Gippsland Times Tuesday June 18 2024

Murder the only charges

ErikaAllen

THE jury in the trialofGregory

Stuart Lynn forthe alleged double murder of Russell Hill and Carol Clay retiredtoconsider itsverdict last Friday.

Over two days last week, Justice MichaelCroucher presented his final instructions to the jury, including that it cannot findMrLynn guilty of manslaughter.The onlycharges before the jury are for murder.

In the Supreme Court on Thursday, Justice Croucher toldjurors that if they were not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt of the murder charges, “any verdict of manslaughter in the alternative would be wrong”.

and whether Mr Lynn is guilty or not guilty in relationto(Carol)Clay,”

His Honour said.

Mr Lynn pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Hill and Ms Clay at acampsite they were sharing in the Wonnangatta ValleyinMarch2020.

Mr Lynn toldthe court last week he “should be punished” for destroying evidence, which he did by burning the campsite and dumping Mr Hill and Ms Clay's bodies near Dargo, where he later returned to burn them.

When the prosecution summed up its arguments last week, CrownprosecutorDaniel Porceddu argued Mr Lynn murdered the campers because the only reason forthe accusedto cover up the deaths is that “he knew he had murdered them”.

Mr Hill and Mr Lynn for control over aknife and Mr Lynn's 12-gauge shotgun.

The ABC reported last week that Justice Croucher faulted at least two of the questions prosecutors asked of Mr Lynn when they cross-examined him on evidence he gave last week.

“There was simply no evidentiary basis for asking those questions and they should never havebeen asked,” the judgesaidofthe questions, which related to Mr Lynn's allegedshotgun use on the night of the campers’ deaths.

It was reported jurors were told to ignore those questions.

thesequestions,MrLynn may well havebeen abletorespondina powerful and compelling way,” his honour said.

Justice Croucher said Mr Lynnwas denied the opportunity to respond because of the prosecutor’s conduct. His Honour continued, telling jurors they should use their heads and not their hearts, regardless of sympathy they may feel for the Mr Hill and Ms Clay.

“You must weigh the evidence logically and with an open mind, and notaccording to your passions or feelings or personal judgements about whatismorally acceptable or morally unacceptable,” Justice Croucher said.

“The only charges before you are murder,and it's for you to determine whether Mr Lynn is guilty or not guilty in relation to (Russell) Hill

In contrast, the defence, led by Dermot Dann KC, argued the pair's deaths were tragic accidents that followed separatestruggles between

Justice Croucher also said the prosecution hadbreached “the basicrules of fairness” because Mr Porceddu did not directly put to Mr Lynnthat he covered up the campers deaths because he murdered them.

“Had Mr Porceddu asked Mr Lynn

The jury returned to deliberate the verdict yesterday. They will only deliberate on weekdays between 10am and 4pm.

Mr Lynn is charged with murdering campers CarolClayand Russell Hill in the Wonnangatta ValleyinMarch 2020.

Justice Michael Croucher hasinstructed the jury in the Greg Lynn (pictured) trial, thatthe formerJetstar pilot cannot be found guilty of manslaughter,but only two countsofmurder

Photos:File

‘FutureWellington’launch

From Page 1

IF people are wondering how to get involved, starting July 2024, residents will be invited to complete an online surveyvia YourWellingtonYourSay at https://your.wellington.vic.gov.au/ futurewellington Alternatively, filling outa Future Wellingtonpostcard is aquick and easy way to shareideas about the future.

Postcards will be available at Council Customer Service Centres in Sale and Yarram, Wellington ShireLibraries

and at participating businesses and community spaces throughoutthe shire.

For more information,phone Council’sOrganisational Performance and Governance team on 1300 366 244 or email futurewellington@wellington. vic.gov.au

FutureWellington will guide the planning of five documents council says will be essential in steering its direction to

New General Manager for GippyTimes

BARBARA Seymour has been appointed GeneralManager of the Gippsland Times/Latrobe Valley Express and Elliott Gippsland Newspapers.

Ms Seymour has been with the company for 35 years, working at the Express in administration and accounts.

Before being announced as the new GM last week, ‘Barb’ was along-time finance manager for the company.

“It’s apleasure to work for afamily owned business who are committed to the regional newspaper industry,” she said.

“With enthusiasm Itakeupthis position. “Workingwith astrong, dedicated team we will continue to work hard to serve our community.

“Through print and digital editions we are able to reach abroad audience -our future is bright’.”

Ms Seymour takes over from Tim Ellen, who had been serving in the role following the passing of his brother, Bruce in March.

Tim Ellen, adirector at Elliott Newspapers, will continue in an advisory position with the Gippsland Times/Latrobe Valley Express.

Cowwarr Streetscapenow complete

FEDERAL Memberfor Gippsland, Darren Chester

said it is great to see the finished product of the Cowwarr Streetscape Project.

"The former federal government provided extra funding for councils under the Local Roadsand CommunityInfrastructure Program, which allowedWellington Shire to crack on with new projects,including pump tracks, road upgrades and streetscapes," Mr Chester said.

"The finished product of the Cowwarr Streetscape Project not only looks terrific andhas improved amenities but has also improved safety for locals and visitors.

"With the historic pub reopening, why not make the trip to Cowwarr and explore this beautiful part of Gippsland?"

Wellington Shire Council Mayor, Ian Byesaid the upgradeshavemade Cowwarr safer, while

preserving the town'scharm.Hesaid Cowwarr is more delightful to visit and live because of the upgrades.

"Safety and amenity improvements through the Cowwarr township was ashared project between Wellington Shire Council and Regional Roads Victoria back in 2021,and councilthanks the federal government and Regional Roads Victoria fortheir collaborationand joint funding of these enhancements to Cowwarr’s main street," he said.

"Two years on from project delivery, the town’s streetscape, safety, and overall appeal has improved, benefiting both residents and visitors.

"Enhancements to the streetscape include new pedestrian crossings, upgrades to lighting, signage and bus stops,landscaping, road widening, sealing and more."

Federal Member forGippsland, Darren Chester inspecting the upgraded streetscape in Cowwarr

Photo: Contributed

Gippsland Times/Latrobe Valley Express new general manager, Barb Seymour. Photo: Contributed

ASH features in winning projects

PhilipHopkins

PROJECTS using AustralianSustainable Hardwoods' (ASH) engineered timber manufactured in Heyfield have excelled in major Victorian architectural awards.

The BerninneitCultural and Community Centre in Cowes, by Jackson Clements Burrows (JCB) Architects, and featuring ASH timber, wonthe PublicArchitecture Award at the 2024 Victorian Architecture Awards, while the T3 15-story office tower in Collingwood, with asix-star energy rating and using ASH's engineered hardwood, has been nominated for aprestigious 2024 Vic Chapter Awards -Commercial Architecture category.

Glue-laminatedtimber(MASSLAM) -hugebeams 5.9 metres long and columns 4.2 meters high, all 42 centimetres wide -sit at the heart of the Cowes cultural centre.

AJCB architect, Thom McCarthy, said Vic Ash glulam was the essential structural element of the building.They formthe GrandHall, the spine of the building connectedtoall the rooms -the artistic theatresectionatone end and the libraryatthe other, and the function rooms in the centre.

Timber's role as astorage of carbon dioxide was part of the designapproach. Berninneit is the second largest public building in Australia to achieve'passive house' (PassivHaus) status -astyle of building from Europe that emphasised energy efficiency.

The striking T3 Collingwood buildingclaims the title of Australia’s tallest timber building and includes 10 levels of mass timbercolumnsand beams proudly designed and prefabricated locally by ASH in Gippsland.

The president of the Victorian Institute of Architects, David Wagner,saidthe 2024 award recipients had "indeliblyshaped our built environment, showcasingthe world-class ingenuity and expertise that "resides in our state".

Victorian statemanager,Daniel Moore, said winners of this year's Victorian Architectural awards represented amilestone in thefield, showcasing

the importance of sustainable design principles in the best projects.

At T3 in Collingwood, the Memberfor Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath, after visiting the site with Australian Forest Products Association’s Richard Hyett, spoke about the importance of wood in construction in the innovative building, paying tribute to the expert engineering and talented workers.

“The building is amasterpiece-the structural beamsand columns are made fromnative ASH, and they are magnificent -they look and feel beautiful, you walk up, and want to touch them," she said.

“The building is areminder of the importance of wood in our and showcases what can be achieved using anaturallygrown sustainable building material."

Ms Bath said appallingly,the building wasaone off -aheart-breaking reminder of Labor’s decision to shut Victoria’s sustainable native timber industry.

“It is one of Labor’sbiggestenvironmental failures to shutdownaVictorian hardwood industry when ourstateisabletoengineerand create such magnificentproducts," she said.

“Despite countless studies showing wood construction enriches people’s lives and has a40per cent reduction in embodied carbon comparedtoother construction materials -Labor turned its back on the industry and the thousands of regional jobs it supported.

“Thisinspirational buildingstorescarbon,and it was faster to assemble than conventional concrete and steel constructionwith less occupational health and safety incidents.”

Ms Bath encouraged all her eastern Victoria constituents to visitthe buildingtomarvelat"what is sadlythe lastofits kindbuiltusing Victorian hardwood timber”.

The T3 Collingwood building is located at 36 Wellington Street, Collingwood, or can be viewed online at t3collingwood.com.au

Australia Forest Products Association Policy Director, Richard Hyett and Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath marvel at the striking T3 Collingwood building, thats hardwood components were manufactured in Heyfield.

Photo: Contributed

Wild dog petition launch

WITH future funding of the wild dog control programuncertainpast Octoberthis year, Memberfor Gippsland East, Tim Bull has launched apetition to secure itsfuture.

Thepetition calls for the “urgent need to recommit to the wild dog control program", and requests:

-The three-kilometre buffer zone for controlling dogs be retained without alteration;

-All control measures currently available to doggers be retained without alteration;

-The annual publishing of the number and location of wild dogs euthanised by doggers, and;

-The annualpublishing of stocklosses and reports made by community members in relation to wild dog attacks.

“What Iamcallingonisfor the Minister (Environment Minister,Steve Dimopoulos)toend the uncertainty around the program and announce its continuation unchanged,” Mr Bull said.

“There is aclear lack of understanding of the importanceofthe program in this city-centric government, they really have no idea of the impact on the ground.

“Time and again Ihave explained that to remove the three-kilometre buffer zone (an area where doggers can undertake controls on public land adjacent to private freehold) would spell disaster.

“Once adog is on private land it is too late, and it is impossible to trap adog in an open paddock. Whereas in theland adjacenttofreehold, the doggers can effectively trap on the tracks and trails the dog’s use.

“The government also believes the solution lies in

farmers installing better fencing and while there is no doubt this is abig part of controls, it cannot be solely relied upon.

“We have falling branches,sambardeer, wombats and other factors that bring fences down, so we need every option available.”

Mr Bull said the petitionwould be made available both in hard copy and online and anyone who wanted some sheets should see his office.

Member forGippsland East,Tim Bullhas launcheda petition calling on anumberof issues related to the state’swilddog control program. Photo: File

Jury out onAndrews honour

Liam Durkin

MEMBER for Morwell, Martin Cameron has joined achorus of people outraged by the King's Birthday honourbestowed upon former Premier, Daniel Andrews.

Mr Andrews wasawarded the Companion of the OrderofAustralia in this year's King’s Birthday honours list -the nation's highest honour.

In the citation, Mr Andrews, who resignedas PremierlastSeptember, wasawarded "for eminent service to the people and Parliament of Victoria, to public health, to policy and regulatory reform andtoinfrastructure development".

Despite serving as Labor premier for arecord nineyears, criticshave called into questionhow Mr Andrews could be recognised for his service to public healthgivenhis leadership during the COVID-era.

“Victorians were subjected to the most draconian lockdown measures in the worldbyDaniel Andrews during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Cameron said.

“People haven’t forgotten how cruel and nonsensical the lockdowns were,and many arestill wearing the emotional and financial toll today.

“The bungledhotel quarantine program cost the lives of almost 800 Victorians, and the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine lagged behind other states." Apetition has been launched by Leader of The Nationals, Peter Walsh, calling for the support of Victorians to have the “inappropriate and unjustified” Companion of the OrderofAustralia removed by the Governor General, ProfessorMargaret Gardner AC.

Former Victorian Liberal Premier, Jeff Kennett has also written to the Governor General seeking to have Mr Andrews' honour rescinded.

Mr Andrews led Labor to three consecutivestate election victories -the last two (in 2018 and 2022) in total landslides.

In the safe National Party seats of Gippsland though,MrAndrews faced no shortage of opposition on local issues.

His legacy wastarnishedinGippsland dueto anumberofcontroversial decisions, such as the cessationofnativetimber harvesting, the botched electric vehicle factory in Morwell,and the cancellationofthe 2026 Commonwealth Games, which was to have events in the Latrobe Valley Mr Andrew's alsoannounced areturn of the

StateElectricity Commission as partofanelection promise, although it was recently revealed there was only asingleSEC employee working in the Morwell office. Mr Andrews faced tough criticism from

rank-and-file voters for hardly ever getting out on the road and visitingregional towns past Traralgon to hear their concerns.

Acomment piece by former Gippsland Times journalist Sarah Allman(née Luke)titled 'Our

Premier missing in action', was presented to Mr Andrews by Member for Gippsland South, Danny O'Brien in 2019.

“DanielAndrews failed Victorians, and his ill-conceived actions have lumped the state with record debt that will take generations to repay," Mr Cameron said.

“Instead of managing money responsibly, Labor has passed responsibilityonto Victorians in the form of land tax which is crippling people across the state.

“This is just one of the 55 new or increased taxes Victorians have been slapped with since the start of Daniel Andrews’ reign as Premier.

“TheCompanion of the OrderofAustralia is aprestigious award thatshould be reservedfor people who have made outstanding contributions in theircommunity -not aformer Premierwho failed the state of Victoria.”

Others however, such as Mr Andrews' successor Jacinta Allan, have backed the honour, saying it is totally justified.

"Daniel led the state through some of the most difficult and challenging times," she said.

"This is an entirely appropriate and an important recognition of the enormous contribution Daniel Andrews, and his family, have made."

Mr Andrews has remained largely absent from public life since his resignation, and did not even take to social media to acknowledge his King's Birthday Honour last week.

He did however release astatement, thanking the Victorian people for their support.

"I'm honoured to have been nominated for this award and grateful to everyVictorianwho contributed to some of our state's best times and who worked so hard to see us through ourmost challenging," he said.

"I thank the Victorian community for their support for me and my team in leading our state for nine years. That remains the greatest honour of my life."

Mr Andrews' namewillnow appear as The Honourable Daniel Michael Andrews AC on official correspondents.

This is not the first time the credibility of acountry's national order has been called into question. The England Test cricket team were all awarded MBEs (Most Excellent Orderofthe British Empire) in 2005after beating Australiaand reclaiming the Ashes for the first time in close to 20 years.

The decisiontoaward former PremierDaniel Andrews with an AC hasdivided the state. Mr Andrews cameunderfirefromWellington residents for seldom visiting the region. Photo: File

New and improved MondayTucker

WHEN police in Sale were introduced to amember of their local Rotary Club over adecade ago, little did they know it would mark the beginning of a regular dinner date that would continue to bring police and people from the community together for years to come.

Today, the weekly event is known as Monday Tucker, an opportunity for people from all walks of life to have ameal and achatinthe Sale community, including local police.

Established in 2010 by Detective Senior Sergeant, AndrewMehlert and Sale Rotary Club member Michael Page, Monday Tuckerstarted out with the primary goal of serving meals to those vulnerable.

For many years, volunteers, Rotarymembers and local police would meet in the Sale Memorial Hall every Monday evening to cook and serve meals to those who needed them, with anumberoflocals attending on aregular basis.

But, community attendance and police involvement dropped off over time, and the event was called off altogether when COVID hit Victoria in 2020.

Thatwas until East Gippsland’s LocalArea Commander Inspector,Mark Rossiter met Mr Page himself.

“When Ibumped into Michael by chanceata RoyalAustralianAirforceCentenaryfunction in September 2021,hetold me all about the program and the greatthingsithad achieved,” InspRossiter said.

“Hewanted some help getting it up and running again, and so it was from there that Ideveloped abit of avision for whatIthoughtthe program could look like.

“I walked away and Ithought, ‘we can do this’, but let’s put abit more emphasisonengaging with community members thistimearound, to identify what issues they’re facing and how we can better support them.”

So, after atwo year-hiatus, Monday Tucker version 2.0 was in the making.

After receiving divisional support for up to two members to participate in the event each week, Insp Rossiter teamed up with Rotary to establish aplan for the program’s revival.

“I thought, ‘we’ve got to engage some additional stakeholders to help us get setupand maximise the utility of the event for members of the community’,” Insp Rossiter said.

“So we established acommittee and came up

with abit of acampaign to get some local welfare organisations like Uniting Care and the Salvation Army on board.”

With Foodbank also on board, Australia’s largest hunger relief charity, it didn’t take long to recommissionthe Monday Tucker kitchen either-leading to the eventual re-launch of the program in July 2022.

Today,nolonger involved in servingmeals, police members have even more time to speak with those in the Sale communityabout their needs and concerns,strengthening their confidence in police and other support services.

“Every Monday night, two of our members work their way around the hall and have achattothe 30 or so attendees about avariety of matters including local crime, family violence, road policing issues,” Insp Rossiter said.

“Sometimes,serious crime is reported, but because members of the community feel comfortable speaking with police, our members have the information they need to initiate investigations as soon as the night’s over.”

Through attending the event on aregular basis, Sale police members have been able to address reported incidents of family violence with early intervention, gather information about local drug trafficking, and more.

On one occasion, police at Monday Tucker were even able to determine that avulnerable group of people were the targets of significant fraud. But thanks to their close connection with the Sale community, police were able to gather and link enough intelligence to identify the offenders and hold them to account.

“Our attendance has resulted in some great outcomes,” Insp Rossiter said.

“The police members who attend find it really rewarding on apersonal level too. They establish relationships with members of the community and get to know who they’re dealing with really well, so they end up with agreat understanding of how to help them.”

Sale police members also get valuable insight into attendees' footy tipping strategy.

Socialactivities likefootytipping are another much-loved part of Monday Tucker and are incorporated into the programtoencourage people who can sometimes be isolated,likethe elderlyorthose with disability, to come along to the event too.

Given the huge success of the program so far, it’s

safe to say the new and improved Monday Tucker won’t be fizzling out anytime soon.

But,asthe saying goes, manyhandsmake light work, so Insp Rossiter is more than happy to welcome new volunteers to the program team.

“Our police volunteers enable us to have aconsistent community presence,” Insp Rossiter said.

“Whether we’re speaking to attendees about what’s going on in theirworld, or about the footy,it’s our presence that matters most, because it provides members of the community with the reassurance that we’re always here to help.”

The Sale Veterans Centre/Memorial Hall is under renovation and 'Monday Tucker' is currently being conducted at the GreggHall which is situated behind the Uniting Kindergarten on the corner of Raymond and McAllister Street, Sale.

Volunteer,JuneArmstrong and East GippslandLocal Area Commander, Inspector MarkRossiter. Photos: Contributed

Patrons enjoying Monday Tucker in Sale.

East Gippsland Local Area Commander Inspector,MarkRossiter (middle) with MondayTucker volunteers, Tracey Hughes and Noel Thomas.

New appointments

THANKSGIVING Masses were held recently to celebrate Catholic Education Week in the Diocese of Sale.

AThanksgiving Mass at Sale’s St Mary’s Cathedral was led by the Catholic BishopofSale,Most Reverend Greg Bennet with clergy from across the Diocese.

The Masswas alsoanoccasionto welcome newly-appointed Catholic school principals, and religious education leaders in their school communities.

As asymbol of this leadership,a Missionary Cross was presented to each leader by Bishop Greg, assisted by the Director of CatholicEducation for the Diocese of Sale, Paul Velten.

Newly-appointed principals are:

 Shane Fyfe -Principal,St Michael’s Primary School, Heyfield, and;

 Doug Doherty -Principal,Nagle College, Bairnsdale.

Newly appointed Religious Education Leaders are:

 Janelle Szkwarek -Religious Education Leader, Lumen Christi Primary School, Churchill;

 Roseanne Phillips -Religious Education Leader, St Thomas’ Primary School, Sale (in absentia).

Mr Velten saidCatholic Education Week was an important time to reflect and celebratethe Catholic identity withinschool communities in the Diocese of Sale,and continue to embrace the mission of providing afaith-filled and inspiring education to students.

"The leadership and dedication of our newly appointed principals and religious education leaders serve as a shining example of our commitment to nurturing the hearts and minds of our students in the Diocese of Sale," he said.

Keeping healthy and active this winter

GIPPSLANDERS are being encouraged to keep healthy this winter by eating well, staying active and getting vaccinated as the days get colder and darker.

These actions are a part of the latest 'Healthy for Winter' social media campaign led by the Gippsland Region Public Health Unit.

GRPHU team members have jumped aboard the campaign by sharing their favourite winter recipes or how they like to keep active over winter.

The campaign also has some helpful tips about warding off the winter sniffles.

GRPHU director, Annelies Titulaer saidthese three actions could help boost people's mental and physical health.

"Weidentified eating well, staying active, and keeping up-to-datewith flu and other vaccines as the topthree actions mostpeoplecan do

thiswinter to stayhealthy," Ms Titulaersaid.

"OurGRPHU staff have some great recipes for hearty winter meals that use simple ingredients and make use of seasonal veggies.

"It can be hard to be motivated to get moving in winter when it's tempting to stay inside, but even goingfor ashort walk or doing some quick stretches can boost your spirits and warm you up."

Ms Titulaer said gettingflu vaccines and COVID boosters were also important to help protect loved ones from the spread of infections.

Shesaidpeople should remember to stay at home if theyfeel sick, wash theirhandsand wear amask in crowded areas.

"Have achatwith your GP aboutvaccinations for other respiratory diseases such as pertussis, or whooping cough, and RSV," she said.

"You might be eligible for afree flu shot, and

you can have thisatthe same timeasyour COVID booster."

The GRPHU is led by Latrobe Regional Health to manage and respond to public health issues in Gippsland.

Followthe Latrobe Regional Health Facebook or Instagrampages,orfollow the GRPHU on LinkedIn to keep up to date with the Healthy for Winter campaign.

You can also go to the LRH website to find news and information from the GRPHU.

Healthy for Winter was developedinconsultation withlocal Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations and from aGRPHU community participation and engagement survey.

Deputy Director of Gippsland Region Public Health Unit,Alyce Wilson shares her favourite recipe.

RAISING RAISING FUNDS& GIVINGBACK!

Photo:Contributed

Director of Catholic Educationfor the Diocese of Sale,Paul Velten andCatholic Bishop of Sale -Most Reverend Greg Bennet congratulated Shane Fyfe on his appointment as principalofStMichael’s Primary School, Heyfield.

Director of Catholic Educationfor the Diocese of Sale, Paul Velten andCatholic BishopofSale- Most Reverend Greg Bennet withnewly-appointed Religious Education Leader at LumenChristi Primary School, Churchill, Janelle Szkwarek. Photos: Contributed

PhotoGallery

Tree dahlia in bloom, autumn morning.Photo: Melanie Tancred

MarlayPoint

Photo:MelanieTancred

Autumn in Wellington.

Photo:Melanie Tancred

Perfect weather in Seaspray.Photo: JohnMorgan

La Guthridge sunrise.

Photo:Leanne Peck

Chestershares knowledge with youth

 THE Maffra Vigilance Society thrift shop has been forced to close for Saturday mornings in the foreseeable future. All other shop hours will remain the same.

 THE next meeting of the Maffra CWA branch will be held on Monday, June 24 beginning at 11am with awalk around the Maffra Recreation Reserve looking at the reserve’s history, if weather permits.

 Lunch and achat will commence at 12pm, members are asked to bring homemade soup with arecipe to share, if able.

Competitions are best bloom or stem and apulse soup.

 MAFFRA Neighbourhood House will host an Inkle workshop on Wednesday, June 26. This is afive-hour session with all materials and equipment provided. No experience needed.

Make an Inkle woven cloth band which can be used as abracelet, bookmark, keyfob or trim. Learn anew skill, cost $130. Book a place by calling 0422 335 155.

 MAFFRA Neighbourhood House is taking expressions of interest from enthusiastic home gardeners willing to volunteer acouple of hours to assist with the house’s new gardening project. Call Leah on 0422 335 155 to find out more about this exciting new project.

FEDERAL Memberfor Gippsland, Darren Chester visited Maffra and Rosedale primary schools to talk to students about Australia's political system and provide insight into his work as aparliamentarian.

"I spoke to students about my role as aMember of Parliament and how we get things done in our community," Mr Chester said.

"They asked arange of questions, including my responsibilities as the Federal Member for Gippsland, my journey into politics,achievements, as well as percipient queries about local issues."

Mr Chestersaidhealways enjoys speaking with younglocal learners andhearingabout issues they are interested in.

"It's amazing how much our young Gippslanders care for the region and the issues that could affect them," Mr Chester said.

"One of the best parts of my job is visiting local schools,speakingwithstudents and helpingthem understand what their local MemberofParliament does and how Iamworking to support the community on adaily basis."

Mr Chester was even given homework in Rosedale, presented with alarge envelope of letters to read about building apump track in the town.

Federal Member forGippsland, Darren Chester with Maffra Primary School captainsKelsey, Zara, Mason and Levi.

Photos:Contributed

Federal Member for Gippsland,DarrenChester with RosedalePrimary School captains Cohen and Mahli. Mr Chester waseven given some homework to take back to the office.

Variation to be provided with Torrio!

TORRIO! -PaulGrabowsky(piano), Mirko Guerrini (tenorsaxophone), Niko Schauble(drums), was formed for aone-off performance in late 2013the immediate personal and musical connection inspiredacommitment to continue performing together as an ongoing project.

All three members of Torrio! are prolific composers and each contributes original music to the ensemble’s repertoire. Torrio’sperformances range across various genres, referencing the various traditionsthat have inspired them, from jazz and contemporary

classical music to pop and soundtrackcomposition. The result is musicwithoutfrontiers -playful, joyful, and deep.

The evening begins at 8pm on Thursday, June 27 at The Wedge Performing Arts Centre (100 Foster Street, Sale).

an

The

Guerrini, Paul Grabowsky andDaveBeck. Photo: Contributed

‘Scandalous’

Goodbye Girlie

BRIAGOLONG Art Gallery says it is thrilled to welcome back Tamara Bailey with anew exhibition Goodbye Girlie Loosely inspired by ascandalous true event, her composite photography dramatises the heady emotions of ayoung woman's descent into atroubling love affair.

– $104,753 (APS 6) + Super

The Role Air Training and Aviation Commons Systems Program Office (ATACSPO) is looking for a Contracting professional to fill an APS 6 Contract Management Officer position located within the Air Training Program Unit

The position reports to the Commercial Manager, who is responsible for the end to end management of capability life cycle and partner/vendor management A key area of focus for this position is day to day operations, tactical and strategic contract governance, overlooking in-year budget and preparing multi-year forecast

You will be responsible for a range of complex commercial, financial, procurement and contract management activities to ensure compliance with legislation, procurement policies, processes and procedures The role works within a multifaceted work area, therefore excellent communication, the provision of advice, direction, assistance and services for procurement policy, technical, commercial, legal, financial investigation and other requirements to support contract management outcomes is required

About our Team

You will enjoy working in a complex, fast-paced environment as part of a diverse (Australian Defence Force personnel, Australian Public Service personnel and Contractors to Defence) and inclusive team that encompasses a variety of knowledge, skills and experience with a supportive strategic Executive Team ATACSPO supports career development through a comprehensive professional development program, encouraging employees to build both leadership and technical skills and harnesses continuous improvement ideas and innovations The position offers an attractive remuneration package, including generous employer superannuation contributions, leave benefits and flexible working arrangements

Our Ideal Candidate

The position requires a highly motivated individual with excellent communication and negotiation skills, attention to detail, and ability to work effectively and collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders The successful candidate will have significant contract management experience and a strong understanding of and/or experience in procurement and finance

Candidates will require a strong ability to resolve competing priorities, manage resource dependencies and work with senior leaders to deliver strategic outcomes

You will be experienced in working with multi discipline teams and maintaining constructive cross team communication as well as having the ability to manage a high workload with minimal supervision

Application Closing Date: 23 June, 2024

For further information please review the job information pack, reference CASG/04371/24 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=16562A43-45A834E2-3BA1-DAC2517176DA

The exhibitionopens this Saturday (June 22) between 2pm and 4pm.

The show runs until July 28.

Goodbye Girlie by Tamara Baileywill run at the Briagolong Art Galleyfromthis weekend. Photos:Contributed

The show will run for 1hour 50 minutes, including

interval.

threemembers of Torrio!Mirko

Local combination to perform Classical Pops

Eisteddfod entries fillingfast

ENTRIESare filling fast for the 68th Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod and Performing Arts Festival.

Vocal, Choral, Instrumental, Brass Bands, Piano, Speech &Drama andTheatrical Dance entries are all now open to the public via stardom.com.au/ Entries close Sunday, June 30.

The Eisteddfod offers more than 380 events and over $30,000 in awards, scholarships and trophies.

The 2024 friendly competition runs over six weeks commencing Monday, August 19 at the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre with speech, drama and piano over the first week, then moving on to instrumental, choral and vocal, brass ensembles and brass bands The last week moves to Kernot Hall for theatrical dance, finishing up on September 29

Latrobe ValleyEisteddfodPublicRelations Officer, Sjaala Harbridge said the event is now the only Eisteddfod and platform in Gippsland that provides the opportunity for performersofall ages and skill levels to perform on stage for their familyand peers, and gainvaluable experience and feedback from judges.

Running since 1956, Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod h has certainly seen some amazing local talent go on to become renowned professionals in their fields For the full program of events, or to sign up as a volunteer, go to lve org au or the Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod Facebook page Program schedule is available via lve org au/schedule/

THIS Saturday (June 22) will be anight of entertainment that sees the Sale City Band and Latrobe Orchestra come together in concertto perform Classical Pops

The band and the orchestra will presentanight of music in the tradition of the famous 'Boston Pops', which features aprogram of light classical music.

The audience can expect to enjoy arangeofmusic from My Fair Lady to Les Toreadors from Bizet’s Carmen, as well as other well-known and loved tunes including The Can Can,the Nutcracker

Waltz,Percy Grainger’s Danny Boy and amedley from Chicago

Forabig finish, the Latrobe Orchestra will combine with the Sale City Band to perform three pieces including Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture

The concert is being held at the Cobb &CoStables in Sale, beginning at 7.30pm. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased from trybooking.com

Free tea and coffee will be available at the concert. Furtherinformation aboutthe concert can be found on the Try Booking website.

Members from Sale City Band and Latrobe Orchestra Dylan Morriss, Jared Morriss,Seamus Foley, Dave Mirtschin, Caroline Monck,Colin Iverson, and TomCousin.

Photo: Contributed

Photo: File

1. What is the other name for an Academy Award?

2. What is the 50th state of America?

3. What countryused to be called Persia?

4. What is Lightning McQueen’scatchphrase? TWOPOINTERS

5. What is Tintin’sdog named?

6. Who was kidnapped in the Trojan War?

7. What year did the first iPhone come out?

8. What daytime soap opera takes place in the town of Salem? THREE POINTER

9. What is aVietnamese pork roll called?

10 What is the lowest point in the ocean called?

11 What is the name of the hand in The Addams Family?

12. What starts adiesel engine instead of spark plugs? FOUR POINTER

13 Where is aNovocastrian from?

14 Who was the shortest NBA player? FIVE POINTER

15. What’sthe term for aleopard’sspots?

Howtoplay...

Using the 9letters in the grid, howmany wordsoffour letters or morecan youlist? The centrelettermust be included and each lettermay be used only once.Nocolloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural wordsending in ‘s’. Solution page27

FEDERATION University has partnered with McMillans Accounting and Financial Planning in Traralgon to deliver co-op placements to students, helping them to get aheadstart in their chosen profession.

In afirst for Australia, the globally recognised cooperative education modelproviding academic credit for real workplace experience -will be embedded across all Federation University Australia programs by 2026.

Federation University Churchill Bachelor of Business student, Liam Byrne, commenced his co-op placement in March.

‘‘ Partnershipoffers head start

Liam began his interest in finance at a young age, finding topics related to finance piquing his interest both in his own time and at school.

“I think the main benefits are the experience and knowledge you gain. Mainly because having that experience looks great to potential employers and can help open a lot of doors in the future,” Liam said.

“Instead of getting someone’scoffeeor scanning documents, they might have you helping on some real industry work whilst getting paid for it."

Liam hopes that his experience will potentially lead to ajob in the future.

McMillans Financial Planner,Claire Richmond Miller,saidthat McMillans have always supported the Gippsland Campus of Federation University

“Weare very keen to get on board with the co-op program,” she said.

Claire cited many benefits to their business including supporting students from the Gippsland campus’ business school to access real-time industry knowledge and experience, as well as building students' exposure to their workplace so that they may consider McMillans as afuture employer.

To learn more about Federation University business courses visit: study.federation.edu. au/stream/business

Business student,LiamBryne andClaireMiller from McMillans Accounting. Photo:Contributed

Ithink the main benefits arethe experience and knowledge you gain. Mainly because having that experience looks great to potential employers and can help open alot of doors in the future.

Liam Bryne Business student

OpenMonday -Friday 9am -5pm

Greg Steele

Dr Reeha Nandha

The home thathas it all

OFFERING access to parks, playgrounds, sporting facilities, and schools, this home has it all, according to agents. The home features aliving room with asplit system for climate control, ensuring year-round comfort for the entire family

Aroom at the front of thehome provides

Briefdetails fdetails

Property: Three-bedroom home on corner block.

Address: 2Neilson Court, Stratford Price: $519,000.

Features: Three bedrooms, twobathrooms, twocar spaces.

Agent: Christine Haylock (0417 007 336).

space for work or play,suitable for both astudy/home office or kids room, agents say At the centre of the home is the kitchen, dining, and family area, with natural light. The kitchen includes alargebench space and storage.

The master bedroom is located at the front of the home. It features awalk-inwardrobe and ensuite.

Twoadditional bedrooms feature built-in robes and share acentral family bathroom complete with avanity, shower,and bath. Aseparate laundry is included.

Outside, prospective buyers will find an undercover entertaining area. Agents say the rear yard has space for children and pets to play,and room to put up shedding if required.

The property features adouble garage plus double gate access to the rear yard.

Neatunit with its owntitle

Futuredevelopment an option

AGENTS say this 589m2 fenced allotment presents the option of future development, with all services connected.

Lending itself to passive solar orientation, agents say plans have been penned for atownhouse (STCA) which captures the northern sun and the cooling Gippsland summer breeze with considered cross flow ventilation.

The mature maple tree offers privacy and shade, agents say.Several established fruiting apple trees are also growing on the land.

Agents say this allotment is located centrally in “Old Sale”.

Endless potential in East Sale

Growers urged to use dwarftrees

GROWERS and gardeners planning to plant fruit trees this winter are being urged to consider dwarf trees as an easier option to protect against fruit fly.

Agriculture Victoria's statewide fruit fly coordinator, CathyMansfieldsaiddwarf varietiesare easier to harvest, easier to cover with insect-proof netting and easier to monitor for pests.

“It’s particularly important to control fruit fly and other pests and diseases if you live near commercial production areas likethe Yarra Valley,Goulburn Murray Valley or Sunraysia,” she said.

“For home gardeners, coveringfruit trees with netting is the best way to prevent fruit fly.

“Finding fruit fly on dwarf trees is made easier when you can access fruit below head height and identify the small pin like markthat female Queensland fruit fly make as they lay eggs into the surface.”

Another advantage of dwarf varietiesisthat a ladder is not requiredfor fruit picking, netting or pruning. In Victoria alone, there are about 1200 emergency department presentations due to ladder falls at home each year.

Dwarf trees provide other benefits for home gardeners such as greater coverage with insecticides and fungicides, and for renters,the abilitytomoveto the next property when planted in apot. Standard varieties of fruit trees require careful pruning to manage vigour and direct energy to fruit.

Skillful pruning and thinning is required to ensure gardeners don’t end up with very tall treesand small fruit.

For more information, visitthe Agriculture Victoria website at agriculture.vic.gov.au/qff

Farm safety projecttocontinue

THE Victorian FarmersFederation’sMaking our Farms Safer project (VFF MOFS) will continue to run until 2025 after receivinga$600,000 grant from the state government.

VFF Vice President, Danyel Cucinotta welcomed the extension, and said the project, which launched in April 2020, will continue to help shift the dial towards zero on-farm deaths and injuries.

“The VFF MOFS project has been avital and trusted resource for the farming community since 2020, and the team will hit the ground running to help reduce the overrepresentation of the agriculture industry in workplace deaths andinjury,” Ms Cucinotta said.

“Farmers andour regionalcommunities have told us loud and clearhow important this project was to them, and Iwelcome the government’s commitment to helping us keep farmers safe."

Ms Cucinotta said the project will focus on four key areas to help ensure the safety of farmers.

“Mental health is an enormous, hidden burden confronting many farmers.The VFF MOFS

project will develop and publish ahandbook specifically made by our farmers, for our farmers,” she said.

“The use of telehandlers on farms brings particular risks which are akey focus for the VFF.

With the new options for telehandler licencing to rollout beginning in July, we’ll be working with farmers to help ensure they understand the requirements and dangers when operating or working around them.

“In 2022, over 40 per centofall deaths on farms were tragically people aged over60. This announcement meanswe’llbeableto continuethe rollout of the recently launched ‘Stay Farming Longer and Safer’ handbook, aimed at farmers over 60.

“Nothing beats in-person, tailored safetyadvice to your farm. The team will be busy conducting on-farm safety visits, safety briefingsaswell as attending field days and presenting to community groups throughout Victoria.”

Visit makingourfarmssafer.org.au/ to learn more and access the resources on offer.

White named CEO of AFPA

THE Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) said it is is pleased to welcome new Victorian Forest Products Association (VFPA) Chief Executive, Andrew White to the role ahead of his commencement in late August 2024.

“On behalf of AFPA and the broader industry I welcome Andrew’s appointment as VFPA Chief Executive and look forward to his advocacy for Victoria’s forest products sector as it seeks to meet numerous challenges and opportunities,” AFPA Chief Executive, Diana Hallam said.

Ms Hallam also thanked the outgoing VFPA Chief Executive,Deb Kerr for her commitment to the Victorian sector through challenging times.

“Deb has worked tirelesslyonbehalfofindustry,” she said.

VFPA Chair, Rob Hescock said he is delighted

to welcome the new chief executive.

“Andrew has spent his career working with peak bodies in the NFP sector, including as Deputy Chief Executive of AUSVEG and he brings considerable expertise in governmentand media relations, corporate strategy, crisis management and business development,” Mr Hescock said. Mr Whitewill commence as VFPACEO on August 26.

“I’m very muchlooking forward to joining VFPA and working with what is one of Victoria’s most important primary industry sectors," he said.

"From growers through to processors and right across the supply chain, VFPA has an important role representing forestry industries that will only become more critical in the future."

Queensland fruit flies.

Photo: AgricultureVictoria

AgricultureVictoria says gardeners should consider dwarf trees as an easier option to protect against fruit fly.

Photo: istock

ALONGFORD Hereford stud,Mawarra Genetics, has takenout the highest accoladeatthe 2024 Gippsland Food and Fibre Awards,held at Maffco Brewery &Distillery.

Voted Overall Gippsland Agribusiness of the Year by an independent panel of judges,the award recognises outstanding achievement within the region’s food and fibre sector.

Around 130 guests attended the presentation night, where the winners of five category awards and three premier awards were announced.

In addition to the top award, Mawarra Genetics was selected as the winner of the Innovation category, acknowledging its demonstrated approach to adopting new and innovative technologies and awillingness to share knowledge and experience with others in the industry.

MawarraHerefords was established in 1963, and during the past 60 years of successfully breeding stud cattle, the business has seen six generations

of family dedicated to producing superior Hereford genetics in Gippsland.

Ben Gebert, Food &FibreGippsland Chief Executive, said the Gippsland Agribusiness of the Year award is bestowed upon the food and fibre business that has excelled in all aspects of its commercial operation.

“MawarraGenetics’ client-centric approach; continual drive for improvement; adoption of best practice; and unwavering commitment to excellence are just afew contributors to theircrowningas Gippsland Agribusiness of the Year -anaccolade very well-deserved,” he said.

Mr Gebert noted the exceptionally high standard of entries across allcategories in this year’s awards program.

“The judges were extremely impressed with the calibreofentries submittedbyGippsland food and fibre businesses," he said.

“We received applications from right across the

food andfibrevalue chain,presenting arichvariety of top-notch contenders.”

Recognised as aleading industry event, the Gippsland Food and Fibre Awards showcase the region’s $7 billion agricultural sector by acknowledging,celebratingand rewardingthe region’s food and fibre champions. With abroad focus across the whole of the supply chain, the awards are an importantvehicle for recognising success, sharing achievement, and inspiring others.

Thetwo other premier awards were presented to individuals as leadersintheir field. Nicole Saunders from The Berry Dairy, Maffra accepted the Young AgribusinessLeaderofthe Year award, for her enthusiasm,vision, and commitmentin diversifying her business’s operations from asuccessful 1600-cow dairy to incorporating athriving pick-your-own strawberry farm and café.

The Berry Dairy was also afinalist in the Service to the Food and Fibre Industry category.

This award went to Maffco Brewery &Distillery, which was recognised by the judges as abusiness that has gone from strength to strength in avery short time, representing an excellent showcase for Gippsland products and attracting new events to the region in awelcoming space for locals and visitors alike.

Excellence in Collaborative Partnerships went to Lindenow-based Bulmer Farms, for outstanding contribution to the food and fibre industry’s many productive partnerships, and consistent demonstration of collaboration as acore principle of its operation.

Acertified organic dairy operation, Wilandra Farms, based at Clydebank, won the Sustainability category award for its approach to regenerative farming, environmental stewardship, and generosity with sharing extensive knowledgetoothers about sustainable primary production practices.

Local dairy farms amongst most expensive Mawarra Genetics claimhighest honour

SEVERAL dairyfarmsinGippsland, including one at Bundalaguah, were among the growing number of dairy properties being sold for higher prices throughout Australia, the WeeklyTimes has reported.

Aprivate local buyer bought a156-hectare dairy farmlandproperty in Bundalaguahfor $5.4 million, while at Leongatha, afamily sold its 207-hectare property for reportedly more than $8 million. The listalso included a310-hectare property in Poowong bought by aprivate Gippsland beef producer,andsoldbytheChinese-ownedDFPAustralia.

In general, sales of dairy farmland have risen due to rapid interest from North American corporate dairy buyers.

Thevalue of dairy farmlandinboth Victoriaand Tasmania increased beyond $20,000per hectare last year, while land in New SouthWales remained steady.

In Victoria, the value of dairy farmland increased by 16 per cent, risingtoanaverage of $21,650 per hectare.Tasmania only increased by 13 per cent, yet remained more expensive at $29,000 per hectare, the Weekly Times reported.

"Despite the drop in purchase intentions, dairy and mixedirrigator operators remained confident, especially in the north of the state(Tasmania).

Scalable and well-locatedproperties continued to attract sound interest throughout 2023," Rabobank's Australian Agricultural Land Price Outlook 2024 Report author and RaboResearch analyst, Vitor Pistoia, told the Weekly Times.

"The dairy market (in Victoria) particularly saw

demand for smaller farms for expansion. Of all dairying ground sales, 33 per cent were deals under 100 hectares.

"Previously we might have three or four buyers competing for adairy property, but this is more like two or three at the moment."

Owners of dairy farmland have since agreed to multi-milliondollar deals, which has seen anumber of notable dairy farmland sales.

Listing some of the biggest recentsales, the Weekly Times noted that the biggest was a whopping $30 million for a784-hectare property in Cressy, Tasmania.

With interestinAustraliandairy farmland increasing, price rises may be continual. But, it remains whether owners are willing to sell, and if the right price arises.

Dairyfarmlandhas seen arecent rise in value due to interest from North American corporate dairy buyers.

Photo: Contributed

TomHayes

HIGGINS, Willie.

Willie, thank you for your continuing friendship and fun karaoke gatherings. Deep and sincere sympathy to the family. Heather.

MARIANI (nee Ferguson), Raylee Francis

Dearly loved wife to Maurice for 55 years and cheeky Mum and motherin-law to Kellie and John; Brian, Lisa and Nev. Naughty Nanny to Karina, Devyn and Rhianna, Bailey and Paige. Greatly loved by her brothers, sisters-in-law and nephews and niecesNeville and Pat; Jodie, Jordan and John; John and Marie; and Ken. Back in the arms of her devoted parentsand holding her beautiful baby boy Brian. Gone too soon.

Her wings were ready, but our hearts were not -but beautiful memories are ours forever… We have memories xxxx

JOURNALIST

The GippslandTimes and Latrobe Valley Express arelooking for ajournalist to join our team.

This is afantastic opportunity for you to contribute to the communities in our region.

The role will include general news reporting in aregionwitha wealth of stories to be told about current challenges and future opportunities in addition to the normal story telling expected of alocal newspaper serving its community

The ideal candidate will:

Have relevant tertiaryqualifications

Have great communication skills, both verbal and written

Be able to write punchy,informative and exciting stories on arange of subjects

Possess great news sense and an understanding of what engages local readers

Have acurrent driver’s licence

Be motivated with acommitment to accuracy and quality reporting

The position will be based in Sale.

The successful applicant will report to the Editor

Send aletter of application, resume, list of referees and work examples to:

OLDS, Edward "Ted"

Passed away peacefully June 14, 2024. Devoted andloving husband of Nancy for 64 years. Loved father of Danny (dec.) and Jeanette. Great mate of Mick. So much more than a grandfather to Wendy, Emily, Michael, Jessamy, Marney and Crystal and their partners Peter, Damon, Joel, Jesse and Michael.

The best great grandfather in the world to Ella, Mia, Ethan, Maddi, Charlotte, Siena, Sam, Bailey, Alanah, Isabella, Layla, Elsie, Kohen, Noah, Jordan, Frankie, Imogen, Audrey, Pippa and Jackson. "If we don't see you through the week, we will see you through the window."

Dearest Pa My heart is broken and Idon't know how to navigate what comes next.

We were more like father and daughter and it's a bond that will never break. Your sacrifices for me and my siblings when we were children will never be forgotten and Ihave cherished every moment of you building loving relationships with my children.

We will miss celebrations in the pavilion, homemade potato cakes and weekend phone calls to find out if the kids won netball and footy. Iloveyou anddon't you forget it, baby. Wendy, Pete, Charlotte and Sam.

Pa, all our lives we'll miss you, as the years come and go. But in our hearts we'll keep you, because we love you so. Thank-you for being the best Pa akid could ever dream of.

Emily, Damon, Ella, Ethan, Frankie and Pippa.

Pa, the greatest teacher of everything in life.

So much of what Iknow, Iknow because of you.

You were the most loyal, loving, generous and genuine bloke we could have asked for.

You will be talked about for generations to come as the best Pa to ever walk this earth.

You will be sorely missed and Ihope we get to meet again one day. Love Michael, Maddison, Bailey, Alanah and Imogen.

Our dearest Pa. Akind, loving, generous, proud and selfless man are just afew things that come to mind when we think about the person you were.

The unconditional love you had for us all will last alifetime.

We will forever be grateful for the generosity and selflessness you showed to ensure we never went without.

Atruegentleman until the very end.

When the red, red, robin comes bob, bob, bobbin' along, along.

Loveforever (your favourite granddaughter) Jessamy,Joel, Mia, Siena, Jordan and Jackson xx.

Pa, It breaks our hearts every day to live in a world where you aren't, but thank you for spending your life loving us and ma king so ma ny memories that we now get to treasure.

How lucky are we to have had "The best Pa in the world".

See you mash potato.

OLDS, Edward "Ted"

Our Pa, You'll be always loved, never be forgotten and forever missed. Thank you for being the absolute best Pa in the world and showing us what atrue gentleman is. We're all going to miss you "like ahole in the head". Crystal, Mike, Isabella and Noah xx.

Ted, you were my fatherin-law and my mate. Ihad you longer than my own dad and we made plenty of memories in that time. Never across word or an argument.

Thanks for everything mate.

Rest easy, 'til we meet again.

Love Mick x.

You will be missed by many Dad.

Hopefully you and Danny are out fishing, having a beer and spinning ayarn or two.

Much love, Jeanette.

OSBORN Robert Francis 19-03-1945 to 14-6-2024

Dearly loved husband of Denise for 55 years. We were together for the best 60 years of my life. Loved father of Kathryn and Martin, father-in-law of Mat and Shona. Pa and great grandpa to Brooke, Jack, Oska, Ella, Max and Milla, and friend to Ben.

Agentle nature Aheart of gold You suffered so long It was not fair what you went through God saw that you were weary, The hill too steep to climb We have lost but heaven has gained You were someone special Someone good and true You will never be forgotten We thought the world of you Until we meet again, All my love Denise.

OSBORN. You were aDad who was so special, And who was loved so very much. You brought so much happiness, To the many hearts you touched. You were always kind and caring, And so understanding too. And if help was ever needed Dad It so freely come from you. You have left behind our broken hearts, And precious memories too. But we've never wanted memories, We only wanted you. Your lovingdaughter Kath, amazing father-inlaw to Mat. Loved and adored Pa of Oska

Love you forever and always Pa. Iwill always be thinking of you. Thank you for being agreatrole model in my life, you're the best Pa anyone could ever ask for.

Love you -Oska

To our dearest Dad and Pa, No words can describe the heartbreak we are feeling after losing abeautiful father and a wonderful Pa. You weren't just my dad you were my mate, and that lwill cherish forever in my heart. The love you gave our children was endless and for that they will carry you in their hearts and thoughts forever. Dad may you rest now as your suffering has ended and know that we will miss you every day, we will carry with us the memorieswehave together and love you forever. Rest in peace dad, love you my old mate.

Lovealways Martin, Shona, Jack, Ella and Max.

Ahole in our hearts that will bever be replaced. Such akind and selfless person. Forever grateful for many wonderful years, spent growing up with you and watching you meet your great grand-daughter Love Brooke, Ben and Milla.

OSBORN Robert Francis Peacefully at the Sale Hospital 14th June 2024 SonofJohn and Margareta Osborn (both dec.)

Much loved and loving brother of John, Allan (dec.), Graeme, Elizabeth (dec.) and David and their respective families.

Aquiet caring man, "the best of the best". Your work is done, rest peacefully in that other world from which we came, following your long fight with Parkison's and Dementia.

Special thanks to Denise and family for their loving care and attention to him over avery prolonged period of time

TOBIN (nee Collins), Anita Marcia

5/2/1949 -14/6/2024

Loved and loving wife of Gary.

Beautifuland loving mother of Peta and Craig. Adored Nanny to Isobel and Ava.

Surrounded by family she left us peacefully. We will treasure forever the wonderful memories of her generosity and kindness. Now minding us from above.

Rest in peace until we meet again. We love you so much.

Words can't describe the emptiness Ifeel at having lost you.

Iwas just so glad to be holding your hand when you took your last breath, but you have left me with the memories of all the good times we spent together over 52 years.

Love you forever, your loving husband Gary.

My beautiful Mum, So loving and caring. You were so special to me and Ican't imagine life without you. You were the best Mum anyone could ever ask for and Iwill miss you so much. Iamsoglad I was there to say goodbye and kiss you goodbye as you left us. Iwill treasure all the loving happy memories that we had together. You are now a beautiful angel looking after us. Ilove you around the world and back and more. Your daughter, Peta.

Mum, words cannot express the hollowness in my heart. Iwill never have the words to truly describe just how much you meant to me. Iwill always treasure your immense love and support, you were forever in my corner. Iwill treasure with love, all of our memories together. Those memories Iwill share with your beautiful granddaughters who dearly love you, they will always know just how amazing their Nanny isand how much she loves and adores them. Iloveyou Mum, your son Craig.

TOBIN, Anita Marcia

Dearly loved sister-in-law of Anne and Malcolm Nicholls, Much loved and treasured

Aunty of Mark and Rachael, Luke and Casey, Hayley and Simon, Stephen and Melanie and families.

Dearly loved daughter-inlaw of Nell and Bernard Tobin (both dec.)

We will all miss your thoughtfulness, kindness and love.

So many happy memories, XXX.

The Editor -Liam Durkin

Gippsland Times ldurkin@lvexpress.com.au

Applications close: Friday, 19th July 2024.

Love you. Marney, Jesse, Layla, Elsie, Kohen and Laundry.

TOBIN (Collins), Anita Marcia. Passed away at CGHS on June 14, 2024.

Dearly loved sister-in-law of Robyn and Phillip (Hawkins). Loved and loving Aunty of Lauren and Glenn, Tim and Kira, and Mitch.

And Great Aunty of Isla and Hamish, Emi and Lily.

Forever in our hearts

Aunty Nita, We will miss your happy smile and your big hugs. Forever in our hearts and memories.

Love Lauren, Glenn, Isla and Hamish.

TOBIN, Anita. Akind and gentle lady who will be remembered fondly always. Hayley, Simon, Olivia, Allanah, Jake and Sophie.

In

OLDS. The funeral service for Mr Edward "Ted" Olds will be held at the Stratford Mechanics Hall, Hobson Street, Stratford at 1pm on SATURDAY (June 22, 2024), followed by a private burial.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you take amoment to hug someone you love and enjoy aquiet drink in Ted's honour.

OSBORN. The funeral of Mr Robert Francis Osborn is appointed to leave Our Chapel, 5Queen St., Maffra after aservice commencing at 1pm TOMORROW (Wednesday, June 19, 2024) for the Maffra Lawn Cemetery.

TOBIN (nee Collins). Amemorial service for Mrs Anita Marcia Tobin will be held at St. Andrew's Uniting Church, Jones Street, Stratford at 1pm on FRIDAY (June 21, 2024). Aprivate burial will precede.

Please see our website for livestream details. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cancer Council.

MARIANI (nee Ferguson). The graveside service for Mrs Raylee Francis Mariani will be held at the Sale Monumental Lawn Cemetery at 12 noon on THURSDAY (June 20, 2024).

lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Royal Children's Hospital.

KILGOWER. Afuneral service for Mrs Margaret Elizabeth Kilgower of Yarram was held on Friday, June 7, 2024.

FEARNLEY. Afuneral service for Mr Mark Raymond Fearnley "Ferns" of Jack River was held on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

Honour your loved ones and share their story

When you lose someone close to you, it can be hard to put your thoughts and feelings into words. A personal message in the Gippsland TImes can say so much. For friendly advice on how to place a message, contact

Hillclimb returns this weekend

THIS Saturday (June 22) Maffra And DistrictCar Club will hold Round 4ofthe Boisdale Hillclimb Series, which will be atwilight and short track race meeting. Entry is free to all spectators with racing commencing at 1pm. Driversare expected to attend in avariety of cars from across Gippsland.

Competitorswill race against the clockonthe gravel track,continuing into the eveningunder lights to test their skills. From standard cars and modified sports sedans to purpose built buggies,junior and senior drivers will all be vying for the fastest time of the event. Akiosk will also be operatingduring the meeting.

The Boisdale Hillclimb Track is located at 239 Boisdale/Newry Road, Boisdale. Further informationisavailable on the club website at madcc.com.au, or by phoning Adrian Britton on 0418 561 053.

The Classified Department 5143 9333

Netball scoreboard

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE -ROUND 10

AGRADE: Leongatha 84 def Maffra 40, Wonthaggi 51 defMorwell 48, Moe 50 def Sale 45, Traralgon 43 def Bairnsdale 40, Drouin 50 def Warragul 48.

BGRADE:Leongatha 75 def Maffra 27,Wonthaggi 68 def Morwell 47,Sale 36 def Moe 33, Traralgon 56 def Bairnsdale 42, Drouin 56 def Warragul 50.

CGRADE:Maffra 34 def Leongatha 31,Morwell 45 def Wonthaggi 36, Sale 34 def Moe 32, Traralgon 39 def Bairnsdale 33, Drouin 51 def Warragul 31 17 ANDUNDER:Leongatha 49 def Maffra 30, Wonthaggi 42 def Morwell 25, Sale 45 def Moe 13,Traralgon 39 def Bairnsdale 32, Drouin 52 def Warragul 21

15 ANDUNDER:Maffra 42 def Leongatha 36, Morwell 39 def Wonthaggi 38, Sale 39 def Moe 31,Bairnsdale 45 def Traralgon 32, Drouin 44 def Warragul 28

13 ANDUNDER:Leongatha 36 def Maffra 33, Wonthaggi 13 def Morwel 11,Sale 30 def Moe 20, Traralgon 28 def Bairnsdale 14,Drouin 35 def Warragul 13

NORTH GIPPSLAND –ROUND 9

AGRADE: Heyfield 42 def YYN 21,Sale City 52 def TTU34, Cowwarr 44 def Gormandale 40, Woodside 64 def Yarram 20, Churchill 50 def Rosedale 41,Glengarry -BYE.

BGRADE:YYN 43 def Heyfield 33, Sale City 60 def TTU32, Gormandale 46 def Cowwarr 29, Woodside 63 def Yarram 44, Rosedale 42 def Churchill 38, Glengarry -BYE.

CGRADE:YYN 44 def Heyfield 27,SaleCity 47 def TTU42, Cowwarr 25 def Gormandale 23, Woodside 41 def Yarram 29, Churchill 34 def Rosedale 30, Glengarry -BYE.

DGRADE:YYN 40 def Heyfield 26, Sale City 33 def TTU23, Gormandale 30 def Cowwarr 24, Woodside 34 def Yarram 15,Churchill 34 def Rosedale 28, Glengarry -BYE. 17 ANDUNDER:Heyfield 24 def YYN 13,Sale City 43 def TTU28, Gormandale 65 def Cowwarr 13 Woodside 33 def Yarram 12,Rosedale 38 def Churchill 17,Glengarry -BYE.

15 ANDUNDER:Heyfield 41 def YYN 14,TTU 29 def Sale City 18,Gormandale 37 def Cowwarr 7, Woodside 53 def Yarram 3, Rosedale 31 def Churchill 11,Glengarry -BYE.

EAST GIPPSLAND -ROUND 9

AGRADE:Stratford 86 def Paynesville 30, BoisdaleBriagolong 44 def Lindenow 42, Wy Yung 52 def Lakes Entrance 27,Lucknow 50 def Orbost Snowy Rovers29.

BGRADE: Stratford43def Paynesville14, Lakes Entrance 38 def Wy Yung 29, Lucknow 34 def Orbost SnowyRovers29, Boisdale-Briagolong versus Lindenow (no scoresupplied).

CGRADE: Boisdale-Briagolong 32 def Lindenow 29, Stratford48def Paynesville 15,WyYung 27 def Lakes Entrance 18,Lucknow 38 def Orbost Snowy Rovers18.

DGRADE: Boisdale-Briagolong 44 def Lindenow 14,Stratford41def Paynesville 14,Lucknow 21 def Orbost SnowyRovers15, Wy Yung 40 def Lakes Entrance 28.

17 AND UNDER: Stratford23def Paynesville 12 Lucknow 29 def Orbost SnowyRovers20, Lakes Entrance 27 def 17,Boisdale-Briagolong versus Lindenow (no scoresupplied).

15 AND UNDER: Paynesville 32 def Stratford28, Lucknow 44 def Orbost SnowyRovers19, Wy Yung 45 def Lakes Entrance 14,Lindenow 52 def Boisdale-Briagolong 29.

Round 4ofthe Boisdale HillclimbSeries takes place this Saturday.

Photo: Contributed

Untouchable Wildcats win again

TomHayes andBlake Metcalf-Holt

AFTER another telling week of North Gippsland football, teams now have abetter understanding of how they compare to the rest of the competition.

Aclear top-four has formed, while the race for the fifth finals spot remains well and truly in the balance, and one of the big hitters of recent years might just be having their worst season in along time WOODSIDE got the better of their geographical rival. Extending theirunbeatenrun,the Wildcatsknewthat Yarram would be no easy feat.

Nonetheless, they proved that they deserve to be league leaders, ticking off asolid 45-point win, 15.11 (101) to 8.8 (56) at home. Known to be slow starters, Woodside was very much the opposite at the weekend, blitzing the Demons in the first quarter. So much so, Yarram was kept goalless, all while Woodside kicked five opening quarter goals to burst out to a29-point advantage.

Despite kicking four behinds for the term, Yarram still only had half of the number of chances that Woodside did in the first stanza. As the game progressed into the second term, Woodside asserted their dominance. It wasn’t so much scoreboard pressure, but more flexing their ability to limit Yarram’s rate of scoring. WhileWoodside’s rate of scoring decreased, they were able to keep theDemonstoless.

The home side added3.2 (20) as half time approached, keeping Yarram to just 2.1 (13), as their lead sat at six-straight goals at the halfway point.

Chanceswent amiss after halftime, as neither side was able to capitalise on their opportunities.

Yarram had thechancetolessen the margin and have areal crack in the final quarter, while Woodside could have given themselves an unmatchable lead, which would’ve allowed them to cruise home. Woodside managed to keep things going in their direction nonetheless, kicking 3.5 (23), all while Yarram could only manage 2.3 (15), which meant that Woodside held at 44-point lead withaquarter to play.

Many would assume this would be out of reach, and they would be right. For ateam that had only kicked four goals up until three quarter time, it was highly unlikely that Yarram would not only be able to keep Woodside goalless, but just about triple their score to win the match.

Scores were free flowing in the final term however, as both teams kicked four goals. Woodside managed just the extra behind to win every quarter and claim a45-point win.

Despite the defeat, Josh Swift still managed four goals of his own. Dan Farmer was keptquieter thanusual(two goals)for Woodside, but Liam Hard and Michael O’Sullivan stepped up with four majors each. MarkCollison, LiamLeeson, RyanFoat,Hard, O’Sullivan,and Matt Dyke were the best for the ladder leaders.

NORTH GIPPSLAND

ROUND 9

TLove.

JCarrison LBiemans CCarrison ALucas SHarveyA Green

:NAlbanese

Levi Munns, Liam Farley, coach Boadie Motton, Kayleb Pearce, Swift and Anthony Scott were those who stood out for the Demons. TRARALGON Tyers United asserted themselves as second best. Agamebehind Woodside, and agameahead of Yallourn Yallourn North and Yarram, the Bombers are still well within the hunt for back-to-back premierships.

As we have seen in the NGFNL, since 2018 the eventual premier has only one lost one home-and-away game at most. With one loss next to their name, going by that reasoning, you can’tdiscount TTU. Sale City proved to be aworthy opponentatthe weekend, and almostetched that second loss in TTU’s record, going down 14.7 (91) to 12.6 (78).

The Bulldogs led at every change exceptthe last, in adisappointing final quarter display which saw them outplayed by the reigning premier.

As seen in afew instances this season, TTU seem to find away in thefinal term.

SaleCityhad double the scoring shots in the opening term yet was only able to kick 5.3 (33) to the Bombers’ four-straight. Their lead was just big enough to hold onto at the halftime break too, as TTU showed signs of overrunning their hosts.

One goal extra had the Bombers withina kick at the main break, yet the homesideled by three points still, and goinginto the secondhalf, TTU would’ve known that the Bulldogs weren’t going to crackeasily.

Sale City flexed their muscles in the third term and looked primed forabig upset.

Three goals to one in the third term meant that the Bulldogs led by 14 points as thefinal quarterwas underway, and an almighty effort was needed from the reigning premier.

But,just as Sale City didtoTTU in the previous term, theBombers did right back in keeping their opponents to one goal. Not only did the Bombers keep their hosts to asinglegoal, but they capitalised on their possession, kicking five of their own to storm home to a13-point win.

Their endless number of forward options made it difficult for the Bulldogs to get agrip of things when they moved forward.

TTU had eight separate goal scorers, while five of them kicked multiple goals -captain Jye Neilson the most with three.

Michael Jacobsen,Quinn Sinclair, Frazar Brouns, Neilson, Hayden Willaton, and Oscar Aliotta were outstanding for the visitors.

For the home side, Jayden Allison, Cooper Whitehill, Kaden McCulloch (fourgoals),Jaxsyn Whitehill,DaineMcGuiness, and Chris Kelf played admirably. Flynn Read also stepped up with three majors.

Falling into athree-horse racefor fifth placeisSale City, who seemingly have to compete with Heyfield and Rosedale.

ANOTHER game of high notice for North Gippsland viewers was the matchup between YYN and Heyfield.

It ended withthe Jets climbing to third position on the ladderafter a52-point victory at George Bates Reserve, 14.11 (95) to 6.7 (43).

The Roos jumped the Jets in the early stages of the first quarter. The unsuspecting Heyfield on-ballers pressured and cleared the ball at every contest, which enabled them to kick two of the first three goals of the game.

The Jets however would weather the initial storm to lead at the first break by apoint -and they weren’t stopping there.

For the next three quarters, YYN would outscore Heyfield, 75 to 24, that included holding the Kangaroos to just two points through the second quarter.

IS Churchill’s season over?

The Cougarssufferedtheirsixthlossofthe season as they travelled to Rosedale at the weekend, going down by 13 points in afinal quarter rout.

Rosedale gave themselves afinals hope in the11.10 (76) to 9.9 (63) win.

After atight firsthalf, Rosedale kicked out to a15-point lead, and Churchill looked to be on their last legs.

The finalquarter wasjustaseven as thefirst,and although Churchill won the quarter, the lead was just out of their reach with Rosedale claiming the four points.

COWWARR are winners again.

The Saints saw offthe bottom-placed Gormandale in smashing fashion, 18.14 (122) to 2.7 (19).

Six goals to one after halftime put things well beyond reach for the Tigers, and with afinal quarter to play, Cowwarr led by more than 11 goals. The Saints closed out the game in style, keeping Gormandale goalless, and nailing another five goals to see the margin, and their own score, past 100 for the first time this season.

Kyle ‘Meatball’ Stamers (three goals) claimed best-on-ground honours in his 100th senior game.

GLENGARRY had the bye.

FOOTBALL NETBALL EAST GIPPSLAND

ROUND 9

No greatsurprises on the courts

Blake Metcalf-Holtand ErikaAllen

ROUND 10 of Gippsland netball offered many thrills and close encounters. Despite coming up against awinless Sale, Moe received agood contest on Saturday afternoon.

The Lionswon 50 to 45 to move three games clear of second-placed Drouin.

Moe held an early lead that stood almost all of the way, but Sale refused to give in and remained in the hunt right to the end.

Moe were missing anumberofkey players including attackers Georgia Moody(191 goals this season) and her sister Alex, as well as goal keeper Emma Sculley.

Ramayer Gourley therefore had to take on muchmoreofthe scoring load,and dropped 43 goals,putting her two goals above Warragul’s Emma Ryde for the leagueleading goal scorer.

KateVan der Voort continued astellar year for Sale, adding 36 goals to her season total of 259.

Leongatha maintained asteady climbback into finals contention,dismantling Maffra to record their fourth win for the year, 84-40.

The winless Eagles managed just sixgoals in two of the first three quarters and were ravaged by adetermined Parrots on their home deck.

Mikaeli Hilliar was one of those separators for Leongatha with 48 goals,alongside Kate Browne’s 36.

Keisha Jacksonconverted 28 goals with Chloe Felsbourg11for Maffra, helped by young gun Sienna Wynd collecting best-oncourt honours for the Eagles.

Wonthaggi travelled to Morwell and subsequently defeated the Tigers in athrilling 51-48 contest.

Morwell found themselvesahead 27-24 by halftime, beforeWonthaggi tightened defensively and outscored the Tigers by six goals in the backend of the match.

ChelseaBowmanand Courtney Brann lit a fire underneath their team, scoring 27 and 24 goalsrespectively for the Power. Morwell saw

heavy contribution from Tiffany Boatman and Isabella Bettridge.

Power captain Alan McRae was beston-court, followedbyBrannand Hannah McRae through the midcourt, while Rachel Tatterson,Chloe Radford, and Anna Solomon led the charge for the Tigers.

Traralgon managed anarrow three-goal victoryoverBairnsdaletosit in thetop four.

The visiting Redlegs startedfeistily, coming out to a16-9lead at quarter time, before the Maroons buckled down to get it to aone-goal margin by the half.

The rest of the way was aback-and-forth affair withrespectiveshooters Cassidy Smith (Traralgon) and Olivia Betts (Bairnsdale) converting time-after-time. However, the Maroons held strong to win 43-40 that pushes Bairnsdale outside of the finals positions.

In the battleofsecond versus third, Drouin defeated Warragul, 50-48 on Sunday.

It was an almighty startfromDrouin, who jumped outtoa25-14 lead, before the Guls stormed backand outscored their opponents by eight goals to bring it within the margin spectators would have been expecting.

The combination of Charlize Traumanis with 32 goals and Stacie Gardiner with 18 was all too muchfor Warragul,who continue to be held up by the efforts of Emma Ryde, who shot 40 goals on this occasion.

The Guls still sit agame clear in third-place.

IN Round9ofNorth Gippsland netball, matchups swayed between blowouts and closer results.

Churchill secured their fourth win in a row,defeating Rosedale handily, 50-41 at Rosedale.

The Cougars remain in the race for the minor premiership with awin-loss record of 7-1, while the Blues have dropped to seventh at 3-5.

Sale City continued their reign with a 52-34 victory over Traralgon TyersUnited at Stephenson Park to remain undefeated and atop the ladder.

Heyfield steered past Yallourn Yallourn North 42-21atGeorge Bates Reservetokeep

themselvesinsecond position, whilst the Jets sit far behind at third-bottom on the ladder. At home, Woodside smackedthe winless Yarram in a64-20 contest that sits the Wildcats at fourth on the ladder.

Cowwarr collected their third win for the year against Gormandale in a44-40 affair at Cowwarr.

Glengarry had the bye.

STRATFORD’S 56-goal thrashingof Paynesville launched the reigningpremier intosecond on the East Gippslandnetball ladder at the conclusion of Round 9. The Swansare sittingonequal points with Wy Yung (third) and Boisdale-Briagolong (fourth).

On Saturday, Stratford's most convincing win of the season was the bottom-ranked Guls' greatest losing margin, which did wonders for the Swans’ percentage. Stratford's shooters had afield day under the post at home.

Skyla White,Emmagyn Williams and Paris Toner, never missing, made it difficult for Paynesville's defenders. Meanwhile, strong defencefrom Nellie Hunt and Ava Buckland saw Paynesville's goal scorersunder pressure as the pair snatched intercepts. The Bombers werechallenged by Lindenow but managed to hold on for atwo-goal win, 44-42.

The win for Boisdale-Briagolong was not an improvement on their last meeting with the Cats, who also challenged the Bombers in Round 1, only going down by six points on that occasion.

Still, Sarah Gardiner's Bombers managed to hold on away from home, buoyedbysteely performances from Rachel Weatherley and Mollie Huts.

Lucknow continued their dazzling form against astrongbut sluggish Orbost Snowy Rovers.

The ladder leader was the triumphant side on Saturday, 50-29 at Lucknow.

Wy Yung continue to champion consistency, notching up anotherwin against Lakes Entrance 52-27 on the Seagulls home court.

Swans, Bomberstested in victory

Blake Metcalf-Holt

ROUND9ofEastGippsland football

focussed on one shining game, while other matchups went as expected

STRATFORD'S winoverPaynesville appeared to be amore difficult task for the Swans than expected, winning in the end 10.17 (77) to 7.7 (49).

Stratford got out of the gates at home in strong fashion, winning the quarter comfortably 3.5 (23) to 1.2 (8).

The Guls responded firmly, limiting the Swanstojustone majorfor the second term and getting withinfive points to conclude the first half’s proceedings.

Stratford weren’t abouttolet agame like this have any chance of slipping away, jumping to a26-point lead at three quarter time.

Paynesville didn’t have enough in the end to make agame of it, and dropped to 2-6 on the year.

Charles Mein was best-on-ground for the Guls, followed by Alex McLaren, Lewis Smith, Logan Brown, Oscar Pike and Harry Gibbs.

BOTTOM-LISTED Lindenow welcomed

Bosidale Briagolong,with the expectations of atasking game on their hands.

In the end, it was a48-point victory for the Bombers,althoughthe favourites were only eight points up at halftime.

Headed by the continued brilliance of Jim Reeves with four goals, the Bombers had six different goal scorers. Jackson Glenane collected best-onground honoursthrough centerfield, followed by Jolly, Matthew Wilkninson, Shaymus Wain, Reeves and Rhys Johnson.

IT was expected thatthe game of the round wouldcome in the formofLucknow hosting Orbost Snowy Rovers.

The Magpies defeated the Blues by one point in athrilling contest, 12.8(80) to 11.3 (79).

The last quarter offered it all, and despite the visitors outscoring Lucknow to close the game,the Magpies controlled the game in the dying stages.

WY YUNG defeated Lakes Entrance 18.4 (122) to 5.7 (37), keeping the Tigers second on the ladder via percentage ahead of the two othercontenders, Boisdale Briagolong and Stratford.

Eagles brought back down to earth

Liam Durkin

IT’S looking likesomething is goingtohave to go drastically wrongfor Leongathanot to make another Grand Final.

The Parrotsmaintainedoutright first position on the Gippsland League ladder after accounting for Maffra in Round 10.

The clash between top and bottom went largely as predicted, with Leongatha winning 16.9 (105) to 6.7 (43) at home.

Maffra, buoyed after their first win for the season the week before,were soon to find out just how much ground there is to make up.

By halftimethe margin was 34 points, and 41 by threequarter time.

Aquartet of players kicked three goals each for Leongatha,being Tallin Brill,Jenson Garnham, JacksonHarry and Tom Marriott, who was voted best-on-ground.

Perhaps the biggest talking point was the fact JackGinnane remainedgoalless, aseemingly unheard of outcome in agame when the Parrots scored more than 100 points.

Joining Marriott in the best was Cooper Albert, SamForrester, Harry, Jake van der Plight and Ben Willis.

Caleb Calwyn did his form no harm for Maffra, adding four goals.Others to play well were Jett Killoran, HarryStables, HenryAnderson, Seth Smith and Alex Carr.

The win keeps Leongatha six points clear on top.

The Parrots might just be warming up, as the names NoahGown andKim Drewappeared on the reserves team sheet at the weekend.

How do you even compete with this mob?

As if that wasn't enough, aLeongatha footy fan this week won $550,000 from Tatts.

Does anything ever go wrong for this club?

TROY Hamilton might not have any hair left soon. The first-yearTraralgon coach,who has

previously admitted to getting nervous when his sideissix goals up, was takenthrough another agonising match by his young side at the weekend.

Aweek after the siren denieda possible Morwell victoryover Traralgon and ended the game in a draw, the Maroons were again saved at the final bell whenakick after the sirenfellshort on the weekend.

The result went in the books as a9.7 (61) to 8.8 (56) victory over Bairnsdale, however, the manner in which the final term playedout again gave spectators full value for money at Terry Hunter Oval.

Virtually nothingseparated the sides throughout the four quarters, all the way up to the final siren in fact.

Max East had the chance to give the Redlegs a six-point lead at the 21-minute mark, but missed aset shot from in front of ‘The Deck’.

The ball then made its way down the other end, where Josh Hamilton markedand goaledtwo minutes later, handing the lead backtoTraralgon.

From the next centre bounce, Bairnsdale forced the ball forward, desperately scrambling for every inch.

The Maroonswere just as desperate, clogging their defence to try and force stoppages.

Who else buttheir captain TyeHourigan to take a criticalmarkgoing back with the flight in defence.

Hourigan tempoed the ball to Mitch Membrey in the goal square, but his clearing kick was taken by man mountain Ethan East just outside 50.

Incredibly, East found Cooper Harvey unguarded inside 50, who took achest mark directly in front 40 metres out.

Five points down and with the chance to live everykidsdream at the 26-minute mark, the siren soundedasHarvey was justabout to makecontact with the ball.

Unfortunately for him and Bairnsdale, the kick fell short, giving Traralgon aplucky escape.

The Maroons have now played in three games decidedbyfive points,(winning two), as well as the draw against Morwell.

Perhaps ironically, North Gippsland FootballNetball League team Woodside (made up largely of Traralgon-basedplayers)had three games decided by exactly one point in 2021.

Some things in footy are just unexplainable-five points and one point exactly -how?

Hamilton was among the best for the Maroons, as was Max Jacobsen, Joel Scholtes, Membrey, Hourigan and Sam Hallyburton.

Tom Blenheim, Lachlan Byrne-Jones, Logan Austin, WillMitchell,Jamie Doreand Oscar Clarke were best for the Redlegs.

The result keeps Traralgon six points clear in second, although there might be some damning vision coming at the players review.

How couldBairnsdale have someone on their own directly in front of goal at the 26-minute mark of the last quarter when the margin was five points?

WONTHAGGI are coming.

Afterahorrendousstart to the season, that saw the Power drop four of their first five games, Wonthaggi has now started to show the form that saw them make the Grand Final last year.

Last Saturday’s 7.13 (55) to 4.7 (31) victory over Morwell was Wonthaggi’s third from their last five games, and took theirwin-loss ledger to 4-6

What’s more, it came on Morwell Recreation Reserve, avenue Wonthaggi has struggled at in recent years.

Admittedly, the Tigers were comingoff asix-day break,which may have explainedtheir secondhalf fadeout at the weekend.

Scores were virtually level at the main break, before Wonthaggikicked five goalstoone in adour second half.

Some prominent names have returnedfor the Power in recent weeks, and it was little surprise to see them among the best players.

Jack Blair and Isaac Chugg stood out, as did Josh Bates, Shannon Bray, Jye Gilmour (one to challenge Sale’s Jonty McGuiness for the mantle

of most improved player in the competition) and Kaj Patterson.

Brandon Bailey, Max Linton, Archie Grant, Boyd Bailey, Cody Macdonald (most underrated player in the competition?) and Tom Smithwere best for Morwell.

Despite the result,Morwell coach Boyd Bailey might be keeping things in perspective.

It is understoodMorwell wasforced to have a light weekonthe track followingthe epicdraw with Traralgon the round before, which likely took its toll physically and mentally.

The Tigersremain two points clear inside the top five from Bairnsdale, and face what is looming as an eight-point game against the Redlegs this week. Wonthaggi meanwhile are seventh with four wins and six losses. Statistically, the Power could affordtodroptwo more games and stillplayfinals, although without stating the obvious, it would be in their best interests to keep winning.

BRENT Clinnick will feel some satisfaction.

Coaching can be alonely business, but the Drouin leader hadreason to smile at theweekend, after his team put western rival Warragul away by 38 points

The 16.8 (104) to 10.6 (66) win broke asix-game losing streak for the Hawks, who wereabletosing thesong in Sunday’s standalone game.

The home side tooka19-point leadinto the main break, but had to fight off aWarraguloutfit that found themselves only 12 points down at the last change.

Drouin made sure of the result, piling on six goals to two in the final term.

Mitch Cotter, perhaps with addedmotivation aftergetting tangled up in ahugecollision the last time the two sides met, was best for the winners.

Aden Quirk was also busy, alongwith Will Papley, TimHancock, CharlieBethune and Tom Johnstone. Isaac Wallace,SeanMasterson, Tom Stern, Luke Garner, Heath Jinks and Mitch Smart were best for the Guls.

Local talents stand out in Power victory

Blake Metcalf-Holt

GIPPSLAND Power Boys continued to best their rivalled opponents, beating the Murray Bushrangers 11.11 (77) to 8.7 (55) in Round 11 of Coates Talent League.

The Power have now won theirlastthreematches, and five out of their last six.

Following asimilarly impressive, albeit close victory over the Bendigo Pioneersbyfour points theweek prior, thePower was ready for all that cametheir wayatPort Melbourne’s ETU Stadium last Saturday.

Key forward Asher Eastham (from Heyfield) booted four goals for the day, continuing his dominance with multiple goals in six of his eight games this year.

through the third term, before the Bushrangers responded, elevating their pressure around the ball and kicking the final two goals of the quarter, leaving the same margin as halftime.

After withstanding some early intensity from the Bushrangers, Power skipper, Tom Hanily, broke the game open with akey holding the ball at the top of the 50-metre arch before nailing agoal to push the lead back out to three goals.

Power wouldn’tlook back after that, and held the Bushrangers to just four points for the quarter while kicking 2.1 (13) themselves to conclude the day’s proceedings.

Best of thebunch was Alixzander Tauruwith agame-high 23 disposals. Eastham and Maffra's Zachary O’Keefe with 22 disposals and seven tackles were also prominent.

However, the Bushrangers wouldn’t simply be walked over, and were only 13 points down at halftime.

Neither side was prepared slip away and drop within the six-team heapbattlingitout for the final spots in the top eight.

ThePower busted out to a25-point lead halfway

The Power Boys sit fifth on the ladder with six winsand two losses, and withonly seven games left they have some key matchups coming against third-placed Geelong Falcons this weekend and the top-seeded Tassie Devils in two weeks’ time. Gippsland Power Girls had the bye and play the Tassie Devils Girls this weekend.

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

Fighting spirit on full display

Liam Durkin

ON the same weekend Collingwood overcame a54point deficit to record astunning victory in the AFL, the local Magpies performed a miracle of their own.

Sale’s however was perhaps even more spectacular.

LByrne-Jones LAustin WMitchell JDoreO Clarke

(104)

(66) GOALS:Drouin:T Hancock 3A Quirk2 KWalmsley 2E Morris 2J Marshall 2ZAtkinsM Williames MCotter KQuirk CFleming Warragul: IWallace3 JLamb 2HJinks JLewsey T Crole BPaul. BEST: Drouin:MCotter AQuirk WPapley THancock CBethune TJohnstone Warragul: IWallaceSMasterson TStern LGarner HJinks MSmart SALE2.4 5.6 8.8 13.8 (86) MOE 4.27.3

:S Lange JLeslie JFreeman PTainsh JMcGuinessM Dowse. Moe: TBaldi BDaniher RBaldi JBalfour DKeilty

:ABusana 6RMoresco3J Williamson 2BCornelis 2EDickison A McNeel Morwell: MDuncan ESmith DMakepeace. BEST:Wonthaggi:ABusana EDickison BCornelis AMcNeel JWilliamsonJBrown Morwell: ZCheffers LEffenbergJSoutar T Hutchinson DMakepeaceCBailey

:T McRae4 TSauvarin2 BFortNNagel FMateria RKelly Maffra: B Harrington WGieschen CBourke BEST:Leongatha:T Sauvarin KDrewCRump BGrabham AndrewsHLindsay JBurns Maffra: BDowsett BHarrington JBristow JStubbe BWrightR Phelan

GOALS:Traralgon:BRoscoe 7ALovison 2F Watts 2JJackwayBHutton. Bairnsdale: DO’Connor OEmmett CMoresi JFraser LDunkley MFalls BEST: Traralgon:BRoscoe A Lovison JMudita BHutton BCheetham LHahn. Bairnsdale: LBleyswyk JLando SO’Kelly L Dunkley JWaddell SPollard

(79)

(23)

GOALS:Drouin:K Hermansen 4CNickels 2J Walsh 2JKleeven 2S Wright BFlynn Warragul: KBaker MLynn LWatt. BEST: Drouin:BFlynn DClebney TBuckingham LLenders MDiston K Hermansen. Warragul: KBaker XLaFrantzDPearson TDavine DRidgwayMLynn SALE1.2

The romancethat emerged from both games, played more than200 kilometres from each other, was eerie.

Collingwoodwere without Sale’s own Scott Pendlebury; Sale themselves were without playing-coach Jack Johnstone.

Taking the reigns as coach last Saturday wasformerSalesenior coach and club great ShaneFyfe, whooversaw a13.8(86) to 10.7 (67) win over Moe.

It takes two miracles to become asaint, and after playing amajor hand in the senior and reserves victories at the weekend, Fyfe could add even another title to his ‘five-time’ moniker (in reference to the number of senior best-and-fairests he has won).

What started as an effort to even field a senior and reserves team ended up being just about the perfect day for Sale FootballNetball Club, on whatwas also their sponsors day during Round 10.

One of the books penned by Sale FNC historian Tassie Deaconistitled The Mighty Magpies

Sale was all that and more on their home ground last Saturday.

If theRound 9draw between Morwell and Traralgonthe week before was the greatest home-and-awaymatch in GippslandLeague history, what Sale managed to pull off last weekend would be up there as the most extraordinary.

Weddings, Dustin Martin’s 300th, and a couple of other factors left Sale with ashopping list fullofunavailability’s, well into double-digits of first-choice senior players.

Joining Johnstone on the list was vice captain Will Leslie, Hudson Holmes, Cody Henness, DerekEggmolesse-Smith, Bohdi Walker, Harry Tatterson, Jack McLaren, Nathan Whitford and Jesse Collins.

So the victory was highly unlikely, and what’s more, wasn’t just awet weather slog that can often materialise in June and bring all 36 playersonthe groundbackdown to thesamelevel

That the Magpies beat aLions outfit that was inside the top-three on the ladder headinginperhaps elevates the result above anything else in recent memory -including Sale’s two finals victories in 2022.

Finals by nature throw up unexpected results. This however was agame Sale was never meant to win. Sale themselves didn’t even think they would win.

So sure they were of defeat, the Gippsland Times understands Sale even requested to play Moe this round, knowing from along way out just how short they would be for Saturday, June 15, 2024.

Ordinarily, Round10sees the fixture replicate Round 1opponents, meaning the Magpies would haveplayed archrival Maffra.

be up there in the conversation for goal of the year.

Bairnsdale’sTyranRees, who kicked an insane dribble goal in Opening Round against Traralgon, might now have some competition for the award, afterLangeswooped on a long kick-in fromJarrodFreeman, took two bounces and finished from righton50to put the Magpieseight points up at the 13 minute mark.

Callingthe game for TRFM,commentator

Nick Lecchino said of Lange and cream risingtothe top, “this guy could manifest 40 cappuccinos the way he is going.”

The analogy was justified, as by now, Lange was well and truly streets ahead of anyone else on the ground.

TheMagpies had enjoyedadream start to the third term, after youngster Jack Cantwell (still in thirds) kicked his first senior goal just 30 seconds in, receiving ahandball from Lange and snapping truly.

Sale vice captain and cult hero Patrick Tainsh had abusythird quarter, collecting 12 disposals, as the home side went into the last change 10 points clear.

With victory in sight, the Magpies continued to press, and were relentless in their pursuit of victory.

Moe skipper Jacob Wood was assigned the tagging job on Lange, but by then it was too late.

The Lions managed three goals in the final term,but fivetoSale meant they were never in serious danger of losing.

Tom Campbell, another to enjoy cult status at Sale perhaps due to his scruffy beard appearance much like acharacter out of Cast Away- ignited celebrations after snapping agoal lying flat on his back late in the final term.

Another cult hero, ruckman Zak Russell, who until recently had aflowing blonde mullet, celebratedawin on senior debut, the huge list of unavailability’s paving the way for him and anumberofother debutants.

The fact Moe had two senior debutants in Warren Hester and Dustin Blackshaw, not to mention four sets of brothers in the senior side, (Riley and TrentBaldi, Ben and James Maslen, Chris and Nick Prowse and Tom and Dustin Blackshaw) went largely unnoticed.

Aname for afew generations back perhaps, Warren probably isn’t finding its way onto too many gift shop souvenir licence plates.

Sale could do no wrong the further the game went along, evidenced by the 5.0 (30) return in the last 30 minutes of play.

Campbell kicked four goals, while Leslie, Freeman, Tainsh, Mitch Dowse and Jonty McGuiness (surelythe mostimproved played in the competition) won plaudits.

Best-on-ground honours however were reservedfor Lange. Heading into the match, Lange was on 22 league MVP votes, which are given on two separate 3-2-1 cards by each coach after every game. If the leaderboard doesn’t show him on 28 votesnext week, there could be somestronglywordedemails makingtheir wayaround.

Speakingtoa Sale officialpostgame, Lange was rated as one of the Magpies greatest.

Sale’s reserves also overcame great odds to win by 11 points.

“Things were looking grim,” Sale football directorSam Ansteetoldthoseassembledin the post-match function for the traditional reading of resultsinthe social rooms, as the Magpieshit the phones on Friday night to try and scrounge up enough numbers. That they managed to cobble togethera side, yet alone win, added another distinction on the coaching CV of veteran coach Peter Morrison, which one could argue was a greater achievement than any of the senior premierships he coached at Stratford.

While somecoaches are often criticised for only beingasgood as the players at their disposal, Morrison has well and truly disproven this applies to him.

He took Sale from awinless start after five rounds last year all the way to the Grand Final,and orchestratedvictoryat the weekend with ateam resembling Robin Hood’s Merry Men.

For Moe, the Baldi twins were again prominent, with Trent emerging as an assuming goal kicker with three majors.

The two Bens, Daniher and Maslen, also did agood job, as did JacobBalfour and playing-coach Declan Keilty.

Keilty’s own form is probably the least of his concerns at the moment, as Moe have been absolutely all over the shop since the bye.

Coming back from the break after Round 6, the Lions only just beat bottom-side Maffra by eight points,lost to Warragul(who are coming third-last),beat Wonthaggi only with afailed kick after the siren from the Power, and have now lost to ahalf-strength Sale.

Half-strength might not even accurately described whatthe Magpies rolled outwith. There was abloke playingseniorsfor Sale on the weekend who didn’t evenget agame in their twos Grand Finallastyear If there wasa formladder, the Lions might honestly be on the bottom -even Drouin and Maffrahave had wins by greatermargins since the bye.

What was perhaps lost in the extraordinary events of last weekend was the return of Moe’s hoodoo at Sale Oval.

The record stands at one win at Sale Oval since 2002. One.

THE MIRACULOUS MAGPIES

SATURDAY,JUNE 15 2024

Sale 13.8 (86) defeated Moe 10.7 (67)

B Andrew Campbell, Jake Hutchins, Tom Glenn HB Mason Annear,Jonty McGuiness, Finn McDonald

JLamb TRonchiT Miller MO’Brien

(128)

0.2 1.2 1.3 (9) GOALS:Traralgon:OHaberl 4BBurrows 3RRutter 3HPirie 2H Little 2T Lapenta 2ERoscoe ABlackfordBHagley. Bairnsdale: CCook BEST:Traralgon:T Lapenta OHaberl HLittleR Rutter ABlackfordBBurrows Bairnsdale: MNeate SO’Kelly CCook LSykes ODullard FRusso LEONGATHA 3.1 7.3 8.9 11.15 (81) MAFFRA1.1 1.2 1.2 2.2 (14)

GOALS: Leongatha:MCroatto6H Bowler 2J Garnham BFortF Donohue Maffra: W Ruthberg2 BEST:Leongatha:IBolge MCroattoJFixterN Skewes OMahoney BFort. Maffra: EStables SRichardsE BerryC Thompson CHenry DROUIN 2.0 7.1 9.3 11.3 (69) WARRAGUL 2.3 3.5 6.7 8.10 (58)

GOALS: Drouin:RBaker 5AFleming 2KGregg JHuston JObernhumer RCaddy Warragul: KBoi 2L Giliam 2O Wilson 2SGrummisch APhillips BEST:Drouin:W Young ZMcmillan E Croucher AFleming KMcLeish JWalsh Warragul: TO’LearyH Cant HBrown CMcintoshL Giliam APhillips

“We’d rather lose to Moe than to Maffra” one Sale official quipped.

For all the players thatwere missing, Sale still had twowho wereworth about six such was their output.

ShannenLangeand Jack Leslie combined in the midfield to lead the Magpies, the latter hitting it down the throat of the former for much of thesecond half, as the home side piled on eight goals to three.

Things appeared to be going to script up untilthe main break, and when Riley Baldi kicked agoal to put Moe 17 points up, the Lions looked to have the gameincruise control.

Sale however kept nipping at their opponent’s heals, and went into the sheds only nine points down.

An underdog with the sniff of an upset is adangerous beast, and so it proved in the thirdterm. Sale, with plenty of belief, kept Moe to just asinglebehind, while adding a further three goals of their own.

One of them came from Lange, and will

Withtwo Trood Award andRoddamedals (league best-and-fairest) under his belt, Lange presents astrong case;fairpraise considering Sale has seen the likes of Luke Collins, Josh Dunkley, Matt Ferguson and Brownlow Medallist Norm Ware walk through its doors, not to mention abloke called Pendlebury.

Fyfe, himself well and truly in the above conversation,paidcredit to theplayers he was charged with, noting the pressure and intensity Sale brought to the contest.

“Awesome day, especially with the number of players unavailable,” he said.

“Guys being out, people get the opportunity and guys stepped up, that’sthe most pleasing thing.

“They (the playing group) did work on afew things during the week after the Bairnsdale game (61 point loss), so it was pleasing to see that transfer onto today… well led by Langy (Lange) and Jack Les (Leslie).

“Just shows we have abit of belief.”

The senior result was perhaps motivated by what took place earlier in the day, when

C Josh Butcher,Shannen Lange, Kai McDonald HF Jarrod Freeman, Chris Byron, Kane Cutler F Hayden Potts, Brad Dessent, Tom Campbell FOLL Jack Leslie, Patrick Tainsh, Mitch Dowse

INTER Jack Cantwell, Daniel Byron, Jake Simic, Zak Russell STAND-IN COACH: Shane Fyfe

Senior debuts: Jake Simic,Zak Russell. Under 19: Jack Cantwell, Mason Annear, Finn McDonald, Kane Cutler

Less than 30 senior games: Andrew Campbell, Jake Hutchins, TomGlenn, Mason Annear,Finn McDonald, Josh Butcher,Kai McDonald, Chris Byron, Kane Cutler,Hayden Potts, TomCampbell, Jack Cantwell, Daniel Byron, Jake Simic, Zak Russell (15 of the 22).

Missing: Jack Johnstone (coach), Will Leslie (vice captain), Hudson Holmes, Cody Henness, Derek Eggmolesse-Smith, Bohdi Walker,Harry Tatterson, Jack McLaren, Nathan Whitford, Jesse Collins, Ben Jones, Jordan Dessent, Jamie Sweeney