Ferry heading to slip yards

Ferry heading to slip yards for routine maintenance

The Raymond Island Ferry will be slipped for most of October as it undergoes routine maintenance. The maintenance program occurs every two years and it is scheduled to remove the ferry from service from Monday 6 October 2014 to Friday 24 October. The last ferry service departing Raymond Island before the outage will be at 11.00 pm on Sunday 5 October.

East Gippsland Shire’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Chris Waites, said a range of works will be completed while the ferry is in the slip yard. “The ferry’s hull will be cleaned and anti-fouled. All deck areas will be sand-blasted and re-painted, and the paintwork of the entire vessel will be cleaned and polished. We will also be installing a new main drive motor, a new battery and inverter power system and a new operator deadman safety switch. Other minor maintenance and repair work will also be undertaken at this time,” Mr Waites said.

During the period the ferry is out of operation, the Shire will provide alternative access services, including a water taxi between Raymond Island and Paynesville, a commuter bus on Raymond Island, car parking in Paynesville and a barge for commercial and emergency traffic.

“Due to the upgrade works along The Esplanade, some of the temporary car park area that has been used in the past will not be available. However, additional parking is available in the new Fleischer Street extension. Raymond Island residents are encouraged to use these parking areas in addition to the usual temporary car park,” Mr Waites said.

Raymond Island residents are reminded that they will need to ensure that they have sufficient essential supplies such as gas, fuel and medicines to cover the outage period.

The ferry service is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year and East Gippsland Shire Council is 

supporting the Raymond Island History Group in preparation of the celebration. The Raymond Island History Group is currently preparing events for the Melbourne Cup weekend from Friday, October 31 to Monday, November 3. The celebration events will include an historical display, anniversary ball, a ‘blessing of the ferry’ service and a ‘roll call’ of past and current ferry operators. 

Abbey sustainabilty festival

Cool surfer dude!

Peter Johannsen sent this story from his friends on holiday in Queensland...

Fair walk along Flinders Beach on North-West side of Straddie a couple of days ago.  Koalas seem fairly tame over here.  Passed two sitting in she-oaks each about 2m off the ground, not spooked at all the attention.  Then, about half way along the beach, we saw this young fellow actually running up and down the beach, and playing around the kids like a puppy. And then, he decided to go into the water for a tub!

RI Football League reminder

Reminder that it’s footy time again on Raymond Island!  

Gear up for this year's excitement with a reminder of the fun from our 2013 Grand Final on Youtube - courtesy of Victor Trofimov.

The Raymond Island Football League 2^nd Annual Football Match is on Saturday 4 October at A’Beckett Park.

To be part of this exciting event, as a player or volunteer, register your interest by email to riflmatch2014@gmail.com.  Get in early with your player registration as team numbers will be limited.

We will send you back all the info you will need for the big day.  Players of all ages, male and female, are welcome.

Raymond Island Reds vs Raymond Island Blues

Who will be victorious this year?

Saturday 4 October, A’Beckett Park, Raymond Island

$5.00 entry

Corporate facilities available

Sausage sizzle and soft drinks

All proceeds to the Paynesville Ambulance Service

Proudly sponsored by Bairnsdale Mazda & Hyundai