Gippsland Times Wednesday 4 December 2024

& MAFFRA SPECTATOR Times

ErikaAllen

PRE VENT ING gendere dv iolenc e requires challenging the underlying social conditions, including attitudes, values,and mindsets, thatdrive,excuse, and justify abuse in all its forms.

That is why over 100 people joined the WellingtonWalkAgainst Family Violence on Friday, united in challenging harmful cultural norms, holding perpetratorsaccountable, and standing in solidarity with victim-survivors.

The walk was part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence –aglobal campaign for the prevention and elimination of violence agai nst wome na nd gir ls. It runs every year from November 25 (the International Dayfor the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day).

Three guestspeakers –Wellington Shiredeputy mayorCindy Madeley, Victoria Police Senior Sergeant Owen

Smeal,and Quantum SupportServices general manager for family violence and prevention Leslie Smith– addressed last Friday’s event. They emphasised that:

 Family violence is acommunity issue, not an individual one;  Family violence is gendered, disproportionately affecting women, and;

 Preventing family violence relies on active bystanders taking astand Primary preven tion is especia lly criticalinGippsland, where five of six local government areas– Latrobe, EastGippsland, South Gippsland, Bass Coast, and Baw Baw –reported rising family violence rates from June 2023 to June 2024 compared to the previous year.

Accordingtothe Gippsland Family Violence Alliance, Wellingtonranked eighth among Victoria’s 79 LGAsfor family violence incidents as of June East Gippslandtopped the list, with Latrobe third.

While Wellington’s rate decreased by 1.6 per cent, Gippsland Family Violence Alliance said the total incidents were relatively the same.

Cr Madeley said Wellington’s family violence reality remains “stark” last week and emphasised that it was a community issue to address.

Wellington had 1332 police callouts for family violence in the most recent financialyear.That’s adailyaverage of 3.64 family violence incidents that local police responded to.

Snr Sgt Owen Smeal said often, family violence went unseen because up to 88 per cent of incidents reported between 2022 and 2023 happened in the home. In that same year, six in 10 family violence incidents occurred between current or former partners.

SnrSgt Smeal highlighted the gendered nature of family violence, noting thatwomen were disproportionately victimised by current or former partners.

Of the 1332 calls to police for assistance

between June 2023-to-2024, 72 per cent identified as female.

It’s important to note these statistics don’tinclude unreportedcases. Snr Sgt Smeal emphasised under-reporting was asignificant challenge for police in addressing family violence.

“Only around one-in-10 incidences of familyviolenceare reported to police. Our challenge is to increase community con fidence in sharings to ri es with Victoria Police,” he said.

SnrSgt Smeal highlighted Victoria Police’s effortstoencourage more victimsurvivors to come forward. By 2020, he said, 32 specialist family violence task forces were established, including trained detectives in Wellington to handle high-risk and complex cases. Other initiatives include adopting an evidence-basedapproachtoreporting and collaborating with partner agencies.

build and operate offshore wind farms around the world, including in the UK, Germany,France, the US, and UK. Our East Anglia One offshore wind farminthe UK began supplying energy to Britain in 2020. The project created almost 3500 construction jobs and 100 ongoing jobs at the local Operations and Maintenance base, with most of the employees coming from within 35 kilometres of East Anglia (Suffolk County, England). We invested $4 billion AUD and the 102 turbines now power around 700,000 British homes. Around 20% of the installation of the turbines happened during the Covid lockdowns so we used smaller boats and reduced crew sizes. The local portisstill the base for the project and local provision of the personal protective equipment. Alocal apprenticeship program was created along with sponsorship of ten engineering master’sstudents at the local university,creating lasting local benefit through education and training. The British North Sea area has multiple offshore wind farmdevelopments at various phases o of development, construction, and operations. The Offshore Wind Industr yCouncil said the sector there supported 31,000 jobs which could rise to 100,000 by 2030. We aim to do similar here in Gippsland through our Aurora Green project, which we expect will supportover 500 ongoing jobs and around 1800 construction jobs at full completion. Together with the Gippsland community we aim to bring anew,sustainable, and long-termindustr ycreating jobs and opportunities for generations.

Iberdrola Australia is proud of its regional expanding partnerships with the education sector to supportour future workforce. Partnering with universities, TAFE and the private sector supports apprenticeships, jobs, and career training pathways for aBrighter Future with renewable energy

Apply for grants Wa ter tower transformed

EXPRESSIONS of interest from local community organisationsare nowbeingsoughtfor the federal government’s 2024–25 Volunteer Grants program.

Volunteer Grants support the work of community organisations by reducing barriers for volunteers and increasing participation in volunteering.

Member for Gippsland Darren Chester encouragedlocal not-for-profitcommunity organisations that rely on volunteers to apply for fundingtosupportthe work of volunteers.

“Throughout Gippsland, we have thousands of volunteers who dedicate theirtimeand support the community,” Mr Chester said.

“This funding is designed to assist successful community organisations in supporting the efforts of their volunteers and ensure they can continue to provide for and support the community safely and appropriately.”

Grants of between $1000 and $5000 will be available to eligiblenot-for-profit community organisations to purchase communication or insuranceitems or to purchase items or services to assist volunteers or volunteer-run activitiesthatsupportthe well-being and development of children under 18.

Mr Chester said the grants servedasa small recognition of the dedication and effort put in by the local volunteers, whom he described as the “lifeblood of our community”.

“While thework of our volunteers may be unpaid,itisnot unrecognised,” he said.

“From fighting bushfires and caring for the environment to supporting people in our community and runninglocal events, the value of the work done by our volunteers is immeasurable.”

The 2024–25 Volunteer Grants program is now open for expressions of interest through Mr Chester’s website, www.darrenchester. com.au,and mustbesubmitted by 5pm, Friday, January 24.

Local community organisations must submit an EOI to be considered for a2024–25 Volunteer Grant. Successful applicants will then be invited to completeafull submission

Artist Alice Pepper (centre) visits the Stratford water tower to see the artwork installation with Gippsland Water healthy country lead Daniel Rodaughan and general manager people and customer

Michael Crane Photo: Contributed

WORK is underway to transform the Stratford water tower into avibrantcelebrationoflocal indigenous people’s connection to water.

Earlier this year Gippsland Water announced it had commissioned Gunnai artist Alice Pepper to create aunique artwork called Cultural Flow,which is now being brought to life on the tower’s surface.

Managing director Sarah Cumming said the artwork installation was asignificant milestone.

“Thisproject is averyspecial one. Alicedesigned the artwork to reflect the work we do in partnership with local First Nations communities, including protecting waterways and preserving the natural environment for future generations,” Ms Cumming said.

“It’s avisualrepresentation of the respect we have for the traditional custodians of the region, and their connection to country and waterways.”

Ms Cumming said the concept was developed with input from traditional owners and customers

“We’vebeen workingtogethertowards having Gunaikurnai artwork prominently displayed on some of our highly visible infrastructure for acouple of years now,” she said.

“It’s very fitting that Stratford, such culturally significant country for the Gunaikurnaipeoplehas been chosen as the first site.”

Ms Peppersaidthe artwork was adisplay of pride.

“The artwork shows the pride we sharewhenwe

look around on our Country –where we work and live and play,” she said.

“To see the presence of culture throughthis artwork just brings pride.

“Stratford is such aspecial place for us, it’s where we go for our gatherings and Ithought maybethis could be astory about us working together.

“On the watertower we have Borun representing us and Wahyang, the spoonbill, representing Gippsland Water, both coming together to connect near the banks of the Dooyeedang (Avon River).”

The artwork willbeapplied to the tower over the coming weeks, dependent on weather.

Focus still on Gipps Sth: O’Brien

DavidBraithwaite

NEW state Nationals leader Danny O’Brien says his responsibilities as Memberfor GippslandSouth will come first.

Mr O’Brien will be deputy opposition leader with the shadow cabinet now including Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath.

Mr O’Brien was last week elected unopposed by hisparty room colleagues two weeks after Peter Walsh announced he would step down after almost adecade as leader.

“I want to assure the people of Gippsland South that my responsibilitiestomyelectorate will always come first,” Mr O’Brien said in astatement.

“I will continue to ensure Iremain available and accessible to anyone in need of assistance with state government related matters right across Gippsland South.

“I entered politicsbecause Ihave always believed rural and regional people get araw deal.

“Both as leader of our great party and as the state Member for Gippsland South, Iwill fight every day for country people like us to get afairgo.

“I look forward to workingwithour deputy Emma Kealy and the rest of the team to continue serving Gippsland South as well as the people of the rest of rural and regional Victoria.”

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said Mr O’Brien had aproven track record of fighting for regional communities.

“As afather of two teenage children, he will bring afresh direction and new energy to the role of Victorian leader of the Nationals,” he said.

“I’ve known Danny and his wife, Vicki, for more than25years,and they are aformidableteam. Both

are active members of communityand sporting organisations and share apassionfor the future of young people growingupinrural andregional Victoria.

“Small town Australia needs big voices to get our messages across and influence public policy. I’m confident thatDannywill lead astrongand united team into thenextelection andhelpget rid of a Labor government that treats country people as second-class citizens.”

FederalNationals leader DavidLittleproud congratulated Mr O’Brien and said he looked forward to workingwith the new state leader.

Mr Littleproud said Mr Walsh was leaving a proud legacy,including expanding the Victorian Nationals party room to the best result since the 1940s.

Iwant to assure the people of Gippsland South that my responsibilities to my electorate will always come

One Gippslandhas welcomed the election of Mr O’Brien as the new leader of the Victorian Nationals, withits chairmanand Wellington Shire mayor ScottRossetti also paying tribute to Mr Walsh.

“One Gippsland has enjoyed aproductive relationshipwithboth Mr Walsh and Mr O’Brien as we’ve worked to secure more government investment for priority projects across Gippsland,” Cr Rossetti said.

“Mr Walsh has had along and successful careerin public life and has worked hardtomakeapositive contribution to the lives of people across regional Victoria, includinghere in Gippsland. We wish him well.

“Mr O’Brienisaborn-and-bred Gippslander. He knows Gippsland as well as any of us and we’re looking forward to continuing to work with him as theMember for Gippsland South and now also as the leader of the Victorian Nationals.”

Mr Walsh will continue to serve as Member for Murray Plainsuntil thenextelection in 2026, avoiding the need for aby-electioninthe northern Victorianseat.

Mr Walsh’s resignation from the leadership has seen Ms Bath promoted to the shadow cabinet, taking over the former leader’s Aboriginal affairs, regional development and local government portfolios.

Mr O’Brien retained his roles as shadow minister for roadsand roadssafety, and casino, gaming and liquor regulation.

Liberal leader and opposition leader John Pesutto saidMsBath hadbeenafierce advocate for her community and had made astrongcontribution in the parliament since 2015.

“I look forward to working with Melina and the

rest of our team towards giving

the

start they need in November 2026 (when the

election is due),” he said.

Mr O’Brien saidMsBathwas “a champion of her local community”.

“Melina will continue to fight for regional Victoriansasshadow minister for regional development, as well as taking the helm of two other key portfolios,” he said.

Ms Bath said she was “delighted and honoured” to join the shadow cabinet.

“I am ready to serve Victorians,” she said.

Passengersforced to wait for coach after train leaves

DavidBraithwaite

ALOCAL woman has been critical of aV/Line train-replacement coach service and running of a connecting train back to the Gippsland.

Sandra Houghton described her her experience of herjourney on November 23 from Melbourne to the GippslandTimes

"I caught the 12.23pm bus which was replacing the Bairnsdale train service from Southern Cross station. It was supposed to connect with the train at East Pakenham East station for the rest of the journey,"MsHoughtontoldthe GippslandTimes

"We had avery slow trip, via Dandenong, on a bus that was not equipped with atoilet. It was a blisteringlyhot day, and we were none-too-pleased to find when we alighted at East Pakenham that the train had gone without us.

"So,wethenstood around in the heat (with minimal shade for afew lucky people)until the replacement bus arrived.

"Some of the passengers made afrantic dash to thetoilets,having been warned that they might

miss thereplacement bus.

"I finally got to Sale at 4.43pm. The normal train service is scheduled to reach Sale at 3.25pm."

Ms Houghton's principal complaint was how staff at the East Pakenham station could "fail to notice thatthey were missing abusload of passengers before letting the train go".

She wasalsounimpressed withthe fact that there was no access to water on ahot day, no shade at East Pakenham, abus without atoilet for along journey, and thatelderly and infirm passengers were unassisted and told to hurry.

"I’ve not heard of others missing the train on these serviceswherebusesreplace trains for someofthe journey, but Ihave been told of elderly and infirm people being pushed to hurry when transferring at EastPakenham and being toldthey wouldmiss thetrain unless they did so," Ms Houghton said.

When asked aboutthe incident, aV/Line spokespersonissuedastatement to the Gippsland Times

“We thank passengers for their patience and understanding after arail replacement coach service missed its scheduled connection with

aBairnsdale line train on November 23,” the spokesperson said.

“Whenplanning any disruption to train services we worktocoordinatecoaches to connectwith trains and if aservice missesaconnection alternative transport arrangements are provided."

The 12.14pm replacementcoach service from Southern Cross to East Pakenham on November 23 departed Southern Cross Station 11 minutes late due to delays in loading luggage and passengers.

The coach wasscheduled to travel to East Pakenhamvia Dandenong station. The coachwas delayed by traffic travelling through Melbourne’s south-east and missed its connection with the 1.50pm train to Bairnsdale.

The Gippsland Times was told that on this occasion, V/Line was unable to hold the train as it was notclear how late the coach would be arriving due to the nature of the traffic congestion. Holding the train for an extended period would have resulted in delays to multiple other services and passengers on the Gippsland line.

Areplacement coach was provided to transport

passengers through to Bairnsdale.

V/Line said it workedclosely withcoach providers when planning for disruptions on the network, to ensure the vast majority of replacement coaches have atoilet on board and are accessible.

The new East Pakenham station includes aroof over the platforms, toilets, water fountains and abus interchangewith shelters to provide cover from theweather.

V/Linesaidwhile it prioritised coaches with toilets for longer journeys, at times, it may not be possible due to the availability of coaches with toilets. During planned weekend disruptions that involveaninterchange at East Pakenham,V/Line staffand temporary customersupportstaff are onsite to supportpassengerstransferring fromcoach to train and also provide assistance if required. Coaches will replaceGippsland Line trains between Southern Cross and East Pakenham on the weekend of December 14 and 15. Passengers have been encouraged to view the temporary coach replacement timetable on theV/Linewebsite before they travel to plan their journey.

Victorians

fresh

next

DannyO’Brien Photo: Stefan Bradley

FireDanger Period begins next week

restri ctions will begin on Monda yi n Wellington Shire.

The Fire Danger Period (FDP) will begin at 1am on Monday,December9,acrossGippsland and south-east Melbourne.

Residentsinthese areas are encouraged to use this time to prepare their properties ahead of the FDP. This includescleaning up dry grass, leaves, and other flammable materials, as well as completing safeprivate burn-offs while they are still permitted.

Country Fire Authority south-east deputy chief officer Trevor Owen stressedthe importance of taking early action as conditions continue to dry across the region.

“Now is the time for residents to act by clearing around their homes and ensuring any private burn-offs are completedsafelybeforerestrictions come into effect,” Mr Owen said.

“Eventhough grasslandsmight still lookgreen in some areas, the ground underneath is much drier thaninprevious years, which makes firesmore likely to spread.

“After much consultation, there was strong support for introducing the fire danger period now to keep ourcommunities as safeaspossible,” he added. Mr Owenalsohighlighted the shared responsibility in fire prevention.

“CFAmembers are ready to respond and support communities as we head into another bushfire season,” he said.

“But we can’t do it alone—fire prevention is a shared responsibility.

“Using commonsenseand takingproactive steps, likepreparing your property andfollowing fire restrictions, is key to reducing the risk of fires.

“These actions can make asignificant difference in keeping our communities safe.”

People conducting burn-offs must notify authoritiesonline at theFirePermits Victoria website, www.firepermits.vic.gov.au,orbyphoning Tripe ZeroVictoria on 1800 668 511.Byregistering a burn-off online,people allowemergency call takers to allocate more of their time taking calls from people who need emergency assistanceimmediately.

No burning off is permitted during the FDP without apermit to burn, which can be applied for through the Fire Permits Victoria website. There are strict conditions attached to these permits and the liability sits with the permit holder to ensure they always act safely.

Awritten permitisrequired to burn offgrass, undergrowth, weeds or other vegetation during the FDP. Applications for apermit can be made at firepermits.vic.gov.au,and can also be issued by the municipal fire prevention officer or the CFA district office.

Lighting fires in the open without apermit can bring apenalty of more than $21,800 and/or 12 months imprisonment.

Forinformation on what can and can’t be done duringaFDP, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/can or phone the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.Information about FDPs is availableonline at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/firedangerperiod

Company fined $40k for dumping industrial waste

ADANDENONG South company’s decision to dump industrial waste at adisused quarry at Woodside North has cost it $40,000, an expensive clean-up and some bad publicity.

The Environmental ProtectionAuthority charged Renex Op Co Pty Ltd with disposing of industrial waste at apremises that was not licensed to accept it, after the company trucked almost 3000 tonnes of waste to the quarry on Harveys Rd.

The EPA testing later showed the waste, which lookedlikeblack soil, contained pieces of plastic, wood, ceramic, concrete and rebar. Scientific analysis found levels of chemicals including PFAS that were too high for it to be reused as soil.

The wastewas fromthe company’s facility on Ordish Rd, DandenongSouth,where it receivesand stores contaminated soil,then thermallytreats it for disposal. An EPA licence allows Renex to process the waste, provided it is taken to alandfillthat is licensed and properly equipped to accept it.

The Sale Magistrates’ Court did not record aconviction but ordered the company to pay $20,000 to EPA Victoria for legal costs and

another $20,000 to the court fund, which supports charity and community projects.

The company was also ordered to placea newspaper advertisement, giving detailsofthe offence and the penalty. Renex Op Co Pty Ltd gave an undertaking to be of good behaviour for two years.

The investigation beganafter members of the public saw large numbers of trucks attending the quarry between June24and 30, 2021, and, concerned about the materialbeingtransported, called the EPA.

Inspecting the site,EPA investigators found a 60-by-60-metre stockpileand took samplesand photographs, before using adrone with ground penetrating radar to measure the depth of the waste. They later found that an earthmoving contractor working on the site was sufficiently concerned about the material that he built a wall around it to stop any rainwater runoff. The EPA ordered the company to remove the material to aproperly licensed facility for disposal, the company complied, and scientific testing confirmed there was no contamination left after the clean-up.

Fun with LEGO

BRICKSTRAVAGANZA washeld overthe weekend, welcoming over 1000 people through Maffra Memorial Hall’sdoors to browse 25 LEGO exhibitions including this oneofBluey playing cricket.The event raises moneyfor Central Gippsland Health’sdialysisunit. Moreto comenextweek.

Linda, Miranda andFrogmarvelling at the BRICKSTRAVAGANZA exhibitions.

Photos: ErikaAllen

FIRE

The FireDangerPeriod (FDP) will beginat1am on Monday, December 9inWellington Shire.

Photo: iStock

We can do better to address gendered violence

From page 1

Victim-survivors choose not to report for various reasons. However, the harmful culture surrounding familyviolence,likeinstances of victim blaming and fear of not being believed, also contributes to thisunderreporting, emphasisingthe need to challenge these attitudes.

Dismantlingaculture that contributes to violence includes challenging any behaviour and attitudes that enable abuse, for instance, blaming avictimsurvivor for staying with aviolent partner. Other factors Safe and Equal and Respect Victoria identify as contributing to violence include:

 Men’s control over decision-making and women’s independence: examples include beliefs that men should dominate relationships or leadership roles in the workplace;

 Gender stereotypes and dominant masculinity: such as the expectation for men to be tough and in control while women are submissive, and;

 Male peer culture promoting aggression and control: for example, using sexist jokes as away for men to bond.

Ms Smith said the community had acrucial role in challenging aspects of harmful culture.

“Keeping silent prevents victims fromseeking

help. It leaves them isolated and vulnerable.

Keeping silent as afriend, neighbour, or as a colleague enables ongoing harm,” Ms Smith said.

She said encouraging open discussions is important.

“One thing Ithink is areally big misconception is (that) family violence is aprivate matter. It’s not, it’s acommunity matter. We need to discuss it, so that we can make people accountable and challenge the stereotypes that are in the community and break the silence and stigma around family violence,” Ms Smith said.

“Asa communitytaking responsibility, we can create aculture where abuse is not tolerated. We needtochange attitudesand moveawayfromany tolerance of harmful behaviours,” Ms Smith said.

Ms Smith advocated for the role of active bystanders whonoticeharmful behaviours andchose to actsafely–whether by speaking up, supporting victims, or seeking help from appropriate authorities like police and recognised support agencies.

“We need to changeattitudesand move away fromany tolerance of harmfulbehaviours. We need to encourage open discussions about family violence and remove the stigma. We need to call out abusive behaviours, and we need to become active bystanders,” she said.

Children, men, women and families took partinthe

ACAMPAIGN called Let’s Chat Gippsland is running throughout the 16 Days of Activism focused on preventing gendered violence, highlighting the difference conversations can makeinshifting mindsets and attitudes.

Gippsland Women’s Health spearheads theLet’s Chat initiative with the support of local councils. Events coming up next week include afree online webinar called ‘Men Supporting Safer Communities: Jointhe Conversation’ between 7pm and 8.30pm next Tuesday, December 10. Tomorrowfrom 6.30pm, the Yarram Regent Theatre is screening Battle of the Sexes,a movie about trailblazing female tennis player Billie Jean King.

To register for these events https://gwhealth. asn.au//lets-chat-gippsland

Ms Smith explained that to become an active bystander, one first recognises the signs of family violence, such as isolation from friends and family, appearing anxious around their partner,or unexplained injuries.

“The next step is crucial–it’sabout identifying if it is safe (to step in). The safety of you as an active bystander and of the person that you are trying to help is absolutely paramount,” she said.

Ms Smith said that if it was unsafe to seek help from authorities or offer quiet support.

“Finally, the nextstepisto(act).Itdoes not always mean confronting someone in the heat of the moment; it can be as simple as interrupting aharmful conversation, expressing your concern to the affected person in private, or reporting the situation to someone who can intervene effectively.”

Ms Smith also offered tips on listening without judgment, offering emotional support, sharing resources,and helping withsafetyplanningif needed while always respecting confidentiality.

“Living free from violence is abasic human right. By becoming an active bystander, educating yourself and others,and supporting initiates to support safer, more inclusive communities, together we can create asociety where family violence is recognised, addressed and ultimately prevented.”

These family violence support organisations/ agencies are available in Gippsland: Anglicare, Ramahyuck, Yoowinna Wurnalung Aboriginal Healing Service, FamilySafetyVictoria, The Orange Door, Gippsland CentreAgainst Sexual Assault,Quantum Support Services, Uniting, Latrobe Community Health Service, Central Gippsland Health, Victoria Police. Local mental health support services include Headspace and Heads for Health.

Council has also shared that it has recruited an experienced Free From ViolenceofficerKelly Morris, who will work closely with partner agencies as part of the Wellington Prevention of Family ViolenceNetwork to endfamily violence. This position is funded through the state government’s Free From Violence local government program, which focuses on primary prevention within Victorian councils.

“Everything countswhenitcomes to prevention, and we are proud to be aleader for our community in this space. Our Free From Violence officer will help strengthen partnerships, build awareness, and create lasting change in our community,” Cr Madeley said.

Wellington Walk Against FamilyViolence.

Over onehundred peopleattended the Wellington Walk Against FamilyViolence on Friday.

Gemma, Fletcher,Lottie and Ross McWhirter supported the Wellington Walk Against Family Violencealongside overone hundredpeople, standing againstgendered violence and standing in solidarity with victim survivors.

Photos: Erika Allen

Moreworks to be done: Chester

MAJOR new funding is required for the next stage of upgrades to the Princes Highway after the completion of the duplicationbetween Sale and Traralgon, according to federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.

Mr Chester said his focus had now switched to the Traralgon by-pass, Sale alternate route and a program of works to improve safety on the highway in East Gippsland.

“Gippslandmotoristsare nowreaping most of the benefits from 43-kilometres of duplicated road and 22 upgraded intersections, with the third and final stage of the Princes Highway upgrade between Traralgon and Sale virtually complete,” he said.

“I know it’s taken longer than hoped, but we are building abetter,safer PrincesHighwayherein Gippsland.

“There are still some final sealing works that will occur in the next few weeks, which is why the 80km per hour limit is in place, but, subject to weather, they will be gone soon.”

Mr Chester said making the journeybetween Sale and Traralgon safer for more than 15,000 motorists who used the stretch of road daily was the prime objective,alongwith improving productivity for the transport industry and boosting the visitor economy.

“A better, safer highway will save lives and provide long-term social, economic andenvironmental benefits for all Gippslanders, but there is always more to be done,” he said.

“I am already focusing on the next big challenges: securing funding to bypass Traralgon, upgrading the Sale alternate route,and improving the surface of the Princes Highway throughout East Gippsland.

“The Gippsland road networkisvital for moving productstomarket,reducingroadtrauma, and supporting tourism. We need state and federal governments whounderstandsafetransport connectivity in the regions is an essential service.”

Get moreofthe Gippy Times by subscribing online

LOCALS have been taking up online subscriptions for the Gippsland Times website,aweek after launching.

Similar to other newspapers around Australia, the Gippsland Times is making more of its stories available online for aminimal subscription cost.

For $10 per month, $52 for six months or $99 ayear, the community can access abroader range of stories, as well as adigital version of the paper, on the Gippsland Times website, www.gippslandtimes.com.au

The move to asubscription model for the website was driven by challenges and costs associated with distribution of the paper and asteadfast commitment to investing in the future of local journalism.

Vital stories, such as emergency information, will be made available free of charge.

The Gippsland Times team is dedicated to keeping the public informedabout thethe issues that affect our community- providing professionally-written, balanced and credible news, with the move to an online subscription model meaning people can read more local stories online than previously.

Subscribing to the Gippsland Times online is anotherway locals can invest in the futureoflocal journalism.

For more information on howtosubscribe, see the advert on page 30 of today’s Gippsland Times

the next stageofupgrades to thePrinces

Hyland Hwy fully-open

ROAD crews have fully reopened the Hyland Highway near Carrajung Lower having wrapped up amajor repair program after heavy rainfall caused two landslips on the road in November and December last year. Both lanes of the highway are now open, and the 100-kilometre per hour speed limit reinstated.

Extensive works included the construction of a50-metre-long retaining wall with increased load-bearing capacity to stabilise the road.

Crews also carriedout asphalting and road surface repairs, restoreddamagedstructures and road shoulders, cleared roadside drains and culverts, and replaced safetybarriers, signage, and roadside assets.

Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh said the reopening of the Hyland Highway was ahugewin for the community, freight operators, and tourists who relied on the

route each day.

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says new major new funding is requiredfor

Highway following the completion of theduplication project between Sale and Traralgon

key

Photo:File

Strike action affectssupermarket

Stefan Bradley

WOOLWORTHS supermarkets in Sale, Maffra and Yarramare experiencing stock shortages after more than aweek of strike action by 1500 warehouse workers across four distribution centres in Victoria and New South Wales.

On Friday during business hours, just the bare minimum was available for shoppers at the Maffra store, across all departments. The trucks that are coming in attempted to fill the gaps. Social media users commented on the lack of stock on Woolworths Yarram’s Facebook posts.

The GippslandTimes understands the online departmentatWoolworths Sale is strugglingto supply customers what they’ve ordered.

This reporter on Friday observed gaps in pasta, soft drinks, bread, bacon, pet food, frozen items, long life milk, pasta, soft drinks, frozen goods, packaged chips, cheese and bread at Sale. Eggs were also low in stock but that was the case before thestrike.

Thestrikebegan on November 21 withnoend in sight,unless Woolworths“comestothe table with an improved offer on safety, pay and equity”, according to the United Workers Union (UWU).

UWU says they are seeking “equal pay and conditionsacross Woolworths distribution centres” and are seeking to bring all workers up to at least $38 per hour in the first year of anew workplace agreement, with percentage wage increases in following years.

Lineage, acoldstorage warehouse supplying Woolworths stores also went on strike acouple of days after the warehouse workers for anew deal on conditions and wages.

AWoolworths spokeswoman told AAP, “we value our team and are deeplycommittedtoreaching an agreement as quickly as possible so they can receive the benefit of their new pay rates before Christmas”.

“We have alreadyput forward several offers with competitive pay that is above industry standards, abovelocal marketrates,above inflation, and well above the award,” the spokeswoman said.

Despite photos showing more limited stock than usual, AAPwere told by Woolworths that the shelves were not bare, and thatstoreswere still gettingdeliveries, albeit not as frequent.

Another demand from UWU is for Woolworths to permanently scrap the ‘Framework’ performance management program, which theunion described

as a“high-risk management approachpushing workers to work faster, which could undermine safety in avery dangerous industry”.

“Workers have reported feeling pressured to cut corners and work unsafely or lose their job if they don’t pick at higher speeds. Woolworths must prioritise the safety and well-being of workers above all else,” UWU National Secretary Tim Kennedy said.

“Workers all overAustralia are struggling to survive in the face of more than adecade of wage stagnation compounded by ever rising prices. The real purchasing powerofwages todayislower than it was (a) decade ago.”

Primary Connect, part of Woolworths’ distribution whichrunsFramework,told The Conversation the program was flexible, ensuring “a fair approach to the standardsisapplied to any personal circumstances or abilities” and had exemptionsfor staff “unabletoperform to standards,including pregnancy, disability or injury”.

On Mond ay mornin g, pi cket ers prev ented Woolworths from reopening adistribution centre in Melbourne.

Many notices throughout the storeat Woolworths Sale acknowledging the shortages. Photo: Contributed

Anear-empty long lifemilk shelf.

Woolworthsmay be missing some keyholiday sales, but theremorethan enoughChristmas ham to go around.

Ice cream and frozen fruitand vegetables wereheavily impacted by supply issues.

Yogurt stockaffected at Maffra. Photos: Stefan Bradley, unless stated

Another book on High Country deaths

‘In the DeadofNight: Amysterious disappearance, abrazen murderer and the police whohunted him down’,byGreg Haddrick is out now. Image: Contributed

AMYSTERIOUSdisappearance,abrazen murdererand the police whohunted him down.

In March 2020a coupledisappears from the remote WonnangattaValley, leaving a burnt-out campsite. Russell Hill andCarol Clayare secret lovers, and at firstitseems they might simply have started anew life elsewhere. But the police become increasingly convinced that they have been the victims of foul play, even though their bodies have not been found.

So beginsapainstaking investigation, tracing the driver of every car that wasinthe area, checking their stories and alibis. Ultimately, aftermore thana year’s work, there’sonly one driver who cannot be eliminated: Greg Lynn, aJetstar captain.

Is it possible that this highlysuccessful professional pilot is akiller? Could he be responsible for anumberofother mysterious disappearances in the Wonnangatta Valley? And how can the police charge him, given that there are no bodies, no witnesses and no clues as to how Russell and Carol were murdered?

Greg Haddrick tells the inside story of the twists and turns of thepolice investigation and the trial of pilotGregLynn, with many details that haven’t previously been made public.

Robin Bowles recently released abook about the case, Last Man Standing

Murder trial continues

THE Supreme Court trial into an alleged murder in Sale last year was told of afight in aSale pub which happened in the hours before aman died.

Spencer Shumski, 21, entered pleas of not guilty to murder charges relating to the death of Clint Allen. The trial is currently underway in Morwell.

On May 7, 2023, Mr Allen was on anight out for his wife’s birthday at Jack Ryan’s Irish Pub on thecorner of Raymondand Macalister Sts when his friend was thrown out after taking awoman’s phone.

The court was told asmall group of people were involved in afight at Jack Ryan’s relating to the behaviour of Mr Allen’s friend.

Afterthe fight, the court heard Mr Allenfollowed his friendand startedwalking home.All thewhile, the accused, Mr Shumski, was actively trying to stop one of his friends from leaving the pub and going after the man.

Three minutes later, Mr Shumskiand two friends also left the pub, walking in the same direction and soon catching up to Mr Allen and his friends

near the Criterion Hotel on the corner of York and Macalister Sts.

Ashort time passed before theprosecution alleged Mr Shumski was seen on CCTV wielding aknife andswingingitatMrAllen’s friend. Mr Allenwas then stabbed while assisting his friend. The forensicpathologist who undertook the autopsy of Mr Allen said the victim lost “more than half his blood” due to two stab wounds. The trial continues.

Lynn lawyersoutline grounds for appeal

David Braithwaite andTom Hayes

LAWYERS for Greg Lynn have outlined four grounds they willrely on in the appeal against his murder conviction and sentence.

Mr Lynn was foundguiltyofthe murder of Carol Clay, who alongwithRussellHillwentmissing during acamping trip to the Wonnangatta Valley in March 2020. Lynn was acquitted of Mr Hill’s murder.

Mr Lynncontinues to maintain his innocence, arguing he was not to blame for either death, claiming they were accidentally killed in separate struggles over ashotgun and aknife

In documents released by the Supreme Court, Mr Lynn’s lawyers argued their client suffered a “substantial miscarriage of justice” when Crown prosecutor DanielPorceddu attackedLynn’s account without putting those allegations to him during cross-examination.

The secondground related to the evidence of police ballistics expert Paul Griffiths, which they argued “involved afurther serious departure from the rules that govern the fair conduct of criminal trials”.

Thethird ground claimed the first and second grounds should be considered in combination and there was an “unacceptable risk that the jury travelled down an impermissible pathway” when it arrived at its verdict.

The final ground claims the guilty verdict for Mrs Clay’s murder was “unsafe and unsatisfactory”.

Mr Lynn,who was jailed for 32 years with a non-parole period of 24 years, is also appealing his sentence on the grounds it is “manifestly excessive”.

Lynn is appealing thesentence and verdict.

If the appeal is successful, the Court of Appeal could order aretrial in the Clay murder case. There cannot be aretrial on the murder trail relating to Mr Hill’s death, because he was found not guilty.

The appeal comes amid reports investigators hopetoreopen an inquiryinto the death of Mr Lynn’s ex-wife Lisa Lynn.

According to the Herald Sun,the couplemarried

in 1986 and was known to begin fighting as early as 1993. Mr Lynn had admitted to arguing with Ms Lynn, which including“pushing”. Police investigated the matterasa family violence incident,but ultimately no charges were officially laid.

In the final years of her life, Ms Lynn said she “livedinterror” of Mr Lynn.Hewas charged with making threats that included burning the house down,and stating Ms Lynn’s “blood will flow in thestreet”. Charges were withdrawn.

Before her death, Ms Lynn also noted Mr Lynn had aviolent past, afterkilling theirpet pig as well as the neighbour’sdog. His violence would stretch to humans, described as atype of ‘aggravated jealousy’, allegedly attacking people who flirted with Ms Lynn in public places.

Ms Lynn was found dead lyinginthe foetal position outside her home in October 1999. She and Mr Lynn separated earlier that year.

Mr Lynn’s alibi states he was reading the paper while having adrink in aCollingwood pub. His alibi later stated he had dinner at avideo café for which he had avoucher for.

It was reported he returned to thepub,where he had more to drink whilereading abook. His receipts from the night are dated the following morning, as he had to leave his credit card there to fix up his account.

He produced areceipt for cigarettes, said he visited two hotelsbefore settlinginand continuing to read his book, accompanied with adrink. On his way home, he withdrew cash for ataxi, after leaving his car where it was. He caught a tramthe followingmorning to pick up his car before goingtowork. He sayshewas informed of Ms Lynn’s death that evening.

Greg

Photo: File

Spencer Shumski, who is currently facing a murder trial, played music under the name NP Benzey

Photo: YouTube

Police Beat with StefanBradley

Appeal for witnesses

AN incidenthas occurred in the vicinity of the pump track on Dawson St, Sale, on Sunday, November 10, about 7pm.

Agroup of about five people was allegedly involved in the incident. Oneofthe people of interest was described as Caucasian in appearance wearing large sunglasses, North Face puffer jacket and bright pink runners.

According to police, the group after the incident continued to walk down Dawson St towards Guthridge Parade.

Anyone who was in the area at the time and may have dashcam or CCTV footage has been asked to phone Sale Police on 5142 2200 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,oranonymouslyreport via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Warragul carjacking

BAW Baw CrimeInvestigationUnit and Fugitive Taskforce detectives have charged aman after an alleged aggravated carjacking in Warragul.

Investigators have been told a27-year-old Drouin man was in avehicle on Trumpy Lane when he was approached by two men, one armed with amachete,about 10.10pm on September 24. It is alleged the victim was slashed in the face before the offenders fled the scene in the victim’s 2014 Holden Commodore.

The pair had also allegedly confronted a19-yearold Warragul woman in her vehicle. While the woman was uninjured, her car was damaged in the incident.

The Holden was later located in Narracan Drive, Moe.

Officers attempted to intercept the car, which allegedly drove ontothe wrongsideofthe road and rammed into apolice vehicle before fleeing.

The two police officers inside the vehicle were uninjured.

The Holden waslater found burntout in Graduation Place, Churchill.

As part of the subsequent investigation the Fugitive Taskforce was brought in to assist local detectives.Investigators subsequently attended a camping area in Rosebud on Tuesday last week and arrested an 18-year-old Chelsea man. He has since been charged with aggravated carjacking,

intentionally exposepolice to risk by driving, arson, threats to kill and theft.

Investigations in relation to the second man involved remain ongoing.

Nar Nar Goon fatal

EMERGENCY services were called to atwo-car collision in Nar Nar Goon on Saturday.

It’s believedthe vehicles collided on Seven Mile Rd just after 3.30pm, causing one vehicle to roll.

One person, who is yet to be formally identified, has died at the scene. Three people were airlifted to hospital in acritical condition.

Investigations in to the collision are ongoing.

Garfieldfatal

AMAN has died afterhis vehiclestrucka tree in Garfield early Monday morning.

The crash occurred on Nar Nar Goon-Longwarry Rd shortly before 1.30am.

The exact circumstances surrounding the crash are yet to be determined and police will prepare areport for the coroner.

Family violence incidents up

INTERNATIONAL Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women was marked on November 25.

It also marked the launch of the 16 Days of Activismcampaignagainst gender-based violence –aninternational initiative that calls for awareness and action.

Police have responded to almost 99,000 family violence incidents in the past year -that’s one family violence incident every five minutes.

Family Vi olenc eC omm and, As si st ant

Commissioner Lauren Callaway,saidVictoria

Police was proud to support the 16 Days of Activism and was committed to eliminating violence against women and ensuring the safety of the community.

“We respond to familyviolence as apriority and willplay our part in keeping victim-survivors safe and holding perpetrators to account.”

According to Crime Statistics Agency's 2024 data, the number of familyviolence incidents increased by 6.1 per cent Victoria in 12 months.

Police say if you or someone close to you discloses they are avictimoffamily violence, please believe them, and encourage them to contact police or a support service: 1800 RESPECT(1800737 732 or www.1800respect.org.au), or Safe Steps (1800 015 188 or www.safesteps.org.au). If you, or someoneyou know is in immediate danger, phone Triple Zero (000).

Driver caught twice

AMAFFRA man will face court after being found to be driving an unregistered vehicle and failing aroadside drug test, twice.

On October 25, the 33-year-old man was intercepted driving apurple Holden utility on Landy St, Maffra.

The driver was found to be alearner driver withoutanaccompanying driver. The registration of the vehicle he wasdriving had expired in April, there were no ‘L’ plates displayed and driver also recorded apositive reading on aroadside drug test.

The vehicle was impounded for 30 days at acost of $950

On Thursday last week, police were again patrolling along LandyStwhentheyobserved the same purple Holden utility, which has only been out of impound for four days, being driven around.

Checks revealed the vehicle was being driven by the same 33-year-old Mafframan,who was again an unaccompanied learner.

The utilitywas still unregisteredwithno‘L’ plates displayed, and the driver again tested positive to aroadside drug test.

The utility was again impounded at acost of $950, while the male will face court in early January.

Motorbike sa fety tips

WITH the weather improving and holidays upon us, thereisa notable increaseinthe frequency of motorcycles on our roads and off-road tracks.

Luke Banwell, Senior Sergeant Eastern Region RoadPolicing, said that East Gippslandand Wellington shires both enjoyed alarge number of motorcycle enthusiasts, both on and off road.

"With this comes ahigh incidence of road trauma involving motorcycles. We can point the finger of blameinmanydirectionsbut thereare strategies to remain upright on your ride," he said.

Based on local collision data involving motorcycles in the East Gippsland and Wellington shires, the following points will serve to assist in avoiding acollision when you are riding:

 Before departing, be aware of the road surface and any dangerous driving conditions that may affect your ride;

 Keep asafe distance from other vehicles and roadside objects;

 Be prepared for other road users not to see you and not give way;

 Wear bright clothing, use lights and ride in the correct position on the road;

 Be predictable, indicate, and ride withinyour capabilities;

 Predict how other road users think and respond around motorcycles;

 Ensure all protective clothing is worn;

 Ride to the conditions, not the speed limit;

 Be prepared for all types of animals to be on

the road at any time;

 Be prepared for washouts, potholes and debris on the road surface;

 Blind bends are very dangerous, stay in your lane;

 Are you in good health and physically able to control your bike?, and;

 Break up you journey and have frequent rest breaks.

Moremotorbikesare on the road because of favourable weather andthe holidays

Photo: Contributed

Luke Banwell,Senior Sergeant EasternRegion Road Policing.

Photo: File

ONE POINTERS

1. What is the youngest member of the family called in The Simpsons?

2. Which of the disciples had their elbow on the table in The Last Supper?

3. Social media platform Twitter rebranded to what after its acquisition by Elon Musk in 2022?

4. Who did Pamela Anderson play in Baywatch?

TWOPOINTERS

5. What is the general term for the involuntar ydemand to serveinthe nation’sarmed forces?

6. What is it called when aperson can use both their left and right hands to write?

7. Is Rhubarb afruit or vegetable?

8. Who was the lead singer of 80’sband Culture Club?

THREE POINTER

9. Taylor Swift’sboyfriend, Travis Kelce, is apro Ameri can Football player for which state?

10. What is the longest (above water) mountain range?

11 What two colours make up the flag of Denmark?

12 Who was Prime Minister of Australian when WWII began?

FOUR POINTER

13. Australia has the world’slargest sand island. What is its name?

14 What children’sbook character was A. A. Milne responsible for creating?

FIVE POINTER

15. I’ll give you five famous novels and you give me the countr yit’sset in. One point for each answer: 1.The Book Thief 2. The Three Musketeers 3. Catcher in the Rye 4. Outlander 5.The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Howdid youfare?

37: Topofthe class; 30-36: Outstanding; 23-29: Well done; 15-20: Solid effort; 9-14: Room for improvement; 0-8: Hit the books.

Target Time No. 0238

Howtoplay...

Using the 9letters in the gr id, howmany wordsoffour letters or morecan you list? The centreletter must be included and each lettermay be used onlyonce No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural wordsendingin‘s’ Solution page46

From Gippsland to theworld

Aidan Knight

FOLLOWINGthe release of his recentsingle

Panic!,Traralgon-raised pop artist Thomas Headon surprised fans with anew seven-track EP, Wasn’t aFighting Kid,accompanied by a20-minute short film.

Announced less than aweek before its release, this quick follow-up waswelcomed by avid listeners, who expected Headon’s next musical release to be his debut album, which he declared finished in December 2023 via socialmedia platform X. While the blossoming songwriterhas shared stages with an impressive list of music’s elite, to his mother, Andrea, he’s stillaLatrobe Valleyboy whose passion for music began in their Traralgon home.

“I thought he was going to have acareer in theatre,” Andrea recalled.

“He was always performing”, attributingsome of his ability to his involvement in Latrobe Valley musical theatre growing up.”

Thomas developed his natural performative abilities in several productions,including Latrobe TheatreCompany’srendition of The SoundOf Music,and later alead role in Oliver

“That’swhere he really got agrasp on commanding an audience, early on,” his mother said.

Thomas did all this while also studying various instruments in and out of school,including the O’Dowd School of Singing in Moe, building the strongest foundation for his musical career he could.

It is clearfrom the 24-year old’s current standing in the music world that this constant dedication to his art gained him the traction he has today.

Andrea remembered aspecific turning point for her son, during his high school years at St Paul’s Anglican Grammar.

“It was in year nine, during an assembly, when he got up with his guitar and loop pedalsand performed an Ed Sheeran song, just him on stage in front of the whole school,” she said.

“The applause he got -Ithink that’s when he decided, ‘I want to do this.’That was before he evenstarted busking,and Ireckon that’s when the bug hit.

“At that point it was the biggest crowd he’d played.”

Thatcrowd waseclipsed some years later, and in the mostdramatic wayimaginable, when Thomas playedinsupportofElton John for his Farewell Yellow Brick Road show at HydePark

“That was absolutely nuts,”Andrearecalled.

“The weird thing was, the managerspitched to him thinking he wouldn’ttodoit, becauseofthe age demographic between someonelike EltonJohn and apop artist like Thomas in his 20s.”

But with works like The Lion King having a formative influence on the young Traralgon boy’s work, he jumped at the chance.

Elton John isn’t the only industry giant to be in the Thomas Headon corner. The studio he works out of now in London is owned by producer Sacha Skarbek, who is best known for co-writing Miley Cyrus’s Wrecking Ball,and some of James Blunt’s biggestsongs.

It waspeople like Skarbek, and Thomas’s two German managers, Max and Titus, who eased Andrea’s concerns whenThomas moved to pursue hiscareer.

“We packedhim off on his own rightafter he finished year 12 at KurnaiCollege”, where Thomas completed his final years of study, “and Iwas like, oh my god are these guys for real?”

The management hadbeen in contact with Thomas for several years online after discovering the budding artist via his YouTube channel,where he had built apromising fanbase posting covers of Ed Sheeran and One Direction songs over his teenageyears.

“I was honestly worried he would get to Heathrow and never hear from them again or be told to wait afew weeks on the promise of touching base later. In these kinds of industries you hear about people making all these promises that don’t come to fruition, but they picked him up personally from the airport and from thatmoment on have really looked after him as not only managers but mentors and friends,” Andrea said.

The gamble paid off, 100 million streams later, with 85 shows across 13 countries -all whilestill

Whimsical movie at The Wedge

THE Sale Film Society will screen its final movie for 2024, Mrs Henderston Presents,tonight at The Wedge, Sale, from 7.30pm.

Entry is free to Society members and $10 to non-members.

Societypresident RobZiffer believesthe feature willput attendees in the right mood for the festive season.

“It is awhimsical movie about an elderly and eccentric widow (Dench)who purchases adisused theatreafter her husband’s death in 1937,”Dr Ziffer says of the plot.

“She remodels it to create the Windmill Theatre to fill in her loss, and hires amanager (Hoskins).

“The duo begin aVaudeville revue but fall on

difficult times, competing with other theatres in the midst of the beginning of World War 2.

“They then takethe ‘shocking’ option of introducing female nudity!”

Mrs Henderson Presents stars Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins and was described as “very funny, sweet and charming”, but also as “not great cinema, and neither was the Windmill great theatre, but they both put on agood show”.

Shirley’s will be open as usual and all members are welcome to adrink on the house as thanks from the committee for their support in 2024.

Subscriptionsfor the society’s2025season are now available at The Wedge box office or at thewedge.com.au/sale-film-society/

Traralgon musician Thomas Headon stillkeeps close tabs with home, even while based in the UK and supporting industrygiantsthe calibre of Elton John.

calling the Latrobe Valley home.

“Hestill has the same friends he had when he was growing up here, some even since primary school. He’s definitely still got his connection here with the Valley, and everyone in it,” Andrea said.

“When he’s home it’s likehenever left. He may be painted as ‘the boy from Melbourne’ in interviews abroad,but he’s still aTraralgonkid at heart. The only thing that’s really changed is Idon’t have to pay his rent anymore,” she laughed.

ThomasHeadon’s new EP is availabletostream and download nowonall platforms, and the accompanying short film can be found on his YouTube channel.

‘Wasn’t

aFighting Kid’ EP is out now.

Madrigal singersend of year concert

THE Yallourn Madrigal Singers will perform theirend of year concert, Over TheRainbow, at St James’ Anglican Church, Traralgon, this Saturday from 2pm.

Come for arelaxing afternoon of beautiful

choral music with favouritepieces and new songs, some vocal solos and aflute sonata. AChristmas-themed afternoon tea will follow the performance.

The 2005 British film Mrs Henderston Presents is whimsical movie about an elderly and eccentric widowwho purchases adisused theatreafterher husband’s death in 1937

Photo: Contributed

Mosquito control prevents viruses

RESIDENTS and visitors to WellingtonShire can breathea little easier this summer, thanks to the efforts of council’s mosquito control program.

Running from November through April, this proactive initiative plays avital role in reducing mosquito-borne diseasessuchasRoss Riverand Barmah Forest viruses in the region.

With ateam led by local experts Barry and Ricky Curtain, affectionately known as the “Mosquito Monitors”, Wellington Shire Council uses targeted surveillance, strategic control measures, and community education to tackle mosquito populations effectively. Their dedication ensurescoastal towns are safer and more enjoyable for everyone. Barry’spersonalexperience with Ross River virus 20 years ago sparked his passion for mosquito control. Since then, Barry has dedicated himself to protecting the local community.

Alongside his son Ricky, Barry conducts regularspraying operations across high-risk areas,

including Loch Sport, Seaspray, and the wetlands of Lake Reeve.

Keytotheir success is the use of council’s specialised equipment, includingthe “Mozzie Mobile” -an Argo all-terrain vehicle.

The Mozzie Mobileallowsthe duo to cover extensive areas quickly and efficiently. It enables them to navigate challenging terrain such as wetlands and floodplains.

“These tools are invaluable for getting into hardto-reach places and making sure we don’t miss a single breeding site,” Barry said.

“Living through Ross RivervVirus firsthand made me realise how important mosquito control is. Now,

I’m proud to be part of aprogram that’s making areal difference for our residents and visitors. It’s rewarding to know that the work we do helps protectpeoplefrom serious health risks,”Barry shared.

Under the guidanceofthe Victorian Department

of Health, the program works by:

 Conducting weekly mosquito surveillance across the Shire to monitor species and identify disease risks;

 Undertaking strategic spraying in high-risk areas like Lake Reeve, which is ahotspot for saltmarsh mosquitoes;

 Using the Mozzie Mobile to access and treat breeding grounds across the coastal regions of the shire, and;

 Delivering community-focused education campaigns via social media, local newspapers, and radio to share prevention tips.

Theprogram’s impact is evident, with reduced mosquito activity and increased awareness about how to prevent bites and breeding.

Wellington Shire Council also engages the community to tackle mosquito breeding in backyards. Simple steps like clearing standing water, maintaining screens,and wearing protectiveclothing go along way in reducing mosquito numbers and keeping diseases at bay.

“We couldn’t do this without the community’s cooperation, by working together, we can minimise the nuisance and risks posed by mosquitoes,” Barry said.

Despitethe challenges of changing environmental conditions and emerging mosquito species, council continues to adapt its approach, demonstrating its commitment to public health and wellbeing.

The introduction of additional traps and advanced monitoring techniques ensures the program stays aheadofthe game.

Heading the summer holiday season, locals and visitors are being reminded to:

 Wear long, loose clothing and apply insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin;

 Avoid outdoor activities during peak mosquito times (low wind and high humidity), and;

 Regularly check properties for standing water to prevent mosquito breeding.

For more information or to report mosquito breeding sites, phone Wellington Shire Council’s environmental health team on 1300 366 244 or head to council’s website.

Epic journeyalong the 90 Mile Beach

RECOVERED Lyme disease patient Tanner McMillan willthis Sundayembark on an epic hike spanning the length of the 90 Mile Beach.

The17-year-old and his mate Ed Blandford have set thischallenge to raise awareness andvital funds for the forgotten Aussies suffering from tick-borne diseases. Tanner’s story is one of inspiration and courage. DiagnosedwithLyme disease after atickbiteat the tender age of 11, Tanner experienced years of debilitating symptoms.

Missing years of hischildhoodand school, he

suffered extreme fatigue, pain, and digestive and neurological issues, which left him bedridden.

After an arduous recovery journey, Tanner is now determined to help others suffering from this often misunderstood and underdiagnosed condition.

“Lyme disease took away years of my life.Now that Iambetter, Iwant to give back and help others who are struggling,” Tanner said.

“This hike is my way of saying thank you to everyone who supported me, and Ihope it brings attention to the ongoingchallenges faced by people with Lyme disease in Australia.”

The goal of the hike is not only to raise awareness but to raise $65,000for the Lyme Disease Association of Australia. These fundswill support tick-borne diseaseresearch,advocacy,and patient support services, as well as contribute to efforts to improve diagnosis and treatment options in Australia.

Tannerand Ed’scampaign highlights the urgentneed for greater public understanding and resources dedicated to Lyme and related diseases.

To support their fundraising efforts, adedicated campaign has been launched through MyCause, where donations can be made directly.

He was recently dubbed ‘Brave Heart’ by Great Walks magazine.

Tanner and Ed invite supporters from across the country to join them virtually on their hike, cheeringthem on through social mediaand helping spreadthe wordabout Lyme disease in Australia. Community members are encouraged to share the campaign, donate, and learn more about Lyme andother tick-borne diseases by visitingthe Lyme Disease Association of Australia’s official page dedicatedtothe hike: Tanner &Ed’s Epic Hike for Lyme.

Making The Invisible

Visible

International DayofPeople with DisabilityExhibition 3rdDecember 2024 –28th February2025

This exhibition showcases the artworks made by artists in a workshop run by Gippsland DisabilityAdvocacyand Gippsland ArtGallery.

This exhibition celebrates International DayofPeople with Disabilityand brings afocus to the artworkscreatedbypeopleofall abilities. On International Dayof People with Disability(IDPwD)we celebratecreating adiverse and

inclusivecommunityand respect the contributions of people with disability.

Making the Invisible Visible shines alight on theideathatpeoplesee what theythink theysee butcan’t see what theycan’t see and they don’t know whattheydon’t know

Making the Invisible Visible is about exploring this idea, and the artworks from theworkshop areabout expressing this ideathrough art.

Tanner’s story was aired on The Project in 2023, and in 2024 his Epic Hike has garnered significant community and media attention,with local and national businesses offering sponsorships to help them reach their target.

To donate,visit Tannerand Ed’s fundraising page at mycause.com.au Their journey can be trackedonthe LDAA websiteand social media, and the story can be shared using #EpicHikeForLyme.

Hot rodclub open day

Tanner McMillan (right) andEdBlandfordwill hike the length of 90 MileBeach to raisemoney and awareness for sufferers of tick-bornediseases.

Photo: Contributed THE Newry Eight’s Rodand Muscle

The ‘MozzieMobile’.

Mosquito MonitorsBarry and Ricky Curtain.

Photos:Wellington ShireCouncil

Targeted surveillance,strategic controlmeasures, and community education areusedto manage themosquito population in Wellington Shire.

Pila tus Australia opens Sale office

StefanBradley

THE official opening of Pilatus Aircraft’s new Sale head office on Mondayoflast week featuredatour around the new building, plenty of suits and ties, and an appearancebythe chief executive, who came all the way from Switzerland.

The open day,with refreshments provided, showed offthe newopen plan officespaces with standing desks and soundproofing. The spaces will mostly be occupied by engineers and support team staff to help the Royal Australian Air Force with their training system and as well as supply chain and logistics. Pilatus has its own parts and warehouse in order to make this happen.

Pilatus sees this as along-term investment in the local Sale community, as well as acommitment to the RAAF and the trainingofits futureADF pilots. Primarily, the Sale location was chosen because it’s near the RAAF Base East Sale, but Pilatus is open to serving other customers.

Pilatuschief executive MarkusBucher, from

Switzerland, has become very familiar with the Sale area over the yearsashe’s visited here frequently. He told the Gippsland Times the new office is part of the company’s long-term investment in Sale and the RAAF.

“Pilatusistoserve the Royal Australian Air Force with the best of our ability,the best of our technology that we can provide as an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) of the aircraft and (provide) the basic ground training system,”

Mr Bucher said.

“Our aim is to become better in what we are doing, not onlytothe Australian Air Force, but all our air forces that we serve around the world -about 35 of them and we train about 1000 pilots per year on ourtrainingsystem.”

Mr Bucher said the new office was everything Pilatus had dreamed of.

“I remember when we came here two-and-a-halfyears ago and decided we would like to have our own building as acommitment of pillars into the local community. It turned out exactly what we wanted it to be.

“Wedohave abuilding code withinthe company andthisbuilding is one of the very first that has been built in accordance to that code.

“And as you can see, there’s alot of timber here, which is very much going in line with the company’s vision of sustainability. And that was the idea here, to use local-grown timber.”

Pilatus Training Solutions Australia business manager Graham McIntyre led atour through the two-storeyoffice, and he said the Pilatus buildings around the country aimed to have aconsistent look.

“It didn’t look Swiss enough. It needed more timber,” he said.

“So we went to the Pilatus Australia building in Adelaide to see how much timber they had. So we pinched that design for consistency. We want all the buildings to look the same.”

With Pilatus offices around the world with different timezones, Mr McIntyre said they wanted a24-hour on-call service for their customers, and the Sale office is an important part of that.

Pilatus chief executive Markus Bucher(left) and Pilatus Training Solutions Australia business manager Graham McIntyre.

The new Pilatus Australia headoffice in Sale.

Photos: Stefan Bradley One of the offices in thebuilding.

Fantastic family living

This fantastic family home offers the perfect blend of comfort, space, and convenience, located in the heart of the highly sought-after Cedarwood Drive Estate in Maffra, agents say With its charming construction, including brick veneer,cementtiled roof, fretwork, and lovely front veranda, agents say this home is amust-see.

There are four spacious bedrooms and two modern bathrooms, including a separate toilet.

The master bedroom is positioned at the front of the home with anearby second living area that can double as aparents’ retreat, theatre room, or additional living space.

Three additional bedrooms, separated from the front of the home by the main kitchen and living area, offerspace and serenity for mumand dad.

Expansive open-plan kitchen/dining/ family area is ideal for everyday living and entertaining.

Brie fd et ails

Address: 21 Cedarwood Drive, Maffra

Price: $660,000

Bed: Four

Bath: Two

Car: Two Agents: PatWeatherly,0412435 644, or

BrettLanigan, 0427 517577

Gippsland Real Estate

There is ample storage, including walk-in pantry,walk-in linen cupboard, walk-in robes to master and second bedrooms, and built-in robes to two other bedrooms.

Year-round comfort is offered with ducted heating, reverse cycle airconditioning, ceiling fans and downlights throughout.

There is asubstantial undercover outdoor entertainment area, overlooking the spacious backyard, ideal for kids, pets, or even the addition of aswimming pool, all under the watchful eyes of mum or dad.

Beautifully maintained gardens and lawn, allowing you to move in and enjoy without the hassle of landscaping.

There is ample parking and workspace with adouble garage and asix by sevenmetre shed featuring aconcrete floor

The home is set on ahuge 1127 square metre block, with private rear yard access.

Alarge solar feedback system helps reduce power bills.

Set in an enviable location, agents say this homeoffers easy access to everything Maffra has to offer, including 2.3 kilometres to Maffra’smainstreet, with supermarkets, the Macalister River Park, and playground. It is walking distance to the Maffra Recreation Reserve, perfect for sports enthusiasts and families, and closetoMaffco Brewery and the Maffra Community Sports Club, making it great for local entertainment and community activities.

89 acresofirrigation country

Conveniently

Agents

Agents

The

This exceptional 12-hectare lifestyle property combines the serenity of country living with the convenience of being close to town, agents say With 31 megalitres of irrigation water,itis ideal for agricultural use or simply enjoying the expansive outdoor space.

The property,with17paddocks, offers dual road access, providing ease of movement for equipment, caravans, or livestock. It also features multiple sheds and aprofessional-grade stable block with 10 stalls and an office, making it ideal for horse enthusiasts, storage, or livestock management.

The main residence is aspacious threebedroom home, designed for comfortable living with alarge, inviting outdoor area perfect for entertaining. The backyard’s stand-out feature is aluxurious in-ground pool, surrounded by palm trees, offering a private tropical retreat.

For extra accommodation, there is a separate bungalow or granny flat with its own bathroom and two bedrooms, providing privacy for guests or extended family

Just one kilometre from the Sale township, this property offers the ideal balance of rural peace and urban convenience, close to local services with town water and gas, sportsgrounds, schools, and shops.

Agents say whether you are seeking to downsize from the farm or need extra space for the family,this property is amust-see.

Availableatthese localoutlets foronly $2

Gippsland Times Office

74 MacAlister Street SALE

9am - 5pm Mon-Fri

Astron Centre

Cnr York and Raglan Streets SALE

Briagolong P O and General Store

4 Avon Street BRIAGOLONG

Carmody Tyre Service

105-113 York Street SALE

6am - 6:30pm Mon-Fri / 7am - 4pm Sat

Centre Bakery

103 Cunninghame Street SALE

5:30am - 5pm Mon-Fri / 7am - 3pm Sat /

8am - 3pm Sun

Coles

Gippsland Centre SALE

6am - 9pm Mon-Sun

Dawson Street Food & Liquor

274 Dawson Street SALE

6:30am - 7pm Mon - Thu / 6:30am - 7:30pm / Fri 7am - 7pm Sat - Sun

Endeavour Stratford

25 Tyers Street STRATFORD

Evans BP

344-350 Raglan Street SALE

Food Store Maffra

39 Carpenter Street MAFFRA

FoodWorks LochSport

48 Lake Street LOCH SPORT

8am - 7pm Mon-Sun

Food Works Sale

70 Patten Street SALE

7am - 9pm Mon-Sun

The Genny on Guthridge

203 Guthridge Parade SALE

5:30am - 5:30pm Mon-Fri / 7am - 2pm Sat

Heyfield IGA HEYFIELD

8am - 8pm Every day - except Christmas Day

Lakeview General Store

115 Seaspray Road LONGFORD

6am - 7pm Mon-Fri / 7am - 7pm Sat / 8am - 6pm Sun

Lakes Entrance News and Lotto

297 The Esplanade LAKES ENTRANCE

6am - 5pm Mon-Fri / 7am - 5pm Sat / 7am - 11am Sun

Maffra Hot Bake

88 Johnson Street MAFFRA

Main Street Newsagency

212 Main Street BAIRNSDALE

5:30am - 5pm Mon-Fri / 7am - 12pm Sat / 8am - 12pm Sun

Morwell Newsagency

174-176 Commercial Road MORWELL

7am - 5:30pm Mon-Fri / 7:30am - 2pm Sat /

7:30am - 9am Sun

Mowgleys Milk Bar & Take Away

225 Raglan Street SALE

6am - 6pm Mon-Sat / 7am - 3pm Sun

Newry General Store & Post Office

44-46 Main Street NEWRY

7:30am - 5pm Mon-Fri / 8am - 12pm Sat

News Xpress Bair nsdale

21 Bailey Street BAIRNSDALE

7am - 5:30pm Mon-Fri / 8am - 12pm Sat

News Xpress Maffra MAFFRA

7am - 5pm Mon-Fri / 8am - 12pm Sat

Ritchies IGA Maffra

102-106 Johnson Street MAFFRA

7am - 9pm Mon-Sat / 8:30am - 7pm Sun

Ritchies IGA Sale

177-179 York Street SALE

8am - 9pm Mon-Sat / 8am - 7pm Sun

Rosedale IGA

17-19 Prince Street ROSEDALE

7:30am - 7:30pm Mon-Sat / 8am - 7pm Sun

Safeway Petrol

MacAlister Street SALE

Timberline General Store

1 Tyson Road HEYFIELD

6am - 8:30pm Mon-Sat / 7am - 8:30pm Sun

Tinamba General Store

2 Traralgon-Maffra Road TINAMBA

6am - 6pm Mon-Fri / 7am - 5pm Sat / 8am - 4pm Sun

Toongabbie General Store

43 Main Street TOONGABBIE

7am - 7pm Mon-Sun

Traralgon News & Lotto

51-53 Franklin Street TRARALGON

7:30am - 5:30pm Mon-Fri / 7:30am - 5pm Sat / 9am - 12pm Sun

United Fuel

Cnr York & Maffra Roads SALE

Open 24 hrs

Woodside Shell Post Office

WOODSIDE

Woolworths

107 Johnson Street MAFFRA

7am - 9pm Mon-Sun

Woolworths Gippsland Centre SALE

7am - 10pm Mon-Sun

Wurruk BP Princes Highway WURRUK 5:30am - 7pm Mon-Sun

Sale Authorised Newsagency

308-310 Raymond Street SALE

7am - 5:30pm Mon-Fri / 7am - 1pm Sat

Sale Hospital Kiosk SALE

Sale Hot Bake

258 York Street SALE

5am - 6:15pm Mon-Fri / 5:30am - 5:15pm Sat & Sun

Seaspray General Store

SEASPRAY

Shell Coles Express

215-223 York Street

SALE

6am - 9pm Mon-Sat / 8am - 9pm Sun

Stratford IGA

67 Tyers Street

STRATFORD

Christma ssea son st arts in Sale

Stefan Bradley

THOUSANDS of friends and families flocked

Raymond St in Sale at the weekend before and after the MiddleofEverywhere Christmas Paradeonthe final dayofNovember, ushering in the festive season.

Raymond St was closed off to commuter traffic and the expected rain actually stopped about 15 minutes prior to the parade’s starting time of 5pm on Saturday.

The 20-minute paradefeatured luxury cars, Santa Clause, elves, street performers, costumes and anumber of local church and community groups recognisable to Wellington locals.

Several businesses and community groups set up stalls on the street and many shops stayed open. Some involved in the parade and stalls cancelled their appearances due to the rain, while the planned rollerskating was postponed for another day due to atransport breakdown.

Fireperformer and martial artist NinjaNiaz joined aChristmas elf on stilts and Aurora the Mushroom Fairy among others providing entertainment at the Clocktower Mall after the parade, which also included ajumping castle and asmoothie bike.

This massive listinvolved in this event included Berry Dairy, Gippsland Armed Forces Museum, LifeFMGippsland, Stay

Grounded,Slinky Spud,Renegade Reptiles, Lotje McDonald Photography, PhysiPole StudiosSale, Gippsland Jersey, Big Bear Donuts,Lakeside Rockers Gippsland and many more.

Sale City Band, local singer Naomi Darby and the AustralianMilitary Wives Choir performed Christmas carols on astage at the Sale Clocktower. They performed until a countdown at 9pm that officially lit up the big Christmas tree to equally big cheers.

Sale Business and Tourism Association president Julian McIvor led the countdown, and he acknowledged the Middle of Everywhere, Wellington Shire Council, Sale City Motors and all the local business and community

organisations who took part in makingthe event happen.

The parade was brought back last year after a10-year hiatusafter GippslandCentre administrationmanagerTamara Williams cameupwiththe idea. An organising committee had been formed with Gippsland Centre, WellingtonShire Council, Sale Business Tourism Association and Sale City Motors.

“It rained on our parade two years in arow, but there wasagreat turnout considering the wetstart,” Ms Williams said.

“Everybody on the committee did an excellent job.Weare open to feedback,and hopefully next year will be bigger and better.

“Merry Christmas!”

Before and after the Middle of Everywhere Christmas Parade

Lotje McDonald Photography, from Sale, showing her photos from around Gippsland.

Live Christmas carols from local musicians in front of the Sale Clocktower

Ben, Dawn, Indie, Garry, Harley and Levi from Maffra and Stratford.

Calev from Renegade Reptiles showing off lizards and snakes to the public

Local church groups walked in the parade Photos: Stefan Bradley

Little ones Ellie and Evie, with Amie, Megan and Jake from Sale

Aurora The Mushroom Fairy entertainment at the parade and at the Clocktower Mall for hours afterwards.

Fire performer and martial artist Ninja Niaz

Night on Raymond St is beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Christmas cheers for the moment the Christmas tree was lit up Elf off the shelf and on stilts

Three decades of Wellington Shire

WELLINGTON Shire Council on Monday marked 30 years since its first meeting.

Wellington Shire was formed in 1994 through the amalgamation of five former councils -Alberton, Avon, Maffra, Rosedale and the City of Sale.

Theamalgamationmade WellingtonShire the third-largest municipality in Victoria, covering an expansive area just shy of 11,000 square kilometres.

More recently marketing itself as “the Middle of Everywhere”, Wellington Shire’s central location and large geographic footprint has allowed it to connectcommunities and industries across eastern Victoria, makingita key player in regional growth and development.

The inaugural Wellington Shire Councilmeeting in 1994, chairedbycommissioner John Guy,set acollaborative tone, one that current councillors still showcase today.

Commissioner Guy emphasised community inclusion, with meetings opentothe public and timed to allow working residents to attend.

Wellington Shire’s formation was part of abroader Victoriangovernmentinitiative to modernise local governance. While the restructure was met with some debate, it also brought communities together under larger, more efficient councils.

Among the key decisions were including Dargo in Wellington Shire, fulfilling the wishes of Avon Shire residents who strongly opposed separating the town; retaining Yarram in Wellington Shire due to itsimportance as aservice centre,with the board citing the “energies and commitment of the people of Yarram” as key to its prosperity, and aligning Port Welshpool and Barrys Beach with South Gippsland Shire due to their shared community interests and connections.

Across the state, similar resistance was

Social medialaws passed

CHILDREN aged under 16 will be banned from using social media, after new laws passed throughfederal parliament last week.

The federal government says the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age)Bill 2024 has been created to deliver greater protections for young Australians.

The laws, which will come into effect over thenext 12 months, placethe onus on social mediaplatforms to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from having accounts,and ensures systemic breaches will seeplatforms face finesofupto$49.5 million.

The minimum age will apply to ‘agerestricted social media platforms’ as defined in the bill, which includes Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X.

The bill ensures that the law is responsive to the evolving nature of technology, while enabling continuedaccess to messaging, online gaming, and services and apps that are primarily for the purposes of education and health support –likeHeadspace, Kids Helpline, Google Classroom and YouTube.

The bill contains strong privacy provisions, withplatforms required to ring-fence and destroy any data collected once it has been used for age assurance purposes. Failure to destroydata would be abreach of the Privacy Act, with penalties of up to $49.5 million.

No Australian will be compelled to use government identificationfor age assurance on social media.

Platforms must offer reasonable alternatives to users.

The bill has been designed following consultation with young Australians, parents, experts,industry, communityorganisations and National Cabinet.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said parliament had passed important legislation to keep children safe online.

“Social media is doing social harm to our kids. We’ve called time on it,” he said.

“We want our kids to have achildhoodand parents to know we have their backs.”

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the government was resolute in its commitment to keeping children safe online.

“We’ve listenedtoyoung people, parents and carers, expertsand industry in developing these landmark laws to ensure they are centred on protecting young people–not isolating them,” she said.

“Overthe next 12 months,we’llwork closely with industry and experts to ensure the minimum age is effectively implemented, informed by the findings of the Age Assurance Technology Trial currently underway.”

experienced, particularly during the mergersin the Geelong region and reviews of municipalities in Ballarat and Bendigo.

The Kennett state government continued with its support of the restructures, describing it as necessary for modern governance.

At the time, Local Government Minister Roger Hallam championed the changes,highlighting the benefits of amodernised local government system.

“The restructure consolidates municipal resources and expertise, making councils more cost-effective and strategically aligned to address the economic and population challenges of the next century,” Mr Hallam stated at the time.

Mr Hallam emphasised the need for councils to take on larger roles in tourism, regional development, and economic investment.

“Local government needs to play agreater role in securing investment and jobs dearly needed in country areas. Thereisnobetter waythan the community acting as ambassadors,” he said.

Mr Hallam’s vision emphasised the potential for larger municipalities, likeWellington Shire, to foster growth, improve accountability, andbetter support local businesses andfarmers.

Wellington Shire welcomed its first elected council in March 1997, brining together adiverse group of seven councillors representing awide geographic spread.

The successful candidates included grazier and formerRosedale Shire president Peter Garlick (Stradbroke); former Maffra Shire councillor Gordon Cameron (Maffra); businesswomen Janet Stoddart (Heyfield)and Linda Barraclough(Briagolong); retired businessman and former deputy mayor of Sale John Jago; business manager and former Sale mayor Jim Frith (Sale), and Ron Harvey (Carrajung), agrazier with more than 20 years of council experience in Alberton Shire.

The first meeting of council was brief but was marked by optimism and collaboration, signalling anew chapter in Wellington Shire’s history.

Cr Cameron was elected as the first mayor, withCrGarlickserving as deputy mayor. Their leadership laidthe foundation for acooperative and community-focused approach.

Current Wellington Shire mayor Scott Rossetti said shire’s30-year anniversary was atestament to strength, resilience and vision of its communities.

“The challenges of amalgamation have given way to achievements we can all be proud of, and Wellington Shire’s future is brighter than ever,” he said.

Cr Garry Stephens also shared his memories of the amalgamation process and its impacts.

“Many in thecommunity would remember the anxiety at the time when amalgamation was taking place. For me, it wasaperiodoftransition —Iactually lost my role as CEO of the Shire of Alberton,” Cr Stephens said.

“I remember the public’s feedback and the rallying of people initially against the change.”

Cr Stephens alsorecalled the symbolism of atime capsule buried in the Wellington Shire Civic Centre.

“The time capsule contained various mementos from the final year of the Sale City Council, including acopy of the annual report, photographs of the last council and council officers,and other items representing the municipality’s history. It was sealedinto apillar in the civiccentre, alasting reminder of what came before,” he said.

One of the significant adjustments following amalgamation wasthe streamliningofcouncil committees.

The newly-formed WellingtonShire inherited 177 committeesfrom the five former councils. Eighty-one of these committeeswere reviewed, with

responsibilitiestakenonbyshire-wide committees or assigned to council officers.

Cr Stephens said when these committees were reviewed, many shire-specific groups changed.

“While it was difficult for some at the time to let go of these smaller, localised committees, it allowed the new council to focusonthe broader needs of theentiremunicipality,” he said. Thesechangesmarkedamove toward unified governance, with an emphasis on efficient service delivery across the entire region.

Council says its nine-member structure ensures fair and transparent governance, giving all communitiesastrongvoice,while its advocacy has madeWellington akey regionalleader,supporting local industries and residents.

Morerentalreforms revealed

THE stategovernment claims it is makingrenting fairer by legislating araft of rights for renters and announcing new reforms to give regulators more power to stop excessive rent increases and ensure rentals meet basic standards.

Premier Jacinta Allan and Consumer Affairs

Minister Gabrielle Williamsannounced the Consumer and Planning Legislation Amendment (Housing Statement Reform) Bill was being introduced into state parliament.

The bill delivers on the reforms for renters previously announced by the government, plus the new crackdown on excessive rent increases and dodgy rentals.

Under the reform, the list of factors considered by Consumer Affairs Victoria and the Victorian Civil and AdministrativeTribunal in rent reviews will be expanded

Subject to consultation with industry,this is proposedtoinclude the sizeofthe rentincrease, andany other improvements thathave or haven’t been made at the property since the last increase in rent

The government will make it mandatory for properties to meet minimum standards when they are advertised for rent, not just when the tenant picks up the keys.

The billwill introduce maximum penalties for rental providers and their agentsofmore than $11,000 for individuals and $59,000 for companies who advertise or offer to let rental properties that do not meet the minimum standards.

The bill delivers on araft of reforms and rights for renters alreadyannounced in the government's

housingstatement in 2023 and its housing announcements in October, such as removing all no-fault (or no-cause) evictions, banning rental bidding, and increasing the notice period for rent increases and notices to vacate to 90 days.

PremierAllan said the more rights were being legislated so renters got more respect.

“It’s not fair that arenter can cop a200 per cent rent increase just because they’ve asked for abasic issue to be fixed –sowe’re putting the brakes on excessive rent increases and ensuring properties meet minimum standards,” she said.

“New tenants should be able to focus on where they put theircouch, notworryingabout if they need to go to VCAT because themould in the

bathroom that was supposed to be removed after the inspection is still there.”

MinisterWilliams said the government was giving regulators more powers to stop excessive rent hikes, particularly if the landlord hadn't maintained the property.

“This is about making the rental market fairer for everyone –the new legislation will upskill real estate agents, give them clearer rules to follow and provide renters with better protections,” she said.

Additional rental reforms, such as stopping landlords making dubious bond claimswithout sufficient evidence and capping the cost of breaking alease, will be developed and introduced into a bill next year.

Santatovisit Rosedale op shop

SANTA Claus will visit the Rosedale Lions Op Shop this Sunday from 10am to 2pm. There willbebargains at the op shopsuch as clothing, bric-a-brac, furnitureand electrical equipment, which have been tested and tagged.

Wintercoatsand sleevelessjackets for next winter are available for $2, novels 10 for $2, tops $3, dresses assorted from $5 and men's suits and vests $10. For people on abudget, there are plenty of gifts for Christmas.

There willbeabarbecue with hamburgers, doughnuts and eggand bacon rolls, and coffees will be available.

The Rosedale Lions Op Shop, 82 Prince St, will be open 9am until 4pm.

The front page of the Gippsland Times from 1997 with an article about Wellington Shire’s first councillors. Image: Contributed

TheGuide

PICK OF THE WEEK

LOVE ME

ABC TV,Sunday, 8.40pm

Thefirstoriginal series fromlocal streamer Binge, this cinematic Melbournebased drama follows three members of the Mathieson family –60-something Glen (Hugo Weaving)and his adult children Clara (Bojana Novakovic) and Aaron (William Lodder,pictured, right with Novakovic and Weaving)–asthey navigate the loss of theirwifeand mother,finding love in unexpected places along the way. In tonight’ssecond episode, Christine’s funeralelicits very different responses from each of the Mathiesons, beforeGlen learns that his 40th wedding anniversarygift –a $15,000 holiday –isnon-refundable. Laced with darkhumour,the absurdity of everyday lifeand thethrilling sparkofnew romance,there’s alot to love about this homegrown drama.

Wednesday, December 4

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

FIVE BEDROOMS

10,Monday, 9.30pm

SOCCER:MATILDAS VCHINESE TAIPEI 10, Saturday, 7pm

Thelastinaseries of four home friendlies for the Matildas, thisfinal international match for2024 againstChinese Taipei –livefromGeelong’sGMHBA Stadium –sees out abittersweet year forthe national icons.Putting the heartbreak of the Paris Olympics behind them, interim headcoach TomSermanni will be showcasing thetalents of Hayley Raso,KyraCooney-Cross and Steph Catley (pictured), while saying farewell to legendarydefender ClarePolkinghorne andhunting forthe next generation of superstars. It’sanexciting time as abumper 33-player squad looks ahead to qualifying forthe home 2026 AFCWomen’s Asian Cup and the start of anew four-year cycle.

Life, love and work aregetting more complicated than ever forthe close-knitco-owners as this stellar Aussiedramedy inches closer to its conclusion. Doctor Harry(RoyJoseph) is usually thevoice of reasonfor his housemates, but in “Seventy-TwoHours”hefinds himself in needoftheir help afteraspectacular,potentially career-ending indiscretion comes to light.LawyerLiz (Kat Stewart) jumps in with asolution, but it requires both alittle “creative” testimonyfromAnton (Matthew Backer) and keeping Harry’smum Manju (Kumud Merani, pictured) at arm’s length.

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 The Kingdom: TheWorld’s Most Powerful Prince. (Ma, R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon.

12.30 National PressClubAddress 1.35 Media Watch. (Final, PG, R) 2.00 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.30 Take 5With ZanRowe. (PG, R) 3.00 ABiteToEat With Alice. (R) 3.30 Long Lost Family.(PG,R) 4.15 Grand Designs: The Streets. (R) 5.05 AntiquesRoadshow.(R) 6am Morning Programs. 10.05 Paddington Station 24/7.(R) 10.55 TheWorld’sMost Remote Hotels 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC WorldNewsTonight. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 The Point:RoadToReferendum History Bites. (R) 2.05 ExploringNorthern Ireland. (R) 3.00 Plat Du Tour 3.10 Dishing It Up.(PGl, R) 3.40 The Cook Up.(R) 4.10 The Supervet. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 LettersAnd Numbers. (R)

(PG, R) 7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30

8.00 Hard Quiz (PG) 8.30 Question Everything. Presented by Wil Andersonand JanFran. 9.05 Would ILie To You? (PG, R) HostedbyRob Brydon.

9.35 TheCleaner (Mal, R)

10.35 Adam Hills: The Last Leg. (R) 11.15 ABC Late News. 11.30 The Business. (R) 11.50 Mother And Son. (PG, R) 12.50 Grand Designs: The Streets. (R) 1.35 Killing Eve. (Mav, R) 2.20 Long Lost Family.(PG,R) 3.05 Rage (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.30 TheSecret Lives Of Our Urban Birds. (R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

6.00 MastermindAustralia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 24 Hours In ALDI. (R) Explores the history of ALDI supermarkets.

8.30 TheJury: DeathOnThe Staircase: TheVerdict. (Final, M) Having heardall theevidence, therealworkbeginsfor thejury

9.35 TheOld Man. (Malv) Chase and Zoeenter the lion’s den. 10.30 SBS World News Late.

11.00 Maxima. (Mal) 11.50 PaganPeak. (Malv,R) 3.00 Employable Me (UK) (Mal, R) 4.05 Paul O’Grady’sLittle Heroes. (PG, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorning Show. (PG) 11.30 SevenMorning News. 12.00 MOVIE: CuriousCaterer: Grilling Season (2023,Mav) 2.00 Surveillance Oz (PG, R) 2.15 Catch Phrase. (PG, R) 3.00 TheChase. (R) 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChaseAustralia.

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 TheForce: BehindThe Line. (PG, R) Narrated by Simon Reeve

7.30 TheBig Trip (Final, PGl) HostedbyDaveThornton

9.00 MOVIE: Fast &Furious Presents:Hobbs &Shaw. (2019,Mlv,R)AUSlawman and aformer spyreluctantlyteam up to takedown a genetically enhanced anarchist. Dwayne Johnson, JasonStatham,Idris Elba.

12.00 Stan Lee’sLucky Man (MA15+av)

1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R) 1.30 Harry’sPractice. (R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

CHRISTMAS WITH AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY 10, Tuesday, 7.30pm

Get set to “sleigh”this Christmas with alittle help from TheProject’s SarahHarris (pictured) andthe talented team at TheAustralianWomen’sWeekly.Anannualguide to surviving the silly season in style, there’sawealth of tips on food,fashion and creatingYuletide magic in your ownhome. NareldaJacobs catches up with Olympic gold medallistNoemie Foxand her family ahead of theholidays, while TheWeekly’s food director Fran Abdallaoui is in fine companywith Warren Mendes, Kirsten Tibballs and MasterCheffavesPoh LingYeow,Julie Goodwinand Khanh Ong in thekitchen, with tasty tricks and hacks galore.

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 Today 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: AChristmas To Savour.(2021, PGa, R) BrittIrvin,Zach Roerig, Bethany Brown. 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9NewsAfternoon. 4.30[VIC]TippingPoint Australia.(PG) 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG,R) 5.30[VIC]WINNews. 6.00 The Talk.(PGa) 7.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 7.30 Farm To Fork. (R) 8.00 Neighbours. (PGa,R) 8.30 Bold. (PGa,R) 9.00 Drew Barrymore. (PGas) 10.00 Judge Judy.(PG,R) 10.30 Dog House Australia: All Shapes And Sizes. (PGa, R) 11.30 Ent. Tonight 12.00 Farm To Fork. 12.30 Family Feud. (PG) 1.00

6.00 9News

7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 Taronga:Who’s WhoInThe Zoo: Healing Hippos. (PGm)

8.30 Budget Battlers. (Premiere, PGl) Hosted by Jess Evaand Norm Hogan.

9.40 Britain’s Most Expensive Houses. (PG)Johntakes on Jelleys Hollow

10.40 Millionaire Holiday HomeSwap. (Premiere, PG) 11.40 Law& Order:Organized Crime. (Mav) 12.30 Tipping Point.(PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop.(R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s VoiceOfVictory.(PGa) 4.30 ACurrent Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News 5.30 Today

(92,

(31) 6am Children’s Programs. 4.30pm Nella ThePrincessKnight. 4.40 Builder BrothersDream Factory 4.55 Bluey. 5.00 Peppa Pig. 5.15 Supertato 5.20 PJ MasksPower Heroes. 5.35 Peter Rabbit. 5.45 Kiri And Lou. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.05 Kangaroo Beach. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Pfffirates. 6.50 Ginger And The Vegesaurs. 6.55 Hey Duggee. 7.05 AndyAnd TheBand 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun TheSheep 7.35 TheInbestigators 7.55 Operation Ouch! 8.20 BTN Newsbreak. 8.30 DoctorWho 10.05 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 10.30 Horrible Histories. 11.05 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. 11.30 Bakugan. Noon Gossip Girl. 2.00 The Golden Girls.

4.15 Fill The Void. (2012, PG, Hebrew) 5.55 Sometimes Always Never. (2018,PG) 7.35 St Vincent. (2014,M) 9.30 Anna And TheApocalypse. (2017) 11.30 LanguageLessons. (2021, M) 1.20am Redemption Of ARogue.(2020,MA15+) 3.10 Friends And Strangers. (2021, MA15+) 4.40 The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg.(1964,PG, French)

6.00 DealOrNoDeal. Contestants compete in ahigh-stakes game where they must beat The Banker to win acash prize. 6.30 TheProject The hostsand guestpanelliststakealook at the day’snews, events and hot topics 7.30 Soccer. Women’s international friendly.Australia vChinese Taipei. From AAMI Park, Melbourne. 10.30 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sportand weather. 10.55 TheProject (R) Alook at theday’snews. 12.00 TheLate

Thursday, December5

ABC (2)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News

Mornings. 10.00 Australian Story.(R) 10.30 Back Roads. (PG, R) 11.00 Plum. (Final, Ml, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Grand Designs Australia. (R) 2.00 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.30 Take 5WithZan Rowe (PG,R) 3.00 ABite To Eat With Alice. (R) 3.25 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 4.15 Grand Designs: The Streets. (R) 5.00 AntiquesRoadshow.(R)

6.00 ABite To Eat With Alice.

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG,R) 7.00 ABC News

7.30 7.30 Presented by Sarah Ferguson. 8.00 Grand DesignsAustralia: Benowa (PG) Hosted by Anthony Burke 9.00 Long Lost Family:What Happened Next. (Return, PG) Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell revisit with Julie who wasreunited with her birth mother

9.45 Fake Or Fortune? AVenetian View (Final, R) Apainting’s provenance is investigated

10.45 ABC LateNews.

11.00 TheBusiness. (R)

11.20 Grand Designs:The Streets. (R)

12.05 KillingEve (MA15+v,R)

12.50 Long Lost Family (PG, R)

1.40 Rage.(MA15+adhlnsv) 3.30 TheSecret Lives Of Our Urban Birds. (R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

6am Children’s Programs. 6.05pm KangarooBeach 6.20 Bluey 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Pfffirates 6.50 Ginger And The Vegesaurs. 6.55 HeyDuggee. 7.05 Andy And The Band 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep 7.35 The Inbestigators. 7.50 Operation Ouch! 8.20 BTN Newsbreak. 8.25 SecretsOfThe Zoo. 9.10 Teenage Boss:NextLevel. 9.40 DoctorWho 10.25 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs.

6am MorningPrograms. 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 2.05 ExploringNorthern Ireland.(PGas, R) 3.00 Plat Du Tour 3.10 Dishing It Up.(PG, R) 3.40 The Cook Up.(R) 4.10 The Supervet. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo (PG) Bianca Hunt heads to Seventeen Seventy

8.30 Gods Of Tennis: Billie Jean King And Arthur Ashe. (Ml, R) Takes alookatthe greats of tennis, including BillieJean King andArthur Ashe. 9.30 Miniseries: Steeltown Murders (Mal) Colin narrows down the pool of men who share the killer’s geneticmarker to 13 names.

10.40 SBSWorld NewsLate 11.10 Miniseries: TheTypist. (Final, MA15+v, R) 12.15 Pandore. (Malv,R) 3.10 Employable Me (UK)(PGal, R) 4.15 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHKWorld English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorning Show.(PG) 11.30 SevenMorning News. 12.00 MOVIE: Nightmare Student.(2021, Mav,R)Jessica Morris, Conlan Kisilewicz. 2.00 Surveillance Oz. (PGa,R) 2.15 Catch Phrase. (PG, R) 3.00 Cricket. Women’s OneDay International Series. Australia vIndia. Game 1. From Allan Border Field, Brisbane 4.00 SevenNewsAt 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.(R)

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Cricket. Women’sOne Day International Series. Australia vIndia. Game 1. 10.30 DogsBehaving (Very) Badly (PG,R)Two Newfoundlands, who should be at the heartofafamily, areinstead scaring them away

11.30 Pam&Tommy. (Premiere, MA15+ls) Ahandyman stealsa celebrity sex tape

12.30 CriminalConfessions: Vanished In TheNight. (MA15+alv,R)Sheriffs investigate amissingperson’scase.

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

2.00 Home Shopping (R)

4.00 NBCToday News and current affairs.

5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra.(PG) 11.30 9News Morning 12.00 MOVIE: The ChristmasBall.(2020,G,R)Deirdre Mullins, Caroline Langrishe. 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30[VIC]TippingPoint Australia.(PG) 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG, R) 5.30[VIC]WINNews.

6.00 9News.

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 GreatGetaways. (Return, PG) Theteam heads to allcorners of the globe.

8.30 Emergency (Mlm) Dr Jonathan Papson struggles to cut aglove from a construction worker’s mangled hand.

9.30 A+EAfter Dark. (Malm) After a terrible accident on hisbike, a31-year-old has apainful tear on his chin.

10.30 Casualty24/7 (Mm, R) Anurse assesses a49-year-oldman.

11.25 ResidentAlien (Mav)

12.15 Tipping Point. (PG,R)

1.05 CrossCourt (R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

2.30 Global Shop (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 ACurrent Affair (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today

6.00 Deal Or No Deal Hosted by GrantDenyer

6.30 TheProject. Alook at the day’snews. 7.30 TopGearAustralia. (PGls) Jonathan LaPaglia and the Stig test outaFordMustang Dark Horse. Mitchell Johnsongoesfor afast lap 8.40 MOVIE: TropicThunder (2008,Mdlsv, R) Theeccentric cast of abig-budgetwar movie becomes lost in the junglesofSoutheast Asia. Ben Stiller,JackBlack,RobertDowney Jr 10.45 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sportand weather 11.10 TheProject. (R) Alook at theday’snews. 12.10 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colbert (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings. 6am WorldWatch. 10.00 The Inside Story Noon WorldWatch. 12.30 Who Gets To Stay In Australia? 1.35 TheSwiping Game. 1.55 PlanetA 2.50 Earthworks 3.45 WorldWatch. 5.45 JoyOfPainting. 6.15 Curse Of Oak Island. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 Holy Marvels With Dennis Quaid. (Premiere) 10.10 The Bambers. Midnight Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 6.25 Kung Fu Yoga.(2017, PG) 8.25 Frantz. (2016,PG, French) 10.30 It All Began When IMet You. (2013, PG, Japanese) 12.30pm Baby Done.(2020,M) 2.10 Dafne. (2019,PG, Italian) 3.55 White Lion.(2010,PG) 5.35 The ManWho Invented Christmas. (2017,PG) 7.30 Misery.(1990) 9.30 Joyeux Noel. (2005,M,French) 11.40 Late Programs.

7TWO (72, 62)

6am Morning Programs. 7.30 Harry’s Practice. 8.00 Million Dollar Minute. 9.00 Left Off The Map 9.30 NBC Today Noon BetterHomes. 1.00 Escape To The Country 2.00

1.35pm Karla Grant Presents. 2.00 Moko. 2.30 The Cook Up 3.00 Jarjums 3.25 TheWorld According To Grandpa. 3.35 Spartakus. 4.05 Cities Of Gold. 4.35 Motown Magic. 5.00 Our Stories. 5.30 The 77 Percent. 6.00 Bamay. 6.30 News. 6.40 Brazil Untamed. 7.30 Going PlacesWith ErnieDingo 8.30 Spinal Destination. 9.30 MOVIE: Saturday Night Fever. (1977, MA15+) 11.40 Late Programs.

Friday, December 6

9GEM (92,81)

(1967, PG) 10.55 Late Programs.

Children’s Programs. Noon Gossip Girl. 2.00 The Golden Girls. 2.30 The Nanny 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 TheAddamsFamily 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 IDream Of Jeannie. 6.00 The Golden Girls. 6.30 TheNanny 7.30 Survivor 47 9.00 Love IslandAustralia 10.20 MOVIE: Last Christmas. (2019, PG)

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ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Back Roads. (R) 10.25 IWas Actually There. (PG, R) 11.00 Fake Or Fortune? (Final, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Shetland. (Madl, R) 2.00 Maggie Beer’s Big Mission. (R) 3.00 ABite To Eat With Alice. (R) 3.30 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 4.15 Grand Designs: The Streets.(PG,R) 5.05 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

7.30 Gardening Australia. Sophie Thomson takes alook at acountry garden. 8.30 Shetland. (Mal) Tosh worries Harry and Donnie with her pursuit of acontroversial newtheory

9.30 QuestionEverything. (R) Presented by Wil Anderson and Jan Fran

10.00 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) Presented by TomGleeson. 10.35 TheCleaner (Mal, R)

11.35 ABC Late News.

11.50 Would ILie To You? (PG,R)

12.20 Grand Designs:The Streets. (Ml, R) 1.10 TheKingdom: The World’sMostPowerful Prince.(Ma,R) 2.10 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv) 5.00 Rage.(PG)

6am MorningPrograms. 11.00 World’s Greatest Sporting Arenas. 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 2.05 ExploringNorthern Ireland. (PGl, R) 3.00 Plat Du Tour 3.10 Dishing It Up.(PGls, R) 3.40 The Cook Up.(R) 4.10 The Supervet. (PGa,R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.30 EveryFamilyHas ASecret: Danielle Chisholm And Heather Horne. (Ma, R) 8.30 Nicole Kidman, Eyes Wide Open. (Malns, R) Takesalook at Nicole Kidman. 9.35 Kennedy:Crisis (January 1962-October 1962) Alook at the Cuban Missile Crisis. 10.25 SBSWorldNewsLate. 10.55 Elvira. (PGa)

12.30 TheWall: The Orchard. (Malsv,R) 2.05 Employable Me (UK) (PGal,R) 3.10 Love Your Home AndGarden With AlanTitchmarsh (PGa, R) 4.05 Peer To Peer.(R) 4.35 Bamay (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight.

Tiny

Things

5.45 JoyOfPainting. 6.15 The Curse Of OakIsland. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats DoesCountdown. 8.30 ALeague Of Their Own Road Trip:SEAsia 9.25 SecretsOfMiss America. 10.15 Homeland.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show.(PG) 11.30 SevenMorning News. 12.00 MOVIE: Fatal Frenemies. (2021, Mav,R)Laurie Fortier JaneDillon. 2.00 Test Cricket: Pre-Game Show 3.00 Cricket. SecondTest. Australia v India. Day 1. Afternoon session. From Adelaide Oval. 5.00 Test Cricket: The Lunch Break 5.40 Cricket. Second Test. Australia v India. Day 1. Late afternoon session.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Cricket. Second Test. Australia v India. Day 1. Late afternoon session.

7.40 Test Cricket: TeaBreak Takesa look at the day of play so farinthe Second Test Match between Australia andIndia

8.00 Cricket. Second Test. Australia vIndia. Day1.Evening session. From Adelaide Oval.

10.30 TheBoy From Macksville. (PG) Celebrates thecareer of Phillip Hughes.

12.00 GetOnExtra Alookat theweekend’sbestracing.

12.30 Taken. (Mav,R)Hartmust find away to stop aleak.

1.30 Harry’sPractice. (R) Informationabout petcare.

2.00 Home Shopping (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

5.00 NBC Today.

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning 12.00 MOVIE: The Christmas Setup.(2020,PGl, R) Ben Lewis, BlakeLee. 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30[VIC]TippingPoint Australia.(PG) 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG, R) 5.30[VIC]WINNews. 6am MorningPrograms. 7.30 Farm To Fork. (R)

6.00 9News.

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 Find My Beach House Australia. (Return) HostedbyShelley Craft.

8.30 MOVIE: TheAccountant (2016,MA15+alv,R)A maths genius who works as an accountantfor high-rolling criminals is pursued by authorities. Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons.

11.00 MOVIE: Triple 9. (2016, MA15+lv,R)Anunsuspecting rookiefoils aheist.CaseyAffleck.

1.00 Our State On APlate. (PG)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 SkippyThe Bush Kangaroo (R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R)

5.00 TV Shop:Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Postcards Summer.(PG,R)

MOVIE: On HerMajesty’s Secret Service (1969, PG) 11.30 Late Programs. 9GEM (92,81) 7TWO (72, 62) 6am Children’s Programs. Noon Gossip Girl. 2.00 IDreamOfJeannie. 2.30 Bewitched. 3.00 The Golden Girls. 3.30 TheNanny 4.30 The Addams Family 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 I Dream Of Jeannie. 6.00 The Golden Girls. 6.30 The Nanny 7.30 MOVIE: TheLord Of The Rings:The Fellowship Of The Ring.(2001,M) 11.05 MOVIE: AWalk Among TheTombstones. (2014,MA15+) 1.10am Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Blokesworld. 10.30 The Car

6.00 Deal OrNoDeal. (R) HostedbyGrant Denyer 6.30 TheProject Alookatthe day’snews. 7.30 MOVIE: Luca. (2021, G) On the Italian Riviera, ayoung boyexperiences an unforgettablesummer withanew best friend who harbours asecret. JacobTremblay,JackDylan Grazer 9.30 Matlock. (PGad,R)Abig class-action case againstthe prison system hits close to home.Matty plays matchmaker with Sarahand agirl from IT 10.30 10’s Late News. Coverage of news,sportand weather 10.55 TheProject. (R) Alook at theday’s news. 12.00 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colbert. (PG)Hosted by Stephen Colbert 1.00 Home Shopping. (R)

Saturday, December7

ABC TV (2) SBS (3) SEVEN (7,6)

6.00 Rage Charts. (PG) 7.00 Weekend Breakfast. 9.00 Rage.(PG) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 All CreaturesGreat And Small. (PG,R) 1.15 Miniseries: Douglas Is Cancelled (Ml, R) 1.55 Question Everything. (R) 2.30 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 3.15 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery. (PG, R) 3.45 Solar System With Brian Cox. (R) 4.45 Headliners.(PG,R) 5.35 Landline. (Final, R)

6.00 Take 5With ZanRowe: Claudia Karvan (PGl, R) Claudia Karvan shares fivesongs.

6.30 Muster Dog s: WhereAre They Now. (R) Presented by Lisa Millar

7.00 ABCNews. Alookatthe topstories of the day

7.30 All CreaturesGreatAnd Small. (PGa) James hires anew traineevet hoping to free up time to spend with Helen.

8.20 Vera (Mv,R)Veraand her team find themselves investigating amystery involving aminer’s missingdaughter

9.50 Plum. (Final, Ml, R) After much anguish, drinking and avoidance, Plumtakes theadvice long on offer and shares his truth.

10.45 Shetland (Mlv,R)Calder returns to Shetland

11.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) Music video clips.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs.

10.00 MOVIE: EmuRunner.(2018,PG) 11.40 MOVIE: StormBoy.(1976,PG) 1.15pm Great Parks Of Africa. 2.05 Sing About This Country. 4.05 Pretendians. 4.50 TheFirst Inventors. 5.50 Taste Of TheTerritory 6.20 News. 6.30 The Other Side 7.30 Alone Australia. 8.30 MOVIE: The Lost Boys. (1987) 10.15 Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90 1.35am Late Programs.

6am MorningPrograms. 9.00 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 9.05 The Eco Show. (R) 10.05 Love Your Garden. (PGa, R) 11.00 Australia With Julia Bradbury.(R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBS News. 1.55 Figure Skating. ISUGrand Prix 6. Highlights. 4.25 TheMaestro &The European Pop Orchestra. (Premiere) 5.35 Weeks Of War. (PGav,R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.30 Secrets Of TheRoyalPalaces: Duty Secret stories of palace duty

8.25 TheJur y: Death On The Staircase: TheVerdict (M, R) Having heardall the evidence, the real workbegins forthe jury.

9.30 TheGreat House Revival: Mayfield House, Co Wexford. Presented by Hugh Wallace.

10.30 So Long, Marianne (Mals)

11.25 Paris Paris. (PGl, R)

11.55 All Those Thing sWe NeverSaid. (Ms, R)

2.20 Employable Me (UK) (PGa, R) 3.25 Fantastical Factory Of Curious Craft.(PG, R) 4.20 Peer To Peer.(R) 4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight

6am WorldWatch.

10.00 Bamay 10.30 It’s Suppertime! Noon Scrubs. 2.05 Beyond Oak Island. 2.55 Jungletown. 3.45 Fashionista. 3.55 WorldWatch. 5.50 The Mega-Brands That BuiltThe World. (Premiere) 7.35 Impossible Engineering. 8.30 GreatAustralian Concerts: Clapton. 9.35 Great Australian Concerts: KevCarmody 10.40 Hudson &Rex 12.20am The X-Files. 3.05 Late Programs.

6am

Morning Programs. 9.00 Young Girls Of Rochefort. (1967, PG, French) 11.20 Misery.(1990) 1.20pm Vampire Seeking Consenting Person. (2023,French) 3.00 The Man Who Invented Christmas. (2017, PG) 4.55 AHard Day’sNight. (1964,PG) 6.30 Barefoot In The Park.(1967, PG) 8.30 Living. (2022, PG) 10.25 EasyLove.(2019,MA15+, German) 12.10am Late Programs.

6.00 NBCToday 7.00 WeekendSunrise. 10.00 MorningShow.(PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. CountryClassic Day,Ballarat Cup andGateway Raceday. 2.00 Test Cricket: Pre-GameShow. 3.00 Cricket. Second Test Australia vIndia. Day 2. Afternoon session. 5.00 Test Cricket: The LunchBreak. 5.40 Cricket. Second Test. Australia vIndia. Day 2. Late afternoon session.

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Cricket. SecondTest. Australia v India. Day 2. Late afternoon session.

7.40 Test Cricket:Tea Break Takesa look at the dayofplay so farinthe Second Test Match between Australia and India. 8.00 Cricket. Second Test. Australia vIndia. Day 2. Evening session.From Adelaide Oval.

10.30 HeroesAnd Legends: Hall Of Fame. (M) The SportAustralia Hall of Fame specialwelcoming eight new inductees in the club

12.00 Taken. (Mav,R)Bryan must stop an act of biological terrorism.

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

2.00 Home Shopping (R)

4.00 It’s Academic (R) Hosted by Simon Reeve. 5.00 My GreekOdyssey (PG, R)

7TWO (72, 62)

6am Morning Programs. 11.00 Harry’sPractice 11.30 GetOn Extra Noon Escape To The Country. 1.00 IEscaped To The Country. 2.00 Horse Racing. CountryClassic Day, Ballarat Cup and Gateway Raceday 6.00 Taste Of Aust. 6.30 BondiVet 7.30 The Yorkshire Vet. 8.30 Escape To The Country 9.30 IEscaped To The Country.(Return) 10.30 Australia’s Amazing Homes. 11.30 Late Programs.

7MATE (73,64)

6am Morning Programs. 1pm Blokesworld. 1.30 The Weekend Prospector 2.00 RidesDown Under: WorkshopWars. 3.00 Australian V8 Superboats: Season Review. 4.00 DesertCollectors 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Cricket. SecondTest. Aust vIndia. Late arvo 7.00 Storage Wars 7.30 Aussie Salvage Squad. 8.30 Heavy TowTruckers Down

(9, 8)

(10, 5)

6.00 Getaway.(PG,R) 6.30 ACurrent Affair (R) 7.00 Weekend Today 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday.(PG) 12.00 Cybershack.(PG) 12.30 DriveSafer 1.00 DriveTV. 1.30 Helloworld. (PG) 2.00 The 58th Annual Country Music Association Awards. (PGl) 4.00 Getaway Presents Antarctica. (PG) 5.00 9News FirstAtFive. 5.30 To Be Advised. 6am MorningPrograms. 8.30 Intrepid Adventures. (R) 9.00 Drew Barrymore. (PGas, R)

6.00 9News Saturday. 7.00 ACurrent Affair.

7.30 MOVIE: Bohemian Rhapsody (2018,Ml, R) Chartsthe life of Freddie Mercury,the lead singer of the popular rock band Queen. Rami Malek, LucyBoynton, Gwilym Lee.

10.15 My Life As ARolling Stone: Keith Richards. (Madl, R) Takes alookatKeith Richards, whoplayed lead guitar in The Rolling Stones.

11.35 MOVIE: Truth (2015,Ml, R) Journalists get incriminating documents on George W. Bush. Cate Blanchett, Robert Redford. 2.00 TheIncredibleJourney Presents. (PGa) Religious program.

2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R) Homeshopping.

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)

9GEM (92, 81)

6am Morning Programs.

8.30 Tomorrow’sWorld. 9.00 Turning Point. 9.30 TV Shop 10.00 Helping Hands. 10.30 My Favorite Martian. 11.00 MOVIE: DevilGirlFrom Mars. (1954 PG) 12.35pm MOVIE: Whisky Galore! (1949) 2.20 MOVIE: TheSyndicate. (1968,PG) 4.15 MOVIE: The Alamo.(1960,PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Diamonds Are Forever. (1971,M) 10.00 MOVIE: JohnnyEnglish Reborn. (2011, PG) Midnight Late Programs.

9GO! (93, 82)

6am Children’sPrograms. 12.30pm MOVIE: Barbie Skipper And The Big Babysitting Adventure.(2023) 1.45 MOVIE: Pokémon The Movie: VolcanionAnd The Mechanical Marvel.(2016) 3.40 World EnduranceC’ship: Season Review 4.45 MotorwayCops: Catching Britain’s Speeders 5.45 MOVIE: Show Dogs. (2018,PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix. (2007,M) 10.15 Late Programs.

Sunday, December 8

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8) 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Secret Science.(R) 10.30 World This Week.(R) 11.00 Compass. (PG, R) 11.30 Praise. 12.00 News. 12.30 Nigella’s Cook,Eat, Repeat: Christmas Special. (R) 1.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 2.45 Nigella’s Christmas Kitchen. (R) 3.15 Long Lost Family:What Happened Next. (PG, R) 4.00 Restoration Australia. (Final) 5.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.00 Grand DesignsAustralia. (PG,R) 7.00 ABCNews.

7.30 Muster Dog s: Where Are They Now.

8.00 Miniseries:DouglasIs Cancelled. (Ml) The furore around the jokecontinues.

8.40 Love Me. (Ml) The family attends Christine’s funeral.

9.25 Take 5With Zan Rowe: Bill Bailey. (PG, R) Zan Rowe chats with Bill Bailey

9.55 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 11.35 YouCan’t Ask That. (Mals, R) 12.40 New Leash On Life. (R) 1.10 Rage.(MA15+adhlnsv)

3.05 Australia Remastered: Forces Of Nature.(R) 4.00 Gardening Australia. (R)

5.00 Pilgrimage: The Road Through North Wales. (PG,R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 10.00 MOVIE: Thomas And Friends: The Mystery Of Lookout Mountain. (2022) 10.55 Children’s Programs. 6.40pm Pfffirates 6.55 Ginger And The Vegesaurs. 7.00 Hey Duggee. 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.15 Bluey Minisodes. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 MOVIE: Get Santa. (2014,PG) 9.10 Fresh Off The Boat 9.55 Speechless. 10.15 DoctorWho 11.00 Late Programs.

6am MorningPrograms. 8.00 DD India News Hour 9.00 The EcoShow. (R) 10.00 FIFA World Cup Classic Matches. 11.30 Australia With Julia Bradbury. (R) 12.00 APAC Weekly (R) 12.30 PBS Washington Week. 12.55 Plat Du Tour 1.00 Speedweek 3.00 Cycling. Cape to Cape MTB. 4.00 Wonders Of Scotland. (R) 4.25 TheMaestro&The European Pop Orchestra. 5.35 WeeksOfWar.(PGavw,R)

6.30 SBS World News

7.30 TheGreat Stink Of 1858 (PG) PresentedbyDrXand vanTulleken. 9.20 Jonathan Ross’Myths And Legends: Nor thern England. (PGa, R) Jonathan Ross travels across Britain uncovering local myths and legends. 10.15 Curse Of TheAncients: Dark Ages. (PG, R) Professor Alice Roberts explores the Dark Ages. 11.10 Looby. (Mln, R) 12.35 Portillo’s Greatest Railway Journeys. (PG,R) 1.30 EmployableMe(USA) (Ma, R)

2.20 Fantastical Factory OfCurious Craft. (R) 3.15 Heritage Rescue. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour Down Under Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature 5.30 AlJazeera News.

6.00 NBCToday 7.00 WeekendSunrise. 10.30 Cricket. Women’s One Day International Series. Australia vIndia. Game 2. 2.00 Test Cricket: Pre-Game Show 3.00 Cricket. Second Test. Australia vIndia. Day 3. Afternoon session. From Adelaide Oval. 5.00 Test Cricket:The Lunch Break 5.40 Cricket. Second Test. Australia v India. Day 3. Late afternoon session.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Cricket. Second Test. Australia v India. Day 3. Late afternoon session. 7.40 Test Cricket: TeaBreak Takesa look at theday of play so farinthe Second Test Match between Australia andIndia.

8.00 Cricket Second Test. Australia vIndia.Day 3. Eveningsession 10.30 7NEWSSpotlight. (M, R) Alook at special forces soldier Heston Russell. 11.30 TheForce: Behind TheLine. (PG,R) 12.00 Miniseries: Patrick Melrose. (MA15+a, R)

1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

NITV (34) 6am Morning Programs. 11.00 Escape To The Country Noon IEscaped To The Country 1.00

6.30 Bondi Rescue. (PGlm, R) Asurfer suffers aseriousfinchop. Will attempts to run for 48 hours with no sleep 7.00 Soccer Women’s international friendly.Australia vChinese Taipei. From GMHBA Stadium, Geelong. 10.15 MOVIE: Kate &Leopold. (2001, PGhls, R) ANew York City advertising executivemeets aman who has been mysteriously transportedfrom the 19th century but is mistaken for an actor who refusestobreak character.Meg Ryan, Hugh Jackman,LievSchreiber 12.45 Ambulance Australia. (Mdlm, R) Aspecialist critical care paramedic responds to ahead-oncollision that hasleftadriver trapped in their car 1.45 AmbulanceUK. (Ml, R)An81-yearold falls off his mobility scooter 4.00 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power. Religious program.

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 Hello SA.(PG,R) 6.30 ACA. (R) 7.00 WeekendToday. 10.00 Cross Court 10.30 Fishing Australia. 11.00 Surf Boat Tsunami. (PGl) 12.00 GolfBarons. (R) 12.30 DriveTV. 1.00 Innovation Nation. 1.15 Great Getaways. (PG, R) 2.15 The Long DriveFor Drought. 2.45 MOVIE: AChristmas Stray. (2021, PGa, R) 4.30 Helloworld 5.00 9News First At Five 5.30 Postcards Summer.(PG) 6am MorningPrograms. 9.00 My Market Kitchen. (R) 9.30 KeyIngredient. 10.00 Drew Barrymore. (PGas, R) 11.00 Buy To Build. (R) 11.30 GoRV.(R) 12.00 Pooches At Play.(PGa, R) 12.30 Cook With Luke.(R) 1.00 Everyday Gourmet.(R) 1.30

6.00 9News Sunday.

7.00 Tsunami: 20 Years On. (PG) Ray Martin and fellowAustralians return to theepicentreofthe tragedy 9.00 ARemarkablePlace To Die. (Mlv) Anais investigates whena flamboyant pyrotechnician gets more bang forhis buck than he expects.

11.00 TheBrokenwood Mysteries. (Mv) Anightmarket takes atwist

1.00 DriveT V. (R) Acelebration of the open road.

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Believer ’s Voice Of Vic tor y. (PGa) Religious program. 4.30 Nine PerthPresents: Christmas In WA

5.00 TodayEarly News. 5.30 Today.

9GEM (92, 81)

6.00 TheSundayProjec t. Alook at the day’snews. 7.00 Harr yAnd Meghan: TheRise AndFall. (Premiere, PGa) Looksatthe story of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. 8.30 TheGraham Norton Show. (Ml) Graham Norton is joined on the couch by guests Kate Winslet, Dwayne Johnson, Lucy Liu,Jennifer Lopezand Jharrel Jerome. 9.40 FBI (Mav)The team tracks down aserialkiller after the bodies of multiple women.

10.40 FBI:International. (v) Abus full of American volunteers is hijacked. 11.30 TheSundayProjec t. (R) Alookatthe day’snews. 12.30 Home Shopping (R) 4.30 CBSMornings 6am WorldWatch. 9.30 Small Business Secrets. 10.00 Bamay. 10.30 It’s Suppertime! 11.55 Artistic WorldChallenge Cup Series. 1.55pm Jeopardy! 4.00 WorldWatch. 4.30 PBS WashingtonWeek 4.55 Shane Smith Has Questions 5.50 TheEngineering That BuiltThe World. 6.40 Mysteries From Above 7.35 Abandoned Engineering. 8.30 World’sMost DangerousAirports. 9.35 WWE Legends. (Return) 11.10 Late Programs. 6am A Hard Day’sNight. (1964,PG) 7.35 The Importance Of Being Earnest. (2002) 9.20 Binti. (2019,PG, Dutch) 11.00 What’s EatingGilbert Grape. (1993 PG) 1.10pm What We DidOnOur Holiday.(2014 PG) 2.55 Living. (2022, PG) 4.50 Stolen Kisses. (1968,PG, French) 6.30 The Magic Of BelleIsle. (2012) 8.30 Aftersun. (2022, M) 10.25 La Jauria. (2022, M, Spanish) Midnight Late Programs. 6am MorningPrograms. 12.50pm Rugby League.KooriKnockout.Men’s Grand Final. Walgett Aboriginal Connections v Nanima Common Connection. Replay. 3.00 Long Story Short: Willie Nelson90. 6.20 News. 6.30 Wild West. 7.30 Great Lakes Wild. 8.30 Electric Lady Studios: AHendrix Vision. 10.10 DesertHikoi. 10.25 MOVIE: Rabbit-Proof Fence. (2002, PG) 12.05am Late Programs.

Thunderbirds. 10.30 My Favorite Martian. 11.00 Getaway Presents Antarctica Noon MOVIE: Hue And Cry. (1947) 1.40 MOVIE: Shalako. (1968,PG) 4.00 MOVIE: ComesAHorseman.(1978,PG) 6.30 M*A*S*H. 8.30 MOVIE: LiveAnd LetDie. (1973,PG) 11.00 Late Programs.

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Children’s Programs. 6.15 MOVIE: L.O.L. Surprise! Winter Fashion Show Movie. (2022) 7.30 Children’s Programs. 12.30pm Basketball. WNBL.Geelong United v AdelaideLightning. 2.30 Surfing Australia TV 3.00 MotorwayCops: Catching Britain’s Speeders. 4.00 MOVIE: UndercoverBlues. (1993,PG) 5.45 MOVIE: Home. (2015,PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Ocean’s Twelve. (2004,M) 10.00 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 12.30pm StepOutside. 1.00 Hook,Line And Sinker 1.30 Al McGlashan’s Fish’n With Mates. 2.00 Cricket. Women’s OneDay International Series. Australia vIndia.Game2 5.30 Duck Dynasty. 6.00

Monday,December9

ABC TV (2)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat: Christmas Special. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Vera.(Mv,R) 2.30 Creative TypesWith Virginia Trioli. (Final, PG, R) 3.00 ABite To Eat With Alice. (R) 3.30 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 4.15 Grand Designs: TheStreets.(R) 5.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

MooreGilber tAnd SamiShah. (R)

8.30 TheKingdom: TheWorld’s MostPowerful Prince: Kingdom Come. (Final, Ma)The storyofCrown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

9.30 TheRise AndFall Of Boris Johnson. (PG, R) Boris finds himself in the political wilderness.

10.35 ABC Late News. 10.50 The Business. (R) 11.10 ALife In TenPictures. (Mv,R) 12.00 Grand Designs: The Streets. (R) 12.50 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 1.40 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.40 The Secret LivesOfOur Urban Birds: Perth. (Final, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

(3)

6am MorningPrograms. 10.15 Paddington Station 24/7.(PGa,R) 11.05 World’sGreatest Sporting Arenas. 12.05 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBS News Weekend. 1.25 Al JazeeraNewsHour. 2.00 When IStutter.(PGal, R) 3.10 Plat Du Tour 3.15 The Cook Up.(R) 3.45 Australian Fashion Past, Present, Future. (Premiere) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.30 Pretty Woman: A Fair ytale In Holly wood. 8.30 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. Hosted by Jimmy Carr 9.25 NeverMindThe Buzzcocks. (M)Hosted by Greg Davies. 10.05 Madame Tussauds: TheFull Wax. (Mav,R) 11.05 SBSWorldNewsLate.

11.35 Dead Mountain:The DyatlovPass Incident. (Mahlv) 1.25 Portillo’s Greatest Railway Journeys. (PG, R) 2.20 Employable Me (USA) (Ma, R) 3.10 FantasticalFactory Of Curious Craft. (R) 4.05 HeritageRescue. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour Down Under Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight

6am Morning Programs. 12.00 MOVIE: Christmas In Pine Valley. (2022, PGa, R) 2.00 Test Cricket: Pre-Game Show 3.00 Cricket. Second Test. Aust vIndia. Afternoon. (Alt schedule may be shown). 5.00 Test Cricket: TheLunch Break 5.40 Cricket. Second Test.Australia vIndia. Day 4. Late afternoon session 6.00 Today 9.00 Today ExtraSummer.(PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 ARemarkable Place To Die. (Mlv,R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R)

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Cricket. Second Test. Australia v India. Day 4. Late afternoon session. 7.40 Test Cricket: TeaBreak Takesa look at the dayofplay so farinthe Second Test Match between Australia and India.

8.00 Cricket. Second Test. Australia vIndia. Day 4. Eveningsession. From Adelaide Oval.

10.30 MurderInA SmallTown. (Mav) Cassandra’schildhood friend investigates her husband’sdisappearance and crime sceneather home.

11.30 Armed And Dangerous: Stickups. (Mav,R)Authorities take on outlaw gangs.

12.45 Satisfac tion. (MA15+as, R) Neil and Grace mustconfrontAnika’sfuture 2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.

5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 RBT. (Mdl, R) Follows the activities of police units

8.30 Australian Crime Stories: The Investigators: Murder Without Motive (Mlv,R)Takes alook at the investigation into themurderof19-year-old Kim Meredith in central Albury.

9.40 AKiller MakesACall: Terr y. (Mav) Alook at the case of Mark Terry.

10.40 Chicago Med. (MA15+amv)

11.30 FirstOnScene. (Mad)

11.55 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

12.50 GolfBarons. (R)

1.20 Innovation Nation.

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (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 Today Early News. 5.30 Today

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by GrantDenyer. 6.30 TheProjec t. Alookatthe day’snews. 7.30 Wheel Of Fortune Australia. Hosted by Graham Norton. 8.30 Matlock. (PGa)AsOlympia and Julian get asecondshotata case regarding atragic death due to contaminated baby formula, their past workonthe investigationgives glimpsesintowhat led to their divorce 9.30 Five Bedrooms. (Mals) Harry’s career is on the line after aspectacular indiscretion at his workplace. 10.30 10’s

Morning Programs. 1.50pm

2.00 Moko. 2.30 TheCook Up 3.00 Jarjums. 4.05 Cities Of Gold. 4.35 Motown Magic. 5.00 Our Stories 5.15 Harlem Globetrotters.

And The Vegesaurs. 6.55 Hey Duggee. 7.05 Andy AndThe Band. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Shaun The Sheep 7.35 The Inbestigators. 7.50 Operation Ouch! 8.20 Hard Quiz Kids. 8.50 Teenage Boss:NextLevel. 9.20 Poh’sKitchen. 9.45 Doctor Who 10.30 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. Noon Gossip Girl. 2.00 IDream Of Jeannie. 2.30 Bewitched. 3.00 The Golden Girls. 3.30 TheNanny 4.30 The Addams Family 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 I Dream Of Jeannie. 6.00 The Golden Girls. 6.30 The Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 LoveIsland Australia.

(73,64)

Tuesday, December10

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8) 6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 TeenageBoss: Next Level. (R) 10.30 Secret Science. (PG, R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Headliners. (PG, R) 2.00 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.30 Take 5 With ZanRowe. (PG, R) 3.00 ABite To Eat With Alice. (R) 3.30 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 4.15 Grand Designs: The Streets. (R) 5.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

6am MorningPrograms. 11.10 The Bridges That Built London. (PGav,R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 ThePoint: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 2.05 Dishing It Up.(PG,R) 2.35 The WeeklyFootball Wrap (R) 3.05 TheCookUp. (R) 3.35 Australian Fashion Past, Present, Future. (PGn) 5.05 Jeopardy!(R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS WorldNews 7.30 GreatCoastal Railway Journeys: West RuntonToBurnham Market. Hosted by Michael Portillo

6am Morning Programs. 12.00 MOVIE: CandyCane Candidate.(2021,PGa, R) 2.00 Test Cricket: Pre-Game Show 3.00 Cricket. Second Test.Austv India. Afternoon. (Alt schedule maybeshown). 5.00 Test Cricket: TheLunch Break. 5.40 Cricket. Second Test.Australia vIndia. Day 5. Late afternoon session

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Cricket Second Test. Australia v India. Day 5. Late afternoon session.

Again. (Final, PG, R) 1.25 Grand Designs:The Streets. (R) 2.10 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 3.00 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.40 Megafauna: What Killed Australia’s Giants? (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

8.30 Who Do YouThink YouAre? Bear Gr ylls. Bear Grylls learns more about his family history including the missions of his grandfather during WorldWar II. 9.40 Gre atestTrain Journeys From Above:Nor way’sBergenRailway (R) AlookatNorway’sBergen Railway 10.30 SBS World NewsLate. 11.00 Babylon Berlin. (MA15+asv) 12.55 Miniseries: Safe Home. (Mal, R) 2.50 Employable Me (USA) (Ma, R) 3.40 Fantastical Factory Of Curious Craft. (PG, R) 4.30 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight.

7.40 Test Cricket:Tea Break. Takesa look at the dayofplay so farinthe Second Test Match between Australia andIndia

8.00 Cricket. Second Test. Australia vIndia.Day 5. Eveningsession. 10.30 Motor wayPatrol. (PG) Arelationshipgetswrangledonthe roadside. 11.00 HighwayCops. (PGl) Adriver meets police head-on. 11.30 Ambulance: Code Red. (Ma, R) 12.30 Satisfaction. (MA15+as, R)

1.30 Your Money& Your Life. (PG, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBCToday 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today ExtraSummer.(PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: How To Fall In LoveByChristmas. (2023, G) Teri Hatcher,Dan Payne. 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 [VIC]

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrentAffair 7.30 Travel Guides. (PGln, R) Australians go on aholiday in Finland. 8.40 TheGrand Tour (Ml) The hosts head to the Port of Rotterdam in Holland, where they debate the most affordable roadster 10.00 RestoMyRideAustralia. (PG,R) Thecrewoverhauls a’39 Chrysler Royal. 11.00 Transplant. (MA15+m) ASyrian doctor goestoworkinCanada.

Prison (MA15+al, R)

Tipping Point. (PG, R)

TV Shop:

Gallerylaunches summer sea son

Photo: Contributed

GIPPSLAND Art Gallery invites art lovers from across the region to the launch of its summer season program of exhibitions this Friday night.

The fournew exhibitions showcase abroad range of talent from across Gippsland and wider Australia, with afocus on craft, sculpture, and environmental themes.

The major new exhibition, showing in galleries one (John Leslie Gallery) and two, is ‘Passage’, a retrospectiveofartworks by Inverloch-based artist Jan Learmonth.

Lear mont hi sa ne nig matic ar tist who se fascinating and tactile sculptures are ahighly imaginativeresponse to our romance with the natural environment. Working predominantly with weathered wood, metal and found materials, sheimaginatively translates her journey through natural space and time, charting the environment’s changing moods and rhythms.

Visitors of all ages will enjoy ‘Adventu re, Elves and Gumnuts: Australian Children’s Book Illustrators from the Early 20th Century’, showing in gallerythree. This wonderousexhibition presents the work of six Australian artists and illustrators who were active during the ‘golden age’ of Australian children’s book illustration from the

1890s to the 1940s: Ida Rentoul Outhwaite, May Gibbs, Norman Lindsay,Ethel Spowers,Violet Teague and George Lambert.

The exhibition features original artworks from much loved Australian classics, such as Snugglepot andCuddlepie, The Magic Pudding and Fairyland, to revisitthis magical and formative period for Australian art and illustration.

Also open on the night will be the 12th instalment of the ‘Art of Annemieke Mein’, and original illustrations from Alison Lester’s 2004 children’s book Are We There Yet?

Alison Lester is one of Australia’s most beloved and bestselling authorsand illustrators of children’s books.Her stories mix imaginary worlds witheveryday life, encouraging childrentobelieve in themselves and celebrate the differences that make them special.

The event commences at 6pm at the gallery, 70 Foster St,Sale, andincludescomplimentary refreshments and music provided by the Simply Classical quartet. Entry is free, but RSVPs would be appreciated for catering purposes to posevents@wellington. vic.gov.au

Big year for hospital auxiliary

THE MaffraDistrict HospitalAuxiliary is proud to announcea highlyrewarding year of achievements and community support.

Over the past 12 months, the auxiliary has worked hard to advance its goals. Astand-out success was the mid-year raffle where just over $2000was raised thanks to the community’s generosity.

Looking ahead, the auxiliary is excitedtolaunch the Maffra Auxiliary Bursary in 2025. This new scholarship will support arecipient studying in gerontology or palliative care, fields essential to addressing the evolvinghealth needs of the Maffra community.

The bursary will provide financial assistance to

Ma ffra Mardi Gra s entrants revealed

for the centre to assist with the relocation.

astudent dedicated to making adifference in local health and community services.

Aclose partnershipwith aged care service manager Tom Breakspear, the director of nursing at MaffraHospital andhospitalstaff has been instrumental in the auxiliary’s efforts.

The auxiliary invites community members to consider joining or supporting its initiatives. For more information phone Maffra District Hospital on 5147 0100.

Pictured above: Efforts by the Maffra District Hospital Auxiliary to raisemoneyfor Maffra Hospital have been successfulthis year.

Photo:Contributed

THE Rotary Club of Maffra Mardi Gras got off to agood start recentlybymeeting with all of the fundraising entrants.

There are four entrants,from different organisations, two fromMaffra, one from Stratfordand one from Sale.

The event is awhole Wellington Shire event, not only for Maffra.

The Mardi Gras committee explained the process to the entrants and answered questions.

The entrants will begin their fundraising events at the start of February afterthe Mardi GraslaunchonJanuary 30, and have between now and then to prepareand plan their events.

All of them have greatprogramsinmind already, and the Mardi Gras committee are sure people in all three towns will get together to support them.

Each organisation has different goals for their fundraising.

The Maffra GolfClubwas oneofthe last clubs in Gippsland to install an automatic watering system after greenkeeper John Scott hadput sprinklers on by hand for many years.

The cost of the automated system was $800,000, which meant the club had to take out aloan.

Two years ago, the club raised more than $30,000 from Mardi Gras2023, andisback this year to see if it can make asubstantial dent in the repayments of the loan.

The watering system makes for abetter golf course for everyone, as wellasmeaning the greenkeeper can spend more time doing other important maintenance jobs.

The KathFoley Children’s Centre and Kindergarten will be celebrating 40 years of service next year.

Abig part of what has kept Kath Foley going is community engagement. The fundraising entrant and her team hope by entering the Mardi Gras this sense of community will continue to thrive.

The feeling of shared purpose is needed especially now as the centre progresses with its plans for relocating the facility, due to the current building being unfit for purpose.

The team also hoped to raise significant funds

The Maffra Municipal Band has outgrownits current band rooms as it now has more than 150 members across eight different groups.

The entrant and her team are raising money to make astart on anew building, with acost of $238,000 if built sooner and $270,000 if built later.

The plans include anew band room with two rehearsal spaces, office, storeroom, kitchenette and an outdoor performance space.

As with the Kath Foley Children’s Centre, the band is not only entering the Mardi Gras to raise money, but to raise the profile of the band,introduce the public to the different groups it offers and to show the many benefits to individuals and the wider community that come with being part of one of the groups.

Music has apositive effect on people’s mental health and wellbeing and there is agroup to suit everyone –two concert bands, astage band, choir, string ensemble, ukulele group (Ukestra), as well as abeginner band and beginner ukulele group.

Stratford Primary School is one of the oldest schools in the area, establishedin1860. It’s core values are ‘Aim high, show respect, show curiosity and be honourable’.

Its Mardi Gras fundraising entrant andteam are looking at upgrading the school stadium by renewingthe floor surface and installing basketballrings. Once this is complete, not only will the school students benefit, but the venuewill also be moresuitable for other community groups to use.

The Mardi Gras theme for this year is ‘Under the Sea’, and all community groups in Wellington Shire are encouraged to enter the grand parade, with afloat or walking group, or to show off trucks, tractors, and vintage vehicles.

Paradeentry forms are available by emailing kath@wideband.net.au or phoning 0408 036 627.

The 2025 Rotary Club of Maffra MardiGras is scheduled for Saturday, March 15, after the long weekend. There will be amarketand food stalls, plenty of free kids’ games and the grand parade at 6pm.

Maffra Golf Club entrant Greg Meldrum.

Kath FoleyChildren’s Centreand KindergartenentrantHeather Eden.

MaffraMunicipal Band entrant Julie Steele. Photos: Contributed

StratfordPrimarySchool entrantMartin Baldock.

Plan aheadthisfireseason

AS we come into summer and what we know will be achallenging fire season, Iamurgingall Victorians to have afire plan and know where to get emergency information from.

Two significant fires have already taken place in the Wimmera and Otways this spring and the summer seasonal outlook shows there is an increased fireriskfor mostofthe west, south-west,north-east, greater Melbourne and south-western parts of Gippsland, including the Mornington Peninsula.

In the west and south-west of Victoria there has been limited rainfall for the last 18 months that hasresulted in asubstantial amount of dead and dry plant material within forests, making it easier for fires to start and spread.

Grasslands in the areas with aheightened risk have superficial green on top that conceals underlying dryness, meaning grassland curing is likely to start earlier than normal. In the other parts of Victoria the fire risk is expected to be normal and we willcontinue to monitor theseareastoidentify any significant changes to fire risk.

TheCFA is readytoprotect our communities, as we do every year and has been working with our Victorian emergencyservicepartners to prepare for fire season.

Fire safety is ashared responsibility between fire services and the community.

We’re asking all Victorians in high-risk areas to take simple actions to prepare their family and property as the weather begins to warm.

On hot, dry, windy days, fires can start and spread quickly.

If the Fire Danger Rating is Extreme or Catastrophic, leaving early before afire has started is the safest option. Never wait for an official warning before you leave, as you may not get one. Fires can start quickly and threaten homes and lives within minutes.

Make sure you have aplan. If you wait and decide to leave after afire has started, you risk driving your family throughthick smoke, fallen trees and power lines, and face the danger of collisions, being trapped by fire, serious injury or death.

Stay informed by downloading the VicEmergency app to stayacross incidents and fire danger ratings in your area.

Stay safe.

Jason Heffernan

Chief Officer, Country Fire Authority

Roadindisrepair

The following letter was sent to state Roads and Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne: IWRITE to express my concern about the state of aparticularroad in Gippsland.

The 25-kilometresecondary roadbetween Tinamba and the Princes Highway has fallen into disrepair and is adisgrace. Theroad carriesalot of traffic, including B-double semi-trailers weighing up to sixty tons that hurtlealong at 100kmper hour.

Iregularly travel on this section of road, and the potholes havebecomesonumerous that one has to scan the road ahead to try and avoid them.

Some are deep, and asmall vehicle with 13 or 14-inch wheels slams into them withsignificant force, enough to damage atyre or cause the vehicle to deviate from the intended course of travel. Work crews patch the potholes, which is apathetic band-aid fix. Within afew days, the semi-trailers have pounded the bitumen fill out of the potholes.

As aretired rural paramedic of 30 years, Iam concerned that there will be adevastating accident on this road (I attended several on this stretch of road over the years, some fatal -and that was when the road was in better condition).

In addition, several crossroad intersections pose additional hazards.Afew crossroads are offset, making them safer, but others are not. At least one crossroad has foliage, which makes it difficult to ascertain whether avehicle is slowing for the Stop/Give Way sign.

Avery good friend of mine who travels this road to work (in asmall car) was ’t-boned’several weeks ago when another vehicle (a four-wheel drive with abull bar) failed to stop at the Stop/Give Way sign.

Fortunately, she saw the vehicle, braked hard, and the (muchlarger) vehicle slammed into the front driver’s side quarter panel. Had it hit her door, it would most likely have killed her. Her car was awrite-off.

Ican attest with authority that, having attended many high-speed ’t-bone’ accidents in my former career, they are rarely survivable.

Iimplore you to address this situation before the inevitable happens.

Mark Campion Maffra

Candidate reflects

IAMwriting to thankeveryonethat supported me and helped me during my recent campaign to be elected to Wellington Shire Council.

Particularly Iwish to thank my life partner who worked night and day folding letter boxing and helping me hand out at markets, events and shopping centres.

There were six very strong candidates in the Northern Ward, includingtwo very good hard working sitting councilors in Carmel Ripper and John Tatterson. ChristoIliopoulos is ahardworking stalwart of the ethnic cultures, KevinChristensen is ahard-working RSL member and football club board member.

And then Ed Lowe, the candidate that came out of seeminglynowhere as an unknown, acricketer and former officeratFulham prison witha lovely young family and by far the youngest of all candidates. He doubledinprimary votes the closestcandidate and polled aquota and half of another quota to be the onlycandidate to be elected on primaryvotes alone.

An amazing effort for anewcomer, up against the two strong sitting councillors.

In my case it went down to fifth preferences and Igot narrowly defeated for the third position.

Iamproud of the campaign Iran, and as a 40-year political campaigner, campaign manager and political commentator, it was fairly textbook but in the end three great councillors got elected in Ed, Carmel and John which is fantastic for the residents of Northern Ward as they had atalented field of candidates to choose from, all bringing something different but important to the table.

In fact four of the six had previous local government experience. All could of also served equally as well.

The Wellington community now has agreat group of councillors thatwill do us proud for the next four years.

Iwas pleased to be part of this particular campaign. All candidates were friendly and even sat together at functions having aquiet drink and telling jokes.

Carmel Ripper even sat with me at my stall at the Heyfieldmarket forawhile and we chatted on anumberofcouncil issues and points. It was alovelydiversion from the campaigning on that daytobehonest.

There was no nastiness or talking down of any of the candidates by any of the candidates and their campaign teams.

Idid my best and that’s all Ican ask of myself; Iamnot dissatisfied or disappointed at all as the shire and Northern Ward are in good hands.

Iwishthe three electedcouncillors for the Northern Ward all the best along with the new mayor and other councillorsover the next four years.

Cameron “Jamie” Hogan Stratford

Dog warning

WARNING to dog owners in Maffra: please keep your dogs on alead in designated areas.

So another lovely afternoon in the park... ruined. Again.

Walking along the river, Macalister River Park, McMahon Drive, around 3.30, Ihad just crossed overthe second bridgeand sawthree guys andtheir dogssplashing aroundonthe side of the riverbank.

But three dogs were unleashed. Looked like a Rhodesian ridge-back, doberman andanother midsize one.

I’m no dog expert, but large enough to knock an older person over if charged.

They all came charging at the same time. My dog was on leadand just, Imean, just,asthey got to us, Imanaged to scoop her up (she was screaming and wet herself) and turned my back to them.

They were jumping up trying to get to her, the three guys were screaming at them to get away and yelling apologies.

Iwalked with my dog in my arms for about 300 metres,put her down and luckily looked out of the corner of my eye, because the larger dog was comingfor another go.I grabbed her up again and turned my back to the jumping dog, the guy was fortunately close behind and wasyelling at it to get away and he apologised again.

This has to STOP. Your dogs MUST be leashed in Maffra.

Ican guarantee, if anyone one had asmallerdog andwas unable to pick them up, this would be a very different outcome.

As areminder, Wellington Shire local laws require dogstobeonaleadincertain areas,including Macalister River Regional Park.

If you’re caughtwith your dog off the leadin these areas, you may face a$330fine for the first offence and $660 for the second.

Let’s keep our community safe and respect the rules. Please keep your dogs on alead in designated areas.

Designateddog on-lead areas in Maffra are on Johnson St (between Foster and McMillan St), at Fred Drury Park (Carpenter Str), Lions Park Playground Area (Johnson St), Macalister Wetland Reserve Area, Island Reserve and Port of Maffra, and Macalister River Regional Park (McMahon Drive).

New waytosendmailtoSanta

THIS Christmas, Santa’s switched things up and givenAustralia Postaspecialmission -he’s asked forhelpinmaking Santa Mail even more magical. Instead of relying on the usual mailbox magic, Santa wants kids to deliver their letters in person to their local post office. It’s awhole newway to send Christmas wishes straight to the North Pole, andSantacan’t wait.

Children can now hand-deliver their letterstothe post office and receive aspecial response straight from the North Pole.

Each child who brings in their letter will leave with areply straightfromSanta,along witha special Christmas Pip the Koala ornament —an ideal keepsake to hang on the tree.

To ensure kids receive their magical reply before Santa and his elves load up the sleigh for Christmas Eve:

 Write aletter: Kids are encouraged to write aletter to Santa, sharing their Christmas wishes and maybe afew good deeds they’ve accomplished this year. Pop the letter in asealed envelope, no need for apostage stamp or return address. Santa has enough on his sleigh.

 Visit the post office: Head to the post office and drop off aletter.

 Receive aspecial reply: As soon as they hand in their letter each child will receive aspecial reply from Santa, along with aChristmas Pip the Koala ornament to hang on the tree.

If achild has already mailed their letter, they can still come intothe post office to collect their special gift and letter from Santa.

Retail, brand and marketing executive general manager Josh Bannister said Australia Post could

Let’s work together to prevent incidents like this from happening again.

Nick Blears Maffra

Vulnerability,denial and fate of theLakes

THE Gippsland Lakes are aproduct of profound naturalforcesand of recent humaninterventions They bear scars of human engineering. For the foreseeable future they will remain a ‘managed’ ecosystem. Whether managed in the same manner and form as recent decades –managed decline and growingvulnerability –isa different question.

Decline in ecological condition and function of the Lakes, incremental and by ‘step changes,’ is the result of more than acentury of that engineering and intervention. Mainly freshwater wetlandsare now marine or estuarine.

A‘mosaic’ of wetland types faces creeping uniformity. Once-freshwater wetlands, such as Lake Wellington, have effectively collapsed. The biggest impacts are permanentconnectionto the ocean, now deepenedand heavily maintained, and large-scale diversion of freshwater inflows. Land clearing, drainage, agricultural pollution, each also have substantial degrading effects. Human-driven climate change exacerbates all pressures. Controversy over whether key degrading actions focus on permanent dredging of theentrance or declining freshwater inflows miss the point: both are degrading influences.

The science on this is clear. Recent science also attributes to the current dredging regime increased flood risk at Lakes Entrance and anticipates change in environmental character by mid-century. Currentproposals to divert massive water resources to mine rehabilitation compound these issues. Problematic trajectories, the deleterious state of the Lakes, and key sources of harm are well-established.

The Gippsland Lakes were designated aRamsar wetland of international importance in 1982, one of various legal standards applying to how the Lakes are managed.

Arecently ‘renewed’ Ramsarplanfor the Gippsland Lakes meets challengesand obligations with complacencythat everything is essentially fine.

The major pressures, entrance dredging and water diversions,are treatedasinevitable with no real impact on the fate of the Lakes.

State agencies preparing the plan failed to engage meaningfully with difficult but important science and with the nuance of the Ramsar Convention.

Theirerror lies in hubris: that symptoms of slow ecosystemunravelling can willfully be ignored without consequence.

Like all waters, however, underthe surfacethere aredangers which, if ignored, do not go away. They will come back to us and to our children.

Dr Bruce Lindsay Environmentallawyer,Environmental Justice Australia

The GippslandTimes welcomes letters to the editor.

Preference will be giventobrief,concise letters which address local issues.

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

The Gippsland Times does not publish letters from anonymous contributors.

Letters must include aphone number or email address and the author’s hometown for purposes of substantiating authenticity. Readers are entitled to one right of reply to aletter directly solely at them.

The views expressed in letters to the editor are those of the writers,and do not necessarily reflect the vuewsofGippsland Times management or staff.

Emailletterstonews@gippslandtimes.com.au

not wait to see the excitement on kids' faces as they hand over their letters and receive their reply from the North Pole.

"We hope every child enjoys writing their letters as much as we enjoy helping Santa make their wishes come true,” he said.

For more information about the Australia Post Santa Mail program and updates, visit auspost.com.au/about-us/supportingcommunities/literacy-education/ santa-mail

People are being urged to have a plan, and not decided what to do in the event of a fire when it’s already started Photo: Contributed

Every child who sends aletter to Santa via AustraliaPost will receive a ChristmasPip the Koala ornament. Photo: Contributed

Resilience project to pilot in Dargo

SATELLITE analytics companyWEO has been announced as the inaugural globalwinner of the QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge Humanitarian Track 2024.

WEO’s platform is transforming how communities strengthen their resilience by combiningadvanced satellite technology with local action. Leveraging datafrom space, the powerofartificial intelligence and local knowledge, WEO provides communities with the decision-making information they need to understand and adapt to the impacts of achanging climate.

In 2025, WEO will pilot its innovative solution in partnership with the community of Dargo and Australian Red Cross, with support from the CocaCola Foundation. This collaborative effort builds on Dargo's commitment to co-design solutions that enhance resilience and share their expertise after enduringrepeated and compounding disasters since 2009.

Together, this pilot seeks to create scalablesolutions thatnot only strengthen their community but also amplifythe reach and impact of Australian Red Cross programs, offering ablueprint for communities across Australia and beyond.

The QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge invited entrepreneurs and start-ups from around the world to present their innovative software solutions aimed at helping global communities to adapt to achanging world. The 2024 Humanitarian Track specificallywelcomed applications from changemakers and innovators with the potential to address asignificant real-world humanitarian problem.

QBE Insurance head of social impact Lauren Hicks said WEO’s innovative approach to combiningsatellite technology, artificial intelligence and local knowledgemadeita stand-out partner for addressing climate resilience.

"We are proud to support this pilot program in Dargo and areexcited about the impactitcould havefor communities in Australia andbeyond,” she said.

LeadingCities founder and chiefexecutive Michael Lakes saidimpactfulpartnerships like this demonstrated the transformative power of collaboration in facing global challenges.

"Asclimate-related disasters become more frequent, impacting over 55 million people annually, theWEO platform, combined with the expertise of Australian Red Cross and the support of QBE and Leading Cities, offers atangibleand scalable solution to buildcommunity resilience in Dargo and other communities like it around the world," he said.

WEO co-founder and chief executive Imeshi Weerasinghe said the company was thrilledto partner with Australian Red Cross and the Dargo community.

"Together,weaim to combine local knowledge and WEO's technology to build resilience, create tangible outcomes and set amodel for communities across Australia," she said.

Australian Red Cross deputy chiefexecutive PennyHarrison said the organisation was looking forward to working with WEO.

“WEO was chosen for its potential to become a

Gold for Port Albert B&B

BOAT Harbour Jetty B&B at Port Albert won gold at the recent Victorian Tourism Awards in Melbourne.

The business was one of three from Gippsland to claim atop prize,with another winningsilver The awards ceremonywas held at the Palladium at Crown on November 21.

Boat HarbourJetty B&B took home gold in thehosted accommodation category.

The bed and breakfastisdescribedasa "boutiquehosted accommodation situatedin Gippsland's oldest port".

"Threefully privatestudios combinespectacularharbourviews and stylish modern amenities to create aluxury retreat and the perfect base for exploringGippsland," the awardsmedia release stated.

TallawarraHomestead, Tonimbuk, was a finalist in the hosted accommodation category.

TwoSouth Gippslandwineries led the way in the tourism, wineries,distilleries and breweries category, with Harman Wines winning gold and Gippsland Wine Company silver.

Capping off abig nightfor Gippsland tourism, Beachcomber Holiday Units, Lakes Entrance, won gold in the self-contained accommodation category.

Based in Pakenham and offering day tours

vital hub for community knowledge –capturing insights on hazards, actions, community insights and impacts in one central place," she said.

"We’re delightedtolaunch apilottogether with WEO and the Dargocommunity, where

in Gippsland,Local Way Tours were successful with agold award in the new tourism business category, while Phillip Islandwon bronzeinthe visitor information services category.

LucyDewhurst fromBassCoastShireCouncil won the Young Achiever's Award.

The Victorian Tourism Awards are hosted annuallybythe VictorianTourism Industry Council, to honour business excellence and performance in the industry. Therewere89 Finalists this year across 28 business and three individual categories.

Entrants must gain aminimum score of 80 per cent to be awarded finalist.

Destination Gippsland chief executive Terry Robinsonsaiditwas fantastictosee Gippsland perform strongly among acompetitive field of finalists.

"Our tourism industry has so many professional and dedicated operators whoput the visitor at the centre of everything they do. We are thrilled to see these businesses recognised at these very prestigious awards,” he said.

Victorian Tourism Award winners automaticallyreceive entrytocompete at the Australian Tourism Awards, which will be held in Adelaide in March next year.

this data-driven approach to risk planning and resilience-building can make areal impact. This partnership marksanexciting step forward in creating safer, more resilient communities for the future.”

At the cutting edge

SALE’S Connor Alexander loves the banter that goes with being an apprentice butcher, but he also excels at the serious side of the profession.

Connor’s success has led to him being named Victoria’smeat industry apprentice of the year.

TheSouthWest TAFE student who worksfor Ranford’s Family ButcherinSale will now go on to compete at the national level next February afterbeingnamed the state’s top apprentice at the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) awards night.

The night is an annual event where Victoria’s best sausages and burgers and meat industry apprentice are announced.

Connor is relishing his work in the industry and while his earlyconnection may have been inspired by his mother Carissa, says the TAFE training is the cherry on top.

“Mymum wasalways in and out of the industryand every school holiday I’d be helping her with the easy-to-do things like rissoles and burgers” he said.

“Eventually Iwas asked to help overChristmas and Istayed Now Iwouldn’t change it for the worldand Iwouldn’t leave Sale. This is my town.”

Connor said he loved the atmosphere of abutcher shop.

“It’s competitive but in a friendly way. There’salot of banter in this industry, which Ienjoy. You’ve got to be able to sing and dance abit,” he said.

While his mother takes alot of credit for his startinthe industry, Connorsaysthe TAFE course and his employers are also great support.

“Mum says she taught me everythingI know but the TAFE training has been stunning. I’ve got areally good teacher and any timeI’veneededanythinghe’s been super helpful," he said.

“And Iwouldn’tbewhere I am today withoutthe support of Brayden and ChristineRanford, where he has worked for the past six months, extending his eightyear career in the industry."

For the awards, student butcherscompeteinarange of categories. Their products are judged by industry experts in Melbourne on their cooked and uncooked appearance, taste and texture.

For the apprentice of the year

title, students must complete aseries of set tasks, including followingcutting guidelines on aside of lamb,loin of porkand a chicken within aset time They alsocompleteatheory session, answeringquestions about their trade including hygiene and sanitation practices, workplace health and safety, cooking knowledge and storage advice.

Apprentices also complete a mystery box challenge, creating value-added linestoa cut of beef and aselection of garnishes.

Teacher Wayne Perry said fourthyear apprenticeConnor

impressed from the first day.

“From day one Inoticed how good he is with customers,” Mr Perry said.“His engagement is outstanding and he always greets people with asmile.”

The positive attitude is backed up with his knowledge on how to cook products.

“Connor is quicktooffer advice but also prepared to ask someone how they do it so he can learn. He is always thinking of what needs to be done next and takes great pride in what he produces. His trade skills speak for themselves and what he produced in the competition was outstanding.”

The WEO announcement at the Humanitech Summit

Photo: Contributed

Connor also enjoys making his specialdishes, led by an Italian-style dish lamb involtini.

BoatHarbour Jetty B&B wonthe hosted accommodation category at the Victorian Tourism

Christma strail ride

Christmaschurch services dates and times

Sale

St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral:

Sunday, December 15, 7pm: Lessons and Carols. Tuesday, Decemb er 24, 5pm: in fo rma l ChristmasEve family worship service; 11pm: Holy Communion.

Wednesday,December 25, 9am: Christmas Day Holy Communion.

Regular Sunday services at St Paul’s will be held from 9am on December 29 and throughout January.

St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral:

Saturday, December 21, 5.30pm: Saturday Mass.

Sunday, December 22, 9.30am and 5.30pm: Sunday Mass.

Tuesday, December 24, 6pm: Christmas Eve Family Mass; 9pm: Christmas Night Mass. Wednesday,December 25,9.30am: Christmas Day Mass.

City Builders Church: Thursday, December 19, 7.30pm: Christmas carols.

Saturday, December 21, 10am: Christmas brunch.

Gold coin donation for each event, with all proceeds going to the Salvation Army.

Kilmany

St Alban’s Anglican Church: Tuesday, December 24, 8pm: Christmas Eve service.

Golden Beach

St Anne’s Anglican Church: Wednesday, December 25, 11am: Christmas Day service.

Stratford

Holy Trinity Anglican Church: Tuesday, December 24, 6pm: ChristmasEve family nativity; 11pm: candlelit service. Wednesday, December 25, 10am: Christmas Day family worship and Holy Communion.

St Patrick’s Catholic Church: Wednesday,December 25,9.30am: Christmas Day Mass.

Munro

St Mary’s Anglican Church: Tuesday, December 24, 8pm: Christmas Eve family worship and Holy Communion.

Briagolong

All Saints Anglican Church:

Heyfield market

HEYFIELDCommunityMarket willbeheld on Saturday at John Graves Memorial Park, Temple St, oppositethe primary school, from 8am.

Cakes, baked goods, Devonshire teas, barbecued food, books, clothes and avariety of goods will be available to buy.

New stallholders are welcome.

For more information phoneRay on 5148 3408.

Christmasfair

ST John’s Church, Maffra, will hold its annual ChristmasfaironSaturday at St John’s Anglican Church,Church St, from 9am, with lots of great Christmas gift ideas and stocking fillers.

There will be aselection of Christmas cakes,

puddings, decorations and gifts,cakes, sweet treats such as biscuits and slices, jams, sauces, preserves and fresh produce available for purchase. Gluten free optionswill also be available. There will also be Devonshire teas, craft, fancy goods, raffles and plants to peruse. There will be free kids’ activitiesand live Christmas music. Cash sales only.

Stratfordcarols

THE Stratford Community Christmas Carols and Family Fun Time will be held on Sunday at Apex Park, McMillan St, from 4.45pm.

Entry will be free.

There will be abarbecueand kids’ fun time with free drinks, jumping castle, fairy floss, lollies and pop corn, with Santa arriving at 5.45pm

Wednesday,December 25,8.30am: Christmas Day family worship.

St Patrick’s Catholic Church: Sunday, December 22, 9.30am: Sunday Mass.

Loch Sport

Loch Sport Community Hall (Catholic): Tuesday, December 24, 11am: Christmas Eve Vigil Mass.

Rosedale

St Rose of Lima Catholic Church: Saturday, December 21, 5.30pm: Weekend Mass.

Tuesday, December 24, 7pm: Christmas Eve Vigil Mass

Seaspray

Seaspray Community Hall (Catholic): Wednesday, December25, 11am: Christmas Day Mass.

To promote their Christmas services, churchesemail the details to news@gippslandtimes.com.au

and Christmas songs and carols from 6.30pm. The evening will feature the Sale City Band, schools and arange of local talents. Free LEDcandles will be available.BYO rugs andchairs.

Therewill be parking and chairs on sitefor those less able.

Proceeds from the barbecue, as well as donations, will support ABetter Life for Foster Kids.

In the event of inclement weather, the event be moved to the Stratford Mechanics Hall.

For more information phone Reverend Dave on 0401 035 379.

Maffra Christmas Festival

THE Maffra Christmas Festivalwill be held nest Wednesday, December 11, from 5.30pm to 8.30pm in Johnston St.

There will be market stalls, food trucks, kids entertainment and rides, roaming entertainment, plus avisit from Santa.

Bond St final events

BEFORE Christmas, these are the final events happening at Bond St in 2024.

TAMBO Upper Trail Riding Club will host current and past members,family and interested newcomers at its annual Christmas Ride on Sunday, December 15.

The ride will be two hours of easy riding in the Sarsfield bush, returning to the floats for adelicious, shared Christmas lunch. Pauline Garry will be taking on the duties of lead rider.

The shortened format presents an opportunityfor newcomers to join in and experience what the club rides are about and how their own horse handles the group riding.

Participants are asked to bring asalad or sweet to put on the table to share. The club will provide a ham and chicken buffet.

Current club members are free but thereisasmall charge for lunch for non-members and visitors.

Ride-out time will be 10am sharp from Old Man Hill Rd, Sarsfield, off the Great Alpine Road afew hundred metres on the Bruthen side of the Nicholson River Bridge.

The November ride scheduled for the Melwood area wascancelled because of adverse weather conditions. Safety of the horses and riders is always apriority for club rides.

Tambo Upper Trail Rides areheld in different locations on the third Sunday of every month. New membersare always welcome and children are also welcomebut must be able to ride independently.

The list of rides is available on the club Facebook page and local saddleries.For moreinformation phone Caz Driscoll on 0408 963 667 or Sue Cullinan on 0412 526 121.

 THE ST John’s Anglican Church Christmas Fair will be held on this Saturday in the church grounds, Thomson St, from 9am. There will be cakes, puddings, slices, biscuits, crafts and plants for sale, Devonshire teas will be available, and the Maffra Municipal Band will play Christmas music. For children,therewill be raffles and free showbags andafreecount the Smarties competition.

All welcome.

 ST Vincent de Paul monthly garage sale will be held Saturday morning at the Jack Kelly Store, 28 Laura St, from 9am until 10.30am.

 MAFFRA Combined Churches are proud to be part of the Maffra Christmas Festival next Wednesday, December 11. They will be in the Rotunda with free Christmas showbags and Christmas crafts for children from 5pm. All welcome.

 MAFFRA Neighbourhood House is still accepting donations of shelf stable items for its Christmas Hampers. Goods can be dropped into the house during business hours, MondaytoFriday,9am to 3.30pm.

Acouple of places are still availablefor the Christmas centrepiecew orkshop at Maffra Neighbourhood House next Tuesday, December 10, from 1pm until 3pm. Cost is $35 to make aspecial piece for the Christmastable, hall stand or as awall hanging. All materials supplied.

Bookings are essential by phoning 0422 335 155.

An open mic night will be held this Friday from 7pm until late.

On Friday, Decem ber 13, the Grinch’ s Christmas barbecue will be held from 6.30pm, and apoetry night willbeonWednesday, December 18, from 7pm.

Theatremagic

GET ready for amagical adventure with Jack and the Beanstalk, performed by Theatre @ GGC.

Come to the Maffra Memorial Hall next Wednesday, December 11, from 11.30am for afun and whimsical show perfect for all ages. This is afree event, but agold coin donation would be appreciatedtosupport the George Gray Centre theatre program.

Bring friends and family for amorningof laughter, excitement, and community spirit. IF youare acommunity group and have any news items you need publicised, feel free to email us at news@gippslandtimes. com.au Please provide the details at least two weeks before the event.

Pauline Garry will leadthe Tambo UpperTrail Riding Club’s Christmasride.

Photo: Contributed

Grammar valedictory service

Grammaryear12graduate Emma Coleman with her parents Bernard and Jane Coleman at the Gippsland Grammar year 12 valedictoryand cocktail reception.

Gippsland Grammar year12graduates at their valedictory celebration on November22are Katelyn Henderson,Sophie McLeod,India Boag,Isabel Foat,GeorgiaSteel,ZaraTacey and Keira Walpole.

Gippsland GrammarFoundation presidentJessicaCane presentsstudent Zahra Hanrattythe MildredLapthorne Scholarship.The $10,000 prize is awarded annually to a Gippsland Grammaryear 12 studentwho will be moving away from home to attend university.The late Mrs Lapthorne attended Gippsland Grammarfrom1936 to 1941.When she left school she studied biological science at Monash University and later workedatthe Baker Heart andDiabetes Institute, and when she died she bequeathed agenerous gift to help one deserving student each year attend university.

generation Gippsland Grammar

Bain with hisparents Marcand Amanda Bain. Blair began his Gippsland Grammar education in the Bairnsdale Early Learning Centrebeforemoving to Sale to complete secondary school. His mum Amanda(neeWigg) wasa student at the schoolfrom1982 to 1990 (years four to 12)and her father LindsayWiggwas one of the firststudentsenrolled at Gippsland Grammar School (whichwas aschool for boys) in 1960.But the long association with Gippsland Grammar does not stop there –Blair’sgreat-grandmother

Appleby (neeBeech) began at St Anne’s (girls school) in grade six in 1933.Inaddition to this, MarcBain is ateacher at the school

Study hubs expand across Gippsland

THE Gippsland East Study Hub said it was excited to announce it has expanded and now offering five new sites under the collective banner of the Gippsland East StudyHub Outreach, including two in Wellington Shire.

The last outreach site to open on November 14 in Yarram,preceded by Heyfield,Orbost, Omeo, andMallacoota.

The funding -over $1 million -toprovide these free facilities and resources to help higher educationstudents study locallycomes from the 2023 RegionalUniversity Study Hubs (RUSH) program. The RUSH program -formerly the Regional University Centres program-works to improve access to tertiary education for regional and remote students.

The Gippsland East Local Learning and Employment Network (GELLEN) administer the federal funding on behalf of communities spread across the region.

The Gippsland East Study Hub and Gippsland East Study Hub Outreach offer quiet or group study spaces, high-speed internet, videoconferencing and podcasting. Students can sit external exams and access course and career guidance as well as disability, financialand scholarship information. Sitespecific appointments with Learning Skills Advisors are available to improve students’ research skills and essay writing.Studentsalso can meet new friends by participating in group study and social events.

AGELLENmediareleasesaidthe Gippsland East Study Hub Outreachwould bring higher education closer to students living in the regional communities, increasing the participation of students from underrepresented groups.Where regional university study hubs are located, university participation and completion increase.

GELLENexecutive officerNeetaD’Souza said many modern students juggled work and family commitments alongside their higher education.

"A well-resourced local learning space is essential for theirsuccess. Having accesstofacilities and technology close to home will significantly enhance course completion rates,” she said.

Ms D’Souza added that the outreach sites will help local students save on travel time and costs while benefiting from excellent educational resources.

“We are dedicated to providing top-notch facilities for East Gippsland and Wellington students in Bairnsdale, Heyfield, Mallacoota, Omeo, Orbost, Sale andYarram. We will continue collaborating with our stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes,” she said.

There are two outreach sitesinWellingtonShire -Heyfield and Yarram.

The Heyfield hub is located at the Heyfield Community Resource Centre, 5George St. Its manager, Caroline Trevorrow, said this was exciting news for the Heyfield community, especially for students whose only option is to study online.

"The study hub willensure thatfurther education becomes more accessible and attractive to people in Heyfield, which has abeneficial flow-on effect for the entire community,” Ms Trevorrow said.

The Yarram Study Hub is locatedinthe coworking space at 243 Commercial Rd, launched by the Yarram and District Progress Association on November 14. Associationpresident Emily Spalding said it was excited to help support local VCE, university and TAFE students.

“It means students from Yarram and the surrounding district now have aplace to study, network and get help from Gippsland East Study HubLearning Skills Advisors plus access to internet and other facilities. It provides anew study space option which will help many students reduce their need to travel so much or be isolated at home,”

Ms Spalding said.

Students from across the East Gippsland and Wellington Shires who are enrolled in any Australian VCE, TAFEoruniversity program are encouraged to access the facilities and services available at the study hub.

Anyone who is interested in pursuing higher education can join, from Certificate ItoPhD and all studiesinbetween. Students interested in registering should go to gestudyhub.org.All services are free.

by

DistrictProgress

Gippsland

Gippsland Grammarstudents TomGillham, Oscar Dullard, Rudy Wilson and Rhys Bennett celebrating theirgraduation.

Gippsland Grammar graduating year 12 students Gretel Harms, Tali Oates, EllenRoberts, Isobella Dowling and Debbie Husodo aftertheir valedictory service.

The Yarram Study Hub launchedrecently

Yarram and

Associationinthe co-working spaceat243 Commercial Rd.

Photo: Contributed

The Heyfield StudyHub launched in October at the Heyfield CommunityResource Centre.

Photo: ErikaAllen

Afourth

student Blair

Gwendoline

Sale Keenagers mark 21 years

ErikaAllen

THE Sale Keenagers Social TableTennis Club celebrated its 21st anniversary last Thursday. Keenagers tabletenniscaters to older residents. Sale is one of many locations that has flourished since JohnGale founded Gippsland’s first Keenagers branch in Bairnsdale in 2001. Sale Keen-Agers was established shortly after in 2003. Today, the club has 38 members, three of whom –Gladys Tatterson, Kevin Oliver, and Margaret Robinson –have played for 17 years or more. Last week, to honour their dedication, they were presented with commemorative medalsand golden bats.

Seven members werealsogivenmedals, including Monica, Mary, and Vic Scicluna, Jo Inglis,Judy Richards,Colleen Long, and long-time secretary Sharon Collins, who have been part of the club for over adecade.

Theclub’s currentpresident, Kevin O’Donnell, who moved to Sale four years ago, highlighted Keenagers’ uniqueness in serving its specific demographic. He emphasised the fun and camaraderie that defines their Monday and Thursdaymorning get-togethers.

“There are always fun and really good quality people,” he said.

“You’d be surprised if you haven’t heard laughter. People laugh if you hit it, and it just drops over (the

net) or catches the edge of the table.

“You really do your best to win every point, but you laugh when you lose,” Mr O’Donnell said.

Gladys Tatterson, 89, aveteran of Keenagers, joined her fellow club members last Thursday for acelebratorymorning tea after three hours of table tennis. They shared conversation punctuatedwith hearty laughter across adifferent kind of table.

Ms Tatterson, the club’s longest-servingmember, has been playing for 18 and ahalf years, joining just three years after its founding. She has also served as treasurer since 2013. She joined Keen-Agers in 2006, aged 71, following ahip operationthat stopped her from playing tennis and badminton.

“I tried this very cautiously, and Ireally enjoyed it. And now I’m getting older,I still playcautiously,” Ms Tatterson laughed.

Shesaidtable tennis is “one of the most inclusive sports for more mature people”. Butyounger playersare welcome as well.

For over 21 years, Sale Keenagers has built a dedicated community of players who credit the sport for improving their physical health and social connections. It's benefits are so significant that it gained the support of VicHealthearly on. The club has particularly benefited membersrecoveringfrom surgeries or managing heart conditions.

Having been asportsenthusiast, club secretary

Sharon Collins became aKeenager after attending an open dayand just kept coming back. Ms Collins said she had undiagnosed celiac disease

and fibromyalgia when she joined the club on her doctor’s advice.

“It just gave me Monday mornings and Thursday mornings to come up here. Iwould ride my bike around here because Iwas trying to keep fit and active,” she said.

“I owealot to table tennis because it actually saved my life,” she continued.

After aheart attack and double bypass surgery at 49, Ms Collins found support and camaraderie at the club, which became like family, despite joining youngerthanthe recommended 50-plus age group

“Table tennis is very good for your mind and balance, and that’s why it’s such agood thing for Sale Keenagers to have all the people here.

“Mental health, physical health, your balance –it’s so goodfor all of those things,” Ms Collins said.

Sheemphasised the importanceofstaying active. The consequences of notstayingactive were highlighted when COVID-19 restrictions halted their regular meetings.

Ms Collins said when players returned after the hiatus, their balance was impacted.

“I knowwhat it didfor me not being abletocome here, so Iknow how good it is to keep these people active,” she said.

Overthe past 12 years as aKeenager,table tennis has become Ms Collins’ passion. She also coaches table tennis and pickleball, training young players for competition.

“It’s very rewarding to see older people learning

to play and then seeing the young kids playing. It warms my heart.”

Sale’s founding and pastmembers were celebratedduring last week’s anniversary.Ms Tatterson described three founding members as “very influential”.

“There was Val Thomas who passed away last week,her husband David, and Fred Leverton. Fred was avery good player, but he was verypatient andhelpfulfor those of us who were beginners,” Ms Tatterson said.

Avisual retrospective showcasedthe club’s history,featuring photographsand newspaper clippings celebrating milestones from its first anniversary to its 10th. Notably, the club’s inaugural year earned afull-page write-up in the Gippsland Times featuring members Fred Laverton and Val Thomas.

The displaywas anostalgic glimpse into the club’s early days, complete with the original receipt for its first eight table tennis tables, nets, and 10 bats. But taking pride in place was awell-worn bat that once belonged to Mr Laverton, which brought joy to the members last week.

Sale Keenagers Table Tennis Club meetsMonday and Thursday mornings from 8.45 to 11.15am at the Sale-Maffra Badminton Association courts at the corner of Gibson and CobainsRds.The first visit is free,and bats and morning tea areprovided at acost of $4.

Awards for Rosedale early learning centre

ErikaAllen

ROSEDALE Uniting Early Learning was recognised in two prestigious categories at the 19th Victorian Early Years Awards in November.

Awards were presented in 10 categories, with all winners receiving a$15,000 grant to develop and share their work with their communities.

State Children Minister Lizzie Blandthorn said the annual awards celebrated Victoria’s early years professionals’ leadershipand dedication to give every child the best start in life.

“This year’s finalists again exemplify the innovative work happening in the early years sector everyday to support thehealth, wellbeing, learningand development of Victorian children,” Ms Blandthorn said. Pauline Dent, an educator at the centre, was named Early Childhood Teacherof the Year for demonstrating innovative and excellent practice in early childhood education and care. Additionally,the

kindergarten was awarded the Aunty Rose Bamblett Koorie Early yearsLegacy Award. Rosedale UnitingEarlyLearning leads the sectorinintegrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderculture into every area of learning, including play, arts and crafts, and language. The centre weaves indigenous culture into its program in a few ways: children canlearnaboutbush tucker and are taught words in English and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language.

The state government said in amedia release that the kinderhas made apositive impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander familieswithspecialisedstaff training and partnerships with local elders who share their culture.

“The awards are great recognition of the work we do here at the kindergarten, the dedication and passion of Pauline and the commitment of all of our staff to provide our children and families with the most enriching start to their educational journey,” the kindergarten shared in astatement.

Kevin Oliver,Gladys Tatterson and Margaret Robinson wererecognised with Gold Bat Awards as three members withthe longest memberships to the club. Photos: ErikaAllen

Avisual retrospective illustrating the club’s history, including acopy of the original receipt used to purchase the club’s first tables and bats.

Sale Keenagers Table Tennis club gathered to celebrate the club’s21st anniversary last Thursday.

Fred Leverton’s bat. Fred wasa founder of SaleKeen-Agers and former president.

Sale Keenagers’ secretary Sharon Collinslighting the candles Sharon hasbeen amember for 12 years and adedicated secretary for eight years.

Yarram Showinpictures

GeorgeMcKean Memorial 325mm underhand championship (woodchopping competition):Harris from Ballarat(secpndfromright) with Dale Hansfordand Clayton Draper with George’swidowBetty McKean (right) and daughterDoreen Milne (left). Photo: Deb Lucas

The Rousabouts performing classic rock, blues and country covers. Photo: Stefan Bradley

The Outback Jack horsemen showwas well-received by the families.

Photo: DebLucas

Dog entering afancydress forthe petparade.

Photo: Deb Lucas

Finn from Stradbroke, aged four,onthe slide.

Photo: Stefan Bradley

Hayden Ridley,11fromBairnsdale, competing againstthe men in woodchopping

Photo:Deb Lucas

George McKean

Th

show was well received

Stradbroke four on the slide

Lego entry at the Peter Bland exhibition shed. Photo: Stefan Bradley

Rosemary Mowatjudging at Yarram Showwith show president Marilyn Elwers and EllaBush. Photo: DebLucas

Smallkids, big connect four

Photo: Stefan Bradley

Yarram ShowstewardMargBroschwith cookery judge Sandra Rech from Sale. Photo: Deb Lucas

Gabby Mekker (Miss Junior personality),Sheridan Venables (Rural Ambassador), Stevie Sparks (Miss Tiny Tot) and Jordan Boddy (Junior Rural Ambassador) afterthe judging

Photo:Deb Lucas

Gabby Mekker (left) and Stevie Sparks with Danny O’Brien

Photo: Deb Lucas entry shed Mowat judging Show with

S ll kid bi f

Show steward Marg Brosch with personality) Sheridan

Red mea tconference returns

AFTE Rah ig hly suc cessf ul Gippsland Red Meat Conference at Sale in 2023, organisers say they have listened to feedback, movingthe date to late summer/ earlyautumn and returning the event to its roots in Bairnsdale.

Organ iser Craig Bush ,o f Gippsland Agricultural Group (GAgG), said given last year’s conference sold out, they appreciated the opportunity to fillalarger venue this year at the Riviera Christian Centre.

“The last time the event was held there was during the COVID upheaval in 2022 and there were densitylimits and vaccination checks, and an understandable reluctance by some to congregate in large numbers,” Mr Bush said. “It was atimewhenthe phrase ‘herd immunity’ was at the fore, not foranimals,but forhuman beings.”

In fact, at the time the 2022 Gippsland Red Meat Conference was hailed as an industry leader, showing the way to other conferenceorganisers, sponsors and attendees, that large-scaleconferences could be run safely, and would be embraced by producers after such along period of absence.

Other feed back organi sers respondedtowas the request to have producers talking to producers, because they relate to them so well.

One such speaker is Ben Young from Chiltern Park Angus, wellrenowned as aleading seedstock producer and an advocate for the useofEstimated Breeding Values

in bull selection. Hismainskill, however, is his ability to connect with grass-roots producers and share the lessons he has learnt about good decision making.

In what has been achallenging yea rf or sou th- we st Vi ctori an producers,MrYoung has had to makedifficult decisions around feeding or de-stocking, relying on his ‘farmer’s toolbox’toanalyse and respond to changing conditions.

“In regard to speakers, it wouldn’t be aGRMC without our favourite market analysts Simon Quilty and Rob Herrmann,” Mr Bush said.

“It’s the only red meat conference in the country that offers this double act, and the two analysts, who are normally competitors, thrive on telling acombined story from two different perspectives.

“Andthe election of Trump as presidentofAmerica will give these two plenty to consider.

“Will the threatenedChina tariffs eventuate? What impact will they have on low-cost exporters like Australia?”

The Gippsla nd Red Meat Conference willbehostedbythe Gippsland Agricultural Group on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at theRivieraChristianCentrein Bairnsdale.

Tickets will go on sale prior to Christmas through trybooking. com

For more information visit the Gippsl and Red Meat Conference Facebookpageorto trybooking.com

Herrmann andSimonQuilty,

at last year’s Gippsland Red Meat Conference wheretheypredictedthe 2024 holding pattern and arise in prices in 2025.

2025conference in

VFF welcomes govt report

THE Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has welcomed the recommendations of the state parliament’s Legislative AssemblyEconomy and Infrastructure Committee following its inquiry into securing Victoria’s food supply.

VFF president Emma Germano said the recommendations paved the path ahead to address critical challenges in agriculture and food security.

“The Victorian parliament has sent aclear message that agriculture and food security are priorities for our state. We now need to see this translate

into real outcomes that make adifference,” Ms Germano said.

Key recommendations made by the VFF and endorsed by the inquiry includedawhole-ofgovernment risk assessment and coordinated foodsecurityplan,agriculturalland mapping and strategic planning, fit-for-purpose planning provisions, and training and guidance for planners

The VFF is pleased the committee recognised the need for acomprehensive risk assessment across agriculture and supply chains andthe

implementation of acoordinated plan to safeguard Victoria’s food security.

The recommendation to map agricultural land and establish specific strategic land use planning strategies to protect farmland aligned with the VFF’scallstosafeguard agriculturallandfrom competing pressures.

Areview of current planningprovisions to ensure they support the ongoing use of farmland for sustainable agriculture is awelcome step toward fostering productivity and long-term agricultural viability, according to the VFF.

The VFF also said the creation of planning practice notes, guidance materials, and dedicated training for planners in understanding agricultural systemswill equip planners withthe knowledge needed to assess land useproposals and their impacts on various agricultural productionsystems.

“From just 1.5 per cent of Australia’s landmass, Victorian farmers contribute more than aquarter of the nation’s food and fibre exports. That's an enormouseconomic and employment driverand it must be protected,” Ms Germano said.

“Once you lose prime agricultural land, it’s gone forever. We’ll be working to ensure these recommendations become areality."

Pregnancy scanning demo

THE Gippsland Agricultural Group will host apregnancy scanning demonstration at the Gippsland Research Farm stock yards, Bengworden Rd, Bairnsdale, tomorrow from 2pm.

There will be ahands-on demonstration of pregnancy scanning on 16 heifers that recently went through aFixed Time Artificial Insemination program. There willbelive, real-time scanning of heifers using the BCF EasiScan device. Dr Chelsea Hair will guideattendees through the process.

Attendees can find out how to identify a healthy pregnancy and gain expert insights into animal reproduction.

To attend RSVP by phoning Alister on 0418 576 957.

About240 producers gathered forthe sold-out Gippsland Red MeatConferenceinSale in 2023, held at the Sale Baptist Church.

Photo: Stefan Bradley

Conference goers last yearweretreated to breakfast andalook around the tradestallsbeforethe sessions started.

Red meatmarket analysts, Robert

speaking

Thetwo will returntothe

February at Bairnsdale

Wa tch out for hea ting ha y

MicheleJolliffe Agriculture Victoriadairyextension officer

EVERY hay season several hay stacks spontaneouslycombust across Victoria, in singlemoist bales or in astack of any size.

Once the hay has been stacked it’s important to regularly monitor it for heating and act quickly.

Unfortunately, evenwithtechnological advances in machinery for harvesting conserved fodder, there is still nothing cost effective to help monitor the internal temperatures of haystacks.

So,it’s back to some very simple techniques to keep an eye on your hay stacks.

Keep an eye out for signs that haystack is heating. Steam condensation on the shed roof, mould growth, acrid fumes and hot, humid air at the top of the stack are all good indicators.

When building stacks with suspect wet hay, stack the bales loosely to allow air movement and spread the stack over awider area, for example, over severalbays,thereby reducing heatbuild-up.

Most heating will occur over the first one or two weeksbut hasbeen known to reach‘flashpoint’ up to eight weeks after baling. Monitor the stack temperature regularly.

Stack temperaturecan be measured using a crowbar insertedasdeep as possible into the stack and left for two hours. After two hours, the crowbar can be removed and felt by hand to give you arough guide of the internal stack temperatures.

The temperatureofthe baleisuptoabout 50 degrees if you can holdthe crowbar without discomfort. It is up to 60 degrees if the bar can be held for ashort time only and up to 70 degrees if the bar can only be touched briefly.

If youcan'thold the bar, temperatureisabove 70 degrees and fire is areal possibility.

Treat the stack with caution.

In the past it has been suggested to push asmall pipe into the stack and lower asmall thermometer to the end of the pipe to measure the temperature of warming hay. However, this technique should not be used for severely heating hay as it may oxygenate the innersection of the stack and cause afiretostart

If astack starts to get ‘dangerously hot’ pull it apartasquickly as possible.

Be aware that as the bales are pulled out of the stack,especially in atightly built stack, oxygen will now get access to the hot spot and potentially cause ignition.

Make sure that water is readilyavailable and

New chair,directorsfor Dairy Australia

DAIRY Australia members have elected two directorsatthe 2024 annual meeting, and the board appointedHarrisville farmerPaulRoderick as the chairman, following the retirement of James Mann. The vacancies for directors with milk producer skills were filled by Euberta farmer Simone Jolliffe and Taree farmer James Neal, who were both elected unopposed.

First appointed to the Dairy Australia board in November 2020, Mr Roderick has operated his familydairy farm with wife Lindaand parents David and Gwen at Harrisville, Queensland, for thepast30years. He was previously chairman of Subtropical Dairy and has held anumberofroles serving the industry.

Mr Mann addressed the hybridmeeting from Warrnambool, congratulatingthe directors on their appointments and Mr Roderick for his appointment as chairman at ameeting that followed the annual meeting.

“Paul’s contributions during his timeonthe boardhavebeendeeplyvalued, and Ileave the board confident that his passion for and extensive knowledge of dairy will make him an outstanding chair,” Mr Mann said.

Mr Roderick thanked Mr Mann for his service.

“James has served Australian dairy with distinction for over 20 years, including the last five as Dairy Australia chair,” he said.

“I look forward to continuing his legacy of championing activities and investments that support the long-term profitability and sustainability of Australian dairyfarmers and implementing practical ways to bring science and innovation to dairy farms.”

There were three further items considered at the annual meeting and voted on by levy payers.

The items to increase the aggregate for directors’ fee pool and to amend the constitution to provide

theboard with flexibility to appoint amanaging director or chief executive were approved.

The item to remove the Australian Dairy Products Federation as agroup Bmember of Dairy Australia was not approved, with 87 per cent of farmers voting against. Mr Rodericksaidthisdemonstrated astrong desire across the industryfor farmers and processors to work together.

Meanwhile, at the annual meeting of another representative body, Australian DairyFarmers (ADF), David Beca, Heath Cook, and Ben Bennett were returned to the board.

Mr Bennett was re-elected unopposed as president for the next two years at anational council meetingimmediately following the annual meeting.

“On behalfofADF, Ilook forward to aconstructive year ahead with some significant priorities already on the cards, including areview of the Dairy Code of Conductand afederal governmentelection,” ADF chief executive Stephen Sheridan.

suitably qualified people able to assist in fire suppression if required. Avoid walkingonthe stack as the extremelyhigh temperatures may have charred the centre of the stack. Any extra weight on the stack may cause the stack to collapse into the dangerously hot centre and cause serious injury.

If there is the slightest risk of afire starting due to wet hay, never keep machinery in the hayshed and don’t allow children to play in or near heating stacks.

The Country Fire Authority website has good information about hay fire risk. Search ‘hay fires’ at www.cfa.vic.gov.au

For more information about dry seasonal conditions and drought support visit agriculture.vic. gov.au or phone 136 186.

CHRISTMAS TREES

Cars

NISSAN XTRAIL

CAMPER Trailer, off-road, water tank and pump, elec. brakes, 12v batt. and 12v plugs, boat rack, erect trailer for tinny $3,500 o.n.o. Ph 0488 301 283.

VW Crafter 2013, 2berth, serviced reg., solar panel, awning, rev. camera, swr and toilet, 282,500km $70,000. Phone 0472 503 600, wirrickm@gmail.com

BOAT AND CABIN

At Loch Sport Caravan Park, $29,000. Ph: 0437 089 484.

Sprinter van, 2003, manual, high roof, 280,000km, 3 seater, g.c. r.w.c. $11,500 o.n.o. Ph 0475 088 025. HOLDEN, 1982 Deville Statesman, rebuilt back to new $60,000. No rust, no bog. Make an offer. Phone 0434 913 630.

RENAULT Laguna 2002, silver, 2L, 191,000km, drives well, excellent throughout, with ar.w.c RXB-453$3800 o.n.o. Ph 5633 2492.

CAMPER TRAILER

MERCEDES BENZ

Pund and Associates

Reception/Administration Position

Professional Services firm Pund and Associates has aposition available for afull time receptionist /administration team member.

The position requires someone with an outgoing personality who is quick on their feet and well organised.

Previous Reception or Administration experience is amust. Excellent computer skills and the ability to work unsupervised essential and:

● At least 2years' experience in office administration.

● Good time management and organisation skills with the ability to work unsupervised.

● Sound knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook as well as sound general computer skills.

The job is full time, 5days aweek

Please forward your resume along with aletter of application to: kellie@pundandassociates.com.au

Applications close: Friday 13th December 2024.

We are seeking to engage the services of a specialist bookkeeping business.

The services required include, but not limited to accounts payable, payroll, bookkeeping, taxation services, financial management reporting and finance compliance.

Please contact brendon.ronan@gumnutselc.vic.edu.au to receive the tender description and scope of services.

Applications close 20th December

We are seeking to engage the services of a specialist accounting practice.

The services required include, but not limited to attending monthly Committee of Management meetings to present the financial accounts and provide commentary on these; Be available to liaise with the centre's Bookkeeper for matters outside Director's agreed operating charter; Review Annual Statutory Accounts prior to audit and attend the AGM to present the annual accounts and provide comment. Attend to preparation of Annual Budget in conjunction with the Director and present to Committee of Management.

Please contact brendon.ronan@gumnutselc.vic.edu.au to receive the tender description and scope of services.

close 20th December 2024

Alum, dble bed, kitchen, storage box, 12V/240V, HWS, r/rack, off road trailer, $28,000. 0409 181 823

JAYCO Freedom Pop-Top. 17ft, single axle, 1200kg tare, single beds, R/C-A/C, 3way fridge, txt for pics. 12mth reg. $15,500 o.n.o. Ph 0412 879 154.

ROYAL Flair Elite 18ft, 3-way fridge, m/w, d/axle, QS bed, elec. brakes, TV, annexe, new awning, bbq, outside table, exc. cond., $26,000. 0419 895 218.

MOTORING DEAL

$74*line ad with colour photo or

Advertise in the Gippsland Times and Latrobe Valley Express with our Atotal of 8 issues over amonth!

COOPER, Sally Hope. Of Elsternwick. Passed away on November 23 in care at Sale. Beloved daughter of Alan and Betty Cooper, and sister of Leonard (Beau), all deceased. Remembered with love by cousins Viv, Bill, Kaye, and Rob, and their families, together with her cousins in England. May the tides ofSeaspray carry her soul home to rest following alifetime devoted to caring for others.

PAULET, Alan Richard. 31/12/51 -29/11/24

Alan's hat and boots are now at the back door and he has knocked off for the last time. He went peace fully at home , 'Millring' with his family by his side.

Loving husband to Judy. Beloved son of Norm and Gwen Paulet (both dec.).

Admired brother to Neil, Linda, Marion and Heather, and brother-inlaw to Janice, Peter (dec.) and Mark.

St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Maffra

Classroom Teacher

Full Time 12 Months Fixed Term Position

Commencement Date: Term 12025

St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Maffra is seeking apassionate teacher who is inspired to work in Catholic Education and is dedicated to improving student learning. Graduate and experienced teachers are encouraged to apply.

Role description and application form can be accessed via Teachers On Net https:/teacherso n.net/vacancy/130307-full-time-fixed-term-classr oom-teacher-stmarys-school-maffra

Contact Details: Mr Julian Blackford, Principal Email: principal@stmmaffra.catholic.edu.au

Enquiries welcome, please call (03) 5147 1334

Applications close: Sunday December 8th 2024

St Mary's Catholic Primary school community promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children.

BENNETT, Kevin. Maffra Men's Shed would like to extend their sincere con do len ce st ot he Bennett family on Kevin's passing. He was amuch lovedand respected life member. He will be truly missed at our morning cuppas.

LEGGETT, Ernest George. 'George' It is with sadness we announce the passing of Ernest George Leggett on 23/11/2024. Aged 85. Brother to Dawne. Beloved uncle of Daryl, Julie, and Heather. Gre at- unc le to Sam, Sarah, Luke, Isobel, and Tom. Private Funeral.

LEGGETT, George. Goodbye mate, no more visits and yarns. Sadly missed. Robert Stilborn.

Deaths •

LINAKER William Neil 'Buck' 18/4/1935 -2/12/2024

Passed away Monday night surrounded by loved ones.

Dearly loved husband to Kay. Loving father to Clint and Jan, David (Mina), and Debbie. Adored pop to Jayne and Keegan, Steve and Maddie, Annie, Chris and Teegan, William (Billy) and Maigen, and Ned. Tr uly admir ed son, brother, uncle, nephew and friend to all.

Acherished Dad and Father-in-law to Tim and Beli nda, Rowan and Renee, Jane and Luke.

Adored Poppy to Abby and Ruby, Jed, Ella and Zoe, Georgie, Indi and Patrick.

As the sun sets on his time with us, we find comfort in knowing his legacy lives on in the land he cherished and the lives he touched

Bereavement Thanks •

morning. Much loved father of Allison and Andrew. Adored Grandad to Annabelle, Ava and Harry.

Dad you are sadly missed and your memory will be forever in our hearts. We love you dearly. Private Family Service.

Aw onderful person, loving and kind, what loving memories you've left behind. Sharing and carin g, always content, loved and respected wherever you went. Ahappy smile and aheart of gold, what beautiful memories we have to hold. Loved and remember always. Wherever Igo, whatever I do, Iwill always love and remember you. Awonderful husband, true and kind, loving and caring. You were always there for me. Buck, you were the love of my life for almost 65 years. With all my heart, your loving wife Kay. He wouldn't want our sadness, He wouldn't want our tears, Just to be remembered, With love throughout the years. Love Clint, Jan, Jayne, Keegan, Steve, Maddie, Annie, Chris and Teegan. Agolden heart stopped beating. Two hands were laid to rest. God broke our hearts to prove, He only takes the best. Love from Mina, Billy, Maigen and Ned.

Dear Pa, You were my champ, you taught me so much and helped me to no end. You rk ind nes sa nd generosity, Will never be forgotten, By both me and many. Your love for Ma was magnificent, rarely seen today. We will love her and keep her safe. Happy trails, wherever they lead you now. Iwill miss you. You were the best dad. Love forever, Deb.

HAAGSMA, Christopher. The funeral service to celebrate the life of Christopher Haagsma will take place in the Rose Chapel at Gippsland Memorial Park, Cemetery Drive, Traralg on on MONDAY (December 9, 2024) commencing at 2pm. At the conclusion of the service the cortège will proceed to the Hazelwood Cemetery.

BEDGGOOD, Neil Richard. We would like to thank everyone who sent cards, flowers and reached out to us after the passing of our Dad. Thank you to Semmens Funerals for the prof essional and caring way you conducted Dad's funeral. To Julie Duffy for delivering the service and giving it a personal touch. To the CFA and Maffra Fire Brigade for prayers, guard of honour and the fire truck escort, and to Duart for the wond erf ul afternoon tea. Finally, to Stretton Park and Dr Iain Nicolson, thank you for everything you did for Dad. He had very caring people around him. As afamily we really appreciated everything. -The Bedggood family

Fourth in Melbourne Cup

BUDDY Monelli, trained at Nambrok by Lyn Smith, finishedfourthinthe Melbourne Cup greyhound final at Sandown Park on Saturday night. The $42.50 outsider started the 515-metre from box eight and avoided trouble on the first turn to be well-placed on the back straight, but didn’t have the pace to match the front runners.

Explicit won the $762,500 group one race, giving trainer Jason Thompson his fifth success in the event.

Buddy Monelli qualified for asecond consecutive MelbourneCup finalwinningthreeofhis previous five starts, including victory in acup heat as an $11.40 chance at the tote.

It was the dog’ssecondgroup onefinalinamonth, finishing eighth in the Hume Cup final at The Meadows in Melbourne.

Buddy Monelli now has acareer record of 23 wins from 68 starts, earning more than $227,000 in prize money.

 HEATS for the Sale Cup will take place on Thursday, December 20. The night will also include heats of the Rising Star. The final of both races willbeheld on Boxing Day, Wednesday, December 26, with the winner of the group one Sale Cup earning $75,000. The Boxing Day meet also includes two other finals.

 IN horse racing, Sunday’s Traralgon Cup meeting was cancelled.

The meeting was abandoned Sunday morning because sections of the track at the 900and 500-metre marks were deemed unsuitable for racing, following 12 millimetres of rainfall over the previous 24 hours.

Not to be totally defeated, the Latrobe Valley Racing Club pushed ahead with usual cup festivities. The club opened up the members area to the general public, and welcomed ahealthy crowd which made full use of marquee facilities on offer.

How Nilma-Darnum broke its drought

LiamDurkin

NILMA-DARNUM premiership playerMal Michael has laid bare details from his career.

The journeyman footballerplayed238 games for Collingwood, the Brisbane Lions and Essendon.

Speaking on theHerald Sun’s Sacked podcast, Michael revealedthe extent of first-year AFL wages when he was first placed on the supplementary list by Collingwood in 1996.

“Football on asupplementary list wage back in ’96 was $258 agame… and my rent was $140,” he said.

“I had alicence but no car. It was in the days pre-professional era, so we trained and did weights in the morning, that was at 6am, then you’d go to work or study and then we’d train in the evening.

“That meant a4am wakeup to catch the five o’clock train, and I’d justroll in thedoorat Collingwood at five to six.”

Coming full circle, there was certainly no financial pressure when Michael joined Nilma-Darnum Football-NetballClubin2009, just ayear after his AFL career finished.

Michael, along with ahost of guns for hire, helped the Bombers to the premiership after charging through the Ellinbank District competition.

The win ended a50-year drought for NilmaDarnum but wasembroiledindebate, as many questioned the merits of the club virtually buying apremiership.

The Nilma-Darnum syndicate included players

Scoreboard

Sale golf

November 26, women’sstableford: division one: VHorton 40, runner-up HGerrand 37; division two: SBedggood 38, runner-up KBedggood 36; DTL: MBallinger 36, MSchaper 35,C McMillan 35; NTP:3rd JBallinger, 6thK Bedggood,11th (second shot) KBedggood.

November 27,men’s stableford: Agrade: B Carter 45, runner-up AChaffey42; Bgrade:I Jones 43, runner-up NKline 37cb; DTL: PNeligan 41, RSchuback41, NMaxfield 40, AGaskill 39, B Wood 38, RDonaldson 38, ATaylor 38; NTP: 3rdB Wood, 6th BCarter, 11th WBrownlee, 14th PJellis November30, men’s stableford: TDimarco 37cb, runner-up LDowsett 37;DTL: RDonaldson 36, TLowe36, BScott 32, CPurry 32; NTP: 3rdT Love, 6th RDonaldson, 14th CPurry Maffra golf

November 27,men’s stableford: Agrade: N Tacey39, Bgrade: JMcMaster 38; DTL: ABurgiel 38, MNicholls 36, RDare35, WGieschen 35, S Robbins 33, SPatten 33; NTP: 2nd FBurnett, 7th NTacey, 11th CMerlo, 12th NTacey, 16th JGray. December 1, Maffra Platemen’s stableford: Agrade: CRimington 38, Bgrade: NTacey 37,C grade:GHarvey38; DTL: GFlowers37, MNicholls 37,KAttard36, RWalker 36,PHawkins 36, D Mulcahy 35, CGell35, JGray35, DBurridge 34, CWaring 34, RMoreland 34, LVeenman 34, C Kerr 34, AJessup 34, PBuchanan 34, CMerlo 34; NTP: 2nd CWaring,7th RWilson,12th DBurridge, 16th RMoreland.

Heyfield golf

November 28, 12-hole stableford: Agrade: D Carter 28cb, runner-up AClyma 28;Bgrade: P Coleman 24cb, runner-up MCastles 24; NTP:3rd NInnes, 9th BMcilfatrick, 11th PGarrett November 29, 18-hole stableford: GKrutli 37; DTL: MMoore 33, KWestwood 32, AGirvan31cb; NTP: 18th GLobb.

Sale bridge

November 21: 1stL Robinson-J Sherrin, 2nd R Gault-H Gault, 3rdD Bennett-D D’Arcy, November 25, north-south: 1st LRobinson-J Sherrin, 2nd CZarb-AField, 3rdGLohr-RGraham; ea st-west: 1stCVan Lier-DHudson,2nd S Baldwin-R Ziffer,3rd DBraham-V Braham. November 27: 1st GLohr-RGraham, 2nd D Braham-V Braham, 3rdD Love-M Castle.

fromSaleFNC -amere105 kilometres east of Darnum.

Sale had just won the premiership, and the first player to tradethe Magpiesstipes for the Bombers sash was key forward David ‘Poison’ Ivey.

With Ivey making the move, he then started conversation with anumberofpremiership teammates about apotential move.

Needing to dangle asizeable carrot, the NilmaDarnum hierarchy teed up ameeting in the Rosedale Pub in the 2008 offseason with Sale premiership players Kane and Brenton Martin, league best-and-fairest winner Phil Harris and former GippslandLeague leading goal kicker Chris Aurisch.

The quartet eventually signed on the proviso Michael woulddefinitely be theirteammate for the 2009 season.

Most of the signings were orchestrated by the deep pockets of club president and mathematician Andrew ‘Pato’ Patterson.

“The Sale blokes wanted aguarantee that we had Mal Michael, we got his signaturethrough some connections we had when he played at Collingwood, and got Hutchy (AFL journalist and former Gippsland resident Craig Hutchison) to promote it,” Patterson explained.

With the Sale players signed, the president then undertook what was to go down in local football folklore.

Over the years the storyofthe legendary bet thatwas placedonNilma-Darnum to win the 2009 premiership has been passed on fromperson to person, although Patterson says it “has afair bit of mayo on it”.

“There was abookie up in Darwin that betted on Ellinbank and District games,” he said.

“Peoplesay the odds were 1000-to-one butit was moreinthe 20s or 30s, it was adecent win putitthatway.”

Nilma-Darnum waltzed through the competition that season, ending with a17win-one loss record and apercentage of 231.

Theteam won seven games by more than 100 points, including amammoth246-point win where it kicked 47 goals.

Suchwas the avalanche of goals Nilma-Darnum kicked most weeks, it was not unusual for games to finish as night fell close to 6pm.

As for the monopoly money, some players were reportedlypaid four-figure sums in cash after every game. It is understood one of the Sale recruits used their match payments to pay for ablock of land that became their first home.

In the years following the premiership, the Bombers’fall from grace was both dramatic and somewhat predictable.

From the 21 that played in the 2009 grand final, 14 left before the nextseason, and Nilma-Darnum crashed to finish second-last on the ladder in 2010. The Bombers plummeted even further the next season, collecting the wooden spoon with only one win to their name.

Since 2009,the seniorside hasonly returned to finals once.

With preseason now underway for clubs across Gippsland,and discussion surroundingsalarycaps in full voice,the Nilma-Darnum story perhaps offers atimely metaphor.

Former Sale coach to leadHillmen

Blake Metcalf-Holt

THE long journey to success starts with the first move.

As HillEnd Football-NetballClubmakesthe slow climb back to the top of the mountain, the Rovers announced their new senior coachfor 2025 with thearrival of Adrian Burns.

Both playing and coaching, Burns has awealth of footballexperience at his fingertips with time spent across Victoria and in NewSouth Wales including asix-year AFL stint in the early 1990s with Essendon and St Kilda.

While local clubsusually come about coach or player signings outside of the region forged from some sort of relationship or personal interaction, HillEnd came about Burns from adifferent method

Burnswas identified after the Rovers discovered his intentions to coach from Footy Recruits -an Australian Rules recruiting platform that connects clubs with potential players and coaches.

Able to easily get in contact using this tool, after conversationsdiscussing their developing list, Burns was keen to take the job on.

“The club contacted me, Ithought well, I’dliketo coach againand they’vegivenmethe opportunity, so Ithought I’d have acrack at it,” he said.

“I lovemyfooty and Ihaven’t coachedsenior football for awhile…they’ve (Hill End) got some good young players coming up through there and it would be good to work with them.”

Accustomed to the slogs that can take place and the unorthodox ovals, none more so than at Willow Grove Recreation Reserve, Burns has some grasp with prior time spent as playing-coach at Sale in the Gippsland League.

Burns coachedthe Magpies in 2002 and 2003, taking them to apreliminary final in the latter.

He said any ideas of agame style willhave to wait until he finds his feet at the Rovers.

“Once we start training and get into it (and) I get to know them, we’ll work out what our goals are,” Burns said.

Burns was drafted to Essendon in 1988 and entered during asuccessful period for the Bombers, rarely not seen at the top of the ladder.

Playinginanight premiershipand reserves premiership for Essendon, he rubbed shoulders with some of the best players seen in the game’s modern history.

“I got to play withsome prettychampion footballers, so that was abig highlight, whenIwas younger anyway,” he said.

Burns kicked two goals in the 1990 Foster’s Cup grand final (pre-season flag)against North Melbourne and the 1992 reservesflag produced the early workings of the following year’s Baby Bombers premiership run with James Hird, Dustin Fletcher and Joe Misiti to name but afew in the seconds line-up.

Selected for his firstgame against Geelongin round five 1990, Burns playedeight matches forEssendon, including the semi-final lossto Collingwood -thatyear’s eventual premier.

His semi-final was noted for the collision with Collingwood player and future St Kilda coach Alan Richardson, which resulted in Richardson missing the Magpies drought-breaking premiership.

“I don’t think there was much in it, maybe Alan Richardson was in the wrong spot at the wrong time,” he said.

“Bit disappointing for him, but that’s the way footy goes.”

Burnsstruggled withinjury through the next couple of seasons before he landed at Moorabbin, again playingwithsomeofthe stars of theera headlined by all-time AFL leading goal kicker Tony Lockett.

“PlayedwithPluggaLockett, Robert Harvey, Nathan Burke, Nicky Winmar and Rod Keogh, blokes like that… so Isupposed I’ve been real lucky in that manner to haveplayed with so many champion footballers,” he said.

Three-time AFL premiership player Mal Michael recently reflected on his time withNilma-Darnum.

Former Sale coach Adrian Burns (left) will coach Hill Endinthe Mid Gippsland FootballNetball League next season. Welcoming the appointment is Hill End official and club legend, Darren Kelly Photograph supplied

State triples completed

WHILE rain saw all Gippsland RegionBowls pennant matchescancelled on Saturday,the state men’s and women’s triples were completed at Heyfield the next day.

The men’s final was won by the West Sale trio of Brendan Addison, David Hogan,and Russell Lambourn over Paynesville’s Jack Sharman and Michael Better and Lindenow’s Peter Baylis, 16 shots to nine

The Lakes Entranceteam of Jo Martin, Marg Brandhoj and Julie Simpson won athrilling women’s triples final over Rhonda Sadovsky, Mar ge Nath an and Gly nis Bu geja fr om Paynesville.

Martin’s team was just ahead for most of the game until Sadovsky edged in front after scoring afive on the 16th end.

Asee-sawing battle then ensued which resulted in scores being level after 18 ends. In the extra end, Martin playedone of the shotsofthe day to turn around apotential two-shot losstoa three-shot victory, 18 to 15.

The winning team will represent the Gippsland regionatthe state championships in Bendigo next April.

Midweek pennant results:

Division one: Sale14-75dStratford0-31, Bairnsdale 11-61dHeyfield 3-58, Lakes Entrance 12-65 dMaffra 2-59, Paynesville 12-69 dHowitt Park 2-51; ladder: Lakes Entrance 76,Sale 60, Stratford56, Maffra 55 (+39 scoredifference), Paynesville 55 (-12), Heyfield 49, Bairnsdale 28, Howitt Park 13 Divisiontwo,north: Stratford14-70dWest Sale0-37 Maffra 14-77d Heyfield 0-40, Sale 210-53 dSale 3 4-50; ladder: Stratford89, Sale 274, Maffra 61,Sale 334, West Sale 32, Heyfield 4.

Division three, north: Maffra 48-40 dYarram 22-35, Maffra 310-52 dHeyfield 0-21, Sale 4vWest Sale (abandoned), Stratford8-36 dYarram12-29; ladder: Maffra 455, Sale 443, Yarram 140, Yarram 238, Maffra 335, Stratford26, Heyfield 24, West Sale 19

WGTA Christmas break-up

Artwork of recently retiredplayerRafael Nadal will be up for grabs.

Image: Contributed

SALE Tennis Club will host the Wellington Gippsland Tennis Association Christmas break-up on Saturday, December 14.

All senior teams from both sectionsare scheduled to play at Sale on that afternoon.

From 4.30pm there will be live music from Justin Rebecchi, who will playthrough to 7.30pm.

The club will have abarbecue, salads and some additional treats.

From6.30pm therewill be an auction of an artwork donated by Melissa Yap. This 50 by 100-centimetre rendition of tennis legend Rafael Nadal will be auctioned by Mark Elliman.

If you are aRafafan this is not to be missed. This one will go ‘straight to the poolroom’. There willbea lucky doorprize,the spinning wheelwillbeinoperation with meal vouchers, tennis racquets, amagnumofpremium red wine among the prizes.

Everyone is invited, including all WGTA junior and seniorplayers, night pennant players, former players and their families. The whole afternoon is free.

Ea gles advance to finals

MAF FRA ensu red its pla ce in the Count ry BasketballLeague men’s finals with a114-65win over Bairnsdale on Saturday night.

Finishing the regular season in fourth place, the Eagleswill takeonminor premier Pakenham away from home in the semi-finals this weekend.

At the CameronSportingComplex, the Eagles led Bairnsdale 37-15 at quarter-time before extending the margin to 43 by half-time on their waytoa 49-point victory.

Points were spreadacross the Maffra team, with Byron Sandeman scoring 19, Sam Whelan 17, ElijahBerry 16, PhoenixCox 15 and Marcus Cope 13. Bayley Croucher and Rex Hargreaves scored 20 each for the Bullets.

The Sale men ended their season with two losses.

At the Gippsland Grammar Garnsey Campus on Saturday night, the Sonics lost to finals-bound Warragul 127-24.

The Warriors got out to a3 8- 11 lead at

quarter-time and never lookedback. Thebright spotfor the Sonicswas in the finalterm, when they matched the visitors’ 26 points.

Tom Roberts top-scored for Sale with 15 points, while Ash Bell and Brett Hudson both scored 14. RileyMorehuand Kaden Gregg scored18each for the Warriors.

On Sunday,Salelost at Wonthaggi 104-81.

Vincent Monaghan scored32and Jenson Garnham 23 for the Coasters, while Roberts scored 27 and Jake Hutchins 21 for the Sonics.

THE Sale women’steam alsocompleted its season with two defeats.

The Sonics lost to minorpremier Warragul 77-53 on Saturday night. Sam Labros led all scorers, recording 25 points for the Warriors, while Mahli Stothers scored 12 for the Sonics.

On Sunday, Wonthaggi was too strong at home for Sale, winning123-30, with Grace McRae scoring 30, Tiarnie Ellingworth 25 and Ruby Morris 20.

Maddison Harle top-scored for Sale with 12 points. Maffrahad the bye, and finished in seventh place. Round nine results: Men’s: Korumburra 94-22 Bairnsdale, LakesEntrance 55-93 Traralgon, Moe 70-101 Morwell, Sale 74-127 Warragul, Maffra 114-65 Bairnsdale, Morwell 71-103 Pakenham, Wonthaggi 104-81Sale; ladder: Pakenham 28 (141 per cent), Traralgon28(135), Warragul 24 (137), Maffra 24 (107), Wonthaggi22, Korumburra 20, Moe 18,Morwell 16 (97), Lakes Entrance 16 (77),Sale 12 (73), Bairnsdale 12 (60).

Women’s: Moe 66-69 Morwell, Sale 53-77Warragul, Wonthaggi 123-30 Sale, Morwell 69-51Pakenham, Korumburra bye, Lakes Entrance bye, Maffra bye; ladder: Warragul 24, Korumburra 20 (149), Moe 20 (146), Morwell 18,Pakenham 16,Wonthaggi 14 (112), Maffra 14 (83),Sale 61,Lakes Entrance 8(34).

Rain for Yarram Show horse events

Stefan Bradley

THIS year’sYarramAgricultureShow(November 23 and 24) could not win with its weather. It was windy and cloudy, but still exceeded the mid-30 degree mark on the main Saturday show day at Yarram Recreation Reserve.

This was contrasted with amuch rainier day on the Sunday for the horse show at Won Wron Reserve. The competition ran from 9amand finished around 2.30pm.

“We had rain all day at the horse show. So you can’t win. But everyone managed and it was successful,” Yarram Agriculture Show committee secretary Michelle Boddy said.

“Everyone who turned up got wet but they had asmile on their face and enjoyed themselves.”

“Wehad some exceptional horses. Some of them qualified to compete at the Melbourne Show next year.”

Result highlights:

 Local Devon North rider Jenna Murphy had asuccessful show winning ridden hack, champion small hack and champion local ridden exhibit with Shootist 11 and reserve champion intermediate rider.

 Champion Australian miniature pony went to Heath Boulton with Grassdale SS Bentley.

 Supreme champion led Shetland was awarded to Sunny Caffrey with Daniel Park Heirloom.

 Champion led Australian stock horse was awarded to Yarram local Narelle McLeod and

Versaces

McGuiganwith SmokinHoakes.



Catherine Winters with horse

Expression.

Rain did not deter riders or the judges during the wetYarram

Photo: Deb Lucas

Johanna Reakes from Devon North with her prize-winning Highland Pony SenlacSupreme.

Photo: Contributed

Woodside’s Elizabeth Bruns competing at the Yarram Horseevent which washeld on Sunday.

Photo: Deb Lucas

her mare Strathroy Ivy.

Champion ridden Australian stock horse:

AA CC

 Champion working Australian stock horse: Rob King from Woodside with Raffles.  Supreme champion led pony: Primrose Park Tik Tok, owned and shown by Marice Paine. High Point and Reserve winners in the HRCAV ring. From left: High Point Champion Elenor Logan with

Destiny,judgeAlexandra Diprose, and Reserve ChampionHighPoint Dimphia

Photo: Contributed

Quick Singles

Vic finish third

VICTORIA finished third in division one at the national over 40s championships in Perth last week.

Bundalaguah’s Steve Spoljaricwas amember of the Vics team, and recorded two important knocks

On day one,Victoria was defeated by South Australia, with Spoljaric taking two wickets. Victorialifted on day two, outclassing New SouthWales.Spoljaric scored 23 and claimed four wickets.

After taking awicket, Spoljaric scored an unbeaten 102 to guide Victoria to victory over Western Australia Karrak to finish second in its group behind SA.

In aplay-off for third place against WA Waalitj, Spoljaric scored 97 to help the Vic cruise to victory.

Drawin2nd

XI match

ARAIN-affected second XI game between Victoria and Tasmania last weekend ended in adraw. Sentinto bat in Launceston,Tasmaniadeclared its innings closed on 9-396,with Briagolong’s Austin Anlezark bowling 14 overs for Victoria for figures of 0-89.

Anlezark made agolden duck as Victoriawas all out for 168 andasked to batasecond time. The visitors were 4-124 by the time the end of the match was called.

GCL continues

THE Sale-Maffraseniorteam willplay Latrobe Valley in the Gippsland CricketLeaguethis Sunday.

Unbeaten in two matches,victory will put the Sharks in prime position to make the final, while their opponents will just want to play, after their previoustwo matches wereabandoned because of rain.

TheSale-Maffra women, who are also unbeaten this season, will host Leongatha at Bundalaguah.

Bruce an emergency

ROSEDALE-KILMANY’S Kirrily Bruce was named as an emergency in the Victorian women’s teamtocompete at the Australian Country Cricket Championshipsinthe Barossa Valley,South Australia, next month.

Latrobe Valleyplayers Erica Kershaw and Stacy Rockliff were named in the 14-player squad, which willbemanage by anotherLatrobe Valley local, Kristen Webber.

Glengarry and Latrobe Valley captain Nat Freitag as well as Phillip Island’s Daniel Mock were included in the Victorian men’s squad.

Glory for Gades

THERE was abit of Gippsland in the Melbourne Renegades’ Women’s Big Bash Leaguechampionship-winning side.

The Renegades are captained by Bairnsdale’s Sophie Molineux,while Nicole Fultum from Morwell was wicket-keeper. Both had aminimal impact with the bat, but Molinuex claimed the key wicket of Georgia Redmayne.

After finishing the previous season on the bottom of the ladder, the Renegades claimed this season’s titlewithvictoryoverthe Brisbane Heatinarainshortened grand final at the MCG.

Young Pride picks

NINE players from Wellington Shire clubs have been selected in Gippsland Pride squads for the under15Cricket Victoria Country Cup.

Isabella Spoljaric (Longford), MaddieWinter (Bundalaguah) and Zoe Hustwayte (Yarram)were named in the girls’ squad, while Josh Duffield (Sale), Patrick Horan (Bundalaguah), Campbell Moncrieff(Bundalaguah), Macauley Pendergast (Stratford), Blake Rowley(Maffra) and Oliver Simpson (Meerlieu) are in the boys’.

BothPride sides begantheircampaignswith losses to the North East Knights at Casey Fields on Sunday.

The girls lost by seven runs despite an unbeaten 66 from Winter.

In the boys’match, Pendergast scored 43 and Rowley 42 not out, but the Pride’s inability to get wickets saw it lose arain-affected match via a Duckworth-Lewis-Stern calculation.

The competitions will resume the week of December 16, with the girls playing in Hamilton and boys in in the Albury-Wodonga region.

Wash-out

MEERLIEUand Lucknow drew their Bairnsdale Cricket Association match, after play on Saturday was abandoned because of rain with aballbeing bowled.

In fourth place on the ladder, the Tussocks will beginatwo-day away match this Saturday against second-placed Lakes Entrance.

Weather unkind

THE weather has not been kind to veterans cricket recently.

The Gippsland Goannas’ games the previous two Sundays as wellasyesterdayhaveall been postponed or cancelled becauseofthe theweather Goannas over 70 players have returned from the national championships in Dubbo, with awin in division one and runner-upfinish in each divisions one and two.

There are several Goannas participating in the first nationalover55championshipsinCanberra

The next Goannas games are scheduled for this Sunday, with the over50s teamplaying South-East Veterans at Glengarry, and the over 60s playing away against East Doncaster.

The Goannas will have asocial event at Blue GablesVineyard near Maffra on Friday, December 13, from 4pm, while training will continue at Duncan Cameron Reserve, Traralgon, today from 4.30pm, followed by ameal at theTraralgon Bowls Club.

Young amajor contributor at Wurruk CC

ROBERT Young is the latest legend to be honoured with atribute round as part of the Sale-Maffra Cricket Association’s 75th second celebrations. Young began his cricketingjourney in the1960s at Boisdale, Tinamba and Rosedale-Kilmany before joining the newly-formed Wurruk Cricket Club in 1979.

Robbie, as he is affectionately known, played more than 600 games of club cricket in the SaleMaffraCricket Associationand continued playing up until this season before becoming ill.

All clubs rely on ‘that player’ that you can call upon to lead the team, plug agap, take charge of agame -Robbie was that player.

Always present at any event,you could find Robbie supporting by the sidelines, buying abox of beer for the lads or teaching ajunior the right way to hold abat.

Robbie is astalwart of the club, always willing to take on any role that would help support the clubs success includingvice-president, treasurer, grade captain and 30 years on the general committee. He found his true calling when taking on the groundsmanrole in 2001,arole he held until 2023-24 season.

You could always find Robbie on his mower, maintaining the picturesque grounds to the highest standard.

The hill is considered the ‘Robbie Young Hill’ as it was he who crafted it with abackhoe in the 1980s of which many aplayer wished wasn’t quite as steep.

Robbie won many on field accolades in his career, being the leading run scoring in seven seasons and captaining three teams to grand finals.

Robbie holds four partnership records at Wurruk and ahigh score of 153 ranks him in the top 10. Perhaps it was off field where Robbie was most valued though,being awarded life membership in 1996 to go along with his fourbest clubman awards. Robbie went on to be awarded the first ‘Club Legend’ award in 2018 and in 2022 he was recognised for 50 years of service to cricket by Cricket Victoria.

Robbie’s commitment to junior development and the future of the clubled to the RobbieYoung Junior Encouragement Award being awarded each year to the junior player that showed the most effortand determination to improve during theseason.

On Saturday, Sale will host Maffra, with the Eagles lookingtoreplace the Swans in thetop four, Longford will hostYarram, Collegians heads to the hills to meet an in-formBoisdale-Briagolong, and Rosedale-Kilmany travels to Bundalaguah. Stratford will have the bye.

WurrukCricket Club life member Robert Young.

Photo: Contributed

Warriorsincrease T20 lead

David Braithwaite

 ROSEDALE-Kilmany last week extended its lead on top of the SMCA Saputo women's T20 ladder with aclose victory over second-placed Bundalaguah.

After the win, the Warriorswere nine points ahead of the Bulls, who tasted defeated for the first time this season last Tuesday night. Rain during the day didn't stop round six going ahead.

Sent into bat at Rosedale, Bundalaguah scored 5-87 from its 20 overs, with Megen Wrigglesworth retiring on 26 and Maddie Winter scoring 17. Olivia Speairs wasthe bestofthe Warriors' bowlers, taking 3-15from her four overs. TheBulls' innings ended with Speairs affecting arun-out then taking awicket with the final two balls. Speairs then starred withthe bat, retiring on 25 as the Warriors passed the Bulls' total with two balls to spare for the loss of three wickets Connie Rowley scored the winning runs to finish unbeaten on 18.

 COLLEGIANS replaced Stratford in fourth place with victory over Redbacks.

Thevisitors scored 4-89 with captain Tamara Hall retiring on 25 and Renee Potts scoring 19. Beth Goodsell took the economic figures of 4-4 from four overs as Stratford was restricted to 7-45 from its 20 overs. Kylie Gault top-scored with 19.

 BOISDALE-BRIAGOLONG recorded its first ever win in the women's competition, defeating Maffra.

Sent into bat at home, Maffra made 8-77 with captain Olivia Potter unbeaten on 24. Nicola Thatcher and Brittany Tancredboth claimed two wickets for the Saints.

Boisdale-Briagolong was rarely troubled in its reply, losing one wicket to pass the Eagles' total in the 18th over. Christine Wilder retired on 25, while Allana Gillbee was 24 not out.

 LONGFORD had the bye.

 THE competition continued last night, with Collegians at home against Maffra, BoisdaleBriagolong hosting Rosedale-Kilmany and Longford playing at Bundalaguah. Stratford had the bye.

Next Tuesday, Stratford will host BoisdaleBriagolong, Bundalaguah travels to Maffra and Rosedale-Kilmany will play Longford at home. Collegians will have the bye.

Sale overcomes Longford

SALE-MAFFR ACRICKET ASSOCIATION

ABOWLING BDurrant 7-0-37-0, MHinks 8-2-28-3, AKuizenga 3-0-19-0, LHopkins 0.1-0-1-0, JHawkins 5-0-24-0, JDavis 2-1-4-0, S Pendergast 6-1-19-0, JBeaumont 4-1-11-0

BOISDALE-BRIAGOLONG VBUNDALAGUAH at Briagolong Recreation Reserve

BOISDALE-BRIAGOLONG BATT ING

ABurgiel cBDowsett bHAnderson. 4

LBolton cSBedggood bL Wriggleswor th 19

SNoble bL Wriggleswor th 13

SDiBar tolomeo cHAnderson bSBedggood 20

DBolton cBDowsett bSSpoljaric 76

MFernando cN French bHAnderson. 37

LHurst run out NFrench, SSpoljaric 0

MFreeman cN French bHAnderson 1

JOuthart not out 7

MAnnear cBDowsett bSSpoljaric 6

NSutton cJReadbN French 1 Sundries (0b 1lb 6w 1nb) 8 TOTAL 10 wickets for192 (40 overs)

BUNDAL AG UAHBOW LING

NFrench 4-0-25-1, HAnderson 8-0-52-3, BDowsett 4-0-31-0, S Bedggood 8-0-39-1, SSpoljaric 8-1-24-2, LWriggleswor th 8-1-20-2

BUNDALAGUAH BATT ING

JLangshawbMAnnear 0 JRead cL Hurst bSDiBar tolomeo 3

KO’Reilly

Swans book spot in T20 semi-finals

David Braithwaite

THE semi-finalsofthe SMCA Sporting Legends men’s T20 are scheduled for next Monday.

After being delayed by last week’s wet weather, the final round of pool matchesisbeingplayed this week.

In the only match completed before publication, Sale booked its spot in the semi-finalswith victory over Maffra on Monday night.

Playing at the Cameron SportingComplex, Maffra scored 8-133 from its 20 overs, with captain Matt Hinks making 39 from 22 balls, Nick Wozniak 23 from 17 and Ben Sly 22 from 12. Connor Mitchell, John Mayman and AnthonyScott each claimed two wickets for the visiting Swans.

Mitchell backed up hiseffortswiththe ballby smashing 82 runs from58balls faced, as the Swans passedthe Eagles’ total with two balls and four wickets to spare. Hinks and Jim Beaumont both took two wickets for the home side.

The result knocked Maffra out of finals contention, but also means Boisdale-Briagolong cannot be dislodged from the top two positions in pool two and will join theSwans in thefinals. Tonight, the Saints will host Longford, which cannot make the finals. Aheadofthe finalmatches, all four teams in pool one were achancetomakethe finals. Second in the pool, Rosedale-Kilmany will tonight host Bundalaguah, whichisunbeatenafter two rounds, while Stratfordwillbeaway againstCollegians, which needs to win and hope for aBundy victory to keep its finals hopes alive.

ONE-DAY GAMES

Longford’s MitchMcMaster works theballtothe legside during his innings of 44.

Photos: David Braithwaite

Sale wicketkeeper Daniel Padulagathers alegside delivery after Longford’s SamDean unsuccessfullytriestohit the ball.

Sale captain CoenieNel claimed awicket

US scholarship for Grammar rower

GIPPSLAND Grammar rower Ella Gerrand has received aprestigious rowing scholarship from the University of Alabama.

Ms Gerrand has been apassionate member of the school’s rowingteam since 2019, when she was in year seven.

Sincethen, Gerrand has dominated the sport with her most recent achievements including winning this year’s Head of Schoolgirls Regatta in Geelong in the division one quad and breaking the Australian record for rowing amarathondistance (42 kilometres) on arowing machine, alongside fellowGippsland Grammar student April Harrison.

Gerrandisalsoatwo-time stateteam rower, was the Victorian schoolgirl single scull champion last year and was Gippsland Grammar’s rowing captain this year, while completing year 12.

The college scholarship was announced on Friday, November 29, via the University of Alabama’s Rowing Instagram page.

Gippsland Grammar head of rowingNick Bartlett said Gerrand’s scholarship was well-deserved.

“She hasalways steppedupabove her year level to race with older girls and in the last two years she has also been afantastic leader to our younger rowers and helped them step up,” Bartlett said.

“And Ella’s results and performances speak for themselves; they are some of the best we’ve ever had from afemale rower of the school.”

Gerrand’s impressive results first put her on the radar of the University of Alabama, from there she was interviewed before being flown to the US late this year to visit the university.

In the official announcement about the scholarship,Gerrandsaid she chosetorow at Alabama because of the culture she saw on her visit.

“The whole team got along, but were also competitiveand pushedeach othertobebetter. I’m so excited for where this opportunity will take me,” she said.

Gerrand follows in the footsteps of former Gippsland Grammar student Billy Osborne,who is currently studying at the University of Washington in Seattle, also on arowing scholarship.

Bartlett said the legacy of these two international rowing scholarships was to show the school’s upand-coming rowers what was possible.

“All of our rowers are really happyfor Ella, she’s shown them this is apathway they can follow. It’s shown the students they can do it too,” he said.

Gerrand compete di nher final event as a

Wellington tennis wa shed-out

LIKE many outdoor sports, the Wellington Gippsland Tennis Association abandoned its round of matches on Saturday because of rain. The season will resume, weather permitting, this Saturday with two rounds to play before the Christmas-new year break.

After that, play will return on February 1, with an additional four rounds to be played before finals.

WGTA ladders

Senior:

Section one: Sale York 54.5, Maffra CSC 48, Longford39, Stratford37.5, Maffra Bendigo 36.5, Sale Dahlsens 15.5.

Section two: Stratford51,

four: Stratford50, Maffra 36, Sale Ashwood 35,

Gippsland Grammar student at the weekend, the Radford Regatta in Canberra. She will row in the Bgrade women’s single event and alongside her sister,year eight student Jessica, in the Cgrade women’s double.

Gippsland Grammar was the first school east of Melbourne to establish arowing program in the 1960s, with the team competing in annual regattas in Geelong, Nagambie, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Ballarat.

Former Grammar student Paige Barr competed at this year’s Paris Olympics as part of Australia’s women’s eight, which narrowly missed out on a medal.

Bairnsdale26, Sale Lazzaro24, Briagolong 19,Sale Turnbull 16

Section five: Stratford44, Bairnsdale Barty 35, Bairnsdale Saville 31,Bairnsdale Tomljanovic 25, Maffra Deuce 24, Maffra

Maffra 36, Heyfield 30, Longford24, Bairnsdale 6.

33.5, Nambrok 27.5, Stratford25, Maffra Volleys 24.5, Bairnsdale O’Connell 24, Longford23, Bairnsdale Kyrgios 21.5, Sale Payless 20.5, Briagolong 12.5.

Ella Gerrand, pictured at this year’s Head of the Schoolgirl RegattainGeelong, has received arowing scholarship from the University of Alabama. Photo: Contributed

Must angs couldn’t be reined in

MUSTANGShad aconvincingsix tries to two victory over ShredZeppelin in last Wednesday night’s Sale touch football grand final.

Alex Rennex scored the first try in the opening minutes of the game for the Mustangs. ShredZeppelin’s Chaz Pucko played agreat defensive game when he touched EmilyMcGovern, stoppingher from making acertain try for the Mustangs.

Siebel was at his best when he made adummy pass going on to score his only try of the night. In the confusion that followed, Shred player James Brennan inadvertentlypassedthe ball to hisopponent. Lucy Hannahmadeatouch on her opponent, saving aMustangstry.

At half-timeMustangsled with 2-1 beforethey added four triestoone in thesecondhalf.

Brennan scored two tries for Mustangs in the opening minutes of the second half.

Lachlan Unsworthplayed agreat gamewith tremendous footwork when he side stepped several players then went on to score atry.

Michael Sullivan scored Shred's only second half score when he displayed his agility in moving around several Mustang players.

McGovern scored alateinthe game from aSiebel pass.

Best player swer eBrennan, Sieb el, Gavin O’Sh ana ssy, Jes si ca Mc Go ve rn and Em ily McGovern.

Brennan top scored with two tries for the Must ang s; McGove rn, Renn ex, Siebe la nd Unsworth each scored one.

Sean Rogers and Michael Sullivan scored the Shred Zeppelin tries.

End of season presentations were made after the grand final with Porky’s Cam Stuart given the male best-and-fairest award with 13 votes, finishing ahead of Zac Pattison (Mustangs) on 11

Ellie Roache and Brodie Towers won the female andmale try-scoringawards respectively

and Brodie Towers (Porky’s) 10. Mustangs'Zoe Curran won the femalebestand-fairest award with nine votes. Ali Falconer (Phoenix) and Ellie Roach (Porky’s) received seven votes each, and Lexi Falconer (Phoenix) six.

The male try scoring was won by Brodie Towers (Porky’s) on 27 ahead of Chaz Pucko (Shred Zeppelin) 22 and Zac Pattison (Mustangs) 17. Roache won the female try scoring award with 11. Mia van de Vyver(Porky’s) scored 10, while Phoenix's Lexi Falconer and Ali Falconer scored seven and six respectively.

Jai Hall won the encouragement award.

Local rivals to start EGFNLseason

LOCAL rivals Boisdale-Briagolong and Stratford will again clash in the opening round of the East Gippsland Football-Netball League season next year. The EGFNL last week released its fixture, with the season to begin Saturday, April 12. Boisdale-Briagolong will unfurl its senior football premiership flag before the home game against Stratford.

The rest of the opening round will see Lucknow hosting Lakes Entrance and Orbost-Snowy Rovers at home against Paynesville, with the

Blues to unfurl their Agrade netballpremiership flag.

Lindenow and Wy Yung will sit out the opening round with the bye. It will be one of four rounds in which two teams will have abye. Still on the subject of breaks, teams that play in round one will get to rest with no matches over the Easter weekend, April 18-21.

Local footy fans will have to wait until round eight,June14, forthe firstrematch of thisyear’s football grandfinal between Boisdale-Briagolong and Lucknow at Boisdale.

Netball premier Orbost-Snowy Rovers and

Lucknow will meet for the first time since the grandfinalinround seven on May 31, the weekend before the King’s Birthdaylong weekend, which will be aleague-wide bye.

Athird league-wide bye is scheduledfor July12.

Seventeen roundsare scheduled with teams to play 16 games each. Teams will play each six teams twice and two others three times.

The semi-finals will be played August 30 and 31, with preliminary final day September 6and grand final day September 13, the same day as North Gippsland’s premiership play-offs.

EGFNL 2025 fixture

Round one, April 12: Boisdale-Briagolong v Stratford, Lucknow vLakes Entrance, Orbost-Snowy RoversvPaynesville, Lindenow bye, Wy Yung bye. Easter weekend, April 18-21-general bye.

Round two, April 26 (AnzacDay): Lakes Entrance vBoisdale-Briagolong, StratfordvLindenow, Wy Yung vOrbost-SnowyRovers, Paynesvillev Lucknow

Round three, May3: Boisdale-Briagolong v Paynesville, Lucknow vWyYung, Orbost-Snowy RoversvLindenow,Lakes Entrance bye, Stratford bye.

Round four,May 10: Lindenow vWyYung, Paynesville vLakes Entrance, StratfordvOrbostSnowyRovers, Boisdale-Briagolong bye, Lucknow bye.

Round five, May17: Lakes Entrance vStratford, Lindenow vLucknow,WyYung vBoisdaleBriagolong, Orbost-SnowyRoversbye,Paynesville bye.

Round six, May24: Boisdale-Briagolong v Lindenow,Lakes Entrance vWyYung, Lucknow v

Orbost-SnowyRovers, PaynesvillevStratford.

Round seven, May31: Lindenow vLakes Entrance, Orbost-SnowyRoversvBoisdaleBriagolong, StratfordvLucknow,WyYung v Paynesville.

King's Birthday weekend, June 7-9 -general bye.

Round eight,June 14: Boisdale-Briagolong v Lucknow,Lakes Entrance vOrbost-SnowyRovers, PaynesvillevLindenow,WyYung vStratford.

Round nine, June 21: Boisdale-Briagolong v Lakes Entrance, Lindenow vStratford, Lucknow v Paynesville, Orbost-SnowyRoversvWyYung.

Round 10,June 28: Lakes Entrance vLucknow, Paynesville vOrbost-SnowyRovers, Stratfordv Boisdale-Briagolong, Wy Yung vLindenow

Round 11,July 5: Boisdale-Briagolong vWyYung, Lakes Entrance vPaynesville, Lucknow vLindenow, Orbost-SnowyRoversvStratford.

July 12 -general bye.

Round 12,July 19: Lindenow vOrbost-Snowy

Rovers, PaynesvillevBoisdale-Briagolong, Stratford vLakes Entrance, Wy Yung vLucknow

Round 13,July 26: Lindenow vBoisdaleBriagolong, Orbost-Snowyv Lucknow,Stratfordv Paynesville, Wy Yung vLakes Entrance.

Round 14,August 2: Boisdale-Briagolong v Orbost-SnowyRovers, Lakes Entrance vLindenow, Lucknow vStratford, PaynesvillevWyYung.

Ronnd 15,August 9: Lindenow vPaynesville, LucknowvBoisdale-Briagolong, Orbost-Snowy RoversvLakes Entrance, StratfordvWyYung.

Round 16,August 16: Lakes Entrance vBoisdaleBriagolong, PaynesvillevLucknow,Stratfordv Lindenow,WyYung vOrbost-SnowyRovers.

Round 17,August 23: Boisdale-Briagolong v Stratford, Lindenow vWyYung, Lucknow vLakes Entrance, Orbost-SnowyRoversvPaynesville.

Second semi-final, August 30.

First semi-final, August 31

Preliminary final, September 6. Grand final, September 13

Cougars sign Furphy

 Ben Johnson will coach Woodside in the defence of its North Gippsland football premiership next season. Johnson played with the Wildcats in theirrun to the 2024 premiershipand assisted senior coach Mick Stockdale as backline coach.

Stockdale will remain at the Wildcats in aplaying capacity, while also assisting Johnson.

 Meanwhile, Dale Furphy will coach Churchill next North Gippsland season. Furphy began his football journey in the Murray Football League, where he made aname for himself by winning both club and league best-and-fairestawards. He also played schoolboys football for Assumption College and wasselected for the Murray Bushrangers squad.

Furphy played at Trinity Grammar, Echuca, Mirboo North and Townsville, where he won apremiership.

In rec ent ye ars ,F ur phy wa st he reserves coach and senior assistant coach at Meeniyan-Dumbalk United,wherehe playedaroleindevelopingits younger players.

Furphy takesoverfromJordan Fenech, who coached the Cougars' seniors the past three seasons.

Sale touch premier Mustangs, (back row, from left)AlexRennex, Emily McGovern, Leah Ward,

Corey Siebel,Gavin O’Shanassy,L achlan Unsworth, JamesBailey, (front) Jessica McGovern and Elijah Siebel.

Photos:Contributed

Action st arts, eventually

David Braithwaite

RAIN was amajor player in round seven of SaleMaffra cricket.

Scheduled to be atwo-day round, Saturday’s play in first grade was abandoned the night before with matches to be completed as one-dayers. Rain leading up to and during Saturday also saw play across all grades abandoned.

In first grade on Sunday,Sale, Rosedale-Kilmany and Boisdale-Briagolong were victorious, while play wasn’t possible in the match between Yarram and Stratford. Collegianshad little to worry about, as it had the bye.

The weekend’sthree winners are only separated on quotient, 12 points behind top side Stratford.

 AN unbeaten century from Matt Raidal helped Sale end arun of two-losses with victory over Longford to return to the top four. Asked to bat first at Sale Oval, Longford made apromising start, with openers Jordan Price and Oliver Parncutt gettingthe run flowing.Pricewas the first to go, dismissed for 22 from 17 balls. ConnorHughes joined Parncutt in the middleand were threatening to build abig partnership. That

changed in the 10th over,when Hughes wasrun-out for 12 and Parncutt was caught off the bowling of Jason Shingles for 20, leaving the Lizards 3-60. Mitch McMaster and Sam Dean then steadied the innings,adding 50 for the fourth wicket before Dean wastrapped leg before wicket by Ben Jones for 19. In the same over, Jones bowled Nick Walker for two, with the visitors 5-112 from 28 overs.

McMaster stayed around before Raidaldismissed him LBW for 44 before the Lizards finished their 40 overs on 8-167.

Jones was the Swans’ onlymultiple wicket-taker, claiming 3-24 from eight overs.

Sale had an early stumble in its innings, losing Jones, Lucas Mowat and Raaghave Sudan within three runs of each other to be 3-23, but then captain Coenie Nel was joined by Raidal,with the pair adding 110 runs.

When Nel was out LBW to Hughes for 35, the Swans were 4-133 at the start of the 28th over.

While Sale lost another wicket, Raidal then led the way to ensure the Swans got the win with 20 ballsand fivewickets to spare. Raidal was unbeaten on 100 from 96 balls.

Hugheswas the best of the Longford bowlers, taking 2-18 from eight overs.

 ROSEDALE-Kilmany moved into second place on the ladder with victory at home over Maffra.

Sent into bat, thevisiting Eagleswere bowled out for 142, atotal the Warriors passed in their 36th over with seven wickets in hand.

Chris Lawrencewas giving Maffraa positive start until Jay Diamond ran him out for 36.

Matt Hinks was steady, with his 73-ball stay ending when Thomas Love disturbed the timber, out for 26.

JoshRurawhewas aggressive self, hitting34from 29 balls, but became the first of Rohan Diamond’s three wickets.Atthis stage, the Eagles were 7-128, with the tail adding 14 runs before the side was allout in the final over.

Rohan Diamond finished with 3-33,and Love 2-13 from eight overs.

Rohan was then the aggressor in the Warriors’ innings and Michael Walters was the rock, as the pair put on 103 for the third wicket. Rohan scored 75 from 78 balls, while Walters was unbeaten on 52.

Hinks claimed all three RK wickets, finishing his eight overs on 3-38.

Thelosssaw the Eagles fall from second place on theladder to fifth.

 BOISDALE-BRIAGOLONG posted abig win over Bundalaguah. The Saints were sent into bat, and were 4-78 in their 22nd over before the runs flowed. Dylan Bolton and Madupa Fernando added 94 runs before the latter was caught of Hamish Anderson’sbowling for 37 from 38 balls.

Bolton ensured the Saints set achallenging target for the Bulls, scoring76from 73 as the team finished on 192.

Anderson claimedthreewickets for the Bulls, whileLachlan Wrigglesworth and SteveSpoljaric, not long after returning from Perth after playing in the national over 40s championships, both took two. Bundalaguah’s cause was not helped whenMason Annear bowled captain Jason Langshaw with the first ball of the innings. The wickets kept coming as the Bulls were reduced to 6-25 with Stefano Di Bartolomeo taking three wickets on his wayto figures of 2-12.

Wrigglesworth made 25 as the visitors were bowled out for 73. Annearand Fernando each claimed two wickets.

After taking a wicket, Matt Raidal scored an unbeaten century to help Sale defeat Longford

Photo: David Braithwaite