Latrobe Valley Express Wednesday 16 July 2025

Unbelievable Albo

He just keeps going Moe United Soccer Club legend, Peter Albanese is chaired off Olympic Park in recognition of his astonishing 50-year playing career

The Red Devils made it a day to remember, defeating Falcons in the very last minute of play last Saturday.

MORE-VALLEY SPORT

United health

By STEFAN BRADLEY

GIPPSLAND health services will work together more closely under anew network, with the intention of improving care forlocals and providing more opportunities for them to receive care close to home.

Statewide, on July 1, the 12 Local Health Service Networks officially commenced.

Each health servicelargely operates as usual, retaining its chief executive, boardand identity.

The state government said the move would support improved cooperation between localservices, ensure doctors andspecialists are available to care for patients closer to where they live, deliver clearer pathways in and out of hospital, and support better waitlist management across aregion.

The Gippsland Local Health Network brings Latrobe Regional Hospital (LRH) togethe rw ith Cent ral Gip psland Health (CGH), Yarram and District HealthService(YDHS), Bairnsdale

Regional Health Service, Omeo District Health, Orbost Regional Health, South Gippsland Hospital and West Gippsland Healthcare Group

Notabl y, Bass Coast Healt h (Wonthaggi) and Gippsland Southern Heal th Service (Leonga tha and Korumburra) are part of the metropolitan BaysideLocal Health Network.

The stat eo pposi tion previou sly labelled the plans "ama lgamati on by stealth", but the government has disputed this.

Forced amalgamation of thestate's hea lt hs er vic es wa so ne of the 27 re co mm en da ti on sp ro po sed by th e expert advisory committee, as part of the government's Health Services Plan, but thiswas rejected by the government All other 26 recommendations were accepted in full or in principle.

The state government said each netw ork would identify and pla n improvements to address the health needs of their local communities within ageographical region.

"Victoria's health system is one of the

bestinthe world, and these reforms will keep us on track to deliver even better patient care through areformed health system that is betterintegratedand connected, at the same time protecting the local services we knowVictorians trust and rely on," Health Minister Marry-Anne Thomas said.

There are six networks in regional areas and six in metropolitan Melbourne.

Earlier this year, Latrobe Regional Health Chief Executive, Don McRae moved to reassure health services would not be compromised.

"It's about making sure we are all on the same page, pulling in the same direction working for people in ourcommunity," Mr McRae previously told the Express.

"The (Gippsland) network will be tasked by the government to take on a certain role within the region and that will be to facilitate access and flow across the region and apply some quality improvement initiatives and opportunities, and to develop aworkforce plan for the region to make sure we are bringing

the right people into the regiontobe able to provide care for our communities, and to look at opportunities to share services."

The network groupings were determined following extensive consultation with health services, with consideration given to population growth, community need, clinical capability and distance between services.

State Nationalsleader and Member for Gippsland, South Danny O'Brien previously said Gippslanders should be veryconcerned aboutthe impact the new health networks will have on local services.

"We have been warning for some time that Labor wanted to merge Victoria's health services into ahandful of organisations. We've seen it today now with a new Gippsland network combining eight different services into one network," he said at thetimethe new networks were announced.

Continued on page 5

Doctor’smurderer found guilty

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

ONE of the four teenagers who broke into the home of doctor Ashley Gordon has been found guilty of his murder by ajury in aMelbourne Supreme Court.

After the group broke intoDrGordon’s Doncaster home twice during the night of January 13, 2024, with the court hearing they were eyeing his Mercedes AMG,DrGordon chased after them throughthe streets and was eventuallystabbed 11 times to death by the convicted.

The group returnedfor the secondtimeafterstealing Nike shoes, laptops, headphones, necklaces, and awallet, coming to and from ahouse party.

The court heard that Dr Gordon was awoken around 5am in their return,remarking “Hello boys”, prompting the group to flee.

Dr Gordon scoured nearby streets, and when he found the group of teenagers, got out of his car, telling them there was nowhere to run.

Threeofthem fled,but one 17-year-old remained.

The convicted, who cannot be named due to legal reasons, pleaded not guilty, claiming self-defence.

The prosecutionargued against claims by the convictedthat Dr Gordon was acting on a“roid rage” and that he feared his life, never intending to kill or seriously injure Dr Gordon.

Crownprosecutor Kristie Churchill said thatthe convicted had one true motive for the stabbing, that being to avoid being caught.

“(They) had achoicetocontinue fleeing, to surrender, or to use the knife to get away and we say he chose the latter,” she said.

When the decision was handed down on June 25, the convicted reportedly stared blankly ahead and showed no emotion.

Theywillface apre-sentence hearing in October.

The familyofDrGordonarrivedoutsidethe court, wipingbacktears,relieved by theverdictreached.

Dr Gordon’s sister, Natalie, said the convicted showed not “one ounce of remorse” throughout the trial,adding that it has been the “most gutwrenching thing” to sit through.

“Itjustcements to me how guilty he is of committingsuch ahorrific crime,” she said.

The Latrobe Valley family hasmade an effort over the last 12 months to see change to Victoria’s bail laws, along with greater police powers during 'stop-and-search' scenarios and cancellingplans to raise the criminal age of responsibility from 10 to 14 years-of-age (currently at age 12 in Victoria).

The family’s petition saw astounding backing and support from the local community with close to 10,000 signatures, recognisingthe public’s clear feelings in regardstowrongdoers sufferinglittle consequences, which realised change in state Parliament.

Speaking to the Express late last year, Ms Gordon saw this as an opportunity to keep her younger brother’s legacy strong.

“I’d never want anyone else to be in my parents’ position. So, initially Iwanted to make achange where no other family has to go through this,” she said in December.

“But, Ash being who he was, his life goal was just to help people. I’ve definitely thought anumberof times (that) this could be his legacy, this could be (something where) his life’s work isn’t over right now, it’s just that we have to continue it for him.

“He loved helping people, that’s why he became a doctor, he may not be able to help them medically anymore, but hopefully we can help people with their safety.”

AMORWELL steel manufacturing companywitha history of workplace health and safetyoffending has been convicted and fined $90,000 after aworker’s hand became trapped in abending machine.

Retired AKZ Pty Ltd, formerly known as AKZ Reinforcing Pty Ltd, was sentenced in the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ CourtonWednesday, July 2

after pleading guilty to one charge of failing to provide and maintainsafeplant, and one charge of failing to provide workerswith necessary information, instruction and training.

The company was also ordered to paycosts of $5023.

The court heard in July 2023, the worker was

operating amachine designed to bend lengths of reinforced steel into different shapes. On the day of the incident, he was tasked with conducting anew type of bend which he had not performed previously.

workplace health and safety offending, and last December was convicted and fined $146,000 over threeseparatesimilar incidents with bending machines at the workplace.

WorkSafe Executive DirectorofHealth and Safety, Sam Jenkin said the regulatorhad no tolerance for employers who repeatedly ignored their health and safety obligations.

Duringthe process, the worker noticed oneof the steel bars begin to twist outwards and used the palm of his hand to guide it back towards the machine, as he was taught. However, the bar’s wired components caught onto the worker’s safety glove and pulled his hand into the machine’s rollers.

The worker sustained apartial degloving of his left index finger and was taken to hospital for surgery

AWorkSafe investigation revealed that while a guard was available for the machine’s danger area, it was an optional feature that had not been fitted onto the machine since its purchase.

The company’s instructions to the worker also directly contradicted the machine’s operating manual, which warned about the risk of entanglement and instructedeveryone, including operators, to stay at least two metres away from the machine while it was operating.

The supplier of the machine had provided initial training to the company, but since then, workers had been training other workers based on how they were taught and there was no consistent or documented training or emergency procedures in place.

“This company’s failure to learn from previous incidents should be amajor red flag to workers and the industry at large,” Mr Jenkin said.

“WorkSafekeepsawatchful eye on businesses known for putting workers at risk and will continue taking enforcement action when appropriate.”

“Aside from the obvious -protecting workers from harm, avoiding tragedies and upholding legal duties -acompany that prioritiseshealth and safety generally has better reputation, stronger staff retention and less expenses in the long run.”

To manage risks when working with machinery employers should:

 Identify hazards, assess the risks associated with them and eliminate or control those risks by isolating them or using an alternative;

 Train staff in the safe operation of machines and equipment and provide written procedures in the worker's first language;

 Develop and implement safe operating procedures in consultation with employees and health and safety representatives;

 Ensure safety guards and gates are compliant and fixed to machines at all times;

It was reasonably practicable for the company to have installed guarding to cover the danger area; to have installed an interlock system to ensurethe machine only operated when guarding was in place; and to have provided information, instruction and training on hazards and risks associated with the machine and how to reduce them, on task-specific processes including performing different types of bends, and on emergency procedures whenworking with the machine.

The court heard Retired AKZ had ahistoryof

 Regularly service and inspect machines and equipment, and;

 Place signs on or near amachine to alert employees of the dangers of operating it.

Some justice: ThefamilyofDrAshleyGordon have campaigned fortougher bail laws acrossthe stateinthe year since his brutal stabbing death.One of the assailants has been found guiltyofhis murder File photograph

Copper theft is on the rise

By AIDANKNIGHT

SEVEN people were charged in relation to an extensive copper theft operation in Newborough, out of the derelict Moe Hospital on Narracan Drive, on February 21.

Victoria Police have only recently made information regarding the incident public.

Police allege theoffenders continuously forced entry into the abandoned facility several times, the same building that sawthe Latrobe Crime Investigation Unit execute aseizure of nearly 1310 cannabis plants in August last year.

Instead of storingillicit goods, however, thistime those apprehended (not known to be connected to the previously mentioned 2024 crime) were removingthem from the premises, which, being built in 1970, is agoldmine of the precious metal.

Around $10,000 worth of copper, likely stripped from electrical wiring and plumbing,was stolen from the hospital, equivalent to over 800 kilograms of copper.

Moe Police arrested two Cranbourne men, aged 43 and38, and a55-year-old Chadstone woman

Morwell burnouts

LATROBE Highway Patrol officers responded to reports of avehicle performing burnouts on Peter Street, Morwell, at around 11am on Sunday, July 6.

The vehicle failed to stop when police attempted to intercept it.

Stop sticks were deployed on Latrobe Road, and the vehicle eventually came to astoponDerhams Lane

The two male occupants fled into anearby pine plantation but were located and arrested following acoordinated effort involving local uniformed officers, Highway Patrol, and detectives.

A27-year-old Morwell man has been charged with offences relating to drugs, firearms, traffic matters and breach of bail. He has been remanded to appear at LatrobeValley Magistrates’ Court at alaterdate.

A24-year-old Morwell man has been released pending further enquiries.

The vehicle, which was found to be unregistered and unroadworthy, has been seized by police

P-plater punishment

A21-year-old p-plater from Moe is alleged to have been drinkingata licensed venue in Traralgon before getting behind the wheel of his ute around 2.50am on Sunday, July 6.

for charges of burglary and theft. Also arrested on the same charges were two men from Morwell (43 and 55) one Port Welshpool man (40), and one Traralgon man (54).These are six of the seven offenderswho gained unlawful accessto the building via Ollerton Avenue multiple times with the use of astolen truck and amultitude of tools, according to police. There has been no comment made on the remaining outstanding.

It is well-known that this variety of theftisquite alucrative crime, with copper theft incidents of a similar nature attracting thieves to various older industrial buildings around the Latrobe Valley. In December 2023,one of these incidents saw aman perish at the Opal Australian Paper Mill in Maryvale, having broken into the grounds alongsideanother man and awoman in an attempt to steal copper from the mill.

It was speculated this event was inspired by a'syndicate'level criminal organisation who werereportedtohave stolen$780k of copper from 50 separate telecommunication pits across Melbourne's north, which saw 11 arrested. The attractive currentmarketprice of 16/kg

PoliceBeat with Aidan Knight

Police intercepted the vehicle on Church St shortly after.

The man returned apositive Preliminary Breath Test and was taken to Traralgon Police Station, where he returnedaBreath Alcohol Concentration of 0.115.

Hisvehicle was impounded, and his license was immediately suspended for 11 months.

He will be summoned to appear in court at a later date to face drink-driving charges.

Earlierinthe evening, the same driver had been issued two penalty notices after allegedly being observed drivingonthe wrong side of the road and failing to display the correct probationary plates.

Weapons seized

EIGHT people were arrested and multiple weapons seized during the firstthree days of Operation Visible -apolice initiative focused on improving safety around TraralgonCentre Plaza andthe Franklin St Transport Hub.

The operation, which began on Monday, July

Scene: The Latrobe ValleyExpress office was the target of vandalism recently

Photograph: Katrina Brandon

seemingly draws in those looking for aquick buck, and statistics show that these crimes are becoming more and more concentrated in regional areas, withcities likeBallarat being described by energy providers as "definitely ahotspot" (Michael Hayes of Powercor).

The layout of telco pits and electrical wiring in the City of Ballarat, being close to freeways, made quick getawaysfor thievesagreat appeal, but LatrobeValley's ageing and disused industrial assets -namely power, provide an even easier opportunity on alarger-haul scale, should thieves be bold enough to try it.

Three of the offenders will face court on August 20, two on August 13, and the other attended on July 7.

Authorities urge the public to report any suspicious activities related to copper theft.

Indicators include exposed wires, displaced pit lids, or individuals attempting to sell large quantities of copper without proper authorisation.

Reports can be made to Crime Stoppers Victoria at 1800 333 000 or through their website.

7, involves ahighly visible and proactive police presence targeting anti-social behaviour in the area.

Of the eight arrests made to date, five were for theft and drug-related offences, while three were for outstanding matters.

Two individuals have been charged and bailed to appear in court at alater date.Threeothers are expected to be charged on summons.

During the operation, police also seized three weapons, including knuckledusters and an imitation firearm.

Operation Visible will continue over the next two weeks, with police working in partnership with shopping centremanagement,local businesses and store security personnel to address crime and community safety concerns,particularly those related to youth disturbances in the precinct.

Breaking news

THE Latrobe Valley Expressofficewas the target of vandalism on the evening of Monday, June 30.

At around 6.30pm, the front door of the George St re et pr em is es was allegedl ys ma sh ed by unknown offenders.

Theact occurredduring pressdeadline operations, with staff present at the time.

Express General Manager,Barbara Seymour and platemaker, Rocco Filippo assessed the damage shortly after the incident.

No physical evidence was located at the scene.

From the editor

ANUMBER of letters to the editor have not been published in recent weeks.

This is mainly duetosome letters being nothing more than personal attackpieces on Latrobe Valley locals.

While healthy debate is critical when discussing issues, contributors are also reminded to keep it civil.

If there is aneed to be critical, do so on the topic more so than the person.

Equally, readers are always entitled to a right of reply.

To read today's opinion section, turn to Pages 36-37

Liam Durkin

Editor, Latrobe Valley Express

All aboard Walhalla night trains

SPEND an unforgettable time with friendsat Walhalla Goldfields Railway and ride on the night trains every Saturday night throughout August. This is atotallyuniqueexperience that is not to be missed.

All aboard for this very special journey down Stringer's Creek Gorge as part of the Walhalla WinterNight Trains and experience the beauty of this railway like never before. Trains commencethe journey at Walhalla Station

from 7pm every night next month (August 2025).

When you arrive and check in with the friendly station master, you will be provided with ahot waterbottle and cosy blankettohelp take the chill off the cool winter night.

Temperatures could get to -2

By KATRINA BRANDON

STRONG gusts blew through the Latrobe Valley on Sunday (July 13), followed by icy rainfall.

According to the BureauofMeteorology (BoM), wind speeds were predicted to hit atop of 100 kilometres per hour on Sundayafternoon. Prior to the weather event, BoM estimated that Latrobe Valley would collect up to eight millilitres and warned about the intense wind speeds via social media.

“Severe Weather Warnings are current for damagingwinds for partsofTasmania, Victoria and New South Wales. Winds may gust 90 to 100km/h, possiblyupto110km/hatalpine peaks,” the warning read.

“Peak gusts of 90-100km/h are expected in these areas, which is enough to damage trees, property, and powerlines.

“A Bush Walkers Alert and Sheep Graziers Warnings are also current due to the cold, wet

and windy conditions,” the warning continued.

“Snow levels are also forecast to drop tonight and into tomorrow, to as low as 600 metres above sea level in Tasmania, 900m in Victoria and 1200m in NSW.”

Recordedwind speedsover Sunday, accordingtoBoM’s Latrobe Valley records, read that top speeds hit the airport (where the gauge is located) at wind speedsof72kilometres per hour, followed by awarm winter night.

Another weekend chill is alsopredicted for this Saturday (July19) as temperatures are estimated to drop to -2 throughout the night, bringing in afrosty start to asunny day.

During frosty mornings, authorities advise driverstoadjust their driving to the conditions If fog is present, they recommend using lights to enhance visibility for other drivers.

Formoreinformation,goto: http://www.bom gov.au/

Questions out on health

From Page 1

"WHILE we are always keen to see efficiencies and sharing of resources across our health services, Iamvery concerned thatthis will actually lead to diminishedlocal decisionmaking in our rural and regional hospitals and ultimately a reduction in services."

Mr O'Brien saidGippsland health services would be overshadowed by larger hospitals.

"Whatguarantees will the government provide that this won't lead to services and funding being sucked back into the city?" he said.

"In simple geographic terms how Leongatha and Korumburra fit in with 'Bayside' defies logic.

"I am veryconcerned that thegovernment is proceeding with its merger plan by stealth, whichwill see local services diminished and local control taken away from our hospitals."

Departing the historic Walhalla Station on your one-hour journey, you will travel through the station yards with the sheer, stunningcliff face on one side and the winding Stringers Creek on the other.

Winding through the gorgepastHappy Creek Stationonyour way towards ThomsonStation, the train crosses seven bridges which are atestament to the engineering skills of thoseearly track engineers. Upon reachingthe eighth and most spectacular Thomson River Bridge, you get the most stunning view as the lights from the train shine upon the Thomson River.

Along the way, you’lllookoninawe as the lights from the train cut through the imposing darkness of aWalhalla winter night.

Enjoy the spectacular sights and sounds of the bush at night as you travel through the stunning Stringers Gorge on this unique experience which is consideredone of the country’s mostpicturesque rail journeys.

Witness the waterfalls running at fullforce through the gorge beside the trainline. You never know what wildlife you will spot along the way. On arrival at Thomson Station, youwillbe greeted withacomplimentary hot chocolateand marshmallows to warm yourself around thefire Bookings are essential as these events sell out and can be made onlineat: www.walhallarail.com. au/events-page or enquiries on 0491 741 822

Enjoy anightout at Walhalla Goldfields Railway, or for your next day out, join the regular services with trains departing Walhalla on Wednesday, Saturday and Sundays weekly.

Highlight: Night trains areset to bring lifetoWalhalla next month. Photograph supplied

By DAVID BRAITHWAITE

This report contains details of harm caused to people, as well as the names of Aboriginal people who are deceased.

THE Yoorrook Justice Commission's final report has been tabled in state Parliament, making public its findings and recommendations aday after the historic commission wrapped up its work. Amongthe recommendationsare for the state government to issue an apologyand for restitution be given to First Nations people.

With its release,the final report from Australia's first formaltruth-telling process, Yoorrook for Transformation provides an authoritative official public record of this state's history since colonisation as told by First Peoples. Included is recognition of historical massacres against Gippsland's Gunaikurnai people.

"Victoria's frontier delivered its own horrors. As the Eumeralla Wars were being wagedinthe west, across in the east pastoralist Angus McMillan and his men -the self-appointed 'Highland Brigade' -lefta trailofblood in aseries of massacres in Gippslandfrom 1843 onwards,inwhich hundreds of Gunaikurnai people were killed," the report stated.

"The violence left no region untouched. On Gunaikurnai Country, the Warrigal Creek massacres (around Darriman) wiped out as many as 150 lives, while 15 were lost at Milly Creek (near Marlo).

"Rolf Boldrewood, acolonist and author, wrote withcasual candourthat 'forone reason or other the gun was rarely aday out of our hands'. Gippsland colonist Agnes Buntine whipped Gunaikurnai people and forced them into the sea.

"Patrick Coady Buckley putaropearounda Gunaikurnai man's neck and made him run into the surf for four hours. Cannons were fired into camps.

"Bu ngel ene, anoth er Guna ikurna im an , was chained to atree outside Native Police headquarters."

On the 'timeline of colonisation of Victoria', there

are numerous references to incidents in Gippsland: 1840 -Angus McMillan 'invades' Gunaikurnai Country (present-day Gippsland); Latrobe Valley massacre; Boney Point (Lake Wellington) massacre. 1841 -ButchersCreek(near Metung) massacre 1842 -Tambo Crossing massacre Eumeralla massacre; Hollands Landing massacre. 1843 -Grazing licences introduced to 'preserve the rights of the Crown to the lands';Warrigal Creek massacre;WarrigalCreek Mouth massacre; Bruthen Creek massacre; Freshwater Creekmassacre; Gammon Creek massacre;Victoria Range massacre. 1846-Snowy River massacre.

1862 -RamahyuckMission established by German Moravian missionariesand Presbyterians on GunaikurnaiCountry at aknown massacre site (Boney Point).

1908 -Ramahyuck Mission closed. Lake Tyers Aboriginal Reserve transferred to board control.

The report details the ongoing impacts of colonisation, racism and intergenerational trauma on First Peoples' lives today and shares stories of First Peoples' resistance, courage and survival over hundreds of years.

The report included 100 recommendations which the commission claimed "lay out abold path for

reform to create abetter future for First Peoples".

The recommendations deal with transformative change through the treaty process; self-determination, rights and accountability; reforms regarding land, education, health, housing, economic, political life and access to records, and redress.

In the recommendations, the government must "officiallyacknowledge the responsibilityofits predecessorsfor laws, policies and practiceswhich contributed to the systemic injustices against Victorian FirstPeoples"; makeanofficialapology to First Peoples, and through statewide and Traditional Owner treaties, provide redress in the form of restitutionoftraditionallands,waters and natural resources,monetary compensation and tax relief.

Yoorrook expects the government to immediately begin work to implement the urgent recommendations so they can be achieved over the next two years.

First Peoples' Assembly co-chairman Rueben Berg said Yoorrook's final report showed the clear need for changeinresponding to issuesfacing First Peoples, which atreaty would deliver.

"Truthand treaty go hand-in-hand –treaty will acknowledge our shared history and be an agreement betweenFirst Peoples and the Victorian government on how we move forward together to help right past wrongs," Mr Berg said.

"Victorians know that we can't keep doing the same thing and expecting different results. When it comes to issues facing First Peoples, we need a different approach,one that drawsonthe expertise of First Peoples to design and deliver practical

solutionstolocal challenges.That's what Treaty is all about."

The government acknowledged the immense undertaking of the Yoorrook commission in preparing these historic reports, and shares the commission's goals of truth and justice and will consider the findings and recommendations.

Premier Jacinta Allan said the historic reports shined "a light on hard truths and lay the foundations for abetter future for all Victorians".

"Victoria's truth-telling processisahistoric opportunity to hear the stories of our past that have been buried –these are stories that all Victorians need to hear," she said.

Theassembly is currently negotiating the first statewide treaty agreement between First Peoples and the state government.

Laterthis year, the governmentexpects to introduce the Statewide TreatyBilltoParliament.

Negotiations on the bill are focusing on how to evolvethe FirstPeoples'Assembly of Victoria into an ongoing representative body to provide advice to government and make decisions over matters that affect FirstPeoples.

Under the Statewide Treaty bill, the proposal is for the First Peoples' Assembly to be astatutory corporation.

Opposition leader Brad Battin said the push for atreatywould fundamentally reshape how Victorians interacted with each other.

"We currently have no details on what this bill will contain. If Labor really cared, they would be upfrontwith Victorians on how they intend to negotiate their treaty, "MrBattin said.

AT its JuneCouncil Meeting, LatrobeCity Councilendorsed anew advocacystrategy to guide its engagement with the state government.

The strategy outlines acoordinatedand strategic approach to advance council’s priority projects, ensuring strong, consistent messaging andeffectivecollaboration withMinisters, local Members of Parliament, Shadow Ministers and key stakeholders.

Acentral feature of the strategy is aplanned council delegation to state Parliament this month, where councillors and councilofficers willadvocatefor critical localinitiatives Engagements will be complemented by roundtable discussions and advocacy events, bringing together key partners to present aunitedvoice on shared regional priorities.

Latrobe City Mayor, Dale Harriman said the strategy was about delivering outcomes that matter most to the community.

“Thisadvocacystrategy positions council to proactively pursue funding and policy support for the projects that will have the biggest impact on our region’s future,” he said.

“Whether it’s economic diversification, education, infrastructure or regional connectivity, we’llbeworking closely with government to champion the issues thatmattermost to Latrobe City.”

The strategy supports the 2025/26 Advocacy Agendaadoptedbycouncil,which includes major prioritiessuchasLatrobe’s New EnergyFuture, Victorian Aerospace Technology Precinct, Traralgon Bypass,Residential Development Precincts and MoeRevitalisation -Stage 3 Infrastructure Transformation.

The mayor said council would continue to monitor outcomesand adapt itsapproachto ensure the best return on investment for the community.

“We know the best resultscomewhenwe advocate as one, with the support of our community, partners and regional stakeholders.

This strategy ensures ourvoiceisheard and our message is clear: Latrobe is ready for investment, innovation and growth.

“This is notjustabout meetings and conversations. It’s about securing real investment and creating opportunitiesthat benefit Latrobe now and into the future.”

Council officers will monitor participation and outcomes to ensure the strategy delivers astrong return on investment.

Council'sAdvocacy Agenda2025/26can be viewed at: https://www.latrobe.vic.gov. au/Council/Advocacy_and_Transition/ Advocating_for_our_Community

Making council issues heard Report to pave a way forward

Community Corner with Liam Durkin

Quilters

NEXT meeting of the Latrobe Valley Quilters Inc will be held this Monday (July 21) at the Uniting Church Hall, Old Sale Road, Newborough.

Doorsopenat10.15am and for the meeting to commence at 10.30am.

Areminder that this is the second full day meeting for winter.

Aguest speakerfrom the youth rehabilitation centre will be speaking to the group during sit and sew time.

Spiritual centre

LATROBE Valley Spiritual Centre (2 Avondale Rd, Morwell).

Joinevery Sunday for service from 2pm. Doors open at 1.30pm.

Guest speakerevery week with demonstrationsfrom an invitedmedium followed by acuppa andafternoon tea.

For enquiries, phone Amanda Webb on 0411 051044

Field naturalists

NEXT meeting of the Latrobe Valley Field Naturalists Club will be held Friday, July 25.

The meeting will be amost interesting night of mini-presentations by clubmembers. People will show photographs and talk about where they have travelled and their interests in various aspects of the natural world.

Meeting starts at 7.30pm in the Moe Library followed by the club's monthly meeting and supper.

For the excursion on Saturday, July 26, the groupwill meet at the Nangara Reserve gate, Nangara Rd off Jackson's Track, three kilometres north west of Jindivick from 10am.

This 14 hectare reserve, abuts the Bunyip State Park.

The area has significant Aboriginal history, with several sculptures and interpretive signage.

The Wet Lowland Forest vegetation and fauna contains many species of conservation significance.

The northern section is regenerating after the 2009 bushfires.

Following lunch,the groupwill drive across to Warragul for a2pm guided, explanatory tour of the Indigenous Art Garden. Afterwhich,the group may go on to look at the small Aboriginal food garden at the nearby Warragul Regional College.

Everyone is most welcome,both to the meeting and the excursions.

For more information, phone secretary Roseon0410237 292, or visit: www.lvfieldnats.org.

Ride on

TRAMPS (Traralgonand Morwell Pedallers Ine) rode south from Yarragon to Ellinbank for abrief rest on Sunday, July 6.

For once the weather was perfect the entire day and the group was able to see lots of paddocks turning green from recent rain.

The club's photographerwas fascinatedbythe viewsofthe surrounding hills around Warragul.

After lunch at Burke Park in Warragul,the group went north along Darnum/Shady Creek Rd which was apleasant downhill ride return to Yarragon.

TRAMPS nextridewill be from Stratford Apex Park on July 20, stopping for lunch at Marlay Point.

TRAMPS welcomes new riders.

For more information, visit: www. tramps.org.au

Club contacts are Paul on 0459 823 422 or Vance (0403 662 288).

Prostatesupport

MEETIN Go ft he Latro be Valle y Prostate Support Group will be held on Wednesday, July23atthe Morwell Club from 7pm.

All welcome, especially new members and interested persons. Counter teas can be purchased at 6pm.

Business reportswill be tabled on the men's shed conference at Sale and guest speaker for the August meeting.

For more information, phone Allan Cunningham on 0458 111 688.

Brilliant bridge

TRARALGON Bridge Club results:

Monday,July7:1st Cheryl Halse and Anne den Houting (71.88 per cent); 2nd MariaHarkomand HannahGreen (56.25).

Tuesday, July 8: N/S 1st Christine Zarband Fred Kaminski (58); 2nd Rob Graham and Glenis Lohr (56.18). E/W 1st Kevi and Marion Taylor (67.57); 2nd Kaye Douglas and Roshni Chand (57.21).

Thursday,July 10:N/S 1st Rob Grahamand Glenis Lohr (72.5); 2nd Christine Zarb and Fred Sundermann (58.93). E/W 1st Kaye Douglas and Roshni Chand (60.42); 2nd Fred

Kaminski and HeatherHenley (54.17).

If you would like to play or learn more about bridge, call Helen McAdam on 0438 16458 or email: bridgeintraralgon@gmail.com.

Madrigal singers

YALLOURN Madrigal Singers wil lresu me re hear sals tom orro w (Thursday,J uly 17) in St James Angl ican Churc h, Grey Stre et, Traralgon from 7.30pm. Rehearsals will be for the end-of-year concerts.

New singers will be most welcome. It is an advantage if you can read music, but it is not compulsory to do so.

For more information, email: yallournmadrigalsingers@gmail.com or ring 0413 590 007.

The choir can also be reached through its Facebook page.

Historical society

TRA RALG ON Dis trict Histor ical

So ci ety Inc hel di ts July gener al meeting on Tuesday, July 8.

Guest speaker was Brian Pinches who owns two working horses (Clydesdales) and is also aleatherworker.

Brian gavethe group averyinteresting talk and video about the working horses and how he takes them to ChurchillIsland where they plough fields using the equipment from back in the day.

If you are interested in history, be it family or artefacts, the society would love to have you as amember.

Traralgon Districtholdsgeneral meetings on the first Tuesday of the month at the society rooms at the Kath Teychenne Centre (11 Breed St, Traralgon) and have aguest speaker who gives atalkabout allthings historical.

The society welcomes new members.

For moreinformation, visit: www. traralgonhistory.asn.au, email:secretary@traralgonhistory.asn.au, postal address: 11 Breed St, Traralgon Vic 3844, or phone: 51748399 or 0402 911 950.

Classic chess

ABALANCED round at Latrobe Valley Chess Club saw Price Samasiea hold aslender advantage following the win in ashort match with Ian Hamilton. Everyone had their high moments. For example, SteveAhernused the power of the pawn to defeat Price Samasiea

Peter Bakker was able to take the win against Cliff Thornton, who pushedhardfor victory in other games Events at thisclub are an example of the massive benefits of chessnow being

further recognised on aglobal scale.

For more details, phone Ian Hamilton on 0400 221 649 or Cliff Thornton (0413 330 458).

Open studios

MOARTZ Inc. invitesexpressions of interest from artists in the Latrobe City catchment to join Open Studios for 2025 (October 25 and 26).

Open Studios is an opportunity for artists to showcase their creative practice and to sell their work. Fees are an annual subscription to Moartz Inc. ($15) and $50 to be part of the open studios circuit.

If you do not have astudio, there might be an opportunity to find a space for you. Express your interest by Sunday, August 3.

If you have any questions, email: openstudiosmoartz@gmail.com

Lifememberships

MAURIE and Kelly Orchard have beenmade life members of Monomeath Senior Citizens, Traralgon.

Maurie and Kelly have served the club for more than 20 years and been committee members for well over 10. Chris Cooper nominated them both at arecent committee meeting, and it was unanimously backed by all committee members.

Kelly has worked very hard over the years for the club. Her cooking skills havestoodout, especially her beautiful sponges. Her commitment to the club has been wonderfuland much appreciated by all.

Maurie hasalso worked very hard beside Kelly, as the club's handyman.

Monomeath wished to honour and congratulate the pair, and thank them

for their hard work in keeping the club running.

Book club

LATROBE University of The Third Age is offering another book club. If thereisenough interest, book club will commence August 12 at Morwell Library.

Phone Jim Fidler on 0407 871 603 for more information.

Community Corner

EMAIL us at news@lvexpress.com.au

Please write 'Community Corner' in the subject line and nothing else. Deadline is Friday 9am to appear in the following Wednesday issue.

Brush: Open studio expressions of interest arenow open. Photographs supplied

Congratulations: Monomeath Senior Citizensnew life members, Kellyand Maurie Orchard.

Poignant performances overseas

CITY of Traralgon Band recently returned from its European Tour of Remembrance travelling to the UK, Belgium, France and Denmark.

The band was established in 1881, and has many links to those who served, in particular during World War 1and the many servicemen and women who did notreturnand now lay in restonthe Western Front.

Dur in gW W1, the band per fo rme da tt he Traralgon Railway station whenever the troops were leaving for war and again on their return.

The TourofRemembrancecommencedinthe Yorkshire district of the UK, where they have transitioned away from coal,and the band participated in the world famous Whit Friday Brass Band competitions.Sectionswon in various villages included Best Tuba section, Best Overseas Band and runner up-second section Band.

Following concerts at the Royal Naval College in Chelsea and Greenwich in London, the band travelled to Lille in Northern France performingat many sitesacross Flanders Fieldsand theWestern Frontwhich included, among others, Messines (site of the 1914 Christmas Truce), Hill60, Polygon Wood, Fromelles, VC corner, Pozieresand VillersBretonneux and the new Sir John Monash Centre. Band member DarylHill said there was many highlights throughout the tour, although some standouts were the bands participation in the Menin Gate Memorial service in Ypres Belgium. This is where there are 55,000 Commonwealth soldiers names engraved on the walls who have no known graves. Organisers of the event have invited the City of Traralgon Band to participatein their centenary in three years' time. Thefollowing evening, the band heldajoint concertwiththe Amiens Brass Band in Villers-Bretonneux to a packed audience also attended by civic community leaders.

Throughout the tour, the band was fortunate to haveLtCol retired Doug Caulfield andLatrobe City Mayor, Dale Harriman as part of the official tour.

Lt Col Caulfield conducted all services throughout the tour, and on many occasions, the band was complimented on its respect and honour shown throughout the tour at the many services undertaken.

Following aconcert at Rouen in Normandy, the bandtravelled to Copenhagen to perform at the memorial for Australian soldiers who served, at the military barracks adjacent to the Royal palace with the Australian Ambassador Kerin Ayyalaraju in attendance. This included, like many services before, the band marching in playing Waltzing Matilda.

The Ambassador invited the band to perform an entertaining concert at her official residence for all the embassy staff that afternoon, which was a

lot of fun and well received by all to finish amost rewardingand emotionalTourofRemembrance for the City of Traralgon Band.

Band president Alan Wilson said it was indeed amemorable time.

"This hasbeenanincredible tour to recognise and pay our respects to not only the manyfromour region, to those whose relatives and members of

thecommunity had asked the band to lay apoppy at arelatives grave and the many Australians who did not return," he said.

"After more than 12 months in planning, logistics, and fundraising, thegenerous support provided by the community to assist the City of Traralgon Band in achieving this remarkable tour has been greatly appreciated."

Solemn: Theband followingthe Menin Gateser viceinYpres Belgium. Morethan 50,000 Commonwealth servicemen namesare engravedonthe wallswho have no known graves

Moving: CityofTraralgon Band’s, Lachlan Wilson performingthe Last Post at Moeuvres Cemeter y, France on George Eyres’bugle at his grave site. The bugle wasfound40yearsearlier

Dignified: Service at Fromelles in nor thernFrance ledbyLtCol retired Doug Caulfield. Photograph supplied

ONE POINTERS

1 What does the movie rating “R” stand for?

2 What’s the name of the iconic dance that starts with a “jump to the left” in The Rocky Horror Picture Show?

3. What breakfast cereal has been represented by a cartoon toucan mascot since 1963?

4 What was the birth name of boxing legend Muhammad Ali?

TWO POINTERS

5 What chewy dessert topping is made from tartar and egg whites and often found on pie?

6 Which is the only vowel on a standard keyboard that is not on the top line of letters?

7. What was Princess Diana’s maiden name?

8 Fissures, vents, and plugs are all associated with which geological feature?

THREE POINTER

9 What is the word for the weather event also called a winter hurricane?

10. What is celebrated on Februar y 2 and is also a film?

11 What is the largest living structure on Earth

12 Which mammal has no vocal cords?

FOUR POINTER

13 Which famous art movement did Pablo Picasso co-create?

14 In what countr y is fermented shark, which smells heavily of ammonia, treated as a national delicacy?

FIVE POINTER

15 Fill in the missing word/s to complete these proverbs One point each 1 All good roads lead to 2 make the heart grow fonder 3 A journey of a thousand miles 4 Time is

5 The enemy of my enemy

How did you fare? 37: Top of the class; 30-36: Outstanding; 22-29: Well done; 15-21: Solid effort; 9-14: Room for improvement; 0-8: Hit the books

31Type of cataract

reestablished

state

Howtoplay. Using the 9letters in the gr id, howmany wordsoffour letters or morecan you list? The centreletter must be included and each lettermay be used onlyonce No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural wordsending in ‘s’. Solution page53

THIS winter season, Latrobe Regional Gallery is delighted to present asuite of compelling exhibitions inspired by the land and waters of Southeast Victoria.

showcase diverse depictions of the urban, rural and coastal landscapes and communities of Gippsland and southeast Victoria.

Winter exhibit at gallery Liddiard Rd, Traralgon

The winter exhibitions opened last Friday (July 11).

Galleries one andtwo feature Equilibrium:Works from the LRG Collection. Equilibrium showcases aquatically themed works by femaleartists, ranging from traditional depictionsofoceans and waterways to allegorical explorations of identity.

Gallery 3features amajor solo exhibition by acclaimed Victorianartist Bridget Hillebrand, inspired by the coastal waters of the Mornington Peninsula. Into the Deep is anew large-scale installationinformed by Hillebrand’s ongoing concern for ecological shifts occurring beneath the ocean's surface.

The Gippsland Interclub Photography Exhibition features in galleries five and six. Comprising the finest recent works by members of Gippsland’s six community photography clubs, the exhibition will

Featuring works fromt he LRG Collection, STRAIGHTCUT: Photographs from the LRG Collection is showinginGallery 4, shining a spotlight on the artistry of local photographers alongside some of Australia’s most renowned names in the discipline.

LatrobeCityCouncilMayor, Dale Harriman is encouraging people to check out the latest exhibitions at the gallery.

“We welcome visitors to the gallery and are excited to share our incredible LRG collection," he said.

"It’s great to have our own collection of art on display alongside exhibitions from talented artists, including many from our vibrant localphotography community.

“We encourage everyone to come in, explore and be inspired."

LRG is free to enter and open seven days aweek from 10am to 4pm.

HENRY and Leah Liddiard emigrated from Wiltshire UK in about the 1860s. Leah's mother came from France, and her maiden name was Ralph. Henry and Leah settled in Werribee. However, Henry was drowned when he slipped from a rock while fording the deep Werribee River. Leah was left with seven children, six girls and one boy.

After losing two young daughters, Louise and Minnie, in one day from diphtheria,Leah, who was of an adventurous nature, decided to find new pastures. Hearing of land being opened up in Gippsland, she made preparations to go there.

Withdaughters,Emily, Ellen and Jane, and son Ralph, and aworkman to tend the herd of cattle, they set out. Acovered wagon provided shelteratnightfor the family and in it were stowed the family possessions. Arriving at Traralgon, they camped where the showgrounds arenow.

Later, ahouse was built of red gum planks, pit sawn on 50 acres Leah had applied for on aCrown Grant. It was named Railway Park (LiddiardRoad being the western boundary). In 1875, LeahLiddiard wasgranteda 280-acre block at Loy Yang. She had to comply with the regulations, clear the land, build fences, erect a dwellingand reside there for the required time.

Being agood horsewoman was essential, and she was acapable farmer. Her daughters were also well-known riders, thinking nothing of jumping fences either bare-backoronaside saddle. Ralph Liddiarddid not marry. He did however win many prizes at the Royal MelbourneShow and local shows with his Romney Marsh sheep.Healsobred ponies. He went especially to England in 1904 to buy stud sheep and ponies.

The girlsall married.Emilybecame Mrs Mapleson and had nine girls and one boy. Ellen became Mrs Newman and had eight girls and one boy whodied at two years-of-age, and Jane become Mrs McNairn but had no children.

Emmeline New ma nm ar ri ed Her man Mortimer,and they lived at Walhallaand later at Cassilis in East Gippsland. Emmeline and Herman had four children –a little girl died aged three, one son died in World War 1and the two surviving children were aMrMortimer of Traralgon and Mrs Elsie Woodhead of Kilmany.

the First Traralgon Boy Scout Group.

Mrs Elsie Woodhead, nee Mortimer, agreat granddaughter of Leah Liddiard, resided at Kilmany where she kept up the family tradition as she ran her own acre farm. In her possession were many photographs and family treasures including the old French grandfatherclock made in 1765.

Although the Liddiard familyhas died out, the names of thisuniquefarmer family are perpetuated in Liddiard Rd, McNairn Rd and Newman Crescent.

In the early days, men were to the fore in settlement of this young country, but this story shows the courage and foresight of awoman. With the kind permi ssion of Mrs Elsie Woodhead, the Traralgon Historical Society has acopy of the application for Lease or CrownGrant by license by Leah Liddiard dated December 1875.

This story was featured in the Latrobe Valley Express on June 4, 1986. It has been updated for reprinting with the permission of the Traralgon &District Historical Society Inc.

Emily Newman married John McNairn, after his first wife Jane (nee Liddiard) died. Ms Ellen Newmanremained unmarried. It was Ellen who left Newman Park to

Historic: Theoriginal house theLiddiardfamilybuilt in Traralgon in 1867.LeahLiddiardis pictured out the front

Settlers: Emily and Jane Liddiardwiththeir mother,Leah. Photographs supplied

51 yearsago MassaroMotors opened their doors for the first time, in what was an old, disused Shellservice station. They have been afixtureinMorwell and the greater Gippsland region since1973, when it wasfirst established by Ray Massaro.

Now joined in thebusinessbyhis sonLuke, Ray and the MassaroMotors team operate out

of the same convenient location at 497 Princes Drive, Morwell. We’reonhandtoprovideexpert advice, professional servicing and repairs for your equipment,and friendly customer service for all your machineryand equipment needs.

MassaroMotors areproud to be the Latrobe Valley’s premier dealer for Kubota, Krone hay equipment,Digga, Burder,Farm Implements

Australia, Hansa chippers, Silvan, John Berends, Trimax, Quicke and BareCo.

The Business is aone-stop shop from the initial sale to finance, services and replacementparts and attachments.

To find out moreabout our business, or to enquireabout repairs, give us acall today!

Creating a voicefor theValley

WHEN The Latrobe Valley Express first rolled off the presses in 1965 it became the voice of a region on the rise

As Victoria’s post-war industrial boom rippled eastward, the Latrobe Valley emerged as the engine room of the state and has remained renowned ever since for being a regional centre of industry, in power, paper, healthcare and construction

The Express chronicled it all From the official opening of Hazelwood Power Station to the birth of Churchill Industrial growth at APM Maryvale to huge sporting events like the Traralgon Marathon, the oldest continuously run marathon in Australia The Express captured a community in flux over this first decade of its existence

This enabled it to quickly become an important outlet in the region, living up to it’s vision of a dependable, hyperlocal publication that the Latrobe Valley could rely on Local crime, civic protests, mine expansions and sporting triumphs all found space on its pages In an age of rapid modernisation, it gave a voice to the workers, families, and changemakers who were building the Valley’s identity That first decade saw so much news, the Paddle Bro’s shoe factory opened in Moe, the Yinnar Community Hotel was registered, and Latrobe Valley Field Naturalist Society made huge contributions into the establishment of Morwell National park

‘74 marked the first year Moe Soccer Club’s historic 4-year title winning streak, which people still talk about to this day Now, sixty years on, we look back at a defining first decade of the Express when the region’s story was just beginning, and every edition felt like a time capsule in real time

1965

FIRSTissue published 14 July

LATROBE Valley Waterand Sewerage Board expects it mayhavetoincrease capacityof itsgravityoutfall channel andpipelinefrom MorwelltoDutsonby1977

NON-PROFIT land blocks soontobe promotedincityofChurchill

APM’s MaryvaleMill produced record 117,000 tons of pulp and852,000 tons of Kraftcontainer material last year

SEC considering300 megawatt generators fornextLatrobe Valley development to follow Hazelwood

HUMID weatherand ‘false spring’ boost Gippsland’s suddencaterpillarplague

1966

“CHURCHILL is it alla blunder?”Morwell Council told that people don’twanttolive there.

Brickveneerhomes available forsaleon$200 deposityet HousingCommission having troublegetting people to live there

OLYMPIAN RonClarkerunsinLatrobe Valley COUNTRY RoadsBoard spendatleast $1.37milliononmajor worksonroads within Traralgondivision

LATROBE Valley poised forhousingboom JAPAN wins Wgenerator contract worth $12.6 million

1967

DEVELOPMENT of furtherbrown coal based powerstationsinLatrobe Valley would probably runparallel to developmentof nuclear stationsaccordingtoLatrobe Valley region SECmanager JW Schulze

LATROBE Valley manfinds prehistoricbird remainsagedbetween 110and 125million years old, oldest in Southern Hemisphere

INTERNATIONAL telecommunications giant LM Ericsson PtyLtd wouldestablish in Morwell Shireowned LaMode factory

LATROBE Valley’s first bookmobile starts up MOE beatsBairnsdaleinwhatisdescribed as the LVFL’s bloodiestgrand finalever

TRARALGON City judged Victoria’s top example of townplanning, developmentand b beautification

1970

DEMOLITION of Yallourn debate hots up, extra$103million needed to save town, according to SEC 10,000 LatrobeValleySEC workers threaten to strike if SECtries to remove anypartofYallourn

TALK of new powerstation near Hazelwood or new open cutatLoy Yang

FEDERAL DefenceMinisterMalcolm Fraser makesspectaculararrivalinMorwell. As hiscar pullsupoutside ShireOffices it exploded into flames underthe bonnet

REFEREES refuse to umpire multi-racial LatrobeValleysoccerteamMorwell Falcons afterlinesman is struck in game

1971

HAZELWOOD PowerStation officiallyopened AMALGAMATE of Valley councils. Traralgon Moe, Morwell, Rosedaleand Narracan controlledfromone central office

TEACHER shortage hits area

ELEVEN hurt (10prisoners anda warden)from MorwellRiver Prisonwhentruck crashesdown 90 foot embankment

DEVELOPMENT groupbuysLurgi gasification plant

VALLEY’S famousnightspot,The Kasbah closes

DAYLIGHT savingsstartsinValley

STATE Opposition leader Clyde Holding announces plan to attractindustrytothe are

1972

SEC announcesnextmajor development will be $200 millionextension to new Yallourn W power station SWIMMERS claimthere arecrocodilesin Hazelwood Pondage LOYYANG coalfieldwill be developed

BOMB hoax seesTraralgon High evacuated TRARALGON Shiredeclared droughtrelief area

NOBEL PrizeWinnerfor MedicineSir Macfarlane Burnettwarns that atomic power should notbeused to replaceLatrobe Valley’s browncoalresources as meansofgenerating electricity

SIXDECADES IN SIXWEEKS 1965-1974

1968

TRARALGON will havefirst char factor y, Gippsland Cement to star town process

EXPRESS gets scooppic turesofgun drama in Mor well. Manbreaksintoarcadesporting goodsshopatnight spraying area with 20 bulletsbeforepolicerush shop andoverwhelm him. ExpressphotographerTed Joneswas on thespottorecorddramaticcapture

MORWELL Highprincipal Ivan Maddern urges university forthe Valley CONCERNS over delaysonMar yvaleHigh School

STATE Governmentslammed fordelay on decision on Friday night shoppingpermits for Traralgonand Mor well

MINISTER forFuel andPower JimBalfour “debunks”fears of nuclearpower station being b built in Latrobe Valley

1973

SEC will payabout$1millionincompensation to Yallourn residents

MOE City plansbiggestprivate housing developmentyet attemptedinLatrobe Valley

THE StateRiversand WaterSupply Commission planstobuild twohugedams about12miles nor th of Moe

HUGE dam30times sizeofMoondarra will be builtonThomsonRiver to supply watertoboth Melbourneand Gippsland

PROGRAM of accelerated development announced by SEChas advanced by twoyears theultimateremoval of Yallourn

CENTRAL Gippsland Hospital hits back strongly at claims that it was ignoring and neglec ting Aboriginals

1969

EXPRESS Editor George Langleygets exclusiveinter view with OppositionLeader GoughWhitlam whopredictsthatfutureof Valley will be dependent on naturalresources

CLERICAL anddomesticstaff strike formore paysees70patientsinYallournHospitalsent home

VALLEY promotioninMelbournedescribes area as “The Centre of Victoria’s Southern Hospitality”

VANDALS damagetotelephone boxes reachesmammoth propor tions in Latrobe Valley,par ticularlyMor well

MORWELL boxerRocky Mattioli prepares for VictorianAmateur StateJuniorLightweight Championship

1974

GIPPSLAND mounts attack against compulsor yfluoridation of watersupply

TWO boys nearly drowninmud alongside Midland Highway

TRARALGON hashighest juvenile delinquencyrateinarea

POLICE getnew high speedpursuit vehicles, GT HO Falconscapable of 145mph

LATROBE Valley Shiretells 16 year oldstudent to withdrawpaintingfromher school ar tand craf texhibitionofthey’ll banit. Painting depic ts twonudelovers kissing

MORWELL basketball grand final brawl declared ‘nogame’withone playersuspended forlife. No one namedpremiers

IN our first edition, it was adver tised for residents to invest in an S E C power loan, with an at trac tive 5 3/8% for 7 years or 5 ½% for 10,15, or 20 years Before air-fr yers, the newest cooking innovation was magic-coil hotplates; you could buy a 23-inch television for 99 guineas from Gippsland Discounters on Commercial RoadHere were some ever yday prices and figures found within the pages of the Express in the year of our first release, 1965:

As follows:

Housing &Big-Ticketitems

ä 3-Bedroom House, Commercial Road Mor well - Equating to $9,044, which would inflate to a sum of $197,600 in todays economy it doesn’t matter what era you look at it from, this price attributed in our third issue to a house with garage and detatched bungalow on Commerical Road Mor well is wildly cheap

ä 23-inch Television - 99 guineas$197.51 in today’s economy, from Gippsland Discounters in Mor well

ä Holden Valiant Sedan 1962 model - £85 Cobbs Autos Princes Highway Mor well

ä Hairdr yer - 7 pounds, 19 shillings and 6 pence Watson Cobbb, Church Street Mor well

EverydayEssentials

ä Toothpaste - 2 shilllings and 6 pence from the Supa-Valu Mor well Co-op on Hazelwood Road

ä A dozen eggs - 4 shillings and 9 pence from Hinkley Stores

ä Bushell’s instant cof fee 3 shillings and 4 and a half pence

ä Bunch of roses 65 shillings

ä Can of mushrooms – 1 shilling and 8½ pence from SSW Foodstores (always a popular ingredient in Mor well it seems)

The Express, By Numbers

ä CIRCUL ATION - 15,800 papers

ä Coverage of 4 major centres: Moe, Yallourn Mor well, Traralgon Total population of readership areas - 60,000

ä Cost per paper - 3 pence at Newsagents (free elsewhere)

PATRICK Hergarty, the first Express editor, stated in the second edition of the paper that Wednesday afternoon was chosen for the publication as a “result of a careful survey of the needs of commerce in the valley”, as a majority of residents received their pay on Thurs/Friday, ensuring the Express came out in the perfect part of the week for everyone, with merchandise and advertising informing families the day before the weekly shop

BACKINTIM E

Churchill: B Buiiltffor Power,SShaped d byPPurpose

CHURCHILLwas established in 1965 as a purpose-built town to house workersfor the nearby Hazelwood PowerStation,par tof theState Elec tricityCommission’spost-war expansioninthe LatrobeValley.

Originally to be called Hazelwood,after the surrounding district and historic pastoral run thetownwas renamed Churchill by thestate governmenttohonour BritishPrime Ministe WinstonChurchill,who haddiedearlier that year.The decision sparkedsomelocal dissatisfac tion,but thename stuck. Construc tion beganinlate1965, and thefirs residents arrivedin1966. Rapid developmen followed: roads, homes, schools, and community facilities were rolled outunder th guidance of theHousing Commission.

In 1967,Churchill gained itsmosticonic and controversial landmark -The Spire,a 32-met tower nicknamedThe BigCigar,saidtobe inspiredbyChurchill’s smoking habit. Of ficia meanttosymbolise aspiration and modernit thestruc ture quicklybecamea subject of loc debateand national curiosity.

By 1975,Churchill hadgrown from bare paddockstoa func tioning township,with a growing population,expanding ser vices, an thefoundationsofits modern identityfirmly l

place

Hazelwood: P Poweriing V Victoriia’’sFFuture

PLANNING forthe developmentofthe Hazelwood PowerStation first beganin1949, by theState ElectricityCommission, after identification of valuable browncoalreservesin thearea were determined to be agreatpotential sourceofthe regionspower,leading to feasibility studiestofollowsuitofthe Yallournpower station

Afterdecades of preparation,construction beganin1960for both thestation itself and cojoined open-cut mine,a huge task that took four years to complete, making Hazelwood Unit 1operational one yearbeforethe Express’sfirst issue. This ledtothe town planning of Churchill, specificallydesignedtohouse Hazelwood workers at the same time open-cu operationsintensified 1971,All eightgeneratin unitsatHazelwood were combined and operational,seeing it become one of Victoria’s most significantcontributors to theelectricity supply, producing an impressive1600 megawattsintothe grid.

Condensersand boilerfeedpumpson u unitone, thefirstin useatHazelwood.

Local news in photographs

nrecordbreakersatthe

x50medleyrelay,

The Range Retirement Village is aretirement living community in Moe, boasting alive-in Manager and high-quality residential villas set inside agated community.

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

Youwill have the flexibility and freedom to embrace life with asocialcalendar that includes, billiards, indoor bowls, craft, movie nights, trivia, bingo, cards and many moresocial activities and make use of our community bus to get around our local area.

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

FROM $429,000

Knowledge: Trafalgar District Probus Club membersShirleyLeviston, Julie Phillips,SharonHarrison and Gabby Blandford on their visit to Immigration Park,Morwell.

Te Nathan Scagliarini in action forMoe.The Lions ventured to Maffraa fortnight ago,whose oval was reducedtoamudpit followingheavy rain

Photograph: Julie Sim

Champ

Victorian Masters Shor se Championships in the male 12-159 years4

Andrew Crozier, Shane Asbury, Ash Nicholesand CamJuha.

Uplifting experience for youngsters

By KATRINA BRANDON

CREATING asafeand fun space for local youth, the Uplift Collective came together on July 8at Village Cinema Morwelltohost ascreening for participants.

Intending to supply youth with fun activities, a space to socialise and to meet other youth in the community,the Uplift Collectivealsosupplies the ability for youth to connect with local services and grow theirconnectionstohelp createasense of belonging and community engagement, ensuring youngpeople feelsupported and awareofthe help available.

In the past, the Collective has hosted multiple free events, including at Mid Valley Shopping Centre, Moe Skate Parkand library, Latrobe Leisure Morwell and at Traralgon Centre Plaza.

Before the movie screening, more than 70 youth and their families wandered through the theatre,

signing off their ‘passport’ at each station, whether it was makingbracelets,picking up tote bags, free t-shirt, playingbig gamessuch as Giant Connect Four, or chatting with the different groups present Over 20 prizes were donated by partners, including cinema vouchers, Frank Green drink bottles, Kmart Vouchers, inflatable world, and Wyncity passes.

Doors opened at 1pm, with people waitingoutside the theatre, ready to go, as they indulged in Uplift excitement.

Den Lim from Community College Gippsland and the Uplift Collective Lead, told the Express,“We know that many young people don’t reach out for support because they either don’t know what’s out thereorfeel uncomfortable doing so."

“Upliftyouth events help breakdown those barriers by bringing services and young people together in asafe, fun and casual environment.

“It’s afantastic way to socialise, build connections and get familiarwithlocal supportnetworkswhile

having agreat time,” Ms Lim said of the event. The chosen film for the screening was How to Train Your Dragon

The UpliftCollective is apartnership between more than 30 local services, community organisations and businesses, dedicatedtohelping local youth. Services on theday included:LatrobeHealth Assembly,Community College Gippsland, Latrobe Regional Health, Berry Street, headspace, Kids First Australia, the GippslandRegional Public Health Unit and the Skills and Jobs Centre.

On thecommittee is 16-year-old Amanda, who was part of the Uplift Collective in the lead-up to the event.

Amandaprovided feedbackand advice,helped with promotion, created the collateral andsupported the event.

To find out more about the Uplift Youth Events and to receive updates for futureevents, follow the @Uplift Youth Events Facebook page.

Push to lower driving age

By LAILA DYCE*

DANGEROUS or practical?The ongoing debate of lowering Victoria's legal probationary driving ageto17.

ANationals-sponsored petition to lower the probationary driving age to 17 has come before stateParliament, which would bring Victoriain line with the rest of Australia.

There are some strongly passionate parents and youth in favour of the change. Their reasons supporting the petition include how it is impacting young people's career paths, with some stating it would have "advanced my career by ayear".

Other reasons people favour the changeare the lack of public transport in rural areas, educational opportunities,and the significant toll it can take on parents taking their young adults to their work obligations.

On the opposing side are concernedparents, who valuedriving "experiencerather than age", maturity, and say thatdriversneedtolearn to be conscious of everyone's safety on theroad.

Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath said lowering the age was consistent with recommendations fromthe findings of a2017 parliamentary inquiry.

"Se vente en-yea r-ol ds with an in ter st ate probationary licencecan legally drive on our (Victorian)roads unsupervised if they stickto their licence conditions, but our locals cannot?"

Ms Bath posed.

However, Ms Bath said the state government

was unwilling to consider the matter further.

ADepartment of Transport and Planning (DTP) spokesperson told the Express,"We're not currently consideringloweringthe minimum driver licensing age as all available evidence shows reducing the age to 17 years would lead to an increase in road trauma."

Victoria is the only state or territory in Australia that still requires P-plate drivers to be aged 18 or over. Other states have made the change to 17, or younger in the Northern Territory.

Safety is what's behind the state government's reasoning to dismiss changing the age. DTP road crash data shows that between January and September lastyear, incidents injured 64 people aged 18-to-22 in Gippsland, many of them drivers. While young drivers (aged 18-to-25 years) represent 11.8 per cent of Victoria's licenced drivers, they unfortunately accounted for 20.5 percent of driversinvolved in fatalcrashes in Victoria last year.

"Young drivers continue to have more crashes resulting in death and serious injury than any other group on the road and that's why there is adriving age of 18 in place in Victoria," aDTP spokesperson said.

The petition is open until October 1, and is available at: www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/ petitions/reduce-probationary-driving-age/ Laila Dycerecently took partinwork experience at the Express' sister publication Gippsland Times.

Team effort: Food,movie,fun andconnection wasfoundatVillage Cinemas Morwell forthe Uplift Collectiveevent. Photograph: Katrina Brandon

What is aHernia?

Aherniaisanabnormal protrusion through the sheet-like connective tissue envelope of the abdominal wall and mosthernias commonly occur in the groin in men.

There are lots of different types of hernias. They are all noticed as an abnormal bulge or protrusion tha tmay be entirely painless or at times can be uncomfortable. Pain is usually awarning sign and ver yseverepain can be asignof strangula tion of the hernia. Strangula tion is where the blood supply to the hernia ted structure is cut off which causes ver y severe pain and is an emergency.

Contents of ahernia can be simply fa tfro minsidethe abdomen poking out through the opening or defect, or a loop of bo wel. The most feared complica tion of ahernia is

Another type of hernia is the incisional hernia, tha tc an occur follo wing an opera tion on the abdomen. An incisional hernia can occur after ak eyhole procedure, al ap aroscopic procedure and also after an open opera tion, such as ab ow el opera tion, an opera tion on the pelvis or even ag allbladder opera tion.

All hernias are no wc ommonly repaired with surgical mesh, which is made from ap lastic like ma terial, similar to as ur gical fly screen ma terial. This mesh is usually placed outside the abdomen, ho wever there are some meshes tha tc an be used inside the abdominal ca vity and these are usually coa ted with an anti-adhesion coa ting to stop bo wel sticking to it.

strangu la tion an d is a p otentially life-threa ten ing event tha t needdsemergencysurger yand d somettimes removiing and d rejoining the compromised segment of bo wel.

Hernias occur mostly in the abdomen, abdominal wall and pelvis, including the groin. The three most common types of hernias are, belly button, umbilical and both inguinal and femoral, which occur in the groin. Men are characteristically more likely to suffer from hernias, this is due to hea vy lifting and hea vy manual work, tha tcan exceed the strength of the groin.

Femoral hernias are most commonly found in women, and can be found or noticed as alumpjust belo wthe groin crease.

Hernia repairs var yi n complexity,f rom ad ay ca se pr ocedure or an umbilical hernia to complica ted hernia repairs tha tc an be large reconstructions of the abdominal wall needing an in-hospital stay.I ti s important tha tt he surgeon is experienced with hernias and tha tp articular at te ntion is paid to after care. If you want an opinion, or ha ve ah ernia tha t is worr ying you, just ask your doctor for ar ef erral.

This informa tion is provided by Mr Adrian Aitken MBBS, FRACS, PhD who is al ocal specialist general surgeon in Gippsland who specialises in all types of hernia repairs including abdominal reconstructions on a regular basis.

Game changing technology

GIPPSLAND Primary Health Network

(Gippsland PHN) has launched afirst-of-its-kind interactive map identifying theregion’s most climate-vulnerable communities.

This marks amajor milestone in local efforts to strengthen emergency planning and climate resilience.

The Gippsland Geospatial Climate Vulnerability and Risk Map is akey output of the Preparing GippslandCommunities Project, aregionalinitiativeresponding to the rising health risks associated with climate change, including bushfires, floods and extremeheat events.

Funded through the Preparing Australian Communities Program -Local (PACPL) and led by Gippsland PHN, theprojectisdesigned to strengthen emergency planning, build resilience in local health systems,and bettersupport vulnerable populations during disasters such as bushfires, floods and heatwaves.

The Gippsland Geospatial Climate Vulnerability and Risk Map was developed in partnership with strategic consultancy Mosaic Insights. The map draws on publicly available data -including ABS census data and socioeconomic, health and environmental indicators to help identify and support communities most at risk during climate-related emergencies.

Gippsland PHN Chief Executive, Amanda Proposch said the project represents acritical step forward in climate-responsive health planning.

“The Geospatial Risk Map is astrategic breakthrough for enhancing preparedness and protecting vulnerable communities," she said.

"We’re incredibly proud to be leading the way in climate-responsive health planning, taking action to address the growing health risks posed by climate change.

“By geographically pinpointing vulnerabilities, this tool allows healthservices,emergency planners and local organisations to prioritise resources and improve coordination. We hope it alsoservesasamodelfor other regions across Australia.”

Federal Minister for Emergency Management and Traralgon-born, Kristy McBain, said the map willincreasethe capabilities of hard to reach Gippsland communities and better prepare them to respond to, recover from bushfires.

“Through the support provided by our government, Gippsland PHN has been able to develop thisriskmap whichclearly outlines vulnerable communities and defines the roles and responsibilities of responders," she said.

“This informationwill be critical for emergency planning and prioritisation, and I’d like to congratulate everyone involved with this project for their work to support communities impacted by Black Summer to improve community resilience.”

The interactive map is now available on the Gippsland PHN website and is intended to be used by healthservices, emergencyplanners, local councils and community organisations.

To access the map,goto: https:// gphn.org.au/what-we-do/emergencypreparedness-response-recovery/ climate-change-vulnerability-map/  ALONGSIDE the interactive map, two additional resources have been developed to support climate-resilient healthcare planning across Gippsland, the Primary Care Emergency Pathways Document and Priority Populations Contact Guide.

The former has been developed with input fromlocalclinicaland community councils, and outlineshow primaryhealthcare providers can prepare for,and respondto, climate-related emergencies to support vulnerable populations.

The Priority Populations Contact Guide is a practical directory of key organisations supporting vulnerable communities across Gippsland, designed to help health services build partnerships and improvecare coordinationduring emergencies.

To access the contact guide, go to: https://gphn. org.au/wp-content/uploads/files/pdf/GippslandPriority-Populations-Contact-Guide.pdf

To access the emergency pathways document, visit: https://gphn.org.au/wp-content/uploads/ files/pdf/Gippsland-PHN-Emergency-DisasterResponse-Pathways-for-Primary-Health-Care. pdf

Together, these resources provide astrong foundation to help Gippsland communities prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate-related emergencies, enabling greater health equity and system-wide collaboration.

Startofsomething: FederalMember forMonash, Mary Aldred and Victorian Homeless Fund chairColleen Mayturnthe firstsod on theLatrobe Valleyproject,accompanied by Brilley/Sherridon Homes’Conrad Mittra, Alan Broadley and EmmaPetrzela, LoyYang BGeneral Manager,Tony Hicks,AlintaEnergy ExecutiveDirectorCorporateAffairs,Sustainabilityand Governance,Sarah McNamara, and David Knowles,Peter Mayand Tony Dennison from the Victorian Homeless Fund Photograph supplied

New homes to provide safe haven

THE first sod has been turned on anew build which will provide safe and secure homes for women and children experiencing homelessness due to family violence.

The Latrobe Valley-based project is an initiative of the Victorian Homeless Fund (VHF) which will see two new, fully furnished houses donated to give struggling families afresh start.

Loy Yang BPowerStation and Alinta Energy have provided $130,000 to fund the build, which is being undertaken by local builder Sherridon Homes and Brilley Co at cost price.

Constructed on land donated to the VHF by the Payton Foundation, it will leverage apartnership withthe HousingIndustry Associationand its member builders and suppliers who donate their time, expertise and all materials needed to create ahome which is ready to live in.

The VHF is avolunteer-basedcharity focused on providing long-term, stable homes to give families afuture and break the cycle of poverty and homelessness.

Its chairperson, Colleen May, said the Latrobe Valley project was afantastic demonstration of industryworkingtogether to achieve something great for the community.

“We are delighted to be commencing our very first regional project with the generous assistance of Loy Yang BPower Station, Alinta Energy and Sherridon Homes,” she said.

“These homes willprovide asafehavenfor the

families in our community who will now have an opportunity to thrive because we worked together to create change.

“We are not just talking about the problems of homelessness and family violence in our community, we are doing somethingaboutthe problem and together, we are makingadifference onehouse at atime.”

Loy Yang Band Alinta Energy said they were proud to be substantial funders for the project.

“We’re honoured to support aproject that offers access to the thingssomanyofustakefor granted, giving families hopeand the chancetostart over and build amore secure future,” Loy Yang BGeneral Manager, Tony Hicks said.

“Everyone deserves achancetofeel safe, supported, and hopeful, and that’s what this project is allabout,” Alinta Energy Executive Director Corporate Affairs, Sustainability and Governance, Sarah McNamara added.

Federal Member for Monash, Mary Aldred said homelessness and family violence are challenges for the local community and across Australia.

“I’m passionateabout supportingefforts to provide asafe, secure and stable home environmentfor everyone across the Monash electorate,” she said.

Uponcompletion, expected to be by the beginning of next year, the house will be donated to Women’sPropertyInitiativetoappoint tenants The organisation provides long-term, affordable housing solutions for women and children in need.

HOROSCOPES

by Joanne Madeline Moore

July 14 -July21, 2025

the moment comes from birthday great Ne son Mandela (who was born on July 18, 1918): “If you want the cooperation of humans around you, you must make them fee they are important ”

Your ruler, Mercury, turns retrograde (from Friday unt l August 11) Mercury is the planet of c ear thinking, communicat on (talk ng, texting and writing), transport trave cars commut ng commerce computers, media and the nternet So – when it turns retrograde – it’s not a good t me to s gn contracts, start a job or business, buy a phone, computer car or home launch a website install new software, go on a business trip or embark on an expens ve hol day

Retrograde Mercury stirs up your self-esteem zone (from Fr day through unti August 11) when your confidence levels may be ow, a loved one cou d et you down or an o d resentment cou d resurface If you don’t feel comfortab e ask ng someone for help, then don t You also need to manage finances extra careful y, otherwise a large bil , unexpected expense or spontaneous purchase could derai your budget and see you dipp ng into savings

Mercury starts revers ng through your s gn (from Friday unti August 11), so expect some self-doubt, persona pro ect g itches and/or communicat on h tches Avo d overcommitting and promising more than you can real st cal y de iver The more cooperat ve and consultative you are, the better Your motto for the week s from birthday great Ne son Mandela (who was born on July 18, 1918): “May your choices reflect your hopes not your fears ”

This week – w th dynam c Mars v siting your s gn and Mercury (your patron planet) turning retrograde – t’s time to be proactive about doing th ngs with a ‘re’ n front Revise, rehearse, remember, return, recover reconnect recommit – espec a ly in areas invo ving personal projects and profess ona goa s Energy confidence enthus asm and mot vation w l take you far, but you also need to re ax, review o d dreams and pract ce plenty of pat ence!

Mercury starts reversing through your network ng/ peer group zone on Friday So do your best to surround yourself w th dependab e, sens ble, unflappable fami y members and close friends And make sure you doub e-check a l texts (before you press send) and al appointment t mes (before you eave home) It’s also a good idea to reset boundaries and expectations in a romantic, platon c or business relat onship Keep flexib e because th ngs are constantly chang ng!

With Mercury reversing through your career zone (from Friday), the next few weeks could be tr cky at work Some possib e scenar os? Your boss gives you extra work w th short (and stressful) dead ines; a col eague becomes very difficu t to work with; or some staff are s ck or take holiday leave, which increases your workload A so, f you’re ooking for employment (or want to change jobs) then don’t start send ng appl cations out until after August 11

Have you been quest on ng your aspirations? Or does it seem as if you’ve got the worr es of the wor d on your shoulders? This week, take a step back and view things from a wider perspective

Do ng good deeds wil leave you with a warm nner g ow So think up some dynamic ways you can help those who are less fortunate Your motto is from b rthday great, Nelson Mande a: There can be no greater gift than that of giv ng one’s time and energy to he p others ”

The Sun and Jup ter are n your partnership zone, wh ch s good news for an mportant relat onship of the romant c, platonic or bus ness var ety But Mercury turns retrograde on Fr day (until August 11) so financ a partnersh ps tax matters and deep, dark secrets must be handled w th extra tact and care Doub e-check everyth ng tw ce! On the weekend, someone te ls you something in the strictest of confidence But are they tell ng the truth – and can they be trusted?

There’s d sruptive energy around as Mercury starts reversing through your relat onship zone (on Frday) Communication w th a lover re ative fr end neighbour or work co league could veer off in a confus ng direction Or someth ng you say, text or post on soc a media could rece ve a disappo nt ng response So, th nk before you speak and pause before you post! You’l find the more supportive and generous you are at work, the better the week w l be

Consider reviewing your d et and/or rev sing your fitness routine, as Mercury reverses through your hea th-and-wel being zone (from Fr day) It’s important to choose nutritious food and regular exerc se that you enjoy so you can maintain healthy habits n the future Your daily work schedu e cou d also be disrupted (and feel l ke it’s going backwards) or you could find yourse f out of step w th a co league or c ient Patience and persistence w l see you through

Local cast readytodeliver

FAMILY life and love will take centre stage in Off the Leash Theatre’s July production Things IKnow to be True.

Set in suburban Adelaide, the work by Andrew Bovell examines the raw complexities of family love through an Australian lens.

Over the course of apivotal year, Bob and Fran Priceand theirfouradult children face various challenges, some of which shake the foundations of their relationships and the family unit.

Director Amy Moss said the show had been on her bucket list for along time.

“I’m really drawn to shows that explore the beauty in the ordinary,” Amy said.

“We’ve got incredibly talented people here in Gippsland… my cast has been brilliant.

“They’ve been working really hard to bring the

Price family to life and the production team have beenworking tirelessly to add many different components to this play.

“We have an original music score that’s been written specifically for this show... (and) beautiful imagery captured in some projections by wonderfully talented people that have been working with Off the Leash.”

Featuring localtalentfrom Warragul,Drouinand surrounding suburbs –including Newborough and Pakenham, as well as former Express journalist Alyssa Fritzlaff, -the production incorporates naturalisticand non-naturalistic elements into aheart-wrenching, yet incredibly relatable performance.

Things IKnowtoBeTrue will be performed at the West Gippsland Arts Centre until July 20, 2025. Tickets are available at: www.wgac.com.au

Gippsland Watercan assist

GIPPSLAND Water customers can speak faceto-face with customer care team membersabout their water bills at various pop-up events over the next few months.

The sessions will take placeatdifferent locations across the Latrobe, Baw Baw and Wellington areas from July to September.

Thecompany's acting managing director, Nic Moss encouraged customers to attendasession if they have questions about their bills or would liketofind out about what support is available.

“Weknowthat people in our community are feeling the pressuresofthe rising cost of living, and we want them to know we're here to help,” Mr Moss said.

“Customers will see our team in shopping centres and libraries across the region offering private consultations.

“Customers can bring their bill to any of the sessions and get help on-the-spot.

“Our friendly team members can discuss your situation and find an option that suits you, as

well as answer any general questions about your bills.”

The team can set up flexible payment plans, register concessions, help apply for governmentfunded assistanceschemes and give referrals to financial councillors.

Pop-upsessions will run from 10am until2pm and are scheduled for the following locations:  July 15, Traralgon Centre Plaza;  July 22, Traralgon Library;  July 29, Mid Valley Shopping Centre, Morwell;  July 30, Warragul Community House (10.30am to 11.30am, then morning tea);  August 5, Moe Library;  August 12, Drouin Library;  August 19, Warragul Library;  August 26, Gippsland Centre, Sale, and;  September 11, Morwell Library.

For more information, visit: www.gippswater. com.au/customercare

FOLLOWING the success of the joint concert last year, Sale City Band and the Latrobe Orchestra areagain joiningforces to present what will be an unforgettable cinematic concert spectacular -Movie Music Matinee. From the soaring scores of Hollywood classicsto thepulse-pounding themes of modern favourites, this special collaboration brings the magic of the movies to life with afull symphonic sound. Whether you’re afan of epicadventures,animated wonders, or timeless tales, there’s something for everyone.

Highlights from the program include music from the stirring Dam Busters March, the 1960 film theme of The Magnificent Seven, the Star Wars theme, Pirates of the Caribbean and Toy Story. This very special concert takes place in the Sale Memorial Hall on Sunday, July 27 from at 3pm. Tickets are available online at: shoutforgood. com/event-ticketings/MovieMusicMatinee or at the door. Adults $20, child $5, family $50.

Imperial march: Iconic scores from films such as Star Wars will be playedbyLatrobe Orchestraata showlater this month.

Photograph: iStock

Oh so: Alyssa Fritzlaff,Andrew Smith, Ernie Rijs, KeiraJarred, Kellie Bray andAbel Ferguson star in ThingsIKnowtoBeTrue. Photograph supplied

COPYR GHT Joanne Made ine Moore 2025

TheGuide

HOME AND AWAY

Seven, Monday, 7pm

GREATBRITISH CITIES WITHSUSA

SBS, Saturday, 7.30pm

ANCALMAN

Affable Scottish comedian SusanCalman (p on amission to appreciatethe wonder of cg the UK’s greatestregional centres, learning weremadeand going beyond the hustle a to uncovertheir hidden treasures –with lo alongthe way. FirstupisLiverpool, where highlights such as RoyalAlbert Dockand th Club (it’sactually againstthe lawtomakea show about Liverpool without mentioning Beatles). Butit’sthe lesser knownplaces li the incredible Williamson tunnels –built m than 200 years ago butonly rediscovered 1995 –that really makethis worth awatch

Over her time in Summer Bay Irene Roberts (the incomparable Lynne McGranger, pictured) has faced alcoholism, breast cancer, a stint in prison, being kidnapped and even a plane crash But the time has come to say goodbye to this big-hearted battler with Gold Logie nominee McGranger (the longest-serving actress in an Australian drama) making the bittersweet decision to step away after 33 years Irene’s final storyline will play out over the coming weeks and is sure to strike a chord with viewers around the country as the diner owner reckons with her diagnosis of Alzheimer s disease Tonight, Irene leans on John (Shane Withington) as she breaks the news to Harper (Jessica Redmayne) and Dana (Ally Harris) PICK OF THE WEEK

Wednesday, July16

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Four Corners.(R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 National Press Club Address. 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 2.00 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.30 Back Roads. (R)

2.55 Love Your Garden. (R)

3.45 Fake Or Fortune? (R)

4.45 Long Lost Family (PG, R)

5.30 Antiques Roadshow (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30

8.00 Gruen. (Final)

8.35 Guy Montgomery’sGuy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG) PresentedbyGuy Montgomery

9.25 Would ILie To You? (Return, PG) Hosted by RobBrydon. 9.55 Spicks And Specks. (PGs, R) 10.30 QI.(PGs) 11.00 ABC Late News. 11.15 The Business. (R) 11.30 YouCan’t Ask That. (MA15+as, R) 12.30 Love Your Garden. (R) 1.20 Long Lost Family.(PG,R) 2.05 Rage (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.25 Parkinson In Australia. (PG,R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

Bluey. 5.00 Peppa Pig. 5.15 Big Lizard. 5.20 Thomas And Friends. 5.35 Peter Rabbit 5.45 Kangaroo Beach. 6.00 Octonauts. 6.10 Super Monsters. 6.20 Bluey. 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee 6.50 IsadoraMoon. 7.00 Supertato 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Do Not Watch This Show. 7.40 The Inbestigators. 8.00 Junior Vets. 8.25 BTN Newsbreak. 8.30 Abbott Elementary 9.15 Horrible Histories. 9.45 Merlin. 10.30 Fresh Off TheBoat. 10.50 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22)

(pictured) is cities, touring g how they and bustle ots of laughs shevisits obvious heCavern a g The ke more in

SEVEN (7,6)

6am Morning Programs. 8.00 DD India News Hour 9.00 Destination Flavour: Singapore Bitesize. (R) 9.05 Great LighthousesOf Ireland. (PGa, R) 11.05 Boswell And Johnson’s Scottish Road Trip.(PG, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Dateline. (R) 2.30 Insight.(R) 3.30 SBS50 (R) 3.35 The Cook Up.(R) 4.05 Latest Secrets Of The Hieroglyphs. (R) 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 MOVIE: Welcome To Mama’s. (2022, PGa)MelanieScrofano 3.00 TheChase. (R) 4.00 SevenNewsAt4 5.00 TheChaseAustralia. Hosted by LarryEmdur

6.00 MastermindAustralia. 6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 HowDisneyBuilt America: Destination Disneyland. (PG) Walt Disney createsthe first themepark. 8.20 EatSmart:Secrets Of The Glucose Goddess. (Final, PG) Biochemist Jessie Inchauspé helps volunteers improve theirhealth by controlling bloodsugar

9.15 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 11. 1.45 Great Coastal RailwayJourneys. (PG, R) 2.45 IncredibleHomes.(R) 3.40 Growing AGreener World. (R) 4.10 Bamay.(R) 4.50 Destination Flavour Down Under Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World EnglishNews Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 HomeAnd Away (PGa)

7.30 Border Security:Australia’s Front Line. (PG)Officers find damning evidence on aman’s phone. 8.30 TheFront Bar. (Ml) Hosts Sam Pang, Mick Molloy and AndyMaher takea lighter look at all things AFL. 9.30 Unfiltered. (PGa) Hosted by HamishMcLachlan. 10.15 AshleyCain:Into The Danger Zone. (MA15+a) 11.35 Stags. (MA15+alv) 12.35 Touching Evil. (MA15+av) 1.35 Harry’sPractice. (R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

7TWO

(2016,Mals) 2.15 Another Mother’s Son. (2017,PGalsv) 4.10 The BattleOfThe River Plate. (1956,PGa) 6.20 The Great Escape. (1963, PGv) 9.30 Other People’s Children. (2022, Madlns, French, Hebrew) 11.25 Anonymous.(2011, Masv) 1.50am Maria Into Life.(2022, Mans, French) 3.30 Mother Couch. (2023,Malsv) 5.15 TheBattle Of The River Plate. (1956,PGa)

THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY

ABC Family Sunday, 7.35pm

ArrestedDevelopmentand Veepstar

Tony Hale (pictured, left)adds not one, but two, exquisitely enigmatic characters to his collection with a dual role as twin brothers Nicholas Benedict and L.D. Curtain in this Disney adaptation ofTrentonLee Stewart’schildren’s books. Resemblinga Wes Anderson film, the fantastical series fizzes with mischief as it follows four prodigal young orphans (played with nuance beyond their years by Marta Kessler,SethCarr,MysticInscho and Emmy DeOliveira, pictured from left) who arerecruited by Benedict to infiltrate an elite academy that’sseemingly the centre of aglobalbrainwashing operation.

PARAMEDICS

Nine, Tuesday, 7.30pm

They’re thefolks we never have to want to deal with, but we’resureglad they arearound if we do need them. Paramedics arereal-lifesuperheroes, ready to spring into action to protect life and limb whenever those triple zero calls come in. There’safirst forthisfly-on-the-wall docuseries in Tuesday’sepisode:when amum with ahigh-risk pregnancygoesinto labour,Laura and Aaron arenot only saving alife, buthelpingtowelcomea new one into the world. Responding to ahorrific crash, Nhi and Carlos fear the worst fora motorcyclist with life-threatening injuries, and Sam and Chris (pictured) race to the aid of ateenwho whacked her head on atiled floor during aseizureat home. It’sheart-racingviewing.

NINE (9,8)

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 Today 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: Love Amongst The Stars. (2022, PGa, R) Sara Canning, Patch May, Bruce Dawson 2.00 Pointless. (PG) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9NewsAfternoon 4.30[VIC]TippingPoint Australia.(PG) 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.30[VIC]WINNews. 6.00 Drew Barrymore.(PGas) 7.00 Neighbours. (PGa, R) 7.30 Everyday Gourmet

6.00 9News

7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 RBT. (Ml) 8.30 Murder Down Under: Natural Born Killer Pt 2. (MA15+av) Looks at the capture of Stephanie Scott’skiller

9.30 Australian Crime Stories: Deadly Deception. (Mav,R)Alook at the case of Renae Marsden.

10.40 SkiRescue Down Under (PG) 11.40 9NewsLate. 12.10 Tipping Point.(PG, R) 1.05 Hello SA.(PG) 1.30 Home Shopping. 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 ACurrent Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News 5.30 Today

6.00 10 News+. HostedbyDenham Hitchcock and AmeliaBrace 7.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer. 7.30 MasterChef Australia. Abatch of 23 former contestants returns 8.40 Elsbeth. (Mv) Elsbeth consults the controlling wife of aman after he is

Thursday,July17

ABC (2) SBS (3)

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Foreign Correspondent. (R) 10.30 Back Roads. (R) 11.10 Guy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Silent Witness. (Mav,R) 2.00 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.30 Back Roads. (R) 2.55 Love Your Garden.(PG, R) 3.45 Fake Or Fortune? (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: Outback Dressmakers, NSW (Return, PG)

8.30 Griff’sGreat American South. (Premiere) GriffRhys Jones explores Charleston’scharm.

9.15 CultureByDesign: Culture. (Premiere) Alookathow cultural

9.45 Griff’sGreat Australian Rail Trip: Darwin To Alice Springs Make SureYou Drink Water! (PG, R) 10.35 ABC Late News. 10.50 The Business. (R) 11.10 Love Your Garden. (PG, R) 11.55 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 12.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.10 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 6.20pm Bluey 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Isadora Moon. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Do Not Watch This Show 7.40 The Inbestigators. 8.00 Junior Vets. 8.25 BTN Newsbreak. 8.30 Secrets Of The Zoo. 9.15 Saved By The Barn. 9.55 Dance Life. 10.45 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs.

2pm Black As. 2.05 The Last Land: Gespe’gewa’gi. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 Road Open. 5.30 Te Ao With Moana.

6.00 Bamay 6.30 News. 6.40 Wildlife Rescue New Zealand. 7.29 NITV Weather 7.30 Going Places. 8.30 Tribal. 9.30 MOVIE: Mad Max. (1979, MA15+) 11.10 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 12.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 11. Highlights. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 2.05 Engineering Reborn. (PGav,R) 3.00

Living Black. (R) 3.30 SBS50. (R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Jeopardy! 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 11. Highlights.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. Presented by MarcFennell.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 TreasuresWith Bettany Hughes: Oman. (PGaw) Bettany Hughes returns to Oman.

9.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 12. Auch to Hautacam. 180.6km mountain stage. From France.

2.15 Destination Flavour Down Under Bitesize. (R)

2.25 Great Coastal Railway Journeys. (R) 3.25 Incredible Homes. (R)

4.25 Bamay. (R)

4.55 Destination Flavour Down Under Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm The Giants: From Hawaii To Sumo Legends. 2.00 Cycling. Tour de France. H’lights. 3.00 Cycling. Tour de France. H’lights. 4.00 News. 4.05 WorldWatch 6.00 Over The Black Dot. 6.30 TravelMan 7.00 Jeopardy! 7.25 News. 7.30 8Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Curse Of Oak Island. 10.10 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6am Morning Programs. 12.20pm Mother Couch. (2023, Malsv) 2.10 Widows’ Peak. (1994, PGalv) 4.00 The Band’sVisit. (2007, PGls, Arabic, English, Hebrew) 5.40 The Legend Of Longwood. (2014, PGa) 7.35 St. Vincent. (2014, Malsv) 9.30 Winter Boy (2022, MA15+ans, French) 11.45 Late Programs.

Friday,July18

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show.(PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 MOVIE: Together Forever Tea. (2021, PGa) 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia. 6.00 Today 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Football. AFL. Round 19. Essendon vGWS Giants.

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

11.00 Kick Ons. Apreview of the upcoming AFL matches.

11.30 Evil By Design: End Game. (Malv,R)Survivors provide evidence.

12.35 Life. (Madv,R)Aman ends up dead in his own home.

1.35 Harry’sPractice. (R) Information about pet care.

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

5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6am Morning Programs. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 Air Crash Inv: Accident Files. 3.30 Harry’sPractice. 4.00 Better Homes. 5.00 Escape To The Country 6.00 Bargain Hunt. 7.00 Home And Away 7.30 Father Brown. 8.30 Line Of Duty 9.50 Murdoch Mysteries. 10.50 Late Programs.

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 RPA. (PGm, R) Awoman undergoes marathon surgery

8.30 Emergency (Mm, R) First-time dads Michael and Luke treat amotorcycle rider with multiple fractures.

9.30 A+E After Dark. (Malm) Staff treats aman injured in ahit-and-run.

10.30 Panic 9-1-1. (MA15+av)

11.20 9News Late.

11.50 Gypsy Rose: Life After Lockup. (Ma)

12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory.(PGa) 4.30 ACurrent Affair.(R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today

9GEM (92,81)

6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 7.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer

7.30 Airport 24/7. (PGal) 8.30 Law &Order: SVU. (Mas) Acomplicated case divides the squad. Carisi must convince ajury to focus on the law and not adefendant’saccusations. 9.30 The Cheap Seats. (Mal, R) Presenters Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald take alook at the week that was. 10.30 10’sLate News. Coverage of news, sport andweather 10.55 10 News+ (R) 11.55 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

10

6am Morning Programs. 1.10pm YorkshireAuction House. 2.10 Our YorkshireFarm. 3.10 Antiques Roadshow 3.40 MOVIE: The Sleeping Tiger (1954, PG) 5.30 YorkshireAuction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow 7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 20. Dolphins vNorth Queensland Cowboys. 9.45 Thursday Night Knock Off. 10.30 Late Programs.

9GO! (93,

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Morning Programs. 2pm Golden Girls. 2.30 Nanny 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 Jeannie. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: Sherlock Holmes. (2009, M) 11.05 Seinfeld. 12.05am Below Deck. 1.05 Supernatural. 3.00 Bewitched. 3.30 Addams Family 4.00 Barbie: ATouch Of Magic. 4.30 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm Highway Patrol. 2.30 The Force: BTL. 3.30 Billy The Exterminator 4.00 Counting Cars. 5.00 American Resto. 5.30 Storage Wars. 6.00 American Pickers. 7.00 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Clarkson’sWho Wants To Be AMillionaireUK. 8.30 Homicide: With Ron Iddles. 9.30 Air Crash Inv 10.30 Late Programs.

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8) 6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Poh’s Kitchen. (R) 10.30 Take 5With Zan Rowe. (PG, R) 11.10 Little Disasters. (Mal, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Bay Of Fires. (Mlv,R) 2.00 Muster Dogs: Collies And Kelpies. (PG, R) 3.00 Love Your Garden. (R) 3.45 Fake Or Fortune? (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 visits garden designer Michael Cooke.

8.30 Patience. (PGa) The team is found dead among adinosaur display at York Museum.

9.20 Gruen. (Final, R) Presented by Wil Anderson.

9.55 Guy Montgomery’sGuy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG, R) Presented by Guy Montgomery 10.45 Spicks And Specks. (PGs, R)

11.15 ABC Late News.

11.35 Silent Witness. (Ma, R)

12.35 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)

5.00 Rage. (PG)

TEN (10, 5)

6am Morning Programs. 11.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 11. Highlights. 12.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 12. Highlights. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Bonsai. 2.10 Engineering Reborn. (R) 3.00 Nula. 3.30 SBS50. (R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Jeopardy! 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 12. Highlights.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Mastermind Australia. Presented by MarcFennell. 8.35 The Royals: AHistory Of Scandals: Murder (Return) Professor Suzannah Lipscomb investigates four suspected royal murder cases spanning almost 1000 years.

9.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 13. Loudenvielle to Peyragudes. 180.6km mountain stage. From France.

2.00 Great Coastal Railway Journeys. (PGa, R) 3.00 Incredible Homes. (R) 4.00 Growing AGreener World. (R) 4.30 Bamay.(PG,R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 6.20pm Bluey 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Isadora Moon. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Good Game Spawn Point. 7.50 MOVIE: The PowerpuffGirls Movie. (2002, PG) 9.00 BTN Newsbreak. 9.10 Robot Wars. 10.10 Walking With Dinosaurs. 10.55 Late Programs.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show (PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 Your Money &Your Life. (Return, PG) 1.30 Border Security: International. (PG, R) 2.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R) 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia. 6.00 Today 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: Love, Fashion, Repeat. (2022, PGa, R) Cristina Rosato, Victor Zinck Jr 2.00 Pointless. (PG) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 [VIC] Tipping Point Australia.(PG,R) 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG, R) 5.30

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 AFL: Friday Night Countdown. Alead-up to the Friday night AFL match. 7.30 Football. AFL. Round 19. Brisbane Lions vWesternBulldogs. From the Gabba, Brisbane. 10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews taking alook back at all the action from the game. 11.15 GetOn Extra. Alook at the weekend’sbestracing.

11.45 To Be Advised.

1.20 The Disappearance. (Mav,R) Susan and Charles make adiscovery

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

5.00 NBC Today.

6.00 9News.

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 Police Rescue Australia. (PG, R) Follows police rescue and bomb disposal teams.

8.30 MOVIE: Air Force One. (1997, Mv,R)After Russian terrorists manage to hijack Air Force One, it is up to the US president to take it back. Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Glenn Close. 11.00 Law &Order: Organized Crime. (MA15+av,R) 11.50 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

12.40 Pointless. (PG, R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00

Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Postcards. (PG, R)

6.00 10 News+. 7.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer 7.30 House Hunters Australia. Acouple search for ahome. 8.30 Have YouBeen Paying Attention? (Malns, R)Celebrity panellists compete to see who can remember the most about events of the week. 9.30 The Graham Norton Show (Mls, R) Celebrity guests include Sarah Snook, Boy George and Miriam Margolyes. 10.40 10’sLateNews. 11.05 10 News+. (R) 12.05 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

(R) 6am Morning Programs. 1pm Over The Black Dot. 1.30 WhereAre YouReally From? 2.00 Cycling. Tour de France. H’lights. 3.00 Cycling. Tour de France. H’lights. 4.00 News. 4.05 WorldWatch. 6.00 If YouAre The One. 7.00 Jeopardy! 7.25 News. 7.30 8Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 The Science Behind Sex. 9.30 Sex Unlimited. 10.20 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 2.30pm The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 YarningCulture Through Film. 5.30 Nula. 6.00 Bamay 6.40 Wildlife Rescue New Zealand. 7.29 NITV Weather 7.30 MOVIE: Crackers. (1998,

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 10.05 Other People’sChildren. (2022, Madlns, French, Hebrew) Noon Anonymous. (2011, Masv) 2.20 The Movie Show 2.50 The Majestic. (2001, PGal) 5.35 Percy Vs Goliath. (2020, PGal) 7.30 The WayBack. (2010, Mal) 9.55 The Innocent. (2022, Malsv,French, Spanish, English) 11.45 Late Programs.

(1989, M) 11.15 Seinfeld. 12.15am Veronica Mars. 1.10 Supernatural. 3.00 3.30 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 11.30 American Pickers. 12.30pm Pawn Stars. 1.00 My Road To Adventure.

valleysport

Sporting results from around the Latrobe Valley

FOOTBALL

MID GIPPSLAND

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

SCENES of pure footballbeauty played out at Willow Grove Recreation Reserve at the weekend, as Hill End sang their song for the first time this season after a19.5(119) to 11.11 (77) finish over Stony Creek.

The developing, young Rovers added veteran leadership of the highest order, for both on-field and off-field performance, with the arrival of retired West Coast premiership defenderWill Schofield via the Carlton Draft.

Schofieldhad got off to aflying start withthe Mid Gippsland club when amajority of the senior group arrived in Melbourne afew months ago for 'draft night', giving the former Eagles backman the chance to build rapport with the Hill End boys and don the Rovers green and gold awhile in advance. By the time it got to the weekend, which played out in picturesque form with great conditions and weather on the day for Round 13, Schofield was primed and ready for all that unfolded.

Talking to the Express in theweek leadingupto his arrival, Schofield admitted he wasn't going to be playinginhis natural position, instead electing to fillruck duties.

“I’ve made some decisions around my playing position, Ididn’t want to play at full back because basicallyIfeel like I’d just cop the next Nate Caddy, sort of just jump on my head and kick 10 on me,” he said.

“I didn’t wanttoplay full forward, becauseI would’ve had abig gorilla on me in the goal square, and so I’ve put my hand up to go in the ruck, so I’ll be around the footy and be trying my best to get the win for the lads.”

Not only did that play out, but Schofield even divulged thathehad some pre-game speeches prepared for the team on the day,making sure all was ready for the occasion that brought plenty of attention and cameras to the small town.

Bringingthe team in before heading out, Schofield addressed them, saying how he saw Hill End as more afootball club than any he’s been around, includingover in Perth, with perhaps the most successful club in theland,given howtight-knit he sawthe group being and all around the club. As the side ran out onto the ground, with Schofield

wearing the number 32 on his back, they were treated to abumper crowd anticipating agreat contest.

The effort and belief that Schofield alsodiscussed in his speech was displayed early from the Hill End outfit, as the Roversbangedhome six goals straight in thefirst quarter.

The home team’s leadextended even further through to halftime, with multiple players rising to the occasion, including young Darcy Paul with three goals in the first half alone.

Schofield also produced some magic, showing signs that perhaps all was meant to be for Hill End, as the big man grabbed the ball out of aboundary throw-in and snapped truly from40metres out from goal, electrifying not only the ground, but the entire playing group as well, rushing to celebrate and almost in awe.

Hill End wentinto the rooms with the scoreboard reading 64-37 their way.

The travelling Lions (who agreed to swap home gamesbetween the two earlier in the season to ensurethe Hill End faithful got to watch Schofield

on their own deck) came out of the main break with their eyes fixed.

With awin, Stony Creek would only be two games back of playing finals with afurther four matches to go, they too had as much pressure on them as anything.

The Lions held the Rovers scoreless throughout the third quarter, while booting three goals themselves, bringing the margin back to eightpoints with half-an-hour left.

Hill End, realising this was perhaps their one and only chance of victory for the year, returned knowing they had to get back to their ways from the first half.

That arrived as quickly as they returned for the fourth term, with Schofield winning the first bounce as the Rovers sent the ball into their forward line, ending with Andrew Daly booting his first goal for theseason, fresh out of the under 18s.

That all happened over the course of the opening 30 seconds.

Despite Stony Creek mounting goals to keep it close within the first10minutes of the last quarter,

Eaglesflag faveliftsRovers above

HillEnd rode awave insurmountablefor most, with the entire community on their back on the day, as the Rovers kicked the lastfivegoalsall the way through to the final siren.

Hill End coach Adrian Burns said it was acollective effort from his side.

“We all played well, but big Will Schofield got us plenty of the ball and lifted the whole side,” he said.

“Stony Creek came back in the thirdquarter, but we kept them at arm’s length.

“I’ve been waiting for them to do what Iknew they could, it was just great to see the boys get a reward and for the whole community to enjoy it.” It truly was awhole team effort as stated by Burns, with the young Paul producing afive-goal best-on-ground performance with the entire football world watching. The lad is still in thirds!

Aaron Fawcett, skipper Seth Calway(three goals), Amburupa Uliando, Liam Cumiskey (three), and Kyan Mulley were others to stand tall on the day for the Rovers.

Not only did Hill End get to sing the song loudly and proudly for the first time this year, for which Schofield let out with great gusto being of similar ilk to Carlton’s theme, the Rovers also ended the Lions chances of extending their season in 2025.

The Lions had Julian Stone, Jayden Battersby, Callum Carter, Cameron Stone, Hayden Bull and Jack Stuart play well.

In talking earlier in the week with the Express, and also noted during his post-draft interview back in April,mocking media personality and former PortAdelaide 300-gamer Kane Cornes for only mustering amere ninetouches and one mark during his Carlton Draft appearance in Moyston Willaura’s 119-point loss to Hawkesdale Macarthur in aMininera and District 2023 match. Schofield boasted that if he could not surpass those numbers set by the famed football shock jock, he would cease all of his own media commitments withPerth’s Fox Footycoverage and his BackChat Podcast with former Eagles teammatesHamish Brayshaw and journalistDan Const, as well as ending any other future sporting ventures. It’s safe to say Schofield served up much greater impact during his Carlton Draft match, not just on the field, but deep into the night, with Hill End also holding their sportsman’s night the same day.

MoreMid Gippy-Page28

North Gippsland celebrates NAIDOC Week

FOOTBALL

NORTH GIPPSLAND

NORTH Gippsland Football-Netball League and AGL Loy Yang proudly celebrated NAIDOC Week with adedicated Indigenous Round across all NGFNL home grounds at the weekend.

Indigenous Round aims to foster learning, awareness,and respect for Aboriginal culture while strengtheningthe connection betweensport and country Indigenous Roundfeatured smoking ceremonies and Welcome to Country at each venue, honouring the rich traditions and contributions of the

traditional custodiansofthe land, the Gunaikurnai people.

Yallourn Yallourn North Football-Netball Club celebratedthe occasion by wearing custom-designed Indigenous jumpersand dresses, created by one of their Aboriginal players, Dylan Bentley.

The designsreflectedlocal stories andcultural identity and were worn with pride.

Similarly, Woodside FNC supported their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderplayers and thoseinthe community through specialuniforms, culturalacknowledgements, and inclusive celebrations that highlighted the significance of NAIDOC Week (July 6toJuly 13).

Six clubs in the league now have Indigenous

jumpers and/or dresses designed by club members, with additional clubs currently in the designprocess for 2026.

Current clubs are: Churchill, Cowwarr, Glengarry, Woodside, Yarram and YYN.

“The continued partnership with AGL Loy Yang allowsthe NGFNL to showcase our 11 member clubs and promote meaningful community-based events. The Indigenous Round is apowerful opportunity to celebrate culture, promote inclusion, and provide asense of belonging for all involved,” league president, Martha Truin said.

“We were proud to supportthe Indigenous Round during NAIDOC Week. It reflected our shared values of diversity, inclusion, and community

connection. It was inspiring to see the community come together in celebration and reflection,” added AGL Loy Yang General Manager, Christo van Niekerk.

The Indigenous Round was open to all, and proved to be ahighlight of the NGFNL season, reinforcing the league’s role as aplatform for cultural celebration and community unity.

This initiative formed akey part of AGL Loy Yang’s broader sponsorship of the NGFNL, which also includes support for community awareness events such as the Pride Cup and Mental Health Round.

MoreNorth Gippy-Page30

On permit: Former AFL player, Will Schofield donned theHillEnd jumperatthe weekend.

Culture: YallournYallournNorth

against Gormandale at the weekend. Photographs supplied

Proud: YallournYallournNorth footballer, Dylan Bentleywearing the Indigenous jumper he designed.

Into the last third of season ‘25

FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

DROUIN bet Wonthaggi, Wonthaggi bet Maffra, Maffra bet Traralgon,Traralgon bet Moe, Moe bet Leongatha, Leongatha bet Morwell,Morwell bet Traralgon,Traralgon bet Leongatha,Leongatha bet Bairnsdale, Bairnsdale bet Warragul,Sale bet Bairnsdale and Warragul bet Morwell.

To summarise: the Gippsland League is hard to predict.

Predictions will at least become dwindled by the number of clubs bowing out of finals contention over the next few weeks, as the countdown to the business end of the season begins.

The Gippsland Leagueresumes this weekend from al eague-wide bye, with an um be ro f

tantalising contests in store for Round 13 action.

Highlightingall games willbeIndigenous jumpers worn by all clubs for the league’s first-ever Indigenous Round.

 WARRAGUL can take ahuge stride toward finals when it travels to Bairnsdale.

If the Gulls, currently fourth, can overcome the toughest road trip in the league, it will keep them agame clear with five rounds to play.

The Redlegs are seventh on the ladder with four wins, and while mathematicallystill achance, look to be playing for little more than pride.

Warragul has not playedfinalssince 2016,and is looming as atough match-up should they get there given their preparedness to get physical.

TheWarragultwos might even win three games in arow thisweekend.

2018 was the last time that happened (also the last time Warragul reserves played finals).

Another interestingaside:the WesternPark rooms were opened by the late Brian Dixon, Melbourne champion and Liberal MP.

 WHOEVER would have thought Sale versus Drouin would be abottom-two battle.

WhileSaleisstill two gamesclear from the wooden spoon,the clash at Sale Ovaldoes not look all that appealing.

That being said, any clash between last and second last is usually approached as afinal by thosecompeting, and the Magpies and Hawks will certainly be going at it hammer and tongs.

Sale was predicted to be playing in actual finals this season, yet an unenviable injury list has all butput paid to that.

Granted every club gets injuries, and this writer haspreviously refused sympathy to any team citing injury as areason for poor performance, the Magpies can be rightly excused in this instance.

That’s because two weeks ago they literally had an entire team unavailable.

Twenty-two players out.

As life sometimes proves, when things go bad, they go horrendously bad, and reflecting briefly on Sale’s season, the Magpies woes could be traced back to the very first game when they lost to ateam of Maffra high school students.

It was not long after this (in late April), word got out from someone well connected to Sale who predicted the Magpies would finish bottom three.

Imust admit, Ididn’t believe him.

For the sake of the competition, the bye hopefully allowedSaletoregainsometroops, althoughifany team is hoping for the exact opposite, it is Drouin.

The Hawks have had two weeks to celebrate their first win, and will absolutely entertain thoughts of going two from two.

Fit and firing Morwell is travelling south

BY LIAM DURKIN

IT’S never boring at Morwell.

Those were the sentiments expressed by Tigers playing-coach, Boyd Bailey following Morwell’s seemingly ‘out of nowhere’ takedown of Traralgon in asuper Sunday classic before the bye.

Needing to win that game to remain alive in season 2025,the Tigers did just that,and now focus their attention on atrip to Wonthaggi. Morwell knowsthe deal -this is virtually an elimination final.

The Power are fifth on the ladder, one game clear of the Tigers. That margin theresultofWonthaggi’s losstopreviouslywinless Drouin on the same weekend Morwell defeated the reigning premier. It would be unfairtolabel Wonthaggi’sloss a‘shock’,given the Power are reportedly going through an injury crisis, but diving abit deeper, it is clear you should never believeabsolutely everything you hear from over the hill.

While reports emerged Wonthaggi hadbeen fielding someoftheir youngest ever teams in recent weeks, closer analysis reveals thereissome hyperbole.

There was only two under 18 players that featured for Wonthaggi against Drouin, and one was Tom Macmillan -a Gippsland Power player.

Five others were what youmay term ‘up fromthe twos’, while the Power still had key players Ryan Sparkes, Jye Gilmour, Kyle Reid, Cooper McInnes, Brodie Mabilia and Josh Schulz running around.

It would therefore be unfair to discredit Drouin’s victory,and, on current form, should also give Morwell full confidence about what willlikely confront them.

The Tigers showcased just about their full potential in the firstquarter against Traralgon,

kicking five goals to zilch, before ending with the same number to win by 27 points.

Bailey pointed to the team’s ability to win after the Maroons hit back as the biggest positive, citing overall maturity and growth.

As he acknowledged, the Tigers may well have dropped such agamepreviously.

Something Morwell is familiar with however is elimination finals during the regular season.

Remarkably, the Tigers find themselves in this position for the fourth consecutive year, but with six home-and-away rounds still to play, can ensure their run to the finish line is more of cruise and less of amad dash by picking up wins over the next few weeks.

Starting on the longitude acreage of Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve should suit the chip and run style Morwell found so successful against Traralgon, and Bailey will likely be encouraging his charges to back themselves by taking the game on.

Acriticism of the Tigers in previous weeks was their dourness, at one stageaveraging just 55 points for.

This in turn left the door ajar for teams such as Sale (currently second-last) to arm wrestle victory in lowscoring grinds.

However, the blitzing of Traralgonsurely confirmed in the minds of all players wearing yellow and black that scoreboard pressure is the best kind of pressure. As one fellow Gippsland coach simply theorises: you aren’t going to lose muchsleep coming up againstateamaveraging less than10goals agame

Against ateam capable of kicking 15 however

Usingacricket analogy this writer knows all too well, you are often better off keepingthe defensive batsmen on strike, or even lettingthem stay in, becauseyou know they aren’t going to hurt you on the scoreboard.

Morwell was without heart and soul players Tyler Hillier and Burkeley Macfarlane last round, and

will hope to get them back on the parksooner rather than later.

Project player Maclan McInnes was given the job on arguably the best player in the competition,Tye Hourigan, and his namessake, CooperMcInnes could be his next assignment.

Somewhat ironically, Wonthaggi too are familiar with in-season elimination finals, and theirtask looks roughly similar to that of last season.

The Power stormed into finals after winning eight of their last nine games, however their current predicament provides perhaps aclearer illustration.

Wonthaggi at full strengthare arguably atop three teamonpaper, yet the toll of losing apreliminary final by two points in 2022 and then aGrand Finalmost expected them to win the following year is likely to be catching up with them.

Playing equal devil’s advocate for Morwell, they will be hoping their best quarter of football didn’t come in agame the vast majority of people aren’t going to remember in two months’ time

The successful teams play those quarters in September, just as Morwelldid in thesecond quarter of the 2013 Grand Final.

TRARALGON VS MAFFRA

TRARALGON certainly won’t be taking Maffra lightly.

After all, the Eaglesdefeated the Maroons the last time they met.

Traralgon needs to get back on the winners list as well, and while there has been abye in between bouts, will enter thisweekend’shome fixture with oneless day recovery.

Recovery has also likely been afactor for Maffra, after playing on aheavy ground last round.

The last fortnightmay have indeed felt like a month for the Maroons, who appeared to be flying through the middle of the Gippsland Leagueseason

Traralgon’sform heading into the Morwellgame was acomprehensive 90-point win over Sale, followedbyconsecutive victories over the two top teams, Leongatha and Moe.

Whether or not the Maroons thought it would ‘just happen’againstMorwell, or whether the traditional rivalry clash meant the odds naturally shortened is up for debate, but their full attention will now be on the game ahead.

Traralgon was without key forward Dylan Loprese last round, while nippy midfielder Liam Willaton was spotted in amoonboot. Loprese was alatewithdrawal, and logic suggests he will come in given the two week layoff. His presencewill be welcomed at centre half forward, and likely free up skipper and intercepting defender Tye Hourigan, who was forced to play mostly forward against Morwell.

Hourgian was best afield after kicking five goals, although questions are becoming louder and louder every week about just how much Traralgon relies on him.

Maffra senior games recordholder,Daniel Bedggood looms as thelikelymatch-up, and he will undoubtedly play aselfless role to ensure Hourigan is at least held accountable.

Those making the trip to Terry Hunter Oval may want to settle in for the long haul, as good games are on the cards across all grades.

The reserves clash is between first and third, the thirds between thirdand fifth, and the fourths between one and two.

Watchfor any numberofnamestobefuture senior stars.

Games times are Seniors: 2.20pm Reserves: 12.30pm Thirds: 10.45am Fourths: 9am

Topspot up for grabs at TedSummerton

FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

THIS is big.

Top of the table, first round back after the bye, both teams on the same number of points.

Leongatha will arrive into Moe with intentions of taking outright first spot on the ladder, which it currently holds by just 4.62 per cent.

The ‘same old Parrots, always winning’ have once again shown exactly why they are arguably the greatest team the league has ever seen, claiming victories by comfortable margins despite some key players sitting on the sidelines.

Leongatha’s winning margins in the last six rounds have been by 59, 81, 91, 72 and 135points, with athree point loss to Traralgon among those their only blemish.

The Parrots were however comprehensively beaten by Moe in Round 4tothe tune of 47 points. At the time, many thought that result would signal thestart of Leongatha’s demise, but if anything, it seems to have only sparked them further into gear.

The Lions have only lostone game since, although theirmarginshave generally been around the 40-50 mark amid acricket team's worth casualty ward.

The difference may be in the killer edge Leongatha has fromyears of playingingrand finals (the Parrots haven’t missed adecider in adecade), something Moe coach Leigh Poholke has eluded to in his addresses this season.

“Good footy sides are ruthless,” he said during three quarter time of the Lions’ recent game against Bairnsdale.

The week off may have come at agood time for both clubs given their stack of injuries, although Moe and Leongatha are still not expected to be at absolute full strength.

AGippsland Power bye this weekend however will surely help.

Depth doesn’t appear to be an issue for the respectivesides either. Leongatha and Moe are only separated by agame in the reserves, and two games in the thirds.

In defeatingthe Parrots last time, the Lions appeared to outwork their opponents around the ground, so much so it seemed Leongatha’s willingness to chase was non-existent.

Having had to hardly defend for the best part of adecade, it would be reasonable to conclude Moe forced Leongatha into doingsomethingitwasn’t accustomed to.

Knowing the Parrots however,there is also every chance they played with ‘selective intensity’, atrait usually found in most well-oiled and professional sporting outfits.

The term is often applied to the Australian Test cricket team, who will hold the game when required, and press home the advantage once the time is right.

Leongatha could yet do thesame. The Parrots know not only how to play finals, but they know when to play finals. Round 4was not the time, and while Round 13 is still some distance away,

Leonga tha can send ad ecent warning shot nonetheless.

Moe by contrast will be seeking reassurance in their system after an indifferent fortnight on the road.

TheLions playedpoorly in the loss to Traralgon, and had to grind in the Maffra mud two weeks ago.

The loss to Traralgon was heavily reviewed, with upwards of 40 edits picked out from the tape.

Moe should however relish the opportunity to be back at home, where it will enter with confidence it can handle anything the Parrots throw at them.

Opposition players have since cluedonthat whenever aLeongatha player is having aset shot fromaround 50 metresout and places the ball on the ground,itisacue thekickwillbegoing across the face to CadeMaskell floating down from defence.

Moe’s comraderyhas also seen amarkedimprovement this season,with thecoach oftenleading the way.

Poholke ran some distance in the match against Warragul to remonstrate after young Lion, Luke Cheffers received unwarranted attention.

Ultimately, belief might be the most deciding factor for the Lions, but they won’t have to look far to find it.

Moe has actually been one of the competition’s best teams over the last decade, something no one has given them much credit for.

The Lions have only missed finals once since 2017, and made the preliminary final in each

its last three finals campaigns.

Ahuge array of fresh mouthwatering salads made daily

Aselection of hot vege’s, combinationpacks, chicken schnitzels, burgers androlls PLUS or

Over the course of Moe’s period close to the top,

The delicacyofdecisions

FOOTBALL

By LIAM DURKIN

NORTH MELBOURNEiscelebrating its centenary

in the AFL this season.

The club’s coach of the century, Denis Pagan was brought in to deliver aclassic ‘rev up’ recently, before amatch featuring the currentcrop of Kangaroos.

Pagan has afew connectionstothe Latrobe Valley area, and these days, can sometimes be found at Moe Racing Club.

Pagan made the move to horse training some years ago, and has aGroup 1win to his name, to go with his two premierships as an AFL coach.

Gippsland collidedwith arguably the toughest decision of his coaching career, when he chose to recall Heyfield’s Stuart Anderson for the 1996 AFL Grand Final in place of Matthew Armstrong.

“I think about it constantly,” Pagan told the Herald Sun’s Sacked podcast in 2020.

“I know Matty’s never going to forgive me. Matty in my opinion had slowed down ahell of alot. We just thought at the time, Stuey Anderson, young kid (22), might give us abit more versatility.”

North Melbournewent on to win the premiership against aSydneyteamthat featured Traralgonborn, Troy Luff.

Anderson however left North Melbourne at the end of the following season, something Pagan said made him reconsider just how he went about selecting teams in the future.

“Wegave him achance, premiershipplayer, and he bolted 12 months later,” Pagan said.

“To put allyour trust in someone. Ilook at Matty, we carried guys in our ’99 premiership. We had acouple of guys who didn’t make acontribution but they’re still premiership players, and they deserve it.

“Maybe Ilearnt, Istill feel for him (Armstrong) now.”

With finalsonthe horizon in local football, coaches across the region will undoubtedly be facing similar dilemmas.

Local footy is littered with tough calls at selection, especially on the eve of big finals.

Speaking on aGippsland FM program hostedby theauthoracouple of years ago, Morwell's Jason Macfarlane spoke of hisanguish whendeciding the teamfor the 2008GippslandLeague GrandFinal. Understandably, some from Morwell who missed

out joined rival clubs the following year

More recently, another former Gippsland League coach confided there are certain decisions coaches live to regret.

Coaching great, Mick Malthouse, who selected more teams than anyone in AFL history, perhaps summed it up best when he said: “The 22nd player thinks the coach is agenius, the 23rd things he’s got no idea.”

As selectionpotentially becomes tighter across Gippsland footy, it is important to remember that finals go for multiple weeks, meaning there is usually agood chance changes can come.

It is incredibly rarefor the same 22 to be selected over four weeks during theregular season, and the same often applies during finals.

Late withdrawals, arandom illness, or even a failed fitness test are all common enough.

Not forgetting that venues,conditions, match-ups and qualification rulesoften force selectors’hands as well.

How manytimes have teamsbecome instantly stronger after the next grade up has bowed out? Or vice-versa,changesmadebecause players have over-qualified?

Things, acareer even, can change in an instant.

Morwell with huge chance to consolidate

NETBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

GIPPSLAND League netball returns from the bye this weekend.

Round 13 sets the scene for the last leg on the journey to finals.

It is six weeks and counting for Moe and Morwell, while Traralgonwillprobablyneed to win all remaining games to be in with ashow.

The Maroons should get at least one of those wins when they host Maffra this Saturday.

The Eagleshave struggled for muchofthe season, with just one win to their credit.

Traralgon will be eager to return to the winners list themselves, following tough assignments against their Valley counterparts heading into the bye.

Power

FOOTBALL

COATES TALENT LEAGUE

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

TheMaroons however proved their credentials against aLeongatha still in finals contention, defeatingthe Parrots 51 to 47 on the road in Round 10.

Emily Scholtes was among the best for the winners that day, but willbeanotable absence the rest of the season, having flown to the States to take up an exciting basketball scholarship.

Morwell travels to Wonthaggi.

TheTigers can take afurther step toward securing the double chance with victory.

Morwell (third) is two gamesclear of fourth-placed Drouin, who should defeat Sale (ninth) on the Magpies’ home court.

Anna Solomon has been in blistering form for the Tigers, and looms as their key playmaker once again.

Moehosts Leongatha.

The undefeated Lions certainly won’t be taking

the Parrots lightly, given they are virtually playing for their season.

Leongatha holds fifthspotbyvirtueofpercentage, and with Bairnsdale (sixth) likely to loss to secondplaced Warragul,margins could be the determining factor once the ladder is finalised.

Moe’s defencemay need to be warry of some positionalchanges, should Mikaeli Hillierslotback into goals for the visitors.

After shooting more than 400 goals last season, Hillier has movedfurther up the court in 2025,with most of the scoring going to Amy Scott.

The Lions have arock solid defence,led by Ramayer Keilty and Nambrok’ssecond-greatest athlete, Olivia Barnett, who will look to quell the influence of whoever is in the shooting ring.

Moe negotiated atricky pre-bye period, which saw players coming up from BGrade,and will hope to have asettled side as finals approach.

defeated for first time since May

to give themselves their sixth win of the season and sit sixth on the ladder.

Moe’s Liam Masters was best-on-ground for Powerintheir loss, finishing with 16 touches and four marks.

BOTH Gippsland Power teams were downed at the weekend.

Each of the Boys and Girls squads had been on aheater recently, both on significant win streaks, but came home from Shepley Oval, Dandenong equally unsatisfied.

Gippsland Power Boys droppedtheirfirst game since May 11, losing to Calder Cannons, 15.11 (101) to 10.10 (70) in Round 15.

Play was hot through amajority of the contest, with little separation throughout the first three quarters,equalling in atiedgame67-allwith half-an-hour spare.

Power was unable to register agoal in the final term, whileCalder Cannons added five outright

Fellow Moe juniors Max Woodall and Luke Cheffers were also among the best,with Woodall kickingtwo goals, alongside Oliver Wilson Zachary O’Keefe, and Wil Malady (three goals).

Despite the loss, Gippsland Power still sits second on the ladder with athree-win advantage over the rest of the competition. They nextplay Northern KnightsonSaturday, July 26 at Morwell Recreation Reserve.

 ASEVEN-GAME winning streak snapped.

Gippsland Power Girls succumbed 8.10 (58) to 8.3 (51) against GWV Rebels in Round 14. Powergot off to astrongstart,leading 4.3 (27) to 1.1(7) after the first quarter, but undid that

lead, unable to find ascore in the second term. Leading by just apoint at halftime, the Power Girls returned full of forcetoextendtheir margin back out to near 20 points.

However, the Rebels inflicted afive-goal final term to overcome aGippsland side that had been building greatly since starting off the season with two losses.

Traralgon’s Ella Stoddart has come into form, notching24disposals(14 kicks and10 handballs),six tackles, and ninerebound50s for abest-on-ground performance.

Baia Pugh, Bonnie Williams, Ashleigh Perkins, Grace Dillow and Abby Hobson were others to play well for Power.

GippslandPower Girls currently sit fifth on the ladder, preparing for aSaturdayshowdown against Northern Knights at MorwellRecreation Reserve in afortnight.

Ainsworth set for 150th

FOOTBALL AFL EXPORTS BY BLAKE

METCALF-HOLT

ACHINK in the armour has been sensed. Sustaining their first loss since Round 8, the gap between Collingwood and the rest of the competition has shrunk.

Gold Coast produced possibly the biggest win of the club’s existence, knocking off the flag favourites 10.9 (69) to 8.15 (63) at People First Stadium, Gold Coast on Fridaynight. Collingwood’s eight-game winning streak appeared to be on the line early, as the Magpies were unable to convert in front of goal at all throughout the entirety of the first half.

The Suns 2.5 (17) to 0.4 (4) first quarter lead quickly ballooned out to near six goals by halftime, as Collingwood was held goalless in ahalf for the first time since 2021.

Matt Rowell extended Gold Coast’s lead even furthertoopen the second half,but two majors from Traralgon’s Tim Membrey in the third quarter began to push the Magpies in the right direction.

Collingwood rattledoff eightofthe next nine goalstohit the front midway through the final term, before the Suns went back ahead due to Ben Long.

Noah Anderson converted the sealer, running through the centre clearance, connecting with afew teammates before kickinganalmighty goal to see the Suns hold on in dramatic fashion.

Moe’s BaileyHumphrey added agoal and 14 touches, while former Moe and Fish Creek footballer Sam Flanders had 18 disposals and Morwell’s Ben Ainsworth finished with 11 touches and three marks. Ainsworth will play his 150th AFL game at Adelaidethis weekend against theCrows (another huge game for Gold Coast), being one of the Suns most consistentplayers across his nine-year career.

Membrey finished with two goals and 12 disposals for the Magpies.

The Suns third straight win jumps them up to fifth on the ladder, as they appear destined to play finals for the first time in the club’s history.

 APPEARING to be back at their best, Hawthorn was outdone by Fremantle when it mattered most.

The Dockers defeated the Hawks at Optus StadiumPerth, 12.5 (77) to 9.10 (64) on Saturday.

It looked as though Hawthorn was going to cementtheirspot in thetop four, as their nine-point halftime lead turnedinto 13 points at three-quarter-time, with all the momentum in their corner.

Fremantle then completely flipped the switch, pouring on four goals to none in the final term, pushing themselves into the top eightwiththeir 11th win of the season.

Morwell’s Changkuoth Jiath finished with nine disposals and three marks in the loss.

MID GIPPSLAND

Foster firingon all cylinders

FOSTER VMDU



FOOTBALL

MID GIPPSLAND BY ROB POPPLESTONE

THERE has been abuilding expectation that one week would soon determineanumberof Mid Gippsland clubs'seasons

4D Thorson 2W Stewart2NNagel S Wilson. BEST: Foster:ANortonH Hoppner MCookeO Callcott JMorrisJ Flavelle.Meeniyan Dumbalk Utd: JHoy DThorson SWilson TCorryJ Schelling SWalsh NEWBOROUGH 4.5 8.7 11.8 13.11 (89)

EAST 2.2 5.4 8.6 11.10 (76)

GOALS: Newborough: BYoung 4PAinsworth 4JPearce 2W Anderson Bvan DykZSkinner Morwell East: CWangman 5BMarks 3NKyriacou 2HDwyer BEST: Newborough: W Anderson PAinsworth JRobinson ZSkinner PCharles KJennings.Morwell East: CIorangiL DayC Wangman NKyriacou DField MDiaz

TOORA5.3 6.6 7.9 9.10 (64) BOOLARRA1.3 4.8 4.11 8.12 (60)

GOALS: Toora: LCraig 5JSmart2SSmartMBezzene.Boolarra: ASheers 2JMason2 B Flanigan BMasonMDyerJHolmes BEST: Toora: JHalsall WCashin LCraig JSmartLSmartL Marr.Boolarra: SNoy MDyerBMason JNoy MPorykali BFlanigan

Mirboo Nth: RKratzat

B-Gibson DFeildB AbernethyH Watt. Fish Creek:L Bowman JAnderson BBoydLCocksedge JArestia AFarrell

4.8 8.8 13.13 19.18 (132)

2.1

MHouse BEST Meeniyan Dumbalk Utd: AKemper JLeeden BTomada MHoober BFennell JLacy. Foster:F Lomax JGay KDavyMHouse DBurtonJ Smith

Not many however believed that Round 13 might be it.

 NEWBOROUGH VMORWELL EAST

MOREtothisgamethan met the eye, Morwell East had the chance to claw back some much needed respect after adisappointing season to date, but equally, Newborough needed to win to keep their finals chances alive. That dream remained alive forthe Bulldogs, after their home ground success by 13 points.

Newboroughheld off the Hawks 13.11 (89) 11.10 (76)

Bulldogs coach, Pat Frendoafforded the chance to breath easier.

“Really solid bounce back after asuper disappointing outing last week (against Mirboo North)," he said.

"The boys got off to areally good start which set us up witha two goal leadatthe first break.

"In agame that had quite afew momentum swings we managed to hold atwo-three goal buffer for the rest of the game.

"Hoping this win builds abit of confidence heading into nextweek when we head to MDU to play them for the second time.

"We managed to knock them off in Round 1, but that seems like an eternity ago and both teams have gone on to have very different seasons since. Will be atough challenge as our next three opponents (MDU,Fish Creek, Yinnar) are all gunning for atop two spot.”

There is no questioning the high bar that neds to be overcome by the Bulldogs, while for the Hawks,what has been adisappointing year continued.

“The trip to Newborough proved disappointing. We both havestruggled this season with notmanywins on the board between us. Our inability to execute simple skills has been a common factorinour lossesthis year. It's not at the level it needs to be,” Morwell East Coach, Paul Henry said.

The Hawks have shown in recent seasons they are more thancapable of competing with the very best.

This season has fallen well short of expectations, but with asharper focus at the tail end of the year and anew opportunity in 2026, better days are no doubt ahead.

 THORPDALE VMIRBOO NORTH

TWO weeks ago, Thorpdale would have entered this clash against Mirboo North as hot favourites.

But with the Tigers coming off an impressive and comprehensivewin over Newborough, many were unsure just how this clash at Thorpdale would unfold.

The Tigers found away to win in the most memorable of victories, getting up over an inaccurate Blues 9.7 (61) to 7.15 (57).

Mirboo North Coach, Damien Turner said it was ahard-fought win.

“Huge resultfor our season and this group," he said.

"Thorpy are astrong, hard contested team and that’s exactly what they brought.

"They had alot of the early play and fortunately let us off withsomewayward kicking But the grit, run and determination of my boys gotusthere. Seventeen-year-oldJono Conlan kicking ahugegoal in the last quarter

in his fifth senior game, these moments can make players. Proud coach!

"We roll into the bye now, rest up, reset and hope to keep the momentum up for the last month of footy -one week at atime for us!”

The Tigers are now seventh on the ladder, just percentage from the top six, and agame from jumping two spots further, while the Blues, who could have secured afinals spot with awin, now face anervous five weeks to the finish.

Thorpdale Coach, Daniel Taylor lamented awasted opportunity.

“Frustrating day. Inaccurate kicking and undisciplined play right throughout the day proved to be costly in the end," he said.

"After apretty dominate third quarter we had our chances early in the last to put it to bed but didn't convert.

"Full credit to Mirboo North, they finished off strong and were running on top of the ground to pinch it late.”



TOORAV BOOLARRA

ALL that stood betweenTooraand an unlikely late season surgetowards finalswas aBoolarra teamthatpretty much wanted the exact same thing.

Victory, fourpremiership points and continued contactwith the top sixsidesin the competition was on the line out at Toora.

Tooratook their chances, claiming victory in yet another nail bitingvictory notwithout some controversy, 9.10 (64) to 8.12 (60).

Magpiescoach, JayAcardi happy to accept thefour points.

“A tough contest against Boolarra, we came out firing in the first quarter and controlled the majority with good ball use which gave our forwards good looks at goal," he said.

"But as Boolarra do so often they gotthe gameontheirtermsand out-played us for the majority of the last three quarters.

"Was great to see the boys stand up when it counted in somebig moments in thelast quarter to get the victory -one that could have gone either way.”

The Demons, now seemingly on the wrong side of too many that could have gone either way. Each week there are patches of play that indicate the can and possibly even should be further up the ladder.

Theweekend gone was no exceptionasthe Boolarra coaching panel indicated.

“A lightning fast start saw the Toora side lead five goals three behinds to one goal three at the first break," they said.

"We were the victim of self-inflicted wounds with some poor ball use from thehalfback line through the middle of the ground gifting three of Toora's five goals.

"Then Magpies star Jack Weston injected himself into the middle and started to influence the flow of play.

In the last quarter and after atug of war saw ascoreless five minutes,Joel Mason kicked the ultimate skippers goal to get the lead back for the Demons with19minutes played.

With 24 minutes gone aToora free kick found their gun forward Leigh Craig free in the forward 50, and when he kicked truly the home side led by four points, with that being the ultimate margin.

Thereweresomany passagesofplay, decisions made thatthe Demons could reflect on and say 'what if', but with the premiership points missing fromtheir bank, Boolarra appear just onemoreloss awayfrom looking at their seasonand saying thesamething

MEENIYANDUMBALKUNITED was under no illusions as to the enormity of the task as they ventured Foster Showgrounds to take on the top-of-the-table team.

Foster had only tasted defeatonceinseason 2025, and was determined that their second would not be against the Demons.

Foster ensued the good times rolled along, winning 23.9 (147) to 10.6 (66).

The Tigers comprehensivevictorynow sets ahigh benchmark for the rest of the competition.

The win was much more impressive given the coach wasactually in anothercountry at the time.

“Unfortunately Iwas away at afuneral in New Zealandonthe weekend, but luckily we have such astrongclub and message across the group we could still go to work," Foster Coach, Sam Davies said.

"Besty (Foster boy and former Traralgon senior coach, Jake Best) took over, but our first half was filled with undisciplined acts andgiving away goals. We were on top but the scoreboard may not have reflected that.

"The second half showcased the way we wanted to play and our ability to score and defend as agroup. The midfield dominated and our forwards got really good looks. We’ll enjoy the week off before our lastfour games.”

As the Tigers get to rest before returning in Round15, the Demons cannotwait to redeem themselves after the disappointment of such adevastating loss.

“There's no easy way to say this, but yesterday's performancewas poor and extremely disappointing," MDU coach, Rhett Kelly said.

 FISH CREEK VTARWIN

FISHCREEKhad the opportunity to not only secure four more valuable premiership points, but also sendTarwin spiralling back down towards apack of teams all clamouringfor the Sharks' current position in the league's top six It was an opportunity the Kangaroos gladly took with both hands, winning by 27 points at home.

Final scores were Fish Creek 9.12 (66) to 6.3(39).

Kangarooscoach, Jarrad Walker said the opposition made his side work hard for the win.

“A pleasingwin.Weknew Tarwin would come out firing after the previous week and it proved to be atough arm wrestle for the first half," he said.

“Always atough ask playing Fish Creek as they have quality across every line. Iwas happy with our response this week as opposed to last week," Tarwin Coach, Lachie Jones saidreferencing the 110 point loss to Yinnar.

"The guys gave effort andweheld one another accountable. Areally pleasing aspect was our second quarter response. We had some of our players do some selfless roles and some things worked which we will take away as apositive.

"We took the contest up to them but did drop away in the last quarter.”

There remains very little between many of the sides in the competition, and just when you think you may have things worked out, the unexpected shows up and slaps you in the face.

 The moral to the MGFNL story: expect the unexpected. YINNAR had the bye.

Changes unfoldinginNorthGippy

NETBALL

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

NO Gippsland Leagueatthe weekend brought further attention to the surroundingnetball leagues that make up the Latrobe Valley.

Round13ineach of Mid Gippsland andNorth Gippsland totalled in agrand display of what the best of the wider netball community has to offer.

 WHILE ladder disparity matchups were in place in Mid Gippsland, anticipation still surrounds who’s going to make up the top six by the end of the home-and-away season.

Newborough gotanecessary win to keep their season alive, defeating Morwell East (who sit aslot behind them on the ladder), 59 to 50 at Northern Reserve.

All tied up after the first quarter, the Bulldogs broke away to lead 30-25 at the main break.

That margin was only bolstered due to a15-7 third quarter that gave Newborough aseven-goal lead at the final turn, for whichthey held onto and went even further ahead.

Demi Caldow was abeast at the post,producing a 42-goal performance, supported by Caitlin Demczuk with 17.

Myah Healey gave her best for the Hawks with a38-goal outing

The Buldogs currently sit two games back from sixth-place on the ladder,and snapped afive-game losing streak in the process.

Mirboo North wastoo strong forThorpdale, winning 76-26 at Thorpdale Recreation Reserve.

While the Blues still search for that illusive first win of the season, the Tigerskeep themselves marked as the best of the rest, currently sitting fourth on the ladder with awin-loss record of 8-4.

Toora held onto sixth spot and remain in the finals window thanks to a56-36 win overBoolarra at Toora Recreation Reserve.

Netball scoreboard

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE -BYE

MID GIPPSLAND -ROUND 13

AGRADE: StonyCreek 60 def Hill End 34, Fish Creek 65 def Tarwin 41, Mirboo Nor th 76 def Thorpdale 26, Toora56def Boolarra36, Foster 75 def MDU 51, Newborough 59 def Morwell East 50, Yinnar bye

BGRADE: StonyCreek 42 def Hill End 35, Fish Creek 73 def Tarwin 9, Mirboo Nor th 58 def Thorpdale 41, Toora75def Boolarra25, Foster 81 def MDU 35, Newborough 69 def Morwell East 30, Yinnar bye

CGRADE: StonyCreek 31 def Hill End 28, Fish Creek 51 def Tarwin 47,Mirboo Nor th 62 def Thorpdale 27,Foster 36 def MDU 34, Boolarra43 def Toora38, Newborough 49 def Morwell East 13 Yinnar bye

DGRADE: StonyCreek 31 def Hill End 23, Tarwin 31 def Fish Creek 25, Mirboo Nor th 58 def Thorpdale 7, Toora46def Boolarra16, Foster 33 def MDU 30M Newborough 31 def Morwell East 25, Yinnar bye 17 AND UNDER: Hill End 47 def StonyCreek 30, MDU 67 def Foster 10,Boolarra37def Toora35, Newborough 45 def Morwell East 19,FishCreek 41 def Tarwin 24, Mirboo Nor th bye,Yinnar bye 15 AND UNDER: Foster 22 def MDU 17,HillEnd 46 def StonyCreek 14,Toora37def Boolarra16, Fish Creek 31 tied Tarwin 31, Newborough 53 def Morwell East 16,Mirboo Nor th bye,Yinnar bye 13 AND UNDER: StonyCreek 26 def Hill End 6, Foster 32 def MDU 7, Boolarra24def Toora8, Tarwin 33 def Fish Creek 25, Newborough 54 def Morwell East 2, Mirboo Nor th bye,Yinnar bye

NORTH

GIPPSLAND -ROUND 13

AGRADE: Gormandale 60 def YYN 45, Woodside 47 def Rosedale 33, Churchill 69 def Cowwarr 15 Heyfield 46 def Sale City 36, TTU bye,Glengarry bye.

BGRADE: YYN 63 def Gormandale 25, Churchill 58 def Cowwarr 31, Rosedale 51 def Woodside 38, Heyfield 43 def Sale City 39, Glengarry44def Yarram 38, TTU bye

CGRADE: YYN 42 def Gormandale 31, Churchill 26 def Cowwarr 18,Woodside 33 def Rosedale 32, Sale City 31 def Heyfield 24, Glengarry43def Yarram 33, TTU bye

DGRADE: Gormandale 41 def YYN 20, Churchill 48 def Cowwarr 13,Woodside 34 def Rosedale 28, Sale City 53 def Heyfield 18,Glengarry 38 def Yarram 26, TTU bye 17 AND UNDER: Churchill 27 def

The Magpiesonly helda marginal lead after the first quarteroffour goals,and the Demons kept it close until halftime, with the scoreboard reading 25-20.

Toora then blew the game out of the water with an 18-goalthird quarter while Boolarra was left behind the rest of the way home.

Hill End was unable to keep close against Stony Creek, succumbing 60-34 at Willow Grove Recreation Reserve.

Thegame was lost to the Rovers due to a17-6 firstquarterouting by the Lions, which madeit hard for the home side to fight back.

Other results included Fish Creek defeating Tarwin, 65-41 at Terrill Park, and Foster continuing their unbeaten streak with a75-51win over Meeniyan Dumbalk United at Foster Recreation Reserve.

The Tigers sit top of the ladder in both football and netball as it currently stands.

Yinnar had the bye.

 ASHIFT in North Gippsland’s hierarchy seems to be taking place.

After dominantseasons in each of the last two years,Sale City has beguntoplateauinthe backend of 2025.

In aGrand Final rematch, in which Heyfield still sit outside of the top five, the Kangaroos handed the reigning premier their second straight loss of the seasonina46-36 outingatGordon Street Reserve

After aback-and-forth first quarter, Heyfield begantobreak away momentarily through to halftime, leading 21-18.

Separation became evident as play returned, with theKangaroosopening up the margin by eight goals at the last turn, which was sustained.

Phoebe Richardson (29 goals) and Chloe Smith (16) played abig part in Heyfield’s best performance of the season thus far.

The win could set up the Kangaroos in the final

stretch of the season,who have undergone an inconsistent campaign to date.

The result now moves Sale City into fourth position, and two gamesbackfrom top-placed Churchill.

Speaking of, the Cougars raised the bar with a dominant performanceover Cowwarr,69-15 at Cowwarr Recreation Reserve.

Churchill produced their eighth win of the season, and separated from the rest of the competition in convincing fashion, keeping the Saints to just seven goals throughout the first half.

Cowwarr only added eight more scores the rest of the way, while the Cougars compiled a28-goal second term.

Afteratwo-weekspell early in the seasonin which they held awin-loss record of 3-2, Churchill hasrun wild sincewithfivewins on the trot.

Gormandale continue to be the welcome surprise of the season, defeating Yallourn Yallourn North, 60-45 at Gormandale Recreation Reserve.

The Jets gavethe Tigers afright out of the gate, leading 16-12 after the first quarter, but the home side got back on track to lead by five goals at halftime.

While limiting YYN’s scoring output to justseven goals in the third term, Gormandale added 14 to extend their lead to over double digits, for which they never looked back.

Maddy Dark continued her dominant season for the Tigers, currently siting 110 goals clear for the goal shooting award, adding 50 on this occasion. Woodside kept themselves in the hunt for the minor premiership alongside the Tigers and the Cougars, defeating Rosedale, 47-33atWoodside Recreation Reserve.

Caitlan Johnson added29goals for the winners, alongside Maddison McAlphine (18) to see through apivotal victory.

Glengarry and Traralgon Tyers United had the bye.

Stars to close out season tonight

NETBALL

VICTORIAN NETBALL LEAGUE BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

IN Round 17 of the Victorian Netball League, Gippsland Stars wereeversoclosetogetting over the hump.

The Championship squad was moments away from picking up their third win of the season, but were ultimately defeated by Geelong Cougars, 46 to 44 at theState Netball Centre last Wednesday (July 9).

The Stars battled hard, after being down just two goals at the end of the first quarter. The Cougars then extendedtheir lead to four goals at halftime.

Despite recognising they needed to go to another level, the Stars continued to dip, being outscored 11-8inthe third term to stare down aseven-goal deficit with aquarter to play

Scoring the opening three goals of the final term, the Stars were back within four, and as the game went back-and-forth over the next few minutes, it looked as though the Stars might be able to do it.

However, Geelongcreated the necessary separation with five minutes to spare,pushing their lead back to six goals, and despite the Stars nailing the final four scores, time ran out.

Ramayer Keilty and StephanieFerguson split scoring responsibilities, with 24 and 20 goals respectively, while Geelong’s Carly Sandersled thecharge with agame-high 27. Shannon Blackman was player of the match for the Stars through centre court.

 THE Gippsland Stars 23-and-under was easily beaten by Geelong Cougars, 73-27 earlier in the evening.

Geelong blew the game open in the first quarter, with a19-8opening stand, then quickly pushed the margin to 20 goals by halftime.

The Stars couldonly manage three goals in the third quarter, while the Cougars added 21 in their own right to leave no questions asked. AnnaMooney and Charlize Traumaniseach scored 10 goals for the Stars in defeat.

 BOTH sides do battle against Melbourne University Lightning tonight at the State Netball Centre in the final round of the 2025 VNL season.

While the Championship Lightning squad has just one more win than the Stars, the 23-and-under side sit second on the ladder.

Correct: Lauren Answerlookstodoasher surname suggests close to goal forHill End. Photographs: Liam Durkin

Decision: Hill End centre AmyPeatylooks fora passing option during theA Gradematch against StonyCreek in Mid Gippsland netball.

NORTH GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

Ladder beginning to take shape over North

FOOTBALL

NORTH GIPPSLAND

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

THE gap’s getting even biggerinNorth Gippsland.

It’s across the board too, bringing further spotlight on the final month of the homeand-away season.

Sides eyeing aspotinthe finals will not only be looking to display afull four-quarter brandoffootball the rest of the way home, but will also be taking careful consideration at other results acrossthe period to see how they stack up and what’s required of themselves.

While games weren’t relatively enthralling in Round 13, it bodeswell for realising who’s keen to challenge for the rest of the season, and who’s not.

Some clubs evenarrived at the weekend with someslickIndigenousguernseys as North Gippsland held its annual NAIDOC round.



ROOS striking when it matters most.

Heyfield most certainly wrapped up a doublechance opportunity for finals, with a13.8(86) to 7.8 (50) defeat of Sale City at Gordon Street Reserve.

Not only that, but the Kangaroos are keeping pace with the two best sides in it, being only agame behind Traralgon Tyers United (who notably had the bye) and tied with Woodside in second on wins.

TheBulldogs nonetheless would still have gottenupfor thismatch given they are still in the hunt for back-to-back finals appearances, having won their last fourgames heading in Play started off greatly for Heyfield, with coach Leigh Brown and Kyle Graham giving theKangaroos an early two-goal lead, before Sale City responded and evened up the tally.

Mitch Bennett added another for Heyfield, which began the break away for the home side

While momentum continued to go the way of Heyfield throughoutamajority of the second quarter, the Bulldogs kept it closeenough to halftime, with the Kangaroos leading by nine points as teams went into the sheds.

Spectators would have expected atight affair to continue in the second half, but Heyfield turned it up agear or two.

Graham and Brownpickedupwhere they leftoff, extending the Kangaroos further ahead by 22 points.

Jack Christian joined in on the party to take them to afive-goal lead.

While Sale Cityadded three straightgoals in the final quarter, they were still outscored, with Heyfield finishing off with another fivegoal quarter.

On the opposite spectrum, Jaxsyn Whitehill, Hudson Tollner, Daine McGuiness, Brysen Nottle, Lachlan Carmenand Kaden McCulloch gave their all forSale City.

 WOODSIDE keeping it abuck.

The Wildcats gave little chance for Rosedale to cause an upset, annihilating theBlues, 18.7 (115)to7.8 (50) at Woodside Recreation Reserve.

Thereigning premier banged six goals out of the gate to set up an important and needed win after falling to TTU the week before.

Woodside sustained that scoring output as play continued through to halftime, with the Wildcatssiting on 77 points, while Rosedale failed to register another goal in the period.

Alreadyleading by 10 goals,Woodside continued to strut their stuff, but the Blues negated some of their scoringtokeep the margin as it was with three goals apiece in the third term.

TheWildcatsadded some necessary percentagetotheir ladder tally, stilloutscoring Rosedale in the final quarter, keeping them clear of Heyfield despite being tied for wins.

Dan Missen was best afield for the winners, followed by Michael Stockdale, skipper RyanFoat (two goals), Josh Morgan,Robert Michaelidesand Brody Stainer (four).

Sta iner ,Z ac Ric har ds and Mich ae l O’Sullivan combined for 11 goals in the Wildcats victory. Tom Northe, BrandonMcConnell,Caleb Barnett, Harper Fox, Jay Diamond and Luke Stuckey were admirable in defeat for Rosedale.

Still holding onto fifth spot, Rosedale now turn their attention to ahome bout against top-of-the-table TTU.

 IF only there was astronger start.

Cowwarr gave themselvesafightingchance at finals,producing their secondstraight win and fourth in the season’s entirety, after defeating Churchill, 14.12 (96) to 5.16 (46) at Cowwarr Recreation Reserve

The Saints set up their victory thanks to an eight-goal first quarter effort, passing the 50-point mark during that period.

While Cowwarr added just one goal in the second quarter, the Cougars increased their forwardpressure, but couldn’t capitalise in front of the big sticks.

The main break arrived with the scoreboard reading 9.6 (60) to 3.8 (26) the way of the home side.

Churchill's inability to produce in front of goal continued to lessen their chances of a comeback, kicking five behinds in the third quarter, while the Saints added afurther three goals to extend theirmargin beyond 50 points.

Jordan Fenech, Lleyton Hecker, Sam Robinson, Rodney Croft, Blake Whykes and Chris'Willow' Williams were admirable in defeat for Churchill.

 DOING what is required, the Jets surpassed Gormandale.

Sitting outside of the finals picture entering the weekend (due in part to aweek off the round prior), YYN knew they needed to get back to their winning ways after sustaining abrutal loss away to Sale City in Round 11.

The Jets worked themselves back into form with a24.20 (164)to5.3 (33) defeat of the Tigers at Gormandale Recreation Reserve.

Despite what the first quarter scoreline read, Gormandale produced some passages of great intensity against afinals contender early on.

The Tigers added three goals during the opening stanza, whileYYN pouredon7.6 (48) through to the first break.

The Jets kept pace throughout the next two quarters, with seven goals in each period, to extend their lead beyond triple figures.

The thirdterm displayedspecialscenes despitethe game blowingout, withYYN under 18s player Archee Long arriving for his senior debut, and bootinghis first goal with atough snap from the boundary line, sending theentire team his way.

Nothingcould stop Lachlan Rees taking every markthat camehis way, and he added sevengoals in abest-on-ground performance for the Jets.

TylerBrown, Barrie Burnett, Jai Massese, Dylan Bentley and Lachlan Little were others to play well for YYN.

The Jets now turn their attention to a pivotal home matchup against Heyfield, a battlebetween third and fourthonthe ladder

Matthew Carstein, Jesse Siddle, Flynn Roscoe, Cooper Jefferies, Riley Jenkins and Ben Freeman stood strong for Gormandale.  YARRAM got back to their winning ways.

The Demons passed Glengarry with little worry in a20.8(128) to 5.10 (40) win at Fred King Oval.

Play began tight enough, with Yarram leading minor, 2.2 (14) to 1.2 (8).

The marginblewout quicklyinthe second quarter,asthe Demons went ahead with six goals in the term compared to the Magpies singular major.

Yarram simply climbed at each turn, and finished with a10-goal finalquarter, giving them astrongpercentage boost to finish off.

JKaschke TWhite JDevent CBoxshall SBodak T Paltridge.Gormandale: TDuncan JCochrane LBastin JCarney HThomasR Musgrove GLENGARRY3.6 9.11 15.16 19.19 (133)

Glengarr y: CWhitehead CPoulton AHawkins JVardy MTurner HYoung.Yarram: B McAlpine ABrunton KJenkins RMcAlpine RGarroW Cook ROSEDALE 3.1 5.6 10.7 13.10 (88)

Rosedale: RDortmans JReidHLeech HPettieASellings JMurray. Woodside: MMattern J Apiata DAvery JMattern AFrancis CPeach

Tyson Graham was awardedbest-onground for the Kangaroos,followed by ThomasMarchesi,Max Van Der Zwart, Kyle Graham (game-high four goals), Jack Christian and Robert McMillan.

WhileHeyfieldcontinue their strong form, remaining near the top of theracefor the premiership, the Bulldogs stickrightamong the heap of sides battling it out for the final spot in the top five.

That same pace was kept through to the finalsiren with afurther two goals apiece.

Cowwarr move two games back from Sale City and Rosedale for fifth position, with games coming against the Bulldogs, Yallourn Yallourn North, Gormandale and Heyfield before season’s end.

Jackson Davidson, Patrick Tainsh, Keenan Hughes (six goals), Ben Coffey, Jake Brown and Sean Alexander were amongthe best for the Saints.

Cod yH arris on, Ben Matter n, Li am Bentley, Lochie Roberts, Luke Hunter and Lachlan Earles stood out for the winners.

Manywouldhave thought where the Demon sw ou ld look to after losing to Cowwarrontheir home deckthe weekbefore, but bouncedbackquickly to keep themselves in the finals race.

Jesse Lee, Hudson Whateley, Xavier Taylor, Thomas Harris, Noah Wasalski and Jordan Thomas played well for Glengarry.  TTU had the bye.

Jordie’slong haul for mental health

CYCLING

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

TREKKING 200km across asingle day to raise money for mentalhealth,Jordie Humphrey’s bike ride downthe GreatOcean Road fromMelbourne to ApolloBay wasdone for those we’ve lost tragically alongthe way.

Partnering with Mindfull Aus, the former Newborough local raised north of $4000 for the mental health organisation and the Tyson Bale Memorial Fund.

Humphrey had many ideas rattling around in his head, including an ironman event to fundraise, but discovered cyclingaftersufferinga setback when training for another venture at the heralded Stawell Gift.

Duringtraining and at work,Humphreysuffered asevere back injury that kept him off the running track for close to six months, and in recovering, his partner’s uncle recommended bike riding to build his aerobic capacity.

“I felt fineenough and startedrunning again… I said to myself (that) Ireally want to do atriathlon, so Istarted training for atriathlon and got alittle bit from family,” Humphrey told the Express.

Junior footy returns

FOOTBALL

JUNIOR and female football resumes across Gippsland this weekend.

The Central Gippsland Junior Football League and Traralgon District Junior Football Leaguereturns from school holidays.

Anyone notice Jack Canavan Complex is spelt wrong on PlayHQ?

FEMALE FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND FIXTURE

SUNDAY, JULY20

Seniors: LindenowSouth vs BoisdaleBriagolong (at LindenowSouth)Nar Nar Goon vs Moe/Newborough (Nar Nar Goon Rec, 2.30pm) Youth Girls -Div 1Traralgon vs MDU (TerryHunter Oval, 12pm) Newborough vs Bairnsdale (NorthernReserve,1.20pm)

Warragul Industrials -bye Youth Girls -Div 2

Warranor vs Morwell (Logan Park,10.45am) Sale CityvsDrouin (Stephenson Park) Boisdale-Briagolong vs Dalyston (Boisdale Rec) Woodside vs Nar Nar Goon (TerryHunter Oval, 1.30pm)

JUNIOR FOOTY FIXTURE

SUNDAY, JULY19

CGJFLUnder 16s-1.20pm:Tarwin vs Mirboo North (Tarwin LowerRec) Newborough vs YYN (NorthernReserve)Under 14 -12.10pm Tarwin vs Corner Inlet (Tarwin LowerRec) Hill End vs Mirboo North (WillowGrove Rec) Newborough vs MDU (NorthernRes) Moe vs YYN (Ted Summerton) Under 12 -11am

Tarwin vs Corner Inlet (Tarwin LowerRec) Hill End vs Mirboo North (WillowGrove Rec)

Newborough vs MDU (NorthernRes) Moe vs YYN (Ted Summerton) Under 10 -10am Tarwin vs Corner Inlet (Tarwin LowerRec) Hill End vs Mirboo North (WillowGrove Rec) Newborough vs MDU (NorthernRes) Moe vs YYN (Ted Summerton)

TRARALGON DISTRICT

Under 15 -1.45pm: Churchill vs South Side (Gaskin Park)GlengarryvsPax Hill/Rosedale (GlengarryRec) West End vs Morwell (Jack Canavan) Police Boys vs TEDAS (ApexPark) Yinnar vs Combined Saints (Yinnar Rec)

Rosedale -bye Under 13 -12.15pmChurchill vs South Side (Gaskin Park)Glengarryvs PaxHill (Glengarry) West End vs Morwell (JackCanavan) Police Boys vs TEDAS (Apex Park)Yinnar vs Combined Saints (Yinnar Rec)

Rosedale -bye Under 11 -10.45am Churchill vs South Side (Gaskin Park)Glengarryvs PaxHill (Glengarry) West End vs Morwell (JackCanavan) Police Boys vs TEDAS (Apex Park)Yinnar vs Combined Saints (Yinnar Rec)

Rosedale -bye Under 9-9.30am Churchill vs South Side (Gaskin Park)GlengarryvsPax Hill (Glengarry) West End vs Morwell (Jack Canavan) Police Boys vs TEDAS (ApexPark)

Yinnar vs Combined Saints (Yinnar Rec)

Rosedale -bye

“So,Ijust started getting on the bikeand started to really realise that Iwas actually really, really enjoying this… and Iprobably only startedtoenjoy it more than my runningonly because Iwas doing therunning andthen two days later Iwas just in bed because Icouldn’t move.”

Humphrey then committed himself to the cause, training for six months in the lead up to his venture.

“I was up at (6am) every morning, just doing as many kilometresasIcould in the morning,” he said.

“I really did work quite hard in terms of getting my body right… alot of strength work on the bike was the sort of training Idid and just getting the general ks in.”

Arriving on theday after afew datechanges, Humphreystarted things off from ScienceWorks in Spotswood at 6am, beginning his close to half-day journey.

“When it came around to the ride Iwas like 'I reallywant to getthis done', Idon’t wanttosit there and keep pondering it,” he said.

“I got crook on theoriginal week, Iwas like'I really need to just get the closest date Ican find (and) just get it done'.”

Humphrey admitted he didn’t find the day mentally taxing, at least not until the backend.

“To be quitehonest, Ididn’treally have likea mental battle until probably about the last 30km were areal punish, only because Iwas thinking abouttime,” he said.

“I had mentally prepared everything, like Iknew the hills were going to be there, Ihad agood gauge on elevations, so Iknew how far Iwas going to be climbing.”

Humphreywas supported throughoutthe day by his partner and his mum, while his dad and uncle showed out duringhis ride, andMindfull Aus Chief Executive, Matt Runnalls followed Humphrey all the way through to Geelong.

While recently, Humphrey realised how he’d set out to achieve his goal, the idea to do it for mental health was sparked years in advance.

“I’ve lived with my mental health challenges for nearly adecade, whether Irecognised it or not, it wasn’t untilI was 17 that things reallytook aturn, with personal issues, anxiety, and depression,” he said.

“I want to show people in my community that it’s okay to express feelings about anxiety and depression.”

His brotherBailey, current Gold CoastSuns player and Mindfull Aus ambassador, alongside NorthMelbourne playerJacob Konstanty were hosting agolf fundraiser in 2022 while still attending Lowanna College back in 2022. That time inspired Jordie greatly.

“After my brother became an ambassador for Mindull Aus, Isaw first-hand thetremendous workthey do, and IknewI wanted to be apart of it,” he said.

Bothbrothers losta dearfriend of theirsto suicide, which affected an entire community, and now each have made grounds to raise awareness for anecessary cause.

Outstanding: Jordie Humphrey during his ride formental health. Photograph supplied

Numbers

don’t

lie: North Gippy one of the most uneven comps in state

FOOTBALL

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

PERHAPS mass football restructure shouldn’t be shelved?

Three Gippsland footballleagues have been marked as the “most uneven”atthe halfway point of the 2025 season,bringing divisional football in Gippsland back into the limelight.

North Gippsland Football-NetballLeague, East Gippsland FNL and Ellinbank &District FNL all sat number eight, seven,and six respectively for highest average winning margin in country football throughout the first half of the season, as identified by the Herald Sun Ellinbank District, sitting on an average winning margin of 71.48 points for their games, had climbedup13.34 points since the endof the 2024 season

With 12 teams going around, the difference between the better teams and the rest is quite dramatic.

Only seven clubs are really in contention for finals, and threesideshave apercentage well below 50 (with Nilma Darnum only just above with 51.66)

East Gippsland equally has seen ajump in its blowout scores, with an average winning margin of 68.31 points -an11.06 increase from the end of last season.

Featuring justaneight-team competition, it definitely amplifies the demolitions, half the teams in East Gippsland have lost as many (or more) games then they’ve won.

The demarcation is Paynesville, who’ve gone the season without singing the song thus far, which perhaps has boostedanumberofother lower clubs’ percentage,with everyone else above 70.

North Gippsland hasactually seen improvement, withtheiraverage winningmargin of 68.16 dropping 3.22 points from the end of 2024.

While the start of the North Gippsland season was distinctly more competitive across the board, as the year’s gone along and more injuries begin to mount, the last few rounds have skyrocketed those numbers.

Glengarry started the year off more stronger than expected, but have been broughtbackdown to Earth, while Gormandale (20.38 per cent) and Churchill (41.48) have apercentage well below 50.

On theother hand, Mid Gippsland has been noticedasone of the most even competitions in country football.

At an average winning margin of 41.37, it’s actually gone up by 0.94 points since the end of last season, but the league has displayed much closergames, even matchups between those sitting differently on the ladder, more often than not.

Previously winless HillEnd have remained competitive most weekends, with apercentage of 52.73.

Gippsland League was marked last year with the distinction as the most even country football competition for 2024, however this season has plummeted outside the top 10.

After average winning marginssat at 28.39 at the end of season 2024, it’s jumped to 46.38 so far this year, with even some finals-bound teams getting ahiding.

In 2024, the Gippsland League floated introducing asecondary division for future seasons as apart of their strategic plan implemented in 2022,whichincluded expansion of their current competitions.

Interleague carnival produces stars

FOOTBALL/NETBALL

JUNIOR INTERLEAGUE

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

MORWELL Recreation Reserve was ahive for local junior sportspeople last week, hosting the 2025 Gippsland Interleague Carnival.

Tradition for decades, young footballers arrived for the round robin tournament during the midst of school holidays, but additionally the junior netball scene from each league across Gippsland wasincorporated on the day to truly make it an even livelier and more inclusive environment.

Gippsland League was crowned Youth Interleague Champions for 2025,finishinghighest acrossboth codes in football and netball, which included winning the junior netball tournament.

West Gippsland went back-to-back in under 18s football, claiming all bragging rights as the best in the land after going undefeated across the day. It ultimatelycomes down to what you have available, and with restrictions on Gippsland Power players participating, the depth of each league was on display the most.

Proceedings began at Morwell with Mid Gippsland and North Gippsland facing off, with Mid Gippsland winning 4.3 (27) to 2.2 (14).

Led by Yinnarpremiership playerSam Mills as coach,intheir first bout,Fish Creek’sTom Vuillermin, Hill End’s Darcy Paul, Tarwin’s Ky Gow, Yinnar’sHarvey McKay, FishCreek’s WilkieEdgelow, and Meeniyan Dumbalk United’s Brayden Sellings were among the best. Mills was supported by 2022 Yinnar premiership player, Nathan Rowley.

North Gippsland on the other hand was led by acontingent of Glengarry representatives Brett Sutton, Damian Clifton and Bruce Waite, along with Alex Harris fromCombined Saints Junior Football Club.

Mid Gippsland didn’t have the same luck when facing the Gippsland League next, going down 5.6 (36) to 1.3 (9).

Gippsland League under-18 players had quite

the knowledge at their disposal, with Morwell senior coach BoydBailey at thehelm, alongside assistant coaches Moe and Casey footballer Riley Baldi (Gippsland League senior best-and-fairest last year),Wonthaggi’s RyanSparkes (who played for Collingwood VFL last season), and multiple Leongatha premiership gun Cade Maskell.

Under their guidance, Drouin’s Max Williames, Bairnsdale’sKael Frith, Wonthaggi’s Jayden Burns, Maffra’s Harper Walker, Warragul’s Levi Moore and Traralgon’s Levi Macumber stood tallest in their first hit-out.

The 'grand final'occasionarrived at midday, with the two strongest sides in West Gippsland and Gippsland League going head-to-head.

Both leagues would have circled this match specifically, with both featuring at the top of last year’s carnival as well.

GippslandLeague ruedtheirmissed opportunities,especially in thesecond half,asWest Gippsland carried the ball from their backline and nailed one on therun close to home late in the piece, sealing their victory, and ultimately the trophy,in a3.3 (21) to 1.5 (11) finish.

With the result alreadyset in stone heading into the afternoon, it didn’t see any let up from the players on the field across the restofthe day,with Mid Gippsland picking up an additional win against Ellinbank &District, 6.7 (43) to 0.3 (3), and as the top two sides of the competition continued to run rampant against their opposition.

Garfield’sDing Dieng was recognised as player of the carnival, representing West Gippsland.

Across at the netball, Gippsland League claimed the prize as the best on offer across the region.

The winning side led by Bairnsdale’s Jo Ballinger wereonaheater across the entirety of the day, goingundefeated and claiming victory by an averageof22goals.

Gippsland League and Mid Gippsland started thingsoff, with Gippsland League winning 24 to 11.

While North Gippsland struggledonthe football field(winless across the day,but showedgreat heart), the netball representative side began on fire with a20-11 win over Ellinbank &District.

However, they weren’t able to back up their effort against Mid Gippsland, succumbing 26-14.

In the meantime, Gippsland League was running amuck, beating West Gippsland,Ellinbank& District and North Gippsland convincingly.

Mid Gippsland defeated West Gippsland, 23-12,

and then followed it up by taking Ellinbank & District, 32-6,while North Gippsland capped off the day, winning athriller against West Gippsland, 19-16.

Traralgon’s Sianna Wilkinson took home player of the carnival from the Gippsland League.

Local clubs to utilise Container Deposit Scheme

FOOTBALL

AFL Victoria has announced apartnership with Victoria’s ContainerDeposit Scheme (CDS Vic), coming on boarduntil theend of the 2027 community football season.

The partnership is aimed at driving environmental action and fundraisingfor grassroots clubs across the state through the recyclingofeligible drink containers.

Through this collaboration,local football clubs willhave the opportunity to boost theirfundraising efforts by becoming donation partners in the CDS Vic scheme. The initiative provides Victorians with a10-cent refund for every eligible drink container returned -offering individuals the choice to keep the refund or donate it directly to participating clubs or charities.

Community football clubs across Victoria can sign up as official donation partners to receive auniqueID. That allowssupporterstodonate the funds from their container refunds to them at designated CDS Vic refund points.

Clubs can also boost collections by encouraging memberstobring containers they collect throughout the weektogames,training sessions, and return points in their communities.

Head of AFL Victoria Greg Madigan said the partnership was agreat waytoassistclubs in their fundraising efforts throughout the season.

“We know one of the main challenges for our clubs is findingways that time-poor volunteers can raise

funds for necessary upgrades to club equipment, uniforms and other expenses throughout the season,” he said.

“Partnering with CDS Vic allows our communities to make areal difference to their local club whilst also makingapositive difference on the environment. Many people are already collecting and recycling their containers through the scheme, and now they can put the funds from the returns to good use in their local communities.”

To help clubs get started,everyteam that activates their donation partner ID before June 30 will receive astarter pack, including collection bags and promotional posters.

For more information and to register, visit: cdsvic. org.au/afl-victoria Since the scheme’s launch in November2023, morethan 1.8 billion containershave already been returned, withmore than $1.9millionraised through donationpartners. These funds have helped local clubs across the state purchase new uniforms, upgrade facilities, and replace essential equipment.

Jim Round, chief executive of VicReturn, coordinator of CDS Vic, this is a“win-win for community sport and the environment”.

“By returning drink containers, fans and families can help reduce litter anddirectlysupport their local footy club at the same time,” he said.

“Register yourclubatour websiteand start turning empty drink bottles and cans into funding dollars.

Crew: VicReturnChief Executive, Jim Round, StateEnvironmentMinister,Steve Dimopoulos, Carltonfootballer (for now), TomDeKoning and head of AFL Victoria, Greg Madigan. Photograph supplied

In totality: GippslandLeaguewas crowned Youth Interleague Championsfor thebest finishacross footballand netball at the2025 Gippsland Interleague Carnival, held at Morwell.

Star: Traralgon’s Sianna Wilkinson wasrecognised as overall playerofthe carnival. Photographs supplied

Saturday, July 19

ABC (2) SBS (3)

6.00 Rage Charts. (PG) 7.00 Wknd Brekky 9.00 Rage. (PG) 12.00 News.

12.30 Grantchester.(Mav, R) 1.15

Patience. (PGa, R) 2.05 All Creatures Great And Small. (PG, R) 2.55 Last Night Of The Proms. (R) 4.20 Spicks And Specks. (PGs, R) 4.55 Dr Ann’s Secret Lives. (R) 5.25 Landline. (R) 5.55 Australian Story.(R)

6.30 Back Roads: Outback Dressmakers, NSW (PG, R) Heather Ewart looks at outback dressmaking.

7.00 ABC News. Alook at the top stories of the day

7.30 Grantchester (Ma) Alphy and Geordie investigate witchcraft at an orphanage run by an old friend of Alphy’s.

8.20 Midsomer Murders. (Mv,R)Bar naby and Winter investigate the death of a cricketer during atour nament.

9.50 Bay Of Fires. (Mlv,R)The harsh light of day and Mystery Bay’sbrief in its wake ashockingbetrayal.

10.45 Little Disasters. (Mal, R) Jess’ fate hangs in the balance.

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

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 5pm Peppa Pig. 5.10 Octonauts And The Ring Of Fire. 6.20 Bluey 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Isadora Moon. 7.05 Andy And The Band. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Kids Baking Championship. 8.10 Chopped Junior 8.50 Dance Life. 9.40 Fresh OffThe Boat. 10.20 Dragon Ball Super 10.45 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs. 11.40 MOVIE: Contact. (2009, PG) 1.10pm Wildlife Rescue New Zealand. 2.00 Nula. 2.30 Living Black. 3.00 First Australians. 4.00 Boomerang Today 4.30 The Big Wet. 5.30 Amplify 6.30 News. 6.40 The Other Side. 7.30 Big BackyardQuiz. 8.30 MOVIE: The Exorcist. (1973, MA15+) 10.40 Late Programs.

6am Mor ning Programs. 10.30 France 24. 11.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 12. Highlights. 12.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 13. Highlights. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Going Places. (R) 4.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 13. Highlights. 5.30 SBS50. (R) 5.35 Bismarck: 24 Hours To Doom (PGalv,R) 6.00 NBC Today 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Mor ning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. Winter Challenge Day,VRC Members Race Day and QFC Charity Raceday 5.00 Seven

6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Great British Cities With Susan Calman: Liverpool. (Premiere) Susan Calman jour neys to Liverpool

iconic Royal Albert Dock.

8.25 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 14. Pau to LuchonSuperbagnères. 182.6km mountain stage. From France. 1.55 SBS50. (R) Celebrates the 50th anniversary of SBS.

2.00 Homicide: Life On The Street. (Mav,R)

2.55 Blue Water Safari: The Arches. (PGal, R)

4.45 Destination Flavour: SingaporeBitesize. (R)

5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The WorldTonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6am

WorldWatch. 10.00 Mastermind Aust. Noon Black And Missing. 1.25 SBS50 1.30 Over TheBlackDot 2.00 Cycling.TourdeFrance. H’lights 3.00 Cycling.Tour de France. H’lights 4.00 WorldWatch 6.00 Mastermind Aust 6.30 The Secret Genius Of Modern Life.(Final) 7.30 Impossible Engineering. 8.30 CrackingThe Code. 10.30 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6am Morning Programs. 12.40pm St. Vincent. (2014, Malsv) 2.35 The Legend Of Longwood. (2014, PGa) 4.30 The Chaperone. (2018, PGals) 6.30 The Three Musketeers. (1973, PGsv) 8.30 The Take (2016) 10.15 The Salamander.(2021, MA15+s, Portuguese, French, English) 12.25am Late Programs.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 The Great Outdoors. (PG) The team travels America’sRoute 66. 7.30 Mysteries Of The Pyramids. (Premiere, PG) Presented by Dara ÓBriain.

8.30 MOVIE: The Da Vinci Code. (2006, Mav,R)InParis on business, aHarvardprofessor uncovers an ancient and far-reaching conspiracy when he is asked to investigate the murder of the elderly curator of the Louvrewhosebody was found inside the museum. Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Ian McKellen. 11.30 Tabloids On Trial. (Mal, R)

1.00 The Disappearance. (Madv,R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 It’sAcademic. (R) 5.00 My Greek Odyssey.(PGl, R)

6.00 9News Saturday. 7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 Rugby Union. British &Irish Lions Tour.Game 1. Australia vBritish &Irish Lions.

10.00 Test Rugby: Australia v British &Irish Lions Post-Match. Post-match wrap-up for Game 1.

10.15 MOVIE: Sicario: Day Of The Soldado. (2018, MA15+dlv,R) ACIA agent enlists the help of a mercenary.Benicio del Toro

12.35 My Life As ARolling Stone. (Madl, R) 1.50 Garden Gurus Moments. (R) 2.00 The Incredible Jour ney Presents. (PG) 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)

9GEM (92,81)

6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Dr Chris Brown. 7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. Empty-nesters Craig and Belinda are at loggerheads over their fourbedroom suburban Ashmorehome. 8.40 Ambulance Australia. (Mad, R) NSW Ambulance

Sunday,July20

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6am Mor ning Programs. 10.30 World

This Week.(R) 11.00 Compass. (PGals, R) 11.30 Praise. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 2.30 Griff’sGreat American South. (R) 3.15 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.45 Martin Clunes: Islands Of Australia. (PG, R) 4.40 Joanna Lumley’sSpice Trail Adventure. (PGa, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow

6.30 Compass: The Day We Saved The Zoo. (PGals) 7.00 ABC News.

Spicks And Specks. (PGs)

9.40 My Name Is Gulpilil. (Madl, R) Follows actor David Gulpilil.

11.20 Take 5With Zan Rowe: Songs Of Summer (Ml, R) 11.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

1.40 Under The Vines.(PG, R)

4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 Insiders. (R)

6am Mor ning Programs. 10.30 Growing AGreener World. (PGa, R) 11.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 13. Highlights. 12.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 14. Highlights. 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Going Places. (R) 4.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 14. Highlights. 5.30 Nazis, Treasures And TheQuest For Celts. (PGa, R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Statue Of Liberty: AFrench Giant. Alook at the history of the Statue of Liberty

8.30 Marseille: Birth Of AMegapolis. (PG, R) Explores the history of Marseilles, once called Massilia, the second largest city in France.

9.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 15. Muret to Carcassonne. 169.3km hilly stage. From France.

1.45 24 Hours In Emergency (Ma, R)

2.40 Blue Water Safari. (PGa, R)

4.35 Bamay (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Mor ning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 APAC Weekly

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 6pm Octonauts. 6.10 Super Monsters. 6.20 Bluey 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Isadora Moon. 7.05 Andy And The Band. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 The Mysterious Benedict Society.(Premiere) 8.25 Fresh OffThe Boat. 9.05 Abbott Elementary 9.50 Speechless. 10.10 Merlin. 10.55 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs. 1.50pm Black As. 2.00 MOVIE: Category: Woman. (2022, PG) 3.25 Black As. 3.35 The Last Ice Hunters. 4.55 Black As. 5.10 Soh Presents: Generations And Dynasties. 6.30 News. 6.40 Africa’sUnderwater Wonders. 7.30 Larapinta. 8.30 YouAre Here:WeDon’t Need AMap. 10.05 MOVIE: Copycat. (1995, MA15+) 12.15am Late Programs.

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 The Innocent. (2022, Malsv,French, Spanish, English) 11.50 The WayBack. (2010, Mal) 2.20pm Lunana: AYak In The Classroom. (2019, PGa, Dzongkha, English) 4.25 First Cow.(2019, PGalv) 6.40 Golden Years. (2016, PGals) 8.30 Blood Diamond. (2006, MA15+adv) 11.15 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6am Shopping. 8.30 Better Homes. 11.00 Harry’sPractice. 11.30 GetOn Extra. Noon The Zoo. 12.30 My Greek Odyssey 1.30 Better Homes. 4.00 Harry’sPractice. 4.30 The Zoo. 5.00 Slow Train Through Africa. 6.00 Every Bite Takes YouHome. 6.30 The YorkshireVet. 8.30 Escape To The Country 11.30 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 2.30pm NRLWWrap. 3.15 Rugby League. NRL Women’sPremiership. Canterbury Bulldogs vDragons. 5.00 Rugby League. NRL Women’sPremiership. Cronulla Sharks vNorth Qld Cowboys. 7.00 Keeping Up Appearances. 7.30 MOVIE: The Blind Side. (2009, PG) 10.10 Late Programs.

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Morning Programs. 2.45pm Jeopardy! Australia. 3.45 MOVIE: WarWith Grandpa. (2020, PG) 5.45 MOVIE: Doctor Dolittle 2. (2001, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Elf. (2003) 9.30 MOVIE: Four Holidays. (2008, M) 11.15 MOVIE: Evicted: AModer n Romance. (2022, M) 1.30am The Originals. 2.30 Jeopardy! Australia. 3.30 4.00 Late Programs. 6am Mor ning Programs. 1pm Blokesworld.

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8)

6.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R) 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Mor ning 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 19. Collingwood vFremantle 6am Mor ning Programs. 10.00 AFL Sunday Footy Show.(PG)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Dancing With The Stars. (PG) Celebrities show offtheir dance skills. 8.20 7NEWS Spotlight.

9.20 The Crow Girl. (MA15+av) Pressuremounts as athirdbody is dumped outside aprivate school. Jeanette’stheories come in danger as Victoria gets closer 11.30 Stranded On Honeymoon Island. (Mal, R) Apeek into life beyond the island’sshores. 1.05 Shades Of Blue. (MA15+adsv,R) 2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

4.00 My Greek Odyssey (PGl, R)

5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 9News Sunday.

6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 7.00 MasterChef Australia. Abatch of 23 former contestants retur ns. 8.15 Watson. (Premiere, Ma) Ayear after the death of his friend, aman resumes his medical career at aclinic dedicated to the treatment of rarediseases. 9.15 FBI. (Mav,R)Jubal teams up with adetective when atrucker is gunned down after aroutine trip from Canada. 11.05 10 News+. (R) Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 12.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mor nings. 6am Morning Programs. 1pm Jeopardy! 1.55 SBS50. 2.00 Cycling. Tour de France. H’lights. 4.00 WorldWatch 4.25 PBS Washington Week. 4.50 Kars &Stars. 5.40 Lost Gold Of The Aztecs. 6.35 Engineering Reborn. 7.35 Abandoned Engineering. 8.30 Bermuda Triangle: Into Cursed Waters. 10.15 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Harry’sPractice. 10.30 Escape To The Country 1.30pm Discover 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 The Great Australian Doorstep. 3.00 Your Money &Your Life. 3.50 Harry’sPractice. 4.20 Escape To The Country 7.20 The Vicar Of Dibley 8.30 Vera. 10.30 The YorkshireSteam Railway: All Aboard. 11.30 Late Programs.

7.00 Travel Guides. (PGl) 8.10 60 Minutes. Current affairs program.

9.10 Australian Crime Stories: The Investigators: The Lost Girls. (Mav) Alook at the disappearance of Karlie Pearce-Stevenson and her two-year-old daughter Khandalyce.

10.10 Footy Fur nace. (Mlv) 11.10 9News Late. 11.40 The First 48. (Mav) 12.30 Embarrassing Bodies. (MA15+dmns, R) 1.20 TalkingHoney.(R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s VoiceOfVictory.(PGa) 4.30 Fishing Australia. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today

6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm Rugby League. NRL Women’sPremiership. Broncos vRoosters. 3.30 Rugby League. NRL. Knights vNZ Warriors. 6.00 Rugby League. NRL Women’s Premiership. Round 3. Newcastle Knights vNew Zealand Warriors. 8.00 M*A*S*H.

Morning Programs. 2.30pm Ready VetGo: The VetParamedics. (Premiere) 3.00 Cards And Collectables Australia. 3.30 MOVIE: Flight Of The Navigator.(1986) 5.25 MOVIE: Three Amigos! (1986, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Dr No. (1962, PG) 9.50 MOVIE: Navy

Monday,July21

ABC (2)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mor nings. 10.00 Dr Ann’sSecretLives. (R) 10.30 Midsomer Murders. (PGv, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Landline. (R) 2.00 Anh’sBrush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.25 Back Roads. (R) 2.55 Love Your Garden. (R) 3.45 Fake Or Fortune? (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 Australian Story

Presented by Leigh Sales.

8.30 Four Cor ners. Investigative jour nalism program.

9.15 Media Watch. (PG) Presented by Linton Besser

9.35 Lucy Worsley Investigates: William The Conqueror. (PG, R) Lucy Worsley investigates William the Conqueror

10.30 ABC Late News.

10.45 The Business. (R)

11.00 Julia Zemiro’sHome Delivery (Final, PG, R) 11.50 Love Your Garden. (R) 12.40 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 1.25 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.15 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 6.20pm Bluey 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Isadora Moon. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Do Not Watch This Show 7.40 The Inbestigators. 7.55 Junior Vets. 8.20 BTN Newsbreak. 8.30 HardQuiz Kids. 9.00 The Crystal Maze. 9.45 Merlin. 10.30 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs. 2.30pm The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 YarningCulture Through Film. 5.30 The 77 Percent. 6.00 Bamay 6.30 News. 6.40 Wildlife Rescue New Zealand. 7.30 Who Do YouThink You Are? 8.30 Living Black. (Final) 9.00 Warrior Spirit 9.50 MOVIE: Manganinnie. (1980, PG) 11.25 Late Programs.

(3)

6am Mor ning Programs. 1.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 2.05

SBS50. (R) 2.10 Engineering Rebor n. (PG, R) 3.00 Going Places. (R) 3.30

SBS50. (R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Jeopardy! 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 15. Highlights.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Portugal With Michael Portillo. (Premiere, PGa) Michael Portillo explores Portugal.

8.20 Breakaway Femmes: The Forgotten Tour De France. Alook back at the six year span in the 1980s in which the Tour de France held awomen’srace alongside the men’srace.

10.05 Rock Legends: Jour ney.

10.30 SBS World News Late. (Retur n, Mlv)

11.50 ACriminal Affair (MA15+s, R)

1.30 Great Coastal Railway Jour neys. (PGa, R) 2.30 Incredible Homes. (R) 3.30 Blue Water Safari. (PGal, R) 4.30 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Mor ning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6am Morning Programs. 12.30pm TenYear Old Tom. 1.05 One Armed Chef. 2.00 Cycling. Tour de France. H’lights. 3.00 Cycling. Tour de France. H’lights. 4.00 SBS50. 4.05 WorldWatch. 6.00 Fashionista. 6.10 The Food That Built The World. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.30 News. 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 The UnBelievable. 10.10 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6am Morning Programs. 12.05pm The Invisible Witness. (2018, Mav,Italian) 2.00 Courted. (2015, PGal, French) 3.55 Whisky Galore. (2016, PGl) 5.45 The Emperor’sClub. (2002, PGlns) 7.45 TelAviv On Fire. (2018, Ma, Arabic, Hebrew,English) 9.30 Banel & Adama. (2023, Ma, French, Pulaar) 11.10 Late Programs.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Mor ning Show.(PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 To Be Advised. 2.30 Border Security: America’s Front Line. (PG, R) 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away (PGa) Irene stands up for herself.

7.30 The 1% Club. (PGls, R) Hosted by Jim Jefferies.

8.30 9-1-1. (Mav) Maddie’sretur n to work may have been too soon as it proves to be moretriggering than expected. Eddie struggles to adapt to his new surroundings.

10.30 The Agenda Setters. (R) An expert panel tackles the biggest AFL topics.

11.30 Police Custody USA: Killed In Cold Blood. (Malv,R)

12.30 Gone. (MA15+v,R)

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

7TWO (72, 62)

6am Morning

Programs. 1pm Your Money &Your Life. 1.30 The Great Australian Doorstep. 2.00 Weekender 2.30 My Impossible House. 3.30 Harry’sPractice. 4.00 The Zoo. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To TheCountry 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Doc Martin. 8.30 Endeavour 10.30 What The Killer Did Next. 11.30 Late Programs.

7MATE (73,64)

6am Morning

Programs. 2pm Boating. Circuit Boat Drivers C’ship. 3.00 Motor Racing. Supercars Support Races. Dunlop Super2 Series. H’lights. 4.00 Counting Cars. 5.00 American Resto. 5.30 Storage Wars. 6.00 American Pickers. 7.00 The Agenda Setters. 8.00 Outback Opal Hunters. 9.00 Gem Hunters Down Under 10.00 Late Programs.

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 Parental Guidance. (PGa) Hosted by Allison Langdon. (Ml) Ateam of footy experts tackles the AFL’s big issues and controversies.

10.00 Players. (Ml) Alook at all the AFL news.

11.00 9News Late.

11.30 Aussie Road Train Truckers. (Ml)

12.30 100% Footy (M)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

2.30 Global Shop. (R)

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory (PGa)

4.30 ACurrent Affair (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today

9GEM (92,81)

6am Morning

Programs. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. Noon Midsomer Murders. 2.00 YorkshireAuction House. 3.00 Antiques Roadshow 3.30 MOVIE: The Land That Time Forgot. (1974, PG) 5.30 YorkshireAuction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow 7.30 Death In Paradise. 8.40 Recipes For Love And Murder 9.40 Harry Wild. 10.50 Late Programs.

9GO! (93, 82)

6am Morning Programs. 2.30pm Nanny 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 Jeannie. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: From Russia With Love. (1963, PG) 11.00 Seinfeld. Midnight Pretty Little Liars. (Return) 1.00 Super natural. 3.00 Reunited. 4.00 Barbie: ATouch Of Magic. 4.30 Late Programs.

6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 7.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer 7.30 MasterChef Australia. Abatch of 23 former contestants retur ns. 8.40 Have YouBeen Paying Attention? (Malns) Celebrity panellists compete to see who can remember the most about events of the week. 9.40 Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers. (Mals) The boys become makeup artists. The loser must be achastised

10 COMEDY (11, 52)

10

Tuesday,July22

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6am Mor ning Programs. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 2.05 SBS50. (R) 2.10 Engineering Rebor n. (R) 3.00 Going Places. (R) 3.30 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 3.35 SBS50. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Jeopardy! 5.00 Letters And Numbers. (R)

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8) 6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Australian Story.(R) 10.30 Compass. (PGals, R) 11.00 To Be Advised. 11.20 Gruen. (Final, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Call The Midwife. (Ma, R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 2.55 Love Your Garden. (R) 3.45 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 4.45 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

HardQuiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Foreign Correspondent.

8.30 Dr Ann’sSecret Lives. Dr Ann Jones studies sea snakes.

9.00 Dr Karl’sHow Things Work: Chocolate.

(PG, R) 1.00 Anh’sBrush With Fame. (PG, R) 1.30 EXPOSED: The Case Of Keli Lane. (Final, Mal, R) 2.35 Parliament Question Time. 3.40 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30

7.30. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Great Continental Railway Jour neys: Mostar To Dubrovnik/ Bergen To Flåm. (PGaw) Michael Portillo rides the Sarajevo-Mostar line. 8.30 Insight. Kumi Taguchi looks at the terrible impact of when someone vanishes, as well as the questions they leave behind.

9.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 16. Montpellier to Mont Ventoux. 171.5km mountain stage. From France. 1.30 Great Coastal Railway Jour neys. (R) 2.30 World’sMost Secret Homes. (R) 4.20 Bamay.(PG,R) 4.50 Destination Flavour: SingaporeBitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Mor ning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 6.20pm Bluey 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Isadora Moon. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Do Not Watch This Show 7.40 The Inbestigators. 7.55 Junior Vets. 8.20 BTN Newsbreak. 8.30 Deadly 60. 9.00 Expedition With Steve Backshall. 9.50 Merlin. 10.35 Late Programs.

(34)

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Mor ning Show.(PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 MOVIE: Paralysed By Danger (2021, Mav,R) 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away (PGa) Alf reassures Harper.David has an offer for Lacey.Dana opens up to Sonny 8.30 Stranded On Honeymoon Island. contemplating their relationships on the outside and whether or not they’ll stay together

11.30 The Agenda Setters. (R) An expert panel tackles the biggest AFL topics. 12.30 Fairly Legal. (Mav,R)Kate makes aretur ntoReed&Reed. 2.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

Morning Programs. 9.00 The Zoo. 9.30 NBC Today Noon Better Homes. 1.00

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 Today 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Mor ning. 12.00 Parental Guidance. (PGa, R) 1.30 Getaway.(PG, R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG) 4.00 9News After noon. 4.30 [VIC] Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.30 [VIC] WIN News. 6am Mor ning Programs. 8.00 Bold. (PGa, R) 8.30

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 Paramedics. (Mam) Apregnant woman goes into labour

8.30 Murder Down Under: Byron Bay Murders Pt 1. (Mav) Takes alook into the cases and the people involved in some of Australia’smost notable and gruesome killings. (Ml) Footy experts tackle the AFL’s big issues. 10.30 9News Late. 11.00 La Brea. (Mav,R) 11.50 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 12.40 Pointless. (PG, R) 1.30 Home Shopping. 2.30 The Garden Gurus. (R) 3.00 Home Shopping. 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory.(PGa) 4.30 ACurrent Affair.(R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today

6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 7.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer 7.30 MasterChef Australia. Abatch of 23 former contestants retur ns. 8.40 The Cheap Seats. (Mal) Presenters Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald take alook at the week that was. 9.40 FBI: Most Wanted. (Mv) Afederal judge and his wife areshotdead in New York. 10.40 10’sLate News. 11.05 10 News+. (R) 12.05 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R)

CBS Mor nings. 6am WorldWatch. 10.00 Mastermind Aust. Noon WorldWatch. 12.30 Homicide. 1.25 Jack Whitehall’sGot, Got, Need. 3.10 Augmented. 4.10 News. 4.15 WorldWatch 6.15 The Food That Built The World. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 Alone. 9.40 Hoarders. 11.20 Pitino: Red Storm Rising. 12.15am Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm Eight Ladies. 2.00 Talking Language. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 YarningCulture Through Film. 5.30 Indian Country Today News. 6.00 Bamay 6.30 News. 6.40 Wildlife Rescue New Zealand. 7.35 Unleash The Beast. 9.30 Over The Black Dot. 10.00 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 11.50 TelAviv On Fire. (2018, Ma, Arabic, Hebrew,English) 1.40pm All At Sea. (2010, PGans) 3.20 Hum Do HamareDo. (2021, PGl, Hindi) 5.40 The Last Wave. (1977, PGaln) 7.40 Love Thing. (2022, Madlsv,German) 9.30 The Shadow Of The Day.(2022, Msv,French, Italian) 11.55 Late Programs.

Reforms needed to protect kids

LIKE many others, Ihave been deeply concerned by the recent, deeply troubling abuse allegations at aVictorian early childhood education centre. Our community is rightly shaken.

These revelations highlight the urgent need for systemic change to protect our youngest and most vulnerable people.

Ihave achild who regularlyuses childcare, and parents like me entrust earlylearning and care providers with far more than education -we trust them with our children’s safety, emotional development, and wellbeing.

When that trust is violated, the damage can be profound and long-lasting.

Sadly, this incident is not isolated; it exposes serious cracks in oversight, training and accountability that must be urgently addressed.

Ibelieve we need to see several critical reforms in Early Childhood Education, including:

 Strengthened and uniform Working With Children Checks through anationwide system;

 Comprehensive, in-person training for educators on recognising and responding to signs of abuse;

 The creation of aNational Reporting Hotline for abuse and misconduct;

 Higher standards in educator qualifications -noshortcuts, no fast-tracked certificates or degrees, and;

 Amove away from profiteering in the sector; education and care must never be compromised for financial gain

This is not amoment for temporary outrage -it is acallfor lasting reform.

We owe it to every child,every parent, and every dedicatededucatortoensure that early childhood environments are safe, nurturing, and held to the highest standards.

Kate Taylor Traralgon

Appreciative

MY heartfeltthanks to the two lovely ladies and the wonderful gentleman whocametomyrescue when Ifell at the crossing on Hotham Street, Traralgon, on Friday, June 6. Unfortunately,Ican’t remembertheir names apart from Theresa.

Iwas taken to LRH and found to have seven fractured ribs. The calming approach of these three

beautiful people assisted me beyond words.

Alady who saw whathad occurred tookthe time to stop and park her car and come to see if Iwas being looked after. Abig thank you.

To the fewpeople who walked past me while I waslaying on the footpath,I only hope that one day whenyou need help it is given withouta second thought.

My thanks to the paramedics who came and transported me to LRH -abig thank you.

The staff at the emergency department treated me with the upmost kindness.

Would allconcerned pleaseaccept my grateful thanks for helping me during my time of distress.

Kay McShane Traralgon

Trained thoughts

THE letter by Graham Bridge referringtorail travel ('Iwonder why?'Latrobe Valley Express Opinion, 09/07), his view and travel literature may be well suited for the young.

Although my days of rail travel are over, Imust put forward another point of view -these changes willbevery stressful on the elderlywho board the train in Traralgon and are then expectedto depart at East Pakenham to find aMetro train to complete their journey.

Slow walking can resultinmissingthe connecting train, which could also mean being late/missing a doctor's appointment.

ShouldI need to go to Melbourne and given a choice, it would be by bus.

To Adrian Cosgriff ('Circus is in town', LVE Opinion, 09/07). If the Coalition wins the next election, investors would return in droves, therefore nuclear would not take 17 years. Also, where are the stats to show coal fired plants are unreliable? They are getting old because Labor has scared off investors. If renewables wereablestand alone, these plants would be closed already.

Mr Cosgriff writes about costs of nuclear, but neglects to refer to the cost of renewables to the taxpayer up to date and damagedone to good farmland.

Aview from the air over the mountains is despairing.

Patricia Correa Traralgon

Proper funding forpublic schools

IT is time we had an honest conversation about how schools are funded in Australia.

Public schools, attended by more than 65 per cent of the nation’s students, form the foundation of the education system. Yet, year after year, they receive less government funding than private and Catholic schools.

Despite enrolling the majority of Australian students, public schools receive significantly less government funding per student compared to their private counterparts.

According to the Productivity Commission, public schools are funded at only around 91 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS), while many private schools receive over 100 per cent of theirtarget. This is despite the fact that private schools also benefit from fees, church contributions and philanthropic support. In effect, public money is being directed to schools thatalready enjoy substantial financial advantage.

One must ask: can private schools truly be considered 'private' when they are heavily reliant on public funds?

Australia is one of the few countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) where non-government schools receive such substantial public funding.

In countries like Japan, the focus is squarely on ensuring thatpublicschoolsare well resourced and high performing. Their system demonstrates the benefits of properly fundedpublic education and amorecoherentseparationbetween church andstate

Indeed, Section 116 of the Australian Constitution prohibitsthe Commonwealthfrom establishing any religion or givingpreference to anyone religion. It is worth asking whether the current approach to funding religious schools truly reflects this principle.

In countries where private education is rare or non-existent, the wealthiest citizens often send their children to publicschools.This creates a powerful incentive across society to ensure that public education is of the highest quality. That shared stake is currently missing in Australia, where parallel systems allow wealth and influence to bypass the public sector entirely.

How can we properly fund public schools? If Australia’s wealthiest one per cent paid just two per cent more in tax, it couldraise around $3.5 billion per year, according to modelling from the Australia Instituteand the Parliamentary Budget Office.This amount could dramatically improve public school funding. We are not short on money. We are short on moral courage.

Public schoolsshould not be treated as afallback option. They should be funded properly and equitably, because they serve all of us. It is in the national interest -for economic, social, and democratic reasons -that everychild in every suburb has access to agreat education, regardless of their postcode or their parents’ income.

John de Souza-Daw

Traralgon

Ticking time bomb

GIPPSLAND FM bossesand commentator Taylah Ling have questions to answer about Ms Ling's campaign against transparencyinlocal government and her own conduct.

Ratepayers are now waiting to find out the cost of alegal case to force arecount in acouncil election pushed on Gippsland FM.

Ms Ling attacks the Councillor Code of Conduct process that ends with councillor misconduct matters made public.

Historically, we’ve seen Gippsland FM bosses making recorded messages, implying people who complain are anti free speech.

My letter to the ExpressonJuly 2('Transparency amust') showed Ms Ling gained $1000 from an anonymous donor viathe GippslandPeoples Council, which she and aCouncillor Xbelong to. Also, Cr X’s adverse finding by the Local GovernmentInspector, was unknown to the public until my letter in the Express.

Shereceived thecashatatimeweperceived she waspositioning for arun in thecouncil election, anditwas described as ascholarship but for what scholarly purpose?

Aletter to the Express on August 14 last year confirmed the 'scholarship'.

We know Ms Ling got another$1000 viaaservice club that raised money, but the public did not know it was for Ms Ling and acity councillortorun aPR event to promote herself as achampionofwomen. The service club national website has words that

fundraising must be for aspecified purpose and not ageneral slush fund.

The public backlash against the so calledscholarship claimed on social media by Ms Ling as being in the name of revered World War 2figure Vivian Bullwinkle ended her chances of acitycouncilseat

The possibility of her social media claims being printed into aflyer and letter boxed to voters was the defining issue.

Having not run in the election, Ms Ling avoided the funding disclosureprovisions of theelectoral act, but the anti corruption commission can investigate people holding public office such as councillors.

Therefore, her councillorassociate involved in fraudulent funding by aservice club can get aknock on the door.

Are the bosses of Gippsland FM and acouncillor Y, sitting on atimebomb set by Ms Ling if the anti corruption body comes calling?

Maybe time will tell?

Phillip Edwards Hazelwood South

Overhead and overpriced

THE recentexit of Equinor from Australian offshore wind projects is awake-up call.

Investor confidence is faltering and transmission uncertainty is at the heart of the problem.

Better Transmission Gippsland has been warning for monthsthat relyingonoverhead lines through private farmland is arecipe for conflict, delay and spiralling costs.That prediction is playing out right now.

Two of Victoria’sbiggest transmissionprojects –the Western Renewables Link and VNI West –are already running more than two years behind schedule, largely due to landholder opposition.

We’re now in achanged environment; costs are rising, global supply chainsare stretched, and timelines are tighterthan ever.That means delays aren’t just frustrating, they’re fatal to investor confidence. It’s time to get smart about transmission. Undergroundtransmission avoids the conflict It’s safer, more reliable, and gives offshore wind projects the secure, uncontested route to market they need. This is a21stcentury energy project; we can’t deliver it with 20th century thinking. If we get transmission wrong, we won’t just lose time. We’ll lose the trust of communities, the confidence of investors, and we’ll blow the opportunity.

Kirra Bott

Chair, Better Transmission Gippsland Wordscan be bullets

MR John Duck, over the past four to five weeks, I believe you havemisrepresented my contributions to the Letters to the Editor,whereby you have libelled me with intent to defame my reputation. Argument, debate and publicspeaking, verbally or in written context,shouldreasonably focus on the subject matter in dispute and avoid becoming an inappropriate, disturbing and serial victimisation of opponents.

The following explanations may be useful:

Definitions: Theactionofdamagingthe good reputation of someone; slander or libel.

Libel: Apublishedfalse statementthatisdamaging to aperson's reputation;awritten defamation; Defamation: Afalse statement presented as a

Have your say

fact that causes injury or damage to the character of the person it is about.

Iask that you temper your obsessive and offensive contributions.

Thomas Quinn Moe

Save with solar

LET'S applaud PatriciaCorrea for her foresight in installing solar panels (LVE Opinion, 09/07).

She is one of more than four million Australians who are showing the world that renewable energy canbedone at the community level. On occasions, rooftop solar in South Australia supplies 100 per cent of SA electricity demand.

Not only is Patricia generatingher own electricity, she is helping to displace the old clunkers which break down frequently and will be shut down by 2035. It is essential to bring on more renewable energy now.

Yes, the feed in tariff is worth basically nothing these days, but this presents an opportunity to save excess daytime production and use it at night when power costs more.

The Albanese government has recognised this opportunity to timeshift solar for households and is offering asubstantial 30 per cent rebate for householders to installtheir own battery, through theCheaper Home Battery Program.

It’s awin-win over time: reduce your electricity bill, be more energy independent and relieve the strain on the grid while avoiding the greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power stations.

Youcan even fill up the EV car at home if you wish.

Lorraine Bull Warragul

No rail foryou

GRAHAM Bridge is not sure what mapsMelina Bath has been looking at regarding concerns that Gippsland V/Line trains could terminate at Pakenham ('I wonder why?' LVE Opinion, 09/07).

Yet the fear is areal one, and not anew one. The issue has cropped up numerous times in the past, lastly when skyrail was first proposed, and at periodic times before that. It’s known because it has been discussed and attempted.

The reality is that Gippsland doesn’t have a dedicated rail line because the eastern suburbs are extensively built up. AreassuchasGeelong, Bendigo and Ballarat had no such constraint. The inner urban area of the Pakenham line is still pretty much at capacity after the upgrades, resulting in Gippsland commuters being stuck behind slow moving urban rolling stock.

The only way to remedy this is to spend big.

It meansbulldozinganextensive amount of urban homes in affluent suburbs, or building an extremely long tunnel.

While there are somesectionsofskyrail that can have athirdorfourth line added, there is little room onceone gets closer to Melbourne proper. And this is why bureaucrats in the past have tried to terminatethe Gippsland Line at Pakenham.

Thenwecould go down the rabbit holeofpen pusherstrying to intentionally stymie the growth of this region to preventusbuilding on top of such an easily winnable resource in coal, and thus repeating the upheaval of Yallourn, but that may be too much for now.

So whileMrBridgemay be happyjusttaking

"rudimentary onlineresearch of availableliterature", adeeper delve seeking what is less easily availableincludingpaper archives, bureaucratic records, or just having adiscussion inquiring into the recollections of local people who were around at the time, such as Ms Bath or others, may have been much more insightful.

There was atimebefore the internet, and it involves many hours with old newspapers, cardboard boxes and black fingers in often poorly lit rooms -tofind what others may not want you to know or remember.

Anthony Wasiukiewicz

Yallourn North

Smell as sweet

THERE was precious little to cheer or get excited aboutduring the Great Depression of the early 1930s that was sparked by the Wall Street Crash of October 24, 1929.

One thing alone made that terrible time endurable for millions of Victorians: Phar Lap winning the 1930 Melbourne Cup run on November 4, and also winning the lead-up Cox Plate 10 days earlier. Likewise, the current cost-of-livingcrisisishitting hard with no relief in sight. On top of that, we are in the middle of aparticularly cold and miserable winter.

One thing alone excites me during this bleak time, and should excite all Gippslanders: the invincible rebirth of spring leading up to the sights and scents of the Morwell Rose Garden International Rose Festival this November.

Joseph Lis

Morwell

So muchfor ‘reliable’ nuclear

COMMENT

BY ADRIAN COSGRIFF

CZECHIA has had nuclear power for more than 40 years.

Justrecently,itawarded contracts for the construction or two new nuclear reactors. The winning bidder is aKorean firm. Initially, the tender was for one reactor, but that changed to build two reactors in ordertoreducecosts. The total output of the newreactorprojectis2126 megawatts. Very similar to the output of Loy Yang Apower station. Back in 2016, the Czech PM set up acommittee to coordinate the growth of nuclear power in thecountry. It tookeight years to get to the point of issuing apublic tender for the newreactors. Thattender process has been subject to acourt challenge by the French nuclear organisation EDF.

It's important to mention that the location of the new reactors is besideanexisting, operating nuclear power station. No doubt that would contribute to ashorter project timeframe.

Notably, there is no mention of how they will deal with the nuclear waste.

Accordingtothe World Nuclear Association, the Czech taxpayer will be funding 80 per cent of the project.

In contrast, Australia built over seven gwh of renewables in 2024 alone.

Even with agenerous capacity discount to 30 per cent due to the intermittency of renewables, that's still two gwh of new generation built in one year as compared to 20 years for asimilar amount of nuclearelectricity in Czechia. Complementing that generation is rapid growth in batteries here also.

government-ownednuclear plant operator has justannounced they will be cutting back nuclear electricity production over summer due to power station cooling water shortages. This is something that they have done several times in the past. So much for "reliable" nuclear power. Ihave noted that the usual nuclearsuspects are pretendingthat the recent federalreferendum on nuclear power (to quote Peter Dutton) didn't happen.

Ialsonote that they have forgottentomention that the Coalition has now officially dropped its nuclear power policy.

There is now no politicalparty,noelectricity generatororotherprivate investment group proposing nuclear power for Australia. One has to wonder why certain publications are still dedicated significant amounts of print space to the topic.

Regardless of that legal challenge, it is estimated it will be at least 2036 beforethe first of the two reactors will be producing electricity with aprice of around $160 AUD per mwh. That priceisatthe very low end of the most recent Lazard estimates for nuclear power. Lazard's is a globally respected and trusted organisation and is considered the benchmark for energy project pricing.

THE Latrobe Valley Express welcomes letters to the editor.

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

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

The Express does not publish letters from anonymous contributors.

Letters mustinclude aphone number, email address and the author's hometown for purposes of substantiating authenticity. Readers are entitled to aright of reply to a letter directed at them.

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

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

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

As such, statistics can quite often be fabricateddepending on the poolofdataused or people involved in surveys.

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

Letters regard ing reli gion will not be published.

Email letters to news@lvexpress.com.au and include 'Lettertothe Editor' in the subject line. Deadline for letters is Thursday 3pm.

So, to summarise -anoverall timeframe of 20 yearsfor anew reactor in Czechia. Planning, construction, commissioning in acountry with awell established nuclear industry.

Australia alreadyhas over two gwh of grid batteries and that number is expected to be 10gwh in two years. It will be at least 20 gwh by 2030.

Comparing the two technologies side by side, Australia is building the equivalent capacity in renewables with energy storage in a10thofthe time that Czechia can build anuclear reactorrenewable generation that produces electricity at asignificant price discount of that produced by nuclear power.

In terms of action on emissions reductionalone, it is clear that arenewables policy is the fastest way to reduce emissions.

Aq ui ck side note. EDF, Franc e's

The facts don't lie. Nuclear is very expensive, takes avery longtime to build, has serious challenges with regard to water supply and when compared to the cost and rapid build time of renewables, is in clear danger of becoming a stranded asset long before it is finished.

The facts also show that renewables can be built very quickly for amuch cheaper price. Why are we even talking about nuclear power anymore?

About the author: AdrianCosgriffisa Traralgon resident.

“The facts also showthat renewables can be builtvery quicklyfor amuchcheaper price. Whyare we even talking about nuclear poweranymore?”

Taking in the sights of Gippy Lakes

THE Strzelecki Bushwalking Club goes all over Gippsland, providingopportunities for its members to enjoy many outdoor activities.

Recently, members travelled to Lakes Entrance in support of the East Gippsland Winter Festival.

Thefestival is in its fifth year and was started in responsetothe 2019/20 bushfires. Thisisa monthlongfestival andincludes activities suchaslantern displays, cycling on the East Gippsland Rail Trail, markets, fire festivalsand cooking workshops. The festival is designed to promote the spirit and resilience of East Gippsland.

Strzelecki members travelled to Lakes Entrance for the weekend. The first activity was an easy stroll along the beach to The Entrance. TheEntrance was openedin1889toprovide safe access from the ocean to the Gippsland Lakes.There has been continuous dredging for 130 years to maintain safe access. Participantsalsowalked 23 kilometres on the East GippslandDiscoveryTrail. This is alovely bushtrack followingthe Mississippi Creek.Walkers saw old cuttings, steel rail lines and large pink granite blocks. The flora along the way was spectacular and varied.

The granite quarry halfway along supplied the stone to line the channel at Lakes Entrance. Sunday wasanearly start for abeach walk from Lakes Entrance to Lake Tyers. The highlight of this walk was spotting alarge pod of dolphins swimming and jumping off Red Bluff.

TheStrzelecki Bushwalking Club had alovely weekendinLakes Entrance and members supported somelovelylocal motels, caravan parks, restaurants and shops.

Club leaders Wayneand Jo hosted this successful weekend and there are many other similar events on the club's agenda each month.

Other events being held in July are a16kmwalk in the Powell townarea leadbyJim. A19kmwalk from Rokeby to Neerim South return led by Wes

and anine kilometre walk on PhillipIsland looking for whales led by Melissa.

Club nights are held on the second Wednesday of each month in theTrafalgar Scout Hall beginning

at 7.30pm.Visitors

There might be no second chance

MEMBERfor EasternVictoria Region, Melina Bath is encouraging farmers to embracethe theme of this year’s Farm Safety Week- 'Second Chances –who knows how many you will get' -bymaking safety and wellbeing atop priority.

Farm Safety Week runs from this Sunday (July 20) to Saturday, July 26.

It is atimely reminder that every day on the land has risk and challenges for farmers.

Ms Bath said Farm Safety Week wasa chance for all primary producers to reflect, reset and recommit to safer practices that protect lives and livelihoods on farm.

“Farming is away of life, but it’s also one of Australia’s most high-risk professions," she said.

“From operatingheavy machinery to managing livestock and working long hours in isolation, the workplace risks are many, but so are the opportunities to make positive change to help keep everyone safe.”

Ms Bath said growing up on adairy farm, she understands the physical and emotional demands of life on the land.

“Farmers are incredibly hard working and resilient, but they’re not invincible.“Farm Safety Weekisabout avoiding injury, minimisingrisk, asking for help, and prioritising wellbeing," she said.

“With many farmers facing the pressures of drought and financialuncertainty, it’s important to check in.

“Many farmers are experiencing financial strai na nd are physi call ya nd me ntal ly exhausted as they work around the clock to secure food and water for their livestock.

“During times of drought, farmers must make brave decisions about their work and the future of their farms.

“It’svital we stand alongsideour primary

producers and offer support, targeted resources, and encouragement, so they know they’re not facing these challenges alone.

“Farmers are the backbone of our communities -let’s use this week to start conversations about safety and wellbeing, review practices, and remind ourselvesthat every second chance is agift.”

For more information on Farm Safety Week, visit: www.farmsafe.org.au.

Everyone’sresponsibility: South Gippsland farmer,Rhonda Lester,Pip the Kelpie and Nationals MP and fellow farmgirl, Melina Bath areencouraging conversations this Farm Safety Week. Photograph supplied

View: Strzelecki BushwalkingClubmemberstakeinbeautiful

Traralgon, Newborough top charts

THE latestquarterly house price data from the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) for Latrobe shows apositive rebound in Q2.

Traralgon and Newboroughled the rise at 1.8 per cent and 2.1 per cent respectively.

Newbo rou gh in par tic ular ha sa ls od ef ied statewide 12-month price falls and instead risen 5.1 per cent.

Churchill (7.1 per cent) showed the highest annual growth and amedian house price of $375,000.

Houseand unit prices across Victoria have risen for asecond consecutive quarterasinterest rate cuts, climbing wages and easing living costs drive renewed market confidence.

Quarterly median data from REIV has shown that in the three-monthperiod to June30(Q2 2025), house prices climbed 0.4 per cent and units climbed 1.3 per cent compared to the previous quarter. In regional Victoria, houses rose 2.6 percentand units rose 3.1 per cent.

Quarterly growth was seen by Melbourne’s outer suburbs,including Frankston (nine per cent up at $815,000) and Frankston South (12.8 per cent up at $1,300,000) at the base of the Mornington Peninsula.

In regional Victoria, houses in Greater Mildura saw 3.9 per cent quarterlyand 11.3 per cent annual price growth, with the regional town of Merbein (north west of Milbura) showing a13.4per cent quarterly increase and 29 per cent annual growth.

Greater Bendigo is another region that has enjoyed quarterly and annual growth, with 20 of Bendigo’s27suburbs climbing quarter-on-quarter and amedian house price of $580,500.

Despite two consecutive growthquarters, annual price movement across the state has remained flat or slightly fallen below June 2024 values, with metro houses down 0.6 per cent and regional houses down 0.8 per cent.

Crunching the numbers: Quar terlyhouse prices acrossLatrobe City.

REIVInterimChief Executive, Jacob Caine said thisquarter’s mediansindicate improving economic conditions and acase for both buyer and seller optimism.

“Buyers and sellers across the state appear to be

NAT IONALS Member for Morw ell ,M arti n Cameron has called out the stateLabor government for its ongoing neglect of CFA volunteers, as repeated concerns and calls for upgrades continue to be ignored.

cautiously confident as cash rate cuts, annual wages growth and signs of easing living costs drive another quarter of widespread but modest growth. In addition, the market is seeing encouraging signs that the supply of new residential housing in Victoria

appears to be outpacing other states,” he said. “It’s pleasing to see that throughout the first half of 2025, transaction activity has held strong and plentyofbuying optionsexist acrossVictoria for allbudgets and lifestyles.”

Local fire stations still waiting for upgrades Council survey resultsare

“The Hazelwood North CFA has been pleading for upgradestoits station for manyyears and they have been dismissed at every turn,” Mr Cameron said.

“The building is asingleroller doorshed and ameeting roomthe brigade wasforcedtobuild itself, and there isn’t enough room for volunteers to park withoutobstructing access to the tanker andappliances.

“TheHazelwood North CFAisapillar of the Latrobe Valley -volunteers have travelledoverseas to assist with fire suppression, they manage the statewide weather station, and they have gone from Region 10 brigade to aRegion 27 brigade in

recognition of their enormousworkinour local mines.

“It’s hard to fathom how the Minister for Emergency Services can continue to ignore this compelling case, and even harder to accept the factshe (Vicki Ward) refuses to visit Hazelwood North to understand why these upgrades are so desperately needed.

“Volunteers should not have to continually beg for the bare minimum so they can keep our communities safe during disasters.”

This year’s State Budget included just $13.5 million for regional CFA station upgrades, with no new CFA tankers listed in the forward estimates

Parliament’sPublicAccounts and Estimates Committee has also confirmed that CFA funding is down by $42 million this year.

Meanwhile, every Victorian who pays rates will soon see the new Emergency Services Volunteer

Fund (ESVF) appear on their notice -atax that is doing little to improvefrontline capability, accordingtoMrCameron.

“Every dollar from this new tax should be going directly to CFA stations, trucks and gear -not back into governmentcoffers to coverholes because Labor can’t manage money," he said.

“The government is happy to tax every homeowner, farmer and small business across regional Victoria, but when it comes to delivering the bare minimum for our CFA brigades, they go missing every time.”

The Nationals and Liberals have reaffirmed their call to scrapthe ESVFshould they win government at the state election next year.

The state government allocated money in this year's state budgetfor new fire stations at Yarram and Winnindoo (just out of Rosedale).

LATROBE City Council has received its Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey results with overall performance scoring 55 out of 100, which is above the statewide average (53) and regional centre’s average (54).

Council performedsignificantly higher than the statewide average in the areas of arts centres andlibraries, waste management and recreational facilities.

Areas of improvement included unsealed roads, community decisions, parking facilities and lobbying.

The Commu nity Satisfaction Su rvey was conducted by the state government’s providerJWS Research. The surveysample involved 400 residents with ademographic profile that matched the local community.

Latrob eC it yC ou nc il Mayor ,D al e Harriman said the feedback provided a snapshot of areas that the community are happy with and areas to work on.

“Our strong performance in areas like arts centres, libraries, waste management and recreation speaks to the dedicationofour teams and the value our community places on these services,” he said.

“Theseresultshighlightour ongoing commitment to providing high-quality, accessible services to our community.

“We are also committed to reviewing our efforts in areasidentifiedfor improvement, including unsealed roads, community decision-making, parking facilities, and advocacy. Our focus is on making progress where it matters most to our residents. This commitment is already being demonstrated through the delivery of the Victorian government’s Regional Car Parks Fund, which is providing 900 new car parking spaces across Traralgon, Morwell, and Moe withapproximately 350 spaces already completed.

“The resultsare valuable and give us a clear measure of how we’re performing both within our community and in comparison, to other regional centres and the statewide average.

“Community input plays avital role in shaping the services we deliver, and we’re committed to using thisfeedback to continue improving and better meet the needs of our residents.”

As ummar yo ft he 2025 Commu nity Satisfaction Results is available at: www.

Tight squeeze: Member forMorwell, Martin Cameron, with volunteer firefighters from the Hazelwood Nor th CFA. Photograph supplied

Teaching critical fire safety skills

By KATRINABRANDON

STARTING early, Hazlewood North Primary School is fire-ready for the next season.

Earlier thismonth, the local Country Fire Authority (CFA) crew put together afire demonstration for students showing what would happen if afire was to break out in afuel-filled area.

Grade 5/6 students then put together presentations on bushfire safety.

“It's reallyimportant for our kids, becausea lot of them live in abushfirezone,” Hazelwood North Primary School Grade 5/6 teacher, Jacinta Milner, said.

“A lot of them didn't realise that before we started this unit of work. It's openedtheir eyes in terms of learning about this topic and what they actually needtodoifabushfire came through in their local area.”

Workingonprojects throughout term one and two, Ms Milner told the Express that students have learnt how fast abushfiretravels as well as what fuels abushfire.

“I think because it's something relevant, something relevant to lots of people that live in this area.

“We've really tried to create abuzz across the school with it and share that, ensuring that the

Scouts camp sets the standard

EARLIER this month, leadersand rovers from across the Strzelecki District gathered at Connan Park Scout Camp for acamp focused on enhancingcamping standards, acquiring new skills, and fostering fellowship within the scouting community.

This initiativeunderscored the district's commitment to continuousimprovement and unity

Ahighlight of the weekend was the gateway buildingcompetition, where leaders androvers showcasedtheir pioneering skills.

These structures served as both functional and symbolic representations of scouting expertise.

Participants engagedinlashing,knot-tying, and structural design, emphasising teamwork and creativity.

Such activities not only reinforce technical skills but also promote collaborationand problem-solving among scouts of all ages.

Camp chief Robyn 'Dory' George said the camp saw enthusiastic participation from leaders and rovers representing fourofthe district's 10 scout groups: West Traralgon, 1st Morwell, 1st Traralgon and West Traralgon Rovers.

This diverse representationhighlighted the district's unity and collective commitment to the scouting principles of service, community and personal development.

The weekendprovided ampleopportunities for networking, idea exchangeand the strengthening of inter-group relationships, ensuring that the spirit of scouting continues to thrive across the region.

Connan Park Scout Camp, situatedalong Boola Road in Morwell North, has long been a cornerstonefor scouting activitiesinthe region

The camp offers ablend of rustic charm and modern amenities, includingopen-area camping, acampkitchenand shower facilities, providing an ideal setting for both structured activities and informal gatherings.

The success of this camp serves as atestament to the dedicationofthe Strzelecki District's Scout leaders and their unwaveringcommitment to the growthand development of scoutinginthe area.

As the district looks to the future, events like these will continue to play apivotal role in nurturingthe next generation of scouts and ensuring that the values of the movement remain alive and well in the community.

For more information on upcoming events and initiatives within the Strzelecki District, visit the Scouts Victoriawebsite: https://scoutsvictoria. com.au

Very generous donations

TWO retirees fromMorwellare bringing abit of heart to children being born in Leongatha. Lynne and Robert Jackman have donated 30 comforthearts to GippslandSouthernHealth Services’ Leongathamaternity ward to give babies and their mums abright start to life. The comfort hearts started afew years ago when arelation of the Jackmans had apremature baby at 26 weeks in New Zealand.

“The hospital asked if anybody could make and donate comfort hearts and Lynne has taken it upon herself to continue and expand the tradition,” Robert said.

At the moment, Lynne is making comfort hearts for the Christchurch Women’s Hospital in New Zealand,Latrobe Regional Hospital, a privatehospital in Melbourne and now Gippsland Southern Health Service (GSHS).

The hearts are given to mothers and babies if they need to be separated.

GSHS midwiferyunitmanager, Dayna Leatham said the care hearts were anice way formum andbabytostay linked while apart.

"When ababyneeds to be transferred to a special care nursery, we can offer asmall heart to both the mother and the baby,” she said.

“Before the transfer, we swap the hearts, which

helps support bonding and makes the transition alittle easier for both.

“We get mum and baby back together as soon as we can but it’s anice way to retain aconnection while they’re separatedand then it’s anice little memento that they can keep and for ababybook.”

Ms Leatham said the hand-made care hearts werealovelygesture that would be welcomed by families.

"We’re truly grateful to Lynne and Robert for reaching out and offering this thoughtful extra care to our mums and babies," she said.

Lynne said she loved coming up with the different designs and giving mums and babies another way to connect. The comfort hears are made from cotton material, often sourced from garage sales and op shops.

“It’s ahobby formeand Iget greatpleasure from it, but it’s also nice for other people and there’snocharge for the hospitalsbecause it’s all done voluntarily,” Lynne said.

“We’re both retired in Morwell and have time on our hands to do this and travel around and deliver them,” Robert added.

“It’s not only awin for the hospitals and mothers and babies, but for Lynne as well.”

learning is celebrated,” the Grade5/6 teacher said.

Stepping in to help Ms Milner teach about fire safety, CFA Community Engagement Coordinator, Hayley King said the program is aimed at older children to deepentheir understanding of the higher risks involved during fire season.

“We found it's really beneficial to start building their understanding of fire so they understand the safety precautions as well as theirawarenessof their localised risk,” she said.

“Itstarts those conversations really early with parents, and it makes it easier for homes and families to start building their fire plan, because

there's abuilt-in knowledge and an understanding. And it makes it easier to develop aplan and have asafe plan through the summer.

“We'restill working with headquarters and the pilot people that arekind of developing the program, butseeing the success that we've had here at this school, it'll be really good to see it start moving forward and going into more of our bushfire risk communities in Latrobe.”

Starting theconversation early,the presentation aimed to bring the discussion back home, where families could discuss their fire plan for the next fire season.

Initiative: Morwell retirees Lynne and RobertJackman with comforthearts,whichhavebeen donated to localhospitals formothersand babiesinneed. Photograph supplied

Unfolds: CFAmember Darren Harddache brought alive‘burn table’ demonstration runbythe CFA to model howafiremoves throughanenvironment

Educational: Learning about fire safety,Hazelwood North PrimarySchoolwas visited by thelocal CFAcrew

Future volunteer: Hazelwood North PrimarySchool student, Emily,picturedwith teacher,Jacinta Miller,got dressed up forthe CFAdemonstration. Photographs: KatrinaBrandon

Democracy in action at St Paul’s

FOLLOWING the excitement of the recentfederal election, Year 6studentsatStPaul’sAnglican Grammar School held their own mock election as part of their study of Australia’s democratic system. Students formed political parties andcreated campaignsinpreparation for an authentic election experience.

Educators set up real polling booths, complete with voterrollcheck-offs,mirroring the process used in actual elections.

Back in the classroom, the votes were counted usingthe preferential voting system, giving students first-hand insight into how votes are counted and how preferences are distributed in Australia's electoral system.

The activity was afun, hands-on waytolearn aboutdemocracythat not only enhanced students' understanding of Australia's democratic system, but also engaged them in developing teamwork and leadership skills.

Options: Avareceives her ballot paper

Decision making: St Paul’sAnglican Grammar Schoolstudent, Leo makes his vote Next step: Paygan-Lily,ready to enter the pollingbooths.

Democracy: Shriya casts avote. Photographs supplied Making it count: Mason drops the ballot paper into the ballotbox Guide: Hunter listens to how-to-voteinstructions.

Independence: Students in the polling booths

One by one: Counting the votesbackinthe classroom.

View from thepublic gallery

By IAN WHITEHEAD

MORWELLMagistrates Court, 3.30am, Wednesday, June 4.

USA network CNN is reporting direct from Morwell.Channel 7reporter,Teegan Dolling, wears ared pant suit, the only splash of colour in the fog shrouded, dimly lit concourse. The cable channel relays the pictures are ‘live,’ from “Morwell. Australia.”

For viewers world-wide, Morwell could be east of Adelaide or in far north Queensland. They care not. Their interest is on whether a50-year-old woman fromrural Australia intentionallykilled three peoplewitha beefwellington dish laced with the powder of death cap mushrooms.

The accused, Erin Patterson, has not been flattered by reporters’ photographic angles. Keyboard warriors, water cooler experts and straw polls have imposeda pre-trial verdictofguilt.The Latrobe Valleyen-massehas cast itself as the self-appointed Hanging Judge.

The public lines up outside achillyMagistrates Court from 6am.

New acquaintancesare met by thesimplegreeting “is thisthe end of the line?” Attendees have driven from Melbourneand all parts of Gippsland. Abarrister from Sydney stays at alocal caravan park. The Age newspaper rents out an apartment in Traralgon.Apairofearly 20s Morwell girls pay tribute to the willowy good looks of the junior barristers, declaring them out of their league, and speculating, for reasonsbeyond this writer, on the pricepoint of their shoes.

Seating in Court 4islimited.

Court staff were gracious, opening the doors to the public right on 9am. At precisely 10.10am for the 10.30am start, the family troopinfromanante room, as court staff accorded the number of seats available to the number standing in line. Usually, every seat is taken.

Defence barrister Mr Colin Mandy, asmall ruddy faced man with aquiet self-contained demeanour, easedhis way through our ragged queue. “Excuse me mate. Excuse me mate.”

Crown Prosecutor Dr Nanette Rogers, on awordless mission, possessedmore the hustle-bustle gene. Dr Rogers looks under pressure. She must prove her case beyond reasonable doubt.

Journalists were allocated by ballot; ameagre six places.

Our local editor, Liam Durkin was the lucky man afew times, but The Age, court reporter, Erin

Pearson landed the gig on multiple occasions. Helen Garner, author of court room drama, House of Grief and pastcourt writer for The Monthly attended periodically.

Iasked her if she would craftaspecial piece. “Oh,I don’t think so,doyou?”she gently said, “The evidence is so dense. Think too Iamalittle old.”

But her shrewd eyes dartedall about the courtroom and she took notes. Perhaps apodcast.

SupremeCourt judgeshave an understated aura, declaring, “I own this courtroom.” So, it was with Justice Christopher Beale.

Younger than most taking this post, withhis neatly combed black hair, greying at the edges. Occasionally, he would remove black-rimmed glasses, staring down and gentlyadmonishing both defence and prosecution forlegal indiscretions; apparentblundersoflaw that few in the public gallery could comprehend.

There were challenges. Arecalcitrant juror was booted off in the second week after discussing the case with others. Aprotester wearing an expansive Elon Musk jacket over ayellow T-shirt, emblazoned with the word,'Truth' interrupted proceedings with apersonal rantagainst Justice Beale. He was quietly removed, and the judge continued sans fuss or rancour.

Acavalcade of professionally attired medical

and hospital reception staff relayed the chronology and conversations of the accused’s post dinner presentations. What came across as abland Q&A would come back to bite, as inconsistencies in conversation recall morphed into key prosecution evidence.

The TV monitorpresented pre-recorded evidence extracted from the accused’s two children.

The small nine-year-old girl was so swamped by thelarge green sofa chair, her legs swung mid-air. The teenage boy, muttering and barely audible, was quizzed for aponderous hour and 40 minutes. The reporters take of negativity between Simon and ErinPatterson accounted for barely aminute. Like slow TV, in acriminal trial, patience is required.

When world mushroom expert, Dr Tom May... known as FunkyTom wascalled,hewas nowhere to be found. He had gone for awalk to the Morwell Rose Garden. With grey ponytail and baggy trousers crunched up around the ankles, his lofty angular bearing spokevolumes to the academic expert he was.

World-wide death-capmushrooms are hard to find, but Dr Tom located them in pockets near Outtrim and Loch, recording his findingson the i-naturalist website. The accused’s phone did ‘ping’ in both locations, but we learntfrom communications expert Dr Matthew Sorell, that duetotopographical quirks, theoretically at least, the tell-tale ‘ping’ can emanate from atower 100 kilometres away.

Woolworths are off the hook after confirmation that no mushrooms sold in Woollies originate in natural outdoor soil.

The mystery Asian grocer from wherethe deathcapswereallegedlypurchasedremained just that: amystery.

The prosecution said that no such grocer exists.

The Health Department was sent on awild goose chase and the case is strong that Erin Patterson intentionally foraged death cap mushrooms at Outtrim and Loch in order to poison her guests.

Leadinvestigator, Detective Leading Constable, Stephen Eppingstall is micro-managed through volumes of evidence, providing helpful or terse responses depending on who is askingthe questions. But for aconfidentand competent professional, he was totallyflummoxed when askedabout aspecific column on aWoolworthsRewards Statement. The brief hesitation was enough for ajury member to call out, “I know.” Justice Beale advised such inputs were best kept for the jury room. For the jury, this was not afirst offence

Trial in numbers Why was thetrial held in Morwell?

THE trial of Erin Patterson sparked worldwide interest.

In total, there was 252 journalist and outlets’ emails on the Supreme Court’s media list for the matter.

Thisincludedrepresentatives from 15 international media outlets fromthe UK, US and New Zealand.

More specifically, there was nine authors, seven podcasts and podcasters, seven documentary crews, one television drama series and 190 journalists provided the audio-only livestream details

Afurther seven international mediaoutlets made contact after the verdicts.

These figures make the trial the biggest matter media-wise the Court has managed in recent history.

The Court was actively monitoring trial coverage, alongsidethe parties, to safeguard thetrial's integrity.

As with all matters, media were reminded they must report fairly and accurately and only report information that was presented to the jury.

Sixteen directions to remove content were sent –including four against individuals on social media –mostly for breachesofsub judice. Asmall number of inaccuracies were corrected.

"Given the significant volume of trial material published and broadcast, the Court was overall pleased with the quality and diligence of media reporting during the trial," aCourt spokesperson said.

"It was, however, concerning to seesome mediaoutlets, commentators, and individuals on social media purporting to cover the case and have 'updates' on the hearing, despite having no direct contact with the trial and no understanding of their legal responsibilities or the trial’s complexities. At least one such outlet has been referred to the Office of Public Prosecutions for contempt as aresult.

"Theway this trialcaptured the public’s attention and was discussed and dissected in popular culture wasparticularlychallenging and should serve as areminder why the principle of sub judice exists –toensure every person who appears in court is afforded a fair trial."

THE Supreme Court trial of ErinPatterson was heldinMorwell, at theLatrobe ValleyLaw Courts

The Criminal Procedure Act (Section 169) states that thetrial of an accused “is to be held in the court sitting at the placethat is nearest to the place where the offence is allegedtohave been committed, unless an order is made under Section 192”.

In July 2024, an application was made to the Court that the proper venue for the trial should be Melbourne, as the three murder charges were to be regarded as having beencommitted in Heidelberg, where Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson died in hospital.

JusticeJaneDixon ruledthat while the Director of Public Prosecutions could frame the charges as they wished, place of death was not determinative.

Her Honour considered authorities that supported the proper venue for trial being local to where the crime was committed so the relevant community is not disenfranchised from the trial process.

“Whilst not disputing the Director’s entitlement to frame the offence date and location based on date andplaceofdeath, Idonot regard this fact as leading to the interpretationthat that is where the offence is alleged to have been committed.

"In fact, as amatter of common sense, as argued by Mr Mandy (defence lawyer, Colin Mandy), the Crownwillsubmit to the jurythatbythe time Erin Patterson hadadministered the luncheon food to the three deceased, she had, on their case, committed the actus reus for murder.

"The offending will be alleged in the Crown’s

Spotlight: The trial washeld in Morwell, sparking world-wide attention.

openingstatements to have been committed in Leongatha notwithstanding that the offence was allegedly completed by the death of the three alleged victims in Heidelberg.”

It was still open to the Prosecution and Defence to make achangeofvenue application under Section 192, but neither did, and the trial commenced on April 29, 2025.

Actus reus is Latin for 'guilty act'.

Mushroom joke falls flat with local

By LIAM DURKIN

NOT everyone saw the funny side.

Former AFL player and Leongatha boy,Jarryd Roughead was quick to deflect any mention of Erin Patterson. Appearing as aguest on the Channel 7footy comedy show,The Front Bar, the Hawthorn championdid not getinona joke from comedian Lawrence Mooney. Mooney asked "the big question is, do you know the mushroom lady?" during last Wednesday's airing.

Asurprised Roughead played astraightbat, responding with: "We all do don't we."

The 53 witnesses were bookended by Simon and Erin Patterson. After his evidence, Simon Patterson did not appear in court again. Detective Eppingstall and sole dinnersurvivorPastor Ian Wilkinson attended throughout the trial.

Erin Patterson occupied the witness box for a marathon eight days.

Quizzed on foraging, mobile factory re-sets, coloured plates, conversation recall, recipes, dehydrators, medical appointments, oven trays, websites, school enrolments, faked illnesses, body re-imaging, child support wrangling, relationships and tending animals, her rebuttals of all incriminating evidence was nerveless.

No nervously shaking hands. Calm, modulated voice. Spoke in full succinct sentences. Perhaps unwisely, Ms Patterson was moved to question the prosecutor.

“Dr Rogers, within this record, is that the second visit (to the i-naturalist) website that Iwas talking about?" Dr Rogers responded tersely with, “Ms Patterson, Iamthe person who asks the questions.” Justice Beale took more than three days to brief the jury. Putting aside formality, he adopted the tone of friendly counsellor. Raising his hand high above his head, he indicated how high was the bar, “beyond reasonable doubt.” He summarised the evidence from both perspectives but kept to his theme... you are the sole judges of the evidence. At the final mid-morningbreak, Justice Beale raised his eyes to the jury.

“I have just read page 329 of my briefing,” he smiled. “The final page is 365.”

As the court and jury rose for the final time, there was apalpable feeling of relief.Overten weeks the public gallery had cultivated afamily ambiance. The family’s most admired ‘son’ Ian Wilkinson, stood, smiled and shared alittle aside with afamily member.

If the tussle between Mr Mandy and Dr Rogers were aboxing match, the defence would win on points.

Anumberinthe public galleryfamilyhad switched sides, impressed by Mr Mandy’s strategy of calmly pick-pocketing Dr Rogers selective evidence.Somesat on thefence. Mostthough punted on... and hoped for... that final verdict. Guilty on all charges. In ordertoappeal, Mr Mandy must now identify irregularities in the process by Justice Beale, who to the untrained eye, was meticulous. Buthighly likely this is merely the end of Part 1.

Trial was all negative

COMMENT BY MICHAELGAMBLE

MORWELLhas enough problems without the likes of now convicted murderer, Erin Patterson.

All negative publicity for the community. It is ironic that her home, the location of the triple killing, may well become amajor tourist attraction in the area.

Standbyfor afilm to be made of the tragedy. Thankfully, Patterson will not be a beneficiary.

MichaelJGamble is aBelmont (Geelong) resident.

Can Patterson appeal?

ERIN Patterson will have 28 days from the date of her sentence to startthe process of lodging an appeal with SupremeCourt Victoria.

Mooneyfollowed with: "Leongatha, small country town... smaller now."

The attempted humour was perhaps too soon,and the conversation quickly pivoted to Roughead's glittering283-game playingcareer

It is not the first time aFront Bar host has told jokes that have fallen flat. MickMalloy waswidely panned for his routine at the 2015 Brownlow Medal.

Elsewhere,comedyduo the Nelson Twinswere kicked off stage at the Country Racing Victoria awards last year after aseries of gags went down like alead balloon.

Her legal team can appeal either the guilty verdict itself, the sentence, or both.

Ms Patterson's defence was given time alone in court following the verdict handed down on Monday, July 7tocollect their thoughts. The defence can appeal on groundsthat the verdict was unreasonable.

Therecan also be grounds of appeal if it is believed the jury has misstated the law. An applicationtoappeal must be lodged, and the matterthen takentothe Courtof Appeal. If the application is denied, there is the option of appeal to the High Court.

Major interest: Traralgon resident, Ian Whitehead wasone of manywho took in the Erin Patterson trial from the public gallery. Photograph supplied

Trial of the centuryin photographs

Verdict: Leongatha wo counts of murder and oneofattempte

ph St

eErinPatterson in efullunch.

Trail

The house is Erin Patterson’s legalteam.

Ang

Photographs: Liam Durkin unless stated

Do the

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EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

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Expressions of interest areinvited from suitably qualified persons interested in becoming an independent member of Council’sAudit &Risk Committee. Avacancywill exist on the Committee, commencing in October 2025 foraperiod up to 3years

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ALLOTT Wilfred (Bill) 19/8/1937 -8/7/2025

In loving memory of Bill (Wilfred) Allott late of Traralgon, passed away peacefully on 8July 2025 Aged 87 years Beloved husband of Ruth Allott. Cherished father of Darren, Julianne, Steven and Rochelle. Adored grandfather and treasured friend to many. Forever in our

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BERRYMAN Gordon Kenneth VK3NUG 23/1/1951 -5/7/2025 Passed away peacefully at Latrobe Regional Health Aged 74 years Son of Kenneth and Thelma Berryman (both dec.). Father of Trent (dec.) Grandfather of Imogen. Favourite uncle, great uncle and friend to many.

BLANDFORD

BLANDFORD Trevor THE Moe Football-Netball Club acknowledges the passing of Trevor Blandford.

Trev was avery prominent figure within the club for the best part of 50 years. Often the first to turn up and last to leave, Trev lived and breathed Moe FNC. He was (among many things) along-time club trainer, team manager, prop erty steward , maintenance worker and barman.

Perha ps fittingly, he received his life members badge while in the company of ahost of past and pres ent play ers around the Can Bar, the same players he shared many blunt but equally good-natured exchanges with over the years. Our thoughts are with his wife Karen and the family during this sad time.

BRAND Raymond Neil The Funeral Service to celebrate Ray's life will take place in the Rose Chapela tGippsland Memorial Park Crematorium, Cemetery Dr, Traralgon on Wednesday 23rd July 2025 commencing at 11am.

GIGLIO Angela Passed away 09/07/2025.

Amuchloved and valued staff member for over 30 years.

They say there is a reason, they say time will heal. Neither time or reason, will change the way we feel. Gone are the days we used to share, but in our hearts you are always there.

The gates of memories will never close, we will miss you more than anybody knows.

Our thoughts and love go to Angelo, Stefan, Antony, Luiga and Enzo. Love today and Always. The Kavadias Family.

GILIO Angela You were forced into a battle that could not be won. Your fight took everything you had, but it could not touch your unwavering smile, nor your beautiful heart. Rest In Peace Our dear Cousin Gaetano Nania and Giuliana Di Sisto.

HAMMOND Edwin

18/3/1944-6/7/2025

Edwin passed away peacefully at home. Much loved Father and Father in-law to Robert, Helen, Michael and Rebecca. Much loved Grandfather to Dylan, Chloe, Jack, Alexandra and Frankie.

NELLTHORPE

Maurice Charles

2/7/1942 -3/7/2025

Passed away peacefully at Calvary Narracan Gardens Aged Care. Aged 83 years Great, loving father and grandfather.

Forever in our hearts

We will miss your cooking BIGTIME.

OAKLEY BROWNE

Dr Mark Anthony

Passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family 6July 2025 at the Epworth Richmond after a brief but brave battle with cancer. Aged 71 Years

Bel oved husb and of Colleen, much loved and admired father of Thomas and Lauren.

Dearly loved brother of Trisha, Hugh, Michael, Rosanne (dec.) and Claire. Adored brother-inlaw of Jane and uncle of Andrew and Eilish. Special thanks to Roxy and to Mark's care team for their loving companionship and support.

Mark inspired and guided many, always reminding us to look on the bright side of life.

May he rest in peace.

O'CONNOR

Bernadette Ann Passed away 6July2025. Bernadette was abeloved daughter to Mary and Brian O'Connor (dec.).

PRIEST (nee Booth) Elaine Charlotte

Residen to fD alke ith Heights Independent Living Village Traralgon and formerly of Swan Hill.

Passed away surrounded by her loving family at Latrobe Regional Health Traralgon on 11 July 2025, Aged 97 years

Dearly loved wife for 65 years to Patrick (dec. 2015).

Devoted and fabulous mum to Julia and Paul Butler, Russell and Pam Priest, Dianne and Barry Whitehead, Jennilyn and Adrian Mann and Tania and Kim Hanisch. Adored grandma to 12 grandchildren and their partners and 22 great grandchildren. The Funeral Service will be held at the Swan Hill Uniting Church on WEDNESDAY (23 July 2025) at 1pm.

AMemorial Service will be held at the Traralgon Uniting Church at adate to be advised.

God has her in His keeping We have her in our hearts In the words of her late husband Pat "Bye bye beautiful"

WALKER Robert Henry

7/1/1955 -5/7/2025

Devoted husband of Donna. Proud father of Lauren and Michael, Megan and Jake. Adoring Poppy of Archie and Charlie. "Left Us Too Soon"

Join family and friends in celebrating Rob's life on Thursday 17th July at the Warragul Country Club Function Room, 41 Sutton St, Warragul at 2pm.

WALKER Robert Walker 7/1/1955 -5/7/2025

Beloved brother and brother-in-law of Jennifer and Robin. Uncle of Kylie, David, Rebecca, James and families. Forever In Our Hearts.

WALKER Robert Henry Beloved brother of Gail, brother-in-law to Robert, Uncle to Scott, Matthew, Kelly, great Uncle to Keegan, Dallas, Hudson and Morgan Rob you will loved and fore ver remembered.

BURNEY

The funeral service and committal for cremation for Mr Edward Burney will be held at the Gippsland Memorial Park Rose Chapel, Cemetery Drive Traralgon on THURSDAY (17th July 2025) commencing at 1pm The service for Eddy will also be livestreamed, please visit Latrobe Valley Funeral Services website.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

Jean Maskrey 31/7/1925

Our dear Mother,Nanna &Great Nanna is turning on Thursday 31 July

To help celebrate her special day,wewillbe havingafternoon tea from 1.30pm –3.30pm. If youwouldliketopop in, shareacuppa, chat andlaugh withJean, youare most welcome.

Address: 6Gillies Crescent, Traralgon 100

Trevor Passed away surrounded by his family at LRH 6 July 2025. Loved husband of his very patient wife, Karen. Dearly loved father of Michelle, Amanda, and Mark. Loved father-in-law of Gareth. Cherished Grandad of Hannah, Emily, Lucius, and Georgia. Rest easy, Dad XX Privately cremated

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 5126 1111 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au GP1683581

BLANDFORD Trevor

BURNEY Edward George (Eddy) Passed away peacefully after ashort illness on 8 July with family by his side. Aged 91 years and 11 months Cherished husband of Laura (dec.). Beloved father of Peter (dec .), Paul, Jeffrey , Donald and Neville. Loved and adored poppy to all his grand and great-grandchildren. Our words are few, our thoug hts are deep, wonderful memories are ours to keep Forever in our hearts. Rest in Peace. "GO SAINTS"

BURNEY Edward

Dearly loved brother and brother-in-law of John and Joyce. Treasured uncle of Karen, Rudy (dec.) and Raymond (dec.), Jay, Carly, Trent and families. Reunited with Laura.

DRAVA Ivars

3/3/1956 -4/7/2025

KEYTE Pat Member of the Apex club of Morwell, Pat Keyte, passed away 24 May, 2025. Condolences to his family. Happy sailing Pat. Kev Kelly.

MAY Simon John 12/5/1944 -9/7/2025

Beloved husband of Marilyn (dec.). Loving Father of Tom and Wil and caring Grandfather to Oliver and River. Kind-heart ed brother-in-law of Glenda and John Fisher and Uncle of Nicole and Peta. Aquiet, gentle man who was cherished by his family and all who knew him. (Funeral details will be advised going forward)

Dearly loved sister to Beth, Denis (dec.), Julie, Geraldine, Ann, Frances (dec.), Margare tand Genevieve (dec.). Ado red mothe rt o Stephanie, Alannah and Erin. Proud Nana to Xavier and Violet. Bernadette devoted her lif et os uppo rti ng vuln erabl eA ustrali ans and communities through her work in the community service sector. Al ifelong St Kilda supporter. We love you Bernadette Rest peacefully.

In accord ance with Bernadet te's wishes aprivate cremation has been held.

PIECHOTA Richard

SCHUMANN Stanley George Passed away peacefully at Heritage Manor Aged Care Morwell 6July 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Aged 84 Years Dearly loved and loving husband of Rosa for 64 years. Much loved father and father-in-law of Debby and Merv, David, Anita and Steve. Adored Poppa and Pop Pop to all his grand and great-grandchildren.

SCHUMANN Stan George The President, Committee, Staff and members of the Morwell RSL Sub Branch are deeply saddened by the passing of their valued Affiliate member Stan. Deepest heartfelt sympathy to Rosa and all the family and friends. LEST WE FORGET

WALKER Rob Heartbr oken beyon d wor ds. Our dee pest symp athy to Donna, Lauren, Michael Megan Jake, Archie and Charlie X Loved brother of Keryn, brother-in- law of Russ (dec.) Uncle of Dean Ryan and Emily. Forever in our thoughts.

WILSON Shirlee

Passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family, 5July 2025. Aged 59 years Cherished Mum of Michael, Brad, Max, Tony, and their partners. Adoring Nan of Jesse, Eli, Tonii, Destiny, Ruby, Bella and Myah. Resting now with her loving husband Luke.

GIGLIO Requiem mass for the repose of the soul of Mrs Angela Giglio will be offered at Sacred Heart Cat holi cC hur ch, Commercial Road Morwell THURSDAY(17 July 2025) commencing at 11am. The funeral will leave at the conclusion of Mass for the Gippsland Memorial Park Cemetery, Traralgon. Rosary will be recited in the above church at 10.30am prior to the Mass. In lieu of flowers donations to Pancreatic Cancer Rese arch would be appreciated. Angela's service will also be livestreamed. To view the livestream please visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au and click on livestreaming.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

MORWELL 5134 4937 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

The

be held at the

Park Crematorium Rose Chapel, Cemetery Dr Traralgon MONDAY (July 21 2025) commencing at 1.30pm

pm FRIDAY (18th of July 2025)

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

McCRACKEN

31/01/1953 -6/7/2025

Passed away at LRH surrounded by his loving family. So sadly missed and loved by Helen, Phil, Angela and Laura. Rest easy, bro. We will miss you so much.♥

Passed away at Gold Coast Hospital. Loved husband of Trudi. Loved Dad of Rob and Jess. Dear Pa of Larni, Riley, Billy, Lenny, Jay and Ella. Loved brother of Ed and Inara. Loved Uncle of Tania, Michael, Andrew, Geoffrey (dec.) and Darren (dec.). Always remembered.

GIGLIO (Mustari)

McCRACKEN

Murray Stuart

12/11/1949 -3/7/2025

Passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family and friends.

Aged 75 years

Passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on 6July, 2025. Wonderful husband to Lorraine for 48 years. Loving and caring Dad to Andrew and Monica, Joanne, Mark and Brooke, Kathryn and Craig. The best Grandpop to Natalie, Rohan, Felicity, Noah, Bobby and Patrick. Richard was agifted artist and craftsman. The world was abetter place because of him and he will be missed.

Now resting in heaven.

SUTTON Maurice John (Maurie) Passed away peacefully at his home in Traralgon 12 July 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Aged 84 Years Dearly loved and loving husband of Valerie. Much loved father and father-in-law of Tanyah and Daryl, Jason (dec.) and Aarhon (dec.). Adored Bamps to Marlee and Rob, Joel (dec.), Hayden and Carly, Brodie, Tiannah and Griffin, and G.B. to Tyler.

TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

Deaths •

ALFORD Barry (Neville)

Passed away peacefully at Dalkeith Heights Traralgon, 14 July 2025, Aged 89 Years

Loved and loving husband of Shirley (dec.).

Much loved Dad to Rhonda, Joanne, Graeme, Alan, Gavin, Kevin and their families. Reunited with his beloved Shirley

Angela Passed away peacefully at Latrobe Regional Health Traralgon 9July 2025 surrounded by her loving family. Aged 58 Years

Dearly loved and loving wife of Angelo. Much loved mother of Stefan and partner Natalie, and Antony. Love dd augh ter of Giuseppe (dec.) and Luigia. Sister of Vincent. Adored by all her family.

Loving husband if Dianne. Proud father of Tracy, Nicole, Grant and their partners. Proud grandfather of Tyron, Max, Mia, Billie and Saige. Adopted grandfather to Madison and Alexis. Loved bymany always up for abeer

McCRACKEN Murray (Muz) Passed away peacefully at LRH 8/7/2025. Aged 75 years

Love db rot he ra nd brother-in-law of Robert and Sue. Uncle of Craig and Paul. Sadly missed.

McCRACKEN

Murray Stuart We will always cherish the beautiful memories we made. Loving bother-inlaw of Mark and Gayle. Uncle to Adam and Rubie, Kane and Belinda. Great Uncle to Wren and Margot.

PRATER Nancy. Passed away 30/6/2025. Deepest sympathy to Spud and all the family.

Loved cousin of Pam (dec.), Karen and Brian, Alan (Bushy), Colleen and families. Loved cousin of Julie, Shelley and Joel , Cameron and families. Will be dearly Missed Treasured Memories

VAN DEN BRAND (Pattinson)-Fay Patricia. Passed away peacefully at home on 12 July 2025. Aged 81 years Loving wife of Garry. Much loved mother of Wayne and Julie and mother in-law of Russell. Devoted nanna to Wayne and Fe, Breanna, Nekeisha, Josh and Liz and Jordan. Great nan to Kaylee, Bryden, Ellie and Skyler. With tears we watched you suffer, and watched you fade away, with courage and concern for others, you fought so hard to stay. But God saw that you were weary, and did what he thought best, he gently took you in his arms, and whispered come and rest. We all love you Mum.

ALLOTT AFuneral Service to Celebrate the life of Mr Wilfred Allott will be held at the Rose Chapel, Gippsland Memorial Park, Cemetery Drive Traralgon on WEDNESDAY (16 July 2025) commencing at 11am. At the conclusion of the Service, the Funeral will proceed to the Lawn Cemetery, within the grounds of Gippsland Memorial Park.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

BERRYMAN

The Funeral Service for Mr Gordon Berryman will be held at the Latrobe Funeral Services Chapel 260 Princes Hwy Traralgon MONDAY (21 July 2025) commencing at 1.30pm. At the conclusion of refreshments, the Funeral will leave for the Traralgon Cemetery, Gippsland Memorial Park. MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

The Funeral Service for Mr Murray McCracken will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 437a Princes Drive Morwell on FRIDAY (18 July 2025) commencing at 11am.

The Funeral will leave at the conclusion of the Service for the Yallourn Cemetery. This Service will also be livestreamed. To view, please visit our website at latrobevalley funerals.com.au

5134 4937 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

OAKLEY BROWNE

Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul for Dr Mark Oakley Browne will be offered at St Ita's Catholic Church, Victoria Street, Drouin on FRIDAY (18 July 2025) at 11am. The Service will also be live streamed. To view Dr Mark Oakley Browne's service please visit: www.nielsenfunerals.com.au Aprivate cremation will be held.

ALFORD

Funeral of Mr Barry Alford will

Gippsland Memorial

PIECHOTA

The Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Mr Richard Piechota, late of Traralgon South, will be held at the Traralgon Uniting Church, 19-29 Park Lane Traralgon on THURSDAY(17 July 2025) at 1pm.

APrivate Family Burial will precede the Service. LAMONT (Lane)

SCHUMANN

The funeral service for Mr. Stanley Schumann will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 6Ollerton Avenue Moe THURSDAY (17th July) 2025 commencing at 11am. The funeral will leave at the conclusion of the service for the Yallourn Cemetery. Stan's service will also be livestreamed. To view the livestream please visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au and click on livestreaming.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 5126 1111 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

The funeral service and committal for cremation for Mr. Maurice (Maurie) Sutton will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Hwy Traralgon on Monday (21st July 2025) commencing at 10.30am Maurie's service will also be livestreamed. To view the live stream please visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au and click on livestreaming. MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

5174

Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

LAW Kathy 14/5/1959 -17/07/2024

In loving memory of your beloved wife, Brad, one year on. Our thoughts are with you and your family today. From all of us at Law Somerville Industries, we remember her with warmth and offer our continued support.

McCULLOCH Lynette 20 July 2018. Each passing day reminds us of how much you meant to all of us. We miss you Grammy Love from James, Edward, Max, Azriel, Amy, Marcus, Zekinthia, Tyson, Stuart and Rachel, Gail and Mike, Karen and Mel, David and Terry and Peter In our Hearts.

ROLIH, Franc Rafael. Passed away15/7/2006 Time unfolds another year, it is along time for me, but you are with Jesus, enjoying eternal love and peace. Watch me and look after me always. Your loving wife, Victoria.

Wilson Geoff's family would like to thank everyone for their expressions of love and sympathy in the way of cards, messages and floral tributes on the passing of their father, step-father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Aspecial thank you to Margery Cole Nursing Home in particular the staff in Grevillia

Cemetery, Gippsland Memorial Park. The service will also be livestreamed- to view the livestream please go to Latrobe Valley Funeral Services website.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

Closecall: MissHimalaya (red silks)edges out

to

Racing season ends

HORSERACING

By LIAM DURKIN

MOE Racing Club saw out the 2024/25 racing season amid asomewhat familiar sight.

It is said if you want to help farmers, hold arace meetingatMoe.

Rain fell for much of lastFriday’snine-card meeting on atrack understandably rated aHeavy 10.

Conditions were hardly surprisingfor the middle of winter, though nor was the performance of Moe’s famed StrathAyr track, which once again enabled full racing to go ahead as scheduled.

40 years

The track’s sand-based design allows continuous drainage,and preventssurface watercreatingpuddles. It has certainly withstood greaterchallenges than the 7ml that fell last Friday (the 2022 Moe Cup went ahead after more than 20ml bucketed down).

That trainers the calibre of Ciaron Maher and the Hayes Stable of Ben, Willand JD still sent horsestoMoe showed they felt their runnerswould benefit from making the journey.

Locals pitted themselves againstsome of the best, andwalked away with credible performances. Perhaps most fittingly, Trafalgar jockey Jason Maskiell was the runaway winner in the Race 7 Moe Cup Sunday 16thNovember BM52 Handicap over 1614 metres.

Maskiell took four-year-old mare SaxonBeauty to anear threelength victory, showcasing the horses full potential following ahost of fairly uninspiring runs (eighth, seventh and eighth).

Maskiell had to settle for third in acompetitive Race 4S&S Equipment Rental&Sales BM52 Handicap (2069m), on board Sioux Princess.

The race was won by Ninyo for Aaron Laing in

abarnstorming finish, coming from eighth with 400m to go

Sale trainers Kerry Farrugia and Sharyn Trolove also tasted success in the Race 2Ladbrokes Form Genius Maiden Plate (1614m) and the Race 6 Ladbrokes MatesModePots BM52Handicap (1614m).

Farrugia’s five-year-old mareNorma’s Feet benefited from asix week freshentowin by two lengths, while Ripplebrook for Trolove got home by half-a-length.

Maherstarted the meeting withablistering win, after Satin Diva won the Race 1Ladbrokes Owners Bonus Maiden (1108m) by nearly two lengths in what ended up being atwo-horse race with Lapland. Kilmore trainer David Dean wonthe Race8 Ladbrokes Quick MultiBM52Handicap (1208m), continuing decent form for Miss Himalaya (third and first since being freshened for five weeks). Only the best learn their craft in Kilmore. Others winners were Darceandermill for Jason Warren (Race 3Ladbrokes Top 2/3/4 Betting BM52 Handicap, 1108m), Najle for Emma-Lee and David Browne(Race 5Moe Refrigeration BM52 Handicap, 2069m) and Count of Toulouse for Dale Short (Race 9Harvey Norman Moe BM52 Handicap, 1208m).

As they say, there is no rest for the wicked, and although last Fridaywas officially the last meeting for the racing season, Moe Racing Club’s next meeting is just six weeks away.

Moe RacingClubwill nextmeet Sunday, August 24 for its members day.

Areminder that this year’s Moe Cup has been moved to aSunday, and will be held Sunday, November 16.

O’Brien brings up double ton

BASKETBALL

BIG V BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

IN their 19-point win over WhittleseainRound 14 of Division 1Big Vbasketball,not only did Gippsland Unitedmove one step closer to an illusive promotion to the Championship Division, but it wasalsoatime to celebrate astalwartof the local basketball club.

Stephen O’Brienran onto the court for the 200th time for United, and its previous incarnationof Latrobe City Energy.

The gracious big man has been aleader in the local basketball scene for many years.

His side rallied for him in aconvincing victory, thatwas still importantfor their season as United head towards finals shortly.

O’Brien scored 13 pointsand grabbed two rebounds in his milestone match that had afew extra special people in attendance.

“In away, the lead up to the game felt like any other. However, there were afew surprise guests in the crowd including family and friends that perhaps put alittle added pressure on me, which Iloved,” he told the Express.

O’Brien began shootinghoops in under 14s down at Warragul, and after growing in ability and stature, went on to attend Benedictine College overinKansas, later returningtothe region afew years after his time in the States, joining Latrobe City Energy and Moe Meteors in CBL competition in 2016.

He’sseen alot in ashort amountoftimewith GippslandUnited -wins, losses, aclub rebrand during apandemic -but all things led towards players returning to the court and United nabbing aDivision 2banner.

O’Brien identified that three-game grand final series victory overPakenham as his biggest highlight over the course of his time with United. However, his love for the club runs deeper than that, with him continuing to show up despite injuries setbacks.

It’s the communal aspect that’s kept him going with United.

“The people have kept me coming back and keep me playing here at GU,” O’Brien said.

“I think it’s rare in sport to have ateam that is as cohesive both on and off the court as what we

have and because of that, it’s making it very hard to stop playing.”

To add to aspectacular stand with United, O’Brien’s timewith Moe at CBL level has also brought many memorable moments.

The Meteors were adominant force in the backend of the 2010s, winning back-to-back CBL championshipsin2017and 2018 with aloaded roster.

O’Brien became ahero in 2023, as the team rebounded from afew off years, to defeat Traralgon in the 2023 CBL GrandFinal, denyingthe T-Birds the chance of athree-peat locally.

The big man will be associated with that game more so than any other, with O’Brien nailing a buzzer-beating and game-winning hook shot to secure histhird CBL championship over Moe’s closest rivals.

Reflecting on his journey thus far with the sport, O’Brien mentioned there’s beenmanypeoplealong the way who’ve supported and helped shape the player and person he is on the court.

“I feel like I’ve played with or been coached by so many influential people,” he said.

“One that stands out would ateammate Ihad at college named RJ Demps.

“He brought alove and joy to the game that was infectious and really highlighted for me that you canhave funand enjoy the game no matterthe circumstances or the win-loss record.”

That is avaluable lesson to learn, especially if you are to live out along life in sport, but O’Brien still has one more goal front of mind: returning Gippsland to the highestlevelofBig Vbasketball.

“We have clear club goals to get Gippsland basketball back in the Championship Division of Big Vbasketball,” he stated.

O’Brien believes that in returning the club to those heights will only see basketball grow even more rapidly in the area, and potentially lead to even bigger things.

“Once that goalisachieved, Isee no reason that GU can’t build an NBL1-calibre team in the future,” he added.

Gippsland United are currently doing battle with Coburg as the top two teams in Division 1 trying to see promotion to the Championship level Unitedlost to RMIT Redbacks in last year’s grand final, denying them that opportunity, which has only added further fuel to the fire and brought more anticipation and hype throughout this season.

Soobooma

win on theinside undergrey skies at Moe Racing Club

Worthit: Amuddied Tatum Bull still has reason to smile afterwinning Race 8atMoe Racing Club last Friday. Photographs: Liam Durkin

Valley paves the way in baseball

BASEBALL

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

THE Latrobe Valley recently hosted the 2025 Under 15 State Winter Championships, withthe local state side also collecting silverware.

Played out at the Morwell Baseball Club and Moe/Newborough Baseball Club from July 5to6, it was abrilliant weekend of competitive baseball.

Latrobe Valley worked their hardest to defeat City West, 8to1 in the Division 2Grand Final.

The representative side lost to City West 12-10 on the first day of action, before winning their next three matches to come out on top.

Despite an early RBI single fromCityWest in the bottom of the first, adropped third strike helped Latrobe Valleytie the gameupatthe top of the second.

LatrobeValleythentook the leadinthe top of the third inning after Blake Duncan doubled down the left field line. Cooper Boyes walked, and awild pitch led to each scoring arun

The local side never lookedback, and collected seven walks for the game.

Diamond Valley won the Division 1Grand Final, 9-6 over Dandenong.

At the weekend, Latrobe Valley also won the Division 2Under 17 State Winter Championship hosted by Bendigo.

The local side defeated North East convincingly in the big dance, 11-nil to claim victory.

 LOCALLY, in the Latrobe Valley Baseball Association, Traralgon Redsox defeated Moe/ Newborough 6-5 in Round 12 last Sunday (July 13).

TraralgonRedsoxalsodefeatedMorwell 10-4 in BGrade.

In CGrade,Moe/Newborough defeated Churchill 8-5,while TraralgonRedsox defeated Morwell 19-11.

In the under 16 competition, Moe/Newborough defeated Traralgon Redsox 15-4, while in the Under 13 grade,Traralgon Redsox beat Moe/Newborough 11-4 and Traralgon Reds defeated Morwell 8-2.

United forced to dig deep

BASKETBALL

BIG V BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

ROUND 15 of Big Vbasketballaction produced amix bag of results for Gippsland United.

Gippsland United men are beginning to show they are one of the best sides in Division 1, after defeating abuildingWarrandyte118 to 114 at Melba College, Croydon. United gave themselves separationduring the second quarter, outscoring the Venom by 10 points in the period,which gavethem enough spacetohold onto victory.

With Warrandyte gaining on United late into the piece, Jalin Wimberly converted on atough opportunity, finishing the layup and sinking the free throw to hand them their third win in arow to keepUnited second on the ladder.

United had an avalanche of scorers on the night, with Wimberlyleadingthe charge with 33 points, four rebounds and two steals. Ben Barlow added 31 points, seven boards and three assists,while Joel Winderlich chipped in with 21 points and 14 rebounds.

United's 13th win comes at agood time, with the Gippsland team preparing for a top-of-the-table showdown with first-placed Coburg this weekend at the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium. That must watch gamestartsat7pm this Saturday.

 HOLDING onto afinals position, Gippsland United women fell to Keysborough, 67-51 at Rowville Secondary College.

United trailed by just two points at halftime, but were let down after sustaining a20-9third quarter which blew the game wide open.

Alahna Arnason and Olivia Ouchirenko top-scored with 10 points each for United, with the side shooting apoor 26.32 per cent from the field as awhole.

United women alsoplay Coburg at GRISS this weekend, starting at 5pm.

Great displays across Moe board

SOCCER LVSL BY JOHN CARDONA

IN theseniors women's game, Moe United took the field with only nine players which was due to along list of injuries and unavailability of players against Morwell Falcons on Saturday night.

Despite only havingthe nine players, Moe United dominated play in the first half and took the lead when Miley Coopertook on the Falcons centre back to break clear then slot the ball home past the Falcons keeper to give the home side women a1-0 lead at half time.

Moe United then went to a2-0 lead in the second halfwhenMileyCooper againgot onto another through ball where she raced clear and hit a powerful drive which the Falcons keeper could not deal with.

Midway through the second half, the nine Moe United began to tire and Falcons took advantage of the situation to rattle on three goals in fifteen minutes to go 3-2 up. But one thing thatthese awesome MoeUnited girls have this season is that theynever give up,and despite running out of legs they fought back tenaciously and with only afew minutes left in the game, Olivia Ware stole the ball off the Falcons centre back near the half way line, then made a20yard run then sent asquare pass to Miley Cooper who took control of the ball then hammered her shot past the keeper and into the net to give Miley Cooper awell deserved hat trick and give Moe United a3-3 draw. The Moe United women had acouple of late chances but could not break the deadlock.

Best for Moe United were Miley Cooper, Haley Laws and Olivia Ware.

After the matchI spoketothe Moe United coach

Harley Robinson and he said he thought it was a super human effort by these nine women who took thefield tonight,which made himself and the Moe United Soccer Club so proudofthe ninewomen who

played and for the entire squad of the 2025 season whohave performed magnificently this season.

 MOE United reserves made hard work on their 3-2 win over Falcons 2000 but in the process kept their title hopes on track with the hard fought win.

Moe Uniteddominated the first half but the lack of composure with their finishing kept Falcons in the game but after twenty five minutes play Moe United got the breakthrough when Tom Portelli sent aperfect through ball which was collected by Harley Robinson who then beat the Falcons defender and from 22 yards out hit aperfect shot giving the Falcons keeper no chance.

Unitedkept the pressure on the Falcons side and some great pressurebyHarley Robinson on thedefendersaw the defender makeabad back passwhich Robinson latched onto then beat the keeper and slottedthe ball into an empty netto put the titles favourites 2-0 up.

Close to the half time break, Falcons got themselves back intothe game when Dylan Smith scored with awell hit strike.

With the pressurebackonthe Moe United side, it fought back to get the two goal cushionwhen agreat piece of build up play between Levi Heuesmann &Harley Robinson on the edge of the eighteen yard boxsaw Robinson lay off aperfect pass to Ben Schembri who hit aleft foot shot which gave theFalcons keeper no chance to put the home side 3-1up.

Theplay continued to flow from end to end but neither side could crack the other side’s defensive guard, but with Moe United seemingly on the way to another comfortable victory,the match tightened up right up again with ten minutes remaining when Dean Johnson pickedupaloose ball then placed his shot past Moe United keeper in Joel Thompson to score.

Moe United needed some desperate late defending to keep the league leaders hold onto a3-2 win to comeanotherstep closer to aleague reserve league champions title which will be the club's first

reserves league win since 1997, which was under the coaching of Danny Felici.

Bestfor MoeUnited were Campbell Dastey, Jay Hall, Max Lietzau and Seth Grixti.

Best for the Falcons side were Ben Nichols,Dylan Smith.

 WINDY conditions on the back pitch were causing grief in moments of the third division game.

It was ahard fought out firsthalfwith plenty of shots on goals with great saves from the young junior Falcons keeper with some saves and from Moe keeper Dylan Farrugia in counter attacks. Strong defending from both teams' back lines as Connor Clarke for Falcons kept his composure and astrong back line for Moe held ground quite well which saw a0-0 score at half time.

At the 70th minute, acorner for Moe United saw Gedd Heusmann take it from the right side, crossing it to the back post which was headed in cleanly by an unmarked Adam Cassar.

Ashort time later another Moe Unitedcorner saw ashort corner played with aquick pass by Mark Whitney to Gedd Heusmann, who crossed it overthe pack and into the top leftcorner of goal. Moe United continued to applypressure and from another corner which saw Gedd Heusmann cross the ball and it was aquick thinking Kayne Heusmann who judged his run through the pack to head the ball with afront post finish to give Moe United aconvincing 3-0 win.

Towards the endofplay Moe UnitedkeeperDylan Farrugia made some telling saves to keep Falcons off the scoresheet.

Best for Moe Unitedwere Gedd Heusmann, Jayne Heusmann and Zane Poxon.

Double up: Latrobe Valleyalso wonthe Division 2title at the Under17State Winter Championships in Bendigo

Winnersare grinners: Latrobe Valleywon theDivision 2Under 15 StateWinter Championships,whichwereheld in the area

Photographs supplied

Grand plans for Traralgon tennis

TENNIS

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

ON the up and up for Traralgon Tennis Association.

The local tennis club recently announced the formationofanew advisorygroup,asthe TTA pushtobecome major players on the international tennis stage in the years ahead.

Former TennisAustralia President, GeoffPollard AM and global business leader Gareth Marriott were appointed as the group’s founding co-chairs, and have been working with the TTA board, providingstrategic advice, global networking, and assisting in winning further tennis events for the region.

“Our aim over the next two to three months will also have more additional members (on) the advisory panel to add some real valuebackinto the Latrobe Valley, and hopefully if everythinggoes well, we’ll be atop six club in Australia,” Marriott told the Express.

Marriott holds deep roots to the Latrobe Valley, beginning his lovefor tennis in Churchill and eventually Traralgon. He became president of the TTA and Gippsland Tennis Association, helping cultivate the landmark Traralgon Junior International tournament back in 1993.

“We had adream to go and win an international tennis event, and we scored an ITF tournament, which is still at the club 32 years later,” he added.

To ensure that the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland continues to rise in this space, the TTA is aiming to attract an additional five to 12 weeks of highcalibre tennis each year, to add to the Traralgon

International and Gallipoli Youth Cup already on the calendar.

Marriottsaidthe key objectives is for the Traralgontobethe number onevenue of choice for international tennisevents,including for tennis events for regional Australia.

“We want to be known as the best tennis club and association in Australia, and we’re aiming to be coming in aroundnumbersix,numberseven (at the moment),” he said.

“We really want to focus on driving economic growth in the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland region.”

In 2024,tennis in the Traralgon area injected $6.6 million directly into the community from international and national events.

The 2024 Traralgon International brought in $2.6 million into the local economy, and other recent events an additional $4 million in total.

Over the course of the Traralgon International’s

running, the TTA has contributed $156 million to the Latrobe Valley through hosting such major events.

The economic impact intothe Latrobe Valley reachesfar and wide, potentially evengreater, but Marriott said that infrastructurealso needs to be front of mind if Traralgon is to attract more and bigger events.

“I think if you look at just where we are from a facilities point of view,wedohave ashortfallin our facilities,” he said.

“We’re workingwith the Latrobe City Council, includingTennis Australia (and) Tennis Victoria, to bridge that gap.”

Besides the aforementioned events, the TTA has also secured the Green Ball Tournament, Latrobe City Tournament, Frank Sedgeman Cup, GBS Optus Tournament and the Schools Future Fit Program brought by former Australian tennisstar Pat Cash alongside the Gallipoli Youth Cup.

Additionally, the Rafa Nadal Tour will arrive in Traralgon this September, with winners of the tournament progressing to the Rafa Nadal Tour Australian Masters event, held in Melbourne next year.

Theaim is to oneday see Traralgon hostaDavis CuporFed Cup (now called the Billie Jean King Cup), to go along with PremierLeague rounds and other Pro Tour and Challenger events.

Perhaps the next Roger Federer or Jelena Dokic can rise through Traralgon also?

Cracking times set among speedy Harriers

ATHLETICS

TRARALGON HARRIERS BY MILES VERSCHUUR

ALUCKY 13 of the Traralgon Harriers’ best and brightest travelled to the goldfields of Ballarat for the Victorian State Cross Country Championships on Saturday.

Victoria Park, just southofLake Wendouree, was debuting onto the AthleticsVictoria circuit; also set to host the National Cross-Country Championships later in the season. Although seeming ostensibly flat, there was enough obstacles, mud, logs, mounds, and chicanes to give the day atrue cross-country feel. Despite being in the typically frigid Ballarat during winter, the oscillation between gentle rain and pleasant sunshine created perfect running conditions.

First out of the blocks was Dempsey Podmore in the Under 16 threekilometres. Dempsey continued his excellent streak of racing, finishing third in 9:36, with afast finish from the three podium placers. The women’s race was over 10 kilometres, with the Harriers division two team finishing avery respectable fifth. Kate Jones (46:15)was the fastest;

GOLF

CHURCHILL &MONASH

StablefordSaturday5th July 2025

AGrade Winner: R. Harvey35pts

BGrade Winner: P. Bolding 35 pts

CGrade Winner: M. Lugton 39 pts

D.T.L: 1. P. Kearns 35, 2. K. Barnes 34, 3. M. Harvey33, 4. J. Cahill 32, 5. P. McGann 32, 6. R. Noordam 32, 7. D. cluderay 32, 8. G. Barnes 32, 9. S. Turner 31

N.T.P: 3rdR.Madigan, 12th D. Radnell (Propin), 14th R. Dent

Birdies: 12th P. Kearns,14th R. Harvey, P. Kearns,R.Dent

Target Hole: R. Noordam

StablefordTuesday8th July 2025.

Winner: M. Hutchinson 32 pts

D.T.L: C. Stevens 30 pts c/b

N.T.P: 3rdC.Barnes,5th C. Carder,12th S. Gosling,14th C. Stevens

MIRBOONORTH

Tuesday8th July,Stableford

AGrade: NRutledge,(12)39pts c/b

BGrade: SBeitz, (18) 33pts c/b

DTL: PWoodall 39, TWhitelaw, MWoodall 36. NTP: 4th TWhitelaw, 6th NBaker,13th N Rutledge,16th SEvans

Birdie,4th PWoodall, 6th TWhitelaw, 16th MPayne

Saturday12th July,Stableford. & President trophyplayoff

AGrade: SDuff, (8) 39pts

BGrade: JHughes (16) 39pts c/b

DTL: MPayne 37,T Bradshaw36, DTaylor, RScurlock34.

NTP: 4th GShandley, 6th NBaker,13th T Bradshaw, 16th TBaker

aheadofAnna Cardilloand the returning Chelsea Fox.

The men’s section was well represented by Traralgon.

Daniel Furmston (35:17) set ahot pace early, but Corey Milner (33:56) put the foot down to collect an age groupbronze. Miles Verschuur was just ahead of Ian Cornthwaite (38:33).

Cornthwaite’s streak of 60 plus gold medalswas halted by the legendary Steve Moneghetti. Marty Lynch rounded out the division team who finished an impressive third.

Andrew Greenhill (41:24) put in an excellent shift, with Glenn Crawford (44:03), the fast-finishing Gary Fox, and Ron Verschuur constituting the third-placed division five team.

The lashing rain and freezing cold did not stop the Harriers traditional Thursday evening runand its 47 hardened runners.

Starting from the wetlands off Swinburne Crescent in the north-east quarter of Traralgon, the run involved two laps of athree-kilometre course.

Harriersveteran Liz Kenney(31:40) was first across the line for the women,only 10 seconds ahead of Ree Graham. Yani Cornthwaite,dragged around by pup Rou, was third.

Birdies: 4th GShandley, 6th TimTraill, 16th

TimTraill, President trophyplayoff, SDuffdef JRobbins 5/4. SMcKenzie def P Cummaudo 3/1.P Draper defRClark4/3. M Payne def DTaylor2/1 Next week, SDuffv SMcKenzie,M Payne VPDraper MOE

Sunday, 06 July 2025 OPEN Sunday9 hole Stableford

Grade AWinners: Birrell, Chris (36) 21

Sunday, 06 July 2025 OPEN Sunday Mixed Stableford

Grade AWinners: Johnson, Charles (7) 35

Grade BWinners: Harvey, Ryan (14) 38

Grade CWinners: Hamilton, Ian (27) 31

Place Getters: Mead, Barry36 Weir,Charles 35 Donaldson, Murray 34 Stirzaker,Jason 33 C/B Hiriaki, Whitney33C/B

Wednesday, 09 July 2025 WOMEN'S WEDNESDAY 9HOLESTABLEFORD

Overall Winners: Mitchell, Evelyn (26) 18

Wednesday, 09 July 2025 WOMEN'S MONTHLYMEDAL Stroke

Overall Winners: Lang,Marj (18) 75 (Medal Winner)

Grade AWinners: Lang,Marj (18) 75

Grade BWinners:Tulau, Susan (34) 78

Place Getters: Shaw, Karen76 Tate,Sandy 77 Nearest to Pin: 4th Leahann Stewart

8th Elizabeth Wallis

14th Kaye Middlemiss

Target Hole Prize: Christine Elliot

PuttsA Grade: Christine Elliot

PuttsBGrade: Susan Tulau

In the men’s, Ballarat-bound Miles Verschuur and Andrew Greenhill were the fastestrunners, with Trent Kooyman third.

Daniel Wright continued his excellent rise in form, clocking 27:01 in difficult conditions.

Sav Mavrofridis(27:31)was speedy for having run sub three hours at the Gold Coast Marathon less than aweek before.

Next up for the AV team is areturn to Albert Park for the Lakeside 10km.

The next Thursdaynight run (tomorrow, Thursday, July 17) is from the Harriers clubrooms next to the Stoddard OvalonDouglas Parade, followed by the club’s annual meeting.

With plenty on the horizon, there has never been abetter time to join this friendly running club.

RESULTS

AV State CrossCountryChampionships (selected):

Female Open: 10km: Kate Jones46:15; Anna Cardillo 48:14; Chelsea Fox 53:40. Male Open: 10km: Corey Milner 33:56; Daniel

SCOREBOARD

Thursday, 10 July 2025 OPEN Mixed

Stableford

Grade AWinners: Borg, Hayley(24) 32 C/B

Place Getters: Hancock, Chris 32 Collings, Dale 30 C/B Lehner,Chris 30 C/B Thorburn, Gary30

GreatScore:Tony Johnson Birdie @8

Gary ThorburnBirdie @8

Nearest to Pin: 4th Les Stansbury8th

Laurie Veenman 14th Phil Backman

Saturday, 12 July 2025 Captain Vs Vice Captain Mens Stableford

Grade AWinners: Spiteri, Paul (9) 39

Grade BWinners: Buckman, Peter(16)37

GradeC Winners: Swan, Ben (33) 44

Place Getters: Geisler,Graham 38 C/B

Scullin, Sebastian 38 Purves,Brandon 37

C/B Skicko,Nick36C/B Johnson, Tony 36

C/B Downs,Craig 36 Bassman, Aaron 35

C/B Johnson, Charles 35 C/B Veenman, Laurie 35 Devent, Anton 34 C/B Malone, Todd 34 White, Rodney33C/B Weir,Martin

33 C/B Doak, Shaun 33 C/B

Great Score: Paul SpiteriBirdie @14

Nearest to Pin: 4th Paul Spiteri8th Nick Skicko 14th Jeffrey Bassman

Saturday,12July2025 WOMEN'S

SATURDAY OPEN STABLEFORD

Grade AWinners: Elliot, Christine (23) 30

Place Getters: Borg,Kathy29 C/B

MORWELL

Women Stroke- MonthlyMedal 9th July

2025

Medal Winner: Lvan Rooy 76

DTL: IYoshimura77

NTP: 11th IYoshimura15th CPeter

Count Putts: IYoshimura28putts

TRAFALGAR

Tuesday08/07/2025 -Split Six

Winner: SteveKlemke(32)

Runner Up: Ivan Grant (29)

Furmston 35:17; Miles Verschuur 36:57; Ian Cornthwaite38:33; Martin Lynch 40:13; Andrew Greenhill 41:24; Glenn Crawford 44:03; GaryFox 47:11; RonVerschuur 48:53.

Male 16 3km: DempseyPodmore09:36. Harriers Swinburne Crescent 6km: Miles Verschuur 23:48, Andrew Greenhill 24:37 Trent Kooyman 25:24, Dave Mann 25:26, Adrian Sutcliffe 26:20, Daniel Wright 27:01, RonVerschuur 27:23, Ian Cornthwaite27:23, DempseyPodmore 27:23, Geoffrey Francis 27:23, David Barr 27:28, Sav Mavrofridis 27:31, Andrew Broberg27:41, GaryFox 28:30, Jerzey Podmore28:35, Stephen Mcleod 30:04, Liz Kenney31:40, ReeGraham 31:50, Jason Odlum 32:00, Chris VanUnen 32:58, Phillip Mayer33:05, Belkey Podmore33:49, Yani Cornthwaite34:06, Jye Kaestner 34:31, Ben Wilkinson 34:33, MollyIrvine 34:51, MarkLansdown 35:01, Angelo Gaudiano 36:39, Kaye Livingstone 36:43, Tania Whitehead 38:02, Daniel Symons 41:51, Paul Rollandin 43:30, BaileyRollandin 43:30, Lynda Jones 46:54, Barry Higgins 48:40, Toby Grzmil 56:27,Michelle Colwell 57:52, KathyQuinn 57:52, Tony Marino 1:00:01, Sep Marino 1:00:01, NickHodson 1:01:19, Kylee Earl 1:01:19, Des Dalton 1:02:42, WallyLappin NTR, Matilda Lappin NTR. Volunteers: SamanthaRiddle Paul Smith.

DTL: Glenn Doolan (27), Craig Scanlan (27), Vic Hill (23), Hank Fiddelaers(22)

NTP: BevKeily(5th)

Thursday10/07/2025 -Stableford

Winner: RobDeVries (21 c/b)

Runner Up: Ed Hayward(21)

DTL: Harold McNair (20), Graeme Grant (20), June Tickell (19), Glenn Doolan (19)

NTP: June Tickell (13th)

WednesdayWomen's results -9/7/25

Stroke/Monthly Medal

Medal Winner: SamCaldow(9) with 75 nett

Medal Runner-Up: Donna Melon (22) with 76 nettc/b

DTL: Sue DeVries with 76 nettand Bev Keilywith78 nett

ScratchWinner: SamCaldowwith 94

NTP: 5th Sue DeVries 15th SamCaldow

Putting: Donna Melon with 28 putts

Gobblers: Anne Outhred on the 14th, Karen MacGregor on the 9th, Sue Klemkeon the 5th and Cheryl Deppeler on the 11th

9-Hole players

Winner: Olwyn Balfour (41) with 40 nett

Runner-Up: Aija Owen (23) with 42 nett

DTL: Sonia Roberts with 43 nett

Friday, July 11th, Open Men’s&Ladies Stableford

AGrade Winner: Chris Brydon 39 pts

Runner Up: Nathan Thomson 36 pts C/B

DTL's: Brian McKenzie 36, Adrian Jones 34, Joel Poole 34, Jess McGrath 34, Simon Duff 34

Birdies: 5th: Chris Brydon 13th:Joel Poole,Adrian Jones,Peter Keenan, Peter Heathcote

Saturday, July 12th, Monthly Medal Stroke

AGrade Winner: Symon Lee 37 pts C/B

BGrade Winner: Paul Massey41pts

DTL’s: Kevin Gridley39, Jeff Gray 38, AnthonyCunningham 37,Bill Williams 37,Joe Pedemont 36, PeterBurghardt 36, SteveClark35, Reno Borg35, Steve Klemke35 C/B

NTP’s: 2nd: Jordan Chapman 5th: Glen MCulloch –Maria Brien-Williams 11th: Symon Lee 13th:BarryDwyer 15th:Peter Moss Eagle: 6th: Bill williams PISTOLS

TRARALGON Mon 30/6/25 Air pistol

BGrade: BKelly533-55-588. MTrent 504-61-565. CGrade: VBaldwin 526-70-596. LDePetro 490-98-588. DGrade: BChapman 448-112-560.D Sykes423-118-541.L Morris380-144-524. Ladies air pistol CGrade: GAdkins 408-139-547 Wed1/7/25Standard pistol

DGrade: BChapman 436-155-591 DO'Rourke 420-260-680. DSykes 147-361-508.

Sat 5/7/25 morning Rapid fire DGrade: CBenelli 498-127-625. AUrban 446. Afternoon Standardpistol DGrade: LMorris 395-171-566. RMiller 369-245-614

Think big: Traralgon Tennis Association has hopes of hosting Davis Cup matchesinthe future.The region hashosted theworld famous junior tournament formorethan30years.

Wayback: Ayoung NickKyrigios playing at Traralgon Tennis Association. File photographs

Saving thegameacross fivedecades

SOCCER

LVSL BY LIAM DURKIN

HE would of loved the result, and absolutely hated every second of the attention.

Moe United SoccerClubicon, Peter Albanesehas never been one to make it all about him.

He just lets his goal keeping do the talking.

‘Albo’ was in acustomary familiar position for much of Saturday’s cutthroat matchagainst Falcons,seeing anumberofclose calls stopped, deflected and parried to safety.

He's been doing it for 50 years, longer than his teammates have even been alive.

The Red Devils, with their hopes of the Latrobe Valley Soccer League title virtually hanging on the result, found themselves locked in anerve-killing 2-all battle late in the piece at Moe's Olympic Park.

“Dig deep” came the call from the lone figure guarding Falcons’ goal, as the clock ticked further and further into stoppage time.

The call resonated with all wearing red, and in what almost seemed destined, the ball found the back of the home team’s net.

The final whistlesounded barely 30 seconds later Moe United had come from 2-nil down to hit the leadrightatthe death,and possibly, take a critical step toward their first championship in almost adecade.

It was Troy Deeney, Nick Davis, Steve Waugh last ball century on your home ground type stuff.

For the beloved,Albo-just about the perfect day

Taking amomenttosurelyfeel some sense of relief,Albanesewas congratulatedbyplayersfrom both clubs, whobefore the match,lined up alongside paintworkonthe Olympic Park pitchinscribed ‘50 Albo 1’ in homage to his length of service wearing the Number 1shirt.

This followed aguard of honour as he entered the arena, and he left being chaired off by Connor O’Hanlon and former Red Devils captain Nick Fogarty, who is also his nephew.

The pair have played countless matches together over the years, clocking up countless kilometres in the car as well.

Moe United Coach, Lee Dastey said the veteran keeper was acredit to himself.

“Really proud of him. Lot of respect for the guy. He’s amazing,” Dastey said.

“The longevity is just unheard of, for one guy to play at one club for 50 years.

“I said to the boys before the game, you can play for as long as you want, but you will never play with another guy who’s played at the one club for 50 years.”

As Dastey also rightly pointed out, Albanese was still getting agameonhis own merit.

“He’s here Tuesday, Thursday without fail (at training), 58-years-old, throwing his body around,

diving on the ground, Idon’t know how he does it,” the coach said.

“At some stage one of the younger goal keepers have got to step up and take that mantle, but he deserves to be there.

“His shot-stopping is definitely his strength.”

Dastey made the presentation to Albanese upon his induction as an LVSL legend in 2022.

Late, pulsating drama of the highest order

LVSL

BY LIAM DURKIN

IT’S not over until it’s over.

It’s only now and then Moe United loses agame as well.

TheRed Devils securedavictory for the ages last Saturday,edging ahead withalastminutestoppage time winner against Falcons to keep their Latrobe Valley Soccer League title dream alive.

In front of past players congregated for the annual reunion at Olympic Park, the home side was forced to overcome a2-nil deficit, and go for an almighty gamble as the game looked destined to end in a 2-all draw.

Stakes were at an all-timehigh for Moe and Falcons headinginto the Round15clash,with both club’s seasons virtually on the line.

While the ending wasthrilling, much of the game was unfortunately marredbyfrustration, whichled to anear all-inbrawl along the interchange huts in the secondhalf.

Atotalofseven yellow cardswere handedout (six to Falcons), while three players were evicted. That being said, the frustration of players was understandable given the totally confusing nature at the way in which certain situations unfolded.

The fight perhaps overshadowed an otherwise high-standardgame betweentwo of the league’s most successful clubs.

Falcons, who have been on the road every week since mid-May due to construction works at their ground, sent early panic into the Moe camp after striking within the first 15 minutes.

Acorner kick and subsequent scramble saw the ball deflect off afew shins,seemingly catching players by surprise, beforeLachieSpiteri got enough purchase to sneak the ball through.

Falcons appeared somewhat surprised at their own early success, and spent most of the first half grimly defending their lead.

Falcons midfielder Tommy D’Alia was everywhere early, displayingsome fancy footwork to get around opponents.

The Red Devils missed afew gettable shots to equalise,the mosttellingwhentwo players ran into each other near the goal post.

Falcons keptawatertight defenceupuntil halftime, at times surrounding Moe strikers in packs of three.

The visitors took a1-nillead into the half,and showed signs that it might just be ‘their day’ once play resumed.

Whilethe day was all aboutMoe keeper Peter Albanese’s 50th year, Falcons keeper Callum Dominguez was playing just about the game of his life -and he was only supposedly filling in.

“He’s not even agoal keeper!” one Falcons supporter quipped.

Up the other end, Albanese was caught offguard after most players stopped assuming aFalcons playerwas offside, only for ahigh kick from Lachie Frendo to loboverthe Moe keeper at the 53 minute mark.

Things levelled out not long after when Luke Bathgate goaled for the Red Devils, whileonthe scoreboard, they levelled out numerically at the 61 minute mark, although not before even more confusion.

The play saw O’Hanlon get through and goal from close range, although Falcons were adamant afoul had been called, and stopped in their tracks.

The visiting defence was then left stunned when, followingalengthy deliberation, the goal wasgiven the all clear.

With scores level and still more than 30 minutes remaining, the contest reached fever pitch.

Both sides had numerous chances at goal, before the game turned sour after some push and shove near the Moe United bench erupted into spot fires galore.

Thefallout saw Bathgate sin binned, and Frendo likewise forFalcons.

Further drama unfolded when D’Alia was given his marching orders for his second yellow, although in fairness, his punishment hardly seemed to match the crime.

That he received asupportive pat on the back from Moe United president, Harley Robinson, who was sittingonthe bench as asenior player when D’Alia walked past,perhaps summed up the situation. Still, there was agame to be won, and with barely 10 minutes left and an extra player on the park, the Red Devils pressed.

Moe defender Lachie McKenzie screamed “do not let it bounce”asFalcons took agoal kick, while Falcons coach Adrian Salvatore’s instruction was “we’re going high and long”.

Some heart-in-mouth moments followed, especially when the Red Devils looked to have agolden opportunity with an open goal, only to butcher the

Latrobe Valley Express, Wednesday, 16 July,

chance.

Moe finally found the winner in good time at the 90th minute, when Oscar Sceney got the ball in acres of space and slotted it through.

The goal ignited celebrations on the Red Devils bench reminiscent of their last game against Falcons, which played out in eerily similar circumstances.

Falcons didn’t look too despondent when the final whistle was blown, perhaps internally surmising Moe had ample opportunity during thegame to put the result beyond doubt.

Moe coach Lee Dastey said his side certainly did it the hard way.

“We left it late, Ididn’t thinkitwas going to come,” he said.

“Wehad to make afew changes. We wanted to leave two up front, shoved Oscarupthere and went abit thinner down back. I’m not sure exactly how it happened, Iwas alittle bit surprised how he got through two-on-one. Even up until the last finish I was thinking, the way some of the other finishing went, theday we’d had, it wasn’t going to go in, but he hititsweetly.

“You take some risks, you can be vulnerable, but it worked.”

Dasteywas understandably happy to take the three points given the number of near misses.

“The first 20 minutes they (Falcons) were on top, we were struggling to get into the game. As the half went on, last 25 minutes we had chances,” he said.

“There was acoupleoftimes when they got through on goal and it wasthatfinal pass that didn’t get there, if you get that right,wecould have been 3-2down.”

The planets couldbealigningfor Moe, who are threepoints clearontop of the ladder with three rounds to play, albeit with agame in hand and a bye in the last round.

The Red Devils’ pathtothe championship was helped by second-placed Olympians drawing 1-all with Churchill United last Saturday night.

Should Moewin the championship,itwill cap off aremarkable season given most pundits didn’t see the Red Devils in championship calculations during preseason.

This writer, bumping into Dastey at the Irish Bar,Trafalgar during last cricket season, even asked if the coach himself would need to come out of retirement and pull on the boots.

Evidently, he’s weaving enough magic from the side lines.

AGE NO BARRIER

Locals still playing high level in their chosen sport.

PeterAlbanese

Sport: soccer HAS played upwards of 800 senior games for Moe United Soccer Club, and nearing age 60, is still regarded as the premier goal keeper in the Latrobe Valley Soccer League.

PeterAinsworth

Sport: football

MOE’s two most capped sportsmen in the two football codes also share the same first name. Ainsworth played well over 350 senior games in the Gippsland League for Moe, before crossing to Mid Gippsland club Newborough, where he has since reached acareertotal 400 senior games.

AnthonyBloomfield

Sport: cricket

AMONG the greats of local cricket. Bloomfield is still churning out runs well into his 50s. Made the Cricket Latrobe Valley AGrade Team of the Year two seasons ago, and made ahighscore of 80 last season. Fellow veteran cricketers still playing AGrade around the traps include Graeme Rankin and Peter Dell, both still opening the batting and bowling for their respective clubs.

Brendan Holt

Sport: football

WON asenior best-and-fairest with Churchill last season at the age of 46. Is currently among the top goal scorers in the Gippsland League reserves competition.

Tim Bull

Sport: cricket

YES, the Nationals Member for Gippsland East still plays the odd A Grade game every now and then for St Mary’s Nagle in the Bairnsdale Cricket Association. Bull (58) was even hitting sixes and running out openers with direct hits earlier this year.

Embarrassed then as he was at the weekend, the man himself has always cited alove of the game as the reason he keeps playing.

Twogreat men: PeterAlbanese with hisnephewand former Moe Unitedsenior captain,Nick Fogartyafter the game Photographs: Liam Durkin (Albo’s other nephew)

Occasion: Therewas something special added to Olympic Park,Moe forthe big day.

Unstoppable: PeterAlbanese runs throughthe guardofhonour celebrating his 50th season with Moe United.

Fortuna pullsoff great escape on road

SOCCER STATELEAGUE

BY ALLAN ROBERTS

ROUND15ofthe VetoMen's State League saw Fortuna '60 play its final away game in athree week stint of games on the road, with the Morwell-based team bus clocking up plenty of kilometres over the last three weeks.

The travelling Lions headed down to the Peninsula for afirst versus second clash against Mt Eliza last Saturday.

This match had the potential to be asix-point swing depending on the result.

Awin would see Fortuna go nine points clear at the top of the table, while aloss would drop them back to three points clear of Mt Eliza -with adraw maintaining the status quo.

As one would anticipate, the game between the two front runners did not fail to deliver.

The matchwas full of passion,swings and rounda-bouts and entertainment aplenty -with the end result being atough and entertaining 2-all draw.

The crowd was againbolsteredbyplayersand supporters from Seaford United andPakenham United, who were glued to the outcome of this match and the ramificationsthat it had on the league table as the competition moves closer the business end of the season.

With the whistlesounding the start of the game, it was the home team that took it to the ladder leaders, with Mt Eliza playing attacking and aggressive football, rattling the visiting Fortuna and not letting them settleinto any rhythm or dictate the pace of play in the first 10 minutes.

As the half moved on, Fortuna started to get the bulk of possession, but for the second week in arow, could not convert their numerous forays forward and make the home team pay, which would come back to haunt them as the half wore on.

In the 24th minute, Mt Eliza launched along throw-in into their 18 yard box that was cleared by Fortuna's central defender. The clearance unfortunately ricochet off aMtEliza player into the path of thehome sides Michael Wright, who clinically dispatched it into the netting to give the home team a1-nil lead.

Fortunacontinuedtoapplyplenty of pressure for the remainder of the first half, but alas for no result on the scorecard.

With the visiting ladderleaders feeling the pinch, the break could not come soon enough as Fortuna headed into the sheds trailing 1-nil for the second week in arow and with plenty of work to do.

The second halfcommenced with bothteams sensing the importance of the occasion, rising in intensity and work rate.

Between the multiple strong challenges there was multiple shots on goal in the first 12 minutes of the second half, but it was the home team that put the next goal on the board in the 57th minute.

Alackofcommunicationatthe back for the Lions saw Mt Eliza's Harris Batterson drift into space andget onto athrough ball, which he dispatched past the Lions gloveman to give the home team a 2-nil lead with 30 odd minutes of play left.

It was now or neverfor the ladder leaders, staring down the barrel of their first defeat of the season.

The Lions threw caution to the wind andlaunched themselves at the home team like awrecking ball, with sevenshots on goal in a24minute flurry.

It tookuntil the81stminute for the Lionsto claw back agoal via the 'Flying Scotsman' Robbie Stephen.

The dependable defender pushed forward for a

Fortuna corner and called for the ball,missing the firsttouch, he recovered and launch arocket of a volley into the back of the net.

With some belief and hope instilled into the Fortunateam, the Lions' other central defender in Alex Bowman also pushed forward and launched ashot on goal from inside the 18 yard box that skimmed over the top of the crossbar.

With minutes left, it appeared thevisiting Lions weregoingtohave aquiet ride home and suffer theirfirst defeat of the season.

Then up stepped Damon Scott.

The Fortuna striker had aquiet day by his usual standards, but that was erased as he scored a cracker of agoal in the 89th minute from agreat ball in froma stoppage by RyanAyres,getting the score back to arespectable 2-all.

After afinal few minutes of frenetic injury time, the final whistle sounded to see the visiting Lions escapewith ahard fought drawand no real damage done to their ladder position.

Latrobe Valley soccer’srun home

SOCCER

LVSL BY LIAM

DURKIN

AMAJOR curveball was thrown into the race for the Latrobe Valley Soccer Leaguesenior men’s championship at the weekend.

Following MoeUnited’sthrilling 3-2 win over Falcons on Saturdayafternoon, the Red Devils went to bed that night with asudden opening after Olympians and ChurchillUnited drew 1-all at Harold Preston in the later game during Round 15. The result keeps Moe United three points clear on top of the table with just as many rounds to play. The Red Devils however have agame in hand and the byeinthe lastround, meaningthey may be forced to sweatonother results right to the last day.

Putsimply,Moe just has to win its last two games against Churchill and Monash to win the league.

That might be easier said than done given both games are away. The Rams have seeminglybecome adifferent side since gun striker Kuku Mahammud joined, while Monash has proven to be adifficult opponent to shake in recent encounters.

Second-placed Olympians travel to Monash this Sunday (who are coming off abye), before ending with matchesagainst East Gippsland Untied (away) and Newborough Yallourn United (home).

After appearing to have one hand on the league title after beating Moe 4-1 in Round 10, unexpected results have once again thrown the championship open. The Combinelost 5-1toSaleUnited lastSaturday night coming off aleague-wide bye.

TheSwans have been the league’s big improvers

The drawseesthe teamfrom the LatrobeValley maintain top spot, but more importantly, asix point gap over second-placed Mt Eliza.

This weekend sees the Lions returntotheir home den to take on Pakenham United in what will be another big game.Every club below theLions are fighting for one of the coveted top-two ladder positions that are critical this season.

Entry is free to Crinigan Road for 3pm kick-off this Saturday. Reserves kick off at 1pm.  THE Fortuna Reserves took to the pitch against ateam they were expecting to match up well against and who they beat in the corresponding first-half season fixture at the weekend.

The Lions reserves put in another improved performance and showed plenty of fight and grit in anil-all draw.

The team showed definite signs of improvement and were unlucky not to come away withawin on the road.

thisseason, while NYUcontinues to front up admirably.

Alategoal provided ahighlight for the travelling Combine, who will now turn some of their attention to the Battle of Britain Cup.

Falcons are facing asimilarprospect, and the reigning league champions are resigned to the fact they will more than likely finish third on the league table.

Scores were notpublishedonline from the Traralgon City versus East Gippsland game at Harold Preston.

EastGippsland remains aclosewatch for the last three rounds,with some suggestion the Bairnsdalebased side is more than capable of splitting points with Olympians in the penultimate round, which would all but guarantee Moe the title.

Control: DylanCassar-Cummings (left) taking on aMount Eliza opponent

Away strip: Robbie Stepheninaction for Fortuna during stateleague Photographs: Peta Rober ts

LEADER AD BOARD BOAR