Latrobe Valley Express Wednesday 23 July 2025

HOMICIDE Squad detectives areinvestigating the circumstances surrounding an incident in Traralgon, afteraman became unresponsivefollowing his arrest early Sundaymorning.

the man, he died at the scene

The exact circumstances surrounding the man’s death areyet to be determined.

Officerswerecalled to aMooreStreet address to reports of aman behaving erraticallyabout 12.50am.

Police attended and arrested aman out the front of his residence.Hebecame non-responsiveshortlyafter being taken intocustody.

Despitethe best effortsofemergencyservices to revive

Detectives from the Homicide Squad will investigatethe incident with oversight from Professional Standards Command, as per standardpractice wheresomeone dies afterbeing taken intopolice custody.

Anyone with further information is urgedtocall Crime Stopperson 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Photograph: Liam Durkin

IRREPLACABLE HEALTH ASSEMBLY

By AIDAN KNIGHT

THE Latrobe Health Assembly is still picking up the pieces following the bombshell fundingdecision from the state government.

The Assembly will permanently close at the end of November, after the state government refused to reverse its funding cut announced in the wake of this year's state budget.

As the Assembly winds down after almost a decade, the future is uncertainfor the Latrobe Valley's prospects of better health outcomes. Partnerships built are also at risk of deteriorating, with the fundingofother programs in the region cut as well.

Assembly Chairperson, Tanya Rong told the Express she was deeplydisappointed by the government's decision to not reconsider the cut, and also how sudden the initial slashing was.

Ms Rong said there was also no discussionfor aroadmap to continue the existing programs the

Assembly has developed for the betterment of the community.

“The closure of the Latrobe Health Assembly marks the loss of auniquecommunity-driven model that prioritised prevention and earlyintervention," Ms Rong said.

"Without investment in preventative health, the community is more vulnerable to avoidable health challenges. The long-term cost of inaction will be far greater than the cost of prevention in both dollars and lives.

“We are not just losing an organisation, we are losing acommunity of people who are united and dedicated to reducing health disparitiesinthis region. There is nothing that replaces the role of the Assembly in Latrobe Valley.”

The Assembly has played acrucial part in more than 200 programs and initiatives over its eightyear lifespan in the wake of the Hazelwood mine fire.

The Assembly has turned its online presence

post-closure to “shining alight on the community projects that were and ones that could have been” before the defunding. There is hope that some of these programs will be absorbed and adopted by otherorganisations,asmuch of the groundwork hasbeen done thanks to the commitment of the Assembly.

Despitepassionate community advocacy, the campaign to save the LHA failed to sway the state government.

AprotestoutsideParliament last month drew only ahandful of people, though local Nationals MPs, Martin Cameronand Melina Bath both attended.

Morethan 1200 volunteers gavetheirtime to the LHA alongside paidstaff,making it one of the most locally involved health bodies of its kind in the state.

The Latrobe Health Assembly was formed in June2017, and willcease to exist by November 30 this year.

Agius sentenced

By LIAM DURKIN

TRARALGON man, Peter Agius will spend at least the next six years behind bars.

Mr Agius was last week sentencedtonine yearsand eight months jail in Melbourne’s county court over the fatal crash that killed Glengarry’s Adam Sutton in 2023.

The 23-year-old was foundguiltybyajury of culpable driving in March this year.

Mr Sutton, ayoung father of two, collected six-year-old son Darcyfrom hisfirstday of school when Agius’ vehicle, travelling at around95kilometres an hour, ploughed into their car as it attemptedtomakea right hand turn at the Traralgon-Maffra and Farmersroad intersection between Traralgon and Glengarry.

The 36-year-old livestock agent died at the scene.

Darcywas flown to the Royal Children’s hospital with critical injuries. He was in hospital for sixweeksand willsuffer permanent consequences as aresult of abrain injury.

The court heard Agius was using social media app Snapchat just seconds before the crash.

Agius had priorconvictions for driving offences, and had been warned repeatedly by his employerabout usinghis phonewhile operating machinery.

Judge Kevin Doyle mentioned this in his sentencing remarks.

“The evidence wasthat on several occasions at work you were observed using your phone whilst operating machinery, including the excavator, and warned not to do so,” His Honour said.

“I excluded that evidence but, in my opinion, it has relevance to the assessment of your moral culpabilityinthat you had beenwarned not to use your phone whilst operating machinery, including on the day of the collision and on other occasions.

“You ignored those warnings and then drove from the worksite either receiving or sending amessage approximately once every 10 seconds between the worksite and the collision.”

Victim impact statements were also read out during the trial, includingfrom Mr Sutton's mother, who described the loss as “incomprehensible and senseless”.

Leanne Sutton said her son was “strong willed, loving, funny, adventurous, determined and loyal, with abig heart and a wicked sense of humour”.

The grieving family filled the court for last Thursday’s sentencing (July 17).

Mr Sutton's funeral was attended by an estimated 1000 people, withalmost2000 watching online.

Agiuswill be eligiblefor paroleinsix years

“In my opinion, you have reasonable prospectsofrehabilitation,” His Honour said. Agius has already served more than 100 days.

Union seeks clarity Councils combined in ESVF opposition

THE Mining and Energy Union has called on the state government to clarify the state's energy future after the cancellation of the GippslandDawn advanced offshore wind proposal.

"Victoria’s energy workersand wider populationdeserve afrank and realistic assessment of the future of state’s energy generation, "saidthe Mining and Energy Union Victorian District President, Andy Smith.

Mr Smith said it raised fresh concerns about Victoria’senergy security against the scheduled closures of coal-fired power stations Yallourn and Loy Yang A.

Additionally, revelations about secret agreements between the government and power station operators managed by EY Parthenon about safety plans for the power stations cast doubt on the transparency of the state’s contingency plans, if any are in place.

"It is now time for the stategovernment to come forward with apractical and realistic plan to manage Victoria’senergy mix into the2030s and beyond,"hesaid.

“On any given day, coal-fired power accountsfor 60 per cent of Victoria’s energy mix. Yallourn is scheduled to close in 2028, and there are now no realistic plans in place to plug the gap that’s going to create in our energy market.

“If the lifespan of Yallourn needs to be extended, as is looking increasingly likely, it’s time for the Allan government to come clean. The Victorian public,and in particular the workersatYallourn, have aright to know –even if the facts are inconvenient forthe government.

“Anyagreement struck between the government and powerstation operators should include significant consultation with affected workers, whose lives are set to be upended in as little as two years.”

By AIDAN KNIGHT

LATROBECityDeputy Mayor, Sharon Gibson joined Baw Baw Shirecounterpartsatapublic forum in Trafalgar at theweekend, in light of the state government's Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund.

Sunday's 'Save Our Farmers' event, held at the Trafalgar Community Centre, featured apanel of five guest speakers.

The event was sparked by the united front seen at the Latrobe City Council Emergency meeting on June 2, and Baw Baw Shire Council’s decision following apublic protest on May 26, surrounding the ESVF imposed upon everyVictorian council by the state government.

Asimilar protest also occurred in Morwell on May 20,with farmers marching down Commercial Road.

Bothcouncils tookthe stance, after evaluating the overwhelming public feedbackfrom their constituents, thatthey would oppose theESFV by means of aletter to state Parliament, as many other councils have.

Farmers have been given a12month reprieve, withthe levy staying at arateof28.7cents per $1000 land value, down from the $71.8c signed off previously.

Afterthese protests, and amultitude of others around thestate,the state government went back on the policy, changing it to give farmers 12 months grace on the levy, meaning they remained at the existing rate under the previous fire levy.

However, this change only applies untilthe next financial year, and there is no guarantee it won’t be implemented harder again by the Labor government to recover costs from this leeway.

The eve nt pa nel consis ted of, in ord er of appearance:

 Baw Baw Shire councillors, Brendan Kingwill and Ben Lucas;

 Cr Gibson;

 Local advocate for State Parks (and former Freedom Party Victoria candidate for Narracan), Leonie Blackwell, and;

 Wayne Northausen of Billboard Battalion.

The event was emceed by Ric Nicolson, akey public speaker at the June 2emergency meeting, as well as several of the Baw Baw council meetings.

Cr Kingwill started off, talking from the perspective of asmall business owner (BK’s Takeaway Trafalgar and Warragul), and others in the community he has conversed with in relation to the levy.

“The Victorian government has been very clever”, he said in regard to opposingthe levy to the packed centtr of around 80 supporters.

“They know how to cover all their loopholes”.

The publicpipedup, with one local stating, “they can’t jail us all!”,referring to the potential approach for residents to simply stage acoup and refuse to pay the levy, on masse.

Cr Kingwell saidcouncil and communityneed to discuss the matters in depthand explore all avenues, as every possible outcome has its own repercussions.

“The biggest issue about this fund is the money isn’t coming back to us," he said.

"The CFA still doesn’t get adequately suited up, with trucks or anything, and yet we all have to provide more funds supposedly for that purpose.”

"Wouldn’t it be nice to lead by example" was another phrase floated around the crowd, as some pondered out loud whether Baw Baw and Latrobe could be the first councils to staunchly reject the levy.

Cr Gibson pointed out later in the meeting that this may not have any effect that wasn’t negative, as the state government has certain powers afforded to them in the rates department.

If aresident was to pay their full rates but refused to pay the EVSF fee, the state government is able to extract an amount from the generalrates for themselves, rather than council, to cover this loss.

This wouldobviouslyaffectthe counciland, therefore directly impact the community.

Cr Lucas spoke on his experience growing up in Shady Creek, stating, “I was raised by afarm, not on afarm”, akind of personalisation many seemed to identify with.

Out and about: Latrobe CityDeputy Mayor, Sharon Gibson spokeinTrafalgar at the weekend to acommunityforum opposingthe stategovernment’scontroversial Emergency Ser vices VolunteersFund

“Axe the tax”, he said plainly, to great applause.

Aresident raised the notion to him thatthis could be an issue for the governor general, not state Parliament to thrash out, takingittoall extremes, showing the kind of desperation local farmers are feeling under this imposed tax.

“Governmentshould be enablement, not asphyxiation”, Cr Lucas repeated throughout his speech.

“Over the kitchen table has never been as important as it is right now," Cr Gibson added.

“Unions like the UFU (United Firefighters Union) and CFMEU should discuss these things in toolbox meetings, and let the information filter down the ranks.

“There were only two organisation included in the fund initially, now there are 10."

Ms Blackwell spokeofher involvement in the campaign to stop the creation of new nationalparks, and how asimilar approach of absolute unity and synonym phrasing could proveeffective in fighting against government impositions like the ESVF. Mr Northausen gave awider perspective on the impact of government mandates, if unchallenged. There will be asecond meeting in around three months to discuss the progress of the movement surroundingthe axing of the ESVF and general taxation and policy issues hurting farmers in the region.

Preaching to thechoir: Latrobe CityDeputy MayorSharon Gibsonevokedmanynods of agreementduring her address Photographs: Aidan Knight

Sporting upgrades needed yesterday

By LIAM DURKIN

THE Com Games upgrade can't come quick enough.

As the finalsiren sounded at Ted Summerton Reserve, signalling atwo-point Leongatha victory at the weekend, aMoe player celebrated thinking his side had in fact won.

Such blissful unawareness was understandable, given the LED lights used on the electronic scoreboard were in such bad condition, it was at times impossible to read the numbers.

The venue was set to host cricket events at next year's Commonwealth Games, before the previous Andrewsstate government pulled the pin due to budget blowouts.

The Games will instead be held in Scotland.

Morwell MP, Harriet Shing was Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy when the decision was made, leading the Oppositiontolabel it the 'Con Games' ever since.

The legacy component will stillcome through, withTed Summerton Reserve set to undergo a much-needed facelift.

Lighting needs especial attention. There are pockets on the oval reduced to virtual darkness

during night training sessions such is the current state of the floodlights.

Theloomingupgrade willalsosee MoeCricket Club off their home ground for the upcoming summer.

The Lio ns will mak eB ur rag eR ese rve, Newborough their home this Cricket Latrobe Valley season.

As an aside, local cricket pundits will surely be taking an interest in Moe scores, as players go from the batterfriendly conditions of Ted Summerton, to avenue known for the notorious 'Burrage Bounce'.

While workisyet to commence at Ted Summerton Reserve,movements arehappeningatFalcons Park, Morwell, another venue that was set aside for the Commonwealth Games, along with the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium (which was to host badminton).

Falcons 2000 Soccer Club has vacatedfor the rest of the LatrobeValley SoccerLeagueseason, relocating to Morwell Recreation Reserve.

The soccer club is using the synthetic football oval to train, and Morwell Cricket Club's social room for hospitality.

The club has reported it is still doing agood number of Thursday night meals, and has thanked the cricket club for its generous use of the facility.

For the Gippsland League meanwhile, the situation regarding grounds is surely causing afew headaches.

The league has gone back to atender process this season, following atwo-year rotationthatsaw every club (except Drouin) host afinal.

The Hawks' ground is off limits this seasonas it undergoesredevelopment,althoughthereis some hope it will be ready in time for the Round 18 Western Derby against Warragul.

Given that venue is fighting the clock however, it might not be available for finals.

Fellow Baw Baw Shire ground, Western Park, Warragul has an astro cricket pitch in the middle, and the preference would surely be to not have a major league final with concrete on the surface.

The same could be said for the Traralgon Showgrounds,still operating out of portable changerooms, and if Ted Summerton can't even get ascoreboard to work properly, can you really play afinal there?

Alternative scoreboardscould obviously be arranged, and Moe admittedly would benefit from hosting afinal if it meant ahome groundadvantage and direct path to the Grand Final.

It is understood the Lions have not put in atender to host afinal, feeling the financial windfall is not worth the effort considering the set up, on-the-day runningand subsequent clean-up hosting afinal requires.

Clubs only receive canteen takings for finals, while the league getsthe gate. Clubs can receive bar takings,but only if they pay the league's tender fee. Elsewhere, Maffra Recreation Reserve was reduced to amud pit following heavy rain earlier this month, and may not be up to standard. That leaves just Morwell Rec, Sale Oval, Leongatha, Wonthaggi and Bairnsdale recreation reserves.

Morwell will likely get the Grand Final as it is the most central location, and while it would be unfairtocancel out Wonthaggi and Bairnsdale if they are willing to host, the travel factor could determine their fates.

More Gippsland League inside today’s lift out

New accommodation meanssecurejobs

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

ANEW place to call home …and to work.

Latrobe Valley Village, Newborough will soon open afresh and neat shared living quarters to accommodatethe arrival of its latest foreignworkers to the aged care home as apartofthe Regional Worker AccommodationFund.

Refurbished from a previous wing of the facility, 14 former aged care rooms have been transformed into seven apartments,which include akitchen and eating area, bathroom and bedroom for each. An outdoor area, communal kitchen and meeting spot is also featured.

Member for Eastern Victoria and Minister for Regional Development, Harriet Shing took atour of the site last Friday (July 18), which is expected to be complete by the end of August.

“Finding aplace to live is one of the biggest challengesinattracting and keeping workers in the regions -building workers’ accommodation is just one way we want to help,” she said.

“Thisisabout creating securejobs, helping businesses to grow and attracting even more visitors to regional Victoria.”

The MP an dL at robe Vall ey Vil lage Chie f Executive, Alison Skeldon both acknowledged the

continued lackofaged care workers for the region, which contributed in securing this development, to ensure highly skilled people are working in the industry.

Free TAFE qualificationsand short courses were cited as acombatantofthose workforce shortages, whichwas announced for this year.

Ms Skeldon believes the tide is starting to turn with help of such initiatives.

“Working in residual care or aged care has not been as highly valued as other industries and that’s now changed …Ifeel we’re at the beginning of changing that around,” she said.

“Working with people at areally important stage of their life, andweneed people who care and want to do that for the long term.”

Latrobe Valley Village has invested and passionate staff, which includes astrongcontingent of recently hired Filipino employees who will be moving into the living space once open.

Eleniza, Eddie, Herlene, Jonel and Joyce all made the move from the Philippines to Australia.

For those like Herlene Joy Chipo, she made the tough decision to leave her family and children in Baguio, to ultimately set themselves up later on.

“It (was)alsoanopportunity for us to come to Australia to build abetter future for them as well,” she said.

“(Latrobe ValleyVillage) is very supportiveof us …the staff here are very welcoming and the residents as well.”

The group will soon fill out the premise. The space is also large enough that it could allow families to eventually arrive as well.

“We’re very excited to move in because it is also very convenient for us to be just near the facility,” Ms Joy Chipo added.

Ms Skeldon said that due to the inability to fill out positions locally, the board, under suggestion from thefederal government and following suit from other aged care facilities, made the decision to recruit abroad.

“We have always employedlocal people, we have always worked with the localTAFEsector, and we’ve always workedwith localuniversities to ensure we have local staff,” she said.

“Likeeverybody else, thereisnot the pipeline, it’s not as full as it should be.

“There are arange of initiatives for us to do that

(hireoverseas) and we’vetaken the path of choosing Filipino-trained workers.”

The shared living space is located right in front of the retirement village, meaning the staff will not only begin to develop agood relationship with theagedcare residents,but also those who may arrive soon thereafter.

“Theretirementvillage residentsare really excitedabout it too because they likethe ideaof welcoming newpeople and they like the idea of thosepeople coming and staying, because there are many people in the retirement village who may choose to live here as well,” Ms Skeldon said. Other projects in Gippsland have also been announced as beneficiaries of the first round of the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund at Omeo District Health, Bairnsdale Regional Health Service, and Bass Coast Health, Wonthaggi.

The Latrobe Valley Express,

Calendar entries now open

FEDERAL Member for Gippsland, Darren Chesteriscalling on Gippslanderstoenter theirbest photographscapturingthe iconic essence of the region in his newly launched 2026 #lovegippsland calendar competition.

This year marks the 14th edition of the local MP's well-loved annual photography competition, with prizes available for the best entries.

"I love Gippsland and this calendar showcases thebestGippsland has to offer, with 13 pictures chosen for the final version," Mr Chester said.

"Thisyear'stheme, 'Iconic Gippsland', will be agreat opportunity for locals to share images of what they believe makes Gippsland such an iconic region, whether it's the coastline, rivers, lakes, mountains or aspecial building in atown you love.

"I am continually amazed by the impressive standardand sheer number of entries my office receives each year, and Ilook forward to seeing adiverse array of submissions again this year."

More than 30,000 free copies of Mr Chester's #lovegippsland calendar will be available across Gippsland at the end of this year.

Entries close Friday, October 3, 2025 at 5pm, with amaximum of two entries per person.

The best three entries will receive ahamper of local products, and 13 photographs will be chosen to appear in the calendar, including the front cover.

To enter the #lovegippsland calendarcompetition, photos mustbea minimum size of 4MB to amaximum of 10MB.

If photos are selected for inclusion in the calendar, they must be available in aresolution of greater than 4MB at 300DPI.

Photos should be landscape-oriented as per the calendar's shape.

Entrants need to provi de their name,

hometown and contact details, plus acaption fortheir photo. Visit: www.darrenchester.com.au to enter or for more details.

Pictureperfect: Entries arenow open forthe time-honoured #loveGippsland calendar.Federal Memberfor Gippsland, Darren Chesteragain has the difficult job of choosing the winning snaps

Photograph supplied

Lake Nazza picking up vibrations

By KATRINA BRANDON

ASMALL rumble was felt in the Moe area on Tuesday, July 15, as a2.5 magnitude earthquake made its movement.

Up near Lake Narracan on the Moe side, 21 reports were made to the Earthquakes@GA service.

Alongside the excitement, localstook to Facebook to share news of the shake, despite the size.

"Sorry just me rollin'inmy5.0," one user joked.

"Both my daughter and Ifeltitatopposite ends of the house at 2.01pm. Sounded like someone running down our hallway -Moe North." Another commented.

Online responses to the action showedthat while some felt the earthquake in Moe and Newborough areas, it wasn't quite enough for everyone to feel the event.

For another user, the quake shook things up

and helped themrecall certainevents of previous rumbles around town.

"I remember one, would be about 60 or more yearsago .well after 10pm Iwas sitting in my living room in Alexander Road, watching TV. There was an explosive bang my armchair lifted up swung to the side and settled back. I panicked. Thought avehicle had cut the corner andhit my house! But no sign of damage but people were out all along the street," the user recalled.

"Four of my friends were dancing at aBall in Shaw's Ballroom and didn't feel athing.

"I drove to their two houses in case their kids had been scared but there were no lights on they had slept through it."

Themostrecent earthquake in the area prior to the one near Lake Narracan was in Rawson on June 18 thisyear, which reached amagnitude of 2.7.

STARTING SOON

Please note that there are limited team spaces. To join ateam please email morwellnetball@outlook.com

Hennessy St, Moe

HENNESSY Street, Moe is named after Michael Hennessy of Westbury.

The correct spelling is Hennessy, so at some stage when the street was named an ‘e’ was added.

Michael was an early resident and significant landowner in the Westbury district andbecame so well known that people referred to the area in which he lived as Hennessy’s Hill.

In 1884hewas grantedthe licence for the Retreat Inn whichwas builtin1860adjacent to the Moe Walhalla RoadatWestbury.

From 1879 he had been leasing just over 5000 acresatWestbury. He eventually purchased the inn from Henry Miller.

Partofhis successinrunning theinn can be attributed to his wife, whose culinary skills were regularly mentioned in the Advocate newspaper.

Farewells, presentations and other such events were aregular feature at the hotel, at times catering for more than 100 people.

Michael wasalso keen to promotethe location as asportingvenue and picnic ground. By the 1890s, therecreation reserveatMoe (nowthe racecourse) had stillnot been cleared, so Michael offered the area beside the inn for useasacricket and football

File photograph

ground;even providing adray to transport teams from Moetothe inn.

He also carried outcattle sales in the1890s. Michael ran the inn until 1913 when Herman Beck er too ko nt he licence and carri ed out renovations.

Unfortunately, the inn burnt to the ground in 1915 and was never rebuilt.

By then Moe was the centre of activity in the district.

Ill healthbegan to take atoll on Michael’s mental condition.

In 1916 he failed to return from awalk and his daughter organised asearch party to look for him. On the second day of the search, his body was found in the LatrobeRiver.Hehad tied his legs together and thrown himself into the river.

Averdict of suicide was madeatthe inquest held by Mr WHBurage, deputy coroner.

For many years following his death, the area in which the inn was built continued to be called Hennessy’s Hill.

The cricket pitch remains to this day.

Text providedbythe Moe &District Historical Society.

Call: Advertisementinthe Narracan Shire Advocate, dated December 2, 1886 citing Michael Hennessy’sdesire to obtain aliquor licence forWestbur y.

Juniior s Tuesday12th of August

Morwell Leisure Centre

Senior s Monday8th of September

Churchill Leisure Centre

Minimum agefor senior sis13

Entries Close

Junior s: 3rd of August

Senior s: 25th of August

$40 team fee per player +VNA (required for all player s) +weekly stadium entr y

***Please note: If your child would liketopar ticipate in the Morwell Squad team, theymust playinboth 2025/2026 seasons.

Deck: Part of the cricketpitch stillremains at Hennessy’sHill, Westbur y. It is believedcricket wasplayedinWestbur yuntil the 1950s.

State financial assistance

THE state governmentissupporting Victorians doing it tough by expanding access to financial counselling services.

Sixteen organisations across thestate willshare in $15 million funding over three years to expand and support the services offered to thousands of Victorians who are experiencing financial hardship due to mortgage or rental stress.

The additional funding will meanthereare now 37 frontline service support positions across the state.

Financial counsellors provide arange of supports to help people get their finances back on track, including working out payment plans and negotiating with creditors and insurers.

The grants will support tailored responses including in health settingsand First Nations communities through Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and provide support for primary producers and small businessesinWestern and Northern Victoria.

As the peakbodyfor financial counselling,Financial CounsellingVictoria will receive an additional $700,000 this year to increase their professional development, communications and advocacy capacity in response to the increased demands on the financial counselling sector.

The Consumer Action Law Centre will also receive afunding boost to deliver specialist worker supportservices.

The government has invested more than $65 million over the last four years to support community agencies across the state to deliver general and specialist family violence financial counselling to Victorians.

The FinancialCounselling Programdelivered through Consumer Affairs Victoria -supported more than 23,000 Victorians in 2023/24, including over 4100 affected by family violence.

Victorians can find their closest financial counselling provider by visiting: ndh.org.au or calling 1800 007 007.

Sawyerhonouredwith award

MORWELL Bowling Club's Jeffery Sawyer has been recognised as one of Victoria’s top-performing, taking home the coveted Club Person of the Year at the 2025 Community Clubs Victoria (CCV) Gala Dinner and Awards Night.

The prestigious awards night, which honours excellence across more than 1000 licensed clubs throughout Victoria, awarded Mr Sawyer the accolade for his standout achievements.The CCV awards span categories such as sustainability, entertainment, social impact and wellbeing -celebrating community clubs and its individuals who create meaningfuland lasting benefits for their communities.

The annual event –held this year at the RACV City Club and attended by more than 300 key industry stakeholders, is ahighlight on the community club calendar, offeringa platform to champion innovation, resilience and community leadership.

Winners are acknowledgedfor makinga real difference in Victoria’s social and economic fabric.

Morwell Bowling Club General Manager, Teena Johnson said Mr Sawyerhad beena dedicated member of the club for close to 30 years, serving as chairman of the board for the past 19 years and previously as deputy chairman for five.

“Awardedlife membership in 2019, Jeff is known forhis professional, approachableleadership style, strong mediation skills and unwavering commitment to the club and itsmembers,”MsJohnson said.

“Jeff providesstrategic direction, particularly in complex areas likefinancialmanagement,

named Club

Person of theYear at the CommunityClubs

Victoria awards Photograph supplied

while fostering avibrant club culture through his active involvement in events such as happy hour and member raffles. His strong communication and collaboration ensurestransparent, effective governance.

“Followingthe devastating 2024 fire that destroyed much of the club, Jeff played acrucial role in leading recovery efforts, uniting staff, membersand the community. His forward-thinking approach,deep community engagementand consistent leadership make him an invaluable asset to the club and broaderMorwell community.”

CCV Chief Executive, Andrew Lloyd, congratulated Mr Sawyer on his achievement, and reflected on the significance of this year’s awards.

“On behalf of CCV, Iextend my congratulations to Jefferyonthis well-deserved recognition, which highlights his leadership within both the industry andthe broader community,” Mr Lloyd said.

“In atimewhenmanyclubs continuetoface operational challenges, it’smoreimportantthan evertocelebrate the dedication,resilience, and positiveimpact of our clubs and their incredible staff.

“We’re proud to once again host this prestigious event, shining alight on theoutstanding contributions being made across Victoria.It’s aprivilege to honour those who strengthen the socialand economic fabric of our communities.”

CCV encompasses avast network of more than 1000community clubs across Victoria,which employ more than 30,000 staff and serve around 2.3 million members.

These clubs collectively contribute $1 billion to the state economy, including community donations, subsidised access to facilities and volunteer work.

Traralgon roads to receive urgent upgrades

PEOPLE living in Traralgon will have asafer trip home, with the federal government providing more than $2.1 million in fundingtoimprovetwo known crash sites under the 2025/26 Black Spots Program.

The Black Spots Program will fund:

-$1,780,000 for safety improvements at Hyland Highway andShakespeare Street to install raised safetyplatforms on the east and southapproaches, realign lane and pedestrian connections, and extend splitter islands, and;

-$355,000 forworks at McNairn Road and Tulloch Way to install apedestrian refugeisland,warning

signs, streetlighting and parking restrictions signs, and construct anew footpath connection on the east side of McNairn Road.

Federal LaborSenator for Victoria, Raff Ciccone welcomed the news.

“Thissignificant $38.8 million investment will deliver safety improvements to 74 high- risk locations on Victorian roads which have aproven history of crashes, including two projects on Traralgon roads," he said.

“The Albanese Labor government is committed to supporting road safety projectsacross the state,

and this latest funding will help reduce the number of crashes.

“Road safety, of course, is ashared responsibility and it’s atimelyreminder to look out for each other and slow down on the roads so everyone can get home safely.”

The federal government has substantially increasedBlack SpotsProgram funding, which is progressively rising from $110 million to $150 million per year.

Congratulations: Morwell Bowling Club Chairman, JefferySawyerwas

Surge in respiratorydiseasenumbers

GIP PSL ANDERS are being urg ed to protect themselvesand their loved ones against flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), as the region is experiencing asurge in case numbers this season.

According to data from the Gippsland Region Public Health Unit,there has been asharp spike in flu numbers in the past two months, with 50 per cent more cases from this time last year.

One third of these flucases havebeen in people aged over 60.

RSV has also been on the rise,with one-and-a-half times morecasesinGippsland in June this year compared to the same time last year. Half of these cases have affected kids under five.

GRPHU public health physician, Dr Shereen Labib said RSV and flu season began early this year and case numbers were still increasing in Gippsland.

“RSVcan makebabies and elderly people very sick, and flu can cause severe illness in children, pregnant women and elderly people,” Dr Labib said.

“The RSV and flu seasons are not over yet, so it is not too late and it’s also easier than ever to get vaccinated. The vaccines will protect you against severity and hospitalisation.”

Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is acommon virus that affects the airways and lungs, occurring more frequently in the colder months.

It affects people of all ages but especially babies andtoddlers,and is one of the frequent causes of thecommoncold and ear infections.

However, RSV can also lead to more serious conditionssuchasbronchiolitis, pneumonia,orcroupand can also worsen pre-existing heart or lung problems such as heart failure or asthma.

Free RSV vaccines are available for pregnant women, babiesunder eight months, Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islander babies and toddlers, as well as toddlers at risk of severe RSV.

Public aged care residents can also get aRSV free vaccine. It is also available for afee through your GP for eligible people.

Comprehensive boost for women’shealth

THE stategovernmentismakingsure women across the Latrobe Valley have access to free, comprehensivecare and supportunder theone roof -with more women’s health clinicsacross the state now open and more on the way.

Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing announced Latrobe Regional Hospital will be home to one of the next five clinic locationstobe delivered in regional Victoria -part of afour-year plan to open atotal of 20 specialised clinics.

The clinicwill be open by the endofthe year, with other new locations announced for Bendigo Health ,M ildura Base Hospita l, Northeast Health (Wangaratta) and Southwest Health (Warrnambool).

The clinic will transform how women in the Latrobe Valley receive healthcare -removing the barriers many women face when trying to access specialist care by delivering more services closer to home.

Services aredeliveredbyhardworking health

professionals including gynecologists, urologists, specialist GPs, specialist nurses and alliedhealth support –all under the one roof, formedical abortion, conditions including pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, prolapse and incontinence, contraception and menopause services.

The first five clinics began services last year at Barwon Health (Geelong), Grampians Health (Ballarat, Stawell and Horsham), PeninsulaHealth (Frankston), Northern Health (Epping) and Royal Women's Hospital.

The clinicsare part of the state government’s $153 million women’s health package that is transforming the way care is delivered in Victoria -and includes amobile women’s health clinic, Aboriginal-led clinic and virtual women’s health clinic.

The package has also expanded the sexual and reproductive health hub network to 20 locations, including 12 in regional locations as well as increasedaccess to laparoscopies for endometriosis

RFC offers greater connectivity

RURALFibre Co, the new venture of industry stalwart Phillip Britt, began work on its first backbone in Gippsland earlier this year. Phil is the former managing director of Aussie Broadband.

Phil announced in January he was founding and funding RuralFibreCo(RFC), awholesale infrastructure fibre provider in the Gippsland region.

RFC’s focus is on buildingfibre connections to under-served rural and regional areas, with Hazelwood North as the first location in its sights. The company has employed asmall team of Gippslanders, and aims to do almost all its fibre rollout and maintenance work in-house.

THE federal government is seeking input from communityand industry stakeholdersonthe popular On Farm Connectivity Program to ensure it is delivering the best possible outcomes for primary producers through the upcoming third round. Through more than $30 million in rebates provided over the firsttwo rounds, thousands of primary producers have been able to extend connectivity and take advantage of connected machinery and sensor technology.

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development,Communications, Sport and the Arts has commenced public consultation on design aspects of Round 3, ahead of opening applications later this year. The department is requestingfeedback on options to adjust the program to ensure opportunities are optimised for primary producers to address connectivity gaps, particularly in light of the unprecedented demand in Round 2.Proposed

Work began on the initial backbone between Traralgon and Hazelwood North, and the company expects to start connecting customers later this year before moving on to other towns in the region.

Residents and businesses will be able to connect through partner Retail Service Providers.

“As aGippslander bornand bred, Isee RFC as a great opportunity to build the infrastructure that Gippsland deserves,” Phil said.

“So much of our lives today –work, education, play, health and more –relies on high quality internet.Wecan’tafford for parts of thisregion to be left behind.”

Further information can be found at: www ruralfibre.co

changes to the programinclude refiningthe scope of equipment eligible for rebate, and streamlining processesbyproviding rebates directly to primary producers.

The public consultation builds on discussions already underway with state and federal government agencies and industry representatives, including the National Farmers Federation, as well as feedback already received followingdelivery of the first two rounds.

The federal government has allocated$53 million across all three rounds of theprogram over 2023/24 to 2025/26, as part of the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia.

For more information and to have your say on the proposed changes for Round 3, visit the On Farm Connectivity Program Round 3consultation page via: https://www.infrastructure.gov.au and search 'On Farm Connectivity Program'. Consultation closes Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

Fu vaccines are now available for anyone over six months.

The flu vaccine is free for pregnant women, kids between six months and five years, people over 65, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and those with certain medical conditions.

Dr Labib said it was important for anyone with any cold or flu-like symptoms to take asimple RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) for early detection and treatment for eligible people.

“A single multiplex RAT can detect flu, RSV and COVID allatonce, and it’s easy to pick one up from your localchemist,” she said.

“Thesediseases can spreadveryeasilyfrom person-to-person through coughing, sneezing, or touching contaminated objects and surfaces.

“The viruses can survive on objects and surfaces forseveral hours, so it is importanttopractice good hygienesuchascleaning and hand washing.”

and associated conditions, and providing scholarships for more than 150 women's specialists.

For moreinformation, visit: health.vic.gov.au/ public-health/womens-health-wellbeing-program

Jab: It is not toolatetoget your flushot. Flu casesare up 50 percentonthis time last year Photograph iStock

Strong opinionsand stronger coffee

By AIDAN KNIGHT

IN asurprisetonoone, the biggest agenda item, and reason for the most contention, at Latrobe City Council's last monthly meeting wasthe commencement of the 202526 budget.

The June 30 sitting saw councillors clash over whether to raise general rates by the proposed1.5 per cent, or adopt the full three per cent increase allowed by the state.

The draftbudgetoutlinesarange of financial measures, including differential rates for general, farm, and derelict properties, $2.5 million in new borrowings,a 10 per cent interest rate on overdue payments,and allocating50per cent of the surplus to the transition reserve.

However, the key sticking point was the size of the general rate rise, set to raise $66.3 million in revenue.

Tyers Ward Councillor,Darren Howeled calls to increase the rate to three per cent, arguing there is areason the state government has approved a raise for council rates up to that amount, and that Latrobe City should adopt it for financial stability.

Cr Howe noted many sectors are projected to experience further pressure, giving examples.

“Construction costs are expected to rise by 4.5 per cent", he warned, suggesting that alower rate would leave council underfunded at atime when financial pressure is mounting across services.

Cr Howe also pushed back on the idea that the smaller increase would meaningfully assist struggling households.

“Those doing it toughest need support that can onlybeprovided by aproperly funded council,” he said.

Deputy mayor and NewboroughWardCouncillor, Sharon Gibson was quick to retort, passionately speaking on the hardships that may be compounded by ahigher rate. Sheimplored council should keep in mind the drought and state levies already imposed on all ratepayers.

“People are relying on food banks, which are being emptied within hours”, she emphasised.

Cr Howe then proceededbymoving an alternate motion for the full three per cent to be adopted.

“This would amount to 46 cents moreper household aweek”, he quantified.

“Toput it at only 1.5per cent would cost each council ward nearly $500,000 in the four-year council term".

Yallourn Ward's Steph Morgan spoke out in support of this view.

Metaphoricallyspeaking: Coffee values were used when debating the budget at Latrobe City Council’slastmeeting Photograph: iStock

“The amount saved per household is $24 per anon, not changing much, if anything, if you are struggling.Itisalovelythoughttothink it has an impact on those struggling in our community, but it doesn’t, nobody likes paying taxes, but we need to look at it as our contribution to projects that make an amazing community.

"I urge us all to vote against implementing only 1.5 per cent.”

Budgeree Ward's Leanne Potter echoed the

sentiment, admitting she was initially in favour of the lower increase until shefully graspedthe long-term implications.

“Once the money is gone, we can’t get it back,” she said.

“It’s not just amillion dollars this year -it’severy year going forward".

At this point, it appeared the alternate motion might win the majority vote.

Cr Potter warnedthat underfunding council now would cost the community far more than just one year of losses, and could pose long-term impacts on health, longevity, and livability of residents, concerns that had also featured in earliermotions thatnight. As councillors dug deeperinto financial philosophy, the conversation took asurprisingly caffeinatedturn, perhaps areflection of the amount of lattes consumed when reviewing the budget ahead of the meeting.

This euphemism was also used in the same meeting around thediscussionofthe giftsand benefits policy.

Cr Potter likened the proposed rate rise to "four cupsofcoffee ayear", boiling it down to a commodity enjoyed by all, regardless of class or level of hardship.

Moe Ward's Adele Pugsley pushed back, pointing out that some residents “would love just one cup of coffee” -asentiment Cr Gibson reinforced, noting that many locals visit libraries each day simply to access freetea andcoffee facilities.

This is poof, if ever needed, that budget metaphorsshould be taken with agrain of sugar.

The motion to adoptthe 1.5 per cent increase was ultimately carried, supported by Crs Pugsley, Gibson, Jeeralang Ward's Joanne Campbell and Mayor Dale Harriman (Loy Yang Ward).

Crs Potter, Howe and Morgan opposed. (Morwell River'sTracie Lund was on leave of absence; Boola Boola's David Barnes was an apology).

Cr Howe, reflectingonthe decision, told the meeting it was adisappointing outcome that could have lasting effects, but declined to provide the Express with any further comment.

Cr Gibson boiled down the coffee argumentin one succinct sentence, stating, “this would be one inch too far for the people”.

This was perhaps themost passionate debate had by council throughout the whole meeting. Whether or not the coffee cups have to get smaller as aresult, the 1.5 per cent raise is here to stay for the next financial year.

AUSNET upgrades are now underway

AUSNEThas several key projects and programs underway to upgrade the network across Victoria. These initiatives will grow capacity, support growth across the regions and improve customer reliability. In additiontothese projects, AusNethas also spent more than $202 million on network maintenance and $68million on vegetation management in the last 15 months. Investmentswithin the Gippslandarea include:  $19m; to upgrade Traralgon Zone Substation, which includes replacing two power transformers and changing the configuration to improve reliability. This project will be completed in 2026;  $7m; for Morwell to Traralgon 66kV line upgrades (over three years) to enable more renewable generation to connect in the region and as well as addressing demand and voltage compliance;  $31m to replace the transformers and rebuild parts of the Warrigal Zone Substation;  $16m (over three years) Warrigal feeder upgrades and aswitchboard upgrade to create extra capacity;  $32m to replace 66kV assets, protection systems and capacitor bank at Maffra Zone Substation. This project is to be completed in 2025;  $7m; Gippsland Communication Equipment Replacement Project;  $20m; for the Bairnsdale Zone Substation and augmenting the Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiters (REFCL) system;  $40m; bushfire mitigation, protection system upgrades to enhance reliability and maintain network safety, including afuse replacements program;  $17m; for reliability, ie High Voltage Switch upgrades, upgrades to plant and communication systems, and preventing wildlife interaction with network equipment;  $1.5m; security upgrades to protect critical assets, and;  $5.5m; Baw Baw (over two years) for reliability improvements, such as upgrades to critical lines to improve network resilience in storm events.

Stamp it

LATROBE Valley Stamp Club welcomed agood showing to its display afternoon featuringguest speaker, Peter Treadwell.

It was agreat waytolearn more about the stamp collecting hobby while alsoseeing what,and how, others collect.

Nextmeeting is Wednesday, July 30 in the Morwell RSL boardroom from 1.30pm.

This is an opportunity to chat with others while reviewing exchange books and enjoying acuppa Guest speaker will be Don Ireland, who will speak on postal stationery.

Visitors are most welcome.

For further information, phone Christine on 0427 770 522.

Knittedknockers

THE Traralgon branchofKnitted Knockers Australia will host an afternoon with Elvis and friends on Sunday, October 5.

The event is set to take place at Moe Racing Club from 1pm.

Cost is $35 per person and includes alight afternoon tea.

All money raised goes to the Traralgon branch.

Raffles on the day and lucky door prizes.

This is acash only event and only 200tickets are available.

Tickets can only be pre-purchased.

Community Corner with Liam Durkin

No ticket sales are taking place on the day.

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

Cancer council

COME along to the Traralgon Cancer Volunteer Group for as ou pa nd sandwich luncheon on Friday, July 25 at the TraralgonTennis Centre from 12 noon.

Cost is $20 per person.

There will be delicioushomemade soup, hot and cold food, slices, tea and coffee, as well as lucky door prizes, trading table and raffles.

All monies go to research for acure of many forms of cancer.

For more infor mation, pho ne Raelene on 0407 368 848.

Cancer Council Supporters Hotline: 1300 65 63 85

Cancer Council Help Line: 13 11 20

Quit Line: 13 78 48

Spiritual centre

LATROBE Valley Spiritual Centre (2 Avondale Road, Morwell). Join every Sunday for service from 2pm. Doors open at 1.30pm.

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

End of lifeplanning

WE plan for all speciallifeevents: engagements, weddings, births -yet we don't give consideration to our death.

Come along to the Moe Library on Thursday, July 31 from 6.30pm to discusseverything surrounding the formaldying process:dyingat home, bodydisposaloptions, the legal requirements and paperwork. Topics also covered includewhatis the process of dying? And how do I discuss this with my family?

This is asafeand inclusive environment for all.

Bringa friend, all your questions and curiosity.

Formoreinformation, call Glenda on 0409 529 588 or Ros (0400 999 315)

Jazzy tunes

NEXT function of the Moe Latrobe Valley Jazz Club will be held at Moe RSLthisSunday (July 27) from 1pm.

The band comingtotown plays music from the Great AmericanSong Book and is able to reproduce the high energy trad sound of New Orleans.

Featured on trumpet will be Derek Dalton from Adelaide who is well known in Victoria for playingat festivals.

For information, phone Bruce on 0427 743 516.

Familyhistory

NEXTtopic of interest presentation for the Mid GippslandFamily History Society Inc will be held tomorrow (Thursday, July 24) from 2pm.

The sessionwilltake place in the society room at 44 AlbertStreet, Moe, directly opposite the post office.

Guest speaker this month is Peter Butcher, who will present his talk ‘An Interesting Life’.Peterisa local with a story to tell. All are welcome to attend.

The family history centre is open to the public everyWednesday afternoon between 1pm and 4pm.

The group welcomes anyone interested in learning more about their ancestors and background, whether araw beginner or an experienced

family historian/genealogist, to come along and have achattoone of the experienced researchers who are keen to help you navigate the resources on hand.

You’ll be amazed at what you can discover about your ancestorsbyusing resourcessuch as Trove, Finda Grave, Family search etc., and the society's large holdings of cemetery records and transcriptions.

For further information, phone 0403 611 730.

Classic chess

IAN Hamilton held sway at Latrobe Valley Chess Club events, overcoming Keegan Just who had defeated all other opponents.

PriceSamasiea was nextinline with winsinmost gamesbut crumbled when it mattered most.

Sever al situat ions worked well for PeterBakkerbut the mistakes allowed too much damage.

Opportunities were created but not completely utilised by Cliff Thornton.

The tactical thrusts failed too often for Steve Ahern.

For more on local chess, phone Cliff Thorntonon0413330 458 or Ian Hamilton (0400 221 649).

Get together

THE local Get Together group will meet again on Wednesday, August 6atthe Traralgon Uniting Church (Park Lane) from 10am.

Come and join for acuppa anda chat. All are welcome.

Scouts birthday

WESTTRARALGON Scout Group are celebrating 35 years this Sunday (July 27).

Family activities, badge swaps, memorabilia, scoutingdisplays and market food will be available at 20 PentlandCourt, Traralgonfrom2pm.

The 35 years takes in 2nd and 3rd Traralgon Scout groups coming together to form West Traralgon.

Given there was once nine scout groups in the old Traralgon District, West Traralgon is proud to be of two groups remaining. There is seven scout groups within Strzelecki District now.

West Traralgon opened the first Joey Mob in theTraralgon area in 1993.

West Traralgon has all sections open up to Venturers. Rovers (ages 18-26) were opened up last year.

For more information,email: scouts. westtraralgon@gmailcom.

All welcome.

Dance lessons

LATROBE Valley Dance Promotions Inc will recommence Thursday evenings from September 4.

Lessons are at the MorwellGirl Guides Hall (18 Margaret St, Morwell) for an evening of dancing, learning new skills, rehashing oldonesand social connection.Come along from 7pm. Cost is $5 per person each night. For more information, phone Norm on 0428 543 737, Lynda (0428 489 041) or email:latrobevalleydancepromotioninc@gmail.com

Bridgeresults

TRARALGON Bridge Club results: Sunday, July 13: Traralgon GNOT 2025 Session 2-1st KenTierney and Roshni Chand/Egbert Tzoe and Rob Graham (167.71); 2nd MattiShuband John Quayle/John Currier and Faye Rowlands (138.42).

Tuesday, July 15: 1st Rob Graham and Glenis Lohr(66 per cent); 2nd Phi lli pG ood ea nd Barb ara Barr (61.04).

Thursday, July 17: 1st June Clarke and Michael Zarb (69); 2nd Kaye Douglas and Roshni Chand (58.33).

If you would like to playorlearn mor ea bou tb ridge, phon eH elen McAdam on 0438 164 528. New members are always welcome.

Moe Probus

AT its July meeting,Moe Probus Club members heard Maragaret Coupe talk about the Moe Yallourn Rail Trail. The trail story is afascinating one, with many ups and downs experienced by the committee of management.Itis one of anumberofsuch trails across the state, converting disused railway reserves into linear parks.

Moe Probus Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month. Next meeting will hear about scams whichhave become such aproblem in the community. New members are welcome. Phone 5127 1651 for more details.

Youcan be apartof Community Corner

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

You can address correspondence to the editor, Liam Durkin.

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

Wits: Localchess battles have beenhotlycontested. Photograph: iStock

ONE POINTERS

1 What sport is featured in the video game “FIFA”?

2 What did the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” climb up?

3 Which countr y did AC/DC originate in?

4 What is the name of the home of the Greek Gods? TWO POINTERS

5 Who painted the famous artwork “The Last Supper”?

6 Who has the most F1 wins as a driver?

7 Which musical legend is Jay-Z married to?

8 How many hearts does an octopus have?

THREE POINTER

9 What is the legal term for the intentional false communication that harms a person’s reputation, often spoken or written?

10 Which American president was involved in the Watergate scandal?

11 Which of the Seven Wonders is located in Egypt?

12 What other name does “corn” go by? FOUR POINTER

13 Who is the writer of “Merchant of Venice”?

14 Who was the leader of the Soviet Union during World War

15 Name the 5 main web browsers 1 point for each correct

How did you fare?

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

page49

Target Time No. 0275

Howtoplay...

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

Solution page49

Sowing Seeds of Renewal

APPLICATIONS are now open for the 2025 ANZ SeedsofRenewal program, with grants of up to $15,000 available to support not-for-profitand community groups across remote, rural, and regional Australia.

Now in its 23rd year, the Seeds of Renewal program is along-standing partnership between ANZ and the Foundation for Rural &Regional Renewal (FRRR), designed to ensure the ongoing prosperity of regional Australia and help build vibrant, sustainable rural communities.

Since its inception in 2002, the program has provided more than $6 million in funding to more than 900 community-led projects. Last year, $250,000 in grants were awarded to 22 community groups, supporting initiatives ranging from establishing asafe, free laundry facility for people experiencing homelessness in Orange, to delivering digital literacy programs for women in the Kimberley region.

The Omeo Community Hub –who,through Seeds of Renewal, were funded alarge, digital screen. This screen is used to display extreme weather warnings and other important announcements to the community and is also used to promote and celebrate different community and cultural programs.

The ANZ Seeds of Renewal program is again

offering afunding pool of $250,000 for projects aligned to four key areas:

Financial wellbeing: initiatives that improve economic participation, particularly for underrepresented and disadvantaged people in the community. For example, building financial literacy and vocational skills and providing access to meaningful work;



Housing access: initiatives and programs that support those experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness, or that provide housing support for people livingwithdisability;



Environmental sustainability: initiatives that restore and conserve the natural environment or contribute to lower carbon emissions, water stewardship and waste minimisation, and;



Assisting local communities to thrive: projects that either enable vibrant communities, where everyone can participate and build abetter life, or create sustainable communities that help deliver demonstrable medium to long-term economic sustainability.

ANZ Head of Agribusiness, Mark Bennett said the Seeds of Renewal program had, for more than 20 years, played avital roleinsupporting the strength and sustainability of regional Australia.

"ANZ is proud to back initiatives that are

practical, locally driven, and deeply impactful –projects that not only address immediate needs but also lay the groundwork for long-term economic and social resilience," he said.

"This includes empowering the level of personal participation for those in the community that are otherwise at adisadvantage."

FRRR head of partnerships, Jillian KirwanLee said not-for-profits and social enterprises were often the backbone of rural and regional Australia.

"They play acrucial role in addressing the environmental, financial, housing and economic challenges that local people face, and help their community to thrive," she said.

"Our partnership with ANZ means that we are able to empower local groups and organisations who are carrying out this deeply meaningful work to enhance the liveability, sustainability and vibrancy of their communities."

Applications for the 2025 Seeds of Renewal program are now open, and close 5pm, July 31, 2025.

For more information, visit: frrr.org.au/ funding/place/anz-seeds-of-renewal/

Cause for optimism despite steady interest rate

By STEFAN BRADLEY

HOME pricesrose in the Gippslandarea by 0.1 per cent (month-on-month change) in June according to new PropTrack data.

The changes overthe last few monthsmay be attributed to interest rate cuts, with market momentumleading to higherprices,with Gippsland seeing aslight 0.21 per cent increase in home prices on aquarter-on-quarter basis. However, June 2025 representeda0.27per centdrop in Gippsland compared to June 2024.

Home prices in regional Victoria as awhole wereupinJune, yetremainbelowpeak, with PropTrack's report, released early this month, finding that prices lifted 0.1 per cent in June and sat 1.2 per cent higher than June 2024.

Sincetheir peak in May 2022, home prices in regional Victoria havedropped3.5 percent, making it one of only two regional areas to record adecline from peak, alongside NT.

While growth in the regions has been slower than the rebound across the capitals in 2025, regional marketsremain resilient, supported by affordability and lifestyle appeal. Regional prices arenow up just above 65 per cent over the past five years.

Real Estate Australia Group senior economist, Eleanor Creagh said national homepricesrose 0.4 per cent in June, pushing values to arecord high.

"As interest rates have fallen, price momentum

Local knowledge stays in Gippsland

By STEFAN BRADLEY

THANKS to generous philanthropy froma household name in Gippsland, three Monash Rural Health students will receive financial support for three years to complete their medical program in Gippsland.

Three outstanding Gippsland medical students -Annalise Gafa, Henry Bird and Alyssa Geiberras have been named recipients of the prestigious Graeme Dyer OAM Gippsland Community Medical Scholarship, recognising their commitment to rural healthcareand passionfor making alasting impact on their communities.

The scholarship recipients had the opportunity last Friday (July 18) to meet Graeme Dyer OAM andshare theiraspirations for the future. They were presented with their certificates, listened to formalities and toured the Monash Rural Health facilities in Sale.

Their achievements and community-minded goals make thempowerful role modelsfor local young people considering careers in medicine -showing that afulfilling healthcare career is possible without leaving home.

"They're Gippslandstudents, so they'll study in Gippsland, and we'll get three extra doctors in Gippsland," Mr Dyer told the Express.

"They're able to stay in the country, so this is a wonderful thing. It creates jobs and opportunities at home -they don't havethe cost of moving to Melbourne."

Hailing from Traralgon and Wonthaggi respectively, Ms Gafa and Mr Bird havepaved anew pathway to medicine by entering Monash University’s medicalprogram via the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Gippsland Partnership Program).

Having completed their undergraduate studies at Federation University in Churchill, both shared that remaining close to home throughouttheir studies was acrucial factor in their success. Ms Gafa has always been passionate about healthand

science, and enjoys working with people -medicine seemed like the perfect combination and career pathway.

“This scholarshipwill easea significant amount of stress that comes with studyingmedicine helping to improve my confidence in myself as a future doctor,” she said.

Mr Bird, whogrewupona farm,echoed this sentiment.

“As Iprogress into my medical studies, with increasing commitments and clinical placements away from home, my work-life-study balance can become increasingly stressful. This scholarship significantlyreduces the stressofbeing amedical studentliving out of home," he said.

"Whether it helps with accommodation or travel expenses, it goes along way in supporting me to achieve my goalsofbeing arural doctor -and Iam incredibly grateful for this opportunity.”

Ms Geiberras,who grew up in Trafalgar, has chosen to undertakeher Year 3B placement in West Gippsland,further demonstratingher dedicationtoserving regionalcommunities. Having battled chronic fatigue during her teen years, she credits that experience -and the inspiring doctors she encountered with sparking her drive to pursue medicine.

“By pursuing acareer in medicine, Ihave the incredible opportunity to workinGippsland in the future and provide amuch-needed service to the local community,” Ms Geiberras said.

The scholarship, she said, “willhelp to ease the financial pressures of placement by covering expenses such as fuel and living costs. It means there’s less pressure for me to be working outside of my degree".

"The scholarship also makesmygoal of completingplacementsinareas of Gippslandfurtherfrom home apossibility, as it will help with the costs of living out of home.”

hasstrengthened and extendedacross the country, with all markets recording gains in June.

Capital city markets are leading the upturn, withpricegrowthinall cities in June, following outperformance by Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth in 2024," she said.

Ms Creagh hadsaidinthe report thatmarket momentum is building amid renewed buyer confidence and improvedsentiment,buoyed by falling interest rates and "expectations of another rate cut in July".Affordability constraints were also holding back potential price growth.

“Furtherinterest ratecutsexpected later thisyear willease borrowing costs, adding to the momentum in housingdemand and reinforcing recentprice growth," she said.

“Inaddition, population growth andlimitednew supply are also placing upward pressure on prices, especiallyatthe more affordable end of the market. Withinterest ratesmovinglower, thesefactors are likely to sustain price growth over the second half of 2025. Despite these tailwinds, the upturn remains gradualand stretchedaffordabilitywill see amore measured upswingthan in previouseasing cycles.”

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) did not cut interest rates this month as widely expected, leaving the cash rate at 3.85 per cent. The RBA next meets on August 12.

People’s kitchen at risk amid funding crisis

THE closureofthe Latrobe Health Assembly, following the state government’s decision to endfunding, has put many locally-led health and wellbeing programs at risk, including Morwell Neighbour House’sflagship program, The People’s Kitchen. For years, The People’s Kitchen has offered more than just ameal. It has provided connection, dignity, and caretopeopledoingittough. Eachweek,hundreds of ready-to-heatmeals are prepared by local staff and volunteers, ensuring no one in the community goes without nutritious food during difficult times. What began with seed funding from The Andrews Foundation grew significantly thanks to the support of EnergyAustralia Yallourn,the Latrobe Health Assembly, and many generous corporatepartners. This impacthas only been possible because of the ongoing contributions of time, fundingand people power from those who believe in the value of community care.

With the Health Assembly no longer able to supportthe work, the program now faces immediate and serious consequences.

Morwell Neighbourhood House’s capacity to meet rising demand for nutritiousmeals will shrink, despite growing need during a cost-of-living crisis, and multiple employees at Morwell Neighbourhood House face job insecurity.

According to the 2020 Victorian Population Health Survey, 11.3 per cent of Latrobe Valley residents now experience food insecurity with hunger,which is almost double the state average. That figure has nearlydoubled in the region overthe pastfew years.“These cuts will hitpeoplewho arealready doing it tough,” aMorwell Neighbourhood House representative said.

“We’re not just losing meals, we’re losing connection points, moments of care, and one of the few remaining reliableprograms our community hastorespond quickly when someone needs help. It’s extremely disappointing, and it will be felt in homes rightacross the Valley.” The People’s Kitchen upholdsvaluesof self-help, shared responsibility, and mutual support. An approach that buildssocialcapital in action, building relationships and trust while responding to local needs with dignity and care.

Morwell Neighbourhood Housesaysit stands with the Latrobe Health Assembly in calling for an urgent funding response from the state government.

Siddle second

By LIAM DURKIN

IT had to happen eventually. Morwell boy Peter Siddle is now no longer the last Aussie to take aTest hat-trick.

Victorian parochialism remains at least, with the mantle belonging to Scott Boland.

Boland took full advantage of aJamaicandeck doing heaps in thethird Testbetween Australia andthe WestIndies last week, claiming his hattrick amid scarcely believable scenes.

The first, and possibly last, day/night Test in the Caribbean wrapped up inside three days, after the Windies were blown out for just 27 in their second innings. They 'missed' registering the lowest-ever Test total by asingle run.

Boland nabbed three second innings wickets for his hat-trick.

Bizarrely, the quietVictorianmay well find himself out of the team when Australia plays its next Test match-the first AshesTest, as spinner Nathan Lyon is expected to come backin (Australiaplayed four quicks in the day/nighter against the West Indies).

The first Ashes Test was the stage where Siddle famously took ahat-trick on his 26th birthday in 2010.

The hat-trickballreportedly ignited an instant house party at the home of one of his Morwell mates.

Bothhat-tricks have 'something'ofalocal connection.

Boland was the subject of former Tyers resident turned commentator, Mark Howard's famous line "build the man astatue" after Boland took 6/9 on his Test debut in 2022.

Atrivia question to leavethispassage:who was the last non-Victorian to take aTest hat-trick forAustralia?

Outstanding: MonashRural Health students Alyssa Geiberras (from Trafalgar), Annalise Gafa (Traralgon)and HenryBird(Wonthaggi) with their scholarship certificates Photograph: Stefan Bradley

In theknow: Real Estate Australia Group senior economist,EleanorCreagh. Photograph supplied

Investors are here, but not for coal

PATRICIA Correa ('Trained thoughts', Latrobe Valley Express Opinion, 16/07) states that "investors will return in droves if the Coalition wins the next election" and disputes coal is unreliableon the basis of no statistics showing this.

As is often the casefromthosewho don'tsee the need to find evidence to support their claims, she is wrong. Investors are already here "in droves" funding all manner of wind, solar, hydro and battery energy projects. Those same investors stepped back when the Coalition started promoting nuclear. They are certainly not stepping forward to invest in coal, for the samereasonsgovernments here aren’t -itisway too expensivetobuild and to operate, and that is without controlling their emissions so global warming doesn't get worse.

Ms Correa forgets that coal plants have been privately owned in Victoria for up to 30 years; it is those same owners (i.e. investors) who cannot seehow they could ever recover any investment in new coal plants.

As for unreliability statistics, Ms Correa need not look further than awww.ieefa.org report (and others) showing:

-Coal power stations average 38-years-old, close to the average historical retirement age of 42 years;

-Their reliability deteriorates as they near retirement. Historical experience for plants that have closed indicates that leading into retirement, 34 per cent of their capacity is unavailable on average, and;

-Four of the most severe price spikes in the past seven years weredriven by unplanned coaloutages Thus, today in Australia, coal is not reliable enough, certainly not cheap enough, definitely filthy beyond global acceptability and simply will not re-appear here, however some hanker for the simpler life of the 1950s.

John Gwyther Coongulla

Opinions need decorum

THOMAS Quinn, ('Words can be bullets', LVE Opinion, 16/07), as aself-proclaimed political expert and now apparently alegal one, should be well aware that publicly accusing someone, in one fell swoop, of "defamation, libel, misrepresentation andobsessive offence", and implying dire legal consequences, without providingascintilla of supporting evidence, is in itself, ipso facto, adespicable act of all of the aforementioned.

As a50years contributor to opinion pages such as this, Ihave long realised that a"jobdescription" would include checking in,atthe door, anarcissistic and fragile ego.

Make no mistake, you dished it out, Mr Quinn, but then couldn't handle getting it back. I suppose that's just what happened when you realised that you, and your politicalparty, had failed to win the debate.

It's difficult to determine just which, in Mr Quinn's epistle, is the most offensive -the condescending lecture, the delusional fallacies or the hypocrisy writ large, but in any case, for me -and sorry Mr Quinn, rolling over to bullying is not an option.

John Duck Trafalgar

Cracks emerging

IT seems the nuclear plants are not what they are cracked up to be.

Francehas been operating nuclear powerstations for more than half acentury, and they still can't get them right.

Just whenyou needreliable powerinthe heat of summer, they are not up to the job.

EDF, the operator, has announced they willhave to cut backpower generation onceagain this summerbecause of ashortage of cooling water. This is becoming aregular occurrence in France. Maybe that's why the Coalition has dropped their plans to build nuclear power plants in Australia? They couldn't tell us where they were going to get the cooling waterfrom for nuclear power in the Valley. In fact, they refused to talk about it despite being asked on multiple occasions.

Adrian Cosgriff Traralgon

Riddle me this

IT seemsMrPhil Edwards is very persistent at attempting to have me booted off my Tuesday morning 7.30am time-slot on Gippsland FM ('Ticking time bomb', LVE Opinion, 16/07).

For those who may not be aware, Latrobe City Budgeree Ward Councillor, Leanne Potter and her husband raised an online petition to have me removed from Gippsland FM alittle while ago and Mr Edwards was eagerly sharingthis around. Thisofcourse failed as Gippy FM are staunch supporters of freedom of speech and expression, so it seems Mr Edwardshas instead resortedtosharing false claims about me in an attempt to strong arm the volunteer-run radio station into removing me. Idid receive avery public award for my community servicefrom the community-based and run Gippsland People’s Council in acknowledgment

of my community service. Ialsoreceived avery publicdonation from the Lions club for an International Women’s Day event Iran and hosted with the generous support of local women owned business.

This isn’t some state secret Mr Edwards has unveiled like he’s made it out to be. Aquick look on my public social media will provethatI was very open aboutreceiving this award and this donation as Iwas very honoured and humbled to accept these.

It was also covered in this very newspaper at the time (earlier this year).

Mr Edwards' dedicated weekly letters about me would be flattering if not creepy and obsessive.

Inever intended to runfor Latrobe CityCouncil, andMrEdward’s has no proof whatsoever of me intending to do so. Despite this, it seems he’s quite happy to pat himself on the back and take credit becauseapparently his false claims about me wrapped in weird riddles are the reason Ididn’t run for council.

Yeah, sure thing Mr Edwards, sure thing.

Taylah Ling Churchill

Bullseye,perfect shot!

BRILLIANT shooting from the hip Thomas Quinn ('Words can be bullets', LVE Opinion, 16/07) who shotaperfectround with hisdescription of the inimitable, 'chosen one' Mr John Duck. Your words were succinctly written and perfectly described.

In all my time writing for different publications, over many years, Ihave never come across an individual who has continually made his opinions so over the top, boring, mundane, laughable and as you have stated, "obsessive and offensive".

It's awell known trait of those who are left leaning to admit they're wrong and afraid of the truth to exaggerate to suchanextent, thatthe Oxford English Dictionary has taken an absolutebattering. Simple English, 'in layman's terms' would be so much more interesting and readable. So in closing, very well said Thomas Quinn. Many, many readers of the Express, including the contributors to the opinion page, will wholeheartedly agree with your honest and heartfelt sentiments. Congratulations mate on aperfectly written article.

Oliver 'Shadow' Bergens Dandenong

Park it

PATIENTS at Latrobe Regional Health have to be fit to challengethe carpark, walking halfway to Morwell is not good enough.

Admittedly the staff have to be accommodated, but this is another problem. Is the car park lit up at night? If not, there is danger to the night staff. While on arecent visit to I-med, whilst waiting my turn, Iwatched many elder persons attending fortreatment and had to wonder how far they had to walkwith their injuries, because there are very few disabled parkingspotsnear I-med.Onmygiven day, there was cars parked on the side of the road, which apparently happens often. Iwas informed by my attending physician that thereare plans for another carpark. Will it be high rise? Idoubt it, as this government has no money for regional

areas.Suburban Rail Loop is more important, and as regional taxpayers we should expect and get more for our money.

Patricia Correa Traralgon

Historyrepeats

IN 1898, Morgan Robertson wrote anovel called 'The Wreck of the Titan' in which an 'unsinkable' ship collides with an iceberg in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean and thereafter sinks, with massive loss of life due to there not being enough lifeboats on board.

Fourteen years later, on the night of April 15, 1912, Robertson's fictional account became factual when RMS 'Titanic'collided with an iceberg in the middle of theNorth Atlantic Ocean and thereafter sank, with massive loss of life (1500-plus) due to there not being enough lifeboats on board.

Withthiseerie tragedy in mind, in 14 years from now, both Yallourn and Loy Yang Aand B coal-fired power stations (Victoria's last remaining three) will be gone, and Australians will have to rely exclusively on unreliable renewables for their electricity.

So unreliable, in fact, that AEMO (Australian Energy MarketOperator)has issued the dire warning that "over the next decade Australia will be short by acatastrophic 8330 megawatts of electricity!"

This warning, repeatedly issued by AEMO and other energy experts has gone completely unheeded by Australia's 'nothing-to-see-here' PM Anthony Albanese and his reality-proof Energy Minister Chris 'Blackout' Bowen, alathe captain of Titanic repeatedly ignoring iceberg warnings leading up to thenight of the tragic sinking and instead recklessly ordering "full speed ahead".

Joseph Lis Morwell

Supportscience

AS along-timevolunteer and activecitizenscientist in Victoria’s conservation community, Iwas deeply disappointed reading Shadow Minister Melina Bath’scomments opposing the proposedGreat Forest NationalPark (GFNP)inthe Express' July 9issue ('Nats want no new national parks').

Her dismissal of national parks as “padlocked” and poorlymaintainedoverlooksnot only the thousandsofdedicated volunteersand community groups who maintain trails and restore habitat, but also the ecological and cultural significance of these landscapes.

The proposed GFNP, extending across 500,000 hectares of theCentral Highlands, is notjust about trees, it's about protecting critical habitat for birdlife, wildlife, water, soils, etymology species and the endangered Leadbeater’s Possum, safeguarding drinking water catchments for Melbourne, and enabling nature-based tourism that regional economies rely on.

National Parks are not political pawns, they are living cultural landscapes. Collaboration with First Nationspeople, as well as local communities, is key to healing and protecting Country.

Suggesting that national parks are inaccessibleignores the fact that they are visited by

bushwalkers, kindergartens, TAFE students, researchers and families every day. Meanwhile, her supportofactivitieslikefirewood collection, and hunting within sensitive areas showsafundamental misunderstanding of both environmental legislation and ecological impact.

If Ms Bath trulybelieves in “betterenvironmental outcomes,”then she must support science-based conservation, not ideology dressed up as recreation rights.

Victorians overwhelmingly lovetheir national parks. It’s time Ms Bath listened to all of us -not just avocal few.

Rosemary Margaret Race Moe

Get out of the tunnel

IT never ceases to amaze me the number of people in the Valley who are critical of coal-fired power stations

Yet, if it weren't for the power stations,theywould not be enjoyingthe lifestyle they now have, and the benefits of well-paid jobs.

How can anyone of sound mind support wind and solar as areliable source of energy?

The same peoplesupport the closureofthe paper mill by tying themselves to the trees as aform of protest, yet they don't care about the loss of jobs. Why is it that none of them tie themselves to the trees that are being cut down to make way for transmission lines to support these wind farms?

When ChrisBowen talks aboutthe cost of nuclear, he quotes from the anti-nuclear group, the Smart Energy Council and their "costings", but no mention of the cost of renewables or the overall cost of subsidies.

Over the past 10 years, $29.178 billion has been spent on renewable subsidies.

Imagine the cost of renewables if there were no subsidies?

That money has only resulted in asix per cent reduction in Australian energy emissions.

Meanwhile,Albanese'sfriendsinChina have increased their emissions by 1.970 million tons or 87 times more than any gain from Australia's renewables.

The laughable part of all this is that the chief executive of the SmartEnergy Council, John Grimes, praise dt he Chinese governmen t's approach to renewable energy.

Thirty-two other countries have nuclear energy; it's about time Australia joined that list. At least we could have reliable power 24 hours aday, whichwould boost the future of jobsand businesses in Australia, unlike renewables. We will never become an industrial nation under the current state and federal government unless the electorategets out of thetunnel and has agood, long look at reality.

Brian Mawhinney

Traralgon

Have your say

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.

Photo: File

No need to suffer in silence

By JOHN DE SOUZA-DAW

Warning: some readers may find the following disturbing.

IN asociety that often prides itself on equality, inclusion, and compassion, the story of aformer nurse driven to the brink by relentless workplace bullying serves as astark reminder of how far we still have to go.

Eight years ago, 'Chris' was living alifedefined by care-committed to his patients, respected in his profession. But behind the clinical professionalism lay aharrowing reality: he was fighting adaily battle against aculture of cruelty, indifference and silence. As agay maninnursing,hefaced sustained bullying so severe that it led him to attempt suicide on three separate occasions.

His first attempt came in March 2016, following five years of targeted hostility. Asecond followed in June the same year, and athird 12 months later afterbeing informed that his workplaceinjuryclaim had been denied.

At the heart of his ordeal lies the institutional betrayal he endured.Helosthis nursing job in 2014 afterbeing accused of “shouting”- an allegation he insists was not rooted in fact but in subjective interpretation. He had questioned asupervisor on clinical grounds, advocating for patient safety. That challenge, he says, was mischaracterised as aggression. There was no formal warning, no meaningful investigation -just sudden dismissal. Despiteorganisational pledges abouttackling bullying and harassment, he found the rulesapplied unevenly -and selectively.

“Describing someone as aggressive is deeply subjective,” he points out.

Chris continues to live with intrusive thoughts.

“You’ll be doing the most ordinary task -driving, mowing the lawn, ironing -and they come, again and again,” he says.

“I was too trusting of the system. Ishould have fought harder, documented more. Why didn’t I record what was happening?”

The loss wasn’t just of ajob -itwas the loss of purpose, identity, and dignity.

“That youwere once anurse,and now you’re not -itchanges how you see yourself.”

Determined to move forward, he later took a position in prison healthcare.

Initially, it felt likeafresh start, but whena new manager arrived, familiar patterns emerged. He was once again belittled, mocked for his voice and subjected to humiliatingincidents. On one

occasion, avisiting doctor shouted at him, leaving him in tears.

“They shouted at me, and Ijustbroke,”herecalled. He lodged aformal claim in 2016 after being forced out of the role, again, withoutproper process.

WorkCover deniedthe claim. Despiteaconciliation certificate supporting his account, no solicitor would take on the case.

“Itfelt like ajoke,”hesays. “I still want to tellmy side of thestory in court.”

His faith in the systems meant to protect workers -HR, government agencies, legal frameworks -has been eroded.

“I was betrayed by almost every mechanism that’s supposed to safeguard employees. Bullies always find the loopholes.”

There’s aquiet,poignant dignityinhis reflections. He tooksteps to avoidconfrontation, even choosing to work night shifts alone on wards with 20 patients. Still, they came -filing trivial complaints, none of which were properly investigated.

Acounsellor once told him: “If they don’t like you, there’sverylittle you can do.” It wasa bitter truth. He was frequently placed in impossiblesituations -no-win scenarios designed to undermine him.

While his rapport withpatientswas exceptional, his relationships with colleagues were often strained.

Some gossiped; others stood by in silence. Few had thecourage to intervene.

Chris now lives with post-traumatic stress disorder. Not acharacter flaw, but apsychological injury-caused by prolonged abuse and institutional neglect.

“I’m still angry,” he admits. “They changed everything. All my future plans had to go.”

Now living on apension, he sits in his lounge, heateron, as the cost-of-livingcrisisbites into what little comfort remains.

This is not just the story of one man. It is amirror reflecting the fragility of justice in the modern workplace -and the devastating cost of silence and inaction. His story is acalltoarms: dignity,fairness and compassion cannot be allowed to remain mere policystatements. In professions founded on care, these values must be fiercely protected.

John de Souza-Daw is aTraralgon resident with degrees in history, politics, English and sociology. If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help, phone:

Lifeline -131114

Beyond Blue -1300224636

Suicide Call Back Service -1300 659 467

Water,water everywhere but not to drink

By GEORGE HARRIS COMMENT

IDOnot normally write to newspapers, but I am forced to do so now because Iamsickand tired of all the claptrap and furphies relatingto the so-called lack of cooling water for anuclear power station.

Before Idelve into the cooling water question, Iwill, for the benefit of those uneducatedin the operation of power stations, give abrief description of how they work.

Athermal power station (nuclear or conventual) consists of three main components:

1. Aheat source; 2. Asteam turbine, and;

3. An electrical generator

If we take aLoy Yang unit as an example,the heat source is acoal fired boiler that generates highpressure and temperature steam. This steam is supplied to the steam turbine.The steam flows through the turbine, causing it to rotate at 3000rpm. The electrical generator’s rotor is directedly coupled to the turbine rotor, therefore the generator also rotates at 3000rpm and produces electrical energy to the grid for use in industry and homes.

In anuclear unit the heat source is the reactor (the other two components are the same as the above). But unlike the boiler, the reactor does not generate steam, instead it heats water to avery high pressure and temperature and circulates that water through the tubes of a heat exchanger.

Water of alower pressure is also fed into the heat exchanger (flowing around the tubes), is heated andflashes off to steam and this steam is supplied to the turbine.

The steam once having expended its energy in the turbine is exhausted into acondenser, where it is cooled and returned to water.

The water is now pumped back to the heat exchanger via astorage tank,sowehave a closed cycle.

At Loy Yang, the cooling water for the condenser is pumped from abasin located at the bottom of the cooling tower. It then flows back to the cooling tower.

The water enters the cooling tower about aquarter of the way up and is discharged through spray nozzles.The waterdroplets fall down across corrugated sheets, air enters

at the bottom of the tower and flows upwards, cooling the water and exiting the tower as the water vapour plume you can see emitting from the tower.

At Hazelwood power station, instead of cooling tower acooling pond (Hazelwood Cooling Pond) was employed.

Isuggest for those who are interested in the operation and history of the Valley’spower stations, visitPower Works, located on the Ridge at Morwell.

So much for my discourse on power station operation and now back to cooling water supply. Let’s set ascenario, Loy Yang Aand B shutdown mid-2030s, and their cooling water suppliesare diverted to startthe fill of the Loy Yang open cut.

It is now decided to demolish the old power stationsand builda 1000MW nuclear power stationintheirplace and this takes 10 to 15 years from the start of the demolishing to the new station being ready for operation.

Let’s now look at the cooling and make-up water requirementsfor the new station, and to keep the doomsayers happy. Let’s say we need 50 per cent more water than for the same size conventual station. Loy Yang Aand Bhad a combined outputof3000MWs, therefore our 1000MW nuclear station will only need half the amount of water then Loy Yang did.

Fromwhere are we going to get the required water for the new station?

We have two alternatives:

1. We can draw and return water from the opencut, turning thecut into acoolingpond, or; 2. Divert the make-up water from the cut and use it for the power station and after it has been used, return it to the cut.

If we are forced to use alternative two, the time will come when there is sufficient water in the cutfor it to be used as acooling pond, and for those who say the cut water would be unsuitable (contaminated) Isay -bull dust. With the filtering systems in use today such as reverse osmosis,you can filter out almost anything.

In conclusion, whatever you think of nuclear power stations, the one argument you cannot use is there would be insufficient water available in the Latrobe Valley to supply and operate said station.

George RHarris is aMorwell resident.

Amassive decade for the Latrobe Valley

OURnextdecadesaw therise of Loy Yang,billed earlyonasthe biggest brown coal power project in the country– as aresult, theSEC advertised extensively for twelve different types of apprenticeships in the first edition of theExpress in 1975,inanticipation of aboomfor theregion. Traralgon underwent rezoning to allow for Morwell to be developedeast, theLatrobe Valley made plansfor it’s first FM radio station,and thePurvisGroup celebrated 65 years of business, having built up from one generalstore in Moeto18 ‘Purvis forSurvis’ stores across regional Gippsland and metroareas.Princess Margaretvisited theregion,which saw abombhoaxcalledwhenshe arrived in Moe The Express itself endured a significanttrial when afiretorethrough itsMorwell production office in 1975, damaging equipment and destroying historic archives from theMorwell Advertiser andMoe Advocate -but still managingtohit thestreets with patched-upgearand borrowedpower At the same time, the long-shadowed demolition of Yallourn creptcloser to reality,asSEC unionistsvoted to lift blackbans, paving theway forthe town’s gradual removaldespiteopposition from figureslikeunion leader George Wragg.Politicsshifted too. LaborMP DerekAmos, ahouse painter turned politician,resigned in frustration,citing burnoutand lack of support. He was soon succeeded by Valerie Callister a localsocial workerwho made historyas thefirst woman endorsed to represent Gippsland in StateParliament. This was a decade of ambition and upheaval —and TheExpress told thestory as it happened,asweremaineda witnessto thechangingfaceofthe LatrobeValley.

1975

YALLOURN’S fate sealed, unionistsvotedagainst continuousblackbans on demolition of town

Arbitrator appointed to disperse Yallourn facilities

Federal Mineralsand Energy MinisterRex Connor opposedtoSEC vacating Yallourn

Federal ALP presidentBob Hawkeaddresses street cornerrally in Morwell (three days after Whitlamsacked).Local unionistswarnLabor supporters nottobesuckedintoany violence

Ex-Pulp wood cuttersoffers$2000 to have AustralianLabor Partyand DemocraticLabor Partyrejoinforces

Shire gives okay forproposed $8.5 million shopping complexonoutskirts of Morwell

Bomb hoax during Princess Margaret’s visit Vigilante squadforms to combatvandals in T Traralgon

1980

FIRST Australiantest-tube baby born to Churchill couple

GIPPSLAND’S longestevermanhuntends. TraralgonShowgunman found in secluded bush camp

600 LoyYangworkers sacked.Loy Yang lockout dominatesyear’s

BOB Hawke(as newIndustrial RelationsMinister) pledges to fixLoy Yang problems if Laborelected in 1980 election

FREE filtersfor television interference

DESPERATE shortage of tradesmen

MITCHELL Houseproject gets greenlight

UNIONS acton35hourweek

COURT heardof‘no speeding car’ in 1978 triple fatality involvingpolicecar running lights

TRARALGON’S first waterrestrictions in 25 years

1976

SEC unions demand 35 hour week

SAVE Yallournmovementgives up HEAVY fogcauseschaos when estimated60 cars areinpile-upsovertwo kilometre stretchof PrincesHighway west of Morwell

EVIL sect trying to recruit youngboysand girlsin Morwell. Sect membersaccused of unnatural sex practices, blackmailand kidnapping

JOBLESS up 83 per centinone year

JOBLESS farmersdouble,217 looking forwork

MOE lawyer begins campaign to demolish Moe’s Club Hotel, whichhedescribesasa blood house

SKATEBOARD crazehitsValley

ERICSSON retrenches 68 staff

PRINCES Highway labelled ahorrorstrip

GIPPSLAND Trades and LabourCouncil strike to stop p dismantling g of Medibank

1981

DRIFFIELD powerstation proposal triggers environmental debate

SEC targetsTyers forfuture powerstation development. Land values plummet by 20 per cent,communityoutrage

VALLEY report unveiled,talksofLatrobe Valley population of 200,000 -300,000 by endofcentury

LABOR picks first ever womantorepresent the area

OPPOSITION spokesmanfor resources and energy Paul Keating openslocal StateElection campaign

AFTER 28 years lobbying CentralGippsland to getcrematorium

GROLLO launches plan for$40 millioncomplex (shoppingcentre, residentialunits)

WORK to starton$110millionoil-from-coal plant in Morwell.Designedtooperatefor only fiveyears

1977

LATROBE Valley DevelopmentCommitteetries to convinceMelbourneindustrialists that Latrobe Valley notstrike prone area

MORWELL traders$1milliondownafter firsttwo weeksofwhatwillbecomeknown as famous11 week strike

POWER cuts,distressfund,meetings, claimsand counterclaimsall dominate strike news

STRIKE ends25October

TWO schoolbuses collidekilling threeYallourn Tech students

PETROL dispute causes shortages

1000 newhousesfor LatrobeValley under Loy Yang boom

50 BedMoe nursing homeannounced YALLOURN township receives first thickcoating o of snow on record Up to 30cms had fallen

1982

FIRES hitLatrobe Valley,opencut burns. Hernes Oakfiredestroysfivehousesand hundreds of hectares of bushand grazing land POLICE chasefirebug

PERSON phonesExpress editor complaining aboutbeing described as apeanut. Said shelit firesand hungup.

FIREBUG starts 12 moreand delivers example of arsonist’sbombwithalettertoThe Express 17 YEAR old Churchill firemandiesinhospital from injuries received whilefightingallegedly deliberately litfire

NEWLY opened MidValley expected to keep $40-$50milliona year in retail spending from leaving theregion

FORMAL nodgiven forSEC to buyland forfive powerstation sites

ACTION setfor LatrobeValley smog plan

SIXDECADES IN SIXWEEKS 1975-1984

1978

FIRST Thursdaypaper leadswithexclusive Expressrepor terRossGilmour witnessestriple fatality in Morwellwhenpolicecar runs lights at intersec tion of Prices andMidland Highway

SEC launches inquir yintoexplosion that killed threemen at Hazelwood PowerStation

PREMIER Dick Hamer openssecond stageof Thompson Riverdevelopment

$145,000 left in strike distressfund af ter11week SECstrike

JOHN McGauran site gets nodon$10 million regional shopping complex

CHAMBER of Commerce votesagainst leader, decides to oppose outoftownshopping centre REPORT recommendspossibleclosure of Gippsland InstituteofAdvancedEducation

TWO and half yearwaiting list to buyHousing Commission homes in Churchill

1983

ASH Wednesdayfires move close to Mor well and Traralgon. CFAsetsupfirebreaksaround towns

MOONDARRA Damindangerofdrying up POLICE fearreturnoflastyear’sfirebug.200 sheepand 52 cattle killed in fires

$1 MILLION studyintodevelopmentofLatrobe Valley recommendspriorit ydevelopmentof easterncoalfields

$3.8 MILLION MidValley residentialunits remain empt ydespiteregionalhousing problems

FEAR aboutlossof1000 localjobswithwinding down of LoyYangA

RAWSON up forsale

TRARALGON announcedasLatrobe Regional Commission headquar ters

TRARALGON CreditCo-operativeregisters loss of morethan$1million

1979

MASSIVE policehuntfor gunman whosprayed 13 shotsatcaravansand sideshowtents at Traralgon Showgrounds

WILLOW Grove farmersangry at planned site for $26millionBlueRockDam

UNION of ficialsclaim hundreds of SEC workersin LatrobeValleyhave died early throughexposure to asbestos

TRARALGON students find missing dadatthe foot of acliff nor th of Licola

FIERCE stormcausesnearly$1million damage

TOWN Planning AppealsTribunalknocksback John McGauran’s shopping complexapplication

MELBOURNE televisionreceptionthreatened.

TOP government of ficial says “too bad, shouldn’t expec ttoget Melbourne stationsany way” L LOY Yang workers accommodation crisis

1984

TRARALGON Shirecontinuesfight to “Saveour Shire”

TRARALGON Shireand City councilsclash as merger hearing

POWER restrictions because of industrial battles overstaff at Yallourn C

CENTRAL Gippsland and LatrobeValley hospitalsapply stringentquestionnaires to potentialblood donorstoprevent AIDS being transmittedlocally

WILLOW Grove residentsget sick from drinking town’s water

YOUTH homelessness in Valley moreserious than ever

$2 MILLION freightcentrefor Mor well

COMMERCIALLY basedCoal Corporationof Victoria forLatrobe Valley

APM found guilty of air pollutionoffences

BACKINTIM

Housing &Big-TicketItems

ä New Weatherboard Home – Traralgon –$20,600 Just outside the town centre, this typical 3-bedroom family home was the suburban dream of the decade

ä 5-Acre Farmlet – Between Traralgon & Mor well – $13,000

A per fec t rural escape half way between the two major towns, ideal for hobby farming or weekend retreats

ä Lock-Up Mixed Business & Milk Bar – Latrobe Valley – $11,000 With average weekly takings of over $1600, this was more than just a corner store it was a cash machine with a side of milkshakes

ä 3-Bedroom Brick Veneer – Mor well – $29,000 Solid, dependable, and per fec t for the growing family

ä 2-Bedroom Weatherboard – Traralgon – $16,750 Ideal for a first homebuyer or downsizer less space but all the charm

ä Callignee Dair y Farm – 194 Acres – $400 per ac Located in the hills south of Traralgon, this working dair y farm of fered serious scale and a rural lifestyle at a price that would now barely cover a trailer load of fer tiliser

ä 1970 Ford Escor t Sedan $1790 – Kelly Bros Mor well

EverydayEssentials

ä Suit slacks $12 99 – Val Close Salone Seymour St Traralgon

ä 12 volt car batter y $26 – Super stock Moe

ä Bottle of Hallmark scotch whiskey - $6.33 –Mor well co-op

ä Navel oranges, 6 for 29c – Moe Central

ä Pocket transistor radio $9.95 Herbet Smalls Camera Centre Mor well

ä Teflon fr ying pan, 9 inch $1 95 – Coles

ä Toilet seats $1.99 Pur vis for Sur vis Moe

ä 1lb Butter 99cents – Pur vis For Sur vis Moe

ä Matchbox cars – 59 cents each Woolwor ths

The Express, By Numbers

ä Circulation: 23,510

ä C 15 Costper paper: 15c 0 cre

1982: O Openiing g of f Mid Vallley y Shoppping C Centre

MIDValleyShoppingCentremadememorable headlineswhenitopened on September 61982, with TheExpress reporting$1millionspenton itsfirst dayofbusiness. This wasa tremendous amount,equating to $3,901,274.27intoday’s money–a surplusthe LatrobeValleyhad not seenbefore, andsaw greatpotential for(what wouldbecome)Latrobe City as an attraction for thegreater Gippsland region,asthe premier shopping centre

Security guards were stationedtomanagethe flow of trafficintothe carpark, such was the buzz surrounding thegroundbreaking Tuesday morning. Thecrowds were so intense that one localreportedly required attentionfromStJohn Ambulanceafter walkingintoa pole andstriking herhead. An estimated70,000 people vied for just 1,523 carspaces.

Builtonorchard land betweenGippsland’s rail line andthe PrincesHighway in theeastof Morwell, andwas describedashaving“splitthe retail centre of Morwellintwo”. Thelocation was chosen deliberately to serveasa Sub–Regional Retail Centre.Siterezoningand planning approvalsweregranted in thelate70’s, before works were undertaken in 1980 It didcomewithsomeresentmentfromthe community,however,withlocal shopkeepers informingthe Moeand Traralgon Chambers of Commerce they were expectingsales would be significantly down forthree or four weeks, as people were “lured to MidValleybythe gimmicks,give-aways, give-aways,prizesand by curiosity”

Theribbon cuttingwas performedbyBill Landeryou, thethenLabor Minister forTourism andEconomic Development, whileaspecial train stop locatedatthe rear of thecentremadeiteas for“special dignitariestoaccess thecomplex only on theday of thegrand opening. Upon opening, therewereapproximately40specialty shopsalongside four anchor tenants–Safeway, target, Venture, andMcEwans,which hasgrown since then to atotal of 67 overall shops, as wellas theintroductionofthe Morwell VillageCinema. Out of theoriginaltenants,Safeway/Woolworths Just Jeans, Tattslotto,Katies,Sussan, andWest Mall Newsagency9nownamed Card Alley) still remain. MidValleyisstill to this daythe largest shopping centreinGippsland,and oneofthe largestnon-metro centres in thestate,makingit's openingahistoricevent of thedecade.

s n sy s s,

Report: 5 50 year f futureffor ellectriiciity i inregiion

WHEN the40-page SECTask Forcerepor t was released on July 16 at aspecial meeting of theLatrobe Valley Consultative Committee in Traralgon,itoutlinedabold 50 -yearfuture forelectricitygenerationinthe region -one centred around thedevelopmentofthe Narracan coal fieldasthe next majorbase-load powersourceafter LoyYang.

Therepor tmapped outthe Valley’s long-term energy prospec ts,identif ying 21 potential sitesfor future powerstations, ancillary works andopen cuts to be developed as required Whilespeakersmadeclear therepor twas fordiscussion purposes only,itlaidthe groundworkfor what was described as a transformative 50 -yearfuture.

Narracan,located west of theMor well open cut, was confirmed by theTask Forceasthe most suitable option forthe next stageof development. Thesite’sadvantage layinits ability to avoid external overburden dumping andtoprovidefur ther areasfor back-dumping oncethe Mor well2seamwas removed. The fieldwas expected to suppor ttwo power stations(Driffield 2and Driffield)onthe south-westernedgeofthe proposed cut.

Twoother siteswereunder consideration fora thirdoptionalstation:Loy Yang C, to theeast of thethen-under-constructionLoy Yang A, or oneoftwo stationsinthe Yallourn-Mar yvale field, Yallourn 2, east-nor theast of Yallourn PowerStation,orLakeNarracan, to its west-nor thwest

Detailedplanningfor thenextdevelopment was to fall to asecond task force, which succeededthe initial groupthe previous month.The SECintendedtodeliver arepor tto theState GovernmentbyDecember that year, with aParliamentary Public WorksCommittee inquir yproposed to begininJune 1981 Governmentapproval was forecast for1982, with eightlarge generating units, each 50 0MW or more,scheduled to come online between

1991 and1997. Thefinal design woulddep on coal type:four500MW unitsfor Yallour seam coal,orfour600MW unitsfor thedri Mor wellseam.

Wherepossible,sites were chosenwithin a already zoned agricultural,forestr y, or SEC industrial to minimise theimpac tonnearb communities.

Butthe report captured only part of the pic ture

According to LatrobeValleyConsultative CommitteechairmanMrMax Brereton,th strategy plan representedjusthalfthe tota developmentofthe Valley’s browncoal reser vesoverthe next fivedecades.“Non usescould easily matchthe totalSEC use, said, predic ting that additional majorindu woulddrawonbothSEC andnon-SEC co resources

TheMinisterfor Minerals andEnergy,Mr Balfour, said it couldbepresumedthat large-scalenon-SEC developmentwould focusonthe easternand southerncoalfiel of Stradbroke andGelliondale. “There will be twodistinc t, separate areasof development,”hesaid.

Population grow th tied to theSEC’s 50 -ye future was projec tedatbetween 10 0,000 and150,0 00 newresidents

Now,morethanfourdecades on,the grand visionofthat50-yearfuture never fullymaterialised.While LoyYangA and Bwerecompleted, projectslikeDriffield 2, Narracan,and LoyYangC were never built. Coal generation hassincebegun to wind down,withYallournPower Station settoclose by 2028 andLoy Yang A slated forclosureby2035. Rather than expandingcoalfields, theValleynow lookstorehabilitation,renewable energy, andeconomicdiversification,marking aver ydif ferent path than theone once imagined.

pend rnier areas C by he al n-SEC ”he ustries al lds ar

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Darren Pearce

By LIAM DURKIN

THE Express has seensome outstandingjournal-

ists walk through its doors over the last 60 years.

Many have gone onto greater postings across the country, while others have even scaled the heights of public service.

As part of our 60-year anniversary, the Express will take alook at some of its notable alumni.

FirstupisDarren Pearce, who has been in Wimbledon recently as chief content officer with Tennis Australia.

Howdid youcome to work with the Express?

AS with many homes in the Latrobe Valley, the Express was amajor source of news in our household and was held in high esteem.

Ihad afew stints there.I grew up in Morwell and actually used to contributebasketball reports to the sports sectionwhile Iwas at Morwell High to asports-only publication the Express had in the mid-1980s 'Valley Sport'.

Idid work experience and got to know the editor, Murray Tucker, and sports editor, Ross Gilmour.I then went off to Deakin University but applied for ajob with the Express halfway through my third year and started as athird-year cadet.

The Express was my first full timejob in journalism.I left to take ajob with the Federal Member for McMillan at the time, Barry

KEN and Anne Logueare celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary.

The couples remarkable journey began in 1963 when they met shortly after the passing of Ken’s father.

Their connection was instant, grounded in shared values of hard work, loyalty and love for family. They married in 1965, beginningwhatwould becomea lifelongpartnership marked by resilience, growth, and unwavering commitment.

They settled in the small town of Willung, living withKen’s mother and his younger brother, Peter. From the start, Ken took on the role of provider, working alongside Peter cutting posts to support his family.

In 1966, Ken and Anne welcomed their first daughter, Linda.

By 1967, with the arrival of their second daughter, Brenda, the family moved to Traralgon. Ken took up work as amechanic at the local Caltex service station, known as Mike Slattery’s. Later that year, he joined Otto Wendy’s operations in Churchill, operating abackhoe and performing plumbing and drainage work during the development of the town.

His work ethicand dedication left astrong impression- Otto Wendy even lent $200 to help with the deposit on Ken and Anne's first home in Coleman Parade. In true Ken fashion, he worked overtimeand weekends to repay the loanasquickly as possible.

Around this time, in 1970 Ken worked with JJ Jeffreys, operating heavymachinery as he continued to build asecure future for the family.

In 1972, their third daughter, Julie, was born. By the mid-1970s, they had begun investing in their own machinery and formally established Logue Plant Hire and Excavations in 1973. Their shared drive and commitment saw the business thrive, becoming atrusted name in the region.

In 1974,Annepurchased amilk bar on Avondale Road, balancingthe demandsofbusinessownership with raising three children.

Alongside this, she took on the bookkeeping and administration for what would become the family’s earthmoving business.

In 1978,the family moved to anew home on Silcocks Rd. The following year, Kenand Anne bought afish and chip shop on Commercial Rd,

Cunningham, who was the Government Whip in the Hawke government.

Ironically,mylast story before leaving was covering amassive protestagainst Hawke when he was visiting Yallourn TAFE’s Newborough Campus.

When Barry finished Icame back and had my last stint at the Express working for Lynne Smith before moving to Queensland.

What were publication dates then?

TUESDAY, Thursday and Friday.

Our deadline for the Friday edition was actually late Friday morning, which made for acrazy Wednesday, Thursday, Friday morningbut a very pleasant Friday afternoon!

What were some of the big stories in your time?

IT was an issues-rich environment particularly industrialrelations relating to the SECand some of the big unions at the time.

But among all of that, one of the most emotional was telling the stories of some former workers who had contractedasbestosis, their legal battles and the impactontheir lives and theirfamilies.

On am or ep osi tive not e, ther ew as the establishment of Mid Valley as the new heart of theValley’s retail offering at the time which generated abit of excitement and certainly some contention from some of the retailersin the Morwell CBD.

What aresome of your abiding memories?

THE great people.Lynne Smith,Ross Gilmour, Luisa Saccatelli, TimLee, John Watson, Paul Hunter, RhondaMyring, Paul Grant, photographers like Brian Petts-Jones, Barrie Turpin, Dion Kersbergen. Steve Hirst in sales is one of my great mates to this day, Bruce Ellen, Darren Chester, Lauren Callaway,CelineFoenander. The camaraderie was so good as was the work ethic.

Six decades of strength

Powercouple: Anne and KenLogue have been married 60 yearsstrong Photograph supplied

Morwell, marking another step in their journey of business and community involvement.

In the late 1980s, they purchasedlandonFirmins Lane and expanded theiroperations by opening agardensupplies store to complement their earthmoving business. Always looking to grow, Ken and Annetookonanother venture in 2012, purchasing aclosed-down garden centre in Moore Street, Moe.

With their typical determination and hands-on approach, they transformed it intoathriving garden supply business that continues to serve the community today.

Now, in 2025,Ken and Anne celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary -60years of marriage and alifetime lived entirely in the Latrobe Valley Their journey together is ashining example of love, partnership and the power of building alife side-by-side.

They are the proud parents of three daughters, devotedgrandparents to six grandchildren, and loving great-grandparents to 10 great-grandchildren -all of whom are atestament to the family legacy they’ve builtwith care and dedication.

Ken and Anne didn’t just build businesses, they builtalife, ahome, and alasting impact on the community they’ve called home for six decades. Their story is one of enduring love, hard-earned success, and the quiet strength that comes from standing together through every season of life.

Latrobe Valley Express, Wednesday, 23 July, 2025

There was many aclose thing when to making deadline, buteveryone pitc get throughand then we all celebrated afterwards alot!

SO much.

n it came ched in to d together

Is thereanything youlearnt at the Express that you've carried through your career?

When you live and work in acommunity that you are covering you quickly realise your stories have consequences and you have obligations to that community.

Ourcommitmentwas to find out what mattered to people and be fair in telling them what was going on without playing favourites. It sounds basic but it was afoundation upon which we helped build the reputation of the place.

Justthings likeensuring right of reply, appropriately considering all sidestoa story and giving abalanced coverage.

Howdid the opportunity with Tennis Australia come about?

HAVING been chief of staff of Nine News in Melbourne for afew yearsduring the Gangland Wars era, Iwas pretty exhausted to be honest and looking for achange.

APRopportunity arose and it turned out to be the best thing and the beginning of avery different career working with some incredible people

The job has changed many times over the years and has allowed me to move into very different fields.

Your journeyprovesitisno disadvantage working in the country?

FAR from adisadvantage.

Iwas lucky enough to workinanissues-rich environment on alot of great stories and really connect with acommunity.

It gavemea greatgrounding across so

many areas, getting the crime, courts, abig indu politics, local council is i d i

eopportunity to cover strial relations round, sues right across the region, education, sport and even write the odd restaurant or band review.

Ilearned so much from people like Ross, Lynne,Johnand many othersand honed the discipline of incessant ideation …you constantly have to find stories regardless of whetheritwas aslownews day or not. The pages wouldn’t fill themselves!

Advantage: Tennis Australia chief content officer,Darren Pearce began his working life with the Express Photograph supplied

Gardens benefit local community

By KATRINA BRANDON

COMMUNITY gardens in Latrobe are seeking more involvement.

Last month, Yinnar's community garden held an open day to help discuss ways of getting more people through the doors.

The Yinnar Community Garden is located around the back of ARC Yinnar.

Walking around the garden, about 15 people enjoyedthe serenity, where avarietyoffood is grown throughout the year and artwork created. Duringthe session,ARC secretary RosemaryAbetz-Rouse sharedknowledge about the plants and art found aroundthe garden, while also answering questions about the use of certain plants.

Withinthe garden,you can find multiple mosaic piecesbylocal artist,Lisa Anderson. The first piece centres the garden and is inspired by the zodiac signs.

Stepping up onto the rotunda, the next mosaic was inspired by compass directionsand is accuratelycentred to face the coordinates on one step, and elements on the next step.

Combining the two communities within the property, the outdoor sinkarea features a shared mosaic designed by some in the community and Ms Anderson, who guided the group through aworkshop.

Stepping into the warmer establishment, the group followed Ms Abetz-Rouse through ARC Yinnar for lunch and adiscussion on how community gardens could improve numbers, while also talking about various topics related to food, including the use of ingredients they were unsure about.

Ideas swarmed the group, with some commenting on social media, suggesting changes to hours to suit others, and advocating for flexibility in the garden.

For mor ei nf orm at ion on the Yin nar Co mm un it yG ar de n, go to the Yin na r Community Garden Facebook page.

 ALONGSIDE the discussion day, High Street Community Hub Moe is launching a new multicultural community garden.

Hub Coordinator TeaganBrooks told the Express thatthe newprogram aimstobring

Open: Communitygardens arereaching out forvolunteersaroundLatrobe Valley.

together the community through gardening, food, and cultural exchange.

“As we beginplanning, we’ve been visiting local community garde ns for inspiration -including an outing this week to Yinnar’s community garden for aguidedtour and lunch,” she said.

“Thisinitiative is open to everyone, regardless of skill level or gardening experience, and we’d love to get the word out more widely. Ithink it’sagreat example of community-led inclusion, sustainability, and cultural connection.”

For more information, go to: https://www. lifeskillsvic.com.au/

Photograph: Katrina Brandon

Committed to justice

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

FOR more than 60 years, Newborough man Steve Lovison has volunteered as aJustice of the Peace (JP).

The 97-year-old was presented with his JP honour on May 11, 1965, travellingdown to the High Court of Australia in Melbourne.

Providing document witnessing and certification services, Mr Lovison has been going strong with the role for the majority of his life, saying he’s “going to keep going.”

He has been the oldest active JP in Victoria since 2022.

“Legally, Ican do all the paperwork and all that, people come to me with problems and I help,” Mr Lovison told the Express

“If you come to me, it doesn’t cost you nothing, Isaidall Ican do is advise you.”

JPs do not provide legal advice, but guide residents with officialdocuments including births, deaths, and marriage applications, and divorce papers.

Mr Lovision started as acommissioner of affidavits,which wasabolishedinVictoria in 1990,thrusting him forward as aJP.

While working at Yallourn Police Station, a sergeant informed him thathe’d been nominated as aJP.

Mr Lovison has sat in court many times locally alongside judges, and despite being offered to continue to work in the courts and perhaps one daybecomeajudge himself, he elected to stay close to home, working for the State Electricity Commission, at both Yallourn Power Station and Hazelwood Power Station.

Across his time in the Latrobe Valley,Mr Lovison has been active in the community. He was aboard memberofthe Yallourn Medical and Hospital Societyfor nine years, and afoundation member and treasurer of the Yallourn North Housing Committee.

Mr Lovison is afoundationmember, life member,and past president of the Yallourn North Bowling Club, life member of the Yallourn North Football Club, and life member of the Latrobe Valley Umpires Association -where he was the first to officiate 500 games.

Making for perfect prom

By AIDANKNIGHT

WORKS have commenced on the Wilsons Promontory Tidal River Visitor Centre.

The centrehas receivedbacking from the state Government, which has recognised the prom as one of Victoria's most popular national parks.

Last month, Min ister for Touris m, Stev e Dimopolous announced the works, which take up aportion of the $23 million allocated to the Wilsons Promontory Revitalisationproject, were underway “Wilsons Prom is truly one of the gems of our state, and we want as many people as possible to enjoy this beautiful tourism attraction," he said.

The initial part of the program was completed in December last year, and pertained specifically to the upgrade of the Prom Wildlife Walk, apopular 5.8 kilometre trail traversing throughseveral of the multiple environments encapsulated within the prom itself.. In this upgrade was the resurfacing of 2kms of track and the installation of adequate seating in designated rest areas along various points of the walk.

An additional$1.7 million was allocated to facilitate the creation of moreaccessible toilet/ changeroom facilities, which came after interest was shown from projects such as Changing Places and Victoria's Great Outdoors.

“Locals andtourists alikelove Wilson’s Prom and these upgrades are making it more accessible and sustainable forpeople to enjoywell intothe future",Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Tom McIntosh said

Theimprovements in this wave include, but are not limited to,the landscaping andcreationof external paths, information kiosks, and building external extensions at the visitor centre.

Tidal River is regarded as the main visitor hub of the prom, with the camping ground that famously books out everyyearmonths in advance,asit continues to still be the most well-equipped site of it's kind in the area.

Tidal River is also an area of rich historical significance in the Australian landscape, having been established as asettlement for World War 2soldiers, originally as atraining outpost for commando and amphibious units, before beingconvertedfor public use after the war.

It was declared anational park nearly 50 years beforehand, dating back to 1898.

The modern facilities at Tidal River,including the visitor centre, began development in the late 1950sand early 1960s as the park transitioned to civilian tourism use.

Wilson's Promontory covers 50,000 hectares of the most southern tip of Australia's mainland, which sees more than 500,000 visitors each year looking to enjoy the vast scenic location while hiking, swimming, fishing and wildlife watching.

Itspopularity is such that the summer holiday ballot system has been in place since at least the 1980s due to extreme demand, and it is one of the only nationalparks in Australia that uses this system, due to ever-increasing demand.

Outstanding: SteveLovison (97)has been aJustice of the Peacefor 60 years. Photograph: BlakeMetcalf-Holt

Picturesque: TidalRiver on Wilsons Promontor yisapopular familyholidaydestination.

Photograph: iStock

HOROSCOPES

by JoanneMadeline

Moore

July 22 -July29, 2025

The Sun and fiery New Moon stimulate your hopesand-wishes zone and reignite a special dream or aspiration that s been langu shing on the s de ines But retrograde Mercury is also there so – f you are stuck in a friendship slump or a relationsh p rut – don’t dwell on the past It s t me to reboot your peer group as you reacqua nt yourself w th a creat ve new crowd Thursday favours d sc pl ned work t cking the to-do ist and t dying up loose ends

There’s no deny ng you’re a smart Scorp o but are you mak ng the most of your profess onal ta ents? W th the Sun and New Moon in your career zone, put on your think ng cap, connect with colleagues and keep them up to date with your work plans But retrograde Mercury s also there, so – un ess you communicate clearly and concise y – expect t metable chaos missed meet ngs and/or misunderstand ngs Diplomacy and pat ence w l see you through

friendships look comp icated as loved ones debate a wide range of controversial topics or a relat ve makes an unpred ctable move f you have a problem that’s bothering you, avoid mak ng a rash dec s on Slow down and let your intu t on be your gu de The New Moon (on Thursday night/Fr day morn ng) s the perfect t me to beg n a course of study, start a ne ghbourhood pro ect join a community group or make a new fr end

You ve been ta king about saving for someth ng big (like a car, hol day, house depos t or home renovation) for a wh le With the Sun New Moon and retrograde Mercury vis t ng your finance zone, resist the urge to be extravagant w th cash and careless with credit In an uncerta n economic cl mate a m to be a canny Crab who is cautious w th money P us, do an nventory on your nner wea th, as you nurture your self-esteem and conso idate your core values

Ca l ng all Cats! With the Sun and New Moon in Leo, it’s your time to sh ne – to d splay your numerous creat ve ta ents and dazz e others with your fiery enthusiasm and abundant Leo charm It s a so the best week of the year to try a new ha rstyle, update your wardrobe or start an exc t ng persona pro ect But remember Mercury is reversing through your sign, so be careful you don’t upset others by behav ng n an nconsistent, confus ng or selfish way

Mercury is retrograde wh ch can make you feel rest ess, stressed, disorganised and/or overwhe med P us – with the Sun and New Moon a so in your sol tude zone – you’ll feel ike being on your own Pr vacy and self-reflection are paramount, so act vities ike med tat on, contemp ation, chanting and/or yoga are recommended Your mantra comes from b rthday great psychoanalyst Car Jung: So itude s for me a fount of hea ing which makes my l fe worth l ving ”

Are you feel ng restless, Sag ttarius? The Sun, New Moon and Mercury stir your gypsy gene and find you dreaming of airplane tickets, greener pastures and fore gn adventures You’re a so long ng for closer connect ons with your nternat onal friends But Mercury is retro (unt l August 11) so travel plans cou d be delayed or cance led, and a fr endsh p could be turned upside down Less haste and closer attention to detai s wi l make the week ess frustrating

Do you have a frustrating prob em that needs fix ng?

Have you asked other people for advice but sti l can’t find a solut on? Th s week the Sun New Moon and retrograde Mercury activate your trust-and-wisdom zone So, l sten to your nner vo ce and pay attention to symbol c messages and ntuitive ins ghts Your motto for the moment is from b rthday great Car Jung: “The person who ooks outward dreams, the person who ooks nward awakens ”

This week you’ll be reliab y unpred ctable and cons stent y ncons stent! Love, loya ty and comprom se are the New Moon buzzwords But one ha f of you wants to snuggle up c ose with someone special – while the other half longs to be foot oose, fancy-free and spontaneously so o Try to find the sweet spot between cosy companionsh p and nv gorat ng ndependence And resist the urge to be an Aquarian provocateur who s del berate y controvers a

New Moon week is the deal t me to ditch bad da ly hab ts and start afresh Work, health, fitness and food cho ces are the main areas you need to rev se and then make some long-overdue changes and ad ustments The sooner the better Try to release pent-up Piscean frustrat ons v a a chat with a c ose confidante or a trusted fami y member Spending some qua ity time with your favour te four-legged friend (in the great outdoors) wil a so he p to l ft your spir ts

COPYRIGHT Joanne Made ne Moore 2025

Be prepared, not snowed under

POLICE are disappointed at the number of motorists arriving at alpine resorts unprepared, with more than 80 cars turned away each weekend from Mt Buller for failing to carry required snow chains at Alpine resorts.

With the snow season set in, police have made 50 rescues on Mt Hotham -mostly consisting of motorists whoneeded to be extracted to their cars duetorapidly changing weather conditions.

Despite clear laws, signage and repeated safety messages, police and Alpine resort management staff continue to interceptalargenumber of vehicles without snow chains -equipment that can be the difference between asafetrip and a serious crash.

Police are warning that too many drivers are ignoring safety advice,and puttingthemselves and others at serious risk.

Incidents on the slopes this year include:

 Aprobationary driver relying on GPS directions became stranded while attempting to travel from Gippsland to Sydney via the Dargo High Plains Road. Driving a4WD with his girlfriend onboard, the man was unable to ascend the final climb near the Great Alpine Road due to fresh snow, icy conditions, and alack of snow chains. Mt Hotham CFA were required to winch the vehicle to safety. The driver later told police he was unfamiliar with alpine driving conditions;

 Emergency services responded to another incident on Mt Buffalo Road, where avehicle

carrying four people (two adults and two children) slid off the road and came to rest on asmall embankment. Fortunately, no one was injured;

 Police and SES crews from Bright and Falls Creek were deployed to asignificant rescue operation on Blue Rag Range Track near Mt Hotham, where more than adozen people became stranded as 50cm of snow fell in ashort period. Thirteen people were rescued after their vehicles became stuck, and;

 Police intercepted two young men who had driven aMercedes sports car up to Mt Hotham in hazardous conditions. The vehicle, which could not be fitted with chains due to low-profile tyres and poor ground clearance, was also found to be unregistered. The driver was issued with a penalty notice.

Officers will maintain astrong presence on the mountains, with proactive patrols and compliance checks being conducted by local police, Highway Patrol, alpine-trained members, Liquor Control Victoria and the Heavy Vehicle Unit.

Policehave seen asignificant rise in day trippers–peopleheading up the mountain for the day, with many failing to check the conditions and not carrying chains.

Authoritiesare reminding all visitors thatthe same rules apply regardless of how long you plan to stay. If you’re entering designated alpine resorts, legally required snow chains must be carried and fitted when directed.

Save paramedics for emergencies

AN extra 100 Code 1cases each day since April has prompted an urgent call to actionfromAmbulance Victoria (AV) for help to save paramedicsand ambulances for the sickest patients.

Driven largelybyrespiratory illness, the increase in demand for life-saving paramedic care has put significant strain on the system.

“Calling an ambulance when you don’t need one coulddelay help for someone whose life depends on it,” Ms McGowan said.

“The message is simple, save paramedics for emergencies,” Mr Emery added.

The state'sambulance service welcomed 59 new paramedics this week.

AV ChiefExecutive, Jordan Emery pleaded with Victorians to consider alternativehealthcare options for less-urgent medical concerns.

“We all have arole to play in ensuring paramedics are available to respond to the sickest people in ourcommunities,” Mr Emery said.

Across Melbourne, 14 paramedicswill join branches, and afurther 45 will be placed across regional Victoria in towns including Traralgon and Sale.

“We’ve seen asignificant increase in Code 1cases, on average 100 more each day comparedtojust afew months ago.

During this placement, the paramedics will work under the supervision of clinical instructors and alongside paramedics responding to real emergencies and developing their clinical skills.

“This increase in life-threatening cases means we need to respondlightsand sirens to administer life-saving medicalcare –and we can’t do that if ambulances are beingcalledtoless-urgent or avoidable situations.”

AV Acting Director Regional and Clinical Operations, Jessica McGowanurged Victorians to ensure they’reprotected against season illness.

“Vaccination remains one of the best ways to protect against seasonal illness and if you’re feeling unwell or you have flu-like symptoms, stay home to help stop the spread and protect those most at risk,” she said.

“Paramedics do not replace GP care. It is vital that if you are feeling unwell that you seek medical advice as soon as possible, before your illness escalates."

That advicecouldbefrom alocal GP or pharmacist, or the onlineVictorian Virtual Emergency Department which is also agreat option and it’s free.

Paramedics are also now getting the training and skills they need to deliverincreasingly specialised levels of care, with Australia’s first Paramedic Practitioners now training and more MICA paramedics being recruited.

There are many ways to get health advice and care outside of Triple Zero (000), including:

 Victorian Virtual Emergency Department: 24/7 free online access to emergency doctors and nurses via: www.vved.org.au

 Urgent Care Clinics: GP-led care for urgent but non-emergency issues;



If

Prepare: Those travelling to thesnoware reminded to have chainshandy Photograph iStock

TheGuide

TEENAGE BOSS: NEXT LEVEL

ABC Family,Saturday, 7.30pm

No question –the woman who introduced hair bows to the Wiggles merchandising machinehas to be afinancial genius. Now,Emma Watkins bringsher business brain to Tasmanian families in the second season of thiscash-savvy series that puts teenagersinchargeof their household budgetfor an entire month: from buying forgroceries to handlingunexpected bills, it’s an invaluable lesson in financial independence.Saturday’s premiere checks in with Caitlin (pictured, right with Watkins), whose mumSeher spends alot of time andmoney seekingout Turkishingredients to feed friends and family.Caitlin works two jobs,but needs help to fund aschool ski trip.Can she curb Seher’s spending appetite duringRamadan?

Wednesday, July23

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Four Corners.(R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 National Press Club Address.

1.35 MediaWatch. (PG, R)

2.00 Parliament Question Time.

2.55 Love Your Garden. (R)

3.45 Fake Or Fortune? (R)

PICK OF THE WEEK

AUSTIN ABC TV, Sunday, 7 30pm

Literary fame is calling for plucky young writer Austin (Loveon theSpectrums wonderfully authentic Michael Theo) when his novel is picked up by an international publisher in the second season of this hit comedy Success is also calling for his father Julian (Ben Miller)

FBI:MOST WANTED 10, Tuesday, 9.40pm

PORTUGAL WITH MICHAELPORTILLO

SBS, Monday, 7 30pm

From Michael Portillo’s (pictured) countless Railway Journeysto his envious Long Weekendsjaunts, and now this six-part series discovering the cultural riches and stunning landscapes of Portugal it s hard to believe there isn t yet a dedicated SBS Portillo channel In this second episode, Portillo explores the north of the country where he is delighted to find significant Roman influence and architecture in Braga, Portugal s oldest city, and Ponte de Lima, its oldest town

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

and stepmother Ingrid (Sally Phillips) who have sold their BigBearseries to Aussie TV execs However, Julians lingering scandals see him cut out of the creative process – an axing he won t take lying down DNA test results are the hot topic of tonight s premiere – is Julian really Austins father? As they weigh their feelings about it, the trio take a trip to Northampton

There’sbothgood news and badfor fans of this high-stakes police procedural: while US netwwork CBS cancelled both MostWantedandits fellow FBIspinoff International,earlier thisyear;the silver lining for Aussiefans is that we’vestill got afull season n of new episodes to catch up on beforeSupervisory Special Agent Remy Scott(Dylan McDermott,pictured) and the squad tackle their final case. On Tuesday, in “Radio Silence”, the task forcemustact quuickly whentwo NYPDofficers aregunned down d during arobbery, and another pair gets targeted whhile responding to acall. With precincts across thhe city on edge, the team works against theclock to track down the killer and end the bloodshhed

SEVEN (7,6)

4.45 Long Lost Family (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow (R) 6am Morning Programs. 9.00 DD India News Hour 10.00 BBC News At Ten. 10.30 France 24 11.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 15 Highlights. 12.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 16.Highlights. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Insight.(R) 3.00 The DayThe Rock StarDied. (PGd) 3.30 SBS50.(R) 3.35 The Cook Up.(R) 4.05 Jeopardy! 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 Cycling. Tour de France.Stage 16 Highlights. 6.00 Sunrise 9.00 TheMorningShow. (PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 MOVIE: PartyFrom Hell. (2021, Mav,R)Jackie Moore. 3.00 TheChase. (R) 4.00 SevenNewsAt4 5.00 TheChaseAustralia. Hosted by LarryEmdur

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30

8.00 Hard Quiz. (Return, PG)

8.30 Guy Montgomery’sGuy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG) Presented by GuyMontgomery

9.20 Would ILie To You? (PG) HostedbyRob Brydon.

9.50 Spicks And Specks. (PGs, R)

10.20 QI. (PGs)

10.50 ABCLate News. 11.05 The Business. (R) 11.20 YouCan’t Ask That.(Mal, R) 12.30 Parliament Question Time. 1.30 Love Your Garden.(R) 2.20 Long Lost Family.(PG,R)

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

5.00 Peppa Pig. 5.15 Big Lizard 5.20 Thomas And Friends. 5.35 PeterRabbit. 5.45 Kangaroo Beach 6.00 Octonauts. 6.10 Super Monsters. 6.20 Bluey. 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 IsadoraMoon. 7.00 Supertato 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Do Not Watch This Show. 7.40 The Inbestigators. 7.55 Junior Vets 8.20 BTN Newsbreak. 8.30 AbbottElementary 9.10 The MysteriousBenedict Society 10.00 Merlin. 10.45 Late Programs.

6.00 MastermindAustralia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 HowDisneyBuilt America:Now AvailableInStores. (Mv) Looksathow Walt Disney pioneered merchandising. 8.30 Air IndiaCrash: WhatWent Wrong? Looks at the tragic events of AirIndia Flight 171, which crashed in June 2025,resulting in 260 fatalities.

9.25 Cycling. Tour de France.Stage17. 1.50 Great Coastal Railway Journeys. (R) 2.25 World’sMost Secret Homes. (R) 4.15 Bamay (R) 4.50 DestinationFlavour: Singapore Bitesize. (PGaw,R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home And Away (PGa)

7.30 The1%Club UK. (PG, R) Hosted by LeeMack

8.30 TheFront Bar. (Ml) Hosts Sam Pang, Mick Molloy and AndyMaher takea lighter look at all things AFL. 9.30 Unfiltered. (PGa) Hosted by HamishMcLachlan

10.00 AshleyCain: Into The Danger Zone. (Madl) Ashley Cain travels to Colombia. 11.20 Stags. (MA15+adv) 12.20 Imposters. (Malsv, R) 1.20 TouchingEvil. (MA15+av) 2.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise

TEN (10, 5) NINE (9,8)

1.00 Space Invaders (PGa,

2.00 Pointless. (PG) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG) 4.00 9NewsAfternoon 4.30[VIC]TippingPoint Australia.(PG) 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.30[VIC]WINNews.

6.00 9News

7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 Tipping Point: TheBlock. (PG) Hosted by Todd Woodbridge 9.00 Murder Down Under: Byron BayMurders Pt 2. Looks at notable murders in Australia. 10.00 9News Late.

10.30 Ski Rescue Down Under. (PGa)

11.30 DamianLewis:Spy Wars. (Mv,R)

12.15 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.05 Hello SA (PG) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop.(R) 3.00 Home Shopping. 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 ACurrent Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News 5.30 Today

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am MorningPrograms. 7.30 The Actually Really Very Difficult Show 8.00 Nanny 9.00 Jeopardy! Australia.

6am TheLastWave. (1977,PGaln) 7.40 Hum Do Hamare Do.(2021, PGl, Hindi) 10.05 TenCanoes. (2006,Mnv,Ganalbingu, English, Gunwinggu) 11.40 Love Thing.(2022, Madlsv, German) 1.30pm LikeFather,LikeSon. (2013,PGa, Japanese) 3.45 The Emperor’s Club.(2002, PGlns) 5.45 Whisky Galore.(2016,PGl) 7.35 Living. (2022, PGals) 9.30 Ali And Ava. (2021, Mal, R) 11.15 Eiffel. (2021, Mas, French) 1.15am Both Sides Of The Blade. (2022, MA15+as, French) 3.20 The ShadowOfThe Day. (2022, Msv, French,Italian) 5.45 The Movie Show

3.00 Reunited. 4.00 Barbie: ATouch Of Magic. 4.30 MOVIE: LOLSurprise! Winter Fashion ShowMovie. 5.30 Pokémon. 6am MorningPrograms. 7.30 Creek To Coast. 8.00 MotorRacing. Night Thunder. Silver Cup.Highlights. 9.00 Truck Night In America. 10.00 Australia ReDiscovered. 10.30 American Resto. 11.00 Storage Wars 11.30 American Pickers. 12.30pm Pawn Stars. 1.30 Outback Truckers. 2.30 Train Rescue Down

Thursday,July24

ABC (2) SBS (3)

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Foreign Correspondent. (R) 10.30 Back Roads. (PG, R) 11.10 Guy Montgomery’sGuy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Silent Witness. (Ma, R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 2.55 Love Your Garden. (R) 3.45 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 4.45 Long Lost Family (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Back Roads: North East Tasmania. (PG)

8.30 Griff’sGreat American South. Griffexperiences modern Atlanta’sbold energy

9.20 CultureByDesign: Community Alook at how

9.50 Griff’sGreat Australian Rail Trip: Uluru To Adelaide Find What Makes Australia Extraordinary (Final, R) 10.40 ABC Late News. 10.55 The Business. (R) 11.10 Love Your Garden. (R) 12.00 Parliament Question Time. 1.00 Long Lost Family.(PG,R) 1.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.10 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Morning Programs. 1.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. 2.05 SBS50. 2.10 Engineering Reborn. 3.00 Living Black. (R) 3.30 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Jeopardy! 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 17. Highlights. 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show (PG)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) Presented by MarcFennell.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 TreasuresWith Bettany Hughes: EasternMediterranean. (PGa) Bettany Hughes travels to the Eastern Mediterranean wherehuman creativity, ingenuity and perseverance converge.

8.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 18. ViftoCourchevel (Col de la Loze). 171.5km mountain stage. From France.

2.00 SBS50. (PG, R)

2.05 World’sMost Secret Homes. (R)

3.50 Blue Water Safari. (PGal, R)

4.50 Destination Flavour: SingaporeBitesize. (PG, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 6.20pm Bluey 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Isadora Moon. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Do Not Watch This Show 7.40 The Inbestigators. 7.55 Junior Vets. 8.20 BTN Newsbreak. 8.25 Secrets Of The Zoo. 9.10 The Wonderful World Of Kittens. 9.55 Dance Life. 10.50 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs. 2pm Talking Language. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 Yarning CultureThrough Film. 5.30 Te Ao With Moana. 6.00 Bamay 6.30 News. 6.40 Arctic Secrets. 7.29 NITV Weather 7.30 Going Places. 8.30 Tribal. 9.25 MOVIE: Mad Max III: Beyond Thunderdome. (1985, M) 11.15 Late Programs.

6am WorldWatch. Noon WorldWatch. 12.30 Insight. 1.30 The Giants: From Hawaii To Sumo Legends. 2.00 Tour de France. H’lights. 3.00 Tour de France. H’lights. 4.00 News. 4.05 WorldWatch 6.00 Over The Black Dot. 6.30 Travel Man. 7.00 Jeopardy! 7.25 News. 7.30 8Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Curse Of Oak Island. 10.10 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6am Morning Programs. 10.15 The Shadow Of The Day.(2022, Msv,French, Italian) 12.35pm C’mon C’mon. (2021, Mal) 2.35 Another Country.(2015, PGaw) 4.00 Living. (2022, PGals) 5.50 Mrs Lowry And Son. (2019, PGan) 7.30 In The Heat Of The Night. (1967, Mav) 9.30 Begin Again. (2013, Mls) 11.25 Late Programs.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Football. AFL. Round 20. HawthornvCarlton.

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

11.00 Kick Ons. Apreview of the upcoming AFL matches.

11.30 Autopsy USA: Leonard Nimoy (Ma, R) Alook at the death of LeonardNimoy

12.30 Life. (Madv,R)Awoman wearing angel wings falls to her death.

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

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.

5.00 Sunrise Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

Morning Programs. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 21. Sydney Roosters vMelbourne Storm. 9.45 Thursday Night Knock Off. Post-match NRL news and analysis of the Sydney Roosters versus Melbourne Storm match.

10.30 9News Late. 11.00 Outback Opal Hunters. (PGl) The Bushmen’shomemade hoist and bucket fails.

12.00 Next Stop.

12.30 Tipping Point. (PG,

Friday,July25

ABC TV (2) SBS (3) SEVEN (7,6) TEN (10, 5) NINE (9,8) 6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Poh’s Kitchen. (R) 10.30 Take 5. (Final, Ml, R) 11.10 Little Disasters. (Final, Mal, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Bay Of Fires. (Mal, R) 2.00 Muster Dogs: Collies And Kelpies. (PG, R) 2.55 Love Your Garden. (R) 3.45 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 4.45 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

6.30 HardQuiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Gardening Australia. Jane escapes to atropical conservatory

8.30 Patience. (Ma) Patience investigates when abest-selling crime writer is found dead behind locked doors.

9.20 HardQuiz. (PG, R) Presented by TomGleeson.

9.50 Guy Montgomery’sGuy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG, R) Presented by Guy Montgomery

10.40 Spicks And Specks. (PGs, R)

11.05 ABC Late News.

11.25 Silent Witness. (Ma, R)

12.25 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)

5.00 Rage. (PG)

6am Morning Programs. 12.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 18. Highlights. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 SBS50. (PG, R) 2.05 Engineering Reborn. (R) 3.00 Nula. 3.30 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Jeopardy! 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 18. Highlights. 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show.(PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 Your Money & Your Life. (PG) 1.30 Border Security: International. (PG, R) 2.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R) 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) Presented by MarcFennell. 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 The Good Ship Murder (Return, Mv) Acomedian is murdered on the ship. 8.25 The Royals: AHistory Of Scandals: Sex. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb investigates four sex scandals that dragged royals members through the gutter

9.20 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 19. Albertville to La Plagne. 129.9km mountain stage. From France.

2.00 World’sMost Secret Homes. (R)

3.45 Blue Water Safari. (PG, R) 4.40 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6pm Octonauts. 6.10 Super Monsters. 6.20 Bluey 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Isadora Moon. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Good Game Spawn Point. 7.50 MOVIE: Looney Tunes: Back In Action. (2003, PG) 9.20 BTN Newsbreak. 9.25 Robot Wars. 10.25 Merlin. 11.10 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Ali And Ava. (2021, Mal) 11.45 Eiffel. (2021, Mas, French) 1.45pm The Movie Show 2.20 Whisky Galore. (2016, PGl) 4.10 Walk With Me. (2017, PG) 5.55

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Football. AFL. Round 20. Essendon vWesternBulldogs.

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

11.30 Dancing With The Stars. (PG, R) Celebrities show offtheir dance skills. 12.50 The Disappearance. (Madv,R)Charles and Susan continue their investigation.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

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

6.00 9News.

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 Police Rescue Australia. (PG, R) Abushwalker suffers crippling back pain.

8.30 MOVIE: Dog. (2022, Mdlv,R) AUSArmyRanger travels with amilitary dog to the funeral of her handler.Channing Tatum, Ethan Suplee, Kevin Nash.

10.30 MOVIE: Gringo. (2018, MA15+dlv,R)Aman plots his own abduction. David Oyelowo.

12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Postcards. (PG, R) 6.00 10 News+. 7.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 7.30

The Graham Norton Show (Ms,

valleysport

Sporting results from around the Latrobe Valley

FOOTBALL AFL EXPORTS

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

IN his ninth AFL season,Morwell’s Ben Ainsworth might justhave his best shotatsuccesssince entering the big league.

The Gold Coast Suns small forward brought up his 150th game at the weekend, and is currently in the midst of aseason in which the expansion club is on the verge of its first-ever finals appearance. Ainsworth also received life membership for the club by achieving the milestone.

Before being drafted fourth overall in the 2016 National Draft, Ainsworth wasthe excitement of the Latrobe Valley, running amuck as aphenomenal junior player threading throughMorwell Youth Club to Morwell Football-Netball Club to Gippsland Power.

The Morwellyoung gun represented Australia overseas in South Africa and made AFL Academy trips to New Zealand and America, the latter

visiting the IMG Academy in Florida, which had developed the likes of tennis star Maria Sharapova and NFL quarterback Eli Manning.

During this time, Ainsworth also made regular appearances for Morwell as a15-year-old during their famedrun to the Gippsland League senior premiership in 2013.

Onceinunder18s,Ainsworth was selected as an All Australian in his first season at Gippsland Power, and was namedcaptain of Power in his draft year. It wasn’t all smooth sailinginhis final year of juniors. Ainsworth missed anumberofgames due to injury and suspension, before hitting form in the backend of the season, including abest-on-ground performance against Bendigo Pioneerswith 22 touches and four goals.

Making his AFL debut in Round 1, 2017 against Brisbane Lions (Q Clash to start things off), Ainsworth finished with14disposalsand two goals in atwo-point loss.

Despite aturbulent season for the Suns, the

MOSTGAMES FOR GOLD COAST

DavidSwallow 247

Touk Miller 207

Jarrod Harbrow 192

AlexSexton 184

Jarrod Witts 157

Sam Day 155

Ben Ainsworth 150

Sean Lemmens 149

LIFE MEMBERS

John Witheriff

Bob Gordon

JarrodHarbrow

Alan ‘Doc’ Mackenzie

Michael Rischitelli

BobEast

Paul Scurrah

David Swallow

AlexSexton

Gary Ablett Jr

Touk Miller

Tony Cochrane

SamDay

Rory Thompson

Ben Ainsworth

Lifemembershipand 150 games for Ainsworth

final year of Gary Ablett Jr’s tenure up north and coach Rodney Eade being sacked with threegames remaining, Ainsworth proved formidableinhis first year, garneringanAFL Rising Star nomination againstEssendon in Round22, and had afour-goal outing against North Melbourne in Round 15.

At 27, the best is still perhaps yet to come, but he hit his best form throughout 2022 and 2023 whenheaveraged 16.8 disposals andbooted46 goals across 43 games.

In the second year of the Damien Hardwick era, Gold Coast has developed intoa serious finalscontender,inwhatcould be theclub’s firstpostseason berthsince they joined the AFL in 2011.

Ainsworth told breakfast radio last week that the side has really shot up the ladder with the arrival of the three-time Richmond premiership coach.

“I think it’s been building over the last three or four years now, especially as Dimma (Hardwick) came last year and laid the foundations of what we want to be as afootball club …we’re growing as afooty club and Ican’t wait for what’s ahead,” he told RSN Breakfast with Harf.

While noting how special it is to get to the 150 mark, Ainsworthalsosaid he’s focussedonthe season ahead and playing in the big games for the first time in his career.

“It’s apretty cool achievement, playing 150 games, but I’m sort of entrenched in what the team’s doing at the moment, like we’ve never been in this situation before as afooty club in terms of potentially playing finals this late in the season,” he added.

Ainsworth is amember of astrongcontingent of Latrobe Valley and Gippslandplayers up on the Gold Coast,with Moe’s Bailey Humphrey, Fish Creek’sand former Moe junior SamFlanders,

Heyfield’s AsherEastham, andMaffra’s Max Knobel (latter two yet to play).

In conjunction with all that was previously mentioned, Ainsworth also spent time with the Express in 2015 as apart of his work experience with SEDA. He contributed amidseason report on Morwell, Traralgon and Moe by sitting down with senior coachesJoel Soutar, Mark Collison and Adrian Burgiel.

All stars come to Morwell

FOOTBALL/NETBALL

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

JUSTafew daysafter the Gippsland Youth Interleague Carnivaltook place at Morwell Recreation Reserve,morejunior footballers and netballers arrived for the 2025Dahlsens Gippsland All Stars.

Building up over the last few months, the grand finals for under 13s football, U14s football and netball, U15s football and netball, and girls football took place right back at Morwell.

The day started with Southern Gippsland defeating Latrobe Valley in athrilling U13s Grand Final by one point, 2.5 (17) to 2.4 (16).

The Latrobe Valley side held aseven-point lead heading into the last stretch, but Southern Gippsland managed to pressurethe ball through for agoal and multiple scores in the last quarter to secure the win.

Latrobe Valley’sbest was Bailey Fulham, Campbell Adams, Thomas Shaw, Maddox Kaczkowski, Goy Deng, and Lincoln Sutton, while Sonny Darby booted two goals.

Southern Gippsl and’s Oliver Bolge was best-on-ground.

The U14s Grand Final saw Eastern Gippsland comfortably dispatch Southern Gippsland, 7.2 (44) to 3.7 (25).

Eastern Gippsland’s Patrick Centra claimed best-on-ground honours in the decider. Over on the netball court, Western Gippsland defeated Latrobe Valley, 32 to 29 in the U14s Grand Final.

Mia Fede, Mylah May with22goals and Harper de Dios performed admirably for Latrobe Valley.

Western Gippsland’sSapphire Pratt was best-on-court in the win.

Back on the footballfield,the Girls Grand Final saw Western Gippslandclaim victory over Eastern Gippsland, 7.7 (49) to 2.1 (13).

Keira Ingham was awarded best-on-ground in Western Gippsland’s triumph.

South ern Gipps lan dd efeat ed Wes tern Gippsland in the U15s Grand Final, 6.11 (47) to 3.8 (26).

James MartinofSouthern Gippsland was best-on-ground for the game.

To finish off the day, Western Gippsland won the U15s netball Grand Final over Latrobe Valley, 46-44.

Marah Xerri (17 goals), Kitty Passalaqua and Summah Nash stood tall in defeat for Latrobe Valley.

Western Gippsland’s Fiona Nalder was beston-court in the final match of the day.

Messiah: Ben Ainsworthdominated as ajunior playerlocally, beforebeing takenatPick4by Gold Coast in 2016 File photograph

Loyal: Morwell’sBen Ainswor th playedhis 150AFL game forGold CoastSuns at the weekend. Photograph supplied

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

Maroons shownomercy

FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

ZAndersonA Quigley SWalsh BBailey ARosatoBCouling.Wonthaggi: B Mabilia EDickisonJ Williams JGilmour KPatterson HDawson

(61) GOALS: Leongatha: AHeppell 2N Argento2MDeKleuver ZLamers AWilliams FDonohue PIreland KDrew. Moe: BCrocker 4LPoholke 2LCheffers ADijkstra HPepper BEST: Leongatha:BHarding HLindsay AHeppell JHume NArgentoB Willis.Moe:LMasters L Cheffers MWoodall XBerquez ADijkstra HPepper

SALE5.6 11.10

26.16 (172) DROUIN 1.2 2.4 4.7 9.9 (63)

GOALS: Sale: TCampbell 6SLange 5HRonchi 3B Walker 3T Wriggleswor th 2W

B Walker DEggmolesse -Smith TCampbell JHalligan. Drouin: SAmoroso KQuirk MWilliames CKleeven BBibby ZAtkins

BFor tD Kratzat MSheahan. Moe: BHolt 2CNashA Wilson WRobinson. BEST: Leongatha: LMarshmanNHanilyIFox NClark BFor tT Gannon. Moe: CNash AWilson JMakepeaceBSword WHester

GOALS: Morwell: TGray2 NNoblett 2C White. Wonthaggi: BCornelis 2CKrause BEST: Morwell: ZCheffers LPatterson MMcInnes NNoblett DMakepeaceCBailey.Wonthaggi: A McNeel JHar veyJ Douthat CKrause BCornelis APugh

GOALS: Traralgon: BWhite3 ALovison 2J VanIwaardenK Marsh GRuach BCheetham DHough. Maffra: DAdams 2J Andrews2J KellowHStables Astobie BEST: Traralgon: B WhiteK Marsh JMacumberBCheetham JCashmoreJ Mudita. Maffra:S Tudor

NOW the gap widens.

The Gippsland Leagueladder painted a clearer pictureafterRound13matches at the weekend.

Realistically, and virtually mathematically, only one team outside the top five can still make finals, giventhere is athree-game gap between six and seven.

The round was highlighted by Indigenous Round, and senior debutants making their mark across various games.

 WELL, that’s one way to get revenge.

Traralgon made up for its earlier season loss to Maffra in the most brutal fashion possible.

The Maroons were clearly not taking any chances, and won 23.19 (157) to 6.6 (42) on Terry Hunter Oval.

The home side set the tone early with eight goals in the first quarter alone.

The margin was out beyond triple figures at threequarter time, and became asimple case of atop threesidelookingtofinalsagainst a bottomthree side looking to see out the year.

Dylan Loprese kicked five goals for Traralgon on his return. He was ably assisted by familiarfaces Tye Hourigan, Jordan Cunico, Harvey Neocleous, TristenWaack andMattNorthe.

Dan McKenna and Jackson McMahonalso helped their tallies with four goals each.

Incredibly, such ahugemarginmeant the Maroons’ percentage climbed by more than 10 digits.

Maffra needed some of its own experience to prevent the scoreboard blowing up even more.

Veterans Alex Carr, Danny Butcher and Dylan Alexander battled hard, as did Zack Felsbourg, Tom Phillips and Elijh Berry.

 YOU’RE only as good as your last game.

Drouin came crashing back down to Earth against Sale.

Heading into the match at Sale Oval with victory in their previous outing, the Hawks were completelywiped off the park, 26.16 (172) to 9.9 (63).

Seeking awin to snap afour-game losing streak, the Magpies madeitanabsolute certainty with11goalstotwo in the third quarter.

Such an avalanche of goals undoubtedly gave Sale supporters something to cheer about, in what has been aseason that has fallen well short of expectation.

The Magpies will likely finish bottom three, and playing-coach Jack Johnstone has already informedthe club he won’t be going around again.

Power break, and fellow youngster

Jack Halligan did likewise coming up from the under 18s on senior debut.

Indigenous boys Bohdi Walker (three goals)and Derek Eggmolesse-Smith were also productive on what was aspecial day for

them,wearing the Indigenous jumpers they designed for the league’s IndigenousRound.

Seb Amoroso, Kye Quirk, Max Williames, Caleb Kleeven, Blake Bibby and Zayne Atkins battled hard for Drouin.  YOU can just imagine the smile on Sheebo’s face.

Warragul took another huge step toward finals ,o vercoming Bairnsdale in East Gippsland.

The Gulls had to survive anear-death experience, but drove home victors by eight points, 9.10 (64) to 8.8 (56).

The visitors lookedtohave the game wrapped up at three quarter time, leading by 27 points,before managingjust two behinds in the last term.

Warragul got what they needed however, thanks mainly to the efforts of Jordan Stewart who bagged five goals.

Stewart looms as one to watch come finals.

The Pakenham recruit came into the Gulls' line-up in Round 8, and has kicked 22 goals in his six games.

Warragul assistant-coach, Sean Masterson was also lively in defence,and could be a sneaky chance for the league medal.

He has beennamed in the best 10 times in 13 gamesand is fourth in the league's MVP as voted by the coaches after each game.

Others to playwell were PatrickMulqueen, James Harrison, LiamSerong and Tom Stern.

Best players for the Redlegs were Ethan East, Tyran Rees, Will Mitchell, Nic Bulmer, Tom Blenheim and Lachlan Cloak.

VFL rule saga ongoing

FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

THERE was no further updates at time of press (Monday night) regarding the 'VFL player rule'.

Gippsland League clubs are seeking exemptions in order to have their 'local' players currently aligned with VFL clubs eligible for Gippsland League finals.

The rule mainly affects Moe and Leongatha,who have RileyBaldiand Dyson Heppell playing with Caseyand Port Melbournerespectively.

Previ ously, the Gipp sland Leagu e operated under the proviso VFL players were eligible for local finalsprovided they played four games for their home club.

The year before,NoahGown helped Leongatha to the flag after playing virtually the whole season for VFL club Sandringham.

To show just how much passion there is in local footy, the Express haseven had email correspondence asking if court action could be taken.

"I think if the clubs wanted to they could challenge this in court," part of an email to the author read.

"What happens to Traralgon's premiership, do theykeep it or will the league review it because they played an ineligible player?"

While stripping premierships would be an unlikely outcome and unimaginably drastic step, the situation will remain closely monitored.

BEST: Maffra: LHarrington JDowsett MRondon JBrickley CRoss JHenry.Traralgon: TDavidson S Wight BAdams TLapenta JBrand KThorley

(69)

RO’Neill2 TJames BEST: Wonthaggi: TMacmillan MOri SCar terLLidstoneH Smith JBurns.Mor well: DRosatoCPage RO’Neill JMooney TJames

LEONGATHA 1.2 4.3 6.6 7.7 (49)

MOE 1.2 2.3 3.4 4.7 (31) GOALS: Leongatha: MCroatto3MSheahan 2EBerr yman MCar ter. Moe: BRaymond ERomano ABattista WMills BEST: Leongatha:SBradley NBradleyKMcGrath AFixterM CroattoA Gannon. Moe: OBudd BRaymond MMoroney BBlandfordW Mills KBudnik

SALE2.1 6.3 6.5 7.8 (50)

DROUIN 1.4 2.4 7.4

Sale:AGerrand 2O Centra JKelly DFeltis MMcMasterJGreenwood.Drouin: RBaker 4CStone JWelford DBritt. BEST: Sale:MMcMasterD Vander voor tF Wilson HHughes D Davidson JRoads.Drouin: JHustonDBritt RBaker TMapleson JEtchell ECroucher

3.2 5.3 7.10 10.11 (71) WARR AGUL 2.1 3.5

Johnstone has put in along stint in local footy years as Sale coach, guiding the team to finals,including aGrand Final in three of his four completedyears (fiveincluding the cancelled 2021 season).

Winning by such ahugemarginmight just be enough to ensure theMagpies finish above Maffra when the home-and-away ladder is sorted.

Whilefinals might be off the cards for both teams, make no mistake, the battle to finish above the other on the ladder will always be fierce.

Shannen Lange kicked five goals in abest afield display for Sale, while cult hero Tom Campbell snagged half-a-dozen.

Harry Tatterson also chipped in while on

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

However, it was recentlydiscovered that AFL Victoria Country bylaws state any VFL-aligned player who plays more than12VFL games is not eligible for local finals.

This rule has been in placesince at least 2019, and supersedes AFL Gippsland bylaws.

Where things get potentially murky however is the factrecent Gippsland League premiers have used the 'VFL rule' to their distinct advantage.

Tristen Waack played for Traralgon in last season'spremiership after playing 15 VFL games.

It is understood aperson connected to the West Gippsland Football-Netball Competition blew the lid on the breach. Some havelabel this ahit on the Gippsland League, as WestGippsland seeks to become the 'Number 1' league east of Melbourne. Gippsland League club, Drouin could yet join the West Gippsland competition, and there can be little doubt Wonthaggi andWarragul are in their sights as well. AFL Victoria and theGippsland League themselves howeverneed to approve any club transfers.

Gippsland

Journey: Moe’s Jacob Wood taking par t in the smokingceremony.

Photograph: Julie Sim

Tiger train full steam ahead

FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

MORWELL just about ended Wonthaggi’s season.

The Tigers completed the first of two consecutive major assignments in South Gippsland, defeating the Power 12.12 (84) to 7.5 (47) in Round 13 of the Gippsland League

The result saw Morwell enterthe top five at Wonthaggi’s expense, and for all intentsand purposes, could well be enough to see them stay there.

Morwell is equal on points with the Power, but holds amore than 20 per cent advantage-equivalent to 200 points just about.

Wonthaggi finishes the season playing the top three teamsbetween rounds 16 and 18 (Traralgon, Leongatha, Moe), and still has the road tripto Bairnsdale.

The ball is therefore well and truly in Morwell’s court provided the Tigers keep winning.

Morwell looked in danger of missing finals only three weeks ago, yet aSundayvictory over the Maroons and aWonthaggi loss to bottom-side Drouin on the same weekend hassuddenly breathed new life into the Tigers season.

Wonthaggi’swin over Traralgon in Round 7has certainly come at acost, with the Power winning just asinglegame since amid amounting injury list.

Morwell however could not be accused of beating aweakened opposition at the weekend.

Wonthaggi recalled former AFL player Isaac Chugg, VFL player Jack Blair, seven-time senior best-and-fairest winner, Aiden Lindsay, 150 game Power veteran, Shannon Bray and playing-coach Jarryd Blair.

Lindsaycameback after playing in the reserves the previous round -the firsttimehehas ever featured in the early game.

His presence however wasn’t enough to stop the

Contest: Morwell’sAnthonyRosatotussles with Wonthaggi’sJackBlair forthe ball

Photograph: Bruce WardleySouth GippslandSentinel Times

Tigerscoming out afterhalftime and slamming on eight goals to one in the third term.

Astrongwind blowing straight across Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve toward the scoreboard played havocfor muchofthe game, and sawthe home side go into the sheds with aslender four-point lead.

With their season seemingly steady, the Power may have regretted ever entering the arena again, as Morwell put the result beyond all reasonable doubt.

Thirty-eight points up at three quarter time, the visitors played time in the last, getting through to winbymore or less the exact same margin.

Josh Galeacontinued his goal-kicking ways, nabbing three for the winners after owning the goal square in the second half.

With much riding on the result, Morwell’s big

guns in veteran Zac Anderson, skipper Aidan Quigley, young stars Sam Walshand Blake Couling, playing-coach Boyd Bailey and midfield bull Anthony Rosato stood tall.

Suchasight reflected apossible changing of the guard given the quality of ins and experience for Wonthaggi.

Arguably, the apprentices defeated the masters. Thatthe Tigers nullifiedthe influence of so many of the Power’s most prolific players was also seen in Wonthaggi’s best players.

Those honours went to Brodie Mabilia, Ethan Dickison, JaxonWilliams,Jye Gilmour, Kaj Patterson and Harry Dawson.

Morwell welcomed BurkeleyMacfarlane and Tyler Hillier back at the weekend, and also unveiled Will Clark -ironically, from Dalyston.

Indigenous round unites

FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

GIPPSLAND League clubs celebrated Indigenous Round at the weekend.

The league's inaugural Indigenous Round offered the chance to foster learning of Aboriginal culture and strengthen connection between sport and country.

The Aboriginal flag proudly flew at venues, while Moe and Sale football-netball clubs wore Indigenous football jumpers and netball bibs Moe Indigenous player Willy Dow helped with the creation of the Lions jumperdesign, along with artist Lionel Rose of the Kurnai Gunditjmara clan.

"The name Moe derives from the Kurnai word meaning 'Swamp Land'. In thedesignI have added Gippsland wetland native animals such as the platypus, longneck turtle, black swan and ducks designed in traditional Indigenous line work," Rose said.

"The background lines represent tracks throughout the wetlands and waterways. The Vdesign as ariver representing rivers and wetlands throughout Latrobe Valley.

"The artworkdesign stems from theMoe FC jerseys and Itriedtokeepitnaturalto the jersey patterns and work around that."

Sale's Indigenous players Bohdi Walker andDerek Eggmolesse-Smith created the Magpies design, reflectingculture,connection and storytelling.

Asmoking ceremony was conducted at Ted SummertonReserve before the seniorfootball and AGrade netball matches, and all players sported red, black and yellow armbands during the games.

The Aboriginal flag was also painted on the oval, and the 50 metrearcspainted in red, black and yellow.

Questions for Moe after third top-three loss

FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

GLASS half empty or glass half full?

Half full: Moe only lost to Leongatha by two points.

Half empty: Leongatha still has at least four absolute guns to come back into the side -possibly five if Dyson Heppell is available.

The reaction from the Parrots bench on the final sirenmay well have told astoryfar greaterthan a scoreboard reading 10.3 (63) to 9.7 (61).

Never one to get too animated, Leongatha coach, Trent McMicking held both arms aloft as the result meant the Parrots took ahugestridetoward the minor premiership.

Subconsciously perhaps, the reaction also carried some realisation.

If the Parrots can beat afellowpremiership contender with the team they had at the weekend, all could bode well once/if they get back to full strength.

The Lions were without afew key playersaswell, making seven changes to the team that defeated Maffrathe previous week, yet givenMoe coach, Leigh Poholke kept his charges out on the ground for anoticeable amount of time afterthe game suggests he wasn’t all that pleased with afew things. Discipline may have been at the top of his list. The

Lions gave away multiple50-metre penalties that resulted in goals, andanotherfreekick reversed thatwould have putthem inside 50.

After most league pundits felt Moehad reached ‘one handonthe cup’ stage at the halfway mark of the season, the Lions seemingly have some work to do after losing to reigning grand finalists Traralgon and now Leongatha in the last three rounds.

Blustery conditions blowing toward the indoor cricket centre at Ted Summerton Reserve threatened to turn the game into adour affair, yet the umpires, (presumably takingthis into account) kept the game moving withahigher than average number of holding the balldecisions.

Leongatha kickedthreegoals to one in the opening term, mostly the result of Moe’s ill-discipline

Bothteamstraded apair of goalsinthe second, before kicking foureachinthe third

The Parrots took a10-point lead early in the third amid some confusion, after Moe defender Declan Keilty thought he’d juggled amark.

There was no whistle however, and Leongatha’s Aaron Heppell took full advantage to run into an open goal.

Moe cut the margin back to three points after Alex Dijkstra took advantage of his own, drilling aleft foot goal on the run underneath the scoreboard.

The scoreboard itself played havoc during the game, as aselection of the LED globes were missing, meaning some numbers were indecipherable.

The Lions got in front following agood build-up of play saw Jacob Wood hitBen Crocker on the lead, who goaled during red time.

Leongatha immediately hit back through debutant MitchDeKleuver viathe very next centre clearance.

The game’s most telling moment however came shortly after, when Moe’s Luke Cheffers nailedBen Hardingholding the ball in the muddiedcricket pitchsection.

Cheffers wasgiven 50 for atrip, yethad what would have been aset shot deniedwhenteammate Myles Poholke came in to remonstrate, bumping Harding to the ground.

Rubbing salt into the wound, the Parrotsscored a goal from the very next play, and Poholke, arguably best-on-ground to that point, was swamped by green and gold jumpers.

As the great Jack Dyer would say: “retaliate first”

With nine points the difference at the last change, LeighPoholkeinstructedhis team to limithandball in the final term.

“This game is going to go deep,” he said.

Such acall was more prophetic than predictive, as the last quarter played outwith Leongatha holding on for dear life.

There was no change on the scoreboard within the first five minutes, and the Parrots’ defensive efforts had to be applauded.

An insanerundown tackle from Jack Hume

denied Scott van Dyk acertain forward entry, as the Lions threw bulk numbers forward to try and find an avenue. Keilty went forward in the last, and after Cheffers brokethrough from aboundary throw in and goaled at the 12-minute mark, the margin was back to three points.

McMicking had his hands on his head after a couple of closecalls at the other end, yet afree kick to Xavier Lamers and subsequent goal made him breathe alittle easier.

Crocker goaled not long after at the 20-minute mark,onceagain makingitathree-point ballgame. Given the time,the conditions, and the way in which the game had played out, it was now acase of ‘nextgoalwins’.

The Lions missed their last chanceatthe 24-minute mark,afterwhich time theParrots locked it up until the siren sounded barely five minutes later. Hardingwas best for the winners, followed by Hayden Lindsay, Heppell, Hume,Nick Argento and Ben Willis.

Moe’s younger brigade led the way, notably the Gippsland Power trio of Liam Masters, Luke Cheffers and Max Woodall.

Xavier Berquez, on debut up from the under 18s also had some very good moments,asdid Dijkstra and Harry Pepper on what was aspecial day for him giventhe Lions were wearingtheir Indigenous jumpers.

Bulldogs do it again, defeat MDU

FOOTBALL

MID GIPPSLAND BY ROB POPPLESTONE

HEADING into Round 14 of the Mid Gippsland home-a nd-away seaso n, it seemed fair and reasonable to assume the top four positions were locked away, with Foster, Fish Creek, Yinnar and Meeniyan Dumbalk United all looking to have done enough to secure afinals position -well at least it appeared that way.

Where it really gets interesting however is with the six teamsstill fighting for the two available spots that will be available, it seems right up until thefinal round, in just amonth's time.

 MDU VNEWBOROUGH

NEWBOROUGH were 10th, but just one game from fifth, heading into their clash against MDU and knowing that anything short of awin would likely end their hopes of finals given the strength

SENIORS

GOALS: Boolarra: ASheers2M Hebbard2 LSmith. StonyCreek TBernaldo 2CLoughridge BEST: Boolarra: BMasonMPor ykali BFlanigan SNoy MDyerW Flanagan. StonyCreek:CStone J Loughridge CLoughridge TStone CCar terEBusse

TOOR A3.4 4.6 6.8 10.10 (70)

TARWIN 2.3

Toora: LCraig 3J Halsall 2JSmar t2 MBezzene APeile C Walker.Tar win: DBrosnan 2BChalmers 2CMcLeod FBrosnan L Jones THarley TVanderkolk. BEST: Toora: LMarrJ Smar tL Smar tJ Halsall ZClavarino LCraig.Tar win: HCumming BChalmers JProctor TVanderkolk MMcCall NMcRae NE

GOALS: Newborough: CBeaver4 PAinswor th 3HGallagher B van DykKJennings TPeters JBowden. Meeniyan Dumbalk Utd: NNagel4 ABattersbyD ThorsonS Wilson WStewart LWright. BEST: Newborough: CBeaverW Anderson PAinswor th PCharles K Jennings JEdebohls.MeeniyanDumbalk Utd: JLacyT Corr yJHoy S Wilson DThorson JSchelling FISH CREEK3.2

6.7 9.7 (61) YINNAR 2.1 4.2 5.3 5.6 (36)

Fish Creek:JShaw2 TCameron 2J Lamers TGavenlock JStandfieldL Williams SMcGannon. Yinnar:B VanDer Meer 2N Hall BCheffers DLinton. BEST: Fish Creek:MMcGannon JLamers TGavenlock JKennyRDeBiase KDorling.Yinnar: BCheffers B Chapman TRober tson LLintonB VanDer Meer HMcKay

of opposition that still awaits them(Fish Creek and Yinnar).

The final margin, a15-point win for the Bulldogs, 12.5 (77) to 9.8 (62). An on-the-road victoryagainst the odds keeps the dream alive, and destroys the notion that MDU has fourth position in their safekeeping.

Newboroughcoach, Pat Frendo praised his troops.

“Reallygood win against atop four team in MDU," he said.

"Having played them in Round 1wehad abit of an understanding of their game plan and worked hard during the week to negate their foot skills and run and carry game.

"Therewas essentially akick in it the entire game until we slotted the first couple of the last to give us a20point barrier.

"Extremely proud of the boys now they’ve managedtostringtogetheracouple of closewins in arow.

"Well earned bye next (this) week which gives

(3)

GOALS: Meeniyan Dumbalk Utd: JBrydon 6B Tomada 5A Kemper 3J Whiteside 3R Weaver 3MSmith 2CKrohn BTrotman LHarris

THarrisKHelms BCantwell.Newborough: Details N/A. BEST: Meeniyan Dumbalk Utd: JBrydon BTomadaM Harris CKrohn J Whiteside RJefferis.Newborough: JHowell DLupton EMounseyE

Sheekey MStringer RTimbs YINNAR 7.4 13.7 18.1024.11 (155) FISH CREEK0.0 0.1 0.3 0.4 (4)

GOALS: Yinnar:SPatten10CHutchison 4JGarlick 3D Webster

MRenwick NMcCaffer ty MParkerPDuncan BWatsonJShea. Fish Creek:Details N/A. BEST: Yinnar:J Garlick KElphick LPollardB Watson CHutchison GOlver.Fish Creek:JAnderson LSouthwell T Sorrell CMcphee ZRedpath JArestia TOOR A0.5 2.5 4.5 7.8 (50)

JGuganovic.Tar

GOALS: Hill End: DPaul6 HPhoenix 3MBalfour 2J Winduss 2. Tarwin: LJones 2ELangstaff HGuymer BTrevena JCashin. BEST: Hill End: DPaul Dvan der Stoep MBalfour HPhoenix SDamschke B

Stephens.Tar win: CGerretzen AFrancis ICameron JLoweH Guymer

(61)

(54)

GOALS: Newborough: OHanson3CHanson2RKunziakHDunstan

SKippen MLangdon. MDU: LHamilton4 AMcInnes 2RHarrison A

Casey BEST: Newborough: ZDaley LNelson ADaley MBrosnan D Edebohls RKunziak. MDU: BSmith THibberson JCarew JLamber t WCampbell LHamilton

4.6 10.12 15.1520.19 (139)

1.1 4.2 5.3 (33) GOALS Yinnar:HBugeja4PMills3B Burrows 3XMcCaffer ty 2D Hobbs 2G Ryan 2M Berechree HBerechree BChessum JRogalsky Fish Creek:OBright 3LMoon MChapman. BEST: Yinnar:GRyanH Bugeja BBeecher BRansomDNaporowski BBurrows.Fish Creek:B Boyd MThomson JGale JRysko BThomson OBright

the boys achancetoget some rest before we face last year's grand finalists in back-to-back weeks.”

Conversely, Demonscoach,RhettKelly is searching for answers afterdropping the last two games

“The weekend's performance has got us asking questions about where we standasa team," he said.

"There are still plenty of positives. We need to look at tidying up afew areas of our game, which will put us back on track. Credit to Newborough, who came to play and has now beaten us twice this year."

 THORPDALE VMORWELL EAST

THE Blues just needed to get the premiership points, and did so at home.

Thorpdalewas too good for Morwell East, winning 12.8 (80) to 6.4 (40).

Blues coach, Daniel Taylor was happy with the response.

“After adisappointing loss lastweek against Mirboo North it was great to get aresponse from the boys this week in what was probably one of the few times we've put together four quarters of footy," he said.

"Our pressure was good, we were more disciplined and we used the ball alot better which was pleasing. It was also great to get awin in front of our 1985 seniors andreservepremiership sidesinwhat was abig day for the club.”

The Blues can be sometimeshard to gauge as far as performances go, butare still fifthonthe ladder only agame off MDU.

Morwell East coach, Paul Henry kept the result in perspective.

“Not avery good game to watch. The rain held off but was cold and windy," he said.

"I thoughtwehad control rightfrom the start but again our fundamental skill errorsjust kept on providing an opportunity for scoring from turnovers. We kicked the first two of the last to get within 14 points but then it was all Thorpy after that."

 STONY CREEK VBOOLARRA

TWO sideswho have been on the wrong end of close finishes more than they would like to admit, met with the knowledge that this clash would be their best chance of victory in many weeks.

The Demons,desperate to keep their season and finals hopes alive, did just that, beating Stony Creek 5.9 (39) to 3.5 (23) at the racecourse.

After aweek of significant reflection on ahorror loss last week (against Toora) the focus was on a fast start for Boolarra.

"We were welcomed by conditions that would’ve seen kite flyers being plucked fromBassStrait. So with afast start in mind, Aiden Sheers jagged the opener inside aminutetoset the scene," Demons assistant, Scott Berechree said.

"But Stony Creeks vice skipper Cody Loughridge stepped up with ahugetackleand goaltowrest momentum back for thehomeside

"So after afocus on astrongstart,confidence was high at the quarter time siren which gave us atwo-goal lead."

Throwing Bailey Flanagan into the ruck, it was hoped Boolarra could dominate to the scoring end in the second term, but it was Stony Creeks who managed apair of goals to peg the margin back to 10 points at the main change.

After agoalless third quarter that Berechree said "those in attendance will do well to forget", Stony Creekgot back to an evengoal difference on the scoreboard at the last change.

Withfour playersinjured it was Boolarra club president, James Holmes who stood up and played out the last quarter on one leg to give the Demons

the full compliment.

In an arm wrestle of alastquarter that saw more stoppages than kicksthat hit targets, it took 11 minutes for the first, and only goal to be kicked. It was Boolarra's Lachie Smith who kicked truly after asizzlerofapassfrom his skipper Joel Mason.

 YINNAR VFISHCREEK

LAST year's grand finalists had met in Round 1, and saw the Magpies get one up on the reigning premier.

Fish Creek however made it one apiece in the home-and-away season an the weekend, winning 9.7 (61) to 5.6(36) at Yinnar Rec. Kangaroos coach, Jarrod Walker was understandably pleased.

“Reallyhappy with the team.Wespoke pregame about wanting to have four quarters of effort and pressure and Ifeel we gave that," he said.

"Solid contributorsall over the ground with everyoneprepared to get theirhands dirty. As always Yinnar spread the ground really well when they had the ball and made us defend really hard. Agreat atmosphere as well with abig turnout in the crowd from both teams."

Yinnar coach, Sam McCulloch shared the opposite view.

“Disappointing loss and to miss out on the opportunity to get the double chance," he said.

"Fish Creek got on top through the middle and were alot cleanerwith ball use. Certainly couldn’t fault our effort, but turnoversand decision making cost us dearly. Acouple of missed opportunities to gain some momentum at important stages didn’t help."

 TARWIN VTOORA

THE result was always going to offer contrasting fortunes to these two clubs, and that it did.

Toora won athriller, 10.10 (70) to 9.9 (63) at Tarwin Lower.

The Sharks are now effectively playing for their season when they host Thorpdale this week.  HILL END,Foster and Mirboo North all had the bye.

MIDGIPPSLAND LEAGUE

THIS WEEKEND’S GAMES

KChapman JQuinn DDay CHallRBaptie.Thorpdale:AParkin. BEST: Morwell East: KChapman NNikodemskiI Terrick BAtkinson PHenry DDay.Thorpdale: DHammond RKerrisonC Westbur yL Swain T Mackenzie ARaven

Yinnar hitsnetball roadblock

NETBALL

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

ALL three local leagueswere in action at the weekend on the netball court.

This coming round ticks into the last monthofthe home-and-away season, and with some byes still in place for clubs in the Mid Gippsland FootballNetball League and NorthGippsland FNL, the race for finals positions will surely come down to the wire.

 IN the Gippsland League’s inaugural Indigenous Round, Moe Football-Netball Club and Sale FNC both wore indigenous-themed netball dresses, designed by club members.

This was agrand display and great to see representation on all fronts, however results in Round 13 were entirely one-sided, which only gave more substance to the idea that 2025 would be ran by three teams atop the ladder.

As reigning back-to-back premier, Moe are of course at the highest on that list, and made light work of Leongatha, 79 to 35 at Ted Summerton Reserve.

Returning after the bye week with afull squad, the Lions went well past the Parrots, who are doing battle with afew other sides for the fifth and final spot in the finals bracket.

Moe only allowed one double digit quarter from Leongatha, but outscored them significantly every step of the way.

Olivia Barnett, Alex Moody and Ramayer Keilty werestandouts for the Lions, alongside Ashlea Mawer’s 61 goals.

Lauren Redpath, Mikaeli Hilliar and Jayde Hall were strong for the Parrots.

Ending Wonthaggi’s hopes at extending their

season, Morwell arrived to Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve and defeated the Power, 59-32.

The Tigerskept at arm’s length for amajority of the first half, but then ruined all chances of Wonthaggi keeping up with them with a14-5third quarter.

Holly Stephens poured in 45 goals for Morwell, followed by Claire Marks with 11.

Mackenzie Oracz, Ellie Bates and Cassidy Bowman were admirable in defeat for the Power.

Traralgon, in an effort to keep themselves alive chance forafinals berth for the second year in a row, kept their foot on the throttleagainstMaffra, winning76-23 at Traralgon Showgrounds.

The Maroons set up their victory with a20-3first quarter and extended to a29-goallead by halftime.

Traralgon never allowed the Eaglestopass double digits in any quarter, adding awelcome percentage boost as they do battle against Leongatha and Bairnsdale for that illusive fifth position.

Indiana de Dios and Montanna Styles ran rampantall day, while Emma White (38 goals)and Grace Van Tilburg (27) were exceptional at the post.

Kir by Boyl e, Ava Bu ckl an d, an dM ati lda Pendergast were best for Maffra.

Other results sawWarragul surpass Bairnsdale, 71-36 at Bairnsdale City Oval andDrouin took Sale, 66-24 at Sale Oval.



MANY are beginning to set up their postseason ticket in the backend of Mid Gippsland’s homeand-away season with results that played out in Round 14.

Fish Creek shot the lifeout of Yinnar in a matchup of second versus third, with the Kangaroos victorious, 58-29 at Yinnar Recreation Reserve.

Only leading by four goals at the first break, FishCreek extendingtheir lead with a15-7second quarter.

Gippy Stars close out second season in VNL

NETBALL

VICTORIAN NETBALL LEAGUE

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

GIPPSLAND Stars concluded their second season in the Victorian Netball League last week.

The Championship and 23-and-undersides arrived at the State Netball Centre for the final round of the seasonbefore finals, as they did battle

NETBALL THIS WEEKEND

Saturday, July 26

(Venue first listed team)

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE ROUND 14

Wonthaggi(8th) vs Sale (9th)

Warragul (2nd) vs Traralgon (7th)

Maffra(10th) vs Bairnsdale (6th)

Drouin (4th) vs Moe (1st) at Trafalgar (subject to change)

Leongatha (5th) vs Morwell (3rd)

MID GIPPSLAND

ROUND 15

MDU (5th) vs Yinnar (3rd)

Mirboo North (4th) vs Hill End (11th)

Morwell East (8th) vs Boolarra (12th)

Tarwin (10th) vs Thorpdale (13th)

Toora(6th) vs Foster (1st)

Fish Creek (2nd), Newborough (9th), StonyCreek (7th) -byes

NORTH GIPPSLAND ROUND

15

Woodside (3rd) vs Churchill (1st)

Cowwarr(10th) vs YYN (8th)

Glengarry (9th) vs Sale City (2nd)

Heyfield (6th) vs Gormandale (4th)

Rosedale (7th) -bye TTU (5th) -bye

The Magpies weren’t able to respond after halftime, only adding 13 goals through to thefinal siren, while the Kangaroos compileda30-goal secondhalf.

JessicaEdgar finished with 39 goals forFish Creek, while Yinnar was led by PattyMcInnes with 16.

The loss pushes the Kangaroos above the Magpies by percentage,with whoever remains in thirdplace by the end of regular season action facing an elimination final and at risk of being out in the first week of finals.

The gap between the top three (which includes Foster on top, undefeated) is three games currently.

Newborough’s season is most likely over after succumbing to Meeniyan Dumbalk United, 62-45 at Meeniyan Recreation Reserve.

Trailing by just three goals after the first quarter, theBulldogs sustained a21-goal second term at the hands of the Demonstoblowthem out of the water.

Alahna Arnason led with45goals for MDU, while Demi Caldow had 32 for Newborough.

The Bulldogs now move three games back of sixth position with three games remaining.

Morwell East had as iz ea bl ev ictor yo ver Thorpdale, 70-12 at Thorpdale Recreation Reserve.

The Hawks got well beyond 50 goals before the Blues managed 10 in their own right.

Myah Healey had 41 goals for Morwell East.

Other results includedStony Creek defeating Boolarra, 30-26 at Stony Creek Recreation Area, and Toora edging past Tarwin, 30-29 at Tarwin Lower Recreation Reserve.

Hill End, Foster, and Mirboo North had the bye.

 ONLY three matches went ahead in North Gippsland, but that didn’t stop those hungry for what’s to come rising in determination during Round 14.

Traralgon Tyers United continue to chug along,

Netball scoreboard

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE -ROUND 13

holding onto fifth spot on the ladder, after a46-43 victory over Rosedale at Rosedale Recreation Reserve.

Play was all tied up after the first half, but the Bombers shot ahead with a15-6 third quarter, giving them the necessary space to squeeze by. Maleah Travers and Rachel Shawshowedadded exuberance at the post with 29 and 16 goals respectively for TTU in their fifth straight win. The Bombers keep themselves above abuilding Heyfield,who defeated Yallourn Yallourn North at the weekend, 45-36 at George Bates Reserve.

After defeating Sale Citythe week prior, the Kangaroos have sudden lifeintheir season, and took care of theJetscomfortably

A17-7start wasall that was needed to keep Heyfield above, despite YYN battling right to the very end.

PhoebeRichardson led the Kangaroos with 31 goals, while young Zekiya Glibanovic contributed 23 for the Jets in just her second career AGrade appearance.

Sale City got back to their winning ways with a 66-24 demolition of Cowwarr at Stephenson Park. Snapping atwo-game losingstreak, the Bulldogs jumped back above Gormandale into third spot due to percentage.

Madeleine Rodwell and Charlotte Ronchi led SaleCity’s scoringchargewith41and 25 goals respectively.

With just four rounds remaining and just six teams in the finalspicture, it means somemarquee performancesare going need to occur to lift one abovethe other as pressure mounts on some teams. Woodside, Churchill, Glengarry and Gormandale all had the bye.

Yinnar 33, Newborough 34 def MDU 30, Morwell East 40 def Thorpdale 19,Boolarra22def StonyCreek 20, Hill End, Foster,Mirboo Nor th -bye

against Melbourne University Lightning.

Despite both Championship sides sitting similarly near the bottom of the ladder, the Starswere outdone by the Lightning, 55 to 36.

Play was hot in the first quarter, but aquick two-minute blitz by MelbourneUniversity pushed them ahead as they led by three goals at the first break.

Pressure intensified in defence for the Stars, as the Lightning begantoattack with flair and opened the second term with a7-3 run. That momentum was sustained and halftime arrived with Gippsland down 26-16.

Melbourne University continued to capitaliseon their opportunities, as the margin stretched to more than 15 goals midway through the third quarter.

Despite the Stars finishing the last quarter of their seasonstrongly, they couldn’tovercome what had been displayed earlier in the game.

Akayla Peterson wasplayerofthe match for Gippsland, while Ramayer Keilty (18goals)and Alahna Arnason(11) led the scoring.

The Championship Stars finished their debut season in the VNL with two wins for the year, but placed on the bottom of the ladder.

It has been atough season for the Stars which began with some promise after adraw against North Blaze and victory over Geelong Cougars in Round 3, followed by another triumph again in Round 5overPeninsula Waves.

Unfortunately, the Stars ended the season with 13 straight defeats.

 THE 23-and-Under side also succumbed on the final game of the season, losing to Melbourne University, 57-43.

The Starsran out of the gateearly, leading through the first partofthe openingquarter, before the Lightning scored five unanswered goals to swing in front.

Stabilising the rest of the first term, the Stars trailed by three goals at the first break.

Melbourne University’s poise preserved as play resumed,jumping out to anine-goal leadearly,but the Stars rebounded with aquick four goal run to bring the margin back to five.

The Lightning however finished the half on top, leading 31-24.

Despite chipping away at their deficit once they returned to the courtafter the main break, Melbourne Universitypiledonmultiple runs in thethirdquarter which made it difficult for the Stars to keep close.

The Stars saw out the game positively, but ended their second VNL season winless.

Charlize Traumanis was player of the match for the Stars with a26-goal outing on 92.86 per cent efficiency at the post.

While not victorious in 2025, the 23-and-Under Starsalsodrew when they faced Peninsula Waves in Round 5.

AGRADE: Warragul 71 def Bairnsdale 36, Drouin 66 def Sale 24,Moe 79 def Leongatha 35, Morwell 59 def Wonthaggi 32, Traralgon 76 def Maffra23.

BGRADE: Warragul 59 def Bairnsdale 35, Drouin 55 def Sale 34, Moe 45 def Leongatha 39, Wonthaggi 54 def Morwell 26, Traralgon 63 def Maffra39.

CGRADE: Warragul 35 def Bairnsdale 34, Drouin 41 def Sale 25, Moe 38 def Leongatha 27,Wonthaggi 23 def Morwell 22, Traralgon 42 def Maffra17.

17 AND UNDER: Bairnsdale 58 def Warragul 21, Sale 55 def Drouin 39, Moe 37 def Leongatha 34, Morwell 24 def Wonthaggi 23, Traralgon 64 def Maffra28. 15 AND UNDER: Warragul 41 def Bairnsdale 21, Sale 57 def Drouin 37,Moe 40 def Leongatha 37,Morwell 22 def Wonthaggi 4, Traralgon 71 def Maffra18.

13 AND UNDER: Bairnsdale 52 def Warragul 2, Sale 37 def Drouin 16,Leongatha 28 def Moe 9, Morwell 32 def Wonthaggi 21, Maffra37 def Traralgon 27

MID GIPPSLAND -ROUND 14

AGRADE: MDU 62 def Newborough 45, StonyCreek 30 def Boolarra26, Toora30def Tarwin 29, Morwell East 70 def Thorpdale 12,Fish Creek 58 def Yinnar 29, Hill End, Foster,Mirboo Nor th -bye

BGRADE: Fish Creek 37 def Yinnar 30, Newborough 49 def MDU 38, StonyCreek 49 def Boolarra15, Morwell East 60 def Thorpdale 22, Toora46def Tarwin 14,HillEnd, Foster,Mirboo Nor th -bye

CGRADE: Toora36 def Tarwin 35, Fish Creek 42 def

DGRADE: Morwell East 47 def Thorpdale 9, Yinnar 27 tied Fish Creek 27,Newborough 31 def MDU 24, Stony Creek 33 def Boolarra25, Toora28def Tarwin 24, Hill End, Foster,Mirboo Nor th -bye 17 AND UNDER: Yinnar 38 def Fish Creek 27, Boolarra44def StonyCreek 12,MDU 66 def Newborough 5, Toora36def Tarwin 17,Morwell East, Hill End, Foster,Mirboo Nor th -bye 15 AND UNDER: Boolarra 36 def StonyCreek 20, Newborough 29 def MDU 23, Toora44def Tarwin 16, Yinnar 57 def Fish Creek 12,Morwell East, Hill End, Foster,Mirboo Nor th -bye 13 AND UNDER: Boolarra19def StonyCreek 13 Newborough 48 def MDU 6, Tarwin 38 def Toora14, Fish Creek 23 def Yinnar 12,Morwell East, Hill End, Foster,Mirboo Nor th -bye

NORTH

GIPPSLAND -ROUND 14

AGRADE: Heyfield 45 def YYN 36, TTU 46 def Rosedale 43, Sale City 66 def Cowwarr 24, Churchill, Glengarry, Gormandale,Woodside -bye

BGRADE: Heyfield 50 def YYN 27,Rosedale 71 def TTU 31, Woodside 52 def Yarram 30, Sale City76def Cowwarr 21, Churchill, Glengarry, Gormandale -bye CGRADE: YYN43def Heyfield 35, TTU 39 def Rosedale 35, Woodside 59 def Yarram 30, Sale City 58 def Cowwarr 15,Churchill, Glengarry, Gormandale -bye.

DGRADE: Heyfield 31 def YYN 30, TTU 42 def Rosedale 37,Woodside 56 def Yarram 12,Sale City65 def Cowwarr 7, Churchill, Glengarry, Gormandale -bye 17 ANDUNDER: Heyfield 51 def YYN 18,TTU 44 def Rosedale 42, Sale City68def Cowwarr 4, Yarram vs Woodside (no scores available), Churchill, Glengarry, Gormandale -bye 15 ANDUNDER: Heyfield 29 def YYN 15,Rosedale 38 def TTU 35, Sale City66def Cowwarr4,Woodside 70 def Yarram 1, Churchill, Glengarry, Gormandale -bye

NORTH GIPPSLAND

SENIORS

LBentley DVardy SRendell LRoberts CHarrison KPearce

(79) TTU2.3 3.9 3.10 4.14 (38)

GOALS: Rosedale: WLogan 4DBarnett 2SFox 2NHeathcote2 LSpeairs JPawley.TTU: NFox FBrouns HWillaton RDenovan. BEST: Rosedale: BMcConnellW Logan TNorthe BSafstromH FoxDBarnett. TTU: SCurtain ZKilgowerLMichie FShields MJacobsen SGoddard

3.10 4.10 11.12 (78)

3.2 4.2 7.3 8.6 (54) GOALS: Sale City:

YYN’srocky

FOOTBALL NORTH GIPPSLAND BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

RIGHT when it seemed as though the ladder had begun to shape itself accordingly in North Gippsland, here came Round 14.

While just four matches went ahead instead of the usual five, the roundproduced dramatics of thehighest order thatcould have severe ramifications for how the finals bracket is placed by the end of the homeand-away season.

Three sides are now tied for first on the ladder, while three additional teams are on seven wins from fourth to sixth, with another still alive chance.

 WHILE one side is now as alive as ever for their deepest season in some time, another is in danger of their lowest finish in more than adecade.

Heyfield rallied late to secure four points over Yallourn Yallourn North, 9.8 (62) to 7.9 (51) at George Bates Reserve.

TheKangaroos hadresponded after consecutive defeats against TTU and Woodside to enter the weekend with four straight wins.

The Jets, on the other hand, came in just clinging above the rest of sides doing battle to complete the top five, after falling to Sale City two weeks ago.

While not likely to catch Heyfield for third-place on the ladder,YYN could still get fourth -aresult which could remind the rest of the competition that they are still not to be taken lightly this deep into the season.

The Jets came out the gate hot with the opening three goals, and also gave littleroom for the Kangaroos to work with, resulting in a19-point to nothing start.

opposing ruckmen in OwenBudge and ShaunHumphreys went at each other hard in the opening minutes.

After an early goal fromthe Kangaroos, YYN appeared to be controlling the game, keepingthe ball in theirforward half for the majority of the third quarter.

Heyfield did well however, withstanding atoughstint withoutsustaining amajor score against, and eventually added one from Brownlateinto stoppagetime as themargin sat at 10 points with aquarter spare.

Within minutes, the Kangaroos added yet another from James Beha to quickly bring the deficit to four points with plenty of time remaining.

Lachlan Rees responded ashort while after for the Jets, adding their first major of the second half.

Playcontinued to go back-and-forth throughout the finalterm, before Heyfield suddenly shot in front for the first time all day with one from Daniel Burton carrying fromdeep and then Graham adding his third.

The Jets were quickly under worlds of pressure, with the contest as tight as ever.

While there was desperation from YYN,the Kangaroos set up incredibly as they looked to controlthe match, making it incredibly difficult for the Jetstoexit their backline and down to their forwards.

Tom Marchesi then shot home the sealer off ahigh free kick to place them right among TTU and Woodside on the ladder.

Acomplete team effort from Heyfield led their second half comeback, but Jack Christian, Marchesi, Max Van Der Zwart, Burton, Gippsland Power product Mitchell Stevensand Robert McMillan were some of their best.

falling to Sale City, 11.12 (78) to 8.6 (54) at Stephenson Park.

The Saints opened out of the gate early with three of the first four goals of the match to lead at quarter time.

The Bulldogs replied as play returned, booting two of the three goals for the second term,asthey controlled possession and added scoreboard pressure to lead by halftime.

As the third quarterstarted, Jaxsyn Whitehill booted one to push Sale City ahead by eightpoints, only as Cowwarr responded with the next three goalstolead by 11 points at the final turn.

If the Saints wereabletocomplete this away victory, it could have been the first time they were competing for finals in many years.

However, Sale City rose above with six of the final seven goals, keeping them in track for asecond straight postseason trip.

Hudson Tollner was astar for the Bulldogs, followed by Whitehill,Daine McGuiness, Kaden McCulloch with four goals, Micholas Lerardi and Lachlan Carman.

Ben Coffey, Brett Grieve, Robbie Farnham, PatrickTainsh, Shane Morgan and Jackson Davison were best for Cowwarr.

 THE reigning premier could be hitting their apex.

Withresultsgoing in their favour,and due to making Yarram look like asecond-rate side,Woodside are right back in the hunt for the minor premiership.

The Wildcats defeatedYarram, 19.14 (128) to 5.5 (35) at Yarram Recreation Reserve.

LMooney JJones JCurtis. BEST: Cowwarr:A McLean MDeering JAndersonM StoddartM Mclellan BEenjes. Sale City: JJones BLucieer HJohnson DBirdLBirdT Lindrea

GOALS: TTU: RRichards3BPoel 2DMorrisonK Watson RMurdoch DLongmoreRPayne DTripodi. Rosedale: LBurgan JFraser Hanley cPritchett. BEST: TTU: RMassaroBHough R Richards BPoel RPayne NAlbanese.Rosedale: LRowleyB WhiteW MurrayMBradley JFraser Hanley LBurgan

Heyfield: TRose SAndersonMJohnston

JReid.YYNFNCJETSMen:

0.0 0.0 0.0

(0)

Woodside: JMattern 5DDobson4CPrestianni 4T Batters 2T AlbertAJanssen C Roberts CCollins.Yarram: Details N/A.. BEST: Woodside: JScott AFrancis JApiataTCoulthard CRoberts RAnderson. Yarram: RGarroBMcAlpine RMcAlpine SClarkeKJenkins LCrawford

8.5 12.12 16.15 21.21 (147)

0.0

(14) GOALS: Heyfield: MCox 5BManson 3PCox 3BMcDiarmid 2BLindrea WStevens JHanratty SJones JAndersonLmeli. YYN: CBoxshallPLaidlaw BEST: Heyfield: SJones BMansonM CoxP CoxJ HanrattyW Stevens.YYN:AFrenchCBoxshall RBairdJKaschke SBodak CPalmer

SALECITY2.1 4.6 4.11 6.17 (53)

COWWARR 0.0 0.3 0.5 0.6 (6)

GOALS: Sale City: RDonohue 3KPritchett PFulfordCDuck.Cowwarr:Details N/A.. BEST: Sale City: CDuck HWynd TJerome OMackinlayPFalconer KDelacour.Cowwarr:CBass T Armstrong WRowleyT Donoghue LKennedy JWall

3.3 3.7 4.13 7.18 (60)

Rosedale: ELogan 2BAllan 2T Ouslinis 2J Riddle.TTU: JCullen RPayne BSelwynE Chan. BEST: Rosedale: DTulloch JCampbell ASellingsE Logan CGriffin BAllan. TTU: RPayne DLongmoreJ StimsonR Farley CPollardNDawson LADDER

Heyfield playing-coaching, LeighBrown responded first, but Josh Keyhoe added another for YYN to see the home side lead 26-7 at the first break.

Jets playing-coach Dean MacDonald extended the margin to 25 points, after a healthy amountoftimewentbytostart the second quarter without agoal, and was MacDonald’s second major early on.

Brown and Kyle Graham answered for Heyfield, digging deep in atimeinwhich the gamecouldhave easily gotten away from them, only for MacDonald to rise again for the Jets with asnap on his left foot deep in the pocket in frontofthe can bar, keeping the margin above 20 points as halftime arrived

The second half wasfiery, as the two

Graham and Browneach addedthreegoals for the Kangaroos.

Withgamesaheadagainst Gormandale, Cowwarr andGlengarry, there is every possibility Heyfield can jump ahead either of the last two premiers on the ladder.

Adisappointing result for YYN, they drop outside the top five withother results across the round going against them. The Jets are in danger of missing finals for the first time in over adecade.

Jai Massese, Dylan Bath, Tyler Brown, Campbell MacInnes,Rohan Reidand Darcy Shellcot were admirable in defeat.

 WHAT could have been?

Cowwarr was within 20 minutes of their biggest win of the season,and potentially giving themselves ashot at finals, before

Even despite the Demons leading by three points after the first quarter, Woodside rained goals after that, booting eight of the next nine to go ahead by 40 points by the main break.

Yarram couldn’t match their opponent’s output,only adding one goal once play returned, while the Wildcats added another ninemajorstosee through asizeable victory

CameronWhiteoak andMichael O’Sullivan led the scoring charge with four goals apiece, while Adam Janssen, Luke Johnson and Ethan Stephensall played well for Woodside. Liam Bentley, Daniel Vardy, Shem Rendell, Lochie Roberts, Cody Harrison and Kayleb Pearce stood tall for the Demons.

 CHURCHILL, Glengarry, and Gormandale had the bye.

Littlejoy forlocal AFL exports

FOOTBALL

AFL EXPORTS BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

DESPITEthe amount of finals-calibre teams shrinking, Round 19 of the AFL season saw results whichbrought the gap betweenthose contenders even closer together.

The Gold Coast Suns were the onlyAFL outfit to feature Latrobe Valley exports over the course of the weekend.

The Suns were beaten heavily by Adelaide, 16.11 (107) to 6.10 (46) at Adelaide Oval.

After defeating Collingwood the week before, the Suns were in their best position this late into aseason to play finals, but the result on the weekend didn’t do them any favours.

Gold Coast were goalless in the first half,

and worsened their percentage substantially

The Western Bulldogsare lurking just outsidethe top eight, with the Sunsin eighth spot.

In his 150th game, Morwell’s Ben Ainsworth saw his teammates surround him after he booted one of the firstgoals of the second half -finishing with one goal and 12 disposals.

Moe’s Bailey Humphrey added 12 disposals and three tackles, and Fish Creek’s and former Moe footballerSam Flandershad 28 touches and agoal.

The Suns willhopetorespond this Saturday when they face Brisbane at People First Stadium in the QClash.

 COLLINGWOOD only lead the next best side on the ladder by two premiership points after succumbing to Fremantle at the MCG by one point on Sunday.

FINALS VENUES

NorthGippsland Football-Netball League Finals Venues 2025

Qualifying Final

Saturday, August 23

George Bates Reserve, Yallourn YallournNorth Elimination Final

Sunday, August 24

GlengarryRecreation Reserve

Second Semi-Final

Saturday, August 30

Woodside Recreation Reserve

FirstSemi-Final

Sunday, August 31

Rosedale Recreational Reserve

PreliminaryFinal

Saturday, September 6

Gordon Street Reserve, Heyfield Grand Final

Saturday, September 13

Gaskin Park, Churchill

The win pushed Fremantle inside the top eight, while the Magpiesare in danger of losing top spot, with Brisbane just behind them.

Traralgon’sTim Membrey was managed anddid not play.

He may even rest again for this Sunday's match against Richmond.

 HAWTHORN defeated Port Adelaide, 13.9 (87) to 7.7 (49) at UTAS Stadium, Launceston on Saturday, however, Morwell’s Changkuoth Jiath was omitted from the side.

The Hawks sit just outside the top four after the victory, with Jiath’s next opportunitytoplay being against Carlton tomorrow night (July 24).

Therewas no Gippsland Power fixtures at the weekend.

THIS WEEKEND'S GAMES

SATURDAY, JULY26 ROUND 15

(Venue firstlistedteam)

TTU (1st) vsYarram (7th)

Woodside (2nd) vs Churchill (10th)

Cowwarr(8th) vsYYN (6th)

Glengarry (9th) vs Sale City (5th)

Heyfield (3rd) vs G’Dale (11th)

Rosedale (4th) -bye

TRARALGON DISTRICTJUNIORFOOTBALL LEAGUE

EPalmer NDean-Robson. Yinnar:PMills KRoss LCrookston JWebber JO’Hara TTry

(89)

1.1

CENTRAL GIPPSLAND JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Saturday, July 26

ABC (2) SBS (3)

6.00 Rage Charts. (PG) 7.00 Weekend Breakfast. 9.00 Rage. (PG) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 Grantchester (Ma, R) 1.15 Patience. (Ma, R) 2.05 All Creatures Great And Small. (R) 2.55 Great Souther nLandscapes. (PG, R) 3.25 Earth. (R) 4.25 Spicks And Specks. (PGs, R) 4.55 Dr Ann’sSecretLives. (R) 5.30 Landline. (R)

6.00 Australian Story: Making A Scene –Claudia Karvan. (R) Leigh Sales chats with Claudia Karvan.

6.30 Back Roads: North East Tasmania. (PG, R) Heather Ewart visits north east Tasmania.

7.00 ABC News. Alook at the top stories of the day

7.30 Grantchester (Ma) Alphy and Geordie step in to help Leonard.

8.20 Midsomer Murders. (Mv,R) Bar naby and Winter investigate after abody is found covered in live rabbits at the Belville Small Pet Show

9.50 Bay Of Fires. (Mal, R) Adatenight tur ns into graveyarddutyfor Stella. 10.40 Little Disasters. (Final, Mal, R) Aday at afair leads to ashockingreveal.

11.25 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) Music video clips.

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 6pm Octonauts. 6.10 Super Monsters. 6.20 Bluey 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Isadora Moon. 7.05 Andy And The Band. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Teenage Boss: Next Level. (Retur n) 8.00 Kids Baking Championship. 8.40 Chopped Junior 9.20 Fresh OffThe Boat. 10.05 Speechless. 10.45 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs. 11.40 MOVIE: Shorts. (2009, PG) 1.10pm Arctic Secrets. 2.00 Nula. 2.30 Living Black. 3.00 Who Killed Malcolm Smith? 4.10 Black As. 4.30 Chatham Islanders. 5.30 Amplify 6.30 News. 6.40 The Other Side. 7.30 Big BackyardQuiz. 8.30 MOVIE: Constantine. (2005, MA15+) 10.35 Bob Marley: Uprising Live. 12.35am Late Programs.

6am Mor ning Programs. 11.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 18. Highlights. 12.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 19. Highlights. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Sailing. Sail Grand Prix. Round 7. Highlights. 3.00 Going Places. (PG, R) 4.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 19. Highlights. 5.30 Such WasLife. (R) 5.40 Hitler’sAmerican Battleground. (PGa, R)

6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Great British Cities With Susan Calman: Newcastle. Susan Calman explores Newcastle, with her adventurekicking offatNewcastle Castle.

8.25 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 20. Nantua to Pontarlier.184.2km hilly stage. From France.

12.50 Guillaume’sParis. (R) Guillaume Brahimi visits the Eiffel Tower

1.20 Cycling. Tour de France Femmes. Stage 1.

3.50 Blue Water Safari: Under Pressure. (PG, R) The crossing to Vanuatu is rough.

4.45 Destination Flavour: Singapore Bitesize. (R) PresentedbyAdam Liaw

5.15 France 24 Feature.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6.00 NBC Today 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Mor ning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. Industry

Finale and Saturday Raceday 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 The Great Outdoors. (PG) The team visits Tasmania’s world heritage wilder ness. 7.30 Mysteries Of The Pyramids. (Premiere, PG) Presented by Dara ÓBriain.

8.30 MOVIE: The Da Vinci Code. (2006, Mav,R)Anacademic uncovers aconspiracy while helping investigate amurder inside the Louvre. Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Ian McKellen.

11.30 Autopsy USA: Dana Plato. (Mad, R)

12.30 The Disappearance. (Mav,R)

1.30 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 It’sAcademic. (R)

5.00 My Greek Odyssey.(Final, PG, R)

6am Mor ning Programs. 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday.(PG) 12.00 Aust. 12.30 Destination WA 1.00 Great Australian Detour Snow.(R) 1.30 Young Sheldon. (PGa, R) 2.00 Find My Country House Aust. (R) 3.00 Cirque Du Soleil’s Corteo: From Stage To Arena. 3.30 Parental Guidance.

6.00 9News Saturday. 7.00 ACurrent Affair

6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Dr Chris Brown. 7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. Aproject manager is on thehunt for anew,moder n, open plan home in bayside Melbour ne for her family 8.40 Ambulance Australia. (Ma, R) NSW Ambulance delivers ababy and saves afour-year-old with acritical heart condition. 9.50 House Hunters Australia. (R) Acouple search for ahome in Sydney’sNorther nBeaches for their growing family 10.50 Elsbeth. (Mv,R)Elsbeth visits ahistoricfuneral home. 11.50 Ambulance UK. (Ma, R) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power 6am

WorldWatch. Noon AbandonedAmericana 12.55 We’reAll Gonna Die(EvenJay Baruchel) 1.25 SBS50. 1.30 Over TheBlack Dot. 2.00 Tour de France. H’lights. 3.00 Tour de France H’lights. 4.00 News. 4.05 WorldWatch 6.05 Mastermind Aust. 6.35 The Frontier 7.30 Impossible Engineering. 8.30 James May: Our Man In Italy 10.30 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6am Morning Programs. 10.10 The Movie Show 10.40 Begin Again. (2013, Mls) 12.35pm The Bridges Of Madison County (1995, Ml) 3.00 Mrs Lowry And Son. (2019, PGan) 4.45 Dancing At Lughnasa. (1998, PGa) 6.30 The Four Musketeers: Revenge Of Milady.(1974, PGlv) 8.30 Jackie Brown. (1997, MA15+dl) 11.20 Late Programs.

7TWO (72, 62)

6am Shopping. 8.30

Better Homes. 11.00 Harry’sPractice. 11.30 GetOn Extra. Noon Room For Improvement. 12.30 Last Chance Learners. 1.00 Better Homes. 3.30 Harry’sPractice. 4.00 The YorkshireVet. 5.00 Slow TrainThrough Africa. 6.00 Every Bite Takes YouHome. 6.30 The YorkshireVet. 8.30 Escape To The Country 11.30 Late Programs.

7MATE (73,64)

6am Mor ning

Programs. 1pm Blokesworld. 1.30 Teeing

OffWith Daisy Thomas. 2.00 Seven’s Motorsport Classic. 2.30 Motor Racing. Shannons SpeedSeries. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Pawn Stars. 7.00 Football. VFL. Round 18. Frankston vCollingwood. 10.00 AFL Saturday Rewind. 10.30 Air Crash Inv: Accident Files. 11.30 Late Programs.

7.30 Rugby Union. British &Irish Lions Tour.Game 2. Australia vBritish &Irish Lions.

10.00 Test Rugby: Australia v British &Irish Lions Post-Match. Post-match wrap-up for Game 2.

10.15 MOVIE: Creed. (2015, Malv,R) Aboxer recruits his father’s rival as his trainer.Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone.

12.45 My Life As ARollingStone: Keith Richards. (Madl, R)

2.00 The Incredible Jour ney Presents. (PG)

2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)

9GEM (92,81)

6am Morning Programs. 2.30pm NRLWWrap. 3.15 NRL Women’sPremiership. Roosters vCanterbury Bulldogs. 5.00 NRL Women’s Premiership. North Qld Cowboys vCanberra Raiders. 7.00 Keeping Up Appearances. 7.30 MOVIE: Bride Wars. (2009, PG) 9.20 MOVIE: Sex And The City 2. (2010, MA15+) 12.20am Late Programs.

9GO! (93, 82)

6am Morning Programs.

2.35pm Motor Racing. IndyCar Series. Farm to Finish 275. 3.40 Limitless With Chris Hemsworth. 4.40 Seinfeld. 5.10 MOVIE: City Slickers. (1991, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Diamonds AreForever.(1971, M) 10.05 MOVIE: Conan The Destroyer.(1984, M) 12.05am The Originals. 2.00 MOVIE: Ascendant. (2021, MA15+) 4.00 Late Programs.

10 COMEDY (11, 52)

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Sunday,July27

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8) 6am Mor ning Programs. 10.30 World This Week.(R) 11.00 Compass. (PGals, R) 11.30 Praise. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 2.30 Griff’sGreat American South. (R) 3.15 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.40 Martin Clunes: Islands Of Australia. (PG, R) 4.40 Hippo Watch With Steve Backshall. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow

6.30 Compass: The Gover norGeneral –One Year On (PG) 7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Austin. (Retur n, PG) Austin grapples with sudden literary fame.

8.00 Bay Of Fires. (Malv) Stella must deal with another dead body

8.50 Miss Austen. (Premiere) Charts the lives of legendary author Jane Austen and her sister Cassandra.

9.45 MOVIE: Gayby Baby. (2015, PG, R) Follows four children of gay parents. Gus, Ebony 11.10 Take 5With Zan Rowe: Dannii Minogue. (PG, R) 11.40 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

1.40 Under The Vines. (PG, R)

4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 Insiders. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Mor ning Programs. 11.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 19. Highlights. 12.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 20. Highlights. 1.00 Motor Racing. ProMX Championships. Round 7. 4.00 Going Places. (PGl, R) 4.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 20. Highlights. 5.30 Such WasLife. (PG, R) 5.40 Hitler’s American Battleground. (PGa)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 The Lost World Of The Hanging Gardens. Looks at the remarkable story of Nineveh.

8.35 The Secrets Of Mount Olympus. (R) Takesalook at Mount Olympus, considered the residence of the gods in Greek mythology

9.30 Cycling. Tour de France Femmes. Stage 2. Brest to Quimper.110.4km

11.30 Guillaume’sFrench Atlantic. (R) 12.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 21. 4.25 Bamay (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Mor ning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 APAC Weekly

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 6pm Octonauts. 6.10 Super Monsters. 6.20 Bluey 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Isadora Moon. 7.05 Andy And The Band. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 The Mysterious Benedict Society 8.25 Fresh OffThe Boat. 9.10 Abbott Elementary 9.50 Speechless. 10.15 Merlin. 10.55 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R) 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Mor ning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Sunday Footy Feast. 2.30 AFL Pre-Game Show Pre-game coverage of the match. 3.00 Football. AFL. Round 20. St Kilda vMelbour ne.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Dancing With The Stars. (PGa) Celebrities show offtheir dance skills. 8.20 7NEWS Spotlight. 9.20 Crime Investigation Australia: Most Infamous: Mystery Of The Homestead Murders. (MA15+av,R) Takes alook at the 1978 murders of Mick and Sue Lewis, whose bodies werefound in their homestead. 10.40 The Crow Girl. (MA15+av) Jeanette and Sophia dig into Victoria’spast. 12.50Jamestown. (MA15+av,R)

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

4.00 NBC Today

5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

7TWO (72, 62)

6am Mor ning Programs. 10.00 AFL Sunday Footy Show.(PG) 12.00 Wide World Of Sports. (PG) 1.00 Fishing Aust. (R) 1.30 YoungSheldon. (PGa, R) 2.00 For The Love Of Pets. (PGm, R) 3.00 Taronga: Who’sWho In The Zoo. (PG, R) 4.00 David Attenborough’sDynasties II. (PGa, R) 5.00 News. 5.30 Postcards. (PG)

6.00 9News Sunday.

7.00 The Block. (Retur n, PGl) Five couples arrive in DaylesfordinVictoria.

8.55 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing and uncovering the issues affecting all Australians. 10.00 World Aquatics Championships. Singapore2025. Day 1. Finals. 11.00 9News Late. 11.30 The First 48: Childhood Friend/Magic Bullet. (Mav) 12.30 Embarrassing Bodies. (MA15+dms, R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory.(PGa)

4.30 Fishing Australia. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today

TEN (10, 5)

6am Mor ning Programs. 10.30 10 Minute Kitchen. (R) 11.00 Everyday

6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock andAmelia Brace. 7.00 MasterChef Australia. Abatch of 23 former contestants retur ns. 8.15 Watson. (Ma) Watson and the fellows investigate the perplexing case of afamily man with abullet lodged in his head. 9.15 FBI. (Mav,R)All eyesare out who kidnapped the only child of aprominent senator 11.00 10 News+. (R)Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 12.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mor nings. 6am WorldWatch. 3.00pm Tour de France.H’lights 4.00 WorldWatch. 4.25 PBSWashington Week 4.50 Cycling.Tour de France Femmes. H’lights. 5.50 LostGold Of The Aztecs 6.40 EngineeringReborn. 7.35 Abandoned Engineering 8.30 The Legend Of Bigfoot. 9.25 The Phoenix Lights Phenomenon. 10.15 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 1.40pm Murri vKoori Interstate Challenge. Women’s. Brisbane Natives vDunghutti Connxions. 3.20 Carpool Koorioke. 3.30 Emily In Japan. 4.30 Bob Marley: Uprising Live. 6.30 News. 6.40 Africa’sUnderwater Wonders. 7.30 Larapinta. 8.30 Occupation: Native. 9.30 MOVIE: Blackfellas. (1993, MA15+) 11.15 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 12.25pm Twin Flower.(2018, Malnsv,French, Italian) 2.15 WhereThe Money Is. (2000, PGasv) 3.55 What Do We See When We Look At The Sky? (2021, Georgian) 6.40 Anton Chekhov’s The Duel. (2010, PGasv) 8.30 What’sEating Gilbert Grape. (1993, PGas) 10.40 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 8.30 Shopping. 9.00 Better Homes. 10.00 The Zoo. 10.30 Escape To The Country 1.30pm Harry’sPractice. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 The Great Australian Doorstep. 3.00 Your Money & Your Life. 3.30 The Zoo. 4.20 Escape To The Country 7.20 The Vicar Of Dibley 8.30 Vera. 10.30 Vicar Of Dibley 11.40 Late Programs.

9GEM (92,81)

6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm Rugby League. NRL Women’sPremiership. Dragons vBroncos. 3.30 Rugby League. NRL. Canterbury Bulldogs vManly Sea Eagles. 6.00 Rugby League. NRL Women’sPremiership. Cronulla Sharks vTigers. 8.00 M*A*S*H. 9.00 World Aquatics Championships. Singapore2025. Day 1. Finals. 10.00 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 2.30pm Ready VetGo: The VetParamedics. 3.00 Cards And Collectables Australia. 3.30 MOVIE: Stick It. (2006, PG) 5.30 MOVIE: Cheaper By The Dozen. (2003) 7.30 MOVIE: Live And Let Die. (1973, PG) 10.05 MOVIE: The Courier.(2020, M) 12.15am Gotham. 1.10 Arrow 3.00 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Pawn Stars. 11.00 Storage Wars 11.30 Aussie Mates, Their Lawns & Barbies. Noon The Fishing Show By AFN. 1.00 Fishing Addiction. 2.00 Motor Racing. Shannons SpeedSeries. Round 4. Day 2. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 The Wash Up. 7.00 Border Security 8.30 MOVIE: Taken 3.

Monday,July28

ABC (2) SBS (3)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mor nings. 10.00 Dr Ann’sSecretLives. (R) 10.30 Midsomer Murders. (PGv, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Landline. (R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 3.00 Love Your Garden. (R) 3.45 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 4.45 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

by Leigh Sales.

8.30 Four Cor ners. Investigative jour nalism program.

9.15 Media Watch. (PG) Presented by Linton Besser

9.35 Lucy Worsley Investigates: Bloody Mary. (PG, R) Lucy Worsley looks at Mary IofEngland.

10.25 ABC Late News.

10.40 The Business. (R)

11.00 ALife In TenPictures. (Mln, R)

11.50 Parliament Question Time.

12.55 Love Your Garden. (R) 1.40 Long Lost Family.(PG,R) 2.30 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.15 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 6.20pm Bluey 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Isadora Moon. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Do Not Watch This Show 7.40 The Inbestigators. 7.55 Junior Vets. 8.20 BTN Newsbreak. 8.25 HardQuiz Kids. 8.55 The Crystal Maze. 9.45 Merlin. 10.30 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs.

2pm Talking Language. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 Yarning CultureThrough Film. 5.30 The 77 Percent. 6.00 Bamay 6.30 News. 6.40 Arctic Secrets. 7.30 Who Do YouThink You Are? 8.30 Karla Grant Presents. 9.30 Kulka. 10.30 MOVIE: The Black Balloon. (2008, M) 12.10am Late Programs.

6am Mor ning Programs. 1.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Iceland With Alexander Armstrong. 2.55 The Day The Rock Star Died: Buddy Holly.(R) 3.25 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 3.30 SBS50. (PG, R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Jeopardy!

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Portugal With Michael Portillo.

8.20 Abandoned Railways From Above: Somerset. (PG, R) Explores abandoned railways.

9.15 Britain’sMost Beautiful Road. (PGaw,R)Ajour ney around Scotland’sNorth Coast 500.

10.10 SBS World News Late.

10.40 The Andes Tragedy: 50 Years Later (PGa, R)

11.35 Cycling. Tour de France Femmes. Stage 3. La Gacilly to Angers. 163.5km 2.05 Blackport.

(MA15+s, R) 3.00 Weeks Of War. (PGav, R) 3.55 Blue Water Safari. (PGal, R) 4.55 Destination Flavour Scandinavia Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Mor ning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6am Morning

Programs. 1.00pm Tour de France Femmes. H’lights. 2.00 Tour de France. H’lights. 3.00 Tour de France. H’lights. 4.00 WorldWatch 4.45 Cycling. Tour de France Femmes. H’lights. 5.45 WorldWatch. 6.15 The Food That Built The World. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.30 News. 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Raw Comedy 2025. 10.05 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6am Morning Programs. 10.30 All The King’s Men. (2006, Mv) 12.55pm All Quiet On The WesternFront. (1979, PGav) 3.45 The Four Musketeers: Revenge Of Milady.(1974, PGlv) 5.45 Lara. (2019, PGl, German) 7.35 Ondine. (2009, Malv) 9.30 First Snow Of Summer (2023, Ml, German) 11.25 Late Programs.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away (PG)

7.30 Dancing With The Stars. (PG) Shaun Micallef, Kyle Shilling, Felicity Ward and MiaFevola hit

8.50 9-1-1. (Masv) The 118 is called to aresearch lab that has been set

10.50 The Agenda Setters. (R) Ateam of trusted and respected footy voices tackles the biggest topics in the AFL world. 12.00 Gone. (MA15+v,R)Aman is taken from his home.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.

5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6am Morning Programs. 1pm Your Money &Your Life.

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 The Block. (PGl) The contestants arethrown in the deep end. (Ml) Ateam of footy experts tackles the AFL’s big issues and controversies.

9.40 World Aquatics Championships. Singapore2025. Day 2. Finals.

10.45 Players. (Ml) Alook at all the AFL news.

11.45 9News Late.

12.15 100% Footy (M)

1.15 Innovation Nation. (R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

2.30 Global Shop. (R)

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 ACurrent Affair (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today

9GEM (92,81)

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

1.30 The Great Australian Doorstep. 2.00 Weekender 2.30 My Greek Odyssey 3.30 Harry’sPractice. 4.00 The Zoo. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To TheCountry 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Doc Martin. 8.30 Endeavour 10.30 What The Killer Did Next. 11.30 Late Programs. 6am MorningPrograms. 2.30pm AreYou Being Served? 3.00 Antiques Roadshow 3.30 MOVIE: TheMan Who Loved Redheads. (1955) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow 7.30 Death In Paradise. 8.30 Keeping Up Appearances. 9.00 WorldAquatics Championships. Singapore2025. Finals. 9.40 Harry Wild. 10.50 Late Programs.

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Morning Programs. 2.30pm Nanny 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 Jeannie. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: The Man With The Golden Gun. (1974, PG) 11.05 Seinfeld. 12.05am Pretty Little Liars. 1.05 Supernatural. 3.05 Reunited. 4.00 Barbie: ATouch Of Magic.

Tuesday,July29

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mor nings. 10.00 Australian Story.(R) 10.30 Compass. (PG, R) 11.05 Miss Austen. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Call The Midwife. (PGa, R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 3.00 Love Your Garden. (R) 3.45 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 4.45 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow (R)

6am Mor ning Programs. 1.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Iceland With Alexander Armstrong. 2.55 The Day The Rock Star Died: David Bowie. 3.25 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. 3.30 SBS50. 3.35 The Cook Up. 4.05 Jeopardy! 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 Cycling. Tour de France Femmes. Stage 3. Highlights.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News

7.30 Great Continental Railway Jour neys: Myrdal To Heddal/ Larvik To Holstebro.

8.30 Insight. Looks at medical tourism.

9.30 Dateline: Inside China —The Battle For Tibet. Looks at China’s increasing control over Tibet.

10.00 SBS World News Late.

12.55 Parliament Question Time. 1.55 Love Your Garden. (R) 2.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.40 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

10.30 Making Sense Of Cancer With Hannah Fry.(Mal, R) 11.35 Cycling. Tour de France Femmes. Stage 4. 2.05 Lady Jane Grey: Murder Of AChild Queen. (PG, R) 3.10 WeeksOfWar.(PGavw,R) 4.05 Blue Water Safari. (PGal, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Mor ning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6am WorldWatch. 11.40 WorldWatch. 12.10pm Homicide. 2.00 Cycling. Tour de France. H’lights. 3.00 Cycling. Tour de France Femmes. H’lights. 4.00 Fashionista. 4.10 News. 4.15 WorldWatch 6.15 The Food That Built The World. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.30 News. 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Alone. 9.40 Hoarders. 10.30 Late Programs. SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 6.20pm Bluey 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Isadora Moon. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Do Not Watch This Show 7.40 The Inbestigators. 7.55 Junior Vets. 8.20 BTN Newsbreak. 8.25 Deadly 60. 8.55 Expedition With Steve Backshall. 9.45 Merlin. 10.30 Late Programs.

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SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 2pm Homesteads. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 Yarning CultureThrough Film. 5.30 Indian Country Today News. 6.00 Bamay 6.30 News. 6.40 Yarning CultureThrough Film. 6.45 Arctic Secrets. 7.35 Ice Vikings. 8.30 ProBull Riding Australia. 9.30 Over The

6am Morning Programs. 12.15pm Into The Darkness. (2020, Masv,Danish, Swedish, German) 3.00 81/2. (1963, PG, Italian, English, French, German) 5.35 The Loss Of ATeardrop Diamond. (2008, PGadsv) 7.30 ILove YouToo. (2010, Mls) 9.30 One Fine Morning. (2022, MA15+s, French, English, German) 11.35 Late Programs.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Mor ning Show (PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 To Be Advised. 2.30 Jabba’sMovies. (PG, R) 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia. 6.00 Today 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Mor ning. 12.00 The Block. (PGl,

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away (PGa)

7.30 The 1% Club. (PGls, R) Jim Jefferies hosts agame show wherecontestants must answer increasingly obscurequestions.

8.30 Stranded On Honeymoon Island. (Mns) The 10 remaining castaways come to the end of their adventureand retur ntoreality

11.20 The Agenda Setters. (R) An expert panel tackles the biggest AFL topics.

12.20 Fairly Legal. (Mav,R)

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

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 The Block. (PGl) Shelley takes this year’scompetitors out to dinner 8.40 World Aquatics Championships. Singapore2025. Day 3. Finals. 11.05 9News Late. 11.35 La Brea. (Mav,R) 12.30 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 The Garden Gurus. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory.(PGa) 4.30 ACurrent Affair.(R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today

TEN (10, 5)

10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace.

Local connection to maritime war disaster

BEVERLEY Fisher’s mother, IreneMcNamara, had adaily ritual which Beverley did not understand.

After breakfast each morning,for as long as Beverley could remember, her mother would open the newspaper and turn to the missing persons column.

When she was about 17-years-old, curiosity finally got the better of Beverley and she asked her mother who she was looking for.

The answerprovidedaninsight into the profound lossher mother hadcarried with herfor many years.

“She said she was looking for her first husband, Kevin Russell,” Beverley Fisher said.

“She told me she never gave up hope that Kevin had survived and may be looking for her.”

Born years after his presumed death, Beverley knew little about her mother's first husband Kevin, other thanhehad gone missing in World War 2and was the father to three of her siblings -but not her Her aunt had told her stories about Irene and Kevin’s deep love when they met in their home in northern Tasmania. Kevin would sneak up to Irene’sbedroom window when she was ateenager still living withher parents. Theywould spend hours late at night just talking. One night her aunt had seen them kissing through the wire screen covering the window.

Kevin and Irene married and moved to Melbourne by the time he enlisted in the army in June, 1940. His military files record him being granted leave for the birth of his daughter Gloria in January 1941, shortly before he was to sail out.

Kevin was with the 2/22nd battalion which disembarked at Rabaul, New Guinea, on May 3, 1941

Rabaul had been aGerman garrison until it wascaptured by Australian forces in WW1. It was initially intended to be aradar stationbut instead became aforward observation post in the defence of Australia. Australia was not yet at war with Japan and the defences it was putting in place would prove too few against the growingthreat from the north.

In January 1942, only weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbour, Rabaul was invaded by Japanese forces and quickly overwhelmed. The 2/22nd was briefly able to hold back the attack, but Japanese forces landing elsewhere on the island began moving inlandand the situation quickly became hopeless.

Australian soldiers retreated through the jungle, but more than 1000 of them, including Kevin Russell, were sooncaptured. Of these,160 were

massacred. The rest became prisoners of war.

Kevin Russell was permitted by his Japanese captors to send amessage home to Irene. Written in his own hand over asingle page it read:

“This is just anote to let you know that Iama prisoner of war at Rabaul under the protection of the Japanese and Iaminthe best of health. Please remember me to all at home sweetheart. This is all Iamallowed to write dear, so I’ll close with fondest love to you all, hoping you’reall in the bestofhealth. From your loving husband Kevin George Russell.”

That would be the last Irene would hear from her husband.

On June 22, 1942, more than four months after thefall of Rabaul, the remaining prisoners were placed on the Japanese transport ship Montevideo Maru. Eight days later the ship was spotted by an American submarine, USS Sturgeon, near the Philippines. Unable to fire upon it at first, the Americans pursued the unescorted transport; unaware it was carrying Australian prisoners of war

In the earlyhours of July 1, 1942, the Montevideo Maru slowed to 12 knots and the USS Sturgeon fired on the Japanese transport. The ship was hit by at least one torpedo and sankwithin 11 minutes. It was later reported by Japanese eyewitnesses

thatthe Australian Prisoners of War sangAuld Lang Syne as the ship sank beneath the water.

It is believedKevinRussell died withthe sinking of the ship, but as his body was never recovered, he was recorded as missing presumed dead.

Irene Russell found herselfa single mother with three small children, living in ahalfway world where her husband was neither alive nor dead.

“Life was hard, but my mother was an expert in adapting, on getting by withverylittle,” said Beverley Fisher.

“Shetoldmethatshe did nothave chairs for the diningroombut used boxesfromthe grocery store with cushions on top.”

Despite remarryingand havingseven children withher newhusband, the lossofher firstlove never grew less for Irene.

“My mum loved my dad, Tom, her second husband, very much,” said Beverley. “He took on Kevin’s children like his own and we became avery tight knit family, all 10 kids.”

But on Kevin’sbirthday, theiranniversary or Anzac Day, and any time she heard the Last Post, Irene was reminded of what she had lost.

“Mumcould notbringherself to be involved in the RSL or attend Anzac Day marches,” Beverley said. “The loss she felt was too much for her to be involved.”

Tom worked in thetimber industry andasan

essential service worker, couldnot enlistinthe military in WW2.

Beverley's husband, Bruce Fisher, was the son of aBritish WW2 veteran who served in France and Burma. He was an active member of the Moe RSL and,remembering the lossher motherhad felt, Beverley and her family got involved too. Irene died in 1985, never givinguphope that Kevin’s namewouldappearinthe missing persons section of the newspaper.

“Mum had asmall plastic bag of letters and photos that she cherished,” Beverley said. “After she passed,Igave the bag to my half-brother,alsocalled Kevin, and it remains in the care of his family.”

The wreckageofthe Montevideo Mary was found in the South China Sea on April 18, 2023, more than 80 years after it went down, taking Kevin Russell and hundreds of other Australian Prisoners of War with it. It lies more than 4000 metres beneath the sea, deeper than the wreck of the Titanic.

“When they found the wreckage of the Montevideo Maru,I could only wish mum couldhave knownand maybe she could have found some kind of peace. Strangely, if Kevin hadsurvived, Iwould not have been born. But every time IgotoCanberra, Ivisit hisnameonthe memorial wall and shed atear for what mum lost.”

Down: Japanesemerchant vessel, theSSMontevideoMaru, sankin1942. Photographs supplied

Tragic: Theshipwreckwas discoveredt wo yearsago.ItisAustralia’slargest lossoflifeat sea.

Keeping career awareness in mind

IN preparation for St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School’s firstYear 11 Traralgon cohort next year, the school has launched arefreshed and futurefocusedcareers program to support Year10 students as they preparefor VCE subject selection and life beyond school.

The program is already in full swing, having commenced with Morrisby Testing -a personalised, data-driven tool that helps students identify their strengths and career interests.

Studentsand theirfamiliesthen met with St Paul’sHeadofCareers, Sarah Luck, in one-on-one interviews to assist in interpreting and understanding their individual Morrisby assessment.

To build on this foundation,the careers program continues with three dynamic full-day sessions.

First, students attended ajoint-campus series of inspiring workshopsoncareer exploration, resilience and personal development, delivered by both educators and external speakersatthe

Our house, in the middle of the beat

By AIDAN KNIGHT

LOCALS gathered for ‘Our House’ recently -a strippedbackshowcase bringingtogether aunique blend of some of Australia’s bestyoung indie artists. Attendees weretreated to intimate acoustic sets from Ishan (Brisbane), The Tullamarines (Adelaide), and headlined by TripleJrenowned (and ir oni cally na me d) gi rlba nd The Buoy s (Sydney).Between each of thesewas apolitical guest speaker of various descriptions, including formerBaw Baw Shire Mayor, Ruth McGowan OAM.

Although the event had adistinctpolitical slant, it was apparentthat amajority of the crowd gathered at Civic Park, Warragul, relaxed on their picnic rugs was there for the entertainment.

To have performers exclusively externalto the region,gaveaneutraltone to what could haveotherwise been seen as averyself-serving

Italian Australian Club, Morwell. Next, students delved deeper into VCE subject offerings at their respective campuses with a day featuring presentations from faculty leaders alongside adynamic workshop by careers expert Tyson Day from Arrive &Thrive.

For the third day, students will attend a'Discover aWorld of Careers'seminar at Gumbuya World in August,exploring real-life roles within the theme park industryand hearing directlyfrom

professionals about their career journeys.

With astrongfocus on self-discovery, practical knowledgeand real-world insights, St Paul’s revised careers program is setting students on aclear, confident path toward afuture full of opportunity.

St Paul’s will be hosting its VCE information evening at 46 Cross's Road, Traralgon on Wednesday, July 23.

Visit: stpaulsags.vic.edu.aufor more information.

bureaucratic event, and this was amplified by the stage banter each artist had between songs –the actsobviously having no affiliationtoany member of Monash’s electorate speaking their mind on conversations had by the speakers–and audience, in avery train-of-though fashion.

The music undeniably made the event.Ishan, while from the complete other end of the country, brought adistinct ‘homegrown’ feel that allowed him to fit right in andappealtofans of DeansLewis, with his conversional singer-songwriter material,

reminiscent of an early Ed Sheeran, before handing the rotundastage to The Tullamarines, who shared shimmering vocal melodies perfect for swaying, adding amuch-neededwarmth to the overcast surrounds of the event.

Festivalcrowd favourite‘Running On Empty ‘ was aclear standout even in this stripped setting, sandwiched between ahandful of unreleased and never-before-performedpieces that enjoyed a unique debut in the civic park setting.

Tune: Ishan travelled from Queensland to deliver asoulful,stripped-backperformance

Photographs: AidanKnight

Logistical difficulties saw thefinal actemerge as one singular Buoy –lead vocalist and rhythm guitaristZoe Catterall, who filled the space impressively in more ways than one. Playing astripped back acoustic set, of songs she was used to perform with afour-piece band for crowds of anywhere from 300 to 1000 people, it showed true artistry to be able to adapt that to asmaller reception of lawn-parked families.

Chords: Zoe CatterallofThe Buoys captivated with an acoustic set,adaptingher band’s electric energy forasolo stage

Options: Year 10 students Veretta, Olivia (obscured), Olivia, Siennaand Dylanduring the careers conference dayinMorwell.

Problem solvers: Working collaborativelywith Lego areZainab,Alyssa, Oliverand Agatha at the careersconference dayinMorwell. Photographs supplied

Teamwork: Murray,Zachar yand Lachlan deepinthought.

Upskilling: St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School,Head of Careers, SarahLuck, doing aone-on-one inter viewwithstudent Hayleytoassist herMorrisbyTestingassessment.

100 years of Traralgon Girl Guides

THIS year marks the centenary for Traralgon Girl Guides.

Guides in Traralgon started in April 1924 when Reverend John Blundell and Deaconess Warren called ameeting of interested persons to form a Girl Guide unit in town.

Thelocal Boy Scouts Troop had been formeda few months earlier. Six months later, the group had its first enrolments, and on May 5, 1925 the group was officially registered as First Traralgon (St James) Company, with Miss Eva West as the first Guide Leader.

In October thatyear, parents were asked to assist in raising money for equipment, and soon after, money was donated to the church trust to have electricity connected to St James Hall.

By April 1926, the First Traralgon Brownie pack was formedand the patrol systemevolved, dividing girls into groups of eight.

1st Traralgon Guides then held one of its first events: aconcerttoraise money for some more equipment and to pay for the newly erected extra room.

In 1931, the Traralgon Girl Guide Ranger basketball team won the championship.

At this time, the group’smainway of getting about was to "lash the church seats onto the tray

of atruck and then pile on board and pray we would arrive safely".

It was all worth it, as soon after the group was able to purchase its first camping equipment. This sense of accomplishment however,was short-lived.

On August 22, 1937, afire broke out at St James Hall and the building was gutted. All records and equipment were lost or badlycharred. TheGirl Guides then met at the Presbyterian Church Hall for the nexttwo years while the new St JamesHall was being built.

During this time, anew housing commission estate had been developed in Traralgon.

ManyGuiding and Scouting members wereliving in the Traralgonarea andinviewofthe great number, asuggestion was accepted by the housing commissiontohave the streetsnamedafter Guiding and Scouting names.

Pax Road was named after the movement’s founders Lord and Lady Baden-Powell’s home in England, Fox Lease Avenue after the home of Guiding, and Gillwell Avenue after the home of Scouting.

In 1966,landatRintoul CreekinGlengarry was donatedtothe Girl Guides by the Burnet family. This area was to become used as acampsite and was named ‘Burnet Park’.

Backthen: BrownieGuidescelebrating theirbir thdaypar ty at theCumberland Street Guide Hallin 1993. Photographs supplied

This was awonderful gift to the Girl Guide movement, andmoney was raised to placeaBrownie cottage on asection of the land. The local Girl Guides continue to enjoy the pleasure of going to Burnet Park today to camp, learn, make friendships and memories.

Come 1970,the long history of meetinginSt James church was broken. The church site was sold and all buildings demolished.

Each Brownie and Girl Guide unit was meeting in varioushallsthroughout the town and it was discussedastowhether it was time for the group to have its own hall built.

Then, out of the blue, two years later,Girl Guides Traralgon’sown hall, Cumberland Hall, was established.

It was officiallyhanded overtothe GirlGuide movement before it was later sold and pulleddown and units built on the site. However, the proceeds of the sale wenttowards the present-day hall, opposite the original CumberlandHall site, wherecurrently fourunits andmorethan 40 girls and 10 volunteers meet every week.

Since 1980, Traralgon Girl Guides has continued to give service and offer opportunities for girls to participate in awiderange of activities and to develop caring, responsible, resilient and confident people in the community.

The program hasadapted over timeand the badges have changed as culture and society has. Wherepreviously,traditional female skills in homemaking, sewing and child rearing were common, now, STEM badges, financial literacy and safety on the internet are skills being developed, alongside other focus areas in sport, outdoors, emergency management, camping and body confidence.

The program is girl led, meaning the members are choosing what areas they want to explore, what skills they want to build and what adventures they want to go on. The volunteersthat support the girls to learn and grow each week are also learning and building friendships within the district’s community.

Today,thereismore than 10 millionmembers in the Girl Guide movementworld-wide, and Traralgon Guides continues to grow, now offering fourunits for over 40 girls between the ages of seven and 17, with the hopes of opening afifth unit for girls aged five to seven years-of-age in the very near future.

Traralgon Girl Guides runs solelythrough the generosity of its 12 volunteers, who provide role model generosity, kindness, leadership, resilience and skill for the youth members.

For more information on Girl Guides in Traralgon, email: traralgon@guidesvic.org.au.

School helpsbyplanting seedlings

GIPPSLAND Water and Kurnai College have teamed up to plantlomandragrass plants at Moondarra reservoir’s new gathering place.

The partnership began last year when Kurnai College Morwell students were provided with lomandra seedlings,which they fostered into full-grown plants.

Gippsland Water Acting Managing Director, Nic Moss said the initiative had apositive impact on both the students and the environment.

“It’s helpedtostrengthen the First Nations students’connection to Country while providing themwithavaluable, hands-onlearning opportunity outside of aclassroom,” Mr Moss said.

“It’s also enhanced arecreational community space and helped maintain biodiversity at the reservoir.”

Gippsland Water supplied the seedlings to the school last year and students planted most of them at the Morwell campus.

“The students spent the last year nurturing the growing seedlings into grasses, until they were ready to be planted,” Mr Moss said.

Gippsland Waterstaff,including school-based apprenticeand Kurnai College studentXavier, were all donning gardening gloves and working together to make atangibledifference in a community space.

Lomandra grasses are native to the Moondarra area and play acrucial role in supporting local

ecosystems, includingwaterways,providing habitats for insects and protecting soil, benefiting birds, frogs and other animals.

To find out moreaboutGippsland Water’s biodiversity management and healthy country initiatives visit: www.gippswater.com.au/ caretakers

Hands on: Kurnai College student and GippslandWater school-based apprentice Xavier wasondeckatthe Moondarra Reser voir to help plant thelomandraplants. Photograph supplied

Leaders: Alison Robertson (leader of the 3rd Traralgon Guides), Helen Carrington(Traralgon District Commissioner) and Helen Jones (leader of the 2ndTraralgon GirlGuides),pictured in September1975.

Muchmorethan cookies: Traralgon Girl Guides aretaughtsubjects likecar maintenance. Photographs supplied

Fun: Traralgon GirlGuides Ebonyand AleksandraatSnoozerella at Twisted Science last year

Lessons to be learnt from transition

ANEW book examining regional energy transition is no available.

The book - Regional Energy Transitions in Australia: From Impossible to Possible -draws key lessons from casestudies of five Australian coal regionsincluding the Latrobe Valley, Port August (SA), Collie(WA), Hunter Valley(NSW) and Gladstone (QLD).

More than 40 attendeesregisteredfor the event at the MorwellInnovationCentre,which featuredaprovocative panel discussion of local and international experts.

Associate ProfessorJeffrey Jacquet fromOhio State University USA discussed international examples of energytransition, while former Latrobe Valley Authority Chief Executive, Chris Buckingham and filmmaker and journalist, Josie Hess reflected on the Latrobe Valley’s experience.

Bookco-author and event moderator, Dan Musil noted that while ashift from fossil fuel electricity generation to renewable energy is inevitable and underway, it’scriticalthat lessons are learnt from regionslikethe LatrobeValley’s.

“Energy is changing, anditneeds to. Workers in ageingpowerstations know it, financiers and insurers refusing newcoalstations know it, and those witnessing climate-charged disasters like Cyclone Alfred know it”, Mr Musil said.

“The questionis, howdoweensure the transition to renewable energy is effective, timely,and fair so that no one is leftbehind?”

This question is afocus of the book, which identifies important themes from regions living through the last decade of rapid change. The question was also amajor discussionpoint for attendees and panellists alike, in alively conversation that continued long after formalities concluded.

ProfessorJacquet,who studiesimpactsfromthe development fossil fuels and renewables as the globaldirector of Global CoalTransitionsResearch Network,noted that while all regional experiences of transition are ‘local’ and unique, they face common challenges –that successful transition often feels like an “impossible task”.

Professor Jacquet observedthatAustraliais

relatively well placed in its transition from coal compared to the USA, which has already experienced more than 300 coal plant closures. He also noted that closures in any industry have important economicbut also emotional impacts on communities, and he shared examples of communities that

had creatively soughttoaddress these various impacts.

This was apoint also emphasised by Ms Hess, a Latrobe Valley-raised independent filmmaker and journalist, who reflected on the privilege they’ve had to “listen to adiverse range of voices in the

Sun sets on Gippsland Dawn

By DAVID BRAITHWAITE and STEFAN BRADLEY

THE $10 billion Gippsland Dawn project has been shelved, after proponent BlueFloat Energy announced its withdrawal from the global offshore wind power industry.

BlueFloat Energy's major shareholder,US-based Quantum Capital, said the industry was "no longer commercially viable".

“Following astrategic review of current and anticipated global offshore wind market conditions, BlueFloat Energy’s ultimate shareholder Quantum Capital Group has determined that continuing to fund offshore wind developments is no longer commercially viable in the short and medium term," aBlueFloat statement read.

“(Quantum Capital Group) has taken the difficult decision to cease BlueFloat Energy’s global operations, including Australian based developments and the GippslandDawn project in particular.

“Funding will no longer be provided to Gippsland Dawn to continue development activities.”

Struggling to overcome investment hurdles in the offshore wind powerindustry, the Spain-based BlueFloatEnergyhad beenunabletofindabidder to take over Gippsland Dawn, which was to see up to 140 turbines built 10 to 33 kilometresfrom the coast between Paradise Beach and Ocean Grange near Loch Sport.

Turbines were to be connected by cables to up to four offshore substations, from which subsea cableswould take electricity to an onshore landing point.

Gippsland Dawn was to generate 2100 megawatts of electricity, enough to power amillion households.

Afeasibilitylicence was awarded mid-last year, allowing for investigation work, including offshore metocean, geophysical and geotechnical investigations and marine environmental surveys.

In November last year, the project was granted Major Project Status by the federal government. It meantaMajor ProjectsFacilitation Agency case manager would workcloselywith BlueFloat Energy to assist and navigate government approvals processes.

Construction was expected to begin in 2029. According to BlueFloat, Gippsland Dawnwas to createupto2000jobsduring the peak of construction. Once operational, the project was supposed to supply electricity for up to 30 years.

In astatement, Wellington Shire Mayor Scott Rossetti said council acknowledged "the announcement that BlueFloat Energy will no longer pursue

its offshore wind project within the Gippsland Offshore Renewable Energy Zone".

"While this news may attract attention, council remains confidentinthe future of the offshore wind industry in our region.Anumberofproponents are significantly progressed and strongly committed to delivering large-scale renewable energy projects in Gippsland," Cr Rossetti said."Proponents like Southerly Ten,Iberdrolaand many other licence holders continue to demonstrate the depth of investment and opportunity that exists in the Gippsland region. These projects, and others in the pipeline reflect the ongoing momentum and potential of our region to be aleader in Australia’s energy transition.

"Councilunderstands that while Gippsland licence holdersrepresentupto25GW of potential offshore wind energy, Victoria’s total target is only 9GW. This means that following the federal and state approvals process, only asmall number of these projects are likely to proceed."Council will continue to advocate for responsible development, local jobs, community benefit,and long-term investment across Wellington and the wider Gippsland region."

The Golden and Paradise BeachCommunity Development Fund (GPBCDF), agroup of locals who engagewith boththe community and offshore wind developers to ensureresidents are informed andfairly compensatedduring the energy transition,acknowledged the shutdown when asked to comment.

"Gippsland Dawn is justone of the projects that the fund is working with and the other projects affecting our community are still moving ahead, including the GB Energy gas storage project, CarbonNet carbon capture and storage, as well as the Navigator North, Blue Mackerel and Aurora Green wind farms," GPBCDF president Andrew O’Rorke said.

"BlueFloat have always treated the GPBCDF professionally, openly and fairly."

The announcement from BlueFloat preceded a formal objection lodged against the project with the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water from conservationgroup Rainforest Reserves Australia.

The group has concerns centred on the use of high-decibel sonar systems during the geophysical and geotechnicalinvestigations, claiming alackof cumulative acoustic modelling; risks to marinelife from high-intensity underwater noise, particularly during sensitive migrationperiods,and deficiencies in publictransparency and consultation.

Whilewelcomingthe cancellation of Gippsland Dawn, Rainforest Reserves Australia holds

Latrobe Valley, each sharing their experiences withthe energy industry and their deep connection to the land”.

“A common thread in these conversations, as outlined so clearly in the book, is the recognition thatthereissignificant work to be doneinhealing our community’s trauma- much of whichstems from events like privatisation and the Hazelwood mine fire," Ms Hess said.

"Thesemoments have left lasting scars,and acknowledging their impact is acrucial step toward rebuilding and renewal.”

Mr Buckingham reflected on the successes and challenges of the now disbanded government body Latrobe Valley Authority. He noted the importance of havingadequately resourced and long-term transition support programs that take awhole of communityview, and that address systemic disadvantage in aproactive andresponsive way.

Mr Buckingham also emphasisedthe positive impact of collaboration between government, industry, research sectors and community in place, and the need for thoughtful and considered conversations with decision makers in government

In his closing remarks, Mr Musil insisted that lingering hopes of "someone simply replacing the Valley's coal industry with another single big industry or energy source -beithydrogen, nuclear or anything else-will only leadtodisappointment. Transition is not that simple, and thiskindofwishful thinking is acostly distraction."

Mr Musil concludedthatinstead "examining, supportingand building on the Valley's already diverse economy, strengths and assets is important if we really care about this region's future. We need to highlight,celebrate and supportreal working examples that demonstrate what else is possible."

The book, which includes achapter dedicated to the Latrobe Valley, is available online via Routledge.

To access, visit: www.routledge.com/ Regional-Energy-Transitions-in-Australia-FromImpossible-to-Possible/Edwards-Wiseman-Cahill/p/ book/9781032854861

similar concernsfor the remaining projectsin the Gippsland Offshore Renewable Energy Zone.

Afederalgovernment spokesperson said offshore wind developers were facing globalchallenges with high costs and supply chain uncertainty.

"But there still remains ahigh level of investment interest in Australia’s emerging offshore wind industry, especially in the Gippsland zone," the spokesperson said.

“We are working with aframeworkinherited fromthe formergovernment.We’ve listened to the community and we willkeep on improving consultation –tomakesure the community is heard and theindustry hasthe best chance of success.”

The state government has setatargettodevelop two gigawattsofpower from offshore wind by 2032, scaling up to 9GW by 2040, as the state replaces coal-fired generators to meet emissions reduction goals.

The state governmentsaidthe federal government approved offshore wind projects for 12 feasibility licences in Gippsland which can generate 23GW of electricity, more than enough to meet Victoria's energy needs.

Agovernment spokesperson said it was also normal for developers to explore projects and then stop work on them, for avariety of reasons internal to their business.

"Offshore wind will help to push down power bills, benefit national energy security and create good local jobs for Victorians," the spokesperson said.

"To deliver Australia's first offshore wind energy industry, we are learning from global leaders in the sector to ensure our auction process is competitive and results in the timely delivery of projects."

The news has has raised fresh concerns about Victoria’s energy security against the scheduled closures of the Yallourn and Loy Yang Apower stations.

Mining and Energy Union Victorian district president Andy Smith said it was now time for the state government to come forward with a practical and realistic plan to manage Victoria’s energy mix into the 2030s and beyond.

“Any agreement struck between the government and power station operatorsshould include significant consultation with affected workers, whose lives are set to be upended in as little as two years,” Mr Smith said.

Get involved: Thoseliving around Yinnar,Mirboo North andThorpdaleare invited to join aconsultativecommittee forthe DelburnWind Farm

Photograph: iStock Have your

OSMI Australia is seeking expressions of interestfrom people to join the Delburn Wind Farm Community Consultative Committee.

The company is seeking new members from the Thorpdale,Yinnarand Mirboo North area to provide adiverse representation of people living around the wind farm site.

CommunityConsultative Committee members sharecommunity feedback, advise on community prioritiesand give local insights into potential impaces. Although the consultative committee is not adecision-making body, it has an important role informing the project team. Meetings are held bi-monthly in the DelburnWind Farm office in Mirboo North and online. If you are interested, call 1800 676 428 or email: contactus@delburnwindfarm.com.au

The Delburn Wind Farm office is located at 66 Ridgway Road,MirbooNorth and open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Quartet: Author and environmentalist, DanMusil, local filmmaker, Josie Hess, former Latrobe Valley

AuthorityChief Executive, Chris Buckinghamand Associate Professor Jeffrey Jacquet with acopyof the newbookdetailing regional energy transition Photograph supplied

The juryjourney for Erin Patterson’strial

IN FEBRUARY 2025, aroll of 15,000 people was requested in the Latrobe Valley District to cover five circuit sittings of the Supreme and County courts between April 28 and August 1.

The most high-profileofthesewas of course Erin Patterson’s mushroom murder trial, starting on April 29.

Letterswere sent to people notifying them they had been selected for jury service and while approximately 7000 people were either excused or deferred to alater date, 8000 were included in the process.

All applications are individually assessed and factors including illness, significant travel requirements, financial hardship, caregiving,proficiency in English, and beinginvolved in the administration of justice areconsidered

In late March, 1400 people were randomly selected and sent asummons to attend courton either April 28 or 30.

As the Patterson trial wasthe first and longest of the trials listedinMorwell, and it was well known in the community, JuriesVictoriaissued more than the usual number of summonses to cover the expected day of empanelment and the days that followed in case the jury needed to be discharged, and anew jury empanelled.

By mid-April, 597 people remained of the 1400 –the others having been deferred or excused. Across Victoria in 2023/24, 107,430 summonses were issued to attend for jury service.

Of the 597 people included, 234 confirmed they wouldbeavailablefor an eight-week trial, 115 people were confirmed to attend on Tuesday, April 29 and the others were assigned to anotherjury pool.

On April29, threepeople wereexcused or deferred by JuriesVictoria staff and the remaining 112 made up the jury panel for the trial of Erin Patterson. Duringempanelment, jurypanelmembers were known by anumberrather than their name, as is standard practice. Their occupation is also provided.

Justice Beale gave the jury panel an overview of

the caseand provided them withalist of 137 names, includingwitnesses, places, and legal practitioners involved in the case.

Panel members were then given the opportunity to apply to be excused from the trial if they knew someone involved, felt they couldn’t be impartial, or for any other reason.

“Overthe last 20 months, there have been many newspaperand magazine articles about this case, there's been extensiveradio and television coverage, there's been online commentary and podcasts. All of these have been freely available to the public and may have come to your attention,” said Justice Beale.

“It is reasonable to assume, therefore, that most of you, if not all, will have some prior information about this case. It is unrealistic to expect that the jurors selected can erasethat prior information from their minds, but it will be their task to bring an open mind to their considerationofthe evidence and decide the case solely on the evidence that is led in this trial, not on any prior or outsideinformation.”

Twenty-eight applicationstobeexcused were received and onewas refused.Ofthe 27 people excused, 21 knew someone on the witness list or had particular knowledge about the trial, four were excused for medical reasons, one for travel and one for caring responsibilities.

The numbers of the remaining 85 jury panel members were then put intoa wooden box and shaken up and drawnout andifthe person sat down without the accused either saying ‘challenge’ or the prosecution saying ‘stand aside’ they became part of the jury.

Three people were challenged by Ms Patterson. An accused is allowed three challengeswithout providing reasons.

The prosecution didn’t stand aside anyone.

Apanel of 15 was selected, one was discharged during the trial for allegedly speakingabout the case outside the jury room and two were balloted out just priortothe juryretiringtoconsider its verdict, leaving seven men and five women in the final group of 12.

Jurors are paid $40 aday forthe first six days of service and $80 aday thereafter. The juror’s

employer is required to pay the difference between this amount and their usual wages.

While the jury was sequestered in alocal hotel during their deliberations, it has been reported that they had an outing to alocal winery on the Sunday, before ultimately delivering their verdict on Monday, July 7.

Justice Beale expressed hisheartfeltappreciation for their service.

“Ladies and gentlemen, about aweek or more ago when we were balloting off two of your fellow jurors, Iexpressed my heartfelt thanks and Irepeat those thanks today. The last thing you want now is another long speech from me, so I'll be brief. You've been an exceptional jury. The way you've conducted yourself throughout this trial has caught my attention and you've remained in good spirits even though the trial went much longer than you were led to believe and even though this was a major intrusioninall your lives,soI thankyou again.”

For their service, the jury, and the two jurors balloted off before deliberations, were given a 15-year dispensation from being called for jury service by Justice Beale. The jurors can opt out of the dispensation if they wish.

What’s next?

Next there’ll be amention on August 8toset the date for aplea hearing and also to determine the suppression order about pre-trial material. Then there'll be aplea hearing at alater date, followed by sentencing at another date.

The accused will have 28 days from the date of sentencing to lodge an appeal.

Erin Patterson wasfound guilty of the murderof three Korumburra residents, her in-laws Don and Gail Patterson,and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, and the attempted murderofIan Wilkinson on Monday, July 7inthe Supreme Court in Morwell. Story courtesy of the South Gippsland Sentinel Times.

Pesutto payment questioned among Liberals

By LIAM DURKIN

TRARALGON-BORN MP and former state Liberal leader, John Pesutto might not be out of the woods yet.

The party’s administrative committee’s decision to pay Liberal colleague Moira Deeming the $1.55 owed to her by Mr Pesutto could play out in court.

Senior LiberalColleen Harkin has launched legal action against thecommittee’s decisionto approve the loan, saying it goes against the party’s constitution.

The Herald Sun revealed four membersofthe administrativecommittee -Erin Hunt, Anthony Schneider, Ian Pugh and Marcus Li, joined Ms Harkin as plaintiff in aSupreme Court challenge to the loan.

Mr Pesutto was orderedtopay Ms Deeming$2.3 million in damages after the federal court found he defamed her after speaking at awomen’s rights rally on the steps of state Parliament in 2023. The saga led to him losing his leadership of the state Liberals, and he could yet be forced out of politics all together. By law, anyone declared bankrupt cannot sit in Parliament.

Mr Pesutto previously secured $500,000 himself, while $200,000 was raised from an online crowdfunding campaign before the loan was approved. “I supported the party’s administrativecommittee decisiontopay MrsDeeming the $1.55 million owed

to her by Mr Pesutto, to satisfy the federal court costs order following its decision that Mr Pesutto had defamed Mrs Deeming,” Liberal leader, Brad Battin said last month.

“Mr Pesutto will repay the party on commercial loan terms.

“Throughoutthis process, Ihave acted in accordance with the rules, maintained my impartiality, and ensuredthe confidentiality, welfare, and dignity of my colleagues.”

Despite the pending crisis, the matterisnot expected to be heard any time soon given the debt has already been paid.

Justi ce Micha el McDonald ha sl as he dM s Harkin’s application, calling it “half baked”.

“I’m going to have to hear from the members of the administrative committee in order to form aview about whether or not there is aserious issue to be tried, becauseunless Ican come to that conclusion, there’snobasis forany interlocutory relief,” he told the Herald Sun.

The Liberals will hope to see an end to the drawnout controversy as next year’s state election looms.

While the state government has attracteda swathe of criticism in recent years, it mayhavelittle trouble winning government given the opposition’s imploding.

Elsewhere, the Liberals are confident of maintaining government across Bass Strait, after Tasmanians went to the polls at the weekend.

At time of press (Mo nday ), mor et han

three-quartersofthe vote had been counted, although three seats still remained in doubt, and afinal result is notexpected for anotherfortnight.

The Liberals led 14 seats to Labor’s nine, needing 18 to form government. The Greens had five seats and independents/others four.

The Nationals traditionally don’t have much presence in Tasmania.

"In general in Tasmania, there'snot much demand for aseparate rural branded party,” election analyst Dr Kevin Bonham explained.

“I think that's particularly because the distances are smaller, the bush is not so isolated."

Oddly enough, the much-vaunted AFL Hobart stadium could decide the election.

Tasmania is set to have an AFL team introduced for season 2028,yet the stadium’s proposed$1 billion price tag has becomeamajor bone of contention.

Most of the Tasmanian cross-bench is antistadium, meaning the major parties may need to toethe same lineifthey want to hold government.

Shouldthe stadiumgoahead, it is expected to feature Tasmanian Oak, in anod to the state’s native timber industry.Australian Sustainable Hardwoods, Heyfield stocks Australian Oak, which is the company’s brand of Tasmanian Oak timber.

Scrutiny: Traralgon LiberalMP, John Pesutto File photograph

Eye: Justice Christopher Beale oversawthe Erin Patterson trial. Photograph supplied

Blues brothers reunion

FOOTBALL

MID GIPPSLAND

BY LIAM DURKIN

THORPDALE Football-Netball Club past players and officials gathered at the weekend to celebrate the 40-year reunion of the club's lastseniorfootball premiership.

The Blues capped off adominant 1985 season in the MidGippslandFootball-NetballLeague, finishing on top of the ladder on the way to the flag.

Thorpdale defeated Morwell East 8.7 (55) to 5.11 (41) in the decider.

Some familiar Thorpdale surnames featured in thebest players: the late HarveyPoole kickedfour goals, while Glen Hotchkin, Lloyd Mackie and Mick Hammond were also prominent.

Others to play well on the big daywere Moe recruitRicky Dytand leaguebest-and-fairest winner, Ray York. It was double-delight for the Blues, who also won the reserves premiership.

Thorpdale's favourite son, Barry Rowlings, who was Richmond captainthe year before, took players for training during Grand Final week.

Unfortunately for the Blues, they have featured in just two grand finals since (1987 and 1992).

Thorpdale looked agood chance of creating a Cinderella story twoseasons ago, before bowing out in the preliminary final to eventual premier, Fish Creek.

The clubhas enjoyed better success in netball circles, with the Blues winning asprinkling of A Grade flags during the 2000s.

Short passes with Liam Durkin

Blue villains

THEY areusually good for an upsetRosedale.

The Blues did what no team had previously doneinNorth Gippy this season -defeatTTU. Rosedale hasbeen quietlygoing aboutits business this season, and is currently fourth on the ladder.

This is not the first eyebrow raising result the Blueshavepulled off in recent years.

They beat eventual premier Woodside in the second-last roundlastseason,and defeated finals-fancy Yarram by apoint the year before.

Bit going on

SOME sympathy perhaps for Gippsland League officials.

Those in charge certainly have alot to work through currently.

The league is surely scrambling to find suitable finalsvenues given the state of a few facilities, while anumberofclubs have either voted to leave or been linked to moves elsewhere.

The ongoing 'VFL player' saga is also showing no signs of aresolution,and there would have to be some concern regarding the future of the Gippsland Stars in the VNL.

The Stars finished their second season in the VNL afortnight ago with a13-game losing streak in the Championship division.

Long time coming

BOOLARRA footballerWillFlanaganhad plenty of reason to celebrate at the weekend.

The Demons' win over Stony Creek was also his first in more than 50 games. Flanigan joined Boolarra from Gormandale this season, where he captained the club through their unfortunate losingstreak, which is still going.

Unenviable position

POOR Andrew McQualter.

Not to sound too harsh, but is the former Traralgon local coaching the worst AFL team in recent history?

The Eaglesare anchored to the bottom of the ladder with one win, and lost to the team coming second-last at theweekend by 49 points -inPerth no less.

You can see why no one wanted the job.

Howand why

AN assignment for another day, but it would be interesting to investigate just what makes Leongatha such serial winners.

Spending abit of time in the area during the mushroom trial, it is clear sport plays ahuge role in the fabric of the community.

There are two cricket clubs and two golf clubs for astart in Leongatha.

Korumburra is also abigger town than first realised (close to 5000), and the farming region means alot of families have stuck around to keep replenishing playing stocks.

Numbers thereforenever seem to be aproblem at Leongatha.

That of course can't be the sole reason they've just kept winning for the last 10 years, and winning usuallymeansthere is no shortage of qualityright the way through.

This quality has seen some more than handy names line up at 12.30pm.

Current senior Parrots, Ty Halland Tallin Brill are just two who had to serve their apprenticeship in the reserves before becoming regular senior starters.

People will call me out for my Gippy League bias, but Ihave nodoubt some Leongatha reserves teams over the years would make NorthGippy senior finals.

Success: Thorpdale coach and former Essendon player, Jim Forsyth (fatherof Olympian Tim) celebrates the 1985 premiership with Thorpdale captain Ron‘Bonnie’ Mackie Photograph: Express files

QueryonQuinlan’snon-selection

FOOTBALL

By LIAM DURKIN

GIPPSLAND is well-represented on alist compiling the 25 greatest players to ever play for Footscray/ Western Bulldogs.

The non-representation of afew however has also sparked some discussion.

The list hasbeennamedincelebration of the Bulldogs' centenary in the V/AFL.

WhileBrownlow medallist and two-time Coleman Medal winner, Kelvin Templeton was an obvious choice, selectors could not find room for fellow Traralgon local, Bernie Quinlan.

Quinlan admittedly won his Brownlow and Coleman medals after crossing to Fitzroy, yet he stillplayed 177 games andkicked241 goalsfor the Bulldogs.

Quinlan is also amember of the Western Bulldogs' Hall of Fame, as is Bairnsdale's Brian Royal, who

was another omission, despite being named in the Team of the Century -asa rover no less.

Others locals to miss out were Steve Wallis (Leongatha) and Barry Round (Warragul).

Round played 135 games in the tri-colours, before crossing to South Melbourne/Sydney, where he won the 1981 Brownlow Medal, the year after Templeton.

Wallis played 261 games across 14 season from 1983 to 1996. His final match was featured in the documentary Year of the Dogs

Quinlan and Templeton were back home recently for Traralgon Football-Netball Club's past players reunion, along with former Footscraycaptain Rick Kennedy, Jim Silvestro, Geoff Jennings, and the Cordy boys, Graeme, Brian and Neil. Before drafting was introduced,VFL clubs werezoned to certain areas. The Bulldogs had Traralgon. Hawthorn arguably benefitted most from having the West Gippsland and Mornington Peninsula catchment, an area that was atraditional

stronghold for St Kilda.

Only five clubs (Carlton, Richmond, Hawthorn, NorthMelbourne and Essendon) won premierships while zoning was in place (1967 to 1985).

Bulldogs favourite, BobMurphy(Warragul) and 1941 Brownlow Medallist, Norm Ware (Sale) were each selected in the top 25.

An early Magpies jumper worn by Ware hangs in the Sale Football-Netball Club social room.

The25Greatest Bulldogs are: Norm Ware, Harry Hickey, Arthur Olliver, Charlie Sutton, Allan Hopkins,AlbyMorrison, John Schultz, EJ Whitten, Wally Donald, Jack Collins, Gary Dempsey, Doug Hawkins, Kelvin Templeton, Simon Beasley, Scott Wynd, Chris Grant, Scott West, Brad Johnson, Tony Liberatore, Bob Murphy, Matthew Boyd, Dale Morris, Tom Liberatore, Marcus Bontempelli and Ellie Blackburn.

The list encompassesthe WesternBulldogs' entire history, including AFLW, hence the selection of Blackburn.

United youngsters in gutsy win

solid teamwork and crisp passing through the midfield trio of Ryan, Kingston and Toby.

Bailey DV, starting in goal, was exceptional, pulling off astringofcrucial savestokeep Gippsland United ahead.

ATHRILLING and competitive encounter played out between Gippsland United Football Club under 13s and BerwickCity Soccer Club at Morwell’s Ronald Reserve last Sunday.

The match, played with intensity and plenty of spirit, sawGippsland United come out on top with ahard-fought2-1 victory.

United started strong,immediately putting pressure on the Berwick defence. That intensity paid off early when Ollie connected with athrough ball from Toby to find the back of the net in the fourth minute.

The team kept up the momentum, showcasing

In the 16thminute, Ollie and Toby made way for fresh legs, with Alex and Mitchell entering the pitch.

Twominutes later, Berwick City was awarded afree kick in adangerous position, but defender

Bailey Rcame up big with abrilliant block, denying the equaliser.

On the 20 minute mark, Bailey Rwas subbed off afterastrong shift, giving Harry the opportunity to contribute to the backline.

The second half saw areshuffle in the line-up, with Brock taking over as goalkeeper.

Defenders William, Harry and Romeoworked hard to keep Berwick at bay, while Toby and Alex controlled the midfield.

Up front, Ollie, Jett and Mitchell kept the pressure on.

Brock made several excellent saves in ahighpressure secondhalf, but in the 44th minute, Berwick finally broke through to level the scores 1-all.

Despite the setback, Gippsland United didn’t let their heads drop.

Just four minutes later,inthe 48th minute, Almasi’s cleverconversionofa free kick helped United reclaim the lead once more.The final minutes saw outstanding defending from the entire team,with Uniteddigging deep to protect their lead and ensure the win.

Ellinbank GF at Trafalgar

FOOTBALL/NETBALL

By LIAM DURKIN

THIS weekend's Gippsland League match betweenDrouin and Moe could yet seea venue change.

The game is scheduled to take place at Trafalgar Recreation Reserve.

The Hawks have made Trafalgar their second home this season, as redevelopment works continue on their ground.

However, the Bloods are hosting this season's Ellinbank District Football-Netball LeagueGrandFinal,and given Saturday's forecast is for close to 10 millimetres of rain, do not want to run the risk of any damage. Gippsland League officials have previously said no club can play Drouin at their home ground twice this season, at the risk of gaining an unfair advantage.

Spectators are advised to check with their clubs or on PlayHQ if there is any venue change.

Should the match go ahead at Trafalgar, it will surelybea strange feeling for afew Moe Football-Netball Club identities with strong links to Trafalgar Recreation Reserve.

The Lions' current netball director, Belinda Parise played her firstnetballgamefor Trafalgar way back in 1994, and went on to coach the club to an AGrade premiership. Moe senior assistantcoach andfourths football coach, Chris Kyriacou is also apremiership coach at Trafalgar, winning three flags in total in the red and white.

Fellow senior assistant, Shane Paynter's name is on the Trafalgar Football-Netball Club honour board as abest-and-fairest winner, as is current Lions senior player, Justin Morrow and reserves team manager, Ian Cocksedge.

Additionally, current Moe thirds assistant coach, Billy Pace is aTrafalgar Cricket Club premiership player, and was along-serving junior cricket coordinator for the club. His son James also has acricket flag forTraf, and notablytop-scored from Number11in aGrand Final. His Lions' thirds teammate, Will Mills won acricket flag with Trafalgar last summer, while another Traf cricketer, Gus Carlson, is also having akick with the Lions thirds this season. The Trafalgar Cricket Club's longest-serving secretary is also aMoe footballer, closing in on 200 games with both clubs.

Lions dig deepatthe Den,win 2-1

SOCCER STATELEAGUE

BY ALLAN ROBERTS

ROUND16ofthe VetoMen's State Leaguesaw Fortuna return to their home pitch after athree week stint of games on the road.

The Lions faced offagainst Pakenham United Football Club on asunny, but fresh winters afternoon last Saturday.

With asolid crowd in attendance, expectations were high that the home team wouldtickoff another box on their quest for the State League title in their first year of competition.

The visit ing Pakenh am United team had strengthenedtheir squad sincethe twoteams meet earlier in the season. On the flipside, the home side was missing Jake Budija and Ryan Ayres for the clash.

In agutsy andhard fought game, Fortuna prevailed 2-1.

The Lions hit the ground running with Joel Palermo making an early dash down the wing in the fourth minute, firing ashot on goal that was parried away by the Pakenham keeper.

The home teampeppered the Pakenhamgoals repeatedly in the first 20 minutes for no reward. Another golden chance went begging in the 23rd minute after abeautifulpassage of linkupplay from Jordan Campbell to Damon Scott, who played aperfect pass to Nonda Lazaris who fired on goal -onlyfor the upright to deny him and Fortuna.

Key: Jordan Campbell wasinstrumental in Fortuna’sstate leaguewin at the weekend.

Photograph: Peta Robers

The next 20 minutes was end-to-end, with both teams having chances without capitalising.

It took abit of magic in the 45thminutetobreak thedeadlock, and who better to provide this than

Fortuna striker Scott. The young gun was on the end of apassageofplay that started from athumping goal kick by Lions keeper Logan Troughton to past halfway, which was flickedonbyCampbell to Scott, whounleashed acracking35yard strike that gave the Pakenham keeper no chance.

Thegoal saw the home team go into the changerooms for the halftime breakwith awell deserved 1-nil lead.

With the commencement of the second half, the home team started the stronger of the two.

In amirrorofthe first half, the Lions put the Pakenham keeper under the pump.

Fortunaveteran Rayvel Whiting,who washaving acrackinggame, overlapped from fullback after intercepting aloose pass and carried the ball into the box for arare shot on goal that was saved by the under siege Pakenham keeper.

The fortunes of agame can change in the blink of an eye, and that is exactly what happened in the 60th minute, with the Pakenham keeper playing amirrorimage play to that of Troughton's in the first half, launchinga long bomb deep into the Pakenham attacking area that was pounced upon by aPakenham striker who clinically dispatched it past the Lion's keeper.

With the score now back to 1-all, the game became aslugfest,with both teams working hard to secure the game winning goal and the all-important points.

The Fortuna midfield of Jordan Campbell and Dylan Cassar-Cummings lifted to the occasion and put in some solid performances.

With 25 minutes left, Lazaris carried the ball

into the box for the Lions with his secondeffort shot rebounding off aPakenham player into their hand for acallof"handball".

Setshot specialist Daniel Cooper calmly dispatchedthe spot kick to put the home team up 2-1.

The final 20 minutes of the game saw Fortuna dominate play, with Lazaris creating havoc down the left handside forthe Pakenham defenders. He wasdually assisted but Campbell, who was putting on aclinic in the middle of the park for the home team. '

After what felt like an eternity of injury time, the final whistle sounded to give Fortuna the win on their home turf -the team remaining undefeated after 16 rounds of competition.

The win sees the team from the Valley maintain their top spot, but moreimportantly, asix point gap over second-placed Mt Eliza Soccer Club, who also won at the weekend.

ThisSaturday see's Fortunapackupthe bus and head down to the Peninsula again to play third-placed Seaford United Soccer Club in what will be acracker of agame.

 EARLIER in the day, the Fortuna reserves took to the pitch against the top of the table Pakenham United.

The Lions reserve's put in gallant performance that showed plenty of fight and grit.

Although the final result was an 8-nil loss, the score line was not reflective of the effort from the Lions.

Last minute thriller in LVSL women’sgame

SOCCER

LVSL

BY JOHN CARDONA

SALE UNITED wrapped up the Latrobe Valley Soccer League seniorwomen's championship at the weekend.

The Swans have an unassailableseven point lead on top of the ladder with two rounds to play.

Sale's4-nilvictoryoverTraralgon CityatHarold PrestonReserve made sure the title becameamere formality.

The Swans have been adominant force in LVSL women'sinrecent years, winning the last three titles.

Closer to home, the battle between second and third on the ladder finished in an entertaining 1-all draw between Moe United and Churchill in Round 16.

The Red Devils scored the equaliser just on full time at Hazelwood South.

Moe United was on the front foot early, creatinga few half-chances;the closest being ashot by Georgia Wyntjes which was rushed clear off the goal line. Churchill began to threaten the Moe United defence and had afew chances but the finishing was poor Finally, Churchillbrokethe deadlock whenTahlia Flake from nowhere hit a30metreshotwhich gave Moe United keeper Renee Vidler no chance low down at the near post.

From thereon, Churchillkept threatening the Moe United goal but some excellent defending fromHaley Laws, Nicole Riseley,MileyCooper and great goalkeeping by VidlerkeptChurchill to a1-nil lead at the half.

The second half was played in asimilar vain to the first, with both sides creating chances but both were to be denied by the respective keepers

in Terese Davey (Churchill) and Vidler.

Churchill did create the better chancesfrom Holly McCullagh, Flakeand Lani Murdoch,but could not put the finishing touch on their chances.

The match looked to be heading for a1-nil Churchillvictory, but these MoeUnited women have agreat attitude in games and play to the final whistle.Seconds after acouple of corners, Miley Cooper controlled ahalf clearance to cross theballwhere Rebecca Van Der Koogh slotted the ball into goal

The ball went back to the centre kick off and the referee blew the final whistle.

Best for Churchill was Chantel Stephens, Hayley Scott and Flake.

Bestfor Moe United was Miley Cooper, Laws, Riseley and Tiana Reddlex.

In other results,Monash defeated Olympians 1-nil. Scores were not published for the match betweenNewborough/Yallourn and Tyers. Falcons had the bye

 CURRENT reserves league leaders Moe United continued their winning way when they eventually overcame astubborn and determined Churchill United side 3-1 at Churchill on Sunday.

With the Red Devils, needing to win their final two games of the season, got off to ashaky start whenafteronly five minutes Churchill's Taylor Jackson found himself unmarked to slot the ball into goal, giving Moe United keeper, Joel Thompson no chance.

Moe United was on the defensive early as they struggled to get into their normal rhythm

Moe United eventually began to work back into the game and the equaliser came from asuperbly hit thumping drive from 30m out which cannoned off the crossbar and over the line to make the score 1-all after 20 minutes.

Bothsides continued to attackeach other's goals but to no avail and went into the break locked in at 1-all.

Moe United came out after the halftime break determined to putthe game beyond doubt,and after only five minutes play in the second half, the visitors grabbed the lead after LeviHeusmann worked his way to the goal line, then crossed the ball into the sixyardbox whereafter ascrimmage in the goalmouth, Harley Robinson poked the ball home past the Churchill keeper.

Moe United lifted their pressure and continued to attack the Churchill defence, and put the game beyond doubt at the 75 minute mark when Heuesmann won the ball off aChurchill defender and crossed to Robinson, who with his back to goal, turned and hit his first time shot past the keeper.

Best for Moe United was Max Lietzau, Chris Papanikolaou, Ben Schembri and Bailey Somerville.

Best for Churchill was Matthew Prokopiwskyl, Takudzwa Gwara and Jackson.

In other results, Sale Uniteddefeated Traralgon City 6-1, Monash beat Olympians 3-nil and East Gippsland rolled Newborough/Yallourn United 5-nil.

 THE third division game was played on the back pitch.

The ground itself had its moments to challenge plays for both sides.

Moe United had 12 players against afull squad Churchill United team.

Missed opportunities in attack fromboth sides tookits toll as the pressure from both sideswas strongand competitive in an eventual scoreline that read Moe 5, Churchill 1.

Within the first 10 minutes, Churchill took the opportunity fromacorner via aMitch Jackson cross that saw the ball land in the six yard box and led to amix up andown goal.

Not long afterrestarting play,aquick kick off and

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passagefromKristian Aquilina had him taking his chance to set up ascore for the visitor's moments later,thanks to aquickthinking piece of play from the left side across to the right which found Kayne Heusmann, who's shot went over the keeper and into the goal.

Churchill United took control of thewings in attack butcould not convert the dominance into goals.

Afterhalftime, Moe United faced astrongchallenge from Churchill.

Churchill's Craig Johnson was in control of the backline, with Josh Haddock being akey player up front.

Acouple of passages of play saw clever passing between Gedd Heusmann and Jake Heusmann find Ash Huber unmarked and he slotted his chance home from close range for Moe United.

Shortlyafter in an another attacking move for Moe United from the right wing, Aquilina injured his hamstring, and with only 12 players in the team, it meant Moe had no substitutes for the remainder of the match.

Not long after, agoal kicked by Churchill was followed by Moe's Jake Heusmann skilfully back heelingaflick passtoJax Cowton, who's shotfound its way into the net.

Huber made another run from the centre of the ground, and he raced through to score his second goal.

To Churchill's credit, they nevergave up and fought on stronglyusing both sides of the park to create chances to get near goal shooting range. Best for Moe was Jake Heusmann, Huber and JaxCowton.

Best for Churchill was Johnson, Logan Chapman and Mitchell Hansch.

In other results, Falcons and Fortuna drew 1-all, while Olympians pumped Monash 9-1. Tyers and Sale United had the bye.

Business Guide

SMARTChoice Electrical has more than 40 years' experience operating in the Latrobe Valleyand surrounding areas

The team hasawealth of knowledge in the electrical industry which ensures peace of mind when clients call Smar tChoice Electrical forany job

Smar tChoice Electrical business owner PeterGriffiths said the companywas proud of the high qualityworktheydo.

“Weare proud of our achievements in electrical safetyand quality, consistentlyproviding a high levelofworkmanship,” Mr Griffiths said.

Peterand CarolGriffiths at Smar t Choice Electrical guarantee their work and products arethe best possible

Theyprovide customerswith the securityofknowing theyare dealing directlywith the approachbusiness owners ing in the local area, the ths have seen that many

residents in the Latrobe Valleyare still onlyprotected electricallyby fuses -anissue that can be quickly fixedbythe installation of safety switches that should be considered by all households

To find out howSmar tChoice Electrical can solve your domestic, ruraland commercial needs phone

If youare planning arenovation, Smar tChoiceElectrical can provide advice and customise their work to ensureyour needs aremet.

Smar tChoice Electrical specialise in working with 240 volt and 415volt experiences including mains,metering,power,light and air conditioning

CAVALIER Puppies

These four puppies have had their first vaccination, microchipped and vet checked 2/7/2025. They are ready to go 14/7/2025.

Gender: Male

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MALTESE xpoodle. 1M pup, vet checked, vacc, date of birth 10/5/2025, RBN 211780. M/C 956000018809041, Phone Kath 0438 453 063.

MORWELL, 11 ButtersSt. Saturday, 8am-1pm. Music DVDs, CDs and LPs, books, girl's clothes and lots more. All Must Go!

TRARALGON 1Margaret

St, Sat. and Sun., 8-2pm. Huge sale!! 18 crates of records. Tools, fishing gear, collectables, new and vintage toys, books, craft, band t'shirts, men's / women's /kid's shoes and more. Cash only.

TRARALGON 33 Bank Street, Saturday 9am- 1pm. Good mix of items. Clothes, games, dvd's, books, puzzles, new stationary, 300 beanie babies and household items. Come and have a look. Abit of everything!

YINNAR STH 35 Considine Drive,Saturday and Sunday 9am-4pm. Tools, kitchenware, books, rugs furniture, household goods, and lots more.

HOME NEEDED

Buyer wanting to purchase ahome in the Traralgon area. They are looking for 3to4 bedroom home. $400k-$550k

Please call Ryan on 0438 608 060

MORWELL. 1bedroom unit avail soon. $320 per week in agated community in central to town. 10-15 from Coles, station, rose garden, mini-mart and more. Would suit atenant looking for long term home alongside other seniors. 2 units, side-by-side are avail. Text Beth for details on 0402 082 650.

BoardofGovernance Expressions

of Interest

Gippsland CentreAgainst Sexual Assault

GCASA is seekingexpressions of interest from individuals passionate about ending sexual and family violence in Gippslandand eager to contributetheir leadership andskills to our BoardofGovernance.

We areseeking to fillBoardMember positions as well as therole of Treasurer

To ensuregreater representation across the sectorand diverse perspectives, GCASA is particularly seeking representatives from the following areas:

● Lived experience of sexual violence

● GippslandAboriginal& Torres Strait Islander People

● Specialist/non-specialist servicesthat include afocus on primaryprevention and innovation.

Additional (non-essential) skills of interest include:

● Governance

● Finance

● Compliance

● Compliance

Gippstown Reserve Committee of Management Inc. is seeking EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST for aperson/s or organisation with demonstrated experience and ability to: OPERATE THECAFE AT OLDGIPPSTOWN 211 Lloyd Street, Moe

Expressions of Interest including references and an outline of your cafe and catering experience can be sent or emailed by Wednesday 6th August 2025 to: The Secretary,P.O. Box 290 Beaconsfield, 3807 or emailed to secretary@oldgippstown.com.au

PLEASE NOTE:| thatadpayment is required prior to publication unless afullaccount is held with the Latrobe Valley Express. Email: classifieds@ lvexpress.com.au

PLEASE NOTE: Confirm your email if youhave not received a confirmation email from us, emails ARE NOTALWAYS RELIABLE and we don’t always receive them

Mail:

Latrobe Valley Express, “Attention Classifieds’’ 21 George Street, Morwell 3840

Newsagents:

Most Newsagents act as our agents and will accept your advertisements up until the same deadlines as above

Credit Card:

When placing your advertisement over the phone or via email you charge it t to your Mastercard or Visa

Notice to ADVERTISERS and RESPONDENTS

Voicemail introductions advertisements and voice messages may only be submitted by persons 18 years and older.

When making contact with people for the first time, it is advisable to meet in apublic place and let amember of your family or atrusted friend know where you will be.

Board memberscommit to aminimum 12-month term, with monthly meetings and involvementin strategic directionand oversight.

To apply,contactCEO JaneBarr for an information pack. All applications will requirea resumeand expression of interest cover letter

Email: CEO@gippscasa.org

Phone: 0484 000 676

We would advise readers and advertisers to exercise caution in giving out personal details. This will be respected by genuine respondents.

our local Tradies while they service, build and repair in our local communities - check out our Business Guide Pages and Home Maintenance Section in the Classifieds every Wednesday for your local Tradies WHEN YOU GO LOCAL, YOUGROW LOCAL!

Expressions of Interest close midnight 25thJuly2025 LOCALS BUY LOCALLY SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PAPER! Save those memories

This committee is made up of volunteers who areresponsible for guiding the management, protection and development of the Heritage Park,onbehalf of the community

To ensurethe best possible management of this reserve, applicants will be shortlisted based on their skills, experience and knowledge in one or moreofthe following areas:

• Marketing, Tourism and Media • Grant Application and Management

• Community Engagement • Financial Management

• Project Management • Business&Strategic Planning

• Volunteer &Employee Management • Building and Asset Management

• Secretarial and Administration Skills • Heritage and Historical

To apply visit www.boards.vic.gov.au and search for the Gippstown Reserve Committee of Management under ‘Search boardvacancies’ and click Apply now

Applicants with further enquiries or those with difficulties in accessing the documents should contact FionaMunson on 0436 616 617 or emailfiona.j.munson@deeca.vic. gov.au. Youmay also use the National Relay Service on 1300 555 727 or 133 677 (TTY number) if required.

ADVERTISERS

PLEASE NOTE:

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GARDEN WORK

J.C CONCRETING Sheds, driveways, footpaths, crossovers etc. Phone Justin

Much hardship and difficulty is caused to job seekers by misleading advertising placed in the employment columns. Our Situations Vacant columns are reserved for advertisements which carry aspecific and genuine offer of employment. Ads for `Business Opportunities' and `Training Courses' and `Employment Services' should be submitted under those headings. Placing misleading ads is an offence against the Trades Practices Act and state/territory

-

Guard

Casual, daytime only, no weekends, plain clothes. Above award rates, car allowance. Reliable car requi red, must have Victorian licence. Email: rmcmichan@ ssglobal.com.au or call 0424 148 115.

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.

ExperiencedScaffolding TEAM LEADER

O&M is currently seeking an experienced Scaffolding Team Leader for upcoming projects and maintenance activities across the Latrobe Valley

Join asafety-first, team-oriented companywhere your leadership andcommitment to quality workmanship will be valued and rewarded.

What We AreLookingFor:

We areseekingcandidateswith thefollowing attributes:

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•Industrial experiencepreferred

•Abletopass acomprehensive pre-employment process including:

o Medical assessment o Drug& alcohol screening o Musculoskeletalfitnesstest

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•Valid Construction White Card

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•Basic working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word)

•Current CPRcertificate –Desirable, but not essential

How to Apply:

If you areinterested in theposition, please send your Resume and anyrelevant licences/tickets/ competencies to Admin@omaustralia.com.au or apply through Seekor our website www.omaustralia.com.au

Would you liketodeliver theLatrobe Valley Express newspaper to individualhomes on Tuesdayand /or Wednesday afternoons in Traralgon and Moe. Please apply to:

or will not be accepted. Adult deliverers also welcome

2010 AUDI A5 2door coupe. Quattro v/g cond. FOB Keys x2. $17750. RWC. YHE-011.

BENNETT-LOCKETT

Kim Maree

Passed away peacefully surrounded with love at Maryvale Private Hospital, Morwell on July 14, 2025.

Dearly loved wife and best mate of Lindsay. Adored Mum of Jamie. Alaugh, asmile, an eye roll or two, that's the waywe'll remember you. Apatient sufferer at rest.

AGraveside Service to celebrate Kim's life was held on TUESDAY (22 July 2025) at the Neerim Cemetery.

HALL (Winter) Shirley Frances

Passed away peacefully at Latrobe Regional Health, Traralgon on 15 July, 2025. Aged 89 years.

Dearly loved wife of John (dec.) for 60 years. Much loved Mum of Debra, Sandra (dec.) and Dianne.

Adored Nan of Lee, Darren, Kylie and Ross, Chris and Kelly, and Mark.

Cherished Great Nan of Khloe, Cole, and Alyssa. Always loved and sadly missed.

Forever In Our Hearts.

REEVES (nee Greenslade)

Gweneth Enid

Born 30 August 1923, Broken Hill, passed away 12 July 2025, Traralgon. Beloved wife to Ray (dec.). Abeautiful mother to Philip, Janet, John and Helen, and their partners, Jenni (dec.), Ian, Regina, and Peter.

the Latrobe Valley Express and 4editions of the Gippsland Times paper THEY DO SELL!

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Birthdays •

Jean Maskrey 31/7/1925

Our dear Mother,Nanna &Great Nanna is turning on Thursday 31 July

To help celebrate her special day,wewillbe having afternoon tea from 1.30pm –3.30pm If youwouldliketopop in, shareacuppa, chat andlaugh with Jean, youare most welcome.

Address: 6Gillies Crescent, Traralgon 100

esteemed Service and Life Member Raymond and ext end sincer e condolences to his family. LEST WE FORGET

MR SIMON MAY

Service No. H0687342

The President, Committee, Staff and Members of the Moe RSL Sub-Branch are deeply saddened by the passing of their esteemed Service Member and friend, Simon. We offer our sympathy to all his family. LEST WE FORGET

BRAND Raymond (Coon). 11/11/34 -14/7/2025 Passed away peacefully at Traralgon Aged Care. Loving son of Frank and Alice (Both dec.). Loving Brother and Brother-in-law to Alice and Alan Brooks (both dec.), Jim (dec.) and Olwyn, Geoff, Eunice and Pat (all dec.), Joy, Ken and Gladys (both dec.) Ian (dec.), Graham and Lorraine, Robert (dec.) and Kaye, Trevor (dec.) and Val, Kevin and Mary. Much loved Dad to Darryll, Leanne and Tracey. Father-in-law to Sonja, Mark and Max. Proud Pa to nine, Great-Pa to eighteen. Forever in our hearts.

BRENNAN (nee Considine, formerly Fleming)

Marie Claire Of Eastwood, formerly of Paynesville.

Beloved wife of Tom Fleming (dec.). Ever loving wife of Bill, and loving mum of her seven children Maureen, Karen, Patrick, Daniel, Kevin, Brendan, Paul, and their families.

Loving Grandma to her 17 grandchildren and loving Great-Grandma to her 17 great-grandchildren. She lived her life for the Lord and now rests in His eternal loving presence. Never to be forgotten With all our love, Bill and your children.

Marie's family would like to express their appreciation to the following people for their practical and spiritual support over the period of her illness.

Firstly, athank you to Dr Hammond for the abundant time spent in taking care of Marie and the palliative nursing team in keeping her comfortable.

Thank you also to the ambulance members who have attended at numerous times of crisis.

The members of St Mary's and Uniting church parishes for their prayers and care.

The support given by the 2Ladies who have cleaned over the years for us and the gardening staff provi ded by Latr obe Community Health services. Their efforts eased a heavy burden.

BURNEY Edward Dearly loved brother and brother-in-law of Don and Joyce. Treasured uncle of Karen, Rudy (dec.) and Raymond (dec.), Jay, Carly, Trent and families. Reunited with Laura.

FAIRWEATHER Valerie 3/2/1936 -15/7/2025 Aged 89 years

Formerly of Deniliquin, NSW. Loved mother of Robert and Dianne. Mother-in-law of Trudy and Corey. Loving grandmother of Rachael and Matthew, Dermott, Grace, Rohan and their partners. Great-grandm other of Lucas, Jaelyn and Jasper. Forever in our Hearts. In God's care.

JOHNSON (nee Payne) Ivy Rose In loving memory of Ivy. Beloved wife of Gordon. Mother of Graeme and Peter. Loving Mum of Robert and Brian. Special friend of Daz, Shaz, Billy and Conor. Forever in Heaven. Fly Free.

MACKRELL

Leslie William (Les)

Passed away peacefully at home Saturday 19 July 2025. Aged 79 years Father of Shaun, Rick and Wayne. Grandfather to Gabrielle, Te-Hani, Isabel, Rose and Isaac. Great grandfather to Dusty, Oliver, Benny and Jack. Forever in our hearts. Amemorial service for Les will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Hwy, Traralgon THIS FRIDAY (25 July 2025) commencing at 2pm.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

MACKRELL, Les

19/7/2025

Aged 79 years

Les, you have been a huge part of our family and you were always there wherever you were needed. After all your suffering it is now time for you to join Mum and Dad above.

We will miss you dearly, but will never forget you. Rest in peace.

Love always Cheryl, Bear, Steven, Warren, Tracey and their families

McMEEKEN

Kenneth George (Ken)

Passed away unexpectedly at home 14 July 2025, aged 86 years. Dearly loved husband of 58 years to Cath (dec.). Much loved father and father-in-law of Steven, Diane and Glenn. Adored poppy of Riley and Claire. Atrue gentleman For service details please visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au

McMEEKEN Ken The Captain and members of the Morwell Fire Brigade are deeply saddened by the passing of Life Member, Ken McMeeken. Our sympathy to his family and friends. EVER READY

POLANSKE Kevin John 16/2/1941 -15/7/2025

Passed away peacefully aged 84 years. Loving husband of Pat (dec.). Loving father of David and Andrea, Darren and Jane, Brett and Ginelle. Adored grandpa to Suzie, Emma, Tom, Lucas and Ella. Great-grandpa to Hallie and Lulu. Resting Peacefully.

Precious Nanny Gweneth to Tom, Jim, Matt, Emma, and Sarah, and their partners, Tayla, Kelli, Brooke, Richie, and Luke. Loving great-grandmother to Bronte and Otis. Loved and remembered always amidst her family, music and garden. In accord ance with Gweneth's wishes, a private family service will be held.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

TRARALGON 5174 2258

Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

ROEDER Tim Passed away 7July2025. We thank you for your wonderful work, also a few pleasant surprises and we will miss you very much. Our love and prayers to Carol and Det. Rest in Peace.

From Janis, Frank and Nancy (Y.A.N)

SHEA (Commerford)

Nancy Margaret

Passed away peacefully at Latrobe Regional Health Traralgon, July 14 2025, after 93 glorious years in her own home.

Loving wife of Ken (dec.).

Cherished mother and mother-in-law to Anne and Bob, Terry (Dec) and Tracey, Ken, Colleen and Dale.

Adoring Nan of Jez, Leigh and Alana, Pat and Alesha, Jule and Riley, and Caity. Great gran to Cruz, Lacey, Rocky, South, James and Pippa.

Always treasured and remembered. Until we meet again.

Our dear Mum, Nan and Great Gran; we will miss your loving presence and your beautiful smile.

Wrap yourself in the warmth of our love for your final journey. Anne and Bob, Jez, Cruz and Lacey, Leigh, Alana, Rocky and South.

Dear Mum

Iwill miss caring for you, Miss our time in the garden, Will miss our talks

Will miss our quiet times Wishing you peace and happiness

Now at rest with dad, Terry, family and friends. Love You AlwaysNan. Ken xxx

In loving memory of our beautiful and much-loved mum, nan and great gran. We are blessed to have had so much time with you and our memories of time spent with you will stay strong in our hearts. Rest Peacefully. All Our Love. Col, Dale, Pat, Leashy, Jule, Riley, Caity, James and Pippa. Xxxxxxxxx

Nancy's service was livestreamed. To view the live stream please visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au and click on livestreaming.

VASSOS Christian James 1/7/2025-10/7/2025 To our beloved son, Christian, Though heaven called you home too soon, Our love remains complete. No lullabies could hold you here, no pleading could preva il. God whispered, "little one draw near" and lifted you so frail. We loved every moment with you, Christian. Every cud dle, ever yn ap py change and every touch. God bless your pure and beautiful heart, we love you so much. Mum, Dad and Anthony.

WILSON Alexander Fisher (Alex) In Loving Memory of Alexander Fisher Wilson. Passed away peacefully on 14 July 2025, aged 63 years. Beloved husband of Victoria and devoted father to Lachlan, Heath and Angus. Aman whofound his own place in the Tower of Song, he leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter and quiet strength. Forever loved, never forgotten.

WILSON Alexander 3/7/1962 -14/7/2025

Love db rot he ra nd brother-in-law of Lynette and Verdun Seccombe. Love to Vic, Lachlan, Heath and Angus. Precious memories will keep him in our hearts XO

WILSON Alex City of Traralgon Band Players, Members and Supporters were saddened by the recent passing of Alex Wilson. Alex was alife member, esteemed player, committee member, mentor to band members and the music industry, and afriend to many.

His contributions over many years will be sadly missed by all. The City of Traralgon Band extends our deepest sympathy to Victoria, Lachlan, Heath, Angus and the Wilson family.

HALL AService to celebrate the life of Shirley Hall will be held at the Nielsen Funeral Chapel, Korumburra Road, Warragul on MONDAY (28 July) at 2pm.

The Service will also be live-streamed. To view Shirley's Service please visit: www.nielsenfunerals.com.au

APrivate Cremation will follow. BALDACCHINO, Thommasa. 14/12/1930

JOHNSON The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Mrs Ivy Johnson will be held at the Rose Chapel, Gippsland Memorial Park, Cemetery Drive Traralgon on THURSDAY (31 July 2025) commencing at 10.30am. Ivy's service will also be livestreamed. To view the livestream, visit our website.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

MERCIECA The funeral Service to celebrate the life of John Joseph Mercieca will take place in the Cirrus Chapel at Bunurong Memorial Park, Frankston Dandenong Road, Dandenong South on WEDNESDAY (23 July 2025) commencing at 10. 30am. John will be laid to rest within the Phillip Island Cemetery, Coghlan Road, Cowes at approximately 1.30pm.

POLANSKE AMemorial Service to Celebrate the life of Mr. Kevin John Polanske will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Hwy Traralgon WEDNESDAY (23 July 2025) commencing at 1.30pm.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

to hold. Josie, Joe and family Vitale. Do not fear the road ahead for God walks with you, His hand will guide you, and His grace will sustain you through every trial. Deuteronomy 31:6.

PETRUCCI, Giovannina. 4/3/1940 -21/7/2022.

Three lonely years without you, It's the saddest Ihave known, Itreasure every thought of you, When Iamonmyown. Although Icannot see you, You are with me every day, For the love that was between us, Death cannot take away. Your loving and devoted husband, Armando. Lovingly remembered by her daughters, son, family and friends near and far. Rest In Peace

AMemorial Mass will be held on Sunday 27th July at 11am at St Bridgid's Catholic Church 378 Nicholson St, North Fitzroy, Melbourne. AMasswill also be held on the same day in Italy at the San Padre Pio Church in San Giovanni Rotondo (FG) Italy.

SYKES Donald Minshall 5/6/1930 -24/7/2020

Another year of life without you, but always with you in our memories. Your loving wife and family.

at 11am.

FAIRWEATHER The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Valerie (Val) Fairweather will be held at Latrobe

WILSON The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Mr. Alexander (Alex) Fisher Wilson will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Hwy Traralgon MONDAY (28 July 2025) commencing at 1.30pm.

SUTTON Maurie Our thoughts and prayers are with Val and family on the sad passing of Maurie. From the Alway Family.

KEIGHLEY Brendan 26 July 1980 The years are passing but the memories are with us forever. Leo and George.

Around the e grounds

Race: Morwell’s IsaacA pur Photograph: Bruce Wa yS

Si

Nathan Scagliarini don their Indigenous guernseys,designedby

ar nel Rose (second from left).

Photograph:Julie Sim

Photograph:Julie Sim

Photograph: Bruce Ward yS gin flag

Photograph: Julie Sim

Judgement, brains and maturity to score

EIGHT BALL

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

LATROBE Valley will have astrongshowing at next year’s junior eight ball nationals.

YallournNorth'sJordanMayer, Morwell's Trey Merlo, Traralgon's Campbell Anderson and Heyfield’s McKenna Wright will all be representingVictoriaand making the trip to Gladstone, Queensland next January for the 2026 championships.

McKenna,Jordan and Campbell competed at the last junior nationals, which took place overinPerth.

Jordan has been continually building his game towards his first appearance on the national stage, finishing equal 10th and with the best ranking in Victoria for his age group. In June, he claimed the under 15 state title at just 12-years-old.

For him, pool is all about having fun and meeting new people. He’s very comfortable in the environment, routinely playing against adultslocally, whether in competition or just casually.

Jordan said he had alot of fun at his first nationals, but hopes to do even better this time around.

Last January wasMcKenna’s thirdtimecompeting at the national level, again competing in the under 18s women’s field.

McKennafinished 16th acrossthe entire country last go around,but she’s hoping to do one spot better and play finals this time.

“I had fun, Idid better in the singles than Idid in the teams though,” she said.

Potted gold: Traralgon’s CampbellAnderson, YallournNor th’s Jordan Mayer, Heyfield’sMcKenna Wright and Morwell’sTrey Merlo areset to represent Victoria at the nationaleight ball championships. Photograph: BlakeMetcalf-Holt

McKenna also had agreat response when asked why she loves the sport at just 12-years-old.

“That it challenges me and that Ican play it as an individual sport and as ateam sport,” she said.

Last January was also Campbell’s first crack at

thenationallevel, getting better over the course of theweek.

“I wasn’t playingtoo good at the start,and then I played really well towards the end,” he said.

Traralgon’s record breakers

SWIMMING

TRARALGON Swimmers have beeninvolved in anumberofrecord-breaking events.Captain Ash Nicholes and Lockie Bellion competed for the Victorian team at atri series state championship with the Western Australian and New Zealand state teams in Ballarat. WithVictoriawinning the meet, Lockie competed in 15 events and swampersonal bests in all of them. Ash also swam anumberofPB’s, culminating in an open out of Gippsland record in the 50 metre freestyle, swimming 22.57, breaking the old record of 22.64 held by previous Traralgon swimmer Caiden Gill.Master swimmers Andrew Crozier and Shannon Lorimer swam at the Victorian Masters Long Distance Meet at MSAC, with Andrew breaking the Australianrecord in 35-39 years 800m butterfly and Victorian record in the 400m fly. Shannon,competing in the 40-44years agegroup,

broke the Victorian record in the 800m fly.Finally the club’s 10 years-and-under boys team of Baylin

Said, Ben Edgar, Henry Arnup and Riley O’Mara broke Gippsland relay records in the 4x 50m free and medley relays. Bothrecords werepreviouslyheld since2010and 2011 respectively.

Henry Arnup, leading out first in the 50m freestyle relay, broke the 10 years-and-under Gippsland record with time of 29.33.

“It was quite nerve-racking, but Igot comfortable in the end, so that was pretty good.”

Like many, including this young group, you fall in love with the game due to your surroundings, and Campbell hadhis dad teach him the ropes.

“I did have alot of practice,justwithmydad who plays pool as well, that helped alot,” he said.

“As akid,Igrewupwith apooltable in my house, so Idid play it abit,but didn’t necessarily play it competitively until two years ago I’d say.”

Campbell will play in the U18s open section, alongside Trey in next year’s nationals.

While not making the trip to Perth last January, Treyhad played for VictoriainCanberra two years ago, and is atalented player locally at just 14-years-old.

Picking up pool when he was just three-yearsold playing on hisfamily table, Trey is now top five-ranked in both local leagues, and is hoping his progress will be on displayatthe upcoming nationals.

“I wanted to better my ability …Iwant to play the betterplayers to push myself so Ican improve,” he said.

“I want to have experience so when Igoaway for tournaments, I’ve been to about six tournaments this year, Iwant that sort of experience to make me abetter player.”

The 2026 jun ior eig ht ball nationa ls tak e place from January 14 to 21, in alignment with the 2025 Australian Eight Ball Championships which is hosted in Rockhampton, Queensland this November.

Come and try badminton

BADMINTON

LATROBE Valley Badminton Association was thrilled with the outstanding performance of 15 of its juniorplayers at the recent Mid Gippsland Tournament held in Warragul.

The young athletes achieved significant success in both singles and doubles categories.

The tournament provided avaluable platformfor the Latrobe Valley Junior Badminton Association (a branch of the LVBA) juniors to compete againststrong regional opposition, and their efforts paid off with numerous impressive wins. Their success is atestament to their hard work and the guidance of their coaches.

"We are incredibly proud of all15players who represented the Latrobe Valley withsuch enthusiasmand skill," LVJBA president, Garry Silvester said.

"Theirachievements at the Mid Gippsland Tournament highlightthe growing talent within our junior ranks.

"We lookforward to seeingthemcontinue to develop and represent the Latrobe Valley with distinction in future competitions."

Inspired by the success of junior players, the LVJBA is excited to invite all interested juniors to two special 'come and try' badmintonevenings at the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium (Traralgon).

These sessions will be held on Friday, August1 and Friday, August 8from 6.30pm, offering afantastic opportunity for aspiring young players to experience the sport in a fun and supportive environment.

No prior experience is necessary, and equipment will be provided.

To register your interest or for more information, phone Garry Silvester on 0421 272 576 or email: johnansellphoto@gmail.com

Rising stars: Kendra Lagumbay, Natasha Cook,HuxleyTratford, Patrick Wu and Dylan Wu aremaking wavesin local badminton. Photograph supplied

Benchmark: Baylin Said,Ben Edgar, Henr yArnup and RileyO’Marabroke Gippsland relayrecords

Photographs supplied

Guns: Traralgon Swimming Club Captain, AshNicholes and Lockie Bellion represented thestate at thetri series championship

No slowing down: VeteranswimmersAndrew Crozierand Shannon Lorimer had asuccessful time at theVictorian MastersLongDistance Meet.

Nothing but roses for Blues

FOOTBALL

NORTH GIPPSLAND

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

WELL, that was unexpected wasn’t it?

Rosedale completed the upset of the season with a12.7(79) to 4.14 (38) defeatofprevious unbeaten TraralgonTyers UnitedatRosedaleRecreation Reserve.

As it was appearing that the Bombers were highly likely to close out 18 rounds without aloss for the second time in three seasons (previous in their 2023 premiership year), the Blues rose for their biggest win of the season, giving them their clearest outlook to date of booking afinals slot.

Not only did they take down the flag favourites in apivotal point in the season, butitwas the manner in which they did it.

Rosedale opened with the first four goals of the match before TTU even realised what happened. The Bombers answered the call and kicked the next two of first quarter to trail by 10 points. It didn’t seem as though onlookers were in for a demolition either way.

That continued, as an even contest played out in the second term, with the Bombers banging home amajor to bring it back to under agoal. Both sides were troubled in front of the big sticks, combining for nine behinds in thequarter, with six of those coming from TTU.

Let the celebrationsbegin: Will Logan is hugged by teammate JayDiamondafter his four th goalgaveRosedale afamous victory over TTU

Photograph: Fiona Nicholson

The Blues kicked their singular goal late in the opening half to leadbyseven pointsatthe main break.

With not much in it, the time came for either side to rise above.

Turnsout it was Rosedale -the Blues booted two goals for the quarter to create separation of 21 points, and as the Rosedale backline held strong, they gave little opportunity for TTU to score even in small doses.

By the time the fourth quarter arrived, the party had well and truly started for the Blues.

While the Bombers kicked their only remaining goal to begin the last term, Rosedaleadded afurther five goals to finish clear victors.

Perhaps most stunning washow driventhe Blues’ defence remained throughout the entire day’s proceedings.

TTUhad not kicked lessthan 10 goals in agame all season, and if you take out lastyear’s Grand Final, they scored as poorly since Round 1last season.

Brandon McConnell completed abest-on-ground performance for Rosedale, followed by Will Logan withfourgoals,Tom Northe, Blake Safstrom, Harper Fox and Declan Barnett (two goals).

The Blues get achance to restthis weekend, but will await to do battle in another finals-like showdown against Yarram in Round 16.

TTU had Sam Curtain, Zach Kilgower, Liam Michie, Flynn Shields, Michael Jacobsen and Stuart Goddard in their best.

MoreNorth Gippy-Page28

New president at Traralgon Harriers

ATHLETICS

TRARALGON HARRIERS BY IAN CORNTHWAITE

WITH the Harriers’ clubrooms as its focal point, lastThursday’s(July17) aptly namedthree-lap Doughnut six kilometre event saw afield of 56 runners and walkers tackle aflattish course on a brisk winter’s evening.

On ahandicap basis, Stephen Renehan, Adrian Sutcliffe and Trent Kooyman, all group four starters, were the first three across the finish line.

Among the more notable results, Lucy Magaldi, in one of her occasional club appearances,ran strongly to finish well up in the first half of the field; while the youngest of thePodmore family, 11-year-old Jersey posted the 12th quickest time outright.

Anotheryoungster, JohnSkordakis, continued hisstrongform in finishing equal with the fastest trio of Dempsey Podmore, Daniel Furmston and Miles Verschuur.

Yani Cornthwaite dominated the female results,

GOLF

CHURCHILL ANDMONASH

Foursomes Championships 12th July 2025.

Winners: G. Beyer/B.Kilday109.5 Nett

RunnersUp: C. Waring/G. Barnes 109.5 Nett

D.T.L: 1. S. Caldwell/A. Jenkins 111.5,2.G

Blizzard/V.Monument 111.5,3.P.McGann/P Bolding 111.5,4.I.Heppleston/D.Radnell 112.5, 5. P. Jordan/A. Auld 114

N.T.P: 3rdA.Auld (Propin), 5th G. Barnes, 14th B. Kilday

StablefordTuesday15th July 2025.

Winner: C. Stevens 29 pts

D.T.L: S. Caldwell 28 pts

N.T.P: 3rdC.Stevens,5th L. VanRooy, 12th

C. Carder,14th L. VanRooy

MIRBOONORTH

Tuesday15th July,Stableford.

AGrade: PWoodall(10)35pts c/b

BGrade: SMcKenzie (22) 35pts

DTL: TWhitelaw35, TBradshaw34. NTP: 4th GShandley, 6th TWhitelaw, 13th TBradshaw.

Saturday19th July,Stableford, &President trophyplayoff

AGrade: GRenwick(11)40pts

BGrade: GShandley(13)36pts c/b

DTL: FFernandez 36, PDraper,N Bracecamp,NBickerton 35, NTP: 4th RFelmingham, 6th ALiebe,16th GRenwick.

Birdies: 4th GRenwick6th,GShandley, J Robbins, RFelmingham. 16th GRenwick

MOE

Sunday, 13 July 2025 OPEN Sunday9hole Stableford

Grade AWinners: MOSCATO, ANTHONY (8)12C/B

Sunday, 13 July 2025 OPEN SundayMixed

Stableford

with Karen Graham and Lucy Podmore the runner-ups.

The event was followed by the Traralgon Harriers annual meeting, where office bearers and committee members were elected, including anew president, Giuseppe Marino, who intends to continue the club’s strong emphasis on inclusivity for all abilities as well as supporting fitness and competition.

Tomorrow's run (July 24) is the Rangeview Drive 5km beginning from Saint Gabriel’s Primary School. Walkers and runners alike are welcomed and registration is from 5.30pm.

Just two days post Thursday’s 5km hit-outan intrepid bunch of Harrier’s will hit the road at Albert Park, Melbourne for the Athletics Victoria 10km road championships.

The team is hoping to continue its admirable form during this winter AV race season.

Results -6km doughnut

Johnn Skordakis 24:44, DempseyPodmore24:44, Daniel Furmston 24:44, Miles Verschuur 24:44, Ian Cornthwaite24:50, Stephen Renehan26:26,

Grade AWinners: Felmingham, Ryan (8) 39

Grade BWinners: Hamilton, Alec (16) 35

Grade CWinners: Nestor,Nick(25) 33

Place Getters: Downie,Brodie 37

Veenman, Laurie 36 Reynolds, Dale 35

Wednesday, 16 July 2025 OPEN 9Hole

Stableford

Overall Winners: Mifsud, Helen (53) 18 Wednesday, 16 July 2025

WOMEN'S PAR

Grade AWinners: Elliot, Christine (23) -1

Grade BWinners: Tulau, Susan(34) +1

Place Getters: Weaver,Lee -3, Blandford, Jane -4 C/B

Great Score: Kaye Middlemiss Birdie @4

Susan TulauBirdie @4

Nearest to Pin: 4th Susan Tulau ,8th Chris Birrell ,14th Anne Mead

Target Hole Prize: Jane Blandford

MORWELL

Morwell Golf Women Wednesday16th July 2025 Stableford

Winner: BScurlock34

DTL: Lvan Rooy 30 NTP: 2nd BScurlock11th IYoshimura15th

Lvan Rooy

TRAFALGAR

WednesdayWomen's results -16/7/25

Mulligans Stableford

Winner: Sue Klemke(13)with 42 points

Runner-Up: LynPowell (29) with 33 points

c/b

DTL: BevKeilywith33points and Jenny

Evison with 32 points

NTP: 5th Jo Baker11th BevKeily

9-Hole players

Winner: Sue Balfour (45) with 20 points

Runner-Up: Olwyn Balfour (41) with 18 points

Tuesday15/07/2025 -Stableford

Players: 20, Women 3, Men 17

Winner: BevKeily(23)

Adrian Sutcliffe 27:24, Trent Kooyman 27:48, Clinton Jolly27:51,Yani Cornthwaite27:55, David Barr 28:40, Jerzey Podmore28:40, ScottSyme 28:49, Andrew Greenhill28:55, Andrew Broberg 28:58, KarenGraham29:10,Peter Sanders30:16, Ryan McLeod 30:17, Ron Verschuur 30:21, Gary Fox 30:58, Belkey Podmore31:31, LucyMagaldi 34:01, ReeGraham34:06,Rebecca Anderson 34:09, Chris VanUnen34:30, MarkLansdown 34:33, Michelle Sawyer 35:05, Kate Mayer35:38, Liz Kenney 35:38, Ben Wilkinson 36:38, Ashley Marsh 36:46, Phillip Mayer38:40, DesleyGray 39:00, MariekaReilly39:00,Paul Rollandin 39:23, Kaye Livingstone 40:23, Becky Nowak42:19 Maggie Nowak42:19,TobyGrzmil 44:36, Chelsea Fox 45:00, Corey Milner 45:00, BaileyRollandin 46:23, BarryHiggins 48:30, Brian Glover50:23, Anja Norwood 53:44, MollyIrvine 58:00, Kristina Creighton 1:04:30, NickHodson 1:06:00, Kylee Earl1:06:00, CaitlinPitt1:06:10, Daniel Symons NTR, Des Dalton NTR, Seth BomersNTR, Catherine LeonardNTR, Tania Whitehead NTR, Mandy Ellis NTR

SCOREBOARD

Runner Up: NormMether (21)

DTL: Graeme Grant (18), Glenn Doolan (18), Craig Scanlan (17)

NTP: Andy McCrorey (5th)

Thursday17/07/2025 -Stableford: 4BBB

Players: 33, Women 7, Men 26

Winners: Stephen Klemke&Chris Moody (23 c/b)

RunnersUp: RobDeVries &Max Pugliese (23 c/b)

DTL: SteveLawrence &Max Taylor (23), Duane Baker &AnthonyCunningham (23), Hank Fiddelaers& BevKeily(23)

NTP Women: Cheryl Deppeler (11th), Cheryl Deppeler (13th), BevKeily(15th)

NTP Men: MickBennett(11th), Hank Fiddelaers(13th), Vic Hill (15th)

Friday, July 18th, Open Men’s& Ladies

Stableford

AGrade Winner: Paul Rober tson 38 pts

Runner Up: Daniel Nichols 37 pts

DTL's: MatthewSilk 36, Brad Scott35, Jordan Chapman 35, John Dodorico 34, Sue Klemke34, Brian McKenzie 33, Alber t Hayes33, PeterHeathcote33C/B

Eagle: 6th: Jordan Chapman, MatthewSilk

Birdies: 5th: Ben Swanson,Craig Bourne, Craig Radford11th: NickRowe, BenSmith, Craig Bourne 13th:Paul Rober ts 15th:Nick

Rowe

Saturday, July 19th, Stableford

AGrade Winner: Jordan Chapman 36 pts

BGrade Winner: JanJansen 37 pts C/B

DTL’s: Brian McKenzie 37,Wayne Robbins 35, Jeff Gray 35, AnthonyCunningham 34, Bill williams 34, RonPyke34, Brad Griffin 34, KenStreet33, Evan Crabtree 33, Tony Bickley33C/B

NTP’s: 2nd: Bill williams 5th: Jordan

Chapman 11th:Tim Cross 13th:TonyBickley

15th:Jess McGrath

Thursday, 17 July 2025 OPEN Mixed

Stableford

Grade AWinners: Peel, Michael (5) 39

Grade BWinners: Donaldson, Murray (14)

38

United on top of the ladder

BASKETBALL BIG V BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

GIPPSLAND Unitedarrived home at the weekend,producingsome outstanding results,boding well for their Big Vfinals chances in both grades.

Unitedmen jumped to the top of the Division 1ladder with a114 to 98 victory over Coburg at the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium.

Abattle of the toptwo sidesinthe competition, the Giants had sat highest for a bulk of the season, but with just one round remaining, United have one hand on that first placement.

Tightly battled throughout the first half, the Gippslandside managed to getthe upper hand when it mattered to lead by seven points come the main break after Ben Barlow drilled athree-pointer almost on the buzzer.

As both sides returnedtothe court, it continued to be played at closequarters, but United held above, keeping theirlead despite Coburg’s best efforts. The final term was acoronation for United, who played to their strengths and didn’t look back, as the game ended at its biggest margin.

Jalin Wimberly had aday out for United with34points, 10 reboundsand fourassists. Kody Tibballs added 20 pointsand five rebounds off the bench.

United men play their final match of the regular season thisSunday (July 27) against Bulleen at Bulleen Templestowe Basketball Stadium.

 DEFEATING Coburg 79-67 at GRISS, Gippsland United women locked themselves into atop three finish in their first season back in Big V.

Starting strong out the gate with a23-11 opening quarter, United had to work for theirvictorylateinto the piece, but outscored the Giants 22-17 in thefinal term to see out the win.

Alahna Arnason top-scored with 25 points and nine rebounds, while Lauren Tuplin added 17 points, 10 rebounds andsix assists. Givenresults, Unitedwomen can leapfrog Wallan into second, presuming United win their final game of the regular season against Southern Peninsula. United play the Sharksthis Saturday (July 26) at GRISS from 7pm.

Grade CWinners: Savige,Bruce (19) 37

Place Getters: Keenan, Peter37C/B, Johnson, Tony 37,Sleswick, Paddy 36 C/B Duncan, Jack 36 C/B,Harland, Bob 36, Duff,Simon 35, Matthews,Max 35 C/B, Beveridge,Eric35, Howard,Kev 34 C/B, Coffin, Phillip 34 C/B Dyt, Ricky 34 C/B Gauci, Anthony34, Bruce,Shane 33 C/B

Great Score: Eric Beveridge (Birdie) @8, Steven Hibbs (Birdie) @8,Bob Harland (Birdie) @8,Amy Taylor (Birdie) @4 Russell Dent (Birdie) @8 Nearest to Pin: 4th AmyTaylor,8th Brayden Taylor,14th Les Stansbury

Saturday, 19 July 2025 OPEN Stableford incorporating Egg Ball

GradeA Winner: Simon Stephens (2) 36

Grade BWinner: PeterBuckman (16) 38

Grade CWinner: P. Burgoyne (37) 35 EggBall Winners: 38

Sunday, 20 July 2025 OPEN SundayMixed

Stableford

Grade AWinners: Yeomans,Wayne (10) 36

Grade BWinners: Hegar ty,Billyjoe (14) 35

Grade CWinners: Hamilton, Matt(24) 37

Place Getters: Donnison, Terry35C/B Boorer, Greg 35 C/B,Hamilton, Ian 35 C/B, Wilson, Graeme 35 YALLOURN

Tuesday24-6-25 9Hole Stableford

1Division -winner: Sue Caldow(29) 20 pts

Tuesday1-7-25 9HoleStableford

1Division -winner: Loretta Booth (25) 21pts

Tuesday8-7-25 9HoleStableford

Div 1: (0-29) Lola Carter (15)18pts

Div 2: (30-54) Sue Riches (30) 16 pts

Tuesday15-7-25

1Division winner: Maureen Bishop (47) 21 pt

Thursday17-7-25 18 Hole Stableford

1Division winner: BetsyBrown (22) 34 pts

DTL: Heather Ware (25) 33pts,Lola Carter

Heather Ware PISTOLS

TRARALGON

Mon 7/7/25 air pistol

BGrade: BKelly540-52-592. WMcGlyn 511-74-585. CGrade: VBaldwin 511-69-580. LDePetro 480-99-579. DGrade: AUrban 465-117-582. DO'Rourke 444-116-560. LMorris 420-150-570. D Sykes411-124-535.

Ladies Air pistol

DGrade: RMiller 425-162-587 Wed9-7-25 no scores Sat 12/7/25CentrefireMorning shoot CGrade: DFarnham 519-91-610. CBenelli 454-90-544. DGrade: DChandler 373-163-536. 25 mtpistol

DGrade: AUrban 499-101-600. KPeters 427-160-587

Classic pistol

DGrade: JWest 176

Afternoon 50 mt pistol

DGrade: WMcGlyn 390-137-527.D VanDyke158-295-453

BASEBALL

AGrade: Moe/Newborough 13 def Sale Rangers3

BGrade:

U13s: No results available

Traralgon tables packed fornationals

TABLE TENNIS

By KATRINA BRANDON

TRARALGON’S Gippsland RegionalIndoor

Sporting Stadium (GRISS) welcomed more than 450ofAustralia’s most elite table tennis players to the local courts.

FromJuly6 to July 13,players from all over Australia participated in individual and team matches, with some players returning from international tournaments making an appearance for the not-to-miss event.

Walking into the establishment, people found themselves in atable tennis frenzy, with all rooms filled to the brim with everything table tennis.

Across the eight days, locals were able to witness some of the most intense games between players, with some wagering Victoria would take the majority of the top spots.

While waitingfor matches, you could find spectators and other players watching other games, or, in the case of the younger athletes, playing rock, paper, scissors in the stands. Older elite players could be found practising between games.

Throughout the week, tables 10 to 13 were livestreamed, presenting games from the older junior, seniors and para players. The livestreamed videos can be foundonthe Table Tennis Australia YouTubechannel.

Victorianall-stars to watch out for continued to impress, with Yousef Hassan, Jia Xian Boon, Anthony Silk and Max Geeringinthe men’s division continuingtheir progress to the top, as wellas Nguyen CherryLe, Ellen Walker, Riti Shankar, andSanaya Buddhadasa in the women’s division.

In the para section, Victoria’s Lisa Daniela di Toroalsomaintained her winning streakinthe Open Class 1-5 Mixed Wheelchair Doubles, Class 4-5 Singles and the Open Class 1-5 Women's Wheelchair Singles. Toro is an eight-time Paralympian competing for Australia, where she

has competed not only in table tennis but in para tennis as well.

Multipleother table tennis Paralympiansand Olympians were present throughout the event.

Other top players include Chelsea Wu and Abbey Man from Western Australia, Kailey Reddy from New South Wales, Hayden Green from Queensland, Coral Zhao and Victoria Zhang from Victoria, RayanVardinejad from WesternAustralia and Dahyeon Kang, Clarence Cheng and Jeffery Guo from New South Wales.

Australia’s top coaches could also be spotted on the sides of the courts, with two coaches receiving Australia’s top table tennis recognition.

On alocallevel, Latrobe City Mayor, Dale Harriman was happy to see elite players at GRISS.

"Council wasthrilledtowelcomethe Table Tennis Australia National Championships to Traralgon,” he said.

“Events like this not only inspire our local athletes and young people,they also deliver afantastic boost to the local economy and community spirit."

Published on day six, Table Tennis Australia posted on their website that this year’s nationals were already shaping up to be one of the most significant and most memorable events on the Australian Table Tennis calendar.

“It’s been an incredible five days at the 2025 Table Tennis Australia National Championships!”

“Lastnight (July10) saw the conclusion of the Teams Events, Mixed Doubles, Doubles, Para Teams, and Para Individual events -with fierce rallies, unforgettable performances, and acelebration of the best of Australian table tennis and Para table tennis. Ahugecongratulations to all the medallists across the events," Table Tennis Australia posted.

“From elite-levelrallies to inspiring Para performances, the qualityofplay, sportsmanship,and community spirit have been simply outstanding.”

Alongside TTA, Table Tennis Victoria (TTV) were alsohappy with resultsthroughout the tournament.

"The2025Australia National TableTennis

Championships,wereafabulousdisplay of our exceptional talent within the state team," TTV said in amedia release.

"Both the Men’s and Women’s Open teams placed silverintheir respectiveevents, facing some incredibly tough competition this year!"

Victorian head coach, David Powell shared that he was very pleased with the quality of play, stating that “we have seen some incrediblematches played throughout the teams competitionfrom our players.”

“Itwas nice to haveabit of ahomeadvantage forthis event, with afantastic setup in Traralgon helping out our teams."

State team manager, Frank Pearce shared that “the team spirit has been off the charts this year, with everyone being alittle bit more coherent.”

Pearce also mentioned that “compared to previous years, the standard has been way higher, with a lot of medals coming our way!”

State para coach, Jenny Langridge also shared herthoughts about the para squads' performance, stating, "The Victorian Para Table Tennis team delivered an outstanding performance at the recent National Table Tennis Championships held in Traralgon."

"Competingacross 25 Para events, theteam secured medals in 15 of them, taking home an impressive tally of eightgold, eight silver and three bronze medals.

"The squad of 14 athletes, including four firsttime competitors at aNational Championships, showcased not only their skill andpreparation but alsothe team’sstrong values of High Performance, Connection, Inclusiveness, Resilience and Determination."

These values were evident in the months of training leading up to the event andthroughout theintense week of competition

Having been in thegamefor closeto20years, Xuqi Lin from RTTC Table Tennis Academy told the Express that the nationals tournament was a

great opportunity, and that he enjoyed playing the Traralgon tournament.

“The environment is definitely pretty professional,” he said.

“This has been agreat opportunity for everyone to have amatch here together and to have anew experience.From the set-up to the rubberfloors, it has been very professional with all of the details.”

Lin started playing table tennis when he was seven-years-old, and began coaching while still playing in tournaments at the age of 18.

From day one to seven, the tables were always full,but by the final day, allattentionshifted to themain courts.

As the event neared its end, the last round of games drewexcitement. Despite most games havingconcluded, about 200 people stayed around to watch the games finish and to celebrate the final moments of the event.

The last game to finish was one of many intense contests,which sawNSW player, Clarence Cheng, against Victoria’s Yousef Hassan in the Under 19 Boys Singles.

Among the wave of claps and excitement, Cheng and Hassanfoughttoafifthset,with each and every moment of the game drawing more excitement. Banking on Hassan winning, the unexpected happened as Cheng beat the 'one-to-watch' in the last set 11 to one.

Another standout game from the final day came fromVictoria’splayers Qinle Alice Xia and Kavyaa Madaan, who battled afierce final as they fought four sets, with Madaan coming out on top, and Xia losing energy toward the end.

While the fourth set brought forward the victor of the game,earlier matches could have had the tip of the scales falling on either side.The first two sets went to Madaan, winning14-12 and 12-10. Whereas, Xia managed to take the third set, fightingfor the chance to take top spot, taking the set 11-9. The final set was won 11 points to four.

Standing in the Table Tennis Australia hall of fame

TABLE TENNIS

By KATRINA BRANDON

ON day three (Tuesday, July 8) of the national championships,Table Tennis AustraliaChief Executive, Nicole Adamson,welcomed two table tennis icons into the Table Tennis Australia Hall of Fame.

“We have come together to celebrate excellence, dedicationand legacy in oursport,” she told the Traralgon crowd.

“It is with both pride and deep respect that we induct two of tabletennis'finest, Alois Rosario and Melissa Tapper, into the Table TennisAustralia Hall of Fame.”

Alois Rosario

PARA coach Alois Rosario has spent the best part of 50 years in the sport.

Raised by an IndianNational Champion,he played his first tournament at the age of nine and proudly went on to represent Australia.

“We’re here to celebrate an individualwhose contribution to Australian table tennis spans five remarkable decades,” Adamson said.

“(Rosariois) Aperson whose nameissynonymous with integrity, innovation and excellence in coaching.

“Under Al’s leadership, the national power program became aworld class operation, with his calm,thoughtfulguidance andapproach used to make Australia's power efforts to unprecedented success, eight gold,12silver and ninebronzemedals at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and Paralympic Games since 2011.”

Before coaching, Rosario had won two state men's singles titles and two national doubles titles. He

Legends: Para coach Alois Rosario and three-timeOlympian and four-time Paralympian, Melissa Tapper were inductedintothe Table TennisAustralia HallofFame at thenationals championships in Traralgon. Making the presentation wasTable Tennis Australia Chief Executive, Nicole Adamson.

Katrina Brandon

Photograph:

represented Australia internationally, playing on the nationalsenior team from 1986 to 1991, competing in two world championships and the Asian championships in Shenzhen, China. From court to courtside in 1986, Rosario shifted

his focus toward coaching, and quickly became a pivotal figure in developing the sport at all levels.

As the development manager for the state table tennis association, he coached school children and senior players. He then went on to co-author the 'TOPS TableTennis Manual', nowpartofthe ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation) Level 1 Coaching course.

While working with state and junior teams with Table Tennis Victoria, Rosario was exposed to para games. Former Para head coach, RogerMassive asked him to coach the para team just before the London 2012 Paralympics.

“It's the players that make everything,” Rosario told the crowd.

“It's the ability to work with people likeyou to learnfrom you, to grow with you and to share all thoseexperiences. They'rethe thingsthatreally make my coaching worthwhile.”

Rosario wentontohelp Brett Clark launch online coaching program 'Ping Skills'.Not long after starting Ping Skills, Clark moved on, and coach Jeff Plumb took over.

Melissa (Milly) Tapper

AS the first Australian athlete to compete in both Paralympic and Olympic games and an inspiration to many players, Melissa (Milly) Tapper was welcomed into Table Tennis Australia's Hall of Fame in Traralgon.

With four Paralympics (London, Rio, Tokyo and Paris), three Olympics (Rio,Tokyoand Paris), and two Commonwealth Games (Glasgow andGold Coast) under her belt, she told the group that her induction into the Hall of Fame came as asurprise.

During the presentation, Adamson expressed

that Tapper’s career hasbeen nothing short of inspirational.

“Her achievements firmly placed Melissa amongst the most decorated Australiantable tennis players of all time,” she said.

“Melissa has become asymbol of resilience and quietstrength. Shehas faced diversity and turned it into an opportunity, becominga leader for inclusive supportand apowerful role model forathletes with and without adisability.”

In December 2024, Tapper decided to transition from playing to coaching.

Tappercomes fromaregional background,growing up in Hamilton in western Victoria, whereher passionfor table tennis began. During the Hall of Fameinduction,Tapper mentioned the moment when she got into table tennis.

“It wasinprimary school,Ihad areallyawesome PE teacher,” Tapper recalled.

“He was reallyencouraging of every school student to play sport, regardless of whether we thought we would like it or not or be good at it or not.

“Therewas something about table tennis. It’s such an inclusive sport and incredibly enjoyable.”

Continuingalong in her journey, she noted there has been many memorable moments throughout hercareer,including the qualifying rounds for the Paris Olympics and the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018.

Throughout the Paris Olympic qualifyingrounds, Tapper said that while it was incredibly stressful and daunting, she also found it to be one of the best experiences of her career. Playing on home soil at the GoldCoast Games was also acareer win as she was able to have her friendsand family in the stands.

High five: Celebrating awin, AnthonySilk and Yousef Hassan took out themen’s team doubles in theunder21s at the national tabletennis championships Photographs: Katrina Brandon

Success: ParalympianDaniela di Toro is presented hergoldmedal by Latrobe City Council Mayor, Dale Harriman.

Highlight: Traralgon local Heath Spasatohad the thrill of competing in anational event in his hometown.

Number onerule: Zach Anstey,who has connections to Gippsland, has his eyesfixed firmly on the ball.

Red Devils justone win away

SOCCER LVSL BY

JOHN CARDONA

MOE Unite ds eniors return ed home fro m HazelwoodSouth with three points in the bag after defeatingChurchillUnited7-nil in Round 16 of the Latrobe Valley Soccer League season.

The Rams were still recovering from amassive effort the previous week in holding top-placed Traralgon Olympians to a1-all draw, and the Red Devils took full advantage.

Moe United went all out attack from the start of play, and athrough ball from Oscar Sceney sent Tully Anderson clear only to see Anderson hit his shot straight to Churchill keeper Santo Simon.

Simon was (early on) standing way off the goal line, so Moetook afew attempts to chip the ball over his head.

Fifteenminutes into the first half, Simon was again way off his goal line, and Connor O'Hanlon, seizing on the situation from 20 metres out, perfectly chipped the ball over the keeper andinto the unguarded goal.

Minutes later, an O'Hanlon through ball sent Michael Melnyczenko through only to spray his shot over the crossbar.

Moe United had numerous chances of increasing

the lead, virtue of O'Hanlon having aone-on-one, but hit his attempt straight to the keeper.

Awellhit shot from Sceney from30m out saw

Simonpull off asuperb low diving save to his left.

Sceney received apassfrom Brendan Ruddell, andhis low drive beat the Churchill keeper to his right to put Moe United 2-nil up.

O'Hanlon hadchances to add to the score but failed to beat the Churchill keeper to see Moe United go into the break with a2-nil lead.

The second half was all one way traffic, with the Red Devils peppering the Churchill goal.

Ruddell's corner found O'Hanlon, whoheaded the ball straight to Simon.

Matt Shearing was next to break clear froma Sceney throughball and rounded the keeper, but his attempt was cleared off the line.

After60minutes,another perfect through ball by Sceney sent O'Hanlon through and he cooly converted agoal opportunity slipping the ball past the advancing keeper to put Moe United 3-nil up.

Sceney was involved in nearlyeveryattacking movement and after shrugging off adefender, he put O'Hanlon clear on the right, then sent a low cross to the back post where Thomas Portelli volleyed home from 10m out to put Moe United 4-nil up.

It was all out attack by the visitors, and Sceney was again involved when his attempted chip saw

Simon pull off abrilliant save to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Again Moe was on the attack, and it was Sceney's pass to Shearing who then laid off apass to O'Hanlon, who's first time shot was parried downby SimonstraightbacktoO'Hanlon, who hammered his low shot in to the net.

At the 90-minute mark, Thomas Portelli intercepted apass, then rounded the keeper and placed the ball into theempty net to take the score to 6-nil.

In time added on, along run by Anderson saw him bought down in the box by aChurchill defender, with the referee awarding apenalty kick.

O'Hanlon stepped up to take the spot kick and sent the keeper the wrong way to finish the result at a7-nil win to the current league leaders.

Bestfor the winners was Shearing,Sceney, O'Hanlon and Chad Shelley.

Best for Churchill wasBradleySands, Kuku Mohammad and Simon.

 IN other results, East Gippsland defeated Newborough/Yallourn 2-1 at Burrage.

Scorer for the Combine was Ash Birrell, and best players were Steve Birrell, Ash Birrell, Adam Batt and Tristian Donahue.

Monash at home held Traralgon Olympians to a3-all draw

Monash went to an early 1-nil lead thanks to

Caleb Semple, but in to the second half were 3-1 down with goals to Olympians from RiduanSobari (two) and Moni Eliaser.

EthanLawrence madethe score 3-2 and then late in the match, Adam Semple received apass from Shaun Lawrence, and with free space Semple unleashed a30m rocket which found its way into the top corner to level the scores.

Bestfor Monash was Ryan Davis, Marcus Krznaric and Ryan McCluskey.

Sale United had ahard fought match to eventuallyget over adeterminedTraralgonCityside 2-1. Luke Wilsonand Kosta Moutoulis scored for Sale United, while Isaac Burgoinescoredfor Traralgon. Best for Sale United was Moutoulis, Dan Patchett and Brodyn Taylor.

 IN Round 17 matches this Saturday night, Sale United are home to Churchill United. On Sunday, match of the round sees aderby match between Monash and Moe United at Monash. In other matches, Newborough/Yallourn are at home to Falcons coming off the bye,while Traralgon Olympians make the long trip to East Gippsland. Moe is six points clear on top of the ladder with two rounds to play.

TheRed Devilscan thereforemakethe league championship acertainty with victory this Sunday.

Moresoccer -Pages 38-39

Time-honoured bocce another classicevent

BOCCE

MORWELLBocce Club hosted the 23rd Latrobe City Bocce Classic MixedTriples Championship.

Thetown of Morwell brought the warm weather to accentuate the warm welcome at the opening ceremony,where several local VIP’s got to meet and mingle with the elite players that made the journey for the tournament in the function room of the Italian Australian Sporting Club. Among the VIPswas Latrobe City Yallourn Ward Councillor, Steph Morgan, who had the great honour of throwing the first bocce of the tournament to officially open the games.

Thereafter, the courts opened up to everyone in attendance for afun, but ferocious, rivalry-charged 'Closest to the Jack' game.

On Saturday, July 5, the start of the serious competition began,with 18 eliteteams comprising 54 players from across Victoria and New South Wales taking to the courts. More than 100 people gathered to witness three

days of high-calibre bocce, sportsmanship and community spirit. After some tough competition, the end of Saturday saw the 18 teams dwindle to justeight, marking the start of the finals for Sunday morning.

Sunday morning openedwith some more beautiful sunshine and exceptional calibre bocce, with each team competing for acoveted spot in the finals.

Spectatorswere treated to athrilling finale between powerhouse teams from Victoria and NSW, with incredible skill, precision and passion on full display.

Taking out firstplace was Sonya Velo, Don Difederico and Andrew Pozzer representing the VenetoClubfrom Bullen, who battled their way throughthe finals with composureand class.

Runners-up were David Samsa, Nicole Samsa and CorentinJulien representing the MarconiClub, all the way from New South Walesinavaliant effort.

Local pride was strong as the host club, Morwell, represented successfully by Mirella Alesi, Maria Maselli and Joe Maselli (president of the Morwell

Brilliant bocce: Latrobe City Councillor, Steph Morgan, alongside Cr Steph Morgan, alongsideMorwell’sAnna Prezioso,who wasbest-and-fairest at the Latrobe CityClassic. Also pictured are firstplacewinnersVenetoClub(maroon shir ts), Marconi Club(second, light blue), Morwell Club (third,red) andFreccia Azzurra Club (four th, dark blue). Photograph supplied

Bocce Club) -secured third place, while Freccia AzzurraClub team of Rade Djuric, Nicola Urukalo and CarolProdan from Melbourne rounded out the top four.

The weekend wasn’t just about competition,it was also acelebration of friendship, laughter, and the enduring community ties built through bocce.

The spirit of camaraderiecould be felt across every court.

Adding to the honours, the best-and-fairest award went to Anna Prezioso fromMorwell, recognised for her outstanding sportsmanship and performance across the weekend.

Organisers extended thanks to Latrobe City and their other sponsors for their continued support of the event, as well as the dedicated volunteers, players, and supporters who made this year's championship aresounding success.

With momentum building yearafter year, the Latrobe City Bocce Classic continues to cement itselfasa key event on the national boccecalendar -and 2025 may have justbeen its finestedition

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