Latrobe Valley Express Wednesday 7 August 2024

Forest report incoming

CON SULT ATIO Nh as now closed for the investigation by the Vic to rian Env iro nm enta l Assessment Council into the future of the native forests in the Central Highlands.

The Eminent Panel that has been assessing community feedback on the VEAC proposals is currently preparing its recommendations to government on the futureuse and management of these forests.

David Butler,Laura Myer,and Phillip Bloyare partofthe Mountain Trackteam. The program has established workshopsinJumbuck, and aims to help troubled youth getbackonthe rightpath. STORY-PAGE 7

Backwards trend Flying together

By PHILIP HOPKINS

ENERGY costs in Victoria have risen again, with theAustralian Energy MarketOperator reporting a43per cent surge in wholesale electricity costs for the April to July quarter this year compared with last year, due mainly to less power from both wind farms and hydro, but more production from gas. However, there was continued lower output from the Longford gasstation, whilethe Latrobe Valley’s browncoal power stations produced at near full capacity.

The AEMO2024second quarter report found that wholesale spot prices across the nationalenergy market (NEM) averaged $133 per MWh, a$25/MWh (+23 per cent) increase from the second quarter 2023 and a$58/MWh (+76 per cent) rise from the firstquarter in 2024 Victoria’s quarterly average price reached $127/MWh, arise of $39/MWh

(+43 per cent)relative to $89/MWh in thelast second quarter.

The Her ald Su n’ s bu sin ess co mmentator, Terry McCrann said that in 2012, when black and brown coal were dominant and before the big growth in wind and solar power, AEMO data showed that the wholesale price of electricity averaged $30/MWh over the entire year and in every state in the National Energy market (NEM).

Mr McCrann noted that this meant the Q2 average price of $133/MWh was 340 per cent higher than the electricity priceacross Australia over the entire 2011/12 year.

The 2024 AEMO Q2 report said the higher wholesale prices weredue to low wind speeds and reduced rainfall in the southern NEM, which forced the NEM to rely on gas-fired generation.

In Victoria,the increase was also driven by stronger regional demand and the need to meet increased exports of energy to Tasmania where continuing

dry conditions reduced hydro production. Reducedwind and hydro output meant that brown coal generation was less frequently marginal, particularly in higher-pricemorning and evening peak hours.

The average brown coal-fired generationwas 3947MWinthe second quarter of 2024, an increase of 166MW(+4.4 per cent) driven by the low wind and low hydro, and increased operational demand in Victo ria. Increases in brown coal output were evident across all hours of the day.National average operationaldemand was slightly higher at 21,913MW.

Output from Loy Yang AinQ224was 2001MW, autilisationrate of 95 per cent, Loy Yang B994MW (97per cent utilisation) and Yallourn W952MW (98 per cent utilisation).

The AEMO Q2 2024 repor ta ls o included:

 Wind output reduced to aquarterly average of 2657MW, afall of 657MW

(minus 20 per cent) from last year, with wind available capacity factors down to their lowest levels since Q2 2017. This was despite new and commissioning wind farms adding 167MW to availability and half-hourly output reaching the highest level recorded to date at 8375MW on May 30.

 Hydro-generation reached 1607MW over the quarter, areduction of 18 per cent from last year and the lowest output for aquarter since 2017.

 Gas-fired generation rose to average $1702MW, up 16 per cent on last year.

 Batteries’ role in supporting morning andevening demand peaks became more prominent, with average generation in those periods more than doubling since last year, reflecting the big annual increase in NEM battery capacity.

 Changes indomestic gas supply dynamics continued since Q2 2023,

The panel hosted more than 60 targeted engagementsessions with organisationsand community representatives from more than80groups. More than 1000 peopleattendednine open community drop-in sessions in Noojee, Healesville, Warburton, Yarra Junction, Gembrook, Wandong, Marysville, Drouin and Alexandra. Data is also being collated from the EngageVic website, with more than 60,000 unique page visitors and 14,000 unique survey responses.

The panel has requested extra time to completeits report to ensure that all voices are properly heardand considered as part of its report to government.

VEAC will finalise its economic assessment of thepanel’s recommendations and produce afinal report, in line with its terms of reference, following the completion of the panel’s report. There will be further opportunities to contribute to conversations about the futureuse of state forests with the Great Outdoors Taskforce thatisworking in forests in North East Victoria and Gippsland.

with gas production from Longford continuing to decline, replaced by supply tothe southernstates from Queensland rising to anew Q2 record and agreater reliance on underground gas storage to meet southern demand. Production at Longford fell by 11 petajoules from Q2 2023, reaching its lowest Q2level since the start of data publication in 2009.

Memberfor Morwell, Martin Cameron, said the massive spike in power prices was more evidence thatthe state government’s promise to reduce energy prices was in tatters.

“The Ministe rf or Energy ,L il y D’Ambrosio, keeps telling us that power pricesare going “down, down, down”, but the opposite is happening and there is no sign of downward trends emerging,” he said.

Continued -Page3

Prospectiveforest future

By PHILLIP HOPKINS

VICTORIA'S prospectors and miners have highlighted the richness of the Central Highlands mineral wealth as the state government's eminent panel beginsits assessment of the community feedback to proposals about the future of the region's forests. The future includes the possible creation of aGreat Forest National Park that would stretch from Melbourne to north of the Latrobe Valley.

The presidentofthe Prospectors and Miners Association (PMAV), Jason Cornish, said the latest report by the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council was a"punch in the throat" of all bush users.

"It seeks to change the status of hundreds of thousands of hectares of forested public land to more parks and reserves," he said in the group's Eureka Echo newsletter.

"Sustainable,legal logging was blamed as the cause of every environmental woe in Victoria and nowthat logging has been forcibly removed, what is thethreat? Certainly not our activities."

PMAV has two ranches in Gippsland -Stratford and Drouin.

APMAV committee member, Dr Allan Rossiter, said there were many references on Central Victorian topographic maps to tungsten, wolfram and tin.

"Known deposits of tungsten, molybdenum and tinare numerous, but production has only been small. There are tantalising references in the literature," he wrote in Eureka.

"Given the combination of deep soil, thick bush and poor access in the Central Highlands, it would not be surprising if important deposits have been overlooked. The main tungsten mineral present is scheelite, which is practically impossible to identify without an ultraviolet lamp."

Dr Rossiter said threeofthe fourprospects lie in zones designed recently by VEAC as large areas of outstanding natural values and relatively low conflicting uses.

"Thisisdespite input into the VEAC study from theGeological Survey of Victoria. Tungsten and molybdenum have recently been declared critical 'minerals' by Geoscience Australia," he said.

Central Highlands are not intelligently designed."

The NationalsMember for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath, has urged the state government to prioritise comprehensive geologicalassessments for goldand criticalmineralsinthe Central Highlands during consideration of the Great Forest National Park debate.

Speaking in state parliament, Ms Bath, who is the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Public Land Use, said large tracts of land through the Central Highlandsarea had been asource of mineral wealth and goldminingactivities for over acentury.

Calling on the state government to conduct expert analysis and recognisethe value of Victoria's mining industry, Ms Bath said any move to lock up the region's mineral and metal wealth would be "a true sign of madness by the Allan Labor government".

"Labor's disastrous Great Forest National Park plan would block future mining access. Decisions made about public assets above the ground, must also consider valuable resources beneath the ground," she said.

"The Woods Point- Walhalla Mineral Domain Belt region is rich in gold and metal resources including molybdenum, silver, antimony, tungsten, tin, platinum, and cobalt. These critical minerals are essential for many modern technologies and renewable energy industries."

Ms Bath said modern undergroundminingposes negligible threat to biodiversity.

"Labor'sgreen ideology cannot bolt the door shut on Victoria's future prosperity. There is minimal disturbance, which by law, licence and bond must be remediated and rehabilitated at conclusion of mining," she said.

Ms Bath said it was imperative that all land uses be duly considered.

"Labor's proposed Great Forest National Park cannot be another Allan Labor government fait accompli. Geological Survey Victoria estimates that there is 'significant potential' for gold and critical mineral deposits and with acrippling state deficit we must consider opportunities for wealth generation," she said.

"Significant wealth could be denied future Victoriansifthe proposed national parks in the

"The Nationals demand the Minister (Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos) to recognise the value of our mining industry for the future prosperity of this state."

Search: Prospectorsand Miners Association VictoriaPresident,Jason Cornish. Photograph supplied

Enrol now for Latrobe City Council October election

ELECTORAL Commissioner, Sven Bluemmel, has issued acall to state and council-enrolled votersto be ready to cast their vote in the upcoming local council election for Latrobe City Council.

The Latrobe City Council election will be conducted by post –a safe and completely secret method of voting.

Mr Bluemmel issued acall to Latrobe City residents and ratepayers to be ready to have their say. Close of roll in 4pm today (August 7).

As this is apostal election, it’s important to check youraddress details are correct -this includes any alternative postal address.

If you’re an Australiancitizen and recently turned 18, or movedand haven’tupdated your address, or if you’ve just closedyour postoffice box with Australia Post, you can enrol or update your details online at vec.vic.gov.au/enrolment

People livingoutside LatrobeCity whopay rates for aproperty they own in Latrobe City, non-Australian citizens who occupy and pay rates on aproperty in Latrobe City, or arepresentative of acompanyorbusiness operating in Latrobe City can apply to the council to enrol by calling 1300 367 700.

Mr Bluemmel alsoreminded voters thatthe rules for council enrolments have recently changed.

"Voting in local council elections is now compulsory for all state and council-enrolled voters. In previous elections it was not compulsory for council-enrolledvoterstovote–now everyone must vote if they are on the voters’ roll," he said.

Voters who will be away during the election period can have their ballot pack redirected to an address of their choice by completinga redirectionformonline at vec.vic.gov.aubyMonday, September 9.

More information is available by calling131 832 or at vec.vic.gov.au, where state-enrolled voters can also sign up to the free VoterAlert service to receive important election reminders by SMS and email.

pending further enquiries. Investigations into the incident remain ongoing.

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

Robberyunder investigation

POLICE are investigating arobbery in Morwell on Monday, July 29. Investigations have beentoldthe incident occurred on Bridle Road,betweenthe intersectionsofPrinces Drive and GillieCrescent, sometimebetween 4.15pm and 4.45pm.

It is believed an 18-year-old female victim was approached by an unknown woman who made ademand for her belongings.

During the altercation, the offender allegedly assaulted the victim, before stealing amobile phone and bank cards.

Latrobe Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident, has information, CCTVordash camera footage that may have captured the incident, or who was in the area at the time to come forward.

Brigade break-in

POLICE are investigating aburglaryand suspicious fire in Traralgon South.

It is believed aCountry Fire Authority (CFA) station was brokenintoonKeith Morgan Drive, Traralgon South sometime overnight between July 30 and 31.

ACFA vehicle was located burnt out nearby at about 6.45am on July 31.

The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be established and the investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV, dashcamfootage, or any other information thatcould assist police, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic. com.au

From Page 1

ASHORTFALL of both wind and hydro power

this quarter also led to agreater reliance on gas-fired generation, meaning increased wholesale gas prices on the quarter prior.

“Despite this, it seems Labor is stillhellbentonripping Victorians off gas and off coal withoutaplan to keep the lightson,” Mr Cameron said.

“The idea that arevived State Electricity Commission will deliver enough renewable energy to meet demandintimefor the accelerated closure of our power stations is fanciful.

“Nearlytwo years since Labor announced it would revive the SEC, it has done next to nothing to shore-up our energy supply.

“I suppor ta sens ible and consid ered transition to renewables,but Labor’s plan is neithersensible nor considered andthe goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2045 is based on ideology and not reality."

Anyone with information or footage is asked to contact the Latrobe Crime Investigation Unit on 5131 5000, or Crime Stoppers on 1300 333 000, or submit aconfidential report at: crimestoppersvic.com.au

Hit-and-run arrest made

DETECTIVES have arrested aman following an alleged hit-and-run collision in Trafalgar.

A43-year-oldFumina South (north of Willow Grove) man self-presented at apolice station last week (Tuesday, July 30). He is assisting police with their enquiries.

Apasser-by located aman's body on the side of Waterloo Road at about 10.30am on Sunday, July 28.

It is understoodthe man was struck by atruck sometime overnight on Saturday, or early on Sunday morning.

The 43-year-old man has since been released,

Located property

POLICE fromthe Latrobe CrimeInvestigation Unit seized stolen property in October 2023, believed to be stolen from either Latrobe Valley or Baw Baw shires.

Some of the property hasbeen returned, however after extensive Police enquiries, they are unable to locate the ownersfor the outstanding property.

If any of the property listedbelowbelongs to you, or someone you know, contact Senior Constabl eV ella at the Lat robe Cr ime Investigation Unit on 5131 5000.

The items include aS amsung tablet, a Milwaukee bag containing various power tools, an elcometer, scan tools and jumper leads, a grinder, an oxyacetylene kit, jewellery inside jewellery boxes, and awelding mask.

Police reference: 202310-E-0728

As atwo-time Gippsland Business Awardfinalist, the team consistently pursues excellence

Stay informed about their upcoming adventures by subscribing to their mailing list via admin@dailyliving.net.au or by calling 5174 0401

Police Beat with TomHayes

Amongst the gum trees

FOR the lastfew decades, the Australianbushlands have dealt with the increasing intensity of bushfires.

According to the Film Project’s film, The Koalas, koalas face the threat of extinction in the wild, with apredicted future year of 2050.

Village Cinemas Morwell is showing The Koalas tomorrow (Thursday,August 8) andSaturday, August 10.

The film wascurated by filmmakersGeorgia Wallace-Crabbe and Gregory Miller, who are a part of the Film Projects group.

Mr Miller and Ms Wallace-Crabbe joined local koala advocates, representatives, and carers to discuss the issues facing koalas survival in their native habitat, including habitat loss and the failure of policy to protectkoalasand other species.

The film calls on the Lendlease Corporation to follow the chief scientist's recommendations. The film focuses attention on the way the corporation hasconsistently failed to comply with the Chief Scientist's recommendations.

The film also features stories on seven individual koalas: Wonnie, Bexley, Tom, Baz, Coral, Hope, andPala.

It introducespeople on the frontline, rescuing and caring for koalas, to show how current laws, government legislation,and protocols are failing them and other threatened and endangered species.

The filmhighlights the environmental consequences of ongoing bad planning, overdevelopment, and carelessdisregard for environmental impacts, as well as the sweet and caring characteristics of the koalas.

For more information on Film Projects or The Koalas, go to http://www.filmprojects.com.au/

For tickets, go to https://villagecinemas.com.au/ movies/the-koalas

Knowing the signscould save alife

WITH one Australian experiencing astroke every19minutes,people are being urged to learn asimple message which could savealife this National Stroke Week.

The nationalawareness week runs from Monday, August 5until Sunday, August 11, and encourages the community to know the F.A.S.T. signs of stroke so they know how to react if someone they love is impacted by stroke.

StrokeFoundation ChiefExecutive, Dr Lisa Murphy said strokecan strike anyone at any time -evenbabies have strokes.

“When astrokestrikes,brain cells start dying at afrighteningrate of up to 1.9 million per minute, but prompt medical treatment can stop this damage,” Dr Murphy said.

“Our message is simple. The faster you can be treatedfor stroke, the more chance you have of making afull recovery. The vital first step in accessing thesetreatments is recognising the F.A.S.T. signs and calling triple zero (000).

“We want someone in every home and workplace to know the acronym and to share

it with your family, friends and colleagues”.

Think F.A.S.T and ask these questions if you suspect astroke:

Face -Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?

Arms -Can they lift both arms?

Speech -Istheir speechslurred?Dothey understand you?

Time -Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call triple zero (000) straight away.

Stroke is one of Australia’s biggest killers and aleading cause of disability.

More than 80 per cent of strokes display at least one of the F.A.S.T. signs.

“The good news is that stroke can be treated, and people can recover well but only if more people can recognise the F.A.S.T message,” Dr Murphy said.

“Some simple things you can do to reduce your risk include getting regular blood pressure checks, quittingsmoking,eating abalanced diet, staying active and avoiding alcohol."

Insight: The Koalas hasaspecial showing at Village Cinemas Morwell this week. Photograph supplied

Unlocking carbon potential in native forests

FORESTRYAustraliaisleading an Australian initiativetoexpand Australia’scarbon credits across all native forest tenures, including state forests, private native forests, forests managed by Traditional Owners, national parks and conservation reserves.

The Forestry Australia ‘Enhancing Native Forest Resilience’ proposal is aforest-sector-led submission to the federal government’s Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee EOI process for Australian Carbon Credits Units (ACCU) Scheme methods.

This model is based on agrowing body of publishedwork that showsforeststhatare actively managed can have greater carbon potential.

Under this method, active management means deliberate humancare of forests through implementing practices to restore and improve carbon, forest health and resilience outcomes.

Forestry Australia'spresident, Michelle Freeman, said there were huge untapped opportunities.

“There is agrowing body of published work that shows our forests are not only more resilient if they are actively managed, but they can deliver greater carbon abatement benefits,” Dr Freeman said.

“Our proposed new EnhancingNative Forest Resilience method is specifically focussed on unlocking the carbon potential across all types of native forests -when they remain forest land.

“Thiswouldprovideadditionalrevenuestreams for our national parks, state forests and private forests,specificallytosupport moreinvestment in ecologically sustainable forest management, thereby enhancing landscape resilience, biodiversity and social outcomes from our forests.

“It would maximise carbon market opportunities to more land owners, from state government agencies managing stateforests and nationalparks, as well as communitygroups, not-for-profits, private

land owners and First Nations Peoples.”

This alternate approach to carbon credits aims to incentivise investment in the resilience and ecologicallysustainable management of Australia’s native forests, while also allowing for continuing supply of locally and sustainably sourced timber and wood products -unlocking greater opportunities for Australia to meet its Paris emissions targets.

“Our approach is more nuanced than approaches that entertain only one option for improvingforest carbon outcomes,” Dr Freeman said.

“This method recognises that the problem and solutionrequires amoreholistic approach, it’s based on considering and providing options for applying abroader range of different forest management tools in the toolkit.

“If we extend the potential options for earning

carbon credits, we not only generate extra eligible carbon abatement opportunitiesfor Australia, but we alsoenhancethe resilience and ecological values of the Australianforest landscapewhile continuing to supply local highquality wood productsfrom areas where that is appropriate, it’s awin-win-win.

“Active management can also support sustainable livelihoods for regional communities and open up options for self-determinationbylandholders and managers to achieve the best possible and holistic outcomes."

The proposed project activities under Enhancing Native Forestmethodcan be grouped into three groups:



Restorative forestry practices: projects that restore ecological health and carbon through forest restoration and regenerative forestry

practices where forests have been degraded by wildfires, pest and diseases, or other significant disturbances;

 Adaptive harvesting practices: projects that reduce carbon emissions and improve carbon storage in forests currently available for timber harvesting, while allowing for alevel of ongoing supply of wood products, by altering timber harvesting approaches or resting areas from harvest, and;

 Improved utilisation of harvested wood products: projects that improve carbon storage in wood products by shifting the production of lower grade logs for short-lived wood products into higher grade logs and long-lived wood products.

Dr FreemansaidForestryAustraliaaimed to contribute directly to the further development and growth of the ACCU scheme in Australia.

"To present aproposal to the Australian Government... highlights the importance of supporting ecologically sustainable forest management for all native forests, especially in the face of increasing threats fromwildfires, invasive pest species and other factors exacerbated by climate change," she said.

ForestryAustralia is an independent not-forprofit professional association of more than 1200 forest scientists, managers and growerswho work in native forests, plantationsand provision of environmental services.

Its membersare committedtothe principles of sustainable forest management and applying these principles to generate environmental,social and economicoutcomesinall types of forests and land tenures.

Millions ofsoftwood seedlingsplanted in Gippsland

By PHILIP HOPKINS

MOREthan one million softwood tree seedlings have been planted in Gippsland by HVP Plantations under the Gippsland Plantations Investment Program (GPIP).

GPIP, which aims to plant up to 16 million trees

overthe nextdecade, is a$240million program that is designed to create asoftwood timberresourcethat will replace the hardwood native forest industry, whichwas closedbythe stategovernment this year.

The government has allocated $120 million for the program,withasimilaramount committedby HVP Plantations, which will grow the Radiata pine softwood timber on 14,450 hectares of land. The trees are expected to be harvested in 25-30 years.

restrictionsonacquisitionsinthe Macalister Irrigation District.

The land will consist of acombination of freehold land, which will be owned by HVP;leasehold land; and farmforestry. The emphasis will be on less productive freehold land, as it does not make commercial sense to acquire agricultural land for timber production.

Member for Eastern Victoria, Tom McIntosh, said in Victoria,there would be very strong demand for plantation timber products.

The seedlings were planted across central Gippsland.

The government says the trees will sequester largeamounts of carbon as they grow, removing about 7.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over the next 25 years.

Land purchases and planning approvals began in 2022, with the first plantings starting in 2023.

HVP is required to buy the land, prepare the sites and plant and care for the trees.

GPIPstipulates that the land be bought over alarge geographic area and notbeconcentrated in just afew local government areas. There are

HVP Chief Executive,Melanie Cook said that more than amilliontrees in the ground this winter showed the GPIP was well and truly under way.

"HVP Plantationsisexcited to be getting on with the job. This is astrong platform for our commitment to deliver asubstantial boost for Victoria’s timbersupply, while creating aclimate-positive outcome andjobs and investment for the local communities in Gippsland,” she said.

TheMinisterfor Agriculture, Ros Spence, said that Victoria's timber industry based around plantationswould provide jobs and supportthe state's wood product, construction and packaging product industries.

"These trees are providing new jobs and opportunitiesand will be the literal building blocks of our future housing and infrastructure,” he said. Victoria is Australia’slargest producerofplantationgrown timber, with an estateofmore than 380,000 hectares or 22 per cent of the national total. These are overwhelmingly softwood. The government's closure of the native forest industry led to the loss of hundredsofjobs and the closureofmanyhardwood sawmills in Gippsland.

The plantings come as FederationUniversity in Churchill is conducting asurvey of Gippsland to gauge the community's attitudes towards plantations. The project is funded by the National Institute for Forest Product Innovation in partnership with HVP.

For more information on GPIP, visit: deeca.vic. gov.au/forestry

Leader: ForestryAustralia is leading an initiativetoexpand Australia’scarbon credits Photo: iStock

Youth program creating anew path

By TOMHAYES

HIDDEN in the hills of Jumbuck sits asupportive, community-led youth program.

Known as MountainTrack, the programisaimed at youth experiencing tough times, whether that be youth crime, homelessness,orpoor mentalhealth, offering long-term support.

Sharing the mission statement “fly together”, the mission of the program helps individuals find theirbelonging, setting youth on apositive path that they might not have previously had.

Now in operation for about eight months, at the forefront includesco-founder, Laura Myer and co-founder and chief executive, David Butler.

Ms Myer is aqualified youth worker, who has more than 20 years of experience in various settings. Mr Butlerhas hada long career is many forms including trade, military, policing, mining, and hospitality. While he has no formal training in the youth work space, he does possess the natural ability to connect with all young people -which he finds to be most important.

Also abig part of the operationisPhillipBloy, who is the Mechanical Program Director for the program. He himself has had apast quite like the youth in the programand is now giving back to help today’s youth.

Sitting on the 300-acre Jumbuk Park, the program now has12participants, withhopesof continually expanding.

Speaking to the Express,MsMyer mentioned what Mountain Track hopes to achieve.

“To make along-term difference in the life of the most vulnerable and at-risk young people in the LatrobeValley,” she said.

“It is such adisadvantaged area of the state and the country, so just being able to make adent in those lives and show everyone what these young people are capable of by givingthem the right support or encouragement.”

While making that long-termdifference, Mountain Trackshines anew lightonthese individuals, openingnew doors for them in the process.

“It gives them aplace to belong, it gives them purpose, it gives them direction, it gives them the possibility…itjust opensuptheir worlds, gives them new horizons," Ms Myer said.

According to the Mountain Track website, they offer a“holistic, flexibleand long-term support

Handover: Mountain TrackChiefExecutiveDavid Butler(middle)accepts thekeys to the Blue Ribbon vanfromSenior ConstableTimothyParkerand Blue Ribbon Chief ExecutiveNeilSoullier

for young people in the Latrobe Valley who are experiencing tough times”.

Mountain Trackhas avision which is split up into sections,which Mr Butlerresembles closely to the karate or jiu jitsu belt system. Each stage represents an increase in responsibility for their individual actions andthe decisions they make

Currently,Mountain Trackfindsat-riskyouth from anumberofplacessuch as youthjustice, schools,proactive policing unit, or via other participants,entering them into asix-weekaccelerator program, which gives them the abilitytoopen a number of doors.

Participants vary in age from as young as 12-years-old to as old as 17 when enteringthe program. If need be, participants can stay on-site in the cabins, or can commute from home.

JumbukPark used to be acamp property, but has since been out of use since toward the start of the century after changing into the hands of the current owner.

Following the accelerator program,Mountain Track participants have the options to undertake

Photograph: TomHayes

anumberoftraining programs. On top of these, Mountain Track hopes to add more, like music or photography.

Skills to learn include chainsaw and excavator training,which allow participants to unlock a seven-day disaster team training program. These programs include independence, team building, routine, and reliability.

Once fully trained, participants will be qualified enough to be deployed all over the country to help with disaster relief.

Other training programs mightprovide the skills necessary to get ajob, or an apprenticeship, depending on the field.

Ms Myerexplained that Mountain Track currentlydoesn’thavethe manpower to expand to introduce new training programs.

“Once we’re able to get to that capacitywhere we can take whatever they’re interested in and guide them there -that’s the dream,” she said.

“At themoment we’veonlygot anumberofofferings that they can take up, and they do, they’re so enthusiastic.”

From what is currently available, Ms Myer has found that all participants have had success, or made progress in whichever field they have chosen.

“Firstly, they’re havingbetter relationships at home, so they’re much more connected with their family and friends and got supportive partners,” Ms Myer said.

For one participant in particular, they went from skipping school and havingtroublewiththe law, to now where they are ready to work, and they have sustained abetter relationship with their family.

Other kids might go back into the schooling system, find temporarywork, see an improvement in behaviour, or support new participants as they enterthe program -which helps on themanpower shortage to some extent.

On Thursday, July 18, Victoria Police’sBlue Ribbon Foundation donatedanunusedvan to Mountain Track to assist with their youth intervention program.

Meeting Mountain Track was Blue Ribbon Chief Executive, NeilSoullierand Senior Constable Timothy Parker.

Senior Constable Parker, of the Morwell Proactive Policing Unit, thoughtofthe idea after noticing the van sittinginthe Morwell PoliceStation car park.

Mr Soullierdidn’t take muchconvincing to get on board,glad to seethe van being puttogood use again, handing overthe keystoMrButler.

“The fact that the proactivepolice unitand the BlueRibbon foundation recognisethat thesekids havesuchpotentialwhengiven the rightsupport and opportunities, and are happytosupport them in this waymeans the world,” Mr Butler said “It’s just such ahugeasset, we just don’tknow exactly howwe’re going to useit.”

Mr Bloysuggestedthe van to be used for multiple purposes, including making it compliant by putting seats in it,using it as amobile workshop, and potentially visiting schools and teaching kids the basics.

Donations like this one is just what Mountain Track needs to keep running. While they do accept monetary donations, there is no harm in offering tools, equipment or even time.

Mr Bloy emphasised thatinstead of trading acar in for asmall amount, donate it, so it can be used for the greater good, allowing kids to use them to train on, or repurpose them.

Visittheir websitefor more information, at: mountaintrack.org/

Nuclearoption not ‘stacking up’

COMMENT

BY JOHN GWYTHER

THE nuclear question should be “Why?”

David Packham’s article ('The others have nuclear, why not?' Latrobe Valley Express,10/07/24) frames the question aroundnuclear as “Why not”,but asking “why” is more constructive, especially since the rationales the Coalition offers include “We can defer emissions reduction action [for 15 years] because nuclear will solve it”, not to mention their deceptive statements about total renewables costs and the kilometres of transmission line needed.

It is also importanttoconsider the context thatpossible energy solutions must address. This includes:

 Our 22 Gigawatts of increasingly unreliable coal-fired power stations will be pretty much gone within 10 years;

 New build coal-fired power stations are “un-investable”, as are life-extension projects for them. In other words, only governments (ie taxpayers) will finance them;

 Our current and aging transmission systems are already overloaded so all forms of additional generation will need new ones;

 Demand for electricity is projected to treble by 2050 as we decarbonise our economy;

 Emissions reductions policies are global and are not going away, nor could we scale back our ambition without risk of massive economic damage from global sanctions and tariffs;

 To limit global warming to the 1.5 degree target, which is already about to be exceeded, all scientific opinions stress we need to make huge emissions reductions in the next five to 10 years;

 Carbon emissions already have aprice on them, locally and globally. Our electricity market is a lightly managed free market where generators bid their current price every few minutes and suppliers chase the lowest price;

 Our electricity sector accounts for under athird of our emissions, but all sectors need to drive towards net zero, and;

 Australia’s track record in largescale, complex technology projects is not good. For example, any defence project in recent decades, Snowy 2.0, etc. Thus, proffered budgets and timetables cannot be taken as gospel, especially for a“first of akind” project for this nation.

So, here are some keyreasonswhy

nuclear does not and will not stack up for Australiainits quest for cheaper, reliable electricity and emissions reductions towards net zero by 2050.

Firstly, no nuclear project can address the “coal gap” since there is zero evidence to say that we can go from“let’s have nuclear” to “we’ve got nuclear” in under 15 years.

Build time is only part of the length of this cycle and even the much-cited UAE example took 13 years from decision to commercial output. In fact, most projects in democratic nations are way beyond these times and budgets.

Thus, we must still pursue the alternatives to fill the “coal gap” and deploy them within five to seven yearstomatch therequirements of the coal-fired plants.

Second, every current analysis of the “true and complete” cost of electricity generation (called LCOE)shows nuclear as the most expensive form of generation; two-three times the cost for utility-scale wind and solar and one or two times the cost of gas-peaking. Note: new-build coal power stations with CCS are almost as expensive as nuclear.

Notethat LCOE includes all costs includinglife-time replacementand decom mis si oning cos ts (h uge for nuclear) and returnoninvestment, which correlates withproject risk(high fornuclear).

Packham’s cited2020report assumes aconstant seven per cent cost of capital for all technologies but more up-to-date

capital costs to deploy nuclear, which, for us, are likely to be somewhere between $15-30 billion per gigawatt of capacity. Fourth, the proposal suggests amere 10Gw of nuclear capacity which probably could not be fully deployed before 2050. By that time, our projected generation capacity required is around 360 GW. Thus, nuclearwould onlysupply around three per cent of our 2050 demand. At this level,itwouldalsohave anegligible impact on our emissions.

In short, nuclear is too little, too late and too costly for us and we cannot afford to wait15years for any benefit to appear.

Yes, it can provide firm capacitybut so can gas-peaking plans, pumped hydro andemergingutility-scalebatteries at significantly lower costs.

If peopleinthe Valleyare excited about nuclear because of jobs and money flowing in, please think again. Thereisnopossibility of money and newjobsfor aminimum of five years, probably eight to 10 years. And that is after the Coalition wins control of both Houses to ram through its agenda.

Contrast that with the massive local inve stmen ts alr eady occ urri ng in renewables projects.

If you are motivatedbythe thought of cheaper electricity, then you should understandthat AEMO’s ISP 2024 states that “renewable energy, enhanced by battery storage and gas generation, is identified as the most cost-effective solution for providing electricity”

We cannot ignore the political context here either.

reports (CSIRO GenCost 2024, Lazards 2024, etc) use discount rates appropriate to the technology risk. Put it this way; would you invest yoursuper funds in anuclear build project for aseven per cent return?

Third, nuclear needs to run at close to capacity to make adecent return on investment;90per cent load is often cited. If nuclearistosell into our free market against renewables costing aquarter of nuclear power, the government (ie taxpayers) will have to subsidise that cost differential (back of the envelope calculation: potentially $3-5 billion pa) for arealistic40-50 year economic life of each power station.

Note thatthese would be on top of the

In the absence of any detailed analysis by the Coalition for the nuclearconcept, and in the light of its obvious flaws and gaps in information, it is hard to escape the conclusion that this is just apolitical stuntbythem to wedge the government. They could address that concern by releasingthe detailed informationthey claim they have. The damage they havedonetolocal and global investor confidenceinAustralia duetotheir statement about suspending action on emissions reduction also should not be under-estimated.

They are divided on renewables and assume we can extend the life of our coal-fired powerstations for10-15 years. That would be another mass ive cost impostontheir quest for cheap electricity. It is well beyond time for the Coalition to release the details.

John Gwyther is aGippslandbased, retiredcomputerscientist, IT entrepreneur,astronomer and meteorologist.

Waiting game: Local computer scientist John Gwyther says thereare manyhoops to jump throughbeforenuclear can even be considered forthe Latrobe Valley Image: iStock

Welcome resource: Morwell VICSESUnit hasreceived

makerescue effortseasier

VICSESupgrade grants freedom andflexibility

BY the end of last month, nearly 50 Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) -Road Crash Rescue (RCR) -accreditedunits had received state-of-theart battery-powered hydraulic tools.

The acquisitions will revolutionise the way volunteers respond to emergencies.

The hoseless Pentheon range of equipment is developed by Netherlands manufacturer Holmatro, with each kit valued at more than $115,000. VICSES Morwell,Warraguland Bairnsdale units receivedtheir Pentheon kits earlierinthe rollout process.

The new equipment allows volunteers to efficiently manage rescue-related emergencies without requiring an external hydraulic pump source through anearby VICSESresponse vehicle or portable pump.

As aresult, VICSES volunteers will have

greaterfreedomand flexibility in accessing rescue incidents in hard-to-reach locations, with increased manoeuvrability akey consideration when adopting the untethered equipment.

VICSES maintains the largestnetwork of principal provider RCR emergency responders in Australia, with 104 VICSES Units across the state certified to utilise their technical skills and equipment at rescue incidents, with an additional 20 support units available.

In VICSES’Gippsland Region, VICSES volunteers attended more than 160 rescue-related incidents last month, with Morwell, Moe and Warragul units attending more than 15 each.

To find out more aboutVICSES’ RCR capabilities, visit: ses.vic.gov.au/join-us/volunteer-roles/ road-crash-rescue

Local firefighters deployed in Canada

CREWS from Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) Gippsland have answered the call to support our Canadian friendsduring the country’s devastating bushfires.

Ten arduous firefighters departed last weekfor a month on the fire-lineinBritish Columbia,joining seven Gippsland staff who are already in British Columbia and Alberta for a35-day deployment.

The Gippsland FFMVic crew is amongatotal of 62 FFMVic personnel supporting the ongoing wildfire response,continuing along-standing tradition of support between Victoria and Canada.

“FFMV ic Gippsl and staff bring ex ten si ve emergency management experience, taking on specialist roles including sector commander, strike team leader and air attack supervisor,” FFMVic GippslandDeputy Chief Fire Officer, Sam Quigley said.

“Our arduousfirefighters are well-prepared to face the challenging and remote terrain of Canada, bringing specialist skills in tree-felling and dry firefighting techniques.

“While providing much-needed relief to our Canadiancounterparts, thesedeployments also offer invaluable opportunities for FFMVic staff to expand theirbushfire knowledge and operational

experienceindifferent environments, allowing them to apply what they learn to manage largescale bushfires at home.

"We extend our heartfelt thanks to our deployed staff and to their colleagues and loved ones who support them from home.”

In 2019/20,Canadian firefighters supported Victorian firefighting efforts, and since then, FFMVic staff have been part of multiple deployments to Canada over the past two fire seasons.

As Victoria prepares for the upcoming bushfire season, FFMVic is recruiting several hundred ProjectFirefighterstobolster their permanent firefighting staff.

These roles offer avaluable entry point into caree rs in envi ron menta la nd em erg enc y management.

Some of FFMVic’sformer Project Firefighters have gone on to supportfirefightingeffortsacross Australia and internationally.

While applications closed on July28, FFMVic is still accepting applications for locations with vacancies.

For more information, visit: jobs.careers.vic.gov. au/pff

Trade your old machine on a NEWJANOME Sewing, Embroidery or Overlocker

We will compete against any Janome deal and provide tuition, warranty and after sales ser vice right here in Gippsland

03 5199 2152

ONE POINTERS

1. What sport does Fred Flintstone play?

2. Who was the last host of Brain Strains in this paper?

3. Napolean was the political leader of what countr y?

4. John Denver died in what kind of tragedy?

5. What was Elvis Presley’smiddle name?

6. Where is the highest peak in Australia?

7. What is the name of the owner of Gar field the cat?

8. Matilda’sgoalkeeper,Teagan Micah, grew up in what Latrobe Valley town?

THREE POINTERS

9. Who was USA’s final torch bearer in the 2024 Olympics?

10 What musical group sung ‘Back In the U.S.S.R.’?

11 What manufacturer released the first folding smart phone in 2020

12 What is it called when multiple words in arow start with the same sound?

FOUR POINTERS

13 What German Scientist does Br yan Cranston’s character in Breaking Bad name himself after?

14 What countr ywon the first Olympic gold medal in the 2024 Paris games

FIVE POINTER

15.What potted plant did E.T.carr y?

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

Rail Trail extends to Welshpool

THEGreatSouthern RailTrail is awonderful natural resource that we have right on ourdoorstep in Gippsland.

The RailTrail begins at Nyora, and with the newest section opened, extends all the way to Welshpool.

The Rail Trail covers adistance of 110km and could be extended to 143 km if users travelled all the connecting trails.

TheGreat SouthernRailTrail really showcases some of Gippsland’s bestscenery and passessome rich dairy and beef farmland.

The Strzelecki Bushwalking Club regularly hosts

activities along the rail trail, and recentlyheld its inaugural marathon.

Fifteen members walked 42km from Lowry’s Road (near Foster) all the way into Leongatha. This was an amazing group effort lead by club stalwart Martin Norris.

More recently,the grouphas held bikerides from Korumburra to Leongatha and Foster to Toora.

Rid ing and wa lk ing wit ht he Strz el eck i Bushwalking Club is agreat waytoexperience the Rail Trail.

Travelling along with agroup of friends is avery

GippslandWater celebrate artists

GUNNAI artist and proud Koori womanAlice Pepper visited Gippsland Water’s Traralgon office lastweek to present acopyofher artwork, Cultural Flow

Gippsland WaterManaging Director, Sarah Cumming met with Alice and shared the positive feedback the organisation has received about the artwork, and the importance of celebrating Traditional Owners and their connection to water.

Gippsland Water commissioned artworks from AlicePepper andMutti Mutti Bunurongartist Lakeisha Clayton to celebrate its ongoing partnership with the Traditional Custodians of the land it operates on.

Alice’s artworkhas alsobeen installed on signage at facilities on GunaikurnaiCountry, and will feature as amural on theStratford water tower.

Lakeisha’sartwork, Water Connection, is featured on signage at facilities on Bunurong Country.

To read abo ut the sto ry of the art wo rk and find out more, visit: gippswater.com.au/ traditionalownersandculturalheritage

Celebration: Ar tist Alice Pepper (centre) presents GippslandWater healthy countr y lead DanielRodaughan andmanaging director SarahCumming with acopyofher ar twork. Photograph supplied

enjoyable way to spend the day, and when coffee and cake are thrown in you can’t go wrong.

The next club night of the Strzelecki Bushwalking Club willbeheldonAugust14inthe Trafalgar Scout Hall (Kitchener Street) at 7pm All visitorsare welcometoattend.Supperand aguest speaker areprovided. Furtherinformation is available on the webs at: sbwc.org.au, or by emailing publicity@sbwc org.au

O’Brien focusing on telecommunications

MEMBER for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien said he has campaigned for abetter focuson regi onal telec ommu nicat ions after previo us revelations the ConnectingVictoria program was subsidising inner city areas that are already well-served by commercial operators.

Mr O’Brien recently wrote to the Minister for Government Services, Gabrielle Williams, to seek atimeline for these important projects as afollow up to advice received in February 2023 that anew Optus tower would be delivered in Toongabbie.

“I have now received advice that the Toongabbie

Optus tower is on track to be completed early 2025,” Mr O’Brien said.

“In addition to this Iamtold we can expect to see the rollout of afurther 98 mobile projects across Gippsland under this project.”

Mr O’Briensaida number of these projectswill be in Gippsland South, including new Telstra towers in TarraValley,Boolarra, Callignee,Jeeralang, Dumbalk, Flynn, Leongatha and Sale Northas wellasOptus towersinSale, Sale East,Sandy Point, Toora and Yanakie South. “These towers are all scheduled to be completed

within the 2024.25 financial yearand Iwill be keeping aclose eye on their progress," Mr O'Brien said.

“Many regional Victorians rely on reliable mobile coverage to access crucial services such as online education or telehealth and they deserve the same level of coverage as our city counterparts.”

For afull list of projects being delivered under the Connecting Victoria program, as well as information of estimated completion dates, visit: vic.gov. au/find-a-project

Pedal: Ridersfromthe Strzelecki Bushwalking Club at Welshpool. Photograph supplied

LATROBE Regional Health (LRH) was acknowledged at the recent health sector awards.

In afield of finalists thatincluded the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centreand researchgroups from the private sector, LRH’s Research and Clinical Trials Unitwon the Site Spark Award at the International Society for Clinical Research Sites event.

The awards recognise the team’s work to bring clinical trials to the Gippsland community.

“It was something of ashock when our name was called out,” LRH GeneralManager of Research and Partnerships, Jhodie Duncan said.

“I’m really proud of the work that the team has done and the way we’ve embedded the practice of clinical trials in the LRH culture.

"I guess asmall part of me was thinking, when you’re up against Peter Mac and big privateentities, we didn’t stand achance, so it is really exciting and lovely for the hard work of the team to be acknowledged."

The Researchand Clinical Trials Unit at LRH wasestablished in 2019, and by early2020had four staff and two active clinical trials.

Maryvale release podcast Excellence in research

‘OUR People’ is one of Maryvale Private Hospital’s key strategic pillars.

Born from this priority is anew podcast Our People, Their Stories

In each episode, Maryvale Private Hospital representatives sit downwiththe incredible individuals who make the hospital thrive.

From their humble beginnings to their pivotal roles today, listen as podcast guests share their personal stories, triumphs,and lessons learned along the way.

Discover why hearing people’s storiesis crucial: it enriches understanding of diversity,

The team now comprises more than 20 staff and recently openedits 36thclinical trial, bringing new treatment opportunities to Gippsland patients.

“We’re offering trials now, that historically, people in Gippsland either would never have had the option to participate in or they would have had to travel to Melbourne to be considered for,"

Ms Duncan said.

"Throughincorporating new processes and looking at how the trial canbemanaged differently, with afocus on how can we get local people on board, we’ve been able to offer the latest treatment options to people closer to home.

"This approach has seen the team work in partnership with institutions such as Alfred Health’s Trialhub, Monash Health and commercial sponsors and employ new models of care such as teletrials which enable thepatient to have some of their treatment locally, to reduce expensive and timeconsuming travel.

“When you considerthe time and financialburden afour or five-hour trip to Melbourne can have for some Gippsland patients, on top of the stress of medical treatment, approaches like the teletrial

modelhave been very helpfulinenabling us to open trials we can’t run independently andproviding access to care closer to home for some of our trial participants."

LRH’sResearch and Clinical Trials team is currently overseeing trials exploring treatment options for conditions including stroke, cardiac health, diabetes, and most types of cancer including breast, lung, prostate and leukaemia.

Willow Grove’s Nick Johnson has been part of aclinical trial since 2020 after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.

“My condition was able to be closely monitored at LRH with regular scans and blood tests which was great," he said.

"Itmeant Ididn’thave to travel to the city which is often awhole day out of work and life.

"It was good to have agood rapport with the local hospital care team who was and still are there for me. They have my back."

Further information about LRH’s Research and Clinical Trials program can be found online at: lrh. com.au/research-clinical-trials/

builds empathy, providesvaluable lessons, inspires,and fosters asenseofconnection within the community.

Whether you're acolleague, aclient, or simply curious about the faces behind Maryvale Private Hospital's success, tune in and uncover what makes the team.

The first guest was Anne McQualter.

Anne is one of the 'originals', working from Day 1- 33 years ago when Maryvale first opened our doors.

Anne has recently retired after an incredible career.

Research and Clinical Trials Unit proudlydisplaytheir awardfromthe International Societyfor Clinical Research. Photograph supplied

Reid Michael Norton, bornJune 28, 2024 at Latrobe Regional Health to proud parents Jessica (nee Hannon) and Adam Traralgon. Abrother forBryce

Well done: Latrobe Regional Health

Volunteersdinner in Mirboo North

By KATRINA BRANDON

FROM day one of the February storm, Mirboo North Storm Cell volunteers and others have been working to clean up debris and damages in Mirboo North and the surrounding areas.

On July 6, Mirboo North volunteers held an appreciation dinner for other volunteers who have been helping since February.

“Assistingon334 jobs in and around(the)Mirboo North community, including Boolarra, Boolarra South,Hallston, Allambee, Allambee South, Darlimurla and Delvin. These jobs were achieved in 117 days over 19 weeks. This does not include the different volunteer groups and agenciesworking on the ground,” Mirboo North resident and Storm Cell volunteer, Jess Reeves said.

“What agreat headstart we have all done.”

More than 200 people attended the event, including Mary (Has Spuds/Mannequin), the local Country FireAuthority (CFA),Disaster Relief Australia (DRA), State Emergency Services (SES) and residents.

Attendees enjoyed awarm dinner, dessert, music by Mollimor, and face painting.

For most of the event, people could sit down and enjoy ameal togetherinthe warmthofthe Mirboo North Hall, listening to the music play out. Kids danced while parents talked about how different things were after the storm.

Later on, speeches were held in honour of the volunteers.

“What on earthhave we gottenourselves into?

Working alongside people we hadn’t ever met before, barely knowing the person beside us, we soondiscovered the same thingkept us all there.We all just wanted to help,” Mirboo North resident and Storm Cell volunteer Bernadine 'Deanie' Brullo said.

“We wanted to achieve what we had set out to do eventhough thosegoalposts kept getting bigger and further by the day.”

Currently, the Storm Cell volunteer group is no longer working through the community shed, but is still workingthrough the damages and is contactable through their Facebook page.

The joyous night showed the newly created, closer connection between the town that the destruction had created.

The finishing note came from the event organiser, Katrina Foster, who concluded: “With the storm, Mary, our mascot, has never left us.”

Leaving behind aHolden legacy like no other

By AIDAN KNIGHT

TRAFALGAR hasmournedthe recent death of

Neil Joiner, founder and president of the town’s renowned Holden Museum.

Mr Joiner’s passion for Holden began with his

1958 FC and led to him establishing the museum in 2014.

The museum offers an impressive and educating experience throughits rotatingdisplaysofthe vehicles spanning 164 years manufacturing, now well-known as one of the bestautomotive collections

Acourthouse vision realised

THE doors have reopened at the Traralgon Courthouse.

Extensive restoration works have brought new life to the 138-year-old building.

Acommunitytreasure, the courthouse reopened lastThursday (August 1), with awell-stocked book shop and astunning art exhibition.

Years of fundraising efforts, campaigningacross all levels of government, and building community supportand awareness have finally delivered the 2016 vision Friends of Traralgon Courthouse Inc (FOTCH) had for the deteriorating building as it was eight years ago.

“The courthouse is agreat story,"FOTCH President, Jenny Hammett said.

“Traralgon’ sCourthouse andPos tOff ice are arguably the most recognised buildings in Gippsland. Listedonthe Victorian Heritage Register, the courthouse, rarely used, unloved and uncared for prior to 2016, has been transformed into aplace ourcommunitycan love and embrace as their own.

"The firstwedding in the renovated building is

already booked in. Art and history exhibitions, and afestival or two are in the calendar and there’s lots more to come."

ALiving Heritage Grantof$98,000 to FOTCH was announced by the state government in 2022.

Working in partnership with Latrobe City,who auspice and managed the project, FOTCH has seen the realisation of their vision to restore the building and open it to the community.

“Thisisaplace for our community in the heart of town. People can walk in off the streetand feel at home," Ms Hammett said.

"They can browse the books, enjoy the art or justsit fora while withacuppa andhavea quiet chat."

The Traralgon Courthouse is open Wednesday to Friday 10.30am to 2pm and Saturday mornings.

The courthouse is run by community volunteers for the community.

For more information, phone JennyHammett on 0418 334 747.

in the country. After the closure of the National HoldenMuseum in EchucainApril, donating seven cars to Trafalgar’s collection, Mr Joiner’s museum became one of two remaining Holden assemblages in Australia (the other located in Mildura) making it an even more important fixture of the Trafalgar community.

Housed by the equally historic former buttery factory, it quickly became alocal landmark attracting fanatics,locals, andcurious visitors alike.Run by an enthusiastic volunteer group formed by Mr Joiner,whose efficient operation of the museum saw it become one of the area’s leading attractions and is visible from the Princes Highway thanks to its iconic red VE ‘Commodore on apole’, standing taller than the museum itself.

Trafalgar Holden Museum Acting President, JennyMiddleton describedMrJoiner as “an incredibly dedicated and enthusiastic man, with his feelers always in as many projects as he could”, referencing his work not only withinthe museum, but also his aircraft enthusiast group, and the Trafalgar Chamber of Commerce.

“He hadavision and it’ssitting here with us now, so we will make sure that keeps on going,” Ms Middleton said.

“We have asmall commemorative table in acorner of the museum, with flowers and photos of Neil, but we are working on abiggermore permanent display remembering the founder of the museum, as it really was his museum."

Despitethe saddening loss of its founder,the museum has no plans of slowing down.

An extension to the existing building is underway, due to finish in six months, which Mr Joiner had begun before his passing -which can only mean more cars will be added to fill that space.

“He never thought it would get this big”, Ms Middleton shared.

“Butithas grownvery quickly in the last few years and we’re just glad he got to see it reach this point."

Mr Joiner died on Thursday, June 28, 2024 and was farewelled on July 3byaguard of honour outside the museum he dedicated so much to, facing afitting procession of various Holden vehicles driving in his memory.

Advertising in the Express

The Range Retirement Village are ong time clients of the Latrobe Valley Express and have always enjoyed a great relationship with Jenny and her teaminthe advertising department . Theyalwaysgoout of their waytomakesure our company has the best advertising forour business, always lookingfor ways to improve our ads, so we achieve the best results.

We recommendthe LatrobeValleyExpress to anyone looking to promote and advertise their business.

LeighBrown

The Range Retirement Village

Vale: LateTrafalgar HoldenMuseum founder and president, Neil Joiner File photograph

Mirbooicon: Mary hasSpuds is still on the job makingsureeveryone is getting thehelp they need, while keeping up appearances

Community: Volunteersand residents gathered in the Mirboo Nor th Hall forthe town’s thank you par ty to all who have assisted since thestorm

Appreciative: Gar yEdwards,Kaz Pedretti and BevCook cut thecake, fittinglywithatoy chainsawtomarkrecovery effortsfromthe Mirboo Northstorm Photographs: Katrina Brandon

Viewclub

MOE View Club willmeet today (Wednesday, August 7) at Moe Hotel (Leggies), Lloyd Street, Moe at 10.30am.

The latest fundraising activity was aBeetle Day, raising almost $300 for The Smith Family.

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

Stoma support

ENTERINGits second year, the Ostomy Support Group, Coffee Bags, is set to meet today (August 7) at Moe Hotel (Leggies) Saloon Bar Room from 12.30pm.

This grouplends its support, care, information sharing and friendship to those who have aUrostomy, Ileostomy or Colostomy and would like to invite anyone who has astoma to join.

The group meets on the first Wednesday of each month.

Meals, drinks and coffee are available for purchase if desired.

Find Gippsland Ostomy on Facebook, or call Sue Graham on 0415 751 145 for more details.

Social dance

MOE Social DanceClubishaving a special 'footy night'dress up theme on Monday, August 12, startingat 7.30pm.

The dance is heldatthe Newborough Public Hall every Monday night and features new vogue, waltzing, tango, cha chas and other fun dances.

No partners required. Learn as you go.

Cost is $8 and aspecial supper of pies and hot dogs will be provided on footy night.

Moe Social Dance are awelcoming club and would love to see you there.

Traralgon & District Historical Society

AREMINDER that the next general meeting of the Traralgon &District HistoricalSociety will be held on Tuesday, August 13 from 7.30pm at the Kath Teychenne Centre (11 Breed Street) Traralgon.

Guest speaker for the evening will be Graeme McDonald, who will give atalkonlifeinthe 60sand 70s in Traralgon.

Graeme is along timeresident in Traralgon who has been involvedin business and community groups over theyears

The 1902 Oldsmobileisnow running again.

Members of the society have been doing alot of repairworkonthe vehicle and going forward, hope to havethe car on display at localevents.

Currently, the car is housed at the society rooms in agaragewhich is notsuitable, due to water running through thegarage when there is decent rain. The trailer has had work done and is ready to go on the road.

Community

Corner with Liam Durkin

The society are on the lookout for something more suitabletohouse the vehicle.

Ideally, the group wouldliketohave the car on display all the time as it is awonderful piece of historyand was donated to thesociety by the late Roland Hill

Contactdetails for the society are: Postal: 11 Breed Street, Traralgon; telephone:51748399; email:secretary@traralgonhistory.asn.au

Chess results

IN the decisive encounterfor the week, Cliff Thorntonforced Ian Hamilton to resign following the three quick wins in other battles of Latrobe Valley Chess.

Peter Bakker claimed the win in two battles.

Some adventurous moves provided one win but did not help in other battles for Rhys Borg.

The attacksmet were too often a major problem in the key games for Jack Holme.

RohanBorg entered the challenging scene to enjoy the clashesand lost the contest whenhemet Steve Ahernwho had fallen victim in all the previous games.

Matt Bolding provided usefulsupport for Jess Mulry and other new members.

The week before,CliffThornton completedthe roundwith fourwins andpunished the mistakes made by Ian Hamilton.

Rhys Borg won his first battle but had to take the consequences of errors in other games.

Theearly lossfor Peter Bakkerwas followed by two wins and adraw.

Rohan Borg was forced to accept the consequences of the oversights.

Steve Ahern won the contest, then paid tribute to the skills of Jack Holme.

Jess Myers and Matt Bolding enjoyed ashort match.

Phone Cliff Thornton on 0413 330 458 or Ian Hamilton (5134 1971) for more details on local chess.

Churchill market

ACRAFT market will be held at Churchill Shopping Centre on Saturday,August24from 9am to 1pm.

Arange of locally made crafts will be available, along with avariety of goods from home-based businesses and community groups.

Free entertainment is provided between10amand 12pm, including something for the kids.

There'll be give-aways, including vouchers to spend at nominated Churchill retailers and freesausage sizzles.

The wintermarketwill proceed,

whatever the weather, so wear your coat or jacket and bring abrollie just in case. It's not too late to book astall site. Bookonline at: churchill.org.au/ events

AFAQ factsheet is available for stall-holder information,just scroll down the page before you make your booking.

Inquiries can be directed to Churchill Shop Local Facebook page, or call Churchill Neighbourhood Centre on 5120 3850

Churchill Shop Local market days are run by Churchill &District Community Association in partnershipwithChurchill Neighbourhood Centre and Churchill &District News.

Trafalgar & District Historical Society (not to be confused)

THE July edition of the Trafalgarand District Historical Society Gazette is now on sale at the Trafalgar Post Office, Trafalgar Newsagency and EdCompComputers (located on Contingent Street, Trafalgar) for $4.

It contains articles of interest on The Victorian Bush Nursing Association, HeadwayGippsland, Cheese making in Trafalgarand the TrafalgarGirl Guides.

The annual meeting of the T&DHS will be held on Friday, August 16 at 2pm in the old Kindergartenresidence (30 Contingent Street, Trafalgar).

Further details can be obtained by calling Dianne on 0439 655 172, or email historicalsocietytraf@gmail.com

Garden Club meeting

TRARALGON Garden Club meets at 2pm on Tuesday, August 13 at Glenview Park (Traralgon Racecourse, 110 McNairn Road, Traralgon).

The club is afriendly group of people with an interest in all aspects of gardening.

This months topic is 'Handy Garden Hints'. Visitors are always welcome.

Psychological firstaid training

TRARALGONDistrict Uniting Church is hosting apsychological first aid training workshop on September 10 from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Psychological firstaid is apartofthe Critical Incident Stress Foundations accreditedmethodsofsupporting affected peopleand communities experiencing trauma.

Just as first aid addresses physical wounds, psychological first aid can

addressemotional andspiritual wounds.

Psychological first aid includes making contact, ensuring safety, communicating, comforting, reassuring and offering support.

This training is directed at people who may attend emergency scenes, relief and recovery centres, and in outreach campaigns after disasters.

The training will be provided by Marie van de Weert, the Training and Education Manager at VCC Emergencies.

Bookings are limited.

For more details,visit: events. humanitix.com/psychological-firstaid-training-yd9knp9y

Parkinson's peer support

NEXT meeting of the Latrobe Valley Parkinson’s Peer Support Group will be held tomorrow (Thursday, August 8) from 11am to 1pm at Gippsland Rotary Centenary House (39 Valley Drive, Traralgon).

The topic for this meeting will be ‘Nutrition for peoplewith Parkinson’s’.

The groupmeetsevery month on the second Thursday of themonth New members are always welcome.

Parkinson’s is the second most commonneurologicaldiseaseinAustralia after dementia.

The disease affects an estimated 200,000 individualsinAustralia with 38 Aussiesdiagnosedwith the disease every day.

The Peer Support group provides an informal and welcoming environment, offeringinformation, social connectionand hopetothose affected by Parkinson’s and similar conditions.

Carers, family and friends are welcome to attend to findout more about living with Parkinson’s. There is no cost involved.

For moreinformation about Parkinson’s Peer Support, phone Fight Parkinson’s (formerly Parkinson’s Victoria) on 1800 644 189.

Daffodil Day

MOE and District Cancer Council Volunteer Group,will hold Daffodil Day 2024 on Thursday, August 22.

The groupwill be holdingastall outside the newsagency in Moore Street,Moe from 9am until 3pm.

Daffodil Day merchandisewill be on sale, includingEnamel and Diamante pins.

Fresh Daffodils will also be on sale.

The group's upcoming event in October will be afashion parade.

Current projects are Paediatric Cancer Research.

Next meeting is Monday,August 26, commencing at 1.30pm at the Moe RSL. Come and join us for acuppa anda chat, all are welcome.

Formoreinformation, phone Diane on 0438517 470 or Linda (0427 671 780).

Cancer Council Supporters Hotline: 1300 65 65 85.

Cancer Council Helpline: 13 11 20.

Quit Line: 13 78 48.

Morwell Historical Society

THE very popular Step Back in Time Conversation Cafe will be held today (August 7), Wednesday,August21 and Sunday,August 25 from 11am to 2pm in the society's rooms at 12 Hazelwood Road, Morwell.

Opening alongside theopen days, the Cafe has had many visitors reminisce, rekindle friendships, connect with the community and share their connection to Morwell while admiring their many exhibitions and artefacts. Join them for acuppa,a chat and some light refreshments.

After the open day on August21, the group will hold their member’s gathering at 2pm.

This is an opportunity for members, friends and the general public to come together to sit in an informal environment and share stories with others as well as enjoy some afternoon tea.

Amongst Morwell Historical Society displays are photosofdebutante balls, the weironBilly’sCreekand Moondarra, WhiteCity,Morwell High School, kindergartensand primary schools which have been closed.

To increase their collections, the society would love to hearfrom anyone whohas photos or information on local pharmacies/pharmacists to share, especially from the early days.

For any queries, phone 0409 436 019, or email secretary@morwellhistoricalsociety.org.au

Spiritual centre

LATROBE Valley SpiritualCentre, 2 Avondale Road, Morwell.

Join us every Sunday for service that start at 2pm.

There is aguest speaker every week with demonstrations from an invited medium, followed by acuppa and afternoon tea.

For enquiries,phone Amanda Webb on 0411 051 044.

Youcan be apartof Community Corner

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

You can address the correspondence to Editor, Liam Durkin.

Please write 'CommunityCorner' in the subject line and nothing else.

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

On Monday, Mercury starts reversing through your work and wel be ng zone So, it’s a su table week to revise your daily diet and fitness routine, as you choose healthier food opt ons and a form of exerc se that you enjoy Plus – when it comes to your job – it’s time to catch up on the backlog of unfin shed projects and overflowing paperwork W th the Sun shining in your friendship zone, you’re keen to have a catch-up unch or movie n ght with your best es

Mercury turns retrograde, and Venus (your power p anet) hooks up with retro Mercury So, you’re extra suscept b e to confusing misunderstandings, dubious suggestions and false flattery Be discerning about whose advice you take and make sure your p ans are grounded n real ty Don’t et fair-weather friends lead you up the primrose path to troub e! If you’re a smart Bull, you’ll plan your week carefu ly and choose your close confidantes wise y

This week mpulsive Mars and spontaneous Jupiter are both transit ng through Gemini, which boosts your energy and enthusiasm – but also your blunt and tactless side And on Monday, your ru ing planet Mercury turns retrograde (unt l August 29) So close re ationships w ll be comp icated, and communication will be ncreasingly tricky - especial y with your housemates and extended family Smart Twins will s ow down, shut up, listen and learn!

YMercury turns retrograde on Monday, so it’s time to do anything with an ‘re’ in front of t - rev se, rehearse, review, remember, return, recover and/or reconnect Especial y in areas involving travel, education, communication and loca community projects Expect some hiccups - not everything will run smoothly But don’t worry – press on and be patient As actress (and birthday great) Luc lle Bal sa d: “I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than the things that I haven’t ”

The Sun and Venus are both visiting Leo, so you’re feeling feisty and ready for adventure But with Mercury turning retrograde (unti August 29) you could also fee l ke a Cat on a Hot Tin Roof! Remember that hubr s often comes before a fal so the buzz word for this week s humility Clever Lions wi l be kinder towards other people, and more tolerant of their indiv dual id osyncrasies and circumstances When t comes to finances, be patient

On Monday, Mercury (your patron planet) turns retrograde in your s gn Which could mean frustrations, delays and power plays, espec ally at work or whi e travelling Perhaps a project s sta led, a person is plotting, or a domest c appliance (or your car) breaks down Avoid stressing and vexing Virgo! Aim to be proactive rather than reactive, and supple rather than stubborn Thursday is a good day to review your timetable or catch up w th an old friend

Your perfect on st streak s about to go through the roof! Venus (your boss planet) transits into fussy Virgo on Monday, and then inks up w th retrograde Mercury on Thursday So, this week s a l about paying close attention to details, as you dot your i’s and cross your t’s f you don’t check and double-check as you go, then mistakes and misunderstandings are l kely C ever Librans wi l take the time to slow down, meditate, contemp ate and discombobulate

Have you been sell ng yourself short? Stop being a critica fusspot who engages in negative self-talk and sabotages success The Sun and Jup ter are activat ng your career/publ c/reputation zone, so it’s time to be the self-confident Scorpio you were born to be Your motto for the week is from birthday great, actress and producer Luci le Ball: “I have an everyday rel g on that works for me Love yourself first, and everything else fal s into l ne ”

Many busy Sagittarians w ll burn the midn ght oil, as creativ ty b tes and nsp ration strikes, especial y at work Internationa connections cou d be part cu arly beneficia , and others are look ng to you for innovat ve ideas But – w th Mercury reversing through your career zone - resist the temptat on to sidestep, confuse or snooze on the ob! Use your we l-developed network ng sk lls to drum up support, and don’t be afraid to ask experts for help

Some Goats are feeling grumpy and restless, but hodays and adventures cou d be thin on the ground as Mercury reverses through your travel zone, frustrates plans and slows things down Don’t despa r! Have fun closer to home and plan to exp ore further afield after Mercury turns direct on August 29 Be patient and keep your options open Draw inspiration from actor Chris Hemsworth (who turns 41 on Sunday): “Life is all about growth and change ”

Mercury is in retrograde mode from Monday until August 29, so make sure you communicate clear y and sort out any m sunderstandings early, at home and at work Clear think ng and creative strategies w ll help you solve problems and alleviate stress Your motto for the week is from actress and activ st G llian Anderson (who turns 56 on Fr day): “Just remember, you can do anything you set your mind to, but t takes action, perseverance, and fac ng your fears ”

With Venus and Mercury (which turns retrograde on Monday) visiting your relat onsh p zone, it’s important to nurture and cherish your nearest and dearest You could also end a hand to a fr end or relative who is sick, experiencing financial troub e or recover ng from a broken heart The best day of the week is Thursday, when the Mercury/Venus l nk highlights romance compass on and creat vity So do your best to surround yourse f w th love beauty and good vibes!

COPYR GHT Joanne Madel ne Moore 2024

Safety tips for awarm home this winter

By PHIL GLOVER

THIS month’s fire safety tip is about winter fire safety.

The cold winter season is well on us right now, and winterexposes us to afew more fire risksthan the warmer months may do.

Electric blankets

ELECTRICblankets are switched on when the first cold snap occurs, and often the blanket has either been left on the bed, or folded and put away until it’s required at the start of winter.

The blanket should be checked by asuitably qualified person before it is switched on for the first time each year, as it is possible someofthe fine wire filaments that form the heating element within the blanket may have been damaged or broken.

Abroken element wire within the blanket can cause arcing to occur, with an increase in temperature at the point of the arc, which is sufficient to cause afire.

Unless the blanket runs through atransformer, it is likely 240 volts will be flowing through the element in the blanket,which can create apossible electrocution risk.

Never fold your electric blanket if you plan to remove it from the bed to store during the warmer months, as the element wires can become brittle over time and can snap if folded.

Always rollthe blanket and store in aplacewhere it won’t have heavy items placed on it.

Never leave your blanket switched on while you’re sleeping on it. Your body mass can cause a localised increaseintemperature, which can cause the blanket element to breakdown and cause afire.

Similarly, don’t place heavy or bulky objects on the bed while the element is switched on, as the same form of damage can occur.

Switch the blanket off at the powerpointtoavoid the blanket being accidentally switched on.

Ashes and fireplaces

ASHES from an open fire or wood heater can retain sufficientheat to create acompetent ignition source for up to five days after the fire has gone out.

Heaters

HEATERS are in use on most days and nights in theLatrobe Valley at the moment, and are also used to dry laundry on aclothes horse or similar structure.

Never positionaheater closetoany combustible items, and position any laundry far enough away from the heater so it can’t fall onto the heater if the structure the clothing is on falls over or is knockedoverbyyoung children or household pets

Aminimum of one metre clear space in front of aheater should be maintained.

Have gas heaters and other appliances checked by aregistered gas fitter to check for any gas leaks. Some gas leaks can go undetected and posea health risk to the occupants, as well as apotential risk of agas explosion.

Ceiling exhaustfans and heatlamps

INSTALLEDinbathroomceilings are fine if they are in good condition, and should be switched off when the bathroom is vacated.

Never leave aceiling mounted exhaust fan operating for longer than they need to be.

If your exhaust fan makes any unusual noises or vibrates or rumbles, it could be asignthat the bearings are failing, and its time to replace the fan.

Many fires are caused by heat generated by a partially seized fan motor or other failed electrical components.

Rodents

RODENTS are particularly active in house roofs and wall cavitiesduring the colder months, and have been known to nest beside chimney flues, which raises the risk of the heated drynesting material spontaneously combusting.

Rodents are also known to chewthrough electrical wiring insulation and create ashort circuit or arcing, leading to afire.

Have yourpestexterminator check your roof cavity for rodent activity.

Never clearout last night’s ashes into acombustible container, suchasa plasticbucket, cardboard box etc -alwaysinto ametal bucket, which is left outside on the ground to ensure all heat has dissipated before you tip the ashes into abin for final disposal. Never transfer ashes from the fireplace directly into the plastic council bins.

Have your chimney or flue checked and cleaned annually to ensure it is in good condition.

PhilGlover is aveteranofa40-year fire service career. He was the Officer In Charge of the Morwell Fire Brigade,Regional Operations Officer and Gippsland Area Fire InvestigationCoordinator.

TheGuide

GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL 2024

SBS Viceland, Friday, 8.30pm

Amainstay of British music culture since the 1980s, thismammoth performing arts festival is abucket listitemfor hordes of music lovers. Attended by morethan 20,000 festival goers, thisfive-day event held on Scottish farmland is iconic: Forthose whoweren’t abletofly across the globe and experience the riot of tunesand famous acts, this BBC-shot series takes you throughthe crowdsand on stage to experience the thrills.Featuring fiveepisodes, therevelry–and, no doubt couch dancing –kicks off with adouble episode that’sthe perfect waytojump-startthe weekend. Thediverse line-up includes pop star Dua Lipa and noughtiesgirl group Sugababes, alongwith Coldplay (pictured) and rapact TheStreets.

Wednesday, August7

PICK OF THE WEEK

THE BLOCK

Nine, Monday, 7.30pm

Prepareyourself forthe tide of holiday and beach idioms and puns: ScottCam and TheBlockcrew have washed up again forseason 20 of the renovation competition and this time the contestants aretaking on aquaint (read: abandoned) holiday resort on Victoria’s windsweptPhillipIsland to complete fiveluxuryholiday homes Besides an inordinate amount of sand, another change is somewhat bittersweet: foremanKeith Schleiger has steppeddownafter 13 years, with the lovable DanReillystepping intohis boots. Thearray of couples includesCairns’Kylie and Brad –while she promisesaparade of impressive’dos as ahairdresser,heis double threat as both an electrician and aplumber

HAIRYBIKERSGOWEST

SBS Food, Saturday, 7.30pm

Bestfriends, foodiesand daredevils

Islandtime: Thefivepairs taking on

TheBlock’s 20th season

Dave Myersand Si King(both pictured) haveamassed morethan 30 seriesunder their much-loved HairyBikers moniker,but this stirring and fun-lovingsojourn is their last. Filmed just beforeMyers passed away from cancer,this emotional eight-partadventurebrims with his zest forlifeashe clearly savours everymoment.Although there areflashes of introspection and sadness, there’smostly delight as the humorous pair jump on their motorcycles foraculinarysojourn across the UK’s westcoast.The inspiring trip kicks off in the Isle of Bute, adestination brimming with cherished memories

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

SEVEN (7,6)

THE SECRETLIVES OF OUR URBANBIRDS: PERTH

ABC TV,Tuesday, 8.35pm

Aself-described “naturenerd”, bubbly Dr Anne Jones(pictured) is adelight in this educational, environmental documentaryall about our feathered friends. Joneshas unflappable credentials when it comes to her fascination and appreciation forbirds. After exploring Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney’s lively bird scene, she nowheadstoPerth whereshe learns why the locals love theirflyingcity-dwellers so muchand howthe housingcrisis has also affected fairyterns. In the Perth Hills, the splendid fairy-wrens’difficultlovelives are investigated, which hinges on the female’s penchant forbright blue.

NINE (9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Four Corners.(R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 National Press Club Address. 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 1.55 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (Ma, R) 2.25 Back Roads. (R) 2.55 Restoration Australia. (R)

3.50 Griff’sGreat Kiwi Road Trip (R) 4.40 Grand Designs. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Paul O’Grady:For The LoveOfDogs. (PGa, R) 10.00 Great Canal Journeys. (R) 10.55 Victorian House Of Arts And Crafts. (PGl, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Dateline. (R) 2.30 Insight.(R) 3.30 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 3.35 WovenThreadsStories From Within. (PGa,R) 3.45 The Cook Up.(PG,R) 4.15 Who Do You Think YouAre? US. (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30

8.00 QI (Final, Ms)

8.30 WouldILie To You? HostedbyRob Brydon. 9.05 Planet America. Alook at the US political climate.

9.35 TomGleeson: Joy. (Ml, R) 10.50 ABC Late News. 11.05 The Business. (R) 11.20 InterviewWithThe Vampire. (Mhv, R) 12.10 Fifteen-Love. (Mal, R) 1.00 Grand Designs. (R) 1.45 Griff’s Great Kiwi Road Trip (R) 2.35 Grantchester.(Mav,R) 3.20 War Stories. (R) 3.40 Parkinson In Australia. (PG R) 4.30 Landline. (R) 5.00 ArtWorks. (PG,R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

The Boat. 8.25 Matilda And TheRamsayBunch. 8.45 BTNNewsbreak. 8.50 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!” 9.15 Robot Wars. 10.15 Doctor Who 11.00 Merlin. 11.45 Good Game Spawn

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG, R) PresentedbyMarc Fennell

6.30 SBS WorldNews. 7.30 Lies, PoliticsAnd Democracy (Malvw,R)A lookat the threats to US democracy

9.35 DI Ray. (Madl) DI Ray is forced to face herpast to uncoverthe next piece of the puzzle.

10.30 SBS WorldNews Late. 11.00 Headhunters. (MA15+av) 12.40 YouShall Not Lie. (MA15+als, R) 3.30 Babies: Their Wonderful World (R)

4.35 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorning Show (PG) 11.30 SevenMorning News. 12.00 MOVIE: ADeadly Connection. (2017,Mav,R) 2.00 Surveillance Oz (PG, R) 2.15 Catch Phrase. (PG) 3.00 TheChase (R) 4.00 SevenNewsAt4 5.00 TheChase Australia.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home AndAway. (PGa)

7.30 The1%Club UK. (PG,R) HostedbyLee Mack.

8.30 TheFrontBar (Ml) Hosts Mick Molloy, Sam Pang and AndyMaher takealighter look at all thingsAFL

9.30 TheBestOfThe Russell GilbertShow. (PGls,R) Part 2of2

10.45 AutopsyUSA: Debbie Reynolds. (Ma)

11.45 Air Crash Investigations (PGa, R)

12.45 Criminal Confessions. (Malv,R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Olympic Games Paris 2024 Day 11:Early morning. 7.00 TodayInParis. Presented by Sarah Abo andKarlStefanovic 11.00 9News Morning.

TEN (10, 5)

12.00 OlympicGames Paris2024: Encore. Hosted by Todd Woodbridge. 3.00 Olympic GamesParis 2024 Day 12: Afternoon. 6.00 MorningPrograms. 8.00 Neighbours. (PGa, R) 8.30 Bold. (PGav,R) 9.00 Dr Phil. (PGadl, R) 10.00 Everyday Gourmet.(R) 10.30

6.00 9News.

7.00 OlympicGames Paris2024

Day 12: Night. Events may include: athletics; cycling track; men’s skateboarding. 10.30 Olympic Games Paris2024

Day 12: Late night. Events may include: skateboarding, men’s park; women’s basketball, quarter-final.

12.00 OlympicGames Paris2024

Day 12:Postmidnight.Eventsmay include: skateboarding; cyclingtrack; women’s basketball,quarter-final.

3.00 Olympic GamesParis 2024 Day 12: Overnight

5.00 OlympicGames Paris2024 Day 12:Early morning.

9GEM (92,81)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. 6.30 TheProject 7.30 Bondi Rescue (PGal) Adrunk reveller fallsoffa cliff 8.30 Ambulance Australia. (Final, Ma) Follows paramedics as they respond to calls including adiver trapped underwater by apiece of concrete. 9.30 FBI: International (Mav) AUS mercenaryisapprehended in Romania. 10.30 10’s Late News. 10.55 TheProject (R) 12.00 TheLateShowWith Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 HomeShopping. (R) 4.30 CBSMornings.

4.45 The Color Purple.(1985,PG) 7.30 Radioactive. (2019 M) 9.35 Out In TheOpen. (2019, MA15+, Spanish) 11.30 AThief’s Daughter.(2019,M,Catalan) 1.25am Runner Runner. (2013, MA15+) 3.05 YouKeep The Kids. (2021,M,Spanish) 5.00 Summerland. (2020,PG)

Thursday, August 8

(2)

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Stuff The British Stole.(Final, PG, R) 10.30 TheGreek Islands With Julia Bradbury. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Australia’s Wild Odyssey. (R) 1.55 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.25 Back Roads. (R) 2.55 Restoration Australia. (R) 3.50 Griff’s Great Kiwi Road Trip.(R) 4.40 Grand Designs. (R) 5.30 AntiquesRoadshow.(R)

8.30 Grand Designs: TheStreets. (Final, PG) Kevin McCloud meets a couple who want to build afamily home for them and their threechildren.

9.20 Miriam MargolyesAlmost Australian: Mateship. (Ml, R) Part 2of3 10.20 ABC LateNews

TheBusiness. (R)

Talking Heads. (PG, R)

Grand Designs. (R)

Griff’sGreat Kiwi Road Trip (R) 1.10 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.10 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Landline.(R) 5.00 Art Works. (PG,R) 5.30

7.30.(R)

6.00 MorningPrograms. 10.00 GreatCanal Journeys. (PGa, R) 10.55 Victorian House Of Arts And Crafts. (PGl,R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 WovenThreads StoriesFromWithin. (PGad, R) 2.10 TheToysThat Built The World. (PG, R) 3.00 Seeds: Planting Hope Through Education. 3.45 The Cook Up.(R) 4.15 Who Do YouThink YouAre? (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

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

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.30 Sue Perkins: Lost In Thailand (PG)Part2of3

8.25 Junior Doctors Down Under: Spider Bite. Thepressure is on for Dr Javed who must insertanintravenous line for a75-year-old patient.

9.20 Treasures Of India With Bettany Hughes: TheSouth. (R) Part 2of2

Professor Bettany Hughes travels to the heart of Thanjavur to learn about its history

10.15 SBSWorld NewsLate

10.45 TheHead. (Malsv)

12.35 Blanca. (Madlv,R)

3.30 Babies: TheirWonderful World. (PGa,R) 4.40 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight

SBS VICELAND (31)

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show.(PG) 11.30 SevenMorning News. 12.00 MOVIE: Secret DiaryOfA Cheerleader (2023,Madv) 2.00 MotorbikeCops. (PG, R) 2.15 CatchPhrase. (PG) 3.00 TheChase. (R) 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChase Australia.

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Home AndAway. (PGa) Irene faces her Everest.

7.30 Animals Aboard With Dr Harry. (PG) There is ateary goodbye fortwo gibbons

8.30 Homicide: With RonIddles: Mandy Ahmadi. (Mav,R)Ron Iddles takes alookatthe 2011 disappearance and murderofMandy Ahmadi

9.30 Air Crash Investigations: Without Warning. (PGa) Aftertwo floatplanescollide mid-air,investigators try to determine how the accident happened.

10.30 Starstruck. (PG)

1.00 TheGoldbergs. (PGl,R)

1.30 Harry’sPractice. (R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

5.00 Sunrise 5am News.

5.30 Sunrise

6.00 Olympic Games Paris 2024 Day12: Earlymorning 7.00 TodayInParis. Presented by Sarah Abo and Karl Stefanovic. 11.00 9News Morning 12.00 OlympicGames Paris 2024: Encore. Hosted by Todd Woodbridge. 3.00 Olympic Games Paris2024. Day 13:Afternoon.

6.00 9News.

7.00 Olympic Games Paris2024

Day 13:Night.Eventsmay include: athletics, men’s 800m, men’s and women’s 4x100m relay;canoe sprint.

7.50 RugbyLeague. NRL.Round 23 South Sydney Rabbitohs vMelbourne Storm. From Accor Stadium, Sydney.

9.45 Olympic Games Paris 2024

Day 13:Night.Events may include: canoe sprint,men’s K4 final.

10.30 Olympic Games Paris 2024

Day 13:Latenight. Eventsmay include: diving; men’shockey,bronzemedal match. 12.00 Olympic Games Paris2024 Day 13:Postmidnight.

3.00 Olympic Games Paris 2024 Day 13:Overnight. 5.00 OlympicGames Paris2024 Day13: Earlymorning.

6.00 Deal OrNo Deal Hosted by GrantDenyer

6.30 TheProject Alook at the day’snews. 7.30 TheDog House Australia. (PGa, R) Adog’sappetite fordestruction might get in the wayofitfinding ahappy new home. 8.30 Law&Order: SVU. (Final, Mv) Asthe unit searchesfor an assailant before his crimesescalate to murder, Fin must contend withasuspect’saggrieved son. Carisi is pressured to closethe case quickly to ease public concern. 10.30 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sportand weather 10.55 TheProject. (R) Alook at theday’s news. 12.00 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colbert. (PG)Hosted by Stephen Colbert. 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBSMornings. 6am WorldWatch. 10.00 Front Up 2000 Noon WorldWatch. 12.30 ACure ForFear 1.35 Tribunal 1.50 Queer Sports. 2.45 Curse Of Oak Island. 3.30 WorldWatch. 5.25 Curse Of OakIsland. 6.15 Forged In Fire. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 Beyond Watergate: TheRichard Nixon Story 10.00 The UnXplained. 11.40 The World’sToughest Prisons. 12.40am Late Programs.

NITV (34)

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 2pm ShortlandSt. 2.30 The CookUp. 3.00 Jarjums

3.35 Spartakus And The Sun Beneath The Sea. 4.05 Cities Of Gold. 4.35 Motown Magic. 5.00 Our Stories. 5.30 The77Percent. 6.00 Bamay. 6.30 News. 6.35 Arabian Inferno 7.30 GoingPlacesWith Ernie Dingo 8.30 Niminjarra. 8.40 ThePanthers. 9.30 MOVIE: The Golden Child. (1986,M) 11.20 Late Programs.

6am Children’s Programs. 7.20pm Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep 7.35 The Inbestigators. 7.55 Little Lunch. 8.05 Fresh Off TheBoat. 8.25 MatildaAnd TheRamsay Bunch. 8.45 BTN Newsbreak. 8.50 Muster Dogs 9.50 Style It Out. 10.20 Doctor Who. 11.05 Merlin. 11.50 Good Game Spawn Point. 12.35am Rage. 1.35 Operation Ouch! 2.20 So Awkward. 2.50 Malory Towers. 3.15 The NextStep. 3.40 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 6.50 Selkie. (2000,PG) 8.30 The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg. (1964,PG, French) 10.15 Under TheSame Roof.(2019,M,Spanish) 12.05pm C’mon C’mon. (2021, M) 2.10 Dan In Real Life.(2007,PG) 4.00 FairyTale: ATrueStory.(1997 PG) 5.50 All RoadsLead To Rome. (2015,PG) 7.30 My OldLady.(2014,M) 9.30 TheDaughter. (2021, MA15+, Spanish) 11.45 Late Programs.

Friday, August 9

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

9GEM (92,81)

6am Morning Programs. 11.30 Medical Emergency Noon Better Homes 1.00 IEscaped To TheCountry. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 The Hotel Inspector 3.30 Harry’s Practice 4.00 Medical Emergency 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 IEscaped To TheCountry. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Father Brown 8.30 McDonald And Dodds. 10.30 Murdoch Mysteries. 11.30 Late Programs. 6am Olympic GamesParis 2024.Day 12: Early morning 8.00 Olympic Games Paris 2024:Replay.Replay of the action from Day 12. 5pm Olympic GamesParis 2024.Day 13: Afternoon. 6.00 Olympic Games Paris2024. Day 13: Night 10.30 Olympic GamesParis 2024.Day 13: Late night Midnight Olympic GamesParis 2024 Day13: Post midnight. 3.00 Olympic GamesParis 2024.Day 13: Overnight.

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Children’s Programs. 1pm OrdinaryJoe. 2.00 Bewitched. 2.30 The Nanny 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 TheAddamsFamily 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 IDream Of Jeannie. 6.00 Olympic GamesParis 2024.Day 13: Night. 7.00 Rugby League.NRL.South Sydney Rabbitohs vMelbourne Storm. 7.50 Olympic GamesParis 2024.Day 13: Night. 9.45

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Planet America. (R) 10.30 That PacificSports Show.(R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Troppo.(Malv,R) 1.55 QI. (Final,Ms, R) 2.25 BackRoads. (PG, R) 2.55 Restoration Australia. (R) 3.50 Griff’s Canadian Adventure (R) 4.40 Grand Designs. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

6.30 HardQuiz (PG, R) Presented by TomGleeson

7.00 ABCNews. Alookatthe topstories of theday

7.30 Vera (Ma,R)Part3of3

9.05 Troppo (Mal) When Brookeis found floating in ariver,strangled and barely conscious, Tedand Amanda hunt for her attacker

10.00 QI. (PG, R) Hosted by Sandi Toksvig. 10.30 ABC Late News. Coverage of the day’sevents.

10.45 Love Your Garden. Hosted by AlanTitchmarsh

11.35 Grand Designs: West Sussex. (R)

12.20 We Hunt Together. (Malsv, R)

1.10 RageNew Music (MA15+adhlnsv)

5.00 Rage. (PG)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs. (PGa,R) 10.00 GreatCanal Journeys. (PGa, R) 10.55 Victorian House Of Arts And Crafts. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 WovenThreads Stories From Within. (PGa, R) 2.10 The Toys That Built TheWorld.(R) 3.00 NITVNews: Nula. 3.30 The Cook Up.(PG, R) 4.00 Who Do YouThink YouAre? (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy!(R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorning Show. (PG) 11.30 SevenMorningNews 12.00 MOVIE: Dark Angel. (2019,Mas, R) 2.00 MotorbikeCops. (PG, R) 2.15 Catch Phrase. (PG) 3.00 TheChase. (R) 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChase Australia. 6.00 Olympic Games Paris 2024 Day13: Earlymorning 7.00 TodayInParis. Presented by Sarah Abo and Karl Stefanovic. 11.00 9News Morning. 12.00 OlympicGames Paris 2024: Encore. Hosted by Todd Woodbridge 3.00 Olympic Games Paris 2024 Day 14:Afternoon.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.35 GreatBritishLandmarkFixers: Edinburgh North Bridge. Ateam works on North Bridge in Edinburgh. 8.30 Ancient Superstructures: TheGreat Sphinx –Carving TheLion King. Alook at the Great Sphinx of Giza, one of the most iconic sculpturesinthe world.

9.30 TheAirport: BackIn TheSkies. (R) Part 2of3

10.25 SBS World News Late. 10.55 TheShelter (MA15+av)

12.25 My Brilliant Friend. (Mlsv, R) 3.50 Babies: Their Wonderful World. (R) 4.55

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

6.00 SevenNews 7.00 BetterHomes And Gardens Hosted by Johanna Griggs.

7.20 Football. AFL.Round 22. Sydney vCollingwood. 10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion andinterviews. 11.15 Armchair Experts. (M) Apanel discussesall things AFL 12.00 Criminal Confessions:Two Fires,One Victim. (MA15+av,R)A look at themurderofAmanda KaySmith. 1.00 BoyToMan: TheShark People. (PGa, R)

2.00 HomeShopping (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 5.00 My GreekOdyssey (PG, R)

6.00 9News.

7.00 Olympic GamesParis 2024 Day 14: Night. Events may include: athletics semi-finals; canoe sprint; cyclingtrack.

10.30 Olympic GamesParis 2024 Day 14: Latenight.Events may include:diving;cycling track; women’s soccer,bronzemedal match. 12.00 Olympic GamesParis 2024 Day 14:Postmidnight. Events may include:women’s soccer bronzemedal match; cycling track; women’s basketball, semi-final.

3.00 Olympic GamesParis 2024 Day 14: Overnight. Events may include: women’s basketball, semi-final; breaking; athletics finals.

5.00 Olympic GamesParis 2024 Day14: Early morning.

9GEM (92,81)

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer 6.30 TheProject Alookatthe day’snews. 7.30 Have YouBeen Paying Attention? (Malns,R) Hosted by TomGleisner.

8.30 TheGraham Norton Show. (Mdlsv, R) Celebrity guests include Dakota Johnson, Sterling KBrown, Domhnall Gleeson and Colman Domingo 9.30 TheCheap Seats. (Mal,R) Presenters Melanie Bracewell andTim McDonald takealookatthe week that was. 10.30 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sportand weather 10.55 TheProject. (R) 12.00 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colbert (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping (R) 6am WorldWatch. 10.00 Front Up 2000 12.05pm WorldWatch. 12.35 Woman. 1.00 Most Expensivest. 1.55 Curse Of Oak Island. 2.40 Over The Black Dot. 3.30 WorldWatch. 5.25 Curse Of Oak Island. 6.15 Forged In Fire. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 Glastonbury Festival2024. 10.40 Sex, DrugsAnd Bicycles. 12.20am How To MakeItOn OnlyFans. 1.15 Late Programs. SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 7.20pm Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Strange Chores. 8.00 HardQuizKids. 8.30 BTN Newsbreak. 8.35 Operation Ouch! 9.05 Officially Amazing 9.35 Dragon Ball Super 9.55 Supernatural Academy. 10.20 ThePM’sDaughter 10.45 Mystic. 11.40 Good Game Spawn Point 12.30am Rage 1.30 TMNT 1.50 Late Programs.

6am All Roads Lead To Rome. Continued. (2015,PG) 6.40 FairyTale: ATrue Story.(1997, PG) 8.30 Young Girls Of Rochefort. (1967,PG, French) 10.50 AThief’s Daughter. (2019, M, Catalan) 12.45pm Radioactive. (2019,M) 2.45 The MovieShow. 3.20 Summerland. (2020,PG) 5.10 ARiver Runs Through It. (1992, PG) 7.30 Thirteen Days. (2000,M)

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Children’s Programs. Noon Inside The Superbrands. 1.00 Ordinary Joe 2.00 Bewitched. 2.30 TheNanny 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 The Addams Family 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 IDream Of Jeannie. 6.00 Olympic GamesParis 2024.Day 14: Night. 7.00 RugbyLeague. NRL. Eels vPenrithPanthers. 9.55 MOVIE: Looper.(2012, MA15+)

NEWBOROUG H FOOTBALL

Wait andsee: If accepted, Newborough willbethe second Mid Gippsland club to join Nor th Gippsland,following Yallourrn Yallourn Nor th in 2021.The Jets remainthe onlyclub to play y in the GippslandLeague,Mid Gippsland andNor th Gippsland.

NETBALL CLUB

Gametime: Newborough Football-Netball Club has pointed to greater playing opportunitiesfor juniorsand netball as areason forwanting to jointhe Nor th Gippslandleague File photographs

D-Day for Dogs

Newboroughvotes overwhelmingly to join North Gippy, future could be determined today FOOTBALL

MID GIPPSLAND/NORTH GIPPSLAND

BY TOM HAYES

AVOTE today (Wednesday, August 7) will determine whether theNorth Gippsland Football-Netball League will accept the transfers of clubs into the league for the 2025 season.

Motions on the table include votes for three, two, or one club to join the NGFNL in 2025, or none at all.

As per the NGFNL constitution, a75per cent majorityis needed between the 11 member clubs, plus one NGFNL board vote, meaning nine or more votes for any item will be found successful.

This vote comes after Mid Gippsland FNL club, Newborough Football-Netball Clubvoted for amoveout of theMid Gippsland competition.

Newborough FNC President, Natalie Sellings explained the processes that the club took last Sunday (August 4) for the vote.

“Our constitution needs ageneral meeting or an AGM when we obviouslymakethese sorts of decisions to makeshifts, so this was put to our clients in relationstomoving to North Gippsland for the 2025 season,” she said.

She added that the club held two information sessions to all members, to get as much information across as people.

“We had just over 90 people there, either putting through a proxy vote… and there was actually 50 therepresent for the vote,” Sellings said.

The vote found 97 per centofmembers wereinfavour of leaving the MGFNL.

“That’s amassive amount for the move, they see the benefits, and risksofthe status quo if we didstay in relation to those junior pathways,” Sellings added.

Since the vote in favour to leave MGFNL, Newborough has formerly filed an application to join the NGFNL.

In doingso, Sellings told the Express the club has also sent an officialletter to the MGFNL to show theirintentionstotransfer out of the league.

Sellings said she was pleased with the outcome of Sunday’s vote.

“We’re quite pleased because obviously as caretakers of the club, we want to make certain that we’re doing right by our members, and this all came out of our last two AGMs that our members… wanted us to start researching our alternatives and risks of the status quo in staying with Mid Gippy,” she said.

“It’s been atwo-years in the making review of exactly thatmoving to another league, which came down to Ellinbank (& DistrictFootball-NetballLeague) and North Gippy, and the status quo of staying with Mid Gippy.”

In the Mid Gippsland FNL currently, only five clubs have an under 18s football competition -Newborough being one of those clubs. In the netball, anumberofclubs don’t have teams in certain grades which poses as anegative in comparison to theNorth Gippsland FNL.

“The full complement (of teams) and the sound position of their

juniors, football and netball,” Sellings said on why the North Gippsland FNL would be agood fit for Newborough.

Sellings said thatNewborough FNC has teams in every grade and founditimportant for the league they play in to do the same.

“We’ve got anice, strong fullcomplement of teams, so it is vital that we align to aleague that has the same,” she said.

“Probably one of our biggest concerns is the drop-off of families and players if our under 18s (football), and our under 17s, 15s, and 13s netball continues to deteriorate with more clubs leaving… playing the same club quite abit.”

Newborough FNC do fieldanunder 13s netball side in the Mid Gippsland FNL, however in the North Gippsland FNL, netball grades only go as low as under 15s.

Despite this, Newborough FNC wish to remain affiliated with their under 13s side, no matter what competition they play in.

“We’re going to be working very, very hard to keep the under 13s group attachedtous, andthey wouldberealigned to another competition,” Sellings said if Newborough was to join the NGFNL.

“But again, we’re putting in anumberofinitiatives to make sure those girls continue to trainwithour girls, our girls go and watchthem -it’svery, very important to us that the under 13s remain connected to the senior club.”

At this current stage, it’s all awaiting game -and anervous one at that.

Not just for Newborough, but also for Morwell East and Yinnar who have also shown interest to join the NGFNL.

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BEST: Morwell: B McauliffeZAnderson JLeak BMacfarlane BCouling TBrown.Warragul: LCar terL Ward B HeffordJ Lewsey MSmart SMasterson

17.10

Wonthaggi: CMcInnes 5JBlair 2K Patterson 2J Thomas 2M Hayes2 NAnderson JBates.Bairnsdale: BMcCarrey 2LAustin MCorbett. BEST: Wonthaggi: JThomasI Chugg C McInnes JGilmour JSchulz RSparkes.Bairnsdale: HLongbottom LCloak CHar veyE East B McCarrey TRees

MOE 4.46.7 11.13 13.18 (96) MAFFR A4.2 6.3 8.4 11.5 (71)

GOALS: Moe: NProwse4DKeilty2JBalfour 2BDaniher TBlackshawT Baldi HSim RBaldi. Maffra: SSmith 3NChristy3B Harrington JMcQuillen JRead AWattBMonk. BEST: Moe: JBalfour BSmith TBaldi HSim RBaldi MHeywood.Maffra: ZFelsbourgACarr JKilloranS Smith TScott SRobbins

TR AR ALGON 6.2 15.3 20.5 22.7 (139)

DROUIN 4.1 10.2 11.3 18.5 (113)

GOALS: Traralgon: DMcKenna 5HNeocleous 5SHallybur ton3 DLoprese2 KRuyters 2 ALovison LWillaton JHamiltonCDoultreeLD’Angelo.Drouin: SAmoroso 4EMorris 3JMarshall2CFleming 2JSandman 2K Quirk 2T Johnstone THancock AQuirk BEST: Traralgon: JScholtes SHallybur tonD McKenna JCunico DLopreseJ McMahon. Drouin: S Amoroso EMorris JSandman KQuirk JKingiDClebney

Goals galore at Traralgon

FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

REALISTSand optimists will be at loggerheads as the Gippsland League gets closer to the end of theregularseason.

While incredibly, seven teams still remain amathematical chanceofchangingpositions before the final five is sorted, the sheer fact thatthere is only two rounds left in the regular season means that in actuality, it is down to three teams for two spots.

Morwell holds fourth by half-a-game from Wonthaggi and Sale, with Bairnsdale another game behind.

Unfortunately for the Redlegs, their decade-long finals drought looks set to continue. However, Bairnsdale will still play some part in the postregular season, albeit for adifferent reason.

Bairnsdale City Oval is hosting the Elimination Final, whichthrows another complexity into the mix for the trio of Latrobe Valley teams.

There mightonly be half-a-game between fourth and sixth, but there is also only agameand-a-half between Moe (in second), Traralgon (third) and Morwell.

As Bairnsdale is the hardest road trip in the league, the Lions,Maroons and Tigers will be out to avoid playing acutthroat final in Bairnsdale at all costs.

The Gippsland League has its final leaguewide bye this week.

 THE best form of defence is offence.

Traralgon and Drouin played with no defenders at Terry Hunter Oval, throwing back to a bygone erawhengameswere virtuallyglorified versions of markers-up.

In all, 40 goals were kicked between the two sides as they both went well past the ton.

As entertaining as it was,therestill had to be awinner, and the points went to the Maroons 22.7 (139) to 18.5 (113).

Sharp-shooting at either end keptthe goal umpires busy, while the Hawks were surely pleased to play in suchamannerafter weeks of sloggingitout in the mud on their home ground

Drouin showed their adaptability to play an exciting brand, which has been ahallmark of their style under Brent Clinnick,who has twogames left before handing over the reins.

SebAmoroso and Ed Morris kicked seven goals between them, and were helped out by Jacob Sandman, Kye Quirk, Jordan Kingi and Dan Clebney.

Despite six players scoringmultiple goals for the Hawks,they were actuallyneverreally in thehunt.

Traralgon had 15 goals and nearly 100 points on the board at halftime, and led by 56 points at the final change.

Taking aleaf out of former Australian Test cricketer Geoff Marsh’shandbook, the Maroons just kept scoring.

Marsh, whowas not knowntotalk much, perhaps showed why when he reportedly got up in ateam meeting once andsaid: “ifwescore more runs than them we’ll win."

Dan McKenna and Harvey Neocelous led the goal-kickers for thewinners, eachnabbingfive.

McKenna has come out of retirement in the second half of the season to help plug ahole created by an injury to captain Tye Hourigan.

 MOE took astepcloser to securing a double-chance.

The Lions defeated Maffra in afairly nondescript game by 25 points at Ted Summerton Reserve.

In short, Maffra were good, but Moe was better, and won 13.18 (96) to 11.5 (71).

The Eagles were more than competitive throughout the day, and trailed by only four points at halftime.

Moe however kicked five goals to two in the third term to ensure they controlled the game from there on.

For ateam coming last, Maffrastill displayed adecent style, and looked to keep the game moving by foot and locating free players.

Whilehistorymight notshow it whenthe final ladder is sorted, the Eagles are amuchimproved team from last year.

In the corresponding fixture against Moe last season, Maffra at one stage dropped eight players behind the ball to stop the scoreboard blowing out.

There was none of that at the weekend.

Noah Christy kicked three goals for the visitors, wearing the Number 77 made famous by Adrian Burgiel (does always get me why a player that good wore anumber that high).

Zac Felsbourg wasMaffra’s best,followed by Alex Carr, Jett Killoran, Seth Smith, Tom Scott and Sam Robbins, who was engaged in some on-fieldbanter with Moe’sMatt Heywood.

Heywood was amongthe Lions best, and came out of the contest with adecent scar on his neck, the resultofafew dustupsinthe second term as tempers flared.

Jacob Balfour was best for the winners, and received good support from Brock Smith, Trent Baldi, Harri Sim and Riley Baldi.

Trent Baldi’s desperation was evident right to the end, after he followed his kick inside 50 and endedupaffecting asmother to getthe ball out of bounds in the forward pocket.

The Lions were afforded the opportunity to try afew moves late, and played young defender James Maslen in the ruck.

Fellow youngster Jordan Shields continued to show good signs, featuring in afew notable moments.

Shields, possibly the smallest Gippsland League senior player since Christian Burgess at Morwell (who played at barely 60kgs), won afree kick for holding the ball at half-forward after bravely standinghis ground in front of on-coming traffic.

Adding to the storiesfrom the day, Aaron Wilsonplayed his first senior gameinmore than two years, havingreceived the call-up on the morning of the game.

Adominant playerinthe early timeslot (two club best-and-fairests), Wilson may have in fact found playing after lunch easier in some respects.

The form of Balfour (three bests in the last fivegames) and Heywood (three in the last four) will givethe Moe coachingstaff reason to be cautiously optimistic heading into finals.

Understandably, most of the attention come finals will go to players the likes of the Baldi twins, Smith and playing-coach Declan Keilty, however, versatile role playerslike Balfourand Heywood can be worth their weight in gold.

Dustin Martin wouldn’t have won half the medals he has if it wasn’t for the unrewarded work of Kane Lambert.

the campaign of awould-be challenger in the process.

The Power demolished Bairnsdale, 17.10 (112) to 4.9 (33).

The 79-point win increased Wonthaggi’s percentage by 8.35, and took them from seventh to fifth on the ladder.

With two rounds to go, the signs appear very ominous.

Everything is working and just about everyone is fearful.

Ryan Sparkes is qualified and Collingwood won’t play VFL finals.

The Power have won six of their last seven games, and still have players to come back.

The sight of Rod Tack in the reserves from earlier in the season, (showing just how short they were) seems like alifetime ago.

Sparkes played his fourth gamefor his home clubatthe weekend(qualifying him for finals), whilethe names JakebThomas, Isaac Chugg, CooperMcInnes(five goals),Jye Gilmour and Josh Schulz did asound job

Hugh Longbottom, Lachlan Cloak, Cooper Harvey, Ethan East, Brayden McCarrey and Tyran Rees were best for the Redlegs.

Bairnsdale’s seasonlooks settoend in disappointing fashion.

Havingput themselves in areasonable position with awin-loss record of 5-4 at the halfway mark, the Redlegshave won just three games since.

Losses to Traralgon, Morwelland Moeby single figure margins have proven costly. By contrast, Wonthaggi has turned around ahorrendous start to the season (1-4), to now have every finals-bound team on edge. Assuming they qualify, the biggest hurdle for the Power will be getting past the elimination final. With the double-chanceout of reach, Wonthaggi has no choice but to take the long road in finals -literally, as the eliminationfinal is in Bairnsdale.

If the Power can overcome the longest road trip in Country Victoria, they will likely play either Moe or Traralgon in the sudden death semi. Wonthaggi has beaten the Maroonsand still has to play the Lions before the regular season is out.

That game looms as one that couldhave huge psychological ramifications.

Should Wonthaggi make it all the way to apreliminaryfinal, they willabsolutelybea genuine chanceofstepping into the decider.

Rememberwhathappened in the ’99 prelim. Carlton lost 11 games that year, Essendon lost just four.

The Power have their own miracle preliminaryfinal to reference, and fittingly it happened adecade ago.

Wonthaggi came back from 45 points down at three quarter timeonthat day in 2014to make the Grand Final.

There are afew survivors from that team still playing today: Aiden Lindsay, Shannon Bray, Toma Huther and Jack Blair.

 SALE lost, but live to fight another day.

The Magpies were well beaten by Leongatha, 12.17 (89) to 7.11 (53).

Afaststart from the visiting Parrots saw them register 5.3 (33) in the openingterm, from which time Sale never managed to recover.

Traralgon: BBurrows 3W Ambler 2JBalcombe Matters2R Rutter 2O Haberl HPirie BHagley. Drouin: KSmith 5LMcdonald 2JHuston MWilliames CStone KGregg BEST: Traralgon: WAmblerERoscoe OHaberl JZappulla BBurrows GRuach. Drouin: TMapleson K Smith ZMcmillan WBrewerF Lockwood WYoung

WARR AGUL 7.4 15.6 20.12 27.16 (178)

MORWELL 0.1 0.1 0.1 1.2 (8) GOALS: Warragul: KBoi 4T O’Lear y4 JSimpson 3HJinks 3SHeenan 2LMoore 2S Grummisch 2J Curtis 2CMacLean BRainford DPaul BSmith IKittelty.Mor well: MBlewett. BEST: Warragul: TO’Lear yH Hodge CMacLean JCur tisJ Simpson SHeenan. Morwell: T Shankland OKalan JBeath SOling JMooney CRuach MAFFR

Maffra: WRuthberg6AStobie 3A Watt JDowsett EStables TPhillips JKellow.

If both are to play in the same teamcome finals, it might prove to be amasterstrokefor Traralgon.

Joel Scholtes continued his red-hot and possibly best-and-fairestform with another strong showing, while Sammy Hallyburton, Jordan Cunico, DylanLoprese andJackson McMahon all contributed.

Loprese recently playedhis 150thsenior game,and wasjoined in the 100 club at the weekend by Tate Marsh, who will now get his name on the locker as is Traralgon tradition.

Apopular member of the team, Marsh has patrolled the wingfor the Maroons for the best part of adecade. He has also shown strong resolve to come back after being avery surprising non-selection during former coach

Tim McGibney’s time.

After playing all 21 seniorgames in 2018, Marshplayed only five the following season in McGibney’s first year, which left many in local footy circles staggered to say the least.

Jake Best then played Marsh in every game in his first year as coach in 2021, and he has hardly missed agamesince.

Best, who left the post of Traralgon playingcoachlastseason, is understood to be wrapped with how his old side is going.

He would however be well within his rights to feel alittle unlucky.

It is said timing is everything. Given the profile of the competition this season, the Maroons would just about be unstoppable if they had last year’s team of Best, Tom Schneider, Mark Collison and Brett Eddy.

In agame thatsaw 40 goals kicked,just imagine how many Eddy would have finished with.

 MORWELL won their virtual elimination final.

The Tigers had no other option but to beat Warragul, and they did just that, winning 14.10 (94) to 6.13 (49) at Western Park.

For agame that ended in a45-point victory, there remained every chance Morwell was going to get rolled for three quarters.

The visitors only led by two points at halftime, and only eight at three quarter time.

Whatever was said at the last change did not fall on deafears, as Morwell kicked eight goals to two and skipped away.

While the margin wasunder the 10 point threshold that has become synonymous with Morwell in the lastthree years,itkept the heartrate going all the same.

Cohen Campbell, Cody Macdonaldand Brandon McDonaldkicked three goals each for the Tigers, while Tyler Brown slotted two and was among the best players.

BrandonMcauliffe gotthe main accolades, andwas followed by Zac Anderson, Burkeley Macfarlane, Blake Couling and Judah Leak.

Macfarlane is enjoying arguably his breakout season, while Leak might have just secured his spot in the team at the mostimportant stage of the year.

For the third yearinarow, the Tigers are facing ascenario where they willnot knowtheir finals fate until late in the season.

Lucas Carter was best for Warragul, and was ably assisted by Lane Ward, Brad Hefford, Jack Lewsey, Mitch Smart and Sean Masterson.

 HERE they come.

Wonthaggi surged into the top five for the first timethisseason,and possiblyended

Another fivegoals in the second blew the margin out to 54 points at the main break. Sale readjusted in the sheds, and were able to keep Leongatha to 1.5 (11) in the third term, but by then the damage hadwell and truly been done.

Magpies assistant coach PeterMorrison lamented the poor second quarter as the deciding factor.

“When you don’t score early it puts enormous pressure on,” he said.

“They dominated the game in the second quarter and took the gameright awayfromus.”

Jarrod Freeman battled hard for the home side, as did Hudson Holmes,Derek EggmolesseSmith, Will Leslie,JackLeslie and Jonty McGuiness.

While the margin was perhaps alarming for Sale, the collateral affect wasn’t totally damaging.

The Magpies are stillequal-fifth on the ladder, and now have their destiny in their own hands with games against Morwell and Bairnsdale to finish.

Reliable and familiar faces were among the top performers for Leongatha, who could once again be hitting their peak just as finals approach.

Looking at the list, the Parrotswere still without Tallin Brill, Nick Argento and senior games record holder Sean Westaway.

Cade Maskell was best, followed by Jenson Garnham, Ben Willis, Jay Walker, Kim Drew and Tim Sauvarin.

Sauvarin hasnot been disturbed by an absence from senior footy. He has played just five games this year, and played just the one reserves game last year.

Good players are just always good aren’t they?

PerfectPendleburyscript in 400th

FOOTBALL

By TOM HAYES

SALE'S Scott Pendlebury walkedout for game number 400 at the weekend, ending his night as a winner in a12.12 (84) to 11.15 (81) thriller.

It was also the 202ndtimeheplayed on the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The occasion would be marked in one of the biggest occasions of the year, Collingwood versus Carlton, in front of apacked-out MCG crowd.

More than 85,000 fans filled the seats,toobserve just the sixth player in V/AFL history to play 400 games.

The electricity of the crowd was non-stop, and the noise was deafening at times, especially when goals were scored for either side.

Collingwood were fighting to keep their season alive, while the Blues were out to spoil the party and keep their top four hopes intact.

After three quarters, the Magpies continued to surge further ahead. Collingwood added five goals

Final moved from Drouin

FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

THE Gippsland League will enter the second year of its community finals series this year. In 2023, the league's Board of Management decided to implement this series over two seasons.

The goalofthe ‘Community System’ is to highlightmemberclubs and their facilities throughout Gippsland and to promote the Gippsland League’s key events across the five local government areas it covers. This shifted from acentralised system.

The only change to the original schedule will be the Qualifying Final, which has been moved from DrouintoMaffra due to the recent announcement regarding the upgrade to Drouin Recreation Reserve and the proposed commencement date of the works clashingwith the original schedule. All other finals are as scheduled.

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

FINALS VENUES 2024

Qualifying Final

Saturday, August 31

MaffraRecreation Reserve

Elimination Final

Sunday, September 1

Bairnsdale Recreation Reserve

Second Semi Final

Saturday, September 7

Leongatha Recreation Reserve

First Semi Final

Sunday, September 8

TedSummer tonReserve,Moe

PreliminaryFinal

Saturday, September 14

Traralgon Recreation Reserve Grand Final

Saturday, September 21

Morwell Recreation Reserve

to three in the third quarter, going ahead by 25 points as they entered the final quarter.

The first two scores went the way of the Magpies, abehind, then agoal, pushing their lead out to 32 points early in the final quarter.

Then in came Carlton.

TheBlues kicked five unansweredgoals to see themselves behind by just four points with time ticking down.

Jamie Elliot had the chancetoseal the game but missed, sending Carlton the other way.

Apassagethat included stoppages galore finally founditself on Carlton's forward flank. Agrabout of the ruck from Marc Pittonet saw him scramble akick forwardinto avacant hole in the Blues' forward 50. Adive, amark, to Mitch McGovern.

The Blues defender found himself in the most unlikely of situations as he walked back to his mark. Siren.

He had kicked agoal after the siren previously against the Magpies whenplaying for Adelaide. That goal was on much less of an angle, less

Esteemed company: Scott Pendlebur yflanked by other membersofthe 400club.Fromleft: Michael Tuck,Shaun Burgoyne,Dustin Fletcher, and Brent Har vey. Kevin Bar tlettwas absent. NoteBurgoyne only has aHawthornjumper

Photograph: AFL Galleries

distance and was to draw the game. This one had much more on the line, to win the game, against Carlton's biggest rivals.

He lined up and in an attempt to get the ball across the line, he sprayed the kickedout on the full, giving Collingwood the win in Pendlebury's 400th. Playersswamped Pendlebury as if he had kicked the winning goal himself.

Speaking on Pendlebury, what agame he had.

His night included 27 disposals, six tackles and nine clearances.

There were plenty of other goodperformances on the night, but the fact that the Magpies won, and he had such an impact, and the occasions itself, he might just poll Brownlow votes.

The greatest: Sale boyand GippslandPower premiership player Scott Pendlebur yischaired offthe MCG last Saturdaynight by teammates Jeremy Howe and SteeleSidebottom after playing his 400thgame

Photograph: AFL Galleries

Can he break Boomer’srecord?

FOOTBALL

By LIAM DURKIN

SCOTTPendlebury played his400th V/AFL game at the weekend.

The former Sale and Gippsland Power player is now one of only six people in the game’s history to achieve the mark.

He is also only 33 games off the all-time record.

North Melbourne midfielder Brent Harvey has the record with 432.

Harveyplayed for 21 seasons (1996-2016).

Pendlebury will enter his 20th next year, having signed on for 2025 just last week.

Pendlebury, who turns 37 next January, has saidthe thought of breaking the record has not entered his thinking.

Many footy fans however will be wondering if it is in fact apossibility.

Assuming Pendlebury plays the rest of the home-and-away season thisyear (threegames), he will go past Essendon’s Dustin Fletcher, who played aclean 400, and equal Richmond’s Kevin Bartlett on 403.

Should he play every game next year, he willend

2025 on 427 games, five games off Harvey’s total.

Harvey played until he was 38, one year older than Pendlebury will be when his next contract is up.

Harvey played alongside Heyfield’s Leigh Brown during his time with North Melbourne, before Brown joinedCollingwoodwhere he played in a premiership with Pendlebury.

Harvey’s first year at North Melbourne coincided with aKangaroos flag in 1996, which featured fellow Sale footballer Stuart Anderson. The longevity of Harveyand Pendleburyhas been remarkable. Harvey more so for his height -he‘stood’ amere 175cm, and Pendlebury for his durabilityinamodern age when the football grind seemingly makes it near impossible for players to go through entire seasons uninterrupted. Perhaps lost in the longevity is the challenge of the chase. There might not be abetter example for the notion that ‘premierships are hard to win’ than by looking at some members of the 400 club. Fletcher won two flagsacross his 400 games -the same as Pendlebury currently. Harveywon just asingle title in 20 years of football.

Gippsland League -the runhome

Leongatha (first, 52 points, 165.01 percent)

To come: Bairnsdale (A), Drouin (H)

Prediction: Winboth.

Verdict: 1st.

Moe (second, 44 points, 112.57)

To come: Warragul (H), Wonthaggi (A)

Prediction: Winatleast one.Wonthaggi away will be very tough. Finishing second or third doesn’t really matter.

Verdict: 3rd

Traralgon (third, 42 points, 119.35)

To come: Maffra(A),Morwell (H)

Prediction: Beat Maffra, think theyget Morwell

at home in the last round. Potentiallyhuge advantage with ahome preliminaryfinal.

Verdict: 2nd

Morwell (fourth, 38 points, 103.14)

To come: Sale (H), Traralgon (A)

Prediction: Toughrun home.Unfor tunately someone is going to have to miss out. Leongatha will be very pleasedifMorwell is that team.

Verdict: 6th.

Wonthaggi (fifth, 36 points, 114.50)

To come: Drouin (A), Moe (H)

Prediction: Beat Drouin, and will then be in serious form when theyplayMoe at home.Make

no mistake, theycan winthe whole thing

Verdict: 4th

Sale (sixth, 36 points, 99.20)

To come: Morwell (A), Bairnsdale (H)

Prediction: Winthis week and theyshould play finals.Therewill be no resting players against Morwellthis time around.

Verdict: 5th

Bairnsdale (seventh, 32, 99.91)

To come: Leongatha (H), Sale (A)

Prediction: Can’tsee them winning either Verdict: 7th

compiled by Liam Durkin

MID GIPPSLAND FNL

Touch and go for season success

POPPLESTONE

IT really has come to the ‘pointy’ end of the home-and-away season in Mid Gippsland football.

Veryquickly,13teams willbecome six, and how that half-a-dozen might look is still to be determined.

FSchillB VanDer Meer CMills BCheffers JBugeja. Morwell East: LTowns IAbas NKyriacou J Mackenzie JBirchall CWangman

3.4 3.4 3.4

SBright SFrawley.Thorpdale: ARosatoJCeppi MRavenall G LowT Patten JWinderlich

TARWIN 1.2 4.5 4.7 8.11 (59) STONYCREEK3.5 4.7 6.12

Tarwin: KMcCarthy2H Suckling 2BGriffiths JChalmers BEllen MWilliams.Stony Creek:T Bernaldo 2HBullADyke JByrnes CMichael CStone BEST: Tarwin: LJones BEllen HCumming JKennedy TVanderkolk RO’loughlin. StonyCreek:C Verboon DAtkinsT Stone ASimmons JStone BHeath MIRBOO NTH 3.1 4.4 7.5 8.6

(10) GOALS: Fish Creek:J Stefani 5T Redpath 5R Staley 3A Wilson 2CMcphee 2J Harry2 W Voorham BBell MPocklington OStraw.Boolarra: BMcCormack BEST: Fish Creek:T Sorrell TManne WVoorham TMcGannon OStraw JStefani. Boolarra: HKimpton THolley GSmith B McCormack JGill NKreun

(56)

EAST 1.1 2.2 5.2 6.4 (40)

GOALS: Yinnar:J Garlick 4W Rowley MO’Toole MNelsonM Nardino. Morwell East: DDay S Tobin CHallDHeydenNNikodemskiBLewis BEST: Yinnar:D Webster WRowleyJChessum MNardino MNelsonLAlexander.Morwell East: LLittleA Dodd DDay PCarte DPappas C Silver STONYCREEK5.3

11.10 12.15 (87) TARWIN 1.0 3.0 4.1 6.8 (44) GOALS:

 THORPDALE VTOORA

THEREhad been little margin for error at Thorpdale as finals approached.

The Blues, agame and percentage behind sixth-placed MDU,had to keep winning, hope for the Demons to drop agame and still cross their fingers to steal aspot in the post-regular season.

Finals, and possibly playing, are now the furthest thing from their mind, after Thorpdale's match against Toora was abandoned before halftime at the weekend duetoa significantinjury to Thorpdale playing-coach Jason Winderlich.

At the time of the injury, the score was Toora 3.4 (22) to Thorpdale 2.3 (15) at Thorpdale.

The thoughts of all within the league are with Winderlich.

Toora coach Jack Weston noted that “life is bigger than football” in moments likethis

“My thoughtsare withJason,his family, and the widerThorpdale FootballNetball Club. As aclub we all hope for apositive outcome and are sending all our love his way,” he said.

The abandonment of thematch prior to half time meant the premiership points were shared, the result of whichalsomeantthe Blues would fall short of finals for season 2024.

 MORWELL EAST VYINNAR

IN what loomedaspossibly aseason defining clash, these two top of the table sides met with aguaranteedtop three finish on offer for the victor.

The ladder-leading Hawks had the opportunity to apply pressure to the visiting Magpies, and in doing so gain apsychological advantage ahead of apotential finals meeting.

Sometimes things don’t go to plan, as Yinnar won a10.13 (73) to 10.9 (69) thriller at Ronald Reserve.

Magpies coach Sam McCulloch illustrated the back-and-forth affair.

“We startedwellinthe first quarter but didn’t fully capitalise on our shots on goal

FOOTBALL

MID GIPPSLAND BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

Bugeja NMcCafferty LDouch RZieleckiGRyan. Fish Creek/Tarwin: TPiasenteBBoydJ Rysko TBartels MWoodham LBuckland

(and) Morwell East worked back into it in the second and we went (into halftime) with asmall lead,” he said.

“The boys really lifted in the third quarter and put ahandy buffer on the scoreboard.”

Morwell East coach Paul Henry called it a finals-like atmosphere.

“We wanted to havethe finals feel this week in the bighomegameagainstYinnar,” he said.

“We had Kevin Sheedy speak to the players in the change rooms pregame (and it was a) great experience for all.

“It was afinalsfeeling, Yinnargot the chocolates this time.”

They say you only lose if you don’t learn, and the Hawks will only needtolearn alittle if they get another chance to flip the script against the Magpies, who seemtofindaway to win tight games more often than not.

Yinnar sit second on the ladder in aperfect position to launch another assaultonthe competition as they did two seasons ago.

 FISH CREEK VBOOLARRA

FISH Creek, as premiership favourites, continue to quietly go about their business, doing whatneeds to be donetobeinthe ideal position from which to launch adefence of last season's Grand Final success.

The Kangaroos have been good, but their best is no doubt yet to be shown as they accounted for Boolarra in workmanlike fashion at the weekend,15.11 (101) to 5.6 (36).

Fish Creek coach Jarrad Walker noted that it took his men afew quarters to get going at Terrill Park.

“Our defence really improved in the second half which was good,” he said.

“Pleased with the response after halftime and good to get some momentum going for the end of the year.”

For FishCreek, it was just more of the same,doing what theyneeded to do, responding according to the opposition.

The Kangaroo's effort wasmatched by Boolarra for the most part, according to Demons coach Brendan Mason.

“Tough day yesterday, played somegood footy and challenged themfor threequarters,” he said.

“But in the end they showed why they are the best team in thecompetitionand ran over the top.”

 MIRBOO NORTH VHILL END

WHILEmorethan half the competition are surging towards finals, there are clubs that

saw Round 16 as their most important of the year.

Mirboo North and Hill End have had little to celebrate during the course of 2024, but the weekendprovided arare opportunity for one club to celebrate aseason of hard work.

The Tigers celebrated an 8.6 (54)to3.8 (26) victory over the Rovers at home.

Mirboo North coach Damien Turner was pleased by his team performance, securing their third win for the year.

“As expected, Hill End were looking to bounce back and they cracked in all day,” he said.

"Dry, fast conditions in the first half, then it poured rain at halftime and became abit of adifferent game.

“Really happywiththe way we adjusted to the conditions, played four quarters of footy and moved the ball.”

Respondingtothe Rovers’ intensity and slowly controlling the game gives Mirboo North further confidence of their long-term goal to claw their way back up the ladder in the years ahead.

Hill End coachAmbuUliando said his team couldn’t sustain their early success.

“We started off the first quarter firing on all cylinders,” he said.

“(We) couldn’t maintain that intensity for the rest of the game.

“Credit to Mirboo North, they came up big when it mattered.”

Hill End face MDU and Tarwin in the last two roundsofthe home-and-away season, and would be more than satisfiedtograb justone more victory to close off what has been atough year.

 TARWIN VSTONY CREEK

THESE two teams had shown patches of form that would warrant them being apart of the upcoming finalsseries, however for various reasons that opportunity hadslipped through their fingers.

Tarwin however found some solace after securing anail-biting 8.11(59) to 7.14 (56) win against Stony Creek at home. It was the Sharks who deservinglyfinished on the right side of what has been just one of many very close finishes during the course of the season. Their opponents, well, it was yet another that fell the wrong way, one of too many that could have changed their fortunes in the right circumstances.

NEWBOROUGH, Foster and MDU had the bye.

injury shocks footy world

THORPDALE Football-Netball Club senior playing-coach Jason Winderlich was flown to The Alfred Hospital on Saturday after sustaining aserious neck injury on the field

Winderlich was injured afteratackle went horrendously wrong at Thorpdale Recreation Reserve during the second quarterofthe Blues' match against Toora in Round 16 of the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League. The match was abandoned.

“One of our playerswas running in to tackle Jasonafter he picked up the ball…and from what Iunderstand the contact ended up being to the top of his head and to the chest of the player makingthe tackle,” Toora coachJack Weston told Code Sports

“I didn’t see it all that clearly but IunderstandJason hadtakenaground ball and went to come up and it was head to chest. From there he went down.”

An ambulancewas immediately called beforeadecision was madetohave the former Essendon player flown to Melbourne.

Winderlich was not movedfromthe ground until the helicopter arrived at 4.30pm.

Thorpdale FNC provided an update on Sunday, calling it a“neck fracture” and that Winderlich’ssurgery occurredovernightto insert aplate that “went well”.

Winderlich and Thorpdale in the succeeding days from across all 13 Mid Gippsland clubs.

"Our hearts and support are with Jason, his family and the Thorpdale FNC community," Toora FNC said.

"The entire Toora FNC community wishes himaswiftand full recovery."

"Wewill look to support in any waywecan andhope he comes out okay."

"Fingers crossed everything works out okay and his recovery goes smoothly," Tarwin coach Jason Kennedy said.

They alsoacknowledged the "tireless efforts of those who provided assistance both on and off the field, demonstrating the unwavering unity that defines (the) club.

"As we stand togetherinthis challenging moment,wesend our heartfeltwishes to Jason and hisloved ones,"Thorpdale FNCadded.

"May his recovery be swift and complete, and may his strength and resilience continue to inspire us all."

There has been an outpouring of support for

"Thoughts are with Jason. You've given so much back to our league and our community, and never forgot who you were along the way,"Mirboo North FNCPresident,Andy McCarthy said.

"Ourthoughts are withJason and his family and the Thorpdale FNC... we wish him our best in his recovery," Hill End FNC said.

"Our thought are with Jas, his family and the Thorpdale community,"FishCreek coach Jarrad Walker said.

"Shocking news about Jason after the game. Wishinghim all the best," Stony Creek coach Chris Verboon said.

Newborough FNC and Foster FNC extended their wellwishesand supportto Winderlich and the Thorpdale community.

Winderlich grew up in Thorpdale, playing juniorsfor the clubbeforebeingdrafted to Essendon in 2002, where he went on to play 129 games.

Winderlich returnedtoThorpdalelastseason as playing-coach alongside Ray Pickering.

Road to recovery: Thorpdale coach Jason Winderlich. Photograph supplied

Cougars still some way off top side

NETBALL

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

ROUND16ofGippsland League netball finally saw some separation from the top five squads in the competition.

As all Gippsland League sides await aleague bye this weekend, the final two rounds of the homeand-away season will determine where each will be situated come finals time.

Premiership favouriteMoe won apredictably one-sided game against astrugglingMaffra side, which turned into areal bloodbath.

The Lions defeatedthe Eaglestothe tuneof 53 goals in an 82-29 contest at Ted Summerton Reserve.

Moe devoured every opportunityMaffra thought they had at any given moment, and held the Eagles to under 10 goals in eachofthe four quarters while the Lions produced three quarters of north of 20 goals.

Ramayer Gourley dropped amonster 73 goals for the winners thatmore than doubled Maffra's score

The Lions (15 wins, one draw) hold atwo-game edgeoverDrouinwho sitsecond on the ladder, while the Eagles have two games to go to try and get at least one win on the board

Drouindefeated Traralgon, 51-42, bringingabout their 13th win in 2024.

It was astrongstart forthe Maroons, who got out to an early 11-8 lead after the first quarter on theirhome deck, before Drouinprovided one of their best responses for the season when they nailed 20 goals and kept Traralgon to just eight through the second term.

The Maroons weren't done fighting as they chipped the margin back downtofivegoals by three quarter time, but the Hawks did what was necessary to conclude, converting on some timely shots to keep the hosts at bay.

Drouin'sApril Bethune rose to the occasion as she was thrown into Goal Attack and scored 20 goals, to go along with sharpshooter CharlizeTraumanis with 21.

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE -ROUND 16

AGRADE: Wonthaggi 45 def Bairnsdale 41, Leongatha 65 def Sale 49, Moe 82 def maffra 29, Warragul 66 def Morwell 45, Drouin 51 def Traralgon 42.

BGRADE: Wonthaggi 55 def Bairnsdale 35, Leongatha 68 def Sale 27,Moe 76 def Maffra 31, Warragul 56 def Morwell 46, Traralgon 59 def Drouin 48.

CGRADE: Wonthaggi 43 def Bairnsdale 30, Leongatha 38 def Sale 25, Maffra34def Moe 20, Morwell 55 def Warragul 27,Drouin35def Traralgon 28.

17 AND UNDER: Wonthaggi 41 def Bairnsdale 38, Sale 36 drew Leongatha 36, Maffra34def Moe 33, Morwell 40 def Warragul 28, Traralgon 55 def Drouin 28.

15 AND UNDER: Sale 46 def Leongatha 22, Moe 52 def Maffra25, Morwell 28 def Warragul 23, Drouin 38 def Traralgon 37,Bairnsdale 55 def Wonthaggi 24.

Despite the loss, the Maroons still sit within the top five thanks to two draws throughout the season that leaves them still six premiership points clear of sixth-placed Bairnsdale despite only aone win advantage.

Leongatha continued to givethemselves afighting chance for afinals berth after defeating the Magpies in aconvincing 65 to 49 contest.

TheParrots damage was done early after a20 goal to nine first term that then turned into 12-goal lead by halftime at Sale Oval.

If the Magpies thought they could claw back into the game, they thought wrong, as Leongatha added three goals to their lead through the third term that made the result clear as day.

Mikaeli Hilliar was the defining player for Leongatha with 40 goals to go along with 22 from teammate Kate Browne.

Kate Van der Voort had 33 goals for Sale.

Bairnsdale made it tricky for Wonthaggi as both eyed afinals cementation.

The Power however proved slightly superior in their homeland, finishing 45-41 winners.

The Redlegs, hoping to bridge the gap between fifth-placed Trarlagon, had the spark in their eye that saw them lead 14-12 after quarter time.

It was an equally good second term for Wonthaggi, who tied the game up 26-allbythe halftime break.

Scoring began to deteriorate at both endsbut began to favour the style that the Power wanted to play with.

Holding Bairnsdale to just15goals in the second half despite only 19 goals from Wonthaggi still got thejob done.

The Power's ChelseaBowman and Courtney Brann put on ashow with 24 and 21 goals respectively to combat the efforts of Anna Mooney with 25.

Wonthaggimoved to clear fourth position with a win-loss record of 9-7, while the Redlegs will have to remain perfect through the lasttwo rounds and pray for other results to go their way.

Warragul cemented themselves as atop three side aheadoffinals after adominant 66-45 win over Morwell.

13 AND UNDER: Leongatha 33 def Sale 28, Maffra35def Moe 29, Morwell 28 def Warragul 11,Traralgon 49 def Drouin 12,Bairnsdale 36 def Wonthaggi 11

MID GIPPSLAND -ROUND 16

AGRADE: Toora79def Thorpdale 23, Tarwin 37 def StonyCreek 37,Fish Creek 77 def Boolarra39, Yinnar 49 def Morwell East 25, Mirboo North, Foster,MDU,Newborough -BYE.

BGRADE: Toora56def Thorpdale 22, Stony Creek 48 def Tarwin 34, Mirboo North 55 def Hill End 47,Fish Creek 53 def Boolarra24, Morwell East 46 drew Yinnar 46, Foster,MDU, Newborough -BYE.

CGRADE: Tarwin 30 def StonyCreek 20, Toora69def Thorpdale 12,Mirboo North 33 def Hill End 25, Fish Creek 45 def Boolarra33, Yinnar 37 def Morwell East 27,Foster,MDU, Newborough -BYE.

The Tigers showed their teeth early on with a four-goal lead after the first quarter, but the Gulls responded to lead by agoal upon halftime.

The premiership third quarter would be on display as Warragul pump Morwell 21-7 through thatrespectivepassageofplaythatdetermined the result at Western Park.

Emma Ryde continued aphenomenal season with 60 goals for the Gulls, to add to her league-leading tallyof740

Warragul sit agame behind Drouin for secondplace and three games clear of fourth-placed Wonthaggi, while Morwell are now well and truly looking towards next season.

 TWO rounds remain in Mid Gippsland netball.

Yinnar put asever dint in the premiership hopes of Morwell East after the Magpies defeated the Hawks convincingly, 49-25.

Both sides were tied on 11 wins heading into the matchup at Ronald Reserve, expecting aclose affair.

Yinnar held aminor lead after quarter time, 10-6 before they kept Morwell East to just seven goals in thesecond to extend their lead to eight by halftime.

No separation was truly made in the third, before the Magpies unleashedhell, holding the Hawks to only four goals and tacked on their highest quarter score of 19 to conclude.

Skye McDonald and Claire Thorburn combined for all of Yinnar’s score with 28 and 21 goals respectively to givethe Magpiessecondposition and a two-game cushion on their weekend’s opponents.

FishCreek defeated Boolarra at Terrill Park, 77-39 to bring about their 11th win from 13 tries.

Jessica Edgar poured in 41 goals for the Kangaroos, along with an equally impressive 36 from teammate Lara Stefani, while the Demons' Tessa Jewell had 29.

Toora walloped Thorpdale by 56 goals as the Magpies eye atop six finish by season’s end.

Toora’s Hannah Weston finished with 50 goals to go along with the sizeable victory on the road.

DGRADE: StonyCreek 29 def Tarwin 25, Toora50def Thorpdale 11,Mirboo North 40 def Hill End 22, Fish Creek 46 def Boolarra19, Yinnar 34 def Morwell East 25, Foster,MDU, Newborough -BYE.

17 AND UNDER: Toora73def StonyCreek 15, Hill End 29 def Mirboo North 27,Boolarra59 def Fish Creek 34, Yinnar 57 def Morwell East 11,MDU,Newborough -BYE.

15 AND UNDER: Hill End 33 def Mirboo North 26, Yinnar 60 def Morwell East 10,Boolarra56 def Fish Creek 10,Stony Creek 26 def Tarwin 5, Toora, Foster,MDU,Newborough -BYE.

13 AND UNDER: Hill End 35 def Mirboo North 17,Boolarra27def Fish Creek 18,Tarwin27 def StonyCreek 13,Toora, Yinnar,Foster, MDU,Newborough -BYE.

NORTH GIPPSLAND -ROUND 16

AGRADE: Glengarry48def YYN 30, Sale City58def Churchill 38, TTU 70 def Yarram 33,

The Magpiessit two gamesback of sixth but with winnable games ahead to keep their season alive.

Tarwin and Stony Creek ended in adead heat, 37-all at Tarwin Lower.

The Lions had the game in theirhands for most of the contestbeforethe Sharksmounted asignificant comeback to takethe lead duringthe last quarter. Stony Creek’s BriannaWeaver saved the day for the Lions, converting alast-second shot to finish in adraw.

Weaver totalled 16 goals while Tarwin’s Kate McCracken had agame-high 22.

Fish Creek hold aminor lead in first place due to adraw that gives them atwo point edge over Yinnar and still awaiting abye

Four sides had the bye in Round16-Mirboo North, Foster, Newborough and MDU.

 FURTHER distance is being made between the best of the best in North Gippsland netball, as two rounds remain in the home-and-away season.

Round 16 featured top-seeded Sale City taking apart third-place Churchill 58-38 at Stephenson Park, thatleaves manyconvinced theBulldogs, having not lost agame this season, are on their way to premiership glory.

Heyfield defeated Gormandale 71-37 at the Gormandale, that gives the Roogirls their 11th win for the year and keeps them second on the ladder.

Rosedale kept themselves in the hunt for finals after beating Cowwarr 70-35 in Rosedale.

TTU obliterated Yarram 70-33inSouth Gippsland to remain fifth on the ladder with eight wins and six losses.

Glengarry secured theirsixth win for the season afterdefeating YYN 48-30 at home.

 Woodside had the bye.

Heyfield 71 def Gormandale 37,Rosedale 70 def Cowwarr 35, Woodside -BYE.

BGRADE: YYN 45 def Glengarry27, Sale City 61 def Churchill 34, TTU 59 def Yarram 58, Gormandale 56 def Heyfield 43, Rosedale 47 def Cowwarr 35, Woodside -BYE.

CGRADE: Glengarry35def YYN 32, Sale City40def Churchill 35, TTU 46 def Yarram 16, Gormandale 34 def Heyfield 28, Rosedale 46 def Cowwarr 20, Woodside -BYE.

DGRADE: YYN 55 def Glengarry29, Sale City31def Churchill 30, TTU 56 def Yarram 12, Gormandale 34 def Heyfield 24, Cowwarr 42 def Rosedale 34, Woodside- BYE. 17 AND UNDER: Glengarry40def YYN 27, Sale City74def Churchill 8, TTU64def Yarram 7, Heyfield 37 def Gormandale 31, Rosedale 85 def Cowwarr11, Woodside- BYE.

15 AND UNDER: Glengarry31def YYN 13, Sale City63def Churchill 10,TTU 70 def Yarram 14,Heyfield 41 def Gormandale 16, Rosedale 50 def Cowwarr 5, Woodside -BYE.

NORTH GIPPSLAND

Roos put pressure on Jets

DBath J Massese DBentley.Glengarry: DMassaroB Truin CMitchell MRyanT Harris HEYFIELD 5.8 12.9 21.14 27.23 (185) GORMANDALE 1.1 2.2 2.2 2.2

TOM HAYES

IT will be tough to imaginethe North Gippsland football ladder changing much between now and the end of the home-andaway season.

Perhaps just one change, which should happen by next weekend, but other than that the top five looks set.

At the weekend, North Gippsland partnered with AGLLoy Yang and MindfullAus to promote Mental Health Round.

MClearySHarveyMMcmahon JJames CCarrison

GOALS: Cowwarr:M Mclellan 2DCooper 2J Hurrell CFarley RFerguson SMclean. Rosedale: JFrith 2J Fraser Hanley THenderson LLittle. BEST: Cowwarr:J Hurrell DWebsdale DErdely LHegarty DCooper SMclean. Rosedale: LLossbergC BeaverW MurrayLLewisNO’Connor HFox

GOALS: Sale City:CJohnson 4LMooney 3AHeatherington 2H Tollner WBrady B Cunningham SDean. Churchill: LBrereton2J Tactor 2W Towers BMogfordMRiley N Johnson JEffenberg. BEST: Sale City:T Oreilly DBirdCO’SheaT Lindrea HTollner CJohnson. Churchill: LBreretonBMogfordJEffenbergJ Tactor NJohnson

(148)

(12)

GOALS: YYN: JRedman 5AAnderson 5MGore3 LSummersgill 3E De Carli DSmith H Paulet LJikow OBudge.Glengarry: EKocaali NPeel BEST: YYN: EDeCarli JRedmanL JikowA Anderson DSmith DPotts.Glengarry: CSchmidt DBalfour NPeel CPeck LNoble ZChristensen

4.6 11.7 18.9 26.14 (170)

0.1

Heyfield: JHanratty5EDavies 3LDwyer JReid CRonan BManson. Gormandale: TKanara 4. BEST: Heyfield: JMcdiarmid BMansonE Davies LDwyer JReid KHewish. Gormandale: TKanara JCochrane JParsons MCropley GJenkins JWhitney

ROSEDALE 6.4 14.5 20.6 26.11 (167)

COWWARR 0.1 1.1 1.2 2.3 (15)

GOALS: Rosedale: HRowley 8CMissen 5J Reid 4L Speairs 4HPettie 2HBerry2JCampbell. Cowwarr: CMitchell JWall BEST: Rosedale:JMurrayHRowleyJ BruceJReid DTulloch N Heathcote. Cowwarr:BEenjes CBass BCooper ADomaille TDavison JWall

GLENGARRY5.5 10.10 14.13 22.17 (149)

YYN1.1 3.1 4.3 5.3 (33)

GOALS: Glengarry: DSmith 7SDarby 7ARigby4 CBickerton LTaylorO CliftonFRowley. YYN: JKaschke 2GRuey DAshman. BEST: Glengarry: DSmith CWhitehead LTaylorC BickertonARigbyE Jones.YYN:J Kaschke GRuey JWeiir JBoyesAPheeney LLaidlaw

CHURCHILL 1.2 5.7 6.12 8.14 (62)

SALECITY2.0 4.3 4.4 7.5 (47)

GOALS: Churchill: TCrawford5 WTowers2 LHecker. Sale City: DCarstairs 5NRandB Wilson. BEST: Churchill: JThomasD FehlbergD Tobin LMcavoy TCrawfordMGrimes.SaleCity: R Wilson KBlackley LKnight TJerome NRand DCarstairs TTU6.5 9.13

(143)

(7) GOALS: TTU: RDenovan 12 NWasalski3DLongmore2 BWatson 2JColaciello TCrosby. Yarram: Details N/A.

LRoberts BMcAlpine SClarkeJApiata RMcAlpine CEarles

TTU: RDenovan TCrosbyH Whateley TCooper NPoel BWatson.

 YARRAM'S make or break game resulted in the latter.

Hosting top side Traralgon Tyers United, victory was unlikely yet needed.

The Demons were absolutely nowhere to be seen, failing to make an impression in what appeared to be one of its most important fixtures in 2024, losing 14.18 (102) to 4.5 (29).

Going into the game,Yarram must've been aware that defeat would be costly in regardto their finals hopes. And if they weren't aware beforehand, they well and truly would be now.

The Bombersgot out to a20-pointlead during the first term, kicking the exact score that Yarram would concludeon. Littledid they know they would only need another point from that stage to win the game.

TTU continued to ascend, adding another 2.5 (17) to the Demons' 1.1 (7). By this point at halftime, the Bombers' lead had stretched to five goals.

Knowing that separation at the top of the ladder was in sight, TTU did not hesitate in continuing their run.

The Bombers added another 4.4 (28) to one straight goal in the third, bursting the gates wide open as the margin grew out of proportion.

Now out to 52 points, Yarram might've hoped that the margin wouldn't get much worse, while TTU had other ideas.

TTU matched their third-quarter performance, with another 4.4 (28) in the final term to Yarram's 1.1 (7) before the final siren blew.

TTU claimed their 13th win of the season in the73-pointsmashing, which helped lock thetop five in it's place.

Frazar Brouns was named best-on for the Bombers.Alsomentionedwas Hayden Willaton,Quinn Sinclair, TrentHourigan, Michael Jacobsen, and Guy Sinclair.

James Jacobsen and captain Jye Neilson combined for seven goals, the former scoring four.

Matt Clavarino, Dylan Garnham, coach BoadieMotton, Chris Bruns, Jake McFarland,and Jacob Davis were within Yarram's best for the day. Josh Swift could only add two goals to his tally for the season.

The win puts the Bombers clear on top of theladder, with awin-loss recordof13-1. As Woodside had the bye, they remain at 12-2. TTU now have apercentage of seven more than the Wildcats.

As for Yarram, is it season over? It certainly looks that way.

The Demons haven't gotten close to atop five team in the second half of the season, only beating Glengarry and Gormandale since the second half of the home-and-away season resumed.

That run has seen them lose to two sides outsidethe top fiveaswell, dropping from fourth down to sixth (currently) on the ladder.

The Demons are now agame behind Sale City in fifth, and are still to play the Bulldogs (this weekend) and third-placed Yallourn Yallourn North.

Consideringtheir percentage, they will need to win both to break back into the top five, and considering theirform,that appears highly unlikely.



SALE City survived ascare at Stephenson Park.

The Bulldogs fought off aspiritedChurchill

side, breaking the shackles in the final term to record a12.16 (88) to 8.12 (60) victory.

Sale City started withall of themomentum, kicking the first two goals of the game with some change, before alateswing in momentum dragged the Cougars back into the game with two goals in the final five minutes.

Despite this,the Bulldog'sbehinds had them slightly ahead by threepoints at the first break.

The home side edged slightlyfurther ahead in the second term, but they were by no means off to the races.

The four-goal to three quarter had the home side up by seven pointsatthe halfway stage, and with plenty of football left to play, the two sides were in for atough duel in the second half.

Churchill were out of the blocks with haste, finding the lead soon after the conclusion of halftime, putting Sale Cityonthe defensive.

The lead changed hands multipletimes before Sale City reclaimed it going into the finalchange. Withjustsix points up their sleeve, the Bulldogs had led at every quarter, but Churchill's had just proved they could make something out of nothing.

But Sale City confirmedwhy they are a threat this season, putting any hopes of a Churchill comeback to bed, kicking 3.8 (26) to four behinds,closingout acomfortable 28-point win in the end. Cooper Whitehill was namedbest-ongroundfor the Bulldogs. Also highlighted was Chad Evans, Tom Bowman, Jayden Allison, Jaxsyn Whitehill, and Kane Martin (three goals).

Blake Slater was Churchill's best in defence. He was assisted well by Chris Williams, Ashley Di Ciero, Kurt Holt (three goals), Jordan Fenech, and Tom Sevenson.

As previously mentioned, Sale City are now agameclearofYarram in sixth, and considering their run home of Yarram and Gormandale,onlyneeding to winone to confirm theirprogression,you'd saythat fifth spot is theirs. Churchill got close, but not close enough, and such aloss all but mathematically confirmed that they are out of the finals race for 2024.

 HEYFIELD hammered Gormandale. Fighting for third spot on the ladder, the Kangaroos made the leap, following their 27.23(185) to 2.2 (14) beat down of the Tigers

It was always going to be amatter of how much when Heyfield travelled to The Boneyard at the weekend.

With achance to put some pressure on YYN, Heyfield had no hesitations when it came to taking third place for the time being.

The Kangaroos went up by 31 points at quartertime,already settingupa margin exceeding 100 points.

Anotherseven goalstoone in the second term had things out of control at 67 points with awhole half of football to play.

Gormandalehad managed to score 2.2 (14) up until this stage,but thatwould be the last of it.

Heyfield only got better. In the third quarter, the visitors piled on 9.5 (59) to nothing, almost doubling their margin in the space of about 30 minutes.

Ahead by 126 points, they still needed a big last quarter to steal third spot, knowing that YYN would also win big against secondbottom placed Glengarry.

They delivered just that, kicking another 6.9 (45) to nothing in the final term, seeing the margin out to 171 points when the siren sounded.

KyleGraham was massive for Heyfield booting eight goals, earning him best-onground honours. Also in the Kangaroos best was Brayden Woodland, Thomas Marchesi, TysonBirss,Tyson Graham, and Jack Christian (four goals).

Kodie Owen was best for Gormandale in his150th game. He was joinedbyWilliam Flanagan, Flynn Roscoe, Matthew Carstein,

Tristan Salerno, and Chris Potalej. Heyfield jumped over YYN on the ladder into third, but they have the bye this week and will be vulnerabletobeovertaken again. The Kangaroos will be rooting for Churchill to upset the Jets, which will allow them to hold onto third place.

 THE Jets recorded a20-goal win.

Thewin came with relative ease, but they needed some more out of the win, after dropping to fourth despite it.

YYN wereout of the gatesbest at Fred King Oval, kicking four goals to one in the first term, kicking nine more scores than their counterpartsasthey wentinto the first break 24 points to the good.

Inaccuracies began to show, but luckily for the Jets that didn't matter, kicking 3.9 (27) to one behind.

The marginwas 50 points at halftime,with the tripledigit margin on the radar, YYN had to get going.

It was again asomewhat quiet term from the visitors, only adding another 3.4 (22) to Glengarry's three behinds.

At 69 points in front, the Jets were home and hosed, but they needed more for percentage, as Heyfield were bound to win big against Gormandale.

The quarter they had asking for finally arrived, as YYNkicked 8.9 (57)toone straight goal, seeing the margin stop growing once it hit 120 points, thanks to the final siren. Mitchell Luck kickedfive goals and claimed best-on-ground honours. He was joined by James De Virgilio, Darcy Shellcot,Dylan Bath, Jai Massese, and Dylan Bentley as the most prominent.

Leading goal scorer of the NGFNL, Dean Macdonald added three goals to his tally He is now 10 goals clear of Yarram's Swift in second.

Declan Massaro, Benjamin Truin, Callum Mitchell, Michael Ryan, and Thomas Harris were stand-outs for the Magpies.

The day was full of celebration for the Magpies despite results not going their way. Scott Pendlebury wasn't the onlyplayer in black and white to play game 400 last Saturday, as Glengarrycelebrated Corey Peck's 400th game in the reserves earlier.  PLAYING for pride, Rosedale got the chocolates.

With both sides seeminglyout of the finals race, there was essentially nothing on the line between the Blues and their visitors, Cowwarr.

Rosedale won easily, kicking 17.19 (121) to 7.5 (47).

It was theirs to lose fromthe beginning. The Blues were higher on the ladder and had good form against sides lower. Kicking 4.8 (32) to one straight goal in the opening term was theperfect start. Another 2.2 (14) to 1.1 (7) grew Rosedale'smarginout t33points by halftime.

The floodgates finallyburst open for the Blues, who added 6.7 (43) in the third quarter. But Cowwarr frequently found their own goals, kicking 3.2 (19) before three quarter time. Nonetheless, the margin was 57 points, and well out of the Saints' reach.

Rosedale only made it worse for their visitors, kicking 5.2 (32) to 2.3 (15) in the final term to closeout the 74-pointsmashing Blake Safstrom was outstanding for the Blues, assisted by Declan Barnett, Harper Fox, Brandon McConnell, Rohan Diamond, andcaptain RileyAtlee. Spencer Fox kicked four goals.

Jake Brown,Keenan Hughes (three goals), Haydn Hector, Alex Saunders, Matt Johnson, and Rhys Luxford were admirable in defeat. Rosedaleare also mathematically out of the finals race after Sale City's win. The Blues only have one game left with the bye in Round 18, and they now sit two games outside the top five.

 WOODSIDE had the bye.

Great cause: TheNorth Gippsland Football-NetballLeague partnered with Mindfull Ausatthe weekend forMental HealthRound.

Photograph supplied

Churchill relive the unthinkable

FOOTBALL

NORTH GIPPSLAND

BY TOM HAYES

DEFIED the odds.

That’s the best way to describe Churchill’s 2014 senior premiership triumph.

The Cougars held their 10-year reunion of their unbelievable 2014North Gippsland FootballNetball League senior flag last month, coming in their numbers for the celebration.

Also celebratedonthe nightwas the Thirds 2014 premiership and the 20-year reunion of the 2004 AGrade netball flag.

Some mightn’t remember the mountain that Churchillhad to climb10years ago, with all of the odds stackedagainst them on Grand Final day, and it wasn’t even close.

After 18 home-and-away season games,the Cougarssat second on the ladder,with agame cushion behind to Rosedale in third.

Heyfield were headand shoulders above the rest. An undefeated side, winning 18 games and aholding apercentageofover200.Itwas their season up until this point.

Anything can happen in finals.

Coming into Grand Finalday,Heyfield had beaten Churchillthree times, and despite their first meeting, the other two weren’t close at all.

Heyfield edged past Churchill in their Round 8 encounter by three points -their seventh straight win of the season at that stage.

They met again in Round 19, and Heyfield were stillundefeatedwith one game remaining after puttingthe Cougars to the sword to the tune of 39 points.

Coming into that secondbattle,the Cougars hadn’t lost since the Kangaroos beat them previously. It wouldthen be their final loss of the home-and-away season.

Finishing on top, Heyfield played the winner of the QualifyingFinalbetween Churchilland Rosedale, with Churchill prevailing 17.18(120) to 12.14 (86).

Third time’s acharm for Churchill? No. Heyfieldwon again, moving straight into the GrandFinal, following their42-point beat down of the Cougars in the Semi Final.

The Cougarsregrouped again, making use of their doublechance, facing fourth-placed Sale City

in the Preliminary Final, who had upset Rosedale the week prior.

Churchill would set themselves up for afourth meeting with the Kangaroos in an all-or-nothing Grand Final after their 20-point win over the Bulldogs.

It had to be.

It was one versus two. Heyfield versus Churchill

For the fourth time around in 2014.

Churchill’s Travis Brighton had just won the NGFNL best-and-fairest, tied with Heyfield’s Josh Stubbe, pitting the two against each other for one last time that year.

Churchill hadtodosomethingdifferent this time, and there were some tweaks, but nothing major. The major difference: the game was played on their terms.

Once that was established, it was going to take an almighty effort to stop the Cougar train.

After kicking the first goal of the game, Heyfield

struggled to deal with Churchill’s momentum. The Cougars stolethe leadshortlyafter,stretching out to 14 points as the first quarter came to aclose.

Alategoal to Heyfield’s Jesse Jackway cut Churchill’s margin to eight points at quarter time.

The best two NGFNL teams that year traded blow for blow in an evenly matched second term.

The Cougars were dealt adouble blow however, losing Hamish Towns after acourageous mark and Brighton, who wasstretcheredoff with aknee injury.

Despite these deficiencies, Churchill surged further ahead, whilealsoshowinginaccuracy in front of goal, to lead by 16 points at the main change.

The Cougars had never been in this position before against Heyfield that year, nor had Heyfield trailed Churchill that year.

Churchill put ahand on the premiership cup after arampantthird termthatsaw them kick eight goalstothree, blowingthe marginout to

44 points going into the final change of the day. Eventual best-on-ground, Brendan Holt (who is still kicking about 10 years later), added to his tally of six goals up until three quarter time. He added another in the final term to cap of aseven-goal game.

It was party time for Churchill, who continued to make amockery of the undefeated side.

Four goals to two in the final term sealed Heyfield’s fate. Churchillclaimedpremiership glory by 51 points, 20.9 (129) to 10.18 (78).

The Cougars only had one more scoring shot than the Kangaroos, perhaps constituting acloser game,but Heyfield evidently squandered their chances on the day.

The unthinkable had become reality for Churchill -2014 senior premiers against all odds.

Grand Final day was made even better for Churchill, who won the Thirds premiership earlier in the day, the Cougars defeating Traralgon Tyers United 15.10 (100) to 3.13 (31).

Current Churchill co-captain, Ben Skinner was recognised as best-on-ground in the ThirdsGrand Final.

It turned out to be ahorror day for Heyfield, who lost the senior and reserves (against Cowwarr) Grand Finals, and also losing the AGrade netball Grand Final to Rosedale.

Churchillpride themselves on retaininghome grown players, and it goes to show today, never coming close to their given player points limit in the senior side.

Eight of the 2014 senior premiers played in the Cougars’ next senior premiership five years later in 2019. From the 2014 Thirds premiership winning side, five players also featured in the 2019 senior flag, including Kurt Holt,Brendan Mason(current Boolarra senior coach), Skinner, Tristan Turpin, and Brad Tyas.

Churchill’s Thirds won the flag again in 2018, with three of those players going on to alsoplay in the 2019 senior premiership. Meaning the 2019 senior premiership side had 16 players who had previously won aflag with the Cougars in the last five year. Talk about retention.

Seven of the players from the 2014 premiership winning side have also played senior football 10 years on, this year in 2024.

The Hazelwood and Churchill Past Players is a small committee who worked tirelessly to bring the night together, allowing everyone to celebrate their past achievements.

Churchill Football-Netball Club Past Players President,Chris Harding gathered his troops to put on amuch-neededreunion forall thingsending in four on Saturday, July 20.

“It was awell-attended night with approximately 80 to 90 people. Some of the players travelled from interstate,” Harding said.

Thosetravellinginterstate were senior premiership player Chris Weller, and Thirds premiership players Andrew Brown and Justin Rogers.

“It was great to see the comradery and warmth amongst the senior groupwho were rank outsiders to beat an undefeated Heyfield,” Harding added.

“Some very funny stories told on the night by Alan Chandler (2014 senior premiership winning coach), regarding game plans.

“Joey (Whykes) coached the Thirds premiership and then played in the senior one which is afair effort.”

Harding touched on the 20-year reunion of the AGradenetball 2004 premiership.

“There was also the 2004 AGrade netball reunion, with Megan Marks and Gena Flanigan being present,” he said.

Ten years ago, Harding was just ajunior coach at the club, but was there on Grand Final day in 2014 to witnessbothpremierships. He was also there in 2004 to see the AGraders winthe flag.

Memories: Churchill’s 2014 seniorpremiership winningside reunited after10years. Photographs supplied

Time flies: Gena Flaniganand Megan Marks

TRARALGON DISTRICT JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE

FOOTBALL

By LIAM DURKIN

CARLTON’S miraculous 1970 premiership has been recounted in adocumentary.

Prominent AFL filmmaker Peter Dickson added 1970 to his The Final Story series,which takes an inside lookinto V/AFLGrand Finals in history.

Often regarded as the greatest Grand Final of them all, and the birth of modern football, the 1970 Grand Final also has anumber of local links.

Seemingly gone for all money at halftime, the Blues stormed home from a44-point deficit thanks to the efforts of Moe’s Ted Hopkins. Hopkins, whodied last year age 74, emerged as theunlikeliest of heroes,coming ontothe groundinthe second half and kicking four goals.

Played in front of astill record crowd of 121,696, it would become the very moment Hopkins would be remembered for.

His life changed forever when Carlton coach Ron Barassi uttered the words “get ready Teddy, you’re on” and made the bold move to bring the then 21-year-old into the game.

Keeping in mind therewas no interchangebackthen,the decision to have Hopkins come on as 19th man was ahugegamble.

It paid off however, and 10 minutes into the thirdquarter, Carlton hadslammed on four goals, two of which came from Hopkins in the forward pocket.

He added athird ashort time later, and afourth in the final term to see the Blues to a10-point win for their most famous premiership.

The blondegoal sneak waschaired from the ground for his heroics as Carltontoasted its 10th flag.

Yet, in adramaticpostscript, he was to disappear almostinstantly, as he found the adulation afforded to him difficult to handle, and sought to escape his fame by camping in the bushduring the off-season.

He played the opening match of 1971(ironically, again off the bench), but by then had reasoned he had nothing more to achieve and so retired quietly, finishing his playing career with agrand total of 29 games and 10 goals.

Locals feature in new doco Mixedbag forGippyPower teams

FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND POWER BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

GIPPSLAND Power were downed by Greater Western Victoria Rebels at the weekend, 16.7 (103) to 12.7 (79). Played at ETUStadium, PortMelbourne, the GippslandBoys side looked down a5.2 (32) to 2.3 (15) deficit after quarter time that would be the closest they’dget all day in Round 17 of CoatesTalentLeague.

CENTRAL GIPPSLAND JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Out now: Adocumentaryonthe 1970 VFL GrandFinal, which featured ahostoflocalplayers,has been released

Hopkins played32games for Moe before finding his way to

Park.

The1970Carlton premiership team featured anumberofLatrobe Valley players and connections.

Morwell’s Vin Waite played in the back pocket, while Yallourn’s Garry Crane was on the wing.

Morwell's Graham Donaldson was also Carlton's assistant coach at the time.

Donaldson features in the iconic photo of Barassi leaping high in celebration on the final siren at the end of the game.

Barassi arranged for Carlton to play apreseason practice match in Morwell in the late 1960s

Carlton 1970 premiership player Adrian Gallagher, himself from Yarram, features in the documentary.

1970 The Final Story can be viewed on the Carlton website.

Power registered just asinglebehind in the second quarter, and let through four goals in their defensive 50 that provided ahole the visitors were unable to recover from.

Four players kicked two goals for Gippsland, including Willem Duursma, Tom Matthews (Moe), RickyMentha (Morwell) and Alixzander Tauru.

GWV aren’t positioned in finals (with only four wins on the year) but have beaten Gippsland twice this year.

The disappointing loss for Power followed a10-point win against Western Jets as the Gippsland side currently sit sixth at awin-loss record of 8-4 twogames clear of the last two spots for finals. In other news, Power captain Xavier Lindsay and Tauru received invitations to the AFL National Draft Combine, and Heyfield’s Asher Eastham and Mentha attending the AFL State Draft Combine.

Preceding the boys clash, Gippsland Power Girls chalked up a 70-point victory over GWV.

The Power kicked eight of the first nine goals to leave the result without ashred of doubt.

Traralgon’s Ella Stoddart booted three goals, accompanied by Ava Deszcz, with other major contributors from Ash Centra (two goals), Mia Smith-Clark (two) and AcaciaSutton (two).

Gippsland sit fourth on the ladder with two games remaining but still with the chance to climb higher.

Princes

Saturday, August10

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 Rage Charts. (PG) 7.00 Weekend Breakfast. 9.00 Rage.(PG) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 Unforgotten. (Malv,R) 1.15 Vera.(Ma, R) 2.50 Sister Boniface Mysteries (R) 3.35 The Greek Islands With Julia Bradbury.(R) 4.00 Rose Gold. (PG, R) 5.25 Landline. (R) 5.55 Stuff TheBritish Stole: Myster ySphinx. (Final, PG,R)

6.25 IWas Ac tually There: Woomera. (PG, R) Alookatthe Woomeradetentioncentre protest.

7.00 ABCNews. Alookatthe topstories of theday

7.30 Sister Boniface Mysteries. (PG) Sister Boniface and her father investigate suspicions of espionage at achess tournament

8.20 VanDer Valk. (Mv, R) Part 1of3 Vander Valk investigates themurder of acharismatic,young free-running star

9.50 Fifteen-Love. (Malns,R) Justine’s explosiveallegation causes rifts in her closest relationships.

10.40 TheBeast MustDie. (Mal, R) Frances plots her revenge

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

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.10 JSchwanke’sLifeIn Bloom. (R) 10.10 The Bee Whisperer.(PGa, R) 11.05 My Unique B&B. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 WovenThreads Stories From Within (PGa, R) 2.20 Portillo’s Greatest Railway Journeys. (PG, R) 4.10 Ireland In Music: Sclimpini 4.40 Britain’s Scenic Railways. (R) 5.35 Tony Robinson’s Forgotten WarStories. (PGal, R)

6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Amazing Railway Adventures With Nick Knowles: Morocco Nick Knowles heads to Morocco 8.25 Malta: TheJewel Of The Mediterranean Part 2of4 ExploresMalta’s ancient olivegroves during theannual harvest

9.20 Westminster Abbey: Behind Closed Doors. (R) It is HolyWeekatWestminsterAbbey.

10.10 Scotland’sExtreme Medic s. (Ma, R) 11.05 Ralph And Katie. (Mls) 12.10 RexInRome. (Mv,R) 2.55 Hitler:CountdownToWar.(PGav,R) 3.45 Peer To Peer.(PG, R) 4.15 Bamay.(R) 4.55 Destination Flavour DownUnder Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6am WorldWatch.

10.00 Front Up 2000 11.00 Front Up 2001. Noon Scrubs. 2.05 Patriot Brains. 3.00 WorldWatch. 5.00 Extreme Food Phobics. 5.55 TheFood That Built TheWorld. 7.35 Impossible Engineering. 8.30 Icons Unearthed: Batman. 10.20 Al Pacino: The Reluctant Star 11.30 Hudson &Rex 2am The X-Files. 3.50 NHK WorldEnglish News 5.00 Al JazeeraNews Hour

6.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R) 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 TheMorning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. Saturday at The Valley,Missile Stakes and BRC at SCTCRaceday 5.00 SevenNews At 5. 5.30 Border Security:Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Football. AFL.Round 22. Melbourne vPort Adelaide. From the MCG.

10 30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews taking alook back at allthe actionfrom thegame.

11.00 To Be Advised.

1.25 Harry’s Prac tice. (R) Dr Harry Cooper andDrKatrina Warren present informationabout animals and petcare

2.00 Home Shopping (R)

4.00 Drop Dead Weird. (R)Three Australian siblings move to abed and breakfast in Tubbershandy in western Ireland with their zombie parents.

5.00 My GreekOdyssey:Chalki And Karpathos (PG, R) PeterManeas heads to the island of Chalki, which is alivewith people and energy,but the interior is a barren landscape with very few inhabitants, before movingontoKarpathos

(34) 6am Shopping. 8.30 Travel Oz. 10.00 Escape To The Country Noon IEscaped To The Country 1.00 Harry’sPractice 1.30 Animal SOS Australia. 2.00 Escape To TheCountry 4.00 Extreme Railways. 5.00 Horse Racing.Saturdayat The Valley,Missile Stakesand BRCatSCTCRaceday 5.30 Medical Emergency 6.00 Heathrow.

6am Morning Programs.

9.50 The WorldAccording To Grandpa. 10.00 MOVIE: Where The Wild Things Are.(2009,PG) 11.45 MOVIE: Belle And Sebastian2.(2015,PG)

1.25pm MOVIE: MeetDave. (2008,PG) 3.00 Going Places. 4.00 NITVNews: Nula 4.30 Arabian Inferno 5.20 Unsettled 5.50 Kairakau. 6.20 News. 6.30 First People’s Kitchen. 7.00 The Beaver Whisperers. 8.00 NIMAs Live 11.20 Late Programs.

6am Lola.

Continued. (1961, PG, French) 6.35 ARiver Runs Through It. (1992, PG) 8.50 Alone In Space.(2018 PG, Swedish) 10.20 The Goya Murders. (2019,M Spanish) 12.15pm My OldLady. (2014,M) 2.15 All Roads Lead To Rome. (2015,PG) 3.55 Viajeros. (2022, PG,Spanish) 5.30 The BridgeOnThe River Kwai. (1957,PG) 8.30 Windtalkers. (2002, MA15+) 11.00 Late Programs.

6.00 Olympic Games Paris2024. Day14: Early morning. 7.00 TodayInParis. Presented by Sarah Abo and Karl Stefanovic. 11.00 9News Morning Weekend. 12.00 Olympic Games Paris 2024: Encore. HostedbyTodd Woodbridge. 3.00

6.00 9News Saturday.

7.00 Olympic GamesParis 2024

Day 15: Night. Events may include: canoe sprint,women’s K1 500m final; men’s volleyball, gold medal match; weightlifting.

10.30 Olympic GamesParis 2024 Day 15: Latenight. Events may include: diving; men’svolleyball,goldmedal match; women’s golf,final round.

12.00 Olympic GamesParis 2024

Day 15:Postmidnight. Events may include: diving; cycling track; weightlifting;women’sgolf

3.00 Olympic GamesParis 2024

Day 15: Overnight.Eventsmay include: cycling track;athleticsfinals.

5.00 Olympic GamesParis 2024

Day15: Early morning. Events may include: men’s basketball, gold medal match; athletics finals

9GEM (92, 81)

6.00 TheDog House Australia. (PGa, R) Astaffyand awidower are apotential perfect match and a family searches for their first dog.

7.00 TheDog House (R)A couple who dream of very different dogs are searching for apoochthey willboth agree on. 8.00 To Be Advised

9.00 Ambulance UK. (PGa, R)Emergency services respond to two separate reports of unexploded bombs in Greater Manchester,one with aprimary school and anurserynearby.Anelderlylady is found on the floor outside thebus station. 11.30 TheCheap Seats. (Mal, R) Presenters MelanieBracewell and Tim McDonald takealookatthe week thatwas. 12.30 HomeShopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.

Olympic Games Paris2024.Day 15: Afternoon. 6.00 OlympicGames Paris2024. Day 15: Night 10.30 OlympicGamesParis 2024.Day 15: Late night Midnight Olympic GamesParis 2024 Day 15: Postmidnight 3.00 Olympic GamesParis 2024.Day 15: Overnight

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Morning Programs. 11.00 RugbyLeague. NRLWomen’s P’ship. Roosters vTigers 12.30pm Rugby League.NRL Women’s P’ship.CanberraRaiders vCronulla Sharks. 2.30 RugbyUnion. RugbyC’ship.AustvSouth Africa. 4.30 Test Rugby:Post-Match. 5.00 The Nanny 6.00 Olympic GamesParis 2024.Day 15: Night 7.00 Rugby League. NRL.Dragons vCanterbury Bulldogs 9.25 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 1pm Blokesworld. 1.30 Search4Hurt. (Return) 2.00 Rides Down Under: Aussie Truckers. 3.00 Drag Racing. National Competition. 4.00 BarrettJackson:RevvedUp. 5.00 Counting Cars. 5.30 Storage Wars 6.00 Pawn Stars. 7.00 Storage Wars. 7.30 MOVIE: The Sapphires. (2012, PG) 9.40 MOVIE: About ABoy.(2002, M)

Sunday, August 11

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8) 6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 WeekendBreakfast. 9.00 Insiders 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 World

This Week.(R) 11.00 Compass. (R) 11.30 Praise. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Love Your Garden. (R) 2.15 GrandDesigns:The Streets.(Final,PG, R) 3.05 Dream Gardens. (R) 3.35 Extraordinary Escapes. (R) 4.30 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery.(Final, PG, R) 5.00 Restoration Australia. (PG, R)

6.00 Antiques Roadshow Hosted by FionaBruce.

7.00 ABCNews. Alookatthe topstories of the day 7.30 Vera (Ma, R) Part 2of4 9.05 Fifteen-Love (Mal) As Justine spirals in the aftermath of the tribunal, she begins to obsess over an Americanexchangeplayer.

Unforgotten. (Mal, R) Cassie and Sunny interview the suspects.

10.40 Fisk. (PG,R) 11.10 Annika. (Ma, R) 11.55 Frayed. (Mals, R) 12.40 Noughts+ Crosses. (Mal, R) 1.40 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.00 Classic Countdown. (PG, R) 4.00 Landline.(R) 4.30 Art Works.(R) 5.00 Insiders. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

AndMe. 4.20 Late Programs.

6am MorningPrograms. 1.30pm MOVIE: Frog Dreaming. (1986,PG) 3.10 Going Places. 3.35 Unsettled. 4.05 Kairakau. 4.35 The Beaver Whisperers. 5.35 DukeEllington AndHis Orchestra. 6.10 News. 6.20 Yellowstone. 7.30 How Hip Hop Changed The World. 8.30 Karen Dalton: In My Own Time 10.10 MOVIE: Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story.(2021, PG) 11.50 Late Programs. NITV (34)

6.00 MorningPrograms. 11.05 My Unique B&B. 12.00 WorldWatch. 12.30 PBS Washington Week With TheAtlantic. 12.55 Swan Football. (R) 1.00 Motorcycle Racing. ProMX Championship.Round 7. 4.00 Such WasLife. (R) 4.10 Ireland In Music: Sclimpini. 4.40 Britain’s Scenic Railways. (R) 5.35 Tony Robinson’s Forgotten WarStories. (PGavw,R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews. 7.30 Secret LivesOfThe Roman Emperors (PGals) Explores thelife of aRoman emperor

8.40 MOVIE: Robin’sWish. (2020,Ma, R) An intimate portrait of actor and comedian Robin Williams and his invulnerable spirit.Susan Schneider Williams, John Montgomery.

10.10 MOVIE: Merkel. (2022, PGal, R, German) Angela Merkel. 11.55 WhitneyHouston & Bobbi Kristina. (Madlv,R) 1.25 24 Hours In Emergency (Mal, R) 2.20 8Out Of 10 Cats DoesCountdown. (Mls, R) 3.10 Hell On Earth: WWII. (Mav,R) 4.05 Peer To Peer.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature 5.30 Al JazeeraNews.

6am Morning Programs. Noon Hudson &Rex 1.40 Most Expensivest. 2.10 How To RobABank. 3.00 Stacey DooleySleeps Over 4.50 WorldWatch. 5.20 PBS Washington Week With The Atlantic. 5.45 The Machines That Built America. 6.35 Great Australian Walks With Julia Zemiro 7.35 Abandoned Americana. (Premiere) 8.30 Myths: The Greatest Mysteries Of Humanity 9.35 WWE Legends. 11.10 Late Programs. 6am MorningPrograms. 7.20 The Bridge On The River Kwai. (1957,PG) 10.20 ThirteenDays.(2000 M) 1pm ARiver Runs ThroughIt. (1992, PG) 3.15 Riding Alone ForThousands Of Miles. (2005, PG, Japanese) 5.15 Lola. (1961, PG, French) 6.50 Earth To Echo.(2014,PG) 8.30 Monty Python’sLifeOf Brian. (1979, M) 10.15 My Little Sister.(2020,MA15+, German) 12.10am Late Programs.

6.00 Better HomesAnd Gardens. (R) 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 TheMorning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Football. VFL.Round 20 FrankstonvFootscray 2.40 AFL Pre-Game Show. 3.00 Football. AFL.Round 22. Richmond vStKilda.

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Dancing With TheStars (PGl) Hosted by Dr Chris Brown and Sonia Kruger

9.25 Miniseries: Malprac tice. (MA15+av) Part 5of5.George and Norma must decide if they can trustLucinda as her search for thetruth becomes dangerousand she finds herself turning to help from unexpected places.

10.30 BornToKill? Allan Legere. (MA15+v,R)Alookat serial killer AllanLegere.

12.30 Lipstick Jungle. (Mds, R) Victory argueswithDahlia.

1.30 Harr y’sPractice. (R)

2.00 Home Shopping (R)

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

5.00 Sunrise 5am News.

5.30 Sunrise.

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 Olympic Games Paris 2024 Day15: Earlymorning 7.00 TodayInParis. Presented by Sarah Abo and Karl Stefanovic. 11.00 9News Morning Weekend. 12.00 OlympicGames Paris 2024: Encore. Hosted by Todd Woodbridge

6.00 9NewsSunday.

7.00 OlympicGames Paris 2024

Day 16:Night. Events may include: cycling track; women’s basketball; men’s waterpolo.

10.30 Olympic Games Paris 2024 Day 16:Late night. Events may include: men’s waterpolo,gold medal match; women’s basketball, gold medal match.

12.00 Olympic Games Paris 2024

Day 16: Post midnight. Events may include: women’s basketball, gold medal match.

2.00 Olympic Games Paris 2024 Day 16:Overnight.Events may include: Olympicsreview

5.00 Olympic GamesParis2024

Closing Ceremony. Coverage of the Closing Ceremony of the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad from Stade de France

6.30 TheSundayProjec t. Panellists dissect,digestand reconstitutethe daily news, events and hottest topics. 7.30 MOVIE: TopGun: Maverick. (2022, Mlv,R)Anaviatortrainsa detachment of TopGun graduates for amission while confronting the ghosts of his past. TomCruise, Miles Teller,Jennifer Connelly 10.00 MOVIE: TopGun. (1986,Ms, R) Students at an elite US flyingschool for advancedfighterpilotscompete against each other to be the best in the class. TomCruise, KellyMcGillis, ValKilmer 12.05 TheSundayProjec t. (R) Alook at the day’snews. 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBSMorning s. Morning newsand talk show.

Monday, August 12

ABCTV (2)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News

Mornings. 10.00 Landline.(R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 IWas Actually There. (PG, R) 1.30 Back Roads. (PG, R) 2.00 Parliament QuestionTime. 2.55 Restoration Australia. (R) 3.55 Griff ’s Canadian Adventure. (PG, R) 4.40 Grand Designs. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 6.00 WorldWatch. 9.10 Paul O’Grady:For The Love Of Dogs. (PGa,R) 10.10 Great Canal Journeys. (R) 11.05 Victorian House Of Arts And Crafts. (R) 12.10 WorldWatch. 2.05 The Toys That Built TheWorld.(Ma, R) 2.55 Festivals. (Premiere) 3.25 TheCook Up.(PG,R) 3.55 Who Do YouThink YouAre? (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABCNews.

7.30 7.30 Presented by Sarah Ferguson. 8.00 AustralianStory (Return) PresentedbyLeigh Sales.

8.30 Four Corners. Investigative journalism programexposingscandals, firingdebateand confrontingtaboos.

9.15 Media Watch (PG) Hosted by Paul Barry

9.35 Q+A. (Return)Presented by Patricia Karvelas.

10.35 ABC Late News.

10.50 TheBusiness. (R)

11.10 PlanetAmerica. (R)

11.40 Vera (Ma, R)

1.10 Parliament Question Time. 2.10 Grand Designs.(R) 2.55 Griff ’s Canadian Adventure (PG,R) 3.45 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Landline. (R) 5.00 Art Works.(PG, R)

5.30 7.30.(R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.30 Robson Green’sWeekend Escapes: KennyAtkinson. Kenny Atkinson joins Robson Green.

8.40 Into TheGobiDeser tWith Nick Knowles. (PGa) Part 3of3.Nick Knowles’ adventure continues as he leaves theGobiDesert to travel to Ulaanbaatar

9.30 24 HoursInEmergency: AShoulder To Lean On. (Mal)

Apedestrian is injured in an accident.

10.30 SBS World NewsLate. 11.00 House Of Promises. (Premiere, Mans) 12.45 AFrench Case. (Mas, R) 2.40 Planet SexWith CaraDelevingne. (Mals, R) 4.20 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHKWorld English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight

6.00 Sunrise 9.00 TheMorning Show. (PG) 11.30 SevenMorningNews 12.00 MOVIE: Therapy Nightmares. (2022, Mav) 2.00 Catch Phrase. (PG) 3.00 TheChase. (R) 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChase Australia.

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Home And Away (PG)Cash and Eden celebrate with friends.

7.30 Dancing WithThe Stars. (Final, PGal) In the grand finale, the remaining celebritiesand their partners battleitout forthe mirrorball trophy

9.55 Aler t: Missing Persons Unit. (Mav) Themystery surrounding Keith’s disappearance starts to unravel as he shareshis storywithJason and Nikki.

10.55 TheLatest: SevenNews.

11.25 InsideBelmarsh Prison. (MA15+v,R)Part 1of2

12.30 TheEvent. (Mav,R)

Sean blackmails Vicky

1.30 Harr y’sPractice. (R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

5.00 Sunrise 5am News.

5.30 Sunrise.

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Children’s

6.00 Olympic GamesParis 2024 Closing Ceremony Continued. 7.15 Today 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning 12.00 Olympic GamesParis 2024:Encore 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30

6.00 9News.

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 TheBlock. (Return, PGl)

Fivecompetitivecouples head to Victoria’s PhillipIsland to renovate fivehousesinanold holiday resort.

9.20 Olympic Games Paris 2024 Closing Ceremony (R) Coverage of the Closing Ceremony of the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad from Stade de France

12.15 TheFirst48: Knock At The Door/The BraveOne. (Mav)A man is murdered in frontofhis fiancée.

1.05 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

2.00 HelloSA. (PG,R)

2.30 Global Shop. (R)

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Vic tor y. (PGa)

4.30 ACurrent Affair (R)

5.00 TodayEarly News. 5.30 Today.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal Hosted by Grant Denyer

6.30 TheProjec t Alookatthe day’snews.

7.30 Hunted. (Return, PGl) Ninepairs of everyday Aussies go on the runasfugitives who havetaken part in abank robbery. 9.10 Have YouBeenPaying Attention? (Malns)Celebrity panellists compete to see who can remember the most about eventsofthe week 10.10 Ghosts. (PGs)Alberta hits it off with apoltergeist. 10.35 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sportand weather 11.00 TheProjec t. (R)A look at theday’s news. 12.00 TheLate ShowWith Stephen Colber t. (PG)Hosted by Stephen Colbert 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBSMorning s. 6am WorldWatch.

9.30 Small Business Secrets. 10.00 Front Up 2001 11.00 Turban Legend: Untold Australia. 12.05pm WorldWatch. 12.35 Deafinition. 12.45 Curse Of Oak Island. 2.15 Insight. 3.15 WorldWatch. 5.30 Curse Of OakIsland. 6.15 Forged In Fire. 7.00 Jeopardy! 7.25 We’reAll Gonna Die (EvenJay Baruchel) 8.00 Cycling. Tour De France Femmes. Stage 1. Midnight Late Programs.

9GEM (92,81)

6am MorningPrograms. 8.00 MillionDollar Minute 9.00 Harry’sPractice. 9.30 The Hotel Inspector 10.30 Better Homes. 1pm This Rugged Coast. 2.00 Weekender. 2.30 My Greek Odyssey. 3.30 Harry’sPractice. 4.00 Medical Emergency. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 IEscaped To The Country 6.30 BargainHunt. 7.30 Doc Martin 8.30 Foyle’s War. 10.30 Great Rail Restorations. 11.30 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Skippy. 10.30 World’sGreatest Engineering Icons. 11.30 My Favorite Martian Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.55 The Young AndThe Restless. 1.50 Explore. 2.05 Dales ForSale 3.05 Antiques Roadshow 3.35 MOVIE: The Amorous Prawn. (1962) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 AntiquesRoadshow 7.30 Death In Paradise. 8.40 Grantchester 9.50 Coroner 10.50 Late Programs.

(2018,PG, Swedish) 7.30 Viajeros. (2022, PG, Spanish) 9.10 Riding Alone For Thousands Of Miles. (2005,PG, Japanese) 11.10 Real Genius. (1985,M) 1.05pm TheBridgeOnThe River Kwai.(1957,PG) 4.05 Charade. (1963,PG) 6.10 Good Night,And GoodLuck. (2005,PG) 7.50 The Innocence. (2019,M,Catalan) 9.30 The Ides Of March.(2011,M) 11.25 Late Programs. 7MATE (73,64) 6am Morning Programs. 1.50pm Kutcha’s Carpool Koorioke 2.00 Shortland St 2.30 The Cook Up 3.00 Jarjums 3.35

9GO! (93, 82)

7.00 Young Sheldon. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: 17 Again. (2009, PG) 10.30 Seinfeld. 11.30 Young Sheldon. Midnight Below Deck 1.00 Made In Chelsea. 2.00 TheNanny 3.00 Bakugan.

Tuesday, August 13

ABCTV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 MorningPrograms. 8.00 WorldWatch. 11.00 Finding Creativity.(PG, R) 12.00 Cycling. Tour de France Femmes. Stage1 Highlights. 1.00 WorldWatch. 2.05 Such WasLife. (PG,R) 2.15 Inside Balmoral. (PGa, R) 3.05 Railway Vietnam. (R) 3.35 TheCook Up.(R) 4.05 Jeopardy! (R) 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 Tour De France Femmes Highlights Review

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG, R) 6.30 SBS WorldNews

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Foreign Correspondent. (R) 10.30 Kurt Fearnley’sOne Plus One. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 The Newsreader. (Ml, R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 2.55 Restoration Australia. (R) 3.55 Griff ’s Canadian Adventure (PG,R) 4.40 Grand Designs.(PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

7.30

IWas Ac tually There: Beaconsfield MineDisaster (Final,Ml) 8.35 TheSecret LivesOfOur Urban Birds: Perth. Presented by Dr Ann Jones. 9.25 TheArt Of (PG) Presented by NamilaBenson.

9.55 Anh’s Brush With Fame: Michelle Payne. (R) 10.20 ABC LateNews.

10.35 TheBusiness. (R) 10.55

3.40 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.25 Landline. (R) 4.55 Art Works.(PG,R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

7.30 GreatBritish Railway Journeys: Lincoln To York. 8.30 Insight. Presented by Kumi Taguchi. 9.30 Dateline: Venice’s Tourist Overload Alook at the impact of tourismonVenice. 10.00 SBSWorld NewsLate 10.30 ThePoint: Road Trip (R) 11.30 Babylon Berlin. (Premiere, MA15+ansv) 1.20 Christian. (MA15+v,R) 4.20 Peer To Peer (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

WorldWatch.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The MorningShow. (PG) 11.30 SevenMorningNews 12.00 MOVIE: Dir ty Little Deeds. (2021, Mav) 2.00 MotorbikeCops. (PG, R) 2.15 CatchPhrase. (PG) 3.00 TheChase. (R) 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChase Australia. 6.00 Today 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 TheBlock. (PGl, R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home And Away (PGa) Cash is left in the dark. 7.30 The1%Club UK. (PGl) LeeMack hostsa game showwhere contestants must answer increasingly obscure questions.

8.30 Britain’s Got Talent. (Final, PGa) The remainingcontestants compete in front of the celebrity judgesAmanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli and Simon Cowell foracash prizeof £250,000.Hosted by Ant and Dec.

11.15 TheLatest: SevenNews. 11.45 ExtendedFamily (PGa) 12.45 HoleyMoleyAustralia. (PGas, R) 2.30 HomeShopping. (R)

4.00 NBCToday

5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

Front Up 2001. 11.00 UntoldAustralia. 12.05pm WorldWatch. 12.35 Molly And Cara. 12.45 Flavour Swap 1.10 Curse Of Oak Island. 1.55 Kickin’Back. 2.30 Cycling. Tour de France Femmes. H’lights. 3.30 WorldWatch. 5.30 Cycling. Tour De France Femmes. 8.05 Jeopardy! 8.30 Alone. 9.40 Hoarders 11.20 TrainspottingWith Francis Bourgeois. 11.40 Late Programs. 6am MorningPrograms. 10.30 This Rugged Coast. 11.30

6.00 9News.

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 TheBlock. (PGl) The couples get straight down to business building the main bathroom in abattle to win prizesvalued at $140,000

8.45 To Be Advised.

10.45 9News Late.

11.15 ChicagoMed (MA15+am) Adocumentarycrewvisits the hospital. 12.05 TippingPoint. (PG,R)

1.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 2.00 World’sGreatest Natural Wonders: Glaciers. (R)

3.00 TV Shop:HomeShopping. (R) 4.00 Believer ’s Voice Of Vic tor y. (PGa) 4.30 ACurrent Affair (R)

TodayEarly News. 5.30 Today.

Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Call TheMidwife 8.45 ATouch Of Frost. 11.00 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 10.30 World’sGreatestEngineeringIcons. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.55 TheYoung And TheRestless 1.50 Death In Paradise 3.00 Explore 3.05 Antiques Roadshow 3.35 MOVIE: Carry On Cruising. (1962) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow 7.30 New Tricks 8.40

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by GrantDenyer 6.30 TheProjec t. Alook atthe day’snews. 7.30 Hunted. (PGl)Everyday Aussies remain on the run. 8.40 TheCheap Seats. (Mal) Presenters Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald takealookatthe weekthat was.

Politicalpantomimes running riot

LATROBE Valley residents should be appalled that Councillor Melissa Fergusonhas been hounded out of office by a'Mean Girls' style bullying campaign from political rivals and local activists who unfairlysmeared her character and weaponised the legal system to censor her right to free speech ('Ferguson opts out of council', Latrobe Valley Express,30/07/24).

Free speech is the indispensable ingredient for arobust democracy that allows avariety of perspectives to be ventilated through public debate.

The extraordinary hate campaign waged against Cr Ferguson aftershe had the courage to defend the rightsofwomanand children fromthe lunaticleft mob whichcurrently busies itself with the destruction of women's sport and childhood innocence is achilling reminder of the threat that left-wing extremism poses to Australian democracy. Moreover, this sorrysagaexposes the debasement of representative democracy and the disturbing truth that the satirical TV series Yes Minister has been adopted as an instruction manual rather than acautionary tale.

Far from having elected representatives make decisions based on their conscientious consideration of their own principles and the interests of their constituents, elections have become little more thanapolitical pantomime contestedbythe red team and the blue team who vie for nothing more than the right to be the unthinking mouthpieces for the bureaucratic careerists who make all the decisions behind the scenes without regard to electoral sentiment.

Little wonder that councillors have nothing better to do with their time than misuse the legal system to litigate their own precious hurt feelings.

Nicholas Tam Traralgon East

Plea fortolerance

AS aresident of Traralgon and atotally blind person, Iamwriting to express my growing frustration and concern over recentincidents involving young individuals stealing money from me while Ibusk in the street.

Despitebeing caught by witnesses,these youths have repeatedly managed to run off, leaving me unsure of how much they have stolen.

Last week, another young person was caught in the act of stealing money from my case. Additionally, these youths have been disturbing other people in the community for no apparent reason.

This behaviour not only disrupts the peace but also threatens the sense of safety and security that all residents deserve.

It is disheartening that individuals like myself, who are contributing to the vibrancy of our community through street performances, are being targeted.

As acommunity, we all have the same rights to live freely and securely.

Iurgelocal authoritiesand thecommunity to take theseincidents seriouslyand work together to ensure that everyone can enjoy asafeand welcoming environment in Traralgon.

Phillip Chalker Traralgon

No comparison

IHAVE read and appreciated the generally reasoned and rational debate on the future of power sources in this state andcountry, in last week's Express, (31/07/24).

Ihave especially appreciated balanceonthe topic beingredressed, by Dan Caffrey, John Stewart, Joe

Pugh and Lorraine Bull, whilst acknowledging the seemingly objective and reasonable views of John Cameron and Anthony Wasiukiewicz.

Then we have the inimitable Joseph Lis, whose Trump-like analogies continue to run riot.

To reference "the comical clown show "in US politics ('Drastic parallels', LVE Opinion31/07/24), by condemning only the Democrats,isdisingenuous or deluded.

This is followed by aligning the views of ademocratically elected leading Australian politicianwith those of aformer murderous and world threatening tyrant, terrorist and dictator, and negates any reasonable debate.

This simply says it all about the zealotry of Mr Lis, and no doubt further muddle headed analogies with thelikes of Hitler,Mussolini andStalin await.

It's probably too late, but truly Mr Lis, you need to "get agrip"

John Duck Trafalgar

Save us from saviours

IN the celebrated 17th-century Spanishnovel, Don Quixote de la Mancha,Don Quixote is the deluded hero who believes he can save the world from imaginary disaster.

In modern times, our deluded Climate Change and Energy Minister, the reality-proofChris 'Blackout Bowen', is on asimilarmission to save the world from his imaginary enemy -global warming.

The cost of this fabricated and illusionary venture in terms of eternal poverty and misery to millions of Australians via ever-higher gas and electricity bills are irrelevant to him.

No price is too high in such aquest

Thus, decisions are made on ideological rather than practicalgrounds.

Totallyignoring and turning ablind eye to engineering realityinfavourofhis own insane fantasies, Bowen sees no contradiction in the illogical non sequitur that China emits more Co2 greenhouse gases into the 'global' atmosphere in 16 days than Australia does in an entire year!

So, like the Spanish knight-errant of old, Bowen continues to fight the impossible fight.

Don Quixotewas assisted by his faithful servant, Sancho Panza; our Minister has summoned his

generation of today (‘Has the time come?’,LVE Opinion 24/07/24).

Your suggestion to the Editor re Oliver’s letters, to forfeit his right to be represented in Opinion has shades of leftism and adanger to our freedom of speech.

As for Ian Whitehead’s (‘Poison pen’, 24/07/24) comments regarding Daniel Andrews’ award and the Titanic -noone will ever get over it.

Maybe when the author of that t-shirt has suffered atragic event, their way of thinking may change.

Andrews, like the Titanic will never be forgotten by Victorians.

There are those of us who appreciate Opinion in the Latrobe Valley Express

There are always two sides to adebate.

Ifeel sorry that the Dandenong Star Journal does not extend this service to its readers.

On another note,tothe botched up rebuilding of Tyres Bridge. Both sides of the river are higherthan the water level.Even Blind Freddie would have taken the levelofthe road as aguideline.Just another government mess.

We elect agovernment to look after us but now find that they are incompetent.

faithful servant, Sancho Chalmers, who promises 'robust interventions' (code for ever more subsidies for wind turbines and solar panels with back-up batteries), to assist him in his battle. Abattle that involves not only the extreme idealism and destruction of one man's sanity, but moreover the destruction of the entire Australian economy.

Joseph Lis Morwell

Eyes wide open

IN response to John Duck ('Loud and clear' 31/07/24).

Ihave been involved with anumber of community groups and attended council meetings in the City of Whittlesea for 20 years and the Mitchell Shire Council for 15 years.

Iknow exactly what sort of people we have at all levels of government in this country.

As for my reading, let me give you afew examples of some past 'Green' statements.

In October 1970, Ecologist Dr Paul Ehrlich said that the "oceans will be as dead as Lake Erie in less than adecade".

In September 1988, The Canberra Times reported that "the Maldivesdrinking water supplies will dry up by 1992".

In December2008, Al Gore predicted, "The North Polar Ice Cap will be gone in five years". December2009then Prince Charlessaid, "We have 96 months to save the world."

In May 2014, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabios said "We have 500 days to avoid climate chaos."

Here in Australia, we have Anthony Albanese, Chris Bowen and Adam Bandt and all are tarred with the same 'Green' brush.

Isuggest that people read a Canadian Free Press article by Judi McLeod from March 13, 2007 titled 'Creators of carbon credit scheme cashing in on it' about Maurice Strong and Al Gore. Avery revealing article, especially about Al Gore.

Brian Mawhinney Traralgon

People won’tforget

MR Duck, your 54 years of teaching were not wasted and is probably attributed to thosewho can still think for themselves, unlike the woke

They claimthey knew nothing about the CFMEU

The lights are on but no one is home..

Thank goodness for newspapers, they can keep us posted on their incompetence.

Patricia Correa Traralgon

THE Latrobe Valley Express welcomes letters to the editor.

Preference will be given to brief, concise letters which address local issues.

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

TheExpress doesnot publishletters from anonymous contributors.

Letters must include aphone number, email address and the author'shometown for purposes of substantiating authenticity. Readers are entitled to aright of reply to a letter directed at them.

While healthy debate is encouraged, the editor will use his discretion if he believes letters are becoming slagging matches between writers.

The views expressed in letters to the editor are those of the writers, anddonot necessarily reflect the views of Latrobe Valley Express management or staff.

The letters section is designed to allow people to have their say, and not be hijacked for political agendas.

Letters involving religion will not be published.

Email letters to news@lvexpress.com.au and include 'Letter to the Editor' in thesubjectline. Deadline for letters is Thursday 3pm.

Backing: Letter writer Nicholas Tamhas writteninsuppor tofoutgoing Councillor Melissa Ferguson. Photograph supplied

Business Guide

Business Guide

KEVIN and JulieFleming runalocal business and have morethan 20 years’ experience in the tree industry.

The business wasestablished to fulfil aservice for qualitytree pruning,wood chipping,stump removals and specialised tree worksinthe Gippsland region.

Their newaddition to there machineryisthis'Spiderlift'. It will fit intoany area that can be accessed by aregular gateway.This is a great waytoprune or remove any of those trees that have grownin adifficult area foraccess,and it eliminates the need forclimbing

Fleming's coverevery aspect of tree careand maintenance with fullyequipped trucks,chippers, travel towers, bobcat and tip trucks to provide different services to meet your unique requirements Their services arededicated to both residential and commercial customers.

FLEMING’S TREE SERVICES

Fleming’sTreeServices have two qualified Arborists,theycomplete all work requirements at the highest standardwithcustomer satisfaction guaranteed. Fleming's has gained areputation for qualityworkmanship and aprompt, reliable service at very reasonable rates.

Kevin and Julieoffer free quotes and qualityadvice with very competitiveprices and apensioner discount offeredaspar tofthe overall package

Fleming’sTreeServices complies with all WorkSafe specifications and public liabilityinsurance to coverall conditions.Safetyisthe number one priority.

No job is toobig or small, so call 0412862 796 todayfor afree quotefor all your tree maintenance needs

Alternatively, email at: admin@ flemingstrees.com.au

Feast of theSacredHeart

SACRED Heart Primary School, Morwell celebrated the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus recently.

Throughout the day, students participated in activities across all aged groups to celebrate the occasion.

The juniors came upstairs and buddied up with a senior students and coloured aFeast of the Sacred Heart Logo in pastels, decorated biscuits in school colours and enjoyed the last session of the day at a whole class assembly singing songs themed around theSacred Heart Feast day.

Ali, one of the senior students, contributed to the day by playing his guitar at assembly.

Hazelwood NorthPrimarySchool’s thrills andadventures of Term 2

HAZELWOODNorth Primary School (HNPS)was transformed into abattleground on the last day of Term 2.

The entire school engaged in acolossal game of Capture the Flag.

The oval became astrategic landscape as the two teams clashed in athrilling contest of speed, agility, and teamwork.

The air wasfilled with cheers, laughter, and the occasional strategic shout as players raced to capture the enemy flag while defending their own.

Age was no barriertothe competitive enthusiasm and alot of fun was had by all.

 ELSEWHERE, the school celebrated NAIDOC Week celebrations recently.

HNPS embraced the spirit of NAIDOC Weekwith avibrant celebration to start Term 3.

While the official week fell during the school holidays, the school ensuredthat students had the opportunity to learn and appreciate Indigenous culture through aseries of engaging activities.

Celebrations began with an energetic and captivating visit fromanIndigenous performer,Majeda Beatty, aMurri Island girl.

Students and staff actively participatedinthe

learning of language and dances that are traditional to her country and were eager to learn and ask questions.

Students also participated in avarietyofcultural activities, exploring Indigenous artefacts, language, and games.

HNPS wished to extend aheartfelt thanks to Aunty Marg, Laurie Marks, and Tre Moffatt for coming into the school to share their knowledge and culture with students.

 HNPS is never short of creativity.

Grade 1/2 students spread joy during lunchtime by setting up apuppetgiveaway stall.

The young crafters generouslyshared theirhandmade puppets, encouraging play and imagination among their peers.

Meanwhile,the sandpitisturninginto Bikini Bottom, with an epic pineapple house taking shape!  LAST month, Berry and Polly from the responsible pet ownership program visited the school.

Big smilesand lotsoffun was hadbyall,as students learnedhow to greet dogs safely and become responsible pet owners through singing, dancing, and role-playing.

Students see their possibilities at Phillip Island careers conference

WITH aplethoraofchoices at theirdisposal, St Paul’s Year 10 students attended acareers conference in Phillip Island to help them get aclear vision of their possibilities.

Students rotated through different activities, all with different purposes at the conference.

Students enjoyedabeachwalk, presentationsfrom St Paul's staff, adisco, crate climbingand sessions run by Tyson Day, while coming together at the end of the conference to enjoy aformal dinner.

The dinner hosted special guest Jarra Davis, aClass of 2020 alumnus, to speak withthe students about embracing change and opportunity when it’s possible.

Happening annually,the Year 10 Careers Conferenceisagreat opportunity for students to get agrasp on what VCE is, and how to navigate subject selection while keeping in mind how their choices will accommodate their tertiary education.

Eyetothe future: Inspired by hisspeech, Will stands withJarra. Photograph supplied

Art: Sacred HeartPrimarySchool, Morwell students Jordan and Houstonenjoy their colouring in.

Creative: Chasewith his artwork. Trio: Sarah, Thanmayaand Indrani.

Photographs supplied

DAIRY SALE

Monday, 19th August 2024 at 11am VLE Koonwarra Saleyards 80 Holstein &Holstein/Jersey x Cows &Heifers 80 A/C WATERSIDE OPERATIONS

50 - 2yo Holstein &Holstein /Jersey xHeifers.

to Jersey bulls to commence calving 20th August for 6weeks

OAKDALE DAIRIES 30 - Freshly calved Holstein Cows &Heifers

further details contact: Michael Robertson 0484 041 653 Phil Malcolm 0408 559 408 Tom Hanrahan 0437 718 055

PUBLIC NOTICE

Planning and Environment Act 1987

LATROBE PLANNING SCHEME

Notice of the preparation of an amendment to aplanning scheme

Amendment C143

Overview

The amendment proposes to apply the Public Acquisition Overlay (PAO) to part of 11 properties in Newborough ,p art of 11 properties in Morwell and part of 1p ro perty in Traralgon. Theamendment is required to reserve landidentified for‘road’ and/or ‘drainage/ open space re serve’ projects in the Lake Narracan Develop ment Contrib ution Plan (Newborough), the Morwell North West Development Planand Development Contributions Plan, or the Traralgon North Development Plan and Development Contributions Plan. The Amendment also makes minor changes to Clause 72.03 (What does this scheme consist of?) to include updated map references and Clause 74.01(Application of zones, overlays and provisions) to outline how the Public Acquisition Overlay implements the Municipal Planning Strategy.Applying the PAOtothe identified properties will in the long term allow Latrobe City Council to compulsoryacquirethe reserved land to deliver infrastructureto support Latrobe’s growing towns.

Forfurther details, refer to the explanatoryreport about the amendment

Details of the amendment

The Latrobe City Council planningauthorityhas prepared Amendment C143 to the Latrobe Planning Scheme.

The land affected by theamendment is:

1Thompsons Road, NEWBOROUGH, 1\LP142353

3Thompsons Road, NEWBOROUGH, 2\LP142353

10 Thompsons Road, NEWBOROUGH, 6\LP157245

5HayesRoad,NEWBOROUGH, 1\LP126050

Links Road, NEWBOROUGH, 2\PS636142

18 Thompsons Road, NEWBOROUGH, 1\TP594736

18 Thompsons Road, NEWBOROUGH, 1\TP248759

20 Thompsons Road, NEWBOROUGH, 3E\PP3273

22 Thompsons Road, NEWBOROUGH, 3H\PP3273

25 Thompsons Road, NEWBOROUGH, 1\TP582048

25A Thompsons Road, NEWBOROUGH, 2\TP582048

710John Field Drive, NEWBOROUGH, 34\LP121048

The amendment proposes to:

130Latrobe Road, MORWELL, 70E\PP3072

140Latrobe Road, MORWELL, 70D\PP3072

150Latrobe Road, MORWELL, 70C\PP3072

160Latrobe Road, MORWELL, 70B\PP3072

25 English Street ,MORWELL, 70L\PP3072

40 English Street ,MORWELL, 1\TP211967

55 English Street ,MORWELL, 14\LP11865

65 English Street ,MORWELL, 70H\PP3072

23 Jason Street ,MORWELL, 1\PS404523

77 Ashley Avenue, MORWELL, 19\LP111605

Heritage Boulevard, MORWELL, H\PS739559

50 Glendale Road, TRARALGON, 1\PS329021

Inserts Planning Scheme Map No.s 24PAO, 25PAO, 30PAO, 50PAO, 71PAO, and 76PAO to apply the Public Acquisition Overlay (PAO2 or PAO3)tothe 23 identified properties. Amends the Schedule to Clause 45.01(Public Acquisition Overlay) to make: Latrobe City Council the Acquiring Authority for the PAO2 with the purpose of the acquisition as ‘Road projects’ Latrobe City Counc il as the acq uir ing author ity for the PA O3 wi th th ep ur pose of acquisition ‘Drainage /Open space reserves.’

Amends the schedule to Clause 72.03 –What does this planning scheme consist of? to reference 24PAO, 25PAO, 30PAO, 50PAO, 71PAO, and 76PAO.

Amendsthe schedule to Clause74.01–Applicationofzones,overlays and provisions to outline how the Public Acquisition Overlay implements the Municipal PlanningStrategy Youmay inspect the amendment ,any documents that support the amendment and the explanatory report about the amendment, free of charge, at: the Depart ment of Transport and Pla nning webs ite https ://www.pl anning.vic .gov.au / planning-schemes/amendments/amendments-on-exhibitionorbycontacting1800789 386 to arrange atime to view the amendment documentation. the Latrobe City Council website at www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/C144. during office hours, at the office of the planningauthority,Latrobe City Council Corporate Headquarters141 Commercial Road, Morwell; Churchill Service Centre9-11PhilipParade, Churchill; Moe Service Centre1-29GeorgeStreet ,Moe; and Traralgon Service Centre 34-38 KayStreet ,Traralgon

Make asubmission:

Anyperson may make asubmission to the planning authority about the amendment Submissions must be made in writing giving the submitter’s name and contact address, cle arly stati ng the groun ds on which the a me ndmen ti ss uppo rted or op posed and indicatingwhat changes (if any) the submitterwishes to make.

Name and contact details of submitters arerequired for the planning authority to consider submissionsand to notify such persons of the opportunitytoattend planning authority meetings and any public hearing held to consider submissions.

The closing date for submissions is 5pm 9September2024. Asubmission must be sent to the Latrobe CityCouncil PO Box264,Morwell Victoria3840orvia email latrobelatrobe.vic.gov.au.

The planning authority mustmake acopy of everysubmission available at its office and/ or its website for any person to inspect free of charge until the end of the twomonths after the amendment comes into operation or lapses.

STEVEN PIASENTE

ChiefExecutive Officer

BUSINESS FORSALE

HiAce Maxi Taxi WITH WORK

DELIVERERS WTD

Would you like to deliver the Latrobe Valley Express newspaper to individual homes on Tuesday and/or Wednesday afternoons in Morwell, Traralgon, Moe, Newborou gh and Churchill? Please apply to the Circulation Manager 0456 000 541. Please note: Children must be 11 years or over as we will need to apply for agovernment Child Emplo ym ent Pe rmit Children younger than 11 cannot or will not be accepted. Adult deliverers also welcome.

ELECTRICAL APPRENTICE

Areyou alogical thinker with good diagnostic ability? Do you enjoy maths and technical tasks? If you have anatural eye for detail and an interest in electricalcircuits and networks,becoming an ElectricalApprentice could be for you!

BasedatLoy Yang BPowerStation,Victoria’s newestand most efficient coal-fired power station, you will work with an experienced and passionate team of people committed to helping youlearn.

THE BESTBITS

No HECS-HELP debt

We will actually pay you to learn!

Placementswith other employers to broaden your experience, enhance your trade skills and develop valuable networks

Transferrable skills required for asuccessfulenergy transition and applicable to arange of industries

Opportunity to obtain aC er ti ficate III in Instrumentation and Control (UEE31220) upon completion of your electrical training

Host specific –four-day week, additional training (e.g., forklift ,EWP), perks

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

We ’rel ooki ng for motiv ate da pp li cant sw ho ha ve ag en ui ne

starting atrade career within the electrical industry.

Requirements:

Good communication skills

Reliabilityand Punctuality

Systematic problem solving

Good mathematical skills

Goodsafety awareness

Forfurther information or to apply use the QR code in this advertisement or visit https://go.programmed.com.au/job/details/62759

Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter explaining why you think you would be the ideal Electrical Apprentice.

Applications close Thursday, 22 August 2024.

or your state consumer affairs agency.

By adver tising in the local paper you can reach MORE than just your Facebook friends and unreliable internet sites! Let us do the hard work for you and reach all your media potentialin both print and on-line

...you DON’T have to make aspecial trip to Morwell to place classified ads?

Just pop into Moe NextraLotto, 1-3 MooreStMoe and the friendly staff can assist you. The only EXCEPTIONS are classified ads which contain aphoto

These will need to be placed at the Morwell Office, 21 George Street

5135 4455

Situations Vacant

ADMINISTRATION / RECEPTION

The LatrobeValley Express has an exciting opportunity for aperson to join our Administration Team, on acasual/part time basis.

Youwillbeable to demonstrate the following:

Reception and Administration duties

Computer literacy required

Must have attention to detail

Supportive working environment .Bepart of our friendly team.

Applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. Please send your detailed resume to: bseymour@lvexpress.com.au by Monday,19August 2024.

PERMANENT FULL TIME POSITION AVAILABLE

An opportunity is available for aqualifiedprinter to join our printing team in the web offset printing industry, producing newspapers.

Youwould be working as part of ateam on alternatingday and afternoon shifts, working a9day fortnight.

To be successful you must have:

• Printing Trade qualifications

• Astrong mechanical aptitude

• A‘cando’ attitude and commitment to task, whilst being prepared to work as part of ateam

• Current driver’s licence and reliable transport The abilitytoprint process colour and experience on acoldset Goss Community4 high press wouldbeadefinite advantage. Aforkliftlicence would also be an advantage, but not essential.

Please send Resume with References to:

Applications

Are

We are looking for astrategic and highly driven individual to join our team as the Team Leader System Automation (TLSA). This position will play acrucial role in managing the Water Supply East's district automation system and influencing future standardisation activities across all SRW districts. The TLSA will act as aculture leader, cultivating a positive and collaborative environment, and ensuring asupportive and productive space within the work group. To apply visit Careers at srw.com.au

CORPORATE SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR

Employing more than 40 locals, McMillans are a medium accounting, business advisory and financial planning firm based in Traralgon. They are 100% locally owned and operated, and work with clients across many industries, services and profe ssion st hr ough out Austr alia, thoug h predominantly in Gippsland. They have built a great team and culture.

On behalf of McMillans, we are currently looking for a Corporate Services Administrator. This role would be perfect for askilled and experienced administrator who is process driven, structured, has astrong attention to detail and enjoys ongoing learning.

APPRENTICE MECHANICAL FITTER

Areyou fascinated about how things areput together or ever wondered

This position can be either full time (with a monthly RDO) or part time (4 days) for the right applicant, it is ongoing and salary will be dependent on skills and experience. Any questions can be emailed to: rachel@hrsorted.com.au -pleasedonot contact McMillans.

To apply for this role, please search for 'McMillans' or 'HR Sorted' via www.seek.com.au and apply including your resume and

Applications close on 30 August, however we will consider applications once we have asuitable pool of applicants, so please apply asap.

Based at LoyYangBPower Station, Victoria’s

skillsand develop valuablenetworks

Transferrable skills required for asuccessfulenergy transiton and applicable to arange of industries

Host specific -four-day week,additional training (e.g. forklift ,EWP,welding, and hydraulics) perks

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

We’relooking for motivated applicants who have agenuine interest in starting atrade career within the mechanicalengineering industry.

Requirements:

Good communication skills

Reliability and Punctuality

Excellent mechanical aptitude

Good safety awareness

Forfurther information or to apply usethe QR code in this advertisement or visit https://go.programmed.com.au/job/details/62758.

Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter explaining why youthink you would be theideal Mechanical Fitter Apprentice.

Applications close Thursday, 22 August 2024.

you DON’T have to make a special trip to Morwell to place classified ads?

Just pop into NextraMoe, 1-3 MooreStMoe andthe friendly staff can assist you.

The only EXCEPTIONS are classified ads which contain aphoto. These will need to be placed at the Morwell Office, 21 George Street 5135 4455

REQUEST FOR TENDER

Council is seeking submissions from qualified companies/applicants for the following:

RFT/408 -Korumburra Rail Precinct -Stage 2

Tender closes 2pm AESTon Tuesday, 20 August 2024.

RFT/389 -NelsonStreet, FosterReconstruction

Tender closes 2pm AEST on Tuesday, 27 August 2024.

Documentation is available from Council's e-Tendering Portal www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/tenders

Motorcycles •

FORD Fairmont Sedan, '93, auto, cardinal red, garaged, reg. till 19 Jan 2025, FFM-088, 6cylinder, approx 125,000kms good cond. $6,500 ono. 0402 348 914.

HOLDEN HZ 1tonner, fully refurb., chassis repainted, new susp. inc. shockers, front/rear new coil springs, new brake/fuel lines, 4 barrel carby, Hitech extractors/twin exh., Supra gearbox, all rust removed, GTS dash rust free cab. $25,000. 0408 356 153.

HONDA Jazz, 2008, only 146,000km, manual, drives great, light body damage, engine number L13A14705528, $1990 as is. Phone 0409 565 497.

L'CRUISER

YAMAHA Virago, 250, 1999, 43,235kms ex/cond. recent road worthy, reg. till Dec., saddlebags, perfect learners bike. $3,500 o.n.o. Ph 0403 325 438.

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.

Selling avan?

Don't waste time waiting for buyers, or on endless consignment plans, sell it today we'll pay cash now. Affordable Caravans 0418 336 238, 5623 4782.

TVAN Scout, MK5, 2018, Camper trailer, numerous accessori es, exc/cond. minimal use due to covid travel restrictions. $67,000 neg. Ph 0419 116 812.

FERGY TRACTOR

Petrol, grey, very good condition, roll bar, good tyres all round, $6,800 o.n.o.

PULSAR SSS,2015, auto, reg. till June 2025, AEZ-934, r.w.c., new tyres, 90,500kms, great condition. $12,500 o.n.o. Ph Ian on 0418 559 294.

PACKAGE whereyour ad also runs in the Sale newspaper for you ASK ABOUT OUR Motoring Package Forthisgreat offer phone Classifieds direct on 5135 4455

FERRIS, Robert (Bob). Passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at home in Traralgon on 31 July 2024. Aged 86 years Loved and loving husband of Marie (dec.) for over 60 years. Much loved father and father-in-law of Kim and David, Peter and Lisa, Lisa (dec.) and Michael, Jenny and Jason. Adored Poppy Bob to his 10 grand children and 6 great grand children and their families. Reunited with his Beautiful Girls

CLARA BOS

7August 2024

You've always been a special Mum, way beyond compare. Thank you for always being there for us. Love Susan, Kim, Theo and Renè XXX.

FERRIS, Robert (Bob). The Members of the Traralgon Field and Game Club mourn the passing of our respected Life Member. Rest In Peace

MILES, Frank Paine. 9/12/1925 -25/7/2024. Only son of Bert and Vera. Brother to Marion (dec.). Loving and very much loved husband of Gwen (dec.).Adored father of Greg, Penny, Richa rd and John. Father-in-law to Berna (dec.), Chris and Vicki. Cherished grandfather to eight, and great grandfather to eleven, who brought him joy and pride. Treasured memories of a thoroughly decent man who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. In accordance with Frank's wishes, aprivate family Funeral will be held.

STEFFEN, Darren Guy 'Digger'. Passed away surrounded by family at Latrobe Regional Health after a long battle with MND on Friday 2August, 2024. Aged 57 years Loving husband to Helen for 23 years. Loving father to Peter and Loreli. Loved brother to Shane, Peter Jr (dec.) and Cheryl. Go the Roos!

STEVENSON, Brett William. Passed away unexpectedly at home, Friday 2August 2024. Aged 52 years

BUHAGIAR (née White), Angela 'Ange' Robyn. Passed away suddenly at home on Sunday 28 July, 2024. Aged 57 years Loving daughter to Robert and Edna (dec.). Loving sister to Robert and Deb. Loving partner to Trevor for 25 years. Caring, loving and devoted mum to Emma and Aaron, Belinda and Nik, Cindy and Rory, Samantha and Matt, Amy and Dillon. Adored nan to 10 grandchildren.

Forever in our hearts Reunited with Nanna Memories forever cherished

BUHAGIAR, Ange. Passed away 28 July, 2024. Ange, you left us too soon our hearts are broken. Condolences to Trev and your girls, and the rest of the family. Rest In Peace Russell (Bert), Norma and Kevin and Hannah.

BUHAGIAR, Angela Ange, things will never be the same at theStadium. Thank you for everything you did for us over the years! Trevor, Emma, Belinda, Cindy, Samantha, Amy and your extended families, our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. The STADIUM34 Team.

CROYDON, Maureen Thelma. Passed away peacefully at Narracan Gardens Aged Care Newborough on 1August 2024 surrounded by her loving family. Aged 86 years Dearly loved wife of Don (dec.). Much loved mother of Cherylanne, and Elaine. An adored nan and great

DICKASON, Anthony John (Tony). 17/8/1942 -5/8/2024. Loved son of Margaret and George (both dec.). Much loved husband of Verna. Loved father of Monica, Aaron, Steven, Rodney and Vicky. Loved grandpa to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Loved brother of Ian, Victor, Gregory, Bruce (dec.), Irene, Peter, Patricia and Joseph. The second to leave our clan Rest in peace Tony, say hi to Bruce

GORDON, Barry James. Passed away suddenly with family by his side at Latrobe Regional Health on Wednesday 31 July, 2024. Loving husband to Lynette (dec.) for 40 years and more recently to Elizabeth for 2years. Very loved father to Suzy and Jenny. Father-in-law to Nathan. Adored Papa to Izzy. Brother to Graham. Now with Jesus Until we meet again

GRENENGER (nee Peterson), Gloria May. With sadness we announce the passing of our much loved, kind and gentle mother and grandmother on Monday 29 July 2024. Aged 87 years Loved wife of Walter (dec.). Mother of Gail, Wayne and Andrea. Cherished nana to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Always gentleloving and kind, What lovely memories you leave behind, In God's care you rest above, In our hearts you rest with love.

GRENENGER, Gloria May. Aged 87 years young Passed away peacefully at Marjorie Cole on 29/7/2024. Dearly loved mother / mother-in-law to Gail and Robert. Grandmother to Daniel and Lee, Andrew and Jimmy, Jarrod and Lainey. You were someone special, Someone good and true, You will never be forgotten, We thought the world of you.

GRENENGER, Gloria May.

Aged 87 years young Dearly loved mother of Wayne. Grandmother to Claire and Rhys and family. Loving memories, days go, memories stay forever

HINCHCLIFFE (Lovejoy), Gloria. Passed away peacefully at Mitchell House on Thursday 1August, 2024. Loved wife of John and Ray (both dec.). Loving mum of Denise and Vin, Lee (dec.) and Greg, Ian (dec.) and Ruth, Jayne and Brian, Phil and Leanne. Cherished nana and grandma to her many grandchildren and their families. Our heartfelt thanks to the amazing staff at Mitchell House who cared for mum over the past months. "Mum's hold their families hands for awhile, but their hearts forever."

MILLER (nee Bullen), Margaret. Passed away peacefully at LRH, Friday, 2August 2024. Aged 93 years Loved and loving wife of Terrence (dec.). Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Gary and Dianne. Loving grandma of Kelly and Stacey. Great grandmother to four. At rest in God's garden

RENDELL, Una. Astrong and independent woman to the end. To Deb, Barry and families, deepest sympathy from the Leatham and Hall families.

RENDELL, Una. Deepest sympathy to Barry and Debbie and their families on the passing of Una. From the Yinnar Historical Society Members.

RICHTER, Josef Jupp. 25/11/1930 -24/7/2024.

To akind, generous, proud, independent man, with aterrific sense of humour.

Dad, you will be forever in our hearts. Once again united with our beautiful mother. Thank you for being a great father, husband, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather and aterrific friend. We will miss you dearly and treasure all the wonderful memories.

You were the best!

Love Ron, Sandra, Alanna, Joe, Kurt, Kiarra, Dom, Belinda, Bill, Ella, Domi, Tim, Michael, Alisa, Bobby, Summer, Gia and Sienna.

SCURRAH, Leonard James (Len). 28/9/1954 -2/8/2024. Passed away peacefully at Gold Coast University Hospital QLD, surrounded by his loving family. Much loved husband of Chris, loving and proud dad and father-in-law to Ainslee and Adam, Meagan and Wade, Nathan and Sarah. Adored Pop of his precious grandkids Layla, Lewis, Emmersyn, Jack, Clayton and Harry.

Life will never be the same without you in it, and we will love and miss you forever. You are, and always will be our world and the light of our lives.

Until we meet again love you more

SCURRAH, Lenny. Yinnar Football Netball Club would like to send their deepest sympathies to the entire Scurrah family on the passing of Lenny. Lenny was afantastic and well-respectedlongtime supporter, sponsor and volunteer at our club. From all at YFNC -Rest in Peace Lenny.

Loved and loving son of Malcolm and Margaret. Loving brother of Dale. Caring uncle of Nathan and Cody.

Amuchloved person who will be sadly missed. For service details, please visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au

TRIPODI (nee Condello), Vincenza.

Aged 97 years Suddenly and peacefully on 29 July 2024 at her home.

Dearly loved and loving wife of Giovanni (dec.).

Loved and loving mother and mother-in-law of Rosa and Emilio, Connie and Ottavio, Damien and Jodie.

Adored and adoring Nonna and Biz Nonna to all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mum, you left us with beautiful memories that we'll treasure forever. Now at peace in God's care and reunited with your beloved husband Giovanni.

Amato Per Sempre Riposa in Pace Carissima Mamma, We have lost our greatest treasure and mentor and our inspiration. You have left ahuge void in our lives. You will live forever in our hearts. You will always be loved and remembered.

Love you for all eternity Your loving family Rosa, Emilio, Joanne and Keith, Robert, Karina, Sebastian, Ella, Mark, Makye, Harper, Keeley, Adrian and Cassie, Amyra and Jaydon. Carissima and adored Mamma, You left us so suddenly. A life lived well. You were always our priority in life, we were so privileged to always spend each precious day together. The immense love that you had for everyone of us, your welcoming smile will remain with us all forever. Can't imagine life without our beautiful, loving, caring Mum, Nonna and Biz Nonna. God granted you your wish, He took you into His loving arms peacefully in your home as he did with Dad. Mum, you taught us well in life and we will be for ever grateful as you will always live in our hearts forever. Rest peacefully now in Heaven with Dad, your life journey has come full circle, our beautiful parents together again.

Yourlovingdaughter Connie and Ottavio and grandchildren Paul, Jodie and Declan ,J am es, Kate, Sienna, Jemma, Madelyn and Dakoda, and Alessandro.

Mum, We will miss you dearly. Your wisdom, humour, generosity, love and gentle guidance have and always will be treasured. You have enriched our lives with awarmth that will live on in our hearts forever. Rest In Peace

Your loving son, Damien and Jodie and grandchildren, Jordan, Kezia, Dalton and families.

TRIPODI, Vincenza.

Aloving and welcoming mother-in-law to our daughter and amuch loved nonna to our shared grandchildren.

Adear friend to us, she will be sadly missed by all our melded and extended family.

Rest Peacefully Nonna Jan and Bill Scott.

Funerals •

BUHAGIAR.

The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation of Mrs Angela 'Ange' Robyn Buhagiar will be held at the Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 6Ollerton Avenue, Moe FRIDAY (9 August 2024) commencing at 11am.

Angela's Service will also be livestreamed, please visit our website for details.

In honour of Angela's memory, we invite you to join us for refreshments at Rookies after the Service.

Let's gather to celebrate her life, have an Ouzo, and share stories of the wonderful times we had together.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

MOE 5126 1111

Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

CROYDON. The Funeral Service and committal for cremation for Mrs Maureen Thelma Croydon will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 6Ollerton Avenue Moe on MONDAY (12 August 2024) commencing at 11am.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 5126 1111 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

FERRIS.

The Funeral of Mr Robert (Bob) Ferris will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Highway, Traralgon, THURSDAY (8 August 2024) commencing at 10.30am.

At the conclusion of refreshments, the Funeral will proceed for the Berwick Cemetery, 16 Inglis Road Berwick, for aCommittal Service at 2.30pm.

The Service for Bob will also be livestreamed, to vie wt he liv estr eam please visit our website: latrobevalley funerals.com.au

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

GORDON. Acelebration of life for Mr Barry James Gordon will be held at Traralgon and Dis tr ict Ba ptist Church, 60 Kay Street, Traralgon WEDNESDAY (14 August 2024) commencing at 1.30pm. APrivate Cremation will be held.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

GRENENGER.

Family and friends are warmly invited to attend a Prayer Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Mrs Gloria May Grenenger to be held at Saint James Anglican Church, 100 Grey Street, Traralgon on THURSDAY (8 August 2024) commencing at 11am. Gloria's service will also be livestreamed. To view the livestream please visit our website.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

TRARALGON 5174 2258

Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

HILLMAN. AService to celebrate the life of Stanley (Stan) Hillman will be held at the Nielsen Funeral Chapel, Korumburra Rd, Warragul on FRIDAY (9 August 2024) at 10.30am.

The cortege will leave at the conclusion of the Service for the Willow Grove Cemetery.

The Services will also be live-streamed. To view Stan's Services please visit: www.nielsenfunerals.com.au

Following the Graveside Service, there will be light ref res hme nts pr ovide d nearby at the Hill End Football Club. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, adonation in memory of Stan may be made to the Heart Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the Chapel.

HINCHCLIFFE (Lovejoy). The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Mrs Gloria Hinchcliffe (Lovejoy) will be held at Gippsland Memorial Park Rose Chapel, Cemetery Drive, Traralgon THURSDAY (8 August 2024) commencing at 11am. Gloria's Service will also be livestreamed, please visit our website for more details. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to LV Palliative Care.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

MILLER. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend a Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Mrs Margaret Miller to be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 437A Princes Dve, Morwell on FRIDAY (9 August 2024) commencing at 11am.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

MORWELL 5134 4937 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

RICHTER. The Funeral of Mr Josef Paul Richter will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 437A Princes Drive, Morwell on FRIDAY (16 August 2024) commencing at 11.30am. At the conclusion of the Service the Funeral will leave for the Traralgon Cemetery, Gippsland Memorial Park.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

MORWELL 5134 4937 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

SCURRAH. Acelebration of Len's life will be held at the Yinnar Memorial Hall, 14 Main Street Yinnar on FRIDAY (16 August 2024) commencing at 1pm. Alink to the livestream of the Service will be available through Latrobe Valley Funeral Services website: latrobevalley funerals.com.au

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

MORWELL 5134 4937

Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

STEFFEN. The Funeral Service of Mr Darren Guy 'Digger' will be held at the Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 6Ollerton Avenue, Moe on TUESDAY (13 August 2024) commencing at 1pm. At the conclusion of the Service the Funeral will leave for the Yallourn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to MND Australia would be appreciated.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 5126 1111 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

TRIPODI. Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Mrs Vincenza Tripodi will be offered at St Michael's Catholic Church, Church Street, Traralgon on WEDNESDAY (7 August 2024) at 1.30pm. At the conclusion of Mass, the Funeral will leave for the Traralgon Cemetery, Gippsland Memorial Park.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

In Memoriam •

DEAVES, George. 3/3/1948 -6/8/2021. My love, my life, Istill miss you so much. Your loving wife Jane.

DEAVES, George Henry. 3/3/1948 -6/8/2021. Dad, Italk to you all the time and Ihope you hear me. Miss you more each day. Love you forever Carrie, Bruce, Izzy and Addy.

PETESIC, Razu Ivan. 1/8/1966. Treasured memories and love for you are forever with us. Mum and Dad (Boss) XXX

Greys on hold at Traralgon track

GREYHOUND RACING

By TOM HAYES

GRE YHOU ND rac ing has been indefinitelysuspended at Traralgon, following issues with the luring system, Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) announced last month.

Those involved are said to be planning to install aconventional cable lure system at the track.

“Si nc eo penin gJ anua ry 2022, Traralgon has lost 50 per cent more races relating to lure or rail issues than the rest of the state combined in the same period,” the GRV statement read.

The number of incidents, races, and race meeting lost and the potential risk to greyhound welfare has led to

Beforecommitting to $12,000 -$15,000 foraFuneral with abig firm - Consider using asmaller onelikemine Funeral

Family owned and locally based Funeral Directors

We bring35years experience to families in Traralgon, Morwell, Churchill, Moe, Trafalgar, Korumburra and surrounding areas. THE CHOICE IS YOURS Practical, sensible and affordable. We offer both at-need and pre-paid funerals. All female funerals are available. Dignityand respect ,always

Whenyou lose someone closetoyou, it can be hardto put yourthoughtsand feelingsinto words

Apersonal message in the Latrobe ValleyExpress can say so much

Forfriendly advice on how to placeyourmessagecontact The Classified Department 5135 4455

this decision, GRV says. No completion date has been announced on the new lure system, however meetings havealreadybeguntoberescheduled. Allscheduled meetings at Traralgon since July 19 havebeenrescheduled at anew location.

There is currently no meetings set for Traralgon until October 2024.

“GRV’s racing department is currently working through alternate venue options for the transfer of all future scheduled Traralgon race meetings, with the intent to have as many of the rescheduled race meetings as possible remain in the region. Warragul, Sale and Healesville are likely to take on the majority of the race meetings,” the GRV statement reads.

Patrobas statue goes in to receive upgrade

HORSERACING

HOLD onto your hats, folks!

The belo ved 1915 Melbou rne Cup-winning Patrobasmonument, acherished landmark at Rosedale’s Prin ce Stre et Reserve, is set to embark on amuch-needed rest and relaxation session.

Like all treasured items, even Patrobas needs arefresh nowand then.

The historic figure will be carefully transported to aspecialist workshop for athorough restoration this week.

The process willinclude blasting, metalrepairs, applying aprotective coating, and re-painting.

The or ig in al sc ulp to rw ill be involved to ensure that the monument retains its unique character and durability.

Understanding the community’s attachment to Patrobas, Wellington ShireCouncil says it is committed to having the monument back in place before the 2024 spring racing carnival season starts. This timeline ensures locals and visitors can enjoy Patrobas in all its restored glory during one of the year’s most anticipated sporting events.

The Patrobas statue was erected as aresult of the dedication of the Rosedale Chamber of Commerce and Industry andisbuilt fromplate steel.

The statue was unveiled and dedicatedbyPeter Hall MLC in November 2007.

The Melbourne Cup trophy won by Patrobas is on display at the Port of Sale, Wellington Centre, in Sale.

In one of his earliest races, Patrobas ran second in atwo horse race at the old Rosedale racecourse, before making his way to Melbourne to be trained by Charlie Wheeler.

The old Rosedale racecourse was located around where the speedway is now, and interestingly, current and long-serving federal MP Kevin Andrews had acareer as arace caller at the Rosedale track.

Patrobas was ridden by Bobby Lewis during his Melbourne Cup win, and the jockey would eventually go downinhistoryasone of only two men to ride four Melbourne Cup winners.

The horse itself also created history in 1915 –winning the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Guineas and the Victoria Derby, afeat unlikely ever to be seen in today’s world given horses are now trained to run as stayers or sprinters.

Pat roba sw as own ed by Edith Widdis, in an era when horse racing was very much amale-dominated sport.

Fittingly, exactly100 yearsafter Patrobaswon the Melbourne Cup, Michelle Payne did likewiseonboard Prince of Penzance.

Patrobas and Prince of Penzance carried the same Number 19 saddlecloth.

Newand improved: ThePatrobas statue

Advantage Traralgon Harriers

ATHLETICS

HARRIERS

BY GARYFOX

LAST Thursday's (August 1) Harriers night run

was the Tennis Court Run.

The club had agreat turnout with atotal of 53 runners in perfect winter conditions. The course is quite flat starting at the tennis courts and taking in two laps of Franklin Street, Kassandra Drive, Firmin St and Paul St.

Great running by Peter Cutler saw him first home in an impressive time of 18:18,followed by Andrew Greenhill (19:10) and Dempsey Podmore (19:40).

Great runningbyMollyIrvine saw her as the first ladyhome in 22:15, followed by Kylie Murray (24:30)and Samantha Riddle (26:02).

The 2024 Ray and Doris Ellis HillRunning Championships was help last Sunday at Wirilda Park.

Harriers and guests treated themselves to some challenging trailsand runs of varying distances over the Wirilda Walking Track and the Pipeline Track between Tyers Park and Moondarra Dam.

This year marked the fourth year in which the 23-kilometre and 10-kilometreevents have been run as part of the Ray and Doris Ellis Hill Running Championships. Considerable rain in the weeks and especially the night before meant runners were greeted with increased water levels at the varying river crossings dotted across the course.

Despite the cold and wet, impressive times were recorded across the board.

In the 23 kilometre individual race, Miles Verschuur and Corey Milner were together for around 20 kilometres, with Rob Preston still in

BOWLS

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

MORWELL Bowling Club held aveterans and family bowlsday recently, partnering with Invictus Australiaand Bowls Australia’s ‘Bowls Gr8 for Brains’ initiative.

The second of four events, the local bowls club is holding aspecial day on the last Sunday of each month through to September.

‘Bowls Gr8 for Brains’ is aregistered Australian charity supporting first responders (police, ambulance and firemen)and military families who endure livingwith PTSD and other mental health issues.

It cultivates communityevents through local bowls clubs to provide assistance for mental health challenges such as social isolation and suicide.

The facilitatorofthe Morwellevent, Max Bloomfield noted that "it's abit of fun and it's free."

"I got acall from CarryOn(ex-service charity) about this Bowls Gr8 for Brains starting up in Gippsland we jumped at it and thought we'd give it ago," he said.

GOLF

CHURCHILL &MONASH

Monthly Medal Saturday27th July 2024.

AGrade Winner: Ad.West 72

BGrade Winner: I. Heppelston 78

C. Grade Winner: J. Thomas 69 Medal

Winner

D.T.L: 1. R. Welsh72, 2. D. Ireland 72, 3. R. Madigan 72, 4. B. Kilday73, 5. M. Dear 73, 6. P. Smart74, 7. D. Burridge 75, 8. P. Flannigan 75,

N.T.P: 3rdPro-Pin:P.Bolding,5th J. Vickers, 12th C. Gilfilan

Putts: M. Dear 26

Scratch: P. Smart83

Target Hole: R. Dent

Birdies: D. Ireland 14th

Eagle: R. Dent 18th 63 Balls

StablefordTuesday30rdJuly

Winner: C. Wilson 32 pts

D.T.L: S. Caldwell 30 pts

N.T.P: 3rdG.Barnes,5th M. Dear,12th C. Gilfilan, 14th M. Dear

MIRBOONORTH

Thursday1st August, Stableford,

AGrade: GRenwick(11)37pts c/b

BGrade: NBracecamp (19) 35pts

DTL: AJenkins 37.J Robbins 35, RNichols

34. NTP: 4th RNichols,6th TWhitelaw, 13th M Payne,16th, GRenwick. Birdies: 4th JKus,13th MPayne,16th G Renwick.

Saturday, 3rdAugust, Stroke.

AGrade: SWoodall (12) 70 nett

contact with the lead group after approximately 10 kilometres.

Verschuur and Corey put asignificant distance between themselves and Preston over the second leg of the event, approaching Moondarra Dam.

At the last drink station, aresurgent Milner pulled away from afading Verschuur to record a time of 2.02:42.

Verschuur finished seven minutes behindand two minutes ahead of Preston in third.

Greg Semler and Ian Cornthwaite continued their friendly rivalry that spans both Harriers and Athletics Victoria events.

At the first water crossing, Semmler and Cornthwaite crossed together, along with fellow Harrier Marty Lynch.

Semmler put asizablegap on both runners across the second leg before Cornthwaitecaught and passed Semmler into the finish.

Cornthwaite’s time was six minutes faster than the 2023 edition.

Semmler was next, aconsiderable distance ahead of Lynch.

Juanita Tewierik(in 2.33:55) led the female race from start to finish, ahead of Athletics Victoria regular Alice Miliani and Kate Mayer.

Tewierikreachedthe first aid station notfar behind the male packofSemmler, Cornthwaite, and Lynch, testament to her speed across the technical parts of the course. Also finishing the 23-kilometres was Megan Scott.

The teams event, arelay involving four varying legs along the 23km event was atight affair, with the team of Angelo Guadiano, Kathleen Kent, Steve Renehan, and Danelle Wright ultimately proving victorious.

In the 10km race,Clinton Jollyand Jay McGown led early and were together at the water crossing.

In the second half of the race, McGown pulled ahead to finishin56:26, before pickinguphis camera and capturing some brilliant shots of the 23km runners coming across the line.

Jolly and Chris Van Unen finished second and third. In the women’s side of the draw, Josie Ahlers and Stephanie Lake finished within asecondof each other, with Eudora Walker back in third.

Thebrutal courses,which requires technical talentacross climbs and descents, over asignificant distance, are atrue testament to the tough and tenacious spirit of Ray and Doris Ellis,the Harriers life membersofwhich this race is fittingly named.

Results for Thursday Night Tennis CourtRun (August 1)

PeterCutler 18:18, Andrew Greenhill 19:10, Dempsey Podmore19:40, Ian Cornthwaite20:06, MatthewDeppeler 20:31, Stephen Renehan 20:50, Michael Veal 21:17, Trent Kooyman 21:18, MollyIrvine 22:15, Ashleigh Dugan 22:15, Jason Odlum 22:43,Jerzey Podmore22:48, Adrian Sutcliffe 22:54, David Barr 23:09, Darrel Cross 23:11, PeterSanders23:24, Gary Fox 23:39, PeterFairbairn 24:17, Kylie Murray 24:30, Geoffrey Francis 24:32, Ron Verschuur 24:37,ScottSyme 25:00, Toby Grzmil 25:34 Samantha Riddle 26:02, Phillip Mayer 26:08, Giuseppe Marino 26:15, Paul Rollandin 26:28,Ree Graham26:36, Seth Bomers27:56, Kaye Livingstone 28:06, Collette Hofmann 28:18, ClintonJolly28:20, BjornLuxmann 28:29, Claire Macumber 29:00, Paul Smith 29:22, Tania Whitehead 30:15, Angeline Snell 30:21, TimothyGraham 36:49, LukeWitham36:49, Ann Bomers38:01, Barry Higgins 38:20, Mark Lansdown 42:54, Kristina Creighton 48:02, Michelle Colwell49:50, KathyQuinn49:50, Helen Whitby 50:23, Mandy Ellis 50:23, MarkFairbairn51:25, KyleeEarl53:30, Angelo Gaudiano 53:36, Liz Kenney NTR, MariekaReillyNTR, Belkey PodmoreNTR.

Results (incomplete) 23km

CoreyMilner2.02:42, Miles Verschuur 2.09:46, Rob Preston 2.11:37,Ian Cornthwaite, Greg Semmler 2.15:28, Marty Lynch 2.30:13, JuanitaTewierik2.33:55, Alice Miliani 2.37:04, Gordon Knight 2.40:44, Curtis Lloyd-Webb, Winning Team (Angelo Guadiano,Kathleen Kent, Stephen Renehan, Danelle Wright) 3.01:18, Kate Mayer3.03:02, RonVerschuur 3.20:59, GaryFox 3.20:59, Megan Scott 3.33:37,Ree Graham 4.32:29, MariekaReilly 4.32:59, Adrian Sutcliffe Time Unknown, Trent Kooyman Time Unknown. 3x relayteams time unknown. 10km: JayMcGown 56:26, Clinton Jolly57.37,Chris VanUnen 1.03:52, 1.08:12, Josie Ahlers1.35:05, Stephanie Lake 1.35:05, EudoraWalker (and another runner) 1.50:06.

InvictusAustralia RegionalManager and Veterans Engagement, ChristopherBurson welcomed the partnership.

“Our whole ethos is about joining veterans and their familieswith their local community,”hesaid.

“We like to hold ‘come and try’ events where veterans and their familiescan attend and play whichever sport it is and then if theylikeit, we encourage themtojointheirlocal clubinwhichever capacity they choose.

“A local veteranand her daughtertook part in lawn bowls for the first time.

“Being they are only 13 minutes away, ideally this will be asport they can do as afamily.”

The bowling day was one of two Gippsland events held across the week, including agolfday at Maffra Golf Club.

“Gippsland is ahigh veteran area and we would love to be able to invitemore of them to attend events," Burson added.

If anyone knows local veterans that are isolated and would benefit from coming to a‘come and try’ day, join the Invictus Australia -VictoriaFacebook group, or email cburson@invictusaustralia.org.

BGrade: DJerram (19) 68 nett

DTL: SMcKenzie 69, NWhichello ,J Robbins71, TBradshaw72c/b NTP: 4th SDuff, 6th GRenwick13th M Payne,16th NBickerton, Birdies: 13th MPayne,16th WReynolds MOE

Thursday, 01 August 2024 OPEN Medley

Stableford

Grade AWinners: Wilson, Graeme (8) 37

Grade BWinners: Ray, Michael (12) 36

Grade CWinners: Young,Peter (28) 34

Place Getters: Stirzaker,Jason 36, Dyt, Ricky 34 C/B,Spiteri, Paul 34 C/B,Morrow, Darren 34, Hall, Bill 33 C/B,Brien, Graeme 33, Scammell, Mark33, Langmaid, Trevor 32 C/B,Shearing,Andrew 32 C/B West, Mick32C/B,White, Rodney32, Rodaughan, Peter31C/B

Great Score: MickWest (Birdie) @4, Laurie Veenman (Birdie) @8

Nearest to Pin: 4th MickWest,8th Laurie Veenman, 14th John Pisa

Saturday, 03 August 2024 WOMEN'S SATURDAY STABLEFORD

Grade BWinners: Wallis,Elizabeth (30) 37

Saturday, 03 August 2024 MEN'S Monthly

Medal -Stroke

Overall Winners: Johnson, Tony (0) 66

Medal Winner:

Grade AWinners: Johnson, Tony (0) 66

Grade BWinners: Bassman, Jeffrey (18) 69

Grade CWinners: Fidler,Ben (19) 70

Place Getters: Hibbs, Steven 70 C/B, Stephens,Peter 70, Bassman, Aaron 71 C/B,Poole,Joel 71 C/B,Wilkinson, Wally 71, Johnson, Charles 72, Stephens,Simon

Latrobe Valley Express, Wednesday, 7August, 2024

SCOREBOARD

72, White, Rodney73C/B,Young,Bailey73

C/B,Powell, Vincent 73, Gross Winner,Tony Johnson 66

Great Score: Tony Johnson (Birdie) @14, Karl Eastaway (Birdie) @14, BarryGoodwin (Birdie) @8,Aaron Bassman (Birdie) @4

Nearest to Pin: 4th Aaron Bassman, 8th

PeterStephens,14th Tony Johnson

MORWELL

31st July 2024 -Women's Stableford

Winner: DVuillermin 32 pts

DTL: Lvan Rooy 29 pts

NTP: 2nd DVuillermin 8th DVuillermin 11th

Lvan Rooy 15th KBoers

TRAFALGAR

Tuesday30/07/2024 -Gruesomes

Players: 30, Women 3, Men 27

Winners: NormMether &Bev Keily(43)

RunnersUp: UweTomski &GeoffFallon (35)

DTL: Tony Price &AlGray(34), TomTraill & SteveLawrence (34), Chris Griffin&John Kerr (33)

NTP: Tony Shearer (5)

Bradmans: Bronwyn Wallace &Tony

Shearer

Thursday: 01/08/2024 Stroke- Monthly

Medal

Players: 40, Women 10,Men 30

Women’s Winner: Olwyn Balfour (31)

ScratchWinner: Kerren Ludlow(48)

Runner Up: Aija Owen (32)

DTL: BevKeily(37), KarenMacGregor (37)

NTP: Aija Owen (15)

Bradmans: Helen Keith

Men’s Winner: UweTomski (29)

ScratchWinner: Tony Shearer (42 c/b)

Runner Up: John Kerr (30)

Par3 Event: Laurie Snowball, UweTomski, John Kerr

DTL: Chris Barfoot (32), Wayne Dunn (32), Vic Hill (33), Duane Baker (34), Graeme Harris (35), Paul Fogarty(35 c/b)

NTP: UweTomski (15)

Bradmans: MickBennett

Friday,August 2nd 2024, Open Men’s& Ladies Stableford

AGrade Winner: PeterHobson 40 pts

BGrade Winner: TimGargan39pts C/B

CGrade Winner: Jordan Chapman 41 pts

DTL's: Jess McGrath 39, MattWalker 38, SteveKlemke38, Adrian Jones 37, RayWiseman 36, MatthewSilk 35, Leon Mateariki 34, Darryl Blackshaw33, Albert

Hayes33, Wilson Pollock32C/B

Birdies: 5th: Joshua Cahill, Andrew Fennell, MickWest 11th:MatthewSilk 15th:Leon Mateariki

Eagle: 6th: Chris Nott

Saturday,August 3rd2024, Monthly Medal

Stroke

Medal &A Grade Winner: GarryJansen

68 nett

BGrade Winner: PeterGriffin 72 nett

ScratchWinner: Bill williams 73 gross

DTL’s: Zavier O’Reilly69, Ramon Dyke 71, Di Moody 72, Bill Williams 72, Noel Cornish 73, Bruce Aplin 74,Glen McCulloch 74, PeterPankhurst 74,MarkHiriart75, Graeme

Grant 75 C/B

NTP’s: 2nd: PeterRhodes 5th: Glen McCulloch 11th: WarwickGriggs 13th: Zavier O’Reilly15th: MarkHiriart

Birdies: 2nd: PeterRhodes 5th: Bruce Aplin, DickSheehan, Glen McCulloch,

Zavier O’Reilly, Bill Williams 13th:Garry Jansen, Chris Griffin15th: Greg Donohue, GarryJansen YALLOURN

Thursday25th July 9HoleLadies Stableford

Winner: Lola Carter (20)

Support: Veterans gathered at the Morwell BowlingClubfor afun roundofbowls Photograph supplied

Great job: HarriersLadies Hill Running medal winnersKateMayer (third), JuanitaTewierik (first) andAlice Miliani (second). Photograph supplied

Table tennis champions crowned

TABLE TENNIS

By MARK STRINI

TRARALGONTable TennisAssociation held its Annual Club Championships Tournament last week.

More than 40 players competed in seven different events in what was abig night of table tennis.

Reign ing club champion Steve Warr went though untroubled into the final with straights sets victories over Peter Gomez in the quarter final, and then over brother Mick Warr in the semis to qualify for the final.

In the other half of the draw, young gun Heath Sposato also won his way through in straight sets, defeatingJeff Pollard in the quartersand Jon Joseph in the semis earn his spot in the final. Sposato started strong in the final, quickly taking the first two sets, but Warr fought back strongly to win the third 11-2.

It was to no avail though as the reigning champion fell in aclose fourth set, dropping it 11-9 ,tohand Sposato, his first Open Singles title.

The Ladies Open was ahard fought affair with young Maya Gomezpulling out every trickshe had to get over Annalise Strini in her semi-final.

Down two sets to love, Gomez prevailed in an unbelievable third set, somehow takingit24-22, before securing the fourthand fifth sets 11-6 and 11-9.

Reigning champion Quynh Cottrell cruised through the quarter final,seeing off Katrina Brandon, before defeating adetermined Fiona Fullard in the other semi-final to set up agreat final between two big hitters.

Those watching were not disappointed as Cottrell and Gomez traded blows in avery entertaining and exhaustingbattle. Whilst Gomez tookthe first set 11-9, Cottrell powered back winning the next two 11-7, 11-9, but again, Gomez refused to go away, taking the fourth set 11-7 to set up a deciding fifth set.

Cottrellflew outofthe blocks in the fifthset, leading 8-3, and then as far as 9-4, before Gomez flicked aswitch, and with aseries of big hitting rallies, Gomez somehow dragged it back to a10-all tiebreaker in the fifth set.

With neither backing down in the tie breaker, it was Cottrell sneaking home to win 12-10 in an

amazing final, and in doing so, securing her third Ladies Open title in four years.

In the Open Doubles, SteveWarr andJon Joseph madelight work of all challengers, defeating Heath Sposato and Adam Guo in their semi-final. Likewise, Mick Warrand MarkStrini sailed through the early matches, taking out Peter Gomez and Jeff pollard in the semis.

The final was acloser affair, where any mistake was treated with contempt, but in the end, it was Warr and Joseph that settled better with afour set win.

The restricted Singles, which is historically awell contested battle, saw all matches from the Round of 16 to the final go to at least four sets.

AlanGriffin foughttooth and nail,defeating Norm Cottrell in five sets in the quarters, and again winning in five tight sets over Daniel Stevens

sets win over Trent Strong. The Final saw Stevens trade blows with another big hitter in Guo, with Stevens winning in four sets.

The Section2Doubles saw another amazing event, withbothsemifinals and the Final going to thefourth set for aresult.

Sharon Collins and Alan Griffin secured afour set semiwin over Sheila Whiteheadand Fiona Fullard, withGavin Carriggand AlanFullard winning a five set classic against Daniel Stevens and Brian Consodine to advance to the Final.

The Final saw afour set epic, with Carrigg and Fullard dropping the firstset, before taking the next three sets and the title.

In the Division 3Singles Final, Annalise Strini defeated both her Pennant team mates in Dylan Wu and Stan Lazaris to advance to the Final. Patrick Wu went through in straightsets, including asemi final win over Mark Berryman to earn his place.

With no clear favourite in this one, the score reflected just that, with Strini winning an absorbing contest 12-10, 7-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6towin the Final The Division 3Doubles had abit of vengeance for Wu, who partneredwithStanLazaris to defeat brother Dylan Wu and Mark Berryman in the Final in four sets.

In the Final event for the evening, those waiting for the finalsentered the 'Doug Schoer Classic', where bats were just ply with very thin pimpled rubbers,balls wereonly38mmindiameter, and sets were played to 21, not 11.

in the semis during his march to the final.

Jeff Pollard faired marginally better,with a quarter final win over Brent Causen, and asemi final win over Adam Guo.

TheFinal was delayed by two hoursdue to other fixtures, and with Alan Griffin under fatigue, he still fought his way to lead two sets to one, before Pollard steadied and took the last two sets to secure the event.

The Section 2Singles saw some close matches as well.

In making his way to the Final, Adam Guo played an epic five set encounter with Alan Griffin, winning his way to the final. Daniel Stevens on the other hand, hadhis toughest challenge in thequarter finals against Maya Gomez, winning 13-11 in the fifthbefore cruising to the final with astraight

Schoer is life member of the Traralgon Table Tennis Association, who still plays with his bat from more than 50 years ago, to which the event was derived from.

In aworld of high performance blades, rubbers, adhesive and 40mm balls, 14 players puttheir hands up to compete.

With avariety of much laughter and great frustration to many, it was young Patrick Wu who managed to float and awkwardly 'deadbat' his way to awin over an equally determined and very unassuming Brent Causen, winning 21- 18, 19-21, 21-12.

The Championships begins abusy time for the association, with the 2024 Veterans Pennant in full swing, and also the Senior and Junior Winter Pennant Finals coming up in the next few weeks.

Newswimming leaders looking to rule the pool

SWIMMING

TRARALGON Swimming Club is gearing up for another successful season in 2024/25 Fresh fro mw in ning its 25th Gipps land Championship team trophy in succession at the recent Gippsland Championships, the club is setting its sights on the upcoming short course season with Victorian CountryShort Course Championships beingheld this weekend at the club's home at the Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre.

More than 70 of the club's finest swimmers aged from 9to46will compete in the two day event against more than 500swimmers from Country Victoria, in what is one of the biggest swimming competitions outside the metro area.

Traralgon has prepared well, with the coaching

team of Dean Gooch, Cam Juha, Dave Vercoe, Renee Cargill and Sam Fenton working hard over the past three months, bringing the swimmers to a standard which will challenge the previous winners in the past two years Geelongand upcomingSouth Gippsland Bass.

Traralgon Swimming Club Senior Head Coach, Brian Ford spoke highly of the club and the team.

“We are very proud that the Traralgon Swimming Club has ahugereputation of producing not only good swimmers but even better young adults," he said.

"It is our culture of discipline and excellence mixedinwith the fun of teamwork and camaraderie which sets us apartfrom our competitorsand we are always striving to be thebest in allour competitions and endeavours.

"We look forward to agreat meet this weekend.”

Two weeksago, the club announced its club captains for 2024/25.

The club is proud to have 17-year-oldAsh Nicholes and Olivia Baillie as club captains, ably supported by 16-year-old Ruby Pauletand 15-year-old Brody Cargill.

Head Performance Coach, Dean Gooch spoke glowingly of the new captains.

“I coach these four swimmers and knowhow hard they work in the water, however they have great behaviours of respect, manners and friendliness amongst their peers, coaches and parents which makes their selections an easy one,” he said.

Also, the club wasproud to placefour swimmers on the Victorian Schools teamwhichrecently competed

at the AustralianSchool SportsChampionships on the Gold Coast.

Eighteen-year-old Kayla Wilson (who was also Girls Captain),17-year-oldNicoletteWight, 16-year-old Jess Whitingand 14-year-old Kody Said competed, with all swimmers making top 10 and Jess winning an individual silvermedal in the Girls 50 metre Butterfly and bronze in the mixed 10x50 Free relay.

The Traralgon Swimming Club is acompetition club catering for swimmers coming out of learn to swim from five-years-of-age right up to its Masters program catering for swimmers aged 18-years-of age-and above.

If you are interested in taking your swimming to the next level, phone Brian Ford on 0419 584 145.

Maiden: Heath Spasatowon his firstOpen Singles title Photographs supplied

Close: Maya Gomezand Quynh Cottrell featuredinatoughgame forthe ‘top lady’ at the Traralgon TableTennis Association Club Championships

Success: Jess Whiting wont wo medals at theAustralian SchoolSpor ts Championships on theGoldCoast

Leaders: Traralgon Swimming Club captains for2024/25 Brody Cargill, AshNicholes,Olivia Baillie and Ruby Paulet Photographs supplied

Melbourne mightleave Paris with medal

OLYMPICS

By TOM HAYES

ONLY one local remains in the race for amedal at the2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Followinganeventual weekinthe French capital, and around surrounding cities, there has been some successes, but also the end of some journeys.  FIRST in action was the Matildas and Moe-born Teagan Micah in the women’s football (soccer) tournament.

TheMatildas had played two group stagegames up until the release of last week’s Express.

Following their first two group games, Australia satthird in their group, essentially needing awin or adraw against the US, or for Zambia to beat Germanyconvincingly, to progress to the knockout stages.

The US were first in the group.

If thatfailed, Australia needed Canada to lose or draw to Colombia in another group, to enhance the Matildas’ chances of progression as athirdplaced team. Only the two best third placed teams progressed to the knockouts.

Micah remained on the bench for the third time when they lined up against the US.

The US struckfirst just before halftime, going up 1-nil into the break. They doubled their lead in the 77th minute, making it difficult for any sort of comeback.

Australia were given alast-gasp chance when they halved the deficit through Alanna Kennedy in the second minute of injury time. There would just be no time as the US won 2-1, leaving the Matildas in limbo.

Playing at the same time, Germany dispatched Zambia 4-1, meaning that the hopes of the Matildas relied on the Colombians against the undefeated Canadians.

Althoughitwas close,Canadawon 1-nil, scoring in the 61st minute. Despite asix-point deductionfor spying with adrone, Canada still finished second in their group.

Matildas coach, TonyGustavsson was relieved of his duties after the campaign came to an end, noted as one of the worst in Matildas’ history.

Gus tav sso n’s ta ctic sw er eq ue sti on ed all campaign, and the results weren’t doing him any favours.

It’s also been reported by the Herald Sun that some players were puzzled by Gustavsson’s tactics throughout hisfour-year tenure, even duringtheir fourth-placefinishatthe World Cup and Tokyo Olympic Games.

 TRARALGON’S Aoife Coughlan had abrief moment in the spotlight when suiting up for Australia in the judo.

In arandomised bracket in the Women’s -70kg divis ion, Coug hlan was first drawn agai nst Hungary’s Szabina Gercsak in the Round of 32.

Coughlan prevailed, winning 1-0 on the mat in the overtime period of golden score, advancing to the stage where she was knocked out at the last Olympic Games.

Coughlan then metGerman Mirian Butkereit. Butkereit had aheight advantage,but the strength of Coughlan forced an almighty battle between the two.

No one could register any point during regulation time, forcing the round into golden score. After manypoints of deliberation, Butkereit foundan opportunity to trip Coughlanup, pinning her on herbackinthe process.

Unfortunately for Coughlan, that was the end of her campaign, going down 10-nil. If it was any consolation, Butkereit endedupwinning the silver medal, which only goes to show the type of competition she was up against.

Stealing the show perhaps was Coughlan’s grandmother,Pam Coughlan. She went viral after atweet from Mark Coughlan explainedhow she managed to scramble aseatcloser to the mats.

“She persuaded them to let her sit (there).Never in doubt the Dublin Granny,”Mark Coughlan wrote on X.

 MOVING onto the knockouts is Traralgon’s Jade Melbourne and the Australia Opals in the basketball tournament.

Melbourne charted four points, one rebound, one assist, one steal, and one block.

Needing awin over France, andarespectable margin to seek progression to the knockouts, the Opals had atask on their hands.

They started confidently, with Melbourne starting on the court, opening atwo-point quarter time lead. France tied the scores by halftime, outscoring the Opals 17-15 in the second quarter.

The last week has been arollercoaster for the Opals, who begantheircampaign against Nigeria.

Melbourne started for the Opals andmadea quick impression.

Nigeria smashed Australia in the secondquarter to go ahead by 13 points, acomeback in the third quarter dropped the margin back down to four.

Nigeria undid the Opal’s efforts, outscoring them again by nine points to win 75 to 62.

Melbourne scored 11 points from her 17 minutes on court. She also recorded arebound, an assist, and asteal in the loss.

The shock loss had Australia stumped, and now they needed to be flawless in order to have the best chance of progression to the knockouts.

Nextupfor the Opals wasCanada,who were coming off the back of a21-point thumping to France.

Melbourne earnt herself anotherstart in the Opals line up, this time only playing 15 minutes.

Australiawent up by two points after the first quarter, adding another four points to the margin by halftime. Another close quarter saw the Opals go into the last quarter seven points up, nothing convincing yet.

Canada would eventually win the final quarter, but it wouldn’tbebyenough, as the Opalsclaimed afive point win, 70-65.

But after halftime was where Australia made their mark. The Opals went on to score 25 points to 16 in the third quarter, opening anine-point lead on the host nation.

Atight finalquarter saw the French get up again, but not by enoughasthe Opals held on once again in anervous finish, winning by seven points, 79-72. Melbourne recorded two points, one rebound, and one assist from 19 minutes.

The Opals landed second in their group behind France and marginally ahead of Nigeria, all tied on five points (two wins, one loss).

Australia wasranked sixth out of the remaining eight nations, meaning they were to face athird or fourth ranked team. Seeing France were ranked third, the Opals had to face Serbia.

Nigeria and Belgium progressedtothe knockouts as the two best third-placed teams in their groups.

The Opals play Serbia today (Wednesday, August 7) at 7pm in the Quarter Finals. The winner moves onto the Semi Finals where no matter the result they will be playing for amedal.

If the Opals defeat Serbia, they will face either Nigeria (again)orthe US in the SemiFinalson Friday (August 9).

The gold medal and bronze medal matches are set to be played this Sunday (August 11).

Nothing scaryabout joining Haunted HillsBikePark

BIKE RIDING

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

LET'S turn this ship around.

After abreak-in at the Haunted Hills Bike Park

leftthe small mountain biking site around $30,000 short in equipment and resources, the Gippsland MTB Inc Haunted Hills Bike Park Leaders, Nicholas King and Greg Siinmaa want to use this as an opportunity to gather more hands to rebuild and maintain the beloved recreational spot.

"(There's) probably only aboutthree full-time volunteers thathelp outand we coulddowitha lot more," Siinmaa said.

Openedin2021asapartofGippsland MTB Inc., the Haunted Hills Bike Park is one of the gems of the Latrobe Valley, located above the Yallourn Power Station and around the corner from the Yallourn Cemetery (adds to its namesake).

The Hernes Oak site is one of the premier spots for mountain bikers across the region and the state, attracting more than 100,000 people year-on-year.

The outdoors extravaganzathat is mountain bike riding is asweet community activity,especially at the Hernes Oak site, that boast 24 kilometres of excellent trail available to anyone at zero cost. Those pristine trails that allow speed bandits to whizz through the course happily and safely, along with the trail head facilities, aren’t going to keep themselves in top condition, which requires hands-on care.

King and Siinmaa are some of the few that lend asubstantial amount of time to the area. They loveand enjoy usingitasmuch as the average passer-by.

'Trail fairies', as they are referred to, sprinkle their pixie dust and work their magic across the tracks to keep it all in the best condition possible

due to the dedication of one'stime, effortand energy.

"Trails don't maintain themselves," King said.

"We're out here in the rain at the moment and we get alot of drainage issues, pot holes just like you would on aroadand someone needs to be responsible to fill that.

"There's an old mantra thatmountain bikers have, that is 'no dig, no ride', it's not really like that, it's just like come and give us ahand (and) help make this facility even better because we've got afantastic facility, we justwant to continue making it better for the community."

From the top, the Gippsland mountain bike group is made up of volunteers who support maintaining trails,manage the race and social events that span across all the bike parks in the area, as well as advocate for improved mountain bike experiences in the region.

"Anyone can volunteer their time... we do it because we enjoy it," King said.

"Even if it's just once ayear, just put your hand up, come and say hi, we're pretty friendly people and that's what makes areally strong community organisation tick.

"It's the people behind it and the characters and going for aride on your bike and having agood time."

The federal government provided funding of $2 million across twostagesfrom2018to2021, including an extra 13.5km of progressive mountain bike trails,anasphalt pump track, car park, accessible toiletsand sheltered seating area.

The Haunted Hills Bike Park is reliant on sponsorship and donations to allow the club to flourish through community events across the calendar year like the annual Halloween at Haunted Hills and national competitions.

Despite the financialimplications from the burglary, the Haunted Hills team is understanding of the desperate times for some individuals, and just want to continue to provide what they say is a"regional asset" to the Latrobe Valley.

The police investigation into the July 13 and 14 incident remains ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV, dashcamfootageorany other informationthat could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submitaconfidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au Those interested in volunteering their services at the track can reach

Asset: HauntedHills BikeParkLeadersNicholas King and Greg Siinmaa would love to see more volunteerslend ahand at the facility. Photograph: BlakeMetcalf-Holt

Progression: Traralgon’s Jade Melbourne (No 2) celebrates with her Opals teammatesafter moving on to the knockouts at the ParisOlympics.

Hat’s off: Traralgon judoka AoifeCoughlanwas downed by Germany’s Miriam Butkereit in the Round of 16 Photographs supplied

United one win away from decider

BASKETBALL

BIG V BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

AFTER finishing in third position on the Division 1Men's ladder, Gippsland United took one step closertoChampionship promotionafter defeating Whittlesea in atough away win 116 to 109 in Week 1ofBig Vfinals.

The Gippsland side finished three games behind the Pacers in second placeand lost to them two weeksago on the same very courtby15points, having lost to them by more in the opening round of the season.

At MillPark BasketballStadium, bothsides began by trading baskets. United finished the first quarter on a19-11 run in the final five minutes. Whittlesea responded however, coming out of the first quarter break to chip away at their deficit withthree three-pointers within two minutes of play recommencing.

The finals atmosphere was well and truly alive with tough, physical defencethat made every possession on both ends adifficult one.

Outscoring United by 10 pointsinthe second

quarter, the Pacers ended the half up apoint on their home deck.

United came out of thelocker room ready for the secondhalf with their green and black travelling cheersquadintheir corner,sensing it was their time to stamptheir mark on the competition.

Gippsland import Jalin Wimberly began attacking the rim that led his team to follow suit and opened up the court seismically, giving easy opportunities to get the ball out for open perimeter shots.

Wimberly would hit athree, then young guns Rohan Demczuk and Kody Tibballs did likewise, but Whittlesea were still sitting idly by ready to pounce and take back the lead.

United scored 17 points in the final four minutes to end the thirdquarter up by 12, withthat run almost exclusivelycoming from Wimberly and Ben Barlow.

The Pacers brought it back within afive-point game as just over half aquarterremained, but Gippsland weren’t about to let finals progression slip away.

United fought off againing Whittlesea side that cumulated with the visitors up four points with a minute remaining.

After aquick play saw Tibballs open up the

three-point archfall short, United forward Jordan Canovan elevated to collect the offensive rebound that gave them the added seconds to wind down the clock before hitting it out to Tibballs again to hit the dagger three-point shot.

Wimberly was the difference for United, finishing with 40 points at more than 60 per cent shooting and piling on eight rebounds playing in all 40 minutes of action.

Barlow was second-in-command with 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists, along with excellent performances from big man Stephen O’Brien (17 points) and Tibballs (16 points).

TheGippsland side now face top-seeded RMIT thisSat urday ni ght at Eltham HighSchool Basketball Stadium with achancetoprogress to the Grand Final.

Gippsland defeatedWarrandyte 104-85 in the finalround of regular season play at home to stave off Bulleenand hold onto adouble chanceinfinals.

Star: Gippsland United impor tJalin Wimberley shot 40 pointsand hadeightrebounds as Unitedtook astepcloser to the Big V Division 1Grand Final. Photograph supplied

Falcons force amust-win game after Combine win

BY JOE AUCIELLO

IN what ought to have been the final round of the regular season for both clubs (more on that later), Latrobe ValleySoccerLeague league titleaspirantsFalcons2000travelledtoBurrage Reserve, Newborough to face an in-formNewborough/ Yallournsidethat hadwon three of its last four gamesand were lookingtoupset their more fancied opponents on abeautiful winter’s day for football last Sunday.

Althoughitwas the home sides last gameof the league campaign, their opponent had one eye on their rescheduled fixture against Moe United tomorrow (Thursday, August 8) evening that, with

all going well in this fixture, would be adefining match for their league title chances.

And so it would transpire as the away side comfortably took the three points in 5-2 final score.

The Round 18 clashwasn’twithoutmoments of frustration and angst though, as the Combine threw everything they could at their more fancied opponents.

Falcons started like ahouse on fire, quickly going two goals up as veteran Nick D’Alessandro and Kuku Mahmoud gave their side what seemed like an insurmountable lead.

But, to the home sides credit, they continued to playarisky brand of football that saw themattimes have four up front and they fortuitouslyhalved the deficit as adeflected Mark Fairbrother shot left Falcon’s goalkeeper Charles Simon wrong footed. Just before halftime the game would change, as

Newborough/Yallourn's Ash Birrell was given his marching orders as alatetackleonJoshPatterson was deemed seriousenough to warrant the harshest of penalties, although on first glance it seemed a harsh decision on the experienced Birrell.

At 2-1,Falcons were in control, but they knew they had to put the gametobed early in the second half. Whist the Birds came out firing, time and time again they failed to convert their chances.

Falcons finallygot their thirdgoalasD’Alessandro helped himself to abracewith asumptuous left footed strike, and then unfortunately for the Combine, the wheels fell off as Adam Batt was the second player to be given his marching orders due to dissent.

From there it was all one-way traffic as Moni Eliaserscoredtwo moregoalstoput the result beyond doubt.

LVSL title to be decided this week

SOCCER

LVSL

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

AND so it arrives.

The final round of action in the Latrobe Valley Soccer League took place over the weekend,and yet we still haven’t determined who will claim the trophy for 2024 in the senior men's division.

Fortuna smashed East Gippsland United, 8-1 to conclude the season on top of the ladder for now.

The Orangemen will have to hold off celebration as Falcons 2000 still await to play their final game against Moe United after it was called off in Round 17 due to an unplayable pitch.

That game has been rescheduled and will kickoff at LC Sports Stadium tomorrow (August 8) with all sorts of stakes attached.

It’s simple.IfFalcons win, they claimthe league

Fortuna will be barracking for Moe, in with the hopesofholding onto top spot and the league title.

However, in theirfinal game, Fortuna’s Damon Scott added agoal to his total season tally to finish seven goals clear for the golden boot with 29.

Both Churchill United and Sale United finished their seasonswith little to celebrateafter finishing in a3-all draw at Hazelwood South Reserve.

The Rams held a1-nillead after halftime but Sale responded with ahugethree goals in the second half to collect some points by season’s end.

Both sides had two goals from Jayden Unmack (ChurchillUnited) and IsaakJondahl (Sale United).

Churchill (win-loss-draw record of 5-9-4) finished in sixth position whilst Sale (4-8-6) finish ahead of Newborough/Yallourn (5-10-3) in seventh.

Nothing wasonthe line in the match between

The home sidewouldget aconsolationgoalat the end as Tim Shaw foundthe Falcons defence nappingand he duly finished with aplomb. So, it comes down to this.

Falcons will host Moe on Thursday evening at 7pm with their league title fate in their own hands; win and they are champions.

The Birds must overcome afour-day turnaround whilst Moe will be the fresher of the two sides as their game against Tyers didn’t proceed due to the latter forfeiting.

Irrespective, the Morwell side seldom use excuses, and thisisjustanother hurdle they mustovercome in whathas been ariveting season of Latrobe Valley soccer.

TraralgonOlympians and Monash except to finish their year on ahigh note.

Olympians did so, winning 5-1 on their home turf. AlradiAli concluded the year with ahat-trick along with goals from Guguei Malual and Andre Antonopoulos.

The Traralgon side (10-5-3) finished the season clear fourth on the table, which included acouple of scalps, with Monash (7-7-4) finishing behind them in fifth.

Sale United was presented the women's championship trophy, making it back-to-back triumphs forthe Swans.

The LVSL is still calling on prospective referees looking ahead to next season and for the upcoming cup games.

Those interestedare encouraged to visit: footballvictoria.com.au/become-a-ref