Festival of Big Ideas

If you live in or around Gippsland, you may have already seen or heard about the inaugural Festival of Big Ideas held on Friday, 16th and Saturday, 17th June, at the Gippsland Performing Arts Center.

The Latrobe Valley Authority saw getting involved with the Festival as a big step forward for the region. An opportunity to have the conversations that matter, to have a seat at the table and to hear from people who live in the region about the region. What an amazing event it turned out to be!

First Big Battery Goes Live

In a significant move towards renewable energy, the first major battery installation at an Australian coal site has become operational in the Latrobe Valley. The Hazelwood battery, with a capacity of 150 megawatts, has been linked to existing infrastructure and marks another step forward in Victoria's transition to clean energy.

The former Hazelwood power station site has now been repurposed to accommodate the large-scale battery project. This groundbreaking battery can power approximately 75,000 homes for one hour during evening peak times, showcasing the potential impact of such installations.

Big Dreams Brewing at Sailors Grave

In a thrilling turn of events, a visionary young couple is set to breathe new life into their remote, economically struggling community in East Gippsland. Chris and Gab Moore, the dynamic duo behind Sailors Grave Brewing, have unveiled ambitious plans to expand their successful brewery and spearhead the creation of a local malt house industry. With their unwavering determination and innovative ideas, they are poised to become the saving grace for a region marred by economic decline.

Just seven years ago, Chris and Gab converted a century-old buttery factory on the picturesque banks of the Snowy River in Orbost into a thriving and distinct brewery and tap-house. Now, they are on the cusp of realizing their dreams as they prepare to build a farmhouse-style brewery destination on their expansive 80-hectare property at Point Ricardo, nestled between Marlo and Cape Conran.

Morwell Junior Football Club Up In Lights

In late 2017 the Morwell Junior Football had a problem. It wasn't a lack of volunteers or juniors wanting to play football. It was the dimly lit Norther Reserve. The lack of appropriate lighting made training after 5 pm in the winter months nearly impossible.

This had a follow-on effect in that AFL enthusiasts couldn't take advantage of the opportunity of joining a local football club. 

The Victorian Business Innovation Survey

The Victorian Business Innovation Survey is being undertaken to help the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) gain a better understanding of what innovation looks like across different parts of Victoria.

The results of the survey will help inform DJSIR’s place-based approach to economic development that supports innovation by Victorian businesses.

The survey is expected to take around 10-15 minutes to complete.

You can access the survey here