Latrobe Valley Express Wednesday 20 August 2025

All aboard

Trains returntothe GippslandLine

By AIDAN KNIGHT

AFTER alengthy spell of replacement coach services on the Gippsland Line, train services have now resumed.

Train services were brought to a standstill for more than two months as part of astate government maintenance blitz.

Additional serviceshave been promised, with trainstoleave Traralgon every 40 minutes.

StateMinister for Transport Infrastructure,Gabrielle Williams formally announced the completed works at apress conference last Friday. Speaking at Longwarry train station, Ms Williams thanked commuters for their patience.

"It will be ahugerelief, Iknow many who experienced disruptions over a long period of time now," she said, "but it ensures that we continue to deliver significant service level uplift for along time to come."

"Newsignalingand traincontrol systems are very complex work on their own,but alsothe upgrade of four trainstationsalong thecorridor, being Morwell, Bunyip, Traralgon and Longwarry.

Morwell newsecond platform (closest to CommercialRoad) was also officially opened last Friday (August 14).

Previously, there was just one platform for both directions of travel.

An equally important upgrade in the

process wasthe construction of anew bridgeover the AvonRiver in Stratford. The works completed enable the delivery of 87 services aweek,which will now be operating "approximately" every 40 minutes.

This makes Gippsland one of three lines now operating to this schedule, alongside Waurn Ponds and Ballarat's weekend timetable.

This increasedfrequency will take place between 8am and 9pm every day, a welcome improvement from the previous hourly services.

"This is now acorridor that is modern,futureproofed,and it meets the standards the community expects", the Minister went on to say.

Ms Williams also alludedtothe frequency potentially increasing further in time to come,commenting on how "these works provide room for greater improvementinthe future, and these upgradeshave certainly allowed for better services again to be possible".

Ms Williamsmentioned how closely the state government will be looking at the patronage numbers on the service, and that the completionofthe controversial metro tunnel project will free up the entire PTV network to acapacity that would also improve Gippsland services.

Continued -Page3

Watchyour step: Passengersboardthe train at Morwell station on Mondaymorning Photograph: Katrina Brandon

VicGrid’srenewableplaninplace

By PHILIP HOPKINS

VICGRID has releasedmore details of theproposed renewable energy zones in Gippsland as part of the long-term strategic planfor the development of Victoria’s REZs as the Latrobe Valley’s coal-fired power closes down.

The 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan sets out the transmission infrastructure that is needed to be builtover the next 15 years to connectrenewable energy to the main electricity grid.

The plan proposes the creation of six renewable energy zones (REZs) in Victoria that signal to the community, landholders and industry where wind and solar projects and batteries for storage should be developed.

VicGridChief Executive, AlistairParker, said VicGrid had considered all the feedback it received from the community,regionalstakeholders, Traditional Owners and the agriculture and energy industries in preparing the plan.

“The Victorian Transmission Plan has been designed through consultation to minimiseimpacts on landholders, regional communities and crucial regional industries like agriculture,” he said.

“VicGrid has worked hardtobalancearange of factorsaswemakedifficult decisions about where energy infrastructure is needed to deliver reliable and affordable power to Victorianhomes, businesses and industry.”

In response to feedback following the release of the draft plan in May, VicGrid had adjusted the sizeand shape of REZs and refined some of its transmission projects.The area covered by proposed zones takes up about 7.9per cent of Victorian land.

Landholders, communities and Traditional Owners within zones will soon have another opportunity to provide feedback and seek more information through asix-week consultation process to formally declare renewable energy zones.

VicGrid’s plan has identified an area for additional onshore windenergy generation in Gippslandand the additionaltransmission infrastructure needed to support about 7GWofoffshore wind.

This will connect to the Latrobe Valley’s significant existing transmission infrastructure, built to connect coal-fired power in the Valley to the rest of the state.

VicGrid is currently planning the Gippsland offshore wind transmission stage 1project. This project includes aconnection hub near Giffard in South Gippsland and a500 kilovolt (kV) transmission line thatwill connect the first 2gigawatts (GW)ofoffshore wind energy to the grid in the Latrobe Valley.

The authority is speaking with landholders and communities in Gippsland to identify the most suitable route for this new transmission line.

Other developments in the planfor Gippsland are:

 Aproposed Gippsland REZ between Morwell and Sale. This includes parts of the local government areas of Wellington and Latrobe. Small sections of Baw Baw and South Gippsland local government areas are also in the zone. It sits within the Registered Aboriginal Party boundary

of the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation;

 Aproposed Gippsland Shoreline REZ between the Gippsland coast and South Gippsland Highway. This zone is not designed to host onshore wind or solar projects;

 AGippsland offshore wind transmission stage 2project, which includes anew 500 kV transmission line from the existing transmission network near Driffield to Woodside, and anew 500 kV line from Woodside to Giffard. New terminal stations will be needed at Driffield and Woodside, and;

 Asecond Hazelwood to Yallourn 220 kV transmission line, about 10 km long. VicGrid will investigate following the route of the existing transmission easement, but this will be subject to further technical work.

When identifying the proposed Gippsland REZ ZonebetweenMorwell and Sale, VicGridsaysithas aimed to balance complexland useissues across the region with the pressing need to position renewable energy zones with the best access to wind and solar energy.

“We sought to coordinate access to existingtransmission infrastructure to avoid the need to build more transmission lines for onshore renewable energy generation,” the authority says.

“Australia’s first declared offshore wind area is located off the coast of Gippsland and VicGrid is coordinating development of the transmissionthat will bring offshore wind energy from the coast to the Latrobe Valley. Part of the proposed Gippsland REZ overlaps the offshore wind transmission study area.”

To planthe extentofnew energy in the Gippsland REZ, VicGrid proposes to run acompetitive allocation process to decide which projects in each zone have the authority to connectthe energy they produce to the grid.

It will consider:

 The amount of electricity Victoria needs to generate to meet expected demand as outlined in the Victorian Transmission Plan;

 Ensuring the level of development inside each zone can be supported by available transmission lines;

 The density of projects within each renewable energy zone;

 How development can be coordinated to avoid the ‘spaghetti effect’ of many powerlines crossing the landscape, and;

 Whether developers are meeting expectations for landholder, community and Traditional Owner engagement and benefits

“This will ensure we ultimately produce enough energytomeet demandwhile also considering the impact on communities, Traditional Owners, agriculture and the environment,” VicGrid says.

“We are proposing to set access limits for each zone at the maximum amount that can be managed by theplanned build-out of the transmission network.This is notthe level of developmentpeople shouldexpectineach zone butisthe maximumthat the transmission network could support.”

Deep sea research into carbon capture storage

By PHILIP HOPKINS

CARBONNET has forged closer ties with Japan as it deepens its research into its carbon capture storage site at Esso's former Pelican oil and gas well in Bass Strait.

Earlier this year, the CarbonNet team welcomed ShoheiNishimura as theproject’sAPAC Partnerships Lead. Shohei has joined CarbonNet on atwo-yearsecondment fromthe Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC).

This secondment position represents afirst of akind role between the Japanese and Victorian governments. Shohei movedtoMelbourne with his family. In the APACPartnershipsrole, Shohei's focus is on the commercialisation of the CarbonNet Project.

CarbonNet, funded by the Victorian and Australian governments and founded in 2009, plans to build a100km CO2 pipelinetotakesequestered carbon dioxide from industry in theLatrobe Valley to the Gippsland Basin.

Afteracompetitive tender, CarbonNet has awarded separate contracts to re-process old,

multi-vintage 2D and 3D seismic datafromthe Gippsland Basin into asingle, seamless, coherent datasetfocused on the Pelican storage site, aformer Esso oil and gas well.

The work is currently being carried out in Perth, Western Australia and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The objectives of there-processing program are to better image CarbonNet’s Pelican structure in depth, tying it to all the existing offset well data, both onshore and offshore.

The aim is to also improve seismic resolution within, and underneath the offshore Latrobe Group coal seams, that will provide the seal and reservoirs for injected greenhouse gas. The work will form the basis of updated subsurface models thatwillunderpin the futureDeclaration of Storage Formation (DoSF) for the Pelican site.

The Latrobe Valley-basedCarbonNet reported on otherinternational CCS developments:

-Germany's cabinet has approved reforms to accelerate the development of infrastructure for CCS as Berlin aims to become carbon neutral by 2045 while keeping its hard-to-decarbonise industries. Industries thatare hard to decarbonisesuchas

cement and lime production and gas power plants willbeallowedtostore CO2 offshore,underthe seabed or inland if individual federal states allow it on their territory.

The bill will classify the construction and operation of CO2 storage facilities and pipelines as being in the "overriding public interest", andsimplify planning and approvalprocedures. Under the bill, existing natural gas pipelines could be adapted or converted to carry carbon dioxide instead of natural gas to reduce the need to buildentirely new pipelines. Authorities could legally take over privateland, with compensation,for buildingCO2 pipelines.

Geologically, Germany has about 1.5billion to 8.3billion tonnes of CO2 storage capacity under itspartofthe North Sea and could deposit up to 20 million tons annually.

-The European Commission has issued new rules obligating key oil and gas companies to help build CO2 storage capacity across the EU. A newly adopted Delegated Regulationoutlines how oil and gas producers will be identified and how their contributions will be calculated. Based on this framework, the Commission has published a

formal Decision assigning responsibility to specific companies for creating CO2 storage infrastructure, with the collective goal of enabling the injection of 50 million metric tons of CO2 annually by 2030 This targetisacentralelementofthe EU’s Net-Zero Industry Act.

The mandate appliesto44companies.Their required contributions are based on the volume of oil and gas they produced between 2020 and 2023. Each company must deliver functioning CO2 injection sites by the end of 2030, in line with EU regulations under the CCS Directive (2009).

-TheCCS industry in the Asia pacificisset for bigexpansion, with cumulative investment across capture, transport and storage projected to reach US$622 billion by 2050, according to Wood Mackenzie. Japan is expected to emerge as aregional leader in cross-border CCS, driving cross-border CO2 storage demand to 74 million tonnes per annum.

"Japan's proactive approach to cross-border CCS will serveasacatalyst for regional CCS,"said Stephanie Chiang, asenior analyst.

Gippsland Line back open

From Page 1

ACTING V/LINE chiefexecutive, Warwick Horsley also spoke at the presser, delving into details surrounding the 55 additional weekday services and 32 additional weekend services

"Inrelation to theBairnsdale sectionofthe line, we are extending aSunday trainservice (which previously only ran as farasSale)," he said. Other than this,the additionalservices are limited to the Traralgon-terminating section of the line.

When asked what he says to Bairnsdale commuters feeling left out of these upgrades, he explained, "We have recently invested in anew Bairnsdale stabling yard to run more modern, reliable V/Locity trains all the way through".

Labor Member for Eastern Victoria, Tom McIntosh made the point that the Bairnsdale Line was actuallyshut downbythe previous Liberal stategovernmen t, before being reinstated to this capacity by Labor.

Nationals Member for Gippsland East,Tim Bull saw this as apredictable outcome.

“It comes at little surprise the Minister has failed to recognise services beyond Traralgon," he said.

"I recently wrote to her with avery simply ask: to put on another bus service linking to the train at Traralgon to provide amid-morning service out of Bairnsdale that is so desperately needed.

"The current situation is one service leaves at 6.45am and the next is just before 1pm.

“It was only the cost of abus to link but the answer was ‘there are no immediate plans to address this gap’.

“Well may she (Ms Williams) pat herself on the back for more services to Traralgon, but she should head further easttoSale, Stratford and Bairnsdale and talk to those communities.”

The bill for the Gippsland Line Upgrade project wasfooted by both the state and federal governments.

Tapon: V/Line acting chief executive, WarwickHorsley, Member forEasternVictoriaRegion, TomMcIntosh, TransportMinister,Gabrielle Williams, andMatthewGualt from the LevelCrossing RemovalProject welcome the recommencement of services on the Gippsland Line Photograph: Aidan Knight.

"These upgrades are challengingand disruptive," Gabrielle Williams said in summary of the works completed, "butwhattheydeliver for generations to come is profound in the reliability and movement of locals."

Passengers will enjoy more travel options than ever before, provided the timetable retains trains.

Many locals speculatethe GippslandLine is a 'coach servicesometimes interruptedbyreplacement trains', rather than the reality of vice versa, so frequentare the disruptions on what is one of thelongest rural train lines in the state

This has particularly been the case for the past two years, as the separate stages of theGippsland Line Upgrade were postponed twice and resultedin a$347 million budgetblowoutafter being originally set for completion in 2022.

This was shifted to adateinJunelastyear, before finally culminating this year. Which date thisyear is adifferentquestion

however, as the state government declared the upgrade overasoflastFriday(August 14), yet the new timetable does not come into effect until September 14.

Commuterswill also still be plagued by replacement coaches if they decide to venture any further on the Gippsland Line than Nar Nar Goon.

This is because of Gippsland's unfortunate fate as ashared corridor -half of it's allocated tracks are actually metro lines used by the Cranbourne/ Pakenham services, whichare seeing schedule works currently in the Dandenong area.

The Gippsland Line is now the longest regular V/Line service you can take from Southern Cross, beating other long-haul routes like Warnambool and Swan Hill in both distance and duration.

Theservice boasts 21 stops between Southern Cross and Bairnsdale, on what has been described as one of the state's most problematic rail services.

Car crashes into Chadstone Shopping Centre

ARAWSONman hasbeen charged for crashing an allegedly stolen vehicle into Chadstone Shopping Centre.

The 26-year-old was seen drivingastolen Hyundai on Blackburn Road, Glen Waverlyaround 9am on Tuesday, August 5, which caused officers to followthe vehiclethrough multiplesuburbs via air wing helicopter.

The driverevaded pursuit, in the carreported stolen on July 31, by taking to the underground carpark of the shopping centre after being chased through Mount Waverly and Oakleigh East, where he crashed into an internal wall.

It is alleged the Rawson man leapt from the car while in motion beforethe impactoccurred, but there was no injuries.

From there, he was chased on foot throughoutthe centre, allegedly, before beingarrestedbyofficers and taken intocustodyfor questioning.

He was charged with: Theft of amotor vehicle, Reckless conduct, Dangerous drivingunder pursuit,Drivingwhile disqualified and Possession of drug of dependence,and exceeding the prescribed dosage

Mobility madness

POLICEare investigating thecircumstances surrounding acollision involvingamobilityscooter in Traralgon on Monday,March 3.

PoliceBeat with Aidan Knight

As reported in the Express on Wednesday, May 14, it is believed awoman was exiting the newsagent on Franklin Street around 10am when she was struck by an unknown male operating a mobility scooter. The woman sustained significantinjuriesasa result of the incident. The male did not remain at the scene. Investigators have released images of a man who may be able to assist with their enquiries. Anyone with informationisurged to contact Traralgon Police Station on (03) 5172 2700.

Stop sticks deployed

TWO teenagers have been arrestedfollowing a pursuit involving astolen vehicle across the Bass Coast and Baw Baw regions.

Victoria Police’sAir Wing monitored the ute as it travelled through both areas, while ground units followed the vehicle to Warragul.

Stopstickswere successfully deployed on the Princes Freeway, bringing the vehicle to ahalt. The two occupants fled on foot but were arrested by police ashort time later.

Both teens were taken into custody, and investigations are ongoing.

Heavy crime

TRAFALGAR Policeare appealing forpublic assistance followinganassaultatthe Yarragon Weighbridge on Monday, August 4.

The incident occurred about 8pm, when atruck driver was allegedly assaulted by two males wearing balaclavas.

It is believedthe offendersleft the scene in ared or burgundy sedan with no registration plates.

Police are urging anyone with information or dash-cam footage showing the truck and the red/ burgundyvehicle at the weighbridge to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800333 000,orsubmit a confidential report at: www.crimestoppersvic. com.au.

Car fire

FIREFIGHTERS from Erica and Westbury responded to acar fire on Tyers-Walhalla Rd, Rawson around 1.30am on Thursday, August 14.

The vehicle was fully alight when crews arrived. Police are investigatingthe incident, whichis being treated as suspicious.

Rose by the sweetestname

THEFriends of the Morwell Centenary Rose Garden recentlysaidgoodbye to oneofits valuable volunteers, Ian Spriggs.

Asmall ceremony was held in the rose garden to farewell Mr Spriggs, who was amember of the Rose Society of Victoria for 55 years.

Eventhough Ian was not living at Morwell at the time, he was the person responsible for putting the Morwell Centenary Rose Garden to the World FederationofRoseSocieties as acandidate for the international ‘Award of Garden Excellence’ where it won its world recognition back in 2009.

This has brought to the garden Rosarians from all over the world to Morwell’s greatest attraction.

When Ian lived at NarreWarren, he would visit thegardeneach month to give the friends group advice, or just to say hello.

After his retirement, Ian and wife Sadiecould think of no better place to come and retire and be

nearthe garden he loved, so 10 years ago they made the move.

Ian was the groups ‘go to man’. His knowledge of the rose was so vast. He could tell arose by its appearance, colour, leaf or perfume. Ian was also arosebreeder and he is noted for the beautiful rose ‘Annie’s Song’ofwhich there is abed of in the garden.Hegave talks to the public on pruning and has written many articles for the Friends' newsletter.

Ian was aquiet family man, and amuch-loved Friend of the Rose Garden volunteer. We will all miss him greatly.

The following shows just how respected he was throughout the world and the AustralianRose fraternity:

Victoria

Treasurer -The Rose Society of Victoria Inc. 1975 to 1986, 1989; committeemember: 1975, 1987-1989

Purvis St, Purvis Lane, Moe

PURVIS Street and PurvisLane, Moe are both named after thePurvis familywhich operated Purvis Stores in Moe and across Gippsland.

The Purvis family came to Moe in 1910and purchased an existing business.

Unfortunately, William Purvis died in 1915 but the businesscontinued to thrive, run by Mrs Purvis and her son Jack and daughters May and Myra.

Vice president -The Rose Society of Victoria Inc. 1991-1994

President -The Rose Society of Victoria Inc. 2006-2012

Rose judge- Victorian judge: early 1980spresent. National judge: 2010 -present. Honorarylifemember of the Rose Society of Victoria Inc: 1986

T.A. StewartMemorial Award: 2002 (SMA)

TheJohn Pascoe FawknerGold Medal Service Award: 2022 (Royal Horticultural Societyof Victoria) Awardedfor meritorious and significant service

National

Foundation member of the Australian Rose Breeders’Association: 1992

Editor -Australian Rose Annual: 1995-2006

Australian RegistrarofNew names: 2002-2004

President -National Rose Society of Australia: 2007-2012

National Rose Society of AustraliaRose Award: 2002 (ARA)

National Rose Society of AustraliaService Award: 2007 (NSA)

International WorldFederationofRose Societies Awards CommitteeChair: 2006-2012

WorldRose Awards BronzeMedal: 2015 (WRA)

Aunt Lizzie had also arrived with the family and helped out.Jack wasexceptionally good at business and over the followingyears expanded the business until at its peak it had 13 stores as far distant as Bairnsdale with Moe as its headquarters.

The expansion of the State Electricity Commission at Yallourn after World War 2contributed to the continued success of the business.

From the small township of 400 residents in 1910, Moe had growntomore than 10,000 residents by 1955.

Jack was known to provide credit to customers on the strength of ahandshake, thus allowing newcomersthe opportunity to set up houseearlier than they might otherwisehave done. He also introduced the supermarket style of retailing to the Moe residents. Perhaps less well known was his generosity in difficult times. He quietly provided food and goodstofamilies who had suffered severe losses after the 1939 bushfires.

Jackalsohad astrongcommunity spirit, joining local organisations such as the hospital committee, the racingclub, the CountryParty, the Moe Water Works Trust and Sewerage Authority,the Latrobe River Improvement Trust, being electedtothe new Moe Borough Counciland serving as the first mayor of the Borough.

Jack died in1962 and his son Bill took over as managing director.

Business however was changing as the big corporations such as Colesand Woolworths moved into country towns.

The business continued until 1987 when all but the liquor and hardware branches were closed or sold and the building converted to an arcade.

Many Moe and district residents would have

worked in the business and local residents would certainlyhaveshopped in the store up until 1987. Manyolder residents havefondmemories of the time Purvis for Survis operated in Moore

and

St. Text

photo provided by the Moe & District Historical Society.

Legend: Thegreat JackPurvis,the figurehead of the Purvis stores synonymous with Moe. At its peak, therewas 13 Purvis stores across Gippsland. Photograph supplied

Vale: TheMorwell Rose Garden has said goodbye to oneofits most decorated volunteers, IanSpriggs Photograph supplied

Seminar aims to save lives

ALIFE care and suicide preventionseminar will be held in Moe next month.

The aim of the seminar is to empower the communitytohelp dealwith those impacted by suicide, along with practical waystohelp make that happen.

Come and listen to experienced presenter, Mark Bateman.

Mr Bateman is avisionary, petrol head andspecialist in caring for people with an intuitive sense of how supporting acommunity should be done.

He is nationaldirector for rapid response ministries and aChaplain of Australian Motor sports. He servedonthe Prime Minister's National DisasterTask force and co-ordinates the peer support around communities experiencing natural disasters and major critical incidents.

His qualifications are impressive and include stress management, psychological first aid, group crisis intervention, suicide prevention, intervention, postvention and critical incident stress management. His tours of duty extend to majorearthquakes, tsunami’s, cyclones, bushfirers, train/truck wrecks and floods in Australia and around the world.

Mr Bateman's passionistosee individuals empowered through ‘Life care and Suicide Prevention’ training. Suicide takes the lives of more than 3000 Australians every year and has adevastatingimpact on friends and families, the work force and communities.

The reduction of suicide is the responsibility of all Australians, with 35,000 trained over the past 18 years.

Equipped with passion, Mr Bateman aims to servepeople, often in their greatest time of need, and wants to passonhis skills and knowledgetoempower people to support those affected by trauma, grief and loss.

The seminar will cover:

 What are the high risk indicators?

 What are the myths surrounding suicide?

 What to say?

 How can we care for carers of those with mental health issues?

 How do we support family and friends impacted by suicide?

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Each session is tailored to the needs of a specific audience.

The Moe session will be held at the High Street Community Hub (4 High Street, Moe) on Thursday, September 11.

The session will be broken into three sections: Groups and volunteers (9.30am-11am); Professionals (1pm-2pm), and; Community, family andfriends (6.30pm-8pm).

Phone Val on 0412 724 990 for more information.

If you or someone you know is suffering, phone BeyondBlue on 1300 224 636, or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Dawn’srecord-breaking ride

GUINNESS WorldRecord holder, Dawn Beaumont passed through Traralgon last Friday.

Ms Beaumont is deep into the fourthmonth of her epic 200-day, 20,000 kilometre run and ride around Australia.

She’snot justmakinghistory -she’s rewriting it.

Shehas smashedthe GuinnessWorld Record for the most consecutive duathlons ever undertaken, having alreadycovered more than 10,000kms. (The record will become official when she lodges the paperwork at the end of the event, with the likelihoodthat shewilldoublethe previous record.)

Along the way, she has been chased by dingos and dogs, dodged snakes, worn through 13 pairs of running shoesand burst 18 inner tubes.

Ms Beaumont is roundingout her epic adventure, with just 31 days left until she reaches her hometown of Adelaide.

Known as ‘The Queen of Hearts’, the 41-year-old South Australian is on amission to raise $2 million for the Heart Foundation and the Royal Flying Doctor Service while inspiring Australians to take controloftheir hearthealth.

Every single day, Dawn runs 22kmand cycles 80km, tacklingthe country’s highways, backroads, and heatwaves -one determinedstride at atime. Why is she doingit? In 2013, Dawnsaved her

mother,Janet’s lifebyadministering CPR after asudden cardiac event. That powerful moment lit afire in her that continues to blaze across the continent.

Camping out for acause at Park Lane

BIG4 Traralgon Park Lane Holiday Park will join Park Lane Holiday Parks across the state to fundraise for Flying Fox.

Flying Fox is anot-for-profit organisationthat delivers life-changing experiences for younger people with and without disability.

Families, friendsand community groups are invited to roll out the swags and join in 'One Night Outside', afeel-good fundraising event at Park Lane Holiday Parks on Saturday, August 30.

Held simultaneously across multiple Park Lane Holiday Park locations, One Night Outside offers guests the chance to enjoy an unforgettable night of camping, connection and community, all while raising money for Flying Fox.

All campingsitefees and 10 per cent of all glamping and cabin proceeds from the night will be donated to Flying Fox.

“We’re so grateful and excited to be the charity partner for Park Lane’s 2025 One Night Outside,”

Flying Fox Founder, Dean Cohen OAM said.

“We’ve had the privilege to host many of our overnightprograms at Park Lane’s exceptional parks, and we feel lucky to be supported by such astrong, generous community coming together to camp for acause.”

There’s somethingfor everyone, with kids activities, afundraising barbecue, hot chocolate stations,music,entertainment, and of course, a classic Aussie campout atmosphere.

“It’s all about bringing peopletogether in arelaxed setting, having agreat time, andsupporting areally importantcause,” Park Lane's, Dan Wallwork said.

“This is achancetomakememories with your family or friends while helping Flying Fox continue their incredible work.”

Join under the stars at any Park Lane Holiday Park for anight that’s chilly, heart-warming and full of fun.

Whether you're afamily, school, social group or returning guest, pitch in for One Night Outside. Book your stay and help raise money for agreat cause at: www.parklaneholidayparks.com.au

Family food insecurity no petty issue

THE PetstockFoundation haspartneredwith FoodbankAustralia to help provide relief to struggling families across the country as cost-of-living pressures continue to bite.

Throughout August, the Foundation and Foodbank are launching the Big Hearts Project, aiming to raise $100,000 across Australia and New Zealand to supply pet food to households in need.

Recent research shows that food insecurity is now affecting entire Aussie households, including beloved pets, with 24 per cent of peopleinfoodinsecure households skipping meals so their pets can eat.

“Our Big Hearts Project aims to empower Australians who are struggling to feed their pets," Petstock Foundation's Naomi Manktelow, said

“We know people experiencing hardship often feel isolated. For many people, apet is their only constant. The foundation is committed to leading change, strengthening the bond between pets and people, and creating lasting impact in local communities.

“This August donate $2 to the Petstock Foundation to provide ameal to apet in need. Either in store or online, this small donation will

Helping hand: Pedstockstoresand Footbank arebanding together to help ease cost-of-living pressures forpet ownerstofeed their pets.Pet Photograph supplied

makeabig difference. You are not justfilling a bowl, you are supporting the emotional wellbeing for families underpressure, keepingpetsinloving

homes where they belong and empowering abetter future for pets and people. Let us stand together for the pets that inspire us -and the families who love them."

Foodbank Australia revealed thatthe growing scale of the national crisis and the extraordinary lengths families are going to care for theirpets, even when facing food insecurity themselves:

 42 per cent of Australian pet owners are buying cheaper food for themselves;  34 per cent are reducing their own food intake, and;  Only nine per cent of food insecure pet owners know that pet food is available through food relief services.

With agrowing number of households needing food relief,the Big Hearts Projectwill help distributeessential pet food across the country through Foodbank’s national charity network.

Visit any Petstock store (closest for the Latrobe Valley -Traralgon) nationwide or head to petstock. com.au to make adirect donation.

Just $2 is enough to provide ameal for apet in need, making areal difference with asmall gesture.

September,2025.

Hermessage is clear and urgent: don’t gamble with your heart.

If you would like to donate, visit: dawnbeaumont. com.au/donate

Trip: Adelaide’s Dawn Beaumontwas in Traralgon lastweek during her epicfundraising ride/run. Photograph supplied

Family and farming at the heart for Maria

By KATRINABRANDON

ASUNNY day arrived just in time for aspecial celebration for one local resident.

Latrobe Valley local,Maria Dortmans celebrated her 100th birthday last week.

While her birthday fell on Tuesday, August 12, family gathered to celebrate the centenarian last Saturday (August 16).

Maria’s journey didn’t start in Latrobe.

“Mum and dad came out from Holland in 1953 as migrants with nine children,” Maria’s daughter, Sjany Dow, told the Express

“My father lost his firstwife and three of his children in the war,sohecame outwithfourof his own children beforehemet my mother and got married.”

Once shehad settledinAustralia, Mariastarted her Australian life in Narre Warren, where she

lived on asharefarm, andlater moved to aproperty in Jeeralang North, where some of her family still reside.

Mariawentontohave 12 children throughout her life, and currently, she has morethan 200 relatives,including her children,grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

For many years, Maria and her husband ran dairy cattle on their Jeeralang property, and later transitioned to beef cattle with their children. As years went on, Maria moved to Traralgon around 1980, after her husband passed away.

On the farm, Ms Dow said her family became quite self-sufficient as Maria loved to spend time in the garden and they had theirown meat supply.

“Mymum had this vegetable garden and the flower gardens and the fruit garden, and we had our meat (from the farm). Everything

Eisteddfod opens its doors

THE stage is set for the 2025 LatrobeValley Eisteddfod PerformingArts Festival, withthis year’s event marking its biggest program yetfeaturing more than 2900performances across vocal, choral, instrumental, brass bands, piano, speech and drama, and theatrical dance.

Running for 25 days from Monday, August 25 to Sunday, September 28, the Eisteddfod will take place across multipleTraralgon venues, including the Gippsland PerformingArts Centre (GPAC) Main Stage, Little Theatre and Town Hall. Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod Public Relations Officer, Sjaala Harbridge said the festival is not only acelebration of the arts, but also avital platform for performers of all ages and skill levels to grow and gain valuable experience.

“The Eisteddfod provides aplatform for schools and local artists to develop their skills, grow their confidence and connect with others in the performing arts community,” she said.

“For many performers, this is their first time on stage. It’s agreat stepping stonebetween learning and performing like apro -and for some, it’s their one big chance each year to showwhatthey’ve been working hard on.”

Established in 1956, the Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod has aproud history of fostering local talent -with

many past participants going on to achieve national and international success in the arts.

Behind the scenes, the dedicated Eisteddfodcommittee and ateam of volunteers are working hard to ensure the smooth deliveryofthis year’s extensive program. More volunteers are still needed, with a range of roles to be filled throughout the festival period.

To view the full program or to register as avolunteer: visit www.lve.org.au or follow the Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod Facebook page.

was just so totally self-sufficient," she said.

“Mumand dadused to say that if they didn't have the farm, they wouldn't have been able to cope with raising 16 children.

“One of my memories is Sunday night tea out on the farm. Sometimes 20 or more people would sit around the tablewithchildrenand grandchildren, and mum would just dish up enough food to serve everybody.”

Beyond the farm, according to her daughter-inlaw, Gwenda Dortmans, Mariaalsoliked to spend her time volunteering, such as spending time with the Ryder-Cheshire Victorian Homes Foundation Inc. and St Vincent's.

While Ms Dowsaidthat Maria wasstrict, she also noted that she was fair and welcoming to all.

Ms Dow said that growingup, Maria treated herstep-children as her own. For many years,

Ms Dowand herother siblings weren’t aware of thesituation.

“I didn't even know for many years that my older siblings were part of aseparate family,” she said.

“We're all just one, and she (Maria)treated them as one, even though they weren't hers. She was strict, but fair. She carried out the strictness, but we always knew we were loved and cared for.

“In the winter mornings (before school),when there was snow outside, our shoeswould be in the combustion oven to warmupsowedidn’t have coldfeet. And then,you come home and you havea meal cooked. She'd been picking beans and digging up potatoes, and then cookingcakes and biscuits.”

During tough times, Maria said that her faith is one of the things that kept her going.

Maria’s words of advice are to work hard and to take it as it comes, one day at atime.

Bowling club on the recoverytrail

FEDERALMember for Gippsland, Darren Chester has paid tribute to the management and staff of MorwellBowlingClubfor the 'extraordinary recovery' efforts after afire devastated the complex one year ago.

Mr Chester toured the facility with manager Teena Johnson and received an update on the reconstruction plans.

"It'sbeen an extraordinaryrecovery from the entire team at Morwell Bowling Club to get the club functioning after the accidental fire destroyed large sections of the facility in August last year," Mr Chester said.

"As we approach the one-yearanniversary of thefire, it'samazingtolook back and see everything the club's board, staff and volunteer members have achieved.

"There's afully-functioning bistro operating under atemporary dome, the main fire-damaged building has been demolished and reconstruction couldstart as early as next month, and the smoke-damaged function room is on track to re-open in December."

Gippsland firm Farnham Developments has been working with local sub-contractors to deliver the functionroom as soon as possible

before starting the major job, which could take between 15 and 18 months.

"Well done to everyone involved in bringing this important hub of the community back to life as quickly as humanly possible after such adevastating fire," Mr Chester added.

Celebrations: Maria Dortmans surroundedbywell wishes on her 100thbirthday

Centenarian: Maria Dortmans celebrated her 100thbirthday on August 12 at O’Mara House, Traralgon.

Photographs: Katrina Brandon

Onwardsand upwards: FederalMember forGippsland, Darren Chester withMorwell Bowling ClubManager,TeenaJohnson.

Photograph supplied

Courageous Casey on road to recovery

By AIDAN KNIGHT

ATRARALGONfisherman is still recovering after being struck by acharter boat in 2022.

Casey Porter (20) was sailing in a12-foot tinny at the time of the incident, sustaining serious back and rib injuries while fishing at Lakes Entrance. It is believed the captain was not at the helm at the time.

Mr Porter, an experienced skipper having held his marine license for four years, was fishing with afriendand operating his father Garry'sStace 3.8 Kipper tinny with a15horsepower outboard from the North Island BoatRampwhen the incident took place.

The pair anchored between Reeve Channel and the Nyerimilang Jetty area in search of whiting, in conditions of light breeze and good visibility, on what was an overcast November day.

Mr Porter told police he saw atwo-story tourist ferry, which he recognised as aThunderbird vessel, which regularly runs tours around the Gippsland Lakes in the area. Theferry was acouple of kilometres away, accordingtoMrPorter, so he paid it no attention until he became aware, "about threeminutes later", the vessel was still heading towards them.

“When it got to about 100meters from us, we started wavingand yelling, trying to get the driver’s attention,” he said.

He estimated the vessel was travelling about 20 knots in what he believed was a10knot zone.

"When it wasabout 20 meters away, it stillhadn’t slowed down or turned. Iyelled to pull the anchor up, but it was too late. Iyelled ‘jump’.”

Mr Porter did just that, but in the process his back was struck by the ferry, two times. He then promptly began experiencing intense pain in his chest and back that restricted his breathing and ability to tread water, despite having inflated his life jacket to stay afloat.

Sea survivor: Caseywas flowntothe Austin, wherehewas treated forparalysis Photographs supplied

Eventually, the ferry circled back to pick up Casey's friend, beforetossinga lifesaverring to pull him aboard. The pair were then taken to Kalimna Jetty to be attended to by paramedics while arrangements were made for the tinny to be towed to shore.

Mr Porter was then sent to Bairnsdale Regional Health Service for initial assessment, which saw him requiring medical attention at the Austin, to

Road to recovery: CaseyPorterrequired extensivemedical attention to recoverfromhis injuries

which he was transported via helicopter the next day. He was treated for paralysis prevention on his T12 vertebrae,which required surgery,and also suffered three broken ribs and alaceration on his back.

His father Garry said the injury has had ahuge impact on his son's life and has changed his life trajectory.

“Casey wasplaying local countryfootball,had

Collision: An exampleofthe ferrythatstruck CaseyPorterin2022.

played basketball since early childhood, and now can’t take part in general sporting activities such as golf or cricket with his brother and friends,” the senior Portersaid.

He said hisson was unable to work for about six months after the incident and lost his job.

He has since resumed his plumbing apprenticeship with an understanding employer, but the injuries are likely to prevent him from working in the trade long term.

The family is pursuing legal actionagainst the charter company, in the hope of obtaining compensation reflecting the level of hurt endured in what was apreventable incident.

His father said, “As for the impact on the day, it was extremely traumatic for Casey, his friends and his family. There were weeks in hospital and ongoing treatment -certainly not something any of us wish to experience again.”

Loy Yang workers pitch in to help foster kids

By STEFAN BRADLEY

AMUCH-loved children's charity is not letting a ram-raidinto its new shop front curtail its mission to improve the life of foster children, with repair work underway and assistance from aLatrobe Valley business.

Earlier this month, ABetter Life For Foster Kids (ABLFFK) volunteers and 11 Loy Yang Bstaff over anumberofhours helped the charity's founder, Heather Bairdclear outand clean up theirnew shopfront in Sale, after acar allegedly reversed into the building in the early hours of July 23.

ABLFFK supports children entering out-of-home care and their carers, and provides care kits for children placedinto out-of-home care, as well as care support services and housing transition packages, and funds activities to enrich the lives of children.

The store sustained significant damage in the alleged act of vandalism and much of the donated toys inside were thrown out due to the risk of shattered glass.

About $12,000 worth of damage was dealt to the building, and an estimated $20,000-$30,000 worth of toys were no longer safe to be given to kids.

"Thepeople from Loy Yang Bcamedownand cleaned all the glass out, gone through all the toys and thrown out the ones that contained glass. They're fantastic, every time something happens, these guys come and sort it out for us," Ms Baird told the Express

"You should have seen it thismorning -everything had glass on it. But the shop looks amazing now."

Loy Yang BGeneral Manager, Tony Hicks said ABLFFKwas one of the business'valuedcommunity partners.

"It's acause that resonateswith us, and we're thrilled to have along-running partnership with them to support the incredible work they do," Mr Hicks said.

"Many of our people have built strong relationships with Heather and her team over the years duringvolunteering days. When they heardthe news, theywereeager to help, and we were happy to make thetimeavailable to help the charity get back on its feet."

Ms Baird said she couldn't watch while the toys were being thrown out, noting the community had donated them.

Some of the shelves now have brand new toys, but ABLFFK will continue to accept donations to fill outthe restofthe shelves -fulfilling the building's original purpose before the damage.

Anyone wishing to help ABetter Life For Foster

Kids can phone Heather on 0412 154 424 or visit the charity's Facebook page.

It only tookmere hours for the perpetrators of theram-raid to be arrested.

Police said awhite Haval SUV, allegedly stolen, reversed into the building around 1.30am on July 23. The vehicle was left at the scene.

It is not believed anything was taken and there were no injuries, howeverthe store sustained significant damage.

Ashort time later, officers intercepted ablack BMW in the Darnum area, where four men were arrested.

The men from Melbourne, aged 21, 20, 20 and 20 years, have since been charged with theft of motor vehicle, burglary with intent to commit arson and criminal damage, and have been bailed to appear before the Sale Magistrates' Court on November 4.

The end of WW2, eight decades on

LAST Friday (August 15) marked 80 years since the end of World War 2.

In addressing the nation, then Australian Prime Minister Ben Chifley uttered words that Australians had prayed for, waited for, served for, and sacrificed for: “Fellow citizens, the war is over.” The forces of Imperial Japan had finally surrendered –99daysafter the Allies marked victory in Europe with the defeat of the German war machine.

Crowdsformedinmainstreets where people cheered, sang, danced, threw confetti, embraced, kissed and waved the Australian flag in celebration. Amid the joy, there was also anational sense of relief and aprofound sense of what had been done and what had been lost.

After almost six years of war,39,000 Australians had given their lives for the greater good. In the Pacific theatre, of the 22,000Australians taken prisoner by Imperial Japan, one-thirddid not make it home. For those who did, many wereforever changed by the brutality they had endured at the hands of their captors.

On the home front, Australians knew the war in different ways: from the lossoflovedones, to

surviving Imperial Japan’s bombing of our north, to supportingthe engines of industrytochurn out machines and munitions, to rationing goods.

Across Australia, barely acity or town, suburb or street, community or citizen was unaffected or unscathed in some way by the catastrophe of the all-encompassing conflict.

On this 80thAnniversaryofVPDay,wepay tribute to all Australians who served,suffered and sacrificed forour nation–especially thosedear veterans of the Greatest Generation who are still with us today.

We recall the courage, conviction and camaraderie of our forebears.

We acknowledgeour allies –especially the Americans –without whom the war would not have been won.

Mostimportantly, we maintain atragic sensibility.

Those before us endured the horror of war to defeat tyranny and restore peace. In their memory, it’s ourduty to preservepeace by deterring the tyranny that so often has been the cause of catastrophic war. Lest we forget.

Morwell celebrated with footy,fancy dress and free lollies

HAVING had 24 hours to get into proper perspective, the realities of relief from the intolerable burden of almost six years of war, the public were ready and willing on the followingday to enter into any enterprise that allowed them to give expression to the surge of joy and thankfulness and the relief from the weight of responsibility, care and, in so many cases dread, carried so uncomplainingly during the war.

Thecouncil were quick to set in the organisation of some impromptu entertainment, and an appeal wasmade for the co-operation of all to make the day one to be remembered in the celebration of a momentous occasion.

With Cr. J. H. Catterick and Shire Secretary N. W. Baldy as organisers, backed by the non inconsiderableweight of Shire President D. J. White, aprogramme had to be worked out for the entertainment features on the recreation reserve on Friday 17th August.

How as much was doneinsoshort atime to ensure the smooth running of the hastily arranged programme will never be known, since even those most actively connected with it are still at aloss to explain how the necessary things just fitted into their places. This was apparently the one day in a lifetime when helpwas forthcoming spontaneously, andthe cumulative effectofsomanyhelping hands managed to get the job done to the last detail. With the shops closed down so hurriedly on the preceding day,nothingcouldbedone to supplyfood at the oval but, with the co-operation of the gallant band of women, who have carried on the patriotic activities duringthe war, arrangementswere made to supply hot beverages during the afternoon. The main feature of the entertainment were the oldbuffers’ football match in costume, and the basketball display by girlsfrom Hazelwood Estate, Yinnar and Boolarra. The participants in the football matchthrew off their worldly cares when they discarded their usual attire and quite undeterred by the probabilities of what the morrow wouldbring entered wholeheartedly into a“game” which will be ever remembered as part and parcel of Morwell peace day festivities.

To the purelyneutralonlooker the game itself was beyond understanding. Bothsides helped themselves quite impartially during the whole game to the one set of goal posts, apparently since the popular choiceseemed to be always quite close

at hand while the remaining set judged by the prevailingstandards of physical fitness, were miles away.

Swirling skirts, gaudily clad figures and the ensemble of motley raiment battled on uncomplainingly through agame whichwas governed by no know males. The whole spectacle was vastly entertaining to the large crowd who wholeheartedly expressed their appreciation of the finegesture provided by so many, long past the age of adventure, in adding so materially and at such acost, to the carefree spirit of the day.

The basketball matches gavemanyofthe spectators their first opportunity of seeing teams in action. These contests, more serious and skilful than the previousone,provided the spectators with the opportunity to appreciate the finer points of the gameand added considerably to the entertainment value of the day.

Not to be overawedbythe achievements of

scientistselsewhere in “splitting the atom”, alocal interpretation of this astounding discovery was providedfor the public appreciationofthe ease with which it can be done, by the V.D.C through their explosive genius, O. J. Howard.

Perhaps the finest gestureofthe day was the remarkable public response to take part in the fancy dress procession prior to the sports. Hastily improvised and decoratedvehicles appeared on the streets before the appointed hour, featuring, in some cases, tableauxand in others, just spontaneousgaiety. When the procession was eventually marshalledtosomesemblanceoforder, there became attached to each vehicle, as asort of bodyguard, acollection of humanity in weirdly assorted clothing.

Beneath the make-up andcostume in some cases could be detected well-known featuresofmen about town, whilejustafew successfully defied all efforts to penetrate their disguises.

Stepping down for just this once from the dignity attached to the position of first citizenofthe shire, PresidentDave White took over the leadership of this medley bandand led theprocession around the railway block before setting out for the reserve. Just alittle late for the officialprocession, aremarkably decorated horse-drawn vehicle of the last century vintage hove in sight, and with wild whoops from its occupants covered the course as asecond feature of the procession.

An appropriation to cover the expenses of the day’s entertainment was madebythe council, even to the provision of the wherewithall for the small changescrambles amongthe boys at theoval.Asa gesture towards the spirit of the day, our cal sweet manufacturers, Guillott Bros., provided over one cwt. of confectioneryfor free distribution to the children of the shire.

From the Morwell Advertiser Thursday, August 23, 1945

Shared emotionsofrelief and remembrance

By AIDAN KNIGHT

THE end of World War 2was met with showcase coverage in the Traralgon Journal.

Aspecial edition front page featured for the August 15 issue,advertising allkinds of local celebrations. These included avictorycarnival procession starting at the Traralgon Post Office, and aballatthe Town and Mechanics' Hall. All court proceedings were adjourned, as were public transport services.

The lead story reads: "scenes of intense excitement were witnessed in Traralgontoday following the announcement at 9:30ambyMrChifley, Prime Minister of Australia", specifically of the Japanesesurrender thattook up much of our country's attention in the conflict.

"Bells rang, hooters hooted, motor cars dashed along the street towing noise producers; revellers singing "Roll Out the Barrel," and many a patriotic air. With arms linked they paraded the main thoroughfare led by asaxophone and two

tin-can drummers." Local businesses marked the moment with advertisements expressing their joy at the war’s conclusion. Jeffrey’s departmentstore dedicated afull page to a“Gigantic Victory Sale,” while other shopfronts deckedtheir windows with patriotic bunting and victory signs.

For many, the celebrations carried adual sense of relief and remembrance -the end of years of rationing, casualty reports,and uncertainty, tempered by the loss of local men and women who would never return.

The tone of the coverage made clear that while the Valley rejoiced, the memory of sacrifice remained close at hand.

(LiamDurkin: 'Roll out the Barrell'forms the basis of the tune for the Moe FNC song. It's origin is believed to have been brought back from WW2).

Extraextra: The front page of The Journal reporting on the end of WorldWar 2, and advertising themanycelebrations to follow

Relief: Crowds of people dancedincitystreets across the countrytocelebratethe end of World War2

Photograph: Australian WarMemorial

ONE POINTERS

1 Michael Jackson famously kept a chimp as a pet What was the name of his primate?

2 How many floors does the Eiffel Tower have?

3 Which country would you visit to see the Colosseum?

4. What is the name of the world’s largest coral reef? TWO POINTERS

5 What is the world’s deadliest spider?

6 How many sides does a trapezoid have?

7 How many tusks does a warthog have?

8 What do you call an animal that doesn’t eat meat? THREE POINTER

9 What is the name of the mischievous Jack Russell Terrier belonging to Martin Crane on the 1990’s TV series “Frasier”?

10 Who did the U S purchase the Louisiana Territory from

11 What popular ‘90s TV series did actor Calista Flockhart star in?

12 What is the closest living relative to the T-Rex FOUR POINTER

13 How many legs does a lobster have

14 Who did the U S buy Florida from?

FIVE POINTER

15 Name any five of the seven deadly sins One point for each correct answer

Stamp it

AMYSTERY presentationwillbeheld next Wednesday (August 27) at the Latrobe Valley Philatelic Society.

The presentation will either be a lively discussion of ‘Early Victorian Cancelations’ by John Hewson, or a fabulous display of trams by Felix Attard.

As usual, the Latrobe Valley Philatelic Society meeting will be held in the boardroom of the Morwell RSL from 1.30pm. Guests are most welcome to pop in for acuppa anda chat.

Should you have any questions about the club's activities or need assistance with astamp or coin collection, phone Christine on 0427 440 522.

End of lifeplanning

WE plan for allour special life events -engagements, weddings and births -yet we don't give consideration to our death.

Come along to the Moe Library on Thursday, August 28 from 6.30pm where discussions willtakeplacesurrounding the process of dying (dying at home, body disposal options, legal requirements etc).

This is asafeand inclusive environment for all.

Bringa friend, all your questions and curiosity.

For more information, call Glenda on 0409529 588 or Ros (0400999 315) or email: gippsdoula@yahoo.com

Brilliant bridge

TRARALGON Bridge Club results: Tuesday, August12: 1st Peter Lonie and Carol Cheyne (65.7 per cent); 2nd Rob Graham and Glenis Lohr (64.22). Thursday, August 14: 1st Greg Nicholson and Kaye Douglas (64.35); 2ndKen Tierney and Roxy Lamond (59.14).

New members are always welcome. If you would like to playorlearn more about bridge, phone Traralgon Bridge Club President, Helen McAdam on 0438 164 528 for further information

Spiritual centre

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

Join every Sunday for service from 2pm. Doors open at 1.30pm.

Guestspeaker every weekwith demonstrations from an invited medium followed by acuppaand afternoon tea. For enquiries,phone Amanda Webb on 0411 051 044.

Alpha Traralgon

IS there more to life than this? Have you everaskedyourself this question?

The Alpha Course may help you to find the answer.

The course is aseries of interactive sessions that explores the basics of the Christian faith. It is for anyone who’s curioustoexplorethe big questions of life. It is conducted in afriendly, open and informal environment and beginning with ameal.

Running over 10 weeks, there is no charge and no pressure or follow up.

The courseispresented by St Michael’s Catholic Parish, Traralgon

Community Corner with

and will be held in the Parish Centre (Kay Street, Traralgon). Starting time for the meal is 7pm.

Everyone is most welcome.

Formore information or to register, phonethe parishoffice on 5174 2060 or email: sec@smpt.org.au

Prostatesupport

LATROBE ValleyProstate Support Group meeting will be held Wednesday, August 27 at Morwell Club from 7pm. Counter teas from 6pm for those interested.

All welcome.

Guest speaker for the next meeting will be Dr We Ong from the Alfred Hospital and Latrobe Regional Hospital.

Reports will be tabled on the research project he is working on for Latrobe Biggest Blokes BBQ.

September is also Prostate Awareness Month, and two Latrobe Valley Prostate Support Group members are walking to raise money for prostate cancer research.

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

Woodturning club

THE Latrobe Valley Woodturning

Liam Durkin

Club Inc has elected anew executive

Leading the club is Jenny Clarke (president), E’mile Gramberg (vice president), Lindsay Kind (secretary) and Rob Sharrock (treasurer).

Visitors and new members are always welcome to pop into the club rooms at Old Gippstown, Moe on Tuesdays between 12 noon and 3pm, Wednesdays 10.30am-3pm and Saturdays 10.30am-3pm.

Elvis in the building

KNITTEDKNOCKERSAustralia, Traralgon Branch will host an afternoon with Elvis and friends on Sunday, October 5atMoe Racing Club (Turfside Function Room).

Doors open 1pm. Show starts at 1.30pm.

Cost is $35 per person.

Light afternoon tea, coffee and tea supplied.

All money raised goes to the Traralgon Branch.

Drinks at bar prices. Lucky door prizesand rafflesonthe day. Cash only.

Only 200 tickets available.

Tickets must be pre-purchased.

To purchasetickets,phone0408 501 338 or email: knittedknockersausttraralgon@gmail.com

Raffle prizes are: First prize: TCL 75 QLED 4K TV &Hisense 2.1 soundbar with subwoofer (donated by Harvey Norman, Morwell). Value $2045.

Second: Hisense 8.5kg frontload washer and Haier 7kg sensor vented dryer (donated by Harvey Norman, Morwell). Value $1200.

Third: Eglo Torquay DC ceiling fan including standard installation, voucher from The Morwell Club (donated by Light &Shade, Traralgon and The Morwell Club). Value $690.

Fourth: Delonghi Magnifica auto coffee machine (donated by Harvey Norman, Morwell) Value $600.

Fifth: Breville toaster, kettle, Russell Hobbs Brooklyn 5.7L air fryer, vouchers from The Brew Joint, Traralgonand AM-PM Street Food (donated by Harvey Norman, Morwell, The Brew Joint, Traralgon, AM-PM Street Food,Traralgon). Value $400.

Sixth: Airconditioner service, vouchers from Dal Mondo Restaurant, The Morwell Club &AM-PM Street Food (donated by Traralgon Refrigeration &Air Conditioning, Dal Mondo Traralgon, The Morwell Club, AM-PM Street Food, Traralgon) Value $320.

Seventh: Vouchers from Little Prince, Traralgon,The MorwellClub,

AM-PMStreetFood (donatedbyLittle Prince, Traralgon,The MorwellClub, AM-PM Street Food, Traralgon). Value $140.

Eighth: Vouchers from The Brew Joint, Traralgon, Jo Tyrers, Morwell wheel alignment (donated by The Brew Joint, Traralgon, Smoking Jo Tyres, Morwell). Value $130.

Ninth: Voucher from The Morwell Club (donated by The Morwell Club). Value $50.

Tickets are $2 each or three for $5.

Purchase tickets from: The Brew Joint, Traralgon, Light& Shade,Traralgon,Shaky Spear Milk Bar, Traralgon and Traralgon Refrigeration &Air Conditioning.

Drawn: October18, 2025 in Traralgon.

Winners will be notified by phone.

Sustainability meeting

THE annual meeting of the Baw Baw Sustainability Network willbeheld Thursday, August 28.

Meeting starts at 7pm in the Uniting ChurchHall, Yarragon (Campbell St).

After the formalities, the meeting willbejoinedbyFrank Hanson, landscape architect and planner, who will speak aboutflood mappingneeds in Baw Baw Shire.

Alight supperwill be served following the presentation.

For more information or to express your interest, email: hello@bbsn.org. au

Chess

results

THREE wins wasenough for Price Samasieatostayinthe lead at Latrobe Valley Chess Club last week.

Ian Hamilton began the evening with three quick wins but faltered later on.

Following astrongwin, Keegan Justawaits the battles this week to establish his place in club events. The improvements were clear-cut for Peter Bakker, who needed ashort break after twolosses.

The chances were there but Steve Ahern gave too much sway to his opponents.

Brad McClaren found the forcing checkmate pattern againstSamasiea. Cliff Thorntonbegan the round without success and later on managed to find two wins.

Phone Cliff Thornton on 0413 330 458 or Ian Hamilton (0400 221 649) for more on local chess.

Youcan be apartof Community Corner

IF you are acommunity groupand have any news items you need publicised, feel free to email us at news@ lvexpress.com.au

You can address correspondence to the editor, Liam Durkin.

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

Woodwork wonders: Latrobe ValleyWoodturning Club’snewly elected executive, E’mile Gramberg(vice president), Lindsay Kind (secretary), JennyClarke (president) and RobSharrock(treasurer). Photograph supplied

Valley farmers networking together

By KATRINA BRANDON

ANEW network has been launched for farmers in theLatrobe Valley called Valley Farmers.

ValleyFarmers is an idea to get farmers together, from new, old and multigenerational, dairy, beef, pigs, poultry and sheep farmers.

Valley Farmers held their third official networking eventearlierthis month withabout 40 peoplein attendance. The event was hosted at the Budgeree Hall, with awarm fire pit lit for farmers to gather around and chat.

“(It started as a) phone call afew months ago,” Valley Farmersorganiser, Matt Loyd, told the Express

“A couple of farmers can get together and make farming better for themselves and their families, and have amore productive lifestyle. We had 12 people turn up, and then the next meeting was a trivia where we had 27 turn up.”

During the event, farmers shared awarm meal and ideas about different farm strategies and improvements, listened to atalkbyLandcare Yinnar and Yinnar South and held araffle.

Mr Lloyd emphasised that he wanted to ensure that Valley Farmers stays with farming families, rather than larger corporations.

“With Valley Farmers, the main pillar that we're trying to go for is we want productive family farms, and recognising thatifyou have afamilyfarm, you need to have afunctioning family,” Mr Lloyd told the group.

“That's why we wanted to make tonight open to partners and kids, and just really show that you really need all thatpart of yourfamily to run a

really tight-knit farm, Isuppose, and aproductive farm.

“Wewant to build our knowledge and capability so we can get more out of our land. We wantto promoteagricultural careerstopeoplewho are thinkingofgetting into it, whether they're students or they'remiddle-agedorwhathave you, any time of your life, if you want to get into farming, we want

to make sure that's easy for you, and also focus on the community.”

Bringing the event to life, the National Centre for Farmer Health helped cover the event through the Farm GateProgram. Mr Lloyd thanked the group and highlighted the importance of the program. He said that while local paddocks may seem green, this is one of the worst years on local records for

rainfall, forming a“green drought”. Mr Lloyd also highlightedthat alocal farm, which has rainfall records dating back to 1903, recorded just 224mm between January and June, 2025 -making it the second driest year on record. The driest was 2007,withonly 191mm,which is devastatingwhenthe average annual rainfall should be close to 950mm.

Public should have say on mine rehabilitation

ENGIE Hazelwood’s call for public input to their Declared Mine RehabilitationPlan(DMRP) closes on August 28, 2025.

Background

ALL of the mine licensees were originally required to submit aDMRP by October 1, 2025 to Earth Resources Regulation (AGLLoy Yang hasrecently advised they havebeen granted a

two-year extensiontoOctober 1, 2027 by the state government).

The heading structure of the DMRP are largely specified, by regulations,althoughthe extent of details is not. The DMRP is also required to be placed for public comment for aperiod of 60 days prior to submission on October 1, 2025.

The documentcontains anumber of details (further advanced than Yallourn’s because rehabilitation is further advanced) withinthe 231 pages of the primary document:

 Fill the mine void to RL +45m (it is presently about one-quarter full) with another 10 to 15 years of filling required;

 Provision of limited areas of public access to Hazelwood Lake;

 Proposal to increase artesian (ground) water extraction up to 23GL/year after conclusion of the Environmental Effects Statement (EES), although no justification for increasing groundwater extraction is provided. Current licence renewal seeks up to 20.4 GL/year until the EES is finalised;

 Even at relinquishment, around 2040, Engie Hazelwood propose limiting public access;

 In Chapter 5, Great Latrobe Park (GLP) note that Engie Hazelwood has walked away from any apparent obligations inferred in the Concept Master Plan (ENGIE ARUP 2019) for the site;

 In Chapter 6, Engie Hazelwood propose future land uses comprising mostly grazing, conservation, recreation and industrial uses;

 Engie Hazelwood has prepared alistof matters that will need to be addressed as part of relinquishment, and;

 Engie Hazelwood propose progressive relinquishment of lands contained within the mining licence area.

Implications

THE DMRP does not attempt to argue acase for Engie Hazelwood’s intended solution, nor is it intended to provide justification.That role falls to the EES. It merely provides the technical data supporting the current proposedsolution,identifies knowledge gaps and conducts risk assessments on residual risks afterimplementing the intended solution.

Hazelwood acknowledge the DMRP will not be signed off before the EES is concluded. Apparently, the timing of theHazelwood EES hasnow drifted into 2026 (GLP is unsure why).

GLP’sview

THERE has been no public process involving the criteria intended to judge whether any DMRP is acceptable. GLP believes such an opportunity should be provided.

As we have seen fromthe Yallourn and Hazelwood DMRP’s, the major proposedlanduse is agricultural.This is not surprising as it is generally the lowestcost most flexibleland usecategory

However, it is not an acceptable end point. There is aneed to value-add towards replacing the economic activity that is being lost, otherwise we will experience farreachingsocial and economic impacts. Seeour new website at: www.glp.org. au for an expansion on the impacts and what is needed.

GLP is supportive of progressive relinquishment provided astrategic land use plan is in placeprior to any relinquishment occurring. GLP wants the Yallourn and Hazelwood sites combined into a single strategic land use plan. This is the responsibility of government.

While GLP is supportiveofarange of mixed landuses,and generally thesetypesofuses, there appears to be no consideration of the aestheticsof Hazelwood’s proposed locations.

By proposingthe industrialarea be located on the highlyvisible westernsideofthe ridge, it will reinforce the view that Morwell is an industrial town without the opportunity to change that narrative.

GLP is hopingthatthe highly visible view of Lake Hazelwood, from the Princes Highway by-pass in Morwell, will be transformed from an industrial landscape to an inviting and attractive landscape. This would require changes to the treatment of the Morwell Main Drain (MMD) and the electrical infrastructure through this area. We see the MMD as being the responsibility of Engie but the electrical infrastructurebeing the responsibility of the asset owner (SP Ausnet).

EngieHazelwood’s list of mattersthat willneed to be addressed as part of relinquishment makes it clear that negotiation will be required between anumberofdifferent parties.

It creates an opportunity for that negotiation to look at the broader benefits for the Latrobe Valley, but only if that negotiation is conducted soon and with abroad understanding of what repurposing looks like.

The DMRP’s have given some clarity on what the mine licencees are planning. While these are likely to be compliant with their legal obligations, very littleofwhatisplanned will add any value to the future prospects for the Latrobe Valley. We need bold repurposing, which is the responsibility of governments.

Whatever the outcome from rehabilitation and repurposing, the Latrobe Valley will live with the consequences for many generations.

Great Latrobe Park (GLP) exists to champion appropriaterehabilitation and repurposing of the existing Latrobe Valley brown coal mine voids.

Purpose: Local farmershaveformed anew network,called ValleyFarmers. The group is pictured meetingatBudgeree Hall earlier thismonth

Photograph: Katrina Brandon

DISCOVER ABETTERWAY TO LEARN

SEDA Collegewas established in 2007 to address gaps in traditional education andin2017evolved into an Independent Senior SecondarySchooland the largest provider of the Victorian Certificate of Education –Vocational Major (VCE VM), with over 800 students across Victoria. At SEDA, students who shareapassion for sports thrive in an applied, hands-on learning environment.Partnering with Australia’s leading sport, recreation, community,and trade organizations, such as AFL Victoria, Basketball Victoria, Cricket Australia, Melbourne Victoryand Melbourne Vixens, students gain real-world industry experiences.

The SEDA model places student interests at the forefront of their Senior Secondary

education, integrating practical connections to industry. Students at the school areable to gain afirst-hand insight into what it is liketobeapart of Australia’s leading organisations and sporting clubs.

Apriorityisthe development of key personal qualities and transferable skills, aligning with the needs of employers. Their classrooms, strategically located in local communitysettings, provide adynamicenvironment for learning.

SEDA College’s individualised learning transforms students’ lives and providesunique opportunities to develop practical skills for asuccessful future. Their distinctive ‘one teacher,one classroom’ model fosters agenuine mentoring approach, enabling teachers to walk alongside and support

each student’s individual journey through their secondary education.

In atypical week, students spend 2.5 days in the classroom, 1day delivering sport clinics in the community, and 1day gaining industry experience in astructured workplace. Activities throughout the year,such as presentations on health promotion strategies, coaching sessions with elite partners, and engaging in sports likesurfing and skiing, enhance the SEDACollege experience.

Career advice is integral to their program, with all students completing their ‘MyJOURNEY,’ adigital professional portfolio linking skills and industry experiencestoeducational and employmentpathways. Their teachers, supported by the professional pathways team,

guide students through this process, ensuring aseamless transition into their desired future.

Heath McMillin –SEDA College VIC Principal said –“Our mission is to ensurethat everySEDA College graduate not only possesses astrong understanding of themselves but also has the capacityto make apositive impact beyond the school gates. We are committed to providing each student with the best possible education, equipping them for further studies, the workforce, and empowering themto contribute meaningfully to their community in theyears ahead”.

To learn more about SEDA College visit seda.vic.edu.au

Adecade where certainties crumbled

RECKONING, rebuilding, and community were common themes for much of the final decade of our feature 2015-2025 saw the Latrobe Valley witness the fall of Hazelwood in 2017, Black Summer bushfires in 2019/20 shortly before the world was shut down by the pandemic, then the cancellation of the Commonwealth Games a year before freak storms ravaging Gippsland in 2024 and then the dissolving of the Latrobe Health Assembly

Yet in every setback, stories of renewal surfaced We told of new health services grassroots recovery, and young voices shaping the Valley’s future

This was a decade when certainties crumbled, but also when the courage and creativity of our people stood out most clearly on our pages

The Express adapted, covering both public health orders and community kindness, as neighbours supported one another through lockdowns, and new beginnings

The Valley stood at the centre of a statewide shift: from coal to renewables Debates over jobs, climate, and energy security became front-page news, as government transition packages, new training hubs, and the first large-scale renewable projects signaled a future being reshaped

This was a decade of uncertainty, but also when the courage and creativity of our people stood out most clearly on our pages, and the Express ensured there was always someone to report on it

2015

DEPARTMENT of agricultureCanberra begins sourcing paper from APM Maryvale Mill

LATROBE Valley Expresscelebrates its 50th anniversary

INQUEST beginsintonewborn deathat LRH

DARREN Chestercauses controversy, publicly supporting same sexmarriage

MOULD causestemporary closureof government call centre in Moe

DOOR to door salespersontargeting LatrobeValleyResidents with expensive onlinecoursescould be selling residence ascam

2016

LATROBE Valley announced to host WhiteNight 2017

CHURCHILL’S iconic corner tree fell victim to heavywindinwildstorm

TRARALGON cinema complexplan receivesinitial approval

HAZELWOOD mine operator loses supreme courtappealtohandMorwell main drain responsibility to council, whilethe mine’s operator faced 10 safety breaches overthe 2014 mine fire

BOOLARRA policestation reopened

2022

MINING magnate Andrew Forest buys intoBegaCheese

ATHINK tank proposed theLatrobe Valley as aprime location fora Renewable Energy Industrial Precincttoattract clean-tech investment

NOTABLE community memberand migrant advocate to LatrobeValley Don Fi Fabriziopassesaway

AGL bringsLoy Yang Aclosure forward

GPAC’S new750 seat auditorium reopens to thepublic

EMILY Beecroft, Ruby Storm, and Aoife Coughlan, flying the flag in Birmingham at Commonwealth Games.

2017

LATROBE Valley chosenascentreof Vicmethregional drug trend research project

LATROBE Valleysfirst invasion dayrally held in Morwell

LATROBE Valley Authority formed by Daniel Andrewsmerehoursafter Hazelwood closureannouncement

FEDERAL government backs callsfor increasing generating capacityfor brown coal firedplants

NEW Police Forensic hubopened in LatrobeValley to assist CSI

2023

LOCAL cricketexportNicoleFaltun scores her first maiden centuryagainst woman’s NSWteam

NEW LatrobeCityChamber of Commerce is formed

FORMER Member forMorwellRussell Northesentenced to 12 months jail for misconduct

ENERGYAustraliaannounced amajor upgrade to theJeeralanggas-fired power station

2026 Commonwealth Gamescancelled

KERNOT Hall revampunveiled

2024

MIRBOO Northstormshit

APM Maryvaleand Opal AustraliaPaper come to an agreement afterlarge scale industrial action

CENTRALS CricketClubwinsfirst A Gradepremiership in 33 years

POLICE raid asiteinNewboroughand seized 1309 maturecannabisplants worth $1million

AMAJOR weatherevent in August broughtdevastating windsexceeding 100km/h, causing widespreadpower outages

2018

YALLOURN power station catchesfire aftercoal dust ignitedona conveyorbelt

LATROBE Valley become stateleaderin vaccination

CRIME and family violence ratessecond highestinstate

PREMIER Daniel Andrewspromised a $217 million boost forLatrobe Regional Hospital’sexpansion ifLabor won the election

2025

CONSTRUCTION launchofthe ICON Innovation Park

LATROBE HealthAssemblyClosure

MARY Aldred unseatsRussell Broadbent as Liberal Memberfor Gippsland

APIVOTAL batteryproject begins construction nexttoHazelwood North’s Jeeralang gasstation

PROTESTS Against EmergencyServices

Levy

TRIAL of Erin Pattersonseesthe world focusonMorwellfor theguiltyverdict handed down

2019

2020

BLAZEAID rebuildsinfrastructurefor those affected by firesinYinnar and Budgeree

GIPPSLAND timberindustry experiences“deathby1000 cuts”, as described by Dale Harriman

MORWELL power station shutsdown, felling it’s four chimneys

LATROBE City’s draft 2019–20budget included arecordA$117 million in capital works thebiggesteverrecorded

BLACK Summer Bushfiresthreaten Gippsland

ATTACKS on TraralgonTaxis outside TraralgonCentrePlaza Housing andBig-Ticketitems

HAZELWOOD operatorsfined $1.94 million overthe historic minefire THE bodyofNewborough’sJarrod Levinsonfound in Moondarra StatePark

GIPPSAERO reducesworkforce by 25 per cent

AGL planned a200 MW grid-scale battery at LoyYangA

MUSIC man’s milestone. Guitarist Tony Calabrocelebrates 50 yearsofteaching guitar

TRARALGON residents meetwith police as crime spikes

2021

TRARALGON’S Good Land becomes theLatrobe Valleysfirst commerical-scale brewery

MAJOR floodsees200 Traralgonhomes evacuatedasroadsigns areswallowed by water

TENDERS beginfor a$50million magnesium plant to be builtin Hazelwood North

PROPERTY salesriseinChurchill AREGIONAL earthquake led to suspension of Gippslandtrain service

TheExpress revertsfroma bi-weekly (published Mondayand Thursdays) to a Wednesday weekly (currently)

BACKINTIM

5-2025

We’vegot thegames: O Ooops,

MID2022then-VictorianPremier Daniel Andrewsannounced Victoria hadwon thebid to host the2026CommonwealthGames, for thefirst time since2006.

Unlikeany previous iteration, this iteration wouldspreadacrossamultitude of events, across both men's, women's,and para-athletes categories,tocompeteinseveral regional cities,ratherthanone centrallocation -with Gippsland and LatrobeValleytakingastarring role

Morwellwas in placetohostthe athletes village, envisioning1000 competitors in apurpose-built location on EnglishStreetnearthe Maryvale RecReserve

TheExpress publishedacelebratory frontpage on April202022titled 'COUNTDOWNISON', andlittledid we nowjusthow incorrectthat wouldturnout to be

At thetimeofprint,itwas plannedfor Latrobe City to welcome athletes competinginRugby Sevens in Morwell, cricketinMoe,badminton in Traralgon,and road cyclingacrossthe greater LatrobeValley, as therestofthe gamestaking placeacrossGeelong, Ballaratand Bendigo, sold as ashowcase of Victoria's 'RegionalHubs' By thetime2023swung around,considerable workintothe planning to allow theValleytoplay host hadbegun.English Street's surveying had culminated, andlocal spiritswerehightohold pridefor development to be taking placeinour greatcity.

However, aharsh reality hitthe communitythat July, as theAndrews Government declared hostingwould notproceed,withcosts exceeding theoriginalbudgetsof$7billion, whichdoubledthe projectedbenefitsfor the region

Thepossibility of Gippsland taking apartinthe world stagefellapart,and disappointmentand governmentalresentwererifeamonglocals.

Therewas asilverlining, as thegovernment offered$2billionofthe proposed sumwould continue to be putintoplace in thesesame regional hubs.Allocated specificallytothe sectorthatwereset to experience aboost from

facilities,housing, andtourism

This didlittletofendoff backlash evenLatrobe City's then-MayorK O'Callaghancalling it a"broken p havingbeen givennoindication than thepublic that thegamesw cancelled, as thegameswereshi

Glasgow

no we haven’’t...

h, Kellie promise", earlier would be fted to

“A complete cancellation is apre big announcementand asignific disappointmentfor ourlocal community,” TheMayorsaidtot pressatGippsland Regional Perf Arts Centre on July 18 2023

Fifteen months of hope endedin what theVictorian Auditor-Gener wouldgoontodescribeas"a significantwaste", afterexposing cancellation cost taxpayers in exc of $589million.

etty ant he forming n ral

By late 2023 andinto2024, promi upgrades were repackaged as legacy projects,withfunds redirected to facilities in Moe Morwell,and Traralgon. This includes:

n Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium(Traralgon): upgrades to indoor infrastructure

n Gippsland Sports & EntertainmentPark(Morwell): upgrades include facilities, change rooms, lighting, and overall improvements.

n TedSummertonReserve (Moe):investmentinfacilities and amenities

n MorwellGun Club:had already incurred $35,000 in upgrades foraccess and layout changesatthe requesto Yet, many locals remainedskeptic if theinfrastructurewould ever fu original promise

g the cess ised

ofthe State. cal -wondering ullymatch the p thegames, sports

2024: M Mirbboo N North h devastated d by freak k weathher

THEafternoon of TuesdayFerbuary13, 2024 was onethe communityofSouth Gippsland will neverforget. ThetownshipofMirboo Northsaw itsmosthorrificweather event to date, therolling hillsawoke to afurybeyond expectation

What beganasaroutine thunderstormdidn't take long to eruptintoa destructive tempest of hurricane proportions. TheBureauof Meteorology confirmed record winds, witha gust of 126km/h at nearby Yarram Airport, as thestorm tore throughthe region Mirboo Northwas struck with almost unprecedentedforce:roofs lifted,trees uprooted, powerlines snapped,and townsfolk left in thedark, both literallyand figuratively In theaftermath,devastation was widespread:

n Alifelost: dairyfarmer BruceManintveld died during thestorm when debris struck himashehurried to bringincattle

n Hundreds of properties damaged: estimates indicatedatleast 16 homes rendered uninhabitable

n Agricultural loss:the Cummaudo family’s long-standingpotatofarmsaw 30 acresof cropsdestroyed, theworst damagethey’d ever experienced

n Nurserywiped out: abeloved garden store lost 95%ofits stock, with itsowner likening thedamagetoa “giant whipper snipper” tearing througheverything in itspath

n Localsports andrecreation hit-t club,scouts hall,and rail trail were damaged,forcing cancellationsa fundraisingappeals

Supportflowedfromhardshippaym foraffectedfamiliestoemergency re-establishmentgrants, alifelineto uninsured households.

Additional financial aidswereset up forresidents facing prolongedpow loss.Recognisingthe long road ahe theVictorian Governmentand Sout Gippsland ShireCouncil secured $200,000 foraCommunityand Bus ResilienceHub,designedtooffer localemergencysupplies, off-grid charging,satellite access, and cold storagefacilities.Meanwhile,forest managementteams assessed over 768hectaresofstorm-damaged lan identifyingnearly288 hectares at hi risk of subsequentbushfire danger. Debris removaland road clearance continuedwellintothe year. In hom farms, andbusinessesacrossthe Valley,the scarsremain, butsodoes thestrengthofcommunity. Mirboo North'sstory is one of suddenfury, butalsosteadycourage, proving small towns canrebuild,not by waiting, butworking together

Fit for Life

MoreThan Cosmetic: The Hidden Impact of Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are often dismissed as acosmetic issue -just afew bulging veins under the skin. But beneath the surface, they often signal adeeper medical condition related to poor circulation and underlying venous disease.

The truth is, manypeople experience symptoms well before anything becomes visible. These may include:

•Aching, heaviness, or tiredness in the legs

•Throbbing, cramping, or burning sensations

•Itching, particularly around the lower legs

• Swelling in the ankles or calves

•Restless legs at night

•Skin dryness or discolouration

•Brown, red, or purple skin staining in advanced cases

•Hardened skin or open sores (ulcers) in severe stages

Unfortunately,these symptoms are frequently written off as part of ageing, or seen as ‘not serious enough’ to act on. But left untreated, varicose veins tend to worsen -sometimes significantly -and canimpactyour mobility,comfort, and quality of life.

The good news is thatmodern vein treatments are minimally invasive and don’t require hospital stays or lengthy recovery. Today,procedures like Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) and Ultrasoundguided sclerotherapy are safely performed in specialised medical clinics equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Patients are often surprised at howstraightforward and comfortable the process can be -with manyreturning to normal activities the same day.

At Doctor Vein, we’re committed to empowering health from the

inside out. Our team takes pride in combining clinical expertise with genuine compassion. Our friendly and experienced staff takes apatient-centred approach -listening, guiding, and supporting you everystep of the way.With astrong focus on results, we manage venous conditions using the highest standards of personalised treatment.

Remember the earlier varicose veins are treated, the better the outcomes. Don’t wait for them to worsen.

Dr Ganesha Param is an experienced Phlebologist -a doctor specialised in treating varicose veins. He consults fortnightly at the Warragul Specialist Centre.

To book an appointment, call 03 9781 0646 or email reception@doctorvein.com.au

No referral needed. Medicare rebates available. Don’t wait –book today!

Bushwalking workshop

IT takes ateamofdedicated volunteers to makethe Strzelecki Bushwalking Club run as successfully as it does.

On Saturday, August 2the club conducted a leadership workshop in the Moe Library. There was 16 participants who attendedthe training day to improve their skills and confidence in relation to leading club activities. This increased the confidence of members to lead activities for the monthly program and enhancedthe safety aspectof theactivities. Upskilling members ensures the club has avaried and extensive program of activities on offer.

Experienced walk leaders, Cathy Almond, Martin Norris and Robyn Shingles shared their broad leadership experience with the group.

Bushwalking Victoria providesvarioustraining units on their website, and these were also covered extensively during theworkshop. The intensive sixhour workshop was designed to give new leaders the skills and confidence to lead walks of their own.

The Strzelecki Bushwalking Club also hasa stronghistory of providing peer mentoring to new leaders, which is another very important aspect of assistingnew leaders.

Among the group of prospective walks leaders, the SBWC accommodated members of other local bushwalking clubs

The workshop and morning tea was provided free of charge.

The SBWC wishes to acknowledge newsletter editor, Matthew Morgan. The club’s newsletter is made freely availabletothe publiconthe club's website. There is acomprehensive list of each month’s activities, together with trip reports from the previous month.

Matt works in Traralgon and moved to Gippsland from the Cranbourne area to take up employment as amechanical engineer. He loves all outdoor activities suchasfour-wheel-drivingand clay shooting. Matt reports that acolleague recommended SBWC and he was “hooked” straight away. Bushwalking is agreat waytoindulge in Matt’s other passion of photography.

The Strzelecki Bushwalking Club provides opportunities for its members to walk all over Australia and recently, the club hosted activities in Flinders Island and as far away as Portland. Next month, members are heading off to Western Australia.

On the second Wednesday of each month, the SBWC holds aclub night in the Trafalgar Scout Hall, beginning at 7.30pm.

There is adifferent speaker each month and supperisprovided.Thisisalovely way to introduce yourself to members.Visitors are always welcome.

Further information is available on the website at: sbwc.org.au, the club's Facebook page or by emailing: publicity@sbwc.org.au

Full orchestra experience

STRINGZCostero and The Latrobe Orchestra willcombine musicalforces to present ‘The Magnificent Music Matinee,’ an afternoon concert of cinematic music, classical greats and works by Gippslandcomposers.

Ajoint project by both community ensembles, it is supported by South Gippsland Shire Council, and will be held in the Leongatha Memorial Hall on Saturday, September 6from 2.30pm.

This will be the first time the Latrobe Orchestra has performedinLeongatha,and as musical director Colin Iversen notes, "a four-ton truck will be needed to move the percussion required to supportthe full orchestra of 55 players on the day, including four timpani, afull drum kit, electric piano, xylophone and glockenspiel."

Latrobe Orchestra members come from as far as Briagolong and Drouin, and this concert continues the organisation’s program to collaboratewith other performingensembles including Sale City Band,Yallourn Madrigal Singers and Gippsland Children’s Choir.

"Such collaborations are really important for community music groups as they widen audiences and generally promote music makingand

connections across the wider community," Mr Iversen said.

Stringz CosteroisaLeongatha-based string ensemble, with around 15 members from across the South Gippsland and Bass Coast Shires The ensemble recentlyperformedwiththe vocal group Solace in Dalyston and at the Rail Trail Community Market, Leongatha.

“We are excitedtocollaborate with the Latrobe Orchestra, and we’d like to thank SouthGippsland Shire Council for supporting the event,” Stringz Costero President,Laura Gibb said.

The theme of the concert is movie music. The program includes much-loved music from Pirates of the Caribbean, Moon River from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the theme to The Magnificent Seven, as well as Gabriel’s Oboe from The Mission.

The concertwill conclude with both ensembles combining to presentSeize the Sunlight, by Gippsland-born composer, Dani Maree Ashmore. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children and are available at the door or online: https://www. trybooking.com/DCTFJ

Music world: Leongatha-based Stringz Costerowillcombine with Latrobe Orchestrafor a matinee performance in Leongathanextmonth.

Rehearsed: Latrobe Orchestrainfull getup. Photographs supplied

Learning from the best: Strzelecki BushwalkingClubmembersRobyn Shingles, CathyAlmond and Martin Norris hostingleadership training at theMoe Library. Photograph supplied

HOROSCOPES

by JoanneMadeline Moore

August 18 -August 24 ,2025

success It s a so time to get some firm direct on, as you formulate your personal goals and dreams for the future Remember – you can’t hit a target if you haven’t got one

This week the Sun New Moon and Uranus activate your home zone A fresh domestic start s ikely – but there could be surprises, hiccups or disruptions along the way

Some possib e scenarios – problems with a housemate a rea estate sa e falls through, a house move is delayed, or a fami y member behaves in an unpredictable way Whatever happens – expect the unexpected! Monday s the best day for social sing, creative ideas and live y communicat on

The New Moon highlights a fresh start involv ng communication, education, local travel, a re ative or neighbour And, with vivacious Venus and lucky Jupiter both jumping through your sign there’s never been a better t me to be more charming, more sociab e, more beautiful, more oving and more generous Your mantra for the moment s from birthday great fashion des gner and style icon Coco Chanel: “A g rl should be two things – c assy and fabu ous ”

The Sun (your ruling planet) New Moon and Sun/Uranus square shine a bright spotl ght on money matters Lavish Lions are drawn to uxury-living and you’re nc ined to buy expensive things that you don’t really need This week, do your best to avoid being an impulsive binge shopper Spontaneous spending sprees now could lead to financ al headaches later The more creat vely and proactively you nurture your nest egg the more t wi l gradually grow

The silvery New Moon lights up your sign, V rgo, so it’s the perfect week to update your wardrobe change your appearance, launch a project, apply for a ob or start a new phase of your l fe Personal projects, amb t ous goa s and dynam c fr endships are also high ighted On Sunday too much nervous energy and impatience could disrupt a burgeoning work project or a profess onal partnership as the Sun/Uranus square shakes up your career zone

This week dynamic Mars is charging through your sign – and the New Moon lights up your so itude and contemplation zones So, it will be a de icate balanc ng act between proactive y making things happen and taking the time to relax and slow down f anyone can manage a tricky juggle, it’s the sign of Libra (symbo ised by The Scales signifying balance and harmony) But expect some d sruptions on Sunday, especially f you are trave ling s

Saturday’s New Moon h ghlights your hopes-and-wishes zone, so be proactive about setting goals, dreaming dreams and creat ng your preferred future t’s a so a good week to fire up an old friendship or heal a troubled relationship Pos tive changes are coming, so focus on exciting projects that make your heart s ng As the Sun moves into Virgo, keep th ngs simp e! Be insp red by b rthday great Coco Chanel: “Simplic ty s the keynote of a l true elegance

Have you been dragging your heels at work? Your career is set to mprove, as the ate week New Moon signa s an exciting new chapter So, make the most of any fresh ideas, professional projects or job opportunities that come your way But the Sun/Uranus square ncreases exuberance and decreases patience So slow down and be careful you don t overindulge, over-exaggerate, over-prom se or overcommit, especially nvolv ng relationships and work

The New Moon activates your education and adventure zones, so start thinking about what you d like to earn and where you’d l ke to travel in the future But Uranus d srupts the applecart on Sunday when you may have to rearrange your daily routine or change your work p ans Don’t get cranky Capr corn! Be insp red by singer songwriter and music an Tori Amos (who turns 62 on Friday): “Somet mes you have to do what you don’t ike to get to where you want to be ”

This week you’ll be reliably unpred ctable and cons stently incons stent! Love loyalty and compromise are the New Moon buzzwords But one half of you wants to snuggle up close with someone spec a – whi e the other half longs to be footloose, fancy-free and spontaneously solo Try to find the sweet spot between cosy companionship and invigorating independence And res st the urge to be an Aquar an provocateur who is de iberately controversial

Monday’s live y stars wil pique your P scean curios ty Then Saturday’s New Moon encourages you to get a burgeon ng romance, business partnersh p or joint venture moving Are you unhappily sing e and searching for love? Be on the ookout for a creative thinker who is a good talker Your motto for the week s from writer Dorothy Parker (who was born on August 22, 1893): “The cure for boredom is curios ty There s no cure for curios ty ”

COPYR GHT Joanne Made ine Moo e 2025 6

Future query

BRIAN Mawhinney hasrightly noted how we have slipped from the lucky country to 'Taxland' ('Welcome to Taxland, Latrobe Valley Express Opinion, 13/08/25).

We have become awelfare state -handouts, no initiative to get off the couch. Work has become a four letter word.Our laws areantisocial, our lives arenot safe,neither property or cars.

Years agowewere told to installsolar panels to savemoney -itdid not happen.Now we are being sold another pup, to install batteries to keep power. To my way of thinking, Labor has got no faith in renewables and once more we have to prop up their dreams.

The Greens killed the timberindustry. They have no guilt abouttrees being sacrificed for renewables Australians have been brainwashed into believing thatselling off our resources is good for climate change.

Laborhas so many secret dealsthatweare going to be left in the dark. Nuclear and net zero, like climate change, has become apolitical football. Coal fired stations have served thisstate very well for many years. The solution is to make coal clean, then use our bounty of resource.

On another note, to the young voters, are you as well off as your mum and dad? Will you have theopportunitytothat your parents have worked so hard forinthe past good years. What is your future? Just asking!

Patricia Correa

Traralgon act of kindness

"DOING good is my religion," so said Thomas Paine, from "The Age of Reason'. Idon't know who you are or if we'll ever meet, so in case Inever get the chance, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Such apleasant surprise awaited me when I checked out at the counter of The DailyCafe, Morwell to pay for my meal already paid for!

You have restoredmyflaggingfaithinhumanity

Indeed, no matter how big your house is, or how new your car is, or how much money sits in your bank account -weall bleed red and will eventually fade from the Earth.

Be kind to others. We are all here to serve. Stop

the power tripping. Your oversized ego won't get you anywhere. Be humble. Keep it real.

Joseph Lis Morwell

Have your say

Valley Express

THE Latrobe ValleyExpress welcomes letters to the editor.

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

Theeditor Liam Durkin,reserves the right to edit letters for reasonsofspace 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 healthydebate is encouraged, the editor will stamp out any that cross the line to defamation.

Theviews expressed in letters to theeditor are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflectthe viewsofLatrobe Valley Express management or staff.

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

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

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

Letters regardingreligion will not be published.

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

Deadline for letters is Thursday 3pm.

VicHealth grants onoffer

MEMBER for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bathisencouraging community groups and organisations to apply for VicHealth’s Growing Healthy Communities grants.

The $4.7 million grantfund is open now and closes on October 30, 2025.

Ms Bath said VicHealth’s grant assist locals to build better social connections with each other and the community.

“These grants are essentialinhelping people at the grassroots level access physical activity as well as healthy and affordable food,” Ms Bath said.

“They provide an excellent opportunity for our locals to engage in beneficial activity to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

“AsaregionalMP, Iunderstandthe criticalrole VicHealth has in facilitatinghealthiercommunities in country Victoria where opportunities are often not as plentiful.

“Our grassroots organisations are the heartand soul of our regional communities, and they often run on shoestring budgets which can restrict access for some.

“By removingbarriersand encouraging all individuals to lead healthy, active and connected lifestyles we canassistall Victorians regardless of their background or postcode."

Last year, the Growing HealthyCommunities delivered funding to 84 communityorganisations in Victoria. This latest funding round aims to support young people from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds,including those in regional communities, with afocus on addressing systemic barriers to participation and wellbeing.

Funding is available in two tiers:

 Tier 1: $10,000 to $50,000  Tier 2: $50,001 -$150,000

Sporting, community, cultural, recreational,creative,somelocal government andother not-for-profit organisations are eligible to apply.

Full eligibility can be found at https:// www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/funding/ growing-healthy-communities-grants-round-2

TheGuide

THE ROYALS:A HISTORY OF SCANDALS

SBS, Friday, 8.25pm

Don’t tell the gossip mags,but modern-day royals and their assorted scandals barely scratch the surface whencomparedtothe betrayals, illicit liaisons and mysteries of their forebears.Professor Suzannah Lipscombe (pictured) wraps up her investigation into these hidden histories with afocus on affairs. From secret relationships to well-known infidelities, she studies thewho,when, how and why of these shocking events.The personal lifeofKingWilliam IV is under the microscope tonight,but Lipscombe’s scrutiny is nothing compared to the media stormand public outcry endured in the 1790s by the then DukeofClarenceand his love Dorothea Jordan.

GUY MONTGOMERY’S

GUY MONT SPELLING BEE(NZ)

ABC Entertains, Saturday, 8.05pm

It’satestament to the brilliance of this comedic game show that it doesn’t matter whether the panellists arehousehold names (Rove McManus, Tom Gleeson and Urzila Carlson haveall appeared in the Aussie version), up-andcoming talents or –inthiscase–comedians from New Zealand that local audienceshavelikely neverheard of.It’shilarious viewing,regardless of who’s behind the podiums. Newly minted Logie winner Guy Montgomeryisassisted in this Kiwi edition by the deadpan delight Sanjay Patel(pictured, right,with Montgomery). This week, they welcomecontenders PaxAssadi, Justine Smith and Robbie Nicol to tryand takedown carryover champ Nina Oyama.

Wednesday, August20

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

PICK OF THE WEEK

I, JACK WRIGHT

ABC TV,Sunday, 8.55pm

An outstanding ensemble drama from UnforgottencreatorChris Lang,this new that wherethere’sawill, there’safamily.It’snot long after the titularbusinessma apparently commits suicide that hismanywives and children begin clamouring f of his estate. Youmight need achart to keep track of everyone: John Simm, Dan Ruby Ashbourne Serkis, Gemma Jones, ZoëTapper,Sabrina Bartlettand Nikki A Bird portray the extended Wright clan. As the bombshell contents of Jack’srece made will bringout theworstineveryone,the saga catchesthe eyeofDCI Hecto Morgan (Harry Lloyd, right), who opens an investigation into Jack’ssuspicious de

SEVEN (7,6)

Wherethere’s awill: Adeath in thefamily brings theWrights back together

the Wrights seriesproves an(Trevor Eve) for their share niel Rigby, mukantly or eath.

ABC TV,Tuesday, 8.30pm

1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 1.55 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.20 Back Roads. (R) 2.55 Grand Designs. (PG, R) 3.40 GrandDesigns Transformations. (Final, PG, R) 4.40 Long Lost Family (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow (R) 6am Morning Programs. 9.00 Susan Calman’s GrandDay Out. (R) 9.50 Rick Steves’ Europe.(R) 10.50 Looking ForRembrandt. (Ms, 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 The Point:RoadTo Referendum History Bites. (R) 3.35 Plat Du Tour 3.45 The Cook Up.(R) 4.15 SecretsOf The RoyalPalaces.(PGa,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 HomeAnd Away (PG,R) 1.30 TheVoice. (PGl, R) 3.00 TheChase. (R) 4.00 SevenNewsAt4 5.00 TheChase Australia HostedbyLarry Emdur

6.25 HardQuiz (PG, R)

7.00 ABCNews.

7.30 7.30

8.00 Hard Quiz:Battle Of TheFuddy Duds. (PGs)

8.30 Shaun Micallef’s EveOfDestruction. (PG) Hosted by Shaun Micallef 9.10 WouldI Lie To You? (PG,R) Hosted by RobBrydon

9.40 Austin. (PG,R)

10.10 ABC LateNews.

10.25 The Business. (R) 10.40 Planet America. (R) 11.10 YouCan’t Ask That. (Mls, R) 11.40 Grand Designs. (PG,R) 12.30 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 1.20 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.40 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG, R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Wonders Of Volcanoes With Dara ÓBriain. (PGa) DaraÓ Briain travels to Sicily and Naples.

8.25 Aerial Australia (PGaw) An aerial exploration of Western Australia.

9.20 Smilla’s Sense Of Snow. (M) Smilla is framed by adeepfake.

10.25 SBS World News Late.

10.55 Estonia. (Ma) 12.30 Das Boot. (MA15+av,R) 2.25 Curious Traveller.(R) 3.25 Incredible Homes. (R) 4.20 JSchwanke’sLife In Bloom. (PG, R) 4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World EnglishNewsMorning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 SevenNews

7.00 Home And Away (PG)

7.30 The1%Club UK. (PG) HostedbyLee Mack.

8.30 TheFront Bar. (Ml) Hosts Sam Pang,Mick Molloy and Andy Maher takea lighter look at all things AFL.

9.30 Unfiltered. (PGa) Hosted by HamishMcLachlan

10.00 Armed AndDangerous: Breakouts. (Mav, R) 11.30 Border Security: International. (PGadl,R)

12.00 Imposters. (Madlv,R) 1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

7TWO (72, 62) SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 4.25pm Mecha Builders. 4.40 Ariel. 4.50 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 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.20 Bluey 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 HeyDuggee 6.50 IsadoraMoon. 7.00 Supertato 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep 7.35 Star Wars:Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.20 The Mysterious Benedict Society 10.10 Merlin. 10.55 Late Programs.

6am TheCompany.(2003, PGals) 7.35 Emu

(2018,PGadlv) 9.25 TheMovie

10.00

Chefs. (2022, Madl, Spanish) 11.40 Broker (2022, Malv,R,Korean) 2.00 Mrs Lowry And Son. (2019,PGan, R) 3.40 Bicycle Thief (1948, PG, R, Italian) 5.15 TheWay (2010,PGadl, R) 7.30 TheUnlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry. (2023,Mal, R) 9.30 Calvary (2014,MA15+lsv, R) 11.25 White Squall. (1996,Malsv) 1.45am In Bruges. (2008,MA15+adlv) 3.40 Moonfall. (2022, Malv)

KILLER WHALE:AUSTRALIA’S MEGAPOD

About 60kmoffBremer Bay on thesouth coastofWestern Australia, therelives –and hunts –aunique group of killer whales. Why is this group thriving while so many other orcas arestruggling?Scientists Dr Rebecca Wellard, John Totterdell andDrIsabella Reeves aretrying to figurethat out and welcome us along forthe ride.They examine the whales’DNA,explain that the pod has its own ‘Aussieaccent’ and demonstrate justwhy these guys arethe ocean’s true apexpredators (takingdown abluewhale, among otherprey). With stunning footage and narration from Richard Roxburgh, this naturedocumentaryisanabsolutely fascinating waytospend an hour

NINE (9,8) 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.

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 Today 9.00 TodayExtra.(PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 TheBlock.(PGl, R) 1.00 Paramedics. (M, R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG) 3.00 Tipping Point (PG) 4.00 9NewsAfternoon 4.30[VIC]TippingPoint Australia.(PG) 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.30[VIC]WINNews. 6.00 Drew Barrymore.(PGas) 7.00 Neighbours. (PGa, R) 7.30 Everyday Gourmet (R) 8.00 Bold.

6.00 9News

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 TheBlock. (PGl) The hosts check on the teams’ progress.

8.40 Clarkson’s Farm:Jobbing. (Ml) It’sChristmas time on the farm and Kaleb gives Jeremyafestivesurprise

9.45 TheGrand Tour (Ml) The boys attempt to build aroad-legal amphibious car. 11.15 9NewsLate.

11.45 DamianLewis:Spy Wars (Mv,R) 12.35 Tipping Point.(PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop.(R) 3.00 Home Shopping. 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory.(PGa) 4.30 ACurrent Affair. (R) 5.00 TodayEarly News. 5.30 Today.

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am MorningPrograms. 8.30 Nanny. 9.30 Addams Family 10.00 Bewitched. 10.30 Jeannie. 11.00 The West Wing Noon 9Honey Hacks 12.15 MOVIE: Homekilling Queen. (2019,M)

TheFishing Show 7.00 Al McGlashan’s Fish’n With Mates 7.30 Creek To Coast. 8.00 Drag Racing. NDRCNitroFunny Cars. Round 2. Highlights. 9.00 Big Shrimpin’. 10.00 Talking W. (Return) 10.30 BillyThe Exterminator. 11.00 AmericanRestoration. 11.30 Storage Wars Noon American Pickers. 1.00 Pawn Stars. 2.00 Outback Truckers. 4.00 Swamp People:Serpent Invasion. 5.00 AmericanRestoration. 5.30 Storage Wars. 6.00 American Pickers. 7.00 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Highway Patrol. 8.30 The Force:Behind The Line 9.30 Caught On Dashcam. 10.30 World’s Wildest

6.00 10 News+. 7.00 Deal Or No Deal. 7.30 DogsBehaving (Very) Badly Australia. (Return, PGl)Two Shih Tzus tear amum and daughterapart. 8.30 Gordon Ramsay’sSecret Service. (PGal) Gordon Ramsay’s investigation of MacGregor’s Restaurant reveals mouldyleftovers and astorage room full of junk. 9.30 FBI: International. (Mv) The FlyTeam heads to Belgrade. 10.30 10’s Late News. 10.55 10 News+. (R) 11.55 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 HomeShopping. (R) 4.30 CBSMornings.

Thursday,August 21

ABC (2) SBS (3)

6am Morning Programs. 10.55 Shaun Micallef’s EveOfDestruction. (PG, R) 11.35 Nigella Bites. (R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Silent Witness. (Ma, R) 2.00 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.30 Back Roads. (PG, R) 2.55 Grand Designs. (PG, R) 3.45 Grand Designs Aust. (R) 4.40 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

7.30 7.30. 8.00 Back Roads: Forrest, Victoria. Paul West explores Forrest, Victoria. 8.30 Griff’sGreat American South. (Final, PG) GriffRhys Jones heads to New Orleans.

9.15 The Family Next Door (Mls, R) 10.10 ABC Late News.

10.25 The Business. (R) 10.45 CultureByDesign. (Final, R)

11.10 Joanna Lumley’sSpice Trail Adventure. (Final, PG, R) 12.00 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PG, R) 12.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.40 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 7pm Supertato. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 Secrets Of The Zoo. 9.25 Teenage Boss: Next Level. 9.50 The Mysterious Benedict Society 10.40 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs. 2.15pm Black As. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 4.25 Little JAnd Big Cuz. 4.35 Waabiny Time. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 Black As. 5.30 Te Ao With Moana. 6.00 Bamay 6.30 News. 6.40 Great Parks Of Africa. 7.30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. 8.30 Tribal. 9.25 MOVIE: Kill Bill: Vol. 1. (2003, MA15+) 11.20 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Mystery Of The Assassination Of JFK. (Mav,R) 2.45 Garage Dreams. (Premiere) 3.15 Going Places. (PG, R) 3.45 The Cook Up. (R) 4.15 Secrets Of The Royal Palaces. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Great Australian Road Trips. (PG) Aroad trip from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island.

8.30 National Parks From Above: Ireland. (Premiere, PGa) Showcases the beauty of Ireland from the skies, starting with Killarney and Burren.

9.25 Snowpiercer (MA15+v) Layton and Till’smanhunt reachesaclimax.

10.15 SBS World News Late.

10.45 Dopesick. (Mals, R) 11.50 Desperate Measures. (Malv,R) 1.30 Curious Traveller.(R) 2.30 Incredible Homes. (R) 3.30 Great Irish Interiors. (R) 4.00 JSchwanke’sLife In Bloom. (R) 4.30 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6am Morning Programs. 12.30pm Jimmy Carr’sILiterally Just Told You. 1.25 Roswell: The First Witness. 2.10 Alone: The Skills Challenge. 2.35 Insight. 3.35 News. 3.40 WorldWatch. 5.40 The Fast History Of. 6.05 Over The Black Dot. 6.35 Travel Man. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.30 News. 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Curse Of Oak Island. 10.10 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6am Morning Programs. 1.40pm Playground. (2021, Mav,French) 3.00 The Movie Show 3.35 The Four Musketeers: Revenge Of Milady.(1974, PGlv) 5.40 Sidonie In Japan. (2023, PGans, French, Japanese, English) 7.30 Dog Day Afternoon. (1975, Malv) 9.45 Perrier’sBounty.(2009, MA15+dlv) 11.20 Late Programs.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away (PG) Cash and Eden look to the future.

8.30 Clarkson’sWho Wants To Be AMillionaireUK. (PG) Contestants compete for atop prize of £1 million. Hosted by Jeremy Clarkson.

9.30 Air Crash Investigations: Firebomber Down. (PGa) Takes that crashed while battling

10.30 Soham: Catching AKiller (Mav,R) 11.30 Kick Ons.

12.00 Life. (Madv,R)

1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R) 1.30 Harry’sPractice. (R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6am Morning Programs. 1pm Escape To The Country 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 Air Crash Inv: Accident Files. 3.30 The Real Seachange. 4.00 Animal Rescue. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country 6.30

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair

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

8.30 Emergency (Mm, R) Doctors urgently need answers in acase involving one of the sickest patients they have seen.

9.30 RPA. (PGm, R) Amother is diagnosed with cancer

10.30 Chicago Med. (Return, MA15+am)

11.20 9News Late. 11.50 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 12.40 Pointless. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00

9GEM

Nanny 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: Sherlock Holmes 2: AGame Of Shadows. (2011, M) 11.10 Seinfeld. 12.10am Pretty Little Liars. 1.10 Supernatural. 3.05 Below Deck. 4.00 Late Programs.

Duds. (PGs, R) TomGleeson welcomes back four returning retirees.

9.50 Shaun Micallef’s EveOf Destruction. (PG, R) 10.25 ABC Late News.

10.45 Austin. (PG, R) 11.15 Silent Witness. (Ma, R) 12.15 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv) 5.00 Rage. (PG)

6.30 SBS World News.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

7.30 The Good Ship Murder (Mv) Jamil is accused of murder

8.25 The Royals: AHistory Of Scandals: Affairs. Alook at scandalous historic royal affairs.

9.20 Britain’sMost Luxurious Train Journeys: Snowdonia. (R) Charts ajourney aboardthe Statesman train.

10.15 SBS World News Late.

10.45 Catch Me AKiller (Malv)

11.40 The Shelter (MA15+av,R)

1.15 Romulus. (Masv,R) 3.10 Great Irish Interiors. (R) 3.40 JSchwanke’sLife In Bloom. (R) 4.40 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

Megatron. 10.00 Late Programs. SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 6.40pm 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 Teen Titans Go! 8.00 Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! 8.20 BTN Newsbreak. 8.30 MythBusters “There’sYour Problem!”. 8.55 Robot Wars. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs.

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 10.20 Dog Day Afternoon. (1975, Malv) 12.35pm Tudawali. (1987, Mlsv) 2.15 The Band’sVisit. (2007, PGls, Arabic, English, Hebrew) 3.50 The Last Wave. (1977, PGaln) 5.50 What We Did On Our Holiday.(2014, PGa) 7.40 Driving Miss Daisy.(1989) 9.30 Trespass Against Us. (2016, MA15+l) 11.25 Late Programs.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Football. AFL. Round 24. Collingwood vMelbourne.

10.30 AFL Post-Game Show Post-game discussion and interviews taking alook back at all the action from the game. 11.00 GetOn Extra. Alook at the weekend’sbest racing.

11.30 To Be Advised.

12.30 Touching Evil. (MA15+av,R) The OSC travels to the

1.30 Travel Oz. (PG, R) Hosted by Greg Grainger 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) Hosted by Simon Reeve. 5.00 NBC Today.

6.00 9News. 7.00

valleysport

Sporting results from around the Latrobe Valley

Fourth time unlucky

MorwellEast rejected yet

FOOTBALL/NETBALL

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT AND LIAM DURKIN

IN Morwell EastFootball-Netball Club’s latest attempt to join North Gippsland Football-Netball League from Mid GippslandFNL, the Hawks have again failed at the last hurdle.

Aspecial general meeting was held by the NGFNL board and its member clubslastWednesday (August 14), to determine if Morwell East would finally see out their wish for change after applying for North Gippsland the last two years. However, the Hawks’ hopes came crashing down, as the vote came in 6-5 against.

While the ultimate resultwas split 6-6,with the NGNFL board entitled to one vote, a75per cent approval needed to occur to see Morwell East across the line.

The board, alongside Traralgon TyersUnited, Churchill,Yallourn Yallourn North, Rosedale and Glengarryfootball-netballclubs all voted in favour of accepting the Hawks into the competition.

But, six clubs didn’t agree: Woodside, Yarram, Gormandale, Cowwarr, Sale City and Heyfield all going against. Morwell East FNC president Colin King was, of course, displeased with what transpired yet again.

“MEFNC are disappointed with the outcome of our application to join the NGFNL for season 2026 and beyond,” he told the Express

“We believe all NGFNL clubs and MEFNC would benefit from our inclusion.

“The club does see our long term future in the NGFNL, but for the

shortterm, will continue to strive for success in the MGFNL.

“We thankthe efforts of the NGFNL board for their strong endorsement and hope to be able to answer all concerns of the clubs that voted no.”

The concerns raised from the clubs opposing themove included Morwell Eastnot currently beingableto field an under 18s side, which was amajor requirement, and was also appliedwhen former Mid Gippsland club YYN was accepted into North Gippsland in 2020.

The Hawks have not been able to get athirds team up since 2017, but

King was adamant when they first submitted their application to join North Gippsland next year that they stand abetter chance of doing so in the new league, due to geographical reasons.

Another concern regarding Morwell East's acceptance was the stress that would be applied to umpiring numbers within the Sale Umpires Associationand questioning if they would be able to continue to service all North Gippsland games withthe Hawks in the picture, pushing thecompetition to an even 12 clubs.

The NGNFL board were for the

acceptance of Morwell East, and expressed their disappointment.

“The board of directors were disappointed in how the votefell,but are bound by the NGFNL Constitution, with the member clubs voting and required nine clubs to approve the application,” NGFNL president, Martha Truin told the Express.

Similar sentiments followed the fallout of last year’s vote, the NGFNL board will likely encourage Morwell East and other clubstotry again, proud to be aleague which is sought after.

Last year’s vote included fellow Mid Gippsland clubs Newborough and Yinnaralongside the Hawks, however, the former two did not submit their applications this time around.

There are quite anumberofclubs who have had achangeofheart since MorwellEastfirst reached the NGFNL club vote in 2023, with Heyfeld, Yarram, Sale City and Cowwarr all for the move back then Rosedale and Glengarry voted against that time around, but have since shifted in opinion and warmed to the idea.

We will see if nextyear holds a different fate for the Hawks.

 THE saga could yet have further fallout, with documents seen by the Express indicating anumberofboard positions will become vacant for season 2026.

It has been ahorror few weeks for NGFNL officials,where off-field issues (namely the brawl between Yarram and Rosedale) have largely distracted from the finals series to commence this weekend.

FINALS TIME

FOOTBALL/NETBALL

By LIAM DURKIN

BESTwishes to all Mid Gippsland andNorth Gippsland teams beginning their finals journeys this weekend.

Finals are always an exciting time of year, and players, coaches and officials are bound to make some lifelong memories over the next few weeks. Some great stories are alsointhe works. It is fantastic to see small clubs likeBoolarra, Thorpdale and Gormandale in finals.

The Demons qualified for Mid Gippsland senior finalsafter winning the last gameofthe homeand-away season at the weekend.

To qualify for finals is atop effort given Boolarra looked like missing for most of the season following amountinginjury listand anumberofcloselosses

Thorpdale is into its secondfinalsseries in three seasons, thisyear comingwitha supposedly weaker team comparedtolast year when the Blues narrowly missed out.

There in itself demonstrates the beautiful uncertainties of football -you just never know.

Gormandaleenters the NorthGippsland AGrade netball finals series with the double chance.

The Tigers have gone from barelywinninga game to getting withinone win of makingaGrand Final if they win this weekend.

All three of these smaller clubs have staved off no shortage of threats in recent years regarding their own survival, but now that finals are here, are surely taking sentimental favouritism.

Rosedale are also back in North Gippy senior football finals for the first time since 2019, while manywill be hoping thisisfinallythe year Heyfield dislodges either TTU or Woodside and gets to the last game.

Foster and Fish Creek appear runaway favouritesinMid Gippy footy stakes,and if thosetwo rivals happen to make the Grand Final, it could draw acapacity crowd.

By all accounts, Fish Creek are like Port Adelaide of the old SANFL -they feel they just have to win the flag every single year. By equal measure, Foster will be motivated to possibly see off afew ageing stalwarts on the highest note possible.

Foster and Fish Creekhavealsofinished top-two in netball, so the stage could be set for aSouth Gippy invasion on Mid Gippy Grand Final day. TheMid Gippslanddecider is settobeplayedin Meeniyan, yet could be changed to Yinnar pending ground conditions.

Rivalries across Gippsland continue this week, with former North Gippsland clubs BoisdaleBriagolong and Stratford going at it in East Gippy. The Bombers can stop the Swans making finals by defeating them in the final home-and-away round. Such aresult would pave the way for another small town, Orbost to sneak into the post-regular season.

For those not playing finals, preparations have likely already commenced for next season.

Traditional North Gippsland powerhouse, Churchill would have undoubtedly knocked back many beverages last Saturday night as their horror season got over and done with.

It is understood the Cougars have already approached upwards of half-a-dozen past players about returning next season.

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

Enter the intrigue of Round 18

FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

(51)

(35) GOALS: Wonthaggi: CMcInnes 3ALindsay JBlair JHarveyH Tiziani. Leongatha: NHanily JHume JGarnham PIreland BEST: Wonthaggi: JWilliams JHarveyRSparkes BMabilia I Chugg KPatterson. Leongatha: JPellicano AHeppell KDrewCMaskell WLittlejohn NHanily

MAFFRA5.2 8.4 9.8 14.9 (93)

DROUIN 4.1 6.3 8.4 10.7 (67)

GOALS: Maffra: AMcKenzie 3DAlexander 3A Watt 2EBerry2RPhelan 2B Monk NChristy. Drouin: RBaker 3K Quirk 2M Williames ECroucher SAmoroso ZMcmillan CStone BEST: Maffra: JKilloranACarr AMcKenzie SAndersonDAlexander DButcher.Drouin: KQuirk J Marshall DLund SAmoroso RBaker CKleeven MORWELL 6.2 12.7 15.11 22.12 (144) SALE2.4 5.5 6.7 6.7 (43)

GOALS: Morwell: ARosato5BBailey 4J Galea 3DMusil 3W Clarke 2NNoblett 2ZAnderson CMacdonald BMacfarlane.Sale: TCampbell 3J Leslie JJohnstone JMclaren.

NO ONE thought to tell Wonthaggithe Gippsland League top five was set in stone.

The Power kept the flickering flame of finals hope alive at the weekend,after defeating South Gippsland rival Leongatha in Round 17.

Wonthaggi’s victory over the top side means there is threeteams on equal points with one round to go.

Last round anxiety will greet the Power, Morwell and Warragul, who are in a battle for places in the elimination final.

Oneisgoingtomissout, althoughpredicting just who thatwillbecannot be donewith absolute certainty.

Morwell (in fourth) should feel somewhat safe given its percentage is 25 points better than Warragul's.

The Tigers however have the toughestroad trip in theleague to come, playing Bairnsdale in East Gippsland this weekend.

Warragul plays Drouin in the western derby, and while the Gulls will be favoured, local rivalriestend to bring marginsalot closer.

The Hawks are set to play on their redeveloped home ground for the first time, and will undoubtedly be motivated to make it a first game to remember to see out the regular season.

Of greatest intrigue perhaps is the Power, who travel to Ted Summerton Reserveto take on Moe.

Given the Lions cannotlosethe double chance, they may look to rest players,and given the elimination final will be held in Wonthaggi, the Power will have even more incentive to win.

In aconspiracy theorythat will makesome of the regular Express letter writers proud (you know who we’re talking about), Moe also has an outside chance to stop Morwell making finals.

Should the Tigers lose, Warragul win and Moe also conveniently drop the points, Morwell will finish sixth and out of finals.

The Tigers have beaten Moe and Traralgon thisseason, andthose teams mayrest easier knowing theywon’t have to playthem during September.

Before anyone losestheir mind -it’sjust atheory. Not for one moment suggesting a team would ever throw agame.

Clubs however haven't exactly been subtle

around this time of year in the past.

Maffra rested ahost of players for the Round 18 game against Warragul in 2016.

The Gulls’ victory resulted in Sale missing finals by two points while the Eagles went on to win the flag.

The Magpies took some revenge six years later,doing the sameagainst Morwell in Round 18, 2022 which ended up preventing Maffra frommaking finals. The Magpies went on to play in the Grand Final.

To borrow (somewhat)from the late, Dean Bailey: “I did the right thing by the Melbourne Football Club”.

Similar occurrences often happen in local cricket, where teams need to win outright in the last round to make finals.

Fromthis,unfortunate accusationsofpitch doctoring tend to do the rounds.

For this reason, Ihave always advocated for the last round of the season to be aone dayer (still yet to win that argument).

Sale andMaffra won't featureinthis year's finals series.

As they say,all goodthingsmustcome to an end, and this willbethe first time since 1994 aGippsland Leagueseniorfootballfinals series will not featureeither the Magpies or Eagles.

Wins all round for the Valley

LLegione

GOALS: Morwell:TGray2LPatterson 2JBlackford2JBurrS Gissara. Sale: CLaverty2CLett H Potts ZWaixel BEST: Morwell: JBurrLPatterson SGissara LDalziel JSeymour RMakepeace Sale: MAnnear LDavine MMalone STreglown CLavertyJ Cantwell

GOALS: Maffra: JOldham 8BHarrington 4S Walker 2B Mckenzie HStables.Drouin: J Bordonaro BEST: Maffra: HStables JOldham SWalker JBristow JKelly DGray. Drouin: K Smith CCaddy TBuckingham WBethune JBordonaroF Lockwood MOE 6.1 12.5

Moe: LWeir 4LMackay 3LRock 2C Wood 2BSword 2W Robinson 2LDurkin 2W Luke BWardle.Warragul:

FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

ALL Latrobe Valley teams won their respective Round 17 gamesatthe weekend.

Traralgon and Moe took astep closer to aqualifying final rematch, while Morwell’s huge win wastimelygiven the logjamof teams from spots four to six on the ladder.

Leongathahas the minor premiership in thebag (unless it loses to Maffra and Moe wins by 200points this weekend), in what will see the same top three as last season.

 MORWELL blasted Sale off the park.

The Tigers were ruthless in their execution, winning 22.12 (144) to 6.7 (43).

Such ascorelinewouldhave been pleasing for Morwell on acouple of fronts -not least the percentage booster that could securethem afinals berth.

Having gained aperhaps unwarranted reputation for being adour defensive side, to kick 22 goals only afortnight out from finals showed Morwell can go big.

Rosato was best, along with Burkeley Macfarlane (who recoveredafter hobbling off late in the gameagainst Moe the previous round), Brandon Mcaulliffe, Aidan Quigley, Stephen Milles and Tom Caile.

Jack McLaren, Derek Eggmolesse-Smith, Jarrod Freeman, Tom Campbell(threegoals), Jack Leslie and Thomas Glenn battled hard for Sale.

It is hardtorecall aGippsland League season where ateam has crashed so far below expectation as the Magpies have this year.

The top-end quality of Sale’s players adds some confusion to how they have fared, in what could simply be acase of ‘everything that could go wrong, has gone wrong’.

 TRARALGON won afairly uninspiring game at Terry Hunter Oval.

The Maroons got up 10.14 (74) to 4.10 (34) over Bairnsdale in slippery conditions.

The Redlegs kicked the first goal of the match, but it ended up being just about the only highlight for the visiting side.

Will

Oscar Clarke, Tyran Reesand Tom Blenheim rounded out the best players for Bairnsdale.

The Redlegs are alreadylooking to next season, and have reappointedKane Ashwood as senior coach.

Former Morwell junior,Jason Waddell has been appointed assistant-coach of the reserves.

The Waddell names features heavily in local footy, with Dave about to enter afinals seriesfor TTU in North Gippsland, having lastplayed for Woodside underhis cousin and Morwell’s Michael (Chunky) Duncan in 2022.  ANOTHER win but another set of unknowns for Moe.

GOALS: Leongatha: EBerryman 2MSheahan 2FDonohue MCarterNBradley CBickerton AFixterS Beachley.Wonthaggi: BWyhoon 2J Brouwers BEST: Leongatha: AWilliamsF Donohue CRichardsS Bradley ALogan SBeachley.Wonthaggi: OFeather HSmith J Brouwers NPatchSCarterSMcBean

1.3 5.7 6.9 (45) WARRAGUL 2.0 3.1 3.2 4.5 (29)

GOALS: Moe: XBerquez AJones JShields OBuddD Walsh DPolimeni.Warragul: FSheehan 2HHodge CThompson. BEST: Moe: JShields OBuddDPolimeni DWalsh TPaltridge LWillis Warragul: TWardT Logan CThompson CWardDHammond LMoore

(43)

(25)

GOALS: Traralgon: SWight 2MFarley 2LHooper 2. Bairnsdale: RHargreavesO Emmett KFrith. BEST: Traralgon: HConbeer LMacumberLHooper BRoscoe TDavidson MFarley Bairnsdale: CReedK Frith RLieuwen SBuckley HMcGuinn JFarley

MORWELL 1.3 3.4 3.4 5.8 (38)

SALE1.3 2.5 4.10 4.12 (36)

GOALS: Morwell: DRosato2JMooney XAdams JStevens.Sale: MMayman OCentra B Harrison TRonchi. BEST: Morwell: CRuach RO’Neill DRosatoOKalan JMooney TJames Sale: JGreenwood BHarrisonJ Lamb HDavine JKelly WMoon

MAFFRA3.5

To have what could be termed a‘statement win’ by more than 100 points on the eve of finals will also surely give the Tigers confidence.

Morwell wasrarely challenged at home, and put up six goals in each of the first two quarters.

The Tigers arguably finished even better, keeping the Magpies to just one major after the main break, and kicking seven goals alone in the final term.

Morwell’s main goal-scorer came from asomewhat unlikely source in bullocking midfielder, Anthony Rosato.

He kicked five, while playing-coach Boyd Baileyadded to hisseason tally withfour,and Josh Galea and cult hero Dan Musil added three each.

If ever there was asignofwhere Bairnsdale is at mentally, it was perhaps summed up when big man Ethan East took nearly aweek to decide where he was going to kick the ball outsidedefensive 50, only for Traralgon’s Jackson McMahon to almost walk up behind him and nab him holding the ball.

McMahon kicked two goals, as did debutant Riley Adams, who was rewarded after agood season in the reserves.

BraydenKokshoornwas alsocalled up from the lunchtime league after ruckman Tyler Anderson was rested.

The Maroonskept the Redlegsatarm’s lengthafter quartertime, before breaking away in the third term with three goals to none.

Dylan Loprese booted four goals, and was helped further up the fieldbyTye Hourigan.

Tristen Waack was also busy, as was Joel

The Lions responded to afirmchallenge from Warragul, winning10.6(66) to 6.14 (50) in agrinding affair at Western Park. Needing to win to potentially snatch the double chance, the Gulls went into halftime ahead by three points. Moe however kicked two quick goals upon the resumption, whichwas enough to hold on in at times freezing conditions.

Acouple of miracle goals from Warragul kept thingsinteresting in the final term, before Moe midfielderTrentBaldi sealed the deal, finding enough space amid congestion inside 50 to celebrate asweet goal he knew was going through as soon as it left his boot.

Baldi was among the best players, and (unusually) wore long sleeves for part of the game -one of ahost of Moe players to do so. Brock Smith, Alex Dijkstra, Nick Prowse, Harry Pepper and Scott van Dyk also contributed.

Man mountain Sam Whibley (who just seems to get bigger every time you see him), was best for Warragul.

Continued -Page27

Scholtes, Connor Ambler and Matt Northe.

Mitchell, East, Cooper Harvey,

Crucial first steps taken 10

FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

MOE cannot losethe double chance with one round to go in the Gippsland League.

For the third year in arow,the Lions are set to enter finals with reason to be optimistic about what lies ahead.

Whilethe teamhas stumbledatthe preliminary finalhurdleinits two previous attempts, the sustained period near the top has kept Moe among the competition leaders.

Partofthis consistencycan actuallybetraced back adecade ago, when James Blaser took over as the Lions’ senior playing-coach.

Havingplayed through some leantimes himself, Blaser resurrected the team into successive finals series, andblooded anumberofyoung players along the way who are now leading the charge in the Lions senior team.

Here, Blaser, who retired in 2023 after close to 200 games for Moe, talks through how he plotted the Lions’ rise back up the ladder.

 LD: Was coaching ever really on the radar for you?

JB: INEVER set out to be asenior coach. Sort of just unfolded that way.

Ifelt at the time Moe were battling and slowly getting better. Ijust felt Iwas the right person for the job. Ihad connections to the playing group so Iput my hand up.

 How tough was it going from just playing to coaching, especially given you had to go from being mates with players to being their boss?

SOME aspects of playing with my mates and coaching them waseasy, but other aspectswere very difficult. It's abig change going from aplayer to acoach

Ithink any first-year senior coach, you’re not really prepared for the role -it’samonumental task. If you were to do it again second time around, you’d be muchmore prepared for it. I’d be very surprised if any first-year coachunderstood what’s involved with the role.

You think the season ends, (but) that’s when it really ramps up. The worst time is the end of the season to the start of preseason.

It’s afull-time commitment if you do it right Iwould say it’s a30hour aweek commitment throughout the whole year. Then as aplayingcoach, you have to make sure you find the time to

From page 26

OTHERS to play well were Xavier Olsson, Isaac Wallace, LucasCarter, LukeGarner and defender Sean Masterson, who was heardonmultiple occasions to yell “someone get on Poholke” in reference to Lions midfielder, Myles.

Myles’ brotherand Moeplaying-coach, Leigh kicked an important goal late, coming back onto the ground after hobblingoff just moments before.

While he got through the game, the same could not be said for three of his troops.

Gun midfielder Nathan Scagliarini suffered a suspected fractured cheekbone, defender Matt Heywoodapossible brokenthumb, and midfield bullJaryn Makepeace was on crutchespost-game

This writer bumped into Makepeace at the doctors on the Wednesday during the week, and it looks as though flu is running rife through the Moe camp at the worst possible time.

Most of the Lion’s reserves team was visibly sick at the weekend, while in the seniors, small forward Jacob Balfour was reportedly barely able to function by halftime.

get yourself fit enough. Icertainly wouldn’t have the time now with two young kids.

 Did you notice anything you felt needed addressing immediately when you first stepped in?

THE reason Ithought Iwas the right person for the job was Iwantedtoimprovethe professionalism around the club.

We werestarting trainingontime, we had a pregame routine everySaturday that was the same. We tried to just improve some things that I thought were beneficial to my career when Iplayed Gippsland Power and VFL at Casey. Ithink alot of the players started to thrive on having amore professional, organised system than what we had.

 Whilesenior results were poor, the juniors were contesting grand finals. Was this always in the back of your mind that there was some hope and good young players coming through?

IT’S alot easier to recruit players when you have some sort of positive aspect to selltothem. The fourthsone year went premiers and champions and they had some really talented players not far off filtering into the senior grades.

There was signs we were going to get better and it wasn’t that far away.

 You weren’t afraid to think outside the square; bringing in aclub dietician and changing Thursday night meals for instance. Were you just willing to try anything?

(IT was) trying to educate the playing group that there was alternatives.

We triedtoteachsome of our younger guys that, having been around ahigher environment, about, you can’t just eat what you want all the time.

 You went from six wins in 2016 to 12 wins in 2017. Did you always think it would be atwo-year plan to try and turn things around?

SECOND year we certainly improved, but that comes off the back of junior development.

Scott van Dyk, the current senior co-captain, he played 15 to 20 games, then Brock Smith, he was only a16year-old kid, but we startedtohave some more depth at the bottom end of our list.

Our top six or seven players were always pretty competitive. Iremember under Burgs (senior coach Adrian Burgiel), alot of games we would get to three quarter time, we were still in the game but there was alot workload on certain players, Jacob Wood, BenMorrow, TommyLong, myself, those

Compounding the possible health of the list will be the unavailability of Riley Baldi.

The reigningGippsland League best-and-fairest winner is set forafinals series with Casey in the VFL.

Casey finished fifth after beating second-placed Box Hill in the last round of the regular season, thus missing the Wildcard Round (to be played this weekend) by half-a-game.

That means his VFL finals will coincide with the Gippsland League finals series.

Moe will however hope to have Harri Sim and Declan Keilty back in time for finals.

Keilty was back running at the weekend, while Simtook up goal umpiring in the knowledge Warragul’susualphysicality on awet track may have left himsusceptible.

The Gulls’ team will also likely change come finals.

Warragulwas withoutstartingmidfieldersTom Hobbs (suspended) and VFL player Will Hayes, key forward Brayden Fowler, the Stewart boys (Jordan and Zac) and young gun Riley Senini. Hobbs sat out after takingthe early guilty plea

guys had to play whole games without rotations.

Oncewestartedtoget some depthand we got the opportunity to roll forward and get our breath back, we were more competitive for longer.

 Looking at the names you recruited in 2016 from Newborough and Traf such as Daniel Risol, Michael Farrell, Klay Butler and Joel Bragagnolo, would it be fair to say you just had agood, honest local team at your disposal?

THEYweren’t justminor league footballers, they were exceptional footballers.

Daniel Risol and Michael Farrellwere two of the best footballers in Mid Gippsland for along time. KlayButler’s had an exceptional career at Traf and Dylan Farrell was coming off abest-and-fairest at Buln (Buln).

IgrewupinTraf so I’m very good mates with Klay Butler. Iwas fortunate that Traf were going through arebuild so acouple of guys came across to play abetter standard of football.

Because they came from winning cultures in aminor league,they just brought something we didn’t have in the playing group, and that was, I suppose, adesire or aknow-how-to-win approach. It took them 10-12 games, maybethe full season, to understand the pace the GippslandLeague plays at.

 Abit of arandom player around this time was Col Sanbrook. How did you get a former Leongatha captain to play for Moe?

WE had acouple of guys heavily involved in the construction industry. Col’s asparkie.Around that time there was ashortage of work in the industrial sector; we offered him some work.

Sometimes yougotta do what you gotta do, if players havetotakeopportunitiestomakesure they’re providing for their families.

We got Col across and he was sensational. He’s a great guy and afantastic player.Wereally enjoyed having him at the club and Ihad no problems personallytosee him go back to Leongatha and win apremiership (in2018)

 You played ayoung Brock Smith as atopage fourths player in the 2017 semi-final. What did you see in him even at that age?

HE didn’t just play in asenior final, he played through the midfield.

Brock had playedacoupleofgames, always been asolid kid, he was always abig kid. He’s tough, and we just needed abit more grunt and enthusiasmand thought he was the best option at the time.

for striking Maffra’s Elliot Stables (who is only ayear out from thirds), asentence that was met with some consternation from the localfooty court of opinion.

The vision clearly shows Hobbs land ablowto the back of Stables’head, however, Maffra players did not immediately remonstrate.

 WONTHAGGI threw the ladder predictor into disarray after beating Leongatha.

The Power lived to fight another day, winning 7.9 (51) to 4.11 (35) at home.

Just 10 pointsseparatedcombatants at the last changeofends, and that lead endedup being worth alot more as far as Wonthaggi was concerned given the final margin.

Jai Williams, Jarvis Harvey, Ryan Sparkes, Brodie Mabilia, Isaac Chugg and Kaj Patterson were best for the winners.

Bestfor Leongatha was Justin Pellicano, Aaron Heppell, Kim Drew, Cade Maskell, Will Littlejohn and Ned Hanily.

Maskell returned for his first game since Round 9, while certain senior players Tom Marriott, Jackson Harry and SeanWestaway (Leongatha’s

Ithrew him in there, and as a16-year-old kidhe performed extremely well.

 Scott van Dyk and Harri Sim also played in that game as kids. How fondly do you look back now and see them as the current senior leaders?

IDO. Alot of the time players pick themselves, it’snot the coachthat picks them, it’s the hardwork they do. Extremely lucky they’ve chosen to stick around the Moe footy club and become leaders. There’s alist of young guys that started in the fourths, even in the under 10s, that are now senior leaders of the club.

 Are you still keeping tabs with Moe results?

ICHECK the results, now living in Central Queensland. Iprobably speak to Trent Baldi threefour days aweek, and there’safew other guys in the group Ikeep in touch with on afortnightly basis. I’m not as invested as Iwas.I suppose everyyear I’m away I’ll be less and less invested, but I’m still extremely passionate as alife member of the club.

 Are you missing the playing side at all?

IWAS my first year. Round 1rolls around and you think ‘I wish Iwas out there’. But Iwatched two games this year. Idid the running against Leongatha and when Iarrived there was a Leongatha player in the reserves runningoff with asnappedarm. Then watchingWarragul/Moe last weekend it was eight degrees,raining sideways. There are aspects Imiss, but those sort of events, think I’m pretty satisfied to have retired.

 There certainly won’t be any jealousy if Moe happens to win the flag this year?

NO. Iwould have loved to win aflag.Ithink everyone wouldlovetowin aflag everyyear,or at least one senior flag.

Ihad my opportunities to leave Moe and go and play for Sale when they were dominant (2012), Morwell when they went back-to-back (2013-14), Iwas offered an assistant coaching role but I’m satisfied with everything Igave to the Moe Football (Netball) Club.

If the boys are lucky enough to win it this year, I’ll be extremelythrilled and raptfor them knowing deep down that Iplayed arole in helping rebuild the club.

Iwon’tbeatall jealous that I’m not out there, I’ll be probably more proud that Iwas part of the rebuild because 10 years ago we were hopeless.

senior games record holder) came back through the reserves. Clearly, the Parrots have managed their players to ensure the best possible 22 is available come September.

 MAFFRA was able to celebrate awin.

The Eagles broke clear from adetermined Drouin, 14.9 (93) to 10.7 (67) at Maffra Recreation Reserve.

With both teams outoffinals contention, the four points were still hotly contested given the very real chance for either side to sing the song. Ahighscoringfirst term saw nine goals kicked, before defence ruled until the final quarter. Maffra led by 10 points at three quarter time, and finished with five goals to two in the last. JettKilloran, Alex Carr,Andrew McKenzie (three goals), Sam Anderson, Danny Butcher and Dylan Alexander in his 100th senior game were best for the Eagles.

Kye Quirk,JarrodMarshall,Denver Lund, Seb Amoroso, Rylie Baker (up from the thirds) and Caleb Kleevan took the honoursfor Drouin.

MID GIPPSLAND

Boolarra pandemonium

FOOTBALL

GOALS: Foster:JFlavelle2 HFlavelleMGreen MCooke MClark JRathjen. Fish Creek:B Mitchell JKennyHSmith TCameron. BEST: Foster:C Wray ANortonMCookeJFlavelleM Allott TLittore. Fish Creek: KDorling LWilliams JStefani RLewis JLamers JHayes

11.10 (76)

(30)

GOALS: Meeniyan Dumbalk Utd: NNagel 4W Stewart3 BTomada2 TMcRae SWilson. Tarwin: THarley 2JStaley DBrosnan. BEST: Meeniyan Dumbalk Utd: TCorryKBohnS Wilson ABattersbySForrester JSchelling.Tarwin:M McCall BEllen BChalmers LJones HCumming JStaley

(54)

MIRBOO NTH 3.3 3.5 4.7 4.7 (31)

GOALS: Boolarra: MHebbard 4J Wilson JHolmes JMason.Mirboo Nth: PTaylor2HKerrJ Taylor BEST: Boolarra: MDyerT Potter BFlanigan WFlanagan MHebbard DWilson. Mirboo

Nth: JChila HKerr BPeters DTurner PLewis WJacka

NEWBOROUGH 4.3 6.6 8.9 12.12 (84)

HILLEND 1.4 6.5 9.6 11.6 (72)

GOALS:

Yinnar:LMaynard 3B Watson 3CHutchison 2C Le Page 2T

DHammond CMelouryBHotchkin

(21) GOALS: MorwellEast: CWangman 8FMarks 4B Marks 3J Quinn 2SDurbano2B DarbyLock BAtkinson ADoddS Winmar DHeyden. StonyCreek:D Zuidema LRow Bpark. BEST: Morwell East: HDwyer FMarks BAtkinson JAtkinsonCLane JQuinn. StonyCreek:A Wright GGrayR BaudinetteMSemken JByrnes CMcCaughan

(37)

ONCE the last roundofthe home-and-away season wasupon us and while five clubs were confident of playing apart in finals, and five clubsknewthattheir season would end.

There still remained threeclubs that would not know their destiny until 5pm Saturday afternoon.

An even season has produced six clubs to showcasethe highstandard of MGFNL football through the upcoming finals.

Apremiership awaits one of them.

In trying, winter conditions it was Boolarra that firmly grabbed their opportunity.

 MIRBOO NORTH VBOOLARRA

FORthe home team Tigers, the math was simple, win by alittle and Tarwin lose, they make the finals, win by alot and even if the Sharks won, percentage might have Mirboo North fall over the line into the top six.

The stumbling however was their weekend opponent, the Demons, who, also with avictory, could steal aspotinthe business end of the season at the very last moment.

Boolarra ultimately got the job done, winning7.12(54) to 4.7 (31) at Mirboo North Recreation Reserve.

Leading into finals, Demons coach Brendan Masonwas impressed with the performance.

“Inspired by the reserves first win of the season, the senior Boolarra boys gave it their all in trying conditionsagainst agallant Mirboo North,” he said.

“With both sidesaware MDU had done their job of beating Tarwin, the last quarter turned into avirtual elimination final.

Only one point separated the sides at last change but it was all in the visitors as we ran away near on four-goal winners.”

The excitement, relief and celebration of one club was in direct contrast to the emotions felt by the Mason’s opposition, Tigers coach Damian Turner.

“Shattering result.Itwas aclassic mud run, with the scores in thebalance at 3/4 time,” he said.

“To Boolarra’s credit they stood up in the last, came home with the wind and got the result they chased.

“Proudofwhere we havefinished as a club from 12 months ago, but finals footy is where we aspire to be, so this one will burn for awhile.

“Good luck to all the teams, footy and netball in their finals campaigns.”

Thefoundation for the Tigers has been set now for afurther climb up the table next year, while for the Demons, the excitementoffinals is to be embraced as they face aknock final against Yinnar in week one of the real stuff.

 MDUV TARWIN

HOSTING aTarwin side that could not accept anything less than awin or otherwise the Sharks would jeopardize their sixthplaced positionjust one week short of the finals.

Even with awin however, it was expected thatpercentage might also come into play as Thorpdalecontinued to be chased by two other contenders.

Meeniyan Dumbalk United were comprehensive victors,11.10 (766)to4.6 (30) at Meeniyan Recreation Reserve, sending the Sharks crashing out of finals contention.

 FOSTER VFISH CREEK

UNLIKE the pressure faced by those clubs fightingfor afinals spot, these two teams sat first and second respectively, Iguess the only itemonofferwas thebragging rights of finishing in top position.

That said, it was also acoincidentalchance for each to have aclose up look at the other, ahead of their inevitable first finals clash in afortnight, where the winner of that match will be playing for adirectthrough to Grand Final day.

Foster were too good, winning 7.4 (46) to 4.4 (28) at Foster Showgrounds.

 MORWELL EAST VSTONY CREEK

TWO teams with some work to do in the months between now and the start of 2026, clashed in agame that was all about pride and effort.

For the home team Hawks,itwas about grabbing premiership points that could get them off the bottom of the ladder.

However, Stony Creek pipped them right at the end, 6.12 (48) to 5.7 (37) at Ronald Reserve.

The Lions have been close so many times this season, onlytofall short, too manytimes, thosecloselosses the difference between playing in the weeks ahead or not.

For the Hawks, it’s been even more disappointing, probably not even too harsh to say it’s been aseason to forget.

With the respected Paul Henry stepping down as coach, the Hawks questtojoin rival league NGFNL denied arare wooden spoon in 2025, it appears time for acomplete reset for the one mighty Morwell East.

 NEWBOROUGH VHILL END

THE best thatNewborough could havehoped for was awin, aseventh-placed finish and the end of aseason that would also mark the starting point of some bigger and better days ahead.

The Bulldogs have not had the best of luck throughout the season, but have manfully turned up week in, week out laying out the best from what they had, and that was enough to get them over the line.

The Bulldogs defeated Hill End, 12.12 (84) to 11.6 (72) at Northern Reserve, to the pleasure of coach Pat Frendo.

“In what was essentially adead rubber game we hit off against Hill End in agame of pride,” he said.

“No team was willing to take abackward step which resultedinconsistentmomentum swings all game.

We had agreat start and went up three goals at the firstbreak. Felt like they really got the better of us in the middle two quarters.

“Down two goals at one point in the last, we managed to swing thingsbackinthe right direction and get the ball rolling our way late. Aclose two-goal win to finish the season on apositive note.”

The Bulldogs got withinawhisker of finals, but like their weekend opponents will look to abigger and better 2026.

Hill End coach Adrian Burns is confident of what is to come in the near future.

“We will definitely be abetter side next year than this, we had our chances on the weekend, but didn't take them,” he said.

“It was adisappointing way to finish the year really, but Istill believe we have some great young kids and importantly good people, so I'm remaining positive."

As much as we applaud those that make thefinals,asweshould, applausetoo, to the clubs like Hill End and Stony Creek that keep

showing up weekinand week out, giving the best they can.

 THORPDALE VYINNAR

THIS clash wasyet another that might have also been aprequeltoanupcomingfinal between the two sides the following week.

For this week,itwas Yinnar who easily passed Thorpdale,13.12 (90) to 3.1(19) at Thorpdale Recreation Reserve.

Magpies coachSam McCulloch is prepared for what’s to come.

“Good way to finish the home-and-away season. Another very even contribution right across the board and glad to be heading into thefinals with momentum and good form,” he said.

Yinnar fell shortbyavery small margin last season, but they appear even better prepared this year.

Thorpdale on the surface might be cursing adisastrous loss aweek prior to finals, but thereismoretothe story thanmeetsthe eye for coach Daniel Taylor.

“Outplayed by avery good side in Yinnar. Prior to Saturday we've had areally big 6-7 weeks of finals like footy just trying to make thefinals,” he said.

“So once we locked that away after Round 17, we took the opportunity to rest anyone who wasn't 100 percent fit,which meant we weren't competitive unfortunately.

“It'snever ideal heading into afinals campaigncomingoff an 80-point loss but it is what it is, we've moved on and we will be acompletely different team this week in our first final.”

 BYE - Toora.

MID GIPPSLAND FNL ELIMINATION FINALS

WEEK 1

Saturday, August 23 at Meeniyan Recreation Reserve

SENIORS

Yinnar vs Boolarra (2.20pm) RESERVES

MDU vs StonyCreek (12.30pm)

THIRDS

Hill End vs Tarwin (10.45am) Sunday, August 24 at Terrill Park,Fish Creek

SENIORS

MDU vs Thorpdale (2.20pm) RESERVES

TooravsTarwin (12.30pm) THIRDS

Yinnar vs Mirboo North (10.45am)

Winnersadvance to sudden death semi-final

TWilliams ZJones.Yinnar:HMcCulloch TTry KRoss BRansomM MooreDHobbs

Newborough: OHanson4MLangdon 4B Young 2SKippen2 PGeorgiou 2 TMcCabeMEdebohls.HillEnd: BStephens DPaulMHasthorpe BEST: Newborough: M Edebohls MLangdon ADaley OHansonPGeorgiou MBrosnan. Hill End: LMulley MBalfour MHasthorpe TBastin DPaul SDamschke MDU 3.4 6.9 10.12 14.18 (102) TARWIN 1.1 2.2 3.3

WCampbell ABruceLDuvoisin. Tarwin: ZMcRae CMalliaA Francis FFinlay JAndronacoE Langstaff

Bombers clinch finalsagain

NETBALL

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

WHILE most leagues locally wrapped up its homeand-away season and now prepare for an exciting finals campaign, Gippsland League still remains one regular round before the action begins.

Anticipated to be the grand final showdown for the secondyear runninginanumberofweeks, Moe and Warragul got one finalhit-out against each other before the postseason.

The Lions continue to be undeniable in their chase for arecord-breaking third consecutive A Grade premiership, defeating the Gulls, 65 to 62 at Western Park in Round 17.

On theirhome court, Warragul hit the ground running to jump ahead of the reigning premier by four goals at the end of the opening quarter.

Moe responded, as they usually do, with a21 goals to 14 second term to flip the script and lead by three goals at halftime.

The Lions continued at asimilar pace to where they were at the end of the first half, outscoring the Gulls 19-12 in the third quarter to increase the margin to double digits.

This gave Moe the necessaryspace to hold off their closest rivals, but Warragul persevered with avaliant fourth quartereffort to bring the deficit to only aminorone by thetimethe finalwhistle blew.

Ramayer Keilty returned to her defensive post aftera few weeks at the attacking end of the court and produced abest-on-court performance, while Ashlea Mawer ledthe scoring charge for the Lions with 46 goals and Jordan Pyle played well also.

Ella Rees, Renee Cook, and Sienna Green all performed admirably for Warragul, with scoring machineEmma Ryde adding 50 goals.

Morwell continue to be in the premiership mix as atop three side of the competition, taking down Sale comfortably, 71-34 at MorwellRecreation Reserve

The Tigers inflictedall their damage on the Magpies in the opening term, creating a17-goal lead at the first break already.

Riding awave the rest of the way through, Morwell onlyproduced lessthandouble digit quarter just once.

ChloeRadford was best for the Tigersthrough centre court,while veteran CourtneyGarthand shooter Holly Stephens (40 goals) stood tall. Stephens, alongsideMorwellteammate Anna Solomon, were recently announced as the leaders of the Victorian First Nations state team for 2025.

Solomon was instated as captain, while Stephens was chosen as vice-skipper.

Traralgon secured another gritty, late season victory over Bairnsdale, 57-52 at Traralgon Showgrounds.

Nothingcouldseparate either side through to halftime, until the Maroonscapitalisedonafew more chances in the third term to lead by four goals with aquarter spare.

Despite the best efforts of the Redlegs, Traralgon continued to build all the way through to the end of the match.

Montanna Styles was again exceptional for the Maroons, followed by Sophie Lecchino and Kasey Guttridge.

Even thoughTraralgon won’t play finals this season, the win will prove substantial as the side develops steadily in theyears aheadand consideringthey’vejust defeated afinals contender.

Other results included Leongatha taking out Wonthaggi, 53-33atWonthaggiRecreation Reserve, and Drouin annihilating Maffra, 85-28 at Maffra Recreation Reserve.

 EVEN thoughthe top six had been set in stone for anumberofweeks at this point, Round 18 of Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League still produced some thrillers.

Atop of theladder clash betweenfirst-placed Foster and right below Fish Creek went the way of

the Kangaroos, 37-31atFoster Recreation Reserve.

The Tigers still claimed the minor premiership, but alatewin could be back of mind the next time the two sides match up, potentially on grand final day.

Both teams have the week off while the elimination final rounds get underway, before they take on each other again in the qualifying final at Stony Creek.

Yinnar finished off the home-and-away season with two straight wins after adecent blip in the backendofthe year.

The Magpies took down Thorpdale comfortably, 84-16 at Thorpdale Recreation Reserve.

Finishing third on the ladder, Yinnar now take on sixth-placed Toora in the elimination final this Saturday at Meeniyan Recreation Reserve.

The last time they matched up against each other was in Round 2when Yinnar were easy victors, 57-26.

Mirboo North claimed another win aweek out of finals, taking down Boolarra, 59-25atMirboo North Recreation Reserve.

The Tigers finished agame clear for fourth, and now takeonMeeniyanDumbalk United in the Sunday elimination final at Terrill Park, Fish Creek.

The Demons travelled to Mirboo NorthinRound 10 and won by three goals.

MDU also drew with Tarwin at the weekend, 39-all at home, but didn’taffect their ladder positioning.

Other local LatrobeValley sides were able to clench wins in the last week of the season, despite not featuring in finals.

Morwell East defeated Stony Creek by two goals at Ronald Reserve, while Newborough dismantled

Hill End, 65-37 at Northern Reserve.

Toora had the bye.

 IT sure did come down to the wire.

The final round of home-and-away action in North Gippsland FNLdeterminedifteams were going to keep their season’s alive or not.

While Gormandale had already locked in their first finals berth since 2014 the weekprioragainst Glengarry, the Tigersended Woodside’s chances of extending their season, defeating the Wildcats by six goals at Gormandale Recreation Reserve.

After Traralgon Tyers United picked up atough away victory over Yallourn Yallourn North, 43-33 at George Bates Reserve, andHeyfieldpassed Glengarry, 56-38 at Gordon Street Reserve, Woodside’s year ended after sitting in the top five amajority of the year.

The results now pit the Bombers and the Kangaroos in the elimination final this Sunday at Glengarry Recreation Reserve.

In Round9,TTU wereabletoget by Heyfield, 45-40 at Tyers Recreation Reserve during adry patch for the Kangaroos.

With Sale City taking downRosedale, 38-27 at Stephenson Park, the Bulldogsnow play Gormandaleinthe qualifying final at George Bates Reserve this Saturday, pushing each side one step closer to thegrand final.

Churchill surely would have been happy that they were able to pick up one extra win throughout the season, as despite claiming the minorpremiership, the Cougars could have been in danger with one less victory in the final round and not being able to play considering their fixture had them matched against Yarram, who didn’t feature this season.

Cowwarr had the bye.

Netball scoreboard

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE -ROUND

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

MORWELL Football-Netball Club stalwart, Jennifer Duncan played her 250th game at the weekend.

The Tigers gave Duncan amilestone to remember, defeating Sale 58 to 25 in BGrade

The milestone lady was even best-on-court in the win.

Duncan came to the club in 2002,and after afew years away mainly following husband, Michael's coaching stints, returned to play in 2024.

Her list of achievements are plenty:the Lil Giddens Award, Team of the Decade 1997-2009 and2011-2020 and AGrade premiership in 2014.

In officialdom, she has been the club'snetball

secretary,netball coordinator, on the Tigers' committee, league committee and league netball president. Duncan has also coachedBGrade (currently), CGrade and juniors.

"Jen has been an amazing member both on and off the court,which resulted in herlifemembership to the MFNC in 2014," the club posted.

"We thank Jen for her years of dedication."

The 2014 flag was aparticular highlight, as her husband Michael also won asenior football premiership on the same day. To top it all off, the game was played at Morwell Recreation Reserve.

The duo could well have played the most games combined by ahusband/wife team for one club in Gippsland.

Michael Duncan estimates he has played around 350 games in total for Morwell (includingjuniors)

Holmesand hosed: Former Moe netballer,Montana Holmes (holding thetrophyonthe right) celebratesafter winning the Victorian Netball Leaguepremiership withFalcons last week.Match report-Page 43. Photograph: Liam Durkin

NORTH GIPPSLAND

TTU claims hat-trick of minor premierships

FOOTBALL

NORTH GIPPSLAND

CPotalej BEST: Woodside: MO’Sullivan MDyke AJanssen JMorgan RFoat CWhiteoak.Gormandale:

1.3

BEST: Yarram: BMottonKPearce GUnderwood DGarnham TMattern NMckenzie.Churchill: JWhykes S Robinson MGrimes BWhykes JHasell JAnswerth

(58)

5.3 5.3

(55) GOALS: Heyfield: BLindrea 4B Manson 2W Stevens 2JHanratty. Glengarry: CPoulton 4R Conway 2W Fraser-HanleyJ Wight BEST Heyfield: BManson SJones BLindrea WStevens J HanrattyBMeli. Glengarry: RConwayC Whitehead WFraser-HanleyCPoulton MTurner LNapier

4.6 5.6 9.6 (60)

2.0 2.2 2.5 4.10 (34)

GOALS: Sale City:R Donohue 4B Wilson JMcDonald JKelly TJerome PFalconer.Rosedale: BAllan CGriffin LHenry ELogan. BEST: Sale City:T Jerome CJohnson KDelacour ZBirdR Wells KGreen.Rosedale: CGriffinCO’Brien JRiddle HPettie JMurray ELogan WOODSIDE -15.12 (102)

GORMANDALE -1.2 (8)

GOALS: Woodside: DDobson4 TAlbert3 NLucas 2JScott 2RHinkley 2CPrestianni CEarles

Gormandale: BWilson. BEST: Woodside: JScott CEarles RMaiden BNormanT CoulthardJ Williams.Gormandale: HThomas JCochrane BForrest ZNolan MTut LRichards YALLOURN YALLOURN NORTHD TTU(FOREFIT)

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

MAKE or break, do or die.

The final round of home-and-away action in the North GippslandFootball-Netball League had certain teams going down to the wire and pushing theirfinals chances to the brink.

Particular spotlight came on the matchups of Rosedale and Sale City, and Yallourn Yallourn North and Traralgon Tyers United.

Dependant on results, either one of the Bulldogs or the Jets would be playing finals in 2025.

 THE Bombers reign continues.

TTU clinched the minor premiership by defeating YYN, 9.8 (62) to 7.4 (46) at George BatesReserve.

Not only that, they denied the Jets the opportunityofextending their campaign into finals.

YYN were clear of what needed to unfold for them to continue their season -either win on the day or trust that Sale City would lose to Rosedale -neither happened.

With constantly changing conditions on the day,both sidesarrived on the ground prepared forahard-edged, closequarters contest.

While the rain clearedoncethe main game had started, heavy winter weather unfolded prior to, leading to avery slippery surface. It truly wasafinals-like match, anddespite the Bombers alreadyknowing theirfate, they equallyenteredthe game withfocus and intensity.

Skills were sloppy either way for amajorityofthe opening quarter, with both sides desperately trying to make up ground and gain inches.

As the sky cleared, play began to open up ever so slightly, and after afew chances, the Bombers finallygot on the board for the first major score of the day with Frazar Brouns taken to the goal line after YYN defender Campbell MacInnes was issued a50-metre penalty for alate hit.

That would be the only goal booted in the opening quarter, with the scoreboard reading in TTU’s favour, 1.2 (8) to 0.1 (1).

As play resumed and after afew forward entries, TTU skipper Jye Neilson converted on aset shot at the five-minute mark, giving the Bombers atwo-goal buffer.

The away side dominated the inside 50 countearly, and even when YYN transitioned into theirattackingend, the Bombers defenders stood strong and the ball quickly convertedbackthe other way and Sam Curtain roved brilliantly and slotted another for TTU.

Up 20 points midway through the second term, the Bombers extended even further as Riley Denovan added his first.

The Jets eventually added their first goal for the day through Lachlan Rees on an angle.

Even as YYN finally responded, TTU did equally as much, with Hayden Willaton snapping truly to move back to a26-point lead.

The Jets were presented with afew more opportunities to etchthe margin closer as the main break came in, but were remained withthe singular goal through the firsthalf

Although, as play resumed, YYN got off to their best start of the day, with Tom Hutton slotting one for the Jets within the first minute of the second half.

After 10 minutes of no goals, Willaton addedhis second for the day through a checkside from the left side to keep the margin at 25 points.

Almost instantlyhowever, YYNresponded throughasnapfromRileyByrne off the hands of Darcy Shellcot.

The Bombers didn’t capitalise on anumber of reasonable chances in front of goal during the period, which kept the home side alive.

Bombers after some scratch through five minutes,givingthem some needed breathing room, and as YYN’s Josh Keyhoe responded shortly after.

Outofthe next centre bounce,the Jets got to their closest deficit as playing coach Dean MacDonald converted on the run to move YYN within single digits.

David Waddell got out in front of his defendertopushthe margin back outto 15 points for TTU,but YYN’s Dylan Bath produced abeautiful left foot snap to get it back.

Even at 10 points, as the seconds ticked down, the game appeared in doubt for the Jets,and afterFlynn Shields converted, it was game over.

Quinn Sinclair,Michael Jacobsen, Liam Michie, Trent Hourigan, Guy Sinclair, and Kade Duncan were standouts for the Bombers in their handy win.

The result ended YYN’s season and eliminates them from finals, wherethey won’t feature for the first time since 2014.

Jai Massese, Rowan Duguid, Tyler Brown, Dylan Bath, Campbell MacInnes, and HaydenMowat performed admirablyfor the Jets.

 SALE City has done it.

THEBulldogs will play finals for the second year runningafter defeating Rosedale, 10.9 (69) to 5.4 (34) at Stephenson Park. In awin or go home situation, Sale City had one thing on their mind -win the game.

The Blues, with afinals berth already in their back pocket, started the best of the two sides, leading initiallybysix points and then 10 points by halftime.

Inaccurate kicking then reversedfor the Bulldogs as play resumed, knowing they couldn’t leave anything out on the field.

FlynnRead and Chad Evans werestars in Sale City’s run, booting two goals apiece to begin the thirdquarterand push them ahead by 14 points.

Rosedalefinallyreplied, by alateone from Jaxsyn Whitehill kept the Bulldogs margin out to double digits.

Sale City had come alive on their home deck, and ran rampant throughout the last quarterwith four straight goals to begin the term and go ahead by 40 points.

Whitehill was best afield for the winners, followed by Kaden McCulloch, Hudson Tollner,Daine McGuiness, Evans (three goals), and Tom Bowman.

Riley Atlee,Brandon McConnell, Tom Northe, Oscar Smith, Ned Heathcote, and Caleb Barnett were solid for Rosedale.

Both sides will be hopingthey didn’t reveal too much, as they play off in the elimination final against each other this Sunday at Glengarry Recreation Reserve.

 HEYFIELD finish the regular season in fine form.

The Kangaroos battered Glengarry to the tune of 127 points at Gordon Street Reserve. Heyfield were likely already looking ahead to theirfinalsmatchup withWoodside when arriving to face the Magpies, but you’ve still got to get through the game.

The Kangaroos booted the opening eight goals of the match to move ahead by 50 points in short time.

While Glengarry eventuallyconverted majorly, Heyfield still finished with three straight goalstoenter halftime with a 68-point lead.

The Kangaroos went at about the same rate as play resumed into the second half, with 11 goals to the Magpies’ two.

Kyle Graham made it to double figures with a10-goal haul,while Xander Brooks, Tyson Graham, ThomasMarchesi, Caleb Ronan, and Kail Hole performed greatly.

Charlie Poulton with his three goals for Glengarrywas best in defeat, while Jesse Lee, Noah Wasalski, Sid Cogan, Michael Ryan, and Nathan Larkin could keep their head high.

Evenasthe Jetsfelt their timewas coming, the game was stopped forextended timewith little time remaining in the thirdterm as Hutton suffered afoot injury when arriving to amarking contest.

Both sideseventually saw outthe quarter, with themarginsitting at 21 points the way of TTU.

The unfortunate situation withHutton created somenewfoundinspiration, and especially consideringtheir season was in danger of being over very quickly, Shellcot slotted aset shot in front to move to 15 points down early in the fourth quarter.

SamCurtainadded his second for the

and only missing in aminor wayonhalf of that output.

MichaelO’Sullivanwith eightgoals was the man of the day, while Matt Dyke (four), Ashton Janssen, Josh Morgan, Ryan Foat (two), and CameronWhiteoak were amongst the best for the Wildcats.

Woodside had six players kick 23 of their goals.

Gormandale did not list their best players in their final game for the season.

 THE Demons finish the year off on a high note.

Yarram defeated Churchill, 18.18 (120) to 6.6 (42) at Gaskin Park.

While both teamswereitching for the year to be over, the Demons were able to celebrate at least alittle bit.

Theawayside started off with five goals to one in the opening term, before adding another six to extend their lead out to 71 points by halftime.

Little scoring was seen as play resumed into the third quarter, but Yarram still moved ever so higher through to the final siren, thus concluding both sides’ seasons.

Boadie Motton, KaylebPearce, Griffin Underwood, Dylan Garnham, Tom Mattern, and Nick McKenzie were amongst the best for the Demons.

JoshSwift(four goals) and Kiefer Sutherland (three) packed the scoring punch also for Yarram.

Joe Whykes, Sam Robinson, max Grimes, Blake Whykes, JackHasell,and Jordan Answerth performed admirably for Churchill.  COWWARR had the bye.

FINALS

QUALIFYING FINAL (AUGUST 23)

Woodside vs Heyfield (at YallournNorth)

ELIMINATION FINAL (AUGUST 24)

Rosedale vs Sale City (at Glengarry)

Winner of qualifying finalkeeps double chance.Loser of qualifying finalplays winner of elimination final.

 WOODSIDE were another team looking further ahead.

In the week leading into finals, the Wildcats belted Gormandale by 180 points.

The Wildcats could have made it worse if not for arather inaccurate opening quarter of 6.8 (44) to begin proceedings at Gormandale Recreation Reserve.

They were straighter in front of goal throughtothe second termwith5.1 (31) to move into halftime with a69-point lead, showing no signs of slowing down.

Woodside added18goalsinthe second half, almost playing with their opponent,

Premierships (2): 2019,2022 Grand finals (4): 2015,2016, 2019,

Minor premierships (4): 2015, 2017,2019, 2022

Topthree finishes (7): 2015-19, 2022, 2024

Notes: went from bottom to top of the ladder in 2015.Couldhave easily added two more grand final appearances had it not been for preliminary final losses by three points in 2018 and 2024. Lost afurther two finals by under agoal -the 2017 secondsemi(leading to astraight sets exit) and 2023 elimination (due in part to Churchill'sChris 'Squid' Williams playing arguably the greatest individual quarter even seen in recent years). YYN's reserveshave also won four premierships in this nine season span (2016, 2018, 2019, 2024), and featured in seven grand finals. It truly has been one of the great club turnarounds of all time. Compiled by Liam Durkin.

When future stars aligned for Gippy Power’sone and only flag to date

FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND POWER

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

GIPPSLAND Power’s lone2005TAC Cup premiership will be celebrated 20 years on this weekend, with apast players and staffnight followingthe current boys and girls sides’ final home-and-away bout against Dandenong StingraysatShepley Oval on Saturday.

The local development football club reached the mountaintop for the first time in 2005, defeating Dandenong, 12.9(81) to 10.6(66) at theMCG, capping off abrilliant year which featured many future AFL stars and draftees.

Atotal of 10 AFL players arose from the premiership-winning side, headlined by Collingwood champion and Sale’s Scott Pendlebury -the only playerfrom eitherGrand Finalteam to still be playing at the top level.

In the Magpies 2010flag, Pendlebury won alongside threePower teammates-Drouin’s Dale Thomas, Pakenham’s Tyson Goldsack, and Kilcunda’s Brent Macaffer.

Fellow Powerpremiershipteammate, Stony Creek’s Robert Eddy was on the losing side for St Kilda, while Wonthaggi’s Trent West featured in Geelong’s 2011flagoverhis former Power peers turned Collingwood players.

Three players from Power’s 2005 flag were taken in the top five in that year’s AFL Draft, with Drouin's Dale Thomas picked second (to Collingwood), Lakes Entrance’s Xavier Ellis picked third to Hawthorn, and Pendlebury taken fifth. Ellis was the first to taste success, winning a premiership with the Hawks in just his third season, and ultimately playing out an 11-year career, finishing with West Coast.

Traralgon’s Jay Neagle was taken with Essendon’s father-son selection (MervNeaglewas a1984 premiership player) -the son mustered 28 games through injury for the Bombers, and would later play locally for Traralgon, TTU (Traralgon-Tyers United), and Glengarry.

Nar Nar Goon’s Lachlan Hansen was taken third overall in 2006 to North Melbourne, playing 151 games for the Kangaroos during astrongperiod forthe club -later lacingupfor the Goon for 13 games post-AFL career.

Garfield’sBen Ross was taken in the 2007 preseason draft,mounting 18 games for North Melbourne and Hawthorn in aseven-year period.

Ross is also the cousin of Sydney Swans small forward and Bunyip’s Tom Papley, while Ross’ brother Michael also played two games for Essendon in 2011.

The 2005 season was something of abreak-out year for Power, who hadyet to get over the line in finals.

Finishing top of theladder, Power began by taking down the side who denied them in the previous year’s preliminary final, thumping CalderCannons by 77 points, beforebooking their GrandFinal date by defeating Northern Knights by 10 points.

In its 13th year of existence, Gippsland Power arrived on the big day as acurtain-raisertothat year’s AFL Grand Final, the famous Leo Barry game where Sydney broke their 72-year premiership drought.

Fans flocked early for the under 18s decider, whichwas riddledwith plenty of mistakes as neither side were settled to begin proceedings.

FutureCollingwood and Carlton high-flyer Thomas displayedwhatwas soon to come at the top level, elevating his draft status with abest-onground performance, finishing with 20 disposals, eight marks, and agame-high four goals.

Thomas booted the opener for Power, crumbing aclever goal which led to aGippsland run of four goals, seeingthem28points up at quarter time.

Dandenongdug deep and capitalised on afew indecisive plays from Power, with the Stingrays nailing three consecutive majors.

Thomas broke through with two goals at pivotal moments to give Power separation through the middle two quarters.

Morwell 2013 premiership player Jeff Ryan added another for Power to extend their lead further.

Both teams went back-and-forth with goalsto close the third quarter, with Power ahead by 22 points.

The final term opened with worlds of pressure either way, before Power best-and-fairest Ricky Delphine, Neagle and Ross combined to create aslimopportunity for Pendlebury, who duly converted.

With the game in the balance, Thomas rose again and finished another major on the run, inspiring his teammates to finish things off.

In his first year as Power coach, Hawthorn premiershipplayer and Leongatha footballer, Paul Hudson was elated with the historic win, with his team consistently the best all year round despite only training together once aweek.

Pendlebury was said to have displayed courage and grit playing the game after afamily bereavement, demonstrating great character to be asolid contributor all day.

The Sale prodigy had previously takenanumber of year off football to pursue basketball at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, before returning for his final two years of juniors.

It has been said that his decision to choose football over basketball made room for futureNBA champion Patty Mills to be accepted in the AIS.

From this premiership side, players have since left their mark on the wider local football scene.

The most memorableafter the fact wouldhave to be the youngest of the crop from 2005, being Philip Island’s Beau Vernon.

Theinspirational Leongatha and Philip Island premiership coach has since become aParalympian in wheelchair basketball after he suffered acatastrophicinjury playing for the Parrots in 2012, rendering him aquadriplegic.

Vernon was highlighted for demonstrating excellent decision making and precise ball skills to generate drives for Power during theirGrand Final victory.

Brett Dore was a2010premiership player with Nar Nar Goon, while Jaymie Youle has been one of Philip Island’s most decorated players, winning three flags and playing more than 200 games for the Bulldogs.

Chris Dunnewas adual Gippsland Leagueleading goal kicker for Leongatha in 2016 and 2018, while Zac Vansittart played seasons for Bunyip in Ellinbank and West Gippsland, being apremiership player in 2012 alongside Powerteammate Nathan Lieshout.

Ben Hughes was rookie listed at North Melbourne however didn’t manage agame at AFL level -he was later playing-coach at Warragul in 2019 and booted 94 goals between 2015 and 2016 for Drouin.

Collingwood premiership player Brent Macaffer also won aWest Gippslandflagfor TooradinDalmore in 2022.

As for others of note from that 2005 TAC Cup GrandFinal,Dandenong featured future Melbourne captain Nathan Jones and Hawthorn player Travis Tuck (son of Hawks legend Michael and brother of Richmond's Shane).

Gippsland Power has since made the Grand Final twice (2010, ’12), but looks primed this season to reach the last day of the year, finishing second on the ladder -the best of any non-academy side.

The adventures of Siddle and Duke

CRICKET/FOOTBALL

By LIAM DURKIN

FORMER Australian fast bowler, John Hastings has named Morwell's Peter Siddle amonghis most loved teammates.

Speakingonlastweek's episode of the Willow Talk podcast, Hastings was asked to name three blokes he would book an Uber with to go to the pub. The one test wonder named Victorian teammates Clint McKay, MatthewWadeand Siddleashis company. He did however mention he wanted to hang out with Siddle "pre-rebirth".

"Pre 40 bananas aday?" hostAdam Peacock asked.

"I'veplayedwith some very good off field performers," Hastings said. Hastings played asingleTest forAustraliain 2012, and hit the headlines recently for deliveringan18-ball over in amasters game featuring ex-legends.

Duringthe podcast, Hastingswas also asked about his famed effort at the Sorrento Pub.

As part of apub promotion at the time, the venue hada 'centuries board' for anyone who got 100 pots down in one week.

Hastingswas pressedfor time due to cricket commitments, but nevertheless completed the task across one weekend.

He reported Siddle looked at him at the next Victorian training, very much with raisedeyebrows.

Pendlebury to play on

FOOTBALL

SCOTTPendlebury is set to play his 21st AFLseason after the 37-year-old from Sale signed aone-year contract extension with theCollingwood Football Club.

Alreadyholding Collingwood’s games record with 422 outings, Pendlebury will extendhis distinguished career, moving closer to Brent Harvey’s VFL/AFL all-time games record of 432.

Pendlebury’s careers includestwo AFL premierships, six All-Australian Team selections and five club best-and-fairest awards.

“Physically Ifeel really good and my GPS numbers are still really high. This is probably the best Ihave felt physically since ‘Fly’ (coach Craig McRae) landed at theclub,” Pendlebury told the Herald Sun.

“But mentally as well Istill feel so fresh and still love the game and just love trying to compete every week.

“So, it’s great to go on again because Ithink the side has been playing really good footy for most of the year.”

Magpies list general manager Justin Leppitsch (whoowns the PortWelshpool pub) told the club’s website Penldebury’s professionalism was “second to none, always ensuring he sets himself up to get the best out of himself and his teammates”.

“Everyone throughout the league appreciates the influence and experience that Scott brings to our side and we are pleased to have him sign on for 2026,” Leppitsch said.

“In addition to his on-field contribution, it is the guidance he will providehis fellow teammates, settingthe standardsand embodying what it means to be aCollingwood person, thatwill be influentialthroughout our 2026 campaign and beyond.”

Pendleburyalsorecently answered fan questions via the club's YouTube channel. He labelled X-factor pair Lance Franklin andCyrilRioli as the two best players he has played against, and also revealed he is claustrophobic. If he wasn't playing professional football, Pendlebury says he would be an architect, givenhis interest in property development He listed his dad, Bruce, and two brothers, Kris and Ryan as his role models.

"And alot of my junior sportcoacheswere fantastic role models as well growing up in Sale," Pendlebury said.

Ever loyal to the Pies, he simplysaid"next question" when asked if he could play for any other club, who would it be?

Speaking on apodcast with Pendlebury's 2010premiershipteammate,DaneSwan last week, Collingwood premiershipcaptain, Tony Shaw -who held the Magpies games record before being overtaken by Pendlebury in 2020, marvelled at his longevity.

"I was gone after the 1990 Grand Final!" Shaw jokingly remarked.

Shaw played 313 games in the black and white from 1978 to 1994.

He was guest speaker at the North Gippsland Football-Netball League Grand Final breakfast in 2022.

MOST SEASONS PLAYED IN THE V/AFL

Dustin Fletcher (Essendon) 23

RobertHarvey(St Kilda) 21

Brent Harvey(NorthMelbourne) 21

Shaun Burgoyne (PortAdelaide/Hawthorn) -21

ASorrentolocal currently coachinginthe GippslandLeague confirmed the story with this writer last week.

Additionally, they reported Hastings "couldhave kept going".

Also confirmed last week was Mark 'Howie' Howard's cricketing ability.

Howie had previously boasted on his podcast The Howie Games,he'd taken more than 60 wickets in aseason playing juniors for Tyers Cricket Club.

Local cricketlegend, Neil Meredith produced the evidence, along with ascorecard showing Howard made an unbeaten 98 batting first drop for Tyers AGrade againstImperials at Catterick Crescent in 1992.

TedWhitten(Footscray). 20 Michael Tuck (Hawthorn) 20

ScottPendlebury(Collingwood) 20

Jack Dyer (Richmond) 19

Dick Reynolds (Essendon) 19

Kevin Bartlett(Richmond) 19

Simon Madden (Essendon) 19

RogerMerrett (Essendon/Brisbane Bears) -19

Paul Salmon (Essendon/Hawthorn) 19

Kevin Bartlett(Richmond) 19

GaryAblettJr(Geelong/Gold Coast) 19

Lance Franklin (Hawthorn/Sydney) 19

Travis Boak (PortAdelaide) 19

Familar faces: Premiership playersfromGippsland Power’ssole 2005 TACCup (now TalentLeague)flag willbebrought together this weekend. Photograph supplied

NSim BGooding Churchill Cougars: LGina 4T Mcinnes BHarrington RPaterson. BEST: West End Bombers: LHutchieson JBullW Edgar RFarley BMclachlan LBastin. Churchill Cougars: NStockdale J Thomas TMcinnes BMcGee BHarrington TWilson SSJFC

12.7 14.9 (93) TEDAS 1.1 5.6 5.7 7.11 (53)

GOALS: SSJFC: CPollard5 WWalker 3RFarnham 2AHurley JHodson HSmith NDawson. TEDAS: CSiemens 3LJennings JScott BSykesM Chan. BEST: SSJFC: CPollardJHodson M ShawHHarle AJones MWilson. TEDAS: JRiddleCSiemens TSiemens BGrimes DPodmore MChan

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GOALS: PBJFC: ATangi7LBalcombe Matters 4B Cuddy 3EJones 2LField 2JSutton 2J Pierce OCliftonAFue TChurchill.Pax Hill/Rosedale: NBastin RJorgensen. BEST: PBJFC: L Balcombe MattersA TangiLField OClifton BCuddy APrince. PaxHill/Rosedale: JWhateley L Jellis MPoulton WSmith RClark AHarris YINNAR 1.0 3.1 8.3 9.4 (58) MORWELL 1.2 3.2

Yinnar:T Connaughton NWalsh KRoss JO’Hara BBremner HBrighton. Morwell: JLangan JJohnson LThomson NGaunt RCahill BDuncan

RECENTLY, at alandmark Junior Heads of Leagues meeting, all junior football leagues across Gippsland unanimously agreed to implement key recommendations from the "Gippsland Junior Football Retention Project: Fostering aLove of the Game."

This decisive commitment signals aregion-wide effort to enhance enjoyment, participation, and retention in junior football.

The project, initiated in May 2025 by AFL Gippsland, aims to create athrivingfootballlandscape where young playersfeel connected, supported, andpassionate about the sport.

With current participation numbers showing 16,166 participants across junior, youth, and senior levels, and junior participation up 454 year-to-date compared to 2024, with aremarkable 13 per cent growth in girls and women's participation the focus is on building upon this growth and ensuring long-term engagement.

"This is apivotal moment for junior football in Gippsland," AFL Gippsland Region Manager, Tim Cotter said.

"The overwhelming agreement from all junior leaguestoadopt these recommendations demonstratesashared vision and acollective commitment to prioritising the enjoyment and development of our young players above all else.

"We're moving away from a'winatall costs' mentality and back to what truly matters: 'fostering alifelong love for the game'."

The implemented recommendationswillfocus on four crucial areas:

Coaching

LEAGUES willworkwith AFL Gippsland to provide consistent and accessible coaching and umpiring clinics directly at clubs, simplifying volunteer access to training.

Asignificant shift will see coaches encouraged to adopt aplayercentric approach,emphasisingskill development, equalopportunities, maximised game time, and varied playing positions for all.

Clubs will be encouraged to implement coaching coordinator roles to offer direct support and improve communication with parents.

Coaching Academies piloted in 2025 will continue and expand in 2026 alongside the availability of local AFL Victoria Coach Developers to mentor and support local coaches.

In an innovative move, local Gippsland Junior Leagues will look to add minimumaccreditation requirements for coaches across local football.

The rejuvenated AFL Coaching Accreditation system introduced across the AFL community landscape in 2025 will see Gippsland Junior Leagues insist thatlocal Coachesobtain aBronze level accreditation by June 30, 2026, with planstomove to Silver and Gold levels over progressive years.

Lastly, the development of aGippsland Coaching Charter will be led by the AFL Victoria State Coaching team and Coach Developers in consultation with local coaches at League compulsory pre-season induction and training sessions.

Akey focus will be activelyshifting clubcultures awayfrom a 'winatall costs' mentality to prioritise enjoyment and individual player development.

Environment

ACORE objective is to cultivate apositive, inclusive, and welcoming club environment.

This includes fostering deeply inclusive club cultures where all players feel valued, investing in the improvement of club facilities, and rigorouslyenforcing anti-bullyingmeasures while promoting positive sideline behaviour among parents and supporters.

Leagues will also encourage social activities and active participation of senior players at junior trainings to build stronger community connections.

All clubs will be required to lodge their Club Code of Conduct to leagues heading into the 2026 season.

Therewill be increased signage relating to junior football behaviours

at allvenues, the addition of league approved vestsfor registered match-day volunteersand supportfor clubstodevelop both player and volunteer recruitmentand retentionstrategies

These will be supported by leaguesand AFL Gippsland's Club Development Lead, Nicole Bertuna.

An AFL Gippsland Child Safeguarding Policy will also be rolled out across Gippsland.

Pathways andPrograms

THE leagues are committed to working with clubs to create clear, supportive,and accessible pathways thatfacilitatesmoothtransitions for players between age groups and into senior football.

This will involve strengthening robust links and communication between juniorleagues and senior clubsand activelyintegrating junior players into senior club activities.

Importantly, the projectaimstoclearly communicate that opportunities for higher-level football are available through various local club pathways, dispelling misconceptions that only 'major league' clubs offer this route.

AFL Gippsland will increase visibility of school engagements and pathways programs and have offeredtohost trials for innovative new forms of the game in Gippsland.

Competitions

TO optimise junior football competition structures, the league will advocate for and implement regional league structures that prioritise localised competitions and significantly reduce travel distances. Leagues will investigate and address player distribution imbalances and develop innovative fixturing options, including exploring midweek or Fridaynightgames, to ensure consistent game opportunities. Expanding competition options, including more opportunities for girls to play against other girls at all ages, is also apriority with both Sale and Traralgon competitions to apply to AFL Gippsland to add girls only competitions for 2026.

Work will be done in the coming weeks on local junior mercy rules.

Saturday, August 23

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

6am Morning Programs. 12.00 News.

12.30 Grantchester.(Final, Ma, R)

1.15 Professor T. (Ma, R) 2.05 All Creatures Great And Small Christmas Special. (PG, R) 3.00 Great Southern Landscapes. (PG, R) 3.25 Earth. (R) 4.30 Would ILie To You? (PG, R) 5.00 Dr Ann’sSecretLives. (Final, R) 5.25 Landline. (R) 5.55 Aust Story.(PGl, R)

6.30 Back Roads: Forrest, Victoria. (R) Paul West explores Forrest, Victoria

7.00 ABC News. Alook at the top stories of the day

7.30 Beyond Paradise. (Ma, R) DI Humphrey Goodman joins the hometown of Shipton Abbott.

8.30 Midsomer Murders. (Mv,R) Barnaby and Winter investigate the death of the founder of aclubfor recovering heart bypass patients the day after inducting anew member who was controversially acquitted of murder several years previously 10.00 The Family Next Door (Mls, R)

10.55 Miss Austen. (Final, PG, R) Cassandra prepares to leave Kintbury 11.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) Music video clips.

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 6.20pm Bluey 6.30 Paddington. 6.45 Steve And Aneeshwar Go Wild. 6.50 Andy And The Band. 7.05 Do Not Watch This Show 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Teenage Boss: Next Level. 7.55 Kids Baking C’ship. 8.40 Chopped Junior 9.20 Fresh OffThe Boat. 10.05 Abbott Elementary 10.25 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs. 1.25pm Great Parks Of Africa. 2.15 Nula. 2.45 Yagan. 3.45 MOVIE: RegardNoir (2021, PG) 5.05 Hunting Aotearoa. 6.00 Amplify 6.30 News. 6.40 The Other Side. 7.30 Big BackyardQuiz. 8.30 MOVIE: Queen Of The Damned. (2002, MA15+) 10.15 Stompem Ground 2022 Full Concert. 4am Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 9.10 Lap Of Luxury: Escapes Down Under.(PG, R) 10.05 Blue Water Safari. (PGalw,R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Sailing. Sail Grand Prix Sassnitz. Round 8. 3.00 Futebol Arte. 4.05 Going Places. (PG, R) 5.30 Hitler-Stalin: ASecretRelationship. (PGavw,R)

6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Great British Cities With Susan Calman: Bath. (Final, PG)

Susan Calman visits Bath.

8.25 Leonardo Da Vinci: Painter–God Pt 1. (Ma) Looks at Da Vinci’stime working as amilitaryengineer,

9.25 Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy: Umbria. (PGl, R) Stanley Tucci visits Umbria. 10.15 Great Australian Walks: Snowies Alpine Walk. (PG, R) 11.10 Homicide: Life On The Street. (Mdv,R)

1.55 Incredible Homes. (R) 3.55 Lap Of Luxury: Escapes Down Under.(PGaw, R) 4.20 JSchwanke’sLife In Bloom. (R)

4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6am

WorldWatch. 10.00 Front Up 1998. Noon

SBS50. 12.05 Abandoned Americana. 12.55 Alone: Frozen. 2.35 Roswell: The First Witness. 3.25 News. 3.30 WorldWatch 5.30 Mastermind Aust. 6.30 National Indigenous Fashion Awards. 7.35 Impossible Engineering. 8.30 Little Fires Everywhere. 10.40 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6am Morning Programs. 12.40pm What We Did On Our Holiday.(2014, PGa) 2.30 The Movie Show 3.05 Sidonie In Japan. (2023, PGans, French, Japanese, English) 4.55 Another Mother’sSon. (2017, PGalsv) 6.50 LordOfThe Flies. (1963, PGa) 8.30 Arcadian. (2024, Mahv) 10.15 Un Amor.(2023, Spanish) 12.40am Late Programs.

6.00 NBC Today 7.00

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 The Great Outdoors. (PG) The team visits Ireland’sConey Island.

7.30 Ron Iddles: The Good Cop: Slawomir Tomczyk. (Malv,R) Ron Iddles recounts how he set out to prove the innocence of the man convicted for murder of Slawomir Tomczyk.

8.35 MOVIE: 2012. (2009, Mlv,R) Aman triestoprotect his family when aglobalcataclysm threatens to destroy the world. John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Chiwetel Ejiofor 11.50 To Be Advised.

1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 It’sAcademic. (R) 5.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

6am Morning

Programs. 12.30pm The Real Seachange.

1.00 Animal Rescue. 1.30 Better Homes. 4.00 The YorkshireVet. 5.00 Horse Racing. Saturday At The Valley,Winx Stakes Day and Saturday Raceday 5.30 Animal Rescue. 6.00 Every Bite Takes YouHome. 6.30 The YorkshireVet. 8.30 Escape To The Country 11.30 Late Programs.

6.00 9News Saturday 7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 25. Parramatta Eels vSydney Roosters. 9.30 Soccer English Premier League. Matchweek 2. Manchester City vTottenham. From Etihad Stadium, Manchester,England. 11.30 Law &Order: Organized Crime. (MA15+av,R)Reyes goes undercover at Rikers.

12.30 Australia’sTop Ten Of Everything. (PG, R) Acountdown of Logie laughs. (PGl, R)

2.00 The Incredible Journey 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)

6am Morning

(10,

6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Dr Chris Brown. 7.30 Selling Houses Australia. To get their foot in the door of the property market, acouple had to purchase their investment property with her sister 8.40 Ambulance Australia. (Madl, R) Aman claims to have jumped off Brisbane’sStory Bridge andthe team races against time to save his life. 9.40 Gordon Ramsay’sSecret Service. (PGal, R) Gordon Ramsay’s investigation of MacGregor’s Restaurant reveals mouldy leftovers and astorage

(2)

6.30 Compass:

Mlv) The suicide of ahigh-powered businessman sends shockwaves through his family

9.40 MOVIE: Sunday TooFar Away (1975, Mlv,R)Sheep shearers get involved in adispute. Jack Thompson. 11.10 Take 5With Zan Rowe. (PG, R) 11.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

1.40 Under The Vines. (PG, R) 4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 Insiders. (R)

6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Rome Underground. Looks at Rome’sMetroLine C. 8.25 Secret Lives Of The Roman Emperors. (PGals, R) Acclaimed classicist Mary Beardexplores what it was like to be emperor of Rome. 9.35 Tulum: The Last City Of The Mayan Empire. (Ma, R) Looks at the

10.35 The U.S. And The Holocaust: The Golden Door (Maw,R)

12.55 24 Hours In Emergency (Ma, R) 3.35 Lap Of Luxury: Escapes Down Under.(R) 4.05 JSchwanke’sLife In Bloom. (R) 4.35 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 APAC Weekly

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 5.10pm Tiddler 5.35 Children’s Programs. 6.45 Steve And Aneeshwar Go Wild. 6.50 Andy And The Band. 7.05 Do Not Watch This Show 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 The Mysterious Benedict Society 8.30 Fresh OffThe Boat. 9.10 Abbott Elementary 9.55 Speechless. 10.15 Merlin. 11.00 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Morning Programs.

6am Morning Programs.

Programs. 2.30pm NRLWWrap. 3.15 Rugby League. NRL Women’sPremiership. Titans vDragons. 5.00 Rugby League. NRL Women’sPremiership. Eels vRoosters. 7.00 Rugby League. NRL. Eels vRoosters. 7.30 Keeping Up Appearances. 8.30 Rugby Union. Women’sRugby World Cup. Pool A. Australia vSamoa. 11.15 Late Programs.

2.15pm MOVIE: Huckleberry Finn. (1974) 4.40 Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge. (Premiere) 5.40 MOVIE: Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. (2004, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald. (2018, M) 10.15 MOVIE: Species. (1995, MA15+) 12.30am Late Programs.

(9,8) 6am Morning Programs. 11.30 Praise. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 2.30 Griff’s Great American South. (Final, PG, R) 3.15 Nigella Bites. (Final, R) 3.40 (PGa, R) 4.30 Joanna Lumley’sSpice Trail Adventure. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Football. AFL. Round 24. Brisbane Lions vHawthorn. 10.30 AFL Post-Game Show Post-game discussion and interviews taking alook back at all the action from the game. 11.00 7NEWS Spotlight. 12.00 Jamestown. (MA15+av) Pamunkey warriors descend upon the colony 1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R) Hosted by Greg Grainger 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R) Hosted by Simon Reeve. 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News Sunday. 7.00 The Block. (PGl) The judging is brutal for some teams. 8.40 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing and uncovering the issues affecting all Australians. 9.40 9News Late. 10.10 Footy Furnace. (Mlv) Alook at the latest roundofthe AFL. 11.10 The First 48: Easy Mark. (Ma) Detectives uncover asinister plot. 12.05 The Gulf. (Madlsv,R) 1.00 Destination WA

TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00

10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 7.00 Survivor: Australia VThe World. (PGl) Fourteen returning contestants head to Samoa. 8.30 Watson. (Mas) Stephens musters up the courage to ask Watson to help him when his camgirl suddenly collapses during avideo call. 9.30 FBI. (Mv,R)The team must work quickly when the director of aBrooklynmigrant centre and his wife areabducted.

10 News+. (R) Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 12.30 Home Shopping. (R)

CBS Mornings. 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Front Up. Noon Alone: Frozen. 1.30 Alone: The Skills Challenge. 1.55 Idris Elba’sFight School. 2.50 Jeopardy! 4.55 WorldWatch. 5.25 PBS Washington Week. 5.50 Alone Sweden. 6.40 Abandoned Engineering. 8.30 Cursed Gold: AShipwreck Scandal. (Premiere) 9.25 Great Australian Road Trips. 10.30 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 4.00pm Unveiling An Icon. 4.35 Yarning CultureThrough Film. 4.40 Stompem Ground 2022: Pigram Brothers. 5.40 Stompem Ground 2022: Blekbala Mujik. 6.30 News. 6.40 Colombia’sWildCoast. 7.30 Extraordinary Animals. 8.30 Tassie Tiger On The Rocks. 9.30 MOVIE: Snakes On A Plane. (2006, M) 11.20 Late Programs.

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 8.25 LordOfThe Flies. (1963, PGa) 10.05 Tudawali. (1987, Mlsv) 11.45 The Movie Show 12.20pm The Promise. (2016, Mav) 2.50 The Movie Show 3.25 What Do We See When We Look At The Sky? (2021, Georgian) 6.10 The World’s Fastest Indian. (2005, PGal) 8.30 ThereWill Be Blood. (2007, Mav) 11.25 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 11.30 Your Money &Your Life. Noon NFL. NFL. Preseason. Week 3. Arizona Cardinals vLas Vegas Raiders. 3.30 The Real Seachange. 4.00 Escape To The Country 7.00 Greatest Escapes To The Country 7.45 Mrs Brown’sBoys. 8.30 Vera. 10.30 Manhunt: The Night Stalker 11.30 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 1.45pm Rugby League. NRL Women’sPremiership. NZ Warriors vCronulla Sharks. 3.30 Rugby League. NRL. Tigers vNorth Qld Cowboys. 6.00 Rugby League. NRL Women’sPremiership. Round 8. Wests Tigers vNorth Queensland Cowboys. 8.00 M*A*S*H. 8.30 To Be Advised.

Cats &Dogs. (2001, PG) 5.30 MOVIE: Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London. (2004, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Dumb And Dumber.(1994, PG) 9.50 MOVIE: American Reunion. (2012, MA15+) 12.05am

Monday,August 25

ABC (2)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News

Mornings. 10.00 Dr Ann’sSecretLives. (Final, R) 10.30 Midsomer Murders. (Mv,R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Landline. (R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 3.00 Anh’sBrush With Fame. (PG, R) 3.25 Grand Designs. (R) 4.15 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PG, R) 5.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Australian Story

Presented by Leigh Sales.

8.30 Four Corners. Investigative journalism program.

9.15 Media Watch. (PG) Presented by Linton Besser

9.35 Planet America. Hosted by Chas Licciardello and John Barron.

10.05 ABC Late News.

10.20 The Business. (R)

10.40 ALife In TenPictures. (Madl, R)

11.30 Parliament Question Time. 12.30 Grand Designs. (R) 1.20 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PG, R) 2.10 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.40 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 6.40pm Hey Duggee. 6.50 Isadora Moon. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Dr Ann’sSecret Lives. 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.45 Contraption Masters. 9.30 The Crystal Maze. 10.15 Merlin. 11.00 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs. 2pm Strait To The Plate. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters.

5.25 Black As. 5.30 The 77 Percent. 6.00 Bamay 6.30 News. 6.40 Great Parks Of Africa. 7.30 Who Do YouThink YouAre? 8.30 Karla Grant Presents. 9.00 MOVIE: Call Me Mum. (2006, M) 10.15 MOVIE: The Fringe Dwellers. (1986, M) 12.05am Late Programs.

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6am Morning Programs. 1.30 Al Jazeera News Hour 2.00 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 2.05 Secrets Of The Royal Palaces. (PGa, R) 2.55 Garage Dreams. 3.25 Plat Du Tour 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Jeopardy! 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 Cycling. UCI WorldTour.La Vuelta. Stage 2. Highlights. 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show (PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 MOVIE: Therapy Nightmares. (2022, Mav)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Portugal With Michael Portillo. (PGv) Michael Portillo vists Sintra.

8.20 Abandoned Railways From Above: York. (PG, R) Follows aline in Yorkshirethathad its fortunes intertwined with those of the railway king George Hudson. 9.15 Moulin Rouge: YesWeCan-Can! (Mn, R) Follows Moulin Rouge recruits.

10.15 SBS World News Late. (Malv)

11.35 Tokyo Vice. (MA15+av,R)

1.40 Blackport. (Mlv,R) 2.35 24 Hours In Emergency.(Ma,R) 3.30 Great Irish Interiors. (PG, R) 4.00 JSchwanke’sLife In Bloom. (R) 4.30 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6am Morning

Programs. 12.30pm TenYear Old Tom. 1.00

One Armed Chef. 1.55 Idris Elba’sFight School. 3.00 SBS50. 3.05 Wine Lovers’ Guide. 3.35 WorldWatch 5.30 Food That Built The World. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.30 News. 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Music Videos 9.25 Never Mind The Buzzcocks. 10.10 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6am Morning Programs. 10.10 ThereWill Be Blood. (2007, Mav) 1.05pm AThousand Lines. (2022, Madls, German) 2.50 The Movie Show 3.25 The Grass Harp. (1995, PGal) 5.25 The Bookshop. (2017, PGal) 7.30 Ignorance Is Bliss. (2017, Madlns, Italian) 9.20 The Son. (2022, Mal) 11.35 Late Programs.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away (PGa)

7.30 The Voice. (PGal) Contestants set out to prove they have what it takes to be asinging sensation and claim the prize.

9.00 The Rookie. (Mav) The team is tasked with community policing while hunting for alocal vigilante.

10.00 S.W.A.T (Mv) Hondo and Hicks search for Powell.

11.00 The Agenda Setters. (R) An expert panel tackles the biggest AFL topics.

12.00 Gone. (MA15+v,R)

1.00 Hooten &The Lady (Premiere, Mav)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6am Morning Programs. 1pm Your Money &Your Life. 1.30 The Great Australian Doorstep. 2.00 Weekender 2.30 Impossible Builds. 3.30 Harry’sPractice. 4.00 Animal Rescue. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To TheCountry 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Doc Martin. 8.30 Endeavour 10.30 Late Programs.

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 The Block. (PGl) The pressureisontodeliver living and dining rooms. (Ml) Ateam of footy experts tackles the AFL’s big issues and controversies.

9.45 Players. (Ml) Alook at all the AFL news.

10.45 9News Late.

11.15 Opal Hunters: Red Dirt Road Trip: Red CentreRubies. (PGl)

12.10 100% Footy (M) 1.05 Hello SA. (PG) 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 Tennis.

6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 7.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer 7.30 Survivor: Australia VThe World. (PGl) Fourteenreturning contestants head to Samoa. 9.00 Have YouBeen Paying Attention? (Malns) Celebrity panellists compete to see who can remember the most about events of the week. 10.00 Sam Taunton: HowTo Tie ATie. (MA15+l) Stand-up comedy from SamTaunton. 11.00 10’sLate

Morning Programs. 2pm Rides Down Under: Aussie Truckers. 3.00

Tuesday,August 26

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

10.40 The Closer 11.40 French And Saunders. 12.20am Antiques Roadshow 12.50 Explore. 1.00 Tennis. US Open. Day 2.

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Morning Programs. 3pm Nanny

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8) 6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Australian Story.(R) 10.30 Compass. (Final, R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 12.00

ABC News At Noon. 1.00 I, Jack Wright. (Mlv,R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 3.00 Anh’sBrush With Fame. (PG, R) 3.25 Grand Designs. (R) 4.15 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PG, R) 5.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

6am Morning Programs. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R)

2.05 Secrets Of The Royal Palaces. (R)

2.55 Garage Dreams. 3.25 Plat Du Tour

3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Jeopardy! 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour.LaVuelta. Stage 3. Highlights.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Great Continental Railway Journeys: Zweisimmen To Lausanne/Nantes To Lorient. 8.30 Insight. Explores local news and issues.

9.30 Dateline. Looks at international current affairs.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show.(PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 To Be Advised. 2.30 Border Security: International. (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 (PG) Mali is done with Abigail’smess.

7.30 The Voice. (PG) Hosted by Sonia Kruger

With Devils. (PG, R) Alook at the Tasmanian devil. 10.30 ABC Late News. 10.45 The Business. (R) 11.00 Four Corners. (R) 11.50 Media Watch. (PG, R) 12.05 The HowardYears. (Final, R) 1.05 Parliament Question Time. 2.05 Grand Designs. (R) 2.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.40 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

10.00 SBS World News Late.

10.30 Secret World Of Snacks. (PGal, R) 11.25 The Shift. (Mal) 1.10 Everything YouLove. (Mal, R) 2.15 Ancient Egypt: Chronicles Of An Empire. (PGav,R) 4.10 Great Irish Interiors. (PG, R) 4.40 Bamay.(R) 5.00

NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

Programs. SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 6.50pm Isadora Moon. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 Deadly 60. 9.10 Expedition With Steve Backshall. 10.00 Merlin. 10.45 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 2.05pm Strait To The Plate. 2.35 The Cook Up. 3.05 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 10.45 In The Company Of Women. (2023, Madlns, Spanish) 12.30pm The Son. (2022, Mal) 2.45 The Movie Show 3.20 The World’sFastest Indian. (2005, PGal) 5.40 My Neighbor Adolf. (2022, PGal) 7.30 Hundreds Of Beavers. (2022, Mas) 9.30 Unleashed. (2005, MA15+v) 11.25 Late Programs.

9.00 The Front Bar (Ml) Hosts Sam Pang, Mick Molloy and Andy Maher take alighter look at all things AFL. (PGa) Hosted by Hamish McLachlan.

10.30 The Agenda Setters. (R) 11.30 Autopsy USA: Jeffrey Epstein. (MA15+a, R)

12.30 Fairly Legal. (Mav,R) 1.30 Harry’sPractice. (R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Today 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 The Block. (PGl, R) 1.15 Getaway.(PG,R) 1.45 My Way. (R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG) 4.00 9News Afternoon.

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 The Block. (PGl) Allegations of copying aretouted.

9.00 Paramedics. (Mlm) Aaron and Laura desperately try to stop blood pouring from apedestrian’shead. (Ml) Footy experts tackle the AFL’s bigissues. 11.00 9News Late.

11.30 La Brea. (Mav,R)

TEN (10, 5)

12.15 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.10 Let’sEat With George (R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory.(PGa) 4.30 ACurrent Affair.(R) 5.00 TodayEarly News. 5.30 Today 6.00 10 News+. 7.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer 7.30

The unexpected writer: Chris Billings

RECENTLY, at the Morwell Club, Iattended a book launch. Iwasn’t there by coincidence, having been invited by the writer, an old friend of mine called Chris Billings, who many will remember as arespected long serving dentist in Morwell.

Titled Poncing aroundThe Stage in Tights,the book is acollection of compelling and amusing reminiscences of Chris’ time as amember of Latrobe Light Opera Society (LLOS), which was where Chris and Ifirst met.

We had arrived in the Valley as transplants from Melbourne within ayear of each other, me in 1974,Chrisin‘75, and had joined the LLOS as away of meeting people.

We both had abackground in choirsinging, but quickly discovered acommon interest in Aussie Rules footyand drinking beer. We bonded over these pursuits, and developed an unwritten agreement that no rehearsal was complete without a few beers afterwards in his Morwell home.

Musically, we could hold atune, and hoped to be useful, but soon realised we had something far more valuable.

Male members were in short supply for amateur productionsinthosedays,perhaps areflection of the times.

If you were abloke,turned up, were prepared to go on stage wearing makeup, awig, and pantaloons over tights, then singing in tune was just abonus.

In any case, Chris and Iwere warmly welcomed by the whole group from the very first rehearsal, which deepenedinto realattachment as the weeks went by.

As it happened, oursenseofhistorictiming was exquisite;significant forces were coming

together and the LLOS was about to begin an era of dazzling success.

At the time, the company was blessed with a fair sprinkling of seriously talented performers, sufficienttocovermost solo parts of the light opera repertoire, including the gifted David Pickburn, who performed the comic lead rolesaswell as directing the productions.

It was the ideal setting for someone who could draw all this talent together musically, and then in 1975, as if on cue, Barbara Derham was appointed musical director. She came to the company with astrong reputation.Asmusicteacher at TraralgonHighSchool, Barbara had led the production of manymusicals (mostly Gilbert &Sullivan) which were of high standard, and had built areputation far beyond the school.

With strong personalpresence,fullcommand of the music, and aclear idea of how she wanted it all to sound, she had the respect of everyone from the first time she addressed the company. Someone as impressive as this might easily have been overbearing, but not Barbara.She would explain to everyone exactly what she wanted, then put her heart and soul into helping us produce it. Allofthis with lightness and humour, and great celebration as each little success was achieved. She was our natural leader, but somehow, at the same time, she was one of us. It is not astretch to saythatweloved her.

An infectious sense of purposetook hold through the company. Everyone, on and off the stage, wanting to bring their best and be apartofitall Whatfollowed weremanyyears of great sold out shows (mainly Gilbert &Sullivan) which

Iliketocall “The Barbara Years”,which were uplifting and joyous times for all involved, audiences included, who turned up in numbers and applauded long and enthusiastically.

As Chris hasobserved in hisbook, thereare few things more nourishing to the human soul thanthe sound of applause, which is, after all,the ultimateacknowledgment. Chris and Iwere to be on the receiving endofthis for many great years.

Istayedwith the company, barely missinga show from 1974 until 1992, when personal matters became pressing. More than 30 years later, Ican still remember my base parts from all those magnificent Gilbert &Sullivan choruses.

Ialsoremember thosegreat end of season parties with lots of loud singing, usually at some brave cast member’s house, which of necessity couldn’t even starttill nearly midnight, and often didn’t peter out till daylight.

Chris stayed on much longer, through aname change to the current LatrobeTheatre Company, before finishing up in 2008.

Ihavegreat memories of thosetimes. Sometimes, live theatre being what it is, things didn’t always go to plan;there might be aforgotten line, part of the set collapsing, awig falling off, acrash of something heavy being dropped backstage, all of whichwould cause asplutterofbarelycontained laughter through the audience.

But always, the long hours of rehearsal and fine tuning would shine through, the show would be of high standard and well received.

Sometimes, everything wouldgoperfectly, surprising even Barbara. Iremember her sitting backstage after such anight, staring off into space, as if saying to herself, “There was magic out there tonight”.

Suchthings become folklore forthosewho were there wonderful memories Iwill always treasure.

Iamsograteful to have been apart of it, even as only amember of the chorus, and now, thankfully my old mate Chris Billings has written it alldown. Ithinkjust aboutanyone would enjoy his book. It’s full of engaging, often hilariousstories, and is arich slice of Latrobe Valley history.

Chris tells me it has been selling very well and is available through local outlets.

Chronicled: HighlightsfromChris Billings’ time on stage withthe Latrobe TheatreCompany have been collated into abook.

Dental actor: Local dentistChris Billingshas enjoyed life away from work in theatre.

Celebrating TAFE excellence

TAFE Gippsland celebrated its top achievers with the TAFE Gippsland Education Awards evening. Afantastic evening recognised the achievements, dedication and passion of students,trainersand industry partners.

The foyer of The Wedge in Sale was buzzing thanks to an array of vibrant performers including Karina Flow dazzling with LED artistry and fire

and

Inside, the laughskept coming thanks to legendary comedian Dave O’Neil,whose laid-back humour perfectly matched the upbeat tone of the evening. Congratulations go to the following 2025 award winners from the Latrobe Valley; Teacher/Trainer of the Year: Kellie Smith (Tanjil South). Koorie Students of the Year: Ric Harrison (Morwell) –employed by Latrobe Regional Hospital. Nursing: Adam Horn (Toongabbie)

Amber Leyshan washonouredwitha CommunityImpact AwardbyTAFEGippsland

Vocational Student of the Year Awards Hair &Beauty: Ruby Adams (Traralgon) Apprentice of the Year Awards Cookery: Carmelle Larsen (Churchill) Engineering (mechanical trade): Spencer Lambert (Morwell) Community Impact Award: Amber Leyshan (Traralgon)

Teaming up for local jobs

TAFEGippsland and WestVic Staffing Solutions have announced astrengthened partnership to support the Gippsland region by expanding connecting businesses, students and job seekers with tailored solutions that foster workforce development and community prosperity.

With more than 40 years of experience helpinglocalsfind employment andtraining solutions, WestVic brings deep regional knowledge and aproven track recordof impact -startinginsouthwestVictoria andin recent years extending across the Gippsland region

“By working together more closely, we’re not only strengthening our own organisations but also creating greater opportunities for the people and businesses of the Gippsland region,” GeneralManagerEasternRegion of WestVic Staffing Solutions, David Gamble said.

“This partnership is about building afutureready workforce that reflects our commitment to community and industry.”

TAFE Gippsland echoed this sentiment, with director educational delivery, Linda Austin stating, “Our shared commitment to practical, purpose-driven outcomes means we can better support local employers and learners alike. Together, we’re exploring innovative ways to boost participation in apprenticeships and traineeships, ensuring the region thrives.”

The partnership will focus on:

 Identifying and addressing local skills gaps;

 Creating pathways into apprenticeships and traineeships;

 Engaging with industry to co-design training solutions in areas of skills shortage, and;

 Promoting inclusive access to training and employment opportunities.

This initiative reflects both organisations’ dedication to long-term, sustainable impact, where collaboration leads to real change for individuals, businesses and the broader community.

This partnership is about building afuture-ready workforce that reflects our commitment to community and industry

Partnership: General Manager Eastern Region of WestVic Staffing Solutions, David Gamble and TAFE Gippsland Director EducationalDelivery, Linda Austin. Photograph supplied

Newskills: Mature-age apprentice,Spencer Lambertwon Apprentice of theYear.A lawyer in aprevious life, Spencer hasmade the move to mechanical engineering

Outstanding: Tanjil South’s Kellie Smith wasnamedTeacher/Trainer of the Year

Health: Adam Horn wasrecognised forhis work in nursing.(All awardwinnerspicturedwithTAFE Gippsland Chief Executive, Laura McPherson).

Masterchef: Carmell Larsen (Churchill)was named an Apprentice of the Year

Magnificent: Traralgon’s

Diamond: Ruby Adams took out thehairand beautysection Photographs supplied

twirling, Becky Bubble

Mr Marmalade adding atouch of magic, who all set the scene for afun, relaxed night of celebrations.

Seats saved at Gippsland Grammar for future VCE achievers

GIPPSLAND Grammar is once againinviting Gippsland students who are determined to excel in their final years of schooling to apply for its Finish Strong VCE Scholarships for 2026.

Thesescholarships offera50per centtuitionfee remission to students in Years 10, 11 or 12 in 2026 and are not currently enrolled at the school. They are designed to provide students with access to GippslandGrammar’s extensivesubject offerings, dedicated teaching staff and supportive learning environment, all with the goal of helping them ‘finish strong’ in VCE and maximise theirpostschool opportunities.

Gippsland Grammar Principal, Bo Power said the Finish Strong Scholarships align with the school’s vision of providing opportunities for motivated students to thrive in their senior years.

“These scholarships are about opening doors,” Mr Power said.

“We know that the right learning environment, with access to abroadrange of subjects and expert teaching, can transform astudent’s final years at school and set them up for future success.”

The school's head of admissions, Jade Willox said the scholarshipisidealfor students ready to make the most of their VCE years.

“We have students join us at Year 10 or Year

11 who quickly become part of our community and achieve outstanding results,”Mrs Willox said.

“Wehopethis scholarship encourages familiesto explore whether Gippsland Grammar is the right fit for their child’s aspirations.”

Gippsland Grammar offers more than 30 VCE subjects, ranging from Legal Studies, Global Politics and Music to Outdoor and Environmental Education, Software Development and Media, many of which are taught in the school’s state-ofthe-art Art and Design Centre.

Gippsland Grammar has alongstanding reputation for academic excellence.

In 2024, Gippsland Grammar students achieved outstanding VCE results, with 26 per cent of the Year 12 cohort achieving an ATAR above90, placing them in the top 10 per cent of students in Victoria.

Gippsland Grammar’s average ATAR was 74.4, significantlyhigher than the state average of 69.52.

Students currentlyinYear 9orabove who are interested in finishing their education at Gippsland Grammarare invitedtoapplyfor the FinishStrong scholarship at https://www.gippslandgrammar.au/ enrolment/scholarships

Applications close Thursday, September 4, 2025

Applicants will be required to sit ascholarship examination online at home.

Opportunity: GippslandGrammar is nowtaking scholarship applications Photograph supplied

St Paul’sstudents stand up against bullying

STUDENTRepresentativeCouncil (SRC) members from St Paul’s Anglican GrammarSchool's SecondarySchool played akey role in 'Bullying No WayWeek', delivering apowerful messagetotheir peers about kindness, safety and respect. As partoftheir advocacy, the SRCproduced aspecial videofor the student community, implementing

this year’s theme of “Be bold. Be kind. Speak up”. In it, they explained not onlywhy bullying is harmful, but also how students can prevent it, such as by speaking up, supporting one another and treating everyone with compassion, dignity and respect. The video also described the important steps students can take if they feel unsafe, encouraging

them to seek help from trusted staff members and designated safe spaces on campus.

The project reinforced St Paul’s core values, highlighting how compassion builds understanding, integrity fosters trust and respect ensures everyone feels valued.

To further spread the message, the SRC created

acolourfulchalk installationinthe school grounds, transforming the walkway into avibrant reminder that bullying has no place within the community. Meanwhile, junior school students added some fun and colour to their 'Bullying No Way' sessionswith a‘CrazyHairDay’,withtheir boldhairstyles being all about standing outtostand up against bullying.

Flair: Annika, Mackenzie, Aria and Robbie sporting theirvarious hairstyles.

Trio: Holly,Amaraand Meeva donning theircrazy hair

Crew: St Paul’sSecondary School SRC studentswho ledinspiring initiatives forBullying No Way Week; Isabella,Layla,Torah (front),Ethan, Adam, Alexandra, Gracie andEmily.

Creative: Mason enjoying CrazyHair Day.

Tall: Lilli with her very big hairstyle Photographs supplied

100 full days of school at St Paul’s

THE grounds of St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School were suddenly filled with “centenarians” with walkingstickstapping, glassesperched on noses and grey hair styled to perfection. But these weren’t your typical 100-year-olds.

Underneath the cardigans and pearlswere the youngest members of the school, the Prep students, celebrating their milestone 100th day of school in style.

From shuffling along withwalkingframes to pretending to nurse sore backs, the students fully embraced their new “age”. Even the teachers joined in, transforming into sprightly seniors who could barely be recognised beneath their costumes, much to the delight of the children.

Thefun spilled into classrooms across the school, where the “centenarians” wandered through, proudly announcing theirachievement to older students.

Festivities included amorning ‘cuppa’ofMilowith ahundred-thousandbiscuit, hands-on activities and acentre-stage performance at assembly to conclude the day.

It was acelebration filledwithlaughter, creativity and connection that marked 100 days of friendship, curiosity and alove of learning that has only just begun.

MONDAY18AUGUST

Emeline Hodgskiss-Paulet turns 9

WEDNESDAY20AUGUST

Cooper Stagg turns 8

Adrian Versluis turns 5

THURSDAY21AUGUST 0

Jayden Padula turns 11

Josie Feil turns 7

Casey Rowe turns 3

FRIDAY22AUGUST

Tamryn Dugan turns 11

Ari O’Brien turns 12

SATURDAY23AUGUST

Thea Vitale turns 7

SUNDAY24AUGUST

Emma Slade turns 9

Liara Hawkins turns 4

Milestone: Niko celebrates 100daysofschool.

Photographs supplied Fun: Gracie withher walking stick.

Celebration: Isaiah is readyfor thenext100 days of school. First100 done: Isla dons her bright outfit.

Seeing double: Sophie andSophie complete a100-dayactivity.

Unrecognisable: St Paul’sAnglican Grammar School student, Ryder shuffles around thecampus Teatime: Asher and Saku enjoyaMilo cuppa andbiscuit.

Kurnai CollegecelebratesNAIDOC Week

KURNAI College proudly joined communities across the country in acknowledging national NAIDOC Week.

This year’s NAIDOC Week heldspecialsignificance, marking 50 yearsofrecognisingand elevating Indigenous voices, culture and resilience. NAIDOC Week is atimetohonour the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeoples -the world’s oldest continuous living cultures.

As the week coincides with the July school holidays, Kurnai College traditionally holds its celebrations during the first two weeks of Term 3. Across allfourcampuses(in Morwell and Churchill), students and staff embraced thisyear’s theme:'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision &Legacy'.

Festivities began at the university campus with aspecial NAIDOC announcement, abarbecue lunch with Indigenous-inspired baked goods, including Johnny Cakes under the guidance of Aunty ChristineJohnson, cultural activitiesinthe

library andlive musicperformed by theKurnai College band.

The Morwell and Churchill campuses followed later in the week, with each campus hosting a lunchtime barbecue and holding whole-school assembliesinPeriod 5. The assembliesfeatured aWelcome to Country, an Acknowledgement of Country and aSmoking Ceremony, followedby heartfelt reflections fromboth staff and student leaders.

Throughout the week, Indigenous and nonIndigenous students participated in traditional Indigenous games during adouble period, led by Leslie Briggs from WKY events. One of the highlights included playing Marngrook, atraditional game involving apossum fur football- widely believed to have inspired modern-day AFL.

The college’s NAIDOC celebrations culminated on Thursday, July 31 with aformal event at the Latrobe Valley Flexible Learning Options (LV FLO) Campus in Morwell. The gathering brought togetherstudents, staff,Aboriginal Elders and the

community for apowerful showcaseofculture, creativity and community connection.

KoorieEducation Support Officer,GunaiKurnai and MonaroNgarigowoman,Hollie Johnson commenced the official proceedings, performing a Welcome to Country in her grandparents' native language on behalf of the Brayakaulung clanof the GunaiKurnai Nation.

Guestswere treated to culturalperformances by Kurnai’sDedlee Kultya students, led by Koorie Education Support Officer and GunaiKurnai man, Hayden Edwards.

AuntyMichelle Hood conducted aSmoking Ceremony to welcome the guests as they made their way to the newly updated chapel building onsite.

“The Smoking Ceremony is atraditional Aboriginal custom to welcome visitors to the land, cleanse the area,and wardoff any bad spirits from the people and the land,” LV FLO Campus Principal, Nick Try explained.

In the chapel, guests were captivated by a powerful program featuring musical storytelling

by Scott Darlow,apoetry

reading by LV FLO student Rezzie, pottery artworkbyAuntySam Walker-Wilson, reflectionsfrom past student Jade, and an inspiring keynote address by guestspeaker Kelvin 'Jackamarra' McQueen, who also shared his own poetry and artwork.

The event also marked the official opening of the Indigenous Garden, aproject thoughtfullydesigned and built by students and staff of the LV FLO in partnership with the local community.

To conclude the celebrations, students and guests took part in avariety of cultural activities such as damper making,creatingIndigenousart-inspired key rings, contributing handprints to aflag mural, and enjoying music fromScottDarlow and the Kurnai College band.

Kurnai College extends its gratitude to all who supported and participated in the 2025 NAIDOC celebrations,honouring the strength, vision and legacy of the next generation.

Welcome: Latrobe ValleyFlexibleLearningOptions Indigenous students Angel Parryand Gerald Haddockofficallyopen the Indigenous garden

Tradition: Kurnai College students embracingthe smoking ceremonyperformed by AuntyMichelle Hood

Spirit: Kelvin ‘Jackamarra’McQueen taking partinthe smoking ceremony.

Culture: Koorie SupportOfficer,Hayden Edwards leadsthe school’s Dedlee Dancers.

Step: Kurnai College’s DedleeDancersperforming Photographs: Ashlee Howard-Harrison A.H.H

Photography

Tune: ScottDarlowperforming the classic song ‘Solid Rock’.

Studentspeeches to be heard in federal parliament

FEDERAL members Darren Chester (Gippsland) and Mary Aldred (Monash) are encouraging high school students across their electorates to enter the 2025 My First Speech competition.

The national competition, launched by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, The Hon Milton Dick MP, invites studentsinYears 10, 11 and 12 to write and submit a300-word first speech, imagining themselves as anewly elected Member of Parliament and speaking on the issues they care most about.

Three winners, one from each year level, will be flown to Canberra with aparentorguardianto deliver their speeches liveinParliament House and take part in aspecial program of events and meetings.

Ms Aldred describedthe competitionasafantastic opportunity for young Australians to foster adeeper understanding of Australia’s democracy and give them aplatform to express their views.

“This is an outstanding opportunity for students in ourlocal Monash community to stand up and be heard on the national stage,” Ms Aldredsaid.

“I encourage all Year 10, 11 and 12 students in Monash to takepart.Whether it’s the cost of living, mental health, education or whateverissue matters most to them,this is their opportunitytoadvocate on the issues that they are most passionate about.”

"The students participating in this competition will be our local leaders of tomorrow, and Iam excited to give them ahead start on their futures with this program," Mr Chester added.

The Speaker of the House of Representativessaid promoting parliamentary education to students across the country has been akey priority as Speaker.

"Oneofmykey priorities as Speakerhas been to promote parliamentary education to students across the country, and this is yet another exciting way that young people can take an active role in our democratic system," Mr Dick said.

"Thiscompetition will provide high school students with the chance to learn more about the way our nation's democracyworks, andhow actively engaging with the parliamentaryprocess can draw attention to the issues that are most important to them."

The submission deadline for the competition is set for11.59pm AEST on Monday, September 15, 2025.

To learn more about the competitionand submit entries, studentscan visit the dedicated competition website: www.aph.gov.au/myfirstspeech

Have your say: FederalMemberfor Gippsland Darren Chester and the Speakerofthe House of Representatives, Milton DickMP, areencouraging local students to enter the ‘My FirstSpeech’competition.

Storm-inspired artworks on national stage

WORKS of art created in thewake of the2024

Gippsland storm, which devastated partsofMirboo North and surrounding areas, are being featured in the prestigious exhibition Hatched: National Graduate Show alongside the work of emerging artists from across the country.

Federation University Australia visual arts student Karen Zipkas is one of just 23 artists invited to take part in the exhibition,which showcases outstanding graduates from across Australia, at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts.

Karen’s work documents the destruction of a beloved local forest and focuses on ‘solastalgia’ -a term used to describe afeeling of distress as aresult of ecological loss from the impacts of climate change.

In an attempt to process her grief and despair, Karen modified abox trailer to producealarge mobilecamera obscura and towed thetrailerto forested areas destroyed by the storm.

From within the moving camera obscura, video footage recorded the stripped forests creating blurred, inverted and intensely moody scenes, while from within the dark of the closed obscura, she painted the reflected images upon acontinuous paper scroll and then documented them digitally.

“This became ameditative and healing experience, allowing me to process the overwhelm of a destroyed and beloved landscape,” Karen said.

“Being immersed in near total darkness, the mark making,and paint strokes over the reflected image wereintuitive and abstractalmost as if attempting to strokethe devastated landscape back to life.”

Accompanying the obscura body of work are expressionist large-scale mixed mediadrawings of the flensed and upended trees from the forest.

Sculptures made of glass, concrete and steel

respond to the pressure of ongoingcapitalistexpansion and the impact of urbanisation.

“In anation wheredeep love of environment is embedded in our cultural psyche, Ihope these works resonatewith the audience, triggeringa pause to reflect on what it might feel like living in aworld utterly devoid of nature,” Karen said.

“It is extremely gratifying to have anumber of my works selected for the Hatched show and the entireprocess preparing for the event and the support I’ve received from lecturer Julie Reed Henderson was integral, allowingmetoexperience the contemporary art world in situ, giving me the impetus to continue making art as aserious and professional endeavour.

“Talking about my work with gallery visitors on opening night gave me confidence and valuable positivefeedback. Ialsohad the opportunity to design familyactivitiesbased on the themes of my work which will run the length of the exhibition.”

Federation University Arts Academy Director, Professor Rick Chew saidthe university was incredibly proud of Karen’s achievements.

“The Hatched show is one of the most prestigious platforms for emerging artists across the country and Karen’s selectionisa testament to her dedicationtothis body of workand her studies,” Professor Chew said.

TheHatched:National Graduate Show will be held at thePerth Institute of Contemporary Arts until October 5.

Karen’s work will then be showcased to local audiences,moving to the Latrobe Regional Gallery from late October 2025.

National scale: WorksbyFederation Universityvisual arts student KarenZipkas,depicting last year’s Mirboo North storm, will featureatthe PerthInstituteofContemporaryArts. Photograph supplied

Photograph supplied

Lorelle Lowe loyal to the Blues

NETBALL NORTH GIPPSLAND

BY ERIKA ALLEN

LORELLE Lowe marked her 400th game for the Rosedale Football-Netball Club on Saturday, August 9-amilestone that reflects decades of loyalty to the Blues.

Aone-clubplayer since herjunior days, Lowe continuestorepresent Rosedale on the netball court, while her husband Chris and their children also proudly wear the club colours.

"I've only ever played for Rosedale, since Iwas a junior and up until now," Lowe said.

"I just really enjoy playingnetball and Rosedaleis agreat club to be involved in, so I'm very thankful and I'm very humbled to be apartofthat."

Lowe began her journey at Rosedale FNC in 1993 in the under 12s, asidethat won the premiership thatyear.Lowehad threejunior premierships under herbeltbefore making her senior debut, and she would go on to win five AGrade premierships by 2020. Today, she plays in BGrade

From growing up at the club to raising afamily, Lowe has stayed true to the Blues.

"Now that I've got children who are growing up there, youcan reallysee what agood environment it is for them," Lowe said.

"Obviously, I've grown up playing there and my husband and now both my children are involved in junior football and netball, so it's probably a testament to how good an environment it is for families to grow up in."

In the North Gippsland Football-Netball League Round 17 clash against Churchill, Lowe was beston-court, shooting 16 goals in the Blues' 55 to 35 victory. Rosedale's BGrade squadwill this week begin its finals campaign.

Lowe has earned amyriad of accolades throughout her netball careerwith Rosedale FNC, including life membership in 2022.

Individually, she has earned more than adozen accolades, including multiple best-and-fairest honours, league best-and-fairest titles and most valuableplayer awards. She has been namedin the NGFNL AGrade Team of the Year five times and taken on severalcoaching roles, including co-coaching BGrade in 2006 and2007, andcoaching AGrade in 2013.

She has evolved as the club has,and is passionate about nurturing the next generation of talent.

"From my perspective now it's taking abit of a back seat in all those accolades and seeing these younger up and coming players and the talent that they've got and working with them to make sure that the club stays in agood place for years to come," Lowe said, explaining how she views her future at the club.

"I coach the under nines for the Rosedale Junior Football-Netball Club, and that's the same perspective that Ihave on that too -just to keep these people involved and enjoying sport."

Lowe, alongside acore group of players, has been afundamentalplayer for Rosedale throughoutthe Blues' mostsuccessful AGrade eraofthe past 15 years. Thegoal attackisa five-time AGrade premiership player, having won NGFNL flags in 2011, 2014, 2015, and most recently back-to-back in 2018 and 2019.

Lowesaidevery premiershipisspecial,but highlighted two -the club's first in 2011 and second

Around the

in 2014, which was afamily affair.

"I think all premiershipsare very special because they obviouslyoutline thehard work that's put in," she said.

"2011 was our first premiership with the A Grade team, and that was, Isuppose, the start of something really special for our core group.

"It was areward for all the hard work that we put in and the vision that we put in place.

"2014, playing with my sister, and having our family around, that one was great too."

For her milestone, many past and current teammates, family, friends and club members celebrated Lowe by contributing to a17-minute video montage of congratulatory messages that captured her journey from junior to senior and her 400-game career.

Teammate Carly Johnstone,who played in every AGrade premiership alongside Lowe, reflected on herfriend's career, saying her strong leadership, unwavering commitment and loyalty sether apart.

grounds

"It really shows the love that she has for the club.

People look up to that, the juniors look up to that, even Ilooked up to her," Johnstone said.

"She's given me alot of inspiration over the years."

Johnstonetold the Express that she and Lowe hadplayedtogether for 17 seasons, includingin this year's BGrade side.Lowe, leading from the goal postasgoal attack, and Johnstone, feeding passes in the centre, have built astrongbond on and off the court.

"When you've played with someone for so long, you just get each other on the court. You just need to look at each other -you know what each other wants, know where we're going," she said.

Lowe has led from thering,sinkinggoalafter goal, including more than 180 for Rosedale's B Grade team this season.But she'salsoanallaround leader,having captained throughoutevery AGrade premiership year. So many of Lowe's peers, including Johnstone, said her captain's speeches are aspecial source of inspiration.

"She's got away with words, she can really get everyone going, and she's just alwaysbeen that leader. I've not known anyone else like her," Johnstone said.

"She just brings that fire to the team."

Johnstone said it was special to have played through agolden era at Rosedale FNC alongside Lowe.

"It's so special, and when you think about it and look back, we may not see that again," she said.

"I feel really lucky to have been apart of it, but also to have shared it with one of my best mates.

"It makes it all that much more special, and we can reminisce and talk about those memories for years to come, and it will always be really special to have shared those premierships with Lorelle."

WhileLowe is sure to be arole modelamong the club's netballsquads, senior and junior, she listed somepeople who have been influential in her netball career.

"In the early years, we had some great coaches in Julie Durand and Stacey Scott... and Carly Johnstone, who I've played in five premierships with," she said.

Shesaid that influences like them push her to be abetter netball player and version of herself.

"I think when you look back over the years, it's so important to have those goodpeople around you and to create that culture that keeps movingforward."

ed forthe Sel Burley/JackSlattery Cup.Pictured is Sharryn Rees (Jack’sdaughter)presenting Sale Citycaptain,Lachie Carman with thetrophy.At thebackisDanielle Dickins (Sel’sgranddaugh- ter), Alana and FelicityBurley.

Initiative: socksinsupportofBrave Beautiesrecently. Churchill captain Emily Lugton and Rosedale’s Meg Gordyn united with BraveBeauties board member Toni beforethe AGrade match.

sbrought up the mark in the reservesmatch between Sale Cityand Rosedale in the North Gippsland Football-Netball League.The thirds and reservesteam from bothclubsgaveRay aguard of honour as he walked ontoStephenson Park Photographs: Fiona Nicholson

ar: Ro 000th goal forthe season in the CGrade atchagainst Sale City at the weekend. Emma currentlyplays in the 17 &Under am and then CGrade.The previous week gainst Churchill, she passed 500goals in 7& Under,tobeleading goal scorerinboth er grades across North Gippsland.

ma Em te ag 17 he

Support: Rosedale netballer,Lorelle Lowe,surrounded by familyfor her 400th game Photograph: FionaNicholson

Kilmany greyhound track headed for VCAT

GREYHOUND RACING

By STEFAN BRADLEY

SALE resident and former Animal Justice Party candidate Dr HelenJeges has followed through on herpledgetochallenge aplanningpermit granted by Wellington Shire Council for anew greyhound racing track in Kilmany.

"I can confirm thatIhavelodged acase with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) challengingWellington Shire Council's approval of aproposed greyhound racing track in

Kilmany, Victoria," Dr Jeges said on the record.

"My application has beenmadeinmycapacity as aconcerned local community member, given the well-documented issuesassociated with greyhound racing, including gambling-related harm, animal welfare impacts, and potential noise and amenity concerns.

"The matter is currently pending before VCAT and has been listedfor acompulsory conference on August 19, 2025.

"As the case is beforethe tribunal,I will not be commenting further on the details at this stage, but Iremain committed to ensuring that

Locals on the biggest state netball stage

NETBALL

VNL

BY LIAM DURKIN

YOU can't teach height.

This was evident in the Victorian Netball League Championship Division Grand Final, featuring anumber of Gippsland players.

The state's premier netball competition had everything aGrand Final could hope for, and was decided by just two goalsbetween Falcons and Hawks.

The Altona-based Falcons hit the lead with just seconds remaining,denyingthe Hawks (aligned with Hawthorn's AFL club) in apulsating finish at the State Netball Hockey Centre (Parkville), 60 to 58.

Hawks got out to a10-goal advantage in the second quarter,yet Falcons reigned in the margin.

Acostly Hawks miss saw the ball rebounded in an end-to-end play, giving Falconsthe decisive goal.

Falcons had a200 centimetre goal shooter in its side, who at times was able to literally place theball in thenet

On other occasions, Falcons were simply able to send the ball in high from the centre pass, knowing their shooter had such asignificant height advantage.

Former Sale, Maffra and Moenetballer Montana Holmes playedcentrefor the winning

Falcons side, in what was their fourth successive VNL flag.

Moe pair Olivia Barnett and Ash Mawer played for Hawks, along with Warragul's Sienna Green.

Gippsland connections were many, with fellow Moe netballer RachaelBlackshaw overseeing the competitionasVNL Competition Coordinator.

Blackshaw was presented abouquet of flowers at apre-match function in recognition for her efforts overseeing the season.

Barnett, Mawer andGreen went from teammates to opponents just three days later,as Moe played Warragul in the Gippsland League.

The VNL season is played on Wednesday nights, and is generally considered the best standard below Super Netball.

Gippsland has fielded aVNL team the previous two seasons (Gippsland Stars), although results have been poor.

It is understood however the Gippsland Stars have anumberoflocal players in their sights currently alignedtoother VNLclubs to help next season.

The 23 and Under VNL Grand Final was played before the Championship decider, and sawMelbourne University Lightning take the flag

In the winning team was goal shooter Annecy Lyon, daughter of St Kilda coach, Ross.

The irony of Ross Lyon's daughter being a goal shooter.

community concerns are fully and fairly considered."

As reported in theGippsland Times' on November 27, 2024, Sale Greyhound Racing Club's (SGRC) proposed Kilmany track for greyhound racingwas facing oppositionbythe Animal Justice Party (AJP), whichlaunchedapetition urgingcouncil to reject the planning application for the project.

At the time, Dr Jeges told the Gippsland Times that, as aWellingtonShireresident, she waswilling to take the matter to VCATifthe planningpermit was not rejected by council.

The SGRC is developing arace-capable straight track at apaddock near Templeton Rd, Kilmany, south of the highway, after purchasingaplot of landlastyear, with the tracktobetrial-ready within two-to-three years. This new project will be an additional track to be used by SGRC, and not abrand new club.

Wellington Shire mayor ScottRossetti, in a statement to this masthead, said council officers assessed the application for the proposed greyhound racing trackinaccordance with the statutory provisions of the Wellington Planning Scheme.

"Following this assessment, anotice of decision to grant aplanning permit was issued on April 11, 2025. This notice was sent to all objectors, who then had 28 days to lodge an application for review with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal," Cr Rossetti said.

"While asignificantnumberofobjections were received, many were based on ethical considerations, which are not matters assessed under the land use planning framework. There were no objections from referral authorities, including VicRoads and the Department of Transport and Planning.

"Council officers determined that the proposal met the requirements of the planning scheme. The matterisnow before VCAT following an application for review. As this process is ongoing, the proposal cannot proceed until VCAT has made its decision and, if appropriate, aplanning permit is issued.

"Any further questions about the VCAT challenge should be directed to the applicant, the Sale

GRISS

SPORT

SPORT lovers in the Latrobe Valleycan look forward to araft of better facilities forindoor sports including basketball, netball, badminton, gymnastics and table tennis.Minister for Community Sport, Ros Spence has announced the start of majorworks at the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium (Traralgon), supported by the RegionalSportsInfrastructure Program.Upgrades at the stadium will include new and refurbished changerooms, toilets and storage facilities, and new automated blinds and external roller shutters. Works at the stadium are due to be completed in mid-2026.Local company Rebuild Gippsland willleadthe worksonsite, sourcinga large percentage of materials locally and supporting local jobs.

Additionally, Sale’s RockysSolar and Electrical will install 400kw of solar panelsand 400kWhbattery storagetoreduceenergy usage and operational costs.The Gippsland Regional

Greyhound Racing Club," Mayor Rossetti said.

SGRC general manager Peter Johnston indicated the club would wait and see how the process unfolded.

"We will wait on the appropriate decision from VCAT," Johnston said.

Dr HelenJeges wasthe AJP's lead Senatecandidate in Victoria at this year's federal election, and was also acandidate in the 2022 state election for the Gippsland South electorate.

In other news, the Tasmanian government has announced it will be phasedout greyhound racing by ending its funding by 2029.

"It'stimetodraw alineinthe sandand ensure an orderly exit from greyhound racing in Tasmania," Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said.

The decision was welcomed by animal rights groups.

Greyhound Racing Victoria chair Peita Duncan, in an open letter, accused the Tasmanian government of caving in and siding with those "who want to ban everything based on no facts".

"Greyhound Racing Victoria and the thousands of participants in this state are standing beside the entire Tasmanian greyhound racing industry today, following your sudden and inexplicable withdrawal of support for our wonderful sport in your state," Duncan said.

"Three weeks ago, you pledged your unqualified support to all three racing codes, including greyhound racing, because you knew how much work has been done by TasRacing to make greyhound racing in your state as safe as it has ever been. And just 21 days later, you have reneged on that promise, puttingyour personal ambition above the livelihoods of hundreds of greyhound racing participants in Tasmaniawho loveand care for their greyhounds.

"It is an industry, alifestyle and apassion for thousands of Australians which provides at least 460 full-time equivalent jobs and generates an annual economic contribution of no less than $60 million in your state alone."

Indoor Sports Stadium is home to anumberof local sports clubs, including Traralgon Amateur Basketball Association, GippslandUnited Basketball and LatrobeValley Badminton Association.The venue boasts aworld-class show court with 3000 spectator seats and is one of Basketball Victoria’s seven high performance hubs.

These upgrades willhelp to continue attracting elite sporting events including NBL, WNBL and SuperNetball games and high-level badminton tournaments.The GippslandRegionalIndoor Sports Stadium is one of four Regional Sports Infrastructure Program projects in theLatrobe Valley region, including the Morwell Gun Club, GippslandSportsand Entertainment Park, Morwell and Ted Summerton Reserve, Moe. These projects were slated to host events at the cancelled 2026 Commonwealth Games. There are 16 projects across regional Victoria that are part of the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program, making communities even better places to live, work, stay and play.

Line em’up: Moe netballerAsh Mawerinaction forHawks during theVictorian Netball League Grand Final.

Photograph: Liam Durkin

Storystraight: TheKilmanyproject will be an additional tracktobeused by Sale Greyhound Racing Club,and not abrand newclub

Photograph: Stefan Bradley

Opponent: Dr Helen Jeges confirmed she challenged the planning permit fora newgreyhound racing trackinKilmany. Photograph supplied

Leader: Sale Greyhound Racing ClubGeneral Manager,Peter Johnston.

Photograph: Stefan Bradley

Business Guide

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BLOOMFIELD David Kellock (Jock) Born Kirkcaldy Scotland 17/12/1947, died Nome (Townsville QLD) 16/8/2025

Loved son of John and Catherine (Kitty) (both dec.).

Loved brother and uncle of Margaret and George, John (dec.) and Pamela, William (dec.), James (dec.), Ruth and Wayne, Eve and Bruce, Elizabeth, Ian and Lynn, Ann and Ron and their families. Rest In PeaceBrother

HAVAS Cyrus Phillip 29/5/2008 -13/8/2025

Son to Calida, brother to Akasha, Mokopuna, Douglas and Myra, cousin to Kaelee, Tae, Axel and Taj. Stepson to Ben, step-brothertoJack, step-sister to Shayla.

The whole family, community and your friends are all completely devastated. Your loss has shaken us to the core. Our hearts are broken and Iamnumb. Taken far too soon before your time. If I could trade places with you Iwould.

HAVAS Cyrus We have watched you grow up since you were 8 years old into afine, hardworking,respectful young man. We are privileged to have you in our family. We are devastated for Phil, Mel, Akasha and the extended family. We will miss you buddy. Love Charlene, Bk, Grace, Todd, Zane, Lorraine, Peter, Rhonda, Bill and Kaillie. (Kenney, Gray and Simpson families)

My

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AZZOPARDI Joseph Born in Malta 18/7/1941 Passed away in Warrnambool 16/8/2025. Beloved husband of Waltraud "Val" for 64 years. Loving Dad of Paul, Tina and Peter. Father-in-law of Linda, Geoff and Sue.

Pop to Nikki, Karli, Paula, Marie and Mark. Pop Azzopardi to Liam, Hanna, Lyla, Oliver, Georgia and Madison. Brother of Doris (dec.), Carmen, Tony, Grace, Alfred (dec) and Victor (dec.). Brother in-law to Lydia, Steve (dec.), Charlie (dec.), Rosie and Mike. Afull life well lived. May you now rest in Peace.

BASSI (nee Armstrong)

Rose (Rosa) Margaret

3/9/1933 -14/8/2025

Passed away peacefully at Laurina Lodge, Heyfield surrounded by her loving family.

Aged 91 years

Loving wife of Harry (dec.).

Much loved mother of Pam and John, Mark and Sue.

Adored Nan of Craig and Danielle, Shannon and Van, Mitch and Dakota, Jamie and Dakoda.

Cherished great Nan of Zac, Dash, and Daxton. God has youinhis keeping, we have you in our hearts.

Submissions

BRAND Graham Noel 6/12/1938 -12/8/2025

Loved husband of Lorraine for 66.5 years. Dearly loved father and father-in-law to Julie (dec.), Peter, Jenny and Dave, Joy and Graeme. Pa and pa-in-law to Vicky and Jason, Scott and Eloise, Luke and Megan, Morgan and Hayley. Great grandpa to Misha, Zahli. Gone to view the Garden in Heaven

EMERY David Munro Passed away peacefully at LRH on the 14th of August 2025 aged 89. Loved husband of Bev (dec.). Much loved father and father-in-law of Michael, Sally and Graeme, Mark and Karen, Malcolm, Mandy and Dean. Loved Pop/Old Pop of all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

FRASER William John (Bill)

28/8/1948 -9/8/2025

With love and sadness, we remember our brother, Bill. Our thoughts are with his wife Denise, the family of his late son Robert, and his son Greg and family.

Treasured and remembered always.

With love, Josie and Charlie Said, Maureen and John Butler, Peter and Carol Fraser, Marie Arntzen, Gerard Fraser, Bernadette and Ron Kemna, Brian Coyle, Carmel and Doug Matheson.

Service to be held at Pettigrew's in Mayfield NSW, 10.30am, 25/8/2025 and will be livestreamed.

GARNER, (née Roney)

Cheryl Sandra Passed away peacefully at Querencia Living Moe on August 11th 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Aged 77 years Late of Collie W.A. Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Darrin and Julie, Wayne and Starr, Selina and Corrie, Mira and Wilbur. Adored Nan and Gran to all her grand and greatgrandchildren.

You will be forever missed. Imiss your cheeky smile, your laugh, your smell, your beautiful face, your voice. I'm going to miss hearing all about your day, how much you bench pressed at the gym. How your friends think you are on the roids.

You taking your top off and posing. Being asked "Mum how do Ismell?" smelling something new from your vast collection of cologne. Listening to your new favourite song. Going on long driving trips to get your hours up.

Having deep conversations about life. Constantly cooking you food for that endless pit of astomach of yours and teaching you all my cooking secrets. Cuddling with you watching movies on the couch. Spending time with you and all the cuzzies up at Nanny and Koros.

Watching you grow into the beautiful young man that you were. Kind. Polite. Genuine. Insightful. Charismatic. Deep. Loving. Funny. Dedicated. Driven. Hard working. Respectful. You had so much potential in life. You could have been anything in the world you wanted to be. You were loved by so many people Cy and life will never be the same without you here. You will never know how much of an impact you made on this world. You were loved beyond words could ever express. And you will forever be missed. Until we meet again, my beautiful boy Love you always and forever Mum xoxoxox

HAVAS Cyrus Phillip

29/5/2008 -13/8/2025

As the result of an accident.

Much loved son of Phillip and Melanie, Brother of Akasha, Dearly loved grandson of Anita and Yianni (dec.). It grieves me to announce the passing of our son Cyrus. Words cannot describe what we are feeling. Alife taken too soon with so much hope and happiness laid ahead for you, mate. You were such awell mannered, respectful boy who everyone loved. You just made asilly mistake and paid the ultimate price. Just left school and started your apprenticeship preparing for your bright future ahead, your cheeky smile, your funny laugh, you have left avoid in our lives that will never be filled. The 17 years we got with you was not long enough. Fly high with the angels and with Papou my son until we meet again and Ihold youinmyarms. Love you our sweet loving boy.

YOUNG Daniel Richard Stephen Died peacefully surrounded by loved ones at Latrobe Regional Health, Traralgon on July 31, 2025, after a brave battle with cancer. Aged 38 years Loving husband and best friend of Fionna. Devoted father of Brayden, Bella and Harrison. Much loved son of Allan (dec.) and Krystyna. Lovedbrotherand brother-in-law of Loretta (dec.), Gary and Alison and Suriya. Proud uncle of Sarah and Ella. Loved and respected by all he met, never forgotten. In accordance with Daniel's wishes, aPrivate Cremation will be held.

HILL Ronald William 16/12/1948 -16/8/2025

Passed away Murgon, QLD peacefully with family by his side. Loved husband of Trish. Father of Jackie. Grandfather and Great Grandfather. Loved brother and brother-in-law of Graham, Lyn, Bruce and Cheryl and their families.

MARTIN (Wager), Beryl May Passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at LRH 17 August, 2025. Loved and loving wife of Harry for over 66 years. Much loved mother and mother in-law of Neil and Tania and Robert (dec.) and Liz.

Adored Nan to Jarryd, Rhys (dec.) Lachlan and Charlie. Great grandmother of Cleo. You were someone special, someone good andtrue, you will never be forgotten, we thought theworld of you.

SEERS

Geoffrey Philip (Geoff)

Passed away peacefully at Baw Baw Views Moe, on August 12, 2025.

Aged 93 years

Dearly loved husband of Gwyn for 67 years.

Much loved father and father-in-law of Philip, Mark and Jacki, Sharon (dec), Debra and Anthony, Vanessa and Murray, Alicia; and Nicole.

Adored Grandpa of 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Peacefully resting.

WALTERS

Shakiyah Rai Passed away suddenly (result of accident) on August 4th, 2025. Aged 18 years Dearly loved and loving daughter of Karla and Mikey. Adored sister of Zain and Matilda.

Asmart, bubbly beautiful lady whowill be forever loved.

WEBSTER

Edward (Eddy)

Passed away at LRH, Sunday 17th August 2025. Loving husband of Sue. Much loved father and father-in-law of Amanda, Sean (dec) and Lee. Adored and loved Pa of Connor and Emmett. Forever in our hearts and will be missed by all.

HAVAS The Funeral Service to celebrate the life of Cyrus Phillip Havas will take place in the Turfside Function Room at Moe Racing Club, Waterloo Road, Moe on MONDAY 25th August 2025 commencing at 2pm. Afterwards, the cortege will proceed to the Trafalgar Cemetery where Cyrus will be laid to rest. The ceremony will be livestreamed. Please see: harwoodfunerals.com.au for digital link.

MARTIN

The Funeral of Mrs Beryl May Martin will be held at Gippsland Memorial Park Crematorium Chapel, Cemetery Drive Traralgon MONDAY (25 August 2025) commencing at 10.30am. The Service for Beryl will also be livestreamed. Please visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au for further instructions.

Crematorium

BRAND AMemorial Service will be held for Mr Graham Brand at our Traralgon Chapel, THURSDAY (21 August 2025) commencing at 1pm.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

TRARALGON 5174 2258

Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

EMERY The funeral for David Emery will arrive at the Rosedale Cemetery, THURSDAY (28 August 2025), for aGraveside Service to commence at 1pm.

GARNER The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Ms Cheryl Garner will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 6Ollerton Avenue Moe on WEDNESDAY (20th August 2025) commencingat 10:30am. Cheryl'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

STEPHENS The Funeral Service to celebrate Jackie's life will take place in the Rose ChapelatGippsland Memorial Park Crematorium, Cemetery Drive, Traralgon on FRIDAY (22nd August 2025) commencing at 1pm. The ceremony will be livestreamed. Please see: harwoodfunerals.com.au for digital link.

In Memoriam • MAY AMemorial Service to celebrate the life of Simon May will take place at St Aidan's Anglican Church, Torres St, Newborough on Wednesday 27th August 2025 commencing at 1pm. The ceremony will be live-streamed. Please see harwoodfunerals.com.au for digital link.

PRIEST (nee Booth)

Elaine Charlotte Passed away 11 July 2025

Aged 97 years

Di and Barry Whitehead and family would like to advise that aMemorial Service to celebrate the life of their mum Elaine will be held at the Uniting Church, Parklane, Traralgon this SATURDAY (23 August 2025) at 1pm. Elaine moved from Swan Hill to Dalkeith Heights Ind epe nden tL ivin g Traralgon, eight years ago and made many new friends at the village and also in the community. If Elaine was part of your life, we would be delighted if you joined us to celebrate her life.

Mr Geoff Seers will be held at the Nielsen Funeral Chapel, Korumburra Road, Warragul on THURSDAY (21 August) at 2pm. The Service will also be livestreamed. To view Geoff's Service visit: www.nielsenfunerals.com.au

APrivate Cremation will follow.

ANDERSON Jeffrey (Jeff) Passed on 18 August 2024. It is sad to walk the road alone, instead of side by side. But to all, there comes atime, when the ways of life divide. You gave us years of happiness and joy, then came sorrow and tears. But you left us beautiful memories to treasure throughout our years. An exceptional loving and caring husband, father and grandfather. Simply The Best Doreen and family.

QUIRK, Justin George. 19/3/1972 -21/8/2007. 18 years ago We kissed you goodbye to go and join your loved little brother Mathew. Now fishing together both free from pain. Loved son of Robert and Judy. Brother of Nicole and Mick, Jason and Sharon, and their families. Dearly Loved and Sadly Missed

WEBSTER The celebration of Eddy Webster's life will be held at the Boolarra Memorial Hall, Monash Way, Boolarra FRIDAY (29 August 2025) commencing at 2pm.

BASSI The Funeral of Mrs. Rosa Bassi will be held at the Gippsland Memorial Park

LATROBE VALLEY FUNERAL SERVICES

When you lose someone close to you, it can be hard to put your thoughts and feelings into words A personal message in the Latrobe Valley Express can say so much All notices placed in print also go in our digital edition For friendly advice on how to place a message contact

Short courses,ever-lasting results

Three wins on the trot

FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND POWER/AFL EXPORTS BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

IN time for the final round of Coates Talent League, Gippsland Power picked up another impressive win last Sunday.

Travelling to Shepley Oval,Dandenong, the local development side was victorious, 12.12 (84) to 7.9 (51) over Bendigo Pioneers.

While Power got off to astrongstart to setthemselves up,theyextended further thanks to an extraordinary second half of seven goals to five.

Traralgon's Marlon Neocleous returned to Power for the first time in amonth and booted agoal.

After ashort blip, Power have recovered withthreestraight wins to sitsecondonthe ladder (the best of any non-academy side). They finish off the home-and-away season against Dandenong Stingraysthis weekend, again at Shepley Oval.

The penultimate round of the girls' competition also had Gippsland Power secure another win, 5.18 (48) to 4.5 (29) against Sandringham Dragons.

Reading the score line alone, Power could've been victorious by even more had they kicked straight on Saturday afternoon.

Traralgon's Lily Milner was best-on-ground.

The result was Power Girls' ninth win of the season, as they sit fifthonthe ladder with one game to go. They play Dandenong Stingrays also on Saturday at Shepley Oval.

 ALOTTERY could be won for anyone able to order the top eight in the AFL, even with one round remaining.

Collingwood can no longer finishtop of the ladder ahead of finals after losing to Adelaide on Saturday night by threepoints at Adelaide Oval.

TheCrows were able to hold on during an intensefinal half, in what could easily be a finals preview.

Traralgon's Tim Membrey booted two goals in defeat for the Magpies.

Gold Coast could have locked down their firstfinalsappearanceinthe club's history, and potentially in atop four position, but lost to GWS, 17.9 (111) to 11.10 (76) at People First Stadium.

The Suns are now in danger of missing finals,withWestern Bulldogs lurking on the outskirts, althoughGold Coast have an extra midweek game against Essendon post-Round 24.

The Opening Round matchup between Gold Coast and Essendon was cancelled, with the AFL electing to play the game after the home-and-away fixture, rather than during the bye period.

Morwell's Ben Ainsworthbooted two goals in the Suns' loss to the Giants.

Moe's Bailey Humphrey did not play, but Fish Creek's and former Moe junior Sam Flanders returned.

Flanders had 16 disposals and four marks in his first match since Round 21. Hawthorn are closing in on atop four finish afterdefeating Melbourne, 13.14 (92) to 8.8 (56) at theMCG

Morwell'sChangkuoth Jiathhad 14 touches and three tackles in theHawks' win.

SWIMMING

NEARLY 60 Traralgon Swimming Club athletes competed at the Victorian Country Short Course Championships in Bendigo last week, with some outstanding individual and team results.

Fifteen swimmers came home with 20 gold, 14 silver and 15 bronze medals.

Clubrelays performanceswereagainoutstanding with two gold, one silver and two bronze medals fromthe six relays on offer, with afurther 10 swimmers picking up medals in these events.

The major medal winners were male captain Ash Nicholes (18) who won seven gold and three silver

medals, breaking three event records.

Lockie Bellion (17) won three gold and two silver medals, breaking two Victorian records; Henry Arnup (11) with three gold and two silver and one event record, and Acher Marsland (14) with three gold and two bronze.

Anumberofgirls also performed well, with the best performance from captain Olivia Baillie (18) cominghomewith two goldand two bronzemedals.

Overall, the club finished only 159 points behind Geelong, however the team did win the second day by more than 200 points and clearly won the boys points score by over 450 points.

Traralgon Swimming Club Senior Head Coach, Brian Ford spoke highly of the result.

“Country SC is abusy and jam packed two days of solid racing, lots of noise, energy and challenges," he said.

"Our team was fantastic from the get-go and excelled on Day 2with some outstanding breakthrough performances.Wetook it up to Geelong with our captains Ash and Olivia leading from the frontand winning Day 2byabig margin augers well for the future.

"We look forward to Countries Long Course in January at Geelong-it’sgoingtobea meetfor the ages”.Theclub now prepares itself with more than 20 swimmers heading to Hobart for the Tasmanian SC Championships with the Victorian State SC Championships.

Hotly contested junior club championships

TABLE TENNIS

By MARK STRINI

TRARALGON Heat Junior Table Tennis held its Annual Junior Club Championships Tournament on Sunday,August 3, with playerscompetingin seven different events in abig day of table tennis.

Reigning Boys Champion,Adam Guo was again, the onetobeat, and he was made to work very hard in his Quarter Final beating Charlie Boyd in five sets, and DhiiraSlade in four sets in thesemi final to advance. In similar fashion Saxon Long played out aclassicSemi Final with his brother Tynen Long. Saxon coming from two sets to one down, to defeat his brother 11-9 in the fifth set.

In arepeat of last years final, AdamGuo and Saxon Long traded blows and with Guo winning the first 11-9, and Long coming back to win 11-6 in the second. It was Guo however, who did just enough in sets three and four, winning them 11-9 and 12-10 respectively, and in doing so, won his fourth successive Andrew Wilson MemorialTrophy.

The Junior Girls Open was set to be dominated by the reigning Champion Maya Gomez, and to script, she cruised her way to the final, and faced adetermined Disara Warnasooriya in the Final after she cruised through the minor rounds.

As expected, Warnasooriya put up afight, but it was Gomez in straight sets, 11-4, 11-3 11-7 to win her third straight Junior Girls Title.

In the Open Repacharge event, Disara Warnasooriya had a4set win over Cody Lucas in the first semi final, with Zach Dennison defeating Nilan Warnasooriya in straight sets in the second semi final. The final ended up being abrief affair with Dennison winning in three quick sets.

The Junior Doubles Seedings didn’t disappoint with Saxon And Tynen Long cruising to the final, as did Adam Guo and Dhiira Slade, all in straight set matches. The anticipated Final didn’t disappoint, and whilst the Long brotherscameout firing

Action: Nilan Warnasooriyaservedastrong game againstTynen Long during the club championships heldinTraralgon.

winning the first set 11-7, Guo and Slade combined verywell to win the next three sets 11-3, 11-8, 11-8 in avery entertaining match.

In the Under 16 event, Maya Gomez toiled hard for afourset win over Charlie Boyd to advance to the final, whilst on the other side of the draw, Tynen Long and Dhiira Slade playedarguably, the match of the day in their semi final,with Long prevailing in five sets 12-14,11-4, 12-14,13-11, 11-3 in an epic match.

The grind didn’tseem to both Long as he controlled proceedings against Gomez in the final, winning in straight sets 11-9, 11-6, 15-13 in arepeat of last years event, Finally, the Under 14’s Final was aanother gruelling affairbetween Odiññ Long and Myah Raiter, with both being first time competitors in

Tough games: Oneofthe more experienced juniors, Tynen Long, broughthis best game to thetable at the Traralgon TableTennisClub Championships.

the championships. It was expected to be close and it didn’t disappoint.

Long won the first set 11-8, but Raiter rallied to win the second 11-6. Thethird setwas anyone’s to win and proved decisive in hindsight with Long sneaking home 12-10 in apoint for point battle. Whilst Raiter certainly didn’t throw in the towel, afew key errors gave Long afew pointslead in the fourth and that proved the difference, With Long winning the set 11-7, and the Title.

With the Club Championships wrapped up for 2025, the TraralgonHeat Juniors now look forward to the FinalPennantRounds,toqualify for the WinterPennantGrand Final night, coming up in afew weeks.

Team: Traralgon swimmers enjoyeda great time at the stateshortcourse championshipsinBendigo Photograph supplied

New: The Junior Club Championships were held alongsidethe SeniorClubChampionships in Traralgon, givingmanychances forjuniors, such as Nilan Warnasooriya, to learnfrom senior players,likeJeffPollard.

Youth: Odinn Long is followinginthe steps of his twoolder brothersinbeing atable tennis playeratthe localclub. Photographs: Katrina Brandon

Competition: Cody Lucas brought action to the tableashekeeps up withhis fellowjuniors.

Boomerssolid gold forTraralgon’sown

BASKETBALL

FIBA ASIA CUP

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

TRARALGON’S Jack White has now added agold medal with theAustralian national teamtohis collection.

Arriving in Saudi Arabia, the Boomers swept the group stage of the FIBA Asia Cup before dismantling their next two oppositions.

Australia made light work of the Philippines in the Quarter Final, victors 84 to 60.

The back-to-back gold medallists startedstrongly, quickly getting out to 20-point lead by halftime.

The Philippines actually outscored the Boomers as played continued into the third quarter, but it didn’tmean much, as the margin remained the same.

By the time the game concluded, Australia were out to their largest lead.

White added eight points, eight rebounds, and three blocks in 18 minutes of action.

The Traralgonstarhad multiple defensive plays that eventually led to higher opportunities in the final two games.

The Boomers would then lay waste to Iran in the Semi Final, coming out easy winners, 92-48.

After acompetitive first quarter saw Australia lead by just seven points, the favoured Boomers sidethen outscoredIran 65-28 the rest of the way.

White added his best scoringoutput with 11 points, three rebounds, and asteal in 19 minutes.

Enteringthe gold medalfinal, Australia had the opportunitytobecome the first team to win three consecutivegold medals at the tournament, and did that by defeatingChina in aone-pointthriller.

Glory: Australia capturedtheirthird consecutivegold medal at the FIBAAsia Cup at theweekend.

The opening seven minutes wentbywitha stalemate, China then pounced with a12-3run after the Boomers held aminor lead earlier.

It would be the first time in the knockout stages thatAustraliatrailedatthe endofthe first quarter of any game.

Ahead by eight points at the first break, China continued to ramp up the intensity, pushing the Boomers’ deficit out to double digits as play resumed.

The margin would get to itsbiggest midway

Photograph supplied

through the second termwith Chinaleading by 15 points, before Australia steered the ship ever so slightly to chip away.

Afterbursting thebubble andgettingitback within single digits, the Boomersfinished the opening half on an 11-3 run to trail by just four points at halftime.

Each side knew they still had plenty more to give, as the early stages of the third quarter both went blow for blow.

Australia finally got backinfront for the first

time since halfway through the first quarter, but that didn’t mean the game was over.

While Will Hickey and Xavier Cooks were leading the charge for the Boomers, China had many players step up, seeing them still hold athree-point edge by the last turn.

The final quarter turned into amuch more chippy affair as both teams refused to give an inch and tasted gold like nothing else.

Cooks opened with eightofAustralia’s first 10 points for the term,showing signs of beingthe difference.

China stuck to their guns withanup-tempo game style, leadingbytwo points with five minutes spare.

Australian wing Jaylin Gallowaynailedback-toback three-pointers to swing the margin back into the Boomers’ favour, but Chinacountered with some long range shots of their own.

Defence was ultimately what done it, as Australia capitalised on anumberofstops in the dying stages of the game to come out on top.

Thatwas personifiedbyWhite being inserted onto the court for Australia’s last defensive stand and blocking athree-point attempt thatwould have pushed China into the lead with seconds remaining in the contest.

While Traralgon’s ownscoredhis lowest total for the tournament with two points, White still saw much more trust from thecoaching staffinagame which was alot more in doubt than any other.

Playing near 22 minutes off the bench, he did allthe small things, withthreerebounds,three assists, asteal and ablock.

The victory gave White his first gold medal for Australia in senior competition, after anumberof junior medals in the past.

Home runs highlight local baseball action

BASEBALL

By RENAE GILLETT

ATHRILLING day of baseball across the Latrobe Valley BaseballAssociation wasplayedonSunday, withtwo standout contests delivering high drama and dominant performances.

At W.H. Burrage Reserve, the Moe Newborough Dodgers edged out the Churchill Braves in awalkoff nail-biter,while the SaleRangers overwhelmed the Traralgon Redsox with asecond-inning scoring explosion at Stephenson Park.

Moe Newborough Dodgers clinched adramatic 5-4 victory over the Churchill Braves, thanks to a walk-off single from Brett Wilson in the bottom of the ninth inning.

With the game tied at four, Wilson’shit to center field drove in the winning run, capping off atense and tightly contested matchup.

Churchill opened the scoring in the first inning when Mat Prior singled to bring home arun.

Moe Newborough responded in the third,

MOE

GOLF

CHURCHILL ANDMONASH

Stroke9th August 2025.

ScratchWinner: J. Langstaff86

AGrade Winner: A. Jenkins 75 Nett

BGrade: P. Bolding 70 Nett

CGrade: M. Hutchinson 71 Nett

D.T.L: 1. R. Sands 73, 2. R. Davidson 73, 3. G. Corponi 74,4.M.Soppe 74,5.G.Leahy 75 N.T.P: 3rdR.Harvey(Propin), 12th J. Langstaff, 14th R. King

StablefordTuesday12th August 2025.

Winner: K. Del Piccolo 36 pts c/b

D.T.L: 1. S. Caldwell 36 pts

N.T.P: 3rdS.Caldwell, 5th M.Dear,12th K. Piccolo,14th S. Caldwell

MIRBOONORTH

Tuesday12th August Stableford.

AGrade,P Woodall (9) 38pts

BGrade,J Smeriglio (20) 35pts.

DTL: TWhitelaw37, CPorto 36, GRenwick, TBradshaw35.

NTP: 4th TBradshaw, 6th SMcKenzie

13th PWoodall, 16th NWhichello

Birdies: 4th TomTraill, 6th NWhichello, S Mc Kenzie

Saturday16th August Par,

AGrade,S Woodall, (9) +2

BGrade,F Fernandez (17) sq.

DTL: JSmeriglio sq, DJerram, TWhitelaw, -2. NTP: 4th PSmart, 6th SHill-Smith, 13th F Fernandez, 16th FFernandez.

Birdies: 6th SWoodall, GShandley, S Hill-smith.

capitalizing on aBraves error and aNathan Simpson RBI double to take a2-1 lead.

The Bravesrallied in the fourth, stringing together singles from DylanEldridge, RhysMcKenzie, and KylerRinehart to reclaim the lead at 4-2.

The Dodgersmounted their comebackinthe final frame. Mitch McGrath singled to left field to drive in one run, and Wilson followed with the game-winner to center.

Churchill Braves will look to rebound as they host the Traralgon Redsox next Sunday.

Meanwhile, At the home of The Rangers, The Sale Rangers burstopen with six runs in the second inning to cruise past the Traralgon Redsox 9-3 in acommanding performance.

After scoring two runs in the first thanks to a Redsox error and aShotaro Morimoto RBI single, Sale piled on fourhits and capitalized on defensive miscues to take full control of the game.

Will Hector doubled to score one run,Joel Hector added an RBI single, and Brad Taylor drove in two more with abase hit.

Two additional runs scored on adefensive error.

Sale added one more in the third when Kevin

Sunday, 10 August 2025 OPEN Sunday9 hole Stableford

Grade AWinners: Mifsud, David (36) 17

Sunday, 10 August 2025 OPEN Sunday

Mixed Stableford

Grade AWinners: Downie,Brodie (9) 38

Grade BWinners: Tipler,John (20) 41

Grade CWinners: Hamilton, Ian (27) 35

Place Getters: Skicko,Nick38C/B,Hibbs, Steven 37 C/B,Donnison, Terry37, Jansen, Garry35C/B,Veenman, Laurie 35 C/B Wednesday, 13 August 2025 WOMEN'S WEDNESDAY 9HOLEStableford

Overall Winners: Davy,Kerri(54) 11 Wednesday, 13 August 2025 WOMEN'S

PAR

Grade AWinners: Stewart, Rose (16) -2

Grade BWinners: Blandford, Jane (30) -2

Place Getters: Middlemiss,Kaye-3C/B, Savige,Karyn -3 C/B

Great Score: KarenShawBirdie @14, Leahann StewartBirdie @12, Chris Birrell

Birdie @8

Nearest to Pin: 4th Rose Stewart, 8th

Elizabeth Wallis,14th Rose Stewart

Target Hole Prize: KarenShaw Thursday, 14 August 2025 Competition : OPEN Mixed Stableford

Grade AWinners: Johnson, Tony (0) 37

Grade BWinners: Garlick, Karl (10) 40

Grade CWinners: Boyce, John (16) 45

Grade DWinners: JARVIS,MICHELLE (23) 36

Place Getters: Meyer, Dirk 43, Dunstan, Craig 41, VanDer Meulen, Luke37, Dyt,

Arbuthnot drew abases-loaded walk.

Traralgon Redsox will travel to Churchill next Sunday, aiming to bouncebackagainstthe Braves

With walk-off drama and explosive innings, the LVBA season continues to deliver excitement.

Fans can expect more fireworks next weekend as teams battle for momentum and bragging rights across the Valley.



TRARALGON Redsox erupted for 10 hits and 16 runs to overpower Sale Rangers in aslugfest at Stephenson Park, winning 16-9 to headline the BGrade competition.

Alex McCormick led the charge with amonster day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with atriple, ahome run, and 7RBIs.

The Redsox scored nine runs in the first inning alone, including McCormick’s three-run homer.

Sale Rangersresponded with five runs in the bottom of the first, highlighted by Anthony Clissold’s 2-RBI single.

Despite drawing10walks and stealing five bases, Sale couldn’t close the gap.

Clissoldfinished with three RBIs, while Lachlan Wrigglesworth and Joel Hector eachhad two hits.

SCOREBOARD

Ricky 36 C/B,Brien, Graeme 36 C/B, Sleswick, Paddy 36, Colvin,Anthony35C/B Gambling,Allan 35 C/B,Donnison, Terry

35 C/B,WOODALL, Paul 35, Pisa, John 34 C/B,Visser, Liam 34 C/B,Harland, Bob 34 C/B,Buckman, Peter34C/B,Shearing

Andrew 34, Hibbs,Steven33C/B

Great Score: KenBeath (Birdie) @14, Paul WOODALL(Birdie) @4,Allan Gambling (Birdie) @4

Nearest to Pin: 4th Steven Hibbs,8th Jason Stirzaker,14th Paddy Sleswick

Saturday, 16 August 2025 MEN'S Stroke -Flag Event

Overall Winners: 1st -Johnson, Charles (7) 71 2nd -Veenman, Laurie (7) 73 C/B

Place Getters: Pickard,Andrew 73, Babet, Alain 74 C/B,Johnson, Tony 74,Goodwin, Barry76

GreatScore: GavanPanozzo(Birdie) @14

Nearest to Pin: 4th Charles Johnson, 8th

Charles Johnson, 14th Charles Johnson

Charles Johnson: Flag Winner

MORWELL

Women's Wednesday13th August 2025

Winner: STurner 37

DTL: APollutro36

NTP: 2nd BScurlock8th BrookeScurlock 11th STurner 15th STurner

Birdies: IYoshimua &CPeter

TRAFALGAR

WednesdayWomen's results 13/8/25

Stableford:

AGrade Winner: Donna Mellon (22) with 33 points

Runner-Up: Sue Klemke(13)with 32 points c/b

Pitching wasshakyonboth sides. Shotaro Morimoto lasted just one-third of an inning for Sale, allowing six runs.

Jordan Gilmore gaveupfiverunsover 2.1 innings for Traralgon. Churchill Braves cruised to an 11-2 win over Moe Newborough Dodgers at W.H. Burrage Reserve. Danny Cannizzaro droveinfourruns,including ahome run in the fourth inning, while Rhys McKenzie added another blast to cap afour-run frame.

The Braves drew 11 walks and stole seven bases, with Liam Duncan leading the team with two hits and two stolen bags.

Jack Thomas pitched four strong innings,allowingjustone runand striking outthree.

Churchill’s defensewas flawless, committing no errors.

Dodgers struggled to generate offense, withMatt Luke and Allan Beames each collecting two hits. Beames and Jesse Wilson drove in the team’s only runs.

For more senior and juniors resultsand 2025 ladder, check out LVBA at: www.lvba.com.au

BGrade Winner: JanJansen (40) with 35 points

Runner-Up: LynPowell (29) with 27 points

DTL: GarryJansen with 33 points,Bev Keilywith 32 points and JennyEvison with 31 points

NTP: 5th Aileen McNair 11th no-one

Gobblers: Sonia Roberts on the 5th and Jo Baker on the 11th

9-Hole players

Winner: KarenSwingler (31) with 18 points

Runner-Up: Sue Balfour (46) with 16 points

c/b

DTL: Olwyn Balfour with 16 points

Tuesday12/08/25 3person Gentsomes

Players: 21, Women 3, Men 18

Winners: SteveGould, Al Gray,Mick Bennett(53 points)

RunnersUp: Dave Rose,Craig Scanlan, NormMether (48 Points)

DTL: Ian Outhred, GeoffFallon, Hank Fiddelaers(45 points)

NTP: Chris Griffin(5th)

Lucky GardTeam: Ivan Grant, Graeme Grant, Tony Shearer

Thursday: 14/08/2025 -StableFord

Players: 52, Women 17,Men 35

Women’s Winner: Sonia Roberts (20)

Runner Up: BevKeily(19 )c/b

DTL: Chris Payne (19) Aileen Mcnair (18)

Heather Savige (18)

NTP Chris Payne (13th)

Lucky Card: Anne Outhred

Men's Winner: PeterCooke(24)

Runner Up: Craig Scanlan (23)c/b

DTL: AnthonyCunning ham (23) Russ

Balfour (22) Ivan Grant (20) Max Pugliese (19) Dave Rose (18) Steve Gould (18)

NTP: Max Pugliese (13)

Lucky card: Ed Hayward

YallournGolfClubLadies

Stableford

Winner Div 1: (0-29) LynMcAlister (13) 16 pts Div 2: (30-54) Sue Caldow(30) 19 pts 14-8-25 18 Hole Stableford

Winner:LynMcAlister (13) 32 pts

On count backfrom: Heather Ware 32pts Evelyn Graske30pts

NTP: 2nd Sue Caldow, 12th Target hole: Lola Carter,14th Lola Carter,16th Lyn McAlister

Friday,August 15th, Open Men’s& Ladies Stableford

AGrade Winner: LukeBailey39pts

BGrade Winner: Craig Scanlon 38 pts

Tony Johnson 13th:Chris Brydon, MarkHiriart, DannyGorman, Greg Russell 15th:Adrian Jones,Bob Baldry, GarryJansen Saturday,August 16th, Stableford

BGrade Winner: Jeff Gray 40

Eight teams, four cups up for grabs

SOCCER

LVSL BY JOHN CARDONA

THIS Sunday sees the start of cup matches for all teams in the Latrobe Valley Soccer League.

Unfortunately due to the lack of communication from Football Victoria, venues are not available at time of print.

All threegamesare however predicted to be closely fought affairs in Round 1senior men’s action playing for the Battle of Britain Cup.

Newborough Yallourn United and TraralgonCity played in aplayoff game last Sunday at Harold Preston No 1, won by the Comine 1-nil.

The Combine, with the slight advantage of the wind in the first half, controlled the early stages as the Roosters defended with numbers and then aimed to transition quickly and score on the break.

NYU had the better of the first half but couldn’t find the back of the net, leaving the scores locked at nil-all at the break.

The second half started with NYU changing the formation to try to get an early goal, but with TraralgonCitynow having the breeze, looked a lot more threatening.

The second half was alot more even, with both sides attacking and looking for the win.

NYU gotthe first goal,only for the goal to be disallowed after the refereeand linesmangot together and decided there was an infringement on the goalkeeper in the box.

The game looked like it was heading towards extra time until Combine midfielder Adam Batt received the ball and sent Tristan Donohue clean through in the 89th minute to be one-on-one with the keeper.

Donohue then hit alow punching shot that beat the keeper at the near post and gave NYU the goal they were desperately after.

NYU then held on and defended grimly for the remaining few minutes.

Best for the winners last Sunday were Batt,

Steve Birrell, Ash Birrell and Tristan Donohue.

The win now sees NYU progress through to the quarterfinalmatch against Monash, in whatshould be agreat game

Thetwo teams have met twice this year in the league season, both ending in hard fought draws.

There will be no draws in all cup games this weekend, with the eventual winner progressing and advancing to the semi-final.

 NYU won the senior women’s playoff in the Brown Huizer Cup.

The Combine was too strong for Falcons, winning 4-2.

Falcons scored early, but the NYU women were soongot backonlevelterms whenShayla Vella took her opportunity.

The combine gradually got on top in play and were rewarded with another goal fromVella to give them a2-1 lead.

Falcons never shirked the issue, and were soon back level, sending the game into extra time.

NYU lookedthe way better side in the extra time play and ran away with the game, scoring twice during theextended period.

The outstanding player of the matchfor the winning side was Vella, who managed to score all four of the goals.

Another to play well was Indee Ryan, who now progresses to aquarter final match against Tyers United.

 IN the reserves, Shopwell Trophy, Traralgon City defeated NYU 2-1.

Again, it was another evenly contested game,with Traralgon City taking the lead midway through the first half before Damian Gilbert scored just before halftime to level the scores.

The secondhalf saw both sides having some great opportunities to breakthe deadlock, buteventually it was Traralgon Citywho got the decisive winning goal.

NYU made some late changes to try to send the game into extra time, but couldn’t find the goal they needed.

Lions place two hands firmly on maiden state league title

SOCCER STATELEAGUE

BY ALLAN ROBERTS

ROUND 19 of the Veto Men's StateLeague had Fortuna 60 SC returning to their home ground to face off against 4th placed Casey Panthers SC -with the chance to lay both hands on the leaguetitle, the Lions were primed and ready to fire on aday that provided all the 4seasons over the 90 minutes of the game. Coach Clayton Bell had afull squad of players to choose from and in front of apassionate home crowd expectations where high that the Lions would do the job at home and make it near impossiblefor any of their rivalstocatch them over the remaining three rounds

At the end of the 90 minutes, it was Fortuna who would run away with the game in acommanding 5-0 victory and placetwo hands firmly onto the South Division League title.

With the whistle sounding the start of the game, it would be Fortuna '60 who would draw first blood in the 6th minute via the Leagues leading goal scorer Damon Scott. Theenigmatic Fortuna strikerwouldbeonthe end of aquality through ball from Jake Budija, with Scott cutting inside onto his preferred left foot and placing the ball bottom right to give the home team aone goal advantage early in the game. The goal to the home side seemed to stir the visiting Casey team, who started to attack in numbers and had arun of four shots on goal -none of which troubled the Lions shot stopper Logan Troughton. The final 15 minutes of the first half were played under wintery conditions with the heavens opening and an icy wind -both teams struggling to play attractivefootball in the challenging conditions. Fortuna would createacouple of half chances in the dying stages of the first half, but the score would remain at 1nil in favourofthe home side at the end of the first stanza. With the halftime break over both teams hit the pitch with renewed endeavour, Fortuna playing for the opportunity to practicallyseal theleague and Casey vying to be the first team to take 3points off the league leaders. The first 10 minutes of the second half would see Fortuna createmultiple opportunities but fail to convert chances, Hayden Tanti was puttinginafair shift downthe lefthand side and providing some exceptional service to his fellow forwards. The proceeding 10-minute block was allCasey as they started to pepper the Fortuna goals in search of an equaliser, but somesolid defending and shot stopping repelled the visitingPanthers side.

Bestfor the Combinewas Tim Shaw,Steve Geisler, Gilbert and Jake Vella.

With that win, Traralgon City will now face up to East Gippsland in the quarter final.

 ARUNDOWN on allBattleofBritain quarter finals matches are as follows:

The top two outstanding sides of 2025 in league champions, Moe Unitedplay league runner-up Traralgon Olympians.

During the season, Moe United and Olympians drew 1-all at Olympia Park, Moe, after the visitors grabbed the equaliser at the death from the penalty spot. In the second round match, Olympians accounted for Moe United 4-1.

Moe United was in top form after that however, winningacome-from-behind league championship, sealing the titlewith a4-nil win over Monash,and should go into the match full of confidence before the two week break.

Both sides should be at near full strength, so it should see athrilling cup match.

Olympians on the other hand will be desperateto atone for what most people say was achampionship they threw away.

In other matches, Churchill United will be keen to continue their late season good form with awin over East Gippsland.

In aderby cup tie match, Monash are drawn up against neighbours NYU.

Can the Combine cause the cup upset result in this match?

In the other big battle, third-placed Falcons are up against fourth-placed Sale United.

Both league matches saw very closely fought encounters, with the first match ending in a1-all draw, and the last round matchseeing Falcons winning 3-2 in an exciting game.

 THE woman’s Brown/Huizer Cup quarter finals sees NYU face up to Tyers.

Olympiansare drawn to playMonash,and in what possibly should have been the cup final, dominate league champions for the past three years, Sale United face up to the only side to give

them ataste of defeatthis seasoninChurchill United, which should be athrilling encounter.

In the same half of the draw, withthe top two sides in Moe United, who's only two losses were against Sale United, the Red Devils will front up to Traralgon City.

On form, Moe United should win this match with afew players returning from their postponed match, whichsaw the Red Devils win 2-1. IN the reservesShopwell Trophy, Moe United plays Falcons.

This should be another closely fought match, with games between these two sides often throwing up some interesting results.

Moe United will still be hurting badly after throwing awaytheir first reservesleague champions title since1998, in an upset 1-nil loss to neighbours Monash after needing only adraw to win the league title.

The Red Devils will therefore be desperate to win at least the Shopwell Trophy, having led the league table for most of 2025.

In other cup tie matches, Churchill United meet Monash,while league champions Sale United face up against Olympians, which should see the strong Sale United side progress to thee semi-final.

Rounding off the fixture, Traralgon City meets East Gippsland United.

 THIRD Division players will play for the Nan Bosma Cup.

Quarter final matches see Falcons up against Monash.

TyersUnited play defending 2024 Nan Bosma Cup winners, Moe United, who found their form late in the season to climb from fifth position on theleague table to end the season third.

Fortunaface the tough task of trying to beat this year’s 3rd Division leaguechampions in Olympians In the final matchofthe Nan BosmaCup quarter final matches, Sale United are drawn up against 3rd Division runner-up, Churchill United.

Supporters wishing to know venues are encouraged to get in touch with someone from clubscloser to the weekend.

Tensions on the sideline from the home crowd were starting to show as the quality Panthers team put the Lions to the test, but the pressure only saw the home team slip into overdrive and deliver 20 odd minutes of sublimefootball under anow sunny sky. In the 73rd minuteNonda Lazaris would rifle astrikefrom 30 yards out thatwould ricochet off thecrossbarand somehow end up at the feet of Damon Scott who made no mistake placing it past the Panthers keeper to give Fortuna a2-0 lead. Lazaris would again be in the fray 7minutes later, receiving apassfrom Rayvel Whiting and then smashing astriketop right from outside the 18yd box to extendthe home teams lead. But the goals where were not done,three minutes after his first goal Lazaris would receive acheeky little pass from Jake Budija that he would carry into the 18 yd box and place past the Panther's keeper. With the game near completion Jake Budija would add his nametothe score cardand getreward for effort fora solid game, Budija would drift offthe back of the packinsidethe 6ydbox and drill home a cross from Damon Scottwho returned the assist favour from earlier in the game. Not long after thefinal whistle sounded and the home team could celebrate another dominate performance and be proudofwhatwas ablistering 25 minute spell of entertaining football.

The win sees the team from the Valley maintain theirtop spot,the gap betweenFortunaand second placed Mt Eliza remaining at 9points with three league games to go. Theroad forward for the Lions to achieve league success seethem having 2gamesremaining,whilst Mt Eliza has three. Whilst it is mathematically plausible for Mt Eliza to equal Fortuna on points, depending upon results -the Lions hold four aces in their hand via asuperior goal difference of 17 goals. But the club will not be resting on their laurels and will be keen to shut the door and claim the league next week via awin or draw against Bunyip on Saturday night, there is also the added incentiveofgoingthe season undefeated that willmotivate the team from the Valley for their remainingtwo games.

 EARLIER in the day,the Fortuna reserves tooktothe pitch against the Panthers Reservesteam.

The Lions Reserves ground out amuch needed win to give the teamsome reward for effort, playing coach Nick Matsoukas delivering ahat trick for the home side.

The final result 4-2 in favour of Fortuna.

Grand final gloryawaits for GippslandUnited

BASKETBALL

GIPPSLAND United have both teams into agrand final.

Going the long way, United women capitalised in ahome preliminary final at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium (GRISS) to claim asignificant winover Wallan, 80 to 64.

The women’s side now joinsthe men’s team with the chance to claim apremiership banner.

Defeatingthe same Wallanteam at an away venue two weeks ago by three points to avoid an elimination final, United women missed their opportunity to host the Division 2Grand Final in Traralgon alongside the men after going down to Keysborough by closest of margins.

Still given asecondchance, United were wasting no time against aPanthers team they knew they could handle.

An eight-nothing startpersonified the confidence the women’s sidedisplayed, especiallyinfront of a home crowd, leading to a17-11 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

While Wallan gave adecent crack to open the second term, Gippsland were too much to handle and were driven to see out the game convincingly.

Young Olivia Ouchirenko scored the first eight points for United as the returnedfrom the first break, and then Alahna Arnason joined in by getting deep under the basket.

In no time, the lead was upwards of 19 pointsand it didn’t appear as though the Panthers could get near it, as United held a14-point edge by halftime.

Plenty was still left in the game and Wallan returned from the main break with added confidence after they scored six of the first eight points of the third quarter to cut the deficit to 10 points.

United captain Lauren Tuplin equalised with a three-point bucket, but the Panthers kept gaining.

Now cutting the margininto single digits,United werewary of what could be lost, as Ellie Coutts and Arnason dispelled of that doubt quickly to push them back out to a12-point lead.

Wallan continued to score at each point, but the home side was quick to respond at every call, seeing the Panthers failing to get over that hump and break even closer.

Leading by 12 points, Unitedknew what they needed to do to finish off the game and advance to the big dance.

Coutts and Arnason began proceedings for the fourthquarter with scores inside for United followed by adry patch either wayfor afew minutes.

Wallanfinally broke the slow run before Arnason again produced some gritty plays for United to counter.

Thatwas enough to shoot worldsofconfidence back into the home side and dismantle any hopes of the Panthers producing acomeback, as the margin ballooned to almost 20 points with little time remaining.

Arnason stood tall for United, scoring agame-high 26 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Coutts and Tuplin were both solid contributors in the win with 13 points each, while Ouchirenko was steady off the benchwith11ongreat efficiency. GippslandUnited now have arematch with Keysborough at RowvilleSecondary College in the Division 2Women Grand Final.

Unitedmen meanwhile have had the week off after defeating Coburg by seven pointsinthe semi final at home, and now play Warrandyte after they took down the Giants by 20 points at Coburg Basketball Stadium.

United men host Warrandyte in the Division 1

Moe names team of the decade

FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

MOE Football-Netball Club announced its most recent Team of the Decade on Saturday night.

Players past and present gathered in the social rooms at Ted Summerton Reserve to acknowledge some of the club’s leading senior footballers from 2014 to 2024*.

The team was selected by Moe’s senior coaches across the last 10 years in James Blaser, Lachlan Sim and Declan Keilty.

Criteria for selection was at least two season's worth of service.

Moe FNC president, Matt Howlett presented certificates to each player,while also goingthrough year-by-year highlights.

The last decade saw results at either end of the scale, as an overallwinningpercentage just above 50 indicated.

BenDaniher

The Lions have playedinthree preliminaryfinals the last 10 years (2019, ’23, ’24) and missed finals justonce since 2017,yet are still chasing an elusive first premiership since 1967.

Season 2023was the senior team's bestyear, finishing second on the home-and-away ladder after losing just two regular season games.

Two rebuilds were necessary, the first as the club continued to recover from havingnohome ground in the early 2010s, and the second following the pandemic.

Aclear generational change occurred after the pandemic, with most of the club's more senior players retiring. However, out of that saw ahost of qualityyoungplayers emerge, whohave now become key senior players.

Other highlights throughout the decade included ending Leongatha’s run of 34 consecutive victories in 2023, and winning everyawayfixtureinthe same year for the first time in club history.

PeterAinsworth reached 350 senior games (departing just 11 shy of the all-time Gippsland League record to takeaseniorcoaching opportunity at Newborough) in 2019,and James Blaser and Riley Baldi won the Trood Award and Rodda Medal as the Gippsland League best-and-fairest in 2017 and 2024 respectively.

Acknowledgements were also made to Manny Gelagotis, who was club president for arecord 10 seasons between 2014 and 2023.

Senior captains during the decade were Ben Morrow (2014-16),Blaser(2017-18) and Jacob Wood (2019-24).

Coaches were: Adrian Burgiel (2014-15),Blaser (2016-18), Sim (2019-21) and Keilty (2022-24).

Blaser,Wood and Tom Longwerealsonamed in Moe's Team of the Decade for 2003-2013.

*Moe’s teams of the decade cross over multiple decades due to interruptions throughout its history (i.e. WW2, establishment of the Gippsland League in 1954 etc.).

Good riddance to portable rooms

FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

LAST Saturday was tinged with emotion for the TraralgonFootball-Netball Club, as it marked the last time the club would need to use portable rooms during aGippsland League home-and-away match.

The Maroons will finally see new changerooms next year, following along, drawn out saga since major floods in 2021 left the previous double-storey facility unusable.“The newpavilion and netball court are on track for completion in early March 2026,” the club wrote in last week’s Gippsland League Record.

“For the first time, our netballers will be right in the thick of the action, with apurpose-built court and changeroomsincluded in the new build.

“We’ve been ‘one club’ for along time and we’re excited to truly showcase that on game day. “We sincerely thank everyone –our people,opposition clubs, and the league for their patience and support over the past few yearsaswe’ve navigated the build.

“It’sbeenanextraordinarily long process, but the finish line is in sight,and we can’t wait to welcome everyoneinto ourbrand-new pavilion nextseason.” Sport and Recreation Victoria are contributing $2.75m to the build, with the balance to come from state and local government funds and grants. The project ran into numerous design-related hurdles, and risked losingfunding as aresult,

Comingsoon: The newchangerooms under construction at the TraralgonShowgrounds.The facilitywill be elevatedtoprevent flooddamage.

before final plans were endorsed at apassionate meeting of Traralgon FNC members and Traralgon Showgrounds user groups last year. Ultimately, players and officials decided 'enough is enough'.

Understandably, Traralgon is nothostinga final this season, but will surely be putting its hand up once the brand new facility is opened.

B: TysonBiffin, Charlie Rieniets, Darnell Grech

HB: TomLong,Declan Keilty, Scottvan Dyk

C: Grady Cocksedge,James Blaser,Peter Ainsworth

HF: HarriSim, Dylan Farrell, Jacob Wood

F: HarryPepper,MarkEngley, Ash Dugan

FOLL: Ben Morrow,RileyBaldi, Trent Baldi

INTER: BrockSmith, ColSanbrook, Joel Bragagnolo,Ben Daniher

Captain: Jacob Wood

Coach: James Blaser

Assistant coach: Declan Keilty

300games: PeterAinsworth

200games: TomLong,Ben Morrow, Jacob Wood,James Blaser (195)

100games: Tyson Biffin, CharlieRieniets,Scottvan Dyk

AFL players: Declan Keilty, BrockSmith,HarryPepper

VFL players: Tyson Biffin, TomLong, James Blaser,RileyBaldi

Vic Country: Grady Cocksedge

Interleague: Tyson Biffin, Charlie Rieniets,Darnell Grech, TomLong, JamesBlaser,Ash Dugan

Photograph: Liam Durkin

Ever the professionals, the Maroons have not let the inconvenienceofhaving no proper changerooms affect their performance.

Traralgon has played senior finals every season since the floods, including last year's premiership

Morelocal footy/netball -pages 25-32

Leading Lions: Moe Football-Netball Club Team of theDecade 2014-24 (back) Declan Keilty, BrockSmith, Scott vanDyk, Tyson Biffin, TomLong,Ben Morrow,CharlieRieniets,Joel Bragagnolo (front) Jacob Wood, Harri Sim,James Blaser,Trent Baldi,Riley Baldi, PeterAinsworthand Grady Cocksedge.Absent: DarnellGrech, Dylan Farrell, HarryPepper,MarkEngley, Ash Dugan, Col Sanbrook,

Photograph supplied

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