Articles

East Gippsland Marketing Inc is proud to have 6 outstanding individuals representing East Gippsland and spreading the word on how East Gippsland is the ideal place to visit, live, work and invest. 

The ambassadors were selected for their commitment to promoting East Gippsland by attending community and industry events, enthusiasm in promoting East Gippsland via social media networks, and their ability to contribute to the program on a regular basis. 

SALLY ROBBINS

Sally is a permanent resident of East Gippsland and was born and raised in the area. Having spent several years in Melbourne, Sally returned 10 years ago to be closer to her family. Currently on the Bairnsdale Chamber of Commerce and Industry, including being the coordinator of the annual Bairnsdale Christmas Parade, Sally has been involved with the chamber for 10 years.

A sales representative with LJ Hooker Bairnsdale, Sally has the opportunity to meet many people and encourage them to buy and live in East Gippsland; she believes her role is not only to sell a property but to sell the area as well.

Sally’s interests include local horse racing, boating and golf. Additionally, Sally is a passionate cook and loves anything that is locally produced.

NGAERE DONALD

Ngaere is an Orbost local and has lived in the East Gippsland area since the early ‘70s.

Ngaere previously worked in the dairy farming industry, and now enjoys painting, photography, local history, people, and the environment.

Additionally, Ngaere has interests in horse racing and attending her granddaughters’ pony club activities.

The thing Ngaere loves the most about where she lives in East Gippsland, Orbost, is that it is the place where the Snowy River meets the sea, and the fact that most of its coastline is National Park.

Ngaere believes that East Gippsland is a great place to live and work, as well as bring up children, because of its closeness to the mountains and the sea. The Riviera climate is also a great place for ecotourism, and all sporting activities.

MEGAN CAIN

Megan moved to Bairnsdale from Williamstown almost two years ago with her partner Alan and then nine-month old daughter.

After finding out her much loved job was to be no longer, the wait for childcare was so long, and they could only afford to buy a shoebox to live in, Megan and Alan decided to give it a go as a trial and moved into the old Forge Creek fire station on a 95-acre block.

“During that first week all our neighbours dropped in for a cuppa, I got invited to a playgroup just sitting at a cafe, got offered a great part-time job when I wasn’t even looking and got a childcare spot in one week,” Megan said.

Megan is passionate about East Gippsland because of the wonderful lifestyle she has discovered, away from the city living she thought she would miss.

Megan is a Telstra business specialist at the Bairnsdale Telstra Shop part-time.

The thing Megan loves most about East Gippsland is its diversity.

“From the beautiful landscapes to the people. I love that my family can enjoy a bit of everything in life together with little effort.” 

Megan and her fiancé Alan are currently caretakers of a beautiful property in Nungurner, where they have lived for the past year. The couple is also planning their Wedding to take place at the Fraser Island Retreat (near Lakes Entrance) and have their second child coming in January! 

KRISTINE CORDERY

Kristine, from Lakes Entrance, has had a number of achievements over the past few years, including becoming a life member of Surf Life Saving Lakes Entrance. She is the holder of the Hancock Medal for outstanding achievements and is the sixth recipient of this award in the history of Surf Life Saving Lakes Entrance. 

However, by far Kristine’s biggest achievement over the last year has been overcoming cancer with the full support of her family and the club, and still continuing to work tirelessly for the club as secretary.

Kristine is liaising with; Life Saving Victoria, East Gippsland Shire Council, members of state parliament and local contractors for their continued support to the Surf Club & continues to profile the club in hosting life saving events to the Lakes Entrance and the region.

She is a board member of the Lakes Entrance Sports and Community Club. 

A former East Gippsland Shire Citizen of the Year, Kristine is a quiet achiever who always has the community front-of-mind.

JESSEE JOHN

Jessee has lived in East Gippsland her whole life, growing up on an acreage in Calulu/Wy Yung, where she had every pet imaginable and was given the freedom to explore not only her own property, but the bush beyond.

A love for travel has seen her exploring internationally for a good half of last year, but always wanting to return home.

Currently the restaurant manager at Bairnsdale International, Jessee has worked for seven years in hospitality, as well as completing a three-year traineeship in graphic design.

She also enjoys partaking in local events, such as the orange fair, volunteering at the Bruthen Blues, supporting the op shops, photographing the Cool Summer Festival in Mt Hotham and attending anything local that she can.

Jessee’s partner Ryan is also from Bairnsdale, and they both plan to live in the area permanently when raising a family. This is the where they both feel at home.

CHRISTIANE PHILIP

Christiane Philip and her husband John have been the proud owner/operators of Culinaire Cooking School for over 10 years.

As a professional chef, Christiane offers a wide range of cooking classes and workshops to many visitors, locals and retirees, who are looking to learn about the art of cooking, as well as the science behind it.

Located in Swan Reach, Culinaire Cooking School sits on 30 acres of land, which was originally used for dairy farming.

“When we were looking to buy property in the area we came across this land, which had high quality soil and huge potential to build our home and business. The land was a clean slate,” Christiane said.

“The climate in this area is favourable, and has allowed us to grow our own produce including vegetables, fruits and herbs which we use daily in the cooking classes.”