A prominent fire ecologist believes the reintroduction of regular burns across the landscape are a necessity for the prevention of larger uncontrolled bushfires. University of Melbourne Associate Professor of fire ecology and management, Kevin Tolhurst, said reintroducing "low intensity fire across the landscape" was necessary to thin the thick undergrowth in bushland. Touring the High Country...

The Wy Yung Pub has new owners. Former Bairnsdale schoolboy, Damien Overy, and Scotsman, Andrew Lawson, have purchased the popular pub. The pair took over running the establishment about two weeks ago. Mr Overy, who can trace his ancestry back to the 1880s in East Gippsland, grew up in Bairnsdale, attending Bairnsdale Primary School (754) before going to Bairnsdale Secondary College. More...

Eagle Point's Luke Missen has added another incredible chapter to his remarkable sporting career, winning a gold medal as part of the Australian basketball team competing at the World Dwarf Games in Cologne, Germany. The World Dwarf Games are the largest international sporting event held exclusively for athletes with dwarfism. Its goal is to attract athletes from around the world to participate...

Harris Scarfe department store has been confirmed for Bairnsdale and will open well before Christmas. While the rumour mill was in overdrive that Harris Scarfe would take up the lease on the building vacated by K Hub in the wake of Kmart opening its new premises on the Princes Highway, it is now official. A statement from Harris Scarfe said the company “was excited to unveil details of their new...

Plans are underway to paint a mural on the corrugated water tank at Ensay, near the cattle yards, in what locals are hoping could become a tourist attraction for visitors to East Gippsland. Ensay Hereford Stud breeder, Barry Newcomen, initially came up with the idea to paint the water tank, just up from the River Inn Hotel at Ensay. He asked the local fire brigade if it would be okay and after...