Latrobe Valley Express Tuesday 30 December 2025

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IN R A E Y A

W E I V E R

It’s been another huge year in news.

From federal elections to a worldwide murder trial playing out on our doorstep, the Express (celebrating its 60th year), has again brought all the big stories to readers.

In the final issue for 2025, we take a look back at some of the major headlines from the last 12 months.

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A YEAR IN

REVIEW

Some of 2025’s biggest stories

ANOTHER busy year in news ensured the Express had little trouble filling pages each week.

Energy was once again a hot topic, while the federal election dominated public consciousness in the first half of 2025.

State politicians made their presence felt, as did those at Latrobe City Council, in what was the first year of the new council term.

At ground level, a few stories fired up the natives, particularly the Emergency Services Volunteer Levy, and then-mayor Dale Harriman's (possibly ill-fated) tour of the UK. This year also brought to an end at least one saga that had been the bane of locals for decades, with the derelict Baw Baw pub finally demolished.

The region welcomed some huge events, notably the national Lions conference, as well as major sporting teams coming down to entertain fans.

Of course, the biggest story of the year was the Erin Patterson trial, which has been given standalone coverage in this issue.

Crime, and very high crime at that, became an unfortunate normalisation in the Valley. The government introduced new bail laws and banned machetes, yet tragically, locals still suffered at the hands of criminals.

The government also introduced trains every 40 minutes on the Gippsland Line, following extensive works across June to August, although disruptions are still frequent and coaches still replace trains.

The Express was proud to bring readers these stories, in what was the paper's 60th anniversary.

It was also five years since the COVID outbreak.

Time certainly flies.

Here is a look back at some of the biggest stories from 2025.

Our hero Harry (February)

THE community was left in total shock after discovering beloved elderly Morwell resident Harry Wright (91) was found dead in his home.

Mr Wright’s death is under suspicious circumstances, after police found 42-year-old Moses Alith with Mr Wright’s belongings nearby.

According to his daughters, Mr Wright took time to get to know all of his neighbours and loved to walk his dogs twice a day.

In his younger days, before retirement, Mr Wright was The Morwell Club Manager. After finishing up at The Morwell Club, he volunteered at the Morwell Bowling Club for 25 years, where he “manned the door” twice a week.

Ms America talks nuclear (February)

THE Nuclear for Australia roadshow made its way to the Latrobe Valley, with more than 200 people cramming into the function centre at the Italian Australian Club.

The panel discussion was headlined by former Miss America and nuclear engineer Grace Stanke.

Ms Stanke spoke for around half-an-hour,

detailing her career and attempting to spell out some misconceptions surrounding a possible nuclear future for the Latrobe Valley.

Cricket's big bash (March)

IN scarcely believable scenes at Traralgon’s Duncan Cameron Reserve, the A Grade match between Gormandale and Rovers was brought to a halt after a near all-in brawl erupted.

All hell broke loose in the 43rd over of Rovers’ innings, when players from both sides became engaged in the scuffle.

With the majority of local cricket nowadays live streamed, the fight was broadcast in plain sight.

Vision quickly circulated online, and was even picked up by national cricket broadcaster Fox Cricket.

The main perpetrator, who headbutted a Rovers batsmen, was handed a 10-year ban.

New bail laws (March)

PREMIER Jacinta Allan, Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny, and Minster for Police Anthony Carbines announced the new ‘Tough Bail Bill’.

The state government introduced the Tough Bail Bill into Parliament, while also making machetes prohibited weapons, with exemptions available for legitimate use, in an attempt to crack down on knife crime.

“I have listened and I have acted. The tough bail laws will jolt the system: community safety above all, toughest bail laws ever, and consequences for breaking the rules,” Premier Allan said.

Mayor's European venture (April)

FOLLOWING huge public backlash, Latrobe City Mayor, Dale Harriman confirmed he would pay his own way to Europe to join the Traralgon City Band on its tour of remembrance.

Councillors were split 4-all at council’s monthly meeting, after an urgent business motion was put forward to allocate $9500 for the Mayor to travel overseas.

The court of public opinion came down hard on the decision, calling it a junket with no tangible benefits to the Latrobe Valley.

Nonetheless, Cr Harriman maintained the journey was worthwhile, especially given plans were in place to speak to coal county towns in northern England undergoing transition similar to what will likely be experienced in the Valley.

The Mayor also hoped to extend an invitation to the Danish Royal Family while he was over there to visit Latrobe.

Celebrating Churchill (April)

CHURCHILL commemorated its 60th anniversary this year.

Purpose-built to house SEC workers in 1965, Churchill is now an established and key part of the Latrobe Valley, with a vibrant and thriving population, that has grown to house more than 1000 families.

Over the years, the town has grown exponentially, with the 2021 census totalling nearly 5000, very different from the Victorian Housing Commissions initial accommodating plans for the power industry 60 years ago.

Churchill was originally named Hazelwood (a name which instead now applies to much of the surrounding area).

this year’s (centre) won the seat of Monash at New sheriff in town: Mary Aldred y, following a near month-long preference federal election for the Liberal Part ed into a firestorm, with the Nationals breaking distribution. The new member walk election. from the Coalition not long after the

Fe ed deral election ((May) y)

DARREN Chester retained his seat in Gippsland for The Nationals.

The Monash count however became a long, drawn out saga, eventually won by Liberal candidate Mary Aldred following nearly five weeks of preference sorting.

While Gippsland is one of the safest Nationals seats in the country, Monash was hotly contested due to incumbent Russell Broadbent losing Liberal preselection, and Teal independent Deb Leonard receiving more than $1 million in funding from Climate 200. The Monash boundary was also changed to take in Moe, a traditional Labor stronghold.

Labor won the keys to The Lodge in a landslide, with Antony Albanese getting the numbers up in little more than an hour after polls closed against Peter Dutton.

Dutton also lost his own seat, forcing his resigning as leader of the Liberal Party. Sussan Ley was later elected, becoming the first woman to lead the Coalition.

Vale Simon Lund (May)

TRIBUTES flowed for local CFA champion, Simon Lund.

Mr Lund was an enormous figure within the Country Fire Authority for close to 30 years.

Starting as a volunteer firefighter with CFA, he spent 25 years as a CFA employee, working as a senior technical field officer. He worked at many

major incidents, including g the Black Saturday y an nd Black Summer bushfires, bushfires as well as the Hazlewood Hazlewo Mine fire.

The husband of Latrobe City Councillor Tracie Lund, she understandably took extended leave from official duties this year.

Ms Lund has passionately advocated for changes to the state's presumptive legislation since her husband's cancer diagnosis.

Under current law, his role with the CFA wasn't recognised, meaning any claims for compensation were excluded.

Tale of two pubs (May)

CHURCHILL'S pub burnt down in suspicious circumstances, while the infamous Baw Baw Hotel in Moe was finally demolished.

The Baw Baw, which stood as a derelict building for close to 20 years, drew the ire of Moe residents, becoming a hang-out for anti-social and criminal behaviour.

It will make way for a new Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) station, which was promised by the state government on the eve of the 2022 state election.

ESVF protest (May)

PEOPLE took to Commercial Road, Morwell to protest against the recently instated Emergency Services Volunteers Fund.

The march began outside the Morwell office of state government frontbencher Harriet Shing.

Close to 150 people including farmers, volunteer

Death of Pope Francis (April)

Jury’s out: The state government introduced a ban on machetes in March, with an amnesty period following. Peopel could surrender machetes via bins, which caused much derision among locals and opposition MPs, including Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull (pictured).

NEWS of the death of Pope Francis reverberated around the world.

The Pontiff died following a stroke and heart failure on Monday, April 21, just hours after delivering his Easter service. He was 88.

Traralgon youngster, Zahra Hanratty had the honour of seeing Pope Francis at World Youth Day 2023 in Portugal. Zahra estimated being about a metre from His Holiness when he drove past in the Popemobile.

National Lions conference (May)

TRARALGON had the honour of hosting this year's National Lion's Conference.

More than 1300 Lions from around the country flooded the streets, drawing in further crowds of families, visitors, and community leaders from around the region over the three-day event that was estimated to have boosted the local economy by $2 million.

Pag ge 2 — The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday y, 30 December, 2025

Turnout: Traralgo event, which requirn hosted this year’s National Lions es bidding, welco Co med 1300 Lions menference. The prestigious mbers to the region .

A YEAR IN

REVIEW firefighters, and supporting and effected citizens assembled to renounce the new changes.

Police blocked sections of the road for the peaceful yet explicit demonstration.

Coalition splits (May)

THEY kissed and made up pretty quickly.

The Liberal-Nationals split for all of one week, after the Nats were unable to come to an agreement with the Libs on four key policy areas.

The parties reneged, coming to an agreement soon after.

Heath Assembly gone (June)

THE Latrobe Health Assembly was left shellshocked after being notified by the Department of Health that funding from the state government, which had supported the assembly’s operations since 2017, would cease.

As the last remaining legacy of the Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry’s health report, the assembly acknowledged the detrimental impact this unexpected decision would have on its ability to deliver vital health prevention programs across the Latrobe Valley.

The assembly received a slight reprieve in October, after the health department advised the state government to reinstate the assembly, on a leaner portion of its previous budget.

All aboard (August)

TRAINS returned to the Gippsland Line following a two-month maintenance blitz.

Additional services have been promised, with trains to leave Traralgon every 40 minutes.

Million dollar reward (September)

VICTORIA Police launched a record $1 million reward for information if it led to the arrest of Dezi Freeman.

Freeman is wanted for allegedly fatally shooting

two officers and seriously injuring another during a search at his Porepunkah property on August 26.

While Freeman evaded capture in locality of Victoria’s northeast high country, the Great Alpine Road is the primary scenic route that can take you from the Gippsland region, via Bairnsdale and Omeo.

The Lakes region is sometimes referred to as the "Gippsland corridor" of the Great Alpine Rd.

First-ever Aussie Disposals closes (September)

THE original Aussie Disposals store in Moe, the first in what became one of Australia’s most recognisable outdoor and camping chains, permanently closed in September.

Founded in Moe in 1962 by Bill Purvis, a renowned Latrobe Valley entrepreneur, alongside his brother George, the small surplus-goods shop grew into a national brand, eventually expanding across Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales.

The Moe store remained the symbolic heart of the business long after the company’s headquarters moved elsewhere.

Aussie Disposals was approached by the Express for comment, but declined an interview.

The company entered voluntary administration in 2020, before restructuring and continuing to trade.

United in grief (October)

FOLLOWING the tragic death of young Morwell man Kaiden Morgan, the fractured community came together to bring as much attention as possible to the effects of the youth crime epidemic sweeping the state.

This took place in the shape of a public commemorative march from the Morgan/ Johnston family home to his final resting place on The Boulevard, where his life was taken on Saturday, September 27.

Morgan, the victim of an alleged machete attack, was found by police around 10.25pm the night of the AFL Grand Final.

Station in eaking at Traralgon mier Jacinta Allan sprvices on the Gippsland Line.

Pre ian tor Vic d: un ional se On the gro free travel and addit October to announce

Leg eg gacy projects j commence (October)

SPORTING upgrades promised for the cancelled 2026 Commonwealth Games got underway.

Ted Summerton Reserve, Moe, Latrobe Sports Stadium, Morwell (Falcons Park) and Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium, Traralgon are all set to benefit.

Ted Summerton Reserve and Falcons Park are receiving total overhauls, and have been fenced off for the last few months.

Premier visits (October)

THE state government made it personal for Gippsland, announcing free travel for any V/Line passengers starting their journey between Nar Nar Goon and Bairnsdale for the month of November.

This was a 'thank you' to Gippslanders for their patience while works occurred across June-August.

The news was delivered by the Premier herself at a press conference at Traralgon Station.

Dude, where's the cars?

(November)

LOCAL residents were left perplexed by the potential removal of carpark spaces in exchange for more street tree canopies as part of Latrobe City Council's Streetscape Strategy.

The proposal focuses on the enhancement of the visual, functional and environmental quality of streetscapes across the municipality, which would ultimately sacrifice select carparks within Traralgon, Morwell and Moe central business areas.

From the strategy's draft, Traralgon will lose a total of 52 carparks in its CBD, with Morwell (13) and Moe (11) also succumbing some spaces in favour of a significant increase of trees along the main streets.

Loud and clear: Locals march down the state governme nt’s Emergency SeCommercial Road, Morwell to pro test against rvices Volunteers Fund.

New life for Yallourn (November)

ENERGY Australia will convert the Yallourn W coal station site into a low carbon emissions hub

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Energy Australia, which is Australia’s thirdlargest electricity and gas retailer, said the scheme that it has quietly developed as the coal plant moves towards closing in 2028, will mean the Latrobe Valley has a long-term future in power supply.

Madam Mayor (November) NEWBOROUGH Ward Councillor Sharon Gibson was elected Mayor of Latrobe City.

She swapped roles with her predecessor, Cr Dale Harriman (Loy Yang), who went from Mayor to Deputy Mayor.

Five of the six Gippsland councils now have female mayors.

Lyn's dark past revealed (December) NEW details in the case of convicted killer Greg Lynn surfaced, following the Victorian Supreme Court's overturning of a suppression order.

This came after several media outlets fought the court to publicise key items barred from circulation.

The items included were details into the death of Lynn's first wife, Lisa, and his consequent dealings with police prior to the deaths of campers Carol Clay and Russell Hill in the Wonnangatta Valley in March 2020.

Lynn was found guilty by a jury of murdering Ms Clay, but was acquitted of the murder of Mr Hill. He is currently serving 32 years, but has been granted a retrial.

Some justice (December) LATROBE Valley's Gordon family saw justice, as one of the young men who murdered Doctor Ashley Gordon as part of a home invasion last year, was sentenced to 17 year's prison.

Gordon was killed while chasing a group of boys in Doncaster who had broken into his place of residence on January 13, 2024, after being stabbed 11 times.

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The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025 — Page 3

A YEAR IN

REVIEW

Story of the year goes international

By LIAM DURKIN

SIMILAR to last year, the biggest Express news story of 2025 was a clear standout.

For the second year in a row, there was also a South Gippsland connection.

Unlike the Mirboo North superstorm however, the Erin Patterson trial went far beyond state-wide attention.

It went even beyond national attention.

The Express was literally around the corner from a story that gripped international audiences.

Virtually overnight, Morwell was transformed into a bustling metropolis.

Cafes were packed and accommodation providers booked out for months on end as the trial took place.

Such was the demand for a room, it was revealed that the jury stayed at the same hotel as a key police witness and some members of the prosecution.

One local café reportedly racked up a bill for thousands of dollars in coffee beans alone.

The media camped outside Latrobe Valley Law Courts for more than two months. Driving into work each morning, it was common to see television film crews setting up, and still there late into the night.

Presenters braved the Valley’s winter chill, and Morwell’s synonymous fog coming in from the open cut.

All the big players were in town: Nine, Seven and 10, not to mention the internationals: BBC, Daily Mail and CNN. Then there was the locals: ABC Gippsland, WIN News, TRFM, the Express and the South Gippsland Sentinel Times - the paper perhaps most central to the story.

There was no special treatment - all were required to enter a ballot to get into the courtroom where the trial took place.

Failing that, the media overflow room became a constant soundtrack of frantic fingers typing away on laptop keys - the sheer sound of which signalled there was daily deadlines to be met, and not a single detail could be spared.

Perhaps ironically, stories told in court were often

ul lunch was ’s Leongatha house, where the fatef Scene of the crime: Erin Patterson served.

like the t freshness of the beef Wellingtons - fine on the ssurface,, yet y laced with inconsistencies once opened up.

Gordon Ramsay has often declared beef

Local lens on Korumburra

surely left staggered at how absurd part of the process was.

Mushroom experts were called in and private messages read aloud. Even Patterson’s bowel charts were examined - hardly the sort of thing anyone thinks when they hear ‘murder trial’.

Justice Christopher Beale told the jury they had to be unanimous in their verdict one way or another.

Patterson was either guilty or not guilty. She could not be ‘half guilty’.

Ultimately, the jury decided that Patterson did murder her in-laws, and attempt to murder another.

The sole survivor attended court every day the trial was held.

Justice Beale called them an “exceptional jury” and granted them more than 10 year’s grace.

Legal experts say Patterson’s lawyers put up the best defence possible, yet arguably, her disposal of the food dehydrator and fake cancer diagnosis sealed her fate.

With the verdict handed down, sentencing followed.

Patterson was given life with 33-years non-parole.

Her sentence was the first to ever be livestreamed from inside Victoria’s Supreme Court.

The story is far from over, with appeals lodged from both sides, and a possible retrial looming.

Just if Morwell welcomes a retrial remains to be seen, or if the Latrobe Valley will ever see a story of such magnitude again.

Relive the trial - Pages 22-23

Wellington would be on his “last supper menu.””

The p profanity get a fair workout if y buzzer would g he ever bumped into Erin Patterson.

The author of the recipe used by Patterson, Nagi Maehashi, would probably not even give her the time of day.

She cut herself off from all journalists asking for comment during the trial, only leaving them with: “It is of course upsetting to learn that one of my recipes - possibly the one I’ve spent more hours perfecting than any other - something I created to bring joy and happiness, is entangled in a tragic situation.”

The usual gloomy Valley winter was instead inundated with memes, TikToks and public curiosity going into overdrive.

Did she or didn’t she?

Would she take the stand?

Why had Ian and Heather never been invited around for lunch before?

People lined up from 6am outside court every morning to try and find out.

Some got in, some were thrown out, others were

Main drag: Commercial Street/South Gippsland Highway, Korumburra, the town home to all Photograph: Liam Durkin of Patterson’s victims.

By LIAM DURKIN

THE Erin Patterson story hit close to home for a couple of Express journalists.

Express reporter Katrina Brandon and local editor David Braithwaite, who oversees the Express’ sister paper, the Sale-based Gippsland Times, both grew up in Korumburra.

David was even taught by Don Patterson at high school.

It was in Korumburra where Erin invited her in-laws to the fateful 2023 lunch, setting off what was to become a tale that put the South Gippsland town on the world map.

Offering some insights, Katrina says while the town has welcomed an eclectic bunch, it is still a relatively quiet place despite a population nudging 5000.

“Over the years it has changed quite a bit,” she said.

“It's been mostly older folk and very young families, but the demographics have started to even out with a mix of families, the elderly, and younger people

as Melbournians moved to the area.

“It is mostly farmers, tradies, hospitality and retirees.”

While there was clear religious elements to the case, with sole-survivor Ian Wilkinson a pastor at Korumburra Baptist Church, Katrina said “religion doesn’t really bother locals,” and that “it’s never been a divisive factor.”

Nor is there a real ‘rough end of town’.

“Rough roads and buildings have more to do with the town being an older, lower-income community,” she said.

“During school, there was always a sense of community, and most people knew almost everyone within the town. When I used to go to the market, it was always about being social, sharing local produce, and hearing the gossip that circulated. It was very rare that you wouldn't hear about the odd news in town.

“There has always been a thing for op-shops in Korumburra, not as an artsy thing but more for a social thing for retirees, and for cheaper clothing choices close by. Most clothing shops for Korumburra are up to 15 to 30 minutes away.”

Page 4 — The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025

For better or worse: Th e Erin Patterson trial bro Morwell. ught extensive media cov erage to

File photographs

A YEAR IN

REVIEW

The story Morwell will never forget perhaps more aligned with a Jane Austin classic.

The rolling hills of South Gippsland seem far removed from any notions of triple murder.

Driving through Leongatha, where the murder took place, Korumburra, where the invitation was made, and Loch, where the mushrooms were foraged, it is clear these are lands of outdoor activity, of slow yet busy days.

Time feels like it moves slower in the south. It might in actuality - the highway has only one lane, and there are no longer any trains.

Trains departed the scene more than 30 years ago, yet the stations remain.

Korumburra’s station is magnificent, heritage listed but fenced off.

Heritage plays an important role there. The open museum at neighbouring Coal Creek was built to preserve historic buildings.

Coal Creek is also home to the arts scene - a perhaps undervalued, if equally unexpected feature in Korumburra. The main street is lined with op and craft shops, while street art also dominates in parts.

Sections of the town seem modern, yet others as if farm life has left little time to modernise.

There is a hospital but no banks, and more pubs than restaurants.

Korumburra is a bigger town than most people think (close to 5000). Big enough to have its own magistrates’ court, and previously, to have two football teams.

Korumburra played at the showgrounds, and Bena at the recreation reserve.

As Korumburra-Bena, they play at the showgrounds, which is bordered by clay tennis courts and an indoor cricket centre. To have these type of facilities in one country town is a rarity.

At the other end of town (closer to Leongatha) is the Korumburra Baptist Church.

It was here that Erin Patterson made the fateful lunch invitation.

Religion often divides small farming towns.

k Marathon: The trial toon 10 tha re mo oss acr ce pla Law weeks at Latrobe Valley plied sup phs gra oto Ph Courts.

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about the best way to advertiseyyour buusiness or serrvices?

The Latrobe Valley Express can help you make all the pieces fit!

Contact your usual Express rep or phone the office to speak to one of our friendly staff on 5135 4444.

Good head for radio: Express Editor Liam Du outlets, including A Curre rkin nt Affair during the trial. was interviewed by multiple

Trafalgar once had two bowls clubs, one run by Presbyterians who refused to play with those who P drank. d k Thorpdale had three churches not so long ago one on just about every corner. The town also had two cricket teams in a previous era to accommodate those who refused to play Sundays.

The Korumburra Baptist Church is a quaint building, its architecture as innocent as the churchgoers unwittingly caught up in the debacle.

For a trial that attracted such critical analysis and global attention, the church’s use of its own bulletin board to communicate was perhaps the element that made the entire origin of the story seem so displaced.

The crux of the story was located just down the road in Loch, where some of the mushrooms were foraged.

If time moves slower in Korumburra, it stands still in Loch.

Time feels as though it is of no concern nestled beneath the hills. Erin Patterson may have thought similar when she started picking.

As a cricket lover, it was distressing on two fronts to know not only were there deathcap mushrooms foraged at the town’s recreation reserve (still used for junior football), but that there was no longer the sound of bat on ball in the town (Poowong Loch CC has been in recess since 2022).

To think how close kids playing footy could have been to those deathcaps.

Footy is a way of life for the people of Leongatha.

Their success in the Gippsland League over the past decade reflects just as much - five premierships and nine consecutive grand finals.

Talking to locals, most didn’t give two hoots about the trial.

Notorious murders are nothing new for the town.

This was of course where the ‘Schoolgirl Strangler’,

Arnold Sodeman lived in the 1930s. moved The Patterson house itself also felt far rem from the limelight.

No security, no barbwire, no graffiti, just a laminated sign warning media not to step foot beyond the gate.

The road to the house was gravel, with deep potholes surely created by the throng of vehicles that travelled there to get footage.

Neighbours did not seem to mind on the occasions I visited. There was still lawns to be mowed, one by a kid on a ride-on who looked barely older than 10.

This is the country after all.

Back in Morwell following the verdict, there is an eerily empty feeling walking around the concourse of the Latrobe Valley Courts.

Within seconds of the verdict, the place was heaving with cameras, just as it had been for those 11 unforgettable weeks.

I’d stood barely two metres from Erin Patterson at times during the trial.

She appeared as a regular middle-aged woman.

Similar in some ways to the South Gippsland towns she frequented, appearing so far removed and incapable of such evil.

She has appeared at least once, maybe twice, in my dreams since, although I can’t remember exactly what happened.

The last time I saw her was on the day of her sentencing, as she straddled the furnishings of Victoria’s Supreme Court on her way out.

Pending a retrial, that may be the end of it.

There will undoubtedly be stories of greater importance, greater relevance and for the greater good of the Latrobe Valley.

None however may provoke the public quite like this did.

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By LIAM DURKIN

MORWELL went mad for a little while this year.

Well, so much as any town would if thousands of people all came in at once.

On the surface at least, Morwell now feels just as it did before May 2025.

Industrial, and with familiar faces occupying familiar occupations during the working week.

The courtside circus packed up and left town in July, most likely leaving behind distinct memories of an indistinct place.

Indistinct perhaps to the thousands of visitors from May to July, who would have thought Morwell was a hustling regional city.

For them, they’ll likely remember the case more so than the town.

And people will come to know the town more for the case.

“Where’s Morwell?”

“Where the mushroom trial was.”

Latrobe City Council did its best to make Morwell as attractive as possible, putting in an extra effort to clean city streets the week before the trial.

Business owners weren’t complaining either with the sudden influx of people.

We “need more murder trials” one of them joked.

The Erin Patterson trial was tragically not the only murder event to hit Morwell this year.

It was the only of its kind though, likely anywhere in the world for that matter, which is where such public intrigue came from.

The trial was long and the media presence enormous, which perhaps diluted the sheer absurdity of it all.

Not often was there much talk that beef Wellington steaks were the weapons of choice.

Nor has there been much discussion that Erin Patterson’s children still need to grow up, under an enviable level of public scrutiny.

What transpired was like something out of an Agatha Christie book, although the setting was

Conditions apply

The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025 — Page 5

news

news@lvexpress.com.au

The year through the lens: 2025

ebrated its 60th Big cigar: Churchill cel r. yea this ry rsa ive ann

Emotional: Tr champion, Simibutes flowed for local CFA away in May. Won Lund, who passed Councillor Trac ife and Latrobe City extended leav ie understandably took e from counci year. l duties this

ll man Harry Tragic: Beloved Morwe a brutal home Wright was the victim of invasion in February.

B1 and B2: Sharon Gibson was elec ted Latrobe City Mayor in Novemb with Dale Harriman as deputy. Cr Harriman ran into some controversy er, swapping places off to Europe with the Traralgon City this year, after jetting Band.

e boy David Dodd Holy moly: Former Moe. Jun in after his election

d shakes hands with electe

Pope Leo XIV shortly

United in grief: The death of youn shockwaves through the commun g Aboriginal man Kaiden Morgan, of Morwell, sent ity.

New era: Energy Australia announce d plans to convert Yallourn W into emissions hub last month. a low carbon

P Page 6 — The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025

Former Miss Not just a pretty face: delivered a talk America Grace Stanke rwell earlier this on nuclear power at Mo year.

Compromise: There will be no Commonwealth Games in Gippslan next year, but sporting facility upgr d will still be delivered (Ted Summer ades ton Reserve, Moe pictured).

e Disposals Moe, Slice of history: Aussiil chain, closed in reta the in r the first eve September.

erelict pub May. The d in d e h lis demo was finally Hotel, Moe ars. w a B w a B e: The old ose to 20 ye About tim as an eyesore for cl d o o st had

news

www.lvexpress.com.au

Farewell Phil (well sort of) EXPRESS readers will still see the name Philip Hopkins on bylines in 2026 - just perhaps not as often.

The veteran senior reporter 'officially' finished up on December 19, but will stay on as a contributor next year.

Phil came out of retirement in 2022 to help provide some seniority to the paper. In the time since, he has been mentor to a host of young journalists, and a wealth of knowledge on issues critical to the region, particularly energy and forestry.

He initially worked for the Express during the 1980s, before going on to enjoy a long career with The Age. The Hopkins name runs deep in Gippsland newspapers.

Phil's older brother Brian is an Express director, following his father Keith, who was this masthead's first managing director.

Elliot Newspaper Group (ENG) decided to buy Express co-founder Patrick Hegarty out as a majority shareholder in the Express in the late 1960s, with KS Hopkins and Sons P/L as a partner. Keith had earlier bought the Warragul Drouin Gazette in the 1950s.

During his farewell morning tea, Phil thanked staff past and present for their contributions and

In his element: Express reporter Philip Hopkins at Loy Yang A.

support, paying particular credit to former Express editor Murray Tucker, who was in the hotseat when he first arrived.

The Hopkins lineage continues at the Express, with Phil's daughter Frankie working in production and part of the Reel Talk film review team.

THINK BEFORE buy

you

HOLIDAY makers and residents in Gippsland are being urged to protect themselves from mosquito bites following recent detections of Ross River Virus in mosquito surveillance traps.

The Victorian Arbovirus Disease Control Program has identified Ross River Virus in multiple mosquito traps in Wellington and East Gippsland Shires in recent weeks. Councils have implemented mosquito control operations on their land, but with warmer weather increasing mosquito breeding, mosquito levels can be difficult to manage.

With an expected increase in visitors to regional Victoria over the coming weeks, Victorians are reminded that simple precautions can significantly

reduce the risk of infection from Ross River Virus.

Ross River Virus is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes. While many people do not develop symptoms, some may experience fever, joint pain and swelling, muscle aches, fatigue or rash. Symptoms can last for weeks or months in some cases.

There is no vaccine or specific treatment for Ross River Virus. Preventing mosquito bites is the most effective way to reduce the risk of infection.

People travelling throughout Victoria this holiday season are advised to wear long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing, use mosquito repellent containing picaridin or DEET on exposed skin, and limit time outdoors when mosquitoes are

most active, particularly at dawn and dusk. Those travelling over the Christmas/New Year period are advised to pack repellent before leaving home, as stocks may be limited in smaller country towns.

Holiday makers should ensure accommodation, caravans and tents have intact mosquito screens, use mosquito coils and camp some distance from the edge of rivers/lakes, where mosquitoes breed.

Anyone who develops symptoms consistent with Ross River Virus infection should seek advice from their GP. More information about Ross River Virus and how to protect yourself from mosquito-borne disease is available on the Better Health Channel at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ conditionsandtreatments/ross-river-virus-disease

When hen yo you go lo local, you o grow o lo local loc

GP1688369

Be aware of Ross River this summer

NO STAMP DUTY NO LAND TAX The Range Retirement Village is a retirement living community in Moe, boasting a live-in Manager and high-quality residential villas set inside a gated community.

The Range offers elegant new and refurbished two and three-bedroom independent living villas, set in attractive and well-manicured surrounds. Each villa features an open-plan living area, wellappointed kitchen, private courtyard garden and single or double garage.

VILLAS FROM

$350,000

Plan your social life with your new community.

You will have the flexibility and freedom to embrace life with a social calendar that includes, billiards, indoor bowls, craft, movie nights, trivia, bingo, cards and many more social activities and make use of our community bus to get around our local area.

Now is your time to down size and embrace life at The Range

Features available for our residents to share at The Range Retirement Village include indoor pool, billiard Resort-Style Clubhouse room, cinema, dining area, craft room, library with internet access, outdoor barbeque and entertaining area.

12 Range Way, Moe Sales and Inspections Phone: 1800 531 956 www.therangeretirementvillage.com.au The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025 — Page 7

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news@lvexpress.com.au

Making Labor think tank offers roads safer THE state government is making Victorian roads safer with a $20 million boost to road policing operations, which will see more roadside drug tests and improved technology to catch those doing the wrong thing.

The $21.1 million road policing investment will deliver five Victoria Police projects that will increase drug testing, expand the use of technology to catch unauthorised drivers and reduce paperwork so police can spend more time on the road.

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) funding will see:  An extra 25,000 roadside drug tests each year;  Roadside Impaired Driver Evidence (RIDE) technology to reduce the manual paperwork required at the roadside to process drug and alcohol data collection;  An extra 88 vehicles fitted with automatic numberplate recognition (ANPR) technology to help detect dangerous and unauthorised drivers;  The replacement and upgrade of police in-car video technology in 98 vehicles, allocated to one-member stations in regional and remote locations, and;  The replacement of 123 evidentiary breath testing instruments used to detect drink drivers and purchasing an additional 27 new instruments.

Victoria Police has started rolling out the additional roadside testing to combat drug driving, which now exceeds drink driving as a major cause of deaths on roads.

The new RIDE application will be developed to support the increase in tests, automating administrative processes relating to drug and alcohol testing.

Police expect the expansion of ANPR, upgrade to in-car video technology, and the increase and renewal of breath testing equipment will make roads safer.

The road policing investment is in addition to the $1.1 billion being invested by the state government under the Victorian Road Strategy 2021-2030, which aims to halve the number of deaths on the state's roads by 2030.

balanced energy debate

By PHILIP HOPKINS

CONTESTING climate policy over energy reliability and high bills for working-class people is not extremism, according to the head of the Labor Party's intellectual think tank.

Dr Nick Dyrenfurth, the executive director of the John Curtin Research Centre, said this was the threat that Liberal Party backbencher Andrew Hastie posed to the Labor Party.

"Andrew Hastie has done something unusual for a contemporary Liberal: he’s tried to have a real argument about the party's ideas," said Dr Dyrenfurth, an adjunct research fellow in the National Centre for Australian Studies at Monash University, writing in The Australian.

"Some colleagues sniped anonymously but not so, to their credit, Liberal moderate elders such as former senators Amanda Vanstone and George Brandis. The latter scolded Hastie for 'channelling liberalism’s enemies', effectively saying: Stay in your Menzian lane, talk abstract freedom, don’t touch the free market, don’t sound too patriotic, and certainly don’t go borrowing from dangerous 'Red Tory' playbooks. All of this is music to the ears of Anthony Albanese’s ascendant Labor government."

Dr Dyrenfurth said Hastie’s post-liberal challenge is a reminder that liberty without duty is not freedom but pathology.

"It’s a progressive disease of societies that prize rights without responsibilities," he said, having written a decade ago of how "liberalism is killing us".

"Economic and social liberalism had become too thin to bind people together and provide meaning.

Since the 1960s, they had both delivered choice without security, diversity without solidarity, free markets without reciprocity. That argument was made in 2014 – not 1954 – and it was aimed just as much at Labor as the Coalition," he said.

"Brandis misses that post-liberalism is not fringe Trumpian cosplay. It is a mainstream response – of the left and right – to economic insecurity, cultural churn and eroding democratic trust, trends battering both major parties’ bases."

Dr Dyrenfurth said post-liberalism starts from a simple insight: people want to be protected as much as they want to be liberated.

"They want good, steady jobs, not just 'opportunities'; homes they and their kids can afford; migration set at a level infrastructure and wages can handle; their country to make things again; a healthier environment for their grandkids to inherit; and civic order, not permanent cultural revolution."

"Post-liberalism pays homage to both Edmund Burke and Eduard Bernstein – respectively the fathers of modern conservatism and social democracy – conserving what matters most while daring to reform what’s broken."

Dr Dyrenfurth said Hastie had been saying this as a Red Tory rather than a market-worshipping Thatcherite.

"He speaks of reindustrialising Australia and warns of big tech-corporate power. That’s not 'illiberalism', but an attempt to rethink failed orthodoxies and restore a sense of shared national purpose in an era of fractious geopolitics, exposed supply chains and brittle social capital," he said.

"Just because the Liberal Party has the word 'Liberal' in its name doesn’t mean it must forever prioritise free markets, high migration and hyper-individualism. Liberal doyen Robert Menzies’ achievement was precisely a fusion – of liberal aspiration and conservative belonging – not neoliberal autopilot."

Dr Dyrenfurth said a party thumped at the last election is obliged to reconsider its purpose, personnel and very place in a country that’s moved on without it.

"Hastie is a threat to Labor too because he speaks to the same outer-suburban, patriotic, economically interventionist voters it depends on. A Liberal who says 'rebuild industry, control borders sensibly, take culture seriously and reward work' is harder to caricature than a climate-culture warrior from Queensland. That’s also why some Liberals – Brandis and Andrew Bragg – are keen to police his thought. They sense an ideological realignment they can’t control," he said.

Dr Dyrenfurth said the roadblocks Hastie faces in trying to remake the Liberal's echo Labor's own struggle for ideological renewal after the Hawke–Keating years.

"A gold-standard government in policy and governance terms became ideologically untouchable, even as the world moved on. The irony is that Hawke and Keating themselves were revisionists who had distanced themselves from Whitlam’s chaotic, if reformist, government to rebuild Labor’s credibility.

"Whitlam, in turn, had earlier reimagined the party through Fabian social democracy, reviving its intellectual core after decades of drift. Mark Latham tried to update Laborism but lost his bearings in the process," he said.

"It took a new generation – figures like former leader Bill Shorten, with intellectual ballast from Jim Chalmers and others – to cautiously modernise Labor’s 21st century mission, a project that

culminated in Albanese’s steady, unifying 2022 election pitch: not revolution, but renewal."

Dr Dyrenfurth said that doesn’t mean Hastie is right on every policy.

"His hard line on net zero won’t fly in metropolitan electorates. Yet contesting climate policy from the perspective of energy reliability and working-class bills is not extremism – social democrats and liberal conservatives are arguing over this across the West," he said.

"Then there’s the risk of alienating key 'smallc' conservative constituencies of ethnically and religiously diverse Australians by invoking the inflammatory language of becoming 'strangers in our own country'. Hastie’s project will fail if it defines these citizens as strangers rather than as allies and fellow builders of our shared national home. Still, it isn’t intellectually honest to pretend that 'liberalism' is some timeless philosophy."

Dr Dyrenfurth said what Brandis is defending is a pre-Global Financial Crisis settlement: high financialisation, mass inward migration as an economic lever and tool of wage suppression, and an uncritical embrace of globalisation.

"That settlement broke down years ago – postliberals simply saw it first.

"In this sense, the so-called Liberal centre and the progressive left are mirror images: both worship the self, mistrust the past, and deride ordinary virtues of continuity and common sense. Whether it’s mindless consumerism or social media-driven identity politics, the story is the same."

Dr Dyrenfurth said for all their mutual loathing, they belong to the same post-communal, postChristian order that measures progress by the distance travelled from obligation.

"That’s why the real divide in politics is no longer strictly left versus right but liberal versus postliberal: between those who still fantasise over a society of atomised individuals and those who want to rebuild a common life," he said.

"From my side of politics, the most interesting thing about Hastie is not that he once wore camouflage but that he keeps circling back to collectives: family, church, community, nation.

When he says leadership is a battle of ideas, he means it and knows the Liberals cannot be the party of big business but for the people who work, raise, build and serve. That’s a Labor insight too, and why Team Albo should treat him as seriously as Brandis and co-evidently do."

First term Federal Member for Monash, Mary Aldred, clashed with Hastie in a Liberal partyroom meeting this year after he quit the frontbench.

Water, water everywhere for next year

No need to panic: Gippsland Water says water restrictions are unlikely Photographs supplied next year.

GIPPSLAND Water has released its Annual Water Outlook, confirming its urban water storage levels across the service area remain secure.

The company's acting managing director, Chris Wood said water restrictions are unlikely over the next 12 months.

“We expect storage levels to remain adequate throughout the summer period and well into 2026,” he said.

No rest for the wicked: Moe footballers (plus some friends) were thankful for the Gippy Water drinking fountain after completing the fabled 100 x 100s on Christmas Eve at Joe Carmody Athletics Track.

“Past investment in infrastructure across the region is serving us well, and customers can be confident in our preparation for the warmer months.”

Recent water security improvements made by the organisation include securing a bulk entitlement purchase in the Greater Yarra-Thomson Pool to secure Warragul and Drouin’s supply.

Other investments include the Coongulla-Heyfield

Page 8 — The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025

and Moe-Warragul interconnections, as well as the future Traralgon-Tyers interconnect, which is due for completion by the end of 2027.

Despite the strong position heading into summer, Mr Wood reminded customers that permanent water saving rules remained in place all year round.

“It’s important to remember to use water responsibly, to ensure a reliable service for everyone when demand increases,” he said.

“Permanent restrictions include making sure hoses are fitted with a trigger nozzle and are leak-free, using sprinklers only between 6pm and 10am, only use recirculated water features and not using water to clean hard surfaces like driveways.”

To read the full annual water outlook, visit: www.gippswater.com.au/annualwateroutlook

news

www.lvexpress.com.au

Coal supply for another decade: AEMO

THE Australian Energy Market Operator has pushed out its forecast for the end of coal power in the eastern states by 11 years and slashed the amount of new transmission lines it expects by 2050, but says the cost of the system as it transitions towards more renewables will still increase to $128 billion, the Australian Financial Review reportedearlier this month.

The AFR said cost estimates for new poles and wires projects have surged by up to 100 per cent since 2024, while the timing for building them has also been pushed out after extensive consultation for the operator’s draft 2026 blueprint for the power grid.

The changes confirm the stark challenges ahead to adapt the country’s electricity supply system to support Australia’s climate targets, including 82 per cent renewable energy by 2030 and net zero emissions by mid-century, the AFR said.

Market bodies and government agencies have warned in recent weeks that the renewables rollout is well behind the pace required to meet the 82 per cent goal, which could pose risks for energy reliability and prices, as well as the government’s climate ambitions.

AEMO said that in the event of further transmission delays, the cost of delivering projects would surge by about 30 per cent, while the 2030 renewables target would be missed, potentially only reaching 75 per cent.

While transmission projects would still deliver benefits for consumers in that scenario, some coal plants would have to run for longer, heightening the risk of “critical failure” that could jeopardise reliable power supply, AEMO said.

“While momentum in investment and delivery continues to build, challenges remain in delivering essential infrastructure at the pace required,” AEMO's chief executive, Daniel Westerman, said.

“Slower progress will erode benefits to consumers and present risks to reliability.”

About 6000 kilometres of new transmission are now forecast to be added to the grid by 2050, a 13 per cent expansion from today’s network, but down from the “close to 10,000 kilometres” cited

by AEMO in its 2024 version of the plan.

The reduction is because one major Queensland transmission project was scrapped by the Crisafulli

Big task ahead: Federal Energy Minister, Chris Bowen is overseeing the nation’s move to renewable energy. The somewhat maligned MP has become colloquially known as ‘Blackout Bowen’ by one serial Express letter writer concerned about reliable power supply.

Photograph supplied

government, while others have been downsized or deferred due to cost increases and as distribution networks take more of the load.

AEMO’s blueprint, known as the Integrated System Plan, is published once every two years and provides a detailed outlook on the operation and makeup of the electricity grid based on stated federal and state government policies.

Despite the changes since the last plan, AEMO said renewables connected through the grid, firmed with storage and backed up by gas power, remained the least-cost way to supply power to homes and businesses to 2050, providing replacement generation for coal power and meeting government targets.

Federal Energy Minister, Chris Bowen, claimed the government’s energy plan was the only one backed by experts.

“Today the energy market operator has confirmed

Australian households are leading the charge of Australia’s energy transition with rooftop solar, batteries and electric vehicles, delivering a lower cost power system for all Australians,” he said.

Coal power is now likely to continue in the National Electricity Market until 2049, compared to last year’s projection that the last coal power generator would shut by 2038. That reflects Queensland’s plan under the Liberal-National Party government to allow state-owned coal power stations to run until the end of their technical lives, rather than closing them by 2035.

But AEMO warned that coal generators may become increasingly unreliable as they age, meaning they could be fully out of action about seven per cent of the time between 2027 and 2035, and only partly available for a further 17 per cent of the time.

Despite the longer running dates set by the Queensland government, coal plants could shut faster, AEMO advised, due to mounting competition from cheap renewables, higher running costs and reduced security over coal supplies. They may increasingly only run during peak demand seasons, such as summer and winter, and shut down the rest of the time.

AEMO still envisages a massive build-out of large-scale renewable energy generation, as well as rooftop solar. By 2050, the National Electricity Market is forecast to have 120 gigawatts of gridscale wind and solar power, 40 GW of large batteries and hydropower and 14 GW of gas plants. The estimated cost is up 2.8 per cent to $128 billion since the last plan in 2024, after accounting for inflation and the time value of money.

But on top of that, consumers are expected to spend a further $50 billion, installing rooftop solar, batteries and electric vehicle chargers – AEMO’s first estimate of the investment by households. By 2050, households would have invested in 87 GW of rooftop solar and 27 GW of household batteries, as well as 9 GW of storage from EVs, AEMO said in a forecast that again upgrades the expected growth in rooftop solar.

The worst blowout in transmission costs cited in the plan is for the contentious VNI West transmission project in Victoria, which AEMO warned in July was likely to almost double in budget. The latest report puts the cost of VNI West at $7.6

Loy Yang B’s billion dollar purchase

REDISCOVER

THE POWER OF NEWSPAPERS

through the regulatory process when it comes to foreign investment,” Mr Dimery told the AFR. The acquisition represents a major shake-up of Australia’s electricity supply sector, which is under pressure to adapt its generation assets to support the country’s emissions reduction goals, while at the same time ensuring electricity generation remains secure as coal plants shut down.

Matthew Rennie, head of markets and growth at energy transition advisory Rennie, said Alinta would benefit from Sembcorp’s energy and infrastructure portfolio and access to capital.

“We expect to see Alinta evolve beyond electricity and gas retailing into integrated energy solutions, including large-scale storage, firming, and potentially industrial-scale services that Australian customers will increasingly need,” he told the AFR. The deal still requires approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board and competition regulator, and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2026.

The $6.5 billion transaction is based on the agreed enterprise value put on Alinta, involving debt as well as equity. It is the biggest energy deal in Australia this year, following the withdrawal of an Abu Dhabi backed consortium’s $36.4 billion takeover offer for Santos.

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THE state government says there are “no cuts” to emergency services, despite the opposition pointing to government’s documents which it claimed showed Country Fire Authority (CFA) funding will fall by $7 million next year.

During recent Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC) hearings, departmental officials confirmed the CFA budget for 2024–25 was $352.6 million. This figure is also in the Department of Justice and Community Safety annual report.

However, on July 27, Emergency Services Minister Vicki Ward signed a brief - released under freedom of information - approving just $345 million for 2025–26 - a cut the government repeatedly claimed did not exist.

Shadow Emergency Services Minister, and Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien, said the government couldn't keep telling Victorians everything was fine when the numbers showed otherwise.

“Labor can deny it all they like, but a $7 million cut is a cut,” he said.

“Now they’re reducing CFA funding at the same time Victorians are being taxed an additional $3 billion over coming years under the new emergency services tax.”

Mr O'Brien asked Minister Ward about the budget cut in Parliament, to which the Minister responded, "I will again make it very clear for the leader of the Nationals, because there is clearly some confusion he has, that there are no cuts to our emergency services, including CFA. "I really want to thank the thousands of CFA volunteers we have across our state, who work incredibly hard to support their communities, who this government has absolutely got the back of," Ms Ward said.

"We are one of the most bushfire-prone regions in the world, and this is why we have more than doubled the investment since we first came to government ... that includes $1.5 billion for the CFA over the past four years for more trucks, new stations and more support."

Also during question time, Minister Ward didn't explain why her own department needed a $1.07 million Treasurer’s Advance to address “emergency services organisation financial sustainability”.

“It’s extraordinary,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The Minister's department sought more than a million dollars for ‘financial sustainability’ in emergency services and yet she couldn’t explain what it was used for."

Express journalist Blake Metcalf-Holt will have more on this story in the new year.

Singapore government’s investment arm Temasek, wants a 25 gigawatt clean energy portfolio by 2028.

That had raised doubts that the company – which was known since September to be examining a purchase of Alinta – would want to own a coal power plant, or have the same commitment to keep it running.

But Mr Tan said energy reliability and affordability were also key concerns, signalling Sembcorp had no intention of bringing forward the closure of Loy Yang B, which has a technical life out to 2047.

“Although going from brown to green transformation is important, but at the same time, we usually work very closely with our stakeholders, be it the government, be it industry, be it local communities, to make sure that they continue to have reliable and affordable energy,” Mr Tan told the AFR. Sembcorp will retain Alinta’s management, including chief executive Jeff Dimery, who said the new ownership should free up the company to expand in clean energy, after suffering lengthy delays securing approvals for previous investments.

That included taking almost 18 months to secure Foreign Investment Review Board approval for Alinta to acquire renewables developer Tetris Energy.

“It takes us an excruciatingly long time to get

Govt denies CFA cut

ALINTA Energy’s new Singapore governmentbacked owner, Sembcorp, says it is committed to the huge Loy Yang B coal power station even as it pivots the country’s fourth-biggest electricity and gas supplier toward renewable generation after agreeing to a $6.5 billion purchase, the Australian Financial Review has reported.

Alex Tan, the chief executive of renewables at Sembcorp, said the 1200-megawatt power station was a “very important asset” that would keep electricity affordable and secure amid a transition to cleaner energy. Loy Yang B supplies about 20 per cent of Victoria’s power and employs hundreds of people in the Latrobe Valley.

Alinta has, since 2017, been owned by Hong Kongbased Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, which has been hunting for a buyer for the past two years and had discussions with EnergyAustralia, private equity giant KKR and others. Its acquisition by Sembcorp was announced earlier this month.

Mr Tan said Loy Yang B’s low costs and reliable output would help provide the stable cash flows and earnings to allow Alinta to accelerate investment in its 10.4 gigawatt pipeline of renewable energy and storage projects. He suggested it could adopt carbon capture technology to cut emissions, the AFR said.

Sembcorp, whose major shareholder is the

billion, but with a wide variation in potential, final costs of up to 30 per cent below to up to 50 per cent above, signalling the eventual cost could be north of $11 billion.

That compares with an estimate of $3.6 billion, plus or minus 30 per cent in the 2024 report.

Submissions on AEMO’s draft report are due by February 13, with the final 2026 plan to be released by the end of June.

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The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025 — Page 9

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Take a Break

STRAIN EL WITH CATWEASEL

ONE POINTERS 1.

Who played Alex Keaton on the 80’s show ‘Family Ties’?

2.

What does CPR stand for?

3.

What year did Twitter become X?

4.

In tennis, tie-breakers are played at what score in a set?

TWO POINTERS 5.

What Netflix show had the most streaming views in 2021?

6.

What is the name of Garfield the cat’s dog friend?

7.

What is the name of the giant kangaroo mascot from the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games?

8.

In Cockney rhyming slang, if someone called you their China plate what are they calling you?

THREE POINTER What is the celebrity name of Robert Zimmerman?

10. What type of musical scale is in half steps?

11.

Why did the chicken go to the séance?

Proudly bought to you by the participating LOCAL businesses below...

BRAIN

9.

Jooftkhee week

To get to the other sidee.

1

7

6

5

4 3

2

What is the name of the largest moon orbiting Saturn?

12. Who originally recorded the song ‘Hallelujah’?

FOUR POINTER 13. Astraphobia is the fear of what?

14. Who painted ‘The Starry Night’?

FIVE POINTER 15. What were the top 5 grossing movies released in the 1990s?

One point for each correct answer.

HOW DID YOU FARE? 37: Top of the class; 30-36: Outstanding; 21-29: Well done; 15-20: Solid effort; 9-14: Room for improvement; 0-8: Hit the books.

Crossword Puzzle No. 8670 ACROSS 3 Cuts apart to examine 9 Far apart 10 Sicilian volcano 11 Skulls 12 Turn to vapour 16 Deceive 17 Relating to a septum 20 Most recent 21 Swarms 23 Solid squares 26 Go back 29 Without moral quality 31 Ripe 33 Freed 34 Sea-god 36 Nominate 37 Obstruct 38 Ingredients

DOWN 1 System of belief 2 Antelope 3 Lower in spirits 4 Cults 5 Thoroughfare 6 Girl’s name 7 Early English king 8 Theatre seats 13 Calfskin parchment 14 Golf club 15 Lyric poem 18 Former Spanish monetary unit 19 Electrical unit 22 Retributive justice 23 Fortress 24 Oxlike 25 Biblical dancer 27 Vehicle 28 Obligations 30 Flaxen cloth 32 Borders 35 Scottish cap

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Solution page 33

Target Time No. 0299 How to play...

Using the 9 letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list?

The centre letter must be included and each letter may be used only once. No colloquial or foreign words.

No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in ‘s’.

G V E I P I L R E

Sudoku No. 0295 How to play... Solution page 33 Fill the grid so that evry row and every 3x3 square contains the digits 1 to 9.

Solution page 33

Target: Average - 8, Good -10 Excellent -13+

Answers: 1: Michael J. Fox; 2: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; 3: 2023; 4: 6-6; 5: Squid Game; 6: Odie; 7: Matilda; 8: Mate; 9: Bob Dylan; 10: Chromatic; 11: Titan; 12: Leonard Cohen; 13: Thunder and lightning or storms; 14: Vincent van Gogh; 15: -1. Titanic, -2. Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace, -3. Jurassic Park, -4. The Lion King -5. Independence Day

Take some

time out over the holidays... try some

puzzles!

GP1688011

Page 10 — The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025

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Leaving the planet in good shape

By GIL TIPPING

WHEN I arrived in Traralgon with a young family in 1974, the Valley was humming with barely contained excitement.

A new power station, at a place called Loy Yang, south of Traralgon, had been announced, with construction to commence later in the decade. It was the latest in a long chain of major construction projects for the Valley (mainly power stations) which looked likely to continue far into the future.

Because of course, the Latrobe Valley was where the vast majority of Victoria’s electricity was produced, something the locals were very proud of. They knew from experience that Loy Yang would bring with it another economic boom, and it put a spring in everyone’s step.

Geologists of earlier times had discovered extensive seams of brown coal that lay quite close to the surface under the Valley floor.

The coal could be mined, then burned to heat water, producing steam, driving giant turbines to spin and produce electricity - lots of it.

By the time of my arrival, all this had been going on for half-a-century, having been managed into existence by the legendary war hero Sir John Monash, as head of the original SEC. Power stations had been built at Yallourn (seven stages), Morwell, Hazelwood, and now Loy Yang was coming down the line.

I remember local real estate agent Russ Billingsley excitedly showing me a map which must have come from the SEC, showing four or five future power stations dotted round the Valley, all with names, which were planned long into the future. One I remember was called Bennett’s Creek.

Unending prosperity stretched ahead, life in the Valley was good, but it was all about to change.

In a short few years, all talk of future coal fired power stations would cease; Russ Billingsley’s map would be quietly shuffled away into a drawer somewhere.

So what happened?

In the 1970’s, from among the world science community, the term “global warming” emerged, and gradually started to seep its way into our consciousness.

This global warming was not good, the scientists said, and it’s being caused by us; homo sapiens.

Further, it can be remedied, but only by us.

It is caused, the scientists told us, by we humans overindulging our deeply ingrained practice of burning fossil fuels; wood, peat, oil, coal and gas, producing energy to power the world, supporting the rising prosperity of our existence.

All this burning releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, where it collects and causes accelerated heating beyond existing cycles.

If the scientists were right, the extra heat would completely upend just about every aspect of human existence, not least the closure of many large, lucrative, long term industries, and it is no surprise that, from the first emergence of the term “global warming” to this day, the scientists and their contentions have been fiercely repudiated.

To me, the issue of global warming belongs in the realm of physics, but it has sadly descended into a raging, world-wide argument hopelessly mired in politics, in which anyone, regardless of scientific background, may have a view.

So what was the remedy the scientists spoke of?

Well, they said, we need to find other ways of doing all the things we now do by burning fossil fuels. Anything we do needs to be sustainable, something which doesn’t create ongoing problems.

I must say here that beyond making rotten egg gas and dissecting rats in Year 10 at Camberwell

High tech: The Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre is the first facility of its kind in Victoria to use water from an underground aquifer to warm the pool water.

Photograph supplied High School, I have no science background whatsoever, so I’m not going to venture into the debate.

I must also say I have become attached to the idea of leaving a healthy and thriving planet for the generations who follow us, a purpose which I have not found to be controversial, in fact, it is widely shared. Within this, the idea and practice of sustainability sits naturally.

I became interested in the Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre (GRAC) in Traralgon, where, I had heard, the pools are heated by underground water.

I approached Latrobe City Council to find out more, and, to my pleasant surprise, I discovered that when it comes to sustainability, Latrobe is actively involved, with many projects planned, under construction, or complete and functioning.

Designed with sustainability in mind, GRAC is the first facility of its kind in Victoria to use water from an underground aquifer to warm the pool water.

Groundwater of about 68 degrees celcius is pumped more than 600 metres to the surface, passes through a heat exchanger, which draws off its heat to the pool water, then back down to the aquifer with little effect on the aquifer temperature.

The heat obtained also supplies the facility’s heating system; on the bleakest of midwinter days, you can walk around the centre in a t-shirt.

This project alone saves council 22,000 GJ of gas, more than $600,000 annually, reducing carbon

emission by about 840 tonnes, and it’s all from a sustainable resource that was sitting there waiting to be used.

At the landfill station in Hyland Way, Traralgon, known locally as the 'tip', there is a council-owned and operated renewable energy project.

Biogas (methane) is captured from wells bored into the landfill. It is then cleared and used as fuel for an electricity generator, which offsets the electricity council consumes. The generator produces up to 4000 MWh electricity per year reducing electricity bills by $300,000 each year.

Council has also completed “a major light replacement project, installing about 2500 high performing and energy efficient streetlights in current lighting infrastructure across the region. Not only does this save ratepayer money and provide better visibility at night, but is also reduces greenhouse gases by 900 tonnes every year, saving $260,000 in electricity, over $100,000 in maintenance, and 950,000 kWh of electricity each year.”

Latrobe City also has an ongoing project installing solar panels and batteries on their buildings across the Valley, including leisure centres, GRAC, Moe Outdoor Pool, Churchill Hub, Kernot Hall, and the Gippsland Indoor Regional Sports Stadium.

Currently, about 1200KW of electric power from solar is produced, which will increase by 680KW by the end of this financial year, up to nearly 2MW when the project is completed. When all projects are

complete, solar will generate around two million kWh each year.

The installation of 1100kWH of battery storage this financial year will further cut costs by time-shifting solar energy to evening peaks, saving around more than $45,000 annually.

Council are committed to achieving net zero by 2035, with a 10 year project plan in the Sustainability Action Plan which was endorsed by council, and has targets including:  Generating 100 per cent of our day time electricity needs from renewable sources by 2028;  Electrification of all Latrobe City facilities to remove reliance on natural gas (excluding aquatic centres) by 2030;  Transition council fleet to electric vehicles by 2035, and ;  Electrify Latrobe City Council aquatic centres if required by 2040.

I was nothing short of delighted and amazed at finding all this on council’s website.

It gives me hope.

My youngest (of seven) grandchild has just turned 16, and my fondest hope is that when, in 2088, he reaches my current age of 79, the planet is in good shape for him.

I want this for everyone’s grandchildren, for all humanity, and all the living things going along.

Learning to live sustainably seems to offer the best chance of this being achieved.

Council rate capped Let’s get down to business next financial year

COUNCIL rate increases across Victoria will again be capped at the forecast Consumer Price Index for next year.

State Local Government Minister Nick Staikos announced a rate cap of 2.75 per cent for the next financial year.

The rate cap decision accepted the recommendation of the Essential Services Commission (ESC) and this outcome limits the amount Victorian councils can increase their total revenue from general rates and municipal charges.

Councils across Victoria have also received revised guidelines for their use of waste management charges to combat rising levies across the state.

The new Minister’s Good Practice Guidelines for Service Rates and Charges are aimed towards fairer costing and better transparency when charging ratepayers for local kerbside waste and recycling collection.

The guidelines clarify that waste service rates and charges issued to residents should not be higher than the costs incurred by council for providing the kerbside service - including collection, transport, storage, processing and disposal of waste and recycling.

According to the government, this year’s rate cap aims to ease cost-of-living pressures for Victorian families, while still allowing councils to continue providing services to local communities.

In the decade before the introduction of the government’s Fair Go Rates system in 2016, council rates were increasing by an average of six per cent each year. Since the introduction of the system, the average rate cap between 2016-17 and 2025-26 has been 2.3 per cent.

"The rates cap has made a real difference to household budgets - and next financial year, the increase in council rates will again be in line with the inflation rate,” Minister Staikos said.

“Under the new guidelines, waste service rates and charges should better reflect the actual cost of these services and make them more consistent from council to council across the state.”

Councils may apply to the ESC for a higher rate cap if they can demonstrate a critical need for spending on services or projects that would require a rate rise above the capped amount.

LATROBE City Council is taking steps to make it easier for businesses to establish and operate locally, following an extensive review of council fees, processes and communications.

The red/green tape and fee reviews looked closely at council’s regulatory fees and charges, how they are set, and how information is communicated to businesses. The aim of the reviews was to identify any barriers facing businesses and to improve council’s approach to being a supportive, business-friendly regulator.

The review found that the main challenges for businesses relate to complex systems, fragmented processes and unclear communication, rather than the cost of council fees themselves.

These findings were reinforced through council’s participation in the Business-Friendly Council Program, which highlighted opportunities to simplify internal processes, improve coordination between council departments and provide clearer, more accessible information for businesses. The program also identified that some unexpected costs faced by businesses sit outside council’s direct control.

As a result, improvement actions from both

initiatives have been brought together into a single action plan. The plan sets out a clear and coordinated roadmap to simplify fees, charges and processes, and to drive ongoing organisational improvement.

Latrobe City Council Mayor, Sharon Gibson said it will now be easier to do business in Latrobe City.

“Council completed an extensive review and found ways to make processes more straightforward so it’s even easier for businesses to flag when an unexpected cost comes up,” the Mayor said.

“I’m very pleased with this new review and how council can work together with businesses to ensure they are helped from start to finish.

The action plan to simplify our processes in Latrobe City will make it easier for businesses, especially small businesses, and ensuring that we continue to grow our economy.

“We’ve changed what we can and we’re now advocating to state and federal government to get business going and create new jobs in Latrobe City.”

The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025 — Page 11

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Gun laws “not the problem”

By KATRINA BRANDON

RECENT events at Bondi have prompted reviews into gun laws across the country.

Federal and state governments are considering whether gun laws need to be changed in the wake of the horrific terror attack that left at least 15 people dead.

The federal government immediately stopped its Christmas break and returned to Cabinet early (on Monday, December 22), where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns proposed new gun legislation.

The National Security Committee has met around a dozen times to discuss how to combat antisemitic terror attacks.

Local gun owners have already felt the impact of possible changes.

Tom Hall, owner of Alpine Country Outdoors Morwell, noted that gun and ammunition sales have already taken a hit since the December 14 attack at Bondi.

"It (government's reaction) is 100 per cent a typical knee-jerk reaction," he told the Express.

"What happened in Bondi was just disgusting. I think the biggest issue here is that there is room for change, particularly in eligibility requirements for firearm licenses. But to limit numbers is ridiculous.

"I might (for example) own five or six guns depending on what I am going for - such as you wouldn't use the same gun you would use on a deer for a rabbit ... there would be nothing left.

But, some might also have firearms that have been passed down through generations that have sentimental value, something that has been in the family for 100 years."

Living in the “hunting state”, Mr Hall said Gippsland has a massive hunting and gun community, and that a total ban on firearms would be an overreach.

"I think the actual Firearms Act, as it stands, probably doesn't need to be changed too much, it's more about the existing eligibility criteria," he said.

"Hunting is a huge thing (in Gippsland). It's not just blokes running around the bush, it is a family thing.

“They should consider all their national and international athletes, clay shooters, target shooters, and more. Will you work out if you're going to ban all the guns and get rid of this, and get rid of that, you might as well kiss away most of our Olympic teams.”

Nationals leader, David Littleproud, also agreed that gun laws “were not the problem".

“It was the people who were using the guns.

They were terrorists," he told the ABC. "This was an act of terror that slaughtered innocent Australians, targeting Jewish Australians in the most heinous act.

“If you are committed to going and slaughtering innocent Australians at Bondi Beach, you are going to find a means to find a weapon, whether it be a gun, a knife, or a vehicle.

“Let me make it also clear that to get a gun licence in this country, you have to undergo a fit and proper person test. You just can't walk in and get a gun. You must also demonstrate the need for the gun, and if it's high-calibre, that need is even greater.”

Mr Littleproud highlighted that while Australian gun laws are “world-leading”, it was “the ignorance of the detail of what licensing looks like” that was of major concern.

“The fact is that one of the perpetrators had a licence. What concerns me is that both the New South Wales Police Commissioner and the ASIO director said that this individual was someone that they watched and were watching,” Mr Littleproud said.

Links to firearm history: Prime Minister John Howard at Sale Oval shortly after the Port Arthur massacre in 1996. Howard famously wore a bulletproof vest while speaking to the pro-gun crowd.

File photograph “If someone was being watched and they knew that they had six licensed firearms in their possession, would you not think that those agencies would have taken those firearms and taken that license off that individual?"

Federal Member for Monash, Mary Aldred said that while the attack was horrendous, Australian firearm owners, such as farmers, should not be punished.

“I represent farmers who rely on firearms for pest control, as well as recreational shooters who demonstrate responsible gun ownership, already comply with rigorous obligations and contribute back to our community. While I am open to considering sensible proposals like a requirement of Australian citizenship for gun ownership, I won’t support any moves to punish responsible gun owners while not addressing the real issues at hand,” she told the Express.

The establishment of a National Firearms Register (NFR) has been raised.

The NFR will be a nationwide database for firearm-related information. It will enable the sharing of near-real-time, reliable information between Australian law enforcement agencies and governments.

While the registry was expected to be active by mid-2028, authorities are considering bringing it forward.

“The consideration that will take place includes limiting the number of guns an individual can own, the type of guns that are legal, whether gun ownership should require Australian citizenship, and accelerating work on the National Firearms Register,” Mr Albanese said in the aftermath of Bondi.

“We've provided over $160 million to do that, including over $100 million to states and territories.”

The Gun Safety Advocates have also stepped forward, sharing its “plan of action”.

“Australia’s gun laws have not kept pace with changes in firearm technology, shifts in ownership patterns and contemporary risk factors,” they said.

“Authorities have confirmed that the weapons used in the Bondi attack were legally owned, exposing serious gaps in licensing, firearm categorisation, storage, oversight and national coordination.”

The Gun Safety Advocates proposed the following to reduce firearm harm;

Give him Australian of the Year: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets Bondi hero Ahmed al-Ahmed at St George Hospital, Sydney. The fruit shop owner bravely disarmed one of the gunmen after tackling him to the ground.

Photograph supplied

Stance: Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath has launched a petition alongside law abiding gun owner Ryan Weeratunge, calling on the state government to enforce existing gun laws and reject any rushed changes.

Photograph supplied Page 12 — The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025

 Remove the recreational hunting licence category;  Further restrict high-capability firearms;  End metropolitan home storage for nonoccupational firearms;  Limit the number of firearms per individual;  Explicitly prohibit the use of firearms by children;  Introduce robust, renewable licensing;  Establish national reporting and oversight;  End unlicensed shooting;  Ban political donations from the firearms industry, and;  Establish a National Firearms Safety Council.

Additionally, the Prime Minister has provided a summary of legislative measures being considered, such as creating an aggravated offence for hate preaching.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has also released a five step program to combat antisemitism, starting with stronger hate speech laws and putting social media companies on notice.

According to The Guardian, Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, has also promised tougher action against organisations such as neo-Nazi group, the National Socialist Network, that have previously evaded criminal consequences.  MEMBER for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath, stood with Field and Game member and law-abiding firearm owner Ryan Weeratunge on the steps of state Parliament to launch a new e-petition calling on the Allan Labor government to properly enforce existing gun laws and reject rushed, ineffective changes.

In the wake of the devastating tragedy and amid growing concerns about extremist terrorism and hate crime, Ms Bath said community safety must always come first - but warned against hurried legislative responses that risk missing the real problem.

“What we witnessed was horrific, and Australians rightly want action to prevent terrorism, combat antisemitism and ensure Victorians are safe,” Ms Bath said.

“But changing laws in a hurry, without evidence, risks penalising responsible, lawabiding firearm owners like Ryan, while failing to address the failures in intelligence, monitoring and enforcement that have underpinned serious incidents.”

Mr Weeratunge is a licensed, law-abiding Australian who hunts duck and deer for his table and shares his harvest with family and friends. Like thousands of regional Victorians, he complies with Victoria’s already strict firearms laws and storage requirements.

Ms Bath said Victoria already has some of the toughest gun laws in the nation, and that past serious incidents have repeatedly involved individuals known to authorities - pointing to breakdowns in compliance, resourcing and enforcement, not gaps in legislation.

“The Nationals strongly support decisive action to prevent terrorism and keep Victorians safe, but any review of firearms laws must be evidence-led and free from pre-determined assumptions about lawful owners,” Ms Bath said.

The petition calls on the state government to:  Properly enforce existing firearms laws and fix compliance and resourcing gaps;  Ensure the current Victorian review is evidence-based and transparent;  Reject new restrictions unless clear, publicly available evidence shows they will improve safety, and;  Guarantee genuine consultation with lawful firearm owners, sporting shooters and hunting organisations.

In the know: Alpine Country Outdoors, Morwell owner Tom Hall.

Photograph: Katrina Brandon

This New Year’s resolution could save your life

MANY of us make a promise or two at this time of year to do more for our health.

But there’s one subject many skip when planning their New Year resolutions, even though it affects two in three Australians in their lifetime.

Australia has some of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. But the earlier skin cancer is found, the easier it is to treat.

More than 70 per cent of skin cancers are found by people themselves or by their loved ones, so choosing to get to know your skin and checking it regularly could be a decision that saves your life.

In 2026, routinely look over your skin from head to toe. Ask someone you trust to look over those hard-to-reach places, like your back. If you notice any spots that are new or that have changed in shape, colour or size, go and get it checked out by your GP. This simple habit shift will not only give you peace of mind, it might also be the thing that gives you more Christmases and New Year’s eves with your loved ones.

If that’s not a resolution worth sticking with, we don’t know what is.

Emma Glassenbury Head of SunSmart, Cancer Council Victoria

It's your choice

THE nuclear debate has finally toned down, the state government is buying unworkable wind farms, the approval rating of the Prime Minister is through the floor, and we’ve had a pretty gloomy Christmas weather wise. Yet life goes on.

Recently I’ve returned from a working holiday up north, and took the opportunity to stop in at many places and towns along the way. One that stood out was Gladstone. While it has an export port keeping it afloat, it’s hardly the beach-side holiday attraction of other neighbouring areas, and their power station is set to close like ours.

In ensuring I’m not using holiday eyes to form any comparison, there are some noticeable differences to home. Firstly, the roads are in impeccable condition, and largely free of rubbish. There are plenty of high rise apartments despite a population of about 68,000, and the power station and at least some of the port is privately run. Sure there are some

In the end it’s all something that I’ve been forced to come to terms with. I’m more selective of the battles I engage in, and have learned to find love and appreciation with what is, and not the imagined potential and possibilities of what could be. So as we start 2026, with a thousand weights on our collective shoulders, we should all take some time to rest up, breathe easy, and let go of the troubles of yesterday and other things we have no control over. Put our egos aside along with our assurances that only we alone have the saving grace solution.

Life is more peaceful that way.

Yet we must never forget that there is no fate but what we make for ourselves.

For additional prosperity to come, we must build it, we must seek it and we must allow it. It is our choice. That is both a heavy burden to carry and yet incredibly liberating.

Take care and be well.

Anthony Wasiukiewicz Yallourn North

Inspired by Liam Durkin's piece Battered: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s File photo approval rating has suffered of late. empty shops, but plenty of bustling businesses and other establishments. It’s presentable and welcoming without being ostentatious.

So why do these other areas seem to do so well and ours continues to struggle?

The only conclusion I’ve been able to come to across all these years is that either the coal dust gets trapped in our Valley topography and creates an unbearable miasma, hampering our ability to find new and workable solutions, or the ‘Slow Easy and Comfortable’ and ‘Big Supermarket’ mentality of the SEC is ingrained too deeply in the collective psyche, where everyone is waiting for someone else to provide the solution and do the heavy lifting.

Every other explanation I’ve been offered across the last 15 years just doesn’t hold up to scrutiny.

"MY time has not yet come; some are born posthumously," Friedrich Nietzsche.

In a world where conversations have evolved from sending letters to sending emails or text messages, there is still a way to preserve history by reading and researching back-copies of the Latrobe Valley Express at your local library.

Indeed, Liam Durkin's excellent piece titled 'Why publish scores?' (Latrobe Valley Express, 10/12/2025), especially his opening sentence: "A newspaper is as much a historical document as it is a communication tool", inspired the following ditty: "Future reader, pause and ponder, / From the dust of ages, / Rescue my posthumous letters to the editor, / As you turn the yellowed pages; "Read me, do not let me completely die! / Search me out in the Opinion column, / I was a writer, I was young, / All that you are now once was I." Joseph Lis Morwell

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Have your say THE Latrobe Valley Express welcomes letters to the editor.

Preference will be given to brief, concise letters which address local issues.

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

The Express does not publish letters from anonymous contributors.

Letters must include a phone number, email address and the author's hometown for purposes of substantiating authenticity.

Readers are entitled to a right of reply to a letter directed at them.

While healthy debate is encouraged, the editor will stamp out any that cross the line to defamation.

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

Readers should be equally aware that facts presented in letters are selected to support a person's point of view.

As such, statistics can quite often be fabricated depending on the pool of data used or people involved in surveys.

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

Letters regarding religion will not be published.

Email letters to news@lvexpress.com. au and include 'Letter to the Editor' in the subject line.

Deadline for letters is Thursday 3pm.

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Forty years strong

TRARALGON Centre Plaza (TCP) celebrated its 40th anniversary this year.

Official celebrations were held last month.

The plaza is home to more than 50 stores and services, including major retailers like Coles and Kmart. It continues to be a vital part of the local economy and a space where people come together for shopping, grabbing a coffee, or simply enjoying the company of others.

The centre has weathered changes (and actual weather after the major 2021 floods) in ownership, branding, and retail trends.

TCP first opened for trade on November 11, 1985. A feature of the complex is the undercover carpark - the only of its kind for a shopping centre in the Latrobe Valley.

The centre operated under the Stockland banner until 2021, when it reverted back to its original name. Stockland sold its interest in the centre to Melbourne-based Fawkner Property for $85 million.

Some fun facts about TCP:  More than 3.4 million visit are made to the centre each year;  The centre achieves annual sales of $170.6 million;  More than 500 people are employed at the centre;  There is 29 air conditioning units on the roof;  A total of 16 contracted staff are engaged with both cleaning and security services, and;  An average of 16 tonnes of hard rubbish leaves the centre each month.

Mecca: Traralgon Centre Plaza is the epicentre of the town’s retail.

Celebrate good times: Traralgon Centre Plaza turned 40 this year. Photographs supplied unless stated

Honours: Latrobe City Deputy Mayor (then Mayor) Dale Harriman cuts the anniversary cake.

Panthers Menswear closing its clothing chapter in Moe History: The 2021 major flood left the carpark in ruins.

File photograph

More car parks signposted

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

Last hurrah: Panthers Menswear Moe manager, Carolyn Chester and business owner David Photograph: Aidan Knight Panther.

By AIDAN KNIGHT

PANTHERS Menswear, a multi-generation brand within the Latrobe Valley, has announced the closure of its Moe store.

The shop will close in March next year.

David Panther and his wife, Susan came to the decision after careful consideration.

"We've been in Moe for many years," Mr Panther said.

"But over the past 18 months we've seen many clothes stores - and other variety of retail - close in the area, which has impacted local shopping patterns."

Mr Panther tells of more customers choosing to shop at Traralgon, while never really losing business serviced by the More store.

"We always ask customers for their postcode when shopping," he explained on how this data was collected to inform the decision.

The business was first established in 1955

by David's father, Bill Panther. His desire was to run a business built on attentive customer service in men's fine clothing and casual wear.

Panthers became so strong in the retail sector that they were able to open five stores across the Latrobe Valley and South Gippsland. At its peak, branches were in Traralgon, Moe, Leongatha, Morwell and Wonthaggi (both now closed).

Long-time manager of the Moe store, Carolyn

Chester will be relocating to the Traralgon shop, ensuring familiar faces remain for customers making the transition.

Mr Panther was very pleased to report that there had been no retrenchment in the process of condensing the business.

"That is the last thing we'd want to do as a family business," he said.

The tight-knit team takes pride in their ability to offer attentive, knowledgeable service - with sales consultants skilled at helping customers put together outfits that look great, fit well, and provide value for money.

Alongside dress apparel, Panthers continues to offer a tailoring and alteration service, as well as expert fitting for most sizes, ensuring every customer can find the perfect fit. Accessories, shoes, leather goods, and even special needs assistance round out the shopping experience.

“We are deeply grateful for the support of the Moe community throughout the decades,” Mr Panther said.

“We look forward to continuing to serve our customers at our other stores, and to welcoming some familiar faces in Traralgon.”

Panthers were also one of the original advertisers to ever feature in the Express.

David and Susan have plans to gradually move towards retirement, which also played a hand in the decision to close.

Page 14 — The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025

LATROBE City Council has given disgruntled businesses within the Traralgon central business district some solace, combatting the criticism that built following the announcement of its Streetscapes Strategy.

The proposal, which will see the removal of 52 carparks in a regularly busy area in exchange for more tree canopies throughout the CBD, has left both business owners and residents baffled after it was passed unanimously at the September council meeting.

In the Express’ previous story (December 3), long-time proprietors Mark Ramsay (of Ramsay’s Hairdressers) and David Panther (Panthers Menswear) both suggested that the current Seymour Street multi-level carpark needed to be emphasised more for the public.

While both vehemently disagreed with council’s plans, they also advocated for greater signage for a facility with close to 180 spaces available.

As shoppers continuously circle the CBD blocks waiting for a carpark to present itself, each business owner said that most visitors are unaware that the Seymour St site is a free space and doesn’t require payment.

Mr Ramsay also said that the top level of the all-day carpark is routinely vacant with plenty of spaces on offer.

Council has followed suit, announcing greater amenities and access to the carpark, replacing existing light fixtures with brighter LED lighting and installing additional illuminations at the entry and exit points of the facility.

As Mr Ramsay suggested, council also announced that the progression of new dynamic signage to display the carpark’s availability for motorists, ideally along the Princes Highway, will be added in early 2026.

“We want the community, especially workers in the Traralgon CBD, to feel comfortable using the

Deserted: The Seymour Street, Traralgon multi-level carpark is consistently vacant. The facility will see new signage installed next year to try and help alleviate this issue.

Photograph supplied

multi-storey carpark for long-stay parking,” Latrobe City Mayor Sharon Gibson said.

“These upgrades are a key step to ensuring the facility remains safe, well-maintained, and welcoming for workers, shoppers and visitors throughout the day.”

Upgrades in 2023 and 2024 saw an additional 115 spaces made available at the Seymour St site, while the soon-to-be-opened Kay St multi-level carpark will add 430 spaces.

Residents still maintain that the Kay St construction shouldn’t mean the removal of carparks closer to businesses in the CBD, which will effect elderly shoppers, while it has also been indicated there is a need for more disabled car spots.

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Old Methodist Church has been saved THE Old Traralgon Methodist Church is no longer under the threat of removal, following the December 15 Latrobe City Council meeting.

The church, built in 1879 and most recently used as an information centre, is one of only 10 pre-1880 timber churches left in Gippsland.

The sole public speaker of the meeting, held at GPAC, was Barb Johnson, of the Traralgon & Disctrict Historical Society. Ms Johnson spoke on item 8.2, under strategic items for decision - the fate of the Old Methodist Church. Located at 41 Princes Street, Traralgon, the church has been the topic of many council discussions and a total of six Express stories since 2021. The historical society made a submission seeking council endorsement to secure the future of the building.

"I'd like to add a little bit of colour to the black and white words on the submission," Ms Johnson began her speech by saying.

"The society does not own its own land, and we do not have large resources - of financial or otherwise.

However, we do have sufficient funds to establish a museum, perhaps better described as a display centre, within the building."

Ms Johnson detailed some of the notable items and artifacts the society would seek to exhibit.

These include : -The fireplace that was the surrounds of the first Presbyterian Manse in Gaulia St, Traralgon, and;.

-A 1902 Oldsmobile

"These artifacts deserve to be available more widely to the public than all crammed up in our rooms at the Kath Teychenne Centre," Ms Johnson stated.

She then detailed the society's proposed plan to install displays categorised by theme, the first of which would be faith and transport, "in the initial phases."

The group would also like to adequately commemorate the history of the building itself, displaying documentation and images of how the Old Methodist Church was transported from its original home to where it sits now.

Also included in the submission is that the society recommends the building stay where it is currently, as opposed to the floated idea in previous meetings that it perhaps be relocated. Combined with the context of its overall age, the society believes this could be critical to the church's preservation. It has been moved three times since 1879.

"We are aware that leasing of the land is the first step along the way, alongside the ownership of the building," Ms Johnson continued, calling such progress the first stage of the planned development program.

Ms Johnson declared that the plan submitted relies on community backing, likening it to the Traralgon Courthouse experience (which is currently undergoing works). She also detailed the community benefit of not only the outcome of such an agreement, but also the process, with

Optimistic: Traralgon Historical Society members Christine Turnbull, Barbara and Robert Jonhson Photograph: Aidan Knight have worked to save the Old Methodists Church from the bulldozer.

Way back: The church has been relocated three times since the 19th century. opportunities for local tradesmen to be involved in the restoration stages.

"The budget we've presented is a first stage of restoring the exterior only," she divulged to council, "and we hope that the Community Development Association and the Friends of The Courthouse will come alongside us and form a community group."

Ms Johnson emphasised that financial accountability will be an aspect of the society's regular reporting, and how much of a community project the vision is at its core.

"As we see it here, tonight is only part of it," Ms Johnson concluded.

There was no questions from councillors, so the topic was brought up once again when strategic items were raised later in the meeting.

The motion proposed back in the August 25 meeting, also at GPAC, saw Budgeree Ward Councillor, Leanne Potter move for one final community consultation as to whether council should renew the lease of the historic building, now it is no longer used as an information centre. It received 10 submissions in total via the 'Have Your Say' survey hosted on council's website, which helped officers develop a recommendation. It was also put forward that the $86,000 from council funds (that had been allocated to the demolition of the building) would be given instead to the society's project of restoring the church.

Each of these points were contingent on the condition that the historical society successfully enter into a lease with VicTrack (the building, which sits next to Traralgon train station, is on

Companies fined after worker loses fingers

MIRBOO NORTH farming giant Cummaudo Trading Pty Ltd and labour hire provider, MJ Dijamco Enterprises, were both sentenced in the Korumburra Magistrates' Court earlier this month for offences under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The incident occurred in June 2023 when a worker sent to Cammaudo's by MJ Dijamco was injured while operating an onion grader.

MJ Dijamco was convicted and fined $40,000 after being found guilty ex-parte of a single charge of failing to provide safe systems of work, while Cummaudo was fined $25,000 without conviction after pleading guilty to one charge of failing to provide and maintain safe plant and one charge of failing to provide adequate information, instruction and training.Both companies were also ordered to pay costs of $5641.

The court heard that during her first shift at the farm, the worker approached the upper section of

the onion grader to dislodge two onions, believing her coworker had shut down the machine.

As she reached inside, the worker’s hand became entangled in the machine’s rotating rollers. Hearing her screams, the coworker pressed the emergency stop button.

The worker was transported to hospital where she had multiple fingers on her right hand amputated.

A WorkSafe investigation found that there was no guarding around the machine’s rotating rollers and sizing belt, and that neither company had provided the worker with an induction or training in how to operate the machine, nor any information about its danger points.

Cummaudo accepted it was reasonably practicable to have installed a fixed cage and isolation switches, preventing access to the rollers and sizing belt while the machine was operating, and to have provided the worker with information,

instruction and training on the machine and its danger points.

The court found it was reasonably practicable for MJ Dijamco to have reduced the risk of entanglement by having a system that ensured the host workplace had provided labour hire workers with such information, instruction and training by requesting records.

WorkSafe Acting Chief Health and Safety Officer Barb Hill said labour hire arrangements created shared responsibilities, with both the provider and the host owing the worker a safe working environment.

“When it comes to machinery, proper training and appropriate guarding are fundamental safety measures every employer must have in place,” she said.

“As we’ve seen far too many times, neglecting such measures can have gruesome, life-altering consequences.”

MONDAY 29 DECEMBER Tilly Henderson Evelyn Nicholas

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land owned by the railways) by June 30, 2026, and that council will resolve to demolish the building should this deadline not be met.

Tyers' Cr Darren Howe moved an alternate motion on this last point, that rather than demolish the building straight away, a further report be brought to council by the following meeting from the deadline (September 30), and would use those 10 public submissions to inform further options from there. This was seconded by Moe's Cr Pugsley, and saw no opposition.

Cr Howe spoke to the motion, stating his hope for the community to be provided with certainty on the topic after several years of discussion. He mentioned the many in the community who "rallied when it appeared the church might be lost, and I encourage those same people now to contact the historical society and offer their support in restoring this important building."

A similar tone was taken by Cr Pugsley, expressing herself as impressed with the suggestions provided within the submissions from the public, and that "it is a shame that it's taken so long to get to this stage."

Yallourn's Cr Steph Morgan said the outcome showed what "genuine and thorough community consultation can look like, and the success that we can have out of that."

Cr Morgan also found great benefit from the amended section, so that "a lease not be viable or easily sourced", that there remain options besides simply destroying the heritage building, which "the community have very loudly and clearly shown is not an option they want to see."

Finally, Deputy Mayor Dale Harriman (LoyYang) spoke in favour of the motion, personally thanking the historical society and giving praise for how well put together its submission was, in both its budget and clear structure.

"It wasn't just a pie in the sky," he said, "this is something that has a budget attached to it that has ideas for the future (...) a planned and staged implementation," he said.

The motion was passed unanimously.

The project will be managed by a specific subcommittee of the Traralgon Historical Society, which will report to the society's major committee on a monthly basis as the plan for the church progresses.

“We are well and truly daunted by the challenge, but nothing ventured, nothing gained," Ms Johnson told the Express after the meeting.

“It’s significant to our community, and it might even be the oldest building left in the town."

The Traralgon Historical Society currently has 70 members - and is one of the strongest and longest surviving societies in Victoria.

For now, the Old Methodist Church remains firmly on solid ground - with council, history, and the community all singing from the same hymn sheet.

FRIDAY 2 JANUARY

TUESDAY 30 DECEMBER Kade Wilson Mereilisoni Tawalo Jagan Prasad

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By AIDAN KNIGHT

The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025 — Page 15

HOROSCOPES

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by Joanne Madeline Moore

May29, 20 2025 - May- January 26, 2024 4, 2026 December

Aries (Mar 21 - Apr 19) The Super Full Moon falls in your domestic zone, so many Rams will ring in the New Year at home, surrounded by family and/or close friends. And – in the first half of 2026 – Jupiter could bring good fortune via a relative, and you could also renovate, extend your home, move house or travel overseas. Mars is currently in Capricorn, though, so you’ll have to be patient. Your motto is from birthday great, writer J. R. R. Tolkien: “Little by little, one travels far.”

Taurus (Apr 20 - May 20) With jolly Jupiter and the Super Full Moon lighting up your communication and local community zones, a New Year’s Eve party at your place (or in the neighbourhood) would be the perfect way to celebrate. And – in the first half of 2026 – Lady Luck could knock on your door via a family member, a friendly neighbour or a local community connection. Don’t listen to gossip on Thursday and Friday.

Keep your mind focused on more philosophical ideas.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20)

Libra (Sep 23 - Oct 22) New Year’s Eve looks lively and sociable as jovial Jupiter jumps through your public/reputation zone. Catching up with family and close friends will put a spring in your step and a smile on your dial. In 2026 the planets will change and deepen your relationships with loved ones. So, your mantra is from singer, songwriter and poet Patti Smith (who turns 79 on Tuesday): “Make your interactions with people transformational, not just transactional.”

Scorpio (Oct 23 - Nov 21) Sensitive Scorpios can get sentimental on New Year’s Eve, as you look back over the highs and lows of the closing year. It’s time to move on to greener and more productive pastures, as the Super Full Moon activates your adventure zone. So smart Scorps will start planning an exciting escape for some time soon! During the first half of 2026, good fortune could manifest via an in-law, close friend, work colleague or an acquaintance from another country.

Sagittarius (Nov 22 - Dec 21)

You’re in the mood to socialise and party on New Year’s Eve, so shake out your dancing shoes, shimmy into your favourite party gear, and turn the music up – loud!

Thursday and Friday look rather confusing, though, when nebulous Neptune squares Mercury (your ruling planet) and communication could get scrambled. When it comes to loved ones and work colleagues, don’t jump to conclusions, criticise and judge. Instead, open your ears, listen and learn.

With Mercury moving through your sign on New Year’s Eve, you’ll be in the mood to mix and mingle, socialise and circulate, dance and party like a pro. During the first half of 2026 you could benefit from a pay rise, inheritance, gift, bumper tax return, divorce settlement or superannuation pay-out, as prosperity planet Jupiter (your ruler) transits through your ‘money-from-others’ zone. Just make sure you think things through and spend any windfall wisely.

It’s a big week for Crabs! The Sun, Venus, Mars and Mercury are all visiting your relationship zone, and Saturday’s Super Full Moon is in your sign. So – if you’re attached – it’s time to have a super romantic New Year’s Eve with your sweetheart. And if you’re single, you might meet someone special on Wednesday night. When it comes to 2026, make sure you are focused and disciplined, as you set goals and pursue dreams that are challenging but achievable.

This week the Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars are all powering through your sign, Capricorn, which will amplify your positive traits (cool, classy, capable) but also your negative traits. So do your best to keep your bossy Demanding Diva side under control, as you practice humility and patience. Your motto for the New Year is from singger,, songgwriter and poet Patti Smith (who turns 79 on Tuesday): “If you feel good about who you are inside, it will radiate.”

Cancer (June 21 - July 22)

Leo (July 23 - Aug 22) Some Lions will be more low-key than usual, as sociable Jupiter and the Super Full Moon activate your solitude-and-privacy zone. So, a small, quiet New Year’s Eve party is the preferred way to go. From January 1 until June 30, happiness and good fortune come through keeping calm and centred in your cosy Lion’s den via regular meditation, contemplation and/or relaxation. Your motto is from birthday great, Rudyard Kipling: “Delight in the little things.”

Virgo (Aug 23 - Sep 22) Virgos can be very shy and retiring. However, this New Year’s Eve – with the Sun, Venus and Mars visiting your entertainment zone – you’ll be in party mode and may surprise yourself (and others) with some late-night funky moves on the dance floor! But Thursday and Friday could be confusing, as Neptune forms a tricky aspect with your ruler, Mercury (planet of communication). So, make sure you listen to others carefully and explain yourself clearly.

Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 19)

Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18)

This New Year’s Eve promises to be an enjoyable night as you party with family, friends and/or work colleagues.

But resist the urge to get into a confusing argument over money or possessions. Make it a priority to start 2026 in a positive and relaxed frame of mind, as the planets stimulate your daily routine and spirituality zones. Activities like meditation, contemplation, yoga and journalling are favoured, as you tap into the goldmine of Aquarian wisdom within.

Pisces (Feb 19 - Mar 20) With the Full Moon and sociable Jupiter energising your entertainment zone, you’re in the mood for bright lights, loud music, party food and plenty of dancing on New Year’s Eve. But Mercury (planet of communication) squares Neptune (your ruler), so you’re also inclined to make insensitive remarks to over-sensitive loved ones. Watch what you say! As writer (and birthday great) Rudyard Kipling observed: “Words are the most powerful drug used by mankind.”

G 668 COPYRIGHT Joanne Madeline Moore 20025

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Page 16 — The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025

First-hand: Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester met with Noah’s Ark regional operations manager Michelle Kenny, occupational therapist Stephanie Collins and strengthening parent support program coordinator Vanessa Darling to discuss the challenges and impacts of the recent changes to the NDIS on Gippsland participants and providers.

Photograph contributed

NDIS cuts affecting Gippslanders

By DAVID BRAITHWAITE

GIPPSLAND National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants and providers are being disproportionately affected by the federal government's recent decision to freeze allied health pay rates and halve travel allowances, according to Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.

Mr Chester claimed the changes were worsening inequality for regional communities.

Mr Chester met with representatives of Noah's Ark, who shared significant concerns about the impact of the changes on the delivery of essential services across Gippsland.

Noah's Ark, which provides early childhood intervention services across Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT, with sites in Morwell and Bairnsdale, is among the many regional providers warning the cuts will severely limit their ability to deliver home-based, school-based and communitydelivered supports.

"Under the new caps, providers are telling me they will be forced to reduce or even cease in-home and community services altogether," Mr Chester said.

"That means families who have spent years building trusted relationships with therapists face disrupted care, fewer choices, and reduced flexibility, all at a time when they already face greater barriers than metropolitan families."

Mr Chester said the changes would hit the most vulnerable hardest, particularly low-income households, who may lack private transport, single parents and carers, who rely on flexible support models, children with severe disabilities, who may struggle in unfamiliar settings and families living in remote areas, where travel is unavoidable.

"The decision to freeze allied health pay rates and slash travel allowances shows a complete misunderstanding of the realities of delivering services in regional Australia," Mr Chester said.

"Clinicians in Gippsland often travel long distances to reach children with severe mobility constraints. Cutting their travel support will only drive more providers away from NDIS work."

Mr Chester said Gippsland already faced major workforce shortages in allied health, and the

latest changes threatened to further limit access to essential therapy services.

"Without allied health providers, there is no NDIS," Mr Chester said.

"If more practitioners withdraw because it's financially unsustainable, waiting lists will grow longer and access will decline, particularly in rural and regional areas."

Mr Chester wrote to Health Minister Mark Butler in June, urging him to intervene in the planned cuts.

"I was contacted by occupational therapists, speech pathologists and physiotherapists right across Gippsland who warned it is unsustainable to provide services at a loss," Mr Chester said.

"The Minister needs to take immediate action to protect the interests of rural and regional people with disabilities.

"Regional and rural families already face greater challenges accessing services," he said.

"These NDIS cuts will only deepen the disadvantage, and the government must act urgently."

A spokesperson for the National Disability Insurance Agency, which runs the NDIS, told the Express new therapy pricing and updated travel claiming rules were introduced to make sure NDIS participants weren’t paying more than other Australians for the same supports and services.

"The agency is monitoring the impact of these changes," the spokesperson said.

"We’re inviting NDIS participants, providers, and the broader disability community to share their views on NDIS pricing through a two-month consultation, now open at NDIS Engage (engage. ndis.gov.au).

"The agency will also work with selected therapy providers across Australia as part of the Quality Supports program therapy pilot to better understand the features and costs of delivering quality supports."

The pilot on therapy support will begin early next year. Early insights from the pilot program will be combined with feedback received from participants and providers during the current consultation process, and other data points, to inform the agency’s pricing recommendations for the 2026-27 financial year.

Take care this summer

AMBULANCE Victoria paramedics are urging the community to take care over the break, with warmer weather, school holidays and increased travel typically leading to a rise in preventable emergencies.

AV's acting executive director, regional operations, Michael Georgiou noted that while it has been a slow start to the season, paramedics know demand increases quickly once temperatures climb.

“Every summer we see the same pattern. Once the hot weather arrives, we experience more heat-related illnesses, more water incidents and more people getting into trouble outdoors,” Mr Georgiou said.

“We’re asking Victorians to take simple steps now so they can enjoy summer safely.”

Last year, paramedics responded to hundreds of heat-related cases across the state. Heat illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke can escalate rapidly and are entirely preventable.

“Heat stroke is life-threatening. If someone is confused, collapsing or losing consciousness, that is a medical emergency and you should call Triple Zero (000) immediately,” Mr Georgiou warned.

Hot cars continue to be one of the most dangerous and preventable hazards. The temperature inside a parked car can rise by 20 to 30 degrees in minutes, and a child’s body temperature rises up to five times faster than an adult’s.

“Never leave children, older people or pets in a parked car. Not even for a moment. The risks are extreme and the consequences can be tragic,” Mr Georgiou urged.

Water safety also remains a priority as Victorians head to rivers, lakes and beaches.

Research shows the risk of drowning doubles on public holidays, with more than one-third of inland drownings occurring within a person’s own postcode.

“Simple choices save lives. Wear a lifejacket, supervise children closely and avoid alcohol around water,” Mr Georgiou reminded the community.

Warmer weather also brings increased snake activity. Most snakes in Victoria are venomous and all suspected bites require urgent medical attention.

“People often disturb a snake without realising it. Stay alert, keep to clear paths and know what to do if someone is bitten,” Mr Georgiou said.

Bush and hiking-related incidents also increase over summer, including dehydration, falls, injuries and people becoming lost.

Paramedics continue to see serious incidents involving vulnerable people during hot weather.

Children, older people and those with chronic conditions are at greater risk of dehydration and heat stress.

Victorians feeling unwell due to heat should seek early medical advice. For non-emergencies, care is available through the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, GPs, Urgent Care Clinics, pharmacists or NURSE-ON-CALL. Always call Triple Zero (000) if someone is seriously ill or injured, experiencing chest pain, having trouble breathing, unconscious, or you suspect heat stroke or a snake bite.

Heat health resources are available in multiple languages at: ambulance.vic.gov.au/ translated-resources/

The Guide PICK OF THE W WEEK

LUXURY ESCAPES: WORLD’S BEST HOLIDAYS 7TWO, Saturday, 6pm

ART DETECTIVES ABC TV, Friday, 8.15pm

True Blood ’s Stephen Moyerr enters ng his cosy crime era as broodin investigator Mick Palmer in this xcompelling and charming sixpart series. Specialising in casses connected to the world of arrt and ber of antiquities as the sole memb the Met’s Heritage Crime Un nit, Palmer’s usual beat is fraud, forgery and trafficking. Howeever, when an art historian is found dead in an aristocrat’s home,, he’s joined by straight-talkingg constable Shazia Malik (Nina Singh, pictured with Moyer) to solve a likely murder. As the odd-couple pairing dig furtheer into the man’s death, they discover sabotaged security ndalised footage, a cryptic note, a van painting and a dark family seecret.

It’s a tantalising case to crackk.

GOOLAGONG ABC TV, Sunday, 8.20 0pm

Prepare to experience serious travel envy: the five-star holidays featured in this dream destination series are next level. Rebecca Gibney, Jane Hall, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Matt Le Nevez are among the lucky jetsetters who get to enjoy some of the best adventures the world has to offer.

There’s something for everyone, from beach babes to adrenaline junkies, culture vultures and nature seekers.

In Saturday’s return, Miguel Maestre and Cameron Daddo (both pictured) immerse themselves in tthe majesty and magic of the Maldives, discovering untamed beauty and pure indulgence as they stay at both the north and south ends of the archipelagicc paradise.

From the sunburnt New b w South W les regional town of B Wa Barellan to centre court at Wim mbledon, this stirr rrin ingg miniseries charts the incredible real life story s of Indigenous tennis cham g mpion Evonne Goolagong Cawley.

Premiering on Sunday, the threepart event begins in 1958 8, when a seven-year-old Evonnee (Eloise Hart) first picks up a tennis racquet. Her naatural talent is imm mediately obvious, and a five years lateer the youngstter (Rilee Clarke) is whisked away to o Sydney by influ uential but imperi p ious coach Vic Ed dwards (Marton Csokaas).

Risingg star Lila M McGuire (pictu ured) takess over as Evon nne when the young y wom man’s oncourt prowess p leads to graand slam success, but a disturbing d dynamic is plaaying out behind the sccenes. b

GENIUS GAME SBS Viceland, M Monday, 8.30pm

The Crystal Mazee meets The Traitors in thiis brainiac game show adaptted from a South Korean reality series. Doctor D Wh ho and Broadchurch star D David Tennant (picturred) hosts as “The Creato or” while 11 strateggically minded players com mpete in a series of puzzles and games deesigned to reveaal their true natures. Repo orted to be British TV’s “most expensive flop in years”, the game of wits didn’t fifind a UK audience big enough to merit its £2.5 million price tag, but there’s eigght odes for Australian viewers to episo de for themselves. A crim decid me writeer, a DJ, a forensic scientisst, a co omedian and two doctorss are among a the clever contestants hoping to outw wit the competition.

Wednesday, December 31 ABC TV (2)

6.00 Back In Time For The Corner Shop. (PG, R) 7.00 News Breakfast. 9.30 A Symphonic Odyssey With Professor Brian Cox. (R) 11.05 All Creatures Great And Small. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 1.55 Restoration Aust. (PG, R) 2.55 Would I Lie To You? (R) 3.25 Simply Nigella. (R) 3.55 Grand Designs New Zealand. (R) 4.40 Long Lost Family: Born Without A Trace. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

SBS (3)

6am Morning Programs. 10.05 Kew Gardens: Season By Season. (R) 10.55 Food, Sail, Love.

(R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 2.05 The Throwback. (R) 2.15 Pompeii: The Discovery With Dan Snow. (PGa, R) 3.10 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.20 The Cook Up. (R) 3.50 Scotland: A Wild Year. (PG, R) 4.45 Jeopardy! 5.10 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.40 Mastermind Aust. (R)

6.00 Sunrise.

9.00 The Morning Show Summer Series. (PG) 12.00 MOVIE: Curious Caterer: Dying For Chocolate. (2022, PGav, R) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies.

3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4.

5.00 The Chase Australia.

Hosted by Larry Emdur.

SEVEN (7, 6)

6.00 Today.

9.00 Today Extra Summer. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning.

12.00 Space Invaders. (PG, R) 1.00 Jeopardy! Australia.

2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon.

5.00 Tipping Point Australia.

(PG, R) Hosted by Todd Woodbridge.

NINE (9, 8)

TEN (10, 5)

6.30 Hard Quiz Kids. 7.00 ABC News.

7.30 The Yearly With Charlie Pickering. (PG, R) 8.45 New Year’s Eve: Welcome To NYE. A night of entertainment and celebration.

8.55 New Year’s Eve: Calling Country Fireworks. Pre-midnight Calling Country fireworks.

9.05 New Year’s Eve: Live Concert From The Sydney Opera House. (PG) An all-star concert.

11.45 New Year’s Eve: Countdown To Midnight. (PG) 12.00 New Year’s Eve: Midnight Fireworks. (PG) 12.10 New Year’s Eve: Auld Lang Syne. 12.15 Rage NYE Special.

(MA15+adhlnsv) 5.00 Rage. (PGadhlnsv)

6.10 Dinner For One. (R) 6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 ABBA And The Secrets Of Swedish Pop. (PG, R) The story of Swedish supergroup ABBA. 8.50 An Evening With Elton John And Brandi Carlile. A concert special featuring Elton John and Brandi Carlile.

9.55 Notre Dame: The Renaissance Concert. (R) 12.00 Billy Joel: Live At Yankee Stadium.

(PG, R) 1.35 MOVIE: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button. (2008, Mlsv, R) Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton. 4.25 The Eco Show. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League.

Match 17. Adelaide Strikers v Brisbane Heat. From Adelaide Oval.

10.30 Big Bash League Post-Match.

Post-match coverage of the game between the Adelaide Strikers and Brisbane Heat.

11.00 Chicago Fire. (Mav) Kidd strengthens her bond with Natalie during a road trip. Severide investigates a car fire.

12.00 136th Rose Parade. (PG) From Pasadena, California.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.

5.00 Sunrise Early News. The latest news, sport and weather.

5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 RBT. (PGl) Follows the activities of police units.

8.30 MOVIE: New Year’s Eve. (2011, Ml, R) Intertwining stories of couples and singles set on New Year’s Eve in New York. Michelle Pfeiffer, Zac Efron.

10.55 2025: Year In Review.

12.00 Melbourne New Year’s Eve 2025 Fireworks.

12.10 MOVIE: Can’t Stop The Music. (1980, PGdls, R) Valerie Perrine, Steve Guttenberg, Paul Sand. 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 Home Shopping. 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo.

(R) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

6.00 The Dog House Australia.

(PGa, R) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith.

7.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer.

7.30 Have You Been Paying Attention? (Final, Malns, R) Hosted by Tom Gleisner.

8.30 The Graham Norton Show.

(Ml, R) Graham Norton is joined on the couch by Robbie Williams, Rami Malek, Motsi Mabuse and John Bishop.

9.45 MTV Music Videos: NYE. (PGa) Continuous music programming.

2.15 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 3.00 Home Shopping. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s

10 COMEDY (11, 52) 6am GCBC.

6.00 Ent. Tonight. 6.30 GCBC. (R) 7.00 Everyday Gourmet. (R) 7.30 Farm To Fork.

(R) 8.00 Bold. (PG, R) 8.30 Deal Or No Deal.

(R) 9.00 Lingo. (R) 10.00 Matlock. (PGa, R) 12.00 Farm To Fork. 12.30 Family Feud. (PG, R) 1.00 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia.

(PGa, R) 2.00 Taskmaster Australia. (PGls, R) 3.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 3.30 Lingo. (R) 4.30 The Bold And The Beautiful. (PGa, R) 5.00 10 News.

Programs. 4.25pm Mojo Swoptops. 4.40 Vida The Vet. 4.50 Bluey. 5.00 Peppa Pig. 5.10 Big Lizard.

5.20 Millie Magnificent. 5.30 Peter Rabbit. 5.45 Kangaroo Beach. 5.55 Knee High Spies. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Paddington.

6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Deadly 60. 8.30 Steven Universe. 8.50 Adventure Time. 9.15 Teen Titans Go! 9.35 We Bare Bears. 9.50 Teen Titans Go! 10.00 Steven Universe. 10.10 My Adventures With Superman. 10.35 Late Programs.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am

WorldWatch. 7.55 France 24 Feature. 8.10 NHK Newsline. 8.40 CBC The National. 9.30 BBC News At Six. 10.00 The Movie Show. 12.20pm DW The Day. 12.50 Stone Cold Takes On America. 1.40 If You Are The One. 3.40 BBC News At Ten. 4.10 France 24 International News. 4.40 PBS NewsHour.

5.40 Shaun Micallef’s Origin Odyssey. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

8.30 Adam Hills: The Last Leg. 9.20 MOVIE: The Fifth Element. (1997, PG) 11.40 MOVIE: After The Sunset. (2004, M) 1.30am Appetite. 2.40 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera Newshour.

7TWO (72, 62) 6am The Zoo. 6.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30 Harry’s Practice. 8.00 Million Dollar Minute. 9.00 Medical Emergency.

9.30 NBC Today. Noon Better Homes And Gardens.

1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 The Zoo. 2.30 The Master. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Medical Emergency. 4.30 Better Homes And Gardens. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Heartbeat. 8.45 Inspector George Gently. 10.45 Queen And Country. 11.45 Bargain Hunt. 12.45am Room For Improvement. 1.30 The Great Australian Doorstep. 2.00 Harry’s Practice. 2.30 Medical Emergency. 3.00 Late Programs.

9GEM (92, 81) 6am Gideon’s Way. 7.00 Creflo Dollar Ministries. 7.30 Thunderbirds. 8.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. 10.30 Pointless. 11.30 Antiques Roadshow. Noon Antiques Downunder.

12.30 MOVIE: The Honey Pot. (1967, PG) 3.15 MOVIE: Yours, Mine And Ours. (1968) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow.

7.30 Keeping Up Appearances. 8.40 Midsomer Murders. 10.40 How We Celebrate. 11.50 Keeping Up Appearances. 1am Creflo Dollar Ministries.

1.30 MOVIE: Yours, Mine And Ours. (1968) 3.45 Explore. 4.00 Gideon’s Way. 5.00 Yorkshire Auction House.

6.30 Everyday Gourmet. 7.00 Ridiculousness.

8.00 Taskmaster Australia. 9.00 My Market Kitchen. 9.30 Bold. 10.00 Family Feud. 10.30 Ridiculousness. 11.30 Deal Or No Deal. Noon Taskmaster Australia. 1.00 Ridiculousness. 2.00 Stephen Colbert. 3.00 Becker. 3.30 Frasier. 4.00 Farm To Fork. 4.30 Frasier. 5.00 Becker. 5.30 Frasier. 6.30 Friends.

8.00 The Big Bang Theory. (PG, R) 10.00 Becker. 10.30 Frasier. 11.30 Ridiculousness.

12.30am Shopping. 2.30 Bold. 3.30 Stephen Colbert. 4.30 Shopping.

NITV (34) 6am Morning Programs. 9.50

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

7MATE (73, 64) 6am Hook, Line And

9GO! (93, 82) 6am Morning Programs.

10 DRAMA (12, 53) 6am Shopping.

Chums. 10.00 Great Blue Wild. 10.50 NITV News: Summer Yarns. 11.00 A Wing And A Prayer. Noon Piri’s Tiki Tour. 12.30 Unleash The Beast. 1.30 Off Country. 2.00 Tradition On A Plate. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Spartakus. 3.25 Cities Of Gold. 4.25 Little J And Big Cuz. 4.35 Motown Magic. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 Black As. 5.30 News.

6.00 Bamay. 6.30 NITV News: Summer Yarns.

6.40 Great Blue Wild. 7.30 Chuck Berry: Brown Eyed Handsome Man. 8.30 Alicia Keys Live In New York. 10.00 Tina Turner Live 2009. 12.20am Late Programs.

6am The Grass Harp. (1995, PGal) 7.40 The Movie Show. 8.15 Remi Nobody’s Boy. (2018, PGav, French) 10.20 The Perks Of Being A Wallflower.

(2012, Madlsv, R) 12.15 Princess Mononoke. (1997, R, Japanese) 2.45 Castle In The Sky. (1986, G, R) 5.10 Oink. (2022, PGav, R, Dutch) 6.35 The Wedding Planner. (2001, PGals, R) 8.30 Gone Girl. (2014, MA15+alsv, R) 11.15 Mars Attacks! (1996, Masv) 1.15am Two Hands.

(1999, MA15+lv) 3.00 Secretary. (2002, MA15+as) 5.00 Master Cheng: A Spice For Life. (2019, PGaln)

Sinker. 7.00 My Fishing Place. 7.30 Creek To Coast.

8.00 A Football Life. 9.00 America’s Game: The Super Bowl Champions. 10.00 Aussie Adventure Bike Show. 10.30 American Restoration. 11.00 Storage Wars. 11.30 American Pickers. 12.30pm Pawn Stars. 1.30 Outback Truckers. 3.30 Billy The Exterminator. 4.30 American Restoration. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Highway Patrol. 8.30 The Force: Behind The Line. 9.30 Caught On Dashcam. 10.30 World’s Wildest Police Videos. 11.30 Live PD Presents: PD Cam. Midnight Late Programs.

9.30 Addams Family. 10.00 Bewitched. 10.30 Jeannie. 11.00 The West Wing. 12.10pm MOVIE: Carbon Copy. (1981, PG) 2.00 Golden Girls. 2.30 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 Jeannie. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: Remotely Famous. (2025, M) 10.50 Seinfeld. 11.50 MOVIE: The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour. (2022, M) 1.25am The Vampire Diaries. 3.05 Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists. 4.00 Barbie: Dreamhouse Adventures. 4.30 Hop. 4.50 Booba. 5.10 Mia & Codie. 5.30 Pokémon: BW Rival Destinies.

8.00 Escape Fishing. 9.00 Living Room. 10.00 JAG. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.45 The Young And The Restless. 1.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia.

2.30 JAG. (PGal, R) 4.30 The Living Room. (PG, R) 5.30 JAG. (PGlv, R) 7.30 NCIS. (Mv, R) 8.30 Law & Order: SVU. (MA15+v, R) 10.20 48 Hours: The Plot To Eliminate Alyssa Burkett. (Ma, R) 12.15am Shopping.

CONSUMER ADVICE (P) Pre-school (C) Children (PG) Parental Guidance Recommended (M) Mature Audiences (MA15+) Mature Audiences Only (AV15+) Extreme Adult Violence (R) Repeat (a) Adult themes (d) Drug references (h) Horror (s) Sex references (l) Language (m) Medical procedures (n) Nudity (v) Violence.

MEL/VIC

The Latrobe Valley Express, TV Guide Tuesday, 30 December, 2025 — Page 17

Thursday, January 1 ABC (2)

SBS (3)

SEVEN (7, 6)

NINE (9, 8)

TEN (10, 5)

6.10 New Year s Eve: Midnight Fireworks. (PG, R) 6.25 New Year s Eve: Auld Lang Syne. (R) 6.30 Hard Quiz Kids. (R) 7.00 ABC News.

7.30 MOVIE: But Also John Clarke. (2025, M) Looks at John Clarke s private chats with his daughter. Lorin Clarke.

9.15 MOVIE: Murder By Numbers.

(2002, MA15+av, R) A detective investigates a murder. Sandra Bullock, Ben Chaplin.

11.10 The Art Of. (Final, PG, R) 11.45 Grand Designs New Zealand.

(R) 12.30 Long Lost Family: Born Without A Trace. (PG, R) 1.15 Rage.

(MA15+adhlnsv) 3.15 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 Simply Nigella. (R)

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

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Big Fat Quiz Of The Year 2025. Jimmy Carr holds a 2025-themed quiz.

9.05 Kennedy, Sinatra And The (Malsv, R) Documents the friendship between Frank Sinatra and John F. Kennedy.

10.45 Rock Legends: ZZ Top. (PGs) Charts the history of American rock band ZZ Top. 11.15 Vienna Blood. (MA15+av) 12.10 Outlander. (MA15+a, R) 2.25 House Of Promises. (Mav, R) 3.20 The Eco Show. (R) 4.15 Bamay. (PG, R) 4.45 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League.

Match 19. Hobart Hurricanes v Perth Scorchers. From Ninja Stadium, Hobart.

10.30 Seven s Cricket: The Spin.

An expert panel examines all the big news and issues with a deep dive into the world of cricket.

11.15 The Amazing Race. (PG)

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Great Getaways. (PG) The team visits Hawaii s cowboy country.

8.30 Topknotz: Wild On Water.

The crew returns to Fiji for

New York City and rappel down the iconic Empire State Building.

12.45 Life. (Malsv, R) A politician is shot and killed in her home.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.

5.00 Sunrise Early News. The latest news, sport and weather.

5.30 Sunrise.

9.30 Limitless With Chris Hemsworth: Memory. (PGa, R) Chris Hemsworth challenges his brain as he goes off-grid into the wilderness.

11.50 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 12.40 Pointless. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

6.00 The Graham Norton Show.

Graham Norton is joined

by Tom Hiddleston, Laura Dern, Will Arnett and more.

7.30 MOVIE: Forrest Gump.

(1994, Malv, R) A kind-hearted and simple-minded man recalls the story of his extraordinary life to anyone who will listen to him, while he waits for the bus to take him to the only woman he has ever loved. Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Sally Field.

10.15 MOVIE: Babylon.

(2022, MA15+dlsv, R) An ambitious cast of characters strives to stay on top of raucous 1920s Hollywood.

Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie.

1.45 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) Hosted

by Stephen Colbert.

3.00 Home Shopping. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children s Programs. 5.30pm Peter Rabbit. 5.45 Kangaroo Beach. 5.55 Knee High Spies.

6.05 The Scarecrows Wedding. 6.35 Bluey.

7.05 Batwheels. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Deadly 60. 8.30 Secrets Of The Zoo. 9.10 Secret Life Of The Wombat. 10.00 The Wonderful World Of Puppies. 10.40 Late Programs.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am WorldWatch. 10.00 The Movie Show.

12.20pm WorldWatch. 12.50 The Billionaires Who Made Our World. 1.45 Devoured.

2.40 Insight. 3.40 WorldWatch. 5.40 Shaun Micallef s Origin Odyssey. 6.40 Jeopardy!

7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

8.30 Hoarders. 2.50am NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Morning Programs. 1pm Escape To The Country.

2.00 The Great Australian Doorstep. 2.30 Queen And Country. 3.30 Harry s Practice.

4.00 Medical Emergency. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Father Brown. 8.30 The Inspector Lynley Mysteries. 10.30 Murdoch Mysteries. 11.30 Late Programs.

9GEM (92, 81) 6am Morning Programs. 10.30 Pointless. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. Noon Antiques Roadshow.

12.30 MOVIE: Please Turn Over. (1959, PG) 2.20 How We Celebrate. 3.30 MOVIE: Geordie. (1955) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 Clarkson s Farm. 8.40 MOVIE: Police Academy. (1984, M) 10.40 Late Programs.

10 COMEDY (11, 52) 6am Morning Programs. 9.30 Farm To Fork. 10.00 Family Feud. 10.30 Ridiculousness. 11.30 Deal Or No Deal. Noon Taskmaster Australia. 1.00 Ridiculousness. 2.00 Stephen Colbert. 3.00 Becker. 3.30 Frasier. 4.00 Farm To Fork.

4.30 Frasier. 5.00 Becker. 5.30 Frasier. 6.30 Friends. 8.00 Big Bang. 9.30 Becker. 10.00 Frasier. 11.00 Late Programs.

NITV (34) 6am Morning Programs.

1.30pm Big Boss. 2.00 Tradition On A Plate. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums.

5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 Black As. 5.30 Ochre And Ink. 6.00 Bamay. 6.30 NITV News: Summer Yarns. 6.40 Great Blue Wild.

7.29 NITV Weather. 7.30 Going Places. 8.30 Reservation Dogs. 9.30 MOVIE: Point Break.

(1991, M) 11.35 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

7MATE (73, 64) 6am Morning Programs. 11.30 American Pickers. 12.30pm Pawn Stars. 1.30 Highway Patrol. 2.30 The Force: BTL. 3.30 Billy The Exterminator. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 American Pickers: Best Of. 8.30 MOVIE: X-Men: Dark Phoenix. (2019, M) 10.50 Late Programs.

9GO! (93, 82) 6am Morning Programs.

10 DRAMA (12, 53) 6am Shopping.

6am Morning Programs. 11.30 Simply Nigella. (R) 12.00 News. 1.10 Would I Lie To You? (R) 1.40 The Yearly With Charlie Pickering. (PGa, R) 2.55 NYE: Welcome To NYE. (R) 3.05 NYE: Calling Country Fireworks. (R) 3.20 NYE: Live Concert. (PG, R) 5.55 Countdown To Midnight. (PG, R)

6am Morning Programs. 10.50 Food, Sail, Love. (PG, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Gregg Arthur Live: The City Recital Hall. 3.05 Primitive Medium. (R) 3.15 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.25 The Cook Up. (PG, R) 3.55 The Message Of The Lyrebird. 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6am Morning Programs. 12.55pm Mars Attacks! (1996, Masv) 2.55 The Company.

(2003, PGals) 5.00 A King In New York.

(1957, PGa) 6.55 Monty Python And The Holy Grail. (1975, PG) 8.30 Monty Python s Life Of Brian. (1979, Maln) 10.15 Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery. (1997, Ms) 11.50 Late Programs.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra Summer. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning.

12.00 Space Invaders. (PG, R) 1.00 Jeopardy! Australia.

2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon.

5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG, R)

6.00 Sunrise.

9.00 The Morning Show Summer Series. (PG) 12.00 MOVIE: Curious Caterer: Fatal Vows. (2023, PGav, R) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies.

3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4.

5.00 The Chase Australia.

Australia s Lightest ONLY 2.5KG 1 Scooter

Felicity Palmateer takes the

2.30pm Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 Jeannie. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld.

8.30 MOVIE: Snitch. (2013, M) 10.45 Seinfeld. 11.45 The 100. 12.40am The Vampire Diaries. 2.30 Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists. 3.30 4.00 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 7.30 Farm To Fork. (R) 8.00 Bold. (PGa, R) 8.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 9.00 Lingo. (R) 10.00 Matlock. (PGa, R) 12.00 Farm To Fork.

12.30 Family Feud. (PG, R) 1.00 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia. (PGal, R) 2.00 Taskmaster Australia. (PGal, R) 3.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 3.30 Lingo.

(R) 4.30 Bold. (PG, R) 5.00 News.

8.00 Escape Fishing. 9.00 Living Room.

10.00 JAG. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.45 The Young And The Restless. 1.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia. 2.30 JAG. 4.30 Living Room. 5.30 JAG. 7.30 NCIS. (Mv, R) 10.20 William And Harry: The Rise And Fall.

12.15am Blue Bloods. 1.15 Shopping.

Mobility And More Moe 32 George Street, Moe

Phone: 51 272099

Friday, January 2 ABC TV (2)

SBS (3)

SEVEN (7, 6)

NINE (9, 8)

TEN (10, 5)

6.30 Hard Quiz Kids. (PG, R) Hosted by Tom Gleeson.

7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.

7.30 All Creatures Great And Small. James is on a crash course in fatherhood.

8.15 Art Detectives. (Premiere, Mv) DI Mick Palmer and DC Shazia Malik investigate when an art historian is found murdered in his home.

9.05 MOVIE: Lion. (2016, PGa, R)

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

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Dakar: Race Against The Desert. Chronicles the history of the Dakar Rally.

9.05 Ray Martin: Mysteries Of The Outback. (Ml, R) Ray Martin embarks

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League.

Match 20. Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Stars.

10.30 Big Bash League Post-Match. Post-match coverage of the game between the Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Stars.

11.00 MOVIE: Layer Cake.

(2004, MA15+lsv, R) A drug dealer searches for a missing woman.

Daniel Craig, Sienna Miller.

1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R) Hosted

by Greg Grainger.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) Hosted by Simon Reeve.

5.00 NBC Today.

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Find My Beach House Australia.

Hosted by Shelley Craft.

8.30 MOVIE: I, Tonya.

(2018, MA15+lsv, R) After rising from obscurity to become a champion

6.00 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) 7.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer.

7.30 Selling Houses Australia. (R) A couple look for a new start.

8.30 Love It Or List It Australia. (R) Paul and Michelle have outgrown their three-bedroom home and Neale needs to think outside the square to maximise the space.

9.30 The Graham Norton Show.

(Ml, R) Graham Norton is joined on the couch by Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Michelle Yeoh and Jonathan Bailey.

10.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 11.30 The Imposter. (Mals, R) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

6am Morning Programs. 10.00 The Royal Variety Performance. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Call The Midwife.

(Ma, R) 2.00 Restoration Aust. (PG, R) 2.55 Would I Lie To You? (PG, R) 3.30 Simply Nigella. (R) 3.55 Grand Designs NZ. (PG, R) 4.40 Long Lost Family: Born Without A Trace. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

adopted by an Australian couple, his biological family. Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara.

10.55 Silent Witness. (Mav, R) 12.40 Rage. (MA15+dhlnsv)

6am Morning Programs. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 2.05 Britain s Most Expensive Houses.

(PGl, R) 3.00 Going Places. (PGa, R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Egypt: The Treasure Of The Sacred Bulls. (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy!

5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

outback rock formation.

10.55 Rock Legends: Glen Campbell. (PGa) 11.25 Sisi. (MA15+asv, R) 12.25 Culprits. (MA15+av, R) 2.30 Silent Road. (Ma, R) 4.25 Bamay. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show Summer Series. (PG) 12.00 MOVIE: Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans. (2024, PGav) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies: Celebrity Specials.

3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4.

5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Today.

9.00 Today Extra Summer. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning.

12.00 Space Invaders. (PG, R) Experts help people declutter their lives.

1.00 Tennis. United Cup. Day 1.

Group Stage. Spain v Argentina.

5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG, R) Hosted by Todd Woodbridge.

falls from grace. Margot Robbie, Allison Janney, Sebastian Stan.

10.50 Law & Order: Organized Crime. (MA15+av, R) 11.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 12.35 Australia s Top Ten Of Everything. (PGd, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Cross Court. (R)

6am Morning Programs. 7.30 Farm To Fork. (R) 8.00 Bold. (PG, R) 8.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 9.00 Lingo. (R) 10.00 Matlock. (PGals, R) 12.00 Farm To Fork.

12.30 Family Feud. (PG, R) 1.00 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia. (PGa, R) 2.00 Taskmaster Australia. (PGals, R) 3.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 3.30 Lingo.

(R) 4.30 Bold. (PG, R) 5.00 News.

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children s

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am WorldWatch. 10.00 The Movie Show. 11.45 The Swiping Game. 12.05pm WorldWatch.

12.35 Dark Side Of Comedy. 1.30 WWE Legends. 3.00 Bamay. 3.35 WorldWatch.

5.35 If You Are The One. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 MOVIE: The Getaway. (1994) 10.40 Adam Hills: The Last Leg. 11.30 Late Programs.

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Morning Programs. 1pm Escape To The Country.

2.00 Home In WA. 2.30 Australia s Deadliest.

3.00 The Great Australian Doorstep. 3.30 Medical Emergency. 4.00 Better Homes.

5.00 Escape To The Country. 6.00 Bargain Hunt. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens Summer. 8.30 Escape To The Country. 11.30 Late Programs.

9GEM (92, 81) 6am Morning Programs. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. Noon MOVIE: The Playboy Of The Western World.

(1963, PG) 2.05 MOVIE: South Of Algiers.

(1953) 4.00 Yorkshire Auction House. 5.00 Tennis. United Cup. Day 1. Group Stage.

Spain v Argentina. 7.00 Antiques Roadshow.

8.00 Tennis. United Cup. Day 1. Group Stage. Greece v Japan. 2am Late Programs.

10 COMEDY (11, 52) 6am Morning

NITV (34) 6am Morning Programs.

1.40pm Big Sky Girls. 2.00 Tradition On A Plate. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums.

5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 Black As. 5.30 Living Black. 6.00 Bamay. 6.30 Anthem Sessions Interstitials. 6.40 Great Blue Wild.

7.29 NITV Weather. 7.30 MOVIE: Jester Till.

(2003) 9.05 First Nations Bedtime Stories.

9.15 MOVIE: I Like Movies. (2022, M) 11.00 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

7MATE (73, 64) 6am Morning

9GO! (93, 82) 6am Morning Programs.

10 DRAMA (12, 53) 6am Shopping.

Programs. 6.40pm Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. (Return) 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Do Not Watch This Show. 7.40 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 8.05 Scooby-Doo And Guess Who? 8.30 My Adventures With Superman. 8.50 Robot Wars. 9.50 TKO: Total Knock Out. 10.35 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 12.25pm Radioactive. (2019, Mavw) 2.30 Master Cheng: A Spice For Life. (2019, PGaln) 4.35 Monsieur Verdoux. (1947, PGa) 6.50 Horrible Histories: The Movie. (2019, PGv) 8.30 Johnny Mnemonic. (1995, Mvl) 10.20 Purple Rain. (1984, Malsv) 12.25am Late Programs.

Page 18 — The Latrobe Valley Express, TV Guide Tuesday, 30 December, 2025

Programs. 1.30pm American Pickers: Best Of. 2.30 Storage Wars. 3.00 Timbersports.

3.30 Billy The Exterminator. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Road Wars.

8.30 MOVIE: The Whole Nine Yards. (2000, M) 10.35 MOVIE: Underworld. (2003, MA15+) 1.05am Late Programs.

2pm Golden Girls. 2.30 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld.

4.30 Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 Jeannie. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny.

7.30 MOVIE: Cheaper By The Dozen 2.

(2005, PG) 9.25 MOVIE: Fist Fight. (2017, MA15+) 11.20 MOVIE: Seriously Red. (2022, M) 1.20am The Vampire Diaries. 3.05 Late Programs.

Programs. 10.30 Ridiculousness. 11.30 Deal Or No Deal. Noon Taskmaster Australia.

1.00 Ridiculousness. 2.00 Stephen Colbert.

3.00 Becker. 3.30 Frasier. 4.00 Farm To Fork.

4.30 Frasier. 5.00 Becker. 5.30 Frasier. 6.30 Friends. 7.30 MOVIE: Bumblebee. (2018, M) 9.50 Becker. 10.15 Frasier. 11.05 Late Programs.

8.00 Escape Fishing. 9.00 Living Room.

10.00 JAG. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.45 The Young And The Restless. 1.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia. 2.30 JAG. 4.30 All 4 Adventure. 5.30 JAG. 7.30 NCIS. 10.20 William And Harry: The Rise And Fall. 11.15 Blue Bloods. (Final) 12.15am Shopping.

Saturday, January 3 ABC (2)

6am Morning Programs. 9.00 Rage. (PG) 10.30 Rage Vault Guest Programmer. (MA15+adhlnsv) 12.00 News. 12.30 Call The Midwife. (Ma, R) 1.30 Art Detectives. (Mv, R) 2.25 All Creatures Great And Small. (R) 3.20 Matthew Bourne s Swan Lake. (R) 5.25 Muster Dogs: Where Are They Now. (Final, R) 5.55 The ABC Of... (PGl, R)

SBS (3)

6am Morning Programs. 9.20 Matched.

(PG, R) 10.10 Robson Green s British Adventure. (R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Figure Skating. ISU Grand Prix Final.

Japan Part 1. Highlights. 4.00 Plat Du Tour. (R) 4.05 Going Places. (R) 5.35 Great Gardens Of Europe.

SEVEN (7, 6)

NINE (9, 8)

TEN (10, 5)

6.30 Back Roads: 10 Years Of Back Roads Heather s Farewell. (PG, R) Heather Ewart says goodbye.

7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.

7.30 Call The Midwife. (PGa) Follows the work of nuns and nurses.

8.30 Vera, Farewell Pet. (PG, R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Merchant Ivory. A look at the personal and professional partnership of director James Ivory and producer Ismail Merchant.

9.30 Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors. (Mav, R) Explores the work Queen Camilla has done to spread awareness of domestic and sexual violence.

10.50 Scottish Islands With Ben Fogle: Isles Of The Clyde Arran And Holy Isle.

(R) Presented by Ben Fogle.

11.55 While The Men Are Away. (MA15+s, R) 4.15 The Eco Show. (Ml, R) 4.45 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R) 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Animals Aboard With Dr Harry. (PG) Retriever Ralph battles separation anxiety. A

6.00 9News Saturday.

7.00 Tennis. United Cup. Day 2.

Group Stage. USA v Argentina.

From RAC Arena, Perth. Australia v Norway. From Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney. Now in its fourth year of competition, the United Cup is a mixed-gender team event, acting as a lead-up event to the Australian Open and held across two cities in late December and early January.

2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PG) Religious program.

2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 Global Shop. (R) Home shopping.

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Helping Hands Summer Series.

(PG, R) A celebration of people and organisations across Australia which make the world a better place.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer.

6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated

by Mark Coles Smith.

7.30 Love It Or List It Australia.

A couple fallen out of love with their house and feel they have outgrown it.

8.40 Location, Location, Location Australia. (R) Property experts Mitch Edwards and Mark McKie guide their buyers to securing their dream homes.

9.40 Ambulance UK. (Ma, R) It is a busy night shift for the ambulance service when they are alerted to an infectious disease outbreak.

10.50 The Imposter. (Madls, R) A family argues over a beachfront hotel.

1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children s Programs. 5.10pm MOVIE: Thomas And Friends: The Mystery Of Lookout Mountain.

(2022) 6.05 Children s Programs. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Teeny Tiny Stevies. 6.50 Andy And The Band. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey.

7.30 Hard Quiz Kids. 8.00 Chopped Jnr. 8.40 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.25 Abbott Elementary.

9.45 Merlin. 10.30 Late Programs.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am WorldWatch. 10.00 The Movie Show.

12.20pm SBS50. 12.25 Trainspotting.

1.55 Stutter School: Untold Australia. 3.00 WorldWatch. 5.00 Mastermind Aust. 5.30 Seeing Double: Daniel Chucky Sanders.

6.00 Motor Racing. Dakar Rally. Prologue.

9.00 Icons Unearthed: Fast & Furious. 10.50 Snowpiercer. 11.45 Late Programs.

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm Wildlife ER. 2.30 Better Homes And Gardens Summer. 4.00 Better Homes. 5.00 Horse Racing. Magic Millions Prelude Raceday, Royal Randwick Raceday and Super Saturday On The Coast. 6.00 Luxury Escapes: World s Best Holidays.

(Return) 6.30 Bondi Vet. 7.30 The Yorkshire Vet. 8.30 Lewis. 10.40 Late Programs.

9GEM (92, 81) 6am Morning

10 COMEDY (11, 52) 6am GCBC.

NITV (34) 6am Morning Programs.

2.05pm Stompem Ground 2022: Blekbala Mujik. 2.55 MOVIE: Salute. (2008, PG) 4.30 Faboriginal. 5.00 Unsettled. 6.00 The Barber.

6.30 NITV News: Summer Yarns. 6.40 The Other Side. 7.30 Alone Australia. 8.30 MOVIE: Let Me In. (2010, MA15+) 10.30 Australian Music Vault: Marcia Hines. 11.35 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

7MATE (73, 64) 6am Morning Programs. 1pm Blokesworld. 1.30 Cool Cars & Bikes. 2.00 Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 3.00 Motor Racing. NDRC Top Doorslammer. H lights. 4.00 Desert Collectors. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Pawn Stars. 7.00 Storage Wars. 7.30 MOVIE: Battleship. (2012, M) 10.10 Late Programs.

9GO! (93, 82) 6am Morning Programs.

10 DRAMA (12, 53) 6am Shopping.

years of Vera, with exclusive behind-the-scenes moments.

9.20 MOVIE: Strangerland.

(2015, MA15+ns, R) A family from a rural outback town is left devastated after their two teenage children disappear into the desert.

Nicole Kidman, Hugo Weaving.

11.05 Rage Vault Guest Programmer. (MA15+dhlnsv) 5.00 Rage. (MA15+dhlnsv)

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show Summer Series. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. Magic Millions Prelude Raceday, Royal Randwick Raceday and Super Saturday On The Coast.

5.00 Seven News At 5.

5.30 Border Security: Australia s Front Line. (PG, R)

8.00 MOVIE: Kindergarten Cop. (1990, Mv, R) A detective goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher to catch a drug dealer.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Penelope Ann Miller, Pamela Reed.

10.30 MOVIE: Nope. (2022, Mhl) The residents of a horse ranch encounter aliens. Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer.

1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R) Hosted

by Greg Grainger.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 It s Academic. (R) 5.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

6am Morning Programs. 10.30 Johnny Mnemonic. (1995, Mvl) 12.25pm Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery.

(1997, Ms) 2.05 A King In New York. (1957, PGa) 4.00 Forever Enthralled. (2008, PG, Mandarin) 6.45 Nights In Rodanthe. (2008, PGals) 8.30 The Peacemaker. (1997, MA15+av) 10.50 Late Programs.

6.00 Fishing Australia. (R) 6.30 A Current Affair. (R) 7.00 Weekend Today.

10.00 Find My Beach House Australia.

(R) 10.30 Tennis. United Cup. Day 2.

Group Stage. France v Switzerland.

Belgium v China.

5.00 9News First At Five.

5.30 Find My Country House Australia. (R)

Programs. 12.40pm MOVIE: The Railway Children. (1970) 2.55 MOVIE: The Getting Of Wisdom. (1977, PG) 5.00 Tennis. United Cup. Day 2. Group Stage. USA v Argentina.

Australia v Norway. 7.00 M*A*S*H. 7.30 Death In Paradise. 8.40 MOVIE: Raiders Of The Lost Ark. (1981, M) 11.00 Late Programs.

2.40pm Amelia Earhart: The Lost Evidence.

4.20 LEGO Masters. 5.35 MOVIE: Flight Of The Navigator. (1986) 7.30 MOVIE: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2. (2015, M) 10.10 The Winter King. (Final) 11.20 Top 20 Funniest. 12.20am Love After Lockup.

1.50 MOVIE: The Land. (2021, MA15+) 3.50 4.40 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 10.00 My Market Kitchen. (R) 10.30 GCBC. (R) 11.00 Airport 24/7. (PGadl, R) 12.00 Everyday Gourmet. (R) 12.30 Farm To Fork. (R) 1.00 Cook With Luke. (R) 1.30 The Yes Experiment. (PG) 2.00 4x4 Adventures. 3.00 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia. (PGals, R) 4.00 All 4 Adventure. (PGl) 5.00 News.

7.00 Bold. 9.30 Deal Or No Deal. 10.00 Ridiculousness. 11.00 Farm To Fork. 11.30 Deal Or No Deal. Noon Stephen Colbert.

2.00 Ridiculousness. 3.00 Frasier. 4.00 Friends. 6.30 Big Bang. 10.00 Frasier. 11.00 Ridiculousness. Midnight South Park. 1.00 Shopping. 1.30 South Park. 2.30 Shopping.

9.00 I Fish. 9.30 On The Fly. 10.00 What s Up Down Under. 10.30 JAG. 4.30pm Soccer.

A-League Men. Round 11. Brisbane Roar v Wellington Phoenix. 7.00 Football Tonight.

7.35 Soccer. A-League Men. Round 11.

Melbourne City v Sydney FC. 10.00 NCIS. 12.50am NCIS: Origins.

1.45 Shopping.

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Sunday, January 4 ABC TV (2)

SBS (3)

SEVEN (7, 6)

NINE (9, 8)

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Muster Dogs: Where Are They Now. (PG) 8.20 Goolagong. (Premiere, Ma) Charts the story of Evonne Goolagong Cawley.

9.10 The Jetty. (Premiere, Madl) A detective suspects a predator is targeting young girls.

10.10 Call The Midwife. (PGa, R) 11.10 MOVIE: Puberty Blues. (1981, Mdlns, R) 12.35 Rage Vault. (MA15+adhlnsv) 2.25 Gardening Australia. (R) 3.30 Dream Gardens. (PG, R) 4.00 The Art Of. (Ml, R) 4.30 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.00 Pilgrimage: The Road Through North Wales. (PG, R)

6.00 Seeing Double: Daniel Chucky Sanders. (R) 6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 2025: The Year From Space.

8.30 Ken Burns The American Revolution. (PG) The Continental 10.30 Secrets Of Modern Archaeology. (PGa, R) 11.30 Australian Fashion Past, Present, Future. (MA15+ln, R) 12.55 Body Parts. (MA15+ns, R) 2.25 24 Hours In A&E. (M) 3.20 24 Hours In Emergency. (M) 4.15 Off The Beaten Track With Kate Humble. (PGn, R) 4.50 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature.

5.30 APAC Weekly.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League.

Match 22. Melbourne Stars v Melbourne Renegades.

9.10 Cricket. Big Bash League.

Match 23. Perth Scorchers v Adelaide Strikers. From Optus Stadium, Perth.

12.30 MacGruber. (MA15+lsv) Vicki almost takes Brimstone .

1.30 Travel Oz. (PG, R) Hosted

by Greg Grainger.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R) Hosted by Simon Reeve.

4.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.

5.00 Sunrise Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News Sunday.

7.00 Sydney 2000: The Best Ever.

(PG, R) Looks at the Sydney 2000 Olympics 25 years on.

8.30 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing and uncovering the issues affecting all Australians.

9.30 MOVIE: The Will To Fly. (2016, G) Follows Olympic aerial skiing champion Lydia Lassila as she returns to the sport as a mother.

Lydia Lassila, Jacqui Cooper.

11.30 Wild Cards. (Mv, R) 12.20 Tycoons Down Under. (PGl, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 The Garden Gurus. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

6.00 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated

by Mark Coles Smith.

7.00 Selling Houses Australia.

(R) Sue and Jan are desperate to sell their childhood home so they can help their father live comfortably in a nursing home.

8.00 MOVIE: Double Jeopardy.

(1999, Mlsv, R) A woman who was convicted of murdering her husband learns he staged his own death. Ashley Judd, Tommy Lee Jones, Bruce Greenwood.

10.05 FBI. (Mv, R) The team must

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children s

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am WorldWatch. 9.30 Small Business Secrets.

10.05 The Movie Show. 11.50 Fashionista.

Noon Dark Side Of The 90s. 1.50 WWE Rivals. 2.45 Jeopardy! 4.50 WorldWatch.

5.45 Icons Unearthed: The Lord Of The Rings. 6.40 Abandoned Engineering.

8.30 Eat Smart: Secrets Of The Glucose Goddess. 10.20 Late Programs.

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Morning Programs. 1pm Luxury Escapes: World s Best Holidays. 1.30 Harry s Practice.

2.00 Medical Emergency. 2.30 Hornby: A Model Empire. 3.30 Better Homes. 4.30 The Amazing Homemakers. 5.30 Secrets Of Beautiful Gardens. 6.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30 Murdoch Mysteries. 8.30 Vera.

10.30 Late Programs.

9GEM (92, 81) 6am Morning Programs. 2.30pm MOVIE: (1956) 4.30 M*A*S*H. 5.00 Tennis. United Cup. Day 3. Group Stage. Great Britain v Japan. Italy v Switzerland. 7.00 Tennis.

United Cup. Day 3. Group Stage. Canada v China. Italy v Switzerland. 2am Late Programs.

10 COMEDY (11, 52) 6am Deal Or No Deal. 8.00 Frasier. 10.00 Ridiculousness.

11.00 Stephen Colbert. 2pm Ridiculousness.

2.30 Deal Or No Deal. 3.00 Frasier. 4.00 Friends. 6.30 Big Bang.

9.35 Frasier. (PGa, R) 10.30 Ridiculousness.

11.30 South Park. 12.30am Shopping.

1.30 South Park. 2.30 Shopping.

NITV (34) 6am Morning Programs.

1.55pm Rugby League. Qld Murri Carnival.

Men s. GF. 3.15 Football. West Kimberley Football League. Men s. GF. 4.50 Bamay.

5.35 Anthem Sessions. 5.45 Australian Music Vault: Marcia Hines. 6.40 NITV News. 6.50 Great Blue Wild. 7.40 Aerial Australia. 8.30 Ornette. 9.55 MOVIE: Cadillac Records.

(2008) 11.55 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

7MATE (73, 64) 6am Morning

9GO! (93, 82) 6am Morning Programs.

10 DRAMA (12, 53) 6am Shopping.

6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Eat The Invaders. (PG, R) 10.30 New Leash On Life. (R) 11.00 Compass. (PG, R) 11.30 Praise. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Magda s Big National Health Check. (PG, R) 1.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 2.45 Outback Musical. (PG, R) 3.30 Long Lost Family.

(PG, R) 4.15 MOVIE: But Also John Clarke. (2025, PG, R)

Programs. 5.55pm Octonauts. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Andy And The Band. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey.

7.30 Shaun Tan s Tales From Outer Suburbia.

(Premiere) 8.15 MOVIE: Shaun The Sheep: The Movie. (2015) 9.35 Fresh Off The Boat.

10.20 Merlin. 11.05 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 9.20 Matched.

(PG, R) 10.10 Robson Green s British Adventure. (PGaw, R) 12.00 APAC Weekly. 12.30 PBS Washington Week.

12.55 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Going Places. (R) 4.00 Best Of Dakar Rally Highlights. (R) 5.00 Motor Racing.

Dakar Rally. Prologue. Highlights.

6am Nights In Rodanthe. (2008, PGals) 7.25 Forever Enthralled. (2008, PG, Mandarin) 10.05 Swan Song. (2021, Ml) 12.05pm Moonlight. (2016, Madlsv) 2.10 Monsieur Verdoux. (1947, PGa) 4.30 Horrible Histories: The Movie. (2019, PGv) 6.15 The Boy And The Heron. (2023, PG) 8.30 Point Break.

(1991, Mdlnv) 10.45 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 10.30 Cricket.

The Ashes. Fifth Test. Australia v England. Day 1. Morning session. 12.30 The Ashes: The Lunch Break. 1.10 Cricket. The Ashes. Fifth Test. Australia v England. Day 1. Afternoon session.

3.10 The Ashes: Tea Break. 3.30 Cricket. The Ashes. Fifth Test. Australia v England. Day 1. Evening session.

Programs. 1pm Fishing Addiction. 2.00 Tackling Australia. 2.30 Merv Hughes Fishing. 3.00 Duck Dynasty. 4.00 Mt Hutt Rescue. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Cricket.

Big Bash League. Match 22. Melbourne Stars v Melbourne Renegades. 7.00 Border Security. 8.30 MOVIE: Oblivion. (2013, M) 11.05 Late Programs.

6.00 Hello SA. (PG, R) 6.30 GolfBarons.

(R) 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 Explore TV. (R) 10.30 Tennis. United Cup. Day 3.

Group Stage. Great Britain v Japan.

From RAC Arena, Perth. Germany v Netherlands. From Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney.

5.00 9News First At Five.

5.30 RBT. (PGal)

10.00 Soccer. English Premier League.

Chelsea v Aston Villa. Noon Tennis.

Brisbane International. 6.00 Tennis. Brisbane International. 10.00 MOVIE: Patriots Day. (2016, M) 12.40am Gotham. 1.40 Arrow. 3.30 MOVIE: Barbie: Princess Adventure. (2020) 4.50 Wild Manes. 5.10 Barney s World. 5.30 Bubble s Hotel.

6am Morning Programs. 9.30 Key Ingredient. 10.00 Farm To Fork. (R) 10.30 10 Minute Kitchen. (R) 11.00 Well Traveller. (PG, R) 11.30 Pooches At Play.

(R) 12.00 The Dog Academy. (PGa) 1.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 1.30 Lingo. (R) 2.30 Basketball. NBL. Round 15. New Zealand Breakers v Perth Wildcats.

4.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 5.00 News.

a highly secure building after a CEO is killed inside his penthouse.

12.00 Home Shopping. (R)

8.00 Pooches At Play. 9.00 What s Up Down Under. 9.30 Camper Deals. 10.00 4x4 Adventures. 11.00 JAG. 4pm I Fish. 4.30 Basketball. NBL. Round 15. Brisbane Bullets v Adelaide 36ers. 6.30 JAG. 7.30 NCIS. (Mv, R) 10.20 Blue Bloods. (Mav, R) 12.15am Shopping.

The Latrobe Valley Express, TV Guide Tuesday, 30 December, 2025 — Page 19

Monday, January 5 ABC (2)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News.

10.00 Vera, Farewell Pet. (PG, R) 10.55 Australian Chamber Orchestra s 50th Gala. (R) 12.00 News. 1.00 The Kimberley. (R) 1.50 Restoration Aust.

(R) 2.50 Would I Lie To You? (R) 3.20 Simply Nigella. (R) 3.50 Grand Designs: Streets. (PG, R) 4.40 Long Lost Family.

(PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6am Morning Programs. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News Weekend. 1.30 Al Jazeera News Hour. 2.00 Britain s Most Expensive Houses. (R) 2.55 Going Places. (R) 3.25 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (PG, R) 4.05 Jeopardy!

4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 Motor Racing. Dakar Rally. Stage 1.

Highlights.

SBS (3)

SEVEN (7, 6)

NINE (9, 8)

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra Summer.

(PG) 10.30 Tennis. United Cup. Day 4.

Group Stage. USA v Spain. From RAC Arena, Perth. Czech Republic v Norway.

From Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney.

4.30 9News Afternoon.

[VIC] Tipping Point Australia. (PG, R) 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG, R) 5.30 [VIC] WIN News.

6am Morning Programs. 7.30 Farm To Fork. (R) 8.00 Bold. (PG, R) 8.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 9.00 Lingo. (R) 10.00 Matlock. (PGadl, R) 12.00 Farm To Fork. 12.30 Family Feud. (PG, R) 1.00 Taskmaster Australia. (PGls, R) 2.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 2.30 The Finish Line. (Premiere) 3.30 Lingo. (R) 4.30 Bold. (PG) 5.00 News.

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

7.30 7.30. Presented

by Michael Rowland.

8.00 Disease X: Hunting The Next Pandemic. (Premiere, PG) Dr Chris van Tulleken investigates Disease X .

9.00 Judi Dench: Shakespeare, My Family And Me. (Premiere, PG) Dame Judi Dench explores whether her ancestors could have met William Shakespeare in the year 1606.

9.50 A Life In Ten Pictures: John Lennon. (PG, R) Takes a look at John Lennon s life.

10.40 Grand Designs: The Streets. (PG, R) 11.30 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 12.20 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Wonders Of The Moon With Dara Ó Briain. (PGa, R) Presented by Dara Ó Briain.

9.25 Jimmy Carr s I Literally Just Told You. (M) Jimmy Carr hosts a comedic game show where paying attention pays off.

10.20 Great British Railway Journeys: Preston To Rawtenstall. (PG, R) Presented by Michael Portillo.

10.55 Like Water For Chocolate. (Ml) 11.55 Culprits. (MA15+av, R) 2.00 Pagan Peak. (MA15+asv, R) 3.40 Off The Beaten Track With Kate Humble. (PGa, R) 4.15 My Unique B&B. (R) 4.50 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 24. Sydney Sixers v Brisbane Heat.

10.30 Big Bash League PostMatch. Post-match coverage of the game between the Sydney Sixers and Brisbane Heat.

11.00 Chicago Fire. (Final, Mav) Severide puts his job on the line to help out one of their own. Kidd navigates Natalie s relationship with her sister.

12.00 Girlfriends Guide To Divorce. (MA15+s) Abby wants

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Travel Guides. (PGl, R) Ordinary Australians become travel critics.

9.00 MOVIE: Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade. (1989, PGv, R) Indiana who was on a lifelong quest to obtain the legendary Holy Grail. Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Denholm Elliott.

11.30 Sight Unseen. (Ma) 12.20 A Killer Makes A Call: Lewis. (MA15+av, R) 1.15 Innovation Nation. (R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News.

5.30 Today.

6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace.

6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer.

7.30 Love It Or List It Australia.

A Queensland couple need help making a decision on their home. She wants to stay, while he wants out.

8.30 NCIS. (Mv, R) After discovering a navy pilot s body riddled with unusual wounds, the investigation draws the NCIS team into the rabbit hole of UFO conspiracy theories.

10.30 10 News+. (R) Hosted

by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace.

11.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) Hosted

by Stephen Colbert.

12.00 Home Shopping. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children s Programs. 5.40pm Kangaroo Beach. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes.

6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato.

7.05 Batwheels. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Deadly 60.

8.30 TKO: Total Knock Out. 9.10 The Crystal Maze. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am WorldWatch. 6.50 The 77 Percent. 7.20 WorldWatch. 8.40 DW Euromaxx. 9.30 Small Business Secrets. 10.00 The Movie Show.

11.45 WorldWatch. 12.15pm Rex In Rome.

3.45 WorldWatch. 5.35 Our DNA Journey.

(Premiere) 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Genius Game. (Premiere) 9.40 The UnXplained Mysteries. 10.30 Late Programs.

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Morning

9GEM (92, 81) 6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm MOVIE: Went The Day Well? (1942, PG) 3.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 4.30 Tennis. United Cup. Group Stage. USA v Spain. Czech Republic v Norway. Germany v Poland. 7.00 Tennis.

United Cup. Day 4. Group Stage. Great Britain v Greece. Germany v Poland. 2am Late Programs.

10 COMEDY (11, 52) 6am Morning Programs. 9.30 Bold. 10.00 Family Feud.

10.30 Ridiculousness. 11.30 Deal Or No Deal. Noon Taskmaster Australia. 1.00 Ridiculousness. 2.00 Stephen Colbert. 3.00 Becker. 3.30 Frasier. 4.00 Farm To Fork.

4.30 Frasier. 5.00 Becker. 5.30 Frasier. 6.30 Friends. 8.00 Big Bang. 10.00 Becker. 10.30 Frasier. 11.00 Late Programs.

NITV (34) 6am Morning Programs.

2pm Tradition On A Plate. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters.

5.25 Unstaged: Archie Roach. 5.30 The 77 Percent. 6.00 Bamay. 6.30 NITV News: Summer Yarns. 6.40 Great Blue Wild. 7.30 Who Do You Think You Are? 8.30 Karla Grant Presents. 9.00 Song Of Rapa Nui. 10.00 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

7MATE (73, 64) 6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 2.30 Motor Racing. NDRC Top Doorslammer. H lights. 3.30 Billy The Exterminator. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Outback Opal Hunters.

9.30 Aussie Salvage Squad. 10.30 The Mightiest. 11.30 Late Programs.

9GO! (93, 82) 6am Morning Programs.

10 DRAMA (12, 53) 6am Shopping.

8.00 Reel Action. 8.30 Everyday Gourmet.

9.00 Living Room. 10.00 JAG. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.45 The Young And The Restless. 1.30 Dog House. 2.30 JAG. 4.30 Living Room. 5.30 JAG. 7.30 NCIS. 8.30 FBI: Most Wanted. (Mv, R) 10.20 Matlock. 11.15 The Ex-Wife.

12.15am Shopping.

6am Morning Programs. 8.10 The Boy And The Heron. (2023, PG) 10.25 The Movie Show. 10.55 Mystic Pizza. (1988, Mals) 12.50pm Point Break. (1991, Mdlnv) 3.00 The Movie Show. 4.00 Discovering Film.

4.50 A Great Friend. (2023, PGalsv, French) 6.35 Ponyo. (2008) 8.30 Godzilla Minus One. (2023, Japanese) 10.55 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 10.30 Cricket.

The Ashes. Fifth Test. Australia v England. Day 2. Morning session. 12.30 The Ashes: The Lunch Break. 1.10 Cricket. The Ashes. Fifth Test. Australia v England. Day 2. Afternoon session.

3.10 The Ashes: Tea Break. 3.30 Cricket. The Ashes. Fifth Test. Australia v England. Day 2. Evening session.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.

5.00 Sunrise Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

Programs. 10.30 Better Homes And Gardens Summer. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Hornby: A Model Empire. 2.00 Weekender. 2.30 This Rugged Coast. 3.30 Harry s Practice. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country.

6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Doc Martin. 8.30 Endeavour. 10.30 Air Crash Inv: Accident Files. 11.30 Late Programs.

9.30 Addams Family. 10.00 Bewitched.

10.30 Jeannie. 11.00 The West Wing. Noon Tennis. Brisbane International. 6.00 Tennis.

Brisbane International. 11.00 TBA. 1am The Vampire Diaries. 3.00 Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists. 4.00 Barbie: Dreamhouse Adventures. 4.30 Hop. 4.50 Booba. 5.10 LEGO City Adventures. 5.30 Bubble s Hotel.

TEN (10, 5)

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Contact your usual E xpress rep or phone the office to speak to one of our friendly staff on 5135 4444.

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Tuesday, January 6 ABC TV (2)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Disease X. (PG, R) 11.10 Judi Dench: Shakespeare, My Family And Me. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Call The Midwife.

(PGa, R) 2.00 Restoration Aust. (PG, R) 2.55 Would I Lie To You? (R) 3.25 Simply Nigella. (R) 3.55 Grand Designs: Streets. (PG, R) 4.40 Long Lost Family.

(PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6am Morning Programs. 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24.

1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Britain s Most Expensive Houses. (R) 2.55 Going Places. (R) 3.25 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Jeopardy! 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 Motor Racing. Dakar Rally. Stage 2. Highlights.

SBS (3)

SEVEN (7, 6)

NINE (9, 8)

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra Summer.

(PG) 10.30 Tennis. United Cup. Day 5.

Group Stage. Italy v France. From RAC Arena, Perth. Canada v Belgium. From Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney.

4.30 9News Afternoon.

[VIC] Tipping Point Australia. (PG, R) 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG, R) 5.30 [VIC] WIN News.

6am Morning Programs. 7.30 Farm To Fork. (R) 8.00 Bold. (PG, R) 8.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 9.00 Lingo. (R) 10.00 Matlock. (PGa, R) 12.00 Farm To Fork. 12.30 Family Feud. (PG, R) 1.00 Taskmaster Australia. (PGls, R) 2.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 2.30 The Finish Line. 3.30 Lingo. (R) 4.30 Bold. (PG) 5.00 News.

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

7.30 7.30. Presented

by Michael Rowland.

8.00 Dr Karl s How Things Work: Chips. (Return) Dr Karl Kruszelnicki looks at the science of chips.

9.00 Human: The First Of Us. (Premiere, PG) Looks at human evolution over 300,000 years.

10.00 Britain By The Book. (PG, R) 10.50 Australia s Open. (Ml, R) 11.40 Grand Designs: The Streets. (PG, R) 12.25 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 1.15 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Who Do You Think You Are? Claudia Karvan. (Ma, R) Claudia Karvan explores her roots.

8.35 Rod Stewart: A Working Class Hero. Chronicles the life and work of English singer Rod Stewart.

9.35 Aerial Australia. (PGa, R) Looks

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League.

Match 25. Adelaide Strikers v Sydney Thunder.

10.30 Big Bash League Post-Match.

Post-match coverage of the game.

11.00 Lopez Vs. Lopez. (PGals) George starts secretly spending time with Rosie s ex.

12.00 Miniseries: London Spy. (MA15+ds) Danny goes public with Alex s research.

1.30 Travel Oz. (PG, R) Takes a look at Greek culture in Melbourne.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News.

7.00 Tennis. United Cup. Day 5.

Group Stage. Australia v Czech Republic. Italy v France.

11.30 A Remarkable Place To Die. (Mlv, R) A detective returns to her home town.

12.30 La Brea. (Mav, R) Gavin takes charge of the survivors.

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Destination WA. (R) Tod Johnston takes on a 27-hole golf course.

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Hello SA: The Coast Is Calling. (PG) The team explores the best of the coast.

5.00 Today Early News.

5.30 Today.

6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace.

6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer.

7.30 The Dog House Australia.

10.30 Great British Railway Journeys. (R) 11.05 Exit. (Premiere, MA15+ads) 12.00 Dopesick. (Mals, R) 2.15 The Eco Show. (R) 3.15 Off The Beaten Track With Kate Humble. (PG, R) 4.25 My Unique B&B. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6am Morning Programs. 10.30 Cricket.

The Ashes. Fifth Test. Australia v England. Day 3. Morning session. 12.30 The Ashes: The Lunch Break. 1.10 Cricket. The Ashes. Fifth Test. Australia v England. Day 3. Afternoon session.

3.10 The Ashes: Tea Break. 3.30 Cricket. The Ashes. Fifth Test. Australia v England. Day 3. Evening session.

TEN (10, 5)

ball named Jinglebells.

8.30 MOVIE: Mission: Impossible Fallout. (2018, PGalv, R) A secret agent must prevent disaster when stolen plutonium falls into the hands of an arms dealer. Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, Rebecca Ferguson.

11.20 10 News+. (R) Hosted

by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace.

11.50 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children s Programs. 5.40pm Kangaroo Beach. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes.

6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato.

7.05 Batwheels. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Deadly 60. 8.30 Ice Age. 9.15 Monsters Of The Deep. 10.00 Merlin. 10.45 Late Programs.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am WorldWatch. 10.00 The Movie Show.

11.40 WorldWatch. 12.10pm Homicide.

2.00 Curious Australia. 2.35 Heroines.

3.35 WorldWatch. 5.35 Shaun Micallef s Origin Odyssey. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Genius Game. 9.40 The UnXplained Mysteries. 10.30 Late Programs.

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Morning Programs. 9.30 NBC Today. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 Creek To Coast. 2.30 Air Crash Inv: Accident Files. 3.30 Harry s Practice. 4.00 Medical Emergency. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Call The Midwife. 8.45 Judge John Deed. 10.45 Late Programs.

9GEM (92, 81) 6am Morning Programs. Noon MOVIE: My Learned Friend. (1943, PG) 1.30 MOVIE: The Man Who Haunted Himself. (1970, PG) 3.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 4.30 Tennis.

United Cup. Day 5. Group Stage. Australia v Czech Republic. 7.00 Antiques Roadshow.

7.30 New Tricks. 8.40 MOVIE: The Lincoln Lawyer. (2011, M) 11.05 Late Programs.

10 COMEDY (11, 52) 6am Morning Programs. 9.30 Bold. 10.00 Family Feud.

10.30 Ridiculousness. 11.30 Deal Or No Deal. Noon Taskmaster Australia. 1.00 Ridiculousness. 2.00 Stephen Colbert.

3.00 Becker. 3.30 Frasier. 4.00 Farm To Fork. 4.30 Frasier. 5.00 Becker. 5.30 Frasier.

6.30 Friends. 8.00 Big Bang. 10.00 Becker.

10.30 Frasier. 11.00 Late Programs.

NITV (34) 6am Morning Programs.

1.30pm Stompem Ground 2022: Footprince.

2.00 Tradition On A Plate. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters.

5.25 Unstaged: City Sessions. 5.30 Indian Country Today News. 6.00 Bamay. 6.30 NITV News: Summer Yarns. 6.40 Wild, Smart And Deadly. (Premiere) 7.30 Big Backyard Quiz. 8.30 Unleash The Beast. 9.30 Hunting Aotearoa. 10.00 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

7MATE (73, 64) 6am Morning

9GO! (93, 82) 6am Morning Programs.

10 DRAMA (12, 53) 6am Shopping.

8.00 Escape Fishing. 9.00 Living Room.

10.00 JAG. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.45 The Young And The Restless. 1.30 Dog House. 2.30 JAG. 4.30 Living Room.

5.30 JAG. (PGl, R) 7.30 NCIS. (Mv, R) 10.20 Matlock. (PGa, R) 11.15 The Ex-Wife. 12.15am Shopping.

6am Morning Programs. 10.15 Ping Pong: The Triumph. (2023, Ml, Mandarin) 12.45pm The Space Between The Lines. (2019, Mals, German) 3.00 Discovering Film. 3.55 Gulmohar. (2023, PGal, Hindi) 6.30 Kiki s Delivery Service. (1989) 8.30 Iris And The Men. (2023, French) 10.25 Bergman Island.

(2021, Malnsv) 12.30am Late Programs.

Page 20 — The Latrobe Valley Express, TV Guide Tuesday, 30 December, 2025

Programs. 11.00 Storage Wars. 11.30 American Pickers. 12.30pm Pawn Stars.

1.30 Outback Opal Hunters. 3.30 Billy The Exterminator. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Outback Truckers. 9.30 Railroad Australia. 10.30 Ice Road Truckers.

11.30 Late Programs.

9.30 Addams Family. 10.00 Bewitched.

10.30 Jeannie. 11.00 The West Wing. Noon Tennis. Brisbane International. 6.00 Tennis.

Brisbane International. 11.00 TBA. 1am The Vampire Diaries. 3.00 Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists. 4.00 Barbie: Dreamhouse Adventures. 4.30 Hop. 4.50 Booba. 5.10 LEGO City Adventures. 5.30 Bubble s Hotel.

Entertainment

Reel Talk AS the credits roll on 2025, Reel Talk takes a moment, for its first annual review, as our writers suggest, spreadsheet and slander the best and worst of films released throughout the year, in their own standout list.

Amateur awards-season lobbyist Blake MetcalfHolt, and his companion Aidan Knight (who declared Cocaine Bear a “profound allegory for local government”) spent the past fortnight engaged in a debate more heated than the most fiery of Latrobe City Council meetings, so intense it briefly registered as seismic activity in the Morwell area.

After several rewrites, one near-walkout, and a formal complaint from the newsroom about “excessive impassioned monologuing,” the pair have emerged with their favourite films of the year, defended with the kind of energy usually reserved for Collingwood supporters with a free dental check-up coupon.

So here are the duo's top 10 picks for 2025: 1. One Battle After Another - Aidan Knight: One of the most original movies I've seen in a long time. It reads like watching Dezi Freeman play 'duck duck goose' with a methy Stallone sibling conceived on the set of 8 Mile. It reminded me a bit of Pulp Fiction, not from the subject matter or any non-linear story format, but there was so much going on at once in one narrative that merges into one at the end, doesn't take itself too seriously, but doesn't reduce itself to parody. It also features nuns with machine guns, who wouldn't love that? It's almost like a cartoon was written by soap-opera enthusiasts; it is outlandish in such a specific way that restricts the appeal to a certain type of audience, but those who enjoy it will absolutely watch it twice over. Think Wolf of Wall Street meets Mad Max: Fury Road, and you've got an idea of what you're in for. ★★★★★, rated M

2. Sinners - Blake Metcalf-Holt: Genre-blending at its finest. Ryan Coogler's first purely original film (not based on a real event or passed IP) combines all the best parts of classic gangster pictures, historical dramas, and the best of all, vampire slashers, to bring forth one of the most successful ventures of the year. That is due to it also being a technical marvel compared to other action blockbusters that release in this day and age. The way the Black Panther and Creed director handles the aspect ratio, switching it finely throughout and bringing that wonderful widescreen into play with purpose makes me truly excited about rewatching this on the big screen. Michael B. Jordan playing twin Al Capone underlings returning to their hometown to open a blues club for the locals is a fun time in itself. Add some blood-hungry, Irish folk singing vampires and some killer dialogue spewed from an exceptional cast makes it my favourite of the year. 5/5 stars, rated MA15+

www.lvexpress.com.au 3. Christy - AK: This biopic on the first professional female boxer is a really strong entry to the genre, and the costume/makeup department did such a good job of making the characters look like their inspirations, and unrecognisable as the actors.

I've seen some criticism on the boxing choreography being 'sloppy' or underdeveloped, but I don't feel anything watching it aside from it not appearing overly staged, which is the better of the two options, I would argue. Despite it not really bringing anything new to the biopic genre as a whole, I found it a satisfying watch, which is all that matters in a film sometimes. ★★★★☆, rated M

4. F1 - BMH: Is this just a reskin of Top Gun: Maverick? Yes, but I don't care. Despite an admittedly cliched script, the cinematic experience was such a blast, I've refused to pick it up again on Apple TV. Brad Pitt plays your typical out of his prime athlete who makes a comeback to mentor a not too eager young star. A little bit like The Color of Money (1986) with a bit more of a fiery relationship between the two leads. The pulsating driving scenes are seriously some of the best I've ever witnessed and the chemistry amongst the racing team makes the relatively longer runtime go by quicker than expected. Given I don't have a great connection to Top Gun, I'd honestly narrowly prefer this over the Tom Cruise legacy sequel directed by the same bloke. ★★★★⯪ stars, rated M

6.Bugonia - BMH: Simultaneously a consistently funny experience, while also being deeply depressing and existential throughout the course of its runtime. It feels like Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos went back to his roots both comedically and dramatically, fitting into a most modern setting. The best of Bugonia lies on the performances of its two leads in Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, selling the ridiculous yet sincere premise. If she hadn't just won an Oscar for another Yorgos film, I'd give Stone another golden trophy for her output here. Besides the commitment of actually shaving her head, simply the stretch of fighting off two hillbillies out the front of her mansion shortly after blasting Chappell Roan's Pink Pony Club at full volume while trying to think of ways to optically keep her staffers working as long as possible past 5pm without seeming like a horrible person is worthy of acclaim. Everyone's placing bets on who within the Express walls would abduct a high-powered chief executive under the belief they're a leader of an extra-terrestrial alien army. My tip would be my Reel Talk colleague. ★★★★☆, rated MA15+

9.Frankenstein - AK: It's funny how the most original of the classic novel's adaptations is the one that sticks the most to the source material. As mentioned in our November 19 dedicated review, it's got all the elements of a decorated motion picture, and is the most accessible of the director's repertoire. It appeals not only to fans of either the book, spooky things, or previous adaptations, but also period dramas,, and (admittedly dark and tragic) com ming-of-age stories. Th he impressive visua als make it a new ex xperience while coverring very familiar grround, in an app proach different to all previous. ★★★⯪☆, rated M

7.Roofman - AK: Also one of its lead's best performances, and can make even the most prolific hater impressed by the work of Channing Tatum. The Magic Mike Star plays an ex-serviceman who robs McDonald's and hides in a Toys R Us soot ceiling as means to stay under the radar, but falls in love with one of the employees (Kirsten Dunst) while he monitors their movements on the security footage.

Not only is it heartwarming and hilarious - it's also a true story. It's also a very relatable one, as I also consider peanut M&M's an entire meal, as Tatum's character did for the entirety of his time hiding in the store. It gracefully tiptoes between genres, a strong comedy-almost-biopic-crimedrama-family-film, is beautifully shot on 35mm film, not something I ever thought I'd see for a film starring Channing Tatum. ★★★★☆, rated M

10. The Phoenician Scheme - BMH: Wes Anderson can do no wrong. His tone and creative lens is simply undeniable for me, and his latest run this decade, personally, has been as close to perfect as a filmmaker can get. Asteroid City was one of my favourites of 2023 and the first Anderson film I'd seen in the cinema, while The French Dispatch (2021) was a love letter to journalism.

The Phoenician Scheme is one of the funnier ones in his filmography, and is also a wonderful two-person act between Benicio del Toro and Mia Threapleton (daughter of Kate Winslet), with the former grasping Anderson's needs and style as best as any lead he's had. Another reason I love it so much?

It features a Wes Anderson basketball scene with Tom Hanks and Bryan Cranston playing HORSE ... never thought I'd say that, but I'm so happy for it existing. Michael Cera also should have been in a Wes movie long before this. ★★★★☆, rated M

5. Superman - AK: Both a great return to the character's origins, and a breath of fresh air for what has been a franchise thrashed to death over the decades. I have noticed that the best performing superhero movies in this generation tend to be the ones centred on characters fans don't know of (Guardians of the Galaxy pre-release), or haven't heard of for long enough to forget about them (in this case). James Gunn (writer/producer/director) knows this almost as well as he knows comic books and uses it to his advantage. I enjoy its relevance to ongoing real-life events, its emphasis and accurate depiction of ethics in journalism, the effort put into its side-characters and special effects, but most of all I always enjoy a cautionary tale about how being evil will make you go bald. I'm not suggesting anything, but have a look at Blake's hairline next time to come into the Express office... ★★★★☆, rated M

8. Black Bag - BMH: A good Steven Soderbergh flick is something necessary every other year.

The Ocean's Eleven and Magic Mike filmmaker actually had two fine releases in 2025, the other being a stellar ghost story called Presence. His all-star cast, spy film happens to hit a little better. A tale of deceit and loyalty within a group of British intelligence agents, which takes a sharp turn when a husband begins to trail his wife on an apparent cloak-and-dagger mission. The script is jam-packed into a slick 94 minutes, which only allows the acting talents to sizzle and jab with each other much to the delight of Soderbergh lovers. While Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender deliver unsurprisingly exceptional performance, Tom Burke is truly a scene-stealer any time he's on screen. 4/5 stars, rated M

*Not ranked, just some of our favouritesBlake's honourable mentions: Mickey 17, Weapons, Jay Kelly, Presence, The Smashing Machine.

Aidan's honourable mentions: Caught Stealing, Spit, Death of a Unicorn.

The Reel Talk team look forward to 2026.

The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025 — Page 21

A YEAR IN

REVIEW

Erin Patterson trial step-by-step Week 5 (June 4)

By STEFAN BRADLEY, AIDAN KNIGHT, TOM HAYES AND LIAM DURKIN

WEEK 5 heard from further forensic experts, and senior public health officials.

Lead investigator in the case, Detective Leading Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall, took to the stand from Tuesday, May 27 to Friday, May 30.

He said Victorian Cancer Registry database information indicated there was no evidence Erin was ever diagnosed with cancer.

A message from Erin to Gail in May 2022 was shown: “Thanks Gail, Happy Mother's Day to the best mum-in-law anyone could ask for xxoo.”

THE following are extracts reported in the Express during the Erin Patterson trial.

The trial started in early May, and was expected to run for six weeks, but stretched out to 11.

Patterson was found guilty in July and sentenced to life behind bars two months later on three counts of murder and one of attempted murder.

Three people died following a fatal beef Wellington lunch, which contained death cap mushrooms, at the accused's Leongatha home in July 2023.

Don and Gail Patterson, and Heather Wilkinson all died from the fatal meal.

Gail's husband, Ian Wilkinson fell ill, however survived the incident.

The accused has maintained her innocence, saying the deaths were a "terrible accident."

Patterson speaks (June 11-June 18)

Trial begins (May 7) THE Director of Public Prosecutions dropped three charges against alleged triple-murderer Erin Patterson, as the first day of her Supreme Court trial began in Morwell last week (Tuesday, April 29).

It was revealed that the DPP dropped three additional attempted murder charges relating to alleged attempts to kill Simon Patterson.

The jury was empanelled and received their instructions for the trial, which is expected to last as long as six weeks.

Justice Christopher Beale notified the jury that its decision had to be unanimous.

The prosecution told the jury that Erin Patterson served her portion of the fatal beef Wellington on a different coloured plate to those who fell critically ill.

Crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC told the jury that the accused invited Don and Gail Patterson, and Ian and Heather Wilkinson for lunch to discuss a cancer diagnosis she had supposedly received.

Dr Rogers told the jury that the accused's estranged husband, Simon, was invited, however declined due to being uncomfortable. Both the prosecution and defence agreed that the cancer diagnosis did not occur.

Simon Patterson gave evidence on Day 3, and was cross-examined on Day 4.

impact Victoria’s Supreme Court to hear victim Account: Erin Patterson arrives atinson offered her forgiveness. statements. Sole survivor Ian Wilk

Rom mane, which read that there were no entries found d off th the accused's d' cancer diagnosis. di i The daughter of Don and Gail, Anna Terrington, told the court Don and Gail had afternoon tea and dinner at her house on the Thursday before the Saturday lunch, where she was told they were invited to the accused's, along with Ian, Heather, and Simon. Ms Terrington said it was "unusual" for Ian and Heather to be invited.

Don and Gail's son Matthew Patterson also spoke, as did his wife, Tanya Patterson.

General Practitioner, Dr Chris Webster spent a prolonged time on the stand, as the first on-call doctor at Leongatha Medical Clinic at the time of the lunch. Dr Webster reviewed both Ian and Heather, giving them anti-nausea medication and pantoprazole to reduce acid.

He told the court of a phone call from Dr Morgan, who was treating Don and Gail at the time. He said Dr Morgan told him she was concerned about death cap poisoning.

The court heard a piece of Video Audio Recorded Evidence from the accused's daughter. The accused appeared visibly upset when watching her daughter (who shall not be named for legal reasons) give evidence.

The daughter of the accused was heard by the jury saying she does not like mushrooms, and answered "no" when asked if she has cooked them or gone mushroom picking. She did admit she has seen them in the wild.

The son of the accused said she had only invited Don and Gail over once before, never before inviting Ian and Heather.

questioned on her communication with the accuseed and her family.

Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine Head of Forensic Science and Victoria's Chief Toxicologist, Dr Dimitri Gerostamoulos also spoke.

Week 4 (May 28) HEALTH was again the main topic of discussion.

The court heard from pharmacists, doctors and forensic experts.

Registered nurse, Mairim Cespon, gave evidence on Thursday, May 22 (Day 17). She was employed

by Gippsland Southern Health, and working at Leongatha Hospital on July 31, 2023.

Ms Cespon told the prosecution that she had seen Erin Patterson that day. Dr Chris Webster, who also worked at the hospital and was a previous witness at the trial, had asked the accused to take her kids out of school to be examined for mushroom poisoning.

The last day of the week focused on the lunch guests' time in intensive care.

ERIN Patterson took to the stand, following weeks of uncertainty.

She wore a grey jumper on Wednesday, June 4 and kept a neutral look until spoken to. She was dressed in a black top with white dots on Friday, June 6 where she cut a composed figure until speaking about her children and love for Don, Gail, Heather and Ian. "I loved them, and still do," she said, wiping back tears on Friday, upon being grilled during cross examination by Crown prosecutor, Dr Nanette Rogers SC. While questioning Patterson in court, the accused said that while she was at Leongatha Hospital, (on July 31, two days after the lunch) she had asked Dr Veronica Foote (an on-call doctor) why people were talking about death mushrooms.

The court heard that Erin wanted to change her phone number because she was concerned about her privacy and security, and her deteriorating relationship with estranged husband Simon. But after the fatal lunch she decided against it because she needed to keep in contact with Simon and child protection was getting involved.

Her defence, Colin Mandy SC asked the accused about the deadly lunch and asked if she accepted that there “must have been death cap mushrooms in that meal”, to which Erin said, “yes I do”.

But Erin told the court she did not tell the fatal lunch guests that she had cancer. But the actual health issue she was concerned about was a potential gastric bypass surgery to deal with her weight.

"Why is it that you invited Ian and Heather to the lunch on the 29th of July?" Dr Rogers asked.

"There were a few reasons," Erin said.

"Ian had been my pastor for years and years, and I would see and speak with Ian and Heather a lot after church and I really liked them and I wanted to have a stronger relationship with them.

"When I had invited Don and Gail for lunch in June, Gail had said that what I had done to the garden was really nice, and Heather would really like to see it."

Erin hoped Simon would change his mind about not attending the lunch, after saying he felt "too uncomfortable" via text.

Week 3 (May 21) Final say: Justice Christopher Beale oversaw the trial.

C Court h hears ffrom Si Simon and Ian (May 14) SOLE survivor of the fatal beef Wellington, Ian Wilkinson described his relationship with the accused, prior to the lunch as "friendly", however it "didn't have much depth", landing at "acquaintances", to the court.

When telling the court about Simon Patterson's relationship with the accused, he said he knew of the complications that arose due to the separation.

After receiving his invitation to the lunch, Ian told the court that at the time he was "very happy to be invited" via Heather - who had been told by the accused.

The court heard a read-in statement from the state's Department of Health official, Danielle

A SHORTER week in court saw proceedings take place across four days.

The court mainly heard from health experts.

Monash Health Infection Prevention Director, Rhonda Stewart told the court she had to get information from the accused to ensure there was no public health issue.

She told the court that the accused told her she used dried mushrooms from an Asian grocer in Oakleigh or Glen Waverly, making it into a paste to go on the beef. Ms Stewart told the court that the accused said she only ate half of her meal at the lunch.

Mycologist, Tom May took the stand, describing how difficult it is to distinguish death cap mushrooms from other non-toxic mushrooms.

The court also heard the read-in statement from the friend of the accused’s son, who cannot be named for legal reasons. Of note, he recalled plates in the kitchen sink when they arrived home in the afternoon of Saturday, July 29 (the date of the lunch). He said the backs of the plates were white.

The morning session of Thursday, May 15 (Day 12) was delayed after it was found that a juror had talked about the case with family and friends.

Child Protection worker, Katrina Cripps was

Page 22 — The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025

Done the rounds: The hea vily circulated image of Erin police van.

Patterson from inside

a

All photographs file unless

stated

A YEAR IN

REVIEW

r tterson invited he was here Erin Pa It h. urc Ch st pti urra Ba ted: The Korumb Where it all star l lunch. efu fat in-laws to the Documented: Notes from verdicts were handed dow Express journalist Liam Durkin inside court as the n.

Dr Rogers suggested that Erin made an extra poisoned oisoned beef Wellington for Simon Simon, and when he did not attend, threw it in the bin.

Erin confirmed she did throw the extra beef Wellington out, but denied attempting to poison her estranged husband.

"Surely if you had loved them .. you would have immediately notified the medical authorities that there was a possibility that the foraged mushrooms had ended up in the meal," Dr Rogers said.

"Well I didn't," Erin replied.

"I had been told that ... people were getting treatment for possible death cap mushroom poisoning.

So that was already happening."

Erin confirmed she didn't tell "a single person" that foraged mushrooms might have been in the meal, and that she disposed of the dehydrator.

Much of Friday morning's (June 6) hearing consisted of Erin replying "I don't know" to a number of suggestions from Dr Rogers.

Erin gave her final piece of evidence the following week, disputing evidence previously heard in the court by Ian Wilkinson.

April of 2023. It simply beggars belief,” she ssaid.

Mr Mandy argued argued.

"Members of the jury, your consideration of the evidence in this trial comes down to two simple issues that you have to determine.

"First, is there a reasonable possibility that death cap mushrooms were put into this meal accidentally, that's the first issue.

“Second, is it a reasonable possibility that Erin Patterson did not intend to kill or cause serious injury to her guests? And in the end, after you have considered all of the evidence, if either of those is a reasonable possibility on all of the evidence, then you find her not guilty and that's the law because if either of those things are reasonable possibilities on all of the evidence, then you would have a reasonable doubt."

The court was adjourned for the week and Judge Christopher Beale wished the jury a good long weekend (King's Birthday).

Closing addresses (June 25)

AT the start of his charge, Justice Beale revealed an 86-page document that included key dates to help the jury with deliberations. “Very old fashioned hard copy,” he joked.

The judge said it was up to the jury alone if Erin is guilty of the charges she has pleaded not guilty to.

He noted the media attention this case has received, which he described as "unprecedented", but reminded the jurors they were the only ones who sat in the jury box.

"Don't let anybody get in your ear over the weekend," he told jurors in a noticeably sparser courtroom last Friday (June 27).

The court heard that the jury must come to a verdict on the evidence alone and resist any bias they may hold, which includes sympathy for the families of the victims.

Photograph: Liam Durkin

Jury deliberates (July 2)

Guilty y (July 9) ( HGNPHG QRPGGR

JURORS in a Morwell courtroom delivered their verdict in the most infamous murder trial in Gippsland history, if not the entire country, finding Leongatha woman Erin Patterson guilty on all counts.

Erin Patterson was found guilty of murdering her father in-law Don Patterson, her mother in-law Gail Patterson, Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, and guilty of the attempted murder of Heather’s husband Ian Wilkinson.

The unanimous verdict was handed down on Monday (July 7) at 2.15pm following a marathon 40-day Supreme Court trial at the Latrobe Valley Law Courts.

Jurors were into their seventh day of deliberations, having heard from more than 50 witnesses and spending some 30 hours sitting in court alone.

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MUSHROOM murderer Erin Patterson will spend at least the next 33 years behind bars.

Patterson was sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 33 years in Melbourne’s Supreme Court on Monday (September 8) for three counts of murder and one of attempted murder.

Justice Christopher Beale handed Patterson three concurrent sentences of life imprisonment for the murders of Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson, and 25 years for the attempted murder of Korumburra pastor, Ian Wilkinson.

Mr Wilkinson offered Patterson forgiveness when reading out his victim impact statement in court the week before.

Justice Beale agreed with the jury’s guilty verdict, which found Patterson deliberately poisoned the quartet by serving them beef Wellingtons laced with th death cap mushrooms in July 2023.

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eras outside nce team walk into a swarm of cam Straight face: Erin Patterson’s defe verdict. the Latrobe Valley Law Courts after

PROSECUTION and defence gave their closing address to the jury.

Crown prosecutor Dr Nanette Rogers SC told the jury that there was four "deceptions" created

by Erin Patterson.

“Why deviate so significantly from an unfamiliar recipe?” she asked.

Dr Rogers told the jury that Erin showed a “remarkable memory” and could recall dates, evidence and details easily in the witness box.

“Yet, in August 2023, she could not recall the shop or even the suburb where she purchased the mushrooms from, an Asian grocer in the same

Displaced: The usually qui of the locations where Erin et spot of Loch Recreation Reserve was found to be one Patterson foraged death cap mushrooms.

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The Latrobe be Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025 — P Page 23

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Business Guide

Contact Erin 5135 4416

LOCAL TRADES AND SERVICES ELECTRICIAN

Split System Air Conditioning Installations

Smart Choice Electrical REC 4188 ABN 73 882 721 322

• All areas • Prompt service

- Domestic - Commercial

RUSSELL THOMAS PH: 0407 505 567

SECURITY

GP1686149

GP1688535

AIR CONDITIONING

to arrange the promotion of your business

- Rural - Tele /data

Servicing The Latrobe Valley, Gippsland and Surrounds SECURITY SERVICES PROVIDED:

 Crowd Control  Mobile Patrols - Night & Day Inspections

Peter 0438 177 153

Compliance Certificate issued with each installation

 Guard Services  Armed Security Cash in Transit Service  24HRS Alarm Response & Monitoring

GP1686149

Permit No. L004172

BUSINESS GUIDE

INSTALLATIONS:

EXHAUSTS

WHILE YOU WAIT FITTING SERVICE

From home maintenance to painterrs, computerr support to plumbers and MUCH MORE!

GP1686939

Call E Erin i 5 5135 13 35 4416 CARAVANN REPA CARAVAN R REPAIRS/SERVICES EPAIRS IRS/SE /SE ERV RVICES RVI CES

 Security Alarm Systems  Digital Camera Surveillance  Major Commercial Systems  Access Control  ACMA Licensed Cablers

Private Security Business Licence Number: 571-756-70S Private Security Business Registration Number: 571-756-91S Locally Owned & Operated, employing Local People

FORMERLY L.V. SECURITY NETWORK

- Exhaust repairs from $35 - 2 year warranty on standard replacement mufflers - Custom tube bending - Sport Systems - Large stock on hand

MANAGING DIRECTOR: Rod Zagami

5174 1671

GP1685257

19 Leesons Road, Traralgon

GP1688497

PAINTING

PAINTING

GURU Business Guide EXPRESS

LOCAL TRADES AND SERVICES

Specialising in Insurance Work and Repairs in Latrobe Valley

Domestic D ti & Commercial C i l

53 Lloyd Street Moe

PH: 51274747

3

- Caravan, Trailer Wheel Bearing Service - Certified ALKO ESC Installer

Extensive range of spare parts and accessories available in store

phone:

03 5174 3006 11 Stirloch Circuit, Traralgon www.jandscaravans.com.au

Find us on

Facebook GP1688531

HELP YOUR CLEANING BUSINESS TO RISE ABOVE THE COMPETITION!

CALL US TO HELP CONNECT YOU WITH MORE LOCALS 5135 4416 GARDENING

ELECTRICAL

TREE SERVICES

ect Our Vision Your Proj

29 years of quality service and advice

• Interior/Exterior Painting • Roof Restorations • Home Maintenance/ Plaster Repairs DISCOUN • Colour Consults ON THIS T • Timber Varnish AD • Pressure Washin ng

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131 546 131 JIM (Local Call)

 Domestic  Emergency  Reliable

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WORRIED

Mowing, Gardening, Rubbish Removal, Clean-ups, Gutters.

Insurance Cover Free Quotes

about your roof?

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We re the Trades that WILL call you back!

Glenn 0439 324 830 Shawn 0401 175 035

gmackelectrical@gmail.com Rec. 25880

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• Roof Restorations • Roof Painting • Roof Cleaning • Ridge Capping and Re-pointing • Roof Repairs 10 YEAR WARRANTY

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All ship an workm and lly irs fu ed repara gua nte

Mitchell: 0413 537 569

www.stormcoatroofing.com.au @Stormcoat Roofing

BE SEEN - PRINT and DIGITAL

Page 24 — The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025

 Consistent exposure: in both paper and digital  Frequent copy changes available  Free editorial GP1688534

 Commercial  Industrial  Affordable

HIGHLIGHT YOUR BUSINESS

FROM AS LITTLE AS $75 P/W Contact

5135 4416

reception@lvexpress.com.au

GP1619639

Business Guide

Contact Erin 5135 4416

LOCAL TRADES AND SERVICES

to arrange the promotion of your business ROOFING & PLUMBING

GIPPSLAND STEEL

METAL ROOF and GUTTER SPECIALISTS

GP1687312

GIPPSLAND Steel Centre has been in operation since 1999, providing customers across the region with the largest range of steel, roofing and accessories.

Call 5135 4416

Pacey y Tree S er vices

FLEMING’S TREE SERVICE ● Specialising in full

Y

SPECIALISED TREE SERVICES

HIGH TREE TREE SERVICE ABN 20 410 687 524

Pr Pruning & reemoval of trees & shrubs SStump removal Hedges Mulching & mulch sales Full insurance cover Find us on Facebook

FREE QUOTE

0409 14 15 19 rakruyt@aol.com Rick or Daniel Kruyt

0412 862 796 STEEL

AFFORDABLE advertising packages are available to get your phone ringing!

See your ad in PRINT and in our DIGITAL EDITION!

 

527 Princes Drive Morwell

Roofing and Gas Fitting needs.



Let our 50,000 PLUS READERS know how you can HELP THEM!

Phone Erin on 5135 4455

  

Purlins, Top Hats Retaining wall sections.

Delivery No need to buy full lengths

PH: 5135 6600

0421 0 4 21 888 888 1 186 86

Qualified, courteous BOSSE plumbers who can attend PLUMBING to all your Plumbing,

STEEL DIRECT TO PUBLIC

Huge range of Accessories

Ha den Hay Hayden den S Stratfor Stratford ratford d

PLUMBING

Gippsland Steel Centre RHS, Beams, Angles Pipes, Rounds, Flats etc.

Aluminium and stainless Roofing

of the year!

• Partition walls • Renovations • Suspended ceilings

hay yden@stratfordp plastering g.com m

Kevin & Julie Fleming

NEED A LITTLE BOOST? Advertise with us and reach MORE people!

GP1 1686978

0437 371 112

backhoe/bobcat hire ● Fully insured ● Mulch supplies/ delivery

ER

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PENSIONER DISCOUNT

● Travel tower/

GP1 GP1688 GP16 GP1 16 688490 6 49 49

* Connditions applyy

• General Plastering • Ornamental plastering • Commercial plastering

● Qualified Arborist’s

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FREE QUOTE AND ADVICE

tree and stump removals and tree pruning

Est. 2021

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Phone Gippsland Steel on 5135 6600 or come see the team in person at 527 Princes Drive, Morwell.

PLASTERER

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Gippsland Steel Centre is proud to be home to the largest steel product inventory

Prepare your property for the fire season

www.n www n nuggi ugg giesr iesroofi oofin ng g.cccom om.a a au u

TRADIES! HIGHLIGHT YOUR BUSINESS IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE

Being family-owned, Gippsland Steel are proud of their ability to offer personalised services to customers, and will make sure to provide you with an option to suit your needs.

Whether you’d like to pick up your products or have them delivered to your site, they will gladly accommodate you.

PHONE DANNY

PHONE

0418 313 302

BUSINESS OF THE WEEK

With 40 years' valuable industry experience, Gippsland Steel Centre staff are able to tailor their services to meet the needs of customers. Count on them to always be prompt, reliable, customer-oriented and to always provide superior products.

• Colorbond • Zincalume • Re-roofs • New homes • Metal fascia • Tile to Tin • General plumbi plumbing ing g

BOSSE PLUMBING & ROOFING PRO P/L

Office: (03) 5176 6657 Licence No 45471

The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025 — Page 25

Classifieieds 51354455 classif ieds@lvexpress.com.au

How to place your classified in our

WEDNESDAY PUBLICATION Phone:

ALL CLASSIFICATIONS BEFORE 3PM MONDAY

In person:

Latrobe Valley Express 21George St, Morwell Nextra Lotto Moe 1-3 Moore St, Moe PLEASE NOTE:| that ad payment is required prior to publication unless a full account is held with the Latrobe Valley Express.

Email:

classifieds@ lvexpress.com.au PLEASE NOTE: Confirm your email if you have not received a confirmation email from us, emails ARE NOT ALWAYS RELIABLE and we don’t always receive them

For Sale

•

APRICOTS fresh from Goulburn Valley due in Latrobe Valley, 31/12/2025.

10kg for $35, 20kg for $60. Phone now to place your order 0400 950 407.

BUDGET BLINDS Lenny 0418 514 132

FOR SALE

Newsagents:

Most Newsagents act as our agents and will accept your advertisements up until the same deadlines as above

Credit Card:

When placing your advertisement over the phone or via email you charge it to your Mastercard or Visa

EXPRESS CLASSIFIEDS

5135 4455

•

GIANT BOOK SALE

At St Paul's Cathedral Delbridge Hall, 153 Cunninghame St Sale Every day from 1st until 21st Jan. 9am-4pm. Sundays from 10.30am. 1000's of sorted books.

HAY TARPS UV STABLE Strong. Economical.

Waterproof. In stock.

PHONE

1300 656 211 ABC TARPS

www.abctarps.com.au

Landscaping Mulch

Beautify your garden. Bulk quantity available, $30m3, $50 delivery. 0412 613 443 or 1800 468 733.

PLANTS FOR SALE Tall Bearded Iris, Bare Root Rhizomes, over 200 varieties. Visit website: irisendeavours.com

NEWSPRINT REEL ENDS Price: $6 each or 2 for $11 (GST incl).

Available at the

Latrobe Valley Express Office

21 George Street Morwell

Enquiries: 5135 4444

Public Notices

• Wanted To Buy • ELECTRICIAN

Specialising in all domestic work. REC.4188. Phone Myer collection bear. Peter 0438 177 153 or 'Spencer' number 2011. Carol 0438 998 849.

Phone 0407 220 746.

Situations Vacant

WANTED

Check out the “FOR SALE” listings in the Classifieds

JOJO

Notice to ADVERTISERS and RESPONDENTS

Voicemail introductions advertisements and voice messages may only be submitted by persons 18 years and older.

When making contact with people for the first time, it is advisable to meet in a public place and let a member of your family or a trusted friend know where you will be.

We would advise readers and advertisers to exercise caution in giving out personal details. This will be respected by genuine respondents.

Responsibility PLEASE CHECK YOUR AD

Please check your ad on the first day and bring any errors to the attention of the Classifieds Department immediately.

The Latrobe Valley Express makes every effort to avoid errors. We regret that we cannot be responsible for any errors beyond the first day if you fail to bring it to our attention.

No allowances can be made for errors not materially affecting the effectiveness of the ad.

Position cannot will not be guaranteed.

All claims for adjustment of credit must be made within seven days after billing date.

We reserve the right to revise or restrict any ad we deem objectionable and to change the classification when necessary to conform to the policy of this newspaper.

In the event an ad is omitted from publication, we assume no liability for such omission.

HALF H ALF P PRICE RICE FOR SALE SA ALE A ADS DS Place a 6 line “For Sale’’ classified ad with goods to TOTAL VALUE OF $200 or LESS and you receive the ad for HALF PRICE!

ONLY $ ONLY $14.55 14.55 - ffor or o one ne e edition dition

This offer is for NON BUSINESS customers

5135 135 445 4 4455 455 Classifieds 5

Page 26 — The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025

•

EXPRESS

Motor Mart

Latrobe Valley Express

5135 4455

Motorcycles

•

Adult Services

•

Caravans

ARE YOU • LOOKING FOR HAY OR Moe Self Storage FIREWOOD

TRARALGON 69 Loch Park Rd. Sat 3 Jan, 8am (no early callers). Home decor items, Excellent various sizes from $85 quality women's plus-size p.c.m. Contact Strzelecki clothing, kitchen items Realty on 5127 1333. (plates etc.), lamps, knick-knacks from shed. Home Lots of bargains to be had. Maintenance

Invacare scooter. Very good condition, tyres like 100% First time in town. new, canopy. $1450. Sexy, pretty, friendly, great service.

Phone 0488 949 066.

0421 367 038.

Mail:

Latrobe Valley Express, “Attention Classifieds’’ 21 George Street, Morwell 3840

Garage Sales

MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9AM-5PM

•

JAYCO Sterling van, mod.

21.65-7, ATM 2529kg, tare 2054kg, Q/bed, ensuite, a/c, fridge, gas/elec hot water and cooking, TV, 2x80L water tanks, Aussie annexe, exc/cond. $25,000. neg. Ph 0458 517 415.

Hono our yourr loved ones...

Share Share their their story story ry

DELIVERERS

WANTED TRARALGON and MOE

SUZUKI 2004 GSX 250.

Good learners bike, only 5,800km. Ex. condition, no rego. $2,500 o.n.o.

Ph. 0409 181 823.

MERCEDES mobile home, 7-seat, shower, toilet, rear boot, genny, awning, cruise cont. 13.8L/p 100k. gas, elec. and grill, 12v fridge, solar, 2 new baterries, tv, $69,000 ONO. Ph. Penguin Outback 2004 0448 856 087.

Camper trailer. 4.3m (14ft).

Good solid condition. $10,000. Phone Dave 0419 386 266.

Would you like to deliver the Latrobe Valley Express newspaper to individual homes on Tuesday and /or Wednesday afternoons in Traralgon and Moe. Please apply to: The Circulation Manager 0456 000 541 Please note: Children must be 11 years or over as we will need to apply for a government Child Employment Permit. Children younger than 11 cannot or will not be accepted.

Adult deliverers also welcome e

Caravans

•

JAYCO

Selling a van?

Don't waste time waiting for buyers, or on endless consignment plans, sell it today we'll pay cash now.

Affordable Caravans 0418 336 238, 5623 4782.

FAST FACTS

GP1632593

2015210

82% of consumers report they trust print ads.

Situations Vacant

•

Marine

•

" "

QUINTREX 530 Coast Runner. Honda, 75HP, 4 stroke motor, new radio (Nov 2020), new UHF (Nov 2020), new precision boat trailer (May 2020), new electric winch (Jan 2022), New Garmin (Feb 2022). Reg to Dec '26. incl life jackets, oars, EPIRB, plus self drive on 'catch'. $17,000. 0488 710 509 .

Responsibility PLEASE CHECK YOUR AD

" !

Please check your ad on the first day and bring any errors to the attention of the Classifieds Department immediately.

The Latrobe Valley Express makes every effort to avoid errors We regret that we cannot be responsible for any errors beyond the first day if you fail to bring it to our attention.

No allowances can be made for errors not materially affecting the effectiveness of the ad.

Position cannot will not be guaranteed.

All claims for adjustment of credit must be made within seven days after billing date.

We reserve the right to revise or restrict any ad we deem objectionable and to change the classification when necessary to conform to the policy of this newspaper.

In the event an ad is omitted from publication, we assume no liability for such omission.

A personal message in the Latrobe Valley Express can say so much For frienddly advice on how too place your tribute, contact our Classiffiedds Departmeent onn 5135 4455

•

Happy 40th birthday

JOHN

Love from Becky

EXPRESS

Personals Deaths

•

Di CIERO Salvatore 3/12/1930 - 27/12/2025 Passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Latrobe Regional Health.

Loved and loving husband of Elvira (dec.). Loved father and father-in-law of Antonietta, Giovanni and Rosie, Alfredo and Simone.

Doting Nonno of Samuel, Danica, Carlee, Joel and Josh.

Forever in our hearts.

For Funeral Information please visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

PRICE (McCall) Agnes (Nance) Passed away peacefully at Latrobe Valley Village Aged Care Newborough on 28 December 2025 Surrounded by her loving family.

Aged 97 Years Dearly loved wife of Ian (dec.).

Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Neil (dec.) and Sue, Nancy and Tom, Brian and Jenny.

Adored Gram and Farm Nan to Tom, Allison, Ian, Megan, and Mark. GreatGram and great-farm-nan to Michaela, Madison, Noah, Finn, Eva, Paddy, Jimmy, and Molly.

Mum and Dad reunited.

"Go with the flow".

RENNIE Robert 17/6/1945 - 26/12/2025 Passed away peacefully aged 80 years.

Loving husband of Irene for 57 years.

Loving father of Stephen and Joanne, Martin and Clinton.

Loving Grandfather and Great-Grandfather.

Moe Bowling Club Inc.

RENNIE Bob On behalf of the Moe Bowling Club, we are saddened to hear, of the passing of Bob Rennie.

We extend our condolences to his family and friends; Bob was an outstanding player and volunteer at the club for many years.

Rest in Peace Bob.

Deaths

•

SHIELDS Gwenda Elaine Our beautiful Mum, Mother-in-law and Nanny, passed away suddenly at home on 16 December 2025, aged 78 years.

Finally reuinuted with the love of her life and best-friend, Kenny.

Our hearts are breaking, you meant so much to us.

Life won't be the same without you. We will miss your smile, cheeky personality and phone calls. We will love and care care of Dotty.

Love and miss you forever.

Jody, Darren, Maggie, Sam and Justin. Grace, Harry, Naomi, Travis, Jessie and Benji XXX GO THE BOMBERS!

Funerals

•

DUNSTONE A Service to celebrate the life of Kathleen Dunstone will be held at The Rose Chapel, Gippsland Memorial Park, Cemetery Road Traralgon, on MONDAY (5 January) at 1.30pm.

The Service will also be livestreamed.

To view Kathleen's Service please visit: nielsenfunerals.com.au Privately cremated.

PRICE The funeral service and THOMAS committal for cremation Gladys Leslie Grace for Agnes (Nance) Price 13/7/1939 - 21/12/2025.

Aged 86 years. Passed Will be held at Latrobe away peacefully at LRH. Valley Funeral Services Devoted and loved Chapel, 6 Ollerton Avenue daughter of Alexander Moe on Friday (9 January and Gladys Lane (both 2026) commencing at dec.). Much loved sister of 11am.

Shirley (dec.), Hilary Nance's service will also (dec.), Lenny (dec.), Laurie be livestreamed. To view the live stream please (dec.) and Janice.

Loving wife of George visit: (dec.) for 65 1/2 yrs. latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au Adored Mum (Ma) of and click on livestreaming.

George, Luke (dec.), Laura Jean and Matthew and loved mother-in-law of Deb, Pam (dec.) and Jane. Much loved and MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 5126 1111 respected Nan of Beau and Place your tribute on Monique, Jordan and Nikki, latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au Alex, Sam and Jacob.

Her biggest pleasure was RENNIE being surrounded by her The Funeral Service and family and friends and Committal for Cremation being in the garden. She for Mr Robert Rennie will lived a full life. be held at Latrobe Valley The last twelve months Funeral Services Chapel, having been extremely 6 Ollerton Avenue Moe, challenging for Mum, but MONDAY (5 January 2026) she never complained. commencing at 10.30am.

She will always be our irreplaceable Matriarch of the Thomas family.

Reunited with Dad and Luke.

A private family cremation MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 will be held.

Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

SHIELDS A celebration of life for Gwenda will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral THOMPSON Services Chapel, 260 Jennifer Anne 'Jenni' Princes Hwy Traralgon on Of Nungurner passed TUESDAY (6 January away peacefully at home 2026) commencing at 2pm. surrounded by her loving family, Friday 26 December 2025, aged 74 years.

Loved and loving partner of Pat. Amazing Mother of Tony and Mark. Mother- MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 in-law of Paula and Place your tribute on Miranda. Nan of Naomi latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au and Brooke, Ebony, Jasper, Ayden, Callum, Ully and Ashton and Great-Nan to Mary. Loved daughter of THOMPSON Gavin and Barbara (both The funeral service for dec.). Loving sister of Jennifer Thompson of David, Vivienne and Nungurner will leave St Andrew (dec.).

John's Anglican Church, The world is a sadder place Metung after a service commencing at 11:30am without you in it. on Wednesday 7 January ZAMMIT Rose 2026 for the Bumberrah Passed away peacefully Cemetery, Harman's Rd, at Heritage Manor on 27 Johnsonville.

December 2025.

Please see our website Aged 94 years for livestream details.

Loved wife of Joe (dec.). Petermurrayfunerals.com.au Much loved mother and mother in law of Joyce (dec) and Richard (dec.), Marion and Julian, Ray and Kerrie, Noel and Jan, 30 Victoria Street, and George.

BAIRNSDALE VIC 3875 Loved Nunna of Phone (03) 5152 4596 10 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren. ZAMMIT The funeral service for Rose Zammit will be held at St Vincent's Catholic Church, Hunt St Morwell, on Monday 5 January 2026, commencing at 11am.

At the conclusion of this ZAMMITT Rose Our deepest condolences service the funeral will to the Zammit family on proceed to the Yallourn Rose's passing. Fly high Cemetery with the angels, beautiful lady.

Rest in peace.

Reunited with her loving family.

Teresa, Dean and Sonia In Memoriam Gatt.

In Memoriam

•

HARRINGTON Oscar (Ossie) 31/12/2020 5 years and the days are so long, but the nights are longer without you.

Missing your love so much.

Love Desma XXX

Funeral Directors

•

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What can you do when words are not enough?

When you lose someone close to you, it can be hard to put your thoughts and feelings into words A personal message in the Latrobe Valley Express can say so much For friendly advice on how to place your message contact

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Birthdays

Honour your loved ones and share their story When you lose someone close to you, it can be hard to put your thoughts and feelings into words All notices placed in print also go in our digital edition Place your personal message in the Latrobe Valley Express and share your memories

For friendly advice on how to place your message contact

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5135 4455 Honour your loved d ones...

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CONNORS Doris 30/12/2003 Mum, your memories will never fade from our hearts.

Elizabeth and family.

The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025 — Page 27

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Page 28 — The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025

valleysport

Conference system coming for Central Gippsland junior footy FOOTBALL JUNIORS

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

CHANGES for local junior football competitions will come into fruition next season.

After it became evident that Latrobe Valley junior football clubs sought to break away from the Central Gippsland Junior Football League, a resolution has been reached to allow the league to remain in place for 2026.

Moe, Newborough, Yallourn North and Hill End junior football clubs all became frustrated with the increased travel associated with playing South Gippsland clubs, which has strained player participation and volunteer numbers.

Latrobe Valley clubs have been associated, in some form, with the league since its establishment in 1972 (Hill End joined in 1980), while South Gippsland clubs came across in 2021 when the Alberton Football-Netball League folded and merged into Mid Gippsland FNL - which was once the closest alignment senior league for CGJFL. As such, a new two conference system will be set up for all CGJFL competitions, splitting the league into half and reducing travel times significantly.

Moe, Newborough, Yallourn North and Hill End make up one conference, while Tarwin, MDU, Mirboo North and Corner Inlet (combination of Toora, Foster and Fish Creek) are in the other.

Going off early proposals, each club will play those within their conference three times before a gather round takes place midseason where all clubs come together at one neutral ground, with one or two additional ‘crossover’ games during the season.

Despite featuring in the Traralgon and District JFL since 2023, Yinnar would be an ideal suitor for a CGJFL gather round within reach for Latrobe Valley and South Gippsland clubs, stated by AFL Gippsland Regional Manager, Tim Cotter.

Yinnar hosted this year’s Female Football Gippsland Gather Round to great success, with 10 games packing a full day of football festivities.

While a two conference system will be in place, how a finals series will be structured has yet to be finalised.

There is also potential for other clubs to join CGJFL going forward, with the potential for Corner Inlet to split up into its individual towns for some grades, while Stony Creek had also expressed a desire for a junior program.

It is also expected that the under 16s competition

in CGJFL will cease, with a fourths grade likely to return for Mid Gippsland FNL. Last year, CGJFL only featured four teams in its U16s competition, making its viability incredibly slim.

As such, Latrobe Valley clubs have been continuing to work with AFL Gippsland to ensure pathways remain in place for the sustainability of all, under the title ‘Project 3825’.

Making sure every club has healthy numbers in all junior grades is paramount, which would also mean if a club potentially had two sides for one age group, filtering players out to other clubs with the assurance that they return to their home club eventually.

What is also instrumental for CGJFL and AFL Gippsland is creating a solid foundation to rid the league of these problems into the future by improving Auskick and also utilising the newly formed ‘Superkick’ program for kids and parents still hesitant of joining at an U10s level.

Potentially changing age groups to odd numbers in CGJFL will also be reviewed for the 2027 season, which is what’s in place in TDJFL (U9s, U11, U13s, U15s).

Task at hand: AFL Gippsland Regional Manager, Tim Cotter has been instrumental working with clubs to ensure junior participation remains healthy.

Footy’s all-rounder taking deserved break FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

Makes sense: The Central Gippsland Junior Football League will introduce a conference system next year, to help reduce the travel for clubs such as Hill End (pictured after winning the 2024 under 14s flag) driving over to places like Tarwin.

File photographs

Local clubs promote road safety FOOTBALL

MULTIPLE local football and netball clubs have shared in a total of $700,000 for leading the way in promoting road safety through the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) Club Rewards program.

Of the more than 300 grassroots clubs, a total of 10 clubs from Latrobe Valley and surrounding were recognised.

They were:  Churchill Football-Netball Club;  Cowwarr FNC;  Heyfield FNC;  Hill End FNC;  Morwell FNC;

 Traralgon Tyers United FNC, and;  Yallourn Yallourn North FNC. Three junior clubs within Traralgon and District Junior Football League were also acknowledged: Combined Saints Junior Football Club, Morwell JFC and West End JFC. This year, 320 clubs received rewards of up to $10,000 through the program, which is delivered in partnership with AFL Victoria, and encourages clubs to engage with players, members and their communities on key road safety issues and to promote safe behaviours on the road.

AFL Victoria-affiliated football and netball clubs from across the state were invited to apply for the program and show how they supported road safety throughout the year, including taking part in the

TAC’s Road Safety Round, and promoting the ‘Be the Difference’ message.

Rewards were allocated based on the demonstrated efforts of the clubs.

Around 44 per cent of successful applicants have come from regional Victoria, where serious road trauma risk is highest.

Players, officials and supporters from regional clubs often travel long distances on high-speed roads to get to training and games, and their leadership is critical to preventing road trauma.

Successful clubs can now use the money for a range of initiatives including education programs, club transport initiatives, new equipment and uniforms.

Rewards were allocated based on the demonstrated efforts of the clubs.

ONE of local football’s great survivors is stepping down.

Shane Paynter has informed Moe FootballNetball Club he will be taking time off next year in order to travel.

Paynter has been an assistant coach with the Lions since 2019.

In that time he has served under three different senior coaches - a feat in itself given assistants are usually dispersed with once a new head coach comes in.

A career coach with high level AFL accreditation, Paynter previously had stints in the VAFA and at Mid Gippsland senior level as coach of Boolarra.

He has also coached junior interleague teams in the Gippsland League and Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League, and served on the Gippsland League Board.

Playing wise, he enjoyed premiership success with Trafalgar in the mid-2000s, where his dad Gordon is a life member.

He was at ground level on the bench with the Lions until this year, when he moved into opposition analysis.

His task was helped by his brother Brett, who is also a game day camera operator for the Gippsland League.

Moe made four preliminary finals in the five completed seasons Paynter was involved.

He delivered what this writer described as one of the best speeches he’d ever heard in 2023.

The occasion was a midseason get-together at Moe Bowls Club, where the Lions were laying out the rest of the campaign.

There, Paynter spoke without searching for words, nor without the tone that it was a prepared speech, about why Leongatha are “the best” and how there was nothing stopping Moe from following suit.

As the player who was there, it’s a great shame someone didn’t whip out the phone and start recording. It was honestly genuinely inspiring.

The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025 — Page 29

valleysport

Traralgon stars at state sprint titles SWIMMING

FORTY swimmers from the Traralgon Swimming Club competed at the Victorian State Sprint Titles held at the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre.

Eight swimmers won four gold, seven silver and nine bronze medals, with a further 13 top 10 finishes. The club also won a relay gold in the Mixed Para – Able bodied 4 x 50m freestyle (Lockie Bellion, Blake Warne, Isla Ryan and Milla Said). Traralgon finished sixth in the Club Points Score in Victoria,

beating a number of well-credentialled city clubs.

Traralgon Swimming Club Senior Head Coach, Brian Ford was proud of the club's achievements.

“With every race (featuring) a 50 metre sprint in all strokes it certainly was a fast meet with thebest sprinters in Victoria showing their form," he said.

"To come away with 21 medals and a top 10 finish was a terrific result for the club.”

A Victorian Country record was also broken by 11-year-old Henry Arnup in the 50 metre butterfly in a time of 31.29,

just beating the previous record of 31.38 held by another Traralgon swimmer, Alex Tsebelis, from 2012.

Those to medal were: Ash Nicholes (18 yo) - 1 gold (free), 2 silver (back, breast), Henry Arnup (11) - 1 gold (back), 1 bronze (fly), Jess Whiting (16) - 1 gold (fly), 1 bronze (free), Olivia Baillie (18) - 1 gold (back), Lockie Bellion (17) - 1 silver (back), 3 bronze (fly, breast, free), Tahlia Maccubbin (11) - 1 bronze (fly), Phoebe Balcombe (15) - 1 bronze (fly), Darcy Connell (17) - 1 bronze (back).

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Can win laying down: Olivia Baillie won gold in backstroke.

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Quartet: Blake Warne, Lockie Bellion, Isla Ryan and Milla Said were part of the Traralgon Swimming Club team who won relay gold in the mixed para - able bodied 4 x 50m freestyle.

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Gun: Ash Nicholes continued his stellar work in the pool.

Hardest stroke in the book: Jess Whiting took home gold in butterfly.

Local flag: Phoebe Balcombe with her bronze medal from the championships.

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Paint a clear picture: Tahlia Maccubbin medalled at the championships.

SCOREBOARD

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Effort: Darcy Connell claimed bronze at the sprint championships.

GOLF CHURCHILL AND MONASH

Men’s Monthly Medal (stroke) - 20th December 2025 Monthly Medal Winner: A. Sharrock 63 Nett Scratch Winner: P. Smart 79 off stick Putts: G. Tatterson 25 putts A Grade Winner: M. Brereton 67 Nett B Grade Winner: A. Sharrock 63 Nett C Grade Winner: G. Blizzard 68 Nett D.T.L: 1. W. McGrath 64, 2. R. King 68, 3.

G. Tatterson 68, 4. B. Mathieson 69, 5. D. Cluderay 70, 6. C. Sterrick 71, 6. S. Caldwell 71 N.T.P: 3rd R. Dent (Propin), 5th J. Vickers, 12th D. Cluderay, 14th R. Walsh Birdies: 3rd D. Burridge, 12th A. Sharrock, D. Cluderay Target Hole: I. Fortune Stableford – 23 rd December 2025 Winner: R. King 37 pts c/b D.T.L: L. Brent 37 pts N.T.P: 3rd S. Caldwell, 5th L. Brent, 12th C. C. Carder, 14th L. Brent Birdie: 14th L. Brent

MIRBOO NORTH

Tuesday, 23rd December, Stableford.

A Grade: R Scurlock (9) 41pts B Grade: T Stanistreet (18) 41pts C Grade: D Gunn (36) 42pts, DTL: C Gunn, J Gunn, 41, A Mc Carthy38, P Smart, M Payne 37 c/b.

NTP: 4th J Smeriglio, 6th C Gunn, 13th J Robbins, 16th A Collins, Birdies: 4th J Mc Farlane, S Mc Kinnon, R Scurlock, G Renwick, 13th T Bradshaw, 16th A Collins.

Saturday 27th December, Stableford, (Loud Shirt Day).

A Grade: P Woodall (9) 39pts B Grade: S Hill-Smith (17) 38pts c/b.

C Grade: K Garcia (35) 34pts.

DTL: T Bradshaw, J Mc Farlane, R Felmingham, J Smeriglio 38, M Payne 35 c/b.

NTP: 4th T Whitelaw, 6th D Felmingham, 13th S Hill-Smith, 16th Cam Le Page.

Birdies: 4th P Woodall, T Whitelaw, Tom

Page 30 — The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025

Traill, 6th D Felmingham, J Smeriglio, W Gervasi, 13th S Hill-Smith, 16th B Bradshaw, Loud shirt winner: J Mc Farlane.

MOE

Sunday, 21 December 2025 Sunday 9 hole Stableford Grade A Winners: Shaw, Jayden (11) 21 Sunday, 21 December 2025 OPEN Sunday Mixed Stableford Grade A Winners: Randall, Damien (26) 48 Place Getters: Beuthin, Jan 41 Friday, 26 December 2025 Boxing Day OPEN Mixed Stableford Grade A Winners: Taylor, Amy (12) 35 C/B Grade B Winners: Elliot, Christine (27) 39 Place Getters: Cunningham, Steve 38 Panozzo, Gavan 36 Stansbury, Les 35 Spiteri, Paul 34 Great Score: Daniel Reynolds (Birdie) @ 8 Amy Taylor (Birdie) @ 4 Nearest to Pin: 8th Aaron Bassman 14th Joshua Cahill Saturday, 27 December 2025 WOMEN'S

SATURDAY OPEN Stableford Grade A Winners: Middlemiss, Kaye (18) 40 Saturday, 27 December 2025 MENS Stableford Grade A Winners: Backman, Phil (11) 41 Grade B Winners: Stephens, Peter (12) 38 C/B Grade C Winners: Borg, Manny (24) 41 Place Getters: Jackson, Mark 39, Stanlake, Peter 38 C/B, Hayes, Gerard 38 C/B, Backman, Shane 38 C/B, Panozzo, Gavan 38 C/B, Downs, Craig 38, Devent, Anton 37 C/B, Harland, Bob 37 C/B, Dooley, Brian 37, Gauci, Anthony 36, Weir, Charles 35 C/B Great Score: Les Stansbury (Eagle) @ 6, John Boyce (Birdie) @ 8 Nearest to Pin: 4th Peter Keenan, 8th John Boyce, 14th Bernard Howard TRAFALGAR

Tuesday: 23/12/25 - Stableford Players: 26, Women 3, Men 23 Winner: Max Pugliese (26) Runner Up: Dave Rose (20)c/b DTL's: John Turpin (20) Glenn Doolan (19)

Sue DeVries (19) Graeme Harris(19) Franc Kiss (19) NTP: Geoff Thomas (5th) Lucky Card: Andy Kiss Friday, December 26th, Open Men’s & Ladies Stableford A Grade Winner: Nathan Dart 39 pts B Grade Winner: Phil James 43 pts DTL's: Di Moody 40, Alison Bailey 39, Chris Moody 38, Richard Albanese 38, Brian McKenzie 38, Ross Anderson 38, Jan Jansen 38, Jordan Chapman 37 C/B Birdies: 5th: Darryl Blackshaw, Mark Ando, Nick Rowe 11th: Richard Albanese, Jack Marshall, Zavier O’Reilly 15th: Richard Albanese Saturday, December 27th, Stableford A Grade Winner: Jeff Hasthorpe 37 pts C/B B Grade Winner: Ken Street 39 pts C Grade Winner: Max Taylor 44 pts DTL’s: John Hanley 39, Peter Grima 38, Andrew Tangusso 37, John Tabuteau 37, Garry Jansen 37, Jan Jansen 37, Nathan Jenkins 36, Tony Gray 36, Tim Cross 36, Glenn McGrath 36, Shane Dwyer 36 C/B Hole in One: 13th: Scott McKinnon

A YEAR IN LATROBE VALLEY SPORT

id goodbye to its Falcons 2000 sa g: s unless stated in nd ta ds ph an File otograph No gr ar. ye is th m diu home sta

SP PO ORT Byy BLAKE METCALF-HOLT AND LIAM DURKIN

LIKE most years in sport, reflections on what the last 12 months has presented brings with it heathy reminders of the successes of our region and how sport can effect our community.

We've seen big events, great triumphs, and jaw-dropping moments that have shaped what 2025 has meant to people.

Staff at the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium had their work cut out for them with a total of four NBL and WNBL games during the calendar year, as well as the netball super showcase which welcomed Super Netball franchise Melbourne Mavericks.

The NBL venture headlined by the Latrobe Valley's adopted team, South East Melbourne Phoenix picking up two of three wins in front of a invested Traralgon crowd, resulting in a total of six visits now for Australia's top basketball competition to the region.

After a few years, the WNBL returned in November with some fresh teams going up against each other for the locals in the reigning premier Bendigo Spirit and Perth Lynx.

To top all of that off, for the first time since 2006, Traralgon hosted the Australian Boomers for their FIBA Asian Cup Qualifier games in January against Indonesia and Thailand - meaning it truly was the year for basketball in Latrobe Valley.

Shooting it out to the exports, Traralgon's Jade Melbourne wrapped up her third year in America with the WNBA's Washington Mystics, while also returning for her sixth season with WNBL team UC Capitals and taking on Moe's Jaz Shelley in her second year with Geelong Venom.

Fellow Traralgon export Jack White, after losing narrowly in the NBL Grand Final series with Melbourne United, made the

it consecutive Traralgon Back-to-back: Station One made Cups.

Job done: Howlin’ Rain winning this year’s Moe returns to the mounting yard after Cup.

decision to taste the Euro E opean life, initially winning his third majo m or basketball title (alongside an NBA an and d NBL ring) with ith German club Bayern Munich in just three months of service.

He is now doing battle with Turkish team Mersin MSK, but is hopeful for another shot at the NBA after venturing to the Summer League mid-year with the Atlanta Hawks.

Closer to home, local teams toasted success in Australia's preeminent football code.

Leongatha Football-Netball Club took another step toward immortality, winning an incredible fifth Gippsland League senior premiership in seven years from nine consecutive grand finals. The Parrots are now surely among, if not the greatest, team/club the league has ever seen.

South Gippsland dominated the footy flags, with Foster taking out Mid Gippsland and Woodside (part of its history taking in Devon and Welshpool), winning North Gippsland.

Foster's own Willem Duursma was drafted at Pick 1. His boss will be West Coast coach and Traralgon's own Andrew McQualter.

Morwell East tried to get out of Mid Gippy, only to be knocked back yet again.

The Hawks have said they will keep trying.

What followed the local footy season was the wildest trade period seen in living memory. Players changed clubs so frequently in October it was hard to keep up, while the dollar figure reportedly attached to some was in four digits.

Churchill had the thrill of winning an A Grade netball premiership on its home court at Gaskin Park, while Moe did what no Gippsland League club had done - completing a hat-trick.

It is said Moe would be one of the strongest country netball teams in the state.

The Lions will welcome a new facility next year as part of Commonwealth Games Legacy, as will Falcons 2000 Soccer Club.

Falcons said farewell to its famous stadium

last May, and played in one of the best local soccer games imaginable against Moe - a match that all but b t gave ga e the Red Devils De ils a look at an eventual LVSL championship.

Not far from Moe, Monash made the LVSL cup final, but lost to Traralgon Olympians, who are tipped to be even more resurgent next year.

Fortuna meanwhile took all before them, winning the state league title in its first year after breaking from the LVSL. Horse racing was also a fixture on the local sporting calendar.

The luckless Latrobe Valley Racing Club finally got to hold both its meetings, and Moe moved its flagship meeting to a Sunday for the first time ever.

Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club is set to welcome racing back next year, after extensive works to improve track safety took place across 2025. It is anticipated the club will host 1000 trials before racing officially begins.

Earlier in the year, Ex Students continued its domination of local cricket, beating Glengarry in an epic Cricket Latrobe Valley Premier A decider. Imperials were promoted to the top flight after winning the A Grade flag - its first in more than 30 years.

This year marked 15 years since Morwell cricketer Peter Siddle took his famous Ashes hat-trick. Video reaction and recreation of the moment has gone viral since, including recently, showing one man commentating all three wickets in the shower.

Staying in Morwell, the Morwell Magic celebrated a historic premiership in basketball, with its senior women's team victorious in the Country Basketball League. Gippsland United Men won a premiership and promotion to the Championship division after winning Division 1.

Dynasty: Leongatha and former Thorpdale foo Willis (second from left ) won his fifth Gippsland tballer Ben flag this year. He is picture League Bowman, Sam Forrester, d with fellow five timers Luke Tom Marriott and Cade Maskell.

Photograph supplied

region, Cup toured the ar’s Melbourne ured). ye is Th d: ge (pict Privile algon and Moe stopping by Trar

in Cup in the 3-1 to win this year’s Battle of Brita Title: Olympians defeated Monash pians now has the joint-most Battle of Britain cups Latrobe Valley Soccer League. Olymand Morwell Pegasus. with eight, alongside Traralgon City

In our own backyard: A host of NBL

matches featured in the Latrobe Valle y

this year.

The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025 — Page 3 31

WINNERS AND GRINNERS OF 2025

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red its third North nds: TTU secu in four seasons. ip Lunchtime lege rves premiersh Gippsland rese

That’s how it’s done: Churchill players are ove winning the North Gippsl and A Grade premiershrjoyed after ip.

captured an iership in ever do it: Moe The greatest tothird consecutive A Grade prem d te en ed ec unpr ague. the Gippsland Le

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Once again: Ex Stduen ts defeated Glengarry in Cricket Latrobe Valley Pre a thrilling mier A decider.

e State Club secured th iting the r ex rtuna 60 Soccer Champions: Fo en’s title in its first season afte League South M LVSL. L

Cloud 9: Moe United cel Valley Soccer League ebrates after winning the Latrobe senior championship.

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A Grade flag in rials won its first pe Im g: in m co Long time ars last March. more than 30 ye

Hawk talk: M Mid Gippslandorwell East came march ing home to reserves prem win the iership.

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ball Country Basket well won its first or M : by ba ah Ye ship this year.

League premier

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With the big dogs now: Gippslan earning promotion to Championshid United took out the Big V premiership in Division 1, p as a result.

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Pag ge 32 — The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025

Dominant: Traralgon won the Latrobe Valley Baseball Association A Grade premiership.

The Redsox also saluted in B Grade and C Grade.

valleysport

Greyhound trainer cops six-year ban GREYHOUND RACING

GREYHOUND Racing Victoria (GRV) has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on integrity and welfare breaches, following a decision of the independent Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) in late November to impose a six-year disqualification on former trainer Gerry Orr for serious integrity offences.

The tribunal found Newborough-based Orr guilty of multiple breaches of the Greyhounds Australasia rules, including attempts and actual purchases of permanently banned performance-enhancing substances. Orr had flown to the Philippines to buy performanceenhancing drugs for his dogs.

“This type of conduct strikes at the heart of our sport and will never be tolerated,” GRV chief executive Stuart Laing said.

“Integrity and animal welfare are nonnegotiable priorities for GRV. That is why our stewards investigated and issued serious charges against Mr Orr for his conduct which has ultimately resulted in a disqualification penalty being handed down by the VRT. “A strong greyhound racing industry relies on the public being assured that greyhounds are not being mistreated and that racing is conducted free of dishonesty and blatant contravention of the rules.

“This outcome and the actions of our integrity team send a clear message that anyone who seeks to cheat or harm greyhounds will face the full force of the rules.”

The offences were uncovered through a proactive investigation conducted by GRV’s greyhound racing integrity and welfare unit.

“Our integrity team works tirelessly to protect the welfare of greyhounds and uphold public confidence in racing,” GRV executive general manager of integrity and welfare Shane O’Connell said.

“We will continue to invest in intelligence, technology and enforcement to ensure a level playing field for all participants.”

The tribunal described the offences as “serious” and emphasised the need for strong deterrence to maintain the image and fairness of greyhound racing.

Locals caught out in Boxing Day debacle CRICKET

By LIAM DURKIN

HOW club cricket could you get - getting done reverse outright on Day 2.

Local cricket fans were left disappointed following this year’s Boxing Day Test farce.

The match, sure to go down in infamy, saw 36 wickets fall in just two days on a spicy MCG pitch covered in 10 millimetres of grass.

While England fought back from a first innings deficit to claim its first Ashes win on Australian soil in close to 15 years, the match will undoubtedly be remembered for the 22 yards, which continued to misbehave considerably once the effects of the roller wore off.

International players may have briefly experienced what it’s like playing local cricket on a second week deck the opposition has prepared needing to win to make finals.

More than 90,000 packed into the stadium for the first two days, but the early finish meant many locals missed out on play over the next three.

Former Trafalgar cricketer Liam White, who’d travelled home from Queensland to attend Day 3, was just one of many denied the opportunity, as was Latrobe Valley Racing Club Chairperson Frank Bezzina.

Latrobe Valley cricket tragic Mark Smith had tickets to all five days, and suddenly found an extra few days in his schedule.

Even the English themselves may have been counting it as a hollow victory.

Express journalist Liam Durkin attended an Australian Cricket Society function after Day 2, where the Man of the Match medal won by England fast bowler Josh Tongue was simply left unattended.

Not knowing whether or not it was loaned for the occasion, one would still imagine a medal of that

Not good: The Boxing Day Test attracted more than 90,000 people, but lasted just two days.

Photograph supplied

significance would be armed with some security.

At the function, former Australian quick Jason Gillespie described what happened as a “nonsense Test”.

To his credit, veteran MCG head curator Matt Page fronted the media on Day 3, saying even he was shocked at how much seam movement there was.

Some Australian batsmen were seen laughing wryly after being dismissed, such was the nature of the wicket.

A degree of sympathy was perhaps felt for Page and his team, especially from those involved in local

horseracing and at golf clubs, who know all too well how difficult it can be working in horticulture amid unpredictable Victorian weather.

Cricket Australia stands to lose upwards of $10 million over the lost days, while the situation could also have ramifications at grassroots level.

Community cricket is clearly struggling, with players well into their 50s still playing A Grade on Saturdays across Gippsland.

With the Ashes only lasting a total of 13 days so far, it is hardly going to capture the imagination of younger audiences.

LHS plays vital role in Warne legacy LATROBE Health Services was part of the team that helped deliver more than 7400 free health checks at this year's Boxing Day Test.

Partnering with Shane Warne Legacy, the initiative continues to raise awareness of cardio metabolic health and Type 2 diabetes risk by making health checks more accessible to the public.

Latrobe Health Services Chief Executive, Ian Whitehead praised the impact of SWL Health Checks.

“These results highlight the importance of accessible health screening in everyday settings," he said.

"SWL Health Checks have become more than an initiative, they’re a movement that connects communities through the power of health and sport.

“At Latrobe Health Services, we’re proud to stand behind something that makes health simple and accessible, bringing lifechanging awareness to places Australians love, like the MCG during the Boxing Day Test.”

This year’s event featured 56 SiSU Health stations, marking the age Shane Warne would have been. These self-serve stations offered quick, non-invasive assessments of blood pressure, body composition, heart rate, BMI, and Type 2 diabetes risk, with results instantly available on-screen and via the SiSU Health mobile app.

Eligible participants also received clinician-led finger-prick blood tests for cholesterol and blood glucose levels, provided with support from Novo Nordisk and the state government.

Despite the Test match only going two days, the SWL reached its goal of 400,000 free health checks.

Warne, who had a well-publicised neglect for his diet and smoked considerably, died of heart failure in 2022.

He crossed paths with a few local cricketers in Victorian state teams and at overseas clubs.

Since his death, it has become tradition at the Boxing Day Test for spectators to tip their hats at 3.50pm, the number 350 being Warne's baggy green cap.

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CONTACTS Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5135 4444 Email: bookings@lvexpress.com.au Check up: Latrobe Health Services were present at the MCG on Boxing Day, providing Photograph supplied free health checks.

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The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025 — Page 33

Newborough Bowling Club, 5-8 January 2026

Brilliant bowls is on the way BOWLS

By LIAM DURKIN

Frontrunners: 2025 finalists Corey Wedlock and Gary Kelly. Both are previous winners and will be back for the 2026 instalment.

NEWBOROUGH Bowling Club is set to go for the annual EnergyAustralia Classic Singles.

The time-honoured event has become a staple on the Gippsland bowls calendar, as locals and professionals battle it out for the title.

Bowlers from across the region, the state, and even interstate will descend on Newborough’s grass greens to compete for the title prize.

Ranking points, prizemoney and a place on the club’s honour board are all up for grabs across four days of what is expected to be intense bowls action.

Names on the honour board include six-time winner Barrie Lester, and Commonwealth Games athlete Gary Kelly, who won the Newborough Classic just last year.

Lester and Kelly are returning to Newborough, as is fellow Commonwealth Games bowler Corey Wedlock, who won the event in 2024 and was runner-up last year.

The trio will be in town as part of an entourage arranged by Lester, who combines playing bowls with bowls business, bringing some of the biggest names in the game to country towns.

Newborough Bowls Club is hosting a pot n parma night on Tuesday, January 6 featuring Lester and Co, in what promises to be an entertaining evening following the day’s play.

Newborough has already been a hive of activity in the lead-up, with the greens expected to play much better than the MCG pitch on Boxing Day. Past winners of the Classic looking to add to their cabinet include Neville Brown, Ray Jansen and Tony Schiavello, who are all competing in the 2026 instalment.

The club has reported very strong entries for the 2026 Classic, noting a hefty waitlist for spaces in each of the events.

Prominent local bowlers will look to test themselves, and see just how they fare coming up against some of the best that can bowl.

The local Newborough club is well represented,

with seven players entered, while Moe, Morwell and Traralgon bowls clubs also have players taking part.

Bowls has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years, highlighted by the number of young people taking up the sport.

That theme is continuing at the Classic, and Trafalgar's Matt Coutts, Yallourn North’s Tim Phillips and Stratford’s Paul Nichols (representing Middle Park) loom as players to keep an eye on now and into the future.

Philips has shown there is sporting life after football having enjoyed a stellar career with Yallourn Yallourn North Football-Netball Club in his younger days.

Spectators are encouraged to head along to Newborough Bowling Club next week to catch all the action from 9am.

Precision: Northern Irish international Gary Kelly during his win of the 2025 Newborough Bowling Club Classic Singles.

Inclusive: Locals have the chance to compete against professionals.

EnergyAustralia Classic Singles Entry List 2025 MONDAY, JANUARY 5

TUESDAY, JANUARY 6

Samantha Atkinson .................Newborough Glenn Bainbridge ............................ Berwick Jennifer Bainbridge .....................Pakenham Dave Barry ...............................Tarwin Lower Craig Bryant ................................ Heathmont Daniel Carroll ....................................Kilmore Richard ........................... Chetland Yarragon Bradley Cooke ...........................Middle Park Philip Crowder ................................ Stratford Bernie Detering .............................Traralgon Tris Doolan ....................................Bundoora Shane Dove ........................................... Sale Graham Everett ............................Beaumaris Mark Foster ...........................................MCC Paul Gallagher .........................Newborough Aaron Illman ......................................Morwell Gary Ingley .................................... Warragul Josh Kennedy ..........................Newborough Ella Kiss .........................................Essendon Lacey Kiss ....................................Essendon George Lambos ......................Newborough Gary Lasky .................................Middle Park David Leitch .................................Pakenham Wayne Martin .......................................... Yea Vince Miceli ...................................... Berwick Brendan Millar .............................. Whittlesea Daniel Millar ................................. Whittlesea Alec Muirhead jnr .............................Morwell Dennis O’Keefe ............................West Sale Steve Pallot ............................................ Moe Mark Petty .........................Dandenong Club Tim Phillips ........................................Clayton Milan Prosenica ........................E E Brighton Tony Schiavello .............................Bundoora David Smith .................................... Warragul Frank Stake ..................................... Stratford Lynne Thomas ..................Dandenong Club Jeff Thompson ....................................... Moe Dennis Throup ....................................Drouin Nick Turnbull ..................................Traralgon Martin Van Elst .............................. Lindenow Albert Van Stekelenburg .........Newborough Geoff Van Vugt ................................. Berwick Chris Ward ............................. Ferntree Gully Bob Watt ...................................... Brunswick Chris Watt ......................................Deer Park Craig Whatman ...............................Parkdale Paul Wootten .......................... Ferntree Gully

Ashley Beckwith ............................... Armadale Jason Bornholm ................................ Wodonga Chris Bortignon ...................................Trafalgar Neville Brown ...................................Pakenham John Bulmer .............................Upwey/Tecoma Adam Cassidy ...............................Middle Park Shane Chapman ...............................Traralgon Matthew Clark ..................................... Croydon Philip Cookson ......................Dandenong Club Henny Cortenbach .......................Mooroolbark Matthew Coutts ...................................Trafalgar Andrew Dalli ........................................Rosanna Ron Dalton ........................................Ringwood Cam Davison .......................... Upwey-Tecoma Russell Dowling ......................... Tallygaroopna William Emerson ..................... Aberfeldie CBC Mick Gardner ................................... Yarra Glen Daniel Henery ............................. Ocean Grove Ken Hilton .............................. United Kingdom Paris Hilton .................................. Narre Warren Stuart Humphrey ..................................Morwell Ray Jansen ...................................... Whittlesea Gary Kelly ..................................... Warilla NSW Sonya King ........................................... Ivanhoe Simon Kiss ........................................Essendon Dean Kuran ....................................Middle Park Anthony Lee Glen ................................ Waverly Matthew Leicester ..............................Trafalgar Barrie Lester .................................Kawana Qld Vin McIlwain .......................................Traralgon Paul Meyers ..........................Dandenong Club Len Middling .............................. Yallourn North Ethan Miller ...................................... Brunswick Paul Murphy ..........................................Clayton Paul Nichols ...................................Middle Park John Parker ......................................Pakenham Tommy Ristic .....................................Ringwood Matthew Robertson ......................Moama NSW Graeme Rodgers .............................Beaumaris Mitch Sidebottom ...................... Tallygaroopna Graeme Spencer ........................ Mulgrave CC Danny Van Zuylen .......................Newborough John Wasiukiewicz ......................Newborough Corey Wedlock ............................. Warilla NSW Rick Wright ....................................E E Brighton Nathan Zeeno ................................Middle Park

Page 34 — The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025

Calibre: The Newborough Bowling Club’s flagship event welcomes bowlers from across the country.

Turnout: The classic singles provides a boost to the local economy, as touring players book out accommodation for up to a week.

Newborough Bowling Club, 5-8 January 2026

Players to watch Barrie Lester (Kawana QLD)

KNOWS the Newborough greens like the back of his hand.

Lester has won the classic singles an incredible six times. With no wins since the pandemic however, he may be motivated to at least break that drought.

While primarily focussed on bowls business these days, Lester brings no shortage of class to the arena.

He will be joined by Commonwealth Games athletes and the two previous winners of the event, Corey Wedlock and Gary Kelly.

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1300 367 700 Announcing one of Australia’s premier singles events...

EnergyAustralia Classic Singles

Been there, done that: Barrie Lester will be looking to add to his collection of classic File photograph singles titles.

Newborough Bowling Club, Newborough Vic Corner Monash and Coach Roads, Newborough

5th - 8th Janaury 2026 $12,120 prizemoney - Tier 3 BA Ranking Event Victoria’s most prestigious singles tournament featuring local, interstate and international stars in action in the heart of the Latrobe Valley.

Samantha Atkinson (Newborough)

Non-Stop action from 9.00am daily - Spectator catering on site

Contact Michael Holroyd 0434 146 865 for information

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PROUDLY flying the local flag, Newborough Bowling Club coach Samantha 'Sammy' Atkinson will be taking part in the classic.

She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the event, competing with and against bowlers at the highest levels of the game.

Atkinson already has two Australian titles and an Australian Indoor Singles Championship, as well as a World Title in World Indoor Mixed Pairs.

At the conclusion of last year, she was ranked No 2 in Australia and No 6 in the world and was the 2023/24 Victorian Women’s Bowler of the Year.

Proud to support rtt the Energ rgy gyAustralia y Classic Singles Tournament.

Wishing all competitors rss the very ryy best in their endeavours rss to succeed in this tournament.

All enquiries:

Ray Jansen (Whittlesea)

ONE of the first winners of the classic, Jansen again returns to Newborough.

The cityite won the second instalment in 1999, and while much has changed in the last 25 years, his experience will have to count for something across the qualifying days.

It would be some story if Jansen was to feature in a final a quarter of a century apart.

Longevity in bowls is something seldom seen in other sports, adding much to its popularity.

Latrobe City tyy

Superstar: Newborough’s own Sammy Atkinson is set to give her home club event a Photograph supplied good shake.

Energy Australia Classic Singles Past Winners 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Neville Brown (Drouin) Ray Jansen (Kew Heights, VIC) Brian Baldwin (Musgrave Hill, QLD) Don Peoples (Birrong, NSW) Brian Baldwin (Musgrave Hill, QLD) Brian Baldwin (Musgrave Hill, Q;D) Ian Caines (Moe) Rex Johnson (St Johns Park, NSW) Bre Wilkie (Helensvale, QLD) Barrie Lester (Melbourne, VIC) Shane Globits (Helensvale, QLD) Barrie Lester (Moonee Ponds, VIC) Barrie Lester (Moonee Ponds, VIC) Steve Glasson (St Johns Park, NSW)

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

Barrie Lester (Moonee Ponds, VIC) Charlie Ward (Frankston RSL, VIC) Tony Schiavello (Bundoora RSL, VIC) Brendon Baker (Kurri Kurri, NSW) Chris Le Lievre (Glenroy, VIC) Barrie Lester (Mulgrave, VIC) Dylan Fisher (Clayton, VIC) Barrie Lester (Melbourne, VIC) Nathan Bush (Eastern Park, VIC) Thor Shannon (Brighton, VIC) Rohan Dennis (Merrylands, NSW) Colin Veenendaal (Mitcham, VIC) Corey Wedlock (Warilla NSW) Gary Kelly (Warilla NSW)

Newborough Bowling Club Classic Singles Format NEWBOROUGH Bowling Club is conducting its 29th consecutive Classic Singles and, with Sponsor EnergyAustralia, aiming to attract the highest quality competitors to the outstanding facilities at Newborough Bowling Club.

Bowls Australia rules and Bowls Victoria dress code applies.

PROGRAM THIS is an open event for all bowlers, with 96 bowlers competing over four days.

Monday, January 5 and Tuesday, January

6 sees 48 players participate in 16 sections of three players, with the section winner continuing to Wednesday's knock-out play.

Wednesday, January 7 will have 32 section winners play three rounds of knock-out competion.

Semi-finals will follow on Thursday, January 8 in the morning, with the final to follow in the afternoon.

PRIZE MONEY

Total: $12,120 Winner: $3500 Runner-up: $1500

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The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025 — Page 35

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Page 36 — The Latrobe Valley Express, Tuesday, 30 December, 2025