Latrobe Valley Express Wednesday 1 February 2023

Maree McPherson OAM

By PHILIP HOPKINS

ATRARALGON business woman, executive, leaderand author, Maree McPherson, receivedanawardinthis year’s Australia Day Honours.

Maree, 57, who has had aplethora of roles in the Traralgon and Gippsland community, received an Order of Australia in the General Division. The award was made for her service to the communitythrough arangeof organisations. These include leadership positions to senior executive roles in local and Gippsland government, and the Rotary Club of Traralgon Central, often with an emphasis on helping women.

Maree told The Express she was obviously happy to receive the award, but when told of it, “I was so stunned”. “I’ve spent alot of time nominating other women for awards,” she said -but this time it was her turn.

Maree said her emphasis on supporting women in different ways had its beginnings in her first job as ayoung welfare worker.

“I workedwith young mums and learnt about the differentway to do thingsand work with other women,” she said.

Maree grew up in Traralgon, attending Kosciuszko Street Primary School and the then Traralgon High School, before doing welfare studies at the Gippsland InstituteofAdvanced Education (“Now youknow how old Iam!”).She later did agraduatebusiness diploma in labour and management relations at Monash University, and post-graduate studies at Swinburne University in organisational development and coaching.

Whileliving for afew years away in Melbourne, Traralgon was always her home.

In wider Gippsland, Maree has been

chair of Gippsland Regional Partnership, 2016-20; aregional manager at GippsDairy;aregional manager for Gippsland Anglicare; and has had senior roles withthe Gippsland Community Leadership Program and the Gippsland Area Consultative Committee.

Sheiscurrently ambassador for Gippslandia andauthor of twopublications - Cutting Through the Glass Ceiling -Women Creating Possibility in Regional Australia (2017) and Worthy (2021). Aprofessional certified coach and member of the International Coach Federation, Maree has run her ownleadership consultancy since 2014, and is an approvedprovider for Femeconomy, where she has been a member since 2017.

Other executive roles include being a member of the Community and Further Education Board Victoria, and aregional

coordinator with the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources.

Chief executive of the Victorian Local Governance Association from 2009-2013, Maree’s other managerialroles include being aFellow of the Australian New ZealandInstituteofManagersand Leaders; and amember of the Australian InstituteofCompany directorsand the Institute of Public Administration Australia.

In her home base, Maree has been a member of the Rotary Club of Traralgon Central since 2006; was the first woman president from2009-2010, also servingasclub president in 2016-17 and 2019-20; and is aDouble-SapphirePaul Harris Fellow.

Maree said it would be ‘business as usual’ for afew years.

“I’m committed to continue doing volunteer work with Rotary,” she said.

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Narracanseatdecided

By LIAM DURKIN

AS expected, the seat of Narracan waswon by Liberal candidate Wayne Farnham.

Mr Farnham had secured 62.7 per cent of two-party preferred votes when 75 per cent of votes had been counted on election night.

Narracan voters went to the polls on Saturday, two months after the state election following the death of Nationals candidate ShaunGilchrist.

Farnham is set to take over from retiring Liberal MP Gary Blackwood, who held the seat since 2006.

Mr Farnham’s election is tipped to be virtually acontinuation of Mr Blackwood’s reign.

With Narracan asafeLiberal seat, the chances of aFarnham victorywere always high (there has been just onenon-Liberal MP serve the district since the seat wasestablished in 1967).

The odds becameevenshorter whenitwas announced Labor would not be putting anyone up to run againsthim,while The Nationals opted not to find a replacement for Mr Gilchrist.

Given this, the election was seen as virtually aone-horse raceinthe eyesofmany pundits

Afieldof11, mostly made up of independents -which included Baw BawShire Mayor, Annemarie McCabe -threwtheir hat in the ring.

From the outset, the Liberals main challenger appeared to be Independent and former Baw Baw deputy mayor, Tony Wolfe Mr Wolfe secured 37.3 per cent.

Uponhis election, Mr Farnham thankedthosefor the confidence they had shown in him.

“I think thepeople of Narracan realise that my message, which was‘Ihave ateam, I’m part of areally strong team,’ has resonated with them,” he told ABC “I just hope Ican do them proud when Iget in there.”

Mr Farnhamsaidhis main priority would be seeing the new West Gippsland Hospital, committed to by the Labor state government last year, come to fruition.

The new Member for Narracan grew up in the area, and worked in construction before entering politics.

While Labor convincingly won government at the November election, Farnham’s win does give the Coalition one more seat than it held after the 2018 state election.

Locally, the Liberals and

Nationals now have elected members from Gippsland East allthe way to Pakenham.

Nationals MPsTim Bull and Danny O’Brien were reelectedinGippsland East and Gippsland South respectively, while Martin Cameron took the seat of Morwell.

Liberal leader John Pesutto, himself aLatrobe Valley boy, congratulated Mr Farnham on his victory.

“I congratulate and welcome Wayne Farnhamtothe parliamentary Liberal Party as the new Member for Narracan,” he said.

“Over many months, Wayne has run astronglocal campaign, earningthe trust of his community and demonstrating his ability to be apowerful and effective voice for Narracan.

“The effort he has displayed, along with his team, has been reflected in today’s result.

“Wayne has been aloud advocate for local issues such as the much-needed West Gippsland Hospital, and has proven he will worktirelesslyinthe interest of hislocal community.

“Hebrings with hima wealth of knowledge and Ilook forward to working closely withhim over the next four years. Iwould also liketotake this opportunity to thankthe outgoingMember for Narracan,Gary Blackwood, for hiscontributionand dedication to his local electorate and to the Victorian Liberal Party over the past 16 years.

“I wish him and his family well in retirement.”

While the Liberals will no doubt be celebratingtheir win, hopefully the new member doesn’t have as many comebacks as the other Farnham.

Lifeline Gippsland stillin action

CALLS to Lifeline Gippsland continuetobe answered by local volunteers thanks to the support of Latrobe City Council.

Followinglastyear’s electrical fire at Lifeline Gippsland’s office in Morwell, which resulted in damage to the crisissupport centre, councilhas provided Lifeline access to atemporary venue to house the organisation’s call centre.

About 30 membersofthe crisis support staff have relocated to aroom within the Latrobe City Council ServiceCentre andLibraryinTraralgon, where they will answer calls from the 13 11 14 crisis support line. In the past financialyear, LifelineGippslandvolunteers answered 20,997 calls supporting vulnerable Australians. Latrobe City Mayor, Kellie O’Callaghan, said it was important for council to support the Lifeline team, who play apivotal role in supporting the community.

“Whencouncil becameaware of Lifeline being displaced from their premises, we reached out with the offer of an alternate space,” Cr O’Callaghan said

“Latrobe City Council’s Property Team worked closely with Lifeline Gippsland to set up the training room to ensure the volunteers had a comfortable and safe space to receive calls.

“Lifeline provides mental health support for Australians and help up to 3335 people per day. They are acrucial service that changes the lives of many people.

“Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged between 15 and 44. The Gippsland region has higher rates of suicide than

average, so it is vital that Lifeline has aspace to operate from.

“We warmly welcome Lifeline Gippsland to our librarytrainingspace, and encourage community members to volunteer or donate to Lifeline if they can.”

LifelineGippsland’s chief executive, Michelle Possingham, thanked council for the use of the facility.

“As soon as Latrobe City Council heard about the fire in our Morwell office, they reached out to identifyways they could help,” Ms Possingham said.

“Responding to the 13 11 14 crisis phone line is crucial to our vision of an Australia,free of suicide, where no one has to face their darkest moment alone, so our highest prioritywas getting the phone room back in operation to enable our volunteers to continue this service.

“We are grateful to Latrobe City for helping to ensure our crucial service can continue.”

Crisissupportstaff are available to answer calls and messages at any time of the day.

If the public are unable to visit Lifeline directly, they can call crisis support 24/7, on 13 11 14.

If you want to support Lifeline, they are always looking for volunteers.

Volunteers are provided withsome of the best mental health training in the world, and you don’t need abackground in mental health to become a volunteer.

Learn more about volunteering or donating on the Lifeline website at www.llg.org.au/volunteer

He’shired: Wayne Farnham wonthe seat of Narracan on Saturday. Mr Farnhamispictured casting his vote on election day. photograph supplied

Possumdeaths

THE Conservation Regulator and Victoria Police are seeking information from the public regarding the alleged shootingoftwo ringtail possums in The Basin area with homemade darts between November 13 2022 and January 10 2023.

The first possum was found dead by someoneinthe communityonAugustaRoad, The Basin, on theNovember 13 2022.

Asecond was reported injured in the same area on the January 10 2023 and taken to the AnimalEmergencyCentreinMountWaverly for assessment where it was euthanised due to its injuries.

The Conservation Regulator is urging anyone with informationabout this incident to report it confidentially to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au

In Victoria, all wildlife is protected under the Wildlife Act 1975 and it is illegal to hunt, take, destroy, injureorinterfere with wildlife.

Penalties for pursuit

POLICEhave charged two men following apursuit through Gippsland on Friday afternoon.

The men, aged 28 and 20, have been charged with aggravatedburglary, possessinga controlled/ prohibited weapon, criminal damage and theft of motor vehicle.

The 28-year-old Cranbourne man was also charged with theft of apolice vehicle, conduct endangering serious injury, driving in adangerous manner, attempted carjacking and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

Both men were remanded in custody and faced Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on Monday, January 30.

The charges relatetoaseriesofincidents

includinganaggravated burglary in Glengarry, thetheft of an unmarked police car in Yallourn, and acollision with acivilian vehicle at Yarragon.

The latter collision occurred along the Princes Highwayand saw lanes of traffic closed in both directions, with motorists reporting adelay of up to two hoursaspoliceinvestigated and cleared the scene.

The driver of the other vehicle,a63-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision.

Anyone who witnessed any driving prior to the collision, with dashcam/CCTV footage or further information is urged to contactCrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit aconfidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Solar panels givengo-ahead

GIPPSLANDWater has switchedonmore than 2000 new solar panels at its largest wastewater treatment plant,the Gippsland Water Factory in Morwell.

Managing director, Sarah Cumming, said the largesolar panel installation was amajor step towardsthe organisation’s ambitious target of being fully powered by renewable energy by 2025.

“Now that the system is installed and running, we’re in the unique position of having three types of renewable energy powering the water factory,” Ms Cumming said.

The solar installation complementstwo 330 kilowatt biogas generators -which use gases produced from the wastewater treatment process to generate power -and a385 kilowatt hydro generator, which captures energy from water.

When all of the renewable energy sources are operating at their peak, they generate enough power to export power back into the grid. The mix of renewable energy sourcesreduces electricity costs for the water corporation, which is funded by its customers.

“While this is great for the environment, it’s also saving us almost amillion dollars every year, keeping downward pressureoncustomer bills,” Ms Cumming said.

The new1200kilowatt solararray can completely power the water factory.Itisthe seventh and largestGippslandWater site to be poweredby solar panels.

The Warragul, Traralgon and Tyers water treatmentplants,Warraguland Moe wastewater treatmentplants, and the Traralgon office are all solar-powered.

Another solar project is underway to install floatingsolar panels on lagoons at the recently upgraded wastewater treatment plant in Drouin.

The Gippsland Water Factory, located in Maryvale, treatswastewater fromnine towns and major industry, serving the needs of more than 48,000 customers and 300 local businesses.

More information on Gippsland Water’s renewable power sources is available at www.gippswater. com.au/climate-change.

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Geotechnical works

THE state government has begun important geotechnicalworks at the Commonwealth Games Village at English Street, Morwell.

Ateam of experts will be drilling boreholes and excavating test pits at various locations across the 4.4 hectare site between January 30 and February 22023toverify ground conditions beforemore detailed designs on the village start.

Minister for Commonwealth Games, Jacinta Allen, said Victoria 2026 would deliver aworldclass Commonwealth Games.

“We’re excited to showcasethe Gippsland region to the worldwhile boosting the economy, creating jobs and bringing visitors to the region,” she said.

Ms Allen said the geotechnical investigations were an important first step in the planning and design of the Morwell Games village.

Boreholes willallow engineers to collect physical samples of soil and rock beneath the surface to help better understand the ground conditions on site for when construction on the Morwell Games Village gets underway later this year.

The boreholes will vary in depthbetween 1.5 metresand eight metres, using adrilling rig

mounted on afour-wheel drive and atrackeddrill rig, with the holes to be backfilled once samples are collected.

Aproportion of housing at each village site will be set aside for social and affordable housing, and the stategovernment is working with localcouncils and social and affordable housing providers to ensure that the use of the Games villages after Victoria 2026 best reflects the needsofthe local community.

The Games Village at Morwell will be ahomeaway-from-home for around 1000 athletesand officials.

Five sports will be staged in the region.

It is estimated the 2026 Commonwealth Games will create more than 600 full-time equivalent jobs before they start, 3900 jobs during the Games and afurther 3000 jobs after the closing ceremony, and is expected to contribute more than $3 billion to Victoria’s economy.

Development Victoria is the state government’s delivery partnerfor the Games villages, and will overseethe contractorsundertaking the geotechnical investigations at Morwell.

Gippsland misses the cut

GIPPSLAND has missed out in the Top 10 of Australia's best beaches.

For the first time, South Australia has claimed the coveted ‘Best Australian Beach’ title, with Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island judged the overall winner for 2023.

Located on Kangaroo Island’s north coast, Stokes Bay is family friendly and features atidal swimming pool perfect for wading and snorkelling. The only Victorian beach to make the top 10 was the Great Ocean Road at Apollo Bay.

The other Top 10 spots include Rainbow Beach on Queensland's Cooloola coast (third), Adventure Bay, Tasmania's Bruny Island (fifth), Hamelin Bay, WA south-west (sixth), British Admiralty Beach, Tasmania's King Island in Bass Strait (ninth) and Balmoral Beach, Sydney Harbour (10th)

Thelist of ‘BestAustralian Beaches 2023’ has been curated by beachexpert Brad FarmerAM for Tourism Australia.

He found aplace on this year’s list for at least

one beach in each state, the NorthernTerritory and an Australian external territory.

Located in East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory,Little Bondi (Baringura), which is a muchlesser-known sandylocation than itsfamous Sydney namesake, came in at seventh on the ‘Top 10’list.

Christmas Island’s FlyingFish Cove secured ninth place.

Also making the listofBest Beaches for 2023 are locations which acknowledge the significant cultural value of the coast to Australia'sFirst Nations peoples.

These include several nature-based locations and some quirky spots within easy reachofmajor Australian cities.

Beaches are not only the greatest source of recreationfor Australians but are one of the greatest generatorsofsustainable income into the future. They provide well-managed protection within a national framework.

Coming: Commonwealth GamesLegacyMinister Shaun Leane (in suit) picturedlastyear at the announcement of the Morwell athletesvillage file photograph

PROUDLY BROU

Crossword Puzzle No.8519

with Muzza

ONE POINTERS

1. What breed of dog was Queen Elizabeth II known for having?

2. In the Harry Potter novels, what type of building was Gringotts?

3. Which wordcan come after baby,bridal and meteor?

4. In the international radio alphabet, which wordrepresents M?

TWO POINTERS

5. Who sings the song Anti-Hero?

6. Someone who is ateetotaller doesn’tdowhat?

7. The international dialling code for which country is +61?

8. Chinese New Year 2023 is the Year of the what animal?

THREE POINTERS

9. What Italian city is the centreofthe country’sfashion industry?

10. The movie ‘Walk The Line’ is about which singer?

11. What is another name for azucchini?

12. True or false. All mammals live on land?

FOUR POINTERS

13. The ancient city of Troy is said to be in which modernday country?

14. Photophobia is extreme sensitivity to what?

FIVE POINTER

15. Guess these flags of the world. One point for each correct answer HOW DID YOU

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 plural words ending in ‘s’. Solution next Wednesday

Graphic designer wins national award

By JADA CANNIZZO*

MIRBOONorth graphic designer,JessGreaves, recentlywon the Australian Wedding Award in the category of ‘Wedding Stationary’,togowith her Gippsland and Phillip Island Wedding Industry Awards last year.

Ms Greaves branched out in 2018, starting her own graphic design business.

Shethen created the weddingstationary business: Letters with Love

“Thisiskind of my fun thing to do (outside of regular graphic design work),” she said.

“It’s ahobby but it’s my full-time job, so I’m very lucky.”

Takingout the Gippslandand Phillip Island Wedding IndustryAward late last year, Ms Greaves said she was surprised to just be nominated for the award, with no ideashe would go on to win the overall Australian award.

“I was shocked to win the Australian one. Ijust wentupwithmyhusband to theawards in Sydney for the experience and Iwas lucky enough to win the award,” she said.

The Wedding Industry Awards are first broken up into regional categories, and the winners of the regional awardsare then nominated for theAustralianWedding Industry Awards.Ms Greaves won both awardsinher category ‘Wedding Stationary’.

GrowingupinTraralgon,MsGreaves studied Visual Communications and Studio Art at school, then went on to complete adegree in Visual Communication, at Monash University, finding a passion in designing wedding stationary.

Her favourite thing about creating wedding stationaryisbeing apartofa couples most special day

“(It’s) such ahappy occasion that people are excited about, and Iget to do areally nice print. Alot of the stuff to do with graphic design now is all online and digital, whereas with [Letters with Love] Iget to workwith aphysicalpaperand print, which is nice,” she said.

With more than 10 years’ experience in the industry,MsGreaves said she gets her inspiration from what’s current.

“Certainfonts,colours, different papers and how Ifeel the layout would be best,” she said.

Ms Greaves utilisesGippsland PromoPrint, alocal company in Mirboo North to print all of her weddingsignage. Shealsoworksfor other

Newborough’snewest addition to Rutherglen Road is afresh hit

By JADA CANNIZZO*

SITUATED in Rutherglen Road, Newborough, Juicy Lane is juice bar with afresh alternative.

With deliveries of fresh fruitdaily, manager Ainsley says its “something new and different” for the shops in Newborough and surrounding area.

Accolade: MirbooNorth’s Jess Greaves recently wonanAustralian Wedding Awardfor her graphic designwork. photograph supplied

localbusinessesinthe Latrobe Valley such as MomentumPhysio, Broadening Horizons and many more for all of their graphic design needs.

Ms Greaves talked about the different trends that come and go in the industry.

“Wave dire cuts are quite popular at the moment. Signageisreally popular, things like seating plans, physical table numbers and that kindofthing,” she explained.

Busier than ever before, Ms Greaves hopes to one day expand Letters with Love to an online shop. She is happy sticking to weddings and expo’s for now, but wants to eventually branch out to events.

Agreat win for alocal Gippsland business Gippslanders must have aknack for the wedding industry,asMsGreaves tells The Express other Gippsland businesses did “reallywell,” at the awards.

Four other businesses from Gippsland were nominated, one was arunner-up, another in the top five and anothertwo in the top 10 for their respective categories.

For any enquiries about Ms Greaves’ work, visit www.jessicagreaves.com.au or www.letterswithlove.com.au

*Jada Cannizzoisaninternwiththe Latrobe Valley Express

Customers can line up and order straight from the window, collecting their freshly made juice or smoothie. The locals are quite literally lining up as we speak.

Inspired by recent pop-up Boost Juice vans in the area, the owners of JuicyLane wanted to create atakeaway shop with healthy options. Serving fresh juices, smoothies, frappes; with planstosell Acaibowls and other yummytreats. As well ‘Sushi Fridays’ -which mightIadd had already sold out by the time Iarrived.

“We get our ingredients from local businesses and suppliers. Our fruit comes from Moe Fruit Market and the Sushi comes fromPika Sushi in Morwell,” Ainsley said.

“There’s nothing like [Juicy Lane] around.

“The #1 is my favourite,” (a combo of mango, blueberries, orange juice and cranberry juice). Yum!

Another customer favourite is the #9 which has mangopineapple,banana, orange juice, yoghurt, and passionfruit. Need Isay more?

With afull menu of smoothies, juices, milkshakes and more, there is bound to be something for everyone.

Juicy Lane is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 7.30am until3.30pm at 26 Rutherglen Road Newborough.

*JadaCannizzoisaninternwith Latrobe Valley Express.

Crew: The JuicyLanesLibby,Belle and Ainsley photograph jada cannizzo

Look to thefuture, transition under way

SO often it is easiertoreminisce and wallow about the past, instead of contributing to solutions for the future.

Most people acknowledge that brown coal has provided reliable low cost electricity to Victoria for decades, without mentioning the inherent problems of toxic pollutants,carbon emissions, windblown coal dust, or the compulsory acquisition of productive farmland.

As aresult of burning fossil fuels (particularly coal), the scientificallyestablished carbon levelsin the atmosphere have now reached critical levels which endanger the stability of Earth’s climate.

We are witnessing an increasingnumberof extreme weather events worldwide, and the global community is attempting to reduce carbon emissions, though not quickly enough.

Australiaisatlastgettingserious aboutplaying itspart, andmudslinging at current leaders only demonstrates amindset stuck in the past.

Unbelievably, some letterwriters still believe thatburning morecoal,gas and oil is the best way forward, despite rising prices.

Solarpanels, reverse-cycle air conditioner heating, hot water service heat pumps, induction cooktops, and good insulation all lower the cost of energy. Government rebates are available to help with the upfront cost.

The challenge for the Latrobe Valley is to accept that the eraofcoal-fired electricity is fading away.

There is ashort window of opportunity to develop new forms of generation, new business and industry to providethe necessary job security and economic stability for our children and grandchildren.

Iurgeeveryonetoaccept thattransition is under way,and to take the opportunity to help shape the future, remembering that other localities are competing for investment.

Lorraine Bull Morwell

Value formoney

ARE we as taxpayers being well represented by our highly-paid politicianswhenyou consider that the price of living pressures, inflation, debts, abysmal healthand education problems canall be traced back to our politicians and their incompetence?

Whilst we all live with the realities of their mistakes,politicians still receive their hefty pay rises year after year despite causing these problems and sadly, they don’t seem to care.

Iread with interest in last week’s Latrobe Valley Express that ourlocal member of Parliament, HarrietShing, proudly states that she is “working hard foryour community”. Harriet, how can you claim that you’re working hard for us whenyou oversee utility companies that freely rip us off with their offensive and unfair fees and charges? Clearly your claim and reality differ greatly.

Now we have anewly-elected parliamentarian, Martin Cameron, who is reported as saying that he was excited to get the keys to his new office so he can serve the Latrobe Valley community.

Recently,Iforwarded aletter thatIwrote to Harriet to Martin and his response was staggering for anew MP.

He toldmethat he would let Harriet deal withmy complaint as he would have referred my complaint to her anyway.

Martin, this is not representation and we don’t need you to act as apostman. On the contrary, we need apolitician who will fightfor their constituents and fight hard.

We don’tneed nor want an opposition that simply passes the buck and then claim that they are working hard for us. We want results, not empty rhetoric.

As far as I’m concerned, if apolitician is foundto be incompetent, lazy, indifferent or simply lacking in fight, the people shouldn’thavetowait until the next election to sack them, we should be able to sack them just like any other employee can be sacked and yes, politicians are our employees, yet the way they treat us with contempt, you’d be right in thinking otherwise.

When apolitician understands that there are ramifications for not doing their jobs, the calibre of representation will improve and the people will finally get value for money.

Patrick Ansell Morwell

Relief needed

VICTORIANS are staring down the barrel of acost of living crisis. They need relief on their household billsand more room in theirweekly budget to keep the pantry stocked.

This isn’t aproblemthatismonths away,it’s currently on our doorstep, and everyday of inaction from Daniel Andrews and the Labor government is another day Victorians are forced to make their weekly budget stretch as far as possible.

We haveseengas and electricityprices continue to climb, with one gas company announcing it will increase Victorian household gas bills by 26.7 per cent, and the Andrews Labor government’s attempt to revive the SEC willdolittle to drive down energy prices.

So far, all the SEC has achieved is high-salary jobs for friends of the Labor Party.

The summer school holidays are abouttodraw to aclose, the average primary school student needs $500 for stationary, uniforms and books to commence Term 1. Thatfigure is more than $700 for a secondary school student. Instead of Labor looking after their own, they should be offering immediate assistance to hardworking families, such as back to schoolvouchers which have previously been called for by the Liberals and Nationals.

No student should be starting theyear behind the eight-ball, but it may be aharsh reality for many Victorian students.

Victorians don’t need over-budget, over-time major projects that are decadesaway from opening, they need common sense solutions to help their weekly budgets now.

Peter Walsh Leader of The Nationals

VicForests’hugeloss

TO try and reduce scrutiny and embarrassment from damaging reports,governments will often bundle them together and table them in Parliament just before Christmas.

One such report was the 2021/22 annual report fromVicForests,which revealed an unprecedented lossof$52.4million, of which$10.4 millionwas attributable to legal costs. This doesnot include the legal costs for the currentfinancial year, which are tipped to be even more.

The huge legal costs relatetoanapparent decision by VicForests’ executive to exhaust the legal process (at Victoriantaxpayers’expense)inaseriesof cases in boththe Federal and Supreme Courts. Meanwhile, the state government sits on its hands and does nothing for fear of upsetting its biggest donor -the CFMEU.

It would be better if those huge sums were redirected to assist timber workers to transition now out of an industry, whose life support system ought to have been turned off long ago.

David Clarke Noojee

At peace in nature

“IF you miss the train I’m on, you will know that I am gone, you can hear the whistle blow ahundred miles. ”

Those lines are from the song ‘500 Miles’ by Peter, Paul and Mary, and Ireflectively hum them to myselfeach early-morning that always finds me aloneinthe Railway Embankment section of Morwell Rose Garden as Iwatch the 6.10am train to Melbourne pass under the Jane Street Bridge, the plaintive sound of its whistle now slowly dying away into the distance.

For out here, the solitude and stillness of the early-morning half-light seems almost cathedrallike, the wall of six massive climbing frames and the two giant English Elms that grow in this part of the garden screening me from the outside world, inviting contemplative meditation.

In intimate connection, Ionce wrote in my diary that “I understood at avery early age that in nature, Ifelt aspecial transcendence Ishould feel in a church but never did”.

Thus, my words serve as the perfectspringboard to the following quote taken in turn from the very poignant sceneinthe 1946 film ‘The Razor’s Edge’, where, after aperiod of spiritualtraining in an Indian monastery, the holy man sends Larry Durrell (played by Tyrone Power) to ahut high in the Himalayan mountains, to live alone for a time, in contemplative meditation.

Eventually, the holy man visits Larry at the hut, and senses that he has experienced something profound.

The intenseexchangebetween the two is as follows: “Let me look at you yes, Isee ...” -“You wereright, something very strange did happen to me” -“Iknow, tell me ...” -“It was just at that moment before night ends and the day begins Whenthe whole worldseems to tremble in the balance. Gradually, the light began to filter through the darkness like some mysterious figure stealing through thetrees.The firstraysofthe suncame up. The mountains, the mist, caught in the tree-tops. Ihad never before felt or seen anything like it. I felt Ihad been released from my body. That Iwas suspended in mid-air. That all the things that were confused before, suddenly became clear to me. I had asense of knowledge more than human. Ifelt that Ihad broken away and was free. Ifelt that if it lasted for another minute Iwould die. And yet I was willing to die if Icould just hold onto it. Because because for that one moment Ihad the feeling thatIamthe universalconsciousness .were one.”

Joseph Lis Morwell

Have yoursay

THE Latrobe ValleyExpress welcomes letters to the editor.

Preference will be given to brief, concise letters which address local issues.

The editor Liam Durkin, reserves the right to edit letters for reasonsofspace 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 entitledtoone right of reply to aletter directed at them.

The viewsexpressed in letters to the editor are those of the writers, and do notnecessarily reflect the views of Latrobe Valley Express 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.

Reality: LetterwriterLorraineBull says theregionneeds to accept that coal-fired electricitywill soon be athing of thepast. file photograph

By ZOE ASKEW

RESIDENTS in Gippsland seeking urgent medical treatmentwill soon have improved access to care, thanks to the inauguration of the region’s second Priority Primary Care Centre(PPCC)inLatrobe, which follows the launch of the Baw Baw PPCC at the Warragul Specialist Centreearlierthis month.

Gippsland PrimaryHealth Network (Gippsland PHN) is workinginpartnershipwith LCHS to establish the Latrobe PPCC. This GP-led clinic, thatopenedonJanuary23, 2023,will be supporting LatrobeRegionalHospital(LRH).

The Latrobe PPCC will run from the former Moe After Hours Medical Service (MAHMS) site, operated by Latrobe Community Health Service (LCHS), as part of the state government’s initiative to give Victorians afree alternative to visiting a busy emergency department.

GippslandPHN acknowledges theMAHMS partnership and service that has provided after hours care for Moe and surrounding communities forthe last 24 years.

The new services at Latrobe PPCC will ensure people have continued access to free medical care with extended opening hours.

Gippsland PHN acting chief executive, Angela Jacob, said the establishment of the Latrobe and Baw Baw PPCCs demonstrated acollaborative approach across health services to support a growing community need.

“People suffering conditions such as mild infections, fractures and burns will be able to receive treatment from the Latrobe and Baw Baw PPCCs instead of havingtowait in emergency at hospital,” Ms Jacob said.

“A nursewill triage and admit patients to the PPCC if suitable. PPCCs do not provide ongoing treatment for patients. Once apatient has been seen at aPPCC,they are referredback to their

GP who is provided with adischarge summary.”

There is no charge for patients visiting aPPCC and patientsdonot need aMedicare Card. Children over the age of three months and adults of all age groups are eligible.

LCHSchiefexecutive,Ben Leigh, saidhe welcomed the opportunity to play an expanded role in providing this new service.

“Latrobe CommunityHealth Service is a known, trusted provider of healthcare services in Gippsland,” he said.

“The new Latrobe PPCC is greatfor the community,

“It will reduce waiting times for those in need of urgent care and reduce the pressure on the LRH Emergency Department.

“It also brings new jobs to the region, which is always welcome.”

LRH chief executive, Don McRae, confirmed the health service’s Emergency Department and staff had been under significant and sustained pressure since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“LRH is pleased to be working with Gippsland PHN and LCHSonamodel we hopewill better support people seeking timely treatment and care,” he said.

“It’s reallyimportant for healthcare providers at all levels to work in partnership for the benefit of our community.”

Latrobe PPCC, located at 42-44 Fowler Street, Moe.

The centre accepts walk-ins, referrals and prebooked appointments.

Phone 5127 9111 or visit the Better Health Channel website at https://www.betterhealth.vic. gov.au/priority-primary-care-centres-ppccs for up to date information.

Current operating hoursare Monday to Sunday, 1.30pm until 11.30pm, including public holidays.

Open forbusiness: Don McRae, GippslandPHN actingchief executive, Angela Jacob,and LCHS chiefexecutive, Ben Leigh,atthe openingofthe Latrobe PriorityPrimaryCareCentre.

Northesets out anti-gambling agenda

By PHILIP HOPKINS

GAMBLING ads shouldbebannedoratleast come with severe warnings, while banks and financial institutions should take some responsibility for allowing people to betand sufferfrom gambling harm,according to former Member for Morwell, Russell Northe.

Mr Northe, aformer Nationals and Independent MP, made these and other recommendations to the federal government’s standing committee on social policy and legalaffairs. The committee is holdinganinquiry into online gambling and its impacts on those experiencing gambling harm. Mr Northe has ahistory of gambling debts and is facing legal charges.

He prefaced his remarks by taking full responsibility for his actions.

“My ‘plight’ is of my owndoing and subsequently Iaccept responsibility for the pain and damage I have unintentionally inflicted upon my family, my friends, my staff and my community,” he said.

“The committee may find it challenging to grasp how seemingly intelligent people can get trapped in the vicious cycle of online gambling...thisis understandable and the question of, ‘why didn’t you just stop’ is often asked and this is avery legitimate question;however, the answer can be quitecomplex, particularlywhenyou factor in neuroscienceand the mentalhealthstatus of a person. My point is, it’s just not that simple.”

Mr Northe said he was not calling for onlinegambling to be abolished, but aspects of the industry needed to be significantly reformed.

“This requires governments, banks and online gambling companies to take their share of responsibility and embracechangesthat see peoplebeing put first and profits second,” he said.

“Consumer protectionsneed to be enhanced markedly and interventions introduced so that people,particularly vulnerable and unwellpeople, aren’t allowed to fall and continue to be failed by asystemthat is not working.”

Among Mr Northe’s recommendations to the committee were:

 Ban all gambling advertising or place strong limitations when and how advertising can take place;

 If online gambling advertising continues, it must be accompanied by avery strong warning message;

 Require that acustomer of abankor financial institutions can only transfer a maximum of 15 per cent of their nett annual income to an online gambling account;

 Further, if abank/financial body believes acustomerhas gambling harm, they should be mandated to stop transferring funds to any online gambling organisation and get the customer to have financial counselling;

 Ban all MPs or employees of government departments and agencies from accessing online gambling accounts when using publicly funded electronic devices;

 Establish an independent authority that has consumer welfare and gambling hard minimisation as its key objective;

 Establish an Australian online gambling harm compensation fund;

 Create anew law that gives those with gambling harm the right to sue for their losses;

 Gambling harm should be treated as a

serious public health issue, with funds for providers such as financial counselling, mental health, legal and other services;

 Treat problematic gambling as afactor in unexplained deaths, and;

 Create aMinister for Gambling Safety at federal and state levels.

Mr Northe said ads weremisleadingthat showed gamblers excited and having agood time when gambling losses were huge.

“We must accept these are harmful products and subsequently, advertising attached to every harmful product should be banned or restricted to protect the consumer,” he said.

Strong warnings were attached to ads for cigarettes and alcohol.

“Saying ‘gamble responsibly’ at the end of an

Full steam ahead on metro tunnel testing

THE state government’s Metro Tunnel Project is moving ahead towards its all-important train testing milestone, withnew platform screen doors being installedinthe underground stationsto boost safety and help keep trains running on time.

Acting Premier and Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan, recentlyinspected the platformscreen doors at the future Parkville Station, withinstallation already well underway at Arden and Anzacstations and set to begin shortlyatState Library and Town Hall stations

The toughened glass sliding doors will open and closeintandemwith the fleet of Melbourne’s new high-capacity metro trains -creating abarrier between the track and platformstoimprove passengers’ safety by preventing people and objects from falling into the path of oncomingtrains,

and stopping trespassers entering the tunnels.

The state government is investing in the first platform screen doors in Victoria -ahallmark of world-class metro rail systems, like those in London, Singapore, Hong Kong and Paris.

Thenew technology has been tested in aseries of rigoroustrials overseveral years, both in virtual development and at atest platform at the Pakenham East train depot.

Sixty doors will be fitted at each station, with 300 to be installed across the five new undergroundstations being built by the project -enough to stretch from Flinders Street Station to the MCG.

Work on the rest of the MetroTunnel is continuing, with crews currently working to finish 24 days of around-the-clock work to separate the

Frankston line fromthe Cranbourne-Pakenham line at Caulfield Station.

The track upgrades will hope to allow trains to runeverytwo-to-threeminutes whenthe MetroTunnel opensin2025-ayear ahead of the prososed 2026.

The Metro Tunnel’s stations are also taking shape, with the fit-outoflifts, escalators, security systems,CCTV,passenger information displays and emergency phones underway,aswell as tracks being laid along the nine-kilometre twin tunnels.

When finished,the Metro Tunnel will create a capacity for more than half amillion additional passengers per week to travel during peak times across Melbourne’s train network.

Target Time No.0142

does, dole, dose, douse, hoed, hold, hole, holed, hood, hose, hosed, house, housed, HOUSEHOLD, lode, loose, loosed, lose, loud, louse, loused, ludo, oleo, shod, shoe, shoo, should, sloe, sold, sole, soled, solo, soloed, sool, sooled, soul.

advertisement is just pathetic and it doesn’t work. (It) places every aspect of the problem back to the person rather than the company who is supposed to protect the consumer,” he said.

Mr Northe said it made sense to put safeguards in placebefore money wastransferredtoonline ambling companies. Whilecustomers could stop the practice,“self-exclusiondoes not work, but mandatory interventions do”. The 15 per cent limit of nett annual income “will work”.

“The committee may wish to consider adifferent percentage,” he said, with most people not affected by this 15 per cent figure, especially if they gambled infrequently.

“Saying acustomercan self-exclude is just acop out. Banks have the analytical data and information to understand where their clients’ money is beingtransferred to. People who are in gambling distress should be identified by banks,” he said.

“I can say from my own personal experience, none of my banks ever raised an eyebrow at the transfers Imadetoonline gamblingorganisations.”

Mr Northe said anew law should hold banks, financial institutionsand gamblingcompanies accountable to their customer, particularly when the customer was unwell or incapacitated.

“I do understand the complexities of implementing suchalaw,” he said,given the danger of vexatious and illegitimate claims.

“There could be a‘deemed knowledge’ testfor online gambling operators, banks and financial institutions which encompasses recklessness to obvious signs of gambling harm. Essentially what did you know and why didn’t you intervene,” he said.

“If companies fail to uphold their duties and values, then thereshould be alaw that gives recourse to the consumer to sue for their losses.”

Mr Northe said he feared for the younger generation who had not yet felt the full impact of gambling harm.

“It doesn’t takemuchfor onetobecometotally consumed. Ihave been contacted by numerous young people who have conveyed their own heartbreaking journey, and it is just so sad,” he said.

As an MP, Mr Northe said he received hundreds of complaints from constituentspleading with the saturation of gambling adverts on television screens, print media and social media to cease.

“Online gambling companiesare able to advertise so extensively becausethey are profitable,and why are they so profitable?It’s because Australian citizens are losing so much money,” he said.

“Australia has the highest gambling losses per capita in the world.”

Online gambling was amajor issue.

“Being able to gamble in secret and isolation, at all times of the day and the night, is arecipe for disaster for vulnerable and unwell persons. Iwould not be game to make the bets Idid if Ihad to do so in person,” he said.

“Some say depression comes after gambling harm and some say depressions leads to gambling harm.Does it actually matter? Either way if you are experiencing or have experienced gambling harm, you will likely have depression or some other mental illness as well -they go hand-in-hand!”

Mr Northe said he was not against gambling and the economic, social and job opportunities it brings.

“So my fight is not to stop gambling, but rather to close theconsumer gaps and loopholesthat is allowingvulnerable people to fall and fall,” he said.

“Gamblingharm is squarelya public health issue and needs to be treated as such in all aspects.”

Lived experience: Former Member forMorwell Russell Northe has calledfor aban on gambling advertising file photograph

VIRTUE Homes, aleading residential building company based in Gippsland, is excited to showcase their new display village located 2- 8 Broadway Boulevard, Traralgon in the stunning Franklin North Estate.

The village comprises three new display homes, The Olivia 42, The Kingston 33, and The Windsor 38, which will be open to the public on Saturday,February4from11am.

At the grand opening, therewill be plenty of entertainment, acoffee van and lots more.

Fill in an entryonthe daytobeinthe draw for prizes valued up to $4000.

Be inspired, talk with our talented sales and design team about your new home, and exploreour most impressive display homes yet!

The display village offers visitors the opportunity to see the latest in moderndesignand construction innovation.

Each of the three homes offers a uniquely different style and layout, providing visitors with avariety of options to choose from. Therewill be design ideas to suit all tastes. Visitors arewelcome to explorethe homes at their leisure.

“Weare thrilled to showcase our new display village to the public and provide them with an opportunity to see the quality and craftsmanship that goes into everyone of our homes,"

Virtue Homes Managing Director, Mark Nicola said.

"Each new display home reinforcers our commitment to building excellence."

Virtue Homes prides itself on building high-quality homes that are built to last, and this display village is testament to that.

The company has been building homes in Gippsland for morethan 20 years, and has areputation for excellence in design, construction and customer service.

We have the skills, experience and vision to create everyaspect of your dream home, from the big pictureto the small details.

Your Residential Builder of the Year 2022 in Victoria.

PICTURED RIGHT: MICK NICOLA, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF VIRTUE HOMES.

Holden museum hosts celebrations

By LIAM DURKIN

TRAFALGAR HoldenMuseumcelebrated all good things Australia,not justHolden,onAustralia Day.

The museum welcomed close to 800 people, who tookthe time to peruse the museum’s extensive collection.

Ever-hospitable, the museum even welcomed some Ford cars and drivers.

It was Australia Day after all.

Attendees took the time to check out cars lined down Waterloo Road, which motoring enthusiasts had brought in from across the state.

Inside, people had the opportunity to learn about the entire Holden story.

Remarkably, Holden produced much more than cars; the company also manufactured army equipment, saddlery, and even golf clubs.

The army section makesuppart of some new exhibits to the museum. Themuseum even has plans to hang an aeroplane from the ceiling in the months ahead.

Another area worth checking out is the Holden design section. This features cars built by Holden for overseas markets, as well as concept cars that never quite made it into dealerships.

Some of the cars in that category look like something you see in movies.

Looking at the vintage Holdens, particularly the ‘gangsters’, it is clear cars of that calibre and era were built to last.

Anew meeting/tea room has also been established, and was opened just in time for Australia Day.

Museum president Neil Joiner said he was “happy with the roll-up”,and thanked all who made the trip down.

Mr Joiner said the museum was also “delighted” to see volunteer Bob Moss named Trafalgar Citizen of the Year.

Mr Moss has beenwith the museumalmostsince day dot in 2014, and has been afixture in the life and times of the organisation.

Moving forward, the museum hopes to have its new collection of heritage Holdens on display in a further expansion.

Former Regional Development Minister, MaryAnneThomas,visited the museum last year to announcefundinghad been secured for the expansion.

The expansion will be jointly funded by the state government, Bendigo Bank and the museum itself.

The Trafalgar Holden Museum is run entirelyby volunteers, and is the largest Holden Museum in Australia, and with closeto100 vehicles,could well be the largest motoring museum in the country.

The museum is located at 69 WaterlooRd, Trafalgar, open until 5pm daily.

Those interested in getting involved can do so by phoning 5633 1684.

Gormandale getstogether

By STEFAN BRADLEY

GORMANDALE MechanicsInstitute Hallexperienced strong numbers to celebrate Australia Day, with their free breakfast for the public.

Tricia King, who is the Gormandale Mechanics Institute Committee secretary-treasurer, said it was great to provide sausages, eggs and bacon, tea, coffee and more for the town.

“We’ve had 50 people come through already in the first hour,” she said.

“I think thisisour fourth or fifthyearrunning this. We got new people on the committee here to help out this year, so that’s really good.”

As she took aquick break from cooking delicious meals, the Gippsland Times asked Ms King what Australia Day meant to her. She laughed and said “it’s work for me”.

“It’s about our community and bringing everyone together and that’s why we all do it,” she said.

Welcome:

Convoy: Holdens lined Waterloo Road,outside the Trafalgar HoldenMuseum on Australia Day.

“There are alot of families and children. And alot of newcomers. There’sa lot of people we haven’t seen before or Idon’t know. It’s nice to see new faces.

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

Ms King went straight back to cooking for the people of Gormandale as the queue continued to grow.

Trafalgar HoldenMuseum presidentNeilJoiner, and volunteer Bob Moss photographs liam durkin

Gathered: RichardMorgan, RayJohnson, Ned Missen, Judy Missen and Kath Byein Gormandale on Australia Day. photograph stefan bradley

HOROSCOPES

by Joanne Madeline Moore

January 30 -February5,2023

Aries Uranus boosts your tendency to make hasty remarks and unintentional blunders, especially involving finances and friends

Remember, Rams - it takes a short time to burn bridges and a lot longer to mend them Then Sunday’s Full Moon fires up your romantic, imaginative side So you ’ re in the mood for fun, creativity and lashings of love Be inspired by Aries writer Emile Zola: “If you ask me what I came into this life to do, I will tell you: I came to live out loud

Taurus Avoid getting stuck in a rut

Unique Uranus is still barnstorming through your sign and this week it links up with mercurial Mercury So it’s time to be the real you, express your authentic self and speak your truth Be inspired by singer and actor Harry Styles (who turns 29 on Wednesday): “I’d rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I’m not ” Tread carefully with a frustrated family member on Sunday when the Full Moon fires up your home zone

Libra For some loyal Librans a romance that’s been rocky (or a friendship that’s been floundering) could head off in a promising new direction And a fresh approach sees a tricky family relationship turn around The late week Full Moon highlights your hopes-and-wishes zone, so it’s a suitable time to expand (or revisit) your goals for 2023 Don’t be half-hearted Aim high, go for gold, and make your dreams as big and beautiful as you possibly can!

Scorpio

The late week Full Moon sees you swing between being sexy and secretive and being passionate and possessive You could also be thrust into the public spotlight, so make sure you ’ re putting on a good show But are you stuck in a career slump? If you resist changes at work, then you’ll just be left behind in the backwash Look for creative ways to adopt fresh ideas and pivot in your professional life Aim to include loved ones and colleagues in your plans

Gemini

Next Sunday’s Full Moon fires

u Gp your brainpower So it’s a good week to focus your mind research a subject that has always fascinated you or enrol in a course of study Mars (charging through your sign) also trines the Sun, which pushes you to pursue more adventurous options especially involving international travel and personal goals Your motto is from birthday great writer James Joyce: “To learn, one must be humble But life is the great teacher”

Cancer When it comes to sex, secrets, taxes, joint finances or close friends, expect the unexpected – especially on Saturday! So do your best to be a flexible Crab with a pliable plan Then the fiery Full Moon (on Sunday night) shines a spotlight on self-esteem, finances, core values and trust issues It’s also time to don your detective cap and turn on your X-ray vision, as you zero in on the cause of a lingering problem and come up with a satisfactory long-term solution

Leo Lions love to hog the limelight and be the centre of attention – especially when the Full Moon’s in Leo But this week (with Saturn, Mars and the Sun activating your relationship zone) try to get the balance right between your pending needs and those of the significant people in your life Perhaps it’s time for your lover, best friend or business partner to sparkle and shine? With disruptive Uranus squaring the Sun (on Saturday) keep your plans flexible and open-ended

Sagittarius With restless Mars in your g relationship zone and the fiery Full Moon activating your adventure zone, it’s a terrific week to travel or plan an exotic escape for sometime soon However if you blurt out something when you ’ re in a rush or feeling stressed then you’ll regret it later on! So think things through before you speak (especially with loved ones and work colleagues) and realise that the first thought that jumps into your head isn’t necessarily the best one

Capricorn Monday’s stars favour some vigorous exercise in the great outdoors But are you worried about your current bank balance? Avoid going on a spontaneous spending spree or lending money to dubious, irresponsible people You re liable to make impulsive decisions based purely on your emotions (which are fluctuating courtesy of the volatile Full Moon) It is a good week for reading, writing, research, kindness, cooperation and convivial conversation

Aquarius

The stars favour communicating from q the heart and saying what’s on your mind

But – with Uranus and the Full Moon loosening your tongue – resist the urge to tell tall tales and spread salacious gossip Slow down, think things through and try to speak as tactfully as possible

Virgo

Your days are often organised with militagry precision But this week there’s a fiery Full Moon plus Mercury (your ruling planet) linking up with unpredictable Uranus So strive to be more spontaneous as you toss your usual timetable out the window and stretch your adaptability muscles in unfamiliar directions

Whatever happens, expect the unexpected and prepare to pivot! Unhappily single? You could meet your soulmate via an introduction from a friend

It’s a wonderful week to promote a joint venture, catch up with a friend or organise a romantic rendezvous Unhappily single? Sparks could fly with a person from another country or culture Pisces Venus and Neptune are in your sign so you’ll be at your quintessential Piscean best as your creative compassionate and spiritual sides kick into top gear

Then the weekend Full Moon highlights your ‘being of service’ and ‘helping others’ zones as you concentrate on the needs of those around you You’re keen to get involved with a project from behind-the-scenes but be careful you don’t get lost in a fantasy world

Keep your feet firmly planted on the ground

CopyrightJoanne Madeline Moore 2023

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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.

Leader: Federation University vice-chancellor and president Professor Duncan Bentley file photograph GP1653148

Scholarship opportunities

FEDERATIONUniversity Australia's scholarship opportunities for 2023 are shaping up to be the University's largest ever,with arecord number again on offer.

More than200 scholarships are available to students, giving them the opportunity to succeed in their studies without the stress of financial pressure.

The scholarships help to cover costs including textbooks, petrol, groceries and computers, while some include industry mentorship and paid work placement to give students ahead start on asuccessful career.

In 2023,Federation is partneringwith generous donors to offer 218 scholarships with atotal value of over$700,000.

Among them areGippsland Water scholarships offeredtoIndigenous students studying environmental science, chemistry, engineering, business or IT, and female engineering or science students.

EnergyAustralia will help embed important on-the-job learning by providing scholarships worth $6000 each to four Gippsland students in 2023, along with 400-450 hours of paid industry placement.

TheEnergyAustralia scholarships will be available to two electrical engineering students, one civil engineering student and one environmental sciences student, helping support them to focus on their studies and prepare to enter the workforce.

Anew 'Future of Allied Health Professionals Scholarships' will be on offer for Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Bachelor of Physiotherapy and Bachelor of Speech Pathology students, with eligibility for acadetship at Latrobe Community Health Service in third and fourth years. Federation University vice-chancellor and president, Professor Duncan Bentley,saidscholarships made aprofounddifference by providing opportunities to people who might otherwise miss out on post-secondary education.

"Through the generosity of our donors we can not only help to ease the financial pressure on students, but provide links with industry in their chosen area of study," Professor Bentley said. For more information on scholarships, go to federation.edu.au/scholarships

KidsHelplineurges caution

AS children across Australia begin anew school year, Kids Helpline is reminding families to keep an eye on their children’s wellbeingatwhatcan be an anxious and stressful time.

“It’s not surprising that heading back to school or the important step of starting school for the first time can be an anxious time for children,” said yourtown chief executive office Tracy Adams.

“To helpmakethings alittle easier not only at the beginning of the new school year, but also through the year, schools are encouraged to tap into the free Kids Helpline @School program supported by Bupa Foundation.”

Kids Helpline @School, oneofyourtown’s serviceofferings, strengthens the reach of Kids Helpline by providing evidence-informed learning to support the social and emotional wellbeing of children when at school with topics such as bullying, resilience, friendships and student wellbeing. Kids Helpline @School supports primaryschool students’mentalhealth literacy, normalisation of help-seeking behaviours, and promotion of positive health and wellbeing.

Made possible thanks to the support of Bupa Foundation, it uses digital technology to link Kids Helpline professional counsellors with students and their teachers in interactive education sessions.

“We’re fortunatethat Bupa Foundation has partneredwithKidsHelpline to support our primary school-based program, aimed at intervening and preventing mental health and other wellbeing issues for children from ayoung age. We know that mental health challenges often begin during childhood, and if left unattended they can lead to poor outcomes in adulthood,” Ms Adams said.

“Overthe last two yearsthere has been asurge in popularity of this innovative school-based program which has supported over 100,000

primary school students in this time. We’re looking forward to continuing that at this time of year as school is about to commence again.

“Teachers can connect their classroom to a Kids Helpline counsellor, free of charge, simply by booking asession at kidshelpline.com.au/ schools/primary for asession that is both educational and interactive in afun, engaging environment.

“Kids Helpline has an establishedreputation as afirst point of contact for children and young people whoneed counselling support. Available 24 hours aday, 7days aweek, children are able to choose telephone, WebChat or email counselling when they need to connect.

“Kids Helpline @Schooloffers early intervention and prevention sessions for primary schools in Australia to further support the wellbeing of students.”

Being available 24/7 means that Kids Helpline is always open for business and always available to provide services whileother servicesclose for the day, or weekend.

Bupa Australia’s chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer, Roger Sharp, said supporting the mental health of young people has never been more important.

“Through the Bupa Foundation, we are committed to investingininnovative programs that support the mentalhealth of children and young people who have faced incredible challenges to their physical and mental wellbeing in recent times, particularly in relation to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19,” he said.

Rosedalebuilds up community spirit

By STEFAN BRADLEY

ROSEDALE experienced one of many communityled events for Australia Day in Wellington Shire, withdozens showing up to afree community breakfast at the Prince St Reserve.

One of the Rosedale attendees was Councillor Carolyn Crossley,who said each townshiphad their own unique event.

“Council supports each community that wants to celebrate this day with fun,” Cr Crossley said.

Cr Crossley said Australia Day means avariety of things to differentpeople. “It’s achallenging day for some as we know,” she said.

“I think it’s atimethat we come together, especially after the torrid time we’ve had…over the last coupleofyears with COVID. (Wecan) celebrate and acknowledgethe hard work that the volunteers do in our community.”

Cr Crossley said the day reminds us how important ourfamily and friends are.

“Whether you’ve been here for generations,

just newly arrived, or First Nations, we should all come together to celebrate what it means to be Australian, and look towards reconciliation, and hope for abetter future”.

The free barbecue was run by the Rosedale Old School Committee.

Committee president, Jennifer Evans, said she hoped the breakfast would bring the public out and about so they could meet their neighbours.

“Weput in an applicationfor some funding so we could run acommunity event, just because we thought that after acouple of years of COVID, it would be really nice to build up our community spirit again. And so we’ve put on abarbeque -a free community breakfast,” Ms Evans said.

“(AustraliaDay)isaboutcommunity and coming together as one big group to celebrate what makes our community and our town great.”

After serving up bacon and egg sandwiches and sausages for the peopleofRosedale, Ms Evans said she was looking forward to spendingtime with family.

Teen cuts hair for charity

AFTERfive years growth, Newborough teenager, Zane Poxon (14), chopped his luscious locks yesterday (January 31) to donate towards awig for children diagnosed with cancer.

Zane hasalsobeen fundraising to support the families of children diagnosed with cancer, achieving his ambitious goal of $5000.

While Zane has not personally experienced the devastating impact that cancer has on families, he has seen closerelatives eithersuccumb to or battle thedebilitating disease.

Zane hopes that his campaign helps raise awareness of the Kids with Cancer Foundation, and that the money raised will not only relieve some of the financialburden on families, but also bring asmile to the face of achild diagnosed with cancer.

Thosewishing to donatecan do so via https:// fundraise.kidswithcancer.org.au/fundraisers/ zanepoxon

All gone: Zane Poxoncut his hair forcharity yesterday. photograph supplied

Trio: Wellington Shirecouncillor, CarolynCrossley, with Rosedale locals Eddieand Gerard at Prince St Reserve on Australia Day. photograph stefanbradley

Lynn to stand trial in Supreme Court

By STEFAN BRADLEY

CAROLINE Springs man and former Jetstar pilot Gregory Lynn will stand trial for the alleged murders of campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay, in the Supreme Court.

Magistrate Brett Sonnet used the committal hearing -which began last week at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court and ended on Wednesday afternoon -todetermine whether there wasenough evidence for the accused to go to trial.

Lynnhad been charged withtwo counts of murder.

On Wednesday afternoon, Mr Sonnet said that after looking at “the totality of evidence”, he believed that the evidence had “sufficient weight to support aconviction”.

Present in court was Lynn, 56, who has maintained his innocence throughout.

As expected, he formally pleaded not guilty to the charges. He did not apply for bail.

Adirections hearing at the Supreme Court will take place on February 9, 2023.

Police allege that on Friday, March20, 2020, Lynn killed 75-year-old Russell Hill and 73-year-old Carol Clay.

Mr Hilland Ms Clay vanished from their campsite in the Wonnangatta Valley in March 2020. Lynn was arrested on November 22, 2021. Human remains found near Dargo later that month were confirmed by Victoria Police to be that of Ms Clay and Mr Hill. On Monday, information shared in courtand released to the media revealed that more than 5000 covert audio recordings of Lynn were made by investigators, which led to his arrest after police believed he would take his own life.

Monday’s hearingbeganwith Mr Sonnett approvinga requested suppression order into evidence previously described as “explosive” or “game-changing” for the potential criminal trial. This order prevents media from reporting on the contents of the following:

*Covertlyrecorded conversations between Lynn andpoliceonJuly 14, 2020, as well as his police statement made the same day;

*Record of interview conducted by Lynn and police on November 22, 23, 24 and 25, and;

*Submissionsmadetoapplyfor this suppression order.

The material being suppressed has not been previously released, and its contents have not been reported on.

On Wednesday,the defence requested more material to be supressed, which was granted.

The suppression order applies until ajury trial

commencesbefore the Supreme Court, or if the conversations and interviews are granted admissible as evidence. The prosecution did not oppose the application for the suppression order.

Mr SonnettsaidonMonday, after approvingthe order, thatthe media was now on notice.

“It’s unusual for the prosecutor to notoppose theorder…(they) have aduty to afair trial (as well),” he said.

Three witnesses gave evidence on Monday.

First was Leading Senior Constable and ballistics expert, Paul Griffiths.

Constable Griffithstoldthe court about apossible scenario he testedonrequestofinvestigators, which was whether Lynnand Mr Hill hadaphysical altercation over Lynn’sgun,which may havegone offaccidently, hitting one of the mirrors on Lynn’s Toyota Land Cruiser, and then hitting Ms Clay, who was near the back of the vehicle.

Constable Griffiths tested three scenarios based on if Ms Clay,who was about160 centimetres, was standing,“semi-crouching” (orstooping), or crouching. This scenario forms part of apolice theory that Lynn got into adispute with Mr Hill over adrone he was flying.

The court heardthat based on the testing he conducted, this scenario was plausible if Ms Clay was standing, while the other two scenarios were

much less likely, but couldn’t be ruled out.

Constable Griffithconducted two trajectory determination exercises to testthisscenario. These tests were based on anumberofassumptions and variables. They were also limited by alackofphysical evidence from the alleged crime.

Lynn’s lawyer, Dermot Dann KC, questioned the firsttest, saying thatitwas conducted with adifferent firearm to the one that Lynn has been accused of using.

Constable Griffith said the exercises he conducted didn’t requirethe exactsameweapon -the first tests he conducted on February23, 2022 were with a12-gauge shotgun.

Asecondtest on May 11,2022saw shots fired through vehicle mirrors at two different angles- 75 and 47 degrees -totest for projectile deflection. Thirteen of the 14 shots showed no deflection.

Constable Griffiths saidthis testing did not change his conclusions from the previous tests.

Detective LeadingSenior Constable, Daniel Passingham, was the next witness, and told the court thatonSeptember 28, 2021,alistening device was played in Lynn’s home. Alisteningdevicehad also been placed in Lynn’s vehicle, and his phone was tapped.

More than 5000 recordings had been saved to the database.

Before Lynn’s arrest, Constable Passingham said he’d listened to about 3150 recordings, which ranged from one-minute to half an hour in length. Police have alleged that Lynn spoke to himself in therecordings, and had made reference to Mr Hill andMsClay.

Documents released to the media on Monday contain statements by Constable Passingham, where he said he heard Lynn talking to himself in “what sounded like adepressed state” on the day of his arrest, which was November 22, 2021. Having listened to thousands of recordings prior. Constable Passingham was concerned that Lynn would kill himself, and brought it up with his colleagues. Lynn was arrested without incident later that day. During policequestioning, Lynn was understood to havereceived legal advice to takeuphis rightto silence, and to answer “no comment” to questions.

In court, Mr Dann had alengthyback-andforth with Constable Passingham about whether Constable Passingham attempted to persuade or pressureLynn to answer questions.Constable Passinghamsaidhewas trying to find out the truth.

Asimilar exchange occurred when Detective Senior Constable Brett Florence, who was the informant in court, took the stand.

Constable Florence conceded that telling Lynn that him saying ‘no comment’ is “not going to help you”, was not appropriate.

Mr Dannput it to Constable Florencethat he had challenged Lynn’s right to silence. Constable Florence said in response thathe’s interested in the truth.

“If Lynn givesa full account that (shows) he’s innocent, Ican’t charge him,” Constable Florence said.

“I was seeking the truth. Iwas being fair to Mr Lynn… I’m the informant, I’m the one who decides who will get charged.”

Constable Florence returned to court on Wednesday,and Mr Dannasked if any medical examination was made for Lynn, considering the concern for Lynn’s state of mind.

Constable Florence said there was no examination. He told the court his concerns for Lynn’s mental state hadeased by the time he was arrested

The court also heard that police intendtoreturn to Mount Hotham to do asearch, which hadn’t been done at that point due to weather. The search is expected to be the end of the investigation before the trial.

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

Beyond Blue is available at 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au

Bathcalls forstate government to focusonimportantissues

NATIONALS Member for EasternVictoriaRegion, Melina Bath,iscalling on Premier Daniel Andrews to focus on the important issues impacting families.

Ms Bath said the state government’s talk of a total ban on duck hunting is an attempt to disguise and deflect from the real issues facing Victorians.

“The Andrews Labor should instead be using all resources at its disposal to fix issues impacting all Victorians, such as properly resourcing our broken health system and addressing the deepening cost-of-living crisis”, Ms Bath said.

“Pardon the pun, but it’s time the Premier got his ducks in arow and focused on real priorities.

“A duckhunting banwas nottaken to polls -there is aplethoraofpressing problems adversely affecting families right now and this is not one of them.

“Uponhis re-election, DanielAndrews promised he wouldgovern for all -but he’s deflecting attentionaway fromthe important issues impactingthe lives and livelihoods of everyday people.

“Duck hunting is hardly the most pressing issue facing the state government.

“My constituents would prefer real action on the Triple Zeroambulancecrisis and our crumbling regionalroads,aswell as needed improvements in public safety, housing affordability, homelessness and the number of children living in out-of-home care.”

Ms Bath said Daniel Andrews may be Premier for another four years, but his government needs reminding it was overwhelmingly rejected by regionalVictorians at the November state election.

“Many of my Eastern Victorian constituents take umbrage at the lack of understanding and falsehoods that the Andrews government continues to pedal when it comestorecreational duckhunting,” Ms Bath said.

“Recreational hunting is alegitimate and disciplined pastime enjoyed by many country people -participants can be young, old, tradies,

professionals,men and women, and their negative portrayal for the sake of politics is unjust.

“Duck hunting remainsa well-regulated pastime, and while the science and waterfowl surveys continue to show evidence of healthy populations, it’s sustainable.

“In my experience, recreational duck hunters explicitlycare for ournatural environment,and participateinvolunteerhabitat restoration works, includingtreeplantingand weedsand pestcontrol.

“Look no further than Heart Morass in Sale, which was painstakingly transformed by Field &Game volunteers from abarrenwasteland to a thriving RAMSAR listed wetland.

“I am calling on the Andrews Labor government to stop endeavouring to disguise the real issues affecting Victoriansand respect ourlaw-abiding recreational hunters”.

Focus: Memberfor EasternVictoria Region, MelinaBath, says thestate government has bigger issues to worryabout thanduckhunting file photograph

Ongoing: Investigations intothe alleged murdersofCarol Clayand Russell Hillcontinue file photograph

Stroke awareness on the rise in Victoria

NEW Stroke Foundation data has revealed regionalVictoriansare more likelythan Melburnians to recognise if they or someone else is having astroke.

The most recent annual F.A.S.T National Awareness Survey results found that regional Victoriaoutperforms Melbourne in almost all areas of stroke awareness, particularly when recognising the common stroke signs.

The F.A.S.T acronym highlights the three most common signs of stroke -Facial droop, the inability to lift both Arms, and slurred Speech. The ‘T’ stands for time, as areminder that astroke requires time-critical emergency treatment.

“We know that regional Australians are 17 per cent more likelytohaveastrokethan people

livinginmetropolitan areas,soit’s fantastic to see that regional Victorians are takingstroke seriously and equipping themselves with life-saving information,” Stroke Foundationchief executive, Sharon McGowan said.

The survey found that 57 per cent of regional Victorians recognise speech difficulties as asign of stroke, compared to 50 percentofMelburnians, 48 per cent know facial droop is asigncompared to Melbourne’s 39 per cent, and 11 per cent recognise inability to lift both arms as asigncompared to Melburnians at 10 per cent.

It alsofound the number of people living in regional Victoria who don’t knowasinglesign of strokehas decreasedin12monthsfrom 35 per centin2021to31per centin2022- that’s

Hundreds diving into new swimming careers

around 64,000 people in the community who are now aware of at least one sign of stroke.

“Every improvement, no matter how small,has an impact,” Ms McGowan said.

“While four per cent seems like asmall increase on paper, that’s tens of thousands of people who now know what astroke looks like and will be able to react quickly by calling an ambulance.”

Stroke Foundation’s aim is for every Victorian to know the F.A.S.T acronym,and to understand the importance of calling an ambulance immediately when stroke strikes.

The organisation is calling on thestate government to help do this by making stroke aspending priority in its 2023 Budget, and invest $250,000 each year over the next four years in aF.A.S.T.

Community Education program.

“Investing long-term in education is aproven and effective way to lift awareness,” Ms McGowan said.

“We know our F.A.S.T awarenessprogram works; we’ve seen it succeed in other states like regional New South Wales where awareness of stroke signs lifted by 20 per cent.

“We want to see thatimprovement across Victoria.

“Unfortunately,Victoria is one of four states and territories that are yet to fund aF.A.S.T awareness education campaign, but we’re hopeful the state governmentwill see value in this education program and invest in agenerational improvement in the health of its people.”

THOUSANDS of Victorian children will be safer around the water this summer thanks to astate government program creating hundreds of new swim teacher roles.

Minister for Employment, Ben Carroll, visited the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre(MSAC) to see how SWIM -a$3.4 millionpartnership between Jobs Victoria and SWIMCoaches & Teachers Australia, is delivering 280 inclusive employment opportunities at pools and leisure centres around the state.

“We’re supporting people to gain new qualifications so they can find secure work and help the sectoraddress ashortage of skilledswim teachers,” he said.

“WithVictoriansheading to our beaches, rivers, lakesand pools this summer,thesejobs ensure everyone can safely enjoy the water.”

As well as boosting the number of children learning to swim,the program is giving Victorians looking for work the opportunity to begin anew and fulfilling career.

For 29-year-old Chloe Turner, the program has been lifechanging.

Born with dyspraxia, she had to undergo speech therapy as achild to be able to talk.

Throughthe program, she hasreceived free training and support to become aswim teacher and now works part-time at the Blue Fin Swim School and nearby MSAC in Port Melbourne.

This program complements aseparate $5.7 millionpartnership between the government and Aquatics and Recreation Victoria, creating 300 roles for swim teachers, lifeguards and other pool staff.

Together,these programs provide 580 Victorians with secure workfor 12 months,prioritising people aged18to25, people with adisability, women aged 45 and over, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Participants are paid while they complete preemployment training, including the nationally accredited Swim Australia Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety course, and traininginFirst Aid and CPR.

For more information visit jobs.vic.gov.au or call the Jobs Victoria hotline on 1300 208 575.

Announcement: Minister for Employment Ben Carroll

file photograph

Celebrating Trafalgar’s citizens of the year

GLENYS Ralls and Bob Moss,two Trafalgar stalwarts, were awarded joint Trafalgar Citizens of the Year for 2023.

Both have contributed to the Trafalgar community over anumberofyears in different fields, and are both very worthy recipients.

Glenys has been alifelong member of the Trafalgar community, throughout which time she has raised her family and been areliable support to awide variety of community groups.

From the earlydays of Young Farmers then play group, she became acommittee member in scouts, guides and pony club and acted as timekeeper to the football club during the 1980s and 90s.

Shehas volunteered many hours of her time at St Joseph’s Primary Schooland helped there, over the 40 years of her childrenand grandchildren’s lives.

As time moved on, Glenys assisted with events and functions with the Country Women’s Association and volunteered for Meals on Wheels for many years.

St John’s CatholicChurch has awarded her alife membership, recognising her volunteer support with cleaning, donations and help with other church members.

She has been amember of Trafalgar and District Historical Society for many years, having held the position of treasurer and magazine sales officer. She is currently amember of aTrafalgar Bible Study

Group, Probus, and also volunteers at Andrews House.

Glenys enjoys many other activities in the Gippsland area, such as volunteeringweekly at 3WA Radio in Morwell and ballroom dancing, to

whichshe transports thoseinthe community who areunable to drive themselves.

Whentoldshe had received the Citizen of the Year award, Glenys said she was surprised and thought that the phone call must have been for something else.

Then, subsequently going through her community activities over the past 50 years, she even surprised herself with the amount of volunteering she had undertaken, thanking the many people who helped her on her journey through the various organisations in which she has been involved.

Shesaidher parentswere also asignificant influence on her as both were heavily involved in volunteering activities within the Trafalgar community.

Quoting St Mary Mackillop, Glenyssees her attitude to the community as “never see the need without doing something about it”.

Bob Mosswill be currentlyrecognised for his monthly article in Traf News, outlining Trafalgar Holden Museum’s car of the month.

However, his outstanding contribution to the museum includes everythingfrom painting walls, cleaning, restoring displays,hosting tourgroups, writingarticlesfor theirdisplayboards and leading the cataloguing team.

He tirelessly researches recordsofall exhibits and his wealth of knowledge is considered irreplaceable.

Bob is familiar with taking on responsible roles in avariety of community groups.

He was secretary of Trafalgar Primary School Council and Trafalgar Football Club for several years, coachedjunior football and was awarded Clubman of the Year for his efforts there.

He took his turn as cub leader in Trafalgar Scout Group, helping boys towards earning their badges, organisingcamps and competitions with other district cub packs, plus support for the paper and bottle drives about town.

He also led bushwalks for severalyears with West Gippsland Bushwalking Club.

More recently, Bob is an active member of Probus, having served time as president, secretary and tour leader.

He helped upgrade the Trafalgar RSL building and the relocation of the cenotaph, and compiled articles and photographsfor abook covering the Trafalgar postal and telephone history.

Bob was also very pleased to receive the award, saying he felt proud to receive it, and appreciated it very much, and the fact that others thought he was worthy to receive it.

Humbly, he said that he didn’t expect to receive the award,and thathe“just did what normal people would do”.

No nominations for the Trafalgar’sYouthCitizen of the Year were received.

New mobile phone batterytheoryisturning into areality

RECYCLABLE mobile phone batteries are astep closer due to arust-busting invention.

Mobile phone batterieswith alifetime up to three times longer than today’s technology could be a reality, thanks to an innovation led by engineers at RMIT University.

The team at RMIT are working with ananomaterial called MXene, aclass of materials they say promises to be an exciting alternative to lithium for batteries in the future.

Rather thandisposingofbatteriesafter two or threeyears, we couldhave recyclable batteries that last for up to nine years, by using high-frequency sound waves to remove rust that inhibits battery performance, the team says.

Only 10 per cent of used handheld batteries,

including for mobile phones,are collected for recycling in Australia, which is low by international standards. The remaining 90 per cent of batteries go to landfill or are disposed of incorrectly, which causes considerable damage to the environment.

The high cost of recyclinglithium and other materials from batteries is amajor barrier to these items being reused, but the team’s innovation could help to address this challenge.

Leslie Yeo, Distinguished Professor of chemical engineeringand leadsenior researcher,said MXene was similar to graphene with high electrical conductivity.

“Unlike graphene, MXenes are highly tailorable and open up awhole rangeofpossible technological applications in the future,” Mr Yeo said.

The big challenge with using MXene was that it rusted easily, thereby inhibiting electrical conductivity and rendering it unusable.

“To overcome this challenge, we discovered that soundwaves at acertain frequency remove rust from MXene,restoring it to close to its original state,” Mr Yeo said.

The team’s innovationcould one day helptorevitalise MXene batteries every few years,extending theirlifetime up to three times.

“The ability to prolong the shelf life of MXene is critical to ensuring its potentialtobeusedfor commercially viable electronic parts,” Mr Yeo said.

Associate Professor, Amgad Rezk, one of the lead senior researchers, said the ability to quickly restore oxidisedmaterialstoanalmostpristine

state represented agamechanger in terms of the circular economy.

“Materialsused in electronics, includingbatteries, generally suffer deteriorationafter two or three years of use due to rust forming,” Mr Rezk said. Whilethe innovation is promising, the team needs to work with industry to integrate its acoustics device into existing manufacturing systemsand processes.

The team is also exploring the use of their invention to remove oxide layers from other materials for applications in sensing and renewable energy.

“We are keentocollaborate with industry partners so that our method of rust removal can be scaled up,” Mr Yeo said.

Well deserved: Trafalgar Citizens of the Year Bob Mossand Glenys Ralls. photograph supplied

TheGuide

PORTILLOINTHE PYRENEES

SBS, Saturday, 8.30pm

Stunning scenery? Tick. Michael Portillo (pictured) ditching locomotives forwalking bootsand acosypurple beanie?Tick again. In this breathtaking seriessoaking up the vistas of the Pyrenees, train-lover Portillo invites viewersonapersonal journeyashewalks stretches of the stunning mountainrange between Spain and France. It’s apilgrimage of introspection and physical challenge as the GreatBritishRailwayJourneys presenter takes on the snowypeaks

p y p and reflectsonhis 70th year.The four-part adventurekicks off tonight in the Spanish Basque region, which forms an integral part of Portillo’s heritage Savour the culture, historyand Portillo’s philosophical musings

PICK OF THE WEEK

Path to parenthood: Sheila and Tyson share their IVF journey on BigMiracles

BIG MIRACLES

Nine, Monday, 9pm

Food, Sunday, 7

Sunday7 35pm

Is thereanythingmoreromantic than French cuisine?Never mind if y aFrancophile or not:there’sno likea soothingcookingshow offer lashings of escapism.

You’ll forget about inflation rising costs of living in asn with this second season of Michelin star-winningchefMic Roux’s(pictured) food-slash-tr show.Heeats and cooks loca in idyllic spots in Southe France wherewe’d a to abscond on aho Seasontwo is abo savouringspring

Roux exploring t simple gastrono delights of Fran with atipple an chat at an orga rosé wineryin olive-tree glad

ou’re thing to and ap hel avel lfood rn ll love liday. ut with he mic ce da anic an e.

Theanticip be aba win ov group Traino with into t while wou anyo

If there was a show that should be sponsored by a tissue company this is it Viewers are taken on a roller-coaster of emotions during the extreme highs and lows experienced by couples and singles undergoing IVF In this hopeful and ultimately heartwarming series any shame around infertility and fertility treatment is shattered The series breaks taboos as it follows 10 Australian couples and singles undergoing IVF on their unique sensitive ordeals The life-changing skills of doctors nurses and scientists in the IVF field is celebrated as the participants reveal their heartbreak and hope as they try to fall pregnant

ation is electric in the auditions round of AustralianIdol:who will ag or nerves, who will command thestage and, mostofall, who will verthe judges with abit of sparkle and zest?The mainly young pofnoviceperformershangsonevery word of the judges Meghan or (pictured), Amy Shark, HarryConnick Jr.and Kyle Sandilands, aGolden Ticket up forgrabs to dispatch atalentedsingerstraight the top 50.Trainor promises “feedback smothered in kindness”, eoutspoken Sandilands swears by ano-holds-barred approach: “It uld be cruel of me if Istrung these contestants along”. Touché, but will one pique his curiositytonight?

Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Incredible Canals Explore the history of canals.

8.35 My Grandparents’ War: Kit Harington. (PG) Part 1of4.Kit Harington explores the stories of his grandparents during World WarII.

9.30 Bloodlands. (Return)Alocal accountant is murdered.

10.35 SBS WorldNews Late.

11.05 Cargo. (Premiere,MA15+v)

12.05 Thin Blue Line (MA15+al, R)

4.30 Mastermind Australia. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home And Away (PGa)

7.30 Australian Idol. (PGl)

9.05 TheFrontBar:All Sports Edition (Return, M) Alighter look at the world of sport.

10.05 KitchenNightmares Australia. (MA15+l, R)

11.15 Police Code Zero:Officer UnderAttack. (Malv,R) [VIC]Australia:NowAnd Then.(Mal,R)

12.15 MOVIE: Pimped. (2018,MA15+lv,R) Ella Scott Lynch, BenedictSamuel, Heather Mitchell. 12.30[VIC]HomeShopping.

(R)4.00 NBC Today 5.00 SevenEarly News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 NineNews.

7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 MarriedAtFirstSight. (Mls) The next two couples walk downthe aisle.

9.00 MOVIE: Rocketman. (2019,Madls, R) Follows thelifeof Elton John, from his years as aprodigy to his musicalpartnership with Bernie Taupin. Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell 11.20 Nine NewsLate

TheThing About Pam. (Mav, R)

6.30 TheProject. Special guest is Adam Hills

7.30 Australian Survivor Following aheated reward challenge, asecret night mission causesone tribe to question one of their own. 9.15 Fire Country. (Mv) The crew engagesina search-and-rescue mission after abuilding collapses.

Bull. (Ma, R) TheTAC team defends aBLM activist. 12.00 TheProject (R) Special guest is Adam Hills

1.00 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colbert. (PG) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

MICHEL ROUX’S FRENCH COUNTRYCOOKING SBS Food

AUSTRALIAN IDO Seven, Tuesday, 7.

6.00 TheDrum

7.00 ABCNews.

7.30 7.30 Presented by SarahFerguson.

8.00 YouCan’t AskThat: Models. (Mal,R)Models share the truth about their profession.

8.35 Grand Designs: House Of TheYear: Houses That Take YouBySurprise. (R)Part 1of4

9.20 Joanna Lumley’sHidden Caribbean. (PG, R) Part 1of2

10.10 Movin’ToThe Country. (R)

10.40 ABCLateNews.

10.55 TheBusiness. (R)

11.10 Australia’sWild Odyssey (R)

12.10 Q+A. (R) 1.15 The Trouble With Maggie Cole. (PG, R) 2.05 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.00

One PlusOne. (R) 4.30 TheDrum. (R) 5.30

7.30.(R)

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

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.35 From Paris To Rome With BettanyHughes:Paris,Annecy And TheCoteD’azur Part 1of4

8.30 American Presidency With Bill Clinton. (Premiere) President Bill Clinton exploresthe history of the American presidency.

9.20 Miniseries:The Walk-In. (MA15+) Part 1of5.Anactivist sets out to infiltrate afar-right British group during aperiod of unrest.

10.15 SBSWorld NewsLate.

10.45 WarOfThe Worlds.

(Final, MA15+a)

11.40 Vikings. (MA15+sv, R)

4.00 Mastermind Australia.(R) 5.00 NHK World EnglishNews Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home And Away (PGa)

7.30 Cricket. Big Bash League. TheChallenger

11.30 To Be Advised.

12.45 TheGood Doctor (Ma, R) The doctorsworkagainst timeand their ownpersonal safety to save the lives of those around them.

1.00[VIC]HomeShopping.(R)

4.00 NBCToday International news including interviews with people from the world of business, politics, media andsports.

5.00 SevenEarly News.

5.30 Sunrise. Takesa look at the latest news, sport and weather,with business and finance updates.

6.00 Nine News.

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 MarriedAtFirstSight. (Mls) The Honesty Boxcreates drama.

9.05 Kardashians: TheBillion Dollar Dynasty (Malns) Explores the success of theKardashian family, beginningwith alookatKim

10.35 Nine News Late. Alook at the latest news and events.

11.05 Emergency Call. (Ma) Adrunken mother is caught speeding.

11.55 Pure Genius. (Mm)

12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop (R)

6.30 TheProject. Waleed Aly,Sarah Harris, Sam Taunton and Denise Scott takealook at the day’snews, events and hot topics.

7.30 Taskmaster Australia. (Premiere,PGl)Comedy game show featuringcomedians performing aseries of tricky tasks.

8.30 Law& Order: SVU. (MA15+av)

As Muncytries to fit in with the squad, ahome invasion and kidnapping leads the SVU to ashocking discovery

10.30 NCIS: LosAngeles. (Mav,R)

The NCISteam investigates when awoman is seenfleeing the scene of her husband’smurder

11.30 TheProject. (R) Special guests include Paul Rudd

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

1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBSMornings.

6.00 TheDrum Analysisofthe day’snews.

7.00 ABCNews. Takesalook at today’stop stories.

7.30 Monty Don’sAdriatic Gardens: Greece. Part 3of3

8.30 VanDer Valk. (Mav,R)Part 1of3.Piet Vander Valk investigates the deaths of two innocents with no connection to each other

10.05 TheLarkins. (PG, R) Thelives of aworking-classfamily

10.50 ABCLate News. Coverage of theday’sevents.

11.05 TheLarkins. (Ms, R) Mariette agrees to stay for thesummer

11.55 Adam Hills: TheLastLeg. (R)

12.35 Unforgotten (Mal, R)

1.25 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.35 Scotland: AWild Year: Summer (PG) Part 2of4

8.30 Inside Central Station: W3 Restoration And St James Tunnels. (PGa, R) Sheds light on the Sydney’s wartime history by taking alookbelow one of the city’soldest subway stations.

9.25 Lighthouses: Building

TheImpossible: TheWolf Rock. (PG, R) Part 1of3

10.20 SBS WorldNewsLate

10.50 Gomorrah. (MA15+s, R)

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Better Homes AndGardens. (Return) Charlie Albone, Adam Dovile and Melissa Kingtransform abackyard intoa stunning space. Johanna Griggs and Pete Colquhoun visit an amazing home that takes indoor/outdoor living to the next level.

8.30 To Be Advised.

1.30[VIC]HomeShopping.(R)

1.35 RSPCA Animal Rescue. (R)

The RSPCA rescues more than 200 dogsfrom asqualid puppy farm.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

6.00 Nine News.

7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 ForThe Love Of Pets (Premiere, PGm) Narrated by Jai Courtney.

8.30 MOVIE: TheDry (2020,MA15+alv)

AFederal Agent returns to his hometown in regional Victoria to attend the funeral of achildhood friend. Eric Bana, Matt Nable, Genevieve O’Reilly

10.45 MOVIE: Skyscraper (2018,Mlv,R)A security assessor battles terrorists. Dwayne Johnson.

12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

6.30 TheProject.

7.30 TheGraham Norton Show. Graham is joined by ClaireFoy

8.30 Taskmaster Australia. (PGl,R) Comedygame show featuring comedians performing aseries of tricky tasks.

9.30 TheGraham Norton Show. (Mls, R) Celebrity guests include TomHolland, Zendaya, HenryCavill, Gugu Mbatha-Raw andLittle Mix.

10.30 JustFor Laughs Australia. (Mls, R)

3.40 Mastermind Australia. (R)

1.25 Das Boot. (Mlnv, R)

5.00 NHK World EnglishNews Morning

4.40 Bamay.(R)

5.30 ANC Philippines The WorldTonight

4.00 Million Dollar Minute (R) Three contestants go head-to-head in atest of brain power forthe chance to win$1million.

5.00 NBCToday News and current affairs.

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

Skippy TheBush Kangaroo.(R)

11.00 JustFor Laughs Uncut. (MA15+als, R)

11.30 TheProject. (R)

12.30 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 5.30[VIC]Infomercials.(PG,R)

Saturday, February 4

6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 WeekendBreakfast.

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

12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 The Larkins (PG, R) 2.05 Midsomer Murders.(PG,R)

3.35 Joanna Lumley’sUnseen Adventures. (PGl, R)

4.30 TheHumanRevolution (PG, R)

5.25 Further Back In Time ForDinner (PG, R)

6.25 Better Date Than Never. (PG, R) Olivia’s first everdate ends witha questionmark.

7.00 ABCNews. Takesalook at today’stop stories.

7.30 Call TheMidwife. (Ma) Trixie is assigned to acomplicated case involving acrane driverwho was injured in aworkplace accident

8.30 Midsomer Murders. (Mv, R)

DCI John Barnaby and DS Jamie Winter investigate when the bodyofanunknown manisfound in atheatre duringrehearsals foracharity concertbythe members of an amateuropera company.

10.05 Unforgotten. (Mal, R) Twoof thesuspectsare interviewedagain.

10.50 Miniseries:Come

Home. (Malsv, R) Part 1of3

11.50 Rage GoesRetro (MA15+adlhnsv)

5.00 Rage. (PG)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Cook Up Bitesize. (R)

9.05 BlueWater Safari.(PG) 10.00 Love Your Garden. (R) 11.00 Going Places. (PG, R) 12.00

WorldWatch. 1.00 Surf Life Saving. IronMan and IronWoman Series. Round5 3.00 Figure Skating. EuropeanChampionships. Highlights.

4.30 DestinationFlavour China Bitesize. (R)

4.40 SecretScotland. (R) 5.30 WWII Battles ForEurope.(PGaw,R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.35 ChrisTarrant’sExtreme Railway Journeys: TheLunaticExpress. (PGa, R) Chris Tarrant travelsacrossKenya.

8.30 Portillo In ThePyrenees: AQuest Of Identity. (PG) Part 1 of 4. Michael Portillo treks along the Pyrenees mountain range between the French-Spanish border

9.30 BritainByBeach (PG,R) Part 4of4.Anita Ranivisits iconic beaches and windsweptcoasts in Yorkshire and Northumberland.

10.25 GreatEscapes With Morgan Freeman: Escaping Hitler. (Ma, R) Alookatthe Great Escape.

11.15 Atlanta. (Ml, R)

4.35 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 NBCToday [VIC]HomeShopping.

7.00 Weekend Sunrise.

10.00 TheMorning Show. (PG)

12.00 Horse Racing. Eskimo Prince Stakes Day and Lamaro’s HotelRaceDay

5.00

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 BigBash League Grand Final Pre-Game. Pre-game coverage of the Grand Final.

7.30 Cricket. Big Bash League.Grand Final.

11.30 MOVIE: Grown Ups 2. (2013,PGlnsv, R) After moving back to his Connecticut home town of Stanton with his family,a man and his friends learn some surprising lessonsfrom their own kids as they struggle to deal with everyday life.

Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Get Arty. (R)Artists complete art projects to encourage kids of all ages to get creative.

5.00 My GreekOdyssey:Chalki And Karpathos. (PG, R) Peter Maneas heads to the island of Chalki, before movingontoKarpathos.

7TWO (72, 62)

Penelope Keith’s Hidden Villages. 11.30 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

(2002, M) 10.10 TikTok And NITVPresent: FirstSounds. Midnight Late Programs.

Sunday, February5

TV (2)

6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Offsiders. (Return) 10.30 World This Week.(R) 11.00 Compass. (PG, R) 11.30 Praise. (R) 12.00

12.30 Landline: Summer Series. (Final, R) 12.55 Movin’ToThe Country.(Final, R) 1.25 MontyDon’s Adriatic Gardens. (R) 2.25 Call TheMidwife. (Ma, R) 3.25 Victoria. (PG, R)

4.15 Grand Designs: House Of The Year.(R)

5.00 Australia’s Wild Odyssey. (R)

6.00 Antiques Roadshow (PG) HostedbyFiona Bruce.

7.00 ABCNews. Takesa look at today’stop stories.

7.30 Joanna Lumley’sUnseen Adventures. (PG, R) Part 3of3

8.20 Vera (PGa, R) DCI Vera Stanhope investigates when the body of apopularlocal GP is found in the back of aburnt-out car

9.50 Wreck. (Final, MA15+v,R)Jamie needs to rally his new friends.

10.40 Operation Buffalo (Malv,R)

Carmen’s friends are attacked.

11.35 Making Child Prodigies (R)

1.05 LesMisérables. (Mav,R)

2.05 Victoria (PG, R)

2.55 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

4.00 ClassicCountdown. (Final, PG, R)

5.00 Insiders. (R)

WorldWatch. 9.10 Blue WaterSafari. (PG) 10.05 Love Your Garden. (PGa, R) 11.00

Places. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 1.00

Life Saving. IronMan and IronWoman Series. Round6 3.00 Figure Skating.

Championships. Highlights. 4.30

Flavour ChinaBitesize. (R) 4.40

Of The TowerOfLondon. (PGa, R)

WWII Battles ForEurope. (PGaw, R)

6.30 SBSWorldNews.

7.30 Egypt: TheTreasure Of The SacredBulls. Follows ateam of archaeologists as theypickupwhere Egyptologist Auguste Mariette left-off

9.00 Mysteries From TheGrave: Titanic (PG, R) Goes below decks to explorethe 1912 sinkingofthe RMS Titanic

10.30 Scotland:InSearch Of Sir Walter Scott. (PG, R) Alook at the legacyofSir Walter Scott

11.35 24 Hours In Emergency: Best Laid Plans. (Ma, R)

1.30 Murder Case. (MA15+l, R)

4.50 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R)

6.00 NBCToday [VIC]HomeShopping.

6.00 Nine NewsSaturday.

7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 Space Invaders. (Return, PGa) Experts help people declutter their lives.

8.30 MOVIE: Shooter (2007, MA15+lv,R)

Asniper triestoprove his innocence after he is framed forthe attempted assassination of the president.However, it is no easy task as he finds himself pursued by every law enforcement agency in the country Mark Wahlberg, Michael Peña, Kate Mara.

11.00 MOVIE: Stronger. (2017,MA15+l)

An ordinaryman becomes asymbol of hope. Jake Gyllenhaal.

1.10 Mega Zoo. (PG,R)

2.00 TheIncredible Journey Presents (PGa)

2.30 TV Shop:Home Shopping. (R)

9GEM (92,81)

6am MorningPrograms. 7.30

TV Shop 8.00 Beyond Today 8.30 TV Shop 10.00

My Favorite Martian. 10.30 MOVIE: Turned Out Nice Again. (1941) 12.10pm MOVIE: The Railway Children. (1970) 2.25 MOVIE: Shalako.(1968, PG)

4.45 MOVIE: RedRiver.(1948) 7.30 MOVIE: The Magnificent Seven. (1960,PG) 10.10 MOVIE: The Magnificent SevenRide! (1972,M) 12.05am Late Programs.

6am Children’s Programs.

1.30pm SurfingAustralia TV 2.00 Motor Racing.

Formula EWorld C’ship.Diriyah e-Prix. 3.00 Motor Racing. Formula EWorld C’ship.Diriyah e-Prix. 4.00

EverybodyLovesRaymond: TheFirstSix Years

5.00 About ABoy 5.30 MOVIE: ACinderella Story. (2004,PG) 7.30

6.00 Bondi Rescue. (PGal, R) Three new lifeguards join the team.

6.30 Jamie Oliver: Together Jamie Oliver preparesdishesfor apicnic

7.30 NCIS:Los Angeles. (Mv)

The NCIS team is called to investigate after Rear Admiral TedGordon is abducted from his home.

8.30 FBI: International. (Mav)Raines gets the chancetoprove his field skills when aBulgarian concerthallfilled with multinational studentperformers and theirfamiliesisheld hostageby agroup of Albanian terrorists

10.30 NCIS. (Mv,R)Gibbs and Fornell’s crusade comestoaclimax.

12.30 Home Shopping. (R)

3.30[VIC]

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Australian Idol. (PGl) Hosted by Ricki-Lee andScott Tweedie.

8.45 Maternal. (Premiere, Mals) Three women face the challengeofbalancing motherhood with being doctors in the NHS

9.45 What TheKiller Did Next: Megan Newton. (Return, Mav) Hosted by Philip Glenister

10.45 Born To Kill?Paul Bernardo And Karla Homolka –The Schoolgirl Killers. (MA15+)

11.45 AutopsyUSA: David Bowie (Mad, R)

12.45 Dr Harry’sAnimal Encounters. (PG, R)

1.00[VIC]HomeShopping.(R)

6.00 Nine News Sunday.

7.00 Married At FirstSight. (PGls) Thesocialexperimentcontinues.

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

9.40 Nine News Late. Takesa look at the latest news andevents from Australia and around the world.

10.10 TheFirst48: Officer Down. (Mal)

11.05 Manhunt: TheWests. (MA15+av,R)

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

12.50 Explore TV (R)

1.20 He Said/She Said (PG) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

6.30 TheSunday Project. Alook at theday’snews.

7.30 Australian Survivor Returning playersand new faces battle it out on the beachesofSamoa.

9.00 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Mv,R)After a Japanese sailor is murdered on American soil, the NCIS team must find thekiller before thewrong person is accused and the case triggers adiplomatic crisis. Captain Milius makesapersonalrequest

10.00 FBI (Mv, R) After awoman is kidnapped, the team looks into trysts on both sides of her seemingly perfectmarriage.

11.00 TheSundayProject (R) Alook at theday’s news.

NBC Today 5.00 SevenEarly News.

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

12.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBSMornings.

Monday, February 6

10.00 Muster Dogs. (R) 11.00

AntiquesRoadshow.(PG, R) 12.00 ABC News

At Noon. 1.00 SilverSpitfire:The Longest Flight. (PG,R) 2.00 Parliament Question

Time 3.00 Vera.(PGa, R)

4.40 Long Lost Family:What

HappenedNext. (PG,R)

5.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

6.00 TheDrum

7.00 ABCNews.

7.30 7.30 Presented by SarahFerguson.

8.00 Back Roads: Pyramid Hill

And Nhill, Victoria (PG) Heather travels to Nhill and Pyramid Hill.

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

9.15 Media Watch (PG)

Hosted by Paul Barry.

9.35 Q+A. Public affairs program.

10.35 ABC Late News.

10.50 TheBusiness (R)

11.05 Midsomer Murders. (Mv,R)

12.40 Parliament QuestionTime. 1.40 Father Brown. (Mv, R) 2.25 TheTrouble With Maggie Cole. (PG, R) 3.10 Rage.(MA15+adhlnsv) 4.00

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

7.30.(R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.15 Great British Photography Challenge. (PG) 10.20 Boswell

And Johnson’s Scottish Road Trip 11.10 Great Canal Journeys. (PGs, R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

(R) Presented by Marc Fennell.

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.35 DarceyBussell’sRoyalRoadtrip: Norfolk. Part 3of4.Darcey Bussell’s Royal road trip continues in Norfolk and the Queen’s winter retreat at Sandringham

8.30 Heritage Rescue:Stowe House. NickKnowlesfollows the $70 millionrestoration of Stowe House in Buckinghamshire.

9.25 SecretsOfPlayboy:Predators’ Ball. (MA15+) Takesa look at the Mansion parties and how keepingits celebrity guestshappy becamea priority.

10.15 SBSWorld NewsLate

10.45 Partisan. (Mv) It is time for the big tournament.

11.40 Mr Mercedes. (MA15+av,R)

4.45 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World EnglishNewsMorning 5.30 ANC Philippines TheWorld Tonight.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home And Away (PG)

7.30 Australian Idol. (PG) As the auditions continue, more hopefuls strive to prove theyhavewhat it takes.

9.15 Starstruck. (Premiere, PG) Ordinary members of the public team up in trios to transform into some of the world’sbiggest music icons.

10.30 Australia: NowAnd Then. (Mal, R) Part 1of4

11.30 Busted In Bangkok. (Madv, R) FollowsThailand’stourist police

12.30 Australia’s Most Amazing Homes: Inspired By Nature. (PG, R) [VIC]HomeShopping.(R)

1.30 Emergency Call. (PGa, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBCToday

5.00 SevenEarly News.

5.30 Sunrise

6.00 Nine News.

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 MarriedAtFirstSight. (Mls) The social experiment continues.

9.00 Big Miracles. (Premiere, Mam) Follows 10 Australian couples and singles on their journey to becoming parents with the help of IVF

10.00 Nine NewsLate. Alook at the latest news and events

10.30 New Amsterdam. (Return, Mam) Bloom, Iggy and Reynolds rally around Max.

11.20 TheEqualizer (Mv,R)

12.10 AlmostFamily. (Mas)

1.00 HelloSA. (PG)

1.30

6.30 TheProject Thehosts and guest panellists takealook at the day’snews, events and hot topics.

7.30 Australian Survivor Returning players and new faces battle it out on the beachesofSamoa.

9.00 FBI: MostWanted. (Mv)

The FugitiveTask Force is thrown fora loop when it discovers that the abductor of adisgraced state police detectiveis connected to arecent mass shooter case known as TheSummer CampMassacre.

11.00 TheProject. (R) The hosts andguest panelliststakealook at the day’snews, events and hot topics.

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

1.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings. Morning news and talk show

9.30 Lucy Worsley:Agatha Christie MysteryQueen: CatAmong ThePigeons. (PG, R) Part 1of3

10.30 Shaun Micallef’s On TheSauce. (Mal,R)

11.30 ABC Late News.

11.45 The Business. (R) 12.00 Four Corners.

(R) 12.50 Media Watch. (PG, R) 1.05 Parliament Question Time. 2.05 VanDer Valk (Mav,R) 3.35 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.00

One PlusOne. (R) 4.30 TheDrum. (R) 5.30

7.30.(R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.35 Who Do YouThink YouAre?

US:Matthew Broderick. (PG) Matthew Broderick exploreshis roots.

8.30 U.S. AndThe Holocaust: The Homeless,Tempest-Tossed.

(M) Part 3of3.Anexamination of how the Americans responded to the Holocaust concludes.

10.50 SBS WorldNews Late.

11.20 Antidisturbios. (Premiere,Malv)

12.15 Unit One. (MA15+a, R)

1.40 Cacciatore: The Hunter (MA15+v, R)

3.50 Mastermind Australia.(R) 4.50

Destination Flavour: JapanBitesize. (R) 5.00

NHK World English News Morning 5.30 ANC

PhilippinesThe World Tonight

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home And Away (PGa)

7.30 Australian Idol. (PG) As the auditions continue,more hopefuls strive to prove they havewhat it takes.

9.15 Quantum Leap (PGalv) Ben leaps to flashy ’70sLas Vegas and into thebody of promising young boxeronthe eve of abig title fight.

11.15 InsideBelmarsh Prison. (MA15+av,R)Part 2of2

12.15 MOVIE: TheFlip Side. (2018,Mls, R) Awoman has her life thrown into aspin.Emily Taheny.

12.30[VIC]HomeShopping.(R)

4.00 NBCToday

5.00 SevenEarly News.

5.30 Sunrise

6.00 Nine News

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 MarriedAtFirstSight. (Mls) The social experiment continues.

9.05 TheHundred With Andy Lee. (Return) Andy Leeisjoined by a panel of comedians and 100 Aussies to explore the fun behind the facts.

10.05 Nine News Late. Alook at the latest news and events

10.35 To Be Advised.

11.30 La Brea (Mv,R)

12.15 Tipping Point. (PG,R)

1.10 It’sAll Greek To Me

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory. (PGa)

4.30 ACurrentAffair (R)

5.00 News Early Edition.

Today

6.30 TheProject. Thehosts and guest panellists takealookatthe day’snews, events and hot topics.

7.30 Australian Survivor Returning players and new faces battle it out on the beachesofSamoa.

9.00 NCIS (Mv,R)The NCIS team investigatesthe murder of anavy officer who waskilled while driving homea recently released inmate and discovers alink to gang activity. Gibbs helps Palmer deal with apersonal trauma.

11.00 TheProject. (R) Thehosts andguest panellists take alook at the day’snews, events and hot topics.

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

1.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

Leading public health organisations back AMA’s call for sugary drinkslevy

THE leading public health organisations engaged with Rethink Sugary Drink are standing in solidarity with the Australian Medical Association (AMA), who has renewed its call for Australia to introduce ahealth levy on sugary drinks in anew report.

AMA’s Whytax sugary drinks?report highlights that Australia is lagging behind 85 countries and jurisdictions across the globe that already have a healthlevyinplace, as wellasthe evidence which shows the policy can effectivelyreduce demand for and consumption of sugary drinks.

Craig Sinclair, director of prevention at Cancer Council Victoria, said that introducing alevy on sugary drinks can help improve Australian’s oral health and reduce obesity -amajor risk factor for chronic diseases like Type 2diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.

“Australians drink more than 2.4 billion litres of sugary drinksevery year. Ahealthlevyonsugary drinks could hit two birds with one stone -itsends aprice signal to consumers that theproduct is unhealthy while encouraging manufacturers to reduce the amount of sugar packed into their products,” Mr Sinclair said.

“Australian researchestimatesthat a20per cent health levy on sugary drinkswould result in 16,000 fewer cases of Type 2diabetes,4400fewer casesof heart disease and 1100 fewer cases of stroke over a25-year period.”

In addition to helping prevent chronic disease and promote better oral health,evidence shows that ahealth levy on sugary drinks would also be supported widely by the community.

“Year on year, we see the processedfood companies spend millions, pushing these sugary drinks onto consumers. They prioritisetheir profits above the community’s health,” Mr Sinclair said.

“Yet we know more than threeinfour people(77 per cent) would support asugary drink levy if funds raisedwere reinvested into obesityprevention efforts.”

Countries that havesuccessfully implemented the levy abroad include Mexico,South Africa, and the United Kingdom. In Mexico,alevy introduced in 2014 led to a37per cent reduction in the number of sugar sweetened beverages purchased in 2016. Alevy introduced in the UK in 2018 led to many brands reformulating the amount of added sugar in their products.

Mr Sinclair said that in the Australian context, alevy would particularly benefit teenagersand young adults, especially men, who are currently the biggest cohort of sugary drink consumers.

“Some young people consume as much as 1.5 litres of sugarydrinks per day. This price-sensitive audience would be especially responsive to alevy and their health will be better off in the long-run because of it,” he said.

“Withestimatessuggestingthat a20per cent health levy could generate $814 million annually, thereare clearhealth and economic benefits that we can no longer ignore.

“It’s awin-win. Government must takeaction now to protect the health of all Australians.”

RethinkSugary Drinkisa partnership between 20 leading public health organisations across Australia, including Cancer Council Victoria and the AustralianMedical Association, who are all committed to tackling the overconsumption of sugary drinks.

Boolarra Folk Festival

ONLY a worldwide pandemic has been able to stop this annual festival going ahead, but it is set for a jubilant return this year

The multi-award winning Boolarra Folk Festival, which attracted more than 10,000 people in 2020, is a free, all-day community event set against a backdrop of the magnificent mountain ash trees of Gippsland’s Strzelecki Ranges

The festival presents 10 hours of music, more than 50 market stalls featuring local arts and crafts, festival merchandise, and 15 food stalls offering a diverse range of delicious cuisines

This year’s festival will be held on Saturday, March 4 in Railway Park, Boolarra from 10am to 8pm Car parking is available, including accessible parking

The opening of the Boolarra Folk Festival is also a free event, and will be held at the ARC in Yinnar on Friday, March 3 Five great acts will take to the stage at 19 Main Street, Yinnar from 7 30pm

The Boolarra Folk Festival is sponsored by Latrobe City Council, Loy Yang B, The Foundation for Regional and Rural Renewal, Bendigo Bank Community Branch, Mirboo North Community Foundation, Hip Pocket Workwear, and Cool Aqua Springs

For any inquiries regarding the festival, email boolarrafolkfestivalhq@ gmail com

Working bee

LATROBE Valley Beekeepers

Association are holding a working bee at their Pollination Garden at 99 Saviges Road, Moe on February 11 from 9am to 1pm

Lunch will be provided, and those interested should register before the event so that the organisers can cater accordingly

To register please visit https://lvba wildapricot/events

The Latrobe Valley Beekeepers Association welcomes any new volunteers, and anyone that may be interested to come down

Any questions or further information can be obtained by emailing Ang or Kate via LVBAPollinatorGarden@gmail com

VRI Learning Garden

THE community garden at the VRI Hall in Queens Parade, Traralgon, has recently had a name change to the VRI Learning Garden

Manager Julie Callahan said the name change reflects the philosophy behind the garden as “being a place where the community can come together to learn and grow”

The VRI Learning Garden is urging anyone with an interest in plants and gardening to come down and volunteer

The first paddock to plate and no waste living course will be commencing soon, with an information session scheduled for Wednesday, February 8 at 10am

This is the perfect opportunity to learn about planting, looking after your garden, and growing your own food,

CommunityCorner with

soil health, composting, simple garden beds etc

“Now more than ever before, reconnecting with nature, the community, and growing your own healthy food is vitally important to physical, emotional, and mental health,” Julie said

Anyone interested in learning or sharing their skills is welcome at the learning garden as a volunteer

Those interested can also facilitate courses and workshops to help the community learn about growing their own food and sustainable practices

For further information and to register your interest, phone the Traralgon Neighbourhood Learning House on 5174 6199 or email enquiries@tnlh org au

What’s on at Old Gippstown

OLD Gippstown is open to the public

Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm

Old Gippstown is now conducting ghost and park tours monthly The February tour has already sold out

Next ghost tour is March 18

Head to Old Gippstown’s Facebook page to book your ticket

The twilight market at Old Gippstown is on March 4

The water wheel, originally from Buxton, now situated in the lovely garden at Old Gippstown, is currently out of use Once up and running it could be an amazing attraction Significant amounts of money needs to be raised to get the water wheel into action again, so that it can be enjoyed by the whole community and visitors

Coordinator Tina said “Getting [the wheel] turning again with the sound of rushing water being fed back into our creek, would bring much joy to the community and be an absolute asset to the park”

Donate to the GoFundMe here: https://gofund me/52f0afea, phone Old

Gippstown on 03 5127 3082 or email: enquiries@gippslandheritagepark com au to help get involved!

Traralgon Bridge Club

THE club has enjoyed an increase in numbers at each session so far, and this makes the game more challenging for everyone

Results for this week:

Monday first: Fred Baxter and Anne den Houting 60 12 per cent, second: Moira Hecker and Helen McAdam

57 14 per cent

Tuesday N/S first: Greg Nicholson and Kaye Douglas 74 11 per cent, second: Anne den Houting and KenTierney

55 65 per cent E/W first: Bruce Arnup and Roshni Chand 58 47 per cent, second: David Hawkins and Kay Baxter 57 41 per cent

Thursday first: Greg Nicholson and Kaye Douglas 64 06 per cent, second: Heather Henley and Fred Kaminski 63 02 per cent Well done everyone

Februarymeeting

THE next meeting of the Latrobe Valley Sustainability Group will take place on Wednesday, February 8 in the Gippsland Multicultural Services building, 26-28 Tarwin Street, Morwell, commencing at 7:30pm Jules Cole from the Latrobe Valley Authority will be the guest speaker

The Latrobe Valley Authority is a state government body set up in November 2016 to support the region as it transitions away from coal-fired power generation

The authority works with communities, councils, industry, education providers and government to secure lasting outcomes for the Gippsland region Jules will give a presentation on the

progress of the Gippsland Transition Plan, and seeks community feedback on this draft document

The public are welcome to attend

No need to book, just come along on the night

Newborough Venturer Scouts

ARE you aged 14-17 years and looking for a new activity to try this year? Would you like to make friends and get active?

Why not try Venturer Scouts?

The Newborough Venturers meet weekly on a Monday evening at the Newborough Scout Hall

We also get together some weekends for hiking, camping, bike riding and other outdoor activities

Venturers can participate in statewide, nationwide and overseas camps meeting youth from all over the world

For more information about Venturer Scouts in Newborough, please call Jane on 0403 656 351

Latrobe ValleyAll Ability Sports

ALL-ABILITY sports are about fun and participation for everyone!

The local all-ability groups are parentrun and driven, so cater directly to the needs of kids with additional needs in the local area

During the sessions, a variety of games and activities are played to learn and develop new skills and are non-competitive Activities are modified so that everyone can ‘have a go!’

Participants can also benefit socially by making new friends and feeling part of a team

We currently run three sporting programs locally (during school terms)

Term 1 - tennis at Pax Hill Tennis Club, Term 2 and 3 - AFL footy at West End Junior Football Club, and Term 4 - cricket at Traralgon West Cricket Club

Two tennis sessions will be held at Pax Hill Tennis Club in Traralgon every Thursday evening during Term 1

Junior/beginners session (five years13/14 years) - 5 30-6 15pm

Siblings welcome to participate, but

must also be registered

Youth Plus session (14 years-25 years) - 6 15-6 45pm

The cost will be $25 for the term, payable by the third session

Registration will be done at the first session

Tennis will start on Thursday, February 9

All equipment supplied, just bring a drink bottle and wear a hat/sunscreen

If you wish to bring your own racquet, please make sure it is named

A parent/carer must attend and be willing to participate/support if necessary

Any further queries, phone Lou Varsaci on 0414 540 296 or email varsaci@aussiebb com au or message via the Facebook group

SuppAUT

LATROBE region parent/family support group for those who have kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

SuppAUT is a parent-run group that aims to support one another as parents/ families of a child/children with autism

The group is open for all, whether your child is a baby, pre-schooler, school aged, specialist school, mainstream school, home-schooled or is an adult - we all need support and can support each other

We share our own experiences, problems, joys, successes and support each other with a listening ear and understanding

It is a very informal gathering, sometimes a guest speaker is invited All parents/carers/family members are welcome and children/siblings are welcome too

We meet on the first Friday of every month, except during school/public holidays

2023 meeting dates:

Term 1 - Feb 3, March 3

Term 2 - May 5, June 2

Term 3 - Aug 4, Sept 1

Term 4 - Oct 6, Nov 3, Dec 1 (Christmas lunch time TBC)

Meet at Daily Living Disability Services - 7 Rocla Road, Traralgon from 10am to 11 30am

All are welcome to come for a cuppa, morning tea and a chat in a relaxed setting

For more info or enquiries about the

Liam Durkin

Come on down: The VRI Learning Garden is open in Traralgon photographs supplied

Gathering: Morwell and Traralgon Girl Guides travelled to Ballarat recently for a major jamboree

group, phone Louise Varsaci on 0414 540 296 or email varsaci@aussiebb com au

Join our group on FacebookSuppAUT Autism support group for families in Latrobe Valley, Victoria

Seniorslooking foractivities and company

THE Traralgon East Senior Citizens are recruiting new members for their club

If you are interested in line dancing, indoor bowls, knit and natter, pool, table tennis, card games and a library, then this is the club for you

We open daily, and would welcome any new members who are interested in companionship and making new friends

Please phone the club on (03) 5174 6936 or the TESCC president on 042 774 1711

The club is located at 2 Matthews Crescent, Traralgon

ValleyCroonersare back!

BEGINNING February 6

Do you enjoy singing? We sure do!

We meet on Monday nights from 7 30pm to 9 30pm at Traralgon East Senior Citizens Hall, Matthew Crescent, Traralgon There is a cost of $5 per night

New members are always welcome!

Come along and enjoy a night of singing and companionship We’d love to meet you

For further information, please give Val a call on 0421 475 859

Gippsland Orchid Club

WE start the New Year with a new venue for our meetings

The club has relocated to the Traralgon Anglican Hall, situated at 100 Grey Street Traralgon (opposite the RSL car park)

This is an exciting move for the club

Our first meeting for 2023 will be held on Thursday, February 9

Doors open at 1 30pm for a 2pm start

This month’s meeting is a good

opportunity to catch up with all the other orchid lovers after the Christmas break

New members are very welcome

We have members who are expert growers, others who enjoy the challenge of becoming a better grower, and those who are beginners and want to learn

Also, Geoff and Robin will help (and entertain) us with a discussion on plant preparation for showing at both our club monthly meetings and also at our two major shows held at Mid Valley in August and October, 2023

Club members recognise the contribution the Baptist Church made to our club providing our venue for four years, and wish them well in the future

For further information ring secretary Pat on 0407 741 621

Moe Meditation Group

THE Moe Meditation Group has commenced its weekly program on Wednesday mornings (8:30am to 9:30am) in the Institute Hall at the Gippsland Heritage Park (Old Gippstown), Moe Yoga, Qi Gong and meditation are ancient practices that have evolved overtime to bring calm to unsettled bodies and minds

This group will give you an opportunity to investigate and apply what these traditions offer

The program is suitable for all ages and will cost you $5 per session

Enquiries to Clem Jarvis on 0427 262 064 or email clem@asia com

Morwell Combined Pensioners

OUR next meeting will be held on February 6 New and old members are welcome

Please bring a plate to share

Looking forward to a great new year

For further information, phone the president on 0414 962 615 or secretary on 0413 089 696

50/50 Dance

LIONS Club of Trafalgar, in conjunction with the local band Not Dun Yet, will be holding a 50/50 Dance at Trafalgar

Public Hall on Sunday, February 12 from 1 30pm to 5pm

The music will be half rock n’ roll and half old time, played in 10 minute segments

The event will be family-friendly, so all will be welcome

If you can’t dance, come along anyway and enjoy the music, sing along to 50s/60s rock and old time songs

There will be prizes for door ticket/ Monte Carlo

Admission prices are $5 00 single, $10 family

Please bring your own nibbles Tea and coffee will be supplied during the break

Please note that this is an alcohol-free event

We hope to make this a regular monthly event if it’s popular enough, so please come along to support it, it also has potential to attract more visitors to our town

Coal ValleyMale Chorus

MEN, are you interested in singing?

Drop into a rehearsal for a look-see on Tuesdays from 5pm at Morwell East Senior Citizen’s Centre For information, phone John on 0488 047 777 or Alan on 0410 089 430

Lion’s Easter Market 2023

THE Mt Erica Lions Club is holding a market in Erica, at the base of Mt Baw Baw, on Saturday, April 8 from 9 30am until 2pm, at the Erica Oval on Moe-Walhalla Road

There will be a diverse range of stalls for all ages to come, and activities including face painting for the children

Bring the family along and enjoy a great day outdoors

Stall holders are invited to email ericalionsclub@outlook com for further information

Newmembers welcome

MORWELL Senior Citizens Choir are looking for new members

Due to COVID our numbers have

dropped We are volunteers and sing at nursing homes once we have practiced new songs

If interested, our new year starts on February 3 at 1 30pm at Morwell East Senior Citizens Hall

Please call Judy on 5135 6126 or Merilyn on 5122 2429 for more details

Rehearsals underway

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

Chess results

AFTER a late start, Matt Bolding managed to complete the round undefeated

Several wins were balanced by the mishaps in other clashes, for Ian Hamilton

Cliff Thornton found himself in trouble too often, and these results offset the victories in earlier games

Steve Ahern worked hard to improve his technique, and was rewarded with victory following the two early losses

There were highs and lows for Bob Cooper, who has been in good form recently

Phone Ian Hamilton on 5134 1971 or Cliff Thornton on 0413 330 458 for all things related to local chess

Girlguides

TRARALGON and Morwell Girl

Guides joined 1200 girl guides and 400 volunteers from around Australia from January 15 to 21 for a week-long adventure in Ballarat

The jamboree, known as KaniKarrung, a Wadawurrung word meaning ‘women camping together’ had members from around the nation enjoy fun activities to build relationships, foster self-confidence and teamwork and discover leadership potential Jamborees are usually held every three years, but had not been held since 2018 because of the COVID pandemic

Adventures and activities for the week included dragon boating, kayaking and canoeing on Lake Wendouree, bushwalking, rock climbing, surfing, theatre sports, environmental advocacy, as well as celebrating what regional and metropolitan Melbourne had to offer Traralgon Girl Guides were lucky enough to send 11 girls and three volunteers with the kind sponsorship of Dantes Pizza and Elders Insurance, plus significant fundraising efforts from local families

All girls and volunteers had a spectacular time, and are looking forward to their adventures for 2023 and working towards the next Jamboree in 2025 in Byron Bay Girl guides meet in Traralgon, Morwell and Newborough during term time, and all units are taking enquiries for the 2023 year

To enquire or volunteer, please email amanda clark@guidesvic org au or visit www guidesvic org au

Bushwalking club

IT is hard to believe but we are nearly through the first month of 2023!

The Strzelecki Bush Walking Club has an active and hard-working committee, who are dedicated to coordinating many exciting and enticing outdoor opportunities for the coming year

Our first club night of the year will be a barbecue dinner commencing at 6pm in McGregor Park, Trafalgar on Wednesday, February 8

This is always a fun, social night, and a good way to get back into the club after the Christmas holidays

The theme of the night shall be a demonstration on e-bikes, and a display of equipment available for members’ use

The focus of our March Club evening shall be kayaking around Hinchinbrook Island, and will be on March 8 in the Trafalgar Scout Hall commencing at 7 30pm

As always, guests are welcome on these evenings, and it is a good way to introduce yourself to the club and to meet other members

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

Old time dance

TOONGABBIE Old Time Dance, will be held at the Mechanics Institute Hall on the corner of the Village Green on Friday, February 3, from 8pm Music by Norm Lade Please bring a plate to share

Admission is $8

For further information, ring Bev on 0407 842 757 or Jeremy on 0408 770 460

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

Out and about: Newborough Venturers during a recent visit to the Uralla Nature Reserve, Trafalgar

Active: Strzelecki Bushwalking Club members have started the year with a number of hikes

Churchill 2023Citizensofthe Year

By TOMHAYES

CHURCHILL hosted its Australia Day awards ceremony outside of the Churchill Community Hub, beginning at around 8am.

About 100 peopleattended to either accept an award, or celebrate and support the recognised members of their community.

Churchill’s ceremony began with the Churchill Citizen of the Year, whichwas awarded to Margaret Guthrie.

“As along-time resident, thisfeelsa little bit like acoming of age, (it’s been) 21 years next month since Ifirst came to Churchill,” Ms Guthrie said.

“I remember drivinginfor my first look (of Churchill) and thinking ‘what a fabulous place to raise afamily’.

“Churchill and District Community Associationwas the first community group Ijoined.”

In her acceptancespeech, Ms Guthrie thanked three of her past peers from the association individually.

Shereminisced on who always encouraged her to “get involved and haveago”.

“I am always appreciativeofthose

people I’ve met in the many community groups in Churchill,” Ms Guthrie said “I think it’s afeature of Churchill that

Australia Day in Toongabbie

we have so many community groups and so many people volunteering and doing their bit.

“People ask me why do IlikeChurchill so much?I like to tell them that Churchill is small enough to be acommunity, but large enough to tolerate diversity, so thank-you for tolerating me.”

Churchill’s 2023 YoungCitizen of the Year was Kurnai College graduate, Gabrielle Bonnici.

Ms Bonnici was Kurnai College’s 2022 school captain and peer supportleader. She also commits hertimetothe Air Force Cadets whennot at school.

FourYoung StudentCitizens of the Year were to be announced, following Ms Bonnici.

First was 2022 Grade 6student at Hazelwood North Primary School, Ashton Makepeace.

Ashton will begin his first year of high school at St. Pauls in 2023. He lovesfootyand gymnastics -where he travelscountless hours to practise many times per week.

Next was 2023 Grade 6student at Churchill Primary School, Mia Castrillon.

Mia is now into her final year of primary school and loves sports; especially soccer and taekwondo -where she is currently abluebelt.

The final certificates were awarded to Hunter Bonfield, a2022 student at Churchill North PrimarySchool and Isabel Barling a2022student at Lumen Christi Primary School.

Isabel came prepared with aspeech and appeared excited to shareitwith those in attendance.

“I’m grateful that my school has given me this amazing opportunity, by nominating me,” Isabelsaidduring her speech Shethankedthe ChurchillLionsClub as well as recognising the land that the event took place on.

Congratulations to all of the 2023 Australia Day Award winners. winners,community groups involved.

Old Gippstown wakes up

Leaders: Latrobe CityMator,KellyO’Callaghan,Peter Feenstra, Citizen of the year,Tammy Gardner and Memberfor GippslandSouth, DannyO’Brien.

WHAT agreat Australia Day in Toongabbie.

Thank you to all who came along and made it avery special occasion,

AHUGE congratulations to Tammy Gardner, our very latest Toongabbie Australia Day Citizen of the year, very much awell-deserved award.

Our one and only ‘Lady’ Mayor, Cr Kellie O’Callaghan, gave an excellent address. “We were pleasedtobeabletowelcome our MLA,

Danny O’Brien,who now represents us in the wonderful halls of power!

All in all, afantastic day; the flag was raised in fine style by the Glengarry Cubs and Scouts, and of course the Lions breakfast was simply to die for!

We were alsofortunatetohave our local photographer, Jenny Connelly, on duty to take some great pictures.

Aspecial thank youtoour NON-Lion volunteers;wesimply would not be able to run such an event withoutthe help of our special volunteers. We would also liketoacknowledgethe support we received from Latrobe City Council.

Helping hand: LionsClubofMoe ensured all were fedatOld GippstownonAustralia Day. photograph jada cannizzo

By JADA CANNIZZO*

EARLY bird gets the worm was the motto of the people who arrived at Old Gippstown just before 8am. Or was it to just get agood car spot?

The Moe LionsClub were cookingupastorm under their yellow gazebo, eagerly waiting for everyone to drop by for abit of breaky.

By about aquarter to 9, more people started strolling in towards the picturesque back drop of the Old Gippstown buildings and the amazing (out of commission) Water Wheel.

“Breakfast is ready,” someone yelled, and everyone began lining up to get their very Australian breakfast of bacon, eggs, sausages, and baked beans on toast.

Themagnificent 350’s Blues Band were playing some classicblues tunes while everyone ate their breaky.

Lindley andSean, who volunteeratOld Gippstown afew days aweek,were dressed in their ‘olden day’ costumes of waistcoats, hats, bonnets, and parasols.Plenty of peoplewere stopping to snap aphoto of their amazing costumes.

The formalproceedings beganwith the president of the Moe Lions Club welcoming everybody, followed by aspecial flag raising ceremony that was

conducted by the Newborough Scouts.

Special guestand esteemed communitymember, Don Ferguson, saidafew words about what it means to be Australian.

“A great day… that we must celebrate because it’s who we are,” said Don, ending his speech with the now classic “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie…Oi Oi Oi”. The Lions Club Citizens of the year were then presented to three people who go above and beyond for the community.

The Junior Citizenship Awardwas ajointone as it was just too hard to choose. Awarded to Bart Putz –one of the youngest winners of the awardand Jane Dinny for their amazing voluntarywork in the community.

The Senior Citizenship Award went to Kay Brooks, which was accepted on her behalf by her son, for the wonderful work that she does for the community.

After the formal proceedings ended, visitors were encouraged to look around Old Gippstown, check out the historiccars on show provided by the Gippsland Historical Automobile Club.

All in all, agreat eventput on by the community for the community.

*Jada Cannizzo is an intern working with The Latrobe Valley Express.

Class of 2023: Cr MelissaFerguson, MargaretGuthrie,Gabrielle Bonnici, (front)Mia Castrillon, Hunter Bonfield, Isabel Barling andAshton Makepeace. photograph tomhayes

Trio: LionsJoy McLoughlin,Joy Heron and Chris Gardner photographs supplied

Packed: Awell-attended celebration washeld in Toongabbie,with thegrandstand filled to capacity

Latrobe City announce award winners

By TOMHAYES

CITIZENS, events and services in Latrobe Valley community were recognised at the 2023 Latrobe City Australia Day Awards ceremony last week.

The ceremony in the Gippsland Performing ArtsCentre in Traralgon began at about1:30pm, with five different awards were to be announced: theCommunity Serviceofthe Year, Community Eventofthe Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizenofthe Year and Citizenofthe Year.

First, Latrobe City Mayor, Cr Kellie O’Callaghan, announced aMedal of the Order of Australia (OAM) recipient, who was unfortunately unable to be there on the day -Maree McPherson.

Ms McPherson has contributed to many community organisations and committees within the community, not only in Latrobe City, but also throughout Gippsland.

“We offer our congratulations to Maree (McPherson) for her OAM in recognitionof services to community organisations,”Mayor O’Callaghan said.

Thefirst of five awards to be presented wasthe 2023 Community Serviceofthe Year, which had seven nominees.

The eventual winner was the Country Women’s Association Latrobe Central Group for their Family Violence Refuge Starter Kits Program.

The CWA Latrobe Central Group beganfundraising, collecting more than $15,000 worth of items, gift cardsand cash, which allowed them to establish the program.

This money was able to provide basic household items for kitchens, bathroom and laundries for 26 families, as well as continue to hold the capacity to help 100 more families.

“Thisisanabsolutehonour and I’m reallyhappy to be accepting thisaward on behalf of all the branches of the Latrobe Central CWA Group,” said CWA member, Sam Soutar.

“We thought about how we could do something for the community...we saw this idea -itcame from Facebook.”

CWA Latrobe CentralGroup washalted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but continued to power through the struggle that everyone in the community were facing.

“The local community overwhelmed us...the public just went crazy and we got way more stuff than we thought,” Ms Soutar said.

“We had to get extra storage, we had to hire a truck to take the stuff from Kmart, none of that was in our planning.

“On behalf of the branches of the Latrobe Central CWA, thank-you for this honour, we are very privileged to receive this.”

Nextupwas the 2023 Community Eventof the Year, which was awardedtoClubAstoria Morwell German Club’s 20th Oktoberfest, among three nominees.

The 20th Oktoberfest was organised over 10 months and supported by 50 volunteers from the committee and the club.

Club Astoria Morwell also celebrated its 65th birthday in 2022.

“Forthosethatmay notknow, the Morwell German Club was established in 1957 and will celebrateits 66th birthday this year,” Morwell German Club president, Giselle Scorse, said.

“We have around150 membersranged between the ages of 20 to 94 years old.

“Last October marked the significant achievement at the 20th Oktoberfest in Morwell, which was extremely well-attended by the community and enjoyed by all.”

The finalthree awards of theafternoon were individual honours, the first being 2023 Latrobe City Young Citizen of the Year.

The recipient for thisaward was William Morgan, for his contributions to the Kickback

Program.

The Kickback Program is agroupfor young Aboriginal peoplewho areatriskofoffending, and is used to promote social relationships with the Victoria Police, Youth Justice and other organisations.

Mr Morgan has shown outstanding leadership and drive to embed culturalknowledge into more young people who participate in the program, in an attempt to give them the confidence to be a part of the community,

“Being ayoung person in the community, I’ve been able to help the other Indigenous youth in the community, that are like me,” Mr Morgan said.

“I want to try an get involved in being abetter person in the community.

“I thought I’d be stuck down the wrong path, but with ahelping hand and opening my eyes towards abrighter future, Igot the opportunityto do something Ilove-workinginthe community.”

The penultimate award was the 2023 Latrobe City Senior Citizen of the Year, which had three nominees.

Presented with the award of the 2023 Latrobe City Senior Citizen of the Year was Peter Keenan, the captain of the Morwell Fire Brigade.

Mr Keenan has spent 47 years with the CFA, ensuring fire safety and preparedness is up to standard.

“I’ve been in Morwell all my life -72years,” Mr Keenan said.

“My parents taught me that community needs volunteers, we all need to get out there and help one another.

“I have been amemberofthe CFA for 47 years, and being the captain of the brigade is agreat honour.

“We didn’t have acaptain for 63 years because the CFA ran us (Morwell Fire Brigade).”

Mr Keenan was voted to become the first captain of the Morwell Fire Brigade around 18 months ago. It all came down to the 2023 Latrobe City Citizen of the Year, which was atwo-horse race.

Whenthe time came,itwas NicholasKing who was announced as the 2023 Latrobe City Citizen of the Year.

Mr King has dedicated his career and countless volunteer hourstohis community as an educator of at-risk youth.

He was the major driver behind the constructionofthe Haunted Hills Mountain Bike Park, recognising aneed for kids to be social, active and safe in the community.

“It’ssofantastic to be here and congratulations to all of the nominees and award recipients today,” Mr King said.

“It’s afantastic effort to see so much volunteerism in our community and Iencourage everyone in the room to supportyour local organisations

and get behind yourcommunity organisations in Latrobe City.”

Mr King expressed his love for mountain biking, which began from avery young age.

“I used to ride my bike to primary school ...sometimes Iwouldbeatthe bus to Traralgon High School, even though Ilived in Glengarry,” he said.

“We formed the Gippsland Mountain Bike Club in 2008, we currentlyhave 155 members from our community.

“In ourorganisation, we’ve hadhundredsof memberscome through and we’ve had lots of different events.”

Mr King thanked all of the people that helped him get to this position including friends, mentors, family and councillors.

“Ifyou haven’tbeen out there to check it out, please go out for aride or walk, Iencourage you to do that,” Mr King said.

The Haunted Hills Mountain Bike Park is open from 6am to 9pm everyday, and is suitable for most bikes, or even for walking and being active.

Congratulations to all award recipients and nominees for their tremendous contributions to

Latrobe Valley woman honoured

AFORMERLatrobe Valley woman, Cindy Maree Jenkins, whoisaCommander in the Royal Australian Navy, received an award in the Australia Day Honours.

Commander Jenkins received aConspicuous Service Cross for outstanding achievement as the Commanding Officer of the RAN Recruit School.

The award cited Commander Jenkins’ leadership in the training and innovation of the General Service Duties Recruit course during her tenure as the commanding officerofthe RAN Recruit School as “outstanding”.

“Her steadfast leadership during unprecedented levels of expansion and demandfor ab initio training in the Royal Australian Navy, in the most difficult and trying circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, made adecisive contributiontoremediatingthe Royal Australian Navy’s sailor work force,” the award stated.

Long-standing: Morwell Fire Brigade captain, PeterKeenan,was awarded the 2023 Latrobe CitySenior Citizenofthe Year

Proud: The2023 Latrobe CityCitizen of the Year,Nicholas King,speaks to the crowdon his journey

Outstanding: Latrobe City DeputyMayor,Dan Clancyand Latrobe City Mayor, Kellie O’Callaghan, awardSam Soutarfrom the CountryWomen’s Association Latrobe CentralGroup with the 2023CommunityService of theYear photographs tomhayes

Putona show: Memberfor Morwell, Martin Cameron, Latrobe CityMayor,Kellie O’Callaghan (thirdfromleft), andMember for EasternVictoria Region, ReneeHeath(right),award Giselle Scorse from Club Astoria upon winning the 2023 Community Event of the Year

Young leader: William Morgan(second from left) presented with the 2023 Latrobe CityYoung Citizenofthe Year Award.

ALLISON MyersisThe Tap Specialist.

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She has morethan three decades of experience and can solve your plumbing headaches

“I startedmyapprenticeship with the Gas and Fuel in 1989,” Allison explained.

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If youneed to fixthat leakytap or arelooking to upgradeyour old tap, The TapSpecialist should be your firstportofcall.

Allison specialises in repairing leaking toilets,hot waterrepairs, upgrading old toilet systems, dishwasher installations,and the installation of waterfiltration systems

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MOBILITY AIDES

Alpha 426 mobility rollator and wheelchair, both near new $60 each or $100 for both. Ph 0423 116 167.

MOBILITY SCOOTER

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MORWELL, 111 Comans St, Sat. 8-4. Port. air con., large fridge, 6chairs, wooden table, prints, frames, games, heater, radio and much more.

WHY

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Morwell RSL Sub Branch Inc.

The AGM will be held on WEDNESDAY 22nd FEBRUARY 2023 -at7.30pm

Whereby Declaration of Ballot and Installation of Office Bearers will be announced Nominations for Committee members will be openMonday 23rd January 2023

Nominations closeMonday 10th February 2023

Absentee votes submitted to the returning officer by Friday 16th February 2023

Absentee votesApply to Secretary for Nomination and Voting Forms Voting to be conducted on (if Required) Friday 17th February 2023 Wayne Hutchinson, President

Notice to ADVERTISERS and RESPONDENTS

Voicemailintroductions advertisements and voice messages may only be submitted by persons 18 years and older.

When making contact with people for the first time, it is advisable to meet in apublic place and let amember of your family or atrusted friend know where you will be.

We would advise readers and advertisers to exercise caution and giving out personal details. This will be respected by genuine respondents.

DOES THIS PLANNING APPLICATION AFFECTYOU?

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR APLANNINGPERMIT

The land affected by the applicationislocated at: 52 SwallowGrove, TRARALGON

The application is fora permitto: Variation to restrictivecovenant

The permit applicantis: Gippsland Licensed Surveyors

The application numberis: 202/308

Adecisiononthe application will not be made before: 7February 2023

Youmay viewthe application: Online: www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/Property/Planning/Planning Assessment/Find a current application) or application on notification

In person: ServiceCentre, 34-38 KayStreet,Traralgon

Scan QR Code

Youcan makeanobjection in writing to: latrobe latrobe.vic.gov.au

Latrobe City Council, PO Box264, Morwell 3840

Your objectionmust include the reasons for the objection and state how the objector would be affected.

The responsible authority must make acopyof everyobjectionavailable at its office for any person to inspect during officehours free of chargeuntil the end of the period during which an application may be madefor review of adecision on theapplication. If you object,the responsible authority will tell you its decision.

GP1652985

Newsagents: Most

Credit

Remodelling. Call Bill at "Total Home Renovations" Phone 0409 565 497.

Install -Service -Repairs Co Testing -Gas Safety Check.Contact Paul 0428 877 432. Lic.103230.

Programs and Innovation Officer

The Latrobe Health Assembly is seeking a Programs and Innovation Officer to join our innovative team as we work towards ahealthier future for Latrobe Valley.

Fixed Term -Full time until 30th June 2024.

The Programs and Innovation Officer is responsible for supporting the development and implementation of health promotion activities at the Latrobe Health Assembly. Strategic thinking, the capacity to work autonomously, and the ability to progress priority activities and maintain stakeholder relationships are critical to this role.

Experience in project management, health promotion and/or community development are an advantage.

pruning, planting, weeding, small jobs through to large

Required skills:

● Skills and experience in independently leading project initiation, innovation, communications, and engagement

● Sound project planning and implementation skills

● Creative approach to project development

● Appropriate qualifications or experience in project management, health and/or community development

● Experience in health promotion is an advantage

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.

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PLEASE CHECK YOUR AD

Please check your ad on the first day and bring any errors to the attention of theClassifieds Department immediately

The LatrobeValley Express makes everyefforttoavoid errors. We regret that we cannot be responsible forany errors beyond the first day if you fail to bring it to our attention.

No allowances can be made for errors not materially affecting the effectiveness of thead. Position cannot will not be guaranteed.

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In the event an ad is omitted from publication, we assume no liabilityfor such omission.

Vic Marino's Painting

Business

Looking for a lifestyle change?

Wanting to be your own boss?

Jim's Mowing is looking for aFranchisee in the Latrobe Valley area.

CONTACT 131 546

For further information or to request acopy of the Position Description please call 5173 8400 or email: info@healthassembly.org.au

Not everyone trusts to advertise on line 5135 4455

If you areanextraordinaryperson with an enquiring mind and hunger to learn, want to join adiverse team, be well rewarded with great salary, perks and benefits, then keep reading!

About us

LoyYang Bisanelectricity generator located in the picturesque Latrobe Valley currently supplying 20% of Victoria’s power.Weare owned by Chow TaiFook Enterprises (CTFE) and belong to the Alinta Energy family,a growing and innovativeenergy market disrupter

We arefocused on increasing plant performance, efficiency and flexibility and seekpeople whocan turninspiration into ideas, and ideas intogame-changing solutions.

We arecommitted to increasing workforce diversity and creating an environment wherepeoplewithnew ideas feel empowered to speak up and explorewhat is possible.

We constantly strive to understand and meet broad community expectations regarding environmental management,health, safety and good corporate citizenship.

About the opportunity

2-year fixed term opportunity, commencing in early 2023.

.6 FTEwithpotential for additional hours over peak periods.

Work with teams of experienced, passionate people eager to mentor top performers.

Develop highly valued skills transferrable to other roles and industries. Competitive salaryand other benefits. Generous superannuation, contributions above the superannuation guarantee. Flexible working arrangements to balance your work, life andplay.Above awardannual leave entitlements.

What you’ll do

Provide regular management and financial information to meet reporting requirements. Preparereconciliations and associated analysis, review trialbalances, and prepareaccountreconciliation summaries.

Assist in the corporate reporting process including data input,variance analysis, keyperformance indicators and intragroup balances, for budget actual and forecasts. Assist business managers in understanding operating and capital expenditure, including preparation of cost reports, accruals, budget inputs, forecast and variance analysis.

Support designated departments with general accounting/financial matters.

What you’ll need

Detailed knowledge of accounting theoryand practice, and relevant accounting standards.

Chemical &Environment Officer 2Year fixed term

About us

LoyYang Yang B is an electricitygeneratorlocated in the picturesqueLatrobe Valley currently supplying around 20% of Victoria’s power.Weare owned by Chow TaiFook Enterprises(CTFE)and belongtothe Alinta Energy family,a growing and innovative energy market disrupter

We arefocused on increasing plant performance, efficiency and flexibility and are in search of peoplewith expertise and experiencetocontribute to innovative new projects.

We arecommitted to increasing workforce diversity andcreating an environment wherepeople with new ideas feelempowered to speak up and explorewhat is possible.

About the opportunity

Competitive salaryand other benefits. Generous superannuation,contributions above the superannuation guarantee.

Flexible working arrangements to balance your work, life and play (base 36-hour, 4day work week). Above award annual leave entitlements. Enjoy close proximity to great regional communities of Traralgon,Warragul and Sale, access to alpineregions and snow,expansive beaches, wilderness escapes and leading schools.

Create change and ‘futureready’ the organisation through your involvement in key projects. Access to developmentopportunities to continue to grow leadership and technicalskills that arehighly transferable throughout industry.

What you’ll do

Provide leadership, advice andassistancetopersonnel regarding sound environmental management practice and safe working processes involving dangerous goodsand hazardous substances.

Perform environmentalactivities as specified in the LYBEnvironmental Management System such as training, auditing, monitoring, recording and reporting in accordance with procedures and technical instructions to ensure compliance with relevant acts and regulations.

Review MSDS for suitability for purchase in regards to OH&S risks.

Manage unit water chemistryfunctions.

Manage and operate make-up water systems and operate, maintain and monitor boiler and cooling tower water treatment systems.

What you’ll need

The Latrobe Valley Express welcomes photos of your newest arrival

Parents are welcome to email a copy of your newborn photos for publication to our editorial staff - news@lvexpress com au with the subject line baby photo’

Please include the following details:

Baby’s first and middle name/s

Baby’s surname

D O B

Mum s maiden name

Mum and Dad s names

Location of Hospital

Hometown

Well developed skills in numeracy and proficient in accounting applications. Self-motivated and diligent with excellent organisational and communication skills.

Tertiary qualifications in commerce or accounting and CPAorCA(or working towards this).

Relevant experience into costingand financial analysis wellregarded.

If this sounds likeyou,don’tignorethis opportunity, make sureyou:

Apply via our careers page www.loyyangb.com.au/careers

Position closes Wednesday 15th February2023.

LoyYang B–powering your career!

LoyYang Bwelcome applications from people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and people with disability.Wewill provide reasonable adjustments for individuals with disabilitythroughout the recruitment process. If you identify as aperson with disabilityand requireadjustments tothe application, recruitment selection and/or assessment process, please advise via the above email and indicate your preferred method of communication (email or phone) so we can keep in touch and meet your needs.

Tertiaryqualification in Science and Environment related discipline preferred. Consideration will be given to candidates with substantial industryexperience in power plant chemistryorrelated industrysector

Ideally possess qualifications that meet the requirements for admission to Graduate Membership ofthe Royal Australian Chemical Institute. Experience in achemical laboratory, and experience dealing with Environmental, OH&Sand Dangerous goods issues desirable. Graduates are encouraged to apply

Excellent communication skills.

If this soundslikeyou,don’t ignorethis opportunity, makesureyou:

Apply viaour careers page www.loyyangb.com.au/careers

Position closes Friday,3rd February2023.

LoyYang B– poweringyour career!

LoyYangBwelcome applications from people with diversecultural and linguistic backgrounds and peoplewith disability.Wewill provide reasonable adjustments for individuals with disabilitythroughoutthe recruitment process. If youidentify as a person with disabilityand requireadjustments tothe application, recruitment, selection and/orassessmentprocess,pleaseadvisevia theabove emailand indicate your preferred methodofcommunication (email or phone)sowecan keepintouch and meet yourneeds.

Situations Vacant • Situations Vacant • Situations Vacant • Home Maintenance • Home Maintenance • Page 36 —The Latrobe Valley Express, Wednesday, 1February, 2023

CADET JOURNALIST

The Latrobe Valley Express and Gippsland Times arelookingfor cadet journalists to join our team

This is afantastic opportunity for you to contribute to the communities in our region. The role will include generalnews reportingin aregion with awealth of stories to be told about current challenges and future opportunities in addition to the normal story telling expected of alocal newspaperserving its community

The ideal candidate will:

Have relevant tertiaryqualifications

Have great communicationskills,both verbal and written

Be able to write punchy,informativeand exciting stories on arange of subjects

Possess great news sense and an understanding of what engages local readers

Have acurrent driver’s licence

Be motivated with acommitment to accuracy andqualityreporting

TheExpress and Gippsland Timesare award winning newspapers with circulationsof35,000 and 15,000 copies respectively

The successful applicant will report to the Editor

Send aletter of application, resume,list of referees and work examplesto:

The Editor -Liam Durkin Latrobe Valley Express ldurkin@lvexpress.com.au

Applications close: Wednesday, 1st February 2023. GP1 652844

PlantEngineer (Mechanical)

2Year fixedterm

About us

Loy Yang Bisanelectricity generator located in the picturesque Latrobe Valley currently supplying 20% of Victoria’s power.Weare owned by Chow TaiFook Enterprises(CTFE) and belongtothe Alinta Energy family,agrowing and innovative energy market disrupter

We arefocused on increasing plant performance, efficiency and flexibility and seek people who canturn inspiration intoideas,and ideas into game-changing solutions.

We arecommitted to increasing workforce diversity and creating an environment wherepeople with new ideas feel empowered to speak up and explorewhat is possible.

We constantly strive to understand and meet broad community expectations regarding environmental management,health, safety and good corporate citizenship

About the opportunity

2-year fixed term opportunity,commencing in early 2023.

Work with teams of experienced, passionate people eagertomentor top performers.

Competitive salaryand other benefits. Generous superannuation, contributions above the superannuation guarantee.

Flexible working arrangements to balance your work, life and play (base 36 hour,4day work week). Above awardannual leave entitlements.

What you’ll do

Assist in identification and remediation of short and long-term maintenance issues.

Assist in areas of engineering including installation,maintenance andrepair of power generation equipment,statutory compliance,and efficiency and performance of the coal fired generating facility

Develop skills in the predictive and preventative monitoring of plant,carryout maintenance of assigned plant

Analyse plant data and preparereports associated with plant performance. Be involved in projects for; construction of new plant,improving and modifying existing plant,and improving plant condition.

What you’ll need

Extensive knowledgeofmechanical assetmanagement andmaintenance principles,instrumentation and controls, performance testingand reportingas they pertain to the power station environment

Strong project management skills and the ability to communicate across all levels of the business.

Abachelor’s degree in mechanicalengineering.

Professional Engineers’ Registration or be in the process of completing same. If this sounds likeyou, don’t ignore this opportunity,makesureyou:

Apply via our careers page www.loyyangb.com.au/careers

Position closes Friday 3rdFebruary2023.

LoyYang B–powering your career!

LoyYang Bwelcome applications from people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and peoplewithdisability.Wewill provide reasonable adjustments for individuals with disability throughout the recruitment process. If youidentify as aperson with disability and requireadjustments to the application, recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, please advise via the aboveemail and indicate yourpreferred method of communication (email or phone) so we can keep in touch and meet your needs.

TAXI DRIVERS WANTED MORWELL

Weekdays/Nights/Weekend Shifts available. We need drivers. Training supplied, assistance to get relevant licence provided. Modern safe dispatch system in all cars. Apply to: morwelltaxis1@gmail.com

FINANCE ACCOUNTANT

Morwell, West Gippsland &Latrobe Valley Vic.

Financial Accounting &Reporting (Accounting) -Part time

Dasma is afamily owned and managed company that has been operational for over 50 years in the Latrobe Valley Region and aleader in Waste Management and Industrial Services. We are currently searching for our next Financial Accountant. This role reports to the CEO/MD and is responsible for the quality and timely completion of financial accounting, statutory reporting, and tax compliance for The Dasma Group, while continuously identifying process improvements and providing insights on reported information.

● Supporting the management team and externally Accountants and Lawyers over month-end and year-end cycles, including processing journals, and preparing balance sheet reconciliations

● Preparing financial statements and complying with relevant standards as well as year-end reporting

● Contributing to the annual audit

● Assisting with the group tax requirements, including year-end tax procedures

● Assisting with management reporting to help decision making and other ad-hoc reporting as required

● Job Costing Allocations

● Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, which contribute to the overall operation and performance of the group

What are we looking for?

This role will suit acandidate who is tertiary qualified in accounting and ideally have aminimum of 5years experience as aFinancial Accountant.

Key Requirements:

● Energetic, pro-active self-starter with excellent time management

● Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy

● Excellent communicator -both written and verbal

● Strong analytical and numerical skills

● Experience in the use of MYOB is required

● Intermediate experience in the use of Excel and Word

● Payroll experience required

● Resilient and embraces change with an eye for process improvement

Please send all applications with subject title -Finance Accountant -to: dasma@dasma.com.au

The Dasma Group are an equal opportunity employer and promotes safety at all times

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.

WHEN YOU GO LOCAL,

URGENT Deliverers Wanted TRARALGON, MORWELL and NEWBOROUGH

Would you liketodeliver the Latrobe Valley Express newspaper to individual homes on Tuesday and/orWednesday afternoons in Traralgon, Morwell and Newborough. Please apply to: The CirculationManager 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

Advertise your

CareersatLatrobe

LOCALS BUY LOCALLY

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PAPER! Save those memories OR look for that next car!!

LatrobeCityCouncilhasexcitingopportunitiesforenthusiasticand forward-thinkingindividualswithapassionforprovidingexcellent servicestoourcommunity

• CoordinatorPropertyOperationsPermanentFullTime

• Coordinator Communications&dinatorCommunications & EngagementEngagement-Permanent Full Time

• Property Officer- Permanent&Temporary Full Time

• Apprentice Gardner - ApprenticeGardner -FullTime

• Community Recovery andResilience Officer-Temporary Full Time

• Customer FocusAgent-Temporary Full Time

Forfurtherinformationincludinghow toapply,positiondescriptionsand applicationclosingdates,pleasevisitour websitewww.latrobe.vic.gov.au/careers

Pleasenotesuccessfulapplicantswillbe requiredtoapplyforandsatisfactorilyobtain aNationalPoliceCheckandWorkingwith ChildrenCheck.

www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/careers

Lecturer in Clinical Skills Education -Monash Rural

Health Churchill

Job No.: 645291

Location: MonashRural Health Churchill

Employment Type: Part-time, fraction (0.6)

Duration: Continuing appointment

Remuneration: Pro-rata of $107,311 -$127,432 pa Level B(plus 17% employer superannuation)

The Opportunity Monash Rural Health Churchill is seeking to appoint aLecturer in Clinical Skills to work as part of ateam developing and maintaining the Year Aclinical skills teaching program. You will contribute to program administration, the preparation of teaching materials and assessment, as well as the use of simulation in clinical skills education. The role in assessment involves the writing of questions for written examinations and the preparation of Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) stations held during the year

The specific responsibility areas include the conduct of tutorials, practical classes, clinical application sessions, demonstrations, workshops, small group sessions, assisting in the initiation and development of subject material for clinical skills teaching and assessment, program administration, monitoring equipment needs and the coordination of the tutors for the delivery of clinical skills teaching on campus.

We are seeking someone with medical qualifications (i.e. MBBS or MD) recognised in Australia and have significant clinical experience; and hold current medical registration with Australian Health Professional Regulation Agency (APRHA). This role is apart-time position; however, flexible working arrangements may be negotiated. At Monash University, we are committed to being a Child Safe organisation. This position at the University will require the incumbent to hold avalid Working with Children Check.

This position will involve travel to various locations, some of which are not easily accessible via public transport.

Enquiries

Dr Sean Atkinson, +61 39902 7106

Closing Date

Wednesday, 8February 2023, 11:55pm AEDT

For further information, Position Description and to apply, please visit: www.monash.edu/jobs -Search Job No.: 645291

Responsibility PLEASE CHECK YOUR AD

EXPRESS EXPRESS

Motor Mart

Situations Vacant •

Please check yourad on the first day andbring any errors to the attentionofthe Classifieds Department immediately TheLatrobe Valley Express makes everyefforttoavoid errors We regret that we cannot be responsible forany errors beyond the first day if you fail to bring it to our attention No allowances can be made for errors not materially affecting the effectiveness of the ad. Positioncannot will not be guaranteed. All claims foradjustment of credit must be made within seven days afterbilling date We reserve the right to revise or restrict any ad we deem objectionableand to change the classification when necessary to conform to the policyofthis newspaper In the event an ad is omitted from publication, we assume no liability forsuch omission. CLASSIC BMW 5285, 6 cylinder, auto, towbar, reverse camera,12 months reg, r.w.c., runs well NEF 251 $4900 Poe 056422 666.SOLD

Personals

Engaged

AURISH

HONDA EuroExecutive Deluxe, 2007, s/roof, seat warming, e.c., silver, 165,000km, black leather int., r.w.c. reg. July 23, UTT 125 $5500 0400 906 95 SOLD CASH FOR CARS Old or new, buying all makes and models. LMCT 11618. Ph 0455 776 443. Congratulations Brooke and Frazar on your engagement 20/1/2023

Caravans • TRAFALGAR HIGH SCHOOL HOSPITALITY TRAINEESHIP

Ahospitality traineeship is available at Trafalgar High School for the 2023 school year.

This position is based in the Canteen and Food Technology areas.

To apply please call Sharon Lowater -Business Manager on 5633 1733 or email your resume to: trafalgar.hs@education.vic.gov.au

EXPERIENCED

TRUCK DRIVER

for an

Royal Flair Pop Top

2003, single beds, full annexe, TV, m/wave, etc. always garaged $17,000. Ph 0413 300 655.

waste time waiting for buyers, or on endless consignment plans, sell it today we'll pay cash now. Affordable Caravans 0418 336 238, 5623 4782.

Marine

Deliverer Wanted YARRAGON d

Would you liketodeliverthe Latrobe Valley Express newspaper to individual homes on Tuesday and/or Wednesday afternoons in Yarragon.

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 652589

DID YOU KNOW?

The person most likely to buy your vehicle, boat, caravan motorbikeetc. is a LOCAL person!

We have a GREAT PRICED PACKAGE whereyour ad also runs in the Sale newspaper for you

ASK ABOUT OUR Motoring Package

DOWNES, Ian Craig. Passed away peacefully at Maryvale Private Hospital surrounded by family on Monday 23 January 2023. Aged 75 years Beloved son of Jim and Hazel (both dec.). Devoted and dearly loved husband of Lyn for 52 years. Adored father and fatherin-law of Adam and Tracy, and David. Adored Pop of Toby, Kenna and Olivia. Lovedbrotherand brother-in-law of Paul and Lyn, Ross and Anne their extended families. Ian is sadly missed by his family and friends. His devotion to family has left alifetime of treasured memories, which will remain with us forever.

Rest now -you remain forever in our hearts

DOWNES, Ian Craig. 11/9/1947 -23/1/2023. Dearly loved father of Adam, father-in-law of Tracy, and adored pop of Toby and Kenna. Awonderful man, taken too soon.

Thank you for your unwavering support, love and guidance.

May the fish be biting, the wind still and the beer cold wherever you are. Forever in our hearts We will miss you so much.

Love Adma, Mex, Tobes and Benny XXXXX.

WILLIAMS, Lorraine. 18/11/1936 -24/1/2023. Dearly loved wife of Evan. Devoted mother to Jennifer and Wayne (dec.). Loving Nan to Christopher, Kellie and Danny. Nan Nan to Chilli, Axel, Bowie and Dusty.

Atremendously talented lady, with akindheart Now At Peace

FISHER. AFuneral Service to Celebrate the life of Mr Lewis Alexander Fisher will be held at St Paul's Anglican Church, Queen Street, Korumburra on FRIDAY (3 February 2023) commencing 1.30pm.

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

Forthisgreat offer phone Classifieds direct on 5135 4455

Does your current marketing hit the correct audience?

Reach morethan just your facebook friends -reach the whole of Latrobe Valley 5135 4455

DEADLINE

Or place your ad at our Morwell ell Office, i icce e e, , Nextra Moe Lotto Moe or Seymour St Newsagency, Traralgon G P 1 4 9 6 6 3 4

Deaths

BRUCE, Lorraine. Dearest long time friend of Faye. Agentle and caring lady, I'll miss our times together, sleep peacefully Lorraine. Love Faye.

BUCKTON, Freda. 22/10/1927 -23/1/2023. Freda Buckton, aged 95, passed away peacefully on Monday, 23 January 2023, at home with her family in Ventnor, Phillip Island. Freda was the beloved wife of Sidney Buckton and mother to Pauline, Roy, Sue, Ruth, Ann and John, as well as grandmother and great grandmother to many.

CALABRESE, Nunzio. Passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Latrobe Regional Hospital, Traralgon on 25 January 2023. Aged 89 years Loved and loving husband of Veronica (dec.). Loving uncle of nieces and nephews and families. Will be sadly missed by all

CALABRESE, Nunzio. Passed away 25/1/2023. Deep in our hearts memories are kept, of an uncle we will never forget. Loving uncle of Carlo, Maggie, Robert, Tania and family.

FISHER, Lewis Alexander. 21/4/1941 -26/1/2023. Passed away peacefully at his home in Korumburra. Dearly loved husband of Elaine. Devoted father of Catherine and Tim, and Rachel. Much loved Poppa of Amber, Jed and Emily and all the families fur babies. Rest peacefully now after alife well lived

MYERS, Neil.

The Chairman, Board, Members and Staff of the Morwell Bowling Club & Recreation Centre Inc. deeply regret the passing of Neil awell-respected and lo ng- sta ndin g member of the club. Our sincerest thoughts and deepest sympathy to his family and friends at this sad time.

POLLARD, Peter John Pollard (John Polly). 11/2/1939 -26/1/2023.

Passed away peacefully at Dalkeith Gardens surrounded by family. Loved husband of Marlene. Dear father and father-inlaw to Peter and Lorrae, Mark and Glenda, Rod and Kim. Poppa John to his loved grandchildren and great grandchildren

Will be missed by all Hope the golf is good in Heaven

SAWYER, Gloria 'Dee Dee'. Of Bairnsdale passed away on 20 January 2023. Loved wife of Les and mum to Liz, Ronnie, Barb, Ian, Becky and Paul. Loved Nan to all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Always in our hearts Rest easy now

WILLIAMS JESSUP, Alf. 13/12/1932 -1/2/2022. Alf/Dad/Poppy Buggalugs, One year ago today you left us, we are so thankful for the many happy memories we have of you. Always Loved Never Forgotten Helen and family XOXO.

Funerals •

The Funeral will leave at the conclusion of the Service for the Korumburra Cemetery.

The Funeral Service for Mr Geoffrey Glover will be held at the Nyora Football Club, Grundy Ave, Nyora WEDNESDAY (1 February 2023) commencing at 11am.

At the conclusion of the Service the Funeral will leave for the Nyora Cemetery.

The Service will be livestreamed, go to: www.handleyandanderson funerals.com.au

PEARCE, Riley. 24/1/2021.

Dear Chop, we think of you every day and hold you in our hearts. Treasured memories we all have of the great times we all shared with you. Loved always. The Walsh Clan. In our thoughts XXX

McNAMARA.

The Funeral Service to celebrate the life of Mary McNamara will take place in the Rose Chapel, Gippsland Memorial Park Crematorium, Cemetery Drive, Traralgon on THURSDAY (2 February 2023) commencing at 2pm. Mary's Service will be livestreamed. Please see Julie Harwood Funerals Facebook page for link.

PONTON, Jillian (Jill). 13/3/1945 -5/2/2019. Mum, 4years since you were taken from us, we miss you so much and think about you everyday, we all know you are watching over us all the time. It's clear that Heaven only takes the best and the best arrived 4years ago -welove you dearly. Yourloving husband Keith,loving children and spouses, Daryl and Louise, Wendy and Stu, Rhonda and Matt, Geoffrey and Billie-Jo. And your beautiful grandchildren Brylie, Jackson, Caitlin, Loren, Chelsea, Lewis, Cayden and Matty, and your gorgeous great grandchildren Jos, Harry, Charlotte and Kita who you would adore as much as we all do.

CALABRESE. Requiem Mass for the Repose of the Soul of Mr Nunzio Calabrese will be offered at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Morwell on FRIDAY (3 February 2023) at 11.30am. At the conclusion of Mass, the Funeral will leave for the Yallourn Cemetery,

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258

Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

CURTIS. The Funeral Service to Celebrate the Life of Peg Curtis will take place in the Rose Chapel, Gippsland Memorial Park, Cemetery Drive, Traralgon, FRIDAY (3 February 2023) commencing at 11am, after which, Peg will be laid to rest within the Cemetery.

POLLARD.

The Funeral Service for Mr Peter John Pollard (John Polly) will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Hwy Traralgon on WEDNESDAY (8 February 2023) commencing at 11am. At the conclusion of the service the Funeral will leave for the Traralgon Cemetery, Gippsland Memorial Park.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 5126 1111

Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

RILEY.

The Funeral Service to Celebrate the Life of Anne Riley will take place at St James Anglican Church, Grey St, Traralgon on Friday 3rd Feb 2023 commencing at 2.30pm.

Private Cremation

Please see Julie Harwood Funerals Facebook page for link.

Birthday Memoriam •

HARRIS (Cranwell), Leanne. 1/2/1971 -11/8/2009. My precious daughter, my heart is still broken, we miss you and love you every day. All our love, Mum (Phyllis) and family.

Bereavement

Thanks •

BRAND, Trevor.

Val and her boys with their families would like to thank everyone for all their kind messages, cards, condolences, flowers and baking. Your love and support helped in so many ways. For all who attended the funeral to show their respect we are extremely grateful and also thank you to the Traralgon RSL. Trev was atruegentleman who was aloving and wonderful husband, father, father-in-law and Pa who will be dearly missed.

DOWNES.

The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Mr Ian Craig Downes will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel 260 Princes Hwy Traralgon on FRIDAY (3 February 2023) commencing at 2pm.

Ian's service will be livestreamed, to view the livestream please visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au and click on livestreaming.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258

Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

SAWYER.

The Funeral Service for Mrs Gloria Sawyer will be held graveside at the Bairnsdale Cemetery, Bairnsdale on FRIDAY (3 February 2023) commencing at 2pm.

Peter Murray Funerals East Gippsland 5152 4596

WILLIAMS.

The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation of Mrs Lorraine Williams will be held at Gippsland Memorial Park Crematorium Rose Chapel WEDNESDAY (1 February 2023) commencing at 10.30am. To view the livestream, visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au go to Funeral Notices and follow the prompts.

In Memoriam • Deaths • Funerals • Deaths • Cars • Cars • Page 38 —The Latrobe Valley Express, Wednesday, 1February, 2023

RODGERS, David John. 1941 -2022. The Rodgers family would like to sincerely thank all family and friends for their kind thoughts, cards, beautiful flowers and on going support following the passing of Don. It has all been very much appreciated.

Special thanks to Dr Ian Webb for your many years of care, Jackie from the Cancer CareCentre, Palliative Care Nurses, LRH Bass Ward staff and the wonderful staff at St Hilarys.

Thank you also to Julie and Steve Harwood for Funeral arrangements and Carly Maling for providing alovely Service. Finally, thank you to the Morwell Bowls Club for catering for the wake.

More than local Funeral Directors

Action-packed AusDay

GREYHOUNDS

By TOM HAYES

AS well as the Traralgon Cup, the following races were held at Traralgon Greyhound RacingClub on Australia Day.

The Sinclair Contracting Race1over 350 metres, was won by Cross The River for Neerim Junction's Gerard O'Keefe.

From Box three, the short-priced favourite powered through to win by nearly three lengths, in aracethat lasted just over 20 seconds.

Willow Grove's Trevor Whitford has three greyhounds in this race; Tenerife finished third, Mt. View Bentley finished fourth andMini Mason came seventh.

The Fenech Curtains and Blinds Race 2(350m) was pinched on the linebyBeYourselffor Nambrok's Gary McMillan.

Be Yourself and Lofty'sMatewere clearleaders after jumping from the box.

Lofty's Mate held the lead and looked to storm home, but alatechargefrom Be Yourself allowed her to claim her first win, by just 0.13 lengths.

Willow Grove waswell-representedagain, as Whitford had another three greyhounds in the pack; Mt. View Betty finished fourth, Mt. View Jett came seventh and Mt. View Barkley came last, while Sharlene Whitford's Senorita Cruz came sixth.

The Aussie Secret @Stud Race 3(395m) was takenout by well-backed second favouriteRich Flex for Pearcedale's Ned McDonald.

The favourite, Fernandes Mac for Newborough's Vanessa Johnson, had agreat start but soon fell to the back of the pack to finish last of the eight runners.

High Emotion and PleaseThanks for

Newborough's Gerry Orr held the front of the pack, but became entangled and ran toward the outside of the track and out of contention.

Rich Flex was there to clean up winning by 1.47 lengths.

The Race 4GRV VicBredSeries Final (450m) was won by half alength by Mac's Damagefor Metung's Harley Whelan.

Mac's Damage gotabrilliant start, bursting out by up to five lengths.

Despite this,Nature Strip was incoming, almost pinching the lead, but Mac's Damage did enough to hold on by half alength.

The Sportsbet BS Responsibly Race5(450m) featured plenty of Gippslanders; the podium being shared by three of which.

Django Maskiell for Hazelwood North'sDamian Meadetook out the race by ahead, edging the likes of Block Busted for Morwell's Garry Barnsley.

Rounding out the podium was Billy Bob Jordan for Traralgon's Jordan Carrodus-Nagy.

The P&A Precision Automotive Race 6(500m) was taken out by Dr. Angelo for Darriman'sJudith McMahon.

The short-pricefavourite, YourColour Room, hadaterrible start and had to climb back into contention, which it did.

But, it was beaten to the line by Dr. Angelo by around half alength.

The Sportsbet Green Ticks Race 7(450m) was won by thefavourite-Madigan for Lysterfield South's Harry Manolitis.

The front three runners were all closely-priced , but Madigan was acomfortable winner by nearly four lengths.

Hazelwood'sAir Pumbaa for Peter Schofieldwas fifth, while Morwell's Get Sushi Carol for Christa Spiteri came sixth.

Race 8was the Traralgon Cup, won by Mobile Legend.

Funnily enough, the following race -The McMahon Builders Race 9(450m) -only featured two runners.

Paua Of Buddy for BulnBuln East's Steven Bruce took the $10,000 prize money after only needing to beat one dog to claim the easiestof victories.

The favourite, Titan Blazer for Avalon's Daniel Gibbons, finished just over three lengths behind.

Akina Crusader for Denison's Phillip Rowley took out the Hard StyleRico@Stud Race 10 (395m) by alength.

Jekyll Jye,who was paying over $20 to win,held the lead for majorityofthe race,but was edged to the post by the favourite, Akina Crusader, who pinched it at the final stage.

The LV Forklifts Race 11 (395m) was atightlycontestedbattle at thefront, with thefirst four finishers separated by one and ahalf lengths.

It was Dan Dan for Cowwarr'sRodney Ashworth that got the job done, ahead of Whitford's Zipping Spencer,Gibbons'Nicolson Baleand Tinamba's Got The Torque.

Remarkably, Dan Dan was paying $34.70 to win Race 11.

Traralgon might just be Dan Dan's lucky track, as it has won all of its six races at the venue.

The finalrace of the evening, the Surface Co Race 12 (395m) was won by the favourite, Minter Dominate for Rosedale's Jeffrey Chignell.

Chignell had two on the podium, as Jackie Rose joined Minter Dominate, finishing third.

Good Boy Columbo for Moe's Lui Forte finished sixth.

Moe again answers Sale’scall

HORSERACING

By TOM HAYES

MOE Racing Club was host to asecond Saletransfer, following the Sunday Races on January 15.

This time around, the Tuesday Races featured an eight-race meet providing ahandful of tightlycontested finishes.

The track was graded aGood 4throughout the day, as good weather was provided -28degrees overhead.

The Race 1LadbrokesMatesMode MaidenPlate over1214metres, was taken outbySkepticism for TrentBusuttinand NatalieYoung of Cranbourne. Skepticismran off-pace from the jump, and settled behind the leaders until the 600m mark, when she went three wide to launch her attack.

The three-year-old filly burst into the leadon the straight and held on by aneck to win, from Skywriter and Our Warrior.

In just her second race, Skepticism was able to register her first victory.

Night Eruption forSale’s Paul Worthington placed third, while Recurrence for Moe’s Paul and Tracey Templeton camefifth andZoom Torino for Sale’s Troy Kilgower came seventh.

Race 2’s S&S Equipment Hire 3YO Maiden Plate (1214m) had no local talent, and was won by the favourite, Cannoli for Mick Price of Cranbourne. Cannoli led for the entire race, and was able to hold off achargingpackthat gave it their all on the home straight.

The three-year-oldfilly found the linefirst by aneck, to Street Elite, who was aneck ahead of New York Scandal.

The Race 3LadbrokesPunter Assist Maiden Plate (1114m) was won by the debutant, Royal Wazi, for Jerome Hunter.

Once again, the winner had agreat jump from the gates, holding asteady pace to lead the pack around Moe’s track.

Royal Wazi was challengedlatebyLochend Umosa for Worthington, but held on by ahead to take out the first win of her career.

Centrefoldstar for Kilgower ran steadily in the midfield for the entire race, crossing the line in sixth.

Race 4’s Club EastwoodLaunch Friday 27th January Maiden Plate (1623m), was takenout by Triumphant Miss for the famousPeterMoody.

Theeventual winner ran at the back of the field, while the 'roughies' held the lead.

At the600mmark, the favourite, StarOfKongo forthe Templeton’s,began to make his move from fourth, spreading three-wide to attempttotake the lead.

But nothing was stopping the fast-finishing TriumphantMiss from recording her first victory, as she leapt to the line, running over the top of Deal Obtained by anose.

Star Of Kongo came home in fourth, ultimately unable to get past the leaders.

The Race 5RMBL Investments Rising Stars

BM58 Handicap (1623m) held just five runners, following the scratching of four horses.

It was an unfortunate end for the local runners, Ripplebrook for Sale’s Sharyn Troloveand Red Stiletto for the Templeton’s, both finishing fourth and fifth respectively.

It was more disappointing for the favourite, Red Stiletto, followingher great start, who wascoming off of awin in Moe just aweek and ahalfago Frenzy Lune for Greg Hayes pounced to the front at the final bend, before stretching out to a four-length lead when reaching the line.

The well-backed second favourite recorded just the third win of her career from 22 starts.

Race 6’s INXsive Moe Racing Club Friday 17th March 0-64 Handicap (1212m), was won by Rossman for Mornington’s David Brideoake.

Rossmanwas second-favourite to Moody’s So Greysful, who eventually finished in fourth.

The eight-year-old gelding used his experience to charge towardsthe line and edge past Too Viennese -demoting him to second.

Street Swaggerfor Kilgower came home in fifth, following an early hint that he might show some pace. It was Rossman’s seventh career win from 45 starts, just the 17th place in his entire career.

In the Race 7Ladbrokes Market Control BM58 Handicap (1114m), Busuttin and Young recorded theirsecondwin of the day, when Soju Session came home strong.

Soju Session started fast, which enabled her to take the lead around the 800m mark, holding on

with all of her strength to beatAlpinova to the line by half of ahead.

The favourite claimed her second victory of her short six-race career, which allows plenty of eyes to be understandably laid on her.

Make An Effort for Trolove came home in fifth, following agutsyattempt to break into the leading pack.

Race 8’s Local Cups Raceday 19th February BM58 Handicap (2082m)was filled with local talent; four of the10runners were trained in Sale.

The race over more than 2000m was won by Mr Blackwood, the well-backed second favourite, for Cindy Alderson of Cranbourne.

The Bounty for Sale’s Colin Butcher held steady pace at the front of the pack early on in the race, whilethe favourite, Bucksfor Sale’s Damien Walkley,had aterrible start and had to climb his way back into the race.

Dixie Built held strong but was unable to fight the speed of Mr Blackwoodwho camehome strong to win by alength.

The Bounty finished third, while Bucks finished fourth from along way back.

BishopRock for Sale’sSusieWells finished eight and Savvy Dan for Sale’s Michelle Murray finished ninth.

Moe RacingClubwillhost its nextmeet on Sunday, February 19, for the Local Cups & Community Race Day.

Yet, the next local event is Tuesday Racing at the Stony Creek Racing Club, on January 31.

MARK RIDDLE Funeral Consultant

DAVID HASTIE General Manager ALLAN WORTHY Funeral Consultant

MYRA KRAFFT Funeral Consultant STEVE EVANS Funeral Consultant

Jobdone: Triumphant Miss forPeter Moody(clostest to camera), ridden by Thomas Stockdale wins Race 4byanose at MoeRacecourse photograph patascala/racingphotos

Traralgon duo set to wear the Big Vagain

BASKETBALL

TRARALGON'S Asha Nightingale and Emily Scholtes have been named part of the Victorian Under 18 Country Women's team after stellar performances at the recent Australian Country Cup in Albury.

The Australian Country Cup, which acts as a selection tournament for the Victorian Country state team, was won by Vic Country Goldminers, who prevailed after arough start to the week, beating Vic Country Bushrangers by six points in the final.

Nightingale and Scholtes (pronounced Scol-tees), are among the players selected as part of the Victorian Under 18 Country Women's team joining Aleks Connolly (Wyndham), Ameir Majur (Melton), Jelena Savic (Keilor), Kyra Webb (Casey), Lavina Cox (Bendigo), Sienna Harvey (Wodonga/Coe), Sophie Taylor (Warragul/Dandenong) and Tahli Dimarco (Sale).

Victorian will compete in the championships from April 9to16inBrendale, Queensland.

Traf returns to formin Div1 bowls

BOWLS

STRZELECKI NORTH

SATURDAYPENNANT

BY MICHAEL HOLROYD

ANOTHER hot Saturday saw most games start early and finish before the expected hot afternoon temperatures. All games were completed and players enjoyed playing in the cooler conditions

DIVISION 1

TRAFALGAR welcomedWarragul, who were in good form last week, however, Trafalgar after losing to Traralgon last week, came back into form with a vengeance with all rinks up.

Ian Miles and his rink of Graham Hill, Chris Bortignon and Tim Fraser had a 22-13 win over Graeme Davis and his rink of Matt Draisma, Russell Carrick and Jim Moyle.

Ken Capper and his rink of Pat Tatterson, TimAnderson andPeter Jonas won 20-13 against David Smith and his rink of John Vickerman, Brian Kennedy and Robert Renn.

MattSchreyer and his rink of Col Carmichael, Wayne Hurst and Wayne Arnoldhad a21-16 win over Bill Clappersand his rink of Bernie McIntosh, David Alderman and Paul Simmons.

Darren Kane and his rink of Terry Robertson, HeatherTaylor and Paul Dawson completed the sweep with a 16-14 win over Jim Power and his rink of Des Stephens, Bruce Thompson and David Ferguson.

 TRAFALGAR 18-79 DEFEATED

WARRAGUL 0-56

TRARALGON continued their good form with astrong win at Drouin, with Jim Scullin and his rink of Nick Turnbull, Pat Trewin and Brenton Hackett having a25-9win over Toby Wallace and his rink of Peter Wallace, Graeme Aubrey and SteveBarr. Matt Ferrariand his rink of Ian Hilsley, Chris Ward and Michael Yacoub won 22-18 against Mark Atkinsonand his rink of Alex Miller, David McIlfatrick and Rudy Kerkvliet. For the home team, Sheryl Atkinson and her rink of Maureen Leighton, Jan Aubrey and Les Firth had a20-12 win overVin McIlwain and his rink of Kirsty Van den Hoff, Shane Chapman and Matt Eccles.

Mick Fleming and his rink of Bruce Andrews, John Leighton and Geoff Bailey had a16-15 win over Mick Coram and his rink of Angela Hackett, Ian Kirkup and Shane O’Loughlin.

 TRARALGON 14-74DEFEATED DROUIN 4-63

MORWELLwon allrinks against visitors Traralgon RSL, with David Cook and his rinkofJodie Ashby, Kevin Pigdon and Keith Gadsby having a26-15 win over Dave Hodson and his rink of

Peter Barnes, Garry Trewin and Kevin Durwood.

Chris Goldsbrough and his rink of Ross Harford,BrianKingsley and Ron Lyfield had a24-18 win over Ross Sizeland and his rink of Nathan Forester, Chris Mackintosh and Terry Hunter.

Steve Collins and his rink of Mike Arnold,Danny McKeownand Ernie King won 19-16 against Rick Lukey and his rink of Daniel Earl, Titch Hore and Alan Kanavan.

Nathan Cook and his rink of Jim Turner, Sarah Ashby and Russell Williamshad a25-13 win overBeau Williamson and his rink of Gordon Bayley, Dave Morley and John Taylor.

 MORWELL 18-94 DEFEATED TRARALGON RSL 0-62

TOP team Newborough won allrinks against visitors Moe, with Alan Grubb and his rink of Barry Daley, Rod Lewis and Neale Houston winning 29-15 over Michael Smogavec and his team of Val and BrianRodgers togetherwith Barry Hawkett.

Kevin Lovett and his rink of Brian Carpenter,Jo-Anne Michaelsand George Lambos had a24-12 win over Sandy Cainesand his rink of Bob Rennie, Les Stolarikand Ted Kuklinsky.

Tommy Lodge and his rink of Dave Wurlod, Phil Marston and Scott Jones had a29-13 win over Jayde Leech and his rink of Jim Lawrence,StuartCaines and Jan Rudy.

Ryan Marston and his rink of Tony Knipping, Alan Ryan and Paul Sherman had a29-7win over Steve Pallot and his rink of Stan Myers, Ian Caines and Banger Harvey.

 NEWBOROUGH 18-111 DEFEATED MOE 0-47

DIVISION 2

TRARALGON (2) had agood win over visitors Drouin (2), with Kevin Enguell and his rink of Tom Irvine, Kathy Smiles and DaveCurriewinning 30-8 win over Arthur Moore.

Abe Roederand his rinkofChris

Thomas, Rosie Lorenz and Bill Francis had a25-12 win over Dale Hendrick. For the visitors, BrianThorpe and his rink of Elaine Thorpe, Ron Douthie and Terry McFadzeanhad a16-13 win over Cary Locke and David Tayles and his rink of Wayne Hawken, Clive Newman and Bob Coledefeated RonSherlock 21-20.

 TRARALGON (2) 14-88 DEFEATED

DROUIN (2) 4-57

TRARALGON RSL (2)welcomed Neerim District, and the visitors had agood win with Shane Hogan and his rinkofRussell Meehan,Ross Pollard and Ray Watts winning 34-16 against Gordon Bakker.

Peter Throup and his rink of Karren Sheers, RayThroup andPat FraserAurischhad a26-14 win over Jeff Blythman.

NeilAdamsand his rink of ColMcKay, John Rochford and Angus McGillivray had a20-13 win over Gordon Asbury. For the visitors, Max Gibbins and his rink of Don Wight, Eric Warfeand Brian Wilkinsonhad a22-14 win over Peter Brooks.

 NEERIM DISTRICT 16-94

DEFEATED TRARALGON RSL (2) 2-65

LONGWARRY had abig winat Thorpdale, with Trevor Kitchin and his rink of Peter Lieshout, Robert Proctor and Ken Towt defeating Ron Mackie 34-13.

Ken White and his rinkofJohn McCarthy, Ian Peterson and Glenn Pask had a32-3win over Danny Vanzuylen and Jason Lieshout and his rinkof Mark Serong, Barry and RussellWhite defeated Ross Kennedy 23-16.

For the home team, Ben Powell and his rink of Wendy Jennings, Keith Geisler and Denis Gunn defeated Adam Proctor 21-18.

 LONGWARRY16-107 DEFEATED THORPDALE 2-53

NEWBOROUGH (2)travelled to Morwell Club, and the home team won all four rinks with Neil Whitelaw and his rink of Steve Kilpatrick, David Broadbent and David Stevens defeating Robbert Cook 20-19.

Tara Harle and her rink of Michael Skinner, DavidPatience andRoger Rejmer had a25-20 win over Graham Cocks.

Glenn Trembath and his rink of Vaughan Reimers, Nobby Noblett and Alan Campbell had a20-12 win over Spencer Goss. Brett Harle and his rink of Dashaa Martin, MilKarleusaand Lee Mckenzie defeated Bob Goldie 28-18.

 MORWELL CLUB 18-93 DEFEATED NEWBOROUGH (2) 0-69

DIVISION 3

WARRAGUL (2) inflicted the first loss of the season to visitors Garfield, with Bob Currie and his rink of Ian Belling, Brian Barby and Peter Ellis having a 27-11 win over Stephen Whyte.

Pat Hammond defeated Tom Cleary 20-13. Greg MitchelldefeatedShane Oliver 25-15, and to complete the clean sweep, Noel Rubenstein defeated Nick Henwood 23-19.

 WARRAGUL 18-95 DEFEATED GARFIELD 0-58

BOOLARRA had asolid win at Moe, withTravis Baker and his rink of Angela Mazou, Grame Colbert and Joelene Laukens having a25-12 win over Leigh Dodd.

David Caldwell defeated Lorraine Horton 28-15, and TerryParker defeated Bob Essler 27- 16. For the home team, Paul Read defeated Darren Napier 18-16.

 BOOLARRA16-96 DEFEATED MOE (2) 2-61

TRARALGON(3) had anarrow win at Yinnar.

May Cross and her rinkofRobert Marsh, Max Cumming and Barry Fernance had a27-16 win over Gavin Osborne.

Gordon Slimmon defeated Murray De La Haye 24-18.

For the home team, Tim Roche defeated Brendon Smiles 22-14, and LukaDjudurovicdefeated Bill Kirby 20-14.

 TRARALGON (3) 14-9 DEFEATED

YINNAR 4-76

NEWBOROUGH (3) had amuch needed win at home against Morwell (2), with only one rink up with Ed Whelan and his rink of Kevin Myrteza, Bob Hall and Carmel Goss defeating Bob Wilson 20-10.

For the visitors Ken Turner, defeated Alan Luck 16-15, Gerry Van Duin defeated Jim Cuthbertson 21-20, and Bob Skinner defeated Peter Policha 21-14.

 NEWBOROUGH (3) 12-69

DEFEATED MORWELL (2) 6- 68

DIVISION 4

NEWBOROUGH (4)travelled to Morwell (3), and with MaurieLudlow and his rinkofRon Carswell,Ruth Verhagen and Vern Verhagen,defeated Graham Hutchinson 33-8.

It was not enough to give Newborough (4) their first win for the season, as TrevorCurtis defeated JohnVicic 25-15, Rita Reddiex defeated Wally Smith 29 15 and Bob D’Brass defeated Michael Holroyd 23-19.

 MORWELL (3) 16-85 DEFEATED NEWBOROUGH (4) 2-82

TRAFALGAR (2) travelled to Warragul (3) and had agood win, with Anthony Mitchinsonand his rinkofDerek Jones, Laurence Heenan and Ian Riley havinga29-9win overBillClarke.

FrankFarrugia defeated LesterMason

22-17. For the home team,Elsie Hefford defeated Mal Clymo 21-20 and Brent Grigg defeated Bruce Giles 23-17.

 TRAFALGAR (2) 14-88 DEFEATED WARRAGUL (3) 4-70

YALLOURN North had agood win at home against Yarragon, with Darren Fry and his rink of ShaneDobson, MatthewCoutts and Craig Speake having a30-10 win over Jarrod Grigg.

Ricky Hearn defeated Jason Roberts 20-11.

For the visitors, Sam Mazza defeated Gary ingley 20-18 and Richard Polmear defeated Rob Matthews 20-19.

 YALLOURN NORTH 14-87 DEFEATED YARRAGON 4-61

CHURCHILL travelled to Traralgon (4), withShirley Turner and her rink of Jenny McLure, Stephen Jones and

Craig Roberts defeating StuartHulse 33-11, and Chris Thomas defeated Col Mayman 20-13.

For the home team, Ian Wills defeated Craig Flanigan 20-19, and Norbert Schroeder defeated Bill Brown 24-11.

 CHURCHILL 14-83 DEFEATED TRARALGON (4) 4-68

DIVISION 5

DROUIN (3) 14-60 defeated Neerim District (2) 2-58 by two shots, with Mal Collins andhis Neerim District (2) rink of Bronwyn Throup, TonyThornton and George Rymer defeating Mary Andrews 25-15, but it was not enough for awin as AndrewKidd defeatedGregBond 23-16, and Peter Hone defeated Jim Schroeter 22-17.

MORWELL Club (2) 16-75 defeated Moe (3) 0-51, with Gail Rejmer and her rink of Mick Reynolds, Duncan Hanlon and SueKarleusadefeatingRay Jackson 34-16, and LisaArnolddefeatedCharles McArthur22-17 and BerylNoblett defeated Chris O’Reilly 19-18.

GARFIELD(2) 14-65 defeated Longwarry (2) 2-50 with Gordon Moxey and his rink of Henry Breteler, Maureen Lamport and Helene Newton defeating SimonCounsel21-10,and Gwen Fabris defeated John Majkut 25-19,and for Longwarry (2),Gerard Mitchelldefeated Damien Brick 21-19.

TRAFALGAR 16-100 defeated Morwell (4) 0-26with all rinksup. Ed Davies and his rink of Lyn Sephton, Rena Spark and George Ward defeated BobLorenz35-7. PaulGridley defeated David O’Reilly 34-8 and BillyNisbetdefeated Glenn Watkins 31-11.

TRARALGON (5) 16-71 defeated TraralgonRSL (3) 0-36 with Ron Hales andhis rink of Tony Richardson, David Mallaghanand John Richardson defeating John Farquhar 28-11. BrianJohnson defeated Margaret Morley 20-15 and Jim Goodwin defeatedFrankMetcalf 23-10.

DIVISION 6

BOOLARRA (2) 10-16 defeated Newborough (5)0-0, Thorpdale (2)10-57 defeated Traralgon RSL (4) 8-35 defeated Morwell Club (3) 2-31, Yallourn North (2) 10-56 defeated YallournNorth (3) 0-26,Drouin (4) 10-78 defeated Yinnar/ Churchill 0-18, Neerim District (3) 8-39 defeated Traralgon (6) 2-37.

Adventure: AshaNightingale will travel to Queensland as partofthe Victorian side

Young gun: EmilyScholtes has been named as partofthe Victorian Under18CountryWomen’steam. photographs supplied

Harriers taketo reserve

Big smiles: Angeline Snell enjoying a Harriers’ Summer run photograph supplied

ATHLETICS HARRIERS BY

IAN CORNTHWAITE

THE Traralgon Railway Reserve and its historic lake was the locality for last Thursday’ssixkilometre, three-lapcourse over walking tracks and adjacent streets.

Many of the 59 finishers then enjoyed aHarriers’ clubpicnic in theReserve afterwards. Kylie Murray, aveteran of many top performances in the past, made areturntothe Harriers, producing asnappy finishing time of 31:06, just 7seconds ahead of Harriers’ newcomer, Ryan McLeod.

Attesting to the popularityofthe Harriers’ Thursday run/walkand the club’s growing

GOLF

MIRBOONORTH

Thursday26th January Stableford,

AGrade: BBradshaw(10)37pts

BGrade: JMcFarlane (17) 39 pts

CGrade: TTomada (32) 38pts

DTL: DEvans,NBaker 37,JSmeriglio,G

Shandley, PKearns 36. JKidd35c/b

NTP: 4th SBeitz, 6th JKidd, 13th DTaylor, 16th RKidd.

Birdies: 4th SBeitz, ALiebe,W Gervasi, 6th JKidd, 13th BBradshaw.

Saturday28th January Par,

AGrade: TBradshaw(10)sq

BGrade: SEvison (21) 5up

DTL: JSmeriglio,RPentland 1up,A Liebe,

CLePage sq c/b

NTP: 4th, PWoodall. 6th, DWoodall. 13th

SEvison. 16th,S Evison.

Birdies: 4th DTaylor,P Woodall.

Eagles: BBradshaw, 17th.

TRAFALGAR

25 January –4BB Knockout –18holes -

20 players,9 holes –6players

Winners: Di Moody and LynPowell, Karen

MacGregor and BevKeily, JennyEvison and Cheryl Toyne,Lorna Risol and Aija

Owen, Anne Outhred and Aileen McNair

9-Hole Winner: Sue Williams -17points

Runner-Up: Marilyn Kerr –13points C/B

Gobblers: –Sue Balfour -5th,Lyn Powell

–14th

NTP: JanGriffin 5th

Next Week: 1st FebruaryMonthlyMedal/

Medal of Medalists (2022)

Starter: PatHarris.Checker: Match and Play

Next RoundDraw4BB

JennyEvison and Cheryl Toyne vs Lorna

Risol vs Aija Owen

KarenMacGregor and BevKeilyvsAnne

Outhred and Aileen McNair

Di Moody and LynPowell -Bye

membership, there were also two other newcomers –Nick Hodson and Rose Craft.

The event finisher results overall were widely varied, reflecting the wide range of abilities, ages and approaches of the many participants; whilst some of the quicker runners this week, such as Miles Verschuur and Greg Semmler, had an easy hit-out.

Dempsey Podmore, one of the club’s gun junior athletes anda youngsterwith apotentiallyexciting athletics future, finished second fastest outright amongst 59 finishers, after the evergreen Zack Beasley and well aheadofthird-placed Steven Renehan.

Liz Kenney, 30:14,dominated the female finisher results, with an in-formAngelineSnell 33 seconds behind and then Kylie Murray in third spot.

IstFeb: MonthlyMedal and 2022 Medal of Medallists

Friday,January 27th 2022, Open Men’s&

Ladies Stableford

AGrade Winner: Tony Gray 38 pts

BGrade Winner: Chris Brydon 41 pts

CGrade Winner: ParisChristian 37 pts

DTL’s: John Wiseman 39, Craig Radford 39, Jeff Hasthorpe 37,Peter Buckman 37, RayWiseman 37,Leslie Stothard37, Dick

Sheehan 36, Brian Fox 35, Drew Mizzi 35, Sue Klemke35, John Dubelar 35, Paul

Beechaz 35, Craig Armstrong 35

Birdies: 2nd: PeterBuckman, Aaron

Heafield 5th: Glenn Vassett, Paul Scanlon, WarwickGriggs 13th:Sue Klemke, Brad

Woodall 15th:Brian Fox,Paris Christian

Eagle: 7th: Leslie Stothard

Saturday, January 28th 2022, 4Person

Ambrose

Winner’s: Phil Town, Daniel Puglia, Andrew

Cochrane &Mitch Smart51-3/8

DTL’s: Toby Davie,MarkDavie,Zavier

O’Reilly &TonyO’Reilly51-3/4, Peter

Burghardt, StuartMarriott, James Hull & StevePearse 53-3/4, RichardParsonage, GarryJansen, Bob Baldry& PeterMoss

54-3/8

MORWELL

Morwell Golf Club Ladies results 25th

January 2023 -Stableford

Winner: JKing36pts

DTL: DVuillermin 32

NTP: 2nd ELau 11th DVuillermin 15th J King

CHURCHILL &MONASH

Ambrose Saturday21January 2023

Winner: G.Blizzard, V. Monument, Mamun, R. Madigan 57 Runnersup: G. Barnes,C.Warring,J

Barrett, C. Cummings 57.375

D.T.L: 1. R. Welsh, A. Sharrock, P. Jordan, Anton 58.83

2. T. Collins, A. Auld,D.Jordan,

3. A. West, J. Sanders, S.

B. Kilday59.875

This Thursday’s eventisasix-kilometre out and back affair on the Kay Street Traralgon-Morwell bike path from near the Lutheran Church opposite Swallow Grove. Early starters are requested to register well before 5:55pm.

Alocally exciting, award-winning event, theDFP Recruitment and Latrobe City five-kilometre Fun Run/Walk, is beingstagedonMarch 27 fromKernot Hall, Morwell. Entries are via the website: www. traralgonharriers.org.au

Results -Traralgon Railway Reserve 6km: Zack Beasley, 23:17, DempseyPodmore25:59, Steven Renehan 27:04, Clinton Jolly27:54, Dave Mann 28:11, Andrew Panayiotou 28:43, GeoffFrancis 29:27,Trent Kooyman 29:30, Greg Semmler 30:00, Liz Kenney30:14, Pete Sanders30:17, Angeline Snell 30:50, Ryan McLeod 31:09, KylieMurray 31:16, Tobiasz Grzmil 31:24, Stephen

SCOREBOARD

Sanders, T. Sterrick, 60.125, 4. P. Flanigan, G. Spowart,J.Banfield, D. Taylor 60.125, 5.

I. Fortune,K.Hogan, M. Allen, B. Mathieson

60.375 C/B

N.T.P: Pro-Pin :3rd G. Barnes,5th R. Dent,

12th J. Soppe,

Par: Tuesday24January 2023

Winner: Vanessa Reid 28 +4

D.T.L: Marianne Ryan 28 +2, JanBlizzard

36 +1,

N.T.P: 3rdMerryn Dear,5th Merryn Dear

14th Vanessa Reid

Birdies: 5th Merryn Dear

TRARALGON

MENS:TUESDAY 24 January Players 106

Stableford

A: Graham Charlton 10 40

B: Chris Lehner 17 39

C: Chris Jones 20 41

40: LHammond

39: GKraan BVan Berkel

38: VPhelan GHenry

37: DLogan RLoader LPollardOPrettoJ

Cunico JGaulkeD Archbold

36: KFitzclarence

MENS: SATURDAY 28 January 2022

Players 127Stableford– Blue Tees

A: ScottHall 11 41

B: Craig Radford1339

C: RobertMartinez 20 45

D: StuartRay 25 41

40: MStroudJSimic RLeworthy

39: RChapman BPlattD Archbold W

Hanrahan

38: RWareDFrickerGO’Brien LChard

37: BGardiner BJarvis TTulloch BWoodall

JSwenson

36: SMakowski JPilcher JMurdoch D

Shields HCarman RLawn

LAWN BOWLS

STRZELECKI NORTH

SATURDAY PENNANT ROUND 12, 28 January 23

DIVISION 1: Morwell 18 94 Traralgon

McLeod 31:35, Kate Mayer31:40, Chris Francis 31:45, GaryFox 31:50, David Hood 32:01, Miles Verschuur 32:13

RonVerschuur 32:14, NickTalerico 32:17, David Barr

32:23, Errol Poole 34:11, Kristine Sapkin 34:58, Maree Graham 35:56, Catherine Leonard36:26, FelicityBeasley

36:47,Rose Craft36:47,Phil Mayer36:56, MarkFairbairn

38:22, Kallie Cook

38:28, Sue Stranger 38:29, Michelle Sawyer 39:09, Mandy Ellis 40:05, KayLivingstone

40:25, Jerzey Podmore40:59, Kate Cumming 41:04, NickHodson 42:52, Kylee Earl42:53, StaceyPodmore

44:18, Ian Heafield 44:50, Michelle Colwell46:17, Kathy Quinn 46:17, Matilda Lappin 48:05, WallyLappin 48:05, Ann Bomers48:59, Lynda Jones 51:26, Alli Triggs 51:30, Belinda Heafield 52:16, BarryHiggins 55:00, PeterGrixti

55:00, LukeWitham 55:08, Christina Creighton 64:34, Lee Graham DNF,AnthonyMagaldi DNF

RSL062Newborough 18 111 Moe 047

Trafalgar 18 79 Warragul 056Traralgon 14 74 Drouin 463

DIVISION 2: Traralgon (2) 14 88 Drouin

(2) 457Longwarry16107 Thorpdale 2 53 Neerim District 16 94 Traralgon RSL

(2) 265Morwell Club 18 93 Newborough

(2) 069

DIVISION 3: Boolarra1496Moe (2)

261Traralgon (3) 14 79 Yinnar 476

Newborough (3) 12 69 Morwell (2) 668

Warragul (2) 18 95 Garfield 058

DIVISION 4: Trafalgar (2) 14 88 Warragul

(3) 470YallournNorth 14 87 Yarragon 467

Churchill 14 83 Traralgon (4) 468 Morwell

(3) 16 85 Newborough (4) 282

DIVISION 5: Traralgon (5) 16 71 Traralgon

RSL(3) 036Garfield (2) 14 65 Longwarry

(2) 250Morwell Club (2) 16 75 Moe (3)

051Trafalgar (3) 16 100Morwell (4) 026

Drouin (3) 14 60 Neerim District (2) 258

DIVISION 6: YallournNorth (2) 10 56

YallournNorth (3) 026Drouin (4) 10 78

Yinnar/Churchill 018Trafalgar (4) 835

Morwell Club (3) 231Thorpdale (2) 10 57

Traralgon RSL(4) 029 Boolarra(2) 10 16

Newborough (5) 00 Neerim District (3) 839

Traralgon (6) 237

STRZELECKI NORTH PLAYING AREA

SATURDAY

Last round of GCL regularseason

BY LIAM DURKIN

GIPPSLAND Cricket League action saw anumber of games played last Sunday.

Theday actedasthe last time many players will representtheir association this season, as the finals are on this Sunday.

IN the Under18s,Latrobe Valleyenjoyed athrilling one-wicket win against Bairnsdale.

Taking to Burrage Reserve, Newborough, the home side saw Bairnsdale compile 170.

Logan Anders was outstanding for Latrobe Valley, taking 5/19 off 9.2 overs.

LiamCumiskeywas also effective, snaring2/27.

Latrobe Valley held on by the skin of its teeth, with the final pair putting on the six runs needed for victory.

Before it got to that stage, Sam Gissara played acaptain’s hand of 49, while Connor Seymour made 26.

Jesse Pheeney also contributed afine 34.

Traralgon was well beaten by Sale-Maffra.

The Tornadoes only managed 108 batting first at Duncan Cameron, of which Matt Garland scored25.

Sale-Maffra coasted to victory in the 18th over.

TheSharkswill play Bairnsdale for the title this Sunday at Catholic College, Sale.

Unfortunately, Warragul forfeited the remaining match against Leongatha.

JUNIOR Country Week for the Under 15s concluded.

Traralgon had athree-wicket win over Warragul.

The Tornadoes chased the 142 it needed at Fred King Oval, Glengarry.

Will Smith led the way with 32, backing up his four-wicket-effort with the ball.

Zac Bastin also did agood job with the fourpiece,

taking 3/26 off 10, as did Jake Zappulla-Jaensch, who nabbed 2/27.

Latrobe Valley was no match for Leongatha.

Playing at Mirboo North Turf, the home side was skittled for just 49 in pursuit of 134.

In the other match,Bairnsdale defeated Sale-Maffra.

Bairnsdale will play Leongatha in the final this Sunday at Wurruk.

LEONGATHA took out the Under 13 Development League premiership after defeating Sale-Maffra.

The teamingreen and gold won by three wickets, claiming the flag on the Mirboo North Astro.

WOMEN’S cricket saw Sale Maffra win by eight wickets against Latrobe Valley.

Latrobe Valley compiled 138 at Bundalaguah, but it wasn’t enough.

Simone Clymo top-scored with 35, while others

to get among the runs were Bridie Kimpton (19), Taylah Kilpatrick (19), and Emily Shaw (17). The visitors missed the final as aresult.The Sharks will play Leongatha this Sunday for the flag at Col Wrigglesworth Oval, Bundalaguah.

Sale-Maffra claimed the Girls Under 17 Junior Country Week title recently, after going through the tournament, held at Yinnar, undefeated.

Lions pull off incredible win at TedSummerton

CRICKET

LVDCL PREMIER A

BY LIAM DURKIN

DAY 2saw close finishes across the board as games reachedtheir climax in Latrobe District Cricket League Premier A.

Less than20runsdecided two matches,while another very nearly saw areverse-outright.

The results keep things interesting as finals approach, and withthree games left in the regular season, the race to the premiership appears wide open. Just last weekend, fifth beat second and last got within 15 runs of first.

Competitive cricket looks to be ahallmark of the LVDCLatthe moment.

And if what we were sold is true -that is what the league was set-up for after all.

FAIR play Moe, that was adecent win.

The Lions resumedDay 2needing seven wickets against CATS, but only had 61 runs to play with.

At the start of play, as CATS not out batsmen

Tyler Brown and Josh Keyhoe walked to the middle of Ted Summerton Reserve, and with Cal Stewart to come, WinViz would have had CATS at least going at a60per cent chance of victory.

The scaleswould have tipped upwards of 70 when Keyhoe and Brown took the total to 3/69, just 54 runs shy of the target.

With the visitors firmly in the box seat,Moe spinner Callum Grantcame to life, first picking up the wicket of Keyhoe, adding to his list of scalps from the first day.

Rob Phoenix, cominginfor Day 2, followed up by taking the wicket of Brown for 44, to leave CATS precariously placed, still 37 runs behind.

Who else but Rob Phoenix to take the gamechanging wicket.

The class of Stewartalways threatened to be the difference, and after seeing off 58 deliveries and looking set to bat through to the end, he was undone by Grant, who brokethrough his defences.

After Stewart had takenseven wickets last week, Grantsaid‘two can play at this game’,and he ripped the rest of the CATS order to pieces.

He took wickets in three consecutive overs, to leave CATS 9/95.

At that stage, they needed 28 to win.

The final pairing of Sam Gissara and Harry Cooper sent afew shivers through the Moe camp, after batting for closeto15overs and putting on 13

However, Grant could not be denied, and ended up matchingStewart’sseven-wicket effort from Day 1. Grant took the remaining four wickets and ended with figures of 7/37 off 29 overs.

Incredibly, CATS lost 7/39 and were bowled out for 108.

Grantdid his championship pointsnoharm, with five of his wickets unassisted.

Phoenix also deserves amention for sending down19overs, 10 of which were maidens, and getting 1/22.

The ramifications from this game could be drastic for bothsides.Moe went to the top of the ladder after winning, while the loss might well cost CATS aplace in the finals.

In acompetition so tight, finishing top-two is vital for three reasons:

 Home semi-final;

 Immunity if weather intervenes, and (the one that is often forgotten);

 You go through to the granny if it is atie

For CATS, while the result was no doubt one they let slip, in fairness to them, their training has been heavily restricted due to issues with their ground, meaning they still haven’t ventured out for centre wicket practice at John Black Oval.

Taking absolutely nothing away from someone getting seven-fa, but in agame that saw five people either bowled or lbw to aspinner, you would say not being able to practice on turfwould be a justifiable reason why CATS may have struggled last Saturday.

Nonetheless, Moe, should now be confident they can win from any situation.

For as longasmost people involved in local cricket have remembered, one of Moe’s greatest strengths is they never give up trying to win.

If the Moe team that plays at Ted Summerton during winter could do the same thing, they will surely be better off.

MORWELL snuck in by 15 runs against Latrobe

Adramatic collapsesaw the Sharks lose 6/18 after being 4/124 chasing 157.

Resuming at 0/21 at PeterSiddle Oval, the home side set about chewing away at the total.

Veteran Anthony Bloomfield and skipper Benn Zomer took the scoreto1/61, before Zomer became one of two wickets for Mark Cukier after getting to 25.

The finger spinner followed up by trapping Steven Freshwaterinfront, creating an opportunity for the Tigers to run through the middle order.

Bloomfield was still in however, and shouldered most, if not all,the remainingrun-scoringfor Latrobe, as those around him did theirbest to hang around.

The old hands of Bloomfield and Mick Zomer addedahandy 36 for the fifth wicket, with the latter seeing off 59 deliveries.

Conditions were clearly treacherous at Peter Siddle Oval. Bloomfield, an ordinarily attacking batsman who generally likes to hit spinners over the top, faced 210 balls in total and spent more than four hours at the crease.

Amix-upsaw Zomer run out with Latrobe needing 33 to win.

As is often the case, run-outs lead to collapses, and that is precisely what happened.

Senior Latrobe players TyronGamage and Adam Duncan came in to bat with Bloomfield, and by that stage, it became acase of trying to get the set batsman on strike as much as possible.

The Sharksbestlaid plans fellapart however, as Gamageand Duncan were dismissed within seven runs of each other, which left Bloomfield to bat with the tail.

The match-winner for Morwell came from club legend Steve Bilic, who made sure his 200th wicket for Morwell was one to remember, dismissing Bloomfield for amatch-high 80.

Bilic had taken the wicket of Gamage just moments before, which played akey part in the Tigers’ eventual win as Gamage is capable of connecting with afew.

When Bloomfield was dismissed, the score was

8/134, which allowed Morwell aclearpath to victory as (in the greatest respect), Latrobe only had kids and guys just starting out in AGrade to come.

Young SharkLiamDuncan showedgood application, seeing off 34 balls under pressure, but ball number35saw hisstumpsshattered by Blake Mills, who took the last two wickets to fall.

Millsended the day with 3/11 off 12 overs, which included his 100th career wicket for the Tigers. He received good support from Cukier (2/35 off 21 with eight maidens) and Bilic (2/6 off seven).

In the washup, Latrobe was all out for 142. Morwell took not only the win, but also the inaugural Vizard/Giddens Cup.

The cup has been inauguratedthis seasonto honour families of Latrobe and Morwell Cricket Club’s, and their contributions to each.

For the record, at first grade level, the Tigers and Sharks have met on 81 occasions. Morwell haswon 41 ofthose,Latrobe 34, and there has been six draws.

On asidenote, likeCATS, the Sharks have had plenty to contend with regarding their home ground -this match was the first played at Peter Siddle Oval all season.

RAIDERS gavetheir past players plenty of entertainment on Saturday.

Atopsy-turvy contest eventually ended with Raiderswinning on firstinnings, asomewhat anticlimactic waytofinish given that was the result after Day 1.

Heading into Day 2, there was no shortage of hypotheticals facing the Yinnar Turf.

While the home side had already secured first innings points the previous week, there was one smallproblem -they were only 25 runs ahead with one wicket in hand.

Their opponents, Churchill,arrived knowing they would have to get the remaining wicket as quickly as possible, before setting afourth innings total to possibly win reverse-outright.

Raiders added13runstotheir Day 1score, meaning the Cobras needed to firstly knock off 38 runs, and then give Raiders something to chase.

Churchillturned the gameinto aone-dayer, and declared at 6/217after 42 overs.

The equations: Raiders had180 to chasein around 45 overs if they wanted to walk away with maximum points.

Pushinghardtotakesix points and areverseoutright win, the Cobras looked very much on track to achieve that when Raiders sunk to 5/46.

Steve Warr struckthe key wicketsofMick Higgins and Alex Burcombe, while Kian Farmworth took three wickets to add to his five-fa in the first dig.

When Warr had Liam Maynardcaught, Raiders were 6/68,and the visitors were on the cusp of completing afamous victory.

From there, Raiders stoppedworryingaboutthe outright,and focussed on making sure they kept their six points from the first innings win.

Theydid just that,closingat6/94after44.3overs.

Team: TheLatrobe Valley District CricketLeague Under 17 Girls Junior CountryWeek side photograph supplied

Cricket coming to Walhallathis Sunday

CRICKET

WALHALLA Cricket Club will host adouble-header Twenty20 this Sunday.

Melbourne Cricket Club are coming up the hillfor the day to play two matches.

The firstmatch will see alocal contingent of playersfrom BlackbridgeCricketClub(a

Gippsland-based club that competes in winter cricket), take on the MCC, before ateam representing Walhalla does likewise.

The matches are being held to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Walhalla CC.

The first match commences at 10.30am.

Walhalla CC is affiliated with the Traralgon District Cricket Association.

Aworking bee last Sunday was undertaken, and spectators are now able to drive to the ground carved out on top of ahill.

Those wishing to walkthe famous track should allow 45 minutes to do so.

Ready to go: Picturesque Walhalla Cricket Ground will host two matches this Sunday photograph supplied

Walhalla CC

150th anniversary

Sunday, February5 at Walhalla CricketGround

10.30am -BlackbridgevsMCC XXIX

2.30pm -Walhalla vs MCC

WALHALLA TEAM

MarkSmith

Gordon Cowling

Jordan Wilson

Brad Norman

BrettWilson

PatrickRichardson

Jackson Luca

Ben Hannan

Jason Butler

ClayButler

Will Brewer

Keiran Watson (chairman)

Dennis Kruse (umpire)

BLACKBRIDGE TEAM

Grant Duncan (captain)

Fraser Duncan

PeterDell

Brian Christensen

TimJeffrey

Jake Jeffrey

GerardMcIllroy

Paul Ridges-Black

Dean Black

Glenn Barnes

James Robertson

Marshall Lacey

Craig Boswell

Liam Durkin

Centrals cruise to outright

CRICKET

LVDCL AGRADE BY

LIAM DURKIN

SAYING this jokingly, but doesthe Bureau of Meteorology ever get it right?

Playersinthe Latrobe Valley District Cricket League were bracing for apossible abandonment last Saturday, after the temperature was forecast to hit 38 degrees.

As it turned out, weather conditions barely got past mild, and all matches went ahead.

Whileyou would no doubthavetobesmarter than acountry newspaperjournalist to workat the BoM, the way in which the day panned out made something of amockery of their predictions.

In AGrade,there was no great surprises as results came to hand, but that didn’t mean there was no shortage of talking points.

MIRBOO NORTH defeated Jeeralang-Boolarra.

The PanthersventureduptoMirboo North on Day 2at3/21, needing afurther 162 runs with seven wickets in the shed.

Things never really got going for the visitors, who were bowled out for 126.

From their Day 1predicament,Jeeralang-Boolarra fell further behind in the game, as the Tigers’ bowlers struck at regular intervals.

The visitors added just three runs to their Day 1 score, before the first wicket fell.

From there, things unravelled even more.

Panthers captain Ben Heath was bowled by Dale Banks, leaving Jeeralang-Boolarra further in arrears at 5/38.

Heath appeared motionless andinastate of disbelief immediately after his dismissal, holding the sweep shot position for an extended period, contemplating just how on earthhehad missed aballheprobably felthehad covered the whole way down.

The two other Bens, Duffy and McCormack, stayed in for awhile,both seeing off more than 50 balls, before their exits essentiallycalledcurtainsonany hopes Jeeralang-Boolarra might have had.

In fairness, McCormack wasbowled by aperfectlypitchedoff-break from Jed Alexander,which got through the tinniest of gapstoclip the topofleg stump.

If body language is anything to go by, McCormack graciously accepted his fate as he was walking off, most likely thinking “that was apretty good ball”.

Sometime later, Duffywent outcutting aball that was taken by wicket-keeperDom Davis, giving young gun Max Woodall his third wicket.

Woodall followed up with awicket straight after, meaning he was on ahat-trick

The hat-trick ball was aplay and miss,but Woodall needed not worry too much, as he completed his five-fa ashort time later.

Banks secured victory for Mirboo North, getting the final wicket via ano-shot-offered lbw to see Jeeralang-Boolarra 57 runs short of wherethey needed to be.

The leg-spinner ended with 2/7, but it was Woodall who was the star-of-the-show. His final analysis read 5/41 off 22 overs with nine maidens.

Of those five, four were dismissals bowlers love to see, either bowled, lbw or knicked-off.

He deliveredarip-snorting delivery on Day 1,

knocking middle stump out of the ground from around the wicket witha ball thatangled in and swungawaytoa left hander.

CENTRALS were on thebeers by 1pm.

Their opponents were as well, although the way in which the game ended meant all they were doing was drinking away their sorrows.

The Lions entered Day 2with an outright firmly in sights against Traralgon West.

It did not take longfor Centralstoachievejust that -only 24 overs in fact.

The Eagles were in all sortsoftrouble at stumpson Day 1, falling to 4/21, still 48 runs short of making the Lions even bat again.

Things looked slightly okay at Apex Park for the visitors when they took the score to 4/50, but then the Lions pounced, and it was an almighty Eagle crash-landing.

Like Sia, Traralgon West fell to pieces, and were routed for just 63.

The Eagles’scorecardresembled aphone number, as only ahandfulofplayers managed double-figures. Centralsshared the lovewiththe ball,with wickets distributed among four bowlers.

Joe Stuart took 3/9, making it eight wickets for the match, while Rob Webber finished with 3/22.

Corey Pollard took 2/7 and Marc Fenech 2/22 to help the cause.

The outright win was Centrals’ second consecutive by such amargin, and gave their percentage aconsiderable boost.

Top spot is potentially up for grabs when the Lions play Trafalgar this coming round.

IF you happened to spend last Saturday afternoon watchingpaint dry, that would probably have been moreexciting than what unfoldedatTrafalgar Recreation Reserve.

Trafalgar entered Day2against Willow Grove in astrongposition, having the visitors 2/21 in pursuit of 289.

Deciding that task might have been beyond them, the Wolves set about batting out the day, and did apretty good job of it.

Wilow Grove saw off close to 90 overs in total, 68 of which came on the second day.

For asideplaying AGrade for the first time this season, to do that was every bit as good as awin While that might have been apositive for them, it certainly didn’t make for entertaining cricket.

Trafalgar ended up winning on first innings after bowling Willow Grove out for 146, but the way in which things panned out had someTrafalgar players labelling it “the most boring day of cricket ever played”.

Of the 86 overs bowled by the Ships, 38 were maidens.

Breaking it down even more, of the 526 balls Trafalgar bowled, 461 were dots (yes, Iwent back and counted them all).

That works out to 89 per cent of balls bowled by Trafalgar being either dots or wickets.

The Ships had men crowded around the bat as early as the 30th over, at which stage they had a short-leg, leg slip, silly mid off, silly mid on and a catching mid-wicket.

Entering the day, the Ships knew they would need to have Willow Grove bowled out by tea in order to set up an outright.

Trafalgar had the game pretty much where they

wanted,asthe Wolves were8/74 at the main break.

Wanting to getthe last two wickets as quickly as possible,the Ships clearly didn’t bet on Adam James and Liam Cumiskey puttingon58for the ninth wicket.

The pair took the scoreboard out of the equation, and batted for the bestpartofa whole sessionafter tea.

Their efforts notonly denied Trafalgarthe chance to bowl again, but also sent an ever-so-slight warning bell throughout the Ships’ camp.

Truthfully, as the partnershipgrewand time ticked away, there was an outsidechance theWolves were going to hold on for adraw.

James made 39, and managed to get some good shots away.

When he departed, there was 90 minutes left in the day, and afurther 15 minutes was taken out by the time the last wicket fell.

Knowing the chances of getting 10 wickets in just over an hour were minimal at best, Trafalgar captain Aydan Connolly decided to call it.

Trafalgar’s bowlers got adecent workout, and had their figures well looked-after.

RhysHoldsworth went past 200 AGrade wickets for Trafalgar,taking 3/18,while new-ball operators Zack Brown and Jackson Noonan took 2/27 and 2/41 respectively.

Given it felt like afive-day game, it was perhaps fittingthe Ships wore their new two-day shirts. Trafalgar’s new shirts are somewhat reminiscent of what is seen in Test matches with numbers on the back.

On reflection, the Ships didn’t have too much cause for concern about not getting the outright.

To take 18 wickets in aday was always going to be abig ask,especially on ahard-deck. To win outright on ahard-deck you either need to bowl first or give yourself aday-and-a-half to bowl.

If anything, theday probablyreiterated to Trafalgar that they don’t have an attack that is going to blast out opposition line-ups -sothey need to remain patient and disciplined in the field.

For Willow Grove, last Saturday was another step in the right direction.

Understandably, those steps have been baby steps this season, but the Wolves appear to be agroup that is under no illusions where they are at.

Speaking to aWillow Grove official on Saturday, he said they had been ticking off small-wins along the way, such as batting their full overs in aonedayer, and now, batting afull day in atwo-dayer.

The Wolves can give both those items abig tick, andcould even give themselves bonus points when you consider they have (by their own admission) essentially been coaching themselves how to play AGrade

Willow Grove should now be confident they can at least defend, which could help them drastically moving forward.

If football coaching is anything to go by, every coach seemstothinkteam successstems from defence.

There is asaying: “Offence fills your grandstand, defence fills your trophy cabinet”.

Iprefer this one though: “Batsmansell memberships, bowlers win premierships”.

Traralgon West Second Inns (res 4/21)

SRasool .b Webber ..18

BHowe. cFoleybStuart. 18

TFitch cDoble bPollard. 1

MGriffiths .stDoble bStuart. .6 LPhillips cWebber bPollard. .0

DCooke. cHourigan bStuart. 2 AThow. not out 6 Extras (nb 1, w1,b1,lb0). .3

.37

63 Centrals bowling:RWebber 12-5-22-3,

North bowling:MWoodall 22-9-41-5,AThomas

ZHollis 12-4-18-1,DBanks5-1-7-2, J Alexander 12-3-28-1, WLawrey5-4-3-0

PREMIER BGRADE

ROUND15

Thorpdale 1/232(cc) (M Powell 109*, KO’Connell108*) def Moe 90 (P Mackenzie 3/9, KDron3/19, MPowell 2/15);Newborough 121(SWernham 38, DRode 5/24) defbyCentrals 6/213(cc) (L Speairs59, DWhite 48, DRode 40,KHillis 2/34); Morwell0/53(KFortuin 29*) def Jeeralang-Boolarra 41 (C Monds 3/0, SGniel 3/8, CSeymour 3/12); Mirboo North -BYE.

BGRADE

ROUND 15

Churchill 5/194(cc) (T Spark 70, Pvan Rossum 37*, RJohnson 28) def CATS 6/108(cc) (B Hagley45*, SMustoe 28*,JDunn 2/19); WillowGrove 134(C Veenman 50, MWilliams5/19, BBright 3/31) def by TraralgonWest 6/148 (B Griffiths 39*, RCahill 31,A Tangutso3/32, Jvan der Stoep 2/29); Raiders 9/192 (J Hecker70, JBerryman-Lambert37, BillyClaridge 3/23, Christian Burgess 3/46)def Trafalgar 8/189 (Billy Claridge 52, ChristianBurgess 35, OHennessy27, K Arora4/44, CKnowles 2/33); Latrobe -BYE.

PREMIER CGRADE (Round 5catch-up fixture) Morwell 99 (TrafMSmith 4/22, DBrown 2/10) def Trafalgar 54 (C Johnson 3/7, AKumar3/12); Premier CGrade and CGrade Round 12 resumes on February4

WOMENS DIVISION

Womens Division Round 11 resumes on February2

Southall competing for The Ashes this month

CRICKET

VETERANS CRICKET

BY TOM HAYES

YOU’RE never too old to compete for The Ashes. This will be displayed when the England Over 70s tour Australia to play three One-Day Internationals this month.

Amongthe selected Australians is Mirboo North’s Ian Southall.

Southall played cricket in Gippsland and has represented various clubs, boasting many premiershipachievements as an openingbowler Southall has also beeninvolved in cricket administration and coaching for more than 50 years, while he currently plays Veterans Cricket for the GippslandGoannas, as well as representing state and Australian teams.

He previously toured the United Kingdom in August 2015 with the Veterans Cricket Association for the Over 60s -sothis will be his first appearance since that tour nearlyeight years ago.

The mostrecenttour wassupposed to be in 2020, but was cancelleddue to COVID, so this tour will be the first since August 2018.

In 2018, the Australians toured the UK, as England eventually won the series 2-1, reclaiming The Ashes after Australia stole them earlier in the year on home soil.

In that series, Australia won the firstODI, before England put the foot down and halted both of Australia’s run-chases to win the final two ODI’s.

After seeing The Ashes remain on enemy soil for the last four-and-a-half years, Australia will be eager to keep them on home soil.

The firstODI between the Australiaand England Over 70s takes place on Sunday, February 5atthe Redlands Tigers Cricket Club Birkdale, Brisbane.

The tour heads south, withthe secondODI taking place at Coogee Oval, Sydney on Sunday, February 12.

The final destination of the tour is at the Caulfield Cricket Club, Melbourne on Tuesday, February 21.

Chart-topping Blues record

CRICKET

LVDCL

BY LIAM DURKIN

ONLY the best come from Thorpy. Thorpdale CricketClubsaw arecordbroken last Saturday.

The Blues put up atotal of 1/232 against Moe in Round 15 of Premier Binthe Latrobe Valley District Cricket League, highlighted by a203-run partnership for the second wicket between Kayne O’Connell and Matt Powell.

O’Connellbattedthrough theinningstoremain unbeaten on 108, completing his maiden senior century, while Powell scored 109 not out batting first drop.

The paircame together with thescoreboard reading 1/29, and batted the best part of 35 overs.

SCOREBOARD

26

ABloomfield retired 42

BMcDonald. lbw Lowe 25

PSpiteri not out 24

BHowe. lbw Malloy. 0

GKinnish not out 12

Extras (nb0, w0, b1, lb3). .4

Total. 3/133 (28.5ov)

Coburg bowling: WBlair 3-0-11-0, ASmith 2-0-6-0, AWhear

4-0- 27-0, KLowe6-0-32-1, SMalloy5-0-13-1, WSlattery 3-0-17-0, AGale 2.5-1-5-0

Thorpdale CricketClub

(B

Fittingly, the record was broken at Thorpdale Recreation Reserve, and the home side was able to toast victory later in the afternoon.

With ahugetotal on the board, the Blues made short work of the Lions, bowling them out for 90.

Powell backed-up his efforts with the bat, taking 2/15off six overs, while O’Connell took the new ball.

Can you be fined for not giving anyone else ago in club cricket?

Powell’s two wickets may have been enough to earn him three votes.

O’Connell would be stiff to miss aleague award on the back of this, but nonetheless, his name is now up on the honour boardatThorpdale Cricket Club.

As fate would have it, O’Connell took the record previously held by his older brother Harley.

While they say records are made to be broken, the

senior O’Connell might not have been too pleased when he found out who had taken his record.

For what it’s worth, the previous record was 180 between HarleyO’Connell and Shannon Pickering in season 2011/12.

Pickering is still playing for Thorpdale,and amazingly, shares apartnership record with Kayne’s eldest brother, Zac, as well as Powell.

Powell is now on the partnership record board three times, the same number of tons he has to his name.

Thorpdale remains undefeated and on top of the LVDCL Premier Bladder.

The Blueshave won threeBGrade premierships in recent years (2008/09, 2018/19, 2020/21), and could have another on theway.

For ateam that is supposedly struggling numbers-wise, they are doing alright.

Goannas batsmenturn backthe clock

CRICKET VETERANS BY PATSPITERI

THE Gippsland Goannas Over 50 cricket team had the pleasure of welcoming Coburg Over-50s to the Sale Oval on Sunday, which was the last game of the season.

The lush ground and avery good-looking wicket saw the visitors win the toss and have no hesitation in batting first.

Brenton Howe got the early breakthrough, giving wicket keeper Chris Anders his first catch of the day.

BothHowe and Anthony Bloomfield bowled tightly,withBloomfield bowling out his maximum overs for only 19 runs.

Skipper Graeme Rankin decided to bank some of Howe’sovers till the end and replaced him with straight arm spinner Pat Spiteri,who helped Coburg’s runrate head north andopeningbat Anthony Dale retire on 41.

Luckily for the Goannas, leg spin guru, Bradley (do what Isay notwhatIdo) McDonald, had a word in Spiteri’s ear, and the spinner started flighting the ball and removedthe dangerous Darren Scott which left the visitors 2/65 and in agood position.

Skipper Rankin felt the need of slowing the run rate down and broughtonPeter Padula, who bowled three tidy overs for just five runs, then the moment the players and spectators were calling forfrom ball one, finally happened when Rankin threw the ball to McDonald, who all week had again been working on anew ball that would bamboozle batsman in the Over50s competition.

Unfortunately, he kept it and his leg spinners in the locker until next season, and treated us to amasterclass of oneover of swing bowling.

Ever reliable Steve Rogers came on to bowl and the Coburg team saw runs dryupand wickets tumble.

Rogers claimed three wickets for only 15 runs from seven overs with his first wicket, William Blair, being superbly caught by James Freeman, whoresembled Superman flying through the air.

Rogers had his second alittle while later, and the visitors were 4/87.

The skipper kept ringing the bowling changes, and leg spinner Freeman hadball in hand, taking hisfirst wicket withatidycatch by wicket-keeper Anders.

Longoverdue, Paul Hennessy and his well flighted off spinners came into the attack, together with Andersclaiming two stumpingsand the innings of Coburg was ended with the visitors all out for 132.

The Goannasbatsmanwound back the clock with some superb batting from the top order.

Thehard-hittingBloomfieldstroked the ball to allparts of the ground like he did in his heyday, and before-too-long, retired on 42.

In strode McDonald at first drop. Aman on a mission, seething after only getting the one over during Coburg’s innings.

Hitting the ball long and hard which sent the fielders ducking for cover, aquickfire 25 saw him come and go, but not before he and Rankin put a dent in the run chase with ahandy partnership thatsaw the scoreboard read 1/90 whenitwas broken.

Spiteri wasnext to join Rankin, but unfortunately,after astraightdrive, the skipper wascaught backing up way too far and was run out after the ball flicked the bowler’s fingers and Rankin was on his way.

The skipper put had scored awell-compiled 26 opening the batting.

Howe would be the last wicket to fall for aduck, which saw the Goannas 3/98.

Geoff Kinnish’s 12 not out and Spiteri’s 24 not out was enough to see them home.

The Goannaswon their final game comfortably three wickets down and with 20 overs to spare. This was agreat winbythe Goannas Over 50 team!

Blues brothers: Thorpdale CricketClubnew partnership record-holdersMattPowell and Kayne O’Connell. photograph supplied

National duty: IanSouthall is set to play for Australia Over 70s file photograph

Englishman takes over on Australia Day

CRICKET

TDCA

AN incredibleweek for cricket in the TraralgonDistrict Cricket Association saw matches played across two days. With results falling the way they did, it will have all clubs on notice as every single match for the rest of the season will be crucial for everyone’s premiership aspirations in A, Band CGrade

IMPERIALS and Rovers took the field last Thursday in an Australia Day Classic at Catterick Crescent,as the two clubs used the public holiday to give themselves aweekend off.

It was an important match for both clubs, as awin would have either team breathing down the neck of Toongabbie for apotential fourth place position on the ladder.

Imperials won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first on awicket that has been incredibly good so far after Christmas.

The Imperialsinnings was astrange one though, as it was full of starts although no batsmen were able to go on and get abig score, with the biggest being 25 which was made by bothBrad Sizelandand Dilshan Thillekarathna.

Still, Imperials were able to get to 161 from 46 overs, which is always going to be difficult to chase down.

Imperials startedwell with the ball and had Rovers 4/42 after dismissing Ewan Williams batting at five.

Thein-form Dougal Williams was stillinthough, and togetherwith Lachlan Patterson, were able to put on 40 for the fifth wicket before aJoel Randall rocket went straightthrough Williams on 31.

This brought Englishman Olly Mason to the crease, and together with Patterson, he was able to get Rovers rightbackintothe game until amix-upcost Patterson his wicket. This left Mason to get his team

home, but still requiring 50 runs, Imperials were in the box seat.

The next few overs were intense, as well as controversial in one instant, but Mason was able to keep his nerve as he guided his team home to a fantastic win, claiming the ‘Australia Day Medal’ in the process for Man of the Match.

This win now has Rovers only three points out of the topfour, which they can certainly make up over the remaining rounds of the season.

If Rovers can keep in touch with the four, they are scheduled to play Toongabbie in the final round of the season before finals, which could be an elimination finalofsorts,sothe script is written, they just need to continue their good form.

Imperials would be disappointed in the loss, but aregetting some little victoriesalong the way,especially with Dom Thompson, who is now getting an opportunity up the order with the bat, as well as claiming wicketswhich will be great for his developmentand the future of the club.

THE much-fancied grand finalists, Ex Students and Glengarry faced off at the Traralgon Recreation Reserve. Ex Students came into the match in unfamiliar territory having lost their last two matches.

In the hot conditions,Glengarry won the toss but werehappyto send the home team in, which had immediate impact as Glengarry had Ex Students in bigtrouble early with Matt Dyke, Jimmy Pryde, Mitch Membrey, Jackson McMahon and Lee Stockdaleall back in the sheds with the score on just 53.

TheSharksjustseemtofindaway though, and from the precarious position of 6/77, apartnership of 70 was builtbetweenMatt Robertson(53) and Daniel Trease (37), who got the innings back on track and allowedthe Sharks to get to 163 which seemed

impossible from the position they were in.

Glengarry kept it tight and bowled well, with Nat Freitag and Al Jenkin both claiming three wickets each, but still, chasing 163 against Ex Students on their own patch is always ahard task.

The Magpies started well and when Cam Graham wasdismissed with the score on 3/75, the visiting team was still in avery strong position to continue on their winning way.

However, when Ex Students turn the screws, even the undefeated struggle, and from 4/116 the Magpies crashed to be 9/135 although Nat Freitag was doing his best and still hangingin. It wasn’t to be though as Freitag was dismissed for 47 to the bowling of MichaelBentley, with Glengarry still needing 23 runs for victory.

It’s hard to say it was the one that got awayfor Glengarry, as you should certainly never count your chickens before they hatch against the Sharks. Maybe it was the loss they needed or maybe it was just abliponthe radar. Either way, Glengarry and Ex Students have onewin apiece against each other for the season, and it sets up amagnificent finalifthesetwo teams are to meet again.

GORMANDALE madethe trip to Yarram, and got alittle nostalgic for some of the older players who got to visittheir old ground on the way over. Upon arrival, the Tigers were alittle flat, but winning the toss and batting first seemed to spark the away team as they got off to adecent start.

When Matt Hibbs arrived at the crease with the score on 55, not even he would have thought he would be seeing the rest of the innings out, but that he did as Hibbs was able to bring up his maiden TDCA AGrade hundred and finished the innings 120 not out from 106 balls. The reallygood signs for

TDCA SCOREBOARD

Gormandale was that Hibbs was able to bat well in partnerships throughout the inningsasGormandale, who only had one win to their name for the season, were able to amass 250 after 50 overs for the loss of five wickets.

Yarram District weren’t expecting Gormandale to notch up such ascore, but having looked at the wicket, which was abatting paradise,the Pelicans still went in confident.

Gormandale setthe tone early as AdamBradygot awicketwiththe first ball of the innings, and although superstars Dylan Rash and Anthony Scottfell relativelycheaply,the Pelicans continued to hang in and tick the score over.

It got alot tighter than the score line suggests duetosome excellent batting from GriffinUnderwood who made a verygood 51 notout from 56 balls, but in the end, the first innings score was just too much and the Pelicans were bowled out in the 45th over for183 with Adam Brady the chief destroyer for Gormandale, taking 6/25.

This match has the potential to shape the top four,asa win here would have kept Yarram District in second spot on the ladder.

The good news for Yarram though is their wicket is simply superb, and there will be big runs scored on that ground for the rest of the season and the years to come.

Gormandaledrove home wondering where this type of formhad been, and Matt Hibbs departed knowing thathewas the first batsman to make ahundred on thenew Yarram Recreation Reserve turf wicket, which is something nobodycan evertake away from him.

TOONGABBIE had the bye.

THE TDCA will play Sale-Maffra this Sunday for the senior Gippsland Cricket League premiership. The match is at Sale Oval, commencing at 10.15am.

Gippsland Goannas win important clash against South Gippsland vets

CRICKET VETERANS

GIPPSLAND Goannas Over-60s retained the annual Gippsland Lifestyle Magazine Trophy by beating South Gippsland in ahigh quality game at Stephenson Park in Sale on Sunday.

Goannas captain, RinoMetlikovec,won the toss and batted on agood wicket, but with aslow outfield.

Rob Taylor and Ray Floyd opened the batting, with Floydcaught for six and Taylor bowled for 12. Player of the Match Ken Bailey (36 off 30 balls) and Metlikovec (30 off 33 balls) then dominated the bowling with someenterprising batting, supported by Ian Southall(19 not out), Neil Meredith (11), IanGibson (14) and Rob Bacchetti (12).

Two run outs were adisappointing part of the Goannas innings.

The final scorefor the Goannas of 152 looked light, butprovedtobeadequate followingsome tight bowling and solid fielding.

The South Gippsland batsmen worked hard for their runs, but struggled to take control at any time.

The opening bowlers for the Goannas, Ian Southall and Rob Bacchetti, bowled accurate spells, with Bacchetti’s 1/7 off six tight overs ahighlight.

Southall was also tidy, bowling six overs for 16 runs before his departure to play for the Australian Over-70s team against Englandinthe nextfew weeks.

Five of the first six overs were maidens, with South Gippsland 1/4 at that point.

Other wicket-takers were Metlikovec (2/10 off six), Meredith (1/22) and Murray Moore (1/20).

Keeper Ian Gibson took two catches and Metlikovec one, while Murray Moore was

responsiblefor asharp run out of South Gippsland batsman Peter Petrou.

For South Gippsland, Joe Burke top-scored with 25 retired, while Peter Little (19 retired), Peter Cleland (14 not out) andPetrou (13) were the top-scorers.

South Gippsland ended with 6/121 off their 40 overs.

After the match, the annual trophy was presented to the Goannas by Doug Pell, the driving force behind the Gippsland Lifestyle Magazine.

The next game for the Goannas Over-60s is againstYarra Valley at Wandin North on Sunday.

bowling: ABrady 7.4-0-25-6, CPeavey10-0-44-0, MHibbs 3-0-10-0, YSoyza 10-1-18-1,E Jarvis 9-0-39-0, GSwan 2-0-16-1, TReynolds 2-0-23-1, NScammell 1-0-1-0

BYE -Toongabbie BGRADE ROUND 16

Rovers 7/162(cc) (GBramwell 40, BNicholls29, J Pearce 28, JAnderson3/24, GWalker 2/17)def by Imperials 5/158(cc) (J Anderson 50*, SGalea 32*, GGreenway3/50); Glengarry8/233 (C Dunn 74,P Henry63, JSands 27*, AWinter25, JThompson 4/41) defbyExStudents 269 (A Jaensch 142, R Battista37, JPorter4/41, PHenry 2/29, AWinter 2/39, JSands 2/53); Gormandale 46 (D Coulthard 6/3, TCrawford 2/8, JSwift 2/17) def by Yarram & District 1/48 (P Griffiths 30*); BYE -Toongabbie

CGRADE ROUND11

Resumes next week on Saturday,February4

Whack: Goannas captain Rino Metlikovec,fromChurchill, attacksthe South Gippslandbowling photograph supplied

Hawks in town for pre-season camp

FOOTBALL

By TOM HAYES

HAWTHORN Hawks are in Morwellthis week for afour-day pre-season camp, which started on Monday.

Following the retirementofformer Hawks skipper, Ben McEvoy, coach Sam Mitchell will be assessing his squad for its next captain.

“I’m pretty confident we’ve got afew options. Imeanit’s obvious on the external that James Sicily is thebig,obvious one, but certainly there’s alot of players whoIwouldn’tunderestimate their influence on the group,” Mitchell said.

Not only this, but Mitchell will also have to identify anew number-one ruckman, as McEvoy held that title for the better part of adecade.

Three ruckmen are in the hunt for the numberone ruckrole withNed Reeves, Max Lynch and Lloyd Meek all in the running.

Some familiar faces are down as apartofthe squad; Changkuoth (CJ) Jiath, Jai Newcombe and Jai Serong.

Jiath grew up in Morwell, before being selected as aCategory-Brookie in 2017, making his AFL debut late in 2019.

He has now become one of Hawthorn’s best off

half-back, providing run and carry up the ground.

Newcombe didn’t have the easy routetoAFL either, beginningatPoowong in theEllinbankand District Football League.

He wasn’t offeredtoplay for Gippsland Power until 2020,but due to COVID, didn’t feature for the rep side.

Newcombe climbed the ranks at Waverly, starting in Hawthorn’s VFL equivalent -Box Hill Hawks -before impressing in the AFL club.

Whileplaying for Box Hill,Newcombe was workinginWarragul, commuting to train twice aweek

He was then selected with pick two of the 2021 mid-season draft, and has become astaple of Hawthorn’s young midfield.

Serong has only justbroken intothe team, playing three games at the end of last season.

He grew up in Inverloch beforehis family moved to Warragul.

The Hawksare here untiltomorrow (Thursday), while staying at Federation University in Churchill.

Aclinic is expected to be heldtoday (Wednesday, February1)atRonald Reserve from 4pm until5pm in Morwell East.

Keepposted for moreinformation on Hawthorn’s socials; Facebook, Instagramand Twitter, or on its website at https://www.hawthornfc.com.au/

Guess who’s back: Changkuoth Jiath pictured playing in Morwell in 2020, is in Morwell this week as Hawthorn undergoes a pre-season camp file photograph

Cricketing royalty Lord Ian Bothamvisits Traralgon

GOLF

By TOM HAYES

IT is not often that someone with the name ‘Lord’ in their title makes their way into the Latrobe Valley. English cricketing royalty graced the Traralgon Golf Course last week, when Lord Ian Botham came to town.

When it became aware that Botham was doing aSportsman Night at Woodside during the same week, event co-ordinator at the Traralgon Golf Club, Lindsay Chard, thought it would be agood idea to do the same in Traralgon.

He contacted Botham’s manager and before he knew it, the Traralgon Golf Club would be hosting aSportsmanNight, the day before he jetted off to Woodside.

Before the night at the Golf Club,Botham joined agroup of golfers for around -his first time on the course of Traralgon.

Botham arrived just after midday, setting up his clubs on the cart before meeting the lads.

In his group were Traralgon Tennis Association president, Darryl Higginbotham;Traralgon Tennis Association Club captain, Graham ‘Woofa’ Charlton and Simic’s Betta Home Living managing director, John Simic.

Upon meeting the lads, asense of camaraderie was already in the air.

Despite only having knee-replacement surgery in mid-October last year, it didn’t seem to play much affect on the way he struck the ball.

Botham’sconstant updatesonhis post-operation recovery on Twitter made me feel as if Ishould’ve known that was the case.

He only just played his first round of golf since his knee replacement on January 22, two days before coming to Traralgon.

As we walked the course, allowing him to play a few holes to get settled in, The Express was lucky

Lions ready to roar on court

enough to grab afew words fromthe man himself.

“First an foremost, how could yourefuse an invitationtoplayonagolf course which looks absolutely magnificent,” Botham said.

“I’ve been down this way before, but I’ve never actually stopped in Traralgon...so it’s my first time actually being in the town.”

Botham was reminded of astory of himself and great Australian cricketer, Allan Border,about the two going to afew pubs on their way through the town.

Being the man he is, Botham has played golf with peopleall around theworld, fromprofessionals, teammates and even former opponents.

“I’m verylucky, I’ve played withsomegreat players,” Botham said.

He listed afew including John Daly andIan Woosnam.

“The list is so long,” he added.

“I think the only person Ihaven’t played with -I caddied for Ian Woosnamwhenhewas playing with Jack Nicklaus, and Jack wasa remarkable man, that’s probably as near as I’d get to playing with my hero.”

Botham spoke on his relationship with the late, great Australian cricketer, Shane Warne too, describing their relationship as “close”.

“I was with him only afew days before he passed away, Iwent to England and he went out to Thailand,” Botham said.

“WheneverI come into Melbourne, Ialwaysring up hisdad,Keith, and we go and have abeer and just reminisce.”

On the recently-aired documentary series: Allan Border: My Story,there wasa part where Botham gifted Border with abat,after Border struggled with form.

“I gave him my bat that Ididn’t like so he could have it, it wasn’t going anywhere!” Botham said.

“He got 70-odd the next day and that went down really well with the England teammates.”

He recalls his favourite Ashes memories to be “every time that England beat Australia”, even when he isn’t playing he says “it still gets the juices pumping”.

Aside fromplayingcricket, Botham dabbles in commentary, working with anumberofdifferent programs.

“Working with Triple Misa bitdifferent,” he said.

“I enjoyedworking withChannel Seven last year, but the result was awful, England were pathetic, butI’m looking forward to comingbackina couple of years’ time.”

Speaking on the upcomingAshes series later this year, Botham gave abold prediction as to who would win.

“I think England will win, they’re on acrest of a wave at the moment,” he said.

“Australia are going to play four games back-tobackinIndia,then come straight to Englandtoplay five (Test matches), which Ithink is anonsense, they’ll get what they deserve!”

As we wrapped up, Botham spoke on his love for the countryside and how he prefers it to other places in the world.

“It’s beautiful...I like it down here, I’m acountry boy, so for me being out in the rural areas is much more enjoyable,” he said.

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE NETBALL

BY LIAM DURKIN

MOE Football-NetballClubnetballers have been busily preparing for the season ahead.

The Lions tooktoThe Summit in Trafalgar EastlastSaturday,where they were greeted with 40 challenges spread over five kilometres.

Players weretested with an array of obstacles, as they crawled,leapt and ran through the mud, allinthe name of fitness, commitment and team building.

Joining them were afew members of the Moe FNC senior football list.

Returning Moe AGrade netball coach Ramayer Gourley is set to enter her second season at the helm, and will be out to continue on the success of 2022.

The Lions narrowly missed the Grand Final last season, going down in the Preliminary Final by just one goal.

Moe will have afew players on VNL duty at times thisseason in Georgia Moody, AlexMoody, Olivia Barrnett,AbbyGregorovich, as well as Gourley herself.

The three Valley teams look set to be among the competitions best this year.

Defending premier Morwell did not lose a game last season, and has retained the bulk of its squad that had an average winning margin of 20 goals.

Traralgon made finals in 2022, but were eliminated in the first week.

While this may have been adisappointing result, the Maroons’ effort to even qualify was meritorious considering they were still without afully-functioninghome facility, even ayear after the 2021 flood.

Traralgon has added Bron Tebb to its roster, who comes across with three North Gippsland Football-Netball League best-and-faireststo her name.

The Maroons put in aremarkable run to win theBGrade premiership last season, and could have some players ready to make the step up.

By all reports, Traralgon AGrade coach Kate Frenchhas been puttingplayers through avery rigorous preseason. The Maroons may well be the fittest team by the time Round 1rolls around.

As the new season approaches, the milliondollar question appears to be asimple one.

Can anyone actually beat Morwell?

“I’ve known JB (James Brayshaw) forever, Punter (Ricky Ponting),Merv the Swerve(MervHughes), some good guys in that box.

“Completely (different vibe), that’s why Ilike it.

Later that night, the Traralgon Golf Course hostedasold-out event, filling the room with faces Chard simply said it was a“great night” that “went off”.

Prep: Moenetballers(and afew footballers) took on Summit Survivor in Trafalgar East as part of theirpreseason on Saturday photograph supplied

All together: John Simic, Darryl Higginbotham, Leon Hammond, LindsayChard, LordIan Botham, RodLoader, Graham Charlton and Kendra Flack. photographs tomhayes

Dusting offthe cobwebs: LordIan Botham playedatTraralgon Golf Club recently.

Legends galore at Traralgon Cup

GREYHOUND RACING TRARALGON CUP

BY TOM HAYES AND LIAM DURKIN

JUST like that, the Gippsland Festival of Racing is done and dusted for another season.

Headlined by the feature of former AFL champion Gary Ablett Jr, the Gippsland Festival of Racing began on BoxingDay in Sale,before heading to Warragul in mid-January, closing withthe final leginTraralgon on Australia Day.

The evening featured a12-race card, withthe exclusive Traralgon Cup worth $47,000 to the winner, reserved for Race 8.

Meanwhile in the clubhouse, Ablett was wandering around talking to everyonehecould, as an auction was held which sold thousands of dollars worth of memorabilia- the money going to Ablett’s charity.

The Bridges on Argyle Traralgon Cup Final(over450 metres),was worth $74,335-the winner collecting $47,000 of that pool.

MobileLegend for Napoleons’ Daryl and Colin Brennan did enough to hold of Revolution, winning by just over alength,winning all five starts from box five.

It was his sixth win from his past seven starts and 17th win from 35 overall.

MobileLegendwon twoofthe three legs of the Gippsland Festival of Racing, winning the G2 Warragul Cupinrace record time afortnight ago.

“He’s alegend in our eyes,” Daryl Brennan said post-race.

“He jumped well, which he had to do tonight. You can’t givedogs like these astart.

“Whenheled Ididn’t think they could beat him, but the four (Revolution) ran agreat raceand you’re never confident until they go past the post.”

Ahealthy crowd came to Glenview Park for the occasion, with Greyhound Racing Victoria putting on agrand show.

While there was plenty of Geelong

jumpers in attendance, and people wanting to get aphoto with TheLittle Master, there was also live music, food trucks,ajumping castle and Lego tent for the kids.

Asmoking ceremony conducted by Tre Moffatt opened proceedings before the first race.

Around 40 minutes afterthe last race, (inorder to give the dogs enough time to leave the venue and not get spooked), aspectacular fireworks show lit up the night sky.

Anumberoflocal groups also benefitted from the night. Rosedale Football-NetballClubpocketed $5000 as part of acommunity partnership, while the local probus club also won asum

Duringthe event, Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club president, Don Haley, was able to speak to The Express

“I think tonight’s racing has been fantastic, we’ve been blessed with

pretty good weather. culminated by the Traralgon Cup, the winner is a terrific dog,”Haley said.

“The carnival has beengoing for threeorfouryearsnow and it’sreally come into its own, Ithink alot more people are attending because they realise that its just agreat spectacle.”

The Traralgon Greyhound Club is one of the busiest and most active clubs in Victoria.

“We’re racing five times afortnight, whichwhen you add it all up Iunderstandisthe highestnumberofraces in Victoria,” he said.

“We’d rather be racing more frequently than less frequently.”

Haley believedthe support of Ablett throughout the whole festival of racinghad been immense.

“It’s been great for allthe clubs; Sale and Warragul and again tonight It’s hard to measure how many people have come along because Gary Ablettisinattendance,but we know

there’s certainly alot of people that have come along that may not have otherwise,” he said.

“He’s been agreat ambassador for greyhound racing in this carnival, and Ithink having acelebrity like him (Gary Ablett) is agood thing.

“When we race at night time, we’ve got the big screen, great lighting on abig track and it all comes onto its own at night.

“Having celebrities like Gary Ablett bring new peopletothe sport, he’s not going to be around all year, but alot of these people will return.”

Ablett is no stranger to Gippsland, as hisfamous father of course grew up in Drouin.

The two-time Brownlow medallist alsohas some connections closer to the Latrobe Valley, and is good friends with current Hill End Football-Netball Club senior coach Mike Santo.

Ablett tossed the coin at amatch between Hill End and Mirboo North in 2021, ayear after he retired following a357-game AFL career.

The rumourmillwas rife at the time Ablett was actually going to play agamefor the Hillmen, but so far, he is yet to pull on the boots.

For those wondering what Ablett was like in person, he was very generous and gave everyone that came up to him the time of day.

Relaying astory to him about his youngerbrother Nathan batting in asombrero while playing cricket for Hallora, Ablett Jr just laughed and said “that doesn’t surprise me”.

Granted he hasbeen out of the game for two-and-a-half years, he stilldidn’tlook like amodern-day midfielder, and on first glance, you couldn’thelp butthink he’d get bowled over by the likes of aPatrick Cripps,

or Dustin Martin.

But, it’shard to tackle when you get the ball so much.

OllieWines

Holygrail: Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club manager Olivia Alcock, Member forMorwell Martin Cameron, AFL great Gary AblettJr, andLatrobe City deputymayor DanClanceywith the Traralgon Cup photographs liam durkin

Twogreat men: Newborough’s RobWilson with GaryAblett.

Salute: Traralgon Cup winning trainers, twin brothersColin and DarylBrennan

Much appreciated:

Football-Netball Club took home $5000 as

incentive to helpcommunityclubs.Pictured is Rosedale senior football coach Jeremy Reid withTraralgon Greyhound Racing Club manager Olivia Alcock.

Rubbing shoulders: Geelong fanPaul ‘Lips’Hildebrand of Traralgonhad thethrill of meeting Gary Ablett.