07 The Great Eastern Mail MARCH 2018 FANTASTIC EASTER BARGAINS UNTIL 15TH APRIL WHILE STOCKS LAST AUSTRALIAN MADE KAYAK HEADTORCHES RAIN WEAR BAIRNSDALE www.bairnsdalecamping.com.au 220 Main Street, Bairnsdale PH: (03) 5153 1497 Everything you need to best enjoy your camping and outdoor adventures, holidays and leisure time in beautiful East Gippsland CAMPING & OUTDOORS SWAG AUSTRALIS ‘Ocky’ Sit on Top Fishing Kayak SPECIFICATIONS: Length: 2.7m (8’10”) Width: 78cm Depth: 28cm Weight: 16kg Capacity: 110kg WEAR SWAG $ 369 DAY PACKS FROM $1995 FROM $1295 OFF 20% DARCHE Dusk to Dawn 1100mm Wide Swag SPECIFICATIONS: Size: 2150mm x 1100mm (800mm head height) Base measurement includes bucket floor. Weight: 14 kg Mattress: 50mm Colour: Khaki Model No: T050801201 R $ Follow us SHOP ONLINE Firestillburningforownerswho setupcampalmost22yearsago WENDY Brownrigg and David Neale of Bairnsdale Camping and Outdoors are about to celebrate 22 years since opening the doors in 1996. Despite significant comp- etition from chain stores and online retailers, Bairnsdale Camping and Outdoors continues to be one of the region’s favourite independent and locally owned stops. With a wealth of local knowledge and extensive experience in outdoor camping and travel, it is easy to see why the business is still going strong. While Wendy was born and grew up in Bairnsdale she had done a great deal of travelling in Australia and overseas. David grew up with family camping trips when he was younger and then into cubs and scouts. He moved to the area in 1977 to work at a school outdoor education centre on the Banksia Peninsula on Lake Victoria doing activates such as caving, rock climbing, kayaking, horse riding and bush walking. The two meet whilst members of the Bairnsdale Bushwalking Club. Both are avid bushwalkers and campers who have spent a lot of time trekking around Australia and discovering its vast beauty. There are not many parts of Australia that they haven’t seen between them. Despite their love of travel, Wendy and David both agree that East Gippsland is their favourite destination and feel lucky to live here with a wealth of playgrounds right on our back door step. That is why Bairnsdale Camping and Outdoors has camping and outdoor gear for the rivers, lakes, mountains and the snow. Whenever possible, they stock Australia made products as well as locally made camping equipment. Part of the reason for David and Wendy’s longevity is their integrity. They offer advice and recommendation to customers to ensure they are getting the best thing for them and aren’t afraid to admit when they don’t have the answer. “We only sell good quality products, so if neither David nor I, wouldn’t use it, we won’t stock it. “We always talk to customers and try to obtain as much information to ensure they are getting the best thing for them,” Wendy said. David explained, “We’d rather a customer go out without purchasing anything than to sell them the wrong thing”. That is one of the reasons why David and Wendy have chosen to maintain independence retailers. It means that they have control over what’s on the shelves. Their greatest satisfaction in being in business for twenty two years is the returning satisfied customers. “We have customers coming back after their trips and thanking us for the advice and for the equipment they purchased from us. We often get postcards too – like one from Mt. Kilimanjaro saying “the boots you recommended have been great”. We have local families who have been repeat customers over many years, and seen the children grow into adults, who are now bringing in their own children.” “We had one family that we saw for about 12 years straight. They came down to Lakes Entrance from Melbourne every January to camp and we watched their kids grow up. One time they came down outside of their usual camping holiday period to tell us that we wouldn’t be seeing them anymore as they were moving up to Sydney. They made the trip specially to see us to say goodbye and to thank us for the advice given over many years,” David said. After 22 years that says something about Wendy and David’s integrity, and their love of people and for the great outdoors. Find their store at 220 Main St, Bairnsdale, just a few doors down from McDonalds. Call in and discover a huge range of camping and outdoor products of a quality rarely seen outside of capital cities and the much larger regional centres. You will receive personal service, helpful advice along with a friendly smile. David and Wendy look forward to seeing you. Tacklethegreat outdoorswith confidence Independent store owners David Neale and Wendy Brownrigg are excited to pass on their knowledge to customers embarking on camping and outdoor adventures.