Australia Day 2026

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Join us to celebrate Australia Day with the community in Newlands Arm

Date: Monday, 26 January 2026
Time: 11:00am – 2:00pm
Location: Community Hall, Simpsons Park, Newlands Arm

Come together with friends, family, and neighbours for a relaxed and inclusive Australia Day celebration in the heart of Newlands Arm. This event is all about community spirit, connection, and celebrating the place we call home.

Whether you’re a long-time local or new to the area, everyone is welcome to share in a day of food, fun, and recognition.

What’s on?

🍴 FREE Sausage Sizzle – with gluten-free and vegan options available. Please let us know in advance if you have dietary requirements.

🏆 Newlands Arm Citizen of the Year Award – Help us honour someone making a difference in our community.

🎯 Games for All Ages – Fun activities and a community scavenger hunt!

🍦 FREE Iced Treats & Tea/Coffee – Cool down and catch up over a cuppa or something sweet.

🥤 Cold Drinks Available for Purchase

Gluten-free and vegan options available on request.

NARRA Christmas Picnic

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A Wonderful Community Day – What a great day we had at the NARRA Christmas Picnic! It was fantastic to see so many locals come together to relax, catch up, and celebrate the festive season.

A huge credit goes to the NARRA Committee members for all their hard work in making the day such a success.
Ian Williams, Brian Birley, Leonie Holl, Genele Edgerton, Janine Honing, Marianne Birley, Sharon Mountain (Treasure Hunt), Ros Hawkins and a big thank you to Richard Gill for organising the Christmas Picnic 2025.

Here are a few photos from the event:

Thank you to everyone who came along and helped make it such a memorable community gathering.

Wishing all of Newlands Arm a very Merry Christmas and a safe, happy New Year!

Paynesville Bendigo Bank: Community support

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20 Years of Giving Back to Our Community – And Big Support for NARRA, Thank You, Paynesville Bendigo Bank

I had the pleasure of attending the Paynesville Bendigo Bank’s 20th year Celebration at the Paynesville Hotel. This Community Bank has been very supportive with over $26,000 provided to NARRA and Landcare Coastcare in the past 12 months. The Netball and Basketball half-courts been made possible with these funds providing 50% of the costs. I ask that the community support the Paynesville & District Community Bank (Bendigo Bank) because our community benefits greatly.

Richard Gill – President of NARRA

The photo below shows Karen, 20 years service, Jack 10 years service and Janet McLeod, Chair for many years.

Annual General Meeting 2025

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NARRA”s Annual General Meeting was held on Wednesday, 12 November at 7:30 PM at Newlands Arm Community Hall
The new Committee are listed below.
Please congratulate our new members who represent the NARRA community.

Our new Committee is

President                     Richard Gill
Vice President            Sharon Mountain
Treasurer                    Leonie Holl
Secretary                    Roger Hawkins

Special Member          Graham Mountain
Special Member          Janine Honing
Special Member          Neryl Hunt
Special Member          Ian Williams
Special Member          Barry Hunt
Special Member          Genele Edgerton
Special Member          Brian Birley 

Grant Funding Update 

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In September 2025 NARRA applied to the Paynesville Bendigo Bank Community Bank for a grant to install a Netball/basketball half court. We have again been successful with $16,500 awarded to supply approx half of the cost for this sporting facility. NARRA has allocated $15,000 to complete this project.

There is a celebration meeting on Monday 17th at the Gippsland Lake Yacht Club to present us with our Grant. You will see the Bendigo Community bank advertising displayed at the Hall and on signage. Please support the Bendigo Bank in Paynesville.

Other Grants applied for include the East Gippsland Shire council Impact Grants. We have applied for support to convert our toilet complex into a secure indoor / outdoor public toilet system. This will support our families and kids who come to the hall to partake of the sporting facilities and playground.

The second East Gippsland Shire council Impact Grants request is for WiFi internet at the hall, for continuous information and communication during a crisis and the ability to hold events with streaming and Zoom type forums at the Hall. Bringing us into the internet age.

We also have applied to the Paynesville Opportunity Shop for a Grant to continue the development of sporting facilities at the hall.

Overall, NARRA has decided to be proactive and generate income so that we can assist the community, one priority has been kids’ health and fitness. We are welcome to talk to anyone regarding ideas to enhance our community.

Thank you to all who have taken part and who support our efforts.

Over 50’s Friendship Group – Bairnsdale and Surrounds

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Looking to make new friends or just enjoy some good company? The Over 50’s Friendship Group brings together men and women over 50 from across Bairnsdale and the surrounding area.

The group meets each Wednesday for coffee and once a month for lunch, with details shared on their Facebook page. It’s a friendly, welcoming bunch — many members are new to the area and enjoy the chance to connect.

Beyond the regular catch-ups, there are all sorts of activities: walks, movie outings, craft sessions, group travel, and even ballet and tap dance classes! A highlight this year was a lovely High Tea that raised funds for Animal Aid. Members also support the community by sponsoring meals for people in need through Neighbourhood House.

If you’re over 50 and would like to meet like-minded people, come along — you’ll be warmly welcomed.

👉 Find out more on Facebook: Over 50’s Friendship Group – Bairnsdale and Surrounds

NARRA CRAFTY CRAFTERS

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We are a group of ladies who meet on the 2 nd and 4th Wednesday of each
month at the Community Hall.
We have a variety of crafters in our group. We have ladies who knit, crochet,
patchwork, sewing and many other types of crafts. We meet around 10
o’clock and you can stay for as long as you want. Some ladies bring their
lunch to have together. On average we have between 8 & 12 ladies.
Sometimes there is very little craft work completed, but lots of talking and
laughing.

All we ask is that you give a gold coin donation so that we can help NARRA
buy some more equipment for all kids to enjoy.

We supply tea and coffee free and I usually bring some nibbles for all to
enjoy.

Grant funding update – AFL Goal Posts

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Thanks to Dave Peters, Ian Williams, Terry Hickling and Greg Edgerton who helped with the installation of the AFL posts on the oval Simpsons Park. Also thanks to Andrew Kleinert who organised the help from the Men’s Social Club members. This was a community effort and a magnificent result for the community with many more to come. Don’t forget to have a look as you pass by the Community Centre. – Richard Gill (NARRA President)

Community Book Exchange

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Our community book exchange (affectionately known as the Book Fridge) is now ready for readers, just in time for holiday reading by the water.
Thank you to Janine Honing for sourcing the second hand fridge which houses our book collection, in the porch of the community centre. We are also indebted to Grace Hall, a talented local 14 year old lass who kindly and beautifully decorated the fridge for the whole community to enjoy.
The fridge holds an interesting mix of fiction for any taste and a smaller range of non fiction titles as well as some children’s books.
Feel free to come and take, exchange or leave a book. We only ask that you leave interesting books in good condition and take care not to overload the racks.
Happy Reading.

Membership Subscription 2025/26

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> NARRA 2025/26 Membership Subscription Renewal Packs distributed

We have distributed to all members Membership Renewal Packs for the period 1st July 2025 to 30th June 2026. Included are: Information letter with coming events/functions, subscription renewal tax invoice, and Summary Report for the Special General Meeting (TBC)

Kindly advise us if you do not receive your Membership Renewal Pack.

Should you wish to join NARRA please contact us for an application.  There is not an entrance fee, just a nominal annual subscription fee of $5.50 (GST inclusive).

Benefits of being a NARRA Member include:

  • Discounted hire rate/s and reduced bond/s amount/s for the hire of the Newlands Arm Community Centre for private functions.
  • Discounts on entry/participation of events, like the Monster Garage Sale, Art & Craft Show, Dinner functions, etc.
  • Being part of and contributor to an organised local community association.
  • Getting involved and connected through gatherings and social events.

Become a member of the Newlands Arm Residents & Ratepayers Association Incorporated (NARRA). Download the following document in PDF Format:

Download New Membership / Renewal Application