Latrobe Valley Express Wednesday 22 February 2023

By PHILIP HOPKINS

FEDERAL and state Nationals politicians and the manufacturing union have blamed the Premier, Daniel Andrews, for Opal Australia’s decision to stop producing white pulp and copy paper at the Maryvale mill.

The decision, which throws up to 200 workers out of work and ends 85 years of white paper production at themill, also threatens suppliers and contractors Opal, with about 850 employees, is the Latrobe Valley’s single biggest employer.

Up to one quarter of mill jobsare likely to be affected, as Opal now plans to concentrate on manufacturing cardboard fibre packaging.

The federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester,saidMrAndrews must accept100 percent of the blame for up to 200 job losses at Maryvale.

Mr Chester told Federal Parliament that the main culprit was the state government and its plan

to abolish the native timber industry in Victoria.

“Victorian PremierDan Andrews’ plan to shut down the native timber industry is aplan to kill country towns, to kill wildlife and to kill Australian jobs. People and wildlife die in poorly managed forests,” Mr Chester told Parliament.

“The combinedimpact of judicial activism, environmental protests, greenlawfareand the abject failure of the Victorian Labor government to support our world-class and environmentally sustainable timber industry is devastating regional communities across Gippsland.

“Every worker who loses their job, every family facing financial stress -and the difficult decision to leave the community they love -has just one man to blame, and that man is Premier Dan Andrews and aLabor Party in Victoria thatdoesn’tcare about blue-collar workers anymore.”

CFMEU Manufacturing said the end of white paper production was disastrous, not inevitable,

and wasthe tragicresult of the state government’s mismanagement of the native forest sector and a bumbling approach by Opal.

National secretary, Michael O’Connor, said the union had warned boththe government and company about mass job losses for more than three years.

The union campaigned for years for the government to make changes to prevent wood supply being blocked by third-party litigation, but was ignored.

“Theunion willfight to ensurethe maximum support for our members, their families and community,” he said.

Gippsland state Nationals MPssaidthe state government’s failure to supply timber to the mill was the direct result of Labor policy and inaction to close legal loopholes.

The Nationals Memberfor Morwell,Martin Cameron,saidthe reason he ran for Parliament was to supportworkers

“I am just so devastated that we havelost these jobshere in the Valley,” he said.

“While it’s disappointing thatOpal Australian Paper has made this decision, it has clearly come about because of Labor’s policy failures on the forestry industry.”

The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, MelinaBath, said the writing hadbeen on the wall for some time and the state government had failed to act.

“We have warned Labor time and again that it needed to close legal loopholes that have allowed ongoing green law-fareagainst the timber industry and ultimatelylocked out timberworkers from the forest,” she said.

“Thishas had adevastating effectonour local harvest and haulage sector, as well as local timber mills and now the Latrobe Valley’s largest private employer.”

Continued Pages 18-19

Trafalgar High School Year 7, 2024 Information Evening

Sports Centre - TrafalgarHighSchool

● View facilities andlearning areas at the school.

● Discuss with teachers the work undertaken and the opportunities each learning area provides.

● Makeaninformed choice regarding secondary school in 2024.. Further information or enquiries may be directed to Mr.Jack Brown or Mr.Sean Richardson 5633 1733.

Principal: Mr.Brett Pedlow

IMPREST system is now in Gippsland

TEN residential aged care facilities in Gippsland will have access to an IMPREST system to improve end-of-life care with timely medications, thanks to agrantfromGippsland PrimaryHealth Network (PHN).

An IMPRESTsystem allowsregistered health practitioners to access prescription medications includingthose used for people receiving palliative care. Medicationsare suppliedtoanaged care facility as 'ward stock' rather than for aspecific resident. Theyincludeantibiotics, painreliefand other medications.

The initiative is part of the federal government’s Greater Choices for At Home Palliative Care measure to improve palliative care coordination in aperson’s home or in aged care facilities.

Many aged care facilities in Gippsland are already using the IMPREST system.

This Gippsland PHN initiative has boosted the numbers to 94 per cent -the highest percentage of aged care facilities in any region in Australia to have an end of life medication system on site.

Gippsland PHN chief executive,Amanda Proposch, said establishment of an IMPREST system in Residential Aged Care Facilities(RACFs) had already shown to provide many benefits.

“It can help mitigate ashortage of essential medications when prescribed medications are not accessible, with general practitioners and locums also able to prescribe medications availableonsite and without delay,” Ms Proposch said “Admissions to emergency departments for medication for painmanagement and similar can be lessened by implementation of an IMPREST system.”

In 2020/21, 1568 or 1.3 per centoftotal emergency department (ED) presentationsfor Gippsland residents were for people with aRACFastheir usual residence. This equates to almost half of all people within an RACF being admitted to ED in 2020/21.

The Gippsland Palliative Care Consortium will provideguidanceand support to RACFs in meeting the regulatory processes required in establishing and implementing an IMPREST system. It will

New: IMPRESTisdesigned to assist.

also provide education and support to registered nurses who will be accessingend-of-life medications via the IMPREST system.

Palliative aged care and disability resource nurse with the Gippsland Region Palliative Care Consortium, Carol Barbeler, said the project would address one of the barrierstoensuring that people hadaccesstopalliative care whenand where they needed it.

“This is an important project and the GRPCC is excited to be working with the RACFs who have been successfulinthe grant process,” Ms Barbeler said.

Ms Proposch said RACFs in Gippsland were already providing quality end-of-life care for their residents.

“We believe this initiative will decrease unnecessary admissions from aged care to Emergency Departments and hospitals in Gippsland.”

Kidnapper sentenced again

By TOMHAYES

MORWELLman,Thane Jago,has been sentenced to afurther 21 months behind bars, after pleading guilty to multiple charges.

Mr Jago, 41, kidnappedawoman in Moe, on October 23, 2021.

Mr Jago didn't allow the woman to get out of the car, demanding she give him her possessions. Upon doing so, Mr Jago grabbed her throat and pushed her head against the car's door.

The woman escaped by jumping out of the moving car.

The following day, Mr Jago, while being chased by police, stole petrol from a service station and drove onto the wrong side of the road.

Investigators later found that the car he was driving was stolen.

Mr Jago pleaded guiltytochargesofrobbery, theft and dangerous driving while in pursuit.

Mr Jago had served around 20 years in prison, almost his entire adult life.

The ABC reported that Judge Smallwood said

at the time of Mr Jago's offences,hewas homeless and had little support.

"[You are] clearlyinstitutionalised and have been for some time. It's adreadful state of affairs," Judge Smallwood said.

Mr Jago hasspent nearly500 days in prison since his arrest in 2021, eight of those months in solitary confinement.

He joined the court hearing from prison via video link, then was sentencedtoserve afurther 21 months behind bars.

Interconnector plans under way

FIRST steps have begun to pave the way for the Victoria-New South Wales Interconnector (VNI) West project that will connect the Victorian and NSW electricity grids.

The stategovernment has enabled the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to start early worksonVNI, whichhas the potential to boost Victoria’s import and export capacities with NSW by more than 1800 megawatts (MW).

The government maintainsthat transmission projects like VNI West are akey to delivering cheaper and more reliable renewable and storage capacity as Victoria moves away from the Latrobe Valley'sbrown coal stations. They also aim to ensure reliable energy supply during high demand periods, such as very hot days.

An Order has been issued under the National Electricity (Victoria) Act 2005 (NEVA) that enables AEMO to immediately carry out preparatory and planning works.

This will speed up key development activities including stakeholder and community engagement, land use planning, detailed engineeringdesign, and cost estimation.

Processes such as the Environment Effects Statement (EES) willbeable to start later in 2023, ayear earlier than anticipated.

AEMO will also consider alternative options for VNI West, including the connectionpoint between the states, responding to feedbackprovided by local communities, TraditionalOwnersand regional stakeholders.

This additional analysisand consultation will enable AEMO to assess and selectaproject option that can best meet local needs.

The VNI West Project is part of the government’s energy policy, which has arenewable energy targetsof65per cent by 2030, and 95 per cent by 2035, which aims to drive down power prices.

The Minister forEnergy and Resources,Lily D’Ambrosio, said as ageing coal-fired generators retired and became increasinglyunreliable, bringing forward VNI West meant the state could connect renewable energy sooner, putting downward pressure on energy prices

For more information, visit energy.vic.gov.au/ renewable-energytransmission-and-grid-upgrades

Woodchopping potentially faces the axe

THE centuries-old sport of woodchopping is at risk as the state government continues to fail Victoria’s native timberindustry, according to Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath.

Log supply for the Victorian Axemen’s Council (VAC) upcoming woodchoppingeventsare in jeopardy.

Without hardwoodlogs, Victorian athleteswill be unable to compete at this 140-year-old traditional sport.

Acourt order limiting timber harvesting in areas managed by VicForests, means the council does not have enough logs to supply Victoria’s woodchopping events.

Speaking in State Parliament, Ms Bath called on the state government to act and guarantee the future of the sport.

“Woodchopping has along and proud history in Gippsland and right across Victoria, which continues to grow year on year," Ms Bath said.

“The sport of wood chopping is ahighly competitive activity; over 100 events are run each year across the state, drawingskilled competitors from all over Australia.

“You only have to lookatthe large crowds that woodchopping events attracted at last year’s highly successful Heyfield Timber Festival to see firsthand how popular the sport is.

“Competitive athletes are highly trained, and its devastating that theirsport is beingdiminished through green lawfare.”

Ms Bath said she had made acommitment to the president of the VAC, Brad Meyer, to fight for the sport.

“It would be acryingshame to lose this tradition from our regionalshows and events in Victoria,” Ms Bath said.

“Woodchopping is amajor drawcard, and it attracts internationalcompetitors.The AndrewsLabor Government’s cannot continuetosit on itshands and turn ablind eye, it must instigate asolution.” Chopping block: Have we seen the lastofwoodchopping competitions?

Newscheme amended

LATROBE City Council has adopted aplanning scheme amendment for the Morwell Activity Centre Plan.

The amendment willnow be submittedtothe Minister for Planning for approval.

The Morwell Activity Centre Plan will be used to guide development withinthe Morwell Activity Centreover the next 15 to 20 yearsand formed thebasis of the amendment.

Changestothe activity centre seek to address long term ambitions for Morwell’s growth and sustainability as well as supporting its reactivation, increasing housing, retail and employment opportunities in line with future growth demands AmendmentC137was placed on exhibition from October 27 to November 28, 2022.

This included notification to landowners, occupiers, agencies, authorities, local businesses and community groups and Ministers.

Atotal of six submissions were received.

All changes requested by submissions were able to be accommodated.

Mayor of Latrobe CityCouncil,Councillor Kellie O’Callaghan said the Morwell Activity Centre PlanisanimportantpartofMorwell’spopulation growth.

“The Morwell Activity Centre Plan is afantastic project thatwill seegreat outcomes for the Morwell communityand future planning for the town,” said the Mayor, Kellie O'Callaghan.

“The population in Morwell is expected to experience moderatepopulation growthand will increase to approximately 15,000 persons by 2033, planning for the central business district will allow for this growth to be accommodated.”

Formoreinformation,visitwww.latrobe.vic.gov.au/ amendment_c137_morwell_activity_centre_plan

State suffers worst job loss rate to date, unemployment rises

VICTORIAhas suffered its worst-ever post-Christmas job losses, as more than100,000 Victorianslost their jobs in January 2023.

ABS datareleased today (February 16) has shown aconcerning 0.5 per cent increase in Victoria’s unemployment rate to four per cent -the equal highest of any mainland state or territory.

In contrast, unemployment in New South Wales remainssteady at 3.1 per cent,almosta fullpercentage point lower than Victoria.

January 2023 also saw the largest number of job losses in asingle month since October 2021,during the height of COVID restrictions.

Youth unemployment spiked to 10.7per centin January 2023, up 3.6 per cent, with 21,000 youth jobs lost during the month.

Shadow Treasurer, Brad Rowswell, said these job losses are deeplyconcerning and will only add to increasing pressures on household budgets.

“Victorians are already feelingthe pain of increasing grocery, energy and everyday bills and these jobs losses willonly makemattersworse,”MrRowswell said.

“Whilst New South Wales has maintained its recordlow unemployment -almost 3300 Victorians lost their jobs each and everyday during January, as ourstate falls even further behind.

“The Andrews Labor Government mustfocus on connecting unemployedVictorians with sectors crying out for staff, including hospitality, construction and heath and aged cared.

“Instead of more waste, higher debt and new taxes under Labor, we need areal plan to ease of cost living pressures for Victorians and that starts with responsible economic management from the state government.”

Trend: Victoria suffered alossofover 100,000 jobs to start 2023

CrosswordPuzzle No.8522

with Muzza

ONE POINTERS

1. What product does the company Ray-Ban manufacture?

2. What is the name of the artist who won ‘Album of the Year’ at this year’sGrammy Awards?

3. Oxfordand Cambridge arefamousuniversities in which country?

4. Agambling token shares its name with which food?

TWO POINTERS

5. In the ‘Harry Potter’ novels, who is Harry’sgodfather?

6. Which flower is the national symbol of England?

7. If Iwas standing in front of the Big Banana, what state would Ibein?

8. Which poisonous plant is associated with kissing and Christmas?

THREE POINTERS

9. Hugh Jackman’scharacter In the movie ‘The Greatest Showman’, was based on what real life person?

10 Which count is used to specify quality of bed linen?

11. Cartoon character Fred Flintstone plays which sport?

12. Who is the lead singer of Led Zeppelin?

FOUR POINTERS

13. What is the legal term for telling lies under oath?

14. Classic sci-fi novel ‘The Time Machine’ was writen by which author?

FIVE POINTER

15. Name these five car logos. One point each.

HOW DID YOU FARE?

p

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

Solid effort; 9-14: Room for improvement;

Hit the books.

Program set to boost local infrastructure

EXPRESSION of Interest (EOIs) are now open for round eight of the #lovegippsland Stronger Communities Program.

Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester, said$150,000 wasavailableinGippsland to upgrade local infrastructure and to improvecommunity facilities and resources.

“The Stronger Communities Program is afantastic initiative to supportlocal community groupsand organisations in supporting our communities through localevents, providingservices, fundraising and more,” Mr Chester said.

“The EOI period is now open and will close at 5pm on Friday March 24, 2023 for interested community organisations.

“Grants of between $2500 and $20,000 are available for projects that enhance the group’s work and the wider community.

“Eligible projects include the purchase of equipment, fit-outsoralterationstoexisting premises or communityspaces, upgrades of sporting facilities, streetscapes, bike paths or community gardens.

successful applicants will be invited to complete a full submission.

Before submittinganEOI, community groups and organisations are encouraged to review the grant opportunity guidelines to confirmation eligibility. EOIs must be submitted via Mr Chester’s website at www.darrenchester.com.au to be considered. For mor ei nf orm at ion in cluding grant opportunity guidelines visit business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/ stronger-communities-programme-round-8

Together: Local MP,Darren Chester (right), with Morwell Lions Club membersLorraine Archbold, Jenni Mainwarring and Janine Angus. The group purchased acool room trailerwith agrant from a previous roundofthe Stronger Communities Program.

“The total expenditureofthe project cannot exceed more than $50,000, and local governing bodiesand organisationsthatfall under them will be required to match funding amounts.”

EOIswill then be assessed by the Community Consultation Committee for eligibility, and

Three-year terms for new ARTC leadership

THE Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has new leadership: Mr Peter Duncan AM is the new ARTC chair and Dr Collette Burke anonexecutivedirector of the board. Bothappointments for three-year terms were announced by the federal government.

ARTC plays avital role in managing the nation’s interstate freight rail network. ARTC is also delivering Inland Rail enhancements such as the Port Botany Duplication and several other significant Government-funded infrastructure projects that aim to build the resilience and capability of Australian rail transport.

Mr Duncan replaces the Hon WarrenTruss AC, whostepped down as chair of the ARTC board on November 30 2022. Mr Duncan has more than 40

yearsexperience in government and infrastructure, working at local, state and national levels.

He is the current chair of WaterNSW, deputy chair and commissioner of the NSW Independent Planning Commission and aboard member of the Office of Projects Victoria. Mr Duncan is a former chief executive of NSW Roads and Maritime Services, director-general of the NSW Department of Services Technology and Administration, and managing director of Forests NSW. He is aformer chair of InfraSol Group, the Australian Road Research Board and Austroads.

Dr Burke is ahighly qualified and experienced engineer with more than 25 years’ of experience in theinfrastructure construction sector. She was theinaugural Victorian Chief Engineer and has

New apiary officer joins the team

KARLA Williams is the new AgVic apiary officer.

Based in Wodonga, Ms Williams’ role includes supporting Victorian beekeeping and pollination industriesand working closelywith them to protect against diseases and pest such as Varroa mite.

astrong understanding of the rail industry. She also previously held various senior roles with Leighton Contractors and management positions with Thiess John Holland.

Dr Burkeisa non-executive director of Marinus Link PtyLtd and VicTrack.

The appointments follow the recent independent review of the Inland Rail project conducted by Dr Kerry Schott AO. Dr Schott’s report has been provided to the government. It reveals significant concerns aboutthe governance and delivery of Inland Rail. The Government intends to release Dr Schott’sreportand the Government’s response to its recommendations as soon as it has been fully considered.

Ms Williams was the Tasmanian bee biosecurity officer, assisting beekeepers with management of endemic pests and diseases. She also coordinated Tasmania’s exotic bee and bee pest surveillance and trained local beekeepers to test hives at ports for exotic pests.

The depth of knowledge and experience Ms Williams has gained from working at BiosecurityTasmania and the Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre (MDFRC) at La Trobe University, will be a valuable asset in the AgVic team.

For information about beekeeping, either commercial or hobbyist, visit the honey bee pages on the Agriculture Victoria website.

Photo: Supplied

Tracks improved thanks to volunteers

Wildlife: Aplatypus wasspottedby volunteersonthe walk

VISITORS to the Valley of Destruction, eastof Licola, now have amore accessiblejourney thanks to agroup of hard-working volunteers.

Fourteen Bushwalking Tracks and Conservation (BTAC) volunteers worked with Parks Victoria in late January to improve walking access to Tali Karng from the Tamboritha Road.

Improvements were made to the many crossings on the Wellington River to make navigation easier; overhanging vegetation was cleared and some work done on the Riggall Spur Track.

The main emphasis was clearing the overgrown 6.5-kilometre-Clive LaniganMemorial Track through the Valley of Destruction,terminating at Tali Karng.

There was great camaraderie at the camp, and volunteers were at one point entertained by the antics of asmall black platypus in the Wellington River next to the camp site.

This was alogistically challenging activity, with weather and access tracks needing to be dry for the activity to go ahead.

It wascleara few days out thatthe conditions were favourable and that the contingency work would have to wait for another day. The volunteers gathered at Muttonwood Camp -onthe Wellington River north of Licola -onAustralia Day, ready for an early start next morning to get to and establish camp at the base of Riggall Spur Track, 13km upstream from Tamboritha Road.

On the Friday morning, participants parked their vehicles at the Platypus Camp and walked with daypacks up the Wellington River, attending to river crossing improvements with hand tools and to the camp site.

All camping gear, suppliesfor the weekend, tools, equipmentand PPEwere transported to the camp site by two Parks Victoria vehicles, which

negotiated anetwork of four-wheel-drive tracks, including ManagementVehicles Only tracks, to get to the camping spot. Afew volunteers scored aride on the vehicles.

Brush cutters were used to clear sufficient area for all the tents and amenities.

Saturday's forecast was for temperatures into the 30s, so it was an early 7am start and an early finish for the two work teams.

All workerswere back in campby2.30pm to make full use of the river and shade to keep cool.

It was during the afternoon that one volunteer sighted the little platypus as it made its way upstream time and time again, sometimes leaving the waterjust to be swept downstream by the current again to apool created by alog across the river.

Parks Victoria rangers provided the volunteers with asumptuous BBQ for the evening meal.

Sundayand Mondaywere long days, as each

day the walk to the start of work and return from knock-off position was longer.

Fortunately thesedayswere cooler,but still a bit humid. It was heavy work to clear the track of vegetation and fallen logs among all the rocks.

The lake,TaliKarng, was reached at about 2.30pm on Monday -mission achieved That night, the volunteers slept well with the satisfaction of ajob well done.

On Tuesday, the camp was packed up and everything stowed on the Parks Victoria vehicles forthe journey backtothe cars at Platypus Camp.

Most of the volunteers walked the full distance back to the cars, with some still having enough energy to do some track clearing with hand tools along the way.

The team contributed some 650 volunteer hours to achieve the objective.

Onshore conventional gas has potential to “create jobs”

By PHILIP HOPKINS

STATE and federal government restrictions on gas production are undermining economic development and future jobs in Central and South Gippsland as ExxonMobil’s Bass Strait output runs down over the next decade, reports show.

The gas shortfall also has big implications for Victoria as awhole,according to the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Victoria’s 2020 gas report showed that Victoria was prospective for onshore conventional gas. Victoria’sleadscientist, Dr AmandaCaples, said development of onshore conventional gas would create jobs and benefit reginal communities and economies.

“Up to 242 jobs, $312 million in gross regional productand $43 millioninroyaltiescould be generated each year during production,”she said in a letter to the then Minister for Resources, Jaclyn Symes, in 2020.

“This couldpotentially start from 2023/24 if industry makes agas discovery, considers it commercially feasible to develop and secures the necessary regulatory approvals.”

Dr Caples said CSIRO social researchfound that about80per cent of Gippsland and South-West communities would embrace, support or tolerate conventional gas development.

“Community support would be enhanced by providing genuine engagement opportunities and more information about industry activity and how

the community’sinterests are being managed,” she said.

APPEA chief executive, Samantha McCulloch, said Victoria was facing serious energy consequences, with total gas production set to slide 43 per cent withinthree years, risking the state’s energy security and putting upward pressure on prices for the two million households and 70,000 businesses.

“Governments have known about the impending shortfallfor many years given the forecasts by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) in repeated studies,” she said.

Ms McCulloch said Australian and state government researchindicated substantial natural gas reserves exist both onshoreand offshoreinBass Strait.

“But there is aneed for regulatory certainty to encourage investment because companies may be unwilling to invest in exploration when the rules keep changing,” she said.

“Far-reaching Commonwealth government interventions have now made it virtually impossible for gas producers to attract the investment needed to develop new gas and put downward pressure on prices.”

Ms McCulloch said certainty aboutthe rules was also required at astate level after adecade of onshore bans and regulatory uncertainty. Keeping gas in the groundwould meanmoreexpensive energy bills.

“Victoria has always relied heavily on gas to heat homes and keep the lights on, but it is not developing its own ample gas resources,” she said.

The state government hasliftedamoratorium on onshore gas development, but is pushing its Gas Substitution Roadmap. This program aims to reduce reliance on natural gas, which contributes about 16 per cent of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions, and pushed options like renewable hydrogen, biogas and electrification.

The roadmap has been blamed for cutting investment to commercialise onshore gas and potentially find more Bass Strait deposits.

Available Gippsland annual production is forecast to reduce from 312 petajoules in 2022 and to 200 PJ in 2026, according to the Australian Energy Market Operator.

Dr Caples said Victoria’s onshore conventional gashad amounts estimated to be in the range of 128-830 PJ.

Victorian production continues to decline, with a large forecast reduction in capacity before winter 2023, according to AEMO figures.

Totalavailable (existing plus committed)production is forecast to reduce from 360 petajoules (PJ) in 2022 to 243 PJ in 2026.

Dr Caples said other key findingsofthe gas report were:

 An onshore conventional gas industry would have no significant impact on water quality, based on groundwater science studies.

Impacts on water quantity and quality would be negligible due to the large geological separation between conventional gas reservoirs and aquifers, and;

 It may have aslight impact on agriculture in respect to land access, livestock and biosecurity;

 Victoria’s onshore petroleum regulatory framework is robustfor managing environmental and safety risks. It could be improved in its provisions for community engagement and transparency.

Ms McCulloch said governments of all levels should recognise the important role of gas in Australia’s energy security and in delivering a cleaner energy future.

“Gas is an important partner and back-up for renewables and will be critical to supporting the state’s renewable energy targets,” she said.

“Withgas already enabling $107 billion of economic activity annually in Victoria andsupporting around 30,000 jobs, new gas supply can also deliver big economic benefits like more jobs and revenues for government.”

The Gippsland BasinisVictoria's most productive petroleum province.

Exploration since the 1960s has yielded several world class oil and gas fields, as well as numerous small and medium-sized fields.

Unsungheroes: The 14 volunteerswho helped improve trails through theValleyofDestruction.

Photos: Supplied

One step closer to development

By PHILIP HOPKINS

THEGolden Beach gas field, justoff theSouth Gippsland coast, is astepcloser to being developed.

The owner of the gas field, GB Energy, will start drillinganappraisalwellinMay. The Golden Beach-2 (GB-2) well will influence the design and operation of the future production and storage wells and associatedinfrastructure to be installed in 2024.

Drilling willtakeplaceabout 3.4 kilometres offshore from the township of GoldenBeach. During the drilling operation, the jack-up drilling rig will be visible from the shoreline. A500-metre radius safety zonewill be set-up around the rig for its operational duration. The rig will be on-site for about 20 days.

GB Energy is developing the roughly$500million Golden Beach Energy Project to provide large-scale energystoragetoAustralia'seast coast energy market. The gas resource in the field is believed to hold the equivalent of 18 per cent of Victoria's total gas consumption, but the main aim of the long-termproject is to storegas rather than supply the fuel it contains.

According to the company, this will be particularly important in periods of high energy demand,when renewable energy is unable to provide sufficient capacity for the market. It will also bolster longterm supplies as gas supplies from the huge Bass Strait fields and the Longford gas plant decline.

Afterthe initial period of production, the project's storage of energy for domestic consumption will be five to 10 times larger than Snowy 2.0.

The field, which was originally discovered by Burmah Oil and Woodsidein1967,has suffered several delays, resulting in the project being sold on several times. GB Energy is the eighth owner.

The chief executiveofGBEnergy,Tim Baldwin, told the Australian Financial Review that the unique nature of the project-more of an energy storage facilityrather than agas producer -had complicated financing and approvals, despite receiving ashort-term loan of up to $32 million in the 2021 May budget underthe Morrison government.

"This is the first time (in the world) that anyone has looked at storageinadvance of production," he told the AFR."That is one of the things that investors have troublegetting their head around."

The federal governmentloan will fundthe appraisal well to start in May.

The well, whose aim is to firm up the reservoir capacityfor storage, willbefollowed by afinal investment decision.

The Golden Beach energy storage development involves drilling offshore conventional wells using provenprocessestechnology. In parallel, apipeline and compressor stationwill alsobebuilttoconnect the field to existing infrastructure near Longford. This will allow the field to supply households and businesses in Victoria and New South Wales.

GB Energy says it is committed to working with landowners and occupiers. As planning progresses and detailedtimeframes are confirmed, GB Energy will consult and inform the landowners and occupiers that may be affected by the onshore pipeline proposal.

Victorian Ministerfor Planning has approved GB Energy'sEnvironmentEffectsStatement (EES) for the project. The company said the EES process was asignificant undertaking and underpinned the project according to environmental parameters and processes.

In addition, the project has beenclassifiedas critical energy infrastructure by the federal government, and is expected to support the market and the transition to large-scale renewable generation.

In parallel with the EES process, the CommonwealthDepartmentofEnvironment and Energy has approved the project under the Environment Protectionand Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

"Likewise, thisisasignificant milestone in underpinningthe environmental significanceof the project," the company says.

The jack-up rig being used in May is typically used to drill wellsinwaterdepths less than 100metres; the water in this location is about 20 metres.

To put the jack-up rig in place, the rig will be towed to the location by support vessels.The three legs will then be lowered to the seabed.

Once the legsare in place on the seabed, the hullwillbeelevated outofthe water,allowing drilling operations to start. At the end of drilling operations, the legs will be raised, allowing the rig to be towed away.

The wellwill be drilled vertically to adepth of about 700 metres. Once drilledand evaluated, the well will be safelyand securely plugged and abandoned, in compliance with Australian regulations, the company says.

The drilling rig is unlikely to be heard from shore, barring extreme calm seas and the correct wind conditions. There are no seismic surveying operations in this drilling operation. The rig will be visible from shore and at night, the rig and drilling support vessels will be lit up.

Hereitcomes: GoldenBeachgas fieldisbeingdeveloped. Drillingwilltakeplace 3.4 kilometres offthe shoreseen here from above

Centenarygathering

MEMBERSofthe Lawless family gathered recently in Yinnar to mark 100 years since Anne and Jim Lawless married and settled in Hazelwood.

Jim Lawless came to Budgeree from Gordon, with his parents Thomas and Catherine Lawless (Scanlon) when he was one-year-old and grew up in the Budgeree and Driffield area.

He worked as afarmerand timber cutter in the Budgeree area.

Anne Brownewas born at Axedale and became a teacher. One of thefirst schools shewas appointed to in 1911 was Budgeree South East School, and she taught there until 1916. This is where their paths crossed.

Jim enlisted in the World War 1and served in France under Sir John Monash in 37th Battalion

THE Boolarra Folk Festival is on next month. The festival runs across March 3-4, and will celebrateits 20th yearbyhosting aline-up of fabulous musicians, food stalls offering a diverserangeofdelicious foods, abustlingarts and craft market, and must-have merchandise.

The programhas been released and headlines

Hip Pockets, a10-piece R&B Soul band featuring brilliant vocals and horn sectionand the high energy with attitude, Half Cit Hicks, who combine banjo, mandolin,trombone and ukulele with guitars and percussion.

Other performers include Jungle Jim Smith, aone-man electric boogie band and masters of high energy, upbeat American roots music, Skiffle Party.

Local favourites, TheStrzelecki Stringbusters are also on the program.

This 14-piece band combine elements of ole time country, bluegrass, blues andjug band sounds with good humoured banter and audience participation.

The festival opens on Friday, March 3, at the ARC, Yinnar, from 7am.

This is afree event featuring Nick Charles, avirtuoso of acoustic blues and roots guitar music withmorethan25yearsofrecording and touring the world, and acollaboration of Gippsland’s finest jazzmusicians,Doit Doit, who will perform new interpretations of jazz standards and jazz fusion.

Check out the Boolarra FolkFestival website or Facebook page for the full line-up.

After two yearsofa global pandemic its worth remembering that it’s music that brings people together.

It’s free, and it’s in Boolarra.

Happyretirement

Great career: Dr Ian Webb, has retired afterserving the district for nearly 40 years.

Photo: Supplied

DR Ian Webb, well-known local general practitioner, retired from The Healthcare Centre Morwell after commencing in May 1996, working until February 2023.

Dr Webb graduated from Melbourne University in 1981.

He completed his internship at Queen Victoria Hospital in 1982.

He was fortunate to return in 1919.

In 1922,the government established the Soldier Settlement Commissionwhich allocated lots from the former McMillan Estate to returned soldiers.

Jim Lawless was able to settle on 76 acres on the Morwell River.

He took possession and built abarkhut.

In May 1923, he and Anne Browne married in Bendigo and settled in Hazelwood where they raised five sons, Tom, Jim, Jack, Frank and Tony. The family continued farmingthis area until 2006 when the farm was acquired for coal mining.

Tony is the only surviving son and he attended the gathering with his family.

His grandson Brian was the youngest member who attended, and his sister-in-law Pat Lawless was the oldest member.

70-year marriage celebration

NEWBOROUGH early settlers June and Arthur Pearce celebrated 70 years of marriage yesterday (February 21)

Arthur was born at the Morwell hospital in 1927,and fouryears later, June was born at the Yallourn hospital in 1931. At four-and-a-half years old, Arthur moved to live in Newborough in 1932, while three yearslater, Junealso moved to Newborough, aged four

Both went to school in Yallourn; June attended Yallourn High School and Arthur went to Yallourn Technical College

Following school, June worked atthe SEC municipal office and Arthur worked at the Yallourn and Hazelwood power stations for 30 years.

June enjoyed her long membership at the Yallourn and Newborough Bowling Clubs.

Arthur still enjoys playing golf at the Yallourn Golf Club, wherehehas beena member for nearly 70 years.

The couples two daughters;Caroland Dianne, have given themfive grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Their family wishes them the very best and lots of love, to celebrate this amazing 70-year milestone.

Together forever: Arthurand June Pearce celebrate70years of marriage later thismonth.

Photo: Supplied

He obtainedhis Diploma in Obstetrics, Gynaecology at Queen Victoria Hospital in 1983 at the Pediatrics Casualty/Specialist Unit In January 1984, he was marriedand settled locally, working at Latrobe Valley Hospital Moe for 12 months

In January 1985 he workedatCentral Gippsland Hospital, Traralgon as Senior Registrar for Dr’s DavidOgilvyand Brian Mason until May 1985.

Dr Webb commenced at Trafalgar Medical Centre, working with Dr Darragh Murphy on May 20 1985, then moved to Morwell CommunityHealth Centre in May 1986, working with Dr’s Anthony Woodward, Ralph Lurie and Geoff Francis.

In May 1996, he commenced at The Healthcare Centre in Hoyle Street, Morwell, working alongside Dr’s Woodward, Lurie and Chhabra. The practicethen moved to anew premises on Princes Drive, Morwell.

Dr Webb delivered many babies at Moe, Traralgonand Morwell hospitals,but found the distance from home to the hospitals made deliveries inconvenient, ceasing maternity and other services in 1989.

He recalls back in the day when on call meant being available and actually seeing patients afterhours, also performing suturing and looking after simple fractures, before MICA’s became common place and an ambulancewould pick up the duty doctor transporting them to car incidents or to peoplewithchest pain or heart attacks.

One memorableevent Dr Webb recalls is resuscitatingapatient in the backofan ambulance in the car park of the old Morwell Community Health Centre.

Dr Webb hasprovidedexcellent care to manyaged care facility residents in Morwell and patients at Maryvale PrivateHospital throughouthis career, attending many elderly patients for the end-of-life.

Over the years he has taken an active interest in the educating of medical students from Monash University, even offering his home to them during their placement.

He promoted and supervised GP registrars throughout their training time at The Healthcare Centre, and is highly regarded in this area. His loyalty and dedication to his profession has always been 100 per cent. He will be greatly missed by his many patients, peers and the local community.

Dr Webb has indicated he is looking forward to taking on some travel adventures, working aroundhis home,and spendingquality time with his wife Jenny and the family.

G L PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOUBYTHESEPARTICIPATING LOCALBUSINESSES

Sudoku No.0145

Crossword No.8521

Solutions

Target Time No.0145 adage, adnate, ADVANTAGE, advent, agate, agave, aged, agenda, agent,agnate, anta, ante, anted, data, date, dean, etna, gate, gated, gave, gean, gnat, nave, neat,tana, tang,vanadate, vane, vang, vantage,vegan, vena.

Target: Average-15, Good -20, Excellent -25+

Gathering: Members of the Lawlessfamily, who gathered at Yinnar Photos: Supplied

H History: Jim and Anne Lawless,mmarried May 1923.

FormerMPputs her handupfor Aston

By STEFAN BRADLEY

CATHRINE Burnett-Wake, aformer Victorian Liberal Party Upper House MP for Eastern Victoria, has put her hand up to run in the byelection for the federal seat of Aston, vacated by former Coalition government cabinet minister, Alan Tudge.

Ms Burnett-Wake, who is also aformer Yarra Ranges councillor, made the announcement in a Twitter post on Monday.

“I have been overwhelmed by the volume of encouragement and supportfrom many within the Aston community, which has come swiftly following Mr Tudge’s announcement,” Ms BurnettWake said.

“I thank them for their support.”

Ms Burnett-Waketouted her localconnections to Aston,aseat in the easternsuburbs of Melbourne.

“The Eastern Victoria Region, which Irepresented in the State Legislative Council, overlaps Aston,” she said.

“My children are at alocal school in Wantirna South and havebeen for the past 11 years, and they play sports in the community. My business services clients throughout Aston, and it’s where my family shops.”

Ms Burnett-Wakesaidshe believed her “community ties, career and lived experience” put her in the best position to retain Aston for the Liberals.

“In line with pre-selection rules, Iwill make no further comments on my candidacy.”

Cathrine Burnett-WakerepresentedEastern VictoriafromDecember 2021until November 2022.

In acontroversialpre-selection in July,Sale’s Renee Heath defeated Ms Burnett-Wakeinaclose vote of 53 to 55.

This was despite federal Liberal leader, Peter Dutton, backing Ms Burnett-Wake.

As the first on the Upper House ticket for the Coalition,DrHeath was elected easily at the November state election.

Alan Tudge resigned from federal Parliament last week, after nearly 13 years as aLiberal MP, citing family and health reasons.

Former Federal Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, who was defeated in the seat of Kooyong close by, ruled out running in the seat.

Mr Frydenberg has publicly backed Melbourne City councillor, Roshena Campbell.

CommunityLiaisonCommittee

ExpressionsofInterest

TheUsedLeadAcid BatteryCommunity Liaison Committee (ULABCLC)has been meetingfacetofaceand on Zoom for thelasttwo years, to ensure continuityof the engagementofthe localcommunity members andstakeholders.The committee members are electedona two-year term Thecurrenttermofthe committee will end on the22ndFebruary2023. Many changes haveoccurred over thelasttwo years includingchangeofprimary ownership to Pure Environmentaland site construction hascommenced.The success of the ULAB CLCisdependentonthe ongoingcommunity engagementwiththe membersand stakeholders.

We are committed to engagingand working with relevantcommunity membersand stakeholderstodeliver astate of the art ULAB recyclingfacility.

If you are interestedinbecomingamember and contributingtothe ongoingsuccess of the ULAB CLC, we invite youtosubmit an Expression of Interest. This should outline;

•Yourreasons for becomingamemberof the ULAB CLC

•Your connection to localcommunity groupsorstakeholders (business, landholding,neighbour)

•The unique experiences and knowledge you bringtoconstructivelycontribute to the ULAB CLC

Former Victorian Premier, Jeff Kennett, has endorsed oncologist and Walkley Award winner, Ranjana Srivastava, who is also acolumnist for TheGuardian.

In the May federal election, Mr Tudge beat Labor candidate Mary Doyle by 52.8to47.2on atwo-party-preferred vote. It was a7.3 per cent swing to Labor. The margin at the 2019 election was 10.1 per cent towards the Liberals.

The 2.9 per cent swing that Labor needs to win Aston may seem possible with favourable national polling for the government, but psephologist, Kevin Bonham, has said there has been“no government gainsfrom the opposition in federal by-elections” since 1920. Labor is yet to announce acandidate.

Adate forthe by-election is yet to be announced

Victorian Senator, Sarah Henderson, has become the Coalition’s education spokesperson, after previously serving in the communications portfolio.

Have your say in developing a new biosecurity strategy

INTERESTED parties are invited to aworkshop to help develop Victoria’s new Biosecurity Strategy. The new Biosecurity Strategy will outline the priorities for improving how biosecurity issues are managed across Victoria.

Join Agriculture Victoria to help identify the specific ways we can strengthen the biosecurity system.

It is critical that we have input from people across community, government and industry.

Where and when: Clifton Creek (15 minutes from Bairnsdale), 12pm to 4pm, Monday 20 March.

Space in the workshop is limited, so register via Eventbribe.

The workshop aims to help develop the new biosecurity strategy, for release in 2023. The strategyisthe next step followingthe state government’s recent endorsementofVictoria’s Biosecurity Statement.

Withthe statement providingasharedambition for biosecurity in Victoria, the focus is now on turning thosebroad aspirations into tangible priorities.

It is crucial that the strategyisinformed by diverse expertise and experience -whether you are afarmer, operating at acorporate or peakbody level, caring for country with your local community, managingasmall number of livestock on your land, or taking care of the backyard garden.

This workshop will bring awide range of voices to the conversationabout howwecan strengthen the system to protect our land, waters, communities, culture, and economy.

Should you have any questions, email svbsprogram@agriculture.vic.gov.au

The Biosecurity Strategy Development Project is part of the state government’s Strengthening Victoria’s Biosecurity System (SVBS) Program.

Pure Environmental and Chunxing are committed to continuingwithinclusive community engagementregarding our businessand ongoingactivities related to theUsedLeadAcidBattery Recycling Facility at Hazelwood North. TheUsed Lead AcidBattery Community Liaison Committee provides amechanism for ongoingand proactive discussion among localcommunity members andstakeholders with company representatives. TheULAB CLCoperatesunder a“TermsofReference” that outlines theroles andresponsibilities of the members, as well as the rules of engagement. Thecurrent TermsofReference canbefound on the Chunxingwebsite: www.chunxing.com.au.

If you require furtherinformation aboutthe EOIprocess,please contact TaniaBrown, ExecutiveAssistant,on0341223020,or emailtbrown@purenv.au

Pleasepostoremailyour ExpressionsofInterestbefore 29thMarch2023to:

Address: 213BPrincesDrive, Morwell,VIC,3870

Email: taniab@purenv.au

March10-13, 2023 SecretsofProphecy

Venue: Traralgon Little Theatre, Cnr.BreedStreet &Grey Street, Traralgon

GaryKent is the speaker for The Incredible Journey media ministry. He holds aB.A. in Theology,M.A. in Ancient History&Archaeology, and M. in Divinity.Heisanarchaeologist who has excavated numerous sites throughout Israel and Jordan. As an internationallyacclaimed speaker and TV presenter,hehas spoken and produced numerous documentaries on subjects including the Bible, Bible prophecy,world events and natural health. His passion is to share the good news of Jesus’ imminent return.

Friday, March 10:7 to 9pm

Saturday, March11: 3.30 to 5pm &7to9pm

Sunday, March 12:7 to 9pm

Monday, March 13:7 to 9pm

Forfurther information contact 0448 255 894

Hat in the ring: Cathrine Burnett-WakeinSale last year foranAustralia Dayevent.

Photo: Stefan Bradley

Disappointment in council parkingsurvey

ICOMPLETED the recent councilparking survey online and was very disappointed,asitappears to be aimed at justifying the removal of on-street parking rather than determining customer needs.

Idobelieve that my 30-plus years experience as a traffic and road safetyengineer wouldgive me some understanding of driver, bicycleand pedestrian needs and behaviour.

Inotice thatcouncil is nowundertaking traffic surveys in Kay Street (all those rubber hoses across the road) and wonder if this is the prelude to another misguided reduction in the speed limit.

The speed reduction in BreedStreethas resulted in many more drivers exceeding the posted speed limit. When it was 60 kilometres per hour, maybe 10 per cent of drivers exceeded the speed limit by less than 5kph, while avery small number would blatantly speed. Now it would be more like 30 per cent or more exceeding 40kph.

Icould ask council for information, but it seems to me that they have apolicy of not providing responses other than the automated 'we have received your request'.

Graham Shaw Traralgon

Shave at the Junction

IN reply to the letter fromChris Tanti, CEO of Leukaemia Foundation, reference World’sGreatest Shave.

Overrecent years, the Grand Junction Hotel, Traralgon has hosted aWorld’s Greatest Shave to raise money and awareness for Leukaemia.

The event will be held again this year. The date has yet to be set but will be in April/May.

We are urging people to participate in this event, and we are looking for folk to volunteer to do the shave.

We work with the Grand Junctionand assist them in this event.

As accredited fundraisers for the foundation, we know that the money will be used to help patients and families affected by this disease.

Our club -Our KindaCountry Club Inc. -has been fundraising for the foundation for many years, and once again, we urge folk to get behind this local event.

You can register by calling 1800 500 088 or visit worldsgreatestshave.com

AVision to Cure, aMission to Care.

Dawn O’Connell Traralgon

On the seventh day

AGREAT maiden speech by the NationalsMartin Cameron in Parliament.

He would have to be the first blue collar worker to represent his community(LV Express 15/02/23)

Iwonderifany of those in Parliament know what aspanner or screwdriver is, certainly not the three stooges in the photo on the opinion page -Andrews, D'Ambrosio and Shing.

The letters fromJanet Price, Patrick Ansell, Phillip James and Joseph Lis were equally to the point.

Ithink Patrick Ansell's questiontoHarriet Shing was perhapstoo simple. Ifail to see how this politician can claim in her ads to be "working hard for the community" when she was having drinks in Port Douglas with Lisa Nevilleseveral months back. Iwonder if Ms Shing is not too busy in Port Douglas could she get an expert to tell everyone in the Valley where all these 10,000 jobs are coming from that was promised before the election?

Phillip James is spot on regarding 'Nuclear the Answer' yet nobody from the federal government will venture to France and see how it all works for

the French people.

Anthony Albanesehas beenflying everywhere but France.Heonly spends four hoursinAliceSprings to see the tragedy there, preferring to spend three daysatthe tennisand now his priorityisa gay mardi-gras in Sydney.

In order to convinceAnthonyAlbanese, Daniel Andrews, the Greens and other peoplewho want to shutdownour power stations, killoff manufacturing and small businesses, whynot turnoff their gas and electricity for seven days and see how they all cope. Let's see what happens on the seventh day.

Brian Mawhinney Traralgon

Dense fuel source needed

WHEN Ivisited my Polish father's grave in 1988 at Hazelwood Cemetery, Ifelt sad that he had only aplaque to mark his grave and not aheadstone as he deserved to be honoured with amonument of some sort.

However, the nearby sight of the eightgiant chimneys that once stood atop Hazelwood Power Station (it was prematurely decommissioned in 2017 via Chairman Dan's signature) consoled me andInostalgically thought to myself: "Thoseeight chimneys areamonument to my father's memory and it is fitting thatheisburied here, as he worked at anearby power station(Yallourn) for 22 years".

Istill visit my father's grave, but the chimneys of Hazelwwood Power Station are irrevocably gone, blown up in 2020 on the order of Chairman Dan.

My point is, instead of Chairman Dan adopting awrecking-ballapproach to Victoria's coal-fired power stations, he should at the very least be 'mothballing' them (just in case) as Germany had wisely done when it fired-up its dormant coal-fired power stations againwhenrenewables turnedout to be amassive dud which they are

In reality, renewables do notwork'on alarge scale' such as powering awhole country, and which Germany finally realised at greatcostto its economy.

Thus,man had to wait until July20, 1969, before he could walk on the moon because it was technologically impossible to do so in 1869.

Sure,wecan install solar panels on the roofs of houses and industry already that work 'on a smallscale' but this cannot be replicated 'on alarge

scale' (and has never been successfully done in any country in the world) despite the spin-doctoring assurances of the Labor-Green nexus in Canberra and Spring Street.

As the humanpopulationgrows, civilization requires an energy grid with adense fuel sourcesomething that takes up as little of our productive land as possible.

Covering riverdeltas and primeagricultural fields with solar panels and windturbinesisthe work of morons who haveconfusedsteel bird mincers with chapel steeples in their quixotic quest for an imaginary net-zero.

These are not monuments to progress, they are symbols of utter human idiocy that will be rusting long before the climate apocalypse fails to manifest.

Joseph Lis Morwell

Kudos

TO Traralgon Council (Latrobe City), re your phone message to me about acomplaint Imade.

Yes. Idid notice that the paving Icomplained about between Chemist Warehouse and limis Cafe had been remedied.

Thank you for such prompt action on replacing that hazardous section of pavement, and at such abusy time of year for you.

Well done!

June Douglas Traralgon

Set the record straight

ENGIE Power, whatever happened to your selfproclaimed debt of $66 million in 2016 for your catastrophic open cut coal mine fire that choked Morwell with thick heavy black smoke for 55 days and nights, yes Melbourne, 55 days and very toxic nights in 2014.

Okay, the Royal Commission delivered afine of $1.4 million, with the premature death of 11 citizens this equates to an insult to the families of those citizens, so nowEngie tell everybody what happened to the $66 million that is your debt to the Country Fire Authority and those who have died.

Don Duthie Traralgon

Political achievements

HARRIET Shing MP, state member for Morwell, I’m sure you’ll agree that as apolitician you are extremely well paid for the work thatyou do on behalf of the peopleofMorwell, and that when you eventually leave politics, you will be well provided for by the public in the form of an offensive superannuation pay-out and other perks thatex-politicians get such as government jobs and tribunal appointments etc.

Given you have been in Parliament since 2014, Iwould be interested to know what achievements you have personally secured for your electorate, and Idon’tinclude responding to constituents with thestandard pro-forma type letter as an achievement or as proper representation, nor do Iconsider achievements by the government as your achievements.

Ihope you don’t need to refer this question to some bureaucrat for some long winded political spinresponse, whichiswhatpoliticianstend to do.

The electorate voted for you to do ajob, we didn’t vote for you to ignore us or refer complaintsto others to handle.

If you are unwilling to do the job which we pay you handsomely to do, then resign and apologise. Inote that you place advertisements in the Express whereyou claimthat you are working hard for ‘your community’.

I’m curious, don’t you mean ‘your working hard for our community’. Iassumeyou consider yourself amember of our community or am Iwrong.

PS. I’m still waiting for aresponse to my claim that Gippsland Water is ripping us off with their billing practices, which any reasonable person would deem disproportionateand aburden to our alreadyhighcostofliving pressures.

Let’s see if you are genuine about representing us, or as you put it, ‘Working hardfor your community’.

Patrick Ansell Morwell

Have your say

THE Latrobe Valley Expresswelcomes letters to the editor. Preference will be givento brief, concise letters which address local issues

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

The Express does not publish letters from anonymous contributors. Letters must include aphone number, email address and the author's hometown for purposes of substantiating authenticity. Readersare entitled to one right of reply to aletter directed at them.

The viewsexpressed in lettersto theeditorare thoseofthe writers, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Latrobe Valley Express management or staff.

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

Deadline for letters is Thursday 3pm.

Underwhelmed: LetterwriterGrahamShawhas been leftdisappointed with the Latrobe City Council-led online parking surveyregarding parking in Traralgon. File photograph

Protest takes place outside McDonald’s

vaping policy is needed to stop smoking

COMMENT

BY DR COLIN MENDELSOHN

THERE are daily media reports about Australia’s desperate battle with youth vaping and rampant black-market sales.

The current regulations on vaping have been aresounding failure.

Illegally imported disposable vaping products areflooding the market and youth vaping rates are skyrocketing.

Meanwhile,adult smokers are unable to legally access an effective substitute which could help them live longer and healthier lives.

Up to two in three continuing smokers will die from their smoking. Vaping nicotine is a way out.

Now, the federal government has admitted its mistakes and it working to change itsapproach to vaping regulation.

Vaping is one of the most effective quitting aids for smokers.

It is not completely safe -nothing is -but it is far lessharmfulthan deadly cigarette smoking

Recommending these products to adult smokers who just can’t quit is ano-brainer, and leads to substantial health improvements.

They should be at least as readily available as cigarettestoincentivise adultsmokersto switch.

Instead, Australian governments and peak health bodies are pursuing regulations which willfurther restrict legal access, under the guise that prohibitionist policies will stopyouth access.

This is apolicy objective at odds with basic logic and will inevitablymakethe present problems worse.

By LIAM DURKIN

ALLEGATIONS of sexualharassment led to a demonstration outsideMcDonald's Traralgon Central on Friday 17.

The rally, organised by the Retailand Fast Food Workers Union, was attended by McDonald's employees, who walkedoff the job earlier this month amid claims of sexual harassment.

The Saturday Age reported that Sarah Hudson, the shift manager at the time said employees walked off the job, and called police after not being able to get hold of senior management.

"No one was feeling safe," she told The Age "The crew and myself were in alot of distress." She closed the store, only to later be berated by asenior McDonald's manager for doing so.

Management then sent her aletter, directing her to ameeting to discuss concerns around what it felt amounted to "serious misconduct" for closing the restaurant without permission.

The letter also cited "impact (on) the restaurant’s profitability and reputation".

It is believed complaints of sexual harassment have been accumulating at the Traralgon store since early December.

The union responded by writing to McDonald's, who followed up by sending asecond letter to Ms Hudson and other staff who worked at the time thestore was temporarily shut. The Age reported the follow-up meetings were "not disciplinary in nature".

In astatement,the fastfood giantsaidsexual harassment had no place at McDonald’s.

“AllMcDonald’semployees completetraining in McDonald’sRespectfulWorkplace Policy and

areexpected to uphold our values at all times," a spokesperson said.

"We encourage our employees to speak up and report any breach of our policy and values.

"McDonald’s takes these allegations seriously and will continue to work with the franchisee and relevant authorities.”

Staff issues at the 'Traralgon main Maccas' have almost certainly correlated with poor customer service experience recently.

Only afortnight ago, after a10pmfinish at work and with nothing else open, this writer found himself waiting 20 minutes in the drive-thru for what one would consider astandard order.

While theremay have been reason to become agitated, upon peeringthrough the window, it was clear the store appeared to be drastically understaffed -the staff member taking the order at the first window also served food at the last.

Following Friday's rally, the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union praised those forcoming forward.

"The communityrally against sexual harassment at McDonald's Traralgon was huge," it posted online.

"The solidarityfromother unionswas fantastic

"The young workers of McDonald's heard loud and clear that workers will support them and believe them.

"This was only the second protest by workers against McDonald's in Australian history, and follows the action in Brisbane in January 2019 when McDonald's coerced children."

MRD structure repairs sorted

EXTENSIVE repair and maintenance works to the Morwell River Diversion (MRD) structure at the Yallourn mine, after an unprecedented flooding event in 2021 are complete.

High volumes of water flooded the MRD in June 2021.

“During June 2021, an extremerain andflood event -the largest since records began 60 years ago -caused flooding of the Morwell River. It caused more than30times the average flood volume of water to run through the MRD, an embankment

created to carry the river through the mine," Energy Australia Head of Yallourn Greg McIntyre, said.

“The flood event resulted in cracking in one part of theMRD structure.Failure of the MRD would have resulted in the Morwell River inundating the coal mine. This would have impacted power production at Yallourn power station, which provides up to 22 per cent of Victoria’s energy supply.

“The state governmentdeclared an energy emergencyand provided timely approvals so we could undertake urgent repair works to the MRD.

But if the Therapeutic Goods Administration proceeds with its proposal to tighten regulations even further, the situation will continue to deteriorate and public health maynever recover.

Australia went against the grain on its vaping policy.

While the rest of the world listenedtothe science and made vaping products availableas adult consumer products, the federal government created auniqueprescription-only model, severely restricting legal access to vapes.

It is easier to buy deadly cigarettes than a far safer alternative.

In New Zealand, since vaping was legalised, smoking rates have plummeted to record lows, and alegitimateregulatedmarkethas reduced uptake by young people.

This was awin-win for public health, and New Zealand is now reaping the rewards. Asimilar storycan be seen in the United Kingdom. But in Australia,the government’s hard-line policy hasresulted in ashocking growth in the blackmarket, happily selling dodgy disposable vapes containing nicotine to children.

Adult smokingrateshavestagnated,and smokers are hesitant to consider vaping products because of the widespread misinformation about them.

Harm reduction experts including myself rang the alarmin2021when the prescription-model was introduced.

We understood how dangerous aprohibitionist model would be and warned it would galvanise ablack market and lead to significant uptake by young people.

We wereright and Australia is nowfacing the consequences of this misguided policy.

"A multi-agency Yallourn Emergency Response and RecoveryProject was assembled to oversee the works.

“We’re pleased to advise that all works are now complete in the MRD incident area.

“We appreciate the strong support of the state government, local community, unions, regulators and especially our Yallourn workforce during this time.”

The repairs included:

 Relining asection of the MRD by replacing the clay liner with an engineered layer of clay and grading the surface to improve surface water run-off;

 Both the low and high flow channels have

The experiment with prescription-only products has not worked.

More than 90 per cent of adult vapers do not possess aprescription for nicotine, meaning almost all vape sales currently occur on the black-market.

Very few doctors are willing to prescribe nicotine, and most remain uninformed about vaping.

The policy is effectively adefactoprohibition.

To eliminate the black market, we need to regulate nicotine vaping devices as adult consumer products, with regulated devices soldatlicensed retail outletswithstrict age verification. And by drawing adultvapers onto the legitimate market,and with strict penalties for selling to children, the blackmarketwill no longer be profitable and will diminish, shutting off easy access by young people.

This will create afuture for Australia where smoking rates decline substantially,and young people are finally adequately protectedagainst the predatory black market.

We are witnessing awatershed moment in Australia’s battle to effectively regulate vaping. It’s time for the government to drastically alter its approach, align itself with the rest of the western world, and responsibly regulate vaping.

The failure of the federalgovernmentto implement the correct approachwillhavedire and long-lasting consequences for the health of millions of Australian smokers.

Dr ColinMendelsohnisthe founding chairman of the Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association

had cracking repaired and have returned to service, and;

 EnergyAustralia received approvals for works to temporarily divert water flows away from the MRD where it runs through the Yallourn mine. All diversion works have now been built. Throughoutthe execution of the repair works, EnergyAustralia saysithas metstrict environmental conditionsset by anumberofstate government agencies.

EnergyAustralia willcontinue to workwith Earth ResourcesRegulationtoimplement further improvements to maintain the integrity of the MRD structure.

Noise: Demonstratorsoutside McDonald’sTraralgon CentralonFriday.

Photo:Supplied

Better

by Joanne Madeline Moore

February20- February26, 2023

You’re prone to fiery pronouncements and extravagant exuberance this week, as you over-promise, overspend or overextend Enthusiasm is high but don’t jump to hasty conclusions and pass on incorrect information Get the facts straight, otherwise embarrassing mix-ups are likely (especially involving friends or finances) Do your best to divert excess energy into a challenging project that is ambitious and adventurous, but also realistic

Aries

Taurus This week the Sun and Uranus rev up your motivation and boost your Bullish bravado But you could also feel rather rushed and slightly unsettled Cool down and calm down! Aim to do plenty of physical activity so you can channel your restless energy in pleasant and productive ways But being overly proprietorial about a person or situation will only lead to a fraction too much friction Strive to be less stubborn about people, possessions and work

Gemini Geminis are clever c Gommunicators but are you confident enough for big-time success? With seven planets activating your career and aspirations zones, a golden opportunity is waiting in the wings But you must grab it when it appears, or it will pass you by Proactive Mars is charging through your sign, so stop overthinking and start doing!

Your motto for the moment is from birthday great, writer Anais Nin: “Good things happen to those who hustle ”

Cancer The more intently you micromanage relationships, the more family, friends and colleagues will distance themselves from you And if you are too bossy, then power struggles are likely You’re full of information and ideas and are keen to teach or instruct others but don’t assume you have all the answers Crabby hubris will just put others off, so aim to be more inclusive and consultative Wednesday and Thursday are good days to redesign your dreams

Leo Have you been feeling like a tired and listless Leo? This week – courtesy of the restorative, transformative New Moon – you’ll feel your mojo, motivation and Lion’s roar returning So, find a challenging project to direct your energy into Mercury and Mars also encourage you to be much more positive when communicating with others A sunny smile and an encouraging comment will get you a lot further than feisty fireworks and theatrical foot-stamping!

Libra Monday’s positive Venus/Pluto connection encourages passionate feelings and intense interactions

Up until March 25 (under the influence of dynamic Mars) strive to be more proactive and adventurous about pursuing your Libran aspirations for the future Draw inspiration from birthday great, writer Anais Nin: “Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back A new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country”

Scorpio

Expect some drama at Casa Scorpio as Venus and Pluto increase your magnetism – and then Mercury and Uranus rev up your tendency to tempestuous behaviour

You ve got the power to inspire others and transform your own life So do your best to find appropriate ways to let off steam and choose positive and challenging projects to channel your intense energy into Otherwise you’ll just drive family, friends and colleagues crazy with your capricious ways!

Sagittarius

It’s a wonderful week to entergtain at home with a special meal, as the planets stimulate your family and friendship zones, Convivial conversation is a bonus Being of service to others (with kindness, compassion and style) also brings much joy and satisfaction Plus take the time to savour and enjoy the simple things in your everyday life – like a kiss from a child or a walk in the park But avoid making a rash comment (in person or online) that you later regret

THE Prep/Grade 1hub has welcomed the new Preps to Morwell Central Primary.

It has beenatimefor thesenew students to make friends and get to know their teachers and helpers.

The school’s transitionleaders, students from the Grade 5/6 hub, have assisted daily and did awonderful job helping the Preps and Grade 1 students settle into school smoothly.

They have enjoyed playing games and completing fun activities to help them get to know or to reconnect withtheirclassmates and the staff in their hubs.

They have also enjoyed participating in new literacy and mathsgroups and attendingspecialist classes,includingsport,performingarts,music and computers.

Virgo

The planets could generate a lucky breakginvolving a partnership, joint venture, travel opportunity or educational project So, get your ideas out there (in person and online) as you inform and entertain others with your mercurial mind A major relationship (of the romantic or platonic variety) could go through a New Moon metamorphosis Do your best to air any concerns in a respectful way, as you work through problems that have been holding you back

Capricorn

This week there’s a New Moonp , the transformative Venus/Pluto link activates your sign, and proactive Mars stimulates your daily routine zone So, it s a good time to grab the Goat by the horns and initiate some long-overdue changes, especially involving work, health, education, communication, business and/or finances Be inspired by fellowCapricorn, writer Simone de Beauvoir: “Change your life today Don’t gamble on the future act now, without delay”

Aquarius Mercury and Uranus disrupt dom qestic harmony but don’t let it disturb your equilibrium The secret to success is learning to let go, as you keep what’s working in your life and discard what isn’t (But you may have to lose a current battle in order to win the long-term war ) Opportunities for growth come from loved ones, as you realise who has your best interests at heart It’s also a good time to express your creative side and appreciate the talents of others

Pisces The stars bless creative projects boost intuition and help you get lost in a fabulous fantasy novel or a favourite romantic movie With the Sun, Moon and Neptune illuminating your sign you ’ re keen to please others But avoid the temptation to say ‘ yes ’ to everyone and everything, like an indecisive doormat You may find you ’ ve bitten off more than you can comfortably chew! Confidence is high on the weekend so make the most of it

CopyrightJoanne Madeline Moore 2023

Thisadvertisingspace couldb rs

The students in the Grades 1/2, 3/4/5, and 5/6 hubs have also happily returned to school.

Playingoutside in the playgroundsduring recesses and lunchtimes has also been ahighlight.

Wordly: Grade3/4/5 hub students,An, Quinton, Mackenzie and Emma reading together

Gippy Grammar to host open days

GIPPSLAND Grammar will host three Open Days next month offering families the opportunity to discover the advantages of the complete Early Learning to VCE education offeredatthe independent school’s three campuses.

Gippsland Grammar’s BairnsdaleCampus includes an EarlyLearning Centre(ELC)offering threeand four-year-old kindergarten programs, and willbeonshow for interested families on Saturday March 18 from 9-11am.

In Sale, the school’s historic junior St Anne’s Campus, whichalsoincludes an ELC, offering threeand four-year-old kindergarten programs. The FoundationtoYear6campus will hostits OpenDay on Saturday, March 25 from9am to 11am. The senior Garnsey Campus (Years 7-12) on the Princes Highway will also be open on March 25 from 11am to 1pm.

Gippsland Grammar principal, Michele Wakeham,saidshe wasexcited to throw open the gates for her first Open Day as principal and to show families, who perhapsaren’t familiar with the school, what it has to offer.

“Even though we are one school, each of our campuses has its own personality and Ican’t wait to introduce this to some new faces,” Mrs Wakeham said.

“Our Bairnsdale Campus is located on the banks of Clifton Creek (an offshoot of the Mitchell

River) and hascampus chickensand atherapy dog creating quite arural feel. Our St Anne’s Campus is the historic heart of our school and is knownfor its red brick buildings and richhistory, while our Garnsey Campus and boarding house are dominated by ahugeexpanse of greenopen spaces and state-of-the-art facilities including our new Art &Design Centre.

“But of course overarching those individual campus personalities are our comprehensive teaching andlearning programs and ourrich cross-campus co-curricular offerings,which is why we have such aseamless transition experience from our ELCs to our junior campuses and then from our junior campuses to our senior campus.”

Mrs Wakeham will be joined by members of the school’s leadershipteam at the Open Days, which includes actingdeputy principalJustinHenderson, as well as the following:

Head of Bairnsdale Campus Virginia Evans, head of St Anne’s Jie Van Berkel and head of Garnsey CampusRohan Jayatilake. Student leaders and teachers will also be on hand to share their expertise and first-hand experiences.

Mrs Wakeham said feedback from the parents of some Year 7studentswas how welcoming and inclusive Gippsland Grammar is.

“They said they’d noticed how much our students embraced their own freedom of expression and that

they feltour school was inclusive of everyone’s interests.

It’s incredibly important to us thatevery student feels welcome and respected,” she said.

Ahighlightofthe Bairnsdale andStAnne’s campus Open Days will be the chance to explore the ELCs, which both offer athree-year-old ‘Reception’ program and afour-year-old ‘Transition’ program. They both have age-appropriate programs and are rated as ‘exceeding’ the National Quality Standard.

At Garnsey, Blackwood House (the school’s boarding house) will also be open for families to see whatlife is like when students both studyand live on-campus, while the rowing program, performing arts department and the Year 9program will also be on show.

Gippsland Grammar has more than 1100 students enrolled across its three campuses in Sale and Bairnsdale.The boarding house hasfull-time and casual options and private daily bus options for students from East Gippsland to the Latrobe Valley.

Gippsland Grammaralsooffers substantial scholarships annuallyincluding general excellence and music.Applicationsfor the 2024 Scholarships will close on March 6.

For more information about both the upcoming Open Days and scholarships pleasevisit gippslandgrammar.au

Moe’sAlbert Street PrimarySchool gets 2023 started

PREPS have been welcomed into the school community at Albert St Primary School, Moe, for the beginning of the school year.

Last year, during Term 4, our new preps participated in the school’s Ready Set Grow Program, which supported parents/carers andtheir children to become familiar with school routines, staff and the environment.

It was very obvious that the Ready Set Grow Program assisted with asmooth transitioninto the school year.

By the end of the first week of term, students were happytoindependently enter the school grounds.

In partnership with StateSchoolRelief, Albert St was able to supply an assortment of school shoes, socks, pants, bathers and jackets to all of its 2023 prepstosupport familiesduringthese challenging economic times.

Albert St student leaders have also been appointed for the 2023 school year.

The school’s first assembly was well attended by family member to celebrate with the Year 6

students as they were presented with their Year 6jackets and awarded leadership roles.

In 2022, all year five students had the opportunity to submit applications for this year’s leadership roles.

Applications were carefully considered and discussed by all Albert St staff before appointing students.

Congratulations to all Year 6leaders, especially to those appointedtoroles.

Albert St school leaders are: Darcy (school captain), Nate and Jesse(school vice captains), Burt (junior school council president), Violet and Shkaylah (sustainability leaders), Nate and Jesse (sports captains), Hannah and Bailey (arts captains)and Noah and Xavier(digitaltechnology captains).

Also selected were this year’s rotary junior community award participants,Shkaylah,Emily, Violet, Darcy, Jesse, Nate, Xavier and Noah.

St Paul’swelcomes newbies

THE littlest primary school students at St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School had a fantastic first day of school.

Welcomed into the school community with the school’s annual ‘crossing of the hats’ ceremony last week, the students had the word 'almost' crossed off their 'Almost AStPaul’s Preppie' gold hats that they received during orientation last year.

Although the first day of school can be an emotional time for parents, experienced educators reassured them that the Preps are in good hands and that as they grow with new routines, adjust to school life, and prepare for their educational adventure ahead, their health and happiness are given high priority.

Occasion:

Our future: Albert St PrimarySchool, Moe studentleadersfor 2023 Photograph supplied

St Paul’stradition: Head of St Paul’sTraralgon junior School, TraceyKing,and principalCameron Herbert performing theceremony.

Prep students Lleyton and River proudlywearing their ‘A St Paul’s Preppie’hat Photos: Supplied

Open day: Gippsland Grammar studentAliesha Turnbull lovesher school andislooking forward to welcoming visitorsnextmonth

Photo: Supplied

Shoddy end to 85-year operation

COMMENT BY JOHN CAMERON

THE Maryvale Mill opened in the Latrobe Valley in 1937 and has since grown to be one of the largest employers in the region employing up to 1000 people in direct jobs.

Maryvaletraditionally manufacturesabout

600,000 tonnes of paper and board annually from about 1.5 million cubicmetres of logs,adding considerable value to the logs unsuitable for sawn timber.

The site includes five mills, ECF-free(Elemental Chlorine Free) bleach plant and two wastepaper recycling plants.

The openingofthe Maryvale Mill in 1937 followed

intensiveappraisal of surroundingforestsand was facilitated by along-term wood supply agreement to underpin the mill investment. The mill used the waste wood from saw log operations, helped with forest regeneration operations, reduced the bushfire hazard and assisted with agovernment policy of decentralisation (which over the past few decades has morphed back to ‘centralisation’).

The Forests Commission of Victoria wrote in its 1936-37 annual reporttoboth Housesof Parliament:

“After intensive field investigations and protracted negotiations between the Commission and Australian Paper Manufacturers Ltd., the largest paper manufacturingcorporation in the southern hemisphere, abasis of agreement was reached and the necessary legislation enacted to enablethe Company to obtainsupplies of pulpwood timber from suitable areas of indigenous hardwood forests”.

“From aforestry point of view, the most important feature of this new development is the prospect of the raw material required by the industry being supplied solely fromexistingand potential sawmill waste, inferior trees and logging slash, and prospective thinnings, all of which timber was formerly discarded as waste due to lack of available markets for such inferior grades of produce”.

“The Commission was in the position of being able to guarantee adequate supplies of raw material from these sources for the requirements of the projectedplant….all operations of the Company connected with the getting of pulpwood from State forestareas are to be rigidlycontrolled by the Commission, through the medium of plans of utilization to the provisions of which the Company must adhere”.

“The manufacture of wood-pulp is the most important form of wood waste utilisation, and the advent of this industry should prove of immense economic value to the State” (and it was).

“Regeneration operations will be facilitated by the removal of the bulk of the discarded timber

from sawmilling areas and the fire hazard will similarly be decreased”.

“The successful inauguration of the new undertaking will be an important advance in the rural economy of the State. Alarge body of labour will be permanently employed both in the forest and in the mill, and the fact that the industry will have its headquartersina country centre willbeofmaterial assistance in promoting apolicy of decentralization of both industry and population”.

This original pulpwood agreement underpinned a substantial investment in the Latrobe Valley that created thousands of jobs and considerable regional development over 85 years. The actions 85 years ago provide acase study on how agovernment focused on supply-side economics can create wealth and prosperity for regional Victoria.

APM saw an opportunity to reduce reliance on the supply of expensive imported pulp but needed long-termsecurity of resource supplytojustify its substantial investmentinanew pulp mill at Maryvale.

The Dunston CountryParty Governmentsaw the potential for anew industry to deliver decentralisation, jobs and prosperity and committed to supplythe wood, along with supportingthe supply of essential transport, water and power for the new mill.

Priortothe Maryvale mill,Australian papermaking was undertaken at Southbank Melbourne (from 1868), Barwon near Geelong (1878), Broadford (1890) and Sydney (from 1890), using rag and waste paper as fibre.High internationalfreight costs precluded the use of imported wood pulp.

At thattimethe world's pulping industry was based on the long-fibred softwoodsfromnative forests of Europe and North America. The use of short fibre Eucalypt pulp made at Maryvale to replace imported long fibred pulp represented amajor technological breakthrough at the time.

Kraft pulping of Mountain Ash (Eucalypt regnans) producedpulp that was easytobleachfor white papers andnewsprint. Wood procurement

Latrobe urges support from state government and Opal Company timeline

1868 Melbourne’s first paper mill is established by Samuel Ramsden on the banks of the Yarra River at Southbank

1895 Australian Paper Mills Company formed, combining the mill at Southbank with others in Broadford and Geelong

1902 Botany Mill commences operation in Sydney with two paper machines

1926 Australian PaperManufacturers Limited(APM) commenced trading

1930 APM plants first pine seedlings for future pulp production

1937 Construction of Maryvale Mill begins in Morwell

1940 Maryvale No.1 paper machine begins production

1951 APM Forests is formed to establish plantations

1977 Maryvale No.4 paper machine begins production of liner board for cardboard boxes

1986 APM becomes Amcor Limited

1987 Maryvale celebrates 50 years of production

1999 Maryvale No.5 machine begins production of high performance office paper

2009 Nippon Paper Group purchases Australian Paper from PaperlinX

2013 B9 paper machine begins operating at Botany Mill

2015 Maryvale $90 million wastepaper recycling and de-inking facility begins production

2020 Nippon Paper Industries launches Opal

LATROBE City Council has called on the Federal and state governments, along with Opal,tosupport aconsidered transition for the region after the announcement of the end of white paperproduction at Maryvale Mill.

Council said in astatement that it continues to stand by our community following the news that white paper operations at the mill will cease due to lack of wood supply.

Job impacts are still to be realised as the mill’s focus will shift towards manufacturing cardboard fibre packaging.

The mill has been acornerstone of Latrobe City’s economic landscape for more than 85 years, with reduced operating capacity expected to be felt far and wide.

"For every job at Maryvale Mill there is aflow on externally of another job in their supply chain. Without support it is expected therewill be a significant impact to workers, theirfamiliesand the wider localbusiness community," the council said "Opal workers are askilled workforce that offer transferrable skills to other industries. Structural Adjustment Packages are now required, these could provide local workers with vital support including training and job opportunities for industry transformation."

The councilcalled on the state governmentto fast-track their commitment to establishing the State Electricity Commission in Morwell and associated renewable energy projects to allow for atimelytransition.

Latrobe City Mayor, KellieO’Callaghan, acknowledged that this news created further uncertainty for the local community.

“While our community has been aware of impending closures and changes to local industry,the uncertainty that these job lossesatthe mill places afurther need for urgent support,” the Mayor said.

“Latrobe City has been built on abackbone of strong industry and manufacturing and we understand the direct and indirect impacts these changes have on our community.

“While this work has been continuing for some time through our transformation, council is committed to advocating on behalf of our people, amplifying our community’s voice to all levels of government seeking their support.

“We lookforwardtolearning more from the state government about their recently announced support package and how this will assist workers. Council would like to thank them for their initial support during this time.”

Longevity: OpalAustralian Paper has been astrong presence in the Latrobe Valleyfor decades

Photograph supplied

for Maryvale began in 1938whenpulp production was about 90 tonnes per day or 31,000 tonnes per year and pilot paper production began.

Over 85 years, Maryvale’s pulp production grew to about 600,000 tonnes per year. In 1937-38 the Forests Commissionsupplied Maryvale with 1662 cunits (or 166,200 cubic feet) equivalent to 4706 m3 of Eucalypt pulpwood, along with input from many other sources, including settlers.

In 1939, one of Victoria’s worst bushfires burnt most of the Ash forest resource that was to supply the pulpwood for the new mill at Maryvale.

Australian Paper ManufacturesLtd,commonly known as APM, had astrongresearch capability and tests showed that pulp could successfully be made from salvaged fire-killed Ash and mixed species Eucalypts from the foothills.

Large quantities of fire-killed Ash were pulped at Maryvale through the 1940s and early 1950s. Irecall the odd loaddeliveredin1972whenI joined APM’s wholly ownedforest subsidiary called APM Forests (later renamed Australian Paper Plantations).

Maryvale input was about 28,000 m3 in 1939.

Over the 85 years Maryvale’s log inputhas grown to over 1.5 million cubic metres per year with about half Eucalypt and half pine pulpwood.

M1 papermachine began operation in 1940. M1 wasfollowedlaterbyM2and M3 paper machines and M3 was later convertedtoproduce white papers.

In 1987M4machinewas built for the production of liner board for cardboard boxes and in the 1990s M5 was built for the production of white papers including the iconic Reflex copy paper.

In 1985 anew 160,000 tonne per year continuous digester pine kraft mill was commissioned and fed with the thinnings and lower grade clear-fall logs from the maturing pine plantations previously established by APM Forests and the Forests Commission on farmland that was marginal for farming.

In 1986, APM was renamed Amcor, who decided to focus on packaging. In the 1990s Amcor sold its Morwell sawmilling business called Brown and Dureauand in 2000, spun off intoanew company called Paperlinx, itspapermaking (Australian Paper) and forestry business (Australian Paper

Plantations known as AP Plantations) in the region. Paperlinx sold Australian Paper Plantations to HancockVictorian Plantationsin2001and sold its pulp and papermanufacturingincludingMaryvale to Nippon Paper in 2009.

Paperlinx then ‘burnt’ the proceeds on its failed attempt to become an international paper merchant (old world business).

The demerging of the forests, sawmill and pulp/ paper operations intoseparate ownership substantially reduced economies of scope, synergies and wood quality benefits previously generated by the three operations under common Amcor ownership. Thisaspect of the divestments contributed to the eventual closure of the softwood sawmill at Morwell and increasedpulpingcosts at Maryvale.

In 2007, Paperlinx invested about $203 million in upgrading bleached eucalyptpulpproduction by 90,000 tonnes per year, requiringplantation supply to be augmented by ongoing native Eucalypt supply under along term supply agreement with the Victorian government; recent events suggest sovereign risk under government contracts has morphed from low risk to as risky as junk bonds.

In 2015 Nippon then invested about $90 million in awaste paper recycling plant to annually convert 80,000 tonnes of recovered fibre into 50,000 tonnes of deinkedpulp. Australian Paper waslater renamed Ópal.

AustralianPaper Maryvale looks like it now has to abandon two investments totalling about $300 million, pluspossiblymuch of the investment in M5, along with investment in supporting infrastructure and the training of around220 experienced operators.

The loss of 220 jobs at the mill, coupled with job losses by harvesting and maintenance contractors, could not come at aworse time for the Latrobe Valley, where unemployment is the highest and population growth rate the lowest of comparable Victorian regions.

The government’s transitional assistance, following the closure of Morwell and Hazelwood mines and power generation, has failed. The Latrobe Valleyisalready disadvantaged by areckless rather than well-planned transition to renewables based on more imported components rather than assistinglocal manufacture; afailed forestry plan

Uncertainty looms: OpalAustralian Paperhas announced it willend whitepaper production.

that has delivered a50,000 ha decline in plantation area over the past fiveyears, and a‘Safer Together’ bushfire policy that is likely to deliver ‘Scorched Together’, unless someoneinSpring Street wakes up to the fact that the government’s 70% residual riskbushfire target is only achievedwith considerable wildfire, and 70 per centresidual risk roughly equates to only ‘30 per cent safe’.

Another drought yearlike 1898, 1926, 1944, 1968 and 1983 and the plantation resource that is now Maryvale’smainstay is threatened with substantial fire losses. These drought years were worse than 1939 when the 1939 bushfire almost reached Maryvale.

Photo: File

Maryvale's sustainable future requires effective government support to protect and enhance its supply chain.

References: Annual reports of Forests Commission of Victoria, annualreports and announcementsof APMand successors Amcor and Paperlinx and R McCarthy (2019 and updated 2021) APM Forests -Timeline.

John Cameron (Dip Hort Burnley and MBA Monash)isaTraralgon businessconsultant who previously worked at APM Forests, Amcor and AP Plantations.

Closure expectedtohave spin-offeffects

From PAGE 1

MR O’Connor said Maryvale was the only Australian manufacturer of white paper products. “The closure is likely to lead to shortages of paper supplies and increased cost of living pressures. It will impact the supply of products including A4 copy paper, medical prescriptions, school exercise books, food packaging and utility bills,” he said.

Opal had been running out of timber supplies fromVicForests sincelastNovember, when the Supreme Court, acting on a case by two environmental groups, orderedVicForests to stop harvesting because it had not done enough to protect two species of greater glider.

The mill produced its last ream of Reflex copy paper on January 21.

An Opalspokeswoman saiddespite Opal’sbest efforts the company had been unable to source viable alternative wood supplies to replace the shortfall from VicForests.

“Opal will now consult further on the impact of this decision. Following that consultation, the process will then move through redeployment considerations and into aredundancy proves in accordance with Opal’s legal obligations,” she said.

The company said it was important to re-set

the Maryvale mill overthe long-term as a sustainable, profitable and focusedpackaging manufacturing site.

“Opal appreciates that the current situation is difficult for everyone,” she said.

Opal expects to take an estimated $220 million impairment loss on the mill’s fixed assets.

The write down will come on top of the loss of sales, with the operating results of the discontinuedbusiness $264 million in 2021-22.The capital valueofall Opal’s business is $2.462 billion.

Mr Chester saidhehad raisedconcerns about fibre supply to the mill two years ago in aletter to senior management.

“I don’t trust the Premier and Ididn’t believe state government assurances that jobs wouldbe secure in the proposed transition to plantation timber. The state government’s policytoabandon allharvestingofnative timber is adirect threat to jobs at the papermillalong with all other timber industry jobs in our region,” he said.

“These latest job losses were completely avoidable if Melbourne LaborMinistershad taken action to protect the hardwood timber industry from activists and secure the fibre supply over the longer term.”

Mr Chester said Opal’s decision wasalso devastating for sub-contractors who provide

transport and logisticalsupport to the industry.

“The job losses don’t finishatthe mill gate,there will be truck drivers and other sub-contractors in our region who will lose incomes as aresult of this decision,” Mr Chester said.

“What is the Premiergoingtodofor those family businessowners?What is the Prime Minister going to do about Australia losing the capacitytomanufacturewhite copy paperon our own shores?”

Mr Chester said Australia needed to produce more of its own critical supplies as anation.

“Shutting downthe native hardwood timber industry in Victoria is already leaving us exposed to fluctuations in foreignmarkets, and timber harvested fromless environmentallysustainable sources,” he said.

“If the industry is shutdown, we will see less practical managementofthe fire risk in the bush with lives and livelihoods put at risk, all for the sake of Premier Dan Andrews chasing Greens votes in the city.”

The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, DannyO’Brien said the stategovernment's forestrypolicy wouldresultinmore job losses in Gippsland and worse global environmental outcomes as Australiaturnstoimports to fill the void.

“Remember in November 2019, Daniel

Andrews guaranteed the jobs at the Maryvale milluntilatleast 2050and scoffed at suggestions that Labor’s policies would cost jobs,” he said.

“The proof is now in the pudding that the Premierhad lied and unfortunately it’s Gippsland workers who bear the brunt.”

Thestate Employment Minister,Ben Carroll, said the government would work with the company, its employeesand the wider industry to support them.

"We'vealreadyactivated alot of our transition support, whetheritbecounselling, whether it be offers of free training, as we do with all our industriesthatare going through transition," he said.

"This is adifficult timefor the workers. We stand with them and we'll continuetowork with them to ensure that they feel supported and that they have other options going forward."

The Victorian Forest Alliancecalled on the state government to act and rapidly end native forest loggingand supportworkers to transition immediately.

“The Andrews government has aplan to continue logging for another seven years. The 2030 end datewas always far too late. They can andmustact now to finally end the destruction, and protect these forests," the alliance said.

Atale of stupidity andincompetence

COMMENT BY STEPHEN DWYER

WITH the imminent closure of the once bustling Maffra Factory, we need to learn from the serious mistakes of the past and hope that we will have a future with more forward-thinking people.

Maffra Co-op was amillion-pound-a-year company by the 1950s. It had half the Macalister Irrigation District in its grasp,apart from apocket loyal to Nestlé. The other half of the dairy-rich MID was with Heyfield.

Amalgamations werethe rage andMurray Goulburn was in its infancy, and was little more than atin shed at Cobram.

Common sense said an amalgamation between Heyfield andMaffrawould provide apowerhouse. Its farmers were concentrated. Transport costs were at abare minimum.

Unfortunately common sense did not prevail. Personal animosity and the usual divide between Maffra andHeyfield in the Maffra Shire got in the wayofcommonsense.

With 'amalgamation to survive and grow' being the catch-cry, insteadHeyfield sought aunion with Glengarry and Gormandale; distant farmers without the reliability of irrigation.

Maffra threw its weight to the towns of Orbost and Cann River, forming Gippsland Consolidated Milk.

The resultwas acatastrophefor both companies.

Transport was akiller and the once-concentrated MID,with its concentration of dairy farmers making agreat livingout of its prosperousindustry, was now diluted.

Heyfieldand Maffraco-ops were nowgoing bust They combined to form Gippsland Amalgamated Milk Products. All it did was make asuper-broke company.

This co-op was ripe for the picking and was taken over and given alifeline by the still-growing Murray Goulburn Co-op (MG).

MG, with the genius of Jack McGuire at thehelm, knewnobounds. But on his retirement thingswent bad; it was on its knees when the then-chairman Bill Patersonannounced at small hallsaround the district that MG's price of 50 cents akilo was unsustainable, and it could pay as little 35 cents.

In astrokeofgenius, he brought back Jack McGuire from retirement, and with prudent decision-making, turned the company around.

We weren't so lucky when another managing director wreaked havoc after being paid in excess of 12 milliondollars. Gary Haloubrought the company to its knees withastrategy thatinvolved huge incentivestosome sales of milktosupermarkets, to be sold for $1 alitre anda floating of the company on the stock market.

Theday of the float,every co-op shareholder had his shareholding diluted by the number of new share issued. The milk price and value of milk in the public's eye has only recently returned.

Aboard designed to look after the interests of each region was secured.

Gippsland had four directors; it ended up as one from Maffra and three from Leongatha/Yarram.

The Maffra plant, with its dryersand agas supply second only to Sale,was put intoa holding pattern Leongatha, with afactory in the wrong partoftown

surrounded by hills, was earmarked for expansion.

Millions were wasted on the ageing plant. With Gary Helou given free rein and disastrous decisionmaking by the board, MG was on adownward spiral. The result was the disaster of telling farmers to expect $6 akilo when the co-op was losing money.

Of course, this didn't affect the shareholders -they wouldstill get 17 cents dividendonevery share

and MG would make apaper profit of $150 million.

Theycreated clawback to extract already-paid money from farmers with areduced milk price The board, of course, instead of fixing the problem, made it worse.

Men like former chairman, Ian McCauly, who knew the company and warned against the failed strategy, should have been embraced. Instead he was shunned.

The bleeding of suppliers to other companies

became aflood. The board announceditwould sell to Saputo. There would be no other option.

Lino Saputo came and of course assured everyone thathewas not motivated by greed and money, but by his dear old granny who used to churn the butter churninthe old family house. He would keep all factories.

If only granny was alive today -wecould get her to set up her churninthe shell that is Saputo Maffra.

So nowthe MID, with its huge supply of dairy farms, has no factory.

There is aglimmer of hope -Burra leads the fieldonpricetofarmers,working out of the former non-needed and discarded MG Korumburra factory

Can we indeed learn from history?

Stephen Dwyer is aNewry dairy farmer

Thoughts: Newrydairyfarmer,Stephen Dwyer, has weighed into thedebatesurrounding the local dairyindustry.

Photo: File

TheGuide

PICK OF THE WEEK

AUSTRALIAN STORY

ABC TV,Monday, 8pm

After awell-earned break since stepping down as thehostof 7.30,Leigh Sales (pictured) returns to our screens to anchor anew season of AustralianStory, which is back to tell morefascinating andinspiring stories about everyday Australians. Tonight,inventor,author,scientistand changemaker Saul Griffiths shares his vision and contagious passion forrenewable futureenergyin Australia. Alsothis year,the series goes behind the scenes with actor and producer Claudia Karvan (Bump, LoveMyWay)and takes adeep diveinto the incredible storyofunderwater filmmaker andshark advocate ValerieTaylor

Familiar face: Leigh Sales anchors a new season of AustralianStory

SYDNEY WORLDPRIDE

OPENING CONCERT

ABC TV,Friday, 7.30pm

Unitingwiththe Sydney Gayand

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Tune in as Kylie Minogue,Jessica Mauboyand Charli XCXtakethe stage.HostedbyCasey Donovan (pictured) and Courtney Act

ANEW ZEALANDFOOD STORY

SBS Food, Saturday, 5.30pm

Acrossthe ditch in picturesque New Zealand, chef Ben Bayly (pictured) had arealisation: as an acclaimed foodie cooking mostly European fare, he couldn’t pinpointexactly what Kiwi food wasall about.This new seriestrailsBayly across breathtaking New Zealand landscapesafter he throws the towelinonhis role as executivechefattwo of hiscountry’s bestrestaurants to createaneatery that triesanswer the question: what is the New Zealand food story? In tonight’s double-episode premiere, Bayly travelstothe South Island to learn about kouracrayfish and ColacBay to gettoknowthe Titi mutton bird.

QUEERSTRALIA

ABC TV,Tuesday, 8.30pm

Comedian and “professional lesbian ZoëCoombs Marr (pictured) uncovers thehidden historyof Australia’s LGBTQIA+community in this landmark docuseries. From gay diggers, lesbianconvictgangs and trans pioneers to cross-dressing bushrangers, legendarydragacts and modern-day heroes who have fought foracceptance, the three-part seriesisanenlightening examination of the community’spast. Performers Hannah Gadsbyand Magda Szubanski areamong those who sharetheir insights. Asked why she wanted to makethe series,Coombs Marr explains: “It’sabout finding whereyou fit andwhereyou’vecome from.”

One Plus One. (R)

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

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Wildlife ER: Spiky AndStinky (PG) Apatient facesamajor healthcrisis.

8.35 My Grandparents’War: Toby Jones. (PG) Part 4of4

Toby Jones uncovers the World War

II stories of his grandparents

9.30 Bloodlands (M) An American gangster arrives in Dunfolan.

10.35 SBS WorldNews Late.

11.05 Cargo. (Mal)

12.00 Witch Hunt. (Mals, R) 3.25 Face To Face. (Mals) 4.20 Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.55 DestinationFlavour Scandinavia Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World EnglishNews Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home And Away (PG)

7.30 Mrs Brown’s Boys. (Ml) Cathy’s boyfriend is initiated into the family

9.00 TheFrontBar:All Sports Edition. (Ml) Sam Pang, Mick Molloyand Andy Maher takealook at the world of sport and catch up with the stars of yesteryear

10.00 KitchenNightmares Australia (MA15+l, R) Hosted by Colin Fassnidge

11.10 TheLatest: SevenNews. [VIC]UnbelievableMoments CaughtOnCamera.(PGa,R)

12.30[VIC]HomeShopping.(R)

12.40 FilthyRich. (Mas, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today.

NITV (34)

6.00 TheDrum.

7.00 ABCNews.

7.30 7.30 PresentedbySarah Ferguson.

8.00 Foreign Correspondent

International affairs program.

8.30 GrandDesigns: House Of TheYear Part 4of4.Kevin McCloud

Damion Burrows and MichelleOgundehin visit the final fiveproperties.

9.20 Joanna Lumley’sGreat Cities Of TheWorld: Rome (PG,R)Part 2of3

10.10 Movin’ToThe Country. (PG,R)

10.40 ABC Late News.

10.55 TheBusiness. (R)

11.10 Extinction With David Attenborough. (PG, R)

12.10 Q+A. (R)

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

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.35 From Paris To Rome With BettanyHughes: AmalfiCoast, Capri, Rome (PG) Part 4of4

8.30 American Presidency WithBill Clinton: Extremism. (PG) Explores thewaysinwhich US Presidents have reacted to extinguish, or sometimes to fan, the flames of extremism.

9.20 Miniseries:The Walk-In. (MA15+) Part 4of5.Asthe policebuild their case, activist Matthew Collins must keep Robbie Mullensafe

10.15 SBSWorld NewsLate.

10.45 L’Opera. (Mal, R)

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home AndAway. (PG) Alfand John clash. Dean and Ziggy welcome asurprise visitor

8.30 TheRoast Of Paul Hogan. (PGdls, R) Shane Jacobson is joined by Shaun Micallef,Delvene Delaney,Steve Vizardand more to roast Paul Hogan

10.15 TheLatest: SevenNews.

10.45 To Be Advised.

12.00 TheBabes In TheWood Murder. (Mav,R)Takes alook at how the police brought child killer Russell Bishop to justice forthe murder of two girls.

1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R) Alookata variety of holiday destinations here and abroad. Hosted by Greg Grainger.

6.00 Nine News.

7.00 ACurrent Affair

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

8.30 Paramedics (Ma, R) Aflight paramedic comestothe aidofaninjured driver whose car hascrashed down aravine.

9.30 Australia Behind Bars. (Malv,R)Takes alook at the 2020 Wellington Correctional Centre riot that saw prisoners run rampant

10.35 Nine NewsLate.

11.05 A+EAfter Dark. (Mlm, R)

11.50 CouncilOfDads. (PGa)

12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

6.30 TheProject. Alook at the day’snews and events.

7.30 Taskmaster Australia. (PGl) Comedy game showfeaturing comedians performinga series of tricky tasks.

8.30 GoggleboxAustralia. (Return) Adiverse range of people open their living rooms to reveal their reactionsto popular and topical TV shows, with the help of special, locked-off cameras which capture every unpredictablemoment.

9.30 TheMontreal ComedyFestival: Pride Gala. Presented by Rhys Nicholson

10.30 Would ILie To You? Australia. (Ml, R) Hosted by Chrissie Swan

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

11.35 TheEagle. (Malv,R)

2.00 Home Shopping (R)

2.30 Global Shop (R) 3.00 TV Shop: HomeShopping. (R)

2.00 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.00 One Plus

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

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

Friday, February24

3.55 Mastermind Australia.(R) 5.00 NHK World EnglishNews Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight

4.00 NBCToday. News and current affairs.

5.00 SevenEarlyNews

5.30 Sunrise. News, sportand weather

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

1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBSMornings.

6.00 TheDrum. Analysis of the day’snews.

7.00 ABC News Takesalook at today’s top stories and events as they unfold, with comprehensiveanalysis and reporting.

7.30 SydneyWorldPride Opening Concert. (M) Coverage of the Opening ConcertofWorldPride 2023 from the Domain, Sydney

10.00 Kylie Minogue Golden: Live In Concert. (R) Footage from various UK venues overthe course of Kylie Minogue’s Golden concert tour in 2018

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

12.45 Would ILie To You? (R) Hosted by RobBrydon.

1.15 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

Continuous music programming.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG)

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.30 Wrecks That ChangedThe World: Assassins Of TheDeep (Premiere) Takesa look at shipwrecks.

8.30 Mariupol: ThePeople’s Story. (MA15+) Documents the destruction of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol overa period of two months.

10.05 Video Killed TheRadio Star. (Mlns, R) Takesalookaticonic Duran Duran music videos.

10.35 SBS WorldNews Late.

11.05 Gomorrah. (MA15+v,R)

1.45 DasBoot. (MA15+v,R)

3.55 Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.55

Destination Flavour Scandinavia Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World EnglishNewsMorning 5.30

ANC Philippines The WorldTonight.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Better Homes AndGardens. Johanna Griggs and Charlie Albone go on afood tour of Vancouver.

8.30 MOVIE: Kingsman: TheGolden Circle. (2017,MA15+sv, R) After the Kingsmen are attacked by amysterious enemy,Eggsyand Merlin are the organisation’ssole survivors and must join forces with their US counterpart, the Statesman, to defeat the villain. Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Mark Strong.

11.30 To Be Advised.

1.15 RSPCA Animal Rescue. (R) Acalf mysteriouslyappearsona property

1.30[VIC]HomeShopping.(R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute (R)Hosted by Grant Denyer

5.00 NBCToday. News and current affairs.

6.00 Nine News.

7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 ForThe Love Of Pets (PGm) Twocats are reunitedwiththeirfamilies.

8.30 MOVIE: TheIntern. (2015,Mal, R) A70-year-old retired widower is hired as aseniorintern for an online fashion startup.Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway,Rene Russo.

11.00 MOVIE: DannyCollins. (2015, Madln, R) An ageing rocker changes hislife. Al Pacino

1.00 Postcards. (PG)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Take Two. (R)

4.30 Global Shop (R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30

Skippy TheBush Kangaroo. (R)

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

7.30 TheGraham Norton Show. Guests include Paul Rudd,Michael Douglas, Hugh Jackman,Michael B. Jordan,Dame Judy Dench, Eugene Levyand Pink!

8.30 To Be Advised.

10.30 JustFor Laughs. (Ml, R) Stand-up comedy performances from Aaron Chen, Georgie Carroll and Nath Valvo.

11.00 JustFor LaughsUncut (MA15+ls, R) HostedbyNikki Osborne.

11.30 TheProject. (R)A look at theday’snews and events.

12.30 TheLateShowWith Stephen Colbert (PG) Late-night talk show

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

5.30[VIC]Infomercials.(PG,R)

SPENDING

WINA000 NGSPREE

One lucky winner will enjoy spending a $1000 shopping voucher by reading the ‘HOT DEALS’ advertisements and answering the below questions correctly.

(Answers can be posted, dropped off or emailed. Details below.)

1. Whose offering 40% off Crystal Art?

2. What business is 100% locally owned?

3. Fill in the gaps. Visit Miska’s ‘For the best of and Fashion.

4. Who delivers firewood seven days aweek?

5. Who will you find at 192 Argyle Street, Traralgon?

6. Who should you let do all the hardwork?

7. Who is closed Mondays?

8. Who has up to 50% OFF on selected items?

9. Who delivers by Menulog?

10. Who’s Local &Proud?

11. Who do you contact at StormCoat Roofing, and at what number?

12. Which advertisement do you need to cut out and present to receive the February special that’s valid till end of February?

13. Whose 20% OFF storewide special excludes vegie pots?

14. Which storecan be contacted on 0400 740 715?

ENTRYDETAILS:

15. What storeoffers adiscount when aminimum $30 spend has been met?

16. What special does TwoMad Cows offer?

17. Who does it ‘…Your Way’?

18. Who sells fresh paneer?

19. Wheredoyou book foranAutumn Checkover?

20. There’snoshortage of what in Moe and wherecan you purchase it?

21. Who’s at 81 Seymour Street, Traralgon?

22. Fill the Gap. Think Music, Think

23. Who stocks Cabello COMFORT?

24. What is The Feminine Touch now stocking?

25. What do you receive when you purchase a6pack of rolls and from where?

26. What size and type of solar power system do you need to purchase to save $1000 and from where?

27. Which storeprovides their discount on Thursday 23?

February ONLY!

28. To visit Central Gippsland Mowers online what webpage do you visit?

29. Who’s at 71 -77 Chickerell Street, Morwell?

30. If you spend $75 or moreevery Wednesday,what do you get and by whom?

31. Whereisthe RetroDance Night being held on Saturday 18 March?

32. Who’s got asecret?

33. Who says 'See us first, or see us last, but come and see us!'?

34. What summer deal is OPTUS offering?

35. Who is offering KING SIZE SAVINGS?

36. Who has asale on forone week only with various bargains in store?

37. Who can arrange transport foritems purchased?

38. Whose phone number is 1300 545 464?

39. Who has the best alcohol specials in town?

When you have answered all the questions above simply post your answer sheet, numbered to coincide with the questions, to HOTDEALS competition, Latrobe Valley Express, 21 George Street, Morwell 3840, or drop off in letter box, or email your answers to: lhogan@lvexpress.com.au Make sureyour name and contact number is clearly marked on all entries.

The first correct entry drawn wins.

The $1000 prize will be in the form of avoucher,and must be spent with an advertiser/s who appeared in this HOTDEALS special feature. The prize can be spent at one or moreadvertisers businesses to the maximum value of $1000. Specific details will be provided to winner

Entries close: Monday 6March, 2023

The winner will be contacted by telephone. Voucher not redeemable forcash. Employees of the Latrobe Valley Express and their families areunable to participate.

Saturday, February 25

ABC TV (2)

6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 WeekendBreakfast.

9.00 Rage.(PG) 12.00 ABC News At Noon.

12.30 MOVIE: The BoyWithGreen Hair (1948,G,R)Dean Stockwell, PatO’Brien. 2.00

Death In Paradise. (Ma, R) 3.00 Scottish Vets

Down Under.(PGm, R) 3.30 MontyDon’s

French Gardens. (R) 4.30 Landline. (R) 4.55

Dream Gardens. (R) 5.25 Further Back In Time

ForDinner.(PG, R)

6.25 Better Date Than Never. (PG, R) Charles preparesfor his firstsecond outing. Dianne is anxious to meether date. Liv meets ayoung man at the beach. Olivia meets apotential partner for mini-golf as their connection continues to grow

7.00 ABCNews. Takesa lookattoday’stop stories and events as theyunfold, including comprehensiveanalysis and reporting from around Australia andthe world.

7.30 SydneyGay AndLesbian

Mardi Gras. (Malns) Coverage of the 2023 Sydney Gay and Lesbian MardiGrasparade, featuring12,500 marchers and 200+ floats travelling along Oxford Street on arevamped route from Hyde Park to Moore Park.

10.35 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) Music videos from LGBTQIA+artists and allies in aWorldPride Party special.

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

11.00 Outside: Beyond The Lens.(PG) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Bowls. Ultimate Bowls 2022. Event1.Semi-finals. Highlights.

3.00 Figure Skating. Four Continents Championships. Highlights. 4.35 Secret Scotland.(R) 5.30 TheAbyss: The Rise And Fall Of The Nazis.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 TheWorld’sMostBeautiful Landscapes: TheHighlands. (PG) Narrated by Robert Lindsay

8.30 Portillo In ThePyrenees: An Emotional Journey. (PG) Part 4 of 4. On the final leg of his adventure, Michael Portillo heads back in Spain and the Catalonian Pyrenees.

9.30 Inside Windsor Castle: HappyFamilies (PGa, R) Part 3 of 4. Delves behind the walls of WindsorCastle andexploresits role in the life of Queen Elizabeth II.

10.25 GreatEscapes With Morgan Freeman: Assassins Flights. (Mav,R)

11.15 UFOs (Return, PGa)

3.15 The Back Side Of Television.(MA15+lnv

R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The WorldTonight.

6.00 NBCToday [VIC]HomeShopping. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise.

TheMorning Show. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. Blue Diamond Stakes Day andChipping Norton Stakes Day.

5.00 SevenNews At 5.

5.30

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 BorderPatrol. (PGa) Follows New Zealand border officials.

7.30 Million PoundPawn.

(PG) Part 2of3.InSheffield, third generation pawnbroker Dan Hatfield takes to theskies in ahelicopter

8.30 MOVIE: John Wick: Chapter2 (2017,MA15+v,R)After returning to the criminalunderworld to repaya debt he owes to an Italian gangster,professional assassin John Wick discovers that alarge bounty has been putonhis life forcing him to confront ahostofkillers. Keanu Reeves, Ruby Rose, Ian McShane.

11.00 To Be Advised.

12.45 Tiger King: What Really Went Down? (Mav,R)

1.00[VIC]HomeShopping.(R)

4.00 GetArty. (R)

5.00 House Of Wellness (PG, R)

6.00 Nine News Saturday.

7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 Space Invaders. (PGal) Laura Byrneand MattyJ call in theteam.

8.30 MOVIE: Grease. (1978, PGa, R) After anaivegirl and ateenage rebel havea summer romance, they are reunited at aCalifornia high school.JohnTravolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing.

10.45 MOVIE: Xanadu. (1980,G,R) AGreek muse inspires aman to build aroller-rink. Olivia Newton-John.

12.40 Australia’s TopTen Of Everything. (M, R)

1.35 ThePet Rescuers. (PG, R) 2.00 TheIncredibleJourney Presents (PGa)

6.00 Bondi Rescue. (PGal, R) Whippet rescuestwo men at the same time.

6.30 To Be Advised

7.30 NCIS: LosAngeles. (Mv) Theteaminvestigatesanarson attack at anaval defence contractor that resulted in the death of aforeman.

8.30 FBI: International. (Madv) Special agent Andre Rainesgoesrogue when his sister gets abducted in Kosovo puttinghis job and hislife on theline to find her.Kellett and Forrester face further scrutiny from inside the Bureau.

10.30 To Be Advised.

11.30 Bull. (Ma, R) TAC’sstrategy for aclient is compromised.

12.30[VIC]HomeShopping.(R)

3.30[VIC]Infomercials.(PG,R)

4.00[VIC]HomeShopping.(R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.

2.15 QI. 2.45 Banana. 3.10 TheYoung Offenders. 3.50 ABC News Update. 3.55 Close. 5.05 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

First People’sKitchen 6.50 News. 7.00 Family Rules.

ABC TV PLUS (22) 6am Woman At War. (2018,PG, Icelandic) 7.55 The Man Who InventedChristmas. (2017,PG) 9.50 The Movie Show 10.20 Mr Pip.(2012,M) 12.30pm Red Joan. (2018,M) 2.25 Master Cheng:ASpice For Life.(2019,PG) 4.30 Philadelphia. (1993,PG)

7.30 The BeaverWhisperers. 8.30 MOVIE: Blade Runner. (1982, MA15+) 10.35 Drag Heals. 11.05 Late Programs.

Sunday, February26

6.00 Antiques Roadshow. Hosted by FionaBruce.

7.00 ABCNews. Takesa look at today’stop stories.

7.30 Death In Paradise. (Mv)

Askydiver is murdered mid-air

8.30 Vera (Ma) Part 2of4.The badly beaten body of ahomeless veteran is found on the streets of central Newcastle

10.05 Miniseries: Butterfly (Mal)Part 2of3

10.50 Sydney GayAnd Lesbian Mardi Gras. (Malns, R) Coverage of the Gayand LesbianMardi Gras.

1.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

4.15 TheRecording Studio (R)

5.00 Insiders. (R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.30 Ancient Egypt By Train: Luxor. (PG) Part 3of4

8.30 Tutankhamen. (PG)

Dr Janina Ramirezheads to Egypt to uncoverthe real story of how Tutankhamun’s tomb wasfound.

9.40 Acropolis: TheAncient Builders. (PGan,R)Exploresthe construction of the Acropolis.

10.40 Castles: Secrets,Mysteries And Legends: Germany. (Mahv,R)

11.40 24 HoursInEmergency:The Sound Of My Voice. (Mal, R)

1.30 WhyWeHate. (Mav,R)

3.10 The Source. (Ma, R) 4.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News

Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera News.

6am Morning Programs.

1pm House Of Wellness. 2.00 Escape To The Country. 4.00 The Hotel Inspector 5.00 Horse Racing. Blue Diamond Stakes Day and Chipping Norton StakesDay 6.00 Dog Patrol. 6.30 The HighlandVet 7.30 The Yorkshire Vet. 8.30 I Escaped To The Country 9.30 Escape To The Perfect Town. 10.30 Vintage Roads: Great And Small. 11.30 Late Programs.

6am MorningPrograms.

2pm Motor Racing. SpeedSeries. TCRAustralia Series, TransAm Series and the S5000 Australian Drivers Championship 5.00 MOVIE: Invitation To AGunfighter.(1964,PG) 7.00 RugbyUnion Super RugbyPacific.Round 1. Queensland Reds v Hurricanes. 9.30 Super Rugby Pacific Post-Match.

9.45 MOVIE: AFistful Of Dollars. (1964,MA15+)

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Australian Idol. (PG) Hosted by Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie.

9.00 George MichaelVsElton John. Takesalook at the careers of two of theworld’s most belovedpop singers, George Michael andElton John

10.00 Maternal. (Final,Mals) Thewomen havetomakesome big decisions.

11.00 BornToKill? Douglas Clark And Carol Bundy“ Sunset Strip Killers”. (MA15+av) Alook at Doug Clark and Carol Bundy

12.00 MOVIE: Step (2017,PGal, R) Gari McIntyre

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 4.00 NBCToday.

5.00 SevenEarly News 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Nine News Sunday.

7.00 Married At FirstSight. (PGals) It’stime forthe Commitment Ceremony

8.40 60 Minutes Current affairs program, investigating,analysing anduncovering the issues affecting allAustralians.

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

10.10 Australian Crime Stories: DerekPercy –The Face Of Evil. (Mal, R) Alook at child-killer Derek Percy

11.20 TheFirst48: TheGirl Next Door. (Mal)

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

1.00 Explore TV (R)

1.30 TV Shop: HomeShopping. (R) 4.00

Believer’sVoice Of Victory.(PGa) 4.30 Take

Two. (R) 5.00 News Early Edition. 5.30 Today

6.30 TheSundayProject. Alook at the day’snews.

7.30 Australian Survivor Returning players and new faces battle it out on the beaches of Samoa. Presented by JonathanLaPaglia.

9.00 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Mv) When Pike is ambushedwhile working undercover with aJapanese crime family,the team must find the personresponsible. Kai digs deeper into his investigation regarding an oldfriend turned criminal

10.00 FBI. (Mv, R) The team triestoextract keyinformation from avulnerable 9/11 widow whose new boyfriend is aterrorist

11.00

Monday, February 27

6.00 TheDrum.

7.00 ABCNews. Takesalook at today’stop stories.

7.30 7.30 PresentedbySarah Ferguson.

8.00 Australian Story. (Return) PresentedbyLeigh Sales

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

9.15 Media Watch. (PG) Paul Barry takesalook at thelatest issues affecting media consumers.

9.35 Q+A. Public affairs program.

10.35 ChinaTonight. (R)

11.10 ABC LateNews.

11.25 TheBusiness. (R)

11.40 Vera (Ma, R)

1.10 Father Brown. (PG, R) 2.00 Rage (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.30 AntiquesRoadshow.(R)

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

6.00 Mastermind Australia (PG) Presented by Marc Fennell

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.35 Planet Reef:Resurrecting

TheReef (PG)Part2 of 3.

8.30 Monster: TheMysteryOf Loch Ness: TheMonster Lives On? (PG) Part 3of3.Takes alook at how themysteryofthe Loch Ness monster is still attracting visitorstoday.

9.30 Secrets Of Playboy: Behind TheGirls Next Door (MA15+) Former girlfriends of Hugh Hefner,Karissa and Kristina Shannon,discuss theirexperiences.

10.20 SBS WorldNewsLate

10.50 Infiniti. (Premiere, MA15+av)

11.55 Mr Mercedes (MA15+av,R)

4.50 Destination Flavour Scandinavia Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The MorningShow.

Tuesday, February

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home And Away (PGa)

7.30 Australian Idol. (PG) As the competition continues, the results of the live performances are revealed.

8.45 Starstruck. (PG) Another batch of superfans compete for a chance to win the£50,000 prize

10.00 Australia: NowAnd Then (Ma, R) Presented by Shane Jacobson.

11.00 TheLatest: SevenNews.

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

12.30 Dr Harry’s Animal Encounters. (PG, R) [VIC]HomeShopping.(R)

1.30 Emergency Call. (PGa,

Girl Like You. (Mals, R) Follows a couple, one of whom is transitioning.

10.45 ABCLate News

11.00 TheBusiness. (R)

11.15 Four Corners. (R)

12.00 Media Watch. (PG, R) 12.20 Quilty: Painting TheShadows. (Ml,R) 1.20 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

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

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG)

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.30 Who Do YouThink YouAre?UK: Joe Lycett Joe Lycett explores his roots.

8.30 Insight. Kumi Taguchi takes alook at the topic of whether it is possible to protectyourself from identity theft.

9.30 Where Are YouReally From? (PG, R) Part 2of4

10.00 SBSWorld News Late

10.30 Great British Railway Journeys: West Ruislip To Windsor (R)

11.05 Antidisturbios. (MA15+s)

12.10 Manayek. (Mals, R)

1.55 Cacciatore: TheHunter. (MA15+av,R)

4.00 Mastermind Australia.(R) 4.30 Bamay (R) 5.00 NHK World English NewsMorning.

5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home And Away (PGs)

7.30 We Interrupt This Broadcast. (Premiere, PG) Sketch comedy series.

8.30 TheGood Doctor (M) Leaand Shaun getaquick lesson in parenting when they rush to aid an injureddog

9.30 Quantum Leap (Mhv) Ben leaps into apriest who has been called to assist afamily in crisis on Halloween night.

10.30 TheLatest: SevenNews.

11.00 Police Custody USA: AMurder In TheFamily (Premiere, Malv) Amurder rocks atrailer park community

12.00 MOVIE: Demolition (2015,Madls, R) JakeGyllenhaal.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBCToday.

5.00 SevenEarly News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Nine News.

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 MarriedAtFirst Sight. (Mls) Meet the parents week continues.

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

10.00 Nine News Late. Alook at the latest newsand events.

10.30 Botched. (MA15+almn, R) Twoformer brides see Dr Nassif and Dr Dubrow

11.20 La Brea. (Mv,R)

12.10 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.00 It’sAll Greek To Me (PGl, R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 ACurrentAffair (R) 5.00 News Early Edition.

Returning players and new faces battle it out on thebeaches of Samoa. Presented by Jonathan LaPaglia.

9.00 Would ILie To You? Australia. (Ml) Twoteams,includingRoss Noble,Dr Chris Brown, Alex Leeand BevKillick, go head-to-headina battle of wits. Hosted by ChrissieSwan, withteamcaptains Charlie Pickering and FrankWoodley

10.00 TheMontreal Comedy Festival: Pride Gala. Presented by RhysNicholson

11.00 FBI: MostWanted. (MA15+v,R) The team tracks twobrothers. 12.00 TheProject. (R) 1.00 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colbert. (PG)

CBS Mornings.

6.30 TheProject Alook at the day’snews and events

7.30 Australian Survivor Returning players and new faces battle it out on thebeaches of Samoa. Presented by Jonathan LaPaglia

8.40 NCIS. (Mv) Parker discovers that he is the victim of identity theft while investigating the unusual murderofanensign.

10.40 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Mv,R)Pikeis ambushed while working undercover. 11.30 TheProject (R) Alook at the day’snews and events. 12.30 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

Woolies offering grantstoschools

WOOLWORTHS and Landcare Australia are on the lookout for primary schools and early learning centres across Latrobe Valley with ideas to help connect young generations with nature and inspire them to play an activerole in ensuring the safe future of their environment.

The latest round of the Woolworths Junior LandcareGrants program is now open,offering primary schools and early learning centres the chance to share in $1 million to support the development of hands-on environmental learning projects Grants of up to $1000are on offerfor projects focussed on sustainable food production, improving waste management practices, enhancing native habitats and deepeningFirst Nations perspectives. This could include setting up anew garden like Avoca Primary School in Victoria has done, where children not only learn how to grow plants and food andcreateanimal habitats, but also learn more about themselves.

“Getting children involved with hands-on activities in and around nature is an incredible way to help them explore sustainability in action,” Woolworths Churchill, Moe, Morwell and Traralgongroup manager, Paul Magyar, said.

“Over the years, we’ve seen some great ideas from schools and earlylearning centres across Victoria that were brought to life through our

Woolworths JuniorLandcare Grants program, encouraging kids to explore, appreciate and care for the environment around them. No idea is too small, and we can’t wait to see what’s ahead for this next round of applications.”

Through its Junior Landcareprogram,Landcare Australia has alsoworkedclosely with First Nations educator and Wiradjuri man Adam Shipp to develop environmental learningactivitiesfor educators and children to learn more about how they can have aconnection to Country.

The activities rangefromexploring First Nations weather to creatinganIndigenous plant-use garden and exploring aFirst Nations peoples’ languages map.

“As aproud Wiradjuri man, Ibelieve it is extremely important thatenvironmentalbased organisationsrecognise and work with First Nations groups,”First Nations educator with Landcare Australia, Adam Shipp, said.

“By teaching younger generations about traditional ways of caring for Country, we can deepen knowledge of and respect for First Nations culture and practices. Ilook forward to seeing how Latrobe Valley students and teachers use the new Junior Landcare resources.

“Junior Landcare has always recognised the vital role children play in taking care of the natural environment and, thanks to the 2023 Woolworths

Junior LandcareGrantsprogram, we look forward to seeing even more children have the opportunity to take on this role,” Landcare Australia chief executive, Dr Shane Norrish, said.

“Moreover, as we continue to grow the number of First Nations perspective resources on theJunior LandcareLearning Centre, we are thrilled to be able to support Latrobe Valley children and educators in building their knowledge of traditional land management and culturalheritage when it comes to caring for our land and water.”

Sincelaunching the program in 2018, the Woolworths JuniorLandcare Grants program, in partnership with Landcare Australia, has supported more than 3814 school groups, with more than $4 million in funding to help kids all across the country get hands-on with caring for the natural environment.

Applicationsfor the 2023 WoolworthsJunior Landcare Grants are now open and close on March 17.

To find out more about the program or to apply, go to juniorlandcare.org.au

To view what local WoolworthsJunior Landcare Grant projects were funded in previous years, search the interactive mapatwww.juniorlandcarewoolworthsmap.org.au

Australians want government action on vapes

NEW data reveals nine in ten Australians want government action to stop Australia’s escalating e-cigarette crisis.

Anew Cancer Council Victoria report shows growing public support for policy action to limit the availabilityand use of e-cigarettes. Almost nine in ten Australian adults (87 per cent) want government action to stop anew generation of Australians from becoming addicted to nicotine. Other statistics from the report include Australian adults’ agreement with the following statements:

 E-cigarettes should be carefully regulated to stop anew generation of Australians from becoming addicted to nicotine (87 per cent).

 E-cigarettes are highly addictive (81 per cent).

The report was prepared by the Cancer Council Victoria’sCentre for Behavioural Researchin Cancer (CBRC) with data for collected through the Social Research Centre’s probability based-panel, Life in Australia.

The new data comes just weeks after the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) received publicsubmissions on proposed reforms to the regulation of nicotine vaping products, urging immediate action on nicotine vaping products.

In these submissions, Cancer Council Victoria and Quit called for strictborder controls on the importation of all vaping products, to support enforcement by Victorian agencies and stop illegal sales.

“We need to improve regulation and the enforcement of vaping products to protect Australiansfrom the many immediate and futurehealthimpactsof vaping. The laws thatare in place are insufficient and theyare being blatantlydisregarded”, said the director of Quit, Matthew Scanlon.

The 2022 Victorian Smokingand Health Survey showedthat 77,200 Victorianswho had previously neversmokedhad used e-cigarettesinthe past year,tripling their risk of smoking uptake. The vaping epidemicthreatens to undo five decades of world-leading tobacco control in Victoria.

Quit is jointly funded by Department of Health and VicHealth, as aprogram of Cancer Council Victoria.VicHealth chief executive,DrSandro Demaio, has joined public health experts calling for action.

Applications open forgrants

THE state government’s LGBTIQ+ Organisational Development Grants 2023 are now taking applicants.

The grants are designed to strengthen Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ communities by supporting LGBTIQ+ organisations and groups, to grow their crucial work.

Eligible organisations and groups are invited to apply for grants of up to $25,000 under Stream 1, or grants of up to $50,000 under Stream 2, to build their capacity, including through staff training and development opportunities, better serve diverse LGBTIQ+ communities across Victoria, and fortify their long-term viability by planning for the future.

Organisations and groups funded to deliver activities through this program must demonstrate how they positively affect the lives of Victoria’s diverse LGBTIQ+ communities and intend to deliver against at least one of the five program objectives -accessibility and inclusion, capacity building, expansion, governance, sustainability.

Accessibility and inclusion

Concern: Theavailabilityofvapes has local authorities worried.

Photograph: supplied

“Australians are clearly concerned about these products and their effects on health. E-cigarettes can contain hundredsoftoxic chemicals which shouldn’t be inhaled deep into our lungs,” Dr Demaio said.

“The vaping industry continuestoexploitthe next generation of young people throughloopholes that enable e-cigarettes to be illegally marketed and sold without aprescription. With support across the country recognisingthis escalating public health challenge, we need urgent government action before it’s too late.”

The CBRC report, commissionedbyCancer Council and Quit, also shows that an increasing number of Australians understand the dangers of e-cigarettes.In2022,morethan eight in ten Australians (81 per cent) agreed that e-cigarettes arehighlyaddictive; asignificant increase from 70 percent in 2021.

“Interestingly, this new data shows that the overwhelming majority (83 per cent) of 18 to 24-year-olds agree that e-cigarettes are ‘highly

addictive,”saidLibby Jardine, chair of Cancer Council’s tobacco issues committee.

Data from the 2019 National Drug Strategy HouseholdSurvey indicatedthatmore than a quarter (26.1 per cent) of Australians aged 18 to 24 have used e-cigarettes -the highest usage rate across all age groups.Despite high usage, this age group is just as likely to support stronger policy action (86 per cent) as any other age group.

“Manufacturers and retailers are deliberately mislabelling e-cigarettes, claimingthey don’t contain nicotine, to avoid getting caught importing or selling products illegally. Young people try them wrongly thinking they’renot going to get addicted,” Ms Scanlon said.

Many of the flavours (such as “strawberry milk”, “fruit loops” and“cola ice”) aredeliberately appealing to young people who are beingunfairlytargeted by an unscrupulous industry attempting to hook them on ahighly addictive substance. For support to quit smoking or vaping, contact Quitline (13 7848).

SUPPORT for LGBTIQ+ organisations to improve inclusive practices that engage diverse LGBTIQ+ people. Funding will be prioritised for LGBTIQ+ organisations that focus on working with people with disability, Aboriginal people and regional/ rural communities.

Capacity building

BUILD the knowledge, skills, processes and resources of organisations and their people, equipping them to provide services and support to LGBTIQ+ Victorians.

Expansion

ENABLE the growth of core operations into regional and rural communities and improve processes to support meaningful engagement with intersectional LGBTIQ+ communities.

Governance

STRENGTHEN organisational governance to make sure organisations are stable and secure to respond to the needs of LGBTIQ+ communities. This includes the structure of aboard or management committee.

Sustainability

SUPPORT strategic planning by LGBTIQ+ organisations and groups. This includes support to form partnerships with likeminded organisations to achieve mutual goals, promote long-term viability, reduce reliance on external funding and increase ongoing capacity.

To apply for LGBTIQ+ Organisational Development Grants 2023 or for more information, go to https://www.vic.gov.au/ lgbtiq-organisational-development-grants

Pictorial displays

MOE &DistrictHistoricalSociety

(M&DHS) have set up apictorial display of past graduating nurses and staff activities from the 60’s and 70’s of Latrobe Community Hospital (re: Moe Hospital, Ollerton Ave, Newborough).

The display is part of the historical society’scollectionofphotos from the old hospital and has beenset-up at Moe Library in George Street.

The display will be on show for the next three months.The public who wish to add or provide further information into Latrobe Community Hospital can phone M&DHS on (03) 51 27 6264, or email on moehist@aussiebb.com.au

Artinsession

MOE Art Societymet last Thursday, with 16 members braving the heat.

The members are enjoying their new home; it is cool and comfortable. Artists are diligently working on creating new pieces with enthusiasm.

Tomorrow (Thursday, February23) the group will welcome artist Libby Witchell, who is giving aworkshop using multimedia.

Those not attending the workshop will join Ken Downs for aPlein Air painting day. They will be meeting on Coach Road in Newborough.

The monthly challengeistopainta view either looking from or towards the library.

March will see us painting portraits for the March Challenge. No doubtwith EileenPowell and ChristinaWilkebeing members we will see some great results. Both ladies are always available for a chat regarding portraits; both excellent artists but they have an entirely differentstyle. Eileen is choosing amodel.

Anyone visiting the Moe Library can view paintings by two award-winning artists,LingWangand Ken Downs. Their paintings are exhibited on the

wall behindreceptionand along the south wall.

The society meets every Thursday from 9amuntil 3.30pminthe East End of the Moe Library.

Newmembers are welcome and the public are always welcome to come in for achat.

Any enquiries, phone secretaryPeter McLarenon0400 933 609, or president Beryl Galloway on 0407 271 686.

Prostatesupport

MEETING of Latrobe Valley Prostate Support Group will be held on tonight (Wednesday, February 22) at Morwell Club from 7pm.

Those interested can enjoy counter

tea at 6pm before the meeting.

All welcome, newmembers most welcome.

Business, planning for New Year, reports, financial and current programs. More information, phone Allan Cunningham on 0458 111 688.

TRAMPS ride

ON Sunday, February 12 agroup of 14 TRAMPS members met at Maffra for a ride around the locality, brilliantly put together by Andrew and lead by Paul. Two new ladymemberswere welcomed and said they had alovely day. We were light on as some of the club were cycling in New Zealand. The group arrived at the Knob Reserve

at Stratford for lunch and took the short stroll up to the look-out.

Fromthere, we had agreat view of the Avon River through the farmlands and Mt Wellington in the distance.

The groupthen rode the exciting pathway through the bushes, that took us under the Stratford Railway Bridge and road bridges to the lightly wooded country back to Maffra.

On the way home there was astopat Heyfield for coffee.

Our next ride starts at the Boolarra

Rail Trail Park at 9am this Sunday (February 26). TRAMPS welcomes new riders.

For moreinformation,visitour website: www.tramps.org.au or our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ www.tramps.org.au

PhonePaul on 0459 823 422 or Vance on 0403 662 288 for any queries.

Jazz time

PIP Avent’sMouldy Jazz Bandhas been bookedasthe next event for the Moe Latrobe Valley Jazz Club.

The event will be held this Sunday (February 26) at the Moe RSL venue.

Tuba player, Pip Avent, is the leader of the band, which concentrates on tunes from the Golden Days of New Orleans using the sounds of trumpet, trombone, tuba, clarinet, banjo and washboard.

The band plays traditional jazz includingeverythingfromDixielandtogospel, blues and ragtime.

Pip leads avery experienced line-up includingCam Robbins on clarinet, Jeremy Meaden on trumpet,Bill Beasley on trombone,Andrew Dunn on washboard and Tony Alan on banjo. Doors open at 12.30pm for a1pm start.

Get Together

GET Together is an open space for conversation and community. We meet on the first Wednesday of the month.

The next Get Together will be on Wednesday, March 1at10aminthe

Traralgon Uniting Park Lane Foyer.

This willbeatimewhenyou can meet and chat with others over acuppa. If you or anyoneyou know would like to be part of this Get Together, please bring them along. All are welcome.

For more details, phone 5174 2398 or 5177 8107.

We Live TooCreware back

IF you are aperson who lives with a disability or chronic illness, or you care forsomeone who does, this group may be the one for you.

Thislittle groupcome together to share some laughs, lived experience, stories and fun activities together.

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

We provide afriendly link with other services andcivic-minded people.

The group meets on the third Friday of each month.

Art and craft, lunch provided at no cost.

Venue: Morwell Neighbourhood House (48-50 Beattie Cres).

Fungi-the good and the bad in our environment

ON Friday, February 24 from 7.30pm at the Moe Library (George St, Moe), in person or via Zoom, the Latrobe Valley Field Naturalists’ Club (LVFNC) meeting’s speaker will be Dr Mary Cole. She is an internationally recognised academic and plant pathologist who is the director of Agpath.

Her companyintroduces and supports farmers, other land carersand environmentalists to methods that enhance soil health and productivity, and lead to a more sustainable future.

Marywill describe the vital role fungiplays in soil formation and health, and also discuss two areas where fungal diseases cause problems in the Australian bush; Phytophthora cinnamomi (dieback) and beech rust.

The presentation will be followed by our LVFNC’smonthly meeting. Visitors are most welcome.

For more information, phone our secretary on 0410 237 292.

Please visit our website to register if you wish to use Zoom.

Mums and babies

yoga

classes

in Moe

YOGA sessions for mums and babies, running at the High Street Community Hub (4 High Street, Moe) tomorrow (Thursday, February 23), Thursday, March 9, and Thursday, March 23.

Sessions run from 10am to 10.45am.

Very gentle yoga and no prior yoga experience required.

Breathe,stretch and socialise with other mums.$15 per session-noobligation to attend all three sessions.

For more information or to book your spot on the yoga mat, call/SMS Maria on 0499 996 364.

For babies 12 months or younger.

Annual congress

EASERN Region Bridge Association held theirannual congress at Phillip Island last weekend.

Entries came from all the local clubs. CongratulationsgotoGlynisLohr andRob Graham who won the open pairs, and to Kaye Douglas and Greg Nicholson who came third. What an achievement for our Traralgon Bridge Club.

Moe View

THE next meeting of Moe View Club will be held on Wednesday, March 1. This willbeatMoe Hotel (Leggies), Lloyd St Moe at 10.30am.

We had an enjoyable breakfast at Old Gippstown this month, raising money for Smith Family.

For further information, please phone Sue on 0417 515 745, or Maureen on 0458 842 256.

Helping hand

OUR ‘Friends’ group have been busy of late, weedingthe recent plantings at the highway end of the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail.

The plantingshave been helped by the wet and mild conditions we’ve

with Liam Durkin

Playitloud: Moe Latrobe ValleyJazz Club is looking forwardtowelcoming Pip Avent’sMouldy Jazz Band.

Stroll: TRAMPS membersonarecent ride Photos: Supplied

experienced, and as aresult, growth and plant establishment has been good.

As well as maintaining plantings, we regularly mow and brush-cut grass and remove rubbish.

Our adopted section of the trail runs from the Princes Highway near Bunnings, north to Black Tank Road, Glengarry.

If you would like to check out and perhaps join our friendly and active group, phone Peter on 0431 940 171.

Latrobe Chorale Inc

FIND your voice in our singing workshop with AndrewWailes,anexperienced Melbourne-based Australian conductor, chorus-master, music director, singer and adjudicator.

Date: Saturday, March 4.

Time: 10am to 4pm.

At :StAndrews Presbyterian Church,

Morwell

Open to all aspiring choristers (a donation would be appreciated)

Meal break 12pmto1:30pm, bringyour-ownlunch. Coffee, tea, etc is supplied.

Learn about thefiner points of singing together, vocal techniques and exercises to improve voice production. Music, etc supplied

SponsoredbyLatrobe Chorale Inc and supported by grants from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal and Delburn Wind Farm.

Register, to ensuresupplies available, with secretary Mark on 0490 115 357.

Email: info@latrobechorale.org

Ourrehearsalsare on Tuesday evenings, 7.15pmto10pmatthe church; all welcome.

Come and give it atry.

Chess results

HOLDING on for two draws after the early winsenabledIan Hamiltontotake the lead in the current event.

Adoubleloss did not lookgood, but Bob Copper found stability and overcame other opponents.

SteveAhern showed plenty of positive signs although he allowed several chances to slip away. Missing the opportunities was the problem for Cliff Thornton.

Peter Bakker had trouble avoiding the traps.

Phone Cliff Thornton on 0413 330 458 or Ian Hamilton on 5134 1971 for details.

Funand fellowship

EVOLVE is an intergenerational time of fun, fellowship, food, music and craft, held at the Traralgon Uniting Church on the fourthSundayofeach month at 4pm.

Time is 4pm to 6pm.

Alight meal is included.

Everyone is welcome to come along. It begins this Sunday (February 26). For more information, phone Kerryn on 0438 281 982.

Live simply, so all may simply live.

Militarymedals

MID Gippsland Family History Society Inc. is now open for 2023, and is keen to welcomemembers and the public to the first topic of interest on our calendar for this year -‘Military Medals’.

Michael Weatherall will be the guest speaker on this topic, which will be held at theFamily History Centre,44Albert Street,Moe (next door to Tanjil Place Medical Centre) tomorrow (February 23) at 2pm.

All are welcome, and of course, there is no cost involved.

This is the first of what will be aseries of topic of interest talks throughout the year.

And just areminder, our family history centre is open to the public every Wednesday afternoon between 1pm and 4pm.

We welcome anyone interested in learning more about their ancestors and family history, whether araw beginner or an experienced family historian/genealogist,tocome alongand have achattoone of our experienced researcherswho are keen to help you navigate the resources we have.

You’ll be amazed at what you can discover about your ancestors by using such resources as Trove, Ancestry.com and our large holdings of cemetery records and transcriptions.

For any inquiries,please call 0403 611 730.

Morwell Senior Citizens

HELD at 2-4 MaryvaleCrescent, Morwell.

Current activities: Bowls are held on Tuesdays at1pm. Cards (500) are held on Fridays at 1pm, all welcome. The annual meetingwillbeheld on Tuesday, February 28 at 11am. All members welcome.

Motorcycleswap meet

MIRBOO North Motorcycle Swap Meet will be held Sunday, April 16.

This is amotorcycle only swap meet, therefore no car parts,bric-a-bracor household stuff.

Starting time is 8.30am at Castle St Oval.

Entry is $10 per person.

For more information, phone 0428 684 267.

Good Friday fundraiser

ON Sunday, April2,Our Kinda Country Club will be holding its 11th annual fundraiser for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. We havebeen donatingmoney raised from this event to the R.E.H Cork Club.

The event is held at Flanagans Hotel, Traralgon from 12 noon.

The afternoon consists of live music,a

rafflewith more than 20 Easter basket prizes and an auction.

For further information,phone Dawn on 0412 161 419.

Twilight market

OLD Gippstownisstarting 2023 off with our twilight market.

Gates open at 4pm on March 4. Gold Coin entry.

Old Gippstown is hosting monthly ghost and park tours. The next one is Saturday, April 29.

Book your place now using this link https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ghostand-park-tour-tickets-536499423217

Let’s dance

LATROBEValley Dance Promotions

Inc are conductingweekly Thursday night social ballroomdancing with lessonsonThursday evenings at the Guide Hall, Margaret St Morwell.

Beginnerswillbestartingat7pm and are welcome to stay until 10pm.

Intermediate/advanced from 8pm to 10pm.

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

Follow us on our Facebook page at Latrobe Valley Dance Promotions Inc. Phone Norm on 0428543 737 or Lynda on 0428 489 041 for more information.

Email: latrobevalleydancepromotioninc@gmail.com

Youcan be apartof Community Corner

IF you are acommunity group andhave any news items you need publicised, feel free to email us at news@lvexpress. com.au

You can address the correspondence to Editor, Liam Durkin.

Please write ‘Community Corner’ in the subject line and nothing else.

Deadline is Friday 9am to appear in the following Wednesday issue.

Some of the best: Traralgon Bridge Clubreturned agreat result at the recent EasternRegion Bridge Association Congress

Great work: AFriendsactivityalongthe Gippsland Plains Rail Trail.

You’re the voice: Latrobe ValleyChorale is hosting asinging workshop next month.

VALLEYWIDE TREE SERVICES ALLEYW

LEAVE it to Valleywide Tree Services to do all the heavy lifting in the garden.

The companyhas spent the last 25 yearsinthe Latrobe Valley, establishing its name as astrong andreliable portofcallfor not just vegetation work,but also excavation and elevation.

Towerhireisavailable forthose needing work done in high places

Highlyskilled professionals can take matters intotheir hands and prevent youfromtaking any unnecessaryand potentially dangerous risks

Earth moving work includes levelling forhouse sites,boring, constructing laneways and dams and more, plus the team can help clear sites and carryout demolitions safelyand efficiently.

Fortreeremovaland pruning,a qualified arborist will come to the sitetooffer their expertise.Other outdoorservices include clearing electrical lines of branches, landscaping,stump grinding, mulching and much more.

The staffare local people who

take theapproach‘the customer is always right’

Thebusiness,which is manned sevendaysaweek, continues to

strivetobethe best provider in its field, in and around the Latrobe Valley. Simply, thelevel of experience and qualityofworkmanship is hardtocompetewith.

to place your classified in our WEDNESDAY PUBLICATION

Phone:

All classifications before 3pm Monday

In person:

Latrobe Valley Express

21George St,Morwell

NextraLotto Moe

1-3 MooreSt, Moe Seymour St Newsagency 83 Seymour St, Traralgon

PLEASE NOTE:| thatadpaymentis required prior to publication unless afullaccount is held with the Latrobe Valley Express.

Email: classifieds@ lvexpress.com.au

PLEASE NOTE: Confirm your email if youhave not received a confirmation email from us, emails ARE NOTALWAYS RELIABLE and we don’t alway receive them

Mail:

Latrobe Valley Express, “Attention Classifieds’’ 21 George Street, Morwell 3840

Newsagents:

Most Newsagents act as our agents and will accept your advertisements up until the same deadlines as above

Credit Card:

When placing your advertisement over the phone or via email you charge it to your Mastercard or Visa

HowBULLS for Hire/Sale

Angus, Limousin, Jersey, Hereford and Friesian, very quiet. 0447 331 762.

MALTESE cross pups, 1F, 6M, m/c 95600001582 8431, 15971785, 14982639, 15972575,15830952, 15830629, 15976997, RB 211780. Kath 0438 453 063 or Alan 0412 761 402

MAKITA mower B/S 190cc

little use $350. Ryobi mower Yamaha 176cc, used once $350. B/S 190cc, engine excellent cond. $180. Masport mower side throw B/S 190cc, heavy duty ex/cond. $450.

LG SL8YG s/bars X2ex/ cond. $580. 2seat black leather lounge recliner, as new $480. Black game and computer desk and chair, never used $180. Haier 3shelf freezer, as new $220. Phone 0438 371 934.

TRARALGON, 35 Larnach Rd. Sat. 9am-2pm. Huge combined sale. Variety of things to see, drinks and BBQ available, come on and check it out.

YALLOURN North, 120 North Rd, Sat. and Sun., 8.30am -4pm. Camping gear, household items, linen, tiger ornaments, tools and other items. Everything has to go!!

WHY NOTHOLD

AGARAGE SALE and TURN YOUR CLUTTER INTO

5135 4455

For Sale •

BIRD CAGE

Approximately 5metres x 7ft high, free. Phone 0499 972 460 Trafalgar East.

BUDGET

GLENGARRY NORTH

320 Francis Road, Sat., 9am-2pm.Bric-a-brac, china, household, assor-

MEN'S SHED - Renovators, woodworkers,building materials. Post Covid back yard cleanout until end of February. 27A Boolarra Avenue, Newborough.

MOE, 15 York St, Saturday, 8am. No early callers. Household items, scrap booking, assorted vinyl for cutting machines, cake toppers and more.

RECORDS

Cash paid for whole collections, 12'', LPs, and 7'' singles. Ph 0409 145 916.

Notice to ADVERTISERS and RESPONDENTS

Voicemail introductions advertisements and voice messages may only be submitted by persons 18 years and older.

When making contact with people for the first time, it is advisable to meet in apublic place and let amember of your family or atrusted friend know where you will be.

We would advise readers and advertisers to exercise caution and giving out personal details. This will be respected by genuine respondents.

HELLO BABY IN THE EXPRESS

The Latrobe Valley Express welcomes photos of your newest arrival

Parents are welcome to email a copy of your newborn photos for publication to our editorial staff - news@lvexpress.com.au with the subject line baby photo’

Please include the following details:

ON THE BUSES

Mulwala trip, 21-24 April. Country Music Festival, coach, accom., breakfast, all incl. Ph Kim by 24th February 0408 388 672. Proceeds to the Royal Children's Hospital.

LOCALSBUY LOCALLY.. ADVERTISE INYOUR LOCAL PAPER

Moe Self Storage

various sizes from $85 p.c.m. Contact Strzelecki Realty on 5127 1333.

TRARALGON FARMERS MARKET

Motorists are advised that in order for the safe conduct of the Traralgon Farmers Market it will be necessary for Kay St, T'gon, between Breed and Church Sts, eastbound, to be closed to all traffic on Saturday, 25th February. The market will commence at 8am. It is expected that this portion of Kay St will be closed from 6am-2.30pm.

Responsibility PLEASE CHECK

errors.

regret

be responsible

errors beyond the

if you fail to bring it to

No allowances can be made for errors not materially affectingthe effectiveness of the ad. Position cannot will not be guaranteed. All claims foradjustment of credit must be made within seven days afterbilling date. We reservethe right to revise or restrict any ad we deem objectionable and to change the classification whennecessaryto conform to the policyof this newspaper In the event an ad is omitted from publication, we assume no liabilityfor such omission.

BATHROOM

CUT IT DOWN

Expression of Interest

Bass Coast &South GippslandClinical Council and CommunityAdvisory Committee Members

Gippsland PHN is part of anational network of 31 PrimaryHealth Networks across Australia. PHNs across the countryare funded to worktowards the objectiveofmeeting the healthneeds of the most vulnerablepeople in the community or those most at risk of poor health outcomes.GippslandPHN works closely with community and the primaryhealth sector to identify opportunities to improve healthoutcomesin Gippsland, through better coordination and support of health servicesand by commissioning new services to address identifiedhealth needs. The PHNcorefunctions: supporttogeneral practice, system integration,health planningand commissioning aredesigned to address identified national objectives and priorityareas. These prioritiesframe the workofGippslandPHN,guided also by community and clinical input.Gippsland PHNs vision is for ameasurably healthier Gippsland.

Gippsland PHN is seeking expressions of interest for the followingroles:

CommunityAdvisoryCommittee members to commence 1July 2023, for athree-year term.

Bass Coast and South Gippsland Clinical Council members to commence May 2023, until 30 June 2024.

Howtoapply

All potential nomineesshould review the online information and complete the Expression of Interest link available at https://gphn.org.au/career/ careers-expressions-of-interest/ Formoreinformation, please email company.secretary@gphn.org.au

Applications Close: Sunday, 5March 2023

Underwriting Assistant and Accounts &Claims Manager

Alan Wilson Insurance Brokers (AWIB) have been in operation for 38 years and are awell-known and respected international insurance firm, based in Traralgon. AWIB are renowned for providing excellent customer service and having the highest standard of technical expertise in their sector.

AWIB are currently looking for an Underwriting Assistant and an Accounts &Claims Manager.

These are exciting roles and perfect for experienced administrators who are strongly customer focussed, bring excellent written and verbal communication skills and love learning and grasping new concepts. Additionally, the Underwriting Assistant will need to be analytical with astrong mathematical capability.

These roles are both full time and salary will be negotiated with the successful applicant with consideration of experience and skills.

Any questions can be emailed to: abbey@hrsorted.com.au -please do not contact AWIB.

To apply for either of these roles please search for 'HR Sorted' via www.seek.com.au and apply including your resume and application letter. Both roles close 6March however, please apply as soon as possible as applications will be considered as received.

GP REQUIRED

Full-time/Part-time positions available in asmall family clinic located in Maffra. Modern facilities with a full-time practice nurse.

For information regarding the position please call 5141 1889 or email: manager@johnsonst clinic.com.au

LABOURER

CareersatLatrobe

LatrobeCityCouncilhasexcitingopportunitiesforenthusiasticand forward-thinkingindividualswithapassionforprovidingexcellent servicestoourcommunity

• Social Inclusion ProjectOfficer - So InclusionProjectOfficer -Permanent Full Time

• ProjectManager -Gippsland Logistics

Precinctecinct-Temporary Full Time

• Finance Officer-Temporary Full Time

• Graduate Environmental Health Officer/ Environmental Health Technical Officer - En nical

TemporaryPartTime

• Preschooland Childcare -Multiple Pr

Positions-Casual

Forfurtherinformationincludinghow toapply,positiondescriptionsand applicationclosingdates,pleasevisitour websitewww.latrobe.vic.gov.au/careers

Pleasenotesuccessfulapplicantswillbe requiredtoapplyforandsatisfactorilyobtain

If

HOUSEKEEPING SERVICE ATTENDANTS

3Positions are Available

We are looking for motivated individuals to join the Team at Farnham Court Motel Morwell.

● Positions are casual

● Weekday and weekend work available

● Shifts are generally 8.30am to 12.00 midday

● Task included rooms and accommodation cleaning, restocking of accommodation pantries and commercial laundry duties

● Previous Hotel /Motel Housekeeping experience is desirable but not essential

● Would suit those looking to earn alittleextra and those seeking to work in an organised, safe, and structured environment

● Wage is Casual Award Wage Rate plus Superannuation

Applicants can apply by sending an Introductory email and Resume to hello@farnhamcourt.com.au or in person by delivering aresume to Farnham Court Motel Reception. Applications close Friday, 10 March 2023.

FULL TIME BOILER MAKER

Omega Network are seeking to employee a fulltime qualified Boiler Maker with proven experience to join the team at our workshop in Morwell and site in afull-time capacity.

You will need to work well as amember of ateam, work productively unsupervised, be adaptable to changing requirements, have Aclass welding skills.

We are looking for an over achiever who would welcome afull-time position with fortnightly RDO's, competitive workshop rates and the desire to make the role their own.

You will need to have acurrent driver's licence, current forklift licence would be desirable, white card, necessary qualifications with trade certificates.

An application form can be downloaded from our website www.omeganetwork.com.au

Alternatively, you can email your Expression of Interest to: info@omeganetwork.com.au or text your name and email address to 0438 217 690 and an application form will be forwarded to you

HEADSTART -APPRENTICESHIP CO-ORDINATOR

Full Time -Education Support 1-4 ($88,738 -$104,630)

HEADSTART -LEARNING LEADER (VIT registered)

Part Time -Leading Teacher salary range ($117,949 -$123,257 pro rata)

Head Start is an exciting initiative from the State Government to increase the numbers of students undertaking high quality apprenticeships and traineeships while still completing their senior secondary studies through flexible arrangements. The program success has now enabled further expansion to all State Government Secondary Schools within Gippsland.

As part of the expansion Head Start Program is now seeking to appoint a coordinator and learning leader to focus on schools within the Inner Gippsland area that will be hosted within aschool in the area.

If you think this position would suit you, please apply via https://www.vic.gov.au/joinheadstart, you must submit cover letter application, resume and MUST address each key selection criteria in aseparate document.

For further information please call Amanda McMahon, Gippsland Hub Director on 0428 197 919 or email amanda.mcmahon3@education.vic.gov.au

This position is on Recruitment Online https://www.vic.gov.au/joinheadstart

Applications close Friday 3rd March 2023.

Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment in accordance with their legal obligationsincluding the Child Safe Standards. The school's Child Safety Code of Conduct is available onthe school's website.

www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/careers

DELIVERERS WTD

Multiple FactoryOperator Vacancies

Forfurther information or to apply visit: www.gbsrecruitment.com.au

Ref: 664675

Recruitment &Career Specialists

Career Opportunity

We areseeking applications from suitably qualified and experienced people for the following position at our Yallourn Mine:

MineRehabilitationProject Manager

Forfurther informationonthis opportunity and to apply visit: http://careers energyaustralia com au GP1653808

MOTOR MECHANICS

Due to the high volume of sales, service and parts, we require additional Motor Mechanics for an immediate start in our service department. We need your services and we are prepared to financially reward you for all of your various qualifications. We pay above award rates of pay and offer ongoing factory training in order to maintain your skills levels. Fourth year apprentices are also welcome to apply.

All applicants will be treated as strictly confidential.

For further information please phone Ray Massaro 0417 887 718 email -ray.m@massaromotors.com.au

Massaro Motors, 479 Princes Dve Morwell 5134 1422

RECEPTIONIST

(Option of Full Time or 4days)

Littleton Hackford Solicitors Traralgon

This Front of House position involves assisting a likeable client base, solicitors and staff.

The successful applicant must demonstrate a suitable level of maturity and recognise the importance of initial impression.

General reception duties include meet and greet, phone, email, mailroom, registering matters and routine clerical duties which can be taught on site.

Asolid position to replace along term retiring staff member.

Application and resume supported by driver's licence ID invited to davidh@littletonhackford.com.au by 6March 2023

St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School is seeking applicationsfor the following position at Traralgon Junior School for 2023.

CLASSROOM TEACHER

Full-time Fixed term contract Commencing as soon as possibleto December 2023

If you areinterested please forwardacurrent resume and cover letter to hr@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Foracopy of the Position Description please refer to our website: www.stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Applicationsclose 5pm, Monday27February2023

Wisdom Integrity Compassion Respect

Maintenance and Ground Keeper

The Moe Memorial Park is recruiting Permanent/part time. 30 hours aweek. Flexible hours and days.

● Are you reliable and trustworthy?

● Experienced in lawncare and property upkeep?

● Able to work with minimal supervision?

● Flexible and able to respond to worksite priorities?

● Able to operate ride-on and self-drive mowers and brush cutting and other property equipment?

● Do you have acurrent Victorian Driver's Licence?

For aposition description email moememorialpark@bigpond.com or phone the Secretary on 0409 420 218 Applications close Friday, 3March 2023.

PRACTICE MANAGER

Coaching for Doctors is seeking aVirtual Practice Manager -flexible25hours/week, collaborative team environment, opportunity to have apositive impact on healthcare.

The right person will:

● Be agile, with amindset that is excited about working virtually in astart-up environment

● Be able to listen with care and commitment, and then consistently and reliably deliver

● Have experience in financial management and people management, with exceptional communication skills

● Be ateam player and love our mission Request position description from Sharee Johnson, Executive Director at sharee@coachingfordoctors.net.au

The position is available immediately. Applications close as soon as asuitable applicant is found.

BUY LOCAL and support locaL

Support your community and contribute to a brighter future for the whole commuity

NIGHT SHIFT LINEHAUL DRIVER -Morwell

We currently have opportunities for experienced Night Shift Linehaul Drivers based at Morwell delivering to anumber of areas across metro Melbourne and regional Victoria. Successful Applicants must:

● Hold acurrent MC licence, ideally you will have aminimum of 12 months experience

● Have aproven safe driving record

● Provide your current VicRoads licence history

● Have ahigh level of communication and customer service skills

● Pass apre-employment medical (which includes a drug and alcohol test) and company induction

● Hold BFM accreditation or willing to obtain

● Have avalid forklift licence or willing to obtain If you enjoy operating modern equipment, are well presented, energetic, customer focussed and willing to develop with agrowing professional and safety focussed company please apply through Seek https://www.seek.com.au/job/60153333

Latrobe Valley Industries MAJOR OUTAGE MARCH 2023

Latrobe Valley Industries are seeking expressions of interest from experienced and qualified personnel for upcoming Major Outage works at Loy Yang.

● SHEET METAL WORKERS

● LAGGERS

White Card, Power Industry Card and all necessary trade certifications. Proven experience within the Power Industry amust. Major shut rates apply. Please email Expression of Interest to info@lvindustries.com.au Or Text your name and email address to 0438 217 690 for an application form to be forwarded to you

Would you like to deliver the Latrobe Valley Express newspaper to individual homes on Tuesday and/or Wednesday afternoons in Morwell, Traralgon, Moe, Newborou gh and Churchill? Please apply to the Circulation Manager 0456 000 541. Please note: Children must be 11 years or over as we will need to apply for agovernment Child Employment Permit Children younger than 11 cannot or will not be accepted. Adult deliverers also welcome.

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.

Responsibility

PLEASE CHECK YOUR AD

Please checkyourad on the first day and bringany errors to the attention of the Classifieds Department immediately. The LatrobeValley Express makes everyefforttoavoid errors

We regret that we cannot be responsible for any errors beyond the first day if you fail to bring it to our attention.

No allowances canbemadefor errors not materially affecting the effectiveness of the ad. Position cannot will notbe guaranteed.

All claims foradjustment of credit must be made within seven days afterbilling date.

We reserve the right to revise or restrict anyadwedeem objectionable and to change the classification when necessary to conform to the policy of this newspaper In the event an ad is omitted from publication, we assumenoliability forsuch omission.

Deliverer Wanted YARRAGON d

Would you liketodeliver the Latrobe Valley Express newspaper to individual homes on Tuesdayand/or Wednesdayafternoons in Yarragon.

Please apply to:

TheCirculation Manager 0456 000541

Please note: Childrenmustbe11years or over as we will need to apply for agovernment Child Employment Permit. Children younger than 11 cannot or will not be accepted. Adultdeliverers also welcome GP1 652589

URGENT Deliverers Wanted TRARALGON,

MORWELL and

NEWBOROUGH

Would you liketodeliver the Latrobe Valley Express newspaper to individual homes on Tuesday and/orWednesday afternoons in Traralgon, Morwell and Newborough. Please apply to:

The CirculationManager 0456 000 541

Please note:Children must be 11 years or over as we will need to apply for agovernment Child Employment Permit. Children younger than 11 cannot or will not be accepted. Adult deliverers also welcome GP1 632593

HYUNDAI

MOTORING

Selling avan?

Don't waste time waiting for buyers, or on endless consignment plans, sell

4WD •

LANDCRUISER 2006

HDJ-79-RV.155,000km.

Reg till 26-10-23, ULS 559. Full service record.

M.F.I. Canopy specialised fit-out.

TOYOTA Fortuner GXL, 2016, solar panel, roof-rack, duel battery, fridge/drawer system, exc. cond., r.w.c. 147,000kms,1IT-3AJ. $46,000. 0409 436 578.

MATHIESON, Allan Raymond. 12/12/1933 -12/2/2023.

Beloved brother and brother-in-law of Beryl, and Mary and Alan.

Devoted husband of Nancy (dec.).

Loved father and fatherin-law of Roslyn and Jon, Barry and Wendy, Dianne and John, and Lisa and Peter.

Treasured by 11 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren.

Treasured memories of a wonderful man. We will miss you so. Love Roslyn and Jon, Chris, Adrian, Hayley and partners.

Dad; Never one to complain, you always saw the best side of people and inspired us right to the end with your caring nature and impeccable manners.

Asporting legend with a cheeky wit, you will be greatly missed.

Love Barry and Wendy; Whitney and Sam; Brodie and Paul; Kirby, Paul, Lachie and Archer; Cory, Kate and Matilda.

Dear Dad (Pop/Grand Pop),

So dearly loved, so sadly missed. We will never forget you. You were the best dad (pop) ever.

Thanks for all the wonderful memories. Forever in our hearts. Reunited with Mum (Nan).

GO THE MIGHTY CATS!

Dianne, John, Ashlea, Mick and Baby Taylor and Cam.

Much loved and loving father of Lisa (Fred) and Peter. Adored and adoring pop of Rhys and Carly.

Tenders

Personals

Deaths •

REQUEST FOR TENDER

Council is seeking submissions from qualified companies/applicants for the following:

RFT/361 -Korumburra Rail Precinct Carpark: Stage 1

Tenders close 2pm AEST on Tuesday 14 March 2023.

Documentation is available from Council's e-Tendering Portal www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/tenders

REQUEST FOR TENDER

Food Services Department

Latrobe Regional Hospital is now seeking quotations from suitably qualified suppliers for the supply of fresh meat to the Food Services Department. The supply contract will commence on 1May 2023 for atwo (2) year period. ITS submissions must be lodged by the closing date and time and in the format that is specified. The ITS specifications can be found via the LRH procurement portal https://www.healthsharevic.org.au

For assistance, please contact Michelle Brady on 5173 8825 or Steve Henry on 5173 8394

COLLINS, Myra Gwendoline. Passed away peacefully at Warrnambool on 11th February 2023.

Aged 80 years

Much loved partner of Wayne.Dearlyloved daughter of the late James and Gwendoline. Loved twin sister of Jimmy and loved sister of Lindsay (both dec).

Abrilliant star and eternal spirit

You will never be forgotten

Rest in Peace

CROSBIE, Donald. Passed away suddenly whilst having afabulous day on the beach, on Wednesday, 15 February 2023. Loved and loving husband of Marg. Beloved father of Joel and Carla, Dean and Bianca, and Leah. Poppy Don to Lachie, Maddock, Hamish, Elizabeth and Link. Will be greatly missed by Drifter and Gunner. Great Last Day

VELLA, Con.

To the Vella family, sending you all love and strength at this sad time. May he rest peacefully. With love from the Frendo cousins.

WEBB, John William. 26/11/1934 -15/2/2023.

Passed away Peacefully at Latrobe Regional Hospital. Loved and loving husband of Adeney (dec.) Loved father to Leonie, Brendon, Julie, Glen (dec.), Michael, Terry, Wendy and their families.

WIGGINS. The Funeral Service to celebrate the life of Jennifer Wiggins will take place in the Federation Chapel, Lilydale Memorial Park Crematorium, Victoria Rd, Lilydale, THURSDAY (23 February 2023) commencing at 11.45am.

More than local Funeral Directors

Wellington ShireCouncil invites suitably qualified contractorstotender forthe demolition of existing toiletand construction of newtoiletblock

wellingtonshirecouncil).

MATTHEWS, David. Passed away on Friday, 17 February 2023. Loved son of Roger (dec.) and Shirley. Adored father of Sherridan, Chelsea, Martine and Shane. Adored grandfather of Harley, Alyssa and Bentley.

Loved brother of Peter and Janet, Kerri and Gary. Will be greatly missed by all his extended family.

The strongest man we knew Finally at Rest Loved nephew of Russ and Olwyn Balfour. Cousin of Michael and Wendy, Janine and Frank, Robyn and Laurie and families.

Fond memories of happier times

WRIGHT, Clyde James Richard. Of Eastwood in Bairnsdale. 31/8/1938 -14/2/2023. Dearly loved husband of Evelyn. Father of Linda Mealing, father-in-law to Kevin. Father of Glen. Grandfather to Rebecca, Alex, Connor, Jess and Johannah. Great grandfather to Clyde and Savannah. Very dearly loved Sadly missed

WRIGHT, Clyde J. R. Atrue, loyal and generous friend of our family for over 60 years. To Ev, Linda and Kevin, Glen and families, our love and sympathy at this sad time. We will always remember the many wonderful times we had together -Elaine and Morrie, Andrea, Julie and John, Mandy and families.

WRIGHT. The Funeral of Mr Clyde James Richard Wright of Eastwood in Bairnsdale, will leave Our Chapel, 613 Main St, Bairnsdale, after aService commencing at 1pm on FRIDAY (24 February 2023) for the Bairnsdale Lawn Cemetery. Clyde's Funeral Service will be streamed online. Please see Clyde's funeral notice at: stephenbaggs.com.au for alink to the livestream. Stephen Baggs Funeral Directors Bairnsdale 5153 2150

In Memoriam

GRANT, Eric Robert. 20/5/1926 -24/2/2020. Dearly loved and devoted husband of Yvonne for over 65 years.

Aloving son, husband, father, grandfather and sincere friend. Loved father of Ken, Colin, Lynette and grandchildren.

Iwish Icould have you back again. Wonderful Memories

Dad, we shared such a special bond, Iwill forever miss hearing you call me Fred. We were honoured to have such awonderful, caring gentleman as our Father and Pop. Rest in peace. You will live on always in our hearts

MOORE, Bryan George. 16/7/1929 -13/2/2023. Aged 93 of Morwell. Reunited with his loving wife Betty (dec.) and his much loved Mum and Dad.

Loving wishes from Alan, Tracey and family, Alan, Helen and family, and Andrew and Tania. Rest In Peace

PEDERSEN, Peter (Preben).

Passed away peacefully at NarracanGardens on the 17 February of 2023.

Aged 92 years Loved and loving husband of Sophia (dec.). Much loved father and father-inlaw of Hans and Christine, Leon and Joanne, Erik and Janice (dec.). Loved Poppy of Jenna, Tara, Mia, Natalie, Melody, Lacey, Shenae, Carey, and Georgie.

Rest in peace

VELLA, Consiglio (Con). 19/7/1949 -12/2/2023.

Son of Emmanuele (dec.) and Benedetta (dec.).

My beloved brother Con, Iwept for what has come to pass so soon; the time that is no longer promised. Iwill miss seeing you sit in my workshop, as we share our passions and stories.

You were one of the strongest men Ihave ever come to know and Iam proud to have called you my brother. Iknow you heard your call and with dignity and honour you surrendered. Iwill miss you greatly but Iknow you are now truly at peace.

"When everything is ready, Iwill come and get you, so that you will always be with me where Iam. And you know the way where Iamgoing"

(John 14:3-4)

Our sincere condolences to Rose, Christine, Simon, Lauren, Jesse and their families. All our love Charlie, Toni, Dean, Paula, Max, Lenny, Leanne, Faifaiaso, Vilikesa and Salanieta.

CROSBIE. The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation of Mr Donald Crosbie will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Highway, Traralgon, on MONDAY, (27 February 2023) commencing at 2pm. Please wear casual dress including flannelette shirts and thongs. No flowers by request. Donations to the Gippsland Rail Trail would be appreciated. Envelopes available at the Service.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258

Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

MATTHEWS.

The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation of Mr David Matthews will be held at Gippsland Memorial Park Crematorium, Rose Chapel MONDAY (27 February 2023) commencing at 10.30am.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258

Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

MOORE. The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation of Mr Bryan Moore will be held at Gippsland Memorial Park, Rose Chapel on THURSDAY (23 February 2023) commencing at 11am.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

MORWELL 5134 4937

Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

PEDERSEN. The Funeral for Mr Peter Pedersen will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 6Ollerton Ave Moe, on MONDAY (27 February 2023) commencing at 10.30am. At the conclusion of this Service the Funeral will leave for the Moe Cemetery. MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 5126 1111 Place

IKIN, Gordon Herbert. 21/4/1917 -24/2/2003. Dad, it's 20 years since you left us, Ilove and miss you every day. Love Suzanne XXX.

Bereavement Thanks •

ANDERSON, John. 1984 -2023. My sincere thanks to family and friends for the love and respect shown for John and myself. The care, visits, heartfelt tributes have been comforting at this heart breaking time.

Fr Bickley, thank you for the care given to John in his early years. It was an honour to have you bless John for his next journey.

Lucia Anderson.

DOWNES, Ian. 1947 -2023. Lyn, Adam and Tracy, David and their families would like to thank every one for their kind messages, thoughts, visits, flowers, cards and cooking during this difficult time. Your love and support helped in so many ways and has been very much appreciated. We would also like to thank the doctors and nurses at both LRH Avon Ward and Maryvale Private Hospital for their exceptional care of Ian in his final days.

SMITH, Ray. Barb,Donna, Travis, Andrea, Ingrid and their families would like to thank extended family, friends and community for their kindness and support during the time of Ray's passing. Phone calls, visits, messages, cards, tributes, flowers and food drops were very much appreciated. Thank you to all those who attended Ray's Funeral Service in person and viewed online. We did not get to speak with all of you on the day, but your presence was felt. Thanks to the Glengarry Cricket and Football Netball Clubs for providing the wake venue and helpers. Ray lived afull and happy life and will be greatly missed.

John Galbraith is one of Latrobe Valley's most well known and experienced Funeral Director's. He is now in business with his brother Craig Galbraith-Evans. For free help and advice to save thousands of $$ on

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What can youdo when wordsare not enough?

When you lose someone close to you, it can be hardto put your thoughts and feelingsinto words

5135 4455

Publicans meet

From nowhere: Iloveannie for Sale’s Damien Walkley wins Race 6 at Stony Creek

HORSE RACING

STONY CREEK

BY TOM HAYES

ALOCALtrainer experienced twice the excitement at Stony CreekRacing Club, when he had two winners on Monday, February 13.

An eight-race cardwas run for the Publicans Day meet, the track was graded aGood 4throughout the afternoon.

Race 1’s The Invy Espy Hotel Maiden Plate over 1000 metres was adashtothe finish line, won by Sports Choice for Andrew Homann.

Abalanced start allowed the eventual winner to run against the rail behind the pace maker, Kulina. Still behind at the 200m mark, Sports Choice darted three-wide for some clean air, storming home to win by just under alength.

Centrefoldstar for Sale’s Troy Kilgower ran throughout the midfield,but wasn’t able to get near the front, finishing eighth.

The Race 2Bairs Hotel Leongatha 3YO Maiden Plate (1000m) was expertly won by Greyt Mumma for Anthony Freedman.

In just her second race, Greyt Mumma continued to show formfollowing five successful jump out victories.

She swifty took the lead from the start, leading for the whole race to claim her debut win by nearly four lengths.

Race3’s Wonthaggi Hotel Maiden Plate (1600m) was cleaned up by Niki Frisk for Christopher Diplock, winning by nearly three lengths.

Followingsomegood form as of late (two top-four finishes), Niki Frisk stepped up to the plate with aconvincing win.

Holdinga one-length lead at the 1000m mark, he didn’t look like slowing down, giving akick at the turn winning by nearly three lengths.

The Race 4Adam &Ben 15 Years Of Awesome

Maiden Plate (2100m) saw amammoth effort from Mana Combat for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

Mana Combat held firm, racing throughout the midfieldpack, while MaidenPlate regulars -Rayza Warrior and Kilgower’s Redskin Jimmy -set the tone.

Rayza Warrior and Redskin Jimmy have gone 60 races between them without acareer win.

The final push saw the favourite, Mana Combat, shift wide in an attempt to take the lead, which turned successfularound the 200m mark and was thefirst to the line by four lengths.

Redskin Jimmy crossed the lineinsixth, just over 10 lengths from the lead.

Race 5’s tightly contested San Remo Hotel BM58 Hanicap (2100m) was pipped by Art Major for David Feek.

Overthe 2100m,horses shuffledupand down the order, making it hard to choose awinner after the jump.

With 400m to go, it looked unlikely that Art Major would findaway through, held up badly, but at the turn he went four wide to challenge the leaders.

Now five wide as they closed in on the line, Art Major found some extra pace to take the lead and win by half alength.

Nine horses finished inside three lengths behind, proving how many different ways this race could have gone.

The Race 6Mirboo North Hotel F&M BM58 Hanidcap (1000m) was the first of Sale local Damien Walkley’striumphs, when Iloveannie won.

Iloveannie took comfort at the rear of the pack, staying eighth out of eight racers for majority of therace-even falling up to four lengths behind at one point. She used her momentum to slingshot from the back, past the pack and into the lead at the final moments of the race,winningbyover two lengths.

Stunning the crowd, she was paying $51 prior to the jump, taking out the third win of her career.

Race7’s Middle Korumburra Hotel BM58 Handicap (1100m) was comfortably won by Midnight Charm for Clayton Douglas.

The favourite claimed his second career win by leadingfrom the jump before stretching out to a twolength lead at the line.

I’m Cheeky for Sale’s Bill Wood was the best of the local runners,finishing fourth, around two and ahalf lengths from the lead.

SmokinSalmon for Kilgower dropped off towards the end, failing to make an impact on the front, finishing eighth.

The Race 8Meeniyan HotelBM58 Hanidcap (1600m) was another masterclass from Walkley as he claimed his second winner of the day, via Peppino.

Mental health audit shows athletes seek help

ACCORDINGtonew research from Orygen, a mental health research institute, Australian high-performance athletes are prioritising their mental health.

The AIS Mental Health Audit, runbymental health research institute Orygen, showed 50 per cent of the 305 athletes who took part in the survey sought treatment in 2022, compared to just 39 per cent of participants in 2018.

The biennial survey also showedpositive improvement in the mental health and wellbeing of high-performance support staff and coaches, with 61 per cent of those who responded sharing that their sport setting is asafeplace to disclose mental health problems.

AIS acting director, Matti Clements, said while it’sgreat to see improvements in the stigma of mental health across the sector, more support is needed in the prevention space.

“The Australian high-performance sport system is united in the vision to win well, which means balancing ambitiousperformance goalswith safe, fair and supportive cultures and ensuring that our athletes, coaches, and support staff win in all areas of life,” he said.

“The AIS Mental Health Referral Network is a

key part of creating that environment of sustainable success.

“It hasprovidedfree,confidential advice and world-classservicestomore than 1,300 people since launching in 2018.

“There is still work to be done. The AIS Mental Health Audit showed more than aquarter of the athletesexperienced anxiety or depression in 2022, and our priorityistoensure everyonein the high-performance sport system receives help when they need it.”

As part of the commitment to improving mental healthand wellbeing, the AIS has once again partnered with the Black Dog Institute to run the Mental Fitness Program, an initiative aimed at reducing rates of mental illness among young Australians.

Over the next six months, 22 high-performance athletes, includingOlympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Gamesathletes,willbecome AIS Mental Fitness Ambassadors, sharing their personal stories and mentalhealth strategies with thousands of high school students across the country.

Among the ambassadors is Australian bowls player and two-time Commonwealth Games gold

medallist Ellen Ryan, who said seeking help with her mental health changed thecourse of her career.

“In 2018, Ijust missed out on the team for the Commonwealth Games. The current team had been really successful internationally, and Ijust hadn’t been able to break in yet,” she said.

“For me, Ihad worked so hard and sacrificed a lot. It made me not want to play anymore, and I lost my confidence.

“With the supportfrommyAthleteWellbeing and Engagement Manager, the AIS Mental Health Referral Network and the support from my close friends and family, Iwas able to overcome the challenges Ifaced.”

FellowAIS MentalFitness Ambassadorand Olympic rower Giorgia Patten said, “Members of the community and particularly young people look up to Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and we areoften perceived to be bulletproof.”

“I believe it’s important for us athletes to show vulnerability and allowpeople to see that even some of their biggest sporting heroes have tough times.

“I’m determined to help educate as many young people as possible to build their mental resilience to life’s challenges.”

Justlike Iloveannie, Peppino looked comfortable at the back of the pack, tracked in eighth position on average throughout the race.

Following the bend, it almost looked impossible for Peppinotowin,ifitwasn’t for the quickthinking of the jockey, Teo Nugent, who darted to the inside This allowed Peppino to hit the front and run away with it by over three lengths, claiming backto-back wins.

Peppino appears to love racing at Stony Creek, winning athird of his races there.

Walkley’s other entry, LuvA Duck, couldn’t quite getnearthe front,shifting throughout the midfield to finish seventh.

CheekyPrincefor Sale’sReg Manning was miles off the pace, finishing 11th -15lengths behind. The Stony Creek Racing Club is next in action on Sunday, March 12, for the Ladbrokes Stony Creek Cup, expecting to be an eight-race meet.

Thenextlocal event is Wednesday Racing at the Sale Turf Club on February 22.

Solid turnout for Parkrun

Serenity: Parkrunparticipants enjoythe sights of Mirboo North. Photograph supplied

PARKRUN

AFTER Friday afternoons wild weather, we were greeted with abeautiful mild, clear morning in Mirboo North.

The trail was in great shape despite the deluge and the conditions were perfect.

Twenty-five participantsran andwalked our trail, with Libby Belton completing her 50th Parkrun which is an outstanding effort.

We also welcomed Julie to our group of merry volunteers.

If you are interestedinvolunteering, please like and follow our Facebook page for more information.

Cool, calm and collected: Peppinofor Sale’s Damien Walkleyexpertlywins Race 8atStony Creek.

Photos: Ross Holburt/ RacingPhotos

Lasttouches made in midweekcomp

LAWN BOWLS

MIDWEEK PENNANT

BY MICHAEL HOLROYD

DIVISION 1

TRARALGON retained top spot on the ladder with athrilling one shot victory at home against Newborough with onlythe rink of PatTrewinand her team of Elaine Swan, Ron Baker and Garry Trewin defeating Heather Mooney 23-15.

Whilst for Newborough Jo-Anne Michaels and her rink of Phil Marston, Mary Whelan and Ryan MarstondefeatedKathy Smiles22-19 and Joan Goldieand her rink of Bob Goldie, JeffWetzel and Julie Jackson defeated Paddy Francis 21-17.

 TRARALGON 12-59 DEFEATED

NEWBOROUGH 4-58

WARRAGULathome stopped Morwell’s run with asolid win.

Pat Hammond and her rink of John Vickerman, Gaye Rennand Graeme Davis defeated Rita Reddiex 21-18 and Janette Gallasch and her rink of Matt Draisma, Kerri Currie and Peter Gallasch defeated Judy Tumney 24-21.

Whilst for Morwell, Kerry Wright and her rink of Bill Tumney, Irene Biggsand Kevin Pigdon defeated Gabrielle Draisma 20-18.

 WARRAGUL 14-63 DEFEATED MORWELL

2-59

MORWELL Club hadagoodwin at Traralgon

RSL withJan Karleusa and her rink of Dashaa

Martin, Gail Rejmer and Neil Whitelaw winning 24-15 over Marianne Hodson.

Tara Harle and her rink of Leanne Broadbent, BernieKirkup and Lisa Arnold defeated Margaret Gibbins 16-15.

Traralgon RSL had awinner in ElaineMuir and her rink of Titch Hore, Julie Sutcliffeand Jeff Blythman who defeated Beryl Noblett 18-12.

 MORWELL CLUB 14-52 DEFEATED TRARALGON RSL 2-48

TRAFALGAR hung on to fourth place despite losing all rinks at Drouin, where Sheryl Atkinson and her rink of Mary and Les Firth together with Mark Atkinson defeated Sue Robinson 28-17.

Denise Hamilton and her rink of Ron Westrup, Jan Aubrey and Dennis Throup defeated Helen Robertson 26-11 and Maureen Leighton and her rink of Elaine Thorpe, John Leighton and Geoff Bailey defeated Heather Taylor 23-10.

 DROUIN 16-77 DEFEATED TRAFALGAR 0-38

DIVISION 2

MORWELL Club (2) with only one rink up defeated Newborough (3) at home with Betty Burridge and her rink of Steve Kilpatrick, Barry Flanigan and Joyce Hughes defeating Chris Cunningham 30-7. Whilstfor Newborough (2), Joan Lee defeated ShirleyKolcze 21-15 and Lyn Madden defeated Sandy Sinnott 22-15.

 MORWELL CLUB (2) 12-60 DEFEATED NEWBOROUGH (3) 4-50

MOE(2) had abig winathome against Drouin (2), with Lorraine Horton and her rink of Bob Rennie, Olive Lang and Steve Pallot defeating Irene Dawson 24-12.

Val Griffiths and her rink of Fred Martin, Robyn Dodd and Len Middling had a29-12 win over Mary Andrews, and for Drouin (2) Lyn Jeffrey defeated Val Rodgers 22-13.

 MOE(2) 14-66 DEFEATED DROUIN (2) 2-44

WITHall rinks up Newborough (2) retainedtop spot on the ladder with Carmel Goss and her rink of Glenys Perkins, Jenny Cocks and Robbert Cook defeatingMay Cross24-9.

Bev LuckdefeatedLyn Moffat18-16 and AnnMary Ryan defeated Barbara Scott 23-19.

 NEWBOROUGH (2) 16-65 DEFEATED TRARALGON (2) 0-44

COOKIE Halligan and her rink of Neville Cousins, Steve Halligan and Kay Cousins defeated Elsie Hefford 27-16.

Karren Sheers defeated Glynis Mitchell 25-17 and Pat Fraser-Aurisch defeated Margaret Keeffe 24-15togive Neerim District aclean sweep of all rinks at home against Warragul (2).

 NEERIM DISTRICT 16-76DEFEATED WARRAGUL (2) 0-48

DIVISION 3

YINNAR 16-65 defeated Garfield at home with MeredithKennon defeating HeleneNewton 16-15, Jennie Harris defeated MaureenLamport 26-4 and Hilarie Anstey defeated Gwen Fabris 23-11.

 DROUIN (3) 13-56 DEFEATED MORWELL (2) 3-55.

MaureenMcMillandefeated Rebecca Matheson 26-14, whilst for Morwell (2) Letti Mizzi defeated Ethel Van Maanen 23-12 and Jan Moodyand Dini Hone drew 18-18.

TRARALGON (3)14-67 defeated Yarragon 2-53 with Cheryl ReynoldsdefeatingLindsay Writht 29-14 and Lyn Bloomfield defeated Marion Chetland 24-13.

Whilst for Yarragon, Kaye McLaren defeated Shirley Richardson 26-14.

MORWELL (3) 14-66 defeated Trafalgar (2) 2-44 at Trafalgar,with Glenda Thompsondefeating Joanne Reekie 30-14 and Jenny Duncan defeated Lyn Sephton 23-11.

Trafalgar (2) won arink with Margaret Moss defeating Palma McNeill 19-13.

DIVISION 4

YINNAR (2) 10-45 defeated Trafalgar(3) 0-24; Churchill 10-40 defeated Traralgon RSL (2) 0-27; Morwell Club (3) 8-58 defeated Moe (2) 2-31; Newborough(4) 9-48 defeated Drouin(4) 1-37; Warragul (3) 8-49 defeatedTraralgon(4) 2-32; Moe (3) 8-39 defeated Yallourn North 2-38.

PreliminaryFinals set up in weekend pennant

LAWN BOWLS

SATURDAYPENNANT

BY MICHAEL HOLROYD

SEMI Final day was sunny with avariablebreeze making conditionstricky at times and perhaps assisting some clubs create upsets.

In Division 1Traralgon upset Newborough, similarly in Division2Traralgon(2) were too good forMorwell Club.

Garfield, the Division3form team,cameunstuck against Traralgon (3) to makeitthreeteams straight though to the Grand Final and in Division 4Traralgon (4) upset Yallourn North to progress to this week’s Preliminary Final with achanceto make four Traralgon teams in the Grand Finals.

DIVISION 1

TRARALGON travelled to Newborough and had a big win with Vin McIlwain and his rink of Kirsty van den Hoff, Shane Chapman andMatt Eccles had a31-12 win over Tommy Lodge and his rink of Dave Wurlod, John Backman and Scott Jones which was the first losing rink that Lodgehad played in all season.

Mick Coram and his rink of Angela Hackett, Ian Kirkup and Shane O’Loughlin continued the goodformwitha24-13 win over Ryan Marston and his rink of Tony Knipping, Josh Kennedy and Paul Sherman.

Matt Ferrari and his rink of Ian Hilsley, Chris Ward and Michael Yacoub had a25-19 win over Kevin Lovett and his rinkofBrian Carpenter, Jo-Anne Michaels and George Lambos.

Alan Grubb and his rink of Phil Marston, Rod Lewis and Neale Houston got some pride back for Newborough witha19-17win overJim Scullin and hisrink of Nick Turnbull,Pat Trewin and Brenton Hackett.

 TRARALGON 97 DEFEATED NEWBOROUGH 63

DROUIN travelledtoMorwell, and like Traralgon, were able to have abig winagainst ateam considered to have ahugehome green advantage.

Samantha Atkinson and herrinkofDavid McIlfatrick, Rudy Kerkvliet and Mark Atkinson set the pace with a28-9win over Steve Collinsand his rink of Mike Arnold, Jim Turner and Ernie King.

Toby Wallace and his rink of Alex Miller, Peter Wallace and Graeme Aubrey had a27-20 win over Nathan Cook and his rink of Sarah Ashby, Laurie Melhuish and Russell Williams.

Sheryl Atkinson and her rink of Maureen Leighton, Jan Aubrey and Les Firth had a16-15 win over David Cook and his rink of Jodie Ashby, Kevin Pigdon and Keith Gadsby.

Chris Goldsbrough and his rinkofRoss Harford, Brian Kingsleyand Ron Lyfield fought back for Morwell winning 17-12 against Mick Fleming and his rink of Bruce Andrews, John Leightonand Geoff Bailey.

 DROUIN 83 DEFEATED MORWELL 61

DIVISION 2

TRARALGON (2) upset ladder leaders Morwell Club at Newborough by four shots as they look for their first Division 2premiership in 28 years.

Ron Sherlock and his rink of Matt Ogilvie, Ian Bloomfield and Maurie Sutcliffe had a24-13 win over Neil Whitelaw and his rinkofSteve Kilpatrick, David Broadbent and David Stevens.

Trevor James and his rink of Jedd Ladgrove, Al Hegarty and Bill Bishop had a29-23 win over Tara Harle and her rink of Michael Skinner, David Patience and Roger Rejmer.

Abe Roeder and hisrinkofClint Jones,Rosie Lorenz and Bill Francis had a17-15win overBrett Harle and his rink of Dashaa Martin, Mil Karleusa and Lee McKenzie.

Morwell Club had awinner in Glenn Trembath and his rink of Vaughan Reimers, Nobby Noblett and Alan Campbell who defeated Keving Enguell and his rink of Tom Irvine, KathySmiles and Graham Cross 25-10 leaving Traralgon the winner by four shots.

 TRARALGON (2) 80 DEFEATED MORWELL CLUB 76

LONGWARRYrepeated their win of last week against Neerim District, although this week was at home, withKen White and his rink of Hank Metselaar, IanPeterson and Glenn Paskwho defeating Peter Throup and his rinkofKarren Sheers, Ray Throup and Pat Fraser-Aurisch 35-10.

JasonLieshout andhis rink of Grant Pask,Barry andRussell White had 23-19 win over Peter Brooks and his rinkofChris Hogan, Robert Cook and Trevor Kuhnell.

Ken Towt and his rink of Peter Lieshout, Robert Proctor and Trevor Kitchin had a21-16 win over Shane Hogan and his rink of Jim Fallon, Ross Pollard and Ray Watts.

For NeerimDistrict, Neil Adams and his rink of Colin McKay,JohnRochford andAngus McGillivray had a20-19 win over Adam Proctor andhis rink of Mark Serong, Col Finger and John McCarthy.

 LONGWARRY93DEFEATED NEERIM DISTRICT 68

DIVISION 3

TRARALGON (3) travelled to Garfield and inflicted abig loss on the ladder leaders.

Bill Kirby and his rink of John Kong, Greg Swan and Ron Baker had a28-6win over Steve Whyte.

Brendon Smiles and his rink of Elaine Swan, Bill Munday and Paddy Francis had a28-16 win over Nick Henwood.

May Cross drew 19-19 with Tom Cleary, and for Garfield Shane Oliver and his rink of Graeme

Burton, Bob Lamport and Richard Ross defeated Gordon Slimmon 21-19.

 TRARALGON (3) 93 DEFEATED GARFIELD 62

AFTERnarrowly making the four, Warragul (2) had agood win at Morwell with Noel Rubenstein and his rink of Ken Landman, Ian McCartney and Paul Simmons having a29-13 win over Jack Prendergast.

Greg Mitchelland hisrinkofIan Belling, Glynis Mitchell and Margaret Ratcliffe had a18-14 win over John Osborne.

For Morwell Gerry Van Duin and his rink of Ian Chamings, Col Grant and Peter Borrodale had a 25-10 win over Pat Hammond, andKen Turner and his rink of BillTumney,Stuart Humphreyand John Bradbury had a19-17 win over Bob Currie.

It left Morwell two shots in arrears, allowing Warragul (2) to progress to the Preliminary Final to play Garfield.

 WARRAGUL (2) 74 DEFEATED MORWELL (2) 71

DIVISION 4

TRAFALGAR (2)became thefirst teamfinishing top of the ladder to use their home ground advantagetodefeat Yarragonbythe narrow margin of three shots.

Frank Farrugiaand his rink of Alex Brodie,Peter Rosenboom and Graham Hill had a21-11 win over SamMazza.

Mal Clymo and his rink of TerryRobertson, BernieDeteringand Peter Watson defeated Jason Roberts 21-15.

Yarragon fought back with Jarrod Grigg and his rink of Richard Chetland, Ethan Storer and Bevan Romans defeating Bruce Giles 28-16, and Richard Polmear and his rink of Peter Handley, Gary Green and Harry Langresdefeating Anthony Mitchinson 21-20, leaving Trafalgar (2) narrow winners.

 TRAFALGAR 78 DEFEATED YARRAGON 75 FOR the secondweek in arow Traralgon (4) defeated Yallourn North.

Norbert Schroeter and his rink of Jim Barling, Jim Overdyk and Roger Davey defeated Ricky Hearn 28-19, Col Mayman and his rink of Frank Stake, Ross Smith and Gary Bassett defeated Rob Matthews 22-16.

For Yallourn North, Craig Speake and his rink of Dale Raven, Wendy Speake and Brendan Heriban defeated Stuart Hulse 24-19 and Darren Fry and his rink of Shane Dobson,JakeFry and Gary Ingley defeated David Karsky 19-16.

 TRARALGON (4) 85 DEFEATED YALLOURN NORTH 78

DIVISION 5

MORWELLClub(2) 72 defeated Garfield(2) 52

at Newborough, with Gail Rejmer and her team of MickReynolds, Duncan Handleyand SueKarleusa defeated Damien Brick 28-11. Andrew Shepley and his rink of Barbara Lewis, Jo Leslie andBeryl Noblettdefeated Gwen Fabris 24-17.

Whilst for Garfield (2), Gordon Moxey and his rink of Wes Goodman, Lois King and Helene Newton defeated Lisa Arnold 24-20.

NEERIM District (2) 93 defeated Trafalgar (3) 39 with Russell Meehan and his rink of Terry Griffin, Gerry Englestad and Greg Bond defeating Tony Dawson 26-9, Jim Schroeder and his rink of Des Petty, Richard Kerr and Julie Adams defeated Paul Gridley 25-21, and Mal Collins and his rink of Bronwyn Throup, Tony Thornton and George Rymer had a42-9 win over Bill Lithgow.

DIVISION 6

YALLOURN North (2)40defeatedDrouin (4) 21 with Mark Bentalland hisrinkofAnthony Wasiukiewicz, Sherrie Stanton and John Wasiukiewicz defeating Irene Dawson 23-9 and Barry Lester and his rink of Glenn Swenson, Elizabeth Dobson and Warren McCombdefeating LloydSmith17-12.

NEERIM District(3) 50 defeated Boolarra (2) 27 withSteveHalligan and his rink of Peter Nolan, Thelma Schroeder andNeville Cousinsdefeating Peter Gair 22-17 and Cookie Halligan and her rinkofRoger Till, Gerard Winter and KayCousins defeated Pam Allen 28-10.

PRELIMINARYFINALSFIXTURE:

Division 1: Newborough vDrouinatNewborough

Division 2: Morwell Club vLongwarryatNewborough

Division 3: Garfield vWarragul(2) at Warragul

Division 4: Yarragon vTraralgon (4) at Newborough

Division 5: Garfield (2) vNeerim District (2) at Warragul

Division 6: Drouin (4) vNeerim District (3) at Warragul

Harriers host five-kilometre course

ATHLETICS TRARALGON HARRIERS BY

MOLLYIRVINE

LAST week’s Thursday night run was ‘The Winery’ five kilometre course.

The run started at DeGrandi’s Winery on Burnets Road, Traralgon, before heading towards and onto the rail trail and then back again.

65 participants completed the course in the very warm temperature that sat around 35 degrees.

Therun also attractedanew member by the name of Rose Craft who ran a time of 28:32.

For the males this week, it was Miles Verschuur who took line honours in a time of 20:24, followed closely by Owen Notting(20:37), and third belonged to Greg Semmler (20:41).

In the female race, it was Yani Cornthwaite who took line honours in agreat time of 25:05, second to her was Karen Graham (25:26), and third for the females this week was Kate Mayer (27:00).

This Thursday night’s run (February 23) is Cochrane’s Road 6km course, which starts 500m down Cochrane’s Road, off Mattingley Road, Traralgon.

Wave 1(walkers/easy runners)may start on arrival, but must check in.

Wave 2startsat5:55pm and Wave 3 starts at 6:10pm.

Participants may choose which wave they start in.

6km RunResults:

MilesVerschuur 20.24; Owen Notting 20.37; Greg Semmler 20.41; Clinton Jolly22.04; Andrew Greenhill22.22;Glenn Graham22.42; Darrel Cross 23.55; GeoffFrancis24.30;Andrew Panayiotou24.42;Chris VanUnen 24.46; Shane Gavin25.01;Yani Cornthwaite25.05; Nelson Archibald25.18;Liz Kenney 25.26;Karen Graham

25.26; Stephen McLeod 26.43;KateMayer

27.00; Ian Twite27.01;Tobiasz Grzmil27.02;Gary Fox27.18;JackMarino 27.48; SteveRenehan

27.49; Giuseppe Marino27.59; RonVerschuur

28.13;Michelle Sawyer 28.16*; Rose Croft28.32; MariekaReilly28.48;JohnnyRoscoe28.50; LukeWitham 28.51*;Andrew Broberg 28.54; LucyMagaldi28.59; DavidBarr 29.33;Angelo Gaudiano30.00;DaveMann30.00;NickTalerico 30.00; ClaireMacumber30.24; Kristine Sapkin 30.35;Alysha Duncan 30.38; Michael Walker 30.45; PhillMayer 30.45;KathleenKent31.07; Collette Hofmann 31.28;Catherine Leonard31.41; Maree Graham31.55; MarkFairbairn 31.59;Pete Sanders34.00;AlfieWarner 35.17; Ella Warner 35.17;TaniaWhitehead 35.27; Kate Cumming 36.39; Ian Heafield 37.05*;Callie Cook 38.32; PeterGrixti 39.00; BelindaHeafield40.00; Barry Higgins 40. 00;AnnBomers43.54; Denise Twite 45.22;MelissaJones 45.26; Nick Hodson46.43; Bob Duljas 47.06; Susan Poole49.29; Christina Creighton 55.19; DanelleWright 58.36;Kylee Earl 58.36

*4kmrun

Leigh &Fife, Mark (84)

RunnersUp: 2Ballinger,Gavin &Simic

John (83)

2nd RunnersUp: 3Moss,Peter & Yeomans,Wayne (82)

Best 9in: Baker,Brendan &Borg, Shannon (48)

Best 9out: Graham, Tim&Morris,Wayne

Nearest To Pin Men: 4th Bernie Howard, 8th TimGraham, 14th NickBlake

Nearest To PinLadies: 4th KathyBorg, 8th

Jenna Robertson. 14th Jenna Robertson

2nd Shot 9th Hole NTP: J. Gaul

MORWELL

Ladies 15th February 2023 Par

Winner: CBoers+2

R/Up : DVuillermin 0

NTP: 2ndN Te Paa8th DVuillermin 11th I

Yoshimura

15th: JWhite

YALLOURN

Club SinglesChampionships Round1

Leading Scores:

Gross: Div 1: Lola Carter 90, LynMcAlister 91

Div 2: Heather Ware 106, Betty Dobson 108.

Net:

WEDNESDAY 9HOLEStableford Overall Winners: 1Tulau, Susan (48) 20

Wednesday, 15 February 2023 WOMEN’S

PAR

Grade AWinners: A-1 Tate,Sandy (27)

+4

Grade BWinners: B-1 Griggs,Andrea

(41) 0

Place Getters: 2Thompson, Pat+3, 3 Mitchell, Evelyn +2, 4Savige,Karyn +1,

Great Score: Birdie @4KayeMiddlemiss

Birdie: @4 Alison Hay

Nearest to Pin: 4th Kaye Middlemiss,8th

Helen Stanlake, 14th Sandy Tate

Target Hole Prize: Judy Lee

MonthlyMedal February Andrea Griggs

Thursday, 16 February 2023 OPEN Medley

Stableford

GradeA Winners: A-1 Winters, Jamie

(10) 41

Grade BWinners: B-1 Stanlake, Peter

(12) 38 C/B

Grade CWinners: C-1 Walshe,Michael

(22) 41

Place Getters: 3Young,Bailey40, 4White,

Lockie 39 C/B 1Ball, 5Comber,Paul 39

C/B,6 Coffin, Phillip 39 C/B,7 Barnes,Ken 39 C/B,8 Gosling,Craig 39 C/B, 9Powell, Vincent 39, 10 Knox, Terry39, 12 Dent, Russell 38 C/B,13Cropley, Mike 38 C/B, 14 Frei, Harry38C/B,15White, Rodney38, 16 King,Rob 37 C/B

Great Score: MarkFife(Birdie) @8,Ted

Wolski (Birdie) @8,Jenna Robertson (Birdie) @4,BillHall (Birdie) @4,Ian

Duncan (Birdie) @4,LiamVisser(Birdie)

@4

Nearest to Pin: 4th Jenna Robertson, 8th TedWolski, 14th John Pisa

Saturday,18February 2023 Multiplier Stableford(2Player)

Overall Winners: 1McIntosh, Matthew

Div 1: Lola Carter (22) 68, LynMcAlister

(18) 73

Div 2: Heather Ware (33) 73,Judy Budge

(45) 73, Betty Dobson (33) 74

Tuesday14th February 9HoleComp

Winner Div 1: 0-35 Heather Ware 24pts

Winner Div 2: 36-45 Loretta Booth 20pts

Thursday16th February Star Medalist and Monthly Medal

Winner: L. Carter (22) 90-68

DTL: L. McAlister (18) 73, H. Ware (33) 73,

J. Budge (45) 73 Count Putts: L. Carter 32 putts

MIRBOONORTH

Thursday16th February,Stableford.

AGrade: MPayne (10) 37pts

BGrade: WWarner(31) 41pts

DTL: RWinderlich 40, RPentland38, N

Rutledge 36.

NTP: 4th MPayne,16th JSmeriglio

Birdies: 4th WWarner,T Whitelaw, 6th J

Smeriglio,13th MRichter,16th JSmeriglio

Saturday18th February Stableford.

AGrade: TBradshaw(10)41pts

BGrade: WMcGrath (32) 43pts

DTL: TimTraill, RPentland 39, JMc

Farlane,D Woodall 38, RScurlock37c/b

NTP: 4th SMcInnes,6th BBradshaw, 13th

GDawson, 16th WLewis

Birdies: 4th PWoodall, EWoodall, S Hill-Smith, 6th BBradshaw, 16th EWoodall.

TRAFALGAR

WednesdayWomen’sresults 15th

February Stableford-18Holes -17 players,9 Holes–6players

Winner AGrade: Ange Bayley(22) -42Pts

Runner Up AGrade: Sue Klemke(21) -40

Pts

Winner BGrade: Aileen McNair (36) -35

Pts

Runner Up BGrade: Anne Outhred

(29) -35Pts

Stroll: Greg Semmler continues to showgreat form in his runningand as such, finished thirdoutrightonThursday night.

Photographs supplied

SCOREBOARD

9-Hole Winner: Sue Balfour -17Pts

Runner-Up: Di Bayley-17Pts

Down the Line: KarenMacGregor 34 Pts

Olwyn Balfour 33Pts,JennyEvison 33 Pts, Di Moody 33Pts

Gobblers: Nola Fordham 6th

NTP: 5th Sue Klemke, 15th Di Moody

TRAFALGAR

Friday, February 17th 2022, Open Men’s& Ladies Stableford

Winner: Jason MacFarlane 42 pts

Runner Up: MarkAnswerth41pts

DTL’s: Mark Scammell 37,Ben Cheetham

36, RonDavey 35, Chris Stanlake35

Birdies: 5th: PeterHobon 11th: Mark Scammell, PeterHobson 13th:Ben

Cheetham

Saturday, February 18h2022,American

Foursomes Championship

ScratchWinners: Tony Bickley&Greg

Chapple 70 gross

Handicap Winners: Tony Bickley&Greg

Chapple 61-3/4

DTL’s: Reno Borg&Brian Wattchow65, LukeBryant &StewartCluning 66-7/8, Hank Fiddelaers&Pat O’Connell 68-1/8, PeterRhodes &Rob Saunders69-1/4 C/B

PISTOLS

TRARALGON

Mon 13/2/23 Air pistol

BGrade: MTrent 517-61-578. CCook

494-81-

CGrade: HShiel 478-101-579.

Wed16/2/23 Centrefire

CGrade: GHarvey526-63-589. CBenelli

456-94-550.

DGrade: MHolmes 380-202-582.

25 mt pistol

DGrade: IBrewer 224-217-441

Sat 18/2/23 morning Standardpistol

CGrade: DFarnham 498-83-581

465-108-573. WMcgrath

CBenelli 397-131-528. KGreen

afternoon Centrefire

BGoldberg273-144-417.

Fitnessfun: Harriers’ membersAlysha Duncan and Chris VanUnenenjoy theirrunning together,despite startingat different times

Men: U/20 –Aaron Saltmarsh-Milne 4.91; Open –Brendan Caffrey3.98;Masters–Jude Fernando 4.73, Adam VanBaalen 3.19, Simon VanBaalen 3.13

DISCUS

Women: U/18–Isobel Georgeson 12.75; Open –Victoria Fuller 19.59; Masters–Fiona Saltmarsh 13.76

Men: U/20 –Aaron Saltmarsh-Milne 21.93; Open –Cameron Hughes 24.38, Brendan Caffrey 21.07; Masters–Simon VanBaalen 32.03, Adam VanBaalen 20.64, Ian Twite

18.61, Jude Fernando 18.21

400M

Women: U/20 –Tamsin Bur 1:12.98

Men: U/20 –Aaron Saltmarsh-Milne

1:00.23, Open –Brendan Caffrey 1:12.75; Masters– Jude Fernando 1:04.94 Gippsland Athletics Round 14 will be held on Tuesday14thFebruary,6pm at the Joe Carmody Track, Newborough Events: 200m,High Jump,Discus,1500m, Hammer Throw,100m

Round14of Gippsland Athletics Club trackand field season washeld Tuesday 14 th February 2023

Record- Women U/141500m Walk: Matilda Read (Wel) 8:26.31 (8:31.00 previous record, Kacie Etherington (MOR) 10/10/00)

100M

Women: U/14- Zaria Dalton 14.13; U/18–Isobel Georgeson 16.65

Men: U/20 –Aaron Saltmarsh-Milne 13.18 HAMMER THROW

Women: U/18–Isobel Georgeson 13.03; Masters–Fiona Saltmarsh 17.45

ATHLETICS

NEWBOROUGH Round 13 of Gippsland Athletics Club trackand field season washeld Tuesday 7thFebruary 2023.

ROUND 13 RESULTS: Record- Women U/143000mWalk: Matilda Read (Wel) 18:47.90 (23:44.00 previous record, Nicole O’Neill (WGL) 17/10/00)

100M

Women: Masters–Isobel Georgeson 16.45

Men: U/20 –Aaron Saltmarsh-Milne 12.16; Open –Brendan Caffrey 14.56; Masters–Jude Fernando 13.75, Adam VanBaalen

16.32, Ian Twite18.53

JAVELIN

Women: U/18–Isobel Georgeson 9.50; Open –VictoriaFuller 16.57; Masters–Fiona Saltmarsh 8.33

Men: U/20 –Aaron Saltmarsh-Milne 27.33, Open –Cameron Hughes 36.65, Brendan Caffrey 24.27; Masters- Jude Fernando

33.03, Simon VanBaalen 29.48, Ian Twite

18.51, Adam VanBaalen 18.03

3000MWalk

Women: U/14– Matilda Read 18:47.90

3000M

Men: Open –Brendan Caffrey 13.53.30; Masters–Ian Twite13:57.50, Jude Fernando 14:22.33

LONG JUMP

Women: U/18– IsobelGeorgeson 3.66; Open –VictoriaFuller 2.38; Masters–Fiona Saltmarsh1.63

Men: U/20 –Aaron Saltmarsh-Milne 19.65; Open –Cameron Hughes 21.85

1500MWalk

Women: U/14–Matilda Read 8:26.31

Women: U/16– Aleasha Read 5:31.01 Men: U/20 –Aaron Saltmarsh-Milne 8:05.54; Open –MarkCoulter 4:55.83, Brendan Caffrey6:13.18, Cameron Hughes 8:05.93; Masters–Ian Twite6:29.97 HIGH JUMP

Women: U/14–Zaria Dalton 1.15;U/18–Isobel Georgeson 1.40

Men: Open –Brendan Caffrey 1.25

DISCUS

Women: U/14-Zaria Dalton 12.78; U/18–Isobel Georgeson 13.53; Masters– Fiona Saltmarsh 12.70

Men: U/20 –Aaron Saltmarsh-Milne 30.75; Open –Cameron Hughes 22.88, Brendan Caffrey 21.75, MarkCoulter 2.0.82; Masters –Ian Twite20.68, StuartDalton 20.24

200M

Women: U/14 –Zaria Dalton 26.53; U/18–Isobel Georgeson 35.54

Men: U/20 –Aaron Saltmarsh-Milne 26.53, Open –MarkCoulter 27.96, Brendan Caffrey 32.06; Masters–Ian Twite39.96 Gippsland Athletics Round 15 will be held on Tuesday21 st February,6pm at the Joe Carmody Track, Newborough Events: 800m, Hammer Throw,Triple Jump,2000m, Shotput ,100m

PREMIER AGRADE ROUND15

CATS first innings

JCochrane .b Seymour 6

CStewart. .c Campbell bSeymour. .23

JMoore. .c Campbell bSeymour. .0

JKeyhoe bWhelpdale 8

DKeyhoe cCampbell bWhelpdale 35

BHagley. cBrincat bMills 2

SGissara. cCampbell bCukier 1

EPorigneaux. cMason bWhelpdale 14

VPenrose bBrincat 5

CMcDonald not out 0

HCooper cCampbell bWhelpdale 0

Extras (nb 0, w0,b1,lb2). .3

Overs. 54.4

Total. 97 Morwell bowling: BBrincat 12-2-23-1, CSeymour

8-3-17-3, BMills 8-2-13-1, RWhelpdale 18.4-8-30-4, GHarvey4-1-4-0, MCukier 4-1-7-1 Morwell first innings

SMooney. .c DKeyhoe bStewart. 7 MCukier .lbw bStewart. .3

BMason .c Hagley bPenrose 26

BClymo .lbw bStewart. .4

JCampbell cGissarabMoore. .44

BMills. cCooper bPenrose 17

BBrincat cMcDonald bPenrose 33

GHarvey. cJ Keyhoe bGissara 58

LDay .run out (Porigneaux, DKeyhoe) 22

CSeymour. not out 7

RWhelpdale .McDonald bCooper 0

Extras (nb 0, w1,b1,lb1). .3

Overs. 64.4

Total. 224

CATS bowling:CStewart 12-2-38-3, JMoore13-5-32-1, BHagley 7-2-24-0, VPenrose 21-1-92-3, HCooper

2.4-0-13-1, JKeyhoe 3-0-12-0,E Porigneaux 1-1-0-0,

SGissara5-0-11-1 CATS second innings

JCochrane .not out 24

JKeyhoe not out 40

Extras (nb 0, w5,b0,lb6). 11

Overs. 24

Total. 0/75

Morwell bowling: CSeymour 4-3-2-0, BMills 7-0-23-0,

RWhelpdale 7-0-30-0, MCukier 3-2-4-0, GHarvey

3-0-10-0 Churchill first innings

MHarvey. c& bColgrave 8

RVelardi .c Kane bColgrave 5

BKelly. .c Kane bColgrave 7 SWarr .b Taylor 1

JKeighran lbwb Grant .....11

KHolt. cSavigebPhoenix 4

JWhykes. cSpiteri bGrant 45

KFarnworth lbw bGrant 1

Hvan Rossum c&b Baldi. 9

ACeeney. runout (unknown) 5

CWilliams. notout 0

Extras (nb 6, w1,b0,lb1). .8

Overs. 55.2

Total. 104

Moe bowling:CTaylor 13-3-24-1, RColgrave12-3-22-3,

RPhoenix 6-0-10-1, RBlunt 2-0-8-0, CGrant 11.2-7-17-3,

SSpiteri 5-0-14-0, RBaldi5-2-7-1, ASavige1-0-1-0

Moe first innings

RBaldi .lbw bHolt 15

NKane cKeighran bHolt 6

CRobinson .c Warr bHolt 1

RPhoenix bWarr. 3

SSpiteri .b Keighran .3

It all comes down to this

CRICKET LVDCL PREMIER A

BY LIAM DURKIN

GET those calculators out.

Last-round anxiety will beset anumberofteams in Latrobe Valley District Cricket League Premier Aover the next two weeks.

Places in the final four won’t be known until at leastafter Day1,and even then, there is sure to be further subplots emerge.

Teams can ill-afford to rest on theirlaurels, as every game in the last round carries aconsequence.

Mathematically at least, thereisstill anynumber of hypotheticals that could come to fruition, while playerswill carry adouble-entendre of motivation.

Some teams need to win to get the minor premiership, others need to win to avoid relegation.

The fixture has fallenperfectly as far as scriptwriters are concerned.

Topsides Morwelland Churchill meet, in agame that will determine the minor premiership.

Moe, in third, plays fellowtop four team Raiders.

The Lions performance could have ahugebearing on the final make-up of the ladder.

Raiders meanwhile, just needs to win to make life easier for themselves.

If they don’t, and Latrobe beats CATS in the other

game, the Sharks will go equal on points.

With only 0.96 per cent currently separating Raiders and Latrobe, there is alegitimate chance the Sharks can pinch fourth spot.

Let’s not discount outright results either.

If Raiders lose and CATS manage to win outright with first innings points -theywill play finals.

Granted CATS are seven points off fourth place, and the chances of thathappening seem remote, as they say -‘stranger things have happened’.

Trafalgar made finals by 0.13 per cent in 2014/15 and wentontowin the flag outright.(How does that even happen?).

Internally, CATSand Latrobe might not be harbouring any great intentions of playing finals, and instead, redirect their attentiontoavoiding relegation -the fate that will meet the loser of their match.

For CATS especially, they surely do not want to be known as the team that was relegated after winning aPremier Aflag.

With allthese possibilities on the cards, it may well come to nothing.

The reason for that is temperatures touching the 38 degree cut-off are forecast.

If the first day is called off due to heat, matches will revert to one dayers, which will mean the top four can’t change.

Getting heated offthis weekend might not be the worst thing.

League officialsmight finallyget to seefirst-hand the benefits of playing aone-dayer in the last round of the regular season.

Places in the top four often come down to teams needing outrights, and twoday gamesmean conditionscan seriously be alteredone week to the next.

Whileyou trust peopletodothe right thing and never want to suggest conditions are manipulated, havinga one dayer eliminates the possibility completely.

LVDCL PREMIER ALADDER ONEROUND TO GO

Season-saving draw for the Sharks

CRICKET

LVDCL PREMIER A

BY LIAM DURKIN

THE penultimate round of the Latrobe Valley District CricketLeague Premier Aseason was played over the weekend.

ASaturday/Sunday arrangement was scheduled, in what served as aprecursor to what players will be exposed to come finals.

SHE was tough going at George Cain Oval.

Churchill and Moe both found batting conditions treacherous, but in the end, local knowledge won the day.

TheCobras prevailedby39runs on firstinnings, in amatch that saw 20 wickets fall for only 169 runs.

Sensing the need to have 11 eyes seeing how the wicket playedupclose, the Lionselected to bowl after winning the toss.

Cobra openers Matt Harvey and Ric Velardi made acautious approach, while Moe new ball bowlers Clinton Taylor and Royce Colgrave bowled unchanged for 14 overs.

The pairtook the firstfourwickets between them to leave Churchill 4/28.

Wickets continued to fall, and before too long, the home side was 7/43.

Callum Grant turned into Ravi Jadeja, nabbing the key wicket of John Keighran lbw, following up by getting Kian Farnworth in the same fashion.

JoeyWhykes withstood most deliveriesthatcame his way, and was able to scratch out afighting 45 to take the score into triple figures.

SWarr 11.3-7-9-2, JKeighran5-3-7-2, MHarvey

1-0-2-0,C Williams 5-2-4-2 Churchill second innings

BKearns cSavigeb Taylor 3

RVelardi .b Grant 15

MHarvey. bGrant 19

BKelly. .c Phoenix bGrant 19

JKeighran .not out 5

KHolt. not out 5

Extras (nb 1, w0,b2,lb0). .3

Overs. 24

Total. 4/69

Moe bowling: CTaylor12-2-26-1, RBlunt 3-0-17-0, C

Grant 9-1-24-3

Raiders first innings

BBurrows cJBloomfieldb Meenakshi 32

CMills .b Gamage .0

MHiggins bJ Bloomfield 92

LMaynard. not out 132

THutchinson cDuncan bGamage 0

ABurcombe cColtman bBZomer 18

MPerera. not out 0

Extras (nb 2, w1,b3,lb2). .8

Overs. 87

Total. 5/285(dec)

Latrobe bowling: TGamage 22-1-91-2, JBloomfield

16-4-47-1, BZomer 17-5-37-1, SFreshwater 13-3-34-0, AMeenakshi4-1-18-1,ABloomfield 7-0-26-0, MZomer

6-1-20-0, LDuncan 1-0-8-0 Latrobe firstinnings

RChokununga. not out 102

ABloomfield cBurrowsbH McColl 3

JColtman cO McColl bPerera. .0

SFreshwater .b HMcColl 22

BZomer .b Chesire. 12

AMeenakshi .c HigginsbPerera. .5

MZomer not out 1

Extras (nb 1, w2,b2,lb3). .8

Overs. 86.2

Total. ...5/153(dec)

Raidersbowling:H McColl 20-12-22-2,M Perera 24-9-

38-2, MHiggins 11-2-18-0, GChesire19.2-9-29-1, L

Maynard8-1-19-0, BMacFarlane 3-0-13-0,OMcColl 1-0-9-0

Whykes combined with Harry Van Rossum for a 39-run partnership for the eighth wicket, which in the context of the conditions, was probably worth twice as many.

Whykes became Grant’s third wicket, leaving him with figures of 3/17.

Colgrave was the other Moe bowler to strikethree times, and ended with 3/22.

TheCobraswere bowled out in 55.2 overs, meaningthere wasstill plenty of time left in the day.

With the pitch well-worn by now, Churchill had plenty to work with, and they certainly capitalised.

Moe openers RileyBaldiand Noah Kane made adecent start in fairness, getting to 23 before the wicket of Baldi set off adramaticcollapse.

Kurt Holt had both openers in his pocket, which paved the way for Keighran to join the party.

The pair decimated the Lions, who lost 6/9 to be staring down the gun-barrel at stumps.

Returning the next day, the gamewas as good as gone, and at 6/32, Moeonly added 33 runs, to be all out for 65.

Holt was the wrecker, taking 4/29 off 14 overs.

Keighran finished with 2/7 and Chris Williams2/4

Keighran also took two catches, in what possibly told the story of the day, as seven of the 10 wickets to fall were either bowled or lbw.

Churchill batted afurther 24 overs in their second dig, getting to 4/69 before the match was called.

Grant continuedtofind purchase, adding afurther three wickets to his tally.

OKAY, Latrobe clearly doesn’t want to get relegated to the pleb league.

As they say, the right thing to do isn’t always the most popular.

The Sharks certainly went down the unpopular pathonSunday, blocking out foradrawagainst Raiders.

Set 285 to win, Latrobe negotiated the best part of 90 overs to deny Raiders six points.

While the tactic might not have been agreat endorsementfor the game, it was smart play on

the Sharks part once they realised their chances of winning were pretty well diminished.

Securing adraw and taking three points meant their season stayed alive for at least for another week -had they lost, it would have been all over.

Playing at Yinnar, the home side recovered from an indifferent start, that saw two of their top three fall for globes.

Ben Burrows dug in for adefiant 34, but it was skipper Liam Maynard that rescued the innings.

In what ended up being aweekend that saw the Liams spend plenty of time at the crease, this one scored afine132 notout

He combined with Mick Higgins, putting on 197 for the fifth wicket.

Higgins fell for 92 toward the end of the day, prompting Maynard to declare.

Latrobe’s bowlers toiled hard. Tyron Gamage had some success, snaring two wickets.

The Sharks suffered two early losses in reply, and then set about defending as much as Sunday as it could.

Steven Freshwaterwas justthe man for the job; he soakedup96balls, as usual big-hitting Zimbabwean Ronnie Chokununga had to contain himself.

Runswere certainly not the issue for Latrobe.

When captain Benn Zomer was dismissed the score was 4/95,but fromaShark perspective,hewas dismissed at the 47.4 over mark.

With40orsooversstill left in the day,Anu Meenakshi set about defending as if his life depended on it.

The left hander showed immense concentration, spending more than 30 overs at the crease.

Unbelievably, he saw off 98 balls and scored five runs.

Yes, five runs off 98 balls.

ForMeenakshi, who has an AGrade tontohis name, this stoic hand might be remembered just as much as that.

The nervous 90smight only last ahandful of balls -needing to bat to save agame can last anywhere up to three hours.

Chokununga meanwhile, was also playing steadily, although he did get the odd boundary away.

The opener ended up batting through the innings, and was not out on 102 when umpire Tony Flinn called time.

Chokununga faced 263 balls and hit 12 fours in his knock.

Raiders could do no more. Harry McColl sent down 20 overs and took 2/22, Madura Perera sent down 24 and took 2/38. MORWELL pretty well finished CATS’ season.

CATS are still mathematically alive, although it is looking like it will take aminor miracle for them to make finals now.

The Tigers decided to bowl first at Keegan St, and ended up shooting CATS out for under 100.

Youngster Connor Seymour did afantastic job with thenew ball,taking the firstthree wickets to fall.

He knocked overleft handerJamie Cochrane, before snaring Josh Moore for athird-ball duck.

Seymour then experienced the great thrill of seeing the back of former first classplayer Cal Stewart caught behind. Seymour drew Stuart forward, but he appeared to be in two-minds about whether or not to play the ball.

From there, Morwell off spinner Ross Whelpdale was able to come into the game.

Whelpdale took 4/30 off 18.4 overs with eight maidens, while the reaming wickets were shared among Brendan Brincat, Blake Mills and Mark Cukier.

With 97 the initial target, Morwell got there with

relative ease, losing six wickets on the run home, going at areasonable rate.

The Tigers’ depth has been ahallmark this season. Emphasising this depth was number eight Greg Harvey, who top-scored with58, along with Brincat who made 33 batting at seven.

Captain Jordan Campbell played asteady hand of 44, while Brendan Mason made 26 in his first game as aMorwell AGrader.

The home side compiled 224.

Stewart and Vaughan Penrose took threewickets each for CATS.

CATS then played apretty pointless second innings, seeing off 24 overs for ascore of 0/75.

PREMIER BGRADE -ROUND 18

Centrals 106(DWhite27, LAnders5/26, JHysen 2/30) def by MirbooNorth 4/107 (D Woodall29, CAnders29, MGraeme 26*, DWhite3/25); Moe 3/29 def Newborough 24 (A Johnstone 6/1, BMcCartney2/4);Thorpdale 111 (L Gettings 5/25, TPickering 2/19) def by Morwell 3/133 (R Semmler 50*, KFortuin 33, MPowell2/31); JeeralangBoolarra-bye

PREMIER BGRADE -ROUND 19 Newborough 5/163(cc) (S Wernham 44, JCook 39*, P Shrubb28) def by Morwell 2/168 (S Douglas 50*, GGniel 48*, CGiddens 40), Jeeralang-Boolarrav Thorpdale (no scoresupplied); Moe vMirbooNorth (no scoresupplied); Centrals -bye

BGRADE -ROUND 18

Latrobe 129(DMcDougall 27,J Cooke3/16, JRogers 3/20, MWilliams3/37) def TraralgonWest 110(DCropley 32, RCahill 28*, DGanegodage 3/3, HRajapakse3/22, BWilson 2/19); CATS 7/160 (J Motta 57,M Anthufor 32*, JBellingham 29, KChapman3/34,JChapman 2/27,J Pace 2/37) defTrafalgar 9/159(cc) (C Dastey 59, CParnall 42, BStevenson 4/17,A Wilhelm 2/31, JBellingham2/41); Willow Grove60(SFreeman 3/11, JDunn 2/5,BJones 2/9,BCluderay 2/10) def by Churchill 0/63 (S Dunn 34*); Raiders- bye

BGRADE -ROUND 19

Latrobe 9/72(JBerryman-Lambert4/8)def by Raiders 7/133(cc) (J Daddo 27*, JVarghese 25*, SBandara3/17, M Lawrence 2/41);Trafalgar164 (B Dawson 49,JPace 25, S Forbes 3/15, SFreeman 3/33) def by Churchill 6/187(cc) (R Johnson 54, SFreeman 42*, SForbes37);CATS 8/97(cc) (L Phillips 4/9) def by Traralgon West 118(SVarsaci 31, MWilliams 29, EPass 3/18, JGuy 3/19, JMotta 2/16,C Beaver2/34); Willow Grove-bye

PREMIER CGRADE -ROUND 14 Jeeralang-Boolarra8/103(cc) (T Basarke 2/17) def by Mirboo North 2/114 (P Woodall 70*); Moe 7/121(cc) (C de Vent 59, HEdwards 34, AKumar2/17) def by Morwell 6/155(cc) (A Kays 42*, BWilliams 29, GEdwards 2/22); Centrals 3/167 (K Saunders65, AFoley61) def Yallourn North 6/164(cc) (K Brown72*, NCook 71,CHughes 3/13 LGibbons 2/18); Trafalgar110 (BWClaridge 40, LPass 3/4, LWilson 3/12) def by CATS 7/144(cc) (S Mustoe 54, CBeaver31, BW Claridge3/14, ZLarkin 2/32)

CGRADE -ROUND 14

Rawson 6/152 (J wiseman 84*, MFailla 3/15, NSallee 2/31) def by WillowGrove 5/160 (M Failla 55, CVeenman 35, NSallee 25*); Latrobe 6/152(cc) (S Grover 41, GDuncan 38, RHebbard33*,RPickering 2/15, BBeecher 2/35) def by Thorpdale-Raiders2/158 (J Hecker78*, RPickering 42); Newborough 7/177(JCargill 57,RStanyer 40*, S Wernham 32, HBates 2/14, SRogers2/28) def Traralgon West 7/170 (W Griffiths55*, SKosterman 28, SWernham 2/20, SCooper 2/41)

WOMENS DIVISION -ROUND 13 Newborough 5/65(cc) (J Rainbow26*) def MorwellYellow 4/53 (T Anderson 2/11); Latrobe 3/86(cc) (S Rockliff35*) defMirbooNorth 5/33(SRockliff2/3); Centrals 1/99(cc) def Raiders3/77(cc) (J Whitney33*); Morwell Blackv WillowGrove

Locals win state champs

CRICKET NATIONAL INCLUSION CHAMPIONSHIPS

BY TOM HAYES

LOCALimpaired cricketers,Justin Morgan and Ben Morrison, were recently apart of the National Cricket Inclusion Championship winning Victoria Deaf on February 10.

Morgan currently plays at Meerlieu, and spent the previous three seasons at Heyfield, while Morrison plays at Morwell.

Facing off in the Grand Final, Victoria were handed with the task of defeating Queensland for all of the marbles.

Queensland defeated Victoria in Round 2ofthe competition by 14 runs.

After losing the toss, Victoria were thrown in to bat,and listedatfirst drop wasMorgan, who had to

wait alittle longer than expected to get to the crease.

Thanks to a105-runopening partnership, Morgan was introduced to the crease with the total in good shape.

Although for him, it was over before he knew it, after he was dismissed LBW for agolden duck.

Thankfully, he wasn’t the only batter to drop first delivery,asitwas witnessed later on whenThomas Robertson did the same.

Morrison wasn’t needed with the bat.

Victoria posted awell-orchestrated total of 7/172 from their 20-over allotment, needing to apply the pressure to hold on.

Queensland experienced adifficult start to their innings, with two wickets falling in quick succession.

Morgan managed to take the catch for the first wicket, setting the tone for the Victorians.

The third-wicket partnership for Queensland

steadied the ship, but when the thirdwicket fell, so didthe run-rate.

By the time Queensland’sovers were expiring,it was evidentthat they wereshort,finishing14runs behind -the same margin they defeated Victoria by earlier in the competition.

Morrison was one of the more economical Victorian bowlers, with figures of 0/8 from two overs.

Victoria’s Deaf team returns home from Queenslandwith the trophy, after afive-dayfrenzy

Morgan completed his campaign with 124 runs from sixfixtures, the third-most runs throughout the competition.

Excluding the Grand Final, Morgan impressively had the highestbattingaverage of anyonethat playing four or more games.

Morrison claimedthree wickets from his 13 overs throughout the tournament.

Centrals add anotheroutright to the tally

CRICKET LVDCL AGRADE BY

LIAM DURKIN

DARE say it would have been alight sessionfor all Latrobe Valley District Cricket League AGrade clubsattraininglastnight.

Or no training at all, depending on if you could walk or not.

With the penultimate round seeing regular season matches played across Saturday and Sunday last weekend, plenty of overs were bowled as players were reintroduced to the feelingofplaying backto-back days for the first time in nearly two years. While the top four was set in stone heading into the round, therewas astill plenty to play for, as home finals and psychological edges all count for something in the race to the premiership.

TRAFALGAR and Mirboo North playedinthe match that had the most meaning.

Afoot in the door to securing ahome semi final was up for grabs on the Mirboo North Turf, and in the end, it was the Ships who prevailed. Thevisitors were forced to showcasesomeadaptability in the lead-up, as they knew from along way out they were going to be without three of their top six batsmen in Rhys Holdsworth, Brodie Burgess and Daniel Heathcotedue to life outside of local cricket (there is such athing).

With acombined350 games of AGrade experience gone in one hit, there was adegree of uncertainty about just how Trafalgar wouldfare, especially without Holdsworth, who is enjoying some season, with close to 700 runs to his name in aseason that has seen five washouts.

Taking apractical approach,the Shipsreshuffled the order to try and give key batsmen AidenGeorge and Aydan Connolly as much time in the middle stages as possible,ata time when conditionsmight have enabled scoring to be easier.

WithHoldsworth only available on Day2, Trafalgar knew Mirboo North would look to bowl first if they won the toss.

Sureenough, they did,and the Ships were told to face the music.

Needing someone to shieldthe middle order, usual number 10 Liam Durkin was sent out to open the batting.

Farewell to cricket legend

CRICKET

LVDCL

TRIBUTES flowed last week for local cricket legend Allan Mathieson.

Mathieson died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, February 12, age 89.

Alife member of Morwell Cricket Club, he is regarded as one of the Tigers’ greatest ever players.

Mathieson made his debut for Morwell in 1955, playing until 1978.

In thattime, he played 275 club games (256in AGrade), and won six AGrade premierships.

Playing as awicket-keeper/bat, he finished with 402 dismissals and 5107 senior runs.

Off the field, he served as club secretary, and also managed Morwell CC’s successful women’s side from 2003 to 2017 (10 premierships).

He was inductedasa life memberofMorwell CC in 1976, and named in the Tigers team of the century.

Players across the LatrobeValleyDistrict Cricket League wore black armbands in honour of aman whogave alifetime of service to the game, and was named in the Central Gippsland Cricket Association Team of the Century.

Durkin had been wordedupafter training on Thursday night with what the plan was, and was given one simple instruction -‘stay in’.

He may have taken this advice abit too literally, as he went on to spend more than three hours at the crease.

Combining with his namesake,usualopening bat Liam White, the pair saw out the first session, getting to drinks with 50 on the board.

White playeda patient handof37, recovering well after apainful blow in the worst spot possible.

The two left-handers puton63for the first wicket, negotiatingsome tight bowlingfromthe home side Young Tiger Max Woodallagainbowled well with the new ball, and looks aplayer for the future, getting some appreciative movement awayoff the deck.

Mirboo Northturned the tables dramatically through the effortsofexperienced campaigners Will Cheatley and Dale Banks.

The former had White edging through, before wrapping his younger brother Riley in front.

Cheatley then took the key wicket of Connolly via areturncatch, while leg spinnerBanks did likewise to dismiss George.

At lunch, the Ships were in some trouble at 5/71.

Cooper Burgess and Durkin took the score past 100, but fell either side of each other, giving Cheatley afive wicket haul and leaving Trafalgar 7/104.

Durkin’s 200-ball stay yielded him 26 runs and acurefor insomnia.

Banks continuedtotake wicketsatthe otherend, and when the second-last pole fell, Trafalgar had 122 on the board.

Owen McLeod-Agland then decided to free his arms, and played an enterprising hand of 34 off 49 balls, which included five boundaries.

He put on amore-than-handy 32-run 10th wicket partnershipwith Zack Brown, taking the Ships total up to 154.

Banks also took five wickets, making for the very rareoccurrence of two players taking five wicket haulsinthe same innings.

Banks’ figures read 5/31, and Cheatley’s 5/43.

With half-an-hour left in the day, the Tigers had atricky period to negotiate.

Things started without much fanfare, but come the last over of the day, Trafalgar seamer Jackson Noonanensuredthe visitorstook all momentum into the following day.

Noonan started by knicking off Jed Alexander, and then,withthe second last ballofthe day, broke through Will Lawrey’s defence to have Mirboo North 2/13 at stumps.

Noonan picked up where he left off the next day, finding the perfect length to take Pedlow’s wicket with his first ball.

The Tigers did their best to stabilise from there, but two wickets in as many oversfrom McLeodAgland reduced them to 5/29.

McLeod-Agland has enjoyed ameteoric rise in senior cricket, playing in aCGrade flag with Trafalgar in 2019/20, spending two seasons in B Grade, to now be amore-than-capable all-rounder in the top flight.

Mirboo North dug in for periods, but the task eventuallybecame insurmountable, and they were bowled out for 70 just after tea.

Noonan sent down 19 overs straight and took3/15, with 11 maidens. Aherculeaneffort considering he had been at Country Week the week before.

Holdsworth chippedinwith 2/11, as did McLeodAgland (2/16) whileZack Brown was rewarded for agood opening spell, ending with 2/18.

CENTRALS won their third game outright.

The Lionsmet Willow Grove at McGregor Reserve, Yallourn North, and told the Wolves to have ahit at the coin toss.

The technically home side didn’t show agreat deal of resistance, skittled for 67 inside 40 overs.

CoreyPollard took three wickets, as did Rob Webber.

The Lions then made the most of the overs they had available.

Despite falling to 2/10, the visitors ended up scoring 301.

Captain Tye Hourigan led the way, and came

agonisingly close to his second AGrade century.

Hourigan did most of the heavy lifting early, and went at virtually arun-a-ball.

The skipper had to make do with 97 off 99 balls, aknock that featured 12 fours and two maximums. Hourigan’seffort set the tone for others to follow.

Young gun Lachlan Speairs showedwhy he is nicknamed ‘King’, playing amatureinnings of 47 off 152 balls.

MarkRawson came in late at number 10, and went whack, whack, whack from ball one.

Rawson only faced 26 balls, but scored an unbeaten 57, with six fours and three sixes.

Ominous signs come finals perhaps.

Brad Hourigan also got some valuable time out in the middle, making 28.

Willow Grove battled hard in the field, and had some reward with AnthonyWilkes taking 2/31, Nathan Wheildon 2/40 and Liam Cumiskey 2/48.

Having chased leather for 84 overs, the Wolves weren’t in much mood to hang around.

They sank to 5/13 in their second innings, and capitulated further from there.

Willow Grove did last 53.5 overs, but could only manage 64, giving Centralsanothervictorywith 10 points.

Joe Stuartrippedthe lifeout of theGrove,taking four wickets.

Others to help out were Marc Fenech, who returnedremarkablefigures of 2/8 off15overs with 12 maidens, and Reghard Hefer, who took 2/14.

TRARALGON WEST surviveda scarefrom Jeeralang-Boolarra.

The Eagles were 6/139 in pursuit of 225 at Jack Canavan, but the wiseheads of Tim Fitchand SalmanRasool were able to see the home side to victory.

Before that happened, the Panthersdecided to post atotal.

Plenty of overs were bowled, 102 in fact.

Pleasinglyfor Jeeralang-Boolarra, runs came from different sources than usual.

Lachlan Smith appliedhimself well, and made 43, with his innings featuring five boundaries.

Others to getamong the runs were Nila Thillekarathna and Jacob Carnes, who each made 28.

But it was Hasitha Hewawasam who was the shining light for the visitors, scoring an unbeaten 60.

Two of the smartest men in the league found themselvesonoppositesides,withHewawasam staying in the game, and Rami Zafar ahead of it, taking 2/14 for Traralgon West.

Rasool also grabbed two wickets, as did Hayden Kimpton and Reece Falla.

Leg spinner Adam Thow sent down 23 overs, and was then asked to bat at first drop the next day.

He came in after Ben Edebohls and Hayden Kimpton got the side to 51 without loss. Kimpton ended up making 38, buthis dismissal set off an unfortunate chain of events as far as the Eagles were concerned.

The entiretop-fivegot starts,but failed to convert, leaving the Panthers well and truly in the game.

When Dylan Smith had Josh Monacella caught, Traralgon West still needed 86 to win.

Given the sides form-lineoflate(fourlosses in five games) there wassurelyworrying signs for the Eagles.

Fitchstood tall, and refused to see his beloved green andgoldsuffer defeat, carryinghis bat in afine display.

The veteran ended unbeaten on 72, partnering with Rasool, who scored acool, calm and collected 29 not out.

The result will surely give Traralgon West amuchneeded injection of confidence, the very which may have taken ahit in previous weeks.

For the Eagles to chase over 200 on awicketthat is traditionally difficult to ‘get in’ on, and to do so without Zafar needing to bat, could propel them on the eve of finals.

The two Smiths performed well for JeeralangBoolarra with the ball.

Dylan took 2/38 and Lachlan 2/39.

JAlexander 14-8-10-0, WCheatley22-9-43-5,

7-0-13-0, DBanks 20.3-10-31-5 MirbooNorth first innings

OMcLeod-Agland 10-2-16-2, RHoldsworth

AConnolly3-2-5-1 Jeeralang-Boolarra first innings

BMcCormack. cWilkie bFalla 22

BDuffy .b Zafar. 14

BHeath .c Wilkie bKimpton 1 NThillekarathna. .lbw bFitch .28

LSmith .stMonacella bThow. .43

SDeSilva .lbw bZafar .1

HHewawasam. not out 60

JT Carnes bRasool 28

DSmith .c Monacella bKimpton 4

JCecil .b Falla. 7

JCarnes .not out 1

notout 4

(nb 2, w2,b7,lb1). 12 Overs. 102 Total. .9/225

TraralgonWest bowling:BEdebohls 9-1-26-0, SRasool 11-2-29-1, HKimpton10-1-21-2, RFalla 22.1-8-56-2, I Zafar 9-5-14-2,AThow23-11-33-1,TFitch 11.5-5-18-1, RWilkie 3-0-16-0,

MCWresultsprove disappointing

CRICKET COUNTRYWEEK

BY TOM HAYES

THE TraralgonDistrict CricketAssociationand LatrobeValley District Cricket League were represented throughout Melbourne CountryWeek last week.

Evidently, both Traralgonand Latrobe Valley struggled, with only one win between them.

Funnily enough, that one win belonged to Traralgon, who defeated Latrobe Valley.

For Traralgon, things were off to arocky start, when their Round 1total of 9/191 was successfully chased by Bendigo District Cricket Association with nine overs to spare.

Mitchell Harris and Ryan Morley top-scored for Traralgon with 35 and 31 respectively,but the rest of the order let them down, as Tom Starkey was the only other to score more than 15 runs.

Things did come downtothe wire during the chase, as Traralgonwere beaten by one wicket, yet their run-rate was well off the pace.

Harris claimed asix-wickethaul during Bendigo’s innings, but it was Starkey who claimed the massive wicket of former Melbourne Renegade Brayden Stepien for 73.

It would have been anervous ending, that’s for sure, but Traralgon were on the wrong end of the stick.

Traralgon then got their show on the road in

Round 2, when they defeated Latrobe Valley.

James Pryde picked up four wickets as Traralgon halted Latrobe Valley to just 133 runs.

In return, Traralgon made the chase looks easy, losing just one wicket in the process.

Anthony Scott top-scored with 75 not out -an innings that includedeight boundaries, whereasthe only wicket to fall was Lee Stockdale for 21 runs.

Adam Jaensch completed the chase with Scott, doing so in the 22nd over.

In Round3,Traralgon postedtheir best score of the tournament against Ballarat Cricket Association; 9/205(cc).

Keenan Hughes was close to ahalf-century with 46 not out, but ran out of overstocomplete the milestone.

Unfortunately for Traralgon, their score was smashed out of the water swiftly, within 32 overs.

The opening three batsmen for Ballarat just about had things wrapped up, with scores of 84, 42 and 60 not out.

The remaining runstrickled over the line as Ballarat went on the win by six wickets.

Traralgon then lost their final game of the tournament to Sale-Maffra, as they were unable to chase thepostedtotal of 279.

Zac Hurley was unstoppable for Sale-Maffra with 91 runs, but his wicket wasn’t as damning, as four more players scored over 25

In the chase, Morley was able to score ahalfcentury in relatively quick fashion, but once again Traralgonwere off the pace.

They were bowled out for 201 with just under five overs left in their innings.

As aresult of their four rounds,Traralgon finished fourth out of fiveintheirgroup, not allowingthem to progress to the final.

For the Latrobe Valley, things did not go to plan whatsoever.

In Round 1they were dismantled by eight wickets by Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association.

Callum Grant was the highlight at the crease, scoring 42, but only another three batsmen would reach double-digits, two of those only managed 10 runs.

Latrobe Valley posted 150, which was chased in under20overs,thanks to MorningtonPeninsula’s Kierran Voelkl (67 not out) and Aiden McKenna (48).

Grant was the only bowler to take awicket for the innings.

As previouslymentioned, Latrobe Valley were outdone by Traralgon in Round 2.

No one scoredover 25 runs during the first innings, where Latrobe Valley posted 133, they were embarrassed in the second innings losing by nine wickets.

In Round 3, Bendigo set atotal of 277 to chase, losing eight wickets in the process.

Trafalgar’s Jackson Noonan was the best of the Latrobe Valley bowlers with 3/60, nonetheless the total looked out of reach before the chase had started.

Averaging around 140 runs per innings, Latrobe

Valley needed to double that to have any chance to upsetting Bendigo.

This wasn’t the case however, as they were bowled out for 143 with just over eight overs remaining.

Robert Wilkie and Alex Burcombe were shining lights for Latrobe Valley with 37 and 34 runs respectively.

In their final game of the tournament, things got worse, when they were bowled out for 34 against Leongatha District Cricket Association.

In an innings that lasted just over 23 overs, only one player managed double-digits -Josh Monacella with 11 runs.

Seven players scored ducks, two of those were of the golden variety.

Leongatha’s Joel Brann was the most fortunate of their bowling attack with 5/12 from his 10 overs.

In response, Leongatha completed the game in under nine overs, finishing the innings in just over half an hour.

Evidently, Latrobe Valley finished rockbottom of their group; the only team throughout the tournament to go winless.

Ferntree Gully District Cricket Association werethe eventualtournament winners, defeating Mornington in theGrand Final.

As aresult of their performances, Traralgon and LatrobeValley weren’t able to hold off relegation, and will compete within Division 2next time. For Traralgon, it brings an end to their longest run in the provincial grade.

Goannas undone by strong outfit Siddleset forseason at Somerset

CRICKET VETERANS

THE Gippsland Goannas Over 60s travelled to Geelongtoplay the strong Geelong team on Sunday.

The gamewas playedatQueen’sPark in Highton on avery picturesque oval, on aday when the weather was ideal.

The ground was in perfect condition and the wicket played truly.

Geelong on the toss and batted.

Bernie Symons and Peter Anton opened the attack for the Goannas, with Symons dismissingthe NationalOver60s captain, Chris Carr, for agolden duck.

He followed up bowling Victorian First XI player JeffColefor 11, to leave the score 2/25 after five overs.

Neil Meredith came on to bowl the sixth over, and was joined by acting captain Murray Moore for the ninth.

Meredith broke through in his fifth over, with wicket-keeper ChrisDeVent making astumping.His final figures were1/23 off eight overs.

The Geelong batsmen were, however, able to keep the scoringrate at about five per over.

Andrew Smith had come on and his three overs before drinks yielded two wickets, but the Geelong score was 5/102 at drinks.

Moore, Smith, Ray Floyd and Mark Brown all bowledafterdrinks, unsuccessfully, as the opening pair came back on for the final few overs.

Anton did bowl awicket maiden as the Geelong score reached 6/196 at the end of their 40 overs.

Symons ended up with 2/31. Anton, 1/34, andSmith with 2/33 were the other wicket takers.

Notone catchwas taken by the Goannas fielders.

After the lunch break, Rob Taylorand Floyd started the Goannas innings, but both were out before the seventh over, making 14 and nine respectively.

Col Carmody and Brown batted next and both retired for 13 runs after facing 25 balls.

De Vent and Anton came and went briefly and the Goannas score was 4/60 at drinks.

Moore and Meredith batted for six overs and the score was 6/78 after 28 overs.

Symons retired, also for 13, Jim Armstrong, 26 retired,and AndrewSmith,15retired,put on 40 runs between,asthe earlier retired batsmen started to recycle.

Carmody was out for 16, Brown not out 23, Symons notout 13 as the innings concluded 7/134.

CRICKET By TOM HAYES

IT’S beenawhile since Morwell export, Peter Siddle, was last checked up on, and he is still throwing balls down across the country and overseas.

At 38-years-old, Siddle is still going strong, aconsistent bowler for the multiple clubsherepresents across the world, throughout the year.

Siddle captainedthe AdelaideStrikers in the Big Bash League for adecent bulk of the season, buttheywere unable to resume their early season form,finishing seventh on the table and missing out on finals.

From his 11 BBL matches, Siddle only managed six wickets for the 2022/23 campaign, as the likes of Henry Thornton and Wes Agar led the attack.

Currently playing Sheffield Shield cricket for Tasmania, Siddle is still consistently picking up wickets.

From his seven games this season,hehas picked up 23 wickets, the seventh-best in thecurrent campaign, at an average of 22.69.

Despite his abilitytostill be one of the best, Tasmania are on the lower end of the table, fifth placed out of six teams.

They have only registered two wins all season in atroubling campaign, dominated by Western Australia, who are 10 points ahead of Victoria in second.

Recentlyitwas announcedthatSiddle would be making the trek to England again, to play Division One County Cricket for Somerset in the LV= Insurance Championship (SheffieldShield

equivalent) and Vitality Blast (twenty20 format).

Somerset are one of the three clubs in the LV= Insurance County Championshipthat are yet to win atitle in its history.

This will be Siddle’s second season at Somerset, but it is his eighth season overall in the UK, after playing previously for Nottinghamshire(2014), Lancashire (2015) and Essex (2018-2021).

Last season in the LV= Insurance Championship, Siddle picked up 27 wickets from eight games, boasting best figures of 6/51.

Whileinthe Vitality Blast, Siddle claimed 17 wickets from 11 games, at an average of 17.88.

He is showing no signs of slowing down just yet.

Despite his decision to retire from international cricket at the end of 2019, Siddle is continuing to thrive at domestic level.

Stillkicking: 38-year-old PeterSiddle isn’tslowing down anytime soon

Photograph supplied

Nominations open for awards

SPORT

By ZOE ASKEW

EVERY year, home-grown sportingstars and legendsare recognised and honoured for their achievements and exceptional contributionsto sport in Victoria at the Victorian Sport Awards (VSAs), dubbed ‘the night of nights’ for the state’s athletic community.

The VSAs acknowledge the whole gamut of Victorian sport,fromgrassroots heroes to highperformance athletes who competed nationally and internationally, including individual athletes, sportingteams, coaches, officials, volunteers, administrators, media personnel and sport initiatives. Of the 20 awards to be won, 19 will be available for nominations via the Vicsport website until Friday, March 3.

With awards such as Victorian Local Government Initiative of the Year, Victorian Community Sporting Event of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Victorian Community Coach of the Year, Victorian Community Official of the Year, and Victorian Community SportingClubofthe Year up for grabs, now is the time to nominate aGippsland local who has made exceptional contributions to sport in the region.

Vicsport chiefexecutive,Lisa Hasker,saiditwas crucial to recognise and celebratesportingsuccesses across the state, especiallyinregional areas, having faced consistent hardships from firestoCOVID to floods.

“We’ve got alot of athletes, volunteers,

administrators, coaches, thatworktirelessly in sport to make it asuccess and awonderful place for people to be, and we want to make sure that each year we are recognising and highlighting all that work,” she said.

“Whether that be from acoachingside, administration side, officiating, umpiring or whatever that might be, so we encourage people to stay in sport and to help in building sport as awelcoming place for people to come along.

“Particularly in regional towns,sport is one thing that brings the community together, and it relies on the volunteers to keep the club going, which is buildingthe community connectedness at the club, so it’s really vital to reward those people who are putting in the hours and hours and hours to keep sport going because without our officials, coaches, and all the rest of our volunteers, we wouldn’t have sport.”

Alongside local legends recognised for their commitment and contribution to sport, the VSAs have recognised some of Australia’s biggest names in sport, including Cathy Freeman, Leisel Jones, Meg Lanning, Dylan Alcott, Cadel Evans, and the late Shane Warne, bringingtogether all facets of Victorian sport.

“Most award things just award the top, the person who won amedal at the Olympics, or the Commonwealth Games, or somethinglike that, but we wanted to make sure that the local president of afooty club in asmall town that has been putting in for 50 years is also someone who is awarded for all their effort because it is just as much as an elite

TDCA SCOREBOARD

athletetokeep that club rolling along, particularly in tricky times,” Hasker said.

“So it’s verymuchafocusonhaving awards available to everyone right through the Victorian sporting system.”

Vicsport receives afew hundred nominations for the Victorian SportAwards eachyear, which are presented to aseries of judging panels that select four finalists in each category.

The 2022 VictorianSport Awards finalists will be announced in April before the winnersfrom each category are revealed on Wednesday, June 7 at Marvel Stadium.

Vicsport chair, Ritchie Hinton, urgesall Victorians to submit their nominations to ensure their sport is well represented on the night.

“The premier event on the Victorian sporting calendar, Vicsport is delighted to once again recognise and celebrate the wonderful achievements of our state’s sport and recreation community through the Victorian Sport Awards,” Hinton said.

“These awards provide an opportunity to honour the grassroots heroes who keep our sport and recreation sector thriving, as well as the professional athletes who starred on the world stage in 2022 at events such as the Commonwealth Games and Winter Olympics.Iurgeall Victorians to submit their nominations to ensure their sport is well represented on the night.”

More information on the 2022 Victorian Sport Awards can be found at https://vicsport.com. au/2022-victorian-sport-awards

Yarram District make the most of home wicket

CRICKET

TDCA

AHUGE week of cricket was completed at the weekend, with Saturday making the last day of a long week for the 19 players who represented the Traralgon District Cricket Association at Country Week in Melbourne.

Still, there was games to be won back at club land, as finals spots and home finals continue to be on theline every round.

IT was billed as the most even match-up for the round, as third-placedYarram District hosted Toongabbie for the first time at the Yarram Recreation Reserve.

The Rams lookedundermanned as they made their way over the hill.Rob Wheildon and Kev Stoddart were not in the line-up which meant the Rams top two run scorers for the season were not in the team.

The home sidefinallywon atossathome and took full advantage of batting first on what is fast becoming known as the best batting wicket in the TDCA.

It was hard work from the get go as Toongabbie just couldn’t make inroads into the Pelicans top order.

When the score was on 126 Matt Barry was able to strike twice and take Yarram District from 1/126 to 3/126 and trytobuildsome momentumwith the ball,but the Pelicans batsmen were able to combat anything the Rams threw at them. With someluck due to drop catches, the Pelicans were able to cash in and bring the total to 4/254 at compulsory closure of play.

Anthony Scottopening the batting madea measured 69, and Griffin Underwood got agood 25 not out, but the innings was defined by an in-form Daniel O’Keefe, who after arriving at the crease in the 10th over batted brilliantly, making 119 from 130 balls which included 11 boundaries and four big sixes.

O’Keefe was dismissed on the last ball of the Yarram Districtinnings,and if he had not been dismissed on that balldoing the teamthing, he wouldcurrently be leading the TDCA AGrade batting average. Still, he gets to claim the third TDCA AGrade hundred for the season, and be the first Yarram District cricketer to score ahundred on their turf wicket.

With their twohighest runscorers not playing,it was alwaysgoingtobea challenge for the Rams,and they were completely outclassed as Kelly Griffiths knocked over the top order, taking 3/19.

O’Keefedid the damage through themiddle, claiming 3/24, and Underwood finished the Rams off taking 4/15 himself.

Jim Chalmers and Tom Shippen were the best batsmenfor the away team, making 26 and 21 respectively, but the home side made sure it secured the bonus point as the Rams came up 131 runs short.

Yarram are now locked into third on the ladder and will most likely face Ex Students in the semifinalunless something crazy happens over the next two rounds.

Toongabbie meanwhile, only needs to beat

bottom-placed Gormandale next week to guarantee finals this season.

GLENGARRY was back in action after abye and awashout, which meant the AGrade team hadn’t played for two weeks.

Theywere taking on ImperialsatCatterick Crescent, which will be the venue for the AGrade Grand Final this season, so any use of the wicket leading up to the finals was going to be crucial for the Magpies’ premiership aspirations.

Batting first, Glengarry was in abit of trouble early as Frank Marks, Nat Freitag and Al Jenkin were all back in the sheds,but Sam Marks and Nathan Allen were able to steady the ship as the twoput on 124 for the fourth wicket, before Sam Marks was dismissed for awell-made 53.

When Allen was dismissed 20 runs later just three runs short of his half-century, the score wason 171. Then thanks to some Ben Marks and Lachlan Clark lower order hitting, the visitors were able to complete their 50 overs with the score at 7/210.

Without Cam Graham to take the new ball, Ryan Morley settled in pretty well and got his team off to agood start, making 42 before being dismissed by Max Merton.

Morley’s wicket meant thatDilshan Thhillekarathnatook the responsibility as the mainstay batsman,and would have had Glengarry alittle worried before being run out for 46.

Imperialscontinued to fight through Scott Aitken who got 35 himself, but in the end they just ran out of time.

Imperials batted their allottedovers to finish 7/185 as Max Merton was the best bowler for Glengarry, claiming two wickets.

Imperials showedgood signs, onlylosing by 25 runs to the top team, which is agreat effort for a young side and it certainly givesthem somethingto buildoninto next season. Glengarry will have been grateful to blow abit of rust off and get themselves ready for this Saturday, where they take on Yarram District at the Yarram Recreation Reserve. SOME tired players took the field for Ex Students last weekend.

The Sharkshad 10 playersfilter in-and-out of the Country Week team throughout the week leading up to this match against Gormandale.

The Tigers were without captainAdam Brady, which left abig hole to fill, but if there was ever going to be achancetoupset Ex Students, it was certainly after atough Country Week campaign.

Gormandale won the toss and chose to bat on a very hard Terry Hunter Oval wicket.

TheTigers applied themselves to show enough of their capabilities, but still lost wickets regularly, which halted any momentum getting built throughout the innings.

Matt Hibbs top-scored for the visiting team with 35, and Yohan Soyza made agood 29 not out, but threelatewickets in the41st over meant anychance of getting to ascore of 160-plus was over as Andy Matthews finished the Tigers off claiming 5/24 from 7.4 overs with all of his wickets bowled.

Withaneye on nextseason, 18-year-old Campbell Peavey wasgiven the new ball,and up the other end, 17-year-old left armer Ethan Jarvis got the

responsibility of getting the Tigers off to agood start to have any chance of amiracle upset.

Theyoung bowlersgot some good experience and Peavey was able to find some rhythm, running in with astrong breeze behind him as he shortened up acouple of the Ex Students batsmen,getting two wickets in the process.

At 2/15, Gormandale had asniff, but as quick as thewickets fell the game was takenaway by Mitch Harris(39) and an in-form Jackson McMahon, who ended the innings 63 not out.

It was acomprehensive victory for Ex Students, who not only claimed the win but abonus point for their efforts, which has them edging ever closer to Glengarry on top of the ladder.

It was obvious Gormandale were outmatched, but again some positive signs are there with some of the younger players at the club starting to show their potential.

Gormandalewillhave all eyes on them this week against Toongabbie,because if they upset the Rams, afinal round showdown for fourth position on the ladder will await the following week between Toongabbie and Rovers.

BGrade

TOONGABBIE had agood win over Yarram District, jumping the Pelicans on the ladder in the process to now sit second on the BGrade ladder.

The Pelicans batted first, making 8/190 from their full allotment of overs.

Peter Griffiths top-scored on 65.

Toongabbie started alittle sluggish, but Michael Dunn (60 not out) andKev Stoddart (73 not out) were just fartoo goodasthe home team passed Yarram’s score three down in 35 overs Imperials were premiership favourites three weeks ago, but have since lost to Toongabbie and now fifth-placedGlengarry, who now sit three points behind Imperials on the ladder.

Glengarry dominated this match, making 5/208 in the innings thanks mainly to Paul Henry who carried his bat for 102 not out.

Mick McNulty top-scored for Imperials, as they were dismissed for 121 in 33.2 overs thanks to JamesPorterwho claimed 3/19and Jay Francis who claimed 3/34.

Ex Students have continued their winning ways over Gormandale, although if the home team didn’t drop so many catches the game may have been different.

Ex Students batted first, making 168, with Michael Warne top-scoring on 30.

Nathan Heard(3/19) and Cooper White(3/51) were the Tigers best bowlers.

Ex Studentsthen applied the pressure to Gormandale with the ball, as the home team were all out for 98.

Joel Thomson continued his fantastic form with the ball, claiming 3/10 from five overs.

CGrade

GLENGARRY waswellbeaten by Yarram District, who foundcontributions with the bat from Andrew Dunkley. The father of the AFL star made 57. In other games,Rovers defeatedToongabbie, while Ex Students were too strong for Imperials.

DO’Keefe8-0-24-3,J Babb7-0-29-0, J Collins5-1-12-0, GUnderwood 4.4-0-15-4

7/185(cc) Glengarrybowling:G Waack-Hawkins 6-1-18-0, A Jenkin 10-2-20-1, NFreitag 6-0-31-0, BMayberry 9-0-36-1, MMerton6-0-25-2, NAllen 10-1-31-0, T Duncan 3-0-19-1

Gormandale innings NScammell bMatthews ....3

CLehner lbw bStockdale 15 MHibbs cMatthews bStockdale 35 HRichards .lbw bBentley. .....5 EJarvis c& bBentley ......1 CPeavey. .b Bastin. 13 YSoyza not out 29 JJacobsen bMatthews ....7 GSwan. .b Matthews .0 SSapalya bMatthews ....0 TGafa. bMatthews .....4

Extras (nb 3, w28, b0,lb3). 34 Overs. 43.4

Total. 146

Ex Students bowling:MHarris 10-0-33-0,AMatthews

7.4-0-24-5,LStockdale 10-3-15-2, JMcMahon 6-032-0, MBentley5-0-24-2,ZBastin5-1-15-1 Ex Students innings

MHarris. bSoyza 39

AJaensch lbw bPeavey. 10

LStockdale cLehner bPeavey. ...0

JMcMahon not out 63

MDyke. c& bSoyza ......0

MMembrey not out 23

Extras (nb 0, w9,b 0, lb 3) 12

Overs. .24.5

Total. 4/147

Gormandale bowling: CPeavey10-1-57-2, EJarvis

4-0-22-0, YSoyza 8-0-40-2, MHibbs 2-0-16-0, T Gafa 0.5-0-9-0 Rovers -Bye

BGRADE -ROUND 19

Glengarry5/208(cc) (P Henry102*, JFrancis 40*) def Imperials 121(MMcNulty27, JPorter3/19, J Francis3/34, PHenry 2/33);

Gormandale98(JThompson3/10, DChurchill 2/10, KDuncan 2/26)def by Ex Students 168(MWarne 30,J Thompson 29,KDuncan 26*); Toongabbie 3/192 (K Stoddart73*, MDunn 60*, TCrawford2/34) def Yarram District 8/190(cc)(P Griffiths 65, ABland34, TCrawford25, KStoddart 3/22, THood 2/24, MDunn 2/39); Rovers -bye

CGRADE -ROUND 13 Rovers 4/146 (G Greenway70, RMartin 28*) def Toongabbie 142(BCooper 43, SVeneman33, R Martin 4/12, BNikodemski 2/29,G Greenway2/35); Glengarry122 (S Saju 26) defbyYarram District 200 (S Bonacci 3/28,S Saju 2/12, AHodson 2/21, DCochrane 2/31); Ex Students 7/241(cc)(PHennessy77, SThompson 55, MDillon44, ALovas 3/53,A Murtagh 2/22) def Imperials 78 (D Millington 5/9, TKosterman 2/7)

The Latrobe Valley Express, Wednesday, 22 February, 2023 —Page 41

Family dayout at theMoe RacingClub

HORSE RACING

By TOM HAYES

FRIENDS and family flocked in their numbers to the Moe Racing Club for the Local Cups & Community Race Day on Sunday.

Aseven-race meet was prepared for the couple of hundred people in attendance, and the track was graded aGood 4throughoutthe day.

The racing might not have been the biggest concern;perhaps finding shadewas, as the crowd was treated to aperfect summer’s day in the final weeks of the season.

People were eager to watch the Race 1Moe RefrigerationChurchill Cup Maiden Highweight over 1600 metres, and they didn’t have to wait long to witness alocal winner, when Bullock Island for Sale’s Kevin Milham was first to cross the line.

The four-year-old gelding provedtobemore suited to alonger distance, after being raced on the shorter 1200m races previously, placing ninth and 11th.

Bullock Island jumped best from the pack to take an early lead, stretching to nearly three lengths, closely followed by Shooting Bricks.

As they rounded the bend, BullockIsland and Shooting Bricks steamed well clear of the rest, but the leaddidn’t change as Bullock Island reached the line first, just over two lengths clear.

HolyMongolian for Sale’sAdam Hanley came home in fifth, whileABeautiful Noise for Bairnsdale’s MalcolmLeysfinished eighth and Rusty Nail for Moe’s Ian Jones waslastto crossthe line

Race 2’sJohn KerrReal Estate Trafalgar Cup 0-58 Highweight (2400m), was aclose finish, won by Tasuma for Robbie Laing.

Tasuma came home strong in the final 400m, having to find apath past three horses.

Once he turned at the bend, it was quite literally asprint to the finish line -one that he’d win, pipping He’s Run Away by ahead at the line.

Onlya further halfalength behind was Asternishing, who could’ve beenthe winnerif there was another 100m.

Sassoon for Sale’s Rebecca Kelly was close to

the front in the early stages, but slowed up at the important stages, finishing eighth.

The Race 3Merchant Butchers Newborough Cup 3YO Maiden (1200m) was takenout by Peter Moody’s Swiss Babe.

She swiftly found the lead not long after the jump, before leading the pack for the entire race.

Swiss Babe made it look easy in just her third race, beating the favourite, Checkendon, by nearly two lengths.

Milham was unable to pick up another winner in this race, as his Ballet Boy finished 10th.

Race 4’s Morwell Bowling Club Morwell Cup 4YO Maiden (1200m)saw the first favourite winner of theday, Dirty Mind for Anthony Freedman.

Dempster for Sale’s Susie Wells led early, but in Dempster-fashion, fell off pretty quickly.

Dirty Mind ran behind the pacemakers, running three-wide at the 400m in an attempt to

get aclean line on the straight.

DirtyMindquickly found ground, going stride for stride with Frostwood before kicking clear, reaching the line first by one and ahalf lengths.

Listen for Moe’s Paul and Tracey Templeton camefifth, Noortoomany forKelly finished ninth, while Dempster came last.

The Race 5Natures Cargo Yarragon Cup 0-58 Handicap (1200m) was narrowly won by No New Tricks for Alan Kennan.

No New Trickssettled in the packbefore findingthe frontafter going three-wideatthe bend Fromthere he looked as if he couldn’tbe beaten.

ALate charge was forced by One Man Band forMoe’s Darryl Blackshaw, coming from ninth at the 400m mark.

Like Asternishing in Race 2, One Man Band would’ve been agood chance to win if there was another 100m or so.

But,NoNew Tricksfound the linefirstbyhalf alength to One Man Band, sealing the fifth win of hiscareer.

Beautrooper for Sale’s Troy Kilgower finished sixth, after leading for majority of the race.

Race 6’s LV Drafting Yallourn North Cup 0-58 Handicap (1000m) saw another local winner, whenI’m Cheekyfor Sale’s Bill Woodwon by anose.

Only ahead separated the front three runners, needing aphoto finish to decide the places.

It was eventually found that two locals were in the top three.

I’m Cheeky was first to the line by anose to Revolutionist, who was anose in front of Another Engagement for Moe’s Catherine Martindale.

DeliveryMan for Kelly finished fifth, justunder three lengths away, after he stayed in the same position for most of the race.

The final race of the day, the Race 7Ladbrokes WarragulCup 0-58Handicap (1600m), provided agrandstand two-horseracetocomplete proceedings.

Eevavessance was the early leader, but like most that draw ahead quickly, soon found herself behind everyone.

OnehundredPercent took the leadfrom Eevavessance, stretching to aquick two-length lead, headed for home.

But, Diamanda for MichaelBinneywas not done with yet, clawing back the lead and taking it forherself,first to the line by ahead.

Langworthy for Moe’s Allison Bennett completed the first three, three lengths behind the leading two.

Highland Blaze for Bairnsdale’s Jackson Pallot came seventh, Piccolo Fiore for Hanley was eighth, Bishop Rockfor Wells came 10th, Panagsama for Sale’s Paul Worthington finished 11th and AceyDeucyfor Moe’s CharlieGafa was 12th.

The Moe Racing Club’s next meet is planned to go ahead on ANZACDay (Tuesday, April 25),for the Hip Pocket &Cool Group ANZAC Day Race Day.

Thenext localmeet is at the Sale Turf Club today (February 22), with an eight-race card scheduled for Wednesday racing.

All ages: David, Jenni, Hattie,Larni, Pancyand Carl making the most of theweather

Photo: TomHayes

Smiles: Newborough kids, Makayla and Connor,showing off their fresh face paint.

Photo: TomHayes

Delight: Bullock Islandfor Sale’s KevinMilham wins the opening race of the meet.

Photo: ScottBarbour/RacingPhotos

Familyaffair: Pancy, Larni, Carl,Hattie,Jenni and David spent qualitytime together

Photo: TomHayes

Hot seat: Newborough’s Sueand Leigh foundsome shade close to thetrack

Photo: TomHayes

Out andabout: Kurt andJohn having agreat time

Photo: TomHayes

Sisters: Hill End’sCharley-Raeand Tayla made the most of the sun.

Photo: TomHayes

Shade: Moeand Newborough’s Natalie,Michael, Kyeand Ryan foundagoodspot outofthe sun.

Photo:Tom Hayes

Spotted: James and PeterwithTrafalgar Football-Netball Club senior coach TomHallinan

Photo: TomHayes

Can’t getany closer: I’mCheekyfor Sale’s Bill Wood wins Race 6byanose

Photo: ScottBarbour/Racing Photos

VICTORIAN COUNTRYCHAMPIONSHIPS 2023 HELD IN WANGARATTA-TRARALGONRESULTS

Relay Medal Winners

In addition to the above we have afurther 18 swimmers winningmedals in relays:

Elise Pratt(10)

HarryKurrle (11)

Max Auteri (12)

Sienna Vivian (12)

Thomas Pendergast (12)

Makenzie Hornstra(12)

LaraLandels (13)

Ruby Combridge (13)

MorganMcConville (14)

Jess Whiting (14)

EmilyAuteri(15)

SamSbaglia (17)

Zoe Dowler (17)

Josh Wight (18)

Logan Archibald (19)

Fabienne Schoutens (24)

CamJuha (29)

Maasa Hummel (38)

Additional Finalists

In addition to the above we have thefollowing 20 swimmers whomade individual or relayfinals:

Kaiden Warne(10)

HarryGiblett(11)

Milla Said (11)

BailleyHeafield (12)

Tyler White(12)

Isabella Heath (12)

Hallie Hughes (13)

HollyPritchard(13)

Ruby Kurrle (13)

Ruby Paulet (14)

Madi Vivian (15)

Eliza Watts(17)

Joel Baillie (18)

Jordyn Cargill (18)

Will Pendergast (18)

SamReid (19)

Terrific Traralgon

(12) 31

MollyCargill (17) 12 2

Olivia Baillie (15) 11

Chloe Szkwarek (11)

Abby Paulet (16)

Bridget Cain (21)

Nicolette Wight (16) 1

Kayla Pratt(15)1

Abby Warner (17)

Aliza Couling (11)

Aidan Bell (19)

Brenton Ford (35)

Caitie Mitchell (35)

Ryan Nolan (40)

Individual Statistics

81 swimmers(79 Individual, 2Relayonly)

12 Girlswon Individual medals

9Boyswon Individual medals

18 additional swimmerswon medals in Relays

20 additional swimmersmade Finals or finished in top8 in relays

Atotal of 59 swimmerscontributed to theClubpoints score–anamazing point result.

Local flag: Team Traralgon proudlydisplaytheir trophies from the countrychampionships

SWIMMING

TRARALGON swimming team returned from the Victorian Country Swimming Championships in Wangarattawithanail-biting finish, coming secondbehind Geelong by the smallmarginof 23 points.

All was not lost however, as compared to 2022 when the team returned with no trophies, it came storming back, winningthe Girls Points Score and the Australia Day Points Score trophies.

Taking one of its biggest teamswith81swimmers, the club performed outstandingly, winning 25 gold, 25 silver and 26 bronze medals from 162 finals.

Continuingits tradition of being the premier relay club from the 22 relays, Traralgon won 10 gold, five silver and four bronze medals.

Senior head coach, Brian Ford, was proud of the club’s result.

“We came to Wangaratta with the expectation of finishing third based on the rankings of our swimmers across the program,” he said.

“To finish second and just beaten by Geelong is an outstanding result for the team.

Funding available forsport clubs

GRASSROOTS sports and active recreation clubs and organisations across Gippsland are being urged to apply for funding to boost theirequipment, skills, and administration expertise.

Memberfor Eastern Victoria,HarrietShing, announced applications had opened for the state government’s latest round of the Sporting Club Grants Program.

The program provides payments of up to $1000 for new uniforms and equipment, up to $2000 for trainingcoaches, officials, andvolunteers, and up to $5000 to improve club operational effectiveness.

“This program will support community sporting clubs to continue to get back on their feet, increase the size and number of teams, and get back into

training and competition. It’s part of our commitment to help people get active and involved and support local community sport,” she said.

“I encourage all local clubs to makeanapplication and take advantage of this funding opportunity.”

Grassroots clubs and organisations across Gippsland are encouraged to apply as soonas possible.

The Sporting Club Grants Program is part of the state government’scommitment to make community sport accessible and inclusive, stimulate local economies,build sustainable sport and recreation and volunteer opportunities, and increase local participation.

It’s invested thousands of sporting club grants

totalling more than $15.5 million to clubs across the state since 2015.

“Sport is thelifeblood of Victorian communities. That’s why we’re backing more clubs to help with uniformsand equipment,plus grants to invest in the future throughtraining for coaches and volunteers,” Minister for Community Sport, Ros Spence, said.

“This is about helping clubs get back in the game so more Victorians can join in the fun and tap into all the sport and career pathways that grassroots community sport offers.”

For more information and to apply for Sporting Club Grants Program, visit sport.vic.gov.au/ grants-and-funding

Government backs sports ahead of Comm Games

THE federal government and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) have locked in more than $17millionfor Bowls,Netball and Squash, giving theseCommonwealth Games sports astrong platform for success as Victoria 2026 fast approaches Commonwealth GamesAustralia chiefexecutive, Craig Phillips AM, said that confirmation of funding ensures these selectsportscan focus on their preparations for ahome Games in just over three years.

He also endorsed the need for audacious investment across allVictoria2026program sports to ensure the green and gold remain atop the medal tally, after their success at Birmingham 2022.

“Victoria 2026 is acriticalmilestone in Australia’s High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy, and we welcome this generous funding commitment for Netball, Squash and Bowls by the Australian government and AustralianSportsCommission,” Phillips said.

“For all sports, certainty in funding is what provides for appropriate planning and delivery ahead of competitiononthe worldstage. Our hope is thatthis bold, early investment continues for allVictoria 2026 program sports.

“To top the medal tally in Birmingham, it took the combined efforts of 19 sports. All our member sports will need appropriate levels of investment.”

Bowls is the big winner, receiving a59per cent increase in funding to $5.6 million. This ensures it can supportboth para and able-bodied highperformance programs.

Netball and the Australian Diamonds,who have competedinevery CommonwealthGamesgold medal match, will receive $9.4m in funding, while Squash will receive $2.36m.

Australian SportsCommission (ASC)chief executive,Kieren Perkins OAM, said the AIS was committed to working on behalf of sport to deliver longer-term funding.

“We thank the Australian government for their belief andconfidence in us and the Australian high performance sport system to deliver meaningful results for our country,” Perkins said.

“There’s no doubt funding like this is crucial to helping Australian sport produce more medalwinning moments, but these sporting victories are also big winners for our nation more broadly, benefittingareas such as our economy and our physical and mental health.

“Australia’s High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy outlines ourcollective plantobuild sustainable success in Australian sport. Victoria 2026 is ahugemilestone on our journey over this Green and GoldDecade to the Brisbane2032 Olympics and Paralympics, and beyond.”

Federal Ministerfor Sport, Anika Wells, said this funding would help boost sporting equality during the Green and Gold Decade, and create lasting benefits for athletes and fans.

“The Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games will take high performance sport directly to regional Australia. When you consider aspects of these Games, such as the full integration of para-sport, it’s awonderfulevent to inspire and connect all Australianswith sport. The Australian government is proud to support our Aussie athletes and sports to representour nation and perform at their best,” Wells said.

“It was incredible to watch our Australian athletes compete so brilliantly and top the medal tally at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, but it’s even more exciting to think Australians will get to experience all that excitement first-hand and on home soil at Victoria 2026.”

Australia was represented by 429 athletes at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, with the team toppingthe medal tally with 67 gold, 57 silverand 54 bronze medals.

The Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held from March 17 to 29 2026 across fiveregional hubs -Gippsland,Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong,and Shepparton -and will feature 22 sports.

Photograph supplied

“Swimmers,coaches andparentscame together over the three days to put in one mighty effort of racing, competing and cheering in what is one our best meets ever”.

Swimmer of the meet for the club was multi-class athlete, 16-year-old Kayla Wilson, who won five gold medals, dominating her events.

In the able bodiedevents, the two young guns, 12-year-old PhoebeBalcombe(three gold,one silver) and 13-year-old Brody Cargill (two gold, one silver, one bronze) were outstanding in their age group.

The club now heads towards the Gippsland Championships in Sale, where it has won the past 23 years in succession as the premier team.

It hopes to have abig team withmore than 100 swimmers to hold back the challenges coming from the South Gippsland Bass and Warragul clubs, who also will have more than 100 swimmers competing at the meet.

Agreat competition featuring the best Gippsland swimmerswillbeheld in Sale this Friday to Sunday at Aqua Energy.