Mallacoota has been one of the worst hit towns amid the ongoing East Gippsland bushfire crisis.A horrendously nervous wait surrounded almost 5000 people gathered in the town to ring in the New Year last Tuesday as the fires edged closer, causing a deep red sky to engulf the township.Some stayed to defend properties, however thousands headed to the safety of the beach as the sirens rang to warn...

Like many places in East Gippsland, Orbost was deserted over the weekend as bushfires edged closer to the township.A town meeting last Friday morning delivered the pointed message – if you can leave, you must – which has been the State Government’s most prominent line during what has been a disastrous two weeks in East Gippsland and the High Country.Members of the community hit the road on...

The Orbost Exhibition Centre committee and volunteers are gearing up for the opening of the 2020 Wood Design Exhibition this Friday, featuring fine work in wood from artists and craftspeople in the district and beyond.“We are excited about this exhibition because of the quality of the work and the number of volunteers who have stepped forward to open the doors and attend to the shop,” chair of...

Bushfires are wreaking havoc in the state’s far east.People near bushfires at Goongerah and Martins Creek were at noon yesterday told to evacuate with fire activity expected to worsen overnight.A new fire, sparked on the coast at Wingan River on Sunday evening, was quickly deemed not yet under control with people in the area told it is too late to leave.The fire caused a temporary closure of the...

Mallacoota volunteer lifesaver, Brodie Scott, has just returned from a life-changing experience in Sri Lanka as part of the Life Saving Victoria Building Leaders Scholarship program.From growing up in a town in which the population is no more than 1000 people to venturing overseas to teach her lifesaving skills in a third world country is quite the achievement.“Before starting this program there...