In a game best described as “of varying quality” that included many interesting plays, Sarsfield defeated Clifton Creek by just one point (under a unique scoring system) on Sunday, winning the glory and the Sandhill Ashes urn.The bushfire recovery, community engaging event was so important that even ‘Swervin Mervyn’ Merv Hughes was there, coaching the juniors earlier in the day then joining...

Retired Australian swimmer, Ian Thorpe, who has won more Olympic medals than any Australian, brought Service Street in Bairnsdale to a standstill on Monday when he officially opened the new Optus service centre.Ian, in his quiet and humble manner, cut the ribbon after East Gippsland Shire mayor, Cr Mendy Urie, welcomed Optus and the famous Olympic swimmer to town.Prior to Thorpe cutting the...

Members of one of Dargo’s oldest cattle grazing families have joined forces with East Gippsland conservationists to oppose logging on the High Plains.The Treasure family has grazed cattle around Dargo for 140 years and is shocked at plans to log mature trees in the area.The Advertiser has been told one section has already been logged in the headwaters of the Little Dargo River.Fourth generation...

Wy Yung has broken its three decade Bairnsdale Cricket Association “A” grade premiership drought, and didn’t the Tigers earn it.They won an absolute thriller at the Lakeside Oval against West Bairnsdale, taking 3/5 in the final half an hour, winning by four runs with just five overs remaining in the epic decider.It was a case of pure ecstasy and agony - the final wicket coming a tick over 5.30pm...

Property owners in the High Country are being urged to remain vigilant and alert to potential livestock thefts.The warning comes following the thefts of cows and sheep from properties just outside Omeo.Omeo police have appealed to farmers to undertake regular counts of their stock and report any unusual sightings of vehicles. Elders agent, David Hill, last month told the Advertiser he believed...