With Victoria now in the grip of a state of emergency following the spread of the coronavirus, supermarket chains expect the status will lead to more panic buying.Over the weekend Bairnsdale’s supermar-kets were swamped with customers stocking up on non-perishable food items, such as pasta, rice and long life milk.Queues formed outside the main chains, Woolworths and Coles, well before 7am.“It...

The coronavirus crisis is being felt across East Gippsland, despite no cases being reported in the wider Gippsland region.People have taken to panic buying items such as toilet paper, meats and non-perishable canned foods, with supermarkets struggling to keep up with demand as the region stays on high alert.Cleanliness is at the forefront of tackling the issue.Bairnsdale Regional Health Service...

This Sunday the East Gippsland Branch of the Prospectors and Miners Association will host its bi-annual gold and gemstone exhibition in the historic old Bullumwaal Hall.The Bullumwaal Hall is located about 27 kilometres north of Bairnsdale (via Wy Yung and Mount Taylor) and is one of the few remaining original buildings left in the old township.The gold and gem expo has been in doubt for some...

The 80th annual mountain calf sales kicked off with a bang on Tuesday with prices running into $6 a kilogram territory and in some instances doubling the prices received at last year’s sales.At both the Sharp Fullgrabe sale at Hinnomunjie and the Elders Omeo blacks sale, selling agents quoted the top prices from $5.50 to $6/kg.Elders Bairnsdale auctioneer, Morgan Davies, said smaller cattle...

The third Paynesville Classic Boat Rally, held on February 28 to March 1, had its fair share of activities including a spectacular collection of more than 300 classic boats on water, ranging from tall ships, to sailing vessels, classic motor boats, skiffs, fishing boats, small crafts and more.Paynesville Classic Boat Rally event organiser, Cherie Draper, said more than 8000 people attended over...