Latrobe Valley Express Wednesday 31 May 2023

BLINDSIDED

Native timber harvesting to cease at the end of the year.

■ Decision brought forward six years

■ State government says decision will provide certainty for communities

■ Nationals outraged Chester clashes with Prime Minister in Parliament

■ Timber towns defiant

Extensive coverage, expert comment, reaction

Pages 32-35

By LIAM DURKIN

SHOCKWAVES reverberated around the community on Tuesday, May 23 after the state government announced native timber harvesting in Victoria would come to acloseatthe end of the year.

The closure date is now January 1, 2024 -six yearsaheadofthe original 2030closuredate announced four years ago.

Timber towns such as Heyfield are

remaining defiant after being blindsided by the announcement.

Minister for Agriculture, Gayle Tierney broke the news at asombre media conference in Morwell last week.

“Today is avery difficult day, it’s avery difficult day for the timber industry,” she said.

“The government has needed to make adecision and that decision is about the cessation of native timber from our state forests as of the 1st of January, 2024.”

The state government pointed to ongoing litigation and bushfires for the early closure, claiming there was no alternative timber supply.

Native timberharvesting was put on hold in November last year after aSupreme Court ruling against VicForests.

The court ruled VicForests did not do enough to protect two possum species -greater and yellow-bellied gliders.

Tuesday’s announcement was met with condemnation by local Nationals MPs.

Federal Memberfor Gippsland,Darren Chester labelled it the most outrageous decision by a government in his more than decade-long career in politics.

“Inmy15years as aMember of Parliament, I’ve neverbeenmore disgusted with agovernment decision than today’s announcement that Victoria will ban all native timber harvesting from January 1next year,” he said.

Continued page 33

Morwell presence confirmed for SEC

By ZAIDAGLIBANOVIC

THE state government confirmed its commitment to bringing the SEC back into action at the budget announcement on Tuesday, May 23.

Lastyear, the state government’s successfulelection pledge to bring back the SEC gave minimal detail, but Tuesday's budget shed alittle more light regarding some specifics.

The budget papers indicate a$1billion fund to bring backthe StateElectricity Commission (SEC), re-establishing government-owned energy and investinginrenewables.The investmentinthe SECwill help deliver 4.5 gigawatts of power -the equivalent replacement capacity of Loy Yang A-through renewable energy projects.

The state governmentsays the VictorianBudget 2023/24startsinvestmentinthe SEC to drive jobs in renewable energy while also investing in protecting Victoria’s natural environment and helping Victorian families with the cost of living relief.

Since 2019/20, the state government has invested $4.5 billion to accelerate the energy transition by increasingrenewable generation capacity, strengtheningnetworks,and encouraginghouseholds

to take up rooftop solar with the Solar Homes program.

The SEC set-up has already begun with an interim chiefexecutive appointed,alongsidesix of Australia’s most prominent energy experts and business leaders to an expert advisory panel that will guide the SEC’s operations.

The state government has also launched a market search for the SEC’spioneerinvestment and has alreadyinvested $21 milliontoprepare the SEC for its new role in the energy market, which includes apresence in Morwell and Melbourne with apromised $24 million to come within the following year.

Latrobe City Councilwelcomed the state government’s commitment to bring the SEC back in Morwell.

LatrobeCityCouncil Mayor, Kellie O’Callaghan welcomed the confirmation of an initial $1 billion investment towards delivering 4.5 gigawatts of power through renewable energy projects.

“Our community has along history of powering the state,and we look forward to continuing to play

End of forestry: animal justice

By STEFAN BRADLEY

THE Victorian Animal Justice Party (AJP) has reacted positively to budget measures, including animal programs and the early shutdown of the native forestry industry.

"The Eastern Victoria Branchofthe Animal Justice Party has welcomed anumber of budget initiatives includingthose secured by our Animal Justice PartyMPfor Northern Victoria,Georgie Purcell," AustinCram,the AJP Regional Group Leader for Eastern Victoria, said.

"Thatincludes over $9 milliontosupport community vets, shelters and animal rescues; $10 millionfor revegetation projects and another $9 million for wildlife protectionprogramsincluding anew Victorian wildlife hospital.

"An early end to native logging is agreat result for Gippsland'snative animals, includingso

many vulnerable and endangered species, but it remains to be seen if the Labor government's toutedongoing support to ourlocal workers will materially help our communitiestransition into other sectors, we hope they do.

"That said, there's still so much more the government could be doing to support animals, people and our planet and so many families in our region are struggling. We will continueto push the government to be better where we can."

Ms Purcell credited the "tireless work of communities, activists, and lawyers advocating for the protection of these important native habitats" for the early shutdown of the timber industry.

"State forest groups in my electorate are amongstthosewho never gave up -and Iam so proud of you all. This win is yours," she said.

"But especially, it's awin for our preciousnative animals and the habitats they call home."

aleading role in keeping Victoria’s lights operating but in asustainable way,” she said.

“We call on the government to consider fast-tracking the commitment considering (last Tuesday’s) confirmation thatnativetimber logging will cease at the end of the year, directly impacting hundreds of workers at the Maryvale Mill.

“Fast-tracking the establishment of the SEC and associated renewable energy projects will provide new jobs and industry, which is critical in aiding in our region’s transformation.

“We remain committed to workingcollaboratively with the Victorian government; together, we can achieve asustainable energy future that supports worker transition, the creationofnew and emerging jobs, training anddevelopment of our highly-skilled workforce and future workforce, while ensuring aconsidered transition for our community and protection of the environment.”

The State Budget strongly focuses on training the next generation of SEC workers.

Budget papers also revealedthatMorwell’s TAFE campus would receive aClean EnergyCentre under the state government’s$50 million commitment to establish aTAFE Clean Energy Fund as part

of the $170 million BuildingBetter TAFE Fund.

The Latrobe City Council’sTransition Plan,‘Our Transition,’ outlines arange of actions, including upskilling to meet current and future business and industry needs and improved education outcomes for the community.

Council said they would await further detail on the establishment of the TAFE Clean Energy Fund, which would support the creation of a$5 million Clean Energy Centre at TAFE Gippsland’s Morwell Campus Trade Skills Centre, to support the next generation of tradespeople to deliver SEC renewable energy projects. Council also said they would await further detail of the $12 million funding pledge to establish VET qualifications to deliver jobs and fund the business casefor the SEC.

The Latrobe Valley still remembers the mass unemployment that occurred as aresult of the SEC’s privatisation back in the 1990s.

The first SEC was formed in 1921. Other firms and groups ran power facilitiesinthe state for many years, but by the 1970s, the SEC delivered energy to practically all of Victoria. The Kennett Liberal government then divided the commission's functions in 1993 and sold them to private companies between 1995 and 1997. In terms of energy generation, the former SEC generated more than 90 per cent of Victoria's electricity from coal facilities in the Latrobe Valley.

Wendy Farmer fromthe local advocacy group Voices of the Valley, said the SEC and TAFE funding was needed.

“It is absolutely needed with the changes happening across Latrobe Valley and Gippsland, we often say we’ve got all these schools but, we don’t have the people who have been trained in energy," she said.

“We’ve had the announcement of the SEC,and to see the SEC come back in adifferent form which is okay, is really exciting because the government is giving young people the opportunity to actually get into the workforce with apprenticeships and it’s something that Latrobe Valley has needed for along time."

The five million dollars in TAFE Funding and the investment in aMorwell presence of the SEC, “Isanopportunity to keep our young people here,” Ms Farmersaid.

Member for EasternVictoriaHarrietShing said, “As our transition to renewable energy continues, the SEC will return power to public hands, create jobs in growth industries, and drive lower power bills for Gippslanders.”

Leader: Animal Justice PartyMPfor NorthernVictoria, Georgie Purcell. Photograph supplied

Funds forLatrobe Valley Authority

By ZAIDAGLIBANOVIC

THE Latrobe Valley received significant attention in the 2023/2024 State Budget, that was handed down last Tuesday, May 23.

To the shock of many, the State Budget promised a$7.2million funding package for the Latrobe Valley Authority.

This comesoff the back of concerns fromcommunitiesimpacted by coal closure to see that funding for the Latrobe Valley Authority has not been securedinforward estimates from mid-2024 onwards.

The Victorian government announced roominthe budget for place-based economic and community developmentthrough the LatrobeValley Authority. The budgetwill provide $7.2 million to the Latrobe Valley Authority (LVA) to continue their essential work, including the Ladder Step Up and Inclusive Employment WorkerTransition programs.The stategoverment hassaidthat this investment will support jobs and further the economic development of the Latrobe Valley.

The new funding comes as the federalgovernment announced the development of aNet Zero Authoritytocoordinatethe clean energy transition across the country earlier this month.

TheLatrobeValley Authority was established in November 2016 to support the region through the sustainable economic transition of Latrobe Valley workers, their familiesand the community at the time of the Hazelwood Power Station and Mine closure. Since then, the LVA has operated out of Morwell to work closely with community groupsand stakeholders to improve the economic outcomes of the LatrobeValley.Focusing on diversifyingthe local economy away from solely coal generation, the LVA has helped receive an investmentofalmost$1.5billion which has contributedtomorethan 4000 additional jobs being created through significant projects and business support.

LVA chief executive, ChrisBuckingham welcomed this year’s State Budget.

“Funding announced in this year’s budget will enable the Latrobe Valley Authoritytocontinue our work in partnership with the community, as part of the Victorian Government’s broader investment in the region,” he said.

“Workers are at the heart of our long-term response to the region’s transition and over the past year, the LVA has been developing acomprehensive LatrobeValley TransitionPlan to ensure

that the region is prepared for the future.

“The LVA will continuetowork closely with the community to support stakeholders and partners across the region to deliver projects,programs and services and set the region up for astrongfuture.”

The original $266 million investment kick-started the LVA’s work and enabled hundreds of jobs to be created through the construction of around $750 million worth of new significant projects like the Hi-Tech Precinct in Morwell and Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre in Traralgon.

The LVA Transition plan developed in consultation with workers,unions, and the community will focus on strategies for economic diversification and employment growth.

One Gippsland has cautiously welcomed the release of the state government’s 2023-2024 budget, whichincludes new funding programs that will benefit the Gippsland region.

East Gippsland Shire Council, Mayor and chair of One Gippsland Councillor Mark Reeves said, “One Gippsland acknowledges the tough budget conditions and looks forward to meeting with the Government to begin the task of transition and securing astrong future for our shared communities.”

Wendy Farmer, local resident and president of the advocacy group Voices of the Valley and the

Gippsland branch of the Friends of theEarth, welcomed the budget’s increasedfocus on the Latrobe Valley.

“We knew this was going to be atight budget,and Ithink the Latrobe Valley was actually included really well in it. It was atight budget, and you will look at other regions across Victoriathat have not been as well supported as the LatrobeValley has.

In 2016, Dan Andrews said he would not turn his back on the Latrobe Valley, and he hasn’t, but we do need to keep the LVA going and support for a lot longer,” Ms Farmer said.

“We look forward to seeingthe opportunities of what the SEC will do for the Latrobe Valleyand the broader Gippsland, and we think it’s critical that we get more details, and we actually have that in place now,” she added.

Though the LVAhas yet to be confirmedpast 2024 with eventhe Agereporting possibleaxes to the LVA afew days prior to budget day, the newfunding comes as awarm welcome for the community.

“The LVA is there for that transition for Latrobe Valleyand Gippsland, and it has to continue… it’s areallyimportant step to keep supporting the LVA within this energy transition,” said Ms Farmer.

Crown Hotel wins excellence award

By TOMHAYES

CROWN Hotel,Traralgon has had anight out at the Australian Hotel Association (AHA) 2023 State Awards for Excellence.

At the Crown Palladium in Melbourne, around 1200 people gathered for the awards night which would see anumber of awards handed out.

The AHA approachedthe Crown Hotel and recommendedthatthey nominatefor the Best Regional Pub Bar.

“Once you nominate, two mystery shops happen …and they judge you, they judge the presentation of the bar, variety of drinks,the service,placing of the bar,” managing shareholder Brett Melbourne said.

“And from there, best score wins.”

When they heardtheir name called out, their table erupted into cheers and screams.

That wasn’tthe only thing that the Crown Hotel group took from the night,astheir ‘parma’ was recognised within the top 10 in Victoria.

“The unique thing about the parma is we took the punt doing smoked pork instead of ham, which is abit of agambleonaparma,” Mr Melbournesaid.

Locally, the Crown Hotel are known for the size of their parma, and how tricky it is to finish it.

“Andit’sfunny, we thoughtabout reducingit but it creates conversation …that’s why we’ve just kept it,” Mr Melbourne explained.

The recognition was welcomed by the group, as the pub has only been open for around 12 months, proving how quickly things have grown.

“It’s been apretty big renovation …but worth it,” Mr Melbourne said.

Before the CrownHotel landed in Traralgon,the old site was originally an older pub that was then out-popularised by growing bars and pubs in the area, so the updated sports pub has only added to the Traralgon night life.

“So Brett Nielson, he bought the building back in 2021, and spent 12 months renovating and reopened in March 2022,” Mr Melbourneexplained.

Mr Melbourne spoke on the lack of sports bars in the area and how it helped with the Crown Hotel’s popularity.

“Traralgon needed one(sports bar), Traralgon needed something like this,” he said.

“We knew,especially with the tank beer,t it would take off.”

The Crown Hotel invested in tank beer, which is unpasteurised unlike normal beer, which goes through aheat exchangeprogrambefore bein stored in barrels, preserving it for longer.

“Thistankbeer doesn’tgothrough the heat program, or doesn’t have any gas,” Mr Melbourn said

“We’ve only got 14 days to get rid of it …we’ve neverthrownany out yet!

“I’d rather run out before Ithrowitout.”

The Crown Hotel is in the process of adding afunction room upstairs, which will includea bar and kitchen,and an elevatorupstairs, with hopefully enough room to hold 100-200 people.

They plan to commence renovations upstairs and hopetostart around late-July, early-August,with the doors set to open in October.

Crown Hotel is excited to see what the next 12 months can bring, with plenty of additions to be made over that time.

The Crown Hotel is open from 11am every day, closing at 10pm on Sunday to Wednesday, 11pm on Thursdays, 12am on Fridays (Saturday morning) and 1am on Saturdays(Sunday morning).

Crew: CrownHotel, Traralgon group poseswith the awardatCrown Palladium Photograph supplied

Local: CrownHotel is located at 72 Franklin Street, Traralgon.

Photograph TomHay

Crossword Puzzle No.8536

with Muzza

ONE POINTERS

1. Which Russian town suffered an infamous nuclear disaster in 1986?

2. What is the name of the song that Queen Elsa sings as she builds her ice castle in the movie Frozen?

3. Who directed the 1975 movie ‘Jaws’?

4. Apache, Chinook and Black Hawk aretypes of what military vehicle?

TWO POINTERS

5. What Australian state is the town of Strahan in?

6. “Check out Guitar George, he knows all the chords…” These arelyrics from which 1970s rock song?

7. True or false. Google was initially called Backrub?

8. How many players in total take the court in basketball?

THREE POINTERS

9. What is the name of the Royal family’scastle in Scotland?

10. Who is Ashton Kutcher married to?

11. Which famous scientist formulated the theory of relativity?

12. Whose assassination led to the beginning of WorldWar One?

FOUR POINTERS

13. Who was the first person to run amile in under four minutes?

14. What do you call awordthatreads the same both forwards and backwards?

FIVE POINTER

15. Name the logos. One point for each correct answer

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.

Holden museum restores Wackett aircraft

THE restoration and display of aWorld War2 Wackett trainer aircraft at Trafalgar Holden Museum is one of 31 projectsthe stategovernment will help through the VeteransCapital Works Grant Program.

TrafalgarHolden Museum willdisplaythe Wackett, the first Australian designed aircraft to see major service in theRAAFand tell thestory of sergeant Leonard Victor 'Len'Waters, Australia’s only Aboriginal fighter pilot during World War 2. The state government announcedmore than $1.4 million funding, offering practical support for the veteran community as well as commemorating their incredible contributions.

Minister for Veterans, Natalie Suleyman said “We’re proudtosupport projects that provide veterans and their families with access to modern, accessibleand efficientfacilities and all Victorians can pay their respects, learn about history and acknowledge the serviceand sacrifice of our veterans.”

Victorian Veterans Council Chair Commodore, GregYorke, who advised Trafalgar Holden Museum of its successful grant application, said, “We always look forward to seeing these projects

History: AWorld War2-eraphoto of aWackett aircraft(in theforeground). In the background is aWirraway aircraft,ofwhich General Motors Holden also builtcomponents forduring the war. Photograph supplied

come to life, knowing they will make adifference to the veteran community and help ensure their service is honoured.”

Trafalgar Holden Museum president,Neil Joiner was delighted with the grant.

“This aircraft is arare exampleofits type; it being the oldest surviving Wackett aircraftin existence," he said.

"The Wackett aircraft to be restored is also an important part of Australia’s wartime history in another way as it highlights the relationship between the armed forces and civilian companies during World War 2.

“General Motors Holden had amajor, coordinating role in manufacturing equipment for the armed forces.

"In fact, GMH produced around 500 different types of equipment in support of the Australian government’s war effort,including various aircraft components of which the Wackett was one, motor vehicles, guns such as 2pounder (pdr) anti-tank, 25 pdr gun-Howitzer, 6pdr anti-tank, 20mm Polsten lightAck Ack, engines for airplanes, torpedoes, motor vehicles and boats,small craft suchasboats, pontoons, dinghies, lifeboats, motor dories, motor workboats,cargo barges, and sundry munitions such as bombs, shells, canvas work, torpedo casings, auto spare parts, etc.”

The aircraftwill be restored by Briggs Aerospace Pty Ltd, acompany experienced in restoring wartime aircraft. Once restored, it will be housed on display at Trafalgar Holden Museum.

New truck drivers for Morwell andsurrounds

ANEW batch of licencedfire truckdrivers are getting behind the wheel acrossMorwell and surrounding brigades following the completion of their Medium Rigid Licence training in April. An impressive 15 out of the 23 brigades in CFA’s District27wereinvolved, with 21 volunteers successfully receiving the licence.

The districtwas supported by the Valuing

Volunteers Program(VVP)withagrant worth more than $34,000 to use for the Medium Rigid Licence project which began in September 2021.

The grant was proposed to greatly improve the ability of local brigades to turn out their trucks to emergency incidents and increase the availability of truck drivers to assist when required.

The Morwell area will see an increase in depth andstrength within brigades, as CFA now has21 new members equipped with their Medium Rigid Licence who are ready to get involved.

AmandaBatty,Toongabbie FireBrigade’s current 3rd Lieutenant and Brigade Community Safety Officer was just one of the budding participants who has added the incredible achievement to their name.

“Completing this training is something that I didn’t envisage myselfever doing in the past. But I am alreadyreaping the benefits and am extremely proud Iaccomplished it,” she said.

“I’veseen aboost to my confidence,and I’ve been able to add so many additional skills to my work throughout CFA and outside of it too.

“Like many brigades in the northern end of the district, we’ve struggled with low driver numbers, so obtainingmytrucklicencewillreallyhelp to assist in protecting our community and our local residents.”

Designed for CFA members who havelimited to no truck driving experience, the opportunity also frees up the time of the current pool of limited drivers and increases the capability of brigades.

Naomi Taylor, aTraralgon East firefighter is another member who embraced the opportunity.

“This is another great achievement I’vebeenable to tick off thanks to CFA’s large range of learning and development offerings,” she said.

“Not only does this add another driver for our brigade, but it’s also another way Ican help to support my community.

“I’d encourage new and existing membersto jumponthe prospect if it becomes available to them and further enhance their skillset like I’ve been able to.”

Welcome aboard: NewTraralgon East firefighter Naomi Taylor Photographs supplied

Leader: AmandaBatty,3rd Lieutenant and Brigade CommunitySafetyOfficerat Toongabbie

Budget lockup: behind the scenes

By STEFAN BRADLEY

REPORTERS gathered in aroom at 55 Collins Place, Melbourne on Tuesday, May 23.

Treasurer Tim Pallas' many months of work was finally available for them to see in the form of State Budget 2023/24.

From9am to 1pm, journalists werenot allowed to communicate outside of the room with their smart devices or through the internet, armed only with pens, highlighters,Microsoft Word documents, and the bulky budget papers.

Treasury officials, the Treasurer himself and even Premier Daniel Andrews were available to put it all in context.

Mr Andrews being there was asurprise for the reporters, as it's understood he's never made an appearance at alockup before- where the Treasurer is usually the main star. He was very upbeat and ready to answer questions, despite prior mediareports labelling these papers a'horror budget'.

Mr Pallas told reporters this budget, his ninth, was the hardestone he's ever had to put together Is it ahorror budget? As usual, it depends on who you ask.

Everyone has their main issue, whether it's

Budget briefs

By TOMPARRYand STEFAN BRADLEY

Taxes for big earners

IN response to debt accumulated as aresult of the COVID-19 pandemic, aso-called "COVID Debt Levy" will be introduced, paid for by the highest-earning Victorians.

Businesses with anational payroll of more than $10millionwill pay additionalpayroll tax of 0.5per cent,or1 per cent if their national payroll exceeds $100 million.

Holiday-home owners and landlords are also said to be subject to the levy, which is expected to raise an extra $8.6billion for the state'sfinancesoverthe next four years.

In justifying the levy, Treasurer Tim Pallas said that he doesn't want debt to be a"dead weight" on the state's economy.

Roads maintenance slashed

ROAD Asset Management will go from $702.2 million in the revised 2022/23 budget to $441.6 million in 2023/24, adrop of 25.5 per cent.

Neighbourhood houses spared

$62 million has been set aside by the state government to fund CommunityParticipation Programs such as the Neighbourhood HouseCoordination Program, men's sheds, communitysupport and community finance initiatives.

This amount is slightlyless than the 2022/23 figure of $65.9 million. The targeted hours of coordination funding provided to neighbourhood houses in 2023/24 is identical to the 2022/23 target of 561,896.

West Gippsland Hospital

cost of living, their jobs, the environment, animal welfare, taxes, the arts, health, roads, safety, and countless others.

Of course, for Gippslanders, the big shock is the early shutdown of the native timber industry; what was six years away is now six months.

No doubt communitiesintowns such as Morwell, Heyfield, Yarram and Orbost are stunned, whereas those who aimed to shut it down are celebrating.

This issue will no doubt be very prominent on thepages of the Express over the next few weeks.

The Treasurer indicated that the decision had weighed heavily on him as well.

"I have sympathyfor forestry workers …wedon't have satisfaction in any of this," he told reporters.

Mr Pallas said the earlier closure was in response to action in higher courts and risk of further thirdparty litigation.

With VicForest ordered to stop native harvesting, many workers are stuck at home doing nothing.

Mr Pallas hopes this will allow the uncertainty to stop and those affected to move forward.

"Litigation has frustrated this industry," Mr Pallas said.

"The VicForests case is not the only one."

Every impacted worker will be offered free re-training.

Big business and landlordswill bear the bruntof paying back the COVID debt after being slugged with a10-year levy.

The Treasurer said he didn't want debt to be a "deadweight" on the state's economyorhave to be paid back by the next generation.

"Kids won't need to pay for the COVID (debt) for the rest of their lives," he said, and also acknowledged the trauma childrensuffered during the pandemic.

At 1pm, the budgetlockup ended, as did the embargo.The news would go out as Tim Pallas delivered his speech in Parliament.

The speech returned to the theme of 'Doing What Matters' fromlast November's state election. This budget, and the speech, focused on the government's commitments it took to the election, such as the revival of the SEC.

What's remarkable about this budget is the lack of major announcements before it was handed down. With much of 2023/24 dedicated to balancing thebooks,itseems likethe government didn't want news of the COVID debt levies to get out.

Will we return to usual big announcements and spending next year, or will it be an even tougher budget with farfewer election commitments to fund?

Heath puts state governement on blast

By STEFAN BRADLEY

"Thisbudget proves that there's no cost of living crisis in the minds Labor's politicianswho received ahefty pay rise at the height of the pandemic," Dr Heath said.

"It shocks me that at atimewhenthe government is raising taxes on mums and dads to pay for Labor's inability to manage money, they decide to

shut down the profitable and sustainable native timber industry. Ihave advocated strongly in the Parliament for this industry.Itshould never be shut down.

"It's time the Labor Party stepped out of Spring St and spoke directly to the thousands of loggers whose lives have now been ruined."

FUNDING for the new West Gippsland Hospital -to be built at Drouin East -islistedinthe budget, alongside the Monash Medical Centre, Wonthaggi Hospital,Dandenong Hospital andRingwood's QueenElizabeth II Hospital as part of a$320 million investment over the next four years.

Thegovernmentannouncedlast October thatit would commit up to $675 million towards anew hospital in West Gippsland if re-elected at the state election.

Small business reforms

THE government willabolish businessinsurance duty over a10-year period. They will also lift the payroll tax-freethreshold from$700,000 to $900,000 from July 1, 2024, with afurther increase to $1 million from July 1, 2025.

The government said this will save money for more than 26,000 small businesses, including 6000 businesses that will stop paying payroll tax altogether.

Yarram FireStation

$34.2 million will be provided to "redeveloplocal emergency service facilities" across the state, which includesanew fire station for the Country Fire Authority's Yarram brigade.

Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriett Shing announced before the 2022 State Election that $3.2 million would be put toward the project.

The new stationwill be built along Commercial Road.

Funds for junior fishers

IN another fulfilment of an election promise, $1.5 million will go towards aLittle Anglers program, which will fund 60,000 Little Anglers Kits to primary school-aged children across Victoria.

The kits will include afishing rod, tackle box and aKids' Guide To Fishingbooklet,whichincludes information about where to go fishing,how to contact local clubs and links to resources to get children into the sport.

Main man: TimPallasspeaks to reportersatthe budget lockup

Photograph Stefan Bradley

LIBERAL MP Renee Heath, who represents the Eastern Victoria Region, has blasted the State Budget, saying the Labor MPs should front up to timber workers affected by the early shutdown of their industry, and took aim at the tax changes.

TimBull goes bang

MEMBER for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has blasted One Gippsland for “welcoming” aState Budget that delivered none of the organisation’s key wish list priorities, cut roads maintenance, agricultureand regionaldevelopment funding and announced the decimation of the timber industry that employs thousands in the region.

“The One Gippsland mediarelease confirmed my suspicions that this entity is nonsense, and along way from the ‘peak advocacy body for the Gippsland region’ that it claims to be,” Mr Bull said. “They prepared awish list of projects, to my eye had nonefunded, and in addition to being ignored, the governmentcut funding streams important to the regions and announced that one of our key industries is being destroyed with apaltry compensation package, with no forewarning to the impacted families, or consultation -and they welcomed it!

“It is agroup that appears to come together for opportunistic benefit and have abrain dump of isolated local projects with a‘we willsupport yours if you support ours mantra’ rather than develop a coherent regional strategy.

“The parlousstateofour roads is among the biggest issues in our region and when it needed a massive boost to funding, the roads maintenance funding was cut 25 per cent this year and is lower than 2014/15.

“The agriculture Budget was slashed again and is now 24 per cent lower than it was in 2020, regional development funding was cut again and is now 80 per cent down on what it was three years ago, rendering it almost non-existent.

“The decimation of Regional Development Victoria should be something our ‘peak advocacy group’ is standing up and fighting for, not turning ablind eyetoand welcoming it.

“Allthese negatives for our area, and there are plenty more, are ignored and instead One Gippsland plucks out examples of some state-wide policies not specific to ourregioninits support of the State Budget. It reads more like aLabor government media release than that of aregional advocacy group.

“This entityispredominantly madeupofthe six Gippslandcouncils and they seem to have apolicy of never offering any real criticism.

"Ifyou claim to be an advocacy body you have to agitatewhenneeded, or you are simply not an advocacy group.

“And as for their current wish list, they have

Blast: Memeber forGippslandEast, TimBull put One Gippsland on notice. File photograph

the duplication of the Mitchell River bridge as the highestpriority for East Gippsland. To have this as ahigher priority than the badly needed new Bairnsdale Hospital is just madness.

“One Gippslandhas no representationfrom a number of our major industries and is silent when one is crushed.

“I’d be morethan happyfor my two councils -East Gippsland and Wellington- to leave this organisation as it clearly does not represent our best interests in eastern Victoria and is not what it claims to be.”

Community Corner with Liam Durkin

Morwell Combined Pensioners

ALL members are reminded our next meeting will be held after lunch on Monday, June 5. Lunch will be served from 12.30pm onwards and as voted by members, will be home made bacon and egg pies.

If you wishtobring aplate to share for afternoon tea please feel free to do so.

Nomination forms for new executives to run the club for the next year will be handed out during theafternoon.Tobe eligible to stand for any of the executivepositions,you must have attended at least three meetings during the year.

At our next socialday we will be having abingo morning and you are askedtopleasebring along asuitable prize for the bingo, something that is in good conditionbut you no longer use. This will make for interesting prizes.

The Do it for Dolly Day was a great success and abig thanks to Latrobe Valley Express, Morwell Bowling Club, Gippsland FM radio station for helpingpromote this event. We raised the great sum of $1525 to help the young mother who is shedding her beautiful hair for thisevent.Thanks to all the ladiesofthe committee for the wonderful selections of sandwiches, cakes etc. and a big thank you to Latrobe City Mayor Kellie Callaghan who dropped by and stayed during the afternoon.

Our group is open to pensionersand superannuants and we would lovetohave some new faces in our group.

Full details can be had by phoning the president on 5135 3440 or 0414 962 615, or secretary on 0413 089 696.

Diabetes support

FOR the first time since COVID-19 measures were introduced,Diabetes Victoria is heading back to Traralgon to host the Living Wellwith Diabetes event on Tuesday, June6atthe Gippsland Performing Arts Centre.

The in-person sessions will provide people living with Type 1and Type 2diabeteswith informationand advice about managingtheirdiabetes Presentations will be ledby Diabetes Victoriadietitian, Sammie Lyne and diabetes nurse educators, Renae Roll

and Karen Crawford. The trio willcover topics such as mental health, diabetes technology and carbohydrates. Guestsatthe event will have the opportunity to ask questions of the presenters and meet other people living with diabetes.

Attending the eventisfree, however registration is essential. Attendees musthold an NDSSregistrationnumberand are invited to bring afamily member,friend or support person.

The event will be followed by aspecial KoorieLiving Well with Diabetes session on Wednesday, June 7inMorwell. For enquires about the Koorie session, email culturaldiversity@diabetesvic.org.au

To register visit Living Well with Diabetes Traralgon at events.ndss.com.au.

Newnumber for GWH

GIPPSLAND Women's Health is now only contactable on 1800 805 448.

The contact phone number is atoll-free service available to everyoneinthe region.Please note, our old landline phone number is no longer in use.

For more information or queries, visit www.gwhealth.asn. au, follow us on social media or email admin@gwhealth.asn.au.

TRAMPS

NINE Tramps (Traralgon and Morwell Pedallers Inc.) began a ride from KernotHallMorwell at 10am on May 21.

We rode past Hazelwood Pondage and through the quiet roads of the Hazelwood Estate in rather cold weather conditions.

On arriving at Mathison Park, Churchillfor lunch we were surprised to see so many others there involved in afishingcompetitionatthe nearby Lake Hyland.

Considering the weather it was great to see lots of people attending and the Loins Club barbecue lunch, which was most welcome.

After lunch our route took us further east andalong FerransRoadtoFirmins Lane to Morwell.

TRAMPS welcomes new riders.For more information visitour website: www.tramps org.au or club contacts Paul on 0459 823 422 or Vance 0403 662 288

Latrobe Valley Sustainability Group

THE Latro be Valley Sustainability Group is a grassroots citizens organisation dedicated to encouraging the acceptance and understanding of environmental sustainability by the wider community. We meet monthly in Morwell.

At our June meeting, guest presenters from Environment Victoria will be talking to us about natural gas and the harm that it causes to our climate and health. But the good news is that there are plenty of easy and low-cost options that can help anyone begin to reduce their consumption of methane gas.

You are invited to come along to learn thehow and why of getting started electrifying your home.

OurJune meetingwill take place in the Multicultural Services building, 26 Tarwin Street, MorwellonWednesday, June 14.

Start time is 7.30pm. For further information, please call Jane on 0403 656 351 or visit our website https://latrobevalleysg.com/

Boolarra market

COMMUNITY market at the Boolarra Memorial Hall will be held Sunday, June 4from 10am to 2pm. Themarketwill raisemoney forthe communityhall.

Gippsland Orchid Club

OUR meeting held in May was well attended and we welcomed another new member. Our attendance numbers are very consistent Geoff Young spoke and demonstrated to the group

the subject of growing various orchids on backing boards with different methods using netting, bark and tree fern.

The last month has also seen amembers day visit to two different orchid house set-ups followed by agroup luncheon. It was afun day to get to know each other better.

Our next meeting will include members discussing their orchid care problems and how we can work together to solve them.

The clubmeeting is on the second Thursday of the month, June8atthe Traralgon Anglican Hall, 100 Grey Street, Traralgon. Those attending, please bring along asmall afternoon tea contribution to share. Tea and coffee are supplied. For further information, ring Pat on 0407 741 621.

Moe Meditation Group

MOE Meditation Group is offeringanintroductionto meditation. Mindful sitting and walkingmeditation is practiced in silence on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Guided meditation is offered on the second Wednesday and an introduction to yoga on the last Wednesday of the month. The group sits from 8.30am to 9.30am in the Narracan Hall at Gippsland Heritage Park (Old Gippstown) Moe. Cost is $5 persession.Contact: clem@ asia.com. Phone: 0427 262 064

Society meeting

YINNAR &District Historical Society and Museum will be holding its annual meeting on Wednesday, June 14 at 2pm at theGoods Shed in Main Street Yinnar.

All current members and interested people fromthe community are welcome.

Historical Society and Museum is inviting all to its annualmeeting next month.

For any enquiries, please email yinnardhsm@gmail.com

Meditation evening

THE Planetary Meditation for Peace (also known as Twin Hearts Meditation).

Be guided through asimple meditationthat willrelaxyour mind and body as well as invoking adeep senseofinner peace and contentment. Experience stress relief, positive emotions and mental clarity by using this meditation on aregular basis. This is ameditation designed to bless theEarth and is an instrument of world service for peace, lovingkindness, joy, goodwilland abundance. In addition, this meditation cleanses and energises the energetic body while also promoting ahigher level of awareness and consciousness. Notethatthis is aguided meditation and no prior experience is required.

After the meditation, you can experience afree Pranic Energy Healing whichcan address both physical and emotional issues.

When: First Tuesday of the month (June6)from 7pm-8.30pm

Contact: Garry 0476 162 646

First Thursday of the month

(June 8) 10.30 am-12noonCon-

tact: Amanda 0411 051 044

Location: 2Avondale Rd, Morwell

Cost: $5 (donation)

Get Together

GET Together is an open space for conversation and community.

We meet on the first Wednesday of the month. Our next Get Together willbe on Wednesday, June 7at10am in the Traralgon UnitingPark Lane Foyer. This will be atimewhenyou can meet and chat with others over acuppa. If you or anyoneyou know would like to be apart of this Get Together, please bring them along.

All are welcome. For more detail, phone 5174 2398 or 5177 8107

Ukulele lessons

LED by totally blind ukulele teacher, PhillipChalker from LatrobeMusic.

Open to all abilities between the ages of 12 to 25.

Dates: June 1, 8, 15, 22.

Time: 11am

Where:Latrobe Youth Space Morwell.

Cost: Free

To express your interest phoneLatrobe YouthSpace reception 0484 777 972.

Moe ViewClub

THE next View Club meeting willbeheld on Wednesday, June 7.

This will be at MoeHotel, (Leggies) Lloyd Street at 10.30am.

We have had two social functions this past month, a‘learn to bowl’ and lunch at Morwell Bowling Club. Also apancake brunch at Old Gippstown. These have been well attended, raisingmoney for The Smith Family.

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

Youcan be apartof Community Corner

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

You can address the correspondence to Editor, Liam Durkin.

Pleasewrite 'Community Corner' in the subject line and nothing else.

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

Ride on: Tramps rode around the Churchill region recently. Photographs supplied Come

Funds for Rosedale RSL

By TOMPARRY ROSEDALE RSL Sub-Branch

has received astate government grant to upgrade its Hall on Hood St.

The non-profit organisationwas allocated$7900 through the Veterans Capital Work Program, which will go towards renovating the Rosedale RSL Hall's kitchen facilities.

Sub-Branchpresident PhillipGeorge said the organisation was"very pleased"toreceivethe funds.

"Our vice-president, Brett Wilson, he put a lot of time into putting in the application for the grant," Mr George said.

"We 'ummed' and 'ahhed' whether we weregoing to get it or not, but when found out that we got it, he was more than over the moon."

The planned renovations have been 18 months in the making,withseveral donations having already been made by the community toward an upgrade.

"The Lions Club donated the money towards the flooring, rangehood and sink; we've had another person that donatedastove;(and) agood couple of years ago we had Leeson's (Logging and Cartage) donate afridge," Mr George said.

Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh recently visited the Rosedale RSL Hall to spruik the upgrades.

"This funding will helpensure we continue to honourthe service and sacrifice of the veteran community in Rosedale," Mr McIntosh said.

"I commend Phillip George and the committee of the RSL for their important work."

Work on the kitchen -which was lastrefurbished over six decades ago -isexpected to begin next month.

It is hoped the renovated kitchen facilities will be fully utilised by both the RSL and the wider Rosedale community.

According to Mr McIntosh, the project is one of 55 across the stateoffering practical support for the veteran community, as well as commemorating their incredible contributions.

Funding for the projects,which totals "more than $1.4 million", is being distributedthrough three grant programsfocused on veterans and their families.

Atotal of 31 projects across Victoria will receive

Muchneeded: Moneyhas been allocated to repairthe Rosedale RSLHall’skitchen.

funding through the Veterans Capital Works Grant Program, which funds facility upgrades of up to $50,000 for not-for-profit and ex-service organisations. Another 13 organisations are sharing in more than $324,000 of fundingthrough the Restoring Community War Memorialsand Avenues of Honour GrantProgram, which funds projectsthat restore or improve war memorials, honour rolls and Avenues of Honour across our state.

There are also 11 organisations across the state receiving funding through the Victoria Remembers Grant Program, which provides grants of up to $30,000for projects commemoratingveterans' service or educating Victorians about the contributions that veterans and their families have made. All applications are assessed by the Victorian Veterans Council, an independent body that provides advice to the Government on issues affecting the Victorian veteran community.

Strong recovery delivers 100,000 new jobs in two months

VICTORIA'S jobs growth is leading the nation following another surge in employment as the state’s sustained economic recovery delivers benefits for workers and businesses.

Recent Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures show that 39,200 new jobs were created in Victoria lastmonth, significantlymore than anyother state, and combinedwith February’s resultsmeansmore than 100,000 newjobs have been created in the past two months.

MoreVictorians than ever are in the workforce, with the participation rate now at arecord high of 67.7 per cent.

Since thestate governmenttookoffice in November 2014, more than 690,000 new jobs have been created.

Victoria has led the nation in jobs growth since the pandemic’s September 2020 peak impacts. There are now more than 3.6 million people in work statewide -70per cent of these

full-time roles -and arecord number of women in the workforce.

The good news for workers builds on the momentum of last month's figures which meant the government’s ambitious target of creating400,000 jobs by 2025 had been achieved two years ahead of schedule.

Victoria’s regional unemployment rate has been slashed in half to ahistorically low 3.2 per cent during the government’s tenure and thereare more peopleinwork across regional Victoria than ever before.

ABS data shows that Victoria’sgrowth in final demand- akey measure combining private and public spending and investment -grew by 4.1 per cent over 2022 compared to the national average of 3.3 per cent.

The latest NAB Business Reportfound that Victorian business confidence increased by two index points last month.

Welcome: Rosedale RSLSub-Branch presidentPhillip George,Member forEastern Victoria TomMcIntosh, and RSLcommittee membersKrisBickerand BobHowarth.

Photographs supplied

RotaryPride of Workmanship awards

By ZAIDAGLIBANOVIC

TWO Traralgon Centre Plazaemployees were awarded Rotary Pride of Workmanship Awards at the ceremony held at the Traralgon Golf Club recently.

The award is recognised for ajob well done and their valuable contribution to the workplace.

Traralgon Baker's Delight, Taelan OliverMcGrath and Traralgon Centre Plaza security, Josh Henschel were bothrecognised for their hard work 'Pride of Workmanship'isthe senseofresponsibility for ajob well done and is still one of the greatest tangible assets in society according to the Rotary Club.

In drawing up the listofawardees, Traralgon Rotary Club asked localbusinessestonominate those they employ who embody the conceptsof prideinajob well doneand, at times, well over

and beyond the confines of their job description.

Taelan Oliver-Mcgrath, the retail manager at the Traralgon Baker's Delight, was all smiles as he spoke to the Express about hisaward

"It means alot it’s apretty big achievement, in my opinion, 'pride in workmanship', so Iguess it means I'm doing agood job," he said.

"Runningall the front end of the house, making sure everyone is behavingthemselves, help out in the back to ensure we have enough bread to sell throughout theday

"I alwaysgive it my best effort,I put my allin.

"Start at 6.30 in themorning. they start at 4am the bakers, but I'm in not long after. I've been here four or five years now."

Mr Oliver-McGrathloves Baker's Delight and hopes to buy it one day.

"It’s agreat job, it taught me alot of life lessons, and it’s agood pathway," he said.

Major medical milestone

PATIENT numbers at Gippsland’s two Priority Primary Care Centres continue to grow, with atotal of 4377 people treated at the centres in the four months until April 30 2023.

New data reveals that 50,000patients across Victoria, including Melbourne, have been treated at 23 centres, including Baw Baw and Latrobe, since the firstcentre opened in Melbourne in September 2022.

FacilitatedbyPrimary Health Networks,the PriorityPrimaryCareCentres (PPCCs)provide free GP-led treatment to people who need urgent care, but not an emergency response. They are open from early morning until late at nighteveryday,including weekendsand each is integrated with anearby hospital,ensuring direct accesstoanemergency departmentif needed.

The centres are funded by the state government. There are 23 currently operating, with another three to open soon.

Gippsland Primary Health Networkacting chief executive, Angela Jacob said the PPCCs were introduced to take the pressure off the

hospital and general practice systems.

“They are doing areally good job of treating patients when they can’t get an appointment with their regular doctor, and don’t need lifesaving emergency hospital care,”Mrs Jacob said.

Thebusiestcentre in thestate is in Ballarat, recording 7000patient visits since it openedat the end of October 2022.

Patients at PPCCs are offered avoluntary surveywhenthey leave. Of those who completedit, 53 per cent said they would have gone to ahospital if aPPCC hadn’t been available.

“It is pleasing to see that the 4377 patients treated at Gippsland’s two PPCCs have so far been diverted from emergency departments,” Mrs Jacob said.

“That’s made life significantly easier for these patients, the patients who needed emergency treatment, and the health care staff whoare there to take care of them.”

Find out more about PPCCs at https:// gphn.org.au/what-we-do/programs/ priority-primary-care-centres/

"My plan is to buy aBaker’s Delight, I’m in training now to becomeafranchisee. so that's the long-term plan.

"I feel very appreciated by the franchise and very proud."

Speaking to Mathew Stephenson, the Traralgon store owner, he said Mr Oliver-McGrathstarted at Baker's Delight as a"16-year-old kid, and he's devoting his career to buying abakeryone day."

Mr Oliver-McGrath’s position in an internal Baker's Delight program to see him rise the ranks is aresult of his own personal motivation and devotion to the job, said Mr Stephenson.

"It was through Taelan's efforts that he was recognised for the quality of workthat he does," the store owner said.

Another award winnerand TraralgonCentre Plaza's security guard,Josh Henschel was on duty when asked for an interview. With the job on his mind, Mr Henschel wasinfull pursuit to find a suspect caught on camerarobbing the plaza's Liquorland.

With alittle time to spare in between protecting the shopping centre, Mr Henschelsaidheloves his line of work.

"I really appreciate [the award], but Iwasn’t expecting it. It just sort of happened," he said. As acomplete surprise, Mr Henschel said, "I actuallythoughtIwas going to workwhen they invitedmethere".

"I put in 100 per cent every day is different …I do love (servicing this community), especially when people show appreciation, and alot of people do."

The Traralgon Rotary Club would like to congratulate all recipients and all the businesses involved.

The Rotary Club of Traralgon takes great pleasure in conducting this annual event, which recognises one of Rotary International's founding cornerstones -vocation.

Introduced in Traralgon in 1985, 'Pride of Workmanship' is now being promoted by Rotary International in Australia and beyond.

Smiles: Traralgon Centre Plaza head of operations,Matthew Rocke with award-winner Josh Henschel Photograph supplied

Rewarded: Taelan Oliver-Mcgrath loveshis position at Traralgon Baker’s Delight.

Photograph: Zaida Glibanovic

Valley energy businesses take a standagainstdomestic violence

Free transport for regional VET students

REGIONAL and rural Vocational Education and Training (VET) students will have access to free transport to get to and from their vocational training providers under anew state government program.

Minister for Education, Natalie Hutchins, recently announced the $7.5 million Transport Fund, which aims to support families grappling withthe cost of living and to ensure students studying VET subjects have the backing they need to achieve their schooling.

Ms Hutchins said starting acareer shouldn’t come down to whether it is affordable.

"That’s why we’re providing the additional funding neededtoget students to VETclasses and covering the cost of the course materials they need when they get there,” she said.

“No matterwhatyou want to be, in Victoria we have an educational pathway for you to achieve it -and with this additional funding supportwe’re makingiteasier to arrive at your dream job."

Currently, 81 rural and regional schools are using the fund to provide buses and other transport to and from VET classes,benefitting nearly 2000 students across the state.

The fund is cross-sectoral and used by some rural and regional Catholic and independent schools.

LATROBE Valley energy businesses collaborated to light up site structures recently to commemorate lives lost to family violence.

AGL Loy Yang, Alinta Energy’s Loy Yang B Power Station and Energy Australia’s Yallourn Power Station each illuminated cooling towers with purple light to highlight National Domestic Violence Remembrance Day.

The annual candlelight vigil is observed on the evening of the first Wednesday in May around Australia to remember the women and children whoselives havebeen lost to family violence.

Latrobe City has the highest rate of police callouts related to family violence of any local government area in Victoria.

Of Victoria’s 79 municipalities, four Gippsland local government areas rank in the top 12 for family violence call-outs.

“As amajor employer in the Latrobe Valley, AGL Loy Yang is committed to makingacollective stance against family violence and to remember lives lost,”AGL Loy Yang generalmanager, Christo van Niekerk said.

Loy Yang Bgeneral manager, Tony Hicks said it was agreat show of solidarity that all three of the Valley’s power generators came together to raise awareness about this important issue.

Greg McIntyre, Energy Australia's Head of Yallourn, said that it was heartening to see the three local generators working closely together to support such an important message, considering the family violence statistics for Gippsland are alarming.

Around 20 AGL Loy Yang employees attended the Traralgon vigil held at the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre (GPAC) in Kay St.

End of an era

LATROBE Community Health Service chief executive, Ben Leigh will finish up at the organisation in September.

“It is with amixture of sadness and gratitude for the 17 fantastic years Ihave had here, that Ihave decided to leave LCHS when my current term concludes in September," he said.

"It feels likethe righttimetomove on to new challenges and opportunities.

“I have notified the LCHS Board, which will be responsible for recruiting the next CEO. Iwill be available to ensure astable, smooth transition to the successful candidate.

“I have been veryfortunate to work with an incredible group of people during my time here and Ilook forward to reflecting moreonmyjourney withLCHS closer to September. But for now there is abusy agenda of work in front of us as we continue to pursue our strategic plan priorities.”

Latrobe Community HealthService BoardChair, Judi Walker thanked Mr Leigh for his contribution to the organisation.

“I want to thank Ben for his service to Latrobe Community Health Service. He will leave the organisation as astrong, vibrant and influential community health service that is helping more people than ever before,” Professor Walker said.

“The board already has arecruitment planin place to find anew CEO. Implementation of that planhas begun,and we are confident of attracting exceptional candidates.

“LCHS is agrowing, innovative and effective community health service.

"Directors are grateful to Ben for his leadership, andweare excited about the organisation’s future with anew CEO in place towards the end of this year.”

The transportfundcomes alongsidethe state government’s $120 million-plus initiative to expand access to VET certificates across Victoria, removing barriers for young Victorians wanting to undertake VET studies by reducingout-of-pocket expenses for families.

Thefunding packageensures schools can cover coursematerials for students, while providingaccess to VET courses in industrieswithstrongworkforce needs such as buildingand construction, electricaland auto-engineering.

The state government says it has invested more than $315 million in senior secondary schooling reforms since 2018.

Solidarity: AGLLoy Yang employees outside the illuminated coolingTower 2onsite. Photographs supplied

Bright: An illuminated cooling toweratEnergyAustralia’sYallourn PowerStation.

Local ParentsNext success story

By ZAIDAGLIBANOVIC

WHEN Amy Savidge, 35, startedthe ParentsNext program, which helps parents work and study, she thought she wouldn’t be able to see it through. Morwell single mum of three at thetime, Ms Savidge hadanine-year-oldand two children under the age of two who relied entirely on her.

Despiteher doubts, she has proved herself wrong and will soon be completing aCertificateIVin real estate.

Ms Savidge firstfound outabout the ParentsNext program through an automated call from the provider APM Employment Services.

“I got aphone call one day; it was an automatic sign up and then they said that Ihad to complete regular touch-ins with them -Ithink it was once every three months or something like that -tosee how I’m going, seewhatI wanted to be [and] what Iwanted to do.”

APM Employment Services, Ms Savidge’s ParentsNext provider, stated: “APM delivers the Parents Next Program on behalf of the Australian GovernmentinQueensland, SouthAustralia,and Victoria. ParentsNext helps parents with children under 6toplan and prepare for future study or

employment. We help parents set study and work goals; set aparticipation plan; meet with them regularly and help them access services in the local community.”

Ms Savidge started her online course last year in April with the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV).

“I’ve always wanted to work in real estate, it’s been like adream job,” she said.

Having to overcome many challenges, Ms Savidge said: “I was asinglemum and had one daughter, and then obviously we fell on hard times and then we got through that, but then Imanaged to find myself pregnanttwice so close together, and then I was like, 'Oh my goodness what am Igoing to do?' Then Isort of just put everything on hold because, Iwas like, I’ve got two young babies Ican’t do anything.”

When asked whethershe had any issues meeting deadlines or program requirementsMsSavidge said she struggled at the start having had anewborn.

"I was dealingwith awhole bunch of other things, like personal life. Ijust wasn’t in the right mind frame, mentally to be able to take on any extra workloads or anything,"" she said.

“Time is never on my side. I’m also quite heavily

tattooed, which Iobviously thought would not be ideal for the job.”

Despite the trials and tribulations, Ms Savidge is on the right track to havingher dream career in realty.

“I’ve got to get my certificate, but the plan is to obviously be in real estate for 12 months and then start my diploma and then get into sales,” she said.

When asked how she will celebrate Ms Savidge stated:“Idon’t even know I’m just going to be excited to just receive my certificate,” she laughed.

The ParentsNext program hasbeen flagged as ‘punitive’ by the select parliamentary committee inquiring into the employment servicessystem.

The inquiry committeehas called for major modifications to the $484 million scheme,including relaxation of the strictest compliance standards.

Therehave been reports of some peopleon parenting payments with children as young as ninemonths who are required by ParentsNext to attend an outsourced employment agency for career advice. If they do not attend mandatory events such as vocational education, playgroups, or story time, their payments may be suspended.

Critics also claimthe program has led to stress, anxiety,and financialharm,aswellas

re-traumatising victim-survivors of domestic violence in extreme instances.

Theyalsoclaimthat the scheme'spremise ignores the fact that parenting is work.

About 95 per cent of the program’snearly 100,000 members are women, with 75 per cent being single parents.

The committee, led by Labor MP Julian Hill, said: "The committee is very firmly of the view, unanimously of the view,that those reporting requirements and the punitive framework sitting around the program have to go."

The Express reachedout to APMemployment services for astatementregarding the inquiry: “APM Employment Services has been cooperating withthe Work Force Australia inquiry. Future policy settings are determined by the Australian Government.”

Although theprogram has faced extensive backlash,there are women like Amy Savidge who say they have overcome the challenges in life to seek abiggerand brighter future.

Gippsland students encouraged to take alocal healthcare career

MORE than 70 local school students from across Latrobe City,Baw Baw,Wellington, South Gippsland and Bass Coast took part in ahealth camp recently, to explore differentoptions and pathways for acareerin Gippsland’s health sector.

The Local Learning &Employment Network (LLEN) together with local business and health organisations supported the two-day event by facilitating walk-throughsofhospitals and clinics, and mentoring students with some of Gippsland’s health industry professionals.

LatrobeHealth Services chiefexecutive, Ian Whitehead, Gippsland’s not-for-profit health insurer and owner of Maryvale Private Hospital,

said ongoing challenges in recruitment and retention of healthprofessionals in Gippsland means engagement with local students is essentialfor the future of the health care workforce in Gippsland.

“Gippsland is not immune to the workforce shortages of health care professionalswesee more broadly across many regional communities," he said.

"Engagingwith the studentsinour regiontoday and supporting them to takeupcareersand options locallyisanimportant step for developing our workforce."

LLEN Health Camp organiser, Lisa Pricesaid it is not always easy for students to be able to undertake awork placement in ahealth setting,

so the health camp provided students with amix of hands-onactivities, industry visits and the opportunity to engage with health professionals over dinner.

“Our currentfocus is to strengthen the connection between schools and industry to help students develop apathway from school into further study or employment.

“We know thatthere is currently, and will be into the future, strong interest for people to work in the health sector across avariety of roles which is what we wanted to nurture," she said.

"Having alocally grown workforce means that people are more likely to stay in the region and so encouraging students to see opportunitiesfor

careers locally is very important."

The health camp is apartnership between the Baw Baw Baw Latrobe LLEN, Federation University and TAFE Gippsland and is sponsored by Latrobe Health Assembly, West Gippsland Healthcare Group, Latrobe Health Services, Latrobe Valley Authority, Gippsland Primary Health Network, Monash Rural Health and Rural Workforce Agency Victoria. Latrobe Regional Hospital, West GippslandHospital, Maryvale Private Hospital, DalkeithGardens Ages Care, Heritage Manor Aged Care, Fairview Village Aged Care and Ambulance Victoria hosted students as part of the industry visits.

Mother’sDay celebrations

SACRED Heart Primary School Morwell students shared an afternoon tea to celebrate Mother’s Day.

Members of the social justice team opened the event with acknowledgement of Country and prayer of the air with aMother’s Day prayer over the PA system. Students were able to invite mothers, grandmas, aunties, carersand somedads came along to support.

The children had the opportunity to serve their family with refreshments and afternoon tea.

During the afternoon, family groups sat together and participatedincraft activities while the school choir sang. Their voicescould be heard over the PA system in both the upper and lower levels of the school where family groups were situated.

Latrobe

special development school supporting local families

THE state government is providing support for students with intellectual disability andtheirfamilies in the Latrobe Valley, with the opening of the Latrobe SpecialDevelopmental School regeneration project. Visiting the Latrobe SDS in Traralgon recently, Ministerfor Education, Natalie Hutchins said she was proud to open the new facilty,which can accommodate 88 students in aspace that caters to their diverse needs and ensures local kids have better access to the resources they need to thrive.

Community consultation with the school and broader communitywas undertaken to develop the exciting master plan for the project, which has included relocating and rebuilding the Latrobe SDS and creating immediate physical connectionstoother mainstream schools in Traralgon.

Students and teachers are benefiting from state-ofthe-art facilities, including spaces for STEM, music and food tech, with the rebuild also includingan outdoor sensory garden, adventure play area and playingfields.

The investment has also includedTraralgon College's senior campus, which deliveredanew VCE centre, including state-of-the-art facilities including new classrooms, amaker space, and presentation space.

Stage 2ofthe project will include anew administration building, library, Years 9and 10 building and ascience building, ensuring local kids are provided the cutting-edge educational infrastructure they deserve.

In 2020, $13.7 million in funding was allocated to Latrobe Special Developmental School, while in the Victorian Budget 2020/21 Traralgon College received afurther $13.376 million for Stage 2.

Since 2014, the stategovernment has invested $12.8 billion to build new schools and upgrade 1850 others, creating around 17,400 jobs in construction and associated industries.

Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing welcomed the news.

“This beautiful new school is atestament to the hard work, partnerships and passion of the teachers, staff and school community and it’s been aprivilege to advocate for this outcome," she said.

"Not only is it bright, modern, and fit for purpose, but the school’slocation also providesstudentswith wonderful opportunities to participate in abroader range of activities and experiences.”

Mother’s Day: Sacred HeartPrimarySchool student Gwendoline andher mum. Photographs supplied

Smiles: Wyattand hismum.

Affection: Jakeand hismum

Love you: Mason and his mum.

Cuddles: Mack withhis mum.

Family: Darci-Rose,mum, Parker and Hunter

Always there: Kostaand his mum. Care: Elijah and hismum.

HOROSCOPES

by Joanne Madeline Moore

May29- June 4, 2023

Aries The Full Moon motivates you to be adventurous and dream fabulous dreams

So, this week’s stars are all about travel, exploration, education and exciting plans With your ruler, Mars, charging through fellow-fire sign Leo, it’s imperative to strike while the iron is hot! Be inspired by music pioneer (and fellow Aries) Diana Ross: “You can’t just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream You’ve got to get out there and make it happen for yourself

Taurus Quit complaining and grumbling

Bulls! Mercury, Jupiter and Uranus are all visiting your sign which provides a golden opportunity to get real about who you are and where you ’ re going The fiery Full Moon also pushes you to draw up a creative plan as you start transforming your dreams into reality Be inspired by entertainer, activist and birthday great Josephine Baker (who was born on June 3, 1906): “To realise our dreams we must decide to wake up ”

Libra The fiery Full Moon activates your travel zone, so a heavenly holiday is likely sometime soon But it won’t happen if you ’ re a lackadaisical Libran! Take action ASAP via a spontaneous booking (if you ’ ve got the money) or a smart savings plan (if you ’ re currently cashstrapped) Plus take a good long look at your hopes and wishes for the future Do they need a radical shake-up? Make sure your dreams are creative innovative flexible and fun

Scorpio

Are you worried about money?

The FullpMoon fires up your $$$ zone, so it’s time to take stock of your financial situation and find fresh ways to trim expenses and boost cashflow Attached Scorpios – talk through problems with your sweetheart Singles – look beyond the exterior package that a potential partner presents Killer curves or bulging biceps may seem enticing But – if the two of you can’t communicate well – then it’s just not going to last

Gemini

With the Sun in your sign you ’ re p Grimed to be the best, most creative, most gung-ho Gemini you can be On the weekend the Full Moon revs up your relationship zone So it’s a good time to fall in love do something special with your sweetheart, or party with your best friends Confidence is high as you initiate a personal project or finalise a fabulous joint venture Be inspired by birthday great Marilyn Monroe: “We are all stars and deserve the right to twinkle ”

Cancer Vivacious Venus is transiting through your sign (until June 5) which highlights your Crab charisma and natural charm So, it s time to communicate with a wide range of people from a wide variety of places (especially creative folk from foreign shores) Plus, party like a pro at a special public event or entertain guests more privately at home Then the weekend Full Moon fires up your wellbeing zone, so escape into the great outdoors, breathe deeply and get moving!

Leo This week you’ll feel your Lion’s roar returning! Mighty Mars is charging through Leo, so – if you play your cards right – you’ll charm the cynics, dazzle the doubters, and show others what you ’ re really capable of It’s a good week to put plans in place, as you follow your true destiny The more confident and adventurous you are, the better You re also in the mood to socialise up a storm and pamper yourself, as you let your hair down and enjoy life’s little luxuries

Virgo

The Sun is now moving through your careeg r zone until June 21 So – if you want to get ahead – strive to work smarter, not just harder And, if you choose to take on a professional challenge, you’ll find the benefits will far outweigh the difficulties When it comes to a complicated family matter, avoid quick fixes Instead, be patient and do all the research that’s required Virgo vigilance and close attention to details will lead you to a satisfactory solution

Sagittarius

It’s a big week for bold and bgoisterous Sagittarians! Thursday and Friday look fabulous as your ruling planet, Jupiter, joins forces with the North Node/Destiny Point So, make sure you are ready, willing and able to capitalise on Lady Luck and Good Karma when they come along The Full Moon (in your sign) promises a positive passionate and action-packed weekend Your motivation and energy levels are set on high and so is your hot-headed impatience

Capricorn Venus (planet of peace and pleasp ure) encourages you to build bridges with your partner, initiate a fabulous new friendship, start a romance or take up a hobby you ’ ve always been interested in The weekend Full Moon highlights your humanitarian side Being of service to others (with kindness and compassion) brings joy and satisfaction Plus take the time to savour and enjoy the simple things in your everyday life Like a kiss from a child or a walk in the park

Aquarius Calling all avant-garde

Aquqarians! With the fiery Full Moon activating your bohemian zone, it’s time to do your own thing, in your own highly individual way Don’t play it too safe, though Forge your own unique path and follow your heartfelt dreams The more adventurous and inventive you are, the luckier you’ll be Inspiration for the week is from movie icon (and birthday great) Marilyn Monroe: “If I’d observed all the rules, I’d never have got anywhere ”

Pisces Is your professional life progressing well, Pisces? Are you overdue to retrain or apply for a promotion? Is it time to take on a second job or even change vocation? Avoid resting on your lovely laurels With proactive Mars and the fiery Full Moon energising your career zone, you need to initiate some positive changes Plus look for practical ways to manage your stress levels, otherwise you ll find that home and work responsibilities will be in constant conflict

CopyrightJoanne Madeline Moore 2023

Thisadvertisingspace couldbe s

STUDENTS from St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School were able to take their story writing to the next level thankstoa visit fromAustralian author, Jane Godwin.

An experienced author, Ms Godwin has written over 30 picture, junior fiction and young adult books, and offered students her perspective on the essential elements of the art of writing. She also providedinsights into the publishing process having previously worked as apublisher at Penguin BooksAustralia.Ms Godwin also hosted awriting masterclass to asmall group of Years 9and 10 students, where students were able to undertake two quick writing sessions. With the continued guidance from their educators, students will now be able to pursuetheir own writingaspirations and implement the concepts provided by Ms Godwin on how to brainstorm narrative ideas, create compelling characters and plot astory.

Creating compelling characters workshop Learning hub aboost for Gippsland VCE students

STUDENTS in Gippsland will soon be able to access awider range of VCE subjects and specialist teachersata new Blended Learning Hub, delivered by the state government.

Ministerfor Education NatalieHutchins recently announced the hub, which combines face-to-face and virtual learning across specialised subjects and will be located at the Morwell Campus of TAFE Gippsland.

It will be located alongside the Gippsland Tech School, which was funded by the state government and opened its high-tech Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) programs for local school students in 2018.

“No matter what you want to be, in Victoria we have an educational pathway for you to achieve it -and with this new hub we’re making it easier for local students to arriveattheirdreamjob,” Ms Hutchins said.

“We’re deliveringbetterpathways and educational infrastructure to regional and rural areas across the state, ensuring local kids can think big when it comes to decidinga careerpathway that’s rightfor them.”

The Victorian Budget 2022/23 delivered $28.7 million to boost rural and regional education,

including $5.2 million to establish the hub, which will operate as acampus of VirtualSchool Victoria Supporting students from 15 government secondary schools in inner and outer Gippsland, the initiativewill provide accesstospecialised subjects, including VCE Specialist Maths, VCE Physics, and VCE Politics.

The hub will deliver the combined benefits of virtual and face-to-face learning, with students able to cometogether in Morwell to learnwith peers from other schools across the region.

As partoftheirstudies, students whoare enrolled in asubject at the hub will be provided access to hi-tech equipment through the tech school, with the opportunity to benefit from resources, pathways and further study offered by the adjoining TAFE campus. Schools across the regionset to benefit from the blended learning initiative include Traralgon College, Kurnai College, Lowanna College, Trafalgar HighSchool and Mirboo North Secondary College. The new hub will be completed and begin accepting enrolments later this year, with course delivery to begin in 2024.

The state government has invested $26.9 billion in Victorian schools since coming into office.

Works: Year 7students Jake,Katy, Harper,Isla, Teddy andBostonwith Jane Godwin

Expertise: Jane Godwin pictured with Years9 and 10 students Ameli, Kate,Riley,Sahanna, Alice,Asmi and Kenuli Photos supplied

TheGuide

THE COOK UP WITH ADAM LIAW SBS Food, Friday, 7pm

As Adam Liaw (pictured) clocks almost500 episodes –who can keep count?– thelovable foodie provesover and over againthatheisa gifted conversationalist andraconteur.Whipping up adiverse array of dishes while effortlessly welcoming and chatting to arevolving door of guests each episode is no small feat; Liaw is surely oneofthe mosttalented (and underrated) TV hosts out there. Tonight the theme “I Grew Up With This”invites afeast of warming,nostalgic chat.Liawisjoined by founderofThe Whole Bunch Collective, Curly Haslam-Coates, andfounder of HoneyChild’sCreole,Honey

Co ect e Cu y as a Coates a d ou de o o ey C Child, to sharethe dishes they grew up devouring.

PICK OF THE WEEK

SOCCER

10, Satu

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After wat the prem from hote City’sstrik Maclaren willberar finally tas victory.

Wednesday, May31

WHO DOYOU THINK YOU ARE

OE?

SBS, Tuesday, 7.30pm

After observing countless seasons and offshootsof this hit genealogy series,perhaps youare wondering whyyou haven’t been bitten the bug to pursue your own family heritage?Tonig presenter and producerPete is finally delving into his ow admitting to knowingve Forthe former co-host this enlighteningexp be amixed bagof aheartbreaking maternal ance his experien with footyHelliar’s p about AFL p

ght,comedian, author rHelliar (pictured) wn familytreeafter erylittle about it tof TheProject, ploration provesto emotions. There’s gdiscovery of a estordisturbed by ce at Gallipoli, along mad funnyman palpable excitement aconnection to an pioneer

PARENTAL GUIDANCE

Nine, Monday, 7 30pm

Equal parts confronting and educational, this addictive, can t-turnaway series could be described as “parents gone wild” From mothers and fathers who have brought their children up on social media to a farming family that encourages its young offspring to use guns this second season reveals extreme parenting styles that will elicit gasps as well as feel-good realisations for those viewers that they are doing a pretty great job at parenting in comparison Tonight, Dr Justin Coulson and Allison Langdon (both pictured) meet 12 sets of parents with diverse approaches – categories include honest lighthouse gentle outback and spiritual – to figure out which approach is best

In Limbo (Mls) Nate enlists Charlie’s help

QI. (Final, PG) Hosted by Sandi Toksvig.

Take 5With Zan Rowe (PG, R)

AntiquesRoadshow.(R)

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

6.00 MastermindAustralia. (PG) Presented by Marc Fennell.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 HistoryOfThe Sitcom: A Family Matter (Premiere) Takesa look at sitcoms and howtheyevolved to reflect thechanging face of thefamily

9.15 Blue Lights. (Madlv) The team scramblestodealwith abad batchofdrugs while the McIntyres trytocover their tracks.

10.20 SBS WorldNews Late.

10.50 TheCongregation. (Mal) Anna is brought into the inner circle.

11.45 Unit One. (MA15+av, R)

4.00 MastermindAustralia (R)

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

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home AndAway. (PGav)

7.30 Code 1: MinuteByMinute: TheKerang Train Crash. (Mav) A look at the 2007Kerang train crash.

8.30 Accused (Mav) Aman is facedwith abig decision about thefate of his brother who is living with atraumatic brain injury.

Order:SVU (MA15+asv) MuncybelievesElias Olsenhas struck again.

Fire Country. (Mv)

Bull. (Mv,R)

(R)

Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

Who’s Coming To Dinner.(1967, PG) 8.00 TheBookshop.(2017,PG) 10.05 Tracks. (2013

Runner.(2018, PG)

Hacker.(2019,PG,

Asterix And Obelix In Britain. (2012

French) 7.30 Transcendence. (2014,M) 9.40 Spacewalk. (2017,Russian) 12.10am The Reluctant

(93, 82)

6.00 TheDrum.

7.00 ABCNews.

7.30 7.30 PresentedbySarah Ferguson.

8.00 Miriam &Alan: Lost In Scotland

AndBeyond… (Mdls) Part 1of4

8.50 Grand DesignsNew Zealand. (PG, R) Chris Moller meets acouple whosehomeutilisesthe

Japanese art of burnt timber

9.40 One Plus One: The Elders. (Return) Dan Bourchier speaks with June Oscar

10.05 ArtWorks. (R)Hosted by Namila Benson.

10.35 ABCLate News

10.50 TheBusiness. (R)

11.05 Ningaloo Nyinggulu: Choices. (R)

12.05 Q+A. (R)

1.10 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.25 Rage Closer (R) 3.30 AntiquesRoadshow.(R) 4.30 The Drum. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

ABC COMEDY (22)

Children’s

Programs. 7.20pm Bluey. 7.30 Spicks And Specks.

8.00 To Be Advised. 8.30 Penn &Teller: Fool Us.

9.15 DocumentaryNow! 9.35 Hard Quiz. 10.05

The Weekly 10.40 Shaun Micallef’s MADAS

HELL.(Final) 11.10 Portlandia. 11.55 Whose Line Is

It Anyway? 12.40am Doctor Who 1.25 LastMan

Standing: Suge KnightAnd The Murders Of Biggie & Tupac. 3.05 LiveAtThe Apollo. 3.55 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs.

2pm ShortlandSt. 2.30 The CookUp. 3.00 Jarjums

3.40 Aussie BushTales. 3.55 SevenSacred Laws.

4.00 Grace Beside Me. 4.30 Spartakus And The Sun Beneath The Sea. 5.00 Our Stories. 5.30

The77Percent. 6.00 Bamay. 6.30 News. 6.40

Africa’s Hidden Kingdoms. 7.30 Going PlacesWith

Ernie

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

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.30 Inside Sydney Airport:Dawn

To Curfew (Premiere, M) Alookat Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.

8.30 Putin And TheWest: My Backyard. Part 1of3.Takes alookatthe decade of clashesbetween Russian and Ukraine, as told by theWestern leaders.

9.35 Normal People. (MA15+) Connell and Marianne’s relationship continues in secret and they sleep together forthe first time.

10.35 SBS WorldNews Late.

11.05 Catch And Release. (MA15+l) DetectiveAnders approaches Filippa.

11.55 RedLight. (MA15+ad, R)

4.30 Mastermind Australia. (R)

5.00 NHK World EnglishNewsMorning 5.30 ANC Philippines The WorldTonight.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home And Away (PGav) Justin will doanything tosave Andrew

8.30 TheFront Bar. (M) HostsMick Molloy,Sam Pang and Andy Maher takealighter look at all things AFL

9.30 Britain’s Got Talent. (PG, R) Auditions continue as weird, wacky and wonderful acts compete in front of celebrity judges.

10.40 TheLatest: SevenNews.

11.10 FantasyIsland. (Ma) Awoman wantsa perfect life

12.10

7.30

8.30

(Mam, R) First responders worry ateenager could havelife-changing head injuries after afall and seizure at school.

9.30 Casualty 24/7 (Mm) Doctor Rob Cornford treatsa58-year-old window-fitter who has been rushed to hospital.

10.30 A+EAfter Dark (Malm, R) 11.25 Nine News Late.

11.50 TheFirst48: Mother Of Two. (Malv,R)

12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

6.30 TheProject. Alook at the day’snews and events

7.30 MasterChef Australia. (PGal) Contestants compete for a chance to cook forImmunity against French foodieGabriel Gaté.

8.40 Law&Order:SVU (Ma, R) Garland asks Benson to reopen amissing personcase he wasworking on as arookie officer on theday of 9/11. Avictimin one of Carisi’srecent casesisbusted for theft, but the arrestprovesunethical.

9.30 To Be Advised.

10.30 Law& Order: SVU. (Mas, R) Aschoolgirl goesmissing.

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

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6am

Hacker.Continued.(2019,PG, Danish) 6.30 The Great Dictator.(1940,PG) 8.50 Amazonia. (2013, No dialogue) 10.20 Spacewalk. (2017, Russian) 12.50pm The Bravest. (2019, M, Mandarin) 3.00 TheMovie Show 3.35 The Bookshop.(2017,PG) 5.35 The ManWho KnewInfinity.(2015,PG) 7.35 Limbo.(2020,M) 9.30 Dr Strangelove.(1964) 11.20 Late Programs.

6.00 TheDrum Analysisofthe day’snews.

7.00 ABC News Alook at the top stories of the day

7.30 Gardening Australia. Costa

Georgiadismeets flower showdesigners.

8.30 Smother (Mal) Anna confronts her new stepfather Paul about theirown one night stand and invites him to the hotel.

9.25 Mayfair Witches (Mav)

Trapped in theFirst StreetHouse, Rowanand Sip must confront its many mysteries in order to escape

10.05 Interview WithThe Vampire. (Mahlv)Louis and Lestat livethrough the Depression.

10.50 ABC Late News.

11.05 TheSplit. (Ml, R)

12.05 Harrow (Madnsv, R)

1.55 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG)

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.30 Building TheImpossible: OilRig (PG) Part 3of3

8.30

Marseille:Birth Of A Megapolis Exploresthe history of Marseilles, once called Massilia, the secondlargest cityinFrance.

9.30 Legends Of ThePharaohs: The Tyrant King. (Masv, R) Archaeologists takealook at the Great Pyramid of Giza and its builder,the Pharaoh Khufu.

10.25 SBS WorldNewsLate

10.55

Darkness: Those WhoKill. (MA15+av)

11.50 Vienna Blood. (Ma, R)

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Better Homes AndGardens. JohannaGriggs catches up with Kate Flood, who teaches about thebenefits of composting

7.30 Football AFL.Round 12. Melbourne vCarlton.From the MCG.

10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Awrap-up of thegame,including panel discussion and interviews, with access to players, coaches and staff

11.00 ArmchairExperts. (M) Apanel discussesall things AFL

12.00 MOVIE: Slam. (2018,MA15+alv) Ayoungman’s sister disappears. Adam Bakri, Rachael Blake.

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

2.30 Global Shop.(R)

TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

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

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

6.00 Nine News.

7.00 ACurrent Affair.

7.30 CountryHouse Hunters Australia. HostedbyCatrionaRowntree.

8.30 MOVIE: Skyfall. (2012, Mlv,R) In the wake of abotched operation and the apparent death of 007, Mfinds herself under pressure to resign. Daniel Craig, JudiDench,JavierBardem.

11.25 Emergency Call. (Ma, R) Amother of three chokes on aspatula.

12.15 Tipping Point. (PG,R)

1.05 It’sAll Greek To Me. (PG, R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Postcards. (PG, R)

4.30 Global Shop (R)

6.30 TheProject. Thehostsand guest panellists takealookatthe day’snews, eventsand hot topics.

7.30 Bondi Rescue. (PGal) Lifeguards honour their former colleague Terry with atraditional paddle out

8.30 To Be Advised.

9.30 TheGraham Norton Show. (Mls, R)Graham Nortonisjoined by actors Michelle Williams, Helena Bonham Carter and Brendan Fraser,screenwriter RussellT Davies and talent show judge Oti Mabuse. Music from singer-songwriter Cat Burns.

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

5.00 NHK World English NewsMorning.

3.30 MastermindAustralia. (R) 4.30 Bamay (R)

5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight.

4.00 Million DollarMinute. (R)

5.00 NBC Today.

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30

SkippyThe Bush Kangaroo. (R)

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

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

IN THE HOT SEAT

Traralgon boy Andrew McQualter is now an AFL coach, filling the void left by outgoing Richmond mastermind Damien Hardwick. McQualter stepped up from Richmond assistant at the weekend, calling the shots during the Tigers’ game against Port Adelaide Power coach Ken Hinkley was on hand to give some words of advice to the 36-year-old.

AFL coaches from Gippsland

NormWare (Sale) WesternBulldogs 1941-42

Peter Knights (Longwarry)Brisbane Bears 1987-1989, Hawthorn1994-95

Bernie Quinlan (Traralgon) -Fitzroy 1995

JeffGieschen (Maffra) -Richmond 1997-99

GaryAyres (Warragul) -Geelong 1995-99, Adelaide 2000-04

Michael Voss (Traralgon) -Brisbane Lions 2009-13, Carlton 2022-present

Andrew Simpson (Sale) -West Coast

2014-present

Andrew McQualter (Traralgon) Richmond 2023 (interim)

Compiled by Liam Durkin

Have we missed anyone? Let our newsroom knowatsport@lvexpress.com.au

FOOTBALL

By TOM HAYES AND LIAM DURKIN

TRARALGON’S Andrew McQualtercoached his first game as an AFL head coach at the weekend.

McQualter tookthe reins at Richmondfollowing the immediate and unexpected departure of long-term senior coach, Damien Hardwick. Hardwick joined Richmond in the middle of the 2009 AFL season, taking over from Terry Wallace.

It took him four years to get the Tigers to their first finals series since 2001, doing so in 2013.

Hardwick led the Tigers to their first premiershipin37years in 2017,when Richmond defeated Adelaide by 48 points.

He would win two more flags, in 2019 and 2020, to cap off his 14-year coaching stint as the longest-serving coach in Richmond history. McQualter’sdebut in the head coaching chair came at the weekend, when the Tigers took on the in-form Port Adelaide at the MCG.

Fittingly, at the 17-minute mark of the first quarter, Richmond fans stood andgave an applause to Hardwick as athank-you.

McQualter, who will coach the Tigers in the interim until afull-time appointment is made, started his head coaching career with a10-point loss.

Speaking post-match, the Traralgon local said it was agood experience.

“It was fun, Ithink if Idoitfor too long I won’tkeep this thick, luscious hair that I’ve got, that might get challenged, but it was good fun,” he said.

“It’s amazing how as an assistant coach how much you don’t see.”

McQualter spoke on howthe playersreacted to the news, and how they prepared for the match.

“It has beenatoughweek,anemotionalweek for the club, Dimmahas been such an influence on so many people’s lives at the club, it was a challenging few days, no one saw it coming,” he said

“We spoke about it pre-match, we spoke about

honouring Dimma and what he’s given the club over along period of time.

“We didn’t playour best game of foooty, but the fight they showed they never gaave up ” McQualter is expected to remain in c charge of the Tigers until the end of the season.

“I thinkthe main aimfor us is to remaain really connected,we’re on the same page, w we’re on this journey for the next 12 weeks toggether ”

McQualter played 94 games in his AF AFL career at St Kilda and Gold Coast, between 2 2005 and 2012, playinginthree Grand Finals s - 2009, 2010 and the 2010 replay.

After his playing days, he joined the T Tigers as aVFL player and development coach in 2014

Two years later he became an assisttant and midfield coach for the senior side.

McQualter has somewhat recent local ties, despite his origin, playing in Roosedale’s premiership winning team of 2015.

There is now three head coaches in t the AFL with ties to Gippsland.

Carltoncoach MichaelVoss was born in Traralgon,and West Coast coach h Adam

YOURLOCAL FOOTBALLAND NETBALL LIFTFOUT

Photograph supplied

Simpson played in an junior premiership with Sale City y Pressure remains on premiership-winning coach Simpson to remain at the helm of the Eagles, who are languishing at the foot of the AFL ladder

GOALS: Sale: HPotts 2B Dessent PTainsh JFreeman JJohnstone JMclaren JMcGuiness

Morwell: THillier 2BMcDonald 2R Loprese TWaack BMcauliffeB Bailey BEST Sale: WLeslie

JMclaren DMcGuiness JAllison JMcGuiness JFreeman. Morwell: ZAndersonRLoprese B

McauliffeMLinton BBailey

WONTHAGGI 5.410.618.11 25.15 (165)

GOALS: Wonthaggi: TDavey 6NAnderson4CMcInnes 4T Harley 3IChugg 2MHayes2 B

Mabilia TKnowles JBlair TMurray. Warragul: RSeniniNStevenson CSutherland BPaul. BEST:

Wonthaggi: TDavey TMurrayNAndersonT Huther RSparkes TKnowles.Warragul: SWhibley CSutherland RSenini LCarterJHughes BPaul

Lions take down Goliath

JOrlicki XLaFrantz DSaker RMitchell JNeville

GOALS: Sale: BWalker 3JDessent 2T Campbell 2JSimic CLavertyJSandemanBSmith.

Morwell: MLovison RGaleaDHough MPorykali LTactor. BEST: Sale: BMcKay BWalker H

Ronchi HTatterson CLaverty MBenson. Morwell: MPorykaliR Adams BBriggs JMakepeace

CBailey

MAFFRA7.4

DROUIN

GOALS: Maffra: JOldham 4CJohnson 4RPhelan 3JStubbe 2W Pleming BHorsfordJ Kelly O

Gallagher.Drouin: Details N/A. BEST: Maffra:JOldham WPleming JStubbe CSmartM Huts B

Mckenzie.Drouin: CBethune JFraser HMcConnell AMarsh BFlynn JClerks

LEONGATHA

MOE

GOALS: Leongatha: FMateria 4JSchelling 2T Hall RKemp DHume DBerryman HLindsay.

Moe: KWeirW Claridge BEST: Leongatha: LMarshmanJSchelling THall NFixterL Hickey O

Kerr.Moe: AWilson KWeirLRees NBalfour TMorrow JThornton

GOALS: Traralgon: JVan Iwaarden 2T Tangi2JJackway2BLocandro2FKennedy.Bairnsdale:

JWaddell 2ANelson 2CMoresi LMoresi LLakay DEastman. BEST: Traralgon: LMcDonald D

Campbell LHahn AJaensch JVan Iwaarden FKennedy.Bairnsdale:

FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

THEY'RE certainly beatable.

Moe did what no Gippsland League side had done in 769 days -defeat Leongatha.

And they did it on the Parrot's home turf as well.

The Lions prevailed 12.5 (77) to 6.14 (50) to highlightRound 7ofthe Gippsland League So bigwas the result, it made state-wide news.

Even my mum, who has absolutelyzero interestinfootball asked if Moe was still standing afterwards.

Yes, Moe is still standing,and standing tall at that, equal first on the ladder with Leongatha and Traralgon.

In what was atrue team effort, the Lions foundcontributions right across the board to end the Parrots' 34-game winningstreak

There wasn't any magicalformula. Everyone just simply played their role.

Everyone that was physically able to so that is. Moe was two men down for large parts, with midfielders Jacob Balfour and Jordan Ceppi succumbing to injury.

Ceppi returned to the field after grabbing at atroublesome ankle. Balfour wasn't as lucky, taken to hospital with what ended up being afractured collarbone.

So the win was made all the more mighty, and one for the history books -itwas Moe's first win at Leongatha since 2009.

The Lions' win over Wonthaggi earlier in the year was declared their best win on the road in more than adecade. This would just about top it.

The win evoked memories of the "if it bleeds you can kill it" line delivered by Leigh Matthews.This notionbecamemore evident as the game went on. Once Moe got into a winning position midway through the third quarter,itwas clearthey weren't intimidated by Leongatha. It's as if they realised'oh,they are just people in green and gold jumpers after all'.

This mighthaverang especially true for Lions defender Tyson Biffin, who may recall his old Assumption Collegecoach Ray Carroll telling players "your opponent has the same number of arms and legs as you."

At its mostsimplistic,Moe'sformula to victory was: takeaway the opposition's one wood +sow the seed of doubt +add scoreboard pressure =win.

How often does David King say "don't get beaten by what you know" on Fox Footy.

The Lions certainly weren't beaten by what they knewLeongatha was going to throw at them.

While the Parrots haven't been agreat clearance side during their unbeaten run, their ability to make the ground big has enabled them to explode on offence.

Moe covered Leongatha's switch so effectively,the Parrots'only options were to play highriskthrough the corridor, or simply kick down the line.

To Leongatha's credit, they kept taking it on through the middle until there was 10 minutes to go. However, with the pressure mounting, Moe cut off anumberofinboard

kicks and were able to slingshot the ball into dangerous spots -their three final quarter goals were all kicked closer than 20 metres out.

Astrong south-easterly breeze across the groundtoward the entranceplayed some havoc with kicking skills early in the piece, and presented asizeable advantageto whoever kicked with it.

Leongatha had that luxury in the first quarter, and there was ominous signs when the Parrots had ashot on goal in the first 30 seconds.

The home side was plagued by poor conversion however, and at quarter time the score was 2.1 (13) to 0.7 (7) in Moe's favour.

The visitors then had their turn kicking with the breeze, and made the most of their opportunities, adding four goals.

Former Western Bulldogs player Billy Gowers was on debut for Moe, and slotted a nice goal from deep in the pocket.

Up the other end, the Parrots continued to register scores, but only minor ones, and at halftime, they had 1.12 (18) to 6.3 (39) on the board.

As promising as Moe'spositionwas,with 13 scoring shots to nine, the threat of Leongatha taking the game away kickingwith the wind in the third quarter hung over their head.

In fairness, alot of the Parrots' behinds were due to the work of the Lion's defenders, who forced Leongatha into positions where they had to take shots wide.

The Parrots did make some running in the third,adding four goals, but Moe was equal to the task, kicking three themselves.

Lion’s veteran midfielder James Blaser wound back the clock in the second half, and played like aman possessed. He drew afree kick for holding the ball on the edge of 50 at the scoreboard end, before his kick was marked by fellowveteran in Moe captain Jacob Wood on the goal line.

Another goal followed after ScottVan Dyk, in his 100th game, smartly dropped the ball into Ben Daniher 25 metres out straight in front. With araking kick in his locker, most thought Van Dyk was having ashot from 50, and his ploy to shape as if he was going to do so meant most of the Leongatha defenders were on the goal line.

Agoal to Leongatha's Jack Hume at the 24-minute mark cut the margin back,asthe third quarter ended amid some confusion.

Leongathawas awarded afree kick on the 50 metre arc after the three quarter time siren. Star midfielder Tom Marriot went to take the shot, but had to reluctantly hand theballover to Aaron Turton, who failed to kick the ball much further than 40 metres.

At the last change, Moe was ahead by 16 points. With ahandy but by no means safe lead, coach Declan Keilty told his team to keep playing to win the game, not to save it.

The final term started with perhaps the first sign the home team was seriously fearful of losing their first game in more than two years.

With the ball spilling from congestion in the middle of the ground, aLeongathaplayer looked indecisive about whether or not to attack the loose ball or wait for it to arrive to him.

The situation became alot harder for the

home side after Grady Cocksedge walked out of astoppage in the forward pocket and snapped through agoal at the four minute mark, extending the lead beyond 20 points. The Parrots threw caution to the wind, and started going for everything. Their day perhaps summed up when Jack Ginnane, usually adeadeye in front of goal, had aset shot from a45degree angle and kicked it out on the full.

Moe however could not be denied. Play of the day was saved for the six minute mark, when the Lionswentcoast-to-coast through Harri Sim,Cocksedge and Wood, who kicked the ball long inside 50 to Harry Pepper.

Pepper engaged in aone-on-one, and worked his opponent under the ball, getting outthe backand runninginto an open goal

When that happened, the score was 71-43, giving the Lions enough breathing space.

By the 13 minute mark, it was clear players were out on their feet. Moe chipped the ball around to chew some time off the clock, although afour bounce run by Hume to set up agoal provided one for the highlightreel.

Things heated up towards the end,and on arecord-breaking day, it was perhaps fitting it could have also been arecord-setting day as far as holding the ball and high contact decisions were concerned.

In my time coveringlocal football,I've never seen more free kicks paid.

Asmall scuffle broke out at the 25-minute mark, whichresulted in Daniher being awarded a50-metre penalty, taking him 20 metres out straight in front.

The left footer slotted the goal, and the siren went straight after the ball went through.

Arms were raised on the Moe bench in unison, celebrating atrue win for the ages. Cocksedge was voted best-on-ground, followed by Blaser, BrockSmith, Gowers (five goals) and Daniher.

Keilty was also among the best, and was full of praise for his side.

"It's always tough coming up against Leongatha, so to comeawaywiththe win was pretty special," he said.

"It took 22 guys buying in, doing their role, playing their bit for the team."

Summing up the game, Keilty said it was pleasing Moe was able to get the match on their terms.

"I think it was just our contested effort and our defensive effort," he said.

"You have to respect their midfielders like Tom Marriott, Luke Bowman, Aaron Heppell, so to be able to defensively win at the stoppage and then mitigatetheir impact on the game was abig part of that.

"Shane Paynter, one of our assistant coaches, madethe comment we probably forced them to kick long down the line more than what they wanted to which played into our hands, we were able to control the ball in the back half.

"The message going into the game was we wantedtoplay ourway, if we wentaway from that in the last quarter, Ithink Leongatha would have rolledus, it was just stick to that mentality, try to keep winning, try to keep scoring as best we can."

Best for Leongatha was Cade Maskell, Cam Olden, Ben Willis in his 150th game, Guy Dickson, Hume and Kim Drew.

Gang tackle: Moe players Ben Maslen and Ben Daniherwrapupa Leongatha opponent.Coming in forsupportisScottVan Dyk, who playedhis 100thgame during the Lions’epicwin over the previouslyundefeated Parrots on Saturday. Photograph Julie Sim

Six in arow for Marrons, close defeat for Tigers

FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

TRARALGON took its winning streak to six in Round 7ofthe Gippsland League

The Maroonsbroke awayfrom adetermined Bairnsdale on their home deck, eventually winning 11.16 (82) to 6.7 (43).

Traralgon mayhave caught the travel bug early, as they were only apoint up at quarter time.

From there however, the visitors were able to take control.

Class prevailedafter halftime, as Traralgon kicked seven goals to three.

With twiceasmany scoring shotsafter the main break, the Maroons couldhave easily won by more had it not been for inaccurate kicking.

Favourite son Jordan Cunicomade hislongawaited return for Traralgon.

The local product and former Geelong player showedwhy he hasbeen touted as one of the recruits of the year, getting in the best along with Tye Hourigan, Jackson McMahon, Tom Schneider, Billy Schilling and Sam Hallyburton.

The win moves Traralgon to equal-first on the ladder, after Moe did them afavour by defeating Leongatha.

There wouldn't be too many times Traralgon has had reason to thank Moefor somethingonthe field.

The Maroonsface atough challenge this weekend when they welcome Wonthaggi, aresult that could go along way to determining who gets the double chance.

Better playersfor Bairnsdale were Logan Austin, Ethan East, Will Mitchell, Kieran Vickery, Byron Vickery and Link McKenna.

The Redlegs have now lost four games in arow, and will be desperate to break the shackles when they take on Morwell this Saturday.

For Bairnsdale, the problem may be simple - the same players keep getting in the best. THEY are getting some players back at Sale.

The Magpiesmovedinto the top-five at the weekend, after holdingoff afast-finishing Morwell

8.10 (58) to 8.6 (54).

The match was predicted to be close,and was befittingofagame that saw two teams enter on not only the same number of premiership points, but exactly thesame percentage.

Only adraw would have meant Sale and Morwell remained separated on the ladderbyonly the alphabet, and amazingly, it was only four points off staying that way.

The Magpies however will take the win, which they had in their keeping for most of the clash at Sale Oval.

Despite the margin never extending beyond 13 points at any of the breaks, the home side always found themselves with enough breathing space.

Some late goals from the visitors gave Sale a scare, but in the end,they were able to get atimely win on the board, and take their record to 3-4.

Will Lesliewas best on for the winners, and received good support from Jack McLaren, Jayden Allison, Nathan Whitford, Jarrod Freeman and Daine McGuiness, who wouldhave to be justabout the most improved player in the comp.

Zac Andersonplayed well for Morwell,asdid Brandon Bailey, Riley Loprese, Brandon Mcauliffe, Max Linton and playing-coach Boyd Bailey. With Morwell now 2-5 and facing an uphill battle to remain in the finals race, first-year coach Bailey could be feeling the heat.

In fairness, his situation has not been helped in

Midseason draft is tonight

FOOTBALL

By LIAM DURKIN

ANUMBER of local players have nominated for the AFL midseason rookie draft.

The lives of so many could change forever tonight (Wednesday) when names are read out.

AFL clubs taking part in the midseason draft must have aspotavailable on their list, brought about through someone being placed on the longterm injury list or retirement.

Among the hopefuls is Drouin's Ryan Maric, who is touted to go in the top 10.

Maric has been interviewed by 11 AFL clubs, after impressive stints with Gippsland Power and Box Hill in the VFL.

It looms as atrue turnaround story, as only two years ago Maric weighedalmost 110 kilograms. Should Maric get drafted,itmay draw comparisons to Shane Mumford, who grew up in the same neck of the woods in nearby Bunyip.

Before goingontoplay more than200 games across stints at Geelong, Sydney and GWS, Mumford wasaman-mountainplaying country footy in the Ellinbank District league.Hefamously once ate 25 sausages at amate's barbecue.

Closer to home, Morwell's Tristen Waack and Traralgon's Harvey Howe have both nominated.

Waack made his VFL debut for Box Hill earlier in the year, while Howe has played afew games for Gippsland Power and three for his home club in the Gippsland League.

Both are key position players and have height on their side. Howe stands over 200 centimetres, while Waack came of age last season as Morwell's firstchoiceruckman withanability to move around the ground with ease.

Another Gippslandplayer has nominated, albeit from another state.

Jonti Schuback, currently with South Adelaide in the SANFL, has also put himself in the mix.

Schuback, from Maffra, is the son of former Adelaide player andSaleCity Football-Netball Club senior coach Jacob.

SouthAdelaide is currently the home of Moe brothersSam and Joe Skinner.The former played ahandful of gamesfor the Brisbane Lions and Port Adelaide.

In aluckless AFL career, Skinnerplayed the last of his five games across seven years last season.

As aparent who has gone through the draft process, Sam's dad and current Newborough FNC senior coach, Craig Skinner, said emotions would be high over the coming days for those involved.

"AFL is an emotional rollercoaster," he said.

"The hardest part is probably getting drafted,but after that, there is alot of luck involved,you'vegot to get opportunity, you've got to get things going your way.

"There's just as many footballers that don't get to playatanAFL level consistentlythat are playing in the minor leagues that just didn't get their chance. If you get achance, you've just got to take it, and grab it with both hands."

While it is hoped all Gippslanders find AFL clubs tonight, those that don'tneed not be disheartened Perhaps they can take aleaf out of Sam Skinner's book.

Afterbeing axed by the Lions, he trained with North Melbourne, and was unable to get aspoton their list for the 2021 season. Not to be defeated, he moved to South Adelaide in the hopes of getting arecall, and did so after shining in that year's SANFL competition.

He was thrown alifeline by Port Adelaide, who signed him as adelisted free agent in late 2021. There is always apathway.

Even Adrian Burgiel wasdrafted without ever playingfor Gippsland Power.

recent weeks due to players booking in holidays and choosing to go to weddings during the season.

Having taken over from an old-school authoritarian coach in Denis Knight, it is unlikely that sort of thing would have happened in the previous regime.

From here, Morwell will more than likely need to win eight of their remaining 11 home-and-away games to even be achance of playing finals.

That is not an easy task when you consider the Tigers stillhave to play Wonthaggi over there before the fixture reverts back to the start.

Sale meanwhile is half-a-game clear in fifth, and will look to consolidate aspotinthe top half of the ladder now that it has some key players back.

Pat Tainsh and Brad Dessent are both back in the seniors, while Bohdi Walker, Brad McKay and Jordan Dessent are on the comeback trail, and all played reserves at the weekend.

While Sale has some ground to make up to get into thetop-three, it is looking like it will be avery even top-five.

Leongatha, Moe and Traralgon are all equal on points at the top, while Wonthaggi is only agame behind in fourth.

As four intothree won’tgo, and with Sale continuingtoget quality players back, there could honestly be five very good teams in the finals this year.

Could thisbethe year someone doesthe unheard of and wins agranny from fifth?

MAFFRA recorded ameritorious win over Drouin.

While it might sound stupid to label victory over ateam that hasn’t won agame as being one full of merit, the Hawks have shown plenty in season 2023 to suggest they are agood side.

There was enough there last Saturday as well, when Drouin was only 20 points downathalftime.

The Eagles however, put the foot down in the

third term at home, kicking six goals to two to take an unassailable lead heading into the last.

Both teamsonly managed one goal in the last quarter, but that was fine as far as Maffra was concerned,astheykicked the ton to win 15.17 (107) to 8.12 (60).

Eagles captain Daniel Bedggood led the way with sixgoals in adominant display. Others to play well were Brayden Monk, Kieran Jones, Nathan Pollard, Kade Renooy and John Butcher, who helped himself to four goals.

Hugo Birks continues to take the Gippsland League by storm, and not just for his name. Birks kicked four goals at the weekend,taking his season tally to 20.

Shae Harvey, Clayton Kingi, Joe Collins, Jarrod Marshall and Noah Glen wereother shinninglights for the Hawks.

As they say, aweek is along time in football, and Maffra has gone from equal last to only two points out of the top-five in the space of three weeks.

The Eagles have played ahost of youngsters so far this season, and they welcomed theireighth senior debutant in Bailey Carubia on Saturday.. THE match between Wonthaggiand Warragul went as expected.

Things got ugly very quickly for the Gulls, who didn't even register ascore at Wonthaggi in the first quarter, on the way to losing by 138 points.

Warragul's unenviable predicament may be best summed up by the fact 50-something-year-old veteran, Anthony Pavey pulled on the boots for the reserves.

He was one of three eyebrow-raising players to make an appearance in the early game,along with Rick Galea at Morwell and Clinton Taylor, who announced his retirement last season, at Moe.

It’s getting to that time of year.

769daysbetween losses

2021

Rd 2-Wonthaggi8.13(61)dLeongatha 6.14(50)

Rd 3- Leongatha 23.12 (150)dDrouin9.11(65)

Rd 4-Leongatha 10.13(73) dMorwell 4.7 (31)

Rd 5-Leongatha 11.12(78) dMaffra1.6 (12)

Rd6-Leongatha19.16(130)dBairnsdale2.4(16)

Rd 7-9COVID lockdown

Rd 10 -Leongatha 13.8 (86) dMoe 13.3 (81)

Rd 11 -Leongatha 13.7 (85) dWonthaggi7.14(56)

Rd 12 -Leongatha 14.13(97)d Drouin 6.5(41)

Rd 82021(makeup game)Leongatha 14.11(95)

dSale5.14(44)

Rest of seasoncancelled

2022

Rd 1-Leongatha 8.11(59) dTraralgon 8.4(52)

Rd 2-Leongatha 15.19(109) dSale 6.6 (42)

Rd 3- Leongatha 13.12(90)dWonthaggi7.12(54)

Rd4-Leongatha31.24(210)dBairnsdale4.1(25)

Rd 5-Leongatha 8.13(61) dMorwell 2.9(21)

Rd 6-Leongatha 16.13(109) dWarragul 6.5(41)

Rd 7-Leongatha 13.11(89) dMaffra9.15(69)

Rd 8- Leongatha 21.12(138) dMoe 6.8(44)

Rd 9-Leongatha 23.20(158) dDrouin0.5 (5)

Rd 10 -Leongatha 12.5 (77) dTraralgon 11.8 (74)

Rd 11 -Leongatha13.4 (82) dSale9.10(64)

Rd 12 -Leongatha 15.2 (92) dWonthaggi5.6 (36)

Rd13-Leongatha19.23(137)dBairnsdale8.2(50)

Rd 14 -Leongatha 11.10(76)d Morwell11.5(71)

Rd 15 -Leongatha 12.16(88)dWarragul 3.7(25)

Rd 16 -Leongatha 19.15(129) dMaffra6.7 (43)

Rd 17 -Leongatha 15.12(102) dMoe 8.7(55)

Rd 18 -Leongatha 24.16 (160)d Drouin3.6 (24)

SF -Leongatha 10.4 (64) dWonthaggi9.6 (60)

GF -Leongatha10.10 (70) dSale6.12(48) 2023

Rd 1- Leongatha 18.10(118) dTraralgon 12.9 (81)

Rd2-Leongatha10.12(72)dWonthaggi10.9(69)

Rd 3- Leongatha 21.13(139) dWarragul 6.6 (42)

Rd 4-Leongatha 27.13(175) dSale6.7 (43)

Rd5-Leongatha19.18(132)dBairnsdale2.5(17)

Rd 6- Leongatha 11.18(84) dMorwell7.6 (48)

Rd 7- Moe12.5(77)d Leongatha 6.14 (50) *compiled by LiamDurkin

Whenit’s time to downsize and enjoy the grandchildren

BTomada5S Walsh 4MSmith 3JDeas 3S Wilson 2

JWhiteside NTuckett AAllen JHickey JBromley.HillEnd: JSomers 3JHunter LAnswerB

Morton SCalway BEST: Meeniyan Dumbalk Utd: BTomadaN Tuckett SWilson NAllen TCorry

JWhiteside.Hill End: SCalwayL Fitzpatrick HMooreJFairfull AFawcett AUliando

FISH CREEK1.0 4.3 6.5 8.5 (53)

TARWIN 2.3

GOALS: Fish Creek:ABright 2T Cameron 2R WilliamsS McCooke SMcGannon PPekin.Tarwin: W

Blundy TLomax JKennedy RWaddell BEST: Fish Creek:PPekin TValentaWVoorham SMcGannon

LCocksedge JWalker.Tarwin: JKennedyJHill HSuckling MSnooksD HoustonT Lomax

FOSTER4.4

MIRBOO NTH

Foster:J Rathjen 4MClark 4T Bartholomew 4MCooke 3W Duursma 2TWigneyM

BNeville JMorris JSegat ESmith. Mirboo Nth: BMelbourne 3J Taylor BEST: Foster: BNeville CWray OCallcott BCripps MCooke TWigney. Mirboo Nth: PLewis HMahoney B

BMelbourne JTaylor JLambourn

JMcCormack DWilson MWindsor

Dogs go six from six

FOOTBALL MID GIPPSLAND

BY ROB POPPLESTONE

ALOT has been said about the evenness of theMid Gippsland Football-Netball League competition.

That sort of pressure is put on playersona week-to-week basis, but is also amplifiedon coaches, who not only have to deal with the prospect of qualityopposition, but also their playerinjuries, unavailability and periods of poor form.

 BOOLARRAV YINNAR

after our loss to the benchmark of the competition last week,”Hawks coachPaul Henry said.

“I wanted ourboys to come in confident because Ithought although we got beaten, we were four and one for areason.

“We scored agoal in the first 30 seconds, and our ball movement against the wind in the first was excellent. The next three quartersThorpyreally stepped it up. Although we still kept cracking in and at moments I thought we were coming, but to Thorpy’s credit,they just didn’t allow the momentum to swingour way for along period of time.”

“It was the biggest loss of the season on the weekend against asidethat did everything right,” he said.

“Foster hit the scoreboard very early and didn’t look back, we struggled to make any impact in and around the contest with bigger bodies and good outside run that reallyhurt us.

“Positive signs for our ruckman, Patty Lewis who performed really well against good opposition.

“Next week we face Tarwin at home and our message was to move on very quickly.”

 HILLEND VMDU

BEST: Mirboo Nth: LDight LGervasi J

Felmingham HDobson SBusuttil HBarnes.Foster:B Tillack JSmith MHouse OCox ALacanaria

NGundrill MDU 4.5 7.11 11.16 18.16 (124)

HILLEND 0.1 0.4 0.4 1.4 (10)

GOALS: Meeniyan Dumbalk Utd: JDunn 6B Schroen 3BMoscript 3EO’Loughlin 2S Turner

BMaxwell JBrydon BCantwell. Hill End: ECalway. BEST: Meeniyan DumbalkUtd:BSchroen J

Dunn BMoscript TRuedinEO’Loughlin KScrimshaw.Hill End: ECalway AWilkes SMurphyD

Lamers JSchiavello TMackenlay

YINNAR 2.3 4.6 9.10 13.12 (90)

BOOLARRA0.0 1.0 1.0 1.1 (7)

GOALS: Yinnar:JGarlick 6LAlexander 2MMcCafferty NLinton LBremner CAlexander T

Renwick.Boolarra: BMcCormack BEST: Yinnar:GOlver THoghton RMayo JGarlick TRenwick

NLinton. Boolarra: EStantonT Holley JCarnes KTowtN KreunBMcCormack

TOORA2.1 7.4 9.6 12.7 (79)

NEWBOROUGH 1.2 2.4 3.6 3.7 (25)

GOALS: Toora: JMaurilli-Pullin 7JMabilia 2LdeBoer BWangJGuganovic.Newborough:

BOOLARRA and Yinnarare still alittle way off being able to field their very best sides, but as we get deeper into the season, the reality is that clubs just have to find away to win with what they’ve got.

The Demons, coming off abye, were well aware of the need for awin on their home deck against the reigning premier, but just couldn’t get the job done, going down 9.15 (69) to 6.6 (42).

Magpies coach Daniel Taylor said he was happy with the effort,although it wasn’t all good news.

“A dominant first quarter set the day up for us, unfortunately we copped four injuries andweretwo players down midway through the first quarter, inaccurate kicking in the second and third (0.11 (11) kept Boolarra in the game,” he said.

“Boolarra kept coming and at three quarter time the game needed to be won and I thought the boys were fantastic.

“The bye this week comes at aperfect time, we should get seven, maybe eight guys back across the board to really strengthen both our squads for the rest of the season.”

As pleasing as the win was for the Magpies, the disappointment of letting another importantgame get awayfromthe Demons has them starting to lose touch with the top six, and that is of most concern for coach Tony Giardina.

“Againwegave atop side astart.Kept them goalless for two quarters, they turned the heat up in the last, and the game was over,” he said.

“We are matching it with the goodsides but aren’t playing fourquarters which is killing us.”

 MORWELL EAST VTHORPDALE

MORWELL EAST had been flying in the first month of the 2023 season, before aloss to Newborough delivered something of areality check ahead of last weekend’s encounter with Thorpdale.

The Blues had been buoyed by two wins in as many weeks, and arrived at the home of the Hawks with every intention of making it three from three.

That is exactly what they achieved, winning 9.8(62) to 4.7 (31).

Thorpdale coach, Jason Winderlich said it was another positive sign.

“Good result today for the club taking home the two footy wins,” he said.

“Hard fought contest early as both teams werefighting for the upper hand around stoppages and loose ball gets.

“We wereabletocapitaliseonsome forward entries in the second quarter and maintain the lead for the remainder of the game.”

“Looking ahead to this week, we are still realistic as to where we sit among the league Toora gave us atouch up last year so our focus now is for abig week of recovery and training to keep developingour cohesion as agroup.”

The win by the Blues wasevenmore impressive due to the fact that Morwell East were well-prepared for what was coming.

“It was important for us to bounce back

 TOORAV NEWBOROUGH IN the Game of Thrones, there was plenty of fear and apprehension based on the warning that ‘winter is coming”, and to bring that phrase back into the MGFNLand throw in an in-form Newborough side to that, you just knew that Toora was going to be tested to the absolute max.

The goal for the home ground Magpies possibly wasn’t going to be whether they won, but how they held strong.

Newborough did win comfortably, 19.18 (132) to 5.6 (36), but the Magpies did feel as though they fought the match out as best they could withthe players theychose to field.

“After adisappointing performanceagainst StonyCreek, we wanted aresponse against Newborough. To the boys credit we responded and pushed agreat side for ahalf, dropping awayafter half time.Our intensityand effort aroundthe ball earlywas fantastic

To Newborough’s credit they were able to get us on the spread from the contest and kicked awinning score,” Toora coach Jack Weston said.

Counterpart Craig Skinner said it was always good to win on the road.

“A consistent four quarters and no major injuries is whatwecan takeaway from today,” he said.

“Like all clubs at the moment we are hoping our injury list is shortened by Saturday when we play Stony Creek at home. We are expecting agood tough contest that Chris (Stony Creek coach Chris Verboon) and his team will bring to the Kennel.”

Newborough are starting to build quite the record, and as good as they have been, the Bulldogs are likely to improve even further deep into the season.

 FOSTER VMIRBOO NORTH

THE battleofthese two Tigers teams was always going to be afiercely contested encounter no matter the venue,but this time it was Foster on their home deck that welcomed aMirboo North side as desperate as any to bounce back from an unexpected loss the week prior to MDU.

It’s too early to start talking finals, but make no mistake, the importance of the win made it afinals-like contest. The home side signalled that they are the Tiger team ready for the big time, winning comfortably 23.13 (151) to 4.4 (28).

Foster coach Sam Davies praised his side’s performance.

“Nice to get some real confidence back into the group,” he said.

“We’ve shown little glimpses all year and today we put four quarters together after tinkering with afew little things throughout the week.

“The group has so much ability but needed today to give them positive reinforcement.”

That positive reinforcement was not mirroredfor Mirboo North. Peter Mongta’smen now face the challenge of clawing their way back to showcasing respectable performances that we have come to acceptfrom Mirboo North.

THEnightmare for any coach, is when you start to wonderwhere yourfirst winwill come from.

Decimated by injury and unavailability,

Hill End entered the weekend hopeful that thiswould be theone in which theycould secure premiership points, and in doing so, start to lay the foundation for the weeks ahead.Instead, it wasthe reality of their positionthat was laid bare, as they lost to Meeniyan Dumbalk United 22.10 (142) to 7.9 (51).

Demonscoach, Nathan Allen was happy with how things unfolded.

“We got off to agreat startand never looked backtoday,converting whenever we got a chance,” he said.

“When we play our way, we can be hard to play against.”

The Demons were good, maybe even better than they have been in the wins prior. For Hill End, they continue to show glimpses of what they can do, but not for the length of time required to win games.

“MDU played well, they used the width of the ground and spread us out. They are awell-balanced side with size all over the ground,” Rovers coach Mike Santo said.

“We played well in patches again and was good to see some of our players improving. In-form Foster next week will be another big challenge.”

There is no doubt HillEnd will snatch a victorysoonerrather than later,however picking which clash that will be in is getting more difficulteach week.

 TARWIN VFISH CREEK

ON the surface at least, Tarwin hadn’t seemed to be bringing the same sort of game they had last year, when the Sharks were clearly the benchmark of the home-and-away competition.

Backontheir home deck,and after an indifferent starttothe season,this clash had quickly become their most important of 2023, but you wouldn’t have thought it, given the Sharks most disappointing performance, losing 8.5 (52) to 4.4 (28) againstFish Creek.

 BYE-STONY CREEK

Toogood: Foster wonthe battle of the Tigers with asurprisingly bigmargin against Mirboo North. Photograph supplied

Baker’sdelight for 800 game mark

FOOTBALL UMPIRING

BY TOM HAYES MILESTONES

are celebratedsignificantly within sports, but it always appears to be the players in the spotlight.

But something that can easily go unnoticed is the work of umpires, who without them, the game can’t even go ahead.

Recently, Latrobe Valley Umpires Association’s ScottBakerreached another milestone, as he officiated his 800th game.

When Morwell hosted Leongatha in the Gippsland League on Saturday, May 13, more than one occasion was being celebrated.

Baker was bringing up his 800th game, but also on the day, the Tigers and Parrots were raising money for breast cancer research.

Upon reaching his 800th game, Baker admitted he never thought he’d make it this far.

“I didn’t think I’d get there, it was certainly an achievement Ididn’tthink I’d ever get.

Milestones around the region

FOOTBALL

By LIAM DURKIN

BANNER-MAKERS would have been busy across Gippsland football last week.

The dateslined up as far as milestones were concerned, with an unusually high number of players celebrating statistical lanmarks.

Milestones galore were brought up across the region, with afew especially noteworthy cases.

Boolarra Football-Netball Club senior games record holder James Holmes played his 250th game, adding to his resume that has premiership player and senior coach among the dot points.

Others to reach the 250 mark were Sale City’s Jamie Campbell and Trafalgar’s Jamie Hines.

Although currently an Ellinbank Districtplayer, Hines has four Mid Gippsland FNL flags to his name with the Bloods.

Popular Newborough player WillTroy played his 150th game at the weekend.

Playing amatch forpremiership points in Toora was probably the furthestthingfromhis mind when he made his debut all those years ago, but that was indeed the placethe milestone took place.

Among Troy’s 150 games are aflag and ahost of finals appearances.

Equallypopular around teammates is Leongatha’s Ben Willis, who played his 150th match in the green and gold.

Willis, fromTrafalgarand who playedfor Thorpdale, has been amainstay during theParrots recent success, including their 34-game winning streak.

Now into his 10th season, he has played in six Grand Finalsfromseven completed seasons for three premierships.

Grand Finals have come every year between 2015 and 2019, as well as last season, while premierships have been won in 2017, 2018 and 2022.

Not abad strike rate.

Other players raised the bat for their ton at the weekend.

Moe vice-captain Scott Van Dyk joined the 100 club, and aselect groupofbrotherstohaveplayed 100 games forMoe (older brother and current NewboroughplayerJayden played 105 for the Lions).

Only the best play 100 games for Moe.

Yinnar’s Eamon Suares and Churchill’s Adam

Bulldog through and through: Will Troy playedhis 150thgame forNewboroughatthe weekend. Photograph supplied

Brooks alsoplayed their 100th gamefor their respective clubs.

Milestones are always reason to acknowledge a player’s contribution and dedication.

As arough guide, it takesabout five years (uninterrupted)toget to 100 games,sowhen a player reaches 300, it is likely to have taken the bestpart of 18-20yearswhen youaccount for injury and unavailability.

You would hate to think how many players have been robbed of milestones because of COVID -at least 28 games were missed between 2020-21. Clubshave differentways of acknowledging milestones. At Traralgon, players get their name on the locker once they reach 100 games.

While it is acase of each to their own, this writer approaches milestones by the following:

200 =banner.

250 =banner and chair off.

300 =banner, guard of honour and chair off.

Anything less than 200 =formal mention.

“It was actuallyagreat day,” he said of the game Baker began umpiringbackin1991asa 16-yearold, and thecompetition was acompletely different game.

“I started (umpiring) when Iwas 16 …I’ve been alife member (of Latrobe Valley Umpires) since 2001,” Baker said.

“(I’ve enjoyed) the friendshipsI’vemadewiththe associationand the people that I’ve metduring the journey.

“I’ve certainly become good friends with alot of players, and Ijustenjoy being at the panel.”

Throughout his umpiring career, Baker has been to and lived many experiences outside of Gippsland football.

One moment that stands out was when he umpired three quarters of aDandenong Stingrays intra-club trail match at the old Waverly Park, when he was trying out to be an AFL umpire.

“The main highlight is probably doing 12 senior Grand Finals …they were one of my big achievements,” Baker said.

“I’m now just enjoying still being involved, Iknow

that Ihad chances to make it in Melbourne, but I probably just made too many friends down here.”

The AFL itself has changed alot over the years, and with that, country footy has followed suit.

“It’s changed alot, this year Latrobe Valley Umpires (Association) have got their 70th reunion on the 24th of June,” Baker said.

“In the 32 years I’ve been there,it’scertainly changed alot over the years.”

Obviouslymilestones are generallycelebrated in 50s, but the next big achievement that everyone is asking is if Baker canreach 1000 games.

“We’ll wait and see, afew fellowumpires and my parents reckon I’m still young and they reckon that I’ll easily get it,” he said.

“I still enjoy the atmosphere, and getting down to atraining night.”

Baker has been egged on by fellow umpires, friends and family, as they all hope he can hit the four-figure mark.

At the age of just 48, the potential is still there to hit 1000, and he could join an illustrious small group of local umpires to reach the milestone.

Collingwood leavesmajorleague

NETBALL LIAM DURKIN

HERE’S three words you never thought you’d hear -Collingwood has folded.

Well, the netball side of Collingwood has anyway.

After speculation surrounding their future in the Super League, the Magpies officially announced last week they would be stepping down.

“Netball Australia has today (Thursday) received notification fromCollingwood that it will not be renewing its Suncorp Super Netball team licence for the 2024 season,”Netball Australia chief executive, Kelly Ryan said.

“Negotiations are already underway with interested parties for an eighth team licence for the 2024-2026 seasons.

“While we are disappointed by Collingwood’s decision, we thank them for their participation in the Suncorp Super Netball competition.

“In recent times it had become clear that Collingwood’s prioritieshad shifted away from netball to focus on its core business of football.

“We are understanding of the impact Collingwood’s decision has on its current players andstaff,and we will support them during this time.

“We are currently talking to interested parties and look forward to communicating the next steps as this process unfolds.

“The growth of netball in Australia is strong, with more than one million participants across the country. We are proud of the Suncorp Super Netball competition, and it remainsthe number one professional netball league in the world.”

Super Netball must field eight teams to fulfil its broadcastdeal with Fox

The situation means three-time Gippsland Leaguebest-and-fairest winner Montana Holmes, who has had stints with Moe, Sale and Maffra, will need to find anew club next year.

Holmes is currently atraining partner with the Magpies.

CurrentMoe Football-Netball Club AGrade coach Ramayer Gourley has also played for Collingwood.

The writing appeared to be on the wall for Collingwood followingpoor on-courtperformance and low attendances.

Uncertainty: Collingwood netballer and three-time GippslandLeague best-and-fairest winner Montana Holmes will need to find another club next season,after theMagpies announced theywerewithdrawing from the super league File photograph

TheMagpies are currently lastonthe ladder with a2-9 record.

Aligning itselfwith the AFL-powerhouse has alsocreated problems, as most resources have gone toward the football department. Latrobe City may also need to find anew elite netball club to partner with.

The region has welcomed Collingwood in the last few years. The Magpies came to Traralgon for apreseason tournament in 2021 and then the Australian Netball Championships(ANC) last year.

It is understood Collingwood will still compete next season, simply dropping back to ANC level. Collingwood’s football teams have astrong affinity with the region.

The Magpies toured Latrobe City in February, and have played AFL preseason and AFLW matches in Moe and Morwell in recent years. When the Pies came to Churchill for asigning session at the leisure centre earlier in the year, the line was literally out the door.

Collingwood cult hero Mason Cox, who played his100th AFL match at the weekend, debuted hisnow famous spectacles during an exhibition match in Morwell last year.

Morwell premiership player Mannon Johnston has also been arunner for Collingwood.

Celebration: ScottBaker (ball in hand) walks out forgame number 800. Photograph supplied

NORTH GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

North Gippsland Football &Netball League NorthGippsland

B Bombbers cllear on top

FOOTBALL NORTH GIPPSLAND

BY TOM HAYES

Marchesi. Sale City: LCarman KMcCulloch MWalker

JNelsonBSafstrom TCarstairs

GOALS: Churchill: CWilliams 7T Leys 5B Holt 4RLowrie 2B Wight 2J Mason 2JFenech

2B Skinner 2BBrereton2APhelan JHenderson KHolt. Gormandale: LDeering JFoulkes

ICopland TKanara JCanning. BEST: Churchill: RLowrie CWilliams JHenderson BWight T

Leys BFlanigan. Gormandale: TSalerno WFlanagan TBaldwin FRoscoe ICopland HRichards

TRARALGON TYERS 4.36.7

YALLOURN YALLOURN NTH

GOALS:TTU: JNeilson 3HWillaton 2J Brown2M Jacobsen MMustoe

WINNERS were those of great proportionat the weekend during Round 8ofthe North Gippsland Football-Netball League.

One sidegot payback in the rematch of last year’sdecider, while anew team entered the finals race by leaping over the reigning premier.

TRARALGON TyersUnited are miles ahead of the competition.

They continued their undefeated start to theseason by overcoming the despair of last season to defeat Yallourn Yallourn North.

Like they have done so many times this season,TTU created an early buffer and madesuretheiropponent couldn’t make their way back into the contest.

A4.3 (27) to 1.0 (6)first term gave them that buffer, before consistently going on their way to an eighth straight win. ‘

Theyextended the leadathalftime and threequarter time,going intothe final quarter with a25point lead.

YYN weren’t done with yet, but didn’thave thefirepower to claw back the entire margin, falling 17 pointsshort, 10.14(74) to 8.9 (57).

Captain Jye Neilson led from the front with three majors, but in the best for TTU was Liam Willaton,Michael Jacobsen,Liam Michie, Thomas Fleming, Rickey Cochrane and Zach Kilgower.

In avaliant effort, YYN’s standout players were Campbell MacInnes, Dylan Bath, Cambell Staff, Lachlan Little, Dylan Bentley and Jai Massese upon his return from aknee injury.

TTU remain two games clear of Woodside and Churchill, who hold 6-1 records.

It was another Grand Finalrematch in the twos, in which YYN also defeated the reigning premier by 40 points.

SALE CITY hosted Heyfield in the annual AGL Pride Cup.

Funnily enough it was Heyfield’ssecond game in Sale in as many weeks, after their Round 7fixture against Cowwarr was moved there, when they played at the home of the Gippsland League’s Sale Magpies.

Sale City celebratedJamie Campbell’s 250th senior game on the day.

Campbell is the currenttwos coach and was club captain during their 2012and 2016 premiership winning sides.

MaybeHeyfield has aliking to Sale, because the away ground disadvantage didn’t prove to be too costly.

Heyfield doubled Sale City’s score in the opening term, before kicking 3.1 (19) to 0.5 (5), to extend their lead to 23 points at the main change.

Sale City didn’t make it easy to run away with in the third quarter, cutting the margin back to 20 points with aquarter to play.

The final term was free flowing, as 10 goals were scored between the two sides, but it was Heyfield that kicked seven of those.

By the time of the siren, Heyfield held a 50-point lead, 14.17 (101) to 7.9 (51).

The win moves them into fifthand ahead of YYN, not only on points, but also percentage.

Heyfield are also only now six per cent behind fourth-placed Yarram.

For the home side, Lachlan Carman, Kaden McCulloch, Matthew Walker,Jai Nelson, Blake Safstrom and Troy Carstairs were impressive in defeat.

For the Roos, Kodie and BraydenWoodland, Kail Hole, Robert McMillan, Tyson Graham and Thomas Marchesi were in the best, while Mitchell Steven led in attack with four goals.

SaleCitywalked away with the Pride Cup at the end of the day, with their netballers able to get them over the line after Heyfield won every football grade.

GLENGARRY has nowwon two on the trot.

The Pies travelled down to Cowwarr after beating Gormandaleathome the week before, and proved their resilience.

Throughoutthe year, Glengarry hasn’t been as fortunate when it comes to wins, and Ifeel the ladder doesn’t truly reflect their season.

But, Ithink this win does.

Cowwarr got the jumponGlengarry,kicking six goals in the first term to establish a 34-point margin.

Theythen held thatlead up untilhalftime, despite it being dragged back to 23 points.

Glengarry lookedacompletely different side in the second half, as they proved just how good they can be.

TheMagpies kicked 12 goals to four in the second half, starting with 5.6 (36) to nothing in the third term,taking the leadby13points going into the final break.

They flipped the game on its head,kicking seven goals to four in the final term, to walk away 30-point winners, improving their record to 2-5.

Glengarry jump two spots up the ladder, leaping over Rosedale as the Saints fell into eighth place.

In the comeback win, Jack Burgess, Lachlan Martin, Lachlan Patterson, Lachlan

Jewell, Alex Birmingham and Spencer Poulton were in fine form.

Jake Brown, Nick Twomey, Jordan Anderson, James Chalmers, Brady Hood and Lee Bourke were prominent for the home side despite the loss.

CHURCHILL was back to their best with arampant win on the road.

Travellingtothe Boneyard, Churchillmade surethey wouldget back on the winners’list, after suffering their first loss of the season to TTU last week.

Since2018, Churchill and Gormandale has battled it out for the Ken Rohde Perpetual MemorialCup, remembering ‘Bubbles’ -a prominent figure at each club serving as a player and president.

For the Cougars, they unveiled anew debutant, Andrew Rooney who played across half back in his first seniors gig.

Churchillpiled on around50pointsper quarter, while Gormandale did enough to keep their scoreboardticking in each quarter.

A41-point quarter time lead turned into a 98-pointone at the halftime break,thanks to 18 goals in theopening half from thevisitors.

Eight more were added in the third term, extending the lead out to 147 points, before aquieter final term put the game to bed.

The Cougars left with ahaul of 50 scoring shots,ontheir way to winningby169 points, 31.19 (205) to 5.6 (36).

Chris Williamsreturned to thesideinstyle with seven goals, he was in the best with Ryan Lowrie, Jarrod Henderson,BillyWight, Bailey Flanigan and Tyson Leys -who kicked five himself.

For the home side,Tristan Salerno,William Flanagan,Trent Baldwin, Flynn Roscoe, Isaac Copland and Hayden Richards were standouts.

WOODSIDE made light work of Rosedale.

The Blues welcomed three debutants into the side for their road trip match; Sam Callahan, Charlie Pritchett and Ned Heathcote.

Despite aslower-than-usual start, the Wildcats did the brunt of the damage in the second and third quarters, before easing in the last.

It was just afour-goal margin at the first break, but Woodside kept Rosedale quiet in the second term, kicking10.7(67) to four behinds to register an 87-point margin.

Rosedale kicked their first major in the thirdterm, but Woodside kicked another 8.3 (51) to take the lead past three figures.

The Wildcats kicked the only two goals of the final quarter to claim another percentageboosting win, 24.14 (158) to 1.7 (13). Woodside hold onto second on the ladder, now boasting apercentageof318.66, nearly 70 per cent more than league leaders, TTU.

For the winning side, Michael O’Sullivan, Thomas Mann, Matt Dyke, Daniel Farmer, JoshuaKennedy and Jai Williams made the best.

Declan Barnett, Will Logan, Thomas Northe, Joel Bristow,Luke Stuckeyand Heathcote on debut were bold in defeat. YARRAM had the bye.

H Carman 14 J Newborough 4 R Nguoth 3 S Darby 2 M Velasco 2 S Burgess

HWhateley HYoung. Cowwarr:T Boddy BEST: Glengarry: HCarman JNewborough

Broader view with Liam Durkin

HARRIET SHING MP

WORKING HARD FOR YOUR COMMUNITY

Valid

AGOODpoint raised by my colleague Tom Hayes over the weekend about the imbalance of the North Gippsland competition.

Speaking on Gippsland FM during the Saturday Morning Sports Show, Hayes gave the imbalance a‘cross’ during the weekly ‘ticks and crosses’ segment. His point is valid. Margins of 25 goals are becoming alarmingly frequent.

In eight rounds of North Gippy so far, there has been nine games decided by triple figures, with some of thoseeven touching the 200-point margin.

Whilecompetitivebalance is achallenge forany league, the North Gippsland ladder is unfortunately very lopsided.

Churchill, in third, are alreadytwo games clear of the next best, and youcan alreadyput aline through the bottom-four clubs,knowing they will be playing to battle out the rest of the season and pick up any wins they can.

The issue is compounded by the unevenness createdbyan11-teamcompetition,meaning some clubs will play tougher opponents more than others.

Trawling through the North Gippy results, anyone else notice the name THayes in the best at the weekend?

Kudos

With Moe’sunder 18 side, coached by his dad Mark ‘Dougie’ Walsh, having more playersthan spots availableatthe weekend, Coops graciously stepped aside to give one of his mates agame. Cooper was still abletoget agamein himself, helping the Moe reserves fill abench, where he was welcomed with open arms. Very classy act young man.

End of the Dimma-sty

NEWS of Damien Hardwick’s departure came as ashock to most AFL fans.

Hardwickstepped away from the Richmond top job last week, bringinganend to his time as the Tigers longest serving coach.

Hardwick left with three premierships from 307 games since his appointment in 2010. Of the current Richmondsquad,only Jack Riewoldtand Trent Cotchin have played under adifferent coach.

While virtually no one in footy gets to go out on their own terms, at least for Hardwick’s sake it was adignified exit Like many Tiger fans, I’m sure I’m one of many who can’t thank him enough.

Inever thought I’dsee Richmond even play in aGrand Final, let alone win three flags.

Good job

WHILE on the Hardwick story, I’m going to stick up for afellow journo in Tom Morris.

Those who think he should have waited untilHardwicktold the players or Richmond released astatement have no idea on not only how journalism does work, but how it should work.

Morris works in journalism, not public relations.

He wouldn’t have gone with astory that big unless he was absolutely certain his source was accurate. If it had of backfired, he would have been laughed out of Melbourne.

Acouple of years ago, we faced asimilar situation at the Express

Late in the day, we received word that Brian Taylor had been airlifted from Rawson following an explosion in Walhalla.

Understandably, the local fire brigade was tight-lipped on exactlywho had been airlifted, only describingthem as a“male occupant of Walhalla”.

That meant we hadtotakeacalculated risk.

The Herald Sun had alreadynamed Taylor, and givenWalhalla’s population, it was more than likely the “male occupant” was in fact the AFL commentator.

It’s been atough few weeksfor us poor sports jounros: Tom Morris, and our own Zoe Askew getting afivegame ban from playing soccer after writing something as areporter, andevenI’ve been accusedof turning the footy section of this paper into the ‘Moe News’.

Pride: Heyfield and Sale City go at it for the 2023Pride Cup Photograph supplied

Wildcatslose, Cougarspounce

NETBALL

By ZOE ASKEW

THE giants have been slain.

Rosedale defeated Woodside 48 to 42 in Round 8 of the North Gippsland Football-Netball League, ending the Wildcats' undefeated title.

Playing coach,Sarah Mayman was best on court forRosedale.

The Blues' win at the weekend comes as arather shock result, with the Wildcats tipped to win the match, sitting comfortably on top of the ladder prior to Round 8with six wins from as many games.

Rosedale entered the game sitting mid-table.

Woodside still holds the number one spot on the NGFNL ladder, only by percentage.

Churchill is hot on the 2022 NGFNL flag winner's tail, with little over 10 percentage points separating the competitive outfits following the Cougars' 82-24 thumping of Gormandale.

Rainbow protective paddingcovered netball posts at Stephenson Park, with Sale Citycontesting Heyfield for the 2023 NGFNLPride Cup at the weekend.

AstrongSaleCity outfitdefeatedHeyfield,40 to 39, with the Bulldogs concluding Round 8with aclean sweep, finding victories across all netball grades that took to the court for the pride game.

Sale City BGrade defeated Heyfield 46 to 38.

Astrong Sale City CGrade was too good for Heyfield,claiming a54to17win, whileSaleCityD Grade was far too strong for Heyfield,the Bulldogs beating the Kangaroos 65 to 11.

Sale City Under 17s defeated Heyfield 47 to 15, while the Bulldogs Under 15s outfit claimed a48 to 27 win over the Kangaroos Under 15s side.

Magpies get the job done

against home Demons

FOOTBALL

MID GIPPSLAND

BY LIAM SMITH*

BOOLARRA came into their Round 6game of the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League against Yinnar fresh off abye.

The Magpiesentered the gameinthird place on the ladder after crushing Tarwin the previous week.

Although Yinnar won the match against Boolarra by 27 points, 9.15 (69) to 6.6 (42), they could have won by moreifthey had kicked the ball more accurately.

Luke and Ben Cheffers for Yinnar, Brendan Mason and Sam Mazou for Boolarra were the picks of the players as the standouts.

SebastianFamularo scoredthree goals for Yinnar, while Boolarrashared their goalkickers around Field umpire, Mark Smith said the match wasn't agreat spectacle.

“The game was marred but alot of turnovers,which resulted in the low scores,"he said.

"The ground wasinfantastic nickconsidering the rain we had during the week”.

Yinnar has the bye this Saturday, while Boolarra travels to Fish Creek.

*Liam Smith is Year 11 student doing work placement at the Express.

Zoe’snetball scoreboard

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE -ROUND 7

AGRADE - Traralgon 55 dBairnsdale 37, Morwell 62 dSale 41, Warragul 48 dWonthaggi

42, Moe 61 dLeongatha 41, Drouin 57 dMaffra

38.

BGRADE - Sale 46 dMorwell 42, Wonthaggi52 dWarragul 31, Moe 50 dLeongatha 48, Drouin 56 dMaffra 48, Bairnsdale bye, Traralgon bye.

CGRADE - Bairnsdale 36 dTraralgon30, Morwell 40 dSale 24, Wonthaggi 31 dWarragul 23, Leongatha 44 dMoe 25, Drouin 45 dMaffra

41.

17 AND UNDER- Sale42 dMorwell 27, Wonthaggi 62 dWarragul 11, Leongatha 63 d Moe 2, Maffra 54 dDrouin 29, Traralgon 40 d Bairnsdale 30.

15 AND UNDER - Traralgon 41 dBairnsdale 35, Sale 60 dMorwell 13, Wonthaggi 32 dWarragul 26, Leongatha 33 dMoe 25, Maffra 41 dDrouin

16.

13 AND UNDER - Traralgon 50 dBairnsdale 13, Sale 52 dMorwell 2, Wonthaggi 13 dWarragul 9, Moe 29 dLeongatha 28, Maffra 30 dDrouin 23.

MID GIPPSLAND -ROUND 6

Glengarry also concluded Round 8with aclean sweep, the Magpies defeating Cowwarr 59 to 44 in the AGrade competition.

Megan Garlickwas awarded best-on-court for Glengarry.

TTUclaimedtheirsecond win of the seasonat the weekend, defeating YYN 58 to 37.

Yarram had the bye.

MOE continued to prove themselves as athreat this season following a61to41win over Leongatha at the weekend.

Georgia Moody, Ramayer Gourley and Olivia Barnett were Moe's best on court.

Leongatha's best were Hannah Flanders, Kate Browne andNicola Marriott.

The Lions’ Round 7victoryover the Parrots has positioned Moe comfortably at second on the Gippsland League ladder, four points ahead of third-place Leongatha and two points behind first-place Morwell.

Aformidable Morwell outfit retained their undefeated status beatingSale 62 to 41 at the weekend

Claire Marks, Chloe Radford and Tanya Budge were best-on-court for Morwell.

Sale's best was Sienna Wynd, Dee Dee Lambert and Isla McCarthy. Drouin squandered Maffra's chancesoftheirfirst win of the season, defeating their hosts 57 to 38.

Lucy McKellar, Kelly Mills and Ella Henderson were best-on-court for Droiun.

YoungTalyi Dimarco, who was recently selected forthe Under 17 Women's national representative basketballteam, theSapphires, was best-on-court forMaffra.

Traralgon defeatedBairnsdale55to37, while Warragul overcame Wonthaggi 48 to 42 to see our Round 7ofthe Gippsland League. SCORES wererelatively close at the end of Mid Gippsland's Round 6matches.

Yinnar defeated Boolarra 56 to 40,Mirboo North beat Foster 45 to 35, Toora sealed a33to27win over Newborough,while Tarwin and MDU defeated their opponents Fish Creek and Hill End 43 to 37 and 47 to 31, respectively.

Predictable week expected

NETBALL

By ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC

ROUND 8ofthe Gippsland League might be an easy one to tip.

The tenacious Morwell Tigers will play second to the bottom in Bairnsdale in what you would expect to be astandard win for the netball powerhouse.

Traralgon shouldbeabletouse their winning momentum to get over the Power.

Leongatha mightstill be abit sore from their thrashing at thehands of Moe,but will notbesore enough to go down to Maffra.

Moeplayedaclass abovelastweek, they’ll want to backitupagain againstDrouin.

The closest match-up will be whenSaletravels to Warragul to take on an intimidating Gulls side Warragul looks the likely winner, as it will be hard for the Magpies to stop the start-studded Gull’s midcourt in Sienna Green and Selene Chadrawy.

IN North Gippsland, Woodside will playHeyfield following ashock loss to Rosedale.

The Wildcats’playingcoach,Libby Nicole, has

been rumoured to have gone away for afew weeks. No doubt the Roos willwant to exploit the fact that Woodside will go in without their most important player and get up this Saturday.

Yarram will have to playRosedale; the Dees coming off the break might be wishing for another bye after the Blues finish with them.

In what should be aclose one,Glengarrywill test their strength against adominant Sale City outfit. This match could go either way depending on who brings their bests.

Churchill, hot off ahugewin, will welcome Cowwarr, while the bottom of the table YYN and Gormandale will fight over who gets the wooden spoon. TTU has the bye.

IN Mid Gippsland, Newborough and Stony Creek will go head-to-head, while Mirboo North takes on Tarwin.

The MDU Demons will have atough job in welcoming league-leader Morwell East, you imagine the scores will be very one-sided.

Fish Creek and Boolarra do battle, while Hill End and Foster face off.

Toora and Yinnar has the bye.

AGRADE - MDU 47 dHill End 31, Tarwin 43 Fish Creek 37, Yinnar 56 dBoolarra 40, Mirboo North 45 dFoster 35, Toora 33 dNewborough 27, BYE -Morwell East, Stony Creek.

BGRADE

Creek.

DGRADE - Morwell East 53 dThorpdale 9, Hill End 28 dMDU 25, Newborough 40 dToora 11, Fish Creek 40 dTarwin 29, Yinnar 42 dBoolarra

13, Mirboo North 63 dFoster 2.

17 ANDUNDER - Toora 43 dNewborough 12, Fish Creek 45 dTarwin 9, Yinnar 43 dBoolarra

38, Morwell East bye, Mirboo North bye, MDU bye, BYE -StonyCreek.

15 ANDUNDER - Fish Creek 51 dTarwin 13, Toora 23 dNewborough 7, Boolarra 47 dYinnar 20, MDU 49 dHill End 24, Mirboo North 55 d Foster 5, BYE -Morwell East, Stony Creek.

13 AND UNDER - Tarwin 17 dFish Creek 11, Toora 13 dNewborough 12, Boolarra 33 dYinnar 17, MDU 25 dHill End 10, Mirboo North 32 d Foster 4.

NORTH GIPPSLAND -ROUND 8

AGRADE - Sale City 40 dHeyfield 39, Rosedale 48 dWoodside 42, Glengarry59 d Cowwarr 44, Churchill 82 dGormandale 24, TTU

dYYN 37, BYE -Yarram. BGRADE - Sale City 46 dHeyfield 38, Gormandale 51 dChurchill 32, YYN 35 dTTU

Woodside 59 dRosedale 33, Glengarry65 d Cowwarr 38, BYE -Yarram.

CGRADE - Sale City 54 dHeyfield 17, Woodside 45 dRosedale 21, Glengarry33 d Cowwarr 17, Gormandale 39 dChurchill 33, YYN

Morethan agame: Sale Cityand Heyfield netballerstakepartinthe annual NorthGippsland Pride Cup round. (How’s thejumper clash) Photograph supplied

FEMALE FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND

TRARALGON DISTRICT JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE

CENTRAL GIPPSLAND JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE

1.2 (8)

GOALS: Korumburra Giants: HThomas MWhiteside.Boisdale-Briagolong: SHarbour BEST:

Korumburra Giants: GGunnCAnthonyMDiggermanTRichmondHThomas HBrown. Boisdale-

Briagolong: MGorfine OBrooksS Mackenzie MAnlezark JDuncan-Rodriguez KKrouwer

TRARALGON

1.3 3.6 4.8 5.10 (40)

GOALS:Bairnsdale:EGudgin.Traralgon:EDomagala2. BEST Bairnsdale:GFosterSNewsomeADuguid

LGudgin.Traralgon: ABeaton AMurtagh SMcClements IVan Berkel HKamphuusE Domagala

Suns duo on fire

FOOTBALL

AFL EXPORTS

BY TOM HAYES

BOTH Moe’s Bailey Humphrey and Morwell’s Ben Ainsworth shared highlights in Gold Coast’s upset win over the Western Bulldogs in Darwin at the weekend.

The absence of Gold Coast’s Touk Miller has allowed Humphrey to displayhis true abilityinthe midfield, with the rookie having quite the string of good form.

He and Ainsworth were prominent for the Suns as they defeated the Dogs, who went into thegame on afive-game winning streak.

The Dogs went into the first break with atwo-point lead, but the Suns responded in the second term -keeping the Dogs to two behinds -tohold a22-point lead at the main change.

Seemingly, the second quarterwouldbethe Bulldogs’ demise, as astrong fightback in the second half was still not enough.

The lead was cut to 17 at three quarter time, before they almost pinched the four points in the final moments.

Gold Coast recorded their fifth win of the season, climbing to 12th on the ladder, winning 13.6 (84) to 11.11 (77).

Ainsworth had 14 touches, five marks and agoal, with agoal assist that was finished off beautifully by Jack Lukosius.

Cushioned on the boundary, Ainsworth snapped toward the goal square, which was met by Lukosius, who volleyed the ball through for amajor.

Humphrey continued to shine for the Suns, this time with 19 disposals, 546 metres gained and aspectacular goal, dribbling it home from the goal line.

He is beginning to find consistency in the midfield, after he spent time finding his feet earlier in the season.

The win was well-celebrated by the Suns by the look of it, as they celebrated Nick Holman’s 100th game and Matt Rowell’s 50th.

TRARALGON’S TimMembrey and Morwell’s Changkuoth Jiath both missed out on the opportunity to play against each other.

Membreysuffered concussion back in Round 9and has not playedsince,while Jiathisstrugglingwith acalf complaint, but is expected to return soon.

June3

6.20 TheABC Of (PG, R)

Hosted by DavidWenham.

6.50 Bluey. (R) Bluey and Bingo play with CCTV screens.

7.00 ABCNews. Alook at the top stories of theday

7.30 Sister Boniface Mysteries. (Mav) WhenSister Reg’sbrother is implicated in amurder,itisdownto

SisterBoniface to prove his innocence.

8.15 Miniseries: TheNorth Water (Malv) Part 4of5.Draxhas adaring opportunity to escape but must convince Cavendish to help him.

9.15 Ragdoll. (MA15+v) Rose andBaxter try to outwit the killer with an unorthodoxplan to savethe life of the next potential victim.

10.00 TheMessenger (Mal, R)

Another ace appears.

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

(22)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 TheReal Crown: Inside TheHouse Of Windsor: Threats. (PG) Part 2of5

8.25 Westminster Abbey: Behind Closed Doors. (PG) It is Holy week at Westminster Abbeyand prep has begun for the most important time in the Christian calendar

9.15 World’s MostScenic River

Journeys: Niagara. (PGa, R)

NarratedbyBill Nighy

10.10 Britain’sMostExpensive Houses (PGl, R)

11.05 Medici: TheMagnificent Part II (MA15+v,R)

2.05 Life Drawing UK. (Mln, R) 4.05 MastermindAustralia. (R) 4.35 Bamay.(R)

5.00 NHK World EnglishNewsMorning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 SevenNews

7.00 Football AFL.Round 12. Western Bulldogs vGeelong. From Marvel Stadium, Melbourne.

10.30 AFL Post-Game Show.

Awrap-up of the game,including panel discussion and interviews, with access to players, coaches and staff

11.00 To Be Advised

12.05 MOVIE: TheFavourite. (2018,MA15+l, R) In early 18th-century England, twowomen engage in apower struggle for Queen Anne’s loyalty.Olivia Colman,Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone.

2.30 Home Shopping (R)

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

5.00 House Of Wellness (PGa, R) Luke Darcy,JoStanley and LukeHines take a look at locationsthat highlight living well.

7TWO (72, 62)

6.00 Nine News Saturday.

7.00 ACurrent Affair.

7.30 MOVIE: HarryPotter AndThe Half-Blood Prince. (2009,Mhv,R)

HarryPottercomes into possession of apotions book once owned by the mysterious Half-Blood Prince.Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint.

10.35 MOVIE: Clash Of TheTitans. (2010,Mv, R) Akingrecruits awarrior Sam Worthington, Ralph Fiennes.

12.30 Robin’s Wish. (Mad,R) An intimate portrait of Robin Williams.

1.50 9HoneyHacks. (R) Presented by Shelly Horton.

2.00 TheIncredibleJourney Presents (PGa) Religiousprogram

2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 Global Shop (R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)

9GEM (92,81)

MOVIE: Make Mine AMillion. (1959) 1.15pm MOVIE: Danger Within (1959) 3.20 MOVIE: Revolt At Fort Laramie. (1957

4.50 MOVIE: SittingBull. (1954,PG) 7.00 Rugby Union. Super Rugby Pacific. Round 15.NSW Waratahs vMoana Pasifika. 9.30 Super Rugby Pacific Post-Match 9.45 Tennis. FrenchOpen. Day

7. Midnight Late Programs.

NITV

6am MorningPrograms. 1.10pm Africa’s Hidden Kingdoms. 2.00 Land Bilong Islanders. 3.00 SonglinesOnScreen. 3.30 Going Places 4.30 The Whole Table. 5.30 Power To ThePeople. 6.00 PacificIsland Food Revolution.

News. 7.00 The Last Land: Gespe’gewa’gi 7.30 TheBeaver Whisperers. 8.30 Alone Australia.

MOVIE: DeepBlueSea. (1999) 11.30 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 7.00 Steel Magnolias. (1989, PG) 9.10 TheMan WhoKnewInfinity.(2015, PG) 11.10 Good Night,And Good Luck.(2005,PG) 12.50pm Limbo.(2020,M) 2.50 Me And Orson Welles. (2008,PG) 4.55 Dr Strangelove.(1964) 6.40 What We Did On Our Holiday.(2014,PG) 8.30 Radioactive. (2019,M) 10.30 House Of Pleasures. (2011, French) 12.50am Late Programs.

6am Children’s Programs.

6.00 TheDog House. (PGa)Dogsare matched with companions. Abasset hound is on theprowl for anew owner Second chances are in store foraJack Russell puppy.A couple havetosee past apooch’s sizetofind aplace forit.

7.00 Soccer A-League Men.Grand final. Melbourne CityvCentral Coast Mariners. From CommBank Stadium,Sydney.

11.00 To Be Advised.

12.00 Home Shopping. (R)

5.00 Hour Of Power. Religious

6.30 Compass: Julia Gillard

7.00 ABC News. Alook at the top stories of the day

7.30 DesigningA Legacy (PG) Part 1of2

8.30 TheMessenger. (Malsv) Completing theace builds Ed’s confidence, and unexpectedly leads him closer to hisestranged family

9.25 Silent Witness. (Malv) DNA evidence linked to the health secretary’sassassination forces Nikki to face her past.

10.25 In Limbo (Mls, R)

10.55 InterviewWith The Vampire. (Mahlv,R)

11.40 Mayfair Witches (Mav,R)

12.25 Will Australia Ever Have A BlackPrime Minister? (R)

1.20 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.05 The Heights. (PG, R) 5.00 Insiders. (R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.30 Shackleton’sEndurance: TheLostIce Ship Found Alook at the discovery of the Endurance

8.40 Pompeii: TheSecretsOf Civita Giuliana. Delves into the discovery of aRoman ceremonial chariot near the ruins of Pompeii.

9.40 Patagonia: Mountains Narrated by PedroPascal.

10.30 Searching ForCleopatra. (Ma, R)

12.05 Biden VTrump: The Choice 2020 (Mav,R)

2.15 Revealed: TheHunt For Bin Laden (Mav,R)

3.45 MastermindAustralia. (R) 4.15 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning

5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al JazeeraNews.

6.00 NBC Today [VIC]HomeShopping.

WeekendSunrise. 10.00 TheMorning Show:Weekend. (PG) 12.00

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 7NEWSSpotlight. An exclusive, special investigation.

8.30 SecretsOfPrince Andrew (PGas) Part 2of2.The inside story of Prince Andrewcontinuesbyrelating how Jeffery Epstein’s death prompted the Prince to takepartinaBBC interview so disastrous he wasstripped of hisRoyal titles.

10.30 Born To Kill? Cleophus PrinceJr. (MA15+av)Takes a look at Cleophus Prince Jr

11.30 AutopsyUSA: Bill Bixby. (Mad, R)

12.30 TheRookie (Madv,R)

1.30 LastChanceLearners. (Final, PG, R) [VIC]HomeShopping.

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

4.00 NBCToday

5.00 SevenEarly News. 5.30 Sunrise

6.00 Nine News Sunday.

7.00 TheSummit. (Final)

8.30 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating,analysingand uncovering the issuesaffectingall Australians.

9.30 Australian Crime Stories: Billy TheTexan. (Mlv,R)A look at Billy“The Texan”Longley.

10.30 Nine News Late.

11.00 TheFirst48: Standing Ground (Mal)

11.50 Law&Order: Organized Crime. (MA15+v,R)

12.40 Family Law. (Ma, R)

1.30 TV Shop: HomeShopping. (R) 4.00

Believer’sVoice Of Victory.(PGa) 4.30 Take Two. (R) 5.00 News EarlyEdition

Today

6.30 TheSunday Project. Alook at theday’snews.

7.30 MasterChef Australia.

(PGa) The contestants embark on atrip down memorylane witha ’70s-themed dinner party.

9.00 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Final, Mv) When a figure from Specialagent Jane Tennant’s CIA past re-emerges, the NCIS team seeks help from the most unlikely place to catch akiller who is threatening to destroyeverything she has built.

10.00 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Mv,R)NCIS crosses paths with Whistler’s team.

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

12.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

6.00 TheDrum

7.00 ABCNews.

7.30 7.30 Presented by SarahFerguson.

8.00 AustralianStory PresentedbyLeigh Sales.

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

9.15 Media Watch (PG) Hosted by Paul Barry.

9.35 Q+A. Public affairs program.

10.35 Breaking TheCode: Cyber Secrets Exposed. (R)

11.35 ABC LateNews.

11.50 TheBusiness. (R)

12.10 TheSplit. (Ml, R)

1.10 Father Brown. (Mv,R) 1.55 There Goes Our Neighbourhood. (Ml, R) 2.55 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.30 AntiquesRoadshow.(R)

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

6.00 Mastermind Australia

(PG) Presented by MarcFennell.

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.35 Secrets Of TheTower Of London.

(PGa) It is the start of the Platinum Jubilee.

8.30 Michael Palin In North Korea.

(R) Part 2of2.Michael Palinconcludes his exploration of North Koreawitha visit to the Korean Demilitarized Zone

9.20 Reframed: Marilyn Monroe: Icon. (Madnv) Part 4of4.Documents the apex of Marilyn Monroe’s career,as well as thefinal weeks before her death

10.10 SBSWorld News Late.

10.40 Miniseries: Bonnie AndClyde. (MA15+asv)

11.25 Miss S. (Mav,R)

1.30 Cargo (MA15+v,R)

3.25 Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.25 Bamay

(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning

5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home And Away (PGav)

7.30 The1%Club (PGl) HostedbyJim Jefferies.

8.35 9-1-1 (Ma) Afire breaksout in an accountant’soffice and acar crashes into a“living funeral”

9.35

Tuesday, June

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG)

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.30 Who Do YouThink You Are? PeterHelliar (PG) Peter Helliar exploreshis roots.

8.30 Insight. Presenter Kumi Taguchi takes alookatwhat loners and the lonesome can learn from one another

Built Australia: Hard Country (1975-1990) Part 3of4

10.25 ABC LateNews

10.40 The Business. (R) 11.00 Four Corners. (R) 11.45 Media Watch. (PG, R) 12.00

ShakespeareAnd Hathaway.(PG, R) 12.45

ThePacific: In The Wake Of Captain Cook With Sam Neill. (PG, R) 1.35 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.30 AntiquesRoadshow.(PG, R) 4.30 The Drum. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

9.30 Dateline: Dealing WithDebt. Alook at Britain’s cost-of-living crisis.

10.00 SBSWorld News Late.

10.30 ThePoint. (R)

11.30 Pandore. (Malv)

12.25 Hope. (MA15+av)

1.35 Partisan. (Malnsv,R) 3.25 Miniseries:The Walk-In. (Malv,R) 4.15 MastermindAustralia (R) 4.45 Bamay.(R) 5.00

NHKWorld English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

Lone Star (Mav) Captain Strand reveals to the 126hehas been working withthe FBI to help bring downa terroristgroup

10.35

11.05 TheBlacklist. (Mav) The Task Force pursues agroup of pickpockets.

1.00[VIC]

1.05

6.00 Nine News.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home And Away (PGav)

7.30 Better HomesAnd Gardens. Hosted by Johanna Griggs.

9.00 TheRookie (Mav) Rosalind returns with avengeance and Bailey’s lifeislefthanging in the balance.

10.00 TheRookie: Feds (Mav) Theteam questions asuspect’sfather

11.00 TheLatest: SevenNews.

11.30 TheBlacklist. (Mav) 12.30 S.W.A.T. (Mav, R) [VIC]HomeShopping.

1.30 Travel Oz. (PG, R) 2.00

6.30

Alook at the day’snews andevents

7.30 MasterChef Australia. (PGa) The glovesare off as three contenders go toe to toe with Jacqui Challinor and her warriors.

8.40 Have YouBeen Paying Attention? (Malns)Celebrity panellists include Lizzy Hoo,Luke McGregorand Urzila Carlson.

9.40 JustFor Laughs Australia. (MA15+s) Stand-up comedy performances from Alan Carr,Peter Helliar and Randy Feltface.

10.10 FBI: MostWanted. (Mav)Two land management agents go missing.

12.00 TheProject. (R)

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

CBS Mornings.

7.30 MasterChef Australia. (PGa) Amateur cooks compete.

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

9.40 TheFamily Stallone. Acandid look inside the lives of Sylvester Stallone, his wife and threedaughters.

10.10 NCIS (Mv,R)A US Navy reservist is murdered.

11.00 North Shore. (Ml, R) Abigail faces increasing pressure. 12.00 TheProject. (R)

1.00 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colbert. (PG)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

Raising money forCancer Council at Morwell Central

AVERYbusymorning happened at Morwell Central Primary recently, with two fundraisers held.

The first was ‘A Day in May’. Students and staff were encouraged to wear a splash of yellow and bring agold coin donation for Challenge, an organisation that raises money for children with cancer, and their families.

Students completed some fun ‘yellow’ activities and sang yellow themed songs, such as Yellow Submarine

Not long after this, parents and carers arrived for The Longest Morning Tea. Families had ordered morning tea through the school and enjoyed the opportunity to share it with their children while playing some maths games together.

The money raised was donated to the Cancer Council.

Walk to School Safely Day at Kossie

ON Friday, May 19, students from Kosciuszko Street Primary School, parents and staff met at four different locations and walked to school together to support the annual, national event, Walk Safely to School Day.

More than 100 students participated on the morning.

The event is about encouraging regular walking to and from school. It is agreat way to be part of your community as well as reducing dangerous vehicle congestion around school and decreasing carbon emissions from cars.

All students who participated in the Walk to School Day implemented safe practices when crossing the road and walking on the footpath.

Group effort: KosciuszkoStreet

PrimarySchool students Caleb, Elizabeth, Emersen, Jackson and Pippa areexcited to starttheirwalk to school, accompaniedbyMrs Lovell.

Photographs supplied

Thinking capson: Laney playing amaths game with her dad

Leaders: Grade6students arewalking safely alongthe footpath on their waytoschool as they participateinWalk to School Safely Day.

Splashofyellow: Morwell CentralPrimarySchool student, Jaydaready for‘ADay in May’

Three generations: Prep student John with his nan and mum. Photographs supplied

Heyfield reacts to timberaxe

By ZOE ASKEW

HEYFIELD is rife with anger, uncertainty,distrust, and sadness in the aftermath of the state government’s shock announcement last week to bring forward the cessation of native timber harvesting. Butthere is also hope.

Over the last decade, the Victorian timber industry has beenmet with persistenthindrances, from bushfires and environmental no-logging zones to aSupremeCourt ruling againstVicForests’ native forest logging program,limiting the supply available forharvesting every year.

In 2019, the state government announced native forest logging would be graduallyphasedout by 2030,immediately ceasing logging of old-growth forests under the plan to transition Victoria’s timber industry to plantation-based supply.

Despite aslewofobstacles,Heyfield’s mill, Australia’s largest hardwood sawmill, and the mill’s operator, AustralianSustainable Hardwoods (ASH), has endured.

ASH managingdirector,Vince Hurley was blindsided whenthe state government announced they were bringing forward the cessation of native timber logging to January 1, 2024, six years earlier than initially planned.

“In 2017, we had quite alarge volume reduction, and what we did, the larger shareholder he left and we took over, and we’ve really been

concentrating on four main things, that is people, really important, diversify our fibre input, diversify our manufacturing capability and diversify markets and we’vebeen really successful in doing that,” Mr Hurley said.

“In November 2019, the government announced the progressive transition to close the industry, to close native forestry by 2030, and so we really ramped up our process, and until yesterday (Tuesday, May 23) we were working towards their plan, there was no indication the plan was going

Timber festival here to stay

whowork here, most of who live in and around Heyfield,” Mr Hurley said.

“We sent an SMS gateway to all the employees, so everyone got an SMS gateway on Monday about what my response was, and it was really about hope, youknow, ‘Okay,this is areallybad decision, it’snot justifiable but let’s continueonour path, we’ll justhave to speed it up’.

“We’ve done it before; we’veabsolutely proven that we are committed.”

The anger felt by those working in the timber industryhas reverberated throughout the local community.

Heyfield Timber Festival organiser and lifetime resident Felicia Stevenson, was out of town when she received news of the government’s shock decision to bringforward the cessation of native timber logging.

By STEFAN BRADLEY

“CAN you imagine Heyfield without timber?”

These were the wordsthat opened the Gippsland Times coverage of the 2023 Heyfield Timber Festival, which took place in February.

As we are all now aware,soon enough we won’t need to leave it to our imaginations once 2024 comes around, with the state government announcing the early shutdown of the native timber industry.

Last year, the festival was broughtback27 yearsafter the last event to celebrate native harvesting. In 2023, the event saw wood chopping, stunts, acarnival, free kids activities, markets, atruck show, sausage sizzles, vintage displays, dog jumping, tug-of-war, bands, bars, aparade, food trucks and avigil at the Timber Workers Memorial.

Felicia Stevenson is president of the Heyfield Timber Festival Committeeand the Forest & WoodCommunities Australia National membership manager. She told the Gippsland Times the Timber Festival will continue.

“(The committee) had adiscussion (Tuesday, May 23) night. Obviously we can’t get the logging trucks. We can have trucks there, but it will be pine, more or less.”

“We’re going to keep going. We need to celebrate.Wewanttokeep the timber towns alive in some way. We need to always have the timber in some way. Keep the memories alive.”

Ms Stevenson said almost the entire town, including herfamily, hadlinks to the timber industry.

“My grandad,mydad,aunt and uncles. As well as my husband and my boys. Iused to work in sawmills.”

Ms Stevenson in February explained why the eventwas important for the town.

“It brings the local community together,it brings peopletoour town and it’s apartof Heyfield’s history,” she said.

“I grew up in Heyfieldand remember going to the event as achild,itwas ahugeevent. My involvement with the festival was to bring it back and createa familyfun day out, and to showcase the sustainability of the industry.”

to change, that was the plan.”

When the state government announced the phasing out of native forest logging in 2019, they extended existing forestry agreements until July 2024, after which native timber supply would be reduced before ending in 2030.

“We thought, ‘Okay, that’s okay, we’ve got time to work progressivelythrough to findreplacements for that fibre’, and that’s what we were doing,” Mr Hurley said.

“We boughtasawmill in Tasmania;weare taking alot of plantation hardwood out of the Strzelecki’s andout of Tasmania as well, and we are also one of the largest importers of American Oak into the country as araw product because our main game here is manufacturing.

“Effectively logs turned into slabsturned into feedstock turned into amanufactured finished product, that’s where most of our employment is, including alot of women in manufacturing.”

The acceleratedcessation of native timber logging has been yet another hard pill to swallow for Mr Hurley.

“I did put anotice outtoour employees on Monday to let them know we’ve got this,” he said.

“We’ve got to control what we can control, and what that means is we’ve got to try to find more alternative fibre, that we intended to, more quickly.

“My objective is to keep people’s morale up and keep people focusedonwhatweare doing.Hope is an incredibly powerful thing, and we all have hope.”

Mr Hurley is looking beyond the anger and frustration and focusing on the future, identifying the silver lining in this time of hardship and uncertainty.

Still,even the most optimisticperspectivescan’t shake the hurt felt by those in the state’s timber industry.

“We saved the business, really,bydoing what we did, by taking control, and our whole strategy has been incredibly successful, [this is] just another kick in the guts, but you can’t lay down too long; you’ve just got to get up and go,” Mr Hurley said.

“If we hadn’t had our big issue in 2017 and we were still 100 per cent reliant on Vic Forests wood, you wouldn’t be speaking with me today; we’d be dead in the water.

“We had afortunate misfortune, and we always look for that silver cloud, but this is areal kick in the guts; Imean, if they said you’ve got ayear, we could’ve, we really could’ve tried, like okay, we’ve got ayear, lets really work hard around that, lets really work around that.

“It’s not evensix months; it’stoday. Ihavespoken with Vic Forests this morning (Tuesday, May 24); they don’t have anywhere to go because of the litigation.”

Among the pallet of emotions, for Mr Hurley, it always comes back to hope.

“One of the things we haven’t done is really talk to the community yet, but there are 190 people

“I was at my grandson’s school sports, and my husband rang me and told me, then it was email after email coming through,” Ms Stevenson said.

“I was just dumbfounded like he’s [Daniel Andrews] is putting himself up on apedal stool like ‘I’m doing this, I’m taking pressure off these families’, but he’s putting more pressure on families

“It’s not just guys and women in the [timber] industry; it’s their partners, it’s’ their kids that are suffering, not just financially,but it’s amental strain on them, and it’s just wrong.

“Kids here [in Heyfield and surrounds] their dads work in the bush, drive log trucks, work up at the timber mill, that all goes, they’re going to have to rip them out of this school and take them somewhere else, what to New South Wales, take them away from their grandparents. It’s wrong and he [Daniel Andrews] doesn’t see that.None of the greenies sees that.”

One Heyfield resident who works within the community emphasised the rippling effects of last week’s timber industry announcement

“It’s not just the timber mill that is going to be affected; it is the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker,their kids,their grandkids in smalltowns, and somesmalltowns are going justtodisappear,” they said.

For many Heyfield residents,including Ms Stevenson, there is shared fear for when the next major fire engulfs the region.

“Who is going to fight our fires?” Ms Stevenson said.

“There is going to be another big fire; the question is when and where, and we aren’t going to have the dozers and the machinery and the knowledge of these guys to go and help put it out and put the road lines in.

“We’re screwed.”

“One thingthatworriesthe hell out of allofusis whenwehavenextbig bushfire,” another Heyfield resident said.

“All those businesses who have been put out of business, they’re the ones who wentand fought the fires, who had the machinery, they’re not going to have the machinery.

“They [the state government] talk about professional firefighters, our CFA guys here, they fight the fires because they want the fires to stop, but they’re not professional firefighters, they’re volunteers, and Melbourne is saying this is what you have to be, you have to be professional firefighters.

“It’s achanging world, and Ican’tsee it’s changing in the right direction.”

While there is no denying the anger, uncertainty, distrust, andsadness within Heyfield following the state government’s shock announcement lastweek to bring forward the cessation of native timber harvesting, the resilient community of Heyfield remain hopeful.

“We make things happen in Heyfield,” one resident said.

“We’renot goingtofold up and die; neither is the timber mill; we are not going to let it.”

Devastated: Heyfield Timber Festival organiser and life-long resident Felicia Stevenson

Remaining optimistic: ASHmanaging director Vince Hurley

Photographs: Zoe Askew

United: Patrons gather at the Timber WorkersMemorial in Heyfield to hear from then Member forNarracan Gary Blackwood lastyear File photo

REDISCOVER

THE POWER OF

End of native timber harvesting

From Page 1

“PEOPLE and wildlife die in poorly managed forests and Victorian Premier Dan Andrews’ plan to shutdown the native timber industry in 2024 is aplan to kill country towns, kill wildlife, and kill Australian jobs.

“Thisisa Dan-madedisaster which will devastate Gippsland communities and take us ageneration to recover from.”

Fellow Nationals MPs were equally scathing in response to the announcement.

“Today is agrimday fortimber workers and their families who have been callously ignored -the AndrewsGovernment has flatly refused to sitatthe table and negotiate,” Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath said.

“This government andthe Greens, who are in unity on this, have neverbeen able to explain where our hardwood timber -that is increasing in consumer demand -isgoingtocome from,” Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull added.

“Thisannouncement will not only destroy the native timber industry but be devastating for many local communities and the families within them as well,” Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien said in Parliament on Tuesday.

Mr O’Brien called on the state government to explain what actionitwilltaketoreplace the thousands of jobs cut from local communities by thedecision.

“Gippslanders are already facing job losses from Hazelwood, withYallourn to come, we’ve struggled through the shutdown of white paper manufacturing at Maryvale and now the timber industry will be shut down in less than six months,” he said.

“What afarce. What adisgrace. And what better evidence that the Labor Party has turned its back on blue-collar workers in favour of inner-city green votes.”

The state government has announced a$200 million support package, aimed at helping timber workers transition out of the industry.

The commitment brings the state government’s support for forestry transition to more than $877 million.

At Tuesday’s press conference, Minister Tierney said the decision would provide certainty to workers who have been off work since the Supreme Court ruling.

“Our focus is on workers and their families,” she said. “We absolutely do not take this lightly, but the uncertainty cannot continue.

“We will back local communities with the financial support, secure jobs and training, and one-on-one case management they need.”

Specifically, the state government has announced aSupply Chain Resilience package to support business continuity, and will deliver aprogram of land management work to manage 1.8 million hectares of public land currently subject to the timber harvesting allocation order.

In addition,anadvisory panel will be established to considerand make recommendationstogovernment on the areas of forests that qualifyfor protection as National Parks, the areas of forests that would be suitable for recreation opportunities -including camping, hunting, hiking, mountain biking and four-wheel driving -and opportunities for management of public land by Traditional Owners.

Minister for Regional Development and Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing was joined by fellow Member for Eastern Victoria, Tom McIntosh

in Morwell at Tuesday’s announcement, flanking Minister Tierney.

Ms Shing acknowledged the mentaltoll of the decision would be widespread.

“Today’s announcement will be incredibly distressing and upsetting for many, many people across rural and regional Victoria,” she said.

“Over the coming days we will be providing really intensive mental health support, and support for people that have been affected.

“We don’t underestimate the impactthat this will have on communities, from Swifts Creek out to Beaufort (near Ballarat).

“We don’t underestimate the challenges that this willcreate for workers, for theirfamilies, businesses and communities,who for generations have relied on timber harvesting to make aliving and to craft their own identities.

“We’re not under any illusions abouthow difficult this will be but, ongoinglitigation and the impact of bushfires which decimated more than 1.5 million hectares aroundthe state,have left us withno choice, and it would be irresponsible, disrespectful of us not to actually provide communities with the certainty they deserve.”

The state government will be working with RegionalDevelopment Victoriaand the Latrobe Valley Authority as part of the transition,tolook at ways to provide skills and training in other spaces fortimber workers.

Redeployment into public land management has been identified as the most likely space.

Those most closely affected are trying to remain positive.

AustralianSustainable Hardwoods (ASH), Heyfield,RadialTimber, Yarram, and ANC Forestry Morwell, are just some of the local mills and log haulagecompanies looking at ways to innovate, all the while trying to keep morale high among the workforce.

Plans for the 2030 closure have now been accelerated from six years to seven months.

In apossible silver lining, it is understood ASH, Radial and ANC are determined not to make any redundancies.

ANC Forestry managing director Daryl Hutton believed the decision would spell the end of many small towns.

“We’ve probably known this has been coming for awhile because it seems to be the way Daniel Andrews wants to run this state,” he said.

“It seems to be all about the cities, what it is going to do to rural Victoria,all the little towns

that revolve around sawmills is just going to close those townsand give those people no security over their future.

“They talk about retraining, but these people are passionate about the timber industry, and it’s what they grew up to do and what they wanted to do,and now they have to up-school to go and do something they won’t enjoy doing quite so much.”

Latrobe City standing by Opal workers and timber transition

LATROBE City Councilhas said it will continue to stand by Opal workers following the early transition announcementaway from native timber loggingbyJanuary 12024.

Council has been calling on the federal and state governments to support aconsidered transitionfor the region given pending coal-fired power generators closures and uncertainty linked to timber supply impactingproductionatthe Maryvale Mill.

Following last week’s announcement, council is calling on the state government to take immediate actionand fast-track their commitment to establishing the State Electricity Commission and associated renewableenergy projects to provide new jobs and industry in the region.

Latrobe City Mayor, Kellie O’Callaghan acknowledged that the news would be difficult for many in the community.

“Inall discussionsoftransition, we have made it clear that knowing cease dates are vital for those concerned and for future planning and supporting these industries,” she said.

“Theannouncement to transition away from native timber logging in 2024 is earlier than predicted -making the adjustment more challenging.

“Our support remains with Opal workersand theeffect thiswillhaveonour community.

“We acknowledge the supportpackages outlined by the state government, but more can be done to create security.

“The mill has been acornerstone of Latrobe City’s economic landscape for over 85 years, withreduced operating capacity expected to be felt far andwide.Wemust not forget that for every job at Maryvale Mill there is aflow on externally of another job in their supply chain and to our community more broadly.

“We willbeactively working to learn more about the impacts the state government’s Supply Chain Resilience Fund and Community Development Fund will have.

“This is the time where we must work in conjunction with ‘Our Transition’ plan to ensure strategic investment is made for the liveability and prosperity of our City.”

For those wanting more information on Our Transition plan please visit: www.latrobe. vic.gov.au/transition

Breaking thenews: Minister forAgriculture, Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney, flankedbyMembersfor Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shingand TomMcIntosh, were clearly emotional moments beforethe announcement wasmade

Deathrow: ANC Forestry, Morwell managing director DarylHuttonsaysthe decisionwillspell thebeginning of the end formanysmall regional timber towns Photographs:LiamDurkin

Chester kicked outafter taking PM to task

FEDERAL Member for Gippsland DarrenChester caused astirinParliament last Thursday, May 25 via afierce exchange with the Prime Minister.

Mr Chester used Question Time to raise the issue of Victoria’s native timber industry, during whichtimeheaccused the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese of “hating” forestry workers.

In his original question, Mr Chester referred to astatement made by Mr Albanese before the 2022 federal election where he said: “Labor supports your industry, your family and your community.”

“PrimeMinister,giventhe VictorianLabor government's decision to ban allnative harvesting of timberinjust six months, sacking thousands of workers, what support has the Prime Minister and his government actually provided for timber workers across Australia,oristhis justanother broken promise?” Mr Chester asked in Parliament.

Mr Albanese responded by saying: “The Victorian government has a$200million structural adjustment package in its budget …and Icertainly do support timber workers.”

Mr Chesterinterjected duringthis response, resulting in aformal warning from the Speaker of the House, Dick Milton.

Mr Albanese continued: “And through the regional forestry agreements process, we work with states and territories to support Australia's forestry industry to operate under high standards

forenvironmental management and sustainable harvesting.”

“Weneed timber products and we want sustainable forestryjobs,” Mr Albanese said.

“And that’s whyweare investing …$300million to grow plantations, modernise our timber manufacturing infrastructure and build the skills of our forestry workforce.

“I note that through the National Reconstruction

Fundwespecificallyset asidefundingtosupport the forestryindustry,but the Member for Gippsland voted againstit, and (theopposition) voted against it as well.”

At this point, Mr Albanese concluded his question, and Mr Chester rose to make apoint of order.

Mr Chesterthen asked the Prime Minister directly, “Why do you hate timber workers so much?” resulting in jeers from the government benches and the scorn of the Speaker.

“The Member for Gippsland knows what he’s just done there, whichiscompletelyunparliamentary,” Mr Milton said.

Immediately after asking his question, Mr Chester proceeded to leave the chamber, but was motioned back to the despatch box by Mr Milton to formallywithdraw hisquestion, to which Mr Chester obliged.

Mr Chester’s outburst comes after the state government brought forwardthe end of native timber harvesting in the state by six years to January 1, 2024.

Mr Chester,who representsthe National Party, had voicedhis criticismofthe measure in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 23.

Mr Chester is currently on the opposition frontbench, handlingthe shadowportfolios of Local Government and Territories, Regional Education and Regional Development.

Opportunitiesindevelopment exist

COMMENT

BY DANCAFFREY

THE decision to end native timberharvesting from our stateforests is not surprising, even if the timing was some years sooner than expected.

Thesight of alpine mountainsides looking like ploughedpaddocksfrom above, alarmedthe Victorian publictothe extent thatthe majority nowsupportthe forest action groups who have prevented further logging by court injunctions.

The state governmenthad to act, especially where this activity occurred in the habitats of critically endangered species such as the lead-beaters possum, the greater and yellow-bellied gliders, five species of owl and birds of prey and many other bird andreptile species.

Forestry practices like this have simply lost their social licence.

But forestry had not alwaysbeenthis destructive.

Up until the late 1960’s timber harvesting was performed by gangs of contractors who would fell only the trees that were wanted for timber. The quality saw-logswould be snigged, dragged out to aclearing and loaded onto the timber jinkers. Onecould argue that this form of logging may have aided biodiversityassomebranches of the remaining trees wereinadvertentlyknocked off as the desired trees fell to earth. This created hollows that were good habitat for many creatures.

After afew years the forest returned to ahealthy state with the biodiversity still intact.

This type of forestry was sustainable.

Contrast thistowhat hasoccurred sincethe 1970’s as the loggingindustry became more mechanised. With big machinestohelp do the work,the Forestry Commission -later to morph intoVicForests,started clear-fellingvast areas of forest. Large coupes of natural mixedspecies were cleared and the useable timber was carted to sawmills or ended up at the APM for pulp.

The rest -the branches, tree-ferns, wattles and other understorey species, were bull-dozed into windrows and burnt. The area would be aerialseeded with seeds of valuable timber species like mountain ash or alpine ash. Large acreages of mono-species saplings would spring up and compete

O’Connor resigns

By LIAM DURKIN

THE fallout from the state government's decisiontoend nativetimber harvesting in six month'stimewas felt before thedecision was even made.

National secretaryfor the Manufacturing for the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), Michael O'Connor resigned from theVictorian Forestry PlanAdvisory Committee.

In ablunt email, forwarded to media from the CFMEU's manufacturing division two days after being sent, Mr O'Connor simply stated:

"Please consider this as my resignation from the committee.

"The government has no interest in the views of the union or the employers in the industry."

for light. The slower growing individuals died off over time and the hope was that in 40 to 70 years, you would have adensemonoculture of harvestable timber without the “rubbish” understory.

The “plantation-type” forests would allow bigger harvesting machines, reducing many labour units, reducing the cost of harvesting. Mostwouldagreethatayounger, less diverse forest would supportless wildlife, but you would be forgiven for thinking that on the plus side, logging would reduce fire risk by lessening the fuel load. However, scientific studies show that the opposite is actually the case.

Clear-fell logging dries forest soils for decades after cutting.Moisture-maintainingplants like tree ferns are lost from logged forest. Lyre birds whoseactivityinturning overcubic metres of soil and burying leaf litter are killed off and do not return. Younger trees also provide alarger surface area over which afire can burn. There’s more mass inside amaturethick tree trunk that isn’t exposed directly to the fire. Whereas if you get atwig, you’ve got afar greater surface area compared to that mass …sothe heat of the fire is able to ignite it more rapidly, and you get that explosive flare-up.

Mature forests resist fire to amuchgreater extent and help to prevent the burnt barren groundthata regeneratedlogging coupe becomes after succumbing to wildfire. Often these Alpine and Mountain Ash areas are too costly to remediate, such as the area on the west side of Mt Hotham or on Mt Selma near Connors Plains.

There is no natural succession by Indigenous mixed speciesthat enables revegetation of the land, so whole areas were wiped out by successive alpine fires in 1997, 2003, 2006 andinthe Black Saturday fires of 2009. Therehas been several large alpine fires since then.

For those of us old enough to remember back to the 1960’s, the forests looked vastly different to how they look today.

Thereare few really large trees now, lesswildlife and many of the forests are severely degraded Biodiversity is destroyed when large tracts of our scarce highlands are flattened and treated like a tree farm. Forests have acertain “carrying capacity” of native animals. Animals cannot migratefrom

afelled area to one nearby as there is not enough foodand shelterfor them there,asitisalready occupied to its fullest extent.

Treating our precious and beautiful natural estate like agiant plantation has been aterrible mistake and has left our highland areas badly degraded and lessproductiveoverall. We need the carbon storage of healthy mature forests to take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and for the rain-attracting transpiration they provide.

We also need high density timber for building and in producing high value wood products, such as those made at the ASH mill in Heyfield.

Timber, especially dense hardwoodsequesters carbon from the atmosphere, the reason for its low embodied energy and hence low carbon footprint.

Using timber and having standing, mature forests are both ways of fighting climate change, except that from now on, our sawn timber must come from plantations.

Governments need to initiate and manage this effort as private companies are loathe to invest in projectsthat will take 40 years to produce areturn

These hardwood plantations could use climatechange-ready species such as spottedgum,the timber of which is agood substitute for mountain ash and grows well in lowland settings and even with irrigation.

Asustainable plantation industry will produce many jobs for the future, providing there is long term planning at the highest levels now. This needs to start today.

Logging disables anative forest’s ability to produce water, store carbon, nurture biodiversity and support tourism.

Afuture free from native forest logging could see the development of alarge workforce trained to buildnew tourism infrastructure in our forests, tackle the problem of introduced,pest flora and fauna, restoredamaged waterways and develop skilledfire-fighting crews to help makerural communities safe, potentially usingFirst Nations knowledge of land management.

These are the things the Latrobe Valley Sustainability Group will be strongly arguing for.

Dan Caffrey is president of Latrobe Valley Sustainability Group

Announcement a massive blow to regional Victorian families, workers

STRATFORD singer-songwriter and Forest &Wood Communities Australia director Mick Harrington has lashed out at the state government's decision to cease native timber harvesting by the end of the year.

Mr Harrington, who is also alocal timber workerand was afinalist on TV show The Voice said the announcement came as acrippling blow to the industry.

“We have people already on the edge thanks to the 2019 announcement and the relentless assaultonsustainable native forestry since then,” he said.

“Theseare people who have been caring for our forests and ensuringthey continue to provide arenewable resource, but are now wondering how to feed their families and keep theirhomes

“There has been zero credible scientific evidence to support this decision which comes when we needtoembrace renewableresources.

“Internationallyforestryisheralded as a climatechangesolution.But in Australia, where we have thestrictest policies governing native timber harvesting, it is derided by unaccountable activism which exists in our universities, media and Labor governments.

“This Andrews government has caved into extremismand academic activismwith no thought for people who just want to work hard and support their families.”

It is estimated that native forestry provides 5000 direct jobs and many more indirect jobs providing the lifeblood for regionalcommunities such as Orbost, which stands to lose 37 per cent of its workers.

Forest &Wood Communities Australia is a not-for-profit association representing timber communities and supporters of sustainable, world-certified timber sector.

Mr Harrington also ran for the Nationals in the senate at last year's federal election.

Emotion: FederalMember forGippsland

Darren Chester wasbooted from Parliament last week File photograph

Lookingatthe spin and the facts

COMMENT BY JOHN CAMERON

Stategov forestryspin

AT the budget presentation, the state government announced$200million forVictorianworkers and their families to transition awayfrom native timber logging by January 12024, rather than 2030 as per the 2019 Forestry Plan.

DanAndrewssaid“it wastogive workers certainty we’re stepping up to give these workers and their communities, businesses and partners along the supply chain the certainty they deserve”.

The government has lead people to believe that we can transition out of native forests into plantations and haveled the public to believethat this is feasible and agood outcome for all.

The government spin can hardly be further from the truth and what was certain in 2030 is no longer.

The forest reality

THE state government decision to close native forest harvesting will be devastating for those in rural communities and deliver lower ecologically sustainable developmentfor all Victoriansand Australians,and the decision willaid adverse geopolitical outcomes. The decision will lead to inflated timber and house prices, greater use of less ecologically sustainable building materials and the use of more imported forest products from countries withpoor social, environmentaland human rights records.

It will inevitably include Australia importing more wood products manufactured using Russian timber (conflict timber) and Russian energy which is becoming akey componentofAsian manufacturing. There is ashortage of timber in democratic countries with good social, environmental and human rights records.

Annually in Victoriaabout 1.0 millioncubic metreshas been sourced from the harvesting of about 3000 hectares per year within 160,000 hectares of VicForests ‘operable area’, that is the only area available for timber production. The annual harvest area is only 0.04 per cent of 7.5 million hectares of Victorian public native forest, of which ahuge7.3 million hectares or 97 per cent of the forest is reservedfor other use such as conservation and never harvested.

The state governments Forestry Plan was heralded as the solution to phasing out native forest supply, but has effectively deliveredlittlemore than ‘announcements’.

Therecentloss of plantation area, rather than expansion of net planted area is an indictment on the state governments 2019 Forestry Plan. It shouldbealightbulb moment for agovernment hoodwinking communities that it can replace 1.0 millioncubic metres of nativeforest timberby converting 14,000 hectares of farmland to plantations in Gippsland.

The 14,000hectares will onlyproduce about 250,000 cubic metres per year and only in about 25-30years’ time and willnot even replace the 50,000 hectares of plantation area lost over the last few years, let alone the 1.0 million cubic metres per annum of native timber no longer available.

Plan is toolittle,too late

REPLACING the loss of 1.0 million cubic metres peryeartraditionally sourced from native forest requires about 50,000 hectares of new plantation and the plantation logs produced willnot be a perfect substitute, nor be available now, we will have to wait for 25-30 years.

The timing of the decision to exit native forest harvesting could not be worse. Over the last few years the plantation estate has shrunk by 50,000 hectares leading to logsupply constraints for existing plantation-based sawmills.This decline in plantation area has been particularly severe in

the Central Gippsland NPI region close to Opal’s Maryvale mill and ASH’s hardwood sawmill at Heyfield.

Before last year’s election, the state government promised 14,000 hectares of new planting. If this 14,000 hectares is successfully implemented (it may notbe),itwillonlyreplace 14 per centofthe 100,000 hectaresofplantationrequired to a) replacethe cessationofnativetimberharvestingand b) replace the recent shrinkage of the existing Victorian plantation estate. Further, this new planting will not produce asawlog until about 2045-50.

What do existing workers, sawmills and timber communities do between 2024 and 2045-50?

The stategovernment’s planned newplantation is underfunded

THE government has announced a$120 million investmentincollaboration with Hancock Victorian Plantations (HVP).

The 14,000 net hectares of new plantation area requires about 17,500 gross hectares of farmland (including firebreaksetc.) and is unlikely to be achieved given that it is underfunded. The $120 millionfundequates to $6900 per gross hectare.

This amount per hectare is insufficient to cover land purchase cost let alone plantation establishment and maintenance costs over 25-30 years.

Jobs to be created with the new planting areafallacy

THERE was smokeand mirrors in the state government’s September 2022 announcement.

The statementthat the establishment of the 14,000 hectares would “underpin 2000 new and existing jobs” is misleading. The impact of planting 14,000 hectares on new jobs will be tiny until harvesting and processing of the logs commences in say 2045-50, after whichmuchofthe current workforce would have retired.

The lion’s share of jobs in the forest industry sectorare in the harvesting, haulage and processing of the logs into finished goods, not in the establishment and maintenance of the plantations.

Forestryplan ignores issues

THEREare also numerous impediments to plantationdevelopment. Impediments to new planting include the highcost of the most suitable farmland, and the unsuitability of much of the inexpensive farmland because it is too steep, too far from mills or remnant native treeslimit utilisable plantation area.

The risk of plantation fire losses has increased due to poorer fire prevention on crown land. The government has been fuel reducing only 1.2 per cent of the forest each yearagainst the recommended 5per cent by the Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission following the 2009 wildfire. The cost of fire insurance of plantations has become prohibitively expensivefollowingincreased plantation losses over the last 20 years.

Other impedimentstoplantationdevelopment include thehigh up-front cost and long lead time to returns, requiring astableregulatory environment withlow sovereign risk. Low sovereign risk has been trashedbya string of forestry decisions by the strate government. Another socioeconomic considerationofconverting farmland to plantations is the adverse impact on scale economies in agriculture and food processing. Lack of sufficient scale has caused some closures.

Victoria’splantation log production is in serious decline

VICTORIA’S log production is in serious decline due to closure of native forest to harvesting and conversion of plantations back to farmland, aided by shorter lead time to returnsand favourable prices for agricultural commodities. Declines in other states and haulagecost

constraints limit the number of interstate imports. The

socioeconomic impacts of reduced nativeforest supply

THE declineinnative forest log supplyover the last 20 years has resulted in areduction in Victorian Gross Regional Product of $6.6billion(cumulative over 20 years) and reduction in Victorian employment of about 5560 jobs (Type 2-Direct Employment+ production induced +consumption induced) on afull time equivalent (FTE)basis

Over the next 20 years, the cessation of native forest supply under the Victorian ‘Forestry Plan’ is expected to contribute to afurther loss of $5.6 billion in gross regional product over 20 years and the loss of another 3660 jobs.

$200million to supportworkers in the transition is insufficient

THE government’s $200milliontransition package is insufficient and the CFMEU are not happy.

The $200 million equates to only$55,000 per worker, assuming 3660 workers are directly and indirectly effected.The $200 millionwillnot cover the hundreds of millions invested in specialised harvesting and sawmillingequipment that will be substantially devalued or become worthless. Details of the support package are yet to be disclosed (probably becausethe policy has been delivered with no strategy).

Mills will not be able to transition to plantation logs because of the recent decline in plantation supply. They need increasing supply to deliverthe scale economies required to justify investment in transitioning mills to plantation logs, but face a cessation of native forest supply and adecline in plantationsupply.Without urgentand sensible government action, even more mill and forest jobs are at risk.

Decision is astepbackwards

PRESIDENT of Forestry Australia, Dr Michelle Freeman said:“There are veryfew productionsystemsonthe globethat offer stronger sustainability credentials than well managed native forests. In fact, we know that well managed native forests can actually provide superior biodiversity, fire and climate outcomes.”

“Simply excluding harvesting from native forests does not guarantee biological diversity, particularly fromthe broader threatsofwildfires,invasive species, and climate change. Closing the native forest timber industry in Victoria will constrain the silvicultural and management options for state forests.”

Vic Forests has managed the 3000 ha of coupes they harvest each yearinaccordance withhigh standards of forest stewardship. Forestry operations for wood production has not caused extinctions and pose the lowest threat to native flora and one of the lowest threats to fauna relative to other more seriousthreats, particular given the very small harvest coupe size and partial harvesting systems now employed. Risks to threatened native flora and fauna are much higher from grazing fromintroduced and native fauna,invasive species, and competition from introduced plants, predation from introduced animals, clearing for farming and mining, unsuitable fire (essentially wildfire) and illegal collection

The Department of Energy, Environment and ClimateAction (DEECA, formerly DELWP) and Parks Victoriacontinue to inflict considerable ecological damage by ineffective mitigation of wildfire and invasive pests across 7.5 million hectares of crown native forest. The government persists with an unsustainable fire policy ‘Safer Together’ that does not comply with the recommendations of the2009 BushfireRoyal Commission and has been relativelyineffective mitigating the impact of invasive pests as well as wildfire.

Our trade deficit is growing

THE state government decision will lead to a significant increase in imports of saw and timber exacerbating agrowing trade deficit in wood products.

The state government decision is untimely, coinciding with an increasing timbertradedeficit, ‘real’increases in timber prices, escalatinginterest rates, stretched household budgets and scarce rental properties; allatatimewhenweneed to build more houses.

Decision will driveupthe price

THE reduction in plantation and native forest sawlog supply (most marked in Victoria), has resulted in ashortage in saw and timber that is driving up saw and timber prices. With the current housing shortage and increased migration, we can expect further ‘real’ price increases in sawand timber that will add tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of building new homes for Victorians. The pain will be felt by families in metro Melbourne as well as in thebush.The price of structural timber increased by 35 per cent and other timber, board and joinery by 20 per cent over the last year.

Timber will be replaced with less ecologicallysustainable building materials

TIMBER harvested fromnative forests is one of our most sustainable building materials. The regeneration of nativeforests is less equipment intensive than plantations, delivering alower carbon footprint.

Also, the harvested timber archives the carbon during in-use for 100+ years, regenerated forests sequester more carbon than reservedsenescing old-growth forests and those regenerated from seed deliver greater genetic adaptation to climate or other impacts. Forests with the full complement of seral stages from youngseedlings throughto old-growth deliver greater diversity of habitat. We will be forcedtouse less environmentally friendly building materials such as concrete, steel and aluminium, with agreater componentimported fromcountries with lower social, environmental and human rights credentials.

Much of our alternate building materials such as steel, aluminium and wood-based panels are sourced from China and manufactured using power derived mostly fromfossil fuels including increasing supply of fossilfuels from Russia. China’s use of fossil fuels increased threefold over the last 20 years.

Whetherbyaccident or design, Victorian forest policy and green activism are unsustainable and undesirable, delivering increased use of less sustainable building materials, strengthening undemocratic countries that have poor environmental, social and human rights records and aiding an unlawful invasion of Ukraine by undermining the free world’s blockade of Russian trade.

There is acase to continue to manage the small 160,000 hectares of VicForests ‘operable area’ for multiple use, including for wood production, and manage the remaining7.3 million hectaresprimarily for conservation (but not the entire 7.5 million hectares for conservation from January 2024).

ABOUT the Author: John Cameron (Dip Hort. Burnley,MBA Monash, and tertiary unitsin economics, mathematics and statistics) is a forestry and business consultant previously holding positions in general management, corporate development andresearch in forestryand forest products. Former roles include Chairman of Private Forestry Gippsland, Chairman Southern Tree Breeding Association, Chairman Australian Research Group on Forest Genetics, Board Member CRCfor Forestry Hobart &CRC forPulp and Paper Science Monash.

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Pruning, planting, weeding, small jobs through to large jobs, shed clean ups, rubbish removal, etc. Reasonable rates, pens. disc. Under NDIS the cost of services may be covered by your Care Provider. Reliable and efficient. Police check. Fully insured. 18 yrs exp. Chauncy The Gardener. ABN 17268203656. Call Richard 0401 345 345.

boss?

Jim's Mowing is looking for aFranchisee in the Latrobe Valley area.

CONTACT 131 546 For ano-obligation free Info Kit

For

Voicemail

CareersatLatrobe

LatrobeCityCouncilhasexcitingopportunitiesforenthusiasticand forward-thinkingindividualswithapassionforprovidingexcellent servicestoourcommunity

Centre- Permanent Full Time

• Experienced Maintenance Employee -Tree ExperiencedMaintena ee -Tre MaintenanceMaintenance- TemporaryFull Time

• Fitness InstructorFitnessInstructor- Casual

• Duty Manager- Leisure- Casual

• Customer ServiceOfficer /Lifeguard - Cu -Casual

• LearntoSwimInstructor- Casual

• Hospitality &EventsOfficer - &Event fficer- Casual

• Preschooland Childcare –MultiplePositions - Childca Casual

Forfurtherinformationincludinghow toapply,positiondescriptionsand applicationclosingdates,pleasevisitour websitewww.latrobe.vic.gov.au/careers

Pleasenotesuccessfulapplicantswillbe requiredtoapplyforandsatisfactorilyobtain aNationalPoliceCheckandWorkingwith ChildrenCheck.

Stonemason /Labourer

Aposition is available for aStonemason/Labourer in abusy stone manufacturing business in Moe. Experience is not an essential, however atrade background and/or astrong practical aptitude would be beneficial. Industry training will be provided. TruStone is looking for acommitted and reliable employee to join its team. Manual driver's licence preferred. Please email resumes to: kilmeny @trustone.com.au by 31st of May 2023.

PAINTERS WANTED

Based in Latrobe Valleysome travel involved. Full time work avail. Please ph Mick 0418 598 959 or email mick@ mcgrathspainting.com.au

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

SEDA College (Victoria) is the leader of hands on education for Year 11 &12students. We partner with peak industry organisations to provide our students unique opportunities and experiences specific to their interests. Our students will receive atailored career plan to develop key employability and life skills for asuccessful future. The College is currently recruiting for the following roles:

Teacher (Sports Development Program)

● Full Time Maximum Term Contract from 16 October 2023 to 10 November 2023

Education Engagement Assistant

● Maximum Term Contract 30 August 2023 to 13 October 2023

● Part Time Employment (Mondays and Tuesdays

4.5 hours per day andWednesdays 4hours per day)

Interested applicants with VIT registration may potentially cover both roles.

For more information on the position and for instructions on how to apply visit: http://www.seda.vic.edu.au/about-seda/ jobs-at-seda-college/ Applications close 16 June 2023.

DELIVERERS WTD

Would you like to deliver the Latrobe Valley Express newspaper to individual homes on Tuesday and/or Wednesday afternoons in Morwell, Traralgon, Moe, Newborou gh and Churchill? Please apply to the Circulation Manager 0456 000 541. Please note: Children must be 11 years or over as we will need to apply for agovernment Child Employment Permit Children younger than 11 cannot or will not be accepted. Adult deliverers also welcome.

Personal Carer Worker in Dalkeith Garden -Traralgon

Do YOU have aflair forResidential Care? If so, join our beautiful home in Traralgon and help our clients to enhance and live their best lives.

What we look for:

● Cert. III or higher in Individual Support or related studies (i.e. nursing)

● Agenuine passion for caring for our elders

● Able to work independently and as part of a team

● Able to communicate and build rapport with clients in English

Why work with us?

● Not-for-profit salary packaging advantages to give you more money in your pocket

● Paid training hours to build your skills

● Carer traineeships if you arenot yet qualified

● Dedicated senior carers to help induct and mentor you

● Potential to move within Benetas so that your story with us continues

ORTHODONTIC ASSISTANT

REQUIRED

For Traralgon Practice

Mondays -Wednesdays

No previous Orthodontic experience required

Please send resume to: info@sensational smiles.net.au

TEACHER/TUTOR

Looki ng for a teacher/tutor who has the experience to help teach aGrade 6 studentwithsigns of dyslexia, how to read and write. Would be an ongoing part-time position over the next 6mthstohelp prepare the student for high school next year. Hours &days can be flexible. Email resumes to: your_perfectday@ live.com

ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE:

The Australian Childhood Foundation currently have two newly created programs for Therapeutic Specialists across the Gippsland Region.

VN191 -THERAPEUTIC SPECIALIST (Morwell)

The Circle Therapeutic Foster care program is seeking adedicated Therapeutic Specialist to provide intentional care and support to children and young people impacted by trauma. This opportunity is aPermanent Part-time (19 hours) per week position.

Contact Jasmine Langstaff on 03 5174 1759 or reception.dalkeithgardens@benetas.com.au www.benetas.com.au/careers

VN190

-THERAPEUTIC SPECIALIST (Inner and Outer Gippsland)

We are seeking aTherapeutic Specialist to work across multiple partnerships and program areas in the Gippsland region. This role includes providing short-term therapeutic support to families residing in the Quantum Refuge (7.6 hours) per week, and (11.4 hours) across other programs providing therapeutic support within family violence services, including direct counselling with children and families and therapeutic assessment and support for children and their carers in out of home care. This position is initially on a12-month fixed term contract.

In return we offer acompetitive salary and excellent benefits package.

To hear more about this exciting opportunity and for acopy of the position description email broberts@childhood.org.au

Advertise your EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITYAD OPPORTUNITYA with us to MAKE THE MOST of your media coverage

A billboard of job vacancies is delivered right to the door every Monday to potential candidates

Keepingyou in touch withthe employmentmarket

Classifieds

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.

for home care in Moe, Trafalgar, Warragul and Trida. Minimum of 2years ICU/PICU experience. Must be Ventilation and Tracheostomy competent Competitive pay rates. Please contact Patrik on 0410 942 230 or email patrik@intensive careathome.com GP1 657 597

GP1658006

SHOP MANAGER

WALHALLA LICENCED POST OFFICE, GIFT SHOP AND MUSEUM4DAYS/WEEK

The Walhalla Corner Stores has afantastic opportunity for an individual wanting to grow their career in aformer gold mining town which is now apopular tourism centre, set in alocation of outstanding natural beauty and historic interest. This paid position manages all commercial and retail parts of the business. The Walhalla Heritage and Development League is anot for profit group that operates the local Post Office and Museum, services visitors and the local town population, with aparticular focus on supporting local makers of products and book writers. It also operates the popular Walhalla Ghost Tours.

This is your chance to help the business further develop and diversify. Interested? Please call 0490 344 667 for more information or call 5165 6250 for acopy of the position description.

Applications should be emailed to: walhallamuseum@activ8.net.au and close at 5pm on Wednesday, 7June2023.

Responsibility

PLEASE CHECK YOUR AD

Pleasecheck yourad on the first day andbring any errors to the attention of the Classifieds Department immediately. The LatrobeValley Express makes everyefforttoavoid errors We regret that we cannot be responsible forany errors beyond the first day if you fail to bring it to our attention.

No allowances can be madefor errors not materially affecting the effectiveness of the ad. Position cannot will not be guaranteed.

1983 PORSCHE,

CASH FOR CARS

Old or new, buying all makes and models. LMCT 11618. Ph 0455 776 443.

All claims foradjustment of credit must be made within seven days afterbilling date. We reservethe right to revise or restrict any ad we deem objectionable and to change the classificationwhennecessary to conform to the policyofthis newspaper In the event an ad is omitted from publication, we assume no liability forsuch omission

Caravans •

Afull time position exists for an enthusiastic person with customer focus to help us continue growing in our Morwell Branch.

The successful applicant will be required to work within our small team environment.

Ideally, you will have experience in stores and/or spare parts/a mechanical aptitude with a background in external sales.

Previous experience in the Bearing Industry would be an advantage. Computer literate and a Victorian driver's licence are required.

Duties will include but not be limited to:

● Counter/phone sales and quoting

● Goods received/purchase orders

● Stock control

Remuneration to be negotiated dependent upon experience.

Only mailed or emailed applications will be accepted.

Managing Director PO Box 3100, Morwell 3841 roger@gippslandbearings.com.au

URGENT Deliverers Wanted TRARALGON, MORWELL and NEWBOROUGH

Would you liketodeliver theLatrobe Valley Express newspaper to individual homes on Tuesdayand/or Wednesdayafternoons in Traralgon, Morwell and Newborough.

Please apply to:

The Circulation Manager 0456 000541

Please note: Children must be 11 years or over as we will need to apply for agovernment Child Employment Permit. Children younger than 11 cannot or will not be accepted.

Adult deliverers also welcome

MERCEDES BENZ

CLC Evo Plus 2008 Reg

WTH 257 148,000Kms. Reg Dec 23 $12,500 ONO. Ph 0438 511 076

MOTORING SPECIAL

$56 without aphoto or $70withacolour photo Total of 4consecutive editions in the Latrobe Valley Express and 8editions of the Gippsland Times paper THEY DO SELL!

JAYCO Swan Outback 2009, excellent condition, rego Jan 2024, sleeps up to six. $20,000. Ph: 0411270997

Selling avan?

Don't waste time waiting for buyers, or on endless consignment plans, sell it today we'll pay cash now. Affordable Caravans 0418 336 238, 5623 4782.

Motorcycles •

STREET GLIDE

2012, exc. con., Screamin Eagle air and cam, been on Dyno, 22,000km $21,000. 0428 619 971.

Machinery &Plant •

BURZESE (née Condoluci), Angela. Passed away peacefully at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Morwellon Wednesday, 24 May 2023.

Aged 86 years Loved and loving wife of Luigi (dec.). Much loved and respected mother and mother-in-law of Erme and David and Joe and Sue. Adored Nona of Taryn and Dean, Lauren and Nick, Jacinta and Blake and Shea and Kiara. Adored Biz Nona of Zeke, Lachlan, Maya, Nathan and Georgia. Aloving mother, so good and kind, What wonderful memories, she left behind, Silent thoughts may bring atear, For amother we miss and loved so dear. APrivate Service has been held.

COFFEY, Leo Thomas. 4/2/1930 -22/5/2023. Beloved husband of Maureen (dec.). Loved and loving father and father-in-law of Shaun and Rebecca; Kieran; Tim and Sharon; Martin (dec.) and Sybilla; Bernard and Karen; Maryanne and Brendon and their families. Reunited with Mum

EMERY, Angus Alan William 'Gus'. 12/10/1989 -24/5/2023. No longer by our side But always in our hearts Loved by Ann, Mum (Jo), Daniel, Dad (Mark) and Karen, Emily, Angus, Sonny and Rocko, John and Jess. Funeral details to be advised.

EMERY, Angus. You will be sadly missed, your memory will live on. Reunited with Nan. Much loved nephew of Mandy and Dean, cousin to Craig, Rachel and boys, Darryl and Camilla, Sarah, Josh and girls.

Marine •

KAYAK

Outback pedal kayak, comes with all accessories, excellent condition, $1800

o.n.o. Ph 0427 404 666.

Tenders

Tenders

LYKO hydraulic post ram, 3augers, V.G.C., $9000. Massey Ferguson 35X, reco. engine, new clutch and pressure plate, v.g.o., $6000. Ph 5134 3462.

Car Parts & Accessories •

BULLBARS

Ute rollbars and tailgates, VE Holden front panels used. Ph 0407 532 909.

EXPRESSIONOFINTEREST

Site SecurityServices

LALOR (Morrison), Lois Margaret. Passed away peacefully at L.V. Village Aged Care Newborough on 22 May 2023. Aged 89 years

Dearly loved wife of Bryan (dec.). Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Anthony and Kathy, Michelle and Reg, Rob and Christine. Adored nan to all her grand and great grandchildren.

MACKIE, Thomas (Allan).

Passed away peacefully at Latrobe Regional Hospital Traralgon on 22 May 2023 surrounded by his loving family.

Aged 90 years

Dearly loved husband of Joy (dec.).

Much loved father and father-in-law of Ray, Peter, Faye and Dusan, Janette and Neil. Adored pop and grandad to Brennah, Annalise, Camden, Thomas, Scott, Travis, Oliver, Lucy, Jackson, Tara and greatpop to Alexia, Jasper, Tamlin and Ruhn.

McWILLIAM (Laird), Beverley Doreen. Passed away peacefully at Narracan Gardens Aged Care Moe on Friday, 26 May 2023. Aged 88 years Dearly loved wife of Graeme (dec.). Dearlyloved mother, mother-in-law, grandma and great grandma of Kaye and Ray, Aaron, Kimberley and Jason, Caitlyn, Charlotte, and Seth; Sharon, Matthew, Katherine and Nick, Stephanie, Sam, Isabelle, and James; Glen and Kim, Claire, and Thomas. After life's joys and sorrows, The comfort and sweetness of peace. Mum and Dad reunited

PHILMORE (Round) (Muller), Phyllis Elsie.

Passed away peacefully at Margery Cole Aged Care, Traralgon on 15 May 2023

Aged 94 years

Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Ian and Jan, Peter, Dianne and Ian. Adored gran to all her grand, great-grand and great-great grandchildren. Phyllis's Service was held 22 May 2023. Her service was livestreamed and can be viewed by visiting: latrobevalley funerals.com.au

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

ROWLEY, Avlon. 30/4/1949 -19/5/2023.

In London (formerly of Traralgon).

Loving and loved wife of Tracey Gafoor. Loved eldest daughter of Alf and Lorna (both dec.). Loved sister and sister-in-law of Joy (dec.), Cheryl and Ian, Stuart and Linda. Loved aunt to Renee, Nadine and Adam, Aaron and Stephanie, Olivia and Hannah. Great aunt to Macie and Tate. If tears could build a stairway, And memories alane, We'd walk right up to Heaven, And bring you home again. Funeral to be held THURSDAY (8 June 2023) at Mortlake Crematorium, Richmond, London.

SEEGERS, Eric Sean. Passed 13 May 2023 at LRH with family at his side. Aged 54. Loved nephew of Winifred, cousin to David, Karen, Rodney and families. Will miss those special hugs. Now with his Mum. Aunty Win XX.

SYMONS, Brian Thomas. Passed away peacefully at Margery Cole Aged Care Traralgon on 26 May 2023 surrounded by his loving family. Aged 92 years Dearly loved husband of Joyce (dec.). Much loved father and father-in-law of Vivian (dec.), Douglas and Cheryl, Wendell and Alison. Adored Pa to Jordan and Rebekah and Grandpa to Jackson.

TAYLOR (Toft), Vera. Passed away peacefully at Narracan Gardens

Aged Care Moe on 23 May 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Aged 95 years Dearly loved wife of Norman (dec.). Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Norma and Tommy, Cheryl and Peter, Chris and Sharon. Adored nanny to her grandchildren and little nanny to her great grandchildren.

TAYLOR (Toft) Vera.

15/1/1928 -23/5/2023.

Mum and Nanny, We were so lucky to have had you in our lives for such along time. Thanks for all the love and support you have given us over the years. You have left ahole in our lives that can't be filled. Norma and Tommy, Daniel and Melissa, Jason and Melinda, Emily, Lochie, Drew, Makayla and Connor. Rest in peace

TAYLOR (Toft) Vera.

15/1/1928 -23/5/2023. Always so loving, thoughtful and kind, what beautiful memories you leave behind. You may have left this world behind, but you will never leave our hearts and mind.

Adored mother and mother-in-law of Cheryl and Peter, loved nanny of Casey and Sean, Michael and Mariah, loving little nanny of Ollie, Hazel, Vera and Jimmy buckets.

TAYLOR (Toft) Vera.

REQUEST FOR TENDER

Council is seeking submissions from qualified companies/applicants for the following:

RFT/367 -Preparation of aWaste and Resource Recovery Plan

Tenders close 2pm AEST on Tuesday 20 June 2023.

EOI/374 -Expressions of Interest for Domestic Pound Services within South Gippsland Shire

Expressions of Interest close 9am AEST on Monday 12 June 2023.

Documentation is available from Council's e-Tendering Portal www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/tenders

LoyYang BPower Station is seeking suitably qualified and experienced companies to provide security services on our site

The successful company will:

Provide 24/7 security services

Manage site access for people and deliveries

Facilitate site inductions

Managesecuritysystems, includingCCTV

Contributetodevelopment and application of security risk management and response plans

Provideexceptional customer service

Formoreinformation and key selection criteria please email arequest to lybcontracts@loyyangb.com

EOI applications close 2nd June 2023.

GIBB, Grant Edward. 1/4/1949 -22/5/2023.

Aged 74 years Passed away peacefully at Royal Freemasons, Moe. Long-term resident of Warragul. Beloved husband of Marilyn (dec.). Loved father of Glen and Debra, and father-in-law of Yoona. Forever in our hearts

GOLIGHTLY, Ronald.

Passed away peacefully at Strzelecki House Mirboo north on 26 May 2023

Aged 86 years

Loved partner of Patricia. Much loved father of Lea and an adored grandpa, great grandpa.

Please see our website: latrobevalley funerals.com.au for funeral details.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

TRARALGON 5174 2258

Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

HOGGARD, Marg. To Wayne, Rob, Mark and families, deepest sympathy on the passing of Marg. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time. ETU Maryvale Paper Mill, Electrical Department.

HOGGARD, Marg. Alovely lady gone to soon Deepest sympathy to Rob and family. Chris and Gail.

MORRISON (Schmidt), Joan. Passed away peacefully at Dalkeith Gardens Aged Care Traralgon on 28 May 2023. Aged 87 years Dearly loved wife of Reg (dec.). Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Ronald and Christine, David, Ian and Sue. Adored nan to 11 grandchildren and great nan to all her great grandchildren.

MORRISON, Joan. From Traralgon. Nan, you were avery special part of our lives and we will miss you so much. Iwill miss our coffee and donut dates most of all. Love you forever Fiona, Don and family XXXX.

OLIVER (Dooley), Julianne Lee (Julie).

Passed away on 23 May 2023 surrounded by her loving family Aged 72 years

Much loved and cherished mum of Mark, Sharon and Stu, Amanda and Tony, Deanna and Henry.

Adored Nan and GG to her 12 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and their families. Loved sister of Ron, Graham (dec.) and their families.

Aloving mum so good and kind, Loved by those she left behind.

Back in the arms of her Mum and Dad. Reunited with her baby brother.

SKINNER, Robert Lindsay "Bob".

Loved and loving husband of Shirley for 57 years. Loved father and fatherin-law of Craig and Sheryl, Steven, and Kym.

Much loved Poppy Bob of Sarah and Adam, Ben and Emily, Ashley, and Emma. Great pop of Charlotte and Noah.

Thank you for your extraordinary life of love, kindness, care, wisdom, and joy.

"This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that is left now is the shouting of God's applause."

STEWART, Anthony Wayne (Tony).

Passed away suddenly surrounded by his loving family at home on 22 May 2023. Aged 75 years

Loved and loving husband of Gloria for over 20 years.

Much loved father and father-in-law of Kim and AJ, Beau and Melissa.

Adored poppy to Blake, Ashlee, Lucas, Rhylee, Cody, Oscar, and Maizy. Dear friend of Jean, Chris, and Tim.

Our words are few, Our thoughts are deep, Wonderful memories are ours to keep.

Tony's Funeral was held on MONDAY (29 May 2023) at 11am. To watch the livestream, please visit our website.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

TRARALGON 5174 2258

Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

15/1/1928 -23/5/2023. Forever in our hearts, our beautiful Mum/Little Nanny. It's not what we write, it's not what we say, it's how we remember you, in our own special way. Love always your son Chris, daughter-in-law Sharon.

THORBURN, Ken. Passed away 21/5/2023. Brother-in-law of Lynette and Stan. Uncle to Michelle, Nicole and family. Son-inlaw of Melva Lyons. Forever in our hearts

THORBURN, Ken (Butch). Condolences to Judy, Kylie and Griffin. Agreat friend of the Robin family. Sadly missed. RIP Mate Gobsy.

TUDOR, Joyce. Treasured and loved Nan of Shelby Lawrence. Friend of Aileen.

WARRILLOW, Barry Graeme. 7/7/1936 -28/5/2023.

Passed away peacefully after ashort illness at Heritage Manor surrounded by loving family.

Loved and adored by wife Joyce (dec.).

Loved father of Anne and Stewart, Tanya and Nick, Donna and Ernie. Loved pop and grandpop to 6grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Thank you for all the years you gave us.

You will be missed and never forgotten.

Reunited with Joyce forever

Rest in Peace

Dad, we will always remember the wonderful times we had with you. Your passing has left a big hole in our hearts and you will be sadly missed.

Love you forever Anne and Stewart.

Pop, you leave behind a legacy of love and unity in the family you have created. Your ability to keep all of us ladies and lads in yourfamily inspired and feeling safe is acredit to how much you held your family dear.

Ipromise to make sure my vocal pitch is forever heard for your benefit.

Thank you for always encouraging me and teaching me the values of what you have had for life. You will be missed. Love Tara, Sophie and Lucy. Pop/Grandpop, your life was ablessing, your memory atreasure. You will be missed forever.

Rest easy with Nana and Wendy.

Love always Jane, John, Ryan and Dylan Roche.

Although our hearts are broken and heavy, we find comfort knowing that you and Nana are together again, looking down on the beautiful family you created. We are blessed to call you our Pop and although you are gone, you will forever be in our hearts.

With all our love Laura, Brett, Molly, Sam, Stella and Matilda

We are so lucky to be able to call you our Pop / Grandpop! We are all so proud of everything you achieved in your life. Our hearts ache that you are no longer here but it sings knowing you have Nana wrapped in your arms again. We love you always and forever Rest Easy Pop!

WRIGHT, Leo James.

Passed away peacefully at Bupa Aged Care Traralgon on 25 May 2023 surrounded by his loving family.

Aged 89 years

Dearly loved husband of Isabel.

Much loved father of Susan, Leanne, Michael. Stepfather of Iain, Peter (dec.) and Stuart. Adored pop of Bradley, Micha, Isabel, Jack, Emma and Mandie. Great pop of Noah, Abby, Thea and Hope.

To my darling husband Leo, Forever you will always be with me, Iamdeeply honoured that you shared your life with me. You will always be in my thoughts, one day we will be together for all eternity. All my love, Isabel.

Funerals •

EVANS. The Service for Mrs Dawn Christine Evans will be held in the Cirrus Chapel, Bunurong Memorial Park, FRIDAY (2 June 2023) at 12 noon.

SOUTHEAST FUNERAL CARE 1800 067 782

GIBB. AService of Thanksgiving to celebrate the life of Mr Grant Edward Gibb will be held at the Warragul Uniting Church, 210 Sutton St, Warragul on FRIDAY (2 June 2023) at 1pm. The Service will also be live-streamed. To view Grant's Service please visit: www.nielsenfunerals.com.au

Following light refreshments, the cortege will leave for the Gulwarra Heights Memorial Park, 378 Burke St, Warragul. In lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of Grant may be made to Australian Alzheimer's Research Association or Dementia Australia. Envelopes available at the Church.

SKINNER, Robert Lindsay. Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral service of the late Robert Lindsay Skinner (Bob) to be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 437A Princes Drive Morwell on WEDNESDAY (31 May 2023) at 1pm. The Service for Robert will also be livestreamed. Please visit our website for details: www.latrobevalley funerals.com.au

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

WARRILLOW. The Funeral Service for Mr Barry Warrillow will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 6Ollerton Avenue Moe on TUESDAY (6 June 2023) at 1.30pm. The Funeral will leave at the conclusion of the Service for the Yallourn Cemetery. Barry's Service will be livestreamed, to view the livestream please visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au and go to livestreaming.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 5126 1111

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LALOR. The Funeral Service for Mrs Lois Lalor will be held at St Mary's Catholic Church, Monash Road Newborough THURSDAY (1 June 2023) commencing at 1pm. The Funeral will leave at the conclusion of the Service for the Yallourn Cemetery.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 5126 1111

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MACKIE. The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Allan Mackie will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 6Ollerton Avenue Moe on FRIDAY (9 June 2023) commencing at 1.30pm. Allan's Service will be livestreamed, to view the livestream please visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au and go to livestreaming.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 5126 1111

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MEMORIAL SERVICE

McKENZIE. AMemorial Service for the late Owen and Marg McKenzie to be held at the Churchill Football Club on FRDAY (2 June) from 2pm, come join us to celebrate their life. Please text 0423 383 094 for details or if attending.

McWILLIAM. The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Mrs Beverley McWilliam will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 6Ollerton Ave Moe on WEDNESDAY (7 June 2023) at 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations to Cancer Care Victoria would be appreciated. Envelopes available at the Service.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 5126 1111

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MORRISON. The Funeral Service for Mrs Joan Morrison will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Highway Traralgon on Monday (5 June 2023) commencing at 11am. The funeral will leave at the conclusion of the service for the Gippsland Memorial Park Cemetery Traralgon.

Joan's service will be livestreamed, to view the livestream please visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au and click on livestreaming.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

TRARALGON 5174 2258

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TAYLOR. The Funeral Service for Mrs Vera Taylor will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 6Ollerton Avenue Moe on FRIDAY (2 June 2023) commencing at 11am. The Funeral will leave at the conclusion of the Service for the Moe Cemetery.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 5126 1111 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

OLIVER (Dooley). The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Julianne (Julie) Lee Oliver will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Hwy Traralgon on THURSDAY (1 June 2023) commencing at 1.30pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Gippsland Cancer Care Centre would be appreciated, envelopes available at the service. The Funeral Service will also be livestreamed, please see our website for instructions.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258

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SYMONS. The Funeral Service for Brian Symons will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Hwy Traralgon on FRIDAY (2 June 2023) at 11am. The Funeral will leave at the conclusion of the Service for the Gippsland Memorial Park Cemetery Traralgon

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARAGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

THORBURN. The Funeral Service for Kenneth (Butch) Thorburn will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Hwy Traralgon on THURSDAY (1 June 2023) at 11am. Private family cremation to follow.

Ken's Service will also be livestreamed. To view the livestream please visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au and go to live streaming.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258

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WRIGHT. The Funeral Service for Mr Leo Wright will be held at the Gippsland Memorial Park Rose Chapel Traralgon FRIDAY (2 June 2023) commencing at 11am.

Leo's Service will be livestreamed, to view the livestream please visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au and click on livestreaming.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258

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In Memoriam •

BODEN, Noel. 12/12/1925 -2/6/2018. In loving memory of my dear grandmother, who used to spoil us rotten. You rh ot pot ato sandwiches were the best. Up there enjoying a cup of tea with Dad. Love Kellie.

CROUCH, Rene Adele. 4/12/1940 -3/6/2022.

The past year has been the longest, toughest and saddest 365 days for me as you were not by my side.

It's hard to accept the fact that you aren't here anymore. Not aday goes by that you don't cross my mind.

The memories of you will never fade from my heart. You were and always will be the love of my life Love David XX.

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CROUCH, Rene. The days will pass and turn into years But we will always remember you with silent tears. Your memories will never fade from our hearts. Missing you Love Leanne, Chris, Karlee and Luke. Karen, Paul, Thomas and Maeve.

FIGGINS, Rohan John. 2/8/1972 -3/6/1993. Loved forever, never forgotten Missing you always Love Mum and family XX.

HARRIS, Ann Carolyn. 4years and still Imiss you like it was yesterday that you went away, I'll be with you again one day but until then Ilove you and I miss you always, your little sister Helen.

Birthday Memoriam •

FITZGERALD, Anita

Lorraine. 6/6/1982 -28/5/1996. Remembered with love We all miss you so very much on this your 41st Birthday Not aday goes by that you are not in our thoughts, words and prayers. Love Mum, Dad, Matthew, Caitlin, Jacinta, Willow, Eli, Scarlett and Clay.

Bereavement

Thanks •

FAZIOLI, Lucia. The family of Lucia Fazioli, formerly of Erica, would like to express our deepest appreciation for everyone's sympathy for the loss of our mother. The shared memories from all of you, the many phone calls, flowers, cards and words of condolences meant agreat deal to us all. Thank you to all who attended Mum's Funeral Service. Please accept this as our personal thanks.

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United struggle on scoreboard

SOCCER GIPPSLAND

Youngster off to Europe

TRAP SHOOTING

By TOM HAYES

IMAGINE doing what you love, while travelling the world in the meantime.

Traralgon’s Lucas Furlan is set to jet over to Europe to take part in World Universal Trap Championships.

And it won’t be his first time.

Last year,Lucaswas fortunate enoughto be partofthe Australiantrap shooting team that travelled to Italy to competeinfront of the world stage.

Australia, and Lucas claimed gold on that trip.

“Italy was definitely an eye-opener for me, bit different to back home,” he said.

“I definitely took alot of out of it.

“I was fortunate enoughtowin the gold medal with my team,but thatwas justa bonus for me over there, the main thing was the experience and what Itook out of it.”

He is set to do it all again, this time spending around amonth in the summer of Spain.

Lucas shoots out of the Morwell Shooting Club, and has climbed the ranks at astonishing pace since learning the sport in 2019.

While doing his schooling at LavallaCatholic College, Lucas put his name down to join the shooting team, and became hooked.

“I didn’t shoot my best, but Ienjoyed it alot, Itook alot out of it,” he said.

Since then,ithas been onwards and upwards, to the point where he now holds the title of current Australia Under 21 championatthe ageofjust16.

“I’m happy with my progress so far …there’s afew obstacles I’ve had to overcome, but I’ve managed them quite well,” Lucas said.

“I shot at the last round of the selection series in Melbourne, which Ishot ascore of 192/200, which won me the juniors’ and allowed me to get enough points to …makethe [Australian national] team.”

Now, Lucas has his eyes set on Spain, and competing on the world stageonceagain, he must prepareasbest as he canfor the championships.

“I’m definitely trying to get on the range at least once aweek minimum…just doing other stuff at home and going to the gym and sort of just preparingmyselfmentally,” he explained. The sky is the limit for Lucas.

Especially as trap shooting can be taken as far as the Olympics, theultimate sports stage

But for now Lucas is taking things one step at atime, trying to improve each and every week leading up to his Spain trip in August, although he admits he is well aware of the Olympic possibility.

“Just trying to stay consistent, that’s one of my main goals,” he said.

There is no lack of support for Lucas, that’s for sure.

As wellashis family,hereceives plentyof support from his mates at school.

“My mates sort of push me along abit,it’s good to have them there and supporting me as Igoaway,” Lucas said.

The ISSF Junior World Championships run from July 18 to 26.

Lucas will travel overseas for the Universal Trench World Championships, with competition running from August 3to7

UNITED

BY NERELLE FOSTER

 PRE-NPL U13’S -GIPPSLAND UNITED V BERWICK

THE gamestarted with Gippsland United putting on astrong showing and controlling the game for the first 15 minutes while piling on the pressure against Berwick.

But try as they might, the United boys could not find the back of the net.

What followed in the second 15 minutes of the first half could only be described as acalamity of errors and mistakes, which saw Berwick score five quick goals.

Heading into the break 5-1 down it was always going to be abig ask for Gippsland to claw their way back into the game.

With severalchangestostart the second half the United lads headed back onto the pitch and worked hard and matched it with Berwick, but again the goals alluded them and the score finished as it did at the half, 5-1 Berwick.

With aweek of training ahead, United hits the road to face Bentleigh Greens this weekend.

 JBNPL U18’S -GIPPSLAND UNITED V MALVERN CITY

THE Under 18 Gippslandboyscame out to the pitchagainst Malvern City FC, fired up and ready to play what turned out to be an entertaining fixture.

Class: GippslandUnitedunder 18 players celebratefollowing agoal from Levi Colantuono Photograph supplied

The away boys dominated from the get-go, creating havoc in the Gippsland backlinebefore breaking the deadlock with awonderful finish to put themselves ahead.

Gippsland weren’t going to give up, creating an end-to-end contest to finishoff the first half,going into halftime agoal down.

At the beginning of the second half, the backand-fourth game continued as Gippsland and Malvern both had clear cut chances up forward, before ChoCho Jacob set up aworld-class finish from midfielder Levi Colantuono, who not only found the net, but found the top corner of the goals with asensational strike from 25 yards out.

Gippslandcontinued to apply the pressure, with some great defensive efforts fromskipper Abraham Konyi, and solid midfield work from Nic Nardone, who alsocameclose to putting thehome side ahead with 20 minutes to go.

Approaching the final quarter of an hour, Malvern would find threegoalsina matter of six minutes, turning the tides in what was avery tight contest.

Gippsland saw out the final 10 minutes, with several attempts at playing behind the Malvern backline not enough as the home side would go down, four goals to one.

OTHER SCORES

JBNPL U12’s-postponed

JBNPL U13’s-BerwickCity (5) dGippsland United (1)

JBNPL U14’s-Bye

JBNPL U15’s-Langwarrin(3) dGippsland United (1)

JBNPL U18’s-MalvernCity(4) dGippsland United (1)

Boxingand kickboxing fight night asuccess

BOXING/KICKBOXING

By TOM HAYES

THE Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium was rocking on Saturdaynight when 44 Magnum Promotions hosted another fight night in front of over 1000 people.

Twenty fights went ahead on the night, including professional and amateur boxingand kickboxing.

The nightwas off to ashaky start, when after the first fight the fire alarm went off, forcing everyone inside to evacuate momentarily, but soonafter the show was back on the road.

Next up after the evacuation was the first local fight of the night, starring Angela Witcher -training out of Traralgon’s44Gym, as she took on Mayla.

Set for three 90-second rounds, the fight went the distance and required the judges’ scores.

Witcher was convincingly beaten in the end, losing via unanimous decision, yet still avaliant effort.

Following that fight was another local one, when 44 Gym’s Billy Whitmore got in the ring against last-minute replacement Tristan Waldegrave for three two-minute rounds.

The winner of this fight would then fight again later in the card, as apartofathree-way fight.

Just like the last fight, this onewent all the way andwentdown to the wire in terms of scoring.

Whitmore started the fight strong but looked to be beaten in the final round, leaving the second in dispute.

Whitmore ultimately lost, ending his night, via split decision on the judges’ scorecards.

Waldegrave would fight later in the card and eventually win his second fight of the night,an incredible effort on such short notice.

After Waldegrave won his second fight, 44 Gym had their third representative of the night, when Gabriel Winkelfought T-Jay,another replacement boxer, in three two-minute rounds.

Winkel was sparked by T-Jay who he would’ve not known much about nor what to expect.

He stuck to his plan and kept T-Jay on his toes, holding downthe middle of the ring for mostof the fight.

Once again, the fight went all the way and the judges had to reveal their scorecards which read that T-Jay won via unanimous decision.

Following the tenth fight of the night, an interval was scheduled as we got ready to seesome kickboxing action up next.

First up on thekickboxing card was 44 Gym’s John Murray, who faced Josh Laughton, in three 90-second rounds.

Laughton had the edge from the get-go and got himself an early knockdown.

Murray wasn’t able to get the fight on his terms, after Laughton continuedtoswarm him with contact.

Laughton eventually got astoppage, defeating Murray via technical knockout before the fight’s scheduled three rounds could be completed.

Nexttofightout of 44 Gymwas Chris Ewert when he fought Tamim Yucefi in another kickboxing fight scheduled for three two-minute rounds.

In one of the more entertaining fights of the night, Ewert and Lusdoc traded shots while remaining composed over the three rounds.

And just like plenty of the other fights on the night, it wentthe distance and therefore came down to the judges’ scores.

This time, 44 Gym had awinner, when Ewert was revealed as the winner via split decision.

The final local fight was one of the more anticipated fights of the night, when 44 Gym’s Peter Pirona took on Harley Robinson in five two-minute rounds of kickboxing.

In the longest fight of the night so far,more entertainment was on for the crowd, which was buzzingatthis point.

Either fighter would gain momentum on apunch or kick landed as the tide of the fight continued to sway

But,afterfive rounds we went to the judges’ scorecards, who deemed Robinson the winner in atight fightvia split decision.

While running around throughout the night, coaching and getting things sorted, 44 Gym’s

StevenBaldachino believed the night to be a success.

“Wasa successfulnight of fights, we had apacked crowd who showed tremendous support for all the local and interstate fighters,” Baldachino said.

“We are looking forward to the next event in November.”

Keepyoureyes peeled formoreinformation on 44 Magnum Promotions’Instagram @44magnumpromotions

Keen: Lucas Furlan is itchingtoget to Spain forthe WorldUniversal Trap Championships.

Photograph TomHayes

Power: 44 Gym’sChris Ewertknocksdown Tamim Yucefionhis waytovictory.

Photograph Ryan Firth

Skills: 44 Gym’sPeter Pironastrikes Harley Robinson with aleftkick.

Photograph Ryan Firth

Packed: People flockedintoTraralgon’s GRISS for44Magnum Promotions fightnight. Photograph TomHayes

Veteransbadminton asmash hit

BADMINTON

By TOM HAYES

THE Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium was busy as ever when it hosted the Latrobe Valley Veterans Badminton Tournament.

Across Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21 badminton was on show on mostcourts in the stadium, from ranging divisions and ages.

The event in Traralgon was one of 10 Victorian Badminton Veterans Association (VBVA) events throughoutthe year, as they made the annual triptoTraralgon, hosted by theLatrobeValley Badminton Association (LVBA).

The VBVA is currently in its 41st season, proving it is astaple on the Victorian sporting scene.

Throughout the season, the VBVAtravelsto Shepparton, Sale/Maffra, Ballarat,Swan Hill, Altona, Bendigo, Kilsyth, Albury, Geelong, and of course, Traralgon.

The VBVA is avoluntary run, non-profitorganisation that provides asocial badminton competition to men and women over the age of 35.

There were nine sectionsacross four grades, separating teams based on age, ability and ranking

In AGrade,there were two sections,BGrade hosted four sections, CGrade had two and DGrade had the singular.

“We’ve got some really top-class players here that have got very high ratings, players that have playedonnational teams in theiryounger days, right through to playersintheir 70s and 80s playing down in DGrade,” LVBA’s Ruth Hardman said. Teams wouldcomprise of eight players, with two taking to the court at atime, allowing for rest

throughout the lengthy day of badminton action. Every team plays each other team in their grade, with winnersdetermined viapointsfrom those games.

Arange of skills were on offer, withpeoplein AGrade obviouslythe best on display, butthe incredible abilitywas displayedinDGrade,which is made up of people well into their 80s.

“We’ve got 36 (teams) Ithink this year, teams of eight,” Hardman said.

Thatequates to 288 competitors thatflewthrough the doors of the GRISS to play badminton over the weekend. Talk about dedication.

“We’ve had afew people in to watch, people bring families and spectatorswiththem because they travel from all over the state, and we get acouple of localtoo …someofour older playersthatare not old enough to play in this tournament come and have awatch,” Hardman said.

From the event, DGrade team,LVDynamos took out their grade with aconvincing showing of skills on offer, winning all three of their games.

Latrobe City Mayor, Kellie O’Callaghan, was present to congratulate the team on their collaborative victory.

Although the tournaments are based in Victoria, interstate players are welcome to join in on the fun.

“We welcome interstate players and we have occasionally had South Australian or New South Wales people pop in over the border,but it’s generally Victorian players,” Hardman added.

Hardman believes competition was “very strong” this year, but believes that badminton needs more juniors.

Juniors train on Fridaynights at the GRISS from 6.30pm, and LVBA encourages peopletocomeand try on these nights, equipment is all provided.

Adults train on Thursday nights from 7.30pm, andveteranstrain on Sunday nights at 7.30pm, also at the GRISS.

Local wins with Australia during overseashockey masters

HOCKEY

By TOM HAYES

THE Latrobe Valleywas internationally represented recently, at the Trans-Tasman Hockey Masters tournament.

Played everytwo years, the tournament gathers Australiaand New Zealand’s top hockey players from various age groups.

HeldinChristchurch, New Zealand this year, the tournament consisted of players of mature ages, as they represented Australia against the Kiwis. For the women’s, age brackets begin at over 35s and increase by five years up until over 65s, while for the men’s it begins at over 35s, up to over 75s.

Among those Australians was 64-year-old Leonie Barrett fromTraralgon West, who played apivotal part for the over 65s.

Barrett turns 65 this year, hence why she was eligible to play in the over 65 team.

This was Barrett’s fourth time representing Australia at the Trans-Tasman Masters Hockey Challenge, doing so previously in 2015,‘17 and ‘19, before COVID struck.

The 2019tournament was held on the Gold Coast, while 2017 was across the Tasman in Whangarei, and 2015’s competition took place in Melbourne.

Barrett also competed at the 2016 FIA Masters World Cup, for Australia, which was held in the country’s capital.

“They have national competitions,and at nationals they have selections for the Australian competition, so you’vegot to put your name down,” Barrett said.

Grade BWinners: Panozzo, Gavan(16)35

Grade CWinners: Fazioli, Mark(30) 39

Place Getters: Jennings,Kenneth 36

Pisa, John 35

Ayton, Kevin 34 c/b

Bruce,Shane 34

Hibbs,Steven33c/b

D.T.L: L. Brent, M. Mcquillen, C. Stanlake,

P. Richer 63.125

N.T.P: 12th M.Hutchinson, 14th A.West

MOE

Wednesday, 24 May2023 WOMEN’S

WEDNESDAY 9HOLEStableford

Overall Winners: Hale,Jan (54) 15

Place Getters: Rankin, Joyce(54) 14

Wednesday, 24 May2023 WOMEN’S PAR

Grade AWinners: Shaw,Karen (22) 0

Grade BWinners: Blandford, Jane (31) +3

Place Getters: Lang,Marj 0

Middlemiss,Kaye-4c/b

Great Score: KarenShawbirdie@14

Jane Blandfordbirdie @8

Nearest to Pin: 4th Joan Boulton 8th Jane

Blandford14th Evelyn Mitchell

Target Hole Prize: Jane Blandford

Thursday, 25 May2023 OPEN Medley

Stableford

Grade AWinners: Robertson, Jenna (8) 39

Peel, Michael 33

Eastaway,Karl32c/b

Johnson, Tony 32

Donaldson, Murray 31 c/b

Great Score: AnthonyColvin (Birdie) @8

JayLangstaff(Birdie) @14

RobertWilson (Birdie) @8

Lockie White(Birdie)@8

Eric Beveridge (Birdie) @8

Murray Donaldson (Birdie) @14

Karl Eastaway (Birdie) @14

Nearest to Pin: 4th Eric Beveridge 8th

AnthonyColvin 14th JayLangstaff

MORWELL

Ladies Results Final Round-Club

“Ourcoach she thatshe’d select the best 16 from our age group to go and play in the Australian side, so she wasn’t worried about positions.”

Two weeks after putting her name in contention for the squad, Barrett received the good news.

“I think it’s pretty specialevery single time, I don’t takeitfor granted, if it’syour firsttimeor your lucky enough for it to be your fourth, fifth or sixth time, Ithink the reaction is exciting,” she said.

“I’m really honoured and really privileged to be apartofit, that’s what Ithought.”

Barrett began playing hockey at Warragul High School back in 1971, and now boasts more than 50 years experience in the region.

“I was lucky to have aPEteacher that was a state Victorian full back at the time,” Barrett said.

“Therewas no way we were going to play anything else, except hockey.

“I loved it.”

Over the nine-day journey in New Zealand, Barrett was training or playing on days that they weren’t travelling to or from Australia.

The Australian over 65s fortunately won their tournament, winning two and drawing the other in their best of three series.

“It was really exciting, Ithink we all enjoyed each other’scompany, and we had played as a team before, some of us,” Barrett said.

“Still lots of ball skills,stick skills,just freeflowing games and we created opportunities from getting corners and scoring.

“It was anice feeling, becausethey’re apretty tough opposition!”

They began with a1-1 draw against the Kiwis, before back-to-back 3-1 wins to secure the title.

“All gamesagainst New Zealand were very challenging and they were high-quality,” Barrett said.

“The most important thingis…justbeing able to maintain friendships, and create life-long friendships.”

Barrett hada hand in bothwinning games, scoring one of the three goals in each.

“You’d liketothink you play asmall part,”Barrett laughed.

“I enjoyed the whole experience.”

Hockey has taken Barrett to differentparts of Australia, and of coursesurrounding countries, playing in national and state sides over her time.

“It’s anice feeling to play with people who are passionate and enjoy it and get areal buzz out of still being able to play,” Barrett explained.

“It’s always an honour and aprivilege to pull on the green and gold and represent your country.”

Barrett is no stranger to hockey in the local area, winning numerous club and association best-andfairest awards, but she finds the most rewarding award to be premierships -that the whole team can enjoy.

“Those other things are nice but you want to win apremiership,” Barrett said.

You’ll find Barrett in andaroundTraralgon Yellow in the Latrobe Valley Hockey Association (LVHA) -where she has played for around40 years -eitherplaying, coaching or helping out.

Due to her presence within the association, Barrett is now alife member of the LVHA too.

Shealsomakesure that the Victoria League women’s team gets their help, by assistant coaching their side.

We hosted visitorsfromMoe today.

WOMENS

Winner: SandraLawler 23

Runner up: Christine Payne 21

DTL: Nola Fordham 19,Cheryl Deppeler

18,Bev Keily17

NTP: 5th Christine Payne,Laurie Snowball

SPearson 79 +85+72

=236 Div 2Handicap: CPeter 78 +77+76= 231

Pictured Below: Deb Vuillermin and Nikki Te Paa

Bradmans: Frank Edmonds &Pat O’Connell &Max Pugliese &David Balfour 34 3/8

Friday,May 26th 2023, Open Men’s& Ladies Stableford

Winner: Tony McGrath 36 pts C/B

TRAFALGAR

TuesdayMay 23 Comp: Stableford

Bradmans: JanGriffin

MENS

Winner: RobDavie 22 c/b

Runner up: David Balfour 22 c/b

ScratchWinner: RegBarsdell 22

DTL: Tony Shearer 21, Graeme Harris 19,Rod Williams 18,Graeme Grant 18, Stephen Klemke17, BrettLangmaid 18 John Pisa 17,Max Pugliese 17,Ray Allen 17, KeithOwen17.

NTP: 13th Tony Shearer

Bradmans: John Kerr

ThursdayMay 25, 2023 Comp: 4person mixed ambrose Players:39

WOMENS

Winners: Aileen McNair,Olwyn Balfour, Tony Shearer,Rod Hardaker 28 3/4

Runnersup: Nola Fordham, John Robinson, PeterCooke, RobDavie 30 1/8

DTL: Marilyn Kerr &Chris Griffin&Ray Williams 30 2/3, SueBalfour &Jan Griffin& RichardGould &Gavin Patchett313/8

Runner Up: RobKoppe 36 pts

DTL’s: Laurie Snowball 35, Darryl

Blackshaw33

Birdies: 5th: Ian Browne 13th:Jeff Hasthorpe

Saturday, May27th 2023, 4BBB

Stableford

Winner’s: Zavier O’Reilly& Tony O’Reilly 48 pts

Runner Up: Roger Barnes &GeoffCoulter 47 pts

DTL’s: BarryDwyer &Ron Davey45, Akos Kerekes& RonKeith 43, PeterCollier & Jack Marshall 43, GarryJansen &Richie Parsonage 42, MarkJackson &Tony Bickley41C/B

NTP’s: 2nd: GerryJansen 5th: Daniel Morrison 11th:Zavier O’Reilly13th: Zavier O’Reilly15th: Nathan Dart Hole in One: 15th:Nathan Dart

Congrats: Latrobe CityMayor,KellieO’Callaghan(left) congratulates the LV Dynamos aftertaking out the DGrade competition. Photograph supplied

Grinner: Traralgon’s Leonie Barrett, over the moon afterthe over 65s’win Photograph supplied

SOCCER LVSL

BY LAURIE WILLIAMS

WITHone more round until the halfway point, it is anyone’s guess as to who will be lifting the league championship trophy, as only four points separate the top five sides in what is shaping to be one of the closest campaigns on record.

We start our Round 10 wrap up with the match of the round between two Morwell rivals.

 PEGASUS VFORTUNA 60 (FINAL SCORE 2-1)

IN one of the most anticipated games to date, Morwell Pegasusand Fortuna battleditout behind closed doors at Ronald Reserve.

The build-up to the matchwas somewhat unconventional, as the Latrobe Valley Soccer League issued adirective that saw no fans in attendance due to an indiscretion by the home side threeweeks ago.

With the matter now closed, it was onto the football, albeit in strange circumstances, but a fantastic game ensued regardless.

Fortuna got off to the perfect start by taking the lead as defender Alex Bowman, returning after afive-week suspension,headedhomeafteronly three minutes.

Before youcould blink it was one-all as Germaine Otieno equalised with his 10th goal of the season to restore parity.

The Flying Horsemen started to dictate the contest after halftime, and they would be rewarded for their dominance as Bowman went fromhero to zero as he brought down aPegasus player inside

Unitedwomen still undefeated

BASKETBALL GIPPSLAND UNITED

BY TOM HAYES

GIPPSLAND United was so very close to sealingtwo wins from two in Round 10 of the Big Vcompetition.

Up first wasthe women in Division2, making it look easy, taking care of Wallan at the Gippsland Regional IndoorSports Stadium in Traralgon on Saturday night. Their first quarter was what ultimately got them over the line, doubling their score, going into the first break 26-13 ahead. Both sides would not be separated for the following two quarters,scoringthe same amount, 41 points overthe second and third quarters, allowing Gippy United to keep a 13-point lead with aquarter remaining.

Wallan outscored the leagueleaders by six points in the final quarter, but it wasn’t enough to drag back the 13-point margin, as Gippy Unitedcompletedanother win, 87-80.

Alahna Arnason top scored-off the bench with 23 points, MaKenzie Millerstarred with 20 points.

Arnason also recorded 14 rebounds, while Miller was prominent off the board with 11.

Mish Clarke claimed five assists in the win.

Gippy United Women stay on top of the ladder, by some margin too now, winning all 11 of their games so far this season.

Nextbest is SurfCoast with an 8-3 record, followed by Wallan -who have only played 10 games -witha7-3 record.

Gippy United Women face the RMIT Redbacks at the GRISS next Saturday, as they hope to continue their undefeated run.

THE GippyUnited Men suffered just their fourth defeatofthe season, going downto Warrandyte in Round 11.

The game went down to the wire, after Gippy United led at the end of the first, before Warrandyte squared everything up at halftime.

Warrandyte took athree-point lead with a quarter to play, before GippyUnited almost secured thewin taking the leadwithunder aminuteremaining, but they eventuallyfell one point short, losing 87-86.

Stephen O’Brien led the way from ascoring perspective with 18 points, he was complimented by Oliver Amajoyi (15 points), Ben Barlow (13) and Koby Tibballs (13).

O’Brienand Amajoyi dominatedoff the backboard, with 11 rebounds each, while Billy Hughes had six assists -the most for Gippy United.

The men remain in fifth after 11 games, and stillhavegames in hand on those around them, so potentialishuge to move further up theladder.

Justlike the women,next week they face the RMIT Redbacks, atest for the men, considering the Redbacks are third on the ladder.

the box, with Otieno making it abrace on the day. Pegasus hadmanyanopportunity to kill the game off but couldn’t do so, which opened the door fortheir opponent to throw everything at them to find an equaliser.

The Orangemen have proven to be aquality side this year, and they had threegloriousopportunities to findaleveller, with the closest being ashot that rattled the crossbar.

Unfortunately it was not to be, as Pegasus took all three points which sees them only two points off the summit.

Fortuna have only six days to recover when they face another Morwell rival in Falcons 2000.

 FALCONS 2000 VSALE UNITED (4-0)

AFTERastring of away games, Falcons returned home on Saturday night against an in-form Sale side that had held Pegasus to atwo-all draw last week.

With both sides matching results withthe Flying Horsemeninsuccessive rounds, many thought Sale would be afighting chance to snatch aresult. Butthe boys in blue had other ideas.

The home side seem to have found their rhythm once again, and they were at their destructive best as they dismantled the awayteamwith ease in the first half.

They had the perfect chance to take the lead when Nonda Lazariswas fouled in the box, but Jamie Pistrin failed to convert, however it wouldn’t be long until they took the lead.

Striker Michael Fava put his side in front with avolley inside the box from acorner, and asecond goal came soon after as wonderful build up play by Falcons resulted in aparried Fava shot being converted by Lazaris.

The goal of the night would make it three as a Lazaris thunderbolt from 25 yards out went in off the crossbar.

The Birds controlled the second half, and at the death they made it four goals as abrilliant cross from Josh Patterson was finished by Lazaris to make it amemorable night for the youngster as he claimed ahat-trick.

The reigning league champions seem to be back to their bestand the win seesthem move up to top spot.

 MONASH WOLVES VS TRARALGON OLYMPIANS (2-1)

MONASH didn’t do itself any favours on Sunday, as it labouredtoawin against eighth-placed Olympians.

Chris Oulton and Ethan Lawrence would each hit the back of the net, and the win sees the Wolves solidify seventh place on the ladder, only apoint behind Sale.

The loss for Olympians sees them stay in eighth spot.

ROUND 11 PREVIEW

 FALCONS 2000 VFORTUNA 60 (SATURDAY 6PM)

WELL,what agamewehave on our hands here.

There has been many big games this year, but Ithink all agree that this is the biggest to date.

Two arch-rivals, separated by acouple of hundred metres geographically and by asinglepoint on the ladder, goinghead-to-head in agame thatwillhave significant repercussions in the league title race.

AFortuna win will see them leapfrog their rivals, but awin for the Birds would see them move four points clear of their crosstown combatants, which they cannot afford to transpire.

Amassive crowd is expected on Saturday night in what is sure to be aquality football match. Fortuna are at full strength while Falcons have three unavailable players, but regardless of who takesthe field, both will be giving it their all in the match of the round.

 TRARALGON OLYMPIANS VCHURCHILL RAMS (SUNDAY 3PM)

ANOTHER opportunity presentsitself for Churchill to claim its first points of the campaign this weekend against an Olympians side that has won just the one game thus far.

Aftertheir heavy losstoMoe, and being the proud club that they are, nothing less than 100 per cent effort will be expected.

 MOEUNITED VNEWBOROUGH/YALLOURN (SUNDAY 3PM)

ANOTHER postcode derby, in agame that will have abearing on positions at the top end of the table. Moe will head into the game as favourites but the Combine know that anything less than three points may result in them being left behind in the title race.

 TYERS LIGHTNING VMORWELL PEGASUS (SUNDAY 3PM)

THINGS have gotten tough for Tyers of late, and their challenge doesn’t get any easier as they face a Pegasus side in red-hot form, especially aftertheir morale boosting win against Fortuna on Sunday. The FlyingHorsemen are expected to takeall three points, but look for Tyers to make it difficult for them.

Moe put the foot down on Churchill

SOCCER

LVSL BY JOHN CARDONA

MOE United bounced back from their shock loss to Monash last round,with an 11-0 demolition of Churchill in Round 10 of the Latrobe Valley Soccer League.

Taking to Olympic Park last Sunday, the Red Devils were in no mood for another upset defeat, and in the spaceof20minutes, hadraced to a 3-0 lead.

Matt Shearing owned the scoring when he slotted home across from Riley Winkleman.

Moe's second goal came from asuccession of clinical passes from Winkleman, Brendan Ruddell and Shearing, which saw Ruddellfind Connor O'Hanlon unmarked, and he made no mistake from close range.

Winkleman was unlucky not to score when his cracking shot hit the crossbar and rebounded safely.

O'Hanlon scored his second in amatter of minutes,

when he cooly slotted home across from Shearing.

Another United attack saw Winkleman fouled just outside the box, and Ruddell unleashed apiledriver shot to give the keeper no chance.

ConnorDastey madeit5-0 when he made a sustained run down the right, then from an acute angle, got it past the Churchill keeper.

Ruddell was again involved when his long pinpoint pass was placed home by Chad Shelley for his first goal in Red Devils colours.

Justbefore the break,arun fromdeep in defence saw Tanner Pyle dance his way past four Churchill players before his one-two with Winkleman saw his one-on-one with the advancing keeper lead to him placing the ball calmly into the backofthe net. At halftime, Moe led 7-0.

The second half saw amore competitive Churchill withstand aMoe barrage until the 65th minute when aConnor Dastey cross saw O'Hanlon miss the simpleopportunity, butLukeBathgatewas quicktoseize on the looseballand put Moe 8-0 up.

O'Hanlon was again in the play, which saw his

LVSL campaign as tight as ever so far Support flowing for Zoe

perfect pass find fellow striker Winkleman, who converted the chance.

Shortly after, awell-taken corner kick by Noah Kane found midfield maestro Oscar Sceney, who slotted the opportunity.

Winkleman roundedoff asuperb team display when his first-time shot after aCampbell Dastey cross got another one home.

Moe's best were Pyle, Sceney,Shelley and Winkleman.

MOE United women madeitthreewins arow, after defeating Churchill 2-0.

Bestfor Moewas Kendell Armistead, Paris Troughton and Allyssa Giles.

In the reserves, Moe bounced back to record a 7-0 win.

Best was CampbellDastey, Nick Dastey and Tilly Anderson.

It was four-from-four as Moe's 2nd division team scored an 8-1 win over Churchill.

Best for the winners was Brad Howard, Dane Baldwin, Jaxon Flores and Kayne Heusmann.

SOCCER COMMENT

BY LIAM DURKIN

DOES any sport shoot itself in the foot more than soccer?

Whether it be pitch invasions, flares, or even throwing ametal bin at someonetotry and get your point across, the sport has gained an unfortunate reputation for undoing all its good in moments of utter madness.

While we hope none of the above-mentioned ever happens in the Latrobe Valley, madness did come to localsoccerlastweek in equally bewildering circumstances.

And Istill don't know exactly why or how.

With certain sections of this readership yearning for better soccer coverage in an area dominated by football/netball clubs, we finally had someone able to do so this year in Zoe Askew.

Not onlyisZoe an excellent writer, she is a passionate soccer player,and the best photographer currently working for the Express

What more could you ask for.

Her sportphotos are so good, local clubs have sought her services.

Unfortunately,all thoseskills will be going to waste as far as local soccer is concerned, due to afive-game suspension handed down to her from the powers at be.

The suspension came about after Zoe, working as ajournalist, submitteda reportona gameshe was at, making an observation regarding an official.

While the need to make the observation can be debated, she was simply doing her job. Ajournalist job is to record what they see. The word 'journal' is literally in the job title.

The decision to suspend her from playing, as well as hand her a$600fine, in my view, made a dangerous crossoverbetween work and recreation.

What precedence does this set?

Is anyone that writes in aclub newsletter or on social media up for the same scrutiny?

When Itold the story to one local football coach, they described it as like livinginthe SovietUnion.

If we want to make comparisons, here is apassage Iwrote verbatim regarding some of the umpiring at the Moe versus Drouin football match last year (Express,May 25, 2022).

The worst well and truly looked to be on the cards for Moe, as frustrations boiled over in the wake of what could be termed ‘confusing officiating’ the Lions did their best to hit the lead amid even more confusion that saw aMoe goal disallowedafterthe ball hadbeen shepherded through only for the act to be deemed an off the ball hold.

At thatmomenteventhe mostimpartial spectator would havefounditdifficult to thinkanything less than ‘wow’. Iacknowledge umpiring can be difficult. It's hard enough in cricket when you're at square leg and have to make acall on aborderline waist-high no-ball. Call it and you get labelled acheat by the bowling team, don't call it and you get berated by your teammates.

However, we as journalists have aresponsibility to report what takes place. Iwas simply doing so at that game, just as Zoe was at hers.

Understandably shaken by the ordeal, Zoe has informed me she won't be writing any more soccer reports, which is agreat shame, and an even greater loss to those readers who I'm sure have enjoyed seeing extensive coverage of soccer, particularly women's.

Drivingdownthe Princes Highway recently, the

Eminem song Cleanin' Out My Closet came on in my playlist.

The lyrics to the opening verse were perhaps poignant in Zoe's case:

Haveyou everbeen hated or discriminated against? Ihave

I've been protested and demonstrated against Picket signs for my wicked rhymes

Look at the times

Somewhat fittingly, the word 'times' could well meanthe Gippsland Times,the location of the story that set all this off.

I'd like to use this space to publicly support my friend and colleague Zoe Askew.

Gosh, Ihope Sale United women win the league now.

Go Zo: Supporthas flowninfor embattled local journalist and soccerplayerZoe Askew File photograph

Harriers turn out for five-kilometre run last week

ATHLETICS HARRIERS

BY GARYFOX

LAST weeks (May 25) Harriers Thursday night run was five kilometres, starting at the intersectionofCross’s Roadand Independent Wayin Traralgon.

We had agood turnout with atotal of 36 hardy runners in rather chilly conditions. Fortunately the run, which was two laps taking in Riverslea Boulevard and Graduate Place, has anicehill to warm everyone up.

GreatrunningbyMiles Verschuursaw him firsthome in an impressive time of 19.14, closely followed by Dale Murphy (21.02) and Marlon Mifsud (22.00). Excellent running by Molly Irvine saw her being first lady home in 24.11, followed Angeline Snell (24.23) and Liz Kenney (24.23).

Full results for Thursday night run:

MilesVerschuur19.14, Dale Murphy21.02, Marlon Mifsud 22.00, Darrel Cross 22.04, Josh Dalton 22.136, AlexCullen 22.30, Shane Gavin 22.42, Trent Kooyman 23.00, Nick Talerico 24.03, MollyIrvine 24.11, Angeline Snell 24.23, Liz Kenney 24.23, David Barr

24.28, RonVerschuur24.59, Johnny Roscoe

26.46, MariekaReilly27.13,DesleyTulloch

27.21, Andrew Legge 27.51, Jason Irvine

27.51, Angelo Gaudiano 28.20, Phill Mayer

28.20, MarkFairbairn29.06, Collette Hofmann

29.52, Maree Graham 30.10, Clinton Jolly

32.20, KarenGraham32.30, Mandy Ellis

33.27,Charlie Willis 35.00, BarryHiggins

37.05, Ann Bomers37.29,Desmond Dalton

41.00, Rayne Wills 44.00, Christina Creighton

44.31, Maggie Wills 44.31, Kaye Livingstone

NTR, Giuseppe Marino NTR.

Battles seen in local chess

CHESS

IAN Hamilton finished the round in first place, winning all contests until the final encounter againstMattBoldinginrecent Latrobe ValleyChessAssociation action. Second place was claimed by Peter Bakker, who showed strong concentration levels in most games.

Quinton Morgan kept the motivation highand is lookingforward to more battles.

After the two hard foughtbattles, Cliff Thorntoncommented on the rapid improvement of Trevor Morgan. Steve Ahern continued to contribute to club needs and helped Lisa Morgan enjoy the studies.

For more information on local chess, phone Ian Hamilton on 5134 1971 or Cliff Thornton (0413 330 458).

Traralgon Mara this Sunday

ATHLETICS TRARALGON HARRIERS

BY LIAM DURKIN

THEY don't call it thefriendly marathon for nothing.

The annual Traralgon Marathon and Running Festival is on this Sunday, June 4.

Runners fromacross the region, across the state, and even across thecountry will gather at De Grandi's Winery (formerly Traralgon Vineyard) and set about pounding the pavement for the full marathon, half-marathon or 10-kilometre run.

The Traralgon Marathon is steeped in history, and proudly holds the title as the oldest continuous marathon in Australia.

Participants will take off for an 'out-and-back' course on the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail.

The full marathongoes all the way out to Toongabbie and then turns around.

While there will no doubt be runners looking to set apersonalbest time,the purposeofthe festival is to celebrate all things running.

Hence the name, 'the friendly marathon'.

Traralgon Harriers Athletics Club run the event, and presidentPhill Mayer saiditwas allabout community and seeing people complete what they set out to achieve.

"Thereisalways those peoplethatare going to go out and smash agood time, and we have some great athletes who are coming along, but the majority of the participants there are just there for personal achievement, finishing and getting across the finish line, there is alot of people that come and do their first marathon at Traralgon because it is friendly, welcoming and supportive," he said.

"I think there is going to be alot of personal stories of overcoming adversity, it is going to be agreat day.

"We're very proudofthe iconic status that it's achieved. Ioften speak to people who say they want to be part of the history and come and run our wonderful event."

Hospitality will play akey role in the day, with all participants given asizeable feed post-race.

Speaking from personalexperience,you will absolutely smash the post-race meal. Also speaking frompersonal experience, you

will be well supported along the course, with race officials clapping you through at various stages.

Regardless of what time youclock,all competitors will be presented with amedal once they officially cross the line,inkeeping withthe Harriers mantra that ‘to finish is to win’.

If you are looking to setthe pace, try and keep up with Harriers members Zack Beasley and Narelle Crozier, who took out the men’s and women’s marathon last year.

Beasley ran an insane time of 2.42:18 last year.

Around 10 months of planninggoes on behind the scenes, and Mayer, who is also this year's race director,wished to paytribute to allinvolved.

"You could not put an event like this together without the volunteers," he said.

"The Harriers membersand committee are fantastic, they've stepped up to make sure the event happens.

"There is alot of energy that goes in behind the scenes, and also community, sponsors and people like the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail, Neighbourhood Watch they come and do all the marshalling, MorwellRotary, they jump in and

Bridge club congress

BRIDGE

TRARALGON Bridge Club results for May 22, 23, 25:

Monday-1st Robin Heckerand Don Tylee 67.50 per cent; 2nd Fred Baxter and Anne den Houting (52.50).

Tuesday- CFA teams final -winners: Greg Nicholson, Kaye Douglas, Fred Kaminski, Carole Cheyne and Heather Henley.

Thursday -noresult.

It has been abusytimefor bridge as Sale held their annual congress at the weekend. Coming in second was the Traralgon team of Robin and Moira Hecker, Don Tylee and Helen McAdam.

If you are interested in learning more about bridge, phone Traralgon Bridge Club president, Greg Nicholson on 0419 365 739.

Making their mark in the US

BASKETBALL

By TOM HAYES

TWO locals are making their mark in the world of basketball over in the United States, as the NBA reaches thefinals and the WNBA season begins.

Traralgon'sJadeMelbourne recently made her WNBA debut for the Seattle Storm,featuringintheir opening game against the Las Vegas Aces.

It was atough game for the Storm, going up against what is predicted to be atop Aces side in 2023.

The Storm went down by 41 points, but Melbourne made her debut off the bench.

As she begins to find her feet, she played six minutes,scoringtwo points and providing an assist.

Her dad, Brett Melbourne, spoke on how it felt to see her debut in the top league, but believes it was more exciting seeing her play in the first preseason game.

“It was againstPhoenix (Mercury), she went on and had to guard Diana Taurasi, as she’s bouncing the ball

down she thoughtatone stageshe should give her the ball and say ‘Can you sign this?’,” Brett said.

Taurasi is one of the most decorated women’s basketball players on the planet, boasting five Olympic gold medals, numerous championships, MVPs, you name it.

Nonetheless, Jade appears to be determined to earn her spot on the Storm roster.

“It’s pretty good,she’s notreally nervousanymore,she actually wants to get on there and get up the roster, she’s just gotta be patient, her time will come,” Brett said.

“She’s pretty dedicated,but she’s very young, it’s just amatter of holding onto yourspot,it’svery cut-throat.

“Shejust loves the game, she’s a real basketball nerd, Idon’t know where she gets it from.”

Jade hasbeen playingbasketball since under 10s and has always shown alikingtoit, despite playing other sports.

“SheplayedAFL (AussieRules) until about under13s,but she had to pick one becauseshe started to rep

Vic Country in basketball and trainings in Shepparton and Bendigo,” Brett said.

For thosethat don’tknowJade, her dad described her mentality as she hopes to develop aWNBA career.

“She’ll never giveup, she wantsto play for Australia, she wants to go to the Olympics,” Brett said.

There are currently eight Aussies in the WNBA system for 2023, giving Jade agood chance to prove her worthand earn herself atrip to Paris in 2024 for the Olympics.

Brett and the family hope to go and watch her play during the year, and also celebrate her 21st birthday.

“She turns 21 in August, we’re planningtoleave on the 3rd (of August),” Brett said.

IN themen’scode,the NBA, Traralgon’s Jack White also now has achanceofachampionship ring, after the Denver Nuggets took out the Western Conference.

White is on atwo-way contract with the Nuggets, representing their G-League side, the GrandRapids Gold, too.

Denverswept the Los Angeles

Lakers in the conference finals to reserve themselves aspot in theNBA finals, where they will face either the Miami Heat or the Boston Celtics.

Although White hasn’t played any finalsgames, he has featured throughout 17 games during the regular season.

Despite this, he is still achanceto collect an NBA chip, but it ultimately comes down to the owner.

In the past at other franchises,rings can be given out to players, coaches, trainers and even cheerleaders.

provide volunteers it really is abig community event, and of course the winery are going to be great hosts."

When asked for any tips to prospective runners, Mayer had this advice.

"Make sure you get agood night sleep beforehand, overtraining is often athing, so people should be tapering now, no more long runs," he said.

"Have some fun, if everyone goes out with aview to enjoy it, finish it, peoplewillknock off the times and achieve what they need to achieve."

The sense of achievementcannot be understated, although speakingfrompersonal experiencefor the last time -after completing last year's marathon, you will more than likely won't be able to walk for two days (literally).

The starter’s gun will go off at 8am for the marathon, with the half-marathon and 10km event to follow at 9am and 10am.

Bib collection will take place in Kay Street, Traralgon from 2pm-4pm near the cenotaph on Saturday,and on Sunday at the winery from 7am

Readytorock: Traralgon HarriersmembersDanelle Wright, MollyIrvine,president PhillMayer and Callie Cook arelookingforwardtoanother great Traralgon Marathon. Photograph Liam Durkin

Big time: Traralgon’s Jade Melbourne made her WNBAdebut recently Photograph supplied

Bridging the gap: Robinand Moira Hecker, Don Tylee andHelen McAdam after the Sale Bridge Club congress