Chasing the milky way pays off for photo comp winner
A spectacular night sky photo titled ‘Where Two Rivers Meet’ has been awarded first prize in West Gippsland Catchment Management Authorityâs (CMA) photo competition.
The celestial image was chosen for its unique perspective of West Gippslandâs rivers. Taken by Sale resident Iryna MacMillan, it perfectly reflects the theme of rivers being much more than just water.
âI was chasing the Milky Way at Swing Bridge. In the image we can see the Milky Way, the planet Venus and a pink Aurora on the left. It was a beautiful night and very inspiring,â said Iryna who moved to Australia from Ukraine over 20 years ago.
With her flair for photography, itâs the second time Iryna has entered the competition coming runner up in 2024.
âIâm an amateur nature photographer. I love nature, but mostly I love the Night SkyâŚ. I love taking night photos of our Milky Way Galaxy and unpredictable Aurora too. I call this my Night Sky TherapyâŚ. because Iâm alone with all these stars around meâŚ. But when I get reflection of the stars in a river itâs an extra bonus,â Iryna said.
Colin Cook took out second prize for his vibrant image of Lower Latrobe Wetlands shot during a memorable visit to Heart Morass with the Latrobe Valley Camera Club.
âThe Heart Morass project is a shining example of how human intervention can restore the natural balance of ecosystems. Located in the Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia, this ambitious initiative has successfully transformed degraded farmland back into its original wetland state, benefiting both the environment and local communities,â said Colin.
Spoilt for choice, the judges also nominated two special mentions to Paula Welland for her photo titled âFishingâ and Kylie Jackson for her image âDurtâYowanâ.
âI remember my Dad handing me his camera at Marlo with a 24 exposure film and l used the entire film on taking photos of the pelicans. More than just water, the Latrobe River not only provides recreational value in the form of fishing and peaceful moments in nature but also serves as a powerful reminder of the vital connection between water, food and life. With fishing, relaxation and lessons learned, what more could you want from water?â said Paula.
Kylieâs image âDurtâYowanâ captures the rich, ancient beauty of rivers at their headwaters where they start their journeys.
âThis photo symbolises life, representing growth, renewal, and nourishment. It conveys peace and tranquillity,â said Kylie of her image.
Judges were impressed with the number and quality of images submitted in this yearâs competition.
âIt was very difficult to choose the winners â and we thank everyone for taking the time to submit and to share their reasons why West Gippslandâs waterways are much more than water to them,â said CEO of West Gippsland CMA, Martin Fuller.
âThe photos showcase the many ways, places and times that people connect, respect and enjoy the regionâs rivers and wetlands.â
Entrants were asked to take photos of the rivers and wetlands in West Gippsland that receive environmental water deliveries to promote and support healthy waterways and ecosystems. These are:
- Durt’Yowan (Latrobe River) – including the Lower Latrobe Wetlands such as Dowd Morass, Heart Morass and Sale Common
- Wirn wirndook Yeerung (Macalister River)
- Carran Carran (Thomson River) – including Heyfield Wetlands.
“We are proud to be caring for catchments and delivering water into the environment to keep rivers and wetlands flowing and healthy for nature, wildlife and our highly valued community,” Martin concluded.
The annual competition will be held again in early 2026.
West Gippsland CMA is responsible for over 40,000 kilometres of designated waterways across the region and delivers programs for healthy and resilient catchments. All these waterways flow to the Victorian coast, discharging through the Gippsland Lakes, or directly into Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean.
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Not on our watch: saving a species from extinction, one walk at a time
Every day over summer David Hartney goes for a walk along the beach at Cape Paterson. He takes his time, observing the changes in the dunes, the telltale tracks of wildlife, the rise and swell of the tide.
He recognises a single, tiny track in the sand. ‘KK’ has been here. He canât see her but knows sheâs around. Just like he knows that âDHâ now lives in Sandy Point and âEZâ, despite an injury, made it all the way to Lorne.
He knows because heâs been tracking these beaches for five years.
EZ, DH and KK, aka âStumpyâ are Hooded Plovers, and their lives â from chick to fledgling to breeding adult â are recorded by David and a tribe of volunteers who take to the beaches during the spring-summer breeding season to help save this threatened species from extinction.
Tough, tenacious and resilient is how he describes the tiny, beach-nesting birds who must battle people, pets, storms and predators to raise their chicks.
âWe have a lovely little bird named KK, known as Stumpy because sheâs got one foot missing. That bird is 15 years old and has introduced five fledglings into the population over her life. You know sheâs around because sheâs got a very distinctive footprint,â David said.
By banding the birds with tags that identify them, Friends of the Hooded Plovers volunteers provide valuable data to BirdLife Australia and help with efforts to improve the unacceptably low survival rates of chicks.
âThe fact that these birds only nest on beaches during spring and summer presents them with huge challenges,â explained Kasun Ekanayake, âHooded Plover guruâ and Beach-nesting Birds Project Coordinator at BirdLife Australia.
âThe beaches are really busy with people and dogs. Then there are predators like foxes and feral cats to contend with. Because of these challenges, the birds suffer a lot of breeding failure. Thatâs why we stepped in and got volunteers in local communities involved in the conservation of this species.â
Davidâs team focuses on a stretch of beach between San Remo and Inverloch – home to Victoriaâs second highest population of Hooded Plovers.
Heâs passionate about his role, not only for the local hoodies on his watch but what their survival means for the health of the beach environment that heâs so closely connected to.
âThe Hooded Plovers are like the canary in the coalmine. If we lose this species I think itâs a sad indictment on our society and communities that these birds havenât been able to survive in coexistence with us,â he said.
BirdLife Australia and Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation,âŻBass Coast Landcare Network,âŻSouth Gippsland Landcare and Parks VictoriaâŻon a four-year project to help the survival of the regionâs Hooded Plover population.
Toward Zero Extinctions: Protect the Eastern Hooded Plover is a $1.5 million dollar project aimed at protecting nests during breeding season, controlling foxes and other introduced pests, and engaging the community about the plight of the plover â and how they can help its survival.âŻ
To learn more, tune into the latest episode of Gippslandscapes podcast, where Kasun and David take a walk along Cape Paterson beach on the Bunurong Coast to check-in on the resident Hoodies and chat about what it means to be a Hoodie lover.
This project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by West Gippsland CMA, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.âŻ
Casting call for Gippsland producers to star in sustainable irrigation program
Itâs not quite Farmer Wants a Wife, but itâs just as important! West Gippsland Catchment Management is on the hunt for irrigators to join us in ensuring Gippsland irrigation practices are world class.
The Lake Wellington Irrigator Reference Group meets four times a year to have robust conversations around irrigation and explore opportunities to improve water use efficiencies and deliver cutting edge change on the ground.
âThe current group has left a fantastic legacy for the region and now itâs time to welcome some new voices to the conversation,â said Sustainable Irrigation Project Officer with the CMA, Bonnie Dawson.
Group members play a leading role in supporting the Sustainable Irrigation Program in Gippsland. For the past 25 years, the successful program has worked to reduce the environmental impact of irrigation and increase efficiencies and productivity for busy farmers. As the program expands beyond the Macalister Irrigation District for the first time, members will help deliver the latest round of extension and incentive programs in their local community.
âWith more farmers set to benefit from our activities, weâre keen for irrigators across the catchment to get involved, bring their industry expertise to the table and help us drive the program into the future. Farmers along the Latrobe River, producers in Thorpdale and surrounds and all irrigators across the Lake Wellington Catchment are encouraged to apply,â said Bonnie.
Supported by staff from both the CMA and Agriculture Victoria, members will be remunerated for their valued time and input.
Current member Rod Warren said being involved in the group has helped him make decisions about upgrading infrastructure on his dairy farm in Winnindoo. âBeing part of the reference group has been a rewarding experience. A highlight for me was being involved in the irrigation demonstration trials, which really got people thinking about ways they can improve efficiencies on their own farm. I would strongly encourage anyone thinking about joining the reference group to give it a go,â said Rod.
Agronomist and fellow member Liz Semmens agrees. âItâs been an amazing experience to be able to participate in the group. Iâve enjoyed seeing the younger members come through and challenge the ânormsâ with more AgTech and progress to stay up to date with world best practice. There has also been significant growth toward collaboration between agencies and the opportunity to get a seat at the table is one I am grateful for.â
For more information, contact Bonnie Dawson from the CMA for an initial conversation at bonnied@wgcma.vic.gov.au or call 0448 037 461.
Expressions of interest close on Friday, 6 June 2025.
This program is a part of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Actionâs Sustainable Irrigation Program (SIP), implemented in Gippsland by Agriculture Victoria and the WGCMA.
West Gippsland CMA is responsible for over 40,000 kilometres of designated waterways across the region and delivers programs for healthy and resilient catchments. All these waterways flow to the Victorian coast, discharging through the Gippsland Lakes, or directly into Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean.
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Find out more about the work we do and sign up to our e-news for updates.
Statutory Waterways Officer
Are you looking for an opportunity to support the delivery of positive environmental outcomes for Gippsland?
Weâre looking for a Waterways Officer to join the team at West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.
Read on to find out why WGCMA may be the place for you!
- Part Time (up to 0.6 – 0.8 FTE) Permanent Position
- Enjoy a great work life balance with a hybrid working model based in Traralgon or Leongatha.
About the Role:
As our Statutory Waterways Officer, you will support the Statutory Planning Team and the West Gippsland community with a range of service outcomes. The role has a focus on leading the CMA’s activity in licensing and permitting ‘Works on Waterways’ under the Water Act.
What will your typical day look like?
- Issue permits under the Water Act 1989 for works on or adjacent to our region’s waterways
- Lead the CMA’s rural drainage asset management, enforcement and regulatory compliance processed including on ground auditing of CMA conditions
- Contribute to the collection of flood intelligence information during and after flood events
- Assist with assessing planning permit applications for developments on floodplains or adjacent to waterways
- Coordinate specialist input from relevant CMA staff for the assessment of licenses, permit applications, rural drainage and enforcement proceedings
- Collaborate with other relevant CMA staff to identify issues that may impact on the natural values of a waterway and determine an agreed approach to manage these.
Letâs talk about you:
We are looking for someone who will have:
- Understanding of rural communities and community engagement processes
- Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills
- Demonstrated experience in investigation of unauthorised works or non-compliance with statutory requirements
- Experience in responding to referrals and enforcement applications under the Victorian Planning Provisions and/or the Water Act 1989
- Experience working in natural resources, conservation and community capacity building fields.
Why West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority?
We focus our energy on interesting and meaningful work
With a culture of continuous improvement, we are always striving to make a positive difference to our communities and create a healthier environment. We put our people at the heart of what we do and are dedicated to helping them grow their careers and reach their professional goals.
We value flexibility
Work in a way that suits you best, flex time, job share arrangements or work from home. We know our people get their best work done when they’re in control of where and how they work, designing their work week around their team and personal commitments.
We support you to thrive
To support your professional life, we offer a range of wellbeing initiatives, including regular events and programs, Employee Assistance Program, leave options, flexible working options, parental leave and return to work support packages.
Next steps:
Sound like the sort of role for you? Apply now. We’d love to hear from you.
To apply please send your application to recruitment@wgcma.vic.gov.au by 5pm Monday 2 June 2025.
So we can learn more about you, we encourage you to address the Key Selection Criteria outlined in the Position Description under Item “F”.
If you have any questions or wish to have a confidential conversation about this role, please contact Penny Phillipson, Manager Statutory Planning on 0400 571 034 or pennyp@wgcma.vic.gov.au.
At WGCMA, we share a commitment to value and embrace diversity in all forms; so that our work environment is a safe space we can all belong. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their background, identity, orientation, ability or thinking style.
If you need assistance during the application process for accessibiliuty reasons please contact Madelyn Brand, Organisational Development Lead on 03 5175 7839 or madelynb@wgcma.vic.gov.au.
We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of the region, the Gunaikurnai, the Bunurong, the Boonwurrung and the Wurundjeri Peoples and pay respects to Elders, past, present and emerging.
From Corner Inlet to Alaska in nine days: the amazing feats of migratory birds
A tiny bird the size and weight of a matchbox that flies thousands of kilometres from the Siberian tundra is one of the amazing stories of Corner Inletâs migratory birds that West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is celebrating this World Migratory Bird Day.
Corner Inletâs migratory birds are busy preparing for their annual long haul flight to summer breeding grounds in north-east Asia and Siberia. They are preening their feathers and feeding intensively to have enough fuel for the epic journey.
Migratory Bird Day is on Saturday 10 May. The theme of Shared Spaces aims to raise awareness of the many challenges migratory birds face and how crucial it is to work together as a community to provide safe havens for these remarkable world travellers. Â
âCommunities working together to enhance and protect Corner Inlet Ramsar site and the migratory birds that call it home is something we have been doing for decades,â said Tanya Cowell, Waterways Project Officer for West Gippsland CMA.
âOur latest project focuses on monitoring and understanding the inletâs migratory bird populations.â
Summer monitoring by BirdLife Australia staff and volunteers counted just over 27,000 shore and water birds including 9,631 Bar-tailed Godwits and 9,439 Red-necked Stints – two birds with incredible stories.
Red necked stints are the smallest of Australiaâs migratory birds, weighing just 30 grams. Despite their size, their annual 15,000 kilometre migration is a mighty effort and in their lifetime of about 20 years they travel further than the distance between the Earth and the Moon!
Bar-tailed Godwits are also remarkable with godwits making their 11,000 kilometre journey to Alaska non-stop in nine days!âŻÂ
There are 16 species of international migratory shorebirds that are regularly supported by the Corner Inlet Ramsar site. Many travel to north east Asia and Alaska along what is known as the East Asian Australasian Flyway with habitat destruction being one of their biggest threats.
Corner Inlet became an internationally recognised wetland through the Ramsar convention in 1982. The inletâs extensive intertidal mudflats provide food for migratory species.
“Rewards of a consistent and sustained effort to protect and enhance Corner Inlet by the CMA, Landcare, Greening Australia, GLaWAC Traditional Owners and partners Parks Victoria, Trust for Nature and BirdLife Australia are definitely paying off,â said Tanya. Â
âOngoing monitoring is crucial to understanding the bird populations and threats they face. This can then guide effective management efforts and assist in community education and how special the inlet is and how lucky we are that these birds return each year.â
As a community it is important to recognise and celebrate these amazing birds and how we are working together to protect the incredibly unique habitat that supports these special species,â Tanya said.
âThe Corner Inlet Ramsar Site Coordination project is supported by the Victorian Government.â
West Gippsland CMA is responsible for over 40,000 kilometres of designated waterways across the region and delivers programs for healthy and resilient catchments. All these waterways flow to the Victorian coast, discharging through the Gippsland Lakes, or directly into Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean.
Become a river lover
Find out more about the work we do and sign up to our e-news for updates.
Reallocated water to flow across Gippsland
More water is set to flow in West Gippslandâs rivers with Minister for Water Gayle Tierney announcing an allocation of 16 gigalitres of water for the environment, Traditional Owners and farming.
This water (thatâs 16 billion litres or 6,400 Olympic-sized pools was previously set aside for power generation, but is currently unused and has now been reallocated to be equally shared between Traditional Owners, the environment and agriculture.
âIâm so pleased to announce this reallocation of water which is a win-win-win for Gippsland. This change ensures more water supply within Gippsland to support the environment, farming, and Traditional Owners,â said Minister for Water Gayle Tierney.
Additional water for environment flows will improve the health of DurtâYowan (Latrobe River) as well as the Gippsland Lakes system downstream.
âThis allocation of water for the environment will play an important role in improving the health of one of Gippslandâs iconic rivers with additional benefits for communities and the Gippsland Lakes,â said West Gippsland CMA Board Chair Mikaela Power.
Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) will have access to additional water for self-determined cultural uses.
âWater is more than a resource; itâs a pathway to healing and a stronger future for our people. This allocation recognises the Gunaikurnai Peopleâs enduring connection to Country, and our right to lead how water is respectfully managed and shared,â said GLaWAC Chair, Troy McDonald.
Southern Rural Water will make additional water available to farmers.
Southern Rural Water Managing Director Cameron FitzGerald said the organisation would effectively consult with its customers from June.
“Our focus is to ensure that all farmers will have fair access to this water,” Mr FitzGerald said. “We will be consulting over the coming months to ensure that the water can be provided in a way that meets their aspirations to ensure a thriving agriculture sector.”
âHaving more water available for farming benefits everyone, from irrigators looking to improve their water security or expand their operations to farmers looking to set up in the region,â said irrigator Angus Zilm.
This water allocation, known as the Latrobe 3-4 Bench Bulk Water Entitlement, was originally allocated back in 1996 for coal fired power generation.
The decision to reallocate 16 of the total 25 gigalitre water entitlement was made through the Central and Gippsland Region Sustainable Water Strategy. The remaining nine gigalitres will be retained by government to provide continued flexibility to respond to emerging needs in Gippsland.
West Gippsland CMA is working with Traditional Owners, government, community groups and partner organisations to continue the long process of restoring DurtâYowan (Latrobe River) from a working river to a river that works again. Read more and keep up to date.
West Gippsland CMA is responsible for over 40,000 kilometres of designated waterways across the region and delivers programs for healthy and resilient catchments. All these waterways flow to the Victorian coast, discharging through the Gippsland Lakes, or directly into Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean.
Become a river lover
Find out more about the work we do and sign up to our e-news for updates.
Popular Irrigation Incentive program set to benefit even more Gippsland farmers
West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (the CMA) and Agriculture Victoria (Ag Vic) are pleased to open a new round of farm plan incentives, and for the first time, farmers in Warragul, Thorpdale, Noojee and Perry Bridge and across the entire Lake Wellington Catchment are eligible to apply.âŻâŻ
Up to $10,000 per farm is available through the Lake Wellington Irrigation Efficiency Incentive Program to help with the cost of a professionally designed irrigation plan.
âA farm plan sets down on paper the irrigation design for an individual property,â said Alexis Killoran Senior Irrigation Extension Officer from Agriculture Victoria. âThis can be a simple irrigation system, right up to a detailed survey and design with integrated farm infrastructure. âThe final farm plan provides a comprehensive document to refer to whenever the farm business is ready to implement the planned design.â
âDesigning an irrigation farm plan is the first essential step for any irrigation renovation,â said Brad Missen, Irrigation Development Coordinator at the CMA.âŻ
âThrough the Irrigation Incentives Program, the CMA and Agriculture Victoria will work with you to develop a plan and design thatâs tailored to your property and farm business.â Â
âAs part of the farm planning process, the business goals and values, irrigation design, water use efficiency, staged development, and any environmental or statutory requirements are considered and planned for,â Brad explained.
Boisdale beef farmer Nicky Reeves recommends the program: âI had lots of support from the Ag Vic team through the farm planning process. They provided different points of view, and together we found ways to solve the irrigation problems on farm. Â
With their help I felt comfortable interacting with statutory authorities to make sure everything was compliant and approvable, and the rules and regulations were explained so that they made sense, and I understood why they were necessary.âÂ
The Irrigation Efficiency Incentives Program has been running in the Macalister Irrigation District for 25 years with irrigators helping to retain 46 gigalitres of nutrient rich water, carrying an estimated 23 tonnes of phosphorus, on-farm every year.âŻâŻ
âThatâs a huge load of phosphorus being kept out of the waterways and the Gippsland Lakes and wetlands and itâs thanks to those farmers who put their hands up to get involved in our sustainable irrigation programs that weâve been able to see these great results,â said Brad.âŻâŻÂ
We want to continue supporting as many irrigators as possible which is why weâre excited to expand the program outside the Macalister Irrigation District,â said Brad.âŻÂ
âIf youâve never had an irrigation farm plan developed before or itâs been over ten years since youâve made any irrigation improvements, now is the time to do it.ââŻâŻÂ
Applications are now open with funding allocated on a first-come, first served basis, you can call the CMA for more information on 1300 094 262.
The Lake Wellington Irrigation Efficiency Incentive Program is run by West Gippsland CMA and Agriculture Victoria and funded by the Victorian Governmentâs Sustainable Irrigation Program.âŻ
Water for the environment deliveries planned
Please be advised of upcoming Autumn freshes, that will start on or around Friday 11 April 2025 in the following waterways:
- Wirn Wirndook Yeerung (Macalister River)
- Carran Carran (Thomson River)
Releases are dependent on many factors, and can often change, so it is important to keep up to date by checking back on this Current water releases page regularly for the most current information and to sign up for future notifications.
Current Grant Opportunities
Whenever possible we are delighted to be able to support Landcare, landholders and the community with additional funding for projects that help us achieve our shared vision of a healthy catchment.
This is the current grant opportunity on offer.
Irrigation Efficiency Incentives for Gippsland farmers
Rebates for irrigation planning and design are now available for farmers in Central and West Gippsland wanting to upgrade or install best practise irrigation systems on their farm.
The CMA and Agriculture Victoria will work with you to develop an irrigation plan and design thatâs tailored to your property and farm business.
The rebate program helps with the cost of the plan so you can maximise return on your infrastructure upgrades or investment.
Eligibility rules and criteria are in place for this incentive program, and can be found here.
Page updated 17 April 2025
Irrigation Efficiency Incentives for Gippsland farmers
Overview
Rebates for irrigation planning and design are now available for farmers in Central and West Gippsland.
The CMA and Agriculture Victoria will work with you to develop an irrigation plan and design that’s tailored to your property and farm business.
The rebate program helps with the cost of the plan so you can maximise return on your infrastructure upgrades or investment.
Funding
Rebates of up to $10,000 are available to eligible farms for the following activities:
- New Irrigation Farm Plans
- Updated Irrigation Farm Plans
- Tailored Irrigation Farm Plans
Funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Eligibility
In general, you can apply if you have a licence to irrigate and are located within the Lake Wellington Catchment.
The Lake Wellington Catchment spans West and Central Gippsland, and includes Warragul, Noojee, Thorpdale and Perry Bridge as well as the Macalister Irrigation District.
Other criteria:
- The proposed area has not previously had a survey and design completed with the assistance of the Irrigation Efficiency Incentives Program; or
- The existing farm plan for the property is more than 10 years old; or
- You can demonstrate, with confirmation from Southern Rural Water, that the supply system changes (e.g. modernisation of supply channels, pipelines and outlets) have opened up new opportunities for improvements on farm.
Guidelines
You can download a copy of the Landholder Booklet (PDF – 1.2 MB)
Contact
Brad Missen, Irrigation Development Coordinator at the CMA on 1300 094 262.
Page updated 3 April 2025
