.

• Wednesday, 13 August at 2pm

In the Victorian town of Mitrefò, tobacco is grown, an Italian cinema and café open, and people travel back and forth from Italy.

A boy fishes, wanders the countryside and watches a community form, with its joys, scandals and shared understandings. Interspersed are the ‘grotesques’ – indelible and terrible events that sit alongside the better future they all seek.

Born in San Ginese, Moreno Giovannoni grew up on a tobacco farm nestled on a hillside by the Buffalo River. Today, he lives in Melbourne, where he works as an author and translator.

This is a free event but bookings are encouraged for venue set-up. To reserve your place, contact Myrtleford Library on (03) 5751 1591 or book online via: Moreno Giovannoni Myrtleford event

Bright library welcomes best-selling author, Gabriel Bergmoser, to introduce his new book, High Rise.

• Saturday, 6 September at 11am

"High Rise - an adrenaline charged, heart-stopping, action-packed masterpiece that blends gritty realism with razor-sharp storytelling. Think Die Hard meets The Raid, with a darkly humourus, wildly entertaining and uniquely Australian edge.”

Gabriel Bergmoser is an award-winning Melbourne-based author and playwright. His first novel for adults, The Hunted (2020), became a bestseller and a film adaptation is currently in development.

Other publications include thrillers The Inheritance (2021) and The Caretaker (2023), along with the YA coming-of-age novel The True Colour of a Little White Lie (2021) and the middle-grade adventure Andromache Between Worlds (2024).

This is a free event, but bookings are encouraged to assist with venue set-up. Contact Bright Library to book on (03) 5755 1540.

Want to feel more confident supporting someone with a mental health challenge?

We’ve got two incredible opportunities for you - both delivered by Nick McEwan-Hall, The Mental Health Coach.

Mental Health Essentials

Gain a solid introduction to mental health and learn simple, practical ways to support others.

• Wednesday, 10 September 2025
• 2.00pm | Online
• Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/mhe-online-sept

Mental Health First Aid

Learn how to provide initial help to someone experiencing a mental health crisis.

• Tuesday, 18 November 2025 from 2.00pm
• Hybrid: E-learning + In-person workshop in Bright
• Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/mhe-nov

These sessions are open to Alpine Shire residents aged 18+

Funded by Emergency Recovery Victoria & the Australian Government in response to the October 2022 Flood and Landslip.

REMINDER: Our Alpine Shire Youth Award nominations are closing soon!

Do you know a young person aged 12–21 who’s making waves in your school, workplace, club, or community?

Whether they’re leading with heart, creating with passion, or showing incredible resilience - now’s the time to celebrate them!

• Nominations for the 2025 Youth Awards are open until Monday, 4 August 2025
• Categories include: Academic, Community, Sports, Arts, Workplace, and more
• Submit your nomination today: Nominate here for the Alpine Shire Youth Awards 2025 | Youth Hub

Let’s recognise the young people who inspire us every day.

Are you running low on green bags for your Food Organics, Garden Organics (FOGO) bin?

Your annual supply of bags is now available to collect from Council’s Customer Service Centre in Bright, or any of our three libraries in Bright, Mount Beauty and Myrtleford!

One roll of bags is available for each household located in the Alpine Shire that receives the FOGO bin service.

If you require more than the annual supply, smaller rolls are also available to purchase from our Customer Service Centre, Libraries and Visitor Information Centres.

Please remember - only Council-provided compostable liners can be used in your kitchen caddy to avoid contamination and help our waste contractors do their job effectively.

In January 2025, an application for the development of Stage 3 of the Bright Valley Development was submitted to Council.

The application seeks approval for the creation of an additional 53 lots.

The application is expected to be presented to Council for determination at the July or August Ordinary Council meeting.

The plans submitted with the application are provided for public information and are available to view both online and in hard copy at our Council Office, located at 2 Churchill Avenue, Bright.

If you are interested in viewing the hard copy of these plans, please book an appointment by calling our Customer Service team on (03) 5755 0555 or emailing info@alpineshire.vic.gov.au.

Learn more by visiting our website www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/bright-valley-development

Have you met our local Youth Advisory Group?

Since 2022, we have had a passionate group of young people from across Alpine Shire speak directly to both our organisation and Councillors as official representatives of the youth from our region.

The Resilient Alpine Youth Squad (RAYS) meet monthly to talk about issues that matter to young people, advocate for positive change, and help plan and run awesome youth events.

RAYS is currently recruiting for more members!

If you're interested in learning more, reach out to the Squad by visiting RAYS - Who are we? | Youth Hub | Community and Business Hubs or emailing ydo@alpineshire.vic.gov.au.

RAYS would love to hear from you!

Share your reads with Alpine Libraries!

Have you borrowed a book from our local libraries lately that you absolutely loved? We’d love to feature your book reviews on our Alpine Libraries Facebook and Instagram pages!

Send us a short review of a book you’ve enjoyed, along with a photo of you with the book - or just the book if you prefer.

Email your review and photo to: comms@alpineshire.vic.gov.au