CommunityCorner

segments.

The event will be family-friendly, so all will be welcome.

If you can’t dance, come along anyway and enjoy the music. Sing along to 50s/60s rock and old time songs.

There will be prizes for door ticket/ Monte Carlo. Admission prices are $5 single, $10 family.

Please bring your own nibbles,tea and coffee will be supplied duringthe break

Please note that this is an alcohol-free event.

We hope to make this aregular monthly event if it’s popular enough, so please come along to support it.

For further information, phone John on 0488 047 777 or Alan on 0410 089 430.

Gathering of performers

PLANNING has started for this year's Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod -doyou want to be involved?

Eisteddfod derives from ancient Welsh, and is used to describe agathering of musicians, actors and dancers.

It was seen as an important way for performers to develop their skills, share theirknowledge andpassion with other performers, and to entertain the public.

The Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod continues this tradition by organising a performing arts festival every August/ September in Traralgon and Morwell.

There are sections forchoral/vocal, instrumental,piano, speech/drama, brass bands and theatrical dancing.

Besides primary and secondary schoolsections, the eisteddfod offers the opportunity for people of all ages, be it solos, duos, bands, orchestras or dancetroupes, to performonstage in greatvenues.

While many volunteers are required during the actual Eisteddfod, we also need people year round to help organise this amazing festival.

We are alwayslooking for enthusiastic people with skills in areas such as convening, event management, accounting, legal, publicity, IT, ticketing, canteen, photography, sponsorship, publishing, timetabling,and volunteer coordination. Email us at eist@lve.org.au for more information on how you can be involved in keeping this great event running.

Artclasses

TRARALGON and District art society has been serving the local area for 40 years with art for all ages.

Our art group is afriendly group meeting on different days of the week for social paintingdays andlearning to paint, for adults, teens and children from eight years.

Thesecondchildren’s class will hopefullystart up in the second term.

Oil painting classes are offered on a Mondayafternoonfor six weeks from February13, and possibly Friday morning (17th), for beginners, or those with someexperience.Thiswilllead into outdoor painting (plein air).

If you are retired or neverpainted, you are welcome to come along and try your hand. We are presentlyinrooms at the side of the Park Lane Kinder, in Smith Street, Traralgon For moreinformation,ringAndrea on 5176 6000.

Come and have ahit

BADMINTON is coming to Traralgon for the 2026 CommonwealthGames, and as such, the local club is aiming to build on this andattract manymore players.

If you are interested, come and try and practice /training nights every Tuesday nightatTraralgon Stadium(Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium) from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

Everyone welcome. Phone Garry on 0421 272 576 for further information.

Meditation evening

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

This is ameditation designed to bless the earth and is an instrument of world service for peace, loving kindness, joy, goodwill and abundance. In addition, thismeditation cleanses and energises theenergetic body while also promoting ahigher level of awareness and consciousness.

Afterthe meditation, youcan experience afree Pranic Energy Healing, which can address both physical and emotional issues.

Note that this is aguidedmeditation and no prior experience is required.

When: Every Tuesday 7pm to 8.30pm; every Thursday 10.30 am to 12 noon.

Contact: Garry (0476 162 646), Amanda (0411 051 044).

Location: 2Avondale Rd, Morwell.

Cost: $5 (donation).

Coal ValleyMale Chorus

MEN interested in singing?

Drop into arehearsalfor alook-see on Tuesdays, 5pm at Morwell East Senior Citizen's Centre.

Orana

ORANA Seniors Club is afriendly and welcoming place. We play Rummikuband 500 on Tuesdays from 1pm to 4pm.

On Thursdays, we havecraftfrom 1pm till 3pm. Even if you don’t have aproject at the moment,just come alongand enjoy some company and help us solve the problems of the world.

Thereisa $2 activitiesfee payable once aweek.

The first Thursday of the month, we have alunch meeting and usuallya guest speaker.

Ourmeal costs $20 and the members decide what will be on the menu. It always involves alovely dessert.

On February 18, we are having a games and pool afternoon. Bring your lunch and $2 around noon and have a social gathering and then at 1pm the activities will begin.

We have any amount of games and a fabulous full-sized pool table. Ourrooms arelocated at 5Ollerton Avenue, Newborough. Go up the hill, past the two mailboxes and turn left into the LVV. Continue through to the ample car parking area and you willsee the Oranaclubrooms on the left just this side of Stamford Street. We charge a$5annual membership fee, and of course all activities include acuppa anda biscuit.

RingHeather on 0429862 196, Jocelyn on 0493 496 296 or the rooms on 0487 111 792 for more.

Cancer council

MOE Cancer Council's next fundraising event will be the Strzelecki Stringbusters at the Moe RSL on Saturday, February 18.

Showstartsat7pm. Entryis$30 per person,meals will be available to purchase before the show.

Tickets are available from Diane on 0438 517 470 or Linda on 0427 671 780.

All moneyraised will go to cancer research for ovarian cancer.

Our next meeting will be our annual meeting, held on Monday, March 27 from 1.30pm at the Moe RSL. All welcome.

Formoreinformation,phone volunteer group contact Beryl on 5127 4028, or Linda on 0427 671 780.

Cancer Council Supporters Hot Line: 1300 65 65 85

Cancer Council Help Line: 13 11 20 Quit Line: 13 78 48

Craftgroup

HAND in Hand has recommenced at theMoe BaptistChurch Hall, corner Fowler and Vale Sts, at 9.30am.

Come and join us as we learn cardmaking,patchwork and applique, knitting and crochet,orbring your own project.

If you have acraft you would like to teach, we would love you to come and see us.

All are welcome. Phone Marilyn on 0409 661 548.

Product demonstration

THURSDAY, February 9from 10am to 3pm at Gippsland Conference Centre (1/121 Hotham Street, Traralgon).

Product demonstrations of the latest equipment, including the VisionBuddy from aQuantam Technology expert.

Keith Chenhall Charitable Trust

FOR 20 years, the Keith Chenhall Charitable Trusthas distributed money to support the cultural, social, educational, environmental and community welfare of the local community. In that time, more than one million dollars has been distributed to more than 30 organisations.

Applicationsfor 2023 fundingclose on Monday, February 27. Community groups and organisations with DeductibleGift Recipient (DGR) status are encouraged to apply. For further information, please phone Ian on 0419 313 831.

Chess results

STRONG defence was enough to leave Peter Bakker with asmall lead after the round finished on Tuesday, January31.

Steven Ahern forced the win in two games after succumbing to the attacks in earlier clashes against Ian Hamilton.

The material loss provedtobetoo much for both Cliff Thornton and Bob Cooper in most battles.

Matt Boldingfound the win in his first clash, before slippingupintwo other battles.

Phone Ian Hamilton on 5134 1971 or Cliff Thornton on 0413 330 458 for details on Latrobe Valley Chess.

NewTai Chi class

ANEW Tai Chi for beginners’class will be starting soon at the VRI hall in Queens Parade, Traralgon.

Facilitated by an experiencedTai Chi and Qigong teacher, this course will introduceparticipants to Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi,which is an 18-movement form of Qigong.

It is based on the principles of Tai Chi but is easier to learn.

Flowingmovements gently stretch and strengthen muscles,coordinated with breathing to promote the connection between mind, body and breath.

This course will help people develop flexibility, balance, good breathing and posture, prolong mobility and learn to destress.

The course is scheduled for Wednesday mornings 9.30amto10.30am,but other times may be availableifthere is enough interest.

For more information and to register your interest, phone the Traralgon Neighbourhood Learning House on 5174 6199 or email enquiries@tnlh. org.au

Boolarra Folk Festival

ONLY aworldwide pandemic has been able to stop this annual festival going ahead, but it is set for ajubilantreturn this year.

The multi-award winning Boolarra FolkFestival, whichattracted more than10,000 people in 2020, is afree, all-day community event set against a backdrop of the magnificent mountain ash trees of Gippsland’s Strzelecki Ranges.

The festival presents 10 hours of music, more than 50 market stalls featuring local arts and crafts, festival merchandise, and 15 food stalls offering adiverse range of delicious cuisines.

This year’s festival will be held on Saturday,March 4inRailway Park, Boolarra from 10am to 8pm. Car parking is available, including accessible parking.

The opening of theBoolarra Folk Festival is also afree event, andwill be held at the ARC in Yinnar on Friday, March 3. Fivegreat acts will take to the stage at 19 Main Street,Yinnar from 7.30pm.

The Boolarra Folk FestivalissponsoredbyLatrobe City Council, Loy Yang B, The Foundation for Regional and RuralRenewal, Bendigo Bank CommunityBranch, Mirboo North Community Foundation, Hip Pocket Workwear, and Cool Aqua Springs.

For any inquiries regarding the festival, email boolarrafolkfestivalhq@ gmail.com

Working bee

LATROBE Valley Beekeepers Associationare holding aworking bee at their Pollination Garden at 99 Saviges Road, Moe on February 11 from 9am to 1pm.

Lunch will be provided, and those interested should register before the event so that the organisers can cater accordingly.

To registervisithttps://lvba.

wildapricot/events

The Latrobe Valley Beekeepers Association welcomes any new volunteers, and anyone that may be interested to come down.

Anyquestions or further information canbeobtainedbyemailing Ang/Kate via LVBAPollinatorGarden@gmail.com

VRI Learning Garden

THE community garden at the VRI Hall in Queens Parade, Traralgon, has recentlyhad aname change to the VRI Learning Garden.

Manager Julie Callahan said the name changereflects the philosophy behind the garden as “being aplace where the community can come together to learn and grow”.

The VRI Learning Garden is urging anyone with an interest in plants and gardening to come down and volunteer.

The firstpaddocktoplate and no waste livingcourse will be commencing soon, with an information session scheduled for Wednesday,February 8at10am.

This is the perfect opportunityto learn about planting, looking after your garden,and growing your own food, soil health, composting, simple garden beds etc.

“Now more than ever before, reconnecting with nature, the community, and growing your own healthy food is vitally importanttophysical, emotional, and mental health,” Julie said.

Anyone interested in learning or sharing their skillsiswelcome at the learning garden as avolunteer.

Thoseinterested can also facilitate courses and workshops to help the community learn about growing their own food and sustainable practices. For further information and to register your interest, phone the Traralgon Neighbourhood LearningHouse on 5174 6199 or email enquiries@tnlh. org.au

What’s on at Old Gippstown

OLD Gippstownisopen to the public Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm.

Old Gippstownisnow conducting ghost and parktours monthly. The February tour has already sold out.

Next ghost tour is March 18.

HeadtoOld Gippstown’sFacebook page to book your ticket.

The twilight market at Old Gippstown is on March 4.

The water wheel, originally from Buxton, now situated in the lovely garden at Old Gippstown, is currently out of use. Once up and running it could be an amazing attraction. Significant amounts of money needstoberaised to get the water wheel into action again, so that it can be enjoyed by the whole community and visitors.

CoordinatorTinasaid“Getting [the wheel] turning again with the sound of rushingwater being fed back into our creek, would bring much joy to the community and be an absolute asset to the park”.

Donate to the GoFundMe here: https://gofund.me/52f0afea, phone Old Gippstown on 03 5127 3082 or email: enquiries@gippslandheritagepark.com. au to help get involved!

Februarymeeting

THE nextmeetingofthe Latrobe Valley Sustainability Group will take place tonight (Wednesday, February 8) in the Gippsland Multicultural Services building, 26-28 Tarwin Street, Morwell, commencing at 7:30pm.

Jules Cole from the Latrobe Valley Authority will be the guest speaker.

The Latrobe Valley Authority is astate government body set up in November 2016 to supportthe region as it transitions away from coal-fired power generation.

The authority works with communities, councils, industry, education providers and governmenttosecure lasting outcomes for the Gippsland region.

Jules will give apresentation on the progress of the Gippsland Transition Plan,and seeks communityfeedback on this draft document.

The public are welcome to attend. No need to book, just come along on the night.

Newborough

Venturer Scouts

ARE you aged 14-17 years and looking for anew activity to try this year? Would youliketomakefriendsand get active?

Why not try Venturer Scouts?

The Newborough Venturers meet weekly on aMonday evening at the Newborough Scout Hall.

We also get together some weekends for hiking, camping,bikeriding and other outdoor activities.

Venturers can participate in statewide, nationwide and overseas camps meeting youth from all over the world. For more information about Venturer Scouts in Newborough, please call Jane on 0403 656 351.

SuppAUT

LATROBEregionparent/familysupport groupfor those who have kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

SuppAUT is aparent-run group that aims to support one another as parents/ families of achild/children with autism.

The group is open for all, whether your child is ababy, pre-schooler, school aged,specialist school, mainstream school, home-schooled or is an adult -we all need support and can support each other.

We share our own experiences, problems, joys, successes and support each other with alistening ear and understanding.

It is avery informal gathering, sometimes aguest speaker is invited.

All parents/carers/family members are welcome and children/siblings are welcome too.

We meet every first Friday of the month, except during school/public holidays 2023 meeting dates

Term 1- Feb3,March 3

Term 2- May 5, June 2

Term 3- Aug4,Sept 1

Term 4-Oct 6, Nov3,Dec 1(Christmas lunch time TBC)

Meet at Daily LivingDisability Services -7 RoclaRoad, Traralgon from 10am to 11.30am.

All are welcome to come for acuppa, morning tea and achat in arelaxed setting.

For more info or enquiries about the group,phoneLouise Varsacion0414 540 296 or email varsaci@aussiebb. com.au

Join our group on FacebookSuppAUT Autism support group for families in Latrobe Valley, Victoria

Seniorslooking foractivities and company

THE Traralgon East Senior Citizens are recruiting new members for their club.

If you are interested in line dancing, indoor bowls,knit and natter, pool, table tennis, card games and alibrary,then this is the club for you.

We are open daily, and would welcome any new members who are interested in companionship and making new friends.

Pleasephonethe club on (03) 5174 6936orthe TESCC president on 042 774 1711.

The club is located at 2Matthews Crescent, Traralgon.

Gippsland Orchid Club

WE start the new year withanew venue for our meetings. The clubhas relocatedtothe Traralgon Anglican Hall, situated at 100 Grey StreetTraralgon (opposite the RSL car park).

This is an exciting move for the club. Our first meeting for 2023will be held tomorrow (Thursday, February 9).

Doors openat1.30pm for a2pm start.

This month’s meeting is an opportunitytocatchupwithall the otherorchid lovers after the Christmas break.

New members are very welcome.

We havemembers who are expert growers, others who enjoythe challenge of becoming abetter grower, and those who are beginners and are ready to learn.

Also, Geoff and Robin will help (and entertain) us with adiscussion on plant preparation for showing at both our club monthly meetings and also at our two major shows held at Mid Valley in August and October, 2023.

Club members recognise the contribution the Baptist Church made to our club providingour venue for four years, and wish them well in the future.

For furtherinformation ring secretary Pat on 0407 741 621.

Moe Meditation Group

THE Moe Meditation Group has commencedits weekly program on Wednesdaymornings (8:30am to 9:30am) in theInstitute Hall at the Gippsland Heritage Park (Old Gippstown) Moe.

Yoga, Qi Gong and meditation are ancientpractices that have evolved overtime to bringcalm to unsettled bodies and minds.

This group will give you an opportunitytoinvestigate and apply what these traditions offer.

Theprogram is suitable for all ages andwill cost you $5 per session.

Enquiries to Clem Jarvis on 0427 262 064 or email clem@asia.com

Rehearsals underway

LATROBE Community Concert Band has resumed rehearsals for the year, and are seeking new members.

Rehearsals are held 6:30pm to 9pm on Monday's, at aroom adjoiningthe Newborough Hall.

There are avariety of instruments available for member's use.

For more information, visit www. lccband.com, or call Tony on 0407 096 091.

Youcan be apartof Community Corner

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

You can address the correspondence to Editor, Liam Durkin.

Please write 'Community Corner' in the subject line and nothing else.

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