April is set to be another jam-packed month of activities, shows, markets and more.
There is no conceivable way to include all the wonderful events in just one list, but the Gippsland Times has compiled a sneak peek into what to expect in the Wellington Shire region across the month of April.
Say Thanks Race Day
Sale Turf Club are hosting a special race day on Sunday, April 2, with Country Racing Victoria to thank those working in emergency services, education, and health for their herculean efforts in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and extreme weather events across the past two years.
Say Thanks race days will be held at every major regional racing club in Victoria, with Country Racing Victoria offering free entry to those who supported local communities during difficult times.
Sale Turf Club chief executive Brad Evans says the purpose of Say Thanks is to invite and extend free entry to those that helped the community during the pandemic, bushfires and floods.
“We are engaging with all of those agencies, all those groups and providing them with free entry, but should there be more members of those groups than we have tickets, we’re more than happy for a teacher to show their registration card, a nurse to show their workplace ID at the gate and gain free entry.”
Sale Turf Club will host eight races across the event, beginning at 1pm, with children’s activities, live music and hospitality options available.
When: Sunday, April 2.
Where: Sale Turf Club, 1227 Maffra-Sale Rd, Sale.
Rotary Race the Rubeena
Rotary Race the Rubeena returns for 2023.
Rotary Race the Rubeena is a community fun run from the Port of Sale to the historic Swing Bridge raising funds for local projects.
Competitors of all ages and abilities can participate in the race with the choice of tackling the 10-kilometre run from the Port of Sale to the Swinge Bridge and back or a 5km run from the Swinge Bridge to the Port of Sale.
In the 5km event, you will be racing the 111-year-old wooden watercraft – the Rubeena – back to the Port of Sale, your journey along the boardwalks through the beautiful old trees while the old boat chugs along the Sale Canal.
The 10km event starts at 7.30am, and the 5km race against the Rubeena begins at 9am.
For more information or to register for the annual Rotary Race the Rubeena fun run, go to rotaryracetherubeena.com.au or facebook.com/RacetheRubeena
When: 10km race beginning 7.30am and the 5km race beginning 9am, Sunday, April 2.
Where: 10km race starting from the Port of Sale, 5km race starting at the Swinge Bridge.
Harry Hook with Alex Black on the Fiddle
Gather your friends and family and head to the Star Hotel Sale for an entertaining night of live music with musicians Harry Hook and Alex Black.
Gippsland-based artist Harry Hook is an Australian musician and songwriter with an impressive musical career, having toured around Australia, America and Europe, opened for the Eagles, played in session bands alongside world-renowned musicians such as Paul Kelly, Kasey Chambers and Bernard Fanning, and has been nominated for an Aria Award.
Alexander Stuart Black (Alex Black), is a violin, mandolin and bass player in the Australian Music and Entertainment Scene.
When: 8.30 pm until 11.30 pm, Saturday, April 1.
Where: Star Hotel Sale
Spirit Of The Anzac
Spirit of the Anzac is a salute to the ANZACs and Vietnam Veterans.
This impactful production hosted at The Wedge Performing Arts Centre in Sale features hit songs, stories and laughter from World War 2 and the Vietnam War with images displayed on the big screen throughout the performance.
Spirit of the Anzac is set to accentuate famous musicians that performed during the wars, such as Dame Vera Lynn, The Andrews Sisters, Bob Dylan, Normie Rowe and many more.
Spirit of the Anzac is a fantastic opportunity for a family day out and to broaden your children’s knowledge about the history of our country and even within your own family.
Tickets are available at: tickets.thewedge.com.au/event/345:986/345:2373/?fbclid=IwAR2YUFf2m7faKI28IeWZC4RWAuiQx8Jq_fV4NRo2VdR9i1kMx_p9eEKR9T8
When: 7.30 pm, Monday, April 24.
Where: The Wedge Performing Arts Centre, Sale.
Headline Acts at Jacks
Friday, March 31: Matt-Peter Fry
Saturday, April 1: DJ night
Saturday, April 8: Low Profile
Friday, April 14: Leeroy
Saturday, April 15: TBA
Friday, April 21: Dale Gannan
Saturday, April 22: Jarbeque
Friday, April 28: Spitting Swallows
Saturday, April 29: Nathan Lambourn
When: Every Friday and Saturday from 9pm.
Where: Jack Ryans Irish Bar, Sale.
Headline Acts at The Gippsland Hotel
Friday, March 31: Phil Para Band
Thursday, April 6: James Wilson
Friday, April 14: Meg Doherty (Trio)
Sunday, April 16: Paul Buchanan’s Voodoo Preachers
Friday, April 21: Dad Bod
Friday, April 28: Jewels and The Heist
When: From 7:00 pm.
Where: The Gippsland Hotel, Sale.
Gippsland Country Music Festival
Gippsland Country Music Festival showcases Australia’s best country music, including well-known artists and exciting up-and-coming live acts jam-packed with entertainment, from woodchopping, freestyle motocross and line dancing classes, to rides, gumboot toss, cowboy karaoke, face painting, market stalls and a host of delicious Gippsland food and drinks including Smokehouse BBQ, food trucks and onsite bars.
For more information go to gippslandcountrymusicfestival.com
When: Saturday, April 22.
Where: Lardner Park, 155 Brunt Store Road, Lardner.
Sale Producers Market
Treat yourself to delectable, locally-made baked treats, enjoy a scrumptious toastie or wrap your hands around a hot coffee while browsing the numerous stalls at the Sale Producers Market.
Fresh fruit and veg to jewellery, candles, knick-knacks, plants, clothes and more will be available.
When: Saturday, April 15, 8am until 12.30pm.
Where: Sale Showgrounds, Sale-Maffra Road, Sale.
Lotje McDonald Photography Opening Exhibition
Lotje McDonald is a sports, landscape and bird photographer based in Longford, Victoria and has been inspired by Australia’s natural beauty and vast landscapes since arriving from Holland.
Lotje’s images are diverse and captivating, primarily taken in the Gippsland area and range from landscapes, aerials, fauna and abstract.
Lotje recently received the ‘2023 Australia Day Photography Award’ at the 46th Leongatha Art & Photography Show for her image ‘Dancing Trees’.
The opening exhibition of ‘A Glimpse of Gippsland’s Natural Beauty’ by Lotje McDonald will be hosted at the Bond Street Eent Centre, Sale, from 1pm until 4pm, Sunday, April 2.
There is a $15 entry fee, with light refreshments provided and artwork for sale.
‘A Glimpse of Gippsland’s Natural Beauty’ by Lotje McDonald exhibition will be available for viewing by appointment between Monday, April 3, and Sunday, April 23.
When: 1pm until 4pm, Sunday, April 2.
Where: Bond Street Event Centre, 10 Bond Street Sale.
Music and Stories at Windsong Farm
Anita Hensen, a local musician and music teacher, is passionate about giving children expression through music; anyone can learn basic percussion, sing along and have fun.
Be inspired by the animals featured in Windsong Farm Providore hobby farmer Amrita Bradley’s book ‘Who Are You and What Do You Do?” as Anita inspires the group to write and perform.
This workshop is for children of all abilities, aged five to 12 years, with no musical experience necessary. All facilitators have current working with children’s checks and first aid qualifications.
For information and to book your ticket, click here.
When: 10am until 1pm Wednesday, April 19.
Where: Windsong Farm Providore, 544 Velore Road, Denison.
Gippsland Vehicle Collection Swap Meet
Gippsland Vehicle Collection will host their 2023 Swap meet on Sunday, April 2, from 7am.
Camping and full onsite catering is available, with a site fee of $10, general admission costs $5.
For more information, go to facebook.com/gippslandvehiclecollection
When: From 7am, Sunday, April 2.
Where: Gippsland Vehicle Collection, 1a Maffra-Sale Road Maffra.
Blue Gables Long Lunch
Blue Gables Vineyard’s renowned Long Lunch is on again this year, coupling with the prestigious Tinamba Hotel to give you a six-course lunch paired perfectly with Blue Gables Estate Grown Wines.
With an open bar, live music all afternoon and busses available to and from the venue, this is a great opportunity to enjoy the final moments of nice weather before the winter winds set in.
Book your ticket here: trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=1026498&fbclid=IwAR2E4ilEZRGAnVaj2QdyOLK4Kw8Xc_HKLsU9nvAPzvI3nr4YlvB-ITKWbwY
When: 12pm until 3.30pm, Friday, April 21.
Where: Blue Gables Vineyard, 100 Lanigan Rd, Maffra West Upper.
Have you got an upcoming event? Let us know! Email news@gippslandtimes.com.au with the subject line ‘What’s on This Month’.
