Latrobe Valley Express Wednesday 21 August 2024

Time to get shovels in the ground

By LIAM DURKIN

YOU can’t get much more unanimous than96per cent. Traralgon Football-Netball Club members voted overwhelmingly to officially endorse design plans for anew multi-use pavilion for the town’s recreation reserve last week.

The vote came after aspecial general meeting was called, requiring eligiblemembers to signal their intentions.

The Traralgon Recreation Reserve, specifically the Traralgon FNC, have been operating without proper facilities since major floods left atrail of destruction in June 2021.

Since then,the Maroons footballershave beenoperatingout of makeshift, and frankly unsafe, change rooms, while visiting teams have been confined to portables.

LastWednesday’s special general meeting sought to createsomething of aresolution,and the general consensusfrom the assembly was that ‘enough is enough’.

Whilebudgetand designconstraints haveleft the possibility of Traralgon receiving afacility that could leave them short-changed, the risk of potentially losingfunding and theproject altogether was onethat Maroons members were not prepared to take.

Aproject reference group has been working around

the clock for the last threeyears, and moved to reassure members it had exhausted all options and fought for the best possible outcome.

Project reference group members Kevin Foley, Natalie Jaensch and Andrew Quenault chaired the meeting, representing the three main users of the Traralgon Recreation Reserve(Foley;Traralgon FNC football,Jaensch; Traralgon FNC netball; Quenault; Ex Students Cricket Club).

Design plans were made available for attendees to browse, while the trio gave asnapshot into the state of play.

Initial designplans were fora double storeyfacility, similar to the one that stood before the flood.

However, afollow up meeting in July last year revelledsuchafacility may haveblown the $6.7 million budget, andsothe decision was madetoexplore a single-storey design.

Sport and Recreation Victoriaare contributing $2.75m, with the balance to come from state and local government funds and grants.

At the meeting, it was stressed that if Traralgon FNC did make adecision soon, Sport and Recreation Victoria could pull their funding.

The hasbeen12official Project Reference Group Meetings alone since July last year, and more than eight concept plans drafted.

The project went to tender last May, and all came in under budget.

Followingthat synopsis, the floorwas openedfor discussion.

The current design accommodates football and netball change-rooms, as well as Traralgon Boxing Club, who will keep their current space.

The main bones of contention are the decreased floor spacefor football players change-rooms, and limitations on storage.

Netballers however have been properly accommodated, with change-room facilities within the complex which is afirst for Traralgon Recreation Reserve.

Afteranhour-long discussion, members cast their votesbyashow of hands, with three submitting theirs via proxy.

A total of 26 voted ‘for’ to endorse design plans, with only asinglevote going against. Ahandful of members chose to abstain.

With the plans now endorsed, it is anticipated demolitionofthe old facility willtakeplace in the second-last week of September.

Latrobe City Council has put down atimeframe of October 2025 for project completion.

Traralgon still hopes to play home games next season, and will make do with portable rooms for one more year.

AGL reveals keys to headline profit

AGL, which owns the Latrobe Valley Loy Yang A power station,has recorded aheadlineprofit of $711 million for the 2023/24 financialyear, driven by greatly improved fleet availability despite $103 million in significant items.

The underlying net profit after tax was $812 million, up 189 per cent on the 2023 financial year, but the underlying net profitin2024/25isexpected to be lower, between $530m and $730m.

Underlyingearnings (EBITDA) in FY23/24 were $2216m, up 63 per cent on the previous financial year.

However, forecast earnings in the 2025 financial year are also expected to be lower, between $1870m and $2170m.

AGL'smanaging director and chief executive, Damien Nicks, saidthe strong fullyearresults were driven by greatly improved fleet availability and portfolio flexibility, including asolid earnings contribution from the TorrensIsland battery in its first nine months of operation.

"We saw more stablemarketconditions throughout thefinancial year, alongwith theimpact of higher wholesale electricity pricing from prior periods being reflectedinpricing outcomes, trading and contract positions,” he said.

“Margin growth also contributed to this result as we continued to drive value within our Customer Markets business.

“This improvedfinancial result, materialincrease in cash generation, and strength of our balance sheet compared with the challenges experienced in the prior year, supports the ongoing investment in our transition and improved returns to shareholders.”

The year's highlights included:



Total AGL customer services was 4.5 million, up 211,000 on FY23;

 Total generation volumes were 34.1TWh, downeight per cent on FY23, primarily due to the closure of the last three units at Liddell powerstation in April this year;

 Total fleet availability factor was 85.8 per cent;

 The total injury frequency rate was up 3.5 (per million hours worked), mainly driven by ariseinlow-impact injuries;

 The development pipeline almost doubled to 6.2 Gigawatts since September 2022;

 Atotal of 800MW of new grid-scale batteries were in operation or under construction, and;

 Annual Scope 1and Scope 2greenhouse gas emissions fell by 23 per cent against the

FY19 baseline.

Mr Nicks said IntegratedEnergy had an excellent year in terms of fleet performance, recording an Equivalent Availability Factor of 85.8 per cent, nine percentage points higher than FY23. This was "a testament to the prudent investment made in our thermal generation fleet including 3.2 gigawatts of coal-fired unit flexibility,which continues to deliver benefits to AGL and the transition".

Despite afive percentage-point improvement in the company's employee engagement score to 72 percent, Mr Nicks said an area of concern was the TotalInjury Frequency rate.

This "remains elevated at 3.5 per million hours worked, up from 2.8 in FY23, and is largely attributable to low-impact injuries".

"Safety is our utmost priority at AGL and we’ve maintained ouracute focus on preventinginjuries acrossthe organisation. We continue to undertake

measures including increasedfocus on healthand safety leadership training as well as site specific safety awareness programs, to help reverse and improve the trend of this metric,” he said.

Mr Nicks said AGL continuedtodriveAustralia’s decarbonisation by connecting customers to asustainable future, transitioning the energy portfolio.

“In transitioning our energy portfolio, we continue to grow our development pipeline, which has increasedfrom3.2 GW to 6.2 GW since. September 2022. Our focus is to continue to build optionality, particularly around our flexible assets, to help us achieve our ambition to add 12 GW of capacity by the end of 2035", he said.

“We willseek to accelerate options and our decarbonisation pathway where possible,and have brought forward the targeted(investment) dates for anumberofprojects in our development pipeline. We continuetoadvocate for streamlining the approval and connection process forgrid-scale assets, and for the policy certainty and regulatory stability necessary, to accelerate the transition.”

Mr Nicks said building on the existingflexible dispatchable capacity of 7.4 GW, "we have made good progress on our ambition to build and operate aleading battery portfolio in the National Electricity Market".

"We now have 800 MW of new grid scale batteries in operation or under construction. The 250 MW Torrens Islandbattery and 50 MW Broken Hill batterybecameoperationalinAugust 2023 and August 2024 respectively, and constructioniswell underway for the 500 MW Liddell battery at our Hunter Energy Hub in New South Wales, following FID (final investment decision) in December,” he said.

Mr Nicks said the expected fall in AGL’s earnings for FY25 compared to FY24 reflected several factors, including lower electricity prices resetting through contract positions and the roll-off of heightened volatility from interventions in June/July 2022.

Reminder to stay safe at level crossings

GIPPSLAND motorists are being urged to remain vigilant and be alert when approaching levelcrossings following anumberofrecent incidents, where vehicles have damaged boom gates in the region.

watch out for trains at arail crossing and obey the signsand signals.

“Trains can’t swerve or stop quickly so motorists need to remain vigilant at all times.”

Damage to boom gatescan also cause major disruptions to passenger services while V/Line crews work as quickly and as safely as possible to complete the necessary repairs.

Trainsreturnedtothe lineinmid-June after weeks of significant worksaspartofthe Gippsland Line Upgrade.

Since trains have returned, boom gates at level crossings in Moe, Morwell, Nar Nar Goon, Stratford and Traralgon -operating to warn drivers of approaching trains -have been struck and damaged by vehicles.

Since January 2022, there has been 10 reported incidentsofaboom gate being damaged by avehicle along the Gippsland Line, with five of these incidents occurring since late June.

Over the pastthree years, therehave been 14 collisionsbetweenavehicle and train on the V/Line network, and 90 reported near misses involving trainsand vehicles, including 14 on the Gippsland Line.

V/Line’sRegional ManagerEast, TimPianta, said it was important for motorists to be alert at levelcrossings and not become complacent after aperiod of upgrade works.

“Safety is our number one priority and we urge motorists to always obey the warning signs at acrossing because trains can come fromeither direction at any time,” Mr Pianta said.

“No matterwhattimeofthe day or night it is, or how wellyou know thearea, you should always

EnergyAustralia improves on earnings

ENER GYAUSTRA LIA, the opera tor of the Yall ourn Wb rown coal powe rs ta tio na nd Jeerelanggas-powered station, hasreported a massive improvement in earnings for the first half of 2024, led by better performance from its generation assets and retail business.

Announced in Hong Kong as part of CLP Holdings’ interim resultsfor the 2024 financial (calendar) year,EnergyAustralia reported earnings before income tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $432 million in the first half of the year. EBITDA is ameasure of acompany's operating performance. It does not account for non-operating expenses such as interest on debt, taxes and other costs.

Net profit after tax (NPAT) was $119m. Net profit after tax is themoney acompany has left over after it accounts for all costs and expenses, including tax. The result is an improvement from EBITDA of $91m (NPAT $112m) in the first half of 2023.

EnergyAustralia's managing director, Mark Collette, said he was pleased the companyhad managed to sustain the momentum from 2023.

“EnergyAustralia’scoal assets remain critical for thecontinuedsecurity of Australia’s energy system," he said.

"Mt Piper is New South Wales’ youngest and most flexible coal-fired power station. During the year we havecontinued to invest in that flexibility to support integrating renewables and meeting NSW customer demand.

"At Yallourn, our maintenanceprogramme is on track to be largely completed by the end of 2024."

Thecompany has spent $400 million to improve the reliability of theYallourn power station, which is scheduled to close in 2028.

Mr Collettesaidthe company continued to invest to lead and accelerate the clean energy transition.

"Our fast-start Tallawarra Bgas-fired power station commercially entered the National Electricity MarketonJune 18 and has supported market requirements every day since its operation," he said.

"Tallawarra Billustrates thecriticalimportance of flexible, dispatchable generation for system reliability during the energy transition."

In July, EnergyAustralia announced an innovative 12-year ‘virtual toll’ offtake agreement with Akaysha Energy, backed by its Orana Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), due to start commercial operations in 2026.

“EnergyAustralia continues to develop the

firming capacity required to complement renewable generationcapacity as coal retires. Our battery projects at Wooreen, Mt Piper and Hallett continuetoprogress. Our pumped hydro project at Lake Lyell was recently declared Critical State Significant Infrastructure by the NewSouth Wales government," Mr Collette said.

“Our retail business performance improved as we continue to focus on providingcompetitive, affordable energyservices for our customers. Many Australians are feeling the impacts of the rising cost of living.

"To any Ener gyAus tralia cust omer facing difficulties, please call us so we can help. We continue to support our customers through our EnergyAssist programme. We welcome the energy assistance initiatives introducedbythe Australian government, which we hope will alleviate some financial pressure on customers in the second half of the year."

Mr Collette said the company was committed to continuing to work with customers, industry and governmentsonchangestoaccelerate investment in the energy transition and "deliver predictability for Australian energy consumers”.

Crunching the numbers: LoyYang Aowner AGL, has released its financial results forthe last financial year File photograph

Eyes open: Motoristsare being urged to remain aler taroundlevel crossings,after

incidents colliding with boom gates. File photograph

PoliceBeat with TomHayes

Traralgon pursuit

POLICE are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage following apursuit in Traralgononthe morning of Saturday, August 17.

Av ehi cle was seen allegedly dr ivin g erratically before stopsticks weresuccessfully deployed on Shakespeare Street, Traralgon at about 9.20am.

It is alleged the car failed to stop and the pursuitwas terminated before the car drove towardsthe Traralgon CBD.

The driver dumped the car in the intersection of Franklin Street and Hotham Street, and he was arrested nearbyatabout 9.45am.

No one was injured during the incident.

TheTraralgon manwas also charged with allegedly setting avehicleonfire outside aGabo Way addressinMorwell at about 6.45am thatmorning (Saturday,August17).

The 33-year-old man was chargedwith dangerous driving whilst being pursued, recklessconduct endangeringserious injury, arson, and various driving offences.

He was remanded in custody to appear in the Latrobe Valley Magistrates'Courton Monday, August 19.

Detectives would like to speak to any witnesses, or anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or submit aconfidential report at: crimestoppersvic. com.au

Fire investigation

LATROBE Crime Investigation Unit detectivesare investigating afire in Traralgon on Wednesday, August 14.

Emergency services were called to the blaze at the Traralgon Library and Service Centre on Kay Street around 8pm that evening.

No one wasreported to be inside the building at the time of the incident.

Investigations are ongoing into the cause of the fire, which is being treated as suspicious at this stage.

Anyone who witnesses the incident, has dashcam or CCTV footage, or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or make areport online at: crimestoppersvic.com.au

Petrol theft

POLICE are investigatingthe circumstances surrounding apetrol theft in Morwell on Friday, August 9.

It is believed the offence occurred at the Vestan Drive business at about 8.40pm; $70.45 of unleaded petrol was pumped and the driver of aBMW left without paying.

Investigators have released an image of a man who may be able to assist with enquiries, which can be found on the 'Eyewatch -Latrobe Police Service Area'Facebook page.

Anyone with information about the person and/orthe car is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or submit aconfidential report at: crimestoppersvic.com.au

Multiple road incidents

LATROBEValley roads continue to see crashes, with an uptake in incidents last week.

On Monday, August 12 around 1pm, atwocar incident on the intersection of Princes Drive and Mid Valley Road, Morwell had roads closed momentarily.

It is believed one of the two cars pulled out in front of the other (heading westbound) onto Princes Drive, causing the collision.

Emergency services including police, ambulance, and fire rescue all attended the scene.

Hours later on August 12, avehicle driving on Grubb Avenue, Traralgon collided with a parked car.

Emergencyservices attended the scene between 4pm and 4.30pm.

That was the thirdincident for the day, with another vehicular incident occurring earlier that morning on Kay Street, Traralgon. Little information roseregarding this incident, however traffic was diverted to Grey Street at the time.

The following day (Tuesday, August 13) saw traffic blocked in both directions on Princes Drive,Morwell,near the Morwell Post Office.

It can be repo rted that ac ar and a motorcycle collided around 10.30am, before emergency services arrived at the scene.

Soon after in Traralgon, another two-car incidentwas flagged on Hotham Street around 11am.

On the early afternoon of Thursday, August 15, acar was required to be towed from the scene following asolo incident.

The incident occurred on the corner of the Princes Highway and Seymour Street, Traralgon at around 12pm.

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Figures revealed, Meta contradicted

IN the first half of 2024, one-third of Australians accessed Facebook for news, anew study reveals.

The finding contradicts Meta’s long-standing assertion that news content is aminor part of the Facebook experience for most Australian users.

Meta has previously used this claim to justify its decision to abandoncommercial agreements withlocal publishers.The implications of this are significant for the local journalism landscape, especially for the more than 230 newspapers who are part of CountryPress Australia, the association representing the interests of regional and rural newspapers across the country.

The research emphasises the essential role that newsmediaplaysinAustralia, particularly how regional newspapers contribute to offering balanced and precise news coverage.

More than 40 per cent of Australians cited news access as akey motivator for their daily social media

activity,with this tendency more noticeable among Gen Zand millennials at 60 per cent and 53 per cent, respectively.

Country Press Australia President and Warragul &Drouin Gazette publisher, Andrew Schreyer said there were significant industrychallenges ahead, and forecast potential closures of up to 50 member outlets as current agreements under the NewsMedia Bargaining Code withMeta near their expiration.

The study also found that whileoverallFacebook usage is waning, half of the Australians still turn to social media for news, with 25 per cent using it as their primary news source.

These findings starkly contradict Meta's position that news is aminimal component of the content seen by Australians on its platforms, which Meta claimed represents less than three per cent of the total. This study, initiated by News Corp and

conducted by Dynata, refutes those statements.

This researchrelease alignswith the media industry's wait on the federal government's decision regarding Meta’s obligations under the News Media Bargaining Code,which mightcompelMeta to negotiate compensation for content with news pro vider s. Me ta has thre aten ed to blo ck Australian news content should thesecostsbe enforced.

In an articlepublishedin TheAustralian on Mon day ,N ews Corp Au stral asia Execu tiv e Chairman, Michael Millerexpressed concerns over Meta's threats to remove news content, potentially replacing it with less reliable sources. He also criticised Meta for its lack of accountability.

The studyshows strongpublicsupport for social media responsibility, with 85 per cent of Australians agreeing thatplatforms should prevent the spreadoffalse or harmful information. Without trustworthyjournalism,66per centbelievethe societal impact would be negative, anticipating increases in misinformation and decreased media diversity.

Mr Miller highlighted the significantimpact

these findings have on public understanding and the obligationsoflarge tech companies,criticising Meta for avoiding transparency.

This analysis of 2500 Australians confirms the integral role of social mediaintheir news consumption habits, countering Meta’s underestimations of news relevance on its platform, and exposing the misleading nature of its claims.

Mr Schreyer further highlighted the implications for democracy.

"Democracy in areas without local news is lost. Who is going to stand up to acouncil decision that doesn’t meet the pub test? Who is going to shine a light on issues when people don’t have abig enough voice to get their message out?

“The research underscoresthe vital role that regionalnewspapers play in providingaccurate and diverse perspectives," he said.

“As Australians show agrowing dissatisfaction with Meta, the study reaffirms the importance of maintaining astrongand independent local press to ensure accountability and transparency within communities.”

Latrobe City Australia Day award nominations now open for 2025

NOMINATIONS for Latrobe City Council’s Australia Day Awards 2025 arenow open.

Nowisyour chance to nominate the person or group you would like to see receive an award for:

•Citizen of the Year;

•Senior of the Year;

•Young Citizen of the Year;

•Community Event of the Year, and;

•Community Service of the Year.

The Australia DayAwards pay tribute to individuals and groups who have made

outstanding contributionstothe community. Any individual or community group can make anomination and all eligiblenominees are acknowledged.

To learn about the elig ibili ty criteria and submit your nomination, visit: latro be.vic .gov. au/Commu nity/ Grants_Sponsorship_and_Awards/Awards/ Latrobe_City_Council_Awards_on_Australia_ Day_Nominations

Nominations for the Australia Day Awards 2025 close on September 9, 2024.

Leader: Countr yPress Australia President, Andrew Schreyer. Photograph supplied

Australia-first diabetes trial at LRH

THE high incidence of diabetes in First Nations

People is the focus of an Australian-first clinical trial recently opened at Latrobe Regional Health (LRH).

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are up to four times more likely to have diabetes or pre-diabetes than non-Indigenous Australians.

The long-term implications of diabetes include increasedrisk of heart attack and stroke and kidney disease, as well as loss of or impaired vision and serious loss of function in the lower limbs.

“Managing diabetes relies on measuring glucose levels in aperson’s bloodstream,” LRH Aboriginal Health Unit Manager, Troy Jennings said.

“This can be done either with finger prick blood tests as is the practice commonly used, or through apatch worn on the skin which can measure the glucose levels continuously and then sends the data to amobile device such as aphone or other monitor in real time.

“The patient gets immediate feedback and can take medication if their glucose levels are too high or eat something if too low, thus avoiding a dangerous peak or trough in their glucose levels."

The Flash GM (GlucoseMonitors) Trial uses the skin worn patch technology and is currently recruiting at LRH from across the Gippsland region being lead at the organisation by Dr Shree Nagendram working in collaboration with the University of Melbourne trial team.

“We’re contactinglocal GPsaswellasAboriginal health services and putting the word out that we are keen to see local Indigenous people who live with diabetes get on this trial and help us understand what difference it will make to their diabetes management,” LRH General Manager Research and Partnerships, Dr Jhodie Duncan said.

Patientsinthe Flash GM trialwillhaveascreening meeting with staff before commencing the trial.

Working together: Latrobe Regional Health GeneralManager of Research and Partnerships, Dr JhodieDuncan, Principal Investigator Flash GM Trial, Dr.Shree Nagendram, LRH ClinicalTrial Coordinator, Kylea Williamsand LRH Aboriginal Health Unit Manager,TroyJennings. Photograph supplied

The next six months will involve follow-up appointments and ongoing support.

The trial participants will also receive all the patches required for the trial as well as education sessions around diabetes.

“We know thatbeing involved in aresearch program can be abit dauntingfor people,sowe’re determined to make sure that participants feel supported and have resources on hand to help them stay involved,” Dr Duncan said.

Giventhe ongoing needtoimprove health outcomes for AboriginalAustralians under the Closing the Gap Strategy, it’s hoped the trial will offer an alternative care option for Aboriginal or TorresStraitIslanders with diabetes and confirm that Flash GM technology is easier for people to

use and will provide better management of blood glucose levels.

“If we can help the Aboriginal community who live with diabetes in Gippsland to better manage their condition, thishas many far-reaching effects and helps ourmob to take ownership of their health," Mr Jennings said.

"Better managed diabetes can mean the patient can preventdiabetes-related illness suchaskidney disease, heart conditions, lossofsight and reduced blood flow to the lower limbs which in the most serious cases can lead to amputations.”

More in format ion ab out the Flash GM Trial and can be found online at: lrh.com.au/ research-clinical-trials

Expert spinesurgeon arrives at Latrobe Valley hospitals

DR David Edis,ahighly trained orthopaedic and spinesurgeon,has begunconsulting and operating at Maryvale Private Hospital and Latrobe Regional Health.

Dr Edis, who holds an MBBS, FRACS (Ortho), Grad Dip MA, and AFRACMA, brings awealth of expertise to Gippsland.

Aftercompleting his studiesatthe University of Melbourne and his residency at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, he furthered his specialisation in spine surgery in New Zealand.

Overthe past eightyears, he hasfocused on developing minimally invasive spinalsurgery techniques in collaboration with both Australian and international surgeons.

With adeep-seated commitment to enhancing patient care, Dr Edis has workedextensively on pain management and multi-disciplinary approaches. His experience includes developing allied health and pain management programs in regional Tasmania and is currently working with amulti-disciplinary team in Frankston to address complex pain issues.

Dr Edis is aspecialist in adult spinal conditions

and uses less invasive techniques for managing spinal deformities. He employs advanced methods such as mini-open lateral surgery (OLIF) and posterior robot-guided percutaneous screw placement, which greatly reduces blood loss, perioperative risks, and recovery times.

His approach to patient care is holistic, emphasising the importance of amulti-disciplinary strategy.

Dr Edis collaborates with primary care providers, painspecialists,physiotherapists, clinical psychologists, nurses, and occupational therapists to deliver evidence-based, contemporary care. He advocates for informed patient choices, encouraging exploration of non-operative treatments and thorough rehabilitation before considering surgery.

Dr Edis’ specialisations include adult spine surgery, hip and knee arthroplasty, knee arthroscopy, and orthopaedic trauma. As an active researcher and medical educator, he is dedicated to lifelong learning and the continuous advancement of surgical practices.

For more information or to schedule aconsultation, phone Maryvale Private Hospital on (03) 5132 1289.

Heretohelp: Spinal surgeon Dr David Edis has begun consultingand operating at Mar yvale PrivateHospitaland Latrobe Regional Health. Photograph supplied

Critical Morwell wastewater facility upgrades underway

GIPPSLAND Water has commenced critical upgrade works on one of its most complex industrialassetsatthe Gippsland Water Factory, a large-scale wastewater treatment facility near Morwell.

The ageing covers on the two covered industrial wastewater lagoons which treatwaste fromOpal’s Maryvale Mill at the facilitywillbereplaced to ensure they can continue to operate safely and effectively.

Preliminary work to replacethe covers has started and the project may take up to 12 months to complete.

Gippsland Water General Manager Assets, Nic Moss said replacing the covers would ensure the lagoons continued to operate effectively as part of the treatment process.

“The wastewaterlagoon coversare approaching end of functional life and thiswork will ensure we can continue to treat industrial waste into the future,” Mr Moss said.

“This site is one of the most critical assets we manage and supports major industry and jobs across the region.

“The facilitytreats industrial wastethrougha specialised processwhich includes creating an anaerobic environment, where oxygenisrestricted to allowmicroorganisms to break down the waste.

“As part of the anerobic process,hydrogen sulphide gas (H2S)isgenerated which can be hazardous.

“During normal operations, the coverscontain biogas which is then transported to agenerator which converts it into electricity for the plant.”

Mr Moss said the organisation wasworking with industry experts to minimise the impact of the works on neighbouring properties and the wider community.

“Extensive planning has been undertaken to prepare for and manage the project risks to enable the safe replacement of the covers,”MrMoss said.

“Our focus for these works is to ensurethe safety of our staff and the contractors onsite and minimising the impact on neighbouring properties or the wider community.

“Throughout the projectwewill continue to monitor and implement arangeofmeasures to mitigate these risks.

“Works will take place on one lagoon at atime and the anaerobicprocess will be stopped to reduce the gas to asafelevel before the cover is removed.

“There’s potential for some odour to occur during the project, however we’re doing all we can to minimise it.

“We’vereached out to our neighbours to let them know what’s happening,and we’llcontinue to keep them informed for the duration of the project.”

The Gippsland Water Factory treats industrial waste from Opal Australian Paper as well as wastewater from local residents and businesses.

For more information, visit: gippswater.com.au/replacementcovers

commencedcriticalupgrade worksont

Final inquiryreport released

THE Final Report from the Inquiry into the 2022 Flood Event in Victoria was released on the July 30, 2024.

The VICSES Volunteer Leadership Group has called on the state government to accept all recommendations contained within.

Thegroup notes in particularthat“theVICSES and local search and rescue playedafundamentally important role in the flood response, and clearly need more funding to continue to fulfill that role into the future”.

Thegroup also welcomed commentary around the dire state of VICSESfunding, and echo the sentiments outlined in the report. VICSESrelies heavily on almost 5000 dedicated volunteers who contribute countless hours to

emergency preparedness and response efforts.

From floods to storms to road crash rescue, VICSES volunteers provide essential services to the Victorian community during critical times.

Despite the invaluable contributions of volunteers,VICSESfaces significant fundingshortfalls.

The currentreliance on volunteer-ledfundraising to maintain equipment, facilities, and replaceaging vehicles is unsustainable.

The VICSES Volunteer Leadership Group is again urgingthe state government to establish sustained funding for VICSES. This funding will ensure VICSES has the resources needed to operate effectively, removing the burden on volunteers to fundraise and allowing them to focus on core operational tasks and training.

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wo coveredindustrial wastewater lagoons at the GippslandWater Factor y. Photograph supplied

Thousands sign to stop expansion

By PHILIP HOPKINS

TWO peti tion ss ig ne db ym oret ha n2 9, 000 Victorians that call on the Allan Labor government to stop the expansion of national parks in Victoria have been extended after overwhelming community demand.

It comes as local prospectors and miners 'up the ante' in theirbid to stop specific gold mining areas beingincluded in apossible Great Forest National Park.

More than 29,000 people have signed two e-petitionsonthe issue, whichhavebeen sponsored by Member for Narracan, Wayne Farnham, and Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath.

Mr Farnhamsaiditwas vitalthat local communities were given avoice, and that by extending the petition, it would allow moreVictorians to have their say.

“Labor’s plans will exclude the traditional pursuits of thousands of Victorians and their families

who regularly access our bushfor camping, hunting, 4WDing, hiking, mountain biking, prospecting and fishing," he said.

“The Victorian Liberal and Nationals are committed to ensuring communities can have their say about the proposed National Park areas.

"Alongside the 11,500 signatures on our e-petition in the LowerHouse, Ihavethousands more on paper petitions to be submitted also.

“By extending these petitions, we are ensuring thatmore Victorians can tell the Allan Labor government that they do notsupport their plan to lock users out from these regions.”

Ms Bath said there were more than 17,500 Victorians who had already signed the Upper House e-petition that she is sponsoring on behalf of bush users.

"They are sending aclear message to Labor: no more new national parks," she said.

“The Allan Labor government’s prioritisation of green ideology focusing on alock and leave

approach, clearly shows it has zero regard for our bush users.

“Si xty per cent of Depar tme nt of Energ y, Environment andClimate Action staff operate out of metropolitan Melbourne -Labor failsto comprehend that state forests are best managed with boots, not suits.

“Labor’s environmental mismanagement has led to overgrown tracks, increased bushfire risk and a boom in invasiveweeds and feral animals. Locking up public land is not aconservation strategy, it’s neglect.”

The president of the West Gippsland branch of the Prospectors and Miners Association, David Saint, emphasised that Gippsland had always been amajor gold provinceinVictoria.Majorgold rushes took place in the1860s and 1870s, when Bairnsdale and Salewerebuiltongold andthe demands it set in train, and Walhalla's population boomed to 10,000 before 1910, he said in asubmission to theinquiry by the Victorian Environmental Assessment Commission.

Mr Saint said rights and liberties, including land access, won at the 1854 Eureka Stockade, were one of the most important issues facing hobbyists and professional prospectors and miners today.

"The Victorian government has already classified prospecting and fossicking as 'low impact' recreational pursuits. If we lose furtherareas, other opengoldfields will be inundatedbyprospectors being forced out of these now closed parks and into decreasing smaller prospecting areas," he said.

"Thereare dozens of documentsand websitesthat

detail the historic significance of the prospecting areas within the Gippsland region; many are within the 'immediate' exclusionzonesthat have been references by the VEAC reports.

"These are culturally relevant to our historic gold movement, including leases thathavebeen held by members of the PMAV and their forebears."

Mr Saint said one government publication highlighted about 90 different historicalgold sites including their currentcondition.

"The Geovic site canbeusedtolocatethe enormous number and locationofcurrentand expired gold mining leases in the area,"hesaid.

Another publication detailed 114 different sites in East Gippsland, and many others, that had had gold miningleases thatstill provided opportunities for prospectors and fossickers.

Mr Saint said recreationalprospecting was alreadypermitted in some national,state, historic and heritage parks, mainly in central, north-east and western Victoria.

"This recognises that low impact activity of prospecting and fossickingcan co-exist within national and historic parks. ThePMAV believes that the areas that have ben identified for changes in status from State Forest to 'exclusion' zones and national park should not be changed because they are being managed and used well enough now," he said.

"If the status change does occur, then these areas cannot be locked up."

NAB Traralgonrefurbishment

NAB’S Traralgonbranch, which has had apresence in the community for nearly 140 years, is undergoing asignificant transformation.

The bran ch will rece ive a$ 2. 3m il lio n refurbishment.

NAB’s Eastern Victor ia Retail Customer Executive, Lisa Goodwin said the team is looking forward to welcoming customers to the new-look site.

“We’ve been in Traralgonfor more than acentury and over that time, we’ve supported generations of families," she said.

"This renovation marks the beginning of anew chapter for both our team and the community.

“The redesigned branch will feature an open-plan layout, complete with privatemeeting spaces,dedicated areas for in-depth discussions with banking specialists, and adigital banking education zone equipped with iPads for customer use.

“There will also be 24/7 services available with Smart ATMs, business expressmachines, and a coin deposit machine.”

With renovations now underway at NAB’s Traralgon branch,customers canrelyonthe NAB Moebranch for service.

The new Traralgon NAB is scheduled for completion next month.

Out with the old: Traralgon’s NAB branch is undergoing redevelopment. Photograph supplied

In withthe new: Ar tists impression of the modernNAB Traralgon branch. Image supplied

Community celebrates “last train”

By KATRINABRANDON

ALL aboardone of the most historical gems in Gippsland.

The Boolarra community recently celebrated 50 years since the last train left the station and the Mirboo North Railway Line was disassembled.

About 80 people celebrated the event, filling up the Boolarra Multi-Purpose Building with enthusiasts, last passengers, conductors and their families.

On January 7, 1886, the tracks were first operational, with constructionstarting in 1883 between Yinnar, Boolarra, Mirboo (now Mirboo North), Darlimurla, Traralgon and Morwell.

“The government wanted to havemanyareas joined by railwaylines.In1878, they opened up the area to selection. Shortly after that, peoplestarted putting their hands up for arailway line,” Mirboo North and District Historical Society Historian, Rob Waycott said.

“In the early days of sport, people hired special trains to go to the city. People from Mirboo North would hire aspecial traintogotoBoolarra to play footy and return, but that changed with the improvement of road transport.”

Manypeopleatthe event shared history with the railway, including one of the last passengers, Lloyd Wicks.

“I can’t believe it. It feelslike it was only yesterday. We have hada lot of fun coming up and discussing (the last train), being in the historical society,” he said.

“It was agreat day. It has alot of history. Our farm was right adjacent to the railway line. As school kids, we used to walk up the railway line on thelineitself.

“Unfortunately, my dad passed away afew months after (the last train). He loved taking trains, and he used to tell me the history of where they got the stonetomakethe railway line. It came through our property and joinedupwith the main line.They brought the stones out of the quarry down at Yinnarand did the railway lines. That old railway line went over the MorwellRiver.You can seewhere the railway line used to be.”

According to Mr Waycott, many people worked on the railway line, which was only mentioned negatively. One of those people was John Robb, the most significant railway contractor.

End of theline:The last passenger traintoMirboo North leavesMorwell in 1968.The line wasclosedin1974.

Final: Oneofthe last passengers, Lloyd Wicks, and Yinnar andDistrict Historical Society President, LukeTownsend, reminiscing about the last train on the Mirboo Nor th line Photographs: Katrina Brandon

As time chugged along,onMay 22, 1974, the last traindeparted, marking the end of an era.

The following year, the tracks were dismantled.

“The good shed at Yinnar used by the Historical Society is the Mirboo North Station,built in 1916. It

is still

there. The main thing is the memories that the people here have,” Mr Waycott said. Some of the Mirboo North line is now the Grand Ridge Rail Trail.

ONE POINTERS

1. Who was pursued by ‘forty thieves?

2. To remain silent on asubject is to ‘keep WHAT’?

3. What name is given to food permitted under Islamic law?

4. Who was the lead singer of The Boomtown Rats? TWOPOINTERS

5. What was the source of Popeye’ssuper-strength?

6. What colour car is supposedly the fastest?

7. Kermit the Frog said it was hard being what?

8. In Austin Powers, what is the name of Dr Evil’s diminutive clone?

THREE POINTER

9. Where is Gallipoli?

10 The scientist in Back to The Future was named what?

11 What is the key ingredient to an Irish coffee?

12 What was the Newspaper in Spiderman called? FOUR POINTER

13. Who was Neil Armstrong’spartner on the Apollo 11 lunar landing?

14 What film company produced Mar yPoppins? FIVE POINTER

15 What kind of insect is ayellowjacket?

Howdid youfare?

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

Howtoplay...

Using the 9letters in the gr id, howmany wordsoffour letters or morecan you list? The centreletter must be included and each lettermay be used onlyonce No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural wordsending in ‘s’. Solution next Wednesday

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‘Ruff’rescue after floorboard fright

WHEN the Erica and District Fire Brigade's pager buzzed, they had no idea they were about to embarkon a"paws-itively"unexpected rescue.

Just before 6pm on Wednesday, August 7, crews were alerted to a'dog stuck under miners' cottage'inErica.

When they arrived at the scene, they found Molly, a13-year-old King Charles Spaniel in atight spot.

Mollyhad crawled under the floorboards and couldn't quite figure her way back out.

Crewsquickly discovered access to the trapped pooch would be challenging because the house was an old miner's cottage.

1st Lieutenant of the Erica and District Brigade, Bryce Eishold said the situation required creative thinking.

"In CFA, we lookoutside the box to find answers to unusual jobs that arise; we summarised the situation

and decided it was besttocall in a local builder with tools," Bryce said.

Thatbuilderwas Russ Dunn, who quickly got to work carving out Molly's escape route.

"Russisagreat supporter of the brigade, and we knew he’d be able to bring his circular saw," Bryce said.

"We knew roughly where the dog was, and when he got there,we ripped up the carpet and carefully cut ahole in the floorboards."

After the call to CFA wasmade, Molly was freed into the arms of her very relieved owner, Sandra, in less than an hour.

"CFA was brilliant,they responded so fast and put aplan together. They were so caring, and Icannot praise them enough," she said.

By all reports, Molly is recovering well after her floorboard fright.

ThousandsraisedduringTender’shightea

THE small town of Narracan came alive with adelightful high tea recently to raise money for Tender Funerals Gippsland. People travelled from near and far to attend the soiree and the event was sold out within only weeks of going on sale.

Thiswas thesecondhightea that TenderFunerals

Gippsland has run, and many familiar faces returned for the Christmas in July themed event.

The guests werecharmedbyanarray of Christmasand nostalgic tunes by thetalented Luke Van Der Tang, who generously shared his time at no cost on his violin. Custom designed biscuits were donated by Tracey B's Biscuits of Moe, Elaine BoylesofTrafalgar did an amazing task of embellishing the decorwith her donated floristry talents,and Kalm by Kathy donated vouchers to her Reiki salon for guests to bid on in the silent auctions.

Asurprise addition was agentleman from Queensland, a long time Latrobe Valley resident, who organised cupcakes as atakeawaygift as he "couldn't be here to help but knows personally how important the cause is".

Local teens, Alex Put, Chloe Smith, Jordi Vickers, Peter Dodson, Mason Jordan, Josie Paulette, and Hannah Vickers assisted with the food and beverage service on the day, proving that you're never too young to start volunteering.

Tender Funerals Gippsland is in the midst of its fundraising witha large community crowdfunding campaign on the way. Tender is anot-for-profit funeral servicewhichaimsto create meaningful, affordable and culturallysensitive end of life services for all.

Almost $5000 was raised towards getting Tender Funerals Gippsland operational.

If you would liketohelporbecomeapart of the Tender Funerals Gippsland team, email gippsland@tenderfunerals. com.au

The next fundraiser is at Bunnings Morwell on August 31, where you can drop by and see what Tender Funerals Gippsland is about.

New chair to provide experience

LEADING consumer rights lawyer Gerard Brody has been appointed as the new state Chairperson of the Essential Services Commission (ESC).

Victorian AssistantTreasurer, Danny Pearson announced the appointment of Mr Brody as Chairperson, and said he will bring valuable experience in consumer policy,as well as regulatory and legal experience and a long standing passion for helping consumers. Before this appointment, Mr Brody served as chairofbothCommunity Legal Centres Australia and the Consumers'Federation of Australia.

He has held director roles with the Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria, the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman and the AustralianFinancial Complaints Authority.

Mr Brody was also chief executive of the Consumer Action Law Centre,whichprovides independent financial counselling, legal adviceand representationtovulnerable and disadvantagedVictorians.

Mr Brody holds degreesinArts, Law and Public Policy from the Universityof Melbourne and he is aGraduate of the AICD Company Directors Course.

The ESC plays akey role in promoting the long-term interestsofVictorian consumers by regulating the price, quality and reliability of essential services.

The ESC'sdecisions affect both households and businesses by setting prices, enforcing consumer protections, reporting on service standards and market performance, and determining rate cap applications.

Mr Brody's term as ESC chair commenced this Monday (August 19).

Gathering: Friends enjoying afternoontea at Narracan Hall. Photographs supplied

Team effort: Erica and District Fire Brigade 1st Lieutenant BryceEishold, firefighter John Skinner,Erica resident AlexSalabertand builder Russ Dunn helpedrescue King Charles Spaniel Mollyfor relieved owner, Sandra Photograph supplied

Trio: Helen Jones, April O’Brien and Emily Fox

Local students compete in Hydrogen GP

FORGET Monacoand Monza. Abrand-new Grand Prix circuit has been added to the schedule.

Students from Lavalla Catholic College, Kurnai College Flexible Learning Options, Mirboo North Secondary College and Korumburra Secondary College recently competed against students from aroundthe country at the Horizon Hydrogen Grand Prix.

The event was held at the Altona Toyota plant, with studentsputting their STEM skills to the test in anational competition designing and racing hydrogen-powered remote control race cars.

The five Gippsland teams, made up of five students from each of the above mentioned Gippsland schoolcompetedagainst 12 other teams from aroundthe country at the Horizon Hydrogen Grand Prix on July 23.

Gippsland Tech School Director, Paul Boys said the teams did an amazing job in what was avery competitive field.

“Over the last six months, the students have been working together to design, engineer and build a race hydrogen fuel cell electric remote-control car to race against the other teams at the Grand Prix event,” Mr Boys said.

“It was asemester-long program that gave students the opportunity to explore topics like climate

change, renewable energy solutions,automotive engineering, chemistry and physics concepts and apply their learnings to designtheir own race car.”

Toyota hosted and provided a$100,000grant for secondary schools to enter the world qualifier, withthe winning team (St Alloysius College in NSW) and top placed team from Victoria (Wodonga Catholic College)both heading to the US for the World Final Hydrogen Grand Prix to be held in California next month.

Mr Boys said the local pit crews should be proud of their efforts.

“MirbooNorth SecondaryCollege won the Team SpiritAward whichwas voted by thestudentcohort participating in the race,” he said.

“All the students involved embraced the opportunity to apply their talents while learning about environmental sustainability, renewable energy and alternative fuels, through variety of science experiments and curricular materials.”

NAIDOC Week celebrations recently held at Lowanna College

LOWANNA College, Newborough welcomed staff, students, local organisations andlocal primary schools to attend their NAIDOC Week celebrations last month.

It was aday filled with celebrating Indigenous culture -the oldest living culture in the world -and encouraging the college community to participate in cultural activities.

Aunty Michelle started the day with asmoking ceremony, where Indigenous students walked through the fire and smoke,followed by fellow students, staff and visitors.

The WelcometoCountry wascompleted by Aunty Michelle, acknowledging the lands and explaining the purpose of the Welcome to everyone in attendance.

The college and community were then provided

with an impressive and special show,with the Boorun Boys performing Indigenous cultural dancing, which for some was the first time they had seen this dancing live.

Following the performance there was arange of activities and games for everyone to enjoy, including Indigenous beading and painting.

Lowanna College Koorie Liaison Officer, Emily Vernon said: "The day was acelebration of First Nations people and culture, and this was highlighted and enjoyed by the wider community."

"We were proud to be able to share this with our local primary schools and community members.

"We are grateful to our families that participated in sharing their culture and traditionswithour students and staff.

"Lowa nna is cont inuall yw orkin gt or aise

awarenessand inclusion and this event truly captured that. We respect our First Nations community and work closely with them to support our students and share their traditions and customs.

"Ourstaff are becomingempowered to embed First Nations perspectives intoour curriculum and our hope is that all students can continue to learn, experience andshare theirknowledge of this rich and wonderful culture.

"We raise our flagand our voices to be Blak, Loud and Proud."

Lowanna College has 75 Indigenous students enrolled.

Involved: Lowanna students participating in the smokingceremony. Photograph supplied

CosterCircuit

Gwalia Street and LiddiardRoad

HOROSCOPES

by Joanne Madeline Moore

August 19 -August 25, 2024

Are you procrastinating about which project to pursue?

A bored and unengaged Ram s a recipe for troub e With the Full Moon act vating your asp rations’ zone, you’re keen to act with plenty of energy and enthus asm

However – w th Saturn squaring Jupiter – too much haste could and you in trouble (especially nvolving famly, neighbours, education and/or communication) So do your best to get the balance right between th nking things through and being proactive

W th Mercury reversing through your domestic zone, you’l feel like cleaning, dec uttering and rearranging your iv ng space (or tack ing a de ayed D Y project) But Venus (your ruling planet) s making tricky aspects to Jupiter, Saturn and Mars, so Bul s can expect a busy and bamboozling t me Prepare for some very short timelines You don’t work wel when other people try to hurry you Have the confidence to cruise at your own preferred pace

Mars (the proactive planet) and Jupiter (the confidence planet) are trans ting through your sign So – even though Mercury’s retro – it’s time to be your authentic self! If you don’t accept yourself (warts and al ) then why should anyone e se? f you don’t develop your talents and fol ow your dreams, then others won’t do t for you

As b rthday great and sty e icon Coco Chanel observed: “How many cares one loses when one decides not to be someth ng but to be someone ”

Expect a d srupt ve week with a fr endship surpr se or a

financial setback The Full Moon focus s firm y on money matters Crabs have a good business bra n so make sure you’re us ng it If you can get the balance right between be ng canny with cash and entrepreneurial with deas then you could really go places But Mercury is reversing through your $$$ zone (until August 28-29) so make sure you double-check a l financia transactions carefully

(Sep 23 - Oct 22)

This week, Venus (your patron planet) squares Jupiter/ Mars and opposes Saturn If you are attached the two of you wi l be under ncreased stress due to doubt, illness money prob ems or career pressures Don’t panic! Use the time to work on the relationship n a patient and productive way If you are s ngle don’t expect much from the dating scene th s week If you do connect w th someone special there’ l be plenty of roadb ocks before the romance takes off

(Oct 23 - Nov 21)

Expect profess onal problems or domestic dramas, as the Fu l Moon and retro Mercury stir up old grievances Use your diplomatic talents to he p find solutions However, if you just sit back and let others make dec sions, you’ll feel powerless So strive to be more self-suffic ent, especial y at home and work Getting the ratio right between your public and pr vate ives is challenging, but if anyone can jugg e conflicting commitments, t’s a strateg c Scorpio!

(Nov 22 - Dec 21)

Many Archers are restless for adventure You’re keen to head off on an overseas trip, an interstate holiday, or a weekend getaway But w th Mercury still revers ng through your travel zone (until August 28-29), be carefu your fiery impatient nature doesn’t land you in hot water! Caut ous Saturn is also squar ng Jupiter (your patron planet) So smart Sag ttar ans will s ow down and aim to get the balance right between hasty spontaneity and careful preparat on

(Dec 22 - Jan 19)

This week Mercury is sti l retrograde, the Ful Moon highlights financial matters, and Saturn (your rul ng planet) squares Jupiter, which cou d push your predi ect on for critic sm and perfectionism to the max Calm down, Capr corn – and don’t take everything so seriously! Jupiter encourages you to sit n the sun with a drink (or two), read a book, play beautiful mus c, indulge n some birdwatch ng and just relax You might learn to l ke t

New Kid n e on the c Block

LilyAnne Grace Arbuthnot. BornMay 21, 2024at Leongatha Hospital to proud parents Maddy(neeLaw) and DanielArbuthnot of Traralgon. Asister forIzabelle.

u

Localreleasespicturebook

ANEW children's picture book by Gippsland author Kylie Miller tells the story of agreyhound called Dotty.

The book highlightsthe roles of different animals on abusy, working farm.

Dotty and the Lonely Farm tells the story of a spirited adopted greyhound called Dotty who lives on afarm. But when her best friend Chloe goes to school, Dottyfeelsalone. Dottysets offonajourney around the farm and discoverseveryone has avery important job. Can Dotty find ajob of her own?

This book is the third in aseries of greyhound picture booksKylie haswritten to encourage greyhound adoption.

“The greyhound adoptionindustry is facing acrisiswith thousands of greyhounds bred for racing each year -nearly 5000 in Victoria alone.

Many of those either fail as racers or retire and aredesperately seeking safe and loving homes,” Kylie said

This story is inspired by Kylie's pet greyhound, Dotty, who loves to run aroundher East Gippsland farm.

"Dotty and her brothers, Teddy and Bluey, bring us so much joy, as do all of the greyhounds who've

joined our family over the years," Kylie said.

"I hope my books encourage people to consider greyhoundsaspetsand to adopt rather than shop for their dogs."

Dotty and the Lonely Farm explores themes of family, friendship, purpose, and belonging while introducing readers to the hens, sheep and cattle who live and work on the farm.

An award-winning journalist and communications consultant, Kylie traded city life for atree change in East Gippsland 14 years ago. Her first children's picture book, Heroes of Black Summer, co-written by Craig Sheather and illustrated by KarenErasmus, was published by Australian Geographic in 2021.

The firsttwo books in the Greyhound Series, Albert, TheGreyhound WhoLoves to Run,and Teddy, The Most Beautiful Boy in theWorld,have sold to sighthound lovers around the world. Dotty and the Lonely Farm will be available from September 1, 2024 at good bookshopsormajor online retailers and is available for pre-order now. For further information, email Kylie Miller at: kylie@cupcakecommunications.com.au, or phone 0411 650 250.

With Mercury reversing through your sign – and Uranus squaring your ruler, the Sun – you’ l go to extremes as the planets press your ‘Let’s overdo everything’ button So your motto for the moment s from mus c con Mick Jagger (who has four planets in Leo): “Anything worth doing is worth overdoing ” But resist the temptation to be a right royal bossy-boots Espec ally when you don’t get your way Rather than being pushy, try being charming y persuasive nstead!

23 - Aug 22) Virgo (Aug 23 - Sep 22)

Many pract cal sensible Virgos are set for a chaot c and chal enging week Mercury is reversing through your solitary zone (hey – where d d al my friends go?) and the Jupiter/Saturn square comp icates close re ationships (hey – what’s the matter with my romantic partner or work col eague?) Clever Virgos will s ow down, re-evaluate and reboot Maximum tolerance w ll get you a lot further than constant criticis ng and stressed-out angst

(Jan 20 - Feb 18) Pisces (Feb 19 - Mar 20)

Th s week there’s a Sun/Uranus square, a Ful Moon in Aquarius, and Mercury’s revers ng through your relationship zone So you’ll be re iably unpred ctable and consistently inconsistent! One half of you wants to snugg e up close with someone special – while the other half longs to be footloose and fancy-free Try to find the sweet spot between cosy companionship and inv gorating independence and resist the urge to be de iberately controversial

Mercury s reversing through your dai y routine zone and the Fu l Moon ights up your mystery/secrets zone

So many Fish are set for a frustrat ng and confusing week Some poss b e scenarios for frazzled Pisceans? mportant phone calls may be missed, diets could be broken, and paperwork cou d go missing The best way to hand e the ensuing chaos? Slow down re ax imag ne daydream med tate contemplate ruminate and escape!

Wordsand worlds: Gippslandauthor Kylie Miller has writtenthe latest in her series

TheGuide

THE DOG ACADEMY 10, Friday, 8.45pm

We all know the saying that you can’t teach old dogsnew tricks, but this frisky new seriesputs that backwards thinking to rest.Expert dog trainers and behaviourists Victoria Stilwell, Nanci Creedon and Adam Daines, help desperate owners whoreally need their naughty furryfriendtolearn and become theteacher ’s pet Educational and uplifting,this British serieshas its head above the misbehaving dogpack by notonly teaching the mutts new skills, but also offering an eye-opening and sympathetic peek into the owners ’ stories. Tonight,Mya theJack Russell terrier-cross (pictured) has asavage phobia of windscreen wipers and her retired owners areattheir wits’ end, fedupwith being scared to get behind the wheel.

Wednesday, August21

THE REAL CSI: MIAMI 10, Sunday, 8.30pm

Writer and producer Anthony Zuiker is undoubtedly adiehard crime fan, whether it be stemming from fact or fiction. Aftercreating and pumping out one of the longest-running, most-watched fictional crime series in history– CSI ranfor 16 seasons, with fivespin-offs under its makebelieveholster–the TV crime serial guru and histeam, includingprolific producer JerryBruckheimer,turn theirlenstoreal-lifedepravity.After lootingthe crime headlines for years, it’sareasonable step;Zuiker believes this newventureholds the keytoviewers’emotionsthanks to its“authenticity”.The tragedy and heartbreak is real –alongwith the certified forensic investigators (including CSIexpert MaryMartinez, pictured). Tonight’scase unpicks 21-year-old James Barry’smurder

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

THE ROOKIE Seven, Monday, 9.05pm

It’sthe quirky cop dramedy that bringsthe laughs as well as the heart-in-your-throat moments. Back forits sixth seasonafter ashocking seasonfinale,viewers’emotions have beenheld hostage after fan-favourite OfficerAaron Thorsen (Tru Valentino) wasshotand rushed into surgery, with the ominous shrill of athe hospital alarm as the episode faded to black. In “StrikeBack”, Thorsen’s fate is mercifully revealed, but the tension doesn’t haveamoment to slacken as Nolan (Nathan Fillion, pictured) faces his final rookie shift beforehis adorable, smile-inducing andstylish weddingtoBailey Nune (former Janet Jacksonback-up Jenna Dewan) next week, which shines with some snazzy tongue-in-cheek lines.

SEVEN (7,6)

PICK OF THE WEEK

THE ASSEMBLY ABC TV, Tuesday, 8.30pm

Hot on the heels of Welsh actor Michael Sheen s delightfully moving one-off special (if you need a dose of heartwarming vigour look up the viral BBC The Assembly clip), based on the French series that featured a playful President Emmanuel Macron, this new Aussie rendition pulls on the heartstrings It’s also packed with soul-nourishing chuckles Leigh Sales is helping mentor a group of candid and inspiring autistic journalism students who interview well-known guests including our own Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and pop star Delta Goodrem Tonight, comedian Hamish Blake (pictured with Sales) fields queries about growing up with a question from Chau about happiness and comedy striking gold

NINE (9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Four Corners. (R) 10.45 Q+A. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 National Press Club Address 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 2.00 Parliament QuestionTime

2.55 Monty Don’sAdriatic Gardens (R) 3.55 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R) 4.45 Grand Designs. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow (R) 6.00 WorldWatch. 7.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour.LaVuelta. Stage 4. Highlights. 8.00 WorldWatch. 10.00 DestinationFlavour: Singapore Bitesize. (R) 10.10 Great Canal Journeys. (PGs, R) 11.05 Boswell And Johnson’s Scottish Road Trip.(PGal, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Dateline.(R) 2.30 Insight (R) 3.35 The Cook Up.(R) 4.05 Jeopardy! (R) 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour.LaVuelta. Stage 4. Highlights. 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorningShow. (PG) 11.30 SevenMorning News. 12.00 TheVoice. (PGl, R) 1.35 BorderSecurity: International. (PG, R) 2.05 Catch Phrase. (PG, R) 3.00 TheChase. (R) 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChase Australia 6.00 Today 9.00 TodayExtra.(PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 TheBlock. (PGl, R) 1.00 Space Invaders. (PGal,R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point (PG, R) 4.00 9NewsAfternoon 4.30 [VIC] TippingPoint Australia. (PG) 5.00

6.30 Hard Quiz.(PG, R) 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 7.30 8.00 Shaun Micallef’sEve Of Destruc tion. (PG) 8.40 Guy Montgomer y’sGuy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG) Presented by GuyMontgomery 9.30 PlanetAmerica.

10.00 Would ILie To You? (PG, R) 10.30 ABCLate News. 10.45 The Business. (R) 11.00 Interview With The Vampire. (Mals, R) 11.50 Fifteen-Love. (Mal, R) 12.40 Grand Designs. (R) 1.30 Parliament Question Time. 2.30 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R) 3.15 Grantchester.(PG, R) 4.00 Rage (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.30 Outback Ringer.(PG,R) 5.00 ArtWorks.(PG,R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG, R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Michael Palin In Nigeria (PGa) Part 2of3

8.30 RayMar tin: TheLastGoodbye (PGa) Part 2of3.Ray Martin begins planning his ownfuneral,taking alook at cremation, burial and new options.

9.30 DI Ray. (Mal) Pressure mounts for DI Raywhenshe is given an ultimatum by thesuperintendent 10.25 SBS World News Late. 10.55 EnemyOfThe People. (Mlv) 12.35 Lost Luggage. (MA15+a, R) 3.30 MakeMeADealer.(R) 4.30 Bamay.(R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Home AndAway. (PGa) Kirby oversteps Mali’sboundaries.

7.30 TheVoice. (PGl) Hosted by Sonia Kruger

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

10.00 Talking Footy Alook at the week’sAFL news.

11.00 TheLatest: SevenNews.

11.30 Billy Connolly:My Absolute Pleasure (Ml, R) 12.40 Miniseries: Midnight Man. (MA15+lv,R)

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

6.00 9News.

7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 TheBlock (PGl) Hosted by Scott Camand ShelleyCraft.

8.40 Paramedics (Malm) Asudden collapse shocksparamedics.

9.40 Footy Classified. (M) Footy experts tackle the AFL’sbig issues.

10.40 9News Late.

11.10 Ski Rescue Down Under (PGl)

12.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 2.00 Good Chef Hunting. (PG, R) 2.30 Global Shop.(R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory.(PGa) 4.30 ACurrent Affair.(R) 5.00 TodayEarly News 5.30 Today

9.15 Robot Wars. 10.15 Doctor Who 11.20 Merlin. Midnight Good Game Spawn Point. 12.50 Rage 1.50 Operation Ouch! 2.30 So Awkward. 3.00 Malory Towers. 3.25 Odd Squad. 3.55 Close. 4.00 Moon And Me. 4.20 Waffle The Wonder Dog. 4.35 Lu And TheBally Bunch. 4.40 Ana Pumpkin. 4.45 Hoopla. 5.00 Sesame Street. 5.25 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s

Fishing Addiction. 7.00 Step Outside 7.30 Creek To Coast. 8.00 America’sGame. 9.00 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship.Round 8. Tasmania SuperSprint. Day 1. Highlights. 10.00 Storage Wars 10.30 American Restoration. 11.00

(1998,PG) 7.30 Mystic Pizza. (1988,M) 9.30 GosfordPark.(2001,M) Midnight Entrapment. (1999,M) 2.05 Holy Spider (2022, MA15+, Farsi) 4.10 Stand By Me. (1986,M) 5.50 Finding Graceland. (1998,PG)

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal.

TheProject 7.30 Thank God You’re Here (PGdls) Hosted by Celia Pacquola. 8.40 Inspired Unempl oyed (Imprac tical)Jokers. (Mals) The jokers roam asupermarket and get fiery at teppanyaki, with those failing facing aknockout MMA punishment. 9.40 Have YouBeenPaying Attention? (Malns,R) Hosted by TomGleisner 10.40 10’s Late News. 11.05 TheProject (R)

Thursday, August 22

ABC (2) SBS (3)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Australian Story.(R) 10.30 Compass. (PGa, R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 The Assembly.(PG, R) 2.00 Parliament QuestionTime. 2.55 Monty Don’sAdriatic Gardens. (R) 3.55 ExtraordinaryEscapes. (PG, R) 4.45 GrandDesigns. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

R)

7.00 ABCNews.

7.30 7.30 Presented by Sarah Ferguson. 8.00 Foreign Correspondent International affairs program.

8.30 George Clarke’sAmazing Spaces George Clarkevisits an underground barand aDanish house covered in seashells. 9.20 Miriam Margolyes Impossibly Australian: Perth. (Mls, R) Part 1of3

10.20 ABCLate News

10.35 TheBusiness. (R)

10.50 TheArt Of (PG, R)

11.25 Grand Designs (R)

12.10 Parliament Question Time. 1.15 Extraordinary Escapes.(Ml, R) 2.00 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.40 Parkinson In Australia (Mas, R) 4.30 Outback Ringer.(PG,R) 5.00 Art Works. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 7.20pm Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep 7.35 The Inbestigators. 7.50 Little Lunch. 8.05 Fresh Off TheBoat. 8.25 MatildaAnd TheRamsay Bunch. 8.45 BTN Newsbreak. 8.50 Muster Dogs 9.45 New LeashOnLife. 10.15 Doctor Who 11.15 Merlin. Midnight Good GameSpawn Point 12.45 Rage. 1.45 Operation Ouch! 2.30 Still So Awkward. 2.55 MaloryTowers. 3.25 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs. 2pm ShortlandSt. 2.30 TheCook Up 3.00 Jarjums. 3.35 Spartakus And The Sun Beneath The Sea. 4.05 Cities Of Gold. 4.35 Motown Magic 5.00 Our Stories. 5.30 The77Percent. 6.00 Bamay. 6.30 News. 6.40 Brazil Untamed. 7.30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo 8.30 JustAnotherDay In Indulkana. 8.40 The Panthers. 9.30 MOVIE: Norbit.(2007, M) 11.25 Late Programs.

6.00 WorldWatch. 7.00 La Vuelta. Stage 5. Highlights. 8.00 WorldWatch. 10.10 Great Canal Journeys. (R) 11.05 Boswell And Johnson’s Scottish Road Trip.(PG, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 SuchWas Life. (R) 2.10 Britain’sMost ExpensiveHouses.(R) 3.05 Festivals 3.35 The Cook Up.(R) 4.05 Jeopardy!(R) 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 La Vuelta. Stage 5. Highlights. 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorning Show (PG) 11.30 SevenMorning News. 12.00 The Voice.(PGl, R) 1.30 BorderSecurity: International. (PGa, R) 2.00 MotorbikeCops. (PG,R) 2.15 CatchPhrase. (PG, R) 3.00 TheChase. (R) 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChase Australia.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.30 Great Australian Walks: Cape To Cape Track. (PG) Presented by Julia Zemiro

8.25 Junior DoctorsDownUnder: Getting Plastered. Jolenefaces one of hermost serious casesyet involving apatient with autoimmune disease.

9.20 Rebus. (MA15+lv) Rebus contemplates his rapidly changing relationship with both his job and his family

10.15 SBSWorld NewsLate 10.45 Pray ForBlood (Mal) 12.30 Devils. (MA15+ad, R)

2.30 Miniseries: TheDark Heart. (MA15+as, R) 3.20 MakeMeA Dealer.(R) 4.15 Bamay (R) 4.50 DestinationFlavour Down Under Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6am WorldWatch. 10.00 TheMovie Show Noon WorldWatch. 12.30 PlanetA 1.15 Curse Of OakIsland. 3.30 WorldWatch. 5.30 Curse Of OakIsland. 6.20 Forged In Fire 7.10 Jeopardy! 7.40 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.35 History’sCrazy Rich Ancients. 9.50 The Man Who Fell From The Sky 10.50 Cycling. UCI World Tour.LaVuelta. Stage 6. 1.50am Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6am Finding Graceland. Continued. (1998,PG) 7.35 JonssonGang. (2020, PG, Finnish) 10.00 Gosford Park. (2001,M) 12.30pm Stand By Me. (1986,M) 2.10 December Boys. (2007, PG) 4.05 My Best Friend’sWedding. (2016,PG, Mandarin) 5.45 Paris Can Wait.(2016,PG) 7.25 Mermaids. (1990,PG) 9.30 Agatha Christie’s Crooked House.(2017,PG) 11.40 Late Programs.

Friday, August 23

ABC TV (2)

SBS (3)

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Home AndAway. (PGad) Mali receives adifferentperspective.

8.30 TikTok:Murders Gone Viral: TheKilling Of SaniaKhan. (Malv) Part 2of3.Alookatthe case of TikTok star Sania Khan, who went viral campaigning for South Asian women’s rights.

9.30 Homicide: With RonIddles: TerryFloyd (PGa, R) Former police detective RonIddles looks into the unsolved 1975 disappearance of Terry Floyd 10.30 Air Crash Investigations: Fight ForSurvival. (PGa) Alook at Pilgrim AirlinesFlight458

11.30 Starstruck. (PG) 12.45 BoyToMan: The Suffering Men. (PGav,R)

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

6am Morning Programs. 9.00 Harry’sPractice. 9.30 NBC Today Noon BetterHomes. 1.00 IEscaped To TheCountry. 2.00 The Great Australian Doorstep 2.30 The Hotel Inspector 3.30 Harry’sPractice. 4.00 Medical Rookies. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 IEscaped To The Country. 6.30 BargainHunt. 7.30 Father Brown. 8.30 McDonald And Dodds. 10.30 Murdoch Mysteries. 11.30 Late Programs.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning 12.00 The Block. (PGl, R) 1.00 Ski RescueDown Under.(PGl, R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG,R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30[VIC]TippingPoint Australia.(PG)

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair.

7.30 RBT. (PGdl, R) Followsthe activities of police units

8.30 Trump Vs Harris: TheBattle For America. (PG) Looksatthe battle for the American presidencyasKamalaHarris steps forwardafter Joe Biden’s withdrawal.

9.30 Casualty 24/7 (Mm, R) Doctor Rob Cornford treatsa 58-year-old window-fitter who has been rushed to hospital.

10.30 TheEqualizer (Mv)

11.20 9News Late.

11.50 Resident Alien. (Mav)

12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.35 Pointless. (PG, R) 2.30 Global Shop (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory.(PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair.(R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today

9GEM (92,81)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal Hosted by GrantDenyer

6.30 TheProject. Alookatthe day’snews. 7.30 DogsBehaving (Very) Badly Australia. (PGa) Graeme Hall meets amanic moodle. 8.30 GoggleboxAustralia. TV fanatics open up their livingroomstoreveal their reactions to popular and topical TV shows. 9.30 TheCheapSeats. (Mal,R) Presenters Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald takealookatthe week that was. 10.30 10’s Late News. Coverage

6am Morning Programs. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.55 TheYoung And TheRestless. 1.50 As Time Goes By 3.10 AntiquesRoadshow 3.40 MOVIE: Tommy The Toreador.(1959) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 AntiquesRoadshow 7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 25.Wests Tigers vManly SeaEagles. 9.45 Thursday Night Knock Off 10.30 See No Evil 11.30 Late Programs.

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Children’s Programs. Noon Police Interceptors. 1.00 OrdinaryJoe 2.00 Bewitched. 2.30 TheNanny 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 The Addams Family 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 IDream Of Jeannie. 6.00 TheNanny 7.00 Young Sheldon. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: Sex And The City.(2008, MA15+) 11.30 Seinfeld. 12.30am ThePlatinum Life. 2.30 TheNanny 3.30 Beyblade Burst: Quad Drive. 4.00 Late Programs.

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8) 6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Planet America. (R) 10.30 That Pacific Sports Show (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Troppo.(Mlv,R) 1.55 Guy Montgomery’sGuy Mont SpellingBee. (PG, R) 2.40 Classic Countdown Extras. (PG, R) 2.55 Monty Don’s ParadiseGarden.(R) 3.55 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R) 4.40 Grand Designs.(R) 5.30 AntiquesRoadshow.(R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG,R)

7.00 ABC News

7.30 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG, R) Presented by Guy Montgomery.

8.20 ShaunMicallef’sEve Of Destruction (PG, R) Shaun Micallef chats with afamous acquaintance about what is really important to them.

9.00 Troppo (Final, Malv) Tedand Amanda saveRaph’s life andsolve Julian’smurder only to be faced with rescuing Ted’sfamily

10.00 Love Your Garden. (Final, R) Presented by AlanTitchmarsh.

10.45 ABCLateNews.

11.05 Grand Designs. (R)

11.50 ExtraordinaryEscapes. (PG, R)

12.40 We Hunt Together.(Mal, R) 1.30 Rage New Music.(MA15+adhlnsv) 5.00 Rage.(PG)

6.00 MorningPrograms. 10.15 Susan Calman’s Grand Week By TheSea.(R) 11.05 Boswell And Johnson’s Scottish Road Trip (PGal, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.05 Britain’s Most ExpensiveHouses. (PGl, R) 3.00 NITV News: Nula. 3.35 TheCookUp. (R) 4.05 Jeopardy! (R) 4.30 LettersAnd Numbers. (R) 5.00 Cycling.UCI World Tour.LaVuelta. Stage6.Highlights.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.35 GreatBritish Landmark Fixers: Southend Pier Ateam restores SouthendPier

8.30 Ancient Superstructures: Chambord –The Jewel Of The Loire. Explores Château de Chambord. 9.30 Lost TreasuresOfAncient Rome: Pompeii (PGa, R) Archaeologists embark on new digsinPompeii. 10.25 SBS WorldNews Late. 10.55 Agent Hamilton. (MA15+v) 12.40 My Brilliant Friend.(Mals, R) 4.00 Make Me ADealer.(R) 4.55 Destination Flavour Down Under Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHKWorld English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The WorldTonight.

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

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Better Homes And Gardens JohannaGriggscatches up with chef Troy Rhoades-Brown. Dr Harry Cooper meets acocker spaniel. 7.20 Football AFL.Round 24.Melbourne vCollingwood. From the MCG. 10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion andinterviews.

11.15 Armchair Experts. (M) Apanel discussesall things AFL 12.00 GetOnExtra Alookat theweekend’sbestracing. 12.30 Idris Elba MeetsPaul McCartney. (PGa, R) Idris Elba sits down for achat with Paul McCartney

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

5.00 NBCToday

Friend’sWedding. Continued. (2016,PG, Mandarin) 7.00 AKingInNew York. (1957,PG) 9.00 The Cup.(2011, PG) 11.00 Mystic Pizza. (1988 M) 12.55pm Entrapment. (1999,M) 3.00 Finding

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 Today. 9.00 TodayExtra.(PG) 11.30 9News Morning 12.00 MOVIE: The Wedding Fix. (2022, PGa, R) Andrea Brooks, AlishaMarie Ahamed. 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30[VIC]TippingPoint Australia.(PG) 5.00 Tipping

WINNews.

6.00 9News

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 CountryHouseHunters Australia. Hosted by Catriona Rowntree.

8.30 MOVIE: Ocean’s 8. (2018,Ml, R) The estrangedsister of notorious thief Danny Ocean sets outtopull off aheist of her own. Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway

10.40 MOVIE: Locked Down. (2021, Mdl, R) Acouple plan a jewelleryheist. Chiwetel Ejiofor 1.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

2.00 Pointless. (PG,R)

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping (R)

4.00 SkippyThe Bush Kangaroo (R)

4.30 Global Shop (R)

5.00 TV Shop: HomeShopping. (R) 5.30 Postcards. (PG,R)

Golden Point. 10.40 Late Programs. 9GEM (92,81) 7TWO (72, 62) 6am Children’s Programs. Noon Police Interceptors. 1.00 Ordinary Joe 2.00 Bewitched. 2.30 TheNanny 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 The Addams Family 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 Children’s Programs. 5.45 MOVIE: Alvin And The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked. (2011) 7.30 MOVIE: Legally Blonde.(2001,PG) 9.30 MOVIE: Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past. (2009,M) 11.30 MOVIE: Awoken. (2019, MA15+) 1.15am Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. Noon Pawn Stars. 1.00 Full CustomGarage 2.00 Extreme Unboxing. 3.00

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

6.30 TheProject. Alook at the day’snews. 7.30 SortYour Life Out. (PGa) Hosted by Stacey Solomon. 8.45 TheDog Academy. (PGa) Responsible for tens of thousandsofdollars of damage,aDalmatian is in need of help

Never been aseason quite like this

FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

ARE we seeing the greatestseason of all time right before our eyes?

Anothe rs carcel yb elievable round of the Gippsland League at the weekend left the competition with three ‘live’ games heading into the final round.

Morwell, Wonthaggi and Sale will all head into Round18with last round anxiety, as any number of possibilities are on the cards to determine their finals fate.

Finalsmay not be determined until literally the lastkickofthe regularseason, in whatisbeing described as the most competitive year in the league’s history.

Those takingpartmay notappreciate it now, but in time, historians may well look back on the Gippsland League 2024 in the sameway the2005 Ashes are remembered.

There is adocumentary in this season.

Just so long as the finals aren’t afizzer. IT can happen to anyone.

Even aVFL player.

Confronted with akick of barely 40 metres after the siren,and needing any score to win, Sale's Cody Henness fluffed his set shot badly, hooking the ball out on the full against Morwell.

The ball floated over the boundary line in front of the clubrooms at Morwell Recreation Reserve, leaving disbelieving onlookersdazed, and the scoreboard reading 13.9 (87) apiece.

It was the first time the Magpies and Tigershad played in adraw.

The reactions howeverwerestark. The result was almost every bit awin for Morwell, who took two points to stay inside the top five by half-a-game, while Sale were arguably the greater losers in more ways than one.

The oddswouldhave appeared every bit in Sale’s favour as the siren blew when Henness was runningin, but now, the Magpies findthemselves anchored in sixth position and two points adrift with just one game left.

Incredibly,this was the second draw Morwell has played in this season, on the very same ground. By absolute sheer coincidence,and adding to what has been aseason filled with mystical elements, the umpiring trio of Steve Esler, Scott Moorhouse and Dan Swallow has also beenexactly the same for both draws involving Morwell.

The Tigers made most of the earlyrunning, kicking four goals to one in the opening term.

Sale then had its turn kicking with the scoring end, and went into the halftime break ahead by five points.

The consequence of the Magpies registering 6.7 (43) to 6.2 (38) by this stage was not yet known, nor would it be until the very last play.

Morwell took anine point lead heading into the last, setting up apulsating final term.

Sale had the ideal start, kicking two goals inside the first three minutes. The first came from Jarrod Freeman finding an uncontested mark inside 50, and then playing-coach Jack Johnstone snapping truly to give the Magpies back the lead. Johnstone’s major made it 10 lead changes for the game, before astringofthree misses from

Morwell added to their frustrations.

Tiger’s livewire BrandonMcDonaldconverted at the 11-minute mark, taking Morwell to afive point lead.

McDonald had been involved in some friendly fire only minutes earlier, cleaning up teammate and poster boy Tyler Hillier in amarking contest.

The intensity may have led to some critical lapses,asSale got back the lead afteracoach killer deep in defence saw Freeman all on his own andgoal side after three Morwell players flew to spoil the same ball.

Hiller hit the post at the 15-minute mark, tying things up once again.

Entering red time, Sale’sMitch Dowse set off downthe wing and found himself with acres of space, kicking agreat goal on the run to make it six points to the advantage of the visitors.

In what was aremarkably free-flowing game given the clock ticking well into red and what was at stake, Morwell made it all square once again afterBrandon Mcaulliffe found himself all alone inside 50, who in turn passed to Tyler Brown, who made no mistake from aslight angle.

The Magpies weren’t donewithyet, and the script appeared perfect for key forward Brad Dessent in his 100th senior game.

Dessent took agrab45metres out at the 26-minute mark. His set shot howeverwentacross the face, and Morwell rebounded withoutconceding abehind.

Some manic moments followed, and it looked certain the Tigers were going to score going from one end of the ground to the other.

Brownsent the ball toward McDonald, who was goal sideand with Sale defenders Will Leslie and Jake Hutchins some distance away.

The ball however eluded him, and afree kick was paid to Leslie.

Leslie kickedtoHudson Holmes, who then passed to Jack Leslie at half back.

Leslie sent along ball to centre wing, which was marked by Jonty McGuinness, who quicklyplayed on and sent the ball inside 50.

Theball spilled to Johnstone,who then wheeled andfound Henness unattended.

Henness, who has played seven games for Port Melbourne in the VFL this season, then made sure Round 17 returned withthe biggest complexity imaginable.

Leading in, all predictions on the run to finals surrounded either aMorwell or Sale win.

No one had considered what would happen if there was adraw.

Dessentwon’t be forgetting his 100th senior game anytime soon, nor will Morwell playing-coach Boyd Bailey, who was celebrating the same milestone.

Best for the Tigerswas Charlie Burr, Brown (threegoals), Aidan Quigley,McDonald(four goals), Zac Anderson and Burkeley Macfarlane. McGui ness wa sb estfor Sale ,fol lowed by Shannen Lange, Jack McLaren, Patrick Tainsh, Derek Eggmolesse-Smith and Will Leslie. More Gippy League -Pages 22-23

Rd 9 Moe vs Wonthaggi (Moe win/Wonthaggi kick smothered)

Rd 10 Traralgon vs Bairnsdale (Traralgon win/Bairnsdale kick falls short)

Rd 17 Morwell vs Sale (Draw/Sale kick goes out on the full)

DOWN TO THE WIRE

Rd 2 Traralgon vs Moe

(Traralgon 28 points up at three quarter time, win by five)

Rd 7 Morwell vs Warragul (Brandon McDonald goal at 29-minute mark; Morwell win by two points)

Rd 9 Morwell vs Traralgon (four goals in red time; draw)

Rd 11 Bairnsdale vs Morwell (Bairnsdale miss at 28-minute mark; Morwell win by five points)

Rd 14 Morwell vs Maffra (Alex Carr goal at 27-minute mark; Maffra win by three points)

Rd 15 Traralgon vs Sale (Brad Dessent goal at 26-minute mark; Sale win by three points)

DRAWS

Rd 9 Morwell vs Traralgon

Rd 17 Morwell vs Sale

TIPSTER’S NIGHTMARE

Morwell: Beat Leongatha (1st) twice, lost to Maffra (10th). Moe: Beat Leongatha, lost to Traralgon (3rd) twice and Warragul (9th).

Traralgon: Lost to Sale (6th) twice, beat Moe (2nd) both times.

Leongatha: Lost to Morwell (5th) twice, beat Traralgon (3rd) both times.

Sale: Lost to Bairnsdale (7th) and Warragul (9th), beat Traralgon twice and Moe with athird-string team.

Wonthaggi: Wonthree games in the first half of the year,and are now 10-7 (fourth).

Bairnsdale: Beat Sale (6th). Played in three consecutive games decided by less than five points (record 1-2).

Drouin: Lost to Wonthaggi by six points, beat Maffra by the same amount. Mud index losses to Bairnsdale, Morwell and Moe by margins of one, five and 11 points.

-compiledbyLiam Durkin

COMPARISON

Seasons 1959 and 1965 both had five draws (1965 second semi-final was drawn).

In 1967, Trafalgar finished last but were only three wins outside the top four (this was the Bloods’ second-last year in the Gippsland League before moving to Mid Gippsland).

The final round of the home-and-away season in 1962 had six teams still ‘live’ in the battle for the final four.This season, there will be three ‘live’ games in the last round to determine finals. Bairnsdale missed finals in 1962 by 0.02 per cent. Had they kicked just one more point in the last game, they would have qualified.

(with thanks to Paul Carter for this information)

GAMES DECIDED AFTER THE SIREN

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

Maroons, Lions lock away immunity

FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

TRARALGON and Moe secured the doublechance in Round 17 of the Gippsland League.

The Valley duo will play each other in the Qualifying Final, but have one more game to get through before then.

Valley counterpartsMorwell could make it afullcomplement of local teams come finals, but must beat Traralgon or rely on other results falling their way this weekend.

CBurrT BrownAQuigley BMcDonald ZAnderson

BMacfarlane.Sale: JMcGuiness SLange JMclaren PTainsh DEggmolesse -Smith WLeslie LEONGATHA 1.5 4.10 9.15 15.15 (105)

BAIRNSDALE 1.23.2 3.3 7.5 (47)

GOALS: Leongatha: NHanily4 JHume 4JGinnane 2A TrottoJ Walker JGarnham JStewart TMarriott. Bairnsdale: LAustin 2BMcCarrey 2M East EEast RCarstairs BEST: Leongatha: K Drew JWalker JHume NHanilyCMaskell TMarriott. Bairnsdale: EEast WMitchell MNeate LByrne-Jones TClay

TR AR ALGON 6.310.612.816.12 (108)

MAFFR A1.4 4.4 6.8 6.8 (44)

GOALS: Traralgon: BRoscoe 3DLoprese 3J Hamilton 3KRuyters 3SHallybur ton2

JKilloran LAllman KRenooy

TMatthews. BEST: Leongatha: FDonohue MCroattoJCallahan Z Lamers HGillA Williams.Bairnsdale: JBills TMcMillan CReedCOtuonye MHamilton CCook SALE1.4 5.7 8.10 10.12 (72)

1.1 2.2 6.5 7.5 (47)

Sale:CNew 5CJohnson 2MMcMasterJCantwell JAnnear.Mor well:N Giardina 3M Blewett 2HFenton RO’Neill. BEST: Sale:CNew STreglown TDobsonMMcMaster TRonchi W Moon. Morwell: NGiardinaRMakepeaceO KalanT Shankland RO’Neill MBlewett

WARR AGUL 2.3 4.7 7.9

Warragul: APhillipsH BrownMCahill HCant LFrenchH Hodge.Moe:JChila AStylesX Berquez WRobinson MHasthorpe ABattista

A4.2 7.2 9.2 10.9 (69)

Maffra: TPhillips HBurgiel JScriven SAndersonE Stables WRuthberg. Traralgon: CBooth RRutter JZappulla LGreenhill AHarleBHagley

Moe meanwhil eh as ar oad trip to Wonthaggi to deal with, which could also be afinals preview.

The Lions and Maroons each won as expected last weekend, beating the two bottom sides.

Traralgon’s victory over Maffra confined the Eagles to their first wooden spoon since 1987.

Maffra officials weren’t entirely happy with this scribe at this year’s season launch upon learning he had predicted them to finish last

While asmall tick can be self-gloatingly given there, one prediction that hasgone horribly wrong is Traralgon to finish well outside the top five.

First-year coach Troy Hamilton has taken

hisyoung teamto11wins so farthis season, the latest being a16.12(108) to 6.8 (44)pumping away from home.

The Maroons controlled things from the get-go, and had six goals to one on the board at quarter time.

There was no letting up, even as far as the fourth quarter when the game was well and truly over.

Traralgon did not concede asinglebehind, on their way to victory by 64 points.

Aquartet of players kicked three goals for the Maroons. Josh Hamilton and Dylan Loprese were two, and were among the best players, along with Sam Hallyburton, Luis D’Angelo, Jordan Cunico and captainTye Hourigan back from injury.

Alex Carr, Seth Smith, Thomas Scott, Jett Killoran, Lachlan Allman and Kade Renooy battled hard for Maffra.

The win cappedoff agood week for the Ma roon s, wh or e- sig ne dc oa che sT ro y Hamiltonand Amy Harrison (A Grade netball), and whose members endorsed plans to finally build new change rooms following the 2021 flood.

Backinthe Valley,Moe defeated Warragul 11.15 (81) to 7.8 (50).

As they had in theirprevious encounter, the

Gulls looked to physically target afew Moe players, resulting in anumber of spot fires.

The Lions howeverresponded with an appropriate level of retribution this time around without ever going over the top.

Brock Smith, Trent Baldi, Jacob Balfour, Ben Daniher, Liam Masters and Scott van Dyk collected the votes for the winners.

Mitchell Smart, Lucas Carter, Lane Ward, Jack Lewsey, Riley Senini and Xavier Olsson were best for Warragul.

WONTHAGGI continued to keep all teams on edge, beating Drouin by 85 points.

The Powergave their percentage agood kick-along, and were favoured by fine weather to some extent, winning 19.8 (122) to 5.7 (37) on Drouin’s usually muddy oval.

Cooper McInness bagged six goals, and was helpedbyJakebThomasand JaxonWilliams who each kicked three.

JordanKingi, Kye Quirk and Jaxon Huston were best for the Hawks.

The win made it seven victories from the last eight starts for Wonthaggi,propelling their momentum even further.

Prepared to go out on alimbhere: if Wonthaggi wins the elimination final, they’ll make the granny.

Membrey significant in surprise Saints win

FOOTBALL AFL EXPORTS BY TOM HAYES

JUST one round remains in the AFL homeand-away season, as fates began to seal at the weekend.

Looking ahead to next week it appearsthat just eighth place is expected to be up for grabs between two sides.

The eighth and final spot will come down to Carlton and Fremantle. The Blues sit eighth currently but are facing aplethora of injuries which could pour favouritism into the ninth-placed Dockers hands.

Collingwood are 10th, and need two of Fremantle, Carlton,Hawthorn, and Western Bulldogs to lose, all whilebeating Melbourne by north of 100 points. Mission impossible. Essendon were ruled out of finals contention after Carlton’s win over West Coast to conclude Round 23.

MELBOURNE became the first team to beat Gold Coast at their home this season.

The Suns, who critically won their first

away game the previous week, weren’t able to keep the streak live, fallingtothe Demons by nine goals, 18.9 (117) to 9.9 (63).

Moeand Fish Creek’s SamFlanders was still outstanding in defeat. He collected 28 disposals, kicked two goals, had five marks, four clearances, two goal assists, and nearly 400 metres gained in the loss.

Moe’s Bailey Humphrey was much quieter, having justeight disposals, claimingthree marks, three tackles and agoal assist for his afternoon.

TRARALGON’S Tim Membreyand St Kilda caused amassive upset.

The Saints hosted Geelong at Marvel Stadium last Saturday night, coming from behind to miraculously win by three goals, 16.11 (107) to 14.5 (89).

Geelong kept St Kilda goalless in the openingquarter, kicking 3.2 (20)tothreebehinds in the opening half an hour.

The Cats went from strength-to-strength, looking like they’d lock in atop four berth, adding another six goals to three, going up by 33 points at the halfway point.

But the Saints had their prayersanswered,

bringing the game back in the balance with aseven-goal to one term.

Membrey had an impact from the forward line, coming high up the groundtohelp surge the ball forward.Hecollected 19 disposals andhad eightmarks,plus one goal for his troubles.

OVER at Hawthorn, things remain happy.

The Hawks completed a63-point win over Richmond at the MCG last Sunday.

Morwell’s Changkuoth Jiathremained out of the squad due to acalf complaint, which saw him alate outinthe previous game against Carlton. Nonetheless,Jiath re-signed for three years to prolong his stay at Waverley Park until the end of the 2027 season.

Jiath is listed as atest to return to the Ha wks’ best 22 whe nt hey ho st North Melbourne in Tasmania this weekend.

Calsher Dear, son of Churchill’s late Paul Dear, has also donned the brown and gold throughout his debut season.

Dear kicked an equal-career high three goals against the Tigers, in what was the 12th win of his 14-game AFL career.

The jobnoone wantsmight be Mini’s

FOOTBALL

AFL EXPORTS BY TOM HAYES

FORMERTraralgon footballerand Rosedale premiership player Andrew McQualter has emerged as acandidate for the West Coast Eagles senior coaching role.

The Herald Sun reported that they understandthe former Richmond Tigers interim coach has been contacted by West Coast regarding the role.

The Eagles have beguntalks with multiple candidates sincethe sacking of ex-senior coach Adam Simpson, but many have ruled themselves out of the race.

The 2018 premiers have spoken to the likes of Dean Cox, Jaymie Graham, Josh Carr, NathanBuckley, Ashley Hansen, and Daniel

Giansiracusa, who have all ruled themselves out of contention.

Currently an assistant coach at Melbourne under SimonGoodwin, McQualter is in consideration along with current West Coast caretaker coachJarrad Schofield,GWS Giants assistant coachBrett Montgomeryand Western Bulldogs assistant coach Brendon Lade.

West Coast have been without asenior coach since Simpson departedthe club in early July.

Simpson wasreplacedbyassistant coach Schofield, who has won two games from the five he has been the interim coach. Before Schofieldtookover, the Eagles had only won threeof16games throughout 2024.

McQualter was drafted to St Kildain 2004 from Caulfield Grammar (also from Traralgon), playing 89 games for the Saints

includingtheir three Grand Finals (2009, 2010, 2010 Replay).

He was delisted by St Kilda at the end of the 2011 season, joining Gold Coast in 2012 entering theirleadership group. He played five games for the Suns before finishing his playing career at the top level

McQualter joined Richmond as aVFL player and an assistant coach under Damien Hardwick in 2014,steppingupinto the midfield coaching position in 2016.

During that time, he played for Rosedale, winning aNorth Gippslandflag with the Blues in 2015.

McQualter took the reins of the Tigerslast year as caretaker coach, after the shock exit of Hardwick.

Afterthe Tigers opted to sign Adem Yze as the seniorcoach aheadofthe 2024 season, McQualter decided to join Melbourne.

Equations headingintothe

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

LAST ROUND ANXIETY

‘LIVE’ games

Sale (6th) vs Bairnsdale (7th)

Traralgon (3rd) vs Morwell (5th)

Wonthaggi (4th) vs Moe (2nd)

Games of insignificance

Leongatha (1st) vs Drouin (8th)

Warragul (9th) vs Maffra (10th)

Combinations

Wonthaggi win/Morwell win/Sale loses

=nochange to ladder.

Wonthaggi win/Sale win/Morwell loses

=Sale replaces Morwell in top five.

Morwell win/Sale win/Wonthaggi loses

=Wonthaggidropsfrom fourthtosixth, Sale goes in.

Wonthaggi win/Morwelland Sale lose =nochangetoladder.

Sale/Morwell/Wonthaggi all win =no change to ladder. Morwell draw/Sale wins/Wonthaggi losses =Wonthaggi out, Sale in, Morwell safe. Saledraws/Morwell and Wonthaggi lose =willcome down to percentage (three teams on 40 points).

State of play

LEONGATHAcan’t lose top spot.Moe and Traralgon can’tlosethe double chance.

The Lions andMaroons will be relieved to avoid the trip to Bairnsdale for an elimination final. Traralgon will surely be motivated to kick theirbiggestrival out of finals this

last round

weekend. Moe could also potentially do afew teams ahugefavour by booting Wonthaggi out if results go acertain way. The Powerare in red hotform (won seven of their last eight), and no one will want to play them in September. However,they still aren’t afinals lock. AMoe win, aMorwell win and aSale win against Bairnsdale (expected) will be enough for Wonthaggi to drop out. HowMorwell must be kickingthemselves for droppingthat gametoMaffra. The Eagles will claim their first wooden spoon since 1987. What an incredible season. compiled by Liam

Durkin

Thequestion that has no answer

FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

THE perfect career doesn't exi....

Gippsla nd League modern- day great Tom Marriott played his 200th senior game at the weekend.

The bullocking Leongathamidfielderhit the road for hismilestone, travelling all the way to Bairnsdale.

There,hecelebrated as theParrots won by 58 points, 15.15 (105) to 7.5 (47), on their way to securing yet another minor premiership.

Like most of his previous199 games,Marriott was among the best players in the green and gold, and capped offthe performance with agoal for good measure.

The Parrots took aquarter or so to get going, but put the game to rest with afive goal to none third term.

Ned Hanily and Jack Hume each kicked four goals, and received good support from Kim Drew, Jay Walker and Cade Maskell, who almost pulled down Mark of the Year after getting horizontal on top of apack of players.

forLeongatha at the weekend. Is he thegreatest of all time? Photograph supplied

Bairnsdale was well-served by Ethan East, Will Mitchell, Max Neate, Lachlan Byrne-Jones and Tate Clay.

Redlegs coach Logan Austin has announced he will be moving on after the last game, as he and his wife headbacktoAdelaide. While originally from Canberra, Austin playedthree seasons for Port Adelaide in the AFL.

Marriott’smilestone wasaccompanied withwhat is surely oneofthe most impressive CV’sincountry football.

He has won two TroodAward and Rodda Medals as the best player in the Gippsland League (2018, 2022), to go with three club best-and-fairest awards.

His 2022 season wasespecially noteworthy,as he was named the best player in Country Victoria.

He has playedinfour senior premierships for Leongatha(2017, ’18,’22 and ’23), to go withseven consecutive GrandFinals (2015-23, discounting COVID interruptions).

He is Leongatha’s longest-serving captain, and has held the premiership cup aloft three times, and been named best-on-ground in two Grand Finals.

As Leongatha’s only dual TroodAward and Rodda Medallist, he is arguablythe Parrots greatest ever ‘local’ player (discounting thosewho wentontoAFL levelsuchasJarrydRoughead and DysonHeppell).

In acareer akintoGeelong legend Joel Selwood, Marriotthas not featured in too many lossesin his 200 games.

He was apartofthe Parrots team that went 34 games without suffering defeat, coming to an end only last year.

Hisconduct has alsobeen highlypraised in local football circles, as has his service off the field. He has coached Leongatha junior teams in the past, and hasevengraciously played reserves when coming back from injury.

Perhaps most importantly, the journey to 200 games has elements of redemption for Marriott, which could provide an important lesson to any aspiring young players.

Discarded at VFL level, he still committed himself to becoming the best footballer he could be, and has made ahuge success of it.

This too, it must be said, without being blessed with absolutely superb skills or blistering pace.

As it was said of Kim Hughes: “He wasn’t agreat batsmen, but he played great innings”.

Speaking of greats,debate surrounding Marriott’s place among the all-timers sparked some discussion

during the week. While suchdebates generate a lotofinterest, they are usually shrouded in cliché and notions of the standardoffootball notbeing as good as it once was.

That being said, there is generally agreement that you could take the best players from any era and place them in agiven decade, and they would still be good players.

Loo ki ng at play ers fro mr ecent years, the Gippsland League has beenveryfortunate with the calibre of players running around.

With obvious apologies, names such as Mark Collison, James Blaser and Kane Martin would have surely gotten agame in any team at any point in time during the league’s history.

Current Sale player Shannen Lange has been rated the greatest player in the club’s history (two Trood Awards and possibly athird coming), while Cade Maskellwouldrun aclose second to Marriott if the Parrots ever did a‘best of’ the modern era.

Wonthaggi’s Aidan Lindsay and Drouin’sEd Morris have alsobeen prolific at club level, as have Daniel Bedggood and Danny Butcher at Maffra.

The great Maffra sidesofthe 2000s hadtheir shareoftruly greatplayers: Kel Porter, NickHider, GaryJones, and of course,the Burgiel brothers, Hayden and Adrian, the latter surely the most freakishly gifted player the league has ever seen.

Sale pair Shane Fyfe and Chris Laverty also have to rate amention. Theyhave played more than 500 senior games combined and won no shortage of awards. Jordan Dessent is still playing for the Magpies, butitcan’tbeglossed over just how good he wasinhis younger years.

Some other names come to mind in Michael Geary (Traralgon)and Andrew Soumilas, who won league medals at two different clubs (Garfield and Drouin). You can’t forget the class of Leigh Sheehan (Warragul) or the sheerdominance of Bobby McCallum (Drouin).

More locally, Joel Soutar and Tom Long each put together great careers for Morwell and Moe respectively, and were always identified as key players by opposition coaches.

Adam Bailey won aleague medal playing for Morwell. If sheer durability is the mark of agreat player, PeterAinsworth played thebestpart of 400 senior games for Moe (and he’s still playing, for Newborough in the Mid Gippsland league).

Then there are those who have perhaps been somewhat forgotten. Russell Cowan played some

What next for Essendon champ?

FOOTBALL

By LIAM DURKIN

ESSENDON champion Dyson Heppell announced his retirement last week.

Heppell, from Leongatha, made the call to end his career at season’s end.

The32-year-old looksset to finish on 252 AFL games, bringing to end a14-year career.

The midfielder will leave the club as one of its modern-day greats, with an All Australian blazer, aCrichton Medal (Essendon best and fairest) and the AFL Rising Star Award.

Despite going past the 250-game mark this season, the former captain was omitted following the Bombers’ Round 20 loss to St Kilda. Heppell was notgrantedafarewellgamefor Essendon’s last match in Melbourne for the season on Fridaynight, sparkingoutrage from some Bomber fans.

The Leongatha local has kept close ties with his

old club, and is frequentlyseen supporting the Parrots.

Speculation is now surrounding whether or not Heppell will return to play for his home club with younger brother Aaron.

While there has been no official word, Heppell teased with this tongue-in-cheek response to a question fromayoung Bombers fan on the Talking Parrots Podcast late last year:

“If the boys are stillwinning flags, that’s key, and Mal (club president Mal Mackie) can open up the cheque book, then maybe you might see me running around at the Parrots one day.”

Ties: Essendon champion Dyson Heppell announcedhis retirement last week.Heppell has kept close tabs with his Leongatha mates over the years, and is seenherecongratulating Josh Schelling afterthe 2022Grand Final.

Photograph: Liam Durkin

very good yearsfor Bairnsdale, and Jake Best nearly kicked acentury in his prime for Leongatha.

The current generation are proving their worth as well. Moe’s Baldi twins in Riley and Trent are currentlycomingsecond and third in the league MVP (68 votes combined). Traralgon captain Tye Hourigan seemingly gets bettereveryyear,and Maffra’s Alex Carr has been amodel of consistency.

The list goes on.

In the passage of time, it is likely nothing will really change when discussing great footballers. Players of today will be telling the next generation just how good football was in 2024, just as players of yesteryear tell the current generation how good it was in 1994.

This may be agood thing. There wouldn’t be much to connect the generations otherwise.

Smartest footballer on and off field

Doctor in the house: ‘Dr’Sam Davidson during histimewith Sale City. File photograph

FOOTBALL

FORMER Maffraand Sale City footballer

Sam Davidson has been invited to the AFL state Draft Combine.

The journeyman footballer has booted 21 goals in 15 games this season playing for Richmond in the VFL.

Davidsonrose to prominence duringhis time with the Bulldogs,ashewas one of four studentdoctors in the senior team.

Still studying medicine, the 22-year-old came to Gippsland through work placement, and settled into StephensonPark for the 2022 season.

He played only 10 games in the tri-colours, butstill kicked 27 goals and was named in the best eight times.

Maffra picked him up last year, where he played another 10 games for 15 goals.

'Dr Davidson' will now vie for aspot on an AFL list.

Modern marvel: TomMarriottplayedhis 200th senior game

MID GIPPSLAND

SENIORS

TARWIN 3.3 10.4 11.9 14.18 (102)

BEST: Tarwin:JKennedyBEllen LJones B Griffiths MZagni RO’loughlin. Hill End: HMoore RMarra JConley LRavenhorst AUliando J Halligan

(60)

Newborough: NWheildon 5W Anderson 3DRisol 2HPrestidge 2T Mander 2 MEdebohls JHeckerPCharles.Toora: JWeston 3PGrant 3L Osborne 2T Dyson. BEST: Newborough: NWheildon PAinsworth WAndersonP Charles HPrestidge DGrech. Toora: J Pintus OCashmoreJ Weston WGooseyJDows BEast STONYCREEK1.2

(52)

(42)

GOALS: StonyCreek:C Verboon 3HBullC Michael JByrnes CStone.Yinnar:LCheffers 2 SPattenJRogalskyKGrinstead-Jones BEST: StonyCreek:C Verboon DAtkinsCStone S Marriott JBattersbyT O’Connor Linke.Yinnar:BChapman LCheffers LLintonB VanDer Meer FSchill SFamularo

FOSTER1.3 3.5 8.8 11.11 (77) MDU 3.1 4.6 5.8 10.9 (69)

GOALS: Foster:JBest 5MCooke 2JRathjen ESmith LLidstoneJ Thornell.Meeniyan Dumbalk Utd: TCorry3 NAllen 2B Moscript JLeeden JHoy JHickeyB Perry. BEST: Foster:D Williams JBest MClark TBastion JThornellLLidstone. Meeniyan Dumbalk Utd: JBromley T CorryCKrohn TGoss BMoscript JHickey

22.17 25.22 (172)

FISH CREEK5.6

MIRBOO NTH 0.0 0.1 2.3 3.3 (21) GOALS: Fish Creek:DBerryman 9T Buckley 6JShaw5JStefani 2T Cameron DScully B Coates.Mirboo Nth: LJowett 2W Lewis BEST: Fish Creek:T Buckley DBerryman TCameron JHayesLGaleHSmith. Mirboo Nth: HMahoney BPeters JCummaudo DTurner LJowettH Barnes

MidGippy moves into finals

in raring to go for our first final."

The Tigerswere at the mercy of the Kangaroosfrom the very first bounce, not scoring for the first 30 minutes and down 81 to one at the main break.

WTroy. Toora: LdeBoer BEST: Newborough: RWilson Bvan DykMRowlingsLGilroy MBrosnan JGrant. Toora: ARhodes CJenkins CButinar NNicholls MHoppner LAnedda

(26)

Thorpdale: MPowell2 ZDanger2 TGibson 2JSinclair-Stanley CCelima. Morwell East: STobin 2I Terrick BEST: Thorpdale: JSinclair-Stanley JNankervis MGraeme MRosatoE Hall TGibson. MorwellEast: NHarrison LDay KChapman DPappas CSilver STutton

(41)

GOALS: Tarwin: HGuymer 4JCarmody 2SBurns TCameron MTruscioL Cann. Hill End: A Forth2 BThatcher NBain LAnswerRBroberg. BEST: Tarwin: GBountris JCameron BTaber H Guymer JCarmody JCann. Hill End: NBain JHammond AForth JSchiavello JCoombs BHams

(123)

MDU 3.3

(2) GOALS: Meeniyan Dumbalk Utd: BTomada 4T Harris 3BCantwell 2MHoober 2JDunn 2 RGiliam HFennell MSmith MBeacham RCheckley.Foster:Details N/A. BEST: Meeniyan Dumbalk Utd: RCheckley BTomadaT Harris ATreaseC McInnes JRiley.Foster:J Davy A Lacanaria SGibson BSmith ALomax JPrior

StonyCreek:MCoutts 3N Trotto3NSvenson

ROUND 18 marked theend of thehome-andaway season in Mid Gippsland football for all. However, now the 'real' season startsfor some.

Thirteen clubs has becomesix,which will getsmallerand smaller until onlyone is left standing as premiers of season 2024.

 Thorpdale vMorwell East

THORPDALE'S resolve had been tested in the past fortnight, with the serious injury to coachJason Winderlich still very much front and centre in their thoughts.

On thatbasis alone, the Blues should be commended for manfully,both as ateam and as aclub, fronting up and doing their very best, atrait that has been their mantra for the last few years.

Morwell East no doubt have empathy for the Blues predicament, but also knew they had ajob to do at the weekend.

With this in mind, the end result perhaps left question marks dangling over the Hawks heading into finals.

Thorpdale, out of contention, was too strong, winning by better than seven goals, 15.9 (99) to 8.6 (54).

Bluescoach Ray Pickering said it was great to see out the year with awin over quality opposition.

"An excellent way to end atumultuous season thatpromisedsomuch in the preseason and avery emotional last two weeks for obvious reasons," he said.

"Plenty of excellent passages of football against afinals-bound side which gives the clubsome momentum and apositive outlook on season 2025."

Thorpdalewere almost as close as you can get to finals contention withoutclaiming the opportunity, finishing just half-a-game outside the top six.

On the other hand,justamonth ago, Morwell East sat atop the ladder, but now, after threelosses in succession, limp into the first week of finals.

Hawks coach Paul Henry is hoping it won't be atame finals exit.

"I feel the boys were in preservation mode ahead of our finals campaign," he said.

"We take on Newborough again after only playing them acouple of weeks ago. Finals footy, what else would you rather be doing."

Not manywould have predicted this matchup this early, MorwellEastplay Newborough in the Elimination Final B on Sunday (August 25) at Willow Grove Recreation Reserve.

 Mirboo North vFish Creek

HOSTINGthe reigningpremier on your home deck might not have been the Tigers first choice to finishoff along and demanding season, but there is no doubt that Mirboo North were encouraged to play with some freedom and enjoytheir lastround of football for 2024.

The Kangaroosonthe other hand, used the afternoon to put some finishing touches on their preparationsprior to their finals campaign.

That campaign appears as though it is set to reach some lofty heights, after Fish Creek beat Mirboo North 25.22 (172) to 3.3 (21).

Fish Creek coachJarradWalkercommended his troops.

"A very pleasing gamefromour end.Set out to tidy afew things up defensively and get some chemistrybetween our midfield and forwards as well as our backs to tighten up and defend first," he said.

"We were able to tick those aspects of our game off for four quarters which was apositive. Awell earned week off next week, but looking forward to getting to Toora to support our reserves and netball teams. Then come

Mirboo North coach Damien Turner didn't lamentonwhat occurred at the weekend, choosing to focus on what's to come next for the Tigers.

"Tough and disappointing waytoclose out the season. Fish Creekcame to play,beat us on all fronts and looked very sharp heading into finals," he said.

"We finish the year now, but to have such an excitingyoung core group which is really exciting. Bigger and better for 2025."

 Newborough vToora

TWO teams thatwere bringing some pretty impressive form to the tablemet at theKennel, in what loomed,insome ways at least, as aperfectpreparation for Newborough prior to their first final.

The Magpies are honest and aggressive and would ensure that theBulldogs knew they were in for agame of football.

Newborough prevailed17.10 (112) to 9.6 (60)

Somelateunknownsprovided Bulldogs coachCraigSkinner with some questions heading in.

"We had five changes and aToora side that wanted ascalp had me nervousbut the boys stood tall and got the gameonour terms after quarter time," he said.

"No injuries were ahighlight and we will now reset for another battle with Morwell East Sunday."

After successive grandfinal defeats, the courage that the Bulldogs have showntofight their way into aposition for athird attempt carries with it some intrigue.

Unlike the last two years, Newborough does nothavethe double chance, but may wellrelishthis given what has happened in the past.

Tooradid what they could, an early lead slowly whittled away.

Magpies coach Jack Weston echoed that.

"It was another game where the score line blew out late," he said.

"Yet again we were really competitive against aside heading where we want to be. Envious of all sides playing over the next few weeks."

 Stony Creek vYinnar

AS fate wouldhave it, all but one match (MDU versus Foster) would have afinals contenderupagainst aside from outside the six, and each of the clubs with no pressure and no expectation was capable of stealing avictory to finish off their season.

Yinnar were acutelyaware of whatthe Lions were capable of, and were prepared for aspiritedopposition. The Magpies however were caught short in asurprise 10 point loss to the home side 7.10 (52) to 5.12 (42).

Stony Creek coach Chris Verboon was thrilled by his teams' effort.

"It was an awesome effort by our boys to get over the line against aquality opponent," he said.

"We have threatened teams all year but haven’t been able to play four quarters. We knew we had to be at our best to win and 21 blokes played agood hard game of footy. Good luck to Yinnar in the finals."

The Magpiesremainsecondonthe ladder, only percentage separating them from both Fish Creek above and Foster below, but their focus will no doubt be on what they can control.

Yinnarcoach Sam McCulloch wasn't impressed with the result,but it's alleyes forward.

"Disappointing way to finish the home and away season, but full credit to Stony Creek, they cametoplayand we reallylet ourselves down in anumberofareas," he said.

"We identified thesepost game and will

FOOTBALL

By TOM HAYES

ASEA of navy blueswarmed into the Morwell Top Publast Wednesday (August 14) for an intimatesportsmannight with Carlton guns PatrickCripps and Sam Walsh.

make sure we sharpen up over the next few weeks and prepare ourselvesto be ready for Fish Creek.”

 Tarwin vHill End

THE Sharks were coming off atouch up at the hands of ToorainRound17, andwere expecting avisiting Hill End side to arrive keen to secure justtheir second win of the year

However, with the Rovers shortoftheir bestpersonnel availableand Tarwin keen to rebound, it was all the home side in a comfortable 14.18 (102) to 3.8 (26) win.

Tarwin coach Jason Kennedy was glad to finish off the year on ahigh.

"We hosted our final game for the season againstHill End and the boys from both the reserves and seniors didn’t disappoint," he said.

"Ourladies enjoyed the sunshine celebrating their ladies day, whilst raising funds for local charity The Orange Door.

"It was apositiveday for all andagreat way to finish off awell fought season.”

The Sharks may havebeen afew wins short of finalscontention,but providedgreat competition for every opponent, every week, as did, for the most part, the Rovers, who through lack of personnel found themselves limping towards the end of the season.

Hill End coach Ambu Uliando clung to positive sentiments fromwhatwas adifficult year.

"I'm proud of the boys'effort for the last game of the year. We were very short in the seniors and reserves and had seven players double up and play both games and multiple playerspushing through injury. Tarwin just ran us ragged," he said.

 MDU vFoster PRE-GAME, there was every chance that these two clubs would meet again in the elimination final this weekend.

The inevitable question was do coaches nurture their players through the afternoon? Do they trial any plays or the tagging of players? How much do they learn about their opposition and particular playersand still get what they need to bring their very best in another seven days' time?

The result was that Foster got the points and perhaps apsychological advantage with an 11.11 (77) to 10.9 (69) win.

Foster coach Sam Davieswas thrilledwith their finish pre-finals.

"Really happy with the group'sefforts to finish equaltop afterthe home-and-away season-wereally only had one off day throughout the season which hurt us in the end," he said.

"We now saddleupand play Meeniyan again next week Ithought they were on top for alot of the day but we found away and played agreat 20 minutestocreate a big enough lead and held on."

The evenness of the competition means that the Tigers finished third, just percentage behind both second-placed Yinnar and top-of-the-table Fish Creek, butitalso means they play in an elimination final rather than an opportunityfor adirect route to the 2025 MGFNL Grand Final -even the smallest things matter.

MDU coach Nathan Allen quickly turned one eye to this week.

"The weekend was agreat preview of what the finals will be like. Really tight game all day with plenty of momentum swings," he said "Foster were able to convert when going forward better than us at the end of the day and get the win.

"Weare all really lookingforward to finals footy next week... it will be atight battle across theground and whoevercan take their opportunitiesupforwardwill move on."

 BOOLARRA had the bye.

Cripps and Walsh shared stories on their arrivals at the club, how they met each other and how they and the club are now in the position to strive for success.

With finals still on the radar in 2024,it'san excitingbut anxious time for Blues fans once again on the brink of the top eight.

The Blues midfield duo were welcomed with cheers in Morwell, with many fans eager to be in the same room as the stars.

The 100 or so people in attendance got to know afew more things they mightn’t have knownabout thepair during the question and answer portion of the night.

The two shared their thoughtsonthe game and the club, which was also met by laughs throughout.

—The Latrobe Valley Express, Wednesday, 21 August, 2024

Some lucky fans went home with some signed memorabilia from Cripps and Walsh, including some extra pieces signed by other players.

Moepushed all the way by Warragul

NETBALL

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

ONE round remainsinGippslandLeague netball, and with the results that transpired at the weekend, things have well and truly shaped into what will be athoroughly entertaining finals series.

Moe didn’t find it easyhostingWarragul,winning narrowly 54 to 51 in atop-three clash.

The reigning premiers were tried and tested early, as the Guls led 18-11 at quarter time.

That Warragul dominance continued through the second quarter, and the visitors led 30-21 by halftime.

Moe, not wanting to give any glimmer of hope to their fellow contenders to lose top spot on the ladder, locked in and returned to the unstoppable force seen in near all stages of the season.

The Lions limited Warragul’s scoring, and pushed the ball their way of the court every time possible to shrink the Gulls' lead to four goals in time for the final quarter of action.

Moe knew what they needed to do to conclude, given their success through the third quarter, continuing to tighten defensively which lessened the stressontheir attackers as compared to the difficulties Warragul was faced with at the other end.

The Lions held on to win by three goals after a forceful 16-9 final quarter.

It was ashootout between Moe’sRamayer Gourley (45 goals) and Warragul's Emma Ryde (48), with the latter surely locking in the league-leadinggoal scoring, nearing 800 goals for the year.

Moe secured theminor premiership, and Warragul sit idly in third position.

Morwell defeated Sale 50-28 at Morwell Recreation Reserve.

Both sides, out of the finals race, simply looked to see out each of their seasons with some positive signs to build off on.

Morwell, sitting closer to their above opposition on the ladder than that of the Magpies, still found it difficult to begin,asa hard, defensive-minded quartertook place, finishingwiththe Tigers ahead 11-7.

While Sale was still building themselves into the gameatleastscoring wise,Morwell continued with what theyleft off with, and extended their lead 25-16 by the halftime break.

If those watching thought anythingwould change to open the second half, they thought wrong.

The Tigers held Sale to justfour goals while adding afurther 13 themselves that kept any notion of acomeback unlikely.

Sale finished strong, limiting Morwell wherethey could, but still lost the final term 12-8.

Morwell’s Tiffany Boatman and IsabellaBettridge shot 22 and 21 goals respectively, while Sale’s Kate Van der Voort finished with 24.

Looking to secure their place in finals, Traralgon was never going to be an easy beat anyway, and over in Maffra the Maroons got it done in the end, 52-40 over the Eagles.

Despite facing awinless season, Maffracameout of the gate strong and matched Traralgon at every beat that concluded the opening quarter tied 14-all.

The Maroons began to see littleseparation during the second term, as the deficiencies of the Eagles appeared as Traralgon led by three goals to conclude the first half.

The Maroons doubled the Eagles score through the third term to push their lead out to a10-goal margin that was unlikely to be overcome.

Chloe Felsbourg (Maffra) and Cassidy Smith (Traralgon) both tallied 29 goals for their respective sides, however Smith was accompanied by better

scoring support from the likes of Grace Van Tillburg (13) and Sophie Lecchino (10).

Traralgon,with one game remaining against rivalMorwell,lookcertain to remain in fourth position in time for finals that will see them face thelikes of Wonthaggi or possibly Bairnsdale in theelimination final.

Bairnsdale did numbers to improvetheir chances of playing finals in 2024 by fending off neighbouring finals-contender Leongatha, 50-44.

Leongatha, with theloss, are now destined to miss finals, but will look to finish the seasonstrongly against Drouinathome this weekend.

The Hawks cemented atop-two finishatthe weekend after defeating Wonthaggi, 61-43.

The Power still cling to fifth spot to remain inside afinals position, but will find it tough against readied minor premiers Moe this weekend.

 FINALS time for many clubs awaits following the conclusion of the Mid Gippsland netball regular season.

Fish Creek got by Mirboo North, 49-46 to continue astrong stretch of form.

The Kangaroos finishedinsecondposition on the ladder ahead of finals and willbegiftedtoa weekoff.

The Tigers held onto sixth position to face a strong opponent, Morwell East at Toora in the Elimination Final.

The Hawks did everything they possibly could to secure adouble chance in finals after smashing Thorpdale, 101-19.

Morwell East missed out on second place by two premiership points to Fish Creek.

Yinnar secured the minor premiershipafter a 66-13 win over Stony Creek.

Thirteen wins and two losses bested Fish Creek by percentage.

Newborough concluded their season the bestthey could in a57-48 victory over Toora.

The Bulldogsfinishedtwo wins back of the top six and spoilt the Magpies chances of alatefinals push. Foster defeated MDU, 61-39 in apre-finals matchup.

Areplay will take shape this weekend, with the Demons aiming for redemption, finishing ahead on the ladder.

Boolarra and Tarwin had the bye.

 ROUND 18 of North Gippsland netball concluded at the weekend.

Heyfield and TraralgonTyers United ended in adraw, 52-all as both position themselves in the best possible way ahead of each of their finals campaigns.

Heyfield finished third with 11 wins, and await a matchup against afierce Churchill outfit at George Bates Reserve, Yallourn North.

TTU squeezed into fifth position, six premiership points ahead of sixth-placed Rosedale, and prepare to face Woodside on Sunday at Rosedale.

The Cougars are ready for finals after defeating Cowwarr, 62-32.

Sale City finished the home-and-away season undefeated after demolishing Gormandale, 75-24. At 16 wins already, the Bulldogs will have the week off in the first week of finals.

Wooside continued their phenomenal stretch of form after defeating Glengarry, 63-46 away.

TheWildcats narrowly missedout on adouble chance, tied with Heyfield but below by under three percentage points.

Nothing was on the line in the final Round 18 match, as Yallourn Yallourn North finished their seasononahighnote, securing their fourth win for the year against winless Yarram, 58-21. Rosedalehad the bye. Netball scores -Page 44

Jacobsen set to makeTraralgon history

NETBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

TRARALGONnetballer StaceyJacobsen will enter the AGrade timeslotfor the 300th time this weekend.

The veteran willbecomethe first Traralgon netballer to play 300 games in the top grade. As if that wasn't enough, the Maroons are set to host arch rival Morwell.

Jacobsen has enjoyed astellar career, winning three AGrade Premierships, three league bestand-fairestawards,and beenaGippsland League Team of the Year representative on six occasions.

The mid-courterbegan at the clubasa16-year-old in the Under 17s,and Traralgon Football-Netball Club has beenher second homeever since.

"It doesmean alot to me, it's such aspecial club," she said.

"I've alot to thank it for, some of the best memories. I've been paved through the club and it's just agreat community, agreat bunch of girls (and) everybody is ready to playnomatterhow old you are, everybody just gets along and supports each other."

Reflecting on the journey, Jacobsen pointed to some special moments throughout her career.

"Winning the 2015 AGrade premiership, we won it the same year the seniors won the flag.

That was aprettyspecial time," Jacobsen said.

"My husband (Mitch Jacobsen) was actually in the senior side when they won and Iwon with the AGrade side,weweren't together then (though)."

Jacobsen (nee O'Brien)also notedbeingawarded life membership at Traralgon as another significant moment.

The staunch AGrade superstar took on the captaincy thisseason alongside teammate Bron Tebb. The team has beeninanoticeable transition period over the last few years.

"It'sareally uniquesidewe've got thisyear. We've gotexperience and then we've got some reallyyoung girls who are only16-years-old playing in the AGrade side," Jacobsen said.

"They've got alot of talentthese young girls, they are goingtobeabsolutesuperstars and we're fortunate to have them at Traralgon... hopefully Idotry and use my experience to help them out, but some gamesI'm tryingtojustkeep up with them myself and they push me... they're an exciting group of young girls."

As for the weekend, facing seasoned rivals Morwell, the Maroons are hopingtolockinafinals berth with victory.

"It's always atight clash against Morwell, so I expect it to be the same this Saturday," Jacobsen said.

"It would be greattosecure our spotinfinals if we get the win.Itwill certainly make the celebrations even better if we win."

Legend: StaceyJacobsenwill playher 300thA Gradematch forTraralgon this weekend.

Photograph: Liam Durkin

NORTH GIPPSLAND

Final five set in stone

FOOTBALL

NORTH

GIPPSLAND

BY TOM HAYES

THEseason is over for six teams as the home-and-away portioncame to aclose in North Gippsland football at the weekend. Now it allcomes down to the final five,who had already been confirmed before the final round got underway.

TChisholm. BEST YYN: THutton DBath DShellcot A Young BMorrow JDeVirgilio.Yarram: BMotton KPearce CBruns KGriffiths JMcfarland LHunter TTU3.2 6.4 9.9 10.15 (75)

TTU: WCurtain 2SGoddard2 MMustoe ZKilgower JBrownFShields MJacobsen H Willaton. Heyfield: KGraham 4JChristian 2MBennett TMarchesi KAnderson TBirss NDinsdale BEST: TTU: WCurtainH Willaton THourigan FShields SGoddardKDuncan. Heyfield: JBeha B Woodland TBirss RMcMillan TMarchesi KGraham

SALE CITY8.4 17.11 24.15 33.23 (221)

GORMANDALE 1.1 2.1 4.4 4.4 (28)

GOALS: Sale City: FRead 7DCarstairs 3KSellings3M Evans 3O

The closest game of the round truly showed howthisseason is up for grabs,withonlyone point eventually separating first and fifth.

 EASILY the best game of the round ended in dramatic circumstances.

Between two sides thatwouldfinish the home-and-away season first and fifth, TTU prevailed by the smallest of margins, winning 10.15 (75) to 11.8 (74) at Gordon Street.

There wasn’t much separating thetwo sides at any of the breaks, as the Bombers led by fivepointsatquarter time, but the Kangaroos ascended ahead in the second term.

Both sides kicked three goals in the third quarter, butTTU edged closerand trailed by just four points with 30 minutes to play ahead of them.

The final term began with agoal to Nicholas Dinsdale, putting the Roos 10 points up.

Despitetheir attackingefforts, TTU conjured up the next threescores, albeitbehinds, cutting the margin to seven points. Goingup the other end, the Roos rushed ascore to lead by eight points with 13 minutes remaining.

But streaming coast-to-coast 90 seconds later,TTU found themselves within touching distance, when Zach Kilgower slotted his chance, cutting the margintotwo points with 11 minutes still to play.

TTU had momentum and continued to surge forward, and despite getting close, managed to rush two scores, which tied up the scores with six minutes left.

As TTU dominated possession, they found themselves with another chance to score, and they did. Jye Neilson kicked apoint with two-and-a-halfminutes remaining, giving the Bombers avital one-point lead.

the final quarter, but Woodside made sure they won every quarter.

Kicking four goals to one in the final quarter, the Wildcats put astamp on their 157-point victory.

Daniel Farmer contributed more than half of the Wildcats’ goals, scoring 14 to claim best-on-ground honours. He was joined in the best by Lee Stockdale,LiamHeard, Michael O’Sullivan (five goals), Brody Stainer, and Joh Fythe.

Glengarry’s best included Oscar Bradford, Michael Ryan, Callum Mitchell, Jack Burgess, Henry Bishop, and Liam Mitchell.

Unfortunately for Thomas Harris, the Magpies couldn’t get it donefor him in his 50th senior game Glengarrysenior coachAlex Birmingham re-signed for next season during the week, and will be lookingtolift the Magpies from the bottom part of the ladder when he resumes in 2025.

 YARRAM finished closer to eighth place than fifth place.

Yallourn Yallourn North hostedYarram at GeorgeBates Reserve at the weekend,not only showingwhy they deserved to finish in the topthree, but also showingwhy Yarram didn’t deserve to play finals in the end.

The Jets claimed amassive win going into finals, 17.7 (109) to 8.8 (56).

Pickedasthe favourite headinginto the game, the Jets had the mosttolose going into the final round, with the potentialto drop to fourth, losing their double chance. But it was in their hands to prevent that from happening, and all that was needed was to win against asidethat lacked confidence throughout the second half of the season.

The Jetsstarted well, but were by no means dominant on the scoreboard after the opening stanza, leading by 11 points at the first break That narrative shifted before halftime however, as the next 30 minutes ultimately decided the game. YYN piledon5.2 (32) to three behinds, openingupa40-point lead at halftime. At this point, the Jets had one handonadouble chance berth.

END OF AN ERA

Churchill have missed finals forthe firsttime since 2012

Atraditional powerhouse of North Gippsland football,the Cougarswon twosenior premierships from three grand finals during theirmost recentfinals run.

 2012: 6th

 2013: Finalists

 2014: Premiers

 2015:Preliminaryfinals

 2016: Semi-finalists

 2017: Semi-finalists

 2018: Runners-up

 2019: Premiers

 2020: COVID

 2021: COVID

 2022: Semi-finalists

 2023: Semi-finalists

 2024: 8th

Woodside:DMckean

HMcLeod. Glengarry: DBalfour LBusk NPeel RTurner ZChristensen TMay

MVelasco KWhitney WRhodes JParsons BEST: Sale City: RWilson JWells JHislop JReidKDelacour D Crowson. Gormandale: RMusgrove BForrest ZNolan MVelascoJ Whitney THall

2.4 5.10 9.17 15.19 (109)

Woodside:DHarrison 4T Hall 2R Hinkley DDobson JVanderveen NLucas.Glengarry: A RigbyC Whitehead. BEST: Woodside:T Hall AFrancis NLucas FCupples RAnderson. Glengarry: O CliftonJBach FCawcutt FBlizzardC BickertonH Young YARRAM 4.4 10.10 13.15 20.18 (138)

YYN0.2 0.3 2.4 3.4 (22)

GOALS: Yarram: LEarles 4T Delaney 3LRendell 3JApiata 2W Cook 2W Brunton BMcAlpine L Roberts CEarlesC Prestianni. YYN: SGrixti LWallaceJ Lerstang BEST Yarram: LEarles JApiata N Daldy WCook LEllis TDelaney.YYN:SGrixti OJans APheeney LWallaceHKing JLerstang TTU5.3 7.7 13.8 22.10 (142)

HEYFIELD 0.2 0.2 1.3 1.4 (10)

GOALS: TTU: RDenovan 9JStimson 4H Whateley 3B Watson 3RPayne SMoon TCooper. Heyfield: Details N/A. BEST: TTU: NLeslieTTangiH Whateley NPoel LFox TCrosby. Heyfield:E Davies CRonanB WilloughbyJReidVWilliamson JParker

Churchill:TCrawford13M Berechree 3LHecker

HARRIET SHING MP

Time would eventually expire, the Bombers claiming their 15th win of the season.

William Curtain was best for TTU, joined by HaydenWillaton, Trent Hourigan, Flynn Shields, Stuart Goddard, and Kade Duncan.

For Heyfield, they werewell represented by James Beha,BraydenWoodland, Tyson Birss, Robert McMillan,Thomas Marchesi, and Kyle Graham (four goals).

 CHURCHILL finished on ahigh note.

The Cougars dismantled Cowwarr at the weekend to finish their seasonwith amassive 22.22 (154) to 4.5 (29) win.

Ahigh-scoring first quarter saw the Cougars up by 19 points, as nine goals were scored between the two teams.

Churchillliftedever-so-slightly, but they kept the Saints to just two behinds as they extended their margin out to 52 pointsby halftime.

As the rain poured all over Gaskin Park, Churchill somehow found it easier to get to goal, adding nine goals to one, seeing the margin past 100 points.

Churchill was the only side to kick goals in the final term, adding two to see the game out, victors by 125 points, areal positive to end adisappointing, injury-ravaged season. Bailey Flanigan was best-on-ground for his defensive efforts. He was joined by Brendan Holt (seven goals), Chris Williams (three goals),Blake Slater, Ashley Di Ciero, and Tom Sevenson.

For Cowwarr, Connor Cook was their best, alongside Lee Bourke, Alex Saunders, former Cougar Nick Twomey,Haydn Hector, and Jackson Davison.

Churchill missed finals for just the second time in 29 years. Their last absence was in 2012, whenthey finishedsixth. Two years later, they won the flag.

 WOODSIDE made sure of second place.

Aslip-upthe weekbefore to seventh-placed Rosedalewas exactly why Woodside needed to win at the weekend, to ensure they have theirconfidencehigh with it alltoplay for from now on

Fortunately for the Wildcats, when they travelled to FredKing Oval to face Glengarry, they weren’t presented with ahardtask.

Woodside set the tone from the very start, claiming the four points in amonster 27.17 (179) to 2.10 (22) win.

The seven-goal to none first term had the Magpies flat and defeatedwiththree quarters still to play.

Woodside kept the foot firmly down up until halftime, adding another seven goals, while Glengarry found their first.

The killer blow was dealt in the thirdterm, as the Wildcats clawed at the Magpies, registering 9.2 (56) to three behinds to send their score and the margin over 100 points, up to 133 points with 30 minutes to play.

The storm began to settle for Glengarry in

If the outcome wasn’t decided already, it certainly was by three quarter time, after the Jets continued to run rampant. YYN added another six goals, while the Demonsmusteredthree for themselves. Yarram fought hard to finish the season strong, making sure to not let the Jets have it easy. The Demons won the final quarter, kicking three goals to two, but the game was over beyond doubt as the Jets got home by 53 points.

Tom Hutton(three goals) was named beston-ground, and was assisted well by Dylan Bath, Darcy Shellcot, Anthony Young, Ben Morrow, and James De Virgilio.

During the weekitwas announced that Hutton would be stepping down from his role as YYNseniorcoachatthe end of the season. The JetsannouncedDeanMacDonaldwould take the reins for season 2025.

MacDonald kicked four goals against Yarram in the final round of the season to wrap up the North Gippsland goal kicking in his name. He booted 71 goals from 16 games, 12 more goals than the next best.

 WHAT aturnaround Sale City have been in 2024.

From being the distant outsider to surging well into the top five.

Sale City made no mistake when travelling to the Boneyard to take on Gormandale, obliterating them to the tune of 193 points, 33.23 (221) to 4.4 (28).

Sale City kicked eight goals to one to start the game, leading comfortably by 45 points at the first break.

The visitors only got stronger, kicking 9.7 (61) to asole goal up until halftime, leading by 100 points on the dot already.

Sevengoals to two in the third term showed somemore competitiveness betweenthe two sides, but the game was done and dusted.

Sale City led by 131 points going into the last quarter, before they added another 9.8 (62) to nothing to close outthe near 200-point win.

In the 106 meetings between these two sides, they have both now won 53 games apiece.

Cooper Whitehill was exceptional for the Bulldogs, as was Kaden McCulloch, Hudson Tollner, Kyan Sellings (three goals), Brysen Nottle, and Flynn Read (seven goals).

The Bulldogs had 14 goal scorers, 10 of them kicking multiple goals,all while registering 56 scoring shots.

The netballers joined in with the footballers for the club song after the game, after they finished the season undefeated in the A Grade competition.

For Gormandale, their best included Tristan Salerno, Trent Baldwin, Darren Burgess, Malachi Dillon, Chris Potalej, and Hayden Richards.

 ROSEDALE had the bye.

TRARALGON DISTRICT JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE

All girlsumpiring decider at Gaskin

FOOTBALL

UMPIRING

BY ERIKA ALLEN

SALE Umpires Association made history with its first all-female on-field Grand Final panel.

The six umpires officiatedthe Division2 Female Football Youth Girls matchbetween Korumburra/Bena and WoodsideatGaskin Park.

SUA Director of Umpiring, Shane Garvey said the association believe it is afirst for the region on top of being the first time the SUA has fielded an all-women umpires panel in a Grand Final.

“We are extremely proud of our women and girls this year, and this celebration of female umpiring comes on the back of aconcerted effort to recruit more females into umpiring, something we are happy to (have) achieved in 2024,” Garvey said.

“As supporters of Female Football Gippsland, we are also glad that this is occurring in that

league, so as to further promote women and girls in all aspects of football.”

The panel of six umpires included boundary umpires Cathy Dobson and Ash Lovas.

Umpires are like the third team on football fields, Garvey says, meaning teamwork and camaraderie are important. Asked if the group were anticipating nerves or excitement,Garvey said they were more relaxed than anything.

“Havingthatconnection(and) having that camaraderie,wetalkabout umpiring teams for games, so some people just umpire well together and there’s some people that don't," he said.

“These girls have been (umpiring together)all finals series and they’ve all gelled really well.

“We'dlove to encourage more people to come along and umpire. That's the main thing is, (we’re) justproudofthem being able to achieve what they've achieved this year.”

At the end of the game at the trophyand medal presentation, FFG CommitteePresident Graeme Smith thankedthe umpiring panel, and Garvey presented them with medals commemorating their role in the Grand Final.

Bright Gippy netball future

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

THE 19 and Under Gippsland Stars werecrowned champions of the State Super Netball Eastern Conference after defeating Casey Demons 53 to 50 at the Waverley Netball Centre.

The Gippsland girlscame from fourth position on the ladder, facing some hardened competition to come out on top that includedanail-biting one-goal win overNorth East Blaze in the semi-final.

The winning squad includedplayerof the matchLexis Schade, Anna Mooney, Ruby Brosnan ,Georgia Hamilton , Mackenna Whiteside, Lainey Downie, Tyla Peters,Chloe Felsbourg, Audrey McGannon and Jayde Parsons.

The VNL handed out theirawards for season 2024, which included ahandful of localtalent stretched across Victorian netball.

Moe premiers hip player Isa bella Hodgson (BoroondaraExpress)was selected to the Championship VNL Team of the Year playing in attack.

Moe’s Olivia Barnett was represented in the 23 and Under VNL Team of the Year for her strong defensiveseason for the winning Hawks.

In other news, Gippslan dS tars shooter Charlize Traumanis (Drouin) was selected to the 19 and Under Victorian state team ahead of the 2025 National Netball Championships.

Trial dates for the GippslandStars 2025 campaign for both the 23 and Under VNL team and the 19 and Under developmentsidehave beenannounced upon asuccessful introductory season in the Victorian Netball League.

The player screening trials for both sideswillbeheld on August25and invitedplayer trialsonAugust 30, both at Stockdale Road Stadium, Traralgon. Current and new players are welcome to register at https://www.gippslandstars.com.au/become-a-star.html

Gippsland Stars also intend to introduce aVNL Championship side (open age) and 17 and Under development team in 2025, and will be sending out EOIformsfor such with trials for the development side held at alater date.

Champs: The GippslandStars 19 and Under team celebrate after winning the State Super Netball Eastern Conference Grand Final Photograph supplied

Great work: Sale Umpires Association CathyDobson, Ashleigh Lovas, TraceyWest, Summer Harbour, Kaila McKenzie and LaraDowsettofficiated Sunday’sFemale FootballGippsland Division 2Youth Girls Grand Finalat GaskinPark. Photograph: ErikaAllen

September

Loser of secondsemi vs winner of firstsemi GRAND FINAL Saturday, September 14 at Churchill

Non-profitbody restoringforesthealth

By PHILIP HOPKINS

AGROUP of people with abackground in forestry management, advocacy and public policy has formed anew body that aims to improve the poor condition of Australia’s forests.

The Healthy Forests Foundation (HFF) is anonprofit company focused on restoring Australia’s natural forests to health through holistic forest management. It aims to use the knowledge of Indigenous people with the best available science.

“We will identify unhealthy or vulnerable forests, develop aplan and manage projects to implement the plan,”HFF Chief Executive and Managing Director, Monique Dawson said. Ms Dawson has 20 years’ experience working at the highest levels of the public service in Queensland, New Zealand and Victoria, including five years as VicForests Chief Executive.

“My experience in forest policy haspersuaded me that Australia needs to fundamentally shift its understanding of whata‘healthy’forest is -and move away from the negative, unproductive debates by listening to, and working with our First Nations people in actively caring for our forests,” she said.

“Australia’s forests are fundamentaltothe wellbeingofAustralia’speople. Healthy forests are places where people can walk and be nurtured. Healthy forests support the air we breathe and the water we drink.”

Ms Dawson said, in Australia, there were many areas of unhealthy or vulnerable forests following 250 years of human action and inaction.

“This includes decision to stop or restrict managementofCountry by Traditional Owners, tree clearing, intensive timber harvesting, mining, introduction of exotic species, and the failure to manage the risks and effects of climatechange including catastrophic fire and drought,” she said.

“Many forest areas that are unhealthy or vulnerablewill not recover without activehuman intervention.”

HFF will work with Traditional Owners, scientistsand local communities to identify priority places that are unhealthy or vulnerable and then design and deliver projects to improve the health and resilience of these places. It aims to establish and maintain aweb-based,publicly accessible library of research and knowledge aboutforest health, management and repair.

“By providing acentral repository of accessible information, we facilitate collaboration between knowledge holders and those wanting to take active steps in restoring forest health,” Ms Dawson said.

“We will also seek to engage constructively with all levels of government,providing amoderate, constructive partner in the development of policy related to forest health.”

MsDawsonemphasisedthatresurgentIndigenous

conservation seeks to honour Indigenous knowledge and values and empowerIndigenous communities.

“We recognisethe deepconnection between Indigenous peoples and their ancestral lands, as well as their traditional stewardship practices,” she said.

Membership is open to Traditional Owner representative groups and foundation investors. Ms Dawson said the board had the ultimate discretion to approve members.

“Butwe’ll be thrilledtoreceive requests from any Traditional Owner organisation or scientist or researcher who is interested in what we are tryingtoachieve -and committed to Indigenous-led conservation,” she said.

“Members will shape the work of the foundation by proposing and endorsing projects as well as voting on policies and priorities at general meetings.”

Thereisnocurrent intentiontocharge amembership fee (other than foundation investment for founder members). The only financial commitment is the commitmenttocontribute $10 to the foundation if it is wound up.

Ms Dawsonsaidduringthe start-up, the foundation was looking for people who can help identify forested places that need activemanagement as well as people interested being involved in the design and delivery of projects.

“We’re also looking for people to help connect us

to like-minded organisationsand businessesaswe grow our network,” she said.

Other members of the HFF leadership team are Deb Kerr, with20years’ experience in senior executive management,government relations, advocacy, policy development, stakeholder management and corporate communications.MsKerr, who is aqualified company director, was previously chief of the Victorian Forest Products Association.

Tanya Britton, the group’s project coordinator Eastern Victoria, specialises in holisticforest management including bringing askillset aimed at preserving and enhancing natural ecosystems, particularly through collaboration with First Nations peoples. She has 20 years’ experience in various aspects of forest management including fire management within government roles. Against abackgroundofecological principles, Ms Britton in recent years has focussed on forest restoration and health.

The communications and information leader is BrookeGaras, who has aBachelorofScience in Biology and aMasters in Communications and Media Studies. She has worked in government, research, industry and university sectors, including the CSIRO.

“I am passionateaboutcommunicating great sciencewhenthis leads to improved environmental outcomes,” she said.

Coal to wind: Federation Uni releases transition guide

By KATRINABRANDON

ACAREER guide showing the potential new jobs that Yallourn Wpower station coal workers can find at offshore windprojects was unveiledatFederation University in Churchill.

Minister for Energyand Resources, Lily D'Ambrosio, launched the 'Transition Opportunities: Coal to Offshore Wind' guide booklet, which has beenproducedwiththe backing of EnergyAustralia, Federation University, TAFE Gippsland,Atlas Professionals, and Southerly Ten.

Southerly Ten is aspecialist offshore wind developer by the teambehindStar of the South and leadingglobal fundmanager,Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP).

CIP has established Southerly Ten to invest in offshore wind in Australia and New Zealand.

The careers guide for current Yallourn power stationpositions outlines the pathway for workers to transition fromtheir current skills into offshore wind opportunities.

The guide explains that with some extra training, there are opportunities for coal power station

workers to takeupa new career in windgeneration, mainly offshore, but also onshore.

The state government's policy is to achieve 95 per cent of energy supply from renewable sources by 2035.

Minister D’Ambrosiosaidthe transition away from coal generation to renewable energy would be really important for the workforce "to work out what it means for them".

“Weknow the future is abright futurefor people that are currently in our energy system to be able to look up this fantastic guide, to identify the jobs that they are filling right now, also to understand what is the next nearest job available to them if they wish to transition -the training opportunities andhow long it will take them to re-skill to be able to move into those new jobs that aregoing to be created here off the shore of Gippsland,” she said.

Currently, about 60 per cent of the Yallourn power station workers have put their hands up for retraining, whether it be in the same or different fields.

According to Minister D’Ambrosio,the renewable energy projects are well underway. About 38 per cent of the target has already been reached, with

40 per cent being the target for next year. The project started with an ambition of having 50 per cent of the energy supply coming from renewables by 2030, but now, Minister D’Ambrosio said the team had decided to up the target to the legislated 65 percent.

“The reason for the targets is to ensure that we actually have atransition that is smooth and that brings early investment into that replacement of electricity, and when we do that, we have the opportunity to create the jobs, we have the opportunity to do the planningfor transition, whichmeans people can think about what is their next job and what are the skills that they will need,” she said.

“We continuetoensure that we have atransition that is smooth, there are jobs there in local communities and that we keep avery clear eye on the reliability of our energy system and, of course, the affordability of it.”

Southerly Ten Chief Development Officer, Erin Coldham, said the guide should help relieve some of anxiety about jobs and the transition. She said that during some mapping between coal and renewable positions, there was a70per

cent skills overlap of good or higher skills between thoseexisting traditional energy sectors and the offshore wind sector.

Federation University Vice Chancellor, Duncan Bentley, said that between the workforce and education, the renewable energyproject offers multiple benefits and opportunities that couldadd billions of dollars of economic value to Gippsland.

“The reality is when Southerly Ten and others finishtheir investment, we willhaveseven to 10 billiondollars worth of economic add in the Gippsland region. That is more than just the renewable jobs; it’s the ancillary jobs and the communities with aspirations for afuturethey couldn’t imagine," he said.

"That’s for ourlocal area. When youlook at it nationally... Gippsland will be providingtens of billions of dollars worthofcontribution to the Australian economy, and that all starts with the people in this room who have avision. It’s trying to bring that vision to life.”

Saturday, August24

(PG)

12.30 Unforgotten. (Mal, R) 1.15 Sister Boniface Mysteries. (PG, R) 2.05 Shaun Micallef ’s EveOfDestruction. (PG, R)

2.40 And We Danced. (PG, R) 3.50 David Attenborough’s Galapagos.(R) 4.45 The Assembly. (PG, R) 5.25 Landline. (R) 5.55 Australian Story (R)

6.30 Back Roads: Julia Creek, Queensland. (PG,R)Heather Ewart visits Julia Creek.

7.00 ABC News. Alookatthe topstories of theday

7.30 Sister Boniface Mysteries. (Ma)SisterBoniface investigates the death of an egotistical magician at Great Slaughter’s local talent show

8.20 VanDer Valk. (Final,Mav,R) Part 3of3.Pietand his team investigatethe stabbingofa psychiatrist during ademon summoning.

9.45 Fifteen-Love (Mal, R) Longwood preparesfor the biggestgrand slam event of the year.Justine looks to repair her friendship with Renee.

10.40 TheBeast MustDie. (Mal, R) Frances progresses with herplan. 11.25 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) Music video clips.

6.00 WorldWatch. 7.00 La Vuelta. Stage 7. Highlights. 8.00 WorldWatch. 10.00 Destination Flavour Bitesize. (R) 10.15 The Bee Whisperer.(PGal, R) 11.10 My Unique B&B. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Such WasLife. (PG, R) 2.10 Portillo’s Greatest Railway Journeys. (R) 4.00 Ireland In Music: Sclimpini. 4.30 La Vuelta. Stage 7. Highlights. (R) 5.35 Tony Robinson’s Forgotten WarStories. (PGa, R) 6.00 NBC Today 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 TheMorning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. Winx Stakes Day,SaturdayatThe Valley and Doomben’s Saturday Raceday 5.00 SevenNews At 5. 5.30 BorderSecurity:Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.30 Edward And Wallis: The Bahamas Scandal. (PGa) Alook at Edward and Wallis’ time in the Caribbean.

8.40 Malta: TheJewel Of The Mediterranean. (PGns)Part 4of4

An exploration of thepopular tourist destination of Malta concludes.

9.30 Westminster Abbey: Behind Closed Doors (R) Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle visitsWestminster Abbey

10 25 Scotland’s Extreme Medics (Ma, R) Aman is trapped undera quad bike.

11.20 Nordland 99 (Premiere, Mals)

12.15 RexInRome. (Masv, R)

3.50 Peer To Peer (R)

4.20 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World EnglishNewsMorning 5.15 France 24 Feature 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight

6am WorldWatch.

10.00 TheMovie Show Noon Scrubs 2.05 Limited Surrender 2.15 StatesOfUndress. 3.10 WorldWatch. 5.05 Extreme Food Phobics 6.00 National Indigenous Music Awards 7.30 Impossible Engineering. 8.30 Icons Unearthed: Batman. 9.25 Stuck In The Suez. 10.20 Travel Man. 10.50 Cycling UCI World Tour.LaVuelta. Stage 8. 1.50am The X-Files. 3.40 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs.

11.50 MOVIE: FairyTale: ATrue Story.(1997,PG) 1.30pm Brazil Untamed. 2.20 NITVNews: Nula. 2.50 Unsettled. 3.20 Kairakau. 3.50 On Country Kitchen. 4.20 The One And Only Dick Gregory 6.20 News. 6.30 First People’sKitchen. 7.00 The OtherSide. 7.30 Alone Australia. 8.30 MOVIE: Night Raiders. (2021, M) 10.15 Nina Simone: LiveAt Montreux. 11.35 Late Programs.

6am

Morning Programs. 6.40 Agatha Christie’s Crooked House.(2017,PG) 8.45 My Best Friend’sWedding. (2016,PG, Mandarin) 10.30 Blind. (2016,M) 12.30pm Mermaids. (1990,PG) 2.35 AKingIn New York. (1957,PG) 4.30 The Cup.(2011,PG) 6.35 Whale Rider.(2002,PG) 8.30 Strangerland.(2015, MA15+) 10.35 Bang Gang (A Modern Love Story) (2015,MA15+, French) 12.25am Late Programs.

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Football AFL.Round 24 Brisbane Lions vEssendon. From The Gabba,Brisbane

10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews taking alook back at all the action from the game.

11.00 To Be Advised.

12.45 TheGreat Diamond Heist. (PGa, R) Ross Kemp investigates the untold story of the Millennium Dome heist.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Drop Dead Weird. (R)Three Australian siblings move to abed and breakfast in Tubbershandy in western Ireland with their zombie parents.

5.00 HouseOfWellness (PGa, R) LukeDarcy, Jo Stanley, Jacqui Felgate and Dr Nick Carr look at locations that highlight living well.

6am Morning Programs. 11.30 GetOn Extra. Noon Escape To TheCountry 1.00 HouseOfWellness. 2.00 Escape To The Country. 3.00 Extreme Railways. 4.00 Bargain Hunt. 5.00 Horse Racing.WinxStakes Day Saturday at TheValleyand Doomben’s Saturday Raceday. 5.30 Medical Rookies. 6.00 Heathrow. 6.30 The Highland Vet. 7.30 The Yorkshire Vet. 8.30 Escape To The Country 11.30 Late Programs.

6.00 Getaway.(PG,R) 6.30 ACurrent Affair (R) 7.00 Weekend Today 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday.(PG) 12.00 Destination WA.(PG) 12.30 EV:The Next Generation 1.30 Mr Mayor.(PGs, R) 2.00 My Way. (PG) 2.15 TheBlock (PGl,R) 3.50 TheBlock. (PGl,R) 5.00 9News FirstAtFive. 5.30 Getaway. (PG)

6.00 9News Saturday.

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 MOVIE: Monster-In-Law. (2005,Ms, R) Awoman tries to prevent her son’swedding.JenniferLopez, JaneFonda.

9.30 MOVIE: What Happens In Vegas. (2008, Mls, R) After adrunken night results in them getting married, a couple are forced to spend six months together.Cameron Diaz, Ashton Kutcher

11.30 MOVIE: AnyQuestions For Ben? (2012, Mls) Josh Lawson.

1.35 TheGarden Gurus. (R)

2.00 TheI ncredible Journey Presents. (PGa)

2.30 Getaway. (PG, R)

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R)

5.00 TV Shop:Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 HelpingHands. (PG, R)

9GEM (92, 81)

6.30 TheDog House. (PGa, R) Sisters want to extend their family 7.30 Thank God You’re Here. (PGdls, R) Agroup of performers walks through a door into ascene without any idea of whatwaits forthemonthe other side. 8.30 TheDog House Australia. (PGa, R) Kellymeets afluff ball named Jinglebells. Alessioand Vittorio might be at risk of being bitten by an overwhelmed Maltese. ArmyMajor Davidhopestowin thebattle to gain Frankie’s affections. 9.30 Ambulance UK. (Mal, R) The North West Ambulance Service respondstotwo separate calls for patients with severe burns. 12.00 TheCheap Seats. (Mal, R) Presented by Melanie Bracewell and TimMcDonald. 1.00 Home Shopping (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.

6am Morning Programs. 2.30pm NRLWWrap. 3.00 MOVIE: Revolt At Fort Laramie. (1957,PG) 4.30 MOVIE: The Horse Soldiers. (1959) 7.00 RugbyLeague.NRL.Round 25.South SydneyRabbitohs vNewcastle Knights. 9.25 NRLSaturdayNight Footy Post-Match. 10.00 MOVIE: War. (2007, MA15+) Midnight Late Programs.

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Children’s Programs. 2pm Motor Racing. IndyCar Series. St Louis500 H’lights. 3.10 SurfingAustralia TV 3.40 MOVIE: Combat Wombat. (2020, PG) 5.30 MOVIE: Dolittle (2020,PG) 7.30 MOVIE: The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of TheDawn Treader.(2010,PG) 9.45 MOVIE: Chaos Walking. (2021, M) 11.50 MOVIE: The Land. (2021, MA15+) 1.50am Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 11.30 Life Off Road Noon GoRV. 12.30 Timbersports. 1.00 Blokesworld 1.30 Search4Hurt 2.00 RidesDown Under: Aussie Truckers. 3.00 Boating. Circuit Boat Drivers Championship.Replay 4.00 DesertCollectors. 5.00 Counting Cars. 5.30 Storage Wars 6.00 Pawn Stars. 7.00

Sunday, August 25

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 MorningPrograms. 10.05 The Bee Whisperer.(PGadl, R) 11.00 Great Irish Interiors. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 12.30 PBS Washington Week With TheAtlantic. 12.55 Trampolining. (R) 1.00 Speedweek. 3.05 Portillo’s Greatest Railway Journeys. (PG, R) 4.00 Wonders Of Scotland. (R) 4.30 Cycling. UCI World Tour.LaVuelta. Stage 8. Highlights. 5.35 Forgotten WarStories. (PGa, R)

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8) 6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 WeekendBreakfast. 9.00 Insiders 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 The World This Week.(R) 11.00 Compass. (PGa, R) 11.30 Songs Of Praise. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Love Your Garden. (Final,R) 2.30 Dream Gardens. (PG, R) 3.10 Nigella At My Table. (R) 3.40 George Clarke’sAmazing Spaces. (R) 4.30 Restoration Australia.(R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

6.30 Compass: Shankari Chandran –Stories Of Justice. Thestory of Shankari Chandran.

7.00 ABC News Alook at the top stories of the day

7.30 Vera (Ma, R) Part 4of4

9.05 Fifteen-Love (Mal) Glenn’s relationship with Luca is on aknife-edge as his star player stepsinto the fourth round 9.55 Unforgotten. (Mal, R) Twoof thesuspectsare interviewed again.

10.40 Fisk. (PG, R)

11.10 Annika. (Ma, R)

11.55 Frayed. (Mal,R)

12.45 Noughts +Crosses. (Malv,R)

1.40 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.05 Classic Countdown. (PG, R) 4.00 Outback Ringer.(PG, R) 4.30 ArtWorks. (R) 5.00 Insiders. (R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews. 7.30 Titanic In Colour Part 1of2

9.20 TheBlack Death With DanSnow: Outbreak. (Ma, R) Part 1of2.Dan Snow andRakshaDaveinvestigate how the Black Deathdevastated Britain 700 yearsago

11.10 MOVIE: SubjectsOfDesire. (2021, MA15+av,R)Explores North American beautystandards. India Arie

12.55 24 Hours In Emergency: Remembrance Day (Ma, R) 1.50 8Out Of 10 CatsDoes Countdown. (Mals, R)

2.40 Hell On Ear th: WWII. (Mav,R)

3.40 Peer To Peer (R)

4.30 Bamay (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al JazeeraNews

6.00 NBCToday. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 TheMorning Show: Weekend. (PG) 11.00 House Of Wellness. (PG, R) 12.00 To Be Advised. 2.40 To Be Advised. 3.00 Football AFL.Round 24 Carlton vStKilda 6.00 Hello SA.(PG, R) 6.30 ACurrent Affair 7.00 Weekend Today 10.00 AFL Sunday Footy Show.(PG) 12.00 Wide World Of Sports. (PG) 1.00 Drive To The Future Of Safety.(PG) 1.30 My Way. (R) 1.40 Country House Hunters Australia. (R) 2.40 The Block. (PGl, R) 5.00 9News FirstAtFive. 5.30 Postcards.

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 TheVoice. (PGl) Hosted by Sonia Kruger

8.40 7NEWSSpotlight. An exclusivespecial investigation. 9.40 TheLatest: SevenNews. 10.10 Crime Investigation Australia: MostInfamous: TheAssassination Of John Newman. (Mav,R)A look at the assassination of John Newman. 11.20 AutopsyUSA:Dick Clark. (Ma) Examines the 2012 death of Dick Clark. 12.20 Lipstick Jungle. (Mds, R) 1.20 Harry’s Prac tice. (R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

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

6am Morning Programs. 10.00 House Of Wellness. 11.00 EscapeToThe Country. Noon House Of Wellness. 1.00 Escape To The Country 2.00 South Aussie WithCosi. 2.30 Discover. 3.00 My Greek Odyssey 4.00 Bondi Vet. 5.00 Escape To

6.00 9News Sunday. 7.00 TheBlock (PGl) 8.30 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing and uncovering the issuesaffectingall Australians. 9.30 Footy Furnace. (Mlv) Alook at the latest round of football. 10.30 9News Late. 11.00 TheFirst48: Down A Dark Hallway (Mal) 11.50 Transplant (MA15+am) 12.40 TheBrokenwood Mysteries. (Madlv,R) 2.35 Postcards. (PG, R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory.(PGa) 4.30 SurfingAustralia TV.(PGl, R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 TheSundayProjec t. Alookatthe day’snews. 7.00 Hunted. (PGl) Everyday Aussies remainonthe run. 8.30 TheRealC SI: Miami: Game Over (Mav)Detectives analysethe case of James Barry,who wasmurdered in ahouse full of his lovedones. 9.30 Claremont: AKiller Among Us. (Ma,R)Part2 of 2.For more than 20 years, the Claremont killer managed to escape justice 11.00 FBI. (Mav,R)A corrections officer is shot 12.00 TheSundayProjec t. (R) Alookatthe day’snews. 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBSMorning s. 6am WorldWatch. 9.30 Small Business Secrets. 10.00 The Movie Show Noon Hudson &Rex 1.40 Most Expensivest. 2.10 How To RobABank. 3.00 Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over 4.50 Bamay 5.10 WorldWatch. 5.35 PBS Washington Week. 6.00 The Machines That Built America. 6.50 Abandoned Engineering. 7.45 Abandoned Americana. 8.40 Myths: The Greatest MysteriesOfHumanity 9.45 Late Programs. 6am The Cup.Continued. (2011, PG) 7.00 The Producers. (1967, PG) 8.40 Fill The Void. (2012, PG, Hebrew) 10.20 ABronx Tale. (1993, M) 12.35pm Three Colours: Blue. (1993, M, French) 2.25 Shaolin Soccer.(2001, PG, Cantonese) 4.30 ICapture The Castle.(2003,PG) 6.40 Driving MissDaisy. (1989) 8.30 The Pianist. (2002, MA15+) 11.15 Late Programs. 6am MorningPrograms. 1.50pm RugbyLeague. KooriKnockout. Replay 3.10 ILive, IBreathe, ISurf 4.10 Bigger &Blacker: StevenOliver,MyLife InCabaret. 4.30 Going Places. 5.00 Nina Simone: LiveAtMontreux. 6.20 News. 6.30 Natural Born Rebels. 7.30 Off Country. 8.30 The LakeOfScars. 10.15 MOVIE: The Man From Snowy River II.(1988,PG) Midnight Late Programs. NITV (34)

vCronulla Sharks. 8.00 M*A*S*H. 8.30 MOVIE: The Thomas CrownAffair.(1999, M) 10.45 Late Programs.

9GEM (92, 81) 7TWO (72, 62) 6am Children’s Programs. 2pm MOVIE: In The Heights. (2021, PG) 4.45 Travel GuidesNZ. 5.45 MOVIE: Scooby-Doo.(2002 PG) 7.30 MOVIE: JusticeLeague. (2017, M) 9.50 MOVIE: 21 Jump Street. (2012, MA15+) Midnight LoveAfter Lockup 1.30 Police Interceptors. 2.30 Travel GuidesNZ. 3.30 Beyblade X. 4.00 Power Players. 4.30 Transformers Bumblebee: Cyberverse Adventures. 4.50 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs.

Monday, August 26

(R)

Stor y. Presented by Leigh Sales.

8.30 Four Corners. Investigative journalism programexposing scandals firing debateand confrontingtaboos.

9.15 Media Watch. (PG) Paul Barry takesa look at the latest issues affecting media consumers.

9.35 Q+A. Presented by Patricia Karvelas.

10.35 ABC LateNews.

10.50 TheBusiness. (R)

11.10 Planet America. (R)

11.40 Vera (Ma, R)

1.10 GrandDesigns. (PG, R) 2.00 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R) 2.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.30 Parkinson In Australia. (PG,R) 4.30 Outback Ringer.(PG,R) 5.00 Art Works. (PGa, R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

6.00 MorningPrograms. 10.00 Destination Flavour Bitesize. (R) 10.20 SusanCalman’s Grand Week By The Sea. (R) 11.10 Auction (Premiere) 12.10 WorldWatch. 2.00 Such WasLife. (R) 2.10 Britain’sMost Expensive Houses.(R) 3.05 Festivals. (PG) 3.35 The Cook Up.(R) 4.05 Jeopardy! (R) 4.30 Letters AndNumbers. (R) 5.00 Cycling. UCIWorld Tour.LaVuelta. Stage 9. Highlights. 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorning Show. (PG) 11.30 SevenMorningNews 12.00 To Be Advised. 1.40 MotorbikeCops. (PG, R) 2.00 CatchPhrase. (PG, R) 3.00 TheChase. (R) 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChase Australia.

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

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.30 Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes:FayeTozer. Robson Green is joined by Faye Tozer.

8.50 Rise Of TheNazis: The Manhunt:The Ratline. (Mav) Part 2of3.Asthe Cold Warescalates most Nazi hunting is abandoned. 9.50 24 HoursInEmergency: Family Values. (Ma) A30-year-old suffersanasthma attack.

10.55 SBSWorldNewsLate.

11.25 House Of Promises. (Ma) 1.15 La Jauria. (MA15+sv, R) 3.05 MakeMeADealer. (R) 4.00 21Kids And Counting. (PGal, R) 4.55 DestinationFlavour Down Under Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning 5.30 ANC Philippines The WorldTonight.

6am WorldWatch. 9.30 Small Business Secrets. 10.00 TheMovie Show

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Home And Away (PGa) Tane faces aserious choice.

7.30 TheVoice. (PGl) It is the fifth nightofthe blind auditions and new artiststaketothe stage.

9.05 TheRookie. (Return, Mav) In the aftermath of the assaults, the team struggles to understand why they were targeted.

10.05 S.W. A.T. (Mv)The team tacklesa seriesofshootings.

11.05 TheLatest: SevenNews.

11.35 Lopez Vs.Lopez. (PGals, R) Mayan deals with adifficult client at work. 12.35 TheEvent. (Mav,R)

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBCToday 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise

6.00 Today 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 The Block. (PGl,

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair.

7.30 TheBlock. (PGl) Hosted by ScottCam and Shelley Craft

8.45 Beyond TheDream: Curtis McGrath Unstoppable. Follows para-canoeist Curtis McGrath on his journey to the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.

9.45 Footy Classified. (M)Hosted by Craig Hutchison, Matthew Lloyd Caroline Wilson and Kane Cornes.

10.45 9News Late. 11.15 La Brea. (Mav) 12.00 Transplant. (MA15+m) 12.50 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

Pointless. (PG, R)

Global Shop (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Vic tor y. (PGa) 4.30 ACurrent Affair.(R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by GrantDenyer. 6.30 TheProjec t. Alook at the day’snews. 7.30 Hunted. (PGl)Everyday Aussies remain on the run 8.40 Have YouBeen Paying Attention? (Malns)Celebritypanellists compete to see who can remember the most

PG, Hebrew) 4.00 The Producers. (1967, PG) 5.40 Princess Caraboo.(1994 PG) 7.30 20th Century Women. (2016,M) 9.40 Mediterraneo:The LawOfThe Sea.(2021, MA15+, Greek) 11.45 Late Programs.

Tuesday, August27

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

(7,6)

(9,8) 6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Foreign Correspondent.(R) 10.30 One Plus One: The Elders. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 The Newsreader.(Ml, R) 1.55 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.25 Back Roads. (R) 2.55 Monty Don’sJapanese Gardens. (R) 3.55 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG,R) 4.40 Grand Designs.(R) 5.30 AntiquesRoadshow.(R)

6.00 MorningPrograms. 10.10 Susan Calman’s Grand Week By TheSea.(R) 11.00 Auction. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 2.05 Britain’s Most Expensive Houses. (PGl, R) 3.00 Railway Vietnam. (R) 3.30 The Cook Up.(R) 4.00 Who Do You Think YouAre? (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters AndNumbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show.(PG) 11.30 SevenMorning News. 12.00 To Be Advised. 1.35 Border Security: International. (PG, R) 2.05 Catch Phrase. (PG,R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

Grand Designs. (R) 1.45 Extraordinary Escapes.(PG, R) 2.35 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.45 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Outback Ringer.(PG,R) 5.00 Art Works.(PG,R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

7.30 GreatCoastal Railway Journeys: Axminster To Budleigh Salter ton. (Return) Hosted by Michael Portillo 8.30 Insight. Kumi Taguchiexplores male friendships and whether we need to rethink what being amate is. 9.30 Dateline: TheK-Pop Dream Factor y. Alook inside the K-popindustry 10.00 SBSWorld NewsLate. 10.30 ThePoint. (R) 11.30 Babylon Berlin. (MA15+ansv) 1.20 COBRA.(Malv,R) 3.55 MakeMeA Dealer.(R) 4.45 Destination Flavour Down Under Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHKWorld English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home And Away Cash takes the coward’sway out.

7.30 TheVoice. (PGl) It is the sixth night and the halfway point of the blind auditions and new artiststaketothe stage

9.00 Made In Bondi. (Mal) On his 22nd birthday,Lawsonopens up about his true feelingsfor Bella while Lachy makes aplayfor himself 10.05 FirstDates UK. (PGal) Singles experience the thrills of dating.

11.15 TheLatest: SevenNews. 11.45 Extended Family (PGa) 12.45 HoleyMoleyAustralia. (PGl,R) 2.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise

6.00 9News.

7.00 ACurrentAffair

(10, 5)

7.30 TheBlock (PGl) Hosted by ScottCam andShelley Craft. 8.45 30 YearsOfThe Footy Show. (Mlns) Part 2of2.Features exclusiveinterviews, iconic moments, untold stories and never-before-seen footage from theshow

10.20 Outback Opal Hunters (PGl,R) TheBlacklighters takeabig gamble. 11.20 9News Late. 11.50 ChicagoMed (MA15+am) 12.40 Transplant. (MA15+m) 1.35

TodayEarly News 5.30 Today. 6.00 Deal Or No Deal Hosted by Grant Denyer 6.30 TheProjec t Alookatthe day’snews. 7.30 Hunted. EverydayAussies remain on the run as fugitives who havetaken part in abank robbery 8.40 TheCheap Seats. (Mal) Presenters Melanie Bracewelland Tim McDonald takealookatthe week that was. 9.40 NCIS. (Mv, R) Knight’spast resurfaces when NCIS investigates acampsite murder

Community Corner with

Prostatesupport

LATROBE ValleyProstateSupport Group will meet on Wednesday, August 28 at Morwell Club.

Mealsare available from 6pm, with themeeting starting at 7pm.

All members are welcome, as well as new members or interested people. Reports, awareness programs and the launch of two fundraisers will be discussed.

For more information, phone Allan Cunningham on 0458 111 688.

Philatelic Society

THE July meeting of the Latrobe Valley Philatelic Society (LVPS) was well attended, and had members outlining their other hobbies and interests.

The group even had avisitor who wanted some advice on what to do with their unwanted stamps.

John Ri chardso n's chal len gin g scavengerhuntwas given out as well.

Guest speaker Mike Lee will be the highlightofthe next monthlymeeting.

An informal auction of unwanted items has been added to the agenda.

The LVPS meets in the boardroom of the Morwell RSL on th el as t Wednesday of every month from 1.30pm until 3.30pm. Visitorsand potential members are mostwelcome.

For further information, phone Christine on 0427 770 522, or email at: czarb7@outlook.com

Moe District Cancer Council

DAFFODIL Day 2024willbecelebrated tomorrow (Thursday, August 22).

Moe and District Cancer Council Volunteer Group will be holding a stall outside the newsagency in Moore Street, Moe from 9am until 3pm. Daffodil Day merchandisewill be on sale, includingEnamel and Diamante pins. Fresh Daffodilswill also be on sale

An upcoming eventinOctober is the fashion parade (more information to come).

The group's current project is Paediatric Cancer Research.

The next meeting willbeheld on Monday, August 26 commencing at 1.30pm at the Moe RSL. All welcome. Come and join us for acuppa and achat.

For more infor mation, pho ne Volunteer Group contact Diane on 0438 517 470, or Linda (0427 671 780).

Cancer Council Supporters Hot Line: 1300 65 65 85. Cancer Council Help Line: 13 11 20. Quit Line: 13 78 48.

Citizen of the Year nominations

THE Lions Club of Moe are seeking nominations for the Moe/Newborough Citizens of the Year Award which is presented on Australia Day.

There are two categories; one for Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year -for ages between 12 and25, and Australia Day Citizenofthe Year

Both of theseawardswill be presented on Australia Day at Gippsland Heritage Park, Moe.

All nominations must either be aresident of the Moe/Newborough area or have contributed and demonstrated outstanding service to the Moe/Newborough community in a voluntary capacity.

Closing date for the nominations is November 1, 2024.

For any further information or for acopy of the nomination form, phone Lion Robert Sharrock on 0497 299 719, or email: maroby@bigpond.com

Alt ernat ive ly, phone Lion Al li Stewart (0407 230 044), or email: alli. stew@outlook.com

Monomeath Senior Citizens

MEET at Victory Park, Traralgon. New members welcome.

Current program:

 Monday 12pm: Patchwork/ needlework.

 Tuesday 1pm: Cards (500).

 Wednesday 1pm: Carpet bowls.

 Thursday 9am: Tai Chi.

 Friday 1pm: Carpet Bowls.

Membership is $5 per year and activities cost $2.

Afternoon and morning tea is free.

All new seniors are most welcome. Come alongand enjoy the activities andmeetnew people.

For further information, phone Bill on 0413 728 652.

Bridgeresults

TRARALGON Bridge Club results:

Tuesday, August 13: N/S 1st Kaye Douglas and Roshni Chand 71.13 per cent; 2nd Ros McEvoyand Monika Cornell (58.33).E/W 1st Moira Hecker and Helen McAdam (66.37); 2nd Christine Zarb andFredKaminski (56.55).

Thursday, August 15: N/S 1st Maria MacTaggart and Barbara Barr 56 per cent; 2nd Phillip Goode and Glenis Lohr (55.26). E/W 1st Ken Tiernay and Anna Field59.92, 2nd AnneMoloney and Vic Moloney 59.77

If you would like to playorlearn more abou tB ridge ,p hon eG re g Nicholson on 0419 365 739.

Churchill market

CRAFT market at ChurchillShopping CentrethisSaturday(August24) from 9am to 1pm.

Over 30 stall sb ooked and all undercover or indoors. Market is on, whatever the weather!

Shopping voucherstospend in store at nominated Churchill shops will be given away to randomly selected shoppers after 10am.

Shop in Churchill this Saturday for your chance to win.

Fire Brigade and Churchill Lions will be conducting sausage sizzles. Sausages are free, but of course but donations are welcome.

There will also be afree children's entertainer on site between 10am and 12pm, along with alocal entertainer doing covers of popular songs.

Most retail stores will be open, includingChurchill Lifeline Op Shop, which opensspecially this Saturday to support the market.

Last minute onlinebookingsfor stall sites can be made up until 12pm on Friday,

Visit: churchill.org.au/events for more information.

Familyhistory

THE Mid Gippsland Family History Society Inc will hold its annual meeting tomorrow (Thursday, August 22) commencingat2pm at the Family History Centre, 44 Albert Street, Moe. All are welcome.

The meeting willbefollowed by apresentation by Dawn Cowley on writing and publishing abook.

Wha tb et ter wa yt os har et he findings of years of research than producing your own publication -and what awonderful legacy to leave for the generations to come.

The Mid Gippsland Family History Centre is open to the public every Wednesday afternoonbetween 1pm and 4pm.

The group welcomes anyone interested in learning more about their

ancestors and family history, whether araw beginneroranexperienced family historian/genealogist, to come along and have achattoone of the experienced researchers who are keen to help people navigate the resources on hand.

You’ll be amazed at what you can discover about your ancestorsby using such resources as Trove, Find aGrave andFamily search. The group has large holdings of cemetery records and transcriptions.

Chess results

IAN Hamiltonlostone game and held the lead when the round ended in recent Latrobe Valley Chess action.

Second place was claimed by Peter Bakker, who forced awin and then held the draw in the follow-up game against Cliff Thornton.

Jack Holme succumbed quickly in the first game but then recovered to claim three wins.

Hannah Jackson missed too many tactics and had to resign when the deficit was too much.

Ben Jacksonhad three wins and accepted the defeat in other contests.

Enjoying the challenge gave Jess Mulry the chance to learn from some mistakes against Emma Jackson.

Country chess players are invited to an October tournament in Bendigo.

Phone Ian Hamilton on 5134 1971 or Cliff Thornton (0413 330 458) for more details on local chess.

TRAMPS ride

TRAMPS (Traralgon and Morwell PedallersInc.)met at the Port of Sale and rode across the spectacular pedestrianbridgeout of the town westward then toward the south and the causeway over the lake.

The Sunday cruise then took the group north of thehighway to Nambrok Recreational Reserve for lunch. However, as there was afootball game on, the reserve was shared with many of the locals.

The return to Sale took in more dairy country and lots of wattle trees starting to bloom.

Nextrideisthis Sunday (August25), takingoff from Churchill at 10am. The ride will travel to the Rose Garden, Morwell for lunch via various back roads.

TRAMPS welcomes new riders. For more information visit: tramps.org. au, or phone Paul on 0459 823 422, or Vance (0403 662 288).

Youcan be apartof Community Corner

IF you are acommunity groupand 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 'CommunityCorner' in the subject line and nothing else. Deadline is Friday 9am to appear in the following Wednesday issue.

TUESDAY20AUGUST

Cooper Stagg turns 7

Addison Prout turns 12

Ari O'Brien turns 11

FRIDAY23AUGUST

Param Hemanth turns 12

Adrian Versluis turns 4

WEDNESDAY21AUGUST

Jayden Padula turns 10

Josie Feil turns 6

Casey Rowe turns 2

THURSDAY22AUGUST

Tamr yn Dugan turns 10

Thea Vitale turns 6

SATURDAY24AUGUST

Emma Slade turns 8

SUNDAY25AUGUST

Ruby Coles turns 12

Indi Riseley turns 6

Alex Morsink turns 9

Churchill

Stole: TRAMPSriding around theSale region.The group will ride from Churchill this Sunday Photograph supplied

Liam Durkin

Moe Skate Park getting kids outside again

CONGRATULATIONS and well done to Latrobe City Council and everyone involved for the creation of the fabulous and much-loved Moe Skate Park. It’s particularly wonderful to see whole families getting together on the weekends enjoyingthis great facility.

We so often hear children and young adults being labelledasnot being able to do anything away from their computers and other electronic devices, but this project showsus-build something special that captures kid’s interest and attention and the results will astound us.

David Adams Moe

HeretoHELE

IT was refreshingtoread the arguments put forwardbyLiamSultana, aYear 12 student in last week's Express Liamlisted the shortcomings of Australia adopting nuclear power ('Nuclear: the logical, yet poor option', Page 2, 14/08/24).

It is fantastic that he has taken the time to put his views forwardonatopic that Australia urgently needs to discuss regarding its energy future.

While Iaccept that many of his reservations are valid e.g. toxicity, storage problems, lack of water etc, these are all problems that ultimately can be, and now have been, largely solved.

Liam's reservations regarding the timeline to complete construction are also ones Ishare -even if we started construction now, given the closure of Yallourn Win2028(20 per cent of our state's power supply) and Loy Yang Ain2035, there will be an energy void created thatwon't be filled until nuclearcomes online.

In lifeitisanunfortunate fact that every benefit we enjoy comesatacost.

Electricity is no different- whether it is produced intermittently by wind and solar means; via the burningofcoal or gas, or by nuclear.The important factor to consider is whether the costs outweigh the benefits. Intermittent energy sources are not without their costs and they are certainly not free: considerthe largetransmission line easementsthat will need to be constructed through state forests to bring the power from coastal wind turbines to asuitable switchyard e.g. Loy Yang; consider the difficulty of disposalofthe carbon fibre blades of the turbines; consider the origins of the cobalt used in the'Green' storagebatteries -child laborinCongo mining pits. In this case the costs, Ibelieve, far outweigh the benefits.

Personally,asIhave previouslyadvocated, I believe the solution to Australia's energy future is abalance of sources for electricity.

To bridge the gap between now and the whenever nuclearisadopted, we needHELE(High Efficiency LowEmissions) coal fired power stations which are cheap to build and low carbon emitters.

Greg Hansford Newborough

Language barrier

IAMold enough to remember when we had aPrime Minister who cried whendetailing the horrors of acertain incident, and spoke about how as Australians we would hold out our hand to protect the vulnerable.

It was another era when there was nothing wrong with being empathetic and 'woke' was not aderogatory term to denounce your enemies for having human emotions.

Now we have have learned that 70 per cent of all visa applications from people trying to escape aplausible genocide are being rejected?

We might have thought our Parliament would be outraged by the fact that our visa system could be so callous. We would surely be wondering why citizens from the country next door which is carrying out this alleged 'ethnic cleansing' are only being rejected at arateoftwo percent?

Yet, contrary to what might have been expected, our elected representativesare apparently more outraged that30per cent of Palestinians are actually having their visas accepted?

The silence on Gaza is of course nothing to the silencewehaveinflicted on Sudan, but Gaza exposes our prejudices and Sudan exposes our indifference.Onlya coupleofdays before Peter Dutton re-started his dog-whistling attack against the humanityofPalestinian humanbeings, the Melbourne SymphonyOrchestra cancelled thetour of their guest performer for making astatement about the piece of music he was about to play. His statement alluded to the targeting of journalists who have died trying to cover the war. In adisplay of theutmostcallous regard to the depravity of the warinGaza, the MelbourneSymphony Orchestra declared his statement political and therefore transgressed their contract.

This is what we have now been reduced to -weare no longer human beings with free artistic expression and asense of horror. We are just organic AI machines expressing political opinions that need to be reigned in.

Our empathy is no longer for the people dying or abused, it is strictly only for the audience members who might find certain facts confronting. Our politics is only about how we make ourselves feel safe and comfortable, not how we can be better people.

How can we describe this world of politics where empathyfor our fellow human being is now considered aweakness and where our Parliament debate whether people of acertainorigincan be alldismissed as too risky to care for?

The words used to describe human hate are now weaponised against us. To call it what it is, is to offend, and our media are neuteredtoonly commentate from the sideline and respect both sides of an argument.

Our very humanity is now on trial, and if we continue to argue special cases of humans not being humans we become the very epitome of all that we claim to be fighting against.

Gordon Rouse

Yinnar South

Curtailed investment

WHEN driving past the Waubra wind farm, west of Ballaratsome time ago,itwas very obviousthat there was not asingleturbine turning despite there being avery strong westerly wind at the time.

The reason Idiscovered was that at this time of day -mid-morning until late afternoon on a weekend, there was so much rooftop solar power going into the grid and with coal-fired generators not being able to scale back production to the extent that supply could be matched to demand, then the wind farm was forced to stop supplying in order for the grid infrastructure to copewith excess electricity.

This process is known as curtailment, and it is what gives prospective investors in big wind and solar farms palpitations. No investor wants to see theirfuture profits being slicedinto by 10 or 15 per cent.

Mr Dutton and his Liberal/National Party know this and it would appear to be the main reason why they are pushing nuclear power.

That is to scare off investment in large scale renewable energy projects which are meantto power Australiatoa zero emissions electricity supply by 2040 or sooner.

Nuclearpower stationsare just about pure baseload and cannot ramp their output up and down to meet the changing demand.

Their planwill see Australia neverachieving Net Zero as aging coal-fired power stations will need to be nursed through with taxpayer money until after 2050 when there could be enoughnuclear in the system.

Is that what Australians really want Mr Dutton?

Certainly not this one.

Dan Caffrey Traralgon

Criminal not corporal

WHENIstarted teaching in the early 1970s in Latrobe Valley primary schools, two things semi regularlyoccurred, which wouldundoubtedly cause us now to gasp and ask:"What were we/ they thinking?"

Teachers were permitted to smoke in classrooms and deliver corporal punishment, and whilst we were all products of the time, we realise in enlightenedretrospect, both wereshameful and shocking

So I'm sorry, Patricia Correa ('Discipline needed', Latrobe ValleyExpress Opinion 14/08/24), whilstI agreewithyour premise andempathise with your frustrations, your call for corporal punishment in

the home as apossible solution for current problems, is to me just as shocking and unenlightened, on every level.

Yes, there are people who would happily claim "I was disciplined like that, and it hasn't done me any harm", but perhaps they are unaware.

How do you teach achild that assault, for example, is wrong,byusing assault,with whatever weapon you choose -ahand, awooden spoon -as punishment?

Violence begets violence, and no Patricia, you could not be more wrong in claiming "there have been extreme cases but they are minimal".

Isuggest that you do some research. Jails are full of violent offenders who come from violent family backgrounds, passed from one generation to the next, of which Ihave seen much evidence in my teaching career

Corporal punishment is now an anachronism, or should be, in any setting, because:

1. It's assault;

2. It doesn't work;

3. It's counter productive, and;

4. We know better.

Now Irealise, Patricia, that you and Iare of older generations, but we should be smarter as we get older, and we are not excused because corporal punishmentwas "traditional" for us as we grew up.

Furthermore, your claim that "no one has died fromawooden spoon", stronglyconfirmsthat you are bereftofknowledge of the tragic effects of domestic violence, which may include corporal punishment, in assuming it's only harmful if it's fatal.

Arecent UNICEF study tells us that 60 per cent of children under five-years-of-age, across the world endure psychological aggression or physical punishment at home, and if that doesn't shock us, then what will?

We reap what we sow.

John Duck Trafalgar

MoreOfEverything

WHAT afeather in the cap of Moe to have hosted the state exhibition of the Country Women's Association.

Agreat honour to have been chosen over the myriad venues in Victoria.

What afabulous building the Moe Town Hall is, and we are avery lucky place to have such an asset. However, when does this grand old building ever get utilisedapart from the odd dance competitions? Is it correct that the cost of hiring the hall is so high that it is prohibitive and that it is out of the range of the average person?

Ireally would like to see the town hall used on aregular basis.

It is our town hall after all and the public at large shouldenjoy the fact that we have such awonderful facility on our doorstep.

Jocelyn Yeatman

Newborough

Loopyrail

IT is distressing to see that grossly misleading propaganda about the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) proposal is being promulgated by representatives of the SLR to Gippsland students ('Students careers on the rails', LVE, 14/08/24).

The SRL proposal is an astronomically expensive 'thought bubble' which has never been subjected to arigorous, independent, expert evaluation. It has been variously estimated that the total cost of the SRL would be in the order of $120 billion to $200 billion.

How many more important public services and infrastructurefacilities, including hospitals,schools

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and other road and rail improvements, will not be able to be funded if the SLR proceeds?

Of course, the state government finances are now in aparlous state and all major expenditure proposals should be subject to rigorous cost/benefit analysis.

The SLR presenter claimed that the SLR will provide “immediatebenefitsfor Gippslandresidents”.

Among the claimed benefits would be direct connections to BoxHill Institute, Latrobe University and the Austin Hospital. Really! How many Gippslanders are likely to be going to any of these institutions?

It is highly likely that most Gippslanders would prefer money to be spent on improvements to Gippsland’s own employment opportunities, tertiary educationalfacilitiesand hospitals, including the still postponed proposed new hospital at Warragul.

Improved access to Monash and Deakin universities could easily be provided by afew express bus services at an infinitesimal fraction of the cost of the SLR.

As far as ac cess to Melbou rne Air po rt is concerned, why would anyone from the eastern or south-eastern side of Melbourne or Victoria, including Gippsland,everuse the SLRtotravel to Melbourne Airport when they can travel there significantly faster, using already existing public transport services, than on the proposed SLR?

Anumber of competent, politically unaligned analysts have expressed grave doubts about the claimed benefitsand estimatedcostsand even the viability of the SLR proposal.

Unfor tunate ly, the state governme nt has steadfastly refused to have apublic, independent evaluation of the SRL proposal.

This is grossly irresponsible,having regard to the gargantuan costs and implications involved.

The sooner this SLR charade is stopped, or paused, the better.

David Langmore Traralgon

Just adream

THERE has been pros and consabout nuclear power.

Labor is responsible for this push to nuclear by shutting down power stations, stopping coal mining and stopping gas explorations.

All of these made our country prosperous.

Labor’s dream of renewables is just that -a dream. It is not sustainable and the hypocrisy of the Labor government selling all our assets overseas cannot be ignored. If it is good for other countries, why is it so bad for Australiathatthe money they gain will be wasted and not be used to our betterment?

This whole climatechangemyth has been nurtured by the Greens for political gain and the voters are being conned with their votes.

The Egyptian proverb quotedbyJoseph Lis ('Modern proverb', LVE, 17/07/24) is awarning that something has to be done to protect our way of life.

The quote by Oliver Bergmens ('Oh so true', LVE, 17/07/24)“intelligentpeoplebeing silencedasto not offendstupid people” hits the nail on the head

The success of the ‘Yes’ vote stated “I will not be silenced”, and thereare many more with the same opinion as myself.

The finalsay will be at the voting polls on election day.

Patricia Correa Traralgon

The book of Bowen

INTERESTING reading articles on nuclear energy over the past two weeks.

Inotethatreference is made to the CSIRO report GenCost about the cost of nuclear energy.

This report,asIstatedpreviously, does not include the total cost of renewables because they are described as "first of akind" and "project-specific nature" costs.

The front page of the Express on August 7 ('Backwards trend') showedwholesale electricity pricessurged 43 per cent because of reduced wind powerand dry conditions reducinghydro production. Reliable renewables? Ithink not.

The federal governmenthas set up a$27 billion Green Energy slush fund for companiesto manufacture solar panels in Australia.

Onesuchcompany was the NSW Solar panels company Sundrive,whose workers, according to Anthony Albanese, "will never be out of ajob".

Since then, their chiefexecutive has beenreplaced and 35 workers reportedly sacked. Sundrive received $11 million in subsidies from the federal government. China's State Power Investment Corporation, which owns Pacific Blue's nine wind farms received nearly $50 million in subsidies based on itsturbines operating at just athird of its capacity. Spanish Multinational Acciona's Mortlake South, Mt Gellibrand, and Waubra wind farms received nearly $64 million. Spanish GPG NaturgyGroup's69-turbine Berrybank windfarm received $40 million.

The cost of energy in France, which has around 65 per cent nuclear energy is $A49 MW/h, and here in Australia, it's $105 MW/h.

Iread articlesfrom an 18-year-old calledWill Shackel who, as a16-year-old, founded Nuclear For Australia.Hehas given evidence to aSenate Committee in Canberra on nuclear energy, visited COP28, and interviewed Emmanuel Macron. Iread what this young personsays aboutnuclear energy and unlike alot of peopleinAustralia, Idon't read fromthe 'BookofBowen'(Federal Energy Minister, Chris Bowen).

Brian Mawhinney Traralgon

Forconsideration

SOME salientpoints on nuclear and our power grid. We have hurled ourselves into the arms of the renewables industries with nary athought it seems. Here are some worth considering: Renewables cannot provide the power to support amodern nation as astandalone system. Base load must be retained for the wind and sun droughts, which become obviouswhenwatching real time supply data. It is not unusual to see renewables supply almost nothing. Six thousand windturbines supplynomorepower than 60 when there is no wind.

Base load can and does supply exactly the type of power we need, with the little help existing gas and hydro have traditionally supplied for peaks. Therefore, one can simply draw the conclusion we neednorenewables at all and in fact the whole system wouldbecheaper without them. In other words,using renewables doesnot accommodate the closure of base load so we must now pay for both systems and every time another windmill or panel is installed the price goes up. Check your bills. Whydowehave renewables? To generate power withoutCo2 emissions. That is the only reason. Using nuclear to poweranalternative base

load also achieves this with all the advantages of traditional base load and none of the disadvantages of renewables both concerning environment and dispatchability.

Nuclear coststhree times more some say.The true and complete cost of electricity(LCOE)calculations claims it capturesall costsbut as usual, where are thenumbers taking in capacity factors?

Yes, awindmillcan produce electricity at athird of the price of nuclear Idonot doubt, but it only does it for 25-30 per cent of the time.

So theoretically we need three times more windmills plus batteries which puts the prices at neck-and-neck plus. This is theoretical of course. Three times more windmills still produce nothing when the wind doesn’t blow or blows too hard and if they all start producing at once who paysfor the power that isn’t needed after the batteries are full? You only get one guess.

InternationalTreaty virtue signalingwillbegiven short shrift by the government of the day when the people can no longer heat their homes, preserve their food or charge their devices, and these days are looming ever closer. Even the Teals, who are happy to pay three times more for power, will turn into different people when there is no power.

Base load needs to be reinforced and quickly. It is much later than we think because any new plant will take aminimum of five years to build, which we may or may not have.

The issue is the loss of redundancy in the base loadsystem brought about by not installinga new plant with an old plant once retired.

Whatwillhappen is abreakdown will occur, but no capacity will be available while repairs are completed.

When wind and solar take their normal day or two off,wehave rolling blackouts whileutilisingevery bitofpeak load plant at three times normal cost.

It isn’t hard to get your head around it if you think for amoment.

John Onley Traralgon

Historyrhymes

AT the height of the witch-craze that gripped a deeplysuperstitious Western Europe from the 13th to the 18th century, Pope Calixtus III condemned the 1456 reappearance of Halley's Cometas"an agentofthe Devil".

This was followed by the 1501 ban of Pope Alexander VI, which declared that no book might be printed or published without the consent of the Holy Church of Rome.

We see eeriemodern parallels of this in the demonisation of coal and gas (and now the ban on nuclear) by the deeplydogmatic Labor governments in Canberra and Spring Street.

To be fair, the ban on nuclear energy has been in placesince the passing of the 'Environment Protection &Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999' (the WPBC ACT1999) by theHoward Coalition who were in power at the time.

So why was the ban introduced by the Coalition then, who are now in favour of lifting the ban?

The Howard government wanted to buildthe new OPAL research reactor at Lucas Heights (on the outskirts of Sydney)which provides lifesaving nuclear medicine and also conducts important medical research.

However, Howard needed the support of the Democrats and Greens.

To secure their support,his government agreed to an amendment of the EPBC Act 1999 prohibiting the approval of nuclear power plants.

On October 17, 1956, the first full scale nuclear power station opened in the UK. Today, nuclear energy is used in more than 32 countrieswith 440 operational reactors producing around 10 per cent of global electricity. Nuclear is the second-largest source of clean electricity after hydroelectricity.

For almost 70 years, nucl ear ener gy has demonstratedthat it can provideaffordable and reliable energy without producing greenhouse gases associated with the burning of fossil fuels.

Despite asmall numberofnotable incidents (Chernobyl and Fukishima come readily to mind), nuclearremains one of the safest forms of energy available to humanity.

Thus, if Australia wants to remain competitive with lowest-cost, high reliability,zero-emissions base-load electricity, then the only answer is nuclear.

The question for the Australianpeopleonenergy at the next federalelection is clear: Do you, an Australian, want part-time power (intermittent), oceans of Chinese-made solar panels and forests of bird-killing wind turbines with roughly a20-year life before replacement,orthe Coalition'sproposal for small-footprint, reliable base load nuclear that can last as long as 100 years, utilising our own resources, minimising the impact on the environment and ensuring energy security?

Joseph Lis

Morwell

THE Latrobe Valley Express welcomesletters to the editor.

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

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

The Express does not publish letters from anonymous contributors.

Letters mustinclude aphonenumber, email address and the author'shometown for purposes of substantiating authenticity. Readers are entitled to aright of reply to a letter directed at them.

While healthydebate is encouraged, the editor will use his discretion if he believes letters are becoming slagging matches between writers.

The views expressed in Letters to the Editor are those of the writers, anddonot necessarily reflect the views of Latrobe Valley Express management or staff.

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

Let ters inv olvi ng rel igi on wi ll not be published.

Emailletters to news@lvexpress.com.au and include 'Lettertothe Editor' in the subjectline. Deadline for letters is Thursday 3pm. welcomes letters

Altered landscape affecting koala population

COMMENT

BY OLGA VANCAUWENBERGHE

ONE could not help but feel despair forthe Strzelecki Ranges and its wildlife after viewing The Koalas film

The film showed the destruction of habitat for plantations and population growth in NSW. No wonder the NSW koalas are now considered endangered.

The overarching root cause for the koala decline is the demise of their eucalypts and habitat. Other causes of koala decline including climate change, lack of wildlife corridors, predators, and vehicles are asequential response to that habitat loss.

Here in the Strzelecki Ranges, asimilar story is unfolding,with the continued non selectivebulldozingofsignificant sectionsofthe hills’ native habitat and eucalypts for the planting of pine plantations. Itsassociated chemical usetoensure no undergrowth,and creeks cloggingwith loosesoil to potentially alter the water ecosystems, is already having an impact and altering the landscape.

Accordingtothe HVPwebsite it “manages” 20 per centofthe Strzelecki Ranges, with some 60 per cent delegated to plantations afterconsiderable lobbying for HVP to accede at least some areas of original bush for conservation.

It also states “…it does not ‘harvest’ native forest...” but considers the ranges as “Defined Forest Areas”.

The reasoning for this “forest” labelling as opposed to “native forest” may be due to the history of these hills and the early settlers' attempts to clear land for farming.

This arduous task ultimately failed and the cleared land was abandoned.

So, for whatever reason, the areas with “secondary”regrowth of the nativehabitatand with its living creatures for some 100 years is considered immaterial.

Stating that it does not harvest native forest is ambiguous to say the least when it is clearing the native forest on awholescale level.

The Latrobe City Council August 2023 meeting agendareleased astudy to ascertain the feasibility for akoala centre in the Latrobe Valley, acknowledging that the loss of habitat and lack of wildlife connectivitycorridors is causing distress to the Strzelecki koalas.

However, the considered options to support the koalas’ survival fails to address the root cause, and thatisthe continuing clearingofnative habitat by HVP and private landowners.

Despite Victoria being the state with the most clearedlandinAustralia, the politicians for the Latrobe Valley and Strzelecki Ranges are ardent supportersofthe native forest logging/clearing for plantations as it provides jobs. Yet they express interest in the welfare of the koalas.

Do we really have to clear native habitat to keep those jobs?

Is that the onlyway we can plant plantations,

even though there is cleared land in the Valley?

Is it because it is in the hills and therefore out of sight, out of mind?

With this jux taposition approach to tiptoe aroundthe rootcause, it offerslittle hope that any community opposition to thebulldozing in the Strzelecki Ranges to protect its wildlife will have an impact,let aloneconsiderexpandingwildlife corridors in the ranges to ensure connectivity to other nativeareas in theValleyincludingMorwell National Park.

Have adrive to Jumbuck, drive along Jumbuck Road to the junction on Jeeralang West Rd, and see for yourself the recentclearings, and tell me the bush being cleared is not native habitat and that Ihave it all wrong.

On afootnote, if you want your views knownabout plantations, Federation Universityiscurrently conducting asurvey. Its aim “…is to understand community attitudestowards commercial forest plantations in Gippsland”.

You can access the survey via: federation.syd1. qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_81iJDI6RYkP2Rmu Olgavan Cauwenberghe is aJeeralang Junction resident.

Thoughts: TheKoalas held special screenings at Village Cinemas Morwell. JeeralangJunction resident Olga vanCauwenberghe has penneda response afterviewing thefilm. Image supplied

Business Guide

THE qualityofthe work at High Tree Tree Services is as high at the trees theyfell.

High Tree Tree Service arenot onlycapable of leaving customers satisfied with howtheir garden has been pruned, butbeing reliable is apriority.

“We’re averyfriendly, reliable service.Customersare very happy with the end result,”owner Rick Kruyt said.

The business star tedin1990, and todayRickremains at the helm with about 40 years’ experience in the industry.

As afamily-oriented enterprise, Rick’sson Daniel will eventually take overthe operations

High Tree Tree Service is based in both Trafalgar and Pakenham and cuts trees MondaytoFriday, butthe staff aremorethan happy to offerquotes on the weekend if need be

Services include pruning and tree,shrub and stump removal, hedge maintenance,mulching of gardens,and supplying mulch.

“Webasicallyalwayshave customer satisfaction,”Ricksaid.

Offering that exper tise at a reasonable rate andefficiently is whereHighTreeTreeService stands out.

“Wealwaysliketoshowthe customersthrough the work we have done to makesurethat they arehappy.Ifthere’s something we’veoverlooked we’remorethan

Council Beat with Erika Allen

LATROBE CityCouncil's ordinary meeting for August lasted more than three hours.

East Ward councillor Dan Clancey attended virtually, and the DeputyMayor,Central Ward councillor Tracie Lund, was absent.

Going, going, not sold

COU NCI Li sp rep ari ng to se ll Churc hill ’s Hazelwood House privately or via auction on an ‘as-is, where-is’ basis after an offer to purchase the building fell through.

Council recentlytried selling the property via expressions of interest.

Ac ou ncil off icer’s report sai df ou rg ro up s inspected the property, with only one making an offer that later fell through when the length of the settlementcould not be agreed on. Now,the Property Operations Team will work with Wilson Property to complete asalebyprivate treaty or auction process on an ‘as-is, where-is’ basis. Its immediate sale seems urgent, given that two people attended the council meeting to speak on the issue, includingChurchill and District Community AssociationPresident,Margaret Guthrie, who said Hazelwood House is becoming a“white elephant.” The annual coststoupkeep the property is $50,000, covering utilities, security, and grounds maintenance.

Even more pertinentinthe community is how the funds from its eventual sale will be used, with another local attending the council meeting to advocate for its reinvestment in Churchill.

Linda Reid discussed themes of legacy and community ownership of Hazelwood House, saying that because people in the community fundraised to build the property, they have alarge stake in howthe funds are used.

Latrobe CityChief Executive, Steven Piasente said how the funds are allocated would go through the budget process. However, Ms Reid said it shouldn’t because under-resourced community organisations are disadvantaged when making funding applications.

Ms Reid said appropriatecommunity consultation is key. She highlighted that the funds used for the redevelopment of Gaskin Park, though necessary and along-coming project, were not a“communityled use of the money”.

“There has to be real community consultation, not token community consultation,” she said. Mr Piasentesaidthe communityisconsulted when assets are up for sale, likethe Hazelwood house.

Describing the funds as presenting an “opportunity for alegacy project” in Churchill, Ms Reid suggested they could be used to improve the amenityofthe Churchill East WestLink. She also suggested finishing the walking trails from Lake Matheson that loop to Eel Hole Creek, among other suggestions specific to Churchill.

Hazelwood House operated until late 2019 as a residential aged care facility, at which time its size and age rendereditunviable. Latrobe CityCouncil purchased the site in April 2020 and has been trying to sell it since 2021. An officer’s report says the sale of Hazelwood House will unlock residential-zoned

land in Churchill, which may lead to future housing development.

Liquor storedebate

EAST Ward councillor Kellie O’Callaghan raised concerns about the burden of alcohol in Latrobe, citingthe council’s strategies for promoting overall community wellbeing are challenged by planning decisions such as endorsing anew liquor store in the Mid Valley Shopping Centre.

Therefore,the councillor moved an alternative motion refusingtogrant apermit to the shopping centre’sprospective store because it would negatively impact the area’s amenity, could lead to excessive alcohol consumption, and increaserates of family violence.

At July’s council meeting, Peter Aldred spoke in favour of anew liquor store near the west entry to the shopping centre, describing it as a“boutique bottle shop”.

Cr O’Callaghan disagreed at August’s meeting, saying there is no “point of difference” and inferred the prospective store is unnecessary because it is notboutique or bespoke, but rather,isaregular liquor store and will only deliver the same service that the two other proximal outletsalready provide.

Central Ward councillor Graeme Middlemiss tookfault with the proposed store’slateopening hours, which is 11pm every day, including Anzac Day.Hesaidthis does not alignwith other stores’ openinghours in Latrobe City, and thatitperhaps should. The councillor noted alistofothers that close between 8-9pm.

East Ward councillor Dale Harrimanagreed withCrMiddlemiss, adding that inappropriate alcohol-fuelled behaviour could be exacerbated in the store’s immediate vicinity. Also, people often travel with alcoholontheir person,and that could contribute to unacceptable behaviour in other parts of the municipality.

South Ward councillorMelissa Ferguson viewed the store from adifferent perspective. She saw endorsing the proposed store as an opportunity to support local businesses.

Councillorsagreed that the prospective store owner would take the issue to VCAT. Given the likelihood that an outcome favouring the store would eventuate, most councillors (six) voted against Cr O’Callighan’s alternate motion.

The issue was raised again when Cr Harriman moved amotion to grant the permit subject to the condition that its closing time would be 8pm instead of 11pm. This motion was endorsed.

Right to petition

TAYLAH Ling addressed the chamber virtually, advocating for fewer restrictionsinthe petitioning process.

At its meeting held in March, council was presented with apetition containing 102 signatures requestingitamend the current Governance Rules regarding requirementsfor petitions. Ms Ling said the current guidelines undermine the community’s democratic right to petition and cited the wordlimit as particularly restrictive.

Ms Ling said she had researched petition word limits across the state, and said Latrobe City council had one of the lowest counts. In Latrobe,the terms of the petition must be, at most 250 words.

Cr Harriman presented anotice of motion addressing this issue at the meeting, advocating to scrap the format and word limitand to introduce e-petitions that can be submitted outside council’s approved e-petition facility.

In acouncillor statement included in the meeting agenda, Cr Harriman said, “Removingthese rules would allow the ability to add more signatures to a page rather than only 10, therefore using less paper.

“Removing the word limit would also allow residents the ability to explain more clearly what their petition is aboutinthe caseofacomplex matter needing to be addressed.”

Cr Harriman also stated that enabling the community to submit electronic petitions outside the council-rune-petition facility would be in line with the practice of other Victorian councils.

Council officers considered the changes and a four-week community consultation period was undertaken.

Officers recommendedthe changesshould not come intoeffect because thereisnot ahigh demand for e-petitions; using the council’s existing e-petition facility protects privacy and personal information, andthe word limitisnot restrictive. Overall, officers found “there is no evidence that the current requirements pose abarrierfor engaging with the council."

Ms Reidalsoaddressed this issue, saying the prescribed format is equitable and allows officers to assist petitioners in setting up their petitions. She also saideliminating paper petitions would impact peoplewithpoor online literacyorinternet access. Continuing, Ms Reid highlighted the risks associated with e-petitions, saying they might invite misuse.

When councillors voted, only Cr Harriman and Cr Ferguson supported the changes, and hence, the motion was lost.

Changes to Brayakaulung

THE Brayakaulung Advisory Committee will transition from aformal AdvisoryCommittee of councilinto the BrayakaulungCommunity Engagement Group.

The BrayakaulungAdvisoryCommitteewas established as aformal Council Advisory Committee in 1998 to build relationships and increase consultationand knowledge sharing with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. But West Ward councillor Sharon Gibson said it’s served its purpose and is no longer “working as it should”. Acouncil officer’s report said meeting attendancehas varied since COVID-19 and the Voice Referendum, but attendance among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community has been reduced.

Currently, no designatedmembers are sitting on the committee.

One of the new provisions foranengagement group that will change this is that 12 people will be appointed to the Brayakaulung Community

Engagement Group. Membership would also include arepresentative of GLAWaC,ifnominated, and two Latrobe City Council officers. The Aboriginal Community Liaison Officerand Coordinator Social Policy and Inclusion will ideally fill Latrobe City positions. Anotherproposal is to hold quarterly meetings.

Talk of the tower

REQUESTS to have the location of aproposed Optus telecommunications tower within Morwell’s Crinigan Road SouthReserve moved were accepted. Four submissions from members of the Fortuna 60 SoccerClubwere supportiveofatower installation, but requested to have its original location near the boundary of the soccer field changed. Council officers entered discussions with Optus representatives, who have decided the change is agreeable and they are comfortable installing the toweroutside the boundary of the football/ cricket oval. While this oval is unused because no football or cricket clubs operate at the reserve, Cr Middlemiss wanted assurance thatifclubs return, the tower’s location would not be an obstruction. Mr Piasente said the power is set back at least 3-4 metres from the oval.

Despite his minor “reservation” about the tower’s location, Cr Middlemiss said it wouldnot affect “any part” of the communityand that revenue fromthe long-termleasecould be reinvestedvia council spending.

The estimated return for asingle telecommunications tower in the market today is around $15,000. Areportsaysthis amount is indexed at three per cent, adding $400,000overthe lifeofthe agreement per lease.

Funding boosts

COUNCILLORS voted to fundthe Latrobe City Business Chamber, Boolarra Folk Festival, and the 2025 Lions Australia National Convention.

The Latrobe City Business Chamber will be allocated $69,000 from the 2023/24 surplus budget for the current financial year. This funding will help LCBC to run 15 events, deliver four training opportunities, develop afinancial sustainability plan, and raise $100,350 ($31,350 will come from memberships). LCBC effectively support small businesses in Latrobe City by creating opportunities for collaboration and advocacy.

The Boolarra Folk Festival will receive $15,000 per year overthreeyears. The economic return from the festival between 2025 and 2027 is estimatedto be over $2 million. In 2024, approximately 10,000 people attended the festival, which has been running for 21 years.

The Traralgon LionsClubwill host the 2025 Lions Australia Conventionatthe Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium in May next year. The council will provide $20,000 for the event. Its economic return is estimated at $3.1 million, bringing about 2000 Lions members from across Australia.

AskThe Experts Property Guide

For the majority of the population a property purchase is the big ges undertaking of their lives. This can be both a stressful and daunting time, but here in the Gippsland region, we are ver y for tunate to have multiple exper ts in ever y aspec t of proper t y acquisition Therefore, we would like to personally invite you to let our readers know why you are the one to contac t for assistance in your f ield of exper tise. ur business, and its exper tise rship of in excess of 50,000 readers and a C AB audited circulation of 34,894 per weekly edition. To book your adver tisement or for more information, contac t your usual Latrobe Valley Express representative or phone us on 5135 4 4 4 4.

MORWELL

Fridge/Freezer

brand new, Hisense, 201L, 2door, never been used $400 o.n.o. 0411 791 044.

HAY 2024 season, baled mid Jan., x129 5ftx4ft round bales, exc. quality, $110 ea., disc. if buying the lot. No loading facilities however can be arranged at extra cost. Traralgon area. Chris 0428 378 938.

Landscaping Mulch

Beautify your garden. Bulk quantity available, $30m3, $50 delivery. 0412 613 443 or 1800 468 733.

Mobility Scooters x2

Bolwell, new battery $800. Shadow Rider $800 Good condition. Phone 0492 850 763.

NEWSPRINT REEL ENDS

Price: $6 each or 2for $11 (GST incl). Available at the Latrobe Valley Express Office 21 George Street Morwell

Enquiries: 5135 4444

TRARALGON

11 Bellbird Way, Saturday, 9am-2pm. Lots of toys, appliances, tools and furniture.

Advertise in the OUR PAPER if you want to reach more localswithyour GARAGE SALE NOT EVERYONE HAS FACEBOOK We have an audience of OVER 76,000 you’re guaranteed to reach MORE LOCALS 5135 4455

Gippy Shuttle Airport drop offs and pick ups. For bookings go to our website. www.gippyshuttle.net.au

GUITAR LESSONS

Gippsland Guitar School, all ages, 8-80, beginners to advanced, banjo and ukulele lessons also available. 0439 111 610.

Moe Self Storage

various sizes from $85 p.c.m. Contact Strzelecki Realty on 5127 1333.

Latrobe City Council are calling for Expressions of Interest to become community members of the Crinigan Bushland Reserve or Ollerton Avenue Bushland Reserve Community Asset Committee. For further information or anomination form please contact SE@latrobe.vic.gov.au. All expressions of interest must be received within 14 days of this notice.

Esso Australia Pty Ltd(Esso), awholly owned subsidiaryofExxonMobil Australia PtyLtd,is committed to operating anddecommissioning its’ Gippsland and Bass Strait facilities safely and effectively

In planning for these activities and in accordance with the regulations, Esso will prepareapplication documentation e.g. EnvironmentPlans about therisks andimpacts these activities mayhave.

Community Drop-in

If you’d like to know moreabout activityplans forthe following:

-Steel Pile Jacket Decommissioning

-Jack-Up-RigWell Plug and Abandonment

-Kipper -Sub-SeaDrilling

-Turrum Phase 3Drilling

-GippslandBasin Geophysical andGeotechnical Investigations

-South East Australia Carbon Capture &Storage (SEA CCS) Project

-Bream Greenhouse Gas Appraisal Environment Plan (SEA CCS)

-Pipeline Network Decommissioning

The Esso Consultation Team will be hosting community drop-ins between 5:00pm and6:00pmon:

Wednesday,21August 2024 at The Criterion Hotel, Sale, 90 MacAlister Street

Thursday, 22 August 2024 at Off The Wharf café, Bullock Island, Lakes Entrance

Tuesday,27August 2024 at the Welshpool Memorial Hall, 49 Main Street,Welshpool

Wednesday,28August 2024 at Manna Gum CommunityHouse, 33 Station Street,Foster

To register your attendance, please email us at: consultation@exxonmobil.com

If these dates andtimes don’t suit,pleasecontact us at consultation@exxonmobil.com or by phone on 03 92610000.

Like to be consulted about these activities?

Esso is working to identify andconsult with relevant persons [stakeholders] whose functions, interests, or activitiesmay be affectedbyone or moreofEsso’s proposed activities.

Pleasefill in the Esso Consultation Questionnaire (Slido) in the Esso Consultation Hub to let us know if you’dlike to be consultedorhaveany questionsorfeedback.

Please refer to the NOPSEMA brochure Consultation on offshore petroleum environment plans (link) to understand moreabout consultation on offshore petroleum environment plans assessed under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse GasStorage (Environment) Regulations 2023.

Your feedback and our response will be included in the relevant regulatoryapplication documentation and submitted to the regulator

Please connect us with other interested people

If thereisanyoneyou know whomay be interested in our activities, we encourage you to sharethis information with them.

To find out more information

Formoreinformation about Esso’s Decommissioning activities and other projects, please go to the Esso Consultation Hub at:

https://www.exxonmobil.com.au/communityengagement/local-outreach/consultation-hub

ELECTRICIAN

WHEN

YOU GO LOCAL , YOU GROW LOCAL!

Career Opportunity

We areseeking applications for our Apprenticeship Program at Yallourn Power Station in thefollowing position: Apprentice -Fitter

FENCING

All types of residential fences and gates. Free quote, call or text Doug 0409 433 110.

FENCING

Quality

and repair in our local communities - check out our Business Guide Pages and Home Maintenance Section in the Classifieds every Wednesday, for your local Tradies

Pruning,

LANDSCAPING

Latrobe Valley &Gippsland. Retaining walls, Concreting, Aggregation, Crushed rock, Firewood sales &removal, Excavation machine/driver hire. Liam 0410 890 506.

LAWNMOWING

Lawn s/g arde na nd pruning. Fully insured. NDIS and aged care work. Phone 0421 640 044.

Painting/Maintenance

Home Maintenance •

When you want aquality job at an affordable price, big or small, give Henry a call. Garages, driveways, footpaths and crossovers. Phone 0409 236 210.

No Fuss Painting &Maintenance for all your painting and maintenance. Call for afreequote 0468 999 232.

Vic Marino's

Painting

Residential, commercial, int./ext. No job too small. Free quotes. Qualified tradesman. 0408 086 776.

Service

IRONING

STOREMAN /SPARE PARTS INTERPRETER

Acasual position exists in Trafalgar for an

Thereare 3positions available, commencing January2025. Forfurther information on this opportunity and to apply,visit: http://careers.energyaustralia.com.au

• Team LeaderLocalLaws –Animal Management -PermanentFull Time

• IT Customer Solutions Representative -Casual

• Customer ServiceOfficer Creative Arts -Permanent Part Time

Expression of Interest Site Security Personnel

● Opportunity to join an emerging world first company

● Excellent work-life balance roster

● Local employment Latrobe Magnesium is currently taking expression of interest from suitably qualified persons who are wanting to join our team at our Demonstration plant site.

About Us:

Latrobe Magnesium's innovative production process extracts magnesium metal and valuable by-products from waste resources. Magnesium metal will be extracted from ash using aworld first hydrometallurgical extraction/thermal reduction process which includes the production of valuable by-products, minimising any waste streams and providing amore sustainable approach.

Latrobe Magnesium's projects not only include its Demonstration plant but also afuture commercial project, also located in the Latrobe Valley, offering along-term employment prospects with growth potential.

Qualifications and Experience:

● Current and valid security licence

● Current and valid driver's licence

● Current Construction Induction card

● Completed training in HLTPAT005 -Collect specimens for drugs of abuse testing

● Minimum 3years' experience in Security

Operations in the field of site protection and emergency response

● Has acan-do attitude, committed and self-sufficient

● Excellent communication and team building skills

● Able to utilise computer skills for reporting purposes

● Experience with screening equipment (walk through and handheld)

● Has eligibility and the right to work in Australia

Tasks and Responsibilities:

● SecurityOperations including entry/exit protection for sites

● Entry/Exit screening of workers and visitors

● Static Security duties to maintain asecure environment including monitoring

● Documenting and reporting security incidents

● Handover process between personnel

For more information or to apply please send Resume's and/or any enquiries to: arixon@latrobemagnesium.com

• LearntoSwimInstructors -Casual Positions

• Maternal andChild HealthNurseCasual Positions

SchoolHoliday Program Facilitator -Temporary Part Time

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 Emplo ym ent Pe rmit Children younger than 11 cannot or will not be accepted. Adult deliverers also welcome.

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.

and all on-the-job training (including equipment) are provided. Shifts vary across 7days, mornings, afternoon, evenings and weekends. For more information, call 02 8425 6900 or email HR@quad services.com.au

WHEN YOU GO LOCAL , YOUGROW LOCAL

Help support local business while we service, build and repair in our local communities

An

fortnight.

To be successful you must have:

• Printing Trade qualifications

• Astrong mechanical aptitude

• A‘cando’ attitude and commitment to task, whilst being prepared to work as part of ateam

• Current driver’s licence and reliable transport The abilitytoprint process colour and experience on acoldset Goss Community4 high press wouldbeadefinite advantage.

Aforkliftlicence would also be an advantage, but not essential.

Please send Resume with References to: The Print Manager 5JonesRoad Morwell Victoria 3840 Or via email to printing@lvexpress.com.au

Applications close Friday, 30 August 2024. Express Print –Morwell is an equalopportunity employer

SUBARU WRX

STI Premium, 2018, 48k's, manual, $4k stereo, plus many extras, BMV-699, $55,000. 0419 385 128.

RENAULT Laguna 2002, silver, 2L, 190,000km, drives well, excellent throughout, reg. Dec., ready for r.w.c. RXB-453 $3000. Ph 5633 2492.

Jayco Campervan

4berth, wind up, fridge and stove, reg. till Sept '24 $800. Ph 0402 762 997.

BRIEN, Raymond Arther. 17/7/1934 -18/8/2024. Passed away peacefully at Baw Baw Views, Moe. Loved wife of Pauline (dec.). Loving father and fatherin-law of Paul (dec.), Kevin, Elise, Stephen, Ann, Maria, and Bill. Loving pop and poppy of Michael, Jason, Melissa, Kylie, Deanna, Anthony, Shae and Shaey and partners. Great pop and pop pop of 10. At Peace

BROMFIELD (nee Witherow), Mavis. Of Paynesville formerly of Thorpdale, passed away peacefully on Thursday, 15 August 2024.

Aged 81 years

Dearly loved wife of Fred for 59 years. Adored mother of Karen and Alison. Mother-in-law of Phil and Geoff.

GALL, Joan Patricia. Passed away suddenly at St Hillary's Aged Care Morwell on Friday, 16 August 2024. Aged 87 years

Loved and loving mother and mother-in-law of Karen and Rod, Lisa and John, Michelle and Les, Linda and Matt and Mark and Dianne. Cherished Grandma and Mama to her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Aloving andcaring soul who dearly loved all her family

My beautiful Mum, so loving, caring and devoted to us all. Life will never be the same and we will love and miss you every day. All your worries are over now, you can rest peacefully.

Yourlovingdaughter Karen and son-in-law Rod. Grandchildren Emily, Xander, Michael, Rohan and partnerCharlie.

HARRISON, Mervyn Charles. Passed away suddenly on Wednesday 14 August 2024. Aged 63 years. Loved Son of Charles Harrison and Lorna Mobourne. Loved father of Patricia (dec.), Richard and Francis. Lovedgrandfather to Teshawn, Dominic , Ramone, Taleesha, Damon, Lynette, Brandon and LuAnne.

Loved brother of Lindsay (dec.), Ida, Theo (dec.) Rodney, Lynda and Warren. Loved uncle to all his nieces and nephews, and friends.

Amuchloved and respected family man, in this community, who will be missed by all.

See you in the Dreamtime Go Bombers!

For service details, please visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au

ANDERSON, Jeffrey (Jeff).

It is with aheavy heart that the Anderson Family advise of the passing of Jeffrey 'Jeff' Anderson on Sunday, 18 August 2024. Aged 82 years

Bel oved husb and of Doreen.

Treas ure df ath er of Leanne, Jonathon, Donna and Leisa.

Avery special Pop to Sama nth a, Benjami n, Nicholas and Wil. Beloved son of the late Lewis and Evelyn Anderson.

Admired and respected brother of Derrick (dec.), Michael (dec.), Linda and David.

Respected father-in-law of Kim and Graham. Brother-in-law of Malcolm, Carol and Lynette. Awonderful brother-in-law to Ian and Thomas (dec.) Grant.

An honorable man who was highly regarded by his nieces and nephews, his former colleagues and those who knew him.

Awonderful man so loving and kind, What beautiful memories you have left behind.

Caravans • BARTHOLOMEUSZ, Wilfred Everard (Pat). On the 17th of August 2024 aged 95. Loved husband of Val for 44 years, and June (dec.). Father of Diane, John, Jill, Mark and David. Stepfather of Gary and Cheryl.

Edward (Eddie). Passed away at Baw Baw Views Aged Care on Saturday, 11 August 2024. Aged 92 years

Much loved father of Alan, and father-in-law of Tricia. Grandfather to Jason and Rohan and husband of Val (dec.).

The passing of aman with abeautiful soul, R.I.P Private Funeral was held on Friday, 16 August 2024.

COULTHARD, Karen Eileen. How amothers hug is now something of amemory, your smell, your laugh, your smile too. Iwant to come find you, come bring you home to the place you belong, here with all of us. We now know what true heartbreak feels like, you're the missing piece to our puzzle, life as we know it seems that of a distant memory. You saw us take our first breath and we are truly honoured to of witnessed you take your last. Stace, Max and Kob X.

Dearly loved and caring mother and mother-in-law of Lisa and John. The best Granny to Daniel and Mel, Tyson and Sarah, Axel and Ashton, Madison and Tom. Cherished Ma Ma to Winter and Estee, Lauren, Hayley and Sophie, Ellody, Bindi and Vance.

We have the most beautiful memories to hold on to, rest peacefully now Mummy.

My darling Ma, we can't believe we will never see your smile or have agreat big cuddle again

You were my best friend and confidante. You were so loved and will be so missed "I'll have acoffee for you". Love Shell and Les. Granma to Jess and Andy, Ethan and Maddy. Ma Ma to Jett, Grace and Dustin, Ivy and Fletcher.

To my wonderful Mummy, Ilove you, Iam numb, Iam not ready to say goodbye. The loss is immeasurable, but so is the love left behind.

Forever in our hearts

Beloved mother, motherin-law, Granma and Mama. Linda and Matt, Rachel and Harley, Tristan and Hazel, Connor and Brodie.

Joan, my dearest mother, forever in our hearts. Words can't explain the loss we feel. Your loving son Mark, daughter-in-law Dianne. Grandmother to Elisha and Klaire, their partners Jason and Andrew. Great Grandmother to twins Piper and Mackenzie and newest granddaughter to arrive October ...XXX.

LEE (Beatson). Eudora Lorraine.

Passed away peacefully at Andrews House,

on 9August 2024 surrounded by her loving family Aged 88 years

Dearly loved wife of John (dec.).

Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Terry and Cheryl, Vicki, and Cindy.

Adored Nan to Courtney, Chelsea, Cohen, Becky, Caolan, Lochlainn, Cory, and Gran to Porscha, Lily, Isla, Henry, Leo, Beau, Charlie, and Spencer. Private Cremation held.

McKNIGHT (Plozza), Mary (Denise). Passed away peacefully at Maryvale Private Hospital, Morwell on 17 August 2024. Aged 82 years Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Steve and Christine. Adored Nan to Hayley and Trevor, and Katherine. Great Nan to Blake and Mason.

McKNIGHT (Plozza), Mary Denise (Denise). Loved daughter of Bill and Madge Plozza (both dec.). Devoted sister of Frank (dec.), Marie and Susan. Denise, most dearly loved sister of Susan, fond sister-in-law of Graeme, cherished aunty of Simon, Kristin, Matthew, Justin and families. So dearly loved, you will be missed forever

BECHAZ (Walsh), Nancy. 10/10/1932 -14/8/2024. Passed away peacefully at Latrobe Regional Hospital.

Aged 91 years

Dearly loved and devoted wife of Len for over 70 years.

GEORGIOU (Ousley), Phyllis Anne. Passed away peacefully at Maryvale Private Hospital Morwell on 17 August 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Aged 88 years

McKNIGHT, Denise. Heartfelt sorrow on the sudden loss of akind and loving sister, sister-in-law and aunt. We will miss her so much Frank (dec.), Noreen and families.

Paramount Studio 2011, many extras, exc. condition, $35,000 neg. Phone 0403 430 382 for details.

Loved daughter of Roy and Thelma Walsh (both dec.). Beloved sister of May Griffin, Alan (dec.) and Phyllis Dyt and their families.

Dearly loved second mum to Heather and Stan Savige, Narelle and Anthony and their families.

Dearly loved aunty of Janet and Anthony Turvey, Mich ael, Chr istopher (dec.), Nicholas, Daniel, Jonathon (dec.) and their families.

Alife well lived

BECHAZ, Nancy.

COULTHARD, Karen. Awife, amother, a nannie too, This is the legacy we have from you, You taught us love, and how to fight, You gave us strength, you gave us might. Astronger person would be hard to find, And in your heart you were always kind. You fought for us all in one way or another, Not just as awife not just as amother. For all of us you gave your best, And now the time has come for you to rest. So go in peace you've earned your sleep, Your love in our hearts we'll eternally keep. Love Megan, Gerry, Macie and Ivy.

Dearly loved wife of Andros (dec.). Much loved mother of Mandy, Andreas, and Jodie. Adored grandmother of Nathan.

MITCHELL, Jeanette Isobel. 1934 -2024

Private family cremation.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 5126 1111 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

Loved sister of May and Barton (dec.). Aunty of Peter and Deirdre, Geoff, Julie and Chris, Domonic and Maddison and Maisie.

BECHAZ, Nancy.

GRINPUKEL (nee Bidovec), Vera Maria. Passed away peacefully at Heritage Manor Aged Care, Morwell on Saturday, 17 August 2024. Aged 100 years

Formerly of Cowwarr. After alifetime of devotion to family, kindness and an ability to see beauty in the humblest of people and objects, our dearly loved mother slipped away, oh so gently on 6August 2024. Born in Traralgon in 1934 to Alan and Daphne Mitchell (née Wells), sister to Yvonne, James (Jimmy), and Gwenda, (all dec.). Jeanette leaves behind her children Mandy, Tommy, and Simon as well as their families, extended family, friends, and acquaintances from her long life of 90 years.

ROYAL Flair Enhance, as new condition, genuine reason for sale, lots of extras, ideal for around Aust., $38,000 o.n.o. Ph Peter 0428 827 877.

Loved sister and sisterin-law of Phyllis and Martin Dyt. Aunty of Robyn and Peter, Rick and Sue, Neville and Suzanne, Wayne and Heather, Jodie and Mark, and families.

Wonderful Memories

Loved and loving wife of Edward (dec.). Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Wally and Yvonne, John and Elizabeth (dec. Sue Fowler), Jeanette and Dario and Susan and Brian. Cherished nanna/grandma to all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. In God's care Reunited with her beloved

We are grateful to have been enfolded in her loving embrace and cherish the bonds of family she held so dear.

The family will hold a memorial service in celebration of the life of Jeanette later in the year. Details to be advised. To register your interest, please email Simon: simonb@speedweb.com.au

CALLEJA,

Trafalgar

O'KEEFE, Kerri Lee (Kez). Passed away suddenly at home on 7August 2024. Aged 51 years

Much loved, adored and devoted mum to Beau. Loved daughter of Tod and Faye O'Keefe (both dec.).

Much loved sister to Tim and Bridget.

Adored aunty to Paddy, Mary(dec.), Fergus, Eamon, Demi, Jake, Joel, Kaleb, Shelby, and Hunter.

Much loved family member to Kim, Rohan, and Kylie.

'Gone to soon'

So many cherished memories

Her infectious love and laughter will be missed

TAGLIABUE, George.

Condolences to George's family as hear of his passing. He was avalued member of our team and he will be missed. From the Kennedy Haulage team.

Funerals •

ADAMS, Marjorie

Christine. AMemorial Service for Marj Adams will be held at St Mary's Anglican Church in Trafalgar on FRIDAY (6 September 2024) at 1pm. Alight afternoon tea to follow at the Church hall.

ANDERSON. The Funeral of Mr Jeffrey 'Jeff' Anderson will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 6Ollerton Avenue, Moe on THURSDAY (29 August 2024) commencing at 11am. No flowers by request. Private Cremation

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 5126 1111 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

The Funeral Service for Wilfred Everard (Pat) Bartholomeusz will be held at the Rose Chapel, Gippsland Memorial Park Crematorium, Cemetery Rd Traralgon, MONDAY (26th August 2024), commencing at 1.30pm.

This Service will also be livestreamed, please go to Gippsland Memorial Park website page or John Galbraith Funerals Facebook page and click on link provided.

CAVALLIN. Funeral Mass for repose of the soul of Mrs Assunta

Cavallin will be celebrated at St John's Catholic Church, Waterloo Road, Trafalgar on FRIDAY (23 August 2024) at 11.30am.

APrivate Cremation will follow.

Rosary will be recited prior to Mass at 11am.

GALL. The Funeral of Ms Joan Patricia Gall will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 437A Princes Drive, Morwell on FRIDAY (30 August 2024) commencing at 11am. Joan's service will also be livestreamed. To view the livestream please visit our website.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MORWELL 5134 4937 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

GRINPUKEL. Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Mrs Vera Maria Grinpukel will be offered at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Commercial Rd, Morwell on TUESDAY (27 August 2024) at 11am.

Aprivate cremation will take place following Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations to Heritage Manor, Morwell would be appreciated. Envelopes at the Church. Vera's service will also be livestreamed. To view the livestream, please visit our website.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MORWELL 5134 4937 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

McKNIGHT. The Funeral Service for Denise McKnight will be held

O'KEEFE. The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Kerri (Kez) Lee O'Keefe will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Hwy Traralgon on WEDNESDAY (21 August 2024) commencing at 1.30pm. Kez's Funeral Service will also be livestreamed, to view livestream please visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au for details. The livestream will also be available to watch if you so desire at the Traralgon Football Club Rooms from 1.30pm. At the conclusion of the Funeral Service, awake to celebrate Kez's amazing life journey will be held at the Traralgon Football Club Rooms.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

QUIRK, Justin George. 19/3/1972 -21/8/2007.

Netball scoreboard

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE -ROUND 17 (COMPLETED)

AGRADE: Morwell 50 def Sale 28,Traralgon 52 defMaffra40, Moe54def Warragul 51, Drouin 61 def Wonthaggi 43, Bairnsdale 50 def Leongatha 44.

BGRADE: Morwell 33 def Sale 30,Traralgon 75 defMaffra30, Moe59def Warragul 49, Drouin 52 def Wonthaggi 45, Leongatha 63 def Bairnsdale 18

CGRADE: Morwell55def Sale 25, Maffra37def Traralgon 23, Warragul 32 def Moe 31, Wonthaggi 42 def Drouin 41, Leongatha 43 def Bairnsdale 29. 17 AND UNDER: Sale 57 def Morwell 28, Traralgon 51 def Maffra27, Moe 31 def Warragul 14,Drouin43def Wonthaggi 42, Leongatha 42 def Bairnsdale 30. 15 AND UNDER: Sale 41 def Morwell 24, Maffra46def Traralgon 37,Moe 50 def Warragul 18,Wonthaggi 34 def Drouin 33, Bairnsdale 52 def Leongatha 13 13 AND UNDER: Sale 54 def Morwell 4, Maffra40def Traralgon 31, Moe 52 def Warragul 2, Drouin 27 def Wonthaggi 16, Leongatha 37 def Bairnsdale 14

NORTH GIPPSLAND –ROUND18

AGRADE: YYN 58 def Yarram 21, Sale City75def Gormandale 24, Heyfield 52 drew TTU 52, Churchill 62 def Cowwarr 32, Woodside 63 def Glengarry46, Rosedale –BYE.

BGRADE: YYN 71 def Yarram 29, Sale City5def Gormandale 31, Heyfield 54 def TTU 36, Churchill 63 def Cowwarr 31, Woodside 47 def Glengarry33, Rosedale –BYE.

CGRADE: YYN 45 def Yarram 24, Sale City49def Gormandale 18,TTU 42 def Heyfield 21, Churchill 37 def Cowwarr 21, Woodside 41 def Glengarry 38, Rosedale –BYE

DGRADE: YYN 49 def Yarram 30,Sale City61def Gormandale 10,TTU 53def Heyfield 24, Cowwarr 26 def Churchill 24, Woodside 49 def Glengarry27, Rosedale –BYE

UNDER17s: YYN 28def Yarram10, Sale City53def Gormandale 10,TTU 42def Heyfield 14,Churchill 54def Cowwarr 27,Glengarry42def Woodside 9, Rosedale –BYE

UNDER15s: YYN 33def Yarram11, Sale City36def Gormandale 12,TTU 42def Heyfield 28, Churchill 31def Cowwarr 15, Woodside 32 def Glengarry10, Rosedale –BYE

MID GIPPSLAND –ROUND 18

AGRADE: Foster 61 def MDU 39, Yinnar 66 def StonyCreek 13, Fish Creek 49def Mirboo North46, Newborough 57def Toora48, Morwell East 101def Thorpdale 19,Boolarra, Tarwin–BYE

The Funeral Service celebrate the life of Mrs Nancy Bechaz will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 6Ollerton Avenue Moe, THURSDAY (22 August 2024) mencing at 10.30am. The Funeral will at the conclusion the Service for the Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, tions to MND would appreciated. Envelopes available at the Service.

BRIEN. The Funeral Service

BGRADE: Morwell East 105def Thorpdale 21, StonyCreek 35 def Yinnar 30, Foster75 def MDU 32, HillEnd 61 defTarwin 32, MirbooNorth 41 def Fish Creek 40, Newborough 65 def Toora43, Boolarra– BYE.

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Mr Raymond Brien will held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 6Ollerton Avenue Moe MONDAY (26 August 2024) commencing 2pm. At the conclusion of Service the Funeral leave for the Moe Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Moe.

QUIRK, Justin. 19/3/1972 -21/8/2007. After 17 years, memories more precious than They are locked in hearts to treasure and Miss you everyday Gayle and Norm. XOXO BECHAZ.

CGRADE: Morwell East 61def Thorpdale 7, Newborough 48 def Toora30, MDU42 def Foster29, Tarwin42def HillEnd 36, Yinnar 47def Stony Creek 15,Mirboo North 38 def Fish Creek 33, Boolarra– BYE.

DGRADE: Morwell East 70 def Thorpdale 6, MDU 39def Foster 24, Tarwin38 def HillEnd 23, Fish Creek 44def Mirboo North 27, Yinnar 32def Stony Creek 20, Newborough 28 def Toora21, Boolarra– BYE.

UNDER17s: MDU38 def Hill End 22, Toora64def Newborough 18,Yinnar 57def Stony Creek 9,Fish Creek 36def Mirboo North 16,Morwell East,Boolarra– BYE.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 5126 1111

Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

When you lose someone close to you, it can be hard to put your thoughts and feelings into words A personal message in the Latrobe Valley Express can say so much For friendly ad i on ho to pl y ur essa e nt t The lassified partment 13 4 you are

Memoriam • Justin. 19/3/1972 -21/8/2007. you touched our and you will stay in hearts forever. and family XOXO.

ASLING, Jacqueline. 25/8/1972 -25/10/2016. Happy Birthday Sweet you and miss you every day. Glenn, Brooke and Amy XXX.

UNDER15s: Toora44def Newborough 14,Mirboo North41def Fish Creek 9,Yinnar 43def Stony Creek 16,MDU 60 defFoster 19,Hill End 47def Tarwin 12,Morwell East, Boolarra– BYE. 13 AND UNDER: Mirboo North 16 def Fish Creek 12, Newborough 35 def Toora18, Yinnar 61 def Stony Creek 1, Hill End 29 def Tarwin 14,MDU 44 defFoster 18,Bolarra– BYE.

Gippy girls can go karting in Morwell

GO KARTS

By MARK WICKS

WITH threefemales on the starting grid at the Augustraceday, the GippslandGoKart Club is embracing KartingAustralia’s “Girls Race Too” program.

Thenational body actively promotes inclusiveness in thesport which now enjoys record levels of participation by girls and women of all ages.

But it’s not just driving that the program encourages.

Essential support roles such as officials, administrators, team personnel and volunteers are also included.

In fact, females fill several of the key race day officiating positions at the local club.

On track at Morwell were three girlswithvastly differentlevels of experience.

Drouin’sIsabel Rowecommenced karting as a 13-year-old in the Junior class.

Now 17, Bellaraces withmuch success in the senior divisions across awidevariety of events.

For the past two years she earned the right to carry pink number plates on her kart.

These are awarded annually at aspecial nationally-recognised females-only race meeting. She will be trying for the trifecta at the next Ladies Cup in January 2025.

Bella is looking to soon move into car racing, initially Formula Ford open-wheelers.

Isabel’s sister Ieasha is also avastly experienced kart racer with many wins to her name but was not competing on the weekend.

At the opposite end of the experience scale is Morwell’s Amelia Boys.

Just turned seven, Amelia had her very first race last weekend in the Cadet 9class, abeginner’s category for seven to nine-year-olds.

Newborough’s Emily Shaw is also relatively new to racing, having commenced earlier this year.

The 14-year-old initiallyhad no interestinthe sport, butafter driving akart, decided she wanted to compete.

Emily placed fifth in the Junior Light class.

Amelia and Emily both must show aP-plate on the rear of their kart until they have reached the level of experience required for afull licence.

The Gippsland Go Kart Club has three race meetings remaining this year, all scheduled at the Tramway Road circuit in Morwell on the last Sunday of the month;September29, October 27 and November 24.

Spectators are admitted free.

Results from the August race day

11/08/24:100cc Senior Light

1Isabel Rowe

2Jamie Rowe

3Nick Popple100cc Senior Medium

1Mark Wicks

2Cameron Anderson

Harriers complete Traralgon Creek course in Thursday night outing

ATHLETICS

HARRIERS BY GARYFOX

LAST weeks(August 15) Harriers Thursday night run was the ASIC Run.

The group had agreat turnout with atotal of 53 runners taking part in perfect winter conditions.

The 5km course starts at the ASIC building and headsout along Traralgon Creek and across the Franklin Street Bridge.

The run then goes around George St to Peterkin St and overTraralgon Creekonthe Highway Bridge and back to the start. The run is three laps of the fairly flat course.

Great running by Peter Cutler saw him first home in avery impressive time of 17:16. Andrew Greenhill was next in 19:00, followed by Greg Semmler19:35. Great running by Tegan Burns saw her first lady home in 20:13 followed Molly Irvine (22:35) and Lucy Magaldi (24:58).

Elsewhere, Shane Gavin who is the 3rd Lieutenant at Traralgon CFA Brigade and a keen Harrier, is training for the Firefighter Stair Challenge on September 7.

The event takes place at the Crown Metropol and involves climbing up its 28 stories in full Fire Rescue kit.

Shane has been completing his Thursday Night run in full kit to prepare for the gruelling event.

The club made adonation towards Shane’s fundraising for Lifeline, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation and the 000 Foundation.

Full race results

Peter Cutler 17:16, Andrew Greenhill 19:00, Greg Semmler 19:35, Matthew Deppeler 19:58, Tegan Burns 20:13, Trent Kooyman 20:23,Adrian Sutcliffe 20:57, Dempsey Podmore 21:18, Peter Sanders 21:54, JerzeyPodmore 22:17, Chris Van Unen 22:31, Molly Irvine 22:35, Ashleigh Dugan 22:35, Gary Fox 22:45, Ron Verschuur 24:35, Lucy Magaldi 24:58, David Barr 25:09, Andrew Broberg 25:09, Giuseppe Marino 25:27, Belkey Podmore 25:41, Kate Mayer 25:54,SamanthaRiddle 26:28, KatKent 27:06, Angelo Gaudiano 27:24,Kristine Sapkin 27:39, Claire Macumber 27:48, David Hood 28:19, Desley Gray 28:21, Ree Graham 28:25, Andrew Legge 28:31, Toby Grzmil 28:32, Phillip Mayer 28:38, Tania Whitehead 29:17, Collette Hofmann 29:38, Megan Scott 29:41, Kaye Livingstone 30:29, Catherine Leonard 30:39,Shane Wilson 32:15, Danelle Wright 32:21, Gab Browne 32:59, Adam van baalen33:00, Shay Lorenz 33:29, Shane Gavin 33:47, Kate Cumming 37:06,Chesney Podmore37:09, Mark Lansdown 38:33, TimothyGraham 38:42, Kristina Creighton 45:45, Michelle Colwell 50:00, Mark Fairbairn 50:00, Kylie Warner 51:33, Alfie Warner 51:33,Jason Odlum NTR

SENIOR LEADING GOALKICKERS2024 MID GIPPSLAND

Chris Wangman (MorwellEast) -78

Jake Best (Foster) -72

Darcy Berryman(Fish Creek) -58

Nathan Wheildon (Newb) -37

Tom Buckley (Fish Creek) -33

Kyle Jennings (Newborough) -33

Matt Ravenall (Thorpdale) -29 (eight games)

Brendan Mason (Boolarra) -28

Jamie Somers(Hill End) -27 (bottom side)

Darren Sheen (MDU) -27

SCHEDULE2024 SCHEDULE 2024

3George LeeCadet 9

1Xander Rowse

2Tahj O’Reilly

3Lincoln PuglieseCadet 12

1Taitum Smith

2Rylan Aylett

3Cohen O’ConnorJunior Light

1Benjamin Interlandi

2Jonah Ingram

3XavierHyndJunior Heavy

1Cody Boys125cc Senior Heavy

1Troy Alger

2Dave Bishoff125cc Senior Light

1Jamie Rowe

2Isabel RoweTaG Restricted Light

1Michael Park

2Oliver HoodTaG Restricted Medium

1Thomas Brook

2Christopher White

3Paul Kesting

Latrobe ValleyUmpires unite and stand in Orangesolidarity

FOOTBALL

UMPIRING

THE Latrobe Valley Umpires Association showed its support for Orange Round at theweekend. Orange socks were spotted at grounds across the LatrobeValley, while goal umpires wavingorange flags were also acommon sight. Orange Round is aGippsland-wide initiative to encourage community sporting clubs to take a stand and help raise awareness aboutthe incidence and impacts of sexualassault, familyviolence and violence against women and children in the community.

The concept of the Gippsland Orange Round arose

from theUnited Nations International Orange Day; an Initiative which aims to raiseawareness about Violence against Women and Girls on the 25th day of any month, inspiring anyone in the world to organise an event/s to work towards reducing violence against women and girls.

The initiative has been running since 2015 and is acollaborative partnership between Gippsland Centre against Sexual Assault (GCASA), AFL Gippsland, Gippsport, Gippsland Women’s Health and Netball Victoria.

Sinceits inception there has been significant research, policy change and government investment intothe prevention of violenceagainst women within Australia.

SWIMMING

SWIMMERS from all seven Gippsland clubs

attendedthe Geoff PetersonMemorial Sprint Meet at Latrobe Leisure, Morwell earlier this month.

Age group champions on the day were: 8&

Under Willow Orchard(Traralgon) and Hudson Cartwright(Sale), 9Years Ruby Stagg(Moe) and Julian Robinson (Morwell),10Years Pippa Biorci (Warragul) and Henry Arnup (Traralgon), 11 Years Sasha Reidy (Warragul) and Jordan Gallicchio (Traralgon),12Years Brooklyn Packer (South GippslandBass) and Jasper Warner (Moe), 13 Years Isabella Lynch (South Gippsland Bass) and Cooper Sampson (East Gippsland Water Dragons),14YearsNoah Warner (Moe).

Speed: Isabel Rowe leads the 100ccSenior fieldatMorwell

Photograph supplied

Ace: GeoffPetersen Memorial Shield age group champions at Latrobe Leisure, Morwell. Photograph supplied

No stopping Cooper completing hismaras

MARATHON RUNNING

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

SEVENmarathons. Seven states/territories. In seven days.

That is what Curtis Cooper put himself through at the beginning of July as he set out on this noble, yet in thought absurd, mission.

Cooperparticipated in the '777 Marathon', an initiativefrom the Braveheartsfoundation, an Australian not-for-profit dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse.

To havethe honour of doingthis, eachofthe 26 runners had to raise at least$11,000 forthe organisation. Cooper raised more than $14,000 before he even leapt off the start line.

All-in-all over $700,000 was raised for the Bravehearts foundation across the period.

Having now completed what had him restless all week and took him throughPerth, Adelaide, Melbourne Launceston, Sydney, Canberra, and finishing off at the 44th GoldCoast Marathon with over 100,000 people in attendance and takingpart, Cooper saidhewasn't feeling too bad after the fact.

"People have said to me after I've finished, you know, 'how'd you go? How's the body feel?' to be honest, it's one of the most exciting and fun things I've done," he said.

The former Morwell resident started long distance runningin2017, havingcompletedfivemarathons and walked the Kokoda Track beforehand.

"I've run marathons prior to (this). One of those was last year in Canberra. Ihappened to be up there, my wife hadaconference... Ilearnt abit moreabout (the777 Marathon) then and that's when Idecided to givethe wholething ago,"hesaid. Cooperundertook six months of training in preparation for the momentous journey, including support from Bravehearts.

"I started about mid-January, that consisted of aboutthreeorfour weeks of just pure strength work on the legs to try and reduce that lactic acid, and then Istartedabout afivemonth, 20-week training program which is provided by Bravehearts, so we actually haddoctors and physios actually travel with us the whole week... it all went pretty smoothly, it was obviously abit strict to enable us to get through it," he said.

The week consisted of an expected early start

around 7am and runners (counting ring-ins from each state, about 100 to 200 people) haduntil 1.30pm to completethe 42 kilometre run, however Cooper said that most had it done hours early.

After one marathon,everyonewouldhead straight back to their accommodation for aquick shower and then straight to the airport for the next destination. Rinse and repeat.

When you're running nearly 300 kilometres across aweek and dealing with all the other added baggage, it'shighly likely therewill be some moments of doubt.

"Yeah, there wassometough ones. Iwould probably say Launceston day four, it was about -4 degrees when we started.Weactuallyhad to postpone the start because there was too much ice on the concrete," Cooper said.

"I think Canberra, that was the stage when you

start to drag your feet alittle bit by then, so it was more mental than anything and it's just like 'keep moving forward, keep moving forward, it will finish eventually', so that was the thinking there."

Besides the support of Bravehearts and all its staff, Cooper can contribute his finishtothree things.

Firstly, his friends and family.

"I was lucky enough, (in) pretty much every state, Ihad mates in Melbourne, Ihad my wife supporting me on the second half of the whole trip, she flew around with me, and Ihad peoplebasically in every state who came and visited us... which was absolutely the thing that gets you through," he said.

Secondly, those running beside him who Cooper said are now linked to him.

"I didn't know any of them, and now Ifeel like I've met 25 new friends, and not just friends, almost

for

family.You put yourself through such atestlike that with other people and unless you'reinitit's hard to explain just the grading task (it is), you know, the hugs, the caring that's going on and just even running together,(for) kilometres just to help you get through and just talking about anything but what we're doing, it was phenomenal,” he said.

"It's one of the most rewarding things I've ever done and Idon't think it'll be the last time Idoit either, Ithink I'm pretty much signed up for next year already," Cooper declared.

Cooperalsohad support locally from his dad, Neil, who rounded up some local business sponsorship for his run.

Preparations underway for annual Geoff Watt run

ATHLETICS

GEOFF WATT MEMORIAL

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

THE 54th h Geofff WattMemorial l FunRun and d Festival is approaching.

Heldatthe Geoff WattMemorial Athletics Track in Warragul, the running festivalisGippsland's longest running fun run.

Distancesavailable are the half marathon (21km), 10km, 5km and a2.5km walk/run.

Theeventsnamesake was along distance and marathon runner, who was amajor forcewithin the athletics community,helping to establishthe Warragul Little AthleticsClub.

Geoff's daughter, former Olympian Kathy Watt, is continuing her father's legacy, hard at work planning the event.

Kathy, from Warragul, enjoyed adecorated cycling career, winning gold and silver medals at

the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, as well as gold at four Commonwealth Games.

Little Athleticshas partnered with the Geoff Watt Festival, and its chief executive, Myles Foreman said it was important to give back to the region's next era of athletes.

"We are acommunity who likes to support each other and for us, (Kathy) as amember of our hall of fame, and afamily (whose) very closely aligned to LittleAthletics over manyyears, (it's) very important for us to support," he said.

Being that the event lines up with the start of the summer season, Foreman believes this is a greatchance to have young, curious and active kids who may not have been aware of Little Athletics join up with their clubs following their experience on the day.

GeoffWattmingled with some of Australia's best,that included training with renowned

Bocce locals readyfor theinternational circuit

BOCCE

ITALIAN Australia Club, Morwell bocce players Diane Penney and Franco Fava will travel to Turkey this October for the World Seniors Bocce-Raffa Championship.

Making up the team will be Tina D’Urbano. The trio will be accompanied by Antonio (Tony) Biancacci, who will serve as the Australian delegate and secretary general of the Confederation Bocce Internationale (CBI), while Fava will serve as player and coach. The Bocce-Raffa Seniors World Championship willfeature five disciplines:men's singles, women's singles, mixed doubles,men's precision throw, and women's precision throw. These events will showcase the skillsand dedication of bocce athletes as they compete on the international stage. In preparation for the World Championship, the team willalso participate in the 15th International Kemer Open Tournament,also in Turkey.

Thistournament serves as an excellent

athletics coach Percy Cerutty in afamous era of Australian runners such as Herb Elliott (Olympic gold medallist, 1960) and John Landy (Olympic bronze medallist, 1956).

"He was passionate about running and he really related well to people, gave them coaching plans," Kathy said.

"I've met people in their 70s that have still got his training plan in their drawer... they said 'it was like how to live your life'.

"He was really about encouraging other people and he travelled the world staying with other marathon runnersand he made friends all around the world."

Three-timewinner of the Geoff WattHalf Marathon,John Duck,from Trafalgar, was on hand to launch the festival.

"Back in the day it was just ahalf marathon, that was it, but now there's all the added events (for a) wider family appeal," he recalled.

"It's good to see it's still going, not many events are still going after (54) years, it'simpressive to

still be around. I'm happy to come along and put leaflets in letterboxes, whatever is required to promote the event."

While the half marathon is sure to be competitive, the fun run is an easy-going, family-friendly occasion.

Dress-up is commonfor runners, while face painting,music and other fascinating stalls will surround the headline events.

This year, Little Athletics will be holding ajunior clinic on the day, andkidswillbetreated to agreen and gold presence at the junior run-jump-throw workshop with sprinter Nana Owusu-Afriyie, heptathlon champion Taneille Crase, and Olympic throwing coach Gus Puopolo.

TheGeoffWattMemorial Fun Run and Festival will take place on Sunday, October 27.

The half marathon beginsat9am sharp, with other events following suit.

For more informatio n, visit https://geoffwattrun.com.au/ to enter.

Incredible: Curtis Cooper recentlyran seven marathonsacross sevenstatesall in aweek

the Bravehearts foundation.

precursor, offering the team valuable exposure to high-level competition and acrucial opportunity for training.

At the finish line: Cooper (left) completes the Gold Coast Marathon bringinghis long sevendaysto an end. Photographs supplied

Getting ready: TheGeoff Watt Memorial FunRun and Festival is coming up.Helping launch the event wasLittle Athletics Chief Executive, Myles Foreman, Geoff’sdaughter andformer Olympian KathyWatt, andprominent local runner John Duck.Flanking the trio aremascots LightningLeo and Awesome Ava.

Photograph: Blake Metcalf-Holt

Well travelled: Morwell bocce players DianePenneyand Franco Fava will flyto Turkey later this year forthe WorldSeniors Championship Photograph: Liam Durkin

Traralgon host successful champs

SWIMMING

TRARALGON SwimmingClubproducedsome outstanding resultsatthe recentVictorianCountry ShortCourse Championships.

The meet, held in Traralgon, saw 73 local swimmers compete against some of the best country swimmers in the state over two days.

Traralgon won 27 gold, 25 silver and 11 bronze medals.

Eighteen swimmers won medals and atotal of 32 contributed to the club finishing first on the MalePoints Score, second in the Girls and overall Traralgon Swimming Club Senior Head Coach, Brian Ford said he was very proud of the team.

“The club continues to perform at the highestlevel at regional and state championships. Winning the Boys Points Score against avery hotly contested country environment (and) was brilliant,”hesaid. “Eventhoughthe girls and team overall finished second behindthe very strong Geelongclub, we have much to celebrate, with 80 per cent of swims being personal bests, 25 per cent of swimmers winning medals and 100 per cent of the team committed to doing their best.

"Our relays were again ahighlight of the meet with two gold, three silverand two country records for our 14 over mixed medley and freestyle teams.

"Overall, again another wonderful meet of which theclub, itssupporters and the community should be proud.”

Individual medallists: Lockie Bellion (16) -5 gold, 1silver; Ash Nicholes (17) -4 gold, 4 silver, 1bronze; Archer Marsland (13) -3gold,

Unstoppable: Traralgon Swimming Club’s recordbreaking team in the14years/over medley relay. Ash Nicholes,Joel Baillie,Jess Whiting andMollyCargill. Photographs supplied

2silver, 1gold; Molly Cargill (18) -3gold, 1 silver; Kody Said (14) -3 gold;Joel Baillie (20) -2gold, 1silver, 3bronze; Jess Whiting (16) -2gold, 2bronze; Kayla Pratt (17) -1 gold, 1bronze; Darcy Connell (17) -1gold, 2silver; Olivia Baillie (17) -1gold, 1silver;

Great guns: Silver medal Para-Able bodied medleyrelayteam David Vercoe,ClareRawson, Lockie Bellionand Kayla Wilson

Kayla Wilson (18) -6 silver;Blake Warne (10)-1silver, 2bronze; Zoe Dowler(18)-1 silver; Brody Cargill (15)- 1silver; Chloe Szkwarek (13) -1silver; Anna Mittell (24) -1 silver; Jordyn Cargill (19) -1bronze; Sam Wells (17) -1bronze. Relays: Mixed 13 years/

under4x50Medley –(Bk –Archer Marsland, Bs –Jayden Tran, Fly –Chloe Szkwarek, Fs –Audrey Baillie) –1silver. Mixed 13 years/ under 4x50Free –(ArcherMarsland, Jayden Tran, Audrey Baillie, Chloe Szkwarek) –1 silver. Mixed 14 years/over 4x50Medley (Bk –Olivia Baillie, Bs –Ash Nicholes, Fl –Jess Whiting, Fs –Joel Baillie) –1gold. Mixed14 years/over 4x50Free (Ash Nicholes, Molly Cargill, Jess Whiting,Joel Baillie) –1 gold. Mixed Para –Able Bodied 4x50Medley (Bk–Lockie Bellion,Bs–David Vercoe, Fly –Clare Rawson, Free –Kayla Wilson) –1 silver. Country records: Mixed Open 4x50 Medley (Bk –Olivia Baillie, Bs –Ash Nicholes, Fl –Jess Whiting, Fs –Joel Baillie) –1.50.23 (previous Traralgon –1.52.72 -2023) Mixed Open4x 50 Free (AshNicholes, Molly Cargill, JessWhiting, Joel Baillie)-1.40.55 (previous Traralgon–1.42.19 –2023). Gippsland Molly Cargill(18) -Girls 17 years/over 50 Free –27.24 (previous Mikaela Cornelissen(Traralgon) –27.54 –2015). Ash Nicholes (17) -BoysOpen 200 Back –2.05.39 (previous Connor O’Neill (Traralgon)- 2.05.58 –2015); Boys 17 years/ over &Open 200m Individual Medley– 2.09.03 (previous JeremySaunders (Traralgon) –2.09.05 –2008). Joel Baillie (19) -Boys17years/ over&Open50m Fly -24.83 (previous Andrew O’Connor (Traralgon) -25.72 –2009). Darcy Connell (17) -BoysOpen 100m Fly –57.26 (previous Jeremy Saunders (Traralgon)57.79 –2007).

Newest Gippstar award-winners announced

GIPPSTAR

THE Gippsland Sports Academy hosted the 64th AnnualGippstar Awards, drawing in 120 guests from across Gippsland.

The evening unfolded seamlesslyunder the skilful direction of MC Judi Buhagiar, the Eastern Region Manager of Netball Victoria, who engaged with award recipients while discussing their futuregoals and accomplishments. Esteemed representatives from Gippsland'sLocal Government Authorities were on hand to present the awards.

The Gippstar Awards boast arich legacy, celebrating exceptionalathletic accomplishments by gifted individuals from Gippsland in adiverse array of sports.

There were 26 awards received by the successful nominees for the monthly awards from July2023 to June2024inbothOpen and Juniorcategories.

Daniel Barry from Traralgon emerged as the championofthe Annual Open Award, celebrated for his exceptional talent in Triathlon.

Berry competedinthe 2024 IronmanNew Zealand where he wascrowned OverallAge Group Champion and also in the 2024 Ironman 70.3 PortMacquarie where he became thebackto-back Overall Age Group Champion.

The junior award was won by Ashley Nicholes from Traralgon, recognised for his achievements in swimming.

At the Gippsland Swimming Championships, Ash won 13 gold, three silver and one bronze. He also won the OutstandingSwimmer of the Meet. Event records were swam in 50m Breaststroke, 50 Freestyle and 200 Individual Medley.

Each year Gippstar has four additional awards. This year they were the Gippstar Team of the Year; Gippstar Club of theYear; Gippstar

Special Achiever Award; and Gippstar Gippsland Champion.

Maffra Eagles Under 14 Boys Team were the winners of the Gippstar Team of the Year out of six finalists.

The Maffra Eagles Under 14 Boys Team won the 2024 BasketballVictoriaJunior Country Championships in Mildura in April.

Sale United Football Club were crowned the Gippstar Club of the Year.

Sale United Women's Team continued to excel from the previous year and won all that was put in front of them. They won the 2023 Latrobe Valley Soccer League title and won the 2023 League Cup Final.

Paralympian Emily Beecroft, from Traralgon, won the Gippstar Gippsland Champion award for her contribution to swimming. Emily was born deafinher left ear and with aright arm limb

deficiency. She played netball and participated in athletics, but eventually decided to concentrate on swimming.

She has since competed at multiple Paralympics, and will begin her latest Paralympic journey in Paris next week.

Emily wasunabletoattendthe awards evening due to her preparation, buther proud parents Lauren and Gary accepted the honour on her behalf.

Emily also sent avideo message of thanks, which can be viewed on YouTube via: youtube. com/live/DPffsUFo0dw

July andAugustnominations for Gippstar are nowopen and will close on the September 2.

If you would like to recognise the sporting achievements of aGippsland athlete, coach, administrator or official (amateur of professional), nomination forms can be downloaded from Gippsland Sports Academy webpage.

Macpherson reaches new heights for Vic

BASKETBALL

By TOM HAYES

THE last 12 monthshave been filled with new opportunities for Traralgon junior basketballer Hugo Macpherson.

Now 12-years-old, the prodigy just earnt his first Victoria representation, lining up for his state in the SchoolSport AustraliaNational Carnival -the highest level of basketball for his age.

Taking place on the Gold Coastoverfive days of competition,Hugo had asuccessful first outing for Victoria.

Lining up in the 12 and Under Boys Division, it was no easy task to get into that position. Hugo set himself up for contention nicely, as he won the Victorian Country Championships earlier in the year in Mildura while playing for Maffra. Not long after, he began the intensive selection process for the School Sport Victoria State Team. The selection process had multiplestages,beginning at aregional level. Eventually, Hugo found himself as one of 30 Victorians that were invited to the two-day camp in Melbourne, which would finalise the squad.

Thirty players soon became 10, and Hugo remained part of that squad. Hugo was the only genuine Victoria Country playerfrom the 10 selected players, with one other from Geelong and the rest from Victoria Metro.

Leading up to the beginning of the School Sport AustraliaNationalCarnivallastmonth,Hugo underwent eight weeks of training camps and practice games.

Also ahandy footballerfor SouthSideUnder 13s in the Traralgon and District Junior Football League,Hugo had to miss out on football for periods of time while committing to basketball and this opportunity.

The time arrived for Hugo and his family to get up on the Gold Coastand add the final touches ahead of the carnival. Joining him for the ride was his dad (Bill), mum (Natalie), and his two sisters (Sibella and Hattie).

Victoria got their carnival underway against Western Australia, setting adecentbenchmark from theoffing.

The young Victorian ladsdefeated Western Australia with conviction, doubling their score in a78to39routing. In Round 2, Victoria proved that the previous game was no fluke,dismantling New South Wales to the tune of 33 points, winning 77-44. It just continued to get better for the Victorians, as aspotinthe finals became more promising.

Victoria entered their third game against Australian Capital Territory full of confidence, and you could see why, as they smashed the ACT by 79 points, 109-30.

Hugo had his best individual scoring game against the ACT, putting up 15 points in the massive victory.

The Vics would soon get ataste of who they wereupagainst in Round 4whentheyfaced Queensland.

Victoria would go through their toughest game so far, but they still ended up with the chocolates, winning89-62.The 27-point margin was still quite the gap for everyone else to make up.

In the final round before finals, knowing they had qualified for the final two games, Victoria came up against South Australia.

Just like everyone else, the South Australians couldn’t get close, as Victoria commanded to their fifth-straight win, 96-60.

After just playingeach other,Victoria and South Australia would once again do battle in the first round of finals, withaspotinthe GrandFinal on the line.

South Australia would’ve attempted to avoid such ablowout that was their previous encounter, but instead, it got even worse.

Victoria made no mistake the secondtimearound either, going one better to etch their name in the Grand Final game, winning 106-60.

Hugo had another impressive scoring performance, scoring 14 points to help put Victoria into the Grand Final.

On the other side of the bracket, Queensland got past NSW by 14 points, meaning the hosts would face Victoria once again for all of the marbles.

With everything on the line,and still the only undefeated side, Victoria wasn’t going to let their first loss be in the Grand Final.

And they didn’t, overcoming their closest encounter yet to claim an 11-point win.

“The game wasinthe balance, it got down to about three points with afew minutes to go, and then Victoria scored afew baskets and got the win in the end,” Hugo’s dad, Bill Macpherson said.

Hugo was noted to contribute across the board throughout the carnival, whetherthat was off the board or providing assists as well as scoring.

Post tournament, Bill reflected on what he had seen his son achieve.

“The program itself was reallyprofessional…the two coaches Michelle Letts and Jason Sutherland werefantastic with the boys. Not only didthey have the technical knowledge, but they built relationships with the boys during that eight-week period,” he said.

“For Hugo, amazing experience to play at the highest level possible for that age group and he performed really well, really contributed to the team -scoring, assists, energy.”

The next couple of years is when Hugo will begin to establish himself as atrue prospect if he wishes to continue downthe basketball pathwaywith Victoria Country.

Contributor: Traralgon’s Hugo Macpherson puts up ashotfor Victoria. Photograph supplied

Moe Racing Club unveils top-tier build

HORSERACING

By LIAM DURKIN

GOOD things come to those who wait.

Moe Racing Club celebrated its members day in thebestpossible way, opening the doors of its new race day building.

Sunday’s meeting saw the much anticipated facility gets itsfirst testdrive, as more than 200 people clambered in to take in the sights and surrounds from the second storey.

Locatedjustoff the existing Turfside Function Centre, the new elevated race day building features two function spaces, and offers an enhanced race viewingexperience, thanks to apanoramic view of the entire track.

Patrons were quick to take up the new and improved hospitality, with the general hustle and bustle of aday at the racestakingplacefor the nine-card meeting.

Some high calibrejockey’s againmadetheir way to Moe, including leading female rider Jamie Kah, who has been the world’s top-rankedfemale jockey since 2020.

Kah provedher worth immediately, riding two of the first three winners on aMoe track ratedaSoft 6. Kah rode Chinqui for Anthony and Sean Freeman to victory in the Race 1Ladbrokes Racing Club Maiden Plate over 1017 metres, and Boardrider in the Race 3Ladbrokes Blackbook Maiden Plate (1217m) for Clinton McDonald.

The Race 2Ladbrokes Yard Comments Maiden Plate (1217m) was won by Rons Finest Choice for Cliff Brown, while the Race 4Ladbrokes Bet Ticker

MaidenPlate (1628m)saw Well Crafted for Lyn Tolson and Leonie Proctor salute.

MatthewEllerton had awin in the Race 5 Ladbrokes Moe Cup 18th October 2024 Handicap (1628m) with Boys Night Out, in what was an ironic victorygiventhe horsethat ran second, Moon Yanco, wastrained by Mitch Leek, son of 2022Moe Cup winning trainer John Leek.

An impressive honour board adorns the wall of the newrace day pavilion, detailing all past winners of the Moe Cup.

Michael Kent enjoyedaconsecutive trainingdouble, winning the Race 6LadbrokesSame Race Multi 0-58 Handicap (2088m) and the Race 7Ladbroke It! 0-58 Handicap (2447m) with Dancinginthedark and High Society Girl.

Shanghai Venturewon the Race 8Ladbrokes EasyForm0-58Handicap (1117m) for Brian McGrath, while Suppose IDorounded out the meeting, winning the Race 9Ladbrokes Communities 0-58 Handicap (1117m) for John Allen.

As good as the racing was, the meetingreally belonged to the members, who were given the first look at the new race day facility on the day designated forthem.

The racing experience has not only been enhanced for the members. The previous downstairs members area is now open to the general public, meaning all race goers can now enjoy meetings from the comfort of indoors.

Directly beneath themembers area sits the revampedjockeychangerooms, meaning recent upgrades have been truly accommodating for all user groups.

While the members upgrade experienced some delays, and has not been ‘officially’ opened (pending some last minute décor), Moe Racing Club Chairman, Mike Vanderfeen felt it was important to at least have the facility available to members for the day designated to them.

“We actually hadtoget it open because it’s members day,” Vanderfeen said.

“Wethink it’sgoing very well, we’re convinced that because they’ve now seen what they had got, which is comfortable facilities in the 21st century, we’ll actually get more people here which was the objective (of upgrading the rooms).

“The beauty of it is whether you are inside or outside you can see the entire track, it is just one of the best viewing areas of acountry track you could get."

The facility is not solely for the use of Moe Racing Club, with the functionspace open for things such as weddingreceptions and birthdays

“This will be so popular, we’ve already got bookings before it opened,weexpect this will be utilised alot more, which is great for the whole of the Latrobe Valley,” Vanderfeen said.

“It promotesthe town, community, whichiswhat we are all about.

“It’s an absolute credit to the builder and to all the sub trades. When you are renovating a60-year-old building, you find lots of issues going forward, but the beauty of this… there was slight delays but it was on cost, it was built within budget.”

The state government contributed $1 million from its Victorian Racing Industry Fund to support the project, while Moe Racing Club put up almost $2

Open sesame: MoeRacing Club Chairman MikeVanderfeen and chiefexecutiveCass Rendell were on handtoshowcase the club’s newrace dayfacilityatSunday’smeeting.(More photos next week).

million itself and Racing Victoria $300,000.

This year’s Moe Cup is shaping as the beginning of anew era, with the new members room and function space expected to be absolutely buzzing by the time the October 18 meeting rolls around. The club itself has quickly turned attention to its next project, and is seeking to upgrade the Hillside Stand.

Hockey action in full flight across LV competitions

HOCKEY

BY IAN GOOWIN

AS the regular season nears its end, competition was fierce across all divisions in the Latrobe Valley Hockey Association at the weekend. In atight back-and-forth match, the Men’s Vic League team came up against Dandenong at home in Churchill on Saturday.

Dandenongdominatedthe match earlywith most of the attackingplay, taking advantage of apenalty corner to put ashot past the Latrobe Valleydefence. Alapse immediately after the halftime break saw Dandenongscoringagaintolead 2-nil, threatening to run away with the match.

An explosive comeback saw the Valley side level the score within minutes thanks to goals from David Baker-Lethbridge and Declan Jones. A

revitalised Latrobe controlled the majority of the second half, creating multiple scoring opportunities. Despite late chances for both teams, neither side could secure awinning goal, with the match concluding in a2-all draw.

In the local women’s competition, the Traralgon Rovers delivered an impressive performance, securing a3-2 victory against reigning premier, Moe. Despite finishing the match with one less player due to injury, the Roversheld theirground to clinch the win.

Maddy Hallwas the standout for the Rovers, scoring two crucial goals, while Aria Ranui added another to the tally.

Ella Trevorrow,Charlie Murrell, and Mandie Houriganwere pivotal in the team's success, with Trevorrow's midfield control and Murrell's defensive prowess shining throughout the game.

For Moe, Ash Vuillermin and Aiden Mair each scored,keeping thepressure on the Rovers. Brady

Cake was awarded the best-on-ground for Moe, with Vuillermin and Hayley Cake also putting in notableperformances. Moe's defence, led by LeesaLawrence, AmandaOrmerod, and Leah Tylee, was exceptional, showcasing great passing and interceptions.

Also in the women’s division, Traralgon was dominant against Churchill, winning 7-nil. Skye McDonald was the star of the match, netting four goals, while Alana Trafford contributed two and Rebecca Wallis added one. Courtney McDonald and Leonie Barrett were instrumental in Traralgon's success, with juniorsWyattCobbledick, Isla Godfrey, and Lilly Johnson also stepping up to make significant contributions.

Over in the men’s local hockey 5s, Moe overwhelmed Traralgonwith acommanding 13-3 victory. Despite the loss,Traralgon'sHamish McCracken put in astellar performance, scoring all three goals for his team. Sixteen-year-old Regan

SCOREBOARD

Eagle: 14th:Tim Tulloch

Saturday,August 17th 2024,Stableford

AGrade Winner: Reno Borg38pts

BGrade Winner: UweTomski 43 pts

DTL’s: Paul Fogarty39, JoePedemont

37,Graeme Grant 36, Russ grant 36, MarkRobinson 35, Tony O’Reilly 35, John Tabuteau 35, Bill Williams 35 C/B

95

12 270982496 2738.5 91 Ravens 12 268992632 2695 98

MIRBOONORTH

Tuesday13th August, Stableford

AGrade: NRutledge,(15)40pts

BGrade: PComber (27) 39pts c/b

DTL: RThompson, RMatthews 39. SVan Baalen36, GRenwick.35 c/b

N.T.P: 4th, RMatthews,6th,JKus,13th, G Renwick, 16th TomTraill, Birdies: 13th JHughes,16th RMatthews

Saturday17th August, Stableford

AGrade: BBradshaw(10)42pts

BGrade: PDraper (12) 39pts

CGrade: JSmeriglio,(18)37pts

DTL: GRenwick37, RMatthews,T Baker 36, NWhichello 35, PWoodall34c/b

N.T.P: 4th BWoodall, 6th AHeatfield, 13th

GShandley, 16th RMatthews Birdies: 4th JHughes,16th RMatthews,N Whichello

TRAFALGAR

AGrade Winner: NickRowe40pts

BGrade Winner: Paul Hilderbrand 37 pts

DTL: Paul Woodall 38, Bruce Aplin 36, Wayne Robbins36, Brandon Bradshaw 35, Jess McGrath 34, MattCutler 33, Peter Pankhurst 33 C/B

Birdies: 2nd: KevHoward 5th: Adam

Steenholdt, Aarron Hobson 11th: RobKoppe 13th:Waynne Robbins15th: MickWest

NTP: 2nd: Chad McKie 5th: KenStreet 11th: AnthonyGould 13th: PeterMoss 15th: Joe Pedemont

Tuesday13/08/2024 -Stableford

Players: 26, Women 3, Men 23

Winner: Sue DeVries (22 c/b)

Runner Up: Chris Barfoot (22)

DTL: Max Taylor (21), Hank Fiddelaers(21), NormMether (20), SteveLawrence (19), Tony Shearer (19)

NTP: PeterGriffin (13)

Bradmans: Brian Barnes

Thursday15/08/2024 -Stableford4BBB

Players: 48, Women 16,Men 32

Winners: Graeme Grant &John Hanley (30)

RunnersUp: Cheryl Toyne &Steve

Lawrence (25)

DTL: Christine Payne &Peter Cooke(24), Anne Outhred &GeoffThomas (24), Norm Mether &Chris Barfoot (24), MickBennett& Toby Davey(25)

NTP: June Tickell,GeoffThomas (13)

Bradmans: Les Pearce &Sonia Roberts

WednesdayWomen’sresults: 14/8/24

Stableford:

Winner: Kerren Ludlow(23) with 35 points

Runner-Up: BevKeily(21) with 34 points

DTL: Aija Owen and June Tickell with 33

points NTP: 5th PatHarris,11th June Tickell

9-Hole Winner: pat Harris (30) with 14

points

Runner-Up: Di Bayley(31) with 13 points

Smith shone in goals with impressive slides and dives, challenging the Moe players head-on. In the junior matches, Traralgon’sunder 8s team secured a5-1 win against Choe. Freddie Murrel scored ahat-trick, with Luke Dodd adding two goals. Beau Cobbledick made his debut as goalie, successfully defending many of Choe's shots. The under 12steam fromTraralgontriumphed with a9-nil victoryover Choe. WyattCobbledick was the star, scoringanincredible eight goals. Quinton Morgan added another goal, while Isaac Howard and ZahliJohnson providedexcellent support. Choe'sHarrison Rohde and Alex Mair were recognised for theirperseveranceand cleverpassing. The Latrobe Valley Hockey Association is always open to new players, regardlessofage or skill level. Interested partiesshould phone president Kelly Godfrey on 0412 079 981, or president.lvha@gmail.com

Saturday, 10 August 2024 MENS 2Person

StablefordMystery Partner

Winners: Aaron Bassman &Ray Allen (72)

Sunday, 11 August 2024

OPEN Sunday9holeStableford

Grade AWinners: Stewart, Leahann (29) 15

Sunday, 11 August 2024 OPEN Sunday

Medley

Grade AWinners: Stirzaker,Jason (9) 39

Grade BWinners: Kearns,Patrick(24) 40

Place Getters: Puddy,Jacob 37 Woodall, Shane 36

Wednesday, 14 August 2024

WOMEN’S WEDNESDAY 9HOLE

Grade AWinners

Mifsud, Helen (53) -1

Wednesday, 14 August 2024 WOMEN’S

PAR

Gobblers: Aija Owen on the 8th MOE

Grade AWinners: Bates,Linda (22) +3

Grade BWinners: Birrell, Chris (37) +5

Place Getters: Middlemiss,Kaye-1C/B

Stanlake, Helen -1

Great Score: Kaye Middlemiss Birdie @14

KarenShawBirdie @4

Nearest to Pin: 4th Christine O’Reilly 8th Chris Birrell

Target Hole: Marj Lang

Thursday, 15 August 2024

OPEN Medley Stableford

Grade AWinners:Johnson, Charles (8) 37

Grade BWinners: Roberts,Paul (12)39

Grade CWinners: Harland, Bob (15) 39 C/B

Grade DWinners: Rodaughan, Peter(20) 39

Place Getters: White, Rodney39C/B Dyt, Ricky38C/B Babet, Alain 38 Eastaway

Karl 37 C/B Donaldson, Murray 37 Scammell, Mark37Brien, Kevin 36 Perrin, Duart35C/B NICHOLS, Robert35 C/B Stansbury, Les 35 C/B Savige,Bruce 35 C/B Ford,Tim 35 C/B Ayton, Kevin 35 C/B Fife,Mark35Stephens,Peter 34

Great Score: PeterHobson (Birdie) @14

Stephen Mills (Birdie) @14Greig Williams (Birdie) @8 Nearest to Pin: 4th PeterRodaughan 8th WallyWilkinson 14th Mark Hiriart

Saturday, 17 August 2024

Competition :MEN’S Stroke-FlagEvent

Overall Winners: Scullin, Aaron (35) 61

Grade AWinners: Hancock, Chris (7) 71

Grade BWinners:

Photograph: Liam Durkin

Promotion on the cards for United

BASKETBALL

GIPPSLAND UNITED

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

IT comes down to this.

Gippsland Unitedwill playoff in the Division

One Men Big VGrand Final this Saturday night (August 24) against RMIT Redbacks.

United won through to the decider after defeating Whittlesea in the Preliminary Final at the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium.

In a106 to 72 smashing on theirhome deck, the Gippsland side earned aGrand Final spot, which gives them promotion into the Championship Division of BigV -the best basketball competition in Victoria after NBL1 South.

Playing in front of araucous home crowd, GippslandUnited knew theystill had to be locked in on what was requiredtoget ashot in the big dance.

After defeating Whittlesea in theQualifying Final 116-109, United was full of confidence that their

The Battle of Britain is here

THE Latrobe Valley Soccer League resumed senior cup playatthe weekend for its quarter finals action in the Battle of Britain Cup.

The decided matchups were drawn on August 5 and August 12 to determine who was playing who and for which silverware.

BeginningSunday, August 11,Round 1ofthe Battle of Britain Cup saw Newborough/Yallourn United on their home turf come out on top over Sale United 2-1, and as well as East Gippsland Unitedsmacking Tyers 7-nil to advance to the quarter finals.

The Eagles, who finished second-last in the LVSL season, acted on their newfound energy by travelling to Traralgon Olympians and subsequently caused amonumental upset, winning 3-2.

Olympians held a1-nil lead at halftime, but East Gippsland United piled on three goals in the second halftoknock-out one of the top four finishers of the LVSL Goals came from Kyal Hood and two from Jaydon Steele to advance.

In aone versus two matchup of the LVSL, Fortuna 60 lashed out against their cross-town rivals Falcons by nailing them 3-1 after losing the league title at the last second of the season (literally occurred after the season had wrapped up).

After 45 minutes,many would have believedthe league belonged in the appropriate hands, however Fortuna reversed their earlier fortunes to knock in three goals in the last stretch to win. Hayden Tanti arrived on the pitch mid-way through the first half and managed two goals for himself when it mattered. Damon Scott also scored for the Orangemen.

Fortuna will play East Gippsland United in the proceeding round.

New borou gh/Y allo urn conti nued as emiredemption upon their disappointing LVSL season to beat Churchill United 2-nil.

Moe United smacked local rivals Monash 6-1 to set-up aclash against the Combine.

best could far surpass that of their opponents -and they were proven correct.

In awin-or-go-home scenario, it was expected that either side wasgoingtocome out flyingto assert themselves, whichiswhatoccurred as a back-and-forth first quarter concluded with little difference seen in the game, United ahead 24-23.

Aphysical contest from theget-go given the stakes,Unitedkept themselves aheaddue to their defensive tenacity, and got to the free throw line consistently on the offensive end when shots weren’t falling early.

That evenness continued through the first few minutes of the second quarter, but United flipped the switch.

Through the last seven minutes of the second half,Gippsland United held Whittlesea to nine points whilst piling on 20 points to enter the main breakupby11.

With all the momentum going their way and everyone behind them, United rolled into the third quarter understanding their assignment.

Kody Tibballs nailed back-to-back three pointers

that carried through an equally impressive term that culminated with a29-14 space of play to see United ahead by 26 pointswith aquarter to spare. United punctuated their win, tallying theirhighestquarterscore (31points)toconclude,evenwith Whittlesea desperately attempting acomeback to save theirseason.

It was an all-around effort from the Gippsland side that was headed by Ben Barlow with ateamhigh 21 points, six rebounds and three assists. Five other Gippsland players scored more than 10-plus points on the night including three off of the bench.

Masses of young fans flooded the courtupon the team’s post-game address to celebrate their localrepresentative basketball team, who have made the rapid climb from the second division to aslotinthe major league of Big Vbasketball in the span of two years.

The Division One Men's Grand Final will be at Eltham High School Basketball Stadium (United played there aweek ago against RMIT in the SemiFinal) at 7pm this Saturday night (August 24).

2024 LVSL champions

THIS photo capturesthe moment Traralgon Olympians' women's team scored their first goal of the season.

The magicmoment came on Sunday,August 11 at Burrage Reserve, Newborough during Round 1ofthe Browne-Huizer Cup in the Latrobe Valley Soccer League.

Olympianswent on to beat Tyers1-nil -their first win for the year.

Goalkeeper Belinda Hua ran the length of the pitch to celebrate with goalscorer, Tracey Piening and the rest of the team.

The team has had atough year but have never given up, and were rewarded with this great moment.

At last: Olympians’women celebrate their firstgoal of the season. Photograph: Damen Francis

Dominant: Sale United made it back-to-backsenior women’s league titles this season. Photographs supplied