Latrobe Valley Express Wednesday 4 February 2026 by lvexpress.com

The answer is blowing in the wind

No, theyaren’tshovelling coal, butformally announcing the commencement of worksat the DelburnWindFarm. Among the contingent is stateEnergy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio (fourth from right) and Latrobe City MayorSharon Gibson (second from right).

Photograph: Katrina Brandon

By KATRINABRANDON

WORKS are starting early on the State ElectricityCommission(SEC) Delburn Wind Farm, with Minister for the State Electricity Commission, Lily D’Ambrosio, breaking groundlastweek.

Locatedonthe Delburn plantation, the project is scheduled to be completed by 2028, the same year it was initially scheduled to commence work.

Works are due to begin next month, which will help create more than 300 jobs, according to the Minister.

“Today (Wednesday, January 28), Gippsland and Latrobe Valley have continued to be avital part of the state's energy system,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

“It's along tradition. It's along history thatthe Latrobe Valley hasplayedin supporting every part of Victoria and beyond to provide that cheap electricity that we've relied on, and our industry and households have relied on now to keepthe lightsonand to do other industrious things.”

The wind farm will house 33 turbines, with ageneration capacity of up to 205 megawatts, enough to supply the electricity grid with renewable energy and power more than 130,000 homes. The SECwillhold 100 per cent ownership of the project

The project brings the SEC portfolio to mor et ha no ne gi gaw att (10 24 megawatts) of renewable electricity and storage, almost aquarter of the SEC's target of 4.5 gigawatts to be builtby 2035.

Creatingjobsinthe area,other projects such as the Melbourne Renewable EnergyHub in Plumpton havebrought in 1200work opportunities and 246 jobsatthe renewableenergy parkin Horsham.

Answering questionsand “easing” concer ns, Ms D’Ambros io assu red that the project had the Country Fire Authority safety tick of approval,and that it would be safe to manage within the plantation.

“The planning processwas avery rigorous process. It included conditions about having appropriatefire mitigation and management planstobeput in place,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

“I'm pleased to say that the SEC has workedonthat fire mitigation and management planwiththe CFA,and was required to have the CFA endorse or approve that plan, and they have now done that, so the local community can be absolutely confident.”

Ms D'Ambrosio alsosaidthat extra

precautions will be put in place to ensure the project is safe, including fire detection systems and suppression systems for all turbines. The plantation will be cleared around each terminal with physical barriers, and five 100,000-litre water tanks will supply water.

With precautions in place, Ms D’Ambrosio said that all partners involved have done their research, including looking at European projects within plantationsthat have continued to “thrive”over the last 10 years.

Touching on recent fires and extreme temperatures, Ms D’Ambrosio mentioned that, with record heat, electricity demand was “off the charts,” reaching 10,800 megawatts.

She said that many Victorians experienced power outages last Tuesday (January 27). Crews working to restore power to areas such as Sale and Warragul received feedback indicating arange of issues.

Some of those issues were caused by bushfires ripping through“electricity assets”, whileinother areas, fuses blew or vegetation interferedwith power lines.

“Unlike an outage on atransmission line thatmight take out 20,000

customers, if it's one fault, it's one crew you can get in there,potentially, depending on the nature of the cause, you can have them back on supplies sooner rather than later,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

“In the lastfive years,very significant extreme storm events have taken out power fromthe networks across the state, particularlyinthose areas with high vegetation, and where those storm events really took down alot of power lines as aresult of that.

“We are seeing more frequent severe storms and weather events that are takingdown power lines and causing major outages. We're looking at apotentially new norm where this becomes more frequent. We are about to legislate new requirements for all network distribution businesses, requiring them to have in place resilient energy plans.”

Other concernsabout farming land were also laid to rest.

Ms D’Ambrosio stated that the drive to get renewable energy willnot force farmers to give up their land, and that “no farmer can be forced to give up their land, whether it is the SEC or anyone else”.

Continued -Page30

Latrobe celebrates its outstanding citizens

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

LATROBE Valley residents came together to recognisethose in thecommunity who trulymake adifference.

Heldatthe Gippsland Performing Arts Centre, the 2026 Latrobe CityAustraliaDay Awards ceremony gave time to spotlight hardworking individuals, as well as welcoming afruitful bunch of new citizens into the Latrobe Valley.

Followingperformancesfromlocal musician Mel Pollard, who also beautifully sang Advance Australia Fair in its full rendition, Latrobe City Council Mayor, Sharon Gibson took to the stage to open proceedings.

Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester and Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron served as special guests, alongside Latrobe City Deputy Mayor, Dale Harriman.

The Mayor and Mr Chesterspoke aboutthe significance of Australia Day, and acknowledged the contributions of many across the year.

The Federal MP arrived for the local celebration just days after the Coalition's split. Mr Chester deliveredamessage from the Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Bourke, but decidedtohave “a quick chat” with the crowd.

He emphasised the importance of recognising First Nations constituents, acknowledging the “great triumphs” and also “difficult chapters” of the nation -those times most recently evoked with the December Bondi Terror Attacks.

The first halfofthe service saw 57 new Australian citizens welcomed into the Latrobe Valley, asupposed record number for the region.

Long-time local radio voice Julie Strini then took to the mic as emcee for the course of the awards, replacingBarry Whitehead, who servedinthe role for 25 consecutive years.

The initial awardcontested wasfor Community Service of the Year,with three nominees.

THESE were: Jakey Sting Rae of Jakey’s Mental Walk and Talksfor Mental Health, Gippsland FM co-founder Ken Thompson, and Willow House CommunitySupport

Mayor Gibson annou nc ed Wi llow Hous e Community Support as the winner.

Standouts: Latrobe CityCitizen of the Year 2026,Blake Bourne alongside 2025 Latrobe CityCitizenofthe Year,Mathias Wood.

Photograph: BlakeMetcalf-Holt

The not-for-profit’s chief executive Enzo Cecere accepted the award on behalf of the team.

The local community hub distributed more than 20,000 kilograms of food for those in need across 2025, while also being aplace of support for individuals and families struggling.

Mr Cecere made an impassioned speech highlighting the need for unity and kindness among Australiansamid ever-growing amounts of hate and division, specifically on social media and in discourse, which can be adecisive factor in poor mental health and potential suicide.

Nominees forCommunity Event of the Year were:

 Association of Filipino -Australians in Gippsland Inc. Filipino Fiesta event;

 International Women’s Group Inc. Harmony Day;

 Knitted Knockers Australia Traralgon Branch -AnAfternoon with Elvis and Friends;

Recognition: Nationals MPs Mar tin Cameron and GippslandDarrenChester flank 2026 Latrobe City Senior Citizen of the Year,Jeffrey Sawyer Photograph supplied

 Latrobe Emergency and Community Services Expo, and;

 Traralgon Community Christmas Parade, Market and Grottos.

The latter event was the winner, and committee chair Rae Mackay accepted the honour.

The long-running family event combines many members from associated community groups, which helps deliver afun spectacleyear-on-year with more than 60 stalls, 30 parade floats, and two grottos. Morwell’sEmilySuttonwas named Young Citizen of the Year

MS Sutton was presented her honour from members of Latrobe CityYouth Council and Morwell Ward Councillor Steph Morgan.

The GippSport and Changing Gippsland’s Game Network team member has become an emerging young leaderthrough her promotion of gender equality in sport with the delivery of school and community programs.

Ms Sutton als oc oache sM orwell East

Footba ll -Net ball Club's unde r1 3n etb all team, while also playing for the Hawks herself. Long-time Morwell Bowling Club Chair JeffSawyerwas named Senior Citizen of the Year

MR Sawyer has givendecades of service, volunteering across the Morwell Bowling Club, Morwell Masonic Lodge, Gippsland Sports Academy, StateEmergency Services (formerly Volunteer EmergencyReserves), and Power Works, Morwell

He has been chair of the Morwell Bowling Club since 2000, and alongwith members and staff, seen the local bowls club pick up the pieces after the devastating 2024 fire left the facility in ruins. Nominees for the award were: Annette Deppler, Mercy Heily, Rose Horvat, PatriciaMeers, Kate Rock, and Jennifer Tulau.

Citizen of the Year went to Traralgon's BlakeBourne

MR Bourne raised more than $40,000 for mental health charity Speak and Share, and last year, became the youngest person to run across the Simpson Desert.

Hisjourneytraversed the 380-kilometre tough terrain, after falling short the year before. He was presented Citizen of the Year by the previous winner, Mathias Wood.

Mr Wood took to the podium before the nominees arrived, as he was not able to accept the award last year.

Along with his historic feats, Mr Bourne leads the Traralgon Run Club, and his fundraising has helped forge mental health workshops for more than 1500 school students.

He also launched community events such as Sipand Dip and The UncomfortableChallenge to encourage people to express and accept their vulnerability.

Citizen of theYearnominees were:Latrobe Support Coordination Founder Amber Ericksen of Clarity Servicesand Support, Lifeline Gippsland volunteer JackieMcLure, Churchill Neighbourhood Centre’s Margie Norder, Gippsland line dancer Linda Pink, Robert Sharrock from Books4Kids, Traralgon Lions Club member Kevin Taylor, and vast community volunteer Diane Wilkinson.

Willow Househonoured by award and vows to keep working

By PEACE IJIYERA

Please note: this storymakes mention of suicide.

WILLOW House Community Support, based in Newborough, is anot-for-profit group on a mission to help and support the community.

They do this by providing free fresh produce, pantry items, children’s clothing,kitchenappliancesand sanitary products. They also provide free mental health support before referring clients on to the appropriate service.

Willow House has been in operation since October 2023 and has since helped more than 10,000 people in need. In the last 12 monthsalone,Willow House delivered more than 20,000 kilos worth of food to the community.

During the Australia Day awards held at the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre (GPAC),Willow House was the recipient of theCommunity Service of the Year award.

WillowHouse ChiefExecutive, EnzoCeceresaid they were “shocked” to receive the award.

“I didn't think that we were going to win on the day, so it was definitely abig shock …(it) felt like atestament that the organisation was definitely movinginthe right direction in helpingthe people we intend to help," he said.

During his acceptance speech, Mr Cecere was clearly moved with emotion. Emotionally on behalf of the organisation, but also on apersonallevel, as he reflected on the impacts suicide has had on both him and Willow House board members, which led to the birth of the organisation.

Mr Cecere encourages people who have experienced lossthat has “personally driventhem to make changes or see change in the community and in society”toremember that they carrytheir loved onewith them and they are not alone.

Touching on all the negativity in the world, Mr Cecere’s call to action,simple yet seeminglydifficult in this world, is to spread kindness, saying individuals really underestimate how farbeing kind can go.

“Even if we don’t like what somebody has to say, we can disagree, but we can do it in anice way," he said.

“We need to start to learn to be respectful of our differences.Wecan havedifferences and justbe respectful. That difference does not have to become hate or develop into hate."

Mr Cecere believes that the kindness people want to see in the world begins in the classrooms. Willow Houseislooking to partner withother groups, schools and organisations that want to be apart of the change in seeing bullying eradicated in schools.

“If there's organisations or people out there that have that desire to createchange, we definitely wanttohearfrom them and (we’re) happytocreate programs going forward," he said.

Though appreciative of the recognition given, Mr Cecere says it's still all gas, no brakes for Willow House.

“We’re incredibly grateful. (We) feel that gratefulness that the organisation is being acknowledged and at the same time …itstill doesn't feellike enough for us. The award will hold meaning …it doesn't change how we feel at the end of the day, that we still have so many more people to help.

“We understandthat people are still hurting, and it doesn't changethe cost of living for people.It doesn't change that peopleare feeling suicidal at the moment and they don’t have anywhere to turn to.

“We needtoaddress people not being able

to afford to buy meals, healthy meals for their children. Not beingabletopay for their rent, their mortgages, theircar payments,and (thosethat) don't know where their next meal is coming from.

“Our community hub here in Newborough is still not enough for what we need nationwide."

Willow House is hoping to expand more into other regions and communities.

How ever,being ac harity with no ongo ing government funding, Willow House relies on the generosity and involvement of the community.

Mr Cecere is calling on local MPs, Latrobe City Council and individualstoget involved in the work Willow House is doing.

“There’s definitely alot that we aspire to.The deciding factoronthat (expanding services) is how willing the community, the local MPs, the council are to actually get involved and get right behind

the organisation in supporting in any way that they can," Mr Cecere said.

“We’re not limited to any program that we can offer as well going forward, whetherthatislowincome housing, other social supports, domestic violence, arange of topics andreal systemic issues." Mr Cecere sends out areminder to the community to purchase tickets for the 'Forever 80s' event that is happening on February 21 at GPAC.

“Without the government funding, these events are exactly what we need to keep movingforward. So hopefully people get on board and say, ‘we want to come for agreat nightand have fun’ with us”. For more information on the Forever 80s night, visit the GPAC website:

If you, or anyone you know needs help, reach out to Lifeline: 13 11 14

Team: Willow House volunteers, Enza La Rocca, Xander Havis,MelissaBrien,LorraineWilliams andJane Walker

Photograph: Peace Ijiyera

Bourne’sconquered path recognised

Legend: Latrobe CityCitizenofthe Year 2026, BlakeBourne,who conqueredthe Simpson Desert in the nameofmental health. File photograph

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

THE youngestman to run the Simpson Desert was deservedly named Latrobe City Citizen of the Year.

Blake Bourne has done so much, in such ashort amount of time, for the many out there who feel like all hope is lost.

The26-year-old was acknowledged for his outstanding mental health advocacy as the Citizen of the Year at the 2026 Latrobe CityAustralia Day Awards.

In receiving the honour, Mr Bourne wishedto push the attention away from himself and toward what has, and is still needed, to be done.

“I think it was more just grateful that the work that we’re going is starting to get recognised,” he told the Express

“It’s not so much about me, but areflection of the impact that we’ve been able to make.

“Yes, alot of what has happened over the last couple of years has started from me, but we wouldn’t have been able to make anywhere near the change or the impact we have if others didn’t get involved and hep support me along the way.”

After asevere battlewith depressionin2021, Mr Bourne set out an audacious goal for himself three years ago -tobecome the fastest to trek the Simpson Desert.

After afew set-backs, in his second attempt, he completed the feat,and while not breaking the record set by ultra-marathon runner and former politician Pat Farmer, theTraralgon local still became the youngest to cross the 380-kilometre behemoth of amission.

Mr Bourne done so in three days, 17 hours, and 40 minutes.

Looking back nearly six month later, he described the accomplishment as “a huge weight off my shoulders.”

“Now that I’ve done it and ticked it off and did what IsaidIwas going to do, now I’ve set that bar and that’s the standard moving forward,” he said.

Overthe course of 2025, and in the lead-uptohis historic run, Mr Bourne raised more than $40,000 formental health charity Speak and Share, while alsohosting community eventssuchasSip and Dip and The Uncomfortable Challenge.

His contributionstoSpeakand Share pushed funding for morementalsupports and workshops, catering some 1500 students to open dialogue around wellbeing and self-care.

The UncomfortableChallenge initiativewas also ahugesuccess, attracting more than 100peopleto take part during the month of July, accepting and overcoming their personal vulnerabilities.

Gippsland relief fund (GERF) is here to help

LOCAL charity Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund (GERF)standsreadytoassist local residents in the event of bushfires

Withbushfires in other partsofVictoriaand record temperatures predicted, GERF president, Andy Tegart, saidthere is arealpossibility of a spread of bushfires in Gippsland.

“If that happens, GERF is ready to assist,” Mr Tegart said.

The Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund (GERF) exists to provide rapid financial support for Gippslanders who havebeen significantly impacted by anatural disaster. This includes bushfires, floods, and storms.

“GERF financial support can be used for arange

of needsfrom basics like food, shelter and clothing, to keeping livestocksafeoreducation resources for kids,” Mr Tegart said.

“We work withother recovery organisations and local councils,aswell as affected residents to ensure our support is going fast to those most in need.”

To be eligible for aGERF grant you must have experienced significant property damage or yourhomeisuninhabitable.You must also be aGippsland resident, and the propertyisyour primary place of residence, owned or rented.

GERF works in cooperation with local councils in Gippsland. In the event of bushfire damage, your council

will help you to lodge an application to GERF.

If you are eligible agrant will be provided within aday or two. The goal is to providehelp as quickly as possible.

GERF is aregistered charity,run entirely by local volunteers, helping provide emergency relief for Gippslanders with damaged property.

“Being runentirely by volunteers allows us to keep expenses low and return every dollar to the community,” Mr Tegart said.

Donations to GERF are tax deductible and will go entirely to supporting Gippslanders impacted by natural disasters.

To findout more aboutGERF or make adonation, visit: www.gerf.org.au

Mr Bourne completed some strange and demanding objectives, such as walking for 24 hours straight and recently finishing amarathonincrocs.

Pushing to expand The Uncomfortable Challenge across the country, Mr Bourne’s new goal is to see at least athousand participants this year.

All of these things have made him atrue trendsetter in this mental health space.

“There’s definitelybeen people that have reached out to me and said that I’ve inspired them, so in that respect, Iguess (I’m an influence),” Mr Bourne said.

“But, Ithink Imore so see myself as abeacon of hopefor those thatare struggling can lookand see if this averagebloke from Traralgon can overcome these things then they probably can too.”

Mr Bourne has more ventures on the horizon, with his next announcement set to be equally as impressive.

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

PROUD Morwell residents were spoiled for choice last week, with dual Australia Day celebrations lighting up the town

The Lions Club of Morwell ran a fantastic event in the morning out of Immigration Park, attracting locals galore for a free feed and colourful space for families

A scavenger hunt was put on for the kids to run riot, while the local lions club was happy to report that no snag was lost off the barbecue despite gustily winds that shot through Morwell East Joeys, Cubs and Scouts then

took to the flag pole at precisely 11am, given the honours of raising the Union Jack and Southern Cross high above while saluting from below

While the sudden wind overload provided some trouble for organisers such as Lions Club of Morwell President Alice Foster, it did provide picturesque images as the flag flew beautifully

Just down the road, the Italian Australian Club also ran another exceptional Australia Day Festival, attracting well over 100 people across the day

Providing an assortment of entertainments

and market stalls, the function room was jam-packed with locals checking out what was on offer

While circling the differing stalls, the Pirotta Brothers took to the stage with some fine tunes for the passing audience

Out the back of the Italian Australia Club, a car and bike show gave a chance for the local rev-heads to show off their fine pieces of work, which was run by the Gippsland Model Car and Bike Club

The Morwell Bocce Club also opened the courts for the public to play for free across

flag

and Scouts raised the flag,saluting as it wavedinthe wind,atMorwell’s Australia Daycelebrations

Respect: Morwell EastJoeys,Cubs

Best McGenniskin,Jennifer Taylor,Tracey McGe kin, Skye Taylor,CarrissaCashenand Aaron Healey don theAussie

atop their heads

Show off: Thecar show at theItalian Austr

We MorwellpairShaye Dynes andSimon Steele get in on the fun of Australia Day.

50 years ago

The Express, February 4, 1976

Nobodywants the job

EIGHTEEN Moe women couldlose their jobs if asuitable managercan't be found for a Newborough factory. TownTopic Centre Line (Moe), manufacturer of men's trousers, has advertised widely without success. Moe's Town Clerk, Mr Pugsley, outlined the situation at last week's councilmeeting.Hesaid the Latrobe Valleypromotion officer,MrTipping, was trying to assist. Advertising had resulted in one applicant, but this was awoman, and considered unsatisfactory.MrPugsley said the position was more for an 'allrounder". "He must not only be experienced in making trousers, but having some mechanical knowledge," he said.MrPugsley said the problem of replacingsenior staff was widespread and affecting other Moe industries. Council took no action on Pugsley's report.

From the

with AIDAN KNIGHT

10 years ago

The Express, February 4, 2016

World-class surgeryin Morwell

By KATRINA BRANDON

LIFE in regional Victoria can sometimes feel far removed from cutting-edge medical care, but Orthopaedic Surgeon IlanFreedman says advanced joint replacement surgery is closer than many people realise.

Mr Freedman is aMelbourne-based orthopaedic surgeon who also works in the Latrobe Valley, operatingregularly at Maryvale Private Hospital

He believespatients who require state-of-the-art minimallyinvasive knee and hip surgery no longer need to travel to Melbourne to receive world-class care

In many cases, he says the standard of care is actually better in Gippsland.

“In the past, patients may have been under the impression that they had to go to Melbourne,” Mr Freedman told the Express

“Butwhatwenow do locally at Maryvale Private Hospital in Gippsland is on par with any top hospital around the world.

“Some patients think newer techniques and modern technology are only available in the city. That’s simply not true.”

Mr Freedman began his medical career in Australia before undertaking advanced training in Paris and the UnitedKingdom, where he learnt specialised techniques that have broadened his expertise and enabled more efficient and precise treatments.Inparticular, he was trained in Paris in the Anterior Approach to hip replacement by surgeons who pioneered the technique.

With astronginterest in minimally invasive, rapid-recovery hip and knee replacements, Mr Freedman said there has been major advances in surgical techniques, implant design and technology that significantly shorten recovery times and improve patient outcomes.

“Therecovery time is much quicker, and the overall recovery experience is much better,” he said.

“Thereismuch less pain,patients take far fewer pain medications,thereismuchless swelling, and they areabletodothings much sooner. With more accurate surgery, patients are also returning to a higher level of activity.

“In the past, if someonecould walk without pain, that was considered agood result. Now patients don’t just want to walk-they want to returnto activities like tennis,golf and even triathlon or taekwondo.”

For decades,joint replacement surgery traditionally required cutting through major muscles. Modern techniques now allow surgeons to avoid this muscle damage altogether.

Committed to helping patients in the Latrobe Valley recover close to home and family,Mr Freedmanbelieves awareness of thesemodern surgicaloptions is stilllimited among both patients and some general practitioners.

“The gap isn’t access -the gap is knowledge,” he said.

“Thesetechniques are available locally, but many people don’t realise it.”

Mr Freedman hopes to expand local services and ensurepatientscan benefit fromthe latest surgical advances without leaving the region.

“That might mean getting someone back on the golf course sooner, or simply helping them enjoy life again without pain,” he said.

With recent improvementsand expansions to Maryvale PrivateHospital, Mr Freedmanpraised the quality of the local healthcare team.

“Maryvale has incredible staff -fromthe front desk to the nurses, doctorsand surgeons,” he said.

“It’s ahospital I’mproud to workin, and patients can be confident they are receiving outstanding care close to home.”

Golf club plans could end out of bounds

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

AHUGE sigh of relief for the Traralgon Golf Club. Latrobe City Council has invited locals to attend a public consultation session regarding the proposed amendment of the Traralgon Golf Club rezoning. Unless the consensus reverses, the golf club can be rid of the worry that they'llbeforced to relocate after beingtangled up in anear two-year battle as apart of theTraralgonWest Precinct plans.

Positioned along the Princes Highway, significant portions of the golf club fell into the development plan overlay, which is to take up 300 hectares and 200 lots as afuture residential area.

After major pushback from clubmembers and concerned locals, amendmentplans were tabled at theAugust 2025 Latrobe City Council meeting to resolve the issue.

Close to six months after that announcement, the voiceofthe community will be able to put this issue to rest.

The proposed amendment will apply a Special Use Zone (SUZ) to the golf club's area, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the course and its overall economic output into the Latrobe Valley. These amendments, plus otherrevisions, will allow the region to retain the golfclub in itscurrent form.

The Traralgon Golf Club hosts hundreds of competitors year-on-year, with the PGA-sanctioned Traralgon Pro-Am, which welcomes many professional golfers from across the globe.

Last year's winner, Kameron Williams, heralded fromGeorgia in the US, while the golf clubhas also hosted famous names for around on the course, including the great Greg Norman and English cricketing legend Lord Ian Botham.

Council revealed asocio-economic analysis,which stated that by keeping the golf club at its current site for every $1 spent, $1.32 would be returned.

Juxtaposed, if arelocation was forced, for every $1 spent, just $0.70 would be returned.

Consultation was undertaken between Traralgon Golf Club and Golf Australia in May, 2025, and a meeting between council andthe golf club followed in July to outline the findings of the report and coordinate the next steps.

The Traralgon Golf Club will host apublic consultation session on Thursday, February 12 to give the community an opportunity to have its say on the golf club's amendments.

Held in the function room, people are welcome to head down from 2pm to 7pm.

Jones in charge until June

BAW Baw Shire Council has announced the extension of acting chief executive Sally Jones until June 30, 2026.

The matter was considered as aconfidential item in council's meeting agenda as prescribed by the Local Government Act 2020.

Baw Baw Shire Mayor Kate Wilson said she was pleased to announceMsJones'extension,while chief executive Tilla Buden focuses on treatment and recovery following abreast cancer diagnosis.

“Council remains committed to supporting Tilla as she focuses on her health and Iamconfident we have made an interim appointment that will keep council operations in good stead until she is able to commence the role," she said.

“Sally has hit the ground running since coming on board in early January and is proving her able support to council in the delivery of our council plan and astrong focus on community service.

“Sally and Tillaare connecting andcollaborating during thisperiod, and providing the organisation with strong leadership and support.

“We can assure the community that council will continue to deliver positive outcomes for our beautiful Baw Baw during this time.

“Sally has awealth of experience in local government, and we look forward to working alongside her in the months ahead.”

The Baw Baw Acting Chief Executive is not to be confused with Gippsland Jersey's Sallie Jones

Leader: SallyJones has been appointed acting chief executive of BawBaw ShireCouncil until the end of the financial year

Photograph supplied

Transport changes as tunnel opens

By AIDAN KNIGHT

AS of Sunday,February1,Victoria has now completed the final stage of the Metro Tunnel and corresponding works to overhaul the state's entire public transport network, as part of the Big Build Project.

Billed as The Big Switch, the once-off network reset fullyintegrates the previously completed Metro Tunnel, which had still been closed from the rest of the city circuit for testing and early tours since its completion in November.

This allows PTV to begin delivering more than 1000additional weekly train services across Victoria and triggering the realignment of about 270 regional bus and coach routes -including dozens across Gippsland -tobetter connect with trains.

For Gippsland passengers, the changes include 18 additional weekly services on the Traralgon Line,

improved interchange opportunities at Pakenham and Dandenong, and widespread adjustments to local bus timetables to reduce missed connections and long waits at key rail hubs.

Under the ne wt ime ta ble ,m etr opol itan Pakenham and Cranbourne line services will run exclusively through the Metro Tunnel, creating a high-frequency corridor between Dandenong and the CBD, with trains arriving as often as every three minutes during peak periods.

This leaves the actual route of theGippsland Line unchanged, but quicker and easier journeys for those wishingtohead to both MetroTunnel stations, more central to the city than Flinders or Southern Cross, and the NorthernSuburbs of the Sunbury Line on the other side of the city (Sunbury, Sunshine, and Footscray now part of the Pakenham/Cranbourne lines). This would reduce anyone travelling from Gippsland to Victoria University in Footscray, from athree-service

journey to two, only having to switch once to a metro line at Pakenham.

This shift is expected to benefit Gippsland passengerstransferring onto metropolitan services, particularly during peak hours, with trains running at least every 10 minutes between Watergardens and Dandenong from 6am to 9pm.

WeekdayTraralgon-Melbourne services will continue to operate roughly hourly throughout the day, with additional peak services in the morning and afternoon. Weekendservices willmaintain consistentspacing, while late-night travel will continue to rely on amix of trains and night coach services.

The earliest weekday service to Melbourne will depart Traralgon at 4.34am, arriving at Southern Cross just before 7am, while evening services run into the late night, with final arrivals after midnight on weekends.

Across the region, local town routes, school and

health services, and inter-town coaches have had departure times adjusted to improve connections at major stations including Traralgon, Moe, Morwell, Warragul, Drouin and Sale.

Several routes connecting Warragul, Drouin, Moeand Traralgon -including services to and from Drouin North, Newborough TAFE, Traralgon Plaza and the Moe BusInterchange -havealso beenretimed to reduce transfer delays during peak commuting hours.

The Department of Transport says the bus changes are designedtoensure passengers arriving by train can connect with onward services more reliably, while bus passengers travelling into rail hubs face shorter waits and fewer missed trains.

Passengers are encouraged to checkupdated timetables before travelling, particularly where bus connections are involved, with journey planning information available throughthe PTVapp and the V/Line website.

The latest Gippslandtimetable can be found at :h ttp s://w ww. vlin e.c om .au/T imeta bles / Train-coach-timetables

Boat comes offtrailer

ABOAT trailerwas the cause of aroad incident on Australia Day, after the vesselbecame unsecured from the transport, behindthe silver ute towing it. The boat allegedly fell from the trailer onto the Princes Freeway after Trafalgar (Westbound), blocking two lanes.

This caused traffic to pile up as all drivers were forced to slow and enter the emergency lane in order to pass the unfortunate nautical exercise. The incident is thoughttohave occurred at 1.40pm, and it is still unknown if anyone was harmed, or if the driver was charged with any road violations.

Coast Guardrescue

AMIRBOO North man wasone of five who required Coast Guard assistance on Lake Victoria, Loch Sport, at 11.30pm on January 24.

Arescuewas executed after the Latrobe local, alongside men from Tanjil South and Leongatha (all aged 30) were the subject of multiple emergency reports on the Saturday night.

Coast Guard secured the young men safely,with Police Air Wing providinglight from the sky after being the first of five agencies to locate the skippers in distress, before Ambulance Victoria could confirm nobody suffered any injuries in the process. Victoria Police and Paynesville Water Police will be investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Getaway goes backwards

POLICE have charged two teenagers following an incident involving an allegedly stolen vehicle in Anne Street, Morwell last Saturday (February 1). Officers located the vehicle at an address about 1.15pm.

As police attempted to approach, the car allegedly reversed into apolice vehicle multiple times, causing damage to both cars and anearby carport

Four people fled from thevehicle, however additional police units arrived quickly, and two occupants were arrested at the scene.

Aresident at the Anne St address wasalso arrested for allegedly hindering police.

A15-year-old boy from the Latrobe region and a15-year-old boyfromthe Kingston area were interviewed and charged with theft of motor vehicle, along with firearms and other offences.

A22-year-old man from Bairnsdale was arrested the following morning and is currently assisting police with their enquiries.

Apolice officer sustained minor injuries during the incident and was treated at hospital. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with informationisurged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit areport at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Police Beat with Aidan Knight

Calls for ‘energy realism’ in light of slated Hazelwood data centre

By PHILIP HOPKINS

WITH Morwell earmarkedfor a$10 billion data centre at Hazelwood, aleading international businessman and investor has warned that renewable energy is incompatiblewiththe powerneeds of modern digital infrastructure.

The chiefexecutive of BlackRock, Larry Fink, toldthe World Economic Forum(WEF) in Davos that ‘clean’ generation cannotberelied upon to deliver the constant, high-load power required by data centres, The Australian newspaper reported.

“To supply these datacentres,you cannot rely on intermittent sourceslikewindand solar. You need dispatchable power because these data centres cannot simply turn on and off,” he told the Davos forum.

The BlackRock Chief Executive, one of the most powerful men on Wall Street, is co-chair of the WEF and responsible for sharpening the 2026 event, The Australian said.

Mr Fink’sintervention reflectsthe shift among global investorstowards what he has described as ‘energy realism’, The Australian reported –not opposition to renewables, which still attract capital, but concernthat policy settingsmay be running ahead of the physical limits of weather-dependent generation.

TonyWood,the director of the energyprogram at theGrattan Institute, told The Australian that renewablesand data centres could coexist, but developers would face trade-offs.

“Australia already has large industrial users of

electricity who need constant, 24/7 supplies,” Mr Wood said.

“If they want certainty of supply, there will be acost.”

Keppel,aSingapore-based global asset manager, has the rights to lease a123-hectare contiguous site near the old Hazelwood power station from the Australian energy and infrastructurelandowner Lightwood Group Pty Ltd.

The datacentre projecthas agross powercapacity of up to 720 MW, in phases and over time.

As part of the lease agreement, Keppel will pay Lightwood an annual access fee to gain early access to the site for pre-development works.

These include obtaining planning approvals and contracting power and water, before its private datacentre fundstakeuplong-term leases, thereby providing acapital-efficient approachtopower banking.

The site’sgreat advantageisits location in the heart of the Latrobe Valley,Victoria’s largest electricity centre, and in the proposed Gippsland Renewable Energy Zone.

Thesite’s dedicated transmission connection to neighbouring power terminal stations provides the potential for power cost savings by bypassing the local distribution network.

Zoned to allow data centre development, the site also benefits from existing water infrastructure and proximity to inter-city darkfibrenetworks that will enable high performance connectivity to Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.

Datacentres,unlikemost industrialcentres,

Spillsand possible thrills up top

By AIDAN KNIGHT

THOSE uninterested in federal politics may have heard the noise from Canberra amid the right's current turmoil, and think of it as white noise.

For regional communities likethe Latrobe Valley, the noise matters, as what began as aprincipled stand had quickly become aweek-long exercise in internal repair, public contradiction, and political theatre.

The federal seat of Gippsland has been held by theNationals since 1922. But at the 2025 election, Nationals MP Darren Chester recorded a1.60 per cent negative swing, retaining the seat with 52.54 per cent of the primary vote.

Labor’s Sonny Stephens trailed well behind, but it was One Nation candidate Greg Hansford who attracted attention, recording the party’s strongest result ever in Gippsland with 15,118 votes -afigure that surpassed its previous local peak fromits inaugural 1998 campaign.

The figures suggest that even in safe seats, voter patience is not unlimited, particularly when parties appear preoccupied with internal disputes. That sentiment was reflected by an Express reader PeterEvgenias last week,who wrote online:

“As one of the safest National seatsinAustralia, we unfortunately willsee no improvementstoour area …wewillstaystagnant with crap roadsand no investmentdue to voting in the same party year after year.”

Mr Chester himself echoed that frustration, which began addressingthe motiontospill the Nationals leadership with aweary “here we go again”. In aFacebook post, he ruled out supporting the leadership challenge or nominatinghimself, saying he was embarrassed by the party’s focus following the Coalitionsplit.

“At atimewhenAustralian families are struggling with the increased cost of housing, energy bills and everyday expenses, Iamembarrassed thatmypartyhas spent the past week talking about itself,” he said.

“My community is more concerned about potholes damagingtheircarsthan inside-Canberra political point-scoring.”

Mr Chester waited until the morning of the spill motion to announce amotionofhis own -one calling for his party to rejoin the Coalition "because the things that unite us, are bigger than the things that divide us."

The Gippsland MP posted online at 9.40am on Monday (February 2).

"My motion is: 'That this meeting of The Nationals parliamentary party authorises the elected leadership team to negotiate in good faith with the Liberal Party elected leadership team as amatter of urgency, with aview towards re-establishing aCoalition for the durationofthe 48th Federal Parliament".

While pledging his support for Nationals leader David Littleproud in the ballot, he made clear his patiencewith internalconflict had wornthin -a clear signal that,for some withinthe party,separation was never meant to be permanent.

Mr Chesterf ramed the dispu te not as an ideological rift, but as adistraction from issues he said mattered far more to regional Australians:

operate continuously, consume vast amount of electricity and requirenear-perfect reliability. Even brief power disruptions can be costly, making firm, dispatchable supply essential for investment decisions in the billions of dollars.

Mr Manjot Singh Mann, Chief Executive of Connectivity,Keppel, said the company was in active discussions with hyper-scalers and neo-clouds regarding the future capacity provided by the site.

“Many have expressed keen interest in Melbourne -one of Australia’sfastest-growing data centre markets. The site near Morwell offers significant scalability,with clear pathways to securing competitively priced green power, non-potablewaterfor cooling, and low-latency fibre connectivity, making it acompelling location to site next-generation AI campuses,” he said.

“Digitalisation and AI are reshaping global compute needs, and Keppel is positioning ahead of this megatrend by investing upstream to secure early and exclusiveaccess to power, water, and fibre connectivity at strategic sites in key datahubs.Our power-banking strategy enables us to delivershovel-ready capacity at speed and scale, significantly shortening time to development and service readiness, and without overburdening our balance sheet.”

Keppelmaintains that Australia’s data centre market is underpinned by strong fundamentalsincluding astableregulatory environment,reliable energy infrastructure and robust data security regulations -which aredriving increasing consumer digitalisation and cloud adoption, as well as AI workload growth.

Melbourne, in particular, is rapidly emerging as aTier 1hub for AI and cloud workloads due to its relatively more attractivepower and land costs compared to other markets in Australia.

industry and households, aplan estimated to cost more than $5 billion.

The company’s ‘Yallourn Energy Security Precinct’ plan involves gas power and solar generation alongside large-scale battery storage on the huge site, which has access to water and connection to the electricity grid.

Ms Lee Hui Fang, Deputy Chief Information OfficerofData Centres, Keppel,who oversees investments for the company’s private data centre funds, said power-bankingenhances the company’s pipeline of proprietary data centre development projectsand supports the growth of Keppel’s Funds under Management (FUM).

“Our latest vintage, Keppel Data CentreFundIII, continues to gain strong traction with global institutional investors, with its funds under management exceeding$2.7billion (Singapore dollars),” she said

“Keppel’s deep operating capabilities allow us to execute power-bankingatscale-securing strategic sites early, undertaking critical front-end work and committing capital only when customer interest is clear. This approachenables us to deliver disciplined growth and strong returns.”

Headquartered in Singapore, Keppel operates in more than 20 countries worldwide, providing critical infrastructure and services for renewables, cleanenergy, decarbonisation, sustainable urban renewal and digital connectivity.

Keppel has expanded its pipeline of data centre power-bank, from more than 300MWtomore than 1.0 GW of gross power capacity in the Asia Pacific, positioning the company to scale its datacentre portfolio more quickly and competitively in key growth markets.

cost-of-living pressures, housing affordability, energy policy, infrastructureinthe regions, national security,and the delivery of essential services, including health, aged care,disability and childcare. He also used the statement to expand on family policy, arguing Australia’s current systems undervalue unpaid care work and place too much emphasis on formalised childcare models.

“All motherswork,”hesaid, callingfor greater respect for families’choices and amore holistic approach to supporting parents, particularly amid rising living costs.

The intervention echoed his earliercomments, whichmay havehelped centre some confused Gippsland residents, overwhelmed by the amount of white noise coming from the top, in what is barely amonth into the year.

Much of thepolitical theatre in early 2026 has been driven from Queensland, where leadership tensions inside the Nationals and One Nation have dominated headlines.

The situation has been further muddied by the reappearance of aconfusing duo for casual observers -Colin Boyce and Barnaby Joyce, both Queenslanders, one aformer National, and both associated with political disruption.

Speculationquickly emerged that Mr Boyce could follow Mr Joyce’swell-trodden path toward One Nation shouldhelosethe spill,reinforcingthe sense that the conservative vote is fragmenting rather than consolidating.

Meanwhile, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson found herselfcriticised from an unexpected quarter, after her party used What’s My Scene? as awalk-on songata Brisbane anti-immigration rally without permission on Australia Day.

The band behindthe song, HoodooGurus, issued asharply wordedresponse, with frontman Dave Faulkner saying their “gut reaction”was that they “wouldn’t p*** on you if you were on fire”. He later added the song was not to be usedfor “grubby political games”.

Despitethis, it does seem that the Orange shirts are becomingmore of ascenefor more people than just Barnaby Joyce -asthey remain second in the preferential polls behind Labor.

While attention remains on The Nationals, the Liberals are also facing internal unease.

Dissatisfaction with Sussan Ley’s leadership has sparked quiet discussion of apossible spill-the first since 2018 -with Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie emerging as potential successors, although Hastie has since ruled himself out.

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott has reportedly weighed in, suggesting aleadershipchange may be in the party’s best interests.

The Liberalsare expectedtohold their next party room meeting early next week.

In a51-member party room, 26 votes would be required for aspilltosucceed,setting the stage for yet another chapter in ayear already defined by political instability. By mid-afternoon Monday, theNationalsconfirmed an unsuccessful motion.

The city recorded aco-location vacancy rate of four per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025, with demand forecast to grow at acompound annual growth rate of 29 per cent from 2025 to 2029, Keppel says.

Keppel’s move comes as Energy Australia aims to convert the Yallourn Wcoal station site into a low-carbon emissions hub supplying data centres,

Keppel manages and operates 39 data centres with atotal gross power capacity of more than 800 MW across the Asia Pacific and Europe, including projects under development.

Keppel says with more than 1.0 GW of gross power capacity in the pipeline, the company’s growing power-bank willfurther strengthen its growth over the next few years, with the potential to add about S$10billion to itsdata centrefunds under management

ONE POINTERS

Ta ke aB re ak

1. What showisthe catchphrase ‘Livelong and prosper ’best knowfrom?

2. Who sings the song‘Lose Control’?

3. According to Shakespeare,‘All that glitters is not…’ what?

4. What state/territory is the town of Parramatta in?? TWOPOINTERS

5. In the ‘Chronicles of Narnia’ whatkind of animal is Aslan?

6. Howmanywives did King Henry VIII have?

7. Who is the lead singer of ‘Blondie’?

8. Who playedWalter Whiteinthe show‘Breaking Bad’?

THREE POINTER

9. What wasthe name of theEgyptian God of the Sun?

10.IWhat is the name of the dragon in ‘The Hobbit’?

11. What is the main ingredient in the Spanish cold soup, Gazpacho?

12. What is the term fora group of starsthatform a recognisable pattern?

FOUR POINTER

13. Who discovered that the Earthrevolves around the sun?

14. What is the term fora word that is similar in meaning to anotherword?

FIVE POINTER

15. What states arethesefive towns in?

1. Ararat 2. Derby3.Beaudesert 4. Parks 5. Ceduna One point foreach correct answer.

Howdid youfare?

37: Topofthe class; 30-36: Outstanding; 21-29: Well done; 15-20: Solid effort; 9-14: Room forimprovement; 0-8: Hit thebooks

5:1 oriaict.V-1 -2. ernstWe liarastAu LD.Q-3 -4. WNS -5. South liarastAu

12: llation;tensCo 13: olausNic pernicus;Co 14: m;nynoSy

ers:swAn 1: arSt ek;Tr 2: wims;ySddTe 3: Gold; 4: W;NS 5: Lion; 6:Six; 7: Debbie Harry; 8: anBry n;toansCr 9: Ra; 10: Smaug; 11: es;tomaTo

Using the9 lettersin thegrid, howmany wordsoffour letters or more canyou list? Thecentrelet termust be included andeach letter maybeused onlyonce. No colloquialorforeign words. No capitalisednouns, apostrophesorplural wordsending in ‘s’.

Traralgon Creek clean-up

VOLUNTEERS are needed to help add sparkle to the Traralgon Creek as part of Clean Up Australia Day.

The RotaryClubofTraralgon Central, organising the clean-up on Sunday, March 1from 9am, is appealing for people to come and give ahand.

Volunteers will meet at the Bert Thompson Park, off Franklin Street opposite Traralgon Centre Plaza car park.

Gloves, maps of the area to be cleaned and bags for the rubbish collected will be available.

Afterwards there will be asausage sizzle.

Organiser Bob Johnson said the clean-upis something everyone can help with.

"No matter your age, you will be welcome. The creek is an iconic part of Traralgon and we need to look after it," he said.

For more details, call Bob Johnson on 0434 998 875 or Peter Simcock (0438 021 776).

Combined service

JOIN the combinedchurches across Latrobe Valley for World Day of Prayer.

The one-hourservicewill takeplaceonFriday, March 6atStKieran'sCatholic Church, Moe.

Service starts at 10.30am, followed by morning tea. All welcome.

Greek celebration

THE Greek Ortho dox Chur ch, Morw ell is celebrating asignificant milestone,with the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the Greek Orthodox Community of Gippsland.

The 70th year celebration Glendi, will be held Sunday, February 15 from 11.45am-4pm at the Church Hall, 42-44 Elgin Street, Morwell.

Therewill be athree-course tavern stylelunch.

Costing is $35per person withdrinkonarrival (choice of wine, beer or asoft drink). Children under 12 are free.

The festivities will include music by Greekband ‘Aetos’, Greek dancing and speeches. There will be a70-yearhistorybooklet and recollections available for purchase on the day.

For more information about this milestone event, phone Nikoletta Stamatopoulos on 0407 346 483 (leave amessage) or email: nikoletta4@ rocketmail.com

Trycroquet

IF you would liketotry anew sport which is suitable for all ages, come along to the Traralgon Croquet Club courts (66-110 McNairn Road, Traralgon).

Flat soled enclosed shoes are your only requirement and the club will provide everything else, inc luding assi stan ce fro mthe mem bers to understand the game.

Times for social play are on aSaturdayand Tuesday 10am to 12pm and 12.30pm-4pm.

On Wednesday nights, social play is from 5pm-8pmwhich gives another opportunity to try croquet out of working and school hours.

Cost is $5.

For further information, phone 0447 276 783.

CWA

MOE Ladybirds CWA meet at the Old Yallourn Production Centre(Yallourn Rd, Yallourn) on the second Monday of the month.

Meetings are from 12.30pm.

Meetings are also held on the third Monday of the month from around11am, which is acraft day.

PhoneAnn Freeman on 0417 993 111 or email moeladybirdscwa@gmail.com for more information.

Spiritual centre

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

CommunityCorner

with Liam Durkin

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

Different guest speaker every week with demonstrations from an invited medium.

Cuppa and afternoon tea follows.

For enquiries, phone Amanda on 0411 051 044.

Join the Facebook page Latrobe Valley Spiritual Centre for updates on who is on Sundays.

Museum open

YINNAR&District Historical Societyand Museum welcomes visitors for 2026.

The museum opens on the first Sunday of each month from 11am-2pm and has agreat display of local memorabilia.

The members meet on the second Wednesday of each month at the Old Goods Shedat7pm and new members are always welcome.

If you had aconnection to Yinnar or are currently living in the Yinnar area, the museum would welcome your presence.

For any queries, email: yinnardhsm@gmail.com

Fashion fest

THE Yarragon Fashion Festival will showcase arange of metropolitan designers, retailers, and models, alongside entertainment, aimed at drawing visitors to the Yarragon township.

The eventisdesignedtosupportlocal traders, highlight talent, and encourage community engagement.

Come down to the Yarragon Public Hall (7 Campbell St, Yarragon) this Saturday (February 7) from 2pm.

Tickets are $20.

For further information, visit: https://events. humanitix.com/yarragon-fashion-festival

Craftgroup

HANDinHand Craft Group will recommence Thursday,February 5atMoe Baptist Church from 9.30am (corner of Fowler and Vale streets).

Bring your own craft project, or perhaps learn anew craft, or just come for acuppa andchat with awelcoming group of ladies from the local community.

For more information,call Marilyn on 0409 661 548.

LV chess

AFTER beginning with aloss, IanHamilton followed with wins in all the other clashes at Latrobe Valley Chess Club last week. Finding form was rewarding for Steve Ahern, who forced checkmate against Peter Bakker.

Johann Jibin joined the contests and the

opposition attacks were not easy hurdles.

Dave Proctor enjoyedtwo wins and was on the opposite side in the other games.

Chris Proctor took the chances when they were offered.

Deb Winnell made use of the advice offered by three other players.

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

Madrigal singers

YALLOURN Madrigal Singershavebegun rehearsals for 2026 and would love to welcome new singers.

The groupisanSATBchoir, singing repertoire from the Middle Ages to the modern era.

The choir was founded in Yallourn in 1956 by a pair of Yallourn High School teachers, Val Pyers and Graeme Bartle, who both went on to have illustrious musical careers, especially in choral music and music education.

This year, the choir celebrates its 70th anniversary, and are looking forward to singing some special programs to present to audiences.

Yallourn Madrigal Singers meet at St James Anglican Church in Grey Street, Traralgon every Thursday from 7.30pm-9.30pm.

On Thursday, February 12 the group will be holding a'Bring aFriend' night, although new singers will be very welcome to come unaccompanied.

Being able to read music, or at leastbeingable to learn atune quickly would be an advantage, although it is not essential.

Visit: www.yallournmadrigals.net for further information.

Brilliant bridge

TRARALGON Bridge Club will host two free bridge lessons at the Traralgon Masonic Lodge Function Room (9 Oswald St, Traralgon). Those interested will need to be able to attendboth sessions,which are plannedfor Sunday, February 22 (10am-4pm) and Sunday, March 1(1pm-4pm).

To register and find out more, phone Helen McAdam on 0438 164 528 or email: hen302@ bigpond.com.

Bridge is ac ard game that is played by thousands of players throughout the world. It is recognised as one of the major mind sports that can help to improve brain function. It is played in apartnership, alongside other people, providing social interaction and friendly competition in asafe environment.

Bridge is agame that challenges the brain and develops new skills and relationships, so why not give it ago. You have nothing to loseand lots to gain.

Last week's results:

Monday, January 26: 1st Helen McAdam and Moira Hecker (64.58 per cent); 2nd Ken Tierney and Monika Cornell (60.42 per cent).

Tuesday, January 27: 1st MoiraHecker and Helen McAdam (61.63); 2nd Christine Zarb and Fred Kaminski (59.85).

Thursday, January 29: N/S 1st Rob Graham and GlenisLohr (59.33); 2nd Greg Nicholsonand Kaye Douglas (58.75).E/W 1st MoiraHecker and Helen McAdam (68.79); 2nd Jocelyn Pilmore and Kathleen Elkington (50.79).

Dance club

MOE SocialDanceClubisheld every Monday nightatthe NewboroughPublic Hall, starting at 7.30pm Newcomers are most welcome and the cost is only $8.

The Presentation Waltz is currentlybeing taught and revised. Other dancesinclude waltzes, cha chas, tangoes, rhumbas, saunters and some fun dances.

If you have any questions, call president Russell on 0457 543 856.

Youcan be apartof Community Corner

IF youare acommunity group and haveany 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 Friday9am to appear in the following Wednesday issue.

the Yinnarhotel in the1920’s.

Thinkingcaps on: Bridge is agame thatpromotes good brain muscle.Traralgon Bridge Club membersenjoy theweeklybattles Photographs supplied

TrafalgarFarmers Market

First Saturday of the month Next Market: Saturday,7 February 9am -1pm

36 Ashby Street Trafalgar Over 60 stalls of we make it, we bake it and we sew it.

Alarge range of organic produce and much more!

More info at facebook.com/ Trafalgar Farmers Market

REH Cork Club Craft Market

Second Saturday each month September to May Next Market: Saturday,14February8am -1pm

Kay Street Gardens, Traralgon

Spoil your special someone this Valentine’sDay at the REH Cork Club Craft Market!

New Stallholders welcomee info@marketrehcorkclub.org

REH Cork Club Craft Market page on Facebook

BawBaw Arts Alliance

Warragul Arts and Makers Market

Third Saturday of the month, October to April Next Market:8.30amSaturday,21February –1.00pm

TAFE Gippsland Car Park, Queen St, Warragul

More info at facebook.com/ BawBawArtsAlliance/

Yarragon Craft & Produce Market

Fourth Saturday of the month Next Market: Saturday,28February 9:00am -1:00pm 60 PLUS STALLS Agreat variety of handmade crafts, plants and gifts.

Waterloo Park, Yarragon Weather Permitting yarragonmarket@outlook.com

Morwell Trash & Treasure Market

Open 6Days aWeek! Closed on Monday

Tuesday10am-Friday,Open -4pm

Saturday &Sunday, Open 10am -4pm

31 Holmes Road, Morwell CASH ONLY

Indoor and Outdoor Stalls

For more information and bookings please call Jo on 0437 981 388

To book your space contact

Reel Ta lk

FOR this week in Reel Talk, our illustrious self-appointed movie buffs, Aidan Knight and Blake Metcalf-Holt (who has never trusted a movie that starts with an on-screen countdown) take atripback in time to watch afilmthat was trending this day 10 years ago The 5th Wave, ayoung-adult sci-fi flick adapted from the 2013 Rick Yancey novel.

Directed by JBlakeson, arelatively unknown filmmaker best known for adifferent movie called PitchPerfect,which people sometimes mistakenly watch thinking it's the beloved Anna Kendrick musical of the same name.

Blakeson wasselected as the up-and-coming director for the project by Sony Pictures after drawing critical success for his 2009 neo-noir thrilled The DisappearanceofAlice Creed,atitle you likely never heard but did well at film festivals.

Now in the driver's seat of amajor-studio movie, Blakeson took on the story of Ohio teenager Cassie Sullivan in the midst of an alien invasion -when allthe extraterrestrials look exactly like humans.

Cassie is playedbyChloë Grace Moretz, a talented young actor who got her start at age 12 in Kick-Ass (2010), before building aportfolio with Diary of aWimpy Kid, Dark Shadows,and Muppets: Most Wanted.Moretzalso triedher hand at voice actingpriortolive-action,and keen listeners may recognise her as the owner of the titular dog in Pixar's Bolt (2008). Shenow navigates each wave of the invasion/apocalypse/systematicdismantling-of-the-human-race searching for her youngerbrother. Unabletotrust anyoneshe meets, under the assumption they are likely an alien, hersurvival dependsonquestioning everyone, making for atense dystopian-thriller that broke new ground for it's time.

Now, its time for REEL TALK...

Blake Metcalf-Holt: Maybebecause these young-adult adaptations have never been of my tasteorsimply due to this film in particular just not being it -but it's anofrom me. Even with other poor movies, Idon't think I've ever been throughaviewing experiencewhere there is no discernible takeaway, entirely due to the utter unremarkable-ness of the picture. Seriously, for a film of science fiction, apocalyptic intent, so little happens throughout the course of this plot, it had me wondering how astudiothought it had enough for afeature length to begin with. Discovering it came from arelatively successful book, Istill felt it fit more in the ilk of a Tomorrow, When the War Began (which in my opinion deserved abetter adaptation than this) than giving it the financial backing closer to a Hunger Games level.

Aidan Knight: Very much more suitedtoa TV series than amovie, and perhaps even the kind that only ran at 2pm in the afternoon on Channel 10. While Iread some of the novel at the time, and remember it to be written fairly witty, none of this translated to the film, and it felt very rushed, jumbled and forced.The scene of the waves overtakingcities when the apocalypse first comes intoplay,has buildings that lookmore likemodels your unclewouldhave in his basement than an actual metropolis. It only dips further when we dip into actual character development and plot. It couldhave been a3-star movie, had it focused on Cassie throughout, in a Last Of Us but-with-aliens kindofway, but instead we flit constantly between her perspective and that of Ben Parish, Cassie's high-school-crush-turned-child-soldier. Exactly.

Let that sink in for asecond.

BMH: While the 2016 cast is actuallyahighlight, if you can call it that,they are still given nothing to do or say. It's always good to see Liev Schreiber be dastardly and Maika Monroe pop up after It Follows (2014), among other solidified actors, the faces appearing over the runtime add

Chloe Grace Moretz was building up to some stardom at the time, coming off the back of Kick-Ass (a thoroughly better film), the Let Me In remake, and The Equalizer (2014), and this kind of ended that leading run for her. Her character seems to forgether main objective, being rescuing her baby brother,for what feelslike an eternity by getting eloped with aTaylor Laughton knock-off (Alex Roe). This central love story is what grinds this film to ahalt, for which it is never able to recover from.

AK: Following on Blake'slastpoint,the story absolutely disintegrates with the introduction of the love interest. It takes up far too much of thetime that should be dedicated to the actual conflictofthe plot, and actuallydoes damage to anyofCassie's previous character development The audience sees the central character quite literally forget what she's doing, for the sake of a 19-year-old (wholooks 30) when she is only 16. Not only is it reducing the strength of afemale lead protagonist to some naïve, malleable child, but is alsoextremely unsettling when the love interest in question is actually taken into context. Thespeed at which these two characters, who only just met, drop everything for each other is ridiculous, and so is the dialogue betweenthem. I'm asucker for so-bad-its-good films, but this doesn't even enter that territory.

BMH: Ultimately, this is of the era where one could get away with simply dishing out a Walking Dead (the atmosphere alone -nozombies, or any threats for that matter, are in sight) crossed with the Divergent series rip-off and still gross $100 million. My belief is that these young fans,for which is my generation, simply ate this up because they had to. This extends to Divergent and, brace yourself, the Hunger Games sequels. All of these film adaptations act alot more deeper than they actually are, while simultaneously shovelling overly-stretched out lore down your throat. The 5th Wave is no exception. Whereitwants to act as this existential metaphor for the human condition,

and even at points try and offer acritique of the military industrial complex, when it should begin and end with telling an entertaining story by keeping its audience hooked. It fails at all of the aforementioned.

AK:If Divergent was producedbythe crew from Birdbox,casting was done by the Hunger Games videographer, when in fact it wasfilmed by Jason Statham and written by M. Night Shyamalan and ScottPilgrim (yes, the character himself). The backdrops are great, and really monopolises off of the hellscape vibe of The Walking Dead and Logan era, but if you end up focusing more on trees than the characters in aYAaction movie -it'snot done properly. Irecall radio stationsgiving away tickets to this film when it was screening in cinemas, and Ican see now why they had to give them away AK: 1/5 stars ★ ☆☆☆☆

BMH: 0.5/5 stars ⯪☆☆

The Fifth Wave is available now on Netflix. The filmisrated PG for violence and destruction, some sci-fi thematic elements, language and brief teen

something.

Scene: Prodigal actor,ChloeGrace Moretz,on set of The 5thWave(2016).

AustraliaDay crowd flocks to Traralgon

By KATRINA BRANDON

T H E s m e l

Australia Day in Traralgon

Bringing together hundreds of people, the Lions Club of Traralgon hosted a giant Australia Day breakfast, accompanied by the City of Traralgon Band

Before the event started at 9am, people were getting ready for a large breakfast cooked by the Lions Club, which featured all kinds of breakfast treats associated with the Aussie spirit

The line for food traced from one side of the library to the end of Kay Street

Those who lined up early took a seat along the road outside GPAC, where multiple tables were set up for people to mingle, discussing all things Australia Day

Keeping the atmosphere nice and chill, only three speeches took place

Latrobe City Council Deputy Mayor, Dale Harriman, welcomed everyone to sit and enjoy their food while listening to the band play on He also highlighted the band's worldly achievements

“I want to thank my fellow Lions at Traralgon for putting on the barbecue,”

he said

“I want to give a big thank you to the City of Traralgon Band - they are now an international award-winning City of Traralgon Band, having just done a tour around Europe and knocking off a number of awards, including Brass Bands from the British Military and United States " Mr Harriman welcomed organiser Dennis Paigne to say a few words

Mr Paigne said that he was happy to see so many people at the event and gave many thanks to all involved from sponsors of the event, the Lions Club members and the Traralgon Heart Walkers for helping the event come to fruition

As a formality, the Air Force cadets raised the flag Lions Club of Traralgon President Marty Taylor was the final speaker, before the band started playing again

To finish off, he told the group, “We (the Lions Club) welcome you to this annual event - we love doing it, not just for us but for everyone ”

As music continued to flow throughout the morning, the Traralgon Heart Foundation set off on their annual walk around town with a few others tagging along

Crowd: Hundreds of people enjoyed the annual Australia Day event at Traralgon

H s pe p enj

Cultures: Traralgon s Roger and Cherrie Halma, flanked by Liz Navea and Joji Deval from the Philippines

Matching shirts: Traralgon

Pratt, Sivbhan Hodgson and Greg Pratt

shot: Traralgon s James (6), Sarah (12), Claire (10), Penny (8), Rosalie McLaren and Lynda Brown gathered for Australia Day

Celebrating Australia: Traralgon s Carol Affleck, Heather Fabris and Morwell Jan Bayliss Photographs: Katrina Brandon

l b a: on’ C l Heat r Fa r a

Recognising service to the Boolarra district

ANOTHER great Australia Day celebration at Railway ParkinBoolarra sawaround 150 people turn out to enjoy the mild weather, an egg and bacon sandwich and achance to have achinwag with friends they don’t run into often.

Volunteers on the barbecue started at 8am to ensure the hungry masses were very well catered for.

Locals wished to send abig thank you to members of the Boolarra Community Development Group for feeding everyone breakfast.

Eggs, bacon, sausagesand vegetarian burgers were enjoyed by all.

The crowd was kept on its toes by Australiana trivia,with questions provided by Robert Franssen.

There was seven nominations for the community recognition awards.

This reflects the enthusiasm people have forbeing able to have their friends’ efforts

formally acknowledged in front of an audience of their peers.

Once again, it was aterrific range of recipients this year, with anumberofthe quiet achievers acknowledged, along with anumberofpeople who have been closely involved.

Latrobe City Budgeree Ward Councillor

Leanne Potterarrived from her prior commitments at Churchilland Yinnar, and spoke of the significance of Australia Day, and the values it represents, and how theseare reflected in the community and the strength of the community spirit within Boolarra.

Raising of the flag then took place.

Congratulationswere had to the following recipientsinrecognition of their significant contribution to the Boolarra community:

 Doug Black, for his more than 20

years' service to the Boolarra Community Development Group;

 Liz Black, for her dedication to the Boolarra Memorial Hall;

 Callus Olivier, for Boolarra community activities and town Christmas decorations;

 Juliette Olivier, for Boolarra community activities and town Christmas decorations;

 Denise Warne, for Boolarra community activities and town Christmas decorations;

 Denise Schiller, for helping in the community, and;

 Rhonda Keegan, for her work as grants coordinator at Boolarra Community Development Group.

Spirit: Traralgon celebrated another successful Australia Day

Community: Latrobe City Councillor, Joanne Campbell lends a helping hand y: L e C n nne

Big smiles: Traralgon s Jim Gilmour and Bev O’Brien

m s on G mou v

Leaders: Australia Day organiser Dennis Paine, Lions Club of Traralgon President

Mar ty Taylor and Latrobe City Council

Deputy Mayor and Traralgon Lion, Dale Harriman

Kudos: Boolarra community recognitionawardswent to Liz Black, Denise Oliver, Juliette Oliver,DougBlack, Callum Oliver,Rhonda Keegan and Denise Schiller,receiving congratulations from Latrobe CityCouncillor,Leanne Potter Photograph supplied

Time to celebrate and reflectinTraf

By PEACE IJIYERA

AUSTRALIA Day celebrationsinTrafalgar this yearwas a“cultural experience” acknowledging the historyofAustralia while celebrating its future. Held at the Trafalgar Public Hall, and hosted by Trafalgar Rotary Club, celebrations started as early as 8am and continued till around 10am with about50people in attendance.

While some just came for the free breakfast, others stayed and enjoyed the community spirit. Thecelebrationsstarted outside with asmoking ceremony and aWelcome to Country conducted by Kurnai Elder, Aunty Cheryl Drayton. Back in the hall, attendees were served breakfast, courtesy of theTrafalgar RotaryClub, whilst enjoying live entertainmentfrom husband-and-wife duo band, Jamieson Road.Organiser fromthe rotary club,Michael Fozardaddressed the audience explaining his approach to AustraliaDay this year.

“This year Ijustwantedtodosomething a little bit different. Iwantedtomake sure that there was areason for us coming together as a community," explaining the significance of Aunty Cheryl conductingthe Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony.

Baw Baw Shire East Ward Councillor Brendan Kingwill was in attendance, and gave aspeech highlighting the gift of community spirit.

“Today we come together as acommunityto reflect on who we are …where we come from," he said.

“Australia is built on values that live out every day in communities. Fairness, resilience and the belief of giving everyone afair go.

“Australia Day is atimetocelebrate, but also a time to reflect. We can be proud of what we have achieved, honest about our history, and hopeful about our future.

“What makes Australia special is not abuilding or event, it’s not alandora city, it’sthe people. The people we have here in this room, in our shire, in our state, in our country."

Judy Bishop, chairperson of the Trafal ga r Citizens of the Year Committee, was then invited on stage to present awards.

Nominations were given by people in the community and judged by those who had received the award in the past.

Thisyear's recipient for Citizenofthe Year declined the award.

“She washonouredbyreceiving anomination, butshe has chosen not to receive the award," Ms Bishop said.

To close out the event, Jamieson Road led the audience in asing-along to The Seekers' Iam Australian Attendees waved the Australian flag proudly as

Rooster’scallingonAustralia Dayaward

By PEACE IJIYERA

TRAFALGAR'S Young Citizen of the Year was awarded to Jonah Meredith. Although not aTrafalgar local, his contribution to Trafalgar High School’s music program and his leadership skills were recognised.

As school captain, Jonah attended school council and staff meetings advocating for his fellow students. He organisedfundraising events, causal clothes days and inclusive activities around Wear It Purple Day, Harmony Day, IDAHOBIT Day and many others.

His commitment to the school’s music program saw Traf Highhostmultiple openmic nights aterm and invited bands from Melbourne to workshop with students.

The schoolalsoreceived agrant fromCommunity Bank Trafalgar &District (Bendigo Bank) which aided the schoolinpurchasing lighting,sound and musical equipment.

Hon our ed to rece ive th ea war d, Jo nah ,a truegentleman, said he couldn’thavedone it alone.“Everything Idid was with alot of help fromalot of separate people,likethe teachers and my friends and fellowleadershipmembers at my school. Everything that Idid was apartof ateam and was definitely for everyone else …to benefit everyone at the school," he said.

Having completed Year 12 last year, Jonah is takingthis year off to work, before he returns to the classroom hoping to pursue acareer in secondary education, teaching history or music.

Readytoface the real world, he also has plans to move outwith his partner Indy, and has recently received amanagerial position at RedRooster Morwell.

“People go there, Iswear," he said.

they sang loudly,“we are one, but we are many, and from allthe lands on Earth we come, we'll share adream and sing with one voice, Iam, you are, we are Australian".

VISITORStoGippsland can now extend their stayatthe much-lovedWoodside Beach Hotel, with new pod-style accommodation adding to the classicAussie pub experience. Mem be rf or Ea ste rn Vic tori aT om McIntosh announced that bookingsare now openfor threenew pods, located closetothe southernend of the iconicNinetyMile Beach.

“This new accommodation gives visitors even more reason to visit the Woody -enjoying Gippsland’s hospitality while supporting local jobs and businesses,” he said.

Supported by $170,000 investment through the Regional Tourism Investment Fund,the project will provide welcome accommodation for visitors keen to explore the beautiful Gippsland areaand unwindwithanight at the pub.

The pods are decked out with everything you need for acomfortable stay. Guestscan opt for a‘welcome pack’ full of goods sourced from localfarmers and suppliers, showcasing the region’s best growers and givingvisitors atrue taste of Gippsland.

One of the pods is fully accessible, ensuring that people of all mobility levels can enjoy the new accommodation offering.

The project also delivered an event space thatcan accommodate up to 100 people, boosting capacityfor local events. Operational sinceAugust2022, it held a massive 138 events in its first year of operation, attended by more than 4000 people.

The modern event space features new windows, doors and flooring, stylish seating inside and out, and ahigh-quality AV system Built in 1849, the pub is apillar of Woodside and the surrounding community. The event space and accommodation pods are ahuge drawcard for the venue that now welcomes music acts, weddings and private events from around the region, and community events like the fishing tournament.

Chairman of the Woodside Beach Hotel, ClintHillas said they were grateful for state government's support.

"The funding allows us to welcome more and more visitors to Woodside and surrounding townships, enhancing the region economically and ultimately, creating more jobs,” he said.

The project created up to 25 part time jobs duringconstruction, and forecasting estimates that this new accommodation, combined withthe eventspace, will inject more than $300,000invisitor spend to the area peryear.

BrisbaneLionsstarmidfielder and Yarram resident, Josh Dunkley, is part of asyndicate that resurrected the pub four years ago. Federal Memberfor Gippsland, Darren Chester, played in apremiership for Won Wron-Woodside in 1986. To book your next trip to the Woodside Beach Hotel: visitwww.woodsidebeachhotel com/accommodation

Raising the flag: Attendeessang alongto‘IamAustralian’atthe Trafalgar celebration

Photographs: Peace Ijiyera

Aussie,Aussie, Aussie: Traf locals Nicole Jackson, Hannah Jackson, Rotary Club president Glen Makinand Ben Jackson. Yum: Eliza (10), Indie (7), Georgia (10) enjoying theirbreakfast.

Outstanding: Trafalgar Young Citizen of theyear,Jonah Meredith.

Photograph: Peace Ijiyera

Old Gippy hosts Australia Day

THE Lions Club of Moe and Old Gippstown Heritage Park once again hostedathrilling Australia Day celebration.

Families and their dogs took advantage of the beautiful weather, coming together to celebrate all it means to be an Australian.

The gates opened at 8am for afree community breakfast with the Lions members cookingupa storm.

Around 500 people were presented for the raising of the Australian flagbythe 1st Newborough Scouts at 9am.

Latrobe CityMoe Ward CouncillorAdele Pugsley welcomed the crowd, and Lions member Judy Ransom-James announced the AustraliaDay Award winner.

The Moe/NewboroughSeniorCitizenofthe Year went to Ricka Ebsworth, who was presented the honour by Lions member Rod Sharrock and Latrobe CityMayor and Newborough WardCouncillor Sharon Gibson.

Ms Ebsworthhas an unrivalled volunteer resume

withthe Yallourn/Newborough RSL and the broader community.

For the past three to four decades, she has been an unswerving ambassador for the RSL, serving as secretary, manager, and barperson.

That also doesn'tinclude her countless volunteer hours visiting the sick and grieving, cleaning and maintaining grounds, continuing social contact for members, and her daily admin tasks.

Ms Ebsworth's outstanding organisation of the annual Anzac Day event that the RSL is best known for, as well as hosting events for sporting clubs, mothers' groups, health supporters, cadets and more are also on her list of achievements as aselfless, silent achiever andtrue pillar of the community.

The day was topped off with music from the 350s Blues Band, while Old Gippstown provided some Australianawithvolunteersincostume and the generalstore beingopen for demonstrations at the forge with Sean the Blacksmith.

Aussie pride on full display as rev-heads unite

By PEACEIJIYERA

THE Trafalgar Holden Museumsaw ahugedisplay of Australian-made cars on Australia Day. Enthusiasts could bring their cars down to celebratewhatthe country has achievedinthe manufacturing sector.

Secretary of the museum, Anne Schembri, said the event was held to celebrateall thingsAustralia “We celebrate all Australian-built cars, not just Holdens. We invite everyonetobring their Aussiemade cars here for the day," she said.

Past years have seen more than 400 cars on display.

Mick Irwin and Megan McIntosh, from Drouin West, brought their 1970 HG Premier to show. The car has been in the Irwin family for 30 years. Nigel Woodhouse drovedown from Seafordto celebrate the day.

“I love Australia, Ilove Australian cars, and it’s abeautiful day for adrive and abeautiful day to live in Australia," he said.

Come together: TheMoe Australia Dayser vice had agreat

turnoutofaround500

Photographs supplied

Forthe times: Volunteersevendressedup in period clothing, including Moe’sLindley Renwickand Brianna Ross

Hardworking: Yallourn/Newborough RSL stalwart Ricka Ebsworthwas recognised as the Senior Citizen of theYear at this year’s Moe Australia Dayhonours. Photosupplied

Fam: NickDicksin, Lydia (11months), Ali (3), and Sara Al Bostanjifrom Neerim South enjoying theirday out.

Nice dayfor adrive: Nigel Woodhouse drovedownfromSeafordfor the showand shine.

Turn out: Cars line Waterloo Road outside theTrafalgar Holden Museum on Australia Day.

Photographs: Peace Ijiyera Pride and joy: MickIrwin and Megan McIntosh from Drouin West with their1970s HG Premier

MONDAY NIGHT BINGO

Ticket sales from 6:30pm

Eyes Down at 7:30pm Held at the Moe RacingClub, Moe

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WEDNESDAY NIGHT BINGO

Eyes Down at 7:30pm

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THURSDAY MORNING BINGO

Doors open 10am

Eyes down 11am

Held at Moe RSL, 63 -67Albert Street Moe

FRIDAY NIGHT BINGO

Ticket sales from 6:30pm

Eyes Down at 7:30pm No game under $100 Held at the Italian Australian Club, Princes Drive

SATURDAY NIGHT BINGO

Tickets sales from 6:30pm

Eyes Down at 7:30pm Held at Traralgon RSL, GreyStreet Traralgon

SUNDAY AFTERNOONBINGO

Doors open at 12:00pm

Ticket sales from 12:30pm Eyes Down at 2:00pm Held at the Italian Australian Club, Morwell $2000 last game guaranteed

SUNDAY AFTERNOON BINGO

Doors open 1:00pm

Eyes down 2:00pm Held at Moe RSL, 63 -67Albert Street Moe

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● Traralgon Football & Netball Club Inc Bingo Held at Traralgon Football & Netball C lub, W hittakers Road,TTraralgon

Road, Traralgon.

HOROSCOPES

by Joanne MadelineMoore

February2-February8,2026

mend them!

The week starts with a dramatic Leo Full Moon that lights up your home zone so expect some fiery domestic shenanigans and rumbles with housemates or relatives Things settle down for a few days, then rev up again on Sunday when disruptive Uranus squares Venus (your ruling planet) A personal problem could be reignited, or a work colleague could shock you by making an unexpected move When it comes to your hopes and dreams for 2026 write a wish list

Five planets and the Full Moon stimulate your travel, communication and education zones So, its a wonderful week to read, write, study, learn, give a speech, write an article, post a podcast or explore exciting new territory as you go on a grand adventure (locally interstate or overseas)

Sate your galloping Gemini curiosity! Your motto for the moment is from birthday great, writer James Joyce: “To learn one must be humble But life is the great teacher

Secrets and mysteries abound as six planets stimulate your trust zone so avoid fake news and be very careful about who you place your trust in You re also keen to show loved ones how much you really care Avoid being too overprotective, though Give people space All relationships need room to breathe and theres a big difference between loving and smothering Be inspired by birthday great writer Charles Dickens: “A loving heart is the truest wisdom ”

Lions love to hog the limelight and be the centre of attention, especially when the Full Moon’s in Leo And it is a fabulous week to put ideas into action and finish a longterm creative project However – with the Uranus squares activating your relationship and career zones – try to get the balance right between your pending needs and those of the significant people in your life Perhaps it’s time for your lover best friend or business partner to sparkle and shine?

Your days are usually organised with military precision But, this week, there’s a fiery Full Moon, plus Uranus squares Venus and Mercury (your ruling planet) So strive to be much more spontaneous as you toss your usual timetable out the window and stretch your adaptability muscles in unfamiliar directions Whatever happens, expect the unexpected and prepare to pivot! Unhappily single? You could meet your soulmate via an introduction through work

Monday morning’s fiery Full Moon lights up your hopes-and-wishes zone So its a suitable time to expand (or revisit) your goals for 2026 Don’t be half-hearted though Aim high, go for gold, and make your dreams as big and beautiful as possible! Sunday looks unpredictable, as Uranus squares Venus and a close relationship goes through a bumpy patch Music legend (and birthday great) Bob Marley reminds us: Overcome the devils with a thing called love ”

Many Scorpios are set to shine on the professional stage, as Monday’s fiery Full Moon illuminates your career zone Then Mercury joins Saturn in your love and friendship zones so spend quality time on the weekend with long-term friends who lift your spirits and make your heart sing Be inspired by birthday great and music icon Bob Marley (who was born on February 6, 1945): “Love, friendship laughter some of the best things in life really are free ”

With the fiery Full Moon activating your adventure zone, its a terrific week to travel or plan an exotic escape for sometime soon But Mercury and Venus also square Uranus so if you blurt out something when you re in a rush or feeling stressed, you may regret it later on! Think things through before you speak (especially with loved ones and work colleagues) Remember Sagittarius – the first thought that jumps into your head isn t necessarily the best one

Money matters are on your mind this week Capricorn as the Full Moon fires up your cash zones Look for creative ways you can make more income budget better save more dollars and feather your financial nest for the future Secrets and intrigue are also around so take the time to peel back the layers and discover the real story that’s hidden behind the exterior gloss The weekend is wonderful for connecting with like-minded people in your local community

Courtesy of the Full Moon creative partnerships and joint ventures are favoured, as you spark ideas off each other and pool talents to create something unique When it comes to relationships, stop talking long enough to let others have their say Venus could send a special friend along to help you out of a sticky situation As music icon (and birthday great) Bob Marley observed: “True friends are like stars; you can only recognise them when its dark around you ”

The fiery Full Moon and Mercury (moving into your sign) encourage tweaking your timetable devising a new daily schedule or rebooting a work relationship This weeks stars also suit projects that require a curious mind, self-motivation and creative, flexible thinking So don t waste the opportunity to communicate with colleagues, power through paperwork and create something new Plus put aside some special time to meditate contemplate and rejuvenate

COPYR GHT Joanne Made ine Moore 20G26

around Morwell

THIS week, we take alook at: Watmor Avenue, June Street and Jill St, Morwell.

George Watson (1874-1942), the proprietor of the Morwell Advertiser married Mary Ann Gladwin Morris (1879-1957) in 1898.

They lived in StationSt, Morwellwhich is known today as Princes Drive, and called their property ‘Watmor’.

The name is derived from the first syllables of their surnames -‘Wat’ and ‘Mor’.

One of their sons was George William Watson (1901-1980) who was known as Rob Watson.

After leaving school, he worked for the Morwell Advertiser and became aprinter.

In 1930 at Elwood, Rob Watson married Adelia Ellen Walsh (1905-1990) whowas known as Nellie.

In 1935, Rob and Nellie Watsonhad twin daughters, JillElaine Watson and June Ellen Watson, who both died in 2024.

Rob and Nellie and their daughters also lived at Station St.

Jill Watson married Fred Ammann, afounding director and manager of AKZ Reinforcing in Latrobe Road.

June Watson did not marry, and worked initially in Morwell as atypist and latermoved to Melbourne where she became asecretary. In 1941, George Watson initiated aplan of subdivision on the western side of McDonald St. When George died in 1942, his son Rob Watson finalised the subdivision which created three new streets.

Jill St and June St were named after his twin daughters. The short connecting street was named Watmor Avenue; the nameofhis parent’s property in Station St (which was acomposite namederived from their surnames).

Watson Lane in Morwell is named after the family of George and Mary Watson (nēeMorris). Information and photo supplied by the Morwell Historical Society.

By STEFAN BRADLEY

POPULATION growth in Gippsland is expected to drive up rent pricesin2026tonew highs, a senior economist says, as median rent in the region reached $470 per week in December 2025.

over the past 12 months. Sitting at $470 per week in December 2025,itisslightly below the regional Victorian median rent of $490 per week,” Ms Flaherty said.

"Both houseand unitrent prices in the area remained flat over theDecember 2025 quarter, but annually, house rents are sitting 3.2 per cent higher and units 1.9 per cent higher.”

"Rents in La Trobe -Gippsland are likelyto reach new heights in 2026 as aresultofpopulation growth driving up demand."

Rent prices for both houses and units in Gippsland have remained stableover the past few months, but grew modestly year-on-year(YoY) by 3.2 per cent for houses, 1.9 per cent for units and 4.4 per cent for all dwellings, according to REA Group’s Market Insight released last month.

This is in the Latrobe-Gippsland statistical area level 4(SA4)

The Express reportedonthe median weekly rent for Gippsland aboutayear ago, and the datashows that the price of the median weekly rent in 2025 (4.4 per cent for all dwellings) did not grow as sharply as in 2024 (seven per cent).

The median rent for all dwellings in Gippsland was $470 per week in December 2025, compared to $450 in December 2024.

Rents across all of regional Victoria were up 2.1 per centoverthe quarterand 6.5 per centannually, to reach amedian weekly rent of $490. Victoria has among the most affordable regional areas alongside Tasmania (weekly rentof$480) and South Australia($430).Most regional areas’ rental growthoutpaced their capitalcity counterparts over the quarter.

AnneFlaherty,asenior economist at REA Group, said SA4 rentwas not as high as regional Victoria as awhole.

“Themedian weekly rentinthe La TrobeGippslandSA4 region has seen modestgrowth

Melbourne’smedian weekly rent is up to arecord high of $575 per week, but remains the secondcheapestcapital behind Hobart($573). In fact, due to stronger price growth recorded in Hobart, Melbourne willlikely become the cheapest capital city for renters across the country.

The national median weekly rent was at arecord $650inDecember 2025, a1.6 per cent increase over the quarter. Comparedtoayear ago, national rents lifted 4.8 per cent, an extra $1560 per year for renters to pay.

“The speed at whichrents are risingin Australia’s capital cities has slowed from ayear ago, though remains elevated in regional areas. While aslowdown in the pace of rent growth is good news for renters, costs remain asignificant challenge for many, with the annual median rent sitting$11,960 highercompared to five yearsago,” Ms Flaherty said.

“Rents were sitting at record highs in every marketinDecember and are expected to reachnew records in 2026. While rent growth is expected to continue moderating

Namesakes: Twin sistersJill Ammann and June Watson.Watson Lane,Morwell is named after their family. Photograph supplied

TheGuide

PICK OF THE WEEK

OLYMPIC WINTERGAMES MILANO

CORTINA 2026OPENING CEREMONY

Nine, Saturday, live at 6am, replayed at 1pm

From Leonardo da Vinci to the late Giorgi Armani, Italian design and creativity have shaped the world It’s a tradition that continues with the stylish Opening Ceremony of the Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games, which pays tribute to Italy, its art, innovation and history Olymp cauldrons will be lit in both Milan and Cortina dAmpezzo underscoring the theme of “armonia” (or harmony) Whether you re up early to watch live, tuning in on demand or catching the encore at 1pm this promises to be an event to remember with performances from Mariah Carey Andrea Bocelli (inset) Laura Pausini Pierfrancesco Favino and Sabrina Impacciatore

c pic

AUSTRALIANIDOL

Seven, Monday, 7.30pm

Voiceofanation: Italian star Laura Pausini opens theOlympic Winter Games.

DOMINIC WEST:EXTREME SILK ROAD

SBS,Sunday, 7.30pm

After playing aconceited copin TheWire,aphilandering author in TheAffair andwinning aBAFTA Awardfor portraying aserial killer, actor DominicWest is ready forachange of scenery. TV’s go-to bad guy steps back in time with this rugged new docuseriesthatexplores the ancient Eurasian trade route known as the Silk Road. Starting in Kyrgyzstan,Westseeks to understand the country’snomadic heritage, visitingmodern-dayyak herders and markets beforeembarking on ahorseback trek with his TheWireco-star ClarkePeters (pictured, right,withWest) and adventurer AlexandraTolstoy

Wednesday, February 4

ABCTV (2) SBS (3)

SEVEN (7,6)

After 25 yearsoftwists, turns and shock reveals, it seems that Australia’s reality TV industryisback whereitbegan: BigBrotheris liveat Dreamworld,Gretel Killeen is hosting atelevised social experiment (this time it’s TheTraitors)and Marcia Hinesisscouring the nation for up-and-coming singing sensations on AustralianIdol.The noughties nostalgia is strong,withthisyear’s hunt forvibrant vocalists taking Hines, Kyle Sandilands and Amy Shark (pictured) to all corners of the country. Theseries’biggestauditions round to date is focused on uncut gems, including Karratha guitar player Cody and nervous teen Nicholas, whohails from Gawler,South Australia.

MISSION TO SPACEWITH FRANCIS BOURGEOIS

ABC TV, Tuesday, 8 30pm

Francis Bourgeois’ love of trains has taken the enthusiastic engineering student around the world documenting his passion for all things railway-related for a social media audience of three million followers But does his excitement for transportation extend to spacecraft? You bet The 25-yearold TikTok star is a man on a mission in this two-part special, taken under the wing of British astronaut Tim Peake as he follows a childhood dream: launching into orbit

A gruelling training regime lies ahead for Bourgeois (pictured) as he is tested for health issues and subjected to G-forces before a zero-gravity flight The end result is more “ space oddity” than odyssey

NINE (9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Four Corners.(R) 10.55 Mamirnikuwi. (PG, R) 11.10 All CreaturesGreat And Small. (PG, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 National Press Club Address.(Return) 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 2.00 Parliament QuestionTime. 3.00 Would ILie To You? (PG, R) 3.30 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 4.00 Love Your Garden. (R) 4.45 Long Lost Family (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 7.30

8.00 Hard Quiz. (PGa)

8.30 TheWeekly With Charlie Pickering (PG) Asatirical news program

9.00 Dog Park (Ml, R) Aman finds himself adopted by apack of dog-tragics. 9.30 QI. (Return, Ms) 10.00 Planet America. (R) 10.35 ABC Late News 10.50 The Business. (R) 11.05 YouCan’t Ask That. (MA15+s, R) 11.40 Love Your Garden. (R) 12.25 Long Lost Family.(PG,R) 1.10 Parliament Question Time. 2.15 Rage.(MA15+adhlnsv) 4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 ABite To EatWithAlice. (PG, R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

6am Morning Programs. 9.00 BarkleyManor (R) 10.00 Paddington Station 24/7.(PGa, R) 10.50 Mountain Vets.(Ma, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24 12.55 PBS News. 1.55 South America With Simon Reeve (Ml, R) 3.00 Living Black: 50 Years Of SBS Indigenous. (R) 3.05 GoingPlaces. (R) 3.35 The Cook Up.(R) 4.05 Secrets Of TheGiant Mammoths.(R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 SevenNewsWith AlexCullen. 1.10 Blankety Blank. (PGa, R) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. 3.00 TheChase. 4.00 SevenNewsAt4 5.00 TheChase Australia.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG, R) 6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Saving Yellowstone. (Premiere)

8.25 SevenWondersOfThe Ancient World: TheGreat Pyramid Of GizaAnd TheLighthouse Of Alexandria. (PGa, R) Bettany Hughes begins heradventureinEgypt. 9.20 Trespasses. (Premiere,Mlsv)

ACatholicwoman fallsfor aProtestant man. 10.25 SBS World News Late. 10.55 Face To Face. (Ma, R) 11.55 Darkness: Those Who Kill. (MA15+av,R) 1.40 Golden Boy. (Mlns, R) 2.30 Australia In Colour.(Md, R) 4.25 Bamay.(R) 4.55 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English NewsMorning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home AndAway. (PG)

7.30 The1%ClubUK: Rollover. (PGal)

8.30 Highway Patrol (Return, PG) Acar thief hitsspeeds of 190kmh.

9.00 Operation Dark Phone: Murder By Text (Premiere, MA15+av) The NCA hack EncroChat 10.15 Air Crash Investigations. (PGa) 11.15 TheDisappearance Of GabbyPetito (Mav, R) 12.35 TheLast Weekend. (Premiere, Mav) 1.35 Harry’sPractice. (R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 Today 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Married At FirstSight (PGls,R) 1.45 My Way. (R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point (PG) 4.00 9NewsAfternoon 4.30[VIC]TippingPoint Australia.(PG) 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.30[VIC]WINNews. 6.00 Ent. Tonight. (R) 6.30 Bold. (PG, R) 7.00 Deal Or No

6.00 9News

7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 Married At FirstSight (PGls) The social experiment continues. 9.15 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026:Let TheGames Begin. Apreview of Milano Cortina 2026 10.45 9News Late. 11.15 ARemarkable Place To Die. (Mlv,R) 12.10 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.05 Swimming. Australian Open Water C’ships. H’lights. From Busselton, Western Australia. 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop.(R) 3.00 Home Shopping. 4.00 SkippyThe Bush Kangaroo.(R) 4.30 ACurrent Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today

6.00 10 News+. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by GrantDenyer. 7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG) HostedbyRebecca Gibney. 7.30 I’mA Celebrity…Get Me OutOfHere! (PGal) Hosted by Julia Morris and Robert Irwin. 9.00 Elsbeth (PGlsv) When agrief influencer’s presumed-dead husband returns,their reuniontakes afatal

The MostBeautiful Day In The World. (2019,PGa, Italian) 8.10 Brief Encounter.(1974,PGa) 10.05 The Prestige. (2006, Mav) 12.25pm Discovering Film. 1.25 Another Country.(2015,PGaw) 2.50 The Eagle Has Landed (1976, PGv) 5.20 Time Bandits. (1981, PGahv) 7.30 Limitless. (2011,Mdlsv,R) 9.30 TheFourth Protocol. (1987, Msv, R) 11.45 Patrick. (2019,MA15+nsv, French, Dutch, English) 1.35am Trespass AgainstUs. (2016, MA15+l) 3.25 Out Of Season. (1975, M) 5.30 The Movie Show.

Thursday,February 5

ABC (2) SBS (3)

6am Mor ning Programs. 10.30 The Weekly.(PG, R) 11.00 Creative Types. (PGv,R) 11.30 QI. (Ms, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Bergerac. (Mv,R) 1.45 WayOut Ag. (R) 2.00 Parliament. 3.00 Would I Lie To You? (PG, R) 3.30 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 4.00 Love Your Garden. (R) 4.45 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

6am Mor ning Programs. 10.50 Mountain Vets. (PG, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 South America With Simon Reeve. (PGaw,R) 3.05 Going Places. (R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (PG, R) 4.05 Secrets Of The Sabre-Toothed Tiger.(PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Mor

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Toronto Airport Uncovered.

areas at the airport.

9.00 Amanda &AlansItalian Job. (PG) Amanda and Alan aim to transform the yard.

9.30 The Piano UK. (PG, R) Hosted by Claudia Winkleman. 10.20 Rural Flavours. (R) 10.35 ABC Late News.

10.50 The Business. (R)

11.05 Love Your Garden. (R)

11.55 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 12.40 Parliament Question Time. 1.40 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 ABite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Childrens Programs. 6.20pm Bluey 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Deadly 60. 8.30 BTN Newsbreak. 8.35 Secrets Of The Zoo. 9.20 The Secret Life Of Our Pets. 10.10 The Wonderful World Of Puppies. 10.55 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

8.25 Robson Green: WorldsMost Amazing Walks. (PG) Robson Green walks abeautiful but lesser-known route in the Douro Valley in Norther nPortugal. 9.20 In Flight. (Madl) After stealing the heroin and money,Jorealises Cormacsalsobeing blackmailed.

10.15 SBS World News Late.

10.45 BeforeWeDie. (Mal, R) 11.40 This Town. (MA15+dl, R) 2.00 Because We Have Each Other (Mal, R) 3.30 Rediscover Victoria. (PG, R) 4.30 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Mor ning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6am WorldWatch. 11.00 The Food That Built The World. 11.45 WorldWatch 12.15pm Mastermind Aust. 2.45 Insight. 3.45 News. 3.50 WorldWatch. 5.50 The Fast History Of. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 MOVIE: Snatch. (2000, MA15+) 10.30 The UnXplained. 11.20 Homicide. 12.15am Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs.

2pm Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 Living Black Shorts. 5.30 Going Places. 6.00 Bamay 6.30 News. 6.40 Wild Rockies. 7.29 NITV Weather 7.30 Going Places With Er nie Dingo. 8.30 Reckless. 9.30 MOVIE: The Last Boy Scout. (1991, MA15+) 11.25 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 10.35 The Fourth Protocol. (1987, Msv) 12.45pm Out Of Season. (1975, M) 2.50 The Movie Show 3.25 Discovering Film. 4.15 Dancing At Lughnasa. (1998, PGa) 5.55 The Amazing Mr Blunden. (2021, PG) 7.30 Indecent Proposal. (1993, Mals) 9.40 The Quiet American. (2002, MA15+av) 11.35 Late Programs.

Friday,February 6

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Solar System. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Muster Dogs. (PG, R) 2.00 Dog Park. (Ml, R) 2.30 In Limbo. (Mal, R) 3.00 Would ILie To You? (PG, R) 3.30 AnhsBrush With Fame. (PG, R) 4.00 Love Your Garden. (R) 4.45 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

6.30 HardQuiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.35 All Creatures Great And Small Christmas Special. (Final, PG) Mrs Hallsworld is rocked by bad news.

8.35 Art Detectives. (Final, PGa) Micksfather is taken hostage.

9.20 HardQuiz. (PGa, R) Hosted by TomGleeson.

9.50 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG, R) Asatirical news program.

10.20 Dog Park. (Ml, R)

10.50 ABC Late News.

11.10 Smother (Mal, R)

12.55 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv) 5.00 Rage. (PGadhlnsv)

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away (PG) Tane and Jo need some alone time.

8.30 MOVIE: The Proposal. (2009, PGls, R) After being threatened with deportation, an editor gets engaged to her assistant to get agreen cardsoshe can continue working in the US but his agreement to the charade is on the condition she meets his quirky family.Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Mary Steenburgen.

10.50 To Be Advised.

12.35 DareMe. (Premiere, MA15+asv) Acheerleading coach arrives in asmall town

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R)

5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6am Morning Programs. 1pm Escape To The Country 2.00

6.00 9News.

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls) Australiasmost controversial social experiment continues with plenty of love and drama. Featuring sexologist Alessandra Rampolla and relationship experts Mel Schilling and John Aiken.

9.05 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Coverage includes curling, South Korea vItaly and ice hockey.FromMilan and Cortina dAmpezzo, Italy

12.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Post Midnight. 3.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Over night. 5.30 Today. The latest in news and current affairs.

9GEM

South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 House Calls To The Rescue. 3.30 HarrysPractice. 4.00 Medical Emergency 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Father Brown. 8.30 The Inspector Lynley Mysteries. 10.30 Murdoch Mysteries. 11.30 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 1pm Midsomer Murders. 3.00 Keeping Up Appearances. 4.00 MOVIE: Escapement. (1958, PG) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow 7.30 M*A*S*H. 8.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Night. 9.05 MOVIE: Youve Got Mail. (1998, PG) 11.30 Late Programs.

Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: Cowboys &Aliens. (2011, M) 10.55 Seinfeld. 11.55 The 100. 12.45am Love Island UK. 1.45 The VampireDiaries. 3.30 ILove VIP Pets. 4.00 Barbie It Takes Two.

6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) Presented by MarcFennell.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Souther nCyprus: Aphrodites Paradise. (Premiere) Looks at the sights and sounds of Cyprus. 9.30 Isle Of Wight: Jewel Of The South. (PG, R) Marine biologist Theo Vickers goes in search of asea slug to photograph.

10.25 SBS World News Late.

10.55 Sisi. (MA15+ds, R) Franz seeks out Sisi in France.

11.50 Babylon Berlin. (Mav,R)

1.40 Silent Road. (MA15+v,R)

4.25 Bamay.(R) 4.55 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Mor ning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens Summer Joh and Pete explore aLiveWorkShareHouse.

8.30 MOVIE: Pretty Woman. (1990, Mal, R) In need of an escort for social events while visiting Los Angeles, aruthless, workaholic businessman gives asex worker rich when he hires her to be his companion for aweek. RichardGere, Julia Roberts, Hector Elizondo.

11.05 To Be Advised.

12.50 DareMe. (MA15+asv)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 5.00 Dr HarrysAnimal Encounters. (PG, R)

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Apreview of Milano Cortina 2026.

8.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Night. 12.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Post Midnight. 3.00 Next Stop. (R) 3.30 WorldsGreatest Myths And Mysteries. (PG, R) 4.30 Beyond The Dream: Ice Breakers Chasing Olympic

The Food That Built The World. 12.05pm WorldWatch. 12.35 Blaktrax. 1.10 Mastermind Aust. 3.45 News. 3.50 WorldWatch. 5.50 If YouAre The One. 6.50 Jeopardy! 7.45 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 MOVIE: Risky Business. (1983, M) 10.20 Adam Hills: The Last Leg. 11.10 Homeland. 12.15am Late Programs. SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Childrens Programs. 6.45pm Ben And Holly 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Do Not Watch This Show 7.40 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 8.05 Scooby-Doo And Guess Who? 8.30 BTN Newsbreak. 8.35 My Adventures With Superman. 8.55 Robot Wars. 9.55 TKO: Total Knock Out. 10.35 Late Programs.

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 9.20 The Movie Show 10.25 Limitless. (2011, Mdlsv) 12.20pm Indecent Proposal. (1993, Mals) 2.30 Discovering Film. 3.25 Time Bandits. (1981, PGahv) 5.35 Whale Rider.(2002, PGal) 7.30 Escape From Alcatraz. (1979, Mav) 9.35 Harry Brown. (2009, MA15+dlsv) 11.40 Late Programs. SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 1.40pm WordsMatter 2.00 Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums.

Saturday, February 7

ABC (2) SBS (3) SEVEN (7,6)

6am Mor ning Programs. 12.00 News. 12.30 Call The Midwife. (PGa, R) 1.30 Art Detectives. (Final, PGa, R) 2.15 All Creatures Great And Small Christmas Special. (Final, PG, R) 3.10

Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R) 4.00 Human. (Final, PG, R) 5.00 Aust Story (R) 5.30 Dr KarlsHow Things Work. (R)

6.00 Kath &Kim. (PGals, R) Kim moves in with Kath.

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

7.00 ABC News. Takes alookatthe top stories of the day,including coverage of developing stories and events.

7.30 Call The Midwife. (PGa) when amother suffers postnatal complications.

8.30 Midsomer Murders. (M) Twoteams compete in the local lawn bowls championship as the season draws to aclose.

10.00 This England. (Ml, R) Looks at Boris Johnson winning the 2019 general election and COVID-19 emerging in Wuhan.

11.05 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) Continuous music programming.

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Mor ning Programs. 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 FigureSkating.ISU Four Continents Championships. Highlights. 4.00 Going Places. (R) 4.30 Cycling. Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. Elite Womens. 5.30 Imperial

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Secrets Of BritainsHistoric (PG) An avantgarde work of art needs restoration.

8.40 Swiss Alpine Rail Jour neys: The Tenacious Davoser Railways. (R) The funiculars of Schatzalp and Parsenn in Davos pull travellers through an alpine winter wonderland.

9.35 The Secret DNA Of Us: Bathurst. (PG, R) Marcand his team unravel the DNA of Bathurst, aregional and agricultural hub just three hours west of Sydney

10.40 LordLucan: The Trail. (Malv,R) Lucansyounger brother is located. 11.45 Outlander (MA15+asv,R)

2.30 Beyond Signs. (MA15+a, R) 4.25 Bamay (R) 5.15 Euronews. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Childrens Programs. 6.20pm Bluey 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Andy And The Band. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Hard Quiz Kids. 8.00 Chopped Jnr 8.40 Shaun TansTales From Outer Suburbia. 9.05 Mr Bean: The Animated Series. 9.25 Fresh Off The Boat. 10.10 Abbott Elementary 10.30 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs. 11.45 MOVIE: Tudawali. (1987) 1.15pm Nula. 1.45 Volcanic Odysseys. 2.35 Walkabouts. 3.00 The Last Ice Hunters. 4.20 Glen Thomas: Beyond The Walls. 4.45 First Australians. 6.00 Haututu Hunters. 6.30 News. 6.40 The Other Side. 7.30 Alone Australia. 8.30 MOVIE: The Exorcist. (1973, MA15+) 10.40 Late Programs.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Border Security: Australias Front Line. (PG, R) Twomen keep changing their stories.

7.30 MOVIE: The Mummy (1999, Mhv,R)Aformer soldier disrupts the burial place of a2000Brendan Fraser,Rachel Weisz.

10.00 MOVIE: American Made. (2017, MA15+l, R) Apilot is recruited by the CIA to carry out one of the largest covert operations in history TomCruise, Domhnall Gleeson.

12.20 MOVIE: Daughter In Disguise. (2021, Mav,R)Acouple arereunited with their long-lost daughter.Emily Alatalo.

2.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 ItsAcademic. (R) 5.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

(9, 8)

6.00 9News Saturday.

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 1. From Milan and Cortina dAmpezzo, Italy.Hosted by Alison Langdon and James Bracey.The Milano Cortina Winter

22. Some competition will begin prior to the games starting, with curling and ice hockey events.

12.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 1Post Midnight. From Milan and Cortina dAmpezzo, Italy.Hosted by Leila McKinnon.

3.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 1Over night. From Milan and Cortina dAmpezzo, Italy.Hosted by Leila McKinnon, Sylvia Jeffreys and Dylan Alcott.

6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith.

7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. (Retur n) Acouplewho have been in their house for only four years have already outgrown the property with four growing children.

8.40 Sort Your Life Out. (PGa, R) Stacey Solomon and her team help families declutter and transform their lives. 9.50 Ambulance Australia. (Ma, R) The low blood sugar levels of a23-year-old type-1diabetic have led to adangerousseizure. 10.50 Matlock. (PGa, R) Matlock and Olympia race to protect eachother 11.50 Elsbeth. (PGlsv,R) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power 6am

WorldWatch. 10.30 Mastermind Aust. Noon The Rap Game UK. 3.05 Heroines. 3.40 News. 3.45 WorldWatch 5.45 Mastermind Aust. 6.45 The Food That Built The World. (Return) 7.35 Engineering From Above. 8.30 Icons Unearthed: The Simpsons. 10.20 Marcella. 12.10am WWE Legends. 1.40 Dark Side Of The 90s. 2.30 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6am Morning Programs. 9.10 Whale Rider (2002, PGal) 11.05 First Snow Of Summer (2023, Ml, German) 12.55pm Gloria Bell. (2018, Mdlns) 2.50 The Movie Show 3.25 The Amazing Mr.Blunden. (2021) 5.00 Mia And The White Lion. (2018, PGal) 6.50 Eloise At The Plaza. (2003) 8.30 The Voyeurs. (2021, MA15+lnsv) 10.40 Late Programs.

6am Morning

Programs. 1.30pm Better Homes And Gardens Summer 3.00 Better Homes. 4.00 Wildlife ER. 5.00 Horse Racing. Inglis Day 6.00 Luxury Escapes: WorldsBest Holidays. 6.30 Bondi Vet. (Return) 7.30 The YorkshireVet. 8.30 Lewis. 10.30 Escape To The Country 11.30 Late Programs.

9GEM (92,81)

6am Morning

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Morning Programs.

Programs. 11.40 MOVIE: Twice Round The Daffodils. (1962, PG) 1.35pm MOVIE: Hell Is ACity. (1960, PG) 3.25 MOVIE: Train Of Events. (1949, PG) 5.20 MOVIE: Piccadilly Incident. (1946) 7.30 Death In Paradise. 8.40 MOVIE: Rambo: First Blood. (1982, M) 10.35 MOVIE: The Driver.(1978, M) 12.25am Late Programs.

2.55pm 3.25 Swimming. Aust Open Water Cships. Hlights. 3.55 LEGO Masters. 5.35 MOVIE: Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. (2004, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban. (2004, PG) 10.15 MOVIE: Gretel & Hansel. (2020, M) Midnight Top20Funniest. 1.00 Love After Lockup. 2.30 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 1pm Blokesworld. 1.30 Cool Cars With Dermott And Elise. 2.00 Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 3.00 Motor Racing. Alpine Rally of East Gippsland. 4.00 Desert Collectors. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Pawn Stars. 7.00 Storage Wars 7.30 MOVIE: Ghostbusters: Afterlife. (2021, PG) 10.00 Late Programs.

Sunday,February 8

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 World This Week.(R) 11.00 Compass. (PG, R) 11.30 Praise. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. (R) 1.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 2.30 Muster Dogs. (PG, R) 3.40 The Piano UK. (PG, R) 4.30 Amanda & AlansItalian Job. (PG, R) 5.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

6.00 Grand Designs Transformations: Booker Bay Studio And St Peters Extension. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Muster Dogs. (PG) Training begins for the puppies.

8.30 Dog Park. (M) Roland tries to guide his daughter Mia through abreakup whilefacing his own crumbling relationship.

9.00 This England. (M) Looks at Britain during COVID-19.

9.50 Call The Midwife. (PGa, R)

10.55 Midsomer Murders. (Mv,R) 12.25 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 4.00 Dream Gardens. (R) 4.30 ABite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.00 Insiders. (R)

6am Mor ning Programs. 12.30 PBS Washington Week 12.55 ThePoint: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Cycling. AlUla Tour.Highlights. 4.00 Going Places. (PG, R) 4.30 Cycling. Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. Elite Mens. Highlights. 5.30 The Anti-Soviet Fighters.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Dominic West: Extreme Silk Road. (Premiere)

8.25 Grand Canal: China And Its Wondrous Waterway: The South. Presented by Andrew Field. 10.15 Dunhuang: Ancient Frontier Fortress. (MA15+v,R)

11.15 George Michael: Portrait Of An Artist. (Mdls, R) 1.00 Unlocking The Secrets Of The Nazca Lines. (PGa, R) 1.50 Rise Of The Nazis: The Downfall. (Mav,R) 2.55 The Great House Revival. (R) 3.55 Rediscover Victoria.(R) 4.25 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Mor ning. 5.15 Euronews. 5.30 PBS News Horizons.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Childrens Programs. 3.30pm Tiddler 3.55 Childrens Programs. 6.10 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.20 Bluey 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Andy And The Band. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Shaun Tans Tales From Outer Suburbia. 7.50 MOVIE: Space Jam: ANew Legacy.(2021, PG) 9.45 Fresh OffThe Boat. 10.25 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R) 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Mor ning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Cycling. Santos Tour Down Under Hlights. 1.30 R) 2.00 MOVIE: Close Encounters Of The ThirdKind. (1977, PGh, R) Richard Dreyfuss. 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Inter national. (PG, R)

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Australian Idol. (PGal) 8.40 The Fall Of The House Of Beckham. (Premiere) Follows the public fallout of one of Britainsmost famous family,the Beckhams, playing out in real time on social media.

9.40 The Royal Rich List. (Premiere, PG) Looks at royal assets worth £21 billion.

11.10 Crime Investigation Australia: Most Infamous. (MA15+av,R) 12.20 Temple. (Mal)

1.20 Travel Oz. (PG, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 4.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R) 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6am Mor ning Programs. 7.00 Weekend Today 10.00 Golf. Jack Newton Celebrity Classic. Hlights. 11.00 Fishing Aust. 11.30 Take Me Home. (PG, R) 12.30 Forging Champions. (PGl, R) 2.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 1Hlights. 5.00 News. 5.30 Postcards. (Retur n, PG)

6.00 9News Sunday

7.00 Married At First Sight. (PGls) bride takes abig leap of faith

8.35 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 2 Night. Coverage includes womens downhill alpine skiing, mens10km cross-country skiing and men and womensparallel giant

12.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 2 Post Midnight. 3.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 2 Over night. 5.30 Today The latest in news and current affairs.

TEN (10, 5)

6am Mor ning Programs. 10.00 Farm To Fork. (R)

(R) 2.30 Basketball. NBL. Round 20. South East Melbour ne Phoenix v Sydney Kings. 4.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 5.00 News.

6.30 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 7.00 Im ACelebrity Get Me Out Of Here! (PGal) Hosted by Julia Morris and Robert Irwin. 8.30 NCIS: Sydney (Mv) The team is thrown into the murky world of online conspiracies after acar owned by aUSNavy cyber engineer explodes just as herteenage daughter is about to take adriving lesson. 9.30 Law &Order: SVU. (Mav) Bruno suspects abomb was planted to destroy DNA evidence and Benson investigates aconnected murder 10.30 NCIS: Origins. (Mav,R)Gibbs works acaseinvolving amissing girl. 11.30 10 News+. (R) 12.00 Home Shopping. (R) 6am WorldWatch. 9.30 PBS News. (Premiere) 10.00 WorldWatch. 10.45 Mastermind Aust. 2.15pm Jeopardy! 4.20 WorldWatch. 5.15 PBS. 5.45 Icons Unearthed: The LordOfThe Rings. 6.40 The ArchitectureThe Railways Built. (Return) 7.35 Abandoned Engineering. (Retur n) 8.30 Mysteries Unearthed With Danny Trejo. (Premiere) 10.10 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 1.55pm League. Qld Murri Car nival. 3.00 IAmSmokin Joe Frazier 4.35 Stompem Ground. 5.15 Soh Presents: Generations And Dynasties. 6.35 News. 6.45 Volcanic Odysseys. 7.35 Most Endangered Species New Zealand. 8.25 The Issue With Tissue. 10.35 Late Programs.

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am The Movie Show 7.00 Mia And The White Lion. (2018, PGal) 8.50 Eloise At The Plaza. (2003) 10.35 Escape From Alcatraz. (1979, Mav) 12.40pm Dating Amber.(2020, Mals) 2.20 Whale Rider.(2002, PGal) 4.15 Mr Holmes. (2015, PGa) 6.10 Big Fish. (2003, PGav) 8.30 For AFew Dollars More. (1965, Mv) 11.00 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 1pm Luxury Escapes: Worlds Best Holidays. 1.30 HarrysPractice. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 Medical Emergency

Monday,February9

ABC (2)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Midsomer Murders. (Mv,R) 11.30 Back Roads. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 The Great Australian Bee Challenge. (Final, R) 2.00 Parliament. 3.00 WouldILie To You? (Final, PG, R) 3.30 AnhsBrush With Fame. (PG, R) 4.00 Love Your Garden.(PG, R) 4.45 Long Lost Family (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

6.30 HardQuiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Australian Story Australians tell personal stories.

8.30 Four Corners. Acontinued look at the Bondi Beach terror attacks.

9.15 Media Watch. (PG) Presented by Linton Besser

9.35 Planet America. Alook at American politics.

10.05 Dr KarlsHow Things Work: Boots. (R)

10.35 ABC Late News.

10.50 The Business. (R)

11.10 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG, R) 11.40 Love Your Garden. (PG, R) 12.25 Long Lost Family (PG, R) 1.15 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 A Bite To EatWith Alice. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Childrens

Programs. 6.05pm PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.20 Bluey 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Deadly 60. 8.30 BTN Newsbreak. 8.35 TKO: TotalKnock Out. 9.15 Kids BBQ Championship. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

(3)

6am Morning Programs. 12.05 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News Compass Points. 1.30 Al Jazeera News Hour 2.00 Karnak: The Largest Temple In TheWorld. (R) 3.05 Going Places. (R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Secrets Of The Killer Mega Shark. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 10.00 NFL. Super Bowl LX. Seattle Seahawks vNew England Patriots. 3.00 The Chase. Hosted by Bradley Walsh. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia. Hosted by Larry Emdur

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Inside The Tower Of London. (Return) The Constables Dues is prepared.

8.30 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (M) Game show, featuring contestants tackling awords and numbers quiz. Hosted by Jimmy Carr

9.25 Never Mind The Buzzcocks. (M) Hosted by Greg Davies. 10.05 SBS World News Late.

10.35 Other Peoples Money. (Premiere, Mn)

11.30 Vigil. (Malv,R)

2.30 The Great House Revival. (R) 3.30 Rediscover Victoria. (Mls, R) 4.00 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away (PGa)

7.30 Australian Idol. (PGal) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie.

9.15 9-1-1. (Mav) As Athena and Hen navigate their way back home, Athena is forced to confront what it means to live without Bobby 10.15 ICut OffHis Penis: The Truth Behind The Headlines. (MA15+av) Looks at moretales of people who have committed this act. 11.15 Crime Investigation Australia: Most Infamous: The Family Murders. (MA15+av,R)

12.35 Conviction. (MA15+av,R) 1.35 HarrysPractice. (R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R) 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair

6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer 7.00 MillionaireHot Seat. (PG) Hosted by Rebecca Gibney 7.30 Im ACelebrity Get Me Out Of Here! (PGal) Hosted by Julia Morris and Robert Irwin. 9.00 Matlock. (PGad) Matty and Olympia continue to test the boundaries of their friendship while helping agroup of nuns. 10.00 10sLate News. Coverage of news, sport and weather 11.00 10 News+. (R) Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 11.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 6am Morning

7TWO (72, 62)

Programs. 12.10pm WorldWatch. 12.40 Rex In Rome. 2.30 Mastermind Aust. 3.30 WorldWatch. 4.25 PBS Compass Points. 4.55 WorldWatch. 5.25 Fast History Of. 6.15 Curse Of Oak Island. (Return) 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.30 News. 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Triumph: Jesse Owens &The Berlin Games. 10.05 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 2pm Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 Living Black Shorts. 5.30 The 77 Percent. 6.00 Bamay 6.30 News. 6.40 Volcanic Odysseys. 7.30 Who Do YouThink YouAre? 8.30 Karla Grant Presents. 9.30 MOVIE: Ghosts Of Mississippi. (1996, M) 11.45 Late Programs.

6am Mr.Holmes. (2015, PGa) 7.55 Big Fish. (2003, PGav) 10.15 Hive. (2021, Ma, Albanian) 11.45 For AFew Dollars More. (1965, Mv) 2.15pm Mia And The White Lion. (2018, PGal) 4.05 Eloise At The Plaza. (2003) 5.50 Madison. (2020, PGal, German) 7.30 La La Land. (2016, Ml) 9.50 One Of AKind. (2023) 11.45 Late Programs.

7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls) After nine weddings, the next phase of the experiment begins. The couples come face-to-face with each other for the

9.05 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 3Night. Coverage includes mensteam downhill alpine skiing, womens ice hockey and freestyle

12.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 3Post Midnight. 3.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 3Overnight. 5.30 Today. The latest in news and current affairs.

9GEM (92,81)

6am Morning Programs. 10.30 Better Homes And Gardens Summer Noon Australian Idol. 2.00 Weekender 2.30 This Rugged Coast. 3.30 HarrysPractice. 4.00 Medical Emergency 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Doc Martin. 8.30 Endeavour 10.30 Air Crash Inv: Accident Files. 11.30 Late Programs. 6am Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

9GO! (93, 82)

American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Outback Opal Hunters. 9.30 Aussie Salvage Squad. 10.30 Mighty Planes. 11.30 Late Programs.

5.00 Bewitched. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: Civil War. (2024, MA15+) 10.40 Seinfeld. 11.40 The 100. 12.35am Love Island UK. 1.30

goodread! Nothingbeats

Tuesday,February 10

ABC TV (2) SBS (3) SEVEN (7,6) TEN (10, 5)

6.00

(9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Aust Story.(R) 10.30 Planet America. (R) 11.00 Human. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Call The Midwife. (Ma, R) 2.00 Parliament. 3.00 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 3.30 AnhsBrush With Fame. (PG, R) 4.00 Love Your Garden. (R) 4.45 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

6.30 HardQuiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Dr KarlsHow Things Work: Ice Cream.

8.30 Mission To Space With Francis Bourgeois. (Premiere) Presented by Francis Bourgeois. 9.20 Grand Designs Transformations: Booker Bay Studio And St Peters Extension. (PG, R) Twoproperties aretransformed.

10.35 ABC Late News. 10.50 The Business. (R) 11.05 Four Corners. (R) 11.50 Media Watch. (PG, R) 12.10 Love Your Garden. (R) 1.00 Long Lost Family (PG, R) 1.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 A Bite To EatWith Alice. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

6am Morning Programs. 10.50 Mountain Vets. (PGa, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Queens Of Ancient Egypt. (PGa, R) 3.00 Going Places. (PG, R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour.(R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Secrets Of The Tasmanian Tiger.(PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show.(PG) 12.00 SevensNational News At Noon. 1.00 Seven News With Alex Cullen. 1.10 Blankety Blank. (PGa, R) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Who Do YouThink YouAre? Camilla Franks. (PGa, R) Camilla Franks explores her roots.

8.35 MOVIE: IAmRaquel Welch. (2025) Celebrates the life of trailblazing actress and single mother Raquel Welch. Nina Colman, Eugenio Derbez. 10.10 Rock Legends: Diana Ross And The Supremes. 10.40 SBS World News Late. 11.10 Exit. (MA15+ads)

12.05 DNA. (Malv,R) 1.50 We Hear You. (PG, R) 2.40 The Great House Revival. (R) 4.35 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away (PGad)

7.30 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. (PG) From Edinburgh Castle, Scotland.

9.30 Doc. (Ma) Apopular weight loss medication reveals the cracks in a couplesrelationship. Twosisters face an unexpected diagnosis.

10.30 St. Denis Medical. (PGal) Alex tries to impress her old charge nurse.

11.30 Autopsy USA: Anthony Bourdain. (Madl, R) 12.30 ChildhoodsEnd. (Premiere, Mav)

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R)

5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News.

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls) Revelations week, the new phase of the experiment, is revealed. Over two nights, anew task is revealed and the photo ranking returns where connections and cracks start to form.

9.15 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 4Night. Coverage includes short track mixed

12.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 4Post Midnight. 3.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 4Overnight.

Today.

10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R)

6am WorldWatch. 10.30 The Food That Built The World. Noon WorldWatch. 12.30 Homicide. 2.20 Mastermind Aust. 3.20 News. 3.25 WorldWatch. 5.25 The Fast History Of. 6.15 Curse Of Oak Island. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Shark. (Premiere) 10.20 Casketeers Life &Death Across The Globe. 11.15 Late Programs. SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Childrens Programs. 5.55pm Octonauts. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.20 Bluey 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Deadly 60. 8.30 BTN Newsbreak. 8.35 Whale With Steve Backshall. 9.25 Planet Weird. 10.15 Merlin. 11.00 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 1.40pm Turn Up Respect. 2.00 Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 Living Black Shorts. 5.30

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Someone Who Takes CareOfMe. (2023, Mlns, Spanish) 11.50 La La Land. (2016, Ml) 2.10pm Mr.Holmes. (2015, PGa) 4.05 Roxane. (2019, PGals, French) 5.45 Enigma. (1982, PGasv) 7.35 Walkabout. (1971, Maln) 9.30 The Blue Caftan. (2022, Mans, Arabic) 11.45 Late Programs.

NITV (34) 6am Morning Programs. 11.30 Home In WA Noon Australian Idol. 2.00 Creek To Coast. 2.30 Air Crash Inv: Accident Files. 3.30 HarrysPractice. 4.00 Medical Emergency 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30

Gas has roletoplay in energy mix

AS Victorians endure another severe heatwave, our energy grid is under strain and households and businesses are left wondering whether the power will stay on when they need it most.

Energy experts have repeatedly warned that rising demand duringextremeweather increasesthe risk of blackouts, yet the Allan Labor government continues to pursue its anti-gas agenda -apolicy thatwill driveupenergy costs and undermine reliability across the state.

At the same time, Victorians are being hit in the hip pocket. Power bills are set to rise sharply again this year as Labor’s energy policy continues to hit home, with forecastssuggesting prices could increase by as much as 24 per cent.

For the average Victorian household already payingaround$1700 ayear forelectricity, that could mean an extra $400 or more -money families simply don’t have when they’re struggling to keep food on the table and pay rent or the mortgage.

Gas is not afringe energy source. It is acritical pillar of Victoria’s energy mix, particularly during periods of peak demand and extreme weather.

Gas plays avital role in stabilising the gridand preventing outages when demandsurges, and it is essential to have asensible, affordable transition to cleaner energy. Ignoring that reality doesn’t make the systemgreener- it makes it weaker and more expensive.

Victoria needsacommon-senseenergy policy that prioritises reliability and affordability over ideology.

If elected to government in November, The Nationals will end Labor’s anti-gas policies and ensure gas continues to play an important role in managing the transitiontocleaner energy -helping keep the lights on and energy bills down.

The Allan Labor government can’tmanage money, can’t manage the energy sector, and once again Victorians are left to pay the price.

Danny O’Brien MP Leader of The Nationals Member for Gippsland South Trouble at Traf

IWRITE this letter to try to protect our local hall in Trafalgar East from the robberies which have been aproblem over the last two years. Our hall has beenbroken into on threeoccasions.

In each case nothing was stolen, but the committeeincurred considerable coststoreplace padlocks and repair door lintels andlocks.This takes up committee members' time and resultsinincreased costs for hall hire for the community.

If any readers have contacts in the criminal community we would appreciate it if you could inform them that there is nothing worth stealing in the building or the shipping container. There is clear proof of this as nothing was stolen in each of the three previous robberies.

Items that are not currentlystored at the hall include: power tools, lawnmowers, whipper snippers, electronics or copper piping. In fact, the padlocks damaged in each of the previous robberies are the most valuable items on the premises, and are unable to be taken without being destroyed. Further to this, the committee would appreciate if the community could help us by keeping aclose

State election this year

"Deep down Ithink she knew Iwasn't her son but alie made us both happier than the truth ever could have."

Principal Skinner detailing his backstory on The Simpsons. THIS type of thinking will come into play as the state election gets closer.

Naturally, this paper will be inundated with letters on the run to November 28.

As it was with last year’s federal election, Iagain wish to make it absolutelyclear there is adifference between editorial and paid advertising. If candidateswish to heighten their campaigns further, they are permitted to do so out of their own pocket.

Any advertising containing editorial will be clearlymarkedassuch, and not provided by Express journalists.

Letters to the Editorwillcontinue as normal, however Iwill be using my discretion to eliminate any Ifeel crossover as attempts to undermine or derail the campaigns of parties involved.

There was issues regarding lettersbeing sent in from fake names last year, which will again be carefully policed.

LIAM DURKIN

watch on thebuilding whenpassing on Telephone Road, Trafalgar and recording the number plates and descriptions of any vehicles seen at the hall. If anything suspicion is seen at the hall, we would appreciate people phoning the police or the hall committee on 0428 874 349.

Dale Hunter Trafalgar

Hansford’srecord

LATROBE Valley Express Editor,Liam Durkin has been effusive in his praise forOne Nation candidate Greg Hansford for increasing the One Nation vote against the Nationals' Darren Chester at last year’s federal election.

Will Mr Hansford now turn his attention to the state election and ride the wave of increased popularity of Pauline Hanson?

How do the policies of Pauline Hanson focussed on immigrants translate into state governmentpolicies when it comes to staffing schools and hospitals?

Will Mr Hansford get appropriate scrutiny from the local media as occurred last Marchwhen Latrobe City Mayor andLiberal Party Member Dale Harriman came under scrutiny over accompanying the Traralgon City Band to Europe at a proposed cost of $9500, requiring him to pay for the trip from his own pocket?

On the other hand, Mr Hansford, without seeking proper legal advice,filedacase in VCATtolitigate the result of the 2024council election in the Yallourn Ward, but did not call one single eyewitness. He cost the taxpayer $47,000, of which $35,000 had to be paid for by Latrobe City ratepayers.

Strangely, the local media never published the figures for the public to see.

Mr Hansford used acommunity radio station to recruit plaintiffs for hisill-fated forayinto VCAT, but neither he nor the radio station bosses have stepped up to pay the costs as then-mayor Harriman did.

Latrobe CityCouncil ratepayers have 35,000 reasons to vote against Mr Hansford.

Let him be judged on his record.

Phillip Edwards

Hazelwood South

Intermittent electricity not a 'Caffrey'opinion

DAN Caffrey’s effusive review of the performance of Victoria’sparttimeelectricitysources during the recent heatwave ('Big batteries prove themselves', LatrobeValley Express,28/01/26) is aperfect example of selective statistics being used to draw awrong conclusion.

While he happily pointed out that for the first time, intermittent solar and wind sources were able to contribute two thirds of the record 12,000 MW short term,peak demand required during the January 7and 9heatwave conditions, if we look back at the Australian Energy Market Operators (AEMO) breakdown of where our state’s longer term power has come from e.g. the past 365 days, we’d see that coal has reliably generated 60 per cent of the state’s energy needs, whilst solar and wind have produced just five per cent and 27 per cent respectively. Mr Caffrey then attempted to belittle the performance of Queensland’s844MW Callide Ccoal fired power station, which has provided dependable, around the clock power for the last 24 years.

compartments. With an aura of invincibility, the 'Titanic' set forth fromSouthampton, England, on her maiden voyage to New York on April 10, 1912. She carried2224passengersand crewand lifeboats for only 1178.

The unsinkable 'Titanic' had received and dismissed warnings about icebergs, according to Walter Lord's celebrated account, ANight to Remember.She was invincible if as many as four of her watertightcompartments were flooded. But the 90-metre gash in her hull below the waterline inflicted by theiceberg inundatedfive compartments. Thus the laws of physics had dictated that the great ship would sink to the bottomofthe North Atlantic Ocean.

In ex actl ythe same reckless manner,and similarly dismissive of repeated warnings from reputableenergy experts of imminent energy shortfalls ahead, Australia's reality-proof Energy Minister, Chris 'Blackout Bowen', has consigned Australia's electricity system to certain doom. For the record,all of the critical indicatorsof economics and human wellbeing are hostages to thecost of electricity; our flatlining productivity, the cost of living, declining per capita GDP, the inflation rate, the survival of small business and energy-intensive industries that are rapidly fading away because of ever-higher electricity prices. But Bowen is immune to contrary facts, paying homage only to 'the science' of arenewables-only economy while at the same time totally ignoring the laws of physics, urging us to abandon evilfossil fuels while never once considering the limitations of engineering reality.

For reasons that have not yet been established, Units C3 and C4 unexpectedly tripped and went offline for four days in the middle of January this year.

Mr Caffrey claimed that major blackoutswere prevented by the"instant responsefromthe big batteries that activated within asplit second of the loss of power.” He also was at pains to point out thehuge$20,000/MWh cost of the diesel generators that were used to cover several hours of peak demand each day.

Iwould have thought, given Mr Caffrey’s claim that Australia now had abundant (“… 50.1 per cent of the National Electricity Market”), heatwave proof and secure, solar, wind, hydro and batteries, that the Queensland government would have tapped into these sources instead of resorting to high carbon emitting generators.

He also fails to acknowledge that some 427MW of additionalpowerwas readily sourced from other Queensland coal fired power stations at the time to stave off blackouts as well.

Mr Caffrey maintains that solar and wind are the cheapest forms of electricity production. He fails to mention that the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has slashed wind forecasts and acknowledged that 10,000km of new transmission lines= acore part of the Integrated System Plan (ISP) -are needed by 2050, but costs have soaredby up to 100 per cent and many projects have stalled due to planning delays and social opposition.

Australia’s solar, wind, and battery systems alone cannot fully solve Australia’senergychallenges Energy-intensive industries like steeland cement cannot easily shift to intermittent renewables.

Even with falling solar and battery costs, industrial electricity costs decline slowly because operations must run continuously, requiring firm, dispatchable coal based power.

You can’t run full time industry on part time power.

Greg Hansford

Newborough

One Nation member

Sunk by the laws of physics

"THE arithmetical problems raised, for instance, by suchastatement as 'two and two make five' were beyond his intellectual grasp. It needed asort of athleticism of mind, an ability at one moment to make the most delicate use of logic and at the same time to be unconscious of the crudest logical errors," George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four.

The collision seemed nothing more than amild jolt. It felt, said Lady Cosmo Duff Gordon, "as though somebody had drawn agiant finger along the side of the ship."

Up in the first-class smoking room, where agroup of young men were playing alastround of cards, thegrinding sound disturbed the game. Several of theplayers wandered out into the freezing night to take alook.

"We hit an iceberg -there it is," somebody said. They went back to their game, and the ship sailed majestically on.

The'Titanic' was her name, then the largest and most luxuriousocean liner afloat.

The great ship was considered unsinkable. She had adouble bottom and 16 watertight

To Bowen, electricity is purelyapolicyconstruct. It is not. It is based on the laws of physics and the physics have not changed since Michael Faraday and the steam engine.

ThusBowen is treating electricityasaneconomic puzzlerather than an engineering system.And the primary purpose of an engineering/electricity system is to deliver affordable, reliable power. Instead, political ideologyhas perverted engineering reality and the laws of physicstocut carbon emissions. In contradiction of Bowen's utopian posturing's, a renewables-only future is afantasy future built on the quicksand of industries that do not exist. It also means eternal impoverishment for millions of struggling Australian households forced to pay ever-higher electricity bills on account of Bowen's deluded pipedream.

To be sure,net zerohas failed becausethe world's energy systems run on the rules of physics, not politics.

Thus, Australiaisengineering blackouts and economic collapse and calling it 'progress'.

Joseph

Lis

Morwell

P.S. Oh, very clever title: 'To zee or not to zee' regarding John Duck'sletter in last week's Express. Imust admit, he is entertaining to say the least.

THE Latrobe Valley Express welcomes letters to the editor.

Preference will be giventobrief, concise letters which address local issues.

The editor Liam Durkin,reserves the right to edit letters for reasons of space and clarity, and may refuse to publish any letter without explanation.

The Express does not publish letters from anonymous contributors.

Letters must include aphone number, email address and the author's hometown for purposes of substantiating authenticity.

Readers are entitled to aright of reply to aletter directed at them.

While healthy debate is encouraged, the editor will stamp out any that cross the line to defamation.

The views expressed in letters to the editor are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Latrobe ValleyExpress management or staff.

Readers should be equally aware thatfacts presented in letters are selected to support aperson's point of view.

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

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

Letters regarding religionwill not be published.

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

Deadline for lettersisThursday 3pm.

Powerful topic: Energy prices continue to cause debateamongletterwriters Photograph: iStock

August setfor offshore wind auctions

By PHILIP HOPKINS AND KATRINABRANDON

THE stateg overnment’s auction process for Gippsland offshore wind will now go ahead in August, having been delayed since last September

The Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio announcedthe Request for Tender (RFP) for Victoria’sfirstoffshore wind industry auction will open in August for an initialtwo gigawatts (GW) of capacity.

The government said the delay was caused by developers who were unwillingtogoahead without secure funding support, particularly from the federal government.

In December, Australia’s Energy Ministers provided in-principle support for the Electricity ServicesEntry Mechanism (ESEM), which provides apathway for new renewable energy projects, including offshore wind.

Work continu es with indu stry and the Commonwealth to finalise the designofthe ESEM and Victoria’s auctionprocesstoensure acompetitiveand successful auction.

Ms D’Ambrosio said the government wants to give industry the certainty it needs to invest and “help us keepbuildingthe renewable energy Victoria needs to push down energy bills”.

COMMENT

BY ANTHONY WASIUKIEWICZ

WE are amonth into the new year and the same old tired debates continue. They would be entertaining if they weren’t so irrelevant.

It would appear that we all need awakeup call. Afterbeing blessed with more than 30 years of boom in this country, that we squandered, and over 30 years of stability since the fall of the Soviet Union,thatwetookfor granted,for those who haven’t been paying attention, it’s clear that that brief golden period is well and truly over. We have ushered in anew dawn of Machiavellian Realpolitik. So best we get used to it. If you don’tknow what those words mean I’d advise you to Google them promptly.

“We’re working closely with developers on the progress of this exciting auction to ensure strong competition to secure the best projects and best value for Victorians,” she said.

“We’ve always said Victoria will host the country’s first offshorewind industry and that’s why Victoria pushed forthe ESEM to accommodate technologies including offshore wind.”

Three offshore wind projects in Gippsland were abandoned last year over the developers’ fears about the economics of offshore wind.

The AGL-backed consortium behind the proposed 2.5GW Gippsland Skies offshore wind gave up its licence to develop the project, citing poor economic prospects relative to other forms of renewables in its development portfolio.

This action followed the abandonment of similar projectsbackedbyBlueFloat Energy and German energy giant RWE.

The state government maintains that Victoria’s offshore wind resources -some of the best in the world -will produce energy that will further diversify and stabilisethe state’spowersupply as the Latrobe Valley’s coal-fired generatorsare closed under government policy.

“Thanks to our record investmentinrenewable energy,Victoria consistently has the lowest wholesale electricity prices in the country," Ms

See we got complacent. We allowed ourselves to be distracted by all sorts of feel-good agendas, of whichthereisnoneed to list here, and we took our eye off the realitiesoflife Hard times createstrongmen. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And weak men create hard times. If we’re not strong, we won’t be invitedtothe discussion table. No one will take us seriously as there is no credibility if we have nothing worthwhile to offer or contribute. There is no food on the table if we don’t plough the fields. There are no batteries in our phones if we don’t mine the cobalt. And there would be nothing built if it wasn’t for the blood, sweat and tears of so many. It matters not what colour our hair or skin is, it’s irrelevant. It matters not where our electricity

D'Ambrosio said. "Building more new renewable energysources addsmore affordable energy to the grid andhelps to lower power bills for everyone."

The Express attended asod-turning for the Delburn Wind Farm, where Ms D’Ambrosio also spoke on the state of offshore processes.

“Offshorewind is acriticalpart of that diversification, and ultimately it’s about keeping the lights on and keeping downward pressure on every Victorians energy bills,” she said.

“Now, in terms of the Port of Hastings, we’re very delighted that the Commonwealth gave the go ahead for the Port of Hastings to develop their EES (Environmental Effects Statement), for it to be the main port to manage offshore wind energy projects in terms of entry of materials, and being ahub for the build of alot of these assets. We’re very confident.”

The state government’s move comes as investment in large-scale solar and wind generation slumped in 2025 to less than half the previous year’s capacity, The Australian newspaper reported.

Major solar and wind investment totalled2.1GW of power lastyear comparedto4.3GW in 2024 and well short of the 6-7GW of renewable additions needed fromindustrial-scalegreenprojects each year through to the end of the decade, Clean Energy Regulator data shows.

comes from, only if it’s reliable and affordable. And it matters not who does the cooking, as long as there is food for sustenance. Otherwise we will be ploughing the fields by hand and then begging for abowl of gruel. Any other dreamings of an idealist utopic outcome, withoutthe effortand sacrifice, can only be described as delusion. There’sanold golden rule, and it’s ‘he who has thegold makes the rules’. But that is incomplete. It’s he who has the bigger stick who eventually takesthe gold, or garden. Even if it hurtsyour feelings, or the stick is adifferent colour to yours, or if you don’t like what tree the stick comes from. I’m not saying Iagree, and I’mnot saying there isn’talsocooperation, empathy, joy, celebration and harmony. I’m just sayingthat if you haven’t learnedthat hard lesson early or already, life will eventually and inevitably teach you.

The regulator said last November that 12.5GW of the 13GW capacity investment scheme to date had not been signed off, but it was confident this year would deliver abetter outcome as projects won support to get the go ahead from financiers.

The federal government’s capacity investment scheme, announced three years ago, aims to fasttrack 40GW of capacity by 2030.

The government’s policy is to have 82 per cent of Australia’selectricityfrom renewables by 2030.

Bloomberg NEF reported that solar had receded, with utility-scale investment of $961 million in 2025, less than half the $2b recorded ayear earlier.

Large-scale solar installations are set to fall 21 per cent in 2026 amid development hurdles and greater competition from roof-top solar.

Aslower-than expected renewables development was afactorinthe decision by Origin Energy to extend the operating life of the huge NSW black coal-fired generator, Eraring, by afurther two years to allowmoretime for renewables, storageand transmission projects to come on stream.

Eraring is the second largest power station in Australiaafter the LatrobeValley’s Loy Yang complex, which consists of the two separate private companies Loy Yang Aand Loy Yang B.

That’s why it’sfar better to be awarriorin the garden,than agarden in the war. We don’t need to strike ahand, any student of martial arts understands this. But we are foolish if we can’t stave off or handle awhack.

So we can all keep beating the same drum of our own personal preferences until the cows come home. Or we can realise that the course has shifted and our destination has changed, and adjust our sails and rudders to suit. Best we sharpen our scythes and learn how to use them.

Maybe all that will be alittlecryptic forsome, but for those paying attention,they will glean from it that I’m callingaspade aspade, because it’s a spade, and always has been.Take care and be well. Anthony Wasiukiewicz is aYallourn North resident

Moe Racing Club KIDS DAYOUT

oughbrothersJed (9) and William (10) enjoying somechips at MoeRacing Club’ out

28— TheLatrobe Valley Express, Wednesday, 4February, 2026

Turnout: Moe Racing Club welcomed agreat

crowdfor the Austr weekend Photographs: Liam Durkin

Ruby (8), Harper (8), Isla(11), Milla (8) and Patrick(6) on the

lawn at Moe Racing Club

cing Club welcomed perfect conditionsfor itsfirst

meeting of 2026.

Tunes: DJ MarianoofFancy Disco ensured partyvibes

Howzat: Naree Warren’s Ty 1) and Traralgon’s Noah (9) got agame

Trio: Yinnar SouthfamilyMason(3),DamienFry and Hudson (4).

Visiting Officer

All smiles: 10-year-old Maddy (from Traralgon) and eight-year-old Olivia (from Churchill) take time to relax in thegrandstand.

afalgar youngstersJack(3), Xennon (6) and Emily(5).

Caution: e-bikes are not toys

RACV is urging parentstocheck e-scooterand e-bike laws, as more than amillionVictorian students return to school.

RACV Head of Policy James Williams said although children may have received these as Christmasgifts, some parents may not understand the legal restrictions or safety risks.

"Electric bikes and electric scooters are nottoys E-scooters are actually illegal for children under 16 to use on Victorian roads and footpaths and they are very dangerous for both ridersand pedestrians given they can travel at speeds of up to 25km/h," he said.

RACV is currently funding Victoria-wide research into e-scooter injuries to better understand crash causation and riskfactors, with researchanticipatedtobepublished by late 2026.

Information will be collected from six sites across Victoriaincluding the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Ambulance Victoria, the Alfred Hospital, the Royal Children's Hospital, Grampians Health Ballarat and St Vincent's Hospital and is intended to develop adetailed understanding of the epidemiological factors of e-scooterridersand the influence of these factors on e-scooter injuries.

"This research will help us determine if there are predictive factorsthatcan be eliminated or reduced to makee-scooters saferfor riders, pedestrians and other road users," Mr Williams said.

The return to school also serves as an important reminder for all road userstobealert around school zones as children walk, ride and travel to school.

According to the Transport AccidentCommission (TAC), around nine children aged zero to 15 are killed and close to 200 are injured each year on Victorian roads.

"School zones are crucial areaswhere road safety must always be top of mind," Mr Williams said.

"Children are at risk around roads because they are lessvisible andhaveareducedability to judge time, speed and distance."

RACV school zone safety reminders for drivers during school pick-up and drop-offs:

 Stay alert: Be patient and exercise caution when driving through school zones;

 Observe speed limits: School speed zones are usually 40km/h (or 60km/h where regular limits are 80km/h or more);

 Use crossings: Stop for pedestrians at children's crossings when orange flags are displayed and ensure your children use all available crossings;

 Reduce distractions: Keep mobile devices out of reach while driving;

 Consider parking away: Park afew blocks away to reduce congestion and encourage active travel, and;

 Turn off engines: Don't idle while waiting, as engine fumes can be detrimental to children's health.

Mr Williams said families using e-bikes for school commutesshould alsoensure they'reprepared for breakdowns or emergencies.

"Some parents and olderchildrenmay choose to commute using e-bikes, but it’s important to have backup support if choosing active transport options for your family,” he said.

“RACV's Bike Assist service can be used for electricbikes, providinghelpwhen youneed it most -whether it's aflat tyre on the way to school or amechanical issue.”

Safety: Schoolisbackfor another year,which means speed limits areinplace. Photographs supplied

State laws

E-scooter laws in Victoria

YOU can legally ride an e-scooter in Victoria

if you:

 Are at least 16-years-old;

 Ride on shared-use paths (not on footpaths), or roads that have aspeed limit up to 60km/h;

 Wear ahelmet;

 Do not travel more than 20km/h;

 Do not use ahand-held mobile phone;

 Do notcarryapassengeroranimal, and;

 Do not ride while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

E-bikelawsinVictoria

Applications open to help cover cost of school camps, excursions

LOCAL families can now applyfor assistance through the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) with the start of the 2026 school term.

Mem ber for East er nVictori aR egion , Melina Bath said the fund provides support for eligible families to go towards the cost of school camps, sporting programs and excursions.

“Camps, sports and excursions are important educational experiences, yet their cost can place real pressure on families,” Ms Bath said.

“These grants help to alleviate some financial pressure to enable children to take partinextracurricular activities alongside their peers.”

Eligible families willbeable to apply through their child’s school, with fundingpaid directly to schools to support participation in the approved activities.

Families holdinga valid means-tested concession card, or those eligible under special categories,including temporary foster parents are eligible.

Thefundcovers: school camps, excursions, outdoor education and school-organised sports activities

Application forms and guidance are available through local schools.

Law: Children under 16 cannot ride e-scooters or e-bikes

ALEGAL e-bike has amaximum continuous rated power output of no more than 250 watts, motor assistance that cuts off after reaching 25km/h and functioning pedals. Any electric bike that exceedsthe legal power output (over250 watts)orwherethe motor continues once the speed reaches 25 km/h, is classified as amotor vehicle. You could be fined for driving an unregistered motor vehicle, and drivingwithout avalid licence.

Morwell Scouts stash sale

FIRST Morwell Scouts are hosting its inaugural craft de-stash sale,bringing together crafters, hobbyists, and bargain hunters for afun, creative morning in Morwell.

This event offers agreat opportunity to highlight localmakers, support scouting,and showcasethe vibrant craft community in Gippsland.

The craft de-stash sale will feature ahall fu ll of sta lls se lli ng all kind so fc ra ft supplies:yarn,fabric, stamps,dies,tools, papers, beads, paints,kits, and plenty of unexpected treasures. It’s ideal for shoppers looking for

bargains, unique finds, or creative inspiration.

The event will be held at 1st Morwell Scout Hall (Margaret St, Morwell) on Sunday, March 1from 10am to 1pm.

Stallholders are asked to set up from 8.30am.

Entry is free.

Applications are now open for anyone wishing to sell their excess craft supplies (new, used, or de-stashed). Spaces are limited, and product types may be balanced. Apply via: https://forms.gle/5JFsksow4HgTDpi77

Ms Bath, aformer teacherherself, is encouraging parents and carers to check their eligibility nowwith their child’s school.

“Many household budgets are stretched thin with ongoing cost-of-living pressures, programs like this can make adifference for families and help open the door for young people,” she said.

For further infor mation, famil ies can

Delburn takes critical steps towards realisation

From Page 1

WHILEsome farmers are worried,the Minster moved to reassure those who have opted to host renewable energy projects or batteries have done so with contractual agreements.

“We value absolutely the agricultural sector; it is absolutely vital that it remains an important part of our economy in Victoria,” Ms Ambrosio said.

“VicGrid, which is the agency that is managing the planning around renewables, have done a lot of significant work and consultations with all landholders and councils across the state around proposed renewable energy zones.

“There are some areaswhereyou shouldn’t have renewable energy projects, and that work has been done.Wecontinue to engage with local communities to ensurethat,inthe end,the energy transitionisa positive for all communities, and that is why we talk about and implement community benefit-sharing arrangements for landholders, including farmers, who host the projects.

“There’s got to be awin for everyone.”

Joining Ms D’Ambrosio at the launch was Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Tom McIntosh, SEC Chief Executive, Chris Miller,LatrobeCityCouncil Mayor, Sharon Gibson, South Gippsland Shire Council Mayor, Nathan Hersey and Voices of the Valley President, Wendy Farmer.

Ms Farmer congratulated the state government on its investment.

“Congratulations to Lily D'Ambrosio MP for her determinationinensuring Victoria remains ambitious and leads afair, just energy transition for our stateand to all of those involved in this development," she posted.

“The SEC led with innovation throughout its history, producing Victoria'senergy before privatisation of the energy sector, and today’s news of the Delburn Wind Farm being 100 per cent publiclyowned and powering Victoria shows it’s ready to carry that spirit forward with bold vision, thoughtful planning, development and operations, and community at the forefront.”

MayorGibsonshared her excitement for the project.

“It's really great listening to theMinister how she was saying thatwehave been the powerhouse forVictoria for over acentury. So it's really great and encouraging to hear that,” Mayor Gibson told the Express

“This is the firstmajor investment since Loy Yang for ongoing jobs. So it is really great to hear, and how this shouldn't be the last, so we're really encouraged that she was talking about using this to diversify our economy.

“There has been concern from the local community.Thereisacommunity consultation committee, but we will always listentothe community and be there to supportthem as well. Because unitedyou stand, divided you fall.”

Council stumpsupcash for OldGippstown

By AIDAN KNIGHT

LATROBE City Council recently received a report assessing the performance and economic impact of Old Gippstown Heritage Park, which will guide whether the park receives a$50,000 annual contribution moving forward.

The review was requested via motion by Moe Ward Councillor Adele Pugsley during surplus funding allocations at the September 23 council meeting at Kernot Hall.

The findings, which were due at the final 2025 meetinghosted by GPAC,will influence the 2025/26 budget decision.

“Old Gippstown is an important attraction for our region. We must understand how council funding can support its long-term sustainability,” Cr PugsleysaidbackinSeptember when pushing the motion.

When reviewedatthe December 15 meeting (held at GPAC), Cr Pugsley found when moving the motionthat Old Gippstown had found sound financialreasoning forthe allocationofthe funds.

The park was awarded the $50ksum, an amount Pugsley said was "much needed to aid in the preservation of theheritagebuildings."

She went on to detail how Old Gippstown was included in the budget for funding on aregular

basispreviously, but this endedin2020, leaving them unsupported ever since.

The Express can confirm this actually concluded even earlier, with the $20,000 annual provisions halting in 2018.Any money utilised for operational and maintenance needs since then has been received in the form of community grants -which totalled $110,000 from 2018 to 2025.

Cr Pugsley wasanadvocate for the funds to be used for the following items for repair:

 The Narracan Hall;

 Solicitor's office;

 General store, and;

 Church and cchool buildings.

"I believe we have avested interest in the upkeep of it, as it is in our gateway (to Latrobe City)," she summarised before encouraging her fellowcouncillors to thinksimilarly before voting

Cr Darren Howe of Tyers Ward seconded the motion and cited the 7000 visitors the park attracts per year. He also made note of its ability to serve as amajor venue capable of holding community events and private functions, while also an extremely valuable educational resource for schools and enthusiastic historians -proving to be amultitude of good for Latrobe Valley, should it be maintained andtaken advantageof.

"Theseactivities all generate economicbenefit," Cr Howe said, "through local spending,

employment opportunities, and ongoing investment in the region."

He circled back to Cr Pugsley's points of heritage reservation, but emphasised that much of the park's assetsactually hold"bothlocal and state significance".

The park, whichismanagedbyamanagement committee supported by aconstellation of volunteers, has also developedafive-year strategic plan, aiming to uplift and advance Old Gippstown into amust-see heritage destination.

This resonated with alot of the councillors, who had previously compared it to more successful facilities of asimilar vein, such as Sovereign Hill, seeing the potential the heritage park has within Latrobe City.

Thisisespecially true,asCrHowelisted Old Gippstown possess atotal of 23 heritagelisted buildings within its boundaries, which he declared "a collectionvalued at nearly $26 million".

"I wenttoTripAdvisor and typed in things to see in Moe," Cr Howe admitted to the room, "and 'Old Gippstown Heritage Park' came up as number one." This statement spoke for itself.

Yallourn Ward Cr Steph Morgan supported as presented, saying she saw it crucial the future of historical assets be ensured.

"Whether that'ssomet hin glike the(Old

Traralgon) Methodist Church, or the number of historical assets that Old Gippstown can retain (...). So, for aone-off allocation of funding to ensure these buildings are maintained and can continue to be preserved and utilised for future generations, to see and appreciate -I'm very, very happy to support that," she said.

Cr Morganalsoemphasised council's openness to considerfurther funding allocations in the annual budget if the situation arose.

Nobody spoke against the motion.

Latrobe City then deputy mayor (now mayor) Sharon Gibson put it to avote, but not after the meeting was loudly interrupted by aTraralgon Secondary College PA system announcing their Year 7and 8awards in the same building, "for thoseplaying at home" Mayor Dale Harriman chuckled.

The motion was carried unanimously.

Old Gippstown contributed afurther $33,000 to its urgent maintenance outlined ahead of the meeting, to help meet the overall bill of $83,259. Adetailed report will be provided to council for review at the December 2026 meeting,documenting the outcomes of the fundingtowards the project, which will likely influence any decisions on further decisions relating to the park.

Ceremony: Member forEasternVictoria Region TomMcIntosh, Minister forthe StateElectricity Commission LilyD’Ambrosio andSEC Chief ExecutiveChris Miller breaking groundlast week on theDelburnWind Farm project.

Three amigos: SEC ChiefExecutiveChris Miller, EnergyMinister LilyD’Ambrosio andLatrobe City Council MayorSharon Gibson.

Qs: Victorian Energy Minister,LilyD’Ambrosio on theground in the Latrobe Valley. Photographs: Katrina Brandon

Littleproud survives, retains leadership

By AIDANKNIGHT

ALIENATINGnotonlyfromallies,butnowalsoeachother.

Following the Nationals'divergence fromthe Coalition, leader David Littleproudwas challenged for his role, in criticism of the very same decision.

The challenge marked the 12th changetothe Nationals’ cabinet or frontbench in 2026, following a seriesofresignations afterthe Liberal Partybacked bipartisan hate speech legislation alongside Labor. The Nationals were yet to complete portfolioallocations following their departure from the Coalition, which now required aseparate frontbench from theLiberals where previously combined. This is something "my partyroom is more than capable of permanently fulfilling", Liberal leader Sussan Ley saidinthe announcement, warningofpermanency if the country party does not retreat homeward.

Ms Ley issued an ultimatum at 12pm last Friday (January 30), announcing aLiberal-only acting shadow ministry set to run for aweek -after which it would no longer be acting, should the Nationals not return to the Coalition.

The Coalition has split seven times since its formation in 1923,originally involving the Nationalist and United Australia parties. The2025 separation was the shortest on record,lasting just eight days

Mr Littleproud had informed the Coalition leader that the whole party would likely quit if her party voted in line with Labor over hate speech laws. Now, he was beingousted fromthe head of his own party, as Queensland backbencherColin Boyce announced aspill movement against Littleproud at noon last Wednesday (January 28).

The FlynnDivision politician, who serves in the House of Representatives, is amember of theLiberal NationalParty in Queensland, an amalgamation of the parties that is merged only in his state, and while the Coalition existed, those sitting federally were required to choose to sit with one or the other in Canberra.

Mr Boyce always aligned withthe National Party, but was vocally critical of any separation from their partner in politics, which he reasoned as his decision in running against Mr Littleproud.

Prestige: Former Latrobe CityCouncil health auditor Phillip Clifford (right) wasbestowed with an OAMinthis year’s Australia Dayhonours. He is pictured with District Governor for LionsDistrict 201V3, SteveBoyce,after receiving the Melvin JonesFellowship Awardin 2021 Photograph supplied

Fabulous Phil’s work recognised with OAM

By PEACE IJIYERA

HONOURING his service to the community, Phillip Clifford was awarded an Order of Australia (OAM) medal on Australia Day.

Mr Clifford is alover of community and has servedinmany different roles,mainly in Maffra and through Latrobe City health.

Born in Geelong in 1947, he attended Swanston Street Primary School and went to Geelong HighSchool. Leavinghigh school in Year 11, Mr Clifford got an apprenticeship as abutcher.

Moving out of that line of work,hestudied andbecameahealth inspector

Duringthat time,hemet his wife, Susan. The couple got married and moved to Warrnambool in 1971, where Mr Clifford worked as ameat inspector for the Warrnambool City Councilfor three years. Going back to study, Mr Clifford became qualified to be apublichealth officer.

In 1974, the Clifford’s with their son, moved to Maffra and fell in love with the town.

When asked what his favourite thing about Maffra was, Mr Clifford says, “it’s the people”. He says he loves “thelifestyle” and the “beautiful main street”, of Maffra.

“It’s aquiet, safe place to bring the kids up in, (with) good people."

In 1996, Mr Clifford began working at Latrobe CityCouncil,where he workedfor 16 years before retiring in 2012 at age 65.

At council he had many roles, including environmental health and food safety auditor, and conducted health inspections.

Over the years, Mr Clifford has used his time and effort to serve the community of Maffra. He has held many positions, including: president,

Mr Boyce viewed the split as party self-destruction,and made it clear his first intention as leader should he win the fight.

"The door is open to re-establish the Coalition, andIbelieve that is what we should do."

Claimsfrom unnamed Nationals MPs had since emerged allegingMrBoycedid not attend partyroom discussions on gun reformand hate speech laws prior to the vote.

Those claims have not been independently verified. If true, this carries the same weight as a donkey-voter complaining about who is in government,not participating in the process of the party he's claiming is being undermined by the result.

Despite earlier comments suggesting areunion would be impossiblewhile Ms Leyremained Liberal leader, Mr Littleproud said The Nationalshad not refused to meet with the Liberals.

“It would be inaccuratetosuggestthatThe Nationalsrebuffed ameeting requestbythe Liberal Party,” he said in astatement on January 28.

“Once the spill motion is determined in our

partyroom meeting, atime will be scheduled.”

Mr Littleproud described the split as “an opportunity for some time apart”, saying the parties remained aligned on many policies, but not all.

The 'not forever, justfor now' attitudeofthe party may have been the root of it's instability, however polite it be,asMrLittleproud said verbatiminthe same televised appearance "itisanopportunity for some time apart".

This trivialised the Express' comparison in last week's issue of the Coalition breakdown to adivorce -which may proof to be more of atemporary lovers spat -while therest of the country listens with an ear to the door.

The spill turned out to die at the first hurdle for Boyce, after The Nationals announced at 2.25pm on Monday that the motion was unsuccessful.

The pressure then returned to Ley, as her leadership remains as underfireinternally as it was in 2025.

For the love of sport and community

By PEACEIJIYERA

MORWELL local, Emily Sutton was the recipient of this year's Latrobe City Youth Citizen of the Year.

Ms Sutton was recognised for her work promoting sports in the community and her involvement in the Changing Gippsland’s Game network.

Adecorated athlete,MsSutton has along history of playing amyriad of sports and dancing all around the Valley.

She has dancedand played at many clubsand teams including, Morwell Junior Football Club, Morwell BasketballAssociation,MorwellNetballAssociation,Hill EndFootball-NetballClub,MorwellEastFNC,Gippsland SportsAcademy,NetballVictoriaTalentAcademy,Latrobe ValleyNetballRegionandGippslandAcademyofDance.

Growing up in Morwell, Ms Sutton says it was nice to live in an area where sports were readily available and accessible.

“(Growing up in Morwell) wasprettygood. (There was) lots of sport around the area to do,so(that)always kept me busy.I didnetball, dance,prettymuchanything, so it kept me entertained," she said.

Ms Sutton attended primary school at St Vincent de Paul,Morwelland secondary schoolatTrafalgar High School from Years 7-10.

At both schools, Ms Suttontook part in many sport activities and dominated in school athletics, representing the schoolsinall different types of sports, her main squeeze being netball.

At the end of Year 10, Ms Sutton left Trafalgar High School to continue her education at SEDA College.

Describingher experience at SEDA as “the best”,MsSutton says thatthe school gave her ample opportunities to develop herleadership and confidence skills.

These confidence and leadership skills that Ms Sutton learnt from SEDA were useful in her role as netball coachfor the under 13s MorwellEast FNC, which she has been coaching for the past three years.

Ms Sutton has been aloyal member of the club since she began playing in under 15s.

For her, coaching is more than justtelling the girls what to do, it’s about creating connections and building relationships, encouragingthem to grow and develop their skills.

As aresult, the girls look up to Ms Sutton and see her as arole model.

“(Being able to coach the girls is) very rewarding. You can tell theylook up to me becausethey tell me at training that they want to be like me, so it’s very nice to hear,it’s very cute," she said.

"It’s the best feeling in the world, Ireckon."

All for women empowerment, Ms Sutton’s involvement in the Changing Gippsland Games network has seen her assist in running acampaign called Gippy Girls Can. #GippyGirlsCan is an inclusive groupthat encourage women to be active,irrespective of shape, size, or levels of ability.

“We’retrying to really promote women’s sport and really get some more women active," she said When Ms Sutton receivedher youth citizen of the year award on Australia Day, she says it came as a“shock” to her.

“I feel pretty honoured. It was abit of ashock to be honest, but Ifelt good. Iwas very honoured to win that award."

treasurer and secretary at the Lions Club of Maffra. He also held prominent positions at the Maffra BowlsClub, Maffra ApexClub, Maffra Cemetery Trust, Maffra Vigilance Society, Stretton Park Aged Care, Seaspray Foreshore Reserveand Wellington Shire Council.

His motivation to do all of this? The community.

“When Ifirst got to Maffra, working with the council, we were really encouraged to get out into the community, participate and help out," he said.

“I just reallyenjoy being out in the community, doing things for the community and participating."

In 2021,MrClifford was the recipientofthe Melvin Jones Fellowship award, which is the highest recognition for dedication to humanitarian services for Lions Clubs internationally.

Reflecting on receiving the OAM, Mr Clifford says it was “very unexpected”.

“I’m very gratefultoreceive it. Iwas very humbled," he said.

“I’m not an award sort of person, Idon’t do things for an award, Inever have. Idothings for the benefit of the community and community development."

Mr Clifford will attendanofficialmedal ceremony in April, held at Government House Melbourne.

WhenMrCliffordisnot servingthe community, he loves spending time in nature.

“Besides community work, Ispend alot of time in the garden, Ilove gardening and being outside," he says.

His wife, Susan, is also involved in community work with the ladies in the Maffra Lion’sClub

Mr Clifford says always keeping busy, “keeps us out of mischief”.

Highlighting thathecould nothavedone this alone, Mr Cliffordisappreciativetohis wife and family.

“I haven’t achievedthe OAM without Susan’s input and supportand backup, through the good times and the not so good times …it’s a family and team effort," he said.

“I was astudent leader in Year 12, and it really gave me the confidence to go out and be aleader. We did all these confidence days and leadership days, which really helped me and my confidence. During the week, we would go and deliversport clinics forschools and really practiceour leadership there," she recalled.

"On aFriday, we would do student workplace learning, so we would go into aworkplace and learn what it's like to be at work."

In 2025, Ms Sutton completed aCertificate IV in Sport Development, and has now gone on to working full time at GippSport.

“I’m loving working there(GippSport), lovinggoingout into the community teaching little kids how to play sport and things like that, it’s avery rewarding job."

Turning20this year, Ms Sutton is looking towards the future. Though alittle uncertainabout where her career willtakeher, allshe knowsis that she wants to continue to servethe community and help kids fall in love with sport like she did.

Sensational: LatrobeCityYoung Citizenofthe Year 2026,EmilySutton. Photograph supplied

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Part-time |28hoursper week

We areaspecialist dental practice operating across Sale, Traralgonand Bairnsdale and are seeking areliable and motivated DentalAssistant to join our team.

No previous dental experience is required, as comprehensive on-the-job training will be provided.

This role would suit someone who enjoys working with people,takes pride in being of service to patients, andiscomfortable working as part of a team while learning new skills.

Youwillberostered across avarietyofduties, including:

• Assisting in oral and maxillofacial surgery

• Assisting in orthodontic surgery

• Reception and administrative duties as required

As our clinics operateacross multiple locations,acurrent driver’s licence and reliable vehicle are essential.

The successful applicant will be:

• Reliable and punctual

• Willing to learn and able to identify and rectify mistakes

• Flexible and adaptable to different clinicaland reception duties

• Patient-focused and team-oriented

To apply,please email:

• Aone-pageresume, and

• Acovering letter explaining alittle about yourself and why you areinterested in this position to: bhookey1@hookey.com.au

yoursay.latrobe.vic.gov.au/amendment-c150

Submissions closeat5pm

Monday 23 February2026

Consultation Date

Traralgon Golf Club

Function Room 280A and 280B Princes Street,Traralgon Thursday 12 February2026 from 2pm to 7pm.

Officers areavailable to discuss the Amendment via Microsoft Teams sessions or at our in person listening post. Please scan the QR code for moredetails about the Amendment and booking a1-1 session.

RoslynBerry COUNSELLOR

Offering support in Grief &Loss, Trauma, Anxiety &Depression. High Street Community Hub. 4HighStMoe

Fridays by appointment

Opening special $100 1stsession! (Reg $150) 0400 999 315

REQUEST FORTENDER

Council is seekingsubmissions from qualified companies/applicants for thefollowing: RFT/464 -Bridge Street Korumburra Reconstruction. Tenders close 2pm AEDT on Tuesday 24 February2026

Documentationisavailable from Council’s e-Tendering Portal www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/tenders

ROYAL Caravan 1992, 2 xsingle beds, fair cond. Has not been used for past 4years. Need to sell. $10,000 VIN 6D9T2IRTA N2CM2111. 0417 794 969

AZZOPARDI Antonio (Tony) Passed away peacefully with his loving wife of 58 years, and his girls, by his side on 31 January 2026. Born in Malta on 19 January 1945. Migrated to Australia on 27 June 1952. Loving husband of 58 years to Rosy. Adored dad and pop of Pauline (dec.) and Lisa, Toni and Jesse, Ella, Robert, Cianese, Miley and Paul. Fighting and cheeky until the end. Reunited again with his beautiful Pauline. You can now rest peacefully Azza.

STEVEN PIASENTE ChiefExecutiveOfficer

CAMPBELL John 'Doc'

1943-2026

John Campbell "Doc"

passed away peacefully 11 January, surrounded by family, after many many years of health battles, he was at peace. Born in Traralgon in 1943, John was aman that loved adventure, the great outdoors, his family and friends. John was the loving husband of Pat Campbell and is survived by his children, Jill and Dave, and his many grandchildren. Acelebration of life will be held Saturday 7 February at the Royal Exchange in Flanagan's in Traralgon from 2-5pm.

CRANWELL Sylvie

You have earned your angel wings, so richly deserved. All our love to David, Neil, Katrina, Linda, Greg, Debbie and Jamie, Fiona and Mick and families. From Max (dec.) and Phyllis, Tim, Donna, Melissa and Amanda.

DE JONG

Markus James Passed away on Tuesday 13 January 2026.

Aged 58 years Private Cremation.

GOLDSBROUGH

Cherryle Terry, Tony, Michelle, Danielle and Families. Thinking of you at this sad time with precious memories that will never fade.

Our heartfelt sympathies.

Love Eva, Danielle, Adam and David Austen

HODGKISS Darren James 26/11/1967 -18/1/2026

Loved second son of Ken and Laraine. Missed brother of Ric, and brother-in-law of Samantha, Little Sister Amy, nephew and four nieces. Rest in peace. Aprivate funeral was held.

JILBERT Wayne (Dooby) Passed away January 4. Adearly loved son of Sandra (Bellman) and the late David. Adored brother of Noleen. Rest in peace.

KINMAN Christine Passed away 23/1/2026, aged 51 after along battle with Guillain Barre Syndrome. Loved daughter and step-daughter of Rosemary (dec.) and Bruce Cake, Brian and Peggy (both dec.). Loved sister and sister-in-law of Susan, Paul and Jenelle. Loved aunty of Nathan and Brayden. Talented percussionist and former music teacher. Banging her drums.

MOONEY (Hazel)

Janice Ann (Jan)

Born on 6January, 1940. Passed away 30 January, 2026. Aged 86 years. Now at Rest. Only child of Jim and Gladys (both dec.). Devoted loving wife of Raymond (dec.). Caring mother and mother-in-law to Debbie and Mick, and Craig. Friend and ex M.I.L. of Deb. Loved and loving Nanzie to Zoe, Sam and Tamara and Aaron.

Proud great Nan to Romi, Frankie and Mila (Plus, New Baby).

Her kindness and generous spirit touched everyone who knew her.

MORRIS (nee Fenn)

Barbara Daphne Passed away peacefully at Bupa Traralgon on Thursday 30 January 2026. Aged 89 years. Loving wife of Stanley (dec.). Loving mother of Steven and Lynn. Loving mother-in-law of Jin Hooi and Duncan. Adored Nan of Isobel and Imogen. Gone but never forgotten.

ROBINSON Noel Francis Passed away suddenly at home on Wednesday 28 January 2026. Aged 83 years. Loving husband of Ophelia. Father of David, Brett, Jamie, Sam, Janine and Erin. Brother of Gary and family. Pop to Chris, Jory, Jaida, Jade, Tobias, Brodie, Luke, Beau and Locky. Rest In Peace

We will always love you.

To my best mate and my dad as well. I'll miss you and love you always. From Bear

ROMANO Armando (Mano) 16/8/1947 -29/1/2026

Passed away suddenly but peacefully at West Gippsland Hospital, Warragul after abrave battle with Parkinson's and Cancer.

Dearly loved husband of Rosie, cherished father of Adrian and Chiara and adored Nonno of Elias and Ashton.

Loved son of Sebastiana and Sebastiano (dec.)

Romano, brother and brother-in-law to Sam and Mary, Joe, Joy and Angelo Carpinteri, Victor and Mary, Quinto and Levina, Nella and Vince Massaro, Nello Romano, Bernie and Anna Smaniotto.

Treasured uncle to his many nieces and nephews.

Mano was adevoted husband, fatherand Nonno, and our family's steady heart. He was full of life and energy, and always willing to do anything for afriend. He loved deeply, gave generously, and showed us every day what it meant to put family first.

Our lives are forever changed because of him, and we are forever grateful for the time we were given.

He has left an unforgettable mark oneveryone who knew him and his legacy will live on in our hearts.

ROMANO Armando In loving memory of Armando, beloved brother and Zio. Awonderful man full of life who will forever remain in our hearts. Love Giuseppe, Gianni, Quinto and family.

ROMANO Armando (Mano)

Mano, there are no words to describe the loss Ifeel today. You were the eldest, and Iwas the baby of the family. Ican't imagine how hard it was to come to anew country as achild and start anew life. Mum and Dad always looked to you for guidance, and when we lost Dad, you stepped in and led us through the hardest time of our lives. You were there for my best moments and my hardest ones. Ialways knew Icould count these words —"It's ok, sis. I'll do whatever Ican."

Iwill always treasure our memories growing up on the farm: calling down to the shed that lunch was ready, sitting around the kitchen table talking about everything and nothing. As my children grew, you were part of every celebration, helping create traditions that made our lives richer and kept our heritage alive. They were so lucky to grow up with you so present in their lives.

SEJDAK Francis (Sedge) Passed away at Latrobe Regional Health surrounded by friends and family on Wednesday 28 January 2026. Aged 73 years. Loving father and pop, and good friend to many. Rest in Peace.

SMITH Annemaree 23/8/1966 -26/1/2026

Beloving daughter of Lester and Joan (both dec.)

Loving sister of Robyn, Jennifer, and Wendy. Sister-in-law of Michael and Graham. Loving Aunty of Rebecca (dec.), Daniel, Aaron and Amanda. Great Aunty to Cameron, William, Ishana, Jaya, Catherine, and Stuart.

Special friend of Sarah, Zanda and Rh ys.

Step Aunty to Helen and Paul, Andrew, Julieanne, Samuel, Lisa and Sean.

Step Great Aunty to Chance, Sharne, Clay, Laynie, Connor and Stephanie.

TAYLOR Mary Carmel (Louie)

14/7/1930 -22/1/2026

Passed away peacefully aged 95 years at St Hilary's Nursing Home, surrounded by her loving family.

Dearly loved partner of James (Jimmy) (dec.).

Beloved daughter of Harry (dec.) and Amy (dec.). Much loved sister and aunty.

AZZOPARDI APrayer Service for the repose of the soul of Mr. Antonio (Tony) Azzopardi will be offered at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Commercial Road, Morwell on FRIDAY (6 February 2026) at 2:00 pm. At the conclusion of the service the Funeral will leave for the Yallourn Cemetery, Gippsland Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, online donations to the Heart Foundation would be appreciated. Visit: heartfoundation.org.au. The service for Tony will also be livestreamed. To viewthe livestream please visit: latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au and click on livestreaming.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

MORWELL 5134 4937 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

LETHBORG The Funeral Service to celebrate the life of Robert (Jack) Lethborg will take place in the Rose Chapel at Gippsland Memorial Park, Cemetery Dr, Traralgon on THURSDAY (5 February) commencing at 11am.

MOONEY The funeral service for Mrs Janice (Jan) Mooney will be held at St. David's Anglican Church, Toongabbie on TUESDAY (10 February 2026) commencing at 1:30pm. The funeral will leave at the conclusion of the service for the Toongabbie Cemetery. Jan's service will also be livestreamed. To view the livestream, please visit: latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au and click on livestreaming.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

SCOTT The funeral service of the late Mr Edward Charles Scott will be held at the Uniting Church, Lonsdale St Hamilton, on MONDAY (2 February) at 2.30pm. Following the service, Edward will be laid to rest at the Hamilton General Cemetery, Coleraine Rd Hamilton with Jocelyn. The service can be viewed online at: www.fgreed.com.au memorial-tributes

This page will be available from Tuesday 3February. In the Care of F. GREED &SONS HAMILTON (03) 55721053

SEJDAK The Funeral of Mr Francis Sejdak will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Highway, Traralgon on THURSDAY (5 February 2026) commencing at 10:00 am. At the conclusion of the Service the Funeral will leave for the Traralgon Cemetery, Gippsland Memorial Park.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

Mano, our heart aches that we can't see your smile, hear you sing, or watch you dance around the room. My children and grandchildren have lost an incredible uncle and we have lost an incredible brother. Nella, Vince, Karla, Aaron, Illana, Evie and Lily. WOLF

ROMANO Armando (Mano) Armando you were a much-loved brother to us all. So many memories and never enough time. Missed every day and always remembered. Your brother, Nello.

ROMANO Armando (Mano) Agood life is alife well lived and Mano our brother certainly lived agood life. We will always remember the good times we shared. Getting up to mischief as young boys, standing side by side as we watched each other marry, to having our beautiful families.

We will always be grateful to have you as our loving brother.

Zio, we will forever hold the fun and loving memories of you close to our hearts. Our family is deeply saddened by your passing and will miss you always and forever. Our hearts are eased knowing knowing you are reunited with dad (Nonno). Sam, Mary, Nella, Emilio, Sebastiano, Rachel and Violetta.

ROMANO

Armando (Mano) My darling Son, We travelled across the world together from Italy in the 1950s, stepping onto this new land side by side. For all these decades, through every change and every year you have been awonderful son -kind, loyal and loved beyond measure. No mother is ever ready to part with her son, no matter how many years we are given. Iwill miss you always until we meet again. Your loving mother, Sebastiana.

SCOTT Edward Charles 'SCOTTY' On 23rd January at Warrnambool of Winslow, aged 85 years. Dearly beloved husband of the late Jocelyn. Loved, loving and devoted father of Stephen (dec.), Anthony and Jamie. "Never get too busy making aliving that you forget to make alife".

Hardworking quiet and gentle man.

Some people shine too brightly to ever be forgotten. Louie, nowords can truly describe the emptiness and heartbreak we are feeling.

You were our world, our Queen. We will be forever grateful for the love, strength, and guidance you gave us throughout our lives.

You will live on in our memories and forever in our hearts until the day we meet again. Rest peacefully now, and enjoy all that fishing with Jimmy.

You have earned your rest.

Love you forever, our precious Queen.

Teen, Amy, Cooper, Hudson and Luke XXX

TWOMEY Ann Mary (nee Ward) 10/03/1943 -25/01/2026 Passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at Latrobe Regional Health aged 82 years. Loving wife of Lionel (dec). Loving mum to Michael and Nui, Daryl and Mary, Wendy and Gerard, Christopher and Trish, Matthew and Barbra. Grandma to 11 and great grandma to 15. Forever in our hearts.

WOLF Thomas Passed away peacefully at Central Gippsland Hospital Sale on 30 January, 2026. Aged 75 Years. Much loved father and fatherin-law of Stephie and Tim, Tom and Stacey, and Michael. Adored grandad to Krystal, Chace, Tomas, Summer, Jack, Reagan, Jemma, Peyton, Kienan, and Ruadhan.

ATKINS David Norman

The Funeral Service to celebrate the life of David will take place in the Rose ChapelatGippsland Memorial Park, Cemetery Dr Traralgon, FRIDAY (13 February 2026) commencing at 11am. Afterwards, David will be laid to rest within the cemetery.

The funeral service for Thomas Wolf will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 6 Ollerton Avenue Moe on FRIDAY (6 February 2026) commencing at 11:00am. The funeral will leave at the conclusion of the service for the Moe Memorial Park Cemetery. Thomas's service will also be livestreamed. To view the live stream please visit: latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au and click on livestreaming.

BURGE Georgina Mary 2/7/1968 -6/2/2025 To my beautiful little sister, Georgina. One year today that you have spread your wings and left us to go to heaven to be with our family. Our hearts are broken, we miss you our little sister and love you so much. Love

BECHAZ Terry Wednesday 4Feb 2026, 10:30am at North East Funerals, 184 Greta Rd, Wangaratta. Live stream available. Ph. 5122 2525. PACUNFKIS

DABADIE

The Funeral Service to celebrate the life of Lesley (Patrick) Dabadie will take place in the Rose Chapel at Gippsland Memorial Park, Cemetery Dr, Traralgon on THURSDAY (5 February) commencing at 2pm. The ceremony will be livestreamed. Please visit: harwoodfunerals.com.au for digital link.

HARDSTAFF Lorraine May. AGraveside Service to celebrate Lorraine's life will take place at the Eltham Cemetery, Mt Pleasant Rd, Eltham on MONDAY (9 February) commencing at 3pm. The ceremony will be livestreamed. Please visit: harwoodfunerals.com.au for digital link.

KINMAN Christine Leanne

The Funeral Service to celebrate the life of Christine will take place in the Rose Chapel at Gippsland Memorial Park Crematorium, Cemetery Dr, Traralgon, TUESDAY (10 February 2026) commencing at 3pm. The ceremony will be livestreamed. Please visit harwoodfunerals.com.au for digital link.

MORRIS The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Mrs. Barbara Daphne Morris will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Highway Traralgon on FRIDAY (6 February 2026) commencing at 11:00am. The service for Barbara will be livestreamed. To viewthe livestream please visit: latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au and click on livestreaming.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

ROBINSON The Funeral of Mr Noel Francis Robinson will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 437A PrincesDrive, Morwell on WEDNESDAY (4 February 2026) commencing at 11.00 am. Aviewing will be held in the above chapel prior to the service at 10am.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MORWELL 5134 4937 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

ROMANO Funeral Prayers for the repose of the soul of Mr Armando (Mano) Romano will be celebrated at St John's Catholic Church, Waterloo Rd, Trafalgar on FRIDAY (6 February) at 11.30am. The Service will also be live-streamed to view Armando's Service please visit: nielsenfunerals.com.au At the conclusion of the Service the cortege will leave for the Trafalgar Cemetery.

SMITH The Funeral Service for Ms Annemaree Smith will be held at Delbridge Funeral Chapel, Marley Street Sale at 11am on FRIDAY (6 February 2026) followed by burial at the Sale Lawn Cemetery. Please see our website for livestream details.

BARRY &ANNETTE LETT 67 MACARTHUR STREET SALE 03 5143 1232 MEMBER FUNERALS AUSTRALIA www.lettsfunerals.com.au

TAYLOR The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Mrs Mary Taylor will be held at the Gippsland Memorial Park Crematorium, Rose Chapel, Cemetery Dr Traralgon on FRIDAY (6 February) commencing at 10.30am.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

TWOMEY Ann The Funeral of Mrs Ann Twomey will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Highway, Traralgon on THURSDAY (5 February) commencing at 1:30pm. At the conclusion of the service, the Funeral will leave for Traralgon Lawn Cemetery Gippsland Memorial Park. Ann's service will also be livestreamed. To view the livestream, please visit: latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au and click on livestreaming.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

(Cranwell) Leanne 1/2/1971 -11/8/2009 Beautiful memories, today and everyday of our precious daughter, sister and auntie. All our love, Dad (Max) (dec.) and Mum (Phyllis), Tim, Donna, Melissa, Amanda, nieces and nephews.

TURNER June June's family wish to sincerely thank everyone for the flowers, cards and kind messages of support after the passing of June. Bereavement Thanks •

HARRIS

Birthday

Glasgow gets what Gippsland would’vehad

COMMONWEALTH GAMES

By LIAM DURKIN

IF only Gippsland journalists had a reason to use this.

Media accreditation for the CommonwealthGamescame through email chains last week.

The accreditation would have come in handy locally had the Games gone ahead as planned.

Gippsland was slated to host twenty20 cricket, badminton, shooting, rugby sevens and road cycling at this year's games, before the state government pulled the pin in 2023 after miscalculatinghow much the event would cost.

The Gameswill instead be heldin Glasgow this July.

The program ha sb een incredibly truncatedhowever, with only 10 sports competing.

Gippsland will stillsee aCommonwealth Games legacy, as sportingupgrades promised for the Games are currently been deli vered at Te dS um me rto n Reserve,Moe and Latrobe City Sports Stadium, Morwell(Falcons Park).

$2 billion toward the regionalpackage, that includes $520 million to upgrade sporting facilities but also $1 billion for at least 1300 social and affordablehomes throughout rural and regional Victoria.

“We’re really determined to make the most of this money. Across the board we are seeing that local communities including in Moe, are getting the benefit of that investment.”

$200 million for Glasgowtohost the Games in July 2026.

"Instead of preparing to feature Gippslandand regionalVictoria on the world stage, Victorians are paying for Labor’sincompetence in the midstofa cost-of-living crisis.

"Upgrading sporting infrastructure for community clubs let down by Labor is the bare minimum in compensating for broken promises."

“It would have been great to have these Games in Gippsland, Idon’t think anyone disagrees with that, but at acostofmore than $6 billion for a12-day event, when people are grappling with the cost-ofliving, it’s aproject that just didn’t stack up,”Member for EasternVictoriaRegion and former Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy Harriet Shing said.

“As soon as the decision was taken not to proceed, we immediatelyallocated

The state Opposition has slammed the cancellationever since it came to light, labelling them the 'Con Games'.

"No matter how the Allan government and Minister Shing try to spin the Commonwe alth Game sd eba cle -Victoriansare paying for Labor’s utter incompetence," NationalsMember for Eastern Victoria Region Melina Bath said.

"The so-called Con Games cost Victorians at least $589million, including

The Gippsland Commonwealth Games were perhaps doomed from the start, especially after abizarre revelationcame to hand in the wake of the cancellation that sections of the roof at the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium would not ha ve bee nh igh en ou gh to hos t badminton events.

Can you claimatrip to Scotland as a work expense on your tax?

TedSummerton Reserve works in progress

Division 1final fourdecided,Morwell stacks itsDiv 3

BOWLS

STRZELECKI NORTH

WEEKEND PENNANT

BY MICHAEL HOLROYD

SATURDAY was Mental AwarenessDay across

StrzeleckiNorth Bowls, with clubs partnering with Bowls Victoria for its inaugural Charity Round, in conjunction with charity partner Bowl For Your Lives.

Many clubs and players wore specially designed playing tops to raise money for the charity during the second last round for the season (Round 13).

 DIVISION 1

THE four teams in the finals are set withTraralgon way out on top by nearly 60 points.

Newborough are hanging onto second spot,one pointahead of Trafalgar, who are threepoints in front of Longwarry, who have ahugeshots advantage over Newborough and Trafalgar if they can bridge the points gap.

Newborough travel to Traralgon and will need amightyefforttoremain in second place,while Trafalgar travels to Traralgon RSL and Longwarry to Morwell.

Last Saturday (January 30), Traralgon defeated Trafalgar 95 to 66, Newborough defeated Traralgon RSL 74-64, Longwarry defeated Morwell Club 10853 andDrouindefeated Morwell 79-59. Morwell Club will finish bottom of the ladder in this division.

 DIVISION 2

BOOLARRA had abig winathome against top team Moe, winning 97-56 with all rinks up to replace Moe as ladder leader by one point going into the last round.

Traralgon(2) defeated fifthside Warragul 111-54 andare entrenched in third place.

Garfield, who were defeated by Traralgon (3) 79-78, hold fourth place, 16 points clear of Warragul with an interesting last round coming up.

Garfield travels to Moe, who will be desperate for awin to get back on top.

Warragulplays bottom team TraralgonRSL (2) at homeasthey seek to win all rinks and hope Garfield lose all theirs at Moe.

BOWLS

STRZELECKI NORTH

SATURDAY PENNANT 2025 -26ROUND

13,31-Jan-26

DIVISION 1

Traralgon1695Trafalgar 266

Newborough 14 74 Traralgon RSL4 64

Longwarry18108 Morwell Club 053

Drouin 16 79 Morwell 259

DIVISION2

NeerimDistrict1490TraralgonRSL (2) 479

Traralgon(2) 18 111Warragul0 54

Boolarra 18 97 Moe 056

Traralgon(3) 12 79 Garfield 678

DIVISION 3

Thorpdale1693Longwarry(2) 270 Morwell (2)18121 Drouin(2) 032 Trafalgar (2) 14 77 Yinnar 475 Newborough (2) 15 71 Moe (2) 370

DIVISION 4

Newborough (3) 18 90 Neerim District (2)0 61

Traralgon(4) 16 76 Churchill 264

TraralgonRSL (3)1273Yarragon6 71 Warragul (2) 17 94 Yallourn North1 64

DIVISION 5

Morwell (3)1261Warragul (3)4 52

Traralgon(5) 14 67 Trafalgar (3) 249 Garfield (2)1671Drouin(3) 046

DIVISION 6

Longwarry(3) 12 81 Traralgon (6)4 51

Morwell Club (2) Bye

Newborough (4) 14 62 Boolarra (2)2 46

Morwell (4)1461Moe (3) 250

DIVISION 7

Drouin (4) 10 53 Churchill (2)0 33

Thorpdale(2) 10 52 Yallourn North(2) 021

TraralgonRSL (4)Bye Morwell (5)1059Boolarra (3)0 32

STRZELECKI NORTHPLAYING AREA

SATURDAY PENNANTLADDERS31Jan

2026

DIVISION1

NameW LD FA Diff. P

Traralgon1 11 11 1202 830 372 196

Newborough 18 41 1039 989 50 138 Trafalgar 17 421037972 65 137 Longwarry1 76 01123927 196134 Morwell1 58 0956 1023-67 97 TraralgonRSL 15 71896 1056-160 97 Drouin 14 81870 1001 -131 86

Last Saturday, Neerim District defeated Traralgon RSL (2) 90-79.

 DIVISION 3

NEWBOROUGH(2) defeated Moe at Moe71-70, with scores tied prior to thelastend being completed, leaving Newborough (2) set to finish top of the ladder.

Trafalgar (2) are currently second after a77-75 win at Yinnar, which puts the latter to the bottom of the ladder following Morwell (2)’s all rinks win 121-32.

Morwell strengthened its team by dropping their Division 1skippers down to assist it's second side in escaping from bottom position.

Morwell (2) are now sevenpointsclear of Yinnar as they travel to Longwarry this weekend and Yinnar visits Newborough.

Trafalgar welcomesMoe (2) on Saturday, with Moe (2) in fourth place on the ladder, 13 points behind Longwarry (2) and 10 points in front of Thorpdale, who defeated Longwarry 93-70.

Longwarry now travel to Drouin (2), seeking a big win, and aMoe (2) loss to sneak into the four.



DIVISION 4

WARRAGUL (2) remainintop position after defeating Yallourn North 94-64, and travel to second-placed Newborough (3) in the last round as aprecursor to its semi-final the following week at Warragul.

Newborough (3) defeated Neerim District 90-61.

Traralgon (4) defeated Churchill 76-64 to hold third- place,six points in front of Traralgon RSL (3), with avisit to Yarragon in the last round.

Traralgon RSL (3) defeated Yarragon73-71,leavingthem to play Churchill this weekend, looking to hold onto their place in the four.

Yarragon is two points behind Traralgon RSL (3) and with awin,could well make finals.

 DIVISION 5

MORWELL (3) are six points ahead of Traralgon (5) with Garfield (2) afurther twopointsbehind in third.

Drouin (3) will finish fourth on the ladder.

Last Saturday, Morwell (3) defeated Warragul(3) 61-52, Garfield (2) defeated Drouin (3) 71-46, and Traralgon (5) defeated Trafalgar (3) 67-49.

This weekend, Garfield hosts Traralgon (5), with the winner likely to finish in second position, while Morwell (3) plays Trafalgar (3) and Drouin (3) plays bottom side Warragul (3).

NameW LD FA Diff. P

Warragul 2102 11049792 257 177

Newborough 38 32 985 724 261158

Traralgon4 66 1945 890 55 116

TraralgonRSL 36 61891 984 -93 110

Yarragon1 47 2865 81550108

YallournNorth (1)56 2789 923 -134103 Churchill 14 72803 868 -65 94

NeerimDistrict2 39 1803 1134 -331 70

DIVISION5

NameW LD FA Diff. P

Morwell 38 23700 517183 138

Traralgon5 83 2665 587 78 132

Garfield 27 33647 604 43 130

Drouin 35 62644 590 54 100

Trafalgar 33 82535 702 -167 73

Warragul 31 10 2523 714-19151

DIVISION6

NameW LD FA Diff. P

Newborough 49 02 601436 165150

Morwell4 64 2556 583 -27 106

Morwell Club 26 41 622 522 100103

Longwarry3 64 1609 571 38 98

Moe 35 51 611569 42 90

Boolarra2 28 1493 701-208 41

Traralgon 61 10 0619 729-11036

DIVISION7

NameW LD FA Diff. P

Drouin 47 31431 266 16578

Morwell 56 41393 343 50 67

TraralgonRSL 45 51340 331 956

Boolarra 35 51403 425 -22 54

YallournNorth 24 62355 399 -44 50 Churchill 24 52291 335 -44 43

Thorpdale2 47 0367 481 -114 42

GOLF

CHURCHILL AND MONASH

Foursomes –24thJanuary 2026

Winners: P. McGann/Adam West 67.5 Nett

RunnersUp: C. Hogbin/D.Ellwood 69 Nett

D.T.L: 1. T. Collins/P.Jordan 70.5, 2. M. Lugton/C.Thompson 71,3.A.Auld/B.Kilday 71, 4. G. Leahy/D.Burridge 71.5, 5. S.

Caldwell/C.Stevens 72.

N.T.P: 3rdR.Madigan, 5th S. Reid,12th R.

Madigan, 14th G. Spowart

Birdies: 3rdD.Byers/L. Anderson

Par–27thJanuary 2026

Winner: C. Barnes +7

D.T.L: C. Stevens 0 N.T.P: 3rdC.Stevens,5th M. Hutchinson, 12th J. Blizzard, 14th C. Stevens

MIRBOO NORTH

Tuesday27Jan -Stableford

AGrade Winner: GRenwick (10) 41c/b

BGrade Winner: CGunn (18) 41c/b



DIVISION 6

NEWBOROUGH (4) are well clear on top of the ladder after defeating Boolarra (2) 62-46.

Morwell (4) defeated Moe (3) 61-50 to move into second place.

Although, with the bye in thelastround, Morwell Club (2), whoare three points behind Morwell (4) and Longwarry (3),eight points behind,couldmove past them.

Morwell Club (2) visit Moe (3), who need to win to have achance of moving into the final four, as Longwarry (3) has to play Newborough (4).

 DIVISION 7

DROUIN (4) and Morwell (5) must finish first and second.

Drouin (4) travels to Boolarra (3) and Morwell (5) to Churchill (2).

Yallourn North has the bye and Traralgon RSL (4) hosts Thorpdale (2).

Traralgon RSL (4) and Boolarra (3) will contest the other semi-final, with the home ground to be determined by the coming weekend's results.

 STATE triples finals will be held at Longwarry today (Wednesday, February 4), with Tara Harle, Lyn Smith and Gayle Rejmer (all Morwell Club) playing Karren Sheers, Pat Fraser-Aurisch (both Neerim District) and Di Richards (Traralgon). In the men's, JoshTaylor, Patrick Lewis and Riley Oddy(allMirboo North) play Ken Towt (Longwarry), Gary Ingley (Warragul) and Craig Cousin (Longwarry).

One million participants by 2033 the aim

FOOTBALL

FOOTBALLparticipation across Victoria continues to grow, surpassing 250,000 registered participants in 2025 to mark an all-time record for the state.

Victorians accounted for more than 40 per cent of all football participants nation-wide last year, up six per cent on 2024, with the national total reaching arecord 625,000 participants.

Touted as the ‘older sibling’ofNAB AFL Auskick, boys and girls’ participation in NAB AFL Superkick grew by 170 per cent in Victoria, hitting anew record of 10,000 participants in the program’s second year.

Modified footy offeringAFL Nines continuedto grow in popularity, with a27per cent increase in registered participants.

Growth in community football across both country Victoria andmetropolitan Melbourne remains steady, with more than 183,000 Victorians registered with alocal club from junior and youth through to senior level.

Women and girls participation continues to grow, up fourper cent across community football, whileone in five AFL Auskick and Superkick

SCOREBOARD

DTL: BSkinner 41,R Felmingham,P Cummaudo,D Taylor 36 Eagle: CPorto 17th

Birdie: 4thBSkinner,G Renwick, JWoodall, PWoodall: 6thN Rutledge -16th GShandley, RFelmingham

NTP: 4thGRenwick,6th NRutledge,13thN Lugton, 16th RFelmingham

Saturday31Jan -Par

AGrade Winner: PDraper(8) +4c/b

BGrade Winner: PHughes (17) +3c/b

CGrade Winner: SJordan(27)+5c/b

DTL: DJerram +5,J Bennett, SMcKenzie,D Woodall +4, TTraill+3c/b

Eagle: TBradshaw1st Birdie: 4th SWoodall, GRenwick-6th S McKenzie,D Woodall, NBaker,S Mills -13thJ McFarlane -16th JSmeriglio,W Gervasi

NTP: 4thE Woodall, 6thN Baker,13th T Bradshaw, 16th JSmeriglio

MOE

Sunday, 25 January2026 OPEN Sunday 9

hole Stableford

Grade AWinners: Gooding, Colin (10) 16 C/B

Sunday, 25 January2026 OPEN Sunday

Mixed Stableford

Grade AWinners: Randall, Damien (22)43

Place Getters: Duncan, Nick40Veenman, Laurie 37 C/B

Monday, 26 January2026 OPEN Mixed

Stableford-Public

Grade AWinners: White, Rodney(13)40

Grade BWinners: Weir,Charles (15) 38

Grade CWinners: Enzinger,Michael (23) 39 Place Getters: Borg, Reno 39 Panozzo, Gavan37C/B Shaw, Karen37C/B Mead, Barry37Skicko, Nick35C/B Johnson, Charles 35 Colvin, Anthony35 Mead, Anne 34 C/B Randall, Damien 34 C/B

Great Score: Lee Wilson (Eagle) @10

Lee Wilson (Birdie)@8 AmyTaylor (Birdie)

@4Stephen Bates (Birdie) @8

Nearest to Pin: 4th MarkAndo

8th Ryan Wilson 14th Tony Johnson

Wednesday, 28 January 2026 WOMEN'S OPENING DAY12HolesStableford

Grade AWinners: Young, Gwen (29) 27

Grade BWinners: Mifsud, Helen (52) 31

Place Getters: O'Reilly, Christine 28

Birrell, Chris 26 C/BElliot, Christine 26

Great Score: Helen Mifsud (Birdie) @4

Nearest to Pin: 4thHelenMifsud

14th Christine O'Reilly

Target Hole Prize: ChristineO'Reilly

Thursday, 29 January 2026OPEN Mixed

Stableford

Grade AWinners: Backman,Shane (7) 38

Grade BWinners: Scammell, Mark (14)

40 C/B

Grade CWinners: Shearing,Jason (17) 39

Grade DWinners: Azzopardi, Nato(25) 40

Place Getters: Babet, Alain 40 C/B

participants were girls in 2025.

For thefirsttime ever,Victoria celebrated 1000 women and girls registered as community umpires.

ExecutiveGeneral Manager of Game Development, Rob Auld, said the record numbers reflect both the strength of the game and the deepening connection Australians continueto build with footy.

“Reaching 625,000 participants (nationally) thisyear is aremarkable achievement and a powerful reminder of how footy continues to bring communities together across the country,” Auld said.

“As more Australians find their pathway into the game, our focusremains on making sure footy is welcoming, inclusive and accessible as we strive to have one million participants by 2033.

“To sustain the game for generations to come, we need astrongfoundation. These results are driven by thethousands of peoplewho give their time,energy and passion to footy every week.

"We know there are challenges in local footy and there is still work that needs to be done to help clubs; but to our clubs, thank you and we’re incredibly grateful for everything you do.”

Boyce, John 39 C/B Hamilton, Alec38 Meyer, Dirk37C/B Eastaway, Karl 37 Bassman, Jeffrey 37 Stirzaker,Jason 36 C/B Garlick, Karl 36 Carolan, Anthony35 C/B Ray, Michael 35 C/B Davidson, Craig 35 Halkett, David 34 C/B Lloyd,Richard34C/B Hall, Bill34C/B Yeomans,Wayne 34 C/B Veenman, Laurie 34 C/B

Great Score: Lockie White(Birdie) @14

DirkMeyer(Birdie) @14PaulSpiteri (Birdie) @8 AnthonyColvin(Birdie)@ 14

Dane Ellwood (Birdie) @14

Nearest to Pin: 4th RobKing 8th Paddy Sleswick 14th Dane Ellwood

Sunday, 01 February 2026 OPENSunday9 hole Stableford

Grade AWinners: McGrath, Gail (22) 17

Place Getters: Birrell,Chris 14

Sunday, 01 February 2026 OPEN Sunday

Mixed Stableford

Grade BWinners: Griggs,Ryan(22) 42

Place Getters: Chapman, Kaleb 37 C/B Donaldson,Leanne 37

TRAFALGAR

Tuesday27/01/26- Stableford

Winner: Hank Fiddelaers(25)

Runner Up: Andy Kiss (23)

DTL's: AlGray(22) Harold McNair(20) Creg Porter (20) GeoffFallon (19)

NormMether(17)GraemeGrant (19)

NTP: Paul Foggarty (5th)

Lucky Card: Steve Gould

Thursday 29/01/26 -Stableford4 club

challenge

Ladies Winner: JanGriffin (21)

Runner Up: Helen Keith (20)

DTL: Anne Outhred(19)Heather Savige (19) Cheryl Deppeler (18)

NTP: 13th CherylDeppeler

Lucky Card: BevKeily

Mens Winner: Ian Outhred(24)

Runner Up: Neil Watson (22) c/b

DTL: Ed Hayward(22) Greg Porter (22) Max Pugliese (21) Steve Gould (20) Peter Cooke(19)

WayneDunn(19)Craig Scanlan(19)

NTP:13th Tony Shearer

LuckyCard: Laurie Snowball

FridayJanuary 30th, Open Men’s& Ladies

Stableford

AGrade Winner: Dwayne Jenkins 41 pts

C/B

BGrade Winner: DenisDyke41pts

DTL’s: PeterHobson 41, PeterHeathcote 40, MarkAndo 39, SymonLee 39, Bob Baldry38, Greg Evison 38,BradScott 37 Steve Clark37, WarwickGriggs 36 C/B Birdies: 11th:David Winfield 13th:Jack Marshall, PeterHobson 15th: SymonLee, Bob Baldry

SaturdayJanuary 31st, Stableford

AGrade Winner: Tony Gray 43 pts

BGrade Winner: SueKlemke41pts

CGrade Winner: RoyWhatmough 41 pts

DTL’s: Tony shearer39, RobSaunders39,

RayWiseman 39,LukeBrain 39,Tim Cross 38, Zavier O’Reilly38, Craig Blackshaw 38 Duane Baker 38,Nathan Dart 38,Markl Ando38, JanJansen 38 C/B

HoleinOne: 5th:AnthonyGould

Eagle: 7th: BruceAplin

NTP’s: 2nd: Chad McKie –Alison Bailey 5th:AnthonyGould– MariaBrien Williams 11th: Greg Porter 13th: PeterBurghardt15th: TimCross

YALLOURN

Ladies12 Hole SummerThursday15-1-26

Div 1: (0-32) LynMcAlister 27pts Div 2:(33-54) Maureen Bishop 23 pts. Week 6: No play.Junior Competitionheld Thursday29-1-26 Div 1:(0-35)Heather Ware 25 pts.Div 2 (36-54)Donna Brown23pts. Tuesday13-1-269 Hole Stableford Div 1: (0-32) Sue Caldow 20 pts. Div 2 (33-54)Donna Brown22pts Tuesday20-1-2618HoleStableford Div 1: Maureen Bishop 39 pts DTL: Sue Caldow 37 pts EvelinGraske36 pts

TENNIS

RIVERSIDE TENNIS

Traralgon swimmers return home withsore necks

SWIMMING

TRARALGON Swimming Club returned from the VictorianCountry SwimmingChampionshipswith 20 gold, 28 silver and 23 bronze medals.

The efforts of 78 swimmersmeant Traralgon won the male points score trophy for the first time in five years, and came overall runner-up to Geelong. Individually, male club captainAsh Nicholes (19) won the BruceCarterTrophyasthe most outstanding swimmer at the meet.

Eleven-year-old Henry Arnup broke two event records in the 50 metre freestyle and backstroke.

The Boys17years/overteam of ex Olympian Ash Delaney, Ash Nicholes, Darcy Connell and ex Australianrepresentative ShaneAsburybroke the Victorian Country and event record in the 4x50 medley relay with atimeof1.47.31, breaking the previous record of 1.48.26 also held by Traralgon from 2014.

Traralgon Swimming Club SeniorHead Coach,BrianFord, attendinghis 55th Country Championships, spoke highly of the team.

“To pushGeelong to 44 pointswas amighty effort by the club," he said.

"We had aslightlead going into the final day but were just overrun with numbers on the last day.

"Winningthe male teamtrophy was abonus, however we are equally proud of our girls,some of who had amazingswims, none more so than the girls 4x100 freestyle relay of Elayna Pistrin, Olivia Baillie, Phoebe Balcombe and Lara Landels who won the unwinnable with one the club’s greatest ever relay victories.”

Traralgon individual medal winners

AshNicholes: four gold, twosilver, onebronze.

HenryArnup: four gold, twosilver.

BrodyCargill: twogold, twosilver.

Lockie Bellion: one gold, twosilver, three bronze.

One of the toughest races in Australia

ATHLETICS

TRARALGON HARRIERS BY BARRYHIGGINS

VETERAN Harrier Kylie Murray recently celebratedher birthday with an outstanding result in the Bogong to Hotham mountain race, across not one, but two high mountains. In the 35-kilometre event, Kylie wasoutright second to the Albury-basedwinner, SarahJayne Miller. Five of the firstsix finishers were women. Go girls!

With arich trail running history, this year was the B2H’s 35th running, with afew gap years along the way. One of the toughestraces in Australia, it offers spectacular views but is an extreme challenge for trail runners, with more than three kilometresofsteep uphill climbs and two kilometres of bone-jarring sheer downhills. Runnersclimb Victoria’s highest mountain, Mt Bogong, descends to Big River and then climbs up to the Bogong High Plains. It

continues across the high plainsbefore dropping to the Cobungra Riverand finally climbs to the finish at Mt Hotham summit.

An experiencedand successfulmountain runner, Kylie said, “It was agreat event, with very nice people around us, and lovely scenery. Butitwas verysteep,with long climbs bothup and down –challenging elements, especially as it was quite windy at times."

“It wasa newchallengeand at onestageI asked myself, ‘what am Idoing here?’,but I enjoyed my first visit to Falls Creek."

Selected results

64km: Chad Freak (first) 7:01:00, Nicole Paton (first female) 8:49:0. 35km: Sarah-Jayne Miller (first) 5:02:36, Kylie Murray (second) 5:20:27 SamFerguson (first male) 5:30:38, Sasha Taplin (fourth) 5:33:56, Prue Davies (fifth) 5:41:01, FanXiang (sixth) 5:44:56. 29km: Alex Lewis(first) 3:47:47,Michaela Mooney(first female) 4:47:15.

Anna Mittell: ...........................................one gold.

Tahlia Maccubbin: four silver, onebronze.

Koby Said: three silver, onebronze.

Elayna Pistrin: twosilver.

Hayden Rawson: twosilver.

RileyBartlett: one silver, one bronze.

Zayden Burton: one silver, onebronze.

Darcy Connell: one silver.

Shane Asbury: five bronze.

Kayla Wilson MC: twobronze.

Olivia Baille: one bronze.

Phoebe Balcombe: twobronze.

Additional relay medal winners

BlakeWarne (11) MC,Florence White(12), Ruby Demetrios (12), ClaireMcQuillen (12), Angus Turnbull (12), Austin Ryan (12), Audrey Baillie (13), Chloe Rawson (13), Chloe Szkwarek (14), Isal Ryan (14), MacyPraetz(15), Thomas Pendergast (15), LaraLandels (16), Ruby Paulet (17), Emily Auteri (18), SamWells (18), SamSbaglia (20), Eliza Watts(20), Will Pendergast (21), Josh Wight (21), Evelyn Asbury(30), CamJuha (32), Ashley Delaney(39), Maasa Hummel (41).

Additional finalists

Ben Edgar (10), Oliver Bevis (11), Eli Hutty (11), SarahFranklin (11), HenrySvoboda (11), Lachlan Hynd (11), RileyO’Mara(11), Xander Szkwarek (12), Addison Prout (13), Sophie Arnup(13), Kynan Burton(14), Elijah Vercoe (14), Aliza Couling (14), Milla Said (14), HarryKurrle (14), Tyler White(15), Linden Chaplin (15), MaxAuteri(15), Isabella Slocombe (16), Zoe Dowler (20), Abby Warner (20), MarkPistrin(21), BrentonFord(38), Caitie Mitchell (38), CourtneyFord(40).

Melbourne makes Opals cut, but strike action puts doubt on start of season

BASKETBALL

FIBA

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

SEVENcutswere made for the Australian Opals, with Traralgon'sJadeMelbourne holding her spot.

The duel WNBL and WNBA player will don the green and gold for the third time in her professional career at the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers held in Istanbul, Turkey from March 11 to 17.

At the lead-in tournament, the Opals will do battle against someseriouscompetition, including Argentina,Canada, Japan,Hungary,and host nation Turkey.

While still being branded as aqualifying event, all countrieslisted in Group Aalongside Australia have already been permitted into the FIBA Women's World Cup, but will use these games as high intensity preparation.

Melbourne, who is close to completing her sixth season in the WNBL with the University of Canberra Capitals, previously played for the Opals in the FIBA Women's Asia Cupin2021 as a 19-year-old, and most recently won abronze medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

After the qualifiers wrap up, the FIBA Women's World Cup will be played in Germany from September 4to13.

Thiswill overlap with the upcomingWNBA season, whichwill begin on May 8, only if theleague and players' association can complete adeal on a new collective bargaining agreement in time.

If anew dealisn't met beforethe start of the season, alock-out could ensue (essentially aplayers strike, halting the start of competition).

It will be Melbourne's fourthseason in the top basketball league in the world, and her third with the Washington Mystics.

Last year, the Traralgon star played the most games in her career and started 12 times after previously never doing so.

The 2026 season serves as the WNBA's 30th anniversary, which includes the introduction of two newfranchises in Toronto and Portland, expanding the league to 15 teams.

Despite this growth, a44-game season will stay put, with anear three-weekbreak for the FIBA Women's World Cup at the start of September.

Team Traralgon: Thestate swimming championships were very successful forthe LatrobeValley-based club

Photograph supplied

Winnersare grinners: Traralgon Harrier Kylie Murrayand outright Bogong to Hotham winner Sarah-Jayne Miller, both finished ahead of themalerunners. Photograph supplied

Second day looking predictable

CRICKET

CLV BY LIAM DURKIN

ON the home stretch to finals.

CricketLatrobe Valley saw out January with two day cricket makinga return as Round 12 commenced.

Cricketers are in the midst of abusy schedule, as the Gippsland Cricket Leagueseason justwrapped up, and Country Week begins next week. Back at clubland, therewas some good moments in the lower grades.

Rob Semmler scored acentury for Morwell, and Jesse Berryman-Lambert took five fa for Raiders. Both have been absolute warriors for their clubs. Semmler’s ton was perhaps made even more satisfying given it was against aCATSteam that included former Morwell coach Rory Hare.

Some discussion has already started generating for next season as well.

Jeeralang-Boolarra are reportedly seriously considering re-joining AGrade,much to their credit.

The Panthers have only been out of AGrade for three seasons, and have maintainedadesire to field an AGrade provided it is sustainable.

Now appears agood time -Jeeralang-Boolarra is fourth on the Premier Bladder and first on the

OAMhonours

CONGRATULATIONS are due for a number of locals who were awarded OAMs in this year’s Australia Day honours for their services to cricket.

Gormandalestalwart Gavin Foenander was bestowed for his 50 years’commitment to his club and league during the Traralgon District Cricket Association days. His old school teacher, Gary Adams was also recognised for what he gave to cricket in the Leongatha region.

Australian women’s cricket legend AnneGordon waslikewisegiven an OAM.

Gordon was born in Moe, and went on to captain Australia at thefirst-ever women’s Test match played at Lord’s in 1976. Surprisingly,nothingisknown of her time in Moe, even after this writer flickedout amessage to afew Moe Cricket Club veterans last week. If anyone has any information that may be helpful, feel free to email: news@lvexpress.com.au

Feature stories on local cricket OAM recipients will appear in upcoming issues of the Express.

One town,two captains

GETTINGtodance with Katy Perry andcaptaining Australia.

Not abad life.

Further congratulationstoGippsland cricket, afterBairnsdale’s own Sophie Molineux was appointed captain of the international women’s side.

The spinner has been given the nod as Alyssa Healy’s successor.

CGrade ladder with good junior players coming through from under 16s and 14s.

If the Panthers do enter AGrade,one imagines a playerlikeBrendan Mason will commitmore often, while it would also make the task of recruiting players easier.

Former CLV clubTrafalgar has also been brought up in the annual discussion of apossible return (death, taxes).

The Express canconfirm the Ships will be staying in Warragul, unless of course amutiny is being planned the current sitting secretary is unaware of.

 THAT’S just how Moe plays.

The Lions batted for 90 overs against Churchill, ending the day 6/234.

Lions skipper Matt Hibbshad an easy decision at the toss, and saw mostofhis top order make decent contributions at Andrews Park West.

The man with the same first name as the venue scored 64, with Andrew Philip putting in atypically methodical innings. That he faced more than 100 balls without scoring providesanimportant lesson

Hibbs made 59 not out, and will surely be tempted to try and slog aquick 40 in 10 overs on Day 2.

Anu Anubhav (30) and Ben Zomer (28) also took the Lions’ total past 200.

Most of Churchill’s front liners showed equal patience, going at one and two an over.

Matt Harvey had the most success, taking 3/38.

 IF Centrals has abatting coach, they might be using Mad Monday as their farewell party.

Another diabolical performance with the bat saw the Lions routed for 42 against Glengarry.

The home side quickly won on first innings, declared with 150 on the board, and already have Centrals one down in its second dig.

Cam Graham and Max Merton took four wickets each in the first innings, while Brandon Mayberry snared 2/1.

Graham then got to work with the bat, scoring 32, along with Hamish Busk, who made 28.

Al Jenkin however ensured adeclaration could be made, getting 60 not out off 66 balls.

MarcFenech at leasttook4/55and Tyron Gamage 2/29 for the Lions.

Centralsare looking at an outright defeat, needingtoscore 77 runs just to make the Magpies bat again.

Amazingly, after being well out of finals contention before Nat Freitagreturned,Glengarrycan leapfrog Churchill and Imperials into the top four if it takes 10 points on Day 2.

Maybe the curse wasn’t broken after Centrals won the 2023/24 AGrade premiership.

 MORWELL has the advantage against Imperials.

The Tigers have the home side 1/7 chasing 207.

Imperials made the surprise decision to bowl

Quick singles with Liam Durkin

Healy willalsoneed anothersuccessorasfirst-choice with the gloves, and locals will be hoping they are handed to Moe’s Nicole Faltum. While Beth Mooney will likely get first dibs, Faltum and Molineux are close friends and teammates at Melbourne Renegades, and onewould assume Molineuxwillput in agood word for her fellow Gippslander.

Faltum’s old man called through last weektosay herbirthdayonCricinfo was incorrect -surely the only mistake

on the entire website.

Bairnsdale has now produced two Australian cricket captains, the other being Cameron White.

Beachballs

GREAT knockbya great man in C Grade at the weekend.

Phil Gibsonwhacked 149red for Traralgon West, belting the ball to all parts of Willow Grove Rec.

Would that be thehighest scoreon the ground?

1STINNINGS

RWheildon not out 15 KO’Reilly c&b JPryde 14 TDunnnot out 2 TOTAL (16 Overs) 1/31

EX STUDENTS 1STINNINGS BOWLING MHarris 3-0-13-0, ABrady 2-0-14-0, JPryde 6-3-4-1, LStockdale 5-5-0-0

first, and while the Tigers slumped to 3/36, runs to Jordan Campbell (38), Luke Gettings (36), Tim Ford (35),Blair Clymo (32) and Todd Dixon (32) showed apleasing sharing of the load as faras Morwell was concerned. The Tigers had afour over skirt at Imperials before stumps, and managed to prize out one wicket.

Todd Mann will be very sore this week after sending down 32 overs and taking 4/85.

Perhaps unlike Mann,Scott Aitken (3/42) and Charlie Pilling (2/27) will now turn their attention to batting.

 YOU just can’t buy this experience.

Ex Studentsdeclared at 5/310,and has Toongabbie 1/31 in reply at Terry Hunter Oval. The same formula again provedsuccessful for the Sharks: bat first, keep wickets in hand and go at areasonable rate.

Lee Stockdale top-scored with69and Rick Battista made an unbeaten 66 off 65 balls.

Youngster Fletcher Graham played his breakthrough innings, scoring 51 batting first drop. This followed openers Matt Dyke (35) and Jimmy Pryde (30) giving the team an ideal platform, followed by Michael Stockdale coming in later to score 31 off 37.

Amal

Athulathmudali collected 4/70for his toils.

Ex Students batted for 69 overs, giving the Rams atricky 16 overs to see out.

Theideawas to have asenior player outinthe middle helping the kids, but of course you’d get the odd glory hunter who’d just start teeing off.

Runmachine

HE has to be up there with the greatest ever.

Gibson is familiar to many in local horse racing, being one of the dedicated committee members at Latrobe Valley Racing Club, Traralgon.

His son Sam provides great assistance on the track, helping club chairperson Frank Bezzina.

Givesomeone else ago

PLENTY of runs in CGrade comps at the weekend,withthreeplayers scoring tons.

Not to rain on anyone’s parade, but should retirement rules be brought in next season?

Warragul Districthas retirement at 50 in its equivalent competition–Division 5.

Like any rule, it can be manipulated if ateamloses wickets and the better players go back in, but generally speaking,itgives most players the chance to have ahit.

Cricket needs to keep all the kids it can, and they are unlikely to hang aroundifthey are spendingtheir Saturdays chasing leather.

The usual gentleman’s rule if two adults are facing akid in CGrade is to just rotate strike.

Therewas some poor forminthe old CentralGippydayswhenyou could play adults in under 16s.

CRICKETLATROBEVALLEY

CHURCHILLVMOE at AndrewsPark West MOE 1STINNINGS

AAnubhavcA Ceeney b: CWWilliams 30 RPhoenix cACeeney bRHarvey. 11

APhilip bMHarvey. 64

BZomer run out (A Ceeney,JHigham) 28 MHibbs not out 59

NKanecB Kearns bM Harvey. 24 CGrant lbwMHarvey. 3 CRobinson not out 0 Sundries (0w 6nb 4lb 5b) 15 TOTAL (90 Overs). 6/234

CHURCHILL1ST INNINGS BOWLING

RHarvey16-5-27-1, RAyres 17-5-33-0, SWarr 12-2-34-0, Chris W Williams 11-4-18-1, JKeighran 17-1-49-0, JHigham 4-0-25-0, M

Harvey12-2-38-3, BKearns 1-0-1-0

IMPERIALSVMORWELL at Catterick Crescent MORWELL 1STINNINGS BATTING

KFortuin cCPilling bT Mann 10 MCukier cLBlake bT Mann 20

cRMorley bT Mann 32

BBrincat cSAitkenb TMann 1

TDixon cSAitken bC Pilling 32 RWhelpdale bSAitken

1STINNINGS BOWLING TMann 32-12-85-4, DThilakarathne 4-1-13-0, SAitken 22-8-42-3, C Pilling 8.2-1-27-2, HDunstan 5-1-12-0, TDonoghue 9-0-27-1 IMPERIALS 1STINNINGS

RMorley

Another century to Steve Spoljaric at the weekend. At 48, the man known as ‘Spolly’ is still churning out runs in the SaleMaffra comp.

His most recent effortwas an unbeaten 103 playing for Longford. Spoljaric has joined the club this season,takingthem from perennial battler to top of the SMCA one day ladder.

Beforethat, he was at Bundalaguah forfive seasons, where he was named by one well-credentialed past player as the best to ever play for the club. High praise indeed when anyone withthe lastnameWrigglesworth has played there, not to mention former Victorian quick Nathan King and Australian player Travis Birt. Interestingly though, despite finishing every season with 500 runs and 20 wickets, Spoljaric never won aflag at Bundy.

Allan Jeans always justified his decisiontomoveGaryAblett Sr on from Hawthorn by sayinghenever won aflag with Geelong.

Have to mention another local legend,PeterDell,now into his 50s, who scored aton for OuttrimMoyarra Kongwak

It was 106 not out in ateam total of 159 as well.

Strange first day in CLVAGrade

CRICKET

CLV

BY LIAM DURKIN

WHAT on EarthhappenedinCricket Latrobe Valley AGrade at the weekend?

Extremely low scores wererecorded across most games, as wickets tumbled on Day 1ofRound 12. The one game that did buck the trend was Rovers versus Latrobe.

 THE Sharks batted first at Duncan Cameron after being sent in.

Latrobe skipper Steven Freshwater led from the frontwith 57, and received good support from fellow veterans Adam Duncan (32 not out) and Jamie Coltman (26).

The trio faced acombined total of nearly 300 balls Say what you will about Latrobe’s batting over the years, one thing you can’t deny is most of the older blokes put avery high price on their wicket. Duncan cameinat11afterSteve Hanningscored 33 off 23.

The wicket-keeperiscertainlynot aNumber 11, although that position does hold some strange reverence at Latrobe. Former skipper Brendan Evans always coveted the position. It ended up being aday for the veterans, with SimonDufftaking 4/49 for Rovers. LiamLittle, representingthe younger generation, took4/51, including the key wicket of Anthony Bloomfield.

Rovers got throughseven overs before stumps without any damage.

 THIS has got Mirboo North classic written all over it.

The Tigers have CATS 8/73 chasing 138.

The visitors scraped to aseemingly small total at John Black Oval, after Tinashe Panyangara (4/22), Jamie Cochrane (2/6) and Aaron Fawcett (2/18) ran riot.

CATS however were reduced to 4/18 when it was their turn to bat. Four globes by the time stumps were called made for avery sorry scorecard.

Zach Hollisalready has insane figures of 4/2, while Frankie Ingram has 2/34 for Mirboo North.

Ben Hagley is on 31 not out, but Mirboo North willknowfull well Callum Stewartstill has to bat.

That being said, the drop in performance from CATS just after Christmas has been astounding.

After beating Willow Grove reverse outright in the last game before the break (whichcouldtechnically still be counted as somethingofaloss), CATS have not won agame.

 LONG day for Gormy coming up.

The Tigers have already lost on firstinnings, and Willow Grove is 40 runs ahead with Luke Payton still at the crease.

The Wolves elected to bowl first at the toss, and knocked Gormandale over for just 64.

Nimesh Soyza made virtually half the total with an unbeaten 29.

LOWER GRADE SCORES

Saturday, January31

Premier B(Round 16): Churchill 7/124 (L Urand 34, RJohnson 29*, JDoble 3/15, TShankland 2/40) def Centrals 123(DRode 68*, RJohnson 3/19, CBoys 3/20, ANorman 2/34), Ex Students 4/98 (A McCormack 32*, JZappulla 28, DFarmer 2/25) def Moe 97 (M Johnstone 25, LBastin 3/14, SFarmer 2/15, TChurchill 2/24), Jeeralang-Boolarra9/166 (G Smith 66, LSmith 30,T Beamish 26*, BDyke3/22, MPowell 2/46) def Thorpdale 165(MPowell 29, MGraeme 28, DTaylor 27,HHewawasam3/34, CStanton 2/16, JWus 2/24) Toongabbie 5/223 (M Dunn 94, JLove64*, BGrieve 29, PHenry3/44) def Glengarry7/220 (P Henry96, D Cochrane 55, AWright 25*, MCooper 3/20), Morwell 188 (R Semmler 103, JGuy 3/53, JMotta 2/20, RHare2/23) defCATS8/142 (H Cooper 29*, DWilson26, SBilic 4/14, CSeymour 2/40).

BGrade (Round 16): Mirboo North 7/259 (C Snell 74*, S Rogers74, EWoodall 47,S Rockliff 4/47) def Latrobe 145 (M Zomer 47,T Dhawan34, RobColgrave 3/8, LSwain 2/6, CSnell 2/32), Raiders6/133 def Traralgon West 132 (G Stephens 36, LPhillips 27,J Berryman-Lambert5/24, JVarghese 2/21), Rovers 6/139 (S Boyes41, ARathbone 34*, MJennings 2/31) def Willow Grove137 (T Norton40, PGrima 32,CBoyes 4/22, KScott3/30), Imperials 7/126 (R Martin 45, TPaulet 27,J Bull 3/32, GSwan2/33) def Gormandale 6/120 (J Scurlock53, DLoots 2/17, LSykes 2/21).

Premier C(Round12): Moe 176 (P Cake 42, DMorris 4/38, MHiggingbottom2/23) def Imperials 9/167 (C Veenman 4/28, NReed 2/17), Rawson 7/139 (B Richards 47,J Cargill33, AYoung 29, DMoorhouse 3/34, T Poursanidis 2/1) def Centrals 138(AFoley76, BRichards 3/45, LWatson 2/13), Churchill 8/161 (S McCulloch 46*, TBrighton 41, DCalder 3/13, JCorbin 3/19) def Mirboo

North 158(SBickerton 33, KToogood 32, PWoodall 27

GHarvey2/23, TBrighton 2/25, DHart2/37), Morwell 5/143 (C Monds 51*, RFarley2/16, ADomaille 2/27) def Toongabbie 142(DAndjelkovic 29, RFarley26, BRoberts 3/29, CMonds 2/19), Ex Students 2/108 (J Robertson 47*, NMillington39*) def Glengarry105 (A Hodson 46,B Clark27*, JRobertson 2/5, JChurchill 2/22, MBentley 2/28, NMillington 2/41).

CGrade (Round 12): Traralgon West 5/301(PGibson 149*, BMcQuillen 78, Jvan der Stoep 2/46, BJennings 2/55) def Willow Grove165 (N McIntosh 55, TCotter25, AMohan 4/11, MEdebohls 2/43), Gormandale 9/280 (N Nikodemski 164, JKendall 67,John Daddo 2/15, SDarby 2/38) def Raiders9/61(JAinsworth 5/12,M Smallwood 2/6), Jeeralang-Boolarra5/197 (A Parker 69, EStanton 57,RO’Donnell 4/39) def Rovers 6/195 (D Brain 106, ASachdeva 44), CATS vs Latrobe (no scores entered), Imperials -bye Thursday, January29

Women’s Championship (Round 13): Centrals 5/97 (K Doble 30*) def Traralgon West 3/93 (E Winkel 32), Toongabbie 3/82 (R Cooper 30*) def WillowGrove 3/79 (H Ferguson 30*), Rovers 1/79 (F Morrison 32*) def Churchill 6/78 (S Minster 2/15), Morwell 0/139 (B Clymo 31*, RBall 30*) def Raiders3/72 (J Witney 25*).

Women’s Premier (Round 13): Centrals 1/104 (B Kimpton 33*, KCollins 30*) def WillowGrove 3/90 (M Donoghue 30*, KWheildon 28, KCollins 2/11), Latrobe 2/94 (S Rockliff 24*) def Raiders1/91 (Z Quinsey-Munro 30*, HBaker 26), Churchill 4/96 (S Forbes 30*, EShaw 29) def Ex Students 53, Imperials –bye

Dylan van der Stoep (3/8) and Nick Sallee (3/11) did most of the damage with the ball, as at one stage Gormandale was 6/20.

With only half the day done, Willow Grove won on first innings with all 10 wickets in hand, and then set about building alead.

Ben Edebohls scored 70, continuing what has been acoming-of-age season for him with the bat –atleast from astrike rate point-of-view.

Yohan Soyza bowled 22 very economical overs, conceding just 18 runs and taking two wickets.

As the bowling team heading into Day 2for these sort of games, you know precisely what is going to happenand are thereforedreadingitall week.It's rather like Christmas lunch, so maybe it’s early practise at least.



HE’s just too quick for most blokes at this level.

Raiders have catapulted into premiership contention, mainly because of Keenan Hughes.

The left arm quick took his second seven fa this season,inasomewhatfarcical game at Yinnar Turf

Bowlingfirstagainst Traralgon West, Hughes delivered 15.5 overs of pace that netted figures of 7/17.

HarriMcColl meanwhiletook 2/14tosee the Eagles rocked and rolled for 51.

Raiders made amealofits innings, slapping107 off 39.2 overs. The home side had first innings points in the bag with six wickets in hand, and lost its last four wickets for two runs.

Mick Higgins was there at least to provide some stability with 37 off 50.

Adding to the subplots, Hughes’ brother Connor took 5/22 playing for Traralgon West. Alfie Peck also claimed 4/30. The Eagleshad 14 more overs to bat before stumps, and lost 4/43.

Hayden Kimpton is 29 not out, and McColl has all four wickets. So, in the washup, Traralgon West needs to score 13 runstomakeRaiders bat again, and has six wickers remaining to post any sort of total.

CRICKET LATROBE VALLEY HONOUR BOARD 2025/26

CENTURIES

Rob Semmler (Morwell) 103

Phil Gibson (Traralgon West) 149*

Nathan-Lee Nikodemski (Gormandale) 164

Darren Brain (Rovers) 106

Paul Henry (Glengarry) 131*

Blake Mills (Morwell) 104*

Ryan Ayres (Churchill) 105*

Keenan Hughes (Raiders) 115

Glen Smith (Jeeralang-Boolarra) 107*

Rupinder Sidhu (Raiders) 108*

Matt Stoddart (Toongabbie) 102

Matt Dyke (Ex Students) 118

David Pryde (Ex Students) 100*

Dale Fleming (CATS) 107

Evan Sheekey (Moe) 107

Rob Semmler (Morwell) 109

Declan Wilson (CATS) 112*

Paul Henry (Glengarry) 136*

Lee Stockdale (Ex Students) 100*

Donald Mcdougall (Latrobe) 144*

Darren Brain (Rovers) 138*

Jamie Kendall (Gormandale) 109*

Mark Smallwood (Gormandale) 105*

FIVE WICKETS

Keenan Hughes (Raiders) 7/17

Connor Hughes (Traralgon West) 5/22

Jesse Berryman-Lambert (Raiders) 5/24

Jake Ainsworth (Gormandale) 5/12

James Porter (Glengarry 5/18)

Robert Gray (Morwell) 5/11)

Steve Carney (Rovers) 5/24

CRICKETLATROBEVALLEY

DBanks 4-2-7-0 RAIDERSVTRARALGONWEST at Yinnar -Turf TRARALGON WEST 1STINNINGS CHughes cT Hutchinson bKHughes 12 CGlynn cT Robertson bKHughes

HKimpton 2-0-10-0, JCooke 2-0-18-0

TRARALGON WEST 2NDINNINGS

RFalla cMHiggins bHMcColl 4

HKimpton not out 29

BFleming cH Rogers-Collen bHMcColl 2

BBrightbHMcColl 2

STreasureb HMcColl 5

CHughes not out 0

Sundries (0w 0nb 1lb 0b) 1 TOTAL (14 Overs) 4/43 RAIDERS 2NDINNINGS BOWLING

KHughes6-0-28-0, HMcColl7-2-14-4, GCheshire1-1-0-0 ROVERSVLATROBE at DuncanCameron

LATROBE 1STINNINGS

EHopper cT Pearce bMLeslie 18

JColtmanbSDuff 26

JBloomfield bNFindlay. 5

RNoble cJ Hayter bLLittle 9

ABloomfield lbw LLittle 0

RChokununga cNSingh bLLittle 8

SFreshwater bSDuff 57

ITerrick cD Williams bSDuff 7 SHanning

NFindlay16-3-52-1, SDuff 27.4-7-49-4, LLittle 20-3-51-4, NSingh 5-3-22-0, JPearce 1-0-5-0, DWilliams

Marc Metcalfe (Rawson).................. 6/18

Liam Duncan (Latrobe) 5/30

Jake Ainsworth (Gormandale) 5/21

Matilda Freeman (Morwell)............... 5/9

Todd Mann (Imperials) 5/58

Dane Fawcett (CATS) 6/35

Simon Duff (Rovers) 6/22

Alfie Peck (Traralgon West) 5/96

Keenan Hughes (Raiders) 5/43

Arun Antony (Latrobe) 5/31

Keenan Hughes (Raiders) 7/26

Yohan Soyza (Gormandale) 5/50

Robert Webber (Latrobe) 5/41

Gayashan Munasinghe (Toon) 5/51

Charlie Pilling (Imperials) 5/21

Andrew Winter (Glengarry) 5/21

Jie Armstrong (Gormandale) 5/30

Sonny Darby (Raiders) 5/10

Jake Zappulla (Ex Students) 8. /11

Kade Hebbard (Latrobe) 5/22

Craig Boswell (Moe) 6/30

Shevan Fernando (Toongabbie) 5/5

Shane Breddels (Rovers/Gormy) 5/10

Lee Stockdale(Ex Students) 7/14

Ben Edebohls (Willow Grove) 6/11

Ben Fleming (Traralgon West) 5/3

Matt Stoaddart (Toongabbie) 5/11

Jagbir Dhillon (Raiders) 5/20

Waseem Mohammed (Latrobe) 5/24

Darren Brain (Rovers) 7/15

Angus Murdoch (Moe) 5/3

Cooper Stanton (Mirboo North/JB) 5/11

Josh Pearson (Toongabbie) 5/16

Connor Hughes (Traralgon West) 6/21

Xavier Hurley (Toongabbie) 5/7

FOOTBALL

By LIAM DURKIN

WIN aflag by 95 points and add aVAFAmedallist to your midfield.

Leongatha’s premiership odds have surely shortened,now that theParrots have landedJack Sheridan from Old Geelong.

The ruckman recorded awhopping106 hitouts in agame last year, and won the Victorian Amateur Football Association Premier Bmedal in 2023.

Premier Bisn’t asecond-string comp either.

Leongatha’s Nick Argento played Premier B, and was in the starting 18 in last year’s Gippsland League grand final.

As if that wasn’t enough, the Parrots will also have Patrick Ireland fulltime.

The youngster, who kicked more than 60 goals in the green and gold last season, has pulled the pin on pursuing aVFL career with Casey.

Traralgon pair Luis D’Angelo and Joel Scholtes are trying theirluck at the Demons, undernew coachRhett McLennan,who previously coached the boys at Gippsland Power.

While there will only be ahandful of spots available once Melbourne’s AFL players drop back, Traralgon stands to gain agreat deal given the Maroons will suddenly have two ‘local’ players with VFL training under their belt.

With Mal Mackie seemingly busy at Leongatha, Michael Hendersonand co haveturned into Adrian Dodoro at Morwell.

The Tigers have landed former Melbourne rookie Kye Declase.

Teddy’s video labelling Morwell the worst town he’s ever visited clearly hasn’t turned people off wanting to play there, with Declase joining Footscray VFL premiership forward Will Lewis and Cody Chapman as new recruits.

Chapman most notably played interleague for the Ballarat Football League.

As good as the Gippsland League is, Ballarat is generally considered far superior.

Facetiously speaking, who said Moe was the only club bringing in imports?

Historically speaking, all GippslandLeague clubs know they need former AFL or current VFL players

to be agenuine premiership threat.

Yes,Leongatha has hadTom Marriott, Cade Maskell and Luke Bowmanfor along time,but they only just qualified Dyson Heppell last year, and Noah Gown and Cam Olden in 2023.

Goingbackadecade earlier, does Morwell win thatpremiership withoutHarmit Singh and Tarkyn Lockyer to coach against Sale’s game plan that hadwon 32 games straight? Arguably not. Traralgon was very young in 2024, but still had Chance Doultree and Tristen Waack fresh out of state leagues.

Wonthaggi arguably missed aflag in 2023when they finished on top by more than 40 per cent.

Isaac Chugg joined the Power that year little more than 18 months after last playing for Collingwood in the AFL.

Sale has possibly been the only real exception.

The Magpies made the grand final in 2022 withapredominantly local team(using only 27 player points), although that was the first season after COVID when most Melbourne players were reluctant to travel.

Having said that, Sale’s local players stillincluded Jack Johnstone, Shannen Lange, Ryan Pendlebury and JackLeslie -the four having playedatVFL or AFL level.

To think three of the names listed previously are

going to be playing North Gippy this year. North Gippslandclub TraralgonTyers United remain an interesting watch in 2026.

The strong getting stronger (generallyspeaking)

The Bombers have played in the last four grand finals, and as tends to happen, most players have left for achange of scenery (let’s call it that).

Granted all clubs turn over, things aren’t looking overly positive out at Tyers.

At lastcount there was at least adozen senior players gone, while the under 18s weren’t exactly flush with numbers last year.

It is understoodthere was some issues withplayer behaviour afterTTU won the 2024 thirds premiership, which led to clearances coming through to join other clubs last season.

It is also understood the Bombers already have a highlycredentialled seniorcoach linedupfor 2027, meaning they may just have to ride this season out as best they can.

Perhaps mostpressing,TTU alsoneedsa canteen manager. The TTU kitchen wasn’twithout controversy last year, with staff going on strike over non-communication from players. Elsewhere,Newborough has been dealt an early blow in MidGippsland.

The Bulldogs signed former Moe players Matt Heywood, Luke Mulqueen and Tyler Pratt before Christmas -and now only one of them is left. Mulqueen has injured his knee, and Pratt, who wasonly going to playifhis mate‘Queeny’was, has left to head back to Neerim Neerim South. Second-year Newborough coach Patt Frendo must be thinking ‘how good’s coaching’.

This year will mark adecade since the Bulldogs’ last premiership.

Ayoung AnthonyRosato played in that team, and there is still uncertainty surroundingwhether or not he will leave Morwell.

The midfielder was recently linked with Hill End, where his Newborough premiership teammate Tom Hallinan has been appointed coach. There has also been heavy suggestion he will head back to Thorpdale, where he last played in 2024.

The deeplyprivate Rosato doesn’t give much away, so much so Morwell officials are reportedly not pressing him to make adecision.

Cricket Latrobe Valley off to countryweek

CRICKET REPRESENTATIVE BY LIAM

DURKIN

CRICKET Latrobe Valley is heading to Melbourne Country Week this year.

One of the great events for local cricketers, Country Week sees regional players from across the state converge on the city for aweek-long tournament.

There is also some cricket that gets played.

With this year marking country week's centenary, it is set to be an even greater showcase.

CLV is back on stage after aone-year hiatus, and will have to compete in Division 2asaresult.

Logistically, Country Week can be challenging, as players need to get time off work and management needs to sort out things like accommodation and travel.

Most importantly, you need abus driver.

CLV organiser Michael Warne reported good buyin from players, and said the league was heading down with the expectation of winningthe carnival.

"We'll go down there, have agood crack, there's no reason we can't win divvy two and go back up," he said.

"Unfortunately we are in Division 2because we missed last year, definitely not where we want to be, we want to be in Provincial. Our league is strong enough to be in Provincial and Ifeel like it is strong enough to be competitive in Provincial."

Theleagueappointed Latrobe legend Anthony Bloomfieldaschairman of selectorsfor representative cricket this season, along with leading

Traralgon hospitality business Green Olive has also provided critical backing.

"It is quiteasubstantialamountofmoney to send the guys down there for the week, clubs pay their bit, even though some clubs might not have players representing, it still needs to be shared, we encourage all players to get involved," Warne said.

"We feel like we've turned the corner this year. We'rejustrebuilding, tryingtoget the blokesback interested, get abit of that old school mentality of being proud to represent your association."

 CLV hasbeen one of the strongest leagues in Gippsland this season, and made the Gippsland Cricket League final played last Sunday.

Batting first, Latrobe Valley scored 107 on a pitch taking plenty of spin at College Oval against Sale-Maffra.

Ryan Morley top-scored with 39, while Amal Athulathmudali was looking dangerousuntil being stumped for 20.

Despite the total, CLV remained alivechance after reducing Sale-Maffra to 2/8.

The Sharks howeverlost just one more wicket on the way to arecord 24th GCL flag.

Latrobe Valley skipper James Pryde provided one for the highlight reel, takinganincredible one handed catch at second slip.

 ELSEWHERE, Raiders won the women's Kookaburra Cup.

The Kookaburra Cup is played for between the two highestrankingGippsland teams from the previous season.

Batting first, Raiders scored 7/108 off its allotted 20 overs against Koonwarra Leongatha RSL at Yinnar Turf.

MaddisonWinter retired on 36, whileRegan Leeson (24not out) and Zoe Hustwayte (21 not out) also contributed.

RSL fell 17 runs short in reply.

 GIPPSLAND Pride won the Victorian Country Cricket League under 21s title.

Pride swept Barwonaside by seven wickets at Hallam Recreation Reserve.

Chasing just 55, Gippsland won inside 10 overs.

Earlier in the day,Sale-Maffra pairMason Annear (4/22)and Freddie Fellows (2/3) cleaned up.

The team was coached by Latrobe Valley's Rob 'Barney' Webber.

Players were:EdPhelan-Penson, Jayden Barson, Bryce Jose, Freddie Fellows, Mason Annear, Hamish Anderson, Jake Anderson, Jay Diamond, Tyson Dobson, Bayden Dowsett, Seth Smith and

Matt Garland. The 18s didn't enjoy the sameresult, but still made the state-wide final nonetheless. Defe nding 206 agai nst Mall ee Murr ay at Kangaroo Flat, the game went to the third-last over, although the eventual winners still had five wickets in hand when the target was reached.

Morecricket-Pages 40-41

LATROBE

WEDNESDAY,FEBRUARY11VS HAMILTON AT GREENVALE

THURSDAY,FEBRUARY 12 VS SUNRAYSIA AT DONVALE

FRIDAY,FEBRUARY 13 -FINAL

GIPPSLAND XI 2025/26

LukePayton (Latrobe Valley) MattDyke (Latrobe

(Sale-Maffra)

Rhys Noble (Latrobe Valley)

PatrickHalford (Bairnsdale)

JakebThomas (Leongatha)

Connor Mitchell (Bairnsdale)

Playerofthe Year: Joel Brann

Churchill batsman John Keighran and Moe master Andrew Philip.

Latrobe Valley Express, Wednesday, 4February, 2026

Cheeky: Is this signcoming out of Rosedale referring to themoneySale players aresupposedly getting to play Nor th Gippy? Photograph: Liam Durkin

Former pro: NewMorwell recruit KyeDeclase spentaseason on Melbourne’s list Photograph

Quartercentury of service

HORSE RACING

By LIAM DURKIN

ONE of the quiet achievers of the local horse racing scene was given some deserved time in the spotlight recently.

Moe Racing ClubTrack Manager Brad Nott was recognised for 25 years' loyal service at theclub'sfirst meeting for 2026 last month.

Nottstartedasanapprentice withthe clubin 2001, and has worked his way up from there.

Fittingly, speaking on track with Racing com,Nott pointed to acoupleofhighlights along the journey.

"2008 when Reggie won the Moe Cup, we had 8900 peoplehere, that was agreat crowd, and back in 2014 when we put the Strath Ayr trackin, it's racedvery well since," he said.

The track's sand-based design allows

continuous drainage to occur and prevents surface water laying on the track.

Showing full commitment to the racing community, Nott also assists the volunteer-run Latrobe Valley Racing Club in Traralgon, ensuring its trackisready for trials and meetings.

Moe Racing Club Vice President Brad Law presented aplaque to Nott, thanking him for his dedication.

"On behalf of the race club, it's been sensational that we've had an employee for 25 years, to make that commitment to any business is aphenomenal effort," he said.

Elsewhere,SaleTurf Club held its Sale Quality last Sunday.

Traralgon jockey Thomas Stockdale rode a winner in the all-sprint meeting, taking Stay Silent to victory in the Race 4BM66 Handicap over 1400 metres.

Casey has Gippsland playersatits core

FOOTBALL

VFL EXPORTS BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

SHAKE ups will occuracrossthe footballing landscape in 2026.

While VFL club Casey lost vice captain and Moe footballer Riley Baldi during the off season to the SANFL (South Australian National Football League),the Demons have replacedhim with some strong Gippsland talent.

Recently appointed Casey coach and former GippslandPower Boyscoach RhettMcLennan is expectedtohave two Traralgonstars for his deployment by the start of the season.

Melbourne back from injury, Shelley makes call

Maroons on-baller Luis D'Angelo will likely put pen to paper to play for the Demons, according to CODE Sports' Paul Amy, while Gippsland League teammate Joel Scholtes is also expected to do time at the VFL club.

D'Angelo, the 2024 Stan Aitken Medallist, previously played for Box Hill in 2022 in his first official year in seniorfootball, but has committed to Traralgon over its recent run of success, inclusive of apremiership.

Consistent to say the least, the 23-year-old finishedrunner-up in the Maroons' best-and-fairest from 2023 to 2025.

Scholtes will get his first taste at VFL level after returning from injury midseason for Traralgonlast year, and wasinstrumentalinseeing the Maroons return for consecutivegrandfinal appearances

McLennanwillhave alot of local talent at his disposalatany stage of the season, with11 Gippslanders featured on the Casey's list.

To go along with 2024 Demon draftpick, Morwell's Ricky Mentha, Casey has secured even more young talent from the region, including Moeand Yinnar footballerLuke Cheffers, Heyfield's Harry Tatterson,Bairnsdale's JonahWalker,TooradinDalmore'sJehi Esler,Inverloch's Jobe Scapin, and Officer's Sam Hoghton.

All mentioned have played under McLennan at Power over the last three years.

Mentha's cousin,WestAdelaide player Xavier Hampton, was also added to the Demons' list. Nar Nar Goon 2025premiershipplayers and former GippslandPower players Nate Pipicelli and Clancy Popewillalso step up intothe VFL with Casey.

Steppingup: Traralgon midfielder Luis D’Angelo is expected to playfor VFL club Caseybythe star tofthe season. The Demons featurea healthy contingent of Gippslanders on its list.

Photograph: Gippsland League BASKETBALL

WNBL BY BLAKE

METCALF-HOLT

ONE round remains before WNBL finals gear up.

At least one Latrobe Valleyexport is still in the race for the top four, and it could come at the expense of the other.

After rolling off wins in numbers across December and early January, the University of Canberra Capitals have again fallen.

Traralgon's Jade Melbourne returned from finger surgery against Bendigo Spirit in Round 15, after being out of the line-up for amonth.

The Capitals held their own for the time being, even climbing back into finals contention,but have slide in its last three games.

In Melbourne's return, the Capitals lost by 17 points to the SpiritatRed Energy Arena, Bendigo on January 23

Stillrusty, theTraralgon star posted justfive points, five rebounds,and two steals in 21 minutes off the bench.

Atight four-point loss to the Spirit two days later followed, this time at AIS Arena, Canberra, saw Melbourne increase her numbers to eight points, seven assists, and three rebounds.

Shereturned to form against TownsvilleFire, posting 13 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals, albeit in a16-point loss at Townsville Entertainment Centre on Saturday (January 31).

The Capitals' final match of Round 16 (penultimate round) was against Southside Melbourne Flyers on Tuesday, after the Express wenttoprint

The Flyers sat agame ahead of the Capitals in fourth-place before their matchup, and if the latter wassuccessful,then they'd have to defeat Geelong Venom in their final regular season game to move into the postseason.

Moe's Jaz Shelley and her Venom have rebounded

after atricky mid-portion of the season,but will ultimately miss finals for the second consecutive year.

Geelongnabbed two-straightvictories in Round 16 against Bendigo and Sydney Flames.

In aseven-point win over the Spirit on Friday (January 30) at Geelong Arena, Shelley spectacularly played agame-high 39 minutes, but did not score apoint during that time.

She did garner seven rebounds, seven assists, and five steals however.

Shelley reversed those results two nights later, scoring 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists in a13-point win at Quaycentre, Sydney.

Despite being teamcaptain and the league-leader for steals,Shelley recently announcedshe was resigning with NBL1-affiliate Geelong United for the upcoming season.

Legend: MoeRacing Club TrackManager,BradNottholding last year’s Melbourne Cup. Photograph: Liam Durkin

Latrobe Valley Express Wednesday 4 February 2026

The answer is blowing in the wind

Latrobe celebrates its outstanding citizens

Willow Househonoured by award and vows to keep working

Bourne’sconquered path recognised

Gippsland relief fund (GERF) is here to help

From the

with AIDAN KNIGHT

ARCHIVES

Man receives cuts to throat during attack

M at A M bee dis Mi

World-class surgeryin Morwell

Golf club plans could end out of bounds

Jones in charge until June

Transport changes as tunnel opens

Boat comes offtrailer

Coast Guardrescue

Getaway goes backwards

Calls for ‘energy realism’ in light of slated Hazelwood data centre

Spillsand possible thrills up top

Ta ke aB re ak

Traralgon Creek clean-up

Combined service

Greek celebration

Trycroquet

CWA

Spiritual centre

CommunityCorner

with Liam Durkin

Museum open

Fashion fest

Craftgroup

LV chess

Madrigal singers

Brilliant bridge

Dance club

Youcan be apartof Community Corner

TrafalgarFarmers Market

REH Cork Club Craft Market

BawBaw Arts Alliance

Warragul Arts and Makers Market

Yarragon Craft & Produce Market

Morwell Trash & Treasure Market

Reel Ta lk

AustraliaDay crowd flocks to Traralgon

Recognising service to the Boolarra district

Time to celebrate and reflectinTraf

Rooster’scallingonAustralia Dayaward

Old Gippy hosts Australia Day

Aussie pride on full display as rev-heads unite

HOROSCOPES

around Morwell

TheGuide

PICK OF THE WEEK

DOMINIC WEST:EXTREME SILK ROAD

Thursday,February 5

Saturday, February 7

Monday,February9

goodread! Nothingbeats

Gas has roletoplay in energy mix

State election this year

Hansford’srecord

Intermittent electricity not a 'Caffrey'opinion

Sunk by the laws of physics

August setfor offshore wind auctions

COMMENT

Moe Racing Club KIDS DAYOUT

Caution: e-bikes are not toys

State laws

Applications open to help cover cost of school camps, excursions

Morwell Scouts stash sale

Delburn takes critical steps towards realisation

Council stumpsupcash for OldGippstown

Littleproud survives, retains leadership

Fabulous Phil’s work recognised with OAM

For the love of sport and community

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