IN the week following Iran's retaliationtothe US-Israel airstrikes, many Australians rushed to the petrol pumps in anticipation of prices soaring.
Across the LatrobeValley and broader Gippsland region, manyservice stations are beginning to, if not already,tickover $2 alitre.
Financial experts and federal ministers said that the effects on the cost of fuel are expected to be felt in the weeks ahead,and in additiontogas prices rising significantly, will inevitably put more strain on the economy.
Gippsland continued to tick upwards last week, while service stations across metro suburbs around Melbourne rarely sat below $2, similar to surges around Sydney and Brisbane.
ManyLatrobe Valleylocals have expressed their frustration and warned others about potential price gouging in certain towns.
Hysteria has been sensed across the country, with many rushing to service
stations with jerry cans in hand.
The Timberline General Store in Heyfield issued anotice on its Facebook that it had ran out of diesel last Friday.
The local business urged customers to stop panic buying or otherwise be forced to put limits on all vehicles until it settles.
Federal Memberfor Gippsland Darren Chestersaidthat the conflict in the Middle East shouldn't be used as an excuse for price gouging.
"Gippslandersare already doing it tough underLabor'scost of living crisis, so the last thingfamilies and small businesses need is uncertainty around fuelsupply and surging prices," he said
"The government should be doing everything it can right now to ensure Australia has secure fuel supplies and a clear plantoprotect regional communities if this situation escalates.
"WhatGippslanders want is certainty Farmers, freight operators, tradies and familiesrely on fuel every single day, and any disruption hits regional communities the hardest."
Q I D LIQUID GOLD
Last Thursday,local not-for-profit Willow House Community Support ran afreefresh food day out of its Boolarra Avenue, Newborough hub,relieving some financial burden off families with the rapid rise of fuel and cost of living concerns.
Mr Chester also urged the Labor government to better tackleinflation and cost of living,adding that the safeguards for Australia's fuel reserve must be maintained and strengthened.
Themostrecent Home Value Index, showsLatrobe Valley is second in regional Victoria for highest 12-month value growth (14.4 per cent) as of February 28 at amedian value of $493,543.
The federal government has attempted to lower concerns over fuel prices.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen provided an update on the expectation of fuel prices two days onward fromSunday, March 1-the day of the first airstrikes on Iran.
"Australia enters this period of great instability very well prepared, much
All photographs:Blake Metcalf-Holt
better prepared thaninprevious crises," he said on Tuesday, March 3.
"Australia'srefineries and companies arerequired to keep astock of fuel on hand in Australia just for this type of eventuality, and I'm pleased to say that we are currently in excess of the minimum stock obligations."
In reality, Australia housed less than 40 days of petrol, diesel and jet fuel at the time the Middle East conflict started, well below the InternationalEnergy Agency's (IEA) requirement of 90 days of emergency stock.
As an IEA member,Australia has failed to meet these standards consistently since 2012.
Australia does store emergency oil suppliesinthe US Strategic Petroleum Reserve, following an arrangement in 2020, but this would take two to three weeks to be shipped.
Minister Bowen went on to acknowledge the "challenges and difficulties" the country will experience in due time.
Continued -PAGE4
Council implores Victorian state government to turn the lights on
By AIDAN KNIGHT
LATROBE City Council has renewed pressure on the state government to activate long-dormant traffic lights at abusy Traralgon intersection, with councillors warning the delayisputting lives at risk.
Jeeralang Ward Councillor Joanne Campbell moved apassionate motion at last month's council meeting on the urgent activation of the dormant traffic lights located at the Bank Street intersection near the Traralgon Golf Club.
Seconded by Deputy Mayor Dale Harriman (Loy Yang), Cr Campbell asked that council formally write to Ministersfor Public andActive Transport GabrielleWilliams and Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne, to request that the continuously postponed activation of the signalling infrastructure be prioritised immediately.
She also asked that the state government be required to provide adelivery schedule from each agency involved in the sharedresponsibilities of the system coming online, in detail.
"So many of our residents have come up (to council), wanting to know when the lightsare going to be ready," Cr Campbell told peers and the gallery. "It's coming up to eightyears very soon."
Cr Campbell referencedthe project intended to improve safety, whose desired outcome has not been achieved buthas been undermined by the state's apparent lack of drive to follow through, leading to ageing and damaged infrastructurethatwas never put to use, and taxpayers still had to shell out for. She also referenced aserious incident from
July 2024 that occurred between abus and another vehicle at the intersection in question. A39-year old operating the carwas taken to hospital, with non-lifethreatening injuries, and the bus driver and 20 students under theircar were not injured.
"These incidentshave occurred despite interim measures, which include reduced speed limits," Cr Campbell went on to say.
"We have asection of road that goes from 80 to 60 back up to 70 all within one kilometre. Not ideal for ahighway." She
reiterated her call to the ministers to, "completecommissioning the intersection. We want aclear timeline, every year it gets pushed back, and we're not getting the answers we deserve in our community."
The JeeralangWardcouncillor
revealed she had independently written to Melissa Horne before the meeting, and was told "by the end of 2026", which she felt was too vague.
Cr Harriman was bolder with his words, opening with the statement, "You'd like to say this is an accident waiting to happen, but they're already happening."
The Deputy Mayor has witnessed an eight-car pileup as aresult of the unsafe intersection himself.
"The rumour millinTraralgon is going full boar," he said candidly, which he post-faced by sayinghedoes not usually entertain or care for unverified gossip in agovernmental capacity.
"The rumours are that it's being held off until September, for the state election, and that's just not good enough."
"I look at Moe and the Waterloo (road) intersection and think the same thing," he continued, "is it goingtotakesomeone getting killed? Those lights are ready to go, it's been going on since about 2019.
"Turnthe bloody things on now and avoid adeath."
Mayor Sharon Gibson acknowledged the more colourful language than usual brought to ameeting, but did not see it fit to give awarning
Tyers Ward Councillor Darren Howe also spoke on the motion.
"Well overdue," he said.
"I think the state government should show our community abit of respect and give us an accurate explanation and timeline for this -and while you're at it can youlet us knowwhenthe Kosciuszko Streetrailway underpass (...) when is that getting delivered?"
The mentionedworks were included in the same project.
The motion was carriedunanimously.
Farmers fear ‘land-grab’
By DAVID BRAITHWAITE
ALAST-MINUTE government amendmenttoa bill, which farmers fear could green-light power companiestocompulsorily acquire their land for transmission linesbefore environmentaland planning approvals were even finished, has gone through parliament.
According to the Victoria Farmers Federation, the amendment to the Energy and Other Legislation Amendment (ResilienceReformsand Other Matters) Bill 2026 created adirect bypass around the state’s environmental protection laws.Itallows, the VFF claimed, the governmenttoforce through transmission easements whileanenvironment effects statement (EES) is still underway.
The state government said the changes would not affect the EES process.
VFF president Brett Hosking said the federation was "gutted that parliament has backed laws allowing farmers’ land to be taken for transmission lines before the environmentalassessment is even finished".
"This will pour fuel on the anxiety and uncertainty already gripping communities at the heart of the energy transition," he said.
"Families now face the shadowofcompulsory acquisition hanging over them while they are still trying to understand what aproject means for their homes and livelihoods, as well as provide comprehensive information to the EES process.
"It tells us that those in charge don’t genuinely understandthe sentiment on the ground.Itsends a clear and devastating message to regional Victoria that getting towersinthe ground matters more than delivering arobust environmental effects statement and treating people with dignity."
Before it was adopted, Mr Hosking warned the amendment would damage perceptions of the EES process and strengthen the hand of power companies which are already treating communities with contempt.
Astate government spokesperson told the Express the billwould bringlawsaround transmission infrastructure in line withmajor transport projects and other states like New South Wales.
The changes do not impact the EES process.
Any requirements,conditionsorenvironmental management measures determined through the EES process must be met before major works can begin.
"Only Labor will buildthe energy infrastructure needed to keep the lights on and lower bills," the spokesperson said.
"The faster we can build new transmission lines, thefasterwecan connect renewable energy to the
grid and the cheaper our energy prices will be.
"Jess Wilson's Liberals want to block laws that would help lower power bills for Victorianfamilies -the very laws Nationals MP Emma Kealy called for."
The government spokesperson pointed to comments Ms Kealy, the shadow agriculture minister, made last year in parliament.
“I callonPremierAllan: please, if youcareabout regional people, go out and do compulsory acquisition,asyou would for aMelbourne project, and let our people deal with this, because the uncertainty is dividing families,” Ms Kealy said in parliament. Memberfor Gippsland South DannyO’Brien said thegovernment wasshowingcontempt for farmers and regional landholders.
“They’re not even pretending to careabout consultation, process, or afair go now. The governmentis just going to try and ride roughshod over people’s lives and farms and force their projects through," Mr O'Brien said.
“We opposed this legislation in the parliament strongly,and we will repeal it if elected to government.
“These amendments are aslapinthe face to regional people and cannot be tolerated.”
Meanwhile, the Liberals and Nationals last month pledged to introduce strict new independent audits and economic impact assessments on new energy developments if they win November's election.
Under aLiberal and Nationals government, independent agricultural and economic impact assessmentswill become mandatoryaspart of the approvals process for major renewable energy projects and transmission developments to ensure prime farmland is protected.
Mr O'Brien, who is also the state Nationalsleader, said protecting Victoria’s food and fibre production must be apriority.
“Our farmers are the backbone of our state, and the Liberals and Nationals willstand up to protect the prime agricultural land that underpinsour food security and regional economies,” he said.
“Victorian families rely on our farmers to put food on their tablesand clothesontheir backs. We mustget the land-use balance rightsofarmers can continue to do what they do best.”
Mr O’Brien said communities hadbeen left frustrated by the government’s failure to properly consult or consider the cumulative impactoflargescale developments across regional Victoria.
“Renewable energyprojects and transmission lineshave highlighted the growing concern that Labor is steamrolling regional communities and putting productive farmland at risk,” he said.
Ongoing issue: Thenotorious intersection coming out of Traralgon GolfClub, which is stillwithout trafficlights Photograph: File
Fuel prices soar amid global tension
From Page 1
"THE major impact on Australia's petrol prices always will be international oil prices, which will be under real pressure," Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen said.
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers wrote to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) informing them of the need to keep awatchful eye on fuel companies attempting to capitalise on public panic.
Despite expectations that it will take afew weeks to see the retail fuel price significantly climb, regular unleaded reportedly rose five to 10 cents (one area allegedly up 16 cents) in just amatter of days, indicating potential price gouging concerns.
OnMonday(March9),marketsopenedtorevealthat globaloilpriceshadshotabove$US100($142AUSD) per barrel for the first time since 2022.
Oil prices quickly jumped 10 per cent in the aftermath of the conflict, which was already tracking higher over the past month in anticipation of said events.
In Australia, the average retail petrol price was at $1.81 for the weekending on Sunday, March1(the dayofthe first airstrikes on Iran), and was increasing steadily since the second week of February.
At the beginning of the week, regular unleaded was being retailed across Melbourne at an average price of $2.13, according to frequently used fuel app PetrolSpy.
This all stems from the 33 kilometres of shipping lane along Iran's south border, the Strait of Hormuz, effectively being closed since the conflict has reared its head.
It connects the Persian Gulf including the likes of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman to open sea.
The regionproduces27per cent of the world's crude oil, with around20to25per cent of the global supply shipped via this route.
Major shipping companies said they would not pass through the strait due to the uncertain danger
in the area, instead electing to re-route entirely aroundthe most southern point of Africa, the Cape of Good -the longest possible shipping route.
Two Iranian drones were alsointercepted at one of the world's largest oil refineries, Ras Tanura, which was closed temporarily after sustaining limited damage from the debris of the drones' interception.
QatarEnergy, responsible for close to 20 per cent of the liquefied natural gas global exports, also revealed that two of its operating facilities were attacked and would halt production.
Following this announcement, European gas pricesskyrocketedovernight by almost 50 percent, withfears Australia could followsuit as the globe's third-largest exporter of LNG.
These attacks were one of many immediate responses by Iran, includingstrikes on Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrainand the UnitedArab Emirates.
On the morning of Thursday (March 5), the first group of Australians stranded in the Middle East were repatriated to Sydney, as airlines managed the complex task of returning 115,000 citizens to home soil with flights muddied in the days since the conflict arose.
The Department of Transport confirmed with the Express that Victorians are utilising public transport, specifically train services, as acosteffective alternative to cars.
Gippsland Line upgradesinSeptember last year added 87 new weekly services, whilemore than 1100 extra trips each week have been added across 14 bus routes in Moe, Morwell, Traralgon and Warragul.
All of Caltex, Endeavour, Shell and BP were contacted for comment however, failed to respond.
Computer says no: One Traralgon service station got a little overexcited at the weekend
Cricket Club Hotel, Cowwarr on the market
By ERIKAALLEN
IN small towns such as Cowwarr, pubs often serve as informal community hubs -even more so when there is only one, like the Cricket Club Hotel. Although the pubhas been closed for sometime, it could soon return to that role, with asearch
underway for anew owner-operator.
"It's areal opportunity to bring some life back into it, and an owner/operator that's community minded to involveeveryone and really making it adestinationhotel,"CRE Brokers directorPhil Mammolito said.
storeywith seven rooms of accommodation," Mr Mammolito added.
The Cricket Club Hotel is the last remaining pub in Cowwarr, after the Cowwarr Hotel burnt down while the brick-built Prince of Wales Hotel was later demolished.
Establishedin1880asawooden building, the Cricket Club Hotel was rebuilt in 1930inthe concrete art deco style that still defines the seafoam coloured building on the main street.
"It'sdefinitely auniquehotel, especially having the enclosed balcony like it does and double
"It's certainly unique being aone-hotel town." Cowwarrdeveloped during the Victorian gold rush as aservice town for nearby Walhalla and later became astoponthe Traralgon-Maffra-Stratford railway line, which closed to passengers in 1977. Today the former railcorridor forms part of the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail, which Mr Mammolito said could help attract visitors to the town. "With the rail trail going through there and you've got such apull from that area to make it areal destination in aone hotel town with abig widespread community to pull (from) all the way from Traralgon and Rosedale and everywhere in between," he said.
Couldbeyours: TheCowwarr Pubisonthe market.
Photograph supplied
LATROBE City Council held its first meeting for the year on Monday, February 23.
All meetings will now be held at Morwell'sKernot Hall.
All councillors were present, bar Morwell River Ward Councillor Tracie Lund.
Mayor Sharon Gibson (Newborough Ward) conductedaminute of silence, "to reflect on our responsibilities to the community we serve".
Publicparticipation saw two items submitted from Hazelwood North resident Phil Edwards. Mr Edwards asked about governance rules, and whethercouncil hasapolicyofdelegatingcouncillors to work with selected community management committees.
"On an annual basis, council appoints council laws to various council committees,including a delegate, statutory, assets, advisory and project reference groups," Latrobe City Chief Executive Steve Piasente said.
Also enquired was the question of whether councillors being associated with acommunity-based committee implies that council is responsible for the governance of activities within them.
"In terms of that," Mr Piasente went on, "external committees have governing structures and rules that are created and maintained by those in the committee and not council."
There was no public speakers registered to speak Assistance dog protections
MAYOR Gibson vacated the chair out of obligation when putting through motionsofher own interest, which saw Deputy Mayor Dale Harriman (Loy Yang) take over
Cr Gibson proposed council advocacy for seeingeye and other assistance dogs, which would see greater recognition within the Domestic Animals Act 1994 (Victoria).
The motion wasseconded by Cr Adele Pugsley (Moe).
"Guide dogs and assistant dogs are treated just the same as any normal dog in the Domestic Animals Act," Cr Gibson said.
"Assistance dogs can be for all types of reasons. They can be for people who are just struggling. They can smell when somebody is abouttohave different attacks, so they're very much needed."
COUNCIL BEAT with Aidan Knight
Cr Gibson saw fit to enshrine protections within the act,sothat "non-physicalimpacts thatcompromise the animal's abilitytodotheir jobs be recognised".
Cr Pugsley, who found her neighbouringcouncillors commitment to the disabled community within Latrobe City inspiring, said she was shocked when doing further research on the matter to find assistance dogs were not formally recognised as a separate entity to the commondomestic dog at all, under any form of legislation.
"It takes up to two years to train aguide dog, in excess of $50,000," she said.
"They (the dogs) are an extension of the users," referencing the ability they provide to those in need who require additional measures to enable them to experience mundane societal activities she felt able-bodied residents take for granted.
"Any animal that does actually own one of these valuable animals should have greater consequences; it really needs to be enshrined in the disability discrimination act," Cr Pugsley concluded.
Withnofurther speakers for or against,the motion was passed unanimously.
The Mayor will write on behalf of Latrobe City to the stategovernment, urging for reforms on "physical and non-physical harm caused to guide dog and assistance dogs".
Future of Moe Caravan Park
THE first strategic item for decision belonged to one of theprevious year's hottest topics
Last year saw some heated debate around whether or not council would renew the lease of 1 Mitchells Road Moe, Moe Gardens Caravan Park.
Many residents objected, as reported by the Express on October 14, 2025, arguingthatthe park was avaluable asset to the community, providing safe accommodation to demographics that would be otherwise homeless, and should not be closed.
The current lease is set to expire on May 31, 2026, and as such, council has undertaken community consultation as to whetherornot to keep the park in its currentstate, develop the land intoarecreation reserve, or clear the space for open markets on a monthly basis.
Councilrevisited this under Cr Pugsley,who moved amotion asking to varythe lease by 12 months,giving residents alargertimeframe to make contingencies for the possibility of closure.
Cr Pugsley informed everyone present that this was aprocedure required by DEECA, and that is the reason the lease is being revisited by council.
Her pitch was brief.
"We'll get some surveys in place," she stated, "and it will give our vulnerable users some extra time."
Mayor Gibson took ashort recess to inquire with the executives, privately, before Cr Darren Howe (Tyers Ward) spoke as seconder.
"Thisbuilds on previous discussion, (...) 80 per cent (of people surveyed thus far) wanted to keep the caravan park, so we wanted to work out what was the best fit for Moe," he said.
"Let's take 12 months to look at what's out there to make adecision."
The motion passed unanimously.
Economic draftstrategy
THE Tyers councillor held the floor, optingfor council to adoptthe 2026-2031 Economic Development Strategy,which has beenreviewedoutside of meeting hours.
Next assessment for Blue Mackerel
By STEFAN BRADLEY
PROPOSED offshore wind powerproject Blue Mackerel has enteredthe most comprehensive stage of environmentalassessment,with the federal governmentconfirming the JERANex and BP joint venture will be assessed through a full environmental impact statement (EIS) under the EnvironmentProtection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Consistent with the process required for other referred offshore wind projects in Australia, the EISistoassess potential impacts on matters of national environmental significance, including listedspecies and communities; listed migratory species,and Commonwealth marine areas Blue Mackerelwill continue to be guidedbythe federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, theEnvironment andWater to prepare the EIS. The project willundertake adetailed assessment of potential impacts and measures to avoid and minimise impacts; the findings of which will guide the windfarm design and makesurestringent
regulatory requirements are met. Blue Mackerel environmental planning and approvals manager
Kim Downs said the Blue Mackerelteamwas ready to move to the next phase of assessment.
"An EIS represents the highest level of environmental assessment, and we are fully prepared for that responsibility," she said.
"With our team of scientific experts and experienced environmental impact assessors, Blue Mackereliscommitted to delivering ascientifically rigorous EIS and ensuring environmental impacts areminimisedand managed to thehigh standards set by Australian regulators."
Located about 10 kilometres off the Gippsland coast,betweenSeaspray and Woodside, Blue Mackerel has the potential to generate one gigawatt of power. At full capacity, that's enough to power up to 750,000 Victorian homes ayear by 2032.
The federal government in Decembergranted BlueMackerel'MajorProject Status',meaning the project will have access to extra government support to navigate the regulatory environment, help secure and diversify local supplychainsand
boost job opportunitiesand investmentprospects
Ms Downs told the Express the team had already been doing surveys for marine mammals and seabirds, which are two-year studies.
"We've alreadystarted ourvisual impact assessment becausethat was somethingthe community really told us was important to them. And we've also been doing our submerged landscape assessment for cultural heritage," Ms Downs said.
"Butthe actual EIS process is startingimmediately. So, we'll be having meetings with the department starting (this) week."
The EISprocess areexpected to last around two-to-three years. The first Victorian offshore wind industry auction will begin in August this year following delays.
"We're very excited. We see ourselves as one of the projects that are most ready for (the auction).
So we're ready for that auction and looking forward to it," Ms Downs said.
Ms Downs said the team wanted to avoid impacts on threatened species.
"We're particularly mindful of the southern right
The strategy identifiespriority sectors including renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, health, education and agribusiness, while also placing emphasis on small business support and attracting externalinvestment to the region. It also outlines actions aimed at strengthening local supplychains, improving investment readiness and leveraging the Latrobe Valley’s skilled workforce as the energy transition continues.
Councillors who spoke to the item described the document as both aspirational and practical,noting it provides aclear framework for how council can play arole in facilitating–rather than directly delivering –economic growth.
The strategy also aligns with broader transition planning already underway,includingthe Transition Reserve Policy adopted in aprevious meeting.
Cr Harriman, who seconded, pointed outthat the word 'transition' has now been replaced within the draft with'diversification',"andthat's really important"
He then drew achuckle from the room as he repeatedly said the word 'mindstep' rather than 'mindset', confusing himself more than those listening, as his message carried nonetheless.
"It (the mindset change of council)showsthatwe understand we can't just drop what we've always done," referencing the core industries of the Latrobe Valley,
"We know we need to change but the skills, attributes, and qualities that have built this region can stillbeused in other industry, andkeeping working in the current ones that made us strong while they're still here.
"We all remember SEA Electric, we all know that alot of them (ideas) don't come to fruition."
Cr Puglseyalsochimedinwith similar sentiment, saying she was pleased with the vision statement and how it aidedthe design of the whole document.
Cr Harriman wasn't alone in phrase fumbles, as Cr Pugsley tackled the word 'innovative' several timestotell everyone thatacity with that description is where she wants to live, "attracting more businesses to thrive with us".
The motion was passed unanimously.
whale, which is athreatened species in our area, and also the pygmy blue whale.And, seabirds, such as petrels, albatross, and shearwaters that arewithinour area …for feeding and foraging."
Asked about the community engagement up to this point, Ms Downs said questions received by locals near the affectedcoasts revolve around what studies are being done, the impact on whales and seabirds and what is being done to manage these impacts.
"We also have alot of questionsfrom recreational fishers in the area. They often ask us how we're assessing the impactsonfish,and whether they're goingtobeabletofish around the wind farm once it's constructed, because as we've found for other offshore wind farms, they become abit of an artificial reef that actuallyattracts fish," Ms Downs said.
"We also speak alot with the localcommercial fishers,who areinterested to know how our project interacts with their fishing areas."
The BlueMackerel teamwill be assessing airborne and underwater noise, as well as potential social impacts.
Further information on the EIS process, including opportunities for public comment, will be shared as studies progress.
Care: Latrobe CityCouncil hasapproveda motion thatwill see greater recognition for assistance dogswithin the Domestic Animals Act.
Photograph: iStock
Controlling serrated tussock issue
NOW is the time to checkyourproperty for the noxious weed serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma), with pasture competition at the lowest point in a number of years and the invasive grass spreading across the landscape.
Victorian Serrated TussockWorking Party (VSTWP) Community Engagement Officer, Ivan Carter, said alackofrainfall and alater autumn break in some parts of Victoria has been ideal for the growth of serrated tussock.
“We’re urging landowners to use any spare time they might have to survey their properties for serrated tussock plants," Mr Carter said.
“Controlling serrated tussock before the plant goes to seed is critical to prevent further spread, lost productivity and increased costs of control.”
Serrated tussock can germinate at any time of the year after rain, but mostly in autumn and winter. The lack of competition from struggling pastures, and the hot and dry conditions, are perfect for the furtherspreadofserrated tussock. The invasive grass has evolved to drier conditions and spreads rapidly to overgrazed and barepaddocks, compounding the impacts and loss in farming productivity.
Plants and new seedlings can be removed manually using apick or shovel or spot sprayed using a registered herbicide, depending on the size of the infestation. Newly germinated seedlings will appear bright green, be erect and will stand out from the other grasses in apasture.
The VSTWP has developed an online video and information sheets to help landowners identify this noxious weed, which can be viewed at: www. serratedtussock.com
Mr Carter said before flowering, serrated tussock has alimegreen appearance. When flowering, the flower-headshaveadistinctivepurplecolour developing as the seeds ripen in late springand early summer. These featureshelp serratedtussock stand out from the native tussock grasses.
“Serrated tussock has afine leaf and will roll smoothly between the index finger and thumb, while native Poa tussocks feel as though they have flat edges," Mr Carter explained.
“The leaves also feel rough when you run your fingers downwards duetofine serrations. Amature serrated tussockplantcan produce thousandsof seeds in aseason, blowing up to 20 kilometres from theparent plant.
“Controlling mature serrated tussock plants before they flower and seed can be done with aregistered herbicide, manual removal or cultivation.
“Havingahealthypasture and competitive ground cover is one of the most important aspects to weed management and serrated tussock is aprime
Bushfire inquiry deadline extended
APARLIAMENTARY inquiry into the 2026 summer fires across Victoria has extended the deadline for submissionsfrom the public to Sunday, April 19.
The Legislative Council Environmentand Planning Committee receivedfeedbackfrom communitiesand councils still dealing with the impacts of the blazes around the state.
“We’ve listened to members of the community who told us the deadline should be extended,” committee chair Ryan Batchelor said.
“Hopefully this extra time means those directly affected by the fires, and those with knowledge of this topic, can better share their experiences and insights with us.”
Theinquiry is looking at anumberofmatters related to the fires, including preparation and planning by government, emergency services and community; the causes and circumstances of the bushfires; resourcing of fire agencies, and support for volunteers;the emergency response to the fires; resilienceofcritical services andinfrastructure; recovery efforts in affected communities, and the impact of the fires on the environment.
“We have an extensive terms of reference for our inquiry on our website, and Iwould encourage all submitters to take alook at them as they prepare their submission,” Mr Batchelor said.
The summer fires claimed onelife, destroyed more than 500 structures and burned through more than 400,000 hectares.
The committee intends to hold public hearings once the submissionphase ends and is due to provide areport to Parliament with findings and recommendations by mid-to-late 2026.
exampleofa weed thatdoes not likecompetition and well-established pastures.”
In Victoria, landowners have alegal responsibility to control serrated tussock under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (CaLP Act). As a declared noxious weed and aWeed of National Significance, landowners must take all reasonable steps to prevent itsgrowth and spread on theirland.
Serrated tussock now covers more than 250,000 hectares of land in Victoria, and large infestations require ongoing management and the integration of several control techniques.
To getinvolvedwith the VSTWP as aCommunity Representative or for more information, email the VSTWP via: info@serratedtussock.com
Tell-tale signs: Serrated tussock hasa fine leafand will roll smoothlybetween the indexfinger and thumb.
Photograph: Contributed
ONE POINTERS
Take aBreak
1. What sport features in the movie Space Jam?
2. What is the name of thefamous prison in the San FranciscoBay?
3. Who wrotethe song ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’?
4. HowmanyLuftBalloons did Nina sing about? TWOPOINTERS
5. Which boardgame features rooms, suspects and weapons to solveamystery?
6. Wherewould youeat an alfrescomeal?
7. What ingredient gives mustardits yellow colour?
8. Howmanybones do we have in an ear?
THREE POINTER
9. Which rapper is also known as ‘Slim Shady’?
10.What twocreatures appear on the United Kingdom coat of arms?
11.Which distilled spirit is made from the agave plant?
12. To amend the Australian constitution, what starting with Rneeds to be held?
FOUR POINTER
13. What is oftensaid to be the lowest form of wit?
14. What name is giventoaAustraliangraduation/ academic hat?
FIVE POINTER
15. Name the songs from these song lyrics. One point foreach correct answer. 1. Don’t ask me what youknowistrue. 2. Something’s got aholdofmelately.3.Now look at themyo-yos, that’sthe way youdoit. 4. One thing, Idon’t knowwhy.Itdoesn’t even matter how hardyou try.5.Well, Idon’t have as manyfriends because I’m not as pretty as Iwas.
Howdid youfare?
37: Topofthe class; 30-36: Outstanding; 21-29: Well done; 15-20: Solid effort; 9-14: Room forimprovement; 0-8: Hit the books. etball;ask:B:1rsweAns 2: az;Alcatr 3: Bob lan;Dy 4: Ninety Nine (99); 5: Cluedo; 6: tside;Ou 7: rmeric;Tu 8: eeThr (3); 9: Eminem; 10: Lion and orn;Unic 11: quila;Te 12: ndum;refeRe 13: casm;Sar 14: er;chenTr 15: erev.N-1 arTe Us Apart -2. seLo olntrCo yone.M-3 ingothrNfo -4. In The End -5. aptaineCTh
ACROSS
Howtoplay
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Working in rail is afamily affair
By AIDANKNIGHT
GIPPSLAND and the Latrobe Valley has arich history of industry and hard-working tradespeople across avariety of skills, and this isn't changing. It's also the home of afamily of workers, the Ropetis, in Sale. Three membersofthe family, father David, daughter Jesiah, and uncle Henry, are proud team members of the V/Linetrackcrew Jesiah is the youngest child of David and began her careerinrail last year, shortly after completing her secondary studies. Takingupthe mantle of Way Maintainer, her role concentrates on community safety and engagement, requiring aconsistent schedule of dedication and maintenance to keep the line running as efficiently as possible.
“With more women takingonrail jobs, this leaves inspirationfor other women and young girls to find interest in the rail industry as well," Jesiah said.
“Having relatives, who Ilook up to and respect, working for V/Line is abonus."
Supervising this role is her father, David, who began the family's involvement with the rail provider in 2003.
David was acontractor and was employed fulltime within ayear, and is now working anywhere that needs him between Pakenham and Bairnsdale.
“I am so proud of Jesiah for finding acareer in an industry she loves and one that involves so much of our family," he said.
"It’s very special anda lotoffun to work alongside yourchildand brother,helping get passengers where they want to go across Gippsland and the state.”
Latrobe Valley locals may have spotted the family trio replacing tracks and sleepers where needed along the eastern side of the Gippsland corridor.
Their story is awarmingone, that resonatedwith Minister for Public and Active Transport, Gabrielle Williams -who was aregular visitor to Gippsland over the past 12 months.
“It’s fantastic to hear stories like this of multiple generationsoffamilies working in publictransport," the Minister said.
So next time your train rolls smoothly through Gippsland, spare athought for the Ropetis -the family quiteliterally keeping the region’s future on track.
the V/Line trackcrew.The familyispictured at the Kilmanybridge. Photograph supplied
Toomany rabbits in Latrobe
By KATRINABRANDON
THE Easterbunny hascome early,and is causing havoc for local farmers.
Farmers across Gippsland are dealing with increasing numbers of rabbits.
Fighting back against that increase, the South Gippsland Landcare Network (SGLN) and the Latrobe Catchment Landcare Network (LCLN) held aRabbitControl Bootcamp recently,covering acomprehensiverabbit control course combining classroom instruction with practical field-based training. This course was delivered in collaboration with the Victorian Rabbit Action Group (VRAN).
The course goes through "breaking the cycle", mapping and identifying burrows and feeding areas, smoking warrens, warren destruction, baiting and fumigating and exlusion fencing.
The SGLN told the Express that "in South Gippslandthe combination of, large farms, lifestyle properties, peri-urban environments and publicly managedland means without coordinated strategic action control efforts will be unlikely to have long term impacts (of reducing rabbits)."
The LCLN said that the broader Gippsland area had also seenagrowthcausing widespread issues for farmers across the region.
From structuraldamagestocar ports, to creating gaps under fences, it is time to jump on the issue.
In awebinar from the LCLN YouTube page, experts banded together to talk aboutthe crisis, management styles and the history of pest management.
Experts who sat on the webinarincluded Victorian RabbitAction Network(VRAN) foundingmentorTim Bloomfield, CSIRO Senior Research Scientist and team leader of Rabbit BiocontrolIna Smith, VRAN mentor and
Problem: Farmersare reporting an increase in rabbit population, causing no shortage of headaches Photograph: iStock
viewed on the LCLN YouTube page.
Bass Coast Landcare Network Invasive Species CoordinatorAaron Stephens,VRANVice Chair NeilDevanny, and National Feral Rabbit Management Coordinator Heidi Kleinert. The webinar videocan be
Tight unit: David Ropeti with hisbrother Henryand daughter Jesiah,who allworkfor
Community college opens its doors
By PEACE IJIYERA
ANEW CommunityCollege Gippsland(CCG) campus has opened in Morwell.
Located on Hoyle Street, CCG aims to equip adultswith educational and vocational training and the skills necessary to further develop their careers confidently.
CCG's signature style of operating in smaller classrooms makes learning feel more personal, and the practical learning side of things gives students ataste of their chosen industry.
CCG has been in operation since 1975 and changed the lives of many. Last year, the not-forprofit organisation marked 50 years of service to the community. They celebrated this success in creating pathwaysfor individuals who may not align with the traditional forms of education.
CCG Morwell offers more than 10 courses coveringa rangeofcareers including business, community servicesand education. Courses range fromfourtosix weeks and are open from ages 17 (disengaged students). Enrolments have seen
individuals aged over 60 attend classes.
At the official opening, dignitaries including Latrobe City Council Mayor, Sharon Gibson, Member for Morwell,MartinCameron and Federal Member for Gippsland, DarrenChester were in attendance. The trio all gave speeches highlighting and reinforcingthe importance of alternate learning programs, promising their support.
Mr Chester thanked CCG staff for their efforts.
“What you’re doing here is giving people another chance. There are people in our community who have been left behind for awhole rangeofreasons …but you’re giving them asecond chance and you’re making adifference," he said.
Cr Gibson, in shared sentiment acknowledged, "it's not all one size fits all".
Cr Gibson also highlighted how individuals undertaking coursesatCCG will assist in breaking cycles of low education rates.
“Something like this is actually helping break that cycle. So, it’s not just that person that is benefiting from it, it is the family and the families to come," she said.
Former student, James Trewin gave insight into hisjourney from the classroom to the workforce, speaking about the newly gained knowledge and confidence he acquired from his health course undertaken at CCG.
It's this confidence thatinspires him to get up each day and work at Latrobe Regional Hospital.
Mr Trewin had the honour of cutting the green ribbon alongside CCG chief executive Dale Gemmell.
The opening of CCG Morwell comes after the closure of Gippsland Employment Skills Training (GEST) in December 2024 due to financial challenges. At the time, GEST chief executive Jen McCafferty bravely madeacall to Mr Gemmell asking to join forces and continue offering pre-accredited training to individuals in the community.
To finally see the official opening of CCG Morwell cameasa“relief” to Ms McCafferty who is now the operations manager of Learn Local Work and Learning Centre at CCG.
“To make thatcall was one, really hard. Two,
I’m just really grateful that they took on those operations, so that hard work wasn’t lost,"she said.
Mr Gemmell said it was “really exciting” to see aCCG campus open in Morwell.
“I’m just really proud of the team and of the organisation to have been in aposition that they can actually step in and chip in and help out. It’s benefitted our organisation as well as the local community," he said.
"Hopefully we can have more involvement in the Latrobe Valley in future as well."
Mr Gemmell welcomes community support and encouragesindividualstoenrol in the coursesthat are ongoing.
“The community can help in anumberofdifferent ways; first obviouslyfor those wanting to undertake some training or might be struggling to gain employment, they can come down and enrol in the courses," he explained.
"Obviously,the more students that we get the more fundingweget fromthe government that will help keep the doors open”.
FedUni students get early taste of campus life
By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
SPICING up uni life ahead of the academic year, Churchill's Federation UniversityGippsland Campus welcomed new and returning students with its Flashback Fever Festival last week. It concluded atwo week run for the institute, which included orientation for students in the lead-up.
Taken down anostalgic trip with live music, foodtrucks,arcade games and other delightful performers -all with aretro flair -gave students a relaxing and yet informative start to the semester. Around 20 information stalls from both Federation University and other organisations also filled the event, giving students the chance to mingle with future opportunities and scope their employment horizons.
FederationUniversity Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Duncan Bentley said that the festival allowed students to network early into their academic careers and settle in.
"There is nothingquite like the beginning of semester,whether stepping onto campus for the first time or returning to studies, there is awhole community ready to help each student succeed in 2026," he said.
"This year, students will see even more opportunities to connect what they learn in class with industry experience through our co-operative education model where they can build the skills and confidencetomove towards their career goals with momentum."
The event followed Gippsland'sorientation events the week before, officially welcoming new students and giving them achancetoconnect with peers,
receive course overviews, tour the campus, and attend skills workshops and panel discussions.
Across Federation University's Gippsland, Mt Helen and Berwick campuses, it saw more than 11,000 students prepare for their studies.
Gippsland in particular had around 1800 students walk through the university's doors for the first week.
This strong startreflects the trend of students favouring courses focussed on employment outcomes that lead toward in-demand jobs.
FederationUniversity points to itsBachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education), and Bachelor of Information Technology as its most popular courses for 2026.
For Traralgon local Lola Baillie, studying anursing degree, it was achildhood stay in thehospital that first sparked her interest in the profession.
"I found the nursesreallyhelpful and just wanted to be like them," she said.
"I think Ijust really love the aspectofcaring for people."
After completing aDiplomaofNursing at TAFE Gippsland, Ms Baillie is continuing to give back to thecommunitybyworking as aDivision 2nurse while studying.
The first few weeks of the semester are offering her achancetoconnectwith other students ahead of potentialwork.
"Going into nursing hasbeenreally rewarding and I'vebeen able to have alot of good conversations withmyclassmates about what it's like to workin the industry,"she added
"There'salwayssomething new to do and getting my bachelor will further my opportunitieseven more."
Bit of fun: Second year nursing student Akshitaplays withthe bubble wand at the Federation UniversityFlashbackFever Festival.
Big six: Latrobe CityMayor Sharon Gibson, Member forMorwell Martin Cameron, Community CollegeGippsland Chief ExecutiveDale Gemmell, CCG operations manager JenMcCafferty, CCG alumni James Trewin and FederalMember forGippsland Darren Chester
Newbeginnings: Theribbon is cut to signal the official opening of CommunityCollege Gippsland Morwell Photographs:Peace Ijiyera
Compelling casefor Australian CCS
By PHILIP HOPKINS
STRONG government support, including slashing 120 approvals for aproject that takes nine years to achieve, and strong commercial carbon imports from Asia, are crucial for asuccessful Australian carbon capture and storage industry.
Those were some of the key points made by INPEX Senior Vice President Corporate, Bill Townsend, at the CCS (Carbon Capture Storage) conference in Melbourne recently, organised by the Melbourne-based CO2CRC.
INPEX, Japan’s leading oil and gas exploration and production company, was founded in 1966 as a100 per cent government-owned entity, and has been in Australia since 1986. Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the Japanese government still holds a21.99 per cent stake in the company to block foreign takeovers.
Ichthys LNG operation in northern Australia, the largest single overseas investment by aJapanese company, supplies about seven per cent of Japan’s LNG imports and 11 per cent of Taiwan’s. It also accounts for about 10 per cent of Australia’s LNG exports.
Mr Townsend said Australia can deploy CCS at scale to supportregional decarbonisation while simultaneouslymaintaining energy security across the Indo-Pacific.
While accelerating its ownrenewable transition, Australia’s most immediate contribution to regional decarbonisation was twofold.
“First, the responsible exportofAustralian LNG to regional partnersstill heavily reliantoncoal. LNG should be seen not as acontradiction to the energy transition, but as apractical enabler -deployable now, reducing emissions almostimmediately, and supporting partners as they balance reliability, affordability, and decarbonisation,” he said.
“Second, Australia has acompelling opportunity to emerge as aCO2 importer, leveraging its worldclass geology and skilled workforce. With abundant high-quality storage reservoirs, Australia is well positioned to lead in carbon capture and storage.
“Ourindustry already hasthe capabilities needed to deliver CCS: deep reservoir expertise, infrastructure delivery experience,and aproven record of safely transportingand storinggas.”
Mr Wilkinson saidcollaboration wouldbe essential to deploy CCS at scale.
“Scale is critical, both to achieve meaningful emissions reduction and to underpin investment economics,” he said.
“This requires apragmatic, realistic approach that advances decarbonisation while recognising the continued role of existing energysystems. It is not achoicebetween the two, but about managing thetransitionresponsibly.”
Mr Wilkinson said INPEX Vision 2035 aims to meet growing energy needswhile reducing emissions, based on three core pillars -growth, decarbonisation and power.
“INPEX aims to increase cash flow from operations by 60 per cent by 2035, from 2025 levels. With global LNG demand expected to grow by around 75 per cent over that period, we are focused on securing new gas resources,” he said.
“Thiswill help meet regional energydemand while supporting Australian jobs and investment.”
Mr Wilkinsonsaidthere was no single path to net zero. By 2035, INPEX had committed to reducing carbon intensity by 60 per cent from 2019 levels, using aportfoliooflow-carbonsolutions, including carbon capture and storage.
“In Australia, the proposed Bonaparte CCS Project offshore Darwin couldreduce Ichthys emissions by up to 40 per cent,” he said.
INPEX was also diversifying its energy sources.
“In Australia, we have expanded into renewables through Potentia Energy -our joint venture with Enel Green Power- which has builtone of the country’s largest pipelines across wind, solar and battery storage,” he said.
In Japan, Mr Wilkinson said INPEX was undertaking joint feasibility studies to support the commercialisation of aJapan to Australia CCS value chain.
“Companies are keen to explore capturing CO2 in Japan and transporting it to Australia for storage,” he said.
The Japanese government had also enabled CO2 exports from Japan; CO2 intended for CCS is now formally deemed an export item.
Mr Wilkinsonemphasised thatthe case for CCS in Australia was compelling.
“We have world-class storage basins, proven technical capability, and strong regional demand as Indo-Pacific countries develop CO2 export frameworks,” he said.
“Unlocking this opportunity requires scale, supportive regulation and timely approvals. CCS must be deployed through large, hub-based projects to be cost-effective and impactful. Incremental, small-scale projects will not deliver the scale needed to meet net-zero or Paris goals.
“Achieving this scale depends on cross-industry collaboration and, ultimately, international CO2 import -givenAustralia’srelatively limited domestic emissions base.”
Mr Wilkinsonsaidthe key determinant of initial storage scale would be demand -specifically,securing anchor customers to underpin investment in the hub’s early phases.
“Realising this vision requires risk-sharing that cannot sit with the private sectoralone. It is no coincidence that Europe’s leading CCS hubs, such as Northern Lights (off Norway) and Endurance (North Sea, UK), are underpinned
by strong government support,” he said.
“CCS deployment at the paceand scalerequired demands decisiveindustryaction, matched by close collaboration with government to manage risk and uncertainty.”
Australia hadratified the London Protocol amendments in 2024, which allow carbon exports between members, but it was not sufficient.
“Australia must act now, with bold and coordinated governmentleadership, to remain competitive, unlock its CCS potential, and provide confidencetoinvestorsand communities that CCS is proven, safe, and essential to alow–carbon future,” he said.
Mr Wilkinson said CCS was essential to the gas processing industry, with the gas industry having acriticalrole in pioneering the technology.
“Sequestering CO2 that has already been captured in pure form at gas plants has to be the low-hanging-fruitfor CCS, to support national and regionalnet-zerogoals, and this has to be done urgently,” he said “INPEX is aiming to implement CCS in Australia in the early 2030s. And yet, the CCS approval pathway in Australia is glacial ” Mr Wilkinson said INPEX knew thatimplementing CCS in northern Australiarequired more than 120 approvals,which could take betweenseven and nine years. As the INPEX chief executive told topAustralian government officials last year: “the approvals timeline doesn’t mean anine-year delay to the project, it means no project!”
“Australia must act decisively to attract foreign investment and establish acompetitive CCS industry. Achieving scale is akey challenge, requiring both sufficient CO2 demand and solutions to technical, logistical, and legal hurdles in CO2 transport and storage,” he said.
Mr Wilkinson said INPEX advocates for regulatory certainty.
“We recommend further measures, including the development of anational CCSstrategy to set capture and storage targets, identify priority sectors, and coordinate infrastructure development,” he said.
Beyonddomestic decarbonisation, Australia was uniquelypositioned to becomeaglobal CCS leader.
“The Indo-Pacific region is exploringCO2 importexport markets, with countries like Japan, South Korea, Singapore,and the Philippines seeking storage solutions,” he said.
Stable and predictable policy settings including clear and streamlined approvals pathways were essential to support investor confidence and to help underpin the billions of dollars needed to enable a low-carbon future.
“Withoutthis, Australia’s decarbonisation potential will not be able to proceed at the necessary pace. CCS is not afuture concept; it is aproven, deployable technology that enables emissions reduction at scale while supportingenergy security and economic growth,” he said.
Gas strategy essential to achieve net zero
By PHILIP HOPKINS
IF astate such as Victoria blocks investment in carbon capture and storage in Gippsland, “that is totally amatter for them,” according to the Federal Minister for Resources, Madeleine King.
Ms King was speaking after delivering the opening address to amajor carbon capture and storage conference in Melbourne recently.
The conference, which attracted leading Australian and internationalexperts, was organised by the Melbourne-based CO2CRC.
Ms King was asked about Queensland’s ban on CCS (Carbon Capture Storage) in the Great Artesian Basin and the HESC hydrogen project in Gippsland, whichappearedtohavestopped because of state governmentconcerns. HESC, as part of itsproject, was to sequester CO2emissions in empty oil and gas reserves in Bass Strait, the region regarded as one of Australia’s best CCS options.
Ms King saidthe states had to make their own decisions.
“Butimportantly, other states can seethe potential. And if you enable CCS on shore with all the rigour around the environmental side of things and being assured of your water supply and so forth, then that presents an opportunity for that state to attract investment,” she said.
“And that’s what states want. So, if astate chooses to not go down that path and block off that investment, well,that is totallyamatter for them.”
Ms Kingsaidthe federalgovernment was giving CCS policy support through regulatory reform and the future gas strategy -acknowledgement
“that it’s absolutely 100 percent required to reach net zero along with every other tool”.
“CCSisnot asilver bullet but it’s areally important partofa suiteoftechnologiesthat will be required. But the oil and gas industry is an industry that knows the geology, the technology
we’retalking about better thananyone else,” she said.
“So, they will be the ones that, indeed,are making these projects happen, and as they are required and called under the safeguard mechanism. It’s only natural that they put their private investment into that industry as opposed to government pitching in to that when we have aconstrained budget, clearly.”
Underthe safeguard mechanism, Australia’s biggestgreenhouse gas emittersmustc
ut their emissions annually by five per cent.
In her speech, Ms King emphasisedthat gas was essential to get to net zero.
“But gas is afossil fuel, and while it provides essential fuel for power and industry, it produces CO2 ,which is contributingtodangerous climate change. So, in order to use gas, we need carbon capture and storage,” she said.
“Highlyrespected, long established international organisations such as the International Energy Agency and the International Panel on Climate Change, as well as our own Australian Climate Change Authority, all underscore and understand the role of CCSinreaching net zero.”
The federal government is committed to reachingnet zero by 2050, witha43per cent reduction in emissions from 2005 levels by 2030, and a target to reduce emissions to 62 to 70 per cent below2005levels by 2035.
Ms King said Australia has huge potential for CCS.
“Australia can lead the world in carbon management technology innovation. We have the geology, we have the industrial capability. And we have the people,” she said.
Forexample, Caroline the Borehole in South Australia, acommercial production borehole near Mount Gambier, produced between 1968 and 2017 more than 810,000 tonnes of close to pure carbon dioxide.
“ThatCO2 hasfor 50 years been used to put the fizzinour drinks, but more importantly, it has been used in hospital surgeriesand in firefighting all around the country,”she said, but added she was not minimising CO2’s contribution to dangerous climate change.
“But what Caroline 1indicates to us, and moreoverthe wider public, is that carbondioxide has been stored underground for avery,very, very long time. It tells us that the earth’s crust has the capacity to store significant volumes of CO2 over geologically long periods,” she said.
“CCS is about reusing the reservoirs from which we have extracted oils andnatural gas- reusing those reservoirs by returning CO2 into sub surface structures thatare imminentlysuited to once again store such gases for millennia.”
Ms King said“permanent”overlong geological timeframes were over millennia, longer than any above ground forestation projects.
“Maintaining forests, re-forestation and above ground carbon capture in the landscape is, of course,vital and important for many reasons -but they cannot match or comeclosetothe opportunity of theextraordinary scalethat carbon capture and storage presents. -scale of both volume and permanence of CO2 reduction in the atmosphere,” she said.
The world’s largest CCS project on Barrow Island off the coast of Western Australia had stored 12 million tonnes of CO2.
“That CO2 will be storedinthe crust of the Earth forever. To store an equivalent amount of CO2 above ground wouldrequireplanting millionsoftrees,whichwould all have to remain standing and be replaced as they die or are lost to bushfires or storms -fleeting storage of CO2 as opposed to permanent,” she said.
“There are several important CCS projects underway in Australia, at various stagesofdevelopment. And there are significant research and demonstration projects. This includes CO2CRC’s very own Otway InternationalResearch Centre.”
Ms Kingsaidthe federal government was working to ensure it has the right settingsin place to encourage investment in CCS.
“We are currently reviewingregulatory requirements for offshore CCS projects,including important reforms to EPBC laws.The goal is to ensure the frameworkprovides clarity and certainty for long term investment,” she said.
“CCS has its critics, but reaching net zero will be impossiblewithoutit. That’ssomething respected authorities around the world agree on.”
Dual purpose: Experts believe Australiancan deployCarbonCaptureStorage while maintaining energy security. Photograph: iStock
In the know: FederalMinisterfor Resources, Madeleine King. Photograph supplied
Parksbill“short term decision”
By AIDAN KNIGHT
ACOLLECTIVE of nature advocates has become outraged by the state government's recent legislation to diminish significant preservation organisations.
The EntitiesLegislation Amendment Bill 2025 was developed in hopes of regulating and restructuringa vast amountofstatutory roles, boards and advisory bodies as part of agovernment consolidation push.
This takes placeacross sectorsincluding mining, recycling, environmental protection, marine, road safety, mental health and wellbeing. Theintention is to streamline agencies and oversight bodies by abolishing several entities and redistributing their powers and responsibilities across existing regulators and state government ministers.
Executive Direction of the Victorian National Parks Association, Matt Ruchel, says these institutions can't afford these cuts. Calling their benefit to nature in Victoria "immensurable", he identified the bill as a"short-termdecision, whennature needs long-term care".
This also comes after the Victorian Fishery Authority had much of its powers stripped in the statebudget lastMay,which wasalso criticised to haveasimilarimpact, and outcrytoParks Victoria $95,000 slashings in the same budget.
Laborseemed to combat this by announcing plans to open new national parks around the state, which drewmorethan66,000 petition signaturesagainst Shadow Minister for PublicLand Management and NationalsMemberfor Eastern Victoria,Melina Bath led acampaign against these changes.
“There are insufficient field staff, there are insufficient rangers, and there are aproliferation of pests and weeds– and there is an ever-increasingthreat of out-of-control bushfire,” she said in May 2025.
Ms Bath's Labor equivalent, Tom McIntosh, and Minister for the Environment Steve Dimopoulos, stood alongside the Premier when announcing further Parks investments on October 21 last year.
This included funds being spent in existing park areas in Gippsland, most notably Chenes Bridge in Heyfield, as well as spending $7.2 million on park ranger employment, following Ms Bath's comments. This still only totalled afurther 16 positionsinthe role, which Mr Dimopoulos promised "would be predominantly around the Gippsland area", when prompted by the Express
The Minister was approached for commentin response to the amendment bill, but was referred to astate government spokesperson.
"We’re making sure our public service is laser focused on Victorians –good schools, good healthcare, safe communities andrealhelpwith the cost of living.
"Families are watching every dollar they spend, and theyexpect the government to do the same –it’s why we’re reducing waste and inefficiencies so we can invest in the thingsthat matter to Victorians," the Express was told.
"Frontline workers are excluded from the scope of this review. Unlike the Liberals and Nationals, we will never cut nurses, teachers, police officers or child protection workers."
Now, under the amendment bill, the Ministers' workload has thickened, shifting responsibilities from dedicated entitiestotheir own portfolio,as
independent advisory bodies are dissolved. Changes affecting the environment and coastal portfolios include:
Greater control over marine and coastal governance following the abolition of the Marine and Coastal Council;
Reduced independent environmental advice after the removal of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council;
Oversight of coastal planning and governance transitions, including Great Ocean Road structural reforms;
Expanded ministerial influence over environmental decision-making pathways previously filtered through advisory bodies, and;
Broader discretion over administrative restructuring, including staff transfers linked to governance changes.
The state government assured the Express that the work undertaken by the Marine and Coastal Councilwill be performedwithin DEECA since its absorption.
Ms Bath's perspectivehas only solidified sincethe introduction of the bill however, telling the Express it is proofthat "the Allan Laborgovernmentis scrambling to find cost-saving after it spent over adecade wastingfundsand mismanagingBig Build projects."
“If it passes without amendments, it will water downcriticalsupport and transparencyfor mental healthservices,removerate capping and increase cost shifting to local councils.
“Insteadofpenny pinching essential services and removing transparency, Labor should focus on addressing the biggest scandalinVictoria’s
history thatresultedin$15 billionbeing funnelled into the pockets of bikies and organised crime on government worksites.”
Meanwhile, the state government is talking about adifferentkind of park, as they're busy promoting funding new urbangreen spaces in high-growth areas as part of its housing and transport agenda.
Memberfor Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing, under her Development and Precinct folio, releasedinformation on February15promotingthe $17 million being put towards 97 new or upgraded parks and playgrounds across Victoria under the Pick My Park program.
The projectswill be concentrated in train and tram activity centres, priority precincts and fastgrowing suburbs, with upgrades rangingfrom new pocket parks to improved playground accessibility and outdoor fitness equipment.
The government says the investment responds to community demand for more local open space, particularly in areasearmarked for higher-density housing and long-term population growth.
But for environmental advocates,the contrast remains stark. While new urban parks are being rolled out alongside housing and rail expansions, following theconclusion of The BigBuild, critics argue thatthe samemomentum is not being applied to conservation governance and national park protections.
With structural changesset in motion,the effects may take years to fully surface. For conservationists and policymakersalike, the coming decade will reveal whetherstreamlined governance delivers efficiency -orleaves gaps where independent scrutiny once stood.
Council calls for V/Line timetable change
By AIDAN KNIGHT
THE Big Buildproject has beencontroversialfor a lot of Victorians, but especially those in Gippsland andaroundthe wider regions.
The decade-longinvestment, in excess of $100 billion, saw more than 180 road and rail plans rolled out, completely transforming public transport within the state, mostvocally by the construction of the ninekilometre Metro Tunnel andits associated five underground stations, which took strain off the much congested city loop.
Many Gippslanders see this as just that -a focus on the city, with little or no benefit to the regions.
Last month's Latrobe City Council meeting highlighted aspecific demographic's perspective of the recently introduced 'Big Switch' component of the Big Build, whichtook place on February 1, after the Metro Tunnel successfully opened on November 30.
The Big Switch was the name given to the complete overhaul of the state's public transport network, re-timetabling every bus, train and tram line as aresult of the tunnel's introduction to the system, whichalsoallowed for 1000 additional services, 87 of which were on the Traralgon line. This meant customers from Baw Baw and Latrobe now enjoy aservice to and from the city every 40 minutes -but it's not without its losses, and not everyone is enjoying it.
Mayor Sharon Gibson's second motion brought forward in the first council meeting of the year (February 23), pertained to grievances held towards the Big Switch and its new timetabling.
"I received some correspondence from atradie, who used to take the first train out of Moe or Traf," she told her colleagues when presenting item 8.3 on the agenda.
"The train was basically full of tradies, coming
all up the line, and they would get to Flinders St just before 7am -which enabledthem to get to their jobsites.
"He was very colourful in his language -because he said 'now we'veput up with allthiswork,taking buses when the timetable was thrown up in the air (due to the Big Build works),now we can'teven use the train'."
The Mayor detailedamass of tradespeople preparing to move out of Gippsland to ametro area, or finding different jobs, because of the new timetable.Withoutmentioning specifics, the Mayor argued that the earliest service to Southern Cross now arrives in Melbourne later and thisservice previously enabledGippslanders to reach their workplaces by 7am.
The Expressexaminedthe current Gippsland Line timetable,which has the earliest service from Moe (as mentioned by the Mayor), leaving at 4.52am, arriving at 6.48atFlinders Street each weekday. This leaves little room for tradies to meander with tools up escalators,navigate crowds and trams, to get wherever they may be working, leaving apersonal impact on employment and skill retentionofademographic whose skills likely enable the Big Build in the first place. The Big Build has hired more than 20,000 workers across avariety of field's in Labor's vision to transport the state more efficiently.
The Mayor saw this as aproblem, not just because of the importance of her constituents satisfaction, but because Latrobe is an attractive place to live and she did not see it fit that anybody be forced to move for the sake of atrain timetable, if their job location has not shifted.
"It's really interesting -seeing abit of research done," Cr Gibson said.
"It now takes 40 minutes longer than in the 80s, at peak travel, to get from here to Melbourne.
We're also well below the target on reliability and punctuality.
"This notice of motion is all about saying 'excuse me, we countdowninGippsland, can you do something about the timetable?', because we are losing residents because they have to shift (home) or bottleneck the Monash. That's the last thing Ithink any of us (on council)want to see,and I suggest the (state) government don't want to see that either."
The Mayor proposed that the state government look at the complaint and see the effect Gippsland commuters are claiming to experience, and "to change it back, would be really good".
While afullreversal of Gippsland’s new timetable is considered unlikelygiven the state-wide nature of thenetwork overhaul, previous data shows that targeted adjustments -particularly to early morning services- have historically been made following sustained commuter pressure.
In 2015, aflood of complaints saw tweaked services, but never areturn to old timetables. This remains especially true after such adedicated marketing push, as Laborhas tiedalot of identity to the success of this project, particularly the rail aspect, which would be undermined by apartial rollback, and evencreate aprecedent for other regions to demand 'custom' timetables.
Logistically, this is basically impossible as well, simply from the highly interdependent nature of arailnetwork, with Gippsland line services timed aroundtunnelslots, junctionconflicts at Caulfield and Dandenong,and platforming at Flinders Street and Southern Cross. That’s why governmentsusually frame these changes as “network optimisation,” not line-by-line tweaks.
Yallourn WardCouncillorStephMorgan seconded the Mayor's motion,who sawthat thechangeswere not too much to ask, when considering aservice
designed for the people who use it.
"I think V/Line is another part of Latrobe City's transport system that needs to be reviewed," she said, referencing asimilar motion focused on the city's internal bus services being reviewed late last year.
The YallournWardCouncillor saw it fitting that Gippslanders be provided with aservice that is "designed by us, for us, or at least had input from us, for us".
The vote was unanimous, allowingMayorGibson to write to the Ministerfor Public and Active Transport, Gabrielle Williams seeking areview. ADDITIONALLY, the Express also attended the Future Victoria event at Crown Melbourne, featuring addresses from the Prime Minister, Premier, and State Opposition Leader.
The nation's leader Anthony Albanese,took this opportunity to announcethat works to build the Melbourne Airport Rail Link were underway.
Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan, spoke directly after and revealedthis was meanttobeher announcement, from which he "stole the thunder abit", and that Sunshine Station (now apart of the Pakenham line)willbeakey componentof this project.
The Prime Minister however, had already worded it the way Gippslanderswanted to hear it: "V/Line passengers cangodirect to Tullamarine, not to the city and back out".
Mr Alabanese also took the opportunity to drive the message home, on aproject we've heard aspirations of since the mid 1970s, stating plainly "Plans approved,shovels in theground. No turning back". So while Gippslanders might not get to work on time, they’ll have afaster way to flee the country. The estimated completion date is 2033.
PORTSEA,VIC –RegionalVictorian families feeling the weight of recentbushfiresand floods arebeingencouraged to applyforfullyfundedplaces atThe PortseaCamp throughtheirdedicated ‘MakingaDifference’(MAD) scholarship programme
Recognisingthat children oftencarrywhat psychologists refertoasvacarious traumafromwitnessing community distress,The Portsea Camp is opening its doorstoprovide a safe,restorative space forchildrentomovepastfearand rediscoverthe joy ofthe outdoors.
Sandra Martin, CEOofThe Portsea Camp and Educational andDevelopmentalPsychologist, saysthat disasterscan change howchildren relate to the world around them.
“When naturefeels unpredictable and powerful,children canbecome hesitant to explore,”saysMartin.“Our programmes aredesigned to gently reintroduce children to theelements in away that feels safe and joyful.Wewant to help regionalkidsmovefromastateofhigh alert back to a state of curiosity and play.”
The scholarships coverthe full cost ofthe camp experience,including transport from regional areas, accommodation, andspecialist led activities.
HowtoApply Families and community memberscan refera child orapply directly via the Making aDifference scholarship portal: https://www theportseacamp.com.au/madscholarships/
Creatingan empire from nothing
By DAVID BRAITHWAITE
WAS John Friedrich acon man, or aRobin Hoodtype figure?
Arguably Australia’s most infamous fraud -and its local roots -returned to the spotlight recently.
In Australia’sGreatest Conman?,atwo-part documentary which aired on SBS, journalist Marc Fennell set out to uncover the truth behind John Friedrich, who made the Victorian division of the National Safety Council of Australia (NSCA) into anation-wide search and rescue operation -all on the back of loans to the company given on little backing, other than Friedrich’s word.
In today’s money, the scam wasworth an estimated$900million.
Beginning the documentary at West Sale Airport, Fennell said the site “used to be the headquarters of the most advanced civilian search and rescue operation this country has ever seen”.
“It was the playground of amystery man known as John Friedrich. He builtanempiretosavelives all on aweb of lies,” Fennell said.
JohnFriedrich-aseveryone knewhim -was charismaticand driven, and described by people he worked with as having an ego
Within five years, Friedrich went from safety officer at the NSCAtoits executivedirector. After that, the Victoriandivision had gone from producing safetyposterstoasearchand rescue organisation, with an impressivefleet of helicopters and aeroplanes, even asubmersible -along with horses, dogs and pigeons.
By the mid-1980s, the NSCAwas working alongside police and firefighting services across the country, as well as the military, including the contract to conduct search and rescue services for RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales. At its peak,the NSCA Victorian division had 450 staff, with operations interstate and internationally. To staff at the NSCA, everyday wasanadventure. The organisation assisted firefighting efforts, to the extentthe NSCAwas sending its helicopters to
IN thisedition of ReelTalk, cinema tragic Blake Metcalf-Holt teams up with Aidan Knight (who keeps pitching “satire beat” as alegitimate reporting round) to revisit afilm that feels less like aperiodpiece and more likeawarninglabel.
In honour of the recent deathofRobert Duvall, the pair turn their attention to Network -the razor-sharp media takedownthat somehow feels more current with every passing year.
Released in 1976 and directed by Sidney Lumet, Network is ascathing lookatthe television industry focused on astruggling television network that discoversratings gold in the on-air breakdown of its veteran news anchor.
What follows is adarklyfunny, deeply unsettling look at spectacle, corporate influence, and the blurring line between information and entertainment-centring around aretiring news anchor who's manic monologue announcing his own deathon-air resultsinhis rehiring as apreaching celebritytalkshow figure. While Peter Finch’sunhinged performance remains the film’s centrepiece, Duvall’sicy turn as aruthless network executive is just as crucial -embodying the cold pragmatism that drives the film’s most enduring themes.
Nearly five decades on, Network stilllands with unnerving clarity, less arelicofits erathan a mirror held up to our own.
Now it's time for REEL TALK... Blake Metcalf-Holt: Therelevance is still remarkable. Besides the mediatheoryofitall, whichismost definitely less interesting to the masses, the sheer star power of this picturegives it the gravitas that makes it one of Sidney Lumet's most accessible films of his decorated career. Dunaway, Holden, Duvall, Finch, one scene worth of Beatty, all heighten an experience that is so absurd, yet could easily occur in our world. Peter
History: The front page theGippsland Times on March 31, 1989, with areportthatNSCAstaff were to be stooddownthat day.
Photograph: David Braithwaite
Europeand North America during the Australian winter It had aworld-leading para-jumping programFriedrichhad the visionofparachuting experienced rescue officers into any situation.
In 1988, Friedrich received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community
in the area of “industrial safetyand search and rescue services”.
But apart fromthe NSCA,no-one knew anything about Friedrich. Where did he come from? What had he done before? How old was he?
While he had aforeign accent, Friedrich’s CV stated he was born in South Australia.But (spoiler alert) that was far from the truth.
It started to unravel in 1989 when journalist Kerry O’Brien, then at Network10, started investigatingFriedrich and the NSCA.O’Brien found things didn’t add up.
Unable to pin down the problem,even after interviewing Friedrich, abreakthroughcame whenO’Briensaw company invoices, whichhad repeated mentionsofdebts owed to theDepartment of AdministrativeServices.Acheque withthe department found it didn’t have matching invoices.
The company was needing $1 million aweek to keepafloat, O’Brien said, but was earning less than afifth of that.
“He was building aedifice to hide acon. It was abloody big edifice, and it was abloodybig con,” O’Brien said on the documentary.
Also suspicious wasBill Meeke,thenchief executiveofrival company Skywest Airlines. Meeke, who was also featured in the documentary, which eventually found Friedrich was not who he said he was.
The NSCA wasn’tagovernment organisation, but aprivate not-for-profit company, so it wasn’t required to pay tax or make accounts public.
The board didn’t appear to be asking too many questions -but that eventually changed.
Friedrich was asked to attend aboard meeting in March, 1989, but he never made it. Now at the centre of amassive scandal, Friedrichwas on the run.
The NSCA Victorian division went into liquidation, and no government was interested in taking it over -perhaps embarrassed at how close they got to it -the NSCA was disbanded 11 days after Friedrich disappeared.
So how did Friedrich do it?
Part of the explanation came from his use of shipping containers around the nation.
Bankers were shown the containers and told they were filled with equipment, assets the company would usetocreateincome.The problem was, with the exception of afew, the containers were empty -no-one thought to check.
Friedrich also kept two ledgers, andwas repaying interest to the bank using acycle of funding from other banks -a Ponzi scheme.
After anationwide and international manhunt, Friedrichwas found on the outskirts of Perth, and wasarrested on April 6, 1989.
Friedrich was ultimately charged with 98 counts of fraud and deception.
Subsequent investigations discovered Friedrich was not an Australian citizen, and did not possess any valid birth certificate.
Friedrich was in fact born Johann Friedrich Hohenberger in Munich, in what was West Germany, in 1950. He had ahistoryoffraud in Germany. After accounting irregularities were found in 1975, Friedrich faked his death in an avalanche and disappeared to Australia.
As journalist Hugh Rimmington toldthe documentary, Friedrich wasgiving himself asecond chance, only to become acon man again.
On July 23,1991, Friedrichappeared in court for fraud involving $297 million.
Before he was due to face trial, Friedrich, on July 27, 1991, was founddead on his Seaton farm, with asinglegunshot wound to the head. His death was ruled to be suicide.
Thirty-fiveyears later, should John Friedrich be remembered as acon man, aRobin Hood-type figure, or both?
The documentary wastold Friedrichwasn’t pulling money from the company for his own benefit, the money wenttorun NSCA andwould eventually be accounted for.
“He built an empire of lies. But also, you cannot deny that he’d saved lives,” Fennell said.
e alk Reel Talk
Finch should be the first mentioned, being that he was the first Australian recipient of the Best Actor Oscar,and oddly enough, one of two winners posthumously, alongside fellow Aussie Heath Ledger. Finch's manic and deranged behaviour as Howard Beale is at the forefront of the film's satire, and mustworkfor it all to hit. Thankfully, he's one of the best angry priests shouting about the hypocrisies of our time. I'm surprised there hasn't already been ahighly publicised Howard Beale-type spiral from any of the top news correspondents.
Aidan Knight: While Ifeel the plotisvery abruptly dumped upon the viewer, Idoenjoy the old-school intro narration,whichisalmost aforgottenconcept now. Withthat said, once you adjust to the whiplash of the storyline, it is quite quicklyimmersive,and feelsabit like if they did Black Mirror backinthe 70's.Atthe centre of it all is the network’s corporate machine -coolly representedbyRobert Duvall- which treatsjournalism less likeapublic service and more likeaproduct line to be managed. Duvall’s performance is quietly chilling, capturingthe pragmatic mindset that drives the film’s sharpest commentary about media, profit and power. There's also abackgroundcharacter that looks an awfullot like the Gippsland Times' Stefan Bradley, so watch out for that. Perhaps if areader were to spot him, take aphoto, and email it to: news@lvexpress.com.au, they couldwin afree high-five from the Reel Talk team.
BMH: Today's parallelsare staggering for a 1976film. Networkacts as atug-of-war between ageneration that has grown up in front of the TV and another which has worked behind it. That simple analysis makes it questionable why it has been remade or reimagined in some way, given that we've gone through anumber of generations now, which has landed us in this point in time where afive-year-oldcan be handed an iPadtouse at theirown will. It makes William Holden'sremarksabout Faye Dunaway growing up watching Bugs Bunny seem minute now.The film also echoes many of the concerns felt in this exact moment, wheremedia corporations are being bought and sold, merged and disassembled, all to the gainofthe stockholder and certain powerful individuals that shan't be named, and to the detriment of the creatives and consumer.
This is when Duvall, who is one of my all-time favouriteperformers, gets to shine,especially when he gets to shout to the roof tops "I've got a big, fat, big-**** hit!" only for that to come back and bite all of the suits right where it hurts -in the ratings.
AK:Its direction is somewhat confusing if you
don't focus on the first half, jumpingbetween multiple angles of thesame story, including aforbidden officeaffair and the contentsofa corporatethriller thatwould notseem out of place in an episode of Succession.This allows there to not really be any one character more of a 'lead'orcentral aboveany other, whichenhances Duvall's role in it more than would be found in a more traditional script structure. It's themesare simultaneously realistic and far-fetched and one of those vaguely political works that 'has almost never been so relevant'. The nostalgia around the depiction of the height of television as the dominant media consumption is also excellent, and while it does have its owndry humourat times, gives you aserious equivalent to the newsanchor drama we best associate with Anchorman BMH: In the end, the power of television is at the forefront. And what is controlled through that medium, especiallyataboard table, is frightening and all too real. Ned Beatty delivers possibly the best monologue ever, articulating exactly what the divine power of the TV possesses, and more so, how it can be controlled and manipulated. All is vulgarities and intimidation ends when Beale asks whyhim, only for Beatty to simply respond; "Cos you're on television, dummy." Even still, that power can be sought by the lesser likes too,which is seen with Dunaway, delivering my favourite line; "TV is showbiz, Max,and even the news has to have alittle showmanship." Ipresent to you -Reel Talk...
AK: Nearly five decades on, Network still lands
with remarkable clarity. Its central ideas-the monetisation of anger, theblending of information andspectacle, andthe corporate influence shaping whataudiences see -feel less like satire and more like ablueprint for the modern media landscape. Alot of it could even be applied to the internet world, as people monetise anger further in ways such as outrage-driven commentary channels and the endlesscycle of reaction content designed less to inform than to provoke. Viral controversies that turn anger into engagement. There's also alot to be said in regard to howterroristsare depicted as aform of entertainment in the film -something that often felt like apossibility in aweird way around 2015-16 when ISIS was at its height of power in the evening news cycle -asfear became format. In Network, the film producers identify apopular terrorist organisation with whom they negotiatetofilm, like an Australian Idol scout making atalent deal. This is astrong exampleof how the film's tone reeks of profound, but satirical, social commentary. It’s aflick that remains both entertaining and unsettling,areminder thatsometimes the most enduring predictions about the future are the ones delivered with a grin and araised eyebrow.
BMH: ★★★★ 4/5stars
AK: ★★★⯪ 3.5/5 stars
Networkisavailabletostream on Amazon Prime or rent on AppleTV, and is ratedM for strong mature themes, brief violence and coarse language.
Legend: Thelategreat Robert Duvall Photosupplied.
Discovering dinosaurs in Gippsland
By KATRINA BRANDON
AROARING discovery hasbeen made in Inverloch, after the Dinosaur Dreaming volunteer group found foot bones (toes/claws) of adinosaur or dinosaurs.
Unlike the groups in the famous Jurassic Park/ World franchise, scientists are collecting fossils and analysing them to learn more about prehistoric creatures.
Dinosaur Dreaming is ajointproject between Museums Victoria and Monash University. The name wascoinedbyone of the DinosaurDreaming crew members when someone mentioned that volunteers who worked on the annual digs usually began to dream about dinosaurs.
The main Dinosaur Dreaming fossil site is locatednear Inverloch, where the first evidence of dinosaurs in Australia was discovered by field geologist William Ferguson at Eagle's Nest in 1903.
More evidence was found several decades later, by researchers fromMonashUniversity and Museums Victoria in 1991 as part of an ongoing search for Early Cretaceous fossils.
According to Dinosaur Dreaming, the site has yieldedmore than 10,000 fossil bones and teeth since its discovery, including at least seven different dinosaurs, three groupsofmammals, birds, pterosaurs, plesiosaurs, turtles and fish.
“Thedig hasbeen going for the last 30 years,” Monash University FacultyofScience, School of Biological Sciences, Dr Jake Kotevski told the Express
“We find lots of smallfragments of dinosaurs from down there. We get it's an old, Iguess,large river system back when the dinosaurs were around, quite high-flowing, quite high-energy. And so alot of the animals that existed when they died were bashed around anddisarticulated. So Iguess they fell apart. So we only get little bits and bobs.”
While they can only collect fragments of each animal,DrKotevski said that every little piece matters, giving them aglimpse of what the animals looked like and how their skeletons were structured, and that each piece plugs agap in their knowledge every time they find something new.
According to Dr Kotevski, fossils are only really found along the Bass Coast and the Otway Coast, where several sites along beaches are being searched for dinosaur fragments.
The team is currently targeting Bass Coast,
as several sites have been foundbetweenCape Patterson and Inverloch.
“It’s mostly the same stuff,” Dr Kotevski said.
“We get lotsofsmall-bodied,herbivorous dinosaurs that are bipedal, and someglimpse into carnivorous dinosaurs. (We) see mammals on occasion and turtles. We’re seeing all kinds of animals thriving in this ecosystem. There seems to be alot of them.”
Currently, quite afew digs are happening around Australia. In places such as LightningRidge,parts of New South Wales and Queensland, fossils have been found.
According to Dr Kotevski, Australia is one of two
continents in the world where megaraptorscan be found, which were meat-eating dinosaurs. He also said that the oldest fossils are foundinthe Gippsland region, with some dating back around 120 million years.
“The fact that we had dinosaurs down here was really exciting,” he said.
“We can actually keep digging them and collecting them at this stage, and start to learn more about them. Iwas one of those kids whogrewupwith JurassicPark and an obsession with dinosaurs, so Ikind of had an idea of what to expect, and the enjoyment just remained the whole time.
“The main busting is that paleontology isn't as
easy as they make it look on the screen.Very rarely, you're goingtoget something that is well preserved and easy to extract from the rock, particularly the Gippsland fossiliferous limestone-like cement. We have to get in with crowbars, chisels, hammers, and the occasional rocks to actually extract this rock and these fossils safely.”
For those curious about the discoveries in Gippsland, Dr Kotevski said that the Dinosaur Dreaming team are all volunteers and often have volunteer days, for those who would like to have ago.
Formoreinformation, go to: https://www.dinosaurdreaming.net/
If youhave beeninbusiness for10years or more you areinvited to take part in a special publication to promote longstanding successful businesses in our region.
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Preservation: Gippsland washometodinosaurs more than 100million yearsago
Photograph: iStock
Women’s experiences under the microscope Armando is master ofhis craft
WOMEN’Sexperiences when presenting to Emergency Departments with severe menstrualpain–including endometriosis, pelvic pain and other period-related conditions –are the focus of anew Federation University study.
The study will explore women’s experiencesofpresenting to EDs, withaparticular focus on interactions with nurses –often the first point of contactand central to assessment and ongoing care.
The study’s focus recognises the criticalrole nursesplay in shaping patient outcomes and theiruniqueposition to influence how pain is understood, prioritised and managedinbusy emergency settings.
PhD student Rebecca Peelsaysshe hopes the study will helpvalidate women’s experiences and drive improvements in how patients presenting with severe menstrual pain are assessed and treated.
“Too often, women with severe menstrual pain report feeling dismissed or not believed,” she said.
“Thisresearchseeks to improve women’s experiences –sothat when they come into the Emergency Department, they know they’ll be taken seriously.”
In establishing her research,MsPeel conducted asystematic review, examining research from around the world covering a20-year span.
The review foundthat women’ssymptoms have been systematically dismissed and normalised as being part of the female experience, leavingmanyfeeling let down by healthcare professionals,and, in some cases, turning away from western healthcare altogether. Associate Professor and PhD supervisor, Dr Karen Missen, said the PhD study’s focus on Emergency Departments reflects that these are often the places where women are most vulnerable, seeking urgent help for severe pain.
“Many women come to the ED experiencing pain that’s debilitating and frightening,” she said.
“These are moments when patients need validationand care. By exploring women’s experiences in these settings, this study aims to improve how we support them when they need it most.”
Cultural stigma also remains apersistent barrier to women being heard and feeling supported.
“In some communities, periods and women’spain are surrounded by extra layers of silence. ED staff need to be equipped to recognise this and respond with culturally safe, respectful care,” Dr Missen said.
The research is also seeking to understandthe experiences of ED nurses who often navigate the challenges of providing careinenvironments wheregendered assumptions can affect how women’s pain is perceived and treated.
Ultimately, the study seeks to challenge entrenched societal attitudes toward women’s pain, Ms Peel says.
“Aswomen, we’reoften just toldto‘get on with it’. But it’snot women who need to be tougher –it’sour medical system that needs to be better.”
Womenaged over 18 who have attended an emergency departmentfor menstrual pain in the past 12 months are encouraged to participateinthe study by sharing their experiences through an online survey.
Nurses who’ve cared forpatientsexperiencing symptoms are also being asked to share their experiences via aquick online survey.
To learn more about Endometriosis AwarenessMonth, visit: www.marchintoyellow.org.au
By LIAM DURKIN
JACK of all trades, master of one.
Armando Petrucci did abit of everything during his time, yet one profession stood out during his career.
The Morwell local was amaster tailor, curating finesuitsfor many locals acrossthe Latrobe Valley.
Through his business The House of Petrucci, he built an empire that left afootprint in most towns throughout Gippsland.
At their peak,MrPetrucci's stores were in Morwell, Traralgon, PhilipIsland and Melbourne.
He specialised in master tailor wear for ladies and gentleman.
He also ran atravel agency at atime, as well as avideo hire, giftware and toy shop.
He stillfrequents his home country, Italy, where he is set to visit again soon.
Hailing from near Venice, he was recognised by Italian dignitaries with the San Marco in Lamis Awardfor his dedication to not only his craft, but in welcoming San Marco residents and Italian emigrants.
Mr Petrucci, part of the MastersTailors Association of Victoria,jokes thathebegan tailoring at eight-years-of-age.
Now 87, that's alot of suits.
And he's still making them.
Mr Petrucci estimateshepiecestogetherthree to four new suits ayear for himself.
"It'saveryhardjob, all by hand, no shortcuts, no machine," he said.
Over the years, Mr Petrucci became involved in many local organisations, mostnotably the Italian Australian Club.
He formedastrongpartnership with his wife,
Giovannina, and together they forged adynamic duo.
"She's been gone for three years, but she's always in my heart," he said.
When he was making suits, Mr Petrucci would supply uniforms for police and local sporting clubs.
"You name it (we did it)," he said.
When asked about today's fashion, Mr Petrucci, in classic Italianfashion, wasstraight to the point. "No good -shocking!" he said. "Today, (it's) all made by computers. There's no tailors."
Mr Petrucci could certainly be one of the few of his kind left.
Denominations unite for world prayer
By PEACE IJIYERA
THE 2026 World Day of Prayer service was held last Friday (March 6) at the Traralgonand District Baptist Church.
Each year, the day has acountry of focus. This years focus was Nigeria.
Under the theme 'I will giveyou rest: come,' taken fromMatthew 11:28-30, about 30 people from different denominationsincluding, Anglican, Catholic, Baptist,and Lutheran cametointercede on behalf of Nigeria.
The World Day of Prayer is an international movement led by Christian women that has been operating in Australia since 1927 and in the Latrobe Valley for more than 40 years.
Coincidentally, the World Day of Prayer fell during the week of International Women's Day.
Reverend Heather den Houting said that women who pray are among the "most powerful people in our community",and described the group of praying women as a"radical movement".
During the service, aseries of hymns were sang and stories from women in Nigeria were heard.
The stories highlighted the struggles with systematic oppression, religious persecution and poverty that many face in Nigeria.
In all these stories was the reoccurring theme of finding strength through faith and community. After each story was an intercessory prayer.
Year 11 student leaders from Lavalla Catholic College performed ashort play about ayoung girl in Nigeriawho wasfacingeducational difficulty Through faith, friendship and hard work,the young girl was able to improve her studies and received an award at the end of the term.
Withastone given to each attendeeatthe entrance, the congregation was invited to place theirstone on atable at the altar, symbolising placing their burdens at the feet of Christ.
Reverend Houting was invited as aguest speaker and addressed the congregation, highlighting the
Prayed up: AlianaKrieger,Tessa Phillips,Lavalla CatholicCollege Principal, Ryan Greer,assistant principal Catholic identity, Shane Reid,Combined Churches representative, JennyHenshaw, Reverend Heather denHouting,(front) Father Aju Varghese,MadsCuschieri, Anna Linehan and AineDoherty Photograph: PeaceIjiyera
power that is in corporate prayer and gathering. "This is notsomething to be taken lightly andit's not an archaic or strange situation, it is actually apowerful and extraordinary testimony to people who hold faith in the power of prayer," she said "Hearing real stories is important, and my friends, praying together is important."
Amorning tea was held after the service. Fitting the themeofNigeria, jollof rice, apopularNigerian dish was served. As aseasoned jollof rice consumer myself, it was agood attempt; asolid six out of 10. Next year will see the 100th anniversary of the World Day of Prayerwhich will be celebrated at St Michael's Catholic Church, Traralgon.
Sprightly: Morwell’s Armando Petrucci reminiscing on his career
Photograph: Liam Durkin
In his element: ArmandoPetrucci preparing a newsuit Photograph supplied Clerk: Armando Petrucci outside one of his Melbourne stores Photograph supplied
Celebrating artistry andinnovation
By LIAM DURKIN
FASHIONS on the fieldmight be going to awhole new level this Spring.
field might a whole
Moe's underrated, and equallyundervalued, arts scene showcased another layer at the weekend.
The inaugural ‘Battle of the Brushes’ came to town, welcoming makeup artists from across the state, and country.
These weren’t just everyday makeupartists either.
Some of the industry’s leadingfigures madethe journey, including SarahEmilia, whoboasts more than one million followers on TikTok.
Ms Emilia was one of three high-profile judges, along with Ronia Fisher and Danielle Ruth.
Judges were given the very hard task of choosing winners, competing in bridal,fashion makeup, special effects and tween categories.
Makeup artists spent up to seven hours with their models,ensuring everyintricacyand detail was attended to.
“We were looking forcreativity, people that executed askill set, created seamless looks that looked effortlesswith alot of effort, we were really looking for new trendsetters,” Ms Emilia explained.
Thedownstairsfunction room of Moe Racing Club wastransformedinto amodel runway, and attendeessitting either side were left in awe at some of the stunning looks who strutted their stuff.
Truthfully, with lights, cameras and plenty of action, one could have been forgiven for thinking they were at city fashion week event.
It is unlikely Moe Racing Club ever thought the jockey’s change rooms would ever be used it t di t th f ilit i t tl
as avanity studio, yet the facility was instantly transformed, and splashed with brushes, foundation, tweezers and cans of hairspray.
Highlights from the runway included aGreat Gatsby-inspired section, fitting given the novel was released 100 years ago at the height of the Roaring 20s.
The section struck aparticularachord with event organiser Jess Mylne, whosaid the era was one she would dearly love to go back in time to.
The Warragul-based artist dived into some of her bestmakeup connections in bringing the Gippsland-first event to Moe.
As was noted, an event attracting this level of makeup skill and notoriety would normally be held in Melbourne.
Ms Emilia, who flew down from Sydney, was glowing in her praise for what was on display in the Latrobe Valley.
“Amazing, honestly Ithink the industry needed it,” she said.
“Somethingnew, something fresh and exciting that might inspire others to innovate in their own town areas.
“I would say Gippsland has started something that could be seen in other states.”
Perhaps most appropriately, Battle of the Brushes took place on International Women’s Day.
It is not surprising then thatthe event, emceed by Kellie Eddy, ran some two hours ahead of schedule.
The Latrobe Valley Express, Wednesday, 11 March, 2026 —Page 1
Congrats: Artist Gisele Gonzalez (Beveridge) and Templestowe’s Eleni Georgewon the bridal section.
Person of influence: Sydneyartist, SarahEmilia, who hasmorethan onemillion followersonTikTok,came to Moe forthe event
Quartet: Battle of the Brushes judges RoniaFisher, DanielleRuth and SarahEmilia with event organiser JessikaMylne (second from left).
Multipurpose: Thejockeys room at Moe Racing Club wastransformed intoamakeup studio Photographs: Liam Durkin
Local: Bunyip’sLilyWouterscompeted against some of the best in the state.
Stunning: Lauren of Lilydale took part in thebridalsection, which sawladies dressed in their finest
Throwback: Templestowe’s Eleni George in her Great Gatsy-inspired 1920s frock.
Tramps ride
TRARALGON and Morwell Pedallers Inc (TRAMPS) rode earlier this month.
Thegroup cycled south from Dumbalk to Fish Creek for lunch in pleasant conditions.
On enteringthe town of Fish Creek, riders could see the extraordinary sculptured art work in backyards of residents.
The return route, starting on the railtrail, witharest in the car parkatBuffalo, thenwent north-east through the town of Stony Creek and past the spectacular Stony Creek Racing Club.
TRAMPS next ride will be from Morwell Rose Garden at 9:00 a.m. on 15th March 2026. The ride will go to Mathison Parkfor lunch.The ride will be south to Tooradin for lunch, and return.
TRAMPS welcomes new riders.
For moreinformation, visit: www.tramps.org.
au or find the group on Facebook.
Club contacts are Paul on 0459 823 422 or Vance (0403 662 288).
Acoustic music
GIPPSLANDACOUSTICMUSICCLUB
INVITES ANYONE interestedtojoin for the annual singing festival.
The festival will be held at Tyers Hall (Main Road, Tyers), on Saturday, March 21.
Asinging workshop,led by experienced communitysinging leader,Leanne Murphy, will run from 10.30am to 1.30pm. Cost is $20.
Aconcert featuring Gippsland Choirs will start at 3pm.
Those comingfor all of the day are asked to bringtheir own lunch.
This day is for singers of all abilities, to simply enjoy singing in agroup.
For enquiries, phone 0408 747 882.
Tyersclean up
FRIENDS of Tyers Park held asuccessful day removing around 10 cubic metres, or 12 trailer loads, of dumped rubbish from the park.
Eleven volunteers worked hard to remove rubbish as part of Clean Up Australia Day.
Community Corner with
Liam Durkin
Latrobe City Council provided bins and arranged for collection.
To say that the friends group was disappointed with the large amount collected is an understatement, as similar quantities have been removed for several years. Rubbish not only presents a threat to people and wildlifebut is unsightlyand contaminates the environmentand waterways Parks Victoria regularly patrol the area and can impose substantial fines for offenders.
FriendsofTyers Park is also holding agarage saleatBetter LivesSupport Services (44A George Street, Moe) this Saturday (March 14) from 8amto1pm.
Avariety of items are for sale and some of the money raised will go to Forever Friends Animal Rescue Latrobe (FFARL).
The group will sell coffee and cake for $5, with all proceeds going to FFARL.
The next Saturday (March21) Friends of Tyers Park willundertakemaintenanceonWirilda Track in Tyers Park.
Meet at Tyers Hall Carpark from 9am.
Thoseattending are asked to wear sturdy footwear, ahat and sun protection. Bring water and lunch.
For more information, phone 0493 072 586.
Parkinson’s support
NEXT meeting of the Latrobe Valley Parkinson’s Peer SupportGroup will be held, Thursday, March 12 at Gippsland CentenaryRotaryHouse (39 Valley Drive, Traralgon) from 11am to 1pm,
The group offers information, social connection and support to thoseaffected by Parkinson’s, including partners, family and carers.
The group is supported by Fight Parkinson’s Victoria, providing access to the latest updates in Parkinson’s management.
Trycroquet
IF you would like to try anew sport which is suitable for all ages, come along to the Traralgon Croquet Courts (66-110 McNairn Rd, Traralgon).
Flat soled enclosed shoes are the only requirement, and the club will provide everything else including assistancefromthe members to understand the game.
Times for social play are Saturday and Tuesdays from10am to 12pmand 12.30pm-4pm Wednesdaynightsocialplayisfrom 5pm-8pm, which gives another opportunity to try croquet out of working and school hours. Cost is $5.
For further information, phone 0447 276 783.
Venuechange
PROBUS Club of Traralgon Combined Inc has changed its days and venue for general meetings
All future monthly meetings will be held on the third Tuesday of each month at the Traralgon GreyhoundRacingClub(66 McNairn Rd, Traralgon).
The club’s annual meeting will be held March 17 from 10am.
Plant excursion
THE Australian Plant Society Latrobe Valley Group will travel to Garfield for awalk to view the native plants within theMount Cannibal Flora and Fauna Reservethis Friday (March 13).
The group will then have lunch at aprivate native garden.
Anyone who has an interest in native plants and would like to join is most welcome.
Phone Jonathan Cook on 0488 922535 for more information.
Dance lessons
DANCE your way through 2026 with Latrobe Valley Dance Promotions Inc.
Headonanadventure,one step at atime, to learn or brush up on new vogue/old time sequence dances at theMorwell Girl Guide Hall (18 Margaret St) from 7pm to 10pm each Thursday night.
Waltz through life into better health and make new friends. Admission is $5 per person. Those attending are asked to wear comfortable footwear.
Phone Len on 0439 683 834 or Lynda (0428 489 041).
Email: latrobevalleydancepromotioninc@gmail. com
Follow Latrobe Valley Dance Promotions Inc on Facebook.
Maryvale Probus
MEET on third Thursday of each month at Morwell RSL from 10.30am.
The group has outings for theatre and places of interest to all.
Next outing is afarming and dairy memorabilia at Yarragon followed by lunch at Yarragon Pub. The group has speakers of interest and go out for lunch and even breaky monthly.
All welcome.
Formore information,phoneKathy Parr on 0419 897914.
Orchid club
GIPPSLAND Orchid Club’s nextmeeting will be held Thursday, March 12.
The groupmeets at theTraralgonAnglican Hall (100 Grey St, Traralgon). Doors open at 1pm with meetings commencing from 2pm.
President MaritaAndersonwill also do apresentation on growing and caring for Masdevallia Orchids. These are auniqueorchid which are very rewarding if cared for correctly.
Theclubmeets on the second Thursdayafternoon of each month and new members will be made welcome.
Asmallplateofafternoon tea to share is appreciated.
For further information, phone Pat on 0407 741 621.
Brilliant bridge
TRARALGON Bridge Club results:
Monday,March2:1st Helen McAdam and Moira Hecker(59.10per cent); 2nd Barbara Brabets and Anne Moloney (57.02).
Tuesday,March3:1st RobGraham andGlenis Lohr (64.58); 2nd Robin Hecker and Don Tylee (59.38).
Thursday, March 5: 1st ChristineZarb and Fred Kaminski (63.89); equal 2nd Geoff Dixon/ John Marsiglio and GlenisLohr/CorinneOberink (52.78).
If you enjoy playing cards and want to exercise your brain while engaging socially, why not give bridge atry.
New members are always welcome.
Phone Helen McAdam on 0438 164 528 for more.
Youcan be apartof Community Corner
IF youare acommunity group and have any newsitems you need publicised, feel free to email us at news@lvexpress.com.au
You can address correspondence to the editor, Liam Durkin
Please write ‘Community Corner’ in the subject line and nothing else.
Deadline is Friday 9am to appear in the following Wednesday issue.
20 —The Latrobe Valley Express, Wednesday, 11 March, 2026
Relax: TRAMPSriderstaking awell-earnt break.
Photographs supplied
Great work: Friends of TyersParkremoved 12 trailerloads of rubbish during arecent clean up effort
Trio: Rotary Club of Traralgon Centralmembers BarryHiggins and BobJohnson, alongwith BarbaraJohnson, helpedclean up Australia.
Unique artwork celebrates ‘Railway Dog’
THREE metal sculptures depicting afamous kelpie are set to grace the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail, thanks to the work of Cowwarr artist Jo Caminiti.
Jo bought herself awelder for her 50th birthday and is aself-taught sculptor who was commissioned to create the kelpies by the rail-trail committee. She recently displayed the finished products to Gippsland MP Darren Chester,who was impressed by the larger-than-life sculptures.
“The collaborationbetween local history buffs, the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail management committee, artist Jo and an Alinta Loy Yang Bcommunity partnershipgrant has led to three dogs being created to depict an epic journey,” Mr Chester explained.
“It’s agenuine labour of love, re-purposing parts of old cars, horseshoes, garden trowels, nuts and bolts to create such unique artwork. Some of the metal was evensalvagedfrom the ruinsofthe Black SaturdaybushfiresinTraralgon South,adding another layer of meaning to Jo’s work.
“The three dogs are 1.6 times life-sized in scale, and the rail trail committee is working with some apprentices from Loy Yang Btoconstruct plinths, and willbeinstalling the dogsatGlengarry, Toongabbie and Cowwarr stations.
“While they are all in differentposes, each kelpie is full of character from the railwayspikesturned into foot pads to the
Bushy encounters
STRZELECKI Bushwalking Club has avery busy programahead with avariety of locations to look forward to in the next month. Autumn is agreat month for bushwalking as the weather is alittle cooler however, it is not cold. The club has many leaders who remain committed to providing club members with a very positive experience each and every week. Some of the more spectacular upcoming options are a15kmjaunt along Lindner’s Track in the Morwell National Park. Lindner’s Track is located within the Crinigan Road Bush Reserve. It is awell-marked trail, and walkers can often see koala’s if they have keen eyesight.
On March 21, the groupisholdingawalk from ThompsonStationinto Walhalla via Stringer’sCreek andreturn.Thiswalk is around 10km long and is classed as hard. There is no track and walkers must walk beside or in the river. This waterway is named
after 'Ned' Stringer, aformer convict who found gold in the stream on December 26, 1862. Ned’s find is the catalyst that sparked the gold rush in Walhalla. Unfortunately,Ned did not livelongafter his exciting find and died of tuberculosis within 12 months of his discovery.
This is just asmall sample of the activities on offer withinthe Strzelecki Bushwalking Club. SBWChas an enthusiastic and vibrant committee which ensuresthe ongoing success of the club.
The group has contacts with many other clubs in other areas of Gippsland, and recently made astrengthening connection with the WaverlyBushwalking Club. Connection with other clubsassists in sharing information and ideas,which helpstokeep the program full and interesting. For further information, head to: sbwc.org. au, or email: publicity@sbwc.org.au
brassdrawer knobs for eyes… absolute masterpieces!”
For those who haven’t heard the story, the folklore of the ‘Railway Dog’ datesbacktoastory in the Herald Sun in 1935 about afemale red kelpiestray who used to travel on trains aroundGippsland, frequenting the Traralgon Railway Station refreshment room for food.
One Saturday, she missed the Stratford train and dashed acrossthe country to the Glengarry shunting yards to catch the train there. But the trainwas leavingthe stationasshe reached the home signal.
The ambitiouscanine continued thechaseofthe
train to Toongabbie, but missedthe train, sprinting on to Cowwarr.She missedthe train again, waiting on the platform for the train to return to take her back to Traralgon.
Mr Chester saidthe community-driven project to immortalisethe story with metal sculptures would become atourist attraction.
“Just like the silo art trail, I’m sure there will be visitors who will detour to Glengarry, Toongabbie and Cowwarr to take photos of the kelpies and learn more about the famous story,” Mr Chester said. The first sculpturewill be officially unveiled at acommunity event in Glengarry on Sunday, March 22.
Services are out there
By KATRINABRANDON
MORWELL'S Salvation Army branch hosted a community services expo last month.
Local providers were on hand to give an insight into available services.
Theaim of the event is to help people discover services they may need now or in the future, and for those services to network in order to work together to get the best outcomes.
Around 50 people attended, and were provided
Dynamic duo: Salvation Army Latrobe CommunityEngagement Officer Myla Bennett and Corp Officer,Capt. Graham Kennedy. Photographs: KatrinaBrandon
the opportunity to ask questions arange of issues such as utility bills(water, gar, electricity),receive help from Legal Aid and other supportservices, and learn about housing, mental health, financial counselling, and exploreemployment, multicultural and community programs.
TheteamatMorwell'sSalvationArmy branch is hoping to make the eventanannual occurrence
The first expo was held in 2023, and met with glowing praise.
Step by step: Gathered: Strzelecki Bushwalking Club participants on atrek. Photograph supplied
Wellbeing: Neami National’sIsaac Copland provided important information.
Sizzle: RapidReliefTeam Australia and the Salvation Army wasondeckatthe community services expo to help feed attendees.Pictured is Janette Lilley, TimBeer,Daniel Kidd, Tony Ryan, Shenae Dunlop,Jackie Greenfield andLyndall Dunlop.
Preserving history: Cowwarr artist Jo Caminiti and Gippsland
MP Darren Chester with the metal kelpies which depict the famous ‘Railway Dog’ story from 1935 Photograph supplied
HOROSCOPES
by Joanne MadelineMoore
March 9-March 15,2026
sign, many Rams will be reminiscing about the past, mulling over lessons learned and dreaming new dreams for the future It’s important to keep things in perspective and see your life as a meaningful and connected continuum, not just a sequence of separate, random incidents As singer-songwriter (and birthday great) James Taylor observes: “The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time ”
Are you confused about which path to follow? This week, pay close attention to your nightly dreams They are full of creative ideas and symbolic wisdom that can lead you in the right direction Painters, artists, writers, musicians, and performers will feel particularly inspired as Venus, Saturn and Neptune boost creativity and productivity Some Bulls will bump into a lover from the past But do you really want to travel down that rocky road again?
With Mercury (your ruling planet) reversing through your work/professional zone until March 21 communication study and travel (especially involving career and business) will be affected So its not a good time to start a new job, launch a big project or sign a work contract If you can t avoid doing these things during this period then expect some of the following - dodgy deadlines, delays, disruptions, mix-ups, misunderstandings, reversals and/ or recalls
No less than six planets are activating your career and aspirations zones, so its time to have ambitious dreams and set humungous goals However – with Mercury in retrograde mode - stop procrastinating and start asking yourself Do I need to tweak my dreams to make them a more honest reflection of the real me?” Your motto for the moment is from entertainer (and birthday great) Liza Minnelli: Don t listen to anyone who doesn t know how to dream ”
Leos love to be the Top Cat but if you power ahead without considering other people then you ll just create unnecessary drama and disruption So this week, do your very best to accommodate the needs of those around you And with retrograde Mercury stirring up one of your money zones financial surprises and dramas are likely unless you can find a more sustainable way to manage cash flow Extra work, less spending and more saving may be required
With Mercury in retrograde mode (until March 21) you may feel anxious as your daily routine is disrupted in some way Or your enthusiasm for a work project could overtake your ability to knuckle down and get the job done If you promise more than you can realistically deliver, then other people will just end up feeling disappointed So slow down try to relax and listen to the wisdom of your inner voice It will point you in the direction that’s right for you
Mercury trines your ruler Jupiter (yeah!) but Mercury is retrograde (boo!) so guard against the tendency to be impulsive and tactless You ll feel more inspired than usual as Venus Saturn and Neptune stimulate your self-expression zone Use the power of your imagination to solve problems and soar into higher realms of creativity Your motto is from birthday great Albert Einstein: “Logic will get you from A to B Imagination will take you everywhere ”
Mercury trines your ruler Jupiter (yeah!) but Mercury is retrograde (boo!) so guard against the tendency to be impulsive and tactless You ll feel more inspired than usual as Venus, Saturn and Neptune stimulate your self-expression zone Use the power of your imagination to solve problems and soar into higher realms of creativity Your motto is from birthday great Albert Einstein: “Logic will get you from A to B Imagination will take you everywhere
Calling all Capricorns! This week the Sun Mercury and Mars all activate your communication zone So stop avoiding issues and start discussing what you really want and need Be proactive and creative in the way you communicate and in the conversations you initiate But remember Mercury is retrograde (until March 21) so do your best to convey your ideas clearly and concisely You can t expect other people to magically read your mind
The Sun Mars and retrograde Mercury are transiting through your partnership zone So it’s time to patch up a relationship problem or revisit a joint venture thats been on the backburner Which will require plenty of patience, diplomacy and discretion! With Venus Saturn and Neptune in your dream zone, it’s also time to imagine your future into reality Wisdom for the week is from birthday great, Albert Einstein: Imagination is more important than knowledge ”
The Sun, Mars and retrograde Mercury are all stimulating your cash zone Letting finances take their own course seems tempting but you need to keep up to speed with money matters Review research and then reboot If you increase your financial literacy then it will pay off handsomely further down the track, as you replace short-term whims with long-term strategies Venus aspects Pluto (in your sign) which encourages a personal image update
Expect a rather complicated week, as Mercury continues reversing through your sign Perceptive Pisceans - aim to be super patient with your partner extra kind to your family, oh-so cooperative with your work colleagues and uber disciplined with deadlines And try to keep spending to an absolute minimum, as you curb shopaholic tendencies, stick to a strict weekly budget and put any extra cash into savings It is a good time to remember, revise and revisit
COPYRIGHT Joanne Made ne Moore 2026
Phelps Ct, Moe
PHELPS Court,Moe is named after Dr Phelps whotook over the Coalvillemedicalpractice of Dr Fullerton in December, 1896.
In the late 1880s and early 1890s, Coalville had alargerpopulation than Moe, but with the decline in the coal mining, the miners eventually left.
Dr Phelps movedhis practice to Moearound 1900.
As the local doctor, he served the whole district from Thorpdale to Hill End.
He was appointed medical officer to the Narracan ShireCouncil in 1905 which required him to inspect properties to manage health issues and report on contagious/infectious diseases. He also reported on the number of births and deaths in the shire which in 1900 had 94 births and 22 deaths.
His reports regularly mentioned such conditions as diphtheria, scarlet fever, mumps,enteric fever, typhoid, diarrhoea and cholera. He was called on to conduct autopsies and write death certificates for people who had died in awide range of circumstances,natural, accidental and intentional. Cases included that of aminemanager wholost his job and drank himself to death (alcoholic poisoning), aMoe woman who squeezed through the opening of awell and fell several feet to drown in the water below and an axeman who fellonhis axe when trying to run from afalling tree, penetrating his chest.DrPhelps sent serious casestothe Sale hospital.
Dr Phelps soon became involved in community organisations. In 1902 he was presidentofthe Moe Debating&Mutual Improvement Society. He was appointed aJustice of the Peace in 1903
and in 1905 was president of the Moe Mechanics Institutecommittee. He was medicalofficer to the IOOF (Independent Order of Odd Fellows). Dr Phelps played the violin and the cello and Mrs Phelps alsoplayed the violin. Theywereregularly called on to play in local concerts.
He was akeen supporter of sports, providing a trophy for the West Gippsland Rifle Club Union and being elected vice president of the newly reformed Moe Cricket Club (1900). He was also a regular speaker at the state school for events such as Empire Day where he spoke about the British Empire. He donated aUnion Jack to the school and spoke of the origins of the flag.
Whenheretired in 1909, afarewell was organised andthe Mayorofthe Narracan Shire, Cr McGregor, spokehighlyofDrPhelps. He was reportedinthe Narracan Shire Advocate as follows: ‘Dr. Phelps, besides being ahighly educated man,and aman of culture, was of amost hospitable and kindly disposition,and he feltsurethat one and all would agree with him when he said that if there was one fault more than anothertheir guest possessed, it was liberality. He was an ardentlover and supporter of all branches of sport, and he (the speaker) thought that no man was more entitled to be described as a'true sport' than was Dr Phelps.’ He went on to saythat ‘DrPhelps had at all times been prominent in any movement having for its aim the advancement of the town and district, besides lending his aid to our many institutions.’ Information and photograph provided by Moe &District Historical Society.
Policewarning
crossing
ARCHIVES
50 years ago
TRARALGON police are warning both motorists and pedestrians to take care when using the new pedestrian crossing on Franklin Street in Traralgon. Since the crossing was opened more than aweek ago, police have received numerous reports of near misses, with both cars and peoplefailing to give way whenrequired. All vehiclesmust give way to pedestrians on crossing, but police advise those crossingthe road mustalsoavoid rushing out in front of cars, anticipating they will stop immediately. The new crossing is situatednearthe TraralgonPostOffice on Franklin Street.
10 years ago
The Express, March 12, 1976 Stadium's good, butthe floor's rotten THEfloor in Traralgon Table Tennis Stadium, built threeyears ago,isrotting. TheCity Council has had the CSIRO check the rot and will start work immediately. Council yesterday estimated the cost of repairs at no more than $4000. The CSIROreport wasread to Council at ameeting on Tuesday night, recommending Council remove and burn all affected timber, treat brickwork, stumps, and remaining timber with preservative, as well as barrier protect the floor and drains which are prone to leak. The stadium was built by alocal contractor and officially opened in November 1972. City Engineer, Mr Cooper, was unavailable for comment. However, aCouncil spokesman said he didn't think the rot was caused by bad planning, more a "combination of different events plussome badluck". The land where the table tennis stadium now stands is on aflood plain.
30 years ago
The Express, March 12, 1996
The Express, March 10, 2015 Kurnai bomb hoax
MORWELL police are investigating abomb threat, found to be ahoax, at Kurnai College's Bridle Road campus yesterday afternoon. Morwell police Acting Senior SergeantPeter Shallard told The Express the school received acall from an unidentified person about 2pm. While the detailsofthe callhave not been released, ACt Snr Sgt Shallard confirmed it was related to abomb threat. He said the groundswere searched by police,but nothing was found. Students were sent home, as it was "close enoughtohome time". The investigation is ongoing.
Doctor doctor: Caption. Dr Phelps,pictured centreback, with the Moe Rifle Club members. Photograph supplied
TheGuide
GOING PLACES WITH ERNIE DINGO
SBS, Friday, 7.30pm
Friday’sfourthchapter of this eye-opening traveloguefinds Ernie Dingo and BrookeBlurton in Far North Queensland as they explore the lush greenery, wetlands and vast savannah of the Atherton Tablelands.They starttheirjourney on board the KurandaScenic Railway, ahistoric service that winds itsway through the plateau’sheritage-listed rainforest. Dingo thenheads to Chillagoe National Park to experience the cultural significance of the breathtaking limestone landscape to the Wakaman people. Nearby, Blurton (pictured with natureguide Patrick) embarks on nocturnal wildlifetour close to thetownofAtherton, learning about local snakes and platypus while hopingtospot an elusivetreekangaroo
FRAUDS
ABC TV,Sunday, 8.50pm
English acting powerhouses Suranne Jones and Jodie Whittaker (both pictured) as toxic bestfriends pulling off aheist together…wheredowesign up?This thrilling new Spain-set series teams up Vigilstar Jones and former DoctorWholead Whittaker as Bert andSam, two con artists reunited after adecade apart. Their high-stakes reunion is triggered when Bert (Jones) is released from prison following aterminal cancerdiagnosis. She immediately reaches out to the only person she trusts to help her carry out one lastepic job.But Sam has been leading aquiet life,and Bert’sgrand plan is the last thingshe wants to getinvolved in. With alifetime of baggagetounpack, this next-gen Thelma&Louiseis an emotional butexciting ride.
Anythingcan happen at Hollywood’snight of nights: be it aBestPiccture mix-up in 2017, Will Smith’s infamous slap in 2022 or even astreaker in 1974.Ifanyoone ’ s ready for the unpredictable events of the 98th Annual Academy Awards, it’squicck-witted comedian Conan O’Brien(pictured), who returns as host after awidely praised d performance last year Thefunnyman recently admitted that he “lovesitwhensomething goes off the rails calling the livetelecast“fun and electrifying” in an interview with ThheNewYorker This year,RyanCoogler’s vampirehorror Sinnersleads the field with h a record 16 nominations, but as we know –whenitcomes to the Oscars, allbbets are off
PICK OF THE WEEK
SMALL TOWN SCANDAL
ABC Entertains, Tuesday, 8 30pm
Kiwi comedian and social media sensation Tom Sainsbury (pictured) turns his hit true-crime parody podcast of the same name into a riotously dark comedy with this quirky eight-parter Sainsbury plays disgraced journalist Toby who returns to his New Zealand hometown to investigate the suspicious death of his millionaire uncle For the shameless Toby this tragic incident looks like the perfect opportunity to launch a comeback project and save his career British screen legend Felicity Kendal portrays Toby s mum, Sue, in a star-studded cast that also includes Morgana O’Reilly (TheWhiteLotus), Starstruckcreator Rose Matafeo and Aussie actor Alexander England
SEVEN (7,6)
NINE (9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 ABC National Forum. (R) 11.00 Foreign Correspondent. (R) 11.30 Back Roads. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 National Press Club Address. 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 2.00 Parliament QuestionTime. 3.00 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 3.55 Murdoch Mysteries. (PGv,R) 4.45 Long Lost Family.(PG,R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(PG,R)
6.30 Hard Quiz (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 7.30
8.00 TonightAtThe Museum. (PGa)
8.30 TheWeekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG) Asatirical news program.
9.00 Dog Park (Final, Ml, R) It’s the day of Samanthaand Steve’s wedding.
9.30 QI. (PG) Hosted by Sandi Toksvig. 10.00 PlanetAmerica. (R) 10.35 ABC Late News 10.50 TheBusiness. (R) 11.05 YouCan’t Ask That. (Ma,R) 11.40 Murdoch Mysteries. (PGv,R) 12.25 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 1.15 Parliament QuestionTime. 2.15 Rage.(MA15+adhlnsv) 4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 ABite To EatWith Alice. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)
6am Children’s Programs. 4.55pm Bluey. 5.00 Peppa Pig. 5.15 Maddie And Triggs. 5.20 Millie Magnificent. 5.35 Fireman Sam. 5.45 KangarooBeach 5.55 Octonauts. 6.05 PJ Masks. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly 7.00 Superbuns. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun TheSheep 7.35 Ninjago 8.00 Deadly 60 8.30 BTN Newsbreak. 8.35 StevenUniverse. 8.55 Adventure Time. 9.20 Teen Titans Go! 9.40 We Bare Bears. 9.55 Shaun Tan’sTales From Outer Suburbia 10.20 My AdventuresWith Superman. 10.40 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22)
6.00 DW EnglishNews 6.30 Al Jazeera. 7.00 BBC News At Six. 7.30 France24English News. 8.00 DD India News Hour 9.00 Going Places. (R) 9.30 My Unique B&B. (R) 10.20 Paddington Station24/7.(R) 11.10 TheToy Hospital. (PG) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Dateline.(R) 2.30 Insight.(R) 3.30 The Cook Up.(R) 4.05 Vietnam: TheBirth Of ANation. (PGav) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorningShow. (PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 SevenNewsWithAlexCullen. 1.10 Blankety Blank. (PGas,R) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies 3.00 TheChase. 4.00 SevenNewsAt4 5.00 TheChaseAustralia.
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Sandi Toksvig’sGreat RivieraRail Trip (Premiere) 8.25 Lost Grail WithAlice Roberts. (PG) ProfessorAlice Roberts continues her Grail quest. 9.25 Prisoner951 (M) 10.25 SBS World News Late. 10.55 Face To Face. (Mals) 11.50 Darkness: Those Who Kill. (Malv) 12.45 MOVIE: Cold Water (2023,PGa)Bruce Spence. 1.10 Cycling. UCI World Tour.Paris-Nice Race. Stage4 3.15 Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.15 Bamay.(R) 4.45 DestinationFlavour: Japan Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.
6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Home AndAway. (PGa) Abigail and Mali are at odds.
7.30 Australian Idol. (PG) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter andScott Tweedie. 9.10 TheFront Bar. (Ml) Hosts Sam Pang, Mick Molloy and AndyMaher takea lighter look at all things AFL 10.10 Unfiltered (Return, PG)Hamish McLachlansitsdownwith AndrewDillon. 10.40 TheAgenda Setters An expert panel tacklesthe biggestAFL topics. 11.40 Australia:Now AndThen. (Ma, R) 12.40 TheAct (MA15+ans, R) 2.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBCToday. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
8.30 Dangerous Liaisons. (1988, Masv, R) 10.40 Beau Is Afraid. (2023,MA15+alnsv) 2am Michael Clayton. (2007, MA15+l) 4.05 DaysOf Heaven. (1978,PGalv) 5.40 The Movie Show
7MATE (73,64)
Sprintcar Title. Highlights 10.00 Aussie Adventure Bike Show 10.30 AmericanRestoration. 11.00 Storage Wars 11.30 American Pickers. 12.30pm Pawn Stars. 1.30 Outback Truckers. 3.30 Mountain Men. 4.30 American Restoration.
TEN (10, 5)
6.00 Today 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Married At FirstSight (Mls, R) 1.30 Paralympic Winter GamesMilano Cortina2026. Day 4. From Milanand Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy 3.00 Tipping Point.(PG) 4.00 9NewsAfternoon 4.30[VIC]TippingPoint Australia.(PG) 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.30[VIC]WINNews. 6.00 Ent. Tonight. (R) 6.30 Bold. (PG, R) 7.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R)
6.00 9News
7.00 ACurrent Affair
7.30 Married At FirstSight (Mls) The couplesattendanotherdinner party
9.00 NakedCity: HITMEN (MA15+dlvv) With Carl Williams’ empire at its peak, the wallsbegin to close in around him. 10.00 9News Late
10.30 Wild Cards. (MA15+v)
11.30 ARemarkable Place To Die. (Mlv,R) 12.30 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: HomeShopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop.(R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy TheBush Kangaroo.(R) 4.30 ACurrent Affair. (R) 5.00 TodayEarly News. 5.30 Today
9GEM (92, 81)
6.00 10 News+. 6.30 DealOrNoDeal. (R) 7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG) Hosted by Rebecca Gibney 7.30 Australian Survivor: Redemption. (PGl) Presented by David Genat 9.00 Elsbeth. (PGa) Apop star’s purchase of afailingconvent turns divine real estate into amurderscene. Teddy digs into Alec Bloom’s
3.35 Danger Man 4.30 My Favorite Martian. 5.00 Yorkshire Auction House. 10 DRAMA (12, 53)
Thursday,March 12
ABC (2) SBS (3)
6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00
Tonight At The Museum. (PGa, R) 10.30 The Weekly.(Ml,R) 10.55 Creative Types. (PG, R) 11.30 QI. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Bergerac. (Final, Mlv,R) 2.00 Parliament. 2.55 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 3.55 Sister Boniface Mysteries. (PGa, R) 4.45 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)
6.30 HardQuiz. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 7.30.
8.00 Back Roads: Shark Bay,WAPt2 (PG)
8.30 Creative TypesWithVirginia Trioli: Hugo Weaving. (PG) Virginia Trioli meets Hugo Weaving. 9.00 Muster Dogs. (Final, PG, R) The six rookies face their
10.00 Todd SampsonsWhy? (Ma, R) 11.05 ABC Late News. 11.20 The Business. (R) 11.35 Sister Boniface Mysteries. (PG, R) 12.20 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 1.10 Parliament Question Time. (R) 2.10 Rage. (MA15+dhlnsv) 4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 4.55 ABite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
ABC FAMILY (22)
6am Morning Programs. 11.00 Make Up: AGlamorous History.(PGa, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 MOVIE: Los Hermanos: The Brothers. (2021, PG)
3.30 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Vietnam: The Birth Of ANation. (Final, PGav) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Toronto Airport Uncovered. (PG) An Airside Electrical team
8.30 The Hospital: In The Deep End. (Ma) The team returns to the frontline at St Vincents. 9.35 ASpy AmongFriends. Elliott and Lily trail anervous powerbroker 10.40 SBS World News Late. 11.10 In Memoriam. (Malsv) 12.00 The Hollow.(MA15+v,R) 1.05 Dirty Bird. (R) 1.10 Cycling. UCI World Tour.Paris-Nice Race. Stage 5. 3.15 Silent Road. (Madsv,R) 4.10 Bamay (R) 4.40 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Childrens Programs. 5.45pm Kangaroo Beach. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.05 PJ Masks. 6.20 Bluey 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly 7.00 Superbuns. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Deadly 60. 8.30 BTN Newsbreak. 8.35 Secrets Of The Zoo. 9.20 Ultimate Vets. 9.50 Animal Park. 10.35 Late Programs.
NITV (34)
6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm Inside The Huddle. 2.00 Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 Garma: Celebrating 25 Years. 5.30 Going Places. 6.00 Bamay 6.30 News. 6.40 Undiscovered Vistas. 7.29 Weather 7.30 Going Places. 8.30 Green Veil. 9.30 MOVIE: The Hurricane. (1999, MA15+) Midnight Late Programs.
6am WorldWatch. 11.00 The Movie Show 12.10pm WorldWatch 12.40 TheMovie Show 1.50 SBS50. 1.55 Insight. 2.55 News. 3.00 WorldWatch. 5.00 Alone. 6.15 Curse Of Oak Island. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 United Gangs Of America. (Return) 10.20 The UnXplained. 11.10 Brassic. 12.05am Late Programs.
SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)
6am The Movie Show 6.15 Callie &Son. (1981) 8.45 Days Of Heaven. (1978, PGalv) 10.30 And So It Goes. (2014, Ms) 12.15pm Dangerous Liaisons. (1988, Masv) 2.25 Black Narcissus. (1947, PGa) 4.20 Summerland. (2020, PGa) 6.10 The WorldsFastest Indian. (2005, PGal) 8.30 Unforgiven. (1992, Malsv) 10.55 Late Programs.
Friday,March 13
ABC TV (2) SBS (3)
6.00
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show (PG) 12.00 SevensNational News At Noon. 1.00 Seven News With Alex Cullen. 1.10 Catch Phrase. (PG, R) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies: Celebrity Specials. 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Football. AFL. Round 1. Carlton vRichmond. From the MCG. 10.30 AFL Post-Game Show Post-game discussion and interviews taking alook back at all the action from the match.
11.00 Kick Ons. Kane Cornes, Josh Jenkins and Jason Richardson debate the hottest topics and preview the upcoming AFL matches.
5.00 Sunrise Early News. The latest news, sport and weather 5.30 Sunrise.
7TWO
6am Morning Programs. Noon Australian Idol. 1.30 The Zoo. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 Air Crash Inv 3.30 HarrysPractice. 4.00 Better Homes. 5.00 Escape To TheCountry 6.00 Bargain Hunt. 7.00 Home And Away 7.30 Father Brown.
6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair
7.30 RBT (Ml, R) Follows the activities of police units.
8.30 RPA: JanesJugular (PGm, R) Amum of two hopes doctors can help her with amysterious condition that has been limiting her life.
9.30 A+E After Dark. (Mlm, R) Anurse treats an 11-year-old girl.
The Equalizer (Mav)
9GEM (92,81)
Matrix. (1999, M) 11.15 Seinfeld. 12.15am Rugby Heaven. 1.15 Love Island UK. 2.10 The Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City 4.00 Barbie: ATouch Of Magic. 4.30 Mia &Codie. 4.50 Lego Dreamzzz.
SEVEN (7,6)
NINE (9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Compass. (PG, R) 10.30 StuffThe British Stole. (PG, R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Muster Dogs. (Final, PG, R) 2.30 In Limbo. (Final, Mal, R) 3.00 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 3.55 Murdoch Mysteries. (PG, R) 4.45 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)
6.30 HardQuiz. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Gardening Australia. Costa Georgiadis visits pop legend Leo Sayer
8.30 Professor T. (Ma) Following amurder at aCriminology Conference, the Professor must prove his innocence to regain his reputation.
9.20 Tonight At The Museum. (PGa, R) Hosted by Alex Lee.
9.50 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG, R) Asatirical news program.
10.20 Dog Park. (Final, Ml, R)
10.50 ABC Late News.
11.05 Smother (Mal, R)
12.50 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv) 5.00 Rage. (PG)
7.05
6am Morning Programs. 11.00 Make Up: AGlamorous History.(PGa, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 The Hospital: In The Deep End. (Ma, R) 3.00 Nula. 3.30 Going Places. (R) 4.00 The Cook Up. (R) 4.30 Jeopardy! 4.55 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.25 Mastermind Aust. (R)
6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (PG) 8.30 Fukushima: ANuclear Nightmare. The Fukushima nuclear plant heads towards total meltdown. 10.05 Rock Legends: Simple Minds. (PGs) 10.35 SBS World News Late. 11.05 Sisi. (Mav) 12.05 How Sports Changed The World. (PGav,R) 1.10 Cycling. UCI World Tour.Paris-Nice Race. Stage 6. 3.15 Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.15 Bamay (R) 4.45 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
Australia Junior 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 BTN Newsbreak. 8.35 My Adventures With Superman. 8.55 BattleBots. 10.00 Gladiators UK. 10.55 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am The Worlds Fastest Indian. (2005, PGal) 8.25 10.15 Love Thing. (2022, Madlsv,German) 12.10pm Unforgiven. (1992, Malsv) 2.30 Callie & Son. (1981) 5.05 Vai. (2019, PG) 6.40 3:10 To Yuma. (1957) 8.30 Goodfellas. (1990, MA15+adlv) 11.10
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show.(PG) 12.00 SevensNational News At Noon. 1.00 MOVIE: Dying ToBe Perfect. (2022, Madv,R) 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 AFL: Friday Night Countdown. Alead-up to the Friday night AFL match.
7.30 Football. AFL. Round 1. Essendon vHawthorn. From the MCG. 10.30 AFL Post-Game Show Post-game discussion and interviews taking alook back at all the action from the match.
11.15 GetOn Extra. Alook at the weekendsbest racing.
11.45 To Be Advised.
1.30 Damnation. (MA15+asv,R) The farmers wardoff avigilante group.
2.30 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) Hosted by Simon Reeve. 5.00 NBC Today.
6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair
7.30 Airport Security: USA. (Ma) Abag with asuspicious package
8.30 MOVIE: Angel Has Fallen. (2019, MA15+lv,R)Asecretservice agent is wrongfully accused of an assassination attempt on the US president. GerardButler,Morgan Freeman, Danny Huston.
10.50 MOVIE: Into The Blue. (2005, Mdlv,R)Paul Walker 1.00 Next Stop. (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)
TEN (10, 5)
Saturday, March 14
ABC (2) SBS (3)
6.00 Rage Charts. (PG) 7.00 Weekend
Breakfast. 9.00 Rage. (PG) 10.30 Rage Vault Guest Programmer.(PG) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 Blue Murder Motel. (PG, R) 1.15 Professor T. (Ma, R) 2.05 The Piano. (R)
4.25 Todd SampsonsWhy? (PGl, R)
5.00 Australian Story (R) 5.30 Landline. (R)
6.00 Kath &Kim. (PGals, R) Kim discovers the internet.
6.25 HardQuiz. (PG, R) Presented by TomGleeson.
7.00 ABC News. Alook at the top stories of the day
7.30 Blue Murder Motel. (M) Ateenager goes missing.
8.20 TopEnd Bub. (M) Lauren and Ned struggle as new parents. Lauren wonders who Tayasbiological father is and if she should contact him.
8.45 Death In Paradise. (PGv,R) Selwyn struggles in the wake of his shock shooting. The local community is rocked by amurder at acarehome.
9.45 This England. (Final, MA15+l, R) The country continues to cope with COVID.
10.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) Continuous music programming.
ABC FAMILY (22)
6am Childrens Programs. 6.05pm Knee High Spies. 6.20 Bluey 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Supertato. 6.55 Piripenguins. 7.05 Lets Go Bananas! 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Kids Baking Cship. (Return) 8.10 Harry Potter: Wizards Of Baking. 8.50 Chopped Junior 9.35 Mr Bean: The Animated Series. 9.55 Fresh Off The Boat. 10.40 Late Programs.
NITV (34)
6am Morning Programs. 11.45 MOVIE: The Darkside. (2013, PG) 1.20pm Nula. 1.50 ColombiasWildCoast. 2.40 Over The Black Dot. 3.05 Sunny And The Dark Horse. 4.35 OffCountry 5.05 First Australians. 6.00 Homesteads. 6.30 News. 6.40 The Other Side. 7.30 Alone Australia. 8.30 MOVIE: Powder.(1995) 10.40 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 10.05 Vintage Voltage. (R) 11.00 Ageless Gardens. (R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour.StradeBianche Women. Highlights. 3.00 Stories From The Cities. (PG) 3.30 Going Places. (R) 4.30 Grand Tours Of ScotlandsRivers. (PGa, R) 5.30 Liberation Diaries.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Jewels Of The Mediterranean: Majorca Pt 1. The team looks at Mallorca.
8.25 Travels With Agatha Christie And Sir David Suchet: Hawaii. (R) Sir David Suchet follows Agatha Christie to Hawaii, where she holidayed in 1922.
9.20 Shaun Micallefs Origin Odyssey: Nina Oyama. (PGa, R) Shaun Micallef heads to Japan. 10.25 Highclere: The Real Downton Abbey (R)
11.25 Cycling. UCI World Tour Paris-Nice Race. Stage 7. 1.25 Stormy.(Malns,R) 3.25 Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.25 Bamay (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R) 5.15 Euronews. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
SBS VICELAND (31)
6.00 NBC Today 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. Chandon Owners and Breeders Day 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Australias Front Line. (PG, R)
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Hosted by Johanna Griggs. 8.00 MOVIE: Men In Black. (1997, Mv,R)Acop is recruited to be the partner of aspecial agent assigned to police extraterrestrials living on Earth. Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith. 10.00 MOVIE: Men In Black II. (2002, PGh, R) Asecret agent enlists his former partner.Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith. 11.45 Highway Cops. (PGa) Akayaker is rescued at Ohope Beach. 12.15 Devils. (MA15+av,R)
1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Tales Of Aluna. (R) 5.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday.(PG) 12.00 Open For Inspection. 12.30 Drive TV:What Drives Us. 1.00 Great
6.00 9News Saturday
7.00 ACurrent Affair
7.30 Space Invaders. (PGa) The team helps acouple. 8.30 MOVIE: Father Of The Bride Part II. (1995, G, R) Afather,already traumatised by his daughters marriage, is further shocked by news of her pregnancy.Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, Martin Short
10.35 MOVIE: When HarryMet Sally (1989, Mls, R) Billy Crystal.
12.25 Epic Builds. (R)
1.20 Open For Inspection. (R)
1.50 Innovation Nation. (R)
2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PGa)
2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)
6.30 MillionaireHot Seat. (PG, R)Six contestants answer multiple-choice questions that escalate in cash-prize value. 7.00 Soccer. AFC 2026 Womens
10.30 Gogglebox Australia. (R) TV fanatics open up their living roomstoreveal their reactions to popular and topical TV shows. 11.30 Matlock. (PGadl, R) Julian accompanies Matty to surveil the ex-wife of aWellbrexa executive while Hunter assists on amanslaughter case. 12.30 Elsbeth. (PGa, R) Apop star purchases afailing convent. 1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power. Religious program. 6am
WorldWatch. 10.30 The Movie Show 11.05 Kars &Stars. 11.55 News. Noon Blaktrax. 1.00 Motor Racing. Hi-Tec Oils Super Series. 5.00 WorldWatch. 5.55 Mastermind Aust. 6.55 The Food That Built The World. 7.40 Engineering From Above. 8.35 Icons Unearthed: Marvel. 10.25 Marcella. 12.15am Late Programs.
SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)
6am Vai. (2019, PG) 7.35 Discovering Film. 8.25 3:10 To Yuma. (1957) 10.15 (2008, Malv) 12.50pm Long Story Short. (2021, Ml) 2.35 The WorldsFastest Indian. (2005, PGal) 4.50 Spanish) 6.30 Jumanji. (1995, PGhv) 8.30 The Fisher King. (1991, Malv) 11.00 Late Programs.
7TWO (72, 62)
6am Morning
Programs. 12.30pm Australia: The Story Of Us. 1.30 Better Homes. 4.00 The Yorkshire Vet. 5.00 Horse Racing. Chandon Ladies Breeders Day 6.00 Luxury Escapes: Worlds Best Holidays. 6.30 Bondi Vet. 7.30 The YorkshireVet. 8.30 Lewis. 10.30 Escape To The Country 11.30 Late Programs.
9GEM (92,81)
6am Morning
Programs. 10.00 Helping Hands. 10.30 My Favorite Martian. 11.00 Ice Hockey.NHL. St Louis Blues vEdmonton Oilers. 1.40pm MOVIE: Mystery Junction. (1951, PG) 3.00 MOVIE: Duel In The Jungle. (1954, PG) 5.00 MOVIE: The 7th Dawn. (1964, PG) 7.30 Death In Paradise. 8.40 MOVIE: Broken Arrow.(1996, M) 10.50 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 1pm Blokesworld. 1.30 Cool Cars With Dermott And Elise. 2.00 Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 3.00 Motor Racing. Night Thunder.USA New Year Sprintcars. 4.00 Frozen Gold. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Pawn Stars. 7.00 Storage Wars. 7.30 MOVIE: The Mummy.(1999, M) 10.00 Late Programs.
9GO! (93, 82)
6am Morning Programs. 5pm YoungSheldon. 5.30 MOVIE: Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2. (2011, M) 10.00 MOVIE: Beetlejuice. (1988, M) 11.50 Prodigal Son. 1.30am MOVIE: UnCancelled. (2024, M) 3.40 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 12.55 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 1.00 Cycling. ProVelo Super League. Round 5. Grafton To Inverell. 4.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour.Strade Bianche MensRace. Highlights. 5.00 Grand Tours Of ScotlandsRivers. (PG, R) 5.35 Manhattan Project In Colour.(PGaw)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Pompeii: Life In The City With Dan Snow Takes alook at how Romans spent their leisuretime. 9.15 Leonardo Da Vinci: The Disciple Of Experience Pt 1. (PGan, R) Follows the life of Leonardo da Vinci.
10.20 Lost Treasures Of Egypt: Ramses Rise To Power (PGa, R)
11.15 MOVIE: Julia. (2021, Mals, R) 1.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour.ParisNice Race. Stage 8. Nice to Nice. From France. 3.00 Freedom Is AVerb. (PG, R) 3.20 Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.20 Bamay.(R) 4.50 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 Euronews. 5.30 PBS News Horizons.
SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Childrens Programs. 5.55pm Octonauts. 6.10 Knee High Spies. 6.20 Bluey 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Supertato. 6.55 Piripenguins. 7.05 LetsGoBananas! 7.20 Bluey 7.30 The Inbestigators. 7.55 Badgers: Their Secret World. 8.45 Amazing Animal Friends. 9.30 Fresh OffThe Boat. 10.15 Merlin. 11.00 Late Programs.
6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Sunday Footy Feast. 2.30 AFL Pre-Game Show Pre-game coverage of the match. 3.00 Football. AFL. Round 1. Melbourne vStKilda.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Australian Idol. (PG) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie.
8.40 BritainsGot Talent. (Return, PG) Auditions begin as weird, wacky and wonderful acts compete in front of celebrity judges.
10.10 The Hunters: Rentakill. (Mav,R)Alook at hit man Christopher Dale Flannery
11.40 24 Hours In Police Custody: The Unusual Suspects. (Mad, R) 12.40 The Age Of Elizabeth. (PG, R) 2.30 Home Shopping. (R) 3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
TEN (10, 5)
6.00 Hello SA. (PG, R) 6.30 ACA. (R)
6.00 9News Sunday.
6.30 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 7.00 Australian Survivor: Redemption. (PGl) Presented by David Genat. 8.30 NCIS: Sydney (Mv) The suspicious death of aUSNavy chorister draws the team into the world of obsessive fans, pop stars and earworms, as they learnhow deadly the music business can be. 9.30 Law &Order: SVU. (Mav) The squad investigates an assault at ahouse party wherenoone can identify the assailant. 10.30 NCIS: Origins. (Mav,R)Apriest is killed in aconfessional booth. 11.30 10 News+. (R) 12.00 Home Shopping. (R) 6am Morning Programs. 12.30 WorldWatch. 1.00 HiTecOilsSuper Series. 5.00 WorldWatch. 5.25 Compass Points. 5.55 Smoke And Steel: Secrets Of The ModernWorld. 6.50 ArchitectureThe Railways Built. 7.45 Abandoned Engineering. 8.40 Sharon Stone: Survival Instinct. 9.45 MOVIE: Basic Instinct 2. (2006, MA15+) 11.50 Late Programs.
SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 2pm Dreaming Big. 2.30 Black As. 2.35 Football. Big Rivers Football League. Mens. 4.40 Generations Of Men. 5.00 Alicia Keys Live In New York. 6.30 News. 6.40 Wild, Smart And Deadly 7.30 Our Medicine. (Return) 8.30 MOVIE: Murderball. (2005, M) 10.00 Late Programs. NITV (34)
6am 6.55 PGa, Spanish) 8.35 Jumanji. (1995, PGhv) 10.35 The Queen Of My Dreams. (2023, Mal) 12.25pm The Fisher King. (1991, Malv) 2.55 Vai. (2019, PG) 4.30 ViceroysHouse. (2017, PGa) 6.30 To CatchAThief. (1955, PGv) 8.30 Dog Day Afternoon. (1975, Malv) 10.45 Late Programs.
7.00 Married At First Sight. (PGls) 8.45 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing and uncovering the issues affecting all Australians.
9.45 9News Late.
10.15 Hunting Bundy: Chase For The Devil: The Monster Escapes. (MA15+asv)
11.15 The First 48: Skipping School/Gamer (Mav,R)
12.05 AKiller Makes ACall. (Malv,R) 1.00 Ready VetGo: The Vet Paramedics. (PGalm, 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
6am Morning Programs. 1pm Luxury Escapes: Worlds Best Holidays. 1.30 Medical Emergency 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 Better Homes. 3.20 The YorkshireVet. 4.20 Australias Big Backyards. 5.20 The Aussie Property Flippers. 6.20 Escape To The Country 7.20 Vicar Of Dibley 8.30 Vera. 10.30 Miss Scarlet And The Duke. 11.30 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Avengers. 11.00 NRL Sunday Footy Show 1pm Midsomer Murders. 3.00 Rugby League. NRL. Round 2. Manly Sea Eagles vNewcastle Knights. 6.00 Getaway 6.30 7.30 David AttenboroughsPlanet Earth III. 8.40 Paramedics. 9.40 Emergency 10.40 Late Programs.
9GEM (92,81) 7TWO (72, 62) 6am Morning Programs. 5pm YoungSheldon. 5.30 TBA. 7.30 MOVIE: Rush Hour 2. (2001, M) 9.30 MOVIE: National LampoonsChristmas Vacation. (1989, M) 11.30 Gotham. 12.25am Arrow 2.10 Jeopardy! Australia. 3.00 Motor Racing. FIA World Endurance Cship. 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. Hlights. 4.00
Monday,March 16
ABC (2) SBS (3) SEVEN (7,6)
6am Morning Programs. 10.45 Bee Cause. (R) 11.00 TopEnd Bub. (M, R) 11.30 Back Roads. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Landline. (R) 2.00 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 2.25 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.55 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 3.55 Murdoch Mysteries. (R) 4.45 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)
8.30 Four Corners. Investigative journalism program.
9.15 Media Watch. (PG) Presented by Linton Besser
9.35 Planet America. Alook at American politics. 10.05 Foreign Correspondent. (R) 10.40 ABC Late News.
10.55 The Business. (R)
11.10 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG, R)
11.40 Murdoch Mysteries. (R) 12.30 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 1.15 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 ABite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
6am Childrens
Programs. 6.05pm PJ Masks. 6.20 Bluey 6.25 Flower And Flour 6.35 Big Lizard. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Ben And Holly 7.00 Superbuns. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Deadly 60. 8.30 BTN Newsbreak. 8.35 Gladiators UK. 9.35 Kids BBQ Championship. 10.15 Kids Baking Cship. 10.55 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22)
NITV (34)
6am Morning Programs.
1.30pm OchreAnd Ink. 2.00 Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 Garma: Celebrating 25 Years. 5.30 The 77 Percent. 6.00 Bamay 6.30 News. 6.40 ColombiasWild Coast. 7.30 Who Do YouThink YouAre? 8.30 Karla Grant Presents. 9.30 MOVIE: The Joy Luck Club. (1993) Midnight Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 12.10 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News Compass Points. 1.30 Al Jazeera News Hour 2.00 Love In The Walls. 3.10 Freedom Is AVerb. (PG, R) 3.30 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Ancient Builders Of The Amazon. (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Inside The Tower Of London. (PG) The Tower marks 80 years since VE Day
8.30 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (M) Game show Hosted by Jimmy Carr
9.25 Never Mind The Buzzcocks. (M) Hosted by Greg Davies. 10.10 SBS World News Late. 10.40 Other PeoplesMoney (PGal) 11.35 The Old Man. (Mal, R) 2.25 Blood Money: Inside The Nazi Economy (PGaw,R) 3.20 OffThe Beaten Track With Kate Humble. (PGn, R) 4.30 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
SBS VICELAND (31)
6am Morning Programs. 1.35 Inside The Huddle. 2.05 Over The Black Dot. 2.35 Stories From The Cities. 3.05 WorldWatch. 4.00 PBS News Compass Points. 4.30 WorldWatch 5.00 Alone. 6.10 ArabiasBest Kept Secrets. (Premiere) 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.30 News. 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Holy Marvels. (Return) 9.20 Greatest Escapes. 10.10 Late Programs.
SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)
6am Morning Programs. 8.25 To Catch A Thief. (1955, PGv) 10.25 The Idol. (2015, Ma, Arabic) 12.20pm Dog Day Afternoon. (1975, Malv) 2.35 4.15 6.15 The China Syndrome. (1979, PGav) 8.30 Anatomy Of AFall. (2023, MA15+a, French, English) 11.15 Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away (PGa) Tane breaks the ice.
7.30 Australian Idol. (PG) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie, with judges Amy Shark, Kyle Sandilands and Marcia Hines. 9.10 The Oscars. (PGalsv,R) Aceremony honouring achievements the Dolby TheatreinLos Angeles. Films nominated for Best Picture include Sinners, One Battle After Another, MartySupreme and F1 12.40 The Agenda Setters. (R)
1.40 The Agenda Setters: Rugby League. (R) 3.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair
7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls) The next critical phase of the experiment begins. (Ml) Ateam of footy experts tackles the AFLs big issues and controversies.
10.00 9News Late.
10.30 Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 Closing Ceremony From Stadio Olimpico del Ghiaccio, Cortina dAmpezzo, Italy
TEN (10, 5)
Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 ACurrent Affair (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today 6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 6.30
8.30 TBA. 10.50 Seinfeld. 11.50 The 100. 12.45am Love Island UK. 1.45 The Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City 2.35 Parental Guidance. 4.00 Barbie: ATouch Of Magic. 4.30 Mia &Codie.
Tuesday,March 17
ABC TV (2) SBS (3)
SEVEN (7,6)
NINE (9,8) 6am Morning Programs. 11.00 Todd SampsonsWhy? (Ml, R) 11.30 If Youre Listening: Black Swans. (R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Death In Paradise. (PGv,R) 2.00 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 2.30 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 3.00 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 3.55 Murdoch Mysteries. (PGv) 4.45 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)
6.30 HardQuiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News.
7.30 7.30. 8.00 Foreign Correspondent. 8.30 Todd SampsonsWhy? BASE Jumpers. (Ml) Hosted by Todd Sampson. 9.00 If YoureListening: Black Swans. (Final, R)
9.35 Creative TypesWithVirginia Trioli: Hugo Weaving. (PG, R) 10.05 Compass. (R) 10.35 ABC Late News. 10.50 The Business. (R) 11.05 Four Corners. (R) 11.50 Media Watch. (PG, R) 12.10 Murdoch Mysteries. (PG, R) 1.00 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 1.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 ABite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
ABC FAMILY (22)
6am Morning Programs. 8.00 DD India News Hour 9.00 My Unique B&B. (R) 10.10 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGa, R) 11.00 Blow-Ins. 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 The Song Cycle. 3.30 The Cook Up. (R) 4.00 Brendan Gleesons Farewell To Hughes. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show.(PG) 12.00 SevensNational News At Noon. 1.00 Seven News With Alex Cullen. 1.10 Blankety Blank. (PGas, R) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Great Continental Railway Journeys. (PGaw,R) 8.30 Insight. Kumi Taguchi looks at the emotions of jealousy and envy 9.30 Dateline: Vienna: A Renters Paradise. 10.00 Rock Legends. (PGd) 10.30 SBS WorldNewsLate. 11.00 Exit. (MA15+dl, R) 11.55 Wolf.(Malsv, R) 2.10 Safe Home. (Malv,R) 3.10 Blood Money: Inside The Nazi Economy (PGav,R) 4.05 OffThe Beaten Track With Kate Humble. (PG, R) 4.40 Bamay (R) 5.00 NHK WorldEnglish News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Childrens Programs. 6.50pm Ben And Holly 7.00 Superbuns. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Deadly 60. 8.30 BTN Newsbreak. 8.35 Deadly 60. 9.05 The Slow Mo Guys Big Adventures. (Premiere) 9.25 MythBusters TheresYour Problem!. 9.50 BattleBots. 10.35 Late Programs.
6am WorldWatch. 10.30 The Movie Show 12.15pm WorldWatch 12.45 Homicide. 2.35 Fashionista. 2.50 News. 2.55 WorldWatch. 4.55 Alone. 6.10 ArabiasBest Kept Secrets. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 James May: Our Man In... Japan. 9.25 Into The Void:Life, Death And Heavy Metal. 10.20 Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away (PG) Davidissuspicious of Cash. 7.30 Australian Idol. (PG) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie.
8.30 Doc. (Ma) When the hospital is hacked, it coincides with three patients showing similar symptoms.
9.30 Ambulance: Code Red. (Ma) Afarmeriscrushed by a hay bale. Aperson suffers acardiac arrest at work.
10.30 The Agenda Setters. (R) 11.30 St. Denis Medical. (PG) 12.00 Dirty John. (MA15+v)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 2pm Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 Garma: Celebrating 25 Years. 5.30 Indian Country Today News. 6.00 Bamay 6.30 News. 6.40 Great Parks Of Africa. 7.30 Faboriginal. 8.00 House Of Blak: Miss First Nation. 8.30 MOVIE: Malcolm X. (1992, MA15+) 11.55 Late Programs. NITV (34) 6am Morning Programs. 9.00 Medical Emergency 9.30 NBC Today Noon Australian Idol. 1.30 The Zoo. 2.00 Creek To Coast.
6am Morning Programs. 7.50 Discovering Film. 8.45 The China Syndrome. (1979, PGav) 10.55 Tudawali. (1987, Mlsv) 12.35pm Ghoomer.(2023, Mav,Hindi) 3.00 Finding Altamira. (2016, PGa) 4.45 BornToDance. (2015, PGa) 6.35 AMatter Of Life And Death. (1946, PGav) 8.30 Barry Lyndon. (1975, Masv) 11.55 Late Programs.
6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair
TEN (10, 5)
7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls)
9.00 The Hunting Wives. (MA15+lsv) The community mourns Abbysdeath. (Ml) 11.00 9News Late. 11.30 Next Stop. 12.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.00 Destination WA.(R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Our State On APlate. 3.00 Home Shopping. 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30
“Most prestigious chalk art festival in the Southern Hemisphere”
By KATRINA BRANDON
ACHALK-FILLED experience was had in Yarram earlier this year, at the annual Yarram Chalk Art festival.
Walking down the streets of Yarram, residents and travellers could enjoy watching local and international chalk artists create worksonthe sidewalk, discussing the industry and their travels.
The chalk festival, whichstarted around five years ago, was introduced to give artists achance to showcase their art and encourage youngand local artists.
“It started five-and-a-half years ago when I openeda bookshop,” TheArtichokebookstore owner and festival co-founder, Matt Langdon, told the Express
“I was introduced to an Argentinian artist who was just desperate to do art. So this was just after Australia had closed due to COVID, and he was stuckhere, unable to do his normal art. It turned out that his true passion was chalk art.” That artist was Lautaro Musse.
Needing an outlet and having heard aboutchalk art in metropolitan areas, the two thought it would be great to do it in Yarram, as the footpaths there seemed perfect.
With more artists, the festival has welcomed participantsfromaroundthe world, including two from overseas this year. American chalk artist Kat Bowen Ralston and New Zealand artistHelen English participated in this year's event.
Mr Langdon said, “There are three artists from Wellington, two from Yarram, aColombianartist, an Italian artist, and aNew Zealand artist who has flown over for this. Someone from the United States has also flown over for this. Last year, we had Japanese artists and two Dutch artists.
“It's getting yourself to these festivals around the world.And this one in Yarramisthe most prestigiouschalk artfestival in the Southern Hemisphere, because it keeps happening. It’s hard to do.”
After many years, Mr Langdon said there have been many chalk festivals around Australia, but few have continued. Due to budgetaryrestrictions,
the festival is limited to ahandful of artists.
Despite the restrictions, Mr Langdon sees room for growth in the Yarram festival going forward.
“There's very little overhead to put the thing on because it's allvolunteering, but that's the focus-to pay the artists something,” he said.
“We're only limited by the budget …90per cent of themoney that comes in goes to the artists. You can see where there are gaps, where we can put other artists. So we can definitely grow. There are places we know we can fill.”
While the heart of the festival is on the pavement,itbranchesout intoinstallations not just on theground but also as panels in the Yarram Courthouse Gallery, featuring Lautaro’s interactive works, including ashark jumping out of the wall and akoala spray-painting on the wall.
The experience at the festival was not justan opportunityfor long-practisedartiststoshare their work, but local students were also able to jump in and have ago.
Mr Langdon said the festival is agood place for young artists to start their careers, as they can talk
with other artists who have continued to pursue careers in the arts.
“A lot of artistshave got their start herebecause they're interacting with other professional artists,” he said.
“They see that it can be aprofession, that there's away, you know,they're sharingknowledgeall the time, whether it's techniques or it's opportunities to do murals, or we've had artists collaborating in Melbourne on projects because they met here.
“One of the local artists started here when she was 14 or 15. We gave three spots to high school students, and she just excelled and was hanging out with professional artists. It was like, ‘Oh, this is something Ican do,’because if you're artistic and growing up in asmall town, it's not often clear that there is aprofessional path. Now she is studying art professionally in Melbourne.”
Workingwith the Middle of Everywhere, the Gelliondale Wind Farm, and Wellington Shire Council, Mr Langdon is lookingforwardtothe event's futureand to seeing what artists can bring to the region.
Drawninchalk: Marco Pennac broughttolifearealistic portrait of awoman.
Photographs: Katrina Brandon Heritage: NewZealand artist Helen English piecing togetheraworkonthe Yarram sidewalk.
Making artgreat again: American artistKat BowenRalston.
Bite: Artinstallation by LautaroMusse, an Argentinian artist who hashelped bring together the Yarram ChalkArt Festival.
Process: Maxine Gigliotti colour rendering an artwork.
If wind farms are banned, where will our electricity come from?
THE petition to scuttle the Delburn Wind Farm (DWF)supported by Nationals MP, Melina Bath shows how turgid and brainless the political debate around renewableenergy has become in recent years.
The petitioners want the DWF abandoned because it impacts their lifestyle and uses public money to build it. They seem to forget that every coal-fired powerstation and almost all gas-fired power stations in Australia were built by governments. This was the case, because in order for society to progress, people neededelectricity and people whose farmshad to be sacrificed to dig up the coal in the opencutsacceptedthis as the price of progress. The same was the case with transmission lines. However, in today’s climate of grievance politics, the conservative side of politics are not interested in what is best for the nation but simply in finding causes that they can use to create anger and division in the community in an attempt to harvest votes.
This is particularly noticeable in election years.
The coal-fired power stations will all be retired within adecade, because the cost of maintaining them is increasingastimegoes on. So what is going to provide the electricity if wind farms are going to be banned because in this casenearby residents don’t like the look of them and try to create afaux narrative of mis-use of government funds?
No corporation has put up their hands to build new coal-fired power stations or nuclear for that matter. We need the extra generation capacity in the next few years, not the next couple of decades.
Unfortunately,the state National Party seems to have succumbed to the populist notion of grievance promotion like their federal counterparts since the election of Danny O’Brien as leader.
Peter Walsh hada reasonable energy policy, but this has changedtoaposition thatdoes not recognisethe realityofclimate change and the retirement of fossil fuel energy generation.
No one should give their votetoparties that have ablank space when it comes to providing for the electricity needs of the future, nor sign apetition which will only 'benefit'a few while disadvantaging everyone else in the state.
Dan Caffrey Traralgon
Morethan
half is not all
YES, Brian Mawhinney, ('Castlesinthe sand', Latrobe Valley Express Opinion,04/03), the majority of Australians voted against the Voice in the 2023NationalReferendum, but 40 per cent did not.
But whatasurprise,WarrenMundine and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price voted no!
And "the wholeofVictoria"? No, Brian, 54 per cent.
On the other hand, however, the First Nations Voice to Parliament is state based, as instituted in SA, and is adifferentmodel, consistingof an Indigenous advisory bodytoParliament, an unchanged constitution and no referendum required.
Whydoconservatives like Brian seek to conflate thetwo?
Is it sheer ignorance, blatant bigotry, or alazy willingness to play fast and easy with truth, that does notfit theiragenda, hoping nobody willnotice?
Especially when Brian's claim, on behalf of conservatives, of "openness, accountability and honesty",currentlycuts no icewithAustralian voters.
John Duck Trafalgar
Nationals negativity
WHERE is the Nationals' plan for Latrobe Valley power?
Victoria is running out of time to secure reliable electricity. Our coal stations are ageing, and Yallourn will closein2028. Yetall we keep hearing from the Nationals is negativity -attacks on renewable projects, offshore wind, and local developments -without anyclear plan for how they will keep the Latrobe Valley powered in the next few years.
Nuclear and 'HELE' coal plants are decades away andwon’t replace asinglewatt of Yallourn’s output.
If the Nationals claim they can extend Loy Yang, they should explain the hugecosts, engineering risks, and extra water the plant would need from an already stressed Latrobe River system.
AGL is already planning for a2035end date because running longer simply isn’t realistic. Buzzwords and brain farts won’t keep the lights on; aplanand policy is needed.
If the Nationals block renewablesand scrap offshore wind, they leavea20year hole in Victoria’s electricity supply.
So what is their plan for today?
Wendy Farmer Newborough
Rates query
READING in theExpress the clarification by Latrobe City Council regarding payments of rates ('Clarity on rates confusion', LVE, 06/03).
Iamnot sure if the woman in question realised that she had paid her rates in lump sum in February, but with the changes she will now pay a September lump (seven months later) not February next year. This is not really enough time to fill her piggy bank.
Iobject to being forced to pay by instalments. I am not aware of any communication from council of this change. How was this implemented? If it was in the Express, how many times was it announced?
Patricia Correa Traralgon
Hyper hypocrisy
THE government says we have so many days supply of fuel already in Australia, so why is petrol going up on our supply and not waiting until that has been sold?
Just acase of the government not doing anything and the ACCC, the toothless tiger, even less.
Ican tellyou, more in GST and fuelexcise, is just another case of being rippedoff and the government and ACCC doing nothing.
If it was the other way round, would it go down straight away? Oh no, can't have that, they have to sell what they have first -hypocrites.
Garry Mitchell
Yallourn North
When rhetoric collides with reality
"YOU cannot rely 'solely' on intermittent sources like wind and solar when it comes to AI data centres. You need dispatchable power [coal or nuclear] because these data centres cannot simply turn on
Kilmany track at VCATthis week
By STEFAN BRADLEY,ERIKA ALLEN AND LIAM DURKIN
AN objection to aproposedgreyhound racing facility at Kilmany will proceed to its final hearing at theVictorianCivil andAdministrative Tribunal (VCAT) this week.
Former Animal Justice Party election candidate Dr Helen Jeges last year lodged an objection challengingWellington ShireCouncil's (WSC) approval of the development,with VCAT hearings taking placeonFebruary 26 and 27. Dr Jeges confirmed to the Express the matter's final hearing will take place this Thursday (March 12) and Friday (March 13).
The Express' sister paper, theSale-based
Gippsland Times reported in January that Dr Jeges' objection, originally lodged in August 2025,follows WSC's intentiontoapprove Sale Greyhound Racing Club's (SGRC) proposal establishing straight-track greyhound racing at Kilmany.
Acouncil spokesperson had said WSC issued a notice of decision supporting the planning application, which is the subject of Dr Jeges' objection.
"Officers assessed the proposal against the relevantprovisions of the Wellington Planning Scheme and, as such,considered the proposal to be consistent with the land use planning policies contained within it," the WSC spokespersonsaid earlierthisyear.
Planning documentsadvertisedoncouncil's website revealed the proposed facility would
occupy a428,662-square-metreportion of a220acre property midway between Fulham and the Kilmany township, accessed via Templeton Road off the Princes Highway.
Although the application includes provision for both circular andstraight tracks,SGRC general manager Peter Johnston said the club's immediate focuswas on constructing astraight track, which he described as safer for dogs and in stronger demand from trainers.
There is currently no straight-track greyhound racinginGippsland, withthe only comparable facility located at Healesville. Mr Johnstonsaid straight-track racing reduced injury risk by removing bends from races.
If approved,MrJohnston said the club would have up to four years -seenasanachievabletimeline -to construct the track following aVCATdecision, with the club intending to full fund the project.
Planning documents show the development would include astraighttrack,caller's tower, patron pavilion, public and trainer car parking, and a90-bay kennel building with veterinary and stewards' facilities.
Last August, Dr Jeges said she made the objection as aconcerned Wellington Shire resident.
"My application has beenmadeinmycapacity as aconcerned local community member, given the well-documented issuesassociated with greyhound racing, including gambling-related harm, animal welfare impacts, and potential noise and amenity concerns," she said.
SGRC hadbeen running the Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club between 2023 and 2025, whenTraralgonenteredvoluntary administration
Well-known local football identity Nick Leechino was appointed TGRC general manager last October.
Racing has not been held at Traralgon since July 2024 following issues with the track's lure system.
According to industry insiders, the lure system led to dogs becoming startled, as it seemingly disappears fromtheir eye sight near the finishline.
The Glenview Park facility has faced alitany of issues since reopening in 2021, with its supposed
andoff." LarryFink, chiefexecutive of BlackRock, theworld's largestasset manager.
With Labor spruiking its digital ambitions (AI) while remaining very vague about where the electricity will come from, it is appropriate that Iexpand Larry Fink's recent comment regarding AI which, with slight alteration, could also read: "You cannot rely 'solely' on intermittent sources likewind and solar whenitcomes to afunctioningelectricity grid. You needcontinuous dispatchable power(24/7) that only coal and/or nuclear can provide."
Joseph Lis
Morwell to the editor.
Preference will be given to brief, concise letters which address local issues.
The editor Liam Durkin, reserves the right to editletters 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 aphone number, email address and the author’s hometown for purposes of substantiating authenticity. Readers are entitled to one right of reply to aletter directed at them.
The views expressed in letters to the editor are thoseofthe writers, and do not necessarily reflect the viewsofLatrobe ValleyExpress management or staff.
The letters section is designed to allow people to have their say, and not be hijacked for political agendas.
Letters involving religion will not be published.
Emailletters to news@lvexpress.com.au and include ‘letter to the editor’ in the subject line. Deadline for letters is Thursday 3pm.
Concern: Dr HelenJeges challenged the planning permit fora newgreyhoundracing trackinKilmany. Photograph contributed
state-of-the-art ‘J Curve’ track plagued by misfortune.
The Express understands the lure system, and design of the track, were implemented against the will of local trainers, and even some senior greyhound officials.
Contractors were appointedlastSeptember to redevelop the track.
Greyhound Racing Victoria says several options for the redevelopment were extensively researched, with afocus on improved maintenance, racing and trialling opportunities, as well as club sustainability.
The new track is aone-turn design, in similar shape to Sale, with racing distances of 350m, 425m and 570m and atrial only start of 280m for education purposes.
Traralgon has scheduled Monday, March 23 for areturn to racing. The picnic meeting commences from 5pm.
Clear priority: Sale Greyhound Racing Club General Manager PeterJohnston has movedto reassuregreyhound safetyatthe newKilmanytrack will not be compromised
Photograph: Stefan Bradley
Jurystill out on Delburn Wind Farm
By KATRINA BRANDON
WORKS on the Delburn Wind Farm are expected to start this month, although some have raised concerns over the project.
TheStrzelecki Community Alliance Inc. (SCA) recently submitted apetition to Parliament against the wind farm.
The petition hopes to draw attention of the Legislative Council to the state government’s decision to "bail out the defunct Delburn Wind Farm using SEC Victoria and taxpayer funds,after costs ballooned from $320 million to $700 million and private investorsabandoned the highbushfire risk project".
In January, the State Electricity Commission (SEC) and Minister for the State Electricity Commission,LilyD’Ambrosio, broke ground at the Delburn Wind Farm site, stating that works were to start in March 2026 and finish by 2028.
The project, to be home to 33 turbines, is said to create more than 300 jobs for the area.
Concerned aboutthe project, the SCA questioned the state government's support of the project.
"The Strzelecki Community Alliance Incorporated (SCA), alarge community group representing residents across Latrobe, South Gippsland and West Gippsland shires condemn the Victorian Labor government’s decision to commit up to $700 million in publicfunds to rescuethe DelburnWind Farm -a project private investors had already abandoned as financially unviable," aSCA spokesperson told the Express
"The public have been told there’s no money for hospitals, butsomehow there’s $700 million for awind farm thatinvestorswalked away from That raises serious questions about priorities, accountability and risk."
Shifting from private to public investment, SCA said this raised afew flags.
The SCA stated that the Delburn Wind Farm failed to reach financial close,with investors exiting after the project "did not stack up commercially".
Furthermore, they said that the government's intervention now transfers commercial risk from developersOSMI and Cubico onto taxpayers, while the local communitiesare left to bear the operational, environmental and safety impacts.
Highlighting the promise for jobs, the SCA said thatconstruction work is short-term, specialistdrivenand offers littlelasting benefittothe region. Since2019, the alliance has campaigned against the project, commissioning independent national and international experts on bushfire risk, noise and visual amenity. They said the reports relied on by the government were superficial and failed to properly assess the dangers.
With hotand dryconditions recently opening up therisk of fire, SCA added that the bushfire risk in the area is alarming.
"The entire project footprint lies within a designated bushfire-prone area, intersected by major roads and emergency service flight paths," SCA said.
"In its 2022 report, the government-appointed planning panel explicitly acknowledged the likelihood of major bushfire events during the life of the project and accepted that turbines and associated infrastructurecouldbelosttofire, stating 'It accepts the potential for amajor bushfire to occur in the plantation during the life of the project and that it would impact the project infrastructure'."
Lastly,concerns overthe government playing the role of regulator,funder and decision-maker was afactorthat also raised alarms.
The SCA is calling for transparency and parliamentary scrutiny from the government, to ensure that taxpayer money isn't at risk within the project.
"The SCA supports renewable energyand action on climate change," they said.
"Projects must be appropriately sited,rigorously assessed and transparently justified.
"Projects must not place regional communities at risk, degrade high-valuelandscapes, and threaten ecologically significant areas.
"Clean energy should not mean blank cheques. It should never come at the cost of public safety."
Sponsoring the petition, Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath, also shared her concern.
Ms Bath told the Express that parts of the communityare deeply opposed to theDelburnWind Farm, warning of heightened fire risk in the pine plantation and serious noise and visual impacts.
“Labor has committed over $650million of taxpayer funds to reviveaprojectabandonedby commercial operators with an originalbudgetof approximately $320m," shesaid.
“Labor’s inabilitytomanage money and major projects is well documented, Victorians have seen time and again, what begins in the millions can end in the billions."
Ms Bath said the Delburn Wind farm willhave a profound impact on Gippslanders living close to it.
“With 1600 homes in the vicinity, the potential for abushfire event remains amajor concern for the community and their anxiety is completely understandable.
“Submissions to the Delburn Wind Farm PlanningReport notedthatturbinesina pine plantation could face fast moving, high intensity firesthatare difficult to control and challenging foremergency services.
“Labor is running roughshod over the community to appear more green to those living in the city.
“TheSEC hasbeen acomplete sham,for over adecade the Allan government has bungled the state’s renewable energy transitionpromising bills will go down when prices climbed higher.
“The petitioninvites residents to express their views andsendtheir voicetoSpring Street, something Ihonour and respect."
TheSEC wasapproach by the Express, whose spokesperson replied: "SEC is excited to deliver
Mixed feelings: TheDelburn Wind Farm is set to go ahead thismonth, despitesome anguish and apetition against theproject set to be tabled in Parliament
Victoria’s first publiclyowned, utility-scale wind generation project in Gippsland. SEC anticipates the project’s totalcapital expenditure to be around $650 million.Once operationalin2028, the project will deliver sustainable returns which SEC will reinvestinmore projects to supportVictoria’s renewable energy transition.
"TheSEC Delburn WindFarm will deliver significant local benefits, including more than 300 local jobs during construction and more than $22 million in neighbour and community benefit sharing programs.
"We are looking forward to speaking with community members and local businesses in the coming weeks about project’s construction and the many work and supplier opportunities that the project will offer."
Loy Yang Aidentified as data power source
By PHILIP HOPKINS
AGL Energy has flaggedbuilding adata centre backed by alarge-scale battery at the Loy Yang A power station as part of itsplans to expand into renewable energy driven by wind farms.
AGL chief executive Damien Nicks, speaking at the release of the company’s results recently, said AGL intends to continue to expand its portfolio of grid-scale batteries on its balance sheet, the Australian Financial Review reported.
Mr Nicks said the company had almost $850 million deployed in storage projects that will firm up supply from renewable power.
Those investments and AGL’s existing portfolio meantitwas well-placed to capitaliseon“enormous” opportunities arising from increasing electricity demand from the fast-growing data centre sector.
“This is incredibly good opportunity for us to potentially get some datacentre on some of our sites -whether it be Bayswater[in NSW] or Loy Yang because the infrastructure is there, the water is there, the transmission is there,” he told the AFR AGL is in talks with several data centre developers, the AFR said.
Keppel, aSingapore-based global asset manager, has announced its intention to build a$10 billion data centre near the old Hazelwood powerstation, whileEnergyAustralia aims to convert the Yallourn Wcoal stationsiteinto alow-carbon emissions hub supplying data centres, industry and households, a plan estimated to cost more than $5 billion.
The company’s ‘Yallourn Energy Security Precinct’ planinvolves gaspower and solar generation alongsidelarge-scalebattery storage on the huge site, whichhas access to waterand connectiontothe electricity grid. AGL Energy is seeking funding partners for a2gigawatt-plus portfolio of wind farms as part of its drive to deploy clean energy projects to replace coal power stations, the AFR said.
“What we want is ultimately astrong funding partner that will help fund those renewables projects into the future once those projects reach FID
[final investment decision],” AGL’s chief financial officer Gary Brown said.
AGL’sbiggestshareholder, tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes’ Grok Ventures, has been pushing the energy company to exit from coal as quickly as possible. AGL also set a$50 million target of cost reductions for the next financial year, and agreed to sellits telco business, withits 400,000 customers, in exchange for $115million of shares in Aussie Broadband.
Mr Nicks said this dealsimplifiedthe groupand allowed thecompany to benefit from further gains in telcocustomer numbers.
“We just wanted to really focus on where we could deploy our capital for the best returns,” he told the AFR. Mr Nicks added that the deal included an option for AGL to increase its stake in Aussie Broadbandbeyondthe 7.5 per centitwillreceive if it growsthe customer base through its AGL brand, which will be retained.
The developments came as AGL upgraded its profit guidance for the full year afterposting first-half earnings that beat market expectations.
Mr Nicks said customer marginsimproved to more sustainable levels in the first half. Net profit was dragged down by losses on the valueofenergy derivative contracts, sinking 42 per cent to $94 million. Excludingone-off items, profit fell 6.4 per cent to $353 million in the six months to December 31. AGL narrowedguidancefor full-year profit before one-time items to between $580 million and $680 million -upabout five per cent from previous guidance.
AGL also announced adeal with Esso Australia to buy 40 petajoules of gas, easing concerns around supplies for its retail business and for power generation amid the tight gas market in south-east Australia. Potential data centres slated for the Latrobe Valley powered by renewables, batteries and potentially gas come as aleading international businessmanand investor warnedthat renewable energy is incompatible with the power needsof modern digital infrastructure. Thechiefexecutive of Black Rock, Larry Fink, told the World Economic
Forum in Davos that ‘clean’ generation cannot be relied upon to deliver the constant, high-load power required by data centres.
“To supply these data centres, you cannot rely on intermittent sources like wind and solar. You need dispatchable power because these data centres cannot simply turn on and off,” he told the Davos forum.
The BlackRock chief executive, one of the most powerful men on Wall Street, is co-chair of the WEF. Keppel, aSingapore-based global asset manager, has the rights to lease a123-hectare contiguous site near the oldHazelwood power station from the Australian energy and infrastructure landowner Lightwood Group Pty Ltd.
The data centre project has agross power capacity of up to 720 MW, in phases and over time. As part of the lease agreement, Keppel will pay Lightwood an annual accessfee to gain early access to the site for pre-development works.
Theseinclude obtainingplanning approvals and contracting power and water, before its private data centre fundstakeuplong-term leases,thereby providinga capital-efficient approach to power banking.
The site’s great advantage is its location in the heartofthe Latrobe Valley and in the proposed Gippsland Renewable Energy Zone. The site’s dedicated transmission connection to neighbouring power terminal stations provides the potential for power cost savings by bypassing the local distribution network.
Zonedtoallow datacentredevelopment, the site also benefitsfrom existing waterinfrastructure and proximitytointer-city dark fibrenetworks that will enable high performance connectivity to Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.
Datacentres, unlike mostindustrial centres, operate continuously, consume vast amounts of electricityand require near-perfect reliability. Even brief power disruptions can be costly, making firm, dispatchable supplyessential for investment decisions in the billions of dollars.
Forestry reforms were based on poor analysis COMMENT
COMMENT BY ROBDEFEGELYAM
RECENTLY Ireviewed the Samuel Review of the EPBC Act and found the recommendations to reform the Regional Forestry Agreements (RFAs) which led to their cessation in 2027 was based on very poor analysis.
The broad consultation required in the terms of reference did not list any public or private forest managers (the practitioners of RFA’s) nor did the consultative group advising Prof Samuel and his panel have any forest managers or skilled subject matterexperts from ForestryAustralia, the peak body for forestry professionals. Without the input of professional forest managers,Prof Samuel could not have been briefed on the depthofplanning, care, expertise and knowledge of biodiversity held within these forest management agencies and the efforts they make to protectand minimise environmental impacts.
The review did not provideany context forhow these agreements were developed over adecade from 1990 to when they were variously signed around the turn of the century.
The report does not in my opinion justify the cessation of RFAs in 2027 and as a resulthas created massive uncertainty for literally thousands of peoplewho not only work in forests or process wood (the world’s most renewableproduct)but all the contractors, businesses and communities that rely on forests and the businesses and values they support.
RFAs can be improved but abolishing them not only destroys 35 years of dedicated work, it is an act of social, environmental andeconomic vandalism,simply because theCommonwealth government does not have abetter system to replace them with. Rob de Fegely AM is the Chair of Sustainable Timber Tasmania and NonExecutive Director Forestry Corporation of NSW.
Photograph: Katrina Brandon
Midweek premiers crowned
BOWLS MIDWEEK PENNANT
STRZELECKI NORTH BY
MICHAEL HOLROYD
MIDWEEK bowls grand finals were held Tuesday, March 3.
Newborough won the Strzelecki North title for Division 1.
PlayingTrafalgar at Traralgon, Newborough showed its overall strengthduring the lastthree ends of each rink as they gained 10 shots across their three teams to only win by eight shots overall 65 to 57.
Sheryl Atkinson and her rink of Liam Jones, AlanRyan and Scott Jones defeated Matt Schreyer and his rink of Paul Dawson, Mick Fleming and Adam Proctor 20-13.
Sammy Atkinson and her rink of Maureen Leighton, Bluey Flanigan and AlanGrubb defeated Nathan Cook and his rink of Pat Tatterson, Noel Rubenstein and David Cook 20-18.
Ian Miles and his Trafalgar rink of Sue Robinson, Matt Ogilvie and Matt Coutts defeated Phil Mustoe and his rink of Fran Clark, Paul Gallagher and Jo-Anne Michael 26-25.
MORWELL defeated Newborough (2) in Division 2.
The final scorewas 65-58, played at Traralgon Danny McKeownand his team of Shirley Skinner, Alex Monroe and Max Aumann defeated Trevor Kennedyand his team of MichaelHolroyd, Jeff Wetzeland JulieJackson 24-18.
SteveCollins and his team of Mike Arnold, Rita Reddiexand David Broadbent defeated Robert Cook and his rink of Brian Carpenter, Mary Whelan and Peter Policha 22-20.
For Newborough (2), Albert Van Stekelenburg and his team of Glenys Perkins, Bob Goldie and Tony Knipping defeated Bill Tumney, Marleen Monroe and Kerry Wright20-19,leaving Morwell winners by seven shots.
GOLF
CHURCHILL ANDMONASH
Men’sMonthly Medal (Stroke) 28th Feb 2026
MonthlyMedal Winner: C. Gilfillan66Nett
ScratchWinner: M. Brereton 82
PuttsWinner: C. Gilfillan26
AGrade Winner: D. White69Nett
BGrade Winner: C. Gilfillan66Nett
CGrade Winner: T. Bennett70Nett
DTL: 1. B. Kilday 69, 2. P. Flanigan 70, 3. B. Cluderay 71, 4. M. Brereton 71, 5. R. Timbs,6.G.Barnes 72, 7. P. Bolding72, 8. J. Vickers 73, 9. C. Waring 73 c/b
NTP: 3rdJ.Soppe (Propin), 12th G. Spowart,14th C. Sterrick
Birdies: 14th C. Waring
Target Hole: G. Barnes
Women’sMonthly Medal (Stroke) –3rd March 2026
MonthlyMedal Winner: L. Brent 73 Nett
ScratchWinner: S. Caldwell 97
PuttsWinners: S. Turner
DTL: S. Caldwell 77 Nett5thL.Van Rooy, 12 th M. Dear,14thJ.Clegg
MIRBOONORTH
Tuesday3rd March Stableford
AGrade: JWinters(12)42pts
BGrade: JHughes (17) 36pts c/b
DTL: BVella 37,A McCarthy,M Heiberg, M Payne,A Hayse36, NTP: 4th SGriffiths,6th MAnswerth. 13th S Beitz, 16th MHeiberg. Birdies: 4th MPayne,6th SHill-Smith, D Fletcher,B Vella.
In aWest Gippsland decider, Longwarry defeated Warragul (2) 88-40 at Morwell.
JasonLieshout and his rink of Robert Quinn, Col Fingerand CraigCousindefeated Paul Simmons and his rinkofDavid Alderman, Adrian Helmuth and Gabriel Draisma 28-11.
TrevorKitchin and his rink of Jan Aubrey, Dale Weller and Graeme Aubrey defeated David Gatewoodand hisrink of Heather Baker, Brian Kennedy and Glynis Mitchell 32-17.
Richard Ross and his team of Peter Beechey, Nat Cousinand Jodie Ashby defeated Greg Mitchell and his rink of Anthony Wynd, Bill Clarke and Jim Moyle 28-12.
GARFIELD defeated Traralgon RSL (2) 69-44 in Division 4.
Malcolm Newham and his rink of Graham Burton, John O’Shea and Helene Newton defeated Alan Jones and his rink of Lorraine McClare, Diane White and Wendy Inman27-12.
AlanWhiteand his rink of KeithCooke, Gerald Wakefield and Trevor Peters defeated Max Gibbinsand his rinkofPat Warfe, Greg Inman and Joe Ward 22-16.
Gwen Fabris and herrink of Lex Taylor, Cheryl Bretelerand Bob Lamport defeated Gordon Bayleyand his rinkofBev Jacobs, Julie Sutcliffe and Jeff Blythman 20-16.
DROUIN (4) won Division 5 after defeating Neerim District (2) 50-37 at Traralgon.
Stephen Kennedy and his rink of Judy McGrath, Helen Kerkvliet and Peter McGrath defeatedJim Schroeder and his rink of Thelma Schroeder, Pam Majakand GerryEngelstad 32-14.
For Neerim District(2), Graeme Wingrove and his rink of Cookie Halligan, Wendy Olsson and Roger Till defeated Geoff Pattison and his rink of Bob Cole, Ashley Rees and Gwen Price 23-18.
AFLWpair pay visit to St Paul’s
FOOTBALL
STUDENTS at St Paul’sAnglican Grammar School were inspired through shared learning and personal growth, welcoming the elite sporting expertise from AFLW North Melbourne stars, Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell.
Students enrolled in the school’s High Performance Program,whichprovidesadditional guidance and flexibility for secondary students balancingacademicand sporting commitments, gainedvaluable insights into the professional athletes’ trainingroutines,development pathways and recovery practices required to compete and sustain their wellbeing at the elite level.
Importantly, bothplayers reinforced akey message that success is rarely achieved in isolation. They highlighted the importance of balance, resilience and strong support networks that both challenge and encouragegrowth, lessons that students will extend well beyond the school grounds and sporting arena.
In aseparate session, selected Year 7students developed confidenceand refinedfootball techniques during ahands-on skills clinic led by the AFLW role models.
SCOREBOARD
MOE
Sunday, 01 March2026 Competition:
OPEN Sunday9holeStableford
Grade AWinners: Enzinger,Michael (11) 17
Place Getters: Tatterson, Gary16
Sunday, 01 March2026 Competition:
OPEN SundayMixed Stableford
Grade AWinners: Chapman, Kaleb (17) 39
Grade BWinners: Scholtes,Paul (24) 37
C/B
Place Getters: bailey, brandon 37 C/B, Stansbury, Les 37 C/B,Cunningham, Chris 37 C/B,Hamilton, Troy 37,Harland, Bob 36
Wednesday, 04 March 2026 WOMEN'S WEDNESDAY 9HOLEStableford
Overall Winners: Mitchell, Evelyn (14) 17 Wednesday, 04 March 2026
Competition:WOMENS MONTHLYMEDAL
Type: Stroke
Overall Winners: Borg, Kathy(21) 71 MEDAL WINNER
Grade AWinners: Borg, Kathy(21) 71
Grade BWinners: Stewart, Leahann 74
Place Getters: Lang,Marj 72, Griggs
Andrea 75
Nearest to Pin: 4th Marj Lang,8th Kathy Borg
KathyBorgTargetHole PrizePutting:
AGrade: Marj Lang &Leanne Donaldson -31
BGrade: Jane Blandford-34 Wednesday, 04 March 2026 Twilight Stableford
AGrade Winner -A.Pickard (5) 19
BGrade Winner -R.Doolan (36) 22
Thursday, 05 March 2026 Competition: OPEN Mixed Stableford
Grade AWinners: King,Rob (5) 39
Grade BWinners: Duncan, Jack (15) 40
Grade CWinners: Richmond, Paul (15) 43
Grade DWinners: Bechaz, Steve(24) 41
Place Getters: Petkovic,George 41 C/B, Hood, Darren 39, Meyer, Dirk38C/B,Scott, Leigh 38 C/B,Hamilton, Alec 38, Langstaff, Jay36C/B,Babet, Alain 36 C/B,Beveridge, Eric 36 C/B,Keyter, Joe36C/B,Backman, Shane 36 C/B,Scammell, Shaun 36, Tsebelis,Peter 35 C/B,Bruce,Shane 35 C/B,Spiteri, Paul 35 C/B,Shearing,Andrew 35 C/B,Clarke, Gary 35
Great Score: GaryClarke(Birdie) @4 Maurice Papettas(Birdie) @14, Jack Duncan (Birdie) @8,Peter Tsebelis (Birdie) @14, Philip Blunt (Birdie) @14, Trevor Allan (Birdie) @14, Michael RayBirdie) @8 NearesttoPin: 4thBrian Dooley, 8th Jack Duncan, 14th AnthonyColvin
Saturday, 07 March 2026 WOMEN'S SATURDAY OPEN Stableford
—The Latrobe Valley Express, Wednesday, 11 March, 2026
Grade AWinners: Middlemiss,Kaye(15)
39 Great Score: Kaye Middlemiss (Birdie) @4 KathyBorg(Birdie) @4 AmyTaylor(Birdie) @1 Saturday, 07 March 2026
Competition: MEN'S Monthly Medal Type: StrokeMedal Winner: Stansbury, Les (10) 69
Grade AWinners: Stansbury, Les (10) 69
Grade BWinners: Lee,Shaun (12) 72 C/B
Grade CWinners: Briggs,Brad(29) 71 C/B
Place Getters: Blunt, Philip 71, Williams, Shane 72 C/B,Spiteri, Paul 72 C/B,Harber, John 72 C/B,White, Rodney72, Dooley, Brian 73, Donaldson, Murray 73 C/B, Wilkinson, Wally73C/B,Stitt, Ian 73 C/B Lang,Daniel 73 C/B,Colvin, Anthony73, Borg, Manny74C/B
GrossWinner: Aaron Bassman 73
Great Score: PeterRodaughan (Birdie) @ 14,Les Stansbury(Birdie) @8
Nearest to Pin: 4th Shaun Lee,8th Ian Stitt, 14th MannyBorg
MysterySixesPrize Winner: Laurie Veenman
MORWELL
Wednesday4th March 2026 Women's
Stroke- MonthlyMedal
Winner: DVuillermin 65
DTL: CPeter 66
NTP: 2nd SKarleusa 8th JGriffiths 11th N Te Paa15th ELau
Count Putts: JGriffiths 29 Birdies: NTePaa
TRAFALGAR
Friday February 27th, Open Men’s& Ladies Stableford
Winner: Craig Hogbin 40 pts
DTL's: DirkMeyer34
Albatross: 6th: Chris Hogbin
Birdies: 5th: DirkMeyer15th: Chris Hogbin, John Butler
SaturdayFebruary 28th, 4BBB Medley
Stableford
Men Winner’s: Ramon Dyke &Glenn
McGrath 46 pts
Men Runner Up’s: UweTomski& Adrian
Jones 45 pts
Mixed Winner’s: StuMarriott&Bev Keily
46 pts
Mixed Runner Up’s: Tony Shearer &Karen
MacGregor 42 pts C/B
DTL’s: Wayne Robbins &NickRowe42, Chris &Jan Griffin42, Chad McKie &Paul Massey, Graeme Grant &Ron Pyke42, NormMether &Hank Fiddelaers41 C/B
Gathered: HighPerformance ProgramstudentsThomas,Jerzey,Dempsey, Spencer,Gracie, Georgia, Melia and BriannawithAFLWplayers Ash Riddell and Jasmine Garner
Special guest: North Melbourne AFLWplayer Jasmine Garner takesquestions from St Paul’s students
Fleming sisters running in stride
ATHLETICS
By ERIKA ALLEN
FOR most high-performing siblings in sport,rivalry is inevitable. For these sisters from Glengarry, it's theopposite.
Elly and Kaydence Fleming traintogether,work together, live together, and even share an athletics track. But comparison has never defined their journeys. Instead, their success at the state and national level is underscored by ashared belief that each other's victories and personalbests matter just as much, if not more, than their own.
"We are completely different, but we're lucky that we do get along so well," Kaydence, 16, said. "And we can actuallydothe sport withoutcomparing each other."
In fact, 19-year-old Elly believed that, combined, sheand heryounger sister would form adominant force over 800 metres.
One thrives on grit and speed, the other on composure and aerobic strength.
"Kaydence has that guts mixed with speed, whereas I'm more aerobic," Elly explained.
"If we combined Kaydence's grit with my more aerobic side, we would make aprettycool runner." Elly specialises in 800 and 400 metres, while Kaydence covers atrio of sprints from 100m and 200m, up to 400m.
Despite theirage difference,the sisters have lined up in the same race, with arecent highlight captured in aphoto of them embracingatthe finish line.
Kaydencesaidtheir bondoutweighed any rivalry, recalling the race in Canberra where Elly finished aheadofher.
"Even people were asking, 'Who's going to win?' because we had similar PBs," she said.
"But as soon as she crossed the line, before I'd even finished, Iwas just so happy for her. Ididn't even care that Ididn't run aPB. Iwas proud of how far she's come, especially after Year 12."
Elly felt the same about her sister.
From the sidelines of Lakeside Stadium's iconic blue track in Albert Park, where they've won aslew of state medals between them, Elly said her sister's most recent championship stood out.
Last month, Kaydence won athird Victorian 400mchampionship in arow,qualifying for the Australian Junior Trackand Field Championships in April, as she stormed to apersonal best time of 57.18 seconds.
"Although she has won championships before, this one was particularly special in that I've just seen her growth as an athlete," Elly said, highlighting how Kaydence had levelled up her mentality.
"As asister,Icouldn't be prouder of that, because she's really flourished, and Ican't wait for her to smash my PBs and lower the 400m times,because she will."
Kaydence's season bests are also personal bests -a clear sign her 2026 track campaign is building toward something special.
At the end of January, she ran a25.19s for200m. She also put down a12.36sdash over 100m at a High Velocity meet in Doncaster, which is under the national open qualifying standard. It comes after adifficultseason last year, in which Kaydence saidher times plateaued -not falling, butfrustratingly not improving either.
Bothwere candid about what the sport demands of them mentally.
Confidence does not always come easily, with Elly and Kaydence emphasising thatrunningis "80 per cent mentality and 20 per cent physical".
They credit their parents for helpingshape their mentality.
"They've told us that for so long, if you're lining up in arace,itdoesn't matter howmanyhours you've run, how many kilometres you've done,if
youdon't believe you can win that race, you're not winning the race," Elly said.
"Similarly, if you're not going to go out and put yourself in awinningposition, then you bestbelieve you're not going to be running PB or coming down the home straight in that position you want. Things don't just fall into place. You have to truly believe that you're going to put yourself there," she said.
Kaydence illustrated the point by referencing Olympic 200m gold medalist Gabby Thomas, who "just wrote down 'I'm going to win the Olympics' over and over again".
"She wasn'tnecessarily the quickest…but she had the mentality that she wasgoing to win," Kaydence said.
It was afitting example for an athlete who approaches races with asimilar mindset.
Kaydence said she entered competitions with a winning mindset, deliberately avoiding comparisons with other athletes' times or notoriety, instead concentrating on her own performance.
Herpre-raceroutine includes painting athumbnail, which she said helps ground her in the starting blocks.
"If Ihaveall my nails done, they're red. But if Ijust have the one it's sometimes justwhite or something plain. At my first nationals, Iwore white, and that's when Iwon my medal. So after that, I always just did it."
Crediting herhighschool sport programat Lavalla CatholicCollege, Ellysaid visualisation was akey part of her preparation -not just picturing the race but imagining every detail of the lead-up to help settleher nervesand give her asense of control.
"It puts my nerves at ease and makes me feel completely in control. Itell myself that whatever happens has already happened. All I've got control of is what Idoright now."
Elly believed her greatest asset over 800m was her poise at pace.
"Your first400misgoing to be quick,but your second 400 better be quicker," she said, addingthat her 400m background helped her maintain smooth, controlled speed throughout the race.
She saidthe race balances fast times with the
challenge of competing against up to 12 merging athletes.
"You definitelyhave to get agood ride if you want to run agood time," she explained.
While she oftenaimstoworkoff the heels of others, some of her best races, like her Victorian championship win as a17-year-old,were "gun to tape" efforts.
"Some races, you're goingtocome home from 150 and just go as hard as you can down the home straight… many different aspects come into the 800m andmakeitchallenging, but justequally as fun," she added.
Kaydence said her strengths in the 400m were both physical and mental, highlighting her explosive start and speedthrough the bend before relying on her mindset in the closing stages.
Whilethey train with different coaches, they follow similarly structured training weeks that combine grass track work, gym sessions, long runs, and recovery.
Kaydence, whotrains with GippslandTrack Club coach Craig Hufferout of Warragul,employs a similar ethos to Paris Olympic800mchampion Keely Hodgkinson.
Speaking on the High Performance podcast, Hodgkinson explainedwhy shenever runs her signature event during training: while she will do 600m sessions, she avoids longer 800m efforts on the track to keep it associated with running fast.
While popular reps in Kaydence's training sessions include 150m, 300m and 500m, she will not run 400m.
"Doing long (reps), even 500s, shows you that when we're doing atimetrial, you can go that fast for that long, so there'snoreason youcouldn't do it in a400mthat's even shorter. Mentally, you know youcan go that fast for 300m or 500m, why not go that fast for 400m?"
Similarly, Elly, who trains in Sale with Denis Huffer and on her home football ground in Glengarry, mostly practices 600m or 1000m reps.
In explaining the rationale behind it, she said: "Thatlastbit, the last 200 or the last 100, is where your mindtakes over,not so much your body. And that can only really be taught on arace day when you're in it yourself.
"No matter how much Denis and Craig trytohelp us at training,they're notgoingtoget us overthat line. It's us that last bit of thedistance."
The sisters' rise reflectsthe determination of many regional athletes chasing big dreams from small towns.Opportunities, exposureand pathways are often harder to access outside metropolitan centres, but their Gippsland upbringing has shaped their approach to athletics.
Elly's start came in Little Athletics at the age of six, which she pursued until the cutoff age of under 17.While swimming and athletics were convenient for where they lived, they also competed in netball, andKaydence focused on gymnastics. But running was the sport that had their hearts.
"We're avery activefamily. We were always going to be in somekind of sport. It just so happened that the athleticstrack was the closest," Kaydence said. Elly added, "I thinkweloved the competitiveness of athleticsand the individual nature, but also the fact that we can come together as ateam, and the training group environment we really loved.
"I think it has areally unique vibe about it, which is why we stuck with it for along time."
Running also has abroad history in their family -from grandparents who love the sport to their father anduncle who trained under Joe Carmody, an Athletics Victoria life member and impactful coach and administratorlocally, whose name Newborough's synthetic athletics track honours. With the depth in Australian athleticsmore exciting than ever, it's no surprise the sisters draw inspiration fromahost of track stars-some of whom they have even lined up against. They believe athletics is unique in that sense. And they're right, few sportsallow aspiring athletes not only to warm up alongside their idols, but to share the call room, competeonthe same stage, and exchange ahug anda"good job" at the finish line.
OlympianAbbey Caldwell, sub-two-minute 800m athlete Tess Kirsopp-Cole,and bubbly sprinter Bree Rizzo are afew of their favourite athletes.
"So many of theyounger athletes Itrainwithask me, 'What's it liketorun withAbbey andTess?' Elly said.
"In the moment,ofcourse, Idon't really think about it, because I'm tryingtofocusonmyself. But if Iwere younger, that would have been such an incredible thing to see."
Both sisters are nationals-boundthis season. Kaydence will represent Victoria in Brisbane in April, on one of her favourite tracks, where she won her first national medal. Aweek later,Elly will compete in the open championships in Sydney. Other than breaking the 56-second barrier in the 400m, Kaydence is eyeingafinals berth again. Similarly, Elly wants to break her nearly threeyear-old 800m personal best time of 2:09.06. "Realistically, Iknow in myself that Ican push towards that 2:05 barrier and beyond," she said.
"To make the final would be ahugefeat. But I think if Iwere to go to Sydney and be able to put down my best performance in my heat and then whatever result came with that,I thinkIcould look back on the season and be really proud."
In the future, the sisters are driven by both personal goals and the chance to inspire others. Currentlystudying at university, Elly said she wants to experience running overseas andsee how far athletics can take her.
"Andhopefullyinspire alot of the juniorsthat are still training with Denis and Craig."
Kaydenceechoed theambition, saying,"World Junior Championships would be reallycool… running in different countries and just seeing what you can do in different types of environments." Reflectingontheir regional roots, Elly added, "Exposure we don't really get as country athletes all the time,"underscoringhow fartheyhope to take their sport.
Dynamic duo: Ellyand Kaydencerepresent Wellington Athletic Club Photograph supplied.
Side by side: Kaydence, 16,and Elly, 19, pictured at ‘The Glen Oval’ wheretheytrain. Photograph: ErikaAllen
Morwell Scouts’ craft market well supported
By PEACE IJIYERA
ALL the artsy and crafty people in the Latrobe Valley flocked to the 1st Morwell Scouts Hall for the inaugural Craft-De-Stash sale.
The sale was held for crafters to sell any excess bits of fabric, wool, paper, and other craft supplies they had.
On the day,about20stall holders soldmaterials from their stash, giving buyers the opportunity to live out theircrafting dreams at adiscountedprice.
Heldfrom10amto1pm,the hallwas packed with buyers with more than 100 people coming through. Scouts group leader, Matthew Ball says the Craft de Stash sale was asuccess.
“I think its been awesome, its been great to see so many people come through.It’sthe first time we’ve tried to run one of these, we’ve got agreat person, Julie Hill who's organised it all and its been great to see so manypeoplecomethrough. We sort of hope to make it more of an annual event so we can do it more frequently," he said.
Stall holders and good friends, Anna Miron and SamSoutar have been into crafting "forever". Through crafting,a"just forfun" hobby, they have created cards, teddy bears, cross stich and scrap books. Between thepair, theymadeupwards of $250.
Stallholder and fellow Scout, Corbin Walters sold bracelets,headbands, stickers and ribbons to raise money so he can attend the World Scout Jamboree
in Poland next year. He says that business on the day was "good".
The sale was also held to raise money for the 1st Morwell Scouts group. By selling morning tea and raffle tickets, the Scouts were able to raise more than $600.
Organiser and chair of the Scouts support committee, Julie Hill,says the money raised at the craft sale and future events will aid in the upgrade of the halls facilities.
“At the moment we’re raising funds to do some work on thehall. To do new bathrooms, new entrance to make it more accessible …plus we’re raising funds to get enclosed trailerfor camps," she said.
“We did the barbecue at the Moe Earth Market, and we’re doing the next one on Mother’s Day in May …we’re doing ahot crossbun fundraiser driver …wesell chocolates as well."
Ms Hill also spoke about the benefits of Scouts in teaching kids relevant life skills.
"It's ayouth organisation. They meet at the hall each week and they do different activities, so team building, community orientation type stuff, they learn to tieknots, they go on camps and stuff so they learn alot of outdoor skills and play games," she added
"It'ssort of youth-led though so it reallydepends on what thekids want to do, the adults just help facilitate it."
Ms Hill was aScoutgroup leaderand ayouth
member herself.Now her child, Evan Hillpar-
ticipates in Scouts and loves it. Evan has been in Scouts for five years and says the best part about it is "just about everything".
"I love the night to night stuff, but Ialsolike the really big camps [called] jamborees," they said.
In the future Evan has plans of becoming aleader, like their mum.
“I’m very much planning on being aleader, I’m already helping with Joey’s (fivetoeight-year-olds) so I’m hoping to continue that."
Scout Matthew Mclean has been part of Scouts since he was aJoey. His mum, Elizabeth Barkley saysshe hasseen the benefits of her sonbeing in Scouts.
“Scouts is really inclusive, they take anyone, doesn’t matter if they’ve got adisabilitywhatever, we accept everyone …it'sgood skills," she said.
“[I'm] very proud. For akid that couldn’t talk, [and] is now doing beautiful public speaking, it's only throughScouts and stuff that have helped encourage skills, build up his skills …the best thing about Scouts, [is] it givesthem independence but also builds up their confidence and their skill levels."
Chairperson for Ventures unit (15to18),Annalyse Coley, has been part of Scouts for seven years. She loves the community aspect of the group.
"Everyone’s really close and feels like family no matter where you are in the world," she said.
"Like Icould meet someone on acamp and the
nextcamp that’s like fouryears away, Iwill see them again and we instantly click and it's like we haven’t been separated."
Ms Coley wants to see more girls join Scouts and change people's perceptions on the group.
“In our venture unitwehave more girls than boys …considering howbackinthe dayitwas more boys, and girlshad to fight to get into Scouts It's really good seeing how many girls are getting into it."
Throughout the day, the Scouts were put to work and helped out with the raffle draw and morning tea.
Mr Ball saiditwas amazing to see the Scouts interact with the community.
"Someofthem have never sort of reallygot to experiencethese things sinceCOVID, they sort of missedthatwindow,and nowthey’re sort of coming in and starting to learn things and how to talk to people," he said.
"So it's been really exciting to see alot of the kids sort of grow and sort of learn how to communicate with each other."
Mr Ball's messagetothe community is to not forget about the Scouts.
“We are out here, we still run Scouts, Scouts is still about come try it out, it's free to try for the firstthree nights,ifyou don’t like it that’s okay, if youdo, great."
Student leaders congratulated
Leaders youngand old: FederalMember forGippslandDarren Chesterpresented GlengarryPrimarySchool’s2026 student leadership team with their achievement certificates.Standing alongsidethe leaders is assistant principal LiamMaynardand principal Bri Simpson. Photograph supplied
GLENGARRY Primary School leaders have been formally recognised.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chesterwas on hand to congratulate the school's 2026 student leadership group.
Mr Chester met with the newly appointed student leaders and thanked the school community for the opportunity to speak with the group.
"I alwaysenjoy spendingtimewith young Gippslanders,hearingabout theissuesthat mattertothem and answering their thoughtful questions about leadershipand the role Iplay in ourlocal community," Mr Chestersaid.
"The students came prepared with insightful questionsabout what makes agood leader and what Iconsider my greatest achievements in Parliament.
"I shared that thePrinces Highway upgrades between Traralgon and Sale remain the largest
infrastructure project of my career, and that introducingservice dogs for veterans during my time as Minister for Veterans' Affairs is one of the achievements Iammost proud of."
Mr Chester said student leadership roles provide important opportunities for young people to develop lifelong skills.
"Whether it's school captain, house captain, sports captain or student council, these roles give students thechancetolead by example and make apositive difference," he said.
"But leadership isn't about titles, it's about service, teamworkand looking out for others. That's exactly what thesestudentsare learning."
Mr Chester encouraged student leaders to embrace the responsibility of their roles.
"I wish the Glengarry Primary School leadership team every success as they work together to make apositive impact," he said.
Crafty: Sheryn Maher(Drouin), Michelle McConachie (Traralgon), eight-year-old Sophie Maher (Drouin) and AshleeJacka (Cloverlea) enjoying the 1st Morwell Scouts Craft-De-Stash sale
Fabric galore: John Peterson andSue Peterson of Morwell. Photographs: Peace Ijiyeraunless specified
Saving up: Morwell local Corbin Waltersand grandmother,Debby Keith, who wasvisitingfrom Canada.
Craftqueens: Anna Miron of Warraguland SamSoutar of Morwell.
St Paul’sstudents take on the city
ST PAUL'S AnglicanGrammar School Year 6 students grew in confidence, independenceand connection as they embraced three days of adventure and learning during their urban camp in Melbourne. From the moment they stepped into the city, students were challenged to explore, reflect and collaborate in new environments.
The weekbegan at the Melbourne CricketGround, where walking through the stadium and discovering Australia’s sporting history sparked curiosity and inspired conversations aboutteamwork and achievement.
At the historic Old Melbourne Gaol, students steppedbackintime to understand lifeinthe 1800s,buildingempathy andcritical thinking as they reflected on the stories of those who were imprisoned there.
Students also engaged with The Big Issue, gaining insight into social responsibilityand community advocacy while connectingclassroom learning to the wider world. Testing their courage and resilience,
they stepped outside their comfort zones by trying to curl at O’Brien’s Icehouse, developing teamwork and perseverance in afun, hands-on challenge.
Other highlights that increased their cultural knowledge included acourtroom drama at ParliamentHouse, Melbourne Zoo NightTour, Shrine of Remembrance,GoClimb and several inner-city gardens.
The camp also provided educators with valuable insights into students’ strengths, learning styles and individual needs, knowledge they will take back to the classroom to help personalise learning and better support each student’s growth.
Urban camp strengthened friendships, encouraged independence and deepened students’understandingofthemselves, their peers and the communities around them. Through adventure, reflection and shared experiences, the camp brought learning to life while fostering personal growth and astronger senseofbelonging.
Mothers are required to submit their maiden name if applicable
IF you have recently welcomed a new arrival, please feel free to email a high quality photo via: news@lvexpress com au Details required: Baby's full name; Date of birth; Hospital born at; Full names of both parents, and; Hometown
Nature: St Paul’s Anglican Grammar Schoolstudents Arjan, Dylan, Liam and Jake get up close to wildlifeatMelbourne Zoo
Lawand order: Grace during acourtroom drama.
Photographs supplied
Solemn: Dylan,Matthew,Arjan and Lucas at the Shrine of Remembrance Test: Jedatthe Australian Sports Museum.
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YALLOURN NORTH 6Murray Road. Antiques, collectables, old tools, vinyl records, shed items, bric-a-brac,games, clothes and more. Bargains galore, something for everyone! Don't miss out! NEWSPRINT REEL ENDS
Available at the Latrobe Valley Express Office 21 George Street Morwell Enquiries: 5135 4444
4Morgan Drive, Sat 14 March. 8am-2pm. Lots of household bargains
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 apublic place and let amember of your family or atrusted 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
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various sizes from $85 p.c.m. Contact Strzelecki Realty on 5127 1333.
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JOHN'Z Home maintenance General maintenance and repairs, fencing repairs, timber and Colorbond pressure washing, gutter cleaning, brickwork repairs, tile repairs, rubbish removal, mowing and much more. Free quote 0418 581 631 -John
Residential Care Nurse Unit Manager Full Time
Orbost Regional Health is seeking applications from individuals to fulfil the positionofResidential Care Nurse UnitManager. The Residential CareNUM will provide leadership in all aspects of partnering with residentsintheir care, including; client relations, staff scheduling, oversight of the deliveryofsafe and high-quality systems, ensuring compliancewith current residentialcare governance, assistance in staff development and performance reviewand response to complex issues that arise in the residentialcarefacility
Successful applicants mustpossess:
• Registered Nurse with current AHPRA registration
• Postgraduate Diploma in gerontology nursing or equivalent (or working towards)
• Demonstrated relevant management experience, including sound financial, human resource andstrategic managementskills.
If you areinterestedinapplying for the position of ResidentialCareNurse Unit Manager,pleasedownload the appropriate position description form at: www.orbostregionalhealth.com.au/employment-careers
Or contact the Human Resources Department (03) 51546651;email: humanresources@orh.com.au
358 Help support our local Tradies while theyservice, build and repair in our local communities Check out our Business Guide Pages and Home Maintenance Sectioninthe Classifieds every Wednesday, for your local Tradies!
...you DON’T have to make aspecial trip to Morwell to place classified ads? Justpop into Moe Nextra Lotto, 1-3 Moore St Moe and the friendly staff can assist you. The only EXCEPTIONSare classified adswhich contain aphoto. These will needtobeplaced at the Morwell Office, 21 George Street Morwell 5135 4455
Youmust address the key selection criteria as set out in the Position Description when preparing your application.
Contact Kylie Foltin Director Clinical and Aged Care Services on 51546629 for further information regarding this position.
Your application MUST include the following:
• Aletter of introduction withyourfullname, address andcontact details, job titleaslisted in the advertisement and addressing the keyselectioncriteria as setout in the position description.
• Acopy of your current curriculum vitae including qualifications, professional affiliations, registrations, employment history, immunisationstatus, police check, working with childrens check, driver’s licence and the namesand contact details of at least twocurrent/recent professional referees.
Closing datefor applications is: 20th March 2026
Orbost Regional Health values: Respect, Integrity, Compassion, Excellence andCommunity.
ORH is an equal employment opportunity employer.Westrive foran inclusive working environment for employees from avariety ofbackgrounds. We welcome applications from Aboriginal people, workers of all ages, people with disability,people who identify as LGBTQIA+and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Would you like to deliver the Latrobe Valley Express newspaper to individual homes on Tuesday and/or Wednesday afternoons in Morwell, Traralgon, Moe, Newborou gh and Churchill? Please apply to the Circulation Manager 0456 000 541. Please note: Children must be 11 years or over as we will need to apply for agovernment Child Employment Permit Children younger than 11 cannot or will not be accepted. Adult deliverers also welcome.
JOIN OUR TEAM
Kurnai College is seeking highly skilled and enthusiastic individuals for the following opportunities:
• CollegeFinance Manager (1.0EFT)
Job #1519822
• College First Aid Co-ordinator (0.8EFTschool hours) Job #1519854
Applications must be submitted via the Schools Jobsportal www.vic.gov.au/school-jobs and include acover letter,CVand responses to the keyselectioncriteria. Applications close 17th March2026. For further information please email: katrina palmer@education vic gov au
Submissionsclose 2pm AEDT on Tuesday 14 April 2026
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BENNETTS Shirley May 18/1/1934 -1/3/2026
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Shirley May Bennetts on the 1/3/2026, at the age of 92 years. She will be lovingly remembered by her adoring daughter Roslyn, siblings Ruth, Les, Patricia and families, grandchildren Casey, Kellie and Jarrod, and great-grandchildren Ruby and Jack. She will be reunited with her husband Allen (dec.), son Raymond (dec.) and family and friends that have gone before her.
BENNETTS Shirley May
Loved younger sister of Ruth Rae. Bill (dec). Respected and loved aunt of Billie, Gillian and Lynette and families.
Happy memories of a loving sister.
BENNETTS Shirley May
Loved sister of Patricia Hore, Graeme (dec.), auntie to Tony (dec.), David, Michelle and families.
Cherished memories, Will meet again beyond the sunset forever.
BRISTOW Leonard Alan 14/7/1945 -5/3/2026
Forfriendly advice on howto place your message contact
TheClassified Department 5135 4455
Passed way peacefully at home with his wife Julie at his side after abrave battle with illness. Aged 80 years Loved husband of Julie. Father of Evan and Owen. The memory of you will remain in our hearts forever…. You will be sadly missed. Gone Sailing.
FAIRLEY Bruce 10/8/1938 -27/2/2026
Passed away peacefully on Friday. Husband to Trish, father to Lee, Craig and Scott (dec), father-inlaw to Nerida and Jenny. Grandpa to Connor and Mitchell.
Now resting peacefully.
GAUCI-PRESLEY
Myles Charles Born and passed away on 28 February 2026, at Latrobe Regional Health, Traralgon.
Cherished baby son of Rahni and Chris, brother of Alice, Aleira and Indi, grandson of Gerald and Tammy, Kylie and Rob, Lyn and Rob, Brad and Megan.
Forever In Our Hearts. APrivate Family Funeral Service for Myles was held at St Kieran's Catholic Church, Moe on Thursday (5 March) followed by burial at the Yallourn Cemetery.
HEYWOOD Jeffrey Alexander
Born 23 October 1964, Passed away suddenly on 28 February 2026. Aged 61 years Dearly loved Husband for 39 years to Eliza. Devoted Father and Father-in-law to Brooke and Rhys, Leigh and Lois and Dave and Bonnie. Loved Pa to Archer and Amelia.
Beloved Son and Brother to Bruce (dec.) and Elsie, Peter and Sue and Valerie and Phil (dec.). You worked so hard for those you loved, you always did your best, you went until you could no more, and now you are at rest.
Our words are few, our thoughts are deep, wonderful memories are ours to keep.
LUMPY (Peter) May 26/4/1959 -27/2/2026 The world's aquieter place now
Amemorial celebration will be held at the Morwell East Soccer club, Saturday 14 March 2026 from 1pm. We welcome those that knew him and would like to pay their respects.
NOCERA Giuseppe Passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving wife Maddalena, daughter Isabella, son-in-law Anthony, grandson Joseph, his brother Donato, and his nephew Salvatore. Aged 74 years He was aloved brother of Pietro and Enza, Donato and Carmela, and Caterina. Amuchloved nephew and cousin, an adored uncle to all his nieces and nephews. Forever in our hearts. Rest in peace.
ROZVACZY Steven Luis 21/5/1930 -3/3/2026
Passed away peacefully at home aged 95 years and nine months. Son of Laslow and Magdalena Rozvaczy (both dec.). Loving husband of Mildred (dec.). Brother of Leslie (dec.) and stepsister Judit. Loving father of Steven, Leslie and Helen. Stepfather of Suzanne and Gary (both dec.) Ronald and Pauline (both dec.) and Kenneth and Gail (both dec). Loving grandfather and great grandfather. Awonderful person who will be sadly missed. He died as he lived, peacefully.
SIDDLE (nee Goodwin)
Kathleen Janet 'Kay' Passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at Latrobe Regional Health on March 3, 2026. Aged 82 Years
Loved and loving wife of Norm (dec.) for 61 years. Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Leanne and Mark, Kevin and Debbie (dec.), Nancy and Robbert. Adored Nanna and great nanna to all her Grand Children and their families. Sadly missed. Forever in our hearts.
STOKES Bernard 20/11/1949- 28/02/2026
Bernard passed away peacefully on Saturday 28 February. APrivate Cremation will take place. The family would like to invite you to Bernard's celebration of life memorial service at the Morwell club, 136 Helen Street Morwell. On THURSDAY (26/03/26) commencing at 1.30pm.
NOCERA Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Giuseppe Nocera will be offered at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Commercial Rd Morwell, WEDNESDAY
Dearly loved husband of Sandra. Father to Andrea, Paul and Amy. Opa to Tristan, Isla and Harvey. Loved by his brothers and sisters. In lieu of flowers, online donations to Dementia Australia will be greatly appreciated. Dementia.org.au For service details, please visit: latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au
WILSON Margaret 4/4/1945 -6/3/2026
After along battle with Alzheimers and cancer
Margaret passed away peacefully At Narracan Gardens with family present. Beloved wife of Peter Wilson (dec). Loved mother of Carley, and grandmother of Ryan, Bryce, Evelyn and Allan.
Dearly loved sister and sister-in-law of Wendy and Stewart.
ROZVACZY Steven The Funeral Service for Mr. Steven Rozvaczy will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 6Ollerton Avenue Moe on FRIDAY (13 March 2026) commencing at 10:30am. The Funeral will leave at the conclusion of the service for the Moe Memorial Park Cemetery.
MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 51261111 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au
SIDDLE
BENNETTS Shirley Join us for Shirley's service at the Moe Cemetery at 12pm on WEDNESDAY (11 March) to celebrate her wonderful life.
MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 51261111 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au
BRISTOW AService to celebrate the life of Leonard Bristow will be held at the Nielsen Funerals Chapel, 2 Korumburra Rd, Warragul, THURSDAY NEXTWEEK (March 19) at 2pm.
APrivate Cremation will follow.
The Funeral of Mrs Kathleen 'Kay' Janet Siddle will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Hwy, Traralgon on THURSDAY (12 March, 2026) commencing at 11am. At the conclusion of the Service the Funeral will leave for the Traralgon Cemetery, Gippsland Memorial Park, Cemetery Drive, Traralgon.
MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au
WILSON The Funeral Service to celebrate the life of Margaret Wilson will take place in the Rose Chapel, Gippsland Memorial Park Crematorium, Cemetery Dr Traralgon, on FRIDAY 13 March 2026 commencing at 11am.
Caravans •
Cars • Deaths •
20/6/1938
Mum,
xx
LATROBE VALLEY FUNERAL SERVICES
Frisbee only requirement
CHURCHILL'S Mathison Park is the new home of Latrobe's first disc golf course.
Already drawing strong community interest, following its official opening late last year and asuccessful come-and-try day in January, the 18-hole course is one of two east of Melbourne (the other being Warburton), and one of the biggest in Victoria.
Disc golf, which is played by throwing specialised flying discs towards metal basket targets, follows similar principles to traditionalgolf, with playersaiming to complete each hole in thefewest throws possible.
The sport is knownfor being family-friendly, low-cost and accessible to players of all ages and abilities.
Locals can participate by picking up discs from the adjacent leisure centre every day of the week, or bring-your-own frisbee.
The course begins near the recently completed playground, forming part of abroader upgrade to the park, which now includes picnic facilities, barbecues, shelters, toilets and walking paths surrounding Lake Hyland.
The come-and-try day ran in conjunction with the Inaugural Churchill Tournament, allowing locals and families to see just how high-performance the sport can get, taking the chance to watch 40 players battle it out on acompetitivelevel. However, the selling point of disc golf is that it doesn't have to be that serious. Thereisnodress code, and as long as you can throw afrisbee, you can participate. Around 20 people participated on the day.
The course was developed in partnership with Kurnai College, who collected community feedback for aco-designing session in 2022 withLatrobe City Council, with some funding granted via VicHealth's local government partnership.
Latrobe CityCouncilDeputy Mayor, Dale Harriman, spoke at the opening in November, stating, “Having adisc golf course in Latrobe City willprovide many opportunities for our local community, whether it’s through competitions, casual games, or simply enjoying time outdoors with friends."
The park has already been adrawcard for Churchill, with a group of localsorganisinganAustralia Day match afterthe come-and-try event, as afriendly meeting to enjoy ones new hobby.
The timing of the new course is significant: this year marks the50th anniversary of disc golf in Australia, one of the first countries in the world to embrace the sport after Sweden.
National celebrations are being planned, and Mathison Park is alreadybeing considered as apotential host for local anniversary events, possibly includingdemonstrations by elite ultimate frisbee players.
Local player Paul Tyndall has launched the 'Mathison Park Disc Golf' Facebook page, which is already sharing videos of the course andattracting agrowing following online.
Local organisers are now exploring forming an incorporated disc golf club in Churchill, which would allow them to apply for communitygrants and affiliate withAustralian Disc Golf forinsurance and support, paving the way for more events at Mathison Park.
Shelley choosesnew club
BASKETBALL
BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
MOE’S Jaz Shelley has found anew home.
After asudden departure from GeelongUnited,the NBL1 South club where she’d played almost exclusively throughout her professional and amateur career, Shelley announced her intentions to sign with Norths Bears in the NBL1 East.
The shock exit from Geelong came just over amonth out from the season and not long after recommitting to the club as captain following aleagueMVP (Most Valuable Player) and Grand Final appearance in 2025.
Doubt remains whether the Moe star will return with affiliate WNBL franchise Geelong Venom going forward, where she served as co-captain last season.
Besides her college career, Shelley has rarely played outside Victoria, andwill now settle in the northern suburbs of Sydney.
“I am super excited to sign with the Norths for this season,” Shelley said on the club’s social media.
“The opportunity to play under Renae (head coachRenae Garlepp) was something Icouldn’t pass up, Iamreally keen to learn from her and take my game to the next level.”
NorthsBears have astrongconnection with WNBLfranchise Sydney Flames, pointing to another signing announcement for Shelley very soon.
Garlepp coaches the NBL1 South club, and in February, was signed to atwo-year dealtobecome the head coach of the Flames after an interim role following the departure of Guy Molloy.
If she indeed signs with the Flames, Shelley would follow in the footsteps of Mirboo North’s Belinda Snell -a legend of the WNBL club.
In two stints with either the Sydney Panthers or Sydney Uni Flames (previous incarnations of the Sydney Flames),Snell won two championships and still holds the record for the most points scored in aWNBL game with 54.
Questions arose regardingwhy Shelleyabruptly defected from Geelong, given the success she’s experienced at an NBL1 level and her growth at aWNBL level.
Hidden answers may have been provided in one of her quotes.
“I am excited to be apart of an organisation who values and cares for their players from an NBL1 level, all the way through to grassroots,” Shelley said.
“I was truly inspired by Eric’s (chief executive Eric Stephens) vision for the club and would be honoured to play asmall role in helping elevate this historical association.”
After aperiod with the Melbourne Boomers in the 2018/19 WNBL season, where she grabbed Rookie of the Year honours, Shelley made abrief appearance for Geelong (then Supercats) in NBL1, before heading off to the States to play with Oregon and then Nebraska.
Before all of that, Shelley was at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)inCanberra, where she played for Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL).
This was her only venture outside of her home state other than her collegiate career.
Shelleywill now be closer to fellow Latrobe Valley export Jade Melbourne, who upon returning from duties with WNBA franchise WashingtonMystics,plays in the ACT with University of Canberra Capitals.
Norths Bears finished the 2025 NBL1 East season, reaching the preliminaryfinal from sixth-place, and beginthe latest season on March 28 against Newcastle Falcons.
DISC GOLF BY AIDAN KNIGHT
Enjoyment: Morwell’sPaul Tindall, Pakenham’sTobyBeasley, Frankston’s Josh Quinn and Cranbourne’s Bridget Albiston lovedthe newChurchill disk golf course at Mathison Park
Photographs: Katrina Brandon
Precision: Moe’s Liam Bantock takes aim.
Latrobe Valley Express Distribution area L t b
Facts:
to homes and businesses including roadside mailbox delivery in many rural areas. Available for free from outlets in smaller towns.
Total audited circulation 32,600 copies Published Wednesday
•“Thereiscontinued strongdemand(and passion) forthe printedproduct in ruraland regional Australia.”
•“Audiencesoverwhelmingly view aprinted copy of theirnewspaper as an essentialservice fortheircommunity.”
Factors at play in premiership race
FOOTBALL
By LIAM DURKIN
MUCH has been said in recent weeks as the football season draws nearer.
Some big names have been signed across the region, extracting no shortage of comment.
Keyboard warriors have been out in full force.
People will have their views and that’s fine. Football is an opinionated game.
Alot of the time, it is also aguessing game.
Recruiting players is nothing new. Paying players is nothing new. Likewise, getting players work is nothing new.
It’s been happening as long as the game has been played.
If recruitment, cushy jobs and under thetable payments in today’s footy has created acompetitive imbalance, people may be well-versed to open the history books. They will find how leagues have always gone through stagesofdominationbycertain clubs,and for avariety of reasons.
Bairnsdale dropped back from the major league to East Gippy, and (predictably) won just about every premiership during the 2010s.
It was asimilar story at Wonthaggi, who played in the Alberton league after combining two clubs to formWonthaggi Power, and were eventually forced to go up alevel by the powers that be.
If youare from clubs of this size, of course you are going to win against pub and postoffice towns.
Heyfield played in seven North Gippsland grand finals for fiveflagsacross anine year stretch either side of the millennium.
North Gippsland has evened out agreat deal since,asninedifferentclubs have won asenior flag in the past 12 seasons.
While the gap between thebest andthe rest
does appear to be increasing, it is perhaps understandablewhy member clubs have been relatively unanimous in their view of keeping the status quo.
Mid Gippslandhad just three differentpremiers in 10 years between 1986 and 1996.
Of thosethree, YallournYallourn Northand Newborough were relatively fresh out of the Gippsland League, while sheer weight of numbers generally worked in Trafalgar’s favour.
It should be noted though the Bloods played in six consecutive fourths (under 16) grand finals during the 1980s.
While many things havechanged in country footy, having young players constantly coming through doesappeartobeatriedand truemethod of remaining competitive.
Maffra has been astandout example of this.
The Eagles not only usually have strong teams at GippslandLeague thirds and fourths level, but all theway down to under 12s and 14s.
Leongatha has also set ahigh mark in this regard. The Parrots generally havetwo teamsineach junior age group up to under 14s.
Is it any wonder then these two clubs have been themostsuccessful at senior level in the last 20 years? With so many local players coming through, it leaves plenty of room to fit recruits in under the points allocation.
Local sport also reflects society and lifestyle.
Manypeople wonder howclubs in the Omeo region survive. Simple, people up there can combine playing footy with their love of going on hunting trips.
Societymeant Orbost once had two clubs, but onlywhen the town had athrivingtimber industry.
Yarram once had three clubs, but only because the area had more farming families than it does now.
Woodside haswon thelasttwo North Gippsland flags and Yarram has struggled on field. That
Gippsland connected along Barassi Way
FOOTBALL
By LIAM DURKIN
EVERYyear, thousands of localsget off the train at Richmond station on their way to the footy.
They then walk up Brunton Avenue before entering the MCG.
Gippslanders will make that same walk this winter, although they will now walk up ‘Barassi Way’.
Brunton Ave has been renamed to recognise one of the most significant figuresinAustralian sport.
BarassiWay runs from Jolimont Street to Punt Road, alongside the iconic sporting precinct where Ron Barassi played 115 of his 254 VFL games for Melbourne and Carlton. Barassi’s status as agiant of the game was further cemented through his coaching, clocking up more than 500 games.
He is creditedwithinventingthe modern game, after masterminding Carlton’s second half revival in the 1970 Grand Final.
The Blues came back from 44 points down at halftime, thanks largely to late Moe footballer Ted Hopkins’ four second half goals.
Barassi, who died in 2023, had astronglinkto Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley,particularly through the 1968 and 1970Carlton premiership teams.
The ‘68 team featured Morwell’s BryanQuirk and Yallourn North’s Garry Crane, as well as Ian Collins (Sale), Bill Bennett (Maffra), Ian Robertson (Dalyston), AdrianGallagher (Yarram) and Neil Chandler (Welshpool) Bairnsdale’s Bob Edmond was part of the squad, and later won two Silvermedals in weightliftingatthe CommonwealthGames. Crane, Robertson,Gallagher and Chandler all played in 1970, as did Vin Waite (Morwell).
Traralgon’s TroyLuff alsoplayed under Barassi during the hectic times of the mid-90s in the harbour city, as did Yarram’s Andrew Dunkley.
“It’s agreat story, he just about got the axe once or twice when Iwas there,” Barassi said of Luff,who went on to play155 gamesfor Sydney. Adding to the local connections is Carlton assistantcoach Graham Donaldson, who coached Morwell’s 1966 premiership. Donaldson put Barassi onto anumberoffuture Carlton Gippslanders, and featuresinthe iconic photo of Barassi leaping high in celebration on the final siren at the endofthe 1970 decider.Barassi arranged for Carlton to playa preseason practice match in Morwell in the late 1960s.
Raptures: Carltoncoach, RonBarassileaps forjoy afterthe 1970 Grand Final. Graham Donaldson, who coached Morwell, is pictured left. File photograph
Morwell resident Joseph Lis recalls Barassi coming to town.
“I remember Melbourne Football Clubvisiting Morwell for afooty clinic at the end of the 1961 season, as Christmaswas approaching,” he said.
“Melbourne at the time was captained by my boyhood hero, Ron Barassi, and Iremember proudly wearing his iconic number 31 Melbourne guernsey and aMelbourne scarf with 31 emblazoned on it.
“For me, 1961 was agood year: Del Shannon released Runaway,I gota scooter forXmas, and best of all, Igot Ron Barassi’s autograph.”
Barassi famously added the numbers 17410 to his signature.
The numbers represented his 17 grand final appearances for 10 premiership wins (17-4-10).
Coincidently, the numbers 17 plus 10 plus four equal his guernsey number (31).
Barassihad manyfamous quotes, one of which perhaps rings especially true for anyone going down the self-improvement path.
“If you’re going to make amistake, make it agood one.”
could easily change however if more offshore wind projects are given the go ahead and people flock to South Gippsland for work.
Traralgon won most flags on offer in the Gippsland League during the 1990s. The Maroons were so strong,they still madea preliminary final when their first-choice players were playing for Traralgon’s VFL side.
Put this into the context of time however, when the SEC was in full swing and Traralgon was the biggest and most successful club.
Success breeds success. Winning is contagious. Boisdale-Briagolong has done alot of winning in recent years, but it took aleague change from North Gippy to East Gippy to do that.
When Iasked one high-ranking AFL Gippsland official who the best-run club was, they immediately responded with "Boisdale-Briagolong".
While there is alot that goes in behind the scenes, playing at the level suitable to aclubdemographic certainly helps.
You put Gippsland League senior interleague players Kade Renooy,Kel Porter and Andrew Quirk into any East Gippy team as Boisdale-Briaglong has, and it’s going to make adifference.
The same practice applies at any level.
Much as coaches and journalists need to sell hope and fill column inches,thereisalot of overanalysing the fact some teamshave really goodplayers and someteams don’t
It’s honestly not muchmore complicatedthan that sometimes.
Granted there’spreparation, organisation, motivation and attitude that all play apart, most premiership teams (again at any level) have ahost of ‘champion’ players relative to the standard.
The criticaldifferencehoweverbetween earning apremiership and simply winning one is an interesting concept to explore.
Money, money, money
“JUST get me money, get me players and we’re achance.”
Not many would know thosewordsare attributed to Allan Jeans.
The man who coached Hawthorn to three flags and St Kilda its only one had an ignominious end to his career withone season at Richmond in 1992.
The Tigersatthat stage had no money,noplayers and therefore, no chance.
Local clubs face similar realities.
That’s why such afuss is made aboutgatetakings, buying raffle tickets and supporting clubsponsors. Every league has asalarycap, and every league has player points.
Every senior player gets paid match fees as well (if not in money then by other means).
Player points are easy enough to govern, the salary cap less so.
It can be the wild west out there.
However, anyone can open an investigation if they really want.
And unlike cricket subs, there are consequences for not complying.
NorthernVictorianclub Wangaratta hadits 2022 Ovens and Murray premiership stripped for cheating the salary cap.
There can be pressure of adifferent kind when ateam spends big.
People putting their money where their mouth is want to see returns.
News travels fast, and it doesn’t take much for the natives to get restless if they suspect someone on xamount of dollars agame isn’t worth it.
Consider also how much some players and officials pay in time, and the amounts can become quite miniscule.
Theytook our jobs
THE age-old debate about outsiders coming in to take spots occupied by locals.
As they say in horse racing: “You are what your record says you are”.
While there is undoubtedly aromantic notion attached to the thought of agroupofmates coming up together to play in asenior premiership, this is seldom the case.
Life happens, people move on, have families, or work takes them elsewhere.
The ‘team of mates’ theory is usefulfor propaganda purposes, but hardly stacks up at times.
Andrew McLeod and Tyson Edwards played a record number of gamestogether,and neverspoke off the field after their falling out.
Conflict can work in positive ways as well.
Stan Alves discovered this at North Melbourne with success, and at St Kilda with the opposite result.
Writing on the culture of the two clubs in his book Sacked Coach,Alves observed: “At North Melbourne we made conflict work, at St Kilda we didn’t, which was our biggest failing”.
The romanticism of one-club players has also worn off.
Football has arguably moved in abetter direction now that players are free to play where they like, without fear of becoming socially blacklisted.
People have probably come to realise players can benefit from exploring multiple avenues.
Quite often, the benefits can be unintended.
“Going to Fitzroy was good, because Ilearnt what not to do, and that can be just as important,” Robert
Walls said of his move from Carlton to the Roys. While clubs do need local players, there can be limitations.
“When Iwas captain there was no point berating the boys if they weren’t performing how you want them to perform because your ability is your ability,” Traralgon West Cricket Club stalwart Tim Fitch said in a2022 interview with the author. Eventhe mostsuccessfulclubshave reliedon outside influence.
Trafalgar won its last premiership in 2018 and played in its most recent grand final last season. Both were coached by people well outside the Traf bubble.
Howdifferent couldhistory have been had the Bloods not branched out and embraced change?
The club’s 2018 premiership coach Clint Einseidel recalled in an interview with the author: “There seemed to be an old schoolapproachtofooty at the club .veryold school."
“I thought we were five to 10 years behind the curve as aclub.
“Whilst the changes were big for the players and therewas certainly some hard work implementingthem, in the end the playing group wanted to improveand obviouslyitwas evident very early that our plans would work.”
Arguments at great lengths often say it’s wrong forclubs to abandonlocal players. Where it gets tricky however is, especially for the small town clubs, the reality that bringing in new players is the only waythey are every going to see any on-field success.
Nilma-Darnum held this view. The club went on amassrecruiting drivein2009tosteamroll the Ellinbank competition on its way to the flag.
“The locals weren’t good enough,” the president at the time stated bluntly.
It is adelicate balancing act. What club’s can’t afford is asituation where they need to beg local playerstocome crawling back afterthe imports leave.
The onus however is on local players to improve themselves.
How many becomecomfortable playing in a mediocre team, knowing they perhaps don’t have to train as hard? Things quickly change once there is competition for spots.
You will rarely,ifever, see me use the word 'talent' in sports writing, because Ifeel those with agenetic advantage shouldn't be lauded for possessing something they haven't earnt. Clubs would surely muchrather ateamof accomplished players with ahigh discipline and adequate skills rather than asprinkling of freaks capable of generating flash-in-pan moments. It was said Kim Hughes wasn’t agreat player, but he played great innings for Australia. I’msurethere are many on the local footy circuit whowould fita similar description.
Sean Westaway was told he was “too fat and too slow” to make it at VFL level, and has gone on to play in four flags for Leongatha.
Quality counts
HOW far back do you want to go?
To the 1930sand South Melbourne’sForeign Legion?
Or the 1980swhenHawthorn was so strong that future state playerscouldn't even geta game in the reserves?
You need alot of things, but having cattle certainly helps.
Brisbane is on the vergeofcompleting adynasty Would they be where they are though if it wasn’t for Lachie Neale, JoshDunkley and Charlie Cameron joining from other clubs?
Or would Hawthorn have won three-in-a-row without Shaun Burgoyne, Josh Gibson, Jack Gunston, Brian Lake, David Hale and Ben McEvoy? Essendon lost just one gamein2000. They didn’t have James Hird, Scott LucasorJason Johnson forall of 1999
Richmond went from 13th to premiers in one season, but they added TobyNankervis, Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy in that time. Put Tom Lynch in and what happens? Dynasty. Geelong people often talk about the importance of Leading Teams and the impact the consultancy firm had in helping them realise their potential. The Cats introduced Leading Teams in 2007 and finished first.
Melbourne used it the next year and finished last TheWestern Bulldogs tried using LeadingTeams with Jason Akermanis. The Brownlow medallist felt the whole exercise was pointless.
“In the end, Geelong -talented. Finally mature, everything comes good. Bomber Thompson did he change afew things? Absolutely, but hey, the talent was there, let’s be honest,” Akermanis told the Herald Sun’s Sacked podcast of the Leading Teamsprogram.
You see the same thing at local level.
Yallourn Yallourn North went from the bottom of the ladder(2014) to the top (2015) in one season. This was after Adam Bailey came across, along with former St Kilda player Barry Brooks and local boys Tom Hutton and Campbell MacInnes returned from the Gippsland League. Newborough went from well outsidefinalsin 2021 to the last game of the year alittle over 12 months later.
Again, they brought Luke Webber, Jayden Van Dyk, Hayden Prestidge, Zac Skinner, Josh Pearce and Wade Anderson back to the club.
Thorpdale won one game in 2022, and then got withinone gameofmaking the grand finalthe next year.
But the team thatyear had Robbie Turnbull (ex-VFL) and was coached by Jason Winderlich. Moe had asimilar turnaround at the same time. The Lions won seven games in 2022 and then more than twice as many the next year (16).
Lucas Forato and Tyson Biffin came back, Riley Baldi wasn’t with Casey as much, and they recruited Chris and Nick Prowse and Billy Gowers. Morwell made finals in 2022, but didn’t win its first in more than 10 years until last September.
There was less than adozen players who played in the 2022 finals series in yellow and black colours who featured three years later.
When you add in Aidan Quigley from the VFL, and then Anthony Rosato, Brandon Bailey, Harri McColland IsaacAbas, youare looking stronger from theoutset.
For the teams that go on to win premierships, there is often ahost of stars in the line-up who have played at the highest level.
Rosedale had Andrew McQualter and Max Bailey in 2015, YYN has had Dean MacDonald play in its last two, and Woodside had Daniel Farmer play in 2024.
Maffra was one of the most dominantclubs either side of the 2010s.
Yes they hadtheir locals in the Burgiels, Kel Porter and Sam Pleming, but they still had players like John and Danny Butcher (admittedly locals), Trent Knobel and Darren Sheen pop up for aseason or two.
Even Leongatha for all its success has still had to bring in absolute star quality.
Noah Gown and Cam Olden never played in the same Leongatha team until the 2023 finals series, and went on to win the flag from third.
Kim Drew crossed fromWarraguland has played in three premierships in the last four years.
Don’t forget, Cade Maskell was recruited to the club from Korumburra, as was Luke Bowman from StonyCreek and Ben Willis from Thorpdale.
The Parrots have had three different coaches in the last decade and still won five flags.
The coach needs to get the best out of the players no doubt,but the job can become so much easier when the squad bats deep.
There is surely no better example of this than Alastair Clarkson at North Melbourne.
Generally regarded as the supercoach of the modern era, Clarkson’s three years at North Melbourne so far read: 17th, 17th and 16th.
If even he can’t improve results with the players at his disposal, what hope has anyone got?
Is it any wonderhe’s had to bring in Luke Parker, Jack Darling and previously Liam Shiels just to drive some standards?
Playing in agoodside
ANYONEfortunate enough to play in areallystrong team will know the task of playing can actually become much easier.
Targets are hit, marks are held and handballs are given.
Everything just moves as it should.
AlecEpisplayed in four grandfinals and two premierships for Essendon in the 1960s,yet he is the first to openly admit he had strong players around him.
“If you’re in agoodsideyou can always be another 10 to 20 per cent better player,” he said in a2014 episode of Open Mike Epis mentored Glenn Manton, firstly at Essendon and later at Carlton.
The Blues won 16 games in arow on the way to the 1995 premiership.
Manton was ever matter-of-fact when recalling Grand Final day that year.
“I knew we would win, Iknew we would win easily, the team was just that good,” he said in a2018 interview with Peter Donegan on SEN
“Every training session was like aparty.”
Mitch Bennett was agreat player at Maffra (best on in two grand finals), and continues to be at Heyfield.
But, as asmall forward,just how many goals would he have kicked if he didn’t have the supply coming in?
Conversely, how much harder can it be in a bad team, when you have to chase more with less rotations?
As former Moe coach James Blaser said in an interview with the author speakingofthe Lions’ fortunes in the mid 2010s.
“We were really competitive for long periods of games, we would just fall over in the last quarter or the last 10 minutes …Ithink that came down to our depth.”
Wayne Walsh played in astrong side at Richmond in 1973-74, two years after clashing with AFL Coach of the Century, Norm Smith during their time at South Melbourne.
Walsh said playing in the backline at South was like playing in the midfield at any other club.
“The bloody ball’s always in defence.”
Who youknow
THERE is adifference between recruiting and networking.
Machinations exist,connections can be made, and long bows drawn.
Anyone who is above average can make adecent living playing countryfootball -all forless than five hours’ work aweek and only six months ayear.
It usually just depends on how much shame the player has and if they can find aclub willing to negotiate.
Unfortunately, some players are only motivated by money.
And unfortunately, some clubs are just that desperate for players.
The situation changes from player to player. If some are getting afair whack from their day job, they might not see the extra few hundred dollars aweek to kick afooty worth the effort.
Much is beingsaidofMoe’s recruitment this preseason.
What isn’t being spokenabout however is the fact Lions senior coach Leigh Poholke and his brother
Myles are actuallyfrom Moe(Myles beingone of the last babies born in the old Moe Hospital in 1998).
Fromthere, yes, they have movedtothe Peninsula, and made aplethora of connections.
Myles was drafted to Adelaide, where he played with Ben Crocker.
Crocker is good mates with new Moe star recruit James Harmes.
Harmes played with former Moe coach and local boy Declan Keilty.
Jake Best will coach Foster thisyear, and you can be sure he’ll try and get best mate and former Port Adelaide forward Brett Eddy to commit, just as he did while coaching Traralgon.
Sale’sconnections ran deepupuntil lastyear’s trainwreck.
The Magpies have had Ryan Pendlebury (brother of), whose parents still live in the town, and fellow local AFL/VFLplayers Cody Henness,Shannen Lange, Jack Johnstone, Hudson Holmes, Will and Jack Leslie at various stages since 2022.
Fellow local AFL player Irving Mosquito was also previously signed, while the Magpies won the race to secure Derek Eggmollese-Smith.
Maffra will likely be abig improver in the Gippsland League this season, helped somewhat by name association.
With Hayden Burgiel coaching, you can bet your bottom dollar he’ll try and get his son and ex-West Coast dasher Coby to qualify for finals.
You can see how it’s all intertwined.
Gentleman’s agreements are also common.
Boyd Bailey played cricket for Raiders just so Harri McColl would play footy for Morwell.
Of all stories,top Melbourneinvestigative reporter, Mick Warnersaidthe Essendondrugs saga revealed to him exactly how the world works.
"This was the massive establishment, Melbourne boys club, the footy boys club, who got together, on the run, and realised that they needed to come up with aplan," he said reflecting on the 10-year anniversary of the story, noting how many of the people involved in handing down sanctions also conveniently servedeach other in the corporate world.
"I just thought when astory comes along, you look at the story on its merits (and) you report it -this was all tied up.
“I was naïve about the way the world works with deal making, with betrayal, with certain people who sit on each other’sboards, the relationships that we probably didn’t even know about."
“We found out very quickly, there is agroup of people swirling above all of us, who all know each other,and they make callstoeach other,”Mark Robinson added.
The same concept exists in local footy.
No guarantee
AFEW clubs know this all too well.
Moetried to buy flags in the 1990s, and ended up going two seasons without awin.
Newborough recruitedheavilyinthe early 2010s andlost three grand finals in arow.
For the Lions, the consequences left the club on life support.
“We had no money, we were $80,000 in debt,”club president at the time Brad Law said upon inheriting the carnage in a2020 podcast with the author.
“We had no players, about 15 players that were paid all left.
“The clubhad been so long without apremiership, administrations looked to try and buy apremiership -and they tried. They bought some good players, but at the end of the day, premierships just can’t be bought, they’ve got to be worked for and made.”
Clubs can also miss golden opportunities.
Wonthaggi hasarguablybeenon-par with Leongatha as the best GippslandLeague team over the last four years -and has no flag to show for it.
The Power missed the Grand Final in 2022 by less than agoal, were the best team in the competition in 2023 and bombed on Grand Final day, and won nine of 10 games leading into the 2024 finals and didn’t get past the semi.
Speaktomany Moe people, and they will tell you the Lions team of 2001 that finishedfourth was actually better than the previous two that played in the Grand Final.
North Gippsland club Cowwarr has gone on a well-publicised recruiting spree this offseason.
The Saints though are surely under no illusions. There is still 20 or so goals to make up against the likes of Woodside and YYN.
Nilma-Darnum is perhaps the only club that genuinely bankrolled apremiership (2009).
The side includedahost of Sale premiership players from the previous year, as well as three-time premiership Lion Mal Michael straight out of the AFL.
Players were reportedly paid $1000 cash straight after the game, while club president and mathematician Andrew Patterson added to his riches thanks
to afamous preseason bet.
The story goes he made the wager after securing the signatures of Michael and co, but before anyone else knew about it.
"There was abookie up in Darwin that betted on Ellinbank andDistrictgames," ‘Pato’ said in a2019 interview with the author.
"People say the odds were 1000-1 but it wasmore in the 20s or 30s. It was adecent win put it that way."
While the Nilma-Darnum flag, which featured prominent Latrobe Valley footballer Allan Chandler, broke a50-year drought, it was embroiled in debate, as many questioned its merits.
The fallfrom grace wasalsodramatic and largely predictable.
Fromthe 21 who played in the 2009 GrandFinal, 14 left before the next season, and Nilma-Darnum crashed to finish second-last on the ladder in 2010.
TheBombers plummeted even further the next season, collecting the wooden spoon with only one win to their name.
Still, Patterson said he’d use the same approach again.
"There's no regrets at all [going about it the way they did], it put asmile on so many supporters’ faces."
You can perhaps do what Nilma-Darnum did at minor league level, as the sheer drop-off in quality is greater, butitalmostcertainly wouldn’twork in the Gippsland League, where the top performing clubs are usually spending near enough to the salary cap.
Cultureisking
AT the risk of finishing with acliché -isithonestly just culture?
Watching Traralgon win the 2024 Gippsland League premiership was certainly aculturallyfuelled victory. Here was ateam of 21-year-olds taking on arguablythe greatest teamthe league has everseen in Leongatha.
And they beat them easily.
Theybeatthem all the while working out of makeshift rooms at their home ground, and with acoach in Troy Hamilton armed with nothing more than anotepad and pen.
How many other clubs would use poor facilities or lack of resources as an excuse?
You do find clubs that whinge the most are the least successful on field.
Again, this can often be areflection of society. Some towns are very welfare dependant, so the tendency is for people to think along the lines of “what can Iget?” rather than “what can Igive?” Other townshaveanundeniably conservative bent, meaningthere is great resistance to any radical change.
How often do you hear of clubs unable to push something through because dinosaur life members no one has seenfor 15 years suddenly appear as soon as acontentious issue is being voted on? Are cultures engrained?
Possibly.
With 37 premierships, Port Adelaide is the most successfulclub in the history of Australian rules football. That only one of those flags has come at AFL level does little to change the expectations most Port supporters have every year.
Most peopleknow St Kilda has only won one premiership in its entire history.
But the Saints also losttheir first 48 games as aV/AFL club,and have the most wooden spoons in theleague’s history by aconsiderable distance (27) -nearly twice as many as the club withthe second-most (North Melbourne on 15). Surelythis can’t justbeattributedtoa continued run of misfortuneorone unlucky bounce in a moment in time.
Neagle replacing Lloyd was wrong move: Sheedy
FOOTBALL
By LIAM DURKIN
TRARALGON footballer Jay Neagle had ahand in denying Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd 1000 goals.
That’s according to former Bombers assistant coach Robert Shaw.
Neagle was fast-tracked at theexpense of Lloyd inside the Bombers’ forward 50 under coach Matthew Knights, who invested in youth following the Kevin Sheedy era.
Neagle made his debutinSheedy’s last ever game in 2007, and played 27 of his 28 career AFL games under Knights.
“Hewas agood, young, talented player,” Shaw said of Neagle, speaking on the Herald Sun series: Essendon The Lost Years
“But to move Lloyd out of full forward to play Jay Neagle …I’m not sure that was wise.
“Even though it is notanindividual game, it cost Lloyd 1000 goals.”
Lloyd finished his career with 926 goals from 270 games.
The left footers career came to an ignominious end after cleaning up Hawthorn midfielder Brad Sewell in 2009,literallyencapsulatingthe phrase ‘going out with abang’ Essendon Coach of the Century Kevin Sheedy echoed the thoughts of his long time confidant.
“I know Jay Neagle was ayoung kid coming up, but ‘do your time,doyour apprenticeship’ and don’t bury Lloyd on the way (through),” Sheedy said, speaking as part of the same series.
Essendon hasfamously not won afinalsince 2004, and Shaw believes decisions such as Neagle being elevated ahead of Lloyd has been emblematic of the club’s problems post-Sheedy.
“I don’t blame Matthew Knights. He was probably abit naïve. If he’d (gone) the other way, and said, ‘You know what, I’ve done my research about this club …weneed these people around our club. We need the culture carriers (like Lloyd) to keep going through’. In my opinion, (Knights) went the other way …and there’s another two or three years gone.”
Neagle did not play again after Knights was sacked in 2010.
Essendonfavourite sonJames Hird succeeded Knights, and felt the Traralgon product wasn’t meeting professional standards.
“I said to him, ‘There’s afork in the road for you Jay,and yourcareer can go one of two ways’,” Hird told afl.com in 2010.
Neagle was delisted ahead of the 2011 season, aged just 22, the same year the Bombers let Bachar Houli go to Richmond.
Houli went on to play in three flags, and probably should’ve won the 2017 Norm Smith Medal.
Essendon meanwhile went through hell and
back in the years leading up to this, as the supplements debacle cast adark shadow over the league.
Thorpdale’s Jason Winderlich was one of only four Essendon players who did not take part in the program.
Winderlich was therefore able to play for Traralgon in 2016, ayear afterretiring from the AFL, when most of his Bombers teammates were slapped with 12-month bans.
Leongatha’s DysonHeppell(whoplayedfor his home club in last season’s Gippsland League premiership) wasnot as fortunate.
Heppell has deflected or played astraightbat to mostquestions aboutthe saga whenever it is raised in interviews.
The collateral saw Essendon captain at the time Jobe Watson relinquishhis 2012 Brownlow Medal, meaning Richmond’s Trent Cotchin and Hawthorn’s Sam Mitchell were instantly promoted.
Debate hasrage around whether or not Cotchin and Mitchell are ‘real’Brownlowmedallists, although most people in footy circles with any degree of impartiality still count Watson as the true winner.
Speaking at aMoe Football-Netball Club function once,Essendon premiership player John Barnesclaimed Watson was paidhandsomely to forego the award.
Winderlichcame back to coach Thorpdale from
2023 to 2024, getting Bombers highflyer Garry Moorcroft to suit up for agame at the rip old age of 48.
Moorcroft is also interviewed in thesix-part series, along with Sheedy, who was aspecial guest at last year’s Moe Cup.
Neagle played for afew Gippsland clubs after coming home from Windy Hill,namely Korumburra-Bena, Glengarry and Traralgon Tyers United, whom he also coached.
Essendon has someother local connections through prominent supporters.
Moe FNC lifemember Loretta Clarke sponsors afew players,while Warragul meat king Robert Radford is on first-name basis with some of the Bombers’ greats.
The Lost Years series looks at how far Essendon has fallen since its all-conquering revenge tour of season 2000.
The demise has been quite staggering considering the players to wear the red and black.
The2019finals team alone contained Heppell, Andy McGrath, Dylan Sheil, Zach Merrett, Aaron Francis, Michael Hurley, Adam Saad, Darcy Parish, Jake Stinger, Cale Hooker and Kyle Langford.
How can ateam with thatmuch quality not even win afinal?
The Latrobe Valley Express, Wednesday, 11 March, 2026 —Page41
Rovers make finals, and secure home semi, with three balls to spare
CRICKET
CLV
BY LIAM DURKIN
THE ladderwas cut in half as the CricketLatrobe Valleyregular season came to an endatthe weekend.
Four teams from the two first grade competitions will now take part in the bonus rounds in pursuit of premierships.
Equations were thrown out somewhat given the last round was played as one dayers, following a washout the previous week.
This meant reduced points,and lesschance for teams around the midsection of the ladder to catapult further.
In the wash-up, there was little change to the top four in the respective first grade competitions before play commenced.
Ex Students secured another Premier Aminor premiership, while Raiders did as predicted in the preseason by doing the same in AGrade Morwell had ahome final sewn up in Premier A someweeksago, and will play Glengarryinthis weekend’s semi.
The Magpies, also predicably, have come good late since the return of Nat Freitag.
Churchill meanwhilefinished agame clear in fourth and equal-third with Glengarry on points.
Some misguided criticism lastseason surrounded the Cobras, who were promoted after losing the A Grade semi-final.
Having now finished top four in the higher grade with basically the same team, it is clear they were promoted on their own merit.
That Churchill was so dominant in AGrade last season and didn’t even make the Grand Final will serve as atimely reminder to all playing finals this weekend.
As anyone whohas played cricket for long enough will tell you: semis are the hardest games to win.
EvenExStudents, winners of thelast two premierships, had to put in ablock-a-thon for the ages two seasons ago just to make it, afterescaping asemi-final with adraw and going through as the higher ranked team.
Just last season, Glengarry won through after getting skittled for 85 on first innings in asemi.
Bowlers tend to dominant finals as batsmen naturally become more defensively minded, not wanting to gift extra overs to the opposition.
Because of this, scores around 200 can often be worth 250.
There is little doubt some players save themselves for finals as well, so don’t be surprised if someone like Freitag or Keenan Hughes at Raiders find an extra yard of pace this weekend.
Much as coaches talk about ‘intensity’, players can afford to operate using ‘selective intensity’ during moments that are inconsequential.
As one great of Gippsland cricket (certainly not short on confidence) rightly said about certain match-ups: “Why would Ibowl to him? He’s going to go out anyway.”
Finals usually throw up surprises as well. There seemstoalways be oneblokewho does nothing all season who plays ablinder when it matters most. Every team has one, the bloke who bats at eight and doesn’t bowl, and gets agameevery week becausethey are unreal valueinthe sheds or with astory forthe warm-up from the night before. This is also where moments can define aplayer. Max Merton has takenalot of wickets for Glengarry,but hisfinal over six to win the Magpies the 2022/23flagcouldwell be what he is best remembered for.
Similarly Dale Banks, who nudged his way to 26 of the most important runs in Mirboo North history batting at 10 to chase an impossible300 total more than 10 years ago.
John Keighran’s 105 in aChurchill score of 137 single-handedly got the Cobras into the 2020/21 Grand Final.
There could yet be afew more surprises, especially when teams are read out on Thursday.
In Merv Hughes' voice: “pay your subs boys”. EX STUDENTS warmed up for finals with an emphatic victory over Centrals.
The matchbetween first and last went largely as expected, although Centrals to their credit didn’t simply throw in the towel even with relegation assured before aballwas bowled.
The Sharks batted first at ApexPark, and closed at 8/226 after the 50 over allotment.
The visitors opted not to change the order to give others ahit, and as such, the usual suspects were the top run scorers. Michael Stockdale led the way with 77, followed by brother Lee, whose 46 saw him win the league aggregate.
Rick Battista (32) was reliable as ever, while Daniel Trease scored ahandy 28 batting at seven.
Workhorse left arm swing bowler Marc Fenech took 4/50, and will now presumably spendmost of winter hibernating, partaking in his favourite pastime, playing computer games.
Centrals made 8/177 in reply, helped mainly by two free-flowing innings from Mark Rawson and Tyron Gamage. Rawson didn’t muckaround, hitting seven fours in his 49, before Gamage, again showing he perhaps should make more runs for aplayer of his technique, with 44 not out off 38 rocks.
Lions skipper Tye Hourigan scored apatient 28 off 74 balls, and finished the season second to Stockdale on the league runs with 451.
Hourigan shouldered most of the batting for Centralsthis season,scoring almost 200 more than the next best. Givenhis strikerateusually dipped below50, it is obvious he was under pressure each time he walked to the wicket to not only score, but to take enough time out of the gametomake sure his team wasn’t completely blown out of the water
The Lions had avery tough season, with all three of its senior teams relegated.
Droppingbackhowever may havecome at an ideal time.
Centrals has anumberofyoungplayers, who by all accounts, willbegood AGrade playersin anumberofyears, but need to spend some time playing at the next level down.
From awhole club perspective, one assumes the seconds and thirds will also be stronger playing at amore suitable level next season, which will naturally lead to greaterclubmoraleand less ‘want agame tomorrow mate?’ phone calls in the pub on aFriday night.
Wickets were shared amongthe Ex Students bowlers. Fletcher Graham (2/35), Adam Brady (2/44) and Sam Farmer (2/40)all tookmultiple poles.
GLENGARRY secured its finals berth at the expense of Imperials.
While ahost of hypotheticals were on the cards, at its most basic: the winner played finals.
TheMagpiesbattedfirst at Fred King Oval, and putup6/214 after 50 overs.
NatFreitag rose to the occasion with 74 off 76 balls.
He was caught by Todd Mann, in what was at least the second-best catchofhis career at the venue (ask anyone who played in the 2015/16 GCL final andtheywill say Todd’scatch, sprinting along the boundary and taking it one handed, was up there with the greatest).
Cam Graham (47) and Sam Marks (38) provided an ideal platform, putting on an opening stand of 70.
Aaron Johnstone (2/28), Ryan Morley (2/36) and Mann (2/43) chipped in with wickets for Imperials. Unfortunately for the visitors, their finals hopes dissipated with barely ayelp, as they were knocked over for 86 inside 40 overs.
Freitag ran riot, taking crazy one day figures of 5/9off 10 overs, although it was largely Max Merton and Graham whostarted the implosion, after reducing Imperials to 2/1 -bothwickets being Imps’ two best batsmen.
Imperials will be disappointedwith how its season ended, especially after winning just one game after Christmas.
After winning the AGrade flag last season though, it can often take aseason to get accustomed to the higher grade. The biggest fear for any club gaining promotion is that they will be demoted less than 12 months later. Impsavoided this, and with Mann re-signing, will have reason to go into next season with some confidence their best stacks up.
HOW much will this result mean over the next two weeks?
Or was it the loss they had to have?
Morwell will go into finalsoff the backofa pounding against fellow finalists Churchill.
The Cobras put the Tigers away by six wickets, after bowling them out for just 114 at Keegan Street.
Morwell had its full-strength team fielded, yet Tim Ford (56) was the only player to make a contribution of significance.
Churchill has been buoyed by the availability of Kurt Holt in recent weeks, and the bustling quick took the first two wickets of the game to set the Cobras alight.
His opening partnerRyan Ayresalsotook two wickets, while John Keighran nabbed 3/31.
Ayres (42) and Jordan Higham (29) then got to work with the bat, in an innings wherepossibly the only talkingpoint was usual wicket-keeper
Jordan Campbell taking 1/0.
Morwell will be back at Keegan St for the semifinal, knowing full well this weekend will be vastly different from alast round one day fixture.
The Tigers have seen this movie before (sort of).
Don’t forget, Morwell lost the last round of the 2013 Gippsland League season by 120 points against Sale.
The Tigersthen beat the sameteam by 80 points in the Grand Final.
TOONGABBIE denied Moe any chance of playing finals.
The Lions needed afew other results to go its
way, but ultimately, defeat to the Rams meant both teams finished outside the top four.
Moe bid adieu to Burrage Reserve Newborough, after being sent in and conjuring up 164.
The home side was in early strife at 3/20, before Benn Zomer and Matt Hibbs took the score past 50.
Both players however fell in quick succession, meaning Toongabbie hadanother pairoffresh batsmen to bowl to.
Rob Phoenix and Noah Kane got the total toward 150,withthe former making 49 off 52 balls and the latter 29.
GayashanMunasinghe took 5/28, gettinglate reward for aseason where he hasbent his back week after week.
The Rams opened with spin at the other end, while the experience of Tom Shippen saw him take 3/24.
The visitors got home amid aflurry of late wickets, going from 2/103 to 8/139 before the winning runs were hit.
Kyle O’Reilly (39), Rob Wheildon (30) and Amal Athulathmudali (29) made scores before the carnage.
Zomer took 4/30, Anu Anubhav 2/18 off 10 and Royce Colgrave 2/50 to finish the season with 28 wickets-the second most of any pace bowler in the competition.
Both teams may already have one eye turned to next season.
Toongabbie will drop back after finishing seventh on the ladder.
While nothing is guaranteed, one imagines the Rams will be very strong in AGrade if they keep the same team together.
Amazingly, the ‘second division’ AGrade could have two former international fast bowlers.
Munasinghe captained the Italian national team, while CATS’ TinashePanyangara playedTest cricket for Zimbabwe.
Moe meanwhile will obviously be eager to get back to Ted Summerton Reserve.
The Lions relocated its entire club for the summer as ground works at their home base took place.
The move arguably led to battle fatigue, and played some part in Moe losing its last three games.
There can be little doubt the infamous ‘Burrage bounce’ also had an effect.
Andrew Philip is generally regarded as the leading batsman in the league,yet even he only managed 98 runsinfivehits at the venue this season.
This was also the first season in living memory Philip did not score acentury. (How far back into the books would you have to go to find that? Assumingly not since he was ateenagerjust starting out in AGrade).
He did however still finish the season with 342 runs,which is what the average club cricketer would count as a‘good’season.
Philip usually scores twice as many runs aseason, so in layman’s terms, he has been twice as good as the average cricketer for 15 years.
As the great Steve Spoljaric once famously said: “bowlers don’t get me out, only pitches do”.
For those wondering, Spoljaric is nearly 50 and scored 600 runs in Sale-Maffraones this season.
RECKON they’re daring to dream?
Surely.
Willow Grove are playing AGrade finals. (Imagine if someone had of told you that two years ago).
The Wolves qualified after beatingMirboo North in the south by six wickets.
Chasing 179, the visitors' big guns came to the party. Luke Payton whacked 65 off 63 balls, including one monstrous six over fine leg toward the bushland.
Ben Edebohls continued his breakout season with the stick, scoring 44 off 51 at the top, while Nathan Wheildon hung around for 29 not out off 96.
Edebohls took 4/40 earlier in the day, along with Willow Groveloyalists Rob Fiddelaers (2/13) and Darcy Walsh (2/35).
Showing good signs elsewhere was youngster Dylan van der Stoep, who promptly fixed the stumps at the bowlers end after completing arun out.
Ben Heath top-scored for the Tigers with 70, backing up the work of George Fairbairn, who made 28.
Willow Grove will returntoMirboo Northfor the semi-final clash against Rovers.
Rovers raised afew eyebrows by choosing Mirboo North, yet aclub official confirmed the side felt it was avenue the team played well at.
Rovers has also lost its last two games at home this season (including against Willow Grove), and had wanted to play at Toongabbie, yet that venue becameunavailable duetothe under 16s Grand Final this Friday.
Roversand Willow Grove will each have no shortage of sentimentalityfor the finals, as both are on the hunt for long-awaited premierships.
THEY do tend to make it difficult Rovers.
The team from the south side of the train line
defeated northern counterpart Traralgon Westby one wicket at Jack Canavan
Both teams willplay finals, although whether or not this form has any effect remains an interesting subplot.
The visitors elected to bowl first, and saw the Eagles bat their 50 overs for just 121. Alfie Peck top-scored with 48, and Josh Monacella 25 off 125 balls.
Traralgon West had finals secured leading into the game, and perhaps wanted to spendsome time in the middle.
Still, there was thepotential to gain ahome final, and the chance to bypass top-side Raiders, yet the Eagles seemed content on getting batting practice in.
Ewan Williams took 4/23 and Mitch Leslie 2/12 for Rovers.
Rovers had to win to make finals, and won through in nerve-killing fashion with justthree balls and one wicket to spare.
From 2/69, things quickly took asharp turn, and before too long, the visitorswere6/106 following the dismissal of James Hayter for 48.
Some tense moments late saw the last three wickets fall for just five runs, yet atimely wide for Rovers got them the win.
Remarkably, Roverswent from potentially not making finals to finishing top two in the space of one non-legal delivery.
Ben Fleming(2/10), Reece Falla (2/29) and Liam Bermingham (2/32) took multiplewickets for Traralgon West.
The Eagles will take on Raiders in the semi-final, who seemingly have all the pressure on them.
As Traralgon West legend Tim Fitch would say (borrowing from Matthew Wade): “They’renervous, we’re calm”.
LATROBE finished its season with awin over CATS.
CATS faced the difficult task of needing to win with abonus point to be any chance of playing finals.
Up against ateam likeLatrobe, who value defence, this was always going to present a challenge.
The Sharks decided to bowl first at Moe Racecourse, and were given 142 to chase.
CATS skipper Nathan Harrup scored 31 batting at first drop, while Callum Stewart, perhaps emblematic of CATS’ season, made 43 batting at number nine.
Latrobe bowlers to get among the wickets were Ed Hopper(3/11), Rob Webber (3/20),Blake Duncan (2/14) and Jacob Bloomfield (2/22).
The Sharks adopted a‘slow and steady wins the race’ response, with the old guard of Steven Freshwater scoring 34 not out to guarantee victory with 25 balls to spare.
Rhys Noble made an enterprising 30 off 35 balls, while Hopper dug in for 28 off 120.
Players from both teams now have their weekends back, and can either devote time to the garden or getting in the good books before next season.
Like Moe, Latrobe will be looking forward to getting back to its home deck.
Frustratingly for the Sharks, they were off Peter Siddle Oval for the entire season, after originally being told it was only going to be until Christmas.
If they can’t complete alocal groundonschedule, does aCommonwealth Gamesone have any chance?
RAIDERS’ match against Gormandale was almost anon-event.
With one team destined to finish on top and the other on the bottom,the game wasdone and dusted after just 43 combined overs.
Travelling to Stoddart Oval, the visitorsdecided to get things over with quickly.
Unleashing KeenanHughes on the Tigers' top order, he promptly took5/9 off eightovers withfive maidens to see Gormandale routed for 61.
In somewhat farcical scenes, it was Hughes’ sixth five wicket haul of the season, meaning he ended the regular campaign with 50 scalps.
For any bowler, 30 wickets is generally the sign of adominant season. To take 50 is incrediblyrare, and will likely stand as arecord for years to come.
Hughes certainly walked the walk after talking thetalk during preseason that he would take at least40wickets. Sometimes all you can do is say “hats off”.
George Cheshire played adecent hand as second fiddle, taking 4/6.
Raiders skipper Liam Maynard made sure of the result, batting through for 29 not out.
JuniorsUnder 14 (SF): Imperials 6/133 (L Pass 50*, M Cochrane 27,CRoss 3/15) def Ex Students Gummy129 (L Mackay31, MCochrane 2/7) [playedSunday, March 1], Ex Students Tiger 1/93 (T Ferguson 40*, AShine 34*) def Raiders/Latrobe 92 (B Bifin 2/9, KMurtagh 3/18, SKerr 2/14) [playedWeds,March 4& Thurs, March 5).
GrandFinal playedMonday, March 9. Result not known at time of press.
Under 12 (SF),playedMonday, March 2: TraralgonWest 7/85 (H Rathjen3/4) def CATS 6/70 (H Rawson 2/4), Ex Students Hammerheads 3/76def Ex Students Great Whites 4/55 (A Shine 2/7).
GrandFinal playedMonday, March 9. Result not known at time of press.
CENTURIES
Adam Jaensch (Ex Students) 190
Shane Mustoe (CATS) 110*
Lee Stockdale (Ex Students)......134
Michael Johnstone (Moe) 102*
RoryO'Donnell (Rovers) 112
Nick Duncan (Churchill) 175
Gael Greenway (Rovers) 149*
Rob Semmler (Morwell) 103
Phil Gibson (Traralgon West) 149*
Nathan-Lee Nikodemski (G’D) 164
Darren Brain (Rovers).................106
Paul Henry(Glengarry) 131*
Blake Mills (Morwell) 104*
Ryan Ayres(Churchill) 105*
Keenan Hughes (Raiders) 115
Glen Smith (Jeeralang-Bool) 107*
Rupinder Sidhu (Raiders) 108*
Matt Stoddart(Toongabbie) 102
Matt Dyke (Ex Students).............118
David Pryde (Ex Students) 100*
Dale Fleming (CATS) 107
Evan Sheekey (Moe) 107
Rob Semmler (Morwell) 109
Declan Wilson (CATS) 112*
Paul Henry(Glengarry) 136*
Lee Stockdale (Ex Students).... 100*
Donald Mcdougall (Latrobe) 144*
Darren Brain (Rovers)............... 138*
Jamie Kendall (Gormandale) 109*
Mark Smallwood (Gormandale)105*
FIVE WICKETS
Gayashan Munasinghe (Toongabbie) 5/28
CRICKETLATROBEVALLEY
not out 5 BMayberrynot out. 2 Sundries (2b 8lb 9w 3nb) 22 TOTAL (50 overs). 6/214
(5b 3lb 14w 4nb) 26 TOTAL (39.4overs) 4/179 MIRBOO NORTH BOWLING LRoberts 6.4-0-35-1, DBanks 5-0-20-0, MWoodall 10-1-35-0, GFairbairn 8-0-47-1,
Collingwood connection grows
FOOTBALL AFL BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
AFTER last year's AFL Trade Period saw the breakdown of the Latrobe Valley contingent at the GoldCoast Suns,one of the game'sbiggest clubs is becoming ahub for the region's exports.
Last December, Leongatha's DysonHeppellwas scooped up by Collingwood, hired as adevelopment coach under premiership coach Craig McRae ahead of the 2026 season.
The former Essendon captain was added late to the Magpies' football department following the departures of Scott Selwood and Josh Fraser.
In an additionally surprising move, in early Februaryitwas revealed that Heppell and VFL club Port Melbourne had parted ways.
During last season, Heppell served under aplaying coach role for the Borough, featuring in all 18 games, while also managing afairy tale return to his home club, Leongatha.
The Parrots, alongside other clubs such as Moe in regards to Riley Baldi at Casey, fought to ensure that VFL-listed players could qualify for Gippsland League finals.
All was eventuallysorted and Heppellwent on to claim dual best-on-ground medals in Leongatha's fifth flag in the last decade.
Hisdeparture from Port Melbourne leaves the door open for apossible reappearance with the Parrots in the near future.
At the Borough, Heppell served under his former Essendon coach James Hird (as Port Melbourne's Director of Coaching), who made alocal stop last year for aspecial meet-and-greet at the Top Pub, Morwell Hotel.
Recently, the TopPub also welcomed Bombers trio,former skipper Zach Merrett, Sam Durham and Nate Caddy.
No doubt there would have been some hostility from the Essendonsupporters in the room towards Merrett following his much publicised trade demand to Hawthorn during the offseason.
With Heppellnow arrivingatCollingwood, it not only gives him achancetofeature deep into finals, unlike with his former AFL club, but he'll also join ahealthy unit of Latrobe Valley and broader Gippsland exports.
Traralgon's TimMembrey is intohis second year with the Magpies, while Morwell's Tew Jiath will be hopeful to break into the senior side.
The youngerbrotherofnew Melbourne player Changkuoth Jiath (who exited the Hawks after eight years in the brownand gold) has not mounted asecond match with Collingwood at the top level since debuting in Round 16, 2024.
Each of Jiath and Membrey (204 games) pale in comparison to Sale's Scott Pendlebury, who is six games off breaking the AFL games record held by North Melbourne great Brent Harvey.
Two-time Morwell premiership player Mannon Johnstonhas also worked for Collingwood since 2019, after departing the Tigersand ashort period for Yallourn Yallourn North, currently serves as AFL Player Engagement Manager and gameday runner.
The Magpies list and talent manager, triple premiership player with the Brisbane Lions,Justin Leppitsch also has aconnectiontoGippsland,having bought and renovated the former Pier Port Hotel in Port Welshpool into The Rusty Gurnard.
Jumped ship: Leongatha’sDyson Heppell (pictured with brother Aaron afterlast season’s Gippsland League Grand Final) is this year serving as adevelopment coach for Collingwood. File photograph
No moreflooding the backline: The TraralgonRecreation Reserve
2025)isnearing completion.
The
wait is nearly over
Morwell recruit takes AFL spot vacated by Harmes
FOOTBALL
By LIAM DURKIN
CRUEL irony has anew definition.
MorwellFootball-NetballClub has lost prized recruit WillLewis in oneofthe moredramatic turn of events.
Lewis was added to the Western Bulldogs' list, taking the spot vacated by James Harmes -the same Harmes who has joined Moe for this year's Gippsland League season.
Lewis, 26, played in aVFL flagfor Footscray last season, and had been training with the Dogs this preseason.
Western Bulldogs Player Acquisition and Strategy Manager Michael Regan said it was great to bring Lewis into the AFL program.
"We're really pleased to bring Will onto the list," he said.
"It's agreat story of perseverance for Will and anotherrepresentation of the positive impact our VFLprogram continues to have on the development of our players.
SPORT
TRARALGON has anew facility too guys.
The$6.2 million redevelopment of Traralgon Recreation Reserve is progressingwell, with constructionofthe new flood-proof multipurpose pavilion underway following the demolition of the site's long-standing, flood-prone facilities.
The project is moving closer to completion after the previous changerooms were condemned for more than three years following the June 2021 floods.
The elevated pavilionwill featuremodern changerooms for football, netball,cricket, and boxing clubs, along with akitchen, social space, and adedicated boxing gym, delivering asignificant upgradefor local sporting groups.
"The oldfacilities were outdated and vulnerable to flooding, and the 2021 floods highlighted the urgent need for change," Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said.
"This redevelopment will provide modern, elevatedinfrastructurethatcan betterwithstand future eventsand serve juniorand senior sportspeople for decades to come."
Chester said the pavilion would strengthen participation and community engagement across the Latrobe Valley.
"This is going to be aterrific addition to local sporting infrastructure, supporting players, volunteers and families right across the community," he said.
The project is being managedbyLatrobe City Counciland delivered by local firm Langden Constructions, with funding provided through apartnership between council and the federal government's Local Roadsand Community Infrastructure Program (LRCIP).
"Whencomplete,this pavilion willstand as a long-term legacy for the Latrobe Valley and a strong example of what can be achieved when local government, community groups and local contractors work together,” Chester added.
It is expected the rooms will be complete in time for the Gippsland League season.
Traralgon Football-Netball Club has floodlights bright enough to host night games, as does Moe FNC, whose lighting has recently been upgraded as part of Commonwealth Games Legacy.
The Gippsland League will surely look to play more gamesunder lights in the Latrobe Valley in seasons to come.
Liam Durkin
"He has put together consistent seasons with the support of people like Stewart Edge and Alex Johnson, readying him forthe next step in his football journey."
The man himself said it had been asurreal few days.
“I’m obviously over the moon -Ihaven’t wiped the smile off my face since Ifound out,” Lewis said.
“I’ve been pinchingmyself …Ican’tactually believe what’s happened in the last little bit.
“I’ve been working as an engineer the last five years,and then playinghere(with Footscray).
To then get the opportunity to train over the last couple of weeks here and get the list spot now it’s been along journey to get here, but one that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed."
Moe has notescaped the Harmesdiscussion entirely, after reports emerged the Melbourne premiership player wanted to continue his AFL career.
"He was left with no choice but to retire," AFL newshound Tom Morris said on SEN last Friday (March 6).
"Harmes wanted to play on -let me make that very clear. He was desperate to do so.
"He also acknowledged that he stuffed afew thingsup, but he wantedone more chance and the Dogs were very firm in telling him that he'd lost the trust of the players and that he should retire."
The revelation was queried by show host Kane
Cornes, who asked "can you telluswhathe admitted?"
Morris replied that he couldn't provide an answer.
AMoe official close to Harmes dismissed the allegations when asked by this masthead.
MoeFNC president Mat Howlett was on record last week saying the club "always" did itsdue diligence when signing aplayer.
While Morris is apolarising journalist, his track record is hard to argue against.
He was first with news of Damien Hardwick's departure as Richmond coach in 2023, going with the story beforeeven the Richmond players knew.
Morris' fiery encounter with Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridgein2022 allbut confirms the journalist knows people in high places inside the four walls at Whitten Oval as well.
Beveridge's outburst was nothing however compared to formerAustralian leg spinner (the country's greatest living leggie?) Stuart MacGill's meltdown for the ages on the Cricket Unfiltered podcast last week.
MacGill was bizarrely setoff after the topic of Candice Warner's scandal with Sonny Bill Williamswas raised, leadingtoanearlyend to theepisode.
MacGill's temper actually flared earlier in the episode while discussing Gippsland'sown Sophie Molineux's elevationtothe Australian captaincy, despiteher long injury history.
"She was the best option, you are nobody in the big scheme of things, you've just got to understand that mate," MacGill said, exploding on show host Andrew Menczel.
"She's just in the best XI,"Menczelmaintained.
"So you're hoping that Sophie Molineux got an injurysothat you could be right," MacGillhit back. Keepingthe controversy going, former Gippsland Power coach Nick Stevensfronted court last week, accused of ripping more than $170,000 from customers in undelivered swimming pools. He has pleadednot guilty to 18 charges,accordingtothe Herald Sun
The trial against the 200-game Port Adelaide and Carlton player continues.
pavilion (pictured November
Photograph: Liam Durkin
The game is Humphrey’soyster
FOOTBALL AFL EXPORTS
BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
MANY Latrobe Valleyexports hit the track for Opening Round of the 2026 AFL season.
As is every year, players, coaches and spectators all set their expectations high for what is expected to be another tight season.
Those expectations were loud for each of Carlton and Sydney when they faced off in the league season opener on Thursday night at the SCG.
Despite the spectacle of Charlie Curnow coming up against his old team, the Swans stormed past the Blues by 63 points.
Scoring washard to come by through the first two quarters, as Carlton sat ahead by 10 points at the main break.
The Blues appeared to be trendingtoward a surprise victory, after leading by fourgoals,the Swans booted 18 of the next 20, blowing the game outofthe water.
On debut for Carlton, after asudden trade away from Gold Coast during the offseason, Morwell's Ben Ainsworthshowcasedtwo goals and 14 disposals for the navy blue.
WHAT astart to the new year.
Moe's Bailey Humphrey couldn't be stopped in thefirst quarter against Geelong, bootingthree of the first four goals for Gold Coast.
TheSunsmade lightwork of afairly depleted Cats outfit, winning by 56 points at People First Stadium, Gold Coast on Friday night.
Whilemuch attention went to the Suns' star recruit, Christian Petracca, Humphrey was given the freedom and space at centre half forward to getoff to the best of start in his fourth season.
The formerMoe, Newborough and Trafalgar junior was delivered the ball inside 50 within the first 30 secondsofthe 2026campaign,tallying his first major almost instantly.
He then snapped truly fromthe boundary a few minutes later and was found again midway through the firstquarter, subsequently sending through his third goal early on.
Humphrey's fourth and final goal for the game came as the second half opened, and the scary combination of he and Petracca was realisedwhen the two linked up via hands before Humphrey snapped another.
Despiteall the noise surrounding his desired departure in the offseason, ironicallytoMelbourne, Humphrey could be in for his best season yet and fits extremely well in asideeyeing adeep finals berth.
Humphrey finished with 15 touches and four goals on the night.
ALL sorts of noise surrounded St Kilda heading into 2026, for good reason too considering their recruits.
The Saints proved that they still have some way to go to become one of the best, succumbing to Collingwood on Sunday night at the MCG by 12 points.
As the only game across the weekendtofeature a muchmore defensively focussed and tamestrategy, the Magpies overcame ahalftime deficit to steer forth an impressive victory.
While Traralgon's Tim Membrey was kept quiet with just eight touches for Collingwood,former Moe junior and Fish Creek's Sam Flanders on debutfor St Kilda, collected 28 disposals and seven marks.
Morwell's Changkuoth Jiath will prepare for his debut for Melbourne thisSunday against St Kilda in Round 1.
Churchill prodigy CalsherDearwas also overlooked for Hawthorn in their loss to GWS on Saturday afternoon, withhis nextopportunity coming Fridaynight against Essendon at the MCG.
BEFORE Opening Round started, all AFL and VFL clubs got match sim and practice matches in before the real season began.
Out with the Demons, former Gippsland Power boys coach RhettMcLennan has gotten afew
games under his belt with Casey (Melbourne affiliate) alongside some Latrobe Valley exports.
Recentdraftee Tom Matthews raised eyebrows in aone-point lossagainst NorthMelbourne, leaping forsome high-flying marks and booting two goals.
The former Moe and Trafalgar junior was then named in Melbourne's side for its AFL preseason hit-out against Richmond however, didn't get on the ground.
Matthews and Morwell's Ricky Menthaare expected to be key players for Casey's VFL campaign this season, with bothgainingopportunities in the midfield and down forward.
Tew Jiathfeatured in bothhit-outs for Collingwoodinthe preseason, and after an injurybattered2025, couldsee AFL exposure this season after just one senior game since being drafted in 2023.
Heyfield's Asher Easthamwasn't selected for his AFL debut in Opening Round for Gold Coast however,hedid get acall-up during the Suns' preseason game against St Kilda.
Eastham also featured in Gold Coast's curtain raiser on Friday night when the VFL side took on Southport.
The VFL season starts Friday, March 20.
Locals who were called by Cometti
FOOTBALL
By LIAM DURKIN
THE AFL worldmournedthe loss of Dennis Cometti last week.
The Richie Benaud of football commentary was 76.
Comettiwas famous for hisquick wit and memorable one liners behind the microphone. AnumberofGippsland players were the source of such.
Wonthaggi pocketdynamo JarrydBlair once found himselfsandwiched in themiddleofapack. Cometti, in reference to the ABC show Play School, quipped: "There's aBlair in there".
Heyfield's Leigh Brown moved from Fremantle to North Melbourne during his AFL career.
Cometti observed this of the swingman: "Leigh Brown's picked up abit of pace since moving to North. Might have something to do with getting rid of that anchor.”
Traralgon's Troy Luff also became the source of a'Cometti-ism'.
"Sydney just need 99 of him and they'd be floating!" 99 Luftballons being asong by West German band Nena.
One of Cometti's most famous calls came when Drouin's Gary Ablett Senior kicked agoal after the siren to win the 1994 preliminary final.
In AFL's own Hand of God moment, the ball
literally floated into Ablett'sarms at the top of the goal square.
His direct opponent, North Melbourne's Mick Martyn, collapsed to the ground, knowing there andthen that his fate was sealed.
“There is no justiceinfootball,that was the look on the face of Michael Martyn," Cometti surmised, after Martyn had kept Ablett to just four kicks up to that stage.
"The master all day, and this game will be remembered for this kick.
"Gary Ablett, five metres out, any score will do. Geelong are into the Grand Final.”
The moment was chosen to open the AFL documentary celebrating 100 years of football in 1996.
Mighty Maskiell completes treble
HORSE RACING
By LIAM DURKIN
TRAFALGAR jockey JasonMaskiellcontinuedhis rich vein of form, winningSunday's Stony Creek Cup
It wasone of three consecutive winners he rode at the meeting.
Maskiell rode Traralgon Cup-winning horse Station One to victory for Kyneton trainer Liam Howley in the feature race. He hadtosee off astern challenge from 2023 Moe Cup-winning jockey Craig Newitt, who rodesecond by just 0.3 of alengthon board RegalLionacross the 2100 metre distance.
Thecup completedariding double,coming afterMaskiell rode the winner of Race 6. It just got better however, as Maskiell finished the meetingbyriding Hey Bella across the line in Race 8. Newitt rode awinnerinRace3,giving Moe trainer Peter Gelagotis awin for Snakeinthegrass over 1100m.
Sale's Sharyn Trolove won Race 5with Stewart.
Sale Turf Club was connected to late champion Australianthoroughbred Makybe Diva, who had early wins at Sale before going on to win three consecutive Melbourne Cups. Uponhearing news of her death,jockey Glen Boss said such afeat would never be achieved again.
After Makybe Diva's third Melbourne Cup in 2005, race caller Greg Miles, who was in Moe late last year as part of the Melbourne Cup tour, famously declared: "A champion becomes alegend."
Moe Racing Club's next meeting will be on Anzac Day. It is set to be ahugeday of sport, with Moe Football-Netball Clubalsotakingon Traralgon FNC under lights at Traralgon Showgrounds that day from 7pm. For some, that could meanraces in the afternoon followed by football/netball in the evening.
Arrived: Moe’s BaileyHumphrey surged with afour-goal performance,including threeinthe first quarter, in Gold Coast’sOpening Roundwin againstGeelong Photograph: AFL Photos
