Ex Students CricketClub passed their practical examswithflying colours, finishing the CricketLatrobe Valley2024/25 semester holding four senior premierships. The finalgroup assignment sawthe Sharks win apulsating Premier A Grand Finalbytwo wickets overGlengarry. MORE-VALLEY SPORT
By PHILIP HOPKINS
BOTH the state government and Energy Australia have strongly denied areport that Yallourn power station will stay open for another four years beyond the scheduled closure of 2028, with the confusion strongly condemned by the station’s workforce.
The Minister for Climate Action, Energyand Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, refuted the claim in The Australian that Energy Australia, DEECA and the Australian Energy Market Operator had held talksabout extending the operations of Yallourn power station beyond 2028.
“DEECA, AEMO and Energy Australia have confirmed that the claims are wrong,” she said EnergyAustralia said it had publicly announced, and reaffirmed multiple times, the closure of the Yallourn power station by 2028.
“We have committed to Net Zero by 2050 and closing Yallourn by 2028 is part of that commitment,” the company said.
“We have not met with the Victorian Government, or AEMO, to discuss extending the Yallourn power station. Yallourn workers need certainty,not political games.”
Ms D’Ambrosio saidthe threeagencies also confirmed that no such discussions had occurred and not had there been “rolling talks”.
“The Australiandid not contact the Victorian Government to comment prior to publication,” she said
The Mining and Energy Union Victorian District urged the state government and Energy Australia to come togetherinproductiveand transparent discussions overthe futureofYallourn Power Station and its workforce. Yallourn employs 500 workers.
The union said workers at Yallourn were distressed by the contradictory statements in the media regarding thefuture of thestation,and demanded certainty regarding the future of their jobsand community fromthe state government and Energy Australia.
Andy Smith, president of the MEU Victorian District which represents power station workers at Yallourn and throughoutthe Latrobe Valley, called for any future discussions to be transparent, involve workers, and aim for ajust outcome for workers and their community:
“It is unacceptable for the Victorian Government and Energy Australia to be playing games with people’slivelihoods, and with the economichealth of the Latrobe Valley” Mr Smith said.
A44-YEAR-OLD Traralgon man was found driving erratically on the Princes Highway, Traralgon at 12.05am on March 15, and was later caught by Traralgon police officers.
The vehicle was allegedly detected travelling 145km/h in a70km/h zone,before being intercepted by police.
The Traralgon man returned an evidentiary breath test of 0.167 -more than three times over the legal limit.
The driver was also driving with asuspended license and an unregistered motor vehicle. His vehiclewas impounded for 30 days at acostof $955 and is expected to be charged on summons with driving offences.
LOCAL police will be answering the burning questions for people interested in joining the force in a major recruitment event.
The event -tobeheld online on Monday, April 14 -has been designed for peopleliving in Sale, Orbost, Bairnsdale, and Yarram. The areas have
“We are facing an uncertain future, with workers’ livelihoods at stake in aregion with no new industryand very littleopportunity for transition into comparable roles. Under these difficult circumstances, it is imperative that government and industry deals in fact and acts in consultation with workers -not litigate through the media.”
The Yallourn Wstation, which began operating in 1974,can produce1450MWofelectricity.It supplies 22 per cent of Victoria’selectricity and eight per cent of the national market. It is unclear where that 22 per cent of electricity will come from after 2028. Star of the South, the first and most advancedofthe planned windfarms offshore from Gippsland, is not scheduled to be able produce its full capacity of 2200MW until 2032. The company is confident the strong winds in Bass Strait will produce alot of electricity. In Germany,offshorewindfarms produces on average 30 per cent of their capacity.
The state government wasapproached for a comment but had not replied before publication.
been identifiedaskey priorities for VictoriaPolice with multiple positions available.
The online recruitment session aims to provide afirst-hand insight into the opportunities acareer in policing can provide.
The force is especially keen to encourage locals wanting to stay and workinthe area after completing their training. Under an initiative introduced last year, country residents can be matched to aspotbackataregional location once they’ve graduated.
This means they avoid the ballot process where police can be assigned to any station, which can be amajor deterrent for some applicants. It also recognises the value of having country people working in countrylocations for not only career fulfillment but ensuring strong community connections. Bairnsdale, Orbost and Sale are among country locations recruits can choose to work.
Policeattending next month’s recruitment event will speak about what it’s like to work in aregional
However, Ms D’Ambrosio told the Sunday Herald Sun on the weekend that the government had met every renewable target and was on track to meet the next ones.
Therewere “enough renewables andstorage projects in the pipeline to cover Yallourn’s capacity when it retires in 2028”, she said.
The Australian said Energy Australia, the government and the power grid operatorhad held talks delaying the mid-2028 closure. It could remain running into the next decade to dodge a power shortfall, although no decision on the length of an extension had been made.
The Australian said the extension, if approved, would mark aU-urn after Energy Australia decided four years ago to bring forward the plant’sclosure to 2028 from its planned retirement date of 2032, citing an influx of renewable energy.
The state government has already struck a secret deal with Energy Australia to underwrite thecoal-fired generator, for an undisclosed sum of money, The Australian said.
town as well as take questionsfrom the audience.
The session will alsocover therecruitment process and the financialbenefits and allowances.
Victoria Police offers seven months paid training, an annual starting salary of $76,927 plus allowances and nine weeks paid leave ayear.
While the force looks for people with life experience for many of its recruits, people who’ve recently finished secondary school or taken agap year are also encouraged to apply.
Applicants do not need to have completed the VictorianCertificateofEducation or Victorian Certificate of AppliedLearning, but must be aged at least18.
Victoria Police has removed the requirement for arange of applicants to sit the police entrance exam. This includes those who in the last five years have achieved aspecified bachelor degree, beenemployed as afirefighter or paramedicor served full-time with theAustralian Defence Force.
Victoria Police is in the midst of its biggest ever recruitment drive to fill more than 1000 vacancies across the state.
The recruitmentsession willbeheldonMonday, 14 April from 6pm until 7pm.
Attendees are asked to register online at:police. vic.gov.au/find-police-career-information-session
LATROBE City Council’s first meeting for the calendar year washeldMonday, February 24 at Gippsland Performing Arts Centre, Traralgon.
All councillors were present,with the exception of Morwell River Ward Councillor, Tracie Lund who was an apology.
The three hour public meeting saw no urgent business.
Guss Lambden, who ran for Moe Ward in last year’s council elections, quizzed council on business attraction in Moe Plaza and Morwell CBB.
“WhatisLatrobe City Councildoing in regards to attracting businesses in the Moe Plaza and Morwell CBD? Are you able to set up small business incentives for the region? He asked.
In reply, council said it had engaged businesses and representative industry groups in Moe and Morwell in order to develop initiatives to support and attract businesses into the area.
“Based on the engagement process and review, council will soon be introducing avacant CBD shop grant, to assist in reducing shop vacancies, placebased events developed by business representative groups and CBD mural projects, to create pride of place,” council said.
Callignee residentMarc Schmitzqueried why council does not hold more citizenship ceremonies, given there is currently alarge backlog.
Mr Schmitz felt there should be ceremonies in February and March.
Council said it would reassess if more ceremonies need to take place.
“Ceremonies are planned based on waitlists as provided by Ceremonies Victoria and planned accordingly, at times there can be an influx, and programming is adjusted to accommodate this where possible,” it said.
Linda Reid(familiar to many in local hockey circles) asked why Churchill was not included in a recent listening post concerning council’s 2025-29 Council Plan and Community Vision.
Council responded by sayingall residents had the opportunity to submit feedback via the online council community vision survey, and that survey hardcopies werealsoavailable at all Latrobe City leisure centres and libraries, including Churchill. Always ahot topic, Margaret Guthrieofthe Churchill District Community Association, spoke on the sale of Hazelwood House, Churchill.
“Churchill District Community Associationtipped some time ago that if the property failed to sell
we might find that we’re in asituation where the facility is no longer fit-for-purpose and might indeed be demolished,” she addressed from the gallery.
“The (officer's) report came as no surprise but because we had that foresight, we’ve discussed what we think should happen."
Ms Guthrie asked for a“temporary stay of execution”.
“It has been so evident that before you are perceived to impose adecision on the local community regarding amuch-loved community valued asset, that you do abit of community engagement," she said.
“The sort of feedback we’ve been getting is ‘but the building looks alright from the outside,why can’t it be used?’ Which speaks to the fact council’s really well-maintained that building overthe years it has now been vacant.”
Ms Guthrie noted internal water damage in the officer's report, and suggested ashort community engagement period would help serve the issue.
Ms Guthrie also noted strong community affection to Hazelwood House,for it wasthe Churchill community that raised the money for its construction as an aged care facility.
Newborough Ward Councillor,Sharon Gibson askedifthe currently abandonedfacility was to return to its old life as an aged care facility, would community consultation still be necessary, or could council proceed with asell.
Ms Guthrie said community sentiment was such that an aged care facility was preferable, but also accepted the reality that the building was not fit-for-purpose.
Discussionsurrounding the sales process update of Hazelwood House was later moved to aconfidential section of the meeting.
Apetition callingfor heating at the Moe Outdoor Pool was tabled and carried unanimously.
The petition requested: “That the Moe Outdoor Pool be upgraded with heating facilities to remove theconstraints on opening times due to weather”.
“The communityofMoe will then have an outdoor aquatic venuewith acomfortable temperature throughout the year. This willextend the usability
of the facility forthe enthusiastic swimmers, young and old,who are keen on using the pool for fitness”.
Acknowledgements were made for anumberof people and initiatives.
Yallourn Ward Councillor,Steph Morgan acknowledged the passing of Anne Murphy on January 27, 2025.
Moe Ward Councillor, Adelle Pugsley acknowledged the VolunteerConnections eventwhich was held at Old Gippstown Moe on February 15.
MayorDale Harriman made acknowledgements for local basketball afterthe successful FIBA 2025 Asia Cup Qualifiers were held at Gippsland RegionalIndoorSportsStadium. Cr Gibson also acknowledged the wheelchair basketball corporate challenge at the FIBA event, Latrobe City Council met last Monday (March 24) for its monthly meeting.
LATROBE Regional Health (LRH) Cardiology
OutpatientService has moved to the former Thomson Maternity Ward withinthe main hospital building. This moveisasignificant step towards improving access and convenience for patients, while also bringing all essential cardiology services under one roof.
The new location will provide abetter experiencefor patients, ensuringthey receivethe care they need in asingle, fullyequipped space. With expanded facilities, LRH is enhancing its ability to meet the growing cardiology needs of the Gippsland community.
“This relocation enables us to streamline our services and provide amore integrated approach to patient care. By bringing all cardiology services together,wecan improve efficiency, enhance collaboration among our specialists, and ultimately deliver better health outcomes for our patients,” LRH Head of Cardiology, Dr Derk Pol said.
Cardiology out-patient services include specialist cardiologists, doctors, nurses, sonographers and allied health specialists.
Therelocation aligns with LRH’s commitment to deliveringhigh-quality, patient-centred healthcare. The expansion of services will support abroader range of cardiac diagnostics, treatment options, and multidisciplinary care, ensuring the best possible outcomes for those with heart conditions.
“Having our cardiology services centrally located within the main hospitalmeansless travel between departments and amore comfortable experience for our patients. It also allows us to expand our service offerings, ensuring we can accommodate the increasing demand for comprehensive cardiac care in our region,” LRH Outpatients Cardiology Clinic Co-ordinator, Kylie Richards said.
The LRH cardiology department provide specialist outpatient clinics that includes, general cardiology,atrialfibrillation, heart failure, electrophysiology and hospital discharge.
LRH Chief Executive, Don McRae said the move reflects the organisation’s values of being person-centred and striving for excellence in healthcare delivery.
“At Latrobe Regional Health, we are always looking for ways to enhance the patient experience and improve our services," he said.
"This relocation demonstrates our commitment to putting patients first, providing them with high-quality care in aconvenient and wellequipped setting."
Thetransition to the new location marks an important milestoneinLRH’s ongoing efforts to strengthen cardiology services and respond to the evolving needs of the Gippslandcommunity. Patients can now access acomprehensive suite of cardiology services within an environment designed to support their health and wellbeing.
DUE to alackofinterest at the last meeting of the Moe AgriculturalSociety Inc,itiswith regret to announce the 2025 Moe AgriculturalShow will not happen.
The next meeting, which was plannedfor April 3, is now too late to then hold the annual meeting. This would give the committee less than six months to plan and run the show this year. With so much preparation required, and after speaking to the Victorian Agricultural Society, it was decided there just isn't time this year.
Adecision willbemadelater this year whether or not to try and arrange ashow for 2026, but given the lack of interest in trying to get one to happen in 2024 and 2025, this seems unlikely.
THE Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices has atraining day coming up.
Delivered by experienced trainers, the day is open to all justices of the peace and bail justices.
Training will be held Saturday, May 24 at the Traralgon RSL (109-115 Grey St) from 9.30am-3pm.
This facility is disableand wheelchairfriendly.
Trainingwill cover:documentswith specific requirements, unusual documents, Power of Attorney, Wills, advanced care directives and question time.
Lunch orders will be taken by 11am and are to be paid for by attendees.
Refreshments will be provided.
RSVP by May 21 to Tony McLennan on 0408 513 500, or email at mclennan@speedweb.com.au
MEMBERS of the Moe Art Society were recently treated to alesson and practical demonstration by fellow member Sue Adrichem on how to cut matt boards for their paintings and then how to frame them.
Being conducted in the lead-up to the groups 'AffordableArt Market', which will be heldatthe Moe Library on April 3, 4and 5, the demonstration was aguide formembers in ways to present their artworks in the best possible way while keeping their costs, and subsequently prices, down.
Lotsofvery high-qualityworks have been producedfor this inaugural artmarket. Mostare small and unframed but presented in amanner thatcan be easily framed in standard-size frames available from department stores. As well as originalpaintings therewillbesomephotographic prints (of paintings), cards, and jewellery, and even self-published books by one of the members.
Members will be manningtheir own tables,
so visitors will be able to meet and get to know the artists.
This will be afantastic opportunity for the local community to begin, or add to, their collection of original art. There willbesome 'little treasures' to be discovered here,treasures whichmay someday become family heirlooms.
The group has planned aseries of demonstrations by fellow members, to be held each month.
April’s subject, 'Make AMess With Charcoal', will be by John Reeve, who won the drawing section of the recent Leongatha Art Exhibition.
John has exhibited and won several awards for his charcoal works in recent years.
Future demonstrations will feature 'mixed media', 'pragmaticpastels' and 'particularly pastels', with more to be announced.
Moe Art Society is acommunity group which aims to develop the practice of art and art appreciation.
The group meets weekly at Moe Library. New members are always welcome.
Enquiries to 0412 459 031, or 0423 976 620.
LATROBE Valley Spiritual Centre (2 Avondale Road, Morwell).
Join us every Sunday for service, starting at 2pm. Doors open at 1.30pm.
Guest speaker every week with demonstrations fromaninvited medium,followedbyacuppa and afternoon tea.
For enquiries, phone Amanda Webb on 0411 051 044.
MOE Latrobe Valley Jazz Club will hold its next monthly function at Moe RSL this Sunday (March 30) commencing at 1pm.
The band, Lightning Jazz, is led by Paul Ingle who has played frequently in the USA.
Also among as tr ong line-up will be th e extremely popular Ken Collins on trumpet.
For any enquiries, phone Bruce on 0427 743516
TRARALGON District Historical Society held its annual meeting on Tuesday, March 11.
Elected office bearers were: Barbara Johnson (president), Marita Rowles (vice president), Christine Turnbull (secretary) and Adrian Crawford (treasurer). Committee members are: JeniWhitwam, BrendaLeviston,Meg Paulet, Noel Harris, Trevor Graham and Paul Wells.
Guest speaker for the evening was Jenny Hammett, who spoke on the life of Sarah Grigg who was born in 1792 and is adirect descendent of the Wright and Stuckey families.
This talk was of great interest to many people. The committee is organising aworking bee at theKathTeychenne Centre (11 Breed Street, Traralgon) thisSunday(March 30) from 10am to 4pm. Any help is welcome.
The working bee is also the society's open day, so if you have queries on local history the rooms will be available.
Also areminder that membership fees were due on January 31, 2025.
The Traralgon District Historical Societyis located at the Kath Teychenne Centre; website is traralgonhistory.asn.au; email: secretary@ traralgonhistory.asn.au and telephone: 51748399 (leave amessage) or 0402 911 950.
MUSICIANS from the Latrobe Orchestra and Lavalla Catholic College arecurrentlyundertaking asix-day intensive workshop series with
guest conductor Peter Moore OAM from West Australian Youth Orchestras.
The workshops,madepossible with acommunitygrant from Latrobe CityCouncil, have included rehearsalswith Peter,professional development forlocal music teachers, and masterclasses for local students.
Ashortconcerttocelebratethese musical achievements, featuring the Latrobe Orchestra, Lavalla Concert Bands, Orchestra Victoria's Principal Bass Trombonist Ben Anderson, and Australian String Association's JamesdeRozario, will take placethis Sunday(March 30) from 2pm at the Lavalla Catholic College Kildare Campus Hall, (Koscuiskzo St, Traralgon).
Entry is by cashdonation at thedoor, and everyone is welcome.
LATROBE Valley PhilatelicSociety (stamps) will make adonation of $250 to RSL today (Wednesday, March 26).
The donation will go toward supporting the mental health and wellbeing of those who have served in armed forces.
Memberswill also be treated to adisplay of stamps fromGreat Britain by member, Peter Butcher.
Last month, Laurie Butler, a91-year-old stamp collector who was downsizing, donated astamp album and yearbook to the club. It was greatly appreciated.
The club often helps those who are undecided aboutwhattodowith astamp collection they have inherited. Help is also there for those wanting to collect stamps.
On May 24, the club will be holding astamp and coin auction. Members are busy preparing their auction lots.
Visitors are most welcome to attend aLatrobe Valley Philatelic Society meeting.
For further information, phone Christine on 0427 770 522.
ST PATRICKS Day brought out lotsofgreenand afew leprechauns at Moe Social Dance Group, as people dancedmerrily to well known Irish and other tunes.
The club has adance every Monday night,with themes and fun including araffle and spot prizes.
Bands include Bak2Bak, The Silhouettes and Lloyd Poole. On other nights members compile their favourites onto CDs to bring variety and fun to the night.
Dancesincludewaltzes,tangoes,quickstep, rumba and cha cha. The popular and social barn danceisalso back.
Dances are every Monday night at the Newborough Public Hall from 7.30pm. Cost is $8.
All welcome. For further information, phone Russellon0457 543 856.
IF you would like to meet up with othersand enjoy acuppa andachat, Get Together is agood place to do that.
Get Together is atimewhere you can meet, make friends and enjoy atimeofconversation. The group meets on the first Wednesday of each month.
The next Get Together will be on Wednesday, April 7from 10am in the Traralgon Uniting Park Lane foyer.
If you knowsomeonewho mightlike to join, come and bring them along. All are welcome. For more information, phone 51742398or 5177 8107.
TRARALGON Bridge Club results: Tuesday, March 18: 1st Greg Nicholson/Kaye Douglas, 2nd Phillip Goode/Barbara Barr. Thursday, March20teams final: 1st Fred Kaminski/Heather Henley/Christine Zarb/Moira
Hecker, 2nd Greg Nicholson/Kaye Douglas/Kevin Taylor/Marion Taylor.
Anyone interested in joining Bridge, phone Roxy Lamond on 0434 809 710.
MOE View Club's April meeting will be held Wednesday, April 2atMoe Hotel (Leggies), Lloyd St Moe from 10.30am.
AStPatrick’s Day eventwas held recently, and enjoyed by those who attended.
The Postie Party is on Wednesday, April 16 at Moe Bowling Club from 12.30pm for a1pm start. A$10 entry and raffle are available. Afternoon teaincluded.
Information can be obtained from Sue on 0417 515 745 or Maureen (0458 842 256).
LATROBE Valley Chess Club saw Ian Hamilton claim first place last week. Second in line was PeterBakker,who resigned after along tussle in the first game.
Rob Ufnalski completed asatisfying win in his initial visit to club activities.
Steve Ahern had two wins but was overshadowed in other games.
Price Samasiea was not quite able to maintain his recent form.
Cliff Thornton played well to take the advantage in most battles but missed the winning chances. For more information on local chess, phone Ian Hamilton on 0400 221 649 or Cliff Thorton (0413 330 458).
WORKING bees are plannedtohelp in the upkeep of Edward Hunter Heritage BushReserve, Moe. Volunteers are being sought to join. No experience is needed,just alovefornature.
Working bee dates are:
Sunday, April 20; Sunday, May18; Sunday, June 22;
Working bees start from 9am. Meet at the A-frame car park on Coalville Road, Moe Morning tea provided.
Work needed to be completedis: Weeding, mowing, and track maintenance, as well as tree planting and habitat restoration.
Wildlife and plant surveys, litter removal and water quality monitoring is also needed. Bring sturdy footwear, protective clothing, a hat, and water bottle
For more information, call Bruce on 0418 327 823 or Jane (0403 656 351)
Youcan
IF you are acommunitygroupand 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 'Community Corner' in the subject line and nothing else.
Deadline is Friday 9am to appear in the following Wednesday issue.
You are invitedtofind out if
50 years ago
The Express, March 26, 1975 Bandits warn:“it’s serious”
ONE of the two men whoheld up the RosedaleANZ Bank branch on Monday warned the teller “We’re not mucking about”.“Be Quickabout it,hurry up, “he said. Two men had entered the bank 2:30pm. Theywore stockingsover their heads. One held a.22 rifle and handed a green plastic garbage bag to the 23 year old tellerwho was told to hand over all the cash. The teller, who did not want to be identified, filled the bag with $6837 while the rifle was trained on him. When the money was handed over the staff and customer were told to lie on the floor. A shot was fired about their heads. It lodged in the ceiling on an angle. The men then left the bankand drove off. Just before that, aman in the street went up to TRB inspector Paul Taylor and said:“There some men in the bank with masks over their heads.You’d better do something. “Mr Taylor gave chase. Both cars reached high speeds as they travelled towardsTraralgon. At the Glengarry turnoff, on the eastern outskirts of Traralgon,the car turned towards Glengarry. Mr Taylor stopped, phoned policeand gave adescription of the bandits ‘car. Meanwhile, Rosedale Police had beencontacted. They radioedpolice at Traralgon and Morwell and afull police pursuit was quickly organised. Yallourn and Moe police cars headed for Yallourn Noth-Tyersarea. Thecar was then seen on North Rd, Yallourn North. Just before
it was sighted 3:20pm, Sgt Philp of Moe police saw an SEC grader working on the road. He asked the driver, John Taylor, to park the grader across the road. Trapped in front and behind by Sen. Sgt Foster of Yallourn, the men gave up quietly. Police found two loaded .252 automatic rifles and the money in the car. Sale detectives, Det SgtMcCullogh and Sen Det Chaffey,later questioned two unemployedlabourers of Warragul. One was aged 30 and the other 22. An attempt had been made to rob the bank in November, 1965.The attempt was at night and the manager was assaulted. However, it failed because the then teller, Mr Allan Anderson had the keys to the vault. Mr Andersonisnow manager of the branch and was present during Monday’s hold-up.Hetold The Express that all he andthe staff wanted to do was forget the whole thing had happened.
30 years ago
The Express, March 23, 1995
AT HREE tonne load limit has been placed on Aberfeldy River Bridge, on the Walhalla Road,17kilometresnorth of the town following adevelopment of structural problems with the bridge. Asag has developed in the centre of the bridge, caused by the deterioration of the five stringers at the Walhalla end of the bridge. As well as imposing the load limit, Baw Baw Shire has resolved to place signs advising of the loadlimit at either approach of the bridge, at the northernedge of Walhalla andatBeardmores at the turn-off to the road over the ThomsonDam Wall. Council staff will also carry out minor works to the bridge, including replacing the handrail andpainting the end posts. Negotiations will continue with the department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Melbourne Water to clarify the council’s responsibility for maintaining the Walhalla Road north of Walhalla and the road over the Thomson Dam Wall. Legal opinion on council’s responsibility for the care of the Walhalla Road will also be sought.
Creation Ministries
International Dr Mark Harwood will present…. DINOSAURS
Discovering the Truth and going where the evidence leads 7pm Friday 4th April ELEPHANTS in the Room 10am Sunday 6April g
St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church 34 Fowler Street, Moe Enquiries: Stephen on 0419 593 728
CLV
BY LIAM DURKIN
CLUBS converged to celebrate season 2024/25 in Cricket Latrobe Valley.
The league’s presentation was held at the Italian AustralianClublastWednesdayevening, welcomingmember clubs, umpires and CLV life members.
TRFM host Dan Robinson emceed the event, where individuals were acknowledgedfor some outstanding featsonand offthe field, presented their awards by various league dignitaries.
GlengarrystarNat Freitagtook out theCox/ Bryne/JamesMedal Premier Abest-and-fairest as voted by the umpires.
The left hander had another stellar season,
making close to 700 runs and taking more than 20 wickets. His Glengarryteammate BrandonMayberrywon the bowling average, while Moe pair AndrewPhilip and KeenanHughes won the batting aggregate and bowling aggregate respectively. Morwell's Tim Ford won the batting average.
Churchill import Ryan Ayres took out the A Grade player of the year award for his 400 run/15 wicket season.
Some special awards saw Dale Ireland named umpireofthe year (Anton/Mussared Award), while Ex Students' Daniel Churchill received astanding ovation from his table after accepting the Peter McLean Memorialfor the SpiritofCricket Award.
Gippsland cricket great, Lindsay George was on hand to present the award for best young player named in his honour, which went to Moe legs
spinner Jordan Shields for his encouragingseason Women's cricket highlightedthe evening, with teams of the yearnamed for both the women's premier and championship divisions.
The name Kylie featured heavily -Mirboo North's Kylie Collins won championship player of the year, and Willow Grove's Kylie Mann premier player of the year.
Australian cricketer and Test nearly-man Brad Hodge spoke as special guest, and shared anecdotes from his career.
Some funnier stories involved late Victorian teammate Dean Jones, who reportedly told the fielding side of aclub match they should be "so honoured" to be on the ground at the sametimeashim.
With grand finals approaching, Hodge said it was important for all players to be their own person, after he took the opposite approach in the Boxing
Day Test of 2006, much to his detriment.
Acandid Hodge also spoke openlyabout his struggles continually being on the fringes of the national team, particularly after he was dropped not long after making aTest double ton.
For any selector presented with atough call, Hodgesaidthe best way to dealwith the issue was to simply be up front and honest with the person concerned.
That being said, Ricky Ponting was best man at Damien Martyn's wedding, the same Martynwho came back into the team at the expense of Hodge. The more you go through life, the more you'll probably discover all that really matters is who's mates with who.
1. At arestaurant, you’ll see deer meat on the menu under what name?
2. In what countr ywere the first infections of COVID-19 discovered?
4. What countr yheld the first Olympics?
3. What 1994 Quentin Tarantino movie stars John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson as hitmen?
5. Michael Flatley danced his way to fame in what Irish-inspired show?
6. What are baby rabbits called?
7. Which planet is the hottest in the solar system?
8. How many tines does astandard dinner fork have? THREE POINTER
9. What animal’snickname is “sea cow”?
10 Invented by Douglas Engelbart in 1963, the first computer mouse was made from what material?
11 Pommes frites is the French term for what popular American side dish?
12 What popular ‘90s TV series did actor Calista Flockhart star in?
FOUR POINTER
13 What percentage of the Earth’swildlife is found in the ocean?
14 Where are cricket’sears located? FIVE POINTER
Howdid youfare?
37: Topofthe class; 30-36: Outstanding; 23-29: Well done; 15-20: Solid effort; 9-14: Room for improvement; 0-8: Hit the books.
15 I’ll give you five iconic cartoon characters, and you give me the show they feature in? One point for each answer.1.Yosemite Sam 2. Sandy Cheeks 3. Velma Dinkley 4. Milhouse VanHouten 5. Tom(Cat) Answers: 1: nison;Ve 2: China’; 3: Pulp Fiction: 4:Greece; 5: Riverdance; 6: Kits; 7: enus;-V 8: Four; 9: Manatee; 10: od;Wo 11:French Fries; 12: Ally McBeal; 13: 94%; 14: On their legs; 15: -. -1. Looney nesTu 2.,- SpongeBob SquarePants, -3. Scooby-Doo, -4. The Simpsons -5. ndmaTo Jerr y
Do you really kno wthem outside of aschool newsletter, or an assembly?
Theprincipals of schools on these pages give you some insight into whotheyare,what drives them, their passions, their focus and importantlytheir leadership expertise,along with their staff,tolead their school to provide maximum educational opportunities for your child.
“Having worked in many schools across Gippsland, Melbour ne and the UK, Ihave come to recognise that Lumen Christi is the kind of warm school community that you don’tcome across very often. We offer aunique small school experience which ensures that each individual child is known and valued by teachers, support and administration staff. We pride ourselves on our strong relationships with students and families at Lumen Christi.
Everyone is welcome at Lumen Christi; we areaninclusive and safe lear ning environment for all of our children and their families. Children don’thave to be Catholic to attend our school, however our rich Catholic Education helps foster asense of belonging for each child and family within our school community.Children areatthe heart of everything we do here, we have high expectations for all of our staffand students and offer an engaging experience for children to make progress in all areas of their lear ning.
Iamincredibly proud of the work we have done in my time hereover the past three years as astaff.Wehave introduced a highly effective evidence-based reading program, we have invested time in ensuring that our children receive impactful and engaging lear ning experiences and this year,wewill continue to work on this by joining The Resilience Project. Iam passionate about education and want to ensurethatthe children at Lumen Christi experience the very highest quality that we can offer in Student Lear ning, Mental Health and Wellbeing”.
SALLYDARBY,PRINCIPAL
We offer awarmwelcome to anyone interested in joining our Lumen Christi school community.For families holding concession cards, we offer reduced school fees. Please contact the office on 5122 2231 or email principal@churchill.catholic.edu.au to arrange aschool tour at your convenience.
At St Michael’sPrimary School, we areinspired by our Catholic faith to provide asafe and inclusiveschoolenvironment for all students. Through the teaching of the Gospels, St Michael’sisa school wherechildren are nurtured as independent, responsible and confidentlearnersfor life
We arecommittedtoworking with students and their families to make adifference in the lives of the children. Our Vision “Lear ning for Life” continues to inspireustosee lear ning as ajourney over time that brings together the academic, spiritual, and social dimensions of life
Iunderstand howimportant it is to select the right school for your child.Wepride ourselves on being awelcoming, inclusiveand safe learning environment. Our rich senseofCatholic Education fostersasense of belonging foreach childand their family Ihavebeen apart of the St Michael’steaching team for nine years and as the newPrincipal of St Michael’s,I am proud to be leading a dedicated and passionate staffgroup who havetheir students at the centreofall that theydo. Iwelcome all families to contact ouroffice to arrangeaschool tour
Principal Lia DiCorleto
Phone: 5174 3295 www.stmtraralgon.catholic.edu.au Email:office@stmtraralgon.catholic.edu.au for further details
Ourentire leadership teamhavebeendrawn together from different educational journeys, with adiverse rangeofskills, experiencesand perspectives.Our educational pathshaveintersected here at the college, andwestand unitedinour collectivevisionofimproving student educational and life outcomes.Thistalented,vibrant and passionate team havebegun to shapeanew eraofimprovement at TraralgonCollege
OurA ssociate Principal, Belinda Ludlow,BusinessManager,ClaireGibson, andA ssistant Principals,Adam Sims, NarelleLoechel andOwenHenderson, areresponsible forday-to-day operationsand drivingthe improvement agendaacrossthe college. We are luck ytohaveateamwho genuinely care forthe community in whichtheyliveand work.
Thoughbornonthe African continent, Iamluck yenoughtohavelived on thebeautifullands ofthe GunaiKurnaipeople in Gippslandfor mostofmy life.I currently resideinTrafalgar withmyteenage son. Irecently lost my husband,alsoapassionateeducatorand principal,following abrave but short bat tle with bowel cancer.
Ibegan my careerasa medicalscientist working across Gippslandand theninlarge teachinghospitals in theUK. As ateacher,I have been luck y enough to have worked at TrafalgarHighSchool,Lowanna Collegeand nowTraralgon College. In addition, Ispent some time workingfor the Department of Education School Improvement Division.Duringmytimein education, Ihaveheldvarious por tfoliosincludingnumeracyimprovement, seniorschool outcomes,leading practiceexcellenceand nowwhole collegeimprovement. Iamver yexcited to have been able to bringthese experiencesand skills to my role at TraralgonCollege
This past year at the Collegehas been marked by progress, purpose and afresh commitment to providing exceptional educationaloutcomesfor ever ysinglestudent.Our evolution continuestobeguidedbyour school values of respec t, responsibility and resilience,which areatthe hear tof every thing we do
Iamexcited by theoppor tunity to lead ourdedicated andcommitted staf f in ourmission to continue to push forexcellence andrealiseour vision moving forward, ensuring ever ystudent feels supported in reachingtheir full potential.
FionaMilkins
Fiona Milkins
At Sacred Heart Iaminspired by our Vision, “Christian values empower our learners to thrive within an ever changingworld.” Our studentsare central to everythingwedo. This has been afocus throughout my teachingexperiences in Melbourne andGippsland. Ilove workingin Gippslandand celebrate theunique gifts our studentsbringtoschool. Therelationships we form at Sacred Heart allow us to work together to create individuallearningpathways to enhance thelearningofall students. Beingproactive in afaith community has continued to be acatalyst formeto meet theneeds of Sacred Heart Primary School in Morwell.
With Gospel Values we... •Look to our humanresource as our greatest resource.
•Work together to improve student outcomes.
1. WhereisBerkshirebedding Located?
2. Who won the Jack Daniels draw?
3. Whereisthe brand ‘Cabello’Sold?
4. What business is located in Dunbar Road, Traralgon?
5. Who’s phone number ends in 22?
6. Wherewould you go foranew couch?
7. Who sells ’Country Road’?
8. Who has up to 50% off?
9. Who is having a‘sock making competition’?
10. What business deals in collecting stamps?
11. Who has a‘parma menu’?
ENTRYDETAILS:
The first correct entry drawn wins.
One lucky winner will enjoy spending a $500 shopping voucher by reading the ‘HOTDEALS’advertisements and answering the below questions correctly.
12. Who is our local Husqvarna dealer?
13. Who has moved to new premises?
14. Who would like you to try their new menu?
15. Who has acozy tearoom?
16. Wheredoyou dine under aDome?
17. Wherecan you visit aCellar Door?
18. Wherecan you go forhome help aids?
19. Who delivers 7days?
20. Wherecan you do aclick and collect order?
21. Wherecan you see aTribute?
22. What business has weekly specials?
When you have answered all the questions above simply post your answer sheet, numbered to coincide with the questions, to HOTDEALS competition, Latrobe Valley Express, 21 George Street, Morwell 3840, or drop off in our letter box, or email your answers to: reception@lvexpress.com.au or use QR code. Make sureyour name and contact number is clearly marked on all entries.
The $500 prize will be in the form of avoucher,and must be spent with an advertiser/s who appeared in this HOT DEALS special feature. The prize can be spent at one or moreadvertisers businesses to the maximum value of $500. Specific details will be provided to winner. Entries close: Monday 14 April
The winner will be contacted by telephone. Voucher not redeemable forcash. Employees of the Latrobe Valley Express and their families areunable to participate.
Cheryl’sbeenshopping andhas stockedupon anew wonderful range of giftware andcards. Spoil yourself andthe peopleyou love with our Premium chocolate range andgifts for Easter
Mon-
IF you haven’tbeentoToongabbie Golf Club for along while, you will be amazed at just how good the course has become. This 18 hole, par 72 course has wide fairways, is flat and easy to walk and the greens aregetting better each year
This delightful, quiet course is 100% volunteer maintained and is agreat place for beginners to be able to enjoy learning to play in peaceful surrounds, but also provides a good challenge for moreexperienced golfers. At only $15 per player,Toongabbie’sgreen fees arethe cheapest in the region and you can usually even play while our competitions areinprogress.
Toongabbie Golf Club
The course is 18 Holes, Par: 72, nice and flat, making it easily accessible for golfers of all ages and fitness levels
Toongabbie Golf Club is fully manned by volunteers who give their time to ensure a terrific golfing experience for locals and visitors alike
If you’ve been thinking of taking up playing golf, or having been thinking of trying somewheredifferent, this small, friendly club could be just what you have been looking for
We also have the lowest priced memberships in the region and awelcoming, supportive environment that only asmall club can provide.
Men’scompetitions areonSaturday and Tuesday mornings and women’scompetitions areheld on Tuesdaymornings.
Toongabbie Golf Club is located on Traralgon Maffra Road in Toongabbie For moreinformation call 5192 4755 or email: tgc3856@gmail.com
WARRAGUL CountryClub isn’tjust aplace to play golf, it’saplace to trulyexperience the game. Set against the backdrop of West Gippsland’sscenic beauty,the club’s18-hole course is astandout, offering golfers aperfect mix of challenge and charm. From wide, sweeping fairways to well-placed bunkers and greens that rewardprecision,everyround offers something new
What makes Warragul CountryClub special is the way it brings people together.Golfhere is more than competition -it’sconnection. The club’swelcoming cultureencourages players of all ages and skill levels to get involved,
whether it’sthrough weekly comps, relaxed social games, or simply aquiet morning round.
The commitment to growing the game is clear,with coaching, junior development programs, and beginner-friendly events helping morepeoplediscover alove for golf. Off the course, the clubhouse and facilities offer a relaxing retreat, wheremembers canunwind andsharestories over amealordrink.
As golf continues to evolve, including hosting PGA run events such as the Gippsland Super 6, Warragul CountryClub remains firmly at the heartofthe community
GreensFees: $15unlimited play on the day –including weekends.
Traralgon-MaffraRoad, Toongabbie,Victoria, 3856
Phone: (03) 51924755
by Joanne Madeline Moore
March 24 -March 30, 2025
The week starts with Mercury and Venus reversing through your sign, which could amp up your impatient, argumentative side And relationships look challenging, as loved ones are more unpredictable than usual With the Sun and Pluto activating your friendship and peer group zones strive to be more strategic If you can temporarily morph from a raging ram to a gentle lamb, then life will be less bumpy Saturday’s New Moon in Aries signals a fresh approach
This week – with Venus (your ruling planet) and Mercury both in retrograde mode – you could feel rather rushed, impatient and/or unsettled Cool down and calm down Bulls! Aim to do plenty of physical activity, so you can channel your restless energy in pleasant and productive ways But being overly proprietorial about a person or situation will only lead to a fraction too much friction So strive to be less stubborn about people possessions and work
Mercury and Venus are both reversing through your aspirations and career zones, so this week is a suitable time for dreaming, researching and planning Action (in the form of ambitious work projects and exciting new collaborations) will come later (when Mercury and Venus are both moving forward from mid-April) Be inspired by birthday great, feminist Gloria Steinem: Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities ”
Mighty Mars has now got plenty of forward momentum in your sign so you’ll feel compelled to zoom towards your preferred future But Mercury and Venus are both retrograde, so pace yourself and don t rush A cautious and confident approach is the best way for Crabs to proceed Be inspired by birthday great and soul singer, the late Aretha Franklin: “Be your own person and always be confident in what you re doing ”
This weeks tricky planetary patterns could unsettle a close relationship, especially if there are secret agreements, trust issues or joint finances involved Then Saturday’s fiery New Moon activates your adventure zone, so you’re in the mood to organise a weekend getaway or an overdue holiday But remember Mercury and Venus are both retrograde (until April 7 and 13, respectively) so clever Lions will plan and book any trips from mid-April onwards
Mercury and Venus are both reversing through your research and partnership zones So it’s a good week to nvestigate something thoroughly (w th your V rgo X-ray v s on), read a detective story, uncover a secret, solve a puzzl ng problem, or get to the bottom of an intrigu ng mystery But the more you try to control others the more they are likely to resist So, f you want to avoid ongoing power struggles, earn to diplomat cal y let go and move on
Retro Mercury retro Venus and the New Moon stir up your relationship zone So a loved one could unsettle you by bringing up a grievance from the past or by making a surprise move Is your love-life stuck on autopilot? The planets push you to blast away the cobwebs and look at things from a fresh angle Attached Librans – get talking (really talking) with your partner Singles –love has been delayed until after Venus moves forward on April 13
This week Pluto (your power planet) links up with the Sun and retrograde Mercury, plus theres also a New Moon in your wellbeing zone So step back and take a close look at your diet and fitness levels Can you introduce healthier food choices, stop bad habits (like smoking) or reboot your exercise program? Avoid the temptation to operate on autopilot If you shake up your daily domestic routine, it will put an extra spring in your Scorpio step
With Mercury and Venus both moving backwards, be extra careful how you give and receive information If in doubt, then don’t hesitate to double-check Plus avoid starting major ventures or signing important contracts until after April 13 Instead, be patient and focus your attention on revising, researching or reworking current projects Under the influence of the New Moon, a close relationship could suddenly veer off in a totally unexpected direction
(Nov 22 - Dec 21) Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 19)
When it comes to your domestic life a dash of disruption may be just what the doctor ordered! So shake things up on the home front as you redesign, redecorate, renovate or entertain unexpected guests But retrograde Mercury and retrograde Venus caution you to be very clear when you’re communicating with others What they say and what you hear may be two different things So keep them up-to-date with your plans, otherwise misunderstandings are likely
(Jan 20 - Feb 18)
Venus and Mercury both reverse into your money zone, so you ll need to be extra careful with financial matters Avoid signing contracts or making major purchases until after April 13 The weekend New Moon is a wonderful time to explore your neighbourhood or introduce yourself to some new members of your local community Your motto for the week is from birthday great, feminist Gloria Steinem: “A good friendship is a conversation that never ends ”
(Feb 19 - Mar 20)
By the end of the week, you’l have four p anets in your sign – Saturn and Neptune, plus Venus and Mercury (which both retrograde back into Pisces) So perceptive Pisceans w ll start dreaming and plann ng a bigger and better life now! Your quote s from this week’s birthday great, enterta ner extraordinaire Elton John: “ ’ve always been, and stil am, a dreamer ” Saturday’s New Moon fires up your money zone, so it s time to devise a smart new financia p an
By KATRINA BRANDON
THE Gippsland Sculpture Exhibition has arrived in Yinnar for its fifth year.
Walking through the streets of Yinnar, visitors can immerse themselves in sculpturesranging from all sortsofmaterialsand inspirations. Some sculpturesare foundinside ARC Yinnar,which is open daily, while others scale the roadside and gardens of the main street.
“The judges had quite achallenge in selectingthe winning entries basedonthe beauty and complexity of theworks andthe wide varietyofsubject matter and mediums used. While some are very eye-catching, other contemporary workschallenge one’s thinking about sculpture and nature.”
The exhibition features more than 135 sculptures and is open to the publicfor six weeks. Visitors can also entertheirfavourites into thePeople’s Choice awards.
PeterJames,acommittee memberand volunteer with the Gippsland Sculpture Exhibition, told the Express thatthe display had already beenbuzzing among visitors.
“Some people passing through, notjustfrom Victoria, but we get people from interstate,” he said.
“The other day, Ihad ayoung lady coming through fromPaynesville. She just happenedto notice the sheet and didn’t even know it was on. We get alot of comments like that, where people from Melbourne will actually come over the following weekends to have another look with some friends and to spread the news.
“The amount of people that you meetand the lovely comments you get, Iget abuzz out of that.”
Not only have visitors come from far and wide, but artists have shared their talents with this year’s Gippsland Sculpture
Nicole Allen, chair of Exhibition Committee, mitteeisalsopleasedw year’s exhibition.
“We are delighted with of entries for this year’s
COPYRIGHTJoanneMadelineMoore2025
The five prize-winning sculptors included Darren Gilbert, takingthe major exterior prize withhis work Embrace Circle;Peter Schipperheyn providing an interior piece, Autumn Leaves;the Glover family prize went to local artist Kristy Mills, Emerge and See,while theTextiles prize for AStarisBorn went to Domenica Wallace and Hayley Close wonthe Emerging Artist award for her interiorpieces, Mosses and Mushrooms and Resting
While enjoying the pieces in this year’s exhibition, Sunday visitors can relax by listening to music and free sculpture workshops.
Thesix-weekexhibition features musicians and workshops by The ReelDeal,MyTFine, Rob Blast, Kindredand Kelly Gardner, Travelight, Robynand Garry Mauger,AllyRow,Lisaand Sari Anderson, GoodLagoon, ReginaDudek, and Smoking Dog Johnson, followed by Jo Jo Spook.
Volunteers are at ARC daily from 10am to 4pm to guide visitors through the exhibits, provide adetailed catalogue, and adviseonpurchasing merchandise. Local businesses are also open daily and offer various food and drinkoptions, meat, hardware and garden supplies, and fuel if needed.
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
7TWO, Friday, 7pm
If making the trek to Melbourne’slush International Flowerand GardenShow is out of the question, let Charlie Albone, Melissa King and GrahamRoss(pictured, from left) be your guides to theflower-poweredevent.Taking an in-depth lookatthe breathtaking show gardens before they open to the public,the trio chat with thevisionary landscape designersbehind the tranquil and lavish displays. Formorepractical tips, the “achievable gardens”competitionoffers students thechance to seetheir sustainable, affordable designs brought to life–with ideas that areeasytoreplicate at home.Blooming withcolour,creativity and impact, there’splentyofinspirationherefor even the more casual gardeners among us
NOTRE DAME:THE RENAISSANCE CONCERT SBS, Sunday,8.40pm
Almost six years have passed sincethe world watched on in horror as France’s renowned NotreDame de Paris cathedral wasdamaged by adevastating fireinApril, 2019.Thoughthe painstaking reconstruction and restoration work goes on,the historic heart of thecity reopened to visitors at theend of 2024,markingthe occasion withthisglamorous concert. Conducted by Gustavo Dudamel and featuring the OrchestrePhilharmonique de Radio France, this moving spectacle also includesbreathtaking light shows and performances from Yo-YoMa, Pharrell Williams, Marion Cotillard andAngéliqueKidjo
Wednesday, March 26
ABITE TO EATWITH ALICE
ABC TV,Monday, 5pm
Colourful chef Alice Zaslavsky is back in the kitchen with asecond serving of her fresh and relatable weeknight cooking staple,joined this evening by food critic and journalistMattPreston (pictured with Zaslavsky) foran energetic premiere. Old habits die hard forthe former MasterChefcontestantand judge:Zaslavsky is keen to hear feedback from “Presto”onher mum’s baked beetroot and Georgian spiced walnuts; while he gives amasterclass in simple countrycooking by sharing his “dowry dish” atakeonthe braisedlamb recipe his mother-in-law gifted him when he married her daughter.Tune in later this week to seewhat dishes Gina Chick, Rhys Nicholson, MaryCoustas and Bob Murphyhaveuptheir sleeves
ABC TV (2) SBS (3)
6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News
Mornings. 10.00 Four Corners. (R) 10.45 Q+A. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 National Press Club Address 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R)
2.00 Parliament QuestionTime
3.00 Back Roads. (PG, R)
3.30 Grand DesignsRevisited. (R)
4.15 Long Lost Family (PG, R)
5.05 ABite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.35 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6.30 Hard Quiz (PG, R)
7.00 ABCNews.
7.30 7.30 8.00 Hard Quiz (PG) Presented by TomGleeson.
8.30 TheWeekly WithCharlie Pickering. (PG) Asatirical news program. 9.00 Melbourne Comedy Festival Gala Hosted by MelButtle.
11.00 ABC Late News.
11.15 TheBusiness. (R)
11.35 Aunty Donna’s Coffee Cafe. (Mls, R) 12.30 Parliament Question Time 1.30 Grand Designs Revisited.(R) 2.15 Long Lost Family.(PG,R) 3.05 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
3.35 Parkinson In Australia. (PGa,R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)
6am Morning Programs. 7.30 France 24 EnglishNews. 8.00 DD India News Hour 9.00 Destination Flavour.(R) 9.10 Urban Conversion. (R) 9.40 Earth’s Sacred Wonders. (PGa, R) 10.50 Soccer.2026FIFAWorld Cup CONMEBOLQualifier.Argentina vBrazil. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Dateline.(R) 2.30 Insight.(R) 3.30 The Cook Up.(PG, R) 4.05 Every Family Has ASecret. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (PG) 5.30 Letters And Numbers.(R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. Presented by Marc Fennell.
6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Alone Australia. (Return, Ml) Tensurvivalists takeonthe wilderness. 9.40 Rogue Heroes. (MA15+)
The SAS receives avisit from two senior generals. Stirling prepares to makeanother escape attempt 10.50 SBS World News Late.
11.20 Blackwater (MA15+ans) The police show up at the commune. 12.30 My Brilliant Friend. (Malv,R) 3.55 Earth’s Natural Wonders. (PG, R) 5.00 NHK World English NewsMorning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.
SEVEN (7,6)
1.20am
And Bones. (2019 M) 3.20 Vampire Seeking Consenting Person. (2023,M,French) 5.00 TheMovie Show. 5.30 Rabbit-Proof Fence.(2002, PG)
ABC TV,Tuesday, 8.30pm
Australia punchesabove its weight in alot of respects: on the sporting field, in medical research and, of course, in creativity.There’ssomething unique about the wayour country’sartists and performerssee the world,and WalkleyAward-winning journalistVirginia Trioliwantstofind out what makes our culturesospecial.Returning tonight with asecond seasonofintimateinterviews, her intrepid investigation starts with visionaryfilmmaker George Miller (pictured with Trioli).
The MadMaxcreator meets Trioli in Silverton, NSW,wherehefilmed two of his iconic movies, to discussthe “visual rock and roll” in his work and the importance of landscape in storytelling
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 MOVIE: Fallen Angels MurderClub: Friends To Die For. (2022, Mav) Toni Braxton. 3.00 Beat TheChasersUK. (R) 4.00 SevenNewsAt4 5.00 TheChaseAustralia.
6.00 SevenNews.
7.00 Home AndAway. (PG) Mackenzie comesclean.
7.30 The1%Club UK (PGl) 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. (PGal) Hamish McLachlan sits downwith keyfootballstars and personalitiestoreveal their stories.
10.00 Arj Barker: Comes Clean. (Mls, R) Aperformance by Arj Barker
11.10 AutopsyUSA: Andy Griffith. (Ma)
12.10 Covert Affairs. (Mv,R)
2.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise EarlyNews. 5.30 Sunrise.
NINE (9,8)
TEN (10, 5)
6.00 Today 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Married At FirstSight (Ml, R) 1.30 My Way. (PG) 2.00 Pointless. (PG) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9NewsAfternoon 4.30[VIC]TippingPoint Australia.(PG) 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.30[VIC]WINNews. 6.00 Drew Barrymore.(PGas) 7.00 Neighbours. (PGa, R) 7.30 GCBC. (R) 8.00 Bold. (PGa, R) 8.30
6.00 9News
7.00 ACurrentAffair
7.30 MarriedAtFirstSight (Ml) It’sthe last group get-together before the final vows
9.00 Scrublands. (Final, MA15+lv) Martin comesface-to-face with the true mastermind.
10.00 9News Late.
10.30 WildCards (Mav)
11.30 TheEqualizer. (Madv,R)
12.15 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.05 My Way. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop.(R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory.(PGa) 4.30 ACurrent Affair.(R) 5.00 TodayEarly News. 5.30 Today
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer 6.30 TheProject Alook at the day’snews. 7.30 TheDog HouseAustralia (PGa) Narrated by MarkColesSmith. 8.30 Elsbeth. (PGlsv) Elsbeth and the team investigate when an unlikeable fashion photographerismurdered 9.30 NCIS:Hawai’i. (Final, Mv) The team must trackdown amysterious terrorist group beforethey canstrike again.
10.25 10’s Late News 10.50 TheProject (R) 11.55 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 HomeShopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.
ABC (2)
6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News
Mornings. 10.00 Poh’sKitchen. (R) 10.30 Back Roads. (R) 11.05 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Miniseries: Best Interests. (Ml, R) 2.00 Parliament QuestionTime. 3.00 Back Roads.(PG,R) 3.30 Grand Designs Revisited. (R) 4.15 Long Lost Family.(PG,R) 5.05 ABite To Eat With Alice (R) 5.30 AntiquesRoadshow.(R)
by Sarah Ferguson.
8.30 Grand Designs: 25 Years AndCounting. (Ml) To celebrate the show’s25th anniversary,Kevin McCloud looks back at some of the most memorable homes.
9.20 Grand DesignsRevisited (PG, R) PresentedbyKevin McCloud
10.05 ABite To Eat With Alice. (R)
10.35 ABC Late News.
10.50 TheBusiness. (R)
11.10 DarbyAnd Joan (PGa, R)
11.55 Grand Designs Revisited. (R) 12.40 ParliamentQuestion Time. 1.45 Long Lost Family.(PG,R) 2.30 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
3.40 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)
(3)
6am MorningPrograms. 8.00 DD India News Hour 9.00 Urban Conversion.(R) 10.00 Food Markets. (R) 11.00 Oman From Above 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 12.55 PBS News. 1.55 Alone Australia (Ml, R) 3.00 Where Are YouReallyFrom? (PGa, R) 3.30 The Cook Up.(R) 4.00 Every Family HasASecret. (PGa,R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (PG) 5.30 Letters AndNumbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The MorningShow.(PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 MOVIE: Fallen Angels Murder Club: Heroes And Felons. (2022, Mav) Toni Braxton 3.00 TheChase. (R) 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChase Australia.
6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS WorldNews.
7.30 Finding Your Roots: In TheBlood. (PGa) Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr
8.30 Celine Dion: AStar Is Born Looks at the life of Celine Dion, from Quebec to international star and traces the singer’s career
9.35 Virdee. (Premiere) Follows acop,disownedbyhis Sikh family for marrying aMuslim woman, as he struggleswithabandonment.
10.40 SBSWorld News Late.
11.10 Breaking Point. (Masv) 12.00 Blinded (MA15+a, R)
1.45 Elizabeth (PGa, R)
3.25 Hugh’s Wild West.(R) 4.20 Bamay.(R)
4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World EnglishNewsMorning 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight.
SBS VICELAND (31)
6am WorldWatch. 10.00 TheMovie Show 12.10pm WorldWatch. 12.40 MOVIE: MeetingThe BeatlesInIndia. (2020, PG) 2.10 PlanetA 2.40 Insight 3.40 News. 3.50 WorldWatch. 5.40 TheFastHistory Of 6.05 Over The Black Dot. 6.35 Travel Man. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats DoesCountdown. 8.30 History’s Greatest Mysteries. 10.10 The UnXplained. 11.00 Homicide. 11.55 Late Programs.
6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Football. AFL.Round 3. Essendon vPortAdelaide.
10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews taking alook back at allthe action from the game.
11.00 Kick Ons. Kane Cornes, Josh Jenkinsand Jason Richardson debate the hottest topics and preview the upcoming AFLmatches.
11.30 TheDisappearance Of Gabby Petito (Malv,R)Anexploration of the case of Gabby Petito
12.45 Damnation. (MA15+asv)Seth and thefarmers takeonthe Black Legion
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBCToday News and current affairs.
5.00 SunriseEarlyNews.
5.30 Sunrise
6am Children’s Programs. 5.50pm Paddington. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes 6.15 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts 6.35 Hey Duggee. 6.40 Ben And Holly 6.55 Rocket Club 7.05 OddSquad. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 Little Lunch. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 SecretsOfThe Zoo. 9.25 Harry Potter: Wizards Of Baking. 10.45 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Rabbit-Proof Fence. Continued. (2002, PG) 7.10 Darling Companion.(2012,PG) 9.05 Mermaids. (1990, PG) 11.10 Iron Sky.(2012,M) 12.50pm Dating Amber. (2020, M) 2.30 The Movie Show. 3.05 Vanity Fair.(2004,PG) 5.40 Every Day. (2018,PG) 7.30 StandByMe. (1986, M) 9.10 How To Have Sex. (2023,MA15+) 10.50 ShivaBaby. (2020,M) 12.20am Late Programs. 5.55 The MovieShow. SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 2pm The Casketeers. 2.30 TheCook Up 3.00 Waabiny Time. 3.25 Little JAnd Big Cuz. 3.35 Spartakus. 4.05 Cities Of Gold. 4.35 Motown Magic. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 Black As. 5.30 Te Ao With Moana. 6.00 Bamay 6.30 News. 6.40 The BigDry 7.30 Going PlacesWith Ernie Dingo 8.30 DI Ray. 9.30 MOVIE: Snakes On APlane. (2006,M) 11.25 Late Programs. NITV (34) 6am Shopping. 6.30
ABC TV (2) SBS (3)
6.00 9News.
7.00 ACurrentAffair
7.30 RBT. (Ml, R) Followsthe activities of police units.
8.30 Emergency (Mm, R) Doctor Scott Taylor fears atradiehas life-altering neck damage after aladderfall.
9.30 A+EAfter Dark. (Mlm) Takes alook behind the scenesatthree UK hospitals showing the night time challengesfaced by staff
10.30 My Feet AreKillingMe. (Mam)
11.20 9News Late.
11.50 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 12.40 Pointless. (PG, R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop (R)
3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoiceOfVictory.(PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair.(R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today
6.00 Deal Or No Deal Hosted by Grant Denyer 6.30 TheProject. Alookatthe day’snews. 7.30 GoggleboxAustralia. Opinionated viewers discuss TV shows. 8.30 Taskmaster Australia. (Return, Mls) Comedy game show featuring comedians performing aseries of tricky tasks. Hosted by TomGleeson. 9.40 Law& Order: SVU. (Mad, R) Acryptic message sends the teamona new track to find Maddie Flynn. 10.40 10’s LateNews.
SEVEN (7,6)
NINE (9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Poh’sKitchen. (R) 10.30 The Pacific. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Unforgotten. (Mals, R) 2.00 Grand Designs Australia. (R) 2.55 Back Roads. (PG, R) 3.25 Grand Designs. (R) 4.15 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 5.00 A Bite To EatWith Alice. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News Alook at the
9.15 TheWeekly With Charlie Pickering (PG, R) Asatirical news programexposing the humorous, absurd and downright hypocritical.
9.45 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) Presented by TomGleeson. 10.15 Melbourne Comedy Festival Gala. (R)Hosted by MelButtle.
12.20 Long Lost Family (PG, R)
1.10 Rage New Music (MA15+adhlnsv)
5.00 Rage. (PG)
6am MorningPrograms. 8.00 DD India News Hour 9.00 Curious Traveller.(R) 10.00 Food Markets. (PGa, R) 11.00 UAEFrom Above 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World NewsTonight. 12.55 PBS News. 1.55 Alone Australia. (Ml, R) 3.00 Nula. 3.30 Plat Du Tour.(R) 3.35 The Cook Up.(PG, R) 4.05 Every Family Has ASecret.(PGal,R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (PG) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 Better HomesAnd Gardens. (R) 2.00 Suits L.A. (Ma, R) 3.00 TheChase. (R) 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChase Australia. 6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning 12.00 MOVIE: Romantic Rewrite. (2022, PGa) Kristina Cole Geddes, Russell Quinn. 2.00 Pointless. (PG) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30[VIC]TippingPoint Australia.(PG) 5.00 Tipping
6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS WorldNews
7.30 James May: Our ManInItaly: Bye, Bim. (PGal) James May finally submitstoawardrobeupdate.
8.30 Bettany Hughes’ Lost Worlds: Nabataeans. (Premiere, PG) Historian Bettany Hughes embarks on an adventure to uncoverthe mysteries of the Nabataeans.
9.30 Scotland’sScenic Railways: TheJacobite Steam Railway (R) Alook at Scotland’smostscenic railways.
10.25 SBS WorldNews Late. 10.55 ABody That Works. (Ml) 12.00 Romulus. (MA15+av,R) 1.55 Elizabeth. (PGa, R) 3.40 Hugh’s Wild West. (R) 4.45 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK WorldEnglish News Morning 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight
Go! 8.00 Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! 8.25 BTN Newsbreak. 8.30 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!” 8.55 Robot Wars 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am TheMovie Show 6.30 Petite Maman. (2021, PG, French) 7.50 What’sEating GilbertGrape. (1993 PG) 10.00 Girls Will Be Girls. (2024, M, Hindi) 12.10pm My SalingerYear.(2020,M)
6.00 SevenNews.
7.00 AFL: FridayNight Countdown. Alead-up to the Fridaynight AFL match.
7.30 Football AFL.Round 3. Carlton vWestern Bulldogs. From Marvel Stadium, Melbourne.
10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews taking alook back at all the action fromthe game.
11.15 GetOn Extra. Alookatthe weekend’s best racing.
11.45 TheAmericas: TheAtlantic Coast. (PG, R) Alook at thenatural beauty of the Americas.
12.45 We Interrupt This Broadcast. (PGlv,R)Sketch comedy series.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million DollarMinute. (R)
5.00 NBCToday
6.00 9News
7.00 ACurrent Affair.
7.30 West CoastCops. (Premiere, PGlv) UK police officers move to Western Australia.
8.30 MOVIE: TheNotebook (2004,PGals,R)Anold man reads alovestory from afaded notebook to a womanwith Alzheimer’s disease.Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, James Garner
11.00 MOVIE: If IStay. (2014,Ma, R) Acellist is leftinacomafollowing acar crash. Chloë Grace Moretz.
1.00 Let’sEat With George (R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping (R) 4.00 SkippyThe Bush Kangaroo (R) 4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop:Home Shopping.(R) 5.30 Postcards.(PG, R)
TEN (10, 5)
6.00 Deal Or No Deal (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer
6.30 TheProject Alookatthe day’snews. 7.30 Sam Pang Tonight. (Mals, R) Presented by Sam Pang.
8.30 TheGraham Norton Show. (Mlv,R)Graham Norton is joined by actors Jodie Foster,Olivia Colmanand Austin Butler,comedianWanda Sykes and TV presenter Lorraine Kelly. Calvin Harris andRag’n’Bone Man perform. 10.50 10’s Late News Coverage of news, sportand weather 11.15 TheProject. (R)
ABC TV (2) SBS (3)
6.00 Rage Charts. (PG) 6.55 Rage Closer.(R)
7.00 WeekendBreakfast. 9.00 Rage. (PG)
11.55 Rage Closer.(R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 Death In Paradise. (Ma,R) 1.30 Darby AndJoan. (PGa, R) 2.15 Under The Vines.(PG,R) 3.00 Extraordinary Escapes: Christmas Special.(Final, R) 3.50 ALifeInTen Pictures.(PG, R) 4.40 Poh’s Kitchen. (R) 5.10 Landline.(R) 5.40 Australian Story.(R)
6.10 Father Brown. (Return, PGav) Rivalriesescalateatalocalathletics event.
7.00 ABCNews. Takesalook at the top stories of the day,including coverage of developing stories and events.
7.30 Death In Paradise. (Ma) As the teaminvestigates amurder,they discover afamily with skeletons in thecloset.
8.30 Vera (Ma, R) DCIVeraStanhopeinvestigates after ayoung man is founddead following acollision with acar.Oncloser inspection, it becomesclear that this is not an accident and is more than ahit and run.
10.05 Unforgotten (Mals, R)
The Bishop Streetteam investigates GerryCooper’s life andcriminal record and makecontactwith hiswidow 10 50 Boat Stor y. (MA15+av,R)Janet and Samuel trytofind abuyer for the drugs. 11.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) Music video clips.
6am MorningPrograms. 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Motor Racing. World Rally-Raid Championship.Round 2. Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Highlights. 3.00 Athletics.World Indoor Championships. Day 1. Highlights. 4.00 Heroines 4.30 Mental As Everything. (PGal, R) 5.30 WWII WarMachine. (Premiere, PGa)
6.30 SBS WorldNews
7.30 TheWonders Of Europe: Florence Cathedral. (Return) Looks at Florence’s cathedral.
8.30 Blenheim: ThePeople Behind ThePalace. Theevents team prepares for the arrival of theKnights of Middle England.
9.25 StanleyTucci: Searching For Italy:NaplesAnd TheAmalfi Coast. (R) Actor Stanley Tucci sets out to explore the culture and cuisine of Italy,beginning with Naples
10.15 Great Coastal Railway Journeys: Cullen To Cawdor (R) Hosted by MichaelPortillo 11.15 All Those Thing sWe NeverSaid (Ma, R) 3.30 Icons. (PGav,R) 4.25 Bamay.(R) 4.55 DestinationFlavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.15 France 24 Feature 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.
SBS VICELAND
6am WorldWatch.
10.00 TheMovie Show 12.20pm Bad Education. 1.30 Beyond OakIsland. 2.20 TenYear Old Tom. 2.50 TheArtist’sView:A-ha. 3.20 Bamay. 3.25 News. 3.30 WorldWatch. 5.30 Over TheBlackDot. 6.00 EngineeringTomorrow 7.00 Motorcycle Racing. Australian SuperbikeChampionship.Round 2. 10.00 Impossible Engineering. 10.55 Late Programs.
NITV (34)
6am Morning Programs.
10.00 MOVIE: ChittyChittyBangBang. (1968, PG) 12.30pm MOVIE: Charlotte’s Web. (2006, PG)
2.05 Inside The Pack. 3.00 Nula. 3.25 On Australian Shores: Survivor Stories. 4.30 Tradition On APlate. 5.00 Shepherdess. 5.30 Spirit Talker 6.00 The Last Land: Gespe’gewa’gi. 6.30 News. 6.40 TheOther Side 7.30 AloneAustralia. 9.35 MOVIE: Child’s Play.(1972,MA15+) 11.20 Late Programs.
6am
Cheerful Weather ForThe Wedding. Continued. (2012, PG) 7.00 Goddess. (2013,PG) 8.55 Every Day.(2018, PG) 10.45 ShivaBaby.(2020,M) 12.10pm Stand By Me. (1986,M) 1.45 What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.(1993,PG) 3.55 Capricorn One. (1977, PG) 6.10 Sabrina.(1995,PG) 8.30 The Peacemaker (1997, MA15+) 10.45 Body Double.(1984,MA15+) 12.55am Late Programs.
6.00 NBCToday 7.00 WeekendSunrise. 10.00 TheMorning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. Stakes Day andAustralian CupDay 5.00 SevenNews At 5. 5.30 BorderSecurity: Australia’s FrontLine. (PG,R) Narrated by GrantBowler
6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Athletic s. Maurie Plant Meet. From Lakeside Stadium, Melbourne
9.00 MOVIE: Apollo13. (1995,PGal, R) Basedona true story.Three NASA astronauts, on amission to the Moon, find their lives in danger aftera potentially catastrophic explosion forces them to abandon their journey and return to Earth. Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon.
11.50 Motor wayPatrol. (PGadl) Officers deal with acargo of cannabis
12.20 We Interrupt This Broadcast (PGalv,R)Sketch comedy series.
1.20 Harr y’sPractice. (R) Information aboutpet care
2.00 To Be Advised.
4.00 It’s Academic (R) Hosted by Simon Reeve.
5.00 My GreekOdyssey (PG, R) Peter Maneas exploresthe tiny islandofSifnos.
7TWO (72, 62)
6.00 Getaway.(PG, R) 6.30 ACurrent Affair (R) 7.00 WeekendToday 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday.(PG) 12.00 Destination WA.(R) 12.30 My Way. (PG, R) 1.00 Let’sEat With George 1.30 Hybrid Horizons. (Final) 2.00 Mr Mayor.(PGs, R) 2.30 Bondi Vet. (PGm,R) 3.30 David Attenborough’s Mammals. (PGa) 4.30 The GardenGurus 5.00 9NewsFirst At Five 5.30 Getaway.(PG)
6.00 9News Saturday.
7.00 ACurrent Affair
7.30 Space Invaders. (PG) Awoman’s collecting has filledher small home.
8.30 MOVIE: San Andreas. (2015,Mlv,R) Arescue helicopter pilot searches for hisdaughter followingamassive earthquake. Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino,AlexandraDaddario.
10.45 MOVIE: Volcano (1997, Mv,R)A volcanothreatens LosAngeles. Tommy LeeJones.
12.40 Bondi Vet. (PGm, R)
1.30 Hybrid Horizons. (Final, R)
2.00 TheIncredibleJourney Presents. (PG)
2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.30 Global Shop (R)
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 HelpingHands. (PG, R)
9GEM (92, 81)
6am Shopping. 8.30 Better Homes. 10.00 My GreekOdyssey 11.00 Harry’sPractice. 11.30 GetOn Extra. Noon Escape To The Country 2.00 Better Homes. 3.00 The Yorkshire Vet. 4.00 Escape To The Country 5.00 Horse Racing. Stakes Day and Australian Cup Day. 6.00 Dog Patrol. 6.30 Bondi Vet. 7.30 The Yorkshire Vet. 8.30 Escape To TheCountry 10.30 I Escaped To The Country. 11.30 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Helping Hands. 10.30 My Favorite Martian. 11.00 Avengers Noon MOVIE: Carlton-Browne Of The F.O. (1959) 2.00 MOVIE: Angels One Five. (1952) 4.00 MOVIE: Sayonara. (1957,PG) 7.00 Rugby Union. Super RugbyPacific.Round 7. Queensland Reds vWesternForce. 9.30 Super RugbyPacificPost-Match. 9.45 MOVIE: Rocky V. (1990,M) 11.50 Late Programs.
6.30 TheDog House Australia. (PGa, R) Adog’sappetite fordestruction might get in the way of it findinga happy new home
7.30 Love It Or ListIt Australia. Acouple,who haveninechildren, have all the spaceintheirhome in thewrong place. 8.30 Gog gleboxAustralia. (R) Adiverse rangeofpeople open their living rooms to reveal their reactions to popularand topicalTVshows, with the help of special, locked-off cameras which capture every unpredictablemoment. 9.30 Matlock. (PGa, R)Olympia hires an outside party to select jurors rather than using Shae, putting thecaseatrisk. 10.30 Elsbeth. (PGlsv, R) An unlikeable fashionphotographer is murdered. 11.30 FBI (Mav,R)Two jurorsfor amafia trialare gunned down. 12.30 Home Shopping (R) 5.00 HourOfPower.
6am Morning Programs. 1pm Blokesworld. 1.30 CoolCars &Bikes. 2.00 Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars 3.00 Motor Racing. National Drag Racing C’ship.Top Fuel C’ship 4.00 Full Custom Garage. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Pawn Stars. 7.00 Football. VFL.Round 2. Port Melbourne vFrankston. 10.00 AFL Saturday Rewind. 10.30 MOVIE: TheKingdom.(2007, MA15+) 12.45am Late Programs.
9GO! (93, 82)
6am Children’s Programs. 1pm TheNanny 2.00 Motor Racing. IndyCar Series. The Thermal ClubIndyCar Grand Prix. H’lights. 3.10 Surfing Aust 4.10 Young Sheldon 5.40 MOVIE: Alvin And TheChipmunks:The Road Chip.(2015 PG) 7.30 MOVIE: 10 Things IHate About You. (1999,PG) 9.30 MOVIE: Coyote Ugly.(2000,PG) 11.30 Mr Mayor Midnight TheOriginals. 2.00 Young Sheldon 3.00 Late Programs.
7MATE (73,64) 6am
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Sunday, March30
ABC TV (2)
SBS (3)
SEVEN (7,6)
NINE (9,8) 6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 Wknd Brekky 9.00 Insiders. 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 The World This Week.(R) 11.00 Compass. (PG, R) 11.30 Songs Of Praise. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 GardeningAustralia. (R) 2.30 Monty Don’sFrench Gardens. (R) 3.30 Grand Designs: 25 Years And Counting. (PGl, R) 4.30 TheJubilee Pudding: 70 YearsInThe Baking. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)
6.30 Compass: TheDJAnd The Gospel Choir. (Return, PG) 7.00 ABC News
7.30 DarbyAnd Joan (PGa)Joanand Jack are invited to an island resort 8.15 Unforgotten. (Ml) The team discovers Gerry’snationalist views, his connections to the suspects and his violent streak.
9.05 Boat Stor y. (MA15+l) Janet and Samuelcelebrate their newfoundriches but The Tailor’s henchman is on their trail.
10.05 MOVIE: TwoHands. (1999,MA15+lv,R)A teenager gets in trouble with agangster.Heath Ledger
11.35 YouCan’t Ask That (Mal, R) 12.05 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
3.00 Ask The Doctor.(PG, R) 3.30 Outback Ringer.(PG, R) 4.00 Gardening Australia.(R) 5.00 Insiders. (R)
6am MorningPrograms. 10.00 FIFA World Cup Classic Matches. 11.30 Ageless Gardens.(R) 12.00 APAC Weekly 12.30 PBS Washington Week 12.55 Taekwondo. (R) 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Athletics. World Indoor Championships. Day 2. Highlights. 4.00 Athletics. World Indoor Championships. Day 3. Highlights 5.00 Heroines. 5.30 WWII WarMachine.(PGa)
6.30 SBS WorldNews
7.30 Rebuilding Notre Dame Cathedral Pt 2. (R) Lucy Worsleyrevisits Notre Dame. 8.40 Notre Dame: TheRenaissanceConcer t. Coverage of an event to celebrate the rebuilding of Paris’s Notre-Dame Cathedral, whichwent up in flamesin2019 10.40 Windsor Castle Fire: TheUntold Stor y. (PGa, R) 11.40 Cycling. UCI World Tour Gent-Wevelgem. Men’s race. 2.45 Cycling. UCI WorldTour Gent-Wevelgem. Women’s race. 4.00 Britain’s Great Outdoors. (R) 4.30 Bamay.(PG, R) 5.00 NHKWorld English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera News.
6.00 NBCToday. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 TheMorning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 SundayFooty Feast. 2.30 AFL Pre-Game Show. Pre-game coverage of the match. 3.00 Football. AFL.Round 3. Adelaide vNorth Melbourne.
6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Australian Idol. (PGl) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie. 8.40 TheHunters: Bondi Hate Murders. (Mav) Steve vanAperen and Adam Shand look at the killings sufferedbythe Sydneygay community from the1970s to the 1990s. 10.10 Tabloids On Trial. (Premiere, Mal) An expose of illegal tactics of Britain’stabloids. 11.40 Pembrokeshire Murders: Catching The GameshowKiller. (Mav, R)
12.40 TheBay (Malv,R) 2.00 To Be Advised.
3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
4.00 NBCToday 5.00 SunriseEarly News 5.30 Sunrise.
7TWO (72, 62)
6am MorningPrograms. 1.30pm Football. NTFL.Men’s.Under 18s. Darwin Buffaloes vWaratah. Replay 2.45 Boomerang Today 3.15 Stable: TheBoxingGame. 4.15 Black As. 4.25 MOVIE: Bedevil. (1993,PG) 6.00 Queer &Here. 6.30 News. 6.40 Waterworld Africa 7.30 Australia: An UnofficialHistory 8.30 Undermined: Tales From The Kimberley 10.10 MOVIE: Kill Bill: Vol. 1. (2003, MA15+) 12.10am Late Programs. NITV (34)
6.00 HelloSA. (PG, R) 6.30 ACurrent Affair (R) 7.00 WeekendToday 10.00 AFL Sunday FootyShow. (PG) 12.00 Wide World Of Sports. (PG) 1.00 Fish Forever. 1.30 Drive TV:Drive Car Of TheYear 2.00 Oz Off Road TV.(PG,R) 3.00 David Attenborough’s The Mating Game. (PGa, R) 4.00 Space Invaders. (PG,R) 5.00 9NewsFirst At Five 5.30 Postcards. (PG)
6.00 9News Sunday
7.00 Married At FirstSight (PGls) Thecouplesmakeabig decision.
8.40 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating,analysingand uncovering the issues affecting all Australians.
9.40 Footy Furnace. (Mlv) TomMorris, Jimmy Bartel and James Hird recapthe highs and lows from the latest round of the AFL.
10.40 9News Late.
11.10 TheFirst48: CoverStor y. (Mav) Detectives investigate asuicide.
12.00 Oz Off Road TV (PG, R) 1.00 Destination WA 1.30 TV Shop:Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Vic tor y. (PGa) 4.30 DriveTV: DriveCar Of TheYear. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today
9GEM (92, 81)
6am Morning Programs. 10.00 TheGreat AustralianDoorstep 10.30 DVine Living. 11.00 IEscaped To The Country. Noon Escape To The Country 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 CitiesOfThe Underworld. 3.30 Better Homes. 4.30 IEscaped To TheCountry. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30 Rosemary &Thyme. 8.30 Vera 10.30 Chris Tarrant’sExtreme Railway Journeys. 11.30 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 7.30 In Touch. 8.00 Beyond Today 8.30 The Incredible Journey 9.00 TurningPoint. 9.30 TV Shop 10.00 My Favorite Martian 10.30 Getaway 11.00 NRLSundayFootyShow 1pm MOVIE: Cairo Road. (1950,PG) 3.00 RugbyLeague.NRL.Round 4. Manly Sea Eagles vParramatta Eels 6.00 Dad’s Army 6.30 M*A*S*H. 8.30 MOVIE: Angel Has Fallen. (2019,MA15+) 10.50 Late Programs.
6am Children’s Programs. 1.30pm MOVIE: Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Road Chip.(2015,PG) 3.20 MotorwayCops: Catching Britain’s Speeders 4.20 YoungSheldon. 5.45 MOVIE: Dr Seuss’ TheLorax. (2012) 7.30 MOVIE: Wonder Woman. (2017,M) 10.15 MOVIE: TheFate Of TheFurious. (2017,M) 1am Gotham. 2.00 Arrow 3.00
TEN (10, 5)
6.00 TheSundayProject Joins panellists for alook at theday’s news, events and hot topics.
7.00 Australian Sur vivor. (PGl) Agroup of 24 Australian castaways battles it out on the beachesofSamoa to become the sole survivor 8.30 Matlock. (PGa) Olympia’s dream of partnershipisonthe line as she and the team scramble to remove adangerous drink from the market. 9.30 FBI. (Madv) The team races against the clock to takeback control of ahijacked train that an unarmed OA andGemma are riding. 11.30 TheSundayProjec t. (R) Alook at the day’snews. 12.30 Home Shopping (R) 4.30 CBSMorning s. Morning news and talk show. 6am WorldWatch. 9.30 Small Business Secrets. 10.00 The Movie Show 12.05pm Figure Skating. ISU Grand Prix. Rostelecom Cup.H’lights. 1.40 Jeopardy! 3.45 WorldWatch. 4.10 PBS Washington Week. 4.35 Haramain:The TrainOfThe Desert. 5.35 Domino Masters 6.30 Abandoned Engineering. 7.25 Abandoned Americana. 9.15 Cycling. UCI World Tour.Volta aCatalunya. Stage 7. 11.15 Late Programs. 6am MorningPrograms. 7.15 The Farewell.(2019,PG) 9.10 LittleNicholas’ Treasure. (2021, PG, French) 11.05 Dirty Dancing. (1987,M) 1pm ThePerks Of BeingA Wallflower.(2012,M) 2.55 Cheerful WeatherFor The Wedding. (2012, PG) 4.45 Topkapi. (1964,PG) 6.55 Children Of Heaven. (1997, PG, Farsi) 8.30 Paradise Road. (1997, M) 10.35 My Own Good. (2018,M,Italian) 12.25am Late Programs.
6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Vera.(Ma, R) 11.30 Creative Types With Virginia Trioli. (PG,R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Landline.(R) 2.00
(R)
6.30 Hard Quiz (PG, R) 7.00 ABCNews.
7.30 7.30 Presented by Sarah Ferguson. 8.00 Australian Stor y. Presented by LeighSales.
8.30 Four Corners. Investigative journalism program exposing scandals firing debate and confronting taboos.
9.15 Media Watch (PG) Presented by Linton Besser
9.35 Q+A. Presented by Patricia Karvelas.
10.35 ABC Late News.
10.50 TheBusiness (R) 11.10 TheWeekly With Charlie Pickering (PG, R)
11.40 Julia Zemiro’s Home Deliver y. (R)
12.10 Grand Designs.(PG,R) 12.55 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 1.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.05 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)
6am MorningPrograms. 11.10 VanGogh: The Real Story.(Premiere) 12.10 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight 1.00 PBS News Weekend. 1.30 Al JazeeraNews Hour 2.00 Saving Lives At Sea.
5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 To Be Advised. 2.40 SurveillanceOz: Dashcam. (PG, R) 3.00
6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS WorldNews.
7.35 Lisbon With Michael Portillo: Lisbon3 (PG)Michael Portillo journeys to Lisbon.
8.25 Pompeii: TheNew Dig: The Bodies (PGa, R) Follows the most extensivearchaeologicalexcavation in Pompeiifor ageneration.
9.30 24 HoursInEmergency: Ever ything To Me A44-year-old is rushedtoQueen’s Medical Centre.
10.30 SBS World NewsLate. 11.00 Syndrome E. (MA15+av)
12.05 TheNight Manager (MA15+v, R)
2.20 AustraliaUncovered: Our African Roots. (PGa, R) 3.20 Hugh’s Wild West. (R) 4.25 Bamay.(R) 4.55 Destination Flavour ChinaBitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.
The Fast History Of 6.10 Mysteries From Above 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.30 News. 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Myths: The Greatest Mysteries Of Humanity 10.35 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs.
1.40pm Black As. 2.00 Strait To The Plate. 2.30 TheCookUp. 3.00 Jarjums 4.05 Cities Of Gold. 4.35 Motown
6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Home AndAway. (PGa) Sonny finds himself in dodgycompany
7.30 Australian Idol. (PGl)Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie.
8.30 9-1-1: Lone Star (Ma) The 126races to contain atoxic chlorine cloud of death unleashed by the train derailment.Owen namesthe station’s new lieutenant.
9.30 TheAgenda Setters. (R) Ateam of trusted and respected footyvoices tacklesthe biggest topics in the AFL world.
10.30 Suits L. A. (M)
11.30 St. Denis Medical. (PGals)
12.00 We InterruptThis Broadcast. (PGals,R)
1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
1.30 Harr y’sPractice (R)
2.00 To Be Advised.
4.00 NBCToday. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise
6am MorningPrograms. 9.00 Medical Emergency.
6.00 9News
7.00 ACurrent Affair
7.30 Married At FirstSight. Theremaining couplestaketheir final vows.
9.00 FootyClassified. (Ml) Ateam of footy expertstackles the AFL’s big issuesand controversies.
10.00 9NewsLate.
10.30 ThePrison Confessions Of Gypsy-Rose Blanchard: On TheRun. (Mad) Gypsyand Dee Dee relocate to Springfield, Missouri. 11.30 Police Af ter Dark. (Mlv,R) 12.30 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer ’s Voice Of Vic tor y. (PGa) 4.30 ACurrent Affair (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today
6.00 Deal Or No Deal Hosted by GrantDenyer.
6.30 TheProjec t. Alook at the day’snews. 7.30 Australian Sur vivor (PGl) Presented by Jonathan LaPaglia. 8.40 Sam Pang Tonight. (Mals) Aweekly tonight show hostedbySam Pang, featuring amonologue roasting the news of theweek. 9.40 Taskmaster Australia. (Mls, R) Comedy game showfeaturing comedians performing aseriesoftricky tasks. Hosted by TomGleeson. 10.50 10’s LateNews. Coverage of news, sportand weather. 11.15 TheProject (R) Alook at the day’snews. 12.15 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colber t. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.
7MATE (73,64)
6am Morning Programs. 11.00 Border Security:Int. Noon Border Security 1.30 Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 2.30 Watersport.Offshore Superboats. 3.30 Storage Wars: NY 4.00 Mountain Men. 5.00 American Resto. 5.30 Storage Wars 6.00 American Pickers. 7.00 The Agenda Setters. 8.00 Outback Opal Hunters. 9.00 Gem Hunters Down Under 10.00 Tougher In Alaska. 11.00 Late Programs.
9GO! (93, 82) 6am Fantastic Mr.Fox.Continued. (2009, PG) 6.35 Sabrina.(1995,PG) 8.55 Capricorn One. (1977, PG) 11.10 My Own Good. (2018, M, Italian) 1pm Man Who Didn’t Want To See The Titanic. (2021, M, Finnish) 2.35 Tourism. (2017) 4.00 TheFarewell. (2019,PG) 5.55 Selkie. (2000,PG) 7.30 Within Sand. (2022, M, Arabic) 9.40 Haj jan. (2023, M, Arabic) Midnight Late Programs.
6am Children’s Programs. 8.00 Nanny 9.00 Bewitched. 9.30 IDream Of Jeannie. 10.00 Seinfeld. 11.00 ProjectImpossible. (Premiere) Noon MOVIE: Wonder Woman.(2017 M) 2.45 Innovation Nation. 3.00 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 IDream Of Jeannie. 6.00 The Golden Girls. 6.30 TheNanny 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: The Departed. (2006,MA15+) 11.30 Late Programs.
ABC TV (2) SBS (3)
6am MorningPrograms. 11.00 VanGogh: The Real Story 11.55 Ky’s Story:Growing With Autism. (R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World NewsTonight. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Saving Lives At Sea. (PGa, R) 3.05 The Weekly Football Wrap.(R) 3.35 Plat Du Tour (R) 3.40 The Cook Up.(R) 4.10 Lost Treasures Of Ancient Rome. (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (PG) 5.30 Letters AndNumbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS WorldNews 7.30 GreatCoastal Railway Journeys: Hornsea To Spurn Point. (R) Hosted by Michael Portillo
8.30 Insight. Kumi Taguchi explores citizen sleuths and whether they help or hinder the search fortruth.
SEVEN (7,6)
NINE (9,8) 6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Australian Story.(R) 10.30 Compass. (PG, R) 11.00 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG, R) 11.30 Space 22. (PGa, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Call The Midwife. (PGa, R) 1.55 Grand Designs Australia. (PG, R) 2.55 Back Roads. (PG,R) 3.20 Grand Designs. (PG, R) 4.10 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 4.55 ABite To EatWith Alice 5.25 Antiques Roadshow.(R)
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The MorningShow. (PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 To Be Advised. 2.00 Surveillance Oz: Dashcam. (PGl, R) 2.30 Border Security: International. (PG, R) 3.00 BeatThe Chasers UK. (R) 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChase Australia.
6.00 SevenNews.
7.00 Home And Away (PGa)Cash wrestles with writer’s block.
7.30 TheAmericas: Mexico. (PG) Ajourneythrough Mexico
8.30 TheHuntingPar ty (M)
Parkinson In Australia. (PG,R) 4.30 Gardening Australia.(R) 5.30 7.30.(R)
9.30 Dateline: InsideSpain’s Narco Submarines. Looks at the gangs using submarinestosmuggle cocaine. 10.00 SBSWorld NewsLate 10.30 Guillaume’sParis. (R) 11.00 Snow. (Premiere, PGas) 11.55 Illegals. (Malsv, R) 1.50 Hugh’s Wild West. (R) 3.55 Inside The Modelling Agency (R) 4.50 Destination FlavourChina Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight.
9.30 TheAgenda Setters. (R) Ateam of trusted andrespectedfooty voices tackles thebiggest topicsinthe AFL world
10.30 TheIrrational. (Mav) Thehead of Rose’s firm arrives from Europe
11.30 St. DenisMedical. (PGal)
12.00 MOVIE: House Of Chains. (2022, MA15+av,R)Mena Suvari 2.00 To Be Advised.
4.00 NBCToday 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 Today 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Married At FirstSight (R) 1.30 Getaway.(PG, R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Af ternoon 4.30 [VIC] Tipping
6.00 9News
7.00 ACurrentAffair
7.30 Travel Guides (PGl, R) Thetravelguides head to Peru.
8.40 To Be Advised.
9.40 FootyClassified. (Ml) Ateam of footy expertstackles the AFL’s big issues and controversies.
10.40 9News Late.
11.10 TheEqualizer (Mav,R) Asinger is threatened by astalker
12.00 Next Stop (PGd)
12.30 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
2.30 Building Ideas. (PG)
3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer ’s Voice Of Vic tor y. (PGa)
TEN (10, 5)
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by GrantDenyer. 6.30 TheProjec t. Thehosts and guest panellists takealook at the
By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
NEVER MIND just how much the sport of basketballhas grownacross the country and in regional areas -in terms of where Latrobe Valley lies in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL),it’sonlygetting bigger and better.
There’s Traralgon’s Jade Melbourne, who has shot to stardom as the face of UC Capitals in the WNBL as well as gain further opportunities with the Aus tral ian Opal sa nd Washingt on Mystics in the WNBA.
After an outstanding five-year collegiate career, Moe’s Jaz Shelley is now in astarringrole on upstart WNBL franchise Geelong United in her debut professional season.
The youngTraralgon contingent of Asha Nightingaleand Emily Scholtes will also be awatch as they ventureover to the US for college soon.
Let’s go through eachofthese stars’ records to date.
BY the time Melbourne was 18-years-old, she already boasted agold medal (U16 FIBA Asia Championship) and two bronze medals (FIBA Asia Cup with Opals and U17 FIBA World Cup).
She was also just months away from being drafted into the WNBA with the 33rd pick to Seattle Storm.
Melbourne had already been signed with the Capitals in the WNBL for two years before she was drafted to the major leagues, but over the course of her five years in Canberra has turned into a central attraction for the franchise.
Following time at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), Melbourne played 14 games -started 10 -for the Capitals in 2020.
Overt he course of the nextf our years, Melbourne would show consistent growth as aplaymaker and scorer cumulating in her best two-year period to date with averages of 16 points, 7.2 assists and5.5 reboundsper game.
Her popularity has skyrocketed and she has been awarded WNBL Fan Most Valuable Player (MVP) proving that she is an inspiration not just for young girls across Australia but for thoseinher backyard as well.
The apex of Melbourne’s career thus far has to have been the 2024 Paris Olympics in which she played apivotal role in the Opals bronze medal-winning run -the country’s first Olympic medal since 2012.
Melbourne hassigned on with the Capitals for next season and begins her thirdWNBAseason in May.
THE next WNBL star could be in Geelong via Moe.
Shelleybegan her collegiate career with Oregon in 2019 before heading to Nebraska for her final three years.
She would feature on the biggest stage of all duringthis periodinthe NCAA Tournament -March Madness.
In Shelley’s third year overall, Nebraska would fall to powerhouse Gonzaga in the firstround, but in
her final year of college would defeat TexasA&M in atwo-point thrillerto give Shelley anice send-off.
The former Moe junior basketballer would average 13.6 points, 5.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game in her final three seasons as an all-around guard.
Shelley had her dreams fulfilled and thenshatteredofplayinginthe WNBA when shewas cut from Pheonix Mercury after being drafted less than amonth earlier.
However,she would signwith fresh WNBL franchiseGeelong United who would be replacing Latrobe Valley constituent Melbourne Boomers in the Australian league last year.
After arelatively slow start in herfirst professional season, Shelley lit Geelong on fire with 18 points and 4.5 assists in her final eight games.
Geelong narrowly missed finals in each of Shelley and the club’s first seasons in the WNBL where the Moe star also led the league in assists.
Shelley has got next and could finally
be given her shotinthe WNBAshortly.
AFTER announcing her signing with Davidson College for the 2025-26 NCAA season, Nightingale was given another boost when she was elevated from atraining player to development player with Bendigo Spirit.
Given the chance to step onto aWNBL court officially,Nightingale was given the necessary senior opportunities as an 18-year-old before sheheadstoGeorgia in the US in August.
The Spirit won the WNBL championship for the first time in adecade, the Traralgon export featured in 14 games througho ut the season and poste d seven points and three rebounds in her second ever WNBL match, which just so happened to come against Shelley and United.
As aphysicalforward with top-notch skill, Nightingalewill thrive during her college experience.
FELLOW Traralgon junior Scholtes signed with the University of Utah back in May last year and has
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been given ample time to prepare for her next venture.
Scholtes could be seen in the last six months in arangeofdifferent sporting environmentslocally not just subject to basketball.
Whetheritbeplaying CBL for Morwell Magic this last season or basking in the opportunitiesatNBL1 clubNunawading Spectres or hitting the netball court as a part of Traralgon’s BGrade premiership in the Gippsland League.
The Magic narrowly missed aCBL grand final berth however, Scholtes took home best on court honours for the Maroons BGrade
The wonder kid has plenty to give across the board and will prove that in Utah very soon.
This piece was produced in collaboration with the Victorian Government’s Off ice for Women in Spor ta nd Recreation.
MUCH prin ta nd socia lm edia in Australia currently fuels outrage and ultimately social disharmony.
Our local paper is no exception.
To scream ‘About Time’ (Latrobe Valley Express front page pictured 19/03/25) and focus on "crime rates soaringout of control" without abalanc of strategies to increase social cohesion is not helpful.
Yes, Iwant to feel safe. No, the incidentofassault on aV/Line trainwas not okay. And yes, Itoo want weapons removed from communities.
Ialsowant the promotion of and support for programs that havea proven record of contributing to prevention of antisocial behaviour, and rehabilitation of persons whose behaviour has caused harm to others. Iwant to see and hear this expressed by communities, including media outlets.
Iwould include Restorative Justice being practiced in thejustice system as on es uc hp rov en prac tic e. Thi allows for the needs of the person who has been harmed to have that harm acknowledged at the sametimea consequences relating to the ‘perpetrator’ to be implemented.Togetherwith thispractice in the broadercommunity, consider the powerful practice of the explicit teaching of expected behaviour together with restorative practices in schools.
As commu nit ies we must al so acknowledge that equity –orlacko it –contributes to youth and adults behaving in antisocial ways.
Iwelcomethe state government’s response to the social disharmony, the outcome of behaviours thatmakeothers unsafe. Iwelcome the intent of the legislation to lower the risk of reoffending.
‘Tougher’ bail legislation by itself will not lead to social harmony. We must also ackno wledge and value the work being done by so many people across communities under the approaches of the current government that areaimed at addressingsocietal inequities.
Wendy Castles
Traralgon
AS the OneNationcandidate for the Gippsland electorate in theupcoming federal election, I’d be more than happy to accept Chris Buckingham’s invitation ('Nuclear hoax', LVE Opinion, 19/03/25) for any politician promisinglower power bills to properlyexplain to voters just exactly how they were going to do this. As most peoplewould be aware, the present power stations in the area use very oldtechnology –the design for Yallourn W, for instance,was approved in 1965, some 60 years ago. Since then, manysignificant improvements have been made to their various components andprocesses. HELE (High Efficiency Low Emissions)coal fired power stations, which One Nation support, use these latest advances to process and burncoalmoreefficiently, whilstproducing the same amount of energy. This, in turn,reduces their carbon emissions by around 10 per cent compared to their 1960s ancestors.
In Australia, we currently have four HELE power stations in operation, all of which are based in Queensland. All up, the plants contribute 14.1 per cent of all black coal power generation in Australia. Kogan Creek, which is Australia’s most technically advanced coal-fired power station, tookjust three years to build, beingcompleted in 2007 at afinal cost of $857million.Duringthe construction phase, employment at the site peaked at more than1000jobs with at least 40 per cent of the value of the project being carried out by Australian contractors. Kogan Creek can generate up to 750MWofbaseload electricity –enough to power one million homes. It is also very waterefficient; its air-cooled surface condensersand reduces water consumptionby90per cent compared to conventional power stations, making it virtually drought proof. Worldwide, the International Energy Agency predicts thatanadditional 730 gigawatts of new HELE power stations will be built around the world by 2040.
The construction of aL atrobe
wouldproduce significant savingsto Victorians’ power bills. The abundant, 600-plus years of brown coal reserves locatedhere could continue theirlong tradition of enabling cheap power to be produced here, with the added benefit of providing localmining jobs. Unlike the nuclear option, we alreadyhavethe technical skills in this country to build and operate these, meaning they could be brought online quickly. Unlike so called ‘renewable’/weather dependent power sources, we could construct one of these on the spareplantatthe Loy Yang site, enablingittobedirectly connected to their switchyard, doing away with the need for, and expense of, the construction of tens of thousand of kilometres of new high voltage power lines. More importantly, unlikewind and solar, HELE would provide reliable, baseload power 24/7 for Victoria.
If we want to really see manufacturing return to Victoria,itshould be remembered that you can’t run full time industry on part time power.
Greg Hansford
One Nat ion Ca ndi dat ef or Gippsland
WHEN Iwrote my earlier letter to the editor, pointing out the clandestine planning of the March21to28trainreplacement buses ('Concern for clunky service coming', LVE Opinion, 05/03/25), Iwas quite unaware of the proposal to do the same trimming to the South GippslandV/Line bus;terminateatEast Pakenham, then herd the unwilling to asuburban train, afurther journey of almost an hour-and-a-half, 20 stops and minimal comfort. The excellent article by Stefan Bradley ('Coach serviceset to remain as it currently is', LVE19/03/25, page 29) states clearly the reasons this is avery bad idea.
The responses of V/Line to my polite complaint was aclassic instance of bureaucratic weasel-speak, but when translated they still tell us important things. In particular, they tell us that this is their plan(to save money, just possibly?) for all future train-replacement bus services on the Gippsland Line. They are pretending that this has always been the case; it has not. Theyneed lots of people telling them so, as obviously the South Gippslanders have. Let us not forget what governmentinstrumentalities will do when we are not watching. Let us also not forget there was once atrain service to South Gippsland, untilthe Kennett government axedit in 1992, along with those to Mildura and Bairnsdale. Vigilance is our best safeguard.
enough to
publish this, Ishall be in Melbourne at afamily funeral whenthe first of you read it, havingendured this peculiar torture.
Laterinthe week Imust repeatthe exercise. No one is pretending that periodic shutdownsare not necessary for maintenance and upgrades. All we are asking is that customer amenity be aprimary consideration in the replacement services.
Peter Towns Traralgon
PATRICIA Correa, you have completely missed the point, ('Build baby build', LVE Opinion, 19/03/25),and not for the first time, regarding Oliver Bergens.
"Pot and kettle" you say? Iuse your name to respond to issues raised and points made, but he uses minepurely for mindless and juvenile abuse.
So Iask you, do you support this? Try to think beyond the political.
Ihave always believed that responding to idiots only encourages them, but Ifind myself doing it again.
Once again, in aseries of "rinse and repeat", and as shallow as apuddle diatribe,('All goodfun',LVE Opinion, 19/03/25), Mr Bergens describes my letters as "over the top, mundane and boring." But you can be surehereads them,worries aboutthem and responds to them. Every single time.
Go figure.
Indeed Ilive in his head, and it's a very empty space.
Iwear accusations like "left leaning, wok e, do-g ooder and green" lik ea badge of honour, but"extremesocialist"? Please provide evidence -just one example woulddo. Butofcourse you won't, because you can't. Isuppose,when you sit to the right of Genghis Khan, any opposition may be seen as such.
It requires arrogancetoassertyou present only "facts", never just "opinions", and yetdisplaytimidity in constantly feeling the need to present coinciding views of family and friends.
Can't do it on your own Oliver?
In my case,MrBergens' responsesare fact andsubjectfreezones. And why? Because he can't/won't debate.
Never amature and reasoned debate, never specific responses, clever rebuttals, strategic suggestions or rapier-like wit, justabogus bon homie, masking unintel ligen t, vile and ineloqu ent ("numbnuts")abuse. Repeated,time after time. Over the top, boring and mundane.
Patricia Correa and Joseph Lis are starting to look good, and that's aworry. Iwrite my opinions, and often, can
dish it out and expect to get whacked back,but this is far beyond adult and reasonable.
Irespectfully call upon our esteemed Mr Editor to call along overdue halt to this tawdry saga.
This weekIactuallysensedaglimmer of hope for Mr Bergens, ('Mini tent city?', LVE Opinion, 19/03/25),when he raised the issue of the homeless in Traralgon, but empathy for the poor unfortunates? Not achance, for they are just "an eyesore", but linking them to crime, without evidence, is simply unconscionable.
But of coursedisplaying empathy is decidedly "woke", so anathema in Oliver's world.
By the way, there are no homeless in Dandenong?
Not in Oliver's world, it's "all good fun"!
John Duck Trafalgar
Dates don't line up
IN lastweek's issue, there wasalong article quoting Robert Parker who suggests that anuclear plant could be built in seven years, with atotal construction time of 11 years('Nuclearinseven years: Parker', LVE 19/03/25, page 6).
Is this 11 years from 2035 when Loy Yang Acloses or from 2047 when Loy Yang Bcloses? And does it include the two or so years required to demolish and remove the current facilities once they areshut?
So presumably, unlessthey are to build this nuclear power plant next to an operating coal plant, the earliest that we could see nuclear is 2060, which is a long time after we will be entirely renewable by pretty much any measure. The question then is what will we do with the power generated by acompletely redundant nuclear facility?
Simon Duncan Morwell
THE comment by Anton Gosselin ('Ironing out the details', LVE Opinion, 19/03/25) was very enlightening. Being made aware of the Steritech PlantinDandenong was surprising. So true, we live in aworldcompletely unaware of what surrounds us. We take too much notice of scare comments.
Acomment on the 'Shadow' ('All good fun,LVE Opinion, 19/03/25),Itoo believe that life is too short to worry too much. Mr Bergens' comment on homelessness in Traralgon has been aproblem for a long time which is very sad.
To GarryMitchell ('Veterans support, LVE Opinion, 19/03/25), Iwould ask who is making the cuts as PeterDuttonis not in power and DarrenChester cannot make any stand on the matter. If these cuts go ahead you should be asking Labor, Greens and Teals.
Patricia Correa Traralgon
IKNOW Joseph Lis ('Now or never', LVE Opinion, 19/03/25) is not troubled by facts or logic in his assertion that "only coal can bring down power prices". Still, Ican't let his unsupported statements stand, lest he convince others of the truth of his hare-brained opinions. Brown coal is only cheap because the plant'scapital cost was recovered long ago and brown coal is not traded internationally. But local plants are truly 'clapped out', so the only way we can have reliablepowerfrombrown coal is to build new plants. Unfortunately, the cost of power from any new brown coal plant withCarbon CaptureStorage will be much more than CSIRO's figure of $200-360 per MWh for black coal.I know emissions never concern Mr Lis, but they do the rest of the world, and so any new coal plant will be built with CCS. Even starting today, no new coal plants could arrive for 10 years or so. In the meantime, renewablesinany formwith firming will be $100-130/MWh (CSIRO) and capacity is growing daily. The only path to lower power cost is via renewable energy sources and the facts do not lie, however annoying that might be to some.
I'llbow to Mr Lis' apparent knowledge of Nostradamus (a skill in high demand these troubleddays?) but, when it comes to facts, science,economicsand logic, he would be unemployable.
John Gwyther Coongulla
AS unthinkable as the Titanic without its Grand Staircase, as the Mona Lisa without its smile,asVenice without itscanals, is Melbourne without the Flinders Streetrailway station and its famous clocks,arguably Victoria's most beloved building. Unquestionably, it inspires adeep sense of parochialism in the collectivepsyche of Melburnians, often described as the veryheart and soul of the city itself.
The actualopeningtookplace soon after the death of King EdwardVII and thereappearance of Halley's Comet in 1910. Due to its centrality, the station soon became renowned as the traditional meeting place for courting couples over the years. In those simpler days of yesteryear,"I'll meet you under the clocks" wasthe eternalMelbourne catchcry. Extr apo latin gt his in tang ibl e atmosphere and endearing nostalgia surrounding Flinders Streetrailway station and itsmagic clocks to the Latrobe Valley and the imminentloss of coal-fired power stations, it is necessary for me to get sentimental and revisit my past.
One of my fondest memories as a young boy was in the early-60s watching the workers returning to their cars after clocking-off at the nearby Yallourn Brown Coal Power Station, and that is set to be demolished in 2028. My two brothers and Iwould wait in the carpark watching out for my father whilst noticing how proud and happy all of the men were. How vital and vibrant my valley was then,and how gangrene and soulless my valley has become.
Joseph Lis Morwell
Have your say
THE Latrobe Valley Express welcomes letters to the editor. Preference will be given to brief, concise letters which address local issues.
The editor Liam Durkin, reserves the right to edit letters for reasons of space and clarity, and may refuse to publish any letter without explanation. The Express does not publi sh lett ers fr om anon ymo us contributors.
Letters must include aphone number, email addressand the author's hometown for purposes of substantiating authenticity. Readers are entitled to aright of reply to aletter directed at them. While healthy debateisencouraged, the editor willstamp outany thatcross thelinetodefamation. The views expressed in letters to the editorare thoseofthe writers,and do not necessarily reflect the views of Latrobe Valley Express management or staff. Readers should be equally awarethat facts presentedin letters are selected to support a person's point of view. As such, statistics can quite often be fabricated depending on the poolofdata used or people involved in surveys. The letters section is designed to allow people to have their say, andnot be hijacked for political agendas.
Letters regarding religion will not be published.
Email letters to news@lvexpress.com.au and include 'Letter to the Editor' in thesubject line. Deadlinefor letters is Thursday 3pm.
BY CHRIS HARDMAN
AS summer fades and autumn begins, we take a momenttoreflectonthe challengesofextreme heat, bushfires and storms over the past months have tested communities across the state, reinforcing the importance of preparedness, swift response and resilience.
We feel for the communities affectedbythese events, and Ithank our crews, contractors, incident management personnel and partner agencies for the work they do to keep Victoria safer. Whilethe seasonsmay be changing, our focus remains the same -making sure resourcesare where they’re needed, learning from recent events and strengthening our strategies for the future.
The seasonal outlook shows ahigher chance of warmermaximumtemperatures into early autumn whichmay delay the start of planned burning in some parts of the state.
It also raises opportunities for planned burning targeting areas that are not usuallyavailable under autumn conditions.
We manage Victoria’s bushfire risk in aholistic way, including -but not exclusively -through plannedburning. Large intense bushfires are asignificant threatening process to the natural environment.
Victoriaishometosomeofthe world’s most spectacular natural places, fire risk management needstobebalancedalongside land management to be effective. Reducing the risk and impacts of bushfires requires amulti-facetted approach;there are no magic bullets.
Victoria’s approach includes having the right road network for accessibility, strategic fuel breaks, fuel management through planned burning and mechanical fuel treatment and advanced approachestosuppression through well-trained
peopleand highlyspecialised plant,equipment and aviation.
Victorian firefighters and fire managers are world class.
We rely on the latest, wide-ranging and global bodyofresearch and workwithother jurisdictions, but we apply our experience and knowledge to Victorian conditions.
Planned burning is part of ourlong-term strategy. It’s notjust about asingleburn, or single year, but an ongoing process aimed at creating astrategic network of fuel-reduced areas on public land.
This networkhelps to slow the spread of fire and helps firefighters to reduce threats to communities, critical infrastructure and the environment.
Autumn typically provides our crewsmore opportunities to conduct planned burns, as the weather is more stable, and fire behaviour tends to be manageable and predictable.
As soon as favourable weather and forest conditions arrive,we’ll be making sureall available resources are delivering planned burning, with astrongfocus on priority areas likeMidlands, Yarra Ranges, Murrindindi, Ovens, Otways and Latrobe Valley.
There may be some forest and road closures in place during and after planned burning.
Visitthe Planned Burns Victoria website before youtravel to make sure your trip isn’t affected.
If you live in or are visiting an area where planned burning is taking place, there’s agood chance you’ll see FFMVic firefighterspreparing locations or delivering planned burns. They’ll be the ones in our distinctive green firefighting uniforms. Register for the latest updatesifyou want to know more about where andwhenweburn at https://plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au/ Chris Hardman is Chief Fire Officer at Forest Fire Management Victoria.
COMMENT BY DANCAFFREY
THEREwas amedia release by the Liberals Against Nuclear last week that was sure to have not pleased Mr Dutton.
The following are some direct quotes from it.
“Nuclear power is the big road block preventing the Liberals getting to the Lodge. This is big government waste that betrays liberal values, splits the party, and hands government back to Labor. It’s time for our party to dump nuclear. This policy contradicts core liberal principles by requiring tens of billions in government borrowing, swelling the bureaucracy, and imposing massive taxpayer-backed risk.”
"AsJohnHoward said:“For Liberals, the role of government should be strategic andlimited"
"Yet this nuclear policy gives us bigger government, higher taxes to pay for it, more debt, and less freedom as the state takes over energy production.”
“Nuclear energy will require amassive new government agency, massive regulation, adding unelected bureaucrats and tens of thousands of public servants to the government payroll.
“We cannot be aparty of subsidies. Subsidies are apolicy one would expect from socialists.
“The recent attempted terror attack at Chernobyl,illustrates that reactors are targets especiallywhenwaste is stored onsite as would occur here (exploded waste wouldrender a radius of at least tens of kilometres uninhabitable for 100,000 years).
“An op-ed by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute pointed out the "Opposition’s nuclear policy would increase defence risk”, because centralising power generation makes us more vulnerable to attacks including from China."
These are not words from environmental groups, but from former Tasmanian Liberal director, AndrewGregson who is spokesperson for the newly formed group Liberals Against Nuclear.
“As John Howardsaid: “For Liberals, the role of government should be strategic and limited”.
“Yet this nuclear policy gives us bigger government, higher taxes to pay for it, more debt, and less freedom as the state takes over energy production.”
Tony Barry, former deputy state director and strategist for the Victorian Liberal Party, describes the Coalition’s decision to make nuclearpowerthe centrepiece of its energy and climate policy as “the longest suicide note in Australian political history”.
Judgingbyhis silence on the nuclear issue, Ibet Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester is now wishing that this group had got goinga year ago to point out what astupididea thiswas and save him the embarrassment of having to defend it.
About the author: Dan Caffrey is president of Latrobe Valley Sustainability Group.
MORWELL Historical society has recognised two of its greatest members.
The society was formed with the interest of Ivan Madden (Morwell High School Principal) in 1962.
In 1974, the society went into recess for afew years until Elsie McMaster and afew othersreestablished the organisation.
Elsie was secretary from 1984 to 2010 and produced their newsletters until 2001. Elsie’s husband Bruce was agreat support to the society during this time.
At that time, the society operated from aroom in the Old Town Hall, then ashop in Church Street, Morwell followed by one in Buckley St.
It was Bruce McMaster’s foresight that saw the society purchase the former Masonic Lodge building for $250,000.
As Latrobe City Council was unable to assist with purchasing the building at the time, Bruce sought member’s support by way of debenture loanstobepaid off in 10 years. Bruce and Elsie were major donors.
In 2015, the building was purchased and through
Bruce’s negotiation with council, Latrobe City agreed to pay $12,000 per year to offset the rent previously paid on the Buckley St address which was paid by council.
Last year, the member loans were completely paid off due to the hard work of volunteers, successful grant applications, assistancefrom Latrobe City and donations from the public and from the members themselves.
Bruce contin ued to be heavily involved in renovations, establishing filing systems, entering information onto the society’s database and awhole lot more.
He became president in 2014, aposition he held until 2022.
Sadly Elsie passed away last year. The Morwell Historical Society is extremely gratefulfor the commitment and contribution by Elsie and Bruce oversome50years and has acknowledged their contribution by the naming of the front room as the Elsie and Bruce McMaster Exhibition Space; afitting tribute to adedicated couple.
By KATRINABRANDON
GIPPSLAND-BASED Tequa is celebrating 50 years.
Tequa is amultifaceted plumbing, civil, and construction enterprise with diverse training and career pathway initiativestosupportapprentice programs and help staff transition in rapidly changing environments.
“Ther ei sn othing pro ude rt han be ing a Gippslander, workingacross the breadth of the state, from in the east to Drouin and Warragul in the west and everything in between," Tequa's managing director,Daniel Smolenaarstold the Express
“Looking at the assets and infrastructure we helped build and still stands today is an amazing feeling. The best part about being 50 years of age as acompany is seeing the young people are coming
through to help create an enviable future for the particular state.
“Our successstory is builtonovercoming setbacks and failure. There is resistance to what we do. We make mistakes, embrace them, and learn from them.
“Thefuture for tradespeople in Gippslandis looking very, very positive. We're home to what one would say will be avery strong energy sector. We're going to create jobs across the area.”
Mr SmolennarssaidTequa was always lookingfor opportunities to upskill, by undertaking programs that support apprenticeships.
Tequa has awide-ranging presence in Gippsland, with locations in Traralgon, Bairnsdale and Sale.
Tequa is amember of the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia and the Civil Contractors Federation.
MOE was very loy al to the British Empire in its early days, and held the Royal family in high regard.
So it would not surprise readers to knowthatAlbertStreet was named afterPrince Albert -Queen Victoria’s consort.
The historyofYork Street is not so clear.
AndyRingin, in his book on Moe street name histories, said the first possible explanation is that Walter Gaunt named the street after his home county of Yorkshire, England when he
Up fordebate: Thereis conjectureoverwho York Street, Moe is named after. The most plausible seems to be that it wasnamed after,
divided his land to create the street.
However, he also said there is the possibilitythatitwas named after the Duke of York, the fut ure King Geor ge V, who came to Australia to open the new Australian Federal Parliament in 1901. While in Victoria, the Duke travelled to Kilmany Park near Sale by train, thus passing through Moe. Papers noted that many people came to the Gippsland railway stations to cheer him on. So it is possible thatthe streetwas
named after the Duke of York. It was after World War 2that the Royal theme was extensively used to name streets in the new estates south of the railwayline. The followingstreets fall under the Royal theme:
John St (believed to be named after King John of England who reigned from 1199 to 1216, famous for signing the Magna Carta, a legal document that reduced the powers of the King);
King St (a royal title);
Margaret St (believed to be named after Princess Margaret, born 1930, died 2002);
Phillip St (after Prince Phillip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II);
Prince St (aroyal title);
Queen St (a royal title);
Richard St (believed to be named after the three Kings of England who bore that name);
Victoria St (named after Queen Victoria who reigned from 1837-1901), and;
Windsor Avenue (the name adopted by the Royal family in 1917. Previously it was Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and was changed because of anti-German sentiment during World War 1).
Informationprovided by the Moe &District Historical Society.
TANJIL Valley Landcare Group are again holding afree community festival, celebrating the natural environment.
Family friendly activities abound,manyof whichincludeinteractive,hands-onnature basedplay aimed at connecting kids and the community to nature.
Thefestival coincides with Nature Play Week, whichischampioned throughoutVictoria by the Kids in Nature Network. Included will be: Cubby house building and storytelling using natural materials, with sticks and leaves and branches, kids get creative and even decorate their cubbies with artwork, and, Other creative activities for big and little people including face painting and small canvas painting facilitated by local art teacher, Jo Draisma.
Try the spinning wool with local artisan, Marg Robertson and see her knitted creations using local fleece.
This year features more visitsbythe unique wildlifewithfestival newcomers, Mumsupials and festival favourites, Aussie Wildlife Display and Bug Blitz bringing their fuzzy,furry, scaley friends along.
Be sure to join one of their interactive demonstrations. The storytelling is always educational and captivating.
WildlifeRescue andProtection Incand the
Travelling Vet have been invited to talk about howthey care for injured wildlife and what to do if youcome across one that is hurt.
There is also Peppe rmint Ridge Farm bushfoodand HabitatCreations native plant nurseries, Latrobe Valley Beekeeper, Baw Baw Sustainability Network, Gippsland Climate Change Network with displays for parents and adultstolearn about the transition to more renewable energies and how to make your home more energy efficient.
Local schools and community groups are also involved on the day,making this event areal community-focused family day out.
All day live music from anumberofgroovy bandsincluding, Stuart ‘Nico’ Nicolson,Curly and the Fringe, Saxation and wandering minstrel, Norm Cotterall.
Locally grown, organic vegetables and seedlings will also be available from Eden Hill Farm.
The festival is proudly run by asmall group of Tanjil Valley Landcare volunteers. The group's aim for the festival is to produce as little rubbish as possible, and as such, people are encouraged to bring their own water bottles, keep-cups and picnicequipment. Withmorethan 40 stalls, there is something to suit everyone. Come along this Sunday (March 30) for afun and free community event.
ST PAUL’S Anglican Grammar School secondary students took to the water with infectious energy, creating an atmosphere of fun, colour and excitement during their recentcombined-campus House Swimming Carnival.
Year 12 students trulymadewaves during their final carnival, rallying behind their younger peers andcheering them on as they competed, reminding everyone that the event is just as much about community as it is about competition.
The carnival wrapped up with Paterson House making aspectacular splash for success, taking home the coveted 2025House SwimShield, the House Spirit Award, the overall Junior Division Champions Award, the overall Intermediate DivisionChampions Awardand placing second in the Senior Division.
Paterson House achieved its first-place position with852 points,followedbyLalor House for second place with 750 points and Gilmore House in third with 449 points.
Student participation in House events supports student wellbeing by promoting teamwork, camaraderie and school spirit. It’s an opportunity to take abreak from academics and engage in something fun that encourages students to pursue other co-curricular activities.
STUDENTSatStPaul’s Anglican GrammarSchool have been on an exciting journey unlocking the world of the brain as part of 'Learning to Learn' studies.
Whiledissecting sheep brains may not be everyone’s cup of tea, the students tackled the experience to explore how different brain functions come to life.
Through this activity, students discovered how the brainprocessesinformation and transfers knowledge from short-term to long-term memory.
Educatorshelpedthe students understand the 'why' behind their learning -why they act the way they do and when.
In addition, educators alsoprovided anew understanding of how sleep and ahealthy lifestyle directly impact learning, instilling in studentsa stronger appreciation fortheir brains andarecognition of the importance of taking care of them. Students arenow armed with some ‘brainy’ insights.
SACRED Heart Primary School, Morwell students fromFoundationtoGrade 6celebrated Shrove Tuesday (PancakeTuesday)with homemade pancakes.
Students had the option of butter, jam or maple syrup as atopping.
Students were invited to bring agold coin donation, whichwenttoward Caritas forthe current ProjectCompassion fundraisinginitiative. The Social Justice Team havealsobeen sellingicy poles to support children in other countries as part of their Lenten efforts.
Religious Education learning focus in classrooms is about the preparation before Easter.
ShroveTuesdayisthe last day of Ordinary Timeinthe Liturgical Calendarfor Catholics. Ash Wednesday is the following day, marking the beginningofthe Lenten season.
pancakesonShroveTuesday.
By KATRINA BRANDON
SUN blasting fun washad at Moe's Uplift youth event on March 18, with more than 100 people in attendance.
The free event, put on by the Uplift Collective (featuring over 20 local organisations and businesses), allowed Latrobe’syouth to network through different services and try fun activities after school.
The event spread fromoutside the Moe Library to the other side of the skatepark, where people could get free skateboard lessons.
Other activities included an animal farm, inflatable games, chess, agiant Connect Four, virtual reality, afree barbecue, music from Lowanna College students(Midnight Buzz) and free merch.
According to Den Lim,founderofthe Uplift Collective, Uplift is aboutmore than fun and games.
“We know that many young people don’t reach out for support because they either don’t know what’s out there or feel uncomfortable doing so,” she said.
“Upliftyouth events help break down those barriers by bringing services and young people together in afun and casual environment.
“It’s afantastic way to socialise, build connections and get familiar with local support networks while having agreat time.”
The wellbeing of youth has become an increasing priority in the Latrobe Valley,with many young people facing challengesrelatedtomental health, education, unemployment and social connection.
Events likeUplift aim to createasense of belonging and community engagement, ensuring young people feel supported and aware of the help available.
“This event was madepossible thanksto funding from Latrobe Health Assembly in the Latrobe Health Innovation Zoneand many organisational partners providing in-kind support such as labour, prizes,food,reduced fees and fun activities,” Ms Lim said.
Uplift has recently launched aFacebook page, @Uplift Youth Events,for more upcoming events, which people can follow for updates.
The next event will be at the Mid Valley Cinemas, Morwell in June.
J&S CARAVANServices can take careofall your caravanning needs
J& SCaravan Services takes ownersJosh and Samantha’s respectiveexper tise intothe business,creatingaperfect formula that aims forquality workmanship and customer satisfaction.
Established in 2015,J &S CaravanServicesspecialise in general RV repairsand the servicing of caravans
With their expanding workshop in Traralgon, theynow have the facilitytounder take all insurance jobs from respected and major insurance providers.
J&S CaravanServicesare an authorised service agent forJayco
The team cantakecareofany warrantyjobs or servicing requirements foryour newJayco caravan, along with the maintenance/fitting of aftermarketaccessories
J&S CaravanServicesare also ied ALKOElectronicStability (ESC) installer and a forGRIPSPORTbikeracks ocustomer demand, they
also stockasmall amount of commonlyused par ts,and can order in anything else needed within the week (if in stockwith supplier).
Drop in and see the J&S
CaravanServices team at their workshop located at 11 Stirloch Circuit, Traralgon.
Fora free quote, ring J& S CaravanServices on 0447 518
Old Port Poultry Farm
18 week ISA browns avail on Sat 29 and Sun 30 March. Pick up Alberton $32 ea. 0438 832 535
TRAFALGAR. 100 Friesian and Angus steers, hand reared. 8-12mths old. Also 700 -850 plus steers and Angas xheifers avail. 0447 331 762.
LOST, 6year old Whippet in the Sandbank Reserve on Tyers Rd Saturday afternoon, answers to Stella. Very timid may approach for treats. Phone Bert 0402 279 042.
Landscaping Mulch
Beautify your garden. Bulk quantity available, $30m3, $50 delivery. 0412
windows and sliding doors, good for shed. Phone 0423 444 355.
CHURCHILL, 21 Switchback Rd, Saturday 9am-4pm and Sunday 10am-3pm. Shed and household items. Moving out, everything must go!
NECKLACE Cream/White bead necklace, gift of sentimental value. Lost Sat 15 March between Royal Exchange Hotel and Traralgon Rail Station. Reward off'd. 0416 112 734. MOE. 9Scott Ave, 8am2pm. SAT. Household, garden and boxed items, QB mattress and base, dining table, TV, linen. All must go! Downsizing.
Moe, 35 John Street, Sat. 8am. Furniture, household goods, toys, knick-knacks and lots more.
MORWELL, 8Stanton St. Sat./Sun. There's arange of everything, including sewing cabinet. Weather permitting, all proceeds going to Motorcycle Toy Run.
MEN'S SHED Wellington St 8am-2pm. Sat, Sausage sizzle, fence art, bird feeders, tools including an industrial compressor.
EXERCISE bike $85. Invalid walker $50. 2pair waders new cond. $60. All in excellent condition. Ph 5134 3007.
NEWSPRINT REEL ENDS
Price: $6 each or 2for $11 (GST incl).
Available at the Latrobe Valley Express Office 21 George Street Morwell
Enquiries: 5135 4444
TRARALGON, 4Licola Crt, Sat./Sun. 8am-5pm. Moving house sale, all must go. Rabbit hutches, rotary clothesline, dog kennels, chainsaws, saw bench, ride on mower, docking saw, w/machine, no reasonable offer refused.
186 Liddiard Rd. 8:30AM, Saturday. Near new w/machine, 2xTV's, bench grinder and lots more!
25 Gunyah Gve, Sat., 8am-1pm. Planter pots, clothes (XL), house hold goods, knick-knacks and much more.
years. 100% First time in town. Was modeling in Korea. Beautiful. Don't miss out. 0421 367 038 (until 30 March)
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.
We would advise readers and advertisers to exercise caution in giving out personal details. This will be respected by genuine respondents.
publisher's approval. For further advice, contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on 1300 302 502 or your state consumer affairs agency.
BROWN (Smith), Patricia (Pat) Mavis.
Passed away peacefully at Baptcare Heritage Manor, Morwell on 15 March 2025 surrounded by her loving family. Aged 78 years
Dearly loved wife of Bill. Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Billy and Sabrina, Karen and Simon, and Andrew. Adored Nanny to Kirsty, Sharni, Justin, Luke, James, Jamin, Corey, Chelsea, Jack and Lachlan.
BROWN, Pat. Much loved sister-in-law of Les, Jenny, Heather, Geoff and Eric.
Deepest sympathy to Bill, Billy, Karen, Andrew and families.
CLARK (née Ferguson), Agnes (Nan) Drennan
Passed away peacefully at Latrobe Regional Health Traralgon on 21 March 2025 surrounded by her loving family.
Aged 81 years.
Dearly loved wife of Ron (dec.).
Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Craig, Ron and Elanie.
Adored Nana to Kyla and Ashleigh. Sister and sister-in-law to David and Jeanette, Aileen (dec.) and Jim, Margaret and Les.
FARMER, Loren Charles (Bill).
8/12/1940 -18/3/2025. Aged 84 years
Loved and loving husband of Barbara for 63 years. Loved father and father-inlaw to Debra and Andrew, Leah and Mark. Loved Pop Grandpa to Liam and Isabelle, Damon and Hayley, Saxon and Megg, Zane and Sophie. Great grandfather to Arlo and Ollie. We will miss you Rest in peace
HEMPEL, Ronald Grant (Ron). Passed away peacefully at LRH, Sunday 23 March 2025. Aged 90 years. Loved and loving husband of Una. Loved and respected by his extended family. Peacefully sleeping.
HILL, Donald George. Born on 20 May 1935. Passed away 16 March 2025 peacefully at Dalkeith Aged Care.
Dearly loved husband of Betty (dec.), father of Elaine, Sandra, Selena and Paul. Poppy of Melissa, Jasmine, Chloe, Jordan and Paige. Great grandfather of Mia (dec.) and Zain. We celebrate the remarkable life of aman who touched the lives of all that he met. Those of us that knew him best were truly blessed by his love, support, kindness and wisdom. It makes the loss all the greater, comforted by appreciation that we were chosen. Cherished, honoured loved and admired in our memories
HOLMAN, Ronald (Ron) Edward. 04/5/1932 -20/3/2025 Passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family. Much loved Husband of Cherry. Much loved Dad of Russell, Leanne, and Greg. Much loved Poppy to all his grandchildren and great- grandchildren.
HOLMAN, Ronald. The Chairman, Board, Management and members of CFA regret the passing of their esteemed colleague and offer their deepest sympathy to his family.
KING, Philip Peter. 10/5/1954 -18/3/2025. My love, my life. Your adoring and loving wife, Deb.
Acherished stepfather to Shane, Troy and Mark. Loving father-in-law to Maria, Rochelle, Kristy and Kelly. Much loved Pa to Brad, Kirra, Brock, Harvey, Matthew, Levi, Logan and Sage. Rest peacefully my darling
LEWIS, Lloyd. 7/4/1947 -15/3/2025.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Lloyd John Lewis, who left us peacefully with family by his side.
Aloving father to David, Joanne, Lloyd, Brendan, and Kelly, and adevoted Poppy to Isabelle, Ruby, Charlotte, Eli, Tyler, Leo, and Joey.
Cherished brother to Lorraine, Edward, Rodney, Michael, Joanne, Irene, Bernadette, and Mark (dec.). Abeloved uncle, honouredsportsman, respected work colleague, and dear friend to many.
Lloyd was akind, gentle, and loving soul who touched the lives of so many. He will be deeply missed, but his memory will live on in all who knew and loved him.
Cheers…. Love ya.
ROSA, Leokadia Apalonia (Leah). Passed away at home on Sunday 16 March 2025. Aged 75 years. Loved and loving sister and sister-in-law of Kris and Maurie, Joe and Janet, Frank and Jane and their families. Loved byall. Private cremation.
MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON
MORWELL 5134 4937 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au
SAMSON Lorrel Margaret OAM
Lorrel was adedicated leader at the 1st Traralgon Scout Group from the 1970's and Group Leader from 2000 to 2019.
Lorrel's scouting journey spanned over 60 years in roles that included Leader of Youth, Group Leader, and amember on numerous committees.
Lorrel was an extraordinary mentor to countless new leaders over the years and consistently advocated for youth and leaders.
Lorrel inspired us to practice kindness and live by the principles of the Scout Law. She will be greatly missed. Our thoughts go out to her family.
Yours in scouting, 1st Traralgon Scout Group.
SEBIRE, Leanne Kathleen. 9/11/1959 -19/3/2025. Passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. Loved and loving wife of Brian. Much loved sister and sister-in-law to Stephen; Julie and John (dec.); Jenny and Mark. Dearly loved Lee-Lee to Kelly, Emma and Dean. Loved Mum to Shayne and Michelle; Tracey, and their families. Devoted Mum to Bintang. 'Go The Pies!'
SEBIRE, Leanne. 1959 -2025
My loving wife and best friend, you fought the demon until the end. No more suffering and no more pain, someday we will be together again. Rest peacefully.
Your loving husband Brian and best mate Bintang Dear Lee, We will miss our holidays, parties, the laughter and all the fun times that we have had.
Loved andremembered, always. Forever in our hearts.
Shayne and Michelle X We will miss you endlessly.
Afunny, kind and loving Nan that we will never forget. We will cherish all the great memories we shared over the years Taken too soon, Rest easy Nanny Lee Lee. Brett, Talei, April and Ella.
SEBIRE, Leanne. In Loving Memory of Lee
Lee Lee Lee, we love you, we miss you, and we are forevergrateful for everything you have done for us. Your kindness, love, and light will always remain in our hearts. Thank you for the beautiful memories and the love you shared so generously. Gone but never forgotten. With love always and forever.
Kelly, Dakota, Jack, Will and Phoebe XOXO
We're so sorry we couldn't save you Lee. Though we tried with all our might. The darkness came so swiftly, That terrible beast has won. Now we're left with the silence, and the ache we cannot hide.
Gone but forgotten
Your loving sister Jenny and brother in-law Mark
Dearly loved sister of Stephen, aunt to Emma and Dean.
Rest in peace Lee.
Will be sadly missed.
You are like my angel, with love that always glows.
You are one of the greatest gifts my heart has ever known.
Your loving sister Julie and brother in-law John (dec.).
SEBIRE, Lee. Dearly loved sister-in-law of Val and Trev (dec.) Brand. Special Aunty of Michael, Michelle, Josh and Sophie. Wayne, Kelly, Ky and Cody. Dale, Jodie, Sinclair, Hudson, Perrin and Ambrose. Tony, Faye, Makayla and Tajh. In our hearts forever, life won't be the same without you. Fly high with the angels!
SMANIOTTO (née Lovison) Anna Caterina. Passed away peacefully at Latrobe Valley Village Aged Care Newborough on 20 March 2025. Aged 91 years Dearly loved wife of Giuseppe (dec.). Much loved mother and mother-in-lawofMax (dec.), Rosamaree. Adored Nonna to Colin and Dianne, Brendan and Zoe, Emma, Jade, and Alice. Great Nonna to Hayley, Mark, Kyla, Rhiannon, and great great Nonna to Alaia and Clayton.
SMITH, Michael Francis Thorton. 15/4/1945 -8/3/2025. Aged 79 years
Husband of Rosemary (dec.). Father of Barbara and Rebecca. Pop of Michelle, Lilly, Blake, Riley and Lucy.
We hold you close within our hearts, and there you shall remain.
To walk with us throughout our lives, until we meet again.
Michael can now rest in peace with his loving wife Rosemary.
TELLER, Werner Fritz. 9July 1947, went to sleep on 23 March 2025. Beloved son of Elfriede (dec.) and Fritz (dec.).
Cherished brother of Erika and brother-in-law of Joseph. Uncle to Ben (dec.), Damian, Brooke, Floyd, Lewis, Shayne, Kayla, Tray and Brendan (dec.).
Sweet is the sleep that ends all pain. In our hearts you rest with love. Rest In Peace
WILLIAMS (nee Cummins), Janice. 11/4/1942 -17/3/2025
Our stylish, intelligent, witty and playful MaMa. We have to be the luckiest family to have had someone who loved us so fiercely and supported us through all facets of our lives. You were the ultimate sounding board and aperson we all turned to for advice and wisdom.
Our lives will never be the same without your laughter and feisty spirit. We love you whole heartedly and will miss you beyond words. Rest peacefully, our beautiful queen. Brett,Lyn, Matilda, Dougal, Ewan and Harriet xx
BIBBY. Funeral Prayers for Wade Michael Bibby will be celebrated at the Nielsen Funeral Chapel, Korumburra Rd, Warragul on FRIDAY (28 March 2025) at 10:30 am.
The Service will also be live-streamed. To view Wade's Service please visit: www.nielsenfunerals .com.au
Following light refreshments, the cortege will leave for the Traralgon Cemetery, Gippsland Memorial Park, Cemetery Drive, Traralgon, arriving at approx. 1.30 pm.
BRERETON. AFuneral Service to Celebrate the life of Mr Ian William James Brereton will be held at St AndrewsUniting Church Peart St Leongatha, on WEDNESDAY (2 April 2025, commencing 11am. This Service will be livestreamed. To view please visit: www.handleyfuneral services.com.au The Funeral will leave after refreshments for the Yallourn Cemetery for a Service for Burial commencing 2.30pm.
BROWN. The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Mrs Patricia (Pat) Brown will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 437A Princes Drive, Morwell on WEDNESDAY (26 March 2025) commencing at 11am. Pat's Service will also be livestreamed. To view the livestream please visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au and click on livestreaming.
MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MORWELL 5134 4937 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au
CLARK.
The Funeral Service for Mrs. Agnes (Nan) Clark will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Hwy Traralgon on THURSDAY (27 March 2025) commencing at 11am. Private Cremation to follow. Nan's service will also be livestreamed, to view the live stream please visit latrobevalley funerals.com.au and click on live streaming
MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON
TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au
FARMER. The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Mr Loren (Bill) Farmer will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 437A Princes Drive Morwell, TUESDAY (25 March 2025) commencing at 11am. Bill's Service will also be livestreamed, to view the live stream please visit latrobevalley funerals.com.au and click on livestreaming.
MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MORWELL 5134 4937 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au
HEMPEL.
The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Mr. Ronald Grant Hemple will be held at Gippsland Memorial Park Crematorium Chapel, Cemetery Dr Traralgon on MONDAY (31 March 2025) commencing at 1pm.
MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON
TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au
HILL. The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation to celebrate the life of Mr Donald Hill will be held at the Gippsland Memorial Park, Rose Chapel, Cemetery Drive Traralgon on THURSDAY (27 March 2025) commencing at 10.30am.
MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au
HOLMAN. The funeral service to celebrate Ronald's life, will at Ron's request, aprivate Family funeral ceremony will take place.
KING. The Funeral Service to celebrate the life of Philip will take place in the Rose ChapelatGippsland
LEWIS. The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation to celebrate the life of Mr Lloyd Lewis will be held at the Latrobe Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Highway Traralgon FRIDAY (28 March 2025) commencing at 11:30am. This Service will also be livestreamed to view please visit our website at latrobevalley funerals.com.au
MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au
PANAYIOTOU. The Funeral of Mrs Christina Panayiotou will be held at the Greek Orthodox Church Morwell, 42-44 Elgin St Morwell on WEDNESDAY (2 April, 2025) commencing at 11.30 am. Following the service the Funeral will leave for the Gippsland Memorial Park.
MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au
SEBIRE. The Funeral Service to celebrate the life of Leanne will take place in the Rose Chapel at Gippsland Memorial Park, Cemetery Drive, Traralgon on FRIDAY (28 March 2025) commencing at 2pm. Leanne will then be laid to rest within the lawn cemetery. The Ceremony will be livestreamed. Please see Harwood Funerals website for link.
SMANIOTTO. Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Mrs Anna Smaniotto will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church 50 Monash Road Newborough on WEDNESDAY (26 March 2025) commencing at 2pm. Private family burial.
MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 5126 1111 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au
SNOWDEN. AGathering to celebrate Gordon's life will take place at the family home in Glengarry, Saturday 29 March commencing at 2pm. APrivate Cremation will follow. The ceremony will be livestreamed. Please see Harwood Funerals Website for digital link.
CONNELLY, Thomas James. 27/4/1989 -20/3/2020. It has been five years today when the angels took you out of your father's arms. Our tears never stop. The sun, the moon, the stars are part of you. We love you, we miss you so much it hurts. Love Mum and Dad. Sisters Richelle, Kelly, Ashlee, brother Adam and your loving sons Jett, Chais and Noah XX.
ELLEN, Bruce. 27/3/2024. One year has passed since that sad day that you lost your courageous battle, stoic to the end. Your constant reassurance that you were okay was a testament to your incredible character.
We continue to work hard to honour your legacy. Your memory will live forever
One of this world's true gentlemen taken well before his time. Staff at Latrobe Valley Express and Express Print.
IKIN (nee Christensen), Nancy Mary. 3/9/1922 -29/3/2003. Mum, Ilove and miss you everyday. Love Suzanne XXX.
JOHNSTONE, Bruce My Cousin. My Best Man. My Best Friend. Missed Always. Icry every day. Terry.
KARAPULKA, Olga. 22/12/1922 -31/03/2024 In loving memory To hear your voice, to see your smile, To hold your hand, to sit and talk with you awhile, To be together in the same old way would be our only wish today. So keep her in your arms dear Lord, give her tender loving care. For the Angel you are holding Lord Is our precious mum beyond compare. In our hearts you will stay, loved and remembered every day, our beautiful mother.
Your loving children Aniela, Monika, Brian and families. ♥
KARAPULKA, Olga. 22/12/1922 -31/3/2024 If Roses grow in Heaven Lord please pick abunch for me, Place them in my Mother's arms and tell her they're from me. Tell her that Ilove her and miss her and when she turns to smile place akiss upon her cheek and hold her for awhile. Because remembering her is easy Idoitevery day but there's an ache within my heart that will never go away. Much loved and adored mother of Monica. Forever in my Heart XX
Nana your life was full of loving deeds, forever thoughtful of all our needs. Today and tomorrow, my whole life through, Iwill always love, remember and cherish you. Adored Nana of Leonie and Lei. Great nana of Abigail XX.
Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day, Unseen, unheard, but always near. Still loved, still missed and very dear. Fondly Remembered Heraldo Condeza.
When you lose someone close to you, it can be hardtoput your thoughts and feelings into words Apersonal message in the Latrobe Valley Express can sayso much Forfriendly advice on how to place your message contact The Classified Department 5135 4455
SOCCER
NPL BY ALLAN
ROBERTS
AFTER apreseason of positive results and hard work, one of Gippsland's most successful soccer clubs faced the challenge in Round 1ofthe Veto Men's State League Competition after making the switch from the Latrobe Valley Soccer League Seniors and Reserves competitions.Many other LVSL clubs have contemplated making the move, butthe Orangemen are the first in many ayear to commit to anew direction.
Walkingintothe unknown, the Lions headed down the M1 to face off against Endeavour Hills Fire SC at Powers Reserve in Doveton fortheir season opener on Saturday.
SENIORS -FORTUNA DEF ENDEAVOUR
HILLS 2-1
THE Lions took the field missing several key defendersinAlex Bowman (injured) and the evergreenRayvelWhiting (unavailable), but welcomed the return of Jordan Campbell into the senior squad.
The game started at a high intensity, with both teams keen to get three points on the board in the first round of the 2025 season.
Endeavour Hills settled into arhythmontheir home surface and frustrated the visiting team for large parts of the first half. The Lions hardworking new recruit Nonda Lazaruswas fouled towards the end of thefirst half and earnt apenaltyfor the visitors, which was calmly slotted past the Fire's keeper by Daniel Cooper to give the Lions a1-nil lead at the break.
At the other end of the pitch, Logan Troughton graspedsome great saves to deny the hosts any scoringopportunities.
At the resumption of the second half, avery fired up home team returned to the pitch and the game turned into abrutal and bruising affair, withseveral key Fortuna players seemingtohave acquiredatarget on their back post thebreak.The home team was intent on makingFortuna earn every ball, but it was one of the Lions' big movers in the preseason -NickMatsoukas, who nailed a sensationalleft-footed 45 metre free kick that sailed over the host keepers' gloves to put the travelling side up 2-nil early in the second half.
Tempers began to fray during the second half, with a total of 13 yellow cards issued across both teams.
The hosts scored, bringing the score back to 2-1 and elevating the temperature to fever levels on theground. The 'Fire' threw the kitchen sink at theirvisiting opponents, as the game ticked over into the 80th minute.
Fortuna'sJakeBudija received his second yellow cardand was exited from the pitch. The host's now sensed they were in with asniff of victory and headed outtothe backshed to find moreof theproverbialkitchen appliances to launch at the Lionsinthe last 10 minutes.
Fortuna began to dig in like an echidna sensing danger, but things wentfrom bad to worse for the visitors. In the second minute of added time, Riduan Sobariwas the recipientofa second yellow cardand received hismarchingorders, leaving the Lions down to nine players.
The remaining five minutes of added time felt like an eternity for the travelling Fortuna supporters, butthe final whistle sounded across the pitch and theLions held onto afirst round win in what was truly abaptism of 'Fire' for the club.
RESERVES -FORTUNA DEF ENDEAVOUR
HILLS 7-3
THE Fortuna Reserves kicked-off the 2025 season
and were keen to set the tone for the proceeding senior game.
Coming off a38game unbeaten streak from the preceding LVSL seasons, the Lions Reserves hit the ground running with the mercurial Riduan Sobari scoring in the 16th, 25th and 32nd minute to complete afirst half hat-trick.
The 'Fire' scored in the 44th minute to see the halftime score 3-1 in favour of the visitors.
The second half saw young Luca Vitale (who has returned to his formerjunior club after several seasons in theGippsland United NPL system) step up down back and put in asolid defensive shift in his return appearance.
Jesse O'Brien, who transferred from Gippsland United in the off season, also showed signs of promise in his first full game for the Lions.
The secondhalf belonged to Fortuna, with Sobari againhittingthe back of the net in the 52nd,62nd and 74th minutes to finish with abag of six goals for the day. DJ Matar also nettedfor the Lions in the 68th minute. The 'Fire' put away acouple of second half goals in the 56th and 66th minute to add abit of respectability to the score sheet, in whatwas atough day at the office forthe host club.
With Sobari putting in abest-on-ground performance for the Lions, he must be rueinghis indiscretions in the following senior game, as he wouldhavewell and truly been in the mix for a senior call up this weekend.
The Lionscommence arun of three home games this Saturday (March 29)against Cleeland United, and will be looking forward to playing in front of abig home crowd.
Seniors kick off at 3pm, reserves at 1pm.
Lachlan Frendo,who converted to bring up his first goal for his new club.
FALCONShosted ChurchillinRound 2ofLatrobe
Valley Soccer League on Saturday night.
Much conjecture and curiosity surrounded the Ramsinthe last fortnight, as aswatheofnew signings graced the paddock, and with this their first game of the season after abye in Round 1, many onlookers were wondering whether they could take it up to the defending leaguechampions.
The home side were experienced enough to not underestimate their opponents, and this mindset played apivotal role in what was to ensue across 90 minutes that led to a5-1 win.
The Birds hit the ground running from the getgo, and funnily enough, former Rams head coach Jayden Unmackpulled the strings and dominated the middle of the park for his new side.
Falcons moved the ball efficiently, and it wasn't long untiltheytook the lead.
Some great build up play from deep foundstriker
GOLF
MIRBOONORTH
Sat, 15th &22nd March 4BBB
Championship, 4BBB Champions: SWoodall &P Woodall 94pts
Daywinners: R1, MRichter &N Rutledge 46pts
Daywinners: R2
WinnersM Richter & NRutledge 47pts
DTL: SEvison &J Taylor 44, T Bradshaw& BBradshaw44, GDawson &S Hill-Smith 45, TWhitelaw& N Bracecamp 45 c/b
NTP: week 1. 4th NBaker,6th G Dawson 13th RMatthews 16th week 2. 4th GDawson 6th SWoodall, 13th NBracecamp,16th DWoodall. Birdies: 4th JKidd, JMcFarlane,6th SMills,GDawson, TBradshaw, S Woodall, TBaker,RMatthews,13th M Payne,16th DWoodall. Eagles: AHeatfield, 11th
Tuesday18th March,Stableford
AGrade: RMadigan (10) 36pts
BGrade: RThompson (23) 40pts
DTL: MRichter 38, TBradshaw, S Woodall, JMcFarlane 35,
NTP: 4th SHill-Smith, 6th SWoodall, 13th PWoodall, 16th JMcFarlane Birdies: 6th MRichter,JMcFarlane
MOE
Sunday, 16 March 2025
Grade AWinners: Donaldson, Murray (13) 33
Wednesday, 19 March 2025 WOMEN'S WEDNESDAY 9HOLE Stableford
Overall Winners: Rankin, Joyce(54) 17
It quickly became two as adeep cross found another Lachlan, this time Spiteri, who caressed the ball in off the back post.
The pain continued for aChurchill side who admittedlylooked like ateamstill trying to find its feet, as Frendo couldn’t believe his luck as adeep cross fromwingbackWill Lesterwas misjudged by Rams goalkeeper Santo Simon, who fumbled the ball which left Frendo to score the easiest of tapins.
Halftime couldn’t come quickly enough for the visitors, and after the break they took it up to their more fancied opponents.
Falcons were caught napping early on and only the crossbar denied striker TJ Otieno his first goal for his new club.
Falcons quickly awoke from their slumber and Frendo finished off his hat-trick by expertly finishing from close range.
Churchill continued to push and they eventually got one back as Otieno cut in from the right hand wingtoscore with awhipped shot to the backpost
Birdies: SPearson &N Te Paa
Try as they might though, the Rams could not troublethe scoreboard, and Frendomadeitanight to remember as he scored his fourth goal to seal all three pointsand leave hisside in afamiliar position -ontop of the table.
Round 3sees Falcons host Monash this Saturday night (March 29) kicking off at 7pm at Latrobe City Stadium. Last year, Monash was one of only two sides to take points off the eventual champions, gaining a2-all draw at Falcons Park.
IN other games, Sale United caused something of atalkingpoint,levelling atravelling Moe 1-all Whilethe Red Devilshavelost afew key players this season, drawing against Sale will certainly putthem back in the early part of the season. Traralgon Olympianshammered their neighbours Traralgon City10-nil. GugueiMalual scored four and Moni Eliaser ahat-trick on the Harold Preston turf. No scored were entered for the Monash versus East Gippsland match. Newborough/Yallourn Untied had the bye.
Thursday, 20 March 2025 OPEN
Medley
Stableford
Grade AWinners: Spiteri, Paul (8) 41
Grade BWinners: Donaldson, Murray (13) 40
Grade CWinners: Wilkinson, Wally (17) 41
Grade DWinners: JARVIS,MICHELLE (30) 51
Place Getters: Mead, Anne 41 C/B Dyke,Ramon 40 C/B WOODALL,Max
40 Guiney, Shayne 39 C/B Ayton, Kevin 39Fife, Mark38 C/B Griggs,Daryl 38 Nyko, Steve37 C/B Colvin, Anthony37 C/B Hegar ty,Billyjoe 37 Beath, Ken36 C/B Knox, Terry36 C/B Lloyd,Richard 36 C/B Ratcliffe, Gavin 36 C/B Williams
Shane 36 C/B
Great Score: Karl Eastaway (Birdie) @8
BarryMead (Birdie) @4
DarylGriggs (Birdie) @8
WallyWilkinson (Birdie) @8
PeterRodaughan (Birdie) @14
Paul Bechaz (Birdie) @14
Tony Johnson (Birdie) @8
Kevin Ayton(Birdie) @4
Max WOODALL(Birdie) @8
Nearest to Pin: 4th MICHELLE JARVIS 8th LesStansbury 14th PeterRodaughan
Saturday, 22 March 2025 WOMEN'S SATURDAY OPEN
Grade AWinners: Borg, Kathy(17)42
GreatScore: KathyBorg(Birdie) @6
MORWELL
19th March 2025 Stableford
Div 1: SPearson 34 Div 2: JGriffiths 36
DTL: NTePaa 31 c/b
NTP: 2nd DVuillermin 8th NTePaa 11th DVuillermin 15th NTePaa
TRAFALGAR
Friday,March 21st 2025, Open Men’s& Ladies Stableford
AGrade Winner: Hamish Towns 40 pts
BGrade Winner: AnthonyCarolan 37 pts C/B
DTL's: MarkHiriar t38, Tony Bickley 37,Jordan Chapman 37,Colin Jean 37, Jason Chambers36, Adrian Jones 36, David McCann 36, Connor Ambler 36
Eagle: 6th: Hamish Towns Birdies: 2nd: Graham Rawson 5th: Adrian Jones,Dwayne Jenkins 11th: Hamish Towns 13th: David Winfield 15th: Tony Bickley, MarkHiriar t Saturday, March 22nd 2025, Par
AGrade Winner: John Tabuteau +5
BGrade Winner: Matilda McKinnon +7
DTL’s: Vic Hill +3, Bruce Aplin +3, Ray Wiseman +2, Phil Town +2, Warwick Griggs +2, Ramon Dyke +2, Hank Fiddelaers+1, DickSheehan +1 C/B
Eagle: 12th:ScottMcKinnon
NTP’s: 2nd: Bill Williams 5th: Phil Town 11th:Bill Williams 13th:Josh Clarkson 15th: Tony gray
WednesdayWomen's results 19/3/25
2ndRound Foursomes Championships ,and Stableford
DailyFoursome Winners: LynPowell and Sue Tabuteau with 72.5 nett
DailyFoursome Runners-Up: Sam Caldowand Donna Mellon with 74 nett
NTP: 2nd Bevand Karen13th Chris and Aija and the 5th Ange Gobblers: Sue Tabuteau on the 3rd, Aileen McNair on the 5th, Anne Outhred on the 6th, Linda Chapple on the 15th and Cheryl Toyne on the 18th
18 Hole StablefordWinner: Charlie Killeen with 33 points
9Hole-Winner: Di Bayleywith 21 points
ScratchWinners: SamCaldowand Donna Mellon with 180
Handicap Winners: SamCaldowand Donna Mellon with 150 c/b
Tuesday18/03/2025 -Stableford
Players: 32, Women 4, Men 28
Winner: RodBrisbane (20)
Runner Up: Dave Rose (20)
DTL: Graeme Harris (19), Harold McNair (19), NormMether (19), Mick Bennett(19), RobDeVries (18), Heather Savige (18) NTP: Chris Moody (15th)
Thursday: 20/03/2025 -American Foursome
Players: 57,Women17, Men 40 Winners:
CLV BY LIAM DURKIN
TALK about making the extra one count.
Moe won the Cricket Latrobe Valley BGrade premiershipamidone of the mostextraordinary storylines ever likely to be read about in local cricket history.
The history books will say the Lions won by four runs defending 146 against Raiders.
However, the match vision shows the final wicket was actually taken off the seventh ball of the 41st over. The situationleftMoe the victors and Raiders great Jason Macfarlane stranded at the other end on 34 not out.
Seriously, how did no one yell out 'over'?
The onlything that ended up being over at Yinnar Turfwas the BGrade season, whichreturned some staggering subplots as far as Moe was concerned.
The Lions' unavailability in first grade this season was well documented, and this inevitably had an affect down the grades.
As such,Moe scrambled to make BGrade finals, finishing fourth, recording the most 'no results' of any side (six) andevenhad atie during the regular campaign.
The team from Ted Summerton had aknack of playing in low scoring games this season, and this trend continued during the Grand Final. Winning the toss and batting, the Lions posted 7/146 from their allotted 45 overs.
Ash Savige and youngster Jesse Pheeney both made 41, while skipper Michael Johnstone scored 34. Hardeep Rai and JeevanVarghesetook apair of wickets each for Raiders.
Moe vicecaptain Robert Blunt then made use of the new ball, reducing the home side to 3/20. Blunt ended with figures of 2/30, taking his 200th club wicket in the process.
The Lions looked home for all money as Raiders slipped to 5/67, howeverrunsfrom Rupinder Sidhu
(with agame-high 64) kept them in the contest.
His dismissal at the handsofculthero Mark Whitney however swung momentum back for Moe, yet with Macfarlane still at the crease, Raiders remained afighting chance.
Macfarlane watched as wickets fell around him late in the piece, yet the score crept closer and closer to the magic mark. With four to tie (and thus win
as Raiders were the higher ranked team), Naunihal Sandhu was tempted to hit over the top. He went for adirtyslogover mid-wicket, but couldn't clear Aaron Johnstone, who took the catch to cue celebrations.
Amazingly, thisresult was almost identical to the clash between Raiders and Moe in Round 11 where the Lions won by five runs.
Savige grabbed 2/1, including the winning wicket, and was named man of the match.
Much like fellow Moe sportsmen Richie Horton and Tom Long, Savige belongs in the category of 'one of those blokes who is good at every sport'. Yinnar Turf has been ahappy hunting ground for Moe in recent Grand Finals. The Lions also won an AGrade flag there in 2021/22. Savige and Blunt were both part of that team.
Like most grand finals, there was some good stories to come out of the result.
Left arm pace bowler Daniel Farmer was rewarded for yearsoftoil with apremiership. Often bouncing between the grades,'Farms' has had atoughertime than mosteither bowling on freeways at Ted Summerton or on astro against lower grade sloggers.
Pheeney may also be thinking cricket has been kinder to him thistimearound. The kid was thrown to the wolves last season opening the batting in A Grade, and likely contemplated if hisSaturdays could be better spent elsewhere.
He has now won two flags in six months, adding to one during footy season with Yallourn Yallourn North Football-Netball Club.
Moe won more than just apremiership at the weekend, and will go into Premier Bnext season -fulfilling apreseason goal after being relegated the season before.
After winning apremiership from fourth, the Lions might provide inspiration for the next Moe second grade team that plays at Ted Summerton Reserve.
Winning atwos flag for Moe -now that's the dream.
THE PREMIERSHIP TEAM WAS: MichaelJohnstone (captain),MarkWhitney, Braden Finn, Ash Savige, Jesse Pheeney, Jarryd Atkinson-Mobourne, Kye Micallef, Aaron Johnstone, Ritvik Ritvik, Robert Blunt, Haydn Edwards and Daniel Farmer.
CRICKET
CLV BY LIAM DURKIN
PREMIERS were crowned in Cricket Latrobe Valley lower grades on Saturday.
Some exciting matches played out, particularly in the two BGrade divisions.
As celebrations wind down, there could now be some shifting of grades before next season. Similar to AGrade,promotion/relegation also takes place in the secondand thirdgrade competitions, although there is some degree of leniency once club numbers and the expected strength of teams becomes clearer.
PREMIER C
THERE was no stopping them this time around.
Ex Students made up for last season's shortcoming, blitzing Moe in the Premier CGrand Final.
The Sharks, whostumbledinthe semi-final last season following adominant home-and-away campaign, flexed their muscle at the weekend, sealing the premiership shortly after tea. Taking to the Yinnar Astro, Ex Students dominated from the get-go.
The Lions' decision to bat first backfired spectacularly, as they slumped to 2/2.
Moe decided defence was the bestpathfrom there, and virtually blocked out 40 overs for 83 runs.
Troy Oakley made apatient40, yetlikemost, struggled to get any of the bowlers away.
Michael Isles took 3/6 off eight overs, which included four maidens.
Ex Students put the game beyond doubt inside 15 overs, reaching the target only two down.
Former AGrader Jack Robertsonwhacked 35 off 16 balls, along with Paul Hennessy who scored arun-a-ball 26.
Brady Cake had some joy for Moe, taking 2/24.
The Sharks' strength was clearly evident, none more so considering the Grand Final wasa contest between one and two on the home-and-away ladder.
Morwell must have had an absolute day out to beat this mob last season.
Isles was man of the match.
THE PREMIERSHIP TEAM WAS:
Trevor Kosterman, Steven Thomson, Paul Hennessy, Marshall Cropley, Jack Robertson, Michael Bentley, Malachi Dillon, Andrew Ferguson, Michael Isles, Darian Millington, Paul Richards and Lucas Richards.
CHURCHILL won the CGrade premiership by five wickets.
Bowlingfirst at Maryvale No 2, the Cobras knocked over Rawson for 106.
Wicketswere shared between Craig Dekaste (3/18),Robert Harrington (3/41), Wassem Mohammed (2/1) and Steve Tobin (2/32). Dekaste had amajorsay in the result, taking the wicket of Andrew Young (30 off 32) that triggered acollapse.
The Kookaburras were in aposition of strength at 1/52, but were suddenly 4/56.
Churchill recovered from anervous start of 2/8 to get the winning runs in the 31st over. Dekaste (a former local umpire) completed aman of the match performance with an unbeaten 28. Harrington, who got the side into the Grand Final with alastballsix in the semi, capped off the premiership with 28 not out of his own. Marc Metcalfe took 2/43 for Rawson.
The flag signalled astrongreturn for Churchill as aclub, after lack of numbers forced the Cobras to withdrawtheir CGrade side acouple of seasons ago. While it is unfortunate, it can often take drastic measures to jolt initiatives into action.
THE PREMIERSHIP TEAM WAS: Steve Tobin, Waseem Mohammed, Brad Jones, LiamUrand, CraigDekaste,Shaune Wernham, Rob Harrington,Brodie Harrington, Dylan Hobbs, James Hutchinson and Duane White. CRICKET
BY LIAM DURKIN
LOW scores can often be the hardest to chase.
Ex Students foundthat out in the Cricket Latrobe Valley Premier Bdecider against Glengarry, sneaking home by one wicket with two balls to spare.
Chasing what appeared to be ameagre total of 120 on Morwell Recreation Reserve, the Sharks hung on for dear life thanks to alastwicket partnership of 16 between Chris Potalej and Fletcher Graham -worth 160 in the context of the match. Potalej had taken the newballearlierinthe day, giving very little away across nine overs that
returned figures of 1/18.Hewas backed up by skipper Daniel Churchill (3/32), who elected to bowl first at the toss.
Zac Bastin also took three wickets, while Lakshay Panwar nabbed 2/12.
The Sharks looked well on track in reply, as the scoreboard read 3/59 at one stage.
However, consecutive wickets, including that of Churchill (28) saw Ex Students suddenly 6/79.
More wickets fell, and the game went from mad dash to slow crawl to the finish line.
WhenAsh Hodsontook his second wicket, the scorewas 9/104,bringingGraham to thecrease with 20 balls to go.
By thisstage,GarethWaack-Hawkins had
bowled out (3/30), as had Tom Duncan (2/24).
Glengarry captain and player of the yearPaul Henry tookitupon himself to takethe winning wicket, but was denied narrowly by the last pair.
Graham didn't bowl and batted 11, but still impacted the game significantly -takingthe catch to dismiss Henry in the first innings and seeing the back of the Magpies best player.
As they say -itmight notbeyour match, but it might be your moment.
For Potalej, hitting the winning runs offered something of aleveller as far as his recent sporting career has gone.
In sport, players often have to take the good with the bad. Potalej took the very good at the
weekend after copping the verybad as senior coach of Gormandale Football-Netball Club for one win in two seasons from 2022 to 2023. Churchillwas awardedman of the match, adding another medal to his growing cabinet.
The league experimented with two day matches in Premier Bthis season. While it would be unfair to criticise officials for testing the waters, it is understood most clubs' preference is to stick with one dayers.
THE PREMIERSHIP TEAM WAS: Daniel
CLVJUNIORS
BY LIAM DURKIN
JUNIOR premiers celebrated outstanding seasons in Cricket Latrobe Valley.
Next-gencricketers paved the way,with anumber of players appearing as names to watch in the future.
TOONGABBIE took out the under 16s flag after arelativelystraightforward victory overWillow Grove.
Playing at home, the Rams knocked over the Wolves for 95 inside 40 overs.
Darcy Walsh was the only Willow Grove player to reach double figures, getting to 48.
Thomas Young stared with the ball, taking 4/6, andreceived strong support from Xavier Hurley (2/7) and Monty Mayman (2/14).
The acquisitions of Mayman and Hurley from the Sale-Maffra league proved decisive for the Rams, playing on permit from their home clubs.
Young backed up his efforts with the ball, scoring 26 to see Toongabbie over the line in just over 20 overs.
Jordan Cochrane was out in the middle as the winning runs werehit,remaining unbeaten on 26, while Hurley made 24 opening up. Walsh took 2/29.
EX STUDENTS wonacloseunder14s Grand Final against Centrals.
Bowling first,the Sharks sawthe Lions close with 8/157 on the board after 40 overs at Keegan Street.
Adam Hurley led theway, making 44, along with James Poursanidis, who dug in for 33, as did Xavier Pettie (14 off 35).
Tyler Churchill was in the thick of the action for Ex Students, getting one for the mantle with outstanding figures of 5/20.
Churchill then completed atop game all-round, making 38 with the stick.
Reid Clark finished the job with 29 notout, continuing the good work of the top order who all made double figures.
Campbell Adams (24), Ben Cooper (17), Jai Hazelman (14) and Lucas Mackay (13) contributed to the total.
Despiteonly losing five wickets, the Sharks took the game deep, getting the win in the penultimate over CooperHowlett was Centrals' bestbowler, taking figures of 3/30.
EX STUDENTS won the inaugural under 14 girls premiership.
The Sharks were too strong for Traralgon West, winning comfortably at Old Trafford after posting 1/117.
Anna Shine did as her last name suggests, and shined for the winners by making32off just 20 balls.
The skipper hit five fours and asix before retiring.
Others to get in on the act were Kyah Murtagh (15) andAva Jaensch (14) across the 20 over stint.
The Eagles were never really in the hunt, but batted their overs without getting bowled out, finishing on 6/64.
Aaliyah Hodson made an enterprising 21 off 20 balls.
Millie Cropley took 2/3 for Ex Students.
SHARKS swamintheir dozens in theunder 12 East Conference Grand Final.
Ex Students had both teams in the decider, the Great Whites and the Hammerheads.
Unfortunately, there could only be one winner, and that honour went to the Great Whites.
The Hammerheads batted first at Old Trafford, closing at 3/95 off 20 overs.
Leading run scorers were Jarvis Churchill (16), Hamish Burge (15), Jaxon Harker (14) and Kyah Murtagh (12).
The Great Whites showed who rules the sea, getting to 5/96 when the game ended in the 18th over.
Anna Shine top-scored with 20 off 12 balls (two sixes), closely followed by Todd Ferguson (a runa-ball 19) and Aryan Shine (14).
WILLOW GROVE easily won the under 12 flag in the West Conference.
Taking on Churchill at Keegan St, the Cobras made 6/79 after being asked to have ahit
Austin McCulloch and Jackson Wakefield did the bulk of the scoring, making 33 not out and 21 respectively.
Maximus Cochrane (2/2) and Dane Failla (2/16) bowled well for the Grove.
Opening batters Lachlan Perry (24 red)and Matt Edebohls (22 not out) then ensured the flag was headingout to Blue Rock, seeing Willow Grove to victory by 10 wickets.
THERE could only be one ultimate under 12s champion however.
The league played achampionship decider between the premiers of each division.
As such, Ex Students and Willow Grove faced off at Keegan St on Monday, March 10.
The Sharks won agreat contest, after responding to the challenge of batting first and posting 3/160.
Anna Shine continued to dominate, with 35 not out off just 20 balls.
Ex Students had no trouble locating the middle, as AryanShine smashed 33 off 20, Todd Ferguson 27 off20and Ryan Matthews 25 off 17.
The Wolves went at adecent rate themselves, but were 4/122 when 20 overs was up.
Lachlan Dart plastered 26 off 20, Lachlan Perry 21 off 20 andMatt Edebohls 19 off 20.
CRICKET
CLVPREMIER A
BY LIAM DURKIN
SAME old Students, always winning.
Ex Students have certainly had more dominant seasons, and indeed, players have had more dominant seasons in the past.
The Sharks were not the best team this season, and haven’t actually won asemi-final in the last two seasons either.
History won’tremember that,nor will anyone from Terry Hunter Oval really care. All that matters is thetrophycabinet,and Ex Students now has two big Cricket Latrobe Valley Premier Acups taking pride of place.
Pride by nameand naturewas evident on the face of Sharks skipper Jimmy Pryde, as dusk settled in on Keegan Street following an incredible Grand Final.
With the match threatening to go into Easter, a near 7pm finish on Sunday saw Ex Students win by two wickets,crossingover in the 94th and 104th over of the day.
Taking on minor premier Glengarry, barely a sinewwas spared from eitherside.The ‘new’ league is only two seasons old, but could already have a Grand Final that will take years to top.
The Magpies batted first, and recovered mightily from afrightening position of 5/103 to eventually post 238.
Amagnificent track greeted players, and when Glengarry was 1/73, amammoth total looked a reasonable bet.
Pryde however took the key wicket of opposite number Nat Freitag, and asteady fall of wickets ensued.
Sharks coach Mitch Harris came back strongly, adding Frank Marks (a typically determined 44 off 104 balls) to his collection, which included fellow opener Al Jenkin for 24.
At 6/131,advantage seemedtobewithEx
Students
Leg spinner Nathan Allen then joined Ben Marks, with the former putting in one of the more extraordinary block-a-thons ever likely to be seen.
At onestage Allen was nought off 50 balls, yet his resistance allowed Glengarry to get past200 Giventhe Sharks had qualified for last season’s GrandFinal in similar circumstances, Allen’s effort may not have been too unfamiliar, albeit the shoe was now on the other foot. It was perhaps fitting though such an innings came at Keegan Street.
Ben Marks played incredibly well for 88 off 196. Allen faced two more, and walked off with 25 red to his name and astrikerate of 12.62 (mad respect).
Lee Stockdale sent down 42 overs of finger spin, taking 5/56,alongsidefellow slowbowler Pryde (3/52). Harris finished with 2/62.
Glengarry batted on into Day 2, using their 10 over entitlement, meaning the Sharks had near enoughto110 overs to seeifthey could win the premiership.
Poor Matt Dyke had the worst possible experience, out lbw to CamGraham in thethird over for afirst baller.
Harris joined Pryde, and the pair slowly but surely negotiated the first session.
The pitch wasstillrockhard,and showed no signs of deteriorating.
Allen however was able to induce afalse stroke from Harris, who went for 43 via agood catch from wicket-keeper FrankMarks- nevereasy whenthe batsmen plays afullblooded cut.
Pryde followed ashort timelater, leaving the score 3/86. The skipper played well for his 41, and was to be commended for an act of sportsmanship after athrow from the infield hit his bat at the non-strikers end and he decided not to take the run following the deflection.
At tea the match was evenly poised, with Ex Students 4/124 after 48 overs.
The Sharkshadn’tlooked to advance the scoring rate, and there was some suggestion they needed to get amove on, more so to avoid the potential of coming back next week.
Lee Stockdale remained the linchpin after the break, not only holding the middle order together but ensuring runs came as necessary.
The right hander calmly played each ball on its merit, dabbing to third man and then waiting for anything fractionally short to put away.
The insurance policy of Rick Battista did more of the hitting, blasting acouple of balls over the top to momentarily relieve some pressure.
He went for one big shot too many though, and was out pullingoff Freitag, leavingthe score 6/198.
An astute Freitag thenplayed cat and mouse with Stockdale, spreading the field to give him one and exposing the new batsmen.
Stockdaletried his best to get back for two, although to his credit, Alex McCormack did well the times he had to face the majority of an over.
With the second new ball looming, Stockdale went after one from Allen, but could only get an edge to Freitag in the slips.
Stockdalewalked off to astanding ovation,after
making 81 off 146 balls, yet his dismissal meant the game changed suddenly as two fresh batsmen were in and about to face the new rock.
So nervous was Stockdale, he had to sit by himself at the nets as the rest of the game unfolded.
Glengarry took the second new ball just before 6pm, making the immediate task all the more challenging for the Sharks given the fading light.
The light didn’t all work in the Magpies favour however, as the setting sun got in the eyes of Max Merton trying to judge acatch on the mid-wicket fence.
Merton had hit asix in the lastover to win Glengarry the flag against Ex Studentsthree seasons earlier. How this game has away of unexplainably levelling out.
McCormack snicked the new ball to Freitag in theslips, who took aquick grab reverse-cup style (better method).
By now the score was 8/217. Time and light were becoming afactor, but both teams were desperate to see aresult.
With Dylan Freitag supporting enthusiastically from the side lines, the match became compulsive viewing. (If you were to combine Dylan’s preparation with Nat’s ability you would just about have your perfect cricketer).
Nat Freitag looked out on his feet, perhaps evidenced by the fact his first delivery with the new ball was afull toss.
Despitethis, he kept charging in,and couldn’t have done any more as captain.
Aslashing boundary to cover point from Daniel Trease had the Ex Students supportersontheir feet, and got them within touching distance of victory.
Some scrounging runs came, getting the total down to single figures, forcing Freitag to roll the dice and bring Allen back on.
Trease and Sharks 200 gamer Andrew Matthews were up to the task, and Trease secured the premiership with astraightdrive back down the groundthatalmost went in slow motion back past thebowler.
Supporters stormed the field, the majority of whomwereSharks players who had already won premierships the previous day in Premier B, Premier Cand the Women’s Championship premiership team.
You can’t do much more than win every flag on offer.
Club president Rob Voss was beaming with pride, and overcome with emotion having seen his club climb local cricket’s equivalent of Mount Everest.
The Sharks were clearly set for abig night, and areported eight slabs of Hard Solo were ordered for the rooms once it looked as thoughExStudents might win.
Some Glengarry players slumped to the ground in exhaustion, an understandable reaction having putsomuchinto the day.
The Magpies didn’t do much,ifanything,wrong. Unfortunately, someone just had to lose.
Freitag sentdown 31.5overs and took 4/95, Graham 23 overs for 2/57 and Allen 24 overs for 2/44.
Stockdale was an obvious man of the match, although apart of his story that is perhaps lost is worth telling.
Stockdale made apair during last season’s finals series, and came back 12 months later to deliver a best-on-ground performance. There is avaluable lesson for any youngster there.
“He hasn’t had the year he normally has withhis stats but you just know asuperstar player like that is goingtorock up at some stage and he was able to do it over the last twodays,”Pryde said postgame. Pryde admitted he “thought we were coming back (next week)for sure”, but was stoked aresult wasreached.
“It was anail-biter, got alot of respect for Glengarry, the way they go about it, they don’t give an inch, don’t take an inch. Very good game, could have gone either way.
“Thought it was pretty evenly poised over night, (but) they don’t get much tighter than that.
“Credit to Morwell,put on an unbelievable display with the ground and the pitch, to chase down 230 it’s got to be agood wicket.”
The skipper paid tribute to the club on another successful season, albeit one that wasn’t always smooth sailing.
“Wehad to fight alot throughout the year, scrap our way into finals trying to hold onto second, lost acouple of games where we felt we shouldn’t have, gotacouple of draws, last week helped us with the rain on the Sunday,” Pryde said.
“We know when we get to aGrand Final we normally stack up prettywell... just hadtoget there.
“Four seniorpremierships is unbelievable, credit to everyone part of the club. We keep backing up year-in-year-out trying to win them, it’snot easy to do but we’ll celebrate this one pretty well.”
It’s going to be abig reunionin2035.
CLVAGRADE BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
AN outpouring of emotion and pride bestowedPeter SiddleOvalonSundayafternoon,asImperials achievedtheir first AGrade premiership in 32 years. The premiership marked the club’s first AGrade trophy since 1987/88, having to wait atotal of 13, 561 days between drinks.
In aphenomenal performance across two days, Imperials defeatedLatrobe convincinglyfollowing agiant 461-run total that ended asurprise finals run from the Sharks.
Despitethe rathershocking totalset, it wasn’t evenImperials’ highest score in an AGrade Grand Final -that came in 1984/85 when they piledon 485, albeit in aloss to Gormandale.
Imperials’memorable stand began through a collectionofindividuals, who in future club folklore can be remembered with just five words; Morley, Starkey,Chapman,Bulcock, and most memorably, Skingle.
The opening four secured awinning total in their own right-330 between the bunch, with James Skingle the highlight package with an unbeaten 178 -definitely shouted the most in the hours following.
Captain Ryan Morley and Tom Starkey set the tone for how Imperialswould attackthe big stage. They were never going to take anything other than awin, especially after losing last year’s decider to Centrals.
The pairwhackedona64-runpartnership before Morley was taken by Jacob Bloomfield as Starkey continued on his way alongside Imperials legend Brett Chapman.
Starkey and Chapmanwouldgoone better, combining for 84 to regularly see the ball across theboundary on Day 1.
Chapman wentfirst having added59inrelatively quicktimebeforeStarkey (62) also succumbed less than an over later.
Next up was Skingle, the man of the hour, who instantly got to work and added 18 runs across two earlyovers, getting boundaries more times than not.
Nick Bulcock (60) arrived shortly after, as he and Skingle collected 128 during their time together, whichonlygave Imperials spectators even more buried jubilation as they anxiously flicked to the scoreboard time-after-time to see what their side was piling on.
Imperials continued on into Day 2, with Skingle still at the crease as wickets began to flurry through more regularly at the backend of the order.
Vice skipper Scott Aitken managed arespectable 29 before Imperials first innings came to an end. Latrobe’s Salman Rasool took 3/61 and Jacob Bloomfield 3/88.
The field flipped just after midday Sunday, and
Imperial March: The AGrade premiership went to Imps,after posting ahuge totalagainstLatrobe (Morephotosinnextweek’s issue).
the Sharks were faced with chasing amammoth 461.
Opener Jamie Coltman was done in the first 10 balls, whichonly sent further doubt into Latrobe’s mind
Once Anthony Bloomfield arrived, the Sharks sat 3/15 and high time to see improvement.
The senior Bloomfield tacked on 42, with Cameron Freshwater adding23, however many could see where the result was heading.
The last witling hours became awaiting game, with many onlookers and most likely players on-field anticipating what was to be expected by that point.
Latrobe lasted59oversbeforeTodd Mannadded his two wickets in the last four balls of the match, sendingthe younger Bloomfield and Cody Mackay out and thus securing the flag.
Manncould be seen burstingout of skinskating across the pitch, jumping aplenty in between wickets with apowerful fist pump in the air as he leaped, with car horns tooting and club spectators running onto the field.
There wasnoother shot at man of thematch other than Skingle-who compiled 247runsacross the two finals.
Captain Morley, who now joins his father Wayne and grandfather Dave in three generations of Imperials premierships players, summed up the club’s feelings which he said began three yearsago to get to this point.
“It’s been the last three years we’ve been constantly building and building… we lost afair chunk of our AGrade playing groupacouple of years ago
Photograph: BlakeMetcalf-Holt
and credit to Pete Dunstan (president) and the new committee, since then we’ve been building and building,” he told the Express post-match.
“Last year we wereclose and then obviously welcoming back Brett Chapman (who) moved back into the area that helps (an) Impsclublegend, and then bringing back Tom (Starkey) who played two seasonsago really just strengthened our depth.
“We’ve just gone from strength to strength and I thinkwe’ve put it down to that we’readestination club now, people want to come to Imperials and it’s just incredible to see, both on-field and off-field.”
Despite having full confidence in his side’s chances, even Morley couldn’t see their monstrous run coming on the day.
“Not achancehonestly… withthem winning
the toss and sending us in, the wicket looked like it had alittle bit in it but the openers got us off to agood start,” he said.
“From the start of the day, Ijust told the boys ‘just go out there and back yourselves, you know what you’re goodat, go out there and do it’ and they did.
“Toput on such amassive score, Iwould never in my dreams thought we wouldget anywhere close to that.”
Morley said the club is now looking forward to showcasingwhatthey have in the top grade of Premier A.
Hats off to Latrobe, whoitwas statedbyCricket LatrobeValley Vice President, Wayne Mills during presentations following, whoweren’tevenexpected to play finals at all mere weeks out from the post season.
Having snuck in after the last round and taking down flag favourites Churchill in the semi-final, the Sharks will undoubtedly be aforce to be reckoned with next AGrade season.
Even on the winning end, there are some hard luck stories, notably with Shane Galea.
The former Yallourn North,and ironically, Latrobe premiership cricketer managed 12 appearancesfor Imperials throughout the season and was indeeddealt atough blow the Thursday leading into the weekend’s match.
“I knew it was going to be atough decision almost two months out and all through the week… ultimately, whoever missed out didn’t deserve to miss out and that’s the hard thing,” Morley said.
“Shane Galea was the one who missed out in the end, but allcredittohim, he put his hand up, he almost did the selfless thing, the team thing. And for me, who’s so competitive and cares so much aboutthe game and the club, for him to do that for the club and for his teammates that’s acredit to Gals -anincredible man.”
Galea has enjoyed premiership success, which should only slightly ease the disappointment. He was part of Latrobe’s 2016/17 triumph.
This Imperials premiership marks the eighth AGrade flag in the club’s history, with their first in 1970/71.
Legend: Latrobe cricketerPeter Siddle took the winning wicketinhis finalSheffield Shield match. Ever gracious,the fast bowler then gavethe match ball to ayoung fanafter receiving a guardofhonour.
CRICKET
By LIAM DURKIN
WHAT away to go out. Morwell and former Latrobe cricketer Peter Siddle bowed out of Sheffield Shield cricket last week.
Siddle took the final wicket for the Vics in their win over Western Australia, seeing his home stateend the season on apositive despite not making the final.
In one of the more incredible shield seasons, Victoria finished third despite winning more games than Queensland (second).
Needing adegree in differentialcalculus to work out the batting and bowling bonus point rules, Victoria finished amere 0.27 of apoint from reaching the final.
Siddle took 4/68inthe secondinnings, completing agritty34-runwin at the WACA on Tuesday, March 18.
The Vics were knocked over for 197 in their first dig, but established asmall lead of 11 and then declared at 9/370 second time around.
Siddlefinished with seven wicketsfor the match, with his final scalp caught by keeper Peter Handscomb.
The champion fast bowler was given aguard of honour by both teams, and in afinal act of humility, gave the match ball to ayoung fan.
Siddle hasassured Victoria he is done with Sheffield Shield cricket despite the state’s best efforts to convince him to play on next season. The 40-year-old will continue in the Big Bash League, while local cricket romantics will hold out hope he will one day come home and either play or coach his old club.
Siddle played 67 Tests for Australia and has taken more than 1000 wickets in professional cricket.
BY TOM HAYES
THE Gippsland Stars faced aharsh reality in Round 2ofVictorian Netball League action in both divisions, going down to City West Falcons.
Playing on the State Netball Centre courts last Wednesday (March 19), the Falcons showedthe Stars they meant business.
IN the Championship division, the Stars were confident starters, holding pace with the Falcons, leading up until midway through the first term.
Afive-goal to nothing run against the Stars turned momentumhowever,handing them a four-point deficit.
Themomentum was so strong for the Falcons, that they went on their second five-goal run of the game, shooting back-to-back-to-back goals to end the quarter 11 goals ahead of Gippsland.
The Stars were just unable to keep up with the Falcons throughoutthe secondquarter,asboth sides endured chucks of scoring.
Missedshots were costly for the Stars,asthe Falcons would take it up the other end and capitalise.
Halfway through the second term, after making three of four shots in arow, the Falcons opened a16-goal lead. Minutes later, another five-goal to
Gun: Morwell’sChloe Radford, GippslandStars Under23s best-and-fairest from last season, pickedupthe Playerofthe Match against City West Falcons in Round2 Photograph contributed
nothing run made the marginbleed out to 22 goals
Stars’ captain, Morwell's Daisy Hill made some late shots, but they were nullified, closing the half at adeficit of 22 goals, 41-19.
Aseven-goal head start in the opening stages of
the second half would’ve just about put the game out of reach for the Stars, which then had the Gippsland side down by 28 goals.
Withthe margin continuing to rise, Stacie Gardiner made the final two shots of the third quarterfor theStars,givingsome relief to the scoreboard. Nonetheless, 36 goals was the difference, 66 to 30.
Gippslandmade some rotationsheading into the last quarter, getting moreminutes through to more players.
Competing until the very end, the Starsfinished up their second Championship game in defeat to City West Falcons, 84-37.
Hill and Gardiner scored 22 and 11 goals each, both shooting at over 70 per cent. Meanwhile for the Falcons, Jane Cook scored 65 goals at arate of 94.2 per cent.
Stars centre, Shannon Blackman, took out the Player of the Match award for Gippsland, in what would’ve been abusynight for the midcourter.
THINGS were much closer for the Stars against the Falcons in the Under 23 division, but still it ended in defeat for the Gippslanders.
It was agreat start for the Stars,opening the early stages before dropping behind. It wasn’t by much though, keeping within five goals of the Falcons until the final minute of the first quarter, ending the first term six goals down.
The game opened up alot more for the Falcons in the following quarter, and it could’ve been much, much worse for the Stars toward halftime. Down by 10 goals with four minutes remaining, the Stars made it asingle-digit deficit once again before they couldn’t get ahandle of the ball.
The Falcons put up 10 shots to one in the final four minutes but only scored five. Regardless, the lead continued to rise for the Falcons, up to three goals by halftime.
Late runs of momentum stuffed the scoreboard for the Falcons, who dominated the third quarter, adding another six goals to their lead.
The Stars couldn’t keep up from here, as the margin jumped into the 20s. Late shots going amiss saved some face for the Stars, but regardless they finished 22 goals off the pace, 59-37 at full time. Morwell’s Chloe Radford was named Stars Player of the Match for her relentless running throughout the Stars’ midcourt.
All three Gippsland shooters shot double digits: Traralgon's Myah Healy (14goals, 70 per cent); Drouin'sCharlizeTraumanis (12 goals (86per cent),and; Traralgon'sGrace VanTilburg(11 goals, at 85 per cent) had some reason to smile afterwards. BothChampionship and 23/Udivision Gippsland Starssides will take on Geelong Cougars, again at the State Netball Centre tonight (Wednesday, March 26).
BY LIAM DURKIN
THE GippslandLeague's two most successful netball sides from recent years also happen to be next door neighbours.
Moe and Morwell have shared the last five A Grade premierships, and along with Traralgon (premiers in 2015 and 2017), the Latrobe Valley has become anetball powerhouse across the last decade.
The head-to-head between Moe and Morwell since 2018 is currently 3-2 in favour of the Lions, who have also won the last two flags.
Moe looks every chance of competing for ahistoric three-peat this season, afeat yet to be achieved in Gippsland League netball.
The Lionshaveretained virtuallytheir entire premiership squad, with defender Emma Sculley the only absence due to pregnancy.
Cominginto the side is goal shooterAshlea Mawer.
If giant Warragul shooter Emma Ryde was recruit of the season last year, Moemight have just topped her as the biggest signing the league has everseen. Mawer is asix-time Tasmanian Netball League MVP, and understandably,iscoming to the Gippsland League full of hype.
Newly appointed Lions coach Alex Moody wasted no time once she heard Mawer was crossing Bass Strait,getting her signature to suitupfor the Lions With Mawer and Alex's younger sister Georgia under the post, Moe has two VictorianNetball League players shooting for goal, not to mention fellow VNL players Ramayer Gourley and Olivia Barnett at the other end.
On paperatleast, the Lionsare lookingvery formidable. One GippslandLeague official even went as far to say Moe will likely be the strongest netball team in country Victoria this year. Morwell however willbeout to providestrong opposition, especially after arare finals miss last year.
The Tigershave their own players with VNL experience, including Gippsland Stars goal shooter Daisy Hill, and young gun Jayde Parsons. Parsons hasbeenrecruited from Heyfield, while Hill(also the Stars' Championship captain) makes awelcome return, as does defender Tanya Budge following an unfortunate ACL.
Experience could be whatsets Morwellapart from their contemporaries.VeteransCourtney Garth and Claire Marks are still going, and will no doubt want at least one more flag before hanging them up.
Marks steps in for her first season as AGrade coach, sharing the role with club favourite Rachael Patterson.
The Tigershave historically had an efficient netball program, so much so Morwell FootballNetball Club President Michael Stobbart has been on record as saying they "run themselves". Moe will be waryoftheir opponents from just downthe PrincesHighway, who were described as a"very good local team" in previous seasons by aformer Lions coach.
WithMarksand Moody set to make their AGrade coaching debuts in amatter of weeks, Express journalistLiamDurkintouched basetosee how they were going on the eveofthe season.
Liam Durkin: Morwell certainly aren’t short on experience, do you feel this will be one of the team's biggest strengths this season?
Claire Marks: We definitelyhope so. Rach (Patterson) and Ibelieve we have agreat mix of players whose expertiseand talent will mesh together well on the court. We are also excited to have alot moredepthinthe team across the whole court which is something we haven't been as fortunate to have previously.
LD: With some quality players returning to the line-up it must give you great confidence knowing Tanya and Daisy will be under the ring at both ends?
CM: Yesweare very fortunate with all the players we have been able to retain and recruit this season. It is exciting for us as coaches to have options at both ends of the court that will be difficult for other teams to match up against.
LD: How is overall depth looking should the need arise for players to come up from BGrade?
CM: We believe the 10 players selected offer us ahugeamountofdepth, more than we have had in previous years. If the need arose we also have anumberofplayers in our BGrade side with A Grade experience whowould provideuswith more options should we need it.
LD: Obviously great to have Pato back to support you as afirst year coach?
CM: Absolutely.Mycoachingexperience is heavily in juniors so definitely exciting for me to be able to learn from Pato as avery experienced coach. I’ve been lucky enough to be coached by her forafew years so to be able to coach alongside her now is super exciting for me.
LD: Moe are clearly looking like the team to beat, but you will hold no fear coming up against them?
CM: There is no denying Moe are adominant side within the league and have set the bar very high. I think the introduction of the Gippsland Stars into the VNL competition has helped to strengthen anumber of sides acrossour league,making a number of clubs more threatening than they have been in the past.
We are aprettynew team so we will just take each game as it comes, but yes, Moe will definitely be the team to beat!
Liam Durkin: Alex, coaching is always abig challenge but an exciting one nonetheless Alex?
Alex Moody: Definitely.I’ve coached before but haven’t had the opportunity to coach the team I’m playing in. (I'm) fortunate enough to have quite abit of support aroundme. The club has been awesome and our new netball coordinator Belinda Parise has also been agreat addition and
sounding board. The girls are all really responsive and coachablewhich I’m grateful for,(which) makes my job slightly easier.
LD: What has preseason looked like? What has the emphasis been on?
AM: The girls are all looking super fit and training hard. Having so manyVNL players has its obvious perks, but the downside of it is limited trainings we get to do together during preseason. Fortunate that this isn’t the first and I’m sure it won’t be the last year where we just do what we can as agroup and get around each other through an online platform.
LD: Will you be looking to put your own stamp on things or just continue the work of beforehand?
AM: Abit of both. The last couple of years are hard to criticise when it comes to our performance. I’d liketoimplement afew different structures but by and large there isn’t too much at this stagethat we need to change.
LD: Will you be captain/coach or has acaptain been appointed?
AM: I’ll be captain/coach. I’ve got dad (Peter Moody) assistingmewith the coachingpart which will take abit of pressure off me making all decisionswhilstplayingmyself. He’sobviously got quite abit of experience and insight into coaching this level with winning the club's first AGrade premiership back in 2018. Ramayer (Gourley) will also stillbea visibleleader within the team despite her steppingbackfrom the coaching side of things this year. I’m very open to anyfeedback/views she has of the gameorany structures. Sheisahuge reasonwhy our side has been so successful over the last couple of years. I’ve voiced to the girls each of us are leadersindifferentwaysand Iprefer coaching in an open space where everyone has an input into what we’re doing if they’reabletojustify why. With the majority of girls being exposed to theVNL environment, theyall bringadifferent backgroundofskills and knowledge which is ahuge asset to our learnings week to week
LD: The question on everyone’s lips is just how good is Ashlea Mawer?
AM: We’re superexcited to have Ash at theclub. Shebrings height and athleticism to our goaling circle. The addition gives our team more flexibility and versatility across the court. We think she’ll be areally difficult match up for any opponent in the competition.
LD: Are you expecting Ramayer will move back to defence, probably where she is best suited?
AM: Ideally that’s our plan goingforwardnow that we have Ash to fill the goal shooter role, however Ray will still float down to the attacking end occasionally if we need to switch things up depending on performance but also our opposition. For Ramayer to be able to play both ends at this level shows the calibre of the athlete she is.
LD: There is achancefor you guys to create history with athree-peat; how much of amotivating factor is this?
AM: It’s something we’ve spoken about and the very real prospect of being able to do so is exciting for all of us. I’d say it’s amotivation, but as we all know it’s along season so we’ll be motivated week to week rather than the long term goal for the time being.
LD: You would be well aware there will be pressure of adifferent kind given you are expected to win every week?
AM: To be honestit’s not different fromlast seasonfor us. The focuseach week will be executing our game plan as ateam and then our role as an individual. We trynot to buy in too much to the talk outside our group -every team in this comp has the ability to beat us if we aren’t switched on, which we’re well aware of going into each round.
LD: Thereseemstobeaverytight bond between the Moe players?
AM: There definitely is. We’vemaintained pretty much the same playing group for fourseasons now, going into our fourth which is evident in our performancesover the last twoyears especially. (It's) ahugebenefit on the court when we all get along off the court too.Wesocialise togetherin our own time and some of my greatest memories as aplayer are with this team and our B/C Grade girls on our annual trip away. Afantastic bunch of people!
LD: Finally, how’s Georgia going to go taking direction from her older sister?
AM: Haha,Iknewthis question was going to be asked at some point. Honestly, I’ll be seeking guidancefrom her throughout the year.She has a wealth of netball knowledge that I’d reallyliketo tap into, especially whenit’sanythingtodowith goaling.She’s been exposed to someofthe state's bestcoachingsoher insightisinvaluable to us
By LIAM DURKIN
THE name Barrie Robran might not mean much to football followers of the previous two generations.
Robran wasaSouth Australian star of more than 200 games.
He won three Magarey Medals (South Australian National Football League’s equivalent of the Brownlow) and seven best-and-fairests for North Adelaide.
According to those who saw him during the 1970s, he was the greatest player to ever grace afootball field.
Indeed, his citation in the Australian Football Hall of Fame acknowledges he is “regarded as the best player never to play at AFL level”.
Victoria never saw Robran in what was to become theAFL; nor did it see many others. Gary McIntosh played 336 games for Norwood but refused to cross theborder, while Graham Cornes (father of Kane and Chad) eventually made the move at age 31, only to last agrand total of five games at North Melbourne.
Fromalocal lens, there has beenmanyofa similar standing. Those who dominate for their club in the more ‘bush’ leagues of North Gippsland and Mid Gippsland without ever deciding to test the waters higher up.
For most, mateship and club loyalty runs deep, not to mention the lure of more premierships. Some eventually do however make the move. Luke Dyer won two league medals in East Gippsland (2009-10) and then went to Bairnsdale, before heading back to Lindenow where he added another three in four seasons (2016-17, 2019).
Dyer is currently in the Gippsland League with Maffra, albeit on the retirement path through the reserves.
Trafalgar’s Michael Farrell had long been considered good enough to play at Gippsland League level during the early 2010s.
The man known as ‘Mighty’ tried his hand at Moe, but unfortunately never got aclean run due to injury.
His Trafalgar premiership teammate Klay Butler played two seasons for Moe (2016-17), before heading back and captaining the Bloods to their most recent flag in 2018.
Klay’s brother Jace didn’t play Gippsland League, although his former Trafalgar coach Chris Kyriacou believes he would have been serviceable across halfback.
Woodside ruckmanRyan Foat played two seasons for Maffra (2012-13), and according to his old Wildcats coach,Michael Duncan, deserves to be in the conversation of best North Gippsland players of the modern era.
Those who have beenaroundMid Gippsland circles long enough alwaysrate Yinnar’sJimmy Dowling as the best player the league has seen in the last decade or so.
“There was no crap with Jimmy, he just got in, won the ball. Over longevity, Ilook at guys like Jimmy Dowling (as being the best),” Mirboo North games record holder Damien Turner said.
It’s aview shared by Turner's opposite number, Yallourn Yallourn North gamesrecord holder Barrie Burnett.
Both have Boolarra midfielder Matt Dyer (back in Demon colours this year) high up the list.
Burnett also rated Mirboo North pair Shane Peters and Tim Traill highly, while Turner pointed to Yinnar’sLiam Visser and Burnett himself among the best he’s played against.
Trail,Visserand Dowlingall played in the GippslandLeague,asdid DeanMacdonald, who was in Turner’s ‘best of’.
‘Choco’ Peters didn’t however, and could be in the conversation of ‘bestlocals never to play Gippsland League’.
The Mirboo North enigma won the Elder Berwick Medal as the league’s best player in 2003, and has been aprolific ball-winner playing on the country circuit for various clubs.
Yarragon’s Ben Damschke probably also deserves amention.Hewon consecutiveMid Gippsland league medals in 2009-10.
In termsofmore modern players, intriguehas surrounded how Keenan Hughes (Sale City, YYN, Cowwarr) and Joel Mitchell (Newborough) would go inside 50 at the next level. Any conversation has generally been in their favour.
Intrigue will soonbefilled in the caseofChurchill’s Chris Wil liams, who has made the move to Traralgon this season.
‘Squid’ has generally been viewed as one of North Gippsland’s best players over the last decade, and with his debut in the major league imminent, now is perhaps an appropriate time to look at some of the best truly ‘country’ players of recent years. This list has been narrowed downtojust four, with the criteria being the player cannot have ever played at Gippsland League level or higher.
Stellar: Yarram veteranGriffin Underwood has wonastaggering 11 best-and-fairests for the Demons. Is he the greatest to neverplay GippslandLeague? File photograph
AN automatic choice at the top of the list.
Astaggering 11 best-and-fairestawards for Underwood at Yarram is all that needs to be said.
The seemingly ageless midfielder/halfbackisstill arguably the Demons’best player, and he has been one of North Gippsland’s finest overthe last decade
Somewhat surprisingly, he has justone North Gippsland Football-Netball League senior bestand-fairest to his name (2017), although he would haveanother were it not for suspension in 2014
He also finishedonthe podiumthreeyears running before eventually saluting. Underwood was also a two-time All Australian duringhis time playing for Belconnen in the ACT.
Yet for all of this, he never ventured to the big league,evenwhen his brother, Ryan wasassistant coach at Wonthaggi.
WHAT might have been.
The Yallourn YallournNorth senior games record holder is still going,and stillrackinguppossessions even into his 40s.
The midfielder has achieved virtually everything in local footy: multiple premierships as playingcoach, aleaguebest-and-fairest and four club titles (six runner-ups) mark him as atrue great, and in the eyes of some, possibly YYN’s greatest ever.
While his loyalty has been remarkable,local
TENNIS
MORWELL Historical Society’scurrentexhibition is 'Tennis in Morwell and District Over the Years'. The displaysinclude Morwell Tennis Club memorabilia, team photos and match reports from the 1960s to the 1990s, as well as photos relating to Hazelwood North, Hazelwood Estate, Driffield, Yinnar, Morwell High School, Morwell Technical School and Sacred Heart tennis clubs. Thosewith an interest in localtennis are invited to reminisce about the 'good old tennis days' at the Morwell Historical Society (12 Hazelwood Road, Morwell) this Sunday (March 30), where there will be an additional specialafternoonopening from 2pm to 4pm.
Otheropen days are: Wednesday, April 2, Wednesday, April 16 and Sunday, April 27 from 11am-2pm. For any further information, phone0409436 019.
Goldenjubilee: Thet wo-storey Morwell Tennis Club Clubhouse wasopened by Neale Fraser MBE in April 1975.The cour ts were locatedin Hoyle Street. Photographs supplied
football connoisseurs have been denied the opportunity to see him on an even bigger stage.
The man himself said he onlyevergot close to leaving once, which cameafter winning the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League best-and-fairest in 2007.
“I realisedwhere Ienjoyedplaying footy andwhy Iplayed footy and it was for mates and that’s why Ijust decided to come back and play for Yallourn North,” he told the Express as he prepared to break the club games record in 2021.
Damien Turner (Mirboo North)
THE dropdown box on Turner’s PlayHQ profile lists one club and one club only.
Mirboo North’s favourite son has been amainstay on the wing, wearing his distinctive long sleeves across more than 300 senior games.
Turner has won four premierships with theTigers, and is into his second season as playing-coach. He captained three of those flags in anine-year stint leading the team.
With that in mind, it is perhaps little wonder he never venturedtoLeongatha or Morwell, where he would have still worn the Tiger colours.
No doubt both clubstried very hard,and he himself may have even contemplated the move.
Travis Brighton (Churchill)
THIS bloke says hi to Squid.
Brighton not onlyplayedalongside Williams,but also won best-and-fairest medals whenthe Cougars were enjoying premiership success in the 2010s. He’s won six best-and-fairests across more than 300 games, and aleague medal in apremiership year (2014) just for good measure.
Perhaps the best man to singhis praises is Williams himself.
“Trav could have went and played ahigher level of footy, and probably areally high level of footy,” Williams told the Express in 2018, as Brightonwas preparing for game number 300.
“He has probably sacrificed alot of money and experienceelsewhere to remain at his club and he’s done everything he can possibly do at Churchill.
“He’s the heart and soul of the footy club.” Have Imissed anyone? Let the author know at ldurkin@lvexpress.com.au
Force: In 1964.this Countr yWeek Team of Paul Bruce,Darrell White, Dick Wilson and MurrayFrench wonthe firstofarecordseven successiveA GradeChampionships.Other membersofthe team were Robert Goldieand MikeAndrijczak.
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