It has now been one month since the tragic events in Porepunkah that deeply affected our community and claimed the lives of two dedicated Victoria Police officers, Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart.

On behalf of Alpine Shire Council and our community, I once again extend our heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, and colleagues. Their loss is and will be felt profoundly, and their service will never be forgotten.

While the police operation remains ongoing, our community continues to show remarkable strength and resilience. The way our residents have supported the Police, one another, respected safety messaging, and come together in the face of adversity is something we can all be proud of.

Council has been working closely with government agencies and local organisations to mobilise the support our community needs. We’ve prioritised mental health and wellbeing and also advocated for support for local businesses, many of which have faced disruptions and uncertainty over the past month. You can find more information about support for our businesses and wider community further down this newsletter.

We know recovery takes time, and we remain committed to walking alongside you, our community every step of the way, helping to revitalise and build even more resilience and cohesion.

Please continue to look after yourselves and each other, be kind and check in on those around you. If you need support, reach out - help is available, and you are never alone.

There are free, confidential mental health services available on the numbers below:

• Lifeline – 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
• Kids Helpline (ages 5–25) – 1800 55 1800
• headspace (ages 12–25) – 1800 650 890
• Parentline (parents/carers) – 13 22 89
• MensLine Australia – 1300 78 99 78
• Bush Support Line (rural/remote support) – 1800 805 391

Warm regards,

Cr Sarah Nicholas
Alpine Shire Mayor

Amendment C65alpi to the Alpine Planning Scheme

Amendment C65alpi applies to all land in Alpine Shire, as well specific land in Bright, Myrtleford, and Tawonga South.

The amendment proposes to implement the recommendations of the Alpine Planning Scheme Review 2023 by introducing new or revised local content into the Municipal Planning Strategy, Planning Policy Framework, and schedules to zones, overlays, particular provisions, general provisions, and operational provisions to implement the recommendations of the Alpine Planning Scheme Review 2023.

Making a submission

Any person who may be affected by the amendment can make a submission to the planning authority.

Submissions must be made in writing with the submitter’s name and contact address, clearly stating the grounds on which the amendment is supported or opposed and indicating what changes (if any) the submitter wishes to make.

If you wish to submit, you must do so by 5pm on Monday, 20 October 2025.

We must make a copy of every submission available at our office in Bright for any person to inspect, free of charge, for two months after the amendment comes into operation or lapses.

To make a submission, visit: Amendment C65alpi to the Alpine Planning Scheme

Neighbourhood Character Strategy

Submissions to the draft Alpine Shire Neighbourhood Character Strategy, a document that, once implemented, will inform the assessment of future planning applications in residential areas of Alpine Shire, are now open.

The Neighbourhood Character Strategy will also inform future strategic planning work across the four Service Towns of Bright, Mount Beauty/Tawonga South, Myrtleford, and Porepunkah to support the protection and enhancement of the preferred neighbourhood character now and into the future.

This final call for community feedback follows on from a comprehensive engagement period in 2024, where members of the public were invited to have their say on the pre-draft consultation material. This engagement included an online survey available on Engage Alpine, hard-copy surveys available at Council facilities, and four in-person drop-in sessions across the Service Towns.

To read the draft Strategy and make a submission, visit: Neighbourhood Character Strategy

Submissions close on Sunday, 12 October 2025.

Grand Final Public Holiday

Due to the Grand Final Public Holiday this Friday, 26 September 2025, a number of Council facilities will be closed.

Bright Library, Mount Beauty Library, and Myrtleford Library, Council’s Customer Service Centre in Bright, and Myrtleford Visitor Information Centre will be closed.

All other facilities will operate as per their usual opening hours.

School Holiday Activities at Alpine Libraries

Looking for fun ways to keep the kids entertained these school holidays? We’ve got a jam-packed lineup of free creative activities and live entertainment at our libraries!

• Art & Craft Adventures
• Animal Art
• Decorative Fans
• Sand Art
• Stitchery Bags (for crafty teens)

...are just some of the fun activities on offer!

Not to mention live performances with The Vegetable Plot - get ready to groove with this award-winning musical extravaganza that’s fresh, fruity and full of veggie-powered fun!

For times, dates and details, visit the links below:

• Mount Beauty - www.facebook.com/share/1BJH87L9fP/
• Bright - www.facebook.com/share/1Cqe7K3TKQ/
• Myrtleford - www.facebook.com/share/17BVADkGQK/

Limited spaces available - bookings required by contacting your local library.

• Mount Beauty – (03) 5754 4305
• Myrtleford – (03) 5751 1591
• Bright – (03) 5755 1540

The Vegetable Plot is sprouting at Alpine Libraries!

These Spring school holidays, get ready to twist and sprout with Australia’s beloved kids band The Vegetable Plot - live at your local library!

Join Aspara Gus, Ru Barb, and Sir Paul McCarrotney as they serve up fruity-fresh tunes and classic veggie bangers. Part of the ABC Kids music family, with listeners in over 150 countries, multiple international awards and an ARIA nomination, this is one musical feast you won’t want to miss!

Where: Alpine Libraries – Mount Beauty, Bright and Myrtleford

When: Thursday, 2 October – Mount Beauty at 10am, Bright at 1pm and Myrtleford at 4pm

Cost: Free! But bookings are essential. Contact your local library on the numbers below to book your spot.

• Mount Beauty – 03 5754 4305
• Bright – 03 5755 1540
• Myrtleford – 03 5751 1590

Victorian Seniors Festival

The Victorian Seniors Festival is back again for the whole month of October, and the calendar of free or low-cost events for older community members in the Alpine Shire is jam packed!

Just a few of the activities on offer are:

Come and Try Walking Football with Sport North East in Myrtleford and Mount Beauty

Two more mesmerising musical performance by one of Australia’s premier didgeridoo performers, Ash Dargan, in Mount Beauty and Myrtleford

An 'Over the Fence' dinner for Dederang's farming community with Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre Inc. and the National Centre for Farmer Health

Come and Try Day for budding croquet players at the Bright Croquet Club

Take a look at life's ridiculous ridiculous moments through the eyes of a senior citizen with 'grandfather of Tasmanian comedy', Daryl Peebles in Myrtleford and Mount Beauty

Take a stroll along Myrtleford's iconic Mosaic Trail followed by a BBQ in the park thanks to Myrtleford U3A

Don't forget, Victorian Senior Card holders can also enjoy eight days of free public transport from 5 to 12 October 2025 to visit attractions across Melbourne, as well as regional and rural locations.

To see the full calendar of events, visit: Seniors Hub | Community and Business Hubs

Ash Dargan returns to the Alpine Shire

Have you heard the resonance of a didgeridoo played live? If you have, you'll know it's a feeling like no other.

Whether you've experienced it before or whether it's your first time, don't miss this opportunity to hear Larrakia artist and premier didgeridoo performer, Ash Dargan, perform free concerts in Myrtleford and Mount Beauty.

After his acclaimed performance in Myrtleford earlier this year, we're so excited to welcome Ash back to our region and hear him blend musical traditions from across First Nations storylines, including his own, to captivate audiences across the world.

This is your chance to experience the rich cultural heritage of Ash's connections to his Country through music and story.

Myrtleford

• 2.30pm - 4pm
• Sunday, 5 October 2025
• EMPAC

Mount Beauty

• 11am – 12.30pm
• Tuesday, 7 October 2025
• Mount Beauty Community Centre

While this performance is free, we ask that you please register by visiting: https://events.humanitix.com/another-afternoon-wit...

Alpine Shire Council acknowledges The Community Recovery Hub and the Victorian and Australian Governments for their role in supporting these events.

Harrietville Half Marathon on Great Valley Trail

Get ready to lace up your running shoes – the Harrietville Half Marathon is hitting the Great Valley Trail on Sunday, 12 October!

This annual event will be using the trail from Tawonga Gap Road to Harrietville, which means you might experience a little extra activity along the route. We want to give you a heads-up and thank you in advance for your patience and consideration.

If you've been looking for some motivation to ditch the couch and start running, or have been waiting for the perfect event to show everyone just how fast your new shoes can go, get involved!

You can find more information at www.harrietvillehalfmarathon.com

Road Closures for Twilight Tastings

Bright Twilight Tastings is back for its second year and, with it, road closures to allow for the safe staging of the event.

The following roads will be closed from 2pm – 9pm on Thursday, 16 October 2025 so that you can enjoy meandering through the streets of Bright, enjoying all the local goods on offer.

• Ireland Street
• Anderson Street at Wood Street
• Burke Street (open to local traffic only)

Barnard and Camp Streets will remain open.

A temporary bus stop will be in place at Apex Park on Gavan Street (opposite the Woolworths carpark).

Children's Week 2025

To celebrate Children's Week 2025, we will be holding three very special storytime events at our local libraries.

• Tuesday, 21 October - Bright Library from 3pm - 5pm
• Wednesday, 22 October - Myrtleford Library from 3pm - 5pm
• Thursday, 23 October - Mount Beauty Library from 3pm - 5pm

We will have face painter and a very special guest joining us at each event.

Children need to be accompanied by an adult.

The theme for Children's Week for 2025 is "Everyone should know about children's rights", based on Article 42 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The week is a time to celebrate children, recognise their rights, and promote their well-being and development.

Author Talk with Gabriel Bergmoser

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

• Date: Saturday, 25 October 2025
• Time: 11am
• Location: Bright Library, located at 14 Ireland St, Bright

"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.

Aged Care Information Session in Bright

Are you a senior, a caregiver, a health professional, or simply interested in the wellbeing of our ageing community?

Come along to the Bright Library on Wednesday, 29 October 2025 to talk about the future of aged care in Australia.

We’re thrilled to welcome guest speaker, Dean Walton from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability, and Ageing, who will share insights into upcoming changes to My Aged Care, what they mean for older Australians, and how families and carers can prepare and participate.

• Date: Wednesday, 29 October 2025
• Time: 11am
• Location: Bright Library, located at 14 Ireland St, Bright

Dean will provide information on how to access My Aged Care and, for people already receiving services, discuss the upcoming changes from Homecare Packages to Support at Home Packages which will come into effect on Saturday, 1 November 2025.

• Registrations encouraged to assist with venue set-up
• Free event
• Q&A session included
• Contact Bright Library by calling (03) 5755 1540

Myrtleford Memorial Hall reopening celebrations

The time has come to celebrate years of memories and create new ones at Myrtleford Memorial Hall!

After sitting dormant for over 10 years, you're invited to the official reopening of this iconic Hall – once the gathering place for many people in the Myrtleford community, it's open once again to become a very important building for everyone, both old and new.

The celebration will include information about the renewal process, a presentation detailing the construction work involved, and a short demonstration of the new audiovisual equipment.

Details

• 1pm – 2.30pm
• Friday, 31 October 2025
• Myrtleford Memorial Hall at 154-156 Myrtle Street, Myrtleford
• No RSVPs required.

Mindfulness for Teens

Are you a teen (or do you know a teen) looking to slow down, de-stress, and build tools for emotional wellbeing?

Alpine Libraries, with Mindful Journaling by Diana, are planning a Mindfulness Workshop for Teens at your local library designed just for teens.

Through guided activities, reflection, and creative exercises, you'll learn how to:

• Manage Stress
• Improve focus & build self-care habits
• Build emotional resilience
• Explore mindfulness through art, journaling and fun!

Location: Bright, Myrtleford and Mount Beauty Libraries

Date: To be confirmed based on interest

Interested? Register your interest with your local library team by calling the numbers below.

• Mount Beauty – (03) 5754 4305
• Myrtleford – (03) 5751 1591
• Bright – (03) 5755 1540

Bright Splash Park update

Okay, Bright Splash Park fans – we’ve had a little bit of a hiccup.

Despite the Open Spaces team’s hard work getting the Splash Park ready for school holiday fun, the opening has been put on hold after equipment was vandalised over the weekend.

We’re doing everything we can to get the Park open as quickly as possible, with repairs expected to take around one week. We know this is disappointing, and we appreciate your patience.

The good news is that you don’t have to miss out on water fun entirely these school holidays!

The Myrtleford Splash Park is currently open and operating, so if you’re keen to brave the cold and enjoy some water play, head over to Myrtleford and check out the new park on Lewis Avenue, just over the bridge.

Vote for the Victorian Tree of the Year 2025

One of our very own trees has been shortlisted for the Victorian Tree of the Year 2025!

The Himalayan Oak in the Bright Cemetery is one of nine significant trees shortlisted for the title, awarded by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria).

This competition is decided by the public, so this is our chance to come together and make our tree the winner of this prestigious award!

• Vote now by heading to https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/treeoftheyear/
• Learn more about our very own Himalayan Oak by visiting: <link to media release>
• Voting is open now until midnight on Thursday, 23 October 2025.