Author: laura Brooker

If you’re a lover of bowls or interested in watching the sport, the Henselite Victorian Open is your answer!  

Even if you don’t know much about bowls, the event will provide a fun community atmosphere for all to enjoy.  

 The Henselite Victorian Open is Bowls Victoria’s premier state event. It’s the largest bowls event in Victoria and second largest in the country.   

  Since its inception in 2011, the event has become hugely popular for both professional and grassroots bowlers.  

 The Gippsland region will offer bowlers a range of different surfaces to bowl on, at a time of year when the greens will be at their best.  

 Events are played at various venues throughout Gippsland, with Traralgon and Morwell Bowling Clubs acting as the major hubs and finals venues.  

 Competition categories include mixed pairs, pairs, and men’s and women’s singles and triples. The finals will take place on 27 and 28 March.  

Mayor of Latrobe City Council, Councillor Darren Howe, said Council is looking forward to welcoming competitors to the region and hope that they have time to explore all Latrobe City has to offer.   

 “Major events like these also offer a great boost to the local economy and are an important tourism-driver for the region. The economic impact this event brings to Latrobe City is up to 3.1 million,” said the Mayor.  

“We are excited to showcase the state-of-the-art bowls venues in Latrobe City during the event. Traralgon and Morwell Bowls clubs are impressive venues with impeccable greens and newly refurbished function spaces. 

“The Henselite Victorian Open is open to bowlers of all ages and abilities. We look forward to welcoming participants from right across Australia and internationally, to participate in this iconic event.” 

The Henselite Victorian Open is the perfect opportunity to watch some good-quality bowls. The best part is spectator entry is free!   

For more information, visit the Henselite Victorian Open website: vicopen.com.au 

The International Rose Garden Festival Morwell returned for 2023, with a full program of events taking place between the 11-12 November.

This year’s program showcased the roses and garden in full bloom while offering family-friendly activities and entertainment across the weekend.

New event times saw the Festival commencing at 12pm and running through to 9.30pm each night where locals and visitors alike explored the rose gardens and participate in a wide range of stalls and free activities.

ABC Gardening Australia Host and crowd favourite Costa Georgiadis returned to the Festival once again, hosting and judging the cut the rose competition as well as chatting about his gardening knowledge at multiple events across the weekend.

Visitors also travelled to and from the Festival in style via the Heritage Steam Train, a fully booked out event. The Morwell CBD was bustling with train travellers and many shops in Commercial Road reported great sales.

Mayor of Latrobe City Council Darren Howe was pleased to see the evolved range of experiences on offer for community members and visitors to enjoy.

“It was fantastic to witness the Rose Garden colourfully illuminated each evening by the much-loved AGL Night Lights Installation, with roving performers, local musicians and pop-up food trucks to add to the overall Festival vibe,” said the Mayor.

“On Sunday, our youngest festival goers were treated to live stage shows, a disco and a diverse range of free activities.”

The Mayor thanked the sponsors, local businesses, volunteers, community members, volunteers and Council staff who contributed to bringing the Festival to life for another year, as well as acknowledging the Mayor of the Day, Councillor Kellie O’Callaghan who played a significant role over the weekend long event attending and participating in many of the festivals offerings.

“The International Rose Garden Festival is a pivotal event to not only bring the community together, but also support our wonderful local businesses and highlight our City as a great place to live, work and visit.”

Over the weekend, the Festival also featured a rose flower crown workshop, yoga, nature printing, creating your own native pantry, botanical arts and crafts, and the ever-popular Devonshire teas.