Latrobe Valley Express April 3 2024

Stylish start

Montanna Styles and her Traralgon teammates began their Gippsland League campaign on the right note, defeating Bairnsdale away from home.The Maroons playedastandalone game on Easter Saturday, as the rest of the competition is nowreadytoget underway for season 2024. MORE -VALLEY SPORT

Photograph: Liam Durkin

Education crisis

By ZAIDAGLIBANOVIC

FEELING burn-out, overworkedand overwhelmed is whateducation staff reported to the state education inquiry, while parents described harrowing accounts of misconduct to aparliamentary committee at ahearing held at Traralgon Century Inn last Wednesday, March 27.

Many local educators expressed their concerns as evidence to the inquiry into thestate education system in Victoria.

The Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committeehas awideranging terms of reference for its probe intolearning at government schools from Prep to Year 12.

Stephanie Feldt fromAlbert Street

Primary in the heart of Moe gave aheartfelt testimony, citing issues with staff wellbeing and special needs support.

“The inquiry into the state schools reveals significantchallenges,” Ms Feldt said.

With 58 per cent of Albert Street

PrimarySchoolstudents needing extra support due to special needs, the Grade 5/6teacher said thestaff notonly deal with behavioural issues frequently, but in their classroom duties must take specialcareand evenensure children are medicated.

“Many students with disabilities in the Latrobe Valley schools lack access to crucial support,” Ms Feldt said.

The teacher finds herself in aschool whereparentswho oftencome from alow socioeconomicbackground are unable to providetheirchildrenwith externalsupportfor their specialneeds such as speech pathology, paediatrics and therapy.

Ms Feldt saidthe schoolwas not fortunate enough to have the funding to hire an on-ground speech pathologist, and said the supply for specialists was not here in the Latrobe Valley.

Withsomany students needing special support, classroom teachers have had to take on thebrunt of the work, which has no doubtcontributed to their workload, Ms Feldtsaid.

“We’re putting alot intoour students, and that’s our job, but it is leading to teacherburnout …there’s not adequate support for our staff members,” she said. Not only do students have special needs without adequate support, but teachers also aren’t being supported despite facing many challenges to their mentalwellbeing,includingfrequent behavioural issues.

“A lot of staff are finding it difficult –having students swear at you every day or kick at you,” Ms Feldt said.

ArecentAustralian Education Union survey of thousands of public school teachers across Australia found that more than athird of teachers were planning on leaving the industry because of excessive workloads, low pay, and student behaviour.

“We’ve had to do alot more and at capacity -you know you want to give your best to your school and that has definitely, led to one of our staff members burn-out,” Ms Feldt said.

The state government finally released the damn ing findings of the 2022

TeacherSupplyand DemandReport last week.

The forecast demand for teachersis expected to outpace supply to 2028, with ashortfall of 5036 teachersexpected over this period, according to the report Having worked in the privatesector previously, Ms Feldt said there was anotable difference in funding and resources between state and private schools.

“Coming to Latrobe Valley after being to some of those affluent schools was a massive wake-up call,” she said.

With around ninesupport staff at a school with morethanhalfofthe school enrolments requiringspecial needs, Ms Feldt said the school needed more stafftoefficiently provide asupportive educational space.

Voices for Special Needs, agroup born from allegations of misconduct at LatrobeSpecial Developmental School, presentedatthe hearing.

Continued -Page5

Uncertainty over VicGrid’snew plan

By PHILIP HOPKINS

MEMBER for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien, has criticised the stategovernment’sdecision to push aside current AusNetplansfor anew transmission line to connect offshore wind farms, arguing it has createdmore uncertainty for the local community.

Mr O’Brien said he supported the efforts of the state government agency VicGrid to coordinate transmissionlines for new proposed offshore wind farms to avoid creating aspaghetti effect of multiple new lines.

However, he said the decision to scrap all the workpreviously donebyAusnNet on anew line put the process back and created more uncertainty.

“Thisisgoing to be adifficult issue no matter how it is planned, but I’m disappointed that the government is persisting with an overhead transmission line and will not consider going underground,” he said.

“The decision to utilise astudy area along the existing Basslink corridor is probably sensible in that it has impacts on fewer private landholders. However, this also reignites abattle that people in the region fought 25 yearsago against Basslink andraisesmore uncertainty.”

Mr O’Brien said he was also concerned whether the state government could be trusted to properly consult the community after its recent decision to scrap VCAT appeal and planning panel rights for residents subject to renewable energy project.

The government and VicGrid needed to answer anumberofquestions:

 Why is the government policy going to force Star of the South to abandon its proposed underground transmission line?

 Did the government consider an offshore connection point for all windfarms with one HVDC underground cable then connecting to the grid at Loy Yang or Hazelwood?

 How will the government address concerns about close proximity between the proposed new line and the existing Basslink cables?

 Will the government be upfront about the fact that this transmission line will onlycater for 2GW of offshore wind when up to 9GW is planned?

 How many more transmission lines can we expect will be needed?

Mr O’Brien said the fact that previous work done by AusNet had now been thrown out the window alsoraised questions aboutthe timeline for the project.

“Effectively going back to the drawingboard and starting again more than two years after VicGrid was established doesraise questionsastowhether a transmissionlinecan be in place in time for offshore wind developers,” he said.

“Nonetheless,I encourage all affected landholders to engage directly with VicGrid, and Iwill be fighting hard to ensure that thecommunity gets its say.”

The study area starts about six kilometres from thecoast near Giffard and travels north-west past Stradbroke West, to Willung, across to Flynns Creek and on to the Loy Yang power station.

It does not include the preferred transmission routeidentified by the private operatorAusNet Services,which runs the electricity transmission and distribution networks. AusNet had undertaken three years’ negotiations, studies and environmental and cultural heritage assessments.

AusNet said in astatement that following VicGrid’s announcedstudyareafor new transmission infrastructure in Gippsland, “AusNet will work to understand in further detail what this means for the G-REZ (Gippsland Renewable Energy Zone) project”.

VicGrid’s chief executive, Alistair Parker, said the VicGrid study area and the associated connection hub area had been informed by feedback

from local landowners, communities and regional stakeholders, as well as by technical work carried out last year.

The proposed transmission technology is adouble circuit 330 kV or 500 kV overheadtransmission line, with further detailed analysis required to determine which is the best operating voltage. Multiple combinations of technologies were investigated, including putting the transmission line fully underground. But, after careful analysis, fully undergroundwas ruled outasanoption dueto challengesincluding cost, engineeringcomplexity, procurement and timing.

VicGrid’sanalysisfoundanoverheadlineis estimated to cost between $700 million and $1.5 billion, while undergrounding is estimated to cost between $2 billion and $4.5 billion.Those additional costs would be paid for by all Victorian homes and businesses through higher power bills.

The higher cost of going underground was largely due to the additional above-ground infrastructure required and alongerand more complex construction process. VicGrid received feedback that some local communitieswould preferunderground lines, but it also received feedbackthat the impact on bills was an important consideration for many.

Planned burningworks underway to reduce bushfirerisk

By ZAIDAGLIBANOVIC

THERE’S no doubt its been abit smokey through the Latrobe Valley lately.

If you’re among the many that have noticed the smoke, don’tbealarmed,because it’sfromthe myriad of controlled burn-offs around the region that took placeoverthe Easter Weekend.

Forest Fire ManagementVictoria (FFMVic) took advantage of favourable weather and forest conditions across the state to keep Victoria safer from the threat of bushfires.

Closest to home in Tanjil, 1872 hectares (ha) of bushland at the Stuart Mine was burnedtoreduce fuel loads. This fire is now under patrol.

Other controlled burns were located at:

 Willow Grove -Burns Road (312 ha) -Under continued patrol;

 Cowwarr -Toongabbie (952 ha) -Under continued patrol, and;

 Moondarra -Almond Track (210 ha) -Under continued patrol.

Further away fires at Glenmaggie -Forest Edge (1066 ha) and Valencia Creek -Okeefe Road (289 ha) may add to smokelevels in the LatrobeValley.

Locals weren’t overly happy about the burn offs, going to social media to question why the fires had to be scheduled for along weekend when Gippslanders are out and about.

One user wrote on Facebook: “A bitcrazy considering it’s Easter weekendand so many willbeup there camping.”

Others on Facebook noted poor air quality throughout the Valley last weekend.

FFMVic Gippsland Deputy Chief FireOfficer, SamQuigleysaidplanned burningisone of the toolsFFMVicuses to keep Victoria safer from bushfires.

“Delivering ourplannedburningprogramtakesa lot of planning and preparation,” Mr Quigley said.

“If you live in or are visiting an area where planned burning is taking place, there’s agood chance you’ll see FFMVic firefighters preparing locations or deliveringplanned burns. They’ll be the ones in our distinctive green firefighting uniforms.

“The bushfire risk management program is focused on creating astrategic networkoffuel reduced areas on public land because it’s not just

what’s being done now, but what we’ve delivered in the past and what we plan to deliver in the future that will keep our communities safer.

“Ourclimate is changing and that meansfinding the right days for safe and effective planned burning is also changing. While we’ve had awet start to summer, the current weather outlook is favourable,which means FFMVic will be making sure all available resources are delivering the planned burning program.

“The bushfire risk management program is underpinned by scientific evidence, local knowledge and continuous improvement to make sure our work is focused where it will havethe greatest

impact in keeping Victoria safer,” he said.

FFMVic is made up of skilledand experienced staff from Victorian fire and land management agencies. Partners under the FFMVic banner include the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water and VicForests.

FFMVic works with emergency sector partners including the Country Fire Authority, FireRescue Victoria and Emergency Management Victoria to manage bushfire risk, prepare communities and respond to bushfires and other emergencies.

FFMVic sayswithout planned burning and other bushfire risk management works, bushfires will be

forest conditionsacross the stateduring the

bigger and harder for our firefighters to control.

Some advice from FFMVic during this time:

 You may see or smell smoke;

 Watch for our crews and follow their directions, and;

 If you experience symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure, seek medical advice or call

NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24.

Detailed information about currentair quality throughout Victoria can be found at epa.vic.gov.

au and to find out when and where planned burns arehappening near visit vic.gov.au/plannedburns

Part of theplan: Forest Fire ManagementVictoria (FFMVic) took advantage of favourable weatherand

long weekend to keep Victoria safer from the threat of bushfires Photograph supplied

Vale to newspaper giant

MR BruceEllen, the managing director of the Latrobe Valley Express and GippslandTimes, passed away last week after alongbattle with cancer.

He died last Wednesday shortly after being admitted to Maryvale Private Hospital in Morwell.

He was 65.

Aprominent Latrobe Valley businessman, he was the drivingforce behind the Valley’s BigBlokes BBQ,held annually for the past 13 yearstoraise awareness aboutprostate cancerand the need for men to be regularly tested.

Mr Ellenwas also amajorfigure in country and regionalnewspapers,havingbeen made alife memberofCountry PressAustralia (CPA) two years ago in recognition of hiscommitment and contribution to CPA and the newspaperindustry overthe best part of four decades.

Before his death, Mr Ellen was the longest-serving current board memberofthe Victorian Country Press Association (VCPA), having begunwith the VCPAasanExecutive Councillor in 1988

He served as the last Presidentofthe VCPA last century and the firstPresident thiscentury (1998-2000).

In 2020, at the start of the pandemic, he was instrumentalinliaisingwith the Victorian state government to organise information and advertising support across all VCPA member newspapers

Morerecently,MrEllen served as President of CountryPress Australiafrom 2019 to 2021 after

joining the board in 2016. He lead CPA during the organisation’s most significant period,working day, night and over weekends to help CPA through the most recent pandemic and organise advertising from the federal government.

He also negotiated acollective bargaining agreement through the ACCC and negotiated personally with both Googl and Facebook to ensure great financial andpractical outcomesfor members.

At the same time as his relentless activity advocating for the industry, Mr Ellen was involved in establishing a range of newspapersinSouth Australia and Quee nsla nd and ap ri nt sit ei Rockhampton

He wasadirector of anumber of regio newspaper companiesinQueensland and Mount Gambier.

He is survived by his wife and two children.

Aservice will be heldthis Fri day (Apri l5 )a 1.30pm in Morwell to celebrate his

Premier’sReading Challenge

THE state government is calling on all Victorian children and young people to explore, learn and enjoy the world through reading as they embark on this year’s Premier’s Reading Challenge.

Pre mier Jac inta Alla nl au nc he dt he 202 4 Premier’s Reading Challenge lastThursday (March, 28). The challenge aims to promote the importance of reading and setting children up for life with this essential skill.

The Challengeencourages students between early childhood and Year 10 to read aset number of books during the year, with their efforts recorded online. Abook list recommends age-appropriate texts that children might like to try, but any book counts towards their totals.

Lastyear, Victorian kidsreada huge 3.4 million booksbetweenthem -sothis year’s challengesets an even higher goal of 3.5 million books, encouraging children to become voracious readers across different genres, authors and styles of literature. This year’s ‘Explore, Learn, Enjoy’ theme captures the excitement and sense of adventure that reading gives us all -and the theme is also reflected in the Prep Bags given to every new student at a Victorian government school, which also includes arangeofcarefullychosen books and educational play materials.

Children who have not yet startedschool are alsoencouraged to join the challenge by reading40 books with the helpoftheir families -withpicture books, short stories, poems or non-fiction booksin anylanguage all eligible for the challenge.

In 2013, the challenge was expanded to include youngchildrenfrom birthtofive,following strong evidence indicating that reading to young children from birth promotesbrain development and language learning.

“From tod dlers to te ena ger s, the Premier’s’Reading Challenge is about reading as manydifferenttypes of booksaspossible-instilling alove of reading into every Victorian child,” the Premier said.

Since the Challenge began in 2005, 4.3 million students across Victoria have read more than 60 million books. Victorian students are the strongest performers in the country for the all-important Year 3Reading NAPLAN results.

Stud ents particip at ing can read bo oks in Languages Other Than English and use alternative supports and resources.

For mor ei nfor ma tio no nt he Ch al le nge an dt os ee the book lis t, vi sit vic .gov .au / premiers-reading-challenge GP1667820

The

Vale: Latrobe ValleyExpress Managing Director, Bruce Ellen, diedlast week Photograph supplied

Givea hoot, read abook: ThePremier’s Reading Challenge is back. Photograph supplied

Voices taken to education inquiry

From Page 1

ASPOKESPERSON, LeanneVella, mentioned to the committee seriouscasesofschool misconduct towards students with severe disabilities while in the care of the school.

“Thisisaschool where the most vulnerable children go to school,” she said.

It wasannounced in 2020that the school was to be investigated by The Victorian Department of Education and Training, the investigation included accusations of manhandling of students with disability. The report was made alongside WorkSafe and Morwell Police.

According to Voices for Special Needs, there is around 60 alleged cases of misconduct by the Latrobe Special Developmental School, both historical and recent, with Ms Vella makingthe recommendations that special schools should be better monitored with CCTV and an inquiry authority.

It is understood the investigation from 2020 uncovered some issues at LSDS and handed down recommendations that are continuing to be fulfilled today.

Kieran Kenneth,the principalofYallourn North Primary School, and Anthony Rodaughan, the KurnaiCollege Principal, gavetheir accounts of whatit’sliketoleadschools in the current climate.

Havingworked in education for the past 24 years, Mr Kenneth was excited by the opportunity to present at the committeehearingtovoice his concerns on the teacher shortage.

“I do actuallythink that graduatesneed more time in schools,” he said.

In his submission, Mr Kenneth said there was an “unreasonable amount of planning” teachers do to comply with department expectations.

“Wesee teachers choose amore sustainable career out in another industry,” he wrote.

“Tertiary courses are not delivering the type of graduates we need. Schools spend alarge amount of time building teachers that are ready to teach.

“They havepoor curriculum knowledge, do not understand instructional models and have not been taught how to manage aclassroom.”

Student disengagement was another major issue tabled at the hearing.

Kids are ‘chronically absent’ from the classroom, according to experts at the Media Centre for Education Research.

SinceCOVID,Australian attendance rates in schoolshave fallen drastically.

“School refusal is amajor issue in my schoolas it is across the state,” Mr Kenneth said.

Estimates show that chronic absenteeism levels in schools reached 49.9 per cent in 2022, with between one per cent to five per cent of all students classed as severely absent.

“There are very few leavers to increase attendance when it drops off, as the reasons behind are generally to do with home dynamics rather than the individual,” Mr Kenneth said.

“When there is ahigh risk to student mental health, they are asked to go to Flynn at Latrobe Regional Hospital.”

Mr Kenneth said the stigma attached to the mental health ward at the hospital deters parents from accessing these supports.

Kurnai'sprincipal, Mr Rodaughan, echoed these sentiments. “The biggest issue I’ve had

to dealwithismentalhealthand wellbeing,” he said.

The school has implemented aprogram called ‘Hands-onLearning’,wheredisengaged students are brought out of the classroom for aday per weektodomeaningful and life-skill-based tasks.

Mr Rodaughan spoke of the great valuethe program has had on at-risk youths, with grades and attendance often improving.

The state inquiry into the state education system was successfully approved after amotion to establish the inquirywas made in the parliament by Eastern Victoria MP, Melina Bath.

As aformer state schoolteacher in Gippsland, Ms Bath is also aparticipating member of the committee undertaking the inquiry.

"It is important to unpack the issues in terms of listening to people in the field –toteachers andeducators, to principals and school leaders, to school councils and, importantly, to parents and past and present students," she said.

The Opposition has slammed the state government's handling of the teacher crisis, after the release of the Teacher Supply and Demand report late last month.

According to the most current available data, vacancies increased to more than 26,000 in 2022, as arecord number of teachers left the system.

Not only are teachers leaving the system, but thereare notenough graduates looking to fill thesevoids, as thereports showed the number of applications per vacancy plummeted from 14.7 in 2021 to 5.3 in 2022 for primary schools and 6.4 in 2021 to 2.8 in 2022 for secondary schools.

The state government claims to have invested $1.6 billion in school workforce initiatives, but given the shortfall in teachers over the coming years, the Opposition has raised questions surrounding the effectiveness of the significant amount of taxpayers’ money spent on these programs.

The Shadow Minister for Early Childhood and Education, Jess Wilson, said thesewereshocking figures that will only mean worse educational outcomes for Victorian students.

“With ever growing vacancies, fewer applicationsand more teachers leaving theprofession, it is now clear why Labor has kept this report secret for more than ayear," she said.

“This crisis is havingadire impactonstudents’ ability to learn and maximise their education. Students don’t teach themselves, and as a result of Labor’steachershortages, there are classrooms in Victoriawithout apermanent teacher."

Though local educators gave concerning evidence to the committee,they remained optimistic that the inquiry findings will be able to amount to real change

Change: Leanna Vellaand Leesa Lawrence from theVoices forSpecial Needs gavetheir testimony

Photographs: Zaida Glibanovic

Fix: YallournNorth PrimarySchoolPrincipal, KieranKenneth, gaveevidencetothe Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee.

ONE POINTERS

with Muzza

1. How many colours areinthe Australian flag?

2. What is an actor’sstand-in known as?

3. TomBrady wasaprofessionalinwhich sport?

4. What do you call the writing system used for blind people?

TWO POINTERS

5. What is the addictive chemical in cigarettes?

6. Wherewill you find the Crown Jewels of England?

7. In what year did the first man set foot on the moon?

8. Who did Lady Gaga collaborate with for her song ‘Telephone’?

THREE POINTERS

9. What is the infamous nickname given to the pirate Edward Teach?

10. What is the name of the family group that David Cassidy sang with in the 1970’s?

11. What highly flammable gas was the Hindenburgairship filled with?

12. Who was the male lead that starred alongside Meg Ryan in the movie ‘When Harry Met Sally’?

FOUR POINTERS

13. Which country is known for the ancient city of Petra?

14. Hush Puppies areshoes advertised by which breed of dog?

FIVE POINTER

15. I’ll give you the names of five capital cities from around the world and you give me their country? One point for each correct answer

1. Suva

2. Harare

3. Bangkok

4. Buenos Aires

5. Bucharest

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.

Crossword Puzzle No.8580

Celebrating student achievements

By KATRINA BRANDON

THERE wasmuch to celebrateatthe Federation University Gippsland campus on Tuesday, March 26

Many students graduated,and the first roundof occupational therapists completed their celebrations, ready to head offontheir newlife journeys.

Starting in 2020, thenew BachelorofOccupational Therapy (Honours) has beencompleted by 13 individuals

“All of them have been successful in their fieldwork and work-integrated learning,which is prioritised at Federation University nowthat we have aco-op university. The link with industryisvery important The studentshave very successful placements,” Professor Carolyn Unsworth said.

“Many then found their first employment through those work-integrated learning placements.All of them immediately went outinto jobs, andwefeel that they have gone out with very high recommendations from the clinicianswho supervised them on their very firstplacements. These clinicians said thatthey wereverywell prepared for the workforce.”

One of the graduates, Kristy Lucas, told the Express that the course has been agreat opportunity.

“The course had gonefrombeing face-to-face or purely face-to-face to being two yearsonline(due to COVID),which created its own challenges, but the lecturers adjusted and adaptedthe course really

welltomake us stillfeel included and feel like we weregetting the university experience, whichis fantastic for auniversityinGippsland to be able to roll out against technologyand challenges,” she said.

Professor Unsworth said the universitywas working really hard to fillthe shortageofoccupational therapists, physiotherapists, and speech pathologists in the region.

“This is ourfirstgraduating occupational therapist. Nextyear,wewill have occupational therapists and physiotherapists; the year after, we will also have speech pathologists,” she said.

The graduate speaker of the night was Jessica Kelly, who had just completed aGraduateDiploma in Midwifery.

Throughoutthe year, she followed 10 women throughpregnancieswhile on call and completing assignments. Ms Kelly told the Express that although it was difficult, onceshe reached the end of the course,she realisedhow muchinfluence she had been given whileatuniversity

“Itisatough year,but thereisanend.Whenyou are in it, it feels like it’s never going to end, but if you keeppushing through and takeitweek-by-week, youlearn so muchthroughout it, and thefriends you makeare really special,” she said.

Many changes have beenmade at the university to help improvelearningopportunitiesfor future and currentstudents.

Whilecongratulating the graduates,the Deputy Chancellor, RhondaWhitfield, said:“It’s an exciting time to be apart of the Federation family as we roll out the Federation Cooperative model -toget the students workand world ready,toaddress skill shortages, and to drivegrowth in our economies.

“As we go into another greatperiod, postsecondaryeducation willbecriticaltothe success of ournation. Thegraduates here today willbethe ones to takeupthose challengesofthe future, to carryonFederation’s purpose of transforminglives and enhancingthe communities.”

Grants available for communitybased groups

THE 2024 Community Heritage Grants (CHG) program is now open to avariety of high priority groups -community-based organisations with limitedornopaidstaff and/orlimited resources; Indigenous andmulticultural organisations; and rural and remote organisations.

The CHG program offers cash grants of up to $20,000 to community organisations.

The grants support organisations to preserve and manage collections that have Australian cultural and historical significance. The CHG program is celebrating 30 yearsthis year. Since it was first run in 1994, the CHG program has provided more than $8.9 millioninfunding to over 900 organisations for more than 1650 projects nationally.

“Over the course of three decades, CHG has become aconstant and trusted source of supportinthe heritage sector. It is pleasing that the original purpose of the program in 1994 -toassistgroups across Australia who are responsible for nationally significant collections- remainsatits heart,” Assistant Director, Collaboration Branch, Fiona Clarke said.

“CHG is still lookingout for volunteer-run historical societies and museums, groups that have become custodiansofuniqueheritage material, and Indigenous and multicultural groups to ensurethatthese collectionscan remainwithin their communities and region.”

Last year, $459,987 wasshared between 59 regional and community groups.

Historical societies, regional museums, archivesand galleries are invited to apply, inc luding Indige nous and mul ticu ltu ral organisations.

The grants enable groupstowork with consultants to undertake significance assessments and preservation needs assessments and based on these reports, deliver preservation and conservation, collection management, and digitisation activities.

New applications close midnight (AEST) on Thursday, May 9, 2024.

Previous CHG program recipients and proposals for training projects have an extended deadline, with applications closing on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.

To findout more and apply, visit nla.gov au/chg

Excitement: Federation UniversityChurchill campus students during the most recent graduation ceremony.

Photographs: Katrina Brandon

Celebrating: Federation UniversityGraduate Speaker, Jessica Kellyspokeofher effortsover the lastfew years.

On your way: The firstbatch of graduates forthe Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at FederationUniversity, KristyLucas, Jessica Alexander,StaceyRogersand MatthewTielen, pictured with Professor CarolynUnsworth.

Nationalscallingfor roadrepair action

THE Nationalshave urged repairsoflocal road infrastructure -especially on a“death-trap” Traralgon intersection, as well as upgrades in Morwell and on the Hyland Highway.

The Nationals Member for Gippsland South and Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Danny O’Brien, has again called on the Allan Labor government to expedite the repair of the Hyland Highway following amajor landslip between Yarram and Traralgon.

Mr O’Brien said he was “hesitantly optimistic” after recent correspondence from the Minister for Roads and Road Safety that promises acommitment to “addressingthe current situationasquickly as possible”. “The Minister has now advised that fundingfor the rebuild has been made available duetoajointstate and Commonwealth funding

Steep fall: Memberfor GippslandSouth,Danny O’Brien, is calling forimmediatetoaction to rebuild HylandHighway following lastyear’s landslip

package established to support recovery from the December-January storms and floods,” he said.

“VicRoads have been aware of thislandslipsince at least Aprillastyearand while it’s alarming that it took anatural disaster to make this happen, Iam grateful to hear that fundsare finally on the table.”

Mr O’Brien said with the funds now allocated, it was past time for action to prevent any further damage and to rebuild the Hyland Highway that serves as acrucial arterial road for the people of Yarram and the surrounding communities.

“The deterioration of the road has been rapid and there is no needtodelay reconstruction any further,” he said. “The Minister has finally acknowledged the importance of this road and confirmed that funds are available. Ilook forward to seeing the Ministerkeep herword and get on with the job, to use her words, as quickly as possible.”

Other Nationals MPs demanded theMinister fast-track works on aTraralgon“death-trap’ intersection. The Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, and the federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester, saidanother crash near the notorious Bank Street intersection highlighted the dire need for safety upgrades to completed. They renewed calls for the Ministerfor Transport to urgently upgrade railway signalling andinstall trafficlights.

“We have been waiting nearly18months for traffic lights and railway signalling upgrades, and it is no exaggeration to say thatinit’scurrent state the Bank Street intersection is adeath trap,” Mr Cameron said.

“If the State Government can remove70level crossings in metropolitan Melbourne in the space of four years,surely it can extend the same courtesy to the people of the Latrobe Valleywho havewaited far too long for this single job to be finished.

“We are aware there is ahold-up upgrading the railway signalling, but the Minister for Transport must at least install the traffic lights and do so immediately.

“Thecommunity haswaited too long for this project to be completed, and it should be the highest priority.”

Mr Chester said he was frustrated that the traffic lights hadn’t been installed despite the previous federalgovernment providing more than $4 million for the project.

“Turning right onto the Princes Highway from the Traralgon Golf Club is agenuinely frightening prospect, and lives are being put at risk every day because of the state government’s inaction,” he said.

Roadblock: Member forMorwell, Mar tin Cameron at theTramway Road,Morwell intersection.

“It’sacompletefarce thatnearly 18 months have passed since the roadworks were completed but the traffic signals still haven’t been installed.

“I’m callingonthe Minister for Transport to finish works at the Bank Street intersection as amatter of the utmost urgency.”

Mr Cameronalsourged thestate government to allocate funding in the 2024-25 Budget for much-needed upgrades to Tramway Road between Firmins Lane and Monash Way.

Mr Cameron has written to the Minister for Roads,Melissa Horne,detailing concerns about constant flooding in the area, particularly at the corner of Tramway and Boldings roads.

“Tramway Road is host to avery high volume of daily traffic -servicing Churchill, Hazelwood North and Hazelwood South -and traffic is only going to increase,” Mr Cameron said.

“The area is packed with heavy industryand there are plans in the works for large-scale batteries, a

solarfarm and abattery recycling facility. Several sections of Tramway Road are in urgent need of works to stop the repeated flooding and closure of this arterial road.

“The intersections at TramwayRoad andBoldings and Church roads requires extended slip lanes, and otherareas need improved drainage, road widening and road raising.”

Mr Cameronsaid whenamajor road likethis was constantly shut, it was an inconvenience for residents and workers, but more importantly it was dangerous and impedes emergency services.

“At atimewhen ourroadsneed major investment, the road maintenance funding is down awhopping 45 per cent on what it was in 2020,” he said.

“I’m urging Labor to stop the chronic underspendingonregional roads and allocate adequate funding in the upcoming Budget for critical works like those needed on Tramway Road.”

Plans to generate energy from Municipal waste

LATROBE City Council,atits Marchmeeting, resolved to send municipal waste to the Maryvale Energy from Waste plant, subject to contract negotiations.

Thefacility will divert municipal waste that is currently disposedatlandfill and create energy from thewaste, with minimal emissions. The energy will contribute towards running the Opal Maryvale Paper Mill while relying less on energy drawn from the national grid.

With the plant expected to be in production by 2028, council will then start agradual transition to send its municipal waste to the facility.

Council’s ‘Transition Plan’outlines theircommitment to developing local industry, reducing environment al impacts and supporting local employment opportunities.

Latrobe City Mayor, Darren Howe, said the Energy from Waste facility was astepinthe right directiontowardsanew energy futurefor Latrobe City.

“Latrobe City Council is committedtosupporting

arangeofinnovativeand sustainable industries in the region, whichwill contributetowards aresilient local economy and avibrant community,” he said.

“Council welcomes Opal’s commitment to the region, through this innovativenew energyindustry, which has been awarded the first Energy from Waste licence from Recycling Victoria under the state’s Waste to Energy Scheme.

“The Energy from Waste facility presents an opportunity for Opal to diversify their business offerings, considering recent job lossesfrom native timber harvesting cessation and the closure of white paper manufacturing.”

Council’s current advocacy priorities include aconsideredtransition to anew energy future that creates industry diversification, generating long-term economic growth and skilledemployment opportunities.

Council says it is also committedtogreater investment in recyclingand re-manufacturing industries to enhance Latrobe City’srole in the circular economy.

Set: TheMar yvale EfW facilitywill generateenergy from thecontrolled combustion of nonhazardous residual wastematerials,wastethatwould otherwise go to landfill.

Powerful newpodcast to educateand empowervictims of violence

ANEW Crime Stopperspodcast explores how coercive controlischangingthe way we look at traditional family violence.

Crime Stoppers Victoria has launched apowerful new podcast, Coercive control and the changing face of family violence

Featuring Victoria Police AssistantCommissioner Family ViolenceCommand, Lauren Callaway, the podcast explores different forms of family violence in abid to help people understand the dangers of coercive control and gaslighting.

A.C. Callaway takes the listener through the challenges of navigating these increasinglycomplex issues which are often hard to identify or even understand. The podcast aims to educate and empower those who may be in atoxic or controlling relationship to get out safely.

Family violence has continued to rise in recent years, with data from the Crime Statistics Agency showing an increase of 1.8 per cent in Victoria over the past year to September 2023.

A.C. Callaway said coercive controlwas used by perpetrators in relationships to undermine someone’s self-worth and to coerce them into doing what they want them to do.

It can often present in may different forms such as, “Controlling the household finances,determining every aspect of avictim’s life from what they can wear, to where they can work or whether they can work, what meals are to be served and who they can see”, she said.

“Not oneofthose things would be described as traditional physical family violence, but together

they create apattern that undermines aperson’s ability to feel confident about themselves.”

During the podcast, A.C. Callaway explains the difficulties of walking away from such relationships and how technology is being used by perpetrators to ensure they can continue controlling their partners no matter where they are.

“We’restarting to see trendsofperpetrators being alittle bit more subtle, alittle bit more abusive in the background, through the use of technologyfacilitated abuse or surveillance techniques,” she said.

“That includesthe installation of software on avictim survivor’s phone or devices, accessing information that they have stored on their phone or programs that they use, stalking behaviours or the ability to track from afar.

“Whateverway that the perpetrator can show the victim survivor that you may have left me, but Ican still get amessage to you or have some influence over your life, they will do it.”

Crime Stoppers Victoria Chief Executive, Stella Smith, said the podcast was an important step towards educatingthe communityonthe complex nature of coercive control.

“It is important for everyone to learnmore about the signs of this often-misunderstood form of family violence,” she said.

“Emotional abuse is often less acknowledged than physicalviolence,but we believe everyonehas a responsibility to know the signs to help their loved ones before it is too late.”

The podcast speaks about avariety of topics including gaslighting, technology and what to do if you discover you or aloved one is in acontrolling relationship.

It also discusses others who have suffered from coercive control and how someone can escape such achallenging situation.

To listen to ‘Coercive control and the changing face of family violence’, search for Crime Stoppers Victoria on your favourite podcast app, or visit play. acast.com/s/crime-stoppers-vic

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, you can call 1800 737 732 or visit 1800respect.org.au for support.

Alternatively,you can call Safe Steps on 1800 015 188 or visit safesteps.org.au, or alwayscall Triple Zero in an emergency.

Man and dog killed in fatal collision

POLICE will prepare areportfor the coroner after afatal collision in Maryvale on Friday, March 29.

Investigators have been told aman and his dog had just exited avehicle on Derhams Lane when they were struck by acar about 7.40pm.

The76-year-old Morwell man died on his way to hospital with life-threatening injuries and his dog died at the scene.

The driver of the carstopped at thescene and has spoken with police.

The exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be determined and investigations remain ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV or dashcam footage is urgedtocontactCrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit aconfidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au

PoliceBeat with Zaida Glibanovic

Morwell house fire

AFIRE broke out at ahome on Woorarra Court in Morwell on the morning of Tuesday, March 26 around 9.40am. Emergency services were quick to the scene.

The Latrobe Criminal Investigation Unit can confirm they are investigating ahouse fire that occurred around 9.30am on Tuesday, March, 26. Thecause of the fire hasnot been determined and therefore is beingtreated as suspicious, investigations are ongoing.

Traralgon storeburglary

LATROBE Crim inalInvestigation Unitare appealing for witnesses to come forward to assist in their investigating into aburglary that occurred at 1.48am on Tuesday, March 26, at an electronics store on Queens Parade in Traralgon. It is alleged two offenders have used alightcoloured utility to ram the store and then stole E-scooters and E-bikes to the value of $10,000. Anyone with information is being urgedtoget in touch with the Latrobe Crime Investigation Unit or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit aconfidential crime report to crimestoppersvic. com.au

Be agoodegg these holidays

WITHthousands of Victorianseggs-pected to spend time outdoors after Easter and throughoutthe school holidays, people are being urged to act sensibly to avoid putting nature and other forest visitors at risk.

The Conservation Regulator is reminding all Victorians that they are responsible for protecting the environment and preventing bushfires, following some poor camper behaviour on the Labour Day long weekend where more than 60 illegal campfires were lit during dangerousconditions.

Forest visitors going camping or planning other outdoor activities, such as hiking, prospecting, or four-wheeled driving, must follow the relevant laws and should check weather forecasts and fire warnings before leaving home.

Remember these tips:

 Campfire? Check conditions, build it safely and fully egg-stinguish with water before leaving;

 Driving? Use formed, open roads for egg-sploring and have the right licence and registration;

 Prospecting? Have apermit and stay in the right areas to egg-stract gems lawfully, and;

 Rubbish? Take it home -people eggspect clean campsites and picnic areas.

Those stocking up on firewood are reminded that designated collection areas in state forests are open until June 30, but rules apply and firewood collectorsshouldfollow safety advice to avoid breaking the law or inadvertently sparking afire.

This year, authorities have recordedaround 200 unattended campfires across forests, parks, and reserves, and issued more than 65 infringement notices for campfire, off-road, and littering offences.

Given Victoria’s recent record-breaking heat and dangerous fire days, bushfire risk remains high and Authorised Officers will be on patrol, enforcing campfire safety rules.

Officers will also be targeting illegal off-road activity and littering to prevent environmental harm, and anyonecaught doing the wrong thing faces fines ranging between $192 and $46,154.

Thecommunity is encouraged to report any illegalbehaviour on public land to 136 186. Bushfires should be reported to 000.

For more information about rules in state forests, visit vic.gov.au/rules-in-state-forests

April

12th Friday 9am to 4pm

13th Saturday 9am to 4pm 14th Sunday 9amto4pm

Inform: Anew podcast released by Crime Stoppers, aims to help people betterunderstand the dangersofcoercivecontrol. Image supplied

Leader: Crime Stoppers Victoria Chief Executive, Stella Smith Photograph supplied

LRH boss dismisses claims

By ZAIDAGLIBANOVIC

LATROBE Regional Health have responded to the HeraldSun story in whichthey uncoveredaprobe into ‘avoidable’ deaths at the regional hospital.

The HeraldSun reported that at leastseven patientssince 2022 have diedintragic ways, withwhistleblowers claiming they could have been avoided at LRH

LRHChief Executive, Don McRae responded to the now infamous report, whichran on the front page of theSun’s Tuesday, March26issue

“Seven cases were reviewed by Safer Care Victoria followinga complaint. Four of the patients had died,” Mr McRae said contradicting the report.

“None of the cases were considereda‘sentinel event’, which is apreventable serious safety event resultinginthe harm or death of apatient.”

Mr McRae said that each of these cases were reviewed by internalcommittees at the hospital -following standard procedure. These reviews are commonly undertaken to identify any gaps in careorpossible improvements

“A subsequentreviewand asitevisit by Safer Care Victoria(SCV) identified theopportunity for quality and safety improvements in our surgical program. Many of thesewere already underway priortothe review,”MrMcRae said.

“Wecontinue to look for ways to enhance and strengthen our services and systems right across our organisation, regardlessofSCV’s findings.”

“The site visitteam commendedLRH’sclinical governance, includinginternal reviews of our processes and our efforts to establish asafeand sustainable surgical program in collaboration with AlfredHealth

“It also highlighted areas for improvement which we had not considered. These observations are beneficial.

Acco rding to the Hera ld Sun ,c ompla ints of medical malpractice, poor treatment, and misdiagnoses have surfacedfrom 2022 and 2023.

In one example,apatientwithaburst appendix allegedly waited 24 hours after arriving at the emergency department for surgery. Another patient died at the hospital without being seen by the on-call doctor

The Express hasseeninternal memo’swith the chief executive labellingthe news story as “incorrect”, “disappointing” and “largely inaccurate”.

The Herald Sun made reference to awhistle blowers comments statingthatLRH was running on “skeleton-staff”,with new expansion upgrades and no employees to fill it.

Mr McRaeurged staff not to “dwellonthe negativity” of the “inaccurate media reports”.

The Express received reports of ahospital insider unsurprised at LRH’s infamous notoriety.

“The tone-deaf memo typifies the organisationalignorance, complacency, and arrogance that continues to result in substandard healthcare and adverse patient outcomes.The astonishing lack of accountability, denial of issues,and deflection are characteristic of the attitudetostaff concerns, which has alwaysbeen‘nothingtosee here’,” they said.

LRH insiders have givenevidence of atoxic workplace culture, alledging zero accountability is taken from executivelevel and downward

Mr McRae says that LRH’s “values and culture promote continuous improvement and patient safety willalwaysbethe priority”.

Thespecific cases revealed by whistle blowers in the Herald Sun were:

PATIENT 1:

“Failure to provide the necessary attention and timely intervention. The delay in providing appropriate treatment ultimately resulted in the loss of their life.”

PATIENT 2:

“Medical staff failed to accurately diagnose their condition and administer the required treatment. The on-call surgeon never once attended to the patient.”

PATIENT 3:

“Ruptured appendix. Operated on 24 hours after presentation. Additional concerns raised about post-operative care.”

PATIENT 4:

“Failure to diagnose and institute treatment on time resulted in the death.”

Photographs:

an investigation into seven deaths, none were found to be avoidable as The Sun articlealludes.

“What that investigation found was that none of those deathswere classifiedassentinel –that means thatthey were not preventable deaths,” the Health Ministertoldthe press

The Minister for Health said it was “really important that we deal in facts”

Ms Thomas stated thatSafer Care Victoria reports on sentinel occurrences in the health system on an annualbasis and that she will disclose the report as soon as it is available.

However, the health minister stated that she would not share the Safer Careinquiryinto the sevenfatalities at LatrobeRegionalHealth because it involved individual cases and had “sensitivemedical information”.

T 5

PATIENT 5: “Untimely death due to negligence.”

“Safer Care undertook that investigation; of those seven deaths,they found… four adverse findings -which for SaferCareVictoria, in the way in which they classify these incidents, means there are learnings to be taken from those incidents,” she said.

PATIENT 6: “Serious morbidity due to medical negligence.”

T 7

PATIENT 7: “Medical negligence and poor patient management.”

Opposition shadow Health Minister, Georgie Crozier has vowed to get to the bottom of these “shocking revelations”

“The Minister for Health(Mary-Anne Thomas) must answerwhy thiscover-up took place, how such fundamental failuresofcare haveoccurred, and why the Minister kept this scandal secret,” she said.

Ms Thomas didn’t take the allegations of ‘coverup’ lightly, mentioning that whiletherehad been

Ms Thomasstatedthat Gippsland residents had no need to worry as Safer Care Victoria was collaborating with the hospital to ensure reforms were implemented.

Sudoku

Solutions

Target Time No.0203 gilt ,glint ,gloom,hilt ,holing, holm, holt ,igloo, light ,limn, ling, lingo, lino, lint ,lion, login, logo, logon, logion, loin, long, loom, looming, loon, loot ,looting, loth, loti, lotion, milo,

Hot water: Latrobe RegionalHealth has been in the headlines followinganexplosive Herald Sun repor tmakingmention of sevenallegedavoidable deaths at thehospital.

Zaida Glibanovic

Update: Ministerfor Health, Mar y-Anne Thomas said Gippslanderscan still remain confident with their care at Latrobe Regional Health.

PROUDLY

Contractors boost bushfire supression

DAMON Guy reckonscontracted heavy plant is an unsung hero of bushfire suppression.

Mr Guy is aForest Fire OperationsOfficer Technical Lead at the Department of Energy, Env iron ment and Cl imate Act ion (DEE CA) Heyfield office and as aPlant Operations Manager responsible for organising and deploying bulldozers, timberharvestersand othermachinesduring emergencies.

He has first-hand understanding of the difference they can make on the fire line.

“In first attack, heavyplant like dozers and (tree) harvesters play akey role in fire suppression, just as they do in fireprevention workwith maintaining fire breaks and tracks,” Mr Guy said.

“They can hitthe fire head-on, constructing mineral earth trails along the flanks of the fire and on spur-lines to try and contain the fire as quickly and safely as possible. And they can build tracks to safely get our specialist firefighting vehicles closer to the fire.

“We also use them for fallback lines, for when we can’t direct attack. That’s where we construct fire control linesand do backburningtotry and control the fire as it approaches.

“Frontline plant does alot of the heavy lifting and makes it easier for ground crews to get in and do their work.”

In his emergency role, Mr Guy works with contractors, making sure they get their machines to the right place at the right time. It becomes a complex job during major bushfire incidents, with hundreds of individual pieces of plant being used at any given time.

“In 2019 /20, for instance, there were over 300 items of plant being managed by Incident Management Teams in East Gippsland –and the plant manager has to coordinate that whole fleet. It gets to be apretty big job,” he said.

“In Heyfield alone, we had machines coming from Bendigo, Cann River and Melbourne to support local resources. If they are available anywhere

in the state, we have the capacity to call them in if needed.

“Externally contractedplant providessurge capacity we need during fires, complementing plant we have available within FFMVic. Contractors we useare experiencedand make ahugecontribution to the work we do. There are around 400 contractors we can access on our panel,withwell over 4000 items of plant registered."

Withbig machines likebulldozersdesigned to move large amounts of earth and vegetation, protecting valuable sites of biodiversity and cultural heritage adds another layer of complexity to Mr Guy’s work.

“There’s alot of work done by the fire planning teams around biodiversity and cultural heritage values. For us, it’s amatter of knowing what sites are important and then we adapt aplan,” he said.

Freeman speaks on misinformation

By MICHELLE FREEMAN COMMENT

HAVING ahigh profile should not provide anyone afree pass to speak disrespectfully and unfairly about others.

Forestry Australia is appalled by the misinformation about forest scientistsand professionals thathas been perpetuated by lobbyistsand antiforestry campaigners in recent media articles.

It is hard not to think that such narratives have been constructed to suit certain agendas. Statements made are not universallysupported by forest scientists,and do not recognise the kno wle dg e, ex per tise and cred ib ili ty of Australia’s world-leading forest scientists. It is also disappointing that recent coverage has not included these other voices.

Forestry Australia is anot-for-profit, independent professional association with 1200 members. Our membersare individuals whohavehigh levels of scientific expertise and extensive operational experience. They operate across all aspects of forest, fire and land management, farm forestry and tree growing throughout Australia. Some of our members are current or past employees of State Forest agencies responsible for timber harvesting.

These forest scientists and professionals are among the most dedicated and passionate individuals, who make significant and under-acknowledged contributions to forest management, forest conservationand provisionof renewable, sustainable and responsibly-sourced timber for the Australian public.

This contribution furthers our understanding of forest ecology and forest fire management. It also includes operational expertise in activeand adaptive management options that are crucial for building climate resilience and mitigating wildfires.

The se fore st scie ntists mak es ig nific ant contributions to managing and conserving our forests for the benefit of society. They provide elite and specialised firefighting capacity to all major wildfire events, collect and apply seed to revegetateforests severelydegraded by bushfires, and areatthe forefrontoftechnological advancement such as drones and sophisticated apps to record and monitor forest values.

In addition, they conduct the most comprehensive threatened species monitoring programs that exist in this country, and oversee comprehensivemanagement plans that provide high quality, sustainable local hardwood timbers.

It is time to moveonfrom these tiresome, divisive and outmoded forest wars. Australia needs forest management decisions to be informed by pragmatic, open minded, evidence-based and crediblevoices who engaged in positive dialogue regarding future forest management.

In doing so, it is only right that we recognise the immense positive contributions of the forest scientists and forestry professionals who have dedicated their careers to evidence-based care for our forests.

Dr Michelle Freeman is President of Forestry Australia

In theknow: Damon Guy worksatthe DEECAHeyfield office

Photograph supplied

More breast cancersupport at LRH

By STEFAN BRADLEY

THE McGrath Foundation has appointed Leah Savage as anew McGrath Breast Care Nurse at Latrobe Regional Health (LRH) to provideincreased support to people and their families experiencing breast cancer in Traralgon and surrounding areas.

Living in the Latrobe Valley her entire life, Ms Savage has been aregistered nurse for more than 20 years,with extensive experience in oncology and cancer carenursing beforebecoming aMcGrath breast care nurse in late 2023.

Shejoins six other McGrath BreastCareNurses across Gippsland, from Bass Coast to Bairnsdale. "I’m excitedabout my positionasaMcGrath Breast Care Nurse at Latrobe Regional Hospital, and Ifeel that I’m finally starting to settle in. I’m honoured,and excited to take the roleon," Ms Savage told the Express.

Every year, more than 4700 people in Victoria are diagnosedwith breast cancer, and one in seven womeninAustralia will be diagnosed in their lifetime, meaning there is an increasing need for specialist McGrath breast care nurses to support people impacted by the disease.

Research by the McGrathFoundationshows that early access to aMcGrath breast care nurse improves boththe outcomes and experience of a person with breast cancer.

“For women and men diagnosed with breast cancer in regional and rural areas, there are challenges because we relyonthe communityresources rather than being able to treat everything within the same hospitalorhealthcare facility likeyou might in ametropolitan area," Ms Savage said.

“That’s why my role as aMcGrath breast care nurse is so important, Ican be acentral point of contactand help patients navigate where to next in

Bath slamsnew land taxes

NATIONALS Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath, has criticised the stategovernment's new land tax, saying it is desperately unfair,causing huge financial stress to mum and dad investors, homeowners, and renters.

The new land tax, whichcameinto effect on January 1inVictoria,was passedinstate parliament last year by the Labor Party, Greens and Animal Justice Party alliance.

It lowers the tax-free threshold for land tax from$300,000 to $50,000and introduces an additional flat tax of up to $975 on all Victoria households.

Ms Bath, who opposed Labor’s land tax, said the landtax hadbeen implemented at the expense of all Victorian homeowners, with the tax set to affect struggling renters, who will havethe charge passed on or their property sold

“The Treasurer Tim Pallas estimated that Labor’s unfair property tax will costs the average Victorian household an additional $1300 ayear. Labor is punishing Victorian homeowners and investors for its own economic mismanagement through this appalling tax that’sdrivingupcosts

for home owners, increasingrents,increasing the cost of doing business and impacting our most vulnerable citizens," she said.

“How the Allan Labor Government can wickedly 'disincentivise' investment in Victoria’s property market is incomprehensible. There are only two plausible outcomes of Labor’s land tax-a rental property fire sale and increased rents -neither are apalatable option.”

Ms Bath saidVictorians pay the highest propertytaxesinAustralia. Theaverage property tax per person across this year is $2120, compared to $1646 in New South Walesand $1343 in Queensland.

The Property Investment Professionals of Australiahas named Victoriaasthe worststate in the nation for renters due to high stamp duty and the new land tax.

Ms Bath said the state government was treating hard-working everyday Victorians as its personal ATM to counteract its spiralling debt.

“Labor can’t manage money and once again Victorians are paying the price through higher taxes,” she said.

their treatment, referrals neededand ensure they are well supported from diagnosisright throughout treatment and beyond.

“GPs play amajor role in supporting regional and rural patients. Mental health is acommon issue with patients experiencing breast cancer as there are fewer resources available in regional and rural areas. This is referred to community-based healthcare providers.”

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer for women in Australia and more than 20,000 people are diagnosed each year, with the rate of diagnosis rising.

“There are a number of reasons breast cancer diagnoses are rising Improved awareness and screening have contributed to a rising rate of diagnosis nationally,” Ms Savage said

But Ms Savage pointed out that treatment has advanced for the better over the years

“Breast cancer treatment has improved massively with immunotherapy and the variety of treatment options available to patients now that we didn’t have in the past making a huge difference,” she said “Clinical trials, pathology, (and)

increasedgenetic testing have all also helped improve patient outcomes.”

Holly Masters, McGrath FoundationChief Executive,saidMsSavage wouldprovidefreecare and support for Gippsland families.

“McGrathbreast care nurses are experts in breast cancer care and help people with breast cancer navigate the complexmedical system, from diagnosisand throughout treatment," Ms Masters said.

“Our nurses act as the ultimate patient advocates, becoming g atrusted and consistent p point of knowledge We are incredibly proud to provide this vital service to the Traralgon community ”

There are currently 47 McGrath breast c a r e n u r s e s t h r o u g h o u t V i c t o r i a , i n regional, rural, and metropolitan areas

The support of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse is a free service, and is available without a referral

T o g e t i n t o u c h w i t h y o u r n e a re s t M c G r a t h B r e a s t C a r e N u r s e , v i s i t m c g r a t h f o u n d a t i o n c o m a u / get-support/find-a-nurse

There are 223 McGrath breast care nurses in communities across A u s t r a l i a w h o have supported m o r e t h a n 137,000 families since 2005

Welcome: NewMcGrath Breast Care Nurse at Latrobe RegionalHealth, LeahSavage

Photograph supplied

Employers reminded of consequences

By STEFAN BRADLEY

VICTORIANemployers are reminded they face serious legal consequences if they put workers at risk, after WorkSafe completed 153 successful health and safety prosecutions last year.

The total of $16,182,957 in fines imposed by the courtsin2023 forbreaches of theOccupational Health and Safety Act and the Dangerous Goods Act included three separate seven-figure penalties and afurther 25 prosecutionsattracting fines of at least $100,000.

Threeofthose matterswere finalised at Latrobe Valley County Court, two at Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court,one at Sale Magistrates’ Court, and one was finalised at Bairnsdale Magistrates’ Court.

Offences involving the risk of afall from heightamong the leading causes of workplace fatalities in Victoria -continue to be akey compliance priority, andwas thesubject of 39 prosecutions and fines of almost $2 million.

There were 25 prosecutions for unsafe machinery, including inadequate guarding, 15 relating to the risk of being crushedbyorbetween objects, and 13 involving powered mobile plant such as forklifts.

Adrenquads Pty Ltd last year pleadguiltyinthe

Sale Magistrates Court to anumber of offences in breach of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, and was fined $14,500 without aconviction. The fines related to three charges related to non-complied noticeand failure to notifyVWA (Victorian WorkCover Authority) of anotifiable incident, and plant.

The ‘plant’ offence relates to an employer not providing‘safe plant’, which refers to worker capacity to operate machinery, equipment, appliance, container, implement and related without risk to their health and safety.

According to WorkSafe, AdrenquadsPty Ltd was operating quad bike tours in Sale.

The quad bike tours were conducted by the sole director’s husband. He donated his time rather than receive awage.

On January 2, 2021 the injured person and her partner attended atour run by the offender.

The director’s husband, the injured person and her partner drove the quad bikesfor around50 minutes to an hour to apaddock with quad bike tracks. The tracks were made of dirt surrounded by grass and were uneven in parts. The injured person and her partner had to navigate embedded stones and rocks as they drove the quad bikes around the track.

Theinjured personwas on herthirdlap of the quad bike track when she felt the bike suddenly brake, as if thepark brake had been engaged She was ejectedfrom the quadbikeand landed on the ground, at whichpoint the quad bike she had been ridinglanded on top of her, pinning her to the ground.

The injured personwas ultimately taken from the quadbiketrack back to ashed and then transferred to the Alfred Hospital. She suffered pelvic injuries, afractured vertebrae, and soft tissue, muscle and ligament damage. She underwent surgery on January 5and again on June 25, 2021.

The accused did not notify WorkSafe of the incident. Rather,the injured person notified WorkSafe on February 24, 2021.

An improvement notice wasissuedbyaWorkSafe inspector on March 2, 2021. Subsequent visits on May 3, 2021 and July 16, 2021 revealed that the improvement notice had not been complied with.

The offender was fined $14,500 without conviction.

The Magistrate noted thatthe impactonthe injured personwas significantand ongoing,and risks with quad bikes are well known.

This was just one of 153 successful health and safety prosecutions last year.

More than half of WorkSafe’s health and safety

prosecutions last year were against employers in the construction (52) and manufacturing (38) industries; followed by transport, postaland warehousing (11) and wholesale trade (10).

In additiontolastyear’scourt outcomes, WorkSafe also acceptedseven enforceable undertakingsfrom duty holders committingtospend acombined $1.2 milliondollarstoimprove workplace health and safety knowledge and outcomes in their respective industries.

Another major prosecution of note in 2023 was Manufacturer Dennis Jones EngineeringPty Ltd, whowas convicted and fined $2.1 million after an apprentice suffered life-changing head injuries at aGippsland factory in October 2021.

An appeal hasbeen made.

Energy AustraliaYallourn Pty Ltd wasconvicted and fined$1.5millionfollowing the deathofa worker in an arc flash incident at Yallourn Power Station in November 2018.

Summaries of the prosecutions can be found on the WorkSafe prosecutions page on their website.

Leah’sfight for greater socialand economic inclusion

TRARALGON’S Leah van Poppel is successful, selfless and humble.

Somemay not know her, but she has worked tirelessly to effect change for people with disability in aworld where many have been disadvantaged for decades.

MOE

Area co-ordinator,

Leah is abig contributor and influential leader in severalnational and state disability advocacy andpolicy development roles.

She is actively involved and invested in supporting the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to administer the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Leah sits on the NDIS Board;she is also principal member of the Independent AdvisoryCouncil (IAC) to the NDIS,a memberofthe NDIS Strategic Direction and Participant Outcomes Committee and an NDIS Sustainability Committee member, looking at ways to keepthe scheme sustainable for future generations.

“I’m interested in how we can make it better for women and girls in the scheme, especially the ones who have disabilitiesthat aren’t diagnosed as early or as well as they should be,” Leah said.

“Manyoften have greater caring responsibilities too, so these are key priorities for me.”

Born blind in the 1980s, the 43-year-old said she was discriminated against many times growing up, emphasising that no one should have to experience that kind of behaviour.

Care: Leahisa significantcontributor and influential leader in severalnationaland state disabilityadvocacyand policydevelopment roles.

“Mumhad to fightthe local preschool and primary school so Icould attend,” Leah said.

“The Disability Discrimination Act didn’t exist. Mainstream schools couldsay ‘no’ to enrolling kids with disabilities. It was practically legal, but not very moral.

“My older sister was alreadyatour local, so mum didn’t give up, and as aresult Iwas mainstreamed all the way.”

Evenathighschool,Leahfeltunwantedand students made her feel ‘horrible’.

“It wasn’t afabulous experience. No one should have to go through that, but what it did do is help me to build resilience,” she said.

Looking to create apositive change for others with disability, Leah poured herselfinto study, completing aBachelor of Arts and English Literature at Macquarie University.

Shestarted herfirst job in the public service at the Deafness CouncilofWA, before moving to Victoria to work in several notable disability advocacy and policy development roles.

“One of my proudest careermomentsisworking at AFDO (Australian Federation of Disability Organisations) championing for an NDIS,” Leah said.

“I wasluckyenough to attend National Disability and Carer Alliance meetingsand be part of AFDO’s Productivity Commission Inquiry talking to people right round the country about what waswrongwith disability supports and helping to provide scheme recommendations.

“I remember feelingsoproud when Julia Gillard announced the NDIS in Parliament. It was an incredible moment and it’s been great to see it all come to life.”

While there’s still more work to do on the NDIS to improve the scheme, Leah is proud of the lives it has helped change, including her own.

“I’m an NDIS participant and so is my husband Ben. He’s totally blind,” Leah said.

“We have lotsoffamily connections withthe scheme. It’s been really life changing.

“My poor mum who raised my sisterand Ionher own had to pay for everything, so it’s wonderful to know people with disabilities now have the funding to buy the supports they need.”

It’s obvious Leah’s proudest personal achievement

is her young son Max, who is four-years-old.

“As amum I’m pretty lucky. Ben is very onboard, andweshareduties. Because we can’t see, we get a range of supports around the house and to help us raise Max. The scheme has really helped to make our lives easier,” she said. Leah said supportworkers have just started coming in to help them take Max out.

“If Max wants to go to apark and it hasn’t got afence or to aswimming pool we can’t really supervise him properly,sothe support workers come with both or one of us and help,” she said.

“In the support workers car we also go through the Macca’s drive through. It’s ahighlight for Max. It’s aday-to-day thing most families do, but we can’t, so we do it with him in the support workers car. It means he doesn’t miss out.

“I often look back and think ‘wow, how did mum care for me andmysister all on her own’.

“Shewas aprettyamazingwoman. Iwouldn’t be where Iamtoday without her.”

More than 646,000Australians are now receiving NDIS support, and morethan halfare receiving it forthe first time.

Leah is one of over 173,000 Victorians now benefiting from the Scheme.

All local, allthe time

The Latrobe Valley Express has been Informing the local community for nearly 60 years and is your best source for local news, sport , features and bargains

Strong: Traralgon local Leah vanPoppel has been an activevoice forpeople livingwith disabilities Photographs supplied

Gippsland among highest health care recipients

MOREGippslandpeoplereceived health care from their GP in 2022/23 compared to most other regions of Australia, although the number dropped slightly from the previous year.

Areport from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare(AIHW)based on Medicare data from the 31 Primary HealthNetwork areas in Australia foundthat Gippsland ranked third nationally in the category for Medicare-subsidised GP appointments.

Atotal of 89 per cent of people in Gippsland saw aGPin2022/23 compared to thenational average of 86 per cent. This figure had dropped from 93 per cent in 2021/22.

The drop in the proportion of people accessing a GP is in line with feedback Gippsland PHN has beengathering overthe lasttwo years from its Clinical Council, Community Advisory Committee and the communitywhich points to the rise in cost of livingasa significantbarrier to seeking health care.

The PriorityIssues PaperonGeneral Practice

Access, released in December 2022, showed other barriers include alackofaccess to the usual GP/ general practice, long waiting times, drop in bulk billing GPs, lack of affordable after-hours access to GPs and access to GPs who do home visits.

Recent feedbacksuggestsaccessinghealthcare continues to be impacted by cost but also multiple other factors, including lack of transport, food insecurity, and homelessness.

Gippsland PHN Chief Executive, Amanda Proposch, welcomedthe report, adding the data aligned with information the organisationwas gathering from awide range of sources and stakeholders.

“Gippsland PHN advocates for priority, emerging health and system issues through our strategic health planning work,” Ms Proposch said.

“We bring together insightsfrom data, local communityvoices, services providers and our PHN community and clinical advisors. This data helps us plan for the future.”

In other findings, Gippsland had the third-lowest proportion(7.2 per cent)ofthe population who had aMedicare-subsidised after-hours attendance, less than half of the national average of 16.4 per cent.

Ms Proposch said the low after-hours GP attendance had an inevitable impact on the workload of hospital emergency departments.

“Weknowregional areas have lower after-hours GP visits than urbanareas. To alleviate the pressure on hospital emergency departments, we established two Priority Primary Care Centres in

Warragul and Moe for people who need urgent carebut it’s not an emergency,”MsProposchsaid.

“The centres have been very successful, seeing atotal of 26,889 patients since they opened. We have also commissioned after-hours GP support in other areas to support the community when their usual GP may not be available.”

Gippsland wasthe fourth-highestamong people who had aMedicare-subsidised diagnostics imaging service at 43 per cent,compared to the national figure of 39 per cent and the fifth-highest for people who had aMedicare-subsidised specialist service

with 36 per cent, compared to the nationalaverage of 31.59 per cent.

Whilethe Gippslandfigure is higher than the national averagefor people accessingdiagnosticand specialised services, Ms Proposch said more work was needed to improve access to these “important services”.

“Gippsland hasanageing population, with complex and ongoing health careissues, including diabetes,disability and mental health conditions, leading to aneed for longer and/or more frequent services,” she said.

“The distributionofGPs and other health professionalsdoes not match community need, with less professionals in rural and remote areas and in areas with greater need. Demand for GP services is also forecast to outpacesupply with less medical students indicatingthat they intend to pursue a career in general practice in the future.”

Ms Proposch said Gippsland PHN had already implemented anumber of initiatives to support access to servicesand strengthen workforce capability, with more to come.

These include:

 Priority Primary Care Centres in Latrobe and Baw Baw;

 Free after-hours GP support through Health Access via atelehealth consultation service;

 A$500,000 commitment to provide scholarships to three new Federation University allied health students ayear for 12 years, supporting them to succeed intheir studies without the stress of financial pressure;

 Seeking input from the Gippsland allied health sector as an important part of an integrated patient-centred health system that is better able to meet community needs;

 General Practice Workforce Planning and Prioritisation (GPWPP) Project to support GP College-led general practice training through identification of Gippsland general practitioner workforce needs;

 Commencing two CommunityLed Integrated Health Care services -The Latrobe Valley clinic for children from disadvantaged backgrounds that provides care coordination, transport assistance and amulti-disciplinary approach to address family needs, and;

 Orbost Regional Health and the Deddick Valley Isolated Community Group operating health service hubs to provide healthcare in local communities.

Ms Proposch said the federal government was laying the foundations for significant reforms to Medicare, with acomprehensive package of measures to ensure Australians had betteraccessto affordable care, cheaper medicines and astronger health workforce.

“We look forward to further initiatives as they are announced,” she said.

“We will also continue to work with partners to identifysolutions thatmeet the needs of communities, providers and other stakeholders.”

At the forefront: Gippsland PHN Chief Executive, Amanda Proposch File photograph

Building a‘future-ready’ workforce

By ZAIDAGLIBANOVIC

OPPORTUNITIES for Latrobe Valley in the clean energy sectorwas on the agendawhen theMinister for Employment, Vicki Ward, visited the Morwell Innovation Centre last Thursday.

Ms Ward came to meet local workers from the state-funded ‘earn and learn’ jobs program.

“It’s great to be here in Morwell to have alook at what’s going on -totalktoour local workforce and see how they have benefitedfromour ‘earn and learn’ program,” Minister Ward said.

"There are lots of new jobs being created in our changing energy sector, and we wanttomakesure that all Victorians have the right support to take advantage of this opportunity.This ‘earn and learn' jobs program is helping to build afuture-ready workforce for this critical sector."

The state government said the $2.65 million investment would create 130 jobs in the renewable energy industry in Gippsland and Melbourne’s south-east.

“It’s funding that is usedtoreallywork with people to help them understand the jobs that they need and the jobs that they want and what are the things they need to get those jobs,” Ms Ward said.

There are career possibilities available in solar hot water manufacture,battery recycling, solar installation, and customer support. Individuals from various backgroundsare invited to apply, including young workers, and thosefrom culturally and linguistically diversebackgrounds, Aboriginal people, persons withdisabilities,and those who have been unemployed for along time.

Cherie, aMorwell local, is currently employed as acustomerservice representative at the Alinta

Energy call centreintown.Cherie learned about the project after trying unsuccessfully to find job. She got in touch Maxima, one of the program partners, and was guided through the entire process, from her application to training and finally securing ajob.

“I came to Alinta through the program …the supportand everything was just phenomenal,” she said.

Cherie said the program was integral to giving her the confidenceand skills to workinacall centre and spoke highly of the support she received.

Alinta Energy, owners of Loy Yang Bpower station, has remained committed to playing its part in the energy transition through innovation. Feasibility studiesare underwayatAlinta, aimingtodecarbonise the plant through sustainably sourced biomass power.

Jobs Victoria is working with the Latrobe Valley Authority, Solar Victoria, and Maxima to implement the initiative, which combines industry expertise, skill development routes, andon-theground relationships.

“Maximafor example have gotfundingtohelp support workers through -and this is areally important relationship,” Ms Ward said.

“It’sreally hard to do things on your own. You needthose additional partnerships, and when

you’vegot partnershipswith businesses like Alinta, when you’vegot partnershipswith Maxima, where you’ve gotsupportacrossthe board in the community you can really make good things happen.”

Astrongenergy workforce is critical to the state government meeting its ambitious target of 95 percent renewable energy generationby2035, which will allegedly create 59,000 jobs, mainly in construction, and an additional 6000 apprentices.

“We know that this is an emerging sector. That this is an important employer and an important future employer,” the EmploymentMinister added.

The Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing, saidthe ‘earn and learn’ projectwas another opportunity for Gippslanders to begin careers in agrowing sector closer to home.

Locals who are looking for work are encouraged to phone employment agencies. There are still placesavailableinthe ‘earn and learn’ program for those who are struggling to find purposeful work.

New recruits who enrol in the programme are putinsafe, entry-level roles for at least 12 months before receivingwraparound assistancetohelp them advance in their careers.

To fin do ut mor e, head to jobs .vi c.go v.a u/ help-for-jobseekers/earn-and-learn

Jobs: Minister forEmployment, Vicki Ward visited local‘earn and learn’ programpar ticipant, Cherie at her job at AlintaEnergy’scall centre.

Photographs: ZaidaGlibanovic

Celebrate: The Minister forEmployment waseager to listen to Cherie’s positivecomments on the program.

Help: Maxima Groups,KateHarringtonand Tori Christian flanking successful earnand leaner Cherie

New entrance for Moe Memorial Park

By KATRINA BRANDON

“DEAD fields under the sky, scattered rose petals brown and turning up at the edges” taken from the Stephen King novel, Pet Sematary may be a familiar description for most cemeteries, but not so the new-look Moe Memorial Park Cemetery.

The golden arches stand at the gates of Moe’s cemeterywithtwo brightlights, highlight the path deep beyond the wall.

On Tuesday,February 20, the new entranceway was raisedonthe Cemetery Road side,bringing an inviting glow to where the past rest their heads. The entry now reads ‘Moe MemorialPark Cemetery 1882’.

“It’s pretty well looked after. The real old graves start in 1882, but that isn’t even the official opening. That was onlywhenthe governmentrecognised it as acemetery. There have been burials here before 1882. Ithink it goes back to 1879,” volunteer Karl Loehr said.

“We are trying to keep the cemetery as good as possible and make it look neat.Iwas lookingatthe front entranceand thinking, ‘jeez there’s something missing here’.”

Mr Loehr has been avolunteer with the cemetery for seven years, and wants to do many projects to improve itslook.Aswell as the new entrance way, there are plans for more seating.

After much thought and research, Mr Loehr said this was his favourite design for the cemetery entranceway. It also helped complement the wall behind it.

“I probably had four different ideas about what to put there. Trying to find someone to build it is anotherproblem. Icouldn’t build it; it’s too heavy,” he said.

“Hopefully, it won’t need maintenance. It looks quite good and blends in with the rest of the stonework erected some time ago. The stonework has little archives for ashes.”

Mr Loehr said the feedback on the new entrance hadbeen positive.

Likeothercommunitygroups,volunteernumbers are scarce at the cemetery, where they have many ongoingprojects, includingfinding oldgraves that were never registered.

“It takes quite abit of effort.Ifyou see the grass you have to cut at home and look at the extent of it here, edging, and other stuff that we have here, alot is involved,” he said.

“We are always happy to get volunteers to come and give us ahand.”

Later in the year,the Moe MemorialPark Cemetery team hopes to hold more working bees to help with additionssuch as the new entranceway and so the cemetery can stay in good condition.

Future-proofing education at Federation University

FEDERATION Universit yA ustralia has announced amajor transformation programFuture Fed -designed to put the university on astrong and sustainable financialfooting and position it to better meet the needs of regional communities in Victoria.

Future Fed will bring about astreamlined and contemporary operating modelfor Federation that removesduplicationand red tape and allows for strengthened investment in the student experience, technology, high-quality teaching and research, and an expansionofregional industry partnerships under the university’s innovative Co-operative Education Model.

The program responds to the ongoing decline in student numbers being experienced across the

higher education sector since the onset of COVID19, which has been exacerbated by unexpected but necessarychangestointernationalstudent visa arrangements.

The number of internationalstudentsattending Federation fell by 49 per cent between 2019 and2023, causing adrop of $79.1 million in the university’s revenue.

The Future Fed transformation targets annual cost savings of $20 million in 2024 in abid to return to an operating surplus from 2026.

As afirst step, Federation has invited staff to express interest in avoluntaryredundancy process.

FederationUniversity Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Duncan Bentley, said the

university was putting practicalmeasuresinplace to return to surplus.

“Since COVID-19, the environmentfor Australian universities has become more challengingand Federation is no different,” he said.

“As apublic university, we have an obligation to ensure we operate sustainably and are generating sufficient surpluses to reinvest in students, staff, and teaching and research.

“Our transformation requires difficult decisionswe acknowledge the impact of these on our people and communities and we will be doing everything we can to support them through the process.

“The decisions are necessary for us to strengthen investment in thestrategies that set Federation apartand underpin our long-term growth.

“Centralamong these is ourco-operative learning model -getting students work-ready through direct connection to employers, paid placements, career preparation and workplace skill development.”

Under the co-op model, Federation offers vocational and higher education courses in partnership with employers and industry groups in disciplines including nursing, allied health, education, IT, renewable energy, engineering and conservation science.

The Australian Universities Accord FinalReport launched last month recommends partnerships with industry to fill critical skills shortages as a key priority for regional universities.

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HOROSCOPES

by Joanne Madeline Moore

April 1-April 7, 2024

Aries (Mar 21 - Apr 19)

This week Venus hooks up with Neptune, and Mercury starts reversing through your sign So you ’ re extra susceptible to confusing misunderstandings, dubious suggestions and false flattery Be discerning about who’s advice you take and make sure your plans are grounded in reality Don’t let fair-weather friends lead you up the primrose path to trouble! If you ’ re a smart Ram, you will plan your week carefully and choose your close confidantes wisely

Taurus (Apr 20 - May 20)

Prosperity planet Jupiter is jumping through your sign until May 25 But are you making the most of this positive once-in-every-12-years placement? It’s your time to shine Taurus – to show the world what you are truly capable of So your motto for the moment is from birthday great writer and activist Maya Angelou “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive And to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style ”

Gemini (May 21 - June 20)

T Ghe Sun, Mercury and Venus stimulate your peer group zone so it’s important to support and encourage your friends But with Mercury (your ruling planet) turning retrograde until April 25 make sure you communicate clearly and sort out any misunderstandings early Fast thinking and creative strategies will help you solve problems and alleviate stress Your motto is from birthday great singer Billie Holiday “If I don’t have friends, then I ain’t got nothing ”

Cancer (June 21 - July 22)

Many busy Crabs will burn the midnight oil, as creativity bites and inspiration strikes International connections could be particularly beneficial and your involvement with a group, club or organisation has others looking to you for innovative ideas But – with Mercury reversing through your career zone - resist the temptation to sidestep, confuse or snooze at work! Use your networking skills to drum up support, and don’t be afraid to ask experts for help

Leo (July 23 - Aug 22)

With your ruler the Sun, Mercury and Venus all transiting through fellow fire sign Aries, you ’ re feeling feisty and ready for adventure But with Mercury turning retrograde (until April 25) you could also feel like a Cat on a Hot Tin Roof! Remember that hubris often comes before a fall, so the buzz word for this week is humility Clever Lions will be kinder towards other people, and more tolerant of their individual idiosyncrasies and particular circumstances

Libra (Sep 23 - Oct 22)

With the Sun, Venus and Mercury (which turns retro on Monday night) visiting your relationship zone it’s important to nurture and cherish your nearest and dearest You could also lend a hand to a friend or relative who is sick, experiencing financial trouble or recovering from a broken heart The best day of the week is Wednesday, when the Venus/ Neptune link highlights romance compassion and creativity So surround yourself with love, beauty and good vibes!

Scorpio (Oct 23 - Nov 21)

On Monpday night Mercury starts reversing through your wellbeing and work zone, so it’s a suitable week to revise your daily diet and fitness routine as you choose healthier food options and a form of exercise that you enjoy Plus – when it comes to your job – it’s time to catch up on the backlog of unfinished projects and overflowing paperwork With proactive Mars in your friendship zone, you ’ re keen to have a catch-up lunch or movie night with your besties

Sagittarius (Nov 22 - Dec 21)

This w geek the Sun, Mercury and Venus are all transiting through fellow fire sign Aries, which will boost your energy and enthusiasm – but also your blunt and tactless side And Mercury turns retrograde on Monday night (until April 25) So close relationships will be complicated and communication will be increasingly tricky - especially with your partner, potential partner children and/or friends Smart Sagittarians will slow down, shut up, listen and learn!

Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 19)

Mercp ury turns retrograde on Monday night (London time) which can mean delays, cancellations and plenty of frustrations – especially at home Perhaps a DIY project is stalled, a family member is slowing progress or an essential domestic appliance breaks down Calm down Capricorn - aim to be proactive rather than reactive Be particularly careful what you say to a stressed family member If in doubt then be extra discreet zip your lips and say nothing!

Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18)

Thisqweek Mercury turns retrograde until April 25, so it’s time to do anything with an ‘ re ’ in front of it - revise, rehearse, review, remember, return, recover and/or reconnect Especially in areas involving travel, education, communication and local community projects Your mantra for the week is from birthday great, environmentalist Jane Goodall “Every individual matters Every individual has a role to play Every individual makes a difference ”

Virgo (Aug 23 - Sep 22)

Mercg ury (your patron planet) turns retrograde which can mean frustrations, delays and power plays, especially at work or while travelling Perhaps a project is stalled, a person is plotting, or a domestic appliance (or your car) breaks down Avoid stressing and vexing Virgo! Aim to be proactive rather than reactive As writer (and birthday great) Maya Angelou reminds us, “If you don t like something, change it If you can t change it, change your attitude ”

Pisces (Feb 19 - Mar 20)

Creativity is especially high on Wednesday/ Thursday And with Mars transiting through your sign, it’s time to assert your independence But expect some frustrations and restrictions along the way, as Mercury turns retrograde until April 25 Clever Fish will be patient persuasive and persistent – especially involving finances and business matters Your motto is from this week’s birthday great, movie icon Bette Davis “The key to life is accepting challenges ”

COPYRIGHTJoanneMadelineMoore2024

Thisadvertisingspace couldbe urs

Be prepared for fire during adry autumn

WITHthe region experiencinga hotter-thannormal autumn, the CFA is urging Victorians to be prepared for persistent fire risk as they embark on their travels.

Recent fires in February across the Grampians, Beaufort and Dereel serve as areminder the fire season is not over yet, and communities need to be prepared.

Although the fires are now under control, crews remain active on the fireground blacking out and working on hazardous trees.

CFA Chief Officer, Jason Heffernan encouraged travellers to familiarise themselves with the fire district they are entering or basing themselves in.

“While the recent bushfireshave been contained by our incredible firefighters, fire risk willcontinue to linger over the coming months,” CO Hefferan said.

“With the lack of recentrain, fuelloads in our drier forested areaswill increase,and our greener grasslands will continue to dry out.

“We know there is aslightlyelevated chance of adrier than usual autumn.

“Victorians simply need to be in tune to the fire and weather conditions around them.”

The Australasian Fire and Emergency Service

Authorities Autumn SeasonalBushfire Outlook released recentlyindicates Victoria had above average summer rainfall and lessthan average bushfire activity. Little to no rainfall since midJanuary shiftedthings significantly in the west of the state.

CO Heffernan expects grassfire risk will persist throughout March, and reminds all Victorians to download the VicEmergency app to remain alert to the fires in their region.

“Grassfires can move at speeds of up to 25km per hour and can jump highways, so you must be prepared to alter your route if required,” CO Heffernan said.

“Avoid driving through high-risk areas on hot, dry, windy days if you can, and monitor conditions through two or more sources of local information.

“We’re particularly asking those living in the westernpartofthe state, or thosewho planon travelling in that direction,toregularly check the Fire Danger Ratings.”

As the Fire DangerPeriod is still in place across all municipalities across the state, locals are reminded to visit CFA’s ‘Can IorCan’t I?’ webpage to understandwhatactivities they can undertake

Help support The Smith Family

NATIONAL children’s education charity, The Smith Family,are calling on the community to help support its out-of-school learningclubs across the Gippsland region, aimed at helping young people experiencingdisadvantage keep up with their education and stay engaged at school. Volunteers havealwaysbeen an integralpart of TheSmith Family, and today are helpingto support the education of more than14,000students across the state.

skills througharange of more social learning opportunities,” Mr Leschen said.

Census data released last year shows a19per cent decrease in volunteering since 2016.

Mr Leschen said the declinehas been aworrying trend for some time, which was further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lastfinancial year, more than 4600 Smith Family volunteers across every state and territory donated more than 116,000 hours of service, with an estimated equivalent value of $3.7 million.

“While The Smith Family was not hugely impacted by the decliningrates pre-COVID, we were certainly affected during it and have noticed that the return rate post pandemic is very slow,” Mr Leschen said.

But alull in volunteers across some communities in Victoria means some of The SmithFamily’s evidence-based learning and mentoring support programs, such as Learning Club, may not run this year.

“We alsoknow thatthe cost-of-living crisisis alsohaving amajor impact on people’s capacity andability to donate their time, with paid work and other life commitments taking priority for many Victorians.

“Learning Club is avital program designed at helping students get the extra support they needoutside of school hours,” The SmithFamily’s Victorian general manager, Anton Leschen said.

“Our long-running clubs based in Morwell and Churchill, in particular, areinneed of localsupport to ensure the young people we support are given everyopportunity to keep up with their peers and stay engagedintheir learning.”

The Smith Family is currently searchingfor volunteers to help support local learning clubs in Morwell and Churchill. Traditionally, Learning Club has attracted volunteers each week and are run over 18 weeks.

With both clubs set to resume in Term 2, it’s vital that The Smith Family has support to help fill volunteer vacancies in these communities.

“All Smith Family LearningClubs offer asafe and supportive environment, so students may take the opportunity to practice and rehearse new or recently developed academicskills or choose to buildtheir collaboration and communication

“For many families especially, time is limited, with both partners often working to support higher living expenses, and this is impacting the way people volunteer within their communities.”

The Smith Family welcomes the donation of time througha variety of roles around the country, with the opportunity to commit as littleasanhour a week or engage in longer-term roles.

Volunteers can support children in need through The Smith Family’s range of proven learning and mentoring programs -such as Learning Club, iTrack and the Growing Careers Project -aswell as administration roles that help the organisation’s broader operations.

For more informationonvolunteering at The Smith Family and to see availableopportunitiesinyourarea,visit thesmithfamily.com.au/ get-involved/volunteer

The Smith Familyisa national children’seducation charity that works with children and young people to overcome educational inequality caused by poverty -sothey can thrive now and into their futures.

TheGuide

MURDER IN PROVENCE

ABC TV,Saturday, 7.30pm

Likeamimosa amonga shoutofwhiskeys,this amiable crime comedy is light and airywith anose forfun. It’sthe antithesistocrime shows that concentrate on the dark and disturbing sideofmurder –ifyou’re fond of distractions such as FatherBrownand DeathinParadise,this beautifully polished crime caper will tickle your fancy. Thesublime French terrain and buildingsset the tone, with sunand whimsythe overarchingfocus as chief magistrate Antoine Verlaque (Endeavour’s Roger Allam, pictured) and his glamorous criminal psychologistloverMarine Bonnet(FatherBrown’s NancyCarroll)play detective in the small town of Aix-en-Provence.

VERA

ABC TV,Sunday, 8.30pm

Thebeautyofthislong-running detectiveseries –returning forits 13th season tonight– lies not justin the high-end, gorgeous Northumberland scenery cultivated with medieval churches andwindswept cliffsoverlooking the moody coastline. It’sthe titular detective(Brenda Blethyn, pictured), grumbling and bluntly speaking her mind, who is categorically enchanting.These three new episodes featurean admirably unguessablewhodunnit involvingahit and run in aserene countrylane. Thereturn of Joe Ashworth (David Leon),who worked with Vera overa decade ago,unsettles the power dynamic and irks our otherwise unflappable,lovably unkempt lawwoman

MARCUS WAREING: TALES FROMA KITCHEN GARDEN

SBS Food, Monday, 8.30pm

Who is Marcus Wareing, youmay ask?AMichelin-starred British chef and real-lifeadvocate of the farm-to-plate ethos, youcould call him your new,silver-haired version of Matthew Evans, who fronted the hit series GourmetFarmerfrom his Tasmanian horticultural paradise. From his farm in Sussex, Marcus is learning as he goes, even in this new third season. It’stherapeutic as he goes about his jobs and triesnew techniques, and it’sall polished off with an agreeable orchestral soundtrack. Tonight Marcus visits ahop farm, whips up some smoked chilli butter and foragesfor sea vegetables. Laid-back yeteducational, it’snutrition forthe soul.

Wednesday, April3

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News

Mornings. 10.00 Four Corners.(R) 10.50

Antiques Roadshow.(R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 National Press Club Address.

1.55 Anh’sBrush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.25 Back Roads. (R) 2.55 Old People’s Home For4Year Olds. (PG, R)

3.55 Long Lost Family (PG,R)

4.40 Grand Designs. (R)

5.30 Antiques Roadshow (PG, R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Paul O’Grady:For The LoveOfDogs. (PGa, R) 10.00 Wonderful World Of BabyAnimals. (R) 10.50 Mountain Vets. (PG) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Dateline (R) 2.30 Insight.(R) 3.30 The Point:Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 3.35

Destination Flavour ChinaBitesize. (R) 3.45

The Cook Up With Adam Liaw. (R) 4.15 World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

7.30 Alone Australia. (PG) The participantsare settling in.

8.30 Jimmy Carr’s ILiterally JustTold

You. (Ml) JimmyCarr hosts acomedic game show wherepaying attention pays off

9.25 Miniseries: Litvinenko

2.05

10.30

PICK OF THE WEEK

EGO: THE MICHAEL GUDINSKISTORY

Seven, Tuesday, 7 30pm

ABC TV (2) SBS (3) SEVEN (7,6) TEN (10, 5)

Thank you forthe music: Egotellsthe story of music icon Michael Gudinski, picturedleft withKylie Minogue and Ed Sheeran

There’s barely an Australian alive whose life hasn’t been touched by the legacy of music pioneer Michael Gudinski This feature-length doco follows his career ’ s wild ride, charting five decades of Mushroom Records the label that launched Skyhooks Jimmy Barnes and Kylie Minogue as well as showcasing Gudinski s passion for promoting international acts such as Foo Fighters Ed Sheeran and Bruce Springsteen Famed for his ambition bold antics and passionate approach, this testament to the music mans brilliance delves into his early years as the shy son of Jewish immigrants and his first entrepreneurial efforts With insights from some of the world’s biggest artists archival footage and an electrifying soundtrack it s a not-to-be-missed glimpse into the life of a genius

6.00

Hosted by Grant

6.30

7.30

(PGals) Thelatest celebrity will need to work hardina challenge to receivetheir luxury item.

9.00 FBI:International. (Mv) The FBI fly team investigates the car bombing death of an American lawyer working out of Budapest.

11.00 TheProject (R) Alook at the day’snews.

12.00 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

Thursday, April4

1.00 Big

Deal. (Ml, R) 1.55 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG,R) 2.25 Back Roads. (R) 2.55 Old People’s

Home For4Year Olds. (R) 3.55 Long Lost

Family.(PG, R) 4.40 Grand Designs. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG,R)

7.00 ABC News

7.30 7.30 Presented by Sarah Ferguson.

8.00 Foreign Correspondent. Takesa look at Son Doong.

8.30 Grand DesignsNew Zealand.

TomWebster meets acouple building arammed-earth, off-grid, sustainablemountain home

9.20 AntiquesRoadshow. (R)

Fiona Bruce and the team visit the UlsterFolk Museum near Belfast where they examine curios.

10.20 Better Date Than Never. (R)

10.45 ABC LateNews.

11.00 TheBusiness. (R)

11.20 Love On TheSpectrum. (R)

12.20 Grand Designs. (R)

1.10 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 1.55 Rage (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.30 Doctor At The Door (PG, R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

ABC COMEDY (22)

6am

6.00 MorningPrograms. 9.20 Paul O’Grady: ForThe Love Of Dogs. (PGa, R) 10.20 Puppy

Secrets: The First Six Months. (PG, R) 11.20

Mountain Vets.(M) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00

Alone Australia. (PG, R) 3.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 3.30 The Point. (R) 3.35 Bitesize (R) 3.45 The Cook Up.(R) 4.15 World’sMost

Scenic Railway Journeys. (PGa, R) 5.05

Jeopardy!(R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. Presented by Marc Fennell.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Rebuilding Notre Dame Cathedral Part 2. Lucy Worsleyrevisits Notre Dame.

8.30 StanleyTucci: Searching ForItaly:Calabria. (PGa) Stanley Tucci visits Calabria, the homeland of his family’sancestors.

9.20 TheVanishingTriangle (Malv)

David and Brennan target Goughas thepotential killer while Lisa triesto connect him to the kidnappings

10.10 SBSWorld NewsLate.

10.40 Illegals. (MA15+v)The Polish PM is being blackmailed

11.50 La Jauria. (MA15+dv,R)

3.40 Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.40 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6.00

Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG)

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Football. AFL.Round 4. Adelaide vMelbourne. From Adelaide Oval. 10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-gamediscussion and interviews taking alook back at all the action from thegame.

11.00 TheLatest: SevenNews. (R)

11.30 TheAmazing Race. (PGl, R) The teams of two continue their race around the Americas for the chance to win $1 million.

1.00 Fortitude. (MA15+av,R)Vincent is sure there is somethinglurking in thewildernesswhen he and Natalie prepare for theirfield trip

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBCToday News and current affairs.

5.00 Sunrise 5am News. The latest news, sportand weather

5.30 Sunrise. News, sportand weather

6.00 9News.

7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 RugbyLeague. NRL.Round 5. Melbourne Storm vBrisbane Broncos.

9.55 ThursdayNight Knock

Off Post-match NRL news and analysis of the Melbourne Storm versus Brisbane Broncos match.

10.40 9News Late.

11.10 Law&Order:Organized Crime. (MA15+av) Stabler is recruited for asecret mission.

12.00 A+EAfter Dark (Mm, R)

1.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

2.00 Getaway. (PG,R)

2.30 Global Shop (R)

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping (R)

4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 ACurrentAffair (R)

9News Early

6.00 Deal Or No Deal.

Hosted by GrantDenyer

6.30 TheProject. Alookatthe day’snews.

7.30 I’mA Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) Hosted by Julia Morris and Robert Irwin.

8.30 GoggleboxAustralia. TV fanatics open up theirliving rooms to reveal their reactions to popular and topical TV shows.

9.30 Law&Order: SVU. (Mav,R) Benson tries to help apop star Rollins struggles with taking the stress of work homewith her.

10.30 Blue Bloods. (Mav,R)Danny teams up with his old partner

11.30 TheProject. (R)

12.30 TheLateShowWith Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBSMornings. 6am

6am

Kim Ji-Young, Born 1982. Continued. (2019,PG, Korean) 7.40 CJ7.(2008,PG, Cantonese) 9.15 Binti. (2019,PG, Dutch) 10.55 Jeremy.(2015,M,Spanish) 12.45pm ICan Quit WheneverIWant 2. (2017,M Italian) 2.55 Looking Up.(2019,PG, Mandarin) 5.40 Dan In Real Life. (2007, PG) 7.30 The

Friday, April 5

ABC TV (2) SBS (3) SEVEN (7,6)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News

Mornings. 10.00 QI. (PG, R) 10.30 ThatPacific Sports Show.(R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Silent

Witness. (Malv,R) 2.00 House Of Gods. (Final, Ml, R) 2.55 Old People’s Home For4Year Olds. (R) 3.55 Long Lost Family.(PG, R)

4.40 Grand Designs. (R)

5.30 Antiques Roadshow (R)

7.35

8.35

9.35

10.35

11.10

11.25

12.45

1.35

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Singapore Bitesize. (PGa, R) 9.20 Paul O’Grady:For The Love Of Dogs.(PGa, R) 10.20 Puppy Secrets: The First SixMonths. (R) 11.20 Mountain Vets. (M) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Mastermind Aust. (R) 3.00 NITVNews: Nula. 3.30 China Bitesize. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up.(PG, R) 4.10 World’sMostScenic River Journeys. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy!(R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30

7.35 Ancient Egypt By Train:

9.25 Secrets Of TheLostLiners: Normandie. (PGa, R) Charts the design,service and loss of some of the world’sgreatest ocean liners, including the Normandie

3.20

10.00

6am

6.00

9.00 The Morning Show.(PG)

6.00

TEN (10, 5) NINE (9,8)

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra.(PG) 11.30 9News Morning 12.00 MOVIE: ScentedWith Love. (2022, PGa, R) Rebecca Olson, Marshall Williams.

6.00

7.00

7.30

R) 2.55 Garden Gurus Moments. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Postcards. (PG, R) 4.30 Global Shop (R) 5.00 TV Shop: HomeShopping. (R) 5.30 SkippyThe Bush Kangaroo. (R)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal.

Hosted by GrantDenyer

6.30 TheProject Alookatthe day’snews.

7.30 Ready Steady Cook.

Hosted by Miguel Maestre.

8.30 TheGraham Norton Show. (PGa,R)GrahamNorton is joinedonthe redcouch by actors Daniel Craig and Sir Ian McKellen, presenter CliveMyrie and comedian John Bishop.Singer-songwriter

Charlie Puth performshis song Loser

10.30 Fire Country. (PGa, R) Thecrew works to contain aforestfire.

11.30 TheProject (R)

12.30 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

April 6

6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 WeekendBreakfast.

9.00 Rage.(PG) 12.00 News. 12.25 Death In Paradise.(Mv,R) 1.25 Miniseries: Life After Life. (Final, Mal, R) 2.20 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery. (PG, R) 2.50 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG,R) 3.40 Brian Cox’sAdventures In Space

And Time.(R) 4.30 BetterDateThan Never. (PG,R) 5.00 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery (PG,R) 5.30 Landline. (R)

6.00 Australian Story: Patient Zero –Richard Scolyer (R) Presented by Leigh Sales.

6.30 Back Roads: Braidwood, NSW. (PG, R) Presented by HeatherEwart.

7.00 ABCNews. Alookatthe top stories of theday

7.30 Murder In Provence. (Mav) Part 1of3.Aninvestigatingjudge and his romantic partner,a criminal psychologist, investigate murders.

9.00 Miniseries: TheSuspect (Mal) Part 1of5.Aclinical psychologist is asked to assist in the investigation of the murder of ayoung woman.

9.50 House Of Gods (Ma, R) Seyyed Modhaffer devises anew and risky wayfor Isa’spayments to be transported to Iraq.

10.50 HappyValley. (Malv,R) Tommy’sbig dayapproaches.

11.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

ABC TV

6am Children’s

7.30

7.20

8.30

3.35

6am Morning Programs. 11.50 MOVIE: Selkie. (2000, PG) 1.25pm Wild

2.15 NITVNews: Nula. 2.45 GoingPlaces 3.45 Bamay. 4.20 Utopia Generations. 4.50

Of Interest. 5.50 GoingNative. 6.20 News. 6.30 Strait To The Plate. 7.00 The Other Side.

6.00 MorningPrograms. 9.05 Love Your Home And Garden. (PGa, R) 10.00 Vintage Voltage. 10.50 My Unique B&B. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Motorcycle Racing. FIM SuperbikeWorld C’ship.Round 2. H’lights. 3.00 Cycling. Tour Of Flanders. Men’s race. H’lights. 4.00 Cycling. Tour Of Flanders. Women’s race. H’lights. 5.00 Grand Tours Of Scotland’s Rivers. (PG, R) 5.35 ACold WarOfSpies.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Ireland’sWildIslands: Sea Of Serpents. (PGa) Part 1of3

8.30 New Zealand From ATrain: TheNorthern Explorer. (R) Part 1 of 2. Documents ascenicrailwayjourney aboard New Zealand’sNorthern Explorer

9.25 From Paris To Rome With BettanyHughes: Florence, Lake Como,Milan. (PGaln, R) Part 3of4

10.20 Secrets Of TheRoyal

Palaces: Palaces. (PGa, R)

11.10 Between TwoWorlds. (MA15+asv)

12.05 Miniseries:True

Colours. (Malv, R)

1.59 Going Places With ErnieDingo (PG, R)

3.00 Looking ForLife On Mars. (R) 4.00

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

PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6am

(22) 6am Binti. (2019,PG, Dutch) 7.40 AHero.(2021, PG, Farsi) 10.00 The Internship.(2013,M) 12.15pm I Am Michael. (2015, M) 2.05 DanInReal Life. (2007, PG) 3.55 The Kid From TheBig Apple.(2016, PG, Mandarin) 6.10 The World’sFastest Indian.(2005, PG) 8.30 Reservoir Dogs. (1992, MA15+) 10.25 The ChambermaidLynn. (2014,MA15+, German) 12.05am Late Programs.

11.05 Better Things. (Final) 11.40 Late Programs.

6.00

NBCToday 7.00 WeekendSunrise.

10.00

The Morning Show: Weekend.(PG)

12.00 Horse Racing. TheStar Championships Day 1and Caulfield RaceDay.

5.00 SevenNews At 5.

5.30 Border Security:Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) Awoman is suspected of being involved in drugs.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 AFL Pre-Game Show. Pre-game coverage of the upcoming match, featuring hot topics and the latest AFL news.

7.30 Football. AFL. Round 4. Western Bulldogs vGeelong. From Adelaide Oval.

11.00 AFL Post-Game Show Post-game discussion and interviews taking alook back at allthe action fromthe game

11.30 To Be Advised.

12.30 TheArrangement (Mav, R) Kyle makes amovethat couldupend hislife

1.30 Harry’sPractice (R) Information about petcare

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Mystic (R)Issie’s visions become hard to ignore.

5.00 My GreekOdyssey: Amorgos (PG, R) Peter Maneas visits three separate islands.

6.00 HelloSA. (PG, R) 6.30 ACurrent Affair (R) 7.00 WeekendToday 10.00 Today

Extra: Saturday.(PG) 12.00 Great Australian

Detour.(R) 12.30 Destination WA.(PG, R)

1.00 Ageless. (PGa) 1.30 Living On The Coast.

2.00 ThePet Rescuers.(PGm) 2.30 David

Attenborough’s DynastiesII. (PGa,R) 3.30

Renovate Or Rebuild. 4.30 TheGardenGurus.

5.00 9NewsFirst At Five. 5.30 Getaway.(PG)

6.00 9News Saturday.

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 Space Invaders. (Final)Experts help people declutter their lives.

8.30 MOVIE: Godzilla Vs.Kong. (2021, Mav, R) Fearsomemonsters Godzilla and King Kong square-off in an epic battle for the ages. AlexanderSkarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall.

10.40 MOVIE: Hulk. (2003, Mav,R)Eric Bana.

1.15 TheGarden Gurus (R)

1.45 Explore. (R)

2.00 TheIncredibleJourney Presents. (PGa)

2.15 Getaway (PG, R)

2.30 World’sGreatest Journeys. (PGa, R)

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 Global Shop.(R) 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping.(R) 5.30 HelpingHands. (PG, R)

6am MorningPrograms. 9.30 Food Trail: SouthAfrica. (R) 10.00 Ready Steady Cook. (R) 11.00 I’mACelebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals, R) 12.30 Silvia’s Italian Masterclass 1.00 All 4Adventure.(PGal, R) 2.00 Roads Less Travelled. (R) 2.30 Everyday Gourmet.(R) 3.00 What’sUpDown Under (R) 3.30 GCBC. (R) 4.00 My Market Kitchen. 4.30 Taste Of Aust. (R) 5.00 News.

6.00 To Be Advised.

7.00 TheDog House (PGa)

Twobrothersare wowed by apure husky.The search is on foraspaniel that needs aplaymate that can keep up

8.00 AmbulanceUK. (Return,Ma) In thefirstoftwo strikedays, North West Ambulance Service loses overathird of its workforce as staff joins the picket lines to strike overpay,working conditions andconcerns for patient safety

10.30 So Help Me Todd. (PGv,R)

Todd stumbles into acase Margaret agreedtoco-counselwith Gus.

11.30 FBI: International. (Mv, R) Alawyeriskilledinacar bombing.

1.00 FBI: Most Wanted. (MA15+v,R) Theteaminvestigatesamurderspree.

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

5.00 Hour Of Power.

6am Morning Programs. 11.00 The 4WD Adventure Show. 11.30 Your 4x4 Noon Bossy’sBucket List 12.30 Blokesworld. 1.00 Football. VFL.Gather Round. State Game. SANFL vVFL 4.00 Supercar Customiser: Yianni. 5.00 Counting Cars. 5.30 Storage Wars 6.00 Pawn Stars.

11.30 Dating No Filter. Midnight Kardashians. 2.00 Love After Lockup 2.30 A1: HighwayPatrol 3.00 Late Programs.

Sunday, April 7

ABC TV (2)

6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 WeekendBreakfast.

9.00 Insiders 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 World

This Week.(R) 11.00 Compass. (PG, R) 11.30

Praise. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. 1.30

Gardening Aust. (R) 2.30 Dream Gardens.(R)

3.00 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.30 The Cook AndThe

Chef.(R) 3.55 Grand Designs New Zealand. (R) 4.40 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow

6.30 Compass: Goodbye My Dog. (PG) Follows families’ finaldays with theirdogs.

7.00 ABCNews. Alook at the top stories of theday

7.30 Death In Paradise. (Final, PG) Acalypso singer’s husband is murdered.

8.30 Vera (Ma) Part 1of3.DCI Vera Stanhope investigates after ayoungman is founddead followingacollision with acar.Oncloser inspection, it becomes clear thatthis is not an accident and is waymore than ahit and run.

10.05 HappyValley. (Malv,R) Tommy’sbig dayapproaches.

11.05 Miniseries: TheSuspect. (Mal, R) Part 1of5

3.10 Rage Vault. (MA15+adhlnsv)

4.00 Doctor At TheDoor (R)

5.00 Insiders. (R)

SBS (3)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Cook Up Bitesize. (R) 9.05 Love Your Home And Garden. (PGa, R) 10.00 VintageVoltage. (PG) 10.50 My Unique B&B. 12.00 WorldWatch. 12.30 PBS

Washington Week With TheAtlantic. 12.55

Trampolining. (R) 1.00 Motorcycle Racing.

ProMX Australian C’ship.Round 2. 4.00 Gymnastics. FIG Artistic World Challenge Cup Highlights. 5.35 ACold WarOfSpies.(PG)

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.30 TheHunt ForCleopatra’s Missing Tomb (PGa) Alookat thehunt for Cleopatra’s tomb

8.20 Treasures Of TheMediterranean Islands (PGs, R) Bettany Hughesexplores some of the treasuresofthe Mediterranean, beginning with themask of Medusa.

9.15 Incas: TheNew Story. (Mad, R) Takesa look at the Inca people howtheywereorganised and why they disappearedsosuddenly

10.55 Underwater Stonehenge. (PG, R)

11.50 AncientMetropolis. (Mav,R)

2.45 Vaccine: The Inside Story.(Ma,R)

4.25 Bamay.(R) 4.55 Destination Flavour Scandinavia Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature.

5.30 AlJazeeraNews.

SEVEN (7,6)

6.00 NBCToday 7.00 WeekendSunrise

10.00 The MorningShow: Weekend.(PG) 12.00 MOVIE: Suddenly 30 (2004,PGdls, R)

Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)

Football AFL.Round 4. Richmond v St Kilda. From Norwood Oval, Adelaide.

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 The1%Club (PGl)

HostedbyJim Jefferies

8.05 Carl Barron: Skating Rink For Flies. (Ml)Comedy performancebyCarl Barron from Melbourne’s PalaisTheatre.

10.05 Code 1: TheBourke Street Mall Tragedy (Mav, R) Alookat theBourkeStreet Mall tragedy.

11.05 Quantum Leap (Ma) Bentakes on therole of aHollywood assistant

12.05 MOVIE: Jesse Stone: No Remorse. (2010,Mav,R)Tom Selleck.

2.00 HomeShopping. (R)

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

6am

NINE (9,8)

6.00 Fishing Australia. (R) 6.30 ACurrent

Affair.(R) 7.00 WeekendToday 10.00 AFL

Sunday FootyShow. (PG) 12.00 Wide World Of Sports. (PG) 1.00 FishForever. 1.30 Drive

TV 2.00

TEN (10, 5)

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

7.30 I’mA Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) Thescariest trial, The Viper Room, returns and the celebrities share the personal storiesthatconnect them to thecharities they are playing for Hosted by Julia Morris and Robert Irwin.

9.00 FBI (Return, Mv)When abus explosion kills severalinnocent people, the FBI team jumps into action to take down the terroristorganisation responsible.Scola tries to balance fatherhood with the job.

12.00 TheSundayProject.

(R) Alookatthe day’snews.

1.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBSMornings. Morning news and talk show

12.55

2.55 Old People’s Home

3.55

4.45 Grand Designs. (R)

5.30

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG,R)

7.00 ABCNews.

7.30 7.30

8.00 Australian Stor y. Presented by Leigh Sales.

8.30 Four Corners. Investigative journalism program.

9.15 Media Watch. (PG) HostedbyPaul Barry

9.35 TheRise And Fall Of BorisJohnson. (PG)Boris resigns as Prime Minister

10.25 ABC LateNews.

10.40 TheBusiness (R)

10.55 The WeeklyWith Charlie Pickering. (R)

11.30 YouCan’t AskThat. (Madl, R) 12.00

Miniseries: The Suspect. (Mal, R) 12.50 Grand Designs.(R) 1.40 Long Lost Family.(PG, R)

2.25 Rage.(MA15+adhlnsv) 4.30 MagicAnd

The Brain –The Science Of Illusion: ACatalyst Special. (PG, R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

10.20

Mountain Vets.(PG) 12.10

Bitesize. (R) 2.10 Ancient Egypt’s Darkest Hour.(PGa, R) 3.00 Mastermind Aust. (R)

3.30 Bitesize. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up.(R)

World’sMostScenic River Journeys. (R) 5.05

Jeopardy!(R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. Presented by Marc Fennell.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Finding Your Roots: And Still I Rise (PG) Hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr

8.30 Secrets Of TheTowerOf London. (Return, PG) Follows the Tower’sstaffasitprepares for the coronation of HisMajesty King Charles III.

9.25 24 Hours In Emergency:You Are Not Alone. (M) A52-year-old with cerebral palsyisrushed to George’s Hospitalsuffering from asuspected stroke.

10.20 SBS WorldNewsLate

10.50 Christian. (Malv)

11.50 My Brilliant Friend. (Mlv,R)

2.50 Mastermind Australia. (R)

3.50 Going Places With Ernie Dingo.(R) 4.50

Destination Flavour:Japan Bitesize.(R) 5.00

NHK WorldEnglish News Morning. 5.30 ANC

PhilippinesThe World Tonight

SBS

(31)

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs. 1.35pm Talking Language. 2.00 Going Places. 2.30 TheCookUp. 3.00 Jarjums 3.25 FreshFairytales. 3.40 Bushwhacked! 4.05 Spartakus And The Sun

4.35

9.05

5.00 Our

6.40

Wars 10.15 MOVIE: The Shiralee. (1987, M) Midnight Late Programs.

SBS

6am The Natural. Continued. (1984,PG) 7.55 AMonth Of Sundays. (2015, PG) 10.00 Three Colours: Blue. (1993,M,French) 11.50 Three Colours: White (1994,M,Polish) 1.30pm Belle And Sebastian3 (2017,PG, French) 3.10 The World’sFastestIndian. (2005,PG) 5.30 The Lunchbox.(2013,PG, Hindi) 7.30 Haj jan. (2023, M, Arabic) 9.50 Casablanca Beats. (2021, M, French) 11.50 Late Programs.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home And Away (PGa)

7.30 HighwayPatrol. (PGl) Agroupof tradies goes ballistic when they are caught without seatbelts and with an unsafe load.

8.30 MOVIE: TheEqualizer 2. (2018,MA15+v,R)A retired CIA black ops operativeisforced back into action when his friend is killed while investigating amurdersuicideand he sets out to use his resources to findthe culprit and getrevenge. Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Ashton Sanders.

11.00 TheLatest: SevenNews.

11.30 TheClown AndThe Candyman (MA15+av,R)Part 1of4

12.30 Grand Crew (Return, PGadls)Noah responds to Simone’s marriage proposal.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBCToday

Sunrise 5am News.

7MATE (73,64)

6.00 9News

7.00 ACurrent Affair.

7.30 MarriedAtFirst Sight. (Final, Mals)

Theparticipantsreturn as the experts discuss the romantic,dramatic and uncomfortable highlights of the season.

9.15 To Be Advised.

10.40 Footy Classified. (M)Footy experts tackle the AFL’s big issues.

11.40 9News Late.

12.10 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

Hosted by BenShephard.

1.05 Pointless (PG, R) Presented by Alexander Armstrong

2.00 Hello SA (PG)

2.30 Global Shop (R)

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Believer ’s Voice Of Vic tor y. (PGa)

4.30 ACurrent Affair (R)

5.00 9News Early

5.30 Today.

9GO! (93, 82)

6am Children’s Programs.

Noon MOVIE: My Little Pony:ANew Generation. (2021, PG) 2.00 Surfing Australia TV 2.30 Bewitched. 3.00 Full House. 3.30 Sunnyside 4.30 The Addams Family 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 IDream Of Jeannie 6.00 Raymond. 7.00 TheNanny 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: IAmLegend. (2007, M) 10.30 Seinfeld. 11.30 The Nanny Midnight Medium. 1.00 BelowDeck. 2.00 Late Programs. 6am MorningPrograms. 1.30pm Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 2.30 Motor Racing. Night Thunder. Midweek Mayhem. H’lights. 3.30 Cities Of The Underworld. 4.30 Storage Wars. 5.00 American Restoration. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Outback Opal Hunters. 8.30 Adventure Gold Diggers. 9.30 Aussie Salvage Squad 10.30 Deep Water Salvage. 11.30 Late Programs.

To Be Advised. 3.00 GCBC. 3.30 10 News First: Afternoon 4.00 Neighbours. (PGa) 4.30 Bold. (PGav) 5.00 News.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal

Hosted by GrantDenyer

6.30 TheProjec t. The hosts and guest panellists take alookatthe day’snews, events and hot topics.

7.30 I’mA Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) Twelve celebrities are still survivingthe jungle, allinthe hope of winning moneyfor their chosen charity

9.00 FBI: MostWanted (Mv, R) After awoman and her two young sons are murdered, Remy Scott and the team search for acopycat killer who is recreating the murders of notorious ’80s mobster Jackie“The Fox” Bianchi.

11.00 TheProjec t. (R) Alook at the day’snews.

12.00 TheLate ShowWithStephen Colber t (PG) Hosted by Stephen Colbert.

1.00 Home Shopping (R)

4.30 CBSMorning s.

10

10

6am Home Shopping 8.00 Pooches At Play 8.30 All 4Adventure. 9.30 iFish. 10.30

6.00

Impossibly Australian (Mls) Part 1of3

9.00 CreativeTypes WithVirginia Trioli: TrentDalton. (Premiere) An exploration of the essence of creativity

9.35 Shakespeare: Rise Of A

10.35 ABC LateNews.

10.50 TheBusiness (R)

11.05 Four Corners. (R) 11.50 The RiseAnd Fall Of Boris Johnson. (PG, R) 12.40 Miniseries: The Suspect. (Mal, R) 1.30 MediaWatch. (PG, R) 1.45 Grand Designs. (R) 2.35 Long Lost Family.(PG,R) 3.20 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

4.35 Solar Storms: AWarning From Space. (R)

5.30 7.30.(R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.30 Great British Railway Journeys: RyeToDungeness. (PG, R) Presented by Michael Portillo

8.30 Insight. With advancesintechnology, Kumi Taguchiexplores when is it okay to be watchedand when is it wrong.

9.30 Dateline: TheKid’s Gambit. Follows achild chessprodigy

10.00 SBSWorld News Late.

10.30

TheMurdochs:Empire Of Influence. (PG, R)

11.20 Faking Hitler (Mlns)

12.15 GoodPeople. (MA15+v,R) 3.00

Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.00 Going Places With Ernie Dingo.(R) 4.30 Bamay.(R) 5.00

NHK World EnglishNews Morning 5.30 ANC

PhilippinesThe World Tonight

6.00

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00

Home AndAway. (PGad)

7.30 Ego: TheMichaelGudinski Story (Madl) Thestory of entrepreneur Michael Gudinski who revolutionised the Australian music industry

9.55 FirstDates UK. (Ma) Singles, including dog groomer Brenna meetselectrician Ross, as they embark on first dates.

11.00

TheLatest: SevenNews.

11.30 Born To Kill? Cleophus Prince Jr (MA15+av,R)Takes alookatCleophus Prince Jr

6.00

6.30 TheProjec t. Alookatthe day’snews. 7.30 I’mACelebrity…Get Me

OfHere! (PGals) As the competition for charity continues, the celebritiesface asecret mission and if they succeed,they will

9.00

(Mad) As NCIS mourns the loss of Ducky,the agents find comfort in working on oneofhis unfinishedcasesinvolving a woman whose father wasdishonourably discharged from the US Marines.

11.00 TheProjec t. (R) Alook at theday’snews.

12.00 TheLate ShowWithStephen Colber t. (PG)Hosted by StephenColbert. 1.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Morning s.

Aussie folk tunes set for Tyers Hall

By KATRINA BRANDON

THE Rummagers are coming to Tyers Hall this Sunday, April 7.

The band will bring their sailing Celtic tunes and hopeful sails of some original songs.

“We play traditional Irish music mixed with abunch of songs. We have diversified into bush dancing,” the band’s guitarist, Michael Murphy said.

“We are mainly based around the old stories of the ship-wrecked coast of Victoria. We kind of had to avoid that word ‘shanty’ phrase because it’s not shanty.Shantiesare work songs that were used on sailing boats. We don’t do that.”

The trio is athree-piece folk band that revels in traditional Irish tunes blended with contemporary folkand songsofsailing and thesea. The band members are Mr Murphy, Anna Cutler and Lewis Strating.

Growing up in Traralgon,MrStrating’s parents were musicians, so he was introduced to the local music scene early on.

“I grew up in Traralgonuntil Iwas 15. Igrew up in afamily with astrongfolk music tradition. Both parents play music, and Ihave two older sisters who play music,” he said.

“It waspart of the familytradition,and so Igrew up playing with that sort of teenager, and it kind

of went away from it as teenagers tend to do. I travelled overseas for two years backpacking and didn’ttakemyviolin. That stimulus made me realise how much Imiss it and how important music, my music tradition, and folk music are to me.”

Starting with some garage sessions with other musicians, Mr Murphy told the Express that The Rummagers have stayed together sincethose jams.

Further into their timetogether, they started writing their Celtic songs, ‘Australian folk’, with shipwrecks around the coast and one personal story of hopefromMsCutlerabout hergreat grandfather who survived awreck after atrip from Norway to islands near Antarctica.

“Playing youroriginalsongs is the hardestpartof performing because peopledon’t know them. That’s kind of acool challenge. We have some originals that people seem to respond to, but they don’t knowthem. That’sprettyexciting,”MsCutler said.

Mr Murphy added, “There will be more storytelling in this one, some originals. Throw afew set tunes and get people apiece of everything we do because we are abit diversified. We will probably focus the most on our originals and tellthe stories to getthe audience involved.”

For more information and tickets,gototrybooking.com/COLTR

Show Me Your Art success

By KATRINA BRANDON

ON MARCH 16, the Show Me Your Art Festival dipped itstoesinto Moe’s paint tins, opening to all different age groups in three significantly different events.

Starting at the Moe Botanical Gardens, many people gotupand ready for the 11am park run, whererunners and walkers were splashed with colour. At the fun run, kids could also get their faces painted. They wore the paint late into the day and were still ripe by the end of the second event. Brushing through time, the secondevent was held at 2pm. It had stalls where people could buy food and listen to live music. The market event was held behind the Moe RSL. Some of those ‘goodie’ stalls included candles, personalised gifts, pet portraits, metal ornaments, flowers, and children’s clothes.Other stands included akids art area and marsupial enclosure.

Those struggling with midday’swarmth could move inside the Drop Zone and Moe RSL. Many games were set up inside the Drop Zone such as table tennis,Jenga,air hockey and eight ball Others who wanted to relaxwith the live music brought chairs that were provided into the shade and enjoyed cold beverages, warm chats with other music lovers and, later in the day, ‘CatinThe Hat’ (Hughesy from Hughsey Nuts About Caramel) danced along with families to the music.

Company: Racheal and BrodieO’Meara sharing adancewithCat in The Hat, Hughsey Hughes

On show: TheRummagerswill bring their Celtic tunes to TyersthisSunday. Photograph supplied

Scorching ride for Mirboo North

By KATRINABRANDON

THE roaringsounds of motorbikes filtered through the Strzelechi Highway on the warm morning of March 9.

Complete: This muralinMoe wasfinished beforethe rain

As the market settled,thingsstarted opening up at MoeTown Hall, where bands and musiciansset the night’s mood.

The money raised throughout the day went towards mental health. Overall, organiser and local artist Steve Bechaz said he was happy with the result, even though it was too warm to paint.

For future events, follow the Show Me Your Art Festival on Facebook.

Whilehundredsofpeople still came to the event and none of the paintings could be done on the day due to the heat. Peoplecouldstill send in their ideas, and later in the week, the works were done behind TM&H Mitre 10 Moe.

Music: Darren Middleton and KellyLane enter tainedthe crowdatMoe’s Show Me Your Ar tFestival.

Photographs: Katrina Brandon

Twenty-sixriders braved the heat heading from Traralgon to Mirboo North to help support the businesses affected by the recent storms. The ride’s organiserswere the Upper Echelon Collective clothing brand, based in Traralgon, who started the Traralgon Bike Meet.

The ride was only their second ride, and the grouphopes to do more towards many causes, including men’s mental health.

Like other groups, the ride was bought to help get bike ridersout of the houseand out and about as agroup, whether they were beginners or had been riding for awhile.

“It’s about bringing people together and out of the house where they are connecting to people and having aride on their bikes,” organiser Emily Dickinson said.

“The Mirboo North road is agood road for the majority of bikes where people can learn to be more comfortable with their bike and twisty corners. It also gives riders achancetoexplore adeeper range of bikes and to be able to talk to like-minded people.”

“We’re allabout our community”

RiderDaveHolt told the Express that as someone who has been riding since he was 16, there are quite afew different groups out there that ride motorcycles and chat.

As someone with lots of experience, Mr Holt said that being in abikegroup or as asolo rider, the bike community is really supportive. In previous years, Mr Holt explained that he needed help on the side of the road, and others stopped to help him.

“I think as long as any guys out there that are reading this, and they’re like riding bikes, just keep an eye for each other when you’re on the road,” he said

“That’s the big one. Just help other riders out because one day, it could help you. Iknowthat it’shappened to me. It’s happenedtomeacouple of times. I’ve had guys pull up to help me, which is awesome.”

With morerides to come, Ms Dickinson and Mr Holt said they were looking forward to more rides and meeting more people who share the same love for riding.

For more information on the bike group, check out Bike Meet -Traralgon on Facebook.

Teamwork: Morethan 20 ridersjoined the MirbooNor th communitylast month to support businesses affected by thestorm Photograph: Katrina Brandon

Gippsland’snew footballing powerhouse

SOCCER GIPPSLAND UNITED

BY SOLOMON NASH

BEFORE aballwas even kicked, 2023was already ahistoric year for football in the Gippsland region This was duetothe unanimousdecision on November 1, 2022, made collectively by the boards of Latrobe United Women’s Football Club, Warragul United Soccer Cluband Gippsland Football Club, to amalgamateasone footballing powerhouse known as Gippsland United Football Club.

The three organisations worked together over several months to develop amodel thatwill strengthen the position of football in Gippsland.

Thisdecisionhad unwavering backing from GippSport, FootballVictoria, Latrobe CityCouncil and Baw Baw Shire Council, whose positive partnerships will continue well into the future.

The alignment of senior women’s, men’s and junior boys andgirls football will reinvigorate and providesustainablepathways foraspiring footballers in the Gippsland region.

The club’s vision encompasses, growing participation, developing talent, offering the highest standard of football, streamlining administration, andchampioning women’s and girl’s football.

The first year came andwentinaflashand the club heldits firstever annual meeting on Wednesday, November222023, whichhighlighted how success couldbefound on andoff the pitch for GippslandUnitedin2023

“In our inauguralseason, Iamproudtosay that what we have been able to achieve as anew organisation in such ashortperiod of time is above and beyond my own lofty expectations.” This was the encapsulating opening remark from the club’s president, PeterO’Dea,inthe first paragraphof his2023President’s Report.

O’Dea concluded by thanking each andevery member for contributing to what has been atruly remarkable year.

To begin theanalyse,Gippsland United’sfirst season, one noteworthy achievement that showed theclub’s willingness to go above and beyond, was being named a‘club changer’, by Football Australia. This demonstrates Gippsland United’s commitment and dedication to the development of women’s and girl’s football.

The notion of girl’s andwomen’s participation and expansionisclearly frontofmindfor the club Hence, ayardstick for success in thisspace is to achieveFootball Victoria’s goal of 50/50 gender equity by 2027.

In addition, Gippsland United was proud to announce that they are afinancially compliant club, after Football Victoria published astatewide ‘Club Debt in Victoria’ report for 2023.

Overview

IN their inaugural year, United had 357 registered players across 15 teams.

Theyran aSkills Acquisition Program (SAP), Girls Development Program (GDP) and MiniRoos Program.

Gippsland United successfully organisedthe appointment of 50 coaches and assistants including one Alicensed, threeworking towards Blicense andnine with Clicense or working towards the accreditation.

The club worked in partnership with 28 sponsors and had 41 committee membersparticipatein regular meetings throughout the year.

Senior Women’s

TWO senior women’s sides represented the region with the State League 3Women’s team winning theirleague in what was afairytale firstseason under coach Jason Reddiex, as theysecured promotion to State League 2.

Shanasai Iorangi was the standoutplayer in leading her side to promotion, scoring20goals in 18 games.

Shewas notonly awardedbest-and-fairest at the club’s awardsnight, but was also named league best-and-fairest, amagnificent achievement, which was well and truly merited by her stellar season.

The State League 4Women’s side had amore difficult season compared to their champion counterparts, but were successful in maintaining their status in their divisionfor the upcoming season.

Senior Men’s

LASTseasonwas ayear to remember for many reasons, but not least for the fact that it marked 60 years of men’s football in the town of Warragul

TheStateLeague 1Men’s senior team had one of their most competitive and impressive seasons in years, finishing sixth on their league table with 31 points.

Striker, Rory Wagner, had agreat season, scoring 17 times in 22 games, helping his side secure crucial points,purely throughhis goal scoring abilityalone.Wagner’spotency in front of goal saw him be awarded as the league’s leading goal scorer come the end of the season.

The men’s reservessidewere triumphant, under coach Jason Dastey, in winning ahistoric league title. After only losing two games all season, amassing an insurmountable 52 points, pipping rivals Malvern City to top spot by one solitary point, the players lifted the club’s first men’s reserves title since1990.

Similarly to Wagner,Daniel Edeyenjoyed his own individual success in reserves, as he also took out the accolade of league leading goal scorer, hitting the back of the net 18 times in 19 games.

Juniors

JUNIOR Boys National Premier League (JBNPL) andPre-NPL holds the focus of preparing talented youth for the jump to JBNPL.

Gippsland Unitedfielded two Pre-NPL teams for under 12 and 13 boys.

Bothteams acquitted themselves superbly, with the under 12’s topping their league, bringing home Gippsland’s third piece of silverware for the season.

Gippsland had three age groups representing

This structure and transitionhas beenidentified as akey metric for the club,asensuring junior players progress into senior football is vital for the organisation’s sustainability.

The club is verygrateful to Latrobe City and Baw Baw Shire for the ongoing partnership and access to home ground facilities at the Gippsland Sports andEntertainment Park in Morwell,Baxter Park and the TrafalgarRecreation Reserve, with the newly built Turra Pavilion.

Aspecial sense of gratitude is directed towards Baw Baw Shire Council as they completed the massive$2.9m upgrade of the Baxter Park Pavilion which was recently opened in late February this year, after morethan12monthsofrenovations and refurbishments came to aclose.

The club also cannot wait for the Gippsland Sports and Entertainment Park to undergo major redevelopment in the coming years, with the vision of the facility to become acentre of excellence for football in the region.

All three upgrades will ensure the club can continue to cater for its growingplayer and member bases.

Focusing nowonmatters on the pitch, Gippsland’s women’s playing group will experience awelcomed reform, in that they willnow both be in State League 1and just like the men’s squad, they will have asenior and reserves side, rather than having two separate playinggroups in different divisions.

the club at the JBNPL level, including under 14s, 15s and 18s.

In total, the club had 15 coaches and assistants lead the junior boys teams across JBNPL and Pre-NPL.

Jett Koppen from the JBNPL under14s boys side was the third Gippsland United player to achieve the accolade of league leading goal scorer, after putting away 19 goals in just as many games.

Community programs

THE club ran ahugelysuccessful MiniRoos program that took place on Saturday mornings at Baxter Park in Warragul,giving girlsand boysfrom ages 5-10 the opportunity to get ataste of football.

This program generated lots of interest, so much so that the program reached its capacity with 140 registered participants.

The club emphasised its gratitude to all the volunteers, parents and guardians that showed amazing community support to help the future generations of footballers enjoy learning the basics of football.

At acommunity level, United entered atotal of five teams thatcompeted in Football Victoria’s metropolitan leagues.

These teams trained and played home games out of Baxter Park, with the under 13 girls being the most successful community team,ending runnersup in their competition.

The club also ran aSkillsAcquisition Program (SAP) for Central, South and West Gippsland girls and boys aged 10-12.

The program saw just under100 participants, learning the key skills to be able to progress into organised and competitive levels of football.

Finally, in line with their commitment to growingfemaleparticipation, United provided young girls the introductory opportunity to experience the game of football via their Girls Development Program (GDP), which catered for participants from Central and West Gippsland.

This year and beyond

GIPPSLAND United will look to build on the success of 2023 by staying committed to continually providing football programsfor community juniors and atalent pathway into the senior program for both male and female participants.

This opportunity was provided to the club by Football Victoria very recently, as they recognised Gippsland United’s tremendousefforts and continued commitment to grow female participation in the region.

Therefore, thenewly promoted State League 2 women’s outfit will be bumped up to State League 1 as the senior teamand the State League4 women’s team will become the reserves side in the same division.

The target for the senior women’s squad will be to win back-to-back promotions.

As for the women’s reserves team, after their difficult first season in State League 4, attracting more new players and consistency to their results will be their initial priorities.

The aim for the men’s playing group in 2024 is clear -win promotion to Victorian Premier League 2from State League 1and win consecutive reserve league titles.

This highly ambitious squad of players recently set thetoneright for the season ahead,asthey werevictoriousintheir firstcompetitive fixture of the year.

This came in Round 3ofthe Australia Cup, as they defeatedWest Gate FC 2-0 at home on Saturday, March 9.

Gippsland United will continue to expand their SAP and GDP programs, add another JBNPL/ Pre-NPL boysteamand increase the number of community girls teams. They will also provide a huge increase in MiniRoos registrations with 200 available spots in 2024.

Theclub is also communicating regularlywith the two main community leagues in the region: the Latrobe ValleySoccer League(LVSL) and Gippsland Soccer League (GSL).

Various Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between the LVSL, GSL and Gippsland United will be worked on throughout 2024 to help strengthen the footballing identity, in what is one of the biggest regional areas in the state.

It must be said, irrespective of what has happened and whateverthe future holds for Gippsland United, if one thing is guaranteed, their values of unity, professionalism, pathways, history and passion willalwaysstayatthe heart of thefootball club now and forever.

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Onwardsand upwards: GippslandUnitedhas experiencedavast amount of success in ashor t space of time Photograph supplied

Spoljaric ‘best I’ve seen’: Bailey

CRICKET

By LIAM DURKIN

LOCAL cricket legendKen Bailey has declared current player Steve Spoljaric as the greatest player he has seen in his 40-year association with Sale-Maffra based club Bundalaguah.

Bailey made the bold call speaking to Paul Amy (himselfaGippsland boy, hailing from Fish Creek) for Code Sports in arecent feature story on 'Spolly'. “We’ve had alot of good cricketers come through Sale-Maffra but he’s the best player I’veseenhere,’’ Bailey said

“He was agood age when he got here …I’d hate to see what he was like when he was younger.’’

Spoljaric came to Bundalaguah in 2019/20, by then intohis 40s, following astoried career in Victorian Premier and high level Melbourne grade cricket.

He won aRyder Medal as the bestplayer in Victorian Premier Cricket and six Wookey Medals as the best player in the highest section (Turf 1) of DandenongDistrict.

Playingasagenuine all-rounder, Spoljaric took the highest individual honour in Victorian Premier Cricketafter scoring 579 runs and taking35wickets for Hawthorn/Monash University in 2007/08. He has continuedtochurn out ridiculous numbers for the Bulls since his arrival, orchestrated somewhat by his and Bailey's love of greyhound training.

Spoljaric has scored at least 500 runs aseason forBundalaguah,and taken almost 100wickets with his ambling medium pacers, delivered off no more than six steps.

He is still amainstay in SMCArepresentative squads andtravelled down to Country Week this season.

An indication into the quality of Sale-Maffra cricket over the years, and indeed currently, might be helped by the fact Spoljaric, when asked to name his 'Best Local XI' included Collegians pair Noah Hurley and Nathan Whitford, and found aspot for Bundy teammate Sam Bedggood as 12th man.

The pair were aforced to be reckoned with last season, bringing genuine pace from both ends with the new ball.

Freakshow: The great SteveSpoljaric. File photograph

On Hurley, Spojaric said: “Up-and-coming fast bowler who’s now at Dandenong. He charges in all day long and Ican see him getting to ahigh level.’’

Moe dominates competition

Ryan Davis wonthe Section 1singles premiership in Riverside Tennis Photographs supplied

Moe mad boys: It wasanall-Moe affair in the Section 1 singles finalasMoe WhiteplayedMoe Red. Getting readyto playingoodspirits areMoe White’s Nathan vander Koogh, Fletcher Nilssonand Ryan Davis and MoeRed’sRowan White, RileyO’Brien and James Columbine

On Whitford: “Even though I’m aged, if you take my off-peg out shouldering arms, I’m rating you. He’s like Noah, he’s got alot of potential and could go alongway.’’

As for Bedggood: "Two or three years ago the little bugger beat me for the batting award. He scored half as many runs. But if you beatthe big fella for the batting you can’t keep him out, can you?’’

Referring to himself as 'the big fella', Spoljaric included himself in the team, saying “someone’s got to push the troops around, don’t they?"

With Bundalaguah having players the likes of Ian Wrigglesworth (himself aRyder medalist and Victorian Shield player), Victorian squad member NathanKing and bush great Adrian Burgiel in the last 40 years, for Spoljaric to be placed above them

As one SMCA pundit put it to this author when asked for adescription of Spoljaric's batting, they simplysaid"he just lookslikea player you see on TV".

Where does Spoljaric rate amongGippsland's greatest cricketers?

Is he up there with the best of all time?

TENNIS RIVERSIDE ASSOCIATION

RIVERSIDE Tennis Association Grand Finals were held at Moe Tennis Club recently.

Section 1singles wasanall-Moe affair, and saw Moe White defeat

Moe Red 4-8-50 to 0-0-27.

Section 1doubles had Moe defeating Drouin Maroon 5-45 to 3-33.

In Section 2singles,Trafalgardefeated Drouin Maroon 5-46 to 1-26.

In Section2doubles,Neerim District defeated Hallora 5-40 to 4-35.

Trophy: Moe claimed the Section 1doubles trophy.Atthe presentation areteam membersGregWiggins,Debbie Griffith, Dave Guthrie, Gerardine Stephens and Sharon Madeley. Absent: Garyth Mullett.

Change Our Game grant applications open

APPLICATIONS for the 2023-24 Change Our Game Community Activation Grants program are now open.

Grants of up to $10,000 are available to support community sport and recreation clubs or organisations to increaseparticipation, build capability, promotegender equity and support the professional development of women and girls playing, volunteering and working in community sport.

In thisround of the program there’s also astrong focus on supporting club or organisation initiatives that encourage the equitable inclusion of women and girls from all backgrounds and experiences.

The program is part of the stategovernment's Change Our Gameinitiative, working to make sport more accessible, increasing local participation and providing opportunities for all Victorians to be leaders in their local sporting community.

Now in its seventh year, the Change Our Game Community Activation Grants program has provided more than $2.2 million towards 461 grants that have benefitted community sport and active recreation clubs and organisations across the state

One such initiative was with the Benalla Golf Club, that saw 75 women and girls participate in a ‘Fun on the Fairways –Girls in Golf’ program.The

nine–week program to learn golf skills, game play and course etiquette provided asafeand supportive environment and resulted in a20per cent increase in competition rounds played by women.

Together with the Fair Access Policy, launched by the state government in August 2022, Change Our Game CommunityActivation Grants provides agreat opportunity for clubs and organisations to extend equitable access to, and use of, community sports infrastructure, and build participants’ skills and knowledge.

These grants are part of the government’s $18.8 million investment in the Office for Women in

Sport and Recreation and the Change Our Game initiative since 2016.

Directo roft he Office for Women in Sport and Recreat ion, Sarah Styles welcomed the announcement.

“The Change Our Game Community Activation Grants program supports more women and girls to participate, engage and access sport and active recreation," she said. "Through this program, we’re continuing to create change and lead Australia in ensuring a level playing field for all.”

For more information about Change Our Game programs, visit changeourgame.vic.gov.au

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The team hasawealth of knowledge in the electrical industry, which ensures peace of mind when clients call Smar tChoice Electrical forany job

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“Weare proud of our achievements in electrical safetyand quality, consistentlyproviding a high levelofworkmanship,” Mr Griffiths said.

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Theyprovide customerswith the securityofknowing theyare directlywith approachable siness owners

ths have seen that many

Artwork exhibitionhits LatrobeValley

By KATRINA BRANDON

PHOTO 2024 International Festival of Photography has arrived at Latrobe Regional Gallery (LRG).

PHOTO 2024 features 100 free exhibitions and outdoor artworks to explore across seven Festival Precincts in Melbourne and five regional Victoria areas. LRG has been lucky enough to be included in these exhibitions, such as The Valley, Interstates of Becoming, Selected Works, The Quickening and No More Flags.

Featured in Gallery 1and 2, The Valley explores its possible futures through its past and present, people and places.It’s ajointinitiativecurated by LRG and Hillvale Photo photographers James

Opportunities for musicians

NEW grants to support newmusic talent and back local music acts have been announced by the state government,giving Gippsland musicians from various backgrounds a chance to take part in new projects and reach international audiences.

The Ministerfor CreativeIndustries,Colin Brooks, confirmed that applications for the latest round of the government’s Music Works grants programopenedonMarch14. Soul singer, Bumpy(AmyDowd), aformer Catholic College Sale student, is aprevious recipient of a$10,000 MusicWorks grant, which supported the distribution and promotion of her debut EP.

This year’s grants program offers funding for artists in two new categories, with Stream 1: Uncovering Talent, dedicated to supporting early career artists and people from underrepresented backgrounds in the industry.

St re am 2: Evolve and Export boost s opportunities for Victorian artists to take their music to new markets, with funding to supportinnovative new music projects and activities

Both categories have dedicated streams for First Peoplesand Deaf and Disabled applicants alongside general streams.

More than800 musicprojects havebeen supportedbythe government’s MusicWorks program since it was launchedin2015,backed by almost $12 millioninvested to ensure local artists and collectives have the tools and skills they need to have an accessible and secure jobinthe music industry.

Music Works is open to every artist and project across all genres of contemporary music and has supported artists including The TeskeyBrothers, Amyl and the Sniffers, RGV and Julia Jacklin showcase their music in Victoria and around the world.

It also supportedFirstPeoplesartists including Bumpy and DJ Kidd Bennyto run workshops and acommunity hip hop show, and Kutcha Edwards to promote his new album.

“Victoria is Australia’s music heartland and the Allan Labor Government doesn’ttake this for granted. We are proud to work with the industry to supportmusic in Victoria,” Mr Brooks said.

Applicationsfor the newround of Music Works grants opened on March 14 and close at 3pm on Thursday, April 18, 2024. For information to apply, visit

Bugg, Andy Johnson,AnneMoffat, and Clare Steele. Hillvale Photoisanindependent photo lab and gallery in Melbourne created by photographers for photographers.

Throughout six months, the four artists visited Latrobe Valley numeroustimes as agroup and individually to connect with locals and community organisations.

“Additionally, we conducted aseries of workshops in collaboration with students from Kurnai College’sFlexible Learning Option, using Hillvale Photo’srecycled disposablecameras,” artist Anne Moffat said.

“The images made during these workshops comprise ourexhibition’s ‘Community Noticeboard’ part. We’ll continuously update the noticeboard throughout the exhibition until June 23, incorporating photos from upcomingworkshops in April and May.”

“Theexhibitionispartofthe PHOTO 2024 International Festival of Photography and engages with the festival’s overarching theme: ‘The Future Is Shaped By Those Who Can See It’.”

Ms Moffat told the Express that they asked the community what their dreams and aspirations were in Latrobe Valley and what they considered the shifting futures of anew tomorrow, so they could provideanoutsider’s glance of Latrobe Valley. She said that the other artists branched out into their interests.

Groups that received visits fromthe artists include the Latrobe Valley Field Naturalists Club, Field and Game ClubsinMoe and Morwell, the Latrobe Valley Model Aero Club, Traralgon City Band, Latrobe Valley Beekeepers Association, Moe Skatepark, Morwell Citizens Band, Newborough Men’s Shed, Traralgon Rodeo, Kurnai College’s Flexible Learning Option and Country Women’s Association Morwell.

“The experience surpassed our expectations in many ways,” Ms Moffat said.

“While we anticipated engaging with the diverse communitiesofthe Latrobe Valley, Ithink we were all particularly struck by the resilience, warmth and generosity of the community memberswe encountered.

“Engaging with various community groups and individualsprovideduswithinvaluable insights

into the multifaceted aspects of life in the Latrobe Valley. I’m grateful for the people I’ve met, both serendipitously and planned. It has been aprivilege to get to know this region and the people who call it home.”

Now open to the public, Ms Moffat said thatshe is incredibly excited to share the works they have been working on, and is eager to see how the community resonates with their countless work hours.

“I believe it’s crucialfor people to feel represented in their civic spaces. With this in mind, Ihope our exhibition will act as amirror, providing community representation and fostering connection,” she said.

“We hope to foster asenseofinclusivity and empowerment among all who are represented in and engage with the exhibit, encouraging them to envision and actively shape the Valley’s future.”

The exhibition launched on March 1and is open to the public until June 23 at the Latrobe Regional Gallery.

For more information, go to latroberegionalgallery.com/project/the-valley-photo-2024/

Locals perform at Picnic on the Green

By BEN MCARTHUR

THE 10th Sale Music Festival,or‘Picnic on the Green’, was held at the Port of Sale on Sunday, March10, featuring an excitingline-upofmusicians, including Latrobe Valley’s own Reversion, Davidson Brothers and SweetLIP.

Thousands from the region attended, braving near 40-degree heat.

There were food trucks, abarbecue, ice cream and drinks supplied by local community groups.

Who Was That Cat first took stage, and played catchy rock and country songsfor an hour to an audience of about 100.

“I must say it’s damn hot up there, and I’m damn gladI’m notperforming later in the day. Ithink this is thehottest I’ve everseeninMarch,” Who Was That Catleadsinger, Wayne Feldman, told the Express

“At the start, Iput sometape on stage to hold some of the stands, and it melted onto the carpet; Icouldn’t pull it off after!”

Otherperformers included Amber Lawrence, Matt PeterFry, The Soultanas and Ryan Lestrange

The event continued until 7pm. Thelast performer was the Traralgon-basedband, Reversion.

Artists assembled: TheValleyteam includes ar tists Clare Steele,GarethPhillips,Anne Moffat, (front)Andy Johnson, curatorDavid AshleyKerr and Ying Ang

Photographs: Katrina Brandon

Popular: Theopeningnight of TheValleywas ahuge hit, with many people comingtoviewthe ar twork.

romYinnar were aheadline act at the Sale Music Festival.

Photograph: Ben McAr thur

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ROMA Eclipse, poptop, 15ft, 2berth, electric roof lifter, microwave, as new cook top, wardrobe, plenty storage, good tyres, long rego., v.g.c., $15,000 o.n.o. Ph 0418 753 575.

ROYAL Flair 17ft, 8mths reg., sgle axle, m/w, gas stove top and grill, 3-way fridge, front kit, sgle beds, solar, annexe, lovingly kept $16,500. 0427 916 547.

ROYAL Flair Enhance, as new condition, genuine reason for sale, lots of extras, ideal for around Aust., $38,000 o.n.o. Ph Peter 0428 827 877.

EXPRESS P e r s o n a l s

Caravans • Wedding Anniversaries •

GRAY

2/4/2024 Congratulations Anthony (Tony) and Vera Married in England in 1949 they will have been married 75 years Also on 2nd April will be TONY’S 96th BIRTHDAY

Deaths •

BEK, Johanna (Mady). Passed away on Thursday, 28 March 2024, with family at her side. Loved and loving wife of Harry. Greatly missed mother of Anita and George. Oma of Anthony and Karina. At Peace Private Funeral Service held.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 5126 1111

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BLOCH (Atkinson), Hazel Patricia (Pat). Peacefully passed away on 23/3/2024.

COOK (née Freshwater), Yvonne 'Mary'.

Passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at Latrobe Regional Hospital, Thursday 21 March 2024.

Aged 75 years Dearly loved wife of Peter for 52 years. Loved and loving mother and mother-in-law of Sharell and Pradeep.

Her legacy lives on through her nurturing of nature and her family.

AFuneral Service was held on TUESDAY (26 March 2024) at Gippsland Funeral Services, Sale.

DYER, Geoffrey 'Maurie'. Passed away peacefully at home 25/3/2024.

Loved and loving husband of Jan. Loved father of Narelle and Des, Kim and Glen, Ben and Megan.

Respected, loved and proud Grandad to Olivia, Nick and Georgia, Mitch and Ange, AJ and Grace, and Libby, and Rose and Ivy.

So dearly loved

So sadly missed

DYER, Maurie. The Chairman, Board of Directors, Members and Staff of the Morwell Bowling Club are deeply saddened by the passing of Maurie. Maurie was awell resp ecte da nd lo ng standing member of the club. We offer our condolences to his family and friends at this sad time. At peace

ELLEN, Bruce Charles. Astalwart and giant of the Australian newspaper industry and life member of the Victorian Country Press Association and Country Press Australia, Bruce will be sadly missed. His significant contribution to the industry will never be forgotten. Deepest sympathies to his mother Dorothy,wife

Chris, children Nick and Ashleigh, son in-law Jarrod and brothers Graeme and Tim and families.

MACPHERSON, Peter James.

Late of Sunshine Coast, formerly of Latrobe Valley and South Burnett. Passed away peacefully, Saturday 23 March 2024.

Aged 68 years Loving father and Pop to his family.

GREGSON &WEIGHT FuneralDirectors 0754 439 953

MEYER, Rolf Adolf (Rolfy). Passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at St John of God, Berwick on March 27, 2024.

Aged 81 years Beloved wife of Gerhard (John). Married almost 60 years .M ot her and mother-in-law to Carol and Andrew, Diane and Brian, Michelle and Scott. Grandmother to Logan, Brooke and Jack, Kiana, Kylan, Damon, Jye and Jenna. Great grandmother to Hannah and Olivia. Thank you for your love, guidance, optimism and joy you brought to all our lives. Fly high with the angels. We will never forget you.

BROWNBILL (nee Harfield), Judith Ellen 'Judy'. 28/6/1933 -26/3/2024.

With sadness we announce

Judy's death.

4WD •

1992, GQ Patrol, 4.2 EFI, dual fuel, v.g.c.,

Ph

7pm 0428 133 576.

Much loved wife of Keith and mother of son Chris and daughter Susan.

An able sportswoman and avalued community volunteer.

ELLEN, Bruce. All at The Express are saddened by the passing of our dedicated owner and Managing Director of more than 35 years, Mr Bruce Ellen. His commitment to the Australian regional newspap er indu stry was unparalleled. Bruce was agreat friend and mentor to all and he was greatly respected by the wider community. He will be sadly missed by all. We are all better for having him in our lives. We send our sincere condolences to Chris, Ash, Jarrod, Nick and the entire Ellen family. Staff at Latrobe Valley Express and Express Print.

ELLEN, Bruce Charles. Afun, caring and dedicated great friend, colleague and mentor .B ruce's passion and knowledge for the newspaper industry will be missed enormously. Instrumental in sustaining newspapers around Australia through his own financial input to his work with Country Press Australia. Dedicated family man and dedicated to his community. Condolences to his mother Doro thy, wife Chri s, children Nick and Ashleigh, son-in-law Jarrod and brothers Graeme and Tim and families. From Paul, Damian and families and everyone at Star News Group and Today News Group.

ELLEN, Bruce Charles. Passed away at Maryvale Private Hospital, 27 March, 2024. Aged 65 years Our thoughts are with his wife, Chris, children, Nick and Ashleigh, son-in-law, Jarrod, mother, Dorothy, and brothers, Graeme and Tim and their families. Afriend and colleague, Bruce was an outstanding media executive over many years, including his role as manager and director of The Latrobe Valley Express and the Gippsland Times, Sale. He was an energetic and effective president and life member of the Victorian Country Press Association an dC oun try Pre ss Australia. Bruce, thank you for your friendship and conscientious contribution to the newspaper industry.

Rest In Peace The Hopkins family and staff of The Warragul and Drouin Gazette.

Aged 86 years young Loved and devoted husband of Cathie for 59 wonderful years. Treasured Dad of Susie and Heidi. Loved and res pec ted fat her -i n- law of Gerry. Much loved Opi of Samantha and Hayden, Daniel and Yasra, Maddison, Gabriella, and Luke.

Happy memories of awonderful life

For Funeral details please visit: www.nielsenfunerals.com.au

PEREZ, Joseph. Passed away on Friday, 15 March 2024. Loved and loving husband of Lynette. Father of Malcolm. Missed by those who loved him. At Rest

SCHLOEMANN, Jason Russell. Passed away peacefully at home on 25 March 2024. Aged 37 years young Dearly loved son of Lisa and Rainer. Much loved brother of Katie and Jason, Jenelle, Robert (dec.), and Tamika and Lou. Adored uncle to their families.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MORWELL 5134 4937 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

From the members, board and staff of Victorian Country Press Association and Coun try Pres s Australia. ELLEN. The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Mr Bruce Charles Ellen will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 437A Princes Drive Morwell on FRIDAY, (5 April 2024) commencing at 1.30pm. Bruce's Service will also be livestreamed. To View the livestream, please visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au and click on live streaming.

GALLAGHER. The Funeral Service of Mrs Johanna Gallagher will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 437A Princes Drive, Morwell MONDAY (8 April 2024), commencing at 10.30am.

Following the Service, the Funeral will leave for the Traralgon Cemetery. To view the livestream, please visit our website and follow the prompts.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MORWELL 5134 4937 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

HARRIS. The Funeral Service of Mrs Lilian Harris will be held at Newborough Uniting Church, 92 Chamberlain Road, Newborough on THURSDAY, (11 April 2024), commencing at 11am. Following the Service, the Funeral will leave for the Yallourn Cemetery. To view the livestream of the Service, please visit our website and follow the prompts.

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SCHLIPALIUS (Marshall), Viola (Vi). 9/3/1929 -2/4/2019. It has been 5years on and it feels like yesterday. Those we love don't go away, They walk beside us every day. We miss you mum and always will. Love Rhonda, and Les.

SYKES, Andrew. 31/3/1960 -8/4/2014. Remembering you on your birthday and always With love Mum and all the family.

De LAZZER, Peter Anthony.

Lorraine, Margaret and families would like to than ke ver yone wh o attended Peter's Funeral, phone calls, sent cards, flowers and expressions of sympathy. Thanks to the caring staff at Monash Dandenong and Clayton hospitals. Also thanks to Mark and staff at LVFS and celebrant Beryl Stevens for all their support. Please accept this as our sincere thanks.

Latrobe

Contact our caring highly experienced and qualified team or visit our website for more details

MOE 5126

1111 MO RWE LL 5134 4937

T R A R A LGO N 5174 2258

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BROWNBILL. Acelebration of Judy's life will be held at the Morwell Golf Club, Fairway

HARRIS,

SCHLOEMANN. The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Mr Jason Schloemann will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 6Ollerton Avenue Moe, on WEDNESDAY (10 April 2024) at 1.30pm.

nan to Piper, Bailey, Jack, Ethan, Finn and Liam.

Rest In Peace

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 5126 1111 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

Local takes out skydiving title

SKYDIVING

By TOM HAYES

ICAN’T imaginethat many primary school teachers can tell their students that they jump out of planes for fun.

Yarragon Primary School’s Kallen Fitzclarence can do just that.

The 34-year-old has been involved in skydiving for over five years now, turning what was amissed opportunity into an experience for most weekends.

“My wife and Iwere going to go and do atandem in Perth, but unfortunately we couldn’t make it due to some delays with the plane. So, as soon as we got home to Victoria, my wife went overseas and Istarted researching where to skydive -turns out that Latrobe Valley Airporthas commando skydivers right there,” Fitzclarence said.

Fast forward to 2024,and Fitzclarence is now an Accuracy Landing winner, taking out the title at the Australian National Skydiving Championships. He madeupfor lastyear’ssecond-place finish, stepping onto the top step of the podium at the nationallevel. Beforelast year’s Nationals, Fitzclarence took out the state competition in Victoria.

At the Championships, two eventswherehosted.

The first was the SportsAccuracy, where skydivershave a10-centimetre target to land near,

maximising their points if they land within15 metres of the target.

Fitzclarence entered this event in the Open Division, and was able to compete in this division due to having the experience of over 200 jumps.

The second event was called Accuracy Landing, which has bigger parachutes and a16-centimetre dot, but they have to land on the dot to score.

To make the weekend even better, Fitzclarence was able to share the podium with two of his good mates, who are based from Melbourne.

It is the highest level of competition in this event, with Sports Accuracyonly performed as high as the national level.

The Accuracy Landing event goes international, and some competitors will soon take to the United States to competeagainst other skydiversfrom all over the world.

Fitzclarence uses his teaching skills to educate new skydivers at Latrobe Regional Airport.

Fitzclarence has been aprimary school physical education teacher for 10 years, and finds himself to have the cool quirk of jumping out of planeswhich always catches the kid’s attention.

Latrobe RegionalAirport hosttandem skydiving as well as training courses every month.

If anyone is looking to get involved or giveskydiving ago, ring the Latrobe Regional Airport on 1300 555 956.

Harriers complete McNairn Rd Racecourse run

ATHLETICS TRARALGON HARRIERS

BY GARYFOX

LAST week’s (March 28) Harriers Thursday night runwas the McNairnRoad Racecourse run.

Agreat turnout saw atotal of 58 runners participate in perfect conditions.

The coursewas slightly undulating,taking in MalibuPlace, Ellavale Drive, TristaniaDrthen returning via Melrossa Rd.

Great running by Sav Mavrofridis saw him first home in an impressive time of 18:48, followed by Trent Kooyman (21:00) and Darrel Cross (21:40). Great running by Molly Irvine saw her first lady home in 22:00,followedKarenGraham (23:00) and Liz Kenney (25:15).

This wasthe lastrun of thesummer serieswhere courses are mostly in the rural environment. The winter series begins this week on the Newborough Athletics Track. The club will be running in the urban environment under lights during winter. Running at the Newborough Athletics Track is agreat opportunity for afasttime.

For more information, visit traralgonharriers.org. au, or visit the Harriers Facebook page.

Results -Thursday, March28

SavMavrofridis 18:48, Trent Kooyman 21:00, Darrel Cross 21:40, MollyIrvine 22:00, Ashleigh Dugan 22:02, Adrian Sutcliffe 22:45, PeterFairbairn22:52, KarenGraham23:00,Geoffrey Francis 23:41, Andrew Broberg23:42, Chris VanUnen23:45, Stephen Renehan23:47,David Barr 23:49, Ron Verschuur 23:57,GaryFox 25:05, Ian Twite25:10, Liz Kenney 25:15, Toby Grzmil 25:19, Angeline Snell 26:28, Andrew Panayiotou 26:32, Samantha Riddle 27:19, ReeGraham27:28,Giuseppe Marino 27:36, Nicholas Talerico 28:00, Dave Mann 28:02, Collette Hofmann 28:50, MarkFairbairn 28:56, Kate Mayer29:03, Phillip Mayer29:03, Jason Odlum 29:20, LucyMagaldi 29:32, Michelle Sawyer 29:34, Megan Scott29:41, Amelie

Come one, come all to the baseball

Swing and amiss: Teamsfromacross Gippslandand Melbourne came to Sale forthe GippyChamps

Photograph: Liam Durkin

BASEBALL By NICOLE WHITE

THE Gippy Champsbaseball tournamentwas held in Sale across the weekend March 23-24.

Teams from Sale, Traralgo n, Moe/ Newborough, Morwell and Churchill baseball clubs came for the event, and welcomed Pakenham, Dingleyand Mornington as invited guest teams.

Gippy Champs is an annualtradition for the Latrobe Valley BaseballAssociation, held before the start of the regular LVBA season.

Aminutesilence was observed before the start of the first game to acknowledgethe death of LVBA great and Morwell Baseball Club Life Member, Ron Hateley.

Saledefeated TraralgoninRound 1games, while Dingley beat Morwell (13-3) and Churchill beat Moe/Newborough 12-4.

Moe/Newborough scored anarrow victory over Packenham 9-8 in Round 2, and Traralgon defeated Morwell 8-2. Mornington was victorious over Churchill (11-8).

Round 3saw alow-scoring match between Pakenham and Churchill, with Pakenham winning 2-1.

Dingley were on fire with amassive victory over Sale (23-6). Mornington defeated Moe/ Newborough 8-4.

The final games for the day saw Dingley defeat Traralgon 13-7and Pakenhamtook victory from Mornington6-2. Sale beat Morwell 8-4.

Dingley Baseball Club were the clear winners over theweekend, beating Pakenham in theGrand Final.

The LatrobeValley Baseball Association season is set to commence in coming weeks.

Photograph supplied

Topstep: Kallen Fitzclarence(middle) flanked by twoofhis good matesonthe podium.

Vale: Morwell and local baseball great Ron Hateleywas honoured at this year’s Gippy Champs.Players obser vedaminutes silence beforethe tournament.

LVTA Grand Finals

TENNIS LVTA

THE 2023/24 junior tennis seasonconsisted of almost 200 players from 11 clubs across the Latrobe Valley.

The Latrobe Valley TennisAssociation had ninesections this season, with players aged six to 18 years competing.

“The matches this year were closer than ever”, LVTAPresident, Sally Kirstinesaid.

“Approximately 20 per cent of the

matches each week were decided by game difference”.

The Hotshots sections, with modified rules and low compression balls, enables tennis to be accessible to the younger children.

All players need to be congratulated for their efforts and sportsmanship throughout the season, along with all of the club volunteers and coordinators who assisted at the various clubs.

The 2023/24 senior tennis season involved

Photo Gallery

eight teams, consisting of 40 players from seven clubs across the Latrobe Valley.

There was also the four-a-side doubles competition,where players played three doubles sets each.

The Grand Finals were held on Saturday, March 23.

“We had great wea ther and some exceptionally close matches, with acouple of sectionsbeing decided by tie-break playoffs -just what aGrand Final should be," Kirstine said.

"Thankyou to all players, parents and club co-ordinators for agreat season."

Anyone interested in getting involved in tennis is encouraged to reach your local tennisclub or search Hotshots at hotshots tennis.com.au.

ThroughoutApril to September, there are anumberoftennis opportunitiesfor juniors and adults.

Anyone interested in being involved for the next summer season, phone Sally Kirstine on 0403 282 630.

Comeon: PaxHilldefeated Moe in Section 4.

Yeah yeah: TraralgonBluedefeatedTraralgonGreen in Section 3.

Winnersare grinners: MoedefeatedPax Hill d

Ma innarinSection 2.

Triumph: Churchill defeated MoeBlue in Section 8.

Topofthe charts: Traralgon Whitedefeated Traralgon Greeninjunior Section 1.

Greatwork: Churchill defeatedYinnar WhiteinSection 7.

bdone: MoeRed defeated Traralgon Maroon in Section 6.

Champs: Churchilldefeated WillowGrove to take outthe senior LatrobeValley TennisAssociationflag

Flag: Morwell defeated Trar gon

Tgon’sCharlton winsonhome courts

TENNIS By TOM HAYES

TRARALGON Tennis Association hosted its second and final ITF event in late-February, ending in early March, coming to aheart-warming conclusion. Hosted at the eventwas the men’s M25 and

Saints cop tight loss to Bombers

FOOTBALL

AFL EXPORTS

BY TOM HAYES

TRARALGON’S Tim Membrey and St Kilda squandered the chance to enter the top eight at the weekend, going down to Essendon on Saturday afternoon at Marvel Stadium.

The Saints entered the game as favourites, and rightly so, just over aweek after they miraculously knocked off reigning premier, Collingwood.

It was St Kilda who controlled most of the match, but the Bombers continued to mount the pressure, never really letting the Saints run away with it.

The Saints took anine-point lead into the first break, slowly extending their lead out to 11 points by halftime

Every time Essendon looked like they would pull the margininany closer, the Saints quickly slammed the door shut, but that wouldn’t be the case all day.

The Bombers got within akick multiple times throughoutthe third term, but once againcould never take the lead, albeit the margin was reducedtojust sevenpointsat the final change.

Onlythree goals were kicked in thefinal quarter. It was going to come down to amatter of moments, andthen up stepped Jake Stringer.

What turned out to be the final goal of the game, Stringer kicked long and strong from well beyond 50 metres to put the Bombers in front with 10 minutes remaining.

Aseries of scrambles would follow, resulting in minor scores for either side, but neither could pinchamajor to either regain or extend the lead.

Membrey had 12 disposals and took three marks.

GOLD Coast trio Ben Ainsworth (Morwell), Sam Flanders (Moe), and Bailey Humphrey (Moe) all had the bye in Round 3.

The Suns will face the Giants this weekend, who loom largely as the teamtobeat in 2024

The two expansion clubswill go at it on Sunday (April 7) at Adelaide Hills as part of Gather Round.

the women’s W35, both with singles and doubles tournaments.

Taking to the courts of Traralgon for what was the second week in arow, tennis players from across the globe converged into the Latrobe Valley town for another big tournament.

IN the men’s singles, local talent from Traralgon, JoshCharlton only made it as far as the third qualifyinground, missingout on the main draw after going down to South Korean, SeonYongHan in straight sets.

Charlton automatically progressed to the second qualifying round,where he beatfellow Australian, Jack Bruce-Smith in athree-set thriller.

In the main draw, three Australians held positions in the semi-finals, with No. 1seed, Li Tu defeating Luke Saville in straight sets to progress to the final, and No. 3seed Alex Bolt defeated the Japanese Hiroki Moriya in straight sets to set up and all-Australian final.

The No. 1seed wouldprove to be toomuch trouble for Bolt, winning the tournament in straight sets 6-4, 6-2.

IN the women’s singles, aproper mix of players found themselves in the final four, with No. 1seed from Australia, Priscilla Hon taking on No. 3seed from China, YeXin Ma, and the Australian Petra Hule was set with the task of No. 6seed from Thailand, Lanlana Tararudee.

Ma defeated Hon whichturned heads, while Tararudeeprogressed after atoughsemi-final with Hule going the distance.

It came down to the third seed against the sixth seed, and it was the sixth seed Tararudee taking out the tournament with astraightsets victory, 6-4, 7-5.

THE women’sdoubles tournamentwas taken out by Japanese duo Yuki Naito and Naho Sato, who only dropped one set for the entire tournament.

They defeated the No. 2seed, Australian duo of Destanee Aiava and Tenika McGiffen in the final with relative ease.

Seemingly easing their way to the victory, Naito and Sato came across their toughest opponent in the first round, when they were taken to the third set against ErinaHayashi and Yu-ChiehHsieh, after dropping the opening set of the tournament.

Followingthat game, the winning paironly dropped 11 more games from the remaining three matches -anoutstanding record.

THE men’sdoubles tournament was watched quite closely, especially by those from Traralgon, as Charlton teamed up with Blake Ellis once again.

Coming into the tournament as the No. 3seeded pair, Charlton and Ellis knew therewouldbesome work to do if they weretomakeittothe pointy end of the tournament.

They started off positively,defeatingfellow Australian duo Ethan Cook and Jayden Court in the first round in straight sets, progressing to the quarter finals where they again easily dispatched of the US’ Andre Ilagan and Japan’s Yuta Kikuchi, again in straight sets to progress to the final four pairs.

Charltonand Ellis would then have to face fellow Aussie No. 1seeded pair Blake Bayldon and Kody Pearson.

Bayldon and Pearson had donethings quite easily

Nearest to Pin: 4th Christine Elliot, 8th

Janice Auchterlonie

Target Hole Winner: Christine Elliot

Thursday, 28 March 2024 OPEN Medley

Stableford

Grade AWinners: Backman, Shane (7) 39 C/B

Grade BWinners: SNELL, Mathew(11)39

Grade CWinners: Keenan, Peter(16)41

Grade DWinners: Smith, Joseph (23) 41

Place Getters: Geisler, Graham 39, Morrow, Darren 38 C/B,BRADSHAW, Terry38C/B, Toet, Wiebe 38 C/B,Rodaughan, Peter38, Edebohls,Jack38C/B,Gaul, Joshua 38 C/B,Yeomans,Wayne 38, Ford,Tim 37 C/B,Azzopardi, Nato37C/B,Beath, Ken 37,Boad, Dave 36 C/B,Grant, Callum 36 C/B,Babet, Alain 36 C/B,King, Rob36C/B Shelley, Chad 36 C/B,Van Der Meulen, Luke36C/B,White, Rodney36C/B,Harber, John 36 C/B

Brent 12th, L. Brent 14 th

MOE

Wednesday, 27 March 2024 WOMEN'S

WEDNESDAY 9HOLEStableford

Grade AWinners: Hale,Jan (53) 18

Place Getters: Tulau, Susan 16 C/B

Wednesday, 27 March 2024 WOMEN'S

STABLEFORD

Grade AWinners: Shaw, Karen(19)45

Grade BWinners: Beath, Joy(33) 37 C/B

Place Getters: Middlemiss,Kaye37C/B, Wallis,Elizabeth 37,Savige, Karyn36C/B

Great Score: KarenShawBirdie @4

Sandy Tate Birdie @18, Linda Bates Birdie

@6

Great Score: John Pisa (Birdie) @8,Tim Ford (Birdie) @14, KymRoss Great Score (Birdie) @14, KevinAyton (Birdie) @8, David WOODALL (Birdie) @8,LukeVan DerMeulen (Birdie) @4,Shane Bruce (Birdie) @14, Paul WOODALL(Birdie) @8

NearesttoPin: 4thPaul Richer,8th Kevin Ayton, 14th CharlesWeir

Friday,29March 2024 OPEN Medley

Stableford

Grade AWinners: Bassman, Aaron (+1) 40

Grade BWinners: King,Blake(12)40

GradeC Winners: C- 1Backman, Chrissie (27) 36 C/B

Place Getters: Robertson, Jenna 39, White, Rodney38C/B,Tanti, Hayden 38, Backman, Phil 36 C/B,Donaldson, Leanne 36 C/B BICKERTON, Nick36, Dudek, Jacob 36, Hornibrook, Jesse 35, Dunstan, Craig 34

up until this point, so both pairs would be excited for the challenge ahead.

Charlton and Ellis won the first set, which went to atie-break, before breaking in the second set and holding on to complete the straight sets victory.

In the final, they met another Australian duo, thistimecomprising Jesse Delaney and AjeetRai

Delaney and Rai had just come off the back of athree-set win, whichsaw 16 games playedin the final set.

Thanks to fatigue and simplyoutclassing them, Charlton and Ellis would walk to the title,

C/B,Dow,William 34 C/B

Great Score: Charles Weir Birdie @4

Nearest to Pin: 4th Alain Babet, 8th Ryan

Griggs,14th Laurie Veenman

Saturday, 30 March 2024 WOMEN'S

SATURDAY Stableford

Grade AWinners: Donaldson, Leanne (25) 39

Saturday, 30 March 2024 MENS Par

GradeA Winners: Ayton, Kevin(11)+5

Grade BWinners: Jamieson, George (18) +2 C/B

Grade CWinners: Edebohls,Jack(31) +1

C/B

Place Getters: Skicko,Nick+4, Devent, Anton +2 C/B,Collings,Dale +2 C/B, Backman, Phil +2, Scurlock, Rick+1C/B, Keenan, Peter+1, Duncan, Nick+1C/B VanDer Meulen, Luke+1, White, Rodney0 C/B,Yeomans,Wayne 0

Great Score: Tony Johnson Hole in One @14, Simon Stephens Eagle @10, Nick Skicko Birdie @8

Nearest to Pin: 4th PeterKeenan, 8th Nick Skicko

MORWELL

Women Wednesday27th March 2024

Winner: CPeter 36 pts

NTP: 2nd DVuillermin 11th GClark 15th D

Vuillermin

TRAFALGAR

Today’sCompetition: 27th March: Stableford

18-Hole Winner: LynPowell (31) with 37 points c/b

18-Hole Runner-Up: BevKeily(20) with 37 points

something that had eluded them the week before, where they came runners-up.

Charlton and Ellis claimed the title with a6-1, 6-3 win, travelling throughout the entire tournament without dropping aset.

Charlton and Ellis continued to dominate after their victory in Traralgon, taking to the courts of Mildura in mid-March.

The pair (this timeasa No. 2seed) completed back-to-back doubles titles, defeating Australian pair Matt Hulmeand James Wattinthreesets, 6-4, 6-7, 10-4 Local tennis premiers-Page35

DTL: June Tickell, Cheryl Deppeler and Cheryl Toyne with 35 points

NTP: 5th –Kerren Ludlow11th Sue Klemke

9-Hole Winner: KarenSwingler (29) with 22 points c/b

9-Hole Runner-Up: Kerren Ludlow(22) with 22 points

Gobblers: Anne Outhred on the 16th

Tuesday26/03/2024 -Stableford

Players: 36, Women 4, Men 32

Winner: Tony Hiriart(26)

Runner Up: Graeme Grant (21 c/b)

DTL: MickBennett(21), Ivan Grant (21), GeoffThomas (20), Chris Griffin(20), Rob DeVries (20), Ian Outhred (20)

NTP: BevKeily(2)

Bradmans: Andrew Kiss

Thursday28/03/2024 -Stableford

Players: 62, Women 21, Men 41

Women’s Winner: Di Bayley(25 c/b)

Runner Up: Cheryl Toyne (25)

DTL: KarenSwingler (24), BevKeily(24), Helen Keith(24), Kerren Ludlow(21), Jo Baker (20), LynPowell (20)

NTP: June Tickell (13)

Bradmans: Marilyn Kerr

Men’s Winner: Laurie Snowball (25)

Runner Up: Les Pearce (23 c/b)

DTL: RobDeVries (23), Franc Kiss (22), Dennis Scambler (21), John Kerr (21), Vic Hill (20), MickBennett(20), Duane Baker (20)

NTP: Paul Fogarty(13)

Bradmans: SteveLawrence

Friday, March29th 2024, Open Men’s& Ladies Stableford

AGrade Winner: Josh Clarkson 41 pts

BGrade Winner: Linda Chapple 53 pts

DTL's: PeterMcKinnon 40, Neil Harrington 40, RichardAlbanese 39, ScottMcKinnon

39, Ian Duncan 39, SteveKlemke38, Chris Moody 38, Shane Davey38, John Warren 38, MickWest 37 Birdies: 2nd: Rohan Nancarrow,Reno Borg, GreggChapple 5th: Graham Rawson, BarryDwyer,GregDonohue 11th: PeterMcKinnon, Jarrod West 13th:Neil Harrington, RichardAlbanese 15th:Alan Storer,George Petkovic,Nathan Evans Eagle: 7th: Jarrod West 16th:Scott McKinnon

Saturday, March 30th2024, Stableford

AGrade Winner: John Tabuteau 40 pts

BGrade Winner: Greg Porter 42 pts DTL’s: VicHill 40, Brian Fox40, TimCross 39, Akos Kerekes38, GarryJansen 38, AnthonyCunningham 38, RobSaunders 37,Chris Griffin37, Max Taylor 37,Ron Pyke

37 C/B

NTP’s: 2nd: MarkAndo 5th: PeterMoss 11th:Rex Daly 13th:Peter Moss 15th:Vic Hill

PISTOLS

Mon 18/3/24Air pistol

BGrade: BKelly511-53-564.

DGrade: NMallory476-98-574. DChandler 448-123-571.A Urban 435-113-548. P Sheilds 408-121-529. DSykes 294-251545. KBeaufort276-211-487.L DePetro 170-292-462

Ladies air pistol

CGrade: GAdkins 395-141-536.

Visitor: RPage 437

Wed20/3/24

Champions: Blake Ellisand Josh Charlton (left) stand as winners in Traralgon, alongsiderunnerups Jesse Delaneyand Kody Pearson. Photograph supplied

Valley clubs ready to go in season 2024

FOOTBALL/NETBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY TOM HAYES AND ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC

AGATHERING of Gippsland League coaches and officials converged at Dal Mondo in Traralgon last Wednesday, March 27 to launch the 2024 Gippsland League season.

To start proceedings, speeches were made by GippslandLeague Board Chair, Andrew Livingstone, while radio station TRFM announced they would once again be the voice of the Gippsland League.

Now enteringtheir 10thyear in affiliation, TRFM aims to call all 10 Gippsland League teams over the airwaves by Round 4, further announcing thatthey will call the two double-headers in Rounds 2and 4.

We will hear the voice of the TRFM call team on Sundays too, in Rounds 3and 9.

Premierships flagsfrom2023wereofficially handed overtoclubsshortly after, with Moe presented the AGrade pennant and Traralgon the 17 and Under.

The size of the flags continued to grow, with

Leongatha'ssenior premiership flag almostbig enough to double as abedsheet.

NETBALL coaches spoke on how their teams are shaping up toward Round 1, which officially begins this Saturday.

Moe’s AGrade coach Ashlea Stubbs said how lucky they were to retain almost the whole premiership side of 2023, losing only Abby Gregorovich.

“We’re not silly to underestimate anybody, to be honest with you, we’re certainly aware of Warragul’s win with Emma Ryde but we will not back away from any challenge,” she said.

Morwell’s Courtney Gath touched on the disappointing 2023 Grand Final loss.

“We had an awesome season last year; unfortunately, it ended the way it did -credit to Moe, they had an outstanding game,” she said.

Withacouple of big outs in Tanya Budge, Claire Marksand Daisy Hill, Garth said the Tigers were covering the outs well.

“We’ve got afew good ins.We’vegot Bella Bettridge from BGrade in Traralgon who’s come across, she’ll take that goal-shooter position."

With handy inclusions in Tiffany Boatman and

HayleyStringer, Garth feels confident Morwell will be just fine when Round 1rolls around.

Traralgon coach Amy Harrison said she wanted to start the season off with abang.

“We’ve got Stacey Jacobsen, or O’Brien as she’s better known, coming back from having ababy-not that you’d know it,” she said.

Astrongmidcourter who facilitates scores is definitelyahandy inclusionfor the Maroons, bringing some experience to the youthful team.

Harrison alsonoted Grace van Tilburg,ayoung, up-and-coming shooter who will turn heads in A Grade this year.

FOLLOWING the netball was the football coach panels, beginning with the bottom five teams of 2023, followed by the finalists.

Morwell senior coach Boyd Bailey mentioned that preseason had been going well for the Tigers.

"Theboys have put together aprettygood preseason and pretty good numbers on the track pretty much the whole time," he said.

"Injury free, somehopefully looking nice for Round 1."

The Tigers have recruited to their needs, highlighting height as aquality they lacked last year.

"It's no secret we probably needed to top up our key position stocks definitely went out withthat in mind, we'vepicked up acouple of boys who could fill acouple of holes for us," Bailey said.

Bailey looks forwardtoseeing what they can add in 2024, as Morwell hopes to return to finals.

Dylan Loprese from Traralgon mentioned there was afew opportunities waiting to be taken in the senior side withanumberofexits, yet some returning players will provide some relief for those outs.

"The young kids coming up are all talented, and we're pretty lucky at Traralgon to have that," Loprese said.

Moe senior coach Declan Keilty highlighted the fact that, like many other clubs, there is room for opportunity, with alot of experience walking out the door.

"We've hadafew boys moveonand had afew guystry out at other clubs, but hopefully its agood opportunity for some young blokes to come in and step up and really test themselves," he said.

Ex-GWS playerTim Golds is now aLion and Keilty hopes to play him up forward.

Some returning players will help steady the ship, adding more maturity and experience to the list.

StarslaunchMidGippslandFootball-NetballLeague

FOOTBALL/NETBALL

MID GIPPSLAND

BY ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC

THE Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League started their seasonwitha bang at the launch night last Wednesday (March 28).

Featuring big name guest speakers Anthony Koutoufides and Abbey Holmes, it was certainly anight to remember.

Vibes were high as premiership winning clubs finally got their hands on their flags.

Representatives from all clubs adorned their club polo's for the first officialtime, chattingawayabout the season to come.

The night was well received my more than 120 guests from the 13 clubs in the league.

Football coaches mighthave had an extra skip in their step accepting their premiership flag off no other than the Carlton legend. Koutoufides spoke of his journey both as an aspiring Olympic athlete and Carlton footballer.

Koutoufides talked about his love of football being

the deciding factor when faced with acrossroad of having to choose apath.

The Carlton premiershipstaralso touchedonhis battleswith confidence, the death of his fatherand some inconsistent form.

Holmes' story was equally inspiring.

Beforeshe was aChannel7reporter,Holmes spoke of how she worked her way up as ajunior Australian netball representative and her transition into football where she was the first woman to kick more than 100 goals in an official women’s football league season (NT).

Holmes was drawn to the media after receiving muchmediaattentioninvesting every cent she hadtobeconsidered, eventually securing the opportunity she now has withChannel 7as boundary commentator.

The night was acelebration, with MGFNL President, Gary Matthews receiving life membership acknowledging his service to the league.

The MGFNL will eagerly look toward to anew season, with the first round set to start Saturday, April 13.

It willbeajam-packed start to theyear,with 2023seniorfootball premier, FishCreekset to host the Grand Final rematch against Newborough.

The reigning AGrade netball premier, Yinnar, will also welcome their fellow Grand Finalists in Toora.

Actionunderwayonthecourt

NETBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC

AN action-packed round of netball is instore for the Gippsland League, as it continues Round 1 this Saturday (April 6). Traralgon has ahead-start on the competition, getting awin over Bairnsdale in the standalone fixture last Saturday.

The Maroons won 43-34 at Bairnsdale City Oval.

StaceyJacobsen(nee O'Brien) made awelcome return to the court after missing last year with pregnancy, and was anamed best-on-court.

Otherstoplay well were BronTebband Sophie Lecchino.

Grace van Tilburg also made her AGrade debut, and was presented her Goal Attack bib by Jacobsen before the match.

The Maroons are back on the road this weekend, travelling to Leongatha.

THE Grand Final rematchwillbethe highlight of Round 1, as Moe goes head-to-head against Morwell.

The new look Morwellteam might come as asurprise to Moe, with new additions in attack like Tiffany Boatman, Bella Bettridge and Hayley Stringer, the Lions defence might have to change their game plan.

The Lions will no doubtwant to make their mark once again in season 2024. Having only lostAbbyGregorovich,the Moe line-upcontinues to look as strong as ever.

The Tigerswillgowithout star defenderTanya Budge, who is recovering from an ACL injury. This might make things interesting in the ring forMoe shooter Ramayer Gourley, who has the potentialtodominate agame especially on her home court.

ELSEWHERE, Maffra hosts Sale in their opening match. The Magpies have lost afew girlsover the offseasonand will be approaching this game with real caution. The Eagles are in asimilar situation, with fresh young faces ready to take the court.

WARRAGUL finds itselfinvolved in the match carrying the most amount of interest from an

individual player point of view.

That'sbecause the Gulls haveEmmaRyde in their line-up.

Ryde is all people are talking about, and the league will see her in action as Warragul takes on Wonthaggi at Western Park.

Ryde might be the difference for the Gulls, with previous experience at the Australian Championship level and Suncorp SuperNetball.

The sharpshooter will be atough task for the Power's defence.

DROUIN travels to Bairnsdale.

The Hawks have only been bolstered in the offseason, with Stacie Gardiner back on the court, and they will no doubt aim to prove their worth against ayoung Redlegs side.

Congrats: Traralgon Football-NetballClub Vice President, Natalie Jaenschwas presented the 17 and Underpremiership flag by Gippsland League BoardMember, RenaeLittlejohn

Star: Carltongreat AnthonyKoutoufides presentedFish Creek with their senior premiership flag.Leaguepresident GaryMatthews (centre)was awardedlifemembership of the MGFNL. Photographs supplied

Winner: AFLW player andTVpersonalityAbbey Holmes presenting the MidGippslandA Grade flag to Yinnar playing-coach Skye McDonald

On debut: Grace vanTilburgwas presented with herA Gradebib at the weekend by Traralgonnetballgreat StaceyJacobsen. Photograph supplied

Roar: Moe player Emma Sculleyand coach Ashlea Stubbs accept the2023A Gradepremiership flag Photographs supplied

Preparing for Gippsland’snew era

FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

WE’RE back baby.

The Gippsland League ‘officially’ gets underway this weekend, following the season opener between Traralgon and Bairnsdale last Saturday.

There is no rest for the Maroons or Redlegs, who will take on Leongatha and Drouin respectively.

There is still aweek to go until the Mid Gippsland and North Gippsland competitions start, so be on the lookout for some sneaky selections.

Bairnsdale are home for the second week in arow, and will hope having agame undertheir belt helps.

The Redlegscould however have some earlyinjury

Footy and netball are back

STARTDATES

Gippsland League: Saturday, April6

Mid Gippsland: Saturday, April13

North Gippsland: Saturday, April13

Female Football Gippsland: TBA

Traralgon District JFL: Sunday, April21

Central Gippsland JFL: TBA

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE -ROUND 1

(this Saturday,venue firstlisted team)

MoevsMorwell

Leongatha vs Traralgon

MaffravsSale

Bairnsdale vs Drouin

Warragul vs Wonthaggi

concerns, and playing-coach Logan Austinlooks the most noticeable omission with ahamstring.

The Redlegsbroke down completely when Austin was off the field in the last quarter against Traralgon, and even afterone game there could be fears it is the same Bairnsdale narrative as last year: ‘They need two Logan Austin’s -one at centre half forward and one at centre half back’.

There is some reprieve however, with goal-sneak

Brayden McCarrey expected to come back in.

Austin might have agreater insistence on handball this weekend,aswatching Bairnsdale last week, it seemed they tried to kick their way through every problem, even in close.

Drouin hasabig trip ahead of them, but come into theseason carrying expectations of climbing the ladder.

Despite finishing last in 2023, the Hawks lost a handful of games by single digit margins, and ended with apercentage close to 70 -hardly astatistic associated with astruggling side.

Drouinwon plenty of admirers last season for their willingness to play bold, so much so common feedback from other teams was that the only way to beatthem was to keep scoring yourself-because there was no way to stop them scoring.

Speaking to returning Hawks coach,Brent Clinnick at the season launch last week, he simply said the emphasis on offence was “about enjoying your footy”.

Drouin will however need to find another avenue to goal, as Hugo Birks (surely the greatest name in Gippsland League history) hasdeparted, although gun midfielder Ed Morris has returned.

LEONGATHA will likely do Leongatha things this season.

Even from this far out, most league pundits are predicting it will be acase of Leongatha finishing on top as they chase athird successive flag, but from there, it is wide open.

This assumption is predicated on the fact there has been alot of absolutetop-liners depart the scene, names such as Jack Hutchinson and Ryan Sparkes at Wonthaggi, and Aaron Heppell and Josh Hopkins at Leongatha.

With thisinmind, while it is reasonably assumed the overall standardofthe Gippsland League might drop, the competition itself should be alot tighter. MOE and Morwell will renew hostilities this weekend.

The Lions havehosting rights for the first

encounter, and will look to start their campaign off on the right foot.

Pleasingly for the rest of the league, Ted SummertonReserve is in immaculate condition, andthere should be no fear of grass burn as there was toward the end of last season.

Much like the rest of the league,itislooming as anew era for Moe, who have said farewell to club legends James Blaser, Tom Long and Ben Morrow (sorry, Ihave something in my eye after writing that).

In afurther sign of just how much timemoves on, Long has given his Number 29 jumper to Michael Gelagotis.

The junior Gelagotis is entering his first season of seniorfootball, and looks set to join the likes of graduating juniors James Maslen, Liam Weir, Lachlan McGrath and Callum Nash as Moe players for the future.

The kids are certainly growing up fast -itseems like it was only recently some of them were running the boundary in the twos.

Moe has also been able to nab Max Woodall out of Mirboo North, and will hope to have him available when not on Gippsland Power duty.

Morwell, sporting anew-look Tiger logo, might also have some new-look plans in mind for 2024.

While Morwell continues to invest in local youth, they have added some recruits from down Mornington way to assist.

Boyd Bailey is back for his secondseasonas playing-coach, and is eyeing off another finals tilt.

His diplomaticdecision to play cricket for Yinnar Raiders during summer meant he was able to get Harri McColl across, and the league will watch on withinterest to seehow the key position player goes this season.

The Tigers have had aless than ideal run into the first game off the field, losing VFL-listed player Tristen Waack at the last minute.

Compounding the issue is the fact Waack is now aligned to Morwell’s greatest enemy -Traralgon.

As if the rivalry wasn’t fierce enough already, the Maroons secured Waackseemingly out-of-the-blue.

Waack went on ajourneymanVFL trip over summer, leaving Box Hill, then moving to Williamstown, before abruptly leaving the seaside club reportedly because it was ‘too cliquey’, to finally land at the Northern Bullants.

It is understood Morwell denied Waack’s clearance at least once, but he now finds himself in the maroon and white.

ANOTHER fiercerivalry will be played in Maffra. Battle of theBirds takes place, with Salemaking the trip over.

The Magpies havealreadyhad awin overMaffra this year, with Sale senior coach, Jack Johnstone beating Maffra captain, Daniel Bedggood in an exhibition boxing bout two weeks ago.

Fortunately for both clubs, neither player suffered concussion (which would have put themout for 21 days), and they now turn their attention to the football field.

Sale will be aiming to get back into the top three after bombing out in the first final last year, and on paperatleast,look to have averystrongtop eight-10 players.

ShannenLange, WillLeslie, Jack Leslie, Hudson Holmes, Johnstone, CodyHenness and ace recruit Derek Eggmolesse-Smith (ex-Richmond) have all played VFL or higher,while Jack McLaren is coming off abreakout season.

Magpies key forward Brad Dessenthas also reportedly bulked up significantly,and looksin good shape to return another 50-plus season.

As they say though, you are only as good as your bottom six, and just howfar the dropisfor Sale could be reflected once the days get colder and the nights get icier.

Maffra meanwhile presents an interesting case study.

Afew Eagles officials weren’t overly impressed this writer put them last on his predicted ladder, so they may feel they have apoint to prove.

Luke Dyer joined the club after astellar career in East Gippslandcircles, where he won aswag of league best and fairest awards at Lindenow.

Dyerwill inject some needed experiencetoa young Maffra outfit, although one does query just how much difference someone approaching the age of 40 will have at Gippsland League level.

Traditionally, Maffra are always quietly confident in their football programs, and with premierships in both the thirds and fourths last year, might be prepared to play the long game.

Maffra heart-and-soul Bill Plemingisanother eyebrow-raising out, continuing atrend across the league of playersyou wouldneverexpect to depart their club doing so.

Yes, it is looking like it will be very much adifferent Gippsland League in 2024. It must be time for Round 1-Ihad adream last week Jarryd Blairkickedmeout of the Wonthaggi huddle while Iwas trying to take photos.

Is there any splitting these two modern-day greats?

FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND

LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

TWO of the modern day greats of the Gippsland League will be missing from their respective clubs this season.

Season 2024 is looming as acompletely new era for the league, as namespeople are so familiar seeing in the best on aweekly basis have moved on. Of the departed players, perhaps the two biggest standouts are James Blaser and Kane Martin. The pair plied their trade for Moeand Sale respectively over the last 15 years, picking up no shortage of accolades along the way. Martinwillstill be playing footballinGippsland

this season, making the move to Sale City in the North Gippsland Football-Netball League.

Blaser meanwhile has moved to Queensland.

Whilehehasn’t officially been listedasanout, it appears Blaser willonly be making cameo appearances if he does in fact decide to play.

To his credit,Lions playing-coach Declan Keilty, told those in attendance at the Gippsland League seasonlaunchlastWednesday he wouldn’t be granting Blaser any special treatment.

ThatBlaserison195 senior games withMoe might play some part in any comeback, as well as the fact his brother-in-law, Bryce Collings is back playing for the Lions.

Comparing Blaser and Martin offers an excruciating exercise if one is trying to award gold.

Both have won aleague best-and-fairest (Trood Award and Rodda Medal), and been named in the league’s Team of the Year on the same number of occasions (five).

At club level, the best-and-fairest count is the same at four apiece.

Ironically, Blaser was named coach of the Team of the Year the same year Martinwas named captain(2017). That they sharedthe league medal in the same season perhaps showed that even the Gippsland League and the umpires couldn’t split them.

During their peak years in the mid-2010s, both playedasmidfielders able to breakclear from stoppage and hit the scoreboard.

Midfielders who can kick goals are worth their weight in gold, and Martin and Blaser both kicked more than 200.

Martin’s goal tally is much higher, but keep in mind he played in avery good Sale side for most of his career. Martin played in as many Grand Finals as Blaser played in finals series (five).

Withthat considered,the question of premierships making someoneabetter player is again up for debate.

Would Martin have got the possessions he did if he wasn’t playing in the same midfield as Luke Collins, Chris Laverty, Adrian Cox, or even ayoung Josh Dunkley?

Equally, just how good would Blaser have been in that midfield?

Voss and Buckley stuff had the latter stayed at Brisbane.

Blaser was perhaps avictim of unfortunate timing, as his peak years coincided with some of Moe’s worst.

He played in two wooden spoon teams, and a further two season period when the win-loss record was 8-28. That he was able to perform so well when the team was performingsopoorly has to count for something.

Adding to this,healsoplayed with the burden of being aplaying-coach for threeseasons, something Martin never did.

Adrian Burgiel, who left Maffratocoach Moe from 2014-15, said he never realised how good Blaserwas when he played against him -itwas only until he started coaching him.

The course of history may have changed in 2015 if Martin had’ve pulled on the maroon and blue. The Lions ‘sortofbut didn’t’have afoot in thedoor to securing his services thanks to awork connection.

Martin did train at Moe during preseason once and only once, and that was the closest the Gippsland League ever got to seeing Blaser/Martin combined (except for interleague).

Can you split them?

Martin maybebyanose because he is leftfooted.

James Blaser vs Kane Martin

JAMES BLASER

Club: Moe

Position: Midfield

Games: 195

Goals: 207

AWARDS/HIGHLIGHTS

TroodAward and RoddaMedal 2017

5x Gippsland League Team of theYear

4xMoe FNC Best and Fairest

Gippsland League CoachoftheYear 2017

KANE MARTIN

Club: Sale

Position: Midfield

Games: 229

Goals: 310

AWARDS/HIGHLIGHTS

TroodAward and RoddaMedal 2017

5x Gippsland League Team of theYear

4xSaleFNC Best and Fairest

Gippsland League Team of theYear

Captain 2017

Sale premiership player: 2008, 2012

Grand Final best-on: 2012

Accumulator: JamesBlaser,arguably Moe’s greatest footballerofthe 21st century. File photographs

Lethal left: Kane Martin leavesthe Gippsland League as one of themodern greats

Gippsland League

Future of f Traralgon presenttheir power

FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

JAKE Best wasn’t wrong when he said Traralgon were “young and exciting”.

That was how he described the Maroons’ list upon departing the coaching job last year.

While the young component was clearly evident as soon as Traralgon took to Bairnsdale City Oval for their own version of Opening Round in the Gippsland League last Saturday, the exciting part played out as the game wore on.

Having lost no shortage of experience with the departures of playerssuch as Mark Collison, Brett Eddy, Tom Schneider and Best himself in the offseason, the now youthful Maroons provided an early glimpse into what they might be about in season 2024, defeating theRedlegs 16.11 (107) to 10.12 (72).

Both clubs agreed to play astandalone match on Easter Saturday,providing the East Gippsland region with an early footy fix. Bairnsdale went into the clash carrying adegree of interest, as aheavy recruiting drive in the offseason saw them land ahost of players from Victorian Amateur Football Association club Old Scotch.

After the weekend’s performance, it is clear the team will need afew weeks to gel -and for the VAFA recruits accustomed to playing on sardine-sized grounds to adjust to playing on the huge paddocks of Gippsland.

As expected, first game rust was on display in theopeningterm. Cries of “sorry” followed by aquick hand raise from players missing targets were heard from theboundary, as the ball was constantly turned over between the arcs.

Traralgon however was able to find greater efficiency inside50, and made themostof their opportunities, thanks mainlytoDylan Loprese

The key forward kicked two set shots from acute anglesinthe opening term, setting up what turned out to be abig day for the ex-skipper turned assistant coach -and one of the select few Traralgon players over the age of 30.

The Maroons went into the first break 11 points up, andwereabletofurther their ascendancyinthe second, kicking four goals to two.

Traralgonhad adream start to the second half, when Liam Willaton (who had crossed to the club fromneighbouring Traralgon Tyers United this season) goaled in the first 30 seconds to extend the lead

Bairnsdale’s Lachlan Byrne-Jones (brother of Port Adelaide’s Darcy) responded with a much-needed goal at the five-minute mark, which setinmotion asmall momentum swing for the home side.

The Redlegs were granted another goal a short time later from a50metre penalty, before an extraordinary happening brought the game to life.

Goalofthe Year mighthave been decided in Round 0, after TyranRees kicked an insane right foot dribble kick off the outside of his boot tucked up in the pocket in frontofthe changerooms.

That the ball went through was miraculous enough, let alone that it bounced past a handful of Traralgon defenders on the way. With the margin suddenly just 11 points, the Maroons were able to findasteadier, again through Willaton. Yet theRedlegs

refusedtogoaway, and it was that man Rees again who cut the margin back. Rees’ second goal at the 17-minute mark wasn’t as freakish as his first,but it was no lessclassy, as he snapped the ball through off one step amid congestion from some distance. Red time proved acriticaljuncture in more ways than one, and Traralgon had two telling moments as the game neared three quarter time.

The Maroons were able to goalthrough Loprese after two Bairnsdale players went for the same balloncentre wing, which was quickly sent forward. As much as that transition would have been pleasing for the Traralgon coaching staff, what happened at the other end of the groundashort time later personified the very meaningofacaptain leading by example.

Byrne-Jones found himself with the ball and goal-side at the27-minute mark. Looking all but certain to score, he ran to the goal-line, only to be denied by adesperate, lunging tackle from Traralgon captain Tye Hourigan. The tackle forced the kick to go straight up in the airtoward the boundary, where it was met by Jesse Bills, who in turn was caught holding the ball by Joel Scholtes, giving the ball back to Traralgon.

Unfortunately, the very next play saw the ball returned to Bairnsdale after another holding the ball decision, which was goaled by Cooper Harvey to makeita 12-point ballgame. This however was considered beside the point, as the Traralgon defence had stopped acertain goaland made the next scoring opportunity far more difficult.

Thingsgot slightlyheatedonthe eve of three quarter time, with asmall scrap unfolding after Traralgon’s Tom Hamilton was tackled by Matt Corbett.Hamilton ended up on top of Corbett, and was then dragged off by Rees, who in turn was dragged off by Scholtes. It was perhaps fitting Scholtes was wearing the Number 10 previously worn by Collison -two men who could always be relied upon to fly the flag.

Traralgon coach, Troy Hamilton cut a composed figure at the last change, telling his players to embrace the first challenge of the season. Hamilton assured his troops they had the fitness to go the distance, and as it turned out, he was absolutely spot on.

The Maroons looked full of running in the final term,while conversely, their opponents appeared out on their feet.

Such apredicament was perhaps hard to comprehend for Bairnsdale, especially given it was the first game and players were fresh off preseason,althoughinfairness, the Redlegs were down to 19 fit men by that stage.

Bairnsdalewas dealtahugeblowinthe third termwhenplaying-coach and best player Logan Austin did his hamstring, which was compounded further when Ricky Tatnelland Rees hobbledoff as well.

TheAustin absence at centre half forward freed up Hourigan, who took intercept marks for fun in the last quarter.

Harvey Neocleous extendedthe Traralgon lead to 20 points at the seven-minute mark, and then Lopreseall but sealed the dealwhen he goaled three-and-a-half minutes later.

Bairnsdalehad one final opportunityto make alaterun at the16-minute mark. With the margin back to 20 points, and with Austin calling to his players to “go quick”, they were able to take the ball from one end

of the ground to the other, only for Rees to (ironically)misshis easiestshot of the game

Anothergoal to Neocleous gave him his third, before aJordan Cunico goal on the run from the very next centre clearance put the game beyond doubt.

Traralgon capped off the game in the best possible fashion,with Loprese slottinghis seventh from aset shot in the pocket next to theentrancefrom40metres out.

AMaroons favourite, Loprese was named best-on-ground, followed by Tom Hamilton, Cunico, Hourigan, Willaton and Neocleous.

Houriganshowed his proficiency in switching codes quickly, having only just finished cricket the week before.Inabizarre subplot, Hourigan ran the risk of missing this game, as his cricketGrandFinal lookedlikeitwas going to run into Easter at one stage.

Willaton, who won the North Gippsland Football-Netball League Best and Fairest last year as ajockey sized mid, perhaps dispelledsome commentarysurrounding how someone of his size would go at the next level.His thirdtermalonewas enoughto suggest he won’t be out of his depth in the GippslandLeague,granted there will be harder opponentstocome. As simple as it sounds, the adage that ‘goodplayers are good at any level’ might ring true in thisinstance. Walking away from amatch six goal winners with ateam of kids against asidetipped to be afinals contender,coach Hamiltonsaid it was an auspicious performance.

“Wejustcame heretoget the points,we were abit unsure of them and they were probably abit unsure of us. Round 1(first game)you just want the win and we got the win away up here, in front of agood crowd,” he said.

“Both teams brought alot of high pressure and both teams made alot of mistakes.Itwas aweight of numbers in the end, Ithink we maybe just got more numberstothe contest.”

When askedifhefeltlikehewas coaching asenior team or aGippsland Power team, Hamiltonsaidthere was afew points to take into account.

“It’s abit different because Icoached alot of them in the fourths and thirds for Traralgon, so I’ve coached afairfew over the time,” he said.

“There is alittle bit of amix of experience with Loprese, (Connor) Ambler, (Tate) Marsh, we have alittle bit of amix.Players like Tye Houriganand Louis D’Angelo are pretty experienced,even though they are only 22, they’ve been around for awhile

“As acoach Ithink you want to downplay it to the public and lower expectations, but internally we have expectations on ourselves, we believe we’ve assembled areally elite groupoftalent.Weare alittlebit on the youngersidebut thatcan be abonus, it looks to me the leaguemay be alittlebit open,but we’ll wait and see.”

Hamilton has highly respected Traralgon figures in Dan McKenna, Matt Northe and Paul ‘Jumbo’ McCulloch as his assistant coaches, along with Loprese and Jackson McMahon as on-field assistants.

Hamilton confirmed McKenna has definitelyretired, despite some suggestion he might playthis year, while Northe is sitting out this season having had ACL surgery last December.

The Maroons however are hopefulofhaving Tristen Waack at some stage this season, pending VFL commitments with Northern Bullants.

Whileitremains to be seenhow many gams Waack plays for Traralgon, oneassumes they will try and get him the four needed to qualify for finals.

“They (Northern) are astandalone team so he might get more opportunity than a Doultree (Traralgon player Chance Doultree) with Footscray, but we’ll see, anytime we have him it will be abonus,” Hamilton said of the new recruit.

Elsewhere, aHamilton prodigy is about to commence his senior coaching career.

Hamilton coachedMirboo North to premiership glory in theMid Gippsland FNL adecade ago. The wheelhas turned, and his premiership captain from then, Damien Turner is now at the helm of the Tigers.

“He’ll be looking forward to it, Ithink he’s been pretty busysince he started,” Hamilton said.

“He’ll be excited, he’ll put in the work, Damo’s made that way, you don’t play 300odd games without putting in the work.”

Rees, Tom Blenheim, Cooper Harvey, Byr on Vickery, Josh Lando and Hugh Longbottom wereprominent for Bairnsdale.

Meanwhile, for all the talk of Traralgon’s youth, something has perhaps gone unnoticed -onthe weekend they were only at 28 out of 46 player points.

That’s not exciting -it’s scary.

Photographs:Liam Durkin

The

Early blow: Bairnsdaleplaying-coach Logan Austin could be out forafew weeks with ahamstring

Poise: Traralgon vice-captain Connor Ambler in action during Opening Round against Bairnsdale

Lefties do it better: Joel Scholtes movesthe ball laterallyat Bairnsdale CityOval.

Victorian Open returnstothe Valley

LAWN BOWLS

VICTORIAN OPEN

BY TOM HAYES

WIDELY recognised as one of the biggest lawn bowls events in the state, the VictorianOpen had landedinthe Latrobe Valleyfor the second consecutive year.

In mid-2022, Bowls Victoria and LatrobeCity Council announced afive-year agreement to stage the Victoria Open in the Latrobe Valley, beginning last year.

The event is set to inject millions of dollars into theregion through aplethora of portals that bowlersfromall over Australia will use.

From March19to28, hundredsofbowlersmade theirway to anumber of Latrobe Valley bowling greens to get the competition started.

Traralgon, Traralgon RSL, Churchill, Morwell, Yinnar, Newborough,Moe,Boolarra, and Heyfield where the Latrobe Valley bowlingclubs to help host the Victorian Open. The remaininghost clubs were Yarragon, Sale, West Sale, Maffra, Warragul, Stratford, and Longwarry.

People of all ages and from different parts of the world took part, producing some interesting stories all over the region.

Despite not enduring any successes in the form of titles, an interesting story came from afamily from San Fransisco.

Marcus Zeino and his 13-year-old daughter, Adilyn, came from the US to compete at the Victorian Open.

Marcuswas not taking part this time around, but his daughter was in action, coming up against adults, all while adjusting to the Latrobe Valley greens. The sections on offers included the mixed pairs, and the men’sand women’s singles, pairs and triples.

More than $80,000 was set for the total prize pool, which would be divided up between winners, runners-up, semi-finalists and quarter-finalists. THE firstfinal to take placewas thewomen’s triples, which concluded on Tuesday, March 26 at the Traralgon Bowling Club.

Scheduled to go ahead on the following morning, Bowls Victoria decided to play the Final early with time up their sleeves.

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Millimetre-perfect: Themen’s singles Finalcame down to an umpires’measure.

Entering the Final was the trio of Olivia Slade (Lilydale), OliviaCartwright and CassMillerick (Moama), coming up against Julie Simpson (LakesEntrance), Margery Nathan and Jo Martin (Paynesville).

The first Final turned out to be one of the best finals, as the scores were tied at 14-all after the 14th end, with only one end to play the winner would take all.

It would go the way of Slade, Cartwright and Millerick, gaining one shot to win 15-14 after 15 ends.

DUE to the rescheduling of the women’s triples, the mixed pairs got the Finalsunderway on Wednesday, March 27 at the Morwell Bowling Club.

The duo of Sophie Kurzman (Sunbury) and Dylan Fisher (Moonee Valley)would face Tris Doolan (Richmond Union) and Michael Wilson (MCC).

Doolan and Wilson only just edgedtheir wayinto the Final, needing to play an extraend in their semi-final, with the scores all tied after 15 ends.

However, they would need more luck to falltheir way in the Final, as Kurzman and Fisher eased themselves to victory, winning 18-6.

The young duoofKurzman and Fisher continued

Number1: Men’s singles champion, Scott Boschen (Koroit)after winning the Victorian Open, held in theLatrobe Valley.

their hot form all of the way through the tournament to take out the mixed doubles title.

NEXT up was the men’s triples, which was a rollercoaster Final.

Dale Verhagen (Stratford), Mark Stanaway and Phil Crowder(Mt Eliza) tookonDaniel Joyce (Altona), TroyKreyan and Will Ainger (Yarraville-Footscray).

The Yarraville-Footscray/Altona triple proved to be ahandful early, going up by anumberofshots in the opening ends.

But it wouldn’t be for long, as the Stratford/Mt Eliza triple would soon gain shots from consecutive ends, to eventually tie then take the lead.

Verhagen, Stanawayand Crowder wouldrun away with the Final, stretching to aseven shot unassailable lead after 14 ends, winning 17-10.

THE women’s pairs concluded play on Wednesday at the Morwell Bowling Club, when Selina Goddard (Takapuna, New Zealand) and Millerick teamed up against Kurzmanand SamanthaAtkinson (Richmond Union).

Goddardhas quitethe resume in theworldof bowls, with her career beginning at the age of 14.

Sheisatwo-time national singles champion (2017, 2023), one-time pairs champion (2020) and

Photographs: TomHayes On top: Richmond Union’s SamanthaAtkinson.

two-time fours champion (2014, 2020).

Goddard has alsocompeted at the World Outdoor Championships, taking bronze in 2023, as well as claiming medals at two CommonwealthGames: taking bronze in Glasgow in 2014 (fours), and two more bronze medals in Birmingham in 2022 (pairs, fours).

It was always going to be hard for Kurzman and Atkinson to get past this duo.

Theystartedasbestasthey could, with Kurzman and Atkinson taking a4-1 lead after four ends, but they would soon find themselves chasing.

Goddardand Millerick slowly but surely kept the scoreboard ticking over,eventuallyhavingtheir own four-shot lead.

By then, the win was within reach, and they expertly kept their opposition at bay to hold a12-8 lead after 15 ends to take the women’s pairs title.

THE finalday of play began with the men’s pairs Final at the Traralgon Bowling Club, as Deer Park’s Chris Ball and Jay Bye-Norris did battle with Tyson Cromie (Ocean Grove) and Brett Mahoney (Yarraville-Footscray).

It took the Deer Park guys just alittlebit to get going, but they soon found the form they had displayed in the sectional rounds and finals leading up to the decider.

Starting 4-0 down after three ends, after three more ends, the Deer Parkpairsoon had a6-4 lead. Cromie and Mahoney struggled to keep up with the momentum of Balland Bye-Norris, as thelatter powered on to win 16-8 after 15 ends.

AFTER the men’s pairs was played, the announcement of the Club Participation Awards was made -anew addition to the prize pool.

Winning the regional club award was Ocean GroveBowls Club, accepted by Cromieafter coming runner-upinthe men’s pairs final moments earlier.

Dandenong Club won the metropolitan award, butfunnily enough, no one was at the Traralgon Bowling Club to accept the participation award. ALL that was left to play was the men’s and women’s singles, starting of with the ladies.

Richmond Union’s Atkinson would feature in her second final after losingthe women’s pairsthe day before, coming up against Clayton’s Lisa Phillips.

What was probably more exciting was the semifinals that led to the Final, as Atkinson got the win over Natasha van Eldik (Raymond Terrace) 21-19, which went down to the wire, and Phillips dispatched the highly esteemed Goddard 21-20, which saw amassive comeback where Phillips was down 18-9 at one point.

The Final was no different, but it went the way of Atkinson, who edged out Phillips in an epic Final that finished 21-18 in her favour.

Both women were grateful to make it to the Final, handing out brilliant speeches of acceptance after the hard-fought Final.

TO wrap up the event, the men’s singles Final was one that kept spectators glued to their seats.

As the day grew older, afew in the crowd fought tiredness to stay and continue watching.

The back-and forth battlebetween Koroit’s Scott Boschen and Pakenham’s Neville Brown went down to the wire of course.

Down 19-20, Boschen called for an umpires’ measure, believingtohave held two shots, refusing to bowl his final shot, to the disbelief of everyone in attendance.

The umpires measure confirmed the win for Boschen after his brave call, wrapping up the event, as he went on to record the win 21-20.

THE Barb GilbertMedal wasawarded to Millerick, as the bowlertohave the most success throughout the Victorian Open.

She came away with titles in the women’s pairs and triples,aswell as finishing in the Roundof16in the singles and QuarterFinals in the mixedpairs With three years left on the current agreement, the Victorian Open will be in the Latrobe Valley, until 2027.

Lions, Red Devils in LVSL top clash

BY JOHN CARDONA

LATROBE Valley Soccer League recommences this Sunday following the Easter break.

Round 3sees twoofthe biggestand most successful clubs in the league face off in the Match of the Round when 2023 league champions Fortuna host arch-rival Moe United.

Bothsidesare currently undefeated, joining Falcons as the three clubs with a2-0 win-loss record to start the season.

In the two rounds this season, both sides have beenscoring freely, with the current league top goal-scorer from Fortuna the in-form striker Damon Scott scoring seven goals. At Moe United, Bayden Huesmann leads with four goals, supported with nine other individual goal-scorers fromthe first two rounds.

The clash between these two top sides will be more likely won in the midfield. Fortuna will be led by the league’stop midfielder in Olly Spiteri working alongside Jordan Campbell and Daniel Cooper.

In Moe United’s midfield, it will be up to the

classy Oscar Sceney, Heusmann, Tanner Pyle and Connor Dastey to do the job.

Whichever midfieldcombination canbeconstructive and hold more possession domination will more than likely take home the three points.

Also key to the result will be which forward line can convert their opportunities.

In the curtain raiser to the senior match, the reserves will kickoff at 1pm.

Much like the seniors, Fortuna and Moe go into thegameundefeated. Fortuna’s only league loss in 2023 wastoMoe United.

The women’s match kicks-off at 11am. Fortuna has the more experienced side and will be looking to use that to their advantage, but Moe United have some strong players of their own in the two Cooper girls, Miley andSummer, as well as the Armistead sisters, Jade and Tylah and Haley Laws.

IN other seniormen’s games, Newborough/ Yallourn United take on Olympians, while Churchill will look to take its ledger to 2-1 when it plays Tyers.

Monash travels to Sale,and Falcons are also heading east to play East Gippsland United.

Gippsland United going great guns -Page 26

Anticipated: FortunawillhostMoe United this weekend,inwhatisexpected to be athriller Pictured is Fortuna’sLiam Antonelli earlier this season. File photograph

Best of Bocce Rafa comes to Morwell

BOCCE

By LIAM DURKIN

CRIES of ‘Bocce Rafa!’rang out in Morwell recently, as the nationals came to the Gippsland Bocce Centre.

Teams from acrossthe country converged on the Italian Australian Club to compete in the Rafa format across the weekend March 23-24.

For the uni niti ated, Raf ad iff ers slightly from ‘regular’ bocce, as there are walls lining the side of the court and the balls are not made out of brass.

Thelocal contingent was well represented, and what’s more, walked away with some great results.

Morwell’s Anna Prezioso and Christina

Finocchi aro won gold in women’s doubles, while fellow clubmates Diane Penney and Tina D’urbano claimed silver.

In the mixed event, Joe Masellia and Mirella Alesi won silver, also representing Morwell.

Cha ris mat ic as ever ,well-k nown local bocceaficionado,Franco Fava was chief referee for the event, which was organised by his daughterand Bocce Australia National Sports Development Director, Sonia Fava.

Sonia saidMorwell wasalogical choice to host the Australian BocceRafa Championships.

“We see Morwell as the main, flagship bocce dome for Rafa, they have alot of Rafa players, so we have areally good

contingency for that code of bocce,” she said.

“We’ve got clubs from New South Wales, regional clubs here, it’s the best of the best of Rafa that are here.”

Teams competed across twodays of competition in aRound Robin style.

An um ber of pro mine nt na me s took part, including Bocce Australia President, Frank Funari.

Boccecontinues to grow in prominence, and the fast-paced Rafaformathas been identified as away to engage more players.

Bocce Australia hasthe World Rafa Championships in Turkey later in the year, which is expected to feature some local players.

LATROBE VALLEY SOCCER LEAGUE

ROUND 3- SUNDAY, APRIL7

All senior men’s matches start 3pm

Newborough/YallournUnited vs Traralgon Olympians at Burrage Reserve,Newborough

Fortuna 60 vs Moe United Crinigan Road, Morwell

Sale United vs Monash

Godfrey Baldwin Reserve,Sale

Churchill United vs Tyers

Hazelwood South Reserve

East Gippsland vs Falcons 20 00 West Bairnsdale Oval

VNL team producing Star people, players

NETBALL VNL BY

ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC

THE Gippsland Starswere courageous in their tough loss against City West Falconsatthe State Netball Centre in Round 4ofthe Victorian Netball League 23 and Under division.

The Stars maintained afierce competitivespirit throughout the game, but the Falcons capitalised on their opportunities, ultimately securing a 69-40 victory. The Falcons are aquality side and afinalscontender, so for the Stars to shoot 40 goals for the gameand match them in areas on the court was ahugesuccess.

It was abattleofthe goal shooters, with Falcon Holly Adams -Alc ock scoring amassive 46 goals at 90 per cent accuracy and Traralgon’s Myah Healey scoring 26 of the Stars’ total.

The midcourt dynamics at the Stars campcontinuetoimpress, as Chloe Radford took home Player of the Match honours in Round 4.

The Stars will take on the Geelong Cougars tonight at the State Hockey Netball Centre.

Thiswill be atough fight for the Stars,who have only won asingle game so far in their VNL life.

It will be abig game for the Stars defenders, with the dominance of Geelong’s Tully Bethune.

Sittingequal-secondonthe VNL Hot Shot leaderboard, Bethunehas shot 112 goals for the season; the Stars ring defendersAlison Dwyer, Lucy

Starsonand offthe court: Gippsland StarsnetballersJayde Parsons (Heyfield), Alison Dwyer (Bairnsdale) andSophie Lecchino and Montanna Styles from Traralgon helped raised moneyfor the Good FridayAppeal outside Traralgon Plaza. Photograph supplied

McKellar and Anna Solomon will have abig job to do.

Stars currently sit 10thonthe ladder out of 12 teams in the competition. The elite netball team helped fundraise for the Good Friday Appeal last week on behalf of sponsor, Royal Exchange Hotel, Traralgon.

You could see the young women around Traralgon, subbing out their netball dresses for hi-vis vests to collect donations forthe RoyalChildren’s Hospital.

More netball/football -Pages 36-39

Bocce family: Italian Australian Club Morwell hostedthe Australian Bocce Rafa Championships recently

Photograph: Liam Durkin

TOTAL

Sydney

TOTAL