Latrobe Valley Express Wednesday 15 February 2023

Molto bene

Energy giant fined $1.5m

By TOMHAYES

ENERGY Australiahas been fined over the death of Yallourn Power Station worker, Graeme Edwards, in 2018.

The electricity giant pleaded guiltytothree offences, resulting in fines totalling $1.5 million.

Mr Edwards, 54, was aunit controller at the Yallourn Power Station, and was very experienced in hisfield, with around 30 years experience.

Mr Edwards was performing routine maintenance when the short-circuit fault occurred,causing the fatal explosion.

The explosioncreated high temperatures, igniting the clothes of Mr Edwards,burning 90 percent of his body.

Mr Edwards died the next day in the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.

Three years after Mr Edwards’ death, WorkSafefiled charges against his employer, Energy Australia.

The following investigationdiscoveredthe first charge:apanel, which is used to protect operators fromthe arc flash, was not secured properly.

During the investigation, other inconsistencies were found. They were the training in regard to the “racking” procedure,compared to the staff manual provided.

Cameron defends Valley

By PHILIP HOPKINS

THE new Nationals Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, blasted the growing divide and inequality between townand countryinhis inaugural speech to state Parliament last week.

Alook at the map of Victoria’s political seats shows that, “you can see the wagons are starting to circle,asthe country have had enough of the biased inner-city spend”, he said.

He wasreferring to the success in regional Victoria of The Nationals and Liberalsinthe state election, where the Labor Party’s support was mainly limited to Melbourne and the regional cities of Geelong,Ballarat and Bendigo.

“The (Latrobe) Valley’s DNA is being tested at the moment.”

Mr Cameron said while taking an interest in politics, he previously had little knowledge of the inner workings of the political arena.

“Now, do not get me wrong; Icare

aboutdecisions made that affectmyself, my family and the community where I live. NormallyI am a362-day-a-year shorts-wearing, hi-vis polo, work bootwalking plumber. Yep, Iamatradie,” he said.

“The change to asuit, fresh shirts, atie and shoes with laces is certainlytaking abit of gettingused to. Home is about two hoursfrom here. Ihave lived all my lifeand raised my familyinthe best place possible.”

Close to the beach,snow and Melbourne, “I live in theLatrobe Valley”.

“For those in here who do not get past the Pakenham border,weare just alittle further down the road, so please come for avisit,” he quipped.

“Howdoes aplumber end up here?

How does someone who finished Year 10 at school, who was an apprentice plumber for four years, who continued to workasaplumber up untiltwo months ago, with no political training, get

elected the first time he tries? Could it be that people can relate to my journey, and have trust in someone who is outside the political arena, or is it because Iam asmall business owner and family man who has endured allthe ups and downs of day-to-day life just like them?”

Mr Cameron saidworking as a plumber, clients answered the knock on the door, were happy to see him and say, ‘Come on in’.

“It may be that Iamunblocking their toilet or fixing theirheater, but they are happy to let me in... after fixing their issue, it normally involves acuppa, a biscuit or sometimes, depending on who it is, some hot scones. Then the conversation starts,” he said.

“I get to hear first-hand about the cost of living these days: rates, power bills, waterbills,gas bills,insurances, school fees- the list goes on.How getting into a doctor can take up to aweek, the state of our crumbling country roads, whether I

will get an ambulance if Iring andhow it takesthree to sixmonths to see amental healthspecialist and even adentist-all things thatworry most mums and dads, old, middle-aged and young.”

Mr Cameronsaidone of the other concerns he alwaysheard was the disconnectbetween the city and the country.

“We country people see all the money being spent on roads, tunnels and rail services forthe city,and we are left with crumbling country roads that cost lives, abridge that cannot be opened in Tyers, and our trains -well, they are called buses,” he said.

“In our part of the world we supply and maintain Melbourne’s power, timber supplies, water, gas and, like other country areas, your food source.”

However, Mr Cameronand the Latrobe Valley was under extreme pressure.

Continued on page 10

The third and final charge was due to the fact Energy Australia failed to provideappropriate personal equipment for operators. Melbourne County Court Judge, John Carmody, said if the company didn’tplead guilty, they could have faced fines of up to $2.2 million.

Italian feverswept Mirboo North on Sunday, as more than 20,000 people flocked to enjoythe sights, sounds and of course,food, of the annual festa. MORE -PAGE 34

Major progress on Gippsland upgrades

MAJOR upgrades to the Gippsland line progressed in January, with almost seven kilometres of new tracks installed while trains weren’t running.

Acrewofalmost 700 people worked more than 94,000 hours installing new track at Garfield, Bunyip, Longwarryand Morwell, whilecoaches replaced trains for Metro Tunnel works.

About 25,000 cubicmetres of filland ballast -equivalent to the capacity of 10 Olympic-sized swimming pools -was excavatedtoallow new ballast and track to be laid.

Crews removed ballast and track at Bunyip, Longwarry and Morwell stations, and the Hope Street and McIntyre Roadlevelcrossings, and completed formation works including earthworks, drainage, stabilisation and excavationtobuild the new track.

Workiscontinuing at Traralgon Station to commission the lifts and finalise paths to the new overpassand stairs to ensure it is safe for pedestrians, with the overpass scheduled to open next month. Major construction of the station upgrades is complete, with station precinct works to be finished in coming months.

V/Line staff andcontractors alsocompleted extensive maintenance along the Gippsland Line while trains weren’t running, including replacing the bridge deck over the Bunyip River, and improvements to the machines that allow trains to change tracks in the stabling area near Traralgon Station.

Crewsalsoreplaced and repaired drainage under the track at Sale, Montgomery and Stratford,while

aspecial machine that improves the condition of the rail ran along the length of the line.

The GippslandLine Upgrade is delivering anew signalling system for the line, which will enable additional services and future-proof the line.

Director of Regional Rail Revival, Mark Havryluk, said works were moving steadily.

“We’ve been working around the clock to get as much done as possible while coaches replaced

trains for Metro Tunnel works,” he said.

“Now the track upgrades are done, we’re putting the finishing touches on our upgraded stations and completing the signalling designbefore the new signalling system begins operating later thisyear.”

Further disruptions will take place for commissioning, safety testing and driver training, to enable much-needed extra services between the peaksbetween Traralgon and Melbourne.

Clarityneeded on offshorewind farm plans

NATIONALSMember for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien, hascalledonthe state government to provideclarity on its proposed investments in offshore wind farms.

Mr O’Brien said the state government’s plan to reintroduce the State Electricity Commission (SEC)asamajor production player investing up to $1 billion in offshore wind farms is vague and unexplained.

He says the government needs to provide some detail on howthe proposed investments will impact the Gippsland South community.

“We currently haveatleast fiveoffshore wind farm proposals from majorplayers in the local and global energy supply chain and Iamaware that

there are other very big investors preparing to develop windfarm plans,” Mr O’Brien said.

“This does raise questions as to whytaxpayer money should be put towards constructing offshore wind farms given the proposed investments already from the private sector.

“The Labor Party seems to have put forward apopulist policy during the electioncampaign, but in the months since there has been very little extra information.”

Mr O’Brien said the offshore wind farm proposals could be very beneficialfor Gippsland provided that there is afocus on local jobs and investment.

“I am concerned that the government has proposed that the Port of Hastings should be the main

construction portfor the offshore wind industry in Gippsland.

“Thatwouldmakethe opportunities for Gippsland very minimal compared to other potential suppliers,and limit the amountoflocaljobsinvolved in the construction and ongoing operation of the wind farms.

“We need an assurance that the new SEC, if it is to invest in offshore wind, will actually deliver abenefit to Gippsland.

“So far the government has failed to articulate how that will occur let alone address issues such as transmissionlines and other aspectsofthe offshore wind development.”

Preparing Victorian farms for the challenges and opportunities ahead

VICTORIAN farmers will continue to have access to valuable skills training, after the extension of the Farm Business Resilience Program.

The program aims to support Victorian farm businesses by providing new and experienced farmers with theopportunity to increase their knowledge and skills to better plan for the future and adapt to achangingclimate.

Agriculture Victoria Project Leader, Kit DuncanJones,saidwhile Victorianfarmers successfully manage uncertainty and complexity every day, the business of farming is becoming morechallenging as farmers face significant risks, such as future droughts, natural disasters and other industry challenges.

“The program supports farmers striving to

better manage their business and strengthen their farm’s ability to withstand future shocks. If you’re afarmerwho wantstoput yourplans on paperand commityourtimetostrengthenyour knowledge and skills,this program willassistyou to set up your farm for success, now and into the future,” Mr Duncan-Jones said.

The program is being delivered online and faceto-face until June 2024. It includes short courses, workshops, webinars, field daysessionsand farm walks to suit the varying needsofthe farming community.

Theprogram has resources available to support decisionmaking such as the farm fitness checklist and the farm business plan template, which will

allow farmers to conduct their own business assessments and planning.

Subscribetothe Farm Business Resilience Program Alert to keep up to date with the latest information on program courses, workshops, services and resources. For more information, email Kit Duncan-Jones on kit.duncan-jones@agriculture.vic.gov.au

The Farm Business Resilience Program is jointly funded through the federal government’s Future Drought Fund and the state government’sFuture Agriculture Skills Capacity Fund. Further information about the program and the Future Drought Fund can also be found on the Agriculture Victoria website. Visitwww. agriculture.vic.gov.au/FBRP

Newand improved: Sections of rail between the existingand newplatforms at Bunyip Station beforebeing installedaspartofnew,duplicated trackinJanuary. Photograph supplied

Lynn trial date to be determined

By TOMHAYES

ACCUSED murderer,GregoryLynn, could be set for trial before the end of the year, as the Supreme Court appears likely to locate the case in Melbourne.

Lynn, 56, faced the Supreme Court for the first time on Thursday (February 9), via video link, after he was committed to stand trial last month. The Age reported that it was likely for the trial to run for up to eight weeks, and to be held in

Melbourne rather than regional Victoria.

Judicialregistrar, Tim Freeman,saidifthe case was to be held in MelbourneSupreme Court, it could occur as early as October.

Lynn is accused of killing 74-year-old Russell Hill and 73-year-old Carol Clay in Wonnangatta Valley in March, 2020.

Police allege Lynn murdered the pair, then burnt their bodies at adifferent location, north of Dargo, before returning to the location at least once to conceal the remains.

Theremains of the pair were discovered more than18monthslater,foundpartially buriedin the bush.

The Age reports that an autopsy was unable to establish acause of death as the bones recovered were in fragments.

Lynnwas charged with two counts of murder in November 2021, where he pleaded not guilty.

Lynn’strialdate is expectedtobedetermined at an upcoming administrative hearing in May this year; for now he will remain in custody.

By TOMHAYES

WARNING: thecontents of thisstory may be distressingtosomereaders. Discretion is advised.

ON Tuesday, February 7, the Herald Sun reportedthat Brendan Sokaluk, the arsonist of the 2009Black Saturday bushfires that devastated Churchilland surrounding area, would be eligible for parole this year.

Sokaluk was an ex-volunteer firefighter, but on the day of the fires, he was caught gambling and buying cigarettes before being found at the scene after calling 000.

The 42-year-old said in 2009 that he smoked whiledriving,and wrapped his lit cigarette in paper before throwingitout of the window, not knowing it was lit.

Sokaluk described the incident as “a stupid accident”.

Later, another origin point of the fire wasfound, tracing the fire back to Sokaluk.

Sokalukhad no explanation for phoning 000, no explanation for being at the edge of the plantation (where the firestarted), and no explanation for why the fire had two points of ignition.

The bushfire started by Sokaluk threatened 12 surrounding towns, destroyed 156 homes, burnt 36,000 hectares of land, and killed 11 people.

Behindbars: BrendanSokaluk (right)being investigated in 2009.Heislikelytoreturntothe communityinJune,when releasedonparole

Guillerme sentenced

By LIAM DURKIN

MURDER accused Samantha Guillerme wassentencedtothree-and-a-halfyears imprisonment last Wednesday(February 9) in the Supreme Court.

Ms Guillerme pleaded guiltyinNovember 2022 to the manslaughter of Newborough man Jarrod Lovison, whose body was found in theMoondarrah State Park in May 2020. Judge Michael Croucher sentenced Ms Guillerme, 26, with anon-parole period of 15 months.

The judgedeclared she had served 430 days in custodyunder thesentence, and will be eligible to apply forparole within amonth.

Ms Guillerme was charged with murder in October 2020,and bailed in September 2021, choosing to return to prison for pre-sentence detention following the guilty plea.

Sokaluk was arrested on February12, 2009, andbrought in for questioning at the Morwell Police Station.

The following day, he was chargedwith one count

each of arson causing death, intentionally lighting abushfire, andpossession of child pornography.

Days later,the suppression order was lifted and Sokaluk was named as the accused arsonist. He was given leniency for havingautism and a borderline intellectual disability, discoveredafter hisarrest.

Sokalukwas convicted of 10 counts of arson causing death and sentenced to 17 years and nine months imprisonment, with anon-parole period of 14 years, in April 2012.

Last week, (February 7) marked 14 years since the devastating fire broke out in the Latrobe Valley By June, Sokaluk could be afree man, after receiving “time off his sentence for hardship experienced while incarcerated duringthe pandemic,” theHerald Sunwrote.

The Herald Sun alsorevealed thatSokaluk, now 53, still owns his home in Churchill, while his family still support him.

The unforgiving, 86-year-old Churchill resident Shirley Gibson lost her two sons as they tried to save her home in Hazelwood South.

“He’s asickboy, asimple boy, but what he did killed my boys and it breaks my heart. I’ll never see them again. It is what it is, him getting out. He’s done his time. But Ican’t ever forgive him,” Ms Gibson said.

Lifeline’s 13 11 14 crisis support service is available 24 hours aday.

Black Saturday arsonist to be eligible for parole Senate inquiryinto regional bank branch closures launched

THE Finance Sector Union (FSU) has welcomed the new Senate inquiry into regional bank closures, to be held by the Senate Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs.

Unlikethe Coalition Regional BankClosure Taskforce that was held in 2021, theFSU says it hopes the Senate inquiry will take it’s time to examine in detail the plethora of issues that arise from the closure of bank branches.

FSU national secretary, Julia Angrisano, said the union had been calling for aserious examination of the branch closures, as banks continue to reduce their branch networks.

“Banks are shutting branches across Australia, leavingconsumers and businesseswithout access to financial services,” Ms Angrisano said.

“It is clear that cuttingthe branchnetworkis being done to reduce costs and maintain profits.

“While hundreds of banks have been closed in recentyears, alargenumberofbank staff have also lost their jobs.

“The coalitions taskforce was acomplete waste of time andmoney and was dominatedand run by thebanks.

“We had this farcical situation where the banks were overseeing an inquiry into themselves, and consequently arange of important voices, including the FSU,were excludedfrom that process. This cannot happen again if this inquiry is to have any substance and impact.

“We know that regional communities are doing it tough without access to banking services. The FSU will also encouragethe Senate Committee to examine the impact branch closures have on the workers who have lost their jobs.

“The FSU has been at the forefront of the branch closure issue for years, and has campaigned long and hard not just for an effective and holistic government inquiry into bank branch closures, but as an advocate for the manygroups of Australians who have been disadvantaged by bank branch closures.”

SEC revival to be assisted by panel

By PHILIP HOPKINS

AUSTRALIA'S former chief scientist, Alan Finkel, is one of six members of an expert advisory panel appointed by the state government to help set up the revived State Electricity Commission.

The Premier, Daniel Andrews, and Minister for the StateElectricity Commission, Lily D’Ambrosio, announced the panel membership last week.

The expert advisory panel will guide the SEC’s work to makesureitdelivers what the government maintains will maximise the benefits of public energy ownership to Victorians -tolower power pricesand promotefasterinvestmentinrenewable energy, storage, and lower emissions.

The panel of energy specialists and business leaders will be chaired by John Bradley, secretary of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action -and will also include Audrey Zibelman, Andy Penn, Anna Skarbek, and Jo Benvenuti, alongside interim SEC chief executive, Dennis Miller.

The state government willinitially invest $1 billion towards delivering 4.5 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2035.

The SECwillbegin marketsounding for its first

investment in the first half of this year, engaging with industry, unions and training providers through askills and workforce forum.

The government claims that the SEC's aim to build, maintain, and operate clean energy assets will create 59,000 jobs. Aguaranteed 10 per cent -or6000 -ofthose jobs will be apprenticeships and traineeships, delivering secure jobs for young Victorians and building the workforce the government-owned energy sector needs.

Later this year, the government willhold a Renewable Energy Skills and Workforce Forum, which willbring togetherrepresentatives from clean energy employers, unions, training providers, peak bodies and traditional owner groups. It will highlight the workforce and skills needed for the thousands of new roles needed to construct, maintain, and operatethe state'sclean energy assets.

Minister for Employment, Ben Carroll, said the government would also establish the SEC Centre of Training Excellence. Clean energy would also be added to the VCE Vocational Major.

The SEC aims to deliver Victoria’s renewable energy and emissions targets -95per cent

renewable energy by 2035 and net zero by 2045.

Mr Andrewssaidthe governmenthad promised it would not waste amoment setting up the SEC. "We’re getting on with it," he said.

In Parliament last week, the state opposition accused the Labor government of repeatedly failing to answer one simple question -whenand by how much will their SEC plan lower power prices?

Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources, David Hodgett,saidVictorians were facing energy price increases of up to $1000, adding further cost of livingpressure to already stretched household budgets.

Mr Hodgett said when asked directly in Parliament, Andrews government ministers could not give adate of when, or afigure as to how much energy prices would fall under their promised $1 billion dollar SEC plan.

"Spinand hollow promises won’t lower energy prices," Mr Hodgett said.

“Victorians deserve asimple answer to asimple question, when will power prices be lower?

“The fact the government can’t comeclean on this demonstrates they are making it up as they go along.”

Call to cut out ‘handouts’ amid interest rise

WITH another interest rate rise set to be passed onto renters, the Everybody’s Home campaign is calling on the government to phase out tax-payer handouts for investors.

The cost of negativegearing and other tax breaks goes up when interest ratesrise, because investors claim more in losses and tax deductions.

According to the modelling by the Parliamentary Budget Office, the cost of negative gearing and the capital gains tax discounts is set to soar to at least $157 billion over the next decade. Yet, it would cost less to plug the social and affordable housing shortfall -anestimated $145 billionover the same period, based on figures in atreasury review.

Everybody’sHomenational spokesperson, Maiy

Home ownership becoming even more difficult

HOME ownership will be pushed further out of reach as the Reserve Bank lifts the official interest rate to adecade high 3.35 per cent.

Arecord nine consecutive rate hikes have added significant strain on thousands of families’ household budgets, and those looking to enter the market for the first time will be hardest hit as home ownership becomes less affordable.

The rate hike follows CommSec’s recent State of the States Report, which revealed the value of new home loans is down amassive 27.8 per cent on ayear ago, meaning fewer homes available and those trying to breakinto the market having less capacity to buy.

Shadow Minister for Home Ownership and Housing Affordability,JessWilson, said the key to your own home can be the key to abetter, more secure future.

Azize, said the government has an opportunity to fix abroken housing system.

“Housing in Australia is rigged against renters. Instead of helping people affordadecent home, the government is spending billions lining the pockets of investors,” Ms Azize said.

“Tax breaks on investment properties overwhelmingly go to the wealthiest people. Renters are the ones paying the price.

“Notonly are renters paying exorbitantrents, but their tax dollarsare being spent keeping investors afloat,instead of boosting social and affordable housing.

“Investors can either write off lossesontax or pass them on to tenants. It’s the people who live

in these homes that are stuck in an expensive and dysfunctional system.

“A fairer system would give rentersgenuine choice andsecurity. The government can make that happen by investing in social and affordable housing, instead of spending billions on tax breaks for investors.

“Phasing out these tax-payer handouts would make it easier for working people trying to buy a home, free up billions to spend on social homes, andhelp take the heat out of the rental market.

“Our housing system should be about homes, not investors.”

“With interest rates continuing to rise, home ownership in Victoria is pushed further out of reachfor many Victorian families and first home buyers,” she said.

“Unlike Daniel Andrews, the Liberals and Nationals understand that not all Victorians want to rent forever, and will continue to support those wanting to own their own piece of this great state.”

“The Andrews Laborgovernment must urgently look at more ways, such as opening up more housing lots across metropolitan and regional Victoria, to makeitmore affordable to enter the housing market.”

Community left in the dark over bridge access

THE Nationals arecallingonPremierDaniel Andrews to be honest with locals regarding the closure of akey access route for local residents.

StateUpper House Member for Eastern Victoria Region,MelinaBath,FederalMemberforGippsland, Darren Chester, and Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, have all been approached by Tyers and Traralgon residents concerned about the social and economic impactsofthe closureofthe Latrobe River Bridge.

“It’scosting people more money in transport costs and is apotential safety risk in accidents or other emergency situations when every minute counts,” Ms Bath said.

“The Premier promised anew bridge in 2015 and it should never have reached the point where the old bridge was in such astate of disrepair that it’s been closed to all traffic.

“The Premier needs to be honest with locals and explain how long residents will be without access while the new bridge is built, or will the old bridge be repaired and allow some form of limited access?”

Mr Cameron said he understood the existing bridge was approaching the end of its useful life, and welcomedthe new construction, but was concerned about the disruption for local residents.

“Residents are being forced to take along detour for school, work, medicalappointments and sporting

activities and we simply don’t know what the plan is for the rest of this year while the new bridge is being built,” Mr Cameron said.

“From all reports, the existing bridge has major structural issues which should’ve been address years ago by the Andrewsgovernment and we could’ve avoided this entire situation.

“It costs more for tradies and other small business owners to drivethe longway around, and those costs get passedonto families who are already feeling the pinch with cost of living pressures.”

Mr Chester said Tyers residents deserved to receive up-to-date information on howlong they could be denied access to Traralgon on the shorter route.

“Residents need information so they can make longer term plans for their families,” Mr Chester said.

“It’s ridiculous in amodern eraofcommunication that residents aren’t being told the latest factual information by text, emails, advertisements or direct mail.

“I’m also concerned the approaches to the new bridge will still be subjecttofloodingunless the entire section of the road is raised.”

PROUDLYBROUGHT TO YOUBYTHESE PARTICIPATINGLOCAL BUSINESSES

Crossword Puzzle No.8521

with Muzza

ONE POINTERS

1. Two’scompany,but three is awhat?

2. In ‘Friends’, what was Rachel’ssurname?

3. According to Marilyn Monroe, which stone is agirl’sbest friend?

4. Ricky Ponting was aprofessional in which sport?

TWO POINTERS

5. Which birdsharesits name with acountry?

6. What did the Grinch steal, in the title of afamous children’snovel?

7. With around 37,000 outlets worldwide, what is the world’s biggest fast food chain?

8. Which medic has contractions in pregnancy named after him?

THREE POINTERS

9. Anthony Kiedis is the lead singer of which famous American band that is touring Australia at the moment?

10. Which mountain was home of the Greek gods?

11. Which acid builds up in the muscles during severe exercise?

12. Milliners make and design which items of clothing?

FOUR POINTERS

13. Clove hitch, Sheepshank, and Bowline areall what?

14. What is the name given to the practice of favouring your own relatives?

FIVE POINTER

15. Who am I? Clue: BorninCoogee, NSW in 1923 Iwas an actor and director and appeared in such shows as ‘Homicide’ and ‘The Sullivans’. Ispent 16 yearsin London whereI became famous there as well? Ialso appeared in the popular Australian movie ‘The Castle’.

HOW DID YOU FARE?

37: Topofthe class; 30-36: Outstanding; 23-29: Well done;

Solid effort; 9-14: Room for improvement;

Hit the books.

Target Time No.0145

Howtoplay...

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or morecan youlist? The centreletter must be included and each letter may be used only once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or

V A N A A T E G D

Sudoku No.0145

Howtoplay.

Fill the grid so that everyrow and every 3x3 square contains the digits 1to9 Solution next Wednesday.

PETstock Traralgonisurging locals to go Adopt Different

PETSTOCK Traralgon will host its local animal rescueorganisationonSaturday, March 18 and Sunday, March 19 as part of National Pet Adoption Month.

The initiative is from The Petspiration Foundation (formallyPETstock Assist) withsupport fromevent partner PetRescue.

With one in five families acquiring anew dog or cat to add to the family unit in recent years, the Petspiration Foundation is encouraging Australians to 'Adopt Different' this National Pet AdoptionMonth by considering apet mostinneed, with morethan 7400 animals currentlylooking for aforever home.

SherraleaCassidy,Petspiration Foundation’s charityand events lead, says the charity is on a mission to have cats, large dogs, adolescent dogs and bonded pairs that can’t be separated,adopted, as they remain the most vulnerable in 2023. “All pets deserve asafeand loving home, and

National Pet AdoptionMonth is the perfect opportunitytomeet pets searching for anew family,”

Ms Cassidy said.

Natural disasters, increasing living costs, inflation and access to housing are impacting pet ownership and leading to surrenders of pets.

PetRescue founder and director, Vickie Davy, is seeing great dogs coming into rescue care, ready for anew home, even if some training is needed.

“The fact is that only asmall percentage of pets are surrendereddue to their behaviour which -like any animal -can be negated throughdedicated training,” Ms Davy said.

Animal behaviourist, Dr Kate Mornement, said many rescue pets havebeen house petsinthe past and are already toilet trained, with basic manners so you’re not starting from scratch -it’s about reinforcing the existing desired behaviours and building on these.

“Thereare so many options when it comes to

adoption. Cats are wonderfully intelligent animals, fantastic for any size home, and can be easily trained(just like dogs)using positivereinforcement,” Dr Kate said.

“I also encourage would-be rescue pet owners not to be put off by alarge dog because you thinkitwill need more exercise, as it is very much dependent on the breed, age and individual personality of the dog.For those concerned aboutbeinginthe office and leaving their pet, abonded pair could be theanswerasthey have each other for company.”

The Petspiration Foundation exists to strengthen the rewarding bond between pets and people, and hasfound homesfor more than 13,000rescue pets sinceits inception in 2007.

Atotal of 6.9 million Australian households currently are pet owners.

Animal lovers are encouraged to visit petstock. com.au in March to find apet that needs aforever home.

Giftofgiving: March is National PetAdoption Month. Photograph supplied

For more information on theNational Pet Adoption Month,visit www.petspiration.group/ foundation

Voting enrollment rate increases for Indigenous Australians

UPDATED AEC estimates show that an additional 21,000 IndigenousAustralians have enrolled to vote between the end of June 2022 to the end December 2022, bringing the national estimated Indigenous enrolment rate up to 84.5 per cent (up 2.8 per cent).

Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said that the rapid rise easily represents the largestincrease since estimateswere first calculated in this manner by the AEC in 2017.

“It’sbrilliant -more peopleare enrolledand ready to vote, which is an unvarnished good news story for electoral participation in Australia and closing the enrolment gap, but we know more needs to be done” Mr Rogers said.

“We continue to work really hard in getting as many people to enrolaspossible, withaparticular focus on young Australians and IndigenousAustralians who aren’t enrolled at as high arateasothers.

“I constantly hear frominternational counterparts who marvel at Australia’s 97 per cent overall

enrolment rate, but Iwant enrolment to be that high, and higher, for all Australians.”

The AEC said their recent direct enrolment trials are proving successful.

Remote engagement workthrough AEC staff and more than 80 community partners is having an impact, and recent Indigenous enrolment communication campaignsare helpingtoachieve the continued enrolment rise as well.

“It’sjustsopleasing to see the rise in estimated Indigenous enrolment being recorded in every state and territoryconsistently, and with more significant increases in the past six months,” Mr Rogers said.

“What this means is more people are ready to vote when they turn up to apolling place during an election or Referendum, or when an AECremote voting team comes to visit.

“The estimated number of ‘unenrolled’Indigenous Australians has gone under100,000 forthe first time -tojust under 87,000 -and that is significant.”

Promising: TheAEC arehappytheir trials areproving successful. Photograph supplied

World Vision Australia launches appeal for Türkiye-Syria earthquake

WORLD VisionAustralia haslaunched an appeal to providelifesavingaid to children and families as the toll of the tragic Turkey-Syria earthquake continues to mount.

Teams on the ground are assessing the escalating needs and providing emergency aid after the 7.8 magnitude quake struck, killing more than 4000 people and injuring thousands more.

World Vision Australia chief executive, Daniel Wordsworth, said the disaster has hit people who were already displaced in aregion shattered by more than adecade of civil war. People are againfleeing for their lives and were desperate for shelter from the cold, with tents, tarpaulins, mattresses and heating being distributed by response teams.

He said the organisation was well-positioned to help, having worked with vulnerable children and families in the region since civil war erupted in Syria in 2011.

“This is just aterriblesituation, youhave families who were forced to leave at 4amin the snow, sleet and rain… families already displacedbyacivil war who are now homeless again,” Mr Wordsworth said.

“Peopleare desperatelytrying to find aplace to go. They are living in cars, mosques are full, andour teamsonthe ground are doing their besttoget shelters, heating and bedding for worst affected people.

“But it is very, very difficult to get into these locations, and when you are there, you are worried about buildings collapsing. Keep in mind that this is also aregion overwhelmed by ahumanitariancrisisthat has been going on for more than 10 years.

“World Vision has done this before -and we know what to do. Thankfully, we already had teams there on the ground so we’re able to respond swiftly. We’re already working with people that have been affected by this crisis.”

Mr Wordsworthsaidthe organisation needed Australians to once again show their trademark generosity.

“With your help, we aim to raise AU$1 million to help themostvulnerable survive this disaster and rebuild their lives as part of our $14.5 million global target ,” he said.

“We anticipate there is going to be an overwhelming need for food aid in the coming days andweeks.”

The biggest earthquake in Turkey in decades struck about 37 kilometres north-west of Gaziantep on Monday, February 6at4.17am local time, rocking neighbouring Syria which has endured nearly 12 years of civil war. The conflict has created the largest refugee and displacement crisis of our time, affecting millions of people and spilling into surrounding countries.

Even before the quake, more than four million people in Northern Syria were relying on humanitarian assistance.

To donate to the appeal, go to worldvision. com.au/turkey-syria-earthquake

Concerns from LIV over

THE Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) and Victorian Bar expressed concerns over the Human Source Management Bill2023introduced into Parliament on Tuesday.

The Bill aims to implement anumberofrecommendations fromthe Royal Commission into the management of police informants (RCMPI), including introducing aframework for the registration, use, and management of human sources by Victoria Police.

The LIV and Victorian Bar have substantive issues with the proposed legislation.

“We welcome the transparencythat the Bill provides for the registration,use and management of human sources by Victoria Police. However,ifwe have learned anything from the RoyalCommission, it’s that lawyers should never be used as human sources,” LIV president Tania Wolff said.

“We are opposed to the idea that lawyers could ever be usedashuman sources or thatthey should covertly inform against their clients.

“To do so is contrary to alawyer’s role as an

officer of thecourt and violates many other ethical duties that alawyerowes to their client. The duty of strict confidentiality is there to protect the client. Encroaching on this undermines community trust and confidence in the administration of justice.

“Lawyers play acentral role in the administration of justice and that does not include being an evidencegatheringinstrument of VictoriaPolice.”

The High Court was very clear in its December 2018 decision, stating that “[Ms Gobbo’s] actions in purporting to act as counselfor clients while covertly informingagainst them werefundamental and appalling breaches of [her] obligations as counseltoher clients and of [her]duties to the court.”

“Despite RoyalCommission findings and aHigh Court ruling that alawyerwho informs on their client to the police while purporting to act for them is aclear breach of ethical obligations, this legislation in itscurrent formwould legitimise such conduct,” Ms Wolff said.

Victorian Bar president Sam Hay KC said: “The registration of lawyers as informants will lead to precisely the same conduct that gave rise to the Royal Commission in the first place.”

“The rolesofinformant and lawyer are fundamentally opposed.One person cannot ethically wear both hats at the same time.

“In raising these concerns, we understand that the government is actingonone of the recommendationsmadebythe RCMPI. However, in light of the fundamental inconsistency between the roles of informant and that of lawyer, we respectfully urge the government to withdraw the provisions in the Bill that would allow the chief commissioner to register lawyers as informants.”

The Law InstituteofVictoria and Victorian Bar will continue to consult with the government and membersofparliament about the proposed legislation.

Greyhounds to service police in new life as companion, support animals

RETIRED greyhounds will be retrained to serveas

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) companion animals for Australia’s Federal Police in aworldfirst initiative announced in Canberra last week.

“This is atruly historic announcement, we are talking about awhole newcareer for our retired greyhound athletes to be trained for duty as a PTSDcompanion for Australian Federal Police Association members,” Greyhound Racing NSW chief executive, Robert Macaulay, said

“I could not think of abetter match -the most loyaland lovinganimals in theworld side-by-side withsome of thebravest men and women in our country.”

The ground-breaking program is aunion between the Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA), Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) and Greyhounds Australasia (GA).

AFPApresident, Alex Caruana, saidhis associationwas “proud and happy” to welcome greyhounds and partner with GRNSWand GA for this innovative initiative.

“The psycho-social benefits of pet ownership in general, and support animalsinparticular, for people living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are significant,” Mr Caruana said.

“PoliceAssociation members are at asignificantly increased risk of acquiring mental health injuries, and also of those injuries developing into PTSD.

“The typically busy operational work life of our members, coupled with socially isolatingshifts and on-call rosters, means that they often find it exceedingly difficult to switch off and decompress after traumaticincidents. Highly-trained and decorated police association members invariably become broken and insular through no fault of their own.

“Meeting and bonding with asupport animal givesthemsomuch back over time in terms of independence, manageable routines, exercise and social independence. As an animal lover, Iam personally thrilled that these wonderful dogs are able to help people in this way, and at the same time ‘retire’ into alovingenvironment where they willbeshowered with love,trust, and lots of treats.

“We look forward to this partnership benefitting AFPA members, and other police association members around Australia.”

AFPA memberswill also be givenpriority access to adoptgreyhounds through GreyhoundsAsPets NSW.

The announcement comes less than three months after GRNSW and GA announced apartnership to supply greyhounds as pets to members of the Police Association of NSW. The early success of that programhas led to GRNSW and GA creating anew career for greyhounds with the AFPA.

“When we launched the partnership with the PANSW, we heard from aformer officer that her adoptedgreyhound had significantly helped her with her struggles as asufferer of PTSD,” Mr Macaulay said.

“While still in its infancy, that program has already delivered successful adoptions, but importantly it also delivered us the learning that PTSD dogs are in demand.

“Working closely with Greyhounds Australasia chair Robert Vellar, we realised we had to take this one step further, and we have now been able to enter into an agreement with one of the preeminent dog trainers in Australia, Steve Austin, to retrain our retired athletes for anew career as aPTSD companion animal.

“This truly is ground-breaking. We are talking about awhole newcareer for retired greyhound

athletes. The retraining of greyhounds for acareer outside of racing opens the door to re-imagining the industry. It essentially creates anew careerfor any non-racing greyhound, and this is in addition to the demand for greyhounds as pets.”

Mr Vellar,aformer policeofficer,has driven the unionbetween policeand the greyhound industry with expertise on both sides. He knows both the therapeutic benefit of greyhounds as pets and the comfortthey can bring those suffering anxiety disorders.

“It is with great satisfaction that, together with our other stakeholders,wecan announce this relationship with the members of the Australian Federal Police Association,” Mr Vellar said.

“The aim is to facilitate the perfect partnership involving the welfare of these beautiful greyhounds, and the welfare of first responders.

“As aformer police officer,I fully understand the trauma that police face in their daily workloads. Our experience has been that by adopting a greyhoundasa loyal, forever companion,itwill assist in the management of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

“Greyhounds are loyal, loving and low maintenance,and we say if youwant agreat mate,adopt agreyhound.”

Heymate: Greyhounds areset to help federalpolice dealwith PTSD Photograph supplied

Vapesa growingconcern

AN alarming numberofyoung people aretakingup vaping, according to aMonash University expert.

Vaping has become increasingly popular in recent years, with products also readily available.

Associate Professor,Deana Leahy, from the School of Education, Culture and Society at MonashEducation, said it was agrowingconcern

“The best solution is to limit the availability of e-cigarettesavailable to young people through the federal government introducing aban on the import of all vaping products," she said.

“With respecttoschools, they need to be adopting awhole school approach to address e-cigaretteuse.

“QUIT is currentlydeveloping anumberof resources to support schools to do this to respond to the issue. School health education provides us with akey platform by which to educate children and young people about e-cigaretteuse. Whilst health education is clearly the place for students to learn aboutthe risks of e-cigarettes, we actually need to adopt across-curriculum approach. This is especially importantashealtheducation is amarginalised subject in schools, especially in primary schools.

“Health education is already overburdened, and therealityisifteachers have to includeafocuson e-cigarettes,itmight mean that other important areas receive less attention -ornoattention at all

"As asubject, health education should ideally be connected with other curriculum areas such as Science, English, Media and Humanitiesto help students fullyunderstand e-cigarettes and the harms associated with them.

"We also need to be looking at other curriculum areas,especially if aschoolhas limited or no health education.

“Parents and teachers also require support. QUIT and VicHealth are currently working on aresource hub to support parents and teachers to discuss vaping with their teens.

"Here at Monash, we are working to embed the

Concerns:

topic in our teacher education programs.Amongst other initiatives we need to be offering more supportand funding to schools and teachers to be able to deliver quality health education.”

It is illegal to use an e-cigarette containing nicotine in Victoria.

New program allows students to work while they are studying

THE state government is building adiverse and robust mental health and wellbeing workforce, delivering abrand-new program for students, streamlining their transitionstraight into the workforce.

Minister for Mental Health, Gabrielle Williams, recentlyannounced the new Earn and Learn Traineeship Program, and the providers who will be running the program.

“The Earn and Learn Traineeship Program means communitymentalhealth workers can begin working in the sector while they complete their studies-getting them straight into the workforce and supporting Victorians right away,” shesaid.

“These new roles are akey part of the diverse, skilled and multidisciplinary workforce that the Royal Commission recommended for the mental health system.”

Theprogram is part of Victoria’s MentalHealth and Wellbeing Workforce Strategy 2021-24, which outlines astrategic approachtodeliver the diverse, skilled and multidisciplinary workforce required for Victoria’s reformed mental health and wellbeing system.

The $4.5 million state government investment willcreate50new community support jobs for mental health and wellbeing trainees, while they study aCertificate IV in Mental Health, the providers include:

 Mind Australia;

 Wellways Australia;

 EACH;

 Uniting Vic. Tas;

 Star Health, and;

 Mallee Family Care.

Funding has also been provided for educator roles to support trainees at these services, which will ensure asafeand supportivelearning environment.

Trainees will receivesupervision and relevant placements throughtheiremploymentperiod.

Following arecommendation from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s mental health system foramore diverse mental health workforce,these positions pave the way for people withawide varietyofskills, experience and background to begintheir career journey in the community mental health services.

The government is getting underway on implementing more than 90 per cent of the Royal Commission’srecommendations, and in the last year has investedarecord $372 million in workforce initiatives to hire more than 1500 mental health workers, including 400 mental health nurses and 100 psychiatrists to deliver Victoria’s mental health reform agenda.

The state government alsooffersthe Certificate IV in Mental Health and Certificate IV in Mental Health PeerSupport as partofthe FreeTAFE program.

MARKETS

Cameron fights for mill jobs

By PHILIP HOPKINS

THE newNationalsMember for Morwell,Martin Cameron, challenging the state government in Parliamentlastweek over the future of Opal Australia’s white paper mill, said he was met with awall of silence.

Mr Cameron said the Minister for Manufacturing Sovereignty, Ben Carroll, when questioned, barely even addressed the issue, but instead spruiked government policyranging from supportto industry to sprouting the government’s SEC policy.

“The Minister then gave no guaranteesofongoing support for the affected workers and tried to sell Labor’s timber policy as something positive,” Mr Cameron said.

In his first week in Parliament, Mr Cameron questioned Mr Carroll why the government was sitting by while Opal’s white paper mill and production linewas now idle and facing permanent closure due to alack of timber supply.

Mr Carroll said Mr Cameronhad asked an important questiononmanufacturing andthe timber industry.

“That is why we have put through some $200 million in business support and community support,

makingsureaspartofour manufacturing strategy that we help communities and help businesses transition to alow-carbon facilities and low-carbon manufacturing,” he said.

Mr Carroll was pressed by Nationals leader, Peter Walsh and Mr Cameron to answer the question. Mr Carroll said it was clear that this was acommunity and an industry in transition.

“We have made it very clear,onthe back of a range of court rulings, that this is one mill. They are still continuing to produce brown paper, recycling paper and cardboard, andweare actively working with them and supporting them,” he said.

“Everyone knows that when it comes to forestry the product is timber.Itisthe timber that goes into our basketball courts, it is the timber that goes into our hardwood floors and it is the timber that goes into our paper.

“Every industry underthe AndrewsLabor government is supported,whether you are a timber industry, whether you are amanufacturing industry of whether you are alow-carbon industry, and that is what we will continue to do.”

Speaking later,MrCameronsaidhewas very disappointed with the Minister’s answer.

“Labor has failed to act to address ongoing green lawfare in the courts which has dried up short-term timber supply, as well as Labor’s policy to shut down the native timber industry in the medium term,” he said.

“This situation has resulted in 200 Latrobe Valley jobs under threat with many workers already stood down.Thisisa disaster for those workers and their families at the mill as well as the wider community and indeed our nation.”

Mr Cameron said it was ironic that Labor had announced aMinister for Manufacturing Sovereignty and was now overseeing the closure of one of our successful manufacturing businesses.

“There arenoother manufacturers of white copy paper in thecountry and the result of this decision will be more imports from places that don’t have the environmental regulations in place that we do,” he said.

“This is not good enough -weneed the government to act and actually deliver the timber that the government is obliged to supplytothis mill and save these jobs.

“I will keep fighting to save these jobs and look after the workers at Maryvale.”

New Morwell MP makes maidenspeech

From Page 1

“THE work options for our mums and dads are in the process of being restructured or transitioned fromsecure employmenttouncertainty,and in many cases to no jobs at all.

“The power industry has served Victoria well to keep the lights on and power our manufacturing industryand allowed us all to liveinthe secure knowledge that when we turn on alight switch, plug in ourphone, get our latte and nowadays plug in ourelectric car, it is goingtowork,” Mr Cameron said.

“Everyone is committed to embracing the age of renewable power. Wind turbines and solar panels are going to be the way of the future. It is what people want. We are told by experts who have crunched the numbers,processed all the data and done all the modelling that renewable power can stand alone to provide our power needs.”

However, Mr Cameron said the experts he spoke to were less sure.

“My experts do not sit behind adesk in Melbourne; they are the people that work around the clock in thosepowerstationsand have done so for the last 20, 30 and 40 years -(they) are the same people who see the demandsonbaseloadpower needed to run the state of Victoria. Electricity to make our lives function as normal is going to fallalong way short of securing our state’s power appetite,” he said.

“We have achancetoget the power challenge for the future right. Do not rush it to make political parties feel warm and fuzzy. Do it once and do it right for the peopleofVictoria. Our future and way of life is in play. Our children’s and their children’s futures are on the line. Let us get it right the first time.”

Mr Cameron said the timber industry was another that was being closed.

“Generations of logging companies are on their knees. They have no work because of decisions made here lock up the bush. Let us get serious; we have the best timberwork practices and procedures in the world,yet to be seentobeturning green, for want of abetter word, we have started on the path of shutting downother industriesthatrely on our timber supplies,” he said

“Builders are going broke, havingtoshut their doors becausethey cannotget timbertobuild houses. Pricesare going throughthe roof.The Maryvale mill are making peopleredundant, and the white paper -that is what Ihave here

-Australian-made paper, that Iamreading from today, has stopped, maybe never to be made again.

“Our country shows,and now the iconic Melbourne Show, are in danger of not having the renowned andfan-favourite woodchoppingasthey cannotget access to timber for this year and more than likely theyears ahead.”

Mr Cameron said the decisions made now were affecting our way of life.

“Why can’t we have the best of everything? We do have the assets to do it. Our manufacturing community in the Valley is nervous. What is our future going to look likewithour biggest employers closing at an alarming rate? Why can’t we be the ones to make wind turbines and solar panels and not send them overseas to be made?” he said.

“The decisions on bringing forward the closure dates on coal-fired power stations and locking up the bush have far-reaching repercussions not factoredinfor our communities and our way of life.”

The small business community had also had it tough.

“An unforeseen pandemicwith lockdowns and now the aftermathoftrying to reopen and re-engage staff is areal challenge. From trades of all descriptions, retail and hospitalityto supermarkets, they are having trouble getting quality staff to service the customers, who have returned en masse.

“Thepressures on the owners, who are mums and dads, are off the charts. They have to work 12 to 15 hours aday in the shops; then they go home and do bookwork for two to three hours to comply with all the rules and regulations thrown at them. They go to bed exhausted, and they get up and do it all again.

“Small businesses are closing. They need us to put our arms around them and tell them they are doing an amazing job. How do Iknow this? Iama small business owner doing this day after day. I had to become apolitician to work fewer hours. My job is to be the voice for the people of the Latrobe Valley, to bring their concerns to the forefront. I now work for them.

“I am notaperson who pointsfingers and waves my arms and says, ‘Why is the government doing that? Why don’t they do this to make our lives better?’ If you wanttoknowthe answers,stand up. Be the person to find out. Be the person to make adifference.”

Mr Cameron said when he was deciding to run,

he asked himself aprettysimple question.

“If Iwas going to be able to raise the concerns of the Latrobe Valleyand make changes, where would that be? Would it be using TV, would it be using radio, would it be using the newspaper or would it be via social media? All handy, but the answer was no. In my mind, the only place Icould work the hardest for the people of the Latrobe Valley and push for change was where Istand rightnow, in this chamber in front of all of you -nowhere else. It is here,” he said.

“I had to workmyhardest to gethere.Now Ihave the opportunity to serve the people of the Latrobe Valley.The privilege of being in this chamber will neverbelost on me. We have the opportunity to secure Victoria’s future. We have resources that are the envy of the world, so let us get it right.”

Mr Cameronthankedhis parents, children, friends, colleagues and Nationals helpers for their support.

“Dad always told me from ayoung age, ‘when you meet someone, give them afirm handshake and look them in the eye and listen to them. Always respecttheir point of view, even if it is different to yours.’ Istill carry this advice with me today,” he said.

“To the people of the Latrobe Valley, Ithank you for electing me as your member for Morwell. For those who did not vote for me, Iwill be working on you over the next four years. Iwill be working for everyone in the Latrobe Valley to make our way of life better.”

Mr Cameron said Parliament had major issues to deal with.

“The Latrobe Valley is up for the fight. Iam unsure if aplumberfromcountry Victoria has ever stood here and had the opportunity and privilege to represent theirregion. Ihopethatmestanding here in this chamber can prove to people that no matter what your background or level of education or political understanding, anything is possible,” he said.

“As aplumber and small business owner, Iam used to working long and hard to achieve outcomes for the people Iwork for. Now as apolitician Iam working for the people of the electorate of Morwell to achieve and secure abetter way of life. “My work ethic will not change. The collective voice of the Latrobe Valley will be heard. Thank you.” Mr Cameron’s speech was met with applause from both sides of the House.

seal, sell, silage, sill, silo, slab, slag, sloe, slog, soil, soilage, sola, sole, soli.

AGL announce massive $1 billion loss

By PHILIP HOPKINS

LOY Yang Apower station was at the heart of aheadline$1billionloss in the first half of the financial year announced last week by AGL.

The chief executive, Damien Nicks, said the prolonged outage of Loy Yang Unit 2, which was caused by agenerator rotor defect, was abig factor in the cut of electricity production at atimeofhigh power prices on the spot market.

Earnings were also affected by the closure of Unit 3onthe Liddell Power station in the NSW Hunter Valley, which reduced generator volumes. However, the bottom-line loss of $1.075 billion was mainly due to awrite down on the accelerated closure of Loy Yang A, which was flagged last September, and accounting losses.

Mr Nicks confirmed that Loy Yang Awas still scheduled to be closed by 2035.

AGL’s underlying half year profit after tax was $87 million, down 55 per cent on the previous year. An interim ordinary dividend was halved to eight cents ashare.

Mr Nicks said the accelerated closure of Loy Yang A, together with the ambition to supply up to 12 gigawatts of renewable generationand firming capacity by the end of 2035, would reshape AGL’s generation portfolio. “(It) represents amajor step forward in Australia’sdecarbonisation journey,” he said.

The results came afteratumultuous year for AGL, when aplanned demergeofthe business into acoal generation and retail arms was stymied by rich lister Mike Cannon-Brookes, whose company Grok Ventures is aleading AGL shareholder.

Grok had been pushing for an early closure of Loy Yang by 2029, but anew transitionplan backed by

the board last September brought the closure of Loy Yang forward by 10 years to 2035. The earlier closure date resulted in the write-down in Loy Yang A’s value.

Thecompany’s leadership alsochanged,which eventually included the appointment of Mr Nicks as chief executive.

Mr Nicks said in the half-year results that AGL was making good progress in its 3.2-gigawatt development pipeline and the transformation of thermal sites to low-carbon industrial energy hubs

“Both the Torrens Island (South Australia) and BrokenHill batteries are on tracktocommence operation mid-2023…And the Liddellbattery will be backed by ARENA (Australian Renewable Energy Agency), with funding negotiations under way for the first 250-megawatt phase,” he said.

“A feasibility study is also well under way with Idemitsu for the Muswellbrook Pumped Hydro Project.”

Mr Nicks said forwardwholesale electricity prices were lower than the historically high levels of the past six months, but were higher compared to the previous two financial years, “which we expect to see reflected in strong earnings growth for the (financial year) 2024”.

Mr Nicks emphasised thatcommercial availability of the coal fleet was badly affected by the forced outages at Loy Yang and Liddell, which also coincidedwith aplanned outage at Bayswater. The Loy Yang and Liddell outages reduced profit by $73 million.

“On apositive note, we have completed testing to lower minimum generation levelsatboth Loy Yang Aand Bayswater,” he said.

Mr Nicks said akey AGL priority was minimising equipment failures in the thermal fleets that may

Information on cold case needed

DETECTIVES from the SexualCrimes Squad are hoping new information will lead to abreakthrough in the investigation into asexualassault in Morwell almost 40 years ago.

On November 5, 1983 agirl, then aged in her late teens,had been out with friends at the Astrodome licensed venue in Traralgon.

Shecaught ataxibacktoMorwell with two friends and was the last onedroppedoff at her home address about 1am on November 6.

The womanran inside to get money for the driver, returned to pay him, then went inside and went to bed.

She was woken up some time around 5-6am to aman’s hand across her mouth.

It appearsthe man had removed aflyscreen from the woman’s bedroom window and climbed into her room.

The man told the woman “don’t make anoise or I’ll hurt you” and then climbed on to the woman and sexually assaulted her.

The man then jumped head-first out the window, smashing the window with his foot on the way.

The matter was reported to police at the time, howeverdespite asignificant investigation over many years, no one has ever been arrested in relation to the incident.

Detectives from theSexual Crimes Squad’s cold case team are today appealing for information in relation to the incident.

They are keen to speak to anyone who has any information about the incident and who may have been responsible.

The man involved is describedasbeing tall with astockybuild, short ginger hair and moustache, and perceived to be of Caucasian appearance with afair complexion.

At the time he was wearing astockingover his head and possibly aflannelette shirt.

Detective Acting Inspector TracyJohnston, from the Sexual CrimesSquad, saidany sexualassault was incredibly traumatic for the victim, but it was particularly distressing to have the feeling of safety and security in your own home compromised.

“Our victim has lived with the physical and emotionalimpactsofthis assaultfor almost 40 years and investigators are determinedtopursue every avenue of inquirysowecan provide her with the closure she deserves.

“We’ve previouslyspoken to the peopleour victim was out with on the night, and it doesn’t appear anything untoward was noticed while they were out at the Astrodome.

“While asignificant period of time has passed, we are hopeful that there is still someone outthere who can help us provide answers in relation to this case.

“Historical sexual offending matters are incredibly complex, but we know people’s circumstances can changeovertime, and this appeal might be the promptneeded to help close aterriblechapter in someone’slife.

“We’re keen to speak with anyone who might have information about this incident and no piece of information is ever too small.”

Victoria Police is committedtoinvestigating matters of sexual assault and bringing those responsible to justice, no matter how much time has passed.

Anyone withinformation is asked to contact CrimeStopperson1800333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppers. com.au

resultinfuture unplanned outages and derates. This included preventative maintenance on mills, precipitators and chemical cleans of boilers.

Stronger inventory management ensured that, where appropriate, critical spares were held on site or accessed within areasonable time frame.

“Repairing Loy Yang AUnit 2’s spare rotor and stator is an example that would provide ashorter return to service time if suchanevent were to reoccur,” he said.

Thecompany downgraded its full year net profit guidance to between$200m and$280m, down from an earlier estimate of up to $320m.

Mr Nicks, however, was generally upbeat on the company’s immediate and long-termfuture, but AGL shares closed more than 10 per cent down.

Mr Nicks criticised the federal government’s caps on gas and oil prices in remarks to The Australian

The action created uncertainty for miners and gas producers,despite the caps helpingreduce forward wholesale powerprices, and couldcause long-term shortages if resource companies stopped investing in new gas projects, he said.

The Australian Financial Review reported that the loss refuelled market concerns aboutAGL’s ability to deliver on both decarbonisation and shareholder valueunder itsrevamped leadership.

Jamie Hannah, portfolio manageratVanEck, told the AFR that despite the share slump, he had not lostconfidence in the new chief executive of the new board to deliver -“thechallenge is still the same”.

However, others remained unconvinced.

“(The) result is yet another reminder that business as usualfor AGL is not acrediblepathway forward for the business,” GreggLiddell, responsible investments director at Betashares, told the AFR.

Retirement village roadworks

In progress: Residents will be forced to livewiththe roadworksfor up to twotothree weeks Photograoh: TomHayes

By TOMHAYES

ONGOING roadworks at the Mayfair Gardens Retirement Village in Traralgon has caused disruptions throughout the village, with calls for safety at question.

The Mayfair Gardens Retirement Village only has one entry/exit, meaning in the event of an emergency, things could go south very quickly.

The 55-year-old and over village houses more than 150 elderly residents.

Before it wasa retirementvillage, Mayfair Gardens wasa caravan park up until about 10 yearsago, run by Lucie Newberry and her husband.

Ms Newberry has lived in Mayfair Gardens for nearly 40 years.

While fresh concrete is replacing the old bitumen, Ms Newberry couldn’t help but notice the initiative of the Traralgon Fire Brigade, who came to the retirement village to assess points of access if an emergency was to happen during the roadworks.

As they surveyed the situation, it became apparent that their plan to help residents in theevent of an emergency wasclear, despite

not telling the residents specifically.

Therisks still remain in case of an emergency without the roadworks, due to the singular exit.

Ms Newberry recalled one situation when afire did break out near the front of the village, yet it was put out hastily and no one was harmed.

It is highly doubtful that an emergencyeventis yet to occur nearthe village, putting the lives of residents at danger, due to the laid-back nature of the residents and low-amount of incidents.

If worst came to worst Ms Newberry said, “I would drive my car throughthat fence”, pointing to the fence across the road from her house, on the opposite end of the village’s exit.

The roadworks are expected to be ongoing for two to threeweeks for the strip of road currently in progress, roughly 50 metres long.

This is the second time in less than five years that theroads have needed to be replaced, after theold roads began to crumble, leaving chucks of bitumen scattered across the road.

It is expected that more roadworks will follow throughout the village to bring all of the roads up to standard,yet nothing has been announced

Support: Corey Sullivan died in afatal hit and runinMaffra. Donations to help thefamilyhave poured in,with more than $20,000 raised

Community donates

AGOFUNDMEpage for father-of-five and husband, Corey Sullivan, who died recently after afatalhit-and-runinMaffra,has raised over $20,000.

The 36-year-old Maffra resident and family man was well-known in the community-a skilled cricketer at the Heyfield Cricket Club.

Renee Vidler,who knows the family, organised the GoFundMe on behalf of Mr Sullivan’s wife, Ashlea Sullivan, and their five children.

“Corey was the sole provider for his family. He leaves behind Ash and their children who now have to navigate their way through this awful time,” Ms Vidler said.

“We would like to ease the burden on Corey’s family by raising funds to assistwith the children’s future and help them through this heart-breaking ordeal.”

At the time of print, the GoFundMe has 240 donations, totalling $22,225 just beating its $20,000 goal.

Heyfield Cricket Clubpresident, Glen Synnott, has paid tribute to Mr Sullivan on Facebook.

“Corey was aproud premiership player, captain, curator, committee member and former GraemeAnderson Club Champion medallist at our club,” Mr Synnott wrote.

“From myself,the committee and our cluband families, our deepest sympathies to Ashlea and their children and to Corey’s family. An infectious character that will be sorely missed by us all.”

Police say Mr Sullivan waswith afriend in the earlyhours of Sundaymorning (February5) when he was struck by astolen Kia on Morison Street around 3.40am.

The driver fled the scene in the vehicle.

The vehicle was then located on Roberts Court at about 6am.

Mr Sullivan was airlifted to The AlfredHospital in Melbourne where he later died.

Acrime scenewas established on Morison St on Sunday as police conductedtheir investigations

The incidentisbeing jointly investigated by detectives from the Homicide Squad and Major Collision Investigation Unit.

At the timeofprint, the perpetrator is still on the run.

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, possesses footage, or has further information, to call Crime Stopperson1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Donations to Mr Sullivan’s family can be made at https://gofund.me/4e7b2f2f

Research helps Australians with bushfire preparedness

SCIENCE is shaping how Australia can better prepare for devastatingbushfireseasons, with the release of comprehensive research based on the major issues of the 2019/20 Black Summer fire season.

The wide-ranging Black Summer Research Program was undertaken by NaturalHazards Research Australia and the Bushfire and Natural HazardsCooperative ResearchCentre in the years since the 2019/20 fireseason, withfunding from the federal government and partners.

Andrew Gissing, chief executive of Natural Hazards ResearchAustralia, saidthe research was based on the issues of the 2019/20 fire season, but thefindings can be appliedtobushfire

management, safety and communityresilience for all natural hazards around Australia.

“This is vital newAustralian science abouthow to keep our landscapes and people safe from bushfire," he said.

"Our fire seasons are getting longer, and dangerous bushfire days are becoming more frequent.

"We need to be smarter and use this new scientific knowledge and research to improve the ways we live with fire."

The program drew on the expertiseofAustralia’s best fireand climate scientists, human geographers, land managers, and public health and recovery experts at 28 research institutions, First Nations organisations, and fire and land management agencies.

The report presents an integrated view of the wayforward from the fires, including exploring why the 2019/20 fire season was so devastating, whatnew capabilitiescan be implemented, and how Australia can best learn from its worst fire season on record.

Some projects focused on what could be learned at anational level, while others analysed specific fire behaviour or technology in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

Insights from the research provide Natural Hazards ResearchAustralia partnersingovernment, fire and emergency managementagencies and community organisations withanup-to-date scientific basis for decisions on how best to allocate

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 get around our local area.

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

resources, manage the environment,and help communities prepare, respond and recover.

“This research will guide how bushfire risk can best be managed through better science,policy and practices," Mr Gissing said.

"The strength of the science was its multi-disciplinary approach that will lead to action -better bushfire modelling, better warnings, better land management includingenabling cultural fire, and better recovery after adisaster for those affected will come from this research."

Understanding the Black Summer bushfires through research is available at www.naturalhazards.com.au/black-summer

Photograph: GoFundMe

In themaking: Monash medical students have commenced placement at Latrobe Regional Hospital.

Monash medical students posted to Traralgon

FORTY-FOUR Monash University medical studentshavearrived in Traralgon to begin their clinical placements this semester.

Somestudents are continuingtocontribute to the local surgeworkforce, an initiativethat was set up by Latrobe Regional Hospital, giving students the opportunity to work with healthcare teams in response to the COVID pandemic.

Students in their clinical learning years, Years 3B, 4C and 5D of the Monash MD, will be completingaseries of rotationsatLatrobe Regional Hospital, including general, aged and emergency medicine, general and orthopaedic surgery, anesthetics, psychiatry, paediatrics,and obstetrics and gynaecology.

Fourth year students will also be completing placements within the Latrobe Valley, experiencing lifeasarural GP, learning diagnosticand patient management skills under the supervision of experiencedGPsupervisors.

Final year medical student and South Gippslander,David McAlpine, hasreturned to Latrobe Regional Hospital after completing placements in the region during his thirdand fourth years.

“I’m looking forwardtoconsolidating my knowledge and clinical skills prior to my internship. I have been privileged to undertake all of my clinical placements in Gippsland," he said.

"I cannot wait for the emergency rotation, as my

Leading from the heart

NEWLY appointed student-leaders at St Paul’s Anglican Grammar Schoolare readytodemonstrate their leadership abilities during the 2023 school year.

St Paul’s Traralgon Secondary School captains AxelSellings and Georgia Vardywere recently inducted into their roles at awhole-school assembly.

David Ogabiela and Arlo Agustin were also

inducted in front of the whole school as the St Paul’s Traralgon Junior School Leaders.

Achieving aleadership role enables students to grow individually and together while guiding others to demonstrate school values, and the 2023 leaders have expressed their goal to inspire students and thewider community to be inclusive and to pursue theirpotential in all that they do.

placement there in third year was alittledisrupted due to the pandemic and this yearwill offer an opportunity to immerse myself in clinical learning.”

Director of Monash Rural Health Gippsland, Associate Professor Cathy Haigh, was excited to welcome the students to the region, and encouraged localstosupport the students during theirtime on placement.

“We are thrilled to have this group of students with us for the semester -and some will remain with us for the full academic year.

"I hope the Latrobe Valley community will show our students the rewards of arural lifestyle.

"Please say hello when you see them at Latrobe Regional Hospital or your local GP clinic or community health services partnering with Monash -and share your local tips to help them make the most of their experience of living and learning in Gippsland!”

Mr McAlpine said he was looking forward to working in Gippsland after graduating-and hopes the experience of aGippslandplacement will help encourage some of his classmates to consider further training and, ultimately, practice in the region.

Monash Rural Health has six teaching sites across Gippsland, deliveringMonash’sinternationally recognised medical program, as well as providing support for nursing and allied health students on placement within the region.

Leaders: St Paul’sTraralgon, SecondarySchool captainsGeorgia Vardyand AxelSellings with head of TraralgonSecondary School, Leonie Clarkand principal, Cameron Herbert Photos: Supplied

Future: Junior school leadersDavid Ogabiela and Arlo Agustin with head of Traralgon Junior School, TraceyKing,and principal, Cameron Herbert

Duo: Year 12 students BenFrancis and Alannah Rogalskyhavebeeninducted as the2023 whole-school captains at StPaul’sAnglican Grammar School.

Photo: Supplied

Float Tank

Floatation therapy, also known as REST (Reduced Environmental Stimuli Therapy) is arelaxing and rejuvenating experience forthose looking foralittleextra self-careand stress relief. The therapyinvolves floating in an enclosedtank filled withwaterand Epsom salt.The high salt concentration allows your body to floateffortlessly,and the darkness and quietofthe tank createsasense of total isolation from theoutside world. One of the best things about floattherapyisthatitisincredibly customizable. Youcan choose to havethe lights on or the tank door open depending on your preference. Youcan also havegentle music playing throughout the floatsession.

The benefits of floattherapyare numerous, including reducing stress and anxiety,improving sleep, and increasing focus and creativity. The sensation of floating can be deeply relaxing, and the isolation from external stimuli can help to quietthe mind and promote ameditative

Fit for Life

state Additionally the Epsom salt in the water is believed to have therapeutic properties,aas it is absorbed through the skin and can help to ease muscle and joint pain.

Floattherapyissuitable foralmost everyone. It can be especially beneficial forpeoplewith chronic pain, anxiety,orsleep disorders, but it’s also agreat wayfor healthy individuals to relax and unwind. It is also suitableduring pregnancy(afterthe first trimester) and canprovide relief from the heaviness and fatigue in the laterstagesofpregnancy.

If you’re looking fora new waytode-stress and takesometimefor yourself, floattherapyisdefinitely worthchecking out.It’saunique and innovativeform of therapythatcan provide awide range of benefits. Plus, it’s agreat excusetotakesometimetoyourself and soak in awarm, relaxing tank.

AboutTraralgonRelaxation &RecoveryCentre

Nestled between Harley Davidson and ReecePlumbing on Argyle Street, alongside the main highwayinTraralgon, is not the location you would associated with peace and tranquillity.However, as soonasyou enter ourfront door,you are transported to aplace of calmand healing.The soft décor, ambient music andgentlehint of essential oils, allhelptoinstilasense of peace and set you on your path to physical and mental relaxation &wellness.

Our services are varied and include massage, infra-red sauna, floattherapy, salt therapy,and hyperbaric oxygen therapy and compression recoveryboots. Whether you are after stress relief, pain relief, looking to speed up healing orslow down aging, we can work with you and ensure thatwhatyou have chosenwill meet your requirements and will work alongside anyother treatments (complimentary or traditional)

We are passionate about acollaborative approach to health and wellness and as such

are veryproud to be part of alarger network of small business all with the same goalin mind. Following on from asuccessfulsocial media campaign “a week of wellness”, we are verypleased to be asponsor of the upcoming Wellness Expo –the first of its kind in Gippsland.

The Wellness ExpoGippsland is an event thatwill be showcasing over 40 health and well-being businesses from around Gippsland.The aimistoconnect the community to services in the holistic health and wellness space locally.Businesses involved range from mental healthservices to personal trainers, nutritionists and holistic health products. This is also agreat opportunity for the community to support small businesses in Gippsland. The event will be held from12pm-4pm Saturday 25th March till 10am-4pmSunday26th March 2023 at Traralgon.

Floatation room

Hyperbaric chamber

Research finds parental concerns post-COVID

NEWresearchfrom Camp Australia reveals Australian children’s emotionalwellbeing, screen time and lack of socialisationcontinue to be the highest concernfor parentsand school leadersin the aftermath of lockdowns, and as COVID-19 retreats in the rear-view mirror.

Launched in 2020, the Camp Australia Child Impact Survey, annually tracks the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental and physical wellbeing of primary school-aged children across Australia.

Now in its thirdyear, the latest survey, conducted in December 2022, reveals almostone quarter (24 per cent) of parents reported their child’semotional patternsworsened in 2022, with children more easily overwhelmed and more sensitive, despite the end of lockdowns.

This was supported by 62 per cent of school leaders. Atotal of 42 per cent of parents reported too much unproductive screen time as one of their main concerns for children,with one third of parents reporting unproductivescreentimehas worsened over the past 12 months.

When asked aboutareas schoolleaders wouldlike to learn more, online safety was the most popular topic (63 per cent). Just over one third of families also share this interest and concern highlighting that more understanding and education is needed in this critical area.

Against this backdrop, Camp Australia welcomed the new Online Safety Bill and the government's initiative via the eSafety commissioner to launch its eSafety Early Years Program and eSafe Kids Program for children and parents.

Children having friends and socialising was another top concern for parents (36 per cent) and school leaders (26 per cent).

Dr Justin Coulson, one of Australia’s most trusted parenting author and experts, said the research highlights the importance of supporting children’s resiliencesothey can deal with challenging times.

“Despite the survey being conducted in December, well after the end of lockdowns in Australia, the resultssuggest there may be lingering negative effects of the pandemic on children," he said.

“Mostofthese concerns relate to children in Foundation/Prep and Grades 1and 2, so we’re seeing these issues impact very young children.

“When children have too much unproductive screentimeoravoid making new friends, they can be at increased risk of mental ill-health including experiencing social difficulties, poor academic results, andevendeveloping physical health concerns.“While we can’t entirelyavoid the use of screens in our work and study lives, we need to be aware children are growing up with new ways of working where technology is universal.

“This is allthe more reasontodevelop ahealthy relationship with technology and socialising offline as early as possibletocounteract these impacts and become more resilient in the long term."

CampAustraliachief executive, Warren Jacobson,saidthe research continues to play an important role in helping families and educators understand and address critical aspects of children’s long-term development.

“It’s no coincidence asense of disconnection and isolation continues to impact our children,and this research helps illustrateexactly what parents and school leaders are wanting to address going into the 2023 school year," he said.

“We know socialisation skills are critical for all aspectsofachild’s growth, but these insights reveal excessive time in front of screens continues, and children are more erratic and feel less connected despite the end of lockdowns.

“Whilst concern wasexpressedregarding unproductivescreen time, the survey outcomes also raise the issue of e-safety and the influence of social media on children, and whether they are educated to deal with this.

“Providing opportunities for social interaction outside the structure of learning in the classroom is one of the ways we can help address these concerns.

“Activities before and after the school day where children can socialise across age and cultural boundaries and pursue other interests actively such as sport, cooking, drama, arts and crafts in astructured environment, all play acriticalrole in providing asenseofnormalcy,promoting social development and an alternative to screen time."

Bunnings donates worm farm

RECENTLY, Jayde from Bunnings came to Stockdale Road Primary School, Traralgonto donate aworm farm for the school's brand-new specialist program called Paddock to Plate.

The new school Enviro Leaders for 2023 enjoyedhelping set-upthe worm farm, and learn

about caring for the worms so we can feed our new vegetable gardens organically.

Group effort: Luca, Mackai, Charlie,Archie, Oliver,Chloe,Eva,Isabella andOliver,along with teachersMsBurns,Jade,Mrs Arber and JaydefromBunnings

Twins AddisonKathleen Hubbardand HenryJoseph Hubbard, bornNovember 2, 2022 at Monash Medical Centre. Proudparents Stephanie (nee Smart) and BrodyHubbardofMoe

Photo: Supplied

Boardwalks installed

MATHISON Park in Churchill is now more accessible, with the upgrade of one of the boardwalks along the walking path

Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester, said the $90,000 project was Stage 1 of boardwalk renewals for the park

“Mathison Park is a beautiful green space for locals and visitors to enjoy and walk around Lake Hyland,” Mr Chester said

“The old timber boardwalk has been replaced to be more accessible and easier for bike riders and path users to cross over the wetlands space

“The park is a wonderful space for some outdoor exercise, and a testament to the dedicated group of volunteers who maintain the grounds and ensure locals can enjoy the space ”

The project was funded through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and administered by Latrobe City Council

Sayhello

MEET Rosie the assistance dog

There can be a lot of confusion around assistance dogs, the laws pertaining to access and disability discrimination

So come along and meet Rosie and her human, Dale, at a special information session

Dale and Rosie will help to dispel some of the misconceptions

Learn more about assistance dogs, the law, conditions assistance dogs can assist with, training for dogs and the difference between assistance, companion and therapy dogs

Find out how the Assistance Dog Program works and other similar

Community Corner with Liam Durkin

the website at sbwc org au, on our Facebook page, or by emailing publicity@sbwc org au

Good Friday fundraiser

ON Sunday, April 2, Our Kinda Country Club will be holding its 11th annual fundraiser for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal

We have been donating money raised from this event to the R E H Cork Club

The event is held at Flanagans Hotel, Traralgon from 12pm

The afternoon consists of live music, a raffle with more than 20 Easter basket prizes and an auction

For further information, phone Dawn on 0412 161 419

Chess results

WITH one loss, Aaron Nabulski was the leading player in the last round

Peter Bakker finished on level terms with Bob Cooper, both players dropping two games and conceding two draws

Frequent oversights by Ian Hamilton were punished

Trapped pieces were a problem for Cliff Thornton

Fighting till the end, Steve Ahern was never in a hurry to submit Phone Ian Hamilton on 5134 1971 or Cliff Thornton on 0413 330 458 for more details on local chess

are $2, afternoon or morning tea following activities is free

Phone Bill on 0413 728 652 between 10am and 4pm weekdays for further information

Traralgon Senior Citizens Centre Monomeath is located in Victory Park

What’s on at the Morwell Historical Society

MORWELL Historical Society invites you to visit our rooms during our open days on the first and third Wednesdays and last Sunday of the month (February to November) from 11am to 2pm

Our displays are constantly changing and for a limited time we have displays of the Maryvale Football Club and Latrobe Valley Yacht Club

These clubs would hold many memories to their members and the general public

Join us and take a trip down memory lane

If football or yachting is not your thing, we have lots of other displays

Our volunteers will be happy to do some research for you if you are looking for something in particular

Put the dates in your diary so you don’t miss out

We can be reached by email on secretary@morwellhistoricalsociety org au or on Facebook

programs and how to access these programs

You’ll get to meet Rosie and learn about the life of an assistance dog on Wednesday, February 22 at 1 30pm

For more information and to register

your attendance, phone the Traralgon Neighbourhood Learning House on 5174 6199, or email enquiries@tnlh org au

Decent hike

RECENTLY, Bushwalking Tracks and Conservation (BTAC) hosted a volunteer event in Victoria’s high country

Five kilometres of track was cleared between Mt Bogong and Mt Wills

This will greatly benefit bushwalkers, skiers, and horse riders

Volunteers from six affiliated clubs provided more than 550 volunteer hours to get this work done Peter Maffai, from the Strezlecki Bushwalking Club, was one of those volunteers

On February 4, members met at the Jeeralang North Hall on a very rainy day for Summer!

We meandered through forest tracks and made a river crossing across the Traralgon Creek, which took us to Koornalla for our morning tea break Everyone stayed in high spirits despite the rain, and we completed a very enjoyable 12km hike

On February 19, our club treasurer, Adrian, will be hosting an easy walk starting from the Tyers Pumping Station all the way out to the pipeline crossing and back This is a scenic walk along a lovely river with some very interesting historical artifacts to find along the track

On February 25, the club shall be hosting an easy walk around the Baw Baw Village trails There is a lovely restaurant in the village for refreshments once the walk is complete The views from Mt Baw Baw Village back across the Latrobe Valley are spectacular Further information is available on

Programs at Traralgon Senior Citizens

CURRENT programs on offer are bowls every Wednesday and Friday from 1pm

Patchwork/needlework on Mondays at 12 noon

Exercise class on Tuesday at 9 30am

Cards (500) on Tuesday at 1pm 500 card tournaments once a month

Tai Chi is Thursday at 9am

Phone Gwen on 0407 924 489

Membership cost $4 per year Activities

Morwell North PrimarySchool Reunion

DID you or your descendants attend Morwell North Primary School?

The Morwell Historical Society is excited to announce they will be holding a Morwell North Primary School Reunion on Sunday, March 26 from 1pm to 3pm in their rooms at 12 Hazelwood Road, Morwell

As well as past students meeting up with their classmates, a highlight of

Brand new: Pictured on the new Mathison Park boardwalk is Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, with Mathison Park Community Assets Committee members Chris Foley, Faye Foley, Andy Webb and Ruth Place

Friendly: Come and say hello to Rosie the assistance dog at Traralgon Neighbourhood House Photographs supplied Great work: Strzelecki Bushwalking Club members help out with the Bushwalking Tracks and Conservation clean-up in the state’s high country

the reunion will be the school rolls that we have from 1907 to 1958 plus other photos

Come and see if your parents or grandparents attended the school

If anyone has any photos or memorabilia that they would like to share with us, or any questions about the afternoon, please phone us on 0409 436 019

Afternoon tea will be supplied so come along and join us for a cuppa, a chat and reminisce

This will be an opportunity not to be missed

Twilight market

OLD Gippstown is starting 2023 off with our twilight market

Gates open at 4pm on March 4 Gold

Coin entry

Old Gippstown is hosting monthly

ghost and park tours The next one is Saturday, April 29

Book your place now at https://www eventbrite com au/e/ghost-and-parktour-tickets-536499423217

Rehearsals backon

LATROBE Community Concert Band has resumed rehearsals for the year, and are seeking new members

Rehearsals are held from 6 30pm to 9pm on Monday’s, at a room adjoining the Newborough Hall

There are a variety of instruments available for member’s use

For more information, visit www lccband com, or call Tony on 0407 096 091

Photographycourse

A DIGITAL SLR photography course is starting at the Traralgon Neighbourhood Learning House on Thursday, February 23

If you’ve ever wondered what all those buttons are on your camera, or what is meant by exposure, aperture and shutter speed, this course is for you

Experienced photographer and teacher Tara Little will be teaching how to use an SLR camera, plus the principles of lighting, composition, depth of field etc in this informative and practical six week course

There will also be an excursion which helps to consolidate the theory into practice

For more information and to register your interest, phone 5174 6199 or drop into 11-13 Breed Street, Traralgon

Traralgon Bridge Club

WE are now accepting names for our beginner’s bridge classes To put your name down you need to ring Helen McAdam on 0438 164528, and then we will try to organise a time that suits most people

We are looking forward to seeing some new faces around the club as COVID prevented us from offering classes

Be brave and give bridge a try

Results:

Monday, January 30; 1st Marion and Kevin Taylor, 2nd Don Tylee and Robin Hecker

Tuesday, January 31; E/W 1st Greg Nicholson and Kaye Douglas, 2nd Marion Taylor and Anna Field

Tuesday, January 31; N/S 1st Peter Lonie and Jan Williams, 2nd Carole Cheyne and Fred Kaminski

Thursday, February 2; 1st E/W Greg Nicholson and Kaye Douglas, 2nd Phillip Goode and Barbara Barr

Thursday, February 2; N/S 1st David Hawkins and Peter Lonie, 2nd Ken Tierney and Anna Field

Ukulele lessons

IF you’re starting out or returning to an instrument, I, Phillip Chalker, can help you get off to a flying start I offer beginner, intermediate and refresher lessons for ukulele

You can take lessons at my place or, - if you live in my area - in the comfort of your own home

For those who live a bit further away, we can have an online session using Skype or FaceTime A group ukulele session is available if you have a companion who wishes to learn with you I also offer group sessions for up to eight people

You only need an instrument, a tuner and your desire to learn and desire to start playing

Current fee for a one hour-lesson is $20, and slightly more for extra students

Phone me with your enquiries on 0400 603 367 or visit my website https:// latrobemusic com/lessons/

WorldDay of Prayer

THE service, prepared by the women of Taiwan, will be held on Friday, March 3 at 10 30am in St Luke’s Uniting Church, 279 Princes Drive, Morwell For more information, phone Zelma on 5166 1264

Op shop seeks volunteers

RSPCA Traralgon Op Shop welcomes anyone who wishes to volunteer RSPCA is a community-based charity that works to prevent cruelty to animals by actively promoting their care and protection

The RSPCA relies on the generous support of individuals, organisations and corporate sponsors to carry out its vital work in the community

Please consider volunteering with the Traralgon RSPCA Op Shop

Visit https://rspca org/ and follow the links for volunteer, or phone 03 8410 16627

The Traralgon shop is open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm, and Saturday from 10am-3pm

We Live TooCrew areback!

IF you are a person who lives with a

disability or chronic illness, or you care for someone who does - this group may be the one for you

This little group come together to share some laughs, lived experience stories and enjoy fun activities together

The group aims to empower participants to build their capacity to have a voice and access a safe social space for all abilities

We provide a friendly link with other services and civic-minded people

The group meets on the third Friday of each month

Art and craft, lunch provided at no cost

For more information, visit Morwell Neighbourhood House 48-50 Beattie Cres

The crew returns on Friday, February 17 at 11 30am

Let’s dance

LATROBE Valley Dance Promotions

Inc are conducting weekly Thursday night social ballroom dancing with lessons on Thursday evenings at the Guide Hall, Margaret St Morwell

Beginners will be starting at 7pm and are welcome to stay until 10pm

Intermediate from 8pm to 10pm

Cost is $5 Join us for some fun learning, revision, dancing, friendships, and exercise

Follow us on our Facebook page at Latrobe Valley Dance Promotions Inc

Phone Norm on 0428 543 737 or Lynda (0428 489 041) for more information

Email: latrobevalleydancepromotioninc@gmail com

Youcan be apartof Community Corner

IF you are a community group and have any news items 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

Let it snow: It might be summer but Ben Cruachan Walking Club members can still find snow

Learning: Phillip Chalker is offering ukulele lessons

Regioncould learn valuablelesson

THE Snowy 2.0 Project, now under construction, comprises atunnel, pump station and a2000MW power station linking two water reservoirs in the Snowy-Tumut hydroelectric system.

Its estimated cost is $3.8-4.5bn, but during its entireoperational life of perhaps 80-plus years, will consume more power than it ever generates.

It joins many other expensive projects, such as huge batteries (costing around 60 times more per kWhthanSnowy), transmission grid interconnections like Marinus ($3bn) to enable 'wheeling' of power between differently-timed peakdemands, and hugely increased natural gas consumption (pushing up prices) in gas turbine 'peaking plants' to fill the widening gap between increased peaks and declining base load electricity.

All of this comes as aresult of well-intentioned (subsidised) over-investment in renewable (solar and wind) power generation. It comes about because of failure to appreciate the second law of thermodynamics, which putsimply, meansthat the true cost of electricity is based on not just how it is generated, but when it is generated.

Ultimately all these new inefficienciesand increasing costs must be paidfor by consumers (the general public) both directly, and indirectly (through loss of industrial employment).

This is the real cost of power industry 'decarbonisation', which seemstobenot wellunderstood. However, evenmoreunfortunate is thenotion that more investmentinrenewableswill somehow reduce costs.

Surely by now our dramatically increasing energy

bills should be revealing the reality that such expected cost decreases are amyth.

The necessityfor Snowy 2.0 should point out that trying to get cheaper power by ongoing overinvestment in renewables is chasing amirage.

Ron Camier Morwell

Iam, youare,weare Australian

CONGRATULATIONS to Maree McPherson and all the recent recipients of Australia Day Awards. We truly do live in amagnificent countryfull of opportunity, as the variety of achievements these people have contributed prove.

It is however extremely disheartening that the organised community events throughout Latrobe City were so poorly promoted.

If it were notfor the tireless work of the Traralgon Lions Club, there wouldn’t have even been an event to mark the day in Traralgon.

In previous years this event has been ajoyous celebration of our national day, attended by large crowds of people who have enjoyed not only the LionsClub breakfast, the TraralgonCityBand, motivational speakers and the raising of the flag, but alsoevents organised by other local businesses thathave kept young andold energisedand active

And it was always well promoted in the weeks leading up to it.

Sadly, this AustraliaDay Ispoke to several people who just happened upon it while out for awalk on

alovely morning and commented that they didn’t even know it was on.

This event, that so many look forward to every year is replicated across the area within each town.

The Latrobe Valley Express used to follow these Australia Dayevents up with amultiplepage spreadingloriouscolourphotos of asea of local Australians celebrating in their red,white and blue.

This year, apart from the front page article featuring Maree McPerson OAM, Ihad to turn to page 16 to find an article about an Australia Day event, and to page 31 to read about the awards ceremony held at the GippslandPerforming Art Centre. In all, there were only eight small articles andonly one of those actually contained Australia Dayinthe heading.

COVID drove awedge through our communities, separating families, dividing people and destroying businesses, but now we are being held ransom and having the right to celebrate our national identity destroyed as well.

Iwas born here, as were my parents, and Ifor one am absolutely proud to call Australia my home. Australiaisanamazing country that has achieved so much and we should all be proud, and we should all have the right to celebrate our national day.

Janet Price Traralgon

Political reality check

IMAGINE you write to your local member of Parliament seeking an answer to asimple question.

You ask your so calledhardworking MP to provide you with the answer to the following mathematical question: What is the square root of 16? Instead of dealingwiththe question in house and in atimelymanner, the MP refers the question to the Minister for Education, who in turn refers it to their department. After months of doing nothing yet claiming to be working hard for us, the MP finally responds with inevitably the wrong answer.

Harriet Shing, Iasked youasimplequestion acouple of weeks ago and you are turning my question into acomplex issue just like the above example.

As my local MP and relevant minister, try dealing with the issue yourself and use your so-called intellect without the need to pass the buck. Your constituents deserve apolitician who can make decisions without turning asimple issue into acomplex matter.

Patrick Ansell Morwell

Nuclear the answer

SOME factsfor Lorraine Bull from opinion letters in the Latrobe Valley Expresson1/2/23.

Life expectancy in the 1850s was about 35, now it is over70.

Inflation adjusted income per capita was about $5000, now it is over $50,000.

Climaterelated deaths have fallen by 98 percent from the 1920s to now.

The cause was we startedtouse fossil fuels in

Remains to be seen: Letter writer Joseph Lis does not believe the revived SEC will be what it was in a previous generation File photograph

“We’re allabout our community”

from theSnowy2.0 hydro project

increasing amounts and ways which powered the industrial revolution.

This freed us from the farm to be able to innovate and invent the technologiesthat we today take for granted.

It is no coincidence that the worlds richest countries use the most fossil fuels per capita. Only20per centoffossilfuels are used to generate electricity, 40 per centisused for transport, and the rest for industrial heat, and to make the 5000 to 6000 different materials that we usein everyday life, examples are most clothes, plastics and polymer's, the carpet on your floor, the paint on your walls, the toothpaste and brush that you clean your teeth with, the bitumenyou drive your car on which is also filled with materials made from fossil fuels, and the food you eat which is fertilised with nitrogen made from natural gas which allows us to feed eight billion people on the planet.

Regarding extreme weather events,anobjective look at data that's not been cherry picked shows no discernibleincrease in events despite what the sensationalist media tell you.

Regarding CO2, it is not apollutant but is plant food essential for life.

It is atrace gas at .04 per cent of the atmosphere which during the last glaciation period came very close to the .015 per cent thresholdatwhich plants and therefore us cannot survive, and at .04 per cent, is stillone of the lowest levels of CO2 in the planets long history. Its warming effect is logarithmic not linear, and the main greenhouse gas is water vapour.

So now we get to follow the example of Germany, which built an extremely expensivesecond power grid of unreliable intermittent renewables using Russian gas to provide baseload electricity to stabilise their grid.

Once they lost access to that gas, they fired up their mothballed coal power plants, extended the life of their nuclear power plants and bought all the LNG theycould get from the rest of the world, driving up the price we all pay.

Meanwhile we get to listen to the Malthusian hypocrisy of those who jet around the world attending world economic forums and COP summits, creating giant carbon footprint's while lecturing the rest of us to go back to 1850s poverty and lifespan and to die off in our billions (but not them).

All to stop the planet supposedly warming one or two degrees, which if it occurred would be in the coldestpartsofthe planet, andtostopthe greening of the planet which NASA satellite data shows has occurred over the last 40 years due to the small increase in CO2.

We need to go nuclear if we want cheap, reliable baseload power without CO2 with powerplants that can last up to 100 years. The amount of CO2 in the atmosphere willbedecided by India and China anyway, not by the western countries.

What we are doing is just dumb.

Phillip James Morwell

SEC won'tbewhat it was

COUNT Andrews taking over the old SEC is an insult to every worker who ever worked there in the last 100 years, and is akin to putting Dracula in charge of the blood bank.

What ajoke!

Indeed, it should be called the State Electricity Commission of Daniel Andrews, and not the SEC of Victoria.

For starters, how can Premier and propaganda minister Andrews say that "the SEC will be 100

per centowned by the Victorian government" when multi-billionaire private investors like Green extremist Mike Cannon-Brookes willbehelping him financethis multi-billion-dollar Green dream?

Moreover, in the blackout-ridden future just where will Victoria's power come from, as Yallourn (due to be closed in 2028)produces 1450 megawatts of electricity and the largest wind farm in Australia is expected to produce just 396 megawatts?

Joseph Lis Morwell

Deadlyreality

THE horrific story of the toddler who died in a hot car on February 2isastark reminder of the dangers of leaving anyone in ahot car.

As temperatures soar all over the country, please remember thatdogsand children should neverbe left in parked vehicles, which can rapidly become death traps.

Even on amild, 22-degree day,the temperature inside aparkedcar can soar to 47 degrees in minutes. Leaving windows open will not keep animals or children comfortable or safe.

With only hot air to breathe, they can succumb to heatstroke in as little as 15 minutes, resulting in brain damage or death.

Symptoms include restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, diarrhoea and vomiting, and even seizures. Please,whenit’swarm outside, leavechildren andanimals at home, or takethem outofthe car withyou

If you see children or dogs left in acar, have the car's owner paged at nearby shops or call 000 immediately -their life depends on it. If the authorities are unresponsive or too slow and their life appears to be in imminent danger, find awitness (or several) who will back up your assessment, take steps to remove them from the car, and then wait for authorities to arrive.

Mimi Bekhechi

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

Be braveand shave

ACCORDING to the Leukaemia Foundation’s latestresearch, many Australians living with blood cancer, particularly those in regional and remote areas, are under significant financial strain as a result of their diagnosis and treatment.

Nearlyhalf (43 per cent) of thosediagnosed experienced out-of-pocket treatment costs totalling hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars.

Regional patients and their loved onesoften need to travel long distances or relocate to acapital city to access lifesaving treatment, which significantly increases the financial hardship they experience. As aresult, some have hadtosell assetsincluding their house or car to pay for treatment, with others using charity food boxes and turning to charities like the Leukaemia Foundation for support. With blood cancerincidence on the rise,and more Australians than ever needing financial, emotional and practical support, the Leukaemia Foundation has launched the 25th anniversary of World’s Greatest Shave to help raise vital money. Money raised will also help research scientists continue their search for better ways to diagnose and treat blood cancer more effectively.

We urgeall Australians to join us in celebrating the 25th anniversary of World’s Greatest Shave, by signing up to shave, cut or colour their hair in support of the growing number of Australians diagnosed with blood cancer every day.

SignuptoWorld’sGreatestShaveonline at worldsgreatestshave.com, or call 1800 500 088 for more information.

Chris Tanti Leukaemia Foundation CEO

Finally

YIPPIE, hi, ho.

At last, afteryears or pursuing the dangerous intersection at Bank St and Princes Highway intersection in Traralgon, it is finished and is money well spent. Now Mr Andrews, willittake another fouryears for your government to fundthe long-awaited bypass highway through Traralgon, which has been on the agenda for years?

The heavy transport truckshaveand will increase over time.

NF Nanos Traralgon

Cashless society?

IWILL be 82 this month, and still drive my car. Itold my three grandchildren that Iwould take them to Gumbuya World as atreat.

To do this, as Iamnot on the internet, Ihad to drive to the NAB bank in Morwell and take out money to payfor the entrance, thentakethe money to my daughter, give her the money,then she had to go to the bank at Mid Valley to putthe money intoher account, so she could getonline to book the tickets forme.

Lifeishardenough withoutall the extra things happeningeveryday

No wonder people giveup, it just gets too hard.

Irene Oldham Morwell

Up forthe fight

THE issuesVictoriansfaced beforethe 2022 state election have not changed.

In fact, it is getting to acriticalpoint for our state’s health crisis, the increasing cost of living and the cost of education.

These are not isolated to a single electorate or region. There are issuesthat every Victorianwhether they are regional or metropolitan -will encounter.

As the 60th Parliament of Victoria resumes for

the year,The Nationalswillbeensuring that the voices of regional Victorians are heard.

Regional Victorians have spoken, and they want urgent action on Victoria’s expanding surgical waitlist,overcrowded Emergency Departments, patchwork local roads, mobile blackspots -the list goes on.

But most importantly, regionalVictorians don’t wanttobeoverlookedbythe AndrewsLabor government when it comes to investment in our communities and services.

The Nationals enter Parliament with astronger team, covering Victoria from border to border. We will putthe issuesfacingrural andregional Victorians front and centre, and work to resolve them.

The Nationals is the only party solely representing regional Victorians. It is our absolute focus.

The regions should be more of afocus for Labor, because when the regions are thriving, Victoria is thriving.

Peter Walsh Leader of The Nationals

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 editletters for reasons of space and clarity, and may refuse to publish any letter without explanation.

The Express does not publish letters from anonymous contributors.

Letters must include aphone number, email address and the author's hometown for purposes of substantiating authenticity. Readers are entitled to one right of reply to aletter directed at them.

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

Emailletters to news@lvexpress.com.au and include 'letter to the editor' in the subject line.

Deadline for letters is Thursday 3pm.

Cold hard: Cash is still King in theeyesofmanyLatrobe Valleyresidents

Photograph supplied

HOROSCOPES

by Joanne Madeline Moore

February13-February19, 2023

Aries This week romance is in the air but the energy is behind the scenes suggesting a private, magical Valentine’s Day (“Romance is the glamour which turns the dust of everyday life into a golden haze” – Carolyn Gold

Heilbrun ) Single Rams – subtle signs and unexpected synchronicities could lead you to your true love, so keep your intuition welltuned When it comes to work, a long-term goal or a group project requires plenty of hard graft to get it off the ground

Taurus Have you got a pile of projects that you ’ ve started but is unfinished? This week the Sun and Saturn boost motivation and concentration, so you can bring a project to a conclusion Don’t waste the opportunity! With Venus and Neptune hooking up in your hopesand-wishes zone you ’ re set for an amorous

Valentine’s Day Romantic music, stylish surroundings and gourmet food are calling Singles – sparks could fly with a sexy Scorpion or a passionate Piscean

Gemini Gregarious Geminis love to c Ghat, so this Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to tell loved ones how much you really care

Inspiration for the week is from birthday great, avant-garde artist Yoko Ono (born on February 18, 1933): “The regret of my life is that I have not said ‘I love you ’ often enough ” Saturday’s Mercury/Jupiter connection is fabulous for communication education travel commerce business, philosophical discussions and future planning

Cancer Coupled Crabs – find a dream you and your partner can share together Then put time, effort and hard work into making that dream come true ( Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but of looking outward together in the same direction” – Antoine St Exupery ) Singles – with romance planet Venus in your travel zone, love is likely with someone from another country or culture Alternatively you could meet them while one of you is on holiday

Leo When it comes to romance, marriage and close friendships, Saturn is constantly reminding you about your current duties and responsibilities But, this week, make sure you have plenty of fun Your quote for Valentine’s Day is from writer George Sand: There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved ” Saturday favours partnerships, communication, education, travel and international connections, as you initiate projects with passion and enthusiasm

Virgo Whether you ’ re attached, searching for yogur soulmate, or happily single, Valentine’s Day is an appropriate time to reflect on the fact that love really does make the world go around And love is definitely the glue that binds us all together Saturday’s Mercury/ Jupiter link highlights your natural ability to think of a fabulous idea, do the research that’s required, and then act on it When you walk your talk (with Virgo versatility) you re unstoppable!

Libra At the moment with taskmaster

Saturn moving slowly through your romance zone love is a very serious business So your quote for Valentine’s Day is from writer William Barclay: “Love always involves responsibility, and love always involves sacrifice ” Single Librans – it’s time to give flirtatious, superficial suitors the flick Instead, look for a lover who has real character, depth and substance A philosopher (with a romantic soul) who can last the distance

Scorpio

When it comes to finding (and maintaining) love, resist the urge to be overly controlling Attached Scorpio – avoid the temptation to be bossy at home Give your spouse more space Singles – stop looking for love in all the obvious places Write a wishlist of the important qualities you desire in a dream partner Then sit back and wait for the magic to happen As actress Loretta Young observed: “Love isn’t something you find Love is something that finds you ”

Sagittarius With dynamic Mars traveg lling through your partnership zone prepare for a bold and beautiful Valentine’s Day Coupled Sagittarians – why not initiate a special romantic rendezvous with your partner? Singles – in order to find true love, you need to be brave and step out of your comfort zone So, your motto is from Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu: “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage ”

Ad Standards welcomes new community panel members

NINEnew community representatives have been appointed by Ad Standards, Australia’s advertising complaints handling body, to the Ad Standards Community Panel.

The Ad Standards Community Panel is an independent and diverse group responsible for adjudicatingcomplaints made by the public about advertising content.

The new community panel members representa broad range of backgroundsand experiences, and include aformer refugee, alandscapeconstructionapprentice, an artistand Aboriginal affairs advocate,amember of the Sikh community, a stevedore, and the chief executive of anational organisation that supports transgender young people and their families.

"I believe we have succeeded in bringing together agroup of people who represent, as much as possible, the diversity of Australian society.”

The newcommunity representatives willjoin 16 other community panel members, who meet regularly to considercomplaintsabout advertising and to determine whether advertising aligns with communitystandards and Australia’sadvertising rules. “The Ad Standards CommunityPanel is the centrepiece of Australia’s world-class advertising self-regulatory system. Diversity of background and opinion within the community panel is essential to ensuring decisions about advertising contentreflect current community standards and values,” Mr Bean said.

Capricorn

Focus your attention on your lover, as you give them the right royal romantic treatment this Valentine’s Day Singles love and work are linked However, when it comes to money, are you feeling less than abundant? The Sun/Saturn conjunction encourages you to work towards a financial goal with passion and persistence Be inspired by birthday great Michael Jordan: “Some people want it to happen some wish it would happen others make it happen ”

Ad Standards’ executive director, Richard Bean, said the new appointments will add to the panel’s current range of people with backgrounds from across the Australian community.

“The selection process was exciting as we receivedamultitudeofapplications fromeveryday Australians across the country," he said.

“While they are active in their own communities, community panel members are not appointed to represent any particular interestgroup and, importantly, are independent of the advertising industry.”

Alist of current community panel members can be found on the Ad Standards website.

Aquarius

Don’t take your partner – or pote qntial partner – for granted! If you do then your neglected lover may go looking for attention elsewhere (“Love doesn’t just sit there, like a stone It has to be made like bread, remade all the time, made new ” – Ursula Le Guin ) So, plan something uniquely special this Valentine’s Day Single Aquarius – it doesn’t matter what a potential partner looks like, or how much money they make, you need a romantic mate who is also a friend

Pisces Attached Fish – you ’ re feeling extra romantic as you lavish attention (and money) on your partner, wear your heart on your sleeve or play out a secret fantasy with your lover Single Pisces – don’t base your self-esteem on whether you have a partner You possess a multitude of talents and a compassionate nature Finding your soulmate is just the extra icing on an already spectacular cake! As the Sun shifts into Pisces (on the weekend) it’s your time to shine

CopyrightJoanne Madeline Moore 2023

Thisadvertisingspace couldb rs

This week my stars are telling me that I’m going to purchase a fantastic bargain YOUBEAUTY!

To advertise your bargains, products or services in this column or forinformation, simply phoneLesleyHogan on 5135 4414 today.

GP1653153

Impartial: TheAdStandards CommunityPanel.

Photograph: Supplied

TheGuide

PICK OF THE WEEK

SOCCER:CUP OF NATIONS

10 Bold Sunday 5 30pm

What better way to wind down on a Sunday evening than by witnessing two world-class sporting teams settle a score As the Womens World Cup excitement begins to build before the showpiece event on home soil in less than six months, the Cup of Nations is being hosted by NSW, with excited home crowds eager to witness one of our most celebrated national sporting teams in action Led by star player Sam Kerr (pictured right with her teammates) the Matildas take on fellow World Cup contenders Spain in what promises to be a blockbuster clash after the Aussies copped one of their biggest thrashing in history by the Spaniards last June The whiteknuckled action is live from Sydney s CommBank Stadium

NCIS:LOS ANGELES

10, Saturday, 9.30pm

Foralmost15years, agents Callen (Chris O’Donnell), KensiBlye(DanielaRuah) and Marty Deeks (EricChristian Olsen) and their team haveinstilled asense of justice foravid crime seriesfans –aswell as aremarkable sense of routine and consistency.Asthe world changed and got justthat littlebit older NCIS: LAwasthat comforting weekly viewing staple;that’swhatmakes news of its cancellation ashock. Tonight,inthisfinal season’s halfwaypoint,Rountree (Caleb Castille, pictured) and Fatima (Medalion Rahimi) areambushed while searching forKilbride,and soon discoverthat everyteam member has a substantial bounty on their head.

Wednesday, February 15

6.00 TheDrum.

7.00 ABCNews.

7.30 7.30

8.00 Hard Quiz. (PG) Presented by TomGleeson.

8.30 TheWeekly With Charlie Pickering (PG) Asatirical newsprogram.

9.00 Utopia. (Final, PG, R) Tony is at loggerheads with Rhonda and Jim.

9.30 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) Hosted by Adam Hills.

10.15 Adam Hills: TheLastLeg (R)

11.00 ABC Late News.

11.15 TheBusiness. (R)

11.30 Midsomer Murders. (Final, Mv,R) 1.00

Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.00 One Plus One. (R)

4.30 The Drum.(R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG)

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.35 Wildlife ER: Cavendish The Koala. (PG) Asick koala needs help

8.35 My Grandparents’War: Emeli Sandé. (PG) Part 3of4.Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé explores her grandparents’ remarkable warstories.

9.30 Bloodlands. (M) Tomand Olivia race to track down the gold.

10.35 SBS WorldNews Late.

11.05 Cargo (Mal)

12.00 Thin BlueLine. (MA15+alv,R)

2.15 Face To Face.(Premiere, Ma) 4.05 Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.35 Bamay.(R)

5.00 NHK World English NewsMorning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home AndAway. (PGa)

7.30 Code 1: TheLismore Floods. (M) Alook at the 2022 Lismore floods.

8.30 TheFront Bar: AllSports Edition (Ml) Sam Pang, Mick Molloyand Andy Maher takealook at the world of sport and catch up with the stars of yesteryear

9.30 Kitchen Nightmares Australia.

THE COOK UP WITH ADAM LIAW

SBS Food, Monday, 7pm

Lovable foodie Adam Liaw (pictured) returns with this new,fresh season of weeknightcooking inspiration –and he has no shortage of interesting passionate guests lining up.Ifyou’re yettosample this feel-good and laidbackcooking experience, it sees Liaw effortlesslychat with twoguests duringeachepisodeasthey all share their unique takeonthe evening’s food theme. Tonight,the key ingredient isn’t simply pulled straight from the pantry: it’sthat indiscernible thing,nostalgia. BlackComedy’s Craig Quartermaine and RosheenKaul, hf dh f

chef and co-author of Chinese-ish:Home Cooking,NotQuite Authentic, 100% Delicious,whip up the special dishes that remind them of another time

INSIGHT SBS,

Tuesday, 8.30pm

FirstSight. (Mls) Therumour millgoes into overdrive.

9.05 Under Investigation: Where’s Willi? (Ma) Liz Hayes and ateam of experts takealook at the1976disappearance of celebrity chef Willi Koeppen.

10.05 Nine News Late.

10.35 SeeNoEvil:One Last Shot. (Mv)

11.30 OrdinaryJoe. (Mav)

12.15 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.10 Living On The Coast. (R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

In aworld wheresocial media helps falsehoods and antisocial opinions go wild, this current affairs stalwart is abreathofintelligent,thoughtful dl df hPresenter Kumi urns to lead ational and ploration and amongst news niquefirstdience debate, hthas gripped morethan a century. Set eawide range sthis season ng identity andmid-life al awakenings, stalwart ks off by obing political orrectness, and whether it has gone too far.

and civilised fresh air P Taguchi (pictured) retu anew season of educa thought-provokingex analysis. Astand-out a shows thanks to itsun person stories and aud it’snosurprise Insigh audiencesfor m quarter of a to explore of topics includin crime sexua the kick pro co w g

7.30 TheDog House Australia.

Narrated by Mark Coles Smith.

8.40 Fire Country. (Mv) After a hiker tryingtotakeaselfie fallsoffa cliff,Bode andJakeput aside their differencestomakearescue.

9.40 Bull (PGa, R) Izzy puts the brakes on herwedding to Bull after he jeopardises Benny’selection campaign.

TheProject (R)

TheLateShowWith Stephen Colbert (PG)

Home Shopping. (R)

CBS Mornings.

Thursday,February

(R) 10.30 That Pacific Sports Show.(R)

11.05 Big Weather (And How To SurviveIt)

(R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Hard Quiz.(PG,R) 1.30 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG, R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time 3.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 4.00 AntiquesRoadshow.(R) 5.00 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 5.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

6.00 TheDrum.

7.00 ABCNews.

7.30 7.30 Presented by SarahFerguson.

8.00 Foreign Correspondent. (Return) International affairs program.

8.30 Grand Designs: House Of The Year: Problem-Solving Houses. Part 3of4.Kevin McCloud, Damion Burrows and Michelle Ogundehin visit fiveproperties that solveproblems.

9.20 Joanna Lumley’sGreat Cities Of TheWorld: Paris. (PG, R) Part 1of3

10.10 Movin’ToThe Country. (PG,R)

10.40 ABCLateNews.

10.55 TheBusiness (R)

11.10 ThePenguin King With David Attenborough (R)

12.10 Q+A. (R)

1.15 The Trouble With Maggie Cole. (PG, R)

2.05 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.00 One Plus

One.(R) 4.30 The Drum. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 World’sMostSecret Homes. (Final) 9.55 Confucius WasA Foodie. 11.00 The Story Of Cheese. (PG) 12.00 WorldWatch. 1.00 PBSNewsHour 2.00 Bamay.(R) 2.20 WalkingBritain’sRoman Roads. (PGa, R) 3.15 Mastermind Australia. (R)

4.15 Britain’s Cathedrals With Tony Robinson. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 LettersAnd Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG) Presented by MarcFennell.

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.35 From Paris To Rome With BettanyHughes: Florence, Lake Como,Milan. (PG) Part 3of4

8.30 American Presidency With Bill Clinton: Building The Economy. (PG) Exploreshow US Presidents haveexerted power over the economy through various measures.

9.20 Miniseries:The Walk-In. (MA15+) Part 3of5.Mullen comes under suspicion within National Action, but he refuses the offer of anew life.

10.15 SBSWorld NewsLate.

10.45 L’Opera. (Ml, R)

11.40 World On Fire. (MA15+v,R)

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home AndAway. (PGa)

Theo catches Ava’seye

8.30 TheVeryBestOfThe BestAnd WorstOfRed Faces. (PGal,R)Daryl Somers presents HeyHeyIt’sSaturday’s most popular, funny and weird RedFaces acts of all time, as well as discovering where some big namesgot their break, and what it wasliketobeajudge.

10.00 MrsBrown’s Boys. (Mls, R) Winnie’s place is burgled and her mother’s much-lovedwedding ring goesmissing.

10.45 TheLatest: SevenNews.

11.15 To Be Advised.

12.30 IAmPaul Walker (Ml, R) Explores the life of actor Paul Walker [VIC]HomeShopping.(R)

4.00

6.00

7.00

7.30 RBT. (Mdl) Follows the activities of police units.

8.30 Paramedics (Ma, R) Paramedics head to ahotel pool after aromantic escape ends in disaster for ayoung mum.

9.30 Australia Behind Bars. (Madlv,R)Follows inmatesas they are searched in the ongoing battle to keep drugsout of our prisons.

10.40 Nine NewsLate

11.10 Emergency Call (Ma)

11.55 Council Of Dads (PGa)

12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

2.30 Global Shop (R)

3.00

6.30 TheProject. Alook at the day’snews and events

7.30 Taskmaster Australia. (PGl) Comedygame showfeaturing comedians performing aseries of tricky tasks.

8.30 TheMontreal Comedy Festival. (Mls) Malaysian comedian RonnyChieng takes to the Just ForLaughs Montreal stage for hisvery own comedy gala.Heis joinedbyJay Pharoah, Julie Kim, Nimesh Patel, Nish Kumar and AlonzoBodden.

9.30 Law& Order: SVU. (MA15+adv) Theteaminvestigates asexual assaultbyaman wearing acrow maskatanunderground party.

11.30 TheProject. (R) Alook at the day’snews and events

12.30 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colbert. (PG) Late-night talk show

5.00 NHKWorld English News Morning.

3.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.30 Bamay (R)

5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

5.00

5.30

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

ABC COMEDY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 7pm Spicks And Specks. 7.30 QI. 8.30 Penn &Teller: Fool Us. 9.10 Hard Quiz. 9.40 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. 10.15 Gruen. 10.50 Shaun Micallef’s MAD AS HELL 11.25 DoctorWho 12.25am Would ILie To You? 12.55 LiveAtThe Apollo 1.40 Louis Theroux: ADifferent Brain. 2.40 The Making Of David Attenborough’s Great Barrier Reef 3.30 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) NITV (34)

Shortland St 2.30 The Cook Up 3.00 6am TV Shop 7.00 Creflo 7.30 TV Shop 10.30 Pointless. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.55 TheYoung And The Restless. 1.50 As TimeGoesBy. 3.10 AntiquesRoadshow 3.40 MOVIE: TheLoves Of Joanna Godden. (1947, PG) 5.30 Murder, She Wrote. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow 7.30 Grantchester 8.40 Poirot. 10.50 London Kills. Midnight Late Programs.

Morning Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 7.30 Under The Hammer 8.00 Harry’sPractice. 8.30 Million Dollar Minute. 9.30 NBC Today. Noon BetterHomes. 1.00 Escape To The Country 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi 2.30 Million Dollar Minute. 3.30 Medical Rookies. 4.00 Coastwatch Oz. 4.30 BetterHomes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Father Brown. 8.30 Murdoch Mysteries. 9.30 Kavanagh QC. 11.15 Late Programs.

Beneath The Sea. 10 BOLD (12, 53)

Our Stories. 6am The LateShow With Stephen Colbert 7.00 Friends. 8.00 Becker 9.00 The KingOfQueens 10.00 Friends. 10.30 TheMiddle. Noon TheBig Bang Theory 1.00 Frasier 2.00 Becker 3.00 The King Of Queens. 4.00 Becker 5.00 Frasier 6.00 Friends. 8.00 TheBig BangTheory. 9.30 Seinfeld. 11.00 Frasier Midnight Shopping. 1.30 Stephen Colbert. 2.30 Late Programs.

Grace Beside Me. 6am Morning Programs. 9.00 America’s Game. 10.00 American Restoration. 10.30 American Pickers. 11.30 Pawn Stars. Noon Highway Patrol 1.00 Surveillance Oz. 2.00 Police StrikeForce 3.00 BillyThe Exterminator. 3.30 Down East Dickering. 4.30 Barter Kings 5.30 American Restoration. 6.00 American Pickers. 7.00 Pawn Stars. 8.30 MOVIE: Enemy Of TheState. (1998,M) 11.15 Late Programs.

3.40 Wolf Joe 3.55 Tales Of The Moana. 9GEM (92,81) 7TWO (72, 62) 6am Children’s Programs. Noon Paranormal Caught On Camera. 1.00 Raising Hope. 2.00 Full House 2.30 3rd Rock 3.30 That ’70s Show 4.30 TheNanny 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 IDream Of Jeannie. 6.00 M*A*S*H. 6.30 Raymond. 7.00 YoungSheldon. 7.30 MOVIE: Knight And Day.(2010,M) 9.45 MOVIE: IntoThe Blue.(2005 M) Midnight Millionaire Matchmaker 1.00 Vanderpump Rules. 2.00 Late Programs.

News.

Percent. Mobility And More Moe www.mobilityandmore.com.au 03 5127 2099

Spartakus And The 9GO! (93, 82) 6am Home Shopping 8.00 Pooches At Play 8.30 DestinationDessert. 9.00 iFish. 9.30 Star Trek:The Next Generation. 10.30 MacGyver 11.30 JAG 12.30pm NCIS. 1.30 NCIS:Los Angeles 2.30 Scorpion. 3.30 Star Trek: The Next Generation. 4.30 MacGyver. 5.30 JAG 6.30 Soccer.Cup of Nations. Matildas vCzechia. 9.40 NCIS: New Orleans. 10.35 SEAL Team. 11.30 48 Hours. 12.30am Shopping. 2.00 Late Programs.

Arctic

Bamay. Open Saturdays from 9till midday 32 GEORGE ST. MOE, VIC. 3825

Friday, February17

6.00 TheDrum Analysis of theday’snews.

7.00 ABC News Takesalook at today’stop stories.

7.30 Gardening Australia. Sophie Thomson talksgardenties.

8.30 VanDer Valk. (Final, Mlv,R)Part 3 of 3. Piet vander Valk andhis team investigatethe murderofafashion vlogger.

10.00 TheLarkins (PG, R) Pop is suspicious of Tom’smotives.

10.50 ABCLate News. Coverage of theday’sevents

11.05 TheLarkins. (Final, PG, R) Pop meets the glorious Angela Snow

11.55 Adam Hills: TheLastLeg. (R)

12.35 Unforgotten (Final, Malv, R)

1.25 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG) Presented by Marc Fennell.

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.35 Scotland: AWild Year: Winter Part 4of4

8.30 Megadams. Takesalookat three dams that haverevolutionised the technique of barrage building.

9.30 Lighthouses: Building The Impossible: TheLongstone. (PGa, R) Part 3of3.Rob Bell explores Longstone Lighthouse off Northumberland.

10.25 SBS WorldNewsLate

10.55 Gomorrah. (MA15+av,R)

1.45 DasBoot. (Manv,R)

3.50 Mastermind Australia. (R)

4.55

Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize.(R) 5.00

NHK WorldEnglish News Morning 5.30 ANC

PhilippinesThe WorldTonight

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Better Homes AndGardens. Johanna Griggs and Charlie Albone explore the green side of Vancouver

8.30 MOVIE: Kingsman: TheSecret Service. (2014, MA15+lv,R)A troubled youngman must prove his mettle and savethe world fromabillionaire set on killing millions of people, after he is recruited as acandidate to join a secret Britishspy organisation. Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Samuel LJackson.

11.15 To Be Advised.

1.00 WhyCan’t We Sleep? (PGal, R) An investigation into insomnia. [VIC]HomeShopping.(R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute

(R)Hosted by Grant Denyer

5.00 NBCToday. News and current affairs.

6.00 Nine News.

7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 ForThe Love Of Pets (PGam) Vets rush to help two Maltese terriers.

8.30 MOVIE: Muriel’sWedding. (1994,Mls,R)Ayoungwoman,who dreamsofmarriage,leavesher small town to findromance in the big city.Toni Collette, Bill Hunter,Rachel Griffiths.

10.40 MOVIE: My Big FatGreek Wedding 2. (2016,PGs, R) Afamily reunitesfor awedding. Nia Vardalos.

12.30 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.20 He Said/She Said. (PG)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Take Two. (R)

4.30 Global Shop (R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30

SkippyThe BushKangaroo.(R)

6.30 TheProject Alook at the day’snews andevents.

7.30 TheGraham Norton Show. Guests include Salma Hayek.

8.30 Taskmaster Australia. (PGl,R) Comedy game showfeaturingcomedians performing aseries of tricky tasks.

9.30 To Be Advised.

10.30 JustFor Laughs. (Mls, R)

Hosted by Nick Cody

The 10 PEACH (11, 52) 7MATE (73,64) Page 22 —The Latrobe Valley Express, TV Guide Wednesday, 15 February, 2023

11.00 JustFor Laughs Uncut (Mls, R) Hosted by Nikki Osborne.

11.30 TheProject. (R)

12.30 TheLate ShowWith StephenColbert. (PG)

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

5.30[VIC]Infomercials.(PG,R)

Saturday, February 18

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 WeekendBreakfast.

9.00 Rage Goes Retro.(PG) 10.30 Rage.(PG)

12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 The Larkins (PG, R) 2.00 Death In Paradise. (Mv,R) 3.00

Marjorie Lawrence: The World At Her Feet (PGa) 4.30 Landline. (R)

5.00 DreamGardens. (PG,R)

5.30 Further Back In Time ForDinner (R)

6.25 Better Date Than Never. (PG, R) Olivia experiencesnew feelings

7.00 ABCNews. Takesalook at today’stop stories.

7.30 Call TheMidwife. (PGa) Nonnatus House faces its biggest threat.

8.30 Midsomer Murders: 25 Years Of Mayhem. (Mv) A25th anniversary special exploring theenduring popularity of MidsomerMurders Featuring interviews with cast and crew members including JohnNettles.

9.20 Hunting TheEssexLorry

Killers (Ma, R) Takesa look at the investigationintothe deaths of 39 migrants found in the back of atruck.

10.20 Miniseries: Come Home (Mal, R) Part 3of3

11.20 RageGoesRetro (MA15+adlhnsv) Music from the ’90s and 2000s.

5.00 Rage. (PG)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.10 Blue WaterSafari. (PG) 10.10 Love Your Garden.(PGa, R) 11.05

Paul O’GradyFor The Love Of Dogs: What Happened Next. (PG) 12.00 WorldWatch.

2.00 Figure Skating.FourContinents

Championships. Highlights. 3.30 Stonehenge: The Lost Circle Revealed. (R) 4.40 Secret Scotland.(R) 5.30 TheAbyss: The Rise And Fall Of The Nazis. (Premiere)

6.30 SBSWorldNews.

7.35 TheWorld’sMostBeautiful Landscapes: Queensland. Narrated by Robert Lindsay

8.30 Portillo In ThePyrenees: A Spiritual Quest (PG)Part 3of4.Michael Portillo continues his Pyrenean challenge, this time in France’s Ariege region.

9.30 Inside Windsor Castle: Love And War. (PG,R)Part 2of4.Delves into the role Windsor Castle played in the life of ayoung QueenElizabeth II.

10.25 Great Escapes With Morgan Freeman: Fleeing Hellmira. (Ma, R) Alook at the ElmiraState Prison.

11.15 Brooklyn Nine-Nine. (PGals, R)

3.50 Mastermind Australia. (R)

4.25 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World EnglishNewsMorning. 5.15 France24Feature. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight

6.00 NBCToday [VIC]HomeShopping.

7.00 WeekendSunrise. 10.00 TheMorning Show.(PG)

12.00 Horse Racing. Black Caviar Lightning Race Dayand SilverSlipper Stakes Day

5.00 SevenNewsAt5

5.30 Border Security:Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 BorderPatrol. (Return,PGa) FollowsNew Zealand border officials.

7.30 MillionPoundPawn. (PG) Part 1of3.Takes alook at the world of pawnbroking in themidstof thecurrent economic crisis.

8.30 MOVIE: TheEqualizer 2. (2018,MA15+v, R) Aretired CIA black ops operativeisforced back into action when his friend is killed whileinvestigating amurdersuicide and he sets out to use his resources to find the culpritand getrevenge. Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Ashton Sanders.

11.00 To Be Advised

12.45 TheTaxi Cab Rapist (MA15+adv,R) Looks at convicted rapist John Worboys.

1.00[VIC]HomeShopping.(R)

4.00 GetArty. (R)

5.00 My Greek Odyssey (PG, R)

The Love Of Pets.(PGam,R)

6.00 Nine News Saturday.

7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 Space Invaders. (PGa) Expertshelpacouple in distress.

8.30 MOVIE: TheBlind Side. (2009,PGdlv,R)A homeless teenager realiseshis dreamofbecominga gridiron player,thankstothe aid of akind family.SandraBullock, Tim McGraw,Quinton Aaron.

11.10 MOVIE: Concussion. (2015,Mal, R) Apathologist makes a disturbing discovery.Will Smith.

1.30 ThePet Rescuers. (PG,R)

2.00 TheIncredible Journey Presents. (PGa)

2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

Sunday, February19

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

6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 WeekendBreakfast. 9.00 Insiders 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 The World This Week.(R) 11.00 Compass. (PG, R) 11.30 Songs Of Praise. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Gardening Australia.(R) 2.30 Call The Midwife. (PGa, R) 3.30 Victoria. (PG, R) 4.20 Grand Designs: House Of The Year.(R) 5.10 JoannaLumley’s Great CitiesOfThe World. (PG, R)

6.00 Antiques Roadshow

Hosted by Fiona Bruce

7.00 ABCNews Takesalook at today’stop stories.

7.30 Death In Paradise. (Ma) Abody is found on agolfcourse.

8.30 Vera (Ma) Part 1of4.Veraiscalled to aremote lighthouse where abodyhas been discovered lashed to asailboat.

10.00 Miniseries: Butterfly (Mal, R) Part 1of3

10.45 JustBetween Us: FamilyIs

What YouMakeIt. (Ml, R) Part 2of2

11.45 LesMisérables. (Final, Mav, R)

1.00 Victoria. (PG, R)

1.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

4.15 TheRecording Studio (PG,R)

5.00 Insiders (R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Cook Up Bitesize. (R) 9.05 Blue Water Safari. (PG) 10.05 Love Your Garden. (R) 11.00 Outside: Beyond The Lens (Premiere, PG) 12.00 WorldWatch. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight With David Muir 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Surf LifeSaving. Australian Interstate Championships. Highlights. 4.00 ISU FigureSkating Awards 5.30 TheAbyss: The Rise And Fall Of The Nazis.

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.30 AncientEgypt By Train: ThePyramids. (PG) Part 2of4

8.30 DanSnow’sGreatest Discoveries. (PG) Part 2of3.Dan Snow goes on the trail of America’s Dinosaur GoldRush during the Wild West.

9.30 BlackWest. Explores the story of how theWestwas wonfromthe point of view of African Americans.

10.30 Castles: Secrets, Mysteries And Legends: United Kingdom. (Mahv,R)

11.35 24 Hours In Emergency: In Safe Hands. (Mal, R)

1.30 WhyWeHate. (Mav,R)

3.10 The Source. (Ma, R) 4.00 Mastermind Australia.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature 5.30 Al JazeeraNews

6.00 NBCToday [VIC]HomeShopping.

7.00 WeekendSunrise. 10.00 TheMorning Show:Weekend. (PG)

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Australian Idol. (PG) As the competition continues, the top 24 performers face the judges once more.

8.45 Kylie Vs Bee Gees. (PG, R)

9.45 Maternal (Mals) Catherine, Maryam and her friends frommosque decide to blow off some steamwithaladies’ nightout.

11.45 AutopsyUSA:George Harrison. (Mdv,R)A look at the deathofGeorge Harrison.

12.45 Dr Harry’sAnimal Encounters (PGa, R) Dr Harry meets abomb detection dog unit

1.00[VIC]HomeShopping.

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

4.00 NBCToday

5.00 SevenEarly News.

5.30 Sunrise

6.00 Nine News Sunday.

7.00 Married At FirstSight. (PGals) It is time for theCommitmentCeremony

8.40 60 Minutes Current affairs program, investigating, analysingand uncovering the issuesaffecting all Australians

9.40 NineNews Late. Alook at the latest news and events.

10.10 Australian CrimeStories: Deadly Deception. (Mav,R)A look at the case of RenaeMarsden.

11.15 TheFirst48: AMurder In Mobile. (Ma)

12.05 Law&Order: Organized Crime. (Mav,R)

1.00 Explore TV (PG, R)

1.30 TV Shop:Home Shopping. (R) 4.00

Believer’sVoice Of Victory.(PGa) 4.30 Take Two. (R) 5.00 News Early Edition. 5.30 Today

6.00 Bondi Rescue. (PGal, R) The lifeguards are on high alert.

6.30 To Be Advised.

7.30 NCIS. (Mv) NCIS agents from LosAngeles, Washington and Hawaii investigate asuicide.

8.30 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Mv) Jane, Jimmy and Sam getcaptured in DC by awoman claimingtobeaCIA agent demanding intel from the team, and it all tiesinto the mysterious suicide of apopular professor

9.30 NCIS: LosAngeles. (Mv) Rountree and Fatimaare ambushed while searching for Kilbride, who has goneMIA

10.30 FBI: International (PGa)

Theteamconfronts acrimefamily

6.30 TheSunday Project. Alook at the day’snews.

7.30 Australian Survivor It is 21 days intothe game and the recent tribe swap is breeding fearand doubt amongst the new tribes.

9.10 WarZone: BearGryllsMeets President Zelenskyy. Follows Bear Grylls on his three-day excursion into Ukraine, an activewar zone, to meet the country’scommander-in-chief President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,whose leadership has united hispeople.

10.10 FBI. (Mdv,R)A younggirlis kidnapped from daycare

11.00 TheSundayProject (R) Alookatthe day’snews.

12.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBSMornings.

20

(2) SBS (3)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News

Mornings. 10.00 Landline.(R) 11.00 Antiques

Roadshow. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon.

1.00 Lucy Worsley:AgathaChristie Mystery

Queen. (PG, R) 2.00 Midsomer Murders: 25 Years Of Mayhem. (Mv,R) 3.00 Gardening

Australia. (R) 4.00 AntiquesRoadshow.(R)

5.00 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 5.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

6.00 TheDrum.

7.00 ABCNews.

7.30 7.30 Presented by SarahFerguson.

8.00 BackRoads: MusicalRoad Trip

ThroughWestern Queensland.

(Final) Heather Ewart heads to Queensland.

8.30 Four Corners. Investigative journalism program exposing scandals, triggering inquiries, firing debate and confronting taboos.

9.15 Media Watch. (PG) Paul Barry takesa lookatthe latest issues affecting media consumers.

9.35 Q+A. Public affairs program.

10.35 ABC LateNews.

10.50 TheBusiness (R)

11.10 Vera (Ma, R)

12.40 Father Brown. (PG,R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Cook Up Bitesize. (R) 9.15 Home Of The Year: Scotland. 10.10 Confucius WasAFoodie. (PG) 11.10 The BridgesThatBuilt London. 12.05 WorldWatch.

2.00 DestinationFlavour ChinaBitesize.(R)

2.20 WalkingBritain’s Roman Roads. (PG, R) 3.15 Mastermind Aust. (R) 4.15 Britain’s Cathedrals With Tony Robinson. (PGa, R) 5.05

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG) Presented by Marc Fennell.

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.35 Planet Reef:Rescuing The Turtles In Raine Island. Part 1of3

8.30 Monster:The Mystery Of Loch Ness: TheHunt For TheMonster (PG) Part 2of3.TV presenter and conservationist Peter Scott joins the hunt forthe monster

9.30 Secrets Of Playboy: Predator Number One. (MA15+) Neverbefore heard storiesreveal the dark truth about Hugh Hefner’s predatory behaviour

10.25 SBS WorldNewsLate

10.55 Partisan. (Malv) Maud makes asignificant decision.

11.50 Mr Mercedes (MA15+alv,R)

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home AndAway. (PGs)

7.30 Australian Idol. (PG) As the competition continues, the top 24 performers face the judges once more.

9.15 Starstruck. (PG) Ordinary members of the public team up to transform into some of the world’sbiggest music icons andperformonstage, with the winning trio competing against each other for aplace in the grand final.

10.30 TheLatest: SevenNews.

11.00 Busted In Bangkok. (Mal,R) Follows Thailand’stouristpolice.

12.00 MOVIE: Locusts. (2019,MA15+l, R) Aman returns to his hometown. Jessica McNamee.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

6.00 NineNews.

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 MarriedAtFirstSight. (Ml) The next twocouples walk down theaisle

9.00 BigMiracles. (Malm)

Follows 10 Australian couples and singles on their journey to becoming parents with the help

6.30

7.30 Australian Survivor Last night’stribal council reveals cracks amongst alliances, and offering opportunitiesfor some players.

8.40 Would ILie To You? Australia. (Ml) Twoteams, including Dave Hughes,JacquiLambie, Joel Creasey and Nina Oyama,gohead-to-head.

9.40 Ghosts. (PGa) Freddie buys ghost-hunting equipmentwhenhebegins to suspect the bed and breakfast is haunted.

10.10 FBI: MostWanted. (Mav,R) Ayoung man accidentally shoots acop

11.00 TheProject (R) Alook at the day’snews and events

1.25 The Trouble With Maggie Cole. (Final,Mv, R)

2.10 Rage.(MA15+adhlnsv) 4.00 One Plus

One. (R) 4.30 The Drum.(R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

5.00 NHK World EnglishNewsMorning.

4.15 Mastermind Australia.(R) 4.45 Bamay (R)

5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight.

Tuesday, February21

4.00 NBCToday

5.00 SevenEarlyNews.

5.30 Sunrise.

10.30 GreatBritish Railway Journeys. (PG, R)

11.05 Antidisturbios. (Malns)

12.00 Manayek. (MA15+v, R) 1.40 Cacciatore: The Hunter.(MA15+asv, R) 3.50 Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.50 DestinationFlavour Scandinavia Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning 5.30 ANC Philippines

The WorldTonight.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home AndAway. (PG)

7.30 Australian Idol. (PG) Hosted by Ricki-Lee andScott Tweedie.

9.15 TheGoodDoctor (M) Shaun and Leasoon learn that their pregnancy may also come with additional complications.

10.15 Quantum Leap (Ma) Ben finds himself in 1989

11.15 TheLatest: SevenNews.

11.45 Celebrity Obsessed: John Lennon. (Mav, R)

12.45 Emergency Call. (Ma, R)

1.00[VIC]HomeShopping.(R)

1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBCToday

5.00 SevenEarly

Sight. (Mls)

social experiment

9.00

With Andy Lee. Andy Leeisjoined by apanel of comedians and100 Aussies to explore the fun behind the facts.

12.00 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBSMornings.

LosAngeles, Washington and Hawaii investigate asuicide.

10.00 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Mv,R)Jane, Jimmy and Samget captured

NCIS: LosAngeles. (Mv,R) Rountree and Fatima are ambushed.

TheProject. (R) 1.00 TheLate ShowWith StephenColbert. (PG) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

Newyear home safety check

THE new year is an ideal time to give your home asafety health check.

Thereare afew simple things you can do to ensure your home is safer in 2023.

 Review your insurance policy to ensure you have adequate home and contents cover;

 Ensure you have afire blanket in your kitchen, within easy reach;

 Check that any fire extinguishers are in good working order;

 Check that your smoke alarms are working properly;

 Check for damaged appliance cords, power points or light switches;

 Check that batteries are stored in acool, dry place to prevent fire risk;

 Check for damage to any gas appliances;

 Store e-bikes and e-scooters outside in acool place and unplug them when they are charged;

 If you have small children, ensure that curtain and blind cords are secured, and;

 If you own apool, check that the gate isn’t

proped open and there is nothing next to the fence that children can climb over.

RACV head of home and business insurance, Kirsty Hayes, said RACV has been witnessing an increase in safety incidents involving lithium-ion batteries, used in many toys, e-scooters, e-bikes, andsporting equipment.

“Between July 2021 and July 2022, Fire Rescue Victoria responded to at least120 lithium-ion battery incidents,” Ms Hayes said.

“If you have purchased atoy, e-bike or e-scooter overChristmas that contains alithium-ion battery, it is importanttobeaware of the risk that they can pose.

“E-bikeand e-scooter owners should only purchase areputable brand, store them outside, unplug them once they are charged, take care to avoid damaging them, and not leave them in hot environments.

“The same advice applies to toys -they should also be kept in acool place.”

The amount you insure your home for should be enough to rebuildand replaceyourcontents if you had to do it today.

This is particularly relevant given the risingcost of building materials.

When calculating your sum insured, there are a few things to think about.

If you underinsureyour home, youmay be caught short if you need to completely rebuild.

Ms Hayes also explains how inflation can impact the cost of rebuilding your home.

“Itisimportant to revisit your sums insured this year as you may be surprised by how inflationhas impacted current rebuilding costs,” she said.

“A simpleway to estimate what it might cost to rebuild your home is to use the home building calculator on RACV’swebsite, which takes into account factors such as current materials and labour costs.

“What you think it might cost to rebuild or repair ahouse and the actual cost are often miles apart.

"For example, areplacement buildmust meet the latest building codes, including higher standards for energy efficiency, and flood and bushfire risk. The costs can add up.

“It’s also important to include outbuildings such

as garages and carports and pools, making sure you include demolition and debris removal costs.

“If you receivedany expensive Christmas presents last year, remember to add them to your contents sum insured. Before you do, it is agood idea to review all of your sums insured using the home contents calculator on RACV’s website.” For more information about home and contents insurance, visit the RACV website.

Union standing up to keep rates and fees down for members

ONE of Australia’s property leaders is calling on the trade union movementtostand up for their “mum and dad” members, and use their leverage with the federal governmenttokeep interest rates down and curb bank fees.

The recent interest rate rise and the threat by the Reserve Bank of more interest rate rises in 2023 will scare hundreds of thousands of union members and other Australians, according to Property Club founder, Kevin Young.

Mr Young saidrising interest rates have overtakenall other issues in Australia for trade unionists, and their leaders should act.

"The leaders of the more than 1.5 million union members in Australia need to show astrong voice against risinginterest rates,which areonly making the big banks richer," he said.

“Rising interest rates will only financially benefit the banks, and Property Club estimates they will reap an additional $10 billion in windfall profits during the nextthree years as aresultofthe RBA’s nine consecutive interest rises.

“The big banks have shown their contempt for ordinary Australians by once again immediately passingonthe latest RBA interestrate rise to mortgage holders, butholding off as long as possible to increase interest rates for savers so they can maximise their profits.

“No one is calling out the greed of the big banks except Property Club, and that is why we are calling on the union movement to support our cause.

“Property Clubisproposing that the federal government usethese additionalbankprofits to put acap on all bank charges, similartothe cap that

was imposed on gas prices to protect consumers.

“We are also proposing that part of this $10 billion bank profits from rising interest rates should be used to fund financial assistance for renters struggling with higher rents because rental stress is at record highs and set to get worse.

“Part of these profits should also fund additional tax incentives for landlords such as allowing tax deductions for cheaper properties.

“Australia should also re-join the rest of the world in putting no time limit on interest only loans for property investors -a measure that would help solve the rentalcrisisbyenabling investors to buy more rental properties

“There has been ahugedropinnew lending to propertyinvestors that will result in afamine in rental properties especially when the predicted

50,000 new students start arrivingfrom China into Australia.

“We are also calling on the federal government to force the RBA to reduce interest rates immediately, because at their current levels they are likely to induce arecession.

“Union leaders must now urgently support our campaign on minimising bank profits and reducing interest rates as they have the greatest political leveragewiththeir former union colleaguescurrently in government.

“If they fail to act, then theywill not only be condemning their own members to financial and economic misery,but the entire workingpeople of Australia."

GIPPSLAND Steel Centre has been in operation since 1999, providing customersacross the region with the largest rangeof steel, roofingand accessories

With 40 yearsofvaluable industryexperience,their staff areabletotailor their services to meet the needs of customers. Count on them to always be prompt, reliable,customeroriented, and to always provide superior products

Being family-owned, Gippsland Steel areproud of their abilitytooffer personalised services to their customers, and will makesuretoprovide youwith an option to suit your needs.Whether you’dliketo pickupyour products or have them delivered to your site,they will gladlyaccommodateyou.

Gippsland Steel Centre is proud to be home to the largest steel product inventory in Gippsland.

Come to them fortop-quality materials and reliable delivery services.Whether yourequire

asmall piece of steel or alot of parts foraproject, youcan count on their professional,

WANTED TO BUY

Labrador dog to be a companion for senior citizen. Good home assured. Phone 0448 851 902.

&Found

BUDGET BLINDS

FRIDGE, ex Auto Elec. mechanics toolsand equipment, bathroom tiles (new), furniture, set of golf clubs and bag, set DVD John Wayne and others and kitchenware.

•

Landscaping Mulch

Beautify your garden. Bulk quantity available, $25m3. Phone 0412 613 443 or 1800 468 733.

of wine, Traralgon's 150 Years

1844-1994,

never opened. Historical value for acollector

Ph 0475 595 563.

BIRD CAGE

Near new $50. Phone 0423 116 167.

CLEARING SALE

Acc. G&KMcEntee

SATURDAY, 18 FEBRUARY -10am 789 Sisters Rd., Gormandale.

Items Include:

Ferguson 35 (grey and gold) diesel, 3.6mtr Savage Snipe boat new 8hp Mercury motor, Kawasaki KL 250 motorbike, fire fighting trailer and 1000ltr tank, 2007 Ford ute body with aluminium tray, 6cylinder, 4.0ltr motor, horse drawn jinker -good condition, new Davey 5.5hp fire pump, Honda generator 7.5KVA, old chaff cutter, old Sunbeam single stand shearing plant, IH post hole digger, tractor belt pulleys, old electric motors, cast iron water pump, assorted poly pipe, gal. pipe, PVC pipe 50-90 and 100ml, poly pipe fittings, plumbing and electrical fittings, cast iron veranda frieze, 1200 new wire cut bricks, 1000 old red bricks, cast iron bath and feet, 2fireplace mantles, large qty building materials incl. pine and HD timber, doors, windows, s/steel sinks, laundry troughs, cast iron hand basins, toilet seats.

Collectibles include:

Timber cheese churn, butter churn, buggy and jinker metal pieces, jinker harness, bridles and saddles, old tilly lantern, small bellows, Kingston English China set, peerless jug and washbasin and huge selection of sundries.

CHURCHILL

Combined Sale

MEN'S SHED - Renovators, woodworkers,building materials. Post Covid back yard cleanout until end of February. 27A Boolarra Avenue, Newborough.

MOE, 15 Libra Crescent, Friday, 4pm-7pm. Camping gear, Christmas items, Diecast, home decor, household goods and brica-brac and much more.

MOE, Unit 1, 40 Parkside Dve, Saturday, 8am-4pm. Sporting equipment, printer, camping items, fridge, garden items, Whipper Snipper, DVDs etc.

MORWELL, 4Neville St. Sat. 7am-1pm. Combined h/holds, huge var. women's clothes, books, fishing rods, child's porta cot, Coca Cola and so much more.

MORWELL, 5Spring Crt. Sat. 8am start. Household items, records and cases, English china, tools, car bits, collectables, spray gun, and car magazines.

NEWBOROUGH, 6Venice St,Saturday, 8am-2pm. 100s of DVDs, Blu rays, CDs, LPs, toys, consoles, kitchenware, bric-a-brac, tins and plants. Don't miss this one!!

T'GON, 125 Shakespeare St, Sat. 8.30-2. Something for everyone, outdoor chairs, stool, cushions, succulent cuttings, costume jewellery, linen, bric-a-brac.

For

With an audience of over 76,000 you’re guaranteed to reach MORE

GENT, 60's, polite, honest, reliable, looking for genuine lady, 50-65, for friendship poss. r/ship. Not partner swaps. Genuine calls only. 0459 409 737.

GENT, looking for genuine lady for friendship, possible r/ship, 50-65 yrs. Why be alone? Likes weekend drives, dinner etc. Any nationality. 'Chris', Reply 3279, LV Express, 21 George St, Morwell 3840.

Adult Services •

MIA

21 y.o., first time Traralgon, sexy, beautiful, petite, busty, awesome. 0481 871 067.

AIR SHOW

Saturday, 4th March $45pp. Jaybee Tours/Hazelwood Coaches 0428 223 361.

MOBILE MASSEUR

Exp.

FERRETT CAGE

Please phone Mick on 0400 384 430.

RECORDS

Cash paid for whole collections, 12'', LPs, and 7'' singles. Ph 0409 145 916.

Moe Self Storage

various sizes from $85 p.c.m. Contact Strzelecki Realty on 5127 1333.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR APLANNING PERMIT

The land affected by the application is located at: 24 Meridian Drive, TRARALGON

The application is for apermit for: Development of land with two(2) dwellings on alot,subdivision of land into two(2) lots of variation of restrictive covenant

The permitapplicant is: Millar& MerriganPty Ltd.

The application number is: 2022/278

Adecision on the application will not be made before: 17 February2023.

Youcan view theapplication:

Online: www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/Property/Planning/Planning

Assessment/Find a current application or application on notification

In person: Service Centre, 34-38 KayStreet,Traralgon

Scan the QR Code

Youcan makeanobjection in writingto:

latrobe@latrobe.vic.gov.au

Latrobe CityCouncil, PO Box264,Morwell 3840

Your objection must include the reasons for the objection and state how the objector would be affected. The responsible authority must make acopyof everyobjection available at its office for any person to inspect duringofficehours free of charge until the end of the period during which an applicationmay be made for review of adecision on the application. If you object,the responsible authority will tell you it’s decision.

GP1652026

ON THE BUSES

Door Installer

to revise or restrict anyadwedeem objectionable and to changethe classificationwhen necessaryto conform to the policyof this newspaper In the event an ad is omitted from publication, we assume no liabilityfor such omission.

Plastering Plaste g

ELECTRICIAN

Specialising in all domestic work. REC.4188. Phone Peter 0438 177 153 or Carol 5126 2110.

GARDENING DONE, pruning, planting, weeding, small jobs through to large jobs, shed clean ups, rubbish removal, etc. Reasonable rates, pens. disc. Under NDIS the cost of services may be covered by your Care Provider. Reliable and efficient. Police check. Fully insured. 18 yrs exp. Chauncy The Gardener. ABN 17268203656. Call Richard 0401 345 345.

Public Notices

Total Renovations

Total Home Renovations. Call Bill on 0409 565 497.

TREE REMOVALS

GIPPSLAND ARBORICULTURE SPECIALISTS

Pruning, stump grinding, hedging, nest boxand habitat hollowscreation, insured and qualified.

•

We areLookingfor community-minded, diligent people to join our BoardofManagement to support people with adisabilityand their families to thrive. We welcome applicants from allbackgrounds. Meetings areheld monthly and can be conducted using information technology across the Gippsland region. Fora confidential discussion or further information, pleasecontactRebecca Massaro- CEO on 1300 736765 or by emailing Rebecca.Massaro@icg.asn.au

Brent 0403080 315 SERVICINGALL AREAS

Vic Marino's Painting

Residential, commercial, int./ext. No job too small. Free quotes. Qualified tradesman. 0408 086 776.

Public Notices

• DUAL TRADESPERSON

Permanent opportunity based at Loy Yang Power Station

As the Electrical and Instrumentation Production Technician you will be responsible for day-to-day diagnosis, maintenance, repair, and modification of electrical and instrumentation equipment to deliver reliable availability of plant in asafe and sustainable manner.

Member vacancies -Victorian Class Bcemetery trusts

The following Class Bcemetery trusts areseeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified members of the community who areinterested in becoming honorary trust members. Womenand those from adiverse background areactively encouraged to seek appointment:

THE HAZELWOOD CEMETERYTRUST

THE MOE MEMORIAL PARK TRUST

Cemetery trust members areappointed by the Governor in Council for a term of up to five years on the recommendation of the Minister for Health Cemetery trusts areresponsible for the proper and efficient management of the public cemeteries under their control, including planning for future cemeteries services and the preservation of local history

Being appointed to acemetery trust providessuccessfulapplicantswith aunique opportunity to develop their competenciesasaboardmember

The Department of Health provides free governance training to all trust members.

Current members whose terms of office aredue to expiremay apply for reappointment as part of acompetitive selection process.

Moreinformation about the role of cemetery trust members is available at: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/cemeteries-and-crematoria/class-bcemetery-trust-appointments

To register your interest please refertothe trust contact details below and provide your expression of interest to the applicable trustwithin two weeks of the date of this advertisement:

Victorian Class Bcemetery trust Contact details

The Hazelwood Cemetery Trust51339183

The Moe Memorial Park Trust0409420 218

The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that government boards and committees reflect the rich diversity of the Victorian community.Weencourage applications from people of all ages, Aboriginal people,people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and from lesbian, gay,bisexual, trans, gender diverse, intersex and queer people. The trust will provide adjustments to the recruitment process upon request.

F30916

GP1653846

You will be:

● Processing and attending to plant defects.

● Plan and carry out high quality production orientated maintenance, modifications and improvement work on power station instrumentation, controls and electrical plant and systems

● Carry out efficient and effective plant fault finding and rectification activities

● Provide an electrical maintenance and operating function encompassing the planning, scheduling, completion, and reporting of planned, breakdown and routine works

● Assist in preparing work scopes, job instructions and work schedules

● Maintain acontinual focus on business improvement opportunities

● Providing 24-hour emergency support through availability call-ins including unit run-ups

● Training, mentoring, and coaching of other trades people and apprentices

About you

● Conceptual and reasoning skills to identify plant problems, then develop and implement effective solutions

● Ademonstrated commitment to the safe working practices required within heavy industry

● Well-developed interpersonal skills necessary to build communication channels and form relationships with awide range of work groups

● Proven detailed knowledge of Power Station electrical and instrumentation equipment

● The ability to work effectively within ateam environment and contribute positively to the development of the work group

● An Electrical Trade qualification -Cert IV in Electrical Instrumentation

● ACertificate III or IV in Instrumentation and Controls

● EEHA qualifications are preferred but we can assist with qualifying if required

● An understanding of permitting, risk assessments and HSE requirements, along with acommitment to questioning unsafe practises

● 2Years minimum industry experience

Applications for this role close Sunday the 26th of February, via https://agl.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/AGL_ Recruitment/details/Dual-Tradesperson_ R-0013572-1

ADVERTISERS

PLEASE NOTE:

Much hardship and difficulty is caused to job seekers by misleading advertising placed in the employment columns. Our Situations Vacant columns are reserved for advertisements which carry aspecific and genuine offer of employment. Ads for `Business Opportunities' and `Training Courses' and `Employment Services' should be submitted under those headings.

Placing misleading ads is an offence against the Trades Practices Act and state/territory fair trading acts and all advertisements are subject to the publisher's approval. For further advice, contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on 1300 302 502 or your state consumer affairs agency.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Latrobe Regional Hospital

Are you seeking acareer in healthcare? LRH has arange of opportunities available for individuals who like to make adifference and care for our community.

● Registered Nurse -Chemotherapy (casual)

● Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer

● Cath Lab Clinical Nurse Educator

● Health Information Manager /ClinicalCoder (remote)

● Clinical Pharmacist

● Surgical Liaison Nurse

● Associate Nurse Unit Manager -ED

● Administration Officer -GHSP

● Registered Nurse -Special Care Nursery

● Food Services Assistant

● Occupational Therapist- Grade 1&2

Mental Health

● Dual Diagnosis Coordinator

● Lived Experience Senior

● Dual Diagnosis Senior Clinician

● Nurse Unit Manager -Flynn

● ACIS Clinician -Sale or Yarram

● Registered Psychiatric Nurse

● Nurse Practitioner -Bairnsdale

● Eating Disorders Nurse Practitioner

For further information, including how to apply positions descriptions and application closing dates please visit our website https://lrh.mercury.com.au/ Successful applicants will be required to obtain asatisfactory national police check and working with children check.

CareersatLatrobe

LatrobeCityCouncilhasexcitingopportunitiesforenthusiasticand forward-thinkingindividualswithapassionforprovidingexcellent servicestoourcommunity

• SeniorHorticultureExperienced

Maintenance Employee - oyee -Permanent Full Time

• Experienced MaintenanceEmployee- Tree Mainte eEmplo e-

Maintenancein nance-Temporary Full Time

• School HolidayProgramFacilitatorHolidayProgramFacilita

PermanentPartTime

• FinanceOfficer - nce Officer -Temporary Full Time

• ProjectManager GippslandLogistics tManager Gippsland Logistics

Precictecict- TemporaryFull Time

Forfurtherinformationincludinghow toapply,positiondescriptionsand applicationclosingdates,pleasevisitour websitewww.latrobe.vic.gov.au/careers

Pleasenotesuccessfulapplicantswillbe requiredtoapplyforandsatisfactorilyobtain

aNationalPoliceCheckandWorkingwith

ChildrenCheck

www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/careers

GELLIONDALE NURSERY (Casual Vacancies)

HVP Plantations Pty Ltd invites applications for seasonal positions at its Gelliondale Nursery near Yarram.

Employment is commencing from mid-February for approximately six months, normal hours of work are 6-8 hours per day in ashift between 7.30am -5pm. Above award conditions apply. Aforklift, LR2 or MR2 licence would be advantageous but notmandatory.

All successful applicants will be required to participate in an induction course and pass adrug and alcohol test.

For application forms and position descriptions please email: nurserysales@hvp.com.au

Enquires can be made on (03) 5184 0000.

HVP Plantations Pty Ltd is arenewable resource based organisationand an Equal Opportunity Employer

HOUSEKEEPING SERVICE ATTENDANTS

3Positions are Available

We are looking for motivated individuals to join the Team at Farnham Court Motel Morwell.

● Positions are casual

● Weekday and weekend work available

● Shifts are generally 8.30am to 12.00 midday

● Task included rooms and accommodation cleaning, restocking of accommodation pantries and commercial laundry duties

● Previous Hotel /Motel Housekeeping experience is desirable but not essential

● Would suit those looking to earn alittle extra and those seeking to work in an organised, safe, and structured environment

● Wage is Casual Award Wage Rate plus Superannuation

Applicants can apply by sending an Introductory email and Resume to hello@farnhamcourt.com.au or in person by delivering aresume to Farnham Court Motel Reception. Applications close Friday, 10 March 2023.

Audit and Risk Committee, External member -Call for Expressions of Interest

Gunaikurnai Traditional Owner Land Management Board's (GKTOLMB) has aposition for an external member on our Audit and Risk Committee (ARC). Information about the Board can be found at https://gunaikurnai.org/out-country/ joint-management/

The ARC advises the Board on its financial, governance and risk compliance obligations. People with knowledge and experience of the Victorian government governance framework (or similar), risk management, or membership of CPA Australia or the Institute of Chartered Accountants (Australia) will be highly regarded.

Enquiries, including meeting frequency, sitting fees and Committee Charter, or for aconfidential discussion please contact the Board's Executive Officer in the first instance at eo@gktolmb.org.au.

Interested persons are invited to email an Expression of Interest, together with aCVtothe Board's Executive Officer, by 17 February 2023.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are encouraged to apply

URGENT Deliverers Wanted TRARALGON, MORWELL and NEWBOROUGH

Would you liketodeliver theLatrobe Valley Express newspaper to individual homes on Tuesdayand/or Wednesdayafternoons in Traralgon, Morwell and Newborough.

Please apply to:

The Circulation Manager 0456 000541

Please note: Children must be 11 years or over as we will need to apply for agovernment Child Employment Permit. Children younger than 11 cannot or will not be accepted.

Adult deliverers also welcome GP1 632593

BRANCH MANAGER REQUIRED

SUPAGAS is seeking ahighlymotivated and experienced Branch Manager to lead and manage our dynamic team located in our Traralgon Branch.

Minimum 5years' experience. Full time secure position. Competitive base salary +super. KPI'S + bonuses, rewards and recognition program.

Requirements include valid driver's licence and pre-employment medical.

Looking for anew challenge and career advancement? WE WANT YOU!!!

Contact Supagas on hr@supagas.com.au or 0460 820 844

TRAFALGAR HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT

A12month Administration position is available at Trafalgar High School from Term 2, 24th April 2023.

Please apply on on recruitment online Job ID: 1329375 DET Recruitment Online

Applications will close Sunday, 19 February 2023.

Experience in abusy office environment preferred.

Please contact Sharon Lowater -Business Manager for further information on 5633 1733.

FULLTIME TRUCK DRIVER

-Immediate Start -

We are looking for aQualified Truck Driver to join our team. Applicants must have experience and hold acurrent Combination Truck Licence.

Job description includes:

Deliveries of Structural Steel Beams to job sites in and around the Latrobe Valley, Metro and East Gippsland

*Penalties and above award wage conditions apply. If you feel you meet the above requirements please come in person to our WELDTEK office located on Rocla Road. Alternatively you can email your details to -admin@weldtek.com.au

NIGHT SHIFT LINEHAUL DRIVER -Morwell

We currently have opportunities for experienced Night Shift Linehaul Drivers based at Morwell delivering to anumber of areas across metro Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Successful Applicants must:

● Hold acurrent MC licence, ideally you will have aminimum of 12 months experience

● Have aproven safe driving record

● Provide your current VicRoads licence history

● Have ahigh level of communication and customer service skills

● Pass apre-employment medical (which includes a drug and alcohol test) and company induction

● Hold BFM accreditation or willing to obtain

● Have avalid forklift licence or willing to obtain

If you enjoy operating modern equipment, are well presented, energetic, customer focussed and willing to develop with agrowing professional and safety focussed company please apply through Seek https://www.seek.com.au/job/60153333

Deliverer Wanted YARRAGON d

Would you liketodeliver the Latrobe Valley Express newspapertoindividualhomes on Tuesday and/or Wednesday afternoons in Yarragon

Please apply to:

TheCirculationManager 0456 000541

Please note: Children must be 11 yearsorover as we will need to apply for agovernment Child Employment Permit. Children younger than 11 cannot or will not be accepted.

Adult deliverers also welcome GP1 652589

MOTOR MECHANICS

Due to the high volume of sales, service and parts, we require additional Motor Mechanics for an immediate start in our service department.

We need your services and we are prepared to financially reward you for all of your various qualifications. We pay above award rates of pay and offer ongoing factory training in order to maintain your skills levels. Fourth year apprentices are also welcome to apply. All applicants will be treated as strictly confidential.

For further information please phone Ray Massaro 0417 887 718 email -ray.m@massaromotors.com.au

Massaro Motors, 479 Princes Dve Morwell 5134 1422

Personal Lines Risk Adviser

Vacancy at Adroit Insurance &Risk Traralgon

Are you currently working with adirectinsurer, within abankorwithinthe insurance industry looking for your next challenge?

Come join our dynamic and vibrant team. We have an exciting opportunity to manage and grow an existing portfolio of personal lines insurance. The key responsibility of this role is to partner with new and existing personal lines clients, be their advocate and deliver exceptional service and advice. Sound like you? Check out the job ad at https://www.seek.com.au/job/60304466 or send your resume to HR@adroit.com.au

GP REQUIRED

Full-time/Part-time positions available in asmall family clinic located in Maffra.

Modern facilities with a full-time practice nurse.

For information regarding the position please call 5141 1889 or email: manager@johnsonst clinic.com.au

DELIVERERS WTD

Would you like to deliver the Latrobe Valley Express newspaper to individual homes on Tuesday and/or Wednesday afternoons in Morwell, Traralgon, Moe, Newborou gh and Churchill? Please apply to the Circulation Manager 0456 000 541.

Please note: Children must be 11 years or over as we will need to apply for agovernment Child Employment Permit Children younger than 11 cannot or will not be accepted. Adult deliverers also welcome.

TAXI DRIVERS WANTED

Career Opportunity

We areseekingapplications from suitably qualified and experienced people for the following position at our Yallourn Mine:

Mine Rehabilitation Project Manager

St Paul’s Anglican Grammar Schoolisseeking applications for the following position at Traralgon Junior School for 2023

Commencing as soon as possibleto December 2023

If you areinterested please forwardacurrent resume and cover letter to hr@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Foracopy of thePosition Description please refer to our website: www.stpaulsags.vic.edu.au Applications close 5pm, Monday27February2023

ICT (IT) OFFICER

Permanent Full Time

CGHS is currently seeking an enthusiastic and motivated ICT Officer to provide IT support services and professional assistance to CGH people across several local sites. We have recently rolled out an Electronic Medical Record system, and as a department we strive to continually improve and refine our service to improve patient care and efficiencies within the health service.

If you hold acurrent Certificate IV or Diploma of Information Technology or demonstrable relevant experience and are seeking being apart of a challenging yet rewarding role. Apply now!

To apply for the role or for further information, go to https://centralgippslandhealth.mercury.com.au or contact Neil Henwood, ICT Team Leader on (03) 5143 8556

Forfurther information on this opportunity and to apply, visit: http://careers energyaustralia com au GP1653808

SPEND YOUR MONEY

Foreffective, competitive advertising that really works, we publish in both print and on-line

LATROBE VALLEY EXPRESS CLASSIFIEDS

5135 4455

Train to become aPersonal Care Worker in Traralgon

Did you know that there are local training opportunitiesthatcouldlead to ameaningful job in the rewarding Aged Care sector?

Register to find out more about becoming aqualified Aged Care and/or Home Care Worker and the career opportunities in the in- demand Aged Care sector.

Training will be delivered one day per week in Traralgon.

Fees $200 or $120 concession.

Training will be delivered onsite and in association with Yallambee.

All applicants will require:

● Satisfactory Police Check

● Green Medicare Card

● Evidence of (3) Covid vaccinations

● To attend the information and enrolment session

Please contact us to find out more and book into the Information session.

If you are eligible for Skills First Funding and access your Skills First entitlement this training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.

For further information send your contact details to:

Libby Odwyer

Phone: 0438 878 725

K tr fr Hobar th

By LIAM DURKIN

TRAFFIC jams aren’t always bad news

People must have heard how good the food was in Mirboo North on Sunday

Cars were literally backed up as far as the Mirboo North-Trafalgar Road turnoff, waiting to get into this year’s Mirboo North Italian Festa

So big was the crowd, they had to park cars on the footy ground - and even that overflowed

Eventually, people parked on the side of the road on the outskirts of town, willing to walk just to see what all the fuss was about

As they approached Baromi Park, and got a little further in, thoughts of ‘there are a lot of people here’ surely shone through

If there is one things Italians can do it’s cater for a crowd - even if there is more than 20,000 of them

Yes, there would have easily been more than 20,000 people in Mirboo North for this year’s Italian festa

Months and months of preparation culminated in a spectacular festival, that featured authentic Italian food and wine, as well as cooking demonstrations, singing, dancing, and plenty of activities for the kids

Build it and they will come

It was a celebration of all things Italy; put together by a dedicated team of volunteers

Just how they managed to organise an event that sees the town of Mirboo North go from a population of 2500 people to a figure eight times that was truly remarkable

Historically speaking, the day holds great significance, as it is used to celebrate St Paul

St Paul is the patron Saint of Solarino in Sicily, the hometown of a group of Italian immigrants who made their way to Mirboo North half-a-century ago

St Paul’s statue was shipped to Australia at the time, and proudly took pride-of-place in Baromi Park on Sunday

Mass was held at 10am, before a procession with the statue, leading to the official opening of the festival Festival volunteers were on deck from dawn, frantically coordinating dozens of stallholders in readiness for the rush

The rush didn’t let up

Lines for woodfired pizza, pasta varieties, and perfectly handcrafted bread just kept going and going

Those with a sweet tooth were in for a treat, as all the favourites were there as well

On the dancefloor, attendees kicked-up their

heels, and heard from acts like Siesta Cartel, and saw internationally acclaimed group, The Flag Throwers, wow the crowd with an incredible aerobatic display

For a bit of fun, there was a spaghetti eating contest, and a grape stomping one, while Roman soldiers walked the grounds, making sure everything was in order Festa organiser Rosie Romano was understandably emotional when speaking to The Express

When a group of local women decided to reinvigorate the festival in 2016, it is unlikely any of them ever thought in their wildest dreams they would one day welcome a crowd of more than 20,000

“We would have been happy to have 1000 people at an event,” Ms Romano said

“It’s been an incredible amount of work from our team

“We’ve got a small team of 10 women, we are not professionals, we are just a group of people who love Italy and love Italian culture

“For this day to be what it is, is really emotional We’re so proud, the people in the town have been amazing

“To me, it’s about families being able to gather and celebrate as a family, at a free

event, where there is something for everybody

“It’s really heart-warming

“It all comes together, the unity that happens, the engagement, the pride in the town, there are a whole lot of things that blossom ”

If you are wondering just how long it takes to organise an event of this magnitude, Ms Romano provided the following insight

“Probably at least a good six months, the last two months have been really intense,” she said

“Because it happens just after Christmas and everything shuts down, we have to be prepared by the end of November

“We have most things in place, then the last few weeks are quite frantic ”

While the Mirboo North Italian Festa was certainly memorable, one important fact needs to be remembered: Mirboo North isn’t actually in Latrobe City

If any councillors are reading this, surely we can get something similar going here?

If any Commonwealth Games organisers are reading this, you might want to ask the Mirboo North Festa committee how to go about planning for a big-scale event in Gippsland

W : Flag Throwers captain Ivan Samori

Chill: Peter Knob travelled from Hobart for the festa, along with wife Sue (third from left) They were joined by Inverloch’s Chris and Phil Edwards

Spotted: Traralgons Lisa Proctor and Latrobe City councillor Sharon Gibson

, Melbourne, Marco Timpero (Traralgon), Charlie Guerrera (Melbourne) and Gary Liali (Melbourne) enjoying the Mirboo North Italian Festa Photographs Liam Durkin

for

Ever vowelinthe al habet: Sebastian Li ari from

(w fl e d MIRBOO NORTH

Learning from the best

MOTORSPORT

By TOM HAYES

MANY peoplewouldnaturally be againsta 12-year-old getting behind the wheel, but for Korumburra’s Ryan Wyhoon, it is encouraged.

Ryan races go-karts at the Gippsland Go-Kart Club in Morwell, where he hasalready racedin six seasons.

This year will be his seventh season, and he will be chasing acoveted fourth Morwell Go Kart Championship.

Not only does Ryan have those three championships, but also anumberofhigh-level podiums under his belt too.

Ryan was born into motorsport, as his father used to race but now currently owns Image Racing.

Image Racing was awildcard entry in the 2022 Repco Supercars Championship last year, working with the Erebus Academy.

In 2023, Ryan will compete in the KA3 Junior Heavy Class, where he is excited to be working alongside the Erebus Academy.

While Ryan joins the Erebus Academy, in doing so, he becomes the youngest ever member of the academy, which is amassive achievement in itself.

Also in the academy is Jay Hanson and Jobe Stewart, the pair currently race in the Dunlop Super2 series,the championship beneaththe Repco Supercars.

Hanson raced for Image Racing last season, while 2023 will be Stewart’s first season in the competition.

The finalacademydriver is James Wharton, who has moved to Italy to pursue aFormula One career.

Wharton claimed global recognition when he claimedthe top positioninthe Ferrari Driver Academy’s Scouting World Finals.

Wharton currently drives in the Formula 4UAE

competition,which he began doing last year, placing fifth in his first season, claiming four wins. They’re three examplesofwhatRyan can achieve while in the hands of Erebus, who have proved to take drivers to the next step.

Duringthe week,Ryan didaninterview with ABC Gippsland, conversing about what is next for the driving prodigy.

“Erebus will be helping me with abunch of things

Walkley gets two for one

HORSERACING

By TOM HAYES

STONY Creek Racing Club ended the month with abang, entertaining folks with asevenrace meet on Tuesday, January 31.

The track was graded aGood 4for the opening to races, before swiftly being upgraded to aGood 3for the remaining five races.

Sale’s Damien Walkley had afantastic outcomeinRace 6’s LadbrokesMarket Control BM58 Handicap (1600m), with two horses in the top three.

Peppino, the eventual winnerwho was paying$18,climbed fromthe back of the pack to take the win by aneck.

Peppino was the slowest out the gates, thus filing into the rear of the field, where he prefers to race.

At the 400m mark, Peppino begantobreeze past the tail,galloping up the inside of the rail.

in my career, like showing me data, showing me where Ihave to be on certain weekends, or doing somemediastuff like this,” he told ABC Gippsland

“After karting I’mlooking to get into some Toyota 86’s, I’m not too sure after that whether Iwant to go into V8 Supercars or tour America.”

Thelastclubday of 2022 was in late-November, so Ryan won’t have to wait much longer to get behind the wheel in 2023.

Moe host enthralling eight-race meet

It wasn’t until the 50m mark that Peppino comfortably had the lead, to where he would hold on by aneck’s length.

It is the eight-year-old gelding’s eighth win of his career, and 30th top three finish.

That wasn’t it for Walkley, as Luv ADuck frantically came home in third by ahead to fourth placed Longift.

Unlike Peppino, Luv ADuckstayedjust off-pace throughout the race, and as the previous leaders began to drop, he stayed firm in the placing positions.

The pack was quite congested by the time they reached the line, as Golwen for Kilgower came seventh, yet was just under three lengths from the leader.

Black Banjo for Bairnsdale’s KaseyWilson came last andwas nowhere to be seen, over 30 lengths behind.

TheRace1Fish Creek Hotel Maiden Plate over 2100m, sent shockwaves through the course, with amajor upset from the start.

The winner was Dionisio for Cranbourne’s Jackie Beriman, who finishedstrongly to beat AWaler to the line by alength and ahalf.

Astonishingly, Dionisio was paying $41 before the jump,while second-placed AWaler was paying $61, quite the generous quinella.

Race 2’s Hartley Wells BettaHome Living Maiden Plate (1600m), was won by Gronkowskifor Mornington’s Clayton Douglas.

The favourite comfortably and steadily held strong at the front of the pack, climbing to a three-length lead by the time he hit the line.

In just his fourth start, Gronkowski has managed three placings, perhaps one for the blackbook.

HORSERACING

By TOM HAYES

MOE Racing Club was back in action once again, hosting THE Wednesday Racing transferred from Ballarat.

The track was graded aGood 4for the entire eight-race meet, beginning at 3.40pm.

The Race 1Ladbrokes MatesMode 2YO Maiden Plate over 1100 metres was won by Must Go for Euroa’s Ben Hayes.

Despite paying $9, the two-year-old gelding on debut proved he wasn’t an easy-beat.

He led for the entire race, hanging on by the skin on his teeth at the line, to win by anose to the favourite, Pantelone.

Race2’s Ladbrokes MegaMulti 3YOMaiden Plate (1100m) was taken out by Tranquilite for Warwick Farm’s James Cummings.

Tranquilite ran behindthe pace-setter,Basque, until the bend when she took the lead and paced herself to the line.

In just her third start, she has found her first win, following two fifth-place finishes.

The Race 3Ladbrokes Punter Assist Maiden Plate (1200m) was comfortably seen out by Humming for Cranbourne’s Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr.

In her debut race, Humming was listed as the favourite, by some way at $1.50.

She led for the whole race, coming home just under two lengths ahead of Frostwood.

Race 4’s Ladbrokes Same Race Multi Maiden Plate (1600m) was aone-horse race won by Deal Obtained for Barwon Heads’ Danny O’Brien. Deal Obtained jumped well from barrier one, then took the lead from Fashion Empire before the 1000m mark.

At the 400m mark, the favourite kicked into gear and begantostretch the gap, reachingthe line over five lengths ahead.

Deal Obtained now has afirst and second place from his two starts.

Holy Mongolian for Sale’s Adam Hanley came thirdaftersittingatthe frontofthe midfield during most of the race.

The Race 5Ladbroke It! BM64 Handicap (1600m) was won by Commodus for Cranbourne’s Mark Sues.

The well-backed second favourite raced just off pace overthe 1600 metres, taking the lead just after the bend with about 300m to go.

Commodus raced up to the line, reaching it with agap of around two lengths behind to Bishop.

Acey Deucy for Moe’s Charlie Gafa was racing well,inthe top three, up until the 400m mark, then he dropped to the rear of the pack.

Race 6’s Ladbrokes Bet Ticker BM70 Handicap (1600m)was comfortably won by Suizurofor Cranbourne’sTrent Busuttin and Natalie Young

The three-year-oldgelding led the whole 1600m following agood jump from the barrier.

He survived alatechargefrom Kwoi Hoi, who climbed from five back at the 800m mark to come second, nearly two lengths behind.

Suizuro has now won threeofhis six starts, boasting a50per cent win rateand a66.6 per cent place rate.

The Race 7Ladbrokes Blended Bets BM64 Handicap (2050m) was cleaned up by Teofilo Star forGai Waterhouse and Adrian Bot.

The five-year-old Irish gelding was the favourite going into his 12th career start.

Teofilo Star jumped well on the inside barrier takinganearly lead, holding onto thatlead for the entire two kilometre race.

He claimed his third career victory, as the rest of the field was sorted in the order of odds prices; The Bounty for Sale’s Colin Butcher came last.

Race 8’s Ladbrokes Switch BM64 Handicap (1200m) was the last race of the day, completing the eight-race meet at 7.30pm.

Bluestone Lanefor Mornington’s Cliff Brown took outthe finalrace, climbingfrom the midfield to win.

Palaggio jumped the best and held the lead for most of the race.

Bluestone Lane went four wide around the turn, taking the leadatthe 100m mark, doing enough to defeat Our John Boy at the line by a head, while Palaggio finished in third, nearly two lengths behind.

It was fair to say the odds were mostly right on the day, with many short-priced horses getting over the line first.

The Moe Racing ClubisnextinactiononSunday, February19, while thenext local meet is at Stony Creek on February 13 (during the time of print for this story).

The Race3 Meeniyan Hotel 3YO Maiden Plate(1100m) was comfortably taken out by Snow Falcon for Pakenham’s PhillipStokes.

Snow Falcon, the favourite, roasted the pack to comfortably win by over five lengths, leadingfor the entirety of the race.

Race 4’s Better Rural Health Services 4YO+ Maiden Plate (1100m), was won by Lady Of Light for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

The well-backed secondfavourite appeared comfortable at the front of the pack, before burstingout to atwo-length lead.

The four-year-old mare began to ease up at she hit the line, still just under two-lengths clear of second.

Maherand Eustacewent back-to-back in theRace5Stony Creek Football &Netball Club BM64 Handicap (2100m), when Maid Of Iron won.

Maid Of Iron occupied the midfield, before bursting into the front of the pack on the home straight.

From there it was atwo-horse race between Maid Of Iron and Poleaxed, but Maid Of Iron was too good.

The final race of the meet, the Race 7Brandt Leongatha Fillies and Mares BM58 Handicap (1100m),was wonbyWind Dreamer for Cranbourne’s John Keane.

Wind Dreamer led from thejumpand closed out adominant performance with aone length victory.

The Stony Creek Racing Club will be back in action soon, on Monday, February 13 for the Publicans Day meet which consists an eight-race card.

Pedal to themetal: Ryan Wyhoon became the youngest driver to join theErebusAcademy. Photograph supplied

Pipped: Bluestone Lane, ridden by Ben Allen, wins Race 8atMoe by ahead.

By anose: Must Go ridden by Daniel Stackhouse (right) winsRace1 at Moe

Photographs: PatScala/Racing Photos

BOWLS STRZELECKI NORTH MIDWEEK PENNANT

BY MICHAEL HOLROYD

DIVISION 1

MORWELL kept their feint hopes of afinal berth alive with aclean sweep at home against ladder leaders Traralgon. Judy Tumney and her rink of HelenCook, Bob Skinner and Keith Gadsby had a 16-12 win over Pat Trewin, Kerry Wright and her rink of Bill Tumney, Irene Biggs and Kevin Pigdon won 26-17 over Paddy Francis and Rita Reddiex andher rink of Ross Harford, Shirley Skinner and RussellWilliams won 20-13 over Rosie Lorenz.

 MORWELL 16-61 DEFEATED

TRARALGON 0-42

NEWBOROUGH at home completed the clean sweep overWarragul with Heather Mooney and her rink of Denise Ryan, Peter Policha and Rod Lewis defeating Pat Hammond 22-15. Joan Goldie and her rink of Bob Goldie, Jeff Wetzel and Julie Jackson defeated Gabrielle Draisma 26-18and over Jo-Anne Michaels and her rink of Phil Marston, MaryWhelan and Ryan Marstondefeated Janette Gallasch 32-17.

 NEWBOROUGH 16 -80DEFEATED WARRAGUL 0-49

MORWELLClub at home with only one rink up

defeated Drouin with Jan Karleusa and her rink of Dashaa Martin, Gail Rejmer and Neil Whitelaw winning 31-5 over Denise Hamilton. Drouin had winners with Maureen Leighton defeating Beryl Noblett22-13 and Sheryl Atkinson defeatingTess Borg 27-14.

 MORWELL CLUB 12-58 DEFEATED DROUIN 4-54

TRAFALGAR with another good win are sitting fourth on the ladder after defeating Traralgon RSL at home. Heather Taylor and her rink of Pat Tatterson, Peter Watson and Tim Anderson had a19-12 win overMarianne Hodson and Helen Robertson and her rink of Col Carmichael, Carol Saunders and Ken Capper had a30-13 win over Margaret Gibbins.For the visitors, Elaine Muir defeated Sue Robinson 17-13.

 TRAFALGAR 14-62 DEFEATED TRARALGON RSL 2-42

DIVISION 2

NEWBOROUGH (3) climbed off the bottom of the ladder with anarrow 2shot victory over Moe with Joan Lee and her rink of Helen Grubb, Michael Holroyd and John Vicic defeating Lorraine Horton 32-14 whilst for the visitors Val Griffiths defeated Chris Cunningham 27-19 and Val Rodgers defeated Heather Disisto 20-12.

 NEWBOROUGH (3) 12-63 DEFEATED MOE 4-61

DROUIN had abig winathome against Morwell Club(2) with Irene Dawsonand her rink of Glenda Jarred, Graeme Aubrey and Rudy Kerkvliet having a35-7win over Shirley Kolcze and Mary Andrews defeated Betty Burridge37-10 andLyn Jeffrey defeated Sandy Sinnott 21-11.

 DROUIN (2) 16-93 DEFEATED MORWELL CLUB (2)0-28 WITHonlyone rinkup, Traralgon(2) had anarrow 2shot win over Neerim District with Lyn Moffat and her rink of James Overdyk, Janis and Bill Kirby defeating Cookie Halligan 29-12 whilst for the visitors Pat Fraser-Aurisch defeated May Cross 21-11 and Karren Sheers defeated Barbara Scott 22-17.

 TRARALGON (2) 12-57 DEFEATED NEERIM DISTRICT 4-55

WITH one rink up, Newborough (2) had a1shot victory over Warragul (2) with Ann-Mary Ryan and her rink of Ruth Verhagen, Michael Weatherall and Robbert Cook having a31-17 win over Glynis Mitchell. For the home team Margaret Keeffe defeated Bev Luck 19-12 and GladysAtkinson defeated Carmel Goss 22-16.

 NEWBOROUGH (2) 12-59 DEFEATED WARRAGUL (2) 4-58

DIVISION 3

YINNAR 14-65 defeated Drouin (3) 2-62 at Drouin

by threeshots with Meredith Kennon defeating MargaretOwens 21-17 and Jennie Harris defeated Ethel Van Maanen 24-20 and for the home team Dini Hone defeated Hilarie Anstey 25-20. GARFIELD 16-71 defeated Morwell (2) 0-39 with all three rinks up. Gwen Fabris defeated Rebecca Matheson 18-17, Helene Newton defeated Letti Mizzi 25-10 and Maureen Lamport defeated Jan Moody 28-12.

YARRAGON 16-80defeatedTrafalgar(2) 0-28 with all rinksupathome. MargaretArnold defeated Lyn Sephton 22-10, Marion Chetland defeated Margaret Moss 21 -14 and Kaye McLaren defeated Joanna Reekie 37-4.

MORWELL(3) 16 -83 defeated Traralgon (3) 0-42 at home with Palma McNeill defeating Fay Marsh 36-12, Jenny Duncan defeated Shirley Richarson 22-15 and Glenda Thompson defeated Lyn Bloomfield 25-15.

DIVISION 4

YINNAR (2) 10-42 defeated Churchill 0-39, Trafalgar (3) 8-42defeated Moe (2)2-32, Drouin (4)10-54 defeated Traralgon RSL (2) 0- 44, Newborough (4) 8-44 defeated Warragul (3) 2-41, Moe (3) 10-44 defeated Traralgon (4) 0-28, Morwell Club (3)10-51 defeated Yallourn North 0-24.

Penultimate midweek pennant round Teams throwlast roll of thedicebefore finals

BOWLS STRZELECKI NORTH SATURDAYPENNANT

BY MICHAEL HOLROYD

THE last round of pennant before the finals had a number of teams looking forward to winning well and improving their position on the final ladders. It was not to be in many cases, with most teams remaining in the same position despite some gallant efforts.

DIVISION 1

DROUIN hada chanceofhosting Morwell in a semi final if they were able to defeat Newborough and Trafalgar defeated Morwell. Morwell had a bad day at Trafalgar, losing all four rinks with Matt Schreyerand his rink of Col Carmichael, Wayne Hurst and Ken Capper had a39-9 winover Chris Goldsbrough and his rink of Ross Harford, Brian Kingsley and Ron Lyfield. Ian Miles and his rink of Dennis McGrath, Paul Dawson and Chris Bortignon had a21-16 win over David Cook and his rink of Jodie Ashby, Kevin Pigdon and KeithGadsby.Darren Kane and his rinkofDarryl Horner, Shirley Melsen and Wayne Arnold had a 27 -19win over Nathan Cook and his rink of Jim Turner, Sarah Ashby and Laurie Melhuish. Tim Fraser and his rink of Alex Brodie, Tim Anderson and Peter Jonas had a30-7win over Ernie King and his rink of Mike Arnold, Danny McKeown and Russell Williams.

 TRARALGON 18-117 DEFEATED MORWELL 0-51

DROUIN, needing abig win,travelled to Newborough but found the home team too strong as Kevin Lovett and his rinkofBrian Carpenter, Phil Marstonand Jo-AnneMichaelshad a24-12win over Mick Fleming and his rink of Bruce Andrews, John Leighton and Geoff Bailey. Tommy Lodge and his rink of Dave Wurlod, John Backman and Scott Jones had a31-5win over Sheryl Atkinson and her rinkofMaureen Leighton,Jan Aubrey and Les Firth. For the visitors Toby Wallace and his rink of AlexMiller, Peter Wallaceand Graeme Aubrey had a22-16 win overRyan Marston and his rinkofTony Knipping, Alan Ryan and Josh Kennedy. Samantha Atkinson and her rink of David McIlfatrick, Rudy Kerkvliet and Mark Atkinson had a25-16 win over Alan Grubb and his rink of Barry Daley,Rod Lewis and Neale Houston.

 NEWBOROUGH 14-87 DEFEATED

DROUIN 4-64

TRARALGON had agood win at home against neighbours Traralgon RSL, with Jim Scullin and his rink of Nick Turnbull, Pat Trewin and Brenton Hackett who had a32-13 win over Alan Kanavan and his rink of Paul Matters and Dave Morley and RickLukey. MickCoram and his rinkofClint Jones, Ian Kirkup and Shane O’Loughlinhad a 27-9 win over Dave Hodson and his rink of Daniel Earl, Kevin Durwood and Beau Williamson. Vin McIlwain and his rink of KirstyVan den Hoff, Shane Chapman and Matt Eccles had a28-13 win overTerry Hunter and his rinkofTitchHore, Garry

Trewin and John Taylor.For the visitorsRoss Sizeland and his rink of Nathan Forester,Peter Barnes and Chris Mackintosh salvaged two points with a23-13 win over Matt Ferrari and his rink of Ian Hilsley, Chris Ward and Michael Yacoub.



TRARALGON 18-117 DEFEATED

TRARALGON RSL 2-58

MOE consolidated theirposition in Division 1 with asolid win at home against Warragul, with Michael Smogavec and his team of Val and Brian RodgerstogetherwithBarry Hawkett had a25-23 win over Bill Clappers and his rink of Ian Belling, David Alderman and Terry Sullivan. Sandy Caines and his rink of Bob Rennie, Les Stolarik and Ted Kuklinsky had a22-16 win over David Ferguson and his rink of Des Stephens, Bruce Thompson and Gaye Renn. Steve Pallot and his rink of Stan Myers, Ian Caines and Banger Harvey had a20-17 win over David Smith and his rink of John Vickerman, Robert Renn and Graeme Davis .For the visitors, they gained two pointswhenJanette Gallasch and her rink of Matt Draisma, Russell Carrick and Peter Gallasch had a18-16 win over Jayde Leech and his rink of Jim Lawrence, Stuart Caines and Jan Rudy.

 MOE16-83 DEFEATED WARRAGUL 2-74

DIVISION 2

LONGWARRY travelled to Neerim District with the knowledge that the winner would play a semi-final next week at the winner’s home green; Longwarry had the victory and gained ahome final with Adam Proctor and his rink of Mark Serong, Col Finger andJohn McCarthyscoring 23-13 to defeatShane Hogan.Ken Whiteand his rink of Hank Metselaar, Ian Peterson and Glenn Pask hada35-10 win overNeilAdams whilst Jason Lieshouttogether with his rink of Grant Pask, Barry and Russell Whitedefeated Peter Throup 16-14. For the home team Peter Brooks defeated Ken Towt 20-15.

 LONGWARRY16-89 DEFEATED

NEERIM DISTRICT 2-57

TRARALGON (2) had agood win at Traralgon RSL (2) with Ron Sherlock and his rink of MattOgilvie, Ian Bloomfield and Maurie Sutcliffe having a33-19 win over Jeff Blythman. Kevin Enguell and his rink of Tom Irvine, Bob Dykstra and Graham Cross had a23-16 win over Gordon Bakker. Trevor James and his rink of Jedd Ladgrove, Al Hegarty and Bill Bishop had a20-13 win over Gordon Asbury. For the home team Max Gibbins defeated Abe Roeder 28-14.

 TRARALGON (2) 16-90 DEFEATED

TRARALGON RSL (2) 2-76

MORWELL Club travelled to Thorpdale and came home with awin. Neil Whitelaw and hisrink of Steve Kilpatrick,DavidBroadbent and David Stevens defeated Brendan Jennings 21-18.And Glenn Trembathand his rink of VaughanReimers, Nobby Noblett and Alan Campbell defeated Ron Mackie 26-9. For the home team Dwayne Gunn defeated Tara Harle 22-16 and Ben Powell defeated Brett Harle 22-15.

 MORWELL CLUB 14-78 DEFEATED THORPDALE 4-71

DROUIN (2) had agood win at home against Newborough (20 with Brian Thorpe and his rink of Elaine Thorpe, Ron Douthie and Terry McFadzean defeated Robbert Cook 20-15. David Tayles and hisrink of Wayne Hawken, Clive Newman and Bob Cole defeated Graham Cocks 22-17 and Arthur Moore and his rink of Donald Mowat, John Bickerdike and Phil Jarred had a24-23 win over Bob Goldie. For the visitors Spencer Goss defeated Dale Hendrick 19-17.

 DROUIN (2) 16-83 DEFEATED

NEWBOROUGH (2) 2-74

DIVISION 3

WARRAGUL (2) got back on the winning list against Moe (2) and edged Boolarra out of fourth placeonthe ladder. Pat Hammond and her rink of KerriCurrie, David Gatewoodand Paul Simmons had a29-13 win over Jhon Kerr, Bob Currie defeated Paul Read 19-13 and Noel Rubenstein defeated BobEssler 25-20. ForMoe (2)Michele Muccillo defeated Greg Mitchell 20-13.

 WARRAGUL (2) 16-86 DEFEATED

MOE (2) 2-66

TRARALGON (3) at home had agood win over Boolarra with BrendonSmiles and his rink of Elaine Swan,BillMundayand Paddy Francis defeating Travis Baker 36-9 and Gordon Slimmonsn defeated Terry Parker 32-19 whilst Bill Kirby defeated David Caldwell 24-21. For the visitors Darren Napier defeated May Cross 19-18.

 TRARALGON (3) 16-110 DEFEATED BOOLARRA2-68

GARFIELD came home from Morwell (2) with a big win as StephenWhyte and his rinkofAlan Wilson, Gerald Wakefield and Alan White had a 30-11 win over KenTurner, ShaneOliver defeated Bob Skinner 22-16. Morwell (2) came back with GerryVan Duin defeating Nick Henwood 28-11 and Jack Prendergast drew 18-18 with Tom Cleary.

 GARFIELD 15-81 DEFEATED MORWELL (2) 3-73

YINNAR 11-84 drew Newborough (3) 7-84 Newborough (3) at home held on for adraw with Peter Policha and his rink of Ron Boskma, Wayne Russell andRod Dixon defeatingMurray De La Haye 25-12 whilst Yinnar won the other three rinks with Tom Cleary defeatingJim Cuthbertson 22-19, Luka Djudurovic defeating Alan Luck 25-22 and Gavin Osborne defeating Ed Whelan 25-18.

 TRARALGON (4) 18-83 DEFEATED YALLOURN NORTH 0-54

DIVISION 4

NEEDING abig wintostayinthe four, Traralgon (4)won all rinks at Yallourn North. Stuart Hulse defeated Darren Fry 19-16, Norbert Schroeter defeated Ricky Hearn 21-18,David Karsky defeated

Rob Matthews 23-6and Col Mayman defeated Gary Ingley 20-14.

CHURCHILL 18-93 defeated Newborough (4) 0-57 as they aimedfor full points and defeats to both Morwell (3) and Traralgon (4) with the latter denying them aplace in the four as Bill Brown defeated Maurie Ludlow18-17, ChrisThomas defeatedJohn Vicic 25-14, Craig Flanigandefeated Michael Holroyd 25-13 and ShirleyTurner defeated Wally Smith 25-13.

TRAFALGAR (2) 12 -78 defeated Yarragon6-71 with only one rinkupwithMal Clymoand his rink of Terry Robertson, Bernie Detering and Peter Watson defeating Richard Polmear 28-8 whilst for the home team Sam Mazza defeatd Bruce Giles 22-17, Jason Roberts defeated Anthony Mitchinson 17-16and Jarrrod Grigg defeated Frank Farrugia 24-17.

WARRAGUL (3)16-92 defeated Morwell (3) 2-72 with Brian Kennedy defeating Bob D’Brass 28-14 and Elsie Hefford defeating Rita Reddiex 24-18 whilst Lester Mason drew 18-18 with Graham Hutchinson and BrentGrigg drew with Trevor Curtis 22-22.

DIVISION 5

LONGWARRY 9-69 drew with Morwell (4)7-69 with Gerard Mitchelldefeating GlennWatkins 31-17 and JohnMajkut defeating Don Fuller 25-24. For Morwell (4) Joel Brooks defeated Simon Counsel 28-13.

NEERIM District (2) 12-61 defeated Garfield (2) 4-58with the rink of Russell Meehan defeating Gwen Fabris32-14 whilst for Garfield Damien Brick defeated Jim Schroeder 27-14 and Gordon Moxey defeated MalCollins 17-15.

MORWELL Club (2)16-79 defeatedTraralgon RSL (3) 0-36 with Jan Karleusa defeating John Farquhar 33 -10, Gail Rejmer defeating Frank Metcalf 25-13 and Andrew Shepleydefeated Margaret Morley 21-13.

DROUIN (3) 14-69 defeatedMoe (3) 2-59 with Andrew Kidd defeating Charles McArthur 31-15 and Mary Andrews defeating Ray Jackson 26-18 whilst forMoe (3) Chris O’Reillydefeated Peter Hone 26-12.

TRAFALGAR (3) 14 -62 defeated Traralgon (5) 2-54, with Bill Lithgow defeating Brian Johnson 26-19, Tony Dawson defeated Jim Goodwin 21-12 and for the visitors Ron Hales defeated Paul Gridley 23-15

DIVISION 6

YALLOURN North (2) 8-31 defeated Trafalgar (4) 2-30, Boolarra (2) 10-16 defeated Traralgon RSL (4) 0-0, Thorpdale (2) 8-54 defeated Yinnar/ Churchill 2-33, Neerim District(3) 10-16 defeated Newborough (5) 0-0, Yallourn North (3) 8-42 defeated Traralgon (6) 2-34, Drouin (4) 10-43 defeated Morwell Club (3) 0-31.

PREMIER A

LVDCL SCOREBOARD Going down to the wire

ROUND14

Moe innings

RBaldi .c Douglas bBrincat 7

APhilip .c Cukier bWhelpdale. .36

NKane .lbw bBrincat 0

SSpiteri .c DouglasbBrincat 0

RPhoenix bHarvey. 39

CRobinson .lbw bCukier 31

ASavige .b Harvey 0

CGrant .b Whelpdale 3

RColgrave st Douglas bCukier 12

CTaylor .not out 4

RBlunt. .b Cukier .0

Extras (nb 0, w6,b0,lb0). .6

Overs. 37.5

Total. 138

Morwell bowling:B Brincat 10-4-22-3, CSeymour

3-0-26-0, SBilic 2-0-13-0, RWhelpdale 10-1-41-2, G

Harvey 9-1-23-2, MCukier3.5-0-13-3

Morwell innings

SMooney. .lbw bColgrave 12

MCukier cBlunt bGrant 55

RWhelpdale .lbw bBlunt 6

BClymo .not out 49

BMills. lbwb Taylor. 0

BBrincat not out 4

Extras (nb 0, w10, b4,lb0). .14

Overs. 33.5

Total. 4/140

CRICKET LVDCL PREMIER A

BY LIAM DURKIN

WHO would have thoughtthere’d be atighter race in the Valleyafter the state election.

Like trying to predict the seat of Morwell last year,the Latrobe ValleyDistrict Cricket League Premier Acompetition is genuinely too closetocall.

With two rounds to go in the regular season, every team is still in with ashow of either qualifying for finals, or securing the benefits that go with finishing top-two.

Less than agame separates last from fourth, while the top-three teams are all equal on points after last Saturday’sround of one-day matches (the entire roundwas reverted to aone-dayer following the previous week washout).

Thedash to local cricket election day has started; early voting has opened, but winners won’t be declared until the final numbers are verified.

Who will be makingtheir concession speech first?

MORWELL made astrongstatement against a fellow contender.

The Tigers defeated Moe by six wickets inside 35 overs at Keegan St, aresult whichmay just reaffirm Morwell’s premiership credentials.

The homesidedecided to bowlfirst after winning the toss, and reduced Moe to 3/21.

Brendan Brincat made afast start, taking those three wickets with his first 13 balls.

His victims came about after Riley Baldi got a leading edge on one that went amillionmiles in the air and Morwell wicket-keeper Scott Douglas madegood ground to takearunningcatch. Ashort while later, Noah Kane was trapped in front after playingback, and then left hander Sean Spiteri poked at one angled across him.

The early carnagewas cleaned up by the everreliablepair of Andrew Philip andRob Phoenix, who got together for a45-run partnership.

Philip was sent out to open, making the move fromhis customary position at firstdrop.Hegot himself to 36 off 35 balls and looked set before being dismissed amid some contention.

An appeal for caught behind was immediately given after the ball ballooned to Mark Cukier in close off the bowling of Ross Whelpdale. While Morwell players were convincedtherewas bat involved, Philip, ascrupulouslyfair player, appeared to think otherwise.

Phoenix watched on from the other end, and he ended up playing awatchful handof39off 64 balls.

The Philip decision was possibly asquare-up after Phoenix survived ahugecaught behind appeal when he was on four. His eventual dismissal left the match in the balance at 5/93.

Campbell to potentially come back in, Morwell looks to have depth to rival Hawthorn of the 1980s.

If you wanted unbelievable depth, check out the Hawks from that era.

Their side was so strong that Brett Lovett (a Gippsland boy incidentally), who ended up playing 235 games for Melbourne, was an emergency for the Hawthorn Reserves 1985 Grand Final team. DID Latrobe know it was aone-dayer?

The Sharks were stuck in two-day mode against Churchill at PeterSiddle Oval, batting virtually 50 overs for agrand total of 98 runs.

Richmond playing for the ‘Kreuzer Cup’ that year. Churchill and Morwell might be playing for the ‘Keegan Cup’.

CATS aren’t done with just yet.

The team that had only won two games before last Saturday is now only one game outside the top four.

Travelling to Yinnarfor an assignmentagainst Raiders, the visitors elected to bat first upon winning the toss.

Having batted downthe order for mostofthe season,Cal Stewartsaid‘enough’s enough’ and went out to open.

He scored 45 off 61 balls, combining with Jamie Cochrane in a110-run opening stand.

Cochrane took the captaincy for the day and led from the front, making amagnificent 83 off 113.

With 10 overs still to go when Cochrane was dismissed, CATS were able to get past 200 thanks to the efforts of Tyler Brown, who hung around for an unbeaten 26 from 61 balls.

Raiders captain Liam Maynard exercised good control, withhis leg-breaks returningfigures of 3/35 off 10.

The Raidersresponsewas punctuated by wickets falling at semi-regular intervals, as afew players got starts without going on.

CATS were smart with their bowling changes, holding Stewartuntil the sixthoversohehad more time at key players in themiddle orderlike Maynard and Mick Higgins.

The express bowler ended up taking both those wickets, withthe wicket of Maynard reducing Raiders to 4/58.

Wickets continued to fall, with all six CATS bowlers used taking ascalp.

Things got abit tensewhenMaduraPerera counterattacked with 30 off 34 balls, but once again, it was Stewart who was the man to take a match-defining wicket.

Burkeley MacFarlane dugin, making an unbeaten 39 off 77 at number eight,but could only watch on as the last few wickets fell to leave Raiders all out for 165.

Sam Gissaraended with two wickets, and fittingly, Cochrane took the last one to wrap up a50-runwin.

The reigning Premier Apremier will more than likely need to win both their remaining games in order to qualify for finals.

If they do happen to sneak in however, there will surely be afew nervous teams, especially after what happened last season.

For those unaware, CATS finished 30 points off the top side and ended up winning the flag.

14-1, MHarvey4.4-1-5-2 Churchill innings MHarvey. bZomer

(nb 1, w7,b1,lb2).

Latrobe bowling: TGamage 5-0-18-0,JBloomfield 4-0-15-0, SHanning 6-1-16-1, BZomer 6.2-0-29-1, A

Meenakski 4-0-19-0

CATS innings

JCochrane .b Maynard. .83

CStewart. cBurrows bPerera. .45

NHarrup. cChesireb Maynard. .9

TBrown .not out 26

DKeyhoe lbw bMaynard. 3

JMoore .b Chesire. 7

RHare. .not out 16

Extras (nb 2, w20, b1,lb3). 26

Overs. 50

Total. 5/215(cc)

Raidersbowling:H McColl6-1-33-0, MPerera8-0-29-1, MHiggins 10-0-27-0, GChesire10-1-64-1,A Burcombe

6-0-23-0, LMaynard10-0-35-3

Raiders innings

GChesire. .c Keyhoe bGissara. 9

CMills .c Keyhoe bMoore. .....11

MHiggins cKeyhoe bStewart. .16

LMaynard. lbwb Stewart. .9

ABurcombe bCooper 33

THutchinson cKeyhoe bBrown 0

BBurrows bStewart. .1

BMacFarlane not out 39

MPerera. cCochrane bStewart. .30

HMcColl lbwb Gissara. .1

OMcColl bCochrane 0

Extras (nb 0, w14, b0,lb2). 16

Overs. 44

Total. 165

CATS bowling: JMoore6-1-26-1, SGissara7-0-47-2,

CStewart 10-3-25-4, TBrown 4-1-11-1, JCochrane

7-0-23-1, HCooper 10-0-31-1

Chris Robinson took the score into triple figures, making apatient 31 off 72 balls, holding up an end while wickets fell among the lower order.

The Tigers were able to close strongly, taking the last five wickets for only 35 runs to see Moe all out for 138.

Brincat set the tone with figuresof3/22 off 10 overs with four maidens. Whelpdaleand Greg Harvey did their job taking pace off the ball, and finished with two wickets each, while Cukier mopped up, taking the last three wickets.

Cukier then went out to open the batting, and ended up making amatch-high 55.

Withtime on his side, Morwell’s greatestever first grade run-scorer was able to go at asteady tempo, combining withBlair Clymo for a65-run partnership for the third wicket.

Clymo played abusy hand of 49 off 66 balls, clearingthe fence twice and remaining unbeaten as the game was won.

The Lions took afew wickets for their troubles, but in the end,justdidn’t have enough runs to playwith. Callum Grantwas economical,returning figures of 1/26 off 10 with four maidens.

While disappointed with how things transpired, the result does not spell the end for Moe. In some respects, the match was afree-hit given it was a one dayer, aformat that more than likely won’t be seen again this season.

Without statingthe bleedingly obvious,finals aren’t played as one-dayers.

By the same token, Morwell will surelybepleased with the manner in which they won. Good sides chase down totals like these only three or four down, and the Tigers were able to complete this task professionally.

With some key players waiting in the wings, Morwell is also facing the proverbial ‘good problem to have’atthe selection table.

Brendan Mason still hasn’t played an AGrade game this season, and Tiger officials will be hoping he is fully-fit come finals.

Mason, on the return from dual shoulder reconstruction, playedseconds on the weekendand scored 29 off half as many balls.

Fastbowler TravisPickeringisalsoonthe comeback trail.

As fate would have it, Pickering is facing the unique proposition of playing asecond grade match against oldclub Thorpdale this Saturday. When he signed up to play for Morwell seven years ago, it is unlikely he ever thought he would have to play a game against Thorpy scoobs.

With names like these, as well as captain Jordan

The home side battedfirst after winning the toss, but put in one of the more bizarre limited overs’ innings you are likely to see.

Granted the Peter Siddle Oval wicket hasn’t had much use this season, to see 14 maidens delivered with awhite ball was certainly unusual.

Players on either side had little reason to think anything out of the ordinary was going to happen whenLatrobe got through the firstfourovers unscathed.

However,Churchillnew-ball operators Kian Farnworthand Kurt Holt thentook twowickets withinthree balls of each other to leave the Sharks 2/9.

Churchill had three different bowlers strike three different sets of pads for the first three wickets.

From there, the Sharks got their front pad outside the line, but only succeeded in going one mode worse, as four of the next five wickets were bowled.

Chris Williams did his average no harm, taking 2/8 off nine overs with five maidens. John Keighran did likewise, with 1/14 off 10 with four ‘Big Ms’, while Matt Harvey snared 2/5.

Latrobe’s decision to eliminate all risk from their game played into the Cobras hands, as it not only kept them ahead of the game, but only increased the likelihood of awicket.

Havingnot diedofboredom,Churchill negotiated the run chase withlittletonoissue,winningby eight wickets.

Harvey and Ric Velardi put on an opening stand of 54, with the later making26and the former going one better.

While the match was one-sided, it is worth noting that seven of the 12 wicketstofall were bowled. Regardless of how tricky conditions might have been, players on both sides will need to tighten up their defences as finals approach.

In the eyes of some,you really shouldn’t get bowled.

Looking ahead, there could some cheeky tactics from the boys at the Snake Pit in weeks to come.

Currently, Churchill is on top of the ladder, and thereforegets the first choice of venuefor the semi-final.

However, the Cobras have hardly played at their home ground of George Cain Oval this season, and with the facility still not fully repaired, playing a final there presents ahugerisk.

If Churchill can secure top spot, they might just choose to play the semi at Keegan St -thus taking away one of Morwell’s assets.

With the Cobras and Tigers set to meet in the last round of the regular season, spectators could see a reverse of what happened in the AFL back in 2007.

People may remember bottom sides Carlton and

LVDCL SCOREBOARD

PREMIER BGRADE -ROUND 17

Centrals 152(ASlimmon 36, DRode 33,HBerry29, KBradshaw5/34, KO’Connell 2/18) def by Thorpdale 4/193(cc) (K O’Connell 76*, MPowell 74,Bradshaw28); Mirboo North 3/122 (C Wise 40*, SRogers28*, DSmith 2/18)def Jeeralang-Boolarra8/108(cc) (T Holley39*, M Snell 3/2, GWalker 3/18); Moe 8/152(cc)(JPheeney 59, CBailey4/32, JSeymour 2/25) def by Morwell 5/156 (K Fortuin 50, CGiddens 44*, BMason 29, AJohnstone 3/24, BWilson 2/35); Newborough -bye

BGRADE -ROUND 17

Churchill vLatrobe (no scoresupplied);Trafalgar9/102 (J Pace 31, Dvan der Stoep 3/30, BSword 2/14, SDawson 2/20)defWillowGrove 98 (L Cumiskey 32*,J Pace 3/22, J Chapman 3/26);Raiders6/180 (A Joshy91*, KHutchinson 28, BHagley2/32, JMotta 2/36) defCATS 179(MAnthufor 36, DCooper 34, BHagley28, JBerrymanLambert3/24,JVarghese 2/20,J Daddo 2/37,KArora2/44; Traralgon West -bye

PREMIER CGRADE -ROUND 13

CATS 3/215(CBeaver126*, DFleming 43, HBaker 2/57) def Jeeralang-Boolarra 9/208(cc) (A Baker 72, BLackmann 47,NSpark45*, MPayne 7/16);Mirboo North 7/183(cc) (M Graeme 73, Gvan derZalm 28, KDoble 2/21,J Donovan 2/27) defCentrals 6/173(cc) (A Foley88*, PBanks 2/26); Morwell 9/79 (Br Claridge 3/7,DBrown 2/9, SAsmussen 2/13) def Trafalgar75(N Day4/5,B Williams 3/15, AKumar 2/22); YallournNorth 54 (R Whitney3/6,A Savige 3/16) def by Moe 2/60(dec)

CGRADE -ROUND 13

Latrobe 9/122(cc)(SGrover44) def by Rawson 2/131 (R Hebbard2/8); Traralgon West 188(GStephens 69, D Cooke39, SKosterman 25, MFalla4/17,ATangutso 2/27,N Sallee 2/36) defWillow Grove76(CVeenman36, DCooke 5/36, MRogers3/22, HBates 2/18); Thorpdale-Raiders 4/129(cc) (R Pickering 48, CHoffman 36*, PShrubb3/25) defbyNewborough 2/140 (SWernham 63*, RHussey34)

WOMENS DIVISION -ROUND 12 Morwell Yellow0/62(dec) (A Bone 32*) def Mirboo North 3/58(cc)(FMorrison 30*);Newborough 28 def by Centrals 0/90(cc)(CHalkett25*);Willow Grove6/77(SClymo 41*) def Latrobe 3/70(cc);Raiders0/100(cc) (L Henderson 31*, SBlines 30*)def Morwell Black3/91(cc) (SThompson 35*)

Memorablemoment: Ronnie Whitneytook a hat-trickinPremier Cfor Moe at the weekend. Photograph supplied

 RARITY

VENTURED up to Mirboo North recently to watch agame.

The wicket on the Mirboo North Astro may well belong in aunique class.

Although it might not be totally straight on the compass,thereisnodoubt thepitch runs in the opposite direction to the turf wicket on the other oval -sothe astro goes east-west.

To those unaware, acricket pitch generally (or pretty much always)runsnorth-south so batsman aren’t looking into the sun.

To my knowledge, the Mirboo North Astro was the only pitch Icould think of that runs east-west, although Ihave since been informed the wicket at Willow Grove Recreation Reserve also runs east-west.

Are there any others in the region thatrun east-west?

If you know of any,email sport@lvexpress.com.au

 DIAMOND IN THE SKY

ROSEDALE is in our readership, so Imust make mention of the form of Rosedale-Kilmany batsman Rohan Diamond.

In his last six hits in theSale-MaffraCricket Association, Diamond has made scores of 73, 134,

BACKWARD POINTS with

Liam Durkin

41 and 88, as well as two twenty20 half-centuries. His 134 was especially commendable, as it came out of atotal of 212. The player that contributed the most after made 29.

Considering his effort came againsttop-side Collegians, who had the likes of Noah Hurley, NathanWhitford andStuart Anderson, it was certainly an innings full of merit.

They wouldn’t come much more loyal than Rohan Diamond.

He hasbeen amainstayofnot only the Warriors during cricket season, but the Blues of Rosedale during footy

WithaNorth Gippy leaguebest-and-fairestto his name, and more than 100 first grade games for RK, one can only imagine the offers he has been given to leave Rosedale in either cricket or footy.

 FACTS AND FIGURES

FINALS are on the horizon in the Traralgon District Cricket Association and Latrobe Valley District Cricket League.

As teams dream of things to come, results in the last few home-and-away games may give a goodindication as to just who will be lifting up the premiership cup next month.

Statisticallyspeaking, if ateam really demolishes an opponent before finals, it is usually atell-tale sign they are going to go all the way.

Looking at recent AFL premiers, the data backs up this notion.

Granted we are talking about different sports, but the premise is exactly the same.

Hawthorn 2015 -won by 72 points in Round 22;

Richmond 2017 -won by 104 points in Round 22;

WestCoast 2018 -won by 58 points in Round20;

Finalfourset, top-two still up for grabs

CRICKET

LVDCL AGRADE

BY LIAM DURKIN

FINALS-BOUND teams were decided in Latrobe Valley District Cricket League AGrade on Saturday Centrals, Trafalgar, Traralgon West and Mirboo Northare mathematicallyassured of playing in the semi-final.

The only question now is: Who will finish where?

Round 14 actionsaw one-day matches played across the board,after rain washedout the first week.

As four teams may now have one eye turned to finals, there is still challenges to negotiate in the two games leftinthe regular season, not least of which is aSaturday/Sunday fixturethis weekend.

With ahostofplayerscurrentlytaking partin Country Week, it willbeinterestingtosee how well they go backing up.

For bowlersespecially, the tosscould be abig gamble on Saturday. If it falls acertainway, it may allow them an extra day to put their feet up.

There is apossibility some will have played six days of cricket in seven days by Sunday night.

Get those ice baths ready.

TRAFALGAR took ahugestridetowardsecuring atop-two finish.

The Ships defeated Centralsby33runsinabattle between first and second.

Taking to Racecourse Turf,the visiting Lions fancied their chances bowling first, and decided to do just that after winning the toss.

Trafalgar was looking to do the same, but as it turned out, it was agood toss to lose as they ended up compiling 204 from their allotted 50 overs.

Centralsclearly thoughtthe overheadconditions that greeted them when the coinwas flicked would lead to more swing, however,within the first 10 overs, captain Tye Hourigan was already forced to make abowling change.

Ships’ openers Aiden George and Liam White laid astrong foundation, putting on 61.

George scored 39 off 52 balls,with his innings highlighted by astylish lofted cover drivethatraced to the fence.

He washowever given some good fortune, with asharp caught behind chance off left arm spinner Joe Stuart put down, and acelebrappeal resulting in adot ball.

Centrals fought back admirably after moments like these went against them, and were able to change the complexity of the game thanks to a triple-wicket strike across two overs.

Hourigan led the way, first inducing an edge from White, before knocking over George and then opposite number Aydan Connolly for afirst-baller. At that stage, Trafalgar was 3/78. The Ships lost another on the way to drinks, leavingthe match precariously placed.

During the middle stages, the wicket showed its first signs of deterioration, which had some feeling ascore of 150 would be defendable.

The Ships however didn’t panic,and just continued to play cricket.

Rhys Holdsworth was well and truly set by this time, and was joined by Riley White, who stayed fora 66-run partnership.

By his own admission, White had “never had so much luck”withthe bat, but his 43-ball stay enabled Trafalgar to set their sights on ascore over 200.

At the other end, Holdsworth was placing the ball expertly, and having got to 69 with 10 overs to go, acentury was well and truly on the cards.

In classiclocal cricket style, he signalledtothe dugout during his innings. The Trafalgar No. 10, thinking he wanted new gloves, ran apair out, only for Holdsworth to tell him the location of his car keys and get him to move his car because the glare was shining right into his eyes. (Club cricket problem 74)

His innings cametoa strange end, after stepping

inside adelivery to work it fine, only for Centrals wicket-keeper Ben Doble to take avery good catch down the leg side.

Having played the shot he wanted only for it to bring about his demise, it was acase of the operation being asuccess but the patient dying.

Hourigan endedwith four wickets,three of which were bowled, while left arm orthodox Joe Stuart returned very tidy figures of 1/24 off 10 overs.

Trafalgar was able to create enough dot ball pressure when Centrals came out to bat, as the Lions opted to sit on anumberofballs before trying to blast aboundary.

This led to six of the seven wickets to fall coming via catches either in the deep or skied in the ring.

The youngest player on the Ships’ team, Owen McLeod-Agland, took agreat catch to get things going, holding his nerve to take aballthat was hit so high it came down with snow on it.

Connolly got some revenge on Hourigan, throwing down the stumps from astraight-ish cover to see him run out, leaving Centrals 3/46.

Mark Rawson, playing his first match since November, came in next, and as always, threatened to be the match-winner.

Theman whomakes the best-looking 20sofall time did exactly that,getting to 23 off 26 balls before finding his nemesis in the field -Brodie Burgess at gully.

Not for the first time, Burgess caught Rawson, although this time, it wasn’t quite as spectacular. With that dismissal, the Ships were able to spread the field and essentially kill the game, as the runrate got up into double digits.

Riley Whitetook catch-of-the-day on the midwicket fencetosee the back of Reghard Hefer,much to the relief of Trafalgar playersafter his four-bomb effort the last time the two sides met.

White made good ground, coming in off the fence to complete the task. The downward force of the ball almost buried him in the turf underneath.

That catch gave Daniel Heathcote his third wicket. By sheer coincidence, Heathcote’s figures of 3/47 were identical to the last time he played Centrals.

JacksonNoonan was rewarded with two wickets, taking poles in separate spells. Noonan and fellow new ball bowler Zack Brown did an exceptional job, going for just 25 and 23 runs respectively from 10 overs each.

Centrals closed the innings with 171 on the board.

Whilethe result was not ideal, the Lions are likely to take some positives out of the match.

Centrals have put together strong performances in the two-day formatthis season, and, given finals are played in whites, they could be quietly confident of catching ateam like Trafalgar off-guard.

Amazingly, the two sides have not met in atwodayer since 2019/20.

The Lions may also look at Wayne Henry’s effort last Saturday, and hope it ignites areturn to form for the opening bat.

Henry, whohas had ahorrid time with the bat this season (five globes in 11 hits) batted for most of the innings, making agritty48.

Trafalgar meanwhile, needs to keep winning to make their top-two aspirations areality.

The Ships have not lost agame since the second week of December. Their form has no doubt been helped by adrastic improvement in their fielding, specifically their catching, since then.

For athree-week period beforegetting on their winning streak,Trafalgar hada drop-rate of at least four sitters per game.

After the third consecutive week of it happening, and withfirstyearcaptain Connolly understandably hesitant to call out senior players, sources have confirmed Holdsworth got up in ateam meeting and said “just say it”.

The honesty session looks to have been the first step toward improvement.

MIRBOO NORTH made it back-to-back wins.

The Tigers ventured to JackCanavan Oval to

take on Traralgon West, and returned with adecent percentage boost following aseven wicket win. The visitors also secured abonus point for their efforts.

Mirboo North elected to bowl first after winning the toss, and were able to strike at regular intervals.

The Eagles’ innings was plagued by anumberof players getting starts -three of the top four all got to 20 before coming unstuck.

Traralgon West was in aposition where they were ready to launch at 2/67, however, the engines well andtruly failed just as they started the countdown to lift-off

From that position, the home side completely fell apart, losing their next three wickets for 10 runs, and last five for just nine.

Rami Zafar was one of four players to contribute ascore in the 20s, but his 25 out of atotal of 108 only highlighted the side’s shortcomings.

All Mirboo North bowlers contributed wickets, with captain Jed Alexander taking four of them.

Young gun Max Woodall nabbed two, as did Zac Hollis.

Swing King Anton Thomasgave very little away, taking1/10 off 10 overs, half of which were maidens.

The Tigers then put in aprofessionaldisplay with the bat, recovering after apoor start to chase the total with little fuss.

Mirboo North suffered aslight hiccup, actually two, after stumbling to 2/7, but fromthere, the wise head of Principal Pedlow (Brett), was able to steer the team out of danger.

Pedlowbattedthrough the innings,and remained not out on 60.

Luke Corry supported the main run-scorer, seeing off 74 balls in a66-run stand for the third wicket.

Traralgon West threw the ball around trying to findananswer,but only ReeceFalla, who took the opening two wickets, was able to make much of an impression.

The result keeps Mirboo North well on track to secureahome final,and they are now only one game, in terms of wins, off top-side Centrals.

Despite havinga finals position sewn up, there is surely worrying signs for the Eagles, who have now lost four of their last five.

JEERALANG-BOOLARRA notched its second win for the season.

The Panthers got the job done in acompetitive game against Willow Grove.

Although bothteams were well out of finals contention, the match presented probably the lastopportunity for eitherside to go into agame entertaining thoughts of awin.

The Wolves batted first on their hard deck, and made aprettygood recovery after falling to 4/21.

Lachlan Smith took the first two wickets to fall, whileBen Heathexecuted adirect hit run out to have the visitors cock-a-hoop early.

WillowGrove then got to work rebuildingthe innings, and was able to do so through the work of Josh Coombs, Josh Hammond and Pete Grima.

Coombs continued to show the application required of an AGrade batsman, making astoic 35, partnering with Grima in an 87-run stand for the sixth wicket.

Grima showed his experience, and brought up afine half-century, helping the home team to a total of 171.

Jeeralang-Boolarra sharedthe wickets, and were lively in the field, executing four run outs.

Smithwas the best performer, snaring 2/28 off eight overs.

The Panthers took the chase into the last 10 overs, opting to play it safe to make sure of the result.

Willow Grove may have been thinking asneaky win was on the cards when the scoreboard read 3/48, but alas,Jeeralang-Boolarra key playersHeath and Nila Thillekarathna got the visitors home with unbeaten knocks of 69 and 58 respectively.

The former struck five fours in his innings, and the latter eight, including one maximum.

Melbourne 2021 -won by 98 points in Round 20, and;

Geelong 2022 -won by 85 points in Round 23.

 CONGRATULATIONS

GREAT to see David Anderson awarded life membership of Region 7.

Awell-known identity on the Sale-Maffra cricket scene,Anderson has servedonthe Gippsland Cricket League executive for the best part of 10 years.

He spent eight seasons as secretary and four as treasurer. Those four seasons as treasurerwere placed on top of his secretary commitments -no small feat.

Those who know cricket administration will know just how mountainous that workload would be.

Devotees of history have surely appreciated the efforts he has gone to preservethis partofthe game. The onlinedatabase of SMCA scores for Country Week and for his home club, Collegians, is absolute top-shelf.

Anderson joins GeorgeMunro andNeil Purdy as Region 7life members. The trio worked together as president (Munro),secretary (Anderson)and treasurer (Purdy) for many seasons.

If Iampermitted to say, having worked with David, alife membership was long overdue.

.7/171 (cc)

Trafalgar bowling: JNoonan 10-2-25-2, ZBrown 10-123-0, AConnolly7-1-24-1, DHeathcote8-0-47-3, O McLeod-Agland 4-0-13-0,R Holdsworth10-1-32-0, LDurkin 1-0-3-0 WillowGrove innings

CPolo .run out (Heath). .7

BHams .c ARanthilakage bSmith. 0 AWilkes cHeath bSmith 4 NWheildon .c ARanthilakage bGregor 6 JCoombs runout (Edirisinghe) 35

JHammond lbwbHeath 23

PGrima runout (Edirisinghe) 51

NWeatherhead runout (Heath) 5 AJames .lbw bMcCormack. 0

DWalsh .lbw bHewawasam. 3

RFiddelaars. .not out 1

Extras (nb 6, w26, b1,lb 3) .36

Overs. 46.3

Total. 171

Jeeralang-Boolarrabowling:LSmith 8-1-28-2, DGregor 4-1-17-1, BMcCormack9-1-34-1, BHeath10-2-40-1, Hewawasam 8.3-2-24-1,KRanthilakage 5-1-8-0, S De Silva2-0-16-0

Jeeralang-Boolarra innings

ARanthilakage cHams bWilkes 8

BMcCormack. cWheildon bGrima .19

BHeath .not out 69

KRanthilakage runout (Grima) .6

NThillekarathna. .not out 58

Extras (nb 2, w15, b0,lb0). 17

Overs. 42.2

Total. .3/177

Willow Grovebowling:AWilkes 10-1-37-1, RFiddelaars

3-0-24-0, PGrima 6-1-11-1, NWheildon 3-0-17-0, J Coombs 3-0-15-0, DWalsh 4-0-18-0, NWeatherhead 7-2-25-0, JHammond 6-0-20-0, CPolo 0.2-0-10-0 Traralgon West innings

BEdebohls. cWoodallb Thomas 4

RWilkie .c &b Woodall 21

TFitch cPedlowbHollis 22

IZafar cCheatleyb Alexander .25

JMonacella cCorrybHollis. 1

HKimpton cDavis bWoodall 6

BHowe. cDavis bAlexander 24

SRasool bAlexander 1

RFalla .lbw

CRICKET

COUNTRYWEEK

BY TOM HAYES

THEfirst roundofinductees into the Victorian Country Cricket League’s HallofFame havebeen made.

Eachinductee has made asignificant contribution to the sport in one way or another; whether that be as aplayer, coach, or official.

From the 19 initial inductees, three of them are playersfromthe local area; Alan Anton, Jim Anton and Jim Merrett, and Sale-Maffra legends Barrie Wrigglesworth and Neil Tatterson.

Alan and Jim Anton were Traralgon District Cricket Association Team of the Decade inductees from the 1950suntil the1970s.

Thus, earning the two aspotinthe TDCA Team of the Century.

Alan holds four Player of the Year awards (1967/68, 1968/69, 1969/70, 1972/73), three TDCA batting average awards (1959/60, 1966/67, 1968/69) and one bowling average honour (1967/68).

He scored 15 centurieswith atop scoreof154,and collected three seven-wicket hauls -one included ahat-trick, playing at Country Week from 1947

CountryWeek is under way

CRICKET COUNTRYWEEK

BY LIAM DURKIN

MELBOURNE Country Week is currently underway.

The annual crickettournament is celebrating its 100th anniversary this season.

Gippsland is well represented, with five of the six associations within Gippsland Cricket LeagueRegion7takingpart in the top Provincial grade.

Traralgon District, fresh off winning the GCL senior premiership, started their campaign playing Bendigo.

Latrobe Valley, on debut in Provincial, took on Mornington Peninsula on Day 1.

The local derby was scheduled for Tuesday at Central Reserve, Glen Waverly.

Traralgon plays Ballarattoday, while Latrobe Valley is up against Bendigo.

The GCL Final rematch between Traralgon and Sale-Maffra is on tomorrow at Endeavour Hills.

Latrobe Valleyfinishes its pool games, taking on Leongatha at Croydon.

Sale-Maffra joinsBairnsdale and Leongatha as the other Gippsland teams playing Provincial at Country Week.

Regrettably, Warraguldid not send ateam down this year.

Duetoprinting deadlines, no results were known at the time of going to press.

until 1977, missing just the 1954, 1968 and 1973 campaigns.

To complete his honour list, Alan claimed 13 premierships, was atwo-time Country Week and GCL winning captain, and the TDCA CGrade Shield is named after him.

Alan’s brother,Jim,isa two-time Player of the Year (1960/61, 1971/72),holding one batting averageaward (1962/63), four bowling average awards (1962/63, 1966/67, 1971/72, 1972/73) and one bowling aggregate honour (1966/67).

He scored seven centuries across his career -with atop score of 172, along with six seven-wicket hauls and one eight-wicket haul -two of those a 13-wicket match.

Jim was a12-time premiership player between seasons 1953/54 and 1974/75.

He, just like brother Alan, was along-standing Country Week representative, from 1953 until 1975, only missing two seasons (1968 and 1973), winningCountryWeek premierships on two occasions.

Alongside the Anton’s in the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s Teams of the Decade was Jim Merrett, who also earned himself aTeam of the Century Selection.

Merrett wasatwo-time Player of the Year (1962/63, 1964/65), holding two batting average

awards (1961/62, 1963/64).

He scored 11 centuries throughout his career, with atop score of 156.

Merretttook234 wickets (withone hat trick), his best figures being 7/8 in the 1957/58 season against Maroons in the TDCA, closely followed by 7/9 against Monash in the Latrobe Valley District Cricket League (then known as Central Gippsland) in 1955/56.

He collectedfour premierships throughouthis career, while being aCountry Week representative on 23 occasions between 1952 and 1975.

Merrett first played for Centrals Cricket Club in 1953, coming from Toongabbie CricketClub as ateenager.

He finished at Centrals in 1977, and transferred to Maryvale(later Traralgon West).

At club level, Merrett is considered one of Centrals greatest ever cricketers, playing 214 matches for 6867 runs at an average of 39.24.

His only BGrade matchwas in Round 1ofthe 1954/55 season, returningascore of 101 against Yallourn.

Merrett served for more than 20 years on the committee, including long stints on the executive committee,and wasclub captain for over10years.

Sportrunsthrough theMerrett family, as he was

the cousin of Collingwood Football Club Team of the Century entrant Thorold Merrett -who is the great uncle of Essendon players Zach and Jackson Merrett.

Merrett,and thetwo Antons are all TDCA life members, and wereinductedinto the Harold Brady Memorial TDCA HallofFame, joining asmall group of over 30 people.

Wrigglesworthand Tattersonare inductees from the Sale Maffra Cricket Association, where they tooare life members.

Wrigglesworth is amember of the Team of the Decade in the 1970s- where he was named captain, earning him aselection in theTeam of the Century Tatterson was named in the 1990s Team of the Decade, which was enough to give him selection for theTeam of the Century alongsideWrigglesworth Organised by the VCCL, Country Week began in 1922, continuing annually, only stopping for World War 2, droughts or washouts and COVID-19,over thelast100 years.

Are-enactmentbetween Ballaratand Hamilton was played on Sunday,(February 12),tocelebrate 100 years of Country Week; those two teams played in the first-ever final in 1922.

Legends inducted into VCCL Hall of Fame Goannas set the tone

CRICKET VETERANS

THE breeze was cool and there was abit of light drizzle as Gippsland GoannasOver 60s welcomed Country Victoria to the Traralgon Recreation Reserve on Sunday.

Victoria Country had many unavailable due to injury, but were able to bringeight players for the game.

Goannas stand-in captain, Ray Floyd, won the toss and decided to bat, opening the innings with Rob Taylor.

Taylor seemed to get most of the strike and quickly retired for 21 from his 30 balls.

Ian Gibson came in and was almost immediately caught behind for aduck!

The score was 1/31 in the ninth over, then Floyd retired for 17 after another couple of overs.

Last week’s debutants, Chris de Vent and Mark Brown came together,with de Vent facing15balls forfourruns, departing via LBW from the last ball of John Thomas’ spell. The score read 2/49.

Goannas pair Gordon Cowling and Dick Noble hadvolunteered to play for Vic Country, and they were both bowling at Brown and Bernie Symons as the score reached 59 at the 20-over drinks break.

The ground was in magnificent condition, but the pitch was keeping alittle low and astronger wind made bowling and batting more difficult.

Brown and Symons retired for 14 and 10 respectively, then Neil Meredith skied adelivery from Noble’s bowling, while Rob Bacchetti was dismissed lbw by Cowling,asthe scorereached 4/84 after 27 overs.

Noble had five overs and took 1/20, and Cowling bowled eight overs for figures of 1/10.

Jim Armstrong made eight runs before being bowled by Trevor Sing.

DerekMorris and Andrew Smith batted well together, and retired for 16 and 26 respectively

Barrie Nunn wasfivenot out andRob Taylor (21 not out) returned during the last over as the Goannas completed theirinningsat5/140 from their 40 overs. With COVID restrictions eased, the home team supplied afternoon tea, as was the case (seemingly) many years ago!

Symons and Bacchetti opened the bowling for the Goannas, and bowled very well, restricting the scoring to one run an over for the first nine overs.

Bacchettibroke through early, and Taylor and Gibson combinedtorun outthe other opening batsman, to see the score 2/22 after 12 overs.

Garry Rose and BobDuljas had also volunteered to play with Vic Country, with Rosebatting at number fourand managing four runs before being caught from Bacchetti’s bowling. His very good spellearned him 2/20 from his eight overs.

Mark Brown had replaced Symons, and Meredith replaced Bacchetti, as Vic Country reached 3/52 at the drinks break.

Duljas batted sensibly and retiredfor awell-made 15 ,asMeredithtookwickets in his first and second overs after drinks.

He was then on ahat-trick in his seventh over, Dick Noble beinghis final wicket, and finished with figures of 4/27 from his eight overs.

Andrew Smith had replaced Brown, and again bowled well, taking two wickets.

Taylor bowled two overs,deVent had an over, andCowling scored 15 not out.

Symons took the last wicket, to have Vic Country all out in the 39th over for 124.

Symons finished withfigures of 1/9 from 6.4 overs and Smith’s figures were 2/17 from five.

AllMeredith’s and Smith’svictims were bowled

The proposed double-header, with the Over 70s playing on Monday could not go ahead as Vic Country could not field ateam.

The games this weekend are againplanned to

be adouble-header at Geelong, with the Over 60s playing on Sunday, and the Over 70s playing on Monday.

Practice will continueatGlengarryonWednesday from 4.45pm.

Champion: JimMerrettunveiling theboardofcenturions and seven-wickethaulsatCentrals CricketClub in 2013.His name is on the board12times

Photograph spplied

Solid: MarkBrown plays adefensive shot

Photographs supplied

Press: Bernie Symons drives through the off-side.

Defining weekend in TDCA

CRICKET

TDCA

ROUND 18 was abig one in terms of what the finalstandings of theTraralgon District Cricket Association will look like at the end of the regular season. Clubs still in the hunt for the top four continued to battle it outand show some strongformwith only three rounds to go last Saturday.

EX STUDENTS ensured atop-two position after defeating YarramDistrict in ahardfought game in Yarram.

The Sharks won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first on what is fast becoming known as the best batting wicket in the TDCA.

Ex Students and YarramDistrict played each other only afew weeks ago. The Sharks had to battle for every run in that game, so the visitors were determined to put on agood show this time round.

Lee Stockdale continued his top form as he was tasked with opening the innings, making 52 from 77 balls which set up the platform for the middle order to build abig score.

When Stockdale went out it was then time for Jackson McMahon to take the reins of the innings.

McMahon, in his fifth game for the season, put on amasterclass,coming in at number five, falling justeight runs shortofacentury. His 92 not out was made from 103 balls, which then took the Ex Studentstotal up to 6/233 at the compulsory closure of play.

It was tough going for the Yarram bowlers, especially withoutJeremy Babb available for this match.

Anthony Scott was the only multiple wicket-taker, claiming 2/39 from his 10 overs.

Given what the bowlers had been through, the Pelicans knew that abig score could be chased down as long as the batsmen applied themselves.

Scott thrust himself up the order to open the innings alongside regular opener Jack Moore, and the two put on 51 before Scott fell- 28 of his 30 runs came in boundaries.

Daniel O’Keefethen joined Moore and the two put on another 68-run partnership before O’Keefe was dismissed for 32.

Dylan Rash was next to fall with the score 3/157.

The Pelicans were in the boxseat, but then a string of wickets followed which included Moore after he smashed 92 from 97 balls which included 11 boundaries; six over the rope.

Yarram then fell from 3/157 to be all out for 191.

Ex Students grounded the Pelicans down thanks largely to Mitch Harris (3/37) and Stockdale (3/38) who were the best performed bowlers for the innings.

This win now puts adecent sized gap between Ex Students in second place on the ladder and the Pelicans in third, which should be enough to earn the Sharks ahome final.

This win also has the Sharks circling top placed Glengarry for the minor premiership, so watch this space over the final three rounds.

IMPERIALS headed to Roger Ries Oval confident they could repeat the efforts of Round 11 when they upset Toongabbie at Catterick Crescent.

Toongabbie have ahabit of winning the toss and sending the opposition in.

This round was no exception, although when the visitors were 2/149, Toongabbie would have been abit worried.

Ryan Morley returned to form and was batting beautifully, but his opposite captain was in some good touch as well and he finally removed Morley for awell-made 82

From that point, KeenanHughes ripped through the Imperials lower order, provingway too quick as he bowled the last five Imperials batsmen, to walk away with match figures of 6/38 from his 10 overs. Imperials had still managed to make 199, and Toongabbie would have beennervous when starting their run chase, especially when they lost their first wicket with the score on just eight.

The Rams batsmen were able to stop Imperials fromgetting wickets though, and applied theirown pressure back on thevisitorsasGerardMcilroy smashed 72 from90balls and Hughes, not satisfied with just asix wicket haul,madeasuperb 68 from 75 balls.

Toongabbie passed Imperials total in the40th over, narrowly missing out on abonus point which

TDCA SCOREBOARD

Topshelf: Zac Bastin wasrecentlynamed the Murray Frew Junior CountryWeek Playerofthe Year Bastin made 99 runs and took 12 wickets representing TDCA, which wasthe most forthe entire Under15competition.

may prove crucial at the end of the season.

Toongabbie are now three points clear of Rovers, and although they are in the box seat for fourth spot on the ladder, they can still drop out of afinals positionwith amatch againstRovers in the final round of the season set to be amassive match. Imperials have started to get some game into their younger players and are being rewarded for it.

Dom Thompson, Ryan Bosch and debutant Hunter Dunstan took four of the six wickets to fall in this game. With no chanceofplaying finals, it now gives opportunity to theseplayers who will be crucial for the future success of theclub.

IT wasa dark day for Gormandale,asRovers kept their finals chances alive with ahuge164 run thrashing.

Rovers won the toss at Stoddart Oval, and from ball one were on top of the Tigers, getting off to a quick start of 2/52.

Rovers continued to play their shots and the Tigers bowlers justcouldn’t adjusttheir lengths, allowing the likes of Liam Little (40) and DougalWilliams (76) to free their arms and make use of the very quick outfield.

Gormandalegot themselvesbackinto the contest with alucky non-strikers end run out of Dougal Williams,and then the quick wickets of Ewan Williams and Olly Mason.

The momentum they built wasthen thwarted by dropping Lachlan Patterson on eight, who then wentontomakea hard-hitting 62, taking the game completely away from Gormandale as Rovers finished their innings 8/271.

Gormandale started their innings horribly, and were 3/18 in quick time.

Matt Hibbs and Campbell Peavey applied themselves and put on apartnership of 57 before Peavey was dismissed for 18.

Hibbs would go on to continue to score, but he had no assistancefromthe other end as wickets fell quickly, thanks mainly to Simon Duff who ended up taking 5/17 for his efforts.

Gormandale were eventually bowled out in just the 23rd over for 107, with Hibbs finishing on 57 from 51 balls.

As mentioned above, Rovers now sit three points behind Toongabbie on the ladder, but with the bye coming and amatch against Ex Students, they will need results to go their way alittle and hope they are still only afew points behind Toongabbiewhen they meet them in the final round of the season.

Gormandale have showntheir bestisgoodenough to win games and win them well, but their worst is

the worst in the competition.

Photograph supplied

WithgamesagainstExStudents, Toongabbie and Glengarry to come, its imperative they work hard and build on something to take into next season.

GLENGARRY had the bye.

BGrade

THE top-of-the-table clash in BGrade ended up with Ex Students taking out the honours against Yarram District.

The Sharks made 158 as Michael Stockdale topscored with 37. Yarram District just couldn’t get going in the run chase, andwere bowled out for 124.

Damien Quigley made 39 to lead the Pelicans.

The best bowlerfor Ex Students was ChrisPotalej with3/16,whilefor the Pelicans,Ben Layton claimed 4/28.

Gormandale showed abit of fight but ended up losing to Rovers, with the latter chasing down 144, losing six wickets in the process.

Brendan Peavey did all he could for the Tigers, making 88 and taking 3/23, but it was young Ben Nicholls who stole the show, making an unbeaten 50 to win the game for his club.

Premiership favourite Imperials got awake-up call from Toongabbie.

Imps were bowled out for 123 chasing 209.

AMatt Whitechurch masterclasstook place as he made 41 and then took 5/21 from eight overs. Imperials best batsman was Trent Paulet with 21, while for the bowlers, JordanAndersonclaimed 4/44.

CGrade

EX Students solidified top spot in CGrade,smashing 7/227thanks mainlytoPaul Richardswho made 107.

In reply, Glengarry could only muster 162. BenjaminClark tried hisbest, top-scoringwith 48, while young gun Lucas Richards took 3/16, which now has the 15-year-old third on the CGrade wicket takers list for this season.

Imperials were overtaken by Rovers on the ladder.

In athriller, Rovers made 122 batting first, with Ricky Martinmaking 29 and Daniel Morris claiming 2/2.

It provedtobeenough though, as Imperials were bowled out for103

Martin completed asuperb all-round match, claiming 3/19 with the ball.

Levelling the playing field for community sport clubs

SPORT

COMMUNITY sport clubs across Victoria are being supported to increase participation for women and girls, with grants from the state government.

Minister for Community Sport, Ros Spence, recently opened applications for the 2022/23 round of the Change Our Game Community Activation Grants Program.

The state government program backs clubs to deliver events and initiatives that promote gender equality.

Grants of up to $10,000 are available to eligible clubs and community groups across Victoria to help

them create more opportunitiesfor women and girls at the grassroots level.

Nowinits sixth year,the program has already funded activations and events at more than 350 organisations across the state.

One such initiative was with Birchip-Watchem Netball Club, aclub that prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming organisation, embracing members of all abilities, nationalitiesand sexual orientations.

The club used its granttohostanumpire and coaching sessiontohelpboost participation in netball and reward its dedicated and hard-working volunteer workforce. Spence encouraged local clubs to apply.

“Removingthe barriers facingwomen andgirls getting into community sport has huge benefits on and off the field-fromthe grassroots to the elite level,” she said.

“These grants help create more opportunities for women and girls at alocal club level, and help to inspirethe next generationoffemale sportingstars.”

Together with the Fair Access Policy Roadmap, launched by the government in August 2022, the program provides agreat opportunity for clubs and organisations to expand equitable access and use of community sports infrastructure.

For more information on the grants, go to changeourgame.vic.gov.au

Students bowling:MHarris 10-2-37-3, LStockdale 10-1-38-3, JPryde 10-1-35-2, MBentley3-0-28-0, M Membrey 2-0-17-0, JMcMahon5-0-30-1, ZBastin 2.2-0-6-1 Imperials innings

RMorley. cDunn bHughes 82

DThompson lbw bBarry ....1

TStarkey lbw bMoran .24

DThillekarathna. cMcIlroyb MStoddart. .39 BSizeland. .c Barryb MStoddart. 5 AKeppitipola bHughes 10 SAitken. .b Hughes 0

DCampbell. bHughes 11 BWells .not out ....6 RBosch bHughes 8 HDunstan bHughes .0 Extras (nb 2, w9,b 0, lb 2) 13

Overs. 49

Total. 199

Toongabbie bowling: KHughes10-1-38-6, MBarry

10-2-22-1, SMoran 10-0-39-1,TShippen 6-0-35-0, R

4-0-14-0, MStoddart6-0-34-2, KStoddart

MHibbs 10-0-57-1, EJarvis 7-0-37-0, Y

10-2-30-0, TReynolds 4-0-26-1

c& bPatterson ..1

cPearce bLynch ....2

.c Masonb EWilliams

bDuff. .....0

.lbw bE Williams. ...0

ABrady .c DWilliams bDuff. ..5

NScammell bDuff. 2

EJarvis not out. .....0

JAinsworth cPearce bDuff. 0

Extras .(nb 0, w17, b2,lb2). .21

Overs. 22.5

Total. 107

Rovers bowling: LPatterson 4-0-19-1, JLynch

4-1-20-2, MFloyd 3-0-14-0, OMason 3-0-22-0, E Williams 4-0-11-2, SDuff4.5-0-17-5

Glengarry-Bye

BGRADE -ROUND 18

Imperials 123def by Toongabbie 9/209(cc) (J Anderson 4/44, PDunstan 2/47); Rovers 6/145 (B Nicholls 50*, JPearce 35, BPeavey3/23) def

Gormandale 144(BPeavey88, SCarney4/18, T Bramwell 3/38); Ex Students158 (B Layton 4/28,T Griffiths4/32) defYarram District 124(DQuigley39, ABland 38);Glengarry -bye

CGRADE -ROUND 12 Yarram District vToongabbie (no scoresupplied);Ex Students 7/227 (SAmruth 3/28,AHodson 2/23) def Glengarry162 (B Clark48, JHodson 42);Imperials 103(LBalakrishnan 38, RMartin 3/19, DCanning 3/20, TDonoghue2/4, RO’Donnell 2/22)def by Rovers 122(RMartin 29, DMorris2/2,A Smith 2/21, LBermingham 2/27)

The Latrobe Valley Express, Wednesday, 15 February, 2023 —Page 41

The best in Italypay aspecial visit

FLAG THROWING

By LIAM DURKIN

YES, this is asport. Italian Australian Club, Morwell, was treated to aspecial sneak-peak performance on Friday.

Before wowing the crowdatthe Mirboo North Italian Festa on Sunday, internationally acclaimed group ‘The Flag Throwers’, took to the bocce courts of Morwell.

The walls of the bocce Rafa court did little to hinder the performance, as the group tossed,twirled and showcased incredible coordination for aselect group of people.

Makingtheir wayonto the courts, flag throwers, and aduet of drummers, put on ashow-stopping piece.

Formingtwo lines for part of the performance, highlights came when flagswere flipped andflickedfrom person-to-person, as well as balanced on kneecaps, and even vollied likea soccer ball.

Given the flags were quite some size, this was certainly no ordinary feat.

Practically speaking,the flags appeared to have asmall staff, with a small sectionfor performers to hold onto before letting fly.

In termsofactuallyspeaking,the interview process in gettingawordwith someone from the flaggroup, none of whom spoke English, proved abit challenging, but luckily, Italian Australian Club president Sam Carbone was on hand to translate.

Group captain Ivan Samoriexplained flag throwing was anational sport in Italy, with championships held every September.

The sport originated around the 1700s as aform of communication during war times.

The moreskilfulflag throwers then

evolved it into what is seen today.

The flag throwers that people saw in Morwell and Mirboo North are regarded as the best in Italy.

As captain,Samoricommunicates what moves the group will make.

Everyflaghas aname, and through Samori’s direction, players know what to do with it.

Blues seeking netball players

NETBALL

MID GIPPSLAND

BY LIAM DURKIN

THORPDALE Football-Netball Club has put the call out for netballers to join the club.

The Bluesare facing some uncertainty with two monthstogobeforethe first game of the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League season.

As it stands, the club does not have enough players to field an AGrade team

Under MGFNL by-laws, clubs must compete in AGrade to participate in thecompetition.

It is understoodThorpdale, and at leastone other MGFNLclub, is seeking to have this lawreviewed and possibly removed.

Removingthe by-law could allow the club some grace to work on remedying the situation over the next 12 months, although opponents may point to the fact Thorpdale was granted the same leniency in season 2019.

MGFNLdirectors are meeting tonight (Wednesday) to consider the best path forward.

In the Blues’ defence,they have been as proactive as possibletrying to attract players, appointing acoach, and arranging former Australian Diamond, Sue Hawkins, to conduct clinics.

Unfortunately,Thorpdale’s current predicament seems to be asimple case of one player leaving, which has become two, become three and so on.

With the football and netball club one entity, the Blues are unable to put the netball into recess for aseason either.

There has been better news in the football department, withthe town reportedlyabuzz thatlocal boy and formerEssendon player Jason Winderlich will be coachingthe senior football team this season.

The Blues had some strong junior netballers last season, with the Under 15s making the semi-finals.

Historically speaking, Thorpdale has been apowerhouse of Mid Gippsland netball, winningfiveAGrade flagsin18years (1998, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2016).

Those interested in playing for Thorpdale FNC,atany levelthis season, havebeen encouraged to email thorpyfnc@gmail.com.

The flagsondisplayrepresentedone of the five groups in their city back home. If anybodywants to be aflag thrower, Samori hadafew tips.

“Start whenyou are young,12or 13 yearsofage,” he said (through translation).

“Likeanything else, you need passion andlotsoftraining.”

For comparison sake, the sport is adjudicated with asystem similarto diving, with points awardedbased on the degree of difficulty

The Flag Throwers travel around the world, and are in Australia for two weeks.

Despite the language barrier, the sight of Samori dropping his flag while

explaining wasenoughfor this writer to figure out thatmeant adisqualification. In fact, the language barrier may have just emphasised the power of sport. Even through asport hardly anyone knows even exists, it is still enough to be alanguagepeople can communicate through.

Sky high: TheFlag Throwersdoing what they do best.

Double action: Thegroup exercises agreat dealofcreativity.

Display: The Flag Throwersstopped by Italian Australian Club,Morwell on Friday.

Photographs: Liam Durkin

Italia: ItalianAustralian Club president SamCarbone,Flag Throwers captain Ivan Samori, and ItalianAustralian Club vice president, Tony Paolini.

Swoop: TheMagpies in full forcewithLatrobe CityMayor,Kellie O’Callaghan

Collingwood in the country

FOOTBALL

AFL BY TOM HAYES

IT’S not often that kids from Gippsland can talk to Brownlow medallists,orhangout with their footballing heroes, but some were able to last week.

The Latrobe Valley was home to its second AFL club in amatter of weeks, when Collingwood Magpies came down for acommunity camp.

From February 7to8,the Magpies spent time in the community doing Q&A’s during school visits and hosting clinics and signing sessions.

It was the first time in two yearssince the Magpies had visited this neck of the woods, following abreak due to COVID-19.

Within the 48 hours that the Magpies had in Gippsland, they visited Traralgon, Moe, Churchill andsurrounding towns, engaging with the youth of the community.

While in Moe at John Tabuteau Reserve, media had the chancetochat with new recruit, Dan McStay.

McStay spent nine years at the Brisbane Lions, interstate and away from his family -some of which live in Gippsland.

“Getting back to Gippsland, where I spent a fair bit of my childhood, coming down for Christmases and birthdays and these sorts of things, it’s great to be back here and supporting the local community and giving back,” McStay said.

McStay had plenty of support on the track, briningfamilymembers down to Moe, helping convert them into Magpies fans.

“Couple of Collingwood jerseysfloating around…

I’ve convertedthem all in thelastcouple of months which has been good,” McStay said.

“They used to be avid Brisbane (Lions) fans and now we’ve converted them.”

McStay recognisedthe impact that AFL clubs can haveonrural communities outside of metro

areas, especially growing up east of Melbourne.

“We just came from aschoolinTraralgon,and they were absolutely thrilled to have us out here in the community,” McStay said.

McStay reminisced of the time that Richmond came to his town when he was growing up.

“I actually remember Alex Rance gave us afair bit of time…you remember those things pretty vividly,” McStay said.

“As much as you can give back and make adifference, it’s definitely memorable.”

McStay gave furtherinsight as to what the players get up to during the community camps.

“We’ve got alittle bit of aclinic going on here, a lotofblack and white jumpers -which is great,” he said

“Tomorrow (Wednesday, February 8) we’ve got afew more school clinics.

“It’s all happening, the boys are loving it, it’s always great to getbackdown this way, continuing to build that bond.”

Harriers clocking up thekilometres

ATHLETICS TRARALGON HARRIERS

BY MOLLYIRVINE

ON the secondThursday nightrun of February 2023, 79 participants completed the warm five kilometre Harriers run, including the welcoming of two new runners by the names of Steve Jobling, who ran a28:57 and Drew Hade (33:40).

With the run both starting and finishing on Scales Road, Flynn, the course took the runners across someundulating terrain,including asteep uphill climbtofinishwith.

The first threerunners across the line wereagain the ever-so-speedy Ian Cornthwaite (20:20), who was followed closely by Miles Verschuur (20:33), and then up-and-coming youngster Dempsey Podmore (21:36).

For the females,the fastest three times were Yani Cornthwaite (24:56), followed by Kate Mayer (26:33), and third place went to Liz Kenney (26:38).

Tomorrow nights run (February 16) is a6km rail trail course which starts near the Traralgon Vineyard on Burnets Road, Traralgon.

Walkers/easy runners (Wave 1) may start on arrival but must check in.

Wave 2startsat5.55pm and Wave 3at6.10pm

Participantsmay choosewhich wave they go in.

5km results:

Ian Cornthwaite20.20; Miles Verschuur 20.33; DempseyPodmore21.36; Owen Notting 22.12; Andrew Greenhill 22.48; Darrel Cross 22.50; Steve Renehan 23.05; Jason Odlum 23.59; NickTalerico

24.54;Yani Cornthwaite24.56; Chris VanUnen 25.05; GeoffFrancis 25.09; Kate Mayer26.33; Chris Francis

26.37; Liz Kenney26.38; Ian Twite27.29; GaryFox

27.32; Tobiasz Grzmil 27.44; JohnnyRoscoe 27.54; Neilson Archibald 27.54; Giuseppe Marino 28.00; Errol Poole 28.24; Paul Rollandin 28.24; Marieka Reilly28.24; RonVerschuur28.50; David Hood 28.52; SteveJobling 28.57; Pete Sanders30.04; David Barr

30.20; Andrew Broberg30.38; Maree Graham 30.42; Kathleen Kent 30.43; Collette Hofmann 31.11; Mark Lansdown 31.53; Michelle Sawyer 31.55; Felicity Beasley32.05; Andrew Legge 32.06; Shane Flowers

32.39; Louis Flowers 32.39; Kristine Sapkin 33.02; Lee Graham 33.02; Kate Cumming 33.05; Catherine Leonard33.08; BjornLuxmann 33.12; Drew Hade

33.40; Alfie Warner 33.56; Ella Warner 33.56; Mark Fairbairn34.30; Michael Walker 35.10; Phill Mayer

35.10; Kaye Livingstone 35.35; Callie Cook 37.02; Mandy Ellis 40.58; Alicia Turner 41.17; Adam Van Baalen 42.06; Gabby Brown42.37; Jodi Hammett

42.53; Ann Bomers43.52; NickHodson 44.00; Denise Twite44.51; Lynda Jones 48.30; Belinda Heafield

48.31; BarryHiggins 48.35; Bob Duljas 49.02; Luke Witham 49.48; KathyQuinn 54.45; Michelle Colwell

54.45; Alysha Duncan 55.10; Dave Mann 56.14; WallyLappin 56.14; KyleeEarl58.39; ZackBeasley

58.42; Helen Whitby 59.00; Christina Creighton 59.53; Danelle Wright 60.46; AudrinaWright 60.46; Clinton JollyNTR; Chris RiseleyNTR; Kris RiseleyNTR.

Effort: Chris VanUnenshowednosigns of slowing down,as he completed theundulating five kilometrecourse in 25 minutes

Photographs supplied

Thorpdalebidsfarewell to quartet

BOWLS STRZELECKI NORTH

LAST Saturday was an emotional time for Thorpdale Bowling Club, who bidfarewell to four key members.

Represent: Runner RonVerschuurenjoyshis weeklyThursdaynightrun. Loving the Durkin Produce hat.

Division 2skipper Denis (Diesel) Gunn and his sons Dwayne and Dylan, along with Shane (Chum) Chambers, all played their last game for the Club.

The occasion coincided withthe last day of the 2022/23 pennant season.

Thorpdale played at home, hosting Morwell Club.

Unfortunately, the home side could not come away with awin, although Dwayne Gunn had awin during his rink.

Fellow Thorpdale skipper, Brendan Jennings, also took to the green alongside brother, Scott, who has decided on asea-change, and mother and father, Graham and Wendy.

ng Brownlowmedallist, TomMitchell,who recentlywas tradedtoCollingwood from Hawthorn.

McStay said he was looking forward to his first taste of Collingwood-Carltonrivalry, whenthe two teams face off in the preseason at Ikon Park on Friday, February 24.

Former Collingwoodcaptain, Sale’sScott Pendlebury, was also in town,getting aglimpse of local surrounds alongside McStay, for the first time in awhile.

Pendlebury was nursing acorked leg, but appears to be fine going into the start of the season.

Collingwood also recently announced its 48th captain, Darcy Moore, after Pendlebury stepped down at the end of 2022.

Moore will followinthe footstepsofhis father, Peter Moore,who captainedthe Magpies from 1981-82.

Photographs supplied