Simon Ellis came to Australia from the United Kingdom 16 years ago and has been in Gippsland for a decade.

In that time, Mr Ellis has become part of the community as a CFA firefighter, soccer coach and through involvement with the Bairnsdale Chamber of Commerce.

He has firmly established roots in Bairnsdale where he runs a number of small business ventures.

Mr Ellis says small business and tourism are the lifeblood of East Gippsland and both have struggled in recent times under COVID-19.