Ken Eckersley is dealing with the devastating consequences of bushfires in East Gippsland — the tourists have been scared off, his winery is closed and his chef has fled to Melbourne.
"The next day I was having a conversation with someone and I suddenly burst into tears," he said.
As he and many other business owners in the region start the recovery process and begin to realise the terrible impact it will have on their bottom lines, he is calling for urgent support from tourism authorities for East Gippsland."I'd love to be on even half the footing that the Great Ocean Road gets on. They're on such a great wicket and yet they still complain all the time about the foreign tourists.
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