The year hasn’t started well for many in Gippsland.
First fires, then briefly flood, ravaged our friends in East Gippsland. Gratefully, stock losses weren’t very high, but that’s largely because so many farmers had destocked their properties due to the prolonged drought.
But the community was rallying and sincere bushfire relief support was supplied through donations, livestock feed, purchasing from local businesses or heading on a holiday into the beautiful region that stretches from Lakes Entrance all the way to the border.
Many positive tales began to drift into the Gippslandia offices. Stories of caravan parks at capacity again, big gatherings filling restaurants and our First Nations people being buoyed by the increasing interest in their land management techniques.
Then a bat shits in a wet market in China and a virus jumps across to humans.
Now, we’re staring at an unprecedented economic downturn, mounting job losses and many of our well established community businesses going to the wall. And, the worst of it, the potential loss of loved ones.
Gippslandia acknowledges the numerous difficulties local businesses are facing. As with us and the coronavirus, no business is immune.
Some of Gippslandia’s partners have had to temporarily close their doors, and the running of this edition has been at risk.
In a clear demonstration of community resilience, new partners have raised their hands to support us. Thank you.
We have grappled over the idea of printing this or not. Increasingly stringent social distancing is an appropriate measure, but it affects our distribution options. Evolving to meet the conditions, we’re printing and offering a complete edition of Gippslandia online for the first time.
Right now, we’re living in a world where each conversation feels heavier than the last.
But we believe in Gippsland.
Gippslandian businesses are innovative. Many creatives, makers, industries, growers and farmers have already shifted parts of their enterprise online. A challenge is an opportunity. From the challenges the region has faced in recent years, we’ve strengthened our resilience.
It is our nature.
Proud Gippslandians, we hope you enjoy Gippslandia #14. This publication was established with the purpose of providing a positive narrative for the region, and we’ll continue delivering on that.
The cliché is right, it’s always darkest before the dawn, and there’s nothing quite like a Gippsland sunrise.
Be safe, reach out, reconnect and share the love.