Australia Day at Simpson Park – A Great Community Day

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NARRA’s Australia Day gathering at the Simpson Park Community Centre was a wonderful success, bringing together locals for a relaxed afternoon of conversation, food, and community spirit.

A highlight of the day was the presentation of the inaugural Andree Nowatka Awards, recognising outstanding service to the Newlands Arm community. It was a special moment to have the awards presented by Jeanne-Claude Strong, daughter of Andree and Hans Nowatka, and to acknowledge the contributions of this year’s recipients.

With a traditional BBQ, informal catch-ups, and the promise of new recreational facilities taking shape nearby, the event reflected what NARRA is all about — connection, recognition, and community.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the day such a positive occasion.

Community Grant Delivers Netball & Basketball Half-Courts

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NARRA is proud to acknowledge the outstanding support of the Paynesville & District Community Bank (Bendigo Bank), whose ongoing commitment to our community continues to make a real and visible difference.

Over the past 12 months, this Community Bank has provided significant funding to NARRA, including support that covered 50% of the cost of our new Netball and Basketball half-courts.

Thanks to this funding — and plenty of local effort — the project has come together from start to finish:
from laying the concrete slab, keeping it cured, installing the poles, right through to the final painted lines.

“From laying a slab of concrete, to keeping it wet, to having the poles installed, to being completed with painted lines — we now have a Netball half-court and Basketball half-court for everyone to enjoy. Please take the kids up and have some fun.”
— NARRA Committee, for the Community

NARRA President Richard Gill said:

“This Community Bank has been very supportive, with over $26,000 provided to NARRA and Landcare in the past 12 months. The Netball and Basketball half-courts were made possible through this funding, covering 50% of the project costs. I encourage the community to support the Paynesville & District Community Bank, because our community benefits greatly.”

These new courts are now open and ready for use — a fantastic addition for families, young people, and anyone wanting to get active.

Please support the Paynesville & District Community Bank (Bendigo Bank) — when you bank locally, the whole community wins.

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.