One of the few people in East Gippsland who had to battle COVID-19 infection says she is relieved restrictions are easing.“I agree with masks even though I hate them,” she said.“I can’t breathe properly when wearing one, it makes me feel claustrophobic, but I’m happy to wear them for a bit longer, just to be sure we’re all safe.”The rules changed Sunday night so that people do not have to wear...

Mountain bikes from across Victoria will converge on Omeo this weekend for the inaugural Cattlemen 100 MTB.As of yesterday there were 105 registered riders ready to compete in a grueling test at an elevation of 12,000 feet, or 3650 metres.The race spans 12 hours and is a total of 105 miles, or 175 kilometres. Event manager, Elise Pendergast,said it was great to be able to bring people to the...

Water ownership in a river system will be made available to Traditional Owners in East Gippsland for the first time in the state’s history.In a step towards recognising Traditional Owners’ deep connection to water, the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) will receive two gigalitres of unallocated water in the Mitchell River.Minister for Water, Lisa Neville, confirmed...

The week before Christmas last year, as the bushfires were continuing to burn through bush and farmland, powerlines were burnt out causing the whole of Omeo to lose its power supply.Ausnet Services put generators in place to provide the critical power source to the district. As the New Year arrived, the fires intensified and on Saturday, January 4, as the sky turned an eerie red in Omeo, people...

Bairnsdale Police Station has recently appointed two new sergeants to the ranks.Sergeants Scott Gray and Clayton White are from some of the toughest crime beats in Melbourne but have chosen to relocate to East Gippsland to experience life in regional Victoria.While the move is an opportunity for career advancement, both men told the Advertiser they recently purchased houses in the area and are...