The manhunt for alleged gunman Dezi Freeman has entered its third week, leaving residents of Porepunkah, a small town in northeastern Victoria, in a state of uncertainty. The search began after the fatal shooting of two police officers last month, prompting heightened security measures and warnings for visitors to avoid the area.

Local resident Steven Prince shared the impact of the situation on his family. He recalled a moment when his four-year-old son asked, "Is he going to kill us?" after seeing news coverage of the shooting. Prince expressed disbelief that his child could grasp such a serious topic, leading them to switch to a more lighthearted show.

As the police continue their search for the 56-year-old fugitive, who is believed to be armed and has not been seen since the incident, residents report feeling uneasy. "Everyone's just really looking over their shoulder when they're out doing things," Prince said. "We just want things to go back to normal, but when does that happen?"

The ongoing manhunt has affected local businesses significantly. Winemaker Jo Marsh, whose property is near the police operation, noted that her cellar door sales have dropped by about 60 percent compared to last year. "We say it was a bit like COVID or the bushfires, but it's actually been worse than that," she said. Marsh expressed frustration over the uncertainty, stating, "How can you make decisions when you don't know what's gonna happen?"

Marcus Warner, president of the Bright and District Chamber of Commerce, echoed these sentiments. He described the current situation as more challenging than previous emergencies the community has faced. Last Thursday, the Chamber held its first monthly meeting since the shooting, focusing on how to navigate the crisis emotionally, psychologically, and financially.

Warner highlighted the upcoming tourist season, saying, "We've got the sort of the green season about to be activated where the mountain bikers and the power gliders will be returning to the slopes. All we want to do is show off this amazing scenery to people we love, to entertain tourists."

Garry Neville, who runs Valley Homestead, a business that hosts school camps and group holidays, reported losing several large bookings due to the ongoing situation. He expressed concern about potential future cancellations, stating, "We're borrowing money to keep going. We're booked out all Term 4 and we're dreading what's going to happen."

Adventure tour guide David Chitty, who typically operates a ski school on Mt. Buffalo, is also feeling the effects. He mentioned uncertainty regarding the park's opening in October, which could impact his planned activities for school groups. "What do we run? Do we run? Would there be any customers?" he questioned.

Chitty, a former soldier who served in the Vietnam War, acknowledged the emotional toll of the situation. He encouraged community members to support one another, especially those affected by the loss of the police officers. "Losing people that are close to you is quite a difficult thing. And it never goes away," he said. He emphasized the importance of community, stating, "If you work together as a group, that makes life a little bit easier. And the threat is shared."