Latrobe Valley Express Wednesday 23 April 2025 by lvexpress.com

Pesutto potentially out of pocket

By LIAM DURKIN

TRARALGON-BORN former state Liberal leader, John Pesutto may be forced out of politics, if the collateral damage from his case against Liberal colleague, Moira Deeming plunges him into bankruptcy.

By law, anyonedeclaredbankrupt cannotsit in parliament.

Mr Pesutto was last year found guilty of defaming Ms Deeming,after she attended awomen’s rights rally, and ordered to pay $300,000 in damages by the federal court.

The falloutsaw Mr Pesutto losethe Liberal party leadership, and be relegated to the crossbench under current leader Brad Battin.

Things mightyet go from bad to worse for the Traralgon local, as there are fears acost ruling could bankrupt him.

If Mr Pesutto (the Member for Hawthorn),isdeclared insolvent, it will trigger aby-election.

Deputy Premier,Ben Carroll last week told the HeraldSun Laborwould entertainthe prospectof contesting Hawthorn.

“Ifthere is aby-electioninHawthorn, we’d welcome it,” he said

“We’ve held that seat before. I’ve been in Hawthorn regularly. We’ve got agood story to tell.

LO CAL TR ADES AND SE RV ICES

“It’s avery marginal seat and Iknow we’ve put a lot of investment in there but it’samatter for John Pesutto and theLiberal Party as to whether there’s changes in that district.”

Mr Pesutto however said he was up for what is looming as the fight of his political career.

“Serving as the Member for Hawthorn has been the privilege and honour of my professionalcareer

Ihave continued to receive very strong support from my constituents to represent them and Iremain fully committed to doing so for as long as they will have me,” he said.

“I will continue to be aconstructive and devoted member of the Liberal team in order to win the 2026 election and be the positive and reforminggovernment Victorians desperately need.”

Mr Pesutto appears to have people in his corner, as it is understood some within the Liberal party room are plotting to endMsDeeming’s own political career.

His demise however could only solidify Labor’s chances of seeking an historic fourth term next year.

“I’ve always saidIthought there wasaplacefor John Pesutto. Ithought he was their best and was their strongestleader (but) theydecidedtoneckhim,” Mr Carroll said.

The Herald Sun also reported former premiers Jeff Kennett, Ted Baillieu and Denis Napthine had chipped

in their own money to help the embattled MP.

Thesorry saga hasbeen aswift turn of events for Mr Pesutto, who only five months ago was leading a Resolve poll as preferred Premier.

Seven weeks later, he wasn’t even party leader.

Mr Pesutto grew up and went to school in Traralgon, and played soccer for Olympians and Traralgon City. He is not the first Traralgon MP to come outofcourt crestfallen. Former Member for Morwell, Russell Northe was sentenced to 21 months jail in 2023 for using public money to fuel his gambling addiction.

TheLiberals willbehoping to win something biggerthanastate election next week, with the federal election laid down for Saturday, May 3.

Early voting began Tuesday (April 22). Latrobe Valley locals can attend either 40-50 Queens Parade, Traralgon,34PrincesDrive, Morwell, or 34 Fowler Street,Moe to avoid the queue on election day.

Candidates for Gippslandand Monash have also begun revealing their preferences.

Labor is expectedtohold government, with the most recent Resolvepoll showing46per cent have Anthony Albanese as preferred Prime Minister.

Not encouraging gambling, but giving betting agencies are generallythe most accurate political measure, Sportsbet had Labor as short as $1.22 odds on Monday.

See Pages 36 &37 of today’s paper forfurther details

Photograph supplied

Tubas presented in timefor tour

THE Free masons Foundatio n Victoria recently presented the City of Traralgon Band with two new hybrid tubas.

Su ch acquisitio ns are timely, for the band’s upcoming Tour of Remembrance to the UK, France and Denmark.

These quality polymer plastic tubas with brass pistons weigh around five kilograms,compared to atraditional full brass tuba which canweighup to 15kg and are afraction of the cost.

The band willbeundertakinga number of streetmarches throughout the tour, so the burden of not only carrying the tuba butalsoperforming while marching is eased considerably.

In the coal mining districts north of Manchester, the band will be performinga street march in up to eight villages on asingleday as part of the world famous Whit Friday Brass Band competition.

Fundingfor the tuba’s was provided by the Morwell, Traralgon, and Argyle Masonic lodges,assisted by the FreemasonsFoundation Victoria.

Band Preside nt, Alan Wilson wished to thank the Freemasons.

“Wi thout thes eq ual ity hyb rid tubas, it would be adifficult task for someinundertakingall thestreet marches and we are grateful for the support of lodgemembers and the Freemasons Foundation,” he said.

“The band was established in 1881, and during World War1 the band performed at the Traralgon Railway Station whenever our service men and women leftfor the war, and again for those that returned.”

Some members of the Band who served at this time did not return.

Rodney Lavin, ad irector of Freemasons FoundationVictoria, was extremelyproud of the Freemasons effort to assist young members of the band

“Freemasons are great supporters of the City of Traralgon Band and we wish them great success on their upcoming exciting tour,” he said.

The City of Tr ar al go nB and ’s new hybrid tubas will appear first in public thisAnzacDay in Tyers, Glengarry, and Traralgon, and also the Traralgon Lions Club Farmers market this Saturday (April 26).

The bandwill also hold its major fund raisi ng Euro pean Farewel l Concert at Gippsland Performing Arts Centre on Saturday, May 17.

New: CityofTraralgon Band members, Fraser Rong (13) and Immi McAllister (14) compare the newblackhybrid with thetraditional all brass tuba alongside Director of the Freemasons Foundation, RodneyLavin. Photograph supplied

Warnurses honoured at memorial service

FEDERATION University staff and students honoured the nurses that have providedlifesaving care in times of war, at the Australian Nursing Memorial Centre’s Anzac Day Memorial Service.

The Federation team laid awreathatthe memorial serviceheld in Melbourne on Sunday, April 13, in memory of the Australian and New Zealand nursesand healthcare workersthat have served in conflicts around the world, saving lives and putting their own lives at risk doing so.

The contingent was led by InstituteofHealth and Wellbeing Lecturers, Eliana ‘Ellie’ Johnson, Ange Smith-Carroll and Miriam Mudawa, joined by five nursing students who volunteered to be involved in the moving ceremony.

“It is an honour to attend the ANMC Anzac Day service,” Ellie Johnson, anursing lecturer at Federation’s Gippsland Campus said.

“This service is adeeply moving and emotional experience in which we pay tribute to the nurses who sacrificed their lives and health in service to their country during times of war.

“Their acts of heroism andsacrifice may oftengo unnoticed, but they are never forgotten.”

The service heard from the family of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel, an Australian Army nursewho was the sole survivorofthe 1942 Banka Island massacre, going on to become one of the leading nurses in Australia.

Professor Alison McMillan, Commonwealth ChiefNursing and Midwifery Officer at Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, also spoke at the service.

Pictured: Dr Swapnali Gazula, Miriam Muduwa, Beth Newman, Amber Johnson,Jasmin Inocencio, Elianna Johnson,and Ange CarrolSmith at theAustralian Nursing Memorial Centre forthe Anzac service Photograph supplied

For the Anzacs

By MARIA HARKINS HAZELWOOD North resident, Maria

Harkins penned this poem in honour of the Anzacs in 2016.

To those with grace who’ve come and gone

And those who wear the scars

To those who patched the broken souls in lands so very far

To those who paid the ultimate price

On the line or in flight

To those who can’t escape their heads -captivesofthe fight

To those who rode on top the steed the Whaler brown or roan to those who loved their horse so much yet could not bring him home to those endured the rocks and heat and carried wounded men to those who were afraid to stand but together stood again

To battle what was in their path not knowing what was next to those who made unpopular decisions to save the ANZAC’s necks to those who fell and stood by friend and fell and stood again to those who journeyed home but were ne’er same again

To the families who waited and prayed to God in vain to the bugler of the last post played time and time again.

To those who’s families have gathered

And their tears have dried with time

To those who’s private hell was real

As no one saw the pain

To soldiers unable to share their thoughts

Weighed downbydoubt and shame

To wives and children left behind

Who grew up and took the reins

To those whostand and march today

To those they march here for

To those who’s voices won’t be heard

But their mateship heeds the call

To those who sit and watch the souls

Gather at the shrine

To those who take their one last breathe in ourhistory remind

To the guiltyand the broken unable to reconcile

To the soldiers of the other side

Be still for them awhile

To those who live the freedom and enjoy this life as one

To you please do remember

The history of the some

To you Iask this question

Please consider this one twice

Is your effort, and the words you speak worthy of their sacrifice?

To us Iseekthe answer

When it’s time to stand as one

Will we be as courageous as ANZAC daughters and their sons?

Icannot know your struggle; Idon’t understand your pain, Iknow not what you saw and did; Idonot judge your name

Ipraythat you find peace

Somewhere deep inside

And know that people just like me

Look to you with pride

We draw now to aclose

And there’s one thing more to say

Thank you to the keepers of our freedom

Every day.

Bath’spersonal pilgrimage to Anzac Cove

MEMBER forEastern Victoria Region,Melina Bath will visit Anzac Cove to pay her respects to the fallen soldiers who landed on April 25, 1915. This date marksthe firstmilitary actionfought by Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) during the World War 1.

Ms Bath is part of astateparliamentary delegation travelling to Gallipoli to mark the 110th Anniversary of the ANZAC landing.

Visitinggraves and memorials of fallenGippsland soldiers, and attending the dawn service with Victorian MPs, Ms Bath will accompany the Minister for Veterans, Natalie Suleyman and her Nationals’ colleague and Member for Shepparton, Kim O’Keeffe.

Ms Bath saidshe had the privilegeofworking with RSL subbranches to identify local diggers

buried in cemeteries on the peninsula.

“Anzac Day holds aspecial significance in the heartsand mindsofmany Australians and to commemorate the dawn service at Gallipoli is an honoured pilgrimage," she said.

“Knowing manyGippsland families farewelled theiryoung men for the Gallipoli campaign, never to returnhome, I’msure it willbeanemotional experience paying my respects at their graves.

“The spirit of the Anzacs -courage, endurance, mateshipand sacrifice continue to serve as a reminder, inspiring Australians during times of crisis and motivating us to uphold these values in our daily lives.

“Despite Gallipoli being afailed campaign, it galvanised our nation in the defenceofdemocratic freedoms we enjoy today, and remains apivotal and

Funding granted for Mirboo North RSL

THE state government is honouring the service and sacrifice of veterans by investinginprojects that preserve their legacy and strengthen their communities.

Minister for Veterans,Natalie Suleyman announced the successful recipients of two grant programsfundinglocal government, ex-service organisations and community groups to upgrade their facilities and create welcoming, accessible places to commemorate and support Victoria’s veterans.

The Veterans Capital Works 2024/25 grant program is providing 26 recipients with ashare in more than $780,000 to upgradeor developfacilities for veterans and their families

Mirboo NorthRSL Sub-Branch was asuccessful recipient of the Veterans Capital Works grant.

The Restoring Community War

Memorialsand Avenues of Honour 2024/25 grant program is delivering 16 grants of up to $30,000, providing more than $320,000 to restore, preserve, andupdate war memorials, honour rolls, and avenues of honour.

The Victorian College of the Arts will restore its honour board along St Kilda Road, which commemorat es stud ents wh od edi cate d and lost their lives during World War 1. The board, featured in the Australian National Veterans Art Museum’s Veterans Public Arts Trail,ispart of the world’s only walking traildedicated to veterancreated art.

For ac omplete lis to fg rant reci pient sa nd for mor e informati on, visi t: vic.gov .au/ veterans-capital-worksor: vic. gov.au/restoring-community-warmemorials

highly respected part of our Australian history.

“My sincerethanks to our RSLs for assisting me in researching soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

“I invite Anzac descendants to contact my office on melina.bath@parliament.vic.gov.au

“As acommunity, it is important we continue to tell the story of our past and present service personnel in war and peacekeeping, pay our respects and honour the legacy of the Anzacs.” Lest we forget.

Honour: Latrobe Valley’sLieutenant Colonel Doug Caulfield, OAMRFD FAIES (retired), alongside Memberfor EasternVictoria Region, Melina Bath at the Traralgon Cenotaph Photograph supplied

Gippsland Water listening

GIPPSLAND Water’snew and improved website has the tick of approval, with customer visits up 44 per cent.

Thenew website wentlive in October 2023 following consultat ion wi th Gip psl and Water customers.

It features quick links to bill payments, aliveoutage tracker, maps showing curr ent and planned works, waterstoragelevels, and information on financial assistance for those struggling to pay their bills.

The comp any's ma naging director, Sarah Cumming, said the increa sed traf fic showed Gippsland Water was implementing customer feedback.

“Our customers told us they wanted awebsite that was easy to use and kept them up to date on important information,” Ms Cumming said.

“We listened to this feedback and are proud to have delivered a website that more of ourcustomers are using more often.”

Ms Cumming said visits to its customer support pages had also increased by 33 per cent.

“Ourenhancedcustomer support pages make it quicker and easier for our customers to access support whenthey need it,"Ms Cumming said.

“We understand that many of our customers are feeling the impacts of cost-of-living pressures, with our improvements making it simpler for them to access flexible paymentplans, payment extensions and utility relief grants.”

Ms Cumming said the organisation would continue to enhance its online presence, with plans to launch anew mobile app within the next 12 months.

The app will provide customers with even greater flexibility to manage their bills and access a new tool to monitor their home or busine ss wat er use via a smartphone or tablet.

To view Gippsland Water’s website, visit: gippswater.com.au

Sun risingonnew Gippsland solar farm

By STEFAN BRADLEY

CONSTRUCTION has begun on the Fulham Solar Farm and battery, with the occasion markedwitha sod turning at the site, with representatives of the state government, Wellington Shire Council and projectdeveloper Octopus Investments Australia.

The Fulham Solar Farm is supported by the second Victorian Renewable Energy Target auction(VRET2)-ascheme set up to deliver more renewable energy into the grid.

Octopus said the project is one of the first “DC-coupled solar and batteryhybridassets” in Australia, which aims to improve grid reliability.

The 80 megawatt (MW) solar farm will be coupled with a64MW/128 MWh battery -which will take the renewable energy from the sun during the day and dispatch it back into the grid during peak demand.

Octopus Australia is arenewable energy fund

manager and developer who are taking charge of the construction and operation of the project, investing more than $300 million.

The project is also supported by equity capital contributions through Octopus’ managed funds from key investors, including Rest, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), and clients of Westpac Private Bank.

State Energy and ResourcesMinister, Lily D’Ambrosiosaidthe project would support 156 local jobsand generateenough electricity to power 40,000 homes.

“I’m really pleasedtosee anotherrenewable energy project here in the heart of Gippsland. It’s aregion that we know has had avery, very proud history of power generation,not onlysupplying Victoria with cheap energy for decades, but many other states also,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

Sonia Teitel, co-managing directorofRenewables Australia and Octopus Australia said: “The

successful close of Fulham Solar Farm and battery marks amajor step forward in our mission to accelerate Australia’s energy transition”.

“Thisproject demonstrates ourabilitytobring together institutional capital, government support, and leading-edge technology to create renewable assets that provide long-term benefits to our communities and investors. I’m incredibly proud of our team’s efforts in bringing the project through development, and we look forward to beginning construction,” Ms Teitel said.

Octopus Australia seniordevelopment manager Jaryd Reveresaidthe projectwould be operational in 2027 and the locationwas chosen because it was close to existing infrastructure.

“It’s been in development for about four-to-five years… it’swithin the AusNet distribution network,” Mr Revere said.

There’s a66kVdistribution line that runs to the south, only acoupleofkilometres away. So

that provides apoint of connection intoexisting infrastructure.”

The project will see $3 million towards engagement and benefit sharing with the local community for the 35-year operational life of the project -this will make sure that regional towns get additional benefits for hosting renewable energy projects. Mr Revere said includes acommunity benefits fundof $50,000during the project's first year of operations.

Octopus Australia is also backing the proposed Giffard WindFarmand Battery onshore wind project.

Wellington Shire Mayor, Scott Rossetti said it was exciting to see the shovels in the ground for the project.

“It’s areal step change with the efficiency, with theDC-coupled solar, which Ican see eyes glazing over when they talk about that. But as an electrician, Iunderstand it’sgetting that efficiency in our system, so you can actually put as much back into the grid as possiblefromwhat you’ve generated during the day,” Cr Rossetti said.

“We’re looking forward to more projects like this Gippsland, clearly, is an energy hub…we’re really pleased to be able to support it as acouncil.

“And certainly what it does for our economy, where it bringsjobs and activity intoour centres is also super important for our communities.”

The government said the project will also use 67 percentoflocal services, goods and materialsduringconstruction and 97 per cent once operational.

Last month, ShadowEnergy and Resources Manager, David Davis said the state government was mismanaging the energy grid, increasing costs.

"After 11 years in government, Laborisstill failing struggling familiesand small businesses, delivering consistently high electricity prices that continue to hurt Victorians and their budgets,” Mr Davis said.

“These soaring electricity costs should have eased by now, yet they remain stuck at unaffordable levels because of the Allan Labor Government’s mismanagementofthe energy grid, making life even harder during acost-of-living crisis.

Member for Eastern Victoria, Tom McIntosh said the Fulham project would "generate new jobs and opportunities for local supply chains, boosting investment in the local economy".

The project was welcomed by environmental justice group Friends of the Earth.

Insight: What theproject is expected to looklike.

Image: Octopus Australia

Official: WellingtonShireMayor,Scott Rossetti and Deputy Mayor, Cindy Madeleywith customaryshovels at the opening of the Fulham Solar Farm and battery project.

Photograph: Stefan Bradley

PoliceBeat with TomHayes

Youth offenderscharged

TRARALGON Police wish to say amassive thank-you to the community for their assistance in identifying the offenders wanted for damage to multiple police vehicles.

Two male offenders, aged 14 and 15, both from Traralgon, were charged with multiple offences, includingcriminal damage and unlicensed driving.

The charges came following an incident on Sunday, April 6whenthe two youths are alleged to have used their e-bikes to cause significant damage to three police vehicles.

Both e-bikes were seized as evidence. The offendershavebeen bailed to attend court at alater date.

This comes as atimelyreminder that police and thecommunitywill not tolerate antisocial behaviour when riding bikes, e-bikes, and e-scooters.

Any person found riding amodified e-bike or e-scooter may be changed with unlicensed driving

and have their bike/scooter impounded.

Abide by the road rules, wear your helmet, ride safely in the bike lane, shared path, or to the left side of the road.

If you would like more information surrounding the legal requirements of riding an e-bike or e-scooter, call the Traralgon Police Station on 5172 2700, or visit: police.vic.gov.au

San Remo tragedy

POLICE began preparingareportfor the Coroner following the death of awoman in Sam Remo on Friday, April 18.

Emergency services were called to abeach off Punch Bowl Road at about 8.30am, after reports two women and aman hadbeen washed off the rocks and were in the water.

One of the women managed to make her way back to shore, but the other woman and the man were unable to do so.

Asearch of the water was conducted, with the Air Wing locating an unresponsive woman in the water. Shewas brought back to shore but could notberevived.

The search for the missing man continues.

Take thestepstoensure safety

CRIME Stoppers Victoria has launched anew campaign, as home burglars continue to prey on unlocked homes.

Crime Stoppers Victoria and Victoria Police are reminding the community to lock their homes, as many people head away over the AnzacDay period.

This timely reminder coincides with the launch of anew Crime Stoppers Victoria campaign which urges the communitytolock their homes at all times.

‘TheKey to Safety: Is it Locked?’ campaign encourages Victorians to take small but effective stepstoprotect their homes, such as locking all doors and windows, and to provide home security footage to Crime Stoppers.

This advice is supported by new Victoria Police intelligence which reveals home burglaries in key hotspots continuetobedriven by offenders targeting unlocked homes for car keys.

In March 2025, as many as eight out of 10 aggravated burglaries were either due to unlocked doors/windows or unsuccessful attempts when the offender realised the home was locked, before moving on.

Other trends police have observed includeoffenders targeting unlocked doggy doors,aswell as entering homes through unlocked garages with adjoining doors to the inside of the house.

With aggravated burglaries increasing by almost 27 per cent last year, Crime Stoppers Victoria Chief Executive, Stella Smith is urging households to focus on simple, practical steps to improve home security.

“These crimes are often opportunistic. Alocked door, lighting, ahome security camera -these are small actions, butthey make areal difference. They tell would-be intruders that this home isn’t an easy target,” she said.

Ms Smith also encourages the public to share information about suspiciousactivity and suspected offenders with Crime Stoppers.

“Providinginformation to Crime Stopperscan make ahugedifference -even something likesharing doorbell or home security footage couldhelp identify an offender or prevent another break-in Your informationcan be shared anonymously.”

“This is aboutputting clear, practical advice in people’s hands so they can take action and help preventcrime where they live.”

If you have information about an aggravated burglary, you can report it anonymously to Crime StoppersVictoria by calling1800 333000 or submitting an online report at: crimestoppersvic. com.au. For emergencies or life-threatening situations, always call 000.

Patterson trial starts next week

By TOMHAYES

ERIN Patterson, accusedofserving the deadly beef wellington laced with death cap mushrooms, faced court last week for anumberofhearings as her trail nears.

The Express cannot disclosethe detailsofthe hearings for legal reasons.

Patterson was pictured outside court, the first time she has been seen in the public eye since her arrest.

The now 50-year-old was chargedwiththe murder of herformer in-laws, Don and GailPatterson, as well as Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, all of whom diedafter eating the deadly beef wellington at Patterson’s Leongatha home in July 2023.

Patterson also faces the charge of attempted murder of Wilkinson’s husband, Ian, the sole survivor of the ordeal. Mr Wilkinson spent months in hospital following his consumption of the beef wellington. Patterson pleaded not guilty to all four charges in May 2024.

Sheisset to face trial, beginning on Tuesday, April 29.

Awaitingtrial: Erin Patterson, who pleaded not guiltytothree charges of murder and one charge of attempted murder,isset to face trial next week over thedeath cap mushroom-laced beef wellington. Photograph supplied

Vale Richard Zachariah

FORMER journalist and Sale restauran to wner Richar d Zachariah diedonApril 9, aged 80.

Mr Zac har iah was best kno wn nati onal ly for his 10-year relationship with fashion and mediapersonality Maggie Tabberer, who died in December,less than aweek before her 88th birthday.

The pair presented lifestyle program TheHome Show on

the ABC in the early 1990s. Born in Melbourne, Mr Zachariah'searly career was at The Age newspaper before heading to BBC in London.

Unabletoobtaina work pe rm it to sta yinthe UK, he returned to Australia to work for aMelbourne Sunday newspaperbefore becoming Mel bourne ed ito rf or Th e Sunday Australian He then moved to Gippsland

to open arestaurant in Sale, 'The Country Kitchen' with his wife at the time and owned a farm in the area.

As we ll as runni ng the restau rant and farm ,M r Za char ia hr ea dt he new s for local TV station GLV8 (S ou th er nCross) andwas also acorrespondent for the Express 's is ter paper the Gippsland Times

In late 1985, he moved to Sydney to be close to Ms Tabberer and joined the Seven Network, hosting national morning news program 11 AM and guest hosted Day By Day in Melbourne.

From January 1988, he was reading the revamped Seven Nightly News in Sydney with Ann Sanders.

Mr Zachariah was also an author, writing an autobiography, Zachariah,and the book The Vanished Land,about the changing culture of farming in western Victoria, where he grew up.

In more recent years, he and wifeSarah lived on avineyard and horse breeding property in the Adelaide Hills.

Mr Zachariah will be farewe lled at af uneral in Warrna mbool today (Wednesday, April 23).

Vale: Prominentjournalist and Gippslandrestaurateur Richard Zachariah. Photograph supplied

b R i nal Hospital

with AIDAN KNIGHT

What can be done about old Moe Hospital?

FURTHER to the letter by Rob Sharrock regarding the condition of the Moe Hospital ('Action needed on old Moe Hospital', LVE Opinion, 09/04/25).

The present condition of the hospital building and considering that it is now inhabited by those who do not respect the buildings, or their origins is disgraceful.

The hospital wasbuilt on the backofmonies donated from the wages and salaries of workers at the State Electricity Commission, hardworking residents of Moe, Newborough,Yallourn North, and surrounding communities who raised money for our own community hospital.

Iand many others still living here worked at the hospital for many years. It was awonderful hospital, well run with an excellent reputation for the health and care of the community.

Whenthe hospitalclosed the building was intact and in great condition, sold, Ibelieve never to be used for amedical purpose. Disgracefully, the Kennett government not only destroyed Latrobe Valley communities with the privatisation of the SEC, butalsogave no thought to the origins of the Moe Hospital.

The state government, Latrobe City Council and present owner of the building should be ashamed of themselves for allowing the building to be in the increasing decrepit condition it is. They are showing disrespect for the community, the doctors, nurses, ancillary staff, engineers, tradesmen, cleaners, and everyone associated with the running of and building the hospital.

More importantly, there is no regard for or respectfor the community of Moe, Newborough, andsurrounds.

It is difficult for us not to feel angry as not only is the Baw Baw Hotel still awreak with asbestos flying in the wind and the fine building of the Moe Court House and Rocklea Spinning Mills being left to rot, but now the hospital building is receiving the same fate.

The fact that we have become, like other country towns, adumping ground for those who have no respect for themselves or those who have achieved and worked for their community does not help the situation.

Today we hearabout the shortageofhousing, palliative care beds, respitebeds for the elderly, and general shortage of hospital beds. Shame on all the authorities for allowingthistohappen when there are suitable buildings to be put to use to help solve some of these issues.

Beryl Galloway Moe

Sad sight

ROB Sharrock, Iread your letter about the state of the former Latrobe Valley Community Hospital and its history ('Action needed on oldMoe Hospital', LVE Opinion, 09/04/25).

How true and elegant were the wordsyou wrote, and Icannotpraise you enoughfor bringing up this matter.

What awonderful moral compass you have.

Ihave recently returned to the Valley to live and visited this derelict building that serviced a community from 1971 to 1998 with excellent staff

It had apride in giving excellent health care, and good management as well.

Iworked the night shift for many years in the maternity section delivering babies. It bought tears to my eyes seeing it in such astate of disrepair.

This was acommunity hospital paid for by workers paying alevy from their wages. Ibelieve that the privatised company of hospital care Limited AHC sold it back to the state government after the company abandoned its contract.

We owe it to the memory of the people who paid for it to look after it, usefully.

It canonce again become avaluable asset, not necessarily ahospital,howeverthereare many options and alternatives available which would benefit the community greatly.

The media can be aprime driver in spreading the message and gaining momentum for change.

We can do this for this grand old lady getting neglected on the hill.

Linda Rendell Drouin

Actnow

IT seemsthat almost everyone I’ve spoken to has apet reason why theformer LatrobeValley Community Hospital cannot be reopened.

These range from ‘it’s privately owned so there’s nothing we can do about it,’ ‘it’s full of Golden Staph so it can neverbereopened’, ‘it’s full of asbestos and it would cost too much to remove’, ‘it doesn’t fit the guidelines for ahospital’, ‘it wouldcostmore to refurbish than to build anew one’, ‘there is an agreement with the government that it cannot be used as ahospital for 25 years’.

Isay ‘bollocks’ to the lot. The reasonthe hospital was shut down was that the bullying extremist tactics of the government of the day dictated that it would be and therefore it was.

Never mind the views and opinions of the locals that sacrificed alarge portion of their wages over many years to finance it in the first place.

As the hospital should never have been sold off to private interests, the government needs for once in their lives, to do the right thing for the Latrobe Valley and negotiate adeal with the current owners to buy back the building, have it refurbished, and reopened as afunctioningrehabilitation or palliative care unit.

Others have also suggested it could be repurposed for temporary public housing. Any of these would have aflow on effect to the LatrobeValley in terms of employment and the growth of the local

economy, however, Ithink I’ll probably die waiting for somebody, (anybody) to do anything.

Withthe recent call out of the emergencyservices to afire in the building, Ithink Iwould be speaking for the vast majority of Latrobe City residents in statingthat we are sick and tired of the escalating antisocialand destructive behaviour we are seeing of late,but withthe repeated attacks on the hospital, the currentowners need to at least share in the responsibility and take immediate action to secure and preserve the building as before long it won’t be worth saving, if it even is now.

Ishould also point out that whilst observing a group of six or seven teenagers,(15-16-year-olds Iwould guess), entering the building through the smashedambulance bay doors recently, Iattempted to contact theappropriate authorised phone number but all Imanaged to get was arecorded message. At no time did anybody even bother to return my call. Obviouslythe current owners have no real concern in regards to security of the building, and the safety of the idiots causing the damage. This in itself should be of concern.

Icallupon the current owners and our elected local and stategovernmentrepresentativesto get off their collective behinds and do something about this situation before the building is totally destroyed. Or is this the long term plan anyway? To just allowittobesystematically destroyed by a groupofbraindead morons with nothing better to do, to the point where it will become derelict and then just have it bulldozedflat?

The hospital was magnificent in its day and the community were rightly proud of it. Whatisitgoing to take before someone takes on the full responsibility for the security of thisbuilding? It can be made into somethingmagnificent again, but to do so it needs to be protected, for if the currentlevel of vandalismcontinues, it will soon be too late.

Doctors James MooreAndrewand Gordon Birks would be turning over in their graves now if they could seewhatishappening with the beloved hospital that they fought so hard for. Rob Sharrock Newborough

What once was: TheMoe Hospital operated proudlyfor morethan 20 years, now, it has in astate of disrepair

its

National Lions convention on the way

LIONS Australia, the country’s largest service organisation, is gearingupfor an inspiring and action-packed National Convention in Traralgon.

This highly anticipated event, which will be held from May 2to5,will bring together hundreds of volunteers from across the country to celebrate the incredible workofLions membersand recognise those who go above and beyond to support their communities.

One of the majorhighlights of the conventionwill be akeynote address on Saturday by Australian ultra-running legend, Pat Farmer.

Renowned for being the only man who has ever run continuously from the North Pole to the South Pole, Pat has raised millionsfor charitable causes, including Lions Australia.

Pat recently supported apassionate Lions volunteer, Sari-Elle Kraemer, who completed the World’s Highest Marathon at Everest Base Camp last year, raising more than $126,000for the Australian Lions Foundation.

Sari-Elle placed seventh in the foreign category and third among female competitors in this

gruelling event.

Sari-Elle has continued running to raise awareness of Lions and in thelead-uptothe convention Shewillembark on an ambitious 85 kilometre run from Licola to Traralgon to raise awareness for a newly establishedLionsClub supportingthe Licola Wilderness Village.

The village provides life-changing camp experiences for disadvantaged children, and after volunteering thereover the summer, Sari-Elle was inspired to take action.

Sari-Elle will be commencing the run from Licola Wilderness Village on May 1, and will set off uphill running over 45km on the first day with significant elevation gainbefore finishing at the Heyfield Hotel.

Lions Clubs of Licola, Wellington Latrobe, and Heyfield will be supporting Sari-Elle on the run.

Sari-Elle will then aim to run another 40km on Friday, May 2. She will be joined by local runners from Traralgon Harriers Athletics Club and is set to arriveatthe opening ceremonyonFriday evening, whichwill feature food trucks and arangeofstalls

showcasing some of the amazing Lions club projects and foundations.

The event is open to the publicand is free to attend.

The convention willalsofeature key updates from Lions Australia’s Foundations, celebrating the impact of various community initiatives. Attendees can look forward to the much-anticipated National Finals of theYouth of the Year and Leo of the Year competitions on Monday, where young leaders will showcase theirtalents, passion, and commitment.

“The Lions Australia National Conventionis always an incredible timefor our members to come together, celebrate our achievements, and be inspired by the impact we are making,” Lions Australia Chief Executive, Rob Oerlemans said.

“It’s achancetohear from extraordinary speakers,connect withlike-minded volunteers,and return home even more motivated to serve our communities.

“With an exceptional program and line-up of speakers, the Lions Australia 2025 National Convention in Traralgon promises to be amilestone gathering for volunteers nationwide."

Latrobe City Mayor,DaleHarriman said all was in readiness.

“We look forward to welcoming Lions Australia and their members to Latrobe Cityfor the national convention. This will be awonderful opportunity to acknowledge the dedication of volunteers and thedifference they make in each community they serve," he said.

“We also cannot wait to showcase Latrobe City to our visitors and hope they can make the most of what our region has to offer."

Some Lions are on amission to cure childhood cancer and diabetes, others are committed to assisting those impacted by drought and floods, and many are simply working together to help people in need in their local community. One thing all Lionshave in common is together, they are making an incredible difference.

The public are encouraged to come along, be inspired and celebrate the incredible work volunteers do in the community.

For moreinformation, visit:lionsclubs.org.au/ members/73rd-md-201-convention2025/

Lions Australia National Convention

25 May|Traralgon |Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium

Lions areintownfor four days forthe National Convention &Expo. Celebratecommunityand showcase theincredible impact

Explorehow Lions aretacklingglobal challenges f romchildhood cancerto disaster relief.

Lions Food Festival

Friday2May,4.30pm to 9pm GippslandRegional Arts Centre

Enjoyfood trucks, free entertainment by Mick Harrigan&Traralgon CityBand, plus 30+ inspiringLions displays.

TheConvention expo is open to thepublic at the GippslandRegional Indoor Spor ts Stadium Friday2toSunday4May.All arewelcome! Free Entr y

Lions Expo openall weekendf reeentr y! Moreinfo: www.lionsclubs.org.au-

Legends: ChurchillLions Club,assisting at last year’s Traralgon Cup (horse racing). File photograph

Must see: TheTraralgon FarmersMarkethas become one of Latrobe City’s key attractions Photograph supplied

Vaccination rates on the decline, call for concern

DOCTORS are voicing concerns about the declining flu vaccination rate, and say Australia faces theperfect storm thiswinter with an early start to what is expected to be abad flu season.

Flu vaccinations among high-risk groups have been declining in recent years.

Last year, only 61 per cent of adults aged over 65 were protected against the flu, compared to 70 per cent in 2022.

Among children under five years, only aquarter were vaccinated for the flu last year, down from almostathird afew years ago.

Bupa Medical Director, Dr Tony MacDermott encouraged Australians to book aflu shot between April and May to be coveredintimefor theexpected peak in June and July.

“There’s been atroubling decline in the number of people receiving the flu vaccineinrecentyears,and thisputs both individual and public health in jeopardy,”

Dr MacDermott said.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic slips further into people’s memories, we’re seeing an ongoing trend of vaccine complacency -and this is definitely not the year for it.

Australians need to ro ll up their sleevesfor the flushot -itwill potentially save their lif e, and those around themwho areatrisk. Getting the fluvaccine is one of the simplest and most effectivethings youcan do to protect yourself, your family, and your community

Dr Tony MacDermott Bupa Medical Director

“Australiansneedtorolluptheir sleeves for the flu shot -itwill potentially save their life, and those around them who are at risk. Getting the flu vaccine is one of the simplest and most effectivethings you can do to protect yourself, your family, and your community.”

Last year was the worst flu season in five years, with more than 365,000 reported cases across Australia and more than 4200 people admitted to hospital.

“This year is on track to be even worse, with twice as many flu cases already reported in Australia compared to the same time last year, and the flu season starting earlier than ever,” Dr MacDermott said.

One in three telehealth calls to doctors are currently relating to respiratory issues, according to data from Bupa’s digital health platform Blua, where eligible heath insurance customers have access to three telehealth bookings per year with zero out of pocket costs.

Dr MacDermott said modelling from the northernhemisphereflu season pointed to avery challenging season ahead.

USA recorded the worst season since 2009 and many hospitals in the UK were swamped with flu cases.

“The severity of this flu season could result in avery significant number of preventableillnesses, hospitalisations, and even deaths," Dr MacDermott said.

"The flu has alreadyinfected tens of thousandsofAustralians each monthin 2025, and that’s before we’ve reached peak flu season.

“People are slowly losing the good habits learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as getting vaccinated and staying homeifyou’re sick.Thesethings are as important as ever.”

Infants aged six months to five years, adults aged 65 years and above, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions, and the Indigenous community are the most vulnerable groups to the flu.

The flu vaccine is available for free for these at-risk groups.

Bupa expects to providemore than 52,000 flu vaccinations to organisations across Australia.

Flu shots readilyavailable

IT'S easier than ever to get vaccinated.

The GippslandRegion Public Health Unit is reminding people thatit’s easier thanevertobook in yourannual flu and COVID vaccinations, and for manypeople, it’s alsofree.

Vaccinesare free for adults over 65, kids between six months and five years, those with chronicconditions, pregnant women and First Nations people under the National Immunisation Program.

GRPHU Director, Alyce Wilson wants to ensure more Gippsland communities are protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Dr Wilson said with flu season around the corner, nowwas the time to book in your flu and COVID-19 vaccines, which can be done at the same time.

“It’s easier than ever to book your vaccine for theflu season, there are many opportunities to protect yourself, you family and community from infections,” Dr Wilson said.

“Talk to your GP, pharmacist, or for those who are pregnant, your midwife.”

The end of April marks World Immunisation Week, aWorld Healt hOrganization(WHO ) initiative that this year is celebrating the theme: Immunisation for all is humanly possible.

WHO figures reveal that in the past 50 years, vaccination has accountedfor a40per cent improvement in infant survival worldwide.

It means for the first time in human history, more kids are now living to celebrate their first birthday and beyond.

In Australia,anyoneover six months can get aflu vaccine, but very young babies can be protected if their mums are immunised while pregnant.

As well as protecting babies from the flu, pregnant peoplecan now get theirRSV vaccines for free between28and 36 weeksunder theNational Immunisation Program.

This is to protect bubs under six months who are at increased risk of severe RSV infection.

Dr Wilson said it was important to keep up with your vaccinations in order to stay one-step ahead of the oncoming flu strain.

“We require annual vaccinations because influenza viruses mutate. It means we need to develop anew vaccine every year to target the new virus,” Dr Wilson said.

“It means that last year’s vaccine will not be effective on this year’s virus strain.

“It’s amazing we can learn from flu viruses circulatingglobally,including in the northern hemisphere and adapt ours in Australia accordingly, it’s acycle of seasonal information sharing.”

For more information, visit: betterhealth.vic.gov au/stay-well-this-winter

ONE POINTERS

1. What was the first animal to ever be cloned?

2. What identity document is required to travel to different countries around the world?

3. What 1997 movie features Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones as undercover secret agents who police extraterrestrials?

4. “Before He Cheats” is Billboard hit recorded by what former American Idol winner? TWOPOINTERS

5. What was the name of the high school in “Grease”?

6. What is the smallest planet in our solar system?

7. What is aconker?

8. How many times was Elizabeth Taylor married?

THREE POINTER

9. How much does it cost to get out of jail in Monopoly?

10. Which animal is more popular -Dog or Cat?

11. Who was the top-earning Hollywood star of 2024?

12. Which ancient civilization built the famous city of Machu Picchu in Peru?

FOUR POINTER

13. What was the first book published by Jane Austen?

14. What year was the first iPhone released?

FIVE POINTER

15. Name the five longest rivers in Australia. One point for each correct

TRAMPS ride

TRAMP S( Trara lgon an d Morwell Pedallers Inc) rode in South Gippsland on Sunday, April 13.

The group met at Dumbalk and cruisedsouth to Meeniyan.

The ride followed the spectacular Great Southern Rail Trail towards Leongatha.This tra il has severa la wes ome bridges, one overthe Tarwin River,and exciting tunnels under the highway.

As the bridges are quite high, there was some great views of the valleys below.

Follo wing as to pa t Koonwarra, the group rode slightly uphill to Leongatha for lunch.

The return ride provided a delightful warm tailwind.

Anew rider joined and said he had afantastic day.

TRAMPS’ next ride will be a weekend ride at Johnsonville from this Friday (April 25) to Sunday (April 27) and will include Bruthen, Bairnsdale, and Metung.

TRAMP Sw elco me new riders.

Formore information, visit: tramps.org.au, or call Paul on 0459 823 422, or Vance (0403 662 288).

Super sustainability

DISCOVER Gippsland's Renewable Energy Future.

Join for afree event showcasing how renewable energy benefits both homeowners and businesses, explore local projects,engage with industry experts,and learn practical steps to reduce energy costs on Thursday, May 1.

This free event is being held at the Uniting Church Hall, Yarragon (9 Campbell Street) from 6.30pm to 9pm.

This event is part of the Baw Baw Sustainability Network's monthly series, aiming to promote sustainable living across Gippsland.

For more details and to register, visit: bbsn.org.au/events

Prostatesupport

THE Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia (PCFA) will be in Traralgon next month.

The group is coming to the Latrobe Valley on Thursday, May 8for an event and dinner at the Traralgon Bowls Club from 5.30pm.

Guest speakers include PCFA Board Member, Professor Tony Wal ker and Dr Jaq ueline Schmitt.

This informal gathering will allow for discussion on how the foundation can continue collaborating to make an even greater impact in the fight against prostate cancer.

RSVP to linley.watso n@ pcfa.org.au by April 30 to confirm your attendance for the presentation and to make areservation for dinner.

Celtic music

RENNIE Pearson will play traditionalCeltic music live in Yinnar next month.

Rennie Pears on is one of Australasia's leadingCeltic musicians, and is bringing his show of traditional tunes, songs, and storytelling from Ireland, Scotland, and Canada to ARC Yinnar on Friday,May 16 from 7.30pm.

With the wooden flute, Irish whistles, guitar, bodhrán, fiddle, and voice, Rennie creates ashow that’s both intimate andexhilarating, balancing high-energy jigs and reels with heart-stirring slowairs and engaging storytelling.

Each performance is amusical journey thatoffers achance to connect with Celtic culture through music that lifts the spirit and stirs the soul.

Tic kets are ava ilabl ea t: renniepearsonmusic.com

End of life planning

THE com mun ity is invited to Mo eL ibr ary to di scu ss end of life planning, burial options, how to supporteach other during the experience of supporting aloved one who is dying, and all aspects of end of life.

Thisisasupportive space which is open for discussion and learning.

Topics covered incl ude

Community Corner with Liam Durkin

bucket lists, emotional wills, traditional or natural burial, and practical paperwork.

Questions such as who knowsyour passwords to all your accounts and apps, your organdonor preferences, your preferre df un eral arrang ements, and who you don't want to attend your last hurrah are also included.

We allplanour major life events -birthdays, weddings, anniversaries. Why not our end of life?

Identify your wishes and share them with yourloved ones, easing their burden.

Everyone is welcome at the Moe Library on the last Thursday of every monthfrom 6.30pm-8.30pm.

Bring afriend and an open mind,have acuppa andfind out how to reclaim your death so you truly have the freedom to live your life.

For enquiries, call Glenda on 0409 529 588, or Ros (0400 999 315).

Quilting

LATROBE Valley Quilters Inc met on Monday (April 21) at the Uniting Church Hall, Old Sale Road, Newborough

The gues ts pe aker was Marian Edwards, who shared her slow stitching journal.

Mar ia ne nter taine dw ith her 'Dear Jane' quilt acouple of years ago.

Spiritual Centre

LATROBEValleySpiritual Centr e( 2A vondale Road, Morwell).

Join every Sunday for service from 2pm. Door so pen at 1.30pm.

Guest speaker every week with demonstrationsfrom an invited medium, followed by a cuppa and afternoon tea.

For enquiries, phone Amanda Webb on 0411 051 044.

Bridgeresults

TRARALGON Bridge Club

results: Tuesday, April 15: 1st Kaye Douglas and Anna Field (64.44 per cent); 2nd Phillip Goode and Barbara Barr (56.3). Thursday, April 17:1st Greg Nicholson and Kaye Douglas (61.48);2nd Kevin and Marion Taylor.

The club is running afree 'Bridge in aDay' session at the CWA HallinHothamSt, Traralgon on Sunday, May 4 from 10am-4pm. This is an ideal opportunity to learn from Austr alian champion, Laura Ginnan. Registration is essential. For fu rther in formation or to register, call Traralgon Bridge Club President, Helen McAdam on 0438 164 528.

Familyhistory

WITH 2025 now well underway, the Mid Gippsland Family History Centre is happy to

welcome everyone to its new premises at 44 Albert St, Moe. The topic of interest this month is Tips and Tricks -a discussion on handy ideas and tips to help familyhistorians get the most value they can fromthe time and effort they devote to their research.

Come and share your tips. All are welcome to attend the session which is at 2pm tomorrow (Thursday, April 24).

The FamilyHistory Centre is open to the public every Wednesday afternoon between 1pm-4pm.

For further information, phone 0403 611 730.

Global voice

LATROBE Valley Choir is supporting UBUNTU AFRICA to come to the Latrobe Valley in May as part of their national tour.

The UBUN TU choi ra re gra duat es of the Afr ican Children’s Choir movingonto their next stageofeducation.

This is afantastic opportunitytoexperience theirunique, colourful and energetic performance on Saturday, May 17 at the GippslandPerformingArts Centre (Kay St, Traralgon) from 2.30pm.

UBUNTU: Together in Song tickets are $25 adult and $10 child, available online or in person at GPAC.

For more information, phone Tineke on 0427 955 009, or email: lvc@playitforward.org. au

CWA

MOE CWA held its own Easter raffle on Moore Street, Moe

back on Wednesday, April 9.

The group would like to thank and acknowledge local businesses for their support of donated goods.

Thanksalso to Dean from Aussie Disposals who was the independent drawer of the three winners:

First: Lisa of Newborough

Second: Kate of Moe Third: Robert of Newborough For further information, phone Moe CWA Branc h member, Vicki Stuart on 0466 057 389,oremail vstart59@ gmail.com

Chess action

CLIFF Thornton was the lead player at Latrobe ValleyChess last week with just one loss. PriceSamasieaforced victory in the first two games but then blundered twice. Both Peter Bakker and Ian Hamilton had wins as well as mishaps.

Providing support for new players has been avaluable contribution from Steve Ahern. Phone CliffThornton on 0413 330 458,orIan Hamilton (0400 221 649) for more details.

Meditation

MOE Meditation Group meets from 8.30am Wednesday mornings in the Narracan Hall at the Gippsland Heritage Park (Old Gippstown).

Ema il clem@ asia. com or phone 0427 262064 for more information.

Cost is $5 per session.

Book launch

GIPPSLAND Writers Network is launchin gT hrough My WindowbyShirley Crutchfield

The autobiographytells the story of love, grief, healing and joy, exploringher early years in Melbourne, then farm life as a working mother.

Come to the Moe Library for readings, books sales and light refreshments Tuesday, April29 from 4pm. Book at Eventbrite.

Youcan be apartof Community Corner

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

Youcan address correspondence to the editor, Liam Durkin. Pleas ewrite 'Com mun ity Corner' in the subject line and nothing else.

Deadl ine is Fri day 9am to appear in the following Wednesday issue.

Tranquil TRAMPS: Local riders journeyoverthe Tarwn River Bridge Photograph supplied

Lifestyle Choices

Everything youcould wish for

Broadlands View on the edge of the Bairnsdale Township, offers the best of East Gippsland’sAffordable Retirement lifestyle options.

Owned, operatedand managed by two local families, Broadlands View offers high quality,secured living, building abrand new home for your retirement.

Architect designed homes include options of 2bedrooms or 2bedrooms and study, constructed on site by experttrusted local builders. Homes in Broadlands View,are owned entirely by you, the site tenant, under the security of aPart4AAgreements 40 year lease.

Weekly rent to lease the land and access all facilities is paid, thereare no municipal rates and all site tenants qualify for rent Assistance through Centrelink. Utilities are individually metered, with NBN fibrecable to each home.

Home package prices include solar heat pumps, kitchen appliances, floor and window furnishings, fenced and landscaped front gardens and backyards with acustom welded garden shed.

Upgrades including mobility access ramps areoptions making retirement living even morecomfortable.

Abrand new Community Recreation Centreawaits that includes aheated indoor pool, agym, communal recreation room and kitchen, abar and aLibrary. Stage 3is currently selling.

Don’tdelay the downsizing, visit us at www.broadlandsview.com.au and like us on facebook

Open by Appointment by phoning 0485 874068 43 Phillips Lane,Claret Ash Grove, Bairnsdale

Experience comfort,community, and peaceofmindatLatrobe Valley Village

Looking for affordable, independent retirement living in apeaceful, supportive setting Latrobe Valley Village offers just that —and so much more.

Nestled on over 10 acres of beautiful lawns and gardens, this community-operated retirement village features 52 spacious, self-contained units designed for comfort, independence, and connection.

Set against abackdrop of serene bushland and just moments from town, with public transportatyour doorstep, Latrobe Valley Village provides the perfect balance between natureand convenience. Whether enjoying the quiet surroundings or engaging with friendly neighbours, residents feel at home from day one.

What truly sets Latrobe Valley Village apart is its commitment to “ageing in place.” Should aresident’shealthneed change, they receive preferential assessment for the on-site aged carefacility—offering reassurance and continuity in afamiliar, caring environment.

Join awelcoming community where peace of mind, independence, andlifestyle come together

DiscoverLatrobe ValleyVillage —where comfortmeets care.

ese refreshed spacesblend the charmofvillage life h the ease of modern design. Latrobe ValleyVillage,it’sall abouthonouringthe st while building forthe future, ering residents notjust aplace to live, but aplace truly feel at home. gunits available now. more. 5OllertonAvenue,Newborough

• Secure retirement living

• Quality architect designed homes - 1, 2 & 2BR +Study options available

• Smooth concreteroads for mobilityaccess

• Landscaped gardens and grounds

• BrandNew Community RecreationCentre

• 2kms from BairnsdaleTownshop

Lifestyle Choices

This year,Yallambee Traralgon Village for the Aged is proudly celebrating 50 years as partofthe Traralgon community,and we’reexcited about what the future holds. We’ve recently begun construction on three beautiful, modern, and spacious Villas in our Retirement Village, with plans to revamp three moretomeet demand. These new homes will combine two singlebedroom units and will featurebright, open layouts with two bedrooms, abathroom and separate powder room, agarage, and aprivate enclosed backyard. The sleek,

Yallambee proudly celebrating 50 years

contemporarydesign reflects our commitment to providing high-quality living spaces that areboth functional and inviting.

The village also offers fantastic communal facilities, including anewly opened BBQ area. Yallambee is ideally located with easy access to local amenities such as Stockland Plaza, the Traralgon Bowls Club, and the

Traralgon Senior Citizens Centre. Public transportoptions arereadily available, and MargeryCole Residential Careisjust steps away being collocated on the same premises. This proximity ensures peace of mind for residents and their families, with futureplanning in mind. Having Margery Cole on-site provides access to our café,

hairdresser and aseamless transition to careshould the need arise in the future. All this within afamiliar,welcoming environment.

As we celebrate 50 years, we’reexcited to continue offering our residents avibrant, connected community with modern, comfortable living options.

Speak with our Customer Engagement Team on 5132 3521 if youwould liketo register your interest in one of our bright newVillas.

Acommunity within acommunity

EncoreRetirement Living Trafalgar is a staged development now entering its FINAL STAGES. On completion there will be 92 villas.

Currently home to 79 like-minded residents, who enjoy &embracelife. The villa designs arebuilt to encourage independent living, whilst enhancing lifestyle, security and freedom. Alot of thought has been given to the interior design of the villas which include 24-hour emergency call systems, modernkitchens, open plan living areas, spacious ensuite,comfortable bedrooms, and double garages. By placing an Expression of Interest and securing a Stage 5Villa, you’ll also receiveaBONUS Pergola valued at $10,950 -the perfect addition for outdoor entertainment & relaxation. This limited-time offer allows you to enjoy abeautiful, low-maintenance home with extra outdoor comfort.

The long-awaited Community Centre has finally opened to Residents –itisthe hub of many daily &weekly activities. The Community Centreincludes an indoor, heated, salt-chlorinated pool which is being used daily; awell-stocked librarywith a never-ending supply of books donated by Residents; amulti-purpose/craft room, kitchen, dining and lounge areas to cater for abroad range of activities and get -togethers.

The HUR gym equipment, specifically designed for seniors, has finally arrived. Residents arelooking forwardtoputting it to use so that it enhances their health and wellbeing. HUR gym offers atailored programme to suit each Residents’ capability

surrounds provide additional spaces for residents to enjoy

EncoreRetirement Living has also commenced construction works on their next village at Paynesville. For those interested in retirement living in Paynesville, the Trafalgar Village will give you the perfect opportunity to discover the style of homes on offer with two Trafalgar villa designs replicated at the Paynesville Village.

Formoreinformation or to book a Village Tour &acuppa and chat at Trafalgar,aswell as information on the newPaynesville development, please contact Rosa Sinopoli, Village &Sales Managerfor Trafalgar &Paynesville on EncoreRetirement Living on 1800 362 673 (180 0ENCORE) or visit encoreliving.com.au

An undercover outdoor Billiardand BBQ area as well as fully landscaped

TheRange Retirement Village MaidenVoyage

Asour village continues to grow with new residents arriving to expand our little community,weare continually looking for ways and experiences for all our residents to enjoy the latter years of their life.

With many residents wanting to travel but wanting company and to keep the planning simple rather than doing it alone, it prompted us to investigate different options that might be available that could help tackle that travel bug.

After apresentation from Kerrin from Travel Managers it was decided that acruise that left Melbourne and returned Melbourne would be the best way for our Range travel group to startoff

With door to door service. This made it simple for all residents to travel and prepare for our trip.

As the embarkment day grew closer the excitement built and with atravelling party of 35 (including afew family and friends) we wereall set for The Range Retirement Villages maiden voyage together

The Diamond Princess ship was prefect for our 7night/ 8day get away

While we stayed local this time docking at Phillip Island, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island and PortLincoln beforemaking our way back to Melbourne, the opportunities for

tours at each portoractivities and shows on the ship was endless.

Many residents enjoyed the daily shows, trivia, bingo and yes even somekaraoke.

The other great aspect of our time away meant everything was taken careof. No

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

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

Plan your social life with your new community.

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

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

meal preparation like at home, just choose arestaurant and sit down and enjoy the great food and impeccable service from the friendly and attentive onboardstaff.

We see occasions like this as agreat opportunity for our residents to enjoy new experiences, whether that was socially catching up with old friends from the village, making new friends on the cruise or exploring the ship and everything it has to offer the trip certainly created that excitement we all get when we go on aholiday

While having agreat social calendar in our village full of activities and outings we feel the opportunity for our residents to travel as agroup is an important one and one that we will look to continue each year with different destinations and modes of travel to cater for the desires of our residents.

Forsalesand inspections phone Leigh on 1800 531 956 or checkthemout at www.therangereitrementvillage.com.au

COMMENT

BY PROFESSOR DAVID LINDENMAYER AO

ANDASSOC PROF PHILIP ZYLSTRA

ARECENT article in the Latrobe Valley Express

speaking to Dr TonyBartlett ('Burning off the answer to intensity', 17/04/25, Page 5) contains serious flaws in logic and misrepresents scientific evidence.

Understanding the empirical data is critical for safeguarding communities and preserving native species.

 Logging and flammability: what the science says DR Bartlett claims there is no evidence that logged forests are more flammable. This is demonstrably false.

Robust peer-reviewed research shows logged and regenerated forests are (statistically) significantly more likely to burn at higher severity than intact forests.

University of Wollongong studies found that this elevated flammability persists for 70 years.

Astudy of the Black Summer 2019/20 wildfiresin

mainland eastern Australia showed logged forests always burnt at higher severity thanintact forests. This effectwas seeninforests in north-eastern Victoria, south-eastern NSW, and northernNSW

Importantly,logged forests burning under moderate fire weather conditions still burnt at greater severity than intact forests burning under extreme conditions. This underscores how logging increases fire risk and flammability.

Research in Tasmania’s forests as well as international studiesfrom the USA, Canada, Asia, and South America show similar outcomes.

The term “disturbance-stimulated flammability” is now used to describe how logging and thinning operations increase fire risk.

It is important to note that logging effects on fire risks are seen in forests where logging occurs; logging effects are not seen where logging does not occur (such as in Snow Gum).

Dr Bartlett’s argument -that fire severity is the same in logged state forests with unlogged national parks (where logging does not occur) -is nonsensical.

It is clear there is an increasing body of rigorous

scientific evidenceabout relationshipsbetween logging and fire risk.

In the face of climate change and increasing fire weather, any land use that elevates flammability and endangers humancommunities, likewidespread logging, needs to be reconsidered.

 Prescribed burning: complex and context-dependent

DR Bartlett sings the praises of widespread prescribed burning, but provides no robust empirical evidence of its effectiveness.

Evidence to date shows that prescribed burning leads to asmall reduction in house loss and property damage, but onlywhenapplied close to assets and within the previous few years.

In fact, prescribed burning can have unintended long-termeffects and Dr Bartlett fails to mention them:

-InWestern Australia, prescribed burning reduced flammability in the short-term, but increased it for decades later;

-Insouth-eastern Australia, forests burned five-six years earlierand were more proneto high-severity fire, and;

-Inthe Sydney Blue Mountains and Illawarra, crown fire was virtually absent in areas for 30 years.

Prescribed burning in remote forestscan be counterproductiveand actuallymakesome ecosystems more flammable.Furthermore,prescribed fires may have limited effectiveness under the extreme fire weather driven by achangingclimate.

Dr Bartlett also fails to mention other significant negative impacts of prescribed burning.

First, some ecosystems -such as the tall, wet forests of Victoria. The natural fire regime is rare, high-severity wildfire. Introducing prescribed burns to these ecosystems is totally inappropriate and would lead to their collapse.

Second,there has been numerous cases of prescribed burns destroying homes and property. Examples include incidents on Sydney’s northern beaches, in Margaret River in Western Australia, and most recently, the loss of valuable vineyards due to ahazard reduction burn.

Third, prescribed burning generates vast amounts of smoke, which poses serious public health risks. Smoke from prescribed burns in Sydney led to 14 premature deaths. Many of theseareas later burned again in the 2019 Gospers Mountain fire, as mentioned by Dr Bartlett, but areportconducted for the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC found that high severity fire was morelikelyinareas burned five-six years earlier than it was in longunburnt areas.

As aresult,smoke from thosesameblocks enhanced the impact from the Gospers Mountain fire. Similarly,insouth-west Western Australia, prescribed burn smokebetween 2002 and 2017 led to an estimated21deaths -fivetimes more thanwildfire deathsinthe sameperiod, which totalled four.

Fourth, there are negative impacts on biodiversity.

Amajor nature study showed that when the condition of ecosystems was alteredbyprior disturbances, such as repeated prescribed burning, the recovery of biodiversity following the 2019/20 wildfires was severely impaired.

In fact, for many species, the number of previous fires (including prescribed fires) had fargreater effects than the severity of asinglefire in 2019/20.

Our long-term empirical research on fire effects in Booderee National Park shows bird species richness in an area was reduced by 9.1 per cent for every additional fire that occurred (dating back to 1972)

Reducing homelessness is within our reach

COMMENT

BY JOHN DE SOUZA-DAW

SINCE Iwas 15, Ihave spenttimelistening to and learning from people who sleep rough or struggle with housing insecurity.

The stereotype that homelessness is largely the result of addiction or mental illness is not only harmful, but often inaccurate.

Many Australians become homeless due to job loss, domestic violence, rising rents, or the simple inability to find secure and affordable housing. Homelessness is not an individual failure. It is a failure of public policyand national priorities. But thereare clear, tangible ways to reduce it.

One of the structural contributors to the crisis is negative gearing.

In 2020/21, more than 2.2 million Australians claimed rental deductions, with negative gearing costing the taxpayer $3.7billion annually, half of which benefited the top 20 per cent of earners. This tax loopholeencourages property investorsto make losses on rental properties, which they then offset against their taxable income. While it may benefit upper middle-class investors, it pushes up property prices, reduces housing availability, and

then contributes to the spiralling rents.

According to the Grattan Institute, negative gearingand the capital gains tax discount disproportionately benefits wealthierAustralians, inflating demandfor investment properties and pricing out first-home buyers.

In many cases, investors choose to leave properties vacant unless they receive premium rents.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Australians sleep in cars, couch-surf, or live in crisis accommodation. How is this not an injustice?

This policykeepsthe rich comfortable while keeping the poor desperate. Scrapping negative gearing wouldn’t end homelessness overnight, but it would cool an overheated market, giving everyday Australiansa fighting chance to rent or buywithout being priced out.

Another key issue is the unregulated growth of short-term rentals such as Airbnb.

In inner-city suburbs and even regional areas, thousands of homes are now let as short-term tourist staysrather than rented to long-term residents

A2023reportfrom UNSW City Futures Research Centre estimated that in some Sydney suburbs, up to 15 per cent of housing stock has been absorbed into the short-stay market. These properties could

otherwise house families who are currently priced out of the rental market.

Whatweneed is bold and moral leadership.A nationalvacantresidential property tax, designed to penalise those who leave investment homes empty,would encourage owners to eitherrent them out or sell them. Victoria has already trialled such atax in metropolitan areas, but atruly effective solution must be national, stringent, and urgent. Properties should be homes, not commodities hoarded for speculative gain.

Perhaps the most powerful solution of all lies in something we once had: large-scalepublic housing.

From the 1930s to the 1970s, Victoria’s Housing Commission delivered modest, affordable homes forworking-class families. These homes were not based on marketrent but werepriced according to income. They gave familiesstability,dignity, and in many cases, the opportunity to eventually purchase the homes they lived slike Churchill, these homes are housing families.

Today, the federal government promotepopulation growth yet fails to ensure enough

The simple truth is this:

In Western Australia, prescribed burning killed 77 per cent of the population of the Critically Endangered Western Ringtail Possum.

 Are there alternatives?

YES.

One approach is to assist ecosystems to exert their own natural ecological controls on fire.

This is to enable the return of natural fire regimes, even in achangingclimate. Elements of plant growth and succession can encourage some types of forest to develop environments that are less fire-prone.

Taller trees and sub-canopy plants that self-prune shaded branches are less likely to ignite and more likely to slow wind speeds beneath them during fires.

As the forest biomass increases in height, lower vegetation becomes more moist and more sparse, reducing the spread of ground-layer fire.

Even in relatively dry environments such as south-western Australia, historical records show that allowing forests to mature for several decades without fire has the same hazard reduction effectiveness as annual prescribed burning.

In addition,there are important opportunitiesto embrace new technologies to more quickly detect and then more rapidly suppress ignitions -and before they become largewildfires that are difficult to control.

 Lived experience vs scientific evidence DR Bartlett talks about the “lived experience” and wildfires.But the lived experiencein1540told us that the Earth was the centre of the universe. Science proved otherwise.

Today, agrowing body of rigorous scientific evidence shows that both logging and, in some cases, prescribed burning, increases fire risk. In addition, widespread prescribed burning can haveperverseimpactsonthe environment, human health, and even future fire risks.

We cannot afford to ignore this scienti fic information.

In an era of rapid climate change and increasing bushfire threats, science must guide fire management, not assumptions or outdated practices.

families, build careers, or participate fully in society without aroof over their heads.

Asignificantreturn to government-built and owned housing would save countless Australians from sleeping rough and restore their right to live safely and securely.

And how do we fund such avision? The answer lies in fairness.

If Australia’swealthiestone per cent paidjust two per cent moreintax,itcouldraise around $3.5 billion per year, according to modelling from the AustraliaInstitute and the Parliamentary Budget Office.

This amount could dramatically scale up public housing projects across the nation. We are not short on money. We are short on moral courage. Australia has always prided itselfongiving everyonea fairgo. Now is the timetoliveupto that ideal.

We cannot stand by while children grow up in tents,cars,ormotel rooms. We cannot claimtobea prosperous nation while thousands sleep in the cold.

Let’s build afairer Australia, where everyperson

Alternative view on prescribed burn-offs THINK BEFORE youbuy

Example: ThetownofMar ysville followingthe 2009 BlackSaturday Fires. Within twomonths of aprescribed burn,the town wasrazed and more than 30 lives were lost. Photograph: Mar ysville

HOROSCOPES

by Joanne Madeline Moore

April 21 -April 27,2025

Aries (Mar 21 - Apr 19)

with

and

cou d pay off As long as you are not ridiculously rash or unreasonab y argumentative (which you probably will be, as Mars squares the Sun and opposes Pluto) Your motto for the moment s from birthday great, writer Charlotte Bronte: “Look twice before you leap ”

This week’s tricky Sun/Mars/Pluto aspects could react vate a festering friendsh p issue that’s been brew ng and stewing A large dollop of Libran diplomacy – and a heap of hum lity – wil get you through The good news? Destiny is around you, and fate could ead you to a special new contact at work Be proactive and adventurous As actress (and birthday great) Shir ey MacLaine wrote: “Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb It’s where all the fru t is ”

This week you’ l feel the positive effects of the Sun and Uranus (both n Taurus) plus your rul ng p anet Venus (in Pisces) So avoid getting stuck n a static way of thinking and a rout ne way of behaving A current s tuation (or problem) has more flexible options and exciting poss bi ities than you prev ously thought Wisdom for the week is from movie star (and birthday great) Barbra Stre sand: “I just don’t want to be hampered by my own l mitat ons ”

You’ l be at your soc able, gregarious Gemini best –especially at work You’re keen to have fun but, when it comes to c ose relat onships, resist the tendency to be superficial Mercury inks up with perceptive P uto, so there’s a lot more go ng on beneath the surface than meets the eye Slow down, observe, isten and learn In the words of To Kil a Mock ngbird author, Harper Lee: “You never really understand a person unti you consider things from their point of view ”

Th s week the planets st mulate your urge to splurge on extravagant purchases that you don’t really need So perhaps it would be best to avo d spontaneous spending sprees both in person and on ine Other poss b lities? You could become drawn into a heated argument over money, possessions or an inheritance Or you could find yourse f consumed by obsessive love, secret desires or jealous thoughts So simmer down and tread careful y, Crabs!

It’s an ntense week for Scorpios! P uto (your ruling planet) squares the Sun and then opposes Mars, which could amp up your control-freak tendencies and magnify your compulsive side You’re determined to win an argument or so ve a problem but don’t play power games and step on other people’s toes n the process And avoid getting stuck in a stultifying rut You’ll find less confrontation and more cooperation will get you where you want to go

Lloyd St, Moe

LLOYDStreet, Moe was named after Dr Frederick Lloyd, who was born in Ireland in 1828 and came to Victoria in 1853.

He practised medicine in Melbourne and was afoundation member of the Medical Association of Victoria.

He edited the Australian Medical Gazette for a time, and with akeen interest in publichealth, wrote articles on public health issues.

Prepare for a colourful, combustible week, Cats! On Monday, the Sun/Mars square amps up your bossy side and then the mid-week Sun/Pluto square stirs up a tr cky relationship with a loved one or work colleague So make sure you confiscate all sharp implements and choose your words w sely, as people ( nc uding you) w ll be quick to anger and liable to make mountains out of molehills Fr day favours business plann ng and catching up with an o d friend

Workgstress, health problems, a secret obsession or a lack of sleep could unsettle you this week You’ll find nutritious food, vigorous exerc se, regular re axation and walking n nature wi l help to calm your sensit ve highly-strung V rgo nature And don’t worry about what other people are doing and where they’re go ng You have to run your own race n your own t me A longterm relationsh p (romantic or p atonic) brings a sense of peace and rel abi ity

He served on Narracan Shire Council for 17 years and was presidentin1890, 1895to1896, and 1902-03.

John Adams in So Tall the Trees notesthat Dr Frederick wasfrequentlyunpopularfor his conservative approach to issues, but this did not stop him from being elected.

In 1858, he was also appointed aJustice of the Peace, and in 1865 made Chairmanofthe North Melbourne bench.

Many Sagittarians are independent operators, fiery communicators and masters at juggling mult p e projects But things cou d go haywire this week, as the p anets complicate communication, trave or work p ans Don’t let it deter you Think things through careful y, consult widely – and then grab opportunities with both hands! Your motto is from birthday great, Barbra Streisand: “Every setback is an opportunity to come back stronger ”

(Nov 22 - Dec 21) Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 19)

This week you’re keen to help, but do other people require your bossy suggestions and well-meaning assistance? Be careful you’re not just being a fussy and finicky control freak! And if you are too quick to critique others, then you could find yourself with a moody chi d, a fract ous friend or a cranky col eague on your hands Pra se and encouragement w ll always get you a lot further than cr ticism, no matter how ‘constructive’ t is

(Jan 20 - Feb 18)

Th s week, Pluto (in Aquarius) squares the Sun and opposes Mars, leading to some uncomfortable home truths about how you relate to your nearest and dearest Don’t blame other people for current challenges and roadb ocks! Take a c ose ook at what you’re doing – perhaps you are the problem? Look within for the answers As actress (and b rthday great) Shirley MacLaine observes: “The most profound relationship we wi l ever have s the one with ourse ves ”

(Feb 19 - Mar 20)

Venus and Saturn are currently transiting through your sign Venus cou d make you feel attractive, lucky and loved – wh le Saturn could ampl fy feelings of doubt and low-self-esteem Don’t stress and procrast nate, Pisces! Wisdom for the week comes from birthday great Barbra Streisand (who turns 83 on Thursday): “Doubt can motivate you, so don’t be afraid of it Confidence and doubt are at two ends of the scale, and you need both They balance each other out ”

In 1875,hewas appointed aLife Governor of the Melbourne Benevolent Asylum (located in North Melbourne) which aimed to “relieve the aged, infirm, disabled or destitute of all creeds and nations”.

In 1889, he was adirector of the then newly formedEquitable Deposit and Mortgage Bank of Australasia and wasadirector of the Bankof Victoria for 22 years, retiring in 1908.

In 1877, he unsuccessfully contested the South Gippslandseat in the Legislative Assembly and was again defeatedwhenhestoodfor the North Melbourne seat.

His connection to Moe is through his ownership of the licence for the Mountain Glen run to the west of Moe from 1863 to 1872 and other properties in the Narracan Shire.

His cousin, Robert Lloyd took over the Mountain Glen property in 1872. Frederick spent most of his time in Melbourne but still managed to regularly attend Narracan Shire meetings.

The Advocate reported on his failing health in December 1907, stating: ‘The newsofhis precarious conditionwill be received with very general regret, as although his publiclifehas beencharacterised by some little peculiarities, the doctor has earned the highest esteem and areputation for judicial probity, whichhas made him avaluableadministrator of police court justice. He has beenthe chairmanof the NorthMelbourneCourt for 40 years and has missedvery few sittingsofthat tribunal’.

Dr Frederick Lloyd died in his WestMelbourne home in January1910atthe age of 82

Information supplied by Moe&District Historical Society.

New flag

for Traralgon South

CFA

Proud: FederalMember forGippsland, Darren Chester presents Traralgon South CFAfirefighter, Greg Carter with anew Australian flag Photograph supplied

VOLUNTEERfirefighters at Traralgon South CFA will see anew Australian flag hoisted on the station’s flagpole following avisit from Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester.

COPYR GHT Joanne Made ine Moore 2025

Mr Chesterpresented Traralgon South CFA firefighter, Greg Carter with anew flag, replacing the old one that had seen better days.

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of our country communities.

“Theirwillingnesstogive their time, energy and knowledge for the benefit of the rest of us is something for which we all should say ‘thank you’.

“It was good to catch up with volunteer firefighter Greg and present the Traralgon South CFA with a new Australian flag,” Mr Chester said.

“Providing the Traralgon South CFA with a new flag is just asmall gestureofthanks for the enormous role station volunteers play in keeping our community safe.”

Gippsland regions funded

project to receive funding.

THE state government is backing Victoria’s regions through new projects to help boost the visitor economy.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and MajorEvents, Steve Dimopoulos announced the successful recipients of the Regional Tourism Investment Fund 2024

The grants of between $100,000 and $5 million will support new and innovativetourism infrastructure projects designed to attract more visitors to Victoria’s regions.

The announcement was made at Sovereign Hill, which has received funding to deliver 22 new and 13 improvedaccommodation options to encourageday trippers to stay overnight, boosting local businesses.

Other projects to receive funding include the SnowyRiver Yacht Accommodationand Charter project in East Gippsland,delivering aluxury three-cabin sailing yacht for overnight and day trips on the Snowy River estuary.

Phillip Island Wine Co -Phillip Island Winery Cellar Door RestaurantExpansion is another local

There will also be five new mountain bike trails built at Mt Buller. Alpine Resorts Victoria will deliver nearly10kilometres of new single-track mountain bike trails that will improve connectivity through the Mt Buller and Mt Stirling trail network.

The Regional Tourism Investment Fund 2024 is part of the $170 million Regional Tourism and Events Fund to create more jobs, support important tourism businessesand attract more visitors to experience all that is on offer across regional Victoria.

The Fund will help strengthen and grow Victoria’s tourismindustry and is akey part of the state government’s Experience Victoria 2033 strategic plan thatoutlines five priorityareas includingFirst Peoples-led experiences, wellness, arts and culture, food and drink, and nature.

To see acomplete list of the projects, visit: tourism. vic.gov.au

Ineed adoctor: An early viewofLloyd Street, Moe looking west. Photograph supplied

TheGuide

HOUSE OF WELLNESS

7TWO, Friday, 8.30pm

Overindulged on sweet treats this Easter? Thestate of worldpolitics causing youstress? Reinvigorated forprime time in its ninth season, thiswellbeing staple is here to help. Melissa Doyle and ShaneCrawford (both pictured) takethe reins to present an entertaining showfilled with practical tips related to life, health and happiness. Podcaster Yvie Jones, former Socceroo Archie Thompson, ex-AFLWplayer Abbey Holmes, and medicalexperts Dr Renee Lim andDrAndrewRochford arealso on hand forcandidchats and exciting challenges. Theteam’s infectious energy and easy, accessible advice willhelp motivate even the most committed of couch potatoes to put down the phone and havefun with healthierhabits.

MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA

10, Monday, 7.30pm

Thefirsttime MasterChefcontestants walk into the show’s famedkitchen, there’susuallyamix of nerves, excitement andgratitude. Butinthis all-starsseason the 21 returning contenders areplaying to win. When they arrivewith everything to proveintonight’s season 17 premiere, judges Andy Allen, Sofia Levin, Jean-ChristopheNovelli and PohLing Yeow (pictured, clockwise from left), await with Gordon Ramsay and a service challenge. That alone should havethem quaking in their chef whites, butthere’sasurprise: they’re competingagainstthird-timersCallum Hann, Laura Sharrad and Sarah Todd,who haveall been within atuile biscuit of liftingthe trophy beforeand arehungrier than ever to taste victory.

It’s the end of an erafor fans of this homely crime series: after 14 years, star Brenda Blethyn is hanging up her iconic hat (andmack). Fans have the chance to say goodbye with twoepicfilms (catch part twotomorrow at 7.30pm)and an emotional behind-the-scenes special, Vera:Farewell,Pet(Sunday,9pm). In this final season, two high-profile cases land on Vera Stanhope’s desk: the accidental drowning of aformer prison inmate in theTyne, andacold case being reopened after a20-year-old conviction wasoverturned. Lewisstar Kevin Whateley (pictured with Blethyn) gueststars in thisfittingfarewell as Gary,the now-retiredcopper whobungled the case in the firstplace

Wednesday, April 23

PICK OF THE WEEK

Likealife-sizeversion of boardgame Risk that hasquiz questions instead of dice rolls, thisnew game show hosted by DoctorDoctorstar Rodger Corser (pictured) is addictiveviewing.Eighty-one Australians,each with aspecialistsubject,stand on one tile in an enormous light-up gridfor awinner-takes-all competition with $200,000 on the line.Overnineepisodes, the contestant pool is whittled down one by oneasthe players challenge their neighbours fortheir shareof theboardina seriesoftrivia showdowns. There’sa fewfamiliar faces in the mix, too: MarriedatFirstSight bride Jules Robinson,formerNRL player CoryPaterson and MasterChefAustraliaalum Amina Elshafei.

ABC TV (2) SBS (3) SEVEN (7,6) TEN (10, 5) NINE (9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Four Corners.(R) 10.45 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 National Press Club Address. 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 2.00 Restoration Australia. (R) 2.55 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games. (R) 3.30 Grand Designs New Zealand. (PG, R) 4.15 Long Lost Family.(PG,R) 5.00 ABite To EatWithAlice 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 6am Morning Programs. 8.00 DD India News Hour 9.00 DestinationFlavour.(R) 9.20 Travel Quest. (PG, R) 10.20 Matched. (PG, R) 11.10 Europe’s Waterways. (Premiere, PGa) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Dateline (R) 2.30 Insight.(R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour.(R) 3.40 The Cook Up.(R) 4.10 The World’sMost

6.25 FedElectionAnnouncement. (R) 6.30Claire Hooper’s House Of Games 6.55 FedElection Announcement. (R)

10.00 Mayfair Witches. (Malv,R) 10.40 ABC Late News. 10.55 The Business. (R) 11.15 In Limbo.(Mals, R) 12.10 Grand Designs New Zealand.(PG,R) 12.55 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 1.45 Rage.(MA15+adhlnsv) 3.10 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 GardeningAustralia. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

6.00 MastermindAustralia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Alone Australia. (Mal) Survivalists struggle with empty bellies.

8.40 WeightOfThe World. (MA15+a) Examines theprofound cultural shiftdrugs likeOzempic and Mounjaro are triggering in society

9.45 TheHandmaid’sTale. (MA15+) June and Moiragoundercover. 10.50 SBS World News Late. 11.20 My Brilliant Friend. (Return, Malnv) 12.25 Lost Luggage. (MA15+a, R) 3.20 Invisible. (PGa, R) 4.50 Poh &Co. Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

(PGal,R) 2.35 Surveillance Oz:Dashcam (PG, R) 3.00 Beat TheChasers UK. (R) 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChaseAustralia Hosted by LarryEmdur

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 HomeAnd Away (PGav)

7.30 The1%ClubUK. (PGl, R) Hosted by LeeMack.

8.30 TheFront Bar. (Ml) Hosts Sam Pang, Mick Molloyand AndyMaher takea lighter look at all things AFL.

9.30 Unfiltered (PGa) Hosted by Hamish McLachlan.

10.00 Akmal: Open ForRenovations. (MA15+l, R) Astand-up performance by Akmal.

11.15 AutopsyUSA:Walt Disney. (Ma, R) 12.15 Midnight Texas. (MA15+hv) 2.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Today 9.00 Today

6.00 9News

7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 TheHundred With Andy Lee. (Ms) Comedy panelshow

8.30 TheGrand Tour (MA15+l) On the edge of Loch Ness, the hosts recount their road triparound centralEurope.

9.50 Wild Cards. (Mv) George gets athree-day pass from jail.

10.50 9News Late.

11.20 TheEqualizer (Mv,R)

12.10 Next Stop 12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop.(R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoice

Thursday, April24

ABC (2) SBS (3)

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Foreign Correspondent.(R) 10.30 The Weekly. (PG,R) 11.00 Restoration Australia. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Sherwood. (Malv,R) 2.00 Restoration Australia. (R) 2.55 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games. (R) 3.25 Grand Designs New Zealand. (PG, R) 4.10 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 5.00 ABite To Eat With Alice. (PG) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

6am MorningPrograms. 9.20 Travel Quest. (PG, R) 10.20 Matched. (PG, R) 11.10 Europe’s Waterways. (PGaw) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight 12.55 PBS News. 1.55 Alone Australia. (Mal, R) 3.00 LivingBlack. (R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour.(R) 3.40 The Cook Up.(R) 4.10 The World’sMost Beautiful Landscapes. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 MOVIE: HaileyDean Mysteries: Deadly Estate. (2017,PGav,R) 3.00 TheChase. (R) 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChase Australia.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS WorldNews

11.00 TheBusiness. (R) 11.15 Darby And Joan. (Final, PGad, R) 12.00 Grand Designs New Zealand. (PG, R) 12.45 Long Lost Family. (PG,R) 1.35 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.20 The Many DaysOfAnzac. (PG, R) 4.20 Anzac Dawn Service From Sydney 5.30 AnzacDawn Service From Canberra

ABC FAMILY (22)

7.30 TheSecret DNA Of Us: SurryHills. (PGa) Marc Fennell and his team head to SurryHills. 8.35 Sydney’s Super Tunnel: CountdownToLaunch. After adecade of planning, the biggest transport infrastructure project in Australian history is nearly complete. 9.40 Virdee. (MA15+v) Harrywakes covered in tarantula hawkwasps. 10.50 SBS WorldNewsLate. 11.20 Breaking Point. (MA15+av) 12.15 TheHollow. (Premiere, Malv) 1.15 Departure. (Ma, R)

2.50 Hitler’s Teen Killers. (Mav,R) 3.50 Paul O’Grady’sLittle Heroes. (PG, R) 4.50 Poh &Co. Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHKWorld English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Football AFL.Round 7. Melbourne vRichmond.

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

11.00 Kick Ons. Kane Cornes, Josh Jenkinsand Jason Richardson debate the hottest topics and preview the upcoming AFLmatches.

11.30 Born To Kill? Trevor Hardy (Mav,R)A look at serial killer Trevor Hardy.

12.30 Spitfire Guardians. (PG, R) Alook at theBattle of Britain.

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

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.

4.50 Anzac Day DawnService. Coverage of theAnzac Daydawn service

(34) 6am Morning Programs. 9.00 Medical Emergency. 9.30 NBC Today. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi 2.30 My ImpossibleHouse. 3.30

6am Morning Programs.

2pm Tradition On APlate 2.30 The CookUp. 3.00 Jarjums. 4.05 Cities Of Gold. 4.35 Motown Magic 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 Black As. 5.30 Te Ao With Moana. 6.00 Bamay 6.30 News. 6.40 Great ParksOfAfrica. 7.25 NITVWeather 7.30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo 8.30 DI Ray 9.20 MOVIE: Jackie Chan’s First Strike. (1996,M) 11.20 Late Programs.

6.00 Today. 9.00 TodayExtra.(PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: TheLove Hunt.(2023,PGa) Scout Taylor-Compton, Brock Yurich. 2.00 Pointless.(PG) 3.00 Tipping

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair.

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

8.30 Emergency (Mlm, R) Dr Andrew Trezise is worried adirt bikerider will havelife-altering injuries afteracrash.

9.30 A+ECrash Scene Emergency (Premiere,Malm)Stafftreats a76-yearoldwho sufferedacatastrophic heartattack at the wheel.

10.30 My Feet AreKillingMe. (Mam)

11.20 9News Late.

11.50 Young Sheldon. (PGadlsv, R)

12.20 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.10 Talking Honey. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop:Home Shopping. (R)

2.30 Global Shop (R)

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s VoiceOfVictory.(PGa) 4.20 Anzac Day DawnService

9GEM (92,81)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal

Hosted by GrantDenyer.

6.30 TheProject. Alookatthe day’s news. 7.30 GoggleboxAustralia. (Final) Opinionatedviewers discuss TV shows. 8.30 Taskmaster Australia. (Mls) The comedians stress out TomCashman and then calm him down, then share detailsabouttheir 13-year-old selves. 9.40 Law&Order: SVU. (Msv, R) The discovery of an unconscious teenager sparksamissingpersons investigation 10.40 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sportand weather. 11.05 TheProject. (R) Alook at the day’snews. 12.05 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBSMornings. 6am WorldWatch. 10.00 TheMovie Show 12.05pm WorldWatch. 12.35 Hoarders. 2.15 Insight 3.15 News. 3.20 WorldWatch. 5.15 Alone: Frozen. 6.05 Over The Black Dot 6.35 Travel Man. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats DoesCountdown. 8.30 History’s Greatest Mysteries. 10.10 The UnXplained With William Shatner 11.00 Homicide. 1.45am Dark Side Of The Ring. 2.40 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6am The Movie Show. 6.30 Heidi.(2015,PG, German) 8.35 Tourism.(2017) 10.00 Voyage Of The Damned. (1976,M) 12.50pm The Scarlet AndThe Black. (1983,PG) 3.25 Whina. (2022, PG Maori) 5.30 The Bridge On TheRiver Kwai. (1957 PG) 8.30 TheFlowersOfWar.(2011, MA15+) 11.05 The Lighthorsemen. (1987, M) 1.15am Flags Of Our Fathers. (2006,MA15+) 3.40 Late Programs.

7TWO (72, 62) 6am

AntiquesRoadshow 7.30 RugbyLeague.NRL Round 8. Brisbane Broncos vCanterbury Bulldogs 9.45 Thursday Night KnockOff. 10.30 Outback Opal Hunters. 11.30 Late Programs.

3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 The Addams Family 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 I Dream Of Jeannie 6.00 The Golden Girls. 6.30 The Nanny 7.30 Survivor48. 9.00 MOVIE: BrideWars. (2009,PG)

Friday, April 25

Rage. (PG) 6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS WorldNews.

8.55 Robot Wars. 9.55 HarryPotter: Hogwarts Tournament Of Houses. 10.40 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22)

NiagaraFalls. (R) 8.30 Last Secrets Of TheGreat Sphinx Of Giza. (R) Alook at the Great Sphinx of Giza

9.30 Scotland’sScenic Railways: Edinburgh Waverley Station. (R) Alook at the EdinburghWaverley station. 10.25 SBS World NewsLate.

10.55 ABody That Works. (Mls)

12.00 BetweenTwo Worlds. (Mal, R)

1.50 Agent Hamilton. (MA15+v, R)

3.35 Paul O’Grady’sLittle Heroes. (PG,R)

4.30 Barkley Manor (PG, R)

5.00 NHKWorld English News

5.30 ANCPhilippines The World Tonight.

6am The BridgeOnThe River Kwai. Continued. (1957, PG) 8.20 Spitfire. (2018, PG) 10.15

6.00 Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 12.30 SevenNewsSpecial: Gallipoli DawnService. 1.30 SevenAfternoon News. (Premiere) 2.00 AFLPre-Game Show. 3.00 Football. AFL.Round 7. Collingwood vEssendon.

6.00 SevenNews

7.00 AFL: FridayNightCountdown. Alead-up to the Friday night AFL match.

7.30 Football. AFL.Round 7. Fremantle vAdelaide. From Optus Stadium, Perth. 11.00 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussionand interviews taking alook back at all theactionfromthe game.

11.30 GetOn Extra. Alookatthe weekend’s best racing

12.00 Farmer WantsAWife (R) Hosted by Natalie Gruzlewski. 1.45 TheBlack Donnellys. (Mdsv) Tommy realises Nicky Cottero means business.

3.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) Hosted by Simon Reeve. 5.00 NBC Today.

Villers-Bretonneux DawnService. 2.35

6.00 9News.

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 RugbyLeague. NRL Round 8. Melbourne Storm vSouth Sydney Rabbitohs. 9.55 Golden Point Awrap-up of the Melbourne Storm versus South Sydney Rabbitohs match, with NRL news and analysis.

10.45 MOVIE: Criminal. (2016,MA15+lv,R)

ACIA operative’sconsciousness is transferred. Kevin Costner,RyanReynolds

12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R) Hosted by Ben Shephard.

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 SkippyThe Bush Kangaroo (R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

5.30 Postcards. (PG,R)

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Seinfeld. 11.00 Motor Racing. FIA World Endurance C’ship.6Hours Of Imola. H’lights. 12.10pm MOVIE: Rams. (2020, PG) 2.30 The Nanny 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 TheAddamsFamily 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 IDream Of Jeannie. 6.00 The Golden Girls. 6.30

RugbyLeague.NRL Round 8. SydneyRoosters vStGeorge Illawarra Dragons. 6.00 Yorkshire Auction House. 7.00 Antiques Roadshow 7.30 West CoastCops. 8.30 MOVIE: Dunkirk. (2017, M) 10.30 MOVIE: Valkyrie (2008,M) 12.50am Late Programs. 9GEM (92,81)

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

6.30 TheProject. Alookatthe day’s news. 7.30 Airborne: NatureInOur Skies: Flight Path. (Final, PGa) Looks at remarkable journeys through the air,from dodging obstacles in the way to long-haul expeditions and mass ascents. 8.40 TheGraham Norton Show. (Mlv,R)Guests includeBradley Cooper Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Bryce Dallas Howard, DanielKaluuya and Kevin Bridges. 11.00 10’s Late News Coverage of news,sportand weather 11.25 TheProject. (R)

valleysport

Sporting results from around the Latrobe Valley

More than justa game:Reclink

FOOTBALL

By TOM HAYES

RECLINK footballreturned in abig way last week,asRound 1ofthe Reclink Australia Victorian Football League came and went.

Reclink Australiacaters for and supports peoplewithdisabilityand people withmental health struggles, or thoseatrisk of poor mental health. Reclink’s aim is to provide moments of joy, human connection, opportunity, and a sense of purpose for its participants.

Latrobe Valleyisone of many regions across the country that has aReclink support group, providing free sport, art,and recreationactivities for participants in the region.

Reclinkfootballwas back on the menu as of Wednesday, April 16, when the Gippsland Wellways Panthers hosted Cardinia Tigers at Morwell Recreation Reserve.

The matchcountedtoward theleague’s ANZAC Round, with ‘The Last Post’ played on the bugle pre-match and medals awarded to deserved players on either team, making the day more meaningful and giving participants some extra incentive.

Both sides were able to beginthe match with 15 players, but as the game dragged on, more fill-ins were understandably required as the autumn heat started to set in.

Reclink has had along history playing football, dating back to 1989 whenthe first Reclink match occurred. Backthen, the Sacred Heart Missions Saintsplayed Ozanam House

in the inaugural homelessness match.

Mitchell Stewart, theassistant coach of the Gippsland Wellways Panthers and Reclink participant, spokeonhow the sporting leagues is important to participants.

“I absolutely love the team, every player is like afamily member which is agood thing. Reclink is afamily thing, so it’s agood way of being included,” he told the Express

“Shaun (Johnson, Reclink Senior Sports Co-ordinator) treats us likehuman beings, not like we’re just another problem.”

Stewartisnow in his second year with the Panthers and said he was “absolutely enjoying it”.

“We definitely need more of it,weneed more recognition, we need alot more of ‘hey, thisis what disability is all about’,” he said.

“Trying to find work when you’ve got adisability, it’s like ‘yeah, you’ve got adisability, we don’t want you’, which is tough, but with Shaun, it helps us because you’re included, you’re part of the team.”

For participants with socialstruggles, sport helps them break the barrier to socialise with people with the same interests.

“Trying to get out and be more social is sometimes abarrier, but with Shaun, he just breaks down the barrier and goes ‘hey, let’s be friends, let’s go play footy’. And all the other players are the same,” Stewart added.

Wellways jumped on board with Reclink to help the two form one team, aptly named the Gippsland Wellways Panthers.

Wellways Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner,MikeNeedham spoke to the Express aboutthe partnershipbetween Reclink and Wellways.

“We started bringing some of our participants down here in Morwell afew years ago, and found it was really helpful for them to build their confidence,” he said.

“The really supportive environment wasn’t as stressful as amainstream club."

WhenReclink was having some trouble getting funding, Needham spoke to his manager which prompted the start of the partnership, as Wellways started sponsoring the football team to enable its weekly participation.

Afterlivingwith mental health issues himself, Needham knows first-hand what this participation can mean to players.

“I was involved with Salvo Hawks about 15 years ago as apartofmyrecovery. It was just (about) being supported, having mates who hadyourbackwhen you werereally struggling to encourage you and come along and participateonand off the ground,” he said.

“It led to me getting well and encouraged me to get support, not be afraid to talk about whatwas going on off the field. Butalso, it gave me something to do on the field.”

The Gippsland WellwaysPanthers play games every second Wednesday, and when they’re not playing, they’re training.

The Panthers next game sees them travelup to Chadstone on Wednesday,April 30 to play Monash Demons at Jordan Reserve.

Demon for the day: Robinson

Robbo: AFLcultheroMitch Robinsonwill play forBoolarrathis Sunday. Photograph supplied

MID GIPPSLAND

BOOLARRA will be bolstered by the inclusion of former AFL hard nut Mitch Robinson this weekend.

Robinsonisset to play forthe Demons in the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League, headlining Round 3action. Such is the occasion, the match will be played as astandalone this Sunday (April 27), when Boolarra host Morwell East.

The Demons have won their opening two games, while the Hawks (predicted finalists) have been somewhat underwhelming, losing to Thorpdale and only narrowly defeating last year's wooden spooners, Hill End.

Like many larger-than-life former AFL players, Robinson has been on the local footy circuit since his professional career ended.

He has also dabbled in boxing, and become prominent on YouTube as acontent creator and gamer.

The 35-year-old played 247 games for Carlton and Brisbane Lions between 2009 and 2022. He was afan favourite at both clubs for his ferocious attack on theball, butequally derided by opposition supporters for his carry on.

MGFNL Round 3Preview-Page24

speaking

“We’re gonna know where we’re at, will be a really good test for us.” Yarram coach, Brett Mitchell on preparing to play reigning North Gippsland premier, Woodside.

NGFNL Good FridayMatch -Page22

Group effort: The Gippsland Wellways Panthers andCardinia Tigersgot together forthe firstgame of theseasonlastweek. Photograph: TomHayes

Magpies show they will be up for fight

FOOTBALL

NORTH GIPPSLAND

BY LIAM DURKIN

HAVING both Vardys back in town certainly helps. Local football’s Easter vigil saw Round 2completed in the North Gippsland Football-Netball League on Good Friday.

The temple was the Yarram Recreation Reserve, and the home side made it two winsfromasmany starts after holding off adeterminedand very accurate Glengarry 17.16 (118) to 13.2 (80).

As the marquee fixture necessitated, pre-match formalities saw presidents of both clubs address thecrowd,while aWelcome to Country and the

Australian national anthem was also performed.

Yarram, favoured heading in, were without veteran midfielder Griffin Underwood, who tweaked his hamstring at training.

Ever the clubman, he performed umpire escort duties on the day.

The Magpies,coming off asomewhatbizarredraw in Round 1after they led by six goals at the last change against Rosedale, started brightly, kicking the first two majors.

Along-range effort from skipper Jack Burgess gave Glengarry aboost, and saw them head into the first huddle ahead by four points.

Their lead would have been greater had it not been for acouple of undisciplined acts.

Options: Glengarry’sCassidy Bartleypreparestokickdownfield in North GippslandFootballNetball League Round2 action.

Yarram was gifted ashot on goal when skipper Kaleb Pearce washanded back the ball after initially being caught. AGlengarry player camein, cleaned up Pearce, and saw the decision reversed. On another occasion, the Demons were awarded afreekick before the ball was thrown up after a Glengarry playerstepped insidethe centre square.

The resultant play saw the ball land in the arms of Josh Swift, who kicked the first of his six goals for the day.

Magpies coach Alex Bermingham touched on this at quarter time, but was relatively pleased nonetheless with other aspects,noting the number of ‘one percenters’.

Yarram however clicked into gear as soon as the second quarter commenced, kicking two goals inside the first two minutes.

Withthe margin suddenlywidened, the Demons made use of their momentum, kicking 5.5 (35) to 1.0 (6) for the term.

Glengarry’s only goal came from Jet Hodges, who silenced aYarram supporter’ssuggestion as to his chancesofkicking aset shot from 30 metres out on aslight angle.

Signs were worrying for the Magpies, particularly as gun Demon midfielder Boadie Motton started coming into the game.

Motton, channelling his innerRafael Nadal with ared Nike headband, hadhis own footy in the second term.

Frustration was evident among some Glengarry players afterYarram kicked their fourthgoal, while the Demons scrambled another out of congestion just beforethe halftime siren to extend the lead to 25 points.

Bermingham played as an extra in defence during the third term, in what turned into astalemate, with both teams managing just twogoals.

The playing-coach was unable to address his troops at three quarter time, owing to acut above the eye.

His assistant, Brett Sutton took charge, urging players to keep “honouring the 45s” to allow the game to open up

Over in the Yarram camp, Demons coach Brett Mitchellwanted deeper entries, warning if he saw anotherkick to atwo-on-one at the top of the 50, an area he termed “turnovercity”, he was going to lose his proverbial.

Much like the second quarter, Yarram was able to bang on acouple of quick goals to snuff out any chance of aGlengarry comeback.

Swift goaled in the first minute, while Pearce broughtout the aeroplane celebration afterkicking truly on the run.

He followed up with asuccessful snap, although Swift saved his best for last, kicking an outrageous goal while literally laying on his back deep in the pocket near the Magpies bench.

When you are hot you are hot.

If The Footy Show was still on TV, Swift would have just about won Almost Football Legends.

“Wasn’t abad goal was it, he’s pretty special up forward,”his coach said in complete understatement to the Express post-game.

Swift has established astrong affinity with the Good Friday fixture. His latest effort equalled his haul against Yallourn Yallourn North in 2023, whilehealsokicked four in the corresponding fixture against the same opponent in 2022.

Agoal of perhaps equal measure given the individual came right on the final siren, after lumbering big man Ben Vardy thumped afloating punt from beyond 50 that split the middle.

Vardy, who was back home for Easter, was best-on-ground, followed by Kelly Griffiths, Ben Mattern, Pearce(three goals), Dylan Garnham, and Jacob Davis.

Motton was also busy, andprovided the one

highlight for the third quarter, kicking aclassy goal on the run from 50.

Motton should attractleague votes in this game, and the Demons will hope for similar output in weeks to come from the player who might now be the best in the league following the departure of Chris ‘Squid’ Williams from Churchill.

Glengarry certainly made Yarram earn the points, as noted by Mitchell.

“They contested really well, we probably wasted afew opportunities and keptthem in the game but it was agreat contest in that heat,” he said.

“The two Vardy boys (Benand Dan) certainly straightened us up, having them up forward was really important for us. Ithought Kel Griffiths in the ruckwas fantastic, he probably madethe difference, then we had anumberofcontributors, our midfield, our rotations,wewent pretty deep so that madea difference in that last quarter, second half.”

For Yarram, there might only be onething better than having two Vardys in the same team, and that is getting all three, with West Coast premiership player, Nathan.

While the Demons have surely worked on that arrangement behind closed doors, for now, Mitchell said his team would get agood gauge after this weekend’s game against rival and reigning premier Woodside.

“We’re gonna know where we’re at, will be areally good test for us,” he said.

Mitchellexpects ruckman Levi Muns to come in for his firstgame of the season, along with Underwood and afully fit Motton, who battled illness entering Good Friday.

Glengarry, much to their credit, kept persisting right to the end, and added six goals in the final term.

For ateam that hasstruggledthe lastfew years, to put up 80 points was avery good sign, and will surely please those constantly fearing about the competitive balance of the league.

CallumMitchell contributed more than 25 per cent of the Magpie’s score, kicking four goals, and received helping hands from EwanWilliams,Tom Harris, Ben Truin, Bermingham, and Jordan Thomas.

After finishing the game with 13.2 (80) on the scoreboard, goal kicking certainly won’t be an area of focus for the Magpies at training.

How the ball gets there however might be.

On aground as big as Yarram’s, there wasspace out wide just begging to be used on multiple occasions, yet hardly any movement to make it happen.

For teams coming up against the Demons in weeks to come, a‘swift and shift’ (thatshow becomes abit too real sometimes) approach might also be worthwhile in combating the goal sneak.

While Swift’s goal kicking prowessisundeniable (more than 1000 career goals), you can almost guarantee he isn’t ever going to pass inside 50. With this in mind, defenders could looktoswarm him into making arushed shot,while theremaining defenders and midfielders set up for either aquick kick in or rebound.

Additionally, for anyone prone to conspiracy theoryinlocal football,couldYarram have stooged Glengarry intoagreeing to play this game on Good Friday knowing both Vardy boys were going to be home for Easter?

NGFNL Round 3Preview-Page26

Scoreboard

GOOD FRIDAYFOOTBALL NORTH GIPPSLAND

SENIORS

Yaram3.4, 8.9, 10.13, 17.16(118)

Glengarry 4.2, 5.2, 7.2, 13.2 (80)

Yarram

Goals: Josh Swift6,K Pearce 3, LEarles 2, KGriffiths 2, BVardy 2, BMotton, DVardy

Best: BVardy,K Griffiths, BMattern,K Pearce, DGarnham, JDavis

Glengarry

Goals: CMitchell 4, JBurgess 3, OBradford, S Cogan, SDuncan, JHodges, DMassaro, EWilliams

Best: CMitchell, EWilliams,THarris, BTruin, ABermingham, JThomas

RESERVES

Yarram 6.0, 9.3, 11.3, 13.6 (84)

Glengarry 2.0, 2.0, 3.5, 6.6 (42)

Yarram

Goals:TChisholm 3, CCoulthard3,L Jenkins 3, N Mckenzie 2, JCollins, RDurkin

Best: JCollins,TChisholm, JJames, NMckenzie, LJenkins, AParry

Glengarry

Goals: LNoble 4, ZChristensen 2 Best: LNoble 4, NPeel, CHood, SBurgess,T Wilson, CSchmidt

THIRDS

Glengarry 6.3, 10.10, 14.15, 20.22 (142)

Yarram 1.1, 1.1, 2.2, 2.2 (14)

Glengarry

Goals: CPoulton 7, ARigby3,F Rowley 3,T Nguyen2,M McDonagh, OClifton, RConway,L Napier,J Vardy Best: LNapier,J Rogers,M Turner,J Lipman, CPoulton

Yarram Goals: not supplied Best: ESeskis, BStaley, BMcAlpine,S Clarke,C Farley KGuenther

*NB: Yarram and Glengarry played a standalone game. Round 2isnow complete.

Just in time: TomHarrismanages to gethis handball away.Harris wasone of Glengarry’sbestin the losstoYarram.

By example: Glengarrycoach AlexBermingham wasliterallybleedingfor the club on Good Friday. Photographs: Liam Durkin

From theeditor’s (standing) desk with Liam Durkin

CHANGE FOR THE BETTER

NOT to signal doomsday, but there would have to be some concern alreadyregarding lopsidedresults across Gippsland footy.

Onlytwo weeks into the season, and margins close to, or even above 200 points have been recorded.

The round before Eastersaw North Gippy battlers Gormandale lose by 235 points, Paynesville by 199 in East Gippy, and Daylston by 178 in West Gippsland.

Divisional footy has long been spoken about, and calls could start to come in even louder if triple figure results become all the more frequent.

Is it time East Gippy and Omeo combined?

Could North Gippy be split into two divisions if Morwell East, Newboroughand Yinnareventually join? (Allhave triedand will mostlikely try again).

LatrobeValleycricket has seen the success atwo divisional first grade competition makes, where teams are promoted on merit and those that aren’t have arealistic chance of competing against those of similar standing.

Woodside has been oneofthe most successful North Gippsland clubsinrecent years, partly because people weren 't relu ctant to change (Woodside broke from Devon-Welshpool-Won Wron Woodside nearly two decades ago).

Woodside District’sinaugural president, Anthony Banik summed it up well when Iinterviewed him acouple of years ago:

“I know people are very passionate about their regions and their history, sometimes you have to put that aside for the betterment of the actual game".

WORDS, WORDS

HARD copies of the Gippsland League Record are going like hotcakes.

The ones that are available that is.

Across the first two rounds, Ihave arrivedatgates around 11am, only to be told there are none left.

The league aren’t printing as many this season, which is ashame

However, givenmostare being snapped up before the dew is even kicked off the ground, it appears hardly any are being printed at all.

Granted printing can be expensive, Ihope the leaguereconsidersthe wider value of producing more physical records.

Take it from someone in the know, more people prefer sitting down and reading apaper than scrollingthrough the same contentontheir phone.

Fellow premier league, Goulburn Valley has completelydumped its match-day publication, replacing it with an app, although physical team lists are still available at grounds.

Again, youcan be sure therewill still be afew 'oldies'jotting down the goal kickers at every country footy game.

The WeeklyTimes reported GV charged its 12 member clubs acombined $37,625 for its version of the Record last season (the 'Weekender').

However, it also reported the league recorded an $87,000 loss last season, leading clubs to vote out theincumbent chairpersonofthe previous three years.

The Goulburn Valley is generally considered one of the top leagues in country Victoria, along with Ovensand Murray, Bendigoand Ballarat, yet it is understood GV clubs haveexpressedfrustration regarding the fixture, lack of socialmedia presence

and insistence on interleague adding to itsfinancial woes.

By contrast, the Gippsland League has an even fixture,anaffordable version of interleague (under 23 All Stars), and arguably the best online presence of any country league in the state. We might not have it too bad here after all.

SOUTHERN STARS

CONGRATULATIONS are due for acouple of modern day greats of the Gippy League.

Wonthaggi midfielder,JackBlair is just one game off 150 for his home club, while former Leongatha key position player Chris Verboon announced his retirement before Easter.

Taking in VFL for Collingwood, Blair has played well over 200 games in total, and by all accounts, has been very stiff not to follow his brother to the AFL.

He tied with Moe's James Blaser and Sale's Kane Martin for the Trood Award and Rodda Medal as best player in the Gippsland League in 2017, yet was really the outright winner given he missed four games.

That same year, he played one of the best individual games I've seen, kicking four goals from a truckloadofpossessions against Moe to almost singlehandedlyget what wasanaverage Power side (six wins, 12 losses for the year) over the line. It has always struck me as interesting why he's never sought alower jumper number than No 53. Verboon just seemed to get better with age.

He won the league's MVP in 2019 well into his 30s, ayear after featuring in back-to-back flags for the Parrots.

In more recent years,hereturned home to Stony

Creek as senior coach in the Mid Gippsland FNL. Looking at PlayHQ, it appearsI played in the only twos game of his career at Leongatha. Enjoyingthe customary can post-game while watching the seniors, Verboon quipped he "could get used to this".

Therewillbeplenty of time for thatnow in retirement.

CHRONICLES OF FOOTY

WORKING on afew feature stories to coincide with various anniversaries this year.

There are some great premiership reunions set to be celebrated.Traralgon'smiracle 2005 win and Morwell's even more miraculous 1985 triumph (six goals downinthe last quarter) are suretostandout Elsewhere, Thorpdale's last premiership to date (1985) is also on the cards, as is Rosedale's (2015), whichfeatured current WestCoast Coach, Andrew McQualter.

Gippsland Power's only flag was two decades ago, Morwell East's first 20 years ago, and Trafalgar's first in Mid Gippsland 50 years ago. Away from premierships, this year also marks 20 sinceWonthaggi Rovers and Wonthaggi Blues merged to form Wonthaggi Power.

Perhaps the best story however is out at Yallourn Yallourn North.

The Jets went from bottom to top 10 years ago, and have just kept going up since.

In terms of whole-club turnarounds, there wouldn't be many that could top YYN in the last decade. Given peopleinfooty generally have short memories, it may come as asurprise to learn just how much they struggled not that long ago.

Teddy was much more than his four goals

FOOTBALL COMMENT

BY JOSEPH LIS

IREMEMBER my good friend and late Moe footballer Ted Hopkins once telling me that, after Carlton had just won the 1970 Grand Final against Collingwood mainly thanks to Ted's four matchwinning goals in the second half: "I would rather be remembered for my poetry than my exploits on the football field."

In intimate connection, there is apoem Ted once wrote in which he refers to himselfasa"poeballer",

so Iinstinctively knew what he meant.

And even though Ted enjoyed rock starstatus in Carlton for the three or four months after the Grand Final,itcame as no surprise to me when he unexpectedly returned to the Latrobe Valley to play for Yallourn even though he was just 21 and had apromising AFL career ahead of him.

In Ted's book The Yallourn Stories he laments how his beloved Yallourn was sacrificed and dug-up for coal, and the houses unceremoniously relocated on the back of trucks to other parts of Victoria.

The residents of Yallourn were heartbroken, as was the resident at 20 Broadway Avenue (Ted). They felt so desecrated and dehumanised.

In asimilar callous way, and also without consultation or social license, former Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews brutally forced and legislated VictorianClimate Act2017. The so-called net-zero 'transition' onto the Latrobe Valley, but this time, not to dig up coal but to abandon it for renewables.

The director of the 1956 science-fiction cultclassic, The Invasion of the Body Snatchers", Don Siegal, believed that humans had lost much of their identity and essential character because of slavish and non-critical acceptance of bad government policy.

Siegal explainedthe film'scentraltheme thus: "Mass-indoctrination and hysteria can emerge in any of us throughgovernment propaganda. We impose shackles on ourselves through our subservient attitudes and thus allow our culture to gag us. We are manipulated like puppets.Weabsorb media informationwithoutany filter or back-up research, becoming mere pawns in agame for power and money. Asocietydivided, asocietydiscouraged,

apathetic, and passive, is asociety easy to control

People are becoming robots. Vegetables. Idon't know what the answer is, except an awareness of it. That's what makes apicture like Invasion of the Body Snatchers so important.

Hopkins played 32 games for Moe, and co-founded AFL statistical conglomerate, Champion Data. He died in 2023 follo wing ab at tle with

POST-EASTER RETURN DATES

LOCAL COMPS

Gippsland League,Mid Gippsland, North

Gippsland: this weekend (Traralgon, Morwell, TTU, Rosedale playing on Anzac Day)

GIPPSLAND POWER

Boys: Sunday, May11

Girls: Sunday, May4

GIPPSLAND STARS

Gippsland Starsnetball: tonight (May23)

mitochondrial disease aged 74, and was remembered fondly by Carlton teammates.

Footnote: Ted's books are on display and/or sale at the Old BrownCoal Mine Museum, Yallourn North.

Aboutthe author: Joseph Lis is aMorwell reside nt and freq uent cor respo nden tt ot he Latrobe Valley Express letters section.

STARTDATES

Central Gippsland Juniors (U16s ,U14s, U12s ,U10s): this Sunday Traralgon District Juniors (U15s ,U13s, U11s ,U9s): this Sunday (South Side and Police Boys playing on Anzac Day).

WOMEN'S

All comps startthis Sunday

Senior women's: Moe/Newborough, Boisdale-Briagolong, Lindenow South, Nar Nar Goon/Drouin. Youthgirls Div 1: Warragul Industrials ,Bairnsdale,MDU, Newborough, Traralgon. Youthgirls Div 2: Morwell, Woodside,Warranor,Doruin, Boisdale-Briag, Sale City, Dalyston,Nar Nar Goon. Southwest under 16s: Hill End, Newborough, Warragul Industrials ,Warranor,Nar Nar Goon, Inverloch-Kongwak,

Four goallegend: TedHopkins is chaired from theground followinghis heroicsinhelping Carltonwin the1970 Grand Final. Photograph supplied

Mid Gippsland gears up once again

FOOTBALL

MID GIPPSLAND BY ROB POPPLESTONE

EVEN at this earlystage of the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League, it has become obvious that season 2025 will be atight competition. Close margins and upsets havealready sprinkled among results,and pundits can expect more of the same as Round 3looms.

 BOOLARRAV MORWELL EAST (SUNDAY)

BOOLARRA is already on ahigh, compliments of their successful start to the season, but coupled with the inclusion this Sunday of an experienced former AFL playerand another home ground appearance, it is safe to say the Demons will have even more reason to feel good about themselves.

The inclusion of former AFLhard nut, Mitch Robinson has created plenty of excitement,according to Boolarra playing-coach, Brendan Mason.

“With Mitch Robinson joining the boys in a Sunday standalone game against (Morwell) East in week three, spirits are high at Demonland at this early stage of the year,” he said.

As impressive as Boolarra has been, it is safe to say their opponents this week in Morwell East still seem alittle short of the level most expected of them.

That said, you get the feeling it could turn at any time, and there would be no better time than this weekend's standalone clash.

“Always ahard game against Boolarra and this Anzac Day Sunday clash will be huge. Looking forward to it," Hawks coach, Paul Henry said.

As big as it is for the clubs, it also looms (if the weather is kind), as aperfect time to lure abig crowd to what is destined to be avery even contest.

Boolarra going three and zero would be beyond most expectations, but so too would Morwell East being stuck on justthe single win from the first three rounds.

HILL ENDV MDU



HILL End nearly stole their first win in manya month when they fell agonisingly close to predicted finals contender Morwell East in the round before Easter.

The Hillmen wereokay in Round 1againstMirboo North, and showed they were capable of mixing it with some of the best seven days later.

Hill End, at home thisSaturday, now looks agood chance of breaking through againsta new-look Meeniyan Dumbalk United.

“We are getting fitter, but to be honest we are still not there yet, week one to week two was an improvement, but Istill believethat if we work hard and get even more match fitness we can be more competitive for longerperiods,whichthis week against MDU is sure to be important," coach Adrian Burns said.

Make no mistake, MDU is asideonthe rise, and although disappointing in their season opener against Newborough, the Demonsquickly showed improvementtoaccount for Thorpdale before the Easter break.

MDU coach RhettKelly saidhis sidewould be looking to take the points back down the hill.

“Looking forward to HillEnd this weekwho had asolid game against Morwell East," he said.

"We will once again have afew changes due to a few injuries in Round 2. Ihope that we can back our efforts up and prove to each other that we are on the right track aftertwo completely different performances to start the year off.”

MDU have the talent,but consistency fromtalent is key to the Demons fortunes this year.

Trent McCrae, Jarvis Lacy, Shaye Wals, and Jason Kennedy were some of the best against the Blues, and they, along with ahandful of teammates, will need to continue to perform most weeks.

MIRBOO NORTH VTARWIN



THE most unfortunate thing about the Easter break, which no doubt has been enjoyed by most, is that after losing you have to wait an extra week to get back on the bike, and that is where we find ourselves with these two sides in Round 3.

Mirboo Northwill entertain thoughts of awin at home against Tarwin.

“We welcome Tarwin for our first home game. We are both 1-1 so it’ll be ahugelyimportant matchfor our seasons and no doubta hot contest. Can’t wait to getbackinto it!” Mirboo North Coach, Damien Turner said.

The Tigers have assembled some good talent and prepared them with ademanding preseason, but now need to turn that into premiership points. New Sharkscoach,LachieJonessaidhis side would be out to redeem their last effort.

“We were out-worked in Round 2byStony Creek, but now we face Mirboo North awayafter the Easter break and Ihope we respond,” he said.

The Sharks simply must respond. Jones has led the way so far,and along with Fergus Warren, ex-Gippsland League star Jordan Staely,Ben Chalmers, and Ben Allen, Tarwin appears to have

the makings of astrong side for the future.

 STONY CREEK VYINNAR

THIS clash is asuper-important one for the home ground Lions. Their Round 2win against Tarwin was agood one, but now they face one of the competition benchmarks.

What better wayfor the Lions to test themselves against one of the best in front of their own supporter base.

Stony Creek Coach, Troy Shepardsonsaidthe group welcomed the challenge.

“Comingoff thebye andhaving ourfirst home game of theyear, we get the in-form team of the comp in Yinnar, will be agreat challenge for our boys,one we are very much looking forward to!”

He said.

Embracing the challenge is key for the Lions, and while doing so, identifying what players lift to the occasion.

Yinnar demands that their opposition play their best to stay with them, and if they don't, it will be amost uncomfortable afternoon for Stony Creek.

Magpiescoach,Sam McCullochhowever saidthe side wasn't taking anything for granted.

“Plenty to work on going into the Easter break. Looking forward to ournextchallengewith another tough away game over at Stony Creek," he said.

Yinnar are only just starting to warmup, and thereisnoneed to be playing your best footy at this time of the year. However, winning is crucially important, so expect the Magpies to lift to alevel that the match demands.

 THORPDALE VFOSTER

THORPDALE,ashonestasthey are and as aggressive as they can be, fellshort in Round 2, and anew challengeawaits that is every bit as demanding when they host an impressive Foster outfit.

The Blues will need more of their best from the likes of Jacob Patullo, Heath Ferguson, Shaun Falla, Travis Patten, and James De Virgillio, just to nameafew, but it will takesupport from another dozen to really take it up to Tigers.

Blues coach,DanielTaylorsaidthe side was under no illusions.

“Round2 was disappointing as we couldn'tget the game on our terms all day," he said.

"We got beaten on the inside and comprehensively beaten on the outside by afit and fast MDU side in hot conditions. We justcouldn't go with them on the spread, we couldn't get any pressure on the ball carrier which meant their forwards became a real handful.

"Looking forward to our first home game of the year against Foster, it's another big game."

Equally, Foster Coach, Sam Daviessaidthe Tigers weren't jumping to any conclusions.

“We look forward to going up to Thorpdale and seeing how we go. They’verecruited well -sothey’ll test us big time,” he said.

'Tac' Taylor has shown he is capable of gettinghis sides up for clashes just like this one in the past, and he will need to, as this Foster team appears to be the real deal.

 TOORAV FISH CREEK

TOORA will go from the heat of Yinnar to the fire of Fish Creek either side of the break.

The Magpies might be at home, but the task of taking on the reigning premierisastoughasit is likely to get.

Mindyou,Toorawerereasonably happy with some of their efforts against last year's runner-up, Yinnar before Easter.

“We played some really good football in the first quarterwhere our pressure was up and our ability to move the ball was on point," Toora Coach, Jay Acardi said.

"This week it’saanother massive task coming up against Fish Creek, who will be looking to bounce back from their Round 1defeat, but we will be ready for the challenge."

The Kangaroos may have wonthe ultimate prize two years in arow, but in anew year, like Toora, they were beaten by Yinnar in the opening round. FishCreek comesinto thismatch fresh offa two-week break, which may prove decisive.

"It will be two weeks off for us after aRound 2 bye, so afew weeks off to regroup and iron out afew deficiencies... looking forward to taking on Toora, always aphysical contest and never easy at their ground," Kangaroos coach, Jarrod Walker said.

“There were some positives with afew first gamers (in Round 1). Some polish and game style proved too strong in the end so credit to Yinnar.

"We took alot out of our first game so looking to put some of our learnings into practice."

Stranger things have happened, but they say you only everlose if youdon't learn, so if Toora can walk from the ground having giving their all and taken some lessons along the way, there is no doubt they will be abetter side for it.

 NEWBOROUGHHAS THE BYE.

Gather round for festival of women’sfootball

FOOTBALL

AFLGippsland,Latrobe HealthServices, and Female Football Gippsland invite the community to the highly anticipated Latrobe Health Services Gippsland Gather RoundFemale Festival of Footy. This landmark event will celebrate female participation in Australian Rules Football, showcasing the talent and passion of youth girls and women from across the Gippsland region.

The day-longfestivaloffootball will feature a series of exciting matches played acrosstwo ovals, providing aplatform for players of all ages to shine.

The event promises to be afantastic day out for families and football enthusiasts.

"This partnershipwith Latrobe Health Services is afantastic boost for female football in Gippsland," AFL GippslandRegion Manager, Tim Cotter said "The Latrobe HealthServicesGippsland Gather RoundFemaleFestival of Footy promises to be a wonderful celebration of the talent and growing participation of women and girls in our region. We'rethrilled to be working alongside Latrobe Health Services and FemaleFootball Gippsland to deliver what will be amemorable day at the Yinnar Recreation Reserve."

Latrobe Health Services Chief Executive,Ian Whitehead said the company was proud to support the initiative.

"Partnering with AFL Gippsland to host the Gippsland Gather Round is anatural extension of our values- it's about supporting equity and accessibility,and promoting healthylifestyles," he said.

"We are proud to be part of an event that not only celebrates the strength, skill, and camaraderie of female footballers in Gippsland, but also inspires the next generation to embracetheir potential both on and off the field."

Female Football Gippsland President, Graeme Smithwelcomedthe partnership.

"We are incredibly excited to welcome Latrobe Health Services as the naming rights sponsor for the Latrobe Health Services Gippsland Gather Round Female Festival of Footy," he said.

"Their commitment to community healthand wellbeing aligns perfectly with our vision of promoting active participation and inclusivity in sport.

"This partnership will playa crucial role in ensuring the success of this event and fostering the growth of female football in our region."

In addition to the action on field, the event will provide an opportunity to get afree Shane Warne Legacy Health Check, provided by Latrobe Health Services in their role as the Legacy’s founding partner. No booking is required.

Key heart health indicators checked during the screening include blood pressure, heart rate, body composition and diabetes risk, which are used to provide an estimated heart age.

Coronary heart disease remains the dominant cause of death among Australians, with worse outcomes experienced in regional and rural areas.

The Gippsland Gather Round Female Festival of FootywilltakeplaceSunday, May 25 at Yinnar Recreation Reservefrom 9am

Partnership: Latrobe Valley will host its ownversion of Gather Round, when the Female Festival of FootycomestoYinnar next month. Welcoming the news areDrouinfootballersIndie Hayesand Alexis Walsh, along with Latrobe Health Services Chief Executive, IanWhitehead, Milee Hayes (Morwell Eagles), Female Football Gippslandcommitteemember,AmandaJohnstone,Demi Radford(Morwell Eagles), and AFL GippslandRegion Manager,Tim Cotter Photograph supplied

Yellowand black: MirbooNorth playsits firsthome game forthe season this weekend, taking on Tarwin. Jacob Blairpictured Photograph: Annie Holland

Action returns to the courts

By LIAM DURKIN

NETBALL action resumes following the Easter break across Gippsland this weekend.

Games are spread out from Friday to Sunday, accommodating acouple of marquee matches.

Gippsland League clubs Morwell and Traralgon play on Anzac Day this Friday, as do Traralgon Tyers United and Rosedale in the North Gippsland Football-Netball League.

On Sunday, Mid Gippsland clubs Boolarra and Morwell East clash on 'Mitch Robinson Day', when the Demons' senior football team welcomes the former AFL player for aone-off game.

Round 3inMid Gippsland looks fairly predictive, with stronger teams wanting to bank wins in the early part of the season.

MirbooNorth should account for Tarwin, and the same can be said for Yinnar over Stony Creek,

Foster against Thorpdale, Fish Creek opposed to Toora, and reigning premier Meeniyan Dumbalk United, who couldbeinfor abig percentage booster over returning AGrade side,Hill End. (Newborough has the bye).

Morwell East will also look to spoil the Demons' party.

 THE feature North Gippsland clash between TTU and Rosedale has the makings of agreat contest.

Bombers coach Rachael Shaw has recruited old Moe teammate Maleah Travers this season, and will be hoping the inclusion tops the list off nicely.

Heyfield will be expected to dispose of Yallourn Yallourn North withrelativeease, as willreigning premier Sale City over Cowwarr.

Glengarry versus Churchillposses interest, given both sides are coming off abreakfor different reasons -the Cougars due to abye, the Magpies due to no gamelastweek against Yarram who is

not fielding an AGrade side this season.

Woodsideand Gormandale have the bye.

 MORWELL should be confident heading to Traralgon.

The Tigers beat awell-credentialed Drouin in Round 1, and were ahead against likely top three side Warragul for large parts last round.

The Maroons might not be favoured to win, but appear to be strategically putting things in place to increase their chancesincoming years. Traralgon hasintentionally appointednon-playing coaches across the grades this season to further educate young players.

The match at Ted Summerton Reserve between Moe and Maffra could get ugly for the visitors on Saturday.

TheLions,with virtually all their premiership team still playing, are playing asidethat has won one game in two years.

Draw your own conclusion there.

GOOD FRIDAY NETBALL NORTH GIPPSLAND

AGRADE: No game

BGRADE: Glengarry48def Yarram 36

CGRADE: Glengarry39def Yarram 29

DGRADE: Glengarry33def Yarram 14

17 and UNDER: Glengarry55def Yarram 6 15 and UNDER: Glengarry85def Yarram 1

*NB: Yarram andGlengarry playeda standalone game. Round 2isnow complete.

Elsewhere,

have no trouble accounting for Sale on theroad, while Bairnsdale will fancy their chancesagainst Leongatha at home.

Lifelong Blue celebrates game number 350

NETBALL

NORTH GIPPSLAND

ROSEDALE Football-Netball Club stalwart Bec Tilley reached anothermilestone, playingsenior game number 350.

Tilley brought up the major mark for the Blues against Woodside in Round 2ofthe North Gippsland Football-Netball League just before Easter.

Making the game even more special, her daughter, Jada played alongside her.

Tilley has been aplayer, senior coach,and committee member for Rosedale FNC, giving outstandingservice on and off court over more than twodecades.

Major highlightshavebeen premierships in 2004, 2016 and 2022,togowith the playersplayer award in 2023.

Aconsistent performer,Tilley has also been runner-up best-and-fairest three times, and been amentor to junior players as coach of the 15 and Underand 17 andUnder teams.

Your day: BecTilleywithteammates on her350thgame.PicturedisAlicia Foley, Phoebe Dowsett, Ash Roberts-Courtney, Jess Callahan, Sara Trotman, BriBroughton, Rhonda Foley(coach), (front) Mak Tharle, Bec Tilley, Jada Tilley, and SarahBickley.

Rosedale FNC posted aheartfeltvideo tribute to Tilley for the occasion, featuring congratulatory messages from friends, family and club mates.

"Loved being here all my life from juniors as a10-year-old all the way to now," Tilley posted in response.

"Thanks to everyone for making my journey suchanenjoyable one, wouldn’t want to

In action: Bec Tilleyduring her 350th game Photographs: Fiona Nicholson

NETBALL

Wonthaggi will get agood early indication of where they sit when they host Drouin. Warragul should

Go mum: Bec Tilley withchildren Jada,Peyton, and Xavier

Contest: Marlie Murphy in actionfor GlengarryinRound 2ofNorth Gippsland netball. Photographs: Liam Durkin

Vision: Glengarry’sAmy Husson sizesupher options in thegame against Yarram on Good Friday.

TTU return to foldafter extended break

FOOTBALL

NORTH GIPPSLAND

BY TOM HAYES

FOLLOWING asplit round overthe Easter weekend, many teams will enter Round 3action much more refreshed than usual in North Gippsland.

Most recently, Yarram hosted Glengarry on Good Friday (April 18) granting both sides eight-day breaks, meaning every other team will be coming off a14-day break.

Meanwhilefor Traralgon Tyers United-who had the Round 2bye -itwill be the Bombers’ first game in three weeks.

On one hand they will be well rested, but on the other, will they be behind the eight ball?

 WE will find out soon whether a 21-day break has done wonders for TTU, or hindered them in some way, when they host Rosedale in anight game at Tyers Recreational Reserve on Anzac Day (starting at 6.20pm).

The Bombers’ last game was aRound 1Grand Final rematch at Woodside, agame the visitor's won in afinal quarter comeback.

Plenty of positives camefromthat encounter, the main one being that TTU has already knocked off last year’s premier.

The Bombers were resilient in defence late into the game when Woodside had all the momentum, doing just enough to preventscores going through the big sticks.

It would be hard to assume Rosedale would be able to stretchTTU justasmuchasWoodsidedid, but the Blues have shown signs of improvement.

Rosedalewould havebeendisappointedwith their Round 1draw against Glengarry, although the Magpies are also expected to make up some ground in 2025. Nevertheless, they would have been proud of the final quarter comeback against Glengarry that claimed them two points.

The Blues also put up aheck of afight against Woodside at home in Round 2, however the Wildcats were able to hold onto the lead to deny Rosedale.

Considering TTU will be playing their first home game of the season, in frontofa decent crowd, they will be hard to beat.

If TTUwant to returntothe top,they simply can’t afford to lose games to Rosedale.

Also, when was the last time Rosedale played a night game? It’s amuch bigger adjustment when players aren’t used to it.

 ALL eyes will cast on Heyfield and Yallourn Yallourn North this Saturday (April 26).

In what is certainly the match of the round, both sideswilltake to Gordon Street Reserve to claim what will be an important win.

Widely tipped to be the two sides that will challenge Woodside and TTU for the flag, awin here could be aticket to early favouritism.

Both sides are coming off 14-day breaks, and it is fair to say YYN had the least struggles.

For their first game of the season, YYNwelcomed Gormandale to George Bates Reserve, sending them home on the back of a235-point hiding.

AnumberofJets displayed their early season form, with Jai Massese leading all comers with 50 disposals, while Dlyan Bath racked up 43 touches, new recruit Tyler Brown had 35, and Riley Byrne 32.Not to mention, coach Dean Macdonald kicked 11 goals.

As for Heyfield, they were faced with an eliminationfinalrematch against Sale City, once again getting the job done against the Bulldogs, who’s bark matched their bite alittle more.

New Roos recruit Darren Sheen played his first game, kicking four goals, proving he will be one for YYN to watch.

The Kangaroos only got the job done in the last quarter against the Bulldogs however, prompting aslowstart could repeat itselfagainstthe Jets this weekend.

If it does, YYN will surely be there to pounce like they did in Round 2, which saw them kick21goals in the first half. Of course, they aren’t expected to record the same multitude of goals this weekend, as much as they might like to.

Onlysomuch can be said two weeks into the season,but both teams willenter Round 3undefeated, so that only adds alittle more spice.

YYNmay be fresher coming into this one, and that mightjustgivethem the edge.

 ALTERNATIVELY, between Cowwarr and Sale City, one of the two will get their first win on the board at Cowwarr Recreational Reserve.

The home side has shown they can put ascore on the board, but oppositely, have alsoshownthey can give away cheap runs of momentum.

The Saints lost by three goals to Yarram in Round 1, while scoring 13.9(87). Then in Round2,the Saints recorded 11.17(83) but went down by 60 points against Churchill.

What might they be able to do if they can swing momentum in their direction and stoptheir opposition from scoring as much?

On the other hand, Sale City was unlucky not to claim four points in their Round 1match against Gormandale, after Tigers player Nick Millington

required an ambulance for aspinalinjury, bringing the match to an abrupt end before halftime. The Bulldogs were ahead by 47 points at the time.

Then in Round 2against Heyfield, Sale City led all game until the final quarter, which maybe gives them aclear point of difference to focus on for the future.

Will eithersideget the jump on the other? Many wouldexpect Sale City to run away early as they havedone so far, but Cowwarr counteracts that fact with their ability to annoy opponents on the scoreboard throughout the first half.

Will Sale City be able to run agame out confidently? That is yet to be known, but you would back them based on the small amount we’ve seen this season to get the chocolates this time around.

The game between Yarram and Glengarry in the second week of the split Round 2was living proof that the sides at the bottom of the league aren’t so far off those vying for afinals spot.

Of course, thiswon’tbethe case every week. Yet, it does make every game much more important for those outside the top five.

 WOODSIDE versus Yarram may be much closer than people expect.

The reigning premier simply can’t be put in the same classification as their Demon counterparts, but if the start of the season has shown us anything, it’s that there may be less walkover results.

Yarram remain undefeated after their soft start to the season against two 2024 bottom three sides in Cowwarr and Glengarry, but they didn’t get those eight points without afight.

Despite the respective18and 38-point wins,both Cowwarr and Glengarry gave Yarrama runfor their money.

What must be highlighted is that Yarramclosed out both games strongly,and will want to put that to useagainst Woodside.

The Wildcats come into the match with a1-1 win-loss record. What might be apoint of concern is that Woodside weren’t able to break away from Rosedaleuntil theverylastquarter last round, and that was only six goals to three in the final half.

When it came to the Woodside/TTU hit-out, the game came in waves, and the Bombers just happened to ride it in the final quarter, as both sides kicked five goals in the second half.

Will Woodside be able to break the shackles of Yarram, or will Yarram be able to drag the game onto their terms, like their opponents have tried to do?

 ONCE again, Glengarry put in ashift against ateam expected to finish far above them in

Milestones reached in North Gippsland

2025, as they enter an enticing fixture against Churchill.

The Magpies were perhaps lucky to walk away with twopoints after Rosedale came storming home in Round 1, while they stuck with Yarram for the majority of the Good Friday game, leading at quarter time, eventually going down by over six goals.

The clearimprovement setsupaninteresting fixture against Churchill, who’s list isn’t as starstudded as previous years.

The Cougars lookalittle harder to judge than initially thought. They suffered aheavy Round 1loss to Heyfield,but then bounced backwith a10-goalwin over Cowwarr,a teamthat was suggested to be fighting for their position. It must be known that Churchill did have the servicesofThomas‘Prime Train’ Baulch (six goals) in the win overthe Saints,but their youngsters have risen to the occasion so far this season.

And Cowwarr’s score of 11.17 (83) showed that it is possible to score in decent quantities against the Cougars, especially whenkey forward Keenan Hughes could’ve had aday out, scoring 3.10. Churchill seem to have more of abasethat has begun to build since their last flag, while Glengarry are just in the second or third season of that process. Thisone againcould be close,but Churchillmay just have the edge

 GORMANDALE hasthe bye.

Encouragement to stay hydrated

GIPPSLAND Water is encouraging active kids to stay hydrated, with new Drink Gippy Tap activeprize packs available for local sports clubs. Each pack includes adrawstring backpack, acolourful stainless steel drink bottle, and sticker sheet for decorating the bottles. Gippsland Water Managing Director, SarahCumming said the packs were a way to reward young athletes and make hydration fun.

“Theseprize packs will be presented to kids at junior sports clubs for achievements like personal bests, contributing to agreat team environment or best on ground,” she said.

“The initiative is part of our Drink Gippy Tap campaign, which we launched last year to promote the benefits of drinking tap water.

FOOTBALL

NORTH GIPPSLAND

NORTH Gippsland footballers Ryan Foat, Daniel Missen, and Adam Mitchell celebrated significant milestones last round.

Foat became the first player to reach 300 games for Woodside District, bringing up the milestone in Round 2against Rosedale.

Fittingly,hewas abletocelebrate awin alongside best mate, Daniel Missen, who was playing game number 250. The pair have been loyal servants to the Wildcats, leading the team through good times and bad.

Rosedale had amilestone of its own, with Adam 'Barney' Mitchell playing game number 250. Mitchell has played for the Blues for the best part of two decades, winning aplethora of awards.

He is atwo-time best-and-fairest winner, and given backoff thefield, servingonthe committee,notably as senior vice president.

“It’s aimedatencouraging healthy habits and guiding peopletowardstap wateras theirdrink of choice, instead of sugary alternatives.

“It’ sa ls ob etter for your wall et and the environment, with refillable bottles removing the need for single-use plastic alternatives.

“Kids can have fun decorating acolourful water bottle with fun, themed stickers, while learning about where their watercomes from, making heathy choices and reducing plastic waste.”

The Drink Gippy Tap active prize pack stickers and drink bottles are dishwasher safe.

Sports clubs can visit: gippswater.com.au/ activeprizepacks to find out more and apply for Drink Gippy Tap active prize packs.

Hardearned thirst: Adam Michell is chaired offthe ground by NickO’Connorand Jeremy Reid following his 250th game

Well done mate: Rosedalemilestone man Adam ‘Barney’ Mitchell with dad, Greg and brother, Ben. Photographs:FionaNicholson

Traralgon, Morwell under lights

FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

GIPPSLAND League competition resumes this weekend following the Easter break.

Round 3action will be split across two days, withTraralgon andMorwell playingastandalone featurefor AnzacDay.

Most teams are set to benefit from greater player availability, as Gippsland Power has no games for thenexttwo weeks.

GOT anyone who can play on Hourigan?

Latrobe Valley rivals Traralgon and Morwell meet at Terry Hunter Oval for the first of two marquee bouts.

Ahealthy crowd is expected for the Friday night fixture, which will see rucks go at it from 6.45pm. The Tigers come to Traralgon with two wins from as many starts, and will see this game as ahuge opportunity to take an early season scalp against the reigning premier.

Historically, ladder position counts for little whenever these two teams clash.

In their nine encounters since 2021, six have been decided by less than 20 points, with adraw the most recent result (match of the century don’t forget).

The Maroons however hold asignificant head-tohead advantage 6-2-0, so the challenge for Morwell will be to go from being competitive to successful. As legendary NFL coach, Bill Parcells rightly said: “you are what your record says you are.”

The only real outlying result in recent years has beenTraralgon’s68pointbelting of Morwell under lights in 2023, when the Tigersdecided it would be agood idea to leave Jackson McMahon unchecked on the wing.

Tristen Waack and Nathan Noblett didn’t play for Morwell that night, nor will they this Friday. Waackisnow with Traralgon and Noblett injured, which could leave the visitors short afew centimetres in key positions.

That being said, the Tigers arguably hold the ascendencyasfar as midfield gruntgoes, so the likesofAnthonyRosato could be used to help ensure the ball either avoids or bypasses the edge of opposing 50swhere Maroons skipper, interceptor, playmaker and all round good guy Tye Hourigan generally sits.

The question of just who or how Morwell plays Hourigan looms as the deciding factor.

Hourigan was sent forward in the last quarter against Moe in Round2,and ended up kicking three goals to see his sidesnatch asix point victory Despite whatunfolded, therewas amoment early in the first quarter that couldprovide Morwell playing-coach Boyd Bailey with his own Douglas Jardine moment.

Jardine was the English Test cricket captain at the centre of the Bodyline series, who devised the tactic purely to curb the influence of Bradman.

“I’ve got him …he’s yellow,” Jardine said as he watched filmofBradman flinching upon facing chin music at The Oval in 1930.

Hourigan might not have flinched, but he did fumble ajuggled mark three-minutes into the first quarter against Moe as Lions full forward Ben Crockerbreatheddownhis neck, leading the latter to have ashot on goal.

 MAFFRA makes the journey to Moe.

The young Eagles face another good challengeon their journey,inwhathas inadvertently turned into amatch against two potentially like-minded sides.

While the Lions hold finals aspirations and Maffra is slowly but surely taking steps to return to September, the Gippsland Power situation means therewill be plenty of youth featured in bothteams Moe hassix Gippsland Power players, most of whom are expected to come into the starting 22. Yinnar’s LukeCheffers, whohas joined the

Lions this season, couldmakehis seniordebut, while Liam Masters and Jordan Shields are likely inclusions.

It is looming as the proverbial good problem to havefor Moe, who suddenly have aplethoraof senior quality players to choose from.

As any well-to-do football punditknows however, names on apiece of paper can be worth little. The team still has to play well and still has to respect the opposition presented.

Maffra has certainly earnt respect post-dynasty for its patience and long-termvision, whichis mirroring Richmond of the AFL in many ways.

The Eagles snuck aRound 1win over Sale, and then showedencouraging signs against a Wonthaggi team who has tasted defeat just thrice in its last 13 games.

The contrast in coaching styles also presents an interesting case study in this game, with Maffra under the tutelage of Anthony Robbins, and Moe with new boss Leigh Poholke calling the shots.

As an educator by trade, Robbins speaks to his players in the same way ateacher would students, while Poholke’s employer-to-employee direction fits the more mature list.

Both clubs have used their networkswell this season; Moe on the recruiting front, and Maffra in development.

Former Brisbane Lions player and Maffra local Ben Robbins (cousin of the coach), is now Dr Ben Robbins registered psychologist. He is currently Essendon’s Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing, and has been available to help Maffra players on the side.

One thing about Maffra is they just have names: Gieschen, Butcher, Pleming, Burgiel, etc.

As an aside, Robbins was among the best players for Brisbane in the QAFL premiership of 2001, along with Sale’s Dylan McLaren and Shane Morrison- sonofcurrentSale senior assistant and reserves coach, Peter.

Ahealthy crowd is expected at Ted Summerton Reserve, whichshould swelldue to byes for Newborough and Gormandale in theMid Gippsland and North Gippsland leagues respectively.

The two clubs have had players filter in and out for Moe over the years.

Byeshave come at averygood time for Moe, who should also have Riley Baldi availablefor the match against Leongatha next week, owing to Casey not having agameinthe VFL.

Helping the Lions’ cause even further will be the fact Port Melbourne is scheduled to play that day, meaning they should miss Dyson Heppell.

 ELIMINATION final in April?

That is essentially the reality for Sale.

The Magpies host Warragul, and simply need to win to get their season off and running.

While there is still plenty of time left, Sale runs the riskoffalling along waybehind if resultsaren’t to their liking over the next few weeks.

Following Warragul, the Magpies play Drouin in foreignconditions at Trafalgar, and will then go in as underdogs against Wonthaggi and Moe.

Sale are tipped to win the next two, but should they drop points in either and carry awin-loss of 1-5 with athird of the season completed, 2025 could very quickly turn into achasing tail affair.

Compounding the mass unavailability issues (reportedly up to 20 last game) for Sale, their best player and star midfielder ShannenLange was also injured last round.

When youare going through hell -keep going, don’t stop.

Awin at Sale Oval this weekend will likely carry plenty of emotion for the home side, notjustin morale and relief, but with some reassurance for Jack Johnstone and the coaching staff that things can turn around.

However, after making the GrandFinal in 2022, and bombing outinconsecutiveelimination finals

since, the more lingering question eatingaway at Johnstone could surround whether or not Sale’s group has maxed out and missed whatever premiership window might have been open.

 WONTHAGGI welcomes Drouin.

The Power should have little trouble accounting for the Hawks,asWeek 3oftheirtour commences.

Signshave been pleasing for Wonthaggi across the board thisseason,withthe Power fielding afull complement of football grades (seniors to fourths) for the first time since 2021.

Local players will be treatedtoaWonthaggi Recreation Reserve in superb condition this Saturday, withthe venue hostingaVFL match

betweenBox Hill and PortMelbournethe following day.

 LEONGATHA will trek to Bairnsdale.

The Parrots should continue their unbeaten start to the season, although in full knowledgepoints taken at Bairnsdale City Oval seldom come easy. DysonHeppell played the opening game against Traralgon, and needs three more to qualify for finals.

TheParrotshowever are still not sure just when theformer Essendon captain will be available.

“I don’t know whether we will get four games out of him, Ihonestly don’t,” Leongatha Coach, Trent McMicking told The Weekly Times.

FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

THE GippslandLeague is seeking an experienced and motivated individual to lead the Under 18 representative football team in the 2025 Gippsland Interleague Carnival.

This is acoaching opportunity to work with the league’s most talented junior footballers and to play akey role in their development on the representative stage.

The head coach willberesponsible for the overall preparation, leadership, and performance of the Gippsland League U18 team, ensuring a high standard of professionalism, development, and representation of the league.

The role will also involve assembling acapable support team, overseeing player selection, and delivering an engaging and effective training program in the lead-up to the carnival.

Key responsibilities include program development, squad management, training coordination and team leadership.

The head coach is also expected to liaise with league officials, maintaining regular contact with the Gippsland League Operations Manager regarding logistics, communications, and administrative requirements.

It is also expected the head coach will represent the team and the league in media, promotional, andpublic-facing opportunities. Promotethe values and culture of the Gippsland League while building excitement around the

interleague program by fostering apositive, inclusive, and competitive environment that encourages participation and brings out the best in the region’s top junior players.

 KEYREQUIREMENTS

 Minimum Level 1AFL Coaching Accreditation (Level 2preferred);

 Current Working with Children Check (mandatory);

 Proven experience coaching junior or senior Australian Rules Football at club or representative level;

 Strong knowledge of the Gippsland football landscape, including clubs, players, and local development pathways;

 Ability to commit to weekly evening or weekend training sessions in the lead-up to the interleague carnival;

 Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills, with the ability to inspire young athletes; and,

 Capacity to build asupport team and manage program logistics effectively.

 APPLICATION PROCESS

TO apply or requestfurther information, email,BrandonMilburnat: operations@ gippslandleague.com.au.

TheGippsland Interleague Carnival will be heldWednesday, July 15 at Morwell Recreation Reserve.

Represent: Applicationstocoach theGippsland LeagueUnder 18satthe annual interleague carnival arenow open. Photograph supplied

Action from around the grounds

Contest: Glengarryand Yarram players do battleonGood Friday. Photograph: Liam Durkin

Reward foreffort: Thetime-honoured tradition of post-game beerswill always remain in local footy.

Photograph: Liam Durkin

Turnout: Yarram welcomedanother great crowdfor theGood Fridayclash. Spectatorscan get up close and personal to theaction at Yarram, as thereisnofence alongthe clubroom boundary. Some people even set up apicnic rug.

Photograph: Liam Durkin

Calm beforethe storm: Glengarryplayers line up forthe nationalanthem on Good Friday.

Photograph: Liam Durkin

Option: Glengarry’sLukeHealyscans thefield againstYarram. Photograph: Liam Durkin

Direction: NewMoe coach, LeighPoholkehas wasted no time laying down thelaw

Photograph: JulieSim

Rock lobster: Traralgon’s Hugh Dunbar gets his handball away as Moe’s Lachlan Rock puts in a desperateeffort. Photograph: JulieSim

Poise: Rosedale’s BlakeSafstrom lookstodish one offagainstGlengarryinRound 1. The match endedinadraw.

Photograph: FionaNicholson

Saturday, April26

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

6.00 Rage Charts. (PG) 7.00 Wknd Brekky 9.00 Rage.(PG) 12.00 News. 12.30 In The Room. (Ml, R) 1.30 Darby AndJoan. (Final, PGad,R) 2.15 ExtraordinaryEscapes.(PG, R) 3.00 Megafauna: What Killed Australia’s Giants? (Final, R) 3.50 ALifeInTen Pictures. (PGa, R) 4.45 CreativeTypesWithVirginia Trioli. (PGl,R) 5.15 Landline. (R) 5.40 Australian Story.(R)

6.10 Father Brown. (Mv) Flambeau finds his estranged father at St Mary’s.

6.55 FederalElec tion Announcement (R) An election announcement

7.00 ABCNews. Alook at the top stories of the day

7.30 Vera (Return, Ma) The sudden prospectofpromotion confronts Vera with alife-affectingchange.

9.05 Midsomer Murders. (Mv,R) Barnaby and DS Nelson investigateafter aforestranger’s bodyisdiscovered in a mysterious black pod near an RAFbase and theUFO spotters infesting the area are convinced aliensare responsible

10.35 Unforgotten. (Final, Ml, R) Jess andSunny get the truth.

11.20 BoatStor y. (Final,MA15+v,R)

The final face off with The Tailor ensues

12.15 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) Continuous music programming.

6am MorningPrograms. 8.00 DD India News

Hour 9.00 GreatIrish Interiors. (R) 10.00

Hugh’s Wild West. (R) 11.05 Lap Of Luxury: Escapes Down Under.(PGaw,R) 12.00

BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Heroines. 3.00 Running. MarathonDeParis. Highlights. 4.00 Going Places. (R) 4.30 Elvis And The USS Arizona. (PGa, R) 5.30 Kirby At War.

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.30 MOVIE: TheNew Boy. (2023,Mav,R)

When an Aboriginal childarrives at aremote monastery,his presence disturbs the location’s delicately balanced world. Cate Blanchett, AswanReid, Deborah Mailman. 9.35 StanleyTucci: Searching For Italy: Milan. (PGa, R) Stanley Tucci heads to Milan, Italy’ssecond-biggest city anda business powerhouse. 10.25 Great Coastal Railway Journeys: Farne Islands To Berwick-UponTweed. (PG, R) Hosted by Michael Portillo 11.25 Homicide:LifeOnThe Street. (Ma,R)Giardelloattends aretirementparty 3.50 Bamay. (R) 4.50 Poh& Co.Bitesize. (R) 5.15 France24Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight

6.00 NBCToday 7.00 WeekendSunrise 10.00 TheMorning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. Saturday at the Valley, Charity RaceDay and SA Oaks &Sangster Day 5.00 SevenNewsAt5 5.30 Border Security:Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 TheAmericas:The Gulf Coast. (PG) Takesa lookatthe Gulf Coast.

8.00 MOVIE: Evan Almighty (2007, G, R) Anewly elected US senator’s life is thrown into chaos after God appears and orders him to build an ark. SteveCarell, Morgan Freeman, Lauren Graham

10.00 MOVIE: No Hard Feeling s. (2023,MA15+lns) An aimless 30-something woman is paid by the parents of an awkward teen to date their son and bring him out of his shell. Jennifer Lawrence, Andrew Barth Feldman.

12.15 TheBlack Donnellys. (Mdsv)Jenny discovers the truth about her father 1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R) 2.00 Home Shopping (R) 4.00 It’s Academic (R) 5.00 HouseOfWellness. (PG, R)

(9, 8)

6.00 Getaway.(PG,R) 6.30 ACA. (R) 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 Today Extra:Saturday (PG) 12.00 Destination WA.(R) 12.30 Drive TV:Launch Pad. (Premiere) 1.00 Innovation Nation. 1.15 Surfing Australia TV.(R) 1.45 The PetRescuers.(PG, R) 2.15 YoungSheldon

6.00 9News Saturday. 7.00 ACurrent Affair.

7.30 MOVIE: Midway (2019,Mlw,R) Followsthe Battle of Midway, aclash between the American fleetand the Imperial Japanese Navy.Woody Harrelson, PatrickWilson.

10.10 MOVIE: TheMan With The Iron Hear t. (2017,MA15+asv, R) Twoassassins target aNazi officer JasonClarke, RosamundPike.

12.20 Young Sheldon. (PGadlsv, R)

12.45 Australia’s TopTen Of Ever ything. (PGads,R)

1.45 Innovation Nation. (R)

2.00 TheIncredible 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)

(10, 5)

6.30 TheDog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith. 7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. Paul and Michellehaveoutgrown theirhome 8.30 Gog gleboxAustralia. (R) Adiverse rangeofpeople open their living rooms to reveal their reactions to popular and topical TV shows, with the help of special, locked-off cameras which capture every unpredictablemoment 9.30 Ambulance Australia. (Maln, R) Acrash results in abroken leg, but paramedics fear the patient may also have spinal cordinjuries. 10.30 Elsbeth. (Mv, R) An employee at ajewellery store is found dead. 11.30 FBI. (Mv,R) 12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power 6am WorldWatch.

7TWO (72, 62)

NITV (34) 6am Home Shopping 8.30 Travel Oz. 9.30 Better Homes And Gardens. 11.00 Harry’sPractice 11.30 GetOn Extra Noon Impossible Builds.

6am Morning Programs. 2.15pm Nula. 2.45 Something Of The Times. 3.30 Where The DreamingsCome From. 3.40 The FirstInventors. 4.30 Tradition On APlate 5.00 Shepherdess. 5.30 The Barber 6.00 TheLast Land: Gespe’gewa’gi. 6.30 News. 6.40 TheOther Side 7.30 AloneAustralia. 8.30 MOVIE: Event Horizon. (1997, MA15+) 10.15 Rebel Country 11.35 Late Programs.

10.00 TheMovie Show 12.05pm RawComedy 2024 1.50 Beyond OakIsland. 3.30 News. 3.35 WorldWatch. 5.35 Over The Black Dot. 6.05 Our Law 6.40 Impossible Engineering. 8.30 Chernobyl: ABomb ThatKeeps Ticking. 9.30 Big FatQuiz Of Everything. 11.10 Sugar Babies. 12.05am PEN15 1.15 The Public Image Is Rotten 3.10 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.

6am Above Us The Waves. Continued. (1955,PG) 6.55 The Lunchbox. (2013,PG, Hindi) 8.55 Whina. (2022, PG,Maori) 11.00 Decision To Leave. (2022, M, Chinese) 1.35pm The Bridge On TheRiver Kwai. (1957,PG) 4.35 Basmati Blues. (2017, PG) 6.35 Leap Year.(2010,PG) 8.30 The Quick AndThe Dead. (1995,MA15+) 10.30 Original Sin. (2001, MA15+) 12.40am Silverado.(1985,M) 3.05 Late Programs.

9GEM (92, 81)

(1950,PG) 4.20 MOVIE: The DamBusters. (1955) 7.00 Rugby Union. Super Rugby Pacific.Round 11.ACT Brumbies vHurricanes. 9.30 SuperRugby Pacific Post-Match. 9.45 MOVIE: LawAbiding Citizen. (2009,MA15+) 11.55 Late Programs.

Morning Programs.

MOVIE:

School: TheWorst Years Of My

(2016, PG) 1.50 Motor Racing. FIA World Endurance C’ship.6Hours Of Imola. H’lights. 3.00 Hunting Hitler 4.00 Jeopardy! UK. 5.00 Young Sheldon. 5.30 MOVIE: Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London. (2004,PG) 7.30 MOVIE: The Hunger Games: Mocking jay –Part 1. (2014,M) 10.00 Late Programs.

Sunday, April 27

to hisfather.Matt Day. 11.25 TheStor yOfThe KellyGang. (R) 11.55 YouCan’t Ask That (Ma, R) 12.25 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.00 Ask The Doctor.(PG,R) 3.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 4.30 Insiders. (R)

8.30 Fresh Off TheBoat 9.10 Abbott Elementary. 9.55 Speechless. 10.15 Merlin. 11.00 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22)

6.30 SBS World News

7.30 Chernobyl:The Lost Tapes. (Ma, R) Exploresthe story of Chernobyl. 9.15 TheCrusaders: Fortresses Of Faith. (PG, R) Takesalook at Crusader fortresses builttocontrol aChristian territory in the the Middle East. 10.15 Mayhem:SecretLives Of Georgian Kings: George IV ThePar ty King. (PGav,R)Explores the 10-year reign of George IV 11.10 Rebel WithA Cause: Tiga Bayles. (PGa, R) Chronicles the life of Harold “Tiga”Bayles 12.10 TheBoysWho Said No 1.15 Hell On Ear th: WWII. (Mav,R) 4.10 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera News.

6.00 SevenNews 7.00 The1%Club (PGls) Hosted by Jim Jefferies. 8.10 7NEWS: TheFinal Showdown –Leaders’Debate. Thethird andfinal leaders’ debate between Prime MinisterAnthony Albanese and OppositionLeader Peter Dutton. 9.10 7NEWSSpotlight. 10.10 Menendez &Menudo: Boys Betrayed: Roy Tells All. (Premiere,MA15+av) Roy Rossellótalks about his experience in Menudo. 11.20 AutopsyUSA: Elizabeth Montgomer y. (Ma) 12.20 MOVIE: TheFlip Side. (2018,Mls,R) 2.30 Home Shopping. (R) 3.30

Travel Guides. (PGln) Ordinary Australians become travel critics.

60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing anduncovering the issuesaffectingall Australians. 9.10 To Be Advised. 10.10 FootyFurnace. (Mlv) Alook at thelatestround of the AFL 11.10 TheFirst48: DeathIn Desire (MA15+a) Acar is set on

Mission: Impossible –DeadReckoning. (2023, PGlv) Ethan Hunt and hisIMF teammust track downanew weapon that threatens all of humanity before it falls into thewronghands.Tom Cruise, HayleyAtwell, Ving Rhames. 10.30 FBI. (Mav,R)The FBI stages asting operationtosecure abomb from an illegal arms dealer 11.30 TheSundayProject (R) Joins panellists for alookatthe day’s news, events and hot topics 12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Morning s. Morning news andtalkshow. 6am WorldWatch. 9.30 Small Business Secrets. 10.00 TheMovie Show Noon Figure Skating. ISU European C’ships H’lights 1.35 Pandemicland. 2.35 Jeopardy! 4.40 WorldWatch. 5.05 PBSWashingtonWeek 5.30 AbandonedEngineering 6.25 Great Australian Concerts: Tina Arena 7.30 The Day The Rock Star Died. 8.00 Cycling.UCI World Tour.Liege-BastogneLiege.Men’s

12.35pm Operation Mincemeat (2021, M) 2.55 Above Us The Waves. (1955,PG) 4.50 The Wild Duck. (1983,PG) 6.40 An Ideal Husband. (1999,PG) 8.30 Knight Of Cups. (2015,M) 10.40 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 11.00 Unleash The Beast. Noon Korraiyn. 12.30 AroundThe 44 1.35 Skate Or Cry 1.45 Lionel. 3.15 MOVIE: Angry Inuk. (2016,PG)

Earth III. 11.20 Ancient Aliens. 12.20pm MOVIE: Paper Planes. (2014) 2.15 Lost Gold Of World WarII. 3.15 Hunting Hitler. 4.15 Jeopardy!UK. 5.15 Young Sheldon. 5.45 MOVIE: Trolls World

Monday, April 28

ABC TV (2)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News

Mornings. 10.00 Vera.(Ma, R) 11.30 Creative Types With Virginia Trioli. (PGl, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Landline. (R) 2.00 Restoration Australia. (PG, R) 3.00 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games. (R) 3.30 Grand DesignsNew Zealand.(R) 4.15 Long Lost Family.(PG,R) 5.00 ABite To Eat With Alice. (PG) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

6.30 Claire Hooper ’s House Of Games

6.55 FederalElec tion Announcement. (R)

7.00 ABCNews.

7.30 7.30 8.00 Australian Stor y. Presented by LeighSales.

8.30 Four Corners. Investigative journalism program.

9.15 Media Watch. (PG) Presented by Linton Besser

9.35 Q+A. Presented by Patricia Karvelas. 10.35 ABC LateNews.

10.50 TheBusiness (R)

11.10 PlanetAmerica. (R) 11.40 TheWeekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG, R) 12.10 Grand DesignsNew Zealand.(R) 12.55 Long Lost Family.(PG,R) 1.40 Rage.(MA15+adhlnsv) 3.25 Parkinson In Australia.(PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

(3)

6am MorningPrograms. 12.10 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBSNews Weekend. 1.30 Al JazeeraNews Hour 2.00 Pompeii: The Secrets Of Civita Giuliana. (Ms, R) 3.00 Travel Shooters. (PG) 3.35 Plat Du Tour.(R) 3.40 The Cook Up.(R) 4.10 The World’sMost Beautiful Landscapes (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 LettersAnd Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News. 7.35 Prague With Michael Portillo: Prague 1. (Premiere) Michael Portillo enjoysalongweekend in Prague. 8.25 BettanyHughes: Treasures Of Turkey (PGas, R) Bettany Hughes explores the wondersofTurkeyincluding Cappadocia and Göbeklitepe. 9.20 Sri LankaWith Alexander Armstrong. (PGalv,R)Presenter AlexanderArmstrong exploresthe Indian Ocean island nation of Sri Lanka. 10.15 SBSWorld NewsLate. 10.45 Classified. (MA15+v) 11.30 Don’t LeaveMe. (MA15+a, R) 1.35 SonOf. (MA15+v,R) 3.10 Paul O’Grady’sLittleHeroes. (PG, R) 4.05 Barkley Manor.(R) 4.35 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World EnglishNews Morning 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight

5.20 Alone: Frozen. 6.10 Mysteries From Above 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.30 News. 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 UFOs:Investigating The Unknown.(Final) 9.25 Myths: The Greatest Mysteries Of Humanity.(Final)

6.00 Sunrise 9.00 TheMorning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 MOVIE: FunWith Dick And Jane (2005,Ml, R) Jim Carrey 3.00 Beat TheChasers UK 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChase Australia.

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Home And Away (PGa) Mali won’t accept help 7.30 FarmerWantsAWife. (PGa) Four farmers continue their search for love as the ladies arriveonthe farms. 9.05 9-1-1: Lone Star (Mav) Agang killingleads Carlos to new information on his father’s murder

10.05 TheAgenda Setters. (R)Anexpert panel tacklesthe biggestAFL topics. 11.05 Suits L.A (M) Tedand Stuart’sfriendship is tested. 12.05 Treadstone. (MA15+av) Bentley discovers the truth. 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBCToday. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

7TWO (72, 62)

6.00 Today 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: TakenIn Montana. (2023,Mv) Veronica Ramirez, Justin Berti 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 TheFloor. (Premiere, PGl) HostedbyRodger Corser

8.45 Footy Classified. (Ml) Ateam of footy experts tacklesthe AFL’s big issuesand controversies.

9.45 9News Late. 10.15 ThePrison Confessions Of Gypsy-Rose Blanchard: Secret Engagement. (MA15+av) Gypsyrecalls appearing in court.

11.15 Police Af ter Dark. (Mlv,R)

12.05 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.00 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 A Current Affair.(R) 5.00 TodayEarly News. 5.30 Today

9GEM (92,81)

3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Medical Emergency. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 EscapeToThe Country 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Doc Martin. 8.30 Shetland. 11.15 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs.

(73,64) 6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm Warren Williams: The Stories, The Songs. 2.00 Tradition On APlate 2.30 The Cook Up 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 Black As. 5.30 The77Percent. 6.00 Bamay 6.30 News. 6.40 Inside The Pack 7.30 Who Do YouThink You Are? 8.30

6.00 Deal Or No Deal Hosted by GrantDenyer. 6.30 TheProjec t. Alook at the day’snews. 7.30 MasterChef Australia. (Return) Abatch of 24 former contestants return to impress judges Andy Allen,Poh Ling Yeow,SofiaLevin and Jean-Christophe Novelli. 9.00 SamPang Tonight. (Mals) Aweekly tonight show hostedbySam Pang, featuring amonologue roasting the news of theweek. 10.00 Taskmaster Australia. (Mls, R) Hosted by TomGleeson. 11.10 10’s LateNews. Coverage of news, sportand weather 11.35 TheProject (R) Alook at the day’snews. 12.35 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colber t. (PG) 1.30 HomeShopping. (R) 4.30

(1965) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow 7.30 Death In Paradise. 8.40 The Madame Blanc Mysteries. 9.40 Grantchester 10.50 Late Programs.

9GO! (93, 82)

6am Children’s Programs. 6.25pm Octonauts: Above And Beyond 6.35 HeyDuggee. 6.40 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Dino Dex. 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 The Crystal Maze. 9.30 MythBusters “There’s Your Problem!” 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am MorningPrograms. 9.30 IDream Of Jeannie. 10.00 Seinfeld. 11.00 MotorwayCops: Catching Britain’s Speeders. Noon MOVIE: Music&Lyrics. (2007, PG) 2.00 The Golden Girls. 2.30 TheNanny 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 TheAddamsFamily 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 IDream Of Jeannie 6.00 The GoldenGirls. 6.30 TheNanny 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: The Suicide Squad. (2021, MA15+) 11.05 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 11.00 Border Security:Int. Noon Border Security 1.30 RidesDown Under: Workshop Wars. 2.30 Motor Racing. Night Thunder.Silver Cup.Highlights. 3.30 Duck Dynasty. 4.00 Mountain Men. 5.00 American Resto 5.30 Storage Wars 6.00 American Pickers. 7.00 The Agenda Setters. 8.00 Outback Opal Hunters. 9.00 Gem Hunters DownUnder 10.00 AppalachianOutlaws.

6am The Movie Show 6.30 The WildDuck. (1983, PG) 8.20 Leap Year.(2010,PG) 10.15 Real Genius. (1985,M) 12.15pm Silverado.(1985,M) 2.40 Helene. (2020, PG,Finnish) 4.55 Love And Friendship.(2016,PG) 6.35 Summerland. (2020, PG) 8.30 The Zookeeper’s Wife.(2017, M) 10.50 The Spy.(2019,M,Swedish) 12.55am BodyDouble. (1984,MA15+) 3.00 Late Programs.

FACTS about Regional Newspapers:

•“Thereiscontinued strongdemand(andpassion)for theprinted productinrural andregionalAustralia.”

•“Audiencesoverwhelmingly view aprinted copy of their newspaper as an essentialservice fortheir community.”

Tuesday, April 29

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 9.55 Australian Story.(R) 10.25 Vera.(Final, M, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.55 Call The Midwife. (PGa, R) 1.55 Restoration Australia. (R) 2.55 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games. (R) 3.25 Grand Designs New Zealand. (R) 4.05 Long Lost Family.(R) 4.50 ABite To Eat With Alice 5.15 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6am MorningPrograms. 10.15 Matched. (PG, R) 11.05 Europe’sWaterways. (PGaw) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Who Do You Think YouAre? (PGa, R) 3.00 The Weekly Football Wrap. (R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour.(R) 3.40 The Cook Up.(PG, R) 4.10 TheWorld’s Most Beautiful Landscapes. (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.30 ThePoint (R)The team is in Broome.

8.30 Insight. Kumi Taguchi explores the reasons Australians are less trusting than they havebeenbefore. 9.30 Dateline Takesa look at Taiwan’s unique dementiavillage

10.00 SBSWorld News Late.

10.30 Living Black. (R) 11.00 GreatCoastal Railway Journeys: Wareham. (R) 12.00 Guillaume’sParis (R) 12.30 Unbroken. (MA15+l, R) 2.10 Faking Hitler.(Ml,R) 4.00 Paul O’Grady’s Little Heroes. (PG, R) 5.00 NHKWorld English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight

34,894

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 Farmer WantsAWife. (R) 2.35 Sur veillanceOz. (PG,R) 3.00 BeatThe Chasers UK 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChase Australia. 6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning 12.00 TheFloor.(PGl, R) 1.15 My Way. (PG) 1.30

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home And Away (PGa) Alf ’s ticker is against theclock.

7.30 Farmer WantsAWife. (PGal) Hosted by Natalie Gruzlewski.

8.45 Doc (Ma) While at the hospital recovering, Amy can’t help but insert herself into her roommate’s case

9.45 TheAgenda Setters. (R)A team of trusted and respected footy voices tackles the biggesttopics in the AFL world. 10.45 TheIrrational. (Mav)Alec takespart in aprisoner exchange 11.45 AutopsyUSA:Bur t Reynolds. (Mad, R) 12.45 TheAct (MA15+ans, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBCToday 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News

7.00 ACurrent Affair 7.30 TheFloor (PG) Hosted by Rodger Corser. 8.45 100 DaysOfTrump. Jonathan Kearsley reports on the turbulent first100 days of Donald Trump’s secondterm in the White House. 9.45 Footy Classified. (Ml) Footy experts tackle the AFL’s big issues. 10.45 9News Late.

11.15 TheEqualizer. (MA15+av,R) 12.05 Tipping Point. (PG,R) 1.00 Fish Forever. (R)

TEN (10, 5)

Trafalgar& District Probus Club chronicles

TRAFALGAR &District Probus Club held its annualmeeting recently, and started the new year withafull committee and more than 100 members.

President forthe coming year is Tina Hambleton.

One of her first tasks was to induct two new members to the group -Vic Sabrinskas and Julie James.

This year's calendar includesmanyactivities for Vic and Julie to enjoy. The group offers walks, dine outs, garden visits, acraft group and coffee gatherings.

In February, 27 members boarded the train and had aday in the ‘Big Smoke’. Members spent the morning at the Metro Tunnel Headquarters in Swanson Street, where apresentation was heard about details of the new train network and the five new stations under construction. Lunch was enjoyed at the historic Young and Jackson’s Pub including aview of the infamous 'Chloe' painting. Last month, agroup ventured to Garden World, Keysborough and enjoyed abeautifulautumn day wandering around admiring the floral and garden displays. Some plants were purchasedbut members didn’t go overboard as space on the bus was limited. At the April meeting, guest speaker was local historian, Harry Ballis.

Harry took members through his journey of investigation and research over many years to uncover the history of one of Australia’s most decorated women,Joice NanKivell Loch. Joice was born in Queensland in 1887 to afarming family but when things took aturn for the worse, the family moved to rural Victoria. They successfully farmed at Mirboo, Tyers and Drouin.

Joice was home schooled but her governess Ms Rowand encouraged Joice to write. When she showed promise, Ms, Rowand then encouraged her to write to editors.

She was regularly published in the Melbourne Herald and went on to write book reviews for the masthead. This was the start of her successful journalist career.

It was writingthat led to her meetingfellow journalist and author, Londonborn, Sydney Loch They weremarried in 1919 in Carlton. Their marriage wasa happy partnership as they travelled intending to make aliving from their writing. Together, their writing drewattention to the plight of the refugees. They were also humanitarian workers who worked with refugees in Poland, Greece and Romania after World War 1and World War2.They offered their help to theQuakerRelief

Insight: Guestspeaker Harr yBallis told of the incrediblestory of JoiceNanKivell Loch, who had strong ties to the local area.

Photographs supplied

Services. When they settled in asmall village in Greece, Joice wanted to help the villagers. She purchased looms so that the women could work as rugweavers. The women used their skills to make Pyrgos rugs and this provided an income for their village.

The rug industry saved this small town from starvation and this unique Greek design became well-known worldwide.

Joice was Australia’s most decorated woman and one of Australia’s first female journalists. When she died in 1982, she had received medals for her work from six countries and had also been made amember of the Order of the British Empire for International Relations.

Probus welcomes people who would like to visit and find out more about the club.

The group meets on the first Thursday of the month at the Trafalgar Park Bowls Club (Ashby Street) at 10 am.

Welcome: NewTrafalgar District Probus Club members Vic Sabrinskas and JulieJames with president Tina Hambleton (middle).

Team: Trafalgar Probus Club committeemembersNikkiHaldane,Brian McGarrity, Gail Fiddelaers, Greg Lamb,Gabby Blandford, PetraShandley, GlendaMynard,EllyFallon, CarolBourke, Sharon Harrison, (front)Judith Campbell, Mary Vosper,Rose Bosse,Julie Phillips,Pam McGarrity and Barb Butterwor th.

Incorrect use of independent term

THE Collins Dictionary defines Independentas “free from control or influence of others”.

Yet candidate Deb Leonard in Monash, like her 20 other Tealcolleagues is entirelydependent on the following listed individuals, activistsand organisations.

(a) Simon Holmes aCourt. An irrational and obsessive multi-millionaire investor for the bulk of their multi-million-dollarfunding, typically around $700,000per electorate and potentially $15 million in total for the 2025 federal election, to buy seats in parliament.

(b)Climate 200,which was created by Holmes aCourt for policy and media advice.Itisessentially acollective of donors, investors, political operatives and media mentors, mostly composed of former ABC staff, retired politicians and climate philanthropists.

(c) Get Up, which is afaux ‘not for profit’ organisationwith operatingexpenses/profitsof typically over $10-12 million per annum, who specialise in elite voter grooming services and political persuasions. Their staff are mostly paid professionals supported by dozens of volunteers providing a‘five-star’ customer service experience to prospective voters.

The truth is the Teals are an unregistered political party, that because of their status avoid disclosure and reporting requirements of other political parties.

Despite what their candidate’s claim, Teals like Ms Leonardcannot lower the cost-of-living or build theWarragul Hospital, nor improve roads, andare powerless to reduce crime rates. The Teal wishlist is misleading as it falselyalludestolocal government and state government issues, where Teals simply don’t exist!

Ms Leonard's claim of being arepresentative community candidate is spurious nonsense.She is avirtualstrangertomostofthe electorate living in Newborough, Moe, Trafalgar, Yarragon, Warragul, Drouin, Longwarry, etc.

Clearly, the Teal candidates are not independent, as evidencedbythe aforementioned revelations and uniformity of all their candidates having exactly the same policies, same advisors, same funding, same donors, same volunteers, same paid Get Up staff, same media formats, same uniforms, etc. When voting, place the Teal last on your ballot paper.

Thomas Quinn Moe

Climatechaos

IT has become increasinglyevident thatone of the main causes of higher household insurance premiums, which had risen by 53 per cent from 2020 till the middle of 2024, has been due to the increasing number of devastating climate related catastrophes such as the 2019/20 east coast bushfires and the La Nina related floods since then. Not only in Australia,but from all over the world as our domestic insurers likeSuncorp are re-insured by companies likeMunichReand Lloyds of London. The California fires have added to this cost.

In viewofthis,itisextremely disappointingthat political parties One Nation and the Trumpet of Patriots and to alesser extent, Mr Dutton’s LNP havepolicies whichamount to thedenial of human caused climate change.

Building more coal-fired power stations, even if they are HELE types, will simply increase carbon emissions at atimewhenweshould be reducing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere.

Of particular interest to local OneNation representatives, in light of the Callide HELE power station unit, C4 in Queensland being offline for three years due to an explosion in 2021 and that recently the C3 unitexperiencedanother explosion that will keep it offline for some months. Reliability? Hardly.

Equally disappointing is theseparties'support for nuclear, which is just asneaky way of propping up increasingly unreliable, ageing coal-fired power stations for another decade or two after their planned retirement dates.

Based on the build times for nuclear power stations from countries that already have nuclear power, it will be at least the mid 2040s before Australia couldexpecttosee evenone nuclear plant operational. This would ensure that Australia emitted up to two billion tonnes of avoidable CO2 into the atmosphere in that time.

Amuch better solution is the AEMO Integrated System Plan (ISP) that would see 95 per cent renewable energy by 2035 for acost of $122 billion and backed up with the present capacity of gas fired electricity.

Immensely better for the climate, very little particulate pollution anddoes not require water

for cooling, leaving alot more precious H2O for farmers.

Insurance premiumswere amajor causeof keeping inflationhigher for longer. The policies of the LNP, and the far-right parties will just cause climatechaos to getworseatafaster rate and make the problem of home insurance more intractable than it already is and thus keep inflation higher for longer.

If they could only base their policies on science and proper accountinglikethe Greens do and to a lesser extent Labor, then we would have asound bipartisan approach that would ensure Australia was doingall it can to fight global heating.

It might be apt to remind readers that with just 0.31 per cent of Earth’spopulation,Australia puts out 1.1per cent of the world’s carbon emissions, without accounting for the three to four per cent of emissions that we export in the form of coal and natural gas.

If everyone could take amoment to consider the fates of their children and grandchildren, then one would be putting the LNP,One Nation and other right-wing fringe parties well to the bottom on their ballot papers this election.

Dan Caffrey Traralgon

Thirdworld Australia

VOTERS have ahugechallenge ahead of them with the federal election this year and astate election next year.

The Prime Minister claims that wind and solar are the "cheapest" formofenergy,yet, sincehis pre-election, claims of apromised cost reduction, given that he is a"manofhis word", prices have increased despite all the subsidies that his government has thrown at wind and solar.

Of course, everything is cheaper if you hand out subsidies everywhere.

What happens to the solar panels, wind turbine blades and storage batteries when they need to be replaced?

Australia doesn't have any recycling to cope with these solar panels, wind turbine blades and 'dirty nickel'batteries.Let's notforgetthat each wind turbine needs between 600 to 2000 tonnes of concrete for abase. Wherewillall that go?

In 1985, Ericsson Australia produced the first mobile phone, nicknamed 'The Brick' becauseit looked like abrick

Nowadays, the brick fits in your pocket thanks to advanced technology. The same applies to nuclear energy.Wenolonger build Chernobyls, thanks to advanced technologyand safety. Nuclear waste can even be recycled to add more energy to meet our needs.

Today, climatechange is reminiscent of the Millennium Bug back in 1999, when people were committingsuicide because they thought the world was going to end on December 31, 1999. One only has to look at childrenand their reaction when you mention climate change. We are not going to die, but we are going into debt instead, and that is abigger worry.

Tre asurer Jim Chal mers is crit ical of the previous government for leavingbehind ahuge debt, which he fails to acknowledge, was incurred during COVID and kept people in ajob and small businesses afloat.

Now he says the has given us abudget surplus, but says that down the track, we will be heading to $1 trillion in debt.

According to data, Australia has recorded the sharpest increase in public debt in the developed world. Gross debt as aproportion of GDP rose to 57.9 per cent last year. The Australian Financial Review says thatpay rises havebeen eaten up by ariseinconsumer prices, interest rates and income tax.

In 2016, former LaborPrime Minister,Bob Hawke claimed that "nuclear power is the salvation for aplanet ravaged by global warming". What a pity he is not here today to see his LaborParty turning Australia into athird-world country, aided and abetted by the Greens, Teals and Climate 200 Independents.

Brian Mawhinney

Traralgon

List goes on

LASTweek's five pagesofopinions, in the Express, contained discussion on multiple thought provoking issues.

And then we had Oliver Bergens, ('Learning and laughing', LVE Opinion, 16/04/25), where the subject was? Me! And the theme? Irony.

Not that "old cobber" Oliver would recognise irony if he fell over it.

He probably thinks it's what Mrs Bergens does with his shirts.

 Irony 1: Oliver, Ian Whitehead ('Here to help', LVE Opinion, 09/04/25) was taking the pee one double five, and you were the target. "Priceless" indeed!

 Irony 2: Oliver, who once said Iuse so many big words he needs adictionary, now quotes from the dictionary to help "those who don't have agood knowledge of the English language".

 Irony 3: Oliver, following the dubious lead of Joseph Lis, idiotically quotes "heroes", in avain effort to support his case. Ahero like Col Nathan RJessep, in the movie AFew Good Men, which I'm sure Iknowmore about than you do Oliver.

 Col Jessep, whose "truth" Oliver admires. Col Jessep, athoroughly unlikeable, narcissistic, bullying, right wing, windbag fruitcake, who just happens to be responsible for multiple capital crimes.

 Irony 4: Oliver who so loves the "truth", is always totally non-responsive when challenged on anything, (like Mr Lis). For example, what makes me an "extreme socialist", and "over the top", and why do you despise and disparage the homeless?

 Irony 5: Adenial by Oliver that I"live in his head, rent free" cuts no ice when he writes and protests about me, and only me, time after time after time.

So finally, one more challenge for you Oliver, to put your money where your mouth is, and write about something, anything, without once again obsessing over me.

Otherwise you againprovide more "empirical evidence" that if anything/anyone is "deluded", it's not the "live in your head" notion, and Col Jessep has asoulmate.

John Duck Trafalgar

Tardy

SORRYteacher, Imissedclass last week, but betweenJohnDuckand 'The Shadow', Oliver Bergens, Icould piece together the letter by Ian Whitehead ('Here to help', LVE Opinion, 09/04/25).

Thedescription of Mr Duck'seducation runs very parallel to most membersofthe Labor Party,so the left shoe fits.

But unlike our PM, Mr Duck has had afulltime jobteaching, whereas our illustriousPM, who has neverheld ajob, oh Iforgot he worked in abank forafew weeks (why was that?).

Mr Duck can do maths, unlike our treasuror, who has no financial training -ohyes he did an essay on Paul Keatingwhile he followed him around, but alas he learned nothing.

We are all entitled to our opinion on all matters that concern our way of living and the safety of our loved ones and neighbours.

I,like Oliver, gather my information from news media then investigate if the informationiscorrect, then form my opinion.

On anote to Patrick Ansell ('Be specific', LVE Opinion, 16/04/25) maybe the voice that Harriet Shingistalking to is that of Jacinta Allan down in the SRL tunnel -certainly not the people of Gippsland.

Iloved the last part of Oliver’s letter ('Leaning andlaughing', LVEOpinion, 16/04/25) picturing what used to be our Aussie lifestyle and his ocker language. May we see more of it after May 3.

Patricia Correa

Traralgon

Seek shade

LOCAL residents are luckytohave access to many great parks, playgrounds, and outdoor spaces.

But without ample shade, these places not only become hotspots but also high UV exposure zones.

More than 95 per cent of skin cancers in Australia are due to over-exposure to UV radiation.

The good news is good quality shade can reduce UV by 60 to 90 per cent.

Creating more natural and built shade is crucial to helping reduce skin cancer risk. Yet too often, UV protection is overlooked in local shade planning.

Recent research by SunSmart found that most local government areas(LGAs) include shade in their Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans, but only four LGAs out of 79 in Victoria specifically linked shade to UV protection.

With more than 3000 Victorians diagnosed with melanoma(the deadliest formofskincancer)in 2023 alone, local governments have an important role to play in preventing skin cancer by making UV protection apriority.

We urge local council to ensure UV protection is included in their new Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, or integrated council plan as aco-benefit of shade.

To support this, SunSmart has developed

tailoredrecommendations on how UV can be easily integrated into the council’s health and climate priorities.

Including UV in planning can make aworld of difference to your community.

Justine Osborne Can cer Counc il Victo ria SunS mart Advocacy and Policy Manager

Not viable

IDOnot claim to have all the answers to all the scientificevidence as it pertains to renewable energy.

Idohoweverunderstand that harvestingenergy from sources such as oil and coal is aclumsy and inefficient method of producing power.

Direct harvesting of energy produced by the sun in theform of solar andthe wind it creates, is afar more streamlined approach. Yes, the industry as awhole is still in its infancy.

However, climate change is areal and evidentiary damaging result of our reliance on fossil fuels. As Ihave previously stated, nuclear energy is not a viable alternative given the increased volatility and incidence of drought in this country, undoubtedly exacerbated by addiction to the fossil fuel industry. Renewable energy useisasensible and practical way forward. Whilstthe initial costmight be off putting to some, the staggering cost to our environment from fossil fuel reliance is overwhelming.

Karen Drake Morwell

Ponderosa pine

WOW, how wonderful the roses look in Morwell. It is acredittoall the volunteers who give their time to make them look so wonderful.

People can't help but be impressed.

The only disappointment Ihad was with the public toilets -whatadisgrace.

They really smelt, and need acoat of paint.

Janet Harris Morwell

Build that plant

LET us not kid ourselves, if Darren 'Fester' wins the seat of Gippsland, then all Gippslanders,whether owners of small businessand/or householders, will still have to keep paying astronomically-high and poverty-inducing power bills.

Darren Chester has turned ablind eye and deaf ear to us all and will allow the cost-of-living crisis to festerunaddressed for at least the next 10 years (until the nuclear power station at Loy Yang is built).

Joseph Lis

Morwell

THE Latrobe Valley Express welcomes letters to the editor.

Preferencewillbegiventobrief, concise letters which address local issues.

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

The Express does not publish letters from anonymous contributors.

Letters mustinclude aphone number, email address and the author's hometown for purposes of substantiating authenticity. Readers are entitled to aright of replytoa letter directed at them. While healthy debate is encouraged, the editor will stamp out any that cross the line to defamation.

The views expressed in letters to the editor are thoseofthe writers, and do notnecessarily reflect the views of Latrobe Valley Express management or staff. Readers should be equally aware that facts presented in letters are selected to support a person's point of view.

As such, statistics can quite often be fabricateddepending on the poolofdata 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.

Letter sr eg ardi ng reli gion will not be published.

Email letters to news@lvexpress.com.au and include 'Lettertothe Editor' in the subject line. Deadline for letters is Thursday 3pm.

Tugofwar victory

IN atrue test of willpower and teamwork, secondary students at St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School recently faced off in the annual House Tug of War competition.

With determination and grit, students strained their way through an exciting contest, recognising that victory wouldnot come from strength but from the power of working together.

In the end, it was Franklin House that clinched the title for 2025, emerging victoriously aftera fierce battle of endurance.

This much-anticipated annual event is part of theschool’s pastoral program and is delivered by educatorstopromotefriendship andteamwork among students via friendlycompetition between houses

Thehouse system at St Paul’s fosters wellbeing through agenuine sense of community, allowing every student to feel known, valued and celebrated fortheir individual growth, creativity and sporting achievements. Whether in the classroom or on the tug of war field, it’s all about pulling together as one.

Sacred Heart PrimarySchool Easter celebrations

EASTER celebrations at Sacred Heart Primary School, Morwell included an Easterbonnet parade hosted by both the senior and junior classes.

All children had an opportunity to create their own Easter bonnet at school for the parade.

Parents were invited to the school for the parade and thenhad an opportunityfor ashared morning tea while students prepared for the Stations of the Cross.

At Sacred Heart,itisatradition that Grade 5/6 students initiate delivery of the retelling of the story.Itisone of the richtasks they are assessed against.

At the conclusionofthe celebrations, the Easter raffle was drawn with many prizes on offer.

Also new to this year’s prizes was an Easter colouring competition hosted by the Sacred Heart Parents and Friends committee.

The committeehad the taskofchoosing a winner from each grade.

Green machines: Amaya, Mason,Charlie, Kallan and Thomas competing forPaterson House. Photographs supplied

Driveit400 yards: Ava, Hudson, Brodie,Lilly, Ashlynand Harr ydemonstratedetermination for GilmoreHouse

Crew: St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School students,Isla, Takunda,Murray, Logan, Tama and Har per enjoyingfriendlycompetitionfor

Freeway: Tyson and Alexworktogether for Monash House

Backs intoit: Jake,Michael, Teagan, Faith, Luke, Ari, Caleband Nand in an excitingcontest forLalor House

Strength: Isaiah, Zara, Grace, Charlotte and Taj unite theirendurancefor Franklin House

No problem: Houston and Aniketwiththeir Easter bonnets Photographs supplied

Extravagant: Blair brought plenty of coloursto the parade

TopMarks: Axel wona prizefor his colouring efforts.

Big smiles: Sienna enjoyedthe school’s Easter festivities

Joy: Sacred Heart Primar ySchool, Morwell students Shaniquaand Elijah.

Got the choccy’s: Sacred Hear tPrimar y School, Morwell student Charlie had aproductive Easter celebration, winning aprize. Great work: Prizewinner,Jaylen.

Business Guide

GIPPSLAND STEELCENTRE

GIPPSLAND Steel Centre has been in operation since 1999, providing customersacross the region with the largest rangeof steel, roofingand accessories

With 40 years’ valuable industry experience,Gippsland Steel Centrestaff areabletotailor their services to meet theneeds of customers. Countonthem to always be prompt, reliable, customer-oriented and to always provide superior products

Being family-owned, Gippsland Steel areproud of their ability to offerpersonalisedservices to customers, and will makesureto provide youwithanoption to suit

your needs.Whether you’dlike to pickupyour products or have them delivered to your site, they will gladlyaccommodateyou.

Gippsland Steel Centreisproud to be home to thelargest steel product inventoryinGippsland. Come to them fortop-quality materials and reliable delivery

services.Whether yourequire asmall piece of steel or alot of par ts fora project, youcan count on their professional, friendly team to getyour jobdone right.

Phone Gippsland Steel on 5135 6600, or come see the team in person at 527 Princes Drive, Morwell.

Rory-ing successfor Adele

WHENAdelewas completingYear6ataTraralgon primaryschool, she struggled with somethingmost people take for granted: saying her cat’s name.

“I couldn’t say ‘Rory’ properly,” Adele Cantwell, now aged 16, said.

“I’d always avoid saying his name out loud because Iwouldsay ‘W’ insteadof‘R.’ It was embarrassing.”

Apassingconversation with her school counsellor, Ben Tunks, changed everything.

Ben connected Adele to freespeechtherapy, funded through The Little Village Project. The result was life-changing.

Since then, Adele went on to win awriting competition and participated in aweek-long camp where she came up with ideas for organisations and presented them on stage.

“During the event, Iwas complimented on my public speaking skills and told Ihad great confidence speaking in front of an audience,” she said.

“The Little Village Project truly helped me by getting me the speech therapy Ineeded.

“Now, Ifeel confident standing on astage and speaking into amicrophone in front of people.”

Delivered by Kindred Spirits Enterprises, The Little Village Project is acommunity-driven initiative that works with local schools and families in the Latrobe Valley to fund tailored interventions for children, helping them overcome barriers and reach their full potential.

Ben, the founder and Project Lead, said the project was about more than just direct support.

“This is about creating aculture where supporting kids is everyone’s responsibility,” he said.

“We’re changing the system, and our business community has ahuge role to play.”

Already supported by key partners AGL Loy Yang and theLatrobeHealth Assembly,The Little Village Project is also proud to have media partnerships with TRFM and GOLD 1242, helping to spread the message and inspire community involvement.

AGL Loy YangGeneralManager,Christo van Niekerk said the company was proud to support the initiative.

"At AGL Loy Yang, we are committed to supporting the communitieswhere we live and work,” he said.

“We are proud to partne rw ith The Little Village Project to help local school children access the essential services and resources they need. Together, we can make ameaningful difference and create astronger, more connected community."

Latrobe Health AssemblyChair, Tanya Rong said “the Little Village Project is apowerful example of what’s possible when community, business, and care come together”.

“We’re proud to support an initiativethat breaks down barriers and gives every child the chance to thrive.”

Ben is now callingonmore businesses to join its growing village. Businesses can get involved through multi-year partnerships,one-offdonations, workplace giving programs,in-kind support, or by bringing new ideas for collaboration.

Currently operating in the Latrobe City Local Government Area, the project aims to expand into Baw Baw Shire, Wellington Shire, and South

Gippsland Shire, but reaching more children will only be possible with the support of business partners.

To help tell the story and bringthe project to life, aseries of videos are being shared across The Little Village Project and Kindred Spirits Enterprises’

social media channels and website.

For more informa tion about The Lit tle Village Project, or to learn how your business can get inv olv ed ,e mail Ben Tunk sa t ben@ thelit tlevi llageproje ct. org.au or visit kindredspirits.org.au.

Restoringconfidence in VCAA DiSS program helping to fill heathcareneeds

THE stategovernment’s Doctors in Secondary Schools (DiSS) programprovided healthcareto more than 24,000 high school students between 2017 and2023, according to arecent evaluation by the Department of Education.

The programensures all secondary school students have access to primary health care, regardless of their background or location.

Thedepartment’s latest evaluation, published in February, found that the program “is highly valued and continues to provide an effective avenue for reaching young peopleand providingpreventative health interventionsand primary care”

The evaluation also highlighted the program’s positiveimpact on health literacy and outcomes for young people, commending DiSS practitioners for “prioritising effective and comprehensive treatment over the volume of consultations”.

In Gippsland, the DiSSprogramhas servednine secondary schools, delivering 5951 GP appointments by the end of 2024.

Gippsland Primary Health Network Chief Executive, Amanda Proposch emphasised the program’s significant impact.

School tours taking place next month at St Paul’s

ST Paul’sAnglicanGrammar School invites families and the wider community to explore the world of education at this year’s Open Day on Saturday, May 10 between 10am and 2pm.

Tour the Traralgon campus facilities and connect with dedicated educators to gain insight into a quality independent education right here in the Latrobe Valley.

From Kinder to Year 12, discover more at 46 Cross’s Road.

Tours startfrom 10am, with the finaltour departing at 1pm.

To register your attendance, visit the St Paul’s website: stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Information session: St Paul’s student leaders Layla,Abi, Har per and Chloe welcomefamilies and the widercommunitytoattend the school’s openday Photograph supplied

“The Doctors in SecondarySchools program breaks down barriers to accessing care, ensuring students receive the help they need, when they need it," she said.

"With dedicated health professionals working alongsideschool staff,the program has become integral to school life, easing the pressure on working parents and local GP clinics.

“We’re grateful for the collaboration with the Victorian Department of Education to provide a servicethat positivelyimpactsthe lives of thousands of young people.”

In 2025, two vacancies are available at Warragul RegionalCollege and Maffra SecondaryCollege for general practices in Gippsland to deliver DiSS services to secondary schools.

General practices with acommunity and youthcentred focusare invited to express interest in joining the program.

The deadline for expressions of interest is 5pm, Saturday, May 31, 2025.

For quest ions or furt her sup port, ema il: diss@gphn.org.au

THE state government is overhauling the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority to provide full confidence to Victorian students, families and schools.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll has announced the government will accept all the recommendations of the first stage of the root-and-branch review into the VCAA conducted by Dr Yehudi Blacher, and will appoint anew chief executive and interim board to lead the VCAA.

Andrew Smithwill commence as VCAAchief executive from June 1,2025.

Mr Smithisthe current chiefexecutive of Education Services Australia,and has awealth of knowledge of the education sector, starting his career as ateacher and school leader in the Victorian government school system.

Stage 1ofDrYehudi Blacher’s report into the 2024 VCE examerrors determined the rootcauses of the unintentional disclosure of examination content.

The government has accepted all recommendations and is acting swiftly to deliver them.

In line with those recommendations, the government has reconstituted the VCAA board and instated an interim board thatwill oversee the VCAA for the rest of 2025.

The interim board includes Tony Bates, Act ing Se cre tary of th eD ep artm ent of

Education, Professor Elizabeth Labone,chief executive of the Victorian Catholic Education Authority, Rachel Holthouse,chief executive of Independent Schools Victoria and Jane Brockington, an independent memberwho is arisk and audit specialist.

Mr Smith and the interim board will oversee the implementation of the Blacher Review’s other recommendations, includingincreasing accountability and risk management for the exam development and publicationprocess end-to-end,and stopping the publication of cover pages.

This work will be suppor ted by the Independent Monitor Margaret Crawford, who was appointed late last year to oversee all aspects of the preparation of the 2025 exams.

The government is already taking steps to makethe necessary changes at the VCAA to implement seven of the recommendations for this year’s exam period.

The government will also work towards piloting the development of an examination repository for select subjects.

The second stage of Dr Blacher’s review is a comprehensive review of the VCAA’s structure, operations, culture and capability.

Stage 1ofthe Blacher Review is available at www.vic.gov.au/blacher-review-vcaa

Leader: TheLittle Village Project Founder, Ben Tunks Photographs supplied

Takesa village: AdeleCant well gained confidence in her speaking thanks to TheLittle Village Project.

Angus,

MORWELL. 19 Wilson St. Sat and Sun (26th and 27th) 9am -2pm. Bric-abrac, air compressor and accessories. Ford EL parts, tools, whipper snipper. ALL CHEAP!

Phone:

In person:

PLEASE NOTE:| thatadpayment is required prior to publication unless afullaccount is held with the Latrobe Valley Express.

HYUNDAI Elantra SL, 2005, man., for wrecking, new front panels and radiator $1200 or best offer. Slide on pop-top camper for 4WD, good cond., no leaks, $5000 or best offer. Ph. 0460 543 601.

Beautify

MORWELL. 20 Madden St. Sat 26 and Sun 27 April, 8am-2pm. Moving interstate and everything must go! Kids' toys, furniture, household goods and more. Bargains galore! come and grab adeal! No early callers, please.

T'GON, 17 Malibu Place. Sat. 7.30am -2.30pm. Last one before moving! Tools, garden furniture, plants, records (LP's, EP's +45's), CD's, lounge suite (grey), 2disp. cabinets, Bruce Lee magazines, recipe books, s/bed, book cases (white), h/hold items, kids toys and more! Aonce in alifetime sale!

DONE

The Moe RSL Sub-Branch Inc.

63-67 Albert Street Moe, PO Box83, Vic 3825 ABN: 51965 667 895. Inc. A0039367F

The Moe RSLSub-Branch wishes to notify the CommunityofMoe andsurrounds that therewillbe a road closureonAlbert Street Moe,between the roundabout at Moore Street and Albert Street and the roundabout at Kirk Street and Albert Street on 25th April 2025, between the hours of 5.30am-6.30am and 10.00am-1.00pm.

ADawnService will be held at the Cenotaph at the front of theSub-Branch building in Albert Street Moe at 6.00am,followed by aGunfirebreakfast within the Moe RSL, aGold Coin Donation would be appreciated to assist with Veteran Welfare.

The Main Service will be held at the Cenotaph, at the front of the MoeRSL Sub-Branch, starting with the March at 10.30am,followed by the Main Service and wreath laying ceremonyduring the Main Service. Service and Affiliate members, andinvited guests, arecordially invited to share refreshments after the Main Service. By order of the: Moe RSLSub-Branch Committee. Sue Hall, Secretary

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by the GippstownReserveCommittee of Management Inc. under the direction of the Department of Energy,Environment &Climate Action Reporting to the Park Manager,this permanent part-time, salary positionoffersflexibility and autonomy to work within ateamofStaffand Volunteers to maintain the grounds andbuildings of this uniqueasset

Selection criteriainclude:

Experience in areas such as carpentry, painting, glazing,flooring and general maintenance. Proven ability to develop and follow a maintenance schedule.

Supervisor or teamlead experience. OH&Sunderstanding.

Knowledge of heritage and conservation building requirements.

Experience in gardening andlandscaping.

In addition, you work well in ateamenvironment and can provideguidancetoa group of volunteers to carryout acomprehensive maintenance schedule whilst maintaining appropriate safety measures. Further information including the position description and selection criteria can beobtained from the secretaryat: secretary@oldgippstown.com.au.

Applicationsaddressing the selection criteriaand includingacover letter,resume and references should be sent by close of businessMonday, 5th May 2025 to: The SecretaryGippstownReserve Committee of Managementat: secretary@oldgippstown.com.au.

Limousin, Jersey, Hereford and Friesian, very quiet. 0447 331 762.

TRAFALGAR HIGH SCHOOL MAINTENANCE POSITION CASUAL

Our school community is seeking aself-motivated individual who can support us to ensure that the facilities are well kept and maintained to ensure a safe learning and working environment for the whole school community. This is acasual position. Preferred but not essential: Demonstrated knowledge, experience and skills in the area of maintenance, ability to work individually and as part of ateam. Commencing: Term 22025

For more information please contact: Brett Pedlow, Principal PH: 0438 781 618 or email brett.pedlow@education.vic.gov.au

Would you liketodeliver theLatrobe Valley Express newspaper to individual homes on Tuesdayand /or Wednesdayafternoons in Traralgon and Moe. Please apply to: The Circulation Manager 0456 000541 Please

TRAFALGAR HIGH SCHOOL

TUTOR POSITIONS

Trafalgar High School are seeking Undergraduate Education Students for tutoring roles in Maths and English, years 7-12. For more information please contact: Brett Pedlow, Principal PH: 0438781 618.

DELIVERERS WTD

Would you like to deliver the Latrobe Valley Express newspaper to individual homes on Tuesday and/or Wednesday afternoons in Morwell, Traralgon, Moe, Newborou gh and Churchill? Please apply to the Circulation Manager 0456 000 541. Please note: Children must be 11 years or over as we will need to apply for agovernment Child Emplo ym ent Pe rmit Children younger than 11 cannot or will not be accepted. Adult deliverers also welcome.

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&Tractors •

EVANS (Connolly) Dorothy Margaret (Dot)

10/3/1938 -10/4/2025

Aged 87 years

Passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the Latrobe Regional Health, Traralgon on 10 April 2025.

Dearly loved and admired mum to Carolyn and Debbie. Adored motherin-law to Shane and Darrin. Loving Nan to Jacinta and Jake, Toni and Karl. Our very own Nanny Dinosaur to Layla, Mia, Zara and Myla. Forever In Our Hearts.

JOHNSON Christopher Peter (Chris)

327514 -Australian Army Passed away peacefully surrounded by family on 13 April, 2025. Aged 60 years Adored husband of Erica.

Dearly loved father of Caley, Natalie and Travis. Loved father-in-law of Matt, Tom and Emily. Proud Poppy of Ari, Walker and Wes. Loved son of Bob (dec.) and Shirl.

RICKWOOD, Peter John 20/10/1960 -17/04/2025

Passed away unexpectedly.

Loved son of Barbara and Frederick (both dec.). Loved brother of Gary and Fiona,Leanne (dec.) Mandy and Fred.

Loving husband of Sue.

Proud father of Kerry and Scott, Joel, Jessica and Nathan, Aaron, Sarah and Lachlan

Adored Poppy to Liam, Millicent, Luca and Eli Forever in our hearts.

SPRINGER Graeme John 27/1/1944-15/4/2025

Late of Drouin, formerly of Relbia, Tasmania. Passed away after ashort illness at Mulgrave Private Hospital, aged 81, with family by his side. Loved husband of Gwenda. Father of Shane, Rodney and Olivia.

Respected father-in-law of Donna, Grace (Xia Ye) and Chris.

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• Aboriginal Engagement Of ficer -First 1000 Days - Part Time Temporary

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It’s easy, just call 5135 4455 and put an ad in the paper today!

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HAWTHORNE Ronald In life, Iloved you dearly, in death Ilove you still. In my heart, you hold a special place no one can ever fill. Iwill miss you, Yanga. Love always, Tina, Brett, Kyle and Cooper. 'GO BULLDOGS'

HAWTHORNE Ronald (Poppy)

There is no one as wise as you. There is no one as cheeky as you. You are like ashining star. You bring so much happiness in our life, Poppy. All the lessons that we has learned from you stay with us. Poppy, you are the best, letting us sneak banana lollies and biscuits that we shared together. Our love for you will never change. You will always have aspecial place in our hearts. Until we meet again. Love always, Ian, Anthony, Taryn, Sean and Georgia. 'GO BULLDOGS'

Adored brother and uncle. Close to our hearts you will always stay, Loved and remembered every day.

JOHNSON, Christopher 327514 ARA 5/7 RAR

The president, Committee and members of the Trafalgar/ Thorpdale RSL Sub-Branch are deeply saddened by the passing of their valued Committee member and ex-serving member, Chris. Deepest heartfelt sympathy to all of his family and friends. LEST WE FORGET.

KINDRED (Vanderlinde)

Carol-Anne. Passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on the 18th April 2025. Aged 57 years She fought arareand aggressive cancer bravely for 6short weeks.

Peter John, you were my rock and my grounding place.

Your heart was big and you always showed up to lend ahand. We had so many adventures together.

Iloved 'doing life' with you!

My heart breaks at your passing.

Always your SusanJane.

Dad/Poppy, Heartbroken.

We will ch er is h our memories, love and remember you always.

Kerry, Scott, Liam and Millie x Rickwood, PeterJohn. Loved brother/brother-in -law of Gary and Fiona, uncle of Emily. Words are few, thoughts are deep. Cherished memories we will always keep.

Loving brother/brother-inlaw of Mandyand Fred. Uncle to Terry, his family and Grant.

Dear Uncle Pete, Gone too soon, thinking of the family at this time. All our love, Michelle and Dan and families X

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

ANDERSON Neville George. Passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on 19 April, aged 83 and ahalf years. Loved and loving husband of Celie for 62 years. Much loved father and father-in-law of Carmel and Cameron, Annette and Robert, Neville and Louise, David (dec.) and Anita, Susan and Peter, Rachael and Paul and Paul and Tracey. Adored Grandad to all of his many grandchildren and great grandchildren. You taught us what matters most; love loud, laugh often, never giveupand always show up for family.

HAWTHORNE Ronald Dear Dad, as my tears fall, Iremember back to the times long ago when you would be the strength that my life was built upon. Iremember all the happiness you brought throughout the years. I cannot stop my tears. You were my protector, my advisor and my guide. My life could never be the same without you by my side. My hero and my best friend. Love you always, Michelle and Gary.

'GO BULLDOGS'

HILL Ian David 29/4/1941 -12/4/2025 Passed away suddenly at home. Dear loved husband to Ronis.

Loving Dad to Corey and David. Proud and loving Grandad to Charlotte, Alasdair, and the expected twins. Forever in our hearts

Dearly loved and loving wife of 29 years to Donald. Devoted mother to Steven, Chloe, Justin and Tayla, mother-in-law to Emily, Sean and Kai. Devoted Nan of 8grandchildren.

Devoted sister to Wayne and sister-in-law Leanne. Devoted Aunty to Brooke, Jai and Kara, Good friends Michelle, Greg and Maree. Reunited with Ray, Darryl, Oma, Pop and Nan. Loved byall until we meet again. For Funeral details please visit: www.nielsenfunerals.com.au

RODDA Maria Catharina. In loving memory of Maria. 27 September 1947 to 16 April 2025 Aged 77 years With heavy hearts and deep gratitude for alife beau tif ul ly live d, we announce the passing of our beloved Maria-wife, mot her, gra ndmot her, nurse, storyteller, traveller, dancer, and radiant soul.

Born in Holland and drawn to the world, Maria lived her life with warmth, humour, and grace.

Adored Pop of Stephanie and Nicholas, Fletcher and Zoe. Dad, it's time to finally put your feet up.

ANDERSON, Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Mr. Neville Anderson will be offered at St Michaels Catholic Church, Church Stre et Traral gon on TUESDAY(29 April 2025) at 12 noon. Rosary will be recited in the above church on Monday evening, (28 April 2025) at 7pm. At the conclusion of Mass, the Funeral will leave for the Traralgon Cemetery, Gippsland Memorial Park. Neville's funeral service will also livestreamed. To vie wt he livestr eam , please visit our website.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

BRYCE.

The Funeral Service to celebrate the life of Brian will take place at the Loch Memorial Reserve Hall, Loch-Poowong Rd, Loch on WEDNESDAY (23rd April 2025) commencing at 2pm. APrivate Cremation will follow.

ELSWYK (Dyt) Rita (Maria Anna). Passed away peacefully at Narracan Gardens, Newborough on 15 April, 2025. Aged 78 years

Dearly loved wife of Wim (dec.). Much loved mother of Jo-ann and Laurie, Barbie and Adam, and Naomi. Devoted Oma of Kirsten, Melissa and Mark, William, Bea, Sophia, Louis and Xavier. Reunited with Wim.

HODGSON Dorothy Jean Passed away peacefully at Margery Cole 15 April 2025. Aged 94 years Loved wife of Reg (dec.). Much loved mother and mother in law of Russell and Carol, Brian and Arlene, friend of Siubhan. Loved Nana of Zedanka, Riley, Sukie, Tess, Innika, Lucas, Tamara, Bobby and their partners.

She brought comfort as a nurse, joy as amother to Andrew, Christi ne, Josephine, and Daevyd, delight as agrandmother, and unwavering love as a partner to Bernard-her constant companion , fellow adventurer, and great love.

Maria danced through life with music in her heart, laughter on her lips, and kindness in her hands.

Whether sharing stories around the table, spinning through aplaza to the sound of Bernard's bagpipes, or simply sitting with someone in need, she made the world brighter wherever she went.

In recent months, Maria faced her final chapter with extraordinary courage, dignity, and the same deep love that defined her life.

Bernard never left her side.

She passed peacefully, surrounded by love

Viewing and Rosary: Saturday, 3May 2025 at 9am.

Latrobe Valley Funeral Services, Morwell Chapel 437A Princes Drive, Morwell VIC.

ELSWYK. Concelebrated Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Mrs Rita Elswyk will be offered at St Kieran's Catholic Church, Lloyd St, Moe, THURSDAY (24 April) at 2pm. The Mass will also be live-streamed. To view, please visit: www.nielsenfunerals.com.au

The Funeral will leave at the conclusion of Mass for the Moe Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of Rita may be made to the St Vincent de Paul Society. Envelopes will be available at the Church.

MARTIN

EVANS AService to celebrate the life of Dorothy 'Dot' Evans will be held at the Rose Chape l, Gipp sland Memorial Park, Cemetery Drive, Traralg on on WEDNESDAY (23rd April) at 1pm. The Service will also be live-streamed. To view Dot's Service please visit: www.nielsenfunerals.com.au The family invites you to wear atouch of blue and white in memory of Dot.

life of Marco will take place in the Eaglemont Room at Heidelberg Golf Club, 8 Main Rd, Lower Plenty on THURSDAY (24 April) commencing at 2pm. Privately Cremated.

The Funeral Service to celebrate the life of Ian will take place in the Rose Chapel, Gippsland Memorial Park Crematorium, Cemetery Drive Traralgon on MONDAY (28th April 2025) commencing at 2pm.

HODGSON

The funeral service for Dorothy Hodgson will be held at the Rose Chapel, Gippsland Memorial Park Crematorium, Cemetery Rd Traralgon MONDAY (28th of April 2025) commencing at 11am. This service will also be livestreamed: Visit John Gal brai th Funer als Fac ebo ok pag eo r Gippsland Memorial Park Website and click on link provided.

JOHNSON AService to celebrate the life of Chris Johnson will be held at the Nielsen Funeral Chapel, Korumburra Road, Warragul, on WEDNESDAY (23 April) at 10.30 am. All Ex-Service personnel and RSL members are respectfully invited to attend. The Service will also be live-streamed. To view Chris' Service please visit: www.nielsen funerals.com.au.

APrivate Family Burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of Chris may be made to Legacy. Envelopes will be available at the chapel.

RODDA.

Viewing and Rosary: Saturday 3May 2025 at 9am, Latrobe Valley Funeral Services, Morwell Chapel 437A Princes Drive, Morwell VIC. Funeral Mass: Saturday, 3May 2025 at 11am Sacred Heart Catholic Church 262 Commercial Road, Morwell VIC. Celebration of Maria's Life: Following the service, all are warmly invited to join the family at: Vine and View Vineyard 140 Burnets Road, Traralgon VIC to share stories, raise a glass, and honour her memory.

Dress Code: People are welcome to wear colours. Livestream: to view the livestream of Maria's service, visit the website below.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MORWELL 5134 4937 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

SPRINGER AService to celebrate the life of Mr Graeme John Springer, late of Drouin and formerly of Relbia TAS, will be held at the Nielsen Funeral Chapel, Korumburra Rd, Warragul on WEDNESDAY (30th April) at 2pm.

The Service will also be live-streamed. To view Graeme's Service please visit: www.nielsenfunerals.com.au

APrivate Cremation will follow.

Bereavement Thanks •

SIBLY William Richard Barb, Jane, Darren, Al and families wish to thank everyone who attended Dick's memorial service celebrating his life's journey. For home and hospital visits, cards, tributes, flowers, food and loving support, we extend our hear tfelt tha nks and appreciation.

When you lose someone close to you, it can be hardtoput your thoughts and feelings into words

BODEN Ron 14/12/1948 -25/4/2021 Wishing you were here. We miss your spray painted shoes and alittle sprinkle of sawdust at the front door. Lovingly remembered every day. Marj, Kellie, Lisa and family.

CARROLL (nee Brittingham) Norma. 19/5/1927 -23/4/2016. Mum, In loving memory. Deep in our hearts a memory is kept of one we love and will never forget. Love Kevin, Helen, Darren, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Apersonal message in the Latrobe Valley Express can sayso much

Forfriendly advice on how to place your message contact The Classified Department 5135 4455

GOODWIN, Michael Peter (Micka). 16/12/1985 -18/4/2020. Loved and remembered forever son of Peter and Diane Goodwin, brother to Daniel and father of Deaken. It has been 5long years since you lost your brave battle. Your courage, sense of humour and love of life. So sadly taken. Will always be remembered. RIP. our beloved son What

Whenyou lose someone closetoyou, it can be hardto put yourthoughtsand feelingsinto words

Apersonal message in the Latrobe ValleyExpress can say so much

Forfriendly advice on how to placeyourmessagecontact The Classified Department

Shipscelebrate season that was

CRICKET

WDCA

BY LIAM DURKIN

TRAFALGAR Cricket Club’s finalpoint

of call for season 2024/25 saw award winners acknowledged at the club’s presentation evening.

Presentation was heldinthe beer gardenofThe Irish Bar, Trafalgar, where players, sponsors and supporters gathered to toast the season.

Clubpresident,Daniel Heathcote thanked all for their efforts in fielding three seniorand three junior teams weekly,paying especial congratulations to the Third XI on winning the Warragul District Cricket Association premiership.

Premiership scorecards were presented to each member of the team.

Formal presentations were also made, recognising outstanding individual seasons.

The Ships had four league award winners, who topped respective aggregates in their competition.

They were: Aiden George (Division 1batting),Callum Walton (Division 3 batting), David Bremner (Division3 bowling) and Shane White (Division 5 bowling).

Walton also won champion player for the WDCA in Division 3.

The Englishman, who had come out to Australia on aholiday, needed an extra suitcase for the plane home, after winning the club’s champion player (George Browne Memorial) and second grade batting aggregateand average (568 runs at 47.33).

Bremmerhowever won the Second XI best-and-fairest for his 34 wickets at 11.38.

George, in his first season as First XI captain, led superbly, making 356 runs at 32.36 in Division 1towin the Alan Rankin Trophy and Richard Errington Medal as best-and-fairest.

Jackson Noonan, who joined the 200 games club this season, made it three bowling aggregatesinfour seasons, after taking 19 wickets in Division 1. Young gun Zak Larkinwas named rising star, while BrentonFaltum was an obvious choice for player of the

finalsafter going through the finals series without being dismissed. Faltum made 51 in the semi-final and 38 in the decider, and finishedthe season with an average of 216.

Club games record holder John Asmussen won the Third XI batting

aggregate with 308 runs, and new recruit White formed part of the eventual premiership-winning bowlingattack with 23 wickets at just 8.46. As leaders in the twodisciplines,itwas perhaps fittingthey shared the best-and-fairest.

Speaking of wickets, there was

(incredibly), two hat-tricks this season. Luke O’Neill proved there is no justice in cricket, taking ahat-trick in his first game for the season, alongwith Leo Connolly getting one in amidweek twenty20.

Noonan,Bremner and Darren Brown also took ‘five-fas’, while Walton was the lone century maker and TattsLotto winner.

The most important award however was saved tilllast, and saw Scott Moorhouse receive the Ray Burgess Perpetual Trophy for best club person.

The man known as ‘Moose’ has put in apower of work behind the scenes over the years, fulfilling just about every position and job imaginable.

Junior cricketers were presented their awards at aseparate presentation.

Trafalgarfieldedanunder 17sand two under 13 teams this season, with senior players Zack Brown, Mitch Claridge, Daniel Van Boven and English imports Walton and James Peart coaching the sides.

Under 17 award winners were: James Pace (batting and bowling), Ryley Gunn (most improved) and Brodie Gauci (coaches).

Under 13 award winners were: Reid Barnes (Traf Whites batting),Noah Ally (Traf Reds batting), Rowan Blake (Traf Whites bowling), Griffin Hoiles (Traf Reds bowling), LachlanVan Boven (best all rounder), Jondalar Keay (most improved)and ThanishParidi (coaches).

The Ships will now take stock over winter, as planning for next season gets underway.

Former Trafalgar player Nicole Faltum made half-centuries in both innings for Australia Aagainst England Ainan unofficial Test in Sydney on Saturday, April 12.

If your cricket club has held its presentation, feel free to send detailsand photos(with captions) to sport@lvexpress.com.au

Digging into thehistoryofWalhalla cricket

CRICKET

By MARK SMITH

MANY people when they think of Walhalla think of gold mining, historic buildings and the steep valleys that surround the town.

Many will knowofthe Walhalla Cricket Ground and the Walhalla Cricket Club that still functions to this day, having had asporadicexistence since 1870 as the first cricket club in the greaterLatrobe Valley area, and one of the first in Gippsland.

Those of amore sporty nature will know of the football league that once existed with up to five teams competing, made up of hardy miners and townsfolkwho were keen for afterhours activities outside of the mines and community and social connection in amost difficult to access town long before the railway came.

Cricket also had acompetition played on top of the hill at thefamous ground, for nineseasons between 1895 to 1911.

Teams came from the variousmineshifts and

community groups with names such as Landys Dream, Union, Wanderers, Youngs Men's Club, LongTunnel, Walhalla of course, and the most successfulofthem all, Maiden Town, who took out four of the nine premierships.

There was also numerous multi day trips to nearby locationssuch as Erica, Coopers Creek, Toongabbie, Cowwarr, Jordan, Woods Point, Donnellys Creek, Aberfeldy, Toombon, Moondarra, Matlock, Moe, Morwell, Sale, Trafalgar and Rosedale over those years with the miners keen for agame.

Keeping in mind that the railway did not come to town until 1910, those trips were aconsiderable undertaking by all involved.

During thoseyears there was cricketvisits to the town, not only by the famous Melbourne Cricket Clubwith Australian captain Warwick Armstrong's famepreceding him, but also Carlton, Fitzroy and Richmondcricketclubs alsoventuredtotown to play at the famous mountain top groundagainst the locals.

Melbourne Cricket Club made something of ahabitofthe trip, making the hike at least 15

times in those early years, and have played there afew times even in recent years playing agame of Twenty20 cricket. What the miners of yesteryear must think of such amatch with its bright lights and coloured tops one can only imagine.

Indeed, the Walhalla Cricket Club even had the opportunity to play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground itself in January 1908.

Weeklong tours of Gippsland to play cricket were ahighlight of acouple of seasons, going as far as Bairnsdale circa 1891.

More than 200 matches are recorded to have taken place at the famous ground during the height of Walhallas days from the first mention of cricket in 1867, and the founding of the club in 1870 through to the World War 1in1914, not only in the Walhalla Cricket Association, but the numerous other friendly games that took place between allsorts of combinations of locals wanting

some recreation. (Editor's note:prominent football commentator and Walhallaresident Brian Taylor plays an annual private gameatWalhalla). However, thesegamesdid not just take place at the famous Walhalla Cricket Ground, to which many alocal has ventured up the hill to visit on aday trip. There was also afar less well known ground at MaidenTown,asuburbifyou likeof Walhalla, that is to the east of the town. This Saturday (April 26), there will be an excursion to the site of that ground, leaving the Walhalla Musuem at 10am with all historians and cricket and Walhalla tragics welcome to come and join. Those wishingtocomealong are warned to dress appropriately as the ground is now completely overgrown,solong sleeve topsand pants and gloves are very much encouraged.

Damning report handed down

COMMONWEALTH GAMES

THE Select Committee investigating the cancellation of the CommonwealthGames handed downits finalreport, heavily criticising the state government for its incompetence and failures to undertake due diligence.

The blamewas placed on current Premier Jacinta Allanasthe architect,along with former Premier Daniel Andrews.

The reportsaidPremier JacintaAllan refused to cooperate with the Inquiry, avoiding parliamentary scrutiny and public accountability.

Nationals Member for EasternVictoria Region,MelinaBath, whoserved on the Committee, said the Commonwealth Games cancellation was one of the most botched government projects in the state’s history.

“The Commonwealth Games was aterrible hoax,” she said.

“The government’s business case to justify hosting this major sporting event was overwhelmingly under cooked and devoid of substance.

“From bid to cancellation, the Games’ organisation was chaotic and flawed.

“There wasnoconsultation with regional sporting organisations or local government, highlighting Labor’s arrogance.

“The fiasco cost Victorians awhopping$589 million but undoubtedly the economic impact and reputational damage is far greater.

“Regional Victoria communities bore the brunt after so much was promised but so littlewas delivered.

“There was no evidence that Labor investigated apared back or Melbourne based games –itsimply handedScotland$200millionto take the Games off Victoria."

The Latrobe Valley was set to host cricket (at Moe), rugby (Morwell), badminton (Traralgon), shooting (Morwell) and cycling.

The state government has said it will deliver legacy projectsand facility upgrades to Ted Summerton Reserve, Gippsland Regional Indoor SportsStadium and Latrobe City Stadium,that would have beenforthcoming for the Games.

Falcons 2000 Soccer Club, which plays at Latrobe City Stadium, is expected to be off their ground by next month, as work begins.

The Committee’s final report can be found via: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/cgi

Topnotch: Trafalgar CricketClub season 2024/25award winnersBrenton Faltum,David Bremner,Darren Brown, Callum Walton, Zak Larkin, ShaneWhite, (front) Jackson Noonan, John Asmussen and Aiden George Photograph supplied

Sale upsetRedsox on hometurf in opener

BASEBALL is back, and after the Gippsland championships, all in the Latrobe Valley Baseball Association were ready for athrilling and exciting baseball season ahead

Traralgon Redsox hosted the Mclean Cup for Round 1againstvisitingteam, SaleRangers on Sunday, April 13.

Latrobe Valley Baseball Association also had multiple baseball clubs playing in multiple grades, meaning more baseball. Churchill Braves are fielding two teams in CGrade this season.

 AGrade

SALE Rangers triumphed over Traralgon Redsox in aspirited 5-3 game.

Rangers' newcomer Takuya Takahashi starred on the mound, delivering 10 strikeouts while allowing three hits and three runs across seven innings.

Sale Rangers built an early lead thanksto Marco Palazzout's first-inning two-RBI singleand Takahashi's second-inning two-RBI hit, complemented by six walks drawn throughout the game.

Traralgon Redsoxshowcased aggressive baserunningwithfour stolen bases, but couldn't overcome the solid performance.

This game marked athrilling start to the season.

Despite an early lead,Churchill Bravesfell to Moe/Newborough Dodgers, 16-8, at Morwell.

KylerRinehart stood out with threehits and two stolen bases, while Daniel Taylor and Tim Bellerby contributed offensively.

ChurchillBraves started strong, building an 8-5 lead by the third inning, but Moe/Newborough Dodgers rallied with afive-run sixth inning.

Led by Benn Zomer’s four-hit performance, alongside big contributions from Nathan Simpson and JesseWilson, the Dodgers' 18-hiteffort proved too much for Churchill Braves to contain.

Atough loss for Churchill Braves,but agame packed with exciting plays.



BGrade

CHURCHILL Braves dominated Morwell Cougars with a14-1victory, powered by Rhys McKenzie's stellar pitching performance.

McKenzie struck out 10 batters, allowing just two hits and one run over five innings.

Churchill Braves built an early lead with timely hittingand aggressive baserunning, amassing nine stolen bases and drawing seven walks.

Tim Bellerby highlighted the offensive effort with an inside-the-parkhome run, driving in three runs, while Brad Jones led the team with three hits.

Morwell Cougars struggled against McKenzie's command, with Tristan White surrendering six runs over 2.2 innings.

MichaelAubrey contributed atwo-for-two performance for Morwell Cougars, driving in their lone run.

Back over at the Mclean Cup in Traralgon, Sale Rangers secured another upset a10-6victory in a well-fought matchup.

Traralgon Redsox started strong with early runs from John Kus and Brian Spiteri, but Sale Rangers responded quickly, tying the game in the second before pulling ahead in the third.

Lachlan Wrigglesworth and Sammy Garcia powered Sale Rangers’s offense, each driving in three runs, whileMarcoPalazzoutheldsteady on the mound,strikingout fivedespiteallowing six runs.

Traralgon Redsox showed discipline at the plate with seven walks, but couldn’t regain the lead.

CGrade

CHURCHILL Braves Gold was introduced in the first CGrade game of the season against Moe/ Newborough, arematch of the 2024 CGrade Grand Final.

Every inning felt like it too, coming down to the wire.

Churchill Braves Gold narrowlylost to Moe/ NewboroughDodgers in athrilling10-9matchup, decidedonthe final play.

Braves took an earlyleadwith contributions from Sam Gillettand Mat Howden, but the Dodgers surged ahead in the third with afive-run inning.

Renae Gillett helped bring the Braves back into contention in thefourth, butthe Dodgers sealed thewin with alate-game push. Churchill Braves

Gold showed patienceatthe plate with eight walks and strong baserunning with eight stolen bases, but the Dodgers’ 14-hit effort proved too much in the end in what was adramatic and competitive game.

Churchill Braves Green overwhelmedMorwell Cougars with acommanding 33-0 win, fueled by Andrew Moran’s explosive performance, including two home runs and five RBIs.

Churchill Braves Green racked up 30 hits, with Duane Whiteleading the charge with sixRBIs, while Jason Mickinnon and Brad Jones collected five hits each.

On the mound, Daniel McKinnon threw three shutout innings, strikingout four, with Jones closing outthe game with two scorelessinnings in relief. Morwell Cougars struggled to counter Churchill Braves Green's offensiveoutburst, managing only two hits.

Traralgon Redsox secured a14-6 victory over Sale Rangers, powered by Dennis Smith’s three-for-three performance at the plate. After an early 2-all tie, Traralgon Redsox surged ahead with aseven-run secondinning, withPatrick Brooks deliveringa key two-RBI double.

Abby Jeffs contributed three RBIs, while Brett Sharp controlledthe game from the mound, striking out four over 3.1 innings.

TraralgonRedsox showcased strong baserunning withseven stolen bases, keeping the pressure on SaleRangers,who managed seven walks but couldn’t close the gap. Asolid all-around

Near sweep for Traralgon swimmers at Australian Champs

SWIMMING

TRARALGONSwimming ClubMaster swimmers competed at the Australian Championships in Melbourne last week, with some outstanding results.

The 14 swimmers who competed won 11 gold, foursilverand two bronze medals, with 36-year-old Shane Asbury being the standout with four golds and breaking four Australian and one Victorian record.

The club’s relays in the 160-199 year age group were also in the medals, with four gold, one silver and one bronze.

Overall,the club finished 24th out of 110 clubs -another brilliant result considering some of the powerhouse Master clubs throughout the country. Club coach and mentorShannon Lorimer was excited by the results.

“Thisisthe first time the clubhas competedatanational level at Masters.

GOLF

CHURCHILL &MONASH

StrokeSaturday12th April 2025.

ScratchWinner: AJenkins 83

AGrade Winner: G. Sanders70Nett

BGrade Winner: W. McGrath 68 Nett

CGrade Winner: M. Hammer 69 Nett

DGrade Winner: R. Zomer 71 Nett

D.T.L: 1. T. Sterrick69, 2. P. Flanigan 69, 3. W. Sutton70, 4. P. Bolding 71, 5. G. Beyer71, 6. R. Timbs72, 7. M. Soppe 72, 8. B. Rowley72, 9. R. Noordam 72, 10.P McGann 72, 11.K.Westwood 72.

N.T.P: 3rdG.Beyer, 5th C. Carder,12th J.

Balding (propin), 14th M. Hammer

Birdies: 3rdG.Sanders, 5th C. Carder

Target Hole: M. Bianconi

ParTuesday15th April 2025. Winner: C. Barnes +2

D.T.L: 1. C. Stevens +2, 2. V. Reid +1

MIRBOONORTH

Tuesday15th April, Stableford.

AGrade: TBradshaw, (7) 32pts

BGrade: JMcFarlane (16) 41pts

DTL: JGunn, MRichter 33, CGunn, 32, R Thompson 31c/b

NTP: 4th TWhitelaw, 6th JMcFarlane,13th MPayne,16th DTaylor. Birdies,4th SWoodall, 16th,R Thompson, DTaylor.

Saturday19th April, 2Person Ambrose

Member &Guest, PDraper &RFleming

(4) 61 nett.

Member &Member,D Woodall &A Woodall

(8.5) 61.5 nett.

DTL: MPayne &T Donnison

62.5, B Bradshaw& TBradshaw64, MSnell &J Conlan 64, SBeitz &NCasboult 64.25, J Hughes &SMcInnes 65, SWoodall &N Bracecamp 65.5 c/b

NTP: 4th MPayne 6th SMcInnes,13th A Woodall, 16th SMcInnes

MORWELL

Women 16th April 2025 -Stableford

Winner: SPearson 36 c/b

To see ourswimmersperform on the big stage wassoimpressive, particularly therelays where the club has ahuge reputation in the swimming community as the 'relay' club," she said.

"I was so proudofeach and every swimmerand supportedall of their races.Weare afuture forcetobe reckoned with.”

If you interested in being part of the club’s mastersprogram,phoneShannon on 0400 808 936 or Brian Ford on (0419 584145).

Traralgon medallists

INDIVIDUAL: Shane Asbury (age 36)

-four gold; Maasa Hummell (41) -one gold, one silver;Will Pendergast (21) -one gold, one bronze; CourtneyFord (40) -one gold; Brenton Ford (38) -one silver; Caitie Mitchell (38) -one silver.

DTL: GClarke36, BScurlock36 NTP: 2nd STurner 11th JGriffiths 15th C Peter

MOE

Wednesday, 02 April 2025 Twilight Stableford

Winner: T. Johnson 20

Birdies: C. Weir (4th)

Friday,11April 2025 Ladies 1-2-3 day WinnersScore: 89 -Pat Thompson, Eve Mitchell, Gwen Young RunnersUpScore: 85 -Jan Blizzard, Carol Bariva, Venessa Reid

Ball Competition: Team Score

Chris O'Reilly, Sue Tulau, Janice -81

ShirleyTurner,GlendaClark,Amanda P. -80

C/B KarynSavige, Judy Lee,Lee Weaver -

C/B 80 Nearest the Pins: 4th -MargPurcel 8th -GwenYoung14th -Vanessa Reid

Sunday, 13 April 2025 OPEN Sunday9

hole Stableford

Grade AWinners: Ryan, Mark(14)16

Sunday, 13 April 2025 OPEN Sunday

Mixed Stableford

Grade AWinners: Houston, Neale (12) 41

Grade BWinners: Beames,Barry(24) 40

Place Getters: Edebohls,Jack38

Wednesday, 16 April 2025 WOMEN'S PAR

Grade AWinners: Savige,Karyn (23) 0

Grade BWinners: Beath, Joy0

Place Getters: Wallis,Elizabeth -1 C/B Weaver,Lee -1

Great Score: KarynSavige -Birdie @4

Nearest to Pin: 4th KarynSavige

8th Helen Stanlake 14th KarenShaw

Target Hole Prize: HelenStanlake

Thursday, 17 April 2025 OPEN Medley Stableford

Grade AWinners: Backman, Shane (6) 41

Grade BWinners: Garlick, Karl (10) 37 C/B

Grade CWinners: Dunstan, Craig (14) 40

Grade DWinners: Matheson, David (19) 39

PlaceGetters: King,Rob 40Agius-Walker, Finn 39 Ando,Mark38Brien, Graeme 37 C/B Weir,Charles 37 Veenman, Laurie

RELAYS: 160-199 years Mens 4x100 Free(Shane Asbury, WillPendergast, Andrew Somerville, Peter Wilson) -gold; 160-199years Mens 4x 100Medley (Brenton Ford, David Vercoe, Shane Asbury,AndrewSomerville) -gold; 160199 years Womens 4x 50 Free (Maasa Hummel, CaitieMitchell, Courtney Ford, Natasha Hughes) -gold; 160-199 years Womens 4x 50 Medley -(Maasa Hummel, CaitieMitchell, Courtney Ford, Natasha Hughes) -gold; 160-199 years Mixed 4x100 Medley (Natasha Hughes, David Vercoe, Brenton Ford, Lisa Maatsoo) –silver; 160-199 years Mixed 4x 50 Free(Shane Asbury, Courtney Ford, Andrew Somerville, Natasha Hughes) -bronze.

SCOREBOARD

37 C/B Meyer, Dirk37Dusterwald, Hardy

36 C/B Chapple,Peter 36 C/B Shearing, Andrew 36 C/B Grant, Peter36Collings

Dale 35 C/B Dyt, Ricky 35 C/B Backman, Phil 35 C/B Morrow,Darren 35 C/B Muirhead, Neil 35 C/B Scammell, Mark35 C/B Hodgson, Robert35

Friday,18April 2025 OPEN Mixed

Stableford

Grade AWinners: Bassman, Aaron34C/B

GradeB Winners: Stewart, Rose 34

Grade CWinners: Bianconi, Mark38

Place Getters: Wheelahan, Jeremy 36 Tripodi, Lucas 35 Great Score: Aaron Bassman (Birdie) @14

Nearest to Pin: 4th Aaron Bassman

8th Aaron Bassman 14th BobHarland

Saturday, 19 April 2025 MENS Stableford

Grade AWinners: Hayes, Gerard (5) 39

Grade BWinners: Harber,John (12) 37 C/B

Grade CWinners: Wheelahan, Jeremy (23)

41 C/B

Place Getters: Kerr,Graham 41 Matthews, Max 38 Wise,Hayden 37 C/B Stanlake, Peter37 C/B Hefford,Robert37C/B Wilson, Lee 37 Scullin, Jack 37 C/B Mead, Barry

37 Backman, Phil 36 C/B Geisler,Graham

36 C/B

Great Score: Paul Spiteri(Birdie) @8

Simon Stephens (Birdie) @14Shannon Borg(Birdie) @14RobertHefford (Birdie) @4 LukeVan Der Meulen (Birdie) @8

RodneyWhite(Birdie) @8Les Stansbury (Birdie) @4Phil Backman (Birdie) @8

Shane Backman (Birdie) @14Michael

Enzinger (Birdie) @14

Nearest to Pin: 4th Les Stansbury

8th Paul Spiteri14th Shane Backman

Saturday, 19 April 2025 WOMEN'S

SATURDAY OPEN STABLEFORD

Grade AWinners: Borg, Cassandra(14)40

Place Getters: Tate,Sandy 34

Great Score: KathyBorg(Birdie) @8 TRAFALGAR

Friday,April 18th 2025, Open Men’s& Ladies Stableford

AGrade Winner: Chad McKie 38 pts

BGrade Winner: Benn Henshall 39 pts

CGrade Winner: KevinGridley38 pts

DTL's: RodHiscox37, PeterCooke37, Dael Scurlock37, GlennFlowers 37, Jordan Chapman 36, ScottReynolds 36, PeterMcKinnon 36, Darryl Blackshaw36, MickJellis 35, MarkScammell 35, Tom Woodhouse 35 C/B

Birdies: 2nd: Chris Perry5th:Mark Scammell 11th:Benn Henshall, Grant Wilson 13th:ScottMcKinnon, Peter Burghardt, ScottReynolds,Dwayne Jenkins, Russ Grant 15th:Glen McCulloch, Saturday, April 19th 2025, DrawnPartners

2Person Ambrose

Winners: Phil James &Wayne Robbins 60.5

DTL’s: WarwickGriggs &Ken Street 63.75, MickPoxon &Dwayne Baker 65, MarkAndo &Russ Grant 65

NTP’s: 5th: Reno Borg11th: Boston Closter 13th:Bruce Aplin 15th:Hank Fiddelaers

Tuesday15/04/2025 -Stableford

Winner:Les Pearce (21)

Runner Up: BevKeily(19 c/b)

DTL: Graeme Harris (19), Anthony Cunningham (19), RobDeVries (19), Chris Griffin(19), GeoffThomas (19)

NTP: Graeme Grant (13th)

Thursday: 17/04/2025 -Par

Women’s Winner: Helen Keith (+5)

Runner Up: Bron Wallace (+3 c/b)

DTL: Aija Owen (+3), Cheryl Deppeler (+2), LynPowell (+1), Sue Williams (+1), Jan Griffin(+1)

NTP: Sue DeVries (13th)

Men’s Winner: Tony Price (+7)

Runner Up: Dennis Scambler (+5 c/b)

DTL: RonPyke(+5), Chris Barfoot (+4), RonKeith (+3), Max Taylor (+2), Al Gray (+2), SteveGould (+2), Chris Griffin(+2), RobCusworth-Warner (+2)

NTP: Al Gray (13th)

WednesdayWomen’sresults 16/4/25Leon Christie 4BBB sponsored by Les Ellis

Winners: Cheryl Toyne and Charli Killeen

47 points

RunnersUp: JanGriffin and Aija Owen 46

points

DTL: Sue DeVries and Anne Outhred 45pts and Angela Bayleyand JennyEvison 44 pts NTP: 2nd Heather Savige,5th Di Moody, 11th Anne Outhred, 13th Aija Owen, 15th Charli Killeen. Gobblers: Charli Killeen on the 3rd, Sam Caldow5th,Sue DeVries 10th,Lorna Risol, 15th and Chris Payne 16th 9Hole Stableford– 3players Winner: Olwyn Balfour 14pts Runner-Up: KarenSwingler 13pts Full details of results can be found on MiScore Coming Events 23/4/25: Stableford. Starter –Donna Mellon and Checker –KerrenLudlow 30/4/25: Picnic Day visit to Toongabbie Golf Club for 9 hole Ambrose and lunch $30. Pleaseput your name on the list in

Success: Relayfreestyle and medley winnersMaasaHummel, Courtney Ford, Caitie Mitchell andNatasha Hughes Photograph supplied

Topserve of table tennis events

TABLE TENNIS

By KATRINA BRANDON

TABLE tennistook over the GippslandIndoor Regional Sports Stadium (GRISS) from April 5 to April 13.

During that time, Table Tennis Victoria and Table Tennis Australia(TTA) held threegrand events: the S-Trend Victorian Table Tennis Open, National Hopes Camps for Pathways Week and the TTA Tour.

Each event brought players fromacross the state and country, includingsome from overseastoplay on Traralgon’stables.

National Hopes Campsfor PathwaysWeek commenced with more than 80 state-wide table tennis juniors under 12 to see what it takes to become an elite table tennis player.

“National Hopes Week brings all the under 12s from around the country together, and they participate in afour-daytraining camp,” former Paralympian and Olympian,coach Melissa (Milly) Tapper, told the Express

“We kind of not only have aweektotry and teach them some new skills and ways of training on the table,but it's quite an educational piece in termsof what it takes to be an elite athlete and little steps on how to get there.

“It's not just about the table tennis, it's creating an athlete as awhole.Atthe end of the week, the top two boys and girls will be able to qualify for a

spot to move through into Oceania Hopes Week, which is basically the end goal that they're all fighting towards.”

During the week,the table tennis juniors had training and other sessions that included strength and conditioning, aphysio, and afew motivational speakers, including Olympic bronze medallistdiver, Anabelle Smith.

Tapper explainedthatNational Hopes Week prepares playersfor the expectations they will face whenthey start moving through the ranks, making national teams, and travelling with coaches and teammates.

“There are certain expectations that are expected that they should be ready for -interms of around the discipline, teamwork, how they are in elite environments the whole week, and then when they go back to their clubs," she said.

“It's about continuing to progress them, so that the end goal when they're in national teams, they're not just turning up and not aware of how things work, they're ready to go and can get the best out of themselves.”

Before NationalHopes Camps for Pathways Week, most of the junior players involvedhave beengearing up withjunior tournaments across thestate and extratraining. So far, tournaments havebeen held at junior, senior,paraand veteran levels in Geelong, Croydon and the Victorian Open.

“When you're talking more about local tournaments, alot of the time you will play the same people, so you're used to the same techniques, or

your strategy is quite similar,” Tapper said.

“Movingfrom astate tournament where you will most likely have your parents, then moving to an international one, thereare awholelot of other things they've got to get used to.

“Getting greaterexposure on the international side continues to develop them further. We try to show the importanceofnot just having the parents all the time, because they're not always going to be able to travel with them,that they need to understand how to be sort of able to look after themselves and go through the process to be still able to perform well.”

Taking in new experiences, this was Tapper’s firstNational Hopes Week as acoach since she retired last December.

Alongside inspirations such as Tapper, other playerswere on show to inspire the next generation. Among them wasAustralia’sYangzi Liu (World Ranking Number 39) and Finn Luu (World Ranking 37).

According to Tapper, National Hopes Camp for Pathways Weekisalsoagood start for children in the way of certain table tennisenvironments where it can be overwhelming to some.

“A big thing is that we're all in this sport be becausewelove it and we enjoy it, and we obviously want to try and get the best out of ourselves," she said.

“This is areally good start, there's 80-plus kids, it gets chaotic, but what we're tryingtoinstil in them is abit of process anda bitofdiscipline around

how to train, finish, respect your opponent, the equipment and everything like this. Having those little key pieces and therightpeople around you will help that when things do get quite overwhelming, you can go back to what youdoknow,and hopefully enjoy it.”

WhileTapperisstillinher earlydayscoaching, she said she is enjoying getting back to the grassroots and building her career path.

“It's nice to be trying and work on agood, strong foundation towards the bottom so that you get to see the likes of Finn Luu and Yangzi Liu that were here,” she said.

“The kids get to be in their presence, seeing what they're doing, and what makes them so good. I'm excited to be apart of that process and try to make the next generation better than the ones before them.”

Tapper also highlighted the importance of the week and what it means for atable tennis country player.She said that table tennis to alot of people is seen as agarage sport or abackyard sport, and when they do gettowitness it in person, they're always incredibly impressed and can't believe what it is that they're seeing.

“For me, I'm really excited that one, regional cities are being supported with such an amazing sport, and having alot of people come to the region, but then also, at the same time, the work that papers and everything do in terms of media wise, to get it out there more, it's crossing more people's eyes and hopefully it just continues to grow like that.”

Hockey Championships grow to new heights

HOCKEY

By TOM HAYES

THEACC Inline Hockey Championships again returned to Moe’s STADIUM34 for the 12th edition of the enthralling hockey tournament.

Beginning last week on Wednesday, April 16, teams camefrom local areas, nationally, and internationally.

The championships took another step in terms of quality, with an increase from one New Zealandbased side to five in the space of ayear. Again, sides were split across six divisions: Pro, Division 1, Div 2, Div 3, Masters, and Women’s. Across the six divisions, 56 teams were divided into their respective competitions.

Withfinals played on Monday, April 21, whenthe Express went to print, only information up until April 20 can be mentioned. Aseparate story will be published in next week’s issue.

STADIUM34 Manager, Matt Beatson spoke on the growing size of the championships.

“It continues to grow. (It’s) probably the biggest

difference this year compared to previous years,” he said.

“Its really got an international flavour now… with the extra teams this year.

“It’s really turning from an Australia Club Championship now to an International Club Championship.”

Beatson alsomentioned thatthe inclusion of more teams has allowed the level of hockey to increase, providing aspectacle for those in attendancewhich has alsobeen ahighlight for STADIUM34’s perspective, withpeople everywhere inside the building.

The addition of the New Zealand teams is great for the competition, butaddsmuch more work behind the scenes in terms of planning.

“It’s abit of abalancing act trying to get everyone in and keeping everyone happy,” Beatson added.

While the championships continue to grow in an international direction, Beatson says that STADIUM34 won’t let the competition take away from the locals, saying it’ll stick “to its roots”.

“The international stuff addsanother element to

the tournament, but we’ll only foster and nurture that to apoint,” he said.

“Demand’s agood thing in terms of it gives us options. We can look at otherthings or other events.”

As per usual,the championshipsallow players to give back to the community, especially with travelling players who stay in local hotels and visit local restaurants and cafes, among the manyother things they can do in the region.

Following play on Sunday, April 20, the finals were just about set heading into the last day of play.

At time of writing, the Pro divisionhas been dominated by KiwisideNikeElite, whohavea win-loss of 4-0, scoring 17 times and only conceding twice. In second are the 3-1 Dogs, while the other New Zealand-based side,KIHL Warriors are third (2-2) of five teams.

Twenty-fourteams make up Division 1and 2 together, with two poolsofsix in each division Spiner leadsthe way in Division 1Pool A, with a 5-0 record, while In Div 1Pool B, the Kiwis KIHL Raiders are 4-0-1.

Division 2isasimilar story, with Pool Aled by a 5-0 side, Mercenaries, clear on top.Pool Bismuch closer, led by Snipers, who are 4-0-1. Sixteen teams comprise Division 3, with two pools of eight teams. In Pool A, both the Benchwarmers and Wild Dingoes find it tough to be separated with 4-0-1 records each. Benchwarmers have the edge with aplus-5 goal difference over their counterparts.

Division 3’s Pool Bisasimilar story, with The Loose Pucks ahead, only just, with a4-0-1 record, leading North East Knights who are 4-1. NewZealand are on top in the Masters Division. KIHL Taniwha were 4-0 going into their last group game, which ended in atie,albeit confirming their spot on top of the ladder.

Athree-way-tie at the top makes for interesting competition. The Dekes of Hazzard, Suffragettes, and Dingoes all have six points each (3-1 record, two points per win). The Dekes of Hazzard are overall first however, with the highest goal difference. Awrapofthe results and championswill be included in next week’s Express.

Future ready: TheNationalHopes Camp sawclose to 100ofthe best youngtable tennis players across the countrycome to Traralgon. Photographs: Katrina Brandon

Teamwork: Some of Australia’stop tabletenniscoaches andplayers,such as three-time Olympian and four-time Paralympian, Melissa Tapper (pictured farright) joined in the National Hopes Camps forPathways Week in Traralgon.

Quality: Thestandardofhockey at the ACCInline Hockey Championships has increased massively this year Photographs: TomHayes

Crowd: Attendancenumbers were good throughout theevent, with patrons surrounding the rink and grandstand. The carpark wasfull to thebrim, spilling ontothe road and intothe Moe Kmart carpark.

Suns’ streakstopped, McQualter in hot seat

FOOTBALL AFL EXPORTS

BY TOM HAYES

STREAKS endedand local successes wereenjoyed as the AFL took over across the Easter long weekend.

In the upset of the round, Richmond recorded its second win of the season, inflicting Gold Coast with their first loss.

The Gippsland-filled Sunsentered the encounter witha4-0 win-loss record, and were lookingto remain the only club without ablemished record.

Taking to Marvel Stadium on Saturday (April 19), notonlydid Richmond win12.8 (80)to9.15(69), but snapped an 11-match losing streak at the venue. Richmondjumped Gold Coast from the first bounce, hanging on to aseven-point quarter time lead.

The Suns allowed the Tigers to kick three goals to one in the second term, as chances for the visitors went astray.

A1.6 (12) showing from the Suns in the second term could have easily been the inverse, which

would’ve opened the game wide open for the thenundefeated side.

But after a14-point halftime deficit, things got worse for Gold Coast as Richmond ran rampant in the third term.

While GoldCoast could only addone major throughout the quarter,Richmond added six, four of those on the trot, runningaway to a43-pointlead.

The Suns hadshownthey can run awaywith things in the final quarter, doing so just the week before against the Kangaroos.

When they needed aquick start,Fish Creek and Moe’sSam Flanders stood up, kicking the first of the final quarter inside the first 20 seconds.

Gold Coast completely stopped Richmond in its tracks, and despite keeping the Tigers goalless in thelast,the Suns could only muster fivemajors themselves, finishing 11 points short.

Morwell’s Ben Ainsworthhad the most of the Latrobe Valley exports, collecting 17 touches and four marks for his efforts.

Flanders was quieter than usual with 13 touches and his final-quarter goal to go with three tackles

Moe’s Bailey Humphreyisfinding himself in a

Still searching: Traralgon’s Andrew McQualter came agonisinglyclosetohis firstwin as an AFL head coach at theweekend, falling just twopoints short against Essendon. Photograph: West Coast Eagles

toughpatch at the minute, only managing seven disposals, three tackles, and two clearances on the day.

Gold Coast were ultimately unable to capitalise on other results, as awin would’ve moved them to the top of the ladder.

They return to Queensland this week for another big fixture, hosting Sydney.

 TRARALGON’S AndrewMcQualter remains winless as coach of West Coast, following the Eagles sixth loss to start the 2025 season.

Besides the unwanted statistic, the 11.11(77) to 11.9 (75) loss to Essendon at Optus Stadium on Good Friday (April 18) was the closest the Eagles had been to winning all season.

West Coast were off to the best of starts, kicking five straight to Essendon’s 1.2 (8). Forward Jake Waterman started on fire with four first term goals.

The Eagles remained aheadheadinginto halftime with afour-goal advantage,aperiod which included a13-minutes without amajor.

The Bombers dragged the margin all the way back in the third term, tying the game up at 9.7 (61) apiece, setting up an unexpected blockbuster final quarter.

Both sides kicked two goals in the last, Essendon’s with additional change to give them the edge.

West Coast had allthe momentum towardthe siren, kicking the last two goals of the game, but were unable to get the job done.

The match saw Inverloch’s Zach Reid get one over his brother Archer (West Coast) in the nailbiter.

The loss didn’t come without more coaching decisions coming under scrutiny, after McQualter rested co-captain Oscar Allen.

It’ll get worse before it gets better for McQualter, with Hawthorn his next task when they meet this Sunday (April 27).

 COLLINGWOOD coach Craig McRae decided to rest Traralgon’s Tim Membrey for the Magpies’ clash with Brisbane.

The Magpies were seemingly fine without him as their stars rose to the occasion to run away 52-point winners, 16.9 (105) to 7.11 (53) at the Gabba on Thursday (April 17).

The win handed Brisbane its first loss for the season, as Collingwoodmove to the top of the ladder for the meantime, so long as Hawthorn doesn’t hammer Geelong on Easter Monday (April 21).

Geelong versus Hawthorn was played after the Express went to print.

Morwell’s Changkuoth Jiath was named for the Hawks in the blockbuster clash.

Heavyweights set to clash this weekend

SOCCER

LVSL

BY JOHN CARDONA

TWO of the most successful clubs in the Latrobe Valley Soccer League, Falcons 2000 and Moe United, face each other this Saturdaynight to headline Round 6action.

Ahugeturnout is expected, as always whenever these two sidesmeet.This will be the biggest game of the 2025 LVSL season so far, as one of these two high quality sides will take the upper hand in the chase for the league championship.

Moe United heads the currentladder,while Falcons are currently third.

The Red Devils season started slowly, withdraws against Traralgon Olympians and Sale United, but then got into athree game winning run defeating Newborough/Yallourn United, East Gippsland

United, and Traralgon City, racking up 24 goals in the three games.

Moe United has been boosted by the return of 2022 league golden boot, Connor O'Hanlon, who hasscored six goals in two games. His return has helped veteran Luke Bathgate, in-form co-striker Riley Winkelman, who has eight goalsthis season, and 17-year-old youngster TullyAnderson, who has begun to flourish in his promotion to theseniorside The result of this encounter will be determined by how each defence handles the key strikers of both sides.

Falcons have adangerous forward line and will no doubt test Moe United's backline.

Key to the Birds grabbing the points will be gun midfielder Tommy D'Alia and new signing Jayden Umack.

IN the reserves,another tightencounter is expected between Moe United (first) and Falcons 2000 (third).

Moe United have been scoring freely this season, with 27 goalsinfivegames, but will find the Falcons defence amuch tougher proposition.

THE seniorwomen's match willsee second-placed Moe United face mid-table Falcons 2000.

Moe United will go into the match favourites and should take out the three points as long as wingers in twins Miley (five goals) and Summer Cooper,along with Rebecca Van Der Koogh (nine goals) and Georgia Wyntjes can convert chances.

IN the 3rdDivision match, Moe United(fifth) play Falcons 2000 (sixth).

The Red Devils (last year's league and cup winners) have had ashaky start to the 2025 season, and will need to be at their best to take home the three points.

Kick-off times at Latrobe City Stadium, Morwell are: 7pm (sen ior men), 5pm (reserves), 3pm (3rd Division), and 3pm (senior women).

 FORMER Gippsland Power captain, and Leongatha’s own, Xavier Lindsay recorded his first win at AFL at the weekend. The Demon was part of Melbourne’sfirst win of the season, as they took careofFremantle at the MCG on Saturday (April 19), 16.11 (107) to 14.13 (97).

Lindsay proved he deserves to stay in Melbourne’s best 23, collecting 16 touches and four marks in the win.

 MAFFRA'S SamBerry returned to Adelaide’s best 23, starting as the substitute as the Crows snapped atwo-game losing streak.

In awet encounter at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, the Crows defeated GWS, 7.10 (52) to 4.10(34), collecting their fourth win of the season. Berry entered the game late in thethird term and racked up six touches before the game came to an end.

CountryFootball/Netball LiftOut -Pages 21-28

Friday,April 25

Churchill United vs Traralgon Olympians (at Hazelwood South Reserve,5.15pm)

Saturday,April 26

Falcons 20 00 vs Moe United (Latrobe City Stadium, 7pm)

Sunday,April 27

Newborough/YallournUnited vs Sale United (Burrage, 3pm) East Gippsland United vs Traralgon City (West Bairnsdale,3pm) Monash -BYE State league: Fortuna vs Pakenham United (Saturday, April 26 at IYU RecReserve, Pakenham, 3pm)

Latrobe Valley Express Wednesday 23 April 2025

Pesutto potentially out of pocket

Tubas presented in timefor tour

Warnurses honoured at memorial service

For the Anzacs

Bath’spersonal pilgrimage to Anzac Cove

Funding granted for Mirboo North RSL

Gippsland Water listening

Sun risingonnew Gippsland solar farm

PoliceBeat with TomHayes

Youth offenderscharged

Take thestepstoensure safety

Patterson trial starts next week

ARCHIVES

Vale Richard Zachariah

What can be done about old Moe Hospital?

Sad sight

Actnow

National Lions convention on the way

Lions Australia National Convention

Vaccination rates on the decline, call for concern

Flu shots readilyavailable

TRAMPS ride

Super sustainability

Prostatesupport

Celtic music

End of life planning

Community Corner with Liam Durkin

Quilting

Spiritual Centre

Bridgeresults

Familyhistory

Global voice

CWA

Chess action

Meditation

Book launch

Lifestyle Choices

Everything youcould wish for

Experience comfort,community, and peaceofmindatLatrobe Valley Village

Lifestyle Choices

Yallambee proudly celebrating 50 years

Acommunity within acommunity

TheRange Retirement Village MaidenVoyage

COMMENT

Reducing homelessness is within our reach

COMMENT

Alternative view on prescribed burn-offs THINK BEFORE youbuy

HOROSCOPES

Lloyd St, Moe

New flag

for Traralgon South

CFA

Gippsland regions funded

TheGuide

HOUSE OF WELLNESS

MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA

PICK OF THE WEEK

Thursday, April24

Friday, April 25

valleysport

Sporting results from around the Latrobe Valley

More than justa game:Reclink

FOOTBALL

Demon for the day: Robinson

MID GIPPSLAND

Magpies show they will be up for fight

FOOTBALL

Scoreboard

GOOD FRIDAYFOOTBALL NORTH GIPPSLAND

THIRDS

From theeditor’s (standing) desk with Liam Durkin

CHANGE FOR THE BETTER

WORDS, WORDS

SOUTHERN STARS

CHRONICLES OF FOOTY

Teddy was much more than his four goals

POST-EASTER RETURN DATES

STARTDATES

WOMEN'S

TheRange Retirement Village MaidenVoyage