Latrobe Valley Express Wednesday 6 March 2024

Peace and music

Boolarra’s answer to Woodstocksaw thousands congregateinthe small town forthe annual folk festival. Attendeesenjoyedmusic, food and marketsovertwo days of celebration.

MORE -PAGE 12

Photograph: KatrinaBrandon

Plans for Delburn

By PHILIP HOPKINS

THE Delburn Wind Farm developer has allayed speculation thatthe project would be affected by the federal government’s rejection on environmental grounds of the Port of Hastings as a construction site.

The company, Osmi Australia, said it was not affected by the Commonwealth’s decis ion regard ing the pro po se d Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal at the Port of Hastings.

“An offshore wind terminal is not required for the delivery of the Delburn Wind Farm components, and the project was neverreliant on anew terminal at the Port of Hastings,” acompany spokeswoman said.

“The options for the delivery port are still being considered.”

The majority of onshorewindfarm components such as turbines, nacelles and blades are not currently manufactured in Australia.

“There is some domestic capability for towers to be made in Australia, but

larger towers are not manufactured here,” the spokeswoman said.

Delburn involves theconstruction of 33 wind turbineseach about 250 metres in height on plantation forest landowned by HVP Plantations.The site is bounded by Coalville and Hernes Oak to the north, Thorpdaletothe west, Darlimurla to the south, and Boolarra and Yinnar to the east. Morwell is about five kilometres to the north-east of the development site.

Trans port of most of the tu rbine components to thesite willbevia the Princes Highway and Strzelecki Hwy over dimensional route. The Strzelecki Hwy is the main sealed, two-lane, twoway arterial road that runs through the heart of thesiteboundaryand provides access to andfromthe site.

Osmi said the designofthe wind farm minimisesthe use of existing public roads wherever possible, to reduce the impact of construction traffic on local residents.

Somelocal road upgrades will be

requiredalong DeansRoad,Varys Track, Golden Gully Road, Smiths Road and Creamery Road to ensure they are of adequate width, bearing capacity and slope so they can be used for large component delivery, along with the movement of over-dimensional loads.

Atraffic management plan will be prepared in consultation withthe three local councils and the Department of Transport.

The head contractor and major subcontractors have not been appointed.

“As soon as this occurs, we will inform the community and the hundredsof people who registered to work on the wind farm,” the company said.

Construction of the Delburn Wind Farm is currently planned for the third quarter of 2024.

“We will keep the community updated as we get closer to construction commencing,” Osmi Australia said.

The Delburn Wind Farm recently deployed new fire detection technology thatitsaid was afirst for Australia

andthe wind farm industry. The AI firedetectiontechnology monitors the surrounding plantation and landscape. APanoAIcamera has been deployed to captureultra-high-definition images and monitor theHVP plantationand the wind farm site. The camera captures 360-degree views over the plantation every minute,operating 24 hours aday, seven days aweek. On aclear day, the cameras can monitorupto30kilometres away.

OsmiAustralia says the technology will provide the community and HVP confidence that any fire that starts in the plantation and surroundingarea can be detected quickly and the location shared with emergency responders.

The camera scon tin uous ly pa trol the landscape and use AI technology to detect smoke and fire, which is then verified by trained staff in the Pano Intelligence Centre.Ifafire is confirmed, an alert is then sent to fire response agencies and wind farm staff.

Continued -Page3

Moe aged carenamed Baw Baw Views

By ZAIDAGLIBANOVIC

MOE Royal Freemasons will now be calledBaw BawViews

The name change cameafter the national notfor-profit organisation Respect recently took over the Moe Royal Freemasons aged care home on February 19.

Respect said the name'Baw Baw Views'was selected following community consultation and apublic vote.

As partofthe handoverprocess, last month Respect reached out to the home’s staff, residents, and the Moe community, seeking suggestions and input around updating the home’s name.

Respect said that following awidespread and popular public response, Jason Binder, managing director and chief executive of Respect, said the new name not only signals anew chapter for the home but also acknowledges its ongoing connection with the surrounding region.

“We reached out to everyone across the community because we really wanted to ensure they were front and centreofthe decision-making process and in control of leading any change,” Mr Binder said.

“With this in mind, we encouraged name suggestions from staff, residents and the community that spoke to the home’s unique character and culture, as well as connection to Moe, and we then called on everyoneagain to have their say through an online survey.”

Owing to the home’sproximity to Mount Baw Baw,‘BawBaw Views’ was nominated multiple times amidst the many suggestions received.

Respect said that when presented to the public in asurvey featuring several other nominations, Baw Baw Views proved to be apopular choice, with two-thirds of all respondents giving theirnod of approval for the home’s new name.

The other optionsonthe survey were Amaroo Lodge, Edward Hunter Manor, Marlee Lodge and Mueller Lodge.

Moelocal andLatrobe City Councillor, Sharon Gibson, said that while she understood the aged care facility has views of Mount Baw Baw, she did wish the name reflected its place in atown with a proud and rich history.

Change: Moe RoyalFreemasonswill nowbeknown as BawBaw Views,after Respect Aged Care took controlofthe facilitythismonth.

"While Ican understandthat you do have brilliant views of Baw Baw out there, it also doesn't highlight the pride in our area in the name," she said.

As part of the re-naming process,Respect offered aspecial prize to the first individual to suggest the name eventually chosen by the public as the winning nomination.

This was in the form of a$2500 cash prize and a$2500 donation to alocal charity of their choice.

The aged care provider said they were looking forward to reaching the winner in the coming days.

Celebrating the official transfer of the aged care home and the new name, Mr Binder said the day was significant.

"Regardlessofits newname,weappreciate what the home means to our residents and staff, as well as so manyfamiliesacross Moe and beyond.First and foremost is the serviceprovided to older people, and we recognise the important role that the home plays for so many locals in the community,"Mr Binder said.

“We’re committed to continuing that culture of care and respect, and we look forward to ensuring Baw Baw Views remainsa wonderful place for our residents to live.”

While knownasthe RoyalFreemasons Moe,

supplied

the facility faced ascathing report from aged care regulators in early 2023 after 70-year-old Dennis Miller was foundlyingdeadoutside the facility in May 2022 ABC News reported that following acomplaint from Mr Miller’s family, the Aged Care Quality and SafetyCommissioner opened an inquiry. The investigation’s findings discovered several shortcomings on the part of the aged care facility.

The home was later re-accredited by the aged care regulator after being audited and was given accreditation until February 16, 2025.

The Weekly Source reported that Respect Aged Care is known for its ability to turn around failing aged care operations, from one losing $800,000 amonth to othersunder serious sanction facing closure.

The regional non-profitaged care service was founded more than 60 years agoand currently runs 22 sites in Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales.

The RoyalFreemasons in Sale wasalsotaken overbyRespect. TheSalefacility willnow be known as Wattleglen after going through the same community consultation and voting process.

Bid to ensure Gippsland’sfuture growth

ONE Gippsland hasmade an ambitious bid to boost the region’s economic output, with anew federal pre-Budgetsubmission prioritising emerging industries and improved connectivity.

With planning for the federal Budgetnow in full swing, One Gippsland has submitted its key fundingpriorities in aseriesofhighlevel meetings in Canberra.

One Gippsland met with officials in Canberra to highlight its key priorities for funding.

Chair of One Gippsland, and Mayor of Wellington Shire, Ian Bye, emphasised the need to start existing and new industries to ensure long-term economic growth throughout Gippsland. He also stressed the importance of investing in transport infrastructure to accommodate the region's growth.

“We would like to see investment for existing and emerging industries for the long-term economic growth of Gippsland, as well as investment to build atransport network equipped to supportthis rapid move towards new industries," Mr Bye said.

“From abig picture perspective, One Gippsland is readytoplay amajor role in thenation’s energy transition and thisrequires significant investment on the ground at the local level.”

Throughout the week, representatives from One Gippsland met with various stakeholders in Canberra, including ministers and local MPs, to advocate forsupport.The collaborative One Gippsland budget proposal focuses on critical areas

To the top: OneGippsland wasinCanberra last week, meeting with variouspolitical figures. The One Gippsland team is DavidMorcom,Jan Fitzgerald, BenGeber t, Annemarie McCabe, (front) Barr yRogersand Ian

such as transportation, renewable energy, tourism, and education.

“Leading Gippsland’s push for economic growth throughthis budget proposal is crucial work. We are at acriticaljuncturetoensure sustainable development for Gippsland’s next generation. Prioritising investment in both existing and

emerging industriesiskey for our region’slong term growth and success," Mr Bye said.

Meetings One Gippsland attended included with Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, and Assistant Ministerfor Infrastructure and Transport, Senator Carol Brown, as well as Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester. The One GippslandPre-budget Submission 2024-25 namesanumberofkey investment areas that are critical to the development of the region: transport and freight:network investment, planning and road safety; offshore wind and new energy: local and community benefitframework and hydrogen hub; tourism recovery:First Nations' cultural experience and Historic Dinosaur Trail; and education: building the skills for the future.

"Gippsland is ready for growth,but we need targeted support to unlock our full potential," Mr Bye said.

"One Gippsland urges the federal government to ensure fair allocation of resources to our region in the upcoming budget."

One Gippsland is apeak regional advocacy body representing Gippsland.

It aims to connect government, business, and community, while also collectively working together to championthe interests of the region and its people.The team comprises leaders in local government, industry and education.

Bye. Photograph supplied

Photograph

www.lvexpress.com.au

Delburn’sAIfiredetection

From Page 1

THE Pano AI system is designed to detectand locate fires early when they are small and enable response teams to put them out before they can grow into alarge and dangerous fire.

The camera usesGPS and AI technology that can very precisely provide the co-ordinates of smoke to first responders.Video from the Pano AI camera can also be used by response teams to gathercritical real time intelligence about the fire as teams mobilise.

This system aims to help emergency services detect fires faster, more accurately and to respond more quickly.

"Getting to the fire quickly and supressing it is the main aim, and minute by minute updates can be provided to fire fighters to support their response. Thisincreases the safetyfor boththe first responders and the surrounding communities," Osmi Australia said.

Before construction can start, adetailed fire mitigation and management plan will be developed by the windfarm and approved by the Country Fire Authority.

Additional fireprevention measures included in the design of the Delburn Wind Farm include:

 Built-in fire detection and suppression systems in each of the 33 wind turbines;

 All electrical cables within the wind farm will be buried underground with just 100m of above-ground connection to the existing transmission lines;

 The plantation will be cleared around the terminal station and physical barriers may be installed as an added fire protection;

 New water supplies with 5x100,000-litre water tanks, the location of which will be agreed with CFA. This is in addition to the numerous existing HVP water supplies within the plantation;

 Aminimum 50-metre vegetation free area around the base of each turbinetoprovide an asset protection zone;

 All buildings will comply with the bushfire level building codes, including the operations centre;

 Each turbine will be equipped with a lightning protection system;

 Turbines will be spaced apart by at more than double the recommendations specified by CFA: ‘turbines must be aminimum of 300 metres apart to allow firebombing aircraft to operate safely’;

 All staff permanently based at the wind farm will be fully trained CFA firefighters, and;

 The number, location and size of fire breaks within the plantationarea will increase, with additional access roads and underground cable routes allowing first responders easier access to move within the plantation.

Morwell stabbing

LATROBE Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged ateenager following an alleged incident where two people werestabbed in Morwell last Friday night (March 1).

Two men got out of avehicleand were involved in aphysical altercation with agroup of people on Church Street about 7pm.

It is alleged the 25-year-old and 18-year-old were stabbed during the incident.

The two men, both from Morwell, were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The group fled the scene on foot and were located near arailway station ashort time later.

A15-year-old Traralgon boy was arrested and has been charged with intentionally cause injury, affray,assaultwithaweapon and unlawful assault.

He will appear at achildren’s court at alater date.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV/dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crimestopperson1800333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au

Erratic driver

POLICE are appealing for witnesses who may have seen avehicle driving erratically along

PoliceBeat with Zaida Glibanovic

Bank Street, Traralgon on Tuesday, February, 27, 2024.

The grey Holden VE Commodore was driving westbound on Bank Street, Traralgon between 1.50pm and 2.30pm and is alleged to have been driving dangerously.

Anyone with informationordashcam footage is asked to notify DSC Alex Armstrong at Morwell Police on 5131 5000.

ScrubbyLane fire

THERE was two alleged arrests made in relation to ahouse fireonScrubby Lane, Traralgonthat occured on Tuesday, February 27 just before8pm the Herald Sun reported.

When emergency services arrived the Police notedthat there were two teenage girls on the scene.

The Herald Sun reported a13-year-old girl and a16-year-oldgirl were arrested and released pending summons.

Some six CFA units managed to get the fire undercontrol by 7.49pm.

Glengarry fatality

ACYCLISTdiedafter suffering fatal injuries

from acollision with acar on Bassetts Lane, Glengarry on Monday, February 26.

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives were called to the scene after the incident occurred around 11am.

The male cyclist, who is yet to be identified, was airlifted to hospital but has since died.

The driver of the vehicle stopped at the scene and assisted police with their enquiries.

The investigation remains ongoing as police attempt to narrow down the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Anyone who witnessedthe incident, has dashcam or CCTV footage or informationisurged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or make areport onlineatcrimestoppersvic.com.au

Road rage

POLICE are investigating aroad rage incident in Traralgon in the week ending February 25.

Investigators have been told the incident occurred on the Princes Highway between Kosciuszko Street and Oswald St about 1.30pm, and escalated into an assault.

Anyone whomay have witnessedthe incident or has dashcam footage is urged to contact Traralgon Police on 5172 2700.

No TraralgonBypassuntil mine rehab

By ZAIDAGLIBANOVIC

TRARALGONBypass plans are in place, but the community still waits.

The Traralgon Bypass has long been listed as an anticipated priority project,but has yet to confirm financial commitment from either state or federal governments.

The Gippsland executive director of the Department of Transportand Planning, Beth Liley said the Traralgonbypass would have to wait until the rehabilitation of the Loy Yang mine.

"We've conducted aplanning study for the proposed Traralgon Bypass, examining its economic, environmental, social, and traffic impacts, as well as its proximity to the Loy Yang open cut mine," she said.

“We need to evaluate the impact of the final rehabilitated form of the Loy Yang mine before we consider moving forward.”

Significant work was carriedout by VicRoads in the 2000s, that included apreliminary road design for the bypass route, as well as fora, fauna, economic, land use and cultural heritage assessments.

The routing was formalised in the Latrobe Planning Scheme in 2009 before thestategovernment announced $1.4millionfor bypass planning in 2017.

Regional Roads Victoriaconducted aplanning study, including community feedback on the route andinterchange locations.

The studyinvestigatedthe economic, environmental, social and traffic impacts of the bypass.

The planningstudy identified key risks concerning the viability of the bypass and the future rehabilitation of the Loy Yang Mine.

TheLatrobe ValleyRegional Rehabilitation Study hasnot yetfinalised mine rehabilitation options.

As stated by Ms Liley, until this work is completed, the impact of rehabilitation options on the approved bypass alignment cannot be determined.

Once these requirements are established, the Department of Transportand Planningsaidthey will be in abetter place to understand the implications for the future Traralgon bypass.

Latrobe City Council said the bypass would remove heavy vehicles and trafficfromthe busytown centre, improve road safety and connectivity, support economicgrowth, create jobs and improve Gippsland’s major transport route.

Federal Member for Gippsland,Darren Chester, recently reignited discussions on the proposed bypass when he challenged the federal government to commit funding to the project.

Mr Chester said this year’s state and federal budgets should prioritise the allocation of funds for the Traralgon bypass.

“The bypass is strongly supported by Latrobe City and Wellington Shire becauseitoffers road safety and productivity benefits to the transport sector,” he said.

“I havewritten to theFederalMinister for Infrastructure and Transport, Catherine King and urgedher to commitfunding for planning and design to keep the pressure on the state government which has ultimate responsibility for the highway.

Aspokeswoman for Catherine King said they will continue working with the state government on any new project proposals, which will be factoredinto normal budget and business assessments.

“The Australian government has worked and will continue to work closely with all levels of government, including Victoria, to ensure we are investing and delivering nationally significant infrastructure projects to make it easier to get around our cities and suburbs and unlock the potential of our towns and regions,” the spokeswoman said.

“The Australian government is committed to delivering the infrastructure Australia needs, creating jobs and growing the economy while not increasing pressure on inflation.

“The Australian government has established the PrincesHighway -Victoriacorridor package, which

includes $262.3 million in federal funding for 32 projects. This includes 14 projects in the Gippsland region,withthe Australian government committing $123.9 million.”

Mr Chester said he was working withhis State Parliamentary colleagues, including Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron to gather support for the Traralgon bypass,and would seek feedback from interested locals.

Though the project has been on the table for more than 30 years, some local residents aren’t exactly in favour of the freeway bypassing Traralgon.

In 2018, Latrobe City Council objected to the route W1C that the state government selected on the groundsthat it would stunt Traralgon's future development and growth.

Theproposed routeislocated south of Traralgon and was selected in 2009 by Planning Minister at the time, Justin Madden, to avoid coal deposits.

Sheep trade debate continues

NATIONALSleader David Littleproudhas called out the hypocrisy of animal activists in their attempt to shut down the live sheep export trade.

Mr Littleproud said the Greens’Billinthe Senate to phase out live sheep exports by May 1, 2026, if successful,would do nothing but transfer animal welfare standards to other countries.

“Animal activists includingthe Greens are morally bankrupt because they are valuing the welfare and the life of asheep in Australia over that of another country,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Australiahas the best standards in the world when it comes to exporting live sheep. We don't work on amortality methodology when assessing shipments.Wework on animal welfare. We can count the pants per minute of asheep and the airflowthrough aboat. “The realityis, other countries, for cultural reasons, will take this market if we're not there and those other countries have ahuge mortality rate of live sheep.

"All this will do is export animal welfare standards to other countries.

“Shutting down ourlivesheep industry will create aperverse animal welfare outcome and it is fantasy to suggest we should produce and process live sheep in Australia.”

Mr Littleproud added he challengedthose against live sheep exports to investigate boats from other countries, to show what will happen if Australia isn’t part of the industry.

“Labor is destroying the livelihoods of more than 3000 people who work in the trade and an industry worth $85 million," he said.

“The Prime Minister and his Cabinetcontinue to hide an Independent Panel Reportinto the phasing out of live sheep in Cabinet, despite pre viou sly commi ttin gt op rov idi ng more certainty by the end of 2023.

“It is becomingmore and more obvious that Labor doesn’t want to release its so-called scientificand economic evidence because it simply doesn’texist.”

The Latrobe Valley Express,

Ongoing issue: Aproposed routefor the Traralgon bypass wasrejected in 2018 amidfearsitwould stunt the town’s future development. File photograph

Crossword Puzzle No.8576

ONE POINTERS

1. If all the states/territories of Australia wereplaced in alphabetical order,which one would be last?

2. Which astronomer is name dropped in the Queen song ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’?

3. What is the name of the coffee shop in the sitcom ‘Friends’?

4. What current do batteries produce?

TWO POINTERS

5. In2023, Twitter was rebranded to what?

6. Shinto is the native belief system in which Asian country?

7. What musical based on a1993 movie is currently playing at the Princess TheatreinMelbour ne?

8. In ‘Breaking Bad’ what is Walter White’sprofession?

THREEPOINTERS

9. True or false. Singer Billie Eilish’sfullname is Billie Eilish Pirate BairdO’Connell?

10. What country’sname starts with an ‘F’ and has acapital city that starts with an ‘H’? One point for each correct answer

11. How many sides does aheptagonhave?

12. In what part of the body would you find Alveoli?

FOUR POINTERS

13. Which legendary surrealist artist is famous for painting melting clocks?

14. What gives hair its colour?

FIVE POINTER

15. I’ll give you the name of five songs and you give me the original artist/s who performed them? One point for each correct answer

1. Money For Nothing

2. Coal Miner’sDaughter

3. Boys Light Up

4. Love Yourself

5. Walk Like An Egyptian

HOW DID YOU FARE?

37+: Topofthe class; 30-36: Outstanding; 23-29: Well done; 15-22: Solid effort; 9-14: Room for improvement; 0-8: Hit the books.

Milljobslikelytobe lost amid transition

By PHILIP HOPKINS

MORE jobs are likely to be lost at the Maryvale PaperMill,where more than300 workers have already been made redundant as the parent company, Opal,continues amajor shutdown to transition to apackaging paper manufacturer.

Whitepaper production -the well-knownReflex copy paper brand -ceased before Christmas, 2023.

"Thisunfortunate situationhas led to more than 300 redundancies to-date at Opal,"acompany spokeswoman said.

"Employmentnumbers at Maryvalemillhave not yet reached asettled level as Opal continues to work through arange of challenges during this difficult transition."

The Maryvale mill is being reconfigured from threepulpplantstotwo pulp plants after EPA Victoria approved the process in January. The Continuous Kraft Pulp Mill (CKM) is being converted from eucalypt to pine as akey element for the mill transition to 100 per cent brown packaging.

The CKM will take over the production of pine pulp from the Batch Mill, which in turn will be de-commissioned. Opal says the CKM's pulping technology will improve product quality, process stability and efficiency.

"The conversion will also reduce environmental impacts including water and energyusage as well as odour sources," the spokeswoman said.

Opal will mainly use pine pulp, combined with somehardwood pulp,toproducethe brownpackaging.The hardwood, previously sourced from native hardwood residues, comesfrom HVPPlantations. HVP is the only supplier of eucalypt wood to the Maryvale site.

Now, theHVP pulp wood is processed through the Neutral Sulphate Semi Chemical (NSSC) pulp mill. "Themill doesn't require additional eucalypt

volumes to operate the NSSC mill," the spokeswoman said.

Previously, the state government had an agreement to supplyAustralianPaper with 350,000 cubic metres of hardwood pulp annually from 201011 to 2029-30. Due to bushfires, third-party court challenges from environmentalistsand political decisions,this was reduced to about 50,000m3 before the industry closure on January 1, 2024.

The plant changes began last month. Opal said the successful implementation of thesechanges would underpin the future of the Maryvale site.

"Opal remains committed to achieving long-term, sustainable operations for the Maryvale site, in the interest of our team members, the environment andthe community," the company said.

The Maryvale mill processes more than 800,000 tonnes of pine annually and sources its pine logs from HVP Plantations in Gippsland. HVP processes pine logs from its harvestingoperations to produce arangeofproducts. It delivers the contracted quantities of pulp log quality wood directly from the harvest site to the Maryvale mill.

The spokeswoman said HVP was the key strategic long-term woodsupply partner for the Maryvale mill into the future. In 2022, HVP received $120 million from the state government to buy private land in Gippsland on which to establish new softwood(pine) forestry plantations. It was the key projecttofuelVictoria's transitionfromnative forest to aplantations-based industry.

HVP will also contributeasimilar amount to buy the land, prepare thesites andplant andcare for the trees, creating atotal investment of $240 million. The deal involves HVP establishing about 14,450 hectares of new pine plantations over the next 10 years.

For further information, visit the website opalanz.com/news-media/

McSweeney,

Need for openness and accountability

AFTER reading arecent letter to the Express about local issues ('Letters should be more local issues', LVE Opinion 07/02/24), Iasked my friends about the Traralgon bypass,and low and behold, an article appears on Page 2ofthe Express(28/02/24) about the bypass.

Iwas involved for eight years with acommunity group trying to geta bypass of both Wallan and Kilmore when Ilived in Kilmore.

The Labor governmentannounced aWestern bypass for Kilmore in 2014.

Ten years later and not ashovel has hit the ground.

Ithought10years wasbad,but the Traralgon bypass hasbeen 'discussed' for the past 30 years. How can any communityoutside of Metropolitan Melbourne get any funding when we have so much political secrecy?

In 2009, former Minister Lyn Kosky locked away the documents relating to the construction of the $700 million Southern Cross Station until 2058. Now funding and everything about the Suburban Rail Link is cloaked in secrecy.

On October 30,2019 TheWeeklyTimes posted an articleabout thesecrecy surrounding fine fuel loads and fire risk.

This was afte rt he Bl ack Satur day Roy al Commission clearlysayingthat Victoriamust have an annual fuel reduction target to keep the fuel load at alow level.

The state government abandoned that crucial goal, instead opting for acomputer-modelled measure of "residual risk".

The former head of CSIRO'sbushfire research unit, Phil Cheney, branded residual risk a"load of BS".

Thanks to the state government, the cost to access the fire-risk maps for all Victorian regionsorindeed any FOI information is cost-prohibitive.

Now we have bushfires in Western Victoria.

So much for the state Labor governmentpromising 'openness and accountability' before getting elected when none exists today.

Brian Mawhinney

Traralgon

Tone of the argument

THANK you, Oliver Bergens, ('Say No More', 28/02/24), for the 'none otherthan' build up. I'll take it as acompliment, even though I'm sure it wasn't intended as such.

Since much of my previous letter, to which you refer, was spent quoting you, it seems reasonable to assume yourdescriptors of "negative", "over the top",and "diatribe" may apply aptly to your own contribution, aview which appears to be supported by Noel Burrows, "Sickand Tired..." (LVE Opinion, 21/02/24).

Iconcur that the four contributors you mention do indeed cover local issues, and more power to them, but you don't, and you're not local.

Doesn't the 'Dandenong Star Journal'have an opinion page?

Patricia Correa may well be "spoton" regarding the local hospital, but how would you know?

Because Patricia says so? And it's our local hospital, not yours.

Ispent 50 years attempting to teach children values such as balance, tolerance, fairness and respect, so Patricia's wish that "the youngergeneration" should read Oliver's letters just makes me wince.

The reasonswhy youngpeoplegenerally take no interest in politicsare many and varied, but narrowand disrespectful views from our generation do not help.

The irony of my "counter productive" comment lasttimeisthatsome may be inclined to agree with views expressed,but areturned off by the unrelenting, narrow, intolerant and immature rhetoric.

There may well be "real facts and truths" to be revealed, Oliver, but don't kid yourself that wisdom is exclusive to "the believers".

John Duck Trafalgar

Adding up

PRIOR to the last federal elections,our Labor PM pushed his vision for Australia to become a renewable energysuperpowerwhich in turn would result in Australia becoming amanufacturing powerhouse, creating more than 600,000 jobs and reducing our power bills by $275 per year.

However, it is becoming more and more apparent that the cost and logistics of transitioningtonet zero reveals that our nation’s experimental path to weather basedenergy is not the ‘Yellow Brick Road’ that our politicians would have us believe it to be.

In 2028 we’ll see the closure of the first of our two Victorian coal fired power stations, Yallourn W, which supplies 1450 MW or 20 per cent of our state’s electricity needs and directly employs 400 locals.

To replace this shortfall using wind power, for instance, we’ll need either 483 x3MW land based wind turbines at acost of $3 million each, or 97 x 15 MW units at $10+ million for offshore.

Unfortunately,wind turbines on average only produce one third of their rated power due to fluctuations in wind speed and direction, so we’ll need to increase these numbers threefold to 1450 or 290 towers respectively just to meet existingneeds.

These numbers would be considerably added to further when Loy Yang Acloses in 2035.

What ablightonour ocean vistas these will be and ahazard to migratory bird routes which pass through these locations.

I’m wondering why the Victorian Greens -who are stillbaskinginthe successoftheir campaignto shutdown our state’s nativetimber industry- have been strangelysilentabout the removal of the huge amounts of forest timber in order to construct the transmission tower easements from these coastal power locations to the Loy Yang or Hazelwood switchyards?

In my mind, the most effective and quickest solution to overcoming the power ‘black hole’ that is inevitable after 2028 would be to adopt Senator Pauline Hanson’s policy of upgrading existing coal plants to the HELE (High Efficiency Low Emissions) system.

Areplacement for Loy Yangwould take 4-6 years to build at acost of $5 billion and would produce 30 per cent less carbon.

Better still, it would produce cheap,reliable round the clock power for all Victorians.

Greg Hansford Newborough

Rockyroads

NOT digressing from the great work that Darren Chester achieved with the dual highway between Traralgon and Sale, but Iwould query the question of aTraralgon bypass Traralgonhas spreadout to Marshalls Roadand alongthe Glengarry Rd and other estates, therefore traffic in Traralgon has increased over the years, of that there is no doubt.

The times that Ihave travelled to Sale, once you getpastthe lastroundabout borderingTraralgon, the traffic becomes very minimal.

Aroad counter beyond this roundabout would showifthe heavy traffic in Traralgon is dueto passing traffic or town traffic, Ifeel thatthe money would be better spent on improving our potholed roads.

The Old Melbourne Rd between Traralgon and Morwell is the worst Ihave seen in 50 years and that is only one example of Gippsland roads.

Patricia Correa

Traralgon

Nuclear non-compliant

THE Liberal National Party Coalition have been promoting nuclear energy as away of providing cheap, low emissions electricity.

While this would help to lessen the need for construction of new transmission lines across parts of rural Australia,the notion of cheaper electricity forAustralianscan only be amyth.

Wind and solar farms are routinelysigningpower purchase agreements for around $60 per MWh now. This may increase to $100 per MWh by 2030.

Quoting areport from the CSIRO (Gencost Report 2022), AEMO has stated thatnuclear-generated electricitywouldcost Australians $200 to $350 per MWh. This is at least double or possibly four times as expensive as renewable energy.

The myth of SmallModular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs) also needs to be exposed.

The only one operating at present is in China and the program has not been expanded.

The USA, Canada, France and Japan have also expressed adesire for SMR technology in thepast, but have now backed away because of the cost.

The Gencost report found that asmall reactor typically costs as much as $16,000per kilowatt-hour to build, 50 to 100 per cent more than large-scale nuclear.

The truth is that the smaller the unit is, the less efficient it becomes.

Uranium is also anon-renewable resource and the world possibly has only60years worth of it left at present usage rates.

It is also not carbon neutral as fossil fuels are needed to mine the uranium,process it and transport it. Not to mention nuclear waste which needs to be stored in acool, ventilated placefor hundreds of thousands of years.

Finally afew case studies from overseas.

Hinkley CinEngland, decision to build in 2009 to open in 2025 at acost of £18 billion. Now will open in 2031 at alikely cost of £48 billion.

Olkiluoto in Finland. Decision to buildin2005 to open in 2009 at acost of €3 billion. Began operating in 2023 and the final cost would be €11billion according to the 2019World Nuclear Industry Report.

These are countries that already had an existing nuclear power industry.

Idon’t see thatAustralia, without an existing nuclear industry, could avoidsimilardelays and cost over-runs. One would have to be mad to claim that you are aresponsible manager of the economy and back nuclear electricity for Australia.

But Peter Dutton and Barnaby Joyce probably already have that box ticked.

Dan Caffrey

Traralgon

What acatch

MAYBEI should go fishing with Oliver Bergens, he sure knows how to catch them hook, line and sinker.

His February 7letter ('Where to next?') ending "Looking forward to anegative and vitriolic, diatribe response,"sure got that outofJohnDuck.

Ihad hoped with the New Year that John might come back with ahappier demeanour, alas it appears not.

John's letter 'Infinite loop' (21/02/24) describing Oliver Berger's as "Inhis own inimitable and inelegantly loquacious (talkative) way". Well John, we may all be guilty of that depending on our own personal views, even you.

It also appears that Pat Correa hasn't been spared atiradeeither.

Ipresume it is her that John is referring to ("time to reach for the dictionary Patricia"). If it is then John, it's time to lift your game, in football terminology:Play the ball and not the man/woman

Nowhere in your rant of aletter from February 21, did you put up any logical or factual response to anything said by Bergens. No logical counter arguments, only asmugvitriolic attempt of character assassination. Either you didn'thavethe answers to counter Bergens, or he hit araw nerve. Knowing from your letter writing John that you are quite an articulate and intelligent man, Iexpected better from you.

Looking forward to more letters from you in the paper without the aggro and all the best for 2024.

Neil Reid

Traralgon

Missed opportunity

ISHARE Carmen Giddens’ outrage that Latrobe City Council failed to organise any events to celebrate Australia Day this year ('Day to celebrate', 21/02/24).

This follows their disgraceful failure to organise anyeventsorinitiatives to celebrate The Queen of Australia’s Platinum Jubilee or the Coronation of King Charles III as King of Australia.

Ihaveeven tried emailing individual councillors and the Mayor on occasions, but haveonlyever received perfunctory replies stating that they will 'look into it' or wordstothat effect-inreality, a pretext for doing nothing at all.

The sad reality is that ourelected councillors are mostly amoebic automatons with no independent capacity for thought or action, and instead totally reliant on being told what to do by the council bureaucracy, which prefers to pander to noisy left-wing extremists who hate Australian culture and heritage.

Nicholas Tam Traralgon East

Have your say

THE Latrobe Valley Express welcomes letters to the editor.

Preferencewillbegiventobrief, concise letters which address local issues.

The editor Liam Durkin, reserves the right to edit letters for reasons of space and clarity, and may refuse to publish any letter without explanation.

The Express does not publish letters from anonymous contributors.

Letters mustinclude aphone number, email address and the author's hometown for purposes of substantiating authenticity.

Readers are entitled to aright of replytoa letter directed at them.

While healthy debate is encouraged, the editor will use his discretion if he believes letters are becoming slagging matches between writers.

The views expressed in letters to the editor are thoseofthe writers, and do notnecessarily reflect the views of Latrobe Valley Express management or staff.

The letters section is designed to allow people to have their say, and not be hijacked for political agendas.

Email letters to news@lvexpress.com.au and include 'letter to the editor'inthe subject line. Deadline for letters is Thursday 3pm.

Aims to improve healthcare

COMMENT

BY SENATORRAFFCICCONE

WE all know that it can be challenging to get an appointment to seeadoctor -particularly in rural and regional Australia.

In the previous Parliament, Federal Labor established aSenate inquiry to examine the GP shortage -includingthe Coalition’s Medicarerebate freeze -and to make sure everyone has access to quality health care regardless of where they live.

Since the election of 2022, the Albanese government has implemented severalpoliciestomake our health system more affordable and accessible.

We implemented asignificant cuttothe maximum cost of aprescription on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, reducing it from $42.50 to $30.

We havegiven doctors the option to provide 60-day prescriptions, and more than 600,000 of these scripts have already been issued.

The Albanese government has also tripled the incentivefor doctorstobulk bill pensioners, concession cardholders and children under 16, which has resulted in an increasedavailability of bulk billing in every state and territory.

Overall, Australians are on track to save more than $250 million on medicines by the end of the year.

But we know that the availability of doctors is still asignificant issue.

That’s why we announced an investment of $90 million in six new medical school programs in rural communities.

The investment will build medical classrooms,

equipment and facilities, as well as provide up to 80 new medical Commonwealth Supported Places

These placements will be matched by universities that must redirect an equivalent number of their existing placements to the six new rural programs.

Evidence shows that doctors who train in rural and regional Australiaare more likely to stay and practise in the regions after they graduate, and the investment will also bring economic and social benefits to regional Australia through the increasednumberofstaff and students living and workinglocally.

While implementing this policy we are also conducting the Working Better for Medicare Review. The Review will look at how current policies and programs can be strengthened to make it easier to see adoctor, nurse or other health worker in the outer suburbs of our major cities and in regional, rural and remote Australia.

When Federal Labor came to government, nine yearsofcutsand neglecttoMedicaremeantit had never been harder or more expensive to see a doctor, particularlyfor people in regional Victoria

But through our policies to provide cheaper medicines, record funding for bulk billing, and investment in medical training in rural communities,the Albanesegovernment is restoring the affordability and accessibility of our health system

Senator Raff Ciccone is aLabor Senator for Victoria. He is Deputy Government Whip in the Senate.

Leader: Senator Raff Ciccone (second from right) pictured during avisit to Traralgon in 2022.

File photograph

Acres of spuds gone after storm

By ZAIDAGLIBANOVIC

THE Cummaudo family says the storm that flattened MirbooNorth on February 13 was unlike anything they've ever seen.

wiring scattered around the property, Tony can’t begin to clean up in fear of his health with arisk of asbestos.

“I just want that security before Istart touching stuff,”hesaid.

worse of all, the hail damage has hit 65 acres and basically wiped them out,” he said.

The family potato farm sufferedthe biggest damage they have ever experienced since it was established in 1959 by potato patriarch Tom Cummaudo.

With 30 acres of crops gone, infrastructure damage, and ahomelost, the Cummaudos are doing it tough.

South Gipps land soil ha sb een prod ucing Victoria’s best produce, but manyfarmers in Mirboo North face compromised yields following the storm.

The crop on the Cummaudo farm is about 60 days old and is normally grown to around 120 days. The storm ragedthroughtownasthe potatoesreached only halfway throughanormal growingcycle, leaving this year's harvestwith much smaller potatoes and the owners with ahuge loss.

Tony Cummaudo, second-generation farmer and managing director at the farm, said the storm had caused havoc on the family business, losing30 acres of potatoes.

At around $500 to $600 for atonne of potatoes and starring at abarrelofaround 12 to 13-tonne loss to the acre due to undersized and damaged crop, the Cummaudos are uncertain of what this year’s harvest will look like.

The hail that came with the storm was the real culprit behind the damage -some the size of golf balls came through and laid waste to the plants. The leaves that provide energy and nutrients for the plant were severely damaged.

TheteamatCummaudo Farms were on damagecontrol immediately after the storm, as they sprayed fertiliser and afungicide and added extra nitrogen in an attempt to getthe leavestore-shoot

“It’s sort of likeachemo forcancer -itain’t gonna cure it,” Tony said.

All the Cummaudos can do is sit and wait with no reassurance that the extra money, time, love and care into the crop will yield any benefits.

“We won’t know until we harvest it -wewon’t know how they’ll come out like,” Tony added.

The potatoes damaged on the Cummaudo property were processing potatoes, and Tony is unsure if the processors will take the undersized potatoes as they still have to meet certain crop standards.

The crop damage was just the tip of the iceberg for Tony, as his home was left depleted after the storm.

“I was five (kilometres) awayfrom my house on the north side of Mirboo North and Iseen the storm coming in -Iwould’ve just thought it was atad worsethan anormal storm …nothing to worry about,” he said.

“I didn’trealise until 10 minutes later when I got aphone call saying my house roof was gone.

“When Itried going into town and therewere trees down everywhere,Iknew thenitskyrocketed into something more severe.”

With shards of the tin roof blown 50 metres away from its original placeand with insulation and

Potatopatriarch: TomCummaudosaid the stormonTuesday, Februar y13causedthe most damage the Mirboo Nor th farm has ever seen sinceitwas establishedmorethan 60 yearsago

Photographs: Zaida Glibanovic

Though Tony’s insurer has assessed the damage and secured atemporary tarp (tarpaulin)overthe house, the hail has significantly damaged the home where Tony had raised his family.

“The lounge room in particular -itjust stunk Idon’t know if the TV and all that work in there because they all got wet, and we haven’t gotten power in there since,” he said.

Tony is concerned about potential mould but cannot begin clearing his family farmhouse until the roof is tested for asbestos.

Tony hasn’t hadthe time to worry about his home; he is now renting aplace in town; his main priority is keeping the spuds goingtomaintain the family’s livelihood.

When speaking about how much damage he had sustained to his property, Tony said he couldn’t say, butheexpects the cost to be extensive.

“You either laugh or cry -you gotta stay positive ‘causesomanythingscan happen,”Tony said through awry smile.

In true Mirboo North spirit, Tony faced his challengeswith asunny disposition,not willing to bend to the extent of the storm's force.

Despite doingittough at the moment, the Cummaudo family has leanedoneach other for support.

“It’sgood to get ideas from each other, support each other, bring each other up,” he said.

The storm brought down gigantic gums and pine trees over the fence line, causing significant damage to private property. Tony said he would like to see some support from the state government in terms of clearing farmland and fencing, with the cost of the storm on day-to-day farmers already insurmountable.

“You know the wish list -itwould be nice to get something on my yield of potatoes, but Iknow that’s not going to happen,” he said.

Agriculture Victoria has been in touch with local farmers, but has not announced any type of financial support for those struggling after the disaster.

Agriculture Victoria told the Express that they have sought outlocal industry and networks attempting to understandthe impacts of the storm.

An Agriculture Victoriaspokesperson saidthe focus in the firstweekafter the stormwas helping farmers restore essential services and collecting informationonthe impacts on rurallandholders.

Landholders are encouraged to report agriculture loss and damage due to the storms by using the online impact assessmentformonthe Agriculture Victoria website.

The Cummaudos are certainly not alonein their struggles; another local potato grower, Paul Giardina, also experienced significant crop loss.

“The storm, when it hit, it hit quite hard.We had alot of hail and wind, and it’s damaged the shed, infrastructure, pine trees along fencing, and

Rain,rain, go away: The hail leftpotatoplants unable to grasp energy from theleaves.

“The stuff that was planted at 60 days was belted; it's green,but it was belted; it’s sort of doing nothing. Therest of the paddock, which is about 75 percent, is whippedout; there’snothing there, it’s just all dead.”

“Becauseofthe wind and hail wassohard,it has exposed spuds …everything it has exposed hasgot holes in it.”

Mr Giardina told the Express he wasfrustrated with the lack of assistance from the industry, as he too, is facing ahuge loss to his livelihood.

“There’s no assistance Iknow that’s coming our wayfor farmers,” he said.

“Unfortunately, we’re in asituation where Idon’t think we’re getting looked at -we’re bypassed.”

“There’s not much negotiation; all Igotta do is try and salvage what we sort of can -unfortunately, the size isn’t gonna be there -these were late, late planted, so they’re gonna be on asmall size.Small sizeisless money, which in turnisless income -so it’s tough going.”

Known to be self-sufficient and resourceful, these farmershave hadnotimetodwell on the past month's events and have moved on with getting the job done.

Priding themselves on their produce, Tony and Paul have no choice but to 'get up and get on with it' as they would say, but things are certainly not getting any easier for local producers.

“It’s getting harder and harder and harder the thing is you’ve got rising costs, and produce is really stable,sothe last thing we need is an event like this where it actually wiped us out to a degree,” Paul said. These farmers need to continue to pay the wages of the local workforce, and they still need to put bread on the table for themselves and their families.

Although it’s ajuggling act, the two generational farmers stand tall in the face of adversity, ready to pick up the pieces and do it all again for next season.

Right now, they’rejust hopingthis once-in-ahundred-year storm doesn’tcomebacktobite them again.

Some relief has come, as the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) announced last week the opening of aDisasterRelief Fund, with payments of up to $5000.

The Victorian Farmers Federation Disaster Relief Fund(VFFDRF) wasestablished in 1994 to assist farmers who suffer loss as aresult of flood or other natural disaster.

The VFFDRFCommittee will oversee the collection of donations,assessmentofapplications, approval and distribution of individual grants to farmers up to the value of $5000 for impacts from storm or bushfire events that occurred from February 9, 2024.

Applications and donations can be accessed online at vff.org.au/vffdisasterrelieffund/ and will be openuntilthis Sunday, March10.

Struggle: Paul Giardina said his familyfarm wasalso‘doing it tough’ following the storm’s destruction lastmonth.

Target Time No.0199

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Carnage: Tony Cummaudo of CummaudoFarms said thehail laid wasteto30acres of potatoes

Photograph: Zaida Glibanovic

Providingrelieffor recent storm

THE Gippsland EmergencyRelief Fund (GERF)is continuingtoprovide emergency financial help to Gippsland residents hit by the recent storm event.

GERF President,Andy Tegart,saidthe focus had been on supporting those whose property was uninhabitable or had suffered severe damage.

"Weare also ensuring that vulnerable residents such as the elderly and those with special needs are provided with prompt support,” he said.

GERF receives referrals from the relevant local shire or cityand so far, more than30families across Gippsland have been provided with financial assistance.

Donations to the GERFStormAppeal are standing above $256,000 and already more than $130,500 has been distributed.

Mr Tegart said GERF was working very closely with local government recovery teams.

"Weexpectthere will continuetobea regular

stream of referrals over the next week or two, so GERF will continuetorely on the generosity of donors large and small. This event could eventually see up to $500,000 in disbursements,” he said.

GERF has been supportedbyalarge rangeof individual donors, some large corporate donations and awide range of local community groups, who have provided also donations.

"We are particularly grateful to Ausnet Services $100,000 and Community Bank Mirboo North $50,000 for their substantial donations. All these magnificentdonations willassist families right across Gippsland," Mr Tegart said.

Donations to the appeal can be easily made via the GERF website (gerf.org.au) and all donations over $2.00 are tax deductible.

GERFhas been supportingGippsland residents affected by natural disaster since 1978 and is run completely by volunteers.

Funding needed for CFA

THE Nationals have again called for funding for aMirboo North CFA station upgrade in the May state budget.

Speakinginstate Parliament,Member for GippslandSouth, DannyO’Brien andMember for Eastern Victoria Region,Melina Bath reminded the state government of the desperate need for an upgraded Mirboo North fire station.

The current station was built in 1978 with an annex extension added in 1995 that was wholly funded by volunteers and the community.

“The station is antiquated -there’s significant occupational health and safetyissuesincluding vehicle appliance doors which cannot be opened at the same time and firefighters are forced to squeeze into their trucks,” Ms Bath said.

“The storms that ripped through Mirboo North during February highlighted the critical role CFA volunteers playasfirstrespondersinlocal emergencies.

“Thetown wasessentiallycut offduringthe storm and itsaftermath and CFA volunteers were the heroes, afact the Premier was happy to recognise at apress conference.

“Making public safety ap riority, brigade members rallied with chainsaws to remove trees and open up access roads -they even set up their own‘starlink’ satelliteunit for communications, borrowed from the home of avolunteer.”

During her debate, Ms Bath acknowledged Mr O’Brien, for his persistent advocacy on behalf of the Mirboo North brigade.

“Danny O’Brienfirst called for anew CFA station in 2015 and since that time The Nationals have voiced the need for this community infrastructure upgradenoless than 15 times in Parliament," she said.

“Mirboo North CFA volunteers continue to play akey role during Gippsland’s emergencies from bushfire to storms and it’s time they were rewarded.

"The Premier is prepared to acknowledge Mirboo North CFA volunteersinwords -but the best way she could show her gratitude is to action funding for afit-for-purpose station in this year’s budget.”

Busting amove at the Boolarra Folk Fest

By KATRINA BRANDON

‘LET'S get folky’ was this year's theme for the Boolarra Folk Festival.

The festival's 21st instalment was held last Friday and Saturday (March 1and 2).

Thousands of people came to enjoy the event, which was full of food, market stalls, and music.

TheFriday night event was held at the Boolarra Memorial Hall, with music from acts such as Steph Fischer-Ivancsy and The Bad Jackets, Strzelecki Stringbusters,Paul Buchman’s Voodoo Preachers andSmokin’ DogJohnson.

The second day saw people branch out between the market in Railway Park, and watchingvarious musos in action on the stage portion at Centennial Park. There, attendees picnicked and lounged

around listening to talented musicians who came from local areas and Melbourne.

For early visitors, people got to wander through the market,which opened at 10am,with the pleasure of the lack of lines, while Invy Horn Jam, Boolarra Primary School kids and Steve Schulz Drumming Circle got ready to start their set at 10.30am. There were multiple stalls at the market, including plants, tattoos, food, soaps, candles,metal ornaments, readings, bags and cigar box-electric guitars.

For those who had missed the earlier sessions or wanted to play, there was busking sessions available within the market, which sparked lots of interest and the ringing of Bella Ciao played by the Invy Horn Jam throughout the market.

Parking was packed. Some people parked between the trees and the streets, while others ventured down to the Boolarra Recreation Reserve, where people could wait or be taken to the event via the Mirboo North Shuttle Bus service.

Camping down for the day, most people stayed at the festival stage, enjoying the musicians and, later on, dancing with the bands. There was a lot of excitement throughoutthe day, spreading throughthe crowds.DuringTodd Cookand the Rufous Whistlers, they shared exciting news that they had anew single to share.

“We were working on it on Tuesday and weren’t quite sure if we were going to finish it before the festival,” Todd said.

“I’m glad we could finish it and share it with the crowd today. It’s such agreat turnout!”

The freefestival brought young and old together, much to the delight of attendees.

“It’s agreat festival, and the organisers have done agreat job,” festival visitor, Rosaline La Vie said. “It’s very laid back and wonderful. It is amazing to think that it is in its 21st year.”

Towards the end of the festival, the market packed up so everyone could enjoy the music and relax or party to Yarram duo Ally Row and Latrobe Valley band Hip Pockets.

Before the event, Danny Eddy from Hip Pockets told the Express the Boolarra Folk Festival is like one giant party. Well, the 21st celebration brought out its biggest yet.

Photographs:

Dance: Therewas cause forcelebrationatBoolarra Folk Festival.

Jazzy: Invy HornJam busking away at the BoolarraFolk Festival.

Inventive: Milan Paskas at the event forthe firsttime with hiscigar boxguitarsfor sale

Katrina Brandon

Track: Mar tin Potts, Todd Cook andBrent Hodgkins of Todd Cook andthe Rufous Whistlersreleased anew singleduring thefolk festival.

WhatisInternational Women’sDay?

International Women’sDay is celebrated annually on the 8th of March.

It is aday whereall women arerecognised for their achievements and highlights the right for women to participate equally in economic, political and community life free from discrimination and harassment.

The United Nations started celebrating IWD in 1977 with adifferent themeeachyear focusing on gender inequality and reform.

The themes have included reproductive rights, promoting women’sleadership, preventing violence against women and encouraging equal access to work, education and training.

The campaign theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is InspireInclusion.

When we inspireotherstounderstand and value women’sinclusion, we forge abetter world.

And when women themselves areinspiredtobe included, there’sasense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.

Collectively,let’sforge amoreinclusive world for women.

WhyisIWD Important?

Women should feel free to participate in all aspects of life free from violence, discrimination or harassment.

Sadly,women in Gippsland remain disproportionally disadvantaged by the gendered impacts of health, wellbeing and safety inequality

Gippsland women continue to experience some of the worst rates of family violence in the state and areconsistently disadvantaged by lack of access to quality women’ssexual and reproductive health care, services and information.

Gippsland women are50percent morelikely to experience homelessness and represent higher than the state average for obesity,anxiety depression and harmful drinking.

International Women’sDay provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the issues affecting local women and what we can all do to make a difference.

Moreimportantly,itisareminder that we must improve how we recognise women for their achievements and contributions within our communities.

What can youdoto participate?

AmplifyWomen’s Voices

Celebrate the women in your organisation and in the community by showcasing their achievements. With the focus on economic empowerment this year,highlight the progress your organisation has made towards achieving pay equity andincreasing women’sleadership opportunities.

Be Inclusive

Ensurethatyou arelistening to arange of diverse women’svoices.

Make your events accessible and affordable so that everyone has achance to attend and participate.

Youcan make your digital communications more accessible by using plain and simple language, using alternative text for imagesand using captions on videos and videoconferencing. Youcould also consider financial literacy workshops.

LearnMore

Gippsland Women’sHealthoffersarangeof learning and development options tobuild the capacity of their partners.

Strategic focus areas are:

•Gender Equality

•Gendered Violence Prevention

•Sexual and Reproductive Health

•Mental Health and Wellbeing

•Women in aChanging Society

Get in touch to see how they can supportyou to meet the needs of your workforce,communityand otherstakeholders at admin@gwhealth.asn.au

InvolveMen

Gender equality is notjust awomen’sissue. Involve men from all parts of the community as active and equal partners in supporting gender equality initiatives.

Men play apivotal role and can demonstrate their commitment to gender equality by challenging sexist language and behaviour; promoting women’sdecision making and leadership; actively listening towomen’sperspectives, challenging disrespecttowards women,and challenging the condoning of violence against women.

Host an OrangeRound

The Orange Roundisan opportunity for sports

clubs to show their supportfor gender equality and violence prevention.

Clubs areencouraged to consider how they can make their spaces moregenderequitable, while also challenging traditional gender roles in their organisation.

Thereare two Orange Rounds per year: Feb/ March for summer sports and July for winter sports.

For moreinformation see:

www.gippsport.com.au/orange-round

Have conversations about Gender Equality

Hereare some ideastoget the conversation going:

•WhatdoesInternational Women’sDay mean to you?

•Whatcan we do to make our community safer for women?

•Doeseveryone in your household spend the same amount of time on housework?

•How do you organise the finances in your household?

•How do you recognise and celebrate diversity in your community?

•Whatqualities do you value in aleader?

Arethey traditionally moremasculine or feminine qualities?

•How can we callout sexism when we see it?

Nothingisimpossible: Could asumo wrestler skateboard? Sumo SkateinMoe sayswhy not.The Moebusinessisone of manyintowngiven theBechaz treatment withamural

Lion’spride: Moe South Street PrimarySchool mural.

Creative: Moeembracing its inner Simpsons.

Colour: Moe’smighty murals will be celebrated next week at theShowMe SomeArt Festival. File photographs

Traralgon’s big RCHfundraiser

By KATRINA BRANDON

EVERYBODY loves agood auction, especially when it goes towards helping someone or something.

This Sunday (March 10), Our Kinda Country INC (OKC)isholding afundraiser for the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Theevent is beingheld at the Royal Exchange HotelinTraralgon from 12pm onwards.

People can come to eat, drinkand chat during the eventwhile listening to musicfrom many performers. Performers such as MC Bill Rowley, Chris Newman, Margaret and Linton, BrainBarker, BryceWright, EvanPlatschinda, Margaret Wilson, Helen and Wayne, and Karla Clancy will play on the day.

This will be the 13th time that OKC will be holding the event.

OKC member Dawn O’Connellsaid, “We started doing Rosedale once amonth, and that fellover, so we came here. We have about 20 baskets.”

An auction will be held in the afternoon, and everything has to go, according to Ms O’Connell.

Primarily, Our Kinda Country raises money for the Kidney Foundation and the Royal Children’s Hospital, butthis is their most significant event of theyear

“It is awhole communitything. Traralgon WestFireBrigade hasalso been fundraising long beforewestarted.It’s agreat history of people and community working together,” Ms O’Connell said.

The baskets at the event will be filledwith chocolates, Easterbunniesand other funthings connected with the holiday special.

100 candles for Catherine

By KATRINA BRANDON

LIVING with the fondest memories of growing up on afarm, aresident at Mitchell House in Morwell, Catherine Brown, turned 100 on Monday (March 4).

Catheri ne grew up on an 80-acre farm in Woodendwithher mother and three siblings until she found her husband.Then, she movedtothe Latrobe Valley and started her own family.

“It was lovely. We had about 80 acres, but that was when Ilived with my mother. My husband workedupatthe quarry withhis uncle.When the quarry closed, my husband had ahome built on the main street,” Catherine said.

On the farm, Catherine used to help milk the cows and carry buckets of milk to the dairy. She toldthe Express that she enjoyedthe farm life with her family, whether with the cows, growing potatoes or watching the Melbourne folk come down during the mushroom season.

Shesaid, “I loved milking the cows. Ireckon I could still do it”.

“People from Melbourne would come up during the mushrooming time and walk all over the farm to get mushrooms because they were so popular. What mum never liked about them was that they would leave the gate open, and the animals would get out. Shesaidthat the people of Melbourne don’t understand farm life.”

Catherine’s mother was given acup for the ‘best potato of theyear’ during one potato season.

Catherinetold the Express that her mum had to make aspeechonastage with stairs, and she was abit worriedwhether her mum would be alright getting them down.

“I sat down, listening to her, and thought Iwould have to go around there and see if she could come down without falling. Iwalked around, and sure enough, she felldown thosesteps.She wasn’t hurt Those were good days.”

After afew years of living nearby, Catherine met her husband, Bob, at acountry dance. He had a job up in Melbournebut hadthe sudden call to go to his father after an accident. Having to help out on the farm, Bob spent much time in the area andthen went to thedance, where they soon met

“Wemet going to adance. As one of those things you say, it was meant to be. We met through going to the country dance. He was agood dancer, and Iwasn’t too bad, but he was alovelydancer,” Catherine said.

Lively: 100-year-old Catherine Brownat Mitchell House,Morwell.

Photograph: Katrina Brandon

After being together for awhile, Bob and Catherine moved to Gippsland, even with the disapproval of Catherine’s mother.

“WhenBob moveduphere, my mother wasn’t tookeen on that, taking me away from home. He was marvellous. He would take me up every week to Woodend to see her for eight years. We would go up Saturday morning and sleep with mum that night, and he would go to his mother’splace. Then, he would pick me up, and we would drive back to Gippsland again. That was afour-hour drive. Right through Melbourne, but we did it for eight years until she died.”

Bob died in 2009, leaving Catherine, their four children, and close to 10 grandchildren and their great-grandchildren behind.

While Catherine can no longer do most of her hobbies,such as cooking and playing bowls, she enjoys her time at Mitchell House, where she can chat in good company, playcards, have visitors (family or entertainment) and knit.

Catherine told the Express that she is delighted to be where she is and loves Mitchell House.

“I have been here for two years, and they are all nice.It’s alovely little place to be. The girls are all lovely. While Ican talk to people and do things, I am quite happy,” she said.

Support: Our Kinda Countr yINC presidentMaisie Bulmer,Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath, BillRouley, (front) Brian Barker, RoyalExchange HotelDutyManager RikkileeJohnstone and Member forMorwell, Mar tin Cameron hope to see abig crowdthis Sunday forthe RCHfundraiser

Photograph: Katrina Brandon

Steering kids away from bad influences

By LIAM DURKIN

MOE/NEWBOROUGH businesses Sumo Skate

Store and Fat Cat Coffee Roasters have partnered to help raise money for kids in Uganda.

The Uganda Skateboard Society aims to get youngsters into skateboarding,steering them away from any possible bad influences in society.

The organisation works to provide skateboards, skateboarding equipment, shoes and skatepark materials to underprivileged kids, with the hope it will lead to active and inspiring lifestyles.

Fat Cat Coffee Roasters will donate 40 per cent of all profits from its Uganda brew to Sumo Skate Store, Moe, who in turn will work with suppliers to seeskateboards andequipment shipped directly to the Uganda Skateboard Society.

The Uganda beans carry a'sweet' taste, and are available on the shelf at Danbos Coffee (256 Old Sale Road, Newborough).

Fat Cat Coffee Roasters managers, Amy Cooper and Daniel Chessells wereinTraralgon lastFriday night speaking about the project, and hoped locals

wouldget behind the important initiative.

Skateboarding, scootering and BMX have been amajor positiveinMoe sincethe openingofthe revitalised Youth Precinct last October.

The space was built under Latrobe City Council’s $7.5 million investment into the Moe Revitalisation Project,and has been well receivedbykids and parents alike.

Sumo Skate Store, which is located opposite the skatepark, reported kids flocking to the facility most days of the week.

In this day and age of kids spending all day on their phones or in front of video game screens, to see the uptake in an outdoor activity provided at the skatepark surely warrants further investment in similar projects.

Getting creative through live music

By KATRINA BRANDON

THISSaturday (March 9),Artistsfor Kids Culture (AKC) is hosting an eventcalled 'Y(our) Fest' at Morwell Wooden Park.

Y(our) Fest is aday for the community in Morwell and surrounding areas to connect and get creative through free live music, artsand dance workshops, festival activities and food.

The event has been designed for everyone by the primary aged kids, who join the AKC Artsbus program at Morwell primary schools.

Festival Director and AKC Chief Executive, Kylie Greer said, “Y(our)Fest is abrilliant way to let kids tell us what they want at afestival -we havebeen workingwith kidsatMorwellprimary schools and the ideas come from them. We are

looking forward to agreat event in Morwell.”

The event is wheelchair accessible and alcohol free, with has multiple forms of entertainment for families to enjoy.

There will be afree barbecue,saltwater crocodile visit, music, wool chill, free fruit and box wars.

Bandsand musicians include Whistle And Trick, Harry Hook, Roy Darby Trio, as well as the primary school choirs.

Y(our)Festissupported by the VicHealth Jumpstart Program, the Collie Foundation and Sidney Myer Fund.

For more information, go to yourfest.me/ gunaimorwell-2024

The event starts from 12pm.

Creative: Harley and Gen Townsend with the Ar tbus,set to be amajor featureofthe Y(our) Fest this weekend.

Photograph: KatrinaBrandon

Have you ever wondered why Victorians work an eight-hour day?

Or why we have along weekend in March?

Labour Day is celebrated in Victoria on the second Monday of March and many with the day offwork will head away in the hope of afinal weekend of fine weather beforeWintery weather sets in.

But it’sbeginnings come from 1856 when a group of Melbourne Stonemasons dropped their tools and marched to cut their working day to eight hours. The success of their ventureled to festivities for years to come.

Thirty years later newspaper The Argus reported

We salute you

spectators in numbers higher than beforeseen to watch the procession of trades unions through Melbourne celebrating the inauguration of the eight-hour day system.

In 1895, The Age newspaper reported a procession in the gold mining town of Walhalla for the eight- hour day,headed by the Walhalla brass band.

People celebrated with sports contests at the oval high above the township. With “unsettled” weather and frequent showers “the ascent was not easily accomplished”, The Age reported. Today in the Latrobe Valley thereare no processions, flags flying or trumpets playing on Labour Day,but it is reassuring to know that the hardwork of our predecessors does not go unappreciated once ayear on the second Monday in March.

MONDAY 11 MARCH

Pioneers: AmyCooper and Daniel Chessells from FatCat Coffee Roasters

Photograph: Liam Durkin

Sweet: Profits from this Uganda coffee, available locally,will go toward charity. Photograph supplied

●

●

First high school campexperience at StPaul’s

YEAR 7studentsatStPaul’s Anglican Grammar Schoolhave had aterrific start to the year,enjoying their first secondary school camp experience in the picturesque South Gippsland hills.

Immersed in outdoor adventures at Camp Rumbug that included abseiling, aflying fox, canoeing,raft building and the much-lovedmud run, students were supported by Year 10 Peer Support Leaders to navigate challengesand strengthen teamwork skills.

Designed as apivotal component of the St Paul’s Year 7Transition Program, the Peer Support Camp transcends fun and excitement.Itserves as

acornerstone for student wellbeing, with educators laying the foundation for afulfillingsecondary school journey filled withasense of belonging, holistic wellness and personal development. Returning to school, Year 7studentswere equipped with newfound resilience and readiness to tackle the forthcoming secondaryyears and embraceacademicpursuitsand co-curricular interests, fortified by the camaraderie and confidence instilledduringtheir time at the PeerSupport Camp.

ELSEWHERE,the official openingand dedication of St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School’s Futures

Centre took place on last Friday (March 1).

The launch of the Futures Centre marked asignificant moment in history as St Paul’s Traralgon Campus ventures into offering Years 11 and 12 for the first time from 2026, catering to senior students in the Latrobe Valley, whether they are pursuing further education or entering the workforce.

With the first cohort of Year 12 students set to graduatefromthe new campus in 2027, the state-of-the-art Futures Centre is equipped with cutting-edge amenities designed to enhance the learning journey.

From aresourceful library to state-of-the-art

performance facilities, an indoor-to-outdoorcafeteriaand dedicatedwellbeing counselling spaces, this modern structure is poised to elevate students’ learning experience.

All areas of the meticulously designed building are cleverly utilised, providing additional multi-use areas that will foster collaborative work and inspire engagement beyond the traditional classroom.

Following on from the building of the Futures Centre,from 2025 consecutive stages consisting of specialist and general classrooms will be built to cater for the delivery of ahigh-quality VCE curriculum.

Building confidence through raft construction is Year 10 Peer Suppor tLeader, ClaudiawithYear

Wayupthere: Tyson swings to great heights on the giant swing. Photographs supplied

Social: St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School Year 10 Peer Suppor tLeader Liana supports Year 7studentsAmélie andZaraatcamp.

Hands-on: Alexandratackles themud path.

Water: James paddlesaway.

Challenge: On therope climbs areDanielleand River

Low: Thomas glides through the mudpit

Builder: Nand has agoathut building.

Creative:

7students Georgia, Sienna, Indi and Hayley.

Ataste of Fed Uni

CAMPUStours,courseoverviews and student get-togethers will mark the beginning of Semester 1asmore than 3000 new students transition to university life across FederationUniversityAustralia’s campuses last week.

Orientation Week will give students ataste of whattheircourses have to offer, linking them with peer mentors and adiverse range of support services.

As experienced Federation students, mentors will provide first-hand support to new students in their first five weeks of study.

Australian First Nations, Aboriginal and/or TorresStrait Islanderstudentswill be able to meet with staff from Federation’s Aboriginal Education Centre, while the FedReady short course program will help students develop the academic skillsthey need to get started at university, like assignment writing, referencing and managing study load.

OrientationWeek will be followedbyafortnight of vibrant festival activities across campuses including live music, food trucks, market stalls, acommunity

art project, wellness workshops and sport activities.

Around 3200 new students will begin their studies across the university’s campuses, including at the Gippsland campus in Churchill.

Federation’s most popular courses for Semester 1are the Bachelor of Nursing, Master of Social Work (Qualifying) and Bachelor of Information Technology.

Federation University Vice-Chancellor and President, ProfessorDuncan Bentley extendeda warm welcome to Federation students starting their university journey.

“We want to give students the best possible learning experience and events like O’ Week give students the opportunity to connect with their peers, lecturers and our industry partners and discover the many supports available to them,” he said.

“This year we continue to roll out our co-operative education modeltoget students work and world ready,through directconnection to employers, paid placements and workplace skills development.”

in Churchill.

Photograph supplied

Local Childers dairyfarmer awarded tertiaryscholarship

By KATRINA BRANDON

THE Gardi ner Found ation Tertiar y Scholarship offers seven individual scholarships to Victoriandairycommunities each year, and Childers local Clara Linn is one of those people.

According to the Gardiner Foundation page, the Gardiner Foundation tertiaryscholarships are named in recognitionofservicescontributed to the dairy industry by Niel Black, Shirley Harlock, Jakob Malmo (which Clara received), Bill Pyle and Doug Weir.

“I’m very grateful and humbled to receive it,” Clara said.

Clara is attending Monash University this year and studying afive-year course in a Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctorate of Medicine.

Having grown up in the country, Clara said that her experience on adairy farm led her to choose apathway in medicine.

“Inhighschool, Istudied health and human development, saw health inequalities, and

learned about the discrepancies in health outcomes betweenrural andremote people compared to metropolitan people," she said.

"Seeingand learning of these disadvantages for communities like mine was eye-opening. I think that really inspired me, too."

Clara’s long-term goals after completing university include moving to and establishingherself within Australian communities. She also hopes to be apart of the solution to the inequity in health outcomes faced by individualsliving in rural and remote areas of Australia.

“I think there are so many barriers for rural kidstogotouniversity to pursue higher education. Obviously, money is the main barrier for kids, so it is good to have that (through the scholarship). It’s just great support from the scholarship. There are definitely alot of barriers for kids from country towns to go to university,” Clara said.

“I appreciate that this scholarship is offered to prospective tertiary students and am excited to see what happens next.”

Behaviours in young men amajor cause for concern

THEREhas been aspate of incidents in the media recentlyofyoung men doing foolish or reckless things.

Two teens werearrested after pushing an elderly fisherman off apier, while another young man faces expulsion from his private schoolafter video footage of him pouring a bottle of milk on aboat of women enjoying a meal went viral.

From viral social media 'pranks' to hooning, RMIT seniorlecturerinYouth Work and Youth Studies, Dr KathrynDaleyexplainswhat makes boys behave so badly.

“It is easy to explain (bad) behaviour away as poor parenting, problem children or with the old rationale that ‘kids will be kids’. But we can better explain human behaviour by consideringbiological, psychological andsocial influences," she said.

“Perhaps the most important factor to consider is the development of ayoung person's brain. The evidence is clear that the brain is not fully matured until well intosomeone's 20s.

“Humans have aself-preservation instinct: when we understand the risk of death, we avoid it. When ausually sensible young man drives his car too fast, he is not consciously taking a risk. He is simply enjoying the rush of going fast.The riskisnot tangibleorvisible, and therefore, not present in his decision making.

“For the young men in the viral videos, they're in the same prank-like mindset of an annoying older brother. It is not that they are choosingtoignore potentialconsequences, it's just that not all of the consequences are visible to them. They might be driven by the immediateattention of laughs or internet notoriety, but harm to others, police charges and school expulsion are probably not in their thought process.

“For young people today, this is amplified through social media. Their audience is not only those right near them, but those who are in their wider digitalcircle. There is an instant reinforcement of abehaviour when there is a large, online audience.

“Frequently, we see prankster behaviour when youngpeople are on school holidays. They are bored and looking for entertainment.

“There are few spaces that are welcoming for groups of teenagerstosimply ‘hang out’, and there are manythatare actively hostile to groups of youths. Move-on laws, for example, were designed with the intention of being able to prohibit young people from gathering.

“A critical factoristhe construction of gender, where boys' larrikinism can be seen as hypermasculine and cool, making thesetypes of behaviours more likely to be socially endorsed.

“Unfortunately, not alot (can be done). You cannot expedite the development of abrain and you can't do much about someone's psychology. School programs might be understood by some young people but not by others and are expensive to deliver.

“However, social influences can be changed, albeit slowly.

“If we can provide young people with social places to be where they are engaged, they are less bored.

“(We) shouldprovideyoung peoplewith opportunity for positive 'pro-social activity'. For example, offering moreaccess to free basketball courts for young people interested in basketball could give them apositive way to spend their time.

“Whenwecontinue to see young people as wild criminals who have no respect, we create agreater divide between young people and ourselves. That helps no one.”

Suns out, guns out: FederationUniversityOrientation Week star tedstrong,welcoming morethan 3000 students.New students have been welcomedtothe Gippslandcampus

Fighting to end animal cruelty

RSPCA’S Million PawsWalkwill be back in Traralgon this May.

Thousandsofpupsand their ownerswill hit the pavement acrossAustralia to raise vitalcapital to helpthe RSPCA end animal cruelty, and the organisation is callingfor residents and businesses to get involved in this year’s event.

More than 6000 people and around 9000 dogs are expected to participate in Million Paws Walk events across Victoria.

RSPCA Victoria Chief Executive, Dr Liz Walker said the money raised at every walk helped end animal cruelty, one step at atime.

“We’re very excited to see the amazing dogs at this year’s Million Paws Walk and can’t wait to meet their families and friends,” Dr Walker said.

“The money raised at these walks helps us care for the thousands of animals coming into RSPCA shelters every year, including those seized by our Inspectors.

“Traralgon is in our Inspectorate’s South-East region, whichreceived 1288 reportsofanimal cruelty while 269 animals were seized by or surrendered to our Inspectors.

“The community support our Inspectors see every day keepsthem going, so it’s wonderful to be celebrating these fantastic events like the Million Paws Walk.

“Communities like Traralgon arevitaltoour mission to end cruelty to animals, and there’s no better way to help out than afun anddog-friendly environment like your local Million Paws Walk.”

Locals interested in volunteering or businesses interested in running avendor stall at this year’s Traralgon Million Paws Walk can register at MPW@rspcavic.org.au or call 03 9224 2222.

Registrations for participantsatthe 30thAnnual MillionPaws Walk are now open, with a‘barkingmad’ discount of 60 per cent available until March 27, 2024.

Head to millionpawswalk.com.au to register for your local walk and start fundraising today.

The Traralgon Million Paws Walk will be at Agnes Brereton Reserve, Breed Street, Traralgon on Sunday,May 26.

The event will start at 9am, with the walk commencing at 11am and festivities concluding at 1pm.

Volunteershelp Mirboo North clean-up

TRARALGONMen’s Shed is assisting the Mirboo North community following theterrible storm that devastated alarge area of the township.

Many volunteers from the men's shed have donated their time and equipment, assisting with cutting and clearing the large number of damaged and uprooted trees, and continue assisting with the clean-up.

The members of TraralgonMen’s Shed arenow looking at making around 50 bird and possum boxes thanks to agenerousdonation of material from Bunnings.

The boxes will be donated to the Mirboo North Community to aid with the recovery of the wildlife.

With the community working together,so many people benefit, and recovery can happen.

The main purpose of the shed is to offer people aplace to engage with hands-on activities and to interact with others.

By doing this,members developasense of meaning and value around the process.

Through shared experiences, members make friends, build anetwork of emotional support, and develop asense of belonging.

Thehealthand wellbeingaspect,particularly in terms of preventative health, is perhaps the greatest benefit.

and

Helping hand: Traralgon Men’s Shed membershavebeenassisting withrecovery effortsinMirboo Nor th. Photographs supplied

Busy: Traralgon Men’s Shed membersonthe job in Mirboo Nor th.

Tra ralg on Men ’s She diso pen Tues da y, Wednesday

Thursdays from 8am to 10pm and is located at 5Howitt Street, Traralgon.

Barking mad: The RSPCAMillion Paws Walk is coming to Traralgon. Photograph supplied

HOROSCOPES

by Joanne Madeline Moore

March4-March 10,2024

Aries (Mar 21 - Apr 19)

The Mars/Uranus square could amp up your impulsive, impatient, argumentative side, especially involving friends or finances And relationships look challenging, as loved ones are more unpredictable than usual With Venus visiting your friendship and peer group zones, strive to be more diplomatic If you can temporarily morph from a raging ram to a gentle lamb, then life will be less bumpy Channel your fiery energy into making a goal or dream come true

Taurus (Apr 20 - May 20)

This week the Venus/Uranus square revs up your motivation and boosts your Bullish bravado But you could also feel rather rushed and slightly unsettled Cool down and calm down! Aim to do plenty of physical activity, so you can channel your restless energy in pleasant and productive ways But being overly proprietorial about a person or situation will only lead to a fraction too much friction Strive to be less stubborn about people, possessions and work

Libra (Sep 23 - Oct 22)

Laidback Librans love peace and harmony! But they may be hard to find as unpredictable Uranus squares Venus (your power planet) on Monday So expect upsets or surprises perhaps a disruptive partner, an unpredictable friend or a rebellious child Then Sunday’s New Moon stimulates your wellbeing zone, so it’s a wonderful weekend to start a new diet reboot an exercise program or begin a meditation practice Remember – health is the true wealth

Scorpio (Oct 23 - Nov 21)

Uranus disrupts domestic harmony but don’t let it disturb your equilibrium The secret to success is learning to let go as you keep what’s working in your life and discard what isn’t (But you may have to lose a current battle in order to win the long-term war ) Opportunities for New Moon growth come from a loved one as you realise who has your best interests at heart It’s also a good time to express your creative side and appreciate the talents of others

Gemini (May 21 - June 20)

G Gregarious Geminis are clever communicators but are you confident enough for big-time success? With no less than eight planets (including the New Moon) activating your career and aspirations zones, a golden opportunity is waiting in the wings But you must grab it when it appears or it will promptly pass you by Monday and Tuesday favour original ideas and innovative plans whereas Friday and Saturday are fabulous for creative projects and spiritual pursuits

Sagittarius (Nov 22 - Dec 21)

Beinggof service to others (with kindness and compassion) brings much joy and satisfaction Plus take the time to savour and enjoy the simple things in your everyday life – like a kiss from a child or a walk in the park But avoid making a rash, insensitive comment (in person or online) that you later regret It’s a wonderful weekend to entertain at home with a special meal as the New Moon stimulates your family zone Convivial conversation is a bonus

Cancer (June 21 - July 22)

Unpredictable Uranus could unsettle a close relationship on Monday or Saturday, especially if there are secret agreements, trust issues or joint finances involved Then Sunday’s New Moon activates your adventure zone, so you ’ re in the mood to plan (and book?) weekend getaways or work holidays for the rest of the year Mercury also moves into your career zone so it’s time to amp up the communication with colleagues, clients and/ or customers

Leo (July 23 - Aug 22)

Have you been feeling like a tired and listless Leo? This week – courtesy of the restorative, transformative New Moon – you’ll feel your mojo, motivation and Lion’s roar returning So find a challenging project to direct your energy into The Sun, Mercury and Uranus also encourage you to be more positive when communicating with others A sunny smile and an encouraging comment will get you a lot further than feisty fireworks and theatrical foot-stamping!

Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 19)

The Npew Moon lights up your communication, education and neighbourhood zones, so it’s a fabulous week to focus plan study organize and strategize Especially involving partnerships, joint ventures and projects within your local community But double-check all information that comes your way on the weekend Make sure someone isn’t trying to steamroll you or pull the wool over your eyes (particularly involving friends and/or finances)

Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18)

Thisqweek Uranus (your ruling planet) squares Venus and Mars, which will stir up your impulsive, restless, rebellious side So slow down, Aquarius – otherwise you could find yourself headed for an argument or an accident With Venus and Mars both visiting your sign, you’ll find the more you cooperate with others the more affection and abundance you’ll attract And the more proactive you are about making positive changes the better your week will be

Virgo (Aug 23 - Sep 22)

The pglanets could generate a lucky break involving a partnership, joint venture, travel opportunity or educational project So get your ideas out there (in person and online) as you inform and entertain others with your mercurial mind A major relationship (of the romantic or platonic variety) could go through a New Moon metamorphosis Do your best to air any concerns in a compassionate way, as you work through problems that have been holding you back

Pisces (Feb 19 - Mar 20)

The stars bless creative projects, boost intuition, and help you get lost in a fabulous fantasy novel or a favourite romantic movie With the Sun, New Moon, Mercury, Saturn and Neptune all illuminating your sign, you ’ re keen to please others But avoid the temptation to say ‘ yes ’ to everyone and everything, like a compliant doormat You may find you ’ ve bitten off more than you can comfortably chew! Confidence is high on the weekend so make the most of it

COPYRIGHTJoanneMadelineMoore2024

Celebrating Shrove Tuesday

SACRED Heart Primary School, Morwell students from FoundationtoGrade 6celebrated Shrove Tuesday(Pancake Tuesday) with homemade pancakes, made by the staff and assistedby students. Students wereinvitedtobring agoldcoin donation, which went toward Caritas for thecurrent Project Compassion movement.

This year, there is an added focus on learning aboutpoverty and social justice. Students had the optionofbutter, jam or honey as atopping. ShroveTuesday is thelast day of Ordinary Time in the Liturgical Calendarfor Catholics, with Ash Wednesday signifying the beginning of the Lenten season.

Yum: Robert and Jordan enjoying some pancakes. Photographs supplied Food: Shenuli enjoying her

Cheerful: Sacred Heart PrimarySchool, Morwell student Jordan excited to be having pancakesatschool

Cheers: Isabella happywith her pancakes.

Tucking in: Oliver gets comfortable beforeeating his pancakes

Term 1 excitement at HNPS

THERE are many activities that Hazelwood North Primary School (HNPS) do throughout the year. In Term 1, students have been involved in:

Mindful Australia

THIS year, HNPS is continuing to build personal and social well-being.

HNPS spent two days with Mindful Aus presenters Matt, Liam, Bree, and Jack. HNPS students learnt that it is okay to feel arange of core emotions in different situations and that they can identify how they are feeling, control how they respond to how they are feeling and express their feelings in arespectful way.

Random Acts of Kindness Day

Experiments includedinthe visitingshowwere an introduction to aerodynamics in the form of dropping piecesofpaper to the ground to see which was faster, afluid test to see which fluids were thicker and thinner (the viscosity) and how they flowed; and finally, various movement tests showing the impacts of force on objects.

THIS year, studentscelebrated Random Acts of Kindness Day in many different forms. Students fromthe junior grades drew different ways to be kind, while students from the senior grades challenged themselves to be kind to people they wouldn’t normally hang around.

Questacon Science Circus

This week my stars are telling me that I’m going to purchase a fantastic bargain

To advertise your bargains, products or services in this column or forinformation, simply phone JennyMannon 5135 4412 today.

HNPS were lucky enough to have Mia and Perry from Questacon in Canberra come to the school withsome funscienceexperiments from the Questacon Science Circus. Students learnt about experimenting by starting with aquestion, thenmaking aguess,and following up with atest to seethe result.

Howto: Questacon combined science and fun.

Colour: Students createdcaremessages for Random Acts of Kindness Day.

pancake.

Eat and work: Scarlettenjoying apancakewhile completing the day’swork.

Mindful: Hazelwood North PrimarySchool students were visited by Mindfull Ausfounder MattRunnalls Photographs supplied

LIFE AFTER LIFE

THE OSCARS

PICK OF THE WEEK

ODYSSEUSRETURNS

SBS, Sunday, 8.20pm

Born again: Kiwi Thomasin McKenzie stars in existential drama LifeAfterLife

ABC TV,Saturday, 7.30pm

British novelistKate Atkinson’s sweeping novelislovingly adapted into apoetic four-partseries, led by luminous Kiwi Thomasin McKenzie (TotallyCompletelyFine). Narrated by LesleyManville and also starring Fleabag’s Sian Clifford and Killing Eve’s Sean Delaney,it’sabeautifully haunting tale thatglidesinto the depths of life’sgreatestquestions anchored by its stellarperformances and moody soundtrack. That feeling of déjà vu is givena mind-bending sense of meaning through thestory of UrsulaTodd.Bornin1910and strangled by her umbilical cord, her existence is reborn again andagain, leaving herwithastrange feeling of memories she can’tgrasp.Faithfully retold, it’sa fantastical journeythat lingers after the final scene.

Seven, Monday, 10am (encore8.30pm)

“I always dreamed of hosting the Oscars exactly four times,”joked comedianJimmy Kimmel (pictured) when he wasannounced as the emceeofthese showymovie awards. Apparently,the excitement with Barbiealso convinced him to front up forthe toughgig again,which is renownedfor its dazzling red carpet outfits as much as lulling itsnomineesintoasleep-like state with it stretching to aroundfour hours. AussieMargotRobbie’s stirring performance as the iconic doll isn’t nominated, but it’s up forBestPicture along with Oppenheimer PoorThings Maestroand KillersoftheFlowerMoon

DOUBLE PARKED

Greek mythologyhas bestowed humanitysome of its most strikingtales of powerand morality,which havelived on forthousands of years. In thisfascinating,attractively shot two-partdoco, couldacurious Greek politician threaten to splinter an ancient tale from fictiontofact? King Odysseus, the genius from Homer’s epic poem Odysseywho built the fabled Trojan Horse, is acceptedasamythicalfigure.But back in 1991, Makis Metaxas (pictured) found an ancient tomb in Kefalonia that he claimedwas Odysseus’s.Following controversyand political uproar,Metaxas’s buried storyis now finally revealed, featuring archeologist Lazaros Kolonas going on record with what he found at the site.

Wednesday, March 6

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News

Mornings. 10.00 Four Corners. (R) 10.45 Q+A. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 National Press Club Address 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 1.50 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG,R) 2.20 Back Roads. (R) 2.50 TheCook And The Chef.(R) 3.20 Tenable. (R) 4.05 Antiques Roadshow.(PG,R) 5.10 Grand Designs. (R)

7.30 7.30

8.00 Hard Quiz (PG) Presented by TomGleeson.

8.30 TheWeekly WithCharlie Pickering Asatirical news program.

9.05 This Is Going To Hurt (MA15+l)The day of Adam’s engagementparty arrives.

9.50 Planet America.

10.20 Adam Hills: TheLastLeg. (R)

11.05 ABC Late News.

11.20 The Business. (R) 11.35 Rosehaven. (PG, R) 12.30 Grand Designs. (R) 1.20 Tenable. (R)

2.05 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.30 Catalyst. (R)

5.30 7.30.(R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Destination Flavour. (R) 9.10 MakeMeA Dealer.(R) 10.00 Craig &Bruno’s GreatBritish Road Trips. (PG, R) 11.00 Food Markets: In TheBelly Of The City (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 2.10 Dateline.(R) 2.40 Insight.(R) 3.40 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw.(R) 4.10 The Great Fire Of London. (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy!(R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Australia’s Sleep Revolution. (Ml)

8.30 PanAm: Rise AndFall Of An AviationIcon. Looks at the history of defunctairline PanAm.

9.35 Kin. (MA15+l) Bren seeks out Anna, againstMichael’swishes.

10.30 SBS World News Late. 11.00 Blinded (Madl) 11.50 TheWall: TheChateauMurder (Return, Malv) 12.40 My Life In Clay.(R) 12.50 Cycling. UCI World Tour.Paris-Nice Race.Stage 4. 2.50 Exit.(MA15+ads, R) 3.45

Going Places With Ernie Dingo.(PGa, R) 4.45

Destination Flavour Scandinavia Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Home And Away (PGad) Tane’s troubles escalate.

7.30 The1%Club. (PGls) Hosted by Jim Jefferies

8.30 TheFront Bar. (Return, Ml) Hosts Mick Molloy, Sam Pang andAndyMaher takealighter look at all things AFL

9.30 Talking Footy (Return) Alook at the week’sAFL news, hosted by JamesBrayshaw,Tim Watson, Joel Selwood and Trent Cotchin.

10.30 TheLatest: SevenNews.

ABCTVPlus, Tuem

esday, 9.45pm

ny treatment in this spirited Kiwi comedy.Itstars the Sami –who won overfans with herhilariously over-thes abeer-swilling, Hawaiian shirt-wearing dloch–and h OutrageousFortunesAntonia right,with Sami) ple going s of IVF ppointment acked rtheyare regnant at night ngle o t come

IVF is given thefun beguiling Madeline top performance as cop in the hit Dead Prebble (pictured, r as asame-sexcoupg through the rounds After years of disap the pair aregobsma when they discove both accidentally p the same time. Ton Natand Steph wran overwho should go back to work and who should stay at home.There have been some rather twee moments, bu this comical setup delivers some welc belly laughs.

12.30 Parenthood (PGa, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today 5.00 SevenEarly News. 5.30 Sunrise 6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrentAffair 7.30 MarriedAtFirstSight. (Mls) It is time for the dinner party. 9.10 Under Investigation:I Am TheLaw (MA15+av) Liz Hayes and her team of experts look at thecase of former WA cop AdrianMoore. 10.10 9News Late. 10.40 Footy Classified. (Return, M) 11.40 TheEqualizer (Mv,R) 12.30 Tipping Point (PG, R) 1.20 Pointless. (PG, R) 2.10 Destination WA (PG) 2.35 Global Shop.(R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory.(PGa) 4.30 ACurrent Affair.(R) 5.00 9News Early 5.30 Today

6.00

Deal Or No Deal.

Hosted by Grant Denyer.

6.30

TheProject. Special guest is Celeste Barber

Ambulance

8.30 FBI: International (Mv) Raines goesundercoverasawheelman as the FBI fly team racesthrough thestreets of Budapest to foil amajor art heist. The situation is complicatedbyDandridge, who is monitoring their every move

11.30 TheProject (R)

12.30 TheLate ShowWith StephenColbert (PG)

CONSUMER ADVICE (P) Pre-school (C) Children (PG) Parental GuidanceRecommended (M) MatureAudiences (MA15+) MatureAudiences Only (AV15+) Extreme AdultViolence (R) Repeat (a) Adult themes (d) Drug references (h) Horror (s) Sexreferences (l) Language (m) Medical procedures (n) Nudity (v) Violence. 6am WorldWatch. 9.30 BBC News At Six. 10.00 The Movie Show 12.10pm TVNZ 1News At Midday 12.40 Planet A. 1.30 Nuts And Bolts. 2.10 Abandoned. 3.05 BBC News At Ten. 3.35 ABC WorldNewsTonight With David Muir 4.10 PBS News. 5.10 JoyOfPainting. 5.40 TVNZ 1News At Six. 6.15 The Fast History Of Toys. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 ClintEastwood: The Last Legend. 9.35 Epstein Didn’t Kill Himself 11.10 MOVIE: Gran Torino.(2008,M) 1.20am Fear TheWalking Dead. 3.10 NHK WorldEnglish News. 5.00 Al JazeeraNewshour 6am Home Shopping. 6.30 Escape To The Country 7.30 Room For Improvement. 8.00 MillionDollar Minute. 9.00 Harry’sPractice 9.30 NBCToday Noon Better Homes And Gardens. 1.00 EscapeToThe Country. 2.00 Sydney Weekender 2.30 The Hotel Inspector 3.30 Harry’sPractice. 4.00 RSPCA Animal Rescue. 4.30 Better Homes And Gardens. 5.30 EscapeTo The Country 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Heartbeat. 8.45 Lewis. 10.45 Maternal. 11.45 Bargain Hunt. 1am The Hotel Inspector 2.00 Harry’sPractice. 2.30 Animal Rescue 3.00 BetterHomes. 4.00 Million Dollar Minute 5.00 Late Programs. 6am Home Shopping. 8.00 Buy To Build. 8.30 Diagnosis Murder 9.30 JakeAnd TheFatman. 10.30 JAG. 12.30pm In TheDark. 1.30 NCIS 2.30 JakeAnd The Fatman. 3.30 Diagnosis Murder 5.30 JAG. 7.30 Bull. 8.30 NCIS 9.25 Hawaii Five-0 10.20 NCIS: Hawai’i. 11.15 Diagnosis Murder 12.15am Home Shopping. 2.15 Diagnosis Murder 4.05 JAG. 6am DangerMan 7.00 Creflo Dollar Ministries. 7.30 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo 8.00 TV Shop: HomeShopping. 10.30 Pointless. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.55 TheYoungAnd The Restless 1.50 Explore. 2.00 Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman. 3.00 Antiques Roadshow 3.30 MOVIE: Lady GodivaRidesAgain. (1951) 5.30 The Balmoral Hotel: An Extraordinary Year 6.30 Antiques Roadshow 7.30 As Time Goes By 8.40 Midsomer Murders. 10.40 Forensics: CatchingThe Killer 11.40 Footy Classified.(Return) 12.40am Antiques Roadshow 1.10 Creflo. 1.40 Late Programs. 10 BOLD (12, 53) 9GEM (92,81) 7TWO (72, 62) SBSVICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 5.45pm HeyDuggee 5.55 Fireman Sam 6.10 Pfffirates. 6.20 Bluey. 6.30 Peter Rabbit. 6.40 Andy’sWild Adventures. 6.55 ShaunThe Sheep 7.05 Riley Rocket 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Spicks And Specks. 8.00 Would ILie To You? 8.30 Death In Paradise. 9.30 Ragdoll 10.15 Killing Eve. 11.00 Would ILie To You? 11.30 Louis Theroux: The City Addicted To Crystal Meth. 12.30am Whose Line Is It Anyway? 12.55 Tate Britain’s Great British Walks. 1.40 ABCNews Update 1.45 Close 5.00 Clangers. 5.10 Kiddets 5.25 Pablo 5.35 Numberblocks. 5.40 Late Programs. ABC TV PLUS (22) 6am Children’s Programs. 11.30 Bakugan: Evolutions. Noon Scorpion. 2.00 Bewitched. 2.30 Full House. 3.00 Seinfeld. 4.00 Family Ties. 4.30 The AddamsFamily. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 IDream Of Jeannie 6.00 Everybody LovesRaymond. 7.00 TheNanny 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: Bill &Ted’sBogus Journey. (1991, PG) 10.30 Seinfeld 11.30 TheNanny. Midnight Medium. 2.00 IDream Of Jeannie 2.30 Full House. 3.00 Bakugan: Evolutions. 3.30 Beyblade BurstQuadStrike 4.00 Transformers: Prime. 4.30 Ninjago: Masters Of Spinjitzu. 5.00 Pokémon 5.30 Pokémon: BW Rival Destinies. 6am Hook, Line And Sinker 7.00 My Fishing Place. 7.30 Creek To Coast. 8.00 AFootball Life. 9.00 America’sGame: The Super Bowl Champions. 10.00 American Pickers. 11.00 Pawn Stars. Noon Outback Truckers. 2.00 Barrett-Jackson:RevvedUp. 3.00 Billy The Exterminator 3.30 Mt HuttRescue 4.30 Storage Wars 5.00 American Restoration 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Highway Patrol. 8.30 The Force: Behind The Line 9.30 MotorwayPatrol. 10.30 Busted In Bangkok. 11.30 Nature Gone Wild. Midnight Storage Wars 12.30 American Restoration 1.00 Late Programs. 9GO! (93, 82) 6am The MovieShow. 6.30 The China Syndrome. (1979,PG) 8.45 Cutthroat Island. (1995,PG) 11.00 The Last Emperor.(1987, M) 2.05pm TheAge Of Innocence (1993,PG) 4.35 Widows’ Peak. (1994,PG) 6.30 The King Of Comedy.(1983,PG) 8.30 Midnight Cowboy. (1969, M) 10.35 Once Upon ATime In America. (1984,MA15+) 2.45am Ip Man2.(2010,M Cantonese) 4.40 Cutthroat Island. (1995, PG) 6am The LateShow With Stephen Colbert. 7.00 Becker 8.00 Dr Phil. 9.00 TheMiddle. 10.00 RulesOfEngagement. 11.00 Becker Noon Frasier. 1.00 NBLSlam 1.30 The Big BangTheory. 2.00 So Help Me Todd 3.00 RulesOfEngagement. 4.00 Farm To Fork. 4.30 Becker 5.30 Frasier. 6.30 Neighbours. 7.00 The Big BangTheory 8.30 TwoAnd AHalf Men. 10.00 RulesOfEngagement. 11.00 Frasier. Midnight Home Shopping. 1.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. 2.30 Just ForLaughsAustralia. 3.00 Just ForLaughs. 3.30 The Bold AndThe Beautiful 4.30 Home Shopping. 10 PEACH (11, 52) 7MATE (73, 64) SBSWORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 9.30 Spartakus AndThe Sun Beneath TheSea. 10.00 ArabianInferno. 10.50 News. 11.00 Over The Black Dot. 11.50 NeverStop Riding. Noon True North Calling 12.30 Lalai Dreamtime 1.30 GoingPlaces. 2.30 The Cook Up 3.00 MotownMagic 3.25 The WorldAccording To Grandpa. 3.35 TheMagic Canoe 4.00 ToiTime. 4.30 Spartakus And TheSun BeneathThe Sea. 5.00 OurStories. 5.30 Te Ao With Moana. 6.00 Bamay. 6.30 News. 6.40 Arabian Inferno 7.30 High Arctic Haulers. 8.30 MOVIE: Category:Woman. (2022, M) 10.35 Emily In Japan. 11.40 Late Programs. NITV (34)

MEL/VIC The Latrobe Valley Express, TV Guide Wednesday, 6March, 2024 —Page 23

Thursday, March 7

At Noon.

12.30 NationalPress Club Address. 1.30

Whale With Steve Backshall. (R) 2.30 Anh’s

Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 3.00 The Cook And

The Chef. (R) 3.25 Tenable. (R) 4.10 Antiques

Roadshow.(PG, R) 5.10 GrandDesigns. (PG, R)

6.00

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABCNews.

7.30 7.30 Presented by Sarah Ferguson.

8.00 Foreign Correspondent. International affairs program.

8.30 Grand Designs New Zealand. TomWebster meets a couplewho are putting downsome permanentrootsinMangawhai.

9.20 Antiques Roadshow (R) The team heads to Dyffryn Gardens near Cardiff

10.20 BetterDate Than Never. (R)

10.55 ABC Late News.

11.10 TheBusiness. (R)

11.25 This Is GoingToHurt (MA15+l, R)

12.15 Grand Designs. (PG, R)

1.00 Tenable.(R) 1.45 Rage.(MA15+adhlnsv)

4.30 Catalyst. (PGa, R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

ABC COMEDY (22)

7.30

6am Children’s

Lie To You? 8.30 Hard Quiz. 9.00

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 DestinationFlavour (R) 9.10 MakeMeA Dealer.(PGl, R) 10.00 Craig &Bruno’s GreatBritish Road Trips.(PGas, R) 11.00 Food Markets: In TheBelly Of The City. (PGaw, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.20 Secrets Of ThePyramids. (PGa, R) 3.10 Mastermind Aust. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up.(R) 4.10 Then And Now: The River Thames. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy!(R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers.(R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.30 DNAFamily Secrets (Final, PG)HostedbyStaceyDooley

8.40 StanleyTucci: Searching ForItaly:Venice. (Return, PGal) StanleyTucci visitsVenice.

9.30 TheVanishingTriangle. (Premiere, Mal) Areporter investigates aserial killer

10.20 SBS WorldNewsLate

10.50 TheSpectacular (Malv)

11.50 Marion Jones: Press Pause. (PGas, R)

12.50 Cycling. UCIWorld Tour.Paris-Nice Race. Stage 5. Saint-Sauveur-de-Montagut to Sisteron. 193.5km. From France 2.50 Exit. (Mals, R) 3.45 Going Places With Ernie Dingo (R) 4.45 Destination Flavour Scandinavia Bitesize. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour: Singapore Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The WorldTonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6am WorldWatch.

10.00 TheMovie Show Noon WorldWatch. 12.30 One Armed Chef 2.20 ThePizza Show 3.10 WorldWatch. 5.10 JoyOfPainting. 5.40 WorldWatch. 6.15 The Fast History Of Toys. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 The Curse Of Oak Island. 10.10 Devilsdorp 11.20 Taskmaster. 12.15am Hoarders 1.00 F*ck, That’sDelicious. 1.30 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6.00

Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show.(PG)

11.30

SevenMorning News 12.00

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Football. AFL.Opening Round. Sydney vMelbourne. From the SCG.

10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews taking alook back at allthe action from the game.

11.00 TheLatest: SevenNews.

11.30 Born To Kill? HerbertMullin. (MA15+av,R)Takes alook at thecaseof serial killer HerbertMullin, who claimed the lives of 13 men, women, and children.

12.30 Black-ish. (PGal, R) Dre and Bow disagree on where to send Devante for preschool. Junior helps Diane and Jack pulla prank.

1.30 Travel Oz. (PG, R) Hosted by Greg Grainger

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBCToday News and current affairs.

5.00 SevenEarlyNews

5.30 Sunrise. News, sportand weather

6.00 9News.

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 RBT. (Mdl) Follows the activities of police units 8.30 Australia Behind Bars. (Madlv,R)Followsinmatesasthey are searched in the ongoing battle to keep drugsout of our prisons.

9.35 World’sMostDangerous Prisoners. (Mlv) Takesalook at people behind bars.

10.35 See No Evil: Making AKilling. (MA15+av)

11.30 9News Late.

11.55 A+EAfter Dark. (Mlm, R)

12.45 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.35 Pointless. (PG, R)

2.30 Global Shop.(R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory.(PGa) 4.30 ACurrent Affair.(R) 5.00 9NewsEarly 5.30 Today

6.00 Deal OrNo Deal Hosted by GrantDenyer.

6.30 TheProject. Special guest is Nazeem Hussain.

7.30 TheDog House Australia. (PGa) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith.

8.30 GoggleboxAustralia. TV fanatics open up theirliving rooms to reveal their reactions to popular and topical TV shows.

9.30 Law&Order: SVU. (MA15+asv, R) Benson and Carisi are baffledwhen aseries of assaults havethe same MObut different DNA evidence.

10.30 Blue Bloods. (Mv,R)Eddie helpsa woman being stalked

11.30 TheProject. (R)

12.30 TheLateShowWith Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBSMornings.

6am Morning Programs. 1.50pm

6am Cutthroat Island. Continued. (1995,PG) 6.55 Magnetic Fields. (2021, PG, Greek) 8.30 Alone In Space. (2018,PG, Swedish) 10.00 The Professor AndThe Madman.(2019,M) 12.25pm Midnight Cowboy. (1969, M) 2.30 The ChinaSyndrome. (1979,PG) 4.45 RBG.(2018,PG) 6.40 The Big Steal (1990,PG) 8.30 Fargo. (1996,MA15+) 10.20 I, Tonya. (2018, MA15+) 12.30am Late Programs.

11.20

6.00 Mastermind Australia (R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.30 TheGoodShip Murder. (Mav)

8.25 Endurance: Race The Pole:The Nimrod Expedition 1907-1909 Part 2of3

9.20 Queens That Changed The World: Queen Who Would Be King –The Hatshepsut. (Ms) Chroniclesthe life of Hatshepsut

10.15 SBSWorld News Late.

10.45 Departure. (Mav) 11.35 SexAnd Sensibility.(MA15+ans, R) 12.25 AWay Of Seeing. (R) 12.50 Cycling. UCI World Tour Paris-Nice Race.Stage6 2.50 Exit. (MA15+dl, R) 3.45 Going PlacesWith Ernie Dingo.(PG,R)

4.45 Destination Flavour:Singapore Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 AFL:FridayNight Countdown. (Return) Alead-up to theFriday night AFL match.

7.30 Football AFL.Opening Round. Brisbane Lions vCarlton.

Hosted by Miguel Maestre.

8.30 TheGraham Norton Show.

R)

Norton is joined by Grammy-winningrapper Diddy,actors Ashley Jensenand George Mackay,TV show hosts Chris andRosie Ramsey and Englishsinger JessieWare

10.30 Fire Country. (Mv,R)

12.30

6.00

12.30 Death In Paradise. (PGa, R) 1.30 ALife

In TenPictures. (Ml, R) 2.35 Julia Zemiro’s

Home Delivery. (PG, R)

3.05 ExtraordinaryEscapes (PG, R)

3.55 Universe With Brian Cox. (R)

4.55 BetterDate Than Never. (R)

5.30 Landline. (R)

6.00 Australian Story: Driven –Minjee And Min WooLee. (R) Presented by Leigh Sales.

6.30 Back Roads: East Arnhem Land, NT Pt 1. (PG, R) Rae Johnston visits ArnhemLand.

7.00 ABCNews. Alook at the top stories of the day

7.30 Miniseries: Life After Life (Mas) Part 1of4.Awoman living in the first half of the 20th century experiences an endless cycleofbirth, deathand rebirth.

8.25 Endeavour (Mav,R)Part 3 of 3. Thursdaydiscovers that Endeavour’s problems are greater than anybody couldhavesuspected

9.55 House Of Gods (Ml, R) Aman vies to lead his mosque.

10.50 Midsomer Murders. (Mav,R)Part 4of4

12.20 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

6am Children’s Programs. 7.05pm Karma’sWorld 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Spicks And Specks. 8.00 QI 8.30 LiveAtThe Apollo.(Final) 9.00 Whose Line Is It Anyway? 9.45

Shaun Micallef’s MAD AS HELL 10.15 MythBusters. 11.05 Double Parked. 11.35 Portlandia. 12.15am Black Mirror 1.10 Upstart Crow 1.40 Unprotected

NITV (34)

APlate 7.00 The Other Side. 7.30 Idris Elba’s Fight School. 8.35

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.10 Vintage Voltage.(Ml) 11.00

The Story Of Ramadan. (R)

12.00 WorldWatch 2.00 Cycling.UCI Women’s World Tour.Strade Bianche Women.Highlights.

3.00 Gymnastics. Trampoline WorldCup Series. Highlights. 4.00 Joyful.(PG, R) 4.10

Portillo’s GreatestRailway Journeys. (PGa, R)

5.05 Where Are YouReally From?(PG, R) 5.35

WWII Women On The Frontline.

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.30 Britain’s Most Beautiful Road. (PG) Part 1of4

8.25 Scotland’sScenic Railways: East Fife Railway At LeveninFife, preparations are underwayfor the latest addition to Scotland’srail network.

9.20 TheWonders Of Europe: The Acropolis, TheMasterpiece Of Pericles (PGav,R)Part 3of4

10.25 Those Who Stayed. (Ml)

11.05 TheCityOfArt (Mln, R)

11.25 Cycling. UCI World Tour Paris-Nice Race. Stage7

1.25 Face To Face. (Ma, R) 2.25 Exit. (MA15+adv,R) 3.20 Going PlacesWith Ernie Dingo.(PG, R) 4.20 Bamay. (R) 4.45 Destination Flavour: SingaporeBitesize. (PGaw,R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight.

6am

ABC TV PLUS (22) 6am Alone In Space. Continued.(2018, PG, Swedish) 6.30 Weekend At Bernie’s.(1989,PG) 8.20 Paris CanWait. (2016,PG) 10.00 AStar Is Born. (1976, M) 12.35pm Jasper Jones. (2017,M) 2.30 The Big Steal. (1990,PG) 4.25 Dr Knock. (2017, PG, French) 6.30 The Man WhoKnewInfinity.(2015,PG) 8.30

MOVIE: Black Sheep.(2006,MA15+) 10.10 Joan Armatrading: LiveAtThe Asylum Chapel 12.10am Late Programs.

6.00

We Are WhoWeAre. 1.30am The X-Files. 3.20 Late Programs.

6.00 NBCToday 7.00 Weekend Sunrise.

10.00

TheMorning Show:

Weekend. (PG)

12.00 Horse Racing. Randwick Guineas Day

5.30

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Football. AFL.Opening Round. GWS Giants vCollingwood From Giants Stadium,Sydney

10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews taking alook back at allthe actionfrom the game.

11.00 TheIrrational. (Mav,R)A professor of behavioural science investigates the murderofafashion influencer

1.00 TheArrangement. (Mav,R)Megan hopestogainthe upper hand on Terence as they begin intensive one-on-one sessions.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Get Clever. (R) Educational kids’ program in which the wonders of maths and science areexplored.

5.00 HouseOfWellness (PGa, R) Alook at locations that highlight living well.

7TWO (72, 62)

6am Home Shopping

8.30 Travel Oz. 10.00 Escape To The Perfect Town. 11.00 Harry’sPractice. 11.30 Get On Extra. Noon Escape To The Country. 1.00 House Of Wellness 2.00 Escape To TheCountry. 5.00 Horse Racing Randwick GuineasDay

7MATE (73,64)

6am Morning Programs. 1pm Blokesworld. 1.30 Bossy’sBucketList. 2.00 Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars 3.00 Boating. AustnV8Superboats C’ship.Replay. 4.00 Supercar Customiser: Yianni. 5.00 Storage Wars: NY 5.30 Storage Wars 6.00 Pawn Stars. 7.00 StorageWars. 7.30 MOVIE: Battle LosAngeles.(2011, M) 9.55 MOVIE: Total Recall. (1990,MA15+) 12.20am Late

Programs.

1.10 Sanditon. (Final, PG, R)

2.00 Rage Vault (MA15+adhlnsv)

4.00 Catalyst. (R)

5.00 Insiders. (R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.30 MysteryOfThe Puzzling Pyramids Egypt. (PGa)Explores thepyramids of Egypt.

8.20 Odysseus Returns. (PG) Part 1of2

Takesa look at claims that the tomb of King Odysseus of Ithaca has been discovered.

10.20 TheDay TheRock Star Died:Buddy Holly.

10.50 Mother Tongue. (R)

11.05 Cycling. UCI World Tour

Paris-Nice Race. Final stage.

1.05 Coastal Ireland With Adrian Dunbar. (PGa,R)

2.55 Chernobyl: TheNew Evidence.(PGa, R)

3.50 21Kids And Counting. (PGal, R) 4.45

Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News

Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera News.

6am

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Australian Idol. (PGl) Hosted by Ricki-Lee and ScottTweedie.

8.30WhyPlanes Vanish:The Mystery Of Flight MH370. (PGa) Anin-depth look at Malaysia AirlinesFlight370 which disappeared on 8March 2014

9.50 What TheKiller Did Next: Sabina Nessa. (Mav) HostedbyPhilip Glenister

10.50 Soham: Catching A Killer (Mav) Part 3of3

11.50 AutopsyUSA:Dana Plato (Mad)

12.50 MOVIE: Jesse Stone: Stone Cold. (2005,Masv, R) TomSelleck

Or Rebuild.

4.30 TheGardenGurus.

5.00 9News FirstAtFive.

5.30 Getaway. (PG)

6.00 9News Saturday.

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 Space Invaders. (PGa) Experts help people declutter their lives.

8.30 MOVIE: Spectre. (2015,Mv, R) Acryptic message from James Bond’spast sends him on atrail of a sinister organisation. Daniel Craig Christoph Waltz, LéaSeydoux.

11.25 MOVIE: DannyCollins. (2015,Madln, R) An aging rocker changeshis life. Al Pacino

1.35 TheGarden Gurus. (R)

2.00 TheIncredibleJourney Presents. (PGa)

2.30 Getaway. (PG,R)

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 Global Shop (R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)

9GEM (92, 81)

(1967)

7.00 Rugby Union. SuperRugbyPacific. Round 3. Reds vChiefs. 9.30 SuperRugby Pacific PostMatch. 9.45 MOVIE: AFistful Of Dynamite.(1971, M) 12.55am Late Programs.

9GO! (93, 82)

6am Children’s Programs. 1.30pm To Be Advised. 4.00 Motor Racing. FIA World Endurance C’ship.Qatar 1812 km. H’lights.

5.05 Kenan. 5.35 MOVIE: Evan Almighty.(2007)

7.30 MOVIE: Legally Blonde. (2001,PG) 9.30 MOVIE: BadMoms.(2016,MA15+) 11.30 Dating No Filter Midnight Made In Chelsea. 2.00 Rich House Poor House. 3.00 Teen Titans Go! 3.30 Beyblade

Burst: Quad Drive. 4.00 Late Programs.

6.00 MorningPrograms. 9.00 Tough Tested (R) 10.00 Australia By Design: Architecture. (R)

10.30 Farm To Fork. (R) 11.00 Everyday Gourmet. (R) 11.20 AustralianSurvivor.(R)

12.30 Silvia’s Italian Masterclass. 1.00 All 4 Adventure. (PGl, R) 2.00 Wildlife Rescue. (PGm,R) 3.00 What’sUpDown Under 3.30 GCBC. (R) 4.00 My Market Kitchen. 4.30 Taste Of Aust. (R) 5.00 News.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R)

Hosted by GrantDenyer.

6.30 TheDog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith.

7.30 TheDog House. Aman is hoping to findabestfriend.

8.30 Ambulance Australia. (Ma, R) Follows NSW Ambulance on thelongest night of the year,the end of daylight saving, as they dealwith adiabetic coma, arescue from aburning car,a child in anaphylaxis, and an explosioninChinatown.

9.30 Ambulance UK. (Mad, R) An asylum seeker strugglingwith isolation causes concernfor the whole service.

10.30 So Help Me Todd. (PGa, R) Awrongful termination case is investigated.

11.30 FBI: International (Mv, R)

12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour OfPower

6am Home Shopping 9.00 Pooches At Play 9.30 Diagnosis Murder 11.30 Luxury Escapes. Noon JakeAnd The Fatman.

6.30 TheSundayProject. Joins panellists foralook at theday’s news, events and hot topics.

7.30 Australian Survivor Agroup of Australian castawaysbattles it out on the beachesofSamoa as they vie to become the sole survivor.

9.00 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Mv,R)When Jesse sets out foraday sailing with his daughter,pirates seizetheir yacht, take the passengers hostage and attack him, leaving it up to his team to quickly find and rescue his daughter

11.00 TheSunday Project. (R) Joins panellists for alook at the day’s news, events and hot topics.

12.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBSMornings. Morning newsand talk show.

Monday,March 11

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News

Mornings. 10.00 Landline.(R) 11.00 Antiques

Roadshow.(PG, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon.

1.00 Vera (Mav,R)

2.30 Back Roads. (R)

3.00 TheCook AndThe Chef (R)

3.30 Tenable. (R)

4.15 Antiques Roadshow. (PG, R)

5.15 Grand Designs. (PG, R)

6.00 Back Roads:Tenterfield, NSW (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABCNews.

7.30 7.30 Presented by Sarah Ferguson.

8.00 Australian Stor y. Presented by Leigh Sales.

8.30 Four Corners Investigative journalism programexposing scandals, firing debate and confrontingtaboos.

9.15 Media Watch. (PG)

HostedbyPaul Barry

9.35 Q+A. Presented by Patricia Karvelas

10.35 ABC LateNews.

10.50 TheBusiness (R)

11.10 TheWeekly With CharliePickering. (R)

11.40 Planet America (R)

12.15 Grand Designs. (PG, R)

1.00 Tenable. (R) 1.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

4.30 Catalyst. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Peer To Peer.(R) 9.30

MakeMeA Dealer.(R) 10.20

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG, R) Presented by Marc Fennell.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Finding Your Roots: Far From Home. (PG) Hosted by Henry LouisGates, Jr

8.30 The2010s: Trump –The Disruptor (Ma) Revisits the phenomenon of both the Donald Trump candidacy and presidency

9.20 24 Hours In Emergency:Where

There’s AWill… (M) A15-year-old is rushed to St George’s after going overthe handlebarsofhis bike

10.15 SBSWorld NewsLate.

10.45 Blanca. (Malv)

11.40 Silent Road. (Ma)

3.30 22 Kids And Counting (R)

4.25 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHKWorld English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight

SBS

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home And Away (PGad)

7.30 Australian Idol. (PGl) Anationwide search for the nextsinging superstar continueswiththe top 8performers.

8.30 TheO scars. (PGalv,R)A ceremony honouringachievementsinfilmmaking overthe past year,fromthe Dolby Theatre in LosAngeles. Films nominated for BestPicture include Oppenheimer Barbie PoorThings and Killers of the Flower Moon.Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.

12.00 MOVIE: Someone Is Watching (2000,Mlv,R)A family’shome seems haunted. Stefanie Powers, Mickey Toft

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBCToday. News and current affairs.

5.00 SevenEarlyNews

5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News.

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 Married At FirstSight. (Mls)

It’stime for Feedback Week

9.00 BigMiracles. (Mam) Follows a new group of hopefuls on their journeyto becoming parents with the help of IVF

10.00 FootyClassified. (Return, M) Footy experts tackle the AFL’s bigissues.

11.00 9News Late.

11.30 Court Cam. (Mav,R)

12.00 Tipping Point. (PG,R)

12.55

Phil. (PGa, R) 12.00

10 News First:Midday. 1.00 Ent.

Tonight. 1.30 Australian Survivor.(R) 3.00 Farm To Fork 3.30 10 News First: Afternoon.

4.00 Neighbours. (PGa) 4.30 Bold.(PGads) 5.00 News.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal.

Hosted by Grant Denyer

6.30 TheProjec t. Thehosts and guest panelliststakea look at the day’snews, events and hot topics.

7.30 Australian Sur vivor Agroup of Australian castawaysbattles it out on the beachesofSamoa as they vie to become the sole survivor

8.40 FBI: Most Wanted. (Mv,R)

The team hunts forayoungman who used napalm-style bombs to attack histargets. With Tali away from home at boarding school, Jess and Sarahfind themselves trying to adjust to life with an empty nest.

11.30 TheProjec t. (R) Alook at the day’s news.

12.30 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colbert (PG) Hosted by Stephen Colbert.

1.30 Home Shopping (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

10

SBS

9GO!

10

2.45

5.30

NITV

6.00

6.30 TheProjec t. Alookatthe day’snews.

7.30 Australian Sur vivor Agroup of Australian castawaysbattles it out on thebeachesofSamoa as they

8.30 NCIS (M,R)Gibbs and McGee head

Alaska as the

works to uncover

behind the serial killer.

10.30 NCIS: LosAngeles. (Mv, R) ACIA officer and three others are killed.

11.30 TheProjec t. (R) Alook at the day’snews.

12.30 TheLateShowWith Stephen Colber t. (PG) Hosted by Stephen Colbert.

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBSMorning s.

One-teacher,one community

By ERIKAALLEN

DAVID Harris turned his bedtimestories into an award-winning article, revivingthe history of a humble one-teacherschool in the GippslandHills.

Gippsland's scenic GrandRidgeRoad was once abustling highway, passingthrough mining and forestry settlements

All that remains are traces of asmall community, including asigndenoting where the Livingston one-teacherschool (1913-1938) oncestood.

While the school may no longer occupy atangible space, its indeliblemarkonVictoria'sregional education history enduresthrough thestories of those who impartedoracquiredknowledge within its humblewalls, including David Harris' father, ArthurLeslie (Les)Harris.

"I grewupwithstoriesabout Livingston because my father(Les) taughttherein1932when he was 21,"Davidsaid.

"My bedtime storieswere basically stories about the people at Livingston."

David, aformer Latrobe University lecturer, brought the tales of the Livingston one-teacher school back to life in hiscommendation-winning journal article titled, Livingston: AOne-Teacher School in the Gippsland Hills,1913-1938,which was honouredatthe 2023 Victorian Community History Awards

On February 2, Mr Harriswas presented with his commendation at the Melbourne Arts Centre. Mr Harriswas pleasantly surprisedtoreceive the honour,and emphasised theawards positive role in keeping community historiesalive In recognition of excellence in historical methods, the annualawards are organised by The Royal Historical Society of Victoria (RHSV) in partnership with the Public Record Office of Victoria, which Mr Harris fondly called "his second home." WhenMrHarris spoke to the Express,many facetsofthe term ‘community’ werediscussed.

Most poignantly, Mr Harrisalluded to theconnection between schools and the communities in which they operate

Beyond being placesfor learning, schools cultivate community bonds through collaboration and support, fosteringa shared senseofidentity.

Mr Harris' journal article speaks to this narrative "I think one- teache rs ch ools were ar eal ly

importantpart of the governmenteducation system in country areas because they were so muchapart of the community,"MrHarris said.

"My sense from reading thearchives and the inspectors reports on teachers (at Livingston), was that areally quality educationwas delivered quite often to thestudents at thatschool."

However,itwas achallenging feat.

The Livingston school, named afterGippsland South's Member of the Legislative Assembly, Thomas Livingston, opened in 1913 on steep terrain in the StrzeleckiRanges near Boolarra.

The environment and climate were harsh at Livingston, but the school was established to incentivise farmers to stay. However, adecline in numbers ledtoits closurein1928.

The school reopened in 1932aspartofa state government scheme to employfamilies to cultivate the land. Eleven new families sharing 20 children joinedthe settlement,asdid David's father,Les, who was theteacher during the reopening.

Teachers weregrappling withfunding and salary cutsatthe time, and positions at Livingston were often ‘temporary’ as aresult.

Despitethis,MrHarrisspoke of the ‘idealism’

that teacherslike his father possessed, which spurred them on regardless.

Les Harris had recently graduated from Bendigo Teachers' College when he started at Livingston. Inspector reports said he was an "earnest" and "conscientious" teacher.

During Les' time at Livingston, the Victorian Education Department denied funding for the school's upkeep

Afundraising dance washeld at the community hall to cover costs for garden fencing,wirenetting to keep the rabbits out, and maintenanceofthe horse yard. Meanwhile, Les paid for the gardening tools outofhis pocket.

Mr Harris highlighted the unwavering dedication displayed by the educatorsatLivingston, emphas ising that despite the scho ol's brief existence, it remains intricately connected to the enduring legacy of Victoria's ruraleducation system –community building through childcentred learning.

"Often when people think of older styles of teaching,it'sall about reading, writing, and arithmetic,but whatisreally evident lookingat the teachinginLivingston wasthat it was more thanthat," he said.

He pointed out that, evenduring thatera,students'interests were the focal point of education, stating, "itwas about finding thingsthat interest thestudent-you began with the student's world, and thenyou expanditout fromthat."

"That's areally contemporary idea …those sorts of ideas are still around in modern education. But here they were being discussed in Victoria before theFirst WorldWar."

"So, theideaofchild-centrededucation isn't a recent idea.

"I think it' sr eally evident at ap lace lik e Livingston. It was part of training that my father had and another teacher there, Irene Ennis would havehad,tobringthe school and community together."

Chang es to the curric ulum at Liv ingston occurred as ideas to champion the children's interests took priority.These included introducing regularphysical activitylike woodchopping, athrilling pastime forthe children, who often brought axes to school forlunchtime and recess

attending Livingston wasthe Caldwell's,aname etc he di nto the Victori an Ax emen' sC oun cil woodchopping halloffame

"Champion axeman Ken Caldwell was alsoat Livingston. So, when he later appeared on the TV or in the newspapers it would set dad off withstories about Livingston and storiesabout woodchopping competitions," Mr Harrissaid

While Les Harris was not sureabout the duration of histenure at Livingston -itwas amere five months before he was transferred to another school -both his dedicated commitment during his time thereand the nostalgic fondness of the memories formed underscore the pivotalrole of teachers in fosteringshared positive community outcomes within rural schools.

"That was the funny thing," David responded to his father's short time at Livingston

"BecauseIgrew up with allofthese stories, I thoughthe'dbeen there muchlonger, but whenI wenttoresearchit, Irealisedthat he'd only been there for five months before they moved him to another school."

Mr Harris added that his father was particularly fondofone-teacherschools becauseitwas "really rewarding."

"He alwaystalkedabout the community and the strength of the community," Mr Harrissaid.

"It was always something he rememberedfondly as he gotolder."

"Education was his life, and even afterheretired, he didvoluntary work in education."

Mr Harrisintendstowritemorearticles about his father's experiences in one-teacher schools. Mr Harris’ article was published in the June 2023 edition of the Victorian Historical Journal, which can be purchased as ahard copy or digital copy on the RHSV website.

If you’re interestedin reading the article, use thisQRcodeto access theRHVS websitefor digitaland hardcopies of the June 2023Victorian HistoricalJournal.

ildren

Acknowledgement: DavidHarris (pictured right) waspresented acommendationinthe Victorian CommunityHistor yAwardsbyJudy Maddigan.

Grants to get kids to care for the land

WOOLWORTHS, in partnership withLandcare Australia, is offering more than amillion dollars in grants to schoolsand earlylearning centres for moreAussie kids to get involved in outdoor learning projects.

Schools acrossthe Latrobe Valley are encouraged to apply for the latest round of grants.

The Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants support projectswith afocus on sustainable food production, improvingwaste management, or enhancing native habitats.

Last year, AltonaCollege in Victoria used its grant to create asustainable frog-friendly habitat, attracting local frog populations and controlling mosquitoes in the area.

Since2018, the Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants program has provided more than $5 million in grants to almost5000primary schools and early learning centres across Australia.

This has resulted in more than 400,000 students

gettinghands-onwith nature and caring for the environment in their community.

More than 1199 schools and early learningcentres fromacross Victoria have received grants in the past.

Landcare Australia Chief Executive, Dr Shane Norrish, said being outdoors in the natural environment has positive benefits for the mental health and wellbeing of children.

“These programs offer experiencesthat are helping children learn how they can care for the land and be the next generation of Landcare leaders,” Dr Norrish said.

Applications forthe Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants program are now openuntil March19, 2024.

The grants offer primary schoolsand early learning centres the opportunity to apply for up to $1000.

For more information, visitjuniorlandcare.org.au

Getting started at WGPS

STUDENTS at Willow Grove Primary

with

The school has welcomed six new Foundation students.

The new students have engaged in avariety of learning activities to help them settle into school routines. They have simultaneouslybeen developing

their fine motor skills by using tweezers to collect bugs, writing their names and engaging in measurement activities.

Foundation students have buddied up with theirGrade 1and 2classmates to undertake STEM activities using Lego.

The class also made fruit salad when learning about the letter F.

Ambulance Victoria backing the RCH Good Friday Appeal

AMBULANCE Victoria (AV) is backing agreat cause once again, aiming to raise money for the Royal Children’s Hospital(RCH) Good Friday Appeal.

This year, it’s aspecial Good Friday Appeal for Warragul Paramedic Jacob Every and his wife, Erin, as their two-year-old son, Finley, was announced as one of the Faces of the Appeal.

Finley was born with myelomeningocele -asevere form of spina bifida.

Finley underwent his first major spinal surgery within the first 48 hours of his life, which reduced the severity of his conditions.

Finley continued to receive treatment from specialist careteams at the RCH and was sixweeks oldwhenhewas diagnosed with bilateral vocal cord paralysis, requiring atracheostomy.

He’salready undergonefourmajor surgeries,and various MRIs, x-rays and scope studies.

Finley is fed throughanasogastric tube as he awaits yet another surgerytoinsert afeeding tube into his stomach.

Jacobsaid‘Fin’ can be summed up by his strength, resilience, and cheekiness; not allowing his condition to suppress his playful personality.

“He’s the bravest young boy Iknow and he’s getting stronger every day thanks to the continued treatment from the RCH,” he said.

“The level of care provided by doctors, nurses and allied health staff at RCH is second-to-none.

“They’ve made our familyfeel welcomed and comforted, and listened closely to our concerns -Finley wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them.”

AV employees have started their fundraising

efforts, and will also be participating in the Good Friday Appeal Run for the Kids on Sunday, March 17.

Jacob implored all Victorians to open their hearts and consider contributing to the Good Friday Appeal this year.

“Every day we’re with Fin we use lifesaving equipment from the RCH, and it’s all thanks to causes such as the Good Friday Appealtohelp fund its world-class treatment and research,” he said.

AV Chief Executive,JaneMiller said she was proud of Jacob and his family for sharing their story and encouraged people to support AV’s efforts to raise money for the Good Friday Appeal this year. “The Appeal is close to the hearts of so many at AV and families in our communities,” she said.

“The RCH is one of our key partners in delivering

the highest quality healthcare to Victorians and we routinely transport children from across the state to this world-leading hospital.

"TheRCH has aprofound impact on families across the state and I’m proud of our people, paramedics, first responders and corporate staff, for supporting the Good Friday Appeal again this year.”

To show your support,considercontributing to AV’sGood Friday Appeal Online Fundraiser by visiting fundraise.goodfridayappeal.com.au/ fundraisers/ambulancevictoria

All money raised willhelp the RCH provide world-classcare to patients and families by funding research, state-of-the-art equipment and technology and family care programs.

Advertising in the Express

l g

But don’t just take our word for it...

“ e “ gets you results! i

The Range Retirement Village are ong time clients of the Latrobe Valley Express and have always enjoyed a great relationship with Jenny and her teaminthe advertising department . Theyalwaysgoout of their waytomakesure our company has the best advertising forour business, always lookingfor ways to improve our ads, so we achieve the best results.

We recommendthe LatrobeValleyExpress to anyone looking to promote and advertise their business.

LeighBrown

The Range Retirement Village

Healthyfutures: Applications forthe Woolworths Junior LandcareGrantsprogramare nowopen. Photograph supplied

School have returned

enthusiasmfor the 2024 year.

On the prowl: Willow GrovePrimar ySchool Foundation students hunting forbugs

Get over it: Buildingbridges withLego.

Healthy: Foundation students cutting up their fruit to makefruit salad. Photographs supplied

History of Yallourn Technical School

By KATRINA BRANDON

THERE are many fond memories of the Yallourn Technical School within the community,and along history to follow.

After 24 years of teaching at the school, Graham Goulding shared those memories in his book, Knowledge is Power, AHistory of Yallourn Technical School 1928-1993.

Mr Goulding held abook launch early last month to celebrate and share his work.

The room built up quickly, and the longlineof people wanting signed copies spread throughout the halls of the High StreetCommunity Hub, Moe. People as far as Melbourne came to enjoy the book and to hear about the work behind it.

Vice President of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria,Rosalie Triolo, wasinattendance,and expressed how important it is to share the history of rural communities.

“TheRoyal Historical Societyhas 326 approximately historical societies, and between 800 and 900 individual members, but there are many historical societies down here (Gippsland)… Ihave learnt that you are avery strong band,” she said.

“It’s wonderful to have such abook written because technical education is so often overlooked, and it’s a form of time that you are referring to. It was perhaps better resourced, better loved and given alot more value than it has been in more recent times. The teachers of that technical school and pupils deserve their stories to be told and preserved as you have dedicated to this community.”

Moe and District Historical Society President, Martin Dyt, openedthe ceremony and congratulated Mr Goulding for his effort.

He also invited the formerlecturerofFederation University, Barry Dunston. Mr Dunston also served as president of Yallourn Technical College and Yallourn TAFE Council.

Mr Dunston expressed how the technical school was at the forefront of the significant changes during its time in technicaleducation drawn from exclusively training schemes, where people of goodwill generated self-design and training programs in the evening.

He also said that life at the technical school forever keptadapting when needed,and quoted Albert Einstein about abike but changed it for the school.

“Life for atechnical school is like riding abicycle To keep its balance, it must keep moving forward and confidently accept change.”

Mr Goulding was thrilled that so many people came to the book launch, and noted that he was also thankful to Lowanna College Principal, Adam Hogan for permitting him to use the photos in the book.

Like most authors, Mr Goulding needed help figuring out where to start writing and when to stop researching.

"How long do you research before you start writing? Iread through 65 years of school council records, visited apublic records office twice, read the Yallourn Live Wire and the Moe Advocate,and even went online to look at copies of The Age and the local advocate newspaper. Past students and staff also welcomed me into quite afew homes," he explained.

“I hope it generates interestorstimulates the memory of theplace as Iwrote thestart of the book. Thereal memoriesofthe placerest in the memories of the people who worked there and studied there.

Trying to capture all of that is very difficult.”

Aft er research ing and meeting people, Mr Goulding said everybody had adifferent view

“How was the school viewed? It depends on who you talk to. In the early days, all the students interestedingoing into the SEC and achieving higher education would look back to the school as having given them awonderfulopportunity for higher education. If youtalktoanother student, they would say that they hated the place -that it was brutal, and they got out of thereasquickly as possible.”

Launching the book into the world, Mr Goulding asked for arating, and Mr Dunston replied 10 out of 10.

CopiesofKnowledge is Power can be purchased at the Moe Historical Society museum, (2 High Street, Moe), which is open on Wednesdays from 1pm to 4pm,and fromBrownCoalMuseum,Yallourn North, and Moe Newsagency.

Mayor speaks at Morwell Rotary

By GLORIA AUCHTERLONIE

LATROBE City Mayor, DarrenHowe was guest speaker at Morwell Rotary's most recent gathering.

His visit was two-fold -hewas keen to hear about what’s going on at Morwell Rotary -and willing to give Rotarians an insight of council’s various responsibilities and future plans for 2024 and beyond.

Cr Howe mentioned some of council’s major projects for 2024, including car park upgrades of 900 new car spaces across Traralgon, Morwell and Moe,and an upgrade on the MaffraTraralgon Road,Stage 1A of the Gippsland Logistics Precinct, Regional AdvancedAir Mobility Surrogate Trials (started in Latrobe City in earlyFebruary) and exploring opportunities throughthe state government’s$2 billion package to ensure we receive all the

benefits that would have been facilitated by the Commonwealth Games.

Cr Howe told Rotarians that council is working towardanew energy future to develop pathways for new businesses and opportunities to ensure ourcommunity remains committed to abright and prosperous future.

“After all,” he said, “like the work of Rotary andother local clubs, our community is at the heart of all we do."

He made the point that council is the voice of the community, working to deliver projects in partnershipwith other levels of government and all sections of the community.

Cr Howe waskeen to hear about the challenges experienced by Rotary and the known problems of other clubs, and his suggestion that council could host regular meetings with Rotary and other local clubs to voice the challenges, ideas and possible solutions was very warmly received.

Voice:

Opportunities at Tgon Probus

By KATRINA BRANDON

WHAT do you do once you retire?

Do you jo in grou ps, go on vacat ion or volunteer?

Well, you don’t have to figure it out, as Probus

ClubofTraralgon Combined Inc. (Traralgon Com bine dP rob us) ,h as opport uni ties everywhere.

Gaining friends has never been so easy at Traralgon Combined Probus, with more than 100 members withdifferent interests. The group has many sub-groups, such as awalking group, coffee group, golf group, dancing group and more. The group meets every third Monday of the month, where they watch ashort educational video, introduce new members, propose ideas, have aguest speaker, and, of course, have araffle. The first person drawn gets aColes voucher during the raffle, and the rest get chocolates. Allmoney from the raffle goes back to the club formoreactivities.

Trips throughoutthe year are sorted through avote of majority interest.

On Monday, February 19, two trips were proposed to the group: three nights on the Mornington Peninsula and two nights in the Blue Mountains.

The day's video was about giving back to the community, which was also the chosen choice for the guest speaker.

Thereare more than1700Probus Clubs with more than 125,000 members all over Australia and New Zealand, with many being mixed, including Traralgon’s Combined Club. Probus gives peopleover the age of 63 the opportunity to meet fellow retirees regularly, listen to speakers and join in withactivities Probus is about fun, friendship and fellowship in retirement.

When talking about the club, Probus Club of TraralgonPresident, Gayle Cayzer,said, “They are the happiest, noisiest group of fun-loving people Ihave belonged to”.

Chronicled: VicePresidentofthe RoyalHistorical SocietyofVictoria, Rosalie Triolo,former Yallourn TechnicalCollege President,Barry Dunston, author Graham Goulding andMoe Historical Society President, Mar tin Dytatthe launchofMrGoulding’sbook on thehistor yofYallournTech.

Photograph: Katrina Brandon

Community Corner with Liam Durkin

Beekeeping day

THE Gip psl and ,L atr obe Valley and South Gippsland Beekeepers Associations assisted by Max Biocare, are coming together to host abeekeeping field day on Sunday, April 7.

The day is dedicatedtolocal or prospective beekeepers looking to learn more about the craft.

There will be around 20 beehives on the seven hectare property, where workshops will be run.

Those in attendance will gettolearn more on what is in abeehive and what they do, as well as their critical role in the pollinationprocess

About 60-70 beekeeping suits will be available on the day.

Phone Bill Ringin for more information on 0498 594 897.

Anyone is welcome to join, tickets are $10.

Food and drinkswill be available on the day at 600 Yinnar Road, Yinnar.

Spiritual service

LATROBE Valley Spiritualist Centre, Morwell holds servicesevery Sunday.

Services are held from 2pm-4pm, with doors opening at 1.30pm.

Adifferent speaker will talk every week, followed by afternoon tea.

For more infor mation, pho ne Amanda Webb on 0411 051 044.

Traralgon District Historical Society

THE annualmeeting of the society will be held next Tuesday, March 12 at the Kath Teychenne Centre (11 Breed Street, Traralgon).

The meetingwill begin at 7.30pm with aguest speaker to follow the meeting.

We are hopingthat Latrobe City May or, Da rre nH owe wil lb ei n attendance.

Darren is avery loyal supporter of the societywhich is very much appreciated.

The formal part of the meeting will take place first, then our guest speaker Marion Jenkinswill givea talk on Thomas Allard Pettit who was ajournalist and councillor in early Traralgon.

Marion is the great granddaughter of Thomas Allard Pettit.

Supper will be held at the conclusion of the meeting.

The society is always looking for new members, so if you have an interest in the history of Traralgon and surrounds, please get in touch with the societyfor information on howyou can join.

Come tryCroquet

CROQUET is asport that assists rehabilitation, involves thinking and strategy and is fun to play.

What are you doing Wednesday and Saturday mornings?

Get on yourcomfy shoes, clothes and ahat and join us at the Morwell Croquet Club (Travers Street,

Morwell ,i nsid et he recreation reserve).

Three free lessons and playdays and loan mallets available every Wednes day and Satur day from 9.30am.

Just roll up.

All-abilities get together

JOIN us for an inclusive gathering at the TraralgonRSL, where people of all-abilities can come together over a meal and drinks.

Whether you’re coming alone, with afriend, support worker,orfamily member, all are welcome.

This is afantastic opportunity to makenew friends and enjoya chat in a welcoming environment on Thursday, March 28 at 12pm.

Cost is at your own expense, plus agold coin donationwhich will go towards hosting future events.

Please RSVP to Phillip Chalker by March 25,indicating the numberof people attending.

You can reach Phillip on 0400 603 367 or email all.abilities.social.group@ gmail.com

TRAMPS ride

TRAMPS (Traralgon and Morwell Pedallers Inc.) started theirlatest ride at Drouin Station car park, and rodeto Lardners Track and East-West Road, before stopping by Yarragon for lunch.

We saw some spectacular country homes along East-West Rd.

After crossing the highway, we took the Darnum Shady Creek Rd to Warraguland finishedalong the 'Two Towns Trail' to Drouin.

For the firsttime, we stopped for coffee before we finished the ride. The hot winds earlier may have had something to do with it.

Passing through the Drouin Civic Park, we could see the ficifolia sculpture, installed in July 2022.

The club cares for its riders; we had five members with us who were first aid trained. Some of our events take us into semi-remote regions so we need to be prepared.

Our firstaid trainingwas funded by Safetech; an engineering company with offices in Morwell and Moe.

Safetechhavebeen very supportive of our activities and funded other things such as the expensive battery for our defibrillator.

Our next ride is this Sunday (March 10), starting in Stratford at the Apex car park at 9am, withlunchinMarlay Point.

TRAMPS welcomes new riders. For more information, visit our website at tramps.org.au

Club contacts are Paul on 0459 823 422, or Vance (0403 662 288).

Chess results

CLIFF Thornton provided assistance to new player Krithikka Veeraman, who was quick to learn new ideas in Latrobe Valley Chess Association.

Ian Hamilton won each clash.

St eve Ahe rn won two gam es, highlighted by the forced checkmate against Cliff Thornton.

Mark Biezen-Bennett was always ready to join the battle.

The support providedbyThanmaya Veeraman was appreciated.

Witha rangeofchess skills, Anthony Bennett accepted the challenges.

Phone Cliff Thornton on 0413 330 458 or Ian Hamilton (5134 1971) for more information on local chess.

Moe Cancer Council

UPCOMING events for Moe and District Cancer Council are:

Volun teer Group -o ur cu rr en t project is Lung Cancer Research.

Raffle ticket selling from May 9until May 22 in front of the newsagency in Moore Street, Moe.

Australia’s BiggestMorning Tea will be held on Thursday, May 23 at the Moe RSL from 9.30am till 12pm. Our nextmeeting will be ourannual meeting on Monday, March 25 from 1.30pm at the Moe RSL. For more infor mation, pho ne Volunteer Group contact Diane on 0438 517 470, or Linda (0427 671 780).

Cancer Council Supporters Hot Line: 1300 65 65 85

Cancer Council Help Line: 13 11 20

Quit Line: 13 78 48

Morwell Historical Society

COME and join us on either Wednesday, March 6orWednesday, March 20 at our StepBackinTime

Conversation Cafe in our rooms at 12 Hazelwood Road, Morwell from 11am to 2pm.

We would love you to pop in and join us fora cuppa and some light refreshments while we listen to your connection with Morwell, your interests, as well as sharing our exhibitions with you.

Our cafe will coincide with our open days during the year on the first and third Wednesdays, and last Sunday of the month (February-November).

We hope you will join us. For any queries, please phone 0409 436 019.

Thinking badminton?

LAT ROBE Val ley Ba dmi nton Association has commenced training for seniors and juniors.

Senior training is Tuesday nights fro m7 .3 0pm at the Gipp sla nd Regional Indoor Sports Stadium (Traralgon). Juniors trainFridaynights from 6.30pm at the same venue.

Season starts next month.

All past, presentand newplayers are most welcome to come and enjoy. For further information, phone Garry on 0421 272 576.

Trafalgar &District Historical Society

ARECENT excursion by the T&DHS memberswas to exploreold schools in the area. We visited the site of the Sunny Creek Primary School, Trafalgar South PS,the ChildersCemetery, Holly Dale PS and the Narracan PS (which is still current). Records from each of these schools are held by the society.

Visitors are always welcome at the T&DHS rooms, where we meet each Friday afternoon.

While membersare engaged in sorting, filing and adding to our catalogue, we are always happy to show people the collection of artefacts, photos and newspapers. Should youneedtoresearch, an appointment is recommended. Enquiries can be made by email to historicalsocietytraf@gmail.com or via amessage on Facebook.

Bridgeresults

TRARALGONBridgeClubresultsfor

Tuesday,February 27 and Thursday, February 29.

Tuesday -N/S 1st Marion Taylor and Anna Field (69 percent);2nd Peter Lonie and CarolCheyne (59), E/W 1st Ken Tierneyand Anne DenHouting (60);2nd Helen McAdam and Don Tylee (58).

Thursday -N/S 1st Marion Taylor and Kevin Taylor(63); 2nd Geoff Dixon and John Marsiglio (58), E/W Don Tylee and Roshni Chand (56); Ken Tierney and Anna Field (55).

Ballroom Dance Lessons

LATROBE Valley Dance Promotions

Inc are holding their weekly Thursday night lessons at the Girl Guides Hall (18 Margaret Street, Morwell).

Startingat7pm and finishing up about 10pm.

Cost is $5 per person each Thursday

Join us to learn anew skill, have some fun, dancing, revision,friendships, exercise, and socialising. Follow us on our Facebook page at Latrobe Valley Dance Promotions Inc. Contacts are Normon0428543 737, or Lynda (0428 489 041).

Email latrobevalleydancepromotioninc@gmail.com

Youcan be apartof Community Corner

IF you are acommunity groupand have any news items you need publicised, feel free to email us at news@ lvexpress.com.au

You can address the correspondence to Editor, Liam Durkin.

Please write 'CommunityCorner' in the subject line and nothing else.

Deadline is Friday 9am to appear in the following Wednesday issue.

MONDAY4

Benjamin

Jasmine

WEDNESDAY6MARCH

Tatum

Olivia

The

Ride

Photograph supplied

IT doesn’t matterwhat time of the year it is,the best waytosavemoney is to makesurethat your heatingand cooling systemisregularly serviced and well maintained.

When the days and nights become chillier,having to fire up our heaterstobewarmagain meansthat thereispotential for higher electricity/gas bills.Having your heater regularly serviced will keep it running to its best potential and help keep energy bills down.

When the warm weatherhits with avengeance,our best friend becomes the air conditioner

If youmakesureyou clean air conditionersevery six months,or earlier if recommended, youwon't have theproblem of clogged, dir ty filtersblocking normal airflowand stopping youfromobtaining its full potential.

Russell Thomas is able to serve all air conditioning and heating ements,installations and Phone

in our Margery Cole Residential Care Service.

Yallambee prides itself on providing individual choice, independence, and quality of life. The Board of Directors is committed to the provision of strong leadership with focus on fiscal and clinical governance to ensure Yallambee is well positioned to respond to the increasing demands within this growing and challenging Aged Care sector.

Yallambee currently has one vacancy on our voluntary Board of Directors. If you are interested in becoming part of adynamic Board, can add diversity in thinking and share our vision and mission in making adifference in the lives of our residents, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Yallambee is seeking applicants with Legal, Accountancy, Risk Management, Project Management, Business Governance, and who have previous board experience.

We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, such as those with adisability, CALD, Aboriginal /TSI, LGBTQIA+ community and people of different age groups with different lived experiences.

Yallambee offers support for Directors wishing to undertake education.

The Yallambee Board Director PD is available from https://www.yallambee.com.au/current-jobvacancies/ Applications can be emailed to: pa@yallambee.com.au marked Confidential to:

Mr Victor de Beer Board Chair /Chair Nominations Committee Yallambee Traralgon Village for the Aged Inc. Applications close 5pm, Monday, 25 March 2024.

2024 TEACHING POSITION

We are seeking aqualified, experienced and enthusiastic Teacher to be part of our professional learning team with aposition open for aclassroom teacher. Applicants must embrace an ethos of working in partnership with colleagues, parents and students to develop athriving 21st century learning community where relationships are highly respectful, reflecting our school motto of Strength and Gentleness.

Graduate and experienced teachers are encouraged to apply.

Contact details:

Michelle Charlton: Principal

Phone: 5174 5515

How to apply:

Please submit your application including, cover letter and CV via email to: principal@stgtraralgon.catholic.edu.au

The interview process may commence prior to the closing date, and if asuitable applicant is found, the role may close early. We encourage applications for the vacancy to be submitted as soon as possible.

Applications close: Monday, 11 March at 4pm

This school community promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children.

DELIVERERS WTD

Would you like to deliver the Latrobe Valley Express newspaper to individual homes on Tuesday and/or Wednesday afternoons in Morwell, Traralgon, Moe, Newborou gh and Churchill? Please apply to the Circulation Manager 0456 000 541. Please note: Children must be 11 years or over as we will need to apply for agovernment Child Employment Permit Children younger than 11 cannot or will not be accepted. Adult deliverers also welcome.

Does

your current marketing hit the correct audience?

TRAFALGAR HIGH SCHOOL

IT TRAINEESHIP

An information technology traineeship is available at Trafalgar High School.

This position involves, but is not limited to:

● Providing technical support and troubleshooting for hardware, software, and/or network issues

● Assisting users via phone, email, or in person, resolving technical problems.

● Installation, configuration and maintenance for hardware, software or networking.

● Managing user accounts and providing training on system usage.

Current JOB OPPORTUNITIES

At RTL Mining and Earthworks

RTL is currently seeking applications for the following positions:

TRANSPORT TRUCK DRIVERS

For further information and to apply, visit: http://www.rtl.com.au/careers.html

TRARALGON GOLF CLUB COOK

Agreat opportunity has become available for areliable and dedicated Cook.

Fridays and Saturdays.

We offer afun, support ive a nd friendly team environment.

Please call Kathy on 0409 487 837 to discuss further.

● Documenting IT systems, procedures, and maintaining knowledge base.

To apply please call Sharon Lowater

Business Manager on 5633 1733

EXPRESS CLASSIFIEDS 5135 4455

High Risk WorkSafe Licence Trainer and Assessor

● Full Time (38 hours per week)

● Fixed Term to 31 December 2025

● Based at our Yallourn Campus

● Acareer to get you off the tools

● Job reference no. 23122

For more than 85 years, we have been helping our Gippsland communities thrive by empowering local students and supporting local businesses. We have campuses throughout eastern Victoria, from Warragul and Leongatha to Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance, offering a diverse range of training programs. TAFE Gippsland is looking for amotivated and enthusiastic industry expert with high-risk experience and competence to train and assess industry clients, and those looking to enter the industry.

Classifieds

GP1668234

CareersatLatrobe

LatrobeCityCouncilhasexcitingopportunitiesforenthusiasticand forward-thinkingindividualswithapassionforprovidingexcellent

• Childcareand PreschoolEducators –Cert3and Childcare andPreschool Educators –Cert3and DiplomaDi oma-MultipleCasual Positions

• Maternaland Child Health Nurse- ernal andChildHealthNurse -Permanent, Part Time &Casual

• LearntoSwimInstructor- MultipleCasual Positions

• Qualified Customer ServiceOfficer/Lifeguard - Qualif ServiceOfficer/LifeguardPart Time &Casual

• ProjectOfficer –Enhanced Maternal &Child Health ServiceService-Temporary Part Time

• StudentEngineer - udentEngineer -Casual

• AdministrationOfficer –Latrobe Leisure fficer Le Churchill-Permanent Part Time

• SeniorStatutory Planner - tatutory -Permanent Full Time

• FitnessInstructorFitness Instructor- Casual

• Social InclusionActionGroupInclusionActionGroup- Volunteer

• EarlyChildhood Mentor –Berry Street Education Model - Mo -Temporary Part Time

If you don't currently have the minimum required teaching qualification, but you do have extensive industry experience and the relevant licences, TAFE Gippsland will consider your application and sponsorship of any study costs. Relocation allowances can be provided for applicants currently residing interstate or in the metro area.

For enquiries relating to this position, please contact Jackson Hall, Program Manager Plumbing, High Risk Training and Civil on 0400 104 765.

For more information please visit the careers page at www.tafegippsland.edu.au/about/careers Applications close 2pm on 14 March 2024

TRAFALGAR HIGH SCHOOL Employment Opportunity CHIEF SUPERVISOR

Trafalgar High School are seeking aChief Supervisor to oversee, manage and conduct the running and administration of the General Achievement Test (GAT -Tuesday, 18 June) and VCE Unit 3&4examination period (29 October20 November) in 2024.

Training for the role is provided by VCAA and will

Expression of Interest CommunityAdvisoryCommittee Members

GippslandPHN is part of anational networkof31Primary Health Networks across Australia. PHNs arefunded to work towards the objectiveofmeeting the health needs of the most vulnerable people in the community or those most at risk of poor health outcomes. Gippsland PHN works closely with community and the primary health sector to identify opportunities to improve health outcomes in Gippsland, through better coordination and support of health services and by commissioning newservices to address identified health needs

Gippsland PHN is seeking expressions of interest for CommunityAdvisoryCommittee members to commence 1July 2024 for athree-year term

We arelooking for individuals whowouldlike to provide input and advice on improving health careservicesfor consumers in Gippsland.

Gippsland PHN is seekingCommittee members from arange of backgrounds, with different perspectives of the health sector:

GP1667947

ADVERTISERS

PLEASE NOTE:

Much hardship and difficulty is caused to job seekers by misleading advertising placed in the employment columns.

Our Situations Vacant columns are reserved for advertisements which carry aspecific and genuine offer of employment. Ads for `Business Opportunities' and `Training Courses' and `Employment Services' should be submitted under those headings. Placing misleading ads is an offence against the Trades Practices Act and state/territory fair trading acts and all advertisements are subject to the publisher's approval. For further advice, contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on 1300 302 502 or your state consumer affairs agency.

●

Areyou aconsumer, carerand/or patient of the primaryhealth caresystem?

Do youhavelivedexperience of adisabilityorcare forsomeone with adisability?

Areyou Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander?

Do you have amulticultural background?

If you areinterested,wewould love to hear from you.

Howtoapply

Allpotential nominees should review theonline informationand complete the ExpressionofInterest link available at https://gphn.org.au/about-us/caceoi/ Formoreinformation,pleaseemail company.secretary@gphn.org.au

Applications Close:Sunday, 17 March2024

Did knoyouw?

Readership of The Express in the Latrobe Valley is morethan 10 times that of the SaturdayAge.

EXPRESS

CL ASSIFIEDS

2010043ks

TRAFALGAR HIGH SCHOOL

Trafalgar High School is looking for aHands On Learning part-time instructor to deliver asmall group, early intervention program for Year 7-10 students that significantly increases confidence, attendance and retention.

This will be afixed term appointment for 3days a week. Trades experience is an advantage, but not essential.

See www.handsonlearning.org.au for more information about the program.

Applicants may apply through Recruitment Online https://www.schools.vic.gov.au/ recruitment-online job reference #1405521

For further information please contact

Sharon Lowater -Business Manager on 5633 1733

URGENT

Would you liketodeliver theLatrobe Valley Express newspaper to individual homes on Tuesdayand/or Wednesdayafternoons in Traralgon, Morwell and Newborough.

Please apply to:

The Circulation Manager 0456 000541

Please note: Children must be 11 years or over as we will need to apply for agovernment Child Employment Permit. Children younger than 11 cannot or will not be accepted.

Adult deliverers also welcome

GP1 632593

PHARMACIST

Montague's

Qualifications:

● Bachelor's degree or higher in Pharmacy

● Current registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia

● Experience in dispensing medications and providing drug information to patients and healthcare professionals

● Excellent knowledge of medications, drug interactions, and side effects

● Excellent customer service and communication skills

● Ability to work in afast-paced environment and manage inventory

● Familiarity with pharmacy software and medication records management

● Attention to detail and adherence to legal regulations and pharmacy policies

PHARMACY ASSISTANT

PART TIME POSITION

Qualifications S2-S3 and pharmacy or retail experience essential.

Please contact Vinh 5134 4841 or email:

Montague's

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DID YOU KNOW?

Deaths

BROWN, Kenneth George 'Brownie'. Passed away suddenly after ashort illness at Latrobe Regional Hospital on Monday 26 February 2024. Aged 58 years Loved and loving husband of Leanne. Amazing father an df athe r-i n-l aw of Brendan (dec.), Tegan, Kirsten and Andrew, and Arron. Cherished Poppy to Ethan (dec.), Noah, Eli and Mylah. Best of the best partner, father and grandfather. Rock on Baby. You're one person we'll never forget. XXXXXXXXXX

CAMILLERI, Leslie 'Les'. Passed away suddenly, result of an accident, on Monday, 26 February 2024. Aged 75 years Loved and loving son of Albert (dec.) and Alice (dec.). Loving brother and brother-in-law to Joe and Anna, Rose and Wim (dec.), Jane and Brian, Helen, and Irene (dec.).

Much loved and cherished uncle and great uncle. Forever in our hearts Agreat mate and agreat bloke Go Bombers!

Much loved brother of Rose and Wim (dec.).

COLARUSSO, Luigi. It's with heavy hearts that we share the news of the sudden loss of Lui. Loving husband of Elsie. Beloved stepfather of Jasmine and MJ. Loved and loving father of Grace and Scott.

Loved son of Domenic (dec.) and Rosa (dec.). Treasured brother of Nick, Phil, John, Lena and Filomena and their families. The happiness you brought to everyone will be sadly missed.

In our hearts you will stay, loved and remembered every day.

COLARUSSO, Luigi. Loved nephew of Antonio (dec.) and Maria Fazioli. Loved cousin of Filomena, Nick, Lina, Adam and families. We will never forget your cheeky smile and infectious laugh. Deepest sympathy to Elsie, Grace, Scott and all of the Colarusso family.

CROWE (nee Watkinson), Elizabeth 'Lila'. 27/5/1924 -27/2/2024.

Devoted wife of Alfred William Crowe (dec.).

Beloved mother of Susan, Judith (dec.), Mary and Alfred. Treasured mother-in-law of Frank, Tony (dec.) and Catherine. Adored grandmother and great grandmother.

God has youinHis keeping, We have you in our hearts

Please refer to Tobin Brothers website for funeral details.

Uncle of Billy, Shirley, Maree, David and Kris (dec.) and great uncle of Rachael, Kate, Daniel, Jacob, Matthew, Emily and Sarah.

Your memory will never fade

Forever in our hearts

Much loved uncle and 'Great' uncle of Maree, Matthew, Emily, Brodie, Ella, and friend to Dean.

No words can express how broken hearted we are at the passing of our adored Uncle Les.

Abeautiful man, taken too soon

You will stay in our hearts forever

Reunited with Nana and Nanu. Striech fil-paci

DUNBIER, Gary William. Passed away on Monday 26 February 2024. Aged 77 years Devoted husband and father. Agood natured man that soldiered on through the worst of it and still would've given you the shirt off his back. He'll

missed by

FAYE-TOMAN, Barbara Grace.

16/8/1954 -28/2/2024.

Passed away peacefully at Latrobe Regional Hospital. Loved and loving wife of Frank.

Much loved mum to Aron and Nicola, mother-in-law to Ruben. Loving nanny to Alexander and Annastasia. Forever in our hearts

NISSAN

3L

GANNON, Brian Francis.

Late of Kingsley, W.A.

Formerly of Newborough. Son of Ted and Therese (both dec.). Ever loving and loved husband of Suzanne. Cherished father and father-in-law of Haydn and Jessica; Madison and Joshua; Adored Papa of Cameron and Eloise. Treasured brother and uncle to Kev and Merrin, Irene, Alan and Natalie and families. Sometimes the sun sets early, Even for the courageous and all that is left is love

McRONALD, Mavis. The Lat robe Lad ies Probus Club members extend their sympathy to all her family on their sad loss. Mavis was along term member and will be sadly missed.

MONTAGUE, Mary. Dear beautiful Mary, thank you for blessing our lives with your kindness, grace, generosity and love. Our thoughts and prayers are with Eamonn, Damian, Lara and the girls.

♥ Marsiglio and Fogarty families.

ROBERTSON (Hardwick), Joyce Carolyn. Passed away peacefully at her home in Moe on 28 February 2024. Aged 71 years

Dearly loved wife of Norm (dec). Beloved daughter of the late Bill and Marj Hardwick. Sister to Glenn and John. Aunty Joyce to Megan and Conal, and Matthew and great aunty Joyce to their families. Dearest and best friend of Janine and Steve and their families.

SHANAHAN, Colin James.

Passed away peacefully

Saturday 17 February 2024. Aged 85 years Much loved husband of Lois (dec.). Adored father and father-in-law of Karen and Allen, Deb and John. Cherished Poppy to Greg and Jess, Allena; Brianna, Aaron, and Ashleigh. Great Poppy to Paige, Riley, Jack, Charlie, and Parker. Loved brother and brotherin-law of Paul and Janice.

CAMILLERI, Les. Died tragically on 26 February 2024. Les, you were my friend for 50 years. I'm totally gutted and saddened by your passing. I'll miss our Wednesday coffee down the street mate, bagging out the 'woke politicians'. Your laughter and sense of humour was unique and infectious. I'll truly miss you Les. Thinking of the

CAMILLERI, Les. Died 26 February 2024. Con dole nce st ot he Camilleri family on the passing of Les. Fondly remembered Scott Syme and family. Go Bombers

FULLWOOD, Nanette.

Mum/Nan, you are one of life's true treasures, the best in the world. You mean so much to us. You may be gone, however you will live on forever in our hearts and countless memories.

With all our love always, Sharon and Bruce; Krystal, Ben, Kye and Harley; Aaron, Courtenay, Hunter and Mila; Tayah and Iggy XXXX.

FULLWOOD, Nanette.

Thank you to our wonderful mum and nan. Who unconditionally loved us. We love you so much.

May God bless you and keep you. Gary and Maria, Tara, Naomi and Paul.

VINEY, Robert Stephen 'Steve'.

Passed away peacefully at LRH on Friday, 1March 2024. Aged 90 years

Loved and loving husband of Flo.

Father and father-in-law of Leanne and Steve (dec.), Shaun and Tiffany, Jason and Jenny, and Tricia and Brett.

Loved Pa of Andrew, Sarah, Danielle (dec.), Craig and Alex, Scott and Bobbie, Samantha and Mark, Dawson and Sophie, and Jemma, Siobhan, Jake (dec.), Nick, Lauren and Andrew and Pete.

Great Pa of Amelia, Ned, Jax, Tate, Ryan and William.

Gone Fishing

Funerals •

AALBERS.

The Funeral Service to celebrate the life of Benjamin Aalbers will take place in the Rose Chapel at Gippsland Memorial Park Crematorium, Cemetery Drive, Traralgon on WEDNESDAY (6 March 2024) commencing at 11am.

The ceremony will be livestreamed. Please visit Harwood Funerals Facebook page for link.

COLARUSSO. Requiem Mass and Committal for Cremation for the repose of the soul of Mr Luigi Colarusso will be offered at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Commercial Road, Morwell on TUESDAY (12 March 2024) commencing at 11am. Lui's Service will also be livestreamed. To view the livestream please visit our website.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

DUNBIER.

The Funeral of Mr Gary William Dunbier will arrive at the Traralgon Cemetery, Gippsland Memorial Park on FRIDAY (8 March 2024) for aGraveside Service to commence at 11am.

People are welcome to bring apersonal item, in memory of Gary, to place on his coffin.

Gary was not big on formality, so the dress code is smart casual.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258

Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

SHANAHAN. The relatives and friends of the late Mr Colin James Shanahan are respectfully advised that his Service will be held at the Carinya Gardens Chapel, Grant Avenue, Mount Gambier, FRIDAY (8 March 2024), commencing at 2pm (SA Time). His burial will take place immediately following the Chapel Service. For those unable to attend, Colin's Service will be livestreamed via: South East Funeral Services website www.southeast funerals.com.au

In the care of South East Funeral Services 87 254 333

VINEY. The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation of Mr Robert Stephen Viney 'Steve' will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 437A Princes Drive, Morwell on TUESDAY (12 March 2024) commencing at 11am.

Steve's Service will also be livestreamed. To view the livestream, please visit our website.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MORWELL 5134 4937 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

New race day building on its way at Moe

The Funeral Service to celebrate the life of Barbara will take place in the Rose Chapel at Gippsland Memorial Park Crematorium, Cemetery Drive, Traralgon FRIDAY (8 March 2024) commencing at 2pm. No flowers please. Donations in memory of Barbara may be made to ovarian cancer research foundation: www.ocrf.com.au/donate

CHRISTENSEN, Kaye. 28/5/1948 -6/3/2017. It's been 7years since you left us. We love and miss you every single day. Beautiful memories silently kept, Of one that we loved and will never forget. Greatly missed

CREMATION SERVICES FROM $2700

GP1663331

CAMILLERI.

The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Mr Leslie Camilleri will be held in the Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Traralgon Chapel, 260 Princes Hwy, Traralgon, on THURSDAY (14 March 2024) commencing at 2pm. Les' Service will also be livestreamed. To view the livestream, visit our website and follow the prompts.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

TRARALGON 5174 2258

Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

FULLWOOD. The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation of Mrs Nanette Fullwood will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 6Ollerton Ave, Newborough. TUESDAY (12 March 2024), commencing at 1.30pm. The Service will be livestreamed. To view the livestream, visit our website and follow the prompts.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 5126 1111

Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

GRIFFITHS, Helen. 26/12/1951 -6/3/2018.

Loving wife of Bill. Adored mum of Gaye, Terry, Gary and Leah and six grandkids. Gone but not forgotten. Lovedand missed by us all

Bereavement Thanks • ROBERTSON.

Family owned and locally based Funeral Directors

We bring35years experiencetofamilies in Traralgon, Morwell, Churchill, Moe, Trafalgar, Korumburraand surrounding areas.

THE CHOICE IS YOURS

Once complete, the state-of-the-art double-storey facilitywill deliver a modernadministration building overlooking the track.

Jockeys have alreadybenefitted from the upgrade, moving into new changerooms at ground level.

Outs ide cladd ing is set to be finished over coming weeks,while aliftwillalso be installed.

Theclubexpects finishing touches to take place next month, with an official opening later in the year.

Whilethe project has run into some delays, Moe Racing Club Chairman, Mike Vanderfeen says it will be worth the wait.

“Itwilljust be one big outlookover thewhole of the track,” he said.

“It willbeanasset to thetown, the community we believe,itwill be sensational.”

The project has been ajoint effort between Moe Racing Club, Racing Victoria and the state government.

Thestate government contributed $1 million from its Victorian Racing Industry Fund to supportthe project, while Moe RacingClubput up almost $2 millionitselfand RacingVictoria $300,000.

Vanderfeen said the club had received great support from the state

government, particularlyRacing Minister Anthony Carbines, who it is hoped will be able to attendthe opening.

“Thestate government has been very good to us.They gave us alot of funding for the new track when Martin Pakula wasthe Minister, now Anthonyhas takenover and he certainly supports this club.

Very happy with the relationship,” Vanderfeen said.

Upgrades are continuing at Moe Racing Club, withthe track currently in the midst of its annual renovation.

The track is being reseeded, a process which takes aroundeight weeks to see come through.

The club is expectingbiggercrowds once the new building is open, which could make this year’s Moe Cup in October one of the largest in recent memory.

Before that, the nextmajor meeting for Moe will be on ANZAC Day.

Elsewhere, Moe’s little brother LatrobeValley Racing Club will hold trials tomorrow (Thursday).

The Glenview Park track received high praise from jockeys at last year’s Traralgon Cup, anoteworthy achievement given the meeting was given only aone-week reprieve after floods left the track inundated.

Staying with Gippsland racing, the Stony CreekCup will takeplace this Sunday (March 10).

Stony Creek Racing Club Chief Executive, Adam Olszanski is a familiar voicetomany local racegoers, being the man behind the microphone as race day caller.

Under construction: Moe Racing Club hopes its newrace daybuilding will be open by themiddleofthe year Photograph: Liam Durkin

Collaborating: Moe Racing ClubChairman, Mike Vanderfeen and Victorian Racing Minister,AnthonyCarbines File photograph

Tenacious Tigers soldiering on

FOOTBALL/NETBALL

By TOM HAYES

DESPITE facing their own issues after astorm rippedthroughtheir town, the Mirboo North Football-Netball Club has sacrificed their important preseason to help locals get back on their feet.

Now three weeksonfromthe devastating storm, MNFNC are on the right track to be ready for the 2024 Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League season.

In the wake of the storm, MNFNC banded together to helpclean-upthe Mirboo NorthRecreation Reserve, and also the rest of the community.

“Our poor, old‘Rec’ Reserve hascoppedan absolute beating, so we were banded together and we said ‘right, there’s 15 of us, lets get some chainsaws and handsaws or whatever we can, and we all went to the RSL instead of training’,” new MNFNC senior football coach Damien Turner said.

Instead of training on February 19 and 21, the footballers decided to give back to the community, ticking items off the to-do list at the RSL, which turned out to be agreat team bonding experience off the field.

“It was good, it was just goodtoget thegroup together after all that. But the family we helped for the majority -they were so grateful …itwas just good to give back,” Turner said.

FormerMNFNC President, Joe Piper remains involved with the club in aspecialist facilities and infrastructure role, and aims to put his energy into clean-up efforts.

“The Mirboo North Football-Netball Club is part of acommunity, and our community is hurting,” Piper said.

“Some of the thingsthat have gone on in ourtown, and the way in which the community -and even our club -has volunteered has been outstanding. Notwithstanding,our club has suffered some damage because of the storm, predominantly its goal posts, netting behind the goals and our covers.”

MNFNC are working with the AFL, which donated $5000 towards the club’s clean-up.

ATHLETICS

GIPPSLAND

Round 16 of Gippsland Athletics Club trackand field season washeld Tuesday 27th of February 2024.

ROUND 16 RESULTS:

Records Men’s MastersDiscus: Simon VanBaalen 37.00 (34.38 previous record, Simon VanBaalen 2023)

10 0M

Women: U/14–Zaria Dalton 13.77, Xanthe

Dalton 16.47

Men: U/20 –Aaron Saltmarsh-Milne 12.66; Masters–Simon VanBaalen 15.57, Stuar t

Dalton 16.34, Wayne Seear 17.75, Ian Twite 19.96

JAVELIN

Women: U/14–Zaria Dalton 10.71, Xanthe

Dalton 9.77

Men: U/20 –Aaron Saltmarsh-Milne 29.02; Open –Simon VanBaalen 30.16, Brendan Caffrey 17.11; Masters–Simon VanBaalen 29.74, Wayne Seear 20.61, Stuar tDalton 16.09, Ian Twite15.86

LONG JUMP

Women: U/14–Zaria Dalton 4.59, Xanthe

Dalton 2.59

Men: U/20 –Aaron Saltmarsh-Milne 5.06; Masters–Simon VanBaalen 3.22, Wayne Seear 2.46

DISCUS

Women: U/14–Zaria Dalton 13.52, Xanthe

Dalton 12.44

Men: U/20 –Aaron Saltmarsh-Milne 34.63;

–Simon VanBaalen 30.33; Masters –Simon VanBaalen 37.00, Wayne Seear 26.84, Stuar tDalton 26.09, Ian Twite20.01

40 0M

Women: Women: U/14–Zaria Dalton 1:07.65, Xanthe

1:28.35

“We’re working with the AFL on that matter, and we hope that we’ll have all those things sorted out by the end of this (last) week. And we are very confidentthat our homeground will be up and running by the end of March,” Piper said on the afternoon of February 28, extending his thanks to AFLChief Executive, AndrewDillon, as well as AFL Gippsland Club Development Lead, Tim Cotter.

“It’s just been fantastic for the AFL to donate $5000tothe club to ensure that it remainsin good stead. It enables us to purchase some of the things that we would normallyhave in place by now through either practice gamesormembership,” Poper said.

MNFNC believe they will be ready to host their first home game of the MGFNL in Round 2, on April 20 against Foster.

On Wednesday,February 28, MNFNC footballers returned to the track for the first timesincethe storm,announcingTurner as theirnew senior coach.

“It’s been achallenging couple of weeks for our town, ourclub and the community, but Ithink the strength of theselocal communities really shines throughduringthose darkestmoments, and I’m sure any other town would respond the same way,” new MNFNC President, Andy McCarthy said.

It hasn’t just been the footballers doing all of the work, as the netballers have spent the last fortnight helping affected club members in the community. Theyhavebeen visiting localsthat live alone, offering to have achatand acuppa,providing acomfortingenvironment forthose you may be shaken up.

The MNFNC netballers returned to training during the same week, on Tuesday, February 27, taking to the courts under the supervision of the command centre.

Road to recovery: Although the goal posts arestillsnapped at theirankles,the near future looks bright forMirboo NorthFNC

Photograph: TomHayes

SCOREBOARD

Winner plays ChurchillatNewborough in Grand Final

Division 4: Longwarry67Traralgon (5) 30

Yinnar (2) 42 Traralgon RSL(2) 34

Preliminary Final: Traralgon (5) vYinnar (2) at Morwell Winner plays LongwarryatNewborough in

Grand Final

Strzelecki Region PlayoffsSunday 3March

Men's Champion of Champions: Craig

Fisher Wonthaggi 25 defeated Vin McIlwain

Traralgon 20

Ladies StateSingles: Karren Sheers

Neerim District 20 defeated Lorraine

Dowson Inverloch 18

Men's StateSingles: VinMcIlwain

Traralgon 25 defeated MarkHannaford

Inverloch 16

StateMixed Pairs: James Scullin Traralgon

Maureen Leighton Drouin 14 defeated Craig Fisher and Caroline Donohue Wonthaggi 13

Strzelecki North Playing Area Preliminary Finals Saturday2March

Division 1: Newborough 78 defeated

Trafalgar 76

Grand Final: Traralgon vNewborough at

Newborough Division 2: Longwarry93defeated Morwell

Club 88

Grand Final: Traralgon (2) vLongwarryat

Newborough Division 3: Boolarra93defeated Morwell (2) 60

Grand Final: Traralgon (3) vBoolarrraat

Newborough Division 4: Yallourn Nor th 82 defeated

Traralgon (4) 65

Grand Final: Moe (2) vYallournNor th at

Morwell Division 5: Neerim District (2) 64 defeated

Drouin (3) 59

Grand Final: Longwarry(2) vNeerim

District (2) at Morwell Division 6: Longwarry(3) 42 defeated Moe (3) 39

Grand Final: Drouin (4) vLongwarry(3) at Morwell

Midweek Grand Finals will be playedat

Newborough North vSouth Division 1playoffs will be held on Saturday 16 March, if aplayerisin both Midweek and Saturday then Midweek will playonSunday17March.

GOLF

CHURCHILL ANDMONASH

Monthly Medal 24th February 2024.

AGrade Winner: D. ByersNett69

PreliminaryFinal:

District at Morwell Winner plays MoeatNewborough in Grand

Final

Division 3: Churchill 79 Traralgon (3) 48

Trafalgar (2) 85 Yarragon 45

PreliminaryFinal: Traralgon (3) vTrafalgar (2) at Morwell

BGrade Winner: J. Sanders(SNR) Nett71

CGrade Winner: S. SandersNett66Medal

DGrade Winner: T. CollinsNett69

Scratch: T. Webb 83 Gross

D.T.L: 1. J. Cahill 70, 2. C. Gilfillan70, 3.

P. Boulding 70, 4. M. Hutchinson 71, 5. A.

Radivoj 72, 6. R. Sands 72, 7. R. Madigan 72, 8. J. Jeffrey 73, 9. S. Caldwell 73 C/B,10.

D. Burridge 73 C/B

N.T.P: 3rdC.Gilfillan, 5th G. Sanders, 12th

Pro-Pin: G. Barnes,14th T. Sterrick

Target Hole: J. Sanders Birdies: G. Sanders5th

Putts: J. Banfield 27

StablefordTuesday 27th February 2024.

AGrade Winner: C. Gilfillan41pts

BGrade Winner: S. Mar tinac

Saturday, 02 March 2024 MEN'S StrokeMonthly Medal

Grade AWinners: Ayton, Kevin(11)72

Grade BWinners: Harland, Bob (13) 68

Grade CWinners: Puddy,Jacob (23) 68

Place Getters: Keenan, Peter69, Babet, Alain 70 C/B,Buckman, Peter70, Allen, Ray 71, Toet, Wiebe 72 C/B,Matthews,Max 72, Cheetham, Ben 72, Tripodi, Lucas 73 C/B Wilson, Graeme 73 C/B,Gauci, Anthony73 C/B,Madigan, Rober t73

GrossWinner: Aaron Bassman 73

Great Score: Aaron Bassman (Eagle) @ 12,Dale Collings (Birdie) @8,Alain Babet (Birdie) @4,Bruce Thomson (Birdie) @ 8, Laurie Veenman (Birdie) @8,Anthony Gauci (Birdie) @8,TerryDonnison (Birdie)

@4

MysterySixes: Jacob Puddy

MORWELL

Morwell Golf Club Women Wednesday

28th February 2024 Stableford

Winner: DVuillermin 38 pts

DTL: NTePaa 34 pts c/b

NTP: 2nd DVuillermin 8th CPeter 11th G Clark15th DVuillermins

TRAFALGAR

Today’sCompetition: Par

18-Hole Winner: Sue Klemke(16)with +6

18-Hole Runner-Up: Di Moody (19) with

+3 c/b

DTL: Donna Mellon with +3 and BevKeily with +2

NTP: 5th –Bev Keily15th Aija Owen

9-Hole Winner: Aija Owen (27) Squarec/b

9-Hole Runner-Up: Helen Keith (37)

Square Gobblers: Di Moody on the 3rd, Sam Caldow on the 14th and Anne Outhred on the 18th

Grade AWinners: Brereton, Max (11) 40

Grade BWinners: Dyt, Ricky (16) 42 C/B

Grade CWinners: Beath, Ken(21) 41

Place Getters: Donaldson, Murray 42, Colvin, Anthony40, Toet, Wiebe 39 C/B, Taylor,Amy 39 C/B,Walsh, Graeme 39 C/B Brien, Kevin 39, Beveridge,Thomas 39, Donnison, Terry38C/B,Yeomans,Wayne 38 C/B,Pace,William 38 C/B,Condon, Jeff 38, Harber,John 37 C/B,16King,Rob 37 C/B,Gambling,Allan 37 C/B,Shearing, Andrew 37 C/B,Hibbs,Steven37C/B

Great Score: Lockie White(Eagle) @3, Ricky Dyt(Birdie) @14, AnthonyColvin (Birdie) @4,AnthonyColvin (Birdie) @14, BarryMathieson (Birdie) @14, Andrew Shearing (Birdie) @4,Brian Jenkins (Birdie) @8,Thomas Beveridge (Birdie) @8, Steven Hibbs (Birdie) @4 Nearest to Pin: 4th Shane Backman, 8th Thomas Beveridge,14th BarryMathieson

Saturday, 02 March 2024 WOMEN'S

STABLEFORD

Grade AWinners: Clarke,Loretta (34) 37

Great Score: Chrissie Backman (Birdie) @4

Tuesday27/02/2024 -Stableford

Players: 30 Winner: Alllan Gray (25)

Runner Up: GeoffThomas (24)

DTL: Dot Kidd (23), Chris Griffin(22), Franc

Kiss (22), RodPollock(21), GeoffFallon (21)

NTP: SteveGould (13)

Bradmans: SteveLawrence

Thursday29/02/2024 -Stableford/

Mulligans

Players : 62, Women 20, Men 42

Women’s Winner: Christine Payne (26)

Runner Up: BevKeily(25 c/b)

DTL: KarenMacGregor (25), Helen Keith (25), Sue Williams (23), Sue DeVries (23)

NTP: Nola Fordham (13)

Bradmans: Dot Kidd

Men’s Winner: GeoffCoulter (26)

Runner Up: SteveKlemke(25 c/b)

DTL: John Hanley(25), Laurie Snowball (25), John Dodorico (24), RegBarsdell (24), Gavin Patchett(22), PatO'Connell (22), Hank Fiddelaers(22)

NTP: Harold McNair (13)

Bradmans: Allan Gray

Friday,March 1st 2024, Open Men’s&

Ladies Stableford

AGrade Winner: MarkScammell 39 pts

BGrade Winner: PeterKing 40 pts

DTL's: Ricky Dyt38, David Matheson 37 Chris Brydon 37,Heath Black36, John Dodorico 36, BarryDwyer 36, Russell Cook

36, SteveKlemke36, MickWest 36 Birdies: 2nd: Ricky Dyt5th:Peter King, Darren Morrow 13th:Paul Clarke

Saturday, March 2nd 2024, Monthly Medal

Stroke

Medal Winner: Paul Massey68 nettC/B

AGrade Winner: RayWiseman 68 nett

BGrade Winner: Paul Fogarty68nett

CGrade Winner: Paul Massey68 nett

ScratchWinner: BillWilliams 74 gross DTL’s: Shane Dwyer 69, PeterMoss 69, Tim Cross 69, PatO’Connell 69, Glenn Doolan 69, Hank Fiddelaers70, Jermey Roscoe 70, Wayne Robbins 70, DickSheehan 71, Zavier O’Reilly71, Shayne Harland 71 C/B

NTP’s: 2nd: DirkMeyer5th:Russ Grant (Pro Pin) 11th:Russ Grant 13th:Whoopa 15th: Zavier O’Reilly Birdies: 5th: Russ Grant 11th:Zavier O’Reilly, Russ Grant, David Dujela 15th: Zavier O’Reilly Eagles: 6th: Jeremy Roscoe

PISTOLS

Monday19/2/24 Air pistol

BGrade: BKelly633-57-590. WMcGuire 519-65-584.

DGrade: NMallard468-96-564. AUrban 455-123-578. DChandler 418-119-557 Wed21/2/24 no scores

Sat 24/2/24 Centrefire

CGrade: CBenelli 501-76-576. CGoodwin 486-257-743.

TENNIS

RIVERSIDE

Grand FinalResults

Semi

Section

Newborough,Traralgon decider again

BOWLS

STRZELECKI NORTH

SATURDAYPENNANT

BY MICHAEL HOLROYD

LAST Saturday waspreliminaryday for Strzelecki North Playing Area Bowls.

Trafalgar, seeking to go one shot better than last week, and Newborough, aimingfor achancetowin their fifth premiership in arow playing at their home club, took to the green.

Another greatgame unfolded, with scores level at 76-76 when, for the second weekinarow, Matt Schreyer from Trafalgar and his rink of Wayne Hurst, Graham Hilland Adam Proctor rolled the jack to start the last end against Rod Lewisand hisrinkofBob Goldie, Debbie Kennedy and Alan Grubb.

Trafalgarheld shot early in the end before Graeme Hill, with an exquisite draw, gained asecond shot closer to the jack on afree running green.

Kennedy, with awell weighted shot, picked up the jack and sent it towards Bob Goldie’s earlier two bowls.

Proctor and Schreyer tried their best to dislodge the jackordraw shot and were unable to do so, before leaving Newborough two shots up overall with Lewis the winner 22-18.

Kevi nL ovett and his rink of Barry Daley, Jo-AnneMichaelsand Josh Kennedy had a20-16 win for NewboroughoverWil McIlwain and

MOUNTAIN BIKING

By TOM HAYES

his rinkofMatt Coutts, Ken Capper and Chris Bortignon.

Nathan Cook and his rink of Tim Anderson, Ken Capper and Tim Fraser had a24-22 win overScott Jones and his rink of Brian Carpenter, Alan Ryan and Paul Sherman.

For Trafalgar, Ian Miles and his rink of Kyen Jenkins, Paul Dawson and David Cook had an 18-14 win over Neale Houston and his rink of Fran Clark, Tony Knipping and Matt Leicester.

Everythingisset for Newborough trying for five in arow against Traralgon on the centre green at Newborough, in front of what is expected to be another excellent crowd hopingtosee the two teams extend theircloserivalryover the past few years.

Trara lgo nw ill be des perate for awin aga inst the battle-hardened Newborough, who have enjoyed great success in finals over this time.

 NEWBOROUGH 78 DEFEATED TRAFALGAR 76

DIVISION 2

LONGWARRY bounced back from a loss at home last week, going to an early lead at Newborough beforeMorwell Club fought back gallantly to lose by five shots.

Ken Towt and his rink of Craig Cousin, Robert Proctor and Barry White led the

way with a27-14 win over Brett Harle and his rinkofDavid Patience, Sue Karleusa and David Broadbent.

JohnMcCarthyand his rink of Ken White, Peter Lieshout and Glenn Pask had a30-25 win over Tara Harle and her rink of Jo Leslie, Duncan Hanlon and Roger Rejmer.

Morwell Club had winners in Neil Whitelaw and his rink of Gail Rejmer, Matthew Rodgers and Lee McKenzie, 22-15 over Trevor Kitchin and his rink of Mark Serong, Col Finger and Ian Peterson.

Alan Campbe ll and his rin ko f VaughanReimers, LisaArnold and Glenn Trembath won 27-21 over Jason Lieshout andhis rinkofGrant Pask, Hank Metselaar and Russell White. Longwarry returns to Newborough to face up to Traralgon (2), who defeated them last year to deny them areturn to Division 1.

After an undefeated season,Longwarry lost at home to Traralgon(2) in the semifinal and will be desperate for awin to regain Division 1status and demote Moe to Division 2for next season.

 LONGWARRY93DEFEATED MORWELL CLUB 88

DIVISION 3

BOOLARRA had astrongwin over Morwell (2)setting them for arepeat

clashwithTraralgon(3),which gives Boolarra an opportunity to win and returntoDivision 2afteraperiod of many years in the lower divisions.

Joel Anderson and his rink of Angela Mazou, Jack Cleav er and Joelen e Laukenshad a21-11 win overCol Grant.

Terry Parker and his rink of Colin Brick ,J ohn Cargill and Darren Napier hada 31-12 win overGraham Hutchinson.

Jorma Takane na nd his rink of Bruce Davey, Eddie Dudek and David Caldwellhad a25-11 win overSteve Cunningham. ForMorwell (2),Ken Turner defeated SteveDavey 26-18. Boolarra goes on to play Traralgon (3) at Newborough on Saturday.

 BOOLARRA93DEFEATED MORWELL 60

DIVISION 4

YALLOURN NORTH 82 defeated Traralgon (4) 65 at Morrwell.

Darren Frya nd his rink of Dale Raven, David Hibbertand CraigSpeake defeated Bill Bishop 24-14. Rob Matthews and his rink of John Sm ith ,R ob ert Hirs ch and Ly nn e Smith defeated Stuart Hulse 26-8. For Traralgon (3),Norbert Schroeter defeated Greg Maidment 21-19 and Max Cumming defeated Ricky Hearn 22-13

leaving Yallourn North to go on to play Moe (2) at Morwell this week.

DIVISION 5

NEERIM District (2) 64 defeated Drouin (4) 59 at Morwell, with Ray Watts and hisrink of RichardKerr, Roger Till and GreggChapple defeating Lloyd Smith 23-22 and John Rochford and his rink of Thelma Schroeder, George Rymer and Jim Fallon having a23-17 over Peter Hone.

For Drouin (3), Barrie Price defeated Jim Schroeder 20-18, leaving Neerim District(2) the winners by five shots and set for amatch with Longwarry (2) at Morwell on Saturday.

DIVISION 6

LONGWARRY (3) 42 defeated Moe (3) 39, with Simon Counsel and his rink of Michael Clarke, Colleen Butterworth andChris Butler having a23-19 win over John Kerr.

For Moe (3), Garry Evans defeated Hayden McCarthy 20-19 to give Longwarry (3) all of their sides in the finals an opportunity to defeat Drouin (4) at Morwell on Saturday.

Local on the top step at Haunted Hills Matildas, Micah on their way to Olympics

THE Falls Creek Mountain Bike Championships completed their series with Rounds 7and 8atHaunted Hills MTB Park recently.

The eventwas originally scheduledto be raced on aprivate venue at the back of Mount Baw Baw, but they were unable to get permits secured in time.

Rohin Adams from Big Hill Events, whoorganised theseries, was stoked to get the permits for the event from Latrobe City Council on such short notice.

Gipps land MTB Presid ent, Dom Keating was working with Big Hill Events on short noticetoensure the competition went ahead.

“They only approached us like amonth prior to it. They had it organised for another venue, but they struggled with permits,” he said.

“I’ve been trying to organiseevents with him (Adams) for the last couple of years.”

TheHaunted Hills MTB Park opened Stage 1backinDecember 2021, but only recently opened Stage 2inlateOctober last year, hosting aHalloween event. This was the first time the Haunted Hills MTBPark hosted an event in this series.

Haunted Hills MTB Park is one of seven different parks that Gippsland MTB manage.

Competi ng in the Cros sC ountr y Oly mpic (XC O) format, abo ut 95 entrants took to the course on Saturday, with about 75 entering on Sunday. Peoplecamefromfar and wide from

all over Victoria to complete the series.

The Falls Cree kM ountai nB ik e Championship began with Rounds 1 and 2inAvoca back in November last year.The series madeits waytoBuxton in Round 3, Eildon in Round 4, before Falls Creek hosted to startoff 2024 in Rounds 5and 6.

There are various categories that race on at acertain time, to ensure everyone rides asmooth race with little interruptions.

Juniors compete in Under 13s, U15s, U17s and U19s Men and Wome n classes, with additional adult age groups including 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and

60-plus.Thereisalsoa class for e-bikes and finally aclass above all, is the Elite Men and Women.

Thecurrent XCO format usually uses acourse that runs between four and six kilometres, lappingthe trail. Eachclass is given acertain number of laps to do. The trail used at Haunted Hills MTB Park was a6.5-kilometre course.

“It’s similartowhatthey do in the Olympics, they just do ashort course, but they do multiple laps. So depending on whichage group you’re in determines how many laps you do,” Keating said.

Out of all 19 classesthat ran, one rider stood tallerthanmost -Traralgon’s Melvey Podmore.

Podmore, 15, won his Under 17 Men’s class on both the Saturday and Sunday (February 17/18), all but confirming his U17s series win.

It completesa magnificentreturn to the sport for Podmore, who had to endure six months of rehabilitation in 2023, after ahorrifying incident at the National Downhill competition in February lastyear, whichsaw him airlifted to the Sydney Westmead Children’s Hospital.

He eased himself back into training in August last year.

On top of state competition duties, Podmore also recently competed at the National Series XCO on the Gold Coast, where he currently sits in third placein his age group.

Podmore has anumber of goals we hopes to achieve, including stepping on the podium at the National XCO series, to largergoals like being selectedin the AusCycling XCO EuropeanCamp in 2025 and competing at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Podmorecouldnot race and competeat the level he is without the high level of support from Danny Dilger from Gippy Cycles in Traralgon.

“All reports back from the competitors was really positive, it was atough course. Everyone was happy with all of the trails at HauntedHills,”Keating said.

As it was the final round of the series, presentation for the whole series were made on the Sunday, which was the cherry on top for the event.

Much comes downtothe hard-working volunteers from Gippsland MTB who maintain the trails.

The Gippsland MTBwill be hosting many events this year across anumber of their sites in Gippsland, including an Enduro event in Erica and aShifty 50 event in Blores Hill.

Find out more on theirInstagram @ gippslandmtb

To see more about the Big Hill Events series or signupfor upcoming events, check out their Facebook @bighillevents

SOCCER

By TOM HAYES

THE Matildas sealedqualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics in ruthless fashion, obliterating Uzbekistan 13-0 across two legs.

The Tillies cruised to a3-0 victory in the away leg,hosted at Milliy Stadium in the Uzbekistani city of Tashkent. Ret urni ng to Melbou rn e, the Matildas could still lose by up to two goals and still progress, but they had other ideas.

Entering MarvelStadium already 3-0 up in the tie, the Matildas did not touch cruise control and instead hit the accelerator.

Before the commentary team could finish their welcomingremarks, the Matildas were already 1-nil up thanks to an own goal.

It just took 30 seconds for Australia to increase their chances of progression.

Michelle Heyman was welcomed backtothe squadinstyle, completing a16-minute hat-trick, scoring in the fourth,eighthand 16thminuteto increase the score to 4-nil in just over aquarter of an hour.

At halftime, the Aussies were home, 8-nil up with another 45 minutes to play.

Yet, another two goals were scored in the second half to make it an even 10 against Uzbekistan, as the Matildas progressed with an aggregate score of 13-0.

In the squadwas Moe’s Teagan Micah, who remained on the bench with McKenzie Arnold between the sticks.

Australia and Japan joined another eight nations who have already qualified for the Olympics, including host nation France, United States, Brazil, Columbia, Canada, New Zealand, Germany and Spain.

Japan defeated NorthKorea2-1 over their two legs to be the second Asian Football Confederation nation to progress.

The final two spots up forgrabs are from the African Confederation, with matches to be played within the week.

Over two legs, Zambia will face Morocco and Nigeria will take on South Arica for the final two Olympic spots.

Champ: MelveyPodmore stands on topofthe podium at Haunted Hills

Star: Traralgon’s MelveyPodmoretook outthe Under 17 Men’s titleatthe Falls Creek Mountain BikeChampionships. Photographs supplied

Le clean sheet: Moe’s Teagan Micah (pur ple,far right) celebrates with theMatildas as they confirmtheir progression to the 2024 Paris Olympics Photograph: Matildas/Instagram

Gippy Stars off to ashooting start

NETBALL VNL

GIPPSLAND STARS

BY ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC

CELEBRATING Gippsland's shooting Stars.

The Gippsland StarsVictorianNetball League (VNL) club held their inaugural season launchlast Wednesday, February 28.

The event was well attended by officials, board members, coaches, and players with their friends and family congregating at the Gippsland League offices in Traralgon (TRFM building).

Not only was the season launch acelebration to begin the Stars campaign, it was also acommemoration of the years of trial and tribulations to get Gippsland represented in the VNL.

The room had asense of anticipation and excitement as the young athleteswere handed their dresses.

One by one, the most talented young netballers in the Gippsland region received the number they were to play for the Gippsland Star's first-ever hit-out on the Victorian stage.

Having only trained for afew months, the camaraderie with this group of young women was strong, cheering on one another as they collected their new Stars merchandise.

Gippsland LeagueGeneral Manager,Daniel Heathcote spoke and thankedeveryone in the room whoplayed their part in buildinga club from scratch.

"A lot of work goes into getting aclub up from scratch, so amazing job,"hesaidtothose in the room.

Jodi Galea, the Gippsland Stars VNL committee chair, gave aheartfelt address to the team working behind the scenes.

"I'm really excited to be part of the process, and I'mexcited to seehow our players and our coaches will go this season," she said

Galea also thanked the Gippsland League team for the momentouseffort to get the clubupand running.

"Congratulations to our coaches …they're doing an awesomejob each week at training, and watching their practice match against Casey last week was amazing," she said.

"Good luck to all the girls for the season; we're very proud of you all."

Under 23s coach Jo Ballinger, and assistantcoach Stacie Gardiner told the Express of their excitement to get the VNL season underway.

"I feel quite excitedand quite privileged really to be part of something so great …there's not alot of VNL coaches in Victoria,soIthink we'revery lucky to have the roles that we have," Ballinger said.

Although the franchise has since sourced its home-grown talent, the recruitment process was no easy task, with both coaches admitting the player contract signing period was mayhem.

Despite the initialstruggle,both coachessaid they have secured ateam they believe hasthe perfectmix of youth and experience that could achieve great things.

With Round 1o ft he VNL starting today (Wednesday, March6), the GippslandStars say they are ready to takeonone of last year's toughest opponents, North East Blaze.

"We're playinga pretty tough competitor in Blaze," Ballinger said.

Both Blaze Division 1and 19 and Under teams were strongfinals contenders in their respective competitions. Gardiner said the match against Blaze would be agood indicationofthe Stars' competitiveness.

With two VNL-level practice matches under their belt, the Gippsland Stars haveironedout some minor issuesinthe preseason and found an ability to stay in games in tight moments.

The Gippsland Starshave selectedAva Gual from DrouinFootball-Netball Club to captain the first-ever Gippsland Under 23 side; Gual has previouslyplayed VNL with Casey and Boroondara.

The side's vice-captain will be Traralgon-grown Myah Healey, with extensive state representative experience.Healey has won abest and fairest at Casey in the VNL program and played elite-level basketball in the Big Vand NBL1 programs.With the fountain of knowledge from these two young stars, Gippsland's leadership is in good hands.

Ballinger took amoment to recognise the extensive opportunities the Gippsland Stars will mean for the region. She said one of the most important aspects of the elite netball clubisits abilitytomake netball development more accessible for regional athletes.

Traditionally, netball talent from the region would

have to traveltoMelbourne to access sporting opportunities of this level. Thetravel and expense of elite netball development could often be abarrier for young women from Gippsland.

"For them to drive up to Melbourne twice aweek, and they've probably got other netball on as well -and you know, school work and doing Year 12, it is out of people's reach," Ballinger said.

"Also, withthe cost of living, they aren't able to do it, whereas Ifeel like now it's such agreat opportunity for kids because they can carpool -it's just accessible for them."

Gardiner supported these sentiments, saying that the ultimate goal is to build netball in the region andmakeelite professional development areality for those once traditionally marginalised by the netball pathway system.

Young Moe Lions learn some of that winning formula

NETBALL

By ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC

THOUGH the Gippsland League season hasn't started yet, Moe Football-Netball Club had abig winlast Sunday.

The Lions Under 17'sand Under 15'snetball teams both walked away from the inaugural Liza Pharaoh Junior Netball Tournament winners. Implementing all the skills and techniques they hadlearned in the offseason, the junior Lions took outthe competition easily.

Tayla Voumard from the Under 15s was recognised as best on court in the Grand Final win, while Under 17s player, Meg O'Riley also wowed the umpires, taking out BOC honours.

Junior coaches Ashlee Johnson, Ashlea Stubbs and Ramayer Gourley were elated at their teams' success.

Thetournament's namesake,LizaPharaoh, has long beenapartofnetball in Warragul. Witha career spanning more than 20 years, Liza was an inspiration to not only her teammates but the broader community.

Liza’s long and illustrious career included 12 best and fairest awards. She was also akey part of of two premierships with Gippsland Storm, the region's elite developmental netball club.

It was Liza’s impact off the court that truly left its mark -including through the Pharaoh’s Secret Angels, acharity setupbyLiza that raises money to support local cancer patients.

Since 2018, Pharaoh's Secret Angels have been

dedicatedtofundraising for the West Gippsland Hospital Oncology Ward. This tournament continues Liza's legacy, with all proceeds supporting the West Gippsland Healthcare Group's Oncology Unit.

ThePharaoh's Secret Angels said the tournament was ahuge success.

"On aday filledwith competitive spirit, laughter, and unwavering camaraderie, our young athletes

showedwhatittruly meanstoplaywithheart and dedication," aspokesperson for the Angels said.

"But, the victorywas not just on the court. Together, we achieved something far greater; we

raisedover $7500 for the WestGippsland Hospital Oncology Unit. This remarkable contribution will aid in the vital work the Oncology ward does, providing support and care for those in need."

Young gun: Morwell Football-Netball Club’s Anna Solomonwas the firstplayertoreceive her dress.She will playasthe number twofor the Stars.

Team behind the team: The Gippsland Starscoaching and boardteam along side strength and conditioning coaches

Dynamic duo: Gippsland League premiership players from Moe, Hollie Bugeja and Charlize Birdwillbring some of thatwinning formula to the Stars. Photographs: ZaidaGlibanovic

Champions: Moe’s Taylah Voumardand Meg O’Rileywerenamed best on cour tfor their respectivesides Photographs supplied

Grinners: Moe Football-Netball Club Under 15steam aftertheywon theLiza Pharaoh Junior NetballTournament.The Under17’sMoe side alsowon their Grand Final.

Justone day left in regular season

CRICKET PREMIER A

BY LIAM DURKIN

GET those calculators out.

No shortage of subplots emerged as the last round of the PremierAseason in Cricket Latrobe Valley commenced at the weekend.

While finals-bound teams are more or less set, teamsinthe bottom half of the ladder will be frantically crunching the numbers this week to ensure they are not one of two sides heading down the relegation path.

Fourth-placed Moe are 10 points clear of Morwell and CATS, whom they arecurrently in themidst of playing.

Theclash between the Lions and CATSlooks unlikely to lead to aCATSfirst innings outrightthe onlyresult giving CATSany chance of playing finals.

Morwell meanwhile hasafairly standardchase on its hands against Churchill.

It could be too little too late for the Tigers however as far as finals are concerned, as they are 10 pointsoutside the top four and would need to take maximum points(10 with afirst innings outright) to be any showofreaching the post-regularseason.

The Cobras are second-last on the ladder with 19 points, and can avoid relegation with victory provided Mirboo North and Toongabbie lose.

TheRams(seventh on 20 points), face an uphill battle against premiership fanciesGlengarry, although they do have the option of batting out for adraw.

If Toongabbie can salvage three points from a draw, and Churchilland Mirboo North (last on 19 points) loses, the Rams will live to fight another season in Premier A.

Mirboo North isn't done with just yet however, and hasits gameagainst third-placedRaiders delicately poised.

The South GippslandTigers' best chanceof avoiding relegation will be beating Raiders, and relying on Churchill and Toongabbie to lose. AN unusually high number of wickets fell on Day 1atTed Summerton Reserve between Moe and CATS.

In athrowback to the last decade when scores of 150 were considered competitive at 'Ted', the Lions scratched their way to 148 off 61.5 overs batting first at home.

Runs came from Josh Keyhoe, who made 40 opening the batting after being recalled to the sideintimefor finals,and Andrew Philip with 32 off 75 balls.

The usually proactiveKeyhoewas tied down by some good bowling from ex-teammate Cal Stewart, who proved he only neededtobowloff five strides to be just as effective off 20.

The former proknocked over Keyhoe, Philip, and had another ex-teammate in Evan Sheekey caught and bowled, on his way to extraordinary figures of 4/45 off 21 overs.

Statistically at least, Stewart has taken ahuge liking to bowling against Moe with the red ball, with figures of 7/31 and 7/21 in his last two outings.

Given this, the Express understands afew Moe players identifiedthis as ahugedangergame, and as it turnsout,they hadevery reasontobelieveso.

While Stewart bowled half of the first innings overs, he received good supportfrom thosearound him.

Ben Hagleychipped in with3/13, and fellow

new-ball bowler Josh Moore went for just 20 off 10, taking awicket himself.

Despite perhaps being unders with the blade, the Lions threw back to akey facet of their own from the early part of the last decade -defending low totals.

Moe was only out in the field for 24 overs, but thatwas still enough time to have thescoreboard reading 5/46 at stumps.

Aaron Johnstone continuedonthis wicket-taking ways, nabbing 3/21, cleaning up the entire CATS top three

Themedium pacerrecently tookhis 200th club wicket for the Lions, in what has been ameteoric rise of sorts in the last 12 months.

Having enjoyed AGrade premiership success with Moe in 2010/11, Johnstone has spent the time since shuffling between the grades, evengoing as fardownasC Grade where he scoredacentury in asemi-final against Trafalgar in 2019/20.

He was sensationally drafted into the AGrade team for the semi-final last season, and hasn't misseda beat since,with 16 wickets at 18.88 -the second-most for Moe this season.

CATS will resume Day 2with Josh Moore and Paul McGill at the crease, after the pairdefended manfully to stumps.

The visitor's still have Stewartand Tinashe Panyangarra to bat, whowerepossibly protected by (in the greatest respect)a couple of sacrificial lambs late in theday

THIS Mirboo North miracle mightbeon.

The Tigersmade208 against Raiders at Yinnar Turf, although the home side has already knocked 54 runs off that total.

Needing to win to avoid relegation, Mirboo North responded to the challenge of being asked to bat first.

Dom Davis was thrown to the top of the order, and made 47, partnering with co-captain Zac Hollis who made an innings-high 73.

Mirboo North veteran MattSnell showed he hasn't lost any of his touch, making 36 from number five during the Tigers' 68.3 overs out in the middle.

Raiders searched for answers, and endedup using eightbowlers, four of whomtook two wickets each.

Left armer Boyd Bailey (2/21), spinner George Cheshire (2/23), beanpole quick Harri McColl (2/28) and skipper Liam Maynard (2/33) shared in the spoils.

Raiders' plans of blastingthe Tigers outcheaply didn't exactly come to fruition, although they perhaps showed just how many runs were in the deck when they went out to bat.

The home side only battedfor 16 overs before stumps,but ended the dayone-quarter of their way to the total.

Bailey was in ahurry,and got to 25 not out off 26 balls, and will be joined by Cheshire who is unbeaten on 22.

With 154 to get and nine wickets in hand, Raiderswill be looking to avoid asimilar situation that saw them drop agame against Ex Students when they needed 60 to win with seven wickets in hand.

Mirboo North has Max Woodall coming in this week, and the young express bowler does have the ability to run through teams.

TOONGABBIE areholdingontoaspotin Premier Abyafingernail.

The Rams are yet to bat against Glengarry, although even from this far out, it is hard to see

anything other than aMagpie win.

Glengarry is currently 8/276, and hasthe option of batting on for another 10 overs at Roger Ries Oval.

The Magpiescontinuedontheir run-scoring ways last Saturday right from the outset.

Frank Marks, fresh off his double ton, had to settle for 33, however, his opening partner Al Jenkin then took his turn at raising the bat. Jenkinplayedabusyhand,getting himself into primeform before finals with amajestic 106. The left handerhit 14 fours and one maximum in his 160-ball stay.

Toongabbie had some joy, dismissing acouple of players in the middle order cheaply, but Cam Graham was able to keep the runs coming, playing asupportive role for Jenkin.

Graham's patience was rewarded with ahalfcentury, which turned into 53 off 103 balls.

Once again, Toongabbie captain Keenan Hughes did the bulk of the bowling, and took 2/86 off 35 overs. Fellow left armer Matt Barry also put in a good stint, sending down 29 overs for an economical return of 1/79.

WILL slow and steady win the race here?

Churchill put in aserious block-a-thon against Morwell, but managed to get themselves to atotal of 156 by the end of the day.

Taking to Keegan Street, the Cobras reasoned their best chance of putting up any defendable scorepredicated on theirability to stay in, so that is just what they did.

And when John Keighran was dismissed for two -theywere left with virtually no choice.

While it was asnooze-fest, the visitor's succeeded in eliminating most chances Morwell had of winning outright -the only result that will see them possibly play finals.

With former Churchill playersBrendan Mason and RossWhelpdale switching to Morwell in recent years,there can be littledoubt seeing Morwell miss finals was absolutely amotivating factor for the Cobras.

SteveWarrhit just one four in his 32 off 146 balls, while Ross Parker struck just the two in his 28 off 76 balls.

The Churchill lower order did as those higher up did. Ashton Ceeney saw off 84 deliveries and made 19, while Chris Williams (the bowling one) played surely one of the greatest innings of his life, making 26 off 62 balls.

On the downside however for the Cobras, the sheer amount of dot balls made for avery quick over rate, and Morwell will be entitled to at least 90 overs on Day 2.

This will give their top order no shortage of time to chase down the runs, and maybe, just maybe, Morwell will look to make asportingdeclaration and roll the dice going for an outright.

The Tigersused fourmainbowlers at the weekend, and all went for less than two-an-over.

Some farcicalfigures were recorded, notably Whelpdale, who took 3/51 off 31 overs (13 maidens), and Tim Ford, 3/53 off 31.2 (10 maidens). EX STUDENTS had the bye.

CRICKETLATROBEVALLEY

Goannas win their last game

CRICKET VETS BY

GORDON COWLING

GIPPSLAND Goannas Over 60s cricket team had an early start on Sunday, with the team bus leaving Sale at 6.50am, with residents from Bairnsdale, Munro, Cobains and Briagolong on board.The busalsopicked up at Toongabbie,Traralgon andMorwell for the trip to Maribyrnong Park to play against the BarklyStreet/Maribyrnong Over 60 side.

Murray Moore stood in as captain, and Deidre Hunter also came along and scored for part of the day, was medical assistant till the ambulance arrived, then fielded for part of the second innings.

These are much appreciated gestures.

TheGoannas batted first, with Ray Floyd and Ray Smithfacing oneofthe quickerover 60 bowlers Gippslandhas played against. They both retired after 30 balls for 20 and 14 respectively, whichbroughtChris DeVent and Mark Brown to the crease.

The score after 10 overs was 0/34.

DeVent made 27 and Brown 20 (also retired), and the scoreat20overs had advanced to 0/87.

One of Brown’s straight drives had gone back to the bowler, who tried to stop it with his shin. Unfortunately the ball took aswag of skin from his leg, he bled profusely and retiredtoanambulance, and eventually to hospital!

Rob Bacchetti (35) and Pete Anton (41) alsoretired, with the score reaching 170 after 30 overs.

NeilMeredith (39) continued the run-fest, andJim Armstrong was bowled for 12 when the score was 1/223 at the 36 over mark, which eventually became 1/238from40 overs.

The Goannas bowlers were to have three over spells.

Armstrong took agood catch from ahard hit drivetomid on to leave thescore1/17 aftersix overs.

Meredith and Moorethen took 4/27 between them to have BS/M reeling at 5/73 after 18 overs.

Smithand Armstrongthen reduced BS/M to 8/92 after 24 overs.

Things didn’t improve for the home side, who were soon 9/108 after 30 overs.

DeVent bowled the final batsman as the innings wrapped up at 119 from 34 overs.

Keeper Ian Gibsontook threevery good catches while Meredith took 2/17, Moore 2/10 and Armstrong 2/21.

This was the last fixturedgame of the season for the Over 60 team.

The Over 70s travelled to Wandin to take on Yarra Vallay yesterday (Tuesday).

Fenech in Centralsclass of his own

CRICKET AGRADE

BY LIAM DURKIN

IT'S that time of year when strangethings happen. Finals positions were all but secured for AGrade teams on Day 1ofthe final round of Cricket Latrobe Valley, but not before some staggering scorecards came to hand.

IS the curse slowly being lifted?

For once, Centrals was on the winning side of a tight game in March.

Having built up an unwanted reputation for dropping close games in this month, particularly semi-finals, the Lions broke through in truly astonishing fashion against Rovers.

After being bundled out for just 91 at Apex Park, no one in their rightmindcould haveforeseen what was to follow.

Rovers, havingmade200-plus scores most of the season, unimaginably found themselvesneeding one runtowin with one wicket in hand.

While there remained aremotechanceCentrals could win, Rovers had 200 game veteran Simon Duff on strike, and all appeared ready for him to knocka couple into agap to secure first innings points.

Instead, Duff went for glory,only to be caught at midoff trying to launch one over the top, meaning amere one run loss.

Like thecaptainofthe Titanic,itwas perhaps acase of 20 yearsofexperience working against Duff, although in his defence, he should never have been in that position in the first place.

In fact, neither side should havebeen, for the Apex wicket by all reports was abelter.

Another Centrals batting failure earlier in the day saw Mark Rawson the only player to make a contribution, with 31 off 51 balls (is there aplayer who consistently makes 30s more than him?).

The bowling for Rovers was of high quality, and saw wickets shared between the Ewan Williams, Liam Little, Duff and Stefan Sbaglia quartet.

Sbaglia cleaned up the tail with 3/4, while Duff took 3/33 with his finger spin.

Williams took the wickets of both openers to finish with 2/12, and Little the next two to follow (2/30).

What Rovers could do with the ball however, Centrals coulddoeven better -ifonly very marginally.

Rovers as well perhaps didn't thinkMarc Fenech was ready to unleash.

The veteran tore through the visitor's top order, on the way to figures of 6/45 off 19.2 overs.

Theleft-arm swing bowler started by trapping Little in front for none, and then knocking over Oliver Hannam first ball.

He followed up with the big wicketsofDougaland Ewan Williams, before taking the winning wicket when the game was on aknifes edge.

Rovers appeared helpless in the face of the Fenech frenzy,apart from Tyler Pearce, who weathered the storm with 27 off 101 rocks, before succumbing to spinner Hiran Rajapakse, who took 2/12.

Fenech entered the record books in more ways than one.

His first wicket saw him record wicket number 500 for the Lions, and to top it off, his sixth made him the all-time leading wicket taker in Centrals Cricket Club history.

Fenech'stotalnow stands at 505, going past 1950s and 60s star Murray Bates.

Not abad day at the office at all: win agame by one run on your home ground, takethe winning wicket and become yourclub'sleadingwickettaker in history.

For all the wasted Saturday'sincricket, those are the ones that make it level out.

Among Fenech's 500-pluswickets is 19 five

wicket hauls, and he also holds another Centrals record -most not outs as abatsman (78).

Theopening bowler is almost just as well known forhis deeds at the other end of the batting order, and one sight of him walking to the wicket signals the Lions are nine down.

In an era when the game demands more out of tailenders, Fenech is one of the last of the old school Number 11s -the ones who seem to view batting as aproblem for other people to solve.

Having taken more than 500 poles, why would he want to be involved in the game any more?

There was little time for Fenech to celebrate however, as before he or his teammates knew it, they were batting again.

The trend of the day continued, as wickets tumbled in the Lions second dig.

Ewan Williams and Lachlan Patterson blasted three front pads off the Centrals top order, to see them go to stumps at 3/19.

Amazingly, despite the anguish of losing on first innings by one run, the game is pretty much on level pegging now.

Despite both these sides already guaranteed a home final, the mental edgegarnered from this game cannot be understated.

According to aRovers insider, it is all "up here" (in the head) as far as their cricket goes, while for Centrals, there are surely warningsirens going off about another batting failure.

By allaccounts,the Lions still haven't recovered from the 2018/19 Grand Final loss to Latrobe when they were bowled out for 63 chasing 69.

And that's when Centralshad Nat Freitag in their team.

IMPERIALS has one foot in the finals door.

Needing to beat Willow Grove in the last round, and rely on Traralgon West not winning outright, both those outcomes appear on course as far as Imps are concerned.

Imperials have already won on first innings, while the odds are staked against the Eagles pulling off an outright against Latrobe.

Taking to Moe Racecourse Turf for what was a virtual elimination final between the Wolves and Imps, the winner was more or less guaranteed a spot in the post-regular season.

Given theirseason appeared long gonethree weeks ago, Willow Grove had anumberofplayers already unavailable,while some even headed back to BGrade

Amazingly, NathanWeatherhead was one of them, despite taking10wickets in the match against Latrobe in AGrade theround before.

Sensingaweakened batting line-up, Imps elected to bowl first.

The Wolves only managed 117 from 46.2 overs, with veteran Antony Wilkes top-scoringwith 30 notout off 47 balls down the order.

In slightly bizarre circumstances, Wilkes found himselfupagainst Todd Mann, whom he has played with at Yarragon, Rovers and even Willow Grove.

Mann bowled double the amount of overs from anyone elseonthe Imps card, and was againin the wickets, taking 4/34.

Mann took the key wicket of Willow Grove import Luke Payton, fresh off 160, as well as Josh Hammond and Cal Polo in the top order.

The right arm quick has now taken more than 40 wickets forthe season, adding further rise to the debate surrounding whether or not he will be eligible for the league best-and-fairest.

While 40 wickets would usually make someone ashort-priced favourite, the fact Mann has played fortwo clubs in the one season (Willow Grove and Imps) makes it atricky situation.

Dom Thompson also made inroads, taking figures of 3/27, before Imps went past the total and ended the day 6/131.

Anu Meenakshi got some runsfor his confidence, making 32 off 34 balls.

Shane Galea is 42 not out, and will look to build upon his side's current 14-run lead.

An outright is of no benefit to Imps, and they may well just look to bat until tea before calling it. LATROBEmight be getting aChristmas card

CRICKETLATROBEVALLEY

from Imps.

TheSharksstavedoff 93.4overs from Traralgon West, who needed to win outright to play finals.

As it stands, the chances of the Eagles chasing the194 set by Latrobe at Peter Siddle Oval and bowling Latrobe out again, not to mention either batting againthemselves or building alead, appear in the realms of fantasy.

Needing to bowl first in order to go for an outright, the Eaglesdid just that,but were denied by Shark veterans Mark Lawrence and Jamie Coltman.

The pair saw off close to 200 balls each, making 57 and 43 respectively.

This set the tone for the day, as Traralgon West used eightbowlers trying to find regular breakthroughs.

Adan Thow took 3/40 off 20 overs with his leg spin, while off spinner Ben Fleming nabbed 2/15 off 13.4, eventually getting his side off the field.

Ronnie Chokununga wasthe only Latrobe player to make asizeable score and strike above35, getting to 40 off 43 balls, launching two of them over the boundary.

The Eagles batted two overs before stumps, and got through unscathed.

That GrandFinal last seasonmight feellikea lifetime ago for Traralgon West. It certainly does for the team they rolled in the semi.

GORMANDALE had the bye.

The Tigers used the weekend off to host acharity match for favourite son Luke Henderson

Henderson, well known in theTraralgon sporting and business community, recently relocated to Queensland, where he is currently battling cancer

Some of the region's best cricketerscame to Stoddart Oval for the match,played underthe title of 'Hendo's Heroes'. Players and spectators were encouraged to wear floppy hats in tribute to Henderson. His wife Kirstie Henderson provided the following update, which was posted to the Gormandale Cricket Club Facebook page on February 23:

"We are now at 51 days in hospital, we never thought Luke would be in hospital this long."

"Duringthat time we have had many ups and downs.Itseemslikewetaketwo steps forward and several back. Luke’s journey has been nothing short of challenging and overwhelming at times, but with the support of so many family, friends and the medicalstaff we have moved fromhour-by-hour to day-by-day, looking forward to week-by-week when we reach that point.

"The outlook for Luke is going to be long and slow as we wait for his body to recover.

"After the secondsurgery here in Brisbane, some organs were quite damaged, some have recovered over the time we have been here but others need time to heal requiring drains to his abdomen. He had two drainsfor thisand athird to drain an infection near his spleen.

"Earlier this week Luke went into AFIBand was moved to CCU for acouple of nights to get his racing heart under control, after some medication and monitoring they are happy it has stabilised and moved him back to the ward.

"Luke had afourthdraininsertedtohelpmovea collection from his right side if his abdomen. Four drains across his abdomen is alot and with the amount they are draining they will be in for afew more weeks yet most likely months.

"We continue to navigate the challenges that are presented including the distance of where Luke’s treatment is with the balance of keeping the family moving forward.”

Alivestream of the Hendo's Heroes match can be viewed via: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=AuAW_swaFlU

Those wishingtodonate to the cause can visit www.gofundme.com/f/hendos-heroes

Newand improved: Rovers CricketClubofficially opened their newtrainingnetsonSunday, witha number of specialpresentations made.Full storyinnextweek’sExpress Photograph: Liam Durkin

Local stars fit and firing for 2024 AFL season to start

FOOTBALL

AFL EXPORTS

BY TOM HAYES

AFL returnsthisweek with Opening Round, after the completion of the Community Series preseason matches.

Onlyeight teams return forOpening Round, which sees Sydneyface Melbourne,Brisbane host Carlton, Gold Coast verseRichmond,and GWS takeonthe reigning premier,Collingwood.

Beforethat though, anumber of locals had their final preseason hit-outs at the weekend beforethe 2024 season officiallygets underway

THE local trio on the Gold Coast were all in action for their final preseason test before OpeningRound,up against GWS at Manuka Oval

Aftertaking Brisbane Lions all the way oversix periods the week before, whoknewwhattoexpect from the Suns this time around.

But alightning-looking Giants outfit were just as competitive, and look to makeareal impact on theladder in 2024, afterreaching aPreliminaryFinal last year

Afteronlysitting twogoals down against the Giants afterthe firstterm, GWS kept the Suns goalless in the second to runout to a42-point lead.

The Giants continued on their route, goingupby morethan eight goals by three quartertime,beforethe Suns showedsome fight to bring the margin down to 44 by fulltime

Moe’sBaileyHumphrey impressed, playing more midfield minutes and presenting himself as an inside bull. He rackedup14disposals and kickedabooming goal in the thirdquarter.

Moe’sSam Flanderswas only able to collect 16 disposals, farfromhis best, despiteplaying less minutes in the midfield as Gold Coast experimented.

Morwell’sBen Ainsworthwas very quiet, picking up justfourdisposals throughout the match,finding himself on both ends of the ground, rather than his usual spot on the half forwardflank.

Gold Coast areone of eight sides to play on opening round next week, with the Suns hosting Richmond at Heritage Bank Stadium on Saturday(March 9) afternoon.

The matchhas fallen perfectlyasfar as storylines

go, with three-time Richmond premiership coach Damien Hardwickcoaching against his old side in his firstgame as coachofGold Coast.

TWOlocalsfaced offwhenStKilda met Nor th Melbourne at RSEA Park on Sundayafternoon.

Both forwards, Traralgon’sTim Membrey took to the field against Foster and North Melbourne’sZane Duursma, who wasdonning the blue and whitefor the firsttime

TheSaints held control formost of the game,kicking away to alead of overfivegoals by halftime,but the second half wasa differentgame

North Melbourne kickedfivegoals to nothing in the thirdterm, dragging St Kilda’slead backdowntothree points.

The Roos took the lead early in the final term,before aMembrey major put the Saints backinfront,starting their runofgoals whichled themtovictory.

St Kilda got home in the end by 19 points, butbyno means wasitconvincing. The win resembled their 2023 season: started well, lost the plot, got thereinthe end.

Membrey had nine disposals, took five marks and kickedtwo majors

In his firstouting as aRoo, Duursma had14disposals, took six marks, and kickedtwo straight goals, one each to startthe firstand second quarter.

NEITHER of the Jiath brothersplayedatthe weekend, bothmissing out forseparatereasons from the outside looking in.

Whiletherewerenorepor ts of an injuryto Morwell’sTew Jiath, it is suspected that he just hasn’t quitemadeCollingwood's best 23. Despiteaconfident startinthe previous week against North Melbourne,itappears he will need some moretime

Meanwhile,Morwell’sChangkuoth will still be sidelined forquite some time,with the halfbackexpected to missatleastthe openingcouple of the monthsofthe season due to ahamstring.

Fev pullingonthe bootsinMid Gippy club’s recovery

FOOTBALL

MID GIPPSLAND

BY LIAM DURKIN

AFL fan favourite Brendan Fevola has pledged to help Fish Creek Football-Netball Club, and will be pulling on the boots for agamethis season.

Fevola made the announcementonSaturday night during afundraiser for the Kangaroos, who are rebuilding their clubrooms after they were destroyed by fire last year.

The 'RisingfromThe Ashes' fundraiser saw agala sports dinner held in Leongatha Hall, with some of the biggest names in sport attending.

Among the specialguests was St Kilda great Leigh Montagna, Richmond premiership player turned Melbourne coach turned highlyregarded Collingwoodand Richmond administrator, Neil Balme, Carlton's coach of the century, David Parkin and Melbourne Vixen, Kate Eddy.

Local sporting star Belinda Snell also made up the panel.

Snell, from Mirboo North, representedAustralia in basketball at multiple Olympics, winning two silvers (2004, 2008) and abronze (2012).

Shefamously nailed amiraculous threepointer at the London 2012 games,keeping the Opals' medal chances alive with athrow from beyond halfway that sent the preliminary match into overtime.

What is it with Mirboo North and sporting miracles?

While it is unclear exactly when Fevola will don the red and whiteofFishCreek, his inclusion is certain to bring agreat deal of energy to the club.

The reigningMid Gippsland Football-Netball Leaguepremier lost its 2023 trophyinthe fire, but has since been presented with areplacement.

Fevola, aged 43, is stillplayingfootball (albeit over 35s), and has played in Gippsland before.

He suited up forTraralgon and Lindenow South during his'gunfor hire' time fresh out of his colourful 204-game AFL career with Carltonand the Brisbane Lions.

He is also good mates with Trafalgar jockeyJason

Maskiell, who joined him for asportsman's night at Rosedale Football-Netball Club last year.

Despiteafew indiscretions, Fevola wasone of the best spearheads in the AFL during the 2000s, kicking 623 goals, winning two Coleman Medals and gaining three All-Australian blazers.

Elsewhere, fellow AFL cult star Dane Swan will be in Gippsland tonight (March 6), speaking at the

Woodside Pub, which is part-owned by current Brisbane Lions star and former Yarram resident Josh Dunkley.

Like Fevola, Swan has also done the country footy rounds post-retirement.

The Collingwood premiership player played for Gormandale last season.

will

Fevolution: Carltonfan favouriteBrendan Fevola (pictured talking at Rosedale Football-Netball Club lastseason),

playagame forFish Creek in the MidGippsland Football-Netball League this season.

Ball magnet: Dane Swan playing for Gormandale last season.The former Collingwood star is backinGippslandtonight, speaking at theWoodsidePub File photographs

Kicking goals: Traralgon’s TimMembrey kickedt wo majorsagainst Nor th Melbourne in thefinal practice match of the 2024preseason.

Photographs: AFL Photos

Threading the needle: Moe’s Bailey Humphrey, spor ting some new ink, looked comfor table racking up more midfield minutes

Memoryasstrong as steel

FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND

LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

MOE’S last seniorpremiership captain, Allan Steel died last week.

Steel died on Friday following along illness. He was 84.

Steel played 210 senior games for the Lions, one of which was the 1967 wining Grand Final -the lasttimeMoe has won asenior premiership in the Gippsland League.

Named at centre half forward in Moe FootballNetball Club’sTeamofthe Century,Steel was among the top players of the 1960s, winning the Trood Award and Rodda Medal as the Gippsland League best and fairest in 1963, the year after he tied forthe award with Yallourn’s Rick Belford, only to lose on countback.

Steel also captained interleague in 1965, leading the GippslandLeague to victory at the annual

FOOTBALL

MID GIPPSLAND

BY TOM HAYES

MIRBOO North Football-Netball Club has turned over anew leaf, with the announcement of anew president and senior football coach forthe 2024 season.

MNFNC announced the appointments of Damien Turner as senior coach and Andy McCarthy as president last week.

The news comes after MNFNC announced the shock resignations of senior coach Peter Mongta and president Joe Piper in amatter of days. Piper will remain part of the club in aspecialist facilities and infrastructurerole, taking astep back to better manage his own health.

Mongta meanwhile was released from his obligations after wishing to pursue other opportunities. It has been arefreshing periodfor the club, who are putting the pieces back together after adevastating storm ripped through the town on Tuesday, February 13.

Havingdone some assistant coaching, junior coaching, as well as playing more than 300games and captaining the senior side for nearly adecade, Turner said he can’t wait to getstuck into leading theTigers as senior coach.

“Numbers are strong, it’s ayoung team -not dissimilar to last year,” Turner said.

“But we’ve got aGrand Final team from last year, unfortunately the Under 18s lost, the year before was an Under 18s premiership team, so we’ve got some super exciting talent coming through.

“The exciting thing is its local talent, these kids have come through the ranks at the club, so

Victorian Country Football League championships. Among that team was 17-year-old Alan Noonan, whowentontowin Essendon’s goalkickingseven times.

His contributiontoMoe saw him coach the senior side for three years, beginning the season after the ‘67 triumph.

In what became an unfortunate run however, the Lions losttwo Grand Finalsunder Steel, in 1968 and 1970, the latter acting as aprecursor to the pain of what was to follow -three consecutive Grand Final losses (1972-74) -two by one point.

Speaking to The Weekly Times last year, as the Moe of 2023 looked agood chance to break the drought, only to bow out in the preliminary final to eventual premier Leongatha, Steel said he had mix feelings taking over from premiership-winning coach Alby Law in 1968, who stepped aside due to work commitments.

“I wouldn’t have taken it on if Alby still wanted it,” he said.

we’re really focussed on sticking this local talent together.”

Speaking to the Express last May after ticking past 300 games, Turner admitted that senior coaching was always on the cards if the opportunity presented itself. Now he can fulfil that goal.

Turner believes that the mature players at the club will compliment the youngsters coming through the ranks.

On the same page is the new president, McCarthy, explaininghewasn’t expecting anything like this.

Piper and vice president Andy Taylor both landed

“I was aplaying-coach and you miss alot of things happening in agamewhen you’re also playing.”

“Wewouldhave at least two premierships more if Alby was still coach.

“They are hard to win, Ican tell you.”

Despite acouple of GrandFinal heartbreaks, Steel maintains the Moesides he coached were absolute high calibre.

“The sides Ihad were bloody brilliant,” he said.

“Wewould play Dandenonginpractice matches andbeatthem.”

Max Donelly, who died only three years ago, took over from Steel as Moe coach for the 1971 season.

Steel wasawarded lifemembership of MoeFNC for his services, and shares the distinction of having played 200 senior games without once playing a reserve grade game.

The only other Moe player with this record is current senior captain, Jacob Wood.

on McCarthy when deciding who to approach to be the next president, which got the ball rolling on thetransition.

“They rang me, we had achat, Ididn’t expect the call -Iwas happy to hear them out. But then Iheard the vision for the future, Ithought about my 13, 11 and nine-year-old coming through the club,” McCarthy said.

“I thought, you know what? This is the time for me to put my hand up and be that positive change of direction.

“I couldn’t be more grateful for the seamless handoverand the unanimous supportthat I’ve received and messages that I’ve been flooded with since Itook on the role.”

Although some may believe the timing to be unfavourable for the Tigers, McCarthy ensured that the future looks bright as the club enables its ‘never say die’ attitude.

“It goeswithout saying that it’s been abig 72 hours for the Mirboo North Football-Netball Club (after the resignation of Mongtaand Piper) …I think aclub like Mirboo North with such astrong history and culture of performance on and off the field, this is what we do when things happen that we’re not expecting,” McCarthy said.

“We’reabletodust ourselves off and keep moving forward with positive energy.”

MNFNC are on track to host their opening home game of the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League, in Round 2onApril 20.

The state of the Mirboo North Recreation Reserve has improved leaps and bounds since the storm’s devastation. The ground appears to be back to its usual condition, albeit the four goalposts are still snapped at their ankles.

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Vale: Moe’s last senior premiership captain Allan Steel,pictured front row, thirdfromleftinthe 1967 team photo, died last week.Current Latrobe City Councillor,BradLaw is one of the mascots, seated on the left. Photograph supplied