Latrobe Valley Express Wednesday 27 September 2023

Givea damn.Give acan

ROTARY Club of Traralgon Central thanks the Traralgon community for their donation of 15,000 cans of tinned food to the Vinnies Food Bank.

Traralgon,you havemade areal difference.

Aspecial thanks to the parent communities of the 15 schools who donated 10,000 cans to the collection. Thanks also to all supporting businesses, sports clubs, kerbside collectors, community groupsand aged care facilities.

Participatingschools: Chairo Christian School, St Gabriels Primary School,Glengarry PS,StMichaels PS, Grey StreetPS, St Pauls Anglican Grammar, Kosciusko St PS, Traralgon South PS, Lavalla Catholic College Traralgon Special Developmental School, Liddiard Road PS, Tyers PS, Narracan PS, YallournNth PS, Stockdale Rd PS, Give aDamn. Give aCan is supported by the Latrobe City Trust and the LV Express

Moe ArtSociety

THE Moe Art Society’s Spring Art Show is coming up, with opening night on October 6from6.30pm.

The show will run from October 7 until the 28th.

We have some 200 entries this year and 124 entries fromlocal primary schools. We are in our 79th year as an art group so abig birthday is coming up next year.

For moreinformation, phone Moe Art Society PresidentBerylGalloway, on 0407271 686 or secretary Peter McLaren (0400 933 609).

Morwell Rotarians

MORWELL Rotarians recentlyheard about changes to mental health services in Gippsland as aresult of major reforms to Victoria’s mental health system.

Latrobe Regional Health Executive Director Mental Health, Sebastiano

Corner

Romano, explained that changes would produce localservices thatwere more responsivetothe needs of people with amental illness and their carers.

Mr. Romano was appointed to the positionofexecutive director in December2021and has 23 years experience in nursing and leadership roles. He leads the delivery of high quality person-centred care to the Gippsland region and stated that thelived experiences of those in the community had made asignificantcontributiontothe re-design of services.

Mr Romano also spoke of the history of mental health care in the region and two newdevelopments plannedfor the future:a10-bedfacility in Traralgon to support the recovery of young people aged 16-25 and aservice in LRH’s EmergencyDepartmentfor people presenting with amental illness and issues with alcohol or other drugs.

Gippsland Acoustic Music Club

OUR next concertwillsee us revert back to evenings and be on Sunday, October at 7.30pm at Tyers Hall.

Themainact will be local favourite, Harry Hook togetherwith Alex Black. The supportact for the night will be Ukelicious, the GAMC’s ukulele performance group.

Tickets can be pre-purchased at www.trybooking.com/CLIEX or cash entryatthe door;$25 adults,$20 members/concession, under 18 free.

For more information about this or other club events, go to www.musicclub.org.au, our Facebook page or on Instagram @gippslandmusic

Moe Senior Citizens

MOE Senior Citizens invite new members into their club.

We meet at our club rooms,45A Langford StreetMoe, every Friday at 11.30am for ahome-cooked lunch, followed by raffles and bingo at 12.30pm.

We alsohold abarbecue lunch and bingo on the last Sunday of the month and several members’ outings throughout the year.

Everyone overthe age of 50 is welcome to join our friendly social club and take part in our activities. So come and visit us any Friday, bring afriend and join in the fun.

Spring plant fundraiser

MORWELL Historical Society will be holding their Spring Plant Fundraiser on Saturday, October 7commencingat 9am at 12 Hazelwood Road, Morwell. As well as avast array of plants, there will be asausage sizzle, homemade jams, produce, gardeningbooks and greeting cards available.

All proceeds from this fundraiser will go towards paying off the debt on our beautiful historic community building.

Your support will be very much appreciated to enable this fundraiser to be ahuge success. For any enquiries, please phone 0409 436 019.

Moe

Rotary

ROTARY Club of Moe was askedto cater for EnergyAustralia’s RUOK Day recently

Rotarians arrived at 5.30am at Yallourn Power Station and cooked 250 egg and bacon sandwiches for the morning shift workers.

Time to tango

LEARN howtoTango, every Wednesdaynigh from 7am in the St David’s Uniting Church Hall, Yarragon (9 Campbell Street).

Fun every week with professional Tango instructor, choreographer and dancer Fabio Robles and Michelle Di Monte.

Join us learning Argentine Tango.

 Friendly welcoming group

 All inclusive

 No partner necessary

 Gentle exercise

 Walking dance

DestinyBandOz

YALLAMBEE runs ahappyhour event each Friday afternoon.

On October 6wehave Destiny Band Oz performing for our Margery Cole and Village Residents.

Destiny Band Oz is an in-demand bandheadedupbyaward-winning and chart topping Australian singersongwriterrecording artists Tessa and Thomas Libreri.

Boasting seven number onesongs out of their three albums across

Australia and internationally, with alistofawards to their name since 2017, we are hoping for afabulous event for our residents.

Citizen of the year

LIONS Club of Moe are once again seeking nominations for the Moe/ NewboroughCitizens of the Year Award, which is presented on Australia Day.

There are two categories, one for Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year for ages between 12 and 25 years andAustralia DayCitizen of the Year.

Both of these awardswill be presented on Australia Day at Heritage Park, Moe.

Allnominations must have contributed and demonstrated outstanding service to the Moe/Newborough community in avoluntary capacity.

Closing date for the nominations is Friday, November 3, 2023.

Pleasephone Lion RobertSharrock on 0497 299 719 or Lion Allison Stewart (0407 230 044) for any further information.

For acopy of the nomination form, email Lion Barbara Cameron moelionsaustraliaday@outlook.com.

Morwell Combined Pensioners

MONDAY, October 2isour next lunch and meeting.

Lunch will be provided at acost of $5 per member and tea and the usual $2 forbottomless tea and coffee.

Lunch will be served from 12.30pm onwards.

Guest speakerisMikeKirkness talking financial capability.

Rafflesand afternoontea when meetingisover and if any member wishes to bring aplate for afternoon tea, please feel free to do so.

We are also in much need of raffles for the raffle table.

Anyone interested in joiningour group, information can be had from the president on 0414 962 615or secretary on 0413 089 696.

Chess results

PETER Baker accepted the draw and wonthe replay against Matt Bolding

Ian Hamilton completed the round with oneloss,one draw and three wins.

SteveAhern showed fighting spirit but did not quite find the best lines.

Around with plenty of mistakes by all players was typified by the missed

winning chances for Cliff Thornton. Phone Ian Hamilton on 0400 221 649 or Cliff Thornton (0413 330 458) for furtherdetails on local chess.

Viewclub

MOE View Club October meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 4at the Moe Hotel (Leggies) at 10.30am. Socially, some ladies enjoyed lunch at VictorianTea Rooms at Rosedale recently, raising money for the Smith family.

For further information, please phone Sue on 0417 515 745 or Maureen (0458 842 256).

Get Together

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

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, October 4at10aminthe Traralgon Uniting Park Lane Foyer. Thiswillbeatimewhenyou can meet and chat with others over a cuppa.

If you or anyone you know would like to be apart of this Get Together, please come and bring them along. All are welcome. For more detail, phone 5174 2398 or 5177 8107.

Improve your computer skills

ARE you frustratedwith your computer skills and not able to do what youwant with technology?

Learn about your computer desktop, manage files, transfer files, emails, understand software programs, online platforms, communicateonline, safety from scams and more.

Whether you have Windows 10 or 11, help is available.

New Monday afternoon and Wednesday eveningcourses are starting in October.

Increase your confidence now by phoning the TraralgonNeighbourhood Learning House on 5174 6199 or email enquiries@tnlh.org.au.

SydneyHotshots

SYDNEY Hotshots are coming to Moe.

The Hotshots will entertain the Moe RSL on Thursday, October 5from 8pm

The two-hour production is avisual feast, choreographed and developed by Australia’s leading professionals.

Ahigh-energy production, the show boasts agood mix of killer dance routines, eye-catching costumes, acrobatics and jaw-dropping athletic male physiques. For tickets,visithttps://bit.

ly/3XYRqnH

Youcan be apartof Community Corner

IF you are acommunity groupand have any news items you need publicised, feel free to email us at news@ lvexpress.com.au.

You can address the correspondence to Editor, Liam Durkin.

Please write ‘CommunityCorner’ in the subject line and nothing else.

Deadline is Friday 9am to appear in the following Wednesday issue.

Saturday28October, 2023.

The committee and members would like to offer an invitation to all Service Members of the local area to attend with their partners Service members are not required to be a member of the RSL or organisation to attend

Community

with Liam Durkin

Appreciated: Morwell Rotary Chairman MikeAnswerth(right) thanks guestspeaker SebastianoRomano from Latrobe Regional Health. Photographs supplied

Community: Moe RotariansHelen McDonald,DaveWood, LynCassar, Ross Maxfield,Alan Bishop and Bill Connell preparing egg and bacon sandwiches forYallourn PowerStation workersonRUOK Day.

Practical action needed in transition

By PHILIP HOPKINS

BLIND ideology that ignores practical action and local knowledge is undermining the role that the Latrobe Valley can play in helping to fight global warming, according to aprominentGippsland figure, Richard Elkington OAM.

Mr Elkington was speaking at arecent public forum in Pakenham. The forum was partofa series of forums arranged by Liberty Events to promote increased understanding of major issues facing the state and the nation.

He said government policy should use the Valley’s comparative advantages -arational use of lignite and fostering hydrogen production -toposition the regiontoplay abiggerclimate role and also create economic and social development.

Mr Elkington outlined his qualifications that justified him speaking to the forum.These included his profession as amechanical engineer who had spenthis working life in Latrobe Valley power stations; as aformer chair of Regional Development Australia Gippsland and Gippsland Water; and his experience in managing greenhouse compliance, governmentrelations and browncoal research.He is also alifemember of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Commenting on the socio-political environment, Mr Elkington said there was general community acceptance of human-inducedclimate change. However, the debate was highlypartisan, with hard positions on all sides.

“Alternative views are not tolerated, and there is ahugeamountofvirtue-signalling and greenwashing,” he said.

“The issues are complex, and we all feel disempowered. It is difficult to obtain a‘neutral’ view.”

This came at atimewhenthe Australian populationwas tipped to rise to 40.5 million within four decades,whichwas likely to exacerbatethe country’s economic and socialpressures.

Mr Elkington said ideology driven by high emotion and often hysteria hadbroughtabout distortions on apractical way to deal with climate issues.

The roleofbrown coal,and even that of gas, in energy production had been demonisedand neglected in the blind pursuit of renewable energy as the sole solution. The favouring of renewables at the expense of browncoal powerstations had distorted energy market and had led to stunts like

the recreation of the StateElectricity Commission of Victoria.

“This has forced up pricesoffossil-fuelledenergy and baked in highelectricity and gas prices.Ithas forced the earlydecline and closure of power plants, including brown coal plants,” he said.

“Rational analysis has been distorted. There has been no proper business case, which has potentially stranded the Victoriangas and lignite sectors. This has underminedoperation, maintenance and investment and spurned investors.

“This has resulted in the pursuit of high-cost abatement options through mandated actions. Mining and coal have become dirty words.”

Why did we do this to ourselves? Mr Elkington asked rhetorically. It wasdue to alackofwill, short-term decision-making and political realities.

“There has been alackofunderstanding of how energy works by decision makers, apandering to special interest groupsand alack of abroadbased approach. The media and community have acquiesced into apanickedreaction,” he said.

Mr Elkingtonsaidthis situation had made Australia self-centred with abelief it could play a bigclimate role and underestimate the difficulties othercountries had in climate action.

“Australia is not asiloextending to the heavens. Much of the rest of the world has aright to aspire to thesamestandards of living,” he said -and that meant using fossil fuelstopower cheapenergy, boost economic growth and overcome poverty.

Mr Elkington said Australia had thus avoided dealing with major issues of national interest.

“We have abandoned manufacturing,” he said.

“We have created adistorted, not lower cost transition.Inits place wasa plethoraoftransition plans, of bread and circuses.”

In contrast, Mr Elkington said Australia should talk about the ‘big picture’.

“Utilise our competitive advantages, address real issues of concern in our society and recognise that adifferent approach is necessary,” he said.

Mr Elkington said Australia should recognise that some adaptation was required.

“Have areal open debate and recognise market realities -pursuehydrogen production,pursue lignite use and invest in renewables research,” he said.

Knowledgeable: Traralgon resident and Victorian Chamber of Commerceand Industrylifemember, RichardElkingtonOAM, spokeata public forumrecentlyregarding issues facing the stateand nation. File photograph GP1661459

Crossword Puzzle No.8553

with Muzza

ONE POINTERS

1. What is the name of the Lone Rangers Indian friend?

2. What is the squarerootof64?

3. Paul Rudd plays the part of what character in the Marvel movies?

4. Who won this year’sNorth Gippsland Football Netball League seniors football premiership?

TWO POINTERS

5. What is the name of the actor who played ‘Tick’ in the movie ‘The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’?

6. What state/territory is the town of Gisborne in?

7. The Windy City’ is which place’smostcommon nickname?

8. What is the name of the Native American object that is traditionally made of awillow hoop, awoven web or net and is decorated with things like beads and feathers called?

THREE POINTERS

9. What is the largest island in the world?

10. In the cartoon show ‘Futurama’ what is the name of the robot?

11. The book “Interview with aVampire’ was written by which author?

12. What is agroup of flamingos called?

FOUR POINTERS

13. What is the date of the upcoming Australian Indigenous Voice Referendum?

14. Who won this year’sNorth Gippsland Football Netball League AGrade netball championship?

FIVE POINTER

15. Give me the names of these 5songs from their lyrics. One point for each correct answer

1. Hello Dan, it’sJoe here...

2. She said it’scoldoutside,and she hands me my raincoat...

3. On adark desert highway,coolwind in my hair

4. Father McKenzie, writing the words of asermon that no one will hear

5. They say,“Oh my God, Isee the way you shine...

HOW DID YOU FARE?

37: Topofthe class; 30-36: Outstanding; 23-29: Well done; 15-22: Solid effort; 9-14: Room for improvement; 0-8: Hit the books.

Target Time No.0177

Howtoplay...

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

next

Churchill district news

BY KATRINA BRANDON

CHURCHILL and DistrictNews

(CDN) are looking for some new volunteers.

If you are looking for an opportunity to meet new people, have time to spare and want to have ago at an editorial, here is your shot.

CDN is an award winning paper and are apart of the Community Newspaper Association of Victoria.

"We think the paper is areally important part of the community resource. We get reallygood feedback from the people in the community because it is reallymuchabout local issues, local people, we have all the local schools contributeonce amonth," member Shelley McDonald said.

CDN is based in the Churchill, Boolarra, Yinnar andHazelwoodarea where volunteers workout of the co-operating Church in Churchill.

There are plenty of opportunities available, according to Ruth Place, one of the members.

"You don't need to know much about creating a paper, we are more than happy to help teach you on how to run apaper," Ms Place said. Positions like marketing, advertising, production,

administration, bookkeeping, IT, andsocialmedia are available.Not to mention, proof-readers are most welcome to help out.

Anyone who wants to volunteer is welcometojoin the monthly paper. Ms Place said that for those in universityorinlatestagesofhigh schoolwould be good for them as it is something that is good on theirCV, is good for socialising and is flexible for those on tough schedules.

"Some do aweek per month on the paper. Ithink it is important to say people can put in as much time or as little time as they want. Any kind of time on the paper," Ms McDonald said.

The CDNwas first createdbythe first Churchill church minister in 1965, where daily events like when the milk was delivered and new developments coming to the area were listed in asmall, handheld booklet. Now, it is afull sized tabloid.

Ms Place and Ms McDonaldtoldthe Express that they both enjoy the paper as it allows them to makeconnections and relationships withinthe local community and the news group.

To volunteer, email Ruth on cdneditorial@ cdnews.com.au or phone 0456 786 577

New kids on the block

Introducing Leonidas Jerry Katiforis, bornSaturday, September 92023 at 5.41am to proud parents Liana Williamson and Paul Katiforis.Weight: 7.54lb.

Help needed: Ruth Place and ShelleyMcDonaldofChurchill and District News areonthe lookout formorevolunteers.

Photograph: Katrina Brandon

MorwellSEC presence confirmed

By ZAIDAGLIBANOVIC

THE re-established State Electricity Commission (SEC) will definitely have an office in Morwell.

The interim chiefexecutive of the SEC, Chris Miller, confirmedthe establishment of the office in an interview with the Express at the Gippsland New Energy Conference in Sale.

Mr Miller said the SEC’s Morwell office would go ahead once SEC operationalplanning was finalised.

“We are consciousofthe expectations in Morwell and Gippslandthat we have apresence here -what Iwant to do is get that strategy rightand then workout exactlywhatour regional footprint looks like. In the meantime, we’ve secured some space at the Victorian government hub (in Morwell),” Mr Miller said.

Havingalready sent stafftobegin workinthe governmenthub andinGippsland, theSEC maintains it is committed to apresenceinthe region.

Talking to the Express,MrMiller confirmed that the SEC was “in the market, lookingfor people basedinMorwell to work from Morwell -atthis stage, asmall number”.

Despite confirming its Morwell presence, the SEC has yet to confirm details about its operation and establishment.

“We’re still going through apretty important design and re-establishment phases for the SEC,” Mr Miller said.

The state government made apromise to resurrect the SEC so that it may compete in the commercial energy market and provide publicly owned substitutes for ageing fossil fuel electrical infrastructure.

“We’reworking up astrategyfor the organisation, and we really want to get that strategyright before we design our detailed footprint,” Mr Miller said.

“What we’re trying to do is make sure the form of the organisation really followsthe function of the organisation.”

The SEC has had arocky start, with the resignation of the former chief scientist and SEC adviser, Dr Alan Finkel.

It was reported by the Financial Review that Dr Finkel’s resignation from his advising role at the SEC came as the organisation received wide spread criticism from energy experts thatthe SEC had no real plan.

The state government committedaninitial $1 billioninthe May budget to help deliver 4.5 gigawatts of power through renewable energy projects, with

theVictorian government to takeamajority stake in the projects Mr.Millermaintained the SEC’splanning stage was“well-progressed”inthe timeline to full-scale operation, but could not confirm any set dates of operations.

When it comes to local job opportunities, the SEC

‘Mark 2’ willnot be the same employer it once was for the region

“I’ve got ateam who is largely based in Melbourne at the moment, and they’re workingwith me on the design and implementation phase,” Mr Miller said. It was confirmed earlier this year after extensive questioning from the Gippsland South Nationals

MP,Danny O’Brien, during the PublicAccounts and EstimatesCommittee that $44.5million in funding over two years has been allocated to preparethe SECfor itsnew role,including setting up apresenceinMorwell and Melbourne.

Thefunding will cover various costs,including staffing, securing accommodation and retention of experts; however, thereisnospecific funding allocation to Morwell.

The SEC Implementation Office has already secured space in Morwell and is currently in the process of hiring staff who will be located there.

All SEC roles are advertised as being able to be based in Morwell or Melbourne.

The SEC’s footprint will ultimately be informed by the organisational strategy and the SEC’s investment portfolio, both of which are currently under development.

In hisspeech at the New Energy Conference,Mr. Miller touched on his inspiration for the old SEC. Formed in 1921, the SEC was made to transition Victoria into abrown coal power generation state andreduce itsreliance on black coal imports for more reliable and affordable energy.

Described as an innovative driving force of Australia’s energy market,the SEC aims once againtobecome justthat by bringingtogether theprivate and public sectors and accelerating renewables.

Victoria’s goal to achieve at least 95 per cent of the grid renewable energy by 2035isanambitious one that the SEC recognises needstobeaccelerated to achieve those goals.

During Qand Atime, Mr Miller was asked how the SECcould stay acompanyinvestedin energy but also agovernment entity and ensure no disadvantage to the private sector.

Mr Miller said thatthey’d workatanarm’s length of the government.

The Financial Review reported when the SEC was announced that there was achancethat with so many big corporations applying for feasibility licenses in offshore wind in Gippsland, having the state government as competition may deter investors.

Ms Miller addressed some of these concerns, sayinghewas confident the public and private sectors couldworktogethertoachieve better outcomes for the energy economy.

The SEC has yet to find its first project, with many corporations ahead in the renewableinvestment game and marketoperator warnings that the transition is going too slowly.

Research into zero emission and alternative uses of coal

By PHILIP HOPKINS

US President Joe Biden has put billions of dollars intoresearch on waystouse coal to make products without burning the coal and thus not creating greenhousegas emissions, according to asenior Latrobe Valley figure.

The chief executiveofAustralian Carbon Innovation at Federation University, BrianDavey, said aUSconference that he recently attended was told that$US 13.4 billion wasavailable in President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act for ‘coal to other products’.

The IRA climate legislation, passed lastyear, has more than $A500billion worth of programs and funding to accelerate the transition to net zero in the US.

Mr Davey said US researchers were mainly using the IRA funding for projects in carbon fibre, rare earth minerals, CO2 capture and utilisation, graphites and graphenes.

“The things they are doing is what we wouldlike to do in many respects,” he said.

Graphite, acrystalline form of carbon, is used in pencils, lubricants, polishes, arch lamps and batteries. Graphene, asinglelayer of carbon atoms tightly bound in ahexagonal honeycomb lattice, is tough, flexible, light and with high resistance, with applications in energy, construction, health and electronics.

Mr Davey said the latest flavour of month was rare earth minerals that can be extracted from coal.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have these minerals in our lignite, but in everything else they were doing, there was almost aparallel evolution with what we are trying to do in Australia,” he told the Express

The Americanswere also interested in ‘activator carbons’, “a medium to clean up pollution -water and chemical clean-ups, oil spills”. Activated carbon is used to purify liquids and gases in avariety of applications, includingmunicipal drinking water, food and beverage processing, odour removal and industrial pollution control.

“What it can also do is signal potential for carbon capture out of that process.”

Mr Davey said the US would pay up to $US180 per tonne for carbon capture.

“In Australia, we get not acent.Ifyou had a subsidy for capture of CO2 in Australia, Isuspect the HESC(Japanese coal-to-hydrogen) project would probably be building acommercial project now,” he said.

“In termsofresearch funding lignite at thefederal and statelevel, it is zero. There wasnothing in the last state budget. We mayget some supportfor our operational costs. Thatisstill not finalised;I’m reasonably confident that will happen, but there is no point in having operational funding if you can’t do any research.”

Mr Daveysaidthe US conferencedelegatesfound it difficult to understand that Victoria has this huge resource (brown coal), which is much bigger than their resource.

“They have adifferent coal, sub-bituminous coal,” he said-a lower grade of coal whose properties are between those of lignite and bituminous coal, the second-highest grade of coal.

The Latrobe Valley’s brown coal was more complex than the US coal.

“There is avariety of things we can do that they can’t do. They could not understand how we would not be utilising this resource in Australia,”hesaid.

Mr Davey said the conference participants came from awide variety of backgrounds, Democrats and Republicans.

“They could not get their heads around it -how much coal we have and why we would not use that coal. It seems like anatural advantage the state has,” he said.

“There appears to be huge opportunities in this spaceifweare preparedtograsp this opportunity. The word ‘coal’ has no nuance. You have to be ‘carbon neutral’ or ‘negative’. There are huge opportunities in the agricultural space for usbioremediation,soil amendments,improvements The resource has the capacity to do lots of things.”

Energy boss: ChrisMiller speaks at the Gippsland NewEnergy Conference in Sale recently.

Photograph: Zaida Glibanovic

Women’s health outcomes concerning

By ZAIDAGLIBANOVIC

GIPPSLAND women are suffering from alarming and disproportionate rates of gendered and family violence, Gippsland Women’s Health's(GWH) first annual report card has found.

The report, aregional first, showed concerning picture of the health of women in the community. The extensive consultation resultsfrom the2022/23 period identified mentalhealth,well-being and gendered violence as the most pressing concerns.

Gippsland women consistently reported that they face ahealthcare systemthatoverwhelminglydoes not acknowledge or understand the complexities and demands of women's health and their lives.

Victoria Police crime reporting rates for the 2022 yearfoundthe Latrobe Valley was number one in the state for domestic violence reporting rates.

Gippsland continues to have the reputation of some of the highest rates of family violence crime reporting in Victoria.

Family violence rates sit at 184 women per 10,000 of population whohave experienced it compared to the state average of 114 women per 10,000 of population. In real terms, that equates to 500 women in Traralgon, 1500 across Latrobe Valley and300 women in Sale and 900 across Wellington Shire.

The lack of access to healthcare servicesalsoconcerned many women, as services such as General Practitioners (GPs), specialists and women's health experts are not the easiest to access in Gippsland.

The reportidentified the affordability of services, travel time, alackoftransport and isolation all contributed to the challenges in accessing services.

From the report, GWH found 79 per cent of women had to travel outside the region to access health care services in the past year.

However, some improvement in health accessibility was registered with the roll out of two sexual health and reproductive hubs in Gippsland -one in East Gippsland and one in the Valley,but GWH said more could be done.

Latrobe and Wellington regions have higher than state average rates for births, teenage pregnancy, alongsidehigher ratesofsexually transmitted diseases -Chlamydia in particular.

The reportcard stated thatthe mentalhealth

and well-being status of Gippsland womenremains in crisis,with gender inequity, violence, bushfires, floods and industry downturn, along with ashortage of services, havingall contributed to the continuing challenges for women’s well-being.

Latrobe Valley currently has the highest rates of self-harm-related injury in Gippsland, far exceeding the state average.

In female participation in the workforce, the report found ahigher level of part-time work and lowerpay,withless time spent in the workforce resulting in some real income inequalities and superannuation gaps for women in Gippsland.

In some interesting insights, the report found

only 25 per cent of women in Gippsland earn above the minimum wage, with 35 per cent of women in full-time employment.

As in therestofthe nation, homelessnesswas also areal issue for women in Gippsland.

Latrobe Valley hasa homelessness rate for women of 207 per 10,000, East Gippsland158 and Wellington is 141 -disproportionately higher statistics than the state average.

Overthe past 12 months, GWH hasincreased its efforts to improvewomen's healthoutcomes. GWH nowworks with OneGippsland and the Gippsland Centre against Sexual Assault, alongside partnerships with AGL, Gippsland Food &Fibre, Men's

Shed, Youth Space and Rural Financial Service.

Chief executive of GWH, Kate Graham said the organisation wouldcontinue to engage with the community to find solutions for women in Gippsland.

"The solution can be found by Gippsland leaders, industriesand communities having the courage, therespect and the humility to acknowledgeand facilitate equaltreatment, access,opportunityand distribution of resources for women and girls -it is after all afundamental human right," she said.

To read the full report head to www.gwhealth. asn.au/

Making energy transition work for community

ADDRESSING socialdisadvantage whileincreasing community participation for marginalised groups, including First Nations, youngpeople and migrants, areamong theopportunities identified in areport by Latrobe Valley residents during the region's energy transition.

During arecent ‘What Next -Community leadership for apositive transition’ community engagementprocess, agroup of community leaders and residents spoke about their hopes and ideas for agood energy transition.

Akey findingwas that participants believedthat if managed well, the energy transition could provide opportunities to transform and improvethe systems that underpin society, the regional economy, and people’s relationship with the local environment. Theysaw potentialbenefitsbeyond job creation and Australia’s decarbonisation goals, and describedopportunitiestoensure the energy transition delivered improvements to people’s quality of life and the environment. Participants also offered tangible ideas for steps that could be taken to achieve this.

“The Latrobe Valley is undergoing arapid economic transition as it grapples with the looming closure of the remaining threecoal-fired electricity plants and the acceleration of renewable energy

developments acrossthe broader region,” said Lisa Lumsden, the project manager with The Next Economy.

“One of the key objectives of this project was to facilitate conversations with agroup of leaders who represented adiverse range of residents from across the Latrobe Valley to understand the current barrierstoparticipation and their views on the energy transition.”

Ms Lumsden said participants agreed that energy change was well underway,with some progress achieved.

"However, everyone knows this is along road, and diverse participation from the local community has an important role to play in shaping where it leads,” she said First Nations leaders involved with the project described wanting to partner with developers and government, and find opportunities to embed cultural values and Indigenousknowledge in transition planning and activities.

“If donewell, the energy transition couldcontribute towards improving health,education, housing supplyand efficiency,cost of living, serviceaccess, plus other barrierscurrently experienced by people in the region. We could make energy transition improve our lives, if we make it our priority,” said

Harlequin Goodes, aLatrobe Valley project youth participant.

The chairofGippsland Climate ChangeNetwork, Carolyn Crossley, saidproponents wanted to primarily source labour from within Gippsland.

"Local education and training institutions have introducedcourses to addressthe skills needs,” she said.

"A recent study foundhundredsofGippsland businesses already have capabilities applicable to the renewable industry. However, it is accepted thatdue to skills and labourforce limitations, some labour will need to be temporarily imported if we are to meet our decarbonisation targets.”

Specificopportunitiesidentified in the report included:

 Addressing socio-economic disadvantage and issues related to equity and the liveability of the region;

 Deepening community participation in local and regional development by making it easier for young people, First Nations people, multi-cultural and immigrant communities, and other groups to participate in decision-making processes;

 Improving governance practices within the institutions involved in leading, coordinating

and regulating the energy transition, especially transparency and accountability;

 Expanding Traditional Owners leadership and power to influence decision making regarding all aspects of the energy transition, and finding ways for institutions, industry and community groups to partner with them;

 Improving efforts to protect and rehabilitate the environment and increasing opportunities for Traditional Owner management of natural resources;

 Realising the full value of new energy developments by expanding community awareness, understanding and participation in planning, project development and decisionmaking processes;

 Strengthening regional economic resilience through astronger focus on locally led and locally owned economicdevelopment initiatives, and;

 Increasing local employment and participation in new industries by providing information, training, and access to arange of current and future workforce opportunities.

Sobering: GippslandWomen’s Health annual report cardfound bleak outlooks forwomen’s health in the region File photograph

The town of dreams, now just that

By BRIAN HANDLEY*

ONCE upon atime, therewas abeautiful little town tucked away in aValley, where its residents lived in peace and harmony, and worked for awise and benevolent (people-owned) employer.

Their job was to produce and deliver cheap and reliable electricity to all the other villages and towns in the state.

They did their jobsowell that therewas prosperity, and new industries were created across the land, providing full employment for the growing population. As thedemandfor electricity grew, more and more power stations were built, attracting more and more people to this “Valley of Dreams”.

The people became very happy and content and celebrated this idyllic lifestyle with colourful festivals, in which all manner of creative motorised oats were constructed with pride and passion to parade down the main street to the cheers of locals lining the way. These oats represented sporting, music and other clubs; boy scouts, girl guides, churches, andabig varietyofother groups including marchinggirls dressed in beautiful uniforms.

It was indeed ajoyous time for all, where people felt safe enough to leave their homes and cars unlocked, both day and night. The town only had one policeman, and his main job was to help young people get their driver’s licence.

The word soon spread throughout the land and indeed the world, that there was peace and jobs aplenty in the ValleyofDreams. Peoplestarted hopping on ships fromaroundthe globemigrating to this Valley seeking both peace and prosperity. Some of the brightestpeoplealive came to work forthis benevolent employer and soon specialised heavy engineering workshops were created requiring specialised skills. In time, the employer was being asked to do work for others around the world as only they had the expertise required.

As prosperity increased, the people’s employer gavebacktoits loyal workforce by creating amenities such as aworld-class picture theatre,

swimming pool, sporting ovals, local hospital and it maintained its rented homes in first-class order, repairing and repainting every seven years.

People became very house (and garden) proud and would conduct “best garden”competitions, sponsored by the town’s very own newspaper,The Live Wire, which annually featured aphoto of the proud winner in their garden, holding the trophy of this prestigious award.

The reputationofthis beautiful town kept growing, and people came from far and wide to view its beautifully landscaped streets and public and private gardens. Soon the whole state was celebrating what the gentlepeopleofthis town had achieved and the state invited the newly crowned QueenofEngland and her handsomePrince to visit. This was indeed ajoyous occasion for all the townspeople, as they lined the streets to greet Her Majesty,waving with great patrioticpride. Her Majesty visited the open-cut mine where the browncoal was dredged for the new power stations The Monarch wasveryimpressed with this “brown power” and the prosperity it was providing for subjects/citizens of the country.

Yes, this beautiful little town in the Valley of Dreams was as close to utopia as the country had ever seen. Children played happily in the streets and would walk to and from school each day and happily go to church on Sundays withtheir parents, to thank God for all their blessings.

Peopleknew their neighbours would help look after eachother’s property and animals whenever they were away. Not only did people know and respecttheir neighbours; they personally knew, or knew of, everyone by name in the town.

Then oneday,something unexpected happened. The government decided this benevolent employer was too benevolent and should concentrate on producing power and no longer be alandlord.

It was time for the people of this town to be evicted from theirhomes and for the town itself to disappear.

The people wereinshockand triedtoprotest and even offeredtobuy their rented homes, but the government would not listen. So, over time, all the homes and all the people disappeared from theirutopiaand the town was no more. All that remained were the memories that could not be taken and to this day live on, handed down from generation to generation.

Not long after the people wereevicted, the government decided the employer alsohad to go, as it now planned to sell the power stations and brown-coal deposits to the highest bidder.

So it came to passthat this powerindustry, ownedbythe people for so long, was sold to private companies, keen to make big profits on their new investments.

Soon, electricity prices startedtorise and rise and rise,whichcaused more and more industriesto close. Their once proud, world-classmanufacturing industry was all but gone, as were all the jobs.

This massive loss of jobs had an impact on the health and social well being of the region, which caused thisone-time utopia to unravel due to family breakdown, increased crime, and drug use. People no longer felt safe in their homes and were wary of neighbours.

Home values dropped -many were unableto sell their homes at any price, as the people left seeking work elsewhere. Those who remained were confrontedbyempty homes and shops and despair.

Festivals became athing of the past and many sporting clubs folded due to the lack of young people.

The Valley of Dreams was no longer.

Those who remained saw their once proud power industry come under further attack froma newage, “enlightened” political elitewho decreed coal to be the “enemy of the people”and said that unless coal wasbanned, it would cause the globe to warm, the seas to rise and the rains to stop.

So, the new ruling class handed down an edict, that there would be no new coal-power stations and those that remained had to be progressively

erased from the “face of the earth”. When the people protested that insofar as their eyes could see, the globe was not warming, the seas were not rising and the dams were notempty,they were ostracised and labelled “deniers”. Everyone had to accept that their green emperor was “wearing the nest silk that money could buy”.

After successfully demonising coal (once celebrated by the Queen of England) the political elites proceeded to build hundreds of large windmill monuments all over the country in homage to their new-age pagangreen god. Power prices continued to rise, and the poor were forced to turn off heaters due to the rising cost of electricity.

While these windmills and sun-worshipping solar panels were hailed as their(power-source) saviour, it was discovered they only worked when the wind blowsand sun shines. This in time created ashortage of electricity and people were forced to turn off their lights, or the government would do it for thembycutting powerto towns andvillages, called “brownouts”.

Another problemwas (unlike with coal-power stations), windmills produced very unstable power that caused the lights to flicker and the pumps to stop pumping.

While all this was going on in the town and villages,the “enlightened” rulerscontinued to selltheirabundance of demonised coal to other countries to burn in their new coal-power stations, as money was still adored by these new-age elites. Meanwhile, the people got poorer and poorer and, as in the pre-electricity age, had to return to burning fossil fuels to keep warm, mourning their lost utopia in the Valley of Dreams.

Note:Asweknow from our childhood, fairy tales typically have ahappy ending, but the author is struggling to find one.

Brian Handley is an old Yallourn boy.

Solutions

Target Time No.0176 deform, deiform, demon, demur,denim, dime, dimer,dome, dorm, dormie, drum, emir,femur,fermion, firm, firmed, form, forme, formed, forum, from, fume, fumed, fumier,idem, informed, informed, mend, meno, menu, merino, mien, mind, minder, mine, mined, miner,minor,mire, mired, miro, mode, modern, moire, monied, more, morn, moue, mound, mourn, mourned, muon, murine, nimrod, norm, odeum, odium, odium, omen, remind, rime, rimed, rimu, rumen, unformed, uniform, UNIFORMED.

Picturesque: Old Yallourn boyBrian Handleyremembers aonce thriving town

Photograph supplied

Trust between paramedics and farmers

FOR paramedic Jess, the inherenttrust that comes withbeing afirst responder is ahighlight of the workshe does on-farm with Ambulance Victoria.

It’s this trustthatpositionsJess andother first respondersasrespected advisors to farmers who oftentendtobethe most stoic of audiences.

“We’re luckyenough to havethattrust as soon as we walk in withthis uniform,and Ithinkthat reallyhelps when we give adviceand when we express concern about safety,” Jess said.

“It’s aposition that is rare. Ivalue it alot -just having that automatic faith that you’re not going to lecture anyone and you’re not going to judge.”

Jess, who works across Gippsland and responds to many incidents involving farmers, is using this trust to encourage positivediscussions around saferfarm practices, includingphysical and mental safety.

“A lot of our work in Gippsland centres around farming. There’s alot of dairy farming, there’s alot of cattle. It’s important for us to know about farms becausewework on them,” she said.

“I’ve responded to more than 4000 incidents. Some of the most common incidents involve machinery and there are alot to do with the animals themselves. Alot of crush injuries through cattle head-butts where cattle will just swing their head and there’s afew hundred kilos behind them.

“At one incident apiece of machinery came down on an experienced farmer’s limb who had used the machinery hundreds of times before. When we arrived, it wasn’t bleeding profusely, but then as soon as they let go of it, there was alot of blood, and we could already tell that they’d sadlyprobably lose the limb.”

This incident stayed withJess,and she has since looked into the fate of the injured farmer.

“This was one of the ones that Iwanted to follow up on and see how they were going, and we learnt that the limb was amputated and they’re unableto farm as aresult. Iwas reallydevastated for them.”

In Jess’ experience, the ideathat ‘it won’thappen to me’ can be common among farmers when she responds to incidents. She wants farmers to know that things can change in the ‘blink of an eye’.

“There’s always going to be risks. Whenever we get in our car as paramedics; we’re facing arisk. I think it’s important to acknowledge that farming is never going to be risk-free, but it’s about doing thatriskanalysis andsaying, ‘okay, how can I reduce thoserisks to makeita saferenvironment?’

“There are things farmers can do each dayto make their work safer. Checking the gates are closed, checking their equipment is up-to-scratch and not rusty or doing arisk analysis of the surroundings of the machines, oiling up the machine or replacing abolt.”

“This is especially if you’re working by yourself, making sure that all the safety elements are in place is very, very important.

“There’sstill arisk there. But by doing these things we’re reducing the harm that can be caused by it.”

Jessisafierceadvocate of both physical and mentalhealth and believesfarmers should actively prioritise both.

“I’vefound thatfarmersare used to just pushing through and their bucket just fills up, drip by drip until eventually, the bucket overflows,” she said.

“Thereshould alwaysbethings in place to reduce the likelihood of getting injuredorhaving that bucket overflow. Part of that is asking for help. Help doing an activity or completing ataskora job, help getting mental health support or getting an ambulance.

“Show the same concern for yourself as you would others.”

Jess has shared her story as part of WorkSafe Victoria’s ‘It’s never you, until it is’ campaign, which promotes farm safety and highlights that injuries and death on farms are preventable.

Working long multiple days in arow by yourself can be part of the job, but even one day of 17 continuous hourscauses impairment equivalent to .05 blood alcohol concentration.

Consider the cost to you and your family. Don’t let long hours come at the price of you being injured or worse.

Know the signs and find ways to reduce the risk of fatigue at worksafe.vic.gov.au/farmfatigue

Spring time for bush walkers

Advice: ParamedicJess,who worksacross Gippsland, is urging farmerstoensuretheyhavea goodwork-lifebalance

Photograph supplied

Fight against bowl cancer

THE free bowel screening test can save lives, but more Victorians needtoparticipate, with data showing massive falls in participation. Cancer Council Victoria is launchingits latest lifesaving campaign urging all eligible Victorians aged50-74toparticipate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program following new data, which shows the percentage of eligible Victorians whohavecompleted thisfreebowel screening test hasdeclined.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare(AIHW), fewer than half (43.9 per cent) of eligible Victorians aged 50-74 participated in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) in 2020-2021.

This is adecline from the 46.5 per cent participation rate achieved in the 2019/2020 reporting period.

This decline in bowel screening coincides with concerning datafrom the VictorianCancerRegistry that reported 3800 fewer cancer diagnoses than whatwas expected in Victoriaover2020and 2021, with the greatest decline in missedcancerdiagnoses occurring in bowel cancer (846).

The Victorian Cancer Registry attributes the missing cancer diagnosestothe COVID-19 pandemic, which affected the number of Victorians coming forward for cancer screening, testing and subsequent diagnosis.

The Cancer CouncilVictoria chiefexecutive, Todd Harper AM, said it was critical that people aged 50-74 participateinthe National BowelCancer Screening Program.

screening test cameinthe mail in 2021,sohe ignored it and put it away until his wife strongly encouraged him to make time for it.

To his surprise, his test results came back positive, and after further testing, he was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

“I would have been dead by now if Ihadn’tdone the test,” Mr Cronin said.

“The cancer could have spread quickly based on where it was located, and there would have been nothing the doctors could have done for me.”

Mr Cronin’s latest check-up in June 2023 shows he is cancer-free and is encouraging all Victorians aged 50-74todotheir bowel screeningtest through Cancer Council Victoria’s latest campaign.

Victorian Minister for Health, the Hon. MaryAnne Thomas, endorsed the launch of the Victorian BowelScreening Campaign and applauded Laurie, whose personalstory should remind everyVictorian why this simple test is so important.

Cancer Council Victoria’sstate-wide Bowel Screening Campaign is on air from September to November and callsfor all eligible Victorians aged 50-74 not to takerisks with theirhealthand to complete their bowel screening test when it arrives in the mail.

To learn more about bowel screening or to reorder areplacement test kit, headtocancervic.org.au/

Happyhikers: Strzelecki Bush Walking Club membersonahikealong George BassCoastal Walk.

SPRING has finally arrived and accordingly, it is agreattimeofyear to get out and do some walking.

The Strzelecki Bush Walking Club has many great opportunities on offer for September and October.Thereissomething to suit everyone from walking, bike riding and paddling. To see thefull upcoming program, interested parties are encouraged to access the group’swebsite and view the current program. Some highlights for September are the 17km

Photograph supplied

walk to “Big Pat’s Creek”. This walk is unique in Victoria, retracing the route of the original tramways and visiting the sites of formersettlements and bush mills, now largely reclaimed by the forests in thePowell town area. Some steepishsectionshighlight, however, the local florainthat area are magnificent and well worth the effort.

Further information is available on the website at sbwc.org.au,onthe Facebook page or by emailing publicity@sbwc.org.au

“In 2021, 1281 Victorians diedfrom bowel cancer, and over 3713 people were diagnosed,” Mr Harper said “Ifparticipation in bowel screening continues to decline, the number of deaths could increase due to diagnosis of bowel cancer at alater stage.

“However, over 90 per cent of bowel cancers can be treated successfully if found early. Doing your bowel screening test will find signs of bowel cancer before you notice any symptoms.”

To address these concerningfigures and increase bowelscreening participation, Cancer Council Victoria, in partnershipwith the Victorian Department of Health, is launching anew statewide campaign featuring the inspiring story of Laurie Cronin, whose life was saved by doing the free bowel screening test.

Father of two, Laurie Cronin, was only 52, didn’t have any symptoms and felt fine when the bowel

1st- 31st October

LearnLove Live in 2023

In its 41st year, the annual celebration of senior Victorians runs throughout October each year and includes thousands of free and low cost events where older Victorians can come together and connect with one another

Regardless of background, experience or mobility, all seniors are invited to learnnew skills, make new friends and take partinfun-filled activities.

This year’s theme is ‘Learn, live, love’, which focuses on the importance of finding new things to learn, embracing experiences that bring joy,and having the freedom to live life the way you choose as you age

The festival will have thousands of free and low-cost events across the state, including in Latrobe Valley region with events hosted by local community organisations and the local city council.

Visit Federation Square, Melbourne on Sunday 1October between midday and 7pm and enjoy Celebration Day with all it has to offer

Be immersed ingreat music, dance and performances on the main stage at The Edgeand on Riverside Terrace. The Festival spreads beyond the city centrewith hundreds of free

or low-cost events across regional Victoria.

For more information about events and activities, pick up aprogram from Coles stores, councilsand community organisations.

Visit Seniors Online at ww w w.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/ victorian-seniors-festival, for the calendar of Festival events state-wide in October

Latrobe City Positive Ageing Festival 2023

Youare invited to enjoy afull range of events, activates and free travel when the Latrobe City Positive Ageing Festival kicks offinOctober

You can expect concerts and live music to exhibitions, film festivals, activities and much more.

The Range Retirement Village is aretirement living community in Moe, boasting alive-in Manager and high-quality residential villas set inside agated community.

The Range offers elegant new and refurbished two and three-bedroom independent living villas, set in attractive and well-manicured surrounds. Each villa features an open-plan living area, wellappointed kitchen, private courtyardgarden and single or double garage

Plan your social life with your new community.

Youwill have the flexibility and freedom to embrace life with asocialcalendar that includes, billiards, indoor bowls, craft, movie nights, trivia, bingo, cards and many moresocial activities and make use of our community bus to get around our local area.

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

The festival promises to have something for everyone.

For information on the events and for bookings

Visit ww w w.latrobe.vic.gov.au/ Postive Ageing Festival

For further assistance or inquiries, please call 1800 621 409 or reach out to our Customer Focus Team on 1300 367 700

Victorian Seniors Festival 2023

Message from the Mayor Kellie O’Callaghan

This October,weare celebrating Latrobe City’s Positive Ageing Festival with exciting free activities and events throughout the municipality for members of the community aged 55+ Our Positive Ageing Festival forms part of the broader Victorian Seniors Festival, which has been amuch-loved partofour social calendar for many years.

It’sapleasuretooffer adiverse range of opportunities for our community to trynew things, enjoy entertainment and create new connections.

connection in mind, which helps to support health and wellbeing I would like to acknowledge the members of Council’sPositive Ageing Community Engagement Group, who generously share their lived experiences with us

This helps to make sure that our services and events, like this festival, reflect our community’sneeds, ideas and interests. Council is committed to supportour community members as they age positively

Ihope you enjoy everything that the

Cr Kellie O’Callaghan Mayor Latrobe City Council

Victorian Seniors Festival 2023

You are invited to enjoy a full range of events, activities and free travel when the 2023 Positive Ageing Festival kicks off this October

During October you can expect concerts and live music to exhibitions, film festivals, activities and much more! The festival promises something for everyone See the below event list to find something that might interest you

www latrobe vic gov au/ Positive Ageing Festival

WEEK 1

HOSTED TRIP TO VICTORIAN SENIORS FESTIVAL CELEBRATION DAYAT

FEDERATION SQUARE

SUNDAY 1

For more information visit our website or call 1800 621 409 or 1300 367 700

CHURCHILL HUB TOUR INCLUDING AFTERNOON TEA

MONDAY 2

Churchill Hub: 2pm-3pm

GOOD OLD DAYS

TUESDAY 3

Moe Library: 10am-11 30am

LATROBE ORCHESTRA CHAMBER PLAYERS

SATURDAY 7

Callignee Community Hall: 2pm-3 30pm

WEEK 2

SUNDAY SWIM

SUNDAY 8

Latrobe Leisure Morwell and Moe

Newborough: 9am-4pm

Latrobe Leisure Churchill: 10am-3pm

LIBRARYTOUR AND AFTERNOON TEA

MONDAY 9

Morwell Library: 2pm-3pm

PICKLEBALL COME AND TRY

WEDNESDAY 4

Latrobe LeisureChurchill: 10am-12pm

GOOD OLD DAYS

THURSDAY 5

Morwell Library: 10.30am-11.30am

HOSTED TRIP TO ACMI SENIORS FILM FESTIVAL AT FEDERATION SQUARE

FRIDAY 6

For moreinformation visit our website or call 1800 621 409 or 1300 367 700.

ILOVEPARIS

TUESDAY 10

Gippsland Performing Arts Centre: 11am-12.15pm

VENUE TOUR

WEDNESDAY 11

Gippsland Performing Arts Centre: 10.30am-11.15am

GIPPSLAND COUNTRY

CONCERT:WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOWFEATURING

MELISSALANGTON

THURSDAY 12

Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium: 11am-12pm

LA TRAVIATA OPERA

AUSTRALIA (RECORDED PERFORMANCE)

FRIDAY 13

Traralgon Library: 10am-12pm

FITNESS AND WELLNESS

EVENT

SATURDAY 14

Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports

Stadium: 8am-12 30pm

WEEK 3

SUNDAY SWIM

SUNDAY 15

Latrobe Leisure Morwell and Moe

Newborough: 9am-4pm

Latrobe Leisure Churchill: 10am-3pm

AQUA AEROBICS CLASS

MONDAY 16

Latrobe Leisure Moe Newborough: 7 15pm-8pm

AWARENESS AND PREVENTION INFORMATION SESSION

TUESDAY 17

Traralgon Library: 10am-11 30am

PICKLEBALL COME AND TRY

WEDNESDAY 18

Latrobe Leisure Churchill: 10am-12pm

MOVIE CLUB WITH POPCORN

THURSDAY 19

Morwell Library: 2pm-4pm

CARMEN OPERAAUSTRALIA (RECORDED PERFORMANCE)

FRIDAY 20

Latrobe Leisure Moe Newborough: 9 30am-12pm

CARMEN OPERAAUSTRALIA (RECORDED PERFORMANCE)

SATURDAY 21

Traralgon Library: 9 30am-12pm

WEEK 4

SUNDAY SWIM

SUNDAY 22

Latrobe Leisure Morwell and Moe

Newborough: 9am-4pm

Latrobe Leisure Churchill: 10am-3pm

MELBOURNE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA’SPERFORMANCE OF VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS (RECORDED PERFORMANCE)

MONDAY 23

Traralgon Library: 7pm-8 30pm

MELBOURNE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA’SPERFORMANCE

OF VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS (RECORDED PERFORMANCE)

TUESDAY 24

Morwell Library: 12 30pm-2pm

GOLDEN OLDIES QUIZ NIGHT

WEDNESDAY 25

Moe Library: 6pm-8pm

EXPLORE TRARALGON:WALK AND TALK

FRIDAY 27

Visitor Information Centre: 1 30pm-2 30pm

ACTIVATEATLATROBE

LEISURE MORWELL

SATURDAY 28

Latrobe Leisure Morwell 9am-4pm

Bookings required

Applying for aSeniors Card

The Seniors Card encourages older Victorians to keep active and engaged in the community through offers and incentives that make it affordable to get out and about

The easiest way to apply for a Seniors Card is to use the online application form found at seniorsonline vic gov au/seniors-card and have your Medicare card with you

Allow up to four weeks for your application to be processed and for you to receive your card

Visit the Seniors Card ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ page for more information

If you are already part of the Seniors Card program, visit ‘Manage your card’ to update your contact details, replace or cancel a card, or manage your e-News subscription

The Seniors Card is available for those who are 60 years or over, a permanent resident of Australia residing in Victoria, and working less than 35 hours per week in paid employment or fully retired

If you have a Seniors Card, you are eligible for free or concession public transport, and are exempt from a fishing license in Victoria

All card holders can take advantage of

discounts and services from businesses via our Discount Directory

SeniorsBusiness

Discount Card

The entry point into the Seniors

Card program, the Seniors Business Discount card is for people who work for more than 35 hours per week in paid employment, are 60 years of age or over, and a permanent resident of Australia, residing in Victoria

This card allows you to obtain discounts on a range of goods and services from participating businesses, but does not provide public transport concessions nor does it provide free travel vouchers

All card holders can take advantage of discounts and services from businesses via our Discount Directory

Look out for the ‘Seniors Card

Welcome Here’ logo or ask for Seniors Card discounts when you are shopping

What is the SeniorsCard program?

Commencing in 1991, the Seniors Card program acknowledges and celebrates the contribution seniors have made and continue to make to our communities and the State of Victoria

The Seniors Card program is free, and there are no application charges associated with the card

We understand that you can’t always be therefor an ageing loved one, but we can.

Naturally,carers, like anyone, need time to themselves.

Traralgon Aged Careishere to help offering aDay Respite program, wherethereisfull nursing support, varied lifestyle programs, home cooked meals and friendships to be made.

made

Victorian Seniors Festival 2023 Learn

Eight days of free public transport

Victorian Senior Card holders can enjoy Victoria with eight days of free public transport from 1 to 8 October 2023.

Free public transport is available to all Victorian Senior Cardholders. Jump on public transportfor free to visit attractions across Melbourne as well as regional and rural locations

Where can you go?

You’ll be able to travel for free on all public transport in Victoria, including:

• Melbourne trains, trams and buses

• Regional trains, coaches and buses (including regional town bus services)

• To book aseat on V/Line services requiring reservations, visityour nearest station or agent or call 1800 800 007

Using your myki

From 1 to 8 October 2023 you won’t be charged when you touch on and off.

Throughout the rest of the year,top up with myki Money if you travel occasionally,ormyki Pass if you travel often. Your cardisn’tlocked to myki Money or myki Pass –choose each time you top up

Find out more at ptv vic gov au or call 1800 800 007

Mobile myki is also available for Victorian seniors. For moreinformation visit Public TransportVictoria mobile myki website: www.ptv.vic.gov.au/ mobilemyki.

Register your cardonline to protect your card’sbalance if it’slost or stolen.

Travelling in regional Victoria

• Youneed to reserve aseat on long distance V/Line trains and some coaches. To book aseat on V/Line Services requiring reservations call 1800 800007 from 10am, Tuesday 5 September onwards.

• Seats can fill quickly –book early

• You’ll need to collect your tickets within 48 hours.

• Youcan only travel free in economy class.

• Youcan book areturnjourney for up to four Victorian Seniors Card holders. If you areplanning to make agroup booking for up to 19 travelling on aV/Line train service, or 12+ travelling on aV/Line coach service, visit your nearest station or agent from 10am, Tuesday 6September onwards.

• If you make abooking and aren’t able to travel, let us know.Wecan give your ticket to someone else. Some important tips for travelling on boardtrains, trams and buses:

• Touch on -have your myki ready so you can touch on.

UnreservedV/Line services

Travel for free without booking aseat on trains and coach services, including those starting or ending at:

• Ballarat/Wendouree/Ararat

• Bendigo/Eaglehawk/Echuca

• Geelong/Marshall

• Traralgon

• Seymour

ReservedV/Line services

Youwill need to reserve aseat before travelling for free on these services. Check whether you need to book beforetravelling by looking for an ‘R’ on V/Line timetables.

Reserved services include:

• Albury/Wodonga

• Bairnsdale

• Shepparton

• Swan Hill

• Warrnambool.

Plan your journey!

Youcan plan your journey using the PTV app or visiting the PTV Journey planner website.

Once you have entered your ‘From’ starting point, you then need to select the most appropriate option for you and complete your planning.

Visit the PTV website for more information.

Lend alittle help with your friends

This year’sVictorian Seniors Festival is all about encouraging you to Get Social.

Meeting new people can seem like achallenging prospect when you’ve stopped working full-time and may not have the same social calendar or feel up to certain hobbies you once loved.

But something you have in truckloads in your senior years is time, life experience, and often, an entire career worth of skill development. Entering retirement can be astrange process for many people who have had along professional career,and finding something meaningful to fill the free hours can seem daunting.

Volunteering is agreat way for people to sharetheir skills and experience, and at the same time, get active, meet new people and feel asense of connectedness to the community like nothing else can. Youwill likely develop new skills and even encounter new situations to challenge you which helps maintain ahealthy mind.

Depending on the community group,

you may meet likeminded folk in the same age bracket, or find yourself working with people of all ages and skillsets.

Help can be in the way of offering practical skills or taking on management responsibilities, while some groups may simply need morehands on deck at aSaturday morning barbeque, or raffle books sold.

Volunteering Victoria’swebsite is a useful online resource whereyou can search for volunteering opportunities in your area. Visit volunteeringvictoria.org.au for moreinformation.

Volunteering ideas:

• Lend ahand in acommunity garden

• Help retell local stories at a historical society

• Offer retail supporttoanopshop

• Provide supportinyouth justice

• Have akeen ear on atelephone hotline

• Turn snags on the barbecue at an outdoor event

• Deliver with Meals on Wheels

Volunteers at the Morwell Centenary Rose Garden in Morwell Photo: File image

TheGuide

THE GRAHAM NORTON SHOW

10, Sunday, 7.30pm

Thecelebrity guestswho drop by thislong-runningchatshowmust wonder if there’ssomething in the water they’re servedupbecause even the most guardedofA-listers arewon overbycheeky Irishman Graham Norton.His group-interview format always seems to elicit candid confessions. Despite the ongoing actors’and writers’strikes somewhat shrinking his Hollywood guestlist, Norton’s got aslewofstars and fascinating folk lined up forseason

GARDENING AUSTRALIA

ABC TV,Friday, 7.30pm

You’dforgiveashow enteringits

33rd year to be slowing down a bit,but if anything, the Gardening Australiaempireisonlyexpanding in popularity given the recent debut of spin-off series GardeningAustralia Junior.Ofcourse,onlysomeone with the energy and enthusiasm of Costa Georgiadis (pictured) would be able to host twoshowsatonce. Tonight,Costa takes alook at a “fern-tastic” sky-high garden, while Jane Edmansonisn’t having quite as much fun –she’s taking on fungus gnats. With the Junioredition proving ahit with all ages andthe main show going as strong as ever it looks likewe’ll be seeing Costa andcrewbusyinthe backyards of Australia forsometime to come.

31.Falling underhis spellintonight’s premiereare pop superstar Kylie Minogue (pictured), Stephen Graham (PeakyBlinders), PeepShowstar and author David Mitchell, comedian Mawaan Rizwan and Eurovision finalistMae Muller

THE ROOKIE Seven, Monday, 9.15pm

When this popular police drama started outin2018

Nathan Fillion’s middle-aged rookie John Nolan was one of the oldest recruits LAPD had ever seen. Five seasons in and Nolan is nowatraining officerwith arookie of hisown –but TheTrainingOfficeris afar less catchy title.This week’sepisode features acase that hits close to home forrookie Celina(Lisseth Chavez, pictured) when ayounggirlgoes missing on the anniversary of hersister’s death. While Nolan hasbeenworking with Celina on hertendency to le emotions cloudher judgment,her personal connec to thiscase and its victims provescrucial. It seems former rookie Nolan stillhas afew lessons to learn.

Wednesday, September27

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home AndAway. (PGa)

7.30 My Kitchen Rules. (PGl) Hosted by Manu Feildel and ColinFassnidge.

9.15 TalkingFinals: Grand Final Special JamesBrayshaw is joined by TimWatson, Joel Selwood and Trent Cotchin to discuss theAFL Finals.

10.15 Unbelievable Moments Caught On Camera (PGa, R)

11.15 TheLatest: SevenNews. (R)

11.45 Autopsy:USA (MA15+ad, R)

OLD PEOPLE’S HOME FORTEENAGERS

ABC TV, Tuesday, 8 30pm

Returning after its breakout success in 2022 this heart-warming docuseries sets out to tackle an important issue facing Aussies: loneliness Annabel Crabb returns as narrator for season two which has a renewed focus on the isolation teenagers experience in 2023 This innovative intergenerational program, which sees teens spend time with older Aussies aged between 71 to 94 aims to improve the mental health of both generations In tonight s premiere a friendship blossoms between shy teen Abi and Dale whos enthusiastic about mentoring young people Father-of-six John believes he doesn t have much to learn from a phone-obsessed teen, but is surprised by some words of wisdom from Alix (pictured with Dave)

3.30 Italian Food Safari. (R) 4.00 Going Places With Ernie Dingo.(R) 4.30 Bamay.(R)

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

12.45 TheEnemyWithin. (Mav, R) 1.00[VIC]HomeShopping 4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 SevenEarly News.

Sunrise.

6.00 Nine News

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 TheBlock. (PGal)

Hosted by Scott Cam.

8.30 Footy Classified. (M) Hosted by Eddie McGuire,Matthew Lloyd Jimmy Bartel andDamian Barrett.

9.30 Luxe ListingsSydney. (Ml)

D’Leanne Lewis puts her intern to the test

10.40 Nine NewsLate.

11.10 TheEqualizer (Mav)

12.00 TheGulf (Madlsv, R)

1.00 Chicago Med.(MA15+am, R) 2.00 Getaway.(PG,R) 2.30 Global Shop.(R) 3.00

TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

6.00 TheDrum.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30 Presented by Sarah Ferguson.

8.00 Foreign Correspondent. Alook at abillion-dollar illegaldrugtrade

8.30 Grand Designs: House Of TheYear:Pioneers. Part 3of4 Kevin McCloudand the experts explore some pioneering homes.

9.20 Griff’sGreat Australian Rail Trip: Rawalinna To Sydney– What Is An Australian? (PG, R) Griff Rhys Jones exploresAustralia by train.

10.10 ArtWorks. (R)

10.40 ABC LateNews

10.55 TheBusiness. (R)

11.10 TheWhiteley ArtScandal. (Mls, R)

12.10 Q+A. (R)

1.10 ThePool. (PG, R) 2.10 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

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

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.30 Great Australian Walks With Julia Zemiro Julia Zemiro heads to Byron Bay

8.30 EvaLongoria: Searching ForMexico: Veracruz. (Final, Ml) EvaLongoria headstoVeracruz, a state that hugs the Atlantic coastline alongthe Gulf of Mexico

9.20 Crime. (MA15+d) DI Ray Lennox interrogates sadomasochism den owner RichieGulliver

10.20 SBS WorldNewsLate

10.50 Devils (Premiere, MA15+ad)

11.50 Nine PerfectStrangers. (Mlv,R)

3.20 Italian Food Safari. (R) 3.50 GoingPlaces With Ernie Dingo.(PG, R) 4.20 Bamay. (R)

4.50 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize.(R)

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

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home And Away (PGa)The end is near for Justin and Leah.Tane comes clean. Kirby’ssolo launch event arrives.

8.30 TheFront Bar:Grand Final Edition. (Final, Ml) In the lead-up to the Grand Final, hosts Mick Molloy, Sam Pang and AndyMahertakealighter look at all things AFL and catch up with stars of yesteryear and today

10.00 The1%Club. (PGls, R) Jim Jefferies hosts agame show where contestants must answer increasingly obscure questions.

11.05 TheLatest: SevenNews.

11.35

9.00

6.30 TheProject Alook at the day’snews and events.

7.30 GoggleboxAustralia. TV fanatics open up their living rooms to reveal their reactions to popular and topical TV shows.

8.30 Michael Hing: Long LiveThe Hing. (MA15+ls) Astand-up performance by MichaelHingwho recounts the story of everything that went wrong whenhe decided to propose to his girlfriend.

9.40 TheCheapSeats (Mal, R) Presenters Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald takealook at the week that was.

10.40 Law& Order: SVU. (Mas, R) Aschoolgirlgoesmissing.

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

2.30 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colbert. (PG)

3.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

WORLD MOVIES (32)

Of Cherbourg. (1964,PG, French) 10.00 Dancing Arabs. (2014, M, Hebrew) Noon ShivaBaby. (2020,M) 1.30 Oliver! (1968,PG) 4.10 Three Summers. (2019,

11.55 Late Programs.

Friday,September 29

6.00 TheDrum Analysis of theday’snews.

7.00 ABCNews. Alook at the top stories of the day

7.30 Gardening Australia. Costa Georgiadis tours ahigh-rise haven.

8.30 Sherwood (Malsv)Asthe hunt for the killer continues, Kevin Salisbury from the METarrivestoassistinthe investigation.

9.35 Midsomer Murders. (Mv,R) Attendees of apartycelebrating asparkling wine launch are endangered when the glassesare laced with slug poison.

11.05 ABC LateNews. Coverage of theday’sevents

11.20 SilentWitness. (Ma, R) Nikki investigates aprivate jet crash.

12.20 Harrow. (Mav, R)

1.10 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

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

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.30 South America With SimonReeve:Bolivia To Paraguay. (PGa) Part 4of5

8.40 Ancient Egypt:ChroniclesOf An Empire: Pyramids. (PGa) Traces thehistory of Egyptian tomb architecture and how it has evolvedoverthe millennia.

9.40 Tony Robinson: TheThames At Night. (R) Part 4of4

10.35 SBS World NewsLate.

11.05 Unseen. (Mals)

12.00 Furia. (MA15+av,R)

3.40 Italian Food Safari. (R) 4.10 Going Places

With Ernie Dingo.(R) 4.40 Bamay.(R) 5.00

NHK WorldEnglish News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Football. AFL Women’s Round 5. Western Bulldogs vStKilda. From Whitten Oval, Melbourne.

9.15 MOVIE: Father Of TheBride Part II (1995,G,R)A father,already traumatisedbyhis daughter’s marriage,is shocked by the news that both her and his wife are pregnant.Ata loss abouthow to handle the life-changing announcement he sets out to recapture his youth. Steve Martin, Diane Keaton,Martin Short

11.30 ArmchairExperts. (M) Adam Cooney,Cam Lukeand Georgie Parker present their unique analysis of theweek in AFL.

12.30 To Be Advised. [VIC]HomeShopping.

6.00 Nine News

7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 TheFooty Show Grand

Final: My Room Telethon. (PG)

The Sunday FootyShowjoins forces with My Room Children’sCancer Charity for the FootyShow:MyRoom Telethon.

10.30 MOVIE: TheExpendables 2. (2012, MA15+lv,R)A group of mercenariesseeks revenge. Sylvester Stallone, JasonStatham.

12.30 Chicago Med. (MA15+am, R)

Crockett worries he made asurgical error

2.30 It’sAll Greek To Me (R)

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Postcards. (PG, R)

4.30 GlobalShop (R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

5.30 SkippyThe Bush Kangaroo (R)

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

7.30 Have YouBeen Paying Attention? (Malns,R)Celebrity panellists compete to see who can remember themost aboutevents of theweek.

8.30 TheGraham Norton Show. (Ma, R) Graham Norton is joined by actors Claire Foyand Sarah Michelle Gellar comedian RobBeckett and director M. Night Shyamalan. Musical guest is Sam Smith, who performs NotHeretoMakeFriends

10.30 To Be Advised.

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

12.40 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colbert. (PG) Hosted by Stephen Colbert.

1.30 Home Shopping (R)

PICTURE PERFECT I ICCTURE PERFEECCT T GRANDFINAL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE SEASON 2023

PREMIERS FOOTBALL

Seniors: Leongatha

Reserves: Leongatha

Thirds: Maffra

Fourths: Maffra

NETBALL

AGrade: Moe

BGrade: Drouin

CGrade: Maffra

17 andUnder: Traralgon

15 andUnder: Sale

FOOTBALL/NETBALL

By LIAM DURKIN

MORWELL Recreation Reserve was bathed in sunshine for the Gippsland League Grand Final on Saturday

A reported record crowd gathered for the major league’s day of days, as premiers across football and netball were decided

The surface of the football oval was sublime, while over on the netball court, patrons took up whatever available standing room was available

So big was the netball crowd, they had to be disbursed to allow teams space to warm-up

Volunteers manned the canteens and bar, with Morwell FNC members and supporters working around the clock to showcase their facility in the best possible light

13 andUnder: Sale

Football returned no shortage of stories either, both memorable and hard-luck Teams saw winning runs come to an end, while others performed best when it mattered most to walk away with the silverware

From a Latrobe Valley perspective, there was a couple of local winners

Moe completed a dominant season by winning the A Grade netball flag, while Traralgon claimed a thrilling premiership in 17 and Under netball

For its part, Morwell was represented in A Grade netball for the third consecutive season, and although the Tigers ran second in that particular facet, the club will no doubt be labelling the day a success holistically

s

srt po

Extra reinforcements were even called from outside the league’s member clubs Trafalgar Cricket Club and Traralgon Baseball Club ran bars, while the Express’ own Zaida Glibanovic was kept even busier, adding canteen to her reporting duties

Some great contests were seen on the netball court, with two games decided by one goal and another two by less than five

While this year marked the first of two in which finals will be shared across all grounds in the Gippsland League, the success of the Grand Final in Morwell perhaps reinforced the view that the Grand Final should stay in the Valley

As if there was ever any doubt

EXTENSIVE COVERAGE INSIDE

Gippsland League Gippsland

Leongatthaddynastykeepsonrolling

FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

DIVISIONAL football might be agood idea.

The problem is there isn’t aleague higher for Leongatha to play in around here.

The Parrots added another Gippsland League senior flag to their collection on Saturday, after beating South Gippsland rival Wonthaggi 14.5 (89) to 7.7 (49) in the Grand Final.

Leongatha upstaged the minor premier to a degree, who had taken the shortest route to the decider after accounting for the Parrots in the second semi-final afortnight earlier, and won 16 games in arow leading in.

ComeGrand Final day however, Leongatha well and truly showed their opponents, and the rest of the league for that matter, that when it comes to the crunch, the Parrots are simply irresistible.

For aGrand Final, the game itself was abit of a let-down (as was the crowd in all honesty)asbythe 15-minute mark of the first quarter, Leongatha had four goals to one on the board on the lush, green Morwell Recreation Reserve (a rare sightfor a football ground in the Valley these days).

After such ablistering start, the Power was forced to play catch-up.Wonthaggi skipper Aiden Lindsay gave his side alift after converting from an Isaac Chugg hit-up to keep the scoreboard under control at 17 points, before disaster struck.

Wonthaggi forward Tom Davey might have been abit too hyped up for the big game, and was yellow carded for late contact on the eve of quarter time. This meant the Power were down aman forthe first 10 or so minutes of the second term.

Power coach Jarryd Blair tried to put apositive spinonthe situationinthe huddle,saying it suited his team as they would now have no option but to control the tempo. While being one downmeant LeongathadefenderCadeMaskell would be roaming loose, Blair told his players Maskell would be taken out of the equation if they could in fact stay patient and hit shorts.

Interestingly, Blair put it back on the players, asking “what did you talk about?” (from their line meetings) before breaking for the second quarter.

Unfortunately for the sentimental favourites, the plan backfired completely, as the second quarter unravelled and amaiden Gippsland League senior premiership slipped further and further away.

The Parrots continued their dominance, kicking four goals to one, two of which came in the first five minutes.

Leongatha captain Tom Marriott nailed along range set shot to stretch the margin to five goals, while Wonthaggi’s first real look came when Chugg found Jack Hutchinson inside 50.

The first signs of alucky break possibly falling the Powers’ way occurred following the set shot from Hutchinson. Although his kick went wide of the goalface, the ball was lostbyLeongatha’s Jack Hume as he wenttorun the ball out of defence and it bounced backwards after he’d gone to bounce it himself.

Hume had survived anervous week, after being given the all-clear by the tribunal on Thursday.

The22-year-old washanded athree game ban for striking Moe’s James Blaser in the preliminary final, but thetribunaldecided the charge didn’t match the offence, resulting in anot guilty outcome.

While video footage didn’t look favourable for Hume, it is understood Blaserabided by the players code of not ratting out opponents facing the music.

Thoseinlocal footy circles will attest to how that code works, with anyone who goes against it more or less blacklisted.

Like journalists going to communications -itis heavily frowned upon.

Leongatha kicked two goals while Wonthaggi was aman down, and continued their dominance as halftime approached.

Both teams played asimilarstyle betweenthe arcs, holding their wings and half-forwards wide to give them space to run forward.

The differencehowever was the next kick, the one going inside 50.

Where Leongatha found targets, the Power simply couldn’t, while defensively, it was astark contrast

The Powersdefence was all at sea under the constant bombardment. The Parrots’ workrate to get numbers back saw Wonthaggi at times kicking to four-on-ones.

AKim Drew mark and goal furtheredLeongatha’s ascendency, and was followed by amarkto

Cameron Olden, who had the opportunity to add further Power pain.

Some goodumpiring afew moments beforehand resulted in aball-up after Olden took what looked to be apackmark.

Wonthaggi’s dirty day continued to get worse, and was perhaps best summed up when the ball literally bounced backwards over Brodie Mabillia’s head as he was running onto aloose ball heading inside 50.

You knowthose days where you have 15 playand-misses

APower goal at the 18-minute mark keptthe scoreboard in some check at 29 points. Cooper McInnes hadanopportunity to get it back to a manageable 20 or so minutes later, but his set shot sailed out on the full in the pocket near the scoreboard.

McInnes had kicked more than 50 goals for the season, and ended up kicking three out on the full in the Grand Final.

When it’s not your day

Leongatha’s Jenson Garnham provided one for the highlight reel, taking ahanger in front of the Parrots’ benchthat would havenodoubtbeen replayed afew times on Saturday night.

Understandably,giventhey were four goals down, Wonthaggi looked to take the game on as much as they could. At times however this had the reverse effect, as they were too excited to pull the trigger, of which Leongatha feasted on as the Power’s foot skills on theday were, forthe most part, wellbelow average.

Davey’s day pretty much endedbefore halftime after he was given asecond yellow card. Compounding the issueasheretreated intothe rooms, Leongatha kickedanother goalcourtesy of a50metre penalty

The Parrots led by 34 points at the main break, and whileitwasn’t an insurmountablelead, it was hard to see Wonthaggi comingbackconsidering they were still going to be aman down when the second half got underway.

The Power certainly weren’t handling the occasionwell, but started the second half brightly, kicking agoal in the first two minutes.

Leongatha’s Noah Gown responded at the other end, kicking truly after out-muscling Noah Anderson.

Maskell was still free, and picking up kicks with ease. Wonthaggiwas reallyonly able to bypass him on one occasion, when Troy Harley kicked agoal on the run at the nine-minute mark.

If they hadn’talready lostthe plotfollowing Davey’s brain explosion, the Power was just about to completely do so.

Shannon Bray landed ahugebump on Drew which took the latter within range, and he converted for his second goal.

It was panic stations from here for the Power,

so much so that they flicked abouthalf-a-dozen handballs between themselves at half-back, with no one seemingly wanting to take responsibility to move the ball forward.

This led to consecutive holding the ball decisions, giving Leongatha even more confidence.

By now, all the Parrots had to do was play time, and Gown, who previously spent time with Essendon andinthe VFLwith Sandringham this year, provided the level-head to signal to his teammates to just hold things up when they had the ball following some chaos.

When they had to defend however, they were equally quicktodoso, andMaskellcould be heard from the grandstand barking orders for those in green and gold jumpersto“get back”afterBlair was granted a50metre penalty and taken forward of centre.

The Wonthaggi coach looked like he was hobbling, and after aclever dribble goal from Aaron Turton just beforethree quarter time, the Parrots’lead stood at 41 points.

Wonthaggi had famously comebackfroma 45-point deficit in apreliminary final in 2014.

If there was everatimetoperform another miracle, this was surely it.

Such an outcome didn’t occur, nor was it ever going to. The last quarter fizzled out, as each minute only served to tick closer to aLeongatha flag.

Shouts of “Poweroutage” came fromthe Leongatha faithful, and the Parrots started chipping the ball around as early as the 15-minute mark.

Wonthaggi had virtually conceded afew minutes beforehand. Blair was clearly struggling to run, while Chugg hobbled off at five minutes and Bray not long after.

As the end of the game approached, Leongatha forward Jack Ginnane and coach Trent McMicking embracedinaprivatemoment together on the bench.

Ginnane had missed last year’s premiership following amuch publicised eight-week suspension, which he took all the way to the Supreme Court.

With apremiership in the bag 12 months later,he maywellhave beenthanking hiscoach wholeheartedly for giving him another chance.

Only two goals were kicked in the final term, with Wonthaggi adding alateone for consolation.

The Power found honest contributions from defender Fergus O’Connor,Tim Knowles, Jack Blair, Mabilia, Lindsay and Ryan Sparkes.

Those judged best in the club votes for the Parrots were Maskell,Marriott, Ben Willis, Aaron Heppell, Olden and Jackson Harry.

Imagine if someone told Willis 10 years ago he’d be afour-time senior premiership player.

As is tradition, two best-on-ground medals are awarded in the Gippsland League Grand Final. Marriottwas awardedthe Victoria Country medal

for best-on-ground, while Heppell took the Stan Aitken Medal.

In the wash-up, so much had gone right for Wonthaggi this season, only for everything to go wrong at the final hurdle.

It all appeared to be perfectly placed for the Power to win their first Gippsland League flag this year: Favourite son Jarryd Blair was in his third season as coach, had taken hishome club to the minor premiership, they hadn’t lost agame since Round 3, and Sparkeshad won the league MVP by 10 votes. But then not good enough on the day stage fright Leongatha.

It is said what goes up must come down, but the Parrots are showing no signs of doing that. They’ve now won fourflagsinthe last five seasons, While there was some questions surrounding the Parrots’ chancesduring preseason, and even at times during the year after they finished third, word fromParrotPark wasalways that the current group was hellbent on going for at least one more flag. We did always say if you’re going to win the flag this year, you’regoing to have to get past Leongatha at some stage.

Leongatha senior record since 2015

Played: 146 Won: 123 Lost: 23 Draw: 1*

21

wins: 14 Winning percentage: 84.24 *draw wasin2016whenMaffraground wasflooded

Undeniable: Leongatha won the Gippsland League senior premiership at the weekend

Photograph: Liam Durkin

Leongathathe best of both worlds

FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

LEONGATHA ensureddouble-delightonSaturday, winning the reserves premiership.

Those in the early game for the Parrots set a positive tone fortheir senior counterparts to follow, after defeating Sale 7.7 (49) to 4.4 (28).

Having finished on top of the ladder in the reserves,Leongatha took the shortest route possible to the Grand Final, accounting for Maffra in the second semi-final.

Their Grand Finalopponent had come from fifth, although remarkably, won 15 of their last 16 games after starting the year with a0-5 win/loss record.

Truthfully, come thebig day,the Magpies loomed as the in-form team, and in the eyes of some, been the best side in the reserves competition during the second half of the year.

Due to the finals pathway, Leongatha and Sale hadn’t met since Round 10 -a game in which the Magpies won by apoint.

The Grand Final started evenly enough, and in truereservesfashion, only threegoals were kicked in the first half -despite perfect conditions.

The Parrots however made their running in the third term. Leongatha kicked five goals to two and took a27-point lead into the final change.

Goals to Lachlan Wright kept the Magpies at bay, and while the Parrots only kicked two behinds in the last term, it was more than enough.

Leongatha’s Josh Schelling, in his trademark long sleeves, won the best-on-ground medal.

In nice scenes, he was presentedthe medalby his dad and South Gippsland Shire Councillor John (there representing the competition’s sponsor) -much to the amusement of his Leongatha teammates,who couldn’t help butjokinglyboo him as he went on stage.

Others to play well were Kyle Brown, Ethan

Lamers, Jarrod Stewart,HaydenLindsay and league best-and-fairest Darcy Hume.

The win made it back-to-back reserves flags for

Leongatha,alsofollowing the same featofthe seniors.

As they say, the seniors are usually only as good

as the reserves, and the Parrots have been just as strong in the reserves as the seniors during their current dynasty.

While this year’s Leongatha reserves team wasn’t as strong as the one that waltz through last season only losing one game and with apercentage over 500- thisyear’sone was still prettybloody good (two losses and apercentage over 300).

Bestfor Sale was Chris Byron, senior games record holder Chris Laverty, former Mirboo North player Tom Campbell,Jamie Sweeny,Andrew Campbell and Traralgon senior premiership player Jordan Bourke.

Bourke has already beenlinked to areturnhome to North Gippsland Football-Netball League club Cowwarr for nextseason, in apossible two-for-one deal involving good mate Pat Tainsh,who has spent the last two years with Sale.

The Saints dropped abombshell announcement recently that they had snagged Yallourn Yallourn North powerforward Keenan Hughes as an assistant coach for 2024, as well as Traralgon running machine Haydn Hector.

Might have to tell the family to get out of spuds and into dairy.

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

Maffra wins twojunior premiershipsonoffer

FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

IT wouldn’t be aGrand Final without Maffra.

The Eagles had both junior footballteams represented in the Gippsland League decider, and both duly walked away with premierships. Both were also underdogs as well. The thirds won the flag coming from fourth on the home-and-away ladder, and afteronly surviving thesecond week of finals following anerve-killing two-point.

The Eagles tossed Traralgon out in straight sets in the preliminary final, setting up aGrand Final showdown against Warragul.

With Maffraand Warragul both struggling at senior level this season, anumberofplayers from either side went into the thirds Grand Final with senior experience.

There wasalsoastrongamountofGippsland Power and even Vic Country experience in both camps, making for ahigh-standard game.

The Gulls appeared to have the ascendency in the first half, and certainly had afew ‘big boys’ in their team belying their age, including one player who already had half his leg covered in tatts. Maffrahowevermadetheirmoveinthe third quarter, kicking two goals while keeping Warragul

scoreless, and went on to win from there 7.10 (52) to 6.2 (38).

Zach Felsbourg led from the front in abest-onground display.

Highlighting how much the dynamics can change in ajunior final,Felsbourghad played themajority of thisyear withGippsland Power (15games), and only five for Maffra in the thirds (as well as nine senior games for the Eagles).

Not surprisingly, the Eagles’ otherGippsland Powerplayers in Jett Killoran and Max Stobie were also prominent in the Grand Final, along with Ashton Wright, Jonathan Boyd and Noah Christy -all whoplayed multiple senior games for Maffra this season.

Warragul ruckman Lachlan Smith -aVic Country representative, was best for the losers. MAFFRA completed asimilarly rapid rise to win the fourths Grand Final.

The Eagles came via the preliminary final, and then beatTraralgon 11.5(71) to 4.7 (31) in the decider.

It was ashatteringend for the Maroons, who hadn’t lost agame all year.

Maffra’s Tom Phillips won the best-on-ground medal, as the Eagles completed back-to-back fourths premierships.

While Maffra had an almost unrecognisablypoor

season in the seniors this year (four wins), the success of thejuniors could indicate the Eagles won’t be down for too much longer.

As well as the thirds and fourths, Maffra had two under 15 teams make the Grand Final in the Sale District JuniorFootball Association,not to mention just down the road in Heyfield, the Kangaroos won the North Gippsland Football-Netball League thirds premiership and made asenior preliminary final with ateam of under 21’s.

There mustbesomething in the wateraround Maffra.

Speaking during GrandFinal week, Eagles fourths coach and Maffra legend Adrian Burgiel said there wasplentytobeexcited about in the next generation.

“Our junior program is off its head at the moment, we have thatmuch talentcomingthrough,” he said.

“Next year we will be really strong in the 16s again and the 18s should be strong. We had two boysdrafteddirectly from Maffra last year (Cody Burgiel to West Coast and Max Knobel to Fremantle) and anotherwas probably abit stiff (Jonti Schuback), he’s playing SANFL.

“I thinkwewill have five-six playing Power next year wouldbemyguess.The talent is going really well, they’re good to coach, they’re good boys.

“A lot of players’ kids are coming through, Batalha, Stobies, Anderson’s,the teamIwas

playing in finals with,all ourboys are the same age, so it’s going good.

“There is some seriously good talent, hopefully we can keep our (senior) list and another year to develop,hopefullyweget backtobeing competitive again and back on track.”

Maffra senior coach Anthony Robbins was there on Saturday, although kept some distance from the main on-groundcelebrations as the thirds embraced friends and family.

That might have been becausehewas already looking ahead.

If bodylanguageisany indication, the Eagles’ head coach is quietly confident about the future.

Great, another 20 yearsofMaffra dominating coming up.

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

No ultimates here: Leongatha wonthe reservespremiership over Sale

Photograph: Liam Durkin

Young and bold, Lions take crown

NETBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC

SATURDAY was Moe's day The Lions annihilated Morwell in the Gippsland League A Grade Grand Final, taking the premiership for season 2023

Right from the start, there was no letting up, as the minor premier handed the reigning premier an almighty defeat, 64 to 30

The stage was set at Morwell Recreation Reserve, with the sun shining, supporters cheering and players looking fit and firing

There was an anticipation among the masses as everyone gathered to watch a local netball master class

A sea of maroon, blue and gold infiltrated the Morwell ground as streamers and balloons shook in the wind with head shot cut outs and posters of all shapes and sizes ready to present

With no free seats in the house, the cheering was likened to a football atmosphere

As players began to take the court and assume their positions, all their nerves were put aside to focus on the game ahead

That first whistle blew and the white line fever began Morwell had the first centre pass but fumbled and lost the ball, with the Lions capitalising on the Tigers' mistake

Moe's court system worked brilliantly in the first quarter Midcourters Macy Gardiner and skipper Alex Moody demonstrated what perfect transition looked like and topped it all off with brilliant feeds into coach and goal shooter Ramayer Gourley

Moe was able to dominate play for most of the first quarter, keeping the Tigers scoreless while having eight goals of their own The Moe crowd went wild as the team pilled on goal after goal

Morwell looked like they could not catch a break Chloe Radford in centre tried all she could to change Morwell's pace of the game, but Moe's defensive pressure was all too strong

Young Tiger goal keeper Anna Solomon had the match-up against Gourley Though the height difference looked a concern, Solomon had the vertical leap to match It seemed like the ball never left Moe's attacking quarter, but, Solomon continued to battle which made for entertaining viewing

Approaching the first quarter break, Morwell was finally able to convert on a turnover, as Daisy Hill took no chances and sunk her first bucket for the day

Moe's Emma Sculley impressed as she took a huge overhead intercept to put Moe on the charge again In the same play down the other end of the court,

Solomon worked her magic and drew a contact from Gourley to give Morwell a chance at their next goal, but no dice as Moe's pressure had completely bewildered the Tigers who managed only two goals to the Lions' 15 in the first quarter

The Lions faithful had silenced the home crowd by the first break, with the Moe chant echoing across the court

As the A Graders got back to the big stage there was no doubt Tigers coach Rachael Paterson offered some words of wisdom to perhaps dig deep and restart, but Moe looked to be in a prime spot to run

out the game - and that they did Moe came out with a fire in their eyes and kept their possession to go 20-4, but Morwell were able to make a charge off the impressive defence of Solomon, Courtney Garth and Tanya Budge, with Claire Marks feeding into Hill who got the Tigers back on track and soon enough, Morwell had 12 on the board to Moe's 26

The Lions, not wanting to concede any more goals, subbed Hollie Bugeja back to the wing defence position as her arms over pressure was unparalleled Morwell were forced long, sideways and on the

sidelines despite Saskia Eenjes', Radford's and Rachel Tatterson's immense work rates

The Lions cheer squad were up and about as Moe took control back of the game to go further ahead 31-13

Morwell's Solomon impressed in the ring, with her ability to reject balls and read the play, she didn't let Moe goals come easy

Morwell's Ellie Pollutro was injected into the game with Hill taking a spell on the bench, as Morwell had to try something to bring the score back Despite the Tigers' efforts, Moe still outscored them in the second quarter 16 to 12 Halftime came as a relief to the Tigers' players, who needed to reset and forget about the score But as the ball went back into play, it was all one way traffic Moe's Olivia Barnett, Sculley, Jordan Pyle and Bugeja applied defensive pressure, forcing the turn over, feeding down the court to either Charlize Bird, Gardiner or Alex Moody, into the ring with a lob to the holding Gourley or finding the arms of Georgia Moody

Morwell had no answers for the systematic game plan of the Lions The Tigers had been chasing tail all day, and with so much to make up, the team began throwing long bombs and rushing the ball down to make a quick comeback Rolling the dice would not pay off with ball readers like Barnett, who picked off every loose Tigers ball

The third quarter saw the Lions outscore the Tigers by 11 goals and Morwell began to contemplate the severity of the score

If scoreboard pressure is a real phenomena, Moe applied it well, with Morwell unable to get back in the game, while the Lions score continued to grow in the fourth quarter

The young Lions team outran the Tigers in the end, with Gourley stunning the crowd as she put the hold on, rolled, split and shot every time Solomon, who attempted to resurrect her team from the ashes, had been a workhorse for the Tigers

Two-time: Georgia Moody has now won multiple A Grade flags for Moe Photographs:Zaida Glibanovic

That’s how it’s done: Moe players celebrate after winning the Gippsland League A Grade premiership

Embrace: Moe players in a sea of euphoria postgame

My girl: Moe playing-coach Ramayer Gourley is wrapped up in a hug by dad Stephen Gracious: Amid the madness after the game, Moe and Morwell players still made time to congratulate each other on the season

Cheer: Moehad no shortage of support on Grand Finalday down back, but it cameatacost as she began to cramp in her calves.

By the closing minutes, the Morwell girls had timetoreflect and let the loss sink in, but for the Moe team, smiles began to appear as the clock began to tick down.

Every ball, every call and every contest went Moe's way on Saturday. Was it acase of wanting it more? Having abigger heart? Who knows, but to witnesses the pure elation on the teams face as they won the premiership by 34 goals was something special.

The final siren rang, with the crowd storming the court as tears flowed and warm embraces were shared. The Lions had defeated the Tigers.

In her postmatchspeech, Patterson congratulated the Moe team on their achievement.

"(Moe) did really well to have areally solid start, we knew that Ramayer would get that team together tight and it was really good to watch," she said.

"Unfortunately, tim youl would've lost (but) that. last -iti Coach was ing win; strong presence with accuracy, it wonder was playe and honours. As microphone, she thanked Morwell for the contest. bar You're we prepa fai her teammates.

Unfortunately, you know somemes you win and sometimes u lose, and Idon't know it uld've been really hard if we t by two points or maybe agoal t)Ihad along time to processes t.We've had areally really good fouryears and you know what iswhat it is."

oach Gourley outstandin the n ;a ngring ence lethal racy, was no der why she awarded TRFM's erofthe match received best-on-court urs. the Moefaithfulcheered Gourley to the phone, ank you Morwell, you have been the real r the last fouryears and we've beenchasing amazing -obviously not your day today but owyou'll come back strong next year," she said. rleythanked theclubfor their supportin ring her for the coaching role and the Moe Lions ulwho got around their AGradeteam. ding back tears, Gourley extended appreciation to her team and mmates.

To my girls, Idon't want to say too uch because I'm gonna cry but I'm o proud of all of you. You've been the best girlstocoach, you make me look sogood, thank you," she concluded to anupstanding ovation.

Victories are always sweet but betting that Moe will really

Whenit’s time to downsize and enjoyyour freedom

Five year wait: Moe captain AlexMoody,who missed the 2018 premiership,was one of the feel-goodstories to come out of theGrand Final.

Job done: Ramayer Gourley holds the premiership cup aloft

Pass: Hollie Bugeja in action during the Grand Final

Storming the court: Emotional scenes followed the Grand Final

Group effort: Moe supporters joinwithplayers forthe celebrations

Young Maroons win premiership

NETBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

TRARALGON wonthe 17 and Underpremiership in the GippslandLeague,followinga thrilling onegoal win on Saturday.

Takingtothe court at MorwellRecreation Reserve, the minor premier survived ahugescare to eventually win 37-36.

TheMaroons hadnarrowly defeated Sale by two

goals in the second semi-final (coincidentally, also at Morwell), and theGrandFinal very nearly became acase of deja vu.

Traralgon led by three goals at quarter time, before both teams shared nine goals each in the second.

The Maroonsoutscored the Magpies 11-8 in the third to lead by six with one quarter to play. Traralgon then held on for dear life as Sale scored nine goals to four in apulsating final term.

Traralgon skipper and defender Emily Scholtes

added to her list of achievements, taking out the best-on-court honour.

The winning teamwas:Scholtes, Hannah Smith, Grace Van Tilburg, Charlie Hamilton, Indiana de Dios, Indi Van Berkel, Lucy Traill, Keeley Smith, Cassie Davies and coach Brooke Adams.

Unfortunately the Maroonsdidn’t enjoy the same success in other junior grades, with their 15s and 13s losing earlier in the day.

The 15s went down 34-31,and the 13s lost 38-36, both to Sale.

Traralgon also lost the fourths football Grand Final.

The Maroons hadn’t lostagameall year, but like many before them, dropped the bundle on the biggest day of the year.

Traralgon let aquarter time lead slip, and were well beaten by Maffra in the end, 11.5 (71) to 4.7 (31).

Marlon Neocleous, Brodie Adams, Ben Burrows, Jake Zappulla, Ben Hagley and Blair Roscoe were judged best-on-ground in the losing cause.

Drouin and Maffra winners

Runwell: Umpires lineupbeforethe Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League senior Grand Final. Pictured is ChrisKourtis,Rylea Earle,JacinaGittos, BlakeGittos, Steven Buhagiar, RobertBlunt, CeanaMoorhouse,RemeyPodmore,John Marsiglioand Sean Maxwell.

No game without umpires

FOOTBALL/NETBALL

By LIAM DURKIN

LATROBE Valley Umpires Association were allocated the Gippsland League seniorGrand Final this season.

Ten umpires were giventhe nodtoofficiate the most important match of the season, in the region’s major league.

Field umpires Sean Maxwell and Dean Ryan brought much experience to the game, officiating their13thand 10th senior Grand Final respectively.

Ryan Morrow was the third field umpire, in whatwas his second senior Grand Final in Gippsland.

The boundary umpires weren’t as experienced, but last Saturday could well mark either another critical stepintheir umpiring journey, or the first of many Grand Final appointments.

Ben Bailey and NicholasHarrapwere bothon debut, joining Luke Berry and Claire Irving in their second Grand Final. Longstanding umpires Bryan Sultana (seventh

Grand Final) and David ‘Charlie’ Manson (11th) stoodbetween the sticks, while young gun Blake Gittos oversaw things from the interchange.

The reserves was officiated by Sale Umpires Association.

Gittos had officiated the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League seniorGrandFinal the week before in the field, along with Robert Blunt and local umpiring legend Steve ‘Budgie’ Buhagiar.

The fullMid Gippsland GrandFinalcrewwas: Rylea Earle, Jacinta Gittos, Ceana Moorhouse, Remey Podmore (boundary), Chris Kourtis and John Marsiglio(goal)and Sean Maxwell (emergency).

Netball umpires at the Gippsland League Grand Final were: Anna Dowling and Chelsea Smith(AGrade, CGrade), Simon O’Shannassy and Amy Clifford (B Grade, 17 and Under), Kerrianne Murray and Ben Farmer (15 and Under) and Brooke Brown and Courtney Brann (13 and Under).

NETBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

THINK all of Drouin turned out for this one.

The Hawks took over the Morwell Recreation Reserve netball court for the BGrade Grand Final, so much so it may have overwhelmed their Traralgon opponents.

The Maroons seemingly had to contend with an extra player, and went on to lose heavily 57 to 35. Onlythree goalsseparatedthe teams at quarter time, and seven at the main break, but after that it was all one-way traffic.

Drouin shot astaggering 14 goals to five in the third term, before adding another 16 to 10 in the last.

Despite finishing agame clearontop of the ladder, Traralgon’s finals performances were underwhelming to say the least.

The Maroons only won the preliminary final by one goal, and lost both the second semi-final and

Grand Final comfortably to Drouin.

Drouin’s Ruby Pratt was best-on-court. CGRADE was apulsating affair decided by just one goal.

Maffra had revenge for last year’s defeat at the hands of Leongatha, and in the sweetest possible way, beat the Parrots 28-27 in the rematch. Momentum ebbed and flowed during the game, with the margin at each of the breaks reading just two, one, two and one goal.

The Eagles finished full of running, shootingeight goals to five in the last quarter to pinch victory. The win made it three flags in four seasons for Maffra in CGrade (2018, 2019, 2023).

Apacked contingent stormed the arena after the match, so much so it took an eternity to clear the court for the presentations.

Maffra’snetballers were joined by thirds and fourthsfootballers, who had won premierships earlier in the day.

Despite being on the losing side, umpires awarded best-on-court to Leongatha’s Elicia Garnham.

League

Final

Latrobe Valley Express,

One goal thriller: Maffracelebratesafter beating Leongatha in aheartstopper.

Photograph supplied

Well ran: Toasting ajob well doneafter theGippsland

seniorGrand

areumpires David Manson,NicholasHarrap,Ben Bailey,Dean Ryan, SeanMaxwell, Ryan Morrow,Claire Irving,LukeBerry, BryanSultanaand BlakeGittos.

Photograph: Liam Durkin Stout and bold: Drouin wonthe BGrade premiership

Photographs: Liam Durkin

Post big dance reflections

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE GRAND FINAL OBSERVATIONS

BY LIAM DURKIN

Mountain of work

ONE can only imagine how much goes on behind the scenes setting up for aGippsland LeagueGrand Final.

Fromcoordinating thousands of people, to catering for the same amount,tomaking sure every compliance box is tickedand then hoping every cable plugged into every powerpoint is working. The list goes on.

One can then only fathom the panic that must have set in when officials arrived early on Grand Final morning to find the scoreboard wasn’t working.

What would have happened then? Considering the old manual scoreboard at Morwell Recreation Reserve has been torn down. Luckily, thankfully,that crisis was averted,and from my observation, everything seemed to run smoothly.

Idid wonder how GippslandLeague board member JodiGaleawas going to go tryingtomove patrons off the second netball court before the A GradeGrand Final, which Moe needed in order to warm-up.

Much to my surprise, but also pleasure, the crowd vacated without any issue.

Gotta love country people.

Bumping into former Express journalistand

Gippsland League media manDamonFrancis, he joked that Grand Final day brought him some PTSD knowing how much went into setting up.

The stageused for the footballpresentations deservesamention. The league had clearly put some thought into the artwork (pictured), with a very professional-looking Grand Final logo (much like the AFL) emblazoned throughout.

Some clever engineering saw the stagebeingable to be wheeled out, and then lowered into position. Well done Gippy League.

Spotted

MEMBER for Morwell Martin Cameron was in attendance at the Grand Final.

Anoted footballerinhis daywithTraralgon, it would be anyone’s guess howmany times he featured as aplayeronthe bigday.

‘Camo’ played for the Maroons during their glory days in the 90s, atimethat eventually saw them become so good they decided to try their luck in the VFL.

He is still very much apart of the Maroons, and hosts their ‘Roosters’ draw every Friday night. You might have even seen him umpiring asneaky Traralgon reserves game this season.

While Traralgon had afew teams in action on Grand Final day, his fellowNationals party member Danny O’Brien had most of the glory as the Member for Gippsland South, seeing Leongatha win the senior flag, to go with Fish Creek in Mid Gippy the week before.

It wasn’t all good news for Mr O’Brien however, as his beloved Carlton bowed outinthe preliminary final on Saturday night.

Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Melina

Bath grew up in Fish Creek and was beaming after their premiership victory.

In keeping with the Nationals reputation as being the sporting party, Ms Bath was quite the sportswoman herself, playing netball, tennis, basketball andevensoftball in Fish Creek.

Not to be outdone, Nationals Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull playedmore than 150 senior gamesfor Bairnsdale Football-Netball Club, and was still playing AGrade cricket only afew years ago.

Federal Member for GippslandDarren Chester wonapremiership with Won-Wron Woodside in the 80s, whileformer stateMPPeter Hallcoached Traralgon following his days with Carlton.

Former Fremantle coach Damien Drum is also acurrent sitting Nationals member in the House of Representatives. The Nationals have not always enjoyed agood time in thesporting spotlight however.

Senator Bridget McKenzie found herself in hot water in 2020 after approving a$36,000 grantfor ashootingclubshe was amember of.

FormerNational Russell Northe was of course aprominent footballer withTraralgon, captaining and coaching the Maroons to multiple flags in the 90s, before becoming an Independent and retaining the seat of Morwell at the 2018 election.

Smooth transition

OF all the people involved in Moe’sAGrade premiership win, the one that could have reason to feel the most satisfied is Peter Moody.

Moodycoachedthe Lionstoa somewhat unexpected AGrade flag in 2018, and was all too pleased to hand over the baton as Moe’s last A Grade premiership coach to Ramayer Gourley on Saturday.

The father of current Moe AGrade captain Alex andgoalattack GeorgiaMoody had come in at the last minute that season to coach, and led ateam of basically teenagers to Grand Final victory over Traralgon.

However, with thatwin wasalways the nagging through the team had overachieved, and they would be consigned to the title of ‘one-hit wonders’. With another flag now in the cabinet, and afew

survivors from2018still playing, therecan be little doubt the transition from non-playing to playing-coach hasn’t been successful.

Complexissue

PETER Moody was adecent footballer himself, and was even recruited to Fitzroy.

Like many ex-Roy supporters, he won’t be barracking for the Brisbane Lions this Saturday, having made the switch to follow St Kilda after Fitzroy merged with the Brisbane Bears in 1996.

Merged has been italicised because you could justifiably argue Fitzroywas killedoff by the AFL.

For those interested in football history, Irecommend reading Merger, The Fitzroy Lions and the tragedy of 1996 by William Westerman -agreat book detailing the Roys’ last season in the AFL.

Once you read it, there can be little to no doubt the AFL used Fitzroy to put other clubs on notice.

Unfortunately,the story of Fitzroy’s final days acts as acautionary tale about what can happen in the cutthroat world of big business.

Some years ago, Itracked down former Fitzroy president Leon Wiegard, who summed up their plight rather succinctly: “Everyone tried their best to stay in Melbourne, but in the end, you can’t beat city hall.”

The deep wounds fromthat time are perhaps best demonstrated in the form of Fitzroy’s last president, Dyson Hore-Lacy.

By all accounts, he still refuses to talk about it, and his complexion changes whenever Fitzroy is mentioned.

My predecessor in theeditor’s chair, Gregor Mactaggart, was aFitzroy supporter, but he was one who adopted the Brisbane Lions.

He will be barracking hard this weekend,although he did previously admit the Lion’s premiership of 2001 “didn’t feel like aFitzroy premiership”, but was “enjoyable nonetheless.”

Predicament

ALL power to Leongatha for winning another premiership, but to play devil’s advocate is it getting abit boring?

The Gippsland League has had the same premier in six of the last seven years, and only two clubs (Leongatha and Maffra) have won the flag since 2016

AlineinLeongatha’s club song goes “where the green and goldsthe caper, and youcan read the paper, about how those Parrots can fly”.

We’ve been reading (and writing) about the bloody Parrots flying for nearly 10 years.

It’s got to astage whereit’slike“Leongatha, give someone else agowill ya.”

As part of our coverage before every season, we pick who we think will win the senior flag. And every year Itry not to pick Leongatha just to generate some interest.

But, now they’ve won it again.

Competitive balance is always an issue for sporting leagues,and there is probablynosolution when you have asideasdominant as Leongatha, other thantowaitpatientlyfor bulkretirements -it’s not like you can make good teams worse.

At the risk of diving into cliché, dare we say it comes down to something: Culture.

End of the 2023 season

FOOTBALL/NETBALL

By LIAM DURKIN

ANOTHER footy and netball season done.

Congratulations to all premiers who took out flags in their respective leagues. Regardless of grade or standard, premierships are hard to come by and should be celebrated whole heartedly.

I’m still waitingtowin onemyself (will that day ever come).

My thanks to those in the leagueswe covered, especially the main ones: Gippsland League, Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League and North Gippsland FNL.

My thanks also to club contributorswho sent in photos and information, and to coaches, players and officials for making themselves available to media.

We can only make the coverage as good as people allow, so the assistanceofthose in footy and netball circles is much appreciated.

At the start of the season we decided to run adedicated footy/netball lift out, and at the risk of grand standing, it has been by far the section of the paper that has generated the most amount of positive feedback.

Of course, we would love to cover more leagues, and admittedly, Gippsland Power, junior footy and girls footy didn’t get agreat runattimes, but thereisonly so much we can do.

Putting sport together is avery time consuming task, and Iwould hope the length of detail we wenttoinour senior match reports was noticeable.

As awriter, it has always been my aim to try and take people who weren’t there to the game. Just writing about the scores doesn’t cut it -ifreaders want that they can look them up online.

Additionally, to those who tunedinto Gippsland FM on aSaturday morning, I hope you enjoyed the footy show, and Ihope Imade sense most of the time.

And Ihope my bias toward one particular club wasn’t too obvious (probably not).

My thanks to fellow sports reporters Tom Hayes, Zaida Glibanovic and Zoe Askew. With the four of us also playing sport, it was abit of ajuggling act at times trying to negotiate availability.

The finals seriesjustgone was indeed relentless, as we had East Gippy, North Gippy, Mid Gippy and Gippy League Grand Finals all over consecutive weekends.

To any budding sports reporter out there, if you think your job requires just going to watch games of footy -thinkagain, you’ll be up writing at 3am like Iwas in order to meet deadlines.

As each Grand Final was done, Inoticed officials from those leagues quietly celebrating as the last match report was lodged. The feelings for sports journalists are the same, trust me.

Although not for long, it’s now onto cricket season and the Spring Carnival.

Exuberant Eagles win both junior flags

Creative: TheGippsland League‘staged’a great Grand Final. Photograph: Liam Durkin

From the clouds: Maffrawon thethirds flag afterfinishing the regular season in fourth Eagle rock: Maffra wonthe fourths premiership afterdefeating Traralgon. Photographs: Liam Durkin

Reflecting on swoopingseason

FOOTBALL

By ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC

AS the Express’ resident Collingwood nuffy, Ihave come into work this week avery happy Pies fan.

The preliminary final againstthe Giants had my stomach in knots. Having seen afour-point loss to the Giants in 2019 and driven all the way to the SCG to watchSydneydestroy our Grand Final hopesbyasingle point justlastyear, we could say that Magpies fanshavegone through some extraordinary highs and lows.

People tend to say third time lucky, and wasn’t it this time round?

The atmosphere at the MCG was unbelievable as the black and white army marched in; this game had adifferent feel.

Around 97,000 fans flocked to the 2023 first preliminary final, with at least 96,000 supporting the Magpies.

There was no orange tsunami as the Giants media team promised, just asea of black and white. Collingwood secured aticket to the big dance, which brought tears to my eyes as the stadium shook with excitement.

Our thrilling one-pointwin over the Giants began with abangasthe Magpies held the Giants goalless in the opening term.

By the second quarter, Collingwood fans began reeling as GWS fought back and took the lead. In

From Sale to last Saturday

Collingwood fashion, the scores seesawed and the game came down to the last few moments.

With six minutes remaining, Giants forward Jesse Hogan scoredaset shot to cut the lead to one point, but the Magpies held off the frantic visitors with crowding tactics and single-minded devotion to win 8.10 (58) to 8.9 (57).

Nick Daicos starredfor the Pies following his first game back from injuring his knee in Round 21.

JordanDeGoey impacted the game with acareer high 34 disposal 13 clearancesand five inside 50s.

Sale’sown Scott Pendlebury had 25 touches, and is set to play in his fifth AFL Grand Final.

He will be up against fellow Sale footballer Josh Dunkley, playing for the Brisbane Lions.

Gate 1celebrations featured aJordan De Goey chant that you just had to partake in.

Ourvery ownTed Lasso, coach Craig McRae’s celebrated his 50th birthday and 50th game as coach on the weekend, so the win could not have been any sweeter for the black and white army.

Though we did celebrate hard, this one Collingwood supporter remains overcome with nerves for the Grand Final this Saturday.

Still hunting for tickets, Imay have to resort to watching at the AIA Vitality Centre with the rest of the die hards.

Despite our track record against the Brisbane Lions, youhave to do as coach Lasso would say -believe.

Backhome: AyoungJosh Dunkleyin

action forSale

FOOTBALL

By LIAM DURKIN

File photograph

GIPPSLAND footballers will be on opposite sides in the AFL Grand Final this weekend.

Collingwood legend Scott Pendlebury is set to play in his fifth Grand Final for Collingwood, while Brisbane Lion Josh Dunkley is preparing to play in the third decider of his career -although first as aLion. Both played football for Sale growing up, andbothstill have family living in the town.

Pendlebury’s younger brother Ryan played senior footballfor Sale last season, while older brother Kriswas aplayer of note growing up, spending time with Essendon.

ThePendleburyname is almost as famous in Sale as it is at Collingwood.

Withthe Magpies superstar also their games recordholder, closing in on 400, there was amove earlier this year to rename Sale Oval after Scott Pendlebury.

Pendlebury only ever actually played one senior game for Sale (in 2005), but that was because he was mainly with Gippsland Power, and played in Powers only under 18 boys premiership to date that season.

Pendlebury and Dunkley bothachieved AFL premiership success early. Pendlebury won the NormSmith Medalfor best-onground in the 2010 Grand Final Replay, while Dunkley saluted in his first season as aWestern Bulldog in 2016.

Amazingly, Dunkley played in asenior premiership for Sale in 2012 when he was still adown-age fourths player.

His brother Kyle also played for Sale, and was drafted to Melbourne, while sister Lara won an AGrade netball flag with the Magpies in 2013, before making her way in Suncorp Super Netball.

Their dad played more than 200 AFL games with Sydney, and still plays the odd cricket game for Yarram District,the area where the family grew up.

Pendlebury and Dunkley both still have strong ties to Gippsland, and have never forgotten where they came from. Dunkley is acurrent part-owner in the Woodside Beach Hotel, while Pendlebury has given all the medals he was won from his AFL career to his parents.

Flagpies: Theatmosphereatlast Saturday’spreliminaryfinal, as Collingwood held on by apoint, was unbelievable, writes Zaida Glibanovic.

Footyfrenzy for tickets

By LIAM DURKIN

THE traditionofliningupfor AFL GrandFinal tickets is still alive, withaselect fewpeoplebraving the Morwell elements to do so.

While the adventofonlineticketsales has taken off in recent years, the age-old tradition of patiently and physically waiting in line is still the preferred method.

And in alot of cases -itisalso the best.

The reason? Licenced ticket agencies already have aspotinthe queue, as opposed to the online system, where users often have multiple devices open just to try and get in line.

So,sitting outside Morwell’s licenced Ticketek agency (Morwell Newspower) on CommercialRoad is certainly worth it.

This was perhaps seen in full afew months ago, when the line of people trying to secure Taylor Swift tickets went out the door.

But, in thevast majorityofacases, people got tickets to see the pop megastar by doing so.

Morwell Newspower owner Ray Burgess said the demandfor Swift tickets far outweighed anything he had ever seen for an AFLGrand Final. Thenewsagentteamsurelybreathed asigh of relief when the Brisbane Lions defeated Carlton in the preliminary final on Saturday night. Haditbeen aCollingwood/Carlton Grand Final, it is likelytickets wouldhave gone in record time.

Whenasked how quickly tickets would have gone if it was aCollingwood/Richmond Grand Final in 2019 (Richmond made it, Collingwood just missed out), Morwell Newspower’sChristian Burgess predicted “20 minutes at the most.”

“Generallyiftwo Melbourne-basedteams get into the Grand Final it is pretty much organised and unorganised chaos!” he said.

Come Grand Final week, Burgess said people go to extreme lengths just to get in early.

“The ticketsfor the GrandFinal go on sale on the Sundaybefore the Grand Final. So people start lining up maybe the TuesdayorWednesdaybefore that,” he explained.

“Generally the AFL set limits for club members, AFL members and MCC members.

“AFLcorporate members also have an allocation and what’s left is available for the general public.

“It changes yearly for the Grand Final but roughly it is 20,000 for each competing club members, 20,000 AFL members, the rest is AFLcorporate sponsors and MCC members.”

For non-MCC members wanting to give themselves the best chance of securing atickettothe big dance, Burgess recommended becoming an AFL member.

“As you can also nominate the club you support (being an AFL member).”

“Therefore it is easier to get aticketifyour club makesthe Grand Final and still gives you achance to attend the GrandFinal even if you’reclubisnot in the Grand Final.”

Burgess recalls the drawn 2010 GrandFinal between Collingwood and St Kildaasbeing the hardest decider in recent memory to get tickets to.

Whilethose lining up do not have to physically ‘line up’ for days on end, there is an unwritten rule they will commit agood chunk of time to the cause.

Friends and family often stand in line for each other,and essentially tag out to allow othersto

catch up on sleep(often in their car) or to get something to eat.

For many, it all forms part of the experience as well.

As Burgess said, those who who line up form something of abond.

“All of the people that line up earlyconsider themselves alittle community, so they do look after each other,” he said.

“It is very territorial thoughsoifanyone from outside Gippsland comes they are alittlebit suspicious.”

The bond extends to the ticket agencyaswell, and at Morwell Newspower, the centre provides electricity to run atelevision out in the street.

There was two people lining up for Grand Final tickets when the Express paidavisit last Saturday night, to go with around half-a-dozen chairs.

GIPPSLAND’S AFL GRAND FINAL 2023 CONNECTIONS

COLLINGWOOD

ScottPendlebury (Sale)

Leigh Brown (Heyfield)

Dale Thomas (Drouin)

Jarryd Blair (Wonthaggi)

Brent Macaffer (Kilcunda-Bass)

Leigh Sheehan (Warragul)

Damien Adkins (Leongatha)

MarkBradley (Wonthaggi)

BRISBANE LIONS

Josh Dunkley (Yarram/Sale)

Sam Skinner (Moe/Newborough)

BrockSmith (Moe)

Sam Docherty (Philip Island)

Dylan McLaren (Sale)

Jason Gram (Sale)

Trent West (Wonthaggi)

Michael Voss (borninTraralgon)

FITZROY

Bernie Quinlan (Traralgon)

Darren‘Doc’Wheildon (Newborough)

Paul Abbott (Morwell)

AlexRuscuklic (Morwell)

RobertMcMahon (Moe)

RobertIreland (Newborough)

BRISBANE BEARS

PeterKnights (Longwarry) [coach]

Lachlan Sim (Moe)

Ben Robbins (Maffra) [also Brisbane Lions]

*compiled by Liam Durkin,did Imiss anyone? Email ldurkin@lvexpress.com.au

Photograph: Author’s collection

FOOTBALL

Gettinginearly: Dedicated footyfans lining up outside Morwell Newspower on Saturdaynight. People startqueuing fortickets to the AFL Grand Finallong beforetheygoonsale

Photograph: Liam Durkin

Saturday, September 30

6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 WeekendBreakfast.

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

12.30 Midsomer Murders. (PG, R)

2.00 Sherwood. (Malsv,R)

3.00 Becoming Frida Kahlo (Final, PGa, R)

4.00 Australian Women In Music Awards.

5.30 TheWhiteleyArt Scandal. (PG, R)

6.30 Kitchen Cabinet. (R) Annabel Crabbmeets BridgetMcKenzie.

7.00 ABCNews. Alook at the top stories of the day

7.30 ShakespeareAnd Hathaway. (PG) Frankand Lu are hired to look into thedrowning of aformer Miss Stratford-upon-Avon

8.20 Vera (Mv,R)Whenthe remains of agirl are found half-buried in a Northumberland wood, DCI Vera Stanhope and herteam find themselves investigating a30-year-old mystery involving aminer’s missingdaughter

9.50 TheNewsreader. (Mdl, R) Helen is plungedinto crisis whena gossipcolumnist threatens to expose her troubled past.

10.45 Shetland (Mal, R) Theteamsearches for alinkbetweenthe twobodies.

11.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) Music video clips.

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Designing Paradise With Bill Bensley. 10.00

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.30 MOVIE: Duran Duran:

AHollywood High. (2022)

Acelebration of Duran Duran’s career Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes.

9.10 Rock Legends: Tina Turner

(PGa) Takesalook at the life and music of the late Tina Turner and theimpact she made on popular culture.

10.00 World’sMostScenic Railway Journeys: Norway.

(R) NarratedbyBill Nighy

10.50 RexInRome. (Mdl, R)

12.40 Going Places With

ErnieDingo (R)

1.40 Bamay. (R)

3.00 Going PlacesWith ErnieDingo (R)

4.00 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PGd,R)Drug paraphernalia is found in luggage.

7.30 MOVIE: Free Guy (2021, Mlv) Abankteller discovers that he is actually anon-playable character inside abrutal, open world video game. Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer.

10.00 MOVIE: Unstoppable. (2010,Ml, R) Aveteranengineerand a young conductor try to stop arunaway train from crashing into apopulated area. Denzel Washington, Chris Pine

12.05 12 Monkeys. (MA15+v, R) Cole returns to 2043

1.00[VIC]HomeShopping.

1.05 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

3.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 GetClever. (R)

5.00 House Of Wellness (PGa,R)

6.00 Nine News Saturday.

7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 MOVIE: JurassicWorld. (2015,Mv, R) Agenetically modified hybrid dinosaur escapes containment and goes on akilling spree at atheme park. Chris Pratt, BryceDallas Howard.

10.00 MOVIE: Gods Of Egypt (2016,Mv, R) When Egypt is plunged into chaos andconflict, an unexpected hero risestooverthrowSet, the godofdarkness

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Brenton Thwaites

12.20 My Way. (PG, R) Stories of inspirational Australians.

12.50 He Said/She Said. (Ma) Presented by Ben Fordham and Shelly Horton.

1.00 To Be Advised

TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

6.00 Luxury Escapes. Alook at aMediterraneancruise.

6.30 Bondi Rescue. (PGl, R) Lifeguards investigate afloating object.

7.00 TheDog HouseAustralia. (PGad, R) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith.

8.00 Thank God You’re Here. (Mdls, R) Comedians include Kitty Flanagan,Marty Sheargold, Emma Holland and Guy Montgomery.

9.00 MOVIE: Mission: Impossible. (1996,Mv, R) Asecret agent sets out to discoverwho double-crossed him and killed his colleagues.Tom Cruise, Jon Voight,VingRhames.

11.00 TheCheap Seats (Mal,R) Presented by Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald.

Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 Authentic (PG)

Hour Of Power.

11.00 Compass. (PGa, R) 11.30 Songs

Hathaway.(PG, R) 3.15

Designs: House Of The Year.(R) 4.05 Griff’s Great Australian Rail Trip.(PG, R) 5.00 Art Works. (Final) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow

6.30 Voices Of Australia. Part 3of4

7.00 ABCNews. Alook at the top stories of theday

7.30 Death In Paradise. (Mv, R)

Aconcertpianist is murdered

8.30 TheNewsreader (Mdl)

As Australia’s 1988 Bicentennial approaches, Helen is determined to interview afieryAboriginal activist.

9.25 Mother AndSon. (Mal, R) Maya and Arthur grow closer when Arthur agrees to review the newrestaurant.

10.00 Annika. (Mal, R) An author’s death is investigated.

10.45 Total Control. (MA15+l, R)

11.40 Talking Heads. (R)

12.10 Rage Vault (MA15+adhlnsv)

2.00 Escape From TheCity (R)

5.00 Insiders. (R)

8.00 DD India Prime Time

(PGav,R)A look at Wewelsburg Castle

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Houdini’sLostDiaries. (PGal, R) Explores the life of Harry Houdini

9.00 RebelWith ACause: Pat O’Shane. Acelebration of the life and career of PatO’Shane AM, aYalangi woman fromthe Kunjandji clan.

10.00 Empires Of New York:

Crossing TheLine Without Consequences (Madv) Chronicles the rise of fiveNew York icons.

10.50 Looby. (Mln, R)

12.15 24 Hours In Emergency (PGa,R)

2.05 Is Australia Sexist? (Mals, R)

6.00 Better Homes. (R) [VIC]Shopping. 7.00 WeekendSunrise. 10.00 MorningShow. (PG) 12.00 Jabba’s School Holiday Movie Special. (PGv,R) 12.30

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 My Kitchen Rules. (PGl) Hosted by Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge.

8.45 ABBA Silver,ABBAGold. (PG, R) Follows Swedish supergroup ABBA from the Eurovision Song Contest to present day’sCGI performances.

9.45 TheDisappearance Of Grace Millane. (Mas,R)The story of the 2018 murder of British backpacker Grace Millane and how her killer wascaught.

11.45 Born To Kill? Beverley Allitt. (Mav,R)

12.45 TheInBetween (Mav, R)

6.00 Nine News Sunday.

6.30 Grand Final Night Pre-match entertainment

7.30 RugbyLeague. NRL.Grand Final

9.30 NRL Grand Final PostMatch. Analysis and post-match interviews, as wellas coverage of the presentation and victory lap

10.30 NineNewsLate.

11.00 Killer At TheCrime Scene: Sinead Healy (Mv)

12.00 TheFirst48. (Mav,R)

1.00 Australia’s TopTen Of Everything. (PG,R)

6.30 TheSundayProject. Panellists dissect, digest and reconstitutethe daily news, events and hottest topics.

7.30 TheGraham Norton Show. (Return) Graham Norton is joined by Kylie Minogue, Stephen Graham, David Mitchelland Mawaan Rizwan.

8.30 NCIS: Hawai’i (Mdv,R)Whena US Marine corporal dies in atide pool after being exposedtofentanyl,the NCIS team mustquickly find the source of the drugs. Alex talks abouttaking agap year Ernie reveals some personal news.

Pocoyo 5.30 Sarah& Duck. 5.45 Late Programs.

3.05 Patriot Brains. (Mals, R)

3.55 Italian Food Safari. (R) 4.25 Going PlacesWith Ernie Dingo

Destination Flavour:Japan Bitesize.

NHK World EnglishNewsMorning

Al Jazeera News.

ABC TV PLUS (22) 6am Morning Programs. 8.25 Lost In Paris. (2016,PG) 10.00 J.T. LeRoy.(2018, M) 12.05pm Twist. (2021 M) 1.45 Asterix:The Mansions Of TheGods. (2014, PG, French) 3.20 Belle AndSebastian 2. (2015,PG, French) 5.10 Stolen Kisses. (1968,PG, French) 6.50 Flight Of TheNavigator.(1986,PG)

1.00[VIC]HomeShopping.

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

4.00 My Greek Odyssey. (PG,R)

5.00 SevenEarly News.

5.30 Sunrise

2.00 Garden GurusMoments. (R)

2.15 RugbyUnion Rugby World Cup.AustraliavPortugal.

4.30 RugbyWorldCup Post-Match. 5.00 News Early Edition. 5.30 Today

10.30 Five Bedrooms (Mls, R) Ainsley and Simmo’swedding day arrives.

11.30 TheSundayProject. (R) Alook at the day’snews.

12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBSMornings.

1.00 Vera (Mv,R)

2.30 TheCook AndThe Chef (R)

3.00 Restoration Australia. (R)

3.55 Tenable (R)

4.40 Long Lost Family (PG, R)

5.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

6.00 TheDrum

7.00 ABC News Alook at the top stories of the day

7.30 7.30 Presented by Sarah Ferguson.

8.00 Australian Story. Australians tell personal stories.

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

9.15 Media Watch (PG) Paul Barry takes alook at thelatestissues affecting media consumers.

9.35 Q+A. Public affairs program.

10.35 ABC Late News.

10.50 TheBusiness. (R)

11.10 TheNewsreader (Ml, R)

12.05 Space 22. (Final, PG, R)

12.35 Our Brain. (PG, R)

1.35 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.40 Tenable. (R)

4.30 TheDrum. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

6.00 DW English News. 6.30 ABC America This Week

7.30 France 24 English News.

8.00 DD India Prime Time News.

9.00 RugbyLeague KooriKnockout.

5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

Twocontestants put their word ingenuity andnumerical ability to

6.00 Mastermind Australia (R) Presented by Marc Fennell.

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.30 Finding Your Roots: Hollywood Royalty –Isabella Rossellini, Anjelica Houston,Mia Farrow Hosted by Henry LouisGates Jr

8.30 MOVIE: Sheryl. (2022) Charts the life and career of American singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow.Sheryl Crow,LauraDern,BillBottrell

10.15 SBS WorldNewsLate

10.45 My Brilliant Friend. (Ml) Elena goes on holiday with her friends.

11.55 TheAWord. (Mal, R)

3.20 ItalianFood Safari. (R)

3.55 Going Places With ErnieDingo (R)

4.25 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World EnglishNewsMorning 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home And Away (PGa)

7.30 My Kitchen Rules. (PGl) Theheatisonasthe teams try to secure their place in afinal.

9.15 TheRookie (Mav) Theteam investigates apattern of kidnappings, whichleads them to adiscovery that hits close to home.

10.15 TheRookie: Feds (Mdv) Simone uncovers atrail of bodies

11.15 TheLatest: SevenNews.

11.45 Chicago Fire. (Ma) Firehouse 51 puts on

7.30 TheMasked Singer Australia. Another duel beckons as four more masks fight it outtostaysecret for another week.

8.45 Have YouBeen Paying Attention? (Malns) Celebrity panellists compete to see whocan remember the mostabout events of the week.

9.45 Inspired Unemployed(Impractical)Jokers. (Ma, R) Four Aussie mates set out to embarrass each other in apublic setting by trying their hand at dentistry

10.45 FBI: MostWanted. (Mav,R) Barnesmakes alife-changing decision.

11.40 The Project. (R) Alook at the day’snews and events

12.35 TheLateShowWith Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

7.15

6am Morning Programs.

7MATE (73,64)

6am Flight Of TheNavigator.(1986,PG) 7.40 Asterix: The Mansions Of The Gods. (2014,PG, French)

9.15 Stolen Kisses. (1968,PG, French) 10.55 In My Country. (2004,M) 12.50pm Look At Me. (2018, M, Arabic) 2.40 Malcolm.(1986,PG) 4.15 AHardDay’s Night.(1964,PG) 5.50 Footy Legends. (2006,PG) 7.30 Drunken Master.(1978,M,Cantonese) 9.35 Vanishing.(2021,Korean) 11.15 Late Programs.

9GO! (93, 82)

6am MorningPrograms. 1pm Seven’sMotorsport Classic. 1.30 Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars 2.30 Motor Racing. Supercars C’ship.OTR SuperSprint.H’lights. 3.30 Motor Racing. Supercars C’ship.Sandown 500 H’lights. 4.30 Storage Wars:TX. 5.00 American Restoration. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.00 Cricket. Women’s T20. Aust vWest Indies. 10.30 Late Programs.

Tuesday, October3

7.00 ABCNews.

7.30 7.30 Presented by Sarah Ferguson.

8.00 Kitchen Cabinet (Final) Annabel Crabb meetsAnika Wells.

8.30 Old People’s Home For Teenagers (Return,PG) Anew set of teens and seniors come together for an intergenerational experiment

9.30 Australia After War: Exit Wounds. (Mal)Part1of4

10.30 ABC Late News.

10.45 TheBusiness. (R)

11.05 Four Corners. (R)

11.50 Media Watch (PG, R)

12.10 Barrenjoey Road (Mal, R)

1.10 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.40 Tenable. (R)

4.30 TheDrum. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.30 ThePoint: Referendum Road Trip Alook at First Nations perspectives.

8.30 Insight. (R) Kumi Taguchitakes a look at the value of pets, with the public spending more on them than ever.

9.30 Dateline: MakingA Militant.

Alook at adeadly militant group

10.00 SBSWorld NewsLate

10.30 Living Black: Western Australia’s “Cultural Genocide”. (R)

11.15 Blackport. (Mlv)

12.10 Darkness: Those WhoKill. (Mav, R)

3.50 Italian Food Safari.(R) 4.20 Bamay.(R)

5.00 NHK World EnglishNewsMorning 5.30

ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home And Away (PGas)

7.30 My Kitchen Rules. (Final, PG) It is down to the final twoteams,who battle it outtoprove they havewhat it takes to claim the $100,000 prize

9.30 Ambulance: CodeRed. (Mav,R) Follows the work of an ambulance service, giving an insight into the life and death incidents they face.

10.30 TheLatest: SevenNews.

11.00 Chicago Fire. (Ma) Afloater takesaninterestinViolet

12.00 TheArrangement. (Mas,R) Meganfigures out her next step. [VIC]HomeShopping.

4.00 NBCToday

5.00 SevenEarly News.

5.30 Sunrise

6.00 Nine News.

7.00 ACurrent Affair.

7.30 TheBlock. (PGal)

Hosted by ScottCam

8.45 Space Invaders. (PGal,R)Laura Byrneand Matty J, starsof TheBachelor call in the team to help Laura’smum Kim

9.45 Love Triangle. (Mls) Thesix original singlesgoonblind dates.

10.45 Nine News Late.

11.15 New Amsterdam. (MA15+amv,R)

12.10 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.00 Space Invaders. (PGal,R)

2.00 Good ChefHunting. (PG, R)

2.30 Outdoors Indoors.

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory.(PGa) 4.30

ACurrent Affair.(R)

5.30 Today

5.00 News Early Edition

6.30 TheProject Alook at the day’snews andevents

7.30 Shark Tank. (PGals)Sabri Suby,Dr Catriona Wallace, Davie Fogarty, Jane Lu and Robert Herjavecare shown inventions.

8.40 TheCheap Seats. (Mal)Presenters Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald takea look at the week that was.

9.40 NCIS (Ma, R) When an NCIS agent turns up dead and Kasie is unaccounted for, theteam mustworkquickly to find the killer

10.30 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Mdv,R) Amarinecorporal dies in atidepool.

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

12.30 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

Little Village Project ongoing supporters

by Joanne Madeline Moore

September 25 -October 1, 2023

Aries When it comes to professional or volunteer work, do you feel as if you ’ ve been going backwards? Prepare to take a welcome leap forward as the Sun, Pluto and Mercury move things in a positive direction So don’t waste precious time procrastinating! Be upfront with work colleagues, clients or customers, and keep them up to date with current plans and changes The more creative and proactive your approach with family and friends, the better the week will be

Libra This week is all about bringing more balance and harmony into your busy world We celebrate the Equinox on Saturday – when the Sun transits into Libra and day and night are of equal length With Mars also moving through your sign, it’s time to tap into your passion and creativity So your motto is from fellow Libran legendary stage actress Sarah Bernhardt: “Life begets life Energy creates energy It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich ”

ACOMMUNITY-funded project supporting vulnerable students at Stockdale Road Primary School, Traralgontoengage in theireducation and thrive is expanding across the Latrobe Valley.

Since 2020, The Little Village Project has helped studentsovercomebarriers preventing them from participating in their education by providing practical, timely interventions and responses to health concerns.

Now, thanks to athree-year financial commitment from the Latrobe Health Assembly and AGL Loy Yang and ongoing support from the project’s auspice organisation, Kindred Spirits Enterprises, more young children and families across primary schools in the Valley are set to benefit.

"The Little Village Project's asafety net catching students who would otherwise fall through the existing services' gaps.Ithelpsschool staff feel less helplesswhen faced with complex issuesimpacting their students and families," project founder and Stockdale Road Primary SchoolWellbeing Support Officer Ben Tunks said.

"It's allowed us to fund abroad set of identified needs, such as neuropsychological assessments, speech and occupational therapy assessments We've also funded items needed for learning and participationinthe school community, such as glasses and footwear. "Thebroad funding scope is purposeful as the smallest sum can produce a significant outcome."

Mr Tunks credited the project's success to generous local businessesand thoseinthe community dedicatedtoseeing childreninthe Latrobe Valleyengage in theireducation and succeedinto adulthood

“The assembly is proudtosupportthe work of The Little Village Project and enable it to expand its reach into supportingmorechildren and their

familiestoparticipateinlearningopportunities,”

Latrobe Health Assembly ChairTanyaRong said

“We have astrong focus on Early Childhood Development at the Health Assembly and recognise theimportanceofsupporting children from a youngage to reachtheir full potential.”

AGL Loy Yang General Manager Christo van Niekerk said the company had committed to being involvedincommunityprojectsand initiatives focused on supporting Latrobe Valley kids.

“We don’t want Latrobe Valley kids to miss out. We believe in early intervention, and we want familiesand schools in the Valley to receive the support they need to raisehappy and healthy children,” Mr van Niekerk said

“No child should be falling through the gaps, no matter how complex the issue. We are grateful for locallydeveloped projects like the Little Village and it’s one of the reasons why we’re onboard as apartner. It’s about investing in our children, their future and the future of the Latrobe Valley.” Kindred Spirits Enterprises Executive Officer Shaun Mallia said the organisation was excited to partner withthe Latrobe Health Assembly and AGLLoy Yang.

"Without interventionand appropriatesupport, many of these children will be at agreater risk of disengaging fromschooland are more likelyto experience pooreroutcomes in areas including health, well being, employment, and community engagement as they becomeadults," Mr Mallia said.

"Our organisationsare committed to working with primaryschools to helpthem engage their most disadvantaged students and support them to thrive."

For more information or to donate to The Little Village Project,visitkindredspirits.org.au

Taurus

Hey Bulls – are you making the most of Jupiter moving through your sign? The planet of good fortune is transiting through Taurus for another eight months, and then it won’t be back again for eleven years So don’t rest on your lovely laurels! It’s time to turn dynamic opportunities into productive prosperous projects Ultimately, it’s up to you Birthday great Bruce Springsteen (who turns 74 on Saturday) reminds us: “When it comes to luck, you make your own ”

Scorpio The magnetic Sun/Pluto trine boosts p personal power and encourages passionate communication and purposeful transformation But the overall message this week is patience, as Mars (and then the Sun) transit through your solitude zone Rest, relaxation reflection and rejuvenation are just what the doctor ordered If you look to the future with a positive attitude, then fabulous opportunities will manifest – eventually But you must be extra patient

Gemini

On Tuesday nebulous Neptune s Gucks the wind out of your sails (especially at home or work) and you may feel disappointed or confused Don’t despair and give up, Gemini! Instead get your creative juices flowing in imaginative new directions Thursday’s Sun/ Pluto trine focuses your busy mind and sharpens your cerebral talents So it’s the perfect time to analyse study research and dig deep as you uncover a mystery or solve a perplexing problem

Cancer On Monday and Tuesday, resist the temptation to retreat inwards (and be moody and mysterious) to cover up your emotional insecurities Clear and honest communication (with yourself and loved ones) will get you a lot further than sulky Crab behaviour! And are you overdue for some creature comforts and a touch of luxe? With Venus visiting your money zone raid your piggy bank and treat yourself to a restaurant meal or some indulgent body pampering

Leo There’s the tendency to become obsessed about an idea (or person) as you focus with Leo tunnel-vision You’re putting in 100% effort but don’t be disappointed if the results aren’t perfect You’ll learn more from perceived failures than you will from successes Draw inspiration from film star Sophia Loren (who was born on September 20, 1934): It s better to explore and make mistakes than to play it safe Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life ”

Virgo With Mercury and the Sun visiting your sign tg his week, you’ll find brains and confidence are a winning combination It’s also a wonderful time to boost your self-esteem with a physical makeover, tap into your latent talents, and believe in yourself – even when other people disagree with you and the going gets tough!

So your motto for the moment is from Virgo actress Jada Pinkett Smith (born on September 18, 1971): Don t allow anyone to dictate who you are ”

Sagittarius

You love to hear the soungd of your own voice as you chat, converse and communicate However, sometimes you can confuse talking about something with actually doing it! If you think things through and then act with passion and purpose, the week will go well But if you don’t walk your talk, expect delays and disappointments at every turn Be inspired by music legend (and birthday great) Bruce Springsteen: “Talk about a dream and then make it real ”

Capricorn

Early in the week you could feel dpoubtful or disappointed, as the Sun/ Neptune opposition dulls motivation and confuses communication Then your Capricorn confidence starts to return, as the Sun/Pluto trine boosts your earthy energy and natural enthusiasm Personal projects holidays travel and education are highlighted Remember it’s Equinox week so the more you relax and tune into your inner equilibrium the more productive (and attractive) you’ll be!

Aquarius

An unreliable relative or a queqstionable acquaintance could lead you astray So keep your realism radar set on high and avoid getting caught up in dubious schemes You’re learning some hard financial lessons, as penny-pinching Saturn stirs up your money zone Astute Aquarians will budget wisely and prioritise saving over spending Strive to build your outer material security – as well as your inner emotional security Both are equally important to future success

Pisces If you daydream the week away you’ll just end up feeling dazed and confused Try channelling your creative energy into relationships joint ventures group projects or helping others When it comes to a partnership, you ’ re keen to pursue a particular course of action but is a loved one on the same page? Take the time to double-check, otherwise you could find you are veering off in completely different directions Communicating clearly is the key

CopyrightJoanne Madeline Moore 2023

s

Group effort: Kindred Spirits Enterprises ExecutiveOfficerShaun Mallia, Stockdale Road Primary School PrincipalAdam Downes,SRPSWellbeingSupportOfficer and The Little Village Project Founder Ben Tunks,LatrobeHealth Assembly ChairTanya Rong,AGL LoyYang General Manager Christovan Niekerkand KSEBoardDirector Greg Allen-Pretty. Photograph supplied

Nonna’slittle studentpastamakers

CHILDREN from St Vincent's Primary School, Morwell participated in pasta making recently. Each class had aturn at making the pasta dough and using ahand turning pasta machine to make fettuccini pasta to go with tomato and herb sauce and parmesan cheese. Students had expert advice from two home pasta chefs, Agnese Minnelli, known as Nonna to students Talia, Danica, Xavier and Ryder Minnelli and Giovanna Mainella, knownasNonna to Lachlan Mainella.

"The best part about 'Pasta Making Day' was using my hands to make the pasta with egg and flour and getting to eat the pasta at the end," Grade 1student Ryder Minnelli said.

After eating the pasta, Grade 5student Baylee Smith commented, "it was really yum!"

"I loved learninghow pasta was made and I wanttogiveita try at home," fellowstudent Harrison said.

Prep student Sammy added "I liked putting the dough in themachine and watchingthe pasta come out. When it was cooked it tasted good."

"I loved the pasta. It was bellissimo!" Grade 1 student Jordy said. His brother Jedd, (Grade 4), said "I loved the delicious pasta but also Iloved how nice theNonnas wereand Iloved having parents helping."

St Vincent's Italian teacher SarinaMinnelli said all went well.

"It was great to see the kids have fun with the hands-on activity and wonderful to have the support of parent helpers and the Italian team at the school," she said.

"Theyall helped to makethe days asuccess. We are lookingforward to more specialdays, including Italian Day."

Principal Dave Cooper said St Vincent's has a proud Italian connection.

"I appreciate all of our volunteers and value the wonderful connectionwehavetoour school's Italian heritage and the history the school has with embracing migrant families," he said

Cohort: Grade3/4H

Teamwork:

Youngsters: GradePrep/1 Mclass

Moltobenne: Isaac Jiang (Year 1),Nuam Suankhup (Year 1),Lucifer Kitwood (Year 1) Photographs supplied

Expertadvice: Giovanna Mainella teaches Year 4 student Jedd Kirkup thefiner points

Yum: Year 1students DanicaMinnelli and Aubree Smith.

class

In and out: AngeynShimjith(Year 3),Rosa Figaro-Langmaid and Kuini Adela Merced (Year 3) using the pastamachine.

CelesteTarranova (Year 5), BlairShine(Year 5),Caitlyn Frood (Year 5), Livinia Capaldo (Year 5).

Hands-on: St Vincent’sPrimarySchool, Morwell Year 5students

Photographs supplied

Taking

Caitlyn Frood and Livonia Capaldo getbusymaking pasta

Dig in: Year 1student Ryder Minnelli Delish: Year 2student Mikayla’s Laming Fibre: Year 2student BellaMcKay

Homemade: Year 5studentBaylee Smith enjoying her pasta.

shape: SoniaStockdaleand Stella Baldacchino (Year 4).

Creation: Lila Pirotta (Year 3), Talia Minnelli (Year 4), Agnese Minnelli, Tahlia DeLucca (Year 4) andEvie Burke (Year 3).

Crew: The Grade 5/6G class.

Learning: Giovanna Mainella and Levi Cheney(Year 3)

Book Week adventures at St Paul’sGrammar

STUDENTS at St Paul’s AnglicanGrammar School celebratedliteracy in style for this year’s Book Weekextravaganza

Colourful characters, both the young and young at heart,spread happinessacross the campus

as educators got in on the actiontoo, dressing up alongsidestudentsinacharacter showdown Educators further instilled alove for reading across the school, with favourite books being shared and discussed throughout the week.

Anime: St

School Year 5studentLewis happilypresentsone of his favouritebooks Photographs supplied

Creative: Kinderstudent Charlotteparades her Book Week character outfit.

Wizards: ELC students Adaand JordyjoinwithHeadofStPaul’sLibraries,Jannet Taylor with aHarryPottertheme to celebrate aloveofreading

Big smiles: Kloe and Neave present their favouritebooks forBook Week.

Paul’s Anglican Grammar

Character showdown: Year 7student Jake and Head of St Paul’s Libraries,Jannet Taylor

Duo: ELCkinderstudentBrooklyn and Little Learner Playgroup participant, Thomas,enjoying acolourful Book Week parade

Cowwarr community lands AED

By MARGSMITH

COWWARR PrimarySchool is very lucky. The generosity and supportreceived by Cowwarr Primary School from caring peoplehas giventhe school many opportunities- the latest being achance to install an Automated External Defibrillator.

Firstly,Defibrillators Australia reduced the price of this device so it was more affordable for the school, then the Community Bank of Heyfield & District approved agrant for the schooltopurchase an AED. Theschool installed the new defibrillator and arranged Tim fromKemp Aquatics to educate studentsand the community on how to use the defibrillator safely.

Cowwarr Primary School said they were extremely grateful andthankful for the generosity of all involved. An Automated External Defibrillator is alife saving device and will be a valuable asset to the Cowwarr community.

Cowwarr Primary School has an enrolment of only 19 students,but undertakes avariety of fundraisers during the year.

The schoolrecentlyheld agumboot-a-thon, where staff and students walked laps around Cowwarr in …you guessed it, gumboots.

Theschoolhas raised money for Drought Relief, FlyingDoctors and the local homeless through Sale’s Uniting Care. The gumboot-a-thon raised nearly $7000 for Latrobe Regional Hospital and their Better Care forBreast Cancer appeal.

Marg Smith is MentalHealth and Wellbeing Leader at Cowwarr Primary School.

Group effort: MarkCox,Chanae Johns, Marg Smith and Ingrid Komen withthe newdefibrillatoratCowwarr PrimarySchool.

Photograph supplied

Laidley speakstoBerry Street students

BERRY Street School Morwell had the honour of hostingtrans woman and AFL legend, Danielle Laidley (born Dean Laidley) earlier this month.

Ms Laidley graced Morwell with her presence, inspiring more than 90 attendees from numerous local schools and support agencies.

The event, whichtook placeatthe Italian Australian Club, was acollaborative effort that broughttogethera diversity of people fromthe community,all in the spiritofcelebrating diversity and fostering asense of belonging.

The attendees, representing various age groups, backgrounds, and walks of life, gathered to listen to Danielle Laidley’s journey and learn from her experiences.

As an AFL legend and aproud trans woman, she shared her personal journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance, highlighting the importance of embracing one’s authentic self. Her story resonated deeplywiththe audience, emphasising the need for inclusivity and acceptance in today’s society.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the event was the exceptional participation of the students. Young minds from local schools actively engaged

Aboriginal Children’sday

STUDENTS at Sacred Heart Primary School, Morwell recently celebrated Aboriginal Children’s day.

It was aday whichwas dedicated to celebrating the culture of Aboriginaland Torres Strait families in the school community. This year’stheme “LittleVoices,Loud Futures” inspired studentstocreateacollaborative mural which when completed will be proudly displayed at the front of the school. Some students createdthe shields of the Gunaikurnai nation and shared items which represented their culture and were very dear to them.

with Danielle Laidley’sstory,askinginsightful questions and participatinginmeaningful discussions.

Their enthusiasm and open-mindedness were truly commendable, underscoring the importance of fostering acceptance and understanding among future generations.

The success of the event would not have been possible without the generous support of sponsors. Berry Street would like to extend its thanks to Domino’s Pizza Morwell for their contributions that ensured the event’s success.

The Italian Australian Club, as the host venue, providedawelcoming and safe spacefor the event to unfold seamlessly.

Support programs also played acrucial role in bringing this event to fruition, including Headspace andLatrobeYouth Space who were instrumental in ensuring its accessibility to the broader community.

This event presented by Berry Street School served as areminder that our community is stronger when we embrace diversity and celebrate individuality.

Celebration: Sacred HeartPrimarySchool student Elijah getting involved on Aboriginal Children’sDay Photograph supplied

Podium: Former AFL playerDanielle Laidley (bornDeanLaidley)speaking in Morwell. Photograph supplied

Meteor shower hits nationalstage

BASKETBALL

By ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC

MOE Meteors' Division 1Under 14 girls team are competing in the Under-14 Club Championships over the school holidays.

The exclusive invite-only tournament sees the best 48 club teams from around Australia compete on the big state at Casey Stadium.

This is the second time in the club's history that aMoe Meteor team has competed at the national level, the firstofwhich was captained by none otherthan home growncollege basketball star Jaz Shelley.

From September 24 to 29, the Meteors from Moe willbeabletoshowcase what they can do to anational audience withtalentidentification opportunities.

In its 50 yearsofoperation, the U14 Club Championships have helped nurture the emergence of junior athletes.

Under the current format for the championships, the 24 teams are divided into six pools of four teams and play around robin competition.

The top two teams in each pool then play for the Championship Division and the teams placed third and fourth in each pool compete for the Shield Division.

Speaking beforethe tournament, captain Marah Xerri, who led her team to aDivision 1 Championship, said it was great to be on the national stage.

"I think it's very exciting very proud of the girls and what we achieved," she said.

Young Xerri is keen to see what the team can accomplishwith thebigger challenge of nationals. "There's nerves because it's going to be avery

strong competition and Ithink (we're) just excited and ready to see what we can do," she added. CoachHollie Jackson could not be prouderofher team after receiving their invite to the nationals.

"We have trained reallyhard -putting alot of effort in on and off the court, building the team and the camaraderie," she said. Jackson hasbuiltthe team sincethey began

squad in under8's, having yearsand years of consistency, friendship, shared knowledge and court connection under their belt.

The Moe team has been hard at work preparing for the big event.

"We've trained harder and longer, we've got some more offensive strategies put in place. We run our team on defense first because defence creates offence and we play areally fast running game so we're hoping our speed and agility make other teams come unstuck with height and slowerpace," Jackson said.

The young athletes from Moewillhavethe chance to be scouted for professional pathways from the club championships.

"AtBasketballAustralia events there are scouts that come along, there are also higher pathways coaching staff and interstate staff that look for players to go to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and elite colleges in Melbourne and sporting academies -soitwill definitely give them the exposurethat willleadtofurtherpathways," Jackson said.

Young female participation in sport has come a long way, withthe Moe Meteors girls who showcase the amazing talent in our region.

"The recognition from sponsors that are wanting to put money in women's sport, girls sport, youth sport in general is really stepping up and that's why these girls can go and travel and do exciting things," Jackson said.

Everyplayer on the Moe Meteorsteamhave been individuallysponsored forthe prestigious tournament, with each payer receiving two sets of playing kits and ceremonial uniforms.

Moe RacingCluband Don't Dis My Abilities have both come on board to sponsor the entire team.

Harriers full of running at Sydney Half Marathon

ATHLETICS TRARALGON HARRIERS

BY BARRYHIGGINS

THEHarriers againhad abusy fortnight, both running and socially.

Astrongteam performedwell at the Athletics Victoria Tan Relays, andmembers ran, and created milestones near and afar.

The AV team of 28 Harriers ran the classic Tan Relays around the Botanic Gardens in the city on weekend of September 15-16. Fivemembers travelled to NSW the previous weekend to successfully run the Sydney Half Marathon event while new club member Katrina Rogers ran the Berwick Quarter Marathon. Closer to home, long-time Harrier, Kathy Quinn, reached the fabled mark of 300 parkruns the previous Saturday, to add to her many Harrier events. Socially, the Harriers monthly after-run dinner, in thepleasantly refurbished function room at the Traralgon RSL club, was enjoyed by all attendees. Many club members were volunteers at the Victorian Teacher’s Games and were pleased to see two of their members, Molly Irvine and Samantha McGown, perform well in their events.

cross-country run, Liz Kenney, preparing for the Melbourne Marathon, and first-timer, Jessie Gollow.

Memberswelcomed Jessie Gollow andRyan McLeod for their firstrun andwere pleased to catch up with returningmembers Nick Hodson, ShaneFlowers and Louis Flowers

Tomorrow'srun/walk (Thursday, September28) is from theAgnes Brereton Netball Courts in Breed St,Traralgon.

SELECTED RESULTS

SydneyMarathon Festival.Half Marathon: Yushin Akatsu 1:08:05 (1 M, First), Yuko Umeki

1:17:36 (1 F, 10th outright), Paul Rollandin

1:55:08, MariekaReilly1:58:57,DesleyTulloch

2:00:28, Susan Poole2:23:37,Mandy Ellis

2:31:00. Marathon. Othmane El Goumri, Morocco,2:08:20 (1M First), BrettRobinson, Australia, 2:23:05 (8M), BetsySaina, USA,

2:26:46, (1 F), Sinead Diver,Australia, 2:31:26 (8 F).

Results forThursday21September, St Gabriel’s5km event:

DempseyPodmore17.11,Miles Verschuur

21.45, Chris VanUnen21.48, Liz Kenney 22.06, ChesneyPodmore22.15,Peter Fairbairn22.21, Adrian Sutcliffe 22.37,Ron Verschuur 22.39, Andrew Panayiotou 22.40, Johnny Roscoe

23.00, Ryan McLeod 23.22, Louis Flowers 23.33, Jessie Gollow23.38,Paul Rollandin 23.51, Tobiasz Grzmil 24.18, Stephen McLeod24.19, Giuseppe Marino 24.33, SteveRenehan 24.49, SallyEenjes 25.00, Kate Mayer25.28, Phill Mayer25.28, Susan Poole 25.28,Maree Graham

25.36, Shane Flowers 25.38, Maltilda Lappin

25.50, Fiona Syme 26.12,Collette Hofmann

26.14, SteveJobling 26.14, MarkFairbairn

26.40, Kathleen Kent 26.52, BailyFallon 27.12, Meg Macumber 27.12, RemeyPodmore27.12, Paul Smith 27.41, Paul Johnson 28.05, Megan Scott28.25,Andrew Legge 28.51, Angeline Snell 28.51, Tania Whitehead29.01, KyleeEarl 29 09, ClaireMacumber 29.31, StaceyPodmore

29.31, Mandy Ellis 30.31, KatrinaRogers30.52, Catherine Leonard31.56, Belkey Podmore33.05, Alysha Duncan 33.18, LyndaJones 35.00, Luke Witham 36.17, TimGraham 36.17, SamMcGown

HappyHarriers: Susan Poole, MariekaReilly, DesleyTullochand Paul Rollandincheerfully display theirSydneyHalf Marathon finishers’ medals.

Photograph supplied

Fastest of the 78 participants at Thursday’s run/ walk (September 21) fromStGabriel’s Primary School, Traralgonwas talented junior Dempsey Podmore, threesecondsahead of MilesVerschuur, with Dale Murphy close behind.

Quickest women were MollyIrvine,following her Silvermedal in the Teachers’ Games 5km

17.15, Dale Murphy 18.08, Marlon Mifsud 18.40, JayMcGown 19.15, Darrel Cross 19.27,Glenn Graham 19.44, Trent Kooyman 20.28, Pete Sanders20.32,Andrew Broberg21.04, David Barr 21.06, MollyIrvine 21.08, Warren Shields 21.28, Seth Bomers21.29, Nelson Archibald

21.34, Jason Odlum 21.44, Jerzey Podmore

38.41, BarryHiggins 39.10, Bob Duljas 46.46, Belinda Heafield 46.50, Ian Heafield 48.47 Desmond Dalton 54.00, Ann Bomers60.26, Christina Creighton NTR, Dave Mann NTR, Jack Marino NTR, NickHodson NTR, WallyLappin NTR, Callie Cook (2 laps)NTR

Represent: Moe MeteorsRubyFrancis,TillyTylee, Lexie Jackson, Mataya Kennedy, Kayla Pearles, (front) Harper de Dios,MarrahXerriand Summer Parise arecurrentlycompetinginthe nationals. Photograph supplied

It’sFalcons vs Moe for cup glory

SOCCER LVSL

BY LAURIE WILLIAMS

FALCONS progressed to the Battle of Britain Cup Final after beating Tyers 3-1 in the semi-final on Saturday afternoon at Traralgon City.

The Birds were not really stretched by afeisty Tyers side, but the Lightningplayed above themselves to be competitive against the potential champions.

Goal scorers for the winners were James Mills, Jamie Pistrin and Nonda Lazaris.

Falcons will now play Moe for the cup.

Falcons will be going for their seventh Battle of Britain Cup, while the Red Devil’s (the current holders), are also going for the same number.

It will be only the second time these two competitive teams have met in aBattle of Britain Final.

The previous time was 2016, when Falcons won 2-1. Traralgon City currentlyhas the record with eight Battle of Britain Cups.

The Battle of Britain Cup was first played in 1952 when the RAAF donated atrophy for teams in the then Gippsland Soccer League. The original trophy was made at East Sale and comprised bomb casing fragments as adedication to the World War 2BattleofBritain.

Originally, the cup was presented by the CO at the East Sale RAAF base.

It has only been played in first division, but over the years there has been invited teams outside the LVSL compete, teams such as Wonthaggi,

Korumburra and aKoorie United team have featured in Cup matches.

IN the reserves, Falcons had acrushing9-0 win over Churchill.

Those to hit the scoresheet were in the Shopwell Trophy were: Liam Johnson (3), Enrique Sbaglia (2), Jamie Fava, Stefan Sbaglia, Zoran Winkelman and Scott McKeown).

Fortunabeat Newborough/Yallourn 1-0 in the other semi-final.

Goal scorer was Mark Pavich.

SOCCER

LVSL

BY JOHN CARDONA

Strong Sale Swanettes head to Browne-Huzier Cup Final Red Devil’swin semi 6-0

MOE United blastedtheir wayinto theirsecond consecutive BattleofBritain Cup Final after an emphatic 6-0 win over local neighbours Newborough/ Yallourn at Burridge Reserve on Sundayafternoon

In perfect football conditions, the RedDevils completed adominatematch,which was setup in the last 25 minutes of the first half.

The opening 20-oddminutes saw very little goalmouth action at either end, until abeautifully time cross by Brendall Ruddell sent Matt Shearing clearly through, but his shotwas well saved by keeper Justin Allman,who minuteslater was forced to leave the field with ahamstring injury and was replaced by reserve keeper David Gilbert.

TheCombine then received adouble-blow when coach and Combine forward Clayton Bell was forced out of the game with acalfinjury.

The Combine’s best and only real chance to break the deadlock came in the first half came after20 minutes when Shayne Pavich unleashed abrilliant swerving drivetothe top corner from 30 metres out, only to be denied by asuperb save by veteran Moe keeper Peter Albanese.

Within minutes, Moe United grabbed a1-0 lead when aMatt Shearing through ball towards Riley Winkleman saw Winkleman work hard to win the ball from two defenders and shoot the ball home from close range.

Forty minutes into game, asweeping run on the

LATROBE VALLEY SOCCER LEAGUE CUP FINALS 2023

Friday, September29at

Latrobe City Sports Stadium, Morwell BATTLE OF BRITAIN CUP FINAL (Seniors) 5.30pm Falcons vs Moe

SHOPWELL TROPHYFINAL (Reserves) 3pm

Falcons vs Fortuna

NAN BOSMA CUP FINAL (2nd Division)10am

East Gippsland vs Sale White

BROWNE-HUIZER CUP FINAL (Women)12.30pm

Fortuna vSale

left wing by Joe Stewart saw him cleverly side step aNewborough/Yallourn defenderand lay off an inch perfect pass for Luke Bathgate to slam home Moe United’s second goal.

Moe United were coming forwardinawave of attacks, putting the Combine under heavy pressure, and with the frustration gettingtothe Combine defence, it led to Combinestop midfielderAsh Birrrell unfortunately receiving his marching orders for a retaliation offence.

MoeUnitedroundedoff abrilliant first half,led up front by the hard work from Shearing, who’s constant run into the Combine’s box created havoc, which saw his run towards goal and eventual shot hit the upright post, but an alert Connor Dastey was on hand to slot the ball home to give the Red Devils a3-0 lead at the halftime break.

Early in the second, Dastey won achallengeof the ball in the forward half, then sent his pass to Winkleman who calmly squared the ball to Luke Bathgate who slammed the ball home for his brace to make the score 4-0.

United, with yellowcards in play, substituted Luke Bathgate, Noah Kane and Chad Shelley for the Cup Final, bringing on Harley Robinson, Campbell Dastey and Lachie McKenzie.

Moe continued theirassault on the Combine’s goal, with substitute Robinson on the end of numerous chances but unable to convert those attempts.

Shortly after, NYU were reduced to nine players after Johnathon Cook received his secondyellow card for dissent.

Seventy minutes into the semi-final, an attacking run by Robinson saw his crosspick out Winkleman, who’s first time shot was blocked by keeper Gilbert, but the rebound was seized upon by Dastey for his brace and put the Red Devils 5-0 up and on their way to asecond successive Cup Final.

With the Combine on their knees, more disaster was to hit the home side when Ryan McCluskey received his marching orders for dissent, reducing his side to only eight players.

United were now playing with three extra players andcontinued to threaten the goal. Winkleman was again involved in ascoring opportunity when his run forward found Robinson who blasted his shot over the crossbar from close range.

Robinson then atoned for numerous misses in front of goal whenhis pass found Winkleman for his brace when he made no mistake to make the final score 6-0.

Bestfor the Combine were Steve Birrell, David Gilbert and Shayne Pavich.

Best for the victors were Nick Fogarty, Shearing, Winkleman and Dastey.

Unfortunately, Moe United willbewithout captain Fogartyfor the final,afterhewas bookedinthe 70th minute following his only foul for the day.

IN the NAN Bosma2nd Division Semi-Final, Moe United were easily defeated 8-0 by astrong East Gippsland side.

Best players in atoughmatch were Reg Poxon, Dane Baldwim and Kayne Heusmann.

SOCCER LVSL BY

ZOE ASKEW

SALE United women won through to the BrowneHuzier Cup Final,afterdefeating Morwell Pegasus in Sunday’s semi-final.

In arough, scrappy, and physical game, made more arduous by warm conditions, the Swanettes booked themselves aticketafter beating Pegasus 2-1 at Burrage Reserve, Newborough.

For those not among the soccer innards of the local world, the Latrobe Valley Soccer League does not play astandard final series, unlike netball and football.

In recentyears, the LVSLdecided thatthe annual elimination cup tournament, typically played on aweeknight throughout the season, would replace the league finals.

The senior menplayinthe Battle of Brittan Cup, the senior women in the Browne-Huzier Cup, the reserves the Shopwell Trophy and the second division, the Nan Bosma Cup.

Sale United, the 2023LVSL Champions, had abye in Round 1ofthe Browne-Huzier Cup, and then progressed to the quarter final, where they faced 2022 leaguechampionMorwellFalcons. Unfortunately, Falcons was unable to field a full side and ultimately forfeited due to depleted numbers.

Afterathree-weekbreak, Sale United returned to the field to face aformidable Morwell Pegasus in the semi.

Only oneteamwouldprogress to meetFortuna in theGrand Final.

It was do-or-die for both sides, with the Swans and Pegasus havingeverythingtofight for, neither team was ready to end their Cup campaign.

Crowds descended on Burrage Reserve, lining thefield’sedge, with eyesfixated on the grassy battleground as teamstook their place.

It was afight from the first whistle blow.

While Pegagus’ pace and skilled footwork had middle fielders threatened, their lack of structure posed the most significant challenge as it denied Sale the opportunity to play their brand of football. The contest remained relatively even early doors.

With both teams formidable in defence and quick on the counter-attack, the Browne-Huzier Cup Semi Final was unravellingasa microcosm of relentless endeavour.

Emma Robb was astand-out amongSale’s defence.

Sale United captain Zoe Askew broke the deadlock in the 14th minute.

Talismanic goal scorer Anouk Meereboer played

aperfectly weighted through ball to Askew, cutting in from the left wing.

Askew beat the last Pegasus defender, hitting the ball across the goal and into the bottom left corner to give Sale the advantage.

Sale United playing-coachMadeline Breakspear extended the Swanettes’ lead in the 41st minute with avolley from aMeereboer corner.

Leading 2-0 at the break,SaleUnited were just 45 minutes away from securing their spot in the final, as long as they didn’t lose their advantage.

Pegasuscapitalised on acomplacent Saleas teams returned to the field, earning themselves acorner in the second half’s opening minutes.

AMabior Anyieth goal depleted Sale’s lead in the 59th minute, the 2-1 score line arude wake-up call for the Swanettes.

While the minutes shaved away, an already scrappy game became increasingly scrappy, with physicality heightening with everypassingsecond.

It was not pretty football, far from it, but Sale did their job, denying their opponents another goal, much to the frustration of Pegasus.

Sale United will take on Fortuna in the Browne-Huzier Cup GrandFinalat1pm this Friday(September 29) at the LatrobeCity Sports Stadium in Morwell.

Fortuna beat Tyers1-0 in their semi-final, thanks to agoal from Emily Brabazon.

Having won the 2022 Browne-Huzier Cup Grand Final, can the Swanettes defend their title? One thing is certain:Friday’s matchwillbeaheckofa battle as rivals Sale and Fortuna go head to head forthe silverware.

SALE United White second division side will join the senior women in making aGrand Final appearance on Friday after acrazy NanBosma Cup Semi Final win.

Sale United White and Monash couldn’t be separatedafter 90 minutes, with the 2-all all score sending teams into overtime. An additional30 minutes still couldn’t separate sides, with teams headed for penalties afteragruelling120 minutes Sale coach Paul McGrath has never lost apenalty shootout as aplayer or coach, and Sunday’s result kept that record in check.

Sale United White defeated Monash 5-4 on penalties.

Luke Williams, Kyung Stewart, Luca Haran, Jake Mayne and Luke Wilson converted penalties to seal victory for the whites.

Sale will take on East Gippsland United in the Grand Final at 10am this Friday.

Debateonthe Voicecontinues to

IT was with asense of despair that IIistened to a radio interview recently with our elected National PartyMHR,Darren Chester.

When questioned about why his party was opposing the Voice to Parliament in the coming referendum,hewas unable to come up with one coherent reason to vote NO.

His only validation for voting no, was because it was Albanese’s vanity project.

So all of asudden, areferendum, that at its heart was about fairness and tryingtoimprove thelives of the original inhabitants of this nation, simply reverted to crass political opportunism, following the model of Australia’s best opposition leader and worst Prime Minister, Tony Abbott.

No mentionofimprovingthe education standards, quality of life and extending the lifespan of First Nations peopletoraise them to the standard of non-Indigenous Australians.

No recognition that it wasAboriginal people themselves who requested this in the Uluru statement from the Heart.

No guilt about proverbially slapping Aboriginal people in the face by rejecting their reasonable request for reconciliation.

No thoughts about how Australia would be viewed as aracist nation by the rest of the world if the referendum fails.

No mention of howgovernment spending on Aboriginal affairs would be better directed if Aboriginal people have asay in how it is spent.

Instead, this referendumhas become the Liberal National Party’spath back to government by destroying the sitting government’s credibility as outlined in aleaked internal Liberal Party briefing some months ago.

Obviously, if it worked for Abbott, it can work for Dutton.

This is just the politics of nihilism, where the born-to-rule conservatives only offer scarecampaigns and no real alternatives.

It is simplydestructiveand does nothing to progressour national interest andinthe end holds the country back.

Hopefully, Darren willfind it in his heart to vote YES on the day and reject the gutter politics of his party.

Dan Caffrey Traralgon

Concerns about Myki

IEXPRESS my concern regarding the large number of passengerswho do not touchontheir Myki cards when using public transport on our regional buses.

As aregularbus commuter, Ihaveobserved that asignificant portion of passengers neglect to followthis essential protocol, which undermines theintegrity of our public transport system.

The Myki card system was implemented to streamline ticketing and provide amoreconvenient way for passengers to pay for their journey. While the system has its merits, it is only effective when used correctly and consistently by all passengers. Neglecting to touch on not only contravenes the rules but also imposes an unfair burden on those who do comply. This leads to loss of revenue and inequity wherepassengerswho diligently pay for their ridesthrough Myki cards are unfairly disadvantaged when others do not contribute their share.

To address this issue, Iurgepublic transport authorities to considerimplementingmeasures that encourage passengers to touch on their Mykicards consistently. This could include increased enforcement of fare compliance, awareness campaigns, or

even offering incentives for regular travelers who consistently follow the rules.

Additionally, Iencourage passengers to take personal responsibility for their actions when using public transport, by adhering to the rulesand touching on their Myki cards. They can contribute to the sustainability and efficiencyofour public transportation system.

Kerry de Vent Moe

Unwarranted

IAMdisgustedtosee several lettersinlastweek’s Latrobe ValleyExpress targeting those in the Latrobe Valley community with homophobia and transphobia.

Janet Kingman’s letter to the editor (20/9/23) criticises the safe and inclusive environment which Latrobe YouthSpace is creating for all young people, including LGBTQI+ people.

Ms Kingman reflectsonthe range of practical and supportive services offered by Latrobe Youth Space and asks what gender and sexual identity have to do with receiving such services, and then goes on to state that “mental health was so much less of an issue when virtually everyone in society accepted thatsex is onlyfor marriage,and marriage is only between aman and awoman."

Ms Kingman displays acomplete lack of insight in linking these hateful beliefs to the necessity for safe and welcoming services in our community.

Nicholas Tam’s lettertothe editor(20/09/23) criticises Cr Tracie Lund’sactions in pursuing an internal arbitration of Cr Melissa Ferguson’s Tweets,which were deemedbythe independent arbitertobediscriminatory against the trans community.

Mr Tam is concerned with the fact that Cr Lund spenttimerequesting this arbitration; Imeanwhile am appalled not just with Cr Ferguson’s lack of genuine apology, but also Mr Tam’s blatant display of transphobia in defending Cr Ferguson’s actions

The Latrobe Valley shouldfeel proudthat we have aservice such as Latrobe Youth Space available to supportyoungpeople no matterwho they are

The LatrobeValley community should also be able feel their elected representatives respect them

(even those with whom their views differ), rather than feeling discriminated against by them.

Lauren Armstrong Traralgon

Whyisitamyth?

IT'S been along week in the Referendum debate, featuring own goals aplenty.

These include awell known Indigenous politician, on the verge of "greatness" according to some, claiming colonisation has served her people well, and somewhat less prominently, the claims of Tom Quinn of Moe, ("Referendum is an Albanese con job", LV Express, 20/9), that the Indigenous ownership of this land is "a myth".

And why is it amyth Tom? Apparently because whenEuropeans moved in centuriesago, with their own arrogant concepts of land "ownership", involving "law, titles, deeds, transfer of land, purchase price, mortgages, taxes,interestrates etc",they displaced the original inhabitants, of countless centuries, with impunity, whether they liked it or not, because those on the receiving end didn't seem to appreciate too much their ancient culturebeing supplanted by arelatively recent European one. And thiswas,ofcourse, an oftrepeated process across the world.

And so, you are right Tom, land ownership was aEuropeanconcept,and theoriginalinhabitants, over countless centuries, simply controlled, supervised, occupied, possessed, protected, enjoyed, maintainedand survived their environment, expecting to continue. How dare they!

I'mprobablyprepared to learn from many about what does or doesn't represent Indigenous culture, but not from this correspondent.

It is manycenturies since such decisions were made, and so it is hoped that humankind has evolved to more mature levels of morality and responsibility. But apparentlythis may not be the case.

Racism claims, justified or not, abound in this referendum debate, but sometimes Ithink we should all just hang our heads in shame.

John Duck Trafalgar

Well said

LATROBE Valley Express Opinion in the 20/9/23 issue brought together some excellent articles. Well written and well done to John Cameron, BrianMawhinney and Nicholas Tam.Inparticular, Mr Cameron, who is right on the money when he states the obvious.

Quite correctly, he says we desperately need to vote Dan out.

Oh my goodness, how wonderful that would be. There's only one problem with that we don't have anyone or an oppositiontodohim any damage. He is in an unbeatable position at the momentbecause of his cunning ways to garner enough votes to keep him in power.

That's rather sad, but Isupposewhenyour nocturnal activities include bedfellows such as theGreens, then you've got abetter than even money chance of getting to the winning postin first position.

You are right on the money John, when you say that Teflon Dan has proven beyond all doubt that he is avery cunning politician.

Iwould addthe word devioustothat.Hehas shown to all and sundry that he is without doubt the grand master of spin.

His hyperbole and ongoing hypocrisy is in aclass of itsown. Victoria was once known as The Garden State. It is now known as, "It's Dan's way or the Highway State". His incessant ramblings and his stubborn refusal to answer the hard questions has put him in avery dim light.

Iamafirm believer in karma and all going well, hopefully all the planets will align and Mr Karma will bite himwhere it will hurt him the most his overly inflated ego! That will be highly satisfying to say the least.

My dear mother once said, "what can't be cured, mustbeendured".Inthe meantime, we have to endure with whatthe extreme left has brought down upon us.

The massive and obscene debt that we have which willcontinue to rise,the sad and unnecessary destruction of Victoria's timber industry, the loss of thousands of jobs etc, etc. Thelist gets longer each and every passing day.

Iamcertain that Iwon't be around to see abetter Victoria take back its mantle as the the premier state in the country.

It will take years of hard work, decent and honest politicians who will governfor the people and not to inflate their own pockets and over sized egos (and to be honest there are many of those).

Congratulations to the above named gentlemen who have shown they are not afraid to tell the truth.

In 1980, Democrats leader Don Chipp said "keep the bastards honest."

Sadly, that hasn'thappened because of the sheer hypocrisy,bastardry and cowardice of some in the upper echelon of politics. But Iamofthe opinion that judgement day is just aroundthe corner and what goes up must eventually come down.

Ihope I'm around to see thathappen.

Nice workgents

Roy Foenander Traralgon

Howmanyvoices?

IWOULD like to make some comments on letters written in LV Express on 20/09/23.

Tome Quinn speaksofTruth, Wendy Castles relies on the YES website where truth is very thin Brian Mawhinney has done his homework

Our national debt by 2026 will be $226 billion, the so-called 'working man’s party' is shuttingdown mining, gas, timberwhere loss of jobsare formany

Put your money where your houseis

Whereart thou: FederalMember forGippsland Darren Chester has called out Minister for Infrastructureand TransportCatherine King in today’sletters section. File photograph

heat up as both sides shareview

Zero pollution will never happen because the rest of the world is going on its merry way, so the difference that Australia will make is zero.

The QANTASlounge must be very comfortable as the PM and his mates spend so much time there.

The $32 million for Aboriginal affairs was for only one year, those who support the YES vote should add up the total amount since Aboriginal affairs was formed in 1967 by Harold Holt when the Referendum was held to recognise our Aboriginal population.

Today, the Indigenous Advisory Council, with a staff of 1400, as well as all the other land councils, havealot to answer to the Australiantaxpayer for their incompetence.

Thereshould be an audit to show wherethis moneyhas been spent over the years, because there agreat amount of people in dire straights.

We have 11 elected members to our Parliament, so Itoask Wendyhow many voices do we need?

Patricia Correa Traralgon

Counterargument

WHILST Iappreciate John Cameron's support in your last edition [20/9/23] regarding the closure of our native forest timber industry and the subsequent devastating, regional fallout from this action, Idisagree with anumber of points he makes.

Firstly, he states Iamincorrect in thinking that the decline in our region can be blamed on all major political parties, including the Coalition.

As I've previously explained, the ALP, in payback forthe Green's 2022 election support, were directly responsible for bringing forward the closure of this industry from 2030 to the end of this year.

Thanks to the Greenpolicies adopted by our Labor government, our local power station Yallourn W, who supplyaround 20 per cent of our state'spower, is also scheduled to close in 2028 followed by Loy Yang in 2035.

More than 250 locals have lost their jobs at Opal/ APM and the construction industry has seen over 2200 insolvencies, a69per cent increase, with over adozen large housingconstruction companies also folding.

The Coalition, in the meantime, seemtohave been more preoccupied with arguing about which functions and meetings their MP's can and can't attend, who is going to pay legal costs for their leader's defamation suit and which version of their party meeting minutes are correct.

In the absence of an alternative answer to the cause of this decline, who then does he feelisto blame for the Latrobe Valley's current job losses and e.g. Morwell's 11.5 per cent unemployment, the highest in regional Victoria?

While Mr Cameron correctly statesthat we need to vote Dan and his party out, he omits to suggest who will govern in their place.

The current Opposition?Hardly. If they can't oppose in Opposition,how can they possibly govern in government?

Secondly, Mr Cameron's reasoning that blaming is political suicide and willlead to worseoutcomes forthe Latrobe Valley is alsoflawed

It reminds me of the recent exchanges in our local Latrobe City Council regarding how they should respond to Dan Andrews' closure of Gippsland's native timber industry. On the one hand we had two councilors who wanted to take firm, direct action, and put forward motionstothat effect, and thosewho advocatedasoftly,softly approach lest we unnecessarily upset the Premier.

Interestingly, council decided to take this latter approach when the closure of the Hazelwood power station was announced -how did that work out?

Mr Cameron further suggests that standing up to Dan will get you nowherebecause he looks after his own.

The Latrobe Valley is in serious decline -how can voicing our strong disapproval of Dan's decisions andhis lack of action make thingsany worse than they areatpresent?

Thetime for rolling over and taking it is over.

Greg Hansford Newborough

Abbottwas right

THIS ‘climate’ lie knows no limits.

The problem we face with this (electrical) power battle, is that the Marxist-lefthavewon the propaganda/lie battle.

Oncewerolledover and acceptedtherewas a ‘climate’ problem,then the only ground left to defend was the ‘solution’.

In my view, Tony Abbott was right from day one, when he called the claim “a load of crap."

Battles are hard to win with one arm tied behind ones back. The reality is, there is no credible ‘science’ supporting the man-madeCEthesis, only doctored computer modelling by thoseout to weaken/destroy the West.

An article by Nobel Laureate John Clauser on why there is no climate emergency, is well worth aread.

Australia has now past the tipping point and the future looks literally and figurately dark.

Brown/black-outs will soon become the norm in Australia and that’s simply a“supply and demand” fact.

Once this happens, jobs and indeed, lives will be lost,but who’slistening? Chris Bowen is clearly apolitical fruitcake,but sadly andpathetically theLibsaren’t muchbetter. Yes,they are now talking about nuclear power, but seem unable to utter the “C” word.

In Victoria, we have 1000 years of coal in the Latrobe Valley and could readily proceed with the construction of new power stations at Driffield as proposed by the SECV before Labor shut the door on the idea in 1984.

Victoria once enjoyed the cheapestand most reliable power in the world that spawned athriving manufacturing industry.

Today, power prices are among the highest and will continue to rise and rise and rise. “It's time” to call astop to this green (pagan-god) madness.

Labor is effectively controlled by the Marxist-left and are alost cause. However, there is no excuse for the Coalition. If they can’t see what’s going on around them, or lack the courage and conviction to speak out, they deserve to wither and die. Amen.

Happy days.

Brian Handley

Peninsula

*Editor's note:MrHanleyhad adistinguished politicalcareerinGippsland with the National Civic Council and Democratic Labor Party.Hewas DLP candidate for Narracan in 1976.

Minister no show

THE Albanese government is putting lives at risk on our local roads because of stalled safetyprojects and afailure to deliver the funding our communities have been promised.

Halfway through the Albanese government’s term, local council and community groups have no idea if vital road safety and infrastructure projects will ever proceed,thanks to an incompetent Minister.

The Minister for Infrastructureand Transport CatherineKing has been ahugedisappointment for local councils whichrely heavily on federal

government grants to help fund major projects.

If you see agrader, abulldozer, or acrane at work on amajor public project anywhere in Australia today, you can be sure of one thing, the current Federal Minister had absolutely nothingtodowith providing the funding.

Should we be surprised about this failure to deliver any new projects given this year’s budget speech didn’t containasinglemention of the word ‘infrastructure’?

Instead of guaranteeingfunding for projects, Minister King announced a90-day review of the Infrastructure Investment Program but conveniently excluded all Labor election promises from the process.

More than 150 days later, we still haven’t heard the outcomes of the review and communities are waiting to find out whether the funding whichwas promised, and includedinthe previous government’s budgets, will ever be delivered.

Nothingisgetting cheaper by waiting, and when the Minister finally makes some decisions,there’s no doubt that local council communityprojects will need to be re-scoped, and less road safety initiatives will be undertaken.

So we are in limbo as Australia experiences a spike in road trauma, and motorists endure potholed roads, while the responsible Federal Minister ponders her review.

Darren Chester Shadow Minister for Regional Development Shadow Ministerfor Local Government and Territories Federal Member for Gippsland

Is Council supporting anti-vaxxers?

DID LatrobeCouncilgrant a“PermittoConduct an Event on Public Land” as required under the Local Government Act 2020 Victoria and Community Amenity Local Law 22016tothe “Forestofthe Fallen” group for theiranti-vaxpropaganda performance in Traralgon recently?

Despite claims to the contrary, this is clearly an anti-vax group using very questionable information to push their case.

Fiveminutes of research would have shown this and that their “stories” are, at best, misinformed, unverified, unproven, lacking substantiation and in some cases, refer to people who died from their vaccination but are, in fact, still very much alive and kicking.

At worst, they are deliberatefabrications. In fact, there is aFacebook page devoted to debunking their claims. One commenter posted that the stories are so similar, they appeartobeusingthe same script.

So, did Latrobe City Council grant apermit, endorsing and supporting anti-vax sentiments?

If not, why was the event allowed to continue?

It is sad to see that withincreasing COVIDcases, the Latrobe Hospital reintroducing mask mandates, more booster recommendations, that the anti-vax crowd has again resurfaced to compromise public health and safety.

Probably not acoincidence.

Steve Mitchell Traralgon

No detail should be spared

LATROBE Cityhas recently hostedits small business festival.

Given the the vast bulk of the Australian businesses are by definition small, employing avery large swatheofour population, appreciation should be forwarded to Latrobe Cityfor their efforts in hosting such an event.

Iwouldhowever like to draw attention to a smalldetail thatIsee as trivial, yet profound in its implications.

The logo for the eventdisplays atrapezoid box shadowshapeinthe lower left handcorner of the corresponding text. You may haveseen it in this paper or elsewhere. Putting aside the money spent to develop such alogo it is worth amention.

Apositive person maysee it as depicting ‘thinking outside of the box’, but to others it can all too easily be seen as adownarrow pointingbackwards -either consciously or subliminally. This analysis can be directed to Latrobe City’s new town signage, which again points down and is coloured red like astop sign. They ‘greet‘ our visitors at every township.

Together, they are hardly the images and perceptions one would want to portray when trying to transition one’seconomy in anew and upward direction, encouragegrowthand welcome new people in to live and invest in our community.

Some will say that such athing is insignificant, howeverothers will remember that smallholes sink big ships and that smallsubtle oversights can have aprofound and damaging effect.

It is my experience that Latrobe City has along history of overlooking these nuances.

Some could see it as an unconscious act of self sabotage; an unconscious belief that we feel we don’t deserve better, and while it is true that other positive behaviours and actions can override such oversights, with aregion that has struggled as much as ours these last three decades, it has more of an effect thanmany will realise.

If we really want to rebuild and transitionour economyfor the collective good, no stone, however small, should remain unturned, analysed and critiqued.

Great change comeswith small seemingly insignificant steps in apositive direction. So they all matter and make adifference.

Anthony Wasiukiewicz

Yallourn North

Have your say

THE Latrobe Valley Express welcomes letters to the editor.

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

The editorLiam Durkin, reserves the righttoedit lettersfor reasonsofspace and clarity, and may refuse to publishany letter without explanation.

The Express does not publish letters from anonymous contributors.

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

The views expressed in letterstothe editor are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflectthe views of Latrobe Valley Express management or staff.

The letters section is designed to allow people to havetheir say,and not be hijacked for political agendas.

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

Deadline for letters is Thursday 3pm.

AND SERVICES

HIGH TREE TREE SERVICES TR

THE qualityofthe work at High Tree Tree Services is as high at the trees theyfell.

High Tree Tree Services is not onlycapable of leaving customers satisfied with howtheir garden has been pruned, butbeing reliable is a main priority.

“We’re averyfriendly, reliable service.Customersare very happy with the end result,”owner Rick Kruyt said.

The business startedin1990, and todayRickremains at the helm with about 40 years’ experience in the industry.

As afamily-oriented enterprise, Rick’sson Daniel will eventually take over theoperations

High Tree Tree Services is based in both Trafalgar and Pakenham and cuts trees MondaytoFriday, butthe staff aremorethan happy to offerquotes on the weekend if need be

Services include pruning and removing of trees and shrubs, stump removal, hedge maintenance,mulching of gardensand supplying mulch.

Offering that expertise at a reasonable rate andefficientlyis whereHighTreeTreeServices stand out.

“Webasicallyalwayshave

customer satisfaction,”Ricksaid.

“Wealwaysliketoshowthe customersthrough the work we have done to makesurethat they arehappy.Ifthere’s something

we’veoverlooked we’remorethan happytocome and correct it.”

classified

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:

to place yourSpecialising in all domestic work. REC.4188. Phone Peter 0438 177 153 or Carol 5126 2110. PLANTS Nursery now at 31 Holmes Road Morwell Market. Open 6days, 10am -4pm Accommodation • FOUND Sunday, 24th September at Traralgon bus stop, a large bag of food. Phone 0417 314 439. GIPPSLAND ARBORICULTURE SPECIALISTS TREE REMOVALS Pruning, stump grinding, hedging, nest boxand habitat hollowscreation, insured and qualified. FREE QUOTES Brent0403 080315 SERVICING ALLAREAS Landscaping Mulch Beautify your garden. Bulk quantity available, $25m3. Phone 0412 613 443 or 1800 468 733. Lost &Found • YALLOURN Nth, 13 Kelso Road, Fri. and Sat., 9am3pm, held inside. Collectables, furniture, pet items, lots of household itemsCHEAP! Lots of 50c items. WHEN

YOU

x2, $300 each, suit large shed. Ph 0400 606 817.

HUSQVARNA

Super

Garage

cheap installation. Seniors specialty. Phone 0403 836 798. Request for Tender Multi Agency Co-Location Feasibility and Options Assessment

Moe Meals on Wheels Inc. A.G.M. Tuesday 10th October 2023 at 1.30pm At the Newborough Public Hall We welcome all volunteers and general public HANDYMAN Small odd jobs around the home. *Also specialising in: small tree removal/rubbish removal. Matt 0439 744 605 Public Notices • Meetings • BUDGET BLINDS Lenny 0418 514 132 PLANT STALL Tall Bearded Iris and succulents. Roadside stall at 2nd gateway, 49 Considine Dve, Yinnar Sth. For Sale • ROOM TO RENT Moe, own toilet and bathroom, fully furnished. Phone 0433 441 645. Gas Appliances Install -Service -Repairs Co Testing -Gas Safety Check.Contact Paul 0428 877 432. Lic.103230.

IS

FINALLY

COWWARR FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB

Annual General Meeting

Wednesday 11th October 2023 7pm -Cowwarr Recreation Reserve

Now accepting applications for all positions both Executive and General Committee

Legal Notices •

Victoria

others

PLEASE

CHECK YOUR AD

bring it to ourattention.

allowances can be made for

Gippsland Ports is seeking tenders, closing 12pm Friday, 17 November 2023, from suitably qualified consultants to conduct amulti-stage project that examines office accommodation and infrastructure requirements of multiple maritime agencies in East Gippsland, including consideration of co-location at asuitable location. Further information and Tender documents are available online at www.gippslandports.vic.gov.au.

YINNAR HOTEL COMMUNITY CO-OPERATIVE

LTD

Nominations of candidates are invited for the positions of Director with the above co-operative. There are 3vacancies due to the effluxion of time.

Pursuant to the rules the retiring Directors are deemed to have been nominated again unless they notify the Co-operative to the contrary.

Nominations other than in the case of retiring directors are to be signed by two or more members and are to be accompanied by anotice in writing signed by the candidate, accepting the nomination.

5Ollerton

Next-of-Kin

in respect of the Estate of the Deceased who died on 11 July 2023 are required to send written particulars of their claim to the Executor C/- PO Box 94, Trafalgar, Victoria, 3824 within 60 days from the date of publication of this Notice, after which date the Executors may convey or distribute the assets, having regard only to the claims of which they may then have notice of.

JMACGREGOR LEGAL incorporating O'HALLORAN DAVIS, Solicitors, 65 Princes Highway, Trafalgar, 3824

In the event an ad is omitted from publication, we assume no liabilityfor such omission.

Nominations must be lodged with the Secretary, Yinnar Community Hotel Co-Operative Ltd, 33 Breed Street, Traralgon on or before 11 October 2023. Pursuant to the rules any nomination lodged must include the following details for it to be provided to members with a ballot paper should aballot be required:

a) Age;

b) Qualifications &experience;

c) Length of any previous service as adirector of the co-operative or with any other co-operative.

Our friendly and trusted service will leave your home spotless, freeing up time for more important things! Call now to schedule your visit today and enjoy acleaner home tomorrow! Discountsapply for seniors and first visits. Sally 0409 952 965.

JS PAINTING

Specialising in commercial, residential work, over 30 years experience. For prompt and reliable service to all the Gippsland region phone Joe 0421 374 463.

LAWN MOWING

and garden maintenance. ABN, fully insured, great rates. Ph 0411 372 205.

REG. roofrestorer, roofs painted, gutter cleaning, shed and house ext. painting. Driveway pressure cleaned. Free quote. Ph Colin 0434 273 073.

Home Maintenance • Public Notices • Home Maintenance • Home Maintenance • For Sale • Livestock • Garage Sales • classif ieds@lvexpress.com.au MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9AM-5PM Classifieds 51354455 Page 44 —The Latrobe Valley Express, Wednesday, 27 September, 2023

CASH IN HAND!

Use the Latrobe Valley Express to sell your unwanted goods and earn some extracash $$$

It’s easy,just call 5135 4455 and place an ad in the classifieds today!

CareersatLatrobe

LatrobeCityCouncilhasexcitingopportunitiesforenthusiasticand forward-thinkingindividualswithapassionforprovidingexcellent servicestoourcommunity

• GIS &Application Officer - GIS&ApplicationOfficer -Permanent Full Time

• BoxOffice Supervisor - Bo ffice -Permanent Full Time

• Functions andEventsSupervisor- Permanent Full Time

• Creative Programmer - Cr ve -Permanent Full Time

• Building Projects -Preschool ProjectManager - BuildingProjects Fixed Term Full Time (12 monthcontract)

• Maternal andChild Health Nurse- rnal andChildHealthNurse -Permanent Part Time &Casual

• LearntoSwimInstructormInstructor- Casual

Mechanical Fitter Tradesperson (Technician/Operator)

If youare an extraordinaryperson who wants to join adiverse team,be well rewarded with great salary, perksand benefits,then keep reading!

About us

LoyYang Bisanelectricity generator located in the picturesque Latrobe Valley currently supplying 20% of Victoria’s power.Weare owned by Chow TaiFook Enterprises (CTFE) and belong to the AlintaEnergyfamily,agrowing and innovative energy market disrupter

We arefocused on increasing plant performance, efficiency and flexibility and seek people who can turn inspiration into ideas, and ideas into gamechanging solutions.

We arecommitted to increasing workforce diversity and creating an environment wherepeople with new ideas feel empowered to speak up and explorewhat is possible.

We constantly strive to understand and meet broad community expectations relating to environmental management,health, safety and good corporate citizenship.

About the opportunity

Competitive salaryand otherbenefits. Generous superannuation contributions, above the superannuation guarantee or membership of aDefined Benefit Scheme.

Flexible working arrangements to balance your work, life and play(base 36-hour, 4-day work week).Above awardannual leave entitlements.

Enjoy close proximity to great regional communities of Traralgon, Warragul and Sale, access to alpine regions and snow,expansive beaches, wilderness escapes and leading schools.

Create change and ‘futureready’ the organisation through your involvement in key projects

Access to development opportunities to continue to grow your skills.

One immediate vacancy with the potential for further opportunities/ appointments in the nearfuture.

What you’ll do

Maintain and operate the coal fired generating facility.

Conduct preventative, corrective and emergency maintenance of all mechanical andelectrical plant and equipment.

Undertake diagnostics and corrective actions

Assist in plant start-up and shutdown.

Utilise computerised maintenance management systemstoplan and coordinate work.

What you’ll need

Certificate III in Engineering (Mechanical Fitter)orequivalent

Ability to understand technical information, drawings and engineering data.

Demonstrated high standards of competency and workmanship with aflexible work manner

Relevant experiencewithin the power generation or heavy industryfield

If this sounds likeyou, don’t ignorethis opportunity, makesureyou: Apply via our careers page www.loyyangb.com.au/careers

Position closes Wednesday, 11 October 2023

LoyYang B–powering your career!

LoyYang Bwelcome applications from people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and people with disability.Wewill provide reasonable adjustments for individuals with disabilitythroughout the recruitmentprocess. If youidentify as a person with disability and require adjustments to the application, recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, please advise via the above email and indicate your preferred method of communication (email or phone) so we can keep in touch and meet your needs.

• EarlyChildhood Teachers- Ea Teachers-Permanent, Temporary& Casual

• Preschooland Childcare Educators -Multiple ChildcareEducators Positions-Permanent,Temporary &Casual

• ExpressionofInterestExpressionofInterest -PlanningOpportunities

Forfurtherinformationincludinghow toapply,positiondescriptionsand applicationclosingdates,pleasevisitour websitewww.latrobe.vic.gov.au/careers Pleasenotesuccessfulapplicantswillbe requiredtoapplyforandsatisfactorilyobtain aNationalPoliceCheckandWorkingwith ChildrenCheck.

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

www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/careers

ARE YOU WANTING TO BUY?

Firewood, Hay, a Car, Caravan or Boat, Furniture??

Or are you just looking for a new career??

Reach MORE than just Facebook friends -REACH THE WHOLE LATROBE VALLEY

5135 4455

GARDNER WANTED

Reliable person for regular maintenance on large garden and lawns. Phone 0429 334 191.

CARPET/ VINYL LAYER

Carpetworld Bairnsdale are seeking an experienced carpet/ vinyl layer.

Must have own vehicle and tools. Ongoing work and attractive rates.

Email: admin@ cwbairnsdale.com.au

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.

LOCAL PAPER!

Save those memories OR look for that next car!!

REQUEST FOR TENDER

Council is seeking submissions from qualified companies/applicants for the following:

RFT/377 -Design and Construct Public Amenities &Shelters at Leongatha and Korumburra Railway Precincts

RFT/383 -Black Spot FundingIntersection Reconstruction -Corner Koonwarra-Inverloch and Koonwarra-Pound Creek Roads

Tender closes 2pm AEST on Tuesday,17 October 2023.

Documentation is available from Council's e-Tendering Portal www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/tenders

Cars •

MOTORING SPECIAL

PARAMOUNT Thunder

19'6'' pop-top, 2020, custom made, dual axle, full ens., L-shaped lounge, bike rack, diesel heater, QS bed, el/brakes, Dexter anti-sway, gas/240v HWS, 3-way fridge, m/wave, anti-flap kit, Dometic awn., solar panel, rev. camera, w/mach., TV, exc. cond., great van, easy to tow, $68,000. 0431 159 984.

TOYOTA Hiace camper '86, auto, diesel, fully fitted, m/w, 3-way fridge, gas stv, suit 1 person,annexe, reg 31/10, bike rack, 274, 000km, $11,000 ono. 0428 346 224.

Trucks &Tractors •

DEUTZ tractor 100hp, good con., $25,000. FIAT tractor 411R and slasher, good con. $5000. TOYOTA ute 1994 FJ75, $15,000. WEBSTER 4.0m alum. boat, 35hp, g.c. $8500. Phone 0428 748 044.

Cars

2010 VW Passat sedan, turbo diesel, leather, sat. nav., great fuel economy, r.w.c. incl., reg. incl., auto trans, XEC-770 $5500. Ph 0477 636 141.

CASH FOR CARS

Old or new, buying all makes and models. LMCT 11618. Ph 0455 776 443.

2012 MAZDA 6

Black Luxury Sports. Auto EC. Lady owner, 163000kms. $13,500. ZDA-288 sunroof, leather seats. Ph: 0414 743 700

EXPRESS CLASSIFIEDS

Responsibility

PLEASE

Personals

SUBARU Forester,2013, auto, reg. till Feb '24, nice car, 107,000km, r.w.c. ZOB-034, service records, $16,660. Ph 0428 746 634.

TOYOTA YARIS,

2007, 5speed man., red, done 216,670km, r.w.c., good cond., exc. running order $4500. 0418 678 652.

Thanks •

ABOVE and BEYOND

Kudos to all Nurses at LRH Traralgon, recently Day SurgeryNurses, thank you, you are super heroes. Anne Greenhalgh.

Deaths •

VOLVO, S60, 2013, 5cyl turbo T5, elderly lady owner, low country kms, like new, $14,990 with r.w.c. or make an offer as is, rego 7-RANGE. 0409 096 800.

Caravans •

1owner, ESC brakes, 3-way fridge, a/c, gas/elec. h.w.s., external hot/cold swr, solar panel, $30,000 neg. Ph 0418 598 128.

ADAMS, Walter Phillip. Passed away peacefully at Latrobe Regional Hospital Traralgon on 10 September 2023.

Aged 76 years Son of the late Donald and Lillian Adams. Loved brother and brother-in-law of Edna and Peter. Uncle of Judith, Sheree, and Jonathan. Great uncle of Amity, Jack, Dane, and Codee.

CROOKS, Anthony Samuel. 30/5/1969 -13/9/2023. Aged 54 years

Passed away peacefully after ashort illness. Loved son of Tom Crooks (dec.) and Corrie Cras. Loved nephew of Marjie, cousin of Julian, Tyrone, Lucy and Jalil.

No more suffering, rest in peace

Private Cremation as per family request.

"An Irish Blessing"

DIMARIA, Michael.

Passed away peacefully 17/9/2023 with Dorcas by his side. Adear and long-time friend of Sue McMahon, Audrey Abbott, George and families. In our hearts and God's care forever

DIMARIA, Michele (Michael). Passed away peacefully at Monash Medial Centre Clayton, on 17 September 2023 in the presence of his loving partner. Aged 77 years

Dearly loved partner of Dorcas.

Much loved father and father-in-law of Gina, Craig, Kylie, Adrian, Margareta, Deanna and their partners. Adored Nonno to all his grand and great-grandchildren.

DOWEY (nee Pickering), Pamela Viola.

Passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Latrobe Regional Hospital on Monday 18 September 2023.

Aged 45 years

Loved and loving daughter of Viola and Bruce.

Cherished ma of Abby and Brody (dec.). Loving older sister of Tania, Haley, Leala and Heidi. Loving aunty to her nieces and nephews. Cool Nanny to Andrej. You worked so hard for those you loved, You always did your best, You fought until you could no more, and now you are at rest, back into your son's arms.

DOWEY, Pam. Imiss you so much already, your laugh, your wit and your smile are now cherished memories we all had together. You fought hard and now your pain is gone.

Reunited with your son

Love you big sister Love Leala XOXO.

DOWEY, Pam. The only people who think there's atime limit for grief, have never lost a piece of their heart. Always loved, always remembered Tania, Joel, Tayla, Sam and Dustin XO.

DOWEY, Pam. They say there is a reason, They say time will heal,

Neither time or reason,

Will change the way Ifeel.

Gone are the days we used to share, But in my heart you are always there.

The gates of memories will never close, Imiss you more than anybody knows.

Love and miss you every day

Till we meet again

Love Heidi and Winnie X.

EDGAR, William James (Bill).

The Edgar family announces with great sadness the passing of William James Edgar (Bill) on 25 September 2023, aged 95 years.

Bill is now reunited with Sheila and is survived by his children and their spouses, Michael and Cheryl, Tony and Sue, Kevin and Joan, Mary and Paul, Brendan and Louise, Andrew and Monica and Robert. He was amuch loved grandfather of 22 and great grandfather of 22.

FEENSTRA, Gabe.

Passed away peacefully on Thursday, 21 September 2023 surrounded by his loving family.

Despite Gabe's best attempt to convince everyone that "If Iwas any better I'd be dangerous" evidently it seems this was the first time he had ever been wrong. Gabe will be sorely missed by his loving wife and soulmate Lynette, his sons, family, friends and Fred.

The world has lost atrue gentleman

R.I.P. Gabe Feenstra

At Gabe's request there will be aPrivate Cremation.

LOBB, William (Bill). Passed away peacefully in his sleep at Royal Freemasons, Sale on 17 September 2023.

Aged 91 years Beloved husband of Betty (dec.). Much loved father and father-in-law of Les and Linda, Jenny and Geoff, Gary and Sue, and Julie and Barry. Adored grandfather of David, Adam, Michael, Holly, Sara, Lauren, Jason (dec.), Nicole, Shane, Rebecca, Amy, Brendan, Brett, Justin and partners and 30 great grandchildren. You will be greatly missed Go Pies!

MASSARO, Isabella. Passed away Friday, 15 September at Monash Clayton Hospital.

BROWNBILL. The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Mr Michael (Mic) Brownbill will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 6Ollerton Ave., Moe, WEDNESDAY (27 September 2023) commencing at 1.30pm. Mic's service will be livestreamed, to view the livestream please visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au and click on livestreaming.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 5126 1111 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

DIMARIA.

LANGMAID, Alan. 17/12/1946 -16/9/2023. Passed away aged 76 years. Loved by all his family and friends, he will be dearly missed.

Rest in peace

FITZPATRICK, Lois.

Passed away peacefully on her 96th Birthday at Seabrae Mannor, Qld on 15/9/2023.

Formerly of Morwell.

Loved and loving wife of Bill (dec.).

Iwill always treasure the memory of the happiness we had just being friends.

So dearly loved and forever in my heart. Vicki ♥

FLENLEY, Cyril Victor.

Passed away peacefully at Margery Cole Aged Care, Traralgon Thursday, 21 September 2023. Aged 91 years Loved and loving father of Cheryl, Mark, Shane, Darren, Lisa and Evyette and partners. Awesome Pop, Poppy and Poppy Cyril to his grandchildren,great grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren. Memories of you will always keep, They cannot fade they lie too deep, Re-united with your loved ones. For Service details, please visit: www.latrobevalley funerals.com.au

GILES, Matthew Leslie. Aged 43 years. Passed away suddenly 14/9/2023. Much loved nephew of Vicky and Glen, cousin of Stacey and Jeremy, and James.

GILES, Matthew Leslie. The world was abrighter place with you in it, now you are another star that brightens the sky. Stacey and Jeremy.

HILLMAN, Kevin John. Passed away peacefully surrounded by his children at Royal Freemasons, Moe on 21 September, 2023.

Aged 77 years Beloved husband of Sue (dec.). Cherished dad of Angela, Rachael, Justine and Brent and loved father-in-law to Shane, Paul and Linda. Adored by his 9grandchildren.

Finally at peace with his beloved Suzy.

Forever in our hearts

HOEKSTRA (Tulen), Alida Maria.

Passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at LRH on 22 September 2023.

Aged 85 years

Loved and loving wife of Bill for 63 years. Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Marion and Andy, Terry and Sue.

Sister to younger brother Nick and wife Isabella. Oma and Great Oma to 7 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Loved and loving sister and sister-in-law of Ray and Dianne.

Much loved and admired aunty and great aunty of Aaron and Bridget, Max and Angus, Rachel and Nenet, Poppy and Grace, Rebecca, Harper, Lenny and Bobbi, Luke and Kylie. Zoran, Darcy and Jaye, Elisha and Steve, Rory, Paisley and Jorja, Ben and Sarah, and Bowie.

Isabella .Everybody's friend and afriend to everybody

Sadly missed, rest in peace

ROWAN, Francis (Frank). The Chairman, Board of Directors, Members and Staff of the Morwell Bowling Club are deeply saddened by the passing of Frank on Sunday, 17th September 2023. Frank was avalued member for over 34 years, life member for 19 years and past employee for 28 years, the club is forever grateful for his invaluable contributions. We express our heartfelt condolences to Violet, his family and loved ones at this sad time.

At Peace

Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Mr Michael Dimaria will be offered at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Commercial Rd Morwell on THURSDAY (28 September 2023) at 1.30pm.

The Funeral will leave at the conclusion of Mass for the Yallourn Cemetery. Michael's Service will be livestreamed, to view the livestream please visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au and click on livestreaming.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MORWELL 5134 4937

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DOWEY.

The Funeral of Mrs Pamela Viola Dowey will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Highway, Traralgon THURSDAY (28 September 2023) commencing at 10.30 am.

At the conclusion of the Service the Funeral will leave for the Traralgon Cemetery, Gippsland Memorial Park. Pamela's Service will be livestreamed. To view the livestream visit our website.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

Aged 74 years Dearly loved wife of Neil. Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Darren and Hilda, Kelly and Gary, Michelle and Warwick. Adored nanny to Daniel, Hayden, Peter and Jacqui, Adam, Max and Taylah, Caitlyn and Jake, Charlotte and Joshua. Great nanny to Lilly and Leo.

VIGGIANO, Donata (Maria). Passed away peacefully, with family by her side on Sunday, 24 September 2023. Loved and loving wife of Mario (dec.). Devoted mother and mother-in-law of Peter and Maryanne, Rosie and John, Lucio and Luisa. Nonna of Donata, Mario, Samuel, Danica, Christian and Katia. Ripose in Pace

Funerals •

ADAMS. The Graveside Funeral Service for Mr Walter Phillip Adams will be held at the Sale Cemetery on MONDAY (2 October 2023) at 11am.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MORWELL 5134 4937 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

LOBB.

The Funeral of Mr William (Bill) Lobb will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services, Morwell Chapel, 437A PrincesDrive, Morwell on WEDNESDAY (27 September 2023) commencing at 1.30pm. In memory of Bill the family have requested that black an white is worn on the day of the Funeral. Bill's Service will be livestreamed. To view the livestream visit our website.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MORWELL 5134 4937 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

TURNER.

The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Mrs Lynette Turner will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Highway Traralgon on THURSDAY (28 September 2023) at 1.30pm.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

Requiem Mass for the Repose of the Soul of Mrs Maria Viggiano will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Commercial Road, Morwell on TUESDAY (3 October 2023) commencing at 11am.

Following the Mass, the funeral will leave for the Yallourn Cemetery. The Rosary will be recited prior to the Mass.

Ho

Affordable Funerals for Latrobe Valley

John Gabraith 0413 332 647

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EDGAR. Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Mr William James Edgar will be offered at St Mary's Cathedral corner Pearson and Foster Streets Sale at 1pm on WEDNESDAY (4 October 2023). Following Mass, the Funeral will leave the above church for the Sale Lawn Cemetery.The Service will be livestreamed, please check our website for funeral details.

Family owned and locally based Funeral Directors

HOEKSTRA. The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Mrs Alida Maria Hoekstra will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 437A Princes Drive, Morwell, THURSDAY (28 September 2023) commencing at 2pm. The Service for Alida will also be livestreamed. For livestream instructions, please see the website below.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

TRARALGON 5174 2258

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In Memoriam

•

SAMPSON, Noel Francis. 'Sam' 19/12/1926 -30/9/2016. Love of mylife Death leaves aheart that no-one can heal, Love leaves amemory no-one can steal.

Bereavement

Thanks •

CARSTAIRS, Robert. Roz, David, Russell and family wish to thank everyone for their care, support and condolences on the death of Rob, 25/8/2023.

We also acknowledge the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the community of Boolarra for their ongoing support of Rob during his illness.

EDWARDS, Garry. Carol and family would like to thank everyone for the flowers, cards and well wishes following the loss of Garry. It has been greatly appreciated.

GREGORY, Robin. 10/9/2022. Iwould like to thank L.V. Funerals, especially Lorraine Ernst for her heartfelt, caring, empathetic professionalism throughout the funeral arrangements. Because of you Lorraine, Robin's farewell had picture mementos and was dignified. You cared so deeply at such atraumatic time.

Thank you also to David Hastie and Mark. Karen Gregory.

THE CHOICE IS YOURS

We offer both at-need and pre-paid funerals. All female funerals areavailable. Dignityand respect,always CREMATION PACKAGES FROM CRE

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Archers on target

ARCHERY

TWINCityArchersGippsland (Morwell) recently hosted the Victorian State 900 Archery Championships.

Morethan 50 archers competed in windy andwet conditionsatTwin CityArchersGippsland for state championship medals in age and bow divisions.

Because of heavy rain on the night of Friday, September 15, the grounds weresoaked and muddy,and the strongwinds madeconditions even more challenging.

Twin City members who competed stillshot well with the following results:

U12 Female Barebow- Evelyn Russell (Gold medal and state champion)

U14 Male Compound -Rhys Pollerd (Gold medal and state champion)

U21 Male Compound -Luke Couzner (Gold medal and state champion)

Open Male compound -ChrisBird (Bronze medal)

50+ Male Compound -Peter Bennett (Silver medal)

70+ Male Compound -David Edlond (Gold medal and state champion).

Twin City also had two associate members who also did well.

Lou Augello won Gold and was state champion in the Open Female Compound, and Mellissa Toyne won Gold and was statechampioninthe Para

Accuracy: Archersinaction at Twin City ArchersGippslandduring theVictorian State 900 ArcheryChampionships.

Photograph: RichardHelleren

Female Compound. Open Female CompoundLou

Augello Gold Medal and State Champion

Also, Twin CityArchers are able to announce they will be hosting the 2024 National Open Field Championships in March next year,anevent that will bring the top competitors into Latrobe City from all over Australia.

This event will also be aselection event for next year's World Field Championships.

Anyone interested in archery can call Peter Bennett on 0429 429 240.

Representative hockey

HOCKEY

By JEN SUTTON

LATROBE Valley Hockey Association players have travelledtoPerth, Newcastle,and Melbourne to represent theirregion and state. The Under 18 Junior State Championships were held at the Melbourne Sports Centre in Parkville.

Latrobe Valley players compete underthe Gippsland Bulls banner.

DarciArchow(Traralgon), Jenna McLauchlan (Churchill) and Kara North (Churchill) played in the girl’s competition.

Day 1was tough with the team losing all three games.

Day 2saw the team regroup to earntwo winsand adraw. These results saw them play off for fifth and sixth position, going down 4-1 to the Southern Metro Sharks. Jenna McLauchlan scored two goals over the weekend.

BlakeBilling played for the U18 boys, who were coachedbyLatrobe Valley’s DanGodfrey,with Kelly Godfrey as their team manager.Despite some close games the boys were not able to gain awin all weekend.

BradyCake(Moe) is currently representing Victoria in the Under 13 National Championships in Newcastle. This tournament runs until Friday (September 29).

The Victorian team won their first four games. The Australian Master’s is being held in Perth with Bec Cheater(Moe) and LeonieBarrett (Traralgon) representing their state.

MOE

GOLF

CHURCHILL &MONASH

ParSaturday16th September 2023.

AGrade Winner: R. Dent 11 +3

B. Grade Winner: G. Spowart 24 -2

CGrade Winner: M. Hutchinson 28 -1

D.T.L: 1. P. Kearns Square, 2. D. Cluderay

-2, 3. J. Sanderssnr -2, 4, B. Barnes -2, 5.A. Sharrock-3, 6.T. Sterrick-3, 7.V. Monnument

-3, 8. R. Zomer -3

N.T.P: 3rdG.Spowart,12th Pro-Pin: R. Dent

14th P. Kearns

Target Hole: G. Sanders

StablefordTuesday19th September 2023

Winner: M. Hutchinson 27 33pts

D.T.L: 1. M. Ryan 32pts,2.C.Stevens 31pts

N.T.P: 3rdL.Brent, 12th M. Ryan, 14th C. Stevens

MIRBOONORTH

Thursday21st September,Stableford.

AGrade: GRenwick(13)39pts

BGrade: RPentland (20) 38pts

DTL: NBaker 37,A Liebe 36 c/b

NTP: 4th, MPayne,6th MPayne.13th G

Renwick16th GRenwick.

Birdies: 4th MPayne,D Taylor.16th G

Renwick.

Saturday,23rdSeptember,Par

AGrade: GRenwick(13)4 up

BGrade: JMcFarlane,(18)1 up c/b

DTL: RMatthews,T Bradshaw, SMcKenzie,1

up.J Robbins sq c/b

NTP: 4th PWoodall, 6th RClark,13th G

Renwick16th PWoodall.

Birdies: 4th, MPayne,P Woodall, 13th G Renwick.

Trio: Latrobe Valleyhockey players Jenna McLauchlan,KaraNorth and DarciAhchow representedGippslandBulls in thestate championships Photographs supplied

Great guns: Traralgon Swimming Club

Para-Able BodiedRelay team of KaylaWilson, MollyCargill, PatrickWoolan and Lockie Bellion wona silvermedal at the stateshort course championships Firstprize: Gold medalwinnersKody Said and Ash Nicholes

Short cause, long reward

SWIMMING

ATOTAL of 43 swimmersfrom the Traralgon Swimming Club recently returned from the Victorian State Short Course Championships held at the Melbourne Sports and AquaticCentre, making 57 finals and winning 27 medals.

The medal haul of seven gold, seven silver and 13 bronze helped the team finish eighth in the state, the 23rd year in succession when the team has finished in the top 10 in Victoria.

Leading medal winners were male captain, 16 -year-old Ash Nicholes and 13-year-old Kody Said with three gold each with another six swimmers finishing on the podium.

The club’smixed para-able bodied teamofKayla Wilso,Lockie Bellion, Molly Cargill and Patrick Woolanalso collected asilver.

TraralgonSwimming ClubHeadPerformance

Coach, Dean Gooch, was impressed with the team.

“Over the five days of competition the swimmers managed themselves so well. Theheat/final format meant that swimmershad to perform at their best in the morning to get in the top 10 and then back up in the evening to go faster," he said.

"With an 85 per cent personal best time ratio and nearly 100 per cent improvement by swimmers who made thefinal, we as acoaching group couldn’t be prouder of the team.”

The club willnow refocuses towards the upcoming Gippsland season with further state and country championships coming up in December 2023 and January 2024.

There was 39 individual and four relay only swimmers at the short course championships in atotal of 193 swims.

Rule the pool: Traralgon Swimming Clubteam at the Victorian StateShortCourse Championships

Photographs supplied

TRARALGON SWIMMING CLUB

Victorian State Short Course Championships 2023 Medalists -6

INDIVIDUAL Ash Nicholes (16) 3gold, 2silver.1 bronze

Kody Said (13) 3gold, 1silver

Kayla Wilson (17) 1gold, 3bronze

Lockie Bellion (15) (MC) 1silver,5 bronze

MIXED 13-18 YEARS 4X50PARA-ABLE

BODIED FREE RELAY

Molly Cargill, Kayla Wilson, PatWoolan, Lockie Bellion.............................................................1 silver

Archer Marsland (12) 1bronze

Max Auteri (12) 1bronze

Records- 1Victorian, 4Out of Gippsland

Ash Nicholes 100IM 56.94 (Out of Gippsland 15/16 years [previous his own-57.39 -2022])

Skill: BlakeBilling in action forthe Gippsland Bulls Under 18 boys

Saturday9& 16 September 2023 36 Hole 4BBB Par

Overall Winners: L. Stansbury&L.Veenman +7 C/B

Week 1Winners: J. Harber &V.Powell +7

Week 2Winners: P. Richmond &W.Toet +9

NTP Week 1: 4th -N.Muirhead, 8th -J.Gaul, 14th -N.Muirhead

NTP Week 2: 4th -A.Pickard,8th -D.Halkett, 14th -L.Veenman Place Getters: M. Fife &C.Dunstan +8, P. Spiteri& P. Stanlake+6, B. Howard &J.Boyce +5, B. Harland &T.Langmaid +5, N. Muirhead &A.Gauci +5, A. Pickard &C.Rothwell+5

Sunday,10 September 2023 OPEN Sunday

Medley

Grade AWinners: Gilpin, Peter(9) 35 Place Getters: O’mara,James 33 C/B

Sunday,10 September 2023 Club Mixed

Foursomes

Overall Winners: Wilson, Graeme &Birrell, Chris 67

Place Getters: Lee,Judy &Langmaid, Brett

73 C/B,Griggs,Daryl &Griggs,Andrea 73

Foursomes (Gross) Winner: Sandy Tate & Andrew Pickard 85 (Scratch Winner)

Sunday,17 September 2023 OPEN Sunday9

hole Stableford

Grade AWinners: Mitchell, Evelyn (29) 19

Sunday,17 September 2023 OPEN Sunday Medley

Grade AWinners: Langmaid, Trevor (17) 38 , Place Getters ,Ross,Kym 32

Thursday,21 September 2023 OPEN Medley

Stableford

Grade AWinners: Donnison, Terry(11)37

Olivia Baillie (16) Isilver,1 bronze BrodyCargill (14). 1silver,1 bronze

SCOREBOARD

Grade BWinners: Morrow,Darren (17) 37

Grade CWinners: Brien, Kevin(23) 37 C/B Place Getters: Borg, Manny37C/B Robertson, Jenna 36 C/B , Azzopardi, Nato 36 C/B,Spiteri, Paul 36 C/B ,Wilson, Robert 36, Johnson, Tony 35, Jennings,Kenneth 35 C/B,Donaldson, Murray 35 C/B ,Scammell, Mark35C/B

Great Scor: RobertWilson (Birdie) @4, Paul Spiteri(Birdie) @8

Nearest to Pin: 4th RobertWilson, 8th Paul Spiteri, 14th Andrew Pickard

Saturday,23 September 2023 MENS 3

person Aggregate

Overall Winners: MarkFife, CraigDunstan, & Lee Wilson 106

Place Getters: George Jamieson, Aaron Bassman, &Graham Geisler 102, Liam Pearce,Joshua Gaul, &RodneyWhite99, Kevin Brien, Wayne Yeomans,&Graeme Brien 98, Les Stansbury, Laurie Veenman, &Steve

Nyko97

Nearest to Pin: 4th Aaron Bassman, 8th Max Matthews

MORWELL

Women’s20th September 2023 -Stableford

Winner: ELau 34pts

NTP: 2nd CPeter 11th ELau

TRAFALGAR

Tuesday19/09/2023 Stableford

Players: 36, Women3,Men 33

Winner: RegBarsdell (22)

Runner Up: Chris Griffin(21 c/b)

DTL: Les Pearce (21), RobDeVries (20), Sue DeVries (20) ,Steve Gould(20) ,Glenn

Doolan (19)

NTP: Graeme Grant

Bradmans: SteveKlemke

50 Free -22.68 (Victorian 16 years[previous Andrew Read -Nunawading -22.72 -2009] (Out of Gippsland 15/16 years [previous Caiden Gill -Traralgon -22.83 -2014])

Thursday: 21/09/2023 American Foursomes

Players: 50, Women16, Men 34

Winners: Ian Outhred, Anne Outhred (28.5)

RunnersUp: Chris Griffin, JanGriffin (30 c/b)

DTL: PeterCooke&Steve Lawrence (30), Tony Price&Reg Barsdell (31), Les Pearce & Duane Baker (31), RonKeith &Helen Keith (31.5) Sue Williams &Ray Williams (32.5)

NTP: Graeme Grant (13), SteveGould & Sonia Roberts (15)

Bradmans: LynPowell &Max Taylor

Friday,September 22nd 2023,Open Men’s&

Ladies Stableford

AGrade Winner: Jake Smith40pts

BGrade Winner: RonDavey 34 pts

DTL’s: Tony Gray 37,Wayne Robbins 36, Symon Lee 35, MarkScammell 35, Glenn

Helmuth 34, Russ Grant 34, Tony Bickley34, Chris Griffin34

Birdies: 11th:Brian Fox,Bob Baldry13th: Russell Dent

Eagle: 14th:JakeSmith

Saturday,September 23rd2023, Par

AGrade Winner: MarkHiriart+3C/B

BGrade Winner: SteveGould +4

DTL’s: ScottMcK nnon +3, Nathan Dart +1, Symon Lee +1, Russ Grant +1, Graeme Ayre

Sq, RonDavey Sq, PeterCookeSq, Noel

CornishSq, Brian Wattchow-1C/B

NTP’s: 2nd: SteveClark5th: Russ Grant

11th:Ron Davey13th: KenStreet 15th: Steve Gould –DiMoody

TRARALGON

Saturday Men StablefordSat,23rd

September 2023

Grade Net Winners: ALyons,Daniel 39, B

Radford, Wade 39, CWright, Alexander 44, D Smith, Justin 38

RunDowns: 1Hildebrand, Paul 43, 2Moon, Wayne 39, 3Rathbone,Alexander 38, 4 Pollard, Lachlan 37,5 Arnett, Nathan 37,6 Thomson, Joel 37,7 Makowski, Stan 37,8 Edwards,Darren 36, 9Mann, Christopher 36, 10 Bergseng,David 36 NTP: 5thAshford, Keith, 8th Henderson, Daryl, 10th Hanrahan, Will, 15th Collison, Mark, 2nd shot 18th Vella, Brian

YALLOURN

Tuesday19th September 9HoleComp.

LynMcAllister (17)20pts

Thursday21st September 18 hole

September Monthly Medal. Winner: Loretta Booth. 99-33-66. D.T.L: Lola Carter (19) 74,Heather Ware (33) 74 Count Putts: LynMcAlister

PISTOLS

TRARALGON

CRICKET

CRICKET LATROBE VALLEY

BY LIAM DURKIN

Welcome to the new age ‘‘

From little things big things grow Paul Kelly

IT may have taken longer than some would have liked, and the road to get there paved with no shortage of potholes, or even roadblocks in some cases, but the two cricket leagues in the Latrobe Valley have finally joined forces

With the cricket season set to begin next weekend, all is in readiness to welcome a new era for the sport in the region, as the Traralgon District Cricket Association and Latrobe Valley District Cricket Leagues combine

The result: ‘Cricket Latrobe Valley’ - one of the biggest country cricket leagues in Victoria, and officials are hoping it will be one of the strongest While there was a scaled back merger of sorts between the Central Gippsland Cricket Association and the TDCA in time for the 2018/19 season to form the Latrobe Valley District Cricket League, the new body is indeed looking to make a fresh start, all the while preserving the history and tradition of both former associations

Following an extensive external review of cricket in the Latrobe Valley region in 2017, which, for the most part, found too many matches were simply too one-sided in the CGCA and TDCA, the committee concluded a merging of the two associations, playing under a promotion/relegation structure, would ensure the long-term viability of the sport at a local level

The ‘Latrobe Valley Cricket Review Committee’ consisted of Tony Flynn, Wayne Mills, Michael Walshe, Dean Burridge, Sarah Prime, Tim Darby, Rino Metlokovec, Barry Little and Graham Harvey Noting Mills and Harvey were president of the CGCA and TDCA at the time, all seemed in readiness for a merger to go ahead

Well, it sort of did, and it sort of didn’t

Five clubs from the TDCA jumped ship - Churchill, Morwell Tigers Yinnar Raiders, Callignee and Traralgon South (CATS), Centrals and Traralgon West left to join the CGCA, which was rebranded Latrobe Valley District Cricket League

The remaining TDCA clubs - Ex Students, Glengarry, Toongabbie, Rovers, Gormandale and Traralgon Imperials stayed, and were later joined by the newly formed Yarram District Cricket Club making for a seven-team competition

While there has been toing and froing in the last few years to try and force a full-scale merger, things finally came to a head in March this year when Imperials sought a move to the LVDCL Being reduced to six clubs, and later five when Yarram decided to join the Sale-Maffra Cricket Association, may well have eventually forced the TDCA’s hand

otherwise you’re going to end up losing clubs There should be good people at each of the clubs teaching the kids coming through, getting good coaching from outside ” Kay will be watching on with interest, having opted not to get overly involved at board level in the inaugural season of Cricket Latrobe Valley

what they were I’d fix them now,” Howlett said

“I have said this openly, ‘please be patient’, we have a heap of stuff to work through, we are going to have a red hot crack at getting this right, have some patience with this, we’ll get there eventually ”

The merger has already been enough for a couple of clubs to seek affiliation elsewhere As well as Yarram, Trafalgar has decided to move back to the Warragul District Cricket Association

LATROBE VALLEY SEASON 23/24 GRADINGS

CRICKET

PREMIER A

Ex Students Glengarry

Toongabbie Morwell

Moe MTY Raiders

Mirboo North CATS

Churchill

AGRADE

Rovers Centrals

Imperials Willow Grove

Traralgon West Latrobe

Gormandale

PREMIER B

Centrals Glengarry

Mirboo North Churchill

Toongabbie Jeeralang-Boolarra

Moe Ex Students

Morwell Thorpdale

BGRADE

CATS Imperials

Willow Grove Traralgon West

Gormandale Raiders

Latrobe Rovers

PREMIER C

CATS Traralgon West

Glengarry Mirboo North

Centrals Moe

Ex Students Morwell

Rovers

CGRADE

Thorpdale/Raiders Willow Grove

Latrobe Churchill

Jeeralang-Boolarra Toongabbie

Gormandale Rawson

Imperials

NOTES

Yarram District - TDCA to Sale-Maffra

Trafalgar - LVDCL to Warragul District

Jeeralang-Boolarra (withdrawn A Grade)

Yallourn North - in recess

Newborough - in recess

Walhalla - associate member of WDCA

At special general meetings each held in early July, the TDCA and LVDCL voted on whether or not to go ahead with a full scale merger

The TDCA vote was unanimous in favour of merging, while the LVDCL’s was also positive

Clearly, in the eyes of member clubs, the time was finally right to come together

With a new league, a new leader was needed, and long-time local cricket administrator Brad Howlett, of Centrals Cricket Club notoriety, won the endorsement of then-sitting LVDCL president Wayne Mills

Given Howlett’s history with Centrals, where outgoing TDCA president Steve Kay is also a life member, he was perhaps the ideal candidate to help with the process

Howlett said Kay had been tremendous in seeing the merger through cooperatively

“Steve has been brilliant through the whole process, I’ve known Steve since I was a kid, he was brilliant, genuinely brilliant,” Howlett said “Started having conversations with Steve about this in early June, bit of discussion back and forth, once it was decided that this was the right path, he was fantastic through the whole lot ” Kay had previously been resurrected to lead the TDCA when the five clubs left, but said it was now time to forge ahead under the new banner

“It’s happened, hopefully it all works out, hopefully all the clubs play it right, play it hard, play to win and that they do right by the juniors,” he said

“It’s important that kids are playing cricket,

“It’s not my turn now, it’s other people’s turn, but I think the principles that we operated with under Traralgon regarding the clubs, juniors, representative cricket, if they follow those guidelines, cricket should be okay,” he said

“I’ve known Brad for a long, long time His hearts in the right place and he’s been terrific to deal with, he’ll do the right thing and he’s as keen on cricket as I am, and is keen to see it successful, so I have total 100 per cent faith in him ”

With any merger, tensions can run high, but Howlett said things were fairly harmonious all things considered for something that, in the eyes of some, should have already happened 20 or even 30 years ago

“The general feedback from both sides, everyone is pretty happy and pretty excited,” he said

“I think in conversations, some clubs have told me numbers are through the roof, I think it is great for local cricket in that sense

“The best teams in the Latrobe Valley region will be playing against each other, they’ll be some fantastic cricket

“For the former Latrobe Valley clubs there won’t be a great deal of difference in the set-up, promotion/relegation, those clubs are used to it, it will be different for the TDCA clubs, but I think once they have got the hang of it they will thoroughly enjoy it ”

That being said, with such a big league to oversee, Howlett knows full well there is going to be some teething problems

“I have no doubt there will be issues about bits and pieces

“Don’t know what they are because if I knew

Understandably, with the increased number of Traralgon-based teams, the travel factor would have become a justifiable burden for the Ships Trafalgar Cricket Club members voted in favour of heading back to the WDCA, but will need to pay their penance by starting in the competition’s second division

Unfortunately, the season is over before it has even started for a couple of clubs, with Yallourn North and Newborough going into recess

Having now established a huge league, hopefully for the betterment of cricket in Gippsland, Howlett said the board had an equally huge responsibility

“It is a fair number, it is a big cricket league, it is a matter of looking after all clubs, not just the A Grade, trying to give those clubs, their players and their members the best opportunity to play the best cricket they can, at their level wherever they fit in,” he said

“There was a fantastic turnout at the AGM, it was good to see post the AGM people from former Traralgon and Latrobe Valley clubs sitting around, talking to each other, even when they were sitting at the table they were all mixing in which was great to see

“As the season and the years go on, that will get better New rivalries will start, but at the same time it will be ‘can’t wait to play there, good bunch of blokes, good afternoon tea, great trip there’ ”

A bus from Rawson to Toongabbie could indeed be a great trip

Clubs have their say

CRICKET CRICKET LATROBE VALLEY

WITH the newly formed Cricket Latrobe Valley abouttoofficially see its first games,the most important stakeholders -the clubs, have offered the following thoughts on the competition.

Note: All affiliated clubs were reached for comment and given an opportunity to speak, or had previously provided on the record comments themselves.

 IMPERIALS THE Traralgon Imperials CricketClubare excited for the challenge of playing in the newly formed Cricket Latrobe Valley league.

It will be great to return to playing against old rivals such as Centrals and Traralgon West, and also coming up against sides we have never played before, such as Latrobe and WillowGrove.

The club has had agreat off season, and were able to get some quality recruits to the club, and we are looking forward to avery exciting season ahead.

 CHURCHILL CHURCHILL Cricket Club are really looking

forward to the seasonaheadinthe newly formed Cricket Latrobe Valley League.

It’s been along time coming and this season is set to be very competitive in all grades.

Ahugeamountofwork has been done behind the scenes and congratulations to all involved.

Churchill Cricket Club, this season celebrates its 50th anniversary and are proud to have three senior teamsonthe field after havingnoCGrade for the past two seasons.

Good luck to all having ahit this season.

 WILLOW GROVE REALY excited to meet and play against all the new clubs at new venues.

Can’t wait for the season to start.

 MTYRAIDERS LOOKINGforward to the amalgamation of the new Cricket Latrobe Valley, forminga really strong competition with the best players from Moe to Toongabbie out to Mirboo North.

There will be some great cricket showcased in Premier Aand AGrade,allowing all teams to be competitive in both divisions. Traralgon West can attest to this after not winning agreat deal of games over many seasons, to last season playing off in aGrand Final. This has brought agreat

feeling/atmosphere to their club winning games of cricket. If this didn’t happen, who knows if they would have survived.

We don’t want to see any clubs fold, so hopefully this helps all clubs keep their playing stocks up and the CLV becomes the strongest in Region 7.

 MIRBOO NORTH

AS anewly promoted side we are really excited for the start of the new league. We look forward to playing some really talented sides from the former Traralgon District Cricket Association, alongside some of the great teams from the former Latrobe Valley District Cricket League. We believe the newly appointed board has done atremendous job getting this new league up and running in such ashort time frame and can’t wait for the season to start.

 GORMANDALE

WITH change comes opportunity and although ourpreference was to remain with the TDCA we are looking forward to contributing to thenew merged competition.

Throughhard work at aclub level we are certainlyexperiencing high interest through club numbers and people looking to get back to playing cricket for our club.

Cricket family: Former Traralgon District Cricket Association and Latrobe Valley District Cricket League club representatives and life members of both associations gathered together at the first annual meeting of Cricket Latrobe Valley The new league has been established by merging the two previous associations together Photograph supplied

Questions to Cricket Latrobe Valley

Legality

THIS is an amalgamation of the Traralgon DistrictCricketAssociationand the Latrobe Valley District Cricket League.

As an amalgamation of two incorporatedbodies, the two former bodies have now ceased to exist, and anew one is created -Cricket Latrobe Valley.

Assets from the TDCA and LVDCL now become assets of CLV.

Governance

CRICKET Latrobe Valley will work as aboard structure.

The board consists of 10 people, with apresident, vice-president, secretary,treasurerand six members.

The secretary does not having voting power. These officialsare elected by member clubsat

the annual meeting of the association.

Unlike the TDCA, which operated under a club delegates system, the CLV board will have poweroverdecisions.

Preserving history

AS per the CricketLatrobe Valley Constitution, lifemembers of theTDCA and Central Gippsland Cricket Association/LVDCL will automatically become life members of CLV.

Work is currently underway to sort through the naming of awards carrying namesakes fromboth former associations to ensure they continue on. Statisticsand playing records fromboth associations will also be incorporated into the newentity.

Umpires

TRARALGON DistrictCricket Umpires

(from Liam Durkin)

Association will supply umpires across grades. Umpires from the LVDCLwill combine, while the TDCUA looks to change their name to Cricket Latrobe Valley Umpires.

The LVDCL did not have aseparate umpires association during its existence.

For Premier Aand AGrade matches, there will need to be 14 umpires to fill all games in a full complement (central and square leg).

Mergerortakeover?

WHILE the current CLV board has just one memberfrom aTDCA club from lastseason (Peter Dunstan), invitations to join the CLV Board were open to all member clubs. Allformer TDCA executives were invited to apply, however none were forthcoming apart from Dunstan.

All systems go as Imps get ready

CRICKET

CRICKET LATROBE VALLEY

THE club thatwas perhaps most crucial in seeing thefullscale merger of the Latrobe Valley District CricketLeague and Traralgon District Cricket Association, is gearing up for the season ahead.

Traralgon Imperials CricketClubhavereappointed Ryan Morley as AGrade captain and club veteran and number one bowler Scott Aitken continuing as Vice-Captain for the inaugural Cricket Latrobe Valley season in 2023/24.

Morley had ahugeyear personally last season as the leading run scorer in the TDCA, making 531 runs and being amember of the GCL winning TDCA side.

The Morley name is synonymous at Imperials, with the family having been involved with Imperials for the last 60 years. Ryan’s father Wayneand grandfather David are both life members of the club while his uncle Greg is apremiership player and his sister Keira acurrent senior player.

RyanMorwellsaidhewas looking forward to the season ahead in Cricket Latrobe Valley.

“This is the most excited Ihave ever been for a cricket season. The amount of work we’ve all put in over the off season has been nothing short of tremendous and will put us in agreat position to achieve plenty of success both on and off the field now and long into the future,” he said.

“The buzz around the club is next level, with everyone chomping at the bit to get stuck into the new challenges that lay ahead.

“I just can’t wait to take to the fieldwith my teammates and see what this great club can achieve this season.”

Clubpresident Peter Dunstan echoed these thoughts.

“Imperials have beenvery busy in the off season securing plenty of new talent to make areal push for finals success this year,” he said.

“With fantastic new facilities that hosted the TDCA AGrade Grand Final in 2022/23, amuch

CRICKET LATROBE VALLEY INAUGURAL BOARD SEASON 2023/24

President: Brad Howlett

Vice President: Wayne Mills

Secretary: RodCheatley

Treasurer: JamieColtman

Boardmembers: Dale Banks, Peter Dunstan, PatrickSpiteri, SarahPrime, Trevor Blandford, Theo Poursanidis

All set: NewImperials CricketClub recruit Anu Meenakshi,with club president PeterDunstan and captain Ryan Morley. Photograph supplied

heralded juniordevelopment program, 17 new players joining Imperialslastseason and another seven already ahead this year, we’ve quickly become adestination clubfor greatpeople and their families.”

Among the prize recruits is wicketkeeper and hard hitting top order batsmen James Skingle from the Olicanian Cricket Club in England,where Ryan Morley and fellowImperials import Tom Starkey have played.

Skingle amassed 431 runs in addition to 22 dismissals behind the stumps during the English summer which sets him up for agreat season ahead in Australia.

Joining Morley and Skingle in the top order is left handed opening batsman Anu Meenakshi from Latrobe Cricket Club.

Meenakshi has an impressive cricketing resume already with an AGrade premiership, asenior LVDCLrepresentative cap, aVCCLGippsland U21 cap and aplace in the 2021/22 LVDCL Team of the Year alreadytohis nameand he’s very keen to add to his successes in the near future.

LVDCLTeamoftheYearstarNilaThillekarathna has left Jeeralang-Boolarra CricketClubtojoin hisbrother Dilshan at Imperials.

After an outstanding season which saw Nila compile 488 runs at an average of 48 and atotal of 2461 runs across the past five seasons, he’ll bring somevaluable experienceand class to the Imperials line-up

Rising young star and left arm seam bowler

Ethan Jarvishas crossed to Imperials from Gormandale and has been training the house down already. Having aleft hand bowler who can move it bothwaysisa valuable addition to any line-up and Imperials aim to surround him with awonderful club culture and provide him all the support, coaching and guidance to ensure he has along and successful career ahead.

Imperials has had asolid preseason training regime withweekly sessions verywell attended by playersand their families.

With two weeks to go before Round 1, the club welcomes any new junior or senior players interested in joining for season 2023/24 and beyond.

If anyone is interested in joining Imperials or are seeking additional information, phone Leigh Fabris on 0487 929471 or Peter Dunstan on 0400 387 064, or by email on impscc@hotmail.com

Imperialslaunchtheir season at Catterick Crescent on October 7whenthey take on Willow Grove.

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