Latrobe Valley Express Wednesday 11 September 2024

Aftereight

Biggest and the best Signing off

By PHILIP HOPKINS

VICTORIA’S largest solar farm, including amassive battery, is set to be established at Hazelwood North on a1100-hectare propertybetween Morwell and Traralgon.

The federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen,announced the project at last week’s GippslandNew EnergyConference in Traralgon.

Mr Bowen said the large on-site battery would be able to store the same amount of energy that the solarfarm will produce- enough to run 170,000 homes for four hours.

“That will be completedthis decade. Not the next decade, not the decadeafterthat, but this decade,” he toldthe conference,which wasattendedbyabout 800 people over two days.

“Construction will start in acouple of months and provide jobs for up to 500 people working across specialties includingbuilding,engineering, site maintenance and ‘agrisolar’, setting the site up to accommodate the sheep that will share the land.”

Mr Bowen said the sheep would be able to graze between the solar panels, and also be able to seek refuge from heat under the panels.

“Hazlewood Solar Farm is just one of the new clean, reliable renewable projects set for Victoria,” he said.

The solarfarm, which received aplanning permit on August 24, will have acapacity of 450 megawatts, abattery storage system of 450MW -about

1800 megawatthours -asubstationand associated infrastructure.

The project, alandowner-ledproposal, is well connected to access points at the Princes Highway, Firmins Lane and Hazelwood Road.

The developer is ap rivate Latrobe Valley business,Manthos Investments. Theproject is beingmanaged by Robert Luxmoore Pty Ltd, which specialises in large-scale renewable energy assets, and Cogency Australia, aplanning and engagement firm.

Access tracks are planned throughoutthe site for access by site vehicles and emergency services.

The battery itself will be on 10 hectares, and with the substation, be built centrally on site to connect to the grid.

Thecost of the project has not been disclosed nor howmanyjobs it is likely to produce.

The solar farm site will be bounded by native vegetation landscaping to visually screen the facilityfrom surrounding land, with a30-metre fire break between vegetation and the solar farm.

The batteryisanessentialelement of the project as it allows for consistent electricity supply to the gridwhile the solarpanels arenot producing power.

The developer says the capacity of the battery has been carefully consideredtomatch the energy production capability of the solar panels.

Like the proposed substation, the battery will be sited well-away from neighbouring dwellings.

The panelswillsit about half-a-metre above ground at the maximum tilt. The developer says

their installation will require minimalground disturbance.

“The panels will not present arisk to the livestock, and farming operations will not affect the efficiency of the solar facilities,” the developer says.

“Allowing agricultural activities to continue on the site represents best practice within the renewable energy industry and maximisesthe utility of the site.”

Cogency Australia ledthe planningapprovaland stakeholder engagement for the proposal.

Cogency’s founder and director, Rebecca Wardle, told the Express that 18 months of community and stakeholder engagement took place during the early phasesofplanning and design work (before the planning applicationbeing lodged), withsix months of continued engagement during the assessment.

“Consequently,onlythreeobjectionswerelodged against the proposal, with no appeals to VCAT once adecision was made,” she said.

“Engagement took place with neighbours, local community, GLaWAC, Latrobe City Council planning officers and councillors and Mayor, Unions, Latrobe ValleyAuthority,GippslandClimate Change Network,Latrobe Regional Airport, Latrobe Regional Hospital and government Ministers.”

The project is within the Farming Zone and is also affected by various overlays forenvironmental significance,design and development, land subject to inundation, bushfire management, state resource and public acquisition.

Animal shelter investigation

BY TOMHAYES

THE RSPCA has confirmed it is currently investigating claims made against a Traralgon-based animal shelter.

The RSPCA could not comment any further due to the investigationthat is currently ongoing.

Accusations made against the animal shelter were brought to light after aFacebook post from an ex-employee gained significant public attention.

Among allegations against the animal shel ter are clai ms again st its for mer president.

The anim al shel te rh as den ied the accusations.

“The accusations are false,” astatement from the animal shelter read, before stating they would make no further comment.

Latrobe City Council has informed the Express that it is currently investigating allegations of animal cruelty.

“Latr obe City Counci lh as received anumberofenquiries in relation to a potential investigation of an animal welfare organisation with operations in the local area,” acouncil statement read on Monday, September 9.

“Council can confirm it is participating in an investigation relating to allegations of animal cruelty, which is being undertaken by the RSPCA as the agency responsible formanaging andresponding to cases of this nature.

“Council takes allegations of animal cruelty seriously and will continuetoprovide the RSPCA with all relevant information to assist with the investigation as it progresses.

“While this investigation is undertaken, councilhas paused an existing agreement with the organisationfor the housing,care and rehoming of straypets.”

Chair of the LatrobeCityAnimal Welfare Advisory Committee, and Latrobe City Councillor, KellieO’Callaghan commented on the ongoing investigation.

“I take these allegations very seriously. It is deeply distressing to learn of any allegation of animal cruelty,” she said.

“I appreciate the time commu nity members have taken to reach out to provideinformationand details that can be further investigated. Any information I have received has been immediately passed on to our team who are preparing areport for the RSPCA.

“The information contained within the allegations received is distressingand I understand how difficult it can be for anyone to have to recountand relaythis information to our team or the RSPCA.”

Traralgon’sfirst shot at hosting

Clancey calls time on council

By LIAM DURKIN

ANOTHER one bites the dust.

Councillor Dan Clancey has become the latest Latrobe City councillor to announce they won’t be running again.

The East Ward councillor ha ss erved Latrobe City Council for eight years, including one as mayor and three as deputy.

Withlocals set to vote next month, Cr Clancey said it had always been his intention to step away after completing the second of his four-year terms.

“I was never going past the two terms,” he told the Express “I think you can put enough energy into eight years and sustain that for eight years and make sure that energy is at ahigh level -I’vedone that.

“One term was an absoluteblessing, second term Iwas very honoured, and was always just going to do that.”

Cr Clancey made his decision public last week, taking to social media.

His decision somewhat mirrors the 22nd Amendment in US politics, which restricts the President into serving no more than two four-year terms.

As Cr Clancey is still the East Ward Councillor for anotherfew weeks, he said he hadn’t yet had achancetoreflect on his time in the chamber.

“After November I’ll probably sit down and think about it. It’s been agreat time, really quite honoured by theworkthatI’ve been able to do and got to meet alot of great people along the way,” he said.

“Highlights are community groups, meetingslateatnight,working with historical societies, clean up groups, cultural diversity advisory committee, all these committees thatI’ve chaired along the way, they’vebeen greatpeople who have really openedmyeyes to different parts of the world.”

When asked if he had any advice for someone thinking of putting their hand up to run as acouncillor, Cr Clancey said it was importantadecision was not madeonthe spur of the moment.

“Ifyou are goingtostand as acandidate, you need to do your research, you need to understand what the role of local government is, understand what the role of acouncillor is,” he said.

“I think there is alot of people who think about local government in acertain way.

“Council takes up alot of time in reading and understanding, trying to get your head around planning, policy and thosesort of things. You do spend alot of time reading reports, they are long agendas, three come out amonth and you need to read them all to understand them.

“It is alot of reading, alot of late night meetings, alot of work outside family time.”

Keeping his sense of humour, Cr Clancey said he would be swapping reading reports with novels post life as acouncillor.

Cr Clancey joins South Ward Councillor Melissa Ferguson as two of nine current LatrobeCityCouncillors to announce they won’t be seeking re-election.

By LIAM DURKIN

TRARALGON had hosting rights to the third Gippsland New Energy Conference.

The two-day conferencewas held lastweek,and attracted the best part of 800 people to theregion.

Attendees mingled with various dignitaries, which included state and federal politicians and representativesfrom energy providers, to learn more about renewable energy options as Gippsland prepares to transition to apossible life beyond coal-fired power.

Held at the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre, the centre’s auditorium was packed for opening addresses last Tuesday (September 3) morning.

Latrobe CityMayor,Darren Howe made opening remarks, before Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio officially opened proceedings.

Ms D’Ambrosio entered to the Journey song Don’t Stop Believin as she walked on stage.

“We are strong believersinthis room, but we are morethan that,weare actually peoplethat do things,” shesaid.

“It’s really my great honour for me to officially open the third Gippsland New Energy Conference

“I’m really pleased to say that just five years ago, Idon’t knowthat suchaconferenceherewould have attracted the degree of buy-in from local communities thatthis conference has, butalso the businesses from not just across the state and the country, but globally now making abeeline for this conference every year.

“SoIreally want to congratulate all of you for being tangible and practical with the solutions that are with us. There are solutions that come to us as this transition throws up alot of fantastic, innovative changes, that we make the transition one that we can truly be proud of.”

The first day of the conference coincided with a settling off period after severe storms lashed the region and left many locals without power.

Recovery efforts were in full swing by the time the Minister spoke, and she provided an update to attendees from emergency services.

Sale hosted the first two Gippsland New Energy Conferences (2022 and 2023), alocality closer to a number of proposed offshore and coastal renewable energy projects.

ENERGY CONFERENCE -Pages 40-41

Preparedness under the microscope

THE state government is running an Inquiry into Climate Resilience, which is looking into the preparedness of communities facing climate disasters across the state.

Thesubmissions stage of the Resilience Inquiry process is closed, and the committee undertaking the Inquiry is now conducting hearings.

The first of these hearings was in Traralgon at the Century Inn on Tuesday, September 3while Gippsland was still recovering from intense storms and havoc-wrecking winds.

At the event, local councils,Gippsland environmentgroups, associate professors, farming representatives, and others spoke to the Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee about local climate resilience.Thoseconcerned from the community went alongtohear them speak

Before going into the hearing, people gathered outside to show support for government funding of community-led climate adaptation. They held up abannerwith the words ‘Fund Community Climate Resilience’.

“To prepare for locked-inclimate impacts,we needadequate and ongoingfundingfor communityled adaptation work. This fundingwill enable communities to fulfil their plans to build resilient communities in achanging climate and keep those most at risk safe,” Act on Climate Community organiser, Vicky Ellmore said.

Friendsofthe EarthMelbourne’s Act on Climate has been ensuring voices are heard through this Inquiry, both their concerns and the solutions they want to see enacted. The collective is calling for the committee to recommendaVictorian Community ClimateAdaptation Fund (VCCAF). The fund would distribute money annually to community groups that apply to undertake localised adaptation initiatives.

In their submissions to the Inquiry into Climate Resilience,peoplefrom Gippsland have shared their concerns around the unprecedented heatwaves, bushfires, storms, winds, drought, and flooding Gippsland has experienced. In addition, the isolation of peopleinGippslandwhenpower supply and communication is disrupted,the reluctance to engage in discussionsabout preparation and adaptation, and sea-level rise are concerning locals.

“Governments are far fromready to deal with the compoundingconsequencesofnew disasters occurring faster than we can recover from previous ones,” one Gippsland residentnoted in their submission.

“While climate change posesgrave dangers to us all, it is the youth of today who are at greatest long-term risk.

“In Gippsland, their younglives have already been impacted by heatwaves, bushfires and floods. Some have seen their homes destroyed. Many have witnessed local bushland and wildlife devastated by fire, and all live with fear and uncertainty as they face the future on awarming planet.”

In their submissions, the actions and solutions Gippsland locals are calling for include:

 Strengthened development planning and building regulations that take account of a changing climate;

 Assistance to enable people, especially those most at risk, to retrofit their homes to cope with climate extremes;

 Much greater financial support to firefighting capabilities;

 Inform, update, and better engage with people about the climate challenges ahead and ensure more conversations around climate change readiness, involving local communities in disaster preparedness plans;

 Investment in training of many more young people for work that will be required to transition and adapt to communities, and;

 Funding for local adaptation initiatives, such as warning systems, housing insulation, emergency accommodation and support via mutual aid systems, localised power grids for isolated towns, disaster-proof safe refuges, and on-ground action to manage coastline erosion.

“Communitiesknow what climate adaptation plans and projects are mostneeded and relevant for them, but they are not getting the support they urgently need to implement them,” Ms Ellmore said.

“They are looking to the state government for leadership and assistance to adapt to climate impacts

“While the government has undertaken adaptation planning work, this has not been sufficiently acted on and has not been backed up with ongoing funding to prepare communities for the climate impacts forecast to affect Victoria. Every step we take to help communities adapt to now unavoidable climate impacts secures asafer future and builds resilience, protecting people and Country.”

STORM RECOVERY- Pages38-39

Bull questions Shing’s optimism in new home numbers

HOUSINGMinisterand local UpperHouse MP, Harriet Shing, has been challenged to come cleanonpublic housing numbers in the eastern Gippsland region.

Gippsland East Nationals’ MP, Tim Bull, said Ms Shing recently boasted about the number of ‘new’ homes the Labor government has delivered in the area.

However, Mr Bull believed the numbers did not tell the full story.

“Thisisslightlymischievous as thegovernment makesout these are additional homes, and they are not,” he said.

“In fact, we have less public housing residences in eastern Victorianow than when the Labor government came to office, as they are selling off and demolishing old stockquicker than they arebuilding.

“The government’sown figures state that in East Gippsland and Wellington Shires in 2015 we had 1612residences andin2023(the most recent figures available) we have 1610 -two less homes despite the population growth and greater need.

“If you want to lookfurther afield to Latrobe, it has 19 less homes than it had in 2015, so as a wider region we are 21 down -itisnot the rose petal story Ms Shing would have us believe it is."

Mr Bull called on Ms Shing to address the issue in her electorate.

“This is her own electorate and what she has in fact done is oversee areduction of public housing in her own patch in aperiod of ahousing crisis," he said.

“What she needs to do is start talking what the net gains and losses are -and explain why we have had anet loss.

“The so called ‘Big Build’ is not delivering here and, in fact,weare goingbackwards, as we regularly see old public housing stock being sold through local agents."

In response, Ms Shing said $107 million had beeninvestedinsocialand affordablehomes in Latrobe, Wellington and East Gippsland LGAs.

"Whichhas already delivered 183 new socialand affordable homes, with afurther 118 underway," she said.

"Our record on housing is clear. We've delivered thousands of new social and affordablehomes across Victoria with thousands more in the pipeline.

"The Liberal-Nationals cut millions of dollars in social housing funding last time they were in government and continuetotry to block new homes.

"The Nationalsare not only wrong about the progresswe’re makingaspartofour record investment in social housing, they have consistently opposed thedelivery of new housing from the opposition benches, and worse still, when they were last in government they slashedfunding for people most in need of the security of ahome."

Thestate government has made a$6.3billion investment in the Big Housing Buildand Regional Housing Fund,whichincludes $2.25 billionin funding for rural and regional Victoria.

The government says the Big Housing Build and Regional Housing Fund will deliver a10per cent uplift in the total number of social housing stock, providing astablefoundation for thousands of Victorians to build their lives, and cut the housing waitlist by 16 per cent.

Latrobe has seen a$92 million investment, delivering 219 new homes. An additional investment of $8.5 million has enabled upgradesand maintenance to afurther 597 homes, whichthe stategovernment says has created 775 local jobs.

We welcome e all to our 202 there will l be Ar tiistts demo happy to chat to people Come along and view ouur say hello

4 Ar t show and trating and p vely work and

Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th

September 10.00am - 4.00pm Latrobe Regional Gallery, 138 Commercial Road Morwell. SHOW 024 FREE ENTRY

Fundraising walk in honour of educator

COMPANION Pet Care, aservice provided by TheTed Basarke Mercy Foundation, willhold afundraising walk this Sunday (September 15).

This walk is named in honour of Jane Morrey, who passed away in 2022.

Jane was known to many pet owners through her career at Moe Veterinary Centre and Latrobe Veterinary Group.She was apassionate dog trainer and many adog owner would have met Jane throughher role as an educator at puppy school. She was also avery active member of the Gippsland Dog Obedience Club. Jane was acommittee member and past president of Companion Pet Care and is fondly remembered for herinterest and passion in dogs.

Companion Pet Care holds afundraiser pet walk on the thirdSunday of each month along the Moe/ Yallourn Rail Trail.

The walk starts at 9.30am from the rotunda in the MoeBotanical Gardens (near the tennisclub).

Everyone is welcome to attend with or without pets and is asked to provide agold coin donation.

The walk offers agreat opportunity for social interaction of owners and dogs alike.Morning tea is provided at the conclusion of the walk.

The Ted Basarke Mercy FoundationInc.isa charitable organisation operating in the Latrobe Valley.

The foundationrecognises the very important role of companionpets in promoting human health and wellbeing, and social inclusion.

Theregistered charity assists owners who are financially vulnerable by subsidising veterinary care.

Any donations to support the foundation are greatly appreciated,and can be made by direct deposit into the Bendigo Bank accountThe Ted BasarkeMercy Foundation -BSB: 633 000. Acct No: 132483561.

CompanionPet Care is also holding its major fundraiser, the AnimalWelfare Market and Pets Day Out on Tuesday, November 5, which is Melbourne Cup Day.

This event attracts many market stallholders and hundreds of marketgoerswith all sortsof pets from dogs, cats, ferrets, lizards, chickens and duckstocompete for prizes in competitions and bestdressed on the day, as wellasdoing some valuable shopping for Christmas. Held in Newborough on the Boolarra Avenue Park, Companion Pet Care is calling anyone who would like to have amarket stall at the event to email Amy via sales@fatcatcoffeeroasters.com In memory: Awalk honouring the

GIPPSLAND GRAMMAR

McNamara set to be released from prison

JAILED paedophile, Marist Brother and former Saleteacher andcounsellor Gerard McNamara is set to be released after being sentenced in the County Court on seven charges of indecent act on achild under16.

The crimes took place in 1995 against avulnerable student at the then Sion Campus of Catholic College Sale.

McNamarahad abused the boy while giving him amassage. McNamara was astaff member at the college between 1993 and 1999, but returned in 2003 after being moved to adifferent school.

McNamara was found guilty of the charges by a jury in April, and in the County Court JudgeKate Hawkins sentenced himto36months in jail,with 31 months suspended. With more than 130 days served, he is eligible to be released.

Between 1960 and the early 2000s, McNamara taught at schools around Victoria, New South Wales andSouth Australia, includinginSale, Traralgon, Mt Gambier, Bendigo, Forbes, Preston and Wangaratta.

Eighty-six-year-old McNamara wasknown as ‘The Rat’ by students at GippslandCatholic schools He had previously been sentenced on suspended termsin2005 and 2016 related to sexual assaults against children at St Paul’s Catholic College in Traralgon (now part of Lavalla Catholic College). In 2018, he received ajailsentence for abusing five boys at the same school, and in 2020 was imprisoned for seven months forabusing five students between 1970 and 1975.

McNamara was respected and supported by the Marist Brothers,whose websitedescribes the organisation as “an international religious community of more than 2400 Catholic Brothers dedicated to making Jesus known and loved through the education of young people, especially those most neglected”.

Thejudge had describedMcNamara’soffending as serious, but said his risk to the community was low and that he participated in aso-called Marist Brothers safety plan.

“The Marist Brothers acknowledge the sentence of the court in this matter,” the Marist Brothers said in awritten statement.

“We extend our sincere and unreserved apology for the harm, pain and sufferingcausedasaresult of this crime.”

The Marist Brothers had previously denounced McNamara in 2018 after he was sentenced.

RightsideLegal lawyer Laird Macdonald told the ABC the offending had adamaging flow-on effect on the boys.

“The rippleeffectthatrunsthrough townsin Gippsland, it’s difficult to measure and it’s sad to think aboutbut it’s really there,persistent damage,” he said.

“You’ve got this collection of damaged blokes all moving through high school together, into the workforce and into their town.

“They don’t trust people,they don’t engage in theircommunity, they don’t get an education they otherwise would get, they’ve got anger problems.

“It’s just this really compounding problem that all comesoff the backofhim wanting to getsexual gratification from kids.”

If you or someoneyou know needs support, phone:

Watch for swoopingbirds

By AIDAN KNIGHT

LATROBE Valleyresidents should brace for swooping season, as spring is upon us.

Reports of aggressivemagpies arealready surfacing in the region.

These seasonal behaviours began weeks ahead of schedule, makingwalkingorcycling through certain areas adangerous task. Residents should also be warned these seasonal behaviours are not limited to just magpies, with the common plover defending their nest in asimilarly aggressive manner.

This usually occurs over asix-to-eight week duration, as native birds are on high-alert, driven by protective instincts towards their newborn hatchlings, and usually only swoop as an assertive warning to ward off threats to their nest.

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) has reminded Latrobe Valley residents that while these incidents can be disruptive,and sometimes harmful, magpies and plovers are protected species and harming them is illegal, and antagonizing oftenmakes swooping worse for the individual thanks to magpiesability to remembera person and their reaction for up to five years.

“Not all birds swoop during the breedingseason,

so the presence of magpies or other common swooping birds doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be swooped,” DEECA Senior Wildlife Project Officer, Simon Ruff said.

“Remember, the swooping behaviour will only last ashorttime, normally stopping soon after the young leave the nest.”

Swooping has been reported as early as the first weekofAugust in Traralgon, and theseevents can lead to injury if proper precautions are not taken. In swooping-prone areas, cyclists should dismount and consider adding deterrents to their helmet such as zip ties and stick-on eyes (birdsare less likely to attack if they think you are making eye contact). Walking or cycling in groups reduces your chances of being swooped, as does slowing down in known swooping zones, and carrying an umbrella or similar coverage like awide-brimmed hat.

Latrobe City Council is urging walkers, runners, cyclists,and pedestrians to be mindful of their surroundings and avoid known swooping hot spots. If you’re unsure whether an area is safe or not, look for local signage or head to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action’s (DEECA)website to vieworadd to the swooping bird location map at: wildlife.vic.gov.au/ managing-wildlife/swooping-birds

Seriousness of stalking highlighted in new Crime Stoppers campaign

ANEW campaign from Crime Stoppers Victoria and Victoria Police, ‘Stalking is aCrime’, has been launched to highlight to the community the seriousness of stalking.

Stalking is incredibly harmful behaviour. It is not asingle incident,but apatternofrepeated behaviour by anotherperson over time,which causes avictim to feel distressed, fearful or worried about their safety, or the safety of others.

Harmful behaviours can include loitering near avictim’shouse, publishing material on social media, interfering with the victim’s property or keeping avictim under surveillance.

Someonewho stalks can be an ex-partner, afamily member, or afriend. It could also be someone less well known, such as acolleague or someone who lives in the neighbourhood, or even acomplete stranger.

Figures from the Crime Statistics Agency show there were 2642 stalking offences reported in the year to March 2024.More than half of these reports were related to family violence.

The campaign launched withapaneldiscussion at Swinburne University featuring experts from Victoria Police, Safe Steps and No to Violence. The panel provided an in-depth discussion about the dangers of stalking, how to recognise the signs of stalking and offered attendees insights into stalking prevention.

Crime Stoppers Victoria Chief Executive, Stella Smith shared that as family violenceoffences continue to rise, understanding stalking and the harm it causes had never been so important.

“We want people to feel empowered to address any stalking behaviourand to know where to turn to for support," she said.

“Stalkingisa serious crime and we wantto ensure thatVictoriansunderstand the severity of stalking, that they are not alone, and that they are confident in seeking help.”

The panel at Swinburne is only the first step in amonth-long campaign aimed at educating Victorians on how to recognise the signs of stalking, how to report the crime, and how to access the support services that are available.

Crime Stoppers Victoria and Victoria Police are committed to responding to stalking and urge those that are experiencing stalking, or know of someone who is, to make areport. Anyinformation provided will help to stop those committing the crime of stalking and prevent them from causing further harm.

There are three ways to report stalking to police:

 Call 000 (Triple Zero) if there is acurrent and imminent threat to your safety;

 Go directly to apolice officer via alocal police station at any time if you have information about someone being stalked, and;

 Contact Crime Stoppers Victoria online or call 1800 333 000.

In an emergency, or if there is an immediate threat to life, always call 000.

The re are also ma ny suppor ts ervic es avai lable that can be found on the Crime Stoppers Victoria website.

Laws introduced to crack down on organised crime

THE state government is cracking down on organised crime and bikie gangs,with some of the toughest laws in Australiatostopthuggery and bad behaviour.

Under the CriminalOrganisations Control Amendment Bill 2024 introduced into Parliament, new and improved laws will strengthen Victoria’s unlawful association scheme, introduce anew serious crime prevention order and prohibitthe public display of gang colours.

As part of the changes, members of specified organised crime groups willbebannedfrom entering Victoriangovernment worksites -ensuring these sites are free from theinfluence of outlaw gangs and criminal groups. This will complement work beingdone by the federal governmentto stamp out rotten culture that has been exposed in the construction industry.

The strengthened unlawful association scheme will give Victoria Police more power to stop criminals associating with each other and to discourage other people from joining them in a criminal network.

The threshold for issuing unlawful association notices will be lowered to allow police to issue them more easily and in awider range of circumstances, with up to three years of prison for an order breach

GIPPSL ANDERS, DO YOUWANT

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) willhavenew responsibilities to monitor, oversee and report on the operation of the scheme.

Anew Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO) scheme will also come into effect. This will allow the ChiefCommissionerofPolice to apply to acourt to impose abroad range of conditions on someone who has participated in serious criminal activity or is likely to help another person who is engaging in serious criminal behaviour.

TheSCPOscheme has been designed to restrict theactivities of organised crime group leaders. A SCPO mightinclude prohibiting that person from leaving Victoria or possessing firearms or certain amounts of cash.

Outlawmotorcycle gang members wearand display their colours,such as patches,logos or other insignia to represent their gang membership, intimidate others and to attract and recruit new members. The Bill will ban the public display of the insignia of certain criminal groups, including wearing it on clothing or jewellery and displaying it on signs, flags or vehicles.

ONE POINTERS

1. Where does Wile E. Coyote buy his dynamite?

2. What is the name of the bloodthirsty St Bernard infected by rabies created by Stephan King?

3. What breed of dog was Lassie?

4. What is the name of theantagonist in Nightmare on Elm Street?

TWOPOINTERS

5. What is the proper name for the white whale?

6. Which Spice Girl was Melanie Chisholm?

7. What was the blue ninja turtle named?

8. What is the perimeter of acircle called? THREE POINTER

9. John Wood and Lisa McCune starred in WHICH police drama series?

10. Which gas is lighter: hydrogen or helium?

11 Is the humerus abone in the upper or lower arm?

12 What is the third letter of the Greek alphabet? FOUR POINTER

13. In music, what tempo is allegro?

14 To which fruit family does the Kumquat belong? FIVE POINTER

15 I’ll give you five hit songs, and you give me the artist? One point for each answer –1.Thunder Road

2. Champagne Supernova 3. Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous 4. Walk On The Wild Side 5. Hey Ya!

Howdid youfare?

37: Topof the class; 30-36: Outstanding; 23-29: Well done; 15-20: Solid effort; 9-14: Room for improvement; 0-8: Hit the books.

Collie; 4: Freddie Krueger; 5: Beluga; 6: Sporty

Spice; 7:

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• Potential interestratesavings: Ensure you’re gettingthe best interestrateavailable, as even asmall reductioncan save youthousands over the loan term

• Repaymentoptimization: Review your repayment schedule to make sure you’re paying of fyourloaneff iciently,potentially saving youtimeand money

FeeMinimization: Checkfor unnecessar yfees andcharges considerswitchingtoa loan with lower or no fees

Changing circumstances: If yourfinancial situation or goals have changed, review your loan to ensure it still aligns with your currentneeds.

Different loan features: Take advantage of additional features or products that maybeavailabletosuityourpresent circumstances, such asoffsetaccountsorredrawfacilities.

• Refinancing oppor tunities: Consider whetheryou could refinance to anew loan withbetterterms,whichcould help youachieve your financialgoals faster

Call metoday:

Tracey Matthews M:0456 226689

E: Tracey.matthews@anz.com 38 Franklin St,Traralgon

• Buying or Selling aproper ty:Toensure youare paying or receiving afairprice,whether youare abuyer,seller, or investor

Insurance: To determinethe appropriateamountof insurancecoverage,ensuring youare protected in case of damage or loss.

• TaxA ssessments:For accurate proper ty taxassessments, whichcan af fect howmuch taxyou pay.

• Estate Planning:When handling an estate or inheritance,knowing the valueofthe proper ty helpsin equitabledistributionamongheirs or fortax purposes

Rent Setting: Forlandlords, avaluationcan help in setting acompetitiveand fair rent basedoncurrent market conditions

www.lvrealestate.com.au

Call us today: TimShaw P: 1300 689800 E: valuations@lpva.com.au 4/29 Breed St,Traralgon

• LegalDisputes: In cases of divorce, partnership disputes, or other legalmatters, , avaluationcan provide an objectivebasis foor dividing assets www.lpva.com.au

Q A

I’mthinkingofselling, howdoesthat work?

“The appraisalprocess is straightfor ward and free!

Oneof ourexperienced salesteammembers will schedule avisit to yourhome to collect all thenecessary information to provide an accurate assessment.

While physical featureslikethe number of bedrooms, living areas,bathrooms, andsheds are keyfactors,the intangibleaspects—such as street appeal, environmentalimpact, andeven what you love about living there—also playa significant role in determining value.

Once we determine an estimated amount,we’ll go throughour marketing recommendations and clearly explain the selling costs, ensuring there arenohiddensurprises.”

Call me today: Laurie Eddy P: 5176 0096 E: mail@fnlatrobe.com.au 19 Church Street,Traralgon

www.fnlatrobe.com.au

Q A Is nowagood timetobuild anew home?

This is aquestion we’realwaysasked.The good newsisthatwithcurrent interestrates at their peak,we’re seeing positivesigns of market stabilisation.Atthe endof theday,finding abuilderyou trustwill alwaysbekey.With Simonds,asanASX listedbuilderyou’llreceive greater reassuranceoverour financial situation, on topofour 75 years’ experience in building qualit yhomes usinglocaltrades. If you’vebeentoying withthe question of building,comeand seeme, your localSimonds New HomeSpecialist for an obligation free chat.Withour new Emerge range star ting from $222K* andthe option to fast-trackyour build withour express journey,wehaveaprice point for ever yone.

Call me today: Aaron Wilson M: 0413713082 Franklin Place,105 ParkLane, Traralgon

www.simonds.com.au

AskThe ExpertsProperty Guide

Getexpertadvice when on themmove

Canyou make alterationstoyourfloorplans?

YES!AtVir tueHomes we offerafullcustom home build experience.Fromfloorplans,to facades, inclusions andcolour selections, ever y elementofa Virtue Homeisfully customisable to eachindividual clientswantsand needsfor their dream home

Comeand visit us today at our Stateofthe ar t DisplayVillage at 2-8BroadwayBoulevard or our BrandNew Marshall 28 Displaylocatedat 68 MarshallsRoadTraralgon.Welookfor ward to seeingyou soon

Call me today: RileyHenke

New Homes SalesConsultant

M: 0400 303604

E: riley@virtuehomes.com.au

Call ustoday: Virtue Homes

M: 03 5176 5997

E: sales@virtuehomes.com.au

www.virtuehomes.com.au

Forthe majorityofthe populationa proper ty purchase,sellingorinvesting is the biggestunder taking of their lives. This can be both astressful and daunting time, but here in the Gippsland region, we arever yfor tunate to have multiple expertsinevery aspect of proper ty acquisition.

LatrobeCityisconstantlygrowing and evolving withthe region offering oppor tunitiesfor ever yone. It offersyou, your familyand your business adiverse rangeofregional living opportunities

We have it allfrom unbeatable lifestyle options,urban living,rural townships, farmingand bushsettings, to well-suppor tedcommercial and businesscommunities;education and health options,leisure and recreational choices andthe chancetoliveina connected, diversecommunity MEDIAN housepricesinTraralgon increased quar terly(from December 2023 to March 2024)by2.7 percent, while TraralgonEastpriceswentup2.3 percent. Accordingtodatareleased in AprilbyThe RealEstateInstitute of Victoria (REIV) Housepricesin

A

In n a saturated local sales market,hhow does Home RoadRealEstate make your home the one that buyers cannot ignore?

At HomeRoadRealEstate, Charmaine does not justlistyour home andhopefor a result.She createsaunique andpersonalised strategy designed specifically for you to makeitthe standout choice. With herboldmarketing andpersonalised outreachshe ensuresyour proper ty shines in acrowdedmarket. Charmaine’s local exper tise andconnectiveapproach will help not onlyyou butyour proper ty capture the attention it deserves andconnect withthe rightbuyers.

Call metoday: Charmaine P: 0413 430051 E: charmainpw@homeroadre.com.au

www.homeroadre.com.au

Gippsland have ledthe state’sprice growthduringthe first quar terand over the past 12 months.

Some of Victoria’s fastest growing towns were in Gippsland, including LakesEntrance, whosehouse prices climbed14.3per cent during thefirst quar terto$677,500; Foster roseby11.5 percentto$680,000,and Rosedale by 9.5per cent to $520,000

Traralgon’smedianhouseprice quar terlyincreaseof2.7 percentwent to $513,000,and TraralgonEast’s2.3 percentrisewentto$875,000

Quar terly, HazelwoodNor th went up 3.3per cent to $855,000;and Yinnar just one percentto$581,000

Stayingatthe same median priceover thequarter included Moe($365,000), Mor well ($340,000)and YallournNor th ($360,000)

Churchillwentdownby1.4 percentto $350,000;Newborough dropped 3.5per cent to $410,00and Mirboo Nor th fellby 4.6per cent to $520,000

On thepagesofour Askthe ExpertsProper ty Guide youhaveexper t advicefor the mostcommonly asked questions.

How can you help me find the best mortgage deal formyspecificfinancial situation?

First,weunderstandyouruniquefinancial situation, goals, anddreams

Ourteamanalyses your income, expenses, andcredithistory to find the perfectmor tgage match.

With access to awidenetwork of lenders, we compare interestrates,loan terms, and featurestosecure the best deal foryou. We keep thingsclear andsimple, guiding you every step of the way.

Ourmission is to makethe mortgageprocess smooth andenjoyable, ensuringyou getthe best possibleoutcome withasmile!

https://mslending.smartonline.com.au

AskThe ExpertsProperty Guide

Call

What is Conveyancing?

Conveyancingreferstothe legalprocess of transferring proper ty ownership from the seller to the buyer. Conveyancinginvolves various tasksincluding verifying the proper ty title, conducting searches, preparing legal documents andmanaging the finalsettlementprocess. Workingwithanexperienced andqualified conveyancer is necessar ytoensure asuccessfuland stress free transaction

Your conveyancer will play acrucial role in ensuring the transactionmeets alllegalrequirementsaswellasmaking sure allContractobligations arecompliedwith. Thespecifictasksofaconveyancer will var ydepending on the nature andcomplexit yofa transaction. There arecer tain tasksthatwillberequiredfor apurchase transactionthat differ to the tasksrequiredfor asale transaction

Here at GoodMove Conveyancing we havea teamofskilled andexperienced Conveyancerstoensure asmooth and successfulproper ty transaction.

www.goodmoveconveyancing.com.au

Q A

Whyis2024the Year forRealEstate?

Thereisa positivesurge in propertyvalues& oppor tunities. The2024marketisstrongerthan ever, offering incredible potentialfor buyers andsellers alike. Whetheryou’researching for your foreverhomeorlooking to maximizeyour investment,the current marketconditions createthe idealenvironmentfor achieving your real estate goals.

With our in-depth knowledge andproventrack record, we’llhelpyou take full advantage of this thriving market. From findinghiddengemsto securingtop dollar for your propert y, we’rehere ever ystepofthe way.

Call metoday: Ryan Hobson M: 0438 608606

E: ryan@lvrealestate.com.au

57 HothamSt, Traralgon

Don’tmissout on thebenefitsofthe booming 2024 real estate market www.lvrealestate.com.au

Q A CanI purchasea homewitha 5% deposit?

Thereare anumber of Government initiatives available to suppor thomeownershipfor eligible par ticipants. In par ticular,the VictorianHome Buyers Fund is asharedequityscheme,where the VictorianGovernmentmakes afinancial contribution to thepurchaseofahome,in exchange foranequityshare in theproper ty Par ticipantsneed to contribute aminimum of 5% of the purchaseprice andcoverany acquisition costs, such as stamp dutyand conveyancing

Contactthe Trafalgar branch todayon 5633 2783 to find out more regarding eligibilit y andlending criteria

Call me today: Torina Johnston

P: (03) 56332783

103A Princes Hw y, Trafalgar

www.bendigobank.com.au/branch/vic/ community-bank-trafalgar-district/

Q A

Why would we trust you with leasing our proper ty?

“AtFirst NationalReal Estate Latrobe, ourdedicatedLeasing Manager anda skilledteam of over eightprofessionals in the Proper ty Management depar tmentare here to makeleasing your home simple andstress-free Friendly andapproachable, ourteam is ready to helpyou quickly lease your propert ywhile expertly guiding youthrough the complexities of government regulations andrequirements. Real estate remains astronginvestment,and with propermanagement,itcan be avaluable source of wealthcreation, especially in the thriving and af fordable LatrobeValley.

Call us today: First National Latrobe P: 51760096

E: rentals@fnlatrobe.com.au 19 ChurchStreet, Traralgon

Leveraging the latest management software and ourextensive experience, we ensureaseamless andworry-freeleasing process.” www.fnlatrobe.com.au

Awareness crucial in battle against sepsis

IF we think for amoment about what getting sick looks like, we would probably think of an external factor, likeavirus, invading the bodyand causing damage.

In mostcases, the body’si mmune system responds and fights off that infection.

With sepsis, your body responds to an infection by damaging vital organs leading to shock and sometimes death.

Like stroke or heart attack, sepsis is amedical emergency thatrequires rapid diagnosis and treatment.

Latrobe RegionalHealth (LRH) Infectious Diseases Physician, Dr Zaal Meher-Homji said more than 80 per cent of sepsis cases start in the community, not in hospitals.

“Sepsis can be triggered by abacterial or viral infection such as aurinary tractinfection (UTI), lunginfection or from awound. If the infection breaks out of the initial area of infection it can get into the blood stream and infectother organs,” Dr Meher-Homji said.

“While anyone can develop sepsis, we know that somegroups are more susceptible such as older community members, newborn children, people who live in regionalareas, Indigenous Australians and people with complex health conditions. These are the more high-risk groups that we are particularly concerned about.”

As part of its ongoing staff education, LRH has introducedan‘adult sepsis pathway’ process to improveearly identificationofat-risk patients and ensure treatment is provided where needed.

“We’re encouraging all of our nursing and medical staff to ask the question: ‘Could it be sepsis?’ And if it is, to begin treatment quickly,” LRH Quality and Safety Officer, Bec Wittmer said.

“Oneofthe issues is thatsepsis is difficult to diagnose. Apatient can present with symptoms which can be quite mild and not immediately suggest aseriouscondition. Also, the symptoms can be similar to those seen in other conditions.

However, whenplaced together,those previously mild symptoms can be asign of sepsiswhich can have avery serious impact including death.”

Some symptoms of sepsis include fast breathing or breathlessness, fever and chills, lowbody temperature, fast heartbeat, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, confusion or sleepiness. The patient may also be in pain or express they are ‘feeling worse than ever’.

“While we’reworking with staff to keep on top of sepsis diagnosis and treatment, we’d also encourage the community to be on the lookout for

it and seek medical treatment if concerned,” Ms Wittmer said.

“Inthe meantime,doing things to lower the risk such as practicing good handhygiene,monitoring woundsfor signsofinfection like redness or swelling, keeping up to date with vaccinations and if you are concerned,gettingmedical treatment and asking the doctor whether it could be sepsis, are all good steps to take.”

More information about sepsis can be found at the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care website at: bit.ly/4dCd8oN

Saving lives with visible numbers

AVISIBLE propertynumbercan save a person’s life.

Paramedics are asking Victorianstomake sure their property numbers are visible from the street to help crews find their property quickly in an emergency.

Visiblepropertynumbers arecrucial when emergency services need to find alocation quickly, and by taking simple steps to ensure it can be seenfromthe street, it could savealife or aloved one’s life. Ideally, property numbers should be reflective to ensure theycan be seen during both day and night.

Ambulance Victoria’s Acting Executive Dire ctor Regional Operations, Micha el Georgiou, said Victorian paramedicssometimes respond to properties with inaccurate, unclear, or missing property numbers.

“Our crewsalsooften see trees and shrubs blocking the view of property numbers which can significantly delay their response and ability to get to the patient who may need life-saving treatment,” he said.

“Timeisofthe essence in an emergency, and we’re asking the communitytodotheir part in ensuring they can be easily located if they find themselves needing our help.”

Properties including houses, apartment buildings, farms and commercial buildings should be clearly numbered so that they can be easily located by Ambulance Victoria crews or otheremergency services.

“Take awalk or drive past your property to test the visibility of your property number -if youcan’tsee it, we can’t either,” Mr Georgioiu said.

“Those on farm land should make sure that not only your home has the number visible, but also ensure the direction from the main road is well marked and signposted.

“Wewant to get to you as quickly as possible and having your home clearly marked with a number makes amassivedifference in our response and the patient’s outcome.”

Whenever possible, sendsomeone outside to wave the ambulance down and take first responders directly to the patient.

For more information, visit the AV website.

Knowhow: Latrobe Regional Health Qualityand Safety Officer,Bec Wittmer and LRH Infectious Diseases Physician, Dr Zaal Meher-Homji.

Photograph supplied

A conversation could change a life.

Th es po ns or s on th es ep ag es ar e pr ou dt os upp or t

Youmustregisteryourburn-offs

AS hundreds of thousands of Victorians begin preparingtheir property for fire season, emergency services are encouraging landowners to register any planned burn-offs online, through the Fire Permits Victoria website.

Landownerswillbelooking to take advantage of the spring conditions, and authorities expect a surge in burn-off registrations over the coming weeks.

The quickestand easiestway to register your burn-off is by using the Fire Permits Victoria website at: firepermits.vic.gov.au/notify.

Triple Zero VictoriaChief Operating Officer, Nicole Ashworth saidregistering aburn-offonline was quick and easy.

“Using the Fire Permits Victoria website to register your burn-off helps keep our non-emergency phone lines free for higher priority calls,” she said.

“Everyyear at this time we see aspike in demand on the phone lines as landholders look to take advantage of suitable weather in the lead up to the fire danger period.

"This can sometimes lead to long wait times to register your burn-off.”

CFA ChiefOfficer,Jason Heffernansaidthe Fire Permits Victoria website is the preferred platform for people to register their burns.

“By registering your burn-off,itallows emergency

services to verify the fire is not an emergency and avoid unnecessary call outs for local brigades,” he said.

“It also allows us to display burn-offsonthe CFA website, preventing needless calls to Triple Zero (000).”

The website allowsyou to notify emergency services of your burn-off, and also checkand apply for apermit, if necessary.

However, if your burn is taking place within the next twohours, you must register your burn via the phone line on 1800 668 511.

For more information about burning off safely, visit: cfa.vic.gov.au/burnoff

Before you notify CFA, make sure you:

-Follow regulations or laws by CFA and local council;

-Notifyyour neighbours if theburn willgenerate fire and smoke;

-Check the weather conditions are safe to burn;

-Postponeyouractivity if high fire risk conditions develop, and;

-Establish agap in vegetation or fire break of no less than three metres cleared of all flammable material.

Never leave aburn-off unattended, and make sure there are enough people to monitor, contain and extinguish the burn safely and effectively.

Eisteddfodcostsparksmotion

BY KATRINA BRANDON

THE Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod, anot-for-profit, recently commenced its 68th Eisteddfod, only to find that the community grant it had previously received had decreased significantly,meaning the group had to pay out of pocket expenses for venue hire and adecrease in amenities.

When quotes for hire came in, the local Eisteddfod couldn’t believe it.

“This year, we applied for and successfully secured aLatrobe City Community Event grant. However, this year's grant falls well short of the previous year's amount. We had to forego accepting it to receive community hirerates. Even at the community rate, we have been quoted fees of around$50,000 forthis year’sevent,"the Eisteddfod team told the Express

“We understand that avenue such as GPAC is essential to attracthigh-calibre events, and with that, there are higher running costs and venue fees, but it's most disappointingthat the promises made during the fundraising period for this development have been broken.

“The Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod has successfully provided the arts community an extensive program of music and dance events to showcase and supportlocal talent for over 68 years, and attracts over 3000 entrants and audiences from all over Victoria."

Following the rise in the cost of the venue, the Eisteddfod posted asurvey on social media asking what the community thought was an appropriate cost for event hire.

The group also contacted Latrobe City Council multiple times for an appeal on costs, but could not reach what was seen as areasonable outcome in their view.

At last Monday's September Latrobe City Councilmeeting, an agenda item relatedtothe fees and charges for Creative Venues was considered. Amotion was endorsed to provide a$20,000 contribution to offset fees for the Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod's use of creative venues for the 2024/25 financial year.

Acouncil spokesperson told the Express that council will amend operational fees and charges for community groupsusing Creative Venues, and has eliminated the ‘Dark Day’ chargefor the Gippsland Performing Arts Theatre, Little Theatre, and Traralgon TownHall for the current financial year.

“A future council meeting will review areport on Creative Venues Fees and Charges, covering fee benchmarking, potential rates for education providers, venue usageanalysis,and recommendations for setting fees and charges for Creative Venues for the 2025/26 financial year," council said in astatement.

Support for small communities

BIG things arecomingtoVictoria’s tiniesttowns, withnew support fromthe state government making the smallest communities even better places to live, work and visit.

Premier Jacinta Allan announced anew round of the Labor government’s $20 million Tiny Towns Fund,which opened for applications on Monday, August 26, with grants between $5000 and $50,000 to boost tourism, liveability and community pride in towns with up to 5000 people.

From new barbecues, bike tracks and walking trails to club and community hallupgrades, the grants will support towns to bring to life projects thatcelebratecommunity spiritand make a positive difference to locals.

The first round of the government’s Tiny Towns Fund is already supporting more than 200 projects in 181 towns across regional Victoria and interface councils, backing strongercommunities by enhancing local towns.

Townships that have not yet received aTiny Towns grant, or that have worthy project ideas to boost community resilience, recovery and economic growth, are encouraged to apply in this second round, with updates made to the applicationprocess to make it even easier for smaller,volunteer-run community groups to apply.

For more information, visit: rdv.vic.gov.au/ tinytownsfundor: suburbandevelopment.vic. gov.au/grants/tiny-towns-fund

Check: Victoriansare being reminded to register their burn-offs,as fire season approaches Photograph supplied

HOROSCOPES

by Joanne Madeline Moore

September 9-September 15,2024

Venus (your ruling p anet) is v siting your sign until September 23 so your char smatic and diplomat c sides wi l be shining brightly for al to see There s also a terrific Venus/Jup ter tr ne which blesses persona projects and encourages internationa travel and interstate adventures Don’t be a Libran wal flower Get out there and enjoy yourself to the max! Your motto is from b rthday great, wr ter D H Lawrence: “Life s ours to be spent, not to be saved ”

cooking, housework or homework? Sunday is wonderful for financial matters and socialising with friends

t’s one of your luckiest weeks of the year, so prepare to pounce Jup ter (in your s gn) and Venus boost confidence and self-esteem as you power through pro ects with renewed confidence and plenty of chutzpah You’re a so keen to make connections with others, as the planets highlight your fami y and friendship zones So it’s a terrific t me to initiate ideas and make waves with n your c rcle of nfluence Pos tive collaborations are the secret to future success

Ca ling a l Crabs - mighty Mars is visiting your sign until November 4 So strive to be bold and brave as you nit ate ideas, launch pass on projects and zoom ahead n progressive direct ons Prosperous Venus and Jup ter help you turn dreams into gold f you devise a creative p an, then financ al uck s waiting n the wings via a new co league, client or customer, who may be inked to a fami y member Vo unteer work also looks rewarding

This week the Sun (your ruling planet) s visiting earthy Virgo So clear careful log cal communication wi l he p improve relations w th other peop e, as you get your message out oud and clear Venus and Jup ter a so encourage you to reach out and help others, both within your immediate circ e of family and friends and with n your loca neighbourhood The c ose community connections you foster now wi l prove beneficia n the future

On Thursday there’s a ovely Mercury/Mars link, which boosts ind viduality confidence evels and communication skil s With the Sun and Mercury (your patron planet) both moving through your s gn it’s your time to shine! Be nsp red by V rgo superstar Freddie Mercury: “Someone wi l a ways be prett er Someone will always be smarter; someone wi l always be younger But they w ll never be you ” Lady Luck s on your side on Sunday

Powerful Pluto – your boss p anet – has moved back nto your education, commun cat on and community zones (until November 19) So it’s a good time to rev sit any unfin shed business involv ng study, social media, siblings ne ghbours and projects in your loca neighbourhood Courtesy of the terr fic Venus/Jupiter trine, t’s also a suitab e week to draw up excit ng plans, set amb t ous goals, and dream b g dreams If you can dream t, you can do it!

Sunday’s lucky Venus-Jupiter link encourages you to broaden your horizons - physically, menta ly and sp ritually t’s time to expand your circle of influence and make positive connect ons with n your peer group and further afield Be more generous w th loved ones, more adventurous in your choices, and more ambitious with your dreams Draw inspirat on from birthday great D H Lawrence: “I want to live my life so that my nights are not full of regrets ”

The Sun and Mercury are moving through fellow earth s gn Virgo, so you’ll be extra bold and brainy this week as you dazzle others with your methodica mind, broad general knowledge and close attent on to details So it’s the perfect time to analyse, research and problem-solve in proactive ways W th the power of positive thinking on your side, you can c imb any mountain and sail any stormy sea But proceed cautiously with a pompous colleague or c ient

COPYRIGHTJoanneMadelineMoore2024

You ove be ng independent But this week’s stars favour nurturing partnerships, establishing joint ventures and stabilising your support network, as the planets stimulate your relationship zones If you’re single, sparks could fly with someone from another country or culture But avoid mak ng an impu sive financial move that cou d lead to over-spend ng Getting into more debt is a recipe for trouble - by all means have fun, but don’t break the bank

With the Sun and Mercury in your relationship zone, being creative about solving problems is the key to positive partnerships Stop procrastinating and, nstead, start communicating about what you really require Don’t expect other people to magica ly read your mind Be articulate and ask plenty of questions Mars is mov ng through your self-expression zone So it’s time for artistic pursuits like photography, art, dance, drama, singing, writing and mus c

Farewell for now to a

Newborough institution

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

NEWBOROUGH will be noticeably less exciting for the considerable future, with Rookies Bar& Restaurant shutting its doors.

Owners BillWilliams and Maria Brien-Williams made the decisionafter afantastic eight-year run culminating in an equally epic send-off -their ‘End of an Era’ final night.

Featuring local artists Billy Rilen, The Spitting Swallows, Jarbeque and Mick &Nath, all acts were very familiar to the venue.

“They all wanted to be involved in it, so it worked out pretty well,” Maria said.

The owners saidthey were not expecting the response they got when they announced theirlast night event.

“We sold out probably in aday and ahalf, 300 tickets, so it went pretty quick. Sold the first 100 on the first night then another 100 and then all the rest went the next day,” Maria said.

Bill and Maria said they made the decision to not renew theirlease backinDecember, which ruffled afew feathers, but they knew what they wanted to do after along few years.

“It’sbeenbusythe last few weeks… it’s just been quiet post-COVID, COVID was really good, busy but with interests rates and everythingelse, no one could afford to go out anymore,” Maria explained.

Knowing what was to come, changes to the menu were made, but they didn’t want adip in quality with their famous wood fired pizzas and other foods just becausethe finishline was approaching. Bill and Maria gave staff freedom to go out and seek work elsewhere, with the inevitable closure leaving those remaining soldiering on in the last few weeks.

“(There was) probably only about six of us, we’d dwindled down, just minimum staff we were runningbecauseweknew there was no sense trying to train someone in ashort amount of time,” Maria said.

“We had achefthat filled in for the last six weeks for us, he’s heading off overseas, so we were just sort of lucky that he come long.”

Reflecting on their eight-year run, with all its ups and downs, that had manymorehighs, Bill and Maria are happy they saw it through, and now they’re on to the next big thing.

Bill and Maria are focussed on running their cool room repair business on afull-time basis.

“We’ve had that for along time and that started getting busier last year, so that’s why we decided to call it aday,” Maria said.

The Newborough area is now vacant of any establishment of its kind, with the Newborough Pub closing itsdoors earlierthisyear

Projecttoboostwaterquality

GIPPSLAND Water has movedtosafeguard akey piece of Moe’s waternetworkbyplanting more than8000native trees andshrubs alongTanjil River near Tanjil South.

Ms Cummingacknowledged the surrounding landholders for their support.

The project will reduce long-term pump operating costs by improving water quality.

“Locals generously allowed us to access the site, install livestock exclusion fencing and undertake regular meetings with them throughout the planning process,” she said.

Gippsland Water Managing Director, Sarah Cumming,saiditwould reduce the risk of damage to Tanjil River pump station, which supplies Moe water treatment plant.

“Improving the resilienceofour assets and protecting them from harm helps ensure we can continue to provide safe and reliable services for our customers well into the future,” Ms Cumming said.

“The benefits of this project are twofold. By increasing the number of trees and shrubs along the riverbank, we’re not only reducing our longterm operating costs but improving the health of the waterway and surrounding land as well.

“Root systemsplayanimportant role in holding soil together on riverbanks and reducing the risk of erosion.

“Without this support,sediment and largedebris can fall away and travel down the river into our pump systems, causing blockages.

“This is notuncommonatTanjil River pump station and it can make it more costly to run.”

“This assistance was really important in helping us to get the job done and we’re grateful for their cooperation.”

Seven differentnative trees and shrubs were planted, including the critically endangered Strzelecki gum,the Australian blackwood and silver wattles.

Plantingnatives, such as the threatened Strzelecki gum, supports the growthofother plants and can attract native birds and animals which furtherenhances biodiversity.

The Tanjil River pump station is akey part of Moe’s water network and can transfer up to 24 megalitres of raw water to the Moe water treatment plant each day.

Gippsland Water will continue to monitor the site’s progress in the coming years and undertake regularpest and weed management.

To findout moreabout Gippsland Water’srolein biodiversity, visit: gippswater.com.au/biodiversity

Done and dusted: MariaBrien-Williams andBill Williams have closed thelong-standing Newborough spotRookies

Photograph: BlakeMetcalf-Holt

TheGuide

SECRETS OF AROYAL ESTATE: ST JAMES’S PALACE SBS, Saturday, 8.25pm

As long as British documentarians continue loyally pumping out specials about their revered (and occasionally reviled) Royalfamily,there’ll at leastbeaspecial everyweektoindulge in.Wedon’t havethe majesty and grand historyofanAustralian royalfamily to continuallycontemplate–and the same arguably goesfor breathtakingly historic buildings. In this latestspecial pivoting on the British monarchy,it’sabuilding–rather than aking or queen –thatthe lens is pulledon. Of course, thereare also juicysecrets in this exploration of St James’s Palace.Built in the 1530s forHenry VIII, the doors areopened on the palace’s rich stories.

BETTER

ABCTV, Sunday, 9.15pm

Grim and morally complex, thisBritish crime drama kicks off with astellar opening episode as we’reintroduced to Detective Inspector LouSlack (Leila Farzad,pictured, IHateSuzie), who leads adangerous double lifeinthe pocket of the powerful and ruthlessdruglordCol McHugh (Andrew Buchan, Broadchurch). However,after herson (Zak Ford-Williams) has abrush with death, Slack decidestosever ties with her criminal cohort and sets in motion aplantoextricate herself from their union. Slack makes foracompellingbut not terribly likeable protagonist, at leastinthis firstepisode, butnodoubt her character will be redeemed somewhat as she atones forher sins of the past

THE ASSEMBLY ABCTV, Tuesday, 8.30pm

This heart-warming and unique interview series continues with AFL legend and 2014 Australian of the Year Adam Goodes (pictured) visiting the autistic journalism student collective to answer their probing questions. Thetopicsrange from the serious:Goodes’ experiences with racism and his mum’s passing; to the fun andunexpected –gardening andhis favourite dance moves. This episode also spotlights students Anastasia, Andrew and Stephanieaswesee them preparing forthe interviewwith groupmentor Leigh Sales. Goodesproves to be an ideal guest for this series –warm-hearted, thoughtful and open –and forms an instant rapportwiththe group in amoving and emotional chat

Wednesday, September11

PICK OF

F THE WEEK

MY KITCHEN Seven, Mond

N RULES ay,7.30pm

12.30 National PressClub Address.

1.35 MediaWatch. (PG, R)

2.00 Parliament QuestionTime

3.00 Yakka: Australia At Work. (PG, R)

6.30 Hard Quiz.(PG, R) 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 7.30 8.00 Shaun Micallef’sEve Of Destruction (PG) 8.40 Guy Montgomery’sGuy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG) Presented by GuyMontgomery 9.30 Planet America. 10.00 WouldI Lie To You? (R) 10.30 ABC Late News. 10.45 The Business. (R) 11.00 Interview With The Vampire. (MA15+v,R) 11.50 Fifteen-Love. (Final,Malv, R) 12.50 Grand Designs. (R) 1.35 Parliament Question Time 2.35 Killing Eve. (MA15+av R) 3.20 Love Your Garden. (R) 4.05 Rage (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

6.00 MastermindAustralia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Secrets Of Our Universe With TimPeake: Stars And Black Holes. Part 2of3

8.30 DanSnow’sGreatestDiscoveries: DinosaurValley. (R) Part 2of3 9.25 Miniseries: TheSixth Commandment. (Mal)Part 2of4

10.35 SBS World News Late. 11.05 El Immortal: GangsOf Madrid. (Premiere,MA15+av) 1.05 Good People. (Mal,R) 3.55 MakeMe ADealer.(R) 4.45 Destination Flavour ChinaBitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANCPhilippinesThe World Tonight.

The14th season cookingstaple py patriotic tiesoff contestants, wi riding,Italian-bo Simone and Viv prominently fea They’veproven be fanfavourite but face some stiff competitio in the form of chic Western Australian best mates Mike andPete, who plateupwithth flavours of their own Italian heri Tonight’sinstan restaurant is alo affair as Townsv mullet-rocking Danny and siste Sonia (both pict hope to impres with their distin NorthQueensla Judges Colin Fa and Manu Feild certainly eaten of seafood,but they ever tried sliced with an a grinder? Unlike.

n of this reality plays up the its current crop of th Vespaorn friends viana atured.

n to es, n he r tage nt ocal ville’s er tured) s nctive and flair assnidge el have their share have mudcrab ngle ly

ABC TV (2) SBS (3) SEVEN (7,6) TEN (10, 5) NINE (9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Four Corners. (R) 10.45 Q+A. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon.

3.55 Love Your Garden. (R) 4.45 Grand Designs. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow (R) 6.00 WorldWatch. 6.20 Soccer. 2026 FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL Qualifier.Colombia vArgentina. 8.30 WorldWatch. 10.00 BBC News At Ten. 10.30 ABCWorld News Tonight With David Muir 11.00 US Presidential Debate 1.00 PBS NewsHour 2.00 Dateline. (R) 2.30 Insight. (R) 3.30 Such WasLife. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw.(R) 4.10 Tony Robinson: The Thames At Night. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorningShow. (PG) 11.30 SevenMorning News. 12.00 To Be Advised 1.35 BorderSecurity: International (PG, R) 2.05 Catch Phrase. (PG, R) 3.00 TheChase. 4.00 SevenNewsAt4 5.00 TheChase Australia 6.00 Today 9.00 TodayExtra.(PG) 10.55 US Presidential Debate. 12.35 9News. 1.00 TheBlock (PGl,R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG) 3.00 Tipping Point (PG, R) 4.00 9NewsAfternoon 4.30[VIC]TippingPoint Australia.(PG) 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.30[VIC]WINNews. 6.00 My Market Kitchen. (R) 6.30

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Home AndAway. (PG) Mali makes an importantdecision.

7.30 My Kitchen Rules (PGl) Hosted by Colin Fassnidge and ManuFeildel.

9.10 TheFront Bar. (Ml)Hosts Mick Molloy, Sam Pang andAndyMaher takealighter look at all things AFL

10.10 Talking Footy Alook at the week’sAFL news.

11.10 TheLatest: SevenNews.

11.40 Air Crash Investigations: Lost Star Footballer (PGa)

12.40 Stan Lee’sLucky Man. (Premiere, MA15+av)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News

7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 TheBlock. (PGl) It is all aboard the party bus forachallenge.

8.40 Human Error. (Premiere, Mlv) Adetectiveand her team investigate amurder

9.40 Footy Classified. (Mal) Footy expertstackle the AFL’s big issues

10.40 9News Late.

11.10 Ski Rescue Down Under (PGa)

12.00 Tipping Point. (PG,R) 1.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 2.00 Hello SA.(PG, R) 2.30 Global Shop.(R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 ACurrent Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News.

Thursday, September 12

ABC (2)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News

Mornings. 10.00 Australian Story.(R) 10.30 Compass. (PGa, R) 11.00 AntiquesRoadshow (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 The Assembly.(PG,R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time 3.00 Yakka: Australia At Work. (PG, R) 3.55 Love Your Garden (R) 4.40 Grand Designs. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow (R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.05 Paul O’Grady:For The Love Of Dogs. (PGa, R) 10.05 Wonderland: Lewis Carol To JRR Tolkien. (Ma, R) 11.00 Auction. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Such Was Life.(R) 2.10 HistoryOfBritain. (Ma, R) 3.05 Railway Journeys UK. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up (R) 4.10 Tony Robinson: The Thames At Night. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy!(R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia (R) Presented by Marc Fennell. 6.30 SBS WorldNews. 7.30 GreatAustralian Walks: Uluru-Kata Tjuta. (PG) Julia Zemiro heads to Uluru-Kata Tjuta. 8.25 JuniorDoctors Down Under: HomeSick. (M) Dr Eoin is searching for answerswhena 57-year-old woman presents with excruciating chest pain.

9.20 Rebus. (MA15+lv) Rebus and his boss Gill head to Michael’shouse as the investigationinto Andy’smurderbegins. 10.15 SBSWorld NewsLate

10.45 Pray ForBlood (MA15+av)

12.20 Devils. (MA15+a, R)

2.20 Miniseries: The Dark Heart. (Mals, R) 3.10 MakeMeA Dealer.(R) 4.05 Bamay.(R)

4.45 Destination Flavour ChinaBitesize. (PGa, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight.

ABC FAMILY (22)

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 7.20pm Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep 7.35 The Inbestigators. 7.50 Operation Ouch! 8.20 BTN Newsbreak. 8.25 The Wonderful World Of Puppies. 9.10 New Leash On Life 9.40 Doctor Who 10.35 Merlin. 11.20 Fresh Off TheBoat. 11.40 Speechless. Midnight Good Game Spawn Point. 12.35 Rage 1.35 TheLegend Of Korra. 2.20 Summer Memories. 2.35 Late Programs.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The MorningShow.(PG) 11.30 SevenMorningNews. 12.00 To Be Advised 1.40 Border Security: International. (PG,R) 2.10 CatchPhrase. (PG, R) 3.00 TheChase. (R) 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChase Australia. 6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 The Block. (PGl, R) 1.00 Human Error.(Mlv,R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG) 3.00 TippingPoint. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon 4.30[VIC]TippingPoint Australia.(PG)

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home And Away (PGa) Perri is close to crumbling.

8.30 Abused By Mum: TheRuby FrankeScandal. (M) Charts the rise and fall of Ruby Franke, apopular “momfluencer”who amassed millions of followersfor her parentingtips. However, behind the perfect facade wasa nightmare, revealed whenher son fledhome.

10.00 RonIddles:The Good Cop: Michelle Buckingham. (Malsv, R) RonIddles revisits notable cases

11.05 Air Crash Investigations: Peril Over Portugal. (PGa, R) Alook at the crash of Martinair Flight 495.

12.05 MagnumP.I (Mav)

2.00 Home Shopping (R)

4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 2.05pm Shortland St 2.30 The Cook Up 3.00 Jarjums. 3.35 Spartakus And The Sun Beneath The Sea 4.05 Cities Of Gold. 4.35 Motown Magic. 5.00 Our Stories. 5.30 The77Percent. 6.00 Bamay. 6.30 News. 6.40 UndiscoveredVistas. 7.30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo 8.30 The Boy, TheQueen And Everything In Between. (Premiere) 9.25 MOVIE: Coach Carter.(2005) 11.55 Late Programs. NITV (34) 6am Shopping. 6.30 I Escaped To The Country. 7.30 ICU 8.00 Million Dollar Minute. 9.00

6.00 9News.

7.00 ACurrentAffair

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

8.30 30 Years Of TheFooty Show. (Mlns, R) Part 1of2.Features exclusiveinterviews, iconicmoments, untold stories and never-before-seen footage fromthe show.

10.10 Casualty 24/7 (Mm, R) Doctors treat atwo-year-old girl.

11.05 9News Late.

11.30 TheEqualizer (Mv)

12.20 Resident Alien. (Mav)

1.10 Pointless. (PG, R)

2.05 Explore TV:Portugal &Spain. (R) 2.30 Global Shop (R)

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory.(PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair.(R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by GrantDenyer 6.30 TheProject. Alook at the day’snews. 7.30 DogsBehaving (Very) Badly Australia. (PGas) Graeme Hall helps aBritish bulldog. 8.30 GoggleboxAustralia. TV fanatics open up their livingroomstoreveal their reactions to popular and topical TV shows. 9.30 TheCheap Seats (Mal,R) Presenters MelanieBracewell and Tim McDonald takealookatthe week that was. 10.30 10’s Late News. Coverage of news,sportand weather 10.55 TheProject. (R) Alook at the day’snews. 12.00 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping (R) 4.30 CBSMornings. 6am WorldWatch. 10.00 TheMovie Show 12.05pm WorldWatch. 12.35 PlanetA 1.30 The Story Of 1.55 Unknown Amazon. 2.50 The WineLovers’ GuideTo Australia. 3.20 WorldWatch. 5.15 Forged In Fire. 6.05 Letters AndNumbers. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 United Gangs Of America. (Premiere) 10.20 Stormy 12.25am JesyNelson: Odd One Out 1.30 Late Programs.

6am

TheMovie Show 6.20 Breaker Morant. (1980, PG) 8.20 The Mole Agent. (2020,Spanish) 10.00 Kodachrome. (2017, M) 11.55 An Unfinished Life. (2005,M) 2pm On AClear Day.(2005,PG) 3.50 Eat Wheaties! (2020, PG) 5.30 The Man WhoKnew Infinity.(2015,PG) 7.30 In TheHeatOfThe Night (1967,M) 9.35 Lions ForLambs. (2007, M) 11.15 Late Programs.

Friday,September 13

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Planet America. (R) 10.30 That PacificSports Show.(R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.55 VanDer Valk. (Mv,R) 2.25 Guy Montgomery’sGuy Mont SpellingBee. (PG, R) 3.15 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 4.00 Love Your Garden. (R) 4.45 Grand Designs. (PG, R) 5.35 AntiquesRoadshow. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) HostedbyTom Gleeson.

7.00 ABC News Alookatthe topstories of the day

7.30 Gardening Australia. Clarence Slockee helps saverainforest seeds.

8.30 VanDer Valk. (Madv) Part 3of3.Van der Valk investigates aseries of murders that draws the team into acryptic puzzle. 10.00 ShaunMicallef’s Eve Of Destruction. (PG, R) Hosted by Shaun Micallef

10.35 Guy Montgomery’sGuy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG,R) 11.25 ABC Late News. 11.40 Grand Designs:Padstow. (Ml, R)

12.30 Love Your Garden. (R)

1.15 Rage New Music (MA15+adhlnsv)

5.00 Rage. (PG)

6.00WorldWatch. 9.05Paul O’Grady:For The Love Of Dogs. (PG, R) 10.05Wonderland: Lewis Carol To JRRTolkien. (PGa,R) 11.00Auction. 12.00WorldWatch.2.00WovenThreadsStories From Within.(Ma,R) 2.10History Of Britain. (PGan, R) 3.00NITVNews: Nula. 3.30Such WasLife. (PG, R) 3.40The Cook Up.(R) 4.10 Tony Robinson: TheThames At Night.(R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30Letters AndNumbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS WorldNews. 7.30 My Grandparents’War: Kit Harington. (PG,R)Part 1of4

8.25 Lost Treasures Of Ancient Laos: TheDiscovery (PG) Part 1of2 Ateam of archaeologists investigates one of the greatest treasures ever found.

9.20 Lost Treasures Of Ancient Rome: Nero’s Lost Palace. (PGav,R)Takes alook at the Golden House,a vast palace built in ancient Rome duringthe first century AD 10.15 SBSWorld NewsLate 10.45 Soldiers. (MA15+av)

12.30 MyBrilliantFriend. (Mv,R)

3.50 MakeMeADealer. (R) 4.40 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World EnglishNewsMorning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorning Show. (PG) 11.30 SevenMorning News. 12.00 MOVIE: TheAlleged Abduction. (2019,Mav,R) 2.00 House Of Wellness. (PG) 3.00 TheChase. (R) 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChase Australia. 6.00 Today 9.00

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Football. AFL.Firstsemi-final. 11.15 ArmchairExperts. (M)The panel presents aunique and interactive analysis of theweek in AFL.

12.00 GetOn Extra. Lizzie Jelfs, Matt Hill, Simon Marshall and Brent Zerafa dive headlong into the weekend’s best racing.

12.30 Taken. (Mav,R)Bryan and the team uncovera government plot while searching for asuspected terrorist.

1.30 Harry’sPractice. (R) Dr Harry Cooper and Dr Katrina Warren present information aboutanimals and petcare.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Million DollarMinute. (R)Three contestants go head-to-head in atest of brain power for the chance to win $1 million 5.00 NBCToday News and current affairs.

(PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 To Be Advised. 2.00 Pointless. (PG) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30[VIC]TippingPoint Australia.(PG) 5.00 Tipping Point Australia.

6.00 9News.

7.00 RugbyLeague. NRL First qualifying final

9.45 NRL Finals Footy Post-Match. Apost-match NRL wrap-upofthe firstqualifying final, with expert analysis and player interviews.

10.30 MOVIE: Sleepless. (2017,MA15+dlv,R)A copsearches for hiskidnapped son.Jamie Foxx

12.20 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.15 Pointless. (PG,R)

2.05 Australia’s TopTen Of Everything. (PGl, R)

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 SkippyThe Bush Kangaroo (R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping (R)

5.30 Postcards. (PG, R)

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by GrantDenyer.

6.30 TheProject. Alookatthe day’snews. 7.30 SortYour Life Out. (PGa) Stacey Solomon and her team help families declutter and transform their lives. 8.45 MOVIE: TheFirstWives Club. (1996,PGal, R) Three women, dumped by their husbands for younger women, decide to get revenge. Goldie Hawn, BetteMidler,Diane Keaton. 10.45 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sportand weather 11.10 TheProject. (R) Alook at theday’snews.

Super Saturdayonlydaysaway

FOOTBALL/NETBALL

By LIAM DURKIN

IF only you could be in two places at once. Or three.

Local sports consumers will be spoilt for choice this weekend, as all three football/netball leagues in the Latrobe Valley catchment get set to stage epic finals.

Just where do you begin?

There are two Grand Finals and amajor league Preliminary Final.

Storieswillunfold at every venue, as another lot of heroes arecrowned and villains remembered.

Mid Gippsland and North Gippsland have their Grand Finals, the formerata‘new’ venue,and the latter at one that hasn’t hosted adecider for more than 40 years.

You have to go back almosttwo decades as well to find the last timethosepreparing to compete in the Gippsland League senior PreliminaryFinal faced off.

Agame of football is all thatseparates Valley rivals Moe and Traralgon from the Grand Final, and emotions are sure to run high for whoever wins through.

On one hand, you have atownofbattlers, and on the other, atown that has battled hard.

TraralgonFootball-Netball Club has made do with ramshackle facilities since floods swept away muchofthe communityinfrastructure justover three years ago, and victory this Saturday may indeed provide motivation for the generations to come.

Moe won’t have to look farfor motivation. Grand Finals aren’t somethingthat come around allthat often for the Lions -only once this century and twice in their history with success.

That record reiterates aharsh reality of football.

Youhave to take your opportunities.

Speak to Moe people in the know, and they will tell you their 2001 team that finished fourth was actually better than any of the sides that played in grand finals the two years previous.

The Lions already have one team through to the Grand Final -its BGrade netball side, who could yet play Traralgon should the Maroons win on their home court.

MID GIPPSLAND

Yinnar:DLintonB VanDer Meer CMills LCheffers MStolk JBugeja. Foster:T LittoreMAllott B Cripps JBest DHawking TBastion

5.3 6.3

Yinnar:CHutchison 3PMcGrath 2J Garlick 2M Nelson WRowleyD Yates. Meeniyan Dumbalk Utd: RWeaverB Cantwell AKemperT Goss LHarrisB Moscript RCheckley BEST: Yinnar CHutchison MNelsonMNardino RMayo JChessum GOlver Meeniyan Dumbalk Utd: RGiliam BMoscript MSmith TRuedin M HarrisJBallagh

4.1 8.3 9.4 11.5 (71) NE WBOROUGH 1.3 1.4 3.5 4.5 (29)

GOALS: Yinnar:BDurea 2HMcKay 2R Zielecki2D Hobbs 2N McCaffertyJ RogalskyO McColl.Newborough: OHanson2E Mounsey BYoung BEST: Yinnar:J RogalskyH McKayOMcColl L Douch DHobbs HBugeja. Newborough: ZDaley MBrosnan ADaley WCuthber tson TWebber LMulley

Moe will hope its AGrade team canfollow suit, after dropping their first game for the season in the semi-final.

Finals are always good for ashocking surprise.

Morwell alsohas the chancetomake anetball decider, with its CGrade contingent taking to the Preliminary Final court.

Alittlefurther down the road, Churchillwill host the North Gippsland Football-Netball League Grand Final.

It will be aGrand Final rematch in the seniors, while abevy of Bulldogs will take over the netball court.

Social democracy meets local netball, with Sale City represented in every division from AGrade right down to 15 and Under.

Watch for the Express’ own Blake Metcalf-Holt, who is playing in the reserves football decider.

If you are feeling adventurous, perhaps adrive to Meeniyan for the Mid Gippsland FNL Grand Final is on the cards.

The South Gippsland town is hosting its first-ever Mid Gippy decider,inwhatwill be an event tinged with irony given the very name of the league itself.

That being said, times have clearlychanged, and agreat spectacle between the top-two teams in the senior football competition is on the cards.

Perhaps fittingly, one of the state’s most successful clubsbyway of senior premierships in Fish Creek, is taking on one of the mostsuccessful clubs of the ‘old’ Mid Gippsland in Yinnar.

TheKangaroos won theflaglast year, and the Magpies the year before that.

Yinnarhas another busy GrandFinal day ahead, withits seniors, reserves andthirds all on the big stage.

The co-op erat ive mod el of Yin nar is to be applauded, as it seems the entire town comes out to support the Magpies every Grand Final day.

Mirboo North enjoys similar support, although this year will be the first in along, long time the Tigers won’t have asingle team represented.

You would probably have to go back to the days when Mirboo North wore purple jumpers for this to be the case.

Theabsence of Mirboo North might not be the

only noticeable thing come Saturday.

Knowyour wayaroundGaskin Park,Churchill for theNor th Gippsland Grand Finalthis Saturday. Photograph supplied

Therewill be aBurgess playing for Newborough.

Thisa Burgess whosefatherand grandfather spent most of their playing days for Trafalgar in sheer opposition to the Bulldogs.

Yes, times have certainly changed. Maybe for the better.

Newborough is taking what looks to be astrong team into the reserves Grand Final, and afew peoplewithfamiliarsurnames to theclubhave the chance to enjoy some reward for loyalty.

Such sentiments are perhaps most pertinent for JoshWhittaker, the unfortunatesenior captain of yesteryear when Newborough lost three consecutive grand finals all by under agoal, and who was injured when the Bulldogs finally broke through in 2016.

That Newborough’s one premiershipintheir five Grand Final appearances between 2012 and 2023 came with arguably their weakest side speaks to the fleeting nature of sport.

You can have your best team but not always at the best time.

You can have the right team at the right time.

Allittakes is awet day or for afew players to have ablinder.

Some of those blokes who played for Morwell in 2013have never played better thanthey did in that Grand Final.

With that, best wishes to all lucky enough to be taking part in grand finals.

Events of this weekendmay live or leave you depending on what takes place within atwo hour window.

Settingupfor my 30th birthday recently, afairly demoralising moment occurred when it came to displaying some photos.

You never realise how many photos you don’t have fromyourfooty career when youhaven’t played in apremiership.

Traralgon cutsshort Power season

FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

IF you keep playing Russian Roulette,you are going to shoot yourself eventually.

Wonthaggi’swinning streak and seasoncame to an abrupt and relatively tame end on Sunday, afterlosing the Gippsland League First Semi Final.

Adefensive masterclassfrom Traralgon restricted the Powertojust one goal afterhalftime, in afinal scoreboard reading 6.6 (42) to 3.5 (23).

The Maroons controlled the gameafter quarter time,onwhatwas the second week of high winds making conditionstricky forfinalsfooty.

Traralgoncame into the matchunder some pressure, after narrowlylosingthe Qualifying Final to Moe, and facinga Wonthaggi outfit thathad won nineofits previous 10 games.

The Power’s form appeared undeniable, and there was some suggestion the young Maroons were set to depart the finals scene in straight sets.

Pressure creates diamondsthough, and Traralgon had afew jewels on full display.

Not much got past Tristen Waack,Tye Hourigan and Mitch Membrey down back,while some lesser types also had pivotal moments.

Tom McMahon didn’tget in the best, nor has he at any stage in the seniors this season, but he played just about the game of his life.

The young midfielder laid some strong tackles preventing certain Wonthaggiscores,and performed afew acts that might have gone unnoticed on the stat sheet, but were vitally important nonetheless, such as getting ahand in when the ball was bobbing around at ground level.

Conversely, naming the top six players for the Power proved adifficult task.

While Jarryd Blair, Ryan Sparkes, Fergus O’Connor, Josh Bates and Tom Murray were officially selected, there was really only one worth noting.

Isaac Chugg was the only player who kept Wonthaggi in the game.

GIPPSLAND

LEAGUE

PRELIMINARYFINALS

Saturday, September 14 at Traralgon Showgrounds

FOOTBALL

SENIORS: Moe vs Traralgon (2.20pm)

RESERVES: Bairnsdale vs Maffra (12.30pm)

THIRDS: Leongatha vs Maffra (10.45am)

FOURTHS: Moe vs Maffra (9am)

NETBALL

AGRADE: Moe vs Drouin (2.35pm)

BGRADE: Drouin vs Traralgon (1.20pm)

CGRADE: Morwell vs Maffra (12.15pm)

17 AND UNDER: Leongatha vs Bairnsdale (11.10am)

15 AND UNDER: Sale vs Traralgon (10.05am)

13 AND UNDER: Maffra vs Moe (9am)

Had he not played, Traralgon would have walked into the Preliminary Final.

Chugg’s poise from defensive 50 repealed many forward entries, whilehis sure disposal by foot saved the day on numerous occasions.

The former Collingwood player may have been sweating underneath his long sleeve jumper after the amount of times he was called upon to do the heavy lifting.

None more so than in afrantic final term when he sprinted from the wing to the goal square to lay atackleand win the ball back.

Such an act wouldhavelooked out of placein the first quarter, as the Power started the better of the two sides.

Kickingwiththe breeze to theCan Bar end at Ted Summerton Reserve, Wonthaggi enjoyed afast start by way of inside 50s in the first 10 minutes. Signs appeared ominous for Traralgon,although for all of the Power’s dominance,they only managed 1.2 (8) to 0.1 (1) by quarter time.

Ascrappyopening wasaprecursortohow the second term unfolded, with the ball spending most of thefirst 10 minutes parked on the wing opposite the clubrooms.

Traralgon got up and running on the approach to halftime, kickingthreegoals to take ahandy seven point lead into the sheds.

Goals to Luis D’Angelo and Jackson McMahon from in front of the bar provided aspark,while aroundthe ground,ruckman Max Jacobsen was

clunking most high ballsthatcame his way

Withstakes and emotions high, players naturally questioned afew decisions, although the umpires shouldbecommendedfor seeing that nothingever boiled over. The performance of the young female umpirewas especiallynoteworthy,particularly for how strong she was in her decision-making. Whenever aquery came her way, she needed just one word to defuse the situation -“enough”.

Traralgon re-entered the arenadownone rotation, after dashing defender Joel Scholtes dislocated his shoulder.

The left-footerhad comebackinto the team followinga two week layoff, and judgingbythe knee brace strapped to his right leg, was clearly stillunder an injury cloud.

The Maroons played Hourigan as aspare in defence kicking into the breeze, and Wonthaggi must have thought he was playing for them judging by the amount of times they kicked it to him.

At the other end, Dylan Loprese pulledout the trick bag, taking two separateone-handed contested marksinsuccession on either side of his body.

Loprese kicked Traralgon’s only goal for the quarter, but importantly, they had kicked amajor into the breeze, and extended the margin to 15 points.

The first real signs of things starting to unravel forWonthaggicameatthe 25-minute mark, when Jordan Cunicoaccepted apass right in front of goal with no Power player within 10 metres of him.

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

Vernon keeps on inspiring

FORMER Leongatha and Phillip Island coach Beau Vernon will return from the Paris Paralympics with abronze medal. Vernon -who became aquadriplegic after being hit in the head playing for Leongatha before going on to coach Gippsland and West Gippsland league premiership-winning teams

-was part of the Australian wheelchair rugby team which defeated GreatBritain 50-48 in the bronze medal play-off.

The Steelers narrowlymissed out on aspotin the Gold medal match, losing their semi-finalto eventual champion Japan in extra time.

Asubsequent miss was their only saving grace, and while the three quarter time margin was just seven points, the toll of playingvirtual elimination finals for more than two months was starting to show.

Wonthaggi looked tired, theirskill level dropped, and players went missing.

AidenLindsay is aseven-time best-and-fairest winner for the Power -hewould have been lucky to touch the ball that many times this game.

Hourigan was moved into the centre for the last quarter,ascoachTroy Hamilton delivered the final instructions.

“They are aproud club, they will come,” he said.

“Talk to defend, you can feel our run is coming -keep it coming,”

Traralgon kicked the firstofthe lastfollowing a10-minute arm wrestling period, which in the context of the game, gave them some reassuring breathing space.

Wonthaggi did notdie wondering,and threw themselves in manically trying to find an avenue forward, but it was all to no avail.

Some hectic moments played out, none more so than when O’Connor was awarded afree kick, and called to play on without realising, and was then pinned for holding the ball himself.

The result from that play led the ball to find its way to Loprese, who nursed home aset shot from close range to put the result beyond doubt.

Loprese was among the best players in the win, along with Waack, Hourigan, D’Angelo, Jacobsen and Membrey.

How dour the match was may have been best summed up by the fact Wonthaggi’s finalscore was the lowest in league history for afirst semi-final, while Traralgon’s was only three points off entering the top three. Not that the Maroons will care in the slightest, they are nowonlyone win awayfromaGrand Final.

Gowers tops VFL goal kicking charts

FOOTBALL

THERE must be no bullies in the VFL. Former Moe player Billy Gowers took out the leading goal kickeraward in the VFL following astrong season with Port Melbourne. Gowers topped the goal kicking charts, reaching the half-century with exactly 50 majors to win the Jim 'Frosty' Miller Medal.

Despite his efforts, the Borough finished well outside finals, finishing 16th of 21 teams.

Gowers played 14 games for Moe last season, joining the Lions midseason. He kicked 41 goals in the Gippsland League, with apersonal best of seven. His debut for Moe coincided with the Lions ending Leongatha's34-game winning streak. His last few gameshowever were personally frustrating, as he was constantly converged on by packs of three and four.

Gowers is the son of current Hawthorn president and 1991premiership player, Andy.

SEMI FINALS (SUDDEN DE AT HS EMI LISTED FIRST)

TheValley will have ateaminGrand Final

FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

THERE can only be one.

Latrobe Valley rivals Moe and Traralgon will clash in the Gippsland League Preliminary Final this Saturday.

The winner will advance to the Grand Final, to meet and try and dethrone the might of Leongatha. While there are differing subplots attachedto the narratives of both sides, there is at least one similarity: both clubs willfeel as thoughithas been far too long between Grand Final appearances.

For aclub so accustomed to winning premierships, holding the league recordwith 20, it has been the best part of adecade since the Maroons reached the big dance (2015).

Moe’s stretch goes back even further, more than two decades in fact (2000).

If numerology provides any surety, 2005 was the last time Traralgonand Moe played in a Preliminary Final.

The Maroonswent on to win the premiership that season, rolling aMaffra side with awinning streak that would make Leongatha of today appear second-rate.

The Eagles had won 45 games in arow up until Grand Final day 2005, but were beaten in what could well live on as the greatest of all premiership heists That day will reach its 20-year anniversary next year, yetpart of it is still celebrated daily. Of those 20 premierships, 2005 is the only one to have its own sign outside the Traralgon Showgrounds. How much and yet how little has changed since then.

The Maroons’coachthatyear wasTony Lane; Moe’s was Lachlan Sim. Lane has agrandstand named after him at Traralgon. Anyonewho has anythingtodowith Moe knows Sim.

History might well just be aromantic notion by the time this Saturday rolls around.

This is anew era, with relatively new teams on both sides.

Moe lost more than 500 senior games of experience in the offseason through the departures of Tom Long, Ben Morrow and James Blaser.

Not many were expecting Traralgon to cause much damage after saying goodbye to coach Jake Best, key forward Brett Eddyand midfield guns Tom Schneider and Mark Collison.

Time stops for no one however, and the next wave of players have now taken up the mantle.

Moe twins Riley and Trent Baldi have become two of the best midfielders in the competition, while Scott van Dyk, Ben Maslen and Brock Smith form part of adefence that is letting through just twoand-a-half goals on average per quarter.

Traralgon’s defence has also blossomed, in part due to the sudden emergence of Mitch Membrey.

While Membrey has been aroundthe scene for many years, he is now one of the more senior members of the Maroons, and in turn, is enjoying his best seasontodate, named in the best eight times from 18 games.

Membrey might be without fellow defender Joel Scholtes this weekend, after he injured his shoulder in the first semi-final. The situation looks like it willmean at leastone change is needed for the Maroons, and same looks set for Moe.

The Lions have Gippsland Power livewire Tom

Matthews available, owning to Power losing their final at the weekend.

Unfortunately, his Gippsland Power teammate Liam Masters looks likely to miss, after sustaining an injury for Moe during the second semi-final.

Moe players watchedthe first semi-final between Traralgon and Wonthaggi withintent last Sunday, from the upstairs comfortoftheir clubrooms at Ted Summerton Reserve.

Some big hits were laid in the final term, as the Power tried their best to overcome the deficit.

Whether or not there is any collateral damage remains to be seen, but the Lions will be looking to take any advantage thatcomes with an extra day’srest.

The catch-22 will be the factthe Preliminary Final is in Traralgon, meaning the home ground advantage will have to count for something as far as the Maroons are concerned.

While it looks as though the red carpet has been rolled out for Traralgon, they can ill-afford to put too much emphasis on where the final is played. It didn’t work for Brisbane in 2020.

The Preliminary Final sets up arematch of the Qualifying Final, which Moe won by four points.

The Lions showed plenty of grit afortnight ago, getting up in shockingly windy conditions and with playing-coach Declan Keilty on crutches for the entire second half.

While the on-field rivalry between the two sides is sure to go on for all eternity, relationships remain relatively congenial.

The Express understands Traralgon forward Dylan Loprese sent atext to Keilty after the Qualifying Final, wishing him all the best in his recovery.

were able to connect up forward that day, although the Lions will take solace knowing that in general play, they were able to match it in most areas.

Someone is going to have to play the powerful Parrots

FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

ALL you can do is admire Leongatha. Eight Grand Finals in arow.

This is in amajor league too don’t forget. It’s not like they are abig town playing in afarmer’s league If anything, they are the farmers showing everyone else up.

To paraphrase Ricky Bobby, they are the best there is, plain and simple.

This has to be the greatest dynastythe Gippsland League has ever seen.

No one has done what the Parrots have now done. Traralgon held the previous record with seven Grand Final appearances in arow (1960-66). Leongatha would probably be even further past that mark had it not been for events at the turn of the last decade.

We are witnessing greatness.

It’s Roger spending237 consecutiveweeksat Number 1.

It’s the Australian Test cricket team in the late 90s/early 2000s.

It’s The Beatles with 20 No. 1hits.

Among the crowd at Leongatha Recreation Reserve last Saturday was Leigh Poholke. Poholke had been announcedasMoe’snew senior coach as the Lion’s entered their second semi-final clash with the Parrots.

The announcement coincided with an overall moraleboostfollowing Moe’sgrittywin in the Qualifying Final against Traralgon.

Poholke, who has ties to Moe, had previously

coached Sorrento in the high standard, high money, Mornington-Peninsula league.

Whathewitnessed Leongathadomight nothave looked out of place at that level.

The Parrots were at their merciless best, and brushed Moe aside in asheer display of dominance, 13.17 (95) to 5.7 (37).

The final marginwas 58 points,but only because Leongatha missed anumberofmore than gettable shots in the 17 behinds they registered,while three of the Lions’ five goals came in junk time.

At one stage,the Parrots had kicked more behinds than Moe had total score.

The Lions did not even score agoal until the six minute mark of the third quarter.

Moe was possibly saved an even greater quarter time deficit after the first two Leongatha’s forward 50 entries saw marks not paid to Jack Ginnane and Cameron Olden.

There was dangersigns for Moe only 10 minutes into the game, as Leongatha made all the headway kickingtoward the entrance of their home ground.

The Parrots kicked the first three goals of the game, while it took until the 17-minute mark for the Lions to even register an inside 50 at the other end.

While Moe wasfighting hard in the contest,they simply couldn’t catch Leongatha once the ball got on the outside.

The Lions appeared relatively composed at quarter time despite the scoreboard,asinjured playing-coach DeclanKeilty told histroopsto“not let them bully us”.

Unfortunatelyfor the visitors, the secondquarter went even worse than the first.

Leongatha made amockery of the so-called

scoring end, again keepingMoe to just two behinds.

Their pressure was such that the Lions made a number of basic skill errors by foot, with some of their best distributor’s even falling victim.

Leongatha were incredible, but it was equally train wreck stuff the number of 20 metre targets Moe missed.

“It isn’training is it?”one frustrated Moe supporter quipped as another errant pass went astray.

Lion’s midfielderTrentBaldi laid ahugetackle on opposite number Kim Drew, showingsome strong resolve, but unfortunately for some wearing the maroon and blue, you could have counted on one hand their number of possessions.

The Parrots by contrast had contributors on every line.

Drew, Tom Marriott, Lu ke Bowman, Tim Sauvarin, Travis Nash and Jack Hume were named in the best, but in actuality,you could have honestly named just about every player.

Theyall justdid whatthey had to do whenitwas their turn to do it.

AspoilbyGuy Dickson into the carparkwas celebrated as every bit as good as agoal, while a pass from Tallin Brill to Olden inside 50 after the former had taken amarkand looked certain of having aset shot summed up the different wavelengths the two teams were operating on.

Brill’sdash between the arcs stood out, as did the Parrots’ willingness to keep the ball alive by any means possible, be it via knock-ons or quick hands in close.

The halftime break couldn’t come quick enough for the Lions, yet it took only 90 seconds upon the resumption for Leongatha to register anothergoal

Marriott found himself with acres of space breaking free from astoppage, kicking his first for the afternoon, before kickinga long range set shot in the last quarter that brought nearly all teammates to him in celebration as the Parrots booked themselves another Grand Final ticket.

Never one to rest on their laurels, the professionalism of the two-time reigning premier was plain to see.

Yelling from halfback, veteran Cade Maskell urged those further up the field to “finish our work”, as the Parrots kicked 4.6 (30) in the third term. By three quarter time, Moe was confined to the fact it would be playing in the Preliminary Final next week.

The Lions set out to win the quarter, and were able to break even in terms of goals.

The Moe defence was kept busy, and BrockSmith and Ben Maslen were recognised for their efforts under duress.

Riley and Trent Baldi were also honest, as was Ben Daniher andJacob Balfour.

Bowman might have to face the music for a dangerous tackle on Smithinthe first quarter, which saw the Moe player lifted very high.

Given recent history, Bowman will likely leave ‘Kangaroo Court’ with asuspended sentence at most that will allow him to play in the Grand Final.

It’s been agood year to be adairy farmer: Leongatha, Fish Creek, Woodside and Buln Buln are allintheir respective league Grand Finals, whileBoisdale-Briagolonghas already won the flag in theirs. There could be record sales of Kahlua for the month of September.

The Maroons held sway in thetwo regular season matches against Moe, the second of which resulted in acommanding 10 goal win. Traralgon will be out to replicate how they

Mindatwork: First-year Traralgon coach, Troy Hamilton has exceededmanypreseason predictions Photograph: Liam Durkin

Good Luck Yinnar Football Club

Netball scoreboard

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE -SECOND SEMI-FINAL

AGRADE: Warragul 63 def Moe 51

BGRADE: Moe47def Drouin 38

CGRADE: Drouin 39 def Morwell 38

UNDER 17s: Traralgon 34 def Leongatha 33

UNDER 15s: Bairnsdale 38 def Sale 34

UNDER 13s: Leongatha 32 def Maffra19

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE -FIRST SEMI-FINAL

AGRADE: Drouin 52 def Bairnsdale 43

BGRADE: Traralgon 43 def Leongatha 36

CGRADE: Maffra 37 def Wonthaggi 27

Top-two teams collide

FOOTBALL

MID GIPPSLAND BY ROB POPPLESTONE

FISH CREEK'S reputation as aquality club has been further enhanced over the past 12 months.

Just weeks after their 2023 premiership success, the club was faced with perhaps their biggest challenge.

Adevastating fire destroyingtheir venue and muchofits memories, amoment in time that may have almost destroyed the reigning premier as well, but no, they appear to have built back evenstronger as they prepare for afairytale finish against atalented Yinnar side in the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League Grand Final, set to be played this Saturday.

Both teams go into the decider with one win apiece in head-to-head battles this season, which sets the scene for an epic Grand Final.

tip but if Yinnar can win the midfield battle, they win by 12 points."

Thorpdale, and recently announcedCatanicoach Ray Pickering, was backing Fish Creek.

"Wouldn’t we all like some of thatFish Creek water," he said, in reference to the Kangaroos' record of more than 30 senior premierships(likely the most in the state).

"An interesting match-up for mine, apowerful, big, strong Fish Creek outfitversus aslick,fast running outside team in Yinnar.

"When it comes to finals, Fish Creek just seem to grow an extraleg, their experience comes to the fore and Ithink it will happen again this week.

"If Yinnar can get the ball into space and get their running game going, that is the only way I can see them worrying Fishy, but Ijust don’t think Fish Creek will allow it."

Toora coachJackWeston was also tipping the Kangaroos.

17 AND UNDER: Bairnsdale 41 def Sale 36

15 AND UNDER: Traralgon 44 def Moe 28

13 AND UNDER: Moe 28 def Traralgon 25

MID GIPPSLAND -PRELIMINARYFINAL

AGRADE: MDU45def Yinnar 43

BGRADE: StonyCreek 57 def Boolarra31

CGRADE: MDU28def Mirboo North25

As interesting as past results may be,they won't have much affect on the Grand Final, outside of what coaches may havelearnt about both their oppositionand their ownplayers'abilitiesto perform against those expected to be playmakers from either side.

Fish Creek coach Jarrad Walker said his team was raring to go, after beating Yinnar in the Qualifying Final to go straight into the decider with aweek off.

“A good week off for us, had asolid session getting afair few kilometres in the legs with aheap of excitement," he said.

“First versus second on the ladder in the Grand Final seems fitting," he said.

"Fish Creek to win for me.

"Theirdiscipline to lower their eyes and move the ball skilfully by foot will take away Yinnar’s ability to turn the ball over through intercept marks.

"I also don’t see their youthfulnessrunningover the top of awell-rested and healthy Fish Creek side with astack of experience."

Hill End coachAmbuUliando expected Fish Creek to win aclose one.

DGRADE: Yinnar 29 def StonyCreek 25

17 AND UNDER: Toora42def MDU 32

15 AND UNDER: Yinnar 29 def Toora27

13 AND UNDER: Hill End 28 def MDU 15

"Asa team we watched the prelim to see Yinnar run over the top of Foster with alot of momentum.

"Momentummeans alot in finals so we will need to be ready to fire from the first bounce to match Yinnar’s belief.

“Fish Creek win by three goals. Fishy have the experience and size that Ibelieve gives them the edge. Will be an exciting game.”

Stony Creek coach Chris Verboon looked at it differently.

"I think Yinnar will win by 13 points. The loss to Stony Creek in the last round has got them fired up to go all the way."

NORTH GIPPSLAND -PRELIMINARYFINAL

AGRADE: Heyfield 47 def Churchill 38

BGRADE: Woodside 52 def YYN 50

CGRADE: Sale City40def TTU25

DGRADE: TTU 36 def Woodside 29

UNDER 17s: Rosedale 41 def Glengarry17

UNDER 15s: Sale City41def Heyfield 39

"Top two teams in the Grand Final... will be a great game."

It’s athought echoed by manyofthe coaches in the league.

Mirboo North coach Damien Turnerbelieved the midfield battle would be key.

“What agreat finals series! Both these teams are long-time proven finals teams, with plenty of Grand Final experience," he said.

"Poised to be acrackingcontest. Really hard to

Yinnar would be buoyant about their chances after their Preliminary Final win, but also respectful of the quality of opposition and the enormity of the task.

Magpies coach Sam McCulloch said he was happy to go in as the underdog.

"Excited about the opportunity to play against Fish Creek again and will go in with confidence and with the attitudewehave nothing to lose,” he said.

Magpies make the break away

FOOTBALL

MID GIPPSLAND BY ROB POPPLESTONE

TWO deserving sides rewarded with an opportunity on the back of outstanding seasons, clashed in the MidGippsland Football-Netball League Preliminary Final at the weekend.

The winner was offered the chance to take the nextstep, and battleFishCreek for the silverware.

The Magpies had already tasted success earlier in the day, not once, but twice, as the club’s under 18s and reserves won their way through to the big dance.

There waslittledoubthowever, thata senior win was what Yinnar was after, and it was what they achieved in afinal scoreboard reading 11.9 (75) to Foster 6.6 (42).

Therewas asense of urgency aboutFoster early; their ball use and composure under pressure setting them up with an early lead in tricky, windy conditions at Ronald Reserve.

It was only after some undisciplined playby Foster gun forwardJakeBest that allowed the Magpie’s BenCheffers afreekickongoal. The youngster slotteditthrough for his team’sfirst score of the game at the 16-minute mark.

The Tigers responded well. Todd Bastian goaled after being awarded afree kick 30 metres out, which put his side back out to alead of 14 points, before Michael Cookesent his side intothe first breakwith Foster’s fourth, agoal after the siren, a leadof20points and somereal concerns for Yinnar. It was only amiraculousgoal from Josh Bugeja when things started to roll for Yinnar. Asecond major for the quarter soon followed, when Patten slotted through his first thatsenthis side into the main break, still trailing by eight points, but with arenewed belief that they were well and truly in the game.

Yinnar endedupbeing too quick, too classy,and the longer the game went, the greater the lead, eventually winning by 33 points.

Magpies coach Sam McCulloch said his side took amethodical approach.

“It was atight tussle earlyand Foster gained the early ascendancy. We managed to work our way back into the game late in the second quarter,” he said.

“Great to bounce back after adisappointing loss lastweek and alot of playerswho were down responded in the right manner.”

Yinnar playerprofiles

#1 BlakeVan DerMeer

On field leader and versatile player who is hard at the footy. Plays back or though the midfield.

#2 Thomas Robertson

Assistant coach who has had avery consistent year.Good decision making with the ball in hand.

#3 Oliver McColl

Young selfless defender. Goes about his business with no fuss.

#4 Ben Cheffers

Crafty midfielder who goes forward and likes to kick agoal.

#5 Jarrod Henderson

Midfielder who is alwaysatthe bottom of the packs. Massive work rate

#8 TigeRenwick

Consistent defender who rarely lowers his colours.

#9 LukeCheffers

Forward and onballer who always likes agoal.

#10Nathan Rowley

Tough in and under player who sets the tone for the rest of the team.

MID GIPPSLAND FNL

GRAND FINAL

Saturday, September 14 at Meeniyan

Recreation Reserve-Gates open 7am

Strictly no alcohol to be brought into ground.

No cars to be parked at the venue Friday night.

Entry: via Hanily Street

Travel time from Latrobe Valley: allow one hour Directions if coming from Morwell and surrounds: Take Mirboo North turnofffrom Princes Highway.Follow Strzelecki Highway until you reachMirboo North. Turn right at Mirboo North BP,drive through town and then turnleft down Meeniyan-Mirboo North Road. Continue for around 20 minutes. Drive through Dumbalk and continue on to Meeniyan.

FOOTBALL

SENIORS: Fish Creek vs Yinnar (2.45pm)

RESERVES: Newborough vs Yinnar (12.30pm)

THIRDS: MDU vs Yinnar (10.30am)

NETBALL

AGRADE: Fish Creek vs MDU (2.45pm)

BGRADE: Foster vs Stony Creek (1.20pm)

CGRADE: Yinnar vs MDU (12.15pm)

DGRADE: Fish Creek vs Yinnar (11.10am)

17 AND UNDER: Boolarra vs Toora(10.05am)

15 AND UNDER: Boolarra vs Yinnar (9am)

13 AND UNDER: Yinnar vs Hill End(8am) Clubs represented: 9/13

#11Brendan Chapman

Club stalwart. Booming left foot and like agood red, getting better with age.

#13ClancyMills

Another young gun.Playsbackorthoughthe midfield. Always in the action.

#16DeanLinton

Product of Yinnar juniors and very crafty. Always gives100 per cent.

#17Kane Grinstead-Jones

Very clever forward. Hard to match up on and can be agame changer.

#18William Robertson

Big strong centre half forward who makes his presence felt.

#23 Josh Bugeja

Very quick forward who can be very damaging.

#28 Adam Bailey

Veteran who is aleader to all on the field. Gippsland League best-and-fairest winner.

#30 StuartPatten

Strong burley forward with agreat set of hands.

#32 MarkStolk

Captain of the club who leads from the front.

#37 Flynn Schill

Another young gun who plays inside mid and loves the contest.

#34 Cal Hutchinson

Quick lively wingman who delivers the ball lace out.

#40 MitchRenwick

Hard working wingman always in the thick on it.

#44 Sebastian Famularo

Gut running machine who loves to cover the ground.

#50 LukeLinton

Reliable tall defender who gets the job done week in, week out.

#69 Chris Witchell

Big tall solid ruckman. Alwaysprovides acontest.

FOOTBALL/NETBALL

MID GIPPSLAND

THE Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League sends its best wishes to all clubs with teams that have earned the right to represent them in either or both of footballand netball Grand Finals.

For the tireless work of volunteers, the support of club and league sponsors, the families, partners and friends that give time to those competing, and to the league's life members… thank you!

And finally, to the coaches and players, represent your club, your teammates and yourself in amannerofwhich allaround you can be proud.

The MGFNL also extends its best wishes to all leagues in Gippsland enjoyingthe culmination of ayear's hard work.

MID GIPPSLAND FOOTBALL-NETBALL LEAGUE RESERVES GRAND FINAL TEAM LIST

NEWBOROUGH

Jake Bowden

Sean Burns

Josh Bland

Jack Brincat

Robert Wilson

Aaron Fanning

Matt Rowlings

Joel Jacovou

SamLodge

Ben vanDyk

DanielSmith

Tyler Peters

Will Troy

Jimmy Grant

Andrew Bertoli

Christian Berquez

Josh Whittaker

Dominic McColl

WilliamCollings

Ryan Lambos

BrodieBurgess

Lachlan Gilroy

Jack Duncan

Jack Edebohls

Jarryd Movchan

Coach: Patt Frendo

DanielWebster

Kyle Alexander

DanielSchneider

Elijah Lappin

Jack Findlay

Matty Nardino

Matt Nelson

Lachlan Alexander

Jack Chessum

Jarryd Garlick

DanielYates Callum Hutchison

Brad Watson

CalebFrith

Ryan Mayo

LukeMer ton

Cameron Le Page

Wayne Rowley

PeterDuncan

Gabe Olver

MattO’Toole

PatrickMcGrath

NickLinton

Coaches: Shane McColl

Cameron Le Page

YINNAR

WildcatsedgeJets intobig dance

FOOTBALL

NORTH GIPPSLAND

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

WOODSIDE continue their redemption act.

Athrilling North Gippsland Football-Netball League PreliminaryFinal concluded withthe Wildcats advancing to the big dance after defeating Yallourn Yallourn North 9.10 (64) to 8.13 (61).

As the result stands, both sides couldn’t be separatedbymuch, especially throughout thisfinals series, but only one goesthrough and Woodside now stride ahead to rectify their disappointing conclusion in last year’s GrandFinal against their second-time-around opponents Traralgon Tyers United.

Bringing it back, the Wildcats and the Jets just two weeks agoplayed in one of the most electric finals games in the QualifyingFinal, with YYN prevailing by five points.

The Jets were nowhere close to TTU in the second semi-final aweek later,and Woodside bounced back, making light work of Heyfield to set up an anticipated rematch, which also meant the three remaining teams were the only ones to reach the Grand Final in the last three years.

The match got underway at Gordon Street Reserve,Heyfield,and ahot day vacantofthe sensational wind from the week prior meant that acrackinggame was destined to be on display. It was setout perfectly foreither, but it could immediately be sensed who was more desperate forthe game from the get go.

President’s message

Best wishes: North Gippsland FootballNetball League President, Martha Truin is looking forwardtoagreat GrandFinal day. File photograph

THE North Gippsland Football-Netball League would like to congratulate all clubs with teams playing in the upcoming Grand Final. Seven out of 11 clubs have representation in agameonSaturday. We wish all the players and coaches the very best on their quest to premiership glory. To the manyvolunteerswho have contributed to getting these teams through the season and into the Grand Final, we also salute you, you are the backbone of your club. Play hard,play fair, and respect those around you.

#benorthgippy

Martha Truin

North Gippsland FNL President

Jets on-ballers cleared the ball with ease and found repeat chances inside their forward 50 time after time, much to the delight of league-leading goal kicker Dean MacDonald, who found space to boot two of the first three goals of the game.

Woodside appeared to be working on the backfoot for the entirety of the opening quarter, unable to put any forward pressure on YYN and disallowed consistent possession of the ball to getittothat point.

By the way thefirstterm wasplaying out, it looked as though spectators would be seeing out therest of their afternoonwatching adomination at thehands of the Jets.

Despite not landing near as many of their punches as they could have, the Jets still ended the first quarter leading drastically 4.5 (29) to 0.1 (1).

Woodside knew they needed to lift, and playingcoach Michael Stockdale made sure to remind his menthat there was no going back from this if they were to continue down this path -they had to get back out there and take back control.

It couldbefelt upon the opening bounce of the second quarter that things wereabout to even themselves out in terms of desperation.

The Jets still found time to recoup and possess the ball despite some increased pressure from the Wildcats, hittingthe scoreboard early in the second for another minor score that reversely put theball in the hands of Woodside.

The Wildcats could then begin to chip it around and pick off players where they chose, givingthem time to steadily place the ball further afield.

Michael O’Sullivan found himself close in range to nail Woodside’s first major of the day that would dramatically lift their spirits and confidence.

Working on ahigh, momentum had momentarily shifted the way of the Wildcats, nailing the next two goals off the back of Jai Williams and O’Sullivan to bring the game within nine points.

But just as Woodside began to creep back, YYN began to roll once again, clogging the ball in their forwardhalf and seeing constant pressure acts from their attacking players.

MacDonald collected his third goal early and Josh Keyhoe pummelled through numerous Woodside defenders to line up for his first of the match that sent the game right back over a20-point margin in time for the main break.

The Jets had withstood amomentary bump from Woodside to still be ahead 6.8 (44) to 3.3 (21).

Although, as far as the Wildcats were concerned, they had found all the credence they needed to look forth towards success.

Out of the gate in time for the second half, Woodside began to play out their game with a force and purpose.

RuckmanRyan Foatpatrolled the ground and laid the ground works for his midfielders to slide through and getthe ballforward,beginningtosee success again and again, whichwas seen early with aquick goal from Williams for his second.

Using the entirety of the ground and disrupting

anyattemptthe Jets made to elevate the ball over the backofplay by setting up one or even two players behind the ball, allowed the Wildcats to constantly penetrate the ball into their forward line and tire the YYN defenders.

O’Sullivan continued to be apest for YYN. With the game sitting at an 11-point margin, he stretched out to grab atough mark withJets’Campbell MacInnes right on his shoulder, giving O’Sullivan aset shot just inside the 50-metre arch in front of the YYN bench.

The pairwithin the match-up would be locked into abattleall day, with each getting the better of the other on ahandful of occasions, however, in this moment, with the tides turning,O’Sullivan went back and nailed the shot to bring the game to its closest margin since the earliest point in the contest -under agoal in it.

Woodside outscored the Jets 26-8 to conclude the third quarter. Sitting at afive-point game, it was now all-or-nothing.

Either one would see their season ended aweek early then what was expected in preseason, whilst the other gained an opportunity to showcase themselves on the grandest of stages with the chanceto etch their name into the history books.

As much as YYN was holdingondesperately, and continuing to fight it out in the contest, Woodside now appearedtobefully in the driver’s seat despite still looking at adeficit heading intothe lastquarter of play.

Taking aside the actual score, it was all even on the fieldwith the next 20 minutesdetermining the second grand finalist for 2024.

The next three scoringopportunitiesateither end went awry, with Foat, MacDonald and YYN’s Dylan Bath all missing their chances to either extend their lead or hit the front.

Dramathen ensued unexpectedly at the worst possible timefor the Jetsafterbackmen Darcy Shellcotnailed ahardbump to stop asure goal for the Wildcats that then unleashed an affray in Woodside’s forward 50.

Shellcot was sent off for adirect hit -leaving the Jets down aman forthe next 15 minutes.

Woodside immediately took their first leadall day and now with the Jets playing 18v17, it was going to require them to digasdeep as humanely possible

Beforehand, YYN was already struggling to exit the ball from their backline and move downfield -thingswereonly getting even more difficult at this point.

Repeat entryafterrepeat entry for the Wildcats, the undermanned Jets defence fought valiantly, but were finally worked down with Hamish McLeod given afree kick goal that sent Woodside ahead by nine points with well under 10 minutes remaining in the game.

YYN responded outofthe centre bounce and worked it around laterally, before popping the ball over the top for MacDonald to create some magic.

Not able to collect the mark, he still found time to win the ball against three Woodside defenders,

PRELIMINARYFINALS

First in 42 years for Gaskin Park

FOOTBALL NORTH GIPPSLAND BY TOM HAYES

CHURCHILL Football-Netball Club will be proud hostsofthe 2024 North Gippsland Football-Netball League Grand Final.

With the additions of asecond netball court during the year,the Cougars were granted their wish of hosting the Grand Final at last.

Churchill last hosted aGrand Final back in 1982, when the club was in the Mid Gippsland Football League.

"We are definitely looking forward to hosting the NGFNL Grand Final," Churchill FNC President, Mark Answerth said.

picking the ball up on the boundarybefore turning inboard to hit Bath 40 metres out almost dead in front of goal.

When lining up, there was ahit off the ball that sent Bath into the goal square, guaranteeing the Jets agoal and bringing it back to four points still in favour of the Wildcats.

Working frantically now and still working against afree man, the Jets piled on enormous amounts of pressure as they locked the ball in their forward half relentlessly.

Forcing aballout on the full, YYN playing-coach TomHutton quickly recovered the ball and immediately sent the ball in off his powerful leftboot.

The ball fell perfectly and forward Lachlan Reese exceptionally held the mark over two defenders. Rees went back, on atight angle around 25 metres out, with the chance to break the hearts of Woodside for the second time in three weeks.

The shot sprayed right for apoint, cutting the margintothreepoints,but with little time remaining.

The sirenwent aminute later, withpolaropposite reactions playing out at Heyfield.

Woodside players embraced each other and exited the ground with immense jubilation.

Williams (threegoals)was best afield for the winners, followed by Foat, McLeod, O’Sullivan(four goals), Mark Collison and Ben Johnson. LucasFry, Hutton, MacInnes, Jai Massese,Mitch Luck and Owen Budge performed admirably in defeat.

Saturday, September 14 at Gaskin Park,Churchill Gates open at 7am

Entry: via Manning

FOOTBALL

"A lot of work is going intothe venuetoensure we present players and spectatorswith the best experience possible."

In the weeksleadinguptothe Grand Final day, the secondarynetball courthas been completed, carparklinemarking has beendone, as has awarm up area for the footballers, and additional grandstand seating for the netball court.

"Latrobe City is doing alot of work on the football playing surface and we expect it to be in great order come Grand Final day," Answerth added.

"Our ground is one of the only grounds in the region where you can get cars three deepwith a view, so no matter the weather, spectators will be able to view the game in comfort."

FOOTBALL/NETBALL

NORTH GIPPSLAND

WE'RE proud to support community sport in our region through ourpartnership with the AGL Loy Yang North Gippsland FootballNetball League. Congratulations to all players, officials, volunteers and supporters who took part in season 2024. AGL Loy Yang wishes the best of luck to the footballers and netballers who have reached the pinnacle of the season and who will compete in the Grand Final at Churchill Football-Netball Club this weekend. We extend our thanks to all the volunteers, officials and umpires on the day, who work to deliver afantastic event for the community.

Tyers united in second quest

FOOTBALL

NORTH GIPPSLAND

BY LIAM DURKIN

TRARALGON TyersUnited coach JackBrown knows all about Grand Finals. He won two at Morwell as aplayer, and one as co-coach of TTU.

Working alongside Jamie Aitken, the pair guided the Bombers to abreakthrough premiership in the North Gippsland Football-Netball League last year. Brown is now just days away from attempting to tick off his next challenge -coaching asenior premiership in his own right.

While the win-loss record has maintained its near 100per centstrikeratesince Aitken left, Brown saidthe newseason hadstill brought with it newcomplexities

“It doesn’t feel likewe’ve had as smooth asailing yearaslast year. To get seven new blokesinto the team, fair few from the reserves, was apretty good effort to roll into the Grand Final,” he said. “We had to replace Liam Willaton, Ricky Cochraneoff the halfback,Brad Kelleher, who won the last three goal kicking… we had to change the way we played to adapt to that.

NORTH GIPPSLAND

FNL RESERVES GRAND FINAL

vs WOODSIDE TEAM LIST

Elliott De Carli

Dylan Keyhoe

Ash Anderson

Justin Mathison

Jayden Mathison

DerkPol

HunterPaulet

DanielPotts

Louie Jikow

LukeSummersgill

Dylan Smith

Dale Walshe

TomLawrey

MarcGore

Gavin Pearson

RohanReid

Blake Metcalf-Holt

Jesse Pheeney

KynanSavage

Owen Budge

Jake Redman

Matt Twaddle

Deegen Benson

Mustafa Glibanovic

Coach:

Ash Anderson

“The style has changed afair bit. We relied alot on pace through the middle (last year), but we’ve changed that up by how we move the ball out of the backline.”

With TTU droppingjust one game in the last two seasons, Brown said the group had remained motivated to make full use of its premiership window.

“A lot of it is internally driven by the players, they are fantastic, they got together afew weeks after the GrandFinal and were ready to go again,” he said.

“They are at that age bracket where they are just hungry to succeed while they can.

“They are quite understanding that this club was down for along time and it can fall down pretty quickly if they don’t crack in.”

The Bombers trained last Saturday morning, before heading over to Heyfield to watch the Preliminary Final between Yallourn Yallourn North and Woodside.

Speaking before that game hadbeen played, Brown told the Express he did not have apreferred opponent.

“Theyare quitesimilar sides with similar strengths,” he said.

“Both have got really strong forward lines and

have really strong running backs, so Ithink they are quite similar and both could do considerable damage on theirday,sowe’lljust prepare for whoever we come up against.”

The Grand Final is set to provide an appropriate stage for anumberofTTU players, namely thethree sets of brothers who couldbeplaying together.

Michaeland James Jacobsen, Guyand Quinn Sinclair,and Liam and Caleb Michie form part of what has become areal family club out at Tyers.

“We worked it out, 40 per cent of our playing group, football/netball are all brothers or sisters and there is afew cousins in there as well, so it is very much afamily club,” Brown said.

The family ties continue for Brown, whose fatherin-law coached the Bombers to their 2004 flag.

With just afew sleeps to go until TTU seek backto-back flagsfor the first time in their history,the coach saidthere was afew truisms preparing for the big day.

“It’s all about routine and not overthinking things, just try and keep in control of what we can stay in control of,” he said.

TTU player profiles

Jack Brown(COACH)

Given the reinsfulltime after playingand coaching alongside Jamie Aitken last year. Has played a handful of games this season, filling in to provide some size.

#1 Justin Savige-UTILITY

Plays wing or in defence. Hard at it.

#2 Mitchell Mustoe (captain) -MIDFIELD

Team captain who leads from the front with a huge work rate and is explosive inside and out of the contest. One of the leagues superior players.

#3 Michael Jacobsen -MIDFIELD

All class and exceptional distributer of the football Huge work rate and loves the tough contest.

#4 Beau White-FORWARD

Electric small forward who is ultra-dangerous around the goals.

#5 Jake Albanese-FORWARD

Returned from ACL halfway through the year. Has been in the best his last games.

#8 JyeNeilson (captain)- RUCK/FORWARD

Teamcaptain who playsruck/key forward.An athletic and powerful player with ahugework rate and is avery strong contested mark.

#9 Dr JamesJacobsen -MIDFIELD/FORWARD Skilful player. Joined the club from Morwell this year.

#11Zac Kilgower-BACK

Exceptional key defender who is tall, quick, agile and will run off his opponent all day.

#13Trent Hourigan -BACK

Hard running player with ahigh skill level who sets up the team’s attack from defensive.

#14Guy Sinclair -BACK/FORWARD

Versatile player who can swing forward and back and make ahugeimpact. Has alot of experi- ence and is loved by his teammates.

#16Hayden Willaton -MIDFIELD/FORWARD

Adangerous small forward and hardworking midfielder that gathers high possessions week in week out.

#19Jacob Williams- WING

Ayoung player who wins his own ball and runs hard all day.

#23 Frazer Brouns -RUCK/FORWARD

Experienced ruck/forward that provides plenty of versatility for the team.

#24 LiamMichie-BACK

Versatile player. Hard worker, team player that can play arange of roles for the team.

#26 Flynn Shields -MIDFIELD/FORWARD

Cemented his spot in the senior side this year Vert quick, loves abounce.

#27 Nicholas Fox -WING/MIDFIELD

Unfortunately injured, butayoung super-fit winger who runs all day.

#29 Kade Duncan -WING/MIDFIELD

Slick hard running wingman who is an absolute class act.Sensationalground ball playerwith amazing skills.

#30 Jake Cashmore-BACK/FORWARD

Smallhard running back that sets up the teams attack.Can alsoplay lockdown roles on key forwards.

#32 Ben Fleming -RUCK

Atalented young player who playsinthe ruck andpushes forward. Providesastrongcontest across the ground.

#33 OscarAllotta -MIDFIELD

New to the clubin2023.Hard working and competitive midfielder that loves the tough contest.

#34 CalebMichie -KEY POSITION

Athletic centre halfforward/back thatreads the play well, strong mark and beautiful kick.

#41 Stuart Goddard- MIDFIELD/FORWARD

Superfit midfielder who can also play as akey lead-upforward and is astrong mark.Isa fantastic shot at goal.

#42 Quinn Sinclair -BACK

Reliable and versatile defender who can play on the oppositions best tall and small forwards. Neversay-die attitude who has had afantastic season.

#52 Will Curtain -FORWARD Goal sneak who shows plenty of courage. AndyTheissling- (TEAMMANAGER)

Diehard Essendon fan, would love to see the Bombers win another local flag. Knows all the stats.

Recalling an epic prelim 10 years on

FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

THISSaturday will see the GippslandLeague stage its Preliminary Final.

It will also mark 10 years since one of, if not the most epic preliminary final ever seen in the league's history.

On Saturday, September 14, 2014, ascarcely believable 30 minutes of football saw Wonthaggi stormhome froma45-point deficit at three-quartertimeagainst Saletowin through to theGrand Final by two points.

Considered by many people to be the greatest game of football ever playedinGippsland, the match was made legendary almost from the moment the result was achieved, and has entered its own echelon with the passing of time.

Romantics had been holding out hope the Power would be playing in the preliminary final this year, in order to really tie it all back to the deeds of 2014. Alas, Wonthaggibowed out in the semi-final last Sunday, drawing to aclose their 2024 campaign. Still, the tale of 2014 deserves to be retold, in the form of itsmost recent retelling.

The story below was originally published in 2019, to coincide with the five-year anniversary, taking in recollections that wererelativelyfresh in the memory of those involved.

Those involved included Power coach of the time, Rob Railton, and ruckman Earl Shaw, who came to the club in 2011 following abrief stint as an AFL-listed player with Sydney.

To understand the significanceofWonthaggi's 2014 Preliminary Final win, one has to firstly appreciate how dominant their opponents had been across the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

Sale stormed through the competition in 2012, losing just one match enroute to the premiership, and looked set to repeat the effort the following year. At the end of the 2013 home-and-away season, Sale finished three games clear on top of the ladder and defeated second-placed Morwell by 122 points in the final home-and-away round.

Understandably, most peopletipped Sale as unbackable favourites for the premiership and thoughtthe trophy engravercould have put the Magpies name on the cup weeks in advance.

In the Grand Final however,Morwell stunned onlookers with aseven-goal second quarter,which eventuated in an 81-point winning margin and netted the Tigers an eighth senior premiership.

Having been sensationally dethroned,Saleentered the 2014 campaign with redemption frontofmind. Conversely,Wonthaggi,under second year coach Rob Railton, had been quietlygoing aboutits business. Having returnedtocoach his home clubafter stints at Casey, Sandringham and Frankston in theVFL, Railton led the Power to the semi-finals in 2013 and followed up by securing the team with atop-three finish in 2014.

In the QualifyingFinalof2014,Sale easily accounted for Wonthaggi, winning 12.16 (88) to 6.9 (45). The Magpies then went down to Morwell by 20 points in the second chance semi, while the Power eliminated Maffra to set-up arematch for aplace in the big dance.

Heading into the Preliminary Final, Sale had won 54 of its previous 60 games, and had beaten Wonthaggi three times during the season (although twice by less than agoal).

The Power had never beatenSale in afinal in three attempts and failed to kick more than six goals in any of their three meetings with the Magpies in 2014.

Wonthaggi had never made aGippsland League GrandFinal either (as Wonthaggi Power). With Morwell awaiting the victor, then Tigers coach HarmitSingh wasbusily preparing his troops for the Grand Final.

"We trained and had ameeting on the Sunday morning of the Preliminary Final with alot of the boys then heading to Moe to see whatwecouldtake away to help us the following week," Singh said.

"Personally Ihad no preference in terms of who we faced in the Grand Final and Ithink alot of the group felt the same way.

"We were playing some really good footy at the pointy end of the season and had ahealthy list to choose from.

"My external opinion of Wonthaggi was that they werevery well drilledunder Rob Railton, they had agroup of players that whilst not necessarily the most talented, were hard to score against and played asystem that worked really well for them."

Shaw,who played apivotalrole in the Preliminary Final, said despite the odds, the side had no fear leading into the game.

"Heading into the matchwehad agood win against Mafra the week before so our confidence was up, although we hadn't beaten Sale for along time," he said.

As the match got underway there was the usual combination of finalsnerves and congestion around the ball, beforeSale began to find anumber of avenues to score. At quarter time the Magpies led by three goals before extending the margin to a commanding 35 points at the main break.

Afterhalftime, the Magpies continued to control play and at three quarter time the Power was 45 pointsadrift and staring downthe barrel of the end of its season.

While the three quarter time score line of 13.10 (88) to 6.7 (43) would have typically indicated a domination from one side, Shaw said Wonthaggi was not prepared to go down without afight.

"I never feltasthough we were out of it, even at threequarter time the scoredidn't reflect our effort," he said

Even if Shaw and his teammates thoughtthe game wasn't over, most spectators would have thought they were incredibly deluded.

The simple mathematics of the situation meant that if Wonthaggiwas to be any chance of stealing victory it would need to kick more goals in one quarter than it had managed in the previousthree. Not only that, the Power would also more than likely need to keep Sale scoreless for half an hour of play.

The odds pointed to an impossible Wonthaggi victory.

In the Sale huddle, players and coaches took an understandably conservative approach, with the messagetoget through the final quarter with one eye turned to the following week.

Meanwhile, othersthought they had seen enough, with some spectatorsleaving to pencil in aMorwellSale Grand Final rematch in their diaries.

It was at this moment Shaw said Wonthaggi found the inspiration it needed to provide one more effort.

"At three quarter time we could see the Morwell playersleaving which we used as motivation for them not showing us any respect," he said.

"Our coach Rob Railton spurred us on and said to roll the dice."

Wonthaggi kicked the opening goal of the final term and added anotherwhenNathan Jones kicked truly. All of asudden the margin was under five goals with plenty of time to play.

Abizarreoccurrence happened shortlyafter when defender Shannon Bray left his regular posting at fullback and kicked his first goal for the season, bringing the Power to within 22 points.

The Magpies went into the game with question marks overthe fitness of several players, andwhile their rundried up, it appearedthe team was hitting more of amental wall than aphysical one.

Sale continued to crack in and force stoppages, but was unable to get the ball beyond the Power's high press.

The Powerplayers were beginningtobelieve,

while the public was being sent into meltdown.

"We were aclose confident group and once we had some momentum we knew our set ups would prevail," Shaw said.

"[Sale] started getting lippy with the umpires and each other and it was at that moment Iknew we had them."

At the 22-minute mark of the final term, Aloyisio Ferriera-Neto found an inch of space in acrowded forward 50 to make it four goals in arow for the Power, and when aChris Wylie free kick was followed by another neatfinishfromJones,itwas within four points.

With barely aminuteremaining, the rampaging Power won aclearance and worked it to Michael Kelly on the edge of 50. The small forward seemed to mark the ball, but was called to play on, and while he was set upon by Sale defenders, got his kick away and the ball sailed through to put the Power ahead for the first time of the afternoon.

As theballtumbled toward goal from Kelly's left foot,almostinslowmotion, thoseinattendance erupted in acollectiveroarofshockasjaws dropped and hands went on top of heads in utter disbelief.

In alastditch effort, the Magpies piled forward, but the siren rangashorttime later, giving Wonthaggi the unlikeliest of victories, 13.12 (90) to 13.10 (88). The Power had kept Sale scoreless and kicked 7.5(47)inthe finalquarter to make the Grand Final.

Emotional scenes followedasWonthaggi supporters rushed onto the ground to celebratevictory. Power flags wavedinasea of teal, black and white as players, coaches and supporters embraced in a euphoric scene usually reserved for post Grand Final celebrations.

"When the final siren sounded Iremember hugging random strangers that had found their way onto the ground, it was such agood feeling," Shaw said.

"Everyone, and Imean everyone was singing the club song."

Back in the jam-packedrooms, long serving players, committee members and supporters wiped away tears as all present tried to comprehend what had happened.

Railton said he couldn't take any credit for the performance of the players in the fourth quarter.

"You need alot to go your way and you just try to sellapositive message, therewas no magicchanges at three quarter time or anything like that, it was all the players," he said.

"As acoach in that situation there's not alot you can do, it wasreallyjust the players and great testamenttotheir character to come back the way they did."

Railton said he felt his side could press home to win just beforetime-on duringthe frenetic final term.

"Itwas probably at the 18-minute markthat I startedtobelieve we were achance, once momentum swingsinfooty it'shard to get backand it just evaporated for Sale," he said.

"The one part Iremember vividly is when Jarrod Membrey came off his man to intercept aballthat would have resulted in aSale score. The ball then wentdownthe other endand we got agoalout of it.

"At that stage Ithought 'that's what we need, take the game on, don't just kick over the mark and down the line'.

"After the game Ihad to keep my coaching hat on, Isaidwell done boys on the win but we still have aGrand Final to play."

The result created anew record for aGippsland League final, with league statistician Paul Carter saying the match returned some interesting numbers.

"It was definitely the best final quarter comeback in afinal that Ihave seen," he said.

"Sale was intent on defending theirlead and consistently kicked across the ground, they had more marks for the term than Wonthaggi but most of them were uncontested.

"Sale's two inside 50s for the term barely went more than 10 metres into their 50."

With such an epic Preliminary Final staged, the actual Grand Final became an almost secondary event in the eyes of many.

Shaw said Wonthaggi may well have played its Grand Final aweek early.

"I think emotionally we were gassed from the PreliminaryFinal. The Grand Final definitely didn't have the same intensity," he said. Morwell won asomewhatnon-atmospheric premiership decider by three goals in adour 8.7 (55) to 5.7(37)victory.

Truthfully, the Preliminary Final of that year is remembered more than the Grand Final.

Despite falling short at the last hurdle, Raitlon said the Wonthaggi team of 2014 was one he held close to his heart.

"Even thoughwelostthe GrandFinal,I'vegot the team photo from the day up on the wall because for me –that team epitomised effort," he said.

"The scoreboard never dictates effort. When you are 12 goals down at halftime in the mud you stop worryingabout it and focus on each contest you have control of.

"The same applies when you are up by 12 or scores are level.

"It sounds simple but that is what the best teams do.”

Bray, Aidan Lindsay,JackBlair andTroy Harley remain 'survivors' from the Power's 2014 'prelim-iership'.

Dazed: Troy Harley, Chris Wylie and Shannon Bray canhardlybelievetheir luck afterwinning the 2014 Gippsland LeaguePreliminar yFinal. Photographs supplied

Saturday,September 14

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

6.00 Rage Charts. (PG) 7.00

Breakfast. 9.00 Rage.(PG) 12.00

News At Noon. 12.30 Unforgotten. (Madl, R) 1.15 Sister Boniface Mysteries. (Mv,R) 2.00 Shaun Micallef ’s EveOfDestruction. (PG,R) 2.40 Becoming Frida Kahlo.(PGan, R) 3.55 David Attenborough’s Micro Monsters. (PG, R) 4.45 TheAssembly (PG, R) 5.30 Landline

6.00 Australian Story: Making Lachlan Murdoch Pt 1–Blood. (R) Alook at Lachlan Murdoch.

6.30 BackRoads: BassCoast, Vic toria (R) Heather Ewart visits the Bass Coast.

7.00 ABC News Alook at the top stories of theday

7.30 Sister Boniface Mysteries. (Final, PGa) Sam’s career is in jeopardy when aserialkillerresurfaces in Great Slaughter

8.15 Vera (Mav,R)Childhood memories haunt Vera after she investigates amurder at aremote cottage.

9.45 Return To Paradise. (Mv,R) An Australian expat police detective returnstoher hometown where she helps solvemurders.

10.45 TheQueen And Us (PG, R) Alook at thelegacy of Queen Elizabeth II. 11.45 Rage (MA15+adhlnsv)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.05 JSchwanke’sLifeIn Bloom. (R) 10.05 The Bee Whisperer.(PGad, R) 11.00 Great Irish Interiors. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Motorcycle Racing. FIM SuperbikeWorld Championship.Round 8. Highlights. 3.00 Portillo’sGreatest Railway Journeys. (PG, R) 4.00 Grand Tours Of Scotland’sRivers. (PG) 4.35 Wonders Of Scotland.(PGa, R) 5.30 Frontlines. (PGav)

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.30 Cumbria: TheLakes & TheCoast. Part 3of5

8.25 SecretsOfARoyalEstate: St James’s Palace (PG) Explores St James’s Palace, the high seat of the British monarchy and central to the lifeblood of the royals.

9.20 TheWorld’sMostBeautiful Landscapes: Queensland (PGa, R) Embarks on avisualjourney through the landscape of Queensland, from national parks to the Great Barrier Reef

10.15 Scotland’sExtreme Medic s. (Ma, R) A67-year-old suffers aserious head injury.

11.10 Nordland 99 (Mals)

12.15 RexInRome. (PGal, R)

3.00 Going Places With Ernie Dingo.(PGl, R)

4.30 Peer To Peer.(PG, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Athletics. Sydney Marathon.

6am WorldWatch.

10.00 TheMovie Show Noon Scrubs 2.05 States Of Undress. 3.00 WorldWatch. 4.55 Extreme Food Phobics. 5.50 Monty Python’s Best Bits (Mostly) 6.25 The SecretGenius Of Modern Life. 7.35 Impossible Engineering. 8.30 Skin: AHistory Of Nudity In The Movies. 10.55 Hudson &Rex 1.25am The X-Files. 3.10 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.

6am MorningPrograms.

10.15 MOVIE: Belle. (2013, PG) 12.05pm MOVIE: Tarzan. (2013,PG) 1.45 MOVIE: The Darkside. (2013,PG) 3.30 On CountryKitchen. 4.00 Undiscovered Vistas. 4.50 NITVNews: Nula. 5.20 Unsettled. 6.20 News. 6.30 FirstPeople’sKitchen. 7.00 The Other Side. 7.30 Alone Australia. 8.30 MOVIE: Mahana. (2016, M) 10.20 Ray Charles: Live At The Montreux. 11.40 Late Programs. NITV (34)

6am A

River Runs Through It.(1992, PG) 8.15 AboutElly (2009,PG, Persian) 10.25 Lions ForLambs. (2007, M) 12.05pm In The Heat Of The Night. (1967, M) 2.10 The Man Who Knew Infinity. (2015, PG) 4.10 Minari. (2020, PG, Korean) 6.20 Flash Of Genius. (2008, PG) 8.30 Munich. (2005, MA15+) 11.30 Sexual Drive. (2021, MA15+, Japanese) 12.50am Late Programs.

6.00 NBCToday 7.00 WeekendSunrise. 10.00 TheMorning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. Makybe Diva Stakes Dayand Run To TheRoseDay 5.00 SevenNews At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) Authorities discoversomething worrisome.

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Football. AFL.Second semi-final. 11.00 To Be Advised. 12.40 Taken. (Mav,R)Riley’sefforts, to uncoverthe truth behind claims of a fataldrug being given to warveterans, lead to heartbreaking consequences. Anew neighbour triestocalm Asha after her apartmentisbroken into 2.00 Home Shopping (R) 4.00 Drop Dead Weird. (R)Three Australian siblings movetoabed and breakfast in Tubbershandy in Ireland with their zombie parents. 5.00 HouseOfWellness (PGa, R) LukeDarcy, Jo Stanley, JacquiFelgate and Dr Nick Carr look at locations that highlight living well.

7TWO (72, 62)

6am Morning Programs. 11.30 GetOn Extra. Noon Escape To TheCountry 1.00 HouseOfWellness. 2.00 IEscaped To The Country. 3.00 Escape To The Country. 4.00 Chris Tarrant’sExtreme Railway Journeys. 5.00 Horse Racing. MakybeDivaStakes Dayand RunToThe Rose Day 5.30 ICU 6.00 Heathrow. 6.30 The HighlandVet 7.30 The Yorkshire Vet. 8.30 Escape To The Country 11.30 Late Programs.

6.00 Getaway.(PG,R) 6.30 ACurrent Affair 7.00 Weekend Today 10.00 Today Extra:

6.00 9News Saturday. 7.00 RugbyLeague. NRL Second qualifying final. 9.45 NRL Finals Footy Post-Match. Apost-match NRL wrap-up of the second qualifying final, with expert analysis and player interviews.

10.30 MOVIE: TheExpendables. (2010,MA15+lv,R)Mercenaries try to assassinate adictator.Sylvester Stallone,Jason Statham.

12.30 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo: Giraffe Jimiyu. (PGm, R)

1.30 TheGarden Gurus. (Return)

2.00 TheIncredible Journey Presents. (PGa)

2.30 Getaway (PG)

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping (R)

5.30 Helping Hands. (PG,R)

9GEM (92, 81)

6am Morning Programs. 11.00 Skippy 11.30 NRLWWrap. Noon Rugby League. NRLWomen’s Premiership.Round 8. Brisbane Broncos vCronulla Sharks. 1.30 Rugby League. NRL Women’s Premiership.Round 8. Gold Coast Titans vNewcastle Knights 3.15 MOVIE: Muscle Beach Party. (1964) 5.20 MOVIE: Kings Of TheSun.(1963,PG) 7.30 To Be Advised. Midnight Late Programs.

6am Children’s Programs. 1.30pm MOVIE: Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters –Predacons Rising. (2013,PG) 2.50 MotorwayCops: Catching Britain’s Speeders. 3.50 MOVIE: Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004,PG) 5.40 MOVIE: Doctor Dolittle 2. (2001, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Mirror Mirror.(2012, PG) 9.35 MOVIE: Hansel &Gretel: Witch Hunters. (2013, MA15+) 11.20 The Originals. 12.15am Late Programs. 6am Golf.LIV

6.30 TheDog House. (PGa, R) Acouple arelookingfor an outgoing pup 7.30 Thank God You’re Here. (PGls, R) Ray O’Leary, Virginia Gay, SusieYoussef and Lloyd Langford stepthrough theblue door 8.30 TheDog House Australia. (PGa, R) Follows the staff as it tries to find theright fit for awoman who wants apal for her staffyand is hoping ashy puppy is amatch, and afamily who is looking foranactive dog. Narrated by Mark ColesSmith. 9.30 Ambulance UK. (Mlm, R) An ambulance and an advanced paramedic are dispatched to deal with ahit-and-run accident 12.00 TheCheap Seats. (Mal, R)Presented by Melanie Bracewell and TimMcDonald. 1.00 Home Shopping (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.

Sunday,September15

6.30 Compass:Blueberr yRevolution.

7.00 ABCNews. Alookatthe topstoriesofthe day

7.30 Return To Paradise. (PG)A famous wellness influencer drops dead.

8.30 Unforgotten. (Mal) The team identifiesthe body found in thechimney flue as forensicsreveal the cause of death.

9.15 Miniseries: Better. (Mal) Part 1of5.After her son almost dies, acorrupt detectivesetsout to makeamends forher misdeeds.

10.15 Fisk. (PG, R) Helenmeets with an influencer

10.45 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 12.15 Endeavour (Masv, R) 1.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.05 Australia Remastered. (R) 4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 Insiders. (R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.30 TheOttoman Empire By Train Part 3of5

8.25 Amazon: TheLostWorld. (PGa) Takesa look at evidence of human presence in the Amazon rainforest. 9.25 AncientSuperstruc tures: TheLouvre. (R) Part 1of3 10.25 Dinosaur With Stephen Fr y: DawnOfThe Dinosaurs. (PG, R)

11.20 TheSeanConner y Paradox. (Malv,R)

12.20 ASpy In TheFBI. (Mas,R) 2.00 24 Hours In Emergency.(Mal, R) 2.55 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (Mls, R) 3.50 Hell On Earth:WWII. (PGa, R) 4.45

DestinationFlavour China Bitesize.(R) 5.00

NHK WorldEnglish News Morning. 5.15 France

24 Feature 5.30 AlJazeera News.

6.00 SevenNews

7.00 TheVoice (PGl) Hosted by Sonia Kruger

8.45 7NEWSSpotlight An exclusivespecialinvestigation

9.45 Mr Bates Vs ThePost Office:The Impact (M) Alook at the impactofthe miniseries. 10.45 Crime Investigation Australia: MostInfamous: Buried Alive. (MA15+av,R)A look at themurder of Peter Aston.

12.00 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship.Round 9. Sandown 500. Day 1. Highlights

2.00 Home Shopping (R)

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

4.00 NBCToday. 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

MorningPrograms. 1.30pm Rugby League. KooriKnockout. Replay 2.25 On CountryKitchen. 3.20 Exile AndThe Kingdom. 4.20 Artie: Our Tribute To ALegend 4.50 Ray Charles: LiveAtThe Montreux. 6.10 News. 6.20 Animal Babies: First Year On Earth. 7.30 Stable: The Boxing Game. 8.30 MOVIE: When We Were Kings. (1996,PG) 10.00 MOVIE: Bullet. (1996, MA15+) 11.45 Late Programs.

8.10 WhiskyGalore. (2016,PG) 10.00 IndecentProposal. (1993,M) 12.15pm The Professor And TheMadman. (2019 M) 2.35 ARiver Runs Through It.(1992, PG) 4.50 The Umbrellas

(2014,

6.00 9News Sunday.

7.00 TheBlock. (PGl) Hosted by Scott Cam and Shelley Craft.

8.30 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating,analysingand uncovering the issuesaffecting all Australians. 9.30 Footy Furnace. (Mlv) TomMorris, Leigh Matthews and Jimmy Bartel recap the highs and lows from the latest round of football. 10.30 9News Late.

11.00 TheFirst48: Taken. (MA15+v) 11.50 Transplant. (MA15+m) 12.40 Australia’s TopTen Of Ever ything. (Ms, R)

Shop:

Shopping. (R)

6.00 TheSundayProject. Joins panellists for alook at the day’s news, events and hot topics. 7.00 TheAmazing Race Australia: Celebrity Edition. (PGal) The celebrities explore the Inca trail and trek through vast valleys withsomefurry friends. 8.30 FBI. (Mv) The team is throwninto a highly political case after four members of the Taliban are shot and one is kidnapped. 10.30 TheReal CSI: Miami:Out Of Thin Air (Mav)Detectives investigate the unexpected death of golfer AlanJay Abrahamson

Monday,September16

Stor y: Making Lachlan Murdoch Pt 2–Money. Acontinued look at Lachlan Murdoch. 8.40 Four Corners. Investigative journalism programexposing scandals, firing debateand confrontingtaboos.

9.25 Media Watch (PG) Paul Barry takes alook at thelatestissues affecting media consumers.

9.45 Q+A. Presented by Patricia Karvelas. 10.45 ABCLate News.

TheBusiness. (R)

PlanetAmerica. (R)

Miniseries: Better. (Mal, R) 12.50 Grand Designs (PG,R)

1.40 Love Your Garden.(R) 2.25 Rage (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.35 Catalyst. (PG,R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.25 7.30.(R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) Presented by Marc Fennell.

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.35 Michael Palin In North Korea. (R) Part 1of2

8.30 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (Mls) Game show featuring contestants tacklingawordsand numbersquiz. Hosted by Jimmy Carr

9.25 NeverMind TheBuzzcocks. (Return, Ml)Music-based popculture quizshow, hosted by Greg Davies 10.10 Have IGot News ForYou U.S. (Premiere) Hosted by Roy Wood Jr 11.00 SBSWorldNewsLate.

11.30 Suspec t. (Mav)

12.00 House Of Promises (Mv)

1.50 La Jauria. (Ma, R) 3.45 MakeMeADealer. (PG, R) 4.35 Bamay (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight.

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Home And Away (PGav) Theo springs on Justin.

7.30 My Kitchen Rules (PGa) Thecompetition heads to Townsville where brother andsister Danny and Soniahopetoimpress the judges.

9.05 TheRookie. (Mav) The team investigates ahomicide case witha potential tie to the pentagram killer

10.05 S.W. A.T. (Madv) The team races to stop agunman.

11.05 TheLatest: SevenNews.

11.35 Lopez Vs.Lopez. (PGals) The Lopez home is disturbed by an evil spirit.

12.35 TheEvent. (Mav, R)

1.35 Harr y’sPractice. (R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBCToday 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

7.30 Who

Catalyst. (R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.25 7.30.(R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG, R)

6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 GreatCoastal Railway Journeys: Harlech To Abedaron. HostedbyMichael Portillo

8.30 Insight. Kumi Taguchiexplores whether the drivetocreate a legacy is worththe pressure it exerts on ourselves and others.

9.30 Dateline:The Beast–Mexico’s DeadliestTrain. Charts a journey aboard The Beast.

10.00 SBSWorld News Late. 10.30 ThePoint: Road Trip (R) 11.30 Babylon Berlin. (Mav) 1.10 Illegals. (MA15+v,R) 3.10 MakeMeA Dealer.(R) 4.00 Peer To Peer.(PG, R) 5.00 NHK WorldEnglish News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Home And Away (PGa) Eden losescontrol. 7.30 My Kitchen Rules. (PGl) Thecompetition heads to Perthwhere lovebirdsHannah and Lawrence hope to impress the judges.

9.05 Made In Bondi. (Mal) Aday at the races seesnew romancesblossom, leading to jealousyand fieryexchanges. 10.10 FirstDates UK. (M) Singles experience the thrills of dating.

11.20 TheLatest: SevenNews. 11.50 Ambulance: CodeRed. (Ma, R) 12.50 HoleyMoley Australia. (PGl,R) 2.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBCToday 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair.

7.30 TheBlock. (PGl) The teams kick off kitchen week with a community-based challenge.

8.45 Footy Classified. (M)Hosted by Craig Hutchison,MatthewLloyd Caroline Wilson and Kane Cornes

9.45 To Be Advised.

10.45 9News Late.

11.15 La Brea. (Mav) Gavin and Samsearch for amilitary base.

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 TheBlock. (PGl) Hosted by ScottCam and Shelley Craft.

8.45 TheHundred With Andy Lee. (PGls) Andy Leeisjoined by a panel of comedians and 100 Aussies to explore the fun behind the facts. 9.45 True Stor yWith Hamish &Andy:Sammie. (PGm, R) Hamish and Andy meet Sammie 10.45 9News Late.

Chicago Med (MA15+am)

Newly released film shot on location in Moe

ATELEVISION series shotinMoe has been released.

Videoland,a six-partcoming-of-age romantic comedy, was shot on location at Future Flicks video store last year.

The series tells the story of ayoung video store clerk grapplingwith her new-foundlesbianidentity.

Needing an appropriate set in which to shoot, the film's productioncompany Pickelet Pictures, discovered Moestill had an active videohire shop -one of the fewleft remaininginthe state.

Withthat, Future Flicks,Moe was closed to the public in June2023toshoota number of scenes.

Storeowner Ricky Dyt graciously gave up a number of weeks of trade to assist the filmmakers. This wasnosmall-scaleproduction either. Trucks, vans and cars carrying film equipment camped out in the store carpark for days on end, while on set, the interior of the store was transformed to take actors back to the 90s.

No detail was spared-the store waspainted light pink to matchthe style of the time, while

every single DVD in the store was replaced by a video cassette. Don’t forget, there were no DVDs in the 90s.

The company was also taking no chances. Every crew member wore aface mask, as the risk of losing even just one day to aCOVID outbreak had the potential to derail the entire production.

Locals were able to get involved as extras playing video store customers.

Local artist Steve Bechaz gets some screen time, while the Express' own Liam Durkin enjoys aone-second cameo playing the role of acustomer returning and then browsing avideo.

That one second took four hours to shoot.

Perhaps being amovie starisn’t all it’smade out to be.

Videoland can be watched on Netflix.

Set: Television series Videoland has been released. Locals playing extras have beengiven abrief brush with fame Photograph supplied

Matchbox Gallery showcasing community art pieces

By KATRINABRANDON

PIP and Marie Nikodemski, owners of the Yinnar Matchbox Gallery, are bringing together artists from local towns.

Until this Sunday (September 15), they are showing agroup exhibition by local artists.

The exhibition is free to enter and supportsartists from multiple levels (from beginners to professionals). The current exhibition shares paintings on various topics by artists from Morwell, Traralgon, Moe, Churchill, Yinnar and Boolarra

“We have exhibitions for locals, upcoming artists, or peoplewho didn’t knowthey could paint. We open the doors for them,” Mr Nikodemski said.

“It’s good to havegalleries that give you support. Iremember the first time Iwent to agallery. And Ihad just done athree-year fine arts course. They didn’t know who Iwas when Iwent to the gallery and rejected me. My idea was to start my gallery. It’s all about passion and encouragement.”

Throughout the year, Pip and Marie give multiple

opportunities for artists around the area to show their work, including the Yinnar Primary School. Every second year, the school exhibits at the gallery,and each student completes one artwork to be displayed.

Students also have an opportunity to learn how to draw cartoon portraits with Mr Nikodemski before the exhibition.

Matchbox Gallery is also showing a ‘Wood and Art Go Hand in Hand’ exhibition by Hazelwood North residents Robyn and Garry Mauger from October 4toNovember 3.

Theexhibitionfeatures arange of hand-finished timberproducts, includingboxes, coffee tables, other wooden items, digital photography and some scale lighthouse models crafted from cardboard.

On October 26 and 27, the Matchbox Gallery will also participate in the ‘Open Studios Latrobe’, where visitors can enjoy local galleries throughout thearea.

The Matchbox Gallery participates in another local exhibition everytwo years.

TheGippslandSculptureExhibitionreturns nextyearand will run from March 9toApril 20, 2025.

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

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

Plan your social life with your new community.

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

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

The Matchbox Gallery (located in Main Street, Yinnar) is open from Friday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm or open by appointment.

On show: MatchboxGallery, Yinnar is currentlyholding amixed group exhibition.

Photograph: KatrinaBrandon

End of an era for Sambain Chalet

AN era has come to an end as the lease of the land on whichthe Sambain Chalet, Tamboritha stands is relinquishing.

After 42 years the volunteer committee of management voted to end the lease,and hand the facility over to the landowner Michael Higgins, effective May.

Many past students of St Paul's College, Traralgon, will have fond memories of staying in the hutswith their mates on school camps, and crafting theiroutdoor skills whilst enjoying the crisp fresh air.

Lavalla Catholic College, Traralgon, is the current legal custodianofthe lease housing the hut facility which was aschool camp and outdoor education facility for many years.

The school has not utilised the camp since 2015 and has stated that for various reasons it will not be able to use the facility in the future.

Since this time, the huts have operatedfor private bookingsuchasfour-wheel driveclubs, large family and friends weekend getaways, camera clubs and other groups whilst upholding the values of its founder, Phillipe Sambain, to enjoy the wonders of the high country.

In the mid 1960s,MrSambain, ateacher at St Joseph's MaristCollege,NorthFitzroy, was hikinginthe high plains with Marist brother Kevin Macklin, and they thought it would be worthwhile trying to obtain permission to build a hut so students could be introduced to the wonders of the high country and environment.

This resultedina lease from Michael Higgins (senior) with the proposaltobuild ahut on aportion of the property, and a50-year leasewas signed. In 1967,StJoseph's Marist College built ahut and used it until St Paul's College, Traralgon, took over in 1971.

In 1973, St Paul's erected asecond hut beside the existing hut with most St Paul'sstudents enjoying the experience of staying in the high country and learning about the environment.

In late 1982, avolunteer committee of management was formed to manage the facility. From then on, the committee continued to manage and enhance the facility with modern equipment. Working bees were run regularly and attended by many volunteers and especially many volunteer traded people over the years. Atestament to their efforts is the excellent condition of the

place as it is handed back to the Higgins family.

When Higgins Sr died,his son Kevin Higgins becamethe landlord, and when Kevin died in 1994 this was handed to his son, Michael.

The decisiontorelinquish the lease and handover the facility has been made by the committee partly due to the burden of increasing legalities, insurance, governance arrangementsand liabilities effecting the operation and management of the Sambain

Chalet, and the reality of changing times that the school could not anticipate using the facility into the future for students.

As part of therelinquishingofthe lease and dissolvingofthe committee of management, which independently operatedthe hut facility, the members votedtodistribute the assets and funds from theirhardworkand those before them, by donating them to organisations.

Lavalla College receivedafour-wheel drive

Landcruiser Wagon and tandem trailer, with funding given to the Licola CFA, Heyfield Ambulance Auxiliary, Heyfieldand MaffraStVincent De Paul, Salvation Army Morwell,MicksKitchenTraralgon and Latrobe Valley Enterprises. TheHiggins familyisworking towards enabling Sambain Chalet to continue to operate and be used by school organisations, people and groups who have previously used or hired the chalet, or may wish to in the future.

Integratedlearningtohelplocalyoungadults

By TOMHAYES

IN aGippsland first, the Traralgon East-operated DailyLivingDisability Services will introduce an Integration Program as early as Term 4this year.

Starting from Tuesday, October 8, Daily Living’s IntegrationProgramwill allow for smoother transition for teenaged participants leaving school and entering adulthood.

Currently at Daily Living, participants in that particular transition age of 17, 18, and 19-years-old are mixing with people up to three times their age, which makes things harder in what is described as the biggest transition period of their lives.

According to DailyLiving, theIntegration Program will focus on the transition from aschool schedule to its 9am-3pm groupprogram, focussing on support, guidance, and fun.

Daily Living's Events Co-ordinator, Caitie Finlay explained the program.

“TheIntegration Program is designed to

seamlesslytransition latehigh school students into our structured weekday program, whichruns from 9am to 3pm, Monday through Friday. This initiativeaimsnot only to engage these young adults in meaningful andenriching activities postgraduation but also to foster social connections within asupportive community. By introducing them gradually to new groups and diverse experiences, we ensure abalanced approach that respects their pace of adapting to new environments.

"The Integration Program is currently planned for one day aweek in Term4 heldonTuesdays."

Activities within the Integration Programinclude volunteering,capacity building, independent skill sets, arts and crafts, health and fitness, and community adventures. And instead of facingthe intimidationofco-operatingwith fully-grown adults, these young adultswillbegrouped with people of similar ages, going through thesame transition

"A lot of participants have come from special needs schools, in particular Latrobe Special

Developmental School in Traralgon and Baringa in Moe," Ms Finlay said.

"It's aconfusing time for everyone regardless if you have adisability or not, when you’re coming out of school and you're not reallysureofwhatyou want to do once you graduate.

"The purposeistohelp people transitioning out of those last few yearsofschool, get an understanding of what they might want to do afterwards. Alot of our program we try and cater around daily living activities, so things that will help assistthem with their life."

DailyLiving has been collaborating withlocal schools in the area include Baringa Special School, Moe and Latrobe Special DevelopmentalSchool,

Traralgontostart the process for participants that may be agood fit for the new program.

DailyLiving has already seen great interest in the Integration Program for Term 4, after launching at the Baringa Open Day.

The location for the Integration Program is set to be 24 Princes Highway, Traralgon -the old Valley Surf building, next door to Intersport.

Daily Living has climbed from strength to strengthinrecent years,and has nowbeen a Gippsland Business Award finalist for two years in arow.

For more information on Daily LivingDisability Services,call 5174 0401, email admin@dailyliving. net.au or visit: dailylivingdisabilityservices.au

Speaker joins Gippsland MHR in local school visits

SPEAKER of theHouseofRepresentatives, Milton Dick, visited several schools across the region to discuss civics and citizenship.

Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester invited the Speaker to talk abouthis role in parliament and how the democratic process works.

“As Presiding Officer, the Speaker chairs the meetings of the House of Representativesand ensures they are conducted in an orderly manner and according to the provisions of the Constitution and the standing orders, which are the written rules of the House,” Mr Chester said.

“So, in simpler terms, Speaker Milton Dick is basicallythe umpire of proceedings, and he enforces the rules."

Mr Dick visited schools in Churchill, Woodside, Sale, Lindenow and Orbost over athree-day visit

If things hadturned ugly, Ialwayshad my mace: FederalMember forGippsland, Darren Chester and Speaker Milton Dickwith areplica of the mace which sitsinthe House of Representativesduring sitting days

Appreciative: TheHeyfieldAmbulanceAuxiliary received adonation from the SambainChaletcommittee of management.

Photograph supplied

Ameliaaninspiration on herKokoda journey

MEMBER for Morwell, Martin Cameron, has presented theinaugural winner of the Marsh/Tierney Scholarship with aspecial memento following their successful trip to Papua New Guinea to tackle the Kokoda Track.

Mr Cameronattended aspecial assemblyat Kurnai College to hear Amelia ‘Milzy’ van Vliet report back to her peers about her Kokoda journey.

“I was super proud to be in attendance while Milzy presented to her Kurnai College peers about thesignificanceofour trip to Papua New Guinea to tackle the Kokoda Track,” Mr Cameron said.

“But what Milzy didn’t mention in her presentationisthat she was amassivesource of inspiration for everyone else on the trek.”

When Amelia was just one-and-a-half years old, her father Euan Comrie wanted to honour his great grandfather -who served in Commando Double Black -and walk the Kokoda Track.

Tragically, on the flight to Kokoda the aeroplane carrying Amelia’s dad and 12 other people crashed into amountain and there was no survivors.

“Mil zy and Iw ere able to visit the Hig h Commission in Port Moresby to see the plaque that was laid in honour of her dad and 12 others who tragically died,” Mr Cameron said.

“The High Commissioner, who greeted us at Port Moresby, wasactually one of the first people on the scene when the plane crashed.

“The Commissioner told us that being able to meet Milzy, 15 years on, gave him asense of closure.

“I’m immensely proud of the way Milzy conducted herself throughout the trek and she has certainly set the bar extremely high for all other future applicants of the Marsh/Tierney Scholarship.

“It’s hard to put into words just how difficult the Kokoda Track was, and equally hard to describe how rewarding it was for all of us to cross that finish line.”

Honour: Member forMorwell, Martin Cameron, and scholarship winner Amelia vanVliet. Mr Cameron presented Amelia with aframed photo of their visit to the High Commission in Papua NewGuinea and aphoto bookfromtheir Kokoda journey. Photograph supplied

Mr Cameronand Amelia will now tour local RSLs to present to returned personnelabout their Kokoda trip.

School Saving Bonus to be activated next term

THE state government’s $400 School Saving Bonushas been designed to support all students at governmentschools and eligible studentsat non-government schools.

Familieswillbeabletospend their bonus on more items.

Premier JacintaAllan and Minister for EducationBen Carroll announcedthat the $400 School Saving Bonus -which had sought to cover the cost of uniforms, camps, excursions, and other extracurricular activities through the year -can also be spent on textbooks.

Schools and families will also get more information about how the $400 School Saving Bonus can be accessed later this year, so families have time to plan and budget for the 2025 school year.

The once-off bonus will be available from late November 2024. It willbeapplied for each child, so afamily with three school childrenwillreceive $1200 in support to spend on school costs.

The government has workedtomakethe process of gettingand spending the $400 School Saving Bonusaseasy and as flexibleaspossible for busy families and schools. No family of achild in agovernment school will need to apply for their bonus: it is free, automatic and universal.

In Term 4, families will receive acode granting them access to the bonus. Theywill gettochoose how muchofthe funds they want allocated to auniform and textbook voucher,and how much they want to use on schoolactivities -like camps, sports, excursions, graduations, and other eligible programs.

The voucher for uniforms and books will be redeemable at aschool-approveduniform or textbooksupplier,while funds thatfamilies allocate to school activitieswill be managed through the school. The voucher can be combinediffamilieshave children at different schools but use the same supplier for uniforms and textbooks.

Families can also use the voucher to buy second-hand uniforms and textbooks directly fromschools. For families of students at anongovernment school, the $400 will be provided directly to each school -tobemanaged in consultation with the student's family and in line with the intent of the program.

Non-government school families who are eligible for the means-tested Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (including healthcare and concession card holders) are eligible for the School Saving Bonus. Their application process will be the same as that for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund.

The School Saving Bonus was announced as part of a$287million package in the Victorian Budget 2024/25, and it will help up to 700,000 students -including around 44,000 non-government students.

The government is also tripling the Glasses for Kids program, and providingfree, nutritious breakfasts at every government school.

For mor ei nfor mat ion on th e $400 Scho ol Savin gB onus, visit: vic.gov.au/school-saving-bonus

St Paul’sGrammar celebrates Book Week in style

IN celebration of Book Week, students at St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School celebratedinstyle with different costumes representing characters from their favourite books.

Therewas plenty of laughter and cheeky smiling facesaroundthe school, as students and staff got in on the action.

High-fiv es were shared betwee nf rien ds as everyone took the chance to show off their

costumesduring the Charact er Parade Book Week was celebrated throughout both the primary and secondary schools with activities in the library, coordinated by Teacher Librarian Jannet Taylor.

Cheerful: Bringing Little RedRiding Hood and flowerstolifeare Prep students Blair andPippa. Photographs supplied

The Latrobe Valley Express, Wednesday, 11 September, 2024 —Page 37

Magic: Thewizarding worldmade an appearance by St Paul’s AnglicanGrammar School students Manan and Shaunvir being Harr yPotter.

SES andCFA take on stormtogether

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

LOCALSES units and fire brigades devoted themselves to the community through ataskforce operation in the wake of the storm on the Latrobe Valley last week.

Around 400 SES volunteers were paged to respond to more than 1100 requestsfor assistance (RFAs) in the Gippsland region, with more than 700 fallen trees and more than 350 reports of building damage.

The SES Morwell Unit wasthe secondbusiestin Victoria (273 RFAs), and the Moe Unit 11th busiest in the state (133 RFAs).

Alongside the Morwell and Moe SES units -Traralgon West, Traralgon, Churchill, Tyers, Yinnar South, Yallourn North, Moe South, Newborough, and Hazelwood North fire brigades provided vehicles to patrol and maintain the havoc imposed on the local towns that left many without powerfor days.

All of the 22 CFA units in the Latrobe Valley were actively supporting during this period.

Thetaskforcewas created in preparation for the incoming storm, which produced wind gusts north of 100 km/h and affected large portions of Victoria including the Gippsland region.

Due to correspondence with the Bureau of

helpingwiththe storm

Heroes: TheSES Morwell Unitundertook an inordinateamountofworkasfirst-respondersduring the heavy storms lastweek.

Meteorology in the days leading up to the storm, the SES was able to effectively plan and resource volunteers.

“As aresult when the storm eventuatedon Sunday night and into Monday morning, all agencies were prepared to respond and support impacted communities,” aVICSES spokesperson said.

Linking with the local emergency services, firefighters were issued where SES needed them due to largespace and finiteamount of volunteers on hand.

CFA District 27 Commander Doug Broom said that “the CFA and CFA brigades wereperforming asupportive role in this, so the State Emergency Service (SES) is the lead agency and they are in control of the response to the event.”

“SES was definitely the lead agency in terms of the community and the state’s response to the event,” Commander Broom added.

Communicationwas donethrough theSES Incident Control Centre(ICC), whichhas been established in Warragul, that goes through SES crewsbeforetasks and jobs throughout the area are then delegated to the CFA volunteers.

Traralgon Fire Brigade Captain and Hyland Group Officer, Adam Townsend coordinated his unit when dispatched out into the storm.

“We’ve got other crewsthat have come in to stand up as ataskforce that has come in to support everyone, but we’ve got resources all going right across the place,” he said.

“So then they’ll work in with SES either jointly with SES to work together or SES will give them arange of jobs and they go out and just work independentlytogoout and get these jobs cleared out.”

The Hyland Group and Merton Groupare thetwo CFA assemblies in the Latrobe Valley.

This amount of work also lends itself to amultitude of differentCFA vehicles to be utilised, which was detailed by Capt. Townsend.

“The taskforce that came for the storm for here that we used are duel command vehicles, so there’s afour-wheel drive vehicle, and that’sbeen the combination,” he said.

“So we’vegot ourHylandGroup vehicle…wehave an MCV (Mobile Communication Vehicle), we have an ultra-light tanker which is with asmall slip-on type of firefighting appliance, then we have light tankers and the big heavy tankers that everyone knows for the big grassfires- so there’s awhole different range of vehicles that are appropriate.”

Due to focus being around other places in the Latrobe Valley, the Yallourn North Urban Fire Brigadewas dealing with issues in their own area, notbefore dealing with grassfires that spawnedon Moe-Rawson Road in Moondarra.

Captain Hayley King said that their crew was releasedfrom the fireand returned to Yallourn North as the storm worsened.

“We got released because the storms started getting really bad and we knew Moe-Rawson Rd (was)prettybad,sowehad to clear aheapoftrees on ourway back from thereand Ithink it just snowballed from there,” she said.

“That’s when we got afire call or anotification saying there was apowerline down in Yallourn North,webasically babysat thatfor hours because there was no SES or Power Company available, so we sat there until 10am Ithink from 4(am).”

The power pole collapsed on North Rd, the town’s main road,makingmembers watch over the hazard while locals left for work in the morning.

Problems continued to arise through the severe weather in town, andthe local crewwas rightthere at all times.

“Throughout the day, it was just dealing with power outages in the town and working out what was needed,” Capt. King said.

“We had one of our memberswent up and cleaned all of the covers on the playground because it had all ripped off and smashed to pieces.

“So, it was just little stuff to help out where we could.”

Missingrooftheextentofseverewinddamage

By TOMHAYES

TWO wind storms from late August and early Septemberhave hit the community hard, as winds of over 100km/h hit the Latrobe Valley on two separate occasions. While fallentrees and power outages were frequent throughout the region, perhapsnot many residents were affected more than Traralgon’s Maryanne Rouse.

Ms Rouse was awoken by aloud bang in the early hours of Monday, September 2, only to discover that her roof had been blown off in the wind.

“At around about quarter past three, Iheard an almighty roar which woke me up,” Ms Rouse told the Express

Once hearing the bang, still confused as to what caused the noise, Ms Rouse decided to start getting ready for work, without noticing the damage.

“I walked out through the dining room and into the kitchen and Iwent ‘why is the floor wet?’” she said.

Her immediate thoughts were: “I don’t think I have aroof”.

“I grabbed alittle lamp because no lights would turn on, Ilooked at the fireplace -where the flue

went up into the roof -and Iwent ‘oh, that’s gone, there’s ahole in the roof’.

“And there was just water pouringin… water was pouring out through all the light fittings.. bedrooms, laundry, bathroom, the whole works.”

Walking around with her little lamp, Ms Rouse began to notice the full extent of the damage, which prompted acalltothe State Emergency Service (SES).

Whenthe SES arrived,they not only checked Ms Rouse’s property, but surroundinghouses, which led to them finding the roof in aneighbour’s backyard.

It wasn’t until then that Ms Rouse realised that her roof had blown off.

With the winds still howling, there wasn’t much that the SES coulddoatthe time due to theassociated dangers. Ms Rouse had to let the wind take itscourseand hope that no more damage would arisefrom the severe weather.

“I just waited untildaylight and just assessed what had been damaged in the house,” she said.

Floors and furniture had all been soaked from the rain that had spat through the ceiling through her“instant sky lights”.

The property belongs to Ms Rouse’s older brother, PeterRouse,who lives on the family farm in Gormandale. Ms Rouse rents the property from him. She moved permanently to this residence in Traralgon from Mirboo North about seven or eight years ago.

While Mr Rouse deals with the home insurance, Ms Rouse herself has to deal with her own contents insurance -towhich shebelieves about 99 per cent of her contents is damaged.

When buildinginspectors came to assess the damage on Wednesday, September 4, Ms Rousewas told not to be surprised if some rooms, including the bathroom,had to be completelyripped outdue to the excessive water damage.

“They’re worried about any water getting down into the plaster, as the holes in the roof have exposed everything. And with all that constant rain we had on Sunday and Monday (September 1and 2), he said there is going to be alot of water through the walls,” Ms Rouse said.

Still waiting for afinal report from insurers, Ms Rouse is yet to know what will need to be done, and how long it’ll take, for her to move back into her home. She is expecting to have to wait for up to six months.

this phototoFacebookwith thecaption“Foundmyroof”on Monday, September

Unbelievably,MsRouse was still keen to stay at the property,before she was reminded that she had no power, and the unknown water damage extent could’ve caused walls or the roof to collapse.

There is no temporary housing available to Ms Rouse through insurance, with it not apart of the insurance package, so Ms Rouse is currently staying with afriend in aspare bedroom on ashort-term basis.

Shesaidthat shewill need to find somewhere to live in theshort-to-long-term, notwanting to overstay her welcome.

“Eventhe service apartments,that’s not acheap option. That’s fullyfurnished,whichwouldbe

perfect… because it’s not as if Ican go and rent a place (with no furnishings) because I’ve got nothing to put in there,” Ms Rouse said.

“I’m at astandstill, my head is spinning.” Ms Rouse, 57, lives alone for the most part, except for when another one of her brothers returns home from his Fly In, Fly Out job. She prefers it that way, preferring to be independent.

Sheisastroke victim, who stillsuffersfrom nerve and muscle damage on theleft side of her body, saying she personallyshowed similarities in her reactionsfor the twoevents.

“I’m just trying to stay positive… it was the same when Ihad my stroke,” she said.

Unlucky: Whileout

recovery,the Traralgon West Fire Brigade shed washit by afallen tree Photographs supplied

Intense: John FieldDrive,Newborough wasa desolatesitelastweek, with manyfallen trees along the naturestrip

Disaster: Maryanne Rouseposted

2.

Photograph supplied

In progress: Maryanne Rouse’s Traralgon home received atemporaryroof to help with leaks. Photograph: TomHayes

Darknessfallsacross the land

By TOMHAYES

FROM acollective point of view, business and schoolsinNewborough faced prolong periods without powerfollowingthe severe windsthat swept through the region.

AusNet reported more than 12,000 outages in the Latrobe Valley,includingover 3500 in the Moe/Newborough region last week.

Lowanna College and Newborough East Primary Schoolbothreported power outages fromMonday, September 2, which caused changes to school timetables.

Due to the loss of power, both schools were without internet and phone lines, but required staff and students to attend school as per usual, albeit to an alternative timetable. Buses were also out of action, which meant some parents preferred to keep their children at home.

"The collegedid not close (last)week (school closures are determined by the Department of Education) -welost power and internet (Monday and Tuesday) and students who attended school

had an alternative timetable. Staff were required at school during the power outage as normal," a Lowanna College statement read.

At Newborough East, the school wasn't able to offer before and after school care, as well as their breakfast club.

Both schools returned to normality on Thursday, September 5, with power restoring the day before.

The popular Danbos Coffee was also out of action of September 2and 3, before reopening for customers from 5.30am on Wednesday, September 4.

Upon its reopening, LatrobeLeisure opened their doors for those without power, with ahandful of freeservices being madeavailableattheir disposal

According to Latrobe Leisure socials, the facilities at Moe Newborough, Traralgon’s Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre, Morwell, and Churchill all became available for those without power.

Residents were advised to turn up to the facilities if needed, to shower -with towels and toiletries provided, access power and theinternet,and they couldaccess free tea and coffee under shelter.

Wind pushes buildings aside

By AIDAN KNIGHT

THE extraordinary winds that swept through the Latrobe Valley and surrounding regions for the past fortnight have left suburbs and towns in astate of chaos, with mass power outages, fallen trees and significant property damage.

The extent of this damage continues to wow residents throughout the regions.

Warragul resident Ted Bould was one of the first property owners to become victim to the extreme conditions, watching as his back veranda was ripped from the roof and soared across to the other side of his yard on the night of Wednesday, August 28.

“Twelve sheetsoftin and two gables lifted from the roof came right over the top, clipped the spouting and landed on the groundthe other side of the house," he said, where his car was parked only hours earlier.

“I could not believe it, it was all over in amatter of minutes with asound like ajet taking off.”

With 21 metres of his veranda now lost, Mr

Bould joined alengthy waitlist of insurance claims in his area. His agent informed him the nextday that claims werealready backedupfor over amonth, anumberthat would likely have doubled after winds raged further.

The storms caused widespread power outages, forcing closure of most businesses, schools, and workplaces throughout theLatrobe Valley. In neighbouring Trafalgar alone,685 AusNet customers were affected.

The outages led to disruption of the Telstra phone network, due to the back-up batteries within cell towers only having ashort capacity.

TheLatrobeValley’sresilience is beingtested once again, with this level of extensive damage and disruption occurring within the same fortnight as the loss of Morwell’s beloved bowls club to an electricalfire.

The community will have alot to recover from. The shared relief that no lives were lost underscores the enduring strength of the region against the most extreme elements.

Glad: This is howDanbos Coffee announced theywerebackopenlast week,after storms left Newborough without powerfor up to twodays. Photograph: Danbos Coffee Newborough/Facebook

Force: Wild winds broughtdestructionacross Gippsland last week. Warragul wasamong the hardest hit towns,with roofsbeing ripped offverandas Photograph supplied

Feds give backingtolocal projects

By PHILIP HOPKINS

ENERGYAUSTRALIA’S 350-MWWooreenutilityscale battery to be built at Jeerelang GasPower StationatHazelwood North haswon thesupport of the federal government

The federal Minister for ClimateChange and Energy, Chris Bowen, announced Energy Australia’s success during amajor speech at the Gippsland New Energy Conference in Traralgon last week, in which he also strongly attacked the federal Coalition’s plan for nuclear energy.

Wooreen, whose 350MWbattery has afour-hour capacity of energy storage, was one of six successful batteryprojects in Victoriaand South Australia in the government’s ‘Capacity Investment Scheme’, which aims to boost dispatchable energy supply. Mr Bowen said Wooreen’s battery could power more than 400,000households for up to four hours at atime.

“It is scheduled to be operating in 2027 and will employ 80 people in construction,” he said. It was aproject that would transform local communities.

“The Wooreen project ampleincludes a$500,000 Light the Way Community Future Fund, to fund initiativesdeveloped in consultationwiththe local community.

“Additional funds will be provided for engineering scholarships and placements at Federation University -which has specialised renewable energy sector training. There’s also funding for fire service equipment and training.

“Ten per centofworkforce hours during construction will be local apprentices and cadets, partnering with TAFE Gippsland. And 25 per cent of the project contract valuewill meet local content requirements.

“Anadditional $500,000 has been set aside for training of First Nations peoples.The government takes thesecommitments seriously and they will be contractually binding under the scheme agreement.”

EnergyAustralia’s50MW/200MWh Hallett battery at Canowie in South Australia also tendered successfully.

The company will now be able to deliver acombined storage capacity of 400 megawatts (MW) and 1600MWh by 2027, poweringatfull capacity more than 480,000 homes across Victoria and South Australia.

Energy Australia’s Managing Director, Mark Collette, said both the Wooreen and Hallett battery storage projects would be critical in supporting Australia’s clean energy transition.

“Both batteriesare to be located nearpower stations, Jeeralang (Victoria) and Hallett (South Australia), using land we own and existing transmission infrastructure to efficiently supply additional capacity to the market,” he said.

“These projects are part of Energy Australia’s investment in additionalcapacity prior to the closure of our Yallourn coal-fired power station in 2028.Weare actively investinginarange of other flexible capacity initiatives to enable secure,affordable and reliable electricity for our customers.”

Mr Bowen said the six battery projects would deliver nearly 1000MW of storage by 2027. The government’s original pilot auction for new dispatchable capacity aimed for 600 megawatts.

“We received bids for 19 gigawatts -32times more than we asked for,” he said.

The successful auction reflected the government’s commitment to policy certainty.

“Thisinturn provides certainty for communities in the Gippsland region that theireconomic and social future is secure. This region needs jobs. Jobs need investment. Investment needs certainty. It’s asimple as that,” he said.

Mr Bowen said Gippsland was acase studyin what can go right and what can go wrong.

“The best example of adisorderly transition, of communities being ill-treated was the sudden closure of the Hazelwood power station. Inadequate notice and planning left the community andgovernments scrambling to adjust and respond, and too many people paying the price,” he said.

“But in many ways, the best examples of an orderly transition are happening here right nowtoo.”

Gippsland had the most developedoffshore wind plans in Australia.

“Over the next few years, we’ll see industry, supply chains and jobs ramping up to support the rollout of Australia’s first offshore wind zone. First generation is expectedtocome online by about 2030,” he said.

“Our declaration of the offshore wind zone and issuing of feasibility licences supports the Victorian government’s target of 2gigawatts of offshorewind by 2032. We’re already seeing businesses and locals pivot to take advantage of these opportunities.”

In contrast, Mr Bowen said the Coalition’s plan was amassive risk.

“It’s arecipe for uncertainty. And Ibelieve deliberately so.Nuclearenergy for Australiais, at best, decades away. And it is so expensive that eventhe Coalition has admitteditwould have to be built and funded by the government, rather than through private, commercial, investment,” he said.

“Why would arenewable energy company want to invest in Australiaifthey know they will be competing with agovernment distortion of the market in the order of hundreds of billions of dollars?

“It’s arecipe to drive away investment in clean, cheap, renewable generation. And it’s arecipe for unreliability.”

Mr Bowen said the Liberals and Nationals say they would “sweat the coal assets for longer”.

“Gippsland localsknow better than most that our coal-fired power stations are coming to the end of their safe lifespan. As they get older, they break down more often,” he said.

“There hasn’t been aday in the past year where

we haven’t had to deal with an unplanned outage in acoal fired power station. ‘Sweating the assets’ out to 2040 or 2050asthe Coalition want to do, puts our energy system at risk of more unplanned outages the older the fleet gets older.

“Unplanned outagescause wholesaleprices to spike, which translates to higher bills.’’

Mr Bowen said parts of the Yallourn power station were more than 50 years old. Loy Yang A was 40 years old.

“The idea that these and other coal assets might need to be sweated for longerisarecipe for massive system instability,” he said.

“This region understands the economics and engineering of coal-firedpower. It knows how often these plants are out of action. And this area knows that banking our future on their extension is arisky plan.

“The operators of these coal fired power stations have plans to close them within the decade. The exit of just these two alone, will leave agap of 3.6 GW in the east coast grid.”

Mr Bowen said the Coalition plan would see energy investment fall, developers walk away and local and global capitalleave Australia because of too much risk and uncertainty around energy policies in the new climate wars.

“We’ve had every state governmentwhere the Coalition has proposed risky reactors, come out and say they will not support nuclear,” he said.

“But the Coalition is determined to push it through against the will of the states. There will be abig fightifthat’s their plan. It will create division and uncertainty. It is the opposite of what we have now.”

Mr Bowen said Gippsland’s landsand waters had been under the stewardship of the Gunaikurnai for millennia, “a fact we acknowledge and celebrate”.

“While acknowledgement and celebration are right and proper, they’re not sufficient. First Nations people, particularly in remote Australia, suffer energy poverty and crippling disconnection rates,” he said.

“More positively, the energy transition provides an opportunity for First Nations people to share in ownership and dividends from renewable energy in their communities and on their lands.

“TraditionalOwners -represented here todayby the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Corporationrightly have an important role to ensure economic and jobs opportunities flowingtothis region do not bypass local FirstNations people.And the opportunities are big, so long as we choose to take them.”

Informationsession to be heldonnuclearenergy

By PHILIP HOPKINS

THE long-term economic and social future of the Latrobe Valleyisassured with nuclear energy, according to proponents of the nuclear industry, whowill hold an information session in Morwell next Wednesday, September 18.

The safety and environmental benefits as well as siting, economics, grid connection and nuclear reactor types will all be outlined at the meeting in the Morwell RSL from 6pm to 8pm.

It has been organised by Nuclear For Climate Australia, WePlanet Australia and Going Fission.

Key advocates are Robert Parker,who has a Master of Nuclear Science from the ANU and is aformer president of theAustralianNuclear Association, and Dr Robert Barr, OAM, an electrical engineer who is apastnational presidentof the Electrical Energy Society of Australia. Also speaking will be Latrobe City Councillor, Graeme Middlemiss, who is aformer Secretary of the Gippsland Trades and Labour Council.

Mr Parker said choosing nuclear energy meant embracing afull-blooded commitment to building

national infrastructure that could benefit the nation for acentury.

“Energy is the lifeblood of the Latrobe Valley providing jobs that house, feed and clothe the community,” he said.

“At least four nuclear power plants of 4.44GW total capacity can be built in Latrobe, maximising the benefits of the existing transmission capacity, work force, cooling capacity, transport and sites.

“Building these plants would employ up to 7000 workers at peakconstruction, meaning afleet of four would sustain at least 14,000jobs for at least 12 years. Best of all, 80 per cent of the cost of construction would come from labourand materials used in civil works, suchasconcrete, excavation and steel fabrication, all sourced from local and Victorian suppliers. The money stays here and not in the hands of overseas industry.”

Mr Parker saidthat according to the Nuclear Energy Institute,each plant would employ 650 full time workers for at least 80 years, providing jobs for three or four generations.

“As in the USA, nuclear workers’ salaries would be 50 per cent higher on average than those employed in other forms of electricity generation,” he said.

“Forevery 100 nuclear power plant jobs, 66 more jobs are created in the local community.”

Mr Parker said debate around costs of electricity from wind, solar and nuclear wasmisleading unless total systemcosts such as transmission, storage and backup were taken into account.

“A system based on nuclear energy will generate ultra-low emissions electricity at around half the cost of one based exclusively on wind and solar,” he said.

Mr Parker said societyhad hoped that by switching to low carbon energy sources such as windand solar, “we wouldreduce our environmental impact”

“Unfortunately harvesting our environment for low grade energy from wind and solar yields poor returns for our efforts,going back to values similar to the era of wood burning,” he said.

“Worse still, ahigh price is paid by our native habitats and rural landscapes though the construction of not only the wind and solar generators but also the transmission lines, redundant backup and storage projects.

Photograph: Liam Durkin

“Society cannot be held hostage to the vagaries of the weather. Load-shedding by industry is raising

the whiteflagonour economy. The risks of failure withrandomlyvariable power sources are so high, and their environmentaltollsogreat, thatwemust embraceasustainable large scale roll out of nuclear energy.”

Mr Parker saidthe United Nations and the EuropeanUnion Joint Research Councilhad found

that nuclear energy has lower emissions than any other generating source including wind and solar.

“Localities with nuclear energy such as France, Swedenand Ontario (Canada) have amongstthe lowest emissions in the world. No nation, without strong backup from its neighbours, has yet achieved low carbon emissions with wind or solar,” he said.

C4G and GCCN join in alliance

THE Committee for Gippsland (C4G) and the Gippsland Climate Change Network (GCCN) havejoined forces with Gippslandoffshorewind proponentstoformthe Gippsland OffshoreWind Alliance.

The alliancewas officially launchedatthe 2024 Gippsland New Energy Conference in Traralgon last week, which was attended by the federal Ministerfor Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen,and Labor Senatorfor Victoria, Dr Jess Walsh.

“The Gippsland community is bringinggenerations of energy experience to back offshore wind. Iwas proud to stand alongside the alliance for their launch today,” Senator Walsh said.

“As aSenator for Victoria, to see Gippsland leadingthe way in renewable energy is incredible. Its communitieslikethese here in Gippsland who willpowerour renewable energy future, benefitting the region and the country.”

The chief executives of respectively C4G, Tony Cantwell and GCCN, Darren McCubbin, said they were pleased to host Minister Bowen and Senator Walsh at the launch of this important partnership for the region.

“Offshore wind presents aremarkable opportunity to create new jobs, boost Victoria’s manufacturing and supply chains, increase regional investment, and contribute to Australia’s net-zero goals,” Mr Cantwell said.

“As Australia’s first offshore wind zoneleading the establishment of the sector in Australia, Gippsland can be the exemplar to other regions undergoing transition on best practice in regional

engagement, collaboration and advocacy.

“A keyfocus for the Alliance is to encourage a local offshore wind industry that proactively engages with local communities, realises job and other economic opportunities, involves local suppliers and creates apositive legacy for Gippsland.”

The alliance aims to bring together abroad and diverse group of partners including representatives of Traditional Owner groups, industry, communityand regional leaders, local government, government agencies, unions and tradeand labour councils -all positive influencers towardsGippsland leadingoffshore wind in Australia.

Mr McCubbin, who is the Alliance co-chair, called on local groups and organisations to get on boardifthey want to see an offshore wind sector progress for the region.

“GCCN was an early believer in Gippsland’s offshore wind opportunity, recognisingthe many benefits the sector has generated in other parts of the world in countries across Asia, the UK, the US and Europe,” Mr McCubbin said.

“We’re excited as supporters of the environmentaland climate movement to be partnering with industryand other stakeholderstomake offshore wind areality for Gippsland

“WithVictoriangovernment targets in place for offshore wind and 12 licenced projects, now is the time to double down and keep the momentum and investment interest in the region, while putting Gippsland on the world stage.”

Speech: FederalMinister forClimate Change and Energy,Chris Bowen, speaking in Traralgon at the GippslandNew Energy Conference Photograph supplied

Discussion: Latrobe City Councillor and former Gippsland Trades and Labour Council Secretary, Graeme Middlemiss will speak at anuclearinformation session in Morwell next week. The Gippsland Trades and Labour Council has wished to make it clearthe views expressed by Mr Middlemiss do not represent thoseofthe current council.

with DanCaffrey and Ian Southall, whobrought their RenewableEnergy Demonstration trailer to the conference

Construction underway for mega battery

THE state government has announced constructionofone of the world’s biggest renewable energy storage batteries.

Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for the State Electricity Commission, Lily D’Ambrosio visited the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub -a 600-megawatt big battery thatwill store enough energy to power up to 200,000homes during peak periods.

Construction of the big battery is now underwayinMelbourne’s west, with the first of 444 Tesla Megapackbattery components being installed and the SEC’s first project on track to be operational in 2025.

Once completed, the hub will have three battery components providing 1.6 gigawatthours of energy storage.

Sinceworkonthe project began late last year, more than 530 people -including apprentices and cadets -have worked to complete earthworks and other critical infrastructure to prepare the site for installation of the batteries.

“We’re building for our future -and the SEC is unlockingmorerenewable and affordable energy

for Victorians with one of the biggest batteries in the world,” the Premier said.

Next year, the hub will start storing excess rooftop solar and surplus energy from the grid, providing extrapower at peak times to meet Victoria’s growing demand.

It will be connected to three Renewable Energy Zones, allowing more energytoconnect to the grid

More than 15,000tonnes of rock has been extracted and will be reused to build abarrier around the site, landscaped with native vegetation.

The Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub is the first project fromthe SEC’s initial $1 billion investment and is co-owned with renewable energy investor Equis Australia.This project will help deliverthe SEC’stargetof4.5 gigawatts of new renewable energy generation and storage projects.

The state government announced the return of theSEC in 2022,promising to set up an office in the Morwell GovHub.

How eve r, Me mbe rf or Mo rw el l, Mar tin

Cameron says the SEC,which has historical tiestothe Latrobe Valley,has been of no benefit to the region in the time since.

“In the sameweek the CEO of the SEC confirmed there is justone employee based in Morwell, we havethe state government declaring ‘the SEC is back’,” he said.

“When Labor announced it would revive the SEC, it promised theSEC wascoming back to Morwelland we weretoldtherewould be 59,000 jobs.

“Labor used the SEC as adangling carrot for the Latrobe Valley and has taken advantage of the very real needfor moreemployment opportunitiesinthe region with an egregious grab for votes.

“The Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub was already being developed by the private sectorLabor has simply jumped on board and thrown $245 million in taxpayer funds at the project to become aminority shareholder.”

Federation commits to renewable future

FEDERATION University Australia is strengthening its capability to support the renewableenergy industry in Gippsland, with the expansion of its Asia Pacific Renewable Energy Training Centre (APRETC) to Eastern Victoria.

The announcement was made at the Gippsland New Energy Conference to explorethe latest innovations in renewable industries.

APRETC willbecome acentral hub for the delivery of renewable energy training and research in Gippsland, with amorethan$2.6millioninvestment from industry partners Corio Generation, OSMI Australia, Iberdrola Renewables Australia andOriginxRES.

This willfund 300 scholarships overthe next 10 years, worth $1.6 million for students studying in the areas of Engineering, Business, Information Technology, Data Science,and Environmental Science, beginning from 2025. It will also support renewable energy researchand repurposing spaces at Federation’s Gippsland campus in Churchill, where energy partners, researchers, students and the community can collaborate.

Federation will also recruit aGippsland-based Associate Professor of Renewable Energy to help deliver adedicated renewable energy program in Gippsland.

Partnership: Federation University’sNicola Pero,ViceChancellor and PresidentDuncan Bentley, Origin’s Erin Lord, OSMI’sElizabeth Radcliffe,and Corio’sNicholas Stirling Photograph supplied

Federation UniversityViceChancellor and President, Professor Duncan Bentley welcomed the partnership.

“As aregional university embedded in the Gippsland communityfor more than 50 years, Federation has akey role to play in Gippsland’s transition to renewable energy generation and delivery, in educating the cleanenergy workers of

the future and in supporting the net zero targets for both the state and nation,” he said.

“Expanding the Asia Pacific Renewable Energy TrainingCentre in partnershipwithindustry builds on the excitingworkthe Universityis already undertaking to make Gippsland the focal point for renewable energy training and research in the region.”

APRETC was firstestablished at Federation’s Mt Helen CampusinBallarat in 2021, in collaboration with industry and government, and supports the wind energy sector with specialised training.

APRETC is certified by the Global Wind Organisation and is the first facility in Australia to provide specialist training from a20-metre-high replica wind tower.

In Gippsland, APRETC will provide training, education and research to support renewable technologies including hydrogen, geothermal, wind, and solar, along withthe transmission,storageand social licence for renewable projects.

The centre’s expansion willbuildonalong history of energy generation in the LatrobeValley and harness FederationUniversity’s rich knowledge and research spanning hydrogen and fuelcell technologies, microgrids, battery manufacturing, and AI-advanced manufacturing.

LEADER of The Nationals, David Littleproud saysenergy bills across Australian households could have been lowered already, if Labor hadn’t been drivenbyananti-gas ideology throughout its first term in government.

Mr Littleproud said he welcomed Senex’s $1 billion Atlas and Roma North gas project -announced in late June -but it could have been up and running by now.

“The Nationals back our gas industry and welcome Senex’s expansion, however, this project should have been given the green light much earlier, without Labor’s impossible price caps, codes of conductand safeguard constraints,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Labor unnecessarily held up this gas project for more than 18 months with unprecedented intervention in the gas marketand comprehensive approvals processes.

“Senex had plannedfor its gas project to reach 120 petajoules but the latest announcement will start with 60 petajoules.

“Despite being half the amount Senex hopes to reach,itisimportanttonote thatthis is still 10 per cent of the annual east coast domestic gas requirements and will make an enormous impact.”

It comes amid industry fears Australia could soon have to start importing liquified natural gas,despite being one of the world’slargest exporters of gas.

“The implications of the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) are clear -Australia’s energy market is on aknife-edge. Most of the eastern states are at risk of blackouts from this summer and reliability on gas is set to deepen over the next decade.”

Mr Littleproud said Labor’s all-renewables approach clearly can’t do it all, which is why amixture of gas as well as nuclear energy is needed.

“Under Labor, 90 per cent of ourbaseload power will be forced out of our energy grid by 2035, without any guarantee of alike-for-like replacement,” he said.

“We want to be acountry where we can reach net zero emissions with nuclear power as part of an energy mix, but not break our economy through Labor’s reckless renewables-only policy.

“The Coalition will soon be announcing what Australia’s energy mix would look like under aDutton-Littleproudgovernment, as well as the broader costings.”

BUY LOCAL

On the road: GippslandTradesand Labour Council Secretar y, SteveDodd,

Information gathering: Attendeessuss out thestallholders on displayatthe Gippsland New Energy Conference Photographs: Liam Durkin

Conference gave everyoneasay

LIBERAL Party energyspokesperson Ted O’Brien seems to claim the nuclear issue was not discussed and that nuclearproponents were censored at the Gippsland New Energy Conference (The Age,05/09/24).

In reality, there was an entire 90 minute session on nuclear-one of the longest of the conference.

There was 800 people at the conference -the attendance has quadrupled in just two years. The attendees represented all parts of the energy ecosystem, including nuclear, coal-to-hydrogen and other forms of electricity generation and firming. Attendeeswere keen to understand the nuclear issue and listened to the discussion with an open mind, although Inote that many of us came away even less convinced about the viability of anuclear futurethan we were before the conference began.

Questions aboutthe fact the proposed reactor site is on an earthquake fault line, where the water would come from to power the reactor (farmers?), how and wherethe radioactive waste would be stored and who responds in an emergency seemed to lack answers. Not to mention the incredibly ambitious timelines to stand up an entire nuclear industry in this country, and the exorbitant cost of nuclear energy, which would place upward pressure on energy bills for homes and businesses.

The people of Gippsland andthe Latrobe Valley are willing to listen to anyreasonable energy policy or ideas to ensure aprosperous future for our region. But we won't be used as a political football to serve the interests of others, and we are tired of being given false hope and sound bytes with little detail.

We arealready seeing hundreds of jobs being created in anew energylandscape, and any proposal thatslows thisworkdown must be well considered and address our myriad concerns.

Andy McCarthy Mirboo North

Roses arered

HOW beautiful are the daffodils in the Morwell Rose Garden!

Many thanks to Latrobe City Council for the new areas in Matheson Park, Waterhole Creek and the Immigration Park.

Cheryl Wilson Hazelwood North

Similar views, different methods

OF course, Patricia Correa, ('We reap', LVE Opinion 04/09/24), current perpetrators of domestic violenceare generallynot in their 60s, 70sand 80s, but that doesn't mean the older dynamic were not similarly perpetrators when they were raising children.

Nor does it mean that "our generation" did not commit criminal acts, on an alarming scale, in earlier lives.

Iwas ateenager in the 60s, growing up in aprivileged Melbourne suburb, and can say you reallyneed to remove your rose-coloured glasses Patricia.

However, your prescription for raising respectful children is spot-on, and you and Iare no different -until we get to corporal punishment.

Our children are apparently pillars of society, despite you and Itaking opposite stances on the morality and value of assaulting children, in the name of discipline, both then and now. Does the end result for us indicate your stance contains any validity at all?

On the other topic you raise, the letter from Neil Read, ('Look broadly', LVE, 28/08/24), may havehad "a lot of common sense",but his strategy of copying that of "the former correspondent from Dandenong", for whom he has previously expressed admiration, negates all that.

Namely, throw plenty of mud around, but absolutely don't name your target of derision, and always imply you have the support of others, thereby attempting to deflect any possible comeback, but instead reflecting your own insecurity and weakness.

As for "barraging our dear readers", Iguess it's only thus if they don't agree with you Neil?

And for one who is prepared to throw out accusations of someone else's lack of "moral and intellectual virtue",how doesbeing an equal opportunity abuser fit in with that?

For unbelievably,those who may agree,or even have the temerity to disagree with you, may also only have "halfabrain", whichrenders your lackofselfawareness, ("I can tell BS when Isee and hear it"), truly palpable.

John Duck Trafalgar

Have some heart

PAULChristian is righttobeappalled that Latrobe City Council is heartlessly refusing to

waive aparking infringement levied against his wife who was volunteering at afoodbank recently.

If any of our elected councillorswere useful, they would now intervene and assist Mr Christian to have this fine overturned instead of letting the bureaucrats inflexibly apply the rules withoutconsiderationofcontext, fairness, and justice.

Nicholas Tam Traralgon East

Fabricated evidence

THE Ministerfor Health, Health Infrastructure and Ambulance Services, Mary-Anne Thomas' letter 'Building abetter health system' (LVE 03/09/24) attempts to reassure readers that Victoria's health system is in good condition.

The facts unfortunately demonstratethatthis is anything but the case.

According to an article published in last week's Age, in 2022/23 her department came within days of being unable to pay the staff and suppliers of the state'shospitals, resulting in her seeking an urgent $422 million cash bailout from the state Treasurer.

The record-breaking extra $1.5 billion she proudly mentions in her letter,thatwas set aside in this year'sBudget, according to the article, was allocated on the condition that she would not seek any future hospital bailouts.

Since then the situation has hardlyimproved -according to the Age more than half the state's health services presently do not have 14 day cash supplies to cover their operating expenses.

Anyonewho has seen an ambulance driving around town lately would have noticed various messages hand written on their sides advertisingthe plight of that servicealso-of them working long hours, being continually short staffed and undervalued for the important work they do.

Prior to the last election,Warragul was promised anew hospital to replace their 100+ year old rabbit warrened antique. Yet to date not asinglesod of soil has been turned.

It's time for Labortore-prioritise its spending on essentials: health, education and transport/ roads, particularly in regional areas, instead of investing huge amounts of taxpayer funds into unnecessaryprojectslikethe Suburban Rail Loop.

Greg Hansford Newborough

Inexcusable

PLEASE do not publish letterswhich excuse or advocate hitting children as aform of discipline.

Hitting achild is an assault. Assault is illegal.

Publishing letterswhich excuse hitting children on the grounds that it was acceptable in earlier timesiseffectively approvingviolence against children who are legally entitled to protection and safety.

Areview by the Australian Institute of Family Studies of research on physical punishment notes that physical punishment harms children, affecting cognitive, social, behavioural and emotional development, and does not promote long term positive behaviour.

Domestic violence is aserious problem in the community. Please do not publish letters that diminish the harm of physical abuse of children.

Marianne Robinson Churchill

Nothing butpraise

I'VE been reading astory from the ABC about sexism faced by female paramedics.

Due to failed spinal surgery, Ihave had the need to require ambulances from Moe on numerous occasions.

Most of the time Ineed an ambulance, Iget femaleparamedics. These ladies are kind, they're caring, and they do justasgood ajob as the male paramedics.

Garry Mitchell Yallourn North Till debt do us part

IN the planning of hisRepublic, the ancient Greek philosopher Plato intended that it be founded on amyth which he admittedtobe absurd, but he was rightly confident that the masses could be manipulated via state propaganda to believe it.

Thus,Plato laid downthe pioneeringconcept that lying, even telling complete falsehoods ("useful fictions" as Plato called them) for the so-called benefit of the state is meritorious and even necessary.

Amodern-day illustration of this concept is PM Anthony Albozo's broken promise (made on 97 separate occasions prior to the elections and

not mentioned by him since) to reduce household electricity bills by $275 ayear. So is the equally mythical claim made ad nauseum by our current Energy Minister, Chris 'Blackout’ Bowen, that "renewables are the cheapest form of energy."

Spare me.

If renewable energy is as cheap as Bowen claims, then he would surely risk being trampled underfoot by the influx of investors.

Yet investment in renewable energy is at its lowest in eight years, and investorsstruggle to see how they can make money on wind and solarwithout government subsidies propping it up like ahouse of cards that it is.

Thus, having failed to deliver cheap energy, the governmenthas been forced to resort to cheap politics. Money that could of been given in tax cuts or paying down public debt and thus alleviating the cost of living crisis, is being used instead to disguise the truth that energy affordabilityhas become dramatically worse underthis sanctimonious Labor government that came to power promising the opposite.

Joseph Lis

Morwell

The facts areplain to see CONGRATULATIONS to regular LVE Opinion contributorsPatrickAnsell, Patricia Correa and Joseph Lis.

Your well worded articlesare succinct, informative, accurate and right on the money.

Mr Ansell makes avery good point in saying "Who do they (politicians) really represent?"

(LVE Opinion, 04/09/24)

Well that's very simple, they represent three people -"me,myself and I."

They make outrageous promises before elections and once they are in, they inevitably renege on the deal.

That's typical of their selfish and dishonest behaviour.

They are onlyinterested in one thing,and that is to line their own pockets for their own inflated, obscene gratification.

They all have their snouts in the the trough and will swallow as much pig swill as they possibly can, to bloat their ego and alleged importance.

As you have said so well Patrick, "Australia and Victoria are in trouble and the voter is to blamebecause they refuse to opentheir eyes and face reality."

This is apoint that Iand thousands of others have made and discussedonvery many occasions.

Ithink the word that can be used in this instance is ad-infinitum!

Tina Turner sang with gusto asong that contained the lyric 'simply the best'. Well, this is simply the truth!

We have state and federal elections looming and have the chance to take adifferent course.

But the tree hugging Greenies led by another nuffie in Adam Bandt will play alarge part in saying who will get to use the electric blanket more often in the king size Labor bed.

Many broadcasters and politicians in the know are predicting ahungParliament. Oh dear, that would be atsunami of more pain. Pain that we already have and don't want any more of.

Patricia Correa, once again you have written common sense and fact ('We reap', LVE Opinion, 04/09/24). Itoo gave my children and grandchildren asmall smack on the legs when they werenaughty. Allthat washurtwas their pride. They have all grown up to be wonderful human beings.

The opinionpiece by Joseph Lis was also spot on the money.

You are quite correct when you say and I quote,"LatrobeValley households and industry are being conned."

Theysure are and Ifear forfamilyand lifelong friendswho live theValley... anywhere for that matter.

Ho hum, well if this is published, it is sure to bring avitriolic, scathing, mind numbing, BS reply.

Iwaitinanticipation.

Oliver Bergens Dandenong

Knowthe signs

IWOULD like to take thisopportunity to thank the amazing Australians who have once again embracedNationalStroke Week,which ran from August 5to11this year.

This year, we urged the community to keep looking at their loved one, their mate, their mum or dad, to ensure someone in every household and workplaceinAustralia can recognisethe F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech and Time) signs of stroke so they can save alifeinthe event of aloved one experiencing stroke.

We heard heart warming stories from every corner of the country, including adaughter who saved her dad’s life from 200 kilometres away after aseries of unusualtext messages, amother and son who each had astroke five years apart, and aman who was hitting apersonalbest time during Parkrun when he had astrokeand an off-duty paramedic saved his life.

These stories highlight the fact that stroke does not discriminate.

What we don’t see is the ripple effect strokes have on the community. They are felt by their family, friends and loved ones,for years to come. Astrokecan happen to anyone at any age, and research tells us the number of working age people (aged 18-64)having strokes is increasing. These people are not just numbers, they are mums,dads, sons and daughters. They have jobs and families and plans for the future.

Whileour national awareness week is over for another year, our efforts to educate the community must continue.

More than 445,000 Australians are living with the impact of stroke.

After astroke, around 1.9 million brain cells die each minute.

In most cases, the faster astrokecan be diagnosed and treated, the better the chance of agood recovery.

Time saved equals brain saved.

Iencourage the community to keep spreading the F.A.S.T. acronym all year round.

Knowing the F.A.S.T message and sharing it with your family and friends can be the first step in savinga life and avoiding ongoing disability. It may be your own life or that of someone you love.

The F.A.S.T message will help you recognise the most common signs of stroke:

Face– Check their face.Has their mouth drooped?

Arms –Can they lift both arms?

Speech –Istheir speech slurred? Do they understand you?

Time –Timeiscritical. If you see any of these signs, call triple zero (000) straight away.

Stroke is always amedical emergency. Please know what to do when stroke strikes. Think F.A.S.T. and act fast at the first sign of stroke.

Dr Lisa Murphy

Stroke Foundation CEO

Have your say

THE Latrobe Valley Express welcomes letters to the editor.

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

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

The Express does not publish letters from anonymous contributors.

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

Readers are entitledtoa right of reply to aletter directed at them.

While healthy debate is encouraged, the editorwilluse his discretion if he believesletters are becomingslagging matches between writers.

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

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

Letters involving religion will not be published.

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

Deadline for letters is Thursday 3pm.

Charter collaborateswithfuture ideas

By KATRINA BRANDON

ANEW charterdraft,created to helpinthe recruitment and retentionofmigrant workers in Gippsland, was presentedatthe Morwell Innovation Centre last month.

The chart er, prepare db yt he Gippsland Regional Partnership and Federation University's CollaborativeEvaluation and Research Centre (CERC), aimstoaddress some of the regional workforceneeds and ensure asmoothtransitionfor migrant workers in Gippsland into job opportunities where their unique skillset can help fill gaps in the current workforce.

About 80 attendeesfromvarious groupsand organisationsinterested in improvingmigrant job opportunities in the local and surrounding areas attended the charter draft conference.

Guiding principles within the draft charter include developing and maintaining apositive mindset toward people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds; promoting inclusivity and awareness of diverse communities; reducing language barriers; developing opportunities for broadercommunitynetworking and connection; elevating and buildingupongood practices;and incentivising migrants to settle in regional areas.

CERC’s research featured six community workshops, interviews with 68 migrants and stakeholders, case studies on three businesses and adesktop review of migration services in Gippsland.

The CERCdirector,Professor JoannePorter, said that in theseworkshops,migrants wereaskedwhat makes them leave regional areas. The workshops

looked at common themes as to why they wanted to live regionally and other factors that could help encourage more migrantstolive in regional areas.

"A lotofitwas around the liveability of Gippsland," Professor Porter said.

"They really were looking to embrace nature, were looking to embrace aregional lifestyle, that we shouldn’t just think about just individual people, we should think about employment opportunities for their partners as well because just bringing one person will lose them from this region."

Professor Porter said that some of the challenges found were that visa requirements (leading towards getting permanent residencies) were metwith a lotofred tape and the English language barrier as "Aussie" Englishisn't taught during English lessons. Regional slang change-oversincreased the difficulty of communication and functionality in the workplace and community.

Professor Porter told the Express that there were several things that the community, local government and employers can do to help in the short term. Some of these included having events or culturally diverse days.

Lifeline Gippsland'schief executive,Yaniesha Porter, said that as someonewho comes from a migrant family but has been in Australia for along time, she found that appearance was an additional barrier and that going into interviews, people would ask her where she learnt to speak English.

Professor Porter said that she hoped the charter would help resolve this type of experience, where migrants can be in asupportive environment and feel asense of belonging in Gippsland.

V/Line tickets go digital

By STEFAN BRADLEY

YOUR paper ticket to the city, or another Gippsland town, will finally become digital this month.

Public and Active Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams announced an electronic ticketing plan to simplify V/Line train and coach travel by giving passengers the option to display theirtickets on their smartphone.

“Since the introduction of the regional fare cap, long-distance V/Line services have become more popularthan ever before,” Ms Williams said.

“We’re alwayslooking for opportunities to improve the passenger experience, and electronic ticketing will make it easier for passengerstoaccess and display their tickets for their long-distance train and scheduled coach services.

“Passengers have told us that they want more

to displaytheir tickets on their smar tphone from next week. File photograph

optionsfor how they receive their V/Line tickets andeTicketing means they can now be displayed on smart phones or printed at home.”

Available from Wednesday, September 18, the new electronic ticketing optionwill provide passengers with alinktotheir ticket via SMS or email when they make areservation for along-distance trainorscheduled coach service, instead of visiting astaffed station to buy aticketorhave it mailed by post.

Regional spokesperson for the Public Transport Users Association Paul Westcott said it was long overdue for V/Line ticketing to modernise for the 21st century.

"The requirement to attend astaffed station to get your ticket, even if you booked it online, was extraordinarily old fashioned," Mr Westcott said.

The eTickets will be available on V/Line scheduled coach services as well as the Albury, Ararat, Bairnsdale, Echuca, Maryborough, Shepparton, Swan Hill and Warrnambool train lines.

Tickets can be added to apassenger’s Apple or Google Wallet, or downloaded as aPDF which can be printed at home and brought with them when they travel.

The tickets will also cover additional travel on Victoria’s public transport network, such as metropolitantrains, trams and buses, in the same waythata paper ticket currently does.

Passengerscan still choose to collecttickets they have purchased online from their nearest staffed V/Line station, V/Line ticket agent, or premium Metro station, or have them sent via postbefore they travel.

In amedia release, the government said "almost 200 extra weekendservices"would be gradually rolled out in the coming years on V/Line,and since the regional rail cap was implemented, 31 million trips have been taken and "more than $80 million already saved by passengers".

Farhat Firdous,and Federation Universitystudent

Advocating theliveability of greater Latrobe region

COMMENT

BY DAMIAN ANDREWS

IN the complex system of local government, a dedicated group has stepped forward to help protect the interests of Latrobe City residents.

As the newly electedpresident of Latrobe City Council Watch (LCCW),I am proud to introduce thisorganisation and its mission to the community.

LCCW, adivision of Council Watch Victoria, is guided by three basic principles: elevate citizenvoices, providecriticalinformation, and encourage our local government to continuouslyimprove its performance.

Our team brings diverseexperience in strategic planning, collaboration, accountability and community engagement to these endeavours.

Our primary purpose is to ensure that the voices of Latrobe City residents are heard and respected.

For example,wesupported the Moe Amateur Swimming Club's initiative to upgrade the localpool by outlining specific actionsthat Latrobe City Council can take to assist.

This shows how community involvement can shape council priorities.

Education is another crucial component of our mission.

We want to demystify local government processes,making them moreaccessible to both residents and councillors.

By evaluati ng documents such as the LatrobeCityCouncil Plan 2021-2025, we

assist the community in understanding the council's objectives and progress, allowing you to comparetheir performancetotheir own goals.

LCCW also acts as aconduit for communitygenerated ideas.

We started discussions regarding local tourism, offering new strategies to bring more visitors to our wonderful region.

Our mission includes encouraging acollaborative environment where community ideas contribute to the growth and development of communities.

As we approach the October2024municipal elections, LCCW encourages all residents to get involved in local issues.

You can connect and share with us on the Latrobe City Council Watch Facebook page.

In adiverse and lively region like Latrobe City, every voice must be heard and valued. LCCW is ready to serve as your champions and advocates, ensuring that all residents' interests are prioritised in local governance. Together, we can create aLatrobe City that genuinely benefits all of its inhabitants and is apositive beacon in Australia.

Damian Andrews is President of Latrobe City Council Watch

NB: The Editor of Latrobe Valley Express, Liam Durkin, wishestomake clear Latrobe City Council Watch is agroup set up to 'watch' whatisgoingoninthe Latrobe Citycommunity and not to judge or 'watch' the performance of council or current sitting councillors.

Modernised: V/Line customerswill be able

Forum: Federation University’sCollaborativeEvaluation and Research Centre Director, Joanne Porter,held apanel discussion on anew migrant charter guide alongside the Manager at MigrationSer vicesDJSIR, Damian Marquardt, Founder and Business par tner of Regional MigrationAustralia, Kristie Morgan, acting deputychair of RegionalPar tnerships Gippsland,

Daniel Onovo. Photograph: Katrina Brandon

Business Guide

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This is wheretheycan assist in not onlysprucing up your proper ty, butalso prolonging the lifeofhouse gutters,thusreducing the risk of waterdamage, pest issues,allergens and fires.

Servicing the Latrobe Valley area and all surrounding districts,the team pridethemselvesonbeing

reliable,convenient, trust worthy and efficient. On-siteworkiscompleted by Jay, with wifeLauren handling all the admin and business sideof things

GutterGleam Gippsland’sJob Management System allows customerstoviewtheir quotes and accept at the clickof abutton.

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ROBERT ANDREW CARSTAIRS date of birth 26/8/1970, late of 1Bastin Street Boolarra Victoria 3870. Creditors, next-of-kin and others having claims in respect of the deceased, who died on 25 August 2023, are required by the estate's administrators David William Carstairs and Tracy Nicole Carstairs, to send particulars thereof to them, care of 18b Partridge Way Thornlie, Western Australia, 6108 by 11 November 2024, after which date they will distribute the assets of the estate, having regard only to the claims to which they then has notice. David and Tracy Carstairs, 18b Partridge Way Thornlie, WA 6108.

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Old Port Poultry Farm

Delivering 18 week old Isa Brown, laying hens to your area, Sat. 21 Sept. $30 each. Ph 0438 832 535.

Deliverers Wanted

Would you liketodeliver theLatrobe Valley Express newspaper to individual homes on Tuesdayand /or Wednesdayafternoons in Traralgon, Morwell and

Please

SCHOOL COUNSELLOR (Pastoral Care Worker)

St Joseph's Primary School Trafalgar Applications are invited for the part-time position, 1day per week of school counsellor to work at St Joseph's School, Trafalgar, starting term 4, 2024. The successful applicant will possess either: a Certificate 4inYouth Work; or aCertificate 4in Pastoral Care; or aCertificate 4inChaplaincy and Pastoral Care; or aBachelor of Counselling Degree and have experience working within schools as aSchool Counsellor.

Experience in providing support to children and young people and their families to address social and emotional needs is desirable.

Applications for this position should include:

● Cover letter

● Current copy of resume

● Certified copies of qualifications

● Current Police check

● Current Working With Children Check

● Names and contact details of three referees

● Email application to principal@trafalgar.catholic.edu.au

Applications close 5pm Friday, 13 September 2024

St Joseph's School promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children

ADMINISTRATION FINANCE OFFICER

FTE 0.93 Ongoing

Applications are invited from suitably experienced persons for the position of Administration Finance Officer to commence on 7th October 2024. This is an Education Support Employee Category BLevel 2position under the Victorian Catholic Education Multi Enterprise Agreement 2022

The successful applicant will have ademonstrated commitment to Catholic education and to the safety and wellbeing of children.

The successful candidate will be appropriately qualified and/ or experienc ed, demon strate enthusiasm and ability to provide the appropriate expertise in arange of finance and administrative abilities, and be able to provide assistance to the Principal whilst supporting and respecting the ethos of the school and its environment.

The successful applicant will be subject to a Working with Children Check and aNational Police Record Check. Training in First Aid is preferable but not necessary.

Adetailed position description and application requirements are available by accessing the St Joseph's School Trafalgar website at www.trafalgar.catholic.edu.au.

St Joseph's School promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children.

Applications close: 12/9/2024

• Principal StatutoryPlannerPermanent Full Time

• Student Planner -Temporary Full Time

• Customer Services Officer Qualified -Latrobe LeisureCasual and Temporary

• Commercial and Operations ManagerLatrobe Regional Airport -PermanentFullTime

• Learning &Development Administration OfficerTemporaryPartTime

• Duty Manager LatrobeLeisure -Casual

• ManagerBusinessand Industry Development -PermanentFull Time

• Enhanced Family Support Practitioner -Temporary Part Time

• LearntoSwimInstructors -Casual Positions

• School Holiday Program Facilitator -TemporaryPartTime

• Maternal andChild HealthNurseCasual Positions

ARCHER, Kevin. Loved brother-in-law of Rueben (dec.) and Val. Loved uncle of Glenda and Ian, Pauline and David, Maxine and David, Coral and Brian. Mates have gone fishing Deaths •

BARTLEY, Rupert Charles. Passed away peacefully at Baw Baw Views on 5September 2024. Aged 91 years

SUBARU WRX

Responsibilit y PLEASE CHECK YOUR AD

Devot ed hus band of Maureen.Loved and respected father and father-in-law of Nancy and Grant, Paul (dec.) and Beren, Robyn and Paul. Cherished grandfather to all his grand and greatgrandchildren.

Loved Forever He had agood innings

Please visit Latrobe Valley Funeral Services website for Ru pe rt' sF une ral arrangements.

IPSEN, Neil John. 2/9/1933 -1/9/2024. It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Neil.

Dearly loved husband of Bev, cherished dad of Ron and Julie, father-in-law of Yvonne and David. Loving grandfather of Joanne and Andy, Jimmy and Sherrille, Adam and Sharon, Ellie and Chris. Grea tg ra nd fathe ro f Rubie, Jack, Millie, Saxon, Logan and Rivah.

without a photo or

with a colour photo x4 editions in the Latrobe Valley Express and x4 editions in the Gippsland Times (FOR FREE) With awider audience of over 76,000 you're more likely to sell your car, caravan, motorbike etc.

BRODIE, Patrice Anne. 16/5/1961 -29/8/2024. Loved sister of Joan and sister-in-law of the late Hugh McGregor. Aunt to Cameron and Scott. Great Aunt of Taylor, Brodie, Lachlan and Hamish. Great great aunt of Jasper.

AService to celebrate Neil's life was held in Castlemaine on TUESDAY (10 September 2024). To watch arecording of the service please visit Neil's tribute page on the website of Moun t Alexander Funerals.

BROWNBILL, Keith OAM. The Com mitte ea nd members of Advance Morwell are saddened by the passing of former Secretary and Life Member Keith Brownbill OAM. Over many years, he has made an invaluable contribution to Morwell and its community. His passion and commitment will be greatly missed. Condolences to Chris, Susan and families.

FLETCHER, Allan George. Passed away suddenly at home on 30 August 2024. Aged 75 years Loving husband of Dianne. Father of Roger and Andrew (dec.). Grandfather to Brad, Hayden and Matthew. Atrue Fitzroy and Lions fan gone Rest In Peace Private Cremation. Memorial at alater date.

GIBSON, James R59881 NAVY

JONES, Frederick Graham. Passed away peacefully on 4September 2024 surrounded by family and friends at the West Gippsland Hospital, Warragul Aged 79 years Dearly loved husband of Jacqui (dec.). Father and father-in-law of Stephen and Wendy, Jamie, Tim and Sam, and Kylie. Adored Pop to all his grand and great grandchildren.

JONES, Graham. Passed 4/9/2024. Loved father of Tim and father-in-law of Samantha. Sadly Missed

MAIER, Vincent Hans. Passed away peacefully at Latrobe Regional Health on 5September 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Aged 83 years Dearly loved husband of Heather (dec.). Much loved father and fatherin-law of Anna, Belinda, Carl, Susan and Jamie. Adored Opa to 11 grand and 5great grandchildren.

The President, Committee and Members of the Traralgon RSL deeply regret the passing of their esteemed Service Member James and extend sincere condolences to his family. LEST WE FORGET

MITCHELL, Keith Malcolm. Passed away peacefully at Heritage Manor Morwell Wednesday 4September 2024. Aged 92 years Dearest friend of Norma and Tim Mills (both dec.). Special friend of Gary Mills, Carol Darby, Wayne Mills and Helen Knowles. Special uncle to Jennifer, Jess and Stephen. Son of Emily and Charles (both dec.). Brother of Gilbert, Graeme, Colin, Leonard, Ray and Fay. Alife well lived

MUNRO, Myrt. We are shocked and saddened by your sudden passing. Our rock, organiser and phone caller. Avery special person, we are lost without you. The Card 'Girls'.

and Janine and Ken. Cherished Nanny to Lisa, Kirsten, Tara and Connor; Marlee and Rob, Hayden and Carly, Brodie and Tiannah and Griffin; Damon, Jake and Chloe

Memories

Nanny to her eight and 2/9ths great grandchildren.

missed

ROBBINS, Garry Desmond. 2/8/1941 -5/9/2024. Passed away peacefully, after avery short illness, with all his loving family together.

Dearly loved and loving husband of Ali, more than 34 wonderful years together, but not long enough. Much loved father and father-in-law of Karen, Donna, Jason and Annie.

Adored Pa of Darci and Jenna. Achapter completed apage turned Alife well lived Arest well earned Son of Kevin (dec.) and Ellie (nee Curran) (dec.).

Loved older brother of Terry, Frank and Graham. Loving uncle to his nieces and nephews and families. He will be sadly missed

TURNER (née Beinke), Carol Patricia. Passed away at Latrobe Regional Health on 3 September 2024.

Aged 71 years

Dearly loved wife of Grame (dec.). Much loved mother of Ben and Chrystal. Adored Nanna to Alex and Dan.

GOODWIN. AService of Thanksgiving for the life of Mrs Glenys Emberson Goodwin will be held at Traralgon Uniting Church, Park Lane, Traralgon on WEDNESDAY, (11 September 2024) commencing at 11am. The Funeral will leave at the conclusion of the Service for the Toongabbie Cemetery. Glenys' Service will also be livestreamed. To view the livestream, please visit our website. Celebrate Glenys' life by wearing colourful clothes.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

MAIER. Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Mr Vincent Maier will be offered at St Michael's Catholic Church, Church St Traralgon on FRIDAY 13 September 2024) commencing at 1pm. The Funeral will leave at the conclusion of Mass for the Gippsland Memorial Park Cemetery Traralgon.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

MITCHELL. The Funeral of Mr Keith Malcolm Mitchell will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Highway, Traralgon on FRIDAY (13 September 2024) commencing at 11am. 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

MUNRO, Myrt. Passed away unexpectedly at LRH 29/8/2024. Beloved partner of Ches, mum to Tony, Peter and Kerry. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend Myrt's Service held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, Traralgon. THURSDAY (12 September 2024) at 1pm. Online tributes and livestream will be available.

ROBBINS. The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Mr Garry Robbins will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Highway Traralgon on TUESDAY (17 September 2024) commencing at 1.30pm. Garry's Service will also be livestreamed to view the livestream please visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au and click on livestreaming.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

TURNER. The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Mrs Carol Patricia Turner will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Highway Traralgon on FRIDAY (20 September 2024) at 1.30 pm.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

CARR, Steve. Sunrise 9/12/1968 Sunset 10/9/2021.

Grief, we don't talk about grief enough and it is the saddest and loneliest journey that you will take. There is no right or wrong way to do it. It's simply the tax we pay on love. The only way around it is through it. It gets really messy because what they don't tell you about grief is that it never ends. People will be afraid to say their name around you in fear that this person has died as if some how you have forgotten. You will feel like you lost the privilege to say their name in everyday conversations because it's sad or depressing, they don't tell you that you're gonna hold on to the pain and grief because it's the only thing that makes you feel connected or that you won't only grieve the loss of this person but the loss of your old self and who you were before this person died. That you will grieve your future and your hopes and dreams.

Grief is amessy and awful place to be and it's an unfixable weight that you will carry around, but there is also so much beauty and wisdom. Grief is not atask to finish or something to move on from, but rather something that will alter your being changed, your way of seeing your way of life. It is love and you lived it, and it is grief and and you will carry it. I'm not OK cos Imiss you every single day. Jodie.

GREGORY, Robin David. 20/4/1961 -10/9/2022.

Revelation 21:4 "(God) will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be NO MORE, neither mourning ...orpain be anymore Today is one year closer to togetherness again. Can't wait. Karen (Wifey).

Shock Lions loss

WEEK 2offinals action got underway at the weekend in the Gippsland League, and it was an eyebrow-raiser to say the least. While some were fighting for their lives withthe potential of elimination right on their backsides, others wentinwitha GrandFinal berth on the horizon.

Peaking at the ultimate time, Warragul upset AGrade powerhouse Moe to advance to the big dance after defeating the reigning premier 63 to 51 at Leongatha Recreation Reserve.

The Gulls started in style, taking it to the minor premier and leading early 9to3

Their lead went as largeas16-6 withnoone able to hinderthe impact of league-leadinggoal scorer Emma Ryde.

Moe did drag it back slightly to endthe firstquarter, outscoring Warragul 4-2 in the last two minutes, but still lookedataneight-goal deficit.

Respectful, dignified,

WHITMORE, Rodney 'Rod'. 30/4/1947 -15/9/2019. We will always Love you Family owned and locally based Funeral Directors We bring35years experience to families in Traralgon, Morwell, Churchill, Moe, Trafalgar, Korumburra and surrounding areas. THE CHOICE IS YOURS Practical, sensible and affordable. We offer both at-need and pre-paid funerals. All female funerals are available. Dignityand respect ,always

The Lions had to answer the bell, but the Gulls weren’t going to let them back in it thateasy, managing the opening five of the firstseven goals of the secondterm to extend their lead back over 10 goals.

Again, Moe put together arun to matchWarragul’s intensity around the ball and pressure their attacks, outscoring the Gulls to conclude the firsthalf but still down nine goals.

The Lions returned to the court with an edge and hungry to get themselves back into the match.

Opening the second half 13-5 is goingtodowonders to bring that notion into reality, and the matchup was set ablaze with there suddenly only being agoal in it.

Warragul dug deep to push back againstthe rallying Moeunit and scored the next three goals to cushion their lead backtofour goals,but were then immediately combatted by the Lions to bring it straight back to aone-goal margin.

Four of the last five goals by the Gulls ended the third term with Warragul ahead 44-40.

Theseare the moments players wait for -two possessed teams going down-to-the-wire in time for one more quarter of action.

Both were aware of this and went goal-after-goal each way in the opening minutes of the final term before Moe continued their mini runs of the second half and moved the game back to two goals with eightminutes remaining.

However, not about to let their best chance of positioning themselves best for the big one, especially against such an exceptional side, Warragul put their foot on the throat and went on a14-4 run to conclude.

The Lions suffered their first loss in 525 days, having gone all of season 2024 undefeated (bar adraw to BairnsdaleinRound14) and after running the table withthe league and winningthe premiership in 2023 after losing Round 1toMorwell that year. Moe ar en ow forc ed to take the longer road in the hopes of securing back-to-back flags, with aPreliminary Final date set with Drouin this Saturday.

The Hawks defeated Bairnsdale on Sunday 52-43, blowing the Redlegs awayafteraone-goalgameatthree quartertimeatTed Summerton Reserve.

That leaves the top three on the ladder at the end of the home-andaway season still alive with two weeks remaining.

JONES. The Graveside Funeral Service for Mr Frederick Graham Jones will be held at the Gippsland Memorial Park Cemetery THURSDAY (12 September 2024) at 11am.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 5126 1111

www.harwood

When you losesomeone close to you, it can be hardtoput your thoughts and feelings into words Placeyour personal messageinthe Latrobe Valley Express and share your memories

Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au To place your

GRASSENS, Jan (John). 12/9/1933 -12/1/2020. Remembering you on your Birthday. With love for always and forever Beth and family.

FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND POWER BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

GIPPSLAND Power Boys losta heart-breaking quarter final matchup against Dandenong Stingrays at the weekend 9.10(64) to 7.16 (58)

The local under 18 side would have come into the gamewithanimmense desire to defeat their opponents,who downed them only afortnight ago in the final round of home-and-away action by 10 points. It wasn’t the start Power would have been looking for out at ETU Stadium, as the Stingrays booted the opening six goals and didn’t see ablemishatthe other end of the ground.

Power lifted in the second quarter with their season on the line, kicking four goals to none including two from Wil Malady and one from Moe’s Tom Matthews. Halftime came and it was only a 15-point game despite the abysmal start from Power.

Opening the second half, it evened itself outinthe midfieldand no major score could be found for most of the opening 10 minutes of play. Matthews booted his second to bring the game within seven points, before Dandenong responded quickly.

Traralgon’sWilliamBrentsnagged one minutes before the end of the third quarter to keep it under agoal heading into the final term. It was anyone’s game now -but the Stingrays found time to nail another major within secondsofthe fourth quarterstarting. Under 10 minutes to go and Alixzander Tauru sent one through for Power and it brought the margin to two points, but the Stingrays returned favour only minutes later -gameand season over.

Gippsland Power Girls also played Dandenong Stingrays in afinal at the weekend,but fellshort 12.14 (86) to 2.5 (17).

It wasthe first women’sfinal in the club’s history out at Shepley Oval.

Galbraith-Evans

Tales, tributes from across region

By STEFAN BRADLEY

WHAT’S important to alocal community?

Is it aquality sandwich in Morwell?

You can say services or infrastructure -but what makes Gippsland unique is character. It’s not just the scenery -it’s the people and its history.

Aformer pig farmer, Jim Fairchild, is ensuring those local characters aren’t forgotten through his writing.

Mr Fairchild, born 1936, is living out his retirement in Maffra with his wife Lorrayne, having sold off the farming property in Tinamba.

Mr Fairchild’s firstbookistitled CurlyTalesfrom an Old Boar’s Pen,which he published last year. He was so pleased with its unexpected success, thathe was compelled to write afollow-up. Despite selling Curly Tales books at only two stores across Maffra and Sale, it sold nearly 200 copies.

“Which surprisedme, because Ihaven’t attempted to sell it further away,” he said. Wordofmouth does wonders. Readers were keen to learn about Mr Fairchild and his father, who became well-known for their pigs.

“This is not an autobiography about me, it’s not even astory about my dad, it’s about the things that happened along the way,” Mr Fairchild says of his first book.

Asecond volume, Fewer Curlies -More Characters, releasedearlierthis year,has already received

Artshow

MORWELL Art Group is holding its 2024 Art Show at Latrobe Regional Gallery.

The event will take place this weekend, starting Saturday, September 14 from 10amto4pm. Same times Sunday, September 15.

Artistswill be holding demonstrations and viewing their work.

All welcome.

Spiritual centre

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

Join us every Sunday for service, starting at 2pm. Doors open at 1.30pm.

Guest speakereveryweek with demonstrations from an invited medium, followed by acuppa and afternoon tea.

For enquiries, phone Amanda Webb on 0411 051 044.

Gippsland Orchid Club

NEXT meetingwill be held Thursday, September 12.

The group meets on the second Thursday of each month at the TraralgonAnglican Hall (100 Grey Street), commencing at 1.30pm.

New members are very welcome to learn the best methods of care for your orchids.

At the monthly meeting,the group has a ‘Mini Show’wheremembers can bring along their plants to be judged and perhaps win the ‘popular vote’.

The group also held its Winter Orchid Show at Mid Valley ShoppingCentre on August 16 and 17.

Several members travelled to the Melbourne OrchidShow the following week, with a few awards going to Gippsland Orchid Club members.

The club is preparing for its Spring Show on October 4/5.

Once again, this will be held at Mid Valley Shopping Centre. The club thanks the centre for their generosity and assistance. For additional information on the Gippsland Orchid Club, ring Pat on 0407 741 621.

KnittedKnockers

THE Traralgon branch of Knitted Knockers Australia presents an afternoon with Elvis and friends.

The tributeshow will be held Sunday, November 24 in the function room at the Italian Australian Club (499 Princes Drive) Morwell. Doors open at 1pm and cost is $30 per person. Light afternoon tea,coffee,tea and water supplied.

All money raised goes to the Traralgonbranch Drinks at bar prices. Lucky ticket prizes. Cash only.

Only 300 ticketsavailable and mustbeprepurchased. No ticket sales on the day.

To purchase tickets,phone0408 501 338 or email knittedknockersausttraralgon@gmail.com

LifeSkills Victoria

THE 40th annualmeeting for Life SkillsVictoria Inc will be held Wednesday,October 16, 2024 at theHigh Street Community Hub (4 High St, Moe) beginning at 6pm.

The group will celebrate the history of Life SkillsVictoria.Supper and drinks will be provided.

fantastic feedback.Asuperiorsequel, perhaps?

There’s almost no stories about pigs, instead it’s aboutthe people in Mr Fairchild’s life, including his relatives from the past 200 years, and locals he describes as “a little bit different”. He said that someofthesetales were writtenyears agoand others more recently, including cut content from the first book.

“With abit of nonsense for good measure!”

Mr Fairchild said his favourite chapter is the 18th -‘Saturday Lunch in Morwell’. Just two-anda-half pages long, Mr Fairchild details his quest to find asandwich for his wife in Morwell.

“I really enjoyed writing it a long time ago, and thought it should go into print,” he said.

When this reporter spoke to Mr Fairchild about thatfirstbook, he wasalready in the midst of writing Fewer Curlies.

Is there more he’d like to say for perhaps athird book?

“I don’t know if I’ll get another book written. I’m 87. I’ll think about it -there’s abit of stuff in my headand abit written downsoyou never know what Imight come up with,” he said.

Mr Fairchild’sbooks are availablefromthe Maffra Newsagency and Collins Booksellers Sale.

Reminisce: JimFairchild with his firstbook.

Photograph: Stefan Bradley

Register yourattendance for catering purposes by emailing office@lifeskillsvic.com.au or phoning 5127 7999 by Wednesday, October 9, 2024.

Chess results

BEN Jackson took advantage of the opportunities to complete the latestround at Latrobe Valley Chess Club, with four wins as well as two losses.

Careful technique used by SteveAhern resulted in two wins and two draws.

Peter Bakker and Ian Hamilton finished the round with two quick wins and faced defeat when the opponent was too strong.

Emma Jackson forced two convincing results, but lost the games that determined the leader of the round.

Samantahea Juers returned to the competition and showed acompetitive style although erred in key games.

Hannah Jackson was also back in the competition but had an early exit after three losses.

Gerrard Dyke showed form to win two games but failed to find the correct line of play in others.

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

Traralgon East Senior Citizens

ANNUAL meeting for the Traralgon East Senior

Citizens Inc willbeheldat2 MatthewsCrescent (corner of Campbell Street and Matthews Cres, Traralgon) on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.

Meeting commencesat10am

This is an importantmeetingfor the club and will include nominations forthe executive as well as committee members.

Moe/Newborough Keenagers

TERRY Grech was presented with acertificate for reaching 1000 sessions of table tennis with Moe/Newborough Keenangers.

Terry was presented withacertificatefrom club vice president Pat Esse. TerryjoinedKeenagers 2007 and has been an active member ever since.

Terry has been acommittee member since 2016 and became alife member in 2022.

Traralgon Neighbourhood Learning House

ENJOY anew hobby, learn anew skill. Now is the perfect time to join the Traralgon Neighbourhood Learning House for fun,friendship, andlearning.

Term 4commences on October 7. Have achat with Meagan about which class would best suit you. Perhaps you wouldliketobuildyour confidence with technology by registering in the basic

computercourse. Learn howtouse your new camera with the photography course. Come along and enjoy ahobby and meetnew friends in creative craft,cake decorating, knitting/crochet, sewing,mosaics, art, cooking or creative writing. Language classes are alsoavailableinFrench, Italian, Spanish and Auslan.

Focusonyour health and wellbeing with yoga, dance and stretch, tai chi, bellydancing and breath work classes.

Phone 5174 6199, email enquiries@tnlh.org. au, or drop into the office at 11-13 Breed Street, Traralgon to find outmore.

Moe District Historical Society

RENOWNED localteacher Brian McKenziewill be guest speaker at the next meeting of the Moe District Historical Society, to be held Tuesday, September 24.

The society will be open on Wednesday afternoon from 1pm to 4pm.

Thepublic are welcometoattendthe meeting at 2HighStreet, Moe.

Citizens of theYear

LIONS Club of Moe are once again seeking nominations for the Moe/Newborough Citizens of the Year Award.

There are two categories,one for Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year for ages between 12 and 25 years, and Australia Day Citizen of the Year.

Both theseawards will be presented on Australia Day at Gippsland Heritage Park, Moe. All nominationsmusteither be aresident of the Moe/Newborough area or havecontributed and demonstrated outstanding service to the Moe/ Newborough community in avoluntary capacity. Closing date for nominations is November 1, 2024.

For further informationorfor acopy of the nominationform, see Lion RobertSharrock, who can be reached via 0497 299 719 or maroby@ bigpond.com, or Lion Alli Stewart (0407 230 044), email alli.stew@outlook.com

Appreciation breakfast

VIRTUE Homes will host aTrade Appreciation Breakfast tomorrow morning (Thursday, September 12) at the Virtue Homes carpark (41-45 Standing Drive, Traralgon).

The event has been set up in support of RUOK Day.

Youcan be apartof Community Corner

IF youare acommunitygroupand have any newsitems you need publicised, feel free to email us at news@lvexpress.com.au

You can address the correspondence to Editor, Liam Durkin.

Please write ‘Community Corner’ in the subject line and nothing else.

Deadline is Friday 9am to appear in the following Wednesday issue.

Community Corner with Liam Durkin

Latrobe Valley Express, Wednesday, 11 September, 2024 —Page 51

Four figures: TerryGrech waspresented acertificatefromMoe/Newborough KeenagersClub VicePresident PatEsse upon reaching 1000 sessions of tabletennis Photograph supplied

Melbourne, Mystics starting to shine

HeyfieldbeatsChurchill in rematch,advancesthrough

Big dance: Heyfield got revengeonChurchill, winning the second and most important fixture between the twosides in the 2024 finals series,advancing to the Grand Final. Photograph supplied

NETBALL NORTH GIPPSLAND BY TOM HAYES

THE North Gippsland netball Grand Final teams have been decided after an incredible Preliminary Final at the weekend.

After facing each other in the first week of finals, Churchill would once again meet Heyfield, this time in aPreliminary Final.

Despite going the long way aroundafter losing the Qualifying Final by agoal, Heyfield had the home court advantage,withthe third week of finals being played at Gordon Street Reserve.

Wanting to get revenge, the Kangaroos certainly looked the goods coming into the battle, knowing they had beaten the Cougars previously this season.

Heyfield took aslightadvantage in the early stagesofthe match, despiteboth sidesgoing toe-to-toe in the opening two quarters.

Churchill were first on the board, but it didn’t take long for Heyfield to get the scoreboard back in their favour.

After the first two terms, the Kangaroos entered each break with alead of just acouple of goals.

It was do-or-die for Churchill, who continued to trail in the third term, but things beganto get out of hand.

Despite cominginto the gameasthe lower seed, the home side put the pedal to the metal, piling on multiple goals, deflating the Cougars in amatter of minutes.

Their grip on the game was so strong that they had extended out to a12-goal lead at one stage, before the Cougars pegged them back afew to go into the last quarter 10 goals off the pace.

There was simply no answer. Churchill tried their best to stake acomeback, but whatever they did was matched by the Kangaroos. So much so, that arun of play saw four consecutive turnovers, two from each side.

Churchill came late, but it was too late, going down by nine goals, seeing Heyfield through to the Grand Final.

The Kangaroos will face Sale City, who have survived2024undefeated, and will be looking to finish it off with one more win at Gaskin Park this Saturday.

NGFNL Grand Final Preview -Pages 30-31

Under15: Combined Saints 4.2, 4.2, 5.8, 8.11(59) def TEDAS 1.0, 5.2, 6.5, 7.5(47). Combined Saints -Goals: KThorley3,L Seeber 2, QRoss,F Rowley, CVan der Meer.Best: None selected. TEDAS-Goals: Not supplied. Best: None selected.

Under 13: Police Boys 2.0, 3.0, 3.0, 4.0 (24) def South Side 1.2, 1.4, 1.4, 2.5 (17). Police Boys -Goals: NEdgar,BPatton, J Sedqwick, EWhite. Best: None selected. South Side -Goals: LGeary, CPollard. Best: None selected. Under 11: TEDAS1.4,1.8,6.10, 6.13(49) def Combined Saints 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0 (0). TEDAS -Best: JHeily, AReid, AAitken, L Pass,T Wilhem,L James.Combined Saints: None selected. Sunday,August 25 at ApexPark,Traralgon

Preliminary Finals

Under15: Combined Saints 2.3, 5.5, 9.5, 11.8 (74) def West End 2.2, 4.6, 8.9, 10.0 (69). Combined Saints -Goals: F Rowley3,N Archibald 2, LSeeber 2, O Wilkins2,F Gore,C Vander Meer.Best: K Thorley, FRowley, OWilkins,T Colaciello, AStanistreet, QRoss.West End -Goals: KHart-Theissling 3, BStevenson 3, L Nicholls 2, WEdgar,LHenry. Best:K Hart-Theissling,LBastin, CTatchell, B Stevenson, LNicholls, WEdgar

Under 13: South Side 1.2, 2.2, 5.3, 9.3 (57) def TEDAS 1.1, 1.3, 2.5, 3.5 (23). South Side -Goals: SDarby2,CPollard2,T Benbow, GDeng,HHarle,HMacpherson, T Shaw. Best: None selected. TEDAS -Goals: JPoursanidis 2, BPasquill. Best: TAdams, BCooper,MChan, DWood,BSykes,H Kurrle

Under 11: Combined Saints 3.0, 4.0, 4.1, 5.1 (31) def Yinnar 0.1, 2.1, 2.1, 2.2 (14). Combined Saints -Goals: HMcMahon 3, X Szkwarek 2. Best: XSzkwarek, HMcMahon, HRawson, MBlackford,LFlowers,A Ross Yinnar -Goals: HBrighton, CVisser. Best: AMcCulloch, CHopkins,EBenson, H Brighton, DYoung, MRussell.

BASKETBALL WNBA

BY TOM HAYES

TRARALGON basketball export Jade Melbourne has had an enjoyable return to the WNBA with Washington Mystics.

Returning to the US as an Olympic bronze medallist, Melbourne began to show some more on thecourt in the big league.

Heading into the Olympic break, the Mystics had a6-19 win-loss record, but since then in their last 10 outings, they have improved significantly. Coming back to the league wasn’t theeasiest for Washington, but Melbourne seemed to hit the ground running, working in manydifferent aspects

The teamlosttheir openingthree games after the Olympics, seeingthe record stoop to 6-22, however Melbourne performed admirably.

She put up 10 points in nine minutes in her first game back against the Minnesota Lynx, then had amore all-round performance in the return game, putting up four points, three rebounds and two assists.

In the last loss of the streak, Melbourne put up five rebounds in Washington’sloss to Melbourne’s former side, Seattle Storm.

The Mystics then recorded three consecutive wins to counter their losing streak.

They began their own streak with asix-point win over the Los Angeles Sparks, winning 80-74.

GOLF

CHURCHILL &MONASH

Monthly Medal Saturday31st August 2024.

AGrade Winner: C. Waring 16 72 Nett

BGrade Winner: W. Sutton2574Nett

CGrade Winner: R. Welsh 28 70 Nett

Medal

Scratch: N. Lugton 81

D.T.L: 1. T. Webb 74,2.M.Brereton74, 3. P. Smart74, 4. G. Sanders74, 5. N. Lugton 75, 6. D. Byers75,7.Ad. West 75, 8. M. Soppe 75, 9. D. Burridge 75

N.T.P: 3rdR.King, 5th P. Smart, 12th P. Bolding,14th R. Noordam Putts: R. Welsh 24

Birdies: P. Bolding 12th, P. Smart3rd

Target Hole: T. Webb

Tuesday3rd September Monthly Medal.

Medal Winner: S. Caldwell 22 82

Scratch: S. Caldwell 104

Putts: L. Brent 34, M. Ryan 34, L. VanRooy

34

D.T.L: L. VanRooy86

N.T.P: 12th L. VanRooy, 5th S. Caldwell, 14th C. Stevens

MIRBOONORTH

Saturday7th September.Stroke,

AGrade: SWoodall (11) 69 nett,

BGrade: GDawson (16) 68 nett,

DTL: TBaker,P Draper 71, NBickerton, D

Jerram 72 c/b

NTP: 4th TBradshaw, 6th RMatthews,13th

TBradshaw, 16th GDawson, Birdies: 6th TWhitelaw, Star medal winner: NBickerton 72 c/b

MOE

Sunday, 01 September 2024 OPEN

SundayMedley Stableford

Grade AWinners: Devent, Anton (9) 28

Place Getters: Lee,Shaun 27

Wednesday, 04 September 2024

WOMEN'S WEDNESDAY 9HOLE

Stableford

Grade AWinners: Lee,Judy (39) 14

Wednesday, 04 September 2024

Melbourneonly managed one point, one rebound, andtwo assists. When Washington was due to face the Storm again,Melbourne recorded another five points, as well as arebound and an assist in the two-point win, 74-72.

They then made it three wins in arow, improving their record to 9-22, in afour-point win over Chicago Sky. Melbourne tallied just the single assist in 10 minutes on the floor, but nonetheless, the Mysticswon 74-70.

Washington’s form saw amomentary dip, with aloss to Connecticut Sun. Melbourne was again prominent from all facets, scoringsix points, as well as putting up two reboundsand three assists This was then followed by another two wins, beginning with afour-point win over the Dallas Wings, whereMelbourne scored five points and provided four assists.

In the second win of the streak, Melbourne could only register asingleassist, but nonetheless, the Mystics had five winsintheir last sixgames after they defeated the Phoenix Mercury 90-77. Most recently, Melbourne recordedanimpressive nine points in aloss to the Lynx. Playing just 14 minutes, Melbourne also collected two boards. Melbourne's WNBA season will come to aclose on Friday, September 20.

With five games to go in Washington's season, their final game will be against the Indiana Fever, as they hope to improve on their 11-24 record.

WOMEN'S STROKE -MONTHLYMEDAL

Grade AWinners: Borg, Kathy(21) 77

Grade BWinners: Thompson, Pat(29) 77

Place Getters: Beath, Joy78Donaldson, Leanne 79 C/B

Nearest to Pin: 4th JoyBeath

Target Hole: KathyBorg

Myster Sixes: Leanne Donaldson

PuttsA Grade: Leanne Donaldson (29)

PuttsBGrade: JoyBeath (32)

Thursday, 05 September 2024 OPEN

Medley Stableford

Grade AWinners: Stirzaker,Jason (9) 39

Grade BWinners: Ayton, Kevin(13)43

Grade CWinners: White, Rodney(16)42

Grade DWinners: Tsebelis,Peter (21) 39

C/B

Place Getters: Allen, Ray39 C/B,Ray, Michael 39 C/B,Van Der Meulen, Luke39, Stansbury, Les 38 C/B,Boyce,John 38, Goodwin, Barry38C/B,Hibbs,Steven38, Harland, Bob 37 C/B,Winters, Jamie 37, White, Lockie 36 C/B,Garlick, Karl 36 C/B VANBAALEN, Simon 36 C/B,Hayes,Albert 36 C/B,White, Darren 36, Dow, William 35 C/B

Great Score: Jason Stirzaker (Birdie) @ 8, John Boyce(Birdie) @8,Craig Dunstan (Birdie) @14, Joel Poole (Birdie) @8

Nearest to Pin: 4th Bob Harland, 8th Steven Hibbs,14th RobertMayo Friday, 06 September 2024 WOMEN'S BOWL

Type : Four-ball AggregateStableford Winners: KymSkinner,Jill White&Maree Thompson, Mirboo Nth.

Agrade winner: KarenMacGregor, Trafalgar

Bgrade winner: Corena Boers, Morwell Saturday, 07 September 2024 Stableford

Grade AWinners: Robertson, Jenna (7) 33 C/B

Place Getters: Borg, Kathy33 Saturday, 07 September 2024 Alan Cairns

Memorial Monthly Medal Type : Stroke

Overall Winners: Veenman, Laurie (9) 69

Medal Winner

Grade AWinners: Veenman, Laurie (9) 69

Grade BWinners: Ayton, Kevin (12) 70 C/B

Grade CWinners: O'Farrell, Kevin(19)75 C/B

Place Getters: Buckman, Peter70, Kurrle,Ryan71, Colvin, Anthony72 C/B, Harber,John 72, Stephens,Simon 73 C/B, Stephens,Peter 73 C/B,Babet, Alain 73, Malone,Todd 74 C/B,Wilson, Lee 74 C/B, Weir,Charles 74

Gross Winner: Aaron Bassman 74

Great Score: Ryan Kurrle (Birdie) @8,Joel Poole (Birdie) @8,TonyJohnson (Birdie) @14, Paolo Calabrese (Birdie) @8,Dale Collings (Birdie) @14

Nearest to Pin: 4th Simon Stephens,8th WhitneyHiriaki, 14th Charles Johnson MysterySixes PrizeWinner: Joel PooleMORWELL

4th September 2024 -Women's Stroke Monthly Medal Medal Winner: IYoshimura76nett

DTL: CBoers77nett

NTP: 2nd CBoers8th DVuillermin 11th I Yoshimura15th NTePaa Count Putts: NTePaa 29 putts

YALLOURN

Ladies Thursday5/9/24Ladies 18 Hole ParEvent Winner: LynMcAlister (20) +3 DTL Judy Budge

Crowded schedule: Traralgon basketballer Jade Melbourne has resumed duties in theWNBA following the Olympics File photograph

Rampant season comes to aclose

SALOON RACING

By TOM HAYES

RECENTLYcompleting their latest saloon racing seasonswereTraralgonbrothers Jack and Tom Braz.

The season just passed presented some new challenges for the pair,asthey would no longer be driving in the same class, as 18-year-old Jack progressed up into the senior Men’s Standard Saloon class.

Jack seeminglymoved intoahigher class without any troubles, winning at Bairnsdale and coming runner-up at Rosedale throughout the season.

Competing with seasoned drivers, Jack also completed afourth place finish in the Victorian State Title.

His most remarkable moment of the season howeverwas whenhetook out the Victorian Standard Saloon Super Series, which saw him travel all over the state, stopping in places such as Wahgunyah, Wangaratta, Alexandra, Nyora, and Rosedale.

As first seasons in such competitions go, this certainly was one to look back on, impressing as the season continued.

Jackadmittedthe step-upinclass meant that the competitiveness and speedwas turned up anotch.

“(It was) hard to pass and (there was) alot more cars in the races,” he said.

“I had my best season ever in Speedway for my first yearinMen’s. Ikeep trying to improve my driving from one race meetingtothe next, also learning more about how to set up the car for different tracks… and engine building.”

Sixteen-year-oldTom’s stockcontinued to rise,

Photographs: Image Worx

taking his racing to the next level in the Junior Standard Saloon class.

He tallied multiplewins and seemed to thrive on local tracksincluding Bairnsdale and Rosedale specifically. Tom also took outthe Skidz NextGen Standard Saloon Showdown -aseries of four meetings.

He won on club points at Bairnsdaleand Rosedale for ajuniordriver.

Unlike his brother, Tom got unlucky during the Victorian Junior State Titles. It’s reported he suffered aflat tyre which put him out of contention, which might’ve been arelief for other drivers.

His best moment of the season was when he went

back-to-back, winning two races in two days at Rosedale Speedway for the Colin Stewart Memorial.

“I had my best season ever in juniors,” Tom said.

He told the Express that next season he hopes to “be more patient, pick the right times to pass the other competitors, and make sure my bonnet clips are in which Iforgot afew times this season”. Heading into his last junior season, Tom looks forwardtothe challenge ahead.

“It will be my last year in juniors. Iwould love to finish at the pointy end of the Victorian State Title, that would be fantastic,” he said.

“When Igointo Men’s, I’ll be racing with my brother again, which will be competitive and fun.”

The boy’s father, Robert, was proud of their efforts after yet another long and progressive season.

“We had afantastic season. It was ahugeeffort, keeping two carsonthe track all year,countlessof hours in thesheds with the boys, and Mumtaking care of all the other stufflikepackingrace gear, helmets,lunches,logbooks,aswell as towing(the cars) all around Victoria,she does afantastic job,” Robert said.

“We completed 28 race meetings for the season… as parents,wecouldnot be prouder of the boys, what they have achieved, especially in the short amount of time they have been in the sport.”

Jack, Tom, and Robert would all liketothank all for their assistance, particularly: Traralgon Tyre Service, Burson Auto Parts Traralgon, Gippsland Signs, Traralgon Gippsland Dyno Tuning, Oliver Panel Beaters, Autobarn Traralgon, and the Dennis, Galagher, and Haley families.

Locals represented at CountryRacing Victoria awardsnight

HORSERACING

LOCAL jockey Thomas Stockdale has beennamed Country Racing Victoria Jockey of the Year.

Stockdale was presented the Neville Wilson Medal at Country Racing Victoria’s awards night, capping off astellar season.

The25-year-old rode 86 winners from512 starts in 2023/24.

His best ride cameinthe CountryDiscovery

Final, winning the $500,000 race on Good Friday aboard Savannah Cloud.

He beat Billy Egan and 2021 Traralgon Cup winning jockey Jamie Mott for premiership honours by three winners.

Uponaccepting the award,Stockdalesaidhe was honoured to take out the countrypremiership

“It’s something that I’m really proudof, I’ve been working so hard to get traction and Ifinally found it,” he said.

“To take out the premiership and have my family here on the night is something really special.”

Stockdalejoins an illustrious list of previous winners,including lateGippsland great PeterMertens

Representatives from Moe and Latrobe Valley (Traralgon )r acin gc lubs converged on the Melbourne Exhibition Centrefor the occasion, gathering with industry partners.

The event heard from Minister for Racing, Anthony Carbines, who is set to officially open the new pavilion at Moe Racing Club next week.

Moe had its most recent meeting cancelled due to high winds (scheduled for Monday, September 2).

Great guns: Countr yRacing Victoria Jockeyof

supplied

Shadow Minister for Racing and Member for Gippsland East,Tim Bull was also present at the awards night, as was Latrobe Valley Express journalist Liam Durkin.

Durkin was nominated for amedia award for his work covering racing in Gippsland.

As one of three finalists for the Jack Styring Country Racing Victoria Media Award, Durkin had to settle for apodium finish to deserved winners Fiona Blair and Grace Ramage from the Ladies Who Punt podcast.

St Paul’scaps off successful year at Equestrian Champs

Topmarks: St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School student, PhoebeCavill wasnamed overall statechampioninSenior Preliminar y Dressage Photographs supplied

THE St Pau l’s An gl ican Gr am mar Sch ool Equestrian team has had abusy and successful year, finishing in 11th place out of 164 schools at the recent Equestrian Victoria Interschool State Championships.

Three students qualified for the nationals after the event, held at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre.

Among the highlights, Phoebe Cavill (Year 10 Traralgon Campus) claimed the title of overall state champion in Senior Preliminary Dressage. She placed fifth in the first test and first in the second test which culminated in theoverall championship win.

Earlier in the year, the St Paul’s Traralgon team of Layla Young, StellaCardilloand PhoebeCavill won the team section of the Stratford Interschool Event.

Participation in Equestrian at St Paul’s offers students more than justathletic pursuits. It fosters community engagement, cultivates crosscampus friendships and promotes their wellbeing outdoors, making it avaluable co-curricular activity.

Crowned: TomBrazreceives his trophyfor winning at Rosedale Speedway

Can’t win ‘em all: Latrobe ValleyExpress journalist Liam Durkin (left) wasnamed afinalist in the Countr yRacing Victoria media awards.Heispictured with mumMaria, brother James and dad Sean

Decorated: Jack Braz had an exceptionalfirst season in the Men’s StandardSaloon.

Trio: St Paul’s Traralgon’sStratford Interschool Event team:StellaCardillo (Year 9), Phoebe Cavill (Year 10)and Layla Young(Year 7).

the Year,Thomas Stockdale Photographs

Caleb’s comeback 12 months in themaking

FOOTBALL NORTH GIPPSLAND

BY LIAM DURKIN

CALEB Michie neverlost agame playing for TTU last season. He never played in thepremiership either.

After playing13ofapossible 18 games in 2023, fate dealt him acruel handboth figuratively and literally.

While the Bombers celebrated their first flag in close to 20 years, Michie wasconfined to the side lines, the result of an injury to his hand sustained afortnight earlier.

Watching on as his teammateslifted the premiership cup was undoubtedly atough pill to swallow, but with the Bombers into another Grand Final and Michie injury free, the big man is counting his blessings.

“I’m grateful for whereIamnow,weare back in the same spot and this time I’m not injured,” he said.

“(It’s)prettysurreal, missed out last year (which was)heart breaking for myself,but this year, hopefully we can get the chocolates and Ican get my first medal.”

The second-year Bomber enjoyed amuch less stressful semi-finalthistimearound, with TTU disposingofYallourn Yallourn North with relative ease.

“That was arelief, all the boys were saying to get subbed off in the last five minutes to make sure that you can get your name in for next week, because we knew we’d locked it up when we were up by 50 points,” Michie told the Express Michie spent most of last summer on the recovery

Woodside’struly unique historychops, changes

FOOTBALL

NORTH GIPPSLAND

BY LIAM DURKIN

BEFORE becomingthe Federal Memberfor Gippsland, Darren Chester could be found running around in local footy.

Ayoung Chester played for Won Wron-Woodside, winning areserves premiershipin1986around about his 19th birthday.

Won Wron-Woodside forms part of the complicated story that is the Woodside District Football-Netball Club seen today in the North Gippsland FootballNetball League.

While someclubsmay have changed locations over time, it is unlikely any have shifted to the extent Woodside has.

Despiteall the changes, Woodside is back to where it all started… sort of.

It is playing football and netball in the town of Woodside itself -which hasn’talways beenthe case. Woodsidewas asinglefootball club until merging with nearby Won Wron in 1982.

The Woodside Blues were adominant force in the late 1940s and early 1950s, taking six consecutive Alberton FNL premierships back to Woodside Recreation Reserve from 1947 to 1952.

Won Wron didn’t fare nearly as well, struggling for years without once saluting on Grand Final day.

As Won Wron-Woodside however, they enjoyed success, with apremiership in 1994.

FutureAFL Number1 draft pick Anthony Banik played his first senior game as a14-year-old for

Won Wron-Woodside in 1987, kicking three goals against Yarram.

It was said Kevin Sheedy got word of this kid from the bush, and sent down an Essendon recruiter to scout him out.

Ironically,Banik ended up going to Richmond, the club Sheedy had played more than 250 games for.

In and around all of this was aclub known as Devon-Welshpool, itself amerged entity.

Devon merged with Welshpool in 1995,and at the end of the next season, Devon-Welshpool and Won Wron-Woodside combined.

Amazingly, four clubs became one.

Even more amazingly, the new team took in a catchment of 50 kilometres and two municipalities, from Welshpool in South Gippsland Shire to Woodside in Wellington Shire.

Originally known as East CoastAllies, the name was changed to Devon-Welshpool-Won Wron-Woodside to incorporate and recogniseall four clubs.

DWWWW won three flags, the most recent of which wasremembered with a20-yearreunion last year.

The changes didn’t stop there however.

In adramatic situation, the mostly Won WronWoodside section of DWWWW,advocatedfor a move out of Alberton and into the NGFNL.

Another section of the club relented, and in an extraordinary move, part of DWWWW broke away to form Woodside District which currently competes.

DWWWW has been in recess since 2017, while Woodside District has prospered.

While there is still some conjecture about whether

trail,and said he wasn’t taking any chancestomake sure he was back in time for Round 1.

“I had a‘manage injury first’ approach,just make sure every niggle in my body was right and stay within the limits of myself,work from that,” he said.

“The hand has been harder than Ithought (to recover from), because Ilost about 50 per cent of my strength in my left arm after Ibroke my hand, it’s still not the same but getting back to what it used to be.

“Gotten to the point now where the body's feeling good, head's feeling good.”

Michie has played another 13 games this season, kicking 17 goals playing as ahybridkey position at either end of the ground.

His hard luck story of last year adds to the many often seen during Grand Final week.

For Michie, the only game he missed between Round15, 2023 and Round 6, 2024 was in fact the Grand Final.

Speaking about the events of last year, acandid Michie knew he was in trouble on semi-final day.

“I wentfor the ruck againstFoaty (Woodside ruckman Ryan Foat), it feltlike abrick had crushed my hand when Ihit the ball, that’s when Iknew something was up,” he recalled.

“The Thursday night before the granny, Iknew Ijust couldn’t do it, they ruled me out about 10 minutes before they announced the teams in the rooms.

“I really wanted to play but Iwent and saw the hand surgeonthe Thursday before Icame to training and he was like ‘look, you can either play and damage your hand even more and have lifelong complications’.”

Michie wasgiven the opportunity to prove his fitness, which only reinforced what he already knew in his heart.

“I was getting put in positions to show Icould mark the ball,” he said of the last training session. “Puda, last year’s coach Jamie Aitken, was pelting the ball at my hand. Ijust couldn’t do it. Deepdown Iknew it wasn’t going to happen(get the all clear).”

Michie still had the chance to get apremiership medal himself, as he was offered an ultimatum to play for the TTU reserves.

He declined, saying he didn’t feel right about taking the placeofsomeone who had been with the team all year.

Instead, he did the running for the seniors. His replacement for the Grand Final jumped ship just afew weeks after the game.

Michie played ahand in getting his team to last year’s Grand Final, kicking two important goals in an 18-point semi-final victory.

For this part, he may have rightly felt every bit apremiership player.

Unfortunatelythough, they only handout medals to the players and coaches on Grand Final day.

One of those players was his older brother, Liam.

The pair had taken something of agamble by joining TTU as apackage deal at the end of 2022, without any direct connection to the club. Their dad, Brad Michie, and uncle Glenn Michie, both enjoyed stellarcareers in and around Gippsland.

Calebisthe only one left without aflag, and said joining his brother on the premiershipdaishad been ahuge motivating factor.

“I was good to see my brother win last year. I won’t lie, Ished afew tears whenI sawhim get hismedal,” Caleb said.

“Last yearthat’s all we were talking about ‘imagine if we won one together’, it has been all over my mind, it would be agreat feeling.”

NGFNL Grand Final Preview -Pages 30-31

or not premierships won by DWWWW can be counted as Woodside flags, the Wildcats include them as part of their history.

As Devon, Welshpooland Devon-Welshpool existed without the assistance of Woodside or Won-Wron Woodside, the history of thoseclubs is set aside.

Home grounds of the former clubs were Alberton West Recreation Reserve (DWWWW and Devon), Arthur Sutherland Reserve (Welshpool) and WonWron Rec.

Remnants from atime pastare still visibleat those grounds.

'Macca' Banik played for DWWWW in the most recent 'Woodside' flag of 2003.

Speaking at last year's reunion, he and current

Woodside president Ash Walpole said they would love nothing more than to see aWoodside flag.

“Hopefully in 10 year’s time we can have a 30-year Allies and a10-year Woodside(premiership reunion),” Walpole said.

“They can forget about us and move on,” Banik said laughing.

“Would love it, would be agreat thing.” Woodside will enter theNGFNL Grand Final with its senior and reserves teams participating. This will be the first time the Wildcats havemade areserves Grand Final in theirmodern incarnation.

Adding another layer to the story, their reserves opponent,Yallourn YallournNorth, are alsoa merged entity.

NGFNL Grand Final Preview -Pages 30-31

Stars announce coaches, Solomon earns selection

NETBALL GIPPSLAND STARS

BY TOM HAYES

THE Gippsland Stars recently announced they would field aVNL Championship side for the 2025season,revealing the coachingstaff forthe inaugural season.

Karen Meredith wasannouncedtobethe VNL Championship coach for the Stars. She has a plethoraofcoaching experienceatanumber of VNL programs.

Her ties to Gippsland are true, as the lead coach at the Eastern Talent Academy in Gippsland. Meredithiscurrentlythe head coach at Pakenham Lions.

Gippsland Stars Under 23 assistant coach, Stacie Gardiner, will take the next step, becoming the assistant coach of the Championship side. She

will now oversee the day-to-day operations of the Championship team, as well as playing in the side.

Lastly, Moe Lions premiership coachRamayer Gourley willjoin the side as aspecialist coach, working side by side with Gardiner. Gourley has awealth of VNL experience.

The Gippsland Stars also announced that Jo Ballinger will remain as the U23 coach for the 2025season, and willbejoined by the incoming Rachael Patterson as assistant coach next season.

Patterson is atwo-time GippslandLeague A Grade premiership coach and has led many successful representative sides.

An expression of interest has been posted to the Gippsland Stars’ socials, calling for Gippslandbased netballers who might be interested in joining the open-age Championship side.

Playerswho are interested to playinthe highest state league competition are urged to register their interest at: forms.office.com/r/1EJkkpbDv4

 SOON to be in action is Morwell and U23 Gippsland Star, Anna Solomon, who was selected to represent Victoria’s First Nations team.

The Netball Australia First Nations tournament involves U23 teams from aroundthe country in athree-daycompetition in Melbourne this week (September 13 to 15).

The pilot hopes to offer an opportunity for First Nations netballers, coaches and umpires across the country.

Solomon made the 10-player squad (plus four training partners) to compete at the tournament.

Star: Morwell’sAnna

selected in Victoria’sFirst Nationsside to compete at the Netball Australia FirstNationstournament.

Plenty to smileabout: TTU footballer Caleb Michie is preparing to play in his firstGrand Final, 12 months afterinjury robbed him of the chancetodoso. Photograph: Liam Durkin

Solomonwas

Historic: Brad Dwyer,Corey Janseen andDamien Kerr celebrateWoodside’s last senior premiership,ofsorts,won by DWWWWin2003. Kerr is aformer playing-coach of Morwell.

Photograph supplied

Gold gloryfor Beecroft at Paris Games

PARALYMPICS

SWIMMING

BY TOM HAYES

TRARALGON’S Emily Beecroft went one better after fellow Traralgon swimmer, Ruby Storm claimedsilver at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Storm played apartinthe silver medal-winning teaminthe S14 Mixed 4x100m FreestyleRelayon Monday, September 2(AEST).

Earlier on September 2, Beecroft entered the pool for the firsttimeatthe Games, for the heats of the 34 Points Mixed4x100mMedleyRelay.

The Australian team of Beecroft, Keira Stephens, Jesse Aungles, and Callum Simpsonput in an

almighty shift, winning the first heat to confirm progression to the final.

In doing so, the four Aussies eventually finished with the second-best overall time after completion of the other heat, immediately putting them in medal contention.

Entering the final later that night, Beecroft was joined by Aungles, Timothy Hodge, and Alexa Leary, as Stephens and Simpson sat out of the final

The relay started with Aungles and Hodgein the pool, thetwo startedwithimpressive times for the first half of the race. Nonetheless, at this point of the race, Australia was still second to the Netherlands -the nation that recorded the fastest time during the heats.

Beecroft swam third of the four, putting in the

fastest 50m split so far for the team, but was still seven seconds off the pace from the Dutch team when Alexa Leary entered the water. Learyclinched three seconds fromthe Dutch in the first 50m, setting up athrillingfinish Launching toward the finish, she wasn’t going to be stopped, climbing from four seconds behind in the final 50m to win by asecond.

Gold for Australia. Gold for Beecroft.

It was Beecroft’s first-ever Paralympic gold medal, after claiming silver and bronze at the Tokyo2020 Paralympic Games.

Beecroft still had two more events in the coming days, starting with the S9 100m Freestyle.

The heats began on the evening of September 4 (AEST). In Heat 1, Beecroftfinished third to almost certainly gain progression to the final.

In the second heat, her Australian relayteammate, Leary, not only won her heat, but also claimed aworld record in the processwith a59.60. Nonetheless, Beecroft had the fourth best time overall.

Beecroft improved in the final, but her overall position did not. She swam eight tenths faster than her heat, butfinished the final in fourth. Leary remained head and shoulders above everyone else, claiming gold and beating herown world record she set hours before with a59.53

For her final event of the Paralympics, Beecroft madeasplash in the S9 100m Butterfly. Shecame third in the second heat, recording the fourthfastest time overall to easily progress to the final.

Withher eyes set on her first-ever individual Paralympic medal, Beecroft had her best chance yet. As farasthe front four swimmers went, there wasn’ttoo much overtaking action betweenthe two splits. But Beecroft did find herself in the top three at the halfway mark,hanging on just -by0.03 seconds from the Netherlands’ Florianne Bultje. Swimming to the finish line, the US’ Christie Raleigh-Crossley came home comfortably to claim

gold,with Hungary’sZsofia Konkolyaclose second. It was aduel between Beecroftand Bultje for third, with the former holding on in the back half of the swim. As they reached the line, Beecroft realise she had reached her goal, claiming bronze by two-and-a-half tenths of asecond.

Speaking to the Express aheadofthe Paralympic Games, Beecroft admittedthat she was“in good contention of apodium finish”, realising her chance to “hopefully grab an individual medal”. Reaching herdream, Beecroft not only leaves Paris with her first individual medal, but also a gold, capping off asuccessful Games.

Son of local gun shines in final, Schutte steps onto big stage

FOOTBALL

AFL/AFLW

BY TOM HAYES

THERE is certainly no lack of footballfromalocal standpoint right now.

With finals now in full swing in the AFL, and the AFLW season now two weeksin, we are in the thick of it.

 DESPITE no locals playing in the finals last weekend, it was only fair to highlight the efforts of the son of alocal legend.

Playing for Hawthorn, Calsher Dear kicked 3.4 in the Hawks 14.15 (99)to9.8 (62) Elimination Final win over the Western Bulldogs.

Calsher is the son of Paul Dear -the late Churchill local who won the 1991 Norm Smith Medal. Morwell’s Changkuoth Jiath will be hoping to put his handback up forselection, followinga troubling period with acalfcomplaint.

Jiath hasn’t played since early-to-mid August, butwill be hoping to come back into the Hawks outfit for his first final if fit, after the news that defender Sam Frost is out for the season.

 IN the women’s code, four local girls got arun at theweekend.

Traralgon’s Lily-Rose Williamson got her first game of the season, welcomed back intothe Essendon team after last playing at the top level in Season 7, at the end of 2022.

Travelling to the country’s west, Williamson faced the Eagles. Essendon picked up their first win of the season, 6.5 (41) to 3.7 (25).

Williamson ended up playing one of the better games of her six-game career, collecting eight

disposals to go with two marks, two tackles, agoal andagoal assist.

Collingwood hosted Hawthorn later that day, which saw two locals go head-to-head, both celebrating milestones of sorts.

For Collingwood, Traralgon’s Amber Schuttewas making her debut, whilefor the Hawks,Morwell’s Casey Sherriffwas playingher 50thAFLW game.

Onlyone wouldleave the ground in goodspirits, as it had to be the happy team at Hawthorn, who won easily, 11.7(73) to 3.8(26).

Asomewhat close first half was blown completely out of proportioninthe second, when Hawthorn kicked 5.1 (31) to two behinds in the third quarter.

Sherriffhad aday to remember with nine disposals,threemarks, three tackles,two clearances and agoal.

Schutte had four disposalstogowith two tackles and aclearance for the Magpies on debut.

Traralgon’s Darcy Guttridge featured for St Kilda in their 6.6 (42) to 4.2 (26) win over Sydney.

St Kilda couldn’t make the most of their scoring opportunities, but managed to lead by six points at quarter time, holding Sydney scoreless.

The hosts ramped it up in the final three quarters, adding three goals to one behind at halftime.

Sydney won the second half, but they were too far back to make up the distance.

Guttridge had 10 disposals and agoal, to go with three marks, five tackles, and two clearances.

MORE FOOTBALL -Pages 25-32

Faceoff: Local footballers CaseySherriff (left) and Amber Schutte meet on the AFLWfield for the firsttime.

Photograph: Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos

Dream: Emily Beecroft poses with the Paralympic-gold winningrelayteam.