Latrobe Valley Express Wednesday 12 February 2025

Another school year has started, and Morwell Central Primary School twins

Isabella and Alexis arejust some of the manypreps beginning their education journey.

MORE -PAGE 29

Photograph supplied

Baillawsunder review

By TOMHAYES

VICTORIANPremier Jacinta Allan is facing backlash after her decision to order an immediate reviewofthe state's current bailsettings and failings

This comesafter thestate governmentannounced that bail laws would be toughened in an attempt to crack down on crime activity in July last year.

The changes allowed magistrates and judges to refuse bail whereverthey believed there was arisk that aperson could commit aserious crime, such as aggravated burglary, robbery, or home invasions.

Repeatoffenderswould also face tougher laws under the changes made, with anew offence of committing serious crimes while on bail.

Last week, Premier Allan ordered the review, prompting speculation from government insiders that the worsening crime rate was affecting low polling numbers,the Herald Sun reported. Ms Allan rejected theseclaims.

Nationals Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron took aim at the Premier, and said recidivist offenders have been allowed to run rampant for far too long, only to be bailed and allowed to offend again.

“Jacinta Allan has shown she is more concerned with attempting to rehabilitate violent offenders than she is about keeping Victorians safe,” he said.

“This stunning backflip is aknee-jerkreaction to plummeting polls for Labor and comes conveniently on the eve of the Werribee by-election.

“Even with the admission that more needs to be done to strengthen bail laws, Jacinta Allan has only committed to areview.

“We don’t need areview -weneed tougher bail laws now to protect the community.

“The Premier claims we opposed strengthening bail laws. That is not correct. The government did not allow the Nationalsand Liberalstointroduce aBilllastyear to toughen bail laws.”

FormerTraralgonlocal,DrAshley Gordon died duringahome invasion involving two teenagers last year.

Mr Gordon’s sister,Natalie Gordon, believes the review came too late to save her brother.

“I’ve been jumping up and down about these issues for ayear now, and they’re only just starting to take notice,” Ms Gordon said, reported in the Herald Sun last Wednesday (February 5).

“She’s (PremierAllan) honestly noteventakingnotice of victims. She refuses to speak with us.”

Last month, 91-year-old Morwell man, Harry Wright was found dead inside his home following an alleged aggravated burglary.

Police found a42-year-old man, who waslater found

to be on bail, nearby with Mr Wright’s belongings.

The suspectisaccused of assaultingand injuringMr Wright.Hewas also charged with failing to answer bail on January 29,the day before the incident.

The investigation remains ongoing, and the suspect was remanded in custody until May 25.

“It’s not for me to comment on Harry’s death, which is currently under investigation, and Icertainly don’t want to politicisethis tragedy,” Mr Cameron said.

“But something has got to give, and this must serve as aline in the sand, because the fact is that people are living in fear and don’t feel safe in their own homes.

“The Latrobe localgovernment area has the highest rate of criminal incidents in Victoria outsideof metropolitan Melbourne.

“Not enough is being donetoaddress risingcrime which hasbeen exacerbated by over 1000vacancies in Victoria Police,weakenedbaillaws, and scrapping of the Minister forCrime Prevention

“Residents feel scared, and the state government must start listening to Victoriancommunities and prioritising their safety.”

The latest Report on Government Services (RoGS), publishedonFebruary4,has exposed the state government, according to the Opposition.

Continued -Page6

No injuries after ammonia leak

AN ammonia leakage was exposed at Yallourn Power Station on Saturday, February 1.

The incident was only aminor spillage of boiler water treatment additive -asolution containing 20 per cent ammonium hydroxide.

The spill was contained on site and cleaned up with the assistance of arrivingemergency services at 3pm.

There was no injuries sustained to staff or risk to the public during the incident.

Feedback for draft policy

LATROBE City Council is seeking communityfeedback on the draftCommunity Engagement Policy, which is now open for community consultation.

As counci l’s curre nt Communi ty Engagement Policy is due to expirethis April, apreliminary draft has beendeveloped. The draft incorporates the Community Engagement Principles outlined in the Local Government Actand reaffirms council’s commitmenttotransparent,inclusive, and meaningful engagement in decision-making processes.

Latrobe City Mayor, Dale Harriman encouraged residents to share their thoughts and help shape the future of community engagement in Latrobe City.

“Community engagementisacornerstone of Latrobe City Council’s operations, providing the opportunitytounderstand the wide range of views, insights, and issues in our region,” the mayor said.

“Engaging with the community is vital to ensuring our policies and projects reflect the needs and aspirations of the people we serve.

“As acouncilweare committed to open,honest and informed engagement, which helps to promotefairnessand transparency across all council activities. We want to engage often and widely with everyoneinthe community.

“Your input is essential to ensure the policy reflects best practices and the needs of our community.”

Feedback on the draft policy willhelp inform any necessary changes before the policy is reviewed and prepared for final adoption by Council in April 2025.

To provide feedback on the draft Community Engagement Policy, visit yoursay.latrobe.vic. gov.au/draft-community-engagement-policy

Newfaces for OneGippsland

ONE GIPPSLAND has elected anew leadership team to lead the organisation for the next 12 months.

South Gippsland Shire Councillor, Nathan Hersey was elected chair, while Bass Coast Shire Council Mayor,Rochelle Halstead, was elected as the Deputy Chair at the organisation’s board meeting held in Morwell recently.

Akey priority for the new leadership team will be advocating for the region during the federal election campaign and in the run up to the next state election in November 2026.

Cr Hersey said he was proud to be elected to advocatefor Gippslandtoensure its prosperity during atime of change.

“Gippsland is on the frontline of change and we

are doing the work to prepare our community for what the future holds and making sure we become more prosperous because of it,” he said.

“Gippsland has many valuable assets -including our people -and One Gippsland will continue to work alongside both the state and federal governmentstoensure our region grows and prospers.

“Our region is stronger when our local governments and industry partners work together, with aclear focusofmaking Gippsland agreatplace to live, work and enjoy.

“We want more people to call Gippsland home and to attract them here we need to ensure services such as telecommunications and transport links are efficient, effective and resilient.”

In its pre-budget submission to both the state and

federal governments, One Gippsland has recommended funding be allocated to projects including:

 Four key roads projects to boost safety, cut congestion and maximise freight efficiency;

 Five tertiary education projects to make Gippsland the centre of offshore wind and energy excellence;

 Improving access, coverage and resilience of the telecommunications network; and,

 Measures to support Gippsland and enable its communities to prosper as it uses its natural resources to power the country and to move towards anet zero future.

LatestGippsland Farmernow available

THE Februaryedition of Gippsland Farmer is now available both online and in digital form.

Key stories in this month’s publication include:

 Two Gippsland wineries have received glowing reports in the latest Australian top 100 wines of the year.

 Recent fire events in Victoria have shown that the risk of devastating similar to the catastrophic fires in Los Angeles, remains a very real threat for Australian communities, according to the Howitt Society.

 Strong production estimates, relatively steady commodity prices and global economic growth provide apositive immediate future for Australian farmers over the next six months,

according to Australian Agricultural Outlook 20025, areport by Bendigo Bank and Rural Bank.

 Farmland in South and West Gippsland had the highest median price per hectare in Victoria last year, according to Rural Bank’s analysis of farmland value.

 Former Gippsland farmer Thelma Hutchison has the knack of sharing knowledge with next generation farmers.

 On the first anniversary of the state government’s closure of Gippsland’s native forest industry, France’s historic rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral has been completed in all its glory -and French native forest timber was

at the heart of the project. The oak hardwood timber used came from trees in French forests between 80-150 years old, with some more than 200 years old.

 The Australian cattle industry has been challenged to take up the fight and provide consumers with the permission they are seeking to feel good about eating beef.

 Anew machine-learning weather prediction model called GenCast can outperformthe best traditional forecasting systems in at least some situations, according to an article by aCSIRO senior research scientist for climate forecasting. Read at gippslandfarmer.com.au or pick up a copy from the Express office.

Aiming to promote regional development

FEDERAL Memberfor Gippsland, Darren Chester met with Chair of the Regional Development Australia (RDA) Gippsland CommitteeKellie O’Callaghan in Parliament last week.

The RDA Gippsland committee aims to promote regional economic development. It engages with agencies, local councils, industry bodies, and the private sector to advocate for projects that align with regional priorities.

With Gippsland well positioned to capitalise on newopportunities in energy, value-adding to food andfibre, tourism andadvanced manufacturing, the RDA Gippsland committee is working with the private sector and all levels of government to promote broader regional interests.

The current consultation phasewith all six councils in the Gippsland region was akey topic in RDA Gippsland’s discussions with Mr Chester as they prepare the next regional plan.

Ms O’Callaghan is aformer Latrobe City Mayor, and served on council for more than 10 years.

Familiar faces: Former Latrobe CityMayor and nowchairofRegional Development Australia,KellieO’Callaghanmet with Member forGippsland, Darren Chester in Canberra.

Photograph supplied

Tributescontinue for belovedHarry

By TOMHAYES

TRIBUTES have continued to flow in for Harry Wright, who was found dead in his Morwell home following ahome invasion on the evening of Thursday, January 30.

Family and friends are known to have gathered for aprivate function at the Morwell Bowling Club on Monday, February 10, following his funeral. Mr Wright volunteered at the Morwell Bowling Club for more than 25 years.

“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that the board of directors, staff, and members of the Morwell Bowling Club regret the sudden passing of long-termmember Harry Wright,” the Morwell BowlingClubwrote.

“Harry was agentle soul, who volunteered at the club for over 25 years.

“Despite the tragic way his life ended, he would wanteveryonetocelebrate his life, just likehe did. This gives us the opportunitytoreflect on the fabulous person we were lucky enough to know and work beside.”

Tributes have flowed in the comments of both the Express’ and Morwell Bowling Club’s online posts.

RIP Harry. My condolencestoKerry, Teena, and family. My thoughts have been with you since the passing. Harrywas always apleasure to work with and will be greatly missed by all.

-Debbie Key

Atruegentleman in every way. RIP Harry. Condolences to his family and friends.

-Ann Kaufmann

Sending our condolences to Harry’s family, may he rest in peace. Going to miss seeing him walking hisdogs past our place every morning.

-Angela Ellis Broadbent

May you rest in peace old timer, you have done all your beautiful family and friends proud.

-James Seymour

Our condolences to Kerry, family, and friends. We hada wonderfulgame of pennantagainst the team Harry was in as lead only aweekago. We are all shocked and saddened to hear of his passing. On that day we were all commenting about how well he was still bowling, his good sense of humour, and his knowledgeoflife. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Warm regards, Neerim District bowlers.

-Pat Aurisch

RIP Harry, thinking of all you guys in this time. Was alovely man to have known.

-Hayley Paige

RIP Harry andsincere condolences to your extended family. Taken too soon in tragic circumstances and robbed of the enjoyment you were anticipated with your cruise. May your soul be reunited with Diana and Martin forever more in the peace of them hereafter.

-Alex Foster

So sad! RIP Harry, will never forget you at the club, your antics will be remembered by all there.

-Lyn Coulston

Abeautiful life should neverhaveended this way, so very wrong. Condolences to Harry’s family.

-Marion Locke

Ohh how Ihave so many happy memories of you Harry, these Iwill treasure forever. Times in the cake shop, you introducing me to pork pies... then when mum and Iwenttothe UK first thing Ihad to have was apork pie. Thanks Harry. Love ya heaps for everything.

-Gail Bianconi

Kokoda trek on offer for students

MEMBER for Morwell, Martin Cameron, is again offering aonce-in-a-lifetime chance for high school students living in the Morwell electorate to join him and other Members of Parliament on atrip to trek the Kokoda Trail.

The Marsh/T ierney Schola rship is an opportunity for one lucky Year 11 student to join an Adventure Kokoda trip in the July school holidays.

The Marsh/Tierney Scholarship, worth $6300, provides our younger generation with an insight into the Gippsland connection to theKokoda Trail, and the sacrifices made by service personnel from this area.

The successful applicant will be assisted with training andchaperoned on the trek In addition to the scholarship, therewill be aroundan$600-800 commitment required from participants for items like hiking boots, some incidentals and medical expenses.

“Amelia van Vliet, who was the inaugural winner of the scholarship last year, set the bar incredibly high and impressedusall with her terrific attitude,” Mr Cameron said.

“Trekking the Kokoda Trailisalife-changing experience, and Iamsograteful that we are able to support incredible young people in our community with the necessary funding to participate.

“Details of the trek and information on the application process can be obtained from my office, and Iencourage any Year 11 students interestedtothink about applying for this amazing opportunity.”

Thoughtsgoout to Harry’sfamily. Iwill miss seeing him on the morning dog walks.

-Guss Lambden Alovely man, true gentleman,and ahighly respected and much loved Morwellian.

-Neil Linda Perkins Vale: LateMorwell legend, Harry Wright. Photograph supplied

House prices take another drop in region

By STEFAN BRADLEY

HOME prices in the Latrobe-Gippsland region have fallen2.38 per cent overthe past year, in keeping with the trend seen in regional Victoria showing home prices are off to aslowstart so far this year, according to anew PropTrack report.

The PropTrack Home Price Index (HPI) found that home prices in regional Victoria fell 0.15 per cent in January, as it was the only regional market to start the new year in decline, with prices 4.09 per cent below peak.

Data for January 2025 in the Latrobe-Gippsland SA4area, shows that quarter-on-quarter growth fell to -0.11 per cent, with the median value of a property at $549,000. The median value of regional Victoria as awhole is $577,000 and $779,000 in Melbourne.

“Homepricesinthe Latrobe-Gippsland region have fallen 2.38 per cent over the past year, but despite falls, remain up 44.8 per centcompared to March 2020,”REA Group SeniorEconomist, Eleanor Creagh told the Express

The 44.8 figure for Latrobe Gippsland almost

matches the national number. There may be a downturn, but home prices across thecountry have risen over the past year, withnational home values 45 per cent higher than March 2020.

Annual price growth in regional areas (+4.47per cent) outpaced the capital cities (+3.56 per cent) in January, as poor affordability and asurge in choice through spring tempered price growth in thecapitals.

“National home prices fell in January, as the softer end to 2024 carried over into the new year. Whilehousing demand remained resilient to persistent affordability constraints, the pace of home price growth slowed throughout 2024, culminating in small fallsoverthe past two months,”

Ms Creagh said.

“This softening in growth has occurred alongside asurge in stockfor sale, giving buyers more choice and reducing the urgency to transact. Affordability challenges, weaker economicconditions and the sustained higher interest rate environment have also been contributors to slowing -and reversing -growth.”

Ms Creagh said thatapotentialinterest rate cut could potentially boost housing demand and price growth in Gippslandand across the country, which would be achangefrom the price falls seen in the last couple of months.

“Asinterest rates movelower this yearboosting borrowingcapacities, improving affordability and buyerconfidence are expected to drive renewed demand and price growth. However, the pace of home price growth is expected to remain modest, trailing the strong performance of recent years,” she said.

PropTrack’s report suggests that price momentum has been weaker in Melbourne over the past four years, partly due to greaterbuyer choice and higher propertytaxes. They also cite construction activity in Victoria,which has aligned more closely with population growth over the past 10 years.

In December,the Express reported thatall dwellingsinthe Latrobe-Gippslandinthe previousfew months hadseen aquarter-on-quarter decline of -0.92 per cent and -2.48 per cent year-on-year, with amedian home value of $547,000.

The application processinvolves aquestionnaire and short essay, and those short-listed will also be required to attend ashort in-person interview with current or ex-service personnel. Any businesses interested in sponsoring the Marsh/Tierney Scholarship are encouraged to reach Mr Cameron’s office.

For moreinformation or to obtain the application materials,email martin.cameron@ parliament.vic.gov.au, or phone 5133 9088.

The biggest and the best

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

TRARALGON'S Nicolino and Michelina Di lorio

stepped out into their backyard last Friday to do the daily rounds in their home garden, only to come across somethingquitespectacular -agargantuan tomato weighing 1.8 kilograms.

The monster vegetable beat their own previous record of 1.6kg in 2018.

Mr Di lorio was hoping this next ‘big one’ would notch the 2kg mark, but the 200g growth will suffice.

Most of their harvest sources back to northern Italy; the Di lorio garden extending to zucchinis, capsicums, chillies and cherry tomatoes.

The couple have ahealthy competition going, with Nicolino handling the tomatoes and Michelina tackling the zucchinis, with some of hers pushing out to between 900g and akilogram in size.

The lot of Di lorio tomatoesrange anywhere from 750g up to their largest recent haul with too many to count -used for anything of their choosing from pastasauce to pairing their perfect tomatoes with athick slice of bocconcini.

The pair need to find places to store their ripe

and picked produce, cutting them up and storing them in jars or even resorting to asinkfull of big, juicy tomatoes.

Unfortunately, the recent scorching heathas impacted their next crops, with many in the garden suffering.

Luckily, what has sustained the giant (literally) Di lorio produce has been preserving the seeds, drying them out andreusing them to continue the cycle.

Whydon’t youtakethis tomato, it’s pretty big: Thefruit came in at 1.8kg, beating the previous best. Photographs: BlakeMetcalf-Holt

Why did the cow cross the road?

By KATRINA BRANDON

SHAUN the sheep is at it again.

Now inspiring others to walk the streets, farm animals took awalk through Traralgon, causing chaos for people heading to work.

On January 30, eight sheep made their way through GrammarDrive, thenafew days later (on February 5) 'Betsy' the cow decided to join in.

It wasn'tthe chicken to cross the road but the grand cow, who made its way up View Hill Dr, Traralgon, only to be stopped by alocal.

The local in question then took action by locking the trouble maker in anearbypaddock on Ash Worth Dr.

Both incidents were posted on the Traralgon Community Facebook group, in the hopes of stoppingwhatmischief the rascals couldget up to.

Escapedsheep terrorised Grammar Drive, Traralgon.

Community Consultationdecommissioning

Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd (Esso), awholly

owned subsidiary of ExxonMobil Australia Pty Ltd, is committed to operating and decommissioning its Gippsland and Bass Strait facilities safelyand effectively.After delivering energy to Australia for over 50 years, many of the Bass Strait oil and gas fields are now reaching the end of their productive life. As planning for decommissioning progresses, Esso is focused on safely shutting-down non-producing facilities and ensuring they stay safe throughout the entire decommissioning process.

Community Information Sessions

If you’d like to know more about plans for Decommissioning of platforms and pipelines in Bass Strait, the Esso Consultation Team will be hosting community information sessionsatthe following locations:

Monday 17 February 2025 -Yanakie Yanakie Hall

Millar Road, Yanakie

Tuesday 18 February 2025 -Foster

Foster WarMemorial Arts Centre

Main Street, Foster

Wednesday 19 February 2025 –Leongatha Leongatha Memorial Hall

6-8 McCartin St, Leongatha

Monday 24 February 2025 –Lakes Entrance

On the Wharf Café, Bullock Island

Lakes Entrance

Tuesday 25 February 2025 –Yarram

The Yarram Country Club

322-340 Commercial Road, Yarram

Wednesday 26 February 2025 -Sale

The Criterion Hotel

90 Macalister Street, Sale

All the above sessions willrun from 5.00pm -7.00pm with apresentation aboutEsso’soperations with afocus on decommissioning projects.

We encourage you to come along and ask questions or to raise any concerns you may have. Please register your attendance by emailing: consultation@exxonmobil.com

If these dates and times don’t suit, contact us at consultation@exxonmobil.com or by phone on 03 9261 0000

The Esso Team will also be available to discuss all current activities, including:

Bass Strait State Waters Environment Plan

• Bass Strait Operations Environment Plan

Gippsland Basin Geophysical and Geotechnical Investigations Environment Plan

• Jack-Up-Rig Plug &Abandonment Revision 1 Environment Plan

Turrum Phase 3Drilling Environment Plan

Like to be consulted about these activities? Esso is working to identify and consult with relevant persons [stakeholders] whose functions, interests, or activities may be affected by one or more of Esso’s proposed activities.

Complete the Esso Consultation Questionnaire (sli. do) in the Esso Consultation Hub to let us know if you’d like to be consulted or have anyquestions or feedback. Refer to the NOPSEMA brochure Consultation on offshore petroleum environment plans brochure. pdf (nopsema.gov.au) to understand more about consultation on offshore petroleumenvironment plans assessed under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2023.

Your feedback and our response will be included in the relevant regulatory application documentation and submitted to the regulator

Please connect us with other interestedpeople

If there is anyone you know who may be interested in our activities, we encourage you to share this information with them.

To findout more information

For more information about Esso’s activities and other projects, please go to the Esso Consultation Hub at: https://corporate.exxonmobil.com/ locations/australia/our-approach

Quitesomething: Nicolino and Michelina Di lorio with theirgianttomatoes

Fencedissue: Making arun forthe next farming town over,acow escapedthrough View Hill Drive, Traralgon. Photographs supplied Chaos:

Valley crimecrisis

Government under fire Syringesfound in playground

From Page 1

THE report shows:

 A17.97 per cent increase in road deaths, which the Liberals link to the decision to cut spending on roads and policing;

 Real per capita police expenditure dropped by four per cent, where the Liberals believe it stretches police thinner amid rising crime rates;

 Victoria recorded the second-lowest growth in police funding nationally;

 The number of judicial officers has declined, despite a19.2 per cent increase in case backlogs, meaning victims are waiting longer for justice, and;

 Victoria has the lowest prison bed utilisation rate in the country.

Sh ad ow Mi ni ster for Police, David Southwick said the state government’s cutstopolicing and failuretoget criminals off the streets were putting Victorians at risk.

“Victoria is spending less on policing while crime is rising. Instead of putting criminals behindbars, Labor is cutting resources and leaving police underfunded and courts overwhelmed,” he said.

“Under Labor, fewer police are on the beat, the courts are backed up, and prison beds are sitting empty while offenders roam free.”

ShadowAttorney-General, Michael O’Brien believes Labor’smismanagement is failing victims.

“The Libe ral sa nd Natio nals have repeatedly called for stronger policing, greater judicial resources, and tougher sentencing to ensure criminals are taken off the streets and victims receive justice,” he said.

“The latest (RoGS) data proves Labor’s approach is failing, and Victorians are paying the price.”

Despite the numbers, the latest RoGS dataalso showsthat Victoriahas the most operational and none-operational fulltime staff compared to any other state in Australia, with 81,848 total staffmembers, according to the state government.

The state government admitted more needs to be done to ensure the safety of Victorian communities.

“Last year, we introduced new laws to deliver tougher consequences for serious, repeat offenders. These changes are already making adifference,” astate government spokesperson said.

“It is clear that we need to go even further. There are still too many Victorians -especially women and children -who don’t feel safe.

“The Premier has asked the AttorneyGeneral (Sonya Kilkenny) and the Ministerfor Police( to review our currentl laws.

“Everyone has the righ safely.”

By TOMHAYES

ASHOCKING number of syringes were found at aplaygroundinMorwell, sparking concern for families in the area.

The needles appeared to have been removed from the plastic disposable container.

The news was brought to light last Wednesday (February 5) evening, after photos were anonymously posted to aMorwell community Facebook group, warning people to check before they play.

This comes less than ayear after syringes were littered at Moe’s ApexPark, sparking the same conversation.

In responsetothe discovery, Latrobe City Morwell Ward Councillor, Tracie Lund alerted the community via Facebook.

“I’m deeply disturbed by the discovery of discarded needles at WaterholeCreek Park, rightbehind Morwell Neighbourhood House,” she wrote.

“This is aspace where our children should be able to play safely, and finding it littered with needles is absolutely unacceptable.

“Careless dumping of needles like this poses an immediate health risk to the entire community.

“Community safety in our public spaces is an absolute priority,and this kind of disregard for others’ wellbeing is alarming.”

The person who made the anonymous post mentioned they had cleaned up as much as they could.

Commentsonthe postwere fuelled withdisgust

“That’s disgusting Morwell needs to clean its act up,” one person wrote.

“This really makes me furious,” another wrote.

Cr Lund continued to give advice for what to do

Police Beat with TomHayes

Three arrests made

POLICE arrested two men anda woman following a collision involving an alleged stolen car in Traralgon on Monday, February 3.

Officers spotted an allegedstolen blue Ford Ranger in the vicinity of PrincesDrive about 10.40am.

The Ford was then seen allegedly driving on the wrong side of Cross's Road, Traralgon.

Police allege the stolen Ford collided with acar at the intersection of Breed Street and Gordon St. No one was injured.

A20-year-old Moewomanwas arrested at the scene. A21-year-old Morwellman fled on foot and was arrested near the intersection of Anderson St and Church St ashort time later. Asecond man, aged 25 from Moe, was arrested shortly after at a Moe address. The trio will be interviewed by police. Investigators believe that theFord was stolen fromaMaffrapropertyinlate January. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has footage is urged to contactCrime Stoppers on 1800333 000,orsubmit aconfidential report online at: crimestoppersvic.com.au

Gippsland teenagers involved in Melbourne

if one needs to dispose of needles, or if one finds needles in public.

“If you need to dispose of needles,please do it properly. There are sharps disposal containers availableatlocal pharmaciesand community facilities, including here at the (Morwell) Neighbourhood House. Leaving them in public spaces like parks is not just irresponsible, it’s dangerous,” she added.

“If you comeacrossdiscarded needles,donot attempt to handle or remove them yourself. Contact the police or council immediately for safe disposal

“Please do not handle needles without proper equipment. It puts you at risk of injuryorinfection. It’s just not worth it.”

Cr Lund confirmed that the issue was addressed as soon as possible, and the area had been cleaned immediately.

As the Express mentionedlast year, for those that do come across aused syringe in apublic place, there are amatterofsteps to take:

 Don’t pick up the needles as it could lead to dangerous exposure, and;

 Call someone to dispose of it/them.

If you notice adiscarded syringe:

 Phone 1300 367 700, and;

 Give the exact address of where the syringe is, and describe nearby landmarks such as aphone box, public toilets, etc.

Provide your contact details in case council need more information.

Latrobe City Councilrecommends usedsyringes arehandled by professionals only.However, if you must handleone:

 If you can, use tongs or protect your

Local policeand policededicated to Operation Trinity were called to aproperty in Rosanna (Melbourne’s north-east) at about 4am on Sunday, January 26.Itisalleged agroup entered the home before stealing keys to asilverMercedes sedan. One person was home at the time and not injured.

The same offenders allegedly stole aToyota wagon fromapropertyinHawthornEast about6pm.

That stolen wagonwas later located dumped in Hawthorn,where with the assistanceofthe Air Wing,officers spottedthe stolensilverMercedes abou t8 pm .The offend ers then dum ped the Mercedes in Hawthorn and allegedly fledthe scene. Sixpeople were arrested nearby.

 A16-year-old boyfrom Moe was charged with aggravated home invasion, theft, theft of a motor vehicle, possessing adrug of dependence, and aggravated burglary. He was remanded in custody.

 A14-year-old boy from Morwell was charged with theft of motor vehicle, robbery, shopsteal, and attempted aggravated home invasion.

 A17-year-old girl from Drouin was charged with theft of motor vehicle.

 A15-year-old and 16-year-old boy, both from the Mornington Peninsula area, were also charged with multiple offences. They were bailed to achildren’s court at alater date.

 A19-year-old Healesville man was charged with theft of motor vehicle. He was bailed to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on March 25.

Victoria Policehas been specificallytargeting car thieves each night since March

Trinity, which runs from dusk until Melbourne, is easily Victoria Police’s rced frontline policing operation

Horrifying: Syringes laying on atable in a Morwell playground. Photograph supplied

hands with aheavy duty glove or cloth;

 Never touch the sharp end of the needle, only pick up the syringe by the barrel end;

 Do not try to replace the cap on the needle;

 Put the needle and syringe in ascrew top, puncture proof, plastic container and seal it;

 Tell children never to pick up needles or syringes, but to call an adult, and;

 Do not put needles and syringes down toilets and drains.

There are large capacity bright orange disposal bins located outside the entrance of each of the Latrobe Community Health Offices: 81-85Buckley Street (Morwell); 42-44 Fowler St (Moe),and; corner of Seymour St and Princes Highway (Traralgon).

Information wanted for affray

LATROBE Crime Investigation Unit are investigatinganaffray which occurred on Franklin St, Traralgon at about 11.55pm on Friday, December 20, 2024.

During the incident, a32-year-old male victim sustained facial injuries.

Investigators are seeking information regarding the identity of the persons involved, who they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries. Pictures of those who they need to identify have been posted to the Facebook page: EyewatchLatrobe Police Service Area.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Latrobe Crime Investigation Unit on 5131 5000, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or submit an online report at: crimestoppers.com.au

Local youthinvolved in attempted carjacking

MELBOURNE Divisional Response Unit have charged two teenagers following alleged attempted carjackingsand acollision in astolen vehiclein Richmond last Friday (February 7).

The Subaru, which was allegedly stolen during an aggravated burglary in Berwick on January 30, continued to Church St.

It wasinvolved in acollision with an orange Holden Barina near the intersection of Hutchings St.

Several members of the public came to assist the twooccupants of the Subaru before they allegedly fled north on Church St. They were detained at afast-food restaurant before police arrived.

An 18-year-oldRingwoodman wasarrested and taken to hospital under police guard, and a 15-year-old Traralgon boy was arrested and taken into custody.

Funding call for homelessness issue

MEMBER forEastern Victoria Region,Melina Bath hascalled for ongoing funding for Gippsland’s ‘homelessness and rough sleeping action plan’ and anew team of six Assertive Outreach workers to

support vulnerable individuals in the region.

In stateParliament, Ms Bath saidfunding for the program lapses in June and agencies such as Gippsland Homelessness Network have identified its value in making adifference.

“Not aweek goes by that someone doesn’t raise concerns with me about the increase in homelessness in eastern Victoria -it’swidespread and heartbreaking,” Ms Bath said.

“The cost-of-living crisis, housing stress, housing affordability and the shrinking rental marketis forcing more people onto the streets or into their cars.

“Wehave tents beside the freeway, on the banks of waterways, under bridges, individuals living in bus shelters, park benches, even apublic rotunda serves as amakeshift home -it’s tragic.

“Gippsland is crying out for Assertive Outreach workers to proactively engage with people -and bring them to an entry point for assistance.”

Ms Bathsaid the state government's inabilityto deliver social and affordable homes has exacerbated the issue, adding to the hardship.

The state government announcedthe Homes First program last year, which included servicing Gippsland.

The program, funded by the state government,

will helpmore than 500 households secure housing Backed with $48 million in this year’s state budget, Homes First also givespeople access to programs and people that help break the cycle of homelessness, with serviceslikementalhealth, drug and alcohol and financial counselling, and family violence services.

Minister for Housingand Building, and Member for Eastern Victoria Region, HarrietShing said Gippsland had beenidentified as akey support area.

“More homes mean more opportunity, but it’s also essential that vulnerable Victorians can get the supportinother areas thatthey needtobreak the cycle of homelessness,” Ms Shing said.

“The causes of homelessness are complex, but we know that wraparound support services make an enormous difference in achieving positive long-term outcomes in health, education and employment.”

The state government is also investing $6.3 billion through the Big Housing Build and Regional Housing Fund to deliver more than 13,300 social and affordable homes across Victoria -with 10,000 homes already complete or underway.

Crime in the Valley out of control

COMMENT

BY LIAM DURKIN

THERE is clearly aproblem

Crimeinthe Latrobe Valley is out of control, and people are rightly fed up.

Just one walk down some local streets is enough to make anyone feel uncomfortable.

Recently Ihad to catch the train home from work. On the mere five minute walk from the Express office on George Street, Morwell to the train station, Icounted three instancesthat could have been filed in the police beat section of this masthead.

Isaw people eitherbeing tendedtointhe street by paramedics, clearlyunder theinfluence, or causing general nuisance.

The train ride wasevenmore appalling: kids spitting in public, peeling labels off the carriage, and making obscene gestures. That Iwas getting off at the next stationdid little to make me feel any better -I'm convinced Ilost afew brain cells in that 10 minute timeframe.

Teenage delinquency is no new issue Rebel Without aCause came out in 1955,before even both my parents were born (I'm now 30), but it has surely never been this drastic.

It has gotten so bad, Ihave even resorted to parking out the front of the Express building whenever I've had to work nights (the main carpark is beside alaneway). Even then I've had closeencounters with some undesirables in the dark of night. Having female staff, you do honestly fear what would happen if it was them in that situation.

Not to politicise local safety, but with afederal election coming up, the numberone priority would appear obvious.

Surely enough is enough.

Liam Durkin is editor of the Latrobe Valley Express

“The cost-of- living crisis, housing stress, housing affordability and the shri nking rental market is forcing more people onto the streets or into their cars.

Howcan residents feel safe?

COMMENT BY JOYCEHUGHES

OUR local member, Martin Cameron was on the news only a couple of days ago saying the crime rate in Morwell, especially around the CBD, was escalating.

Now one of our beloved long-time residents, avulnerable older person, was found dead in afatal home invasion.

How can residents feel safe in their own homes when we have lowlifes like this running riot with no regard for the consequences of their actions?

Someone has to take responsibility. Joyce Hughes is aL atrob eV all ey resident

Rough: Thecurrent economic climatehas forced manypeople ontostreets Photograph: iStock

MELINA Bath MEMBER for Eastern Victoria Region

Millworkers taketheir fight

By KATRINABRANDON

BRINGING in more support and more action, the MaryvaleMill workersand union groupshave made amove against Opal’s actions.

On February 6, about 150 Maryvale Mill production workers marchedthe streets of Opal’s Richmond location.

Before taking to the metropolitan area, the Mill workers also received support from Latrobe City Council, Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, and SenatorRaffCiccone towardsthe action taken by Opal.

Workersand contractors under the CFMEU have been locked out of the Mill by Opal since January 16, afterseven workers undertook aprotected stopwork action to preserve their work conditions and pay. With an hour’s notice until they were exiled fromthe Mill, 308 productionworkers are now engagedinanEnterprise Agreement discussion with Opal Australian Paper -owned by the large multinational Nippon -with thehelp of theCFMEU since the latest agreement expired in December 2024.

Throughout the lockout, the workers have been keeping apresence at the Mill during work hours (8am to 3pm), to let Opal knowthey still want to work.

On January 30, Opal’s “protected” industrial action was described as abuseofpower from the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) SecretarySally McManus.

Latrobe City Mayor,Dale Harriman relayedthat not only is the actionunfairtothe workers, but Latrobe is already seeingsome of the impacts of the closure, urging for state government support.

“The Victorian government has an important rol et op lay in facili tati ng dial ogue between both parties ,support in gefforts to bring both management and the union back to the negotiating table withthe aim of resolving thisdispute

quickly and fairly,” the mayor told the Express

“This will help achieve asolution that safeguards both workers’ rights and the long-term viability of the Maryvale Mill, ensuring asustainable future for the region and its workforce.

“The currentindustrial action not only affects those directly involved but also places undue strain on the Latrobe City community.Many families rely on the Mill’s operation for their livelihood, and any prolonged disruption threatens the region’s economic stability.”

As Victorian’s most heavily impacted and transitioning region, council says it stands with the community to support the economic diversification of the region’s industry landscape and economy.

“We call upon the Victorian government to continue to work collaboratively with the timber industry and affected communities,following

the cessation of native timber harvesting, to find viable and sustainable solutions that prioritise both environmental conservation and the welfare of timber industry workers, including those employed at the Maryvale Mill,” Mayor Harriman said.

“We understand that this is apivotal moment for the Mill’s future as it navigates challenges such as rising costs and evolving market demands. Afair and equitableresolutiontothis industrialdispute is critical to ensuring that the Maryvale Mill remains akey player in Australia’s paper industry and, importantly, astrong employer in Latrobe City.

“Securing the ongoingoperationsofthe Mill is essential, not only for the livelihoods of those directly impacted, but also for the long-term prosperity and economic stability of the Gippsland region. Atimely resolution will not only protect local jobs, but will also ensure that the Maryvale Mill cancontinuetoserve as avital economic engine forLatrobe City.”

On Wednesday, February5,Senator Raff Ciccone responded to the issue by showing his support.

“I rise in supportofthe 308 pulp and paper manufacturing workers who’ve been brutally stood down without pay at the Maryvale Mill in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley,” he said.

“This adversarial move by Opal comes after years of cooperation from union members to financially secure the Mill during difficult periods.This included employees agreeing to reclassifications and wage resets, as well as afive per cent pay cut in 2016.

“In return for their cooperation, Opal has shamefullyoffered its workers achoicebetween real cuts to wages and workplace conditions, or indefinite lockout from work and income. Ican tell you that alot of them are relying on that incometosupport their families.

“These 308 workers deservebetter thanthis unjustifiable lockout. Icall on Opal to return its employees to work, and to engage with them in

United: Standing together,the CFMEU is suppor tingOpal’slocked-out

On show: Maryvale Mill workersand others affected arereceiving suppor tfromall pockets of the stateagainst Opal’sdecision.

Leader: Maryvale Secretar yofthe Pulp and Paper Sub-Branch, AnthonyPavey and Pulp and PaperWorkers District Secretar y, Denise Campbell-Burns, helped lead the workersto metropolitan streets to make Opal hear their voices

to Opal’scityheadquarters

good faith for the sake of their families and the local community.

“I stand in solidarity withthe Pulp and Paper Division, Maryvale Mill workers and every Australianfighting for secure work, for secure jobs and for better pay.”

He mentioned that the Mill has been an integral part of the community since 1937, and the supply chain has empowered the community and the local economy for so long, and that their support throughout times such as the pandemic have not gone unnoticed.

Memberfor Morwell,Martin Cameron and state Leader of The Nationals, Danny O’Brien, met with Mill workers in state Parliament on February 6.

“Over the last few weeks Ihave met with local union representativeswho have reaffirmed employees are ready, willing, and able to reach an agreement and return work at the Mill,” Mr Cameron said.

“Workers are under immensestrainand are understandably concerned about how they will provide for their families with no end in sight to this dispute.

“I have written to Opal and reiterated the importance of brokering adeal that’s fair for both workers and the company, because the reality is that our region cannot afford to lose another major employer.

“Labor’s decisiontoshut the native timber industry has had an enormous impact on the Maryvale Mill’s operations and placed Opal under financial pressure.”

During question time, Mr O’Brien demanded answers from Jacinta Allan about what Labor is doing to ensure mill workers don’t lose their jobs.

“Labor’s disastrous forestry policy has cut supply to the Maryvale Mill,and Opal has directly credited the shut-down of the nativetimber industryas threatening the viability of its operations,” he said.

“The former Premier promised Mill workers their jobs were secure up until 2050, but the rug was pulledout from underneath them when Labor reneged and shut the industry prematurely.

“Thiscaused thelossof200 jobs at the Maryvale Mill because white paper production stopped, and now another 300 workers have been locked out during acost-of-living crisis.”

Opal sent out astatement after the rally.

“Opal is continuing to negotiate in good faith with ourMaryvaleMill’sProductionteam membersand the CFMEU, to reach afair Enterprise Agreement that is relevant to the Mill’s current operations,” the statement read.

“Protected industrial action that the CFMEU notified us they would undertake, impacted our ability to produce paper at our Maryvale Mill. As a result, we had to make the decision, in accordance with the Fair Work Act, to stop our operations at the Mill and implement alegal lockoutofour production team members covered by the CFMEU Agreement.

“Opal’s goal is to have our valued production team members back to work as soon as possible.

“As part of Opal’s EBA negotiations, we have reassured the CFMEU bargaining representatives that all production team members will receive increases to their annual salary for their rostered hours,and how those increases are determined and calculated is up for negotiation. We look forward to meeting with the CFMEU in the coming week to try and resolve these negotiations.

“Opal’scontingency plans for product supply are ensuring our customers receive ongoing supply.

“Given our commitmenttogood faith bargaining and to the success of our MaryvaleMill, we remain confident that the Enterprise Agreement negotiations will be successfully resolved so that we can welcome ourteammembers back to work.”

Taking astance: Busloads of Maryvale workersstamped their feet at the Opal office in Richmond last week Photographs: Cameron Warasta(unless stated)

Standing strong: Both Opal and Maryvale Mill workers/contractorsare fighting forwhatthey believeisright.

Political: StateNationals Leader,DannyO’Brien and Member forMorwell, Martin Cameron (centre) alongside affected Mill workersonthe steps of Parliament Photograph supplied

Long way from home: Demonstrators marched outside Opal’s city-based office

ONE POINTERS

1. Which Australian state is the largest byarea?

What colour is chlorophyll?

2. What is Joe Biden’swife’sname?

4. What two colours make up the flag of Denmark?

5. True or false: Australia is wider than the moon

6. What is the largest and lowest-pitched musical instrument in the brass family?

7. Who directed the film “The Passion of Christ”

8. In The Wizard of Oz, in which American state does Dorothy live? THREE POINTER

9. What inspired the innovative design of Tupper ware lids?

10. Fans of which pop star are affectionately referred to as “Little Monsters”?

11. What nursey rhyme shares the same tune as Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

12. What city was the first in the Southern Hemisphere to hostanOlympic Games?

FOUR POINTER

13. What was the first Disney movie to be directed by a woman?

14. What musician won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016?

FIVE POINTER

15. Name the top 5most visited websites, one point for each correct answer

Howdid youfare?

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

Howtoplay. Using the 9letters in the gr id, howmany wordsoffour letters or morecan you list? The centreletter must be included and each lettermay be used onlyonce No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural wordsending in ‘s’. Solution page43

Melanoma on high alert

CANCER CouncilVictoria’s SunSmart program is reminding Victorians to stay vigilant about sun protection, as data shows melanoma diagnoses are on the rise,with people living in regionalareas andmen morelikely to be diagnosed.

According to Cancer Council Victoria’s annual Victorian Cancer Registry (VCR), 3182 Victorians(1860males and 1320females) were diagnosed with melanoma in 2023, up from 2884 new cases in 2022. Of the new cases,1205came outofregional Victoria, where people are 54 per cent more likelytobediagnosed withmelanoma than Victorians living in major cities.

HeadofSunSmartatCancerCouncilVictoria, Emma Glassenbury said exposure to the sun’s UV radiation accounted for mostmelanoma, the deadliest skin cancer, capable of spreading to vital organs like the brain, lungs and liver.

“The goodnewsismelanomaisone of the most preventable cancers, yet it remains the fifth most common in Victoria, accounting for eight per centofall newcancer diagnoses in 2023,” she said.

“We think the Victorian rise in reported melanoma detection may be partiallyexplained by growing and aging population in Victoria and fewer cases during COVID-19,soweare seeing larger numbers of melanoma now with a10per cent rise in cases between 2022-2023.”

Ms Glassenburysaid while numbers reported by VCRwere compelling, they were just the “tip of the iceberg”,and did not capture the 164,737 treatmentsfor other formsofskincancer in Victoria in 2023.

“Whileless deadlythanmelanoma, treatment of basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas often still involve confrontingsurgical procedures and place asignificant financial burden on the Victorian health system,” she said.

The latestVCR reportshowedthe rateof melanoma among Victorians aged 25 to 49 has declined by 52 per cent since 1997 -coinciding with ageneration of Victorians who grew up with iconic SunSmart “slip slop slap” messaging from the 1980s, now expanded to include slide (on sunglasses) and seek (shade).

Moe comic enters the jungle

By AIDAN KNIGHT

FROM the Latrobe Valley to the South African jungle venturesalocal many didn’t know wasa neighbour.

Critically acclaimed comedian Geraldine Hickey, known for her career in radio and her regular Melbourne Comedy Festival shows, has been a Moe resident, alongsideher partner Catherine, for the last two-and-a-half-years -rightunder our noses, due to her frequent touring schedule.

Geraldine has made appearanceson The Project, HaveYou BeenPaying Attention, Question Everything,and Thank God You’re Here,and is now part of astar-studded cast for Channel 10’s I’m ACelebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!

Joining her on this year’s season are Sigrid Thornton (actress), HarrisonReid (lifeguard), Tina Provis (influencer), Zach Tuohy(former AFL player), Nicky Buckley (television presenter),Max Balegde(influencer),SamanthaMoitzi (podcaster), Shayna Jack (Olympian), Sam Thaiday (former NRL player), Regina Bird (influencer), Matty J (Bachelor winner), and comedian Dave Hughes.

The reality show howeverhas amuchmore admirable concept than that of Big Brother,or Survivor,witheach celebrity raising money via audience voting contributionstoa charity of their choice

The further contestants progress in the competition,the greater the visibility and financial impact acontestant may have on their chosen cause.

Geraldine Hickey’s advocacy aligns with Dementia Australia, acharityshe has represented as an ambassador since May last year. This partnership came about after her extensive raising of awareness for the cause following her father’s diagnosis in 2017. This personal journey saw her becomethe top fundraiserfor the charity’s Memory Walk &Jog in Melbourne, as she devotes herself to increasingpublicunderstanding of the debilitating condition that affects 250,000 Australians and their families each year. Dementia is agrowing concern in the Latrobe Valley, as regionalcommunities show data to be ahigher risk of the chronic illness, and projections acrossthe country suggest that numbers willrisesignificantly over the coming decade as populations increase.

Geraldine’s efforts for the cause go beyond fundraising, having lent her voice as one of the readerson The Dementia Guide audiobook, and has spoken on various platformsraising awareness for

the cause.One such exampleisthe Listnr podcast Stories Of Us,hosted by Sarah Grynberg, which saw Geraldine centrethe entire episode around ‘Navigating Dementiaand Grief’, two different experiences she finds are intertwined-describing her father’s diagnoses as a“long goodbye”, that had aprofoundimpact on the lives of everyone who knew him.

As she takes on gruelling jungle challenges, from physical endurancetests to close encounters with dangerous wildlife, Geraldine is aiming to not onlyentertainbut also educateonthisseason of the program. Her ability to combine humour andheart ensures her advocacy reaches awide audience, inspiring others to contribute to the fight against dementia.

The Range Retirement Village is aretirement living community in Moe, boasting alive-in Manager and high-quality residential villas set inside agated community.

The Range offers elegant new and refurbished two and three-bedroom independent living villas, set in attractive and well-manicured surrounds. Each villa features an open-plan living area, wellappointed kitchen, private courtyardgarden and single or double garage

Plan your social life with your new community.

Youwill have the flexibility and freedom to embrace life with asocialcalendar that includes, billiards, indoor bowls, craft, movie nights, trivia, bingo, cards and many moresocial activities and make use of our community bus to get around our local area.

Now is your time to down size and embrace life at The Range

The 11th season of I’m ACelebrity…Get Me Out of Here! can be viewed Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on 10 and 10 Play.

Who knew: Moeresident and comedianGeraldine Hickey is one of thecontestants on thecurrent seasonofI’m ACelebrity Photograph supplied

Call for balanced healthcare system

AN extra $1.7 billion for public hospitals tops up the $150b over five years under the federal-state hospitals agreements.

But public hospitals only do 30 per cent of planned surgery,20per cent of rehabilitation and 38 per cent of psychiatrichospitalisations.

Private hospitalsare doing much of the heavylifting when it comes to hospital care. They also perform 1.6million medical treatments each year, including 54 per cent of chemotherapy. Private hospitals receive no government funding. It hardly seems like a‘balanced healthcare system’,especiallywhen thegovernment has allowed health insurers to short-change private hospitals by $3b on it’s watch.

More privatehospitals closing or cancelling services will only add to public hospital waiting lists. It’s alink the government seems to miss or ignore.

The government can fix it without funding by making the health insurers pay 88c in dollar from premiums for hospital care or redistributing funding to hospitals from the insurance rebates. These would cost the government and patients nothing.

Alternatively,amere$450m ayear for two years for aco-payment would see private hospitals able to continue to provide the high quality services the community expects. But the federal government isn'tinterested in solutions, only announcements. It’s an approach that seems more to do with ideology than healthcare delivery.

Brett Heffernan

Australian Private Hospitals Association CEO

Bowler's name

THANKS to anonymous (LVE Opinion, 'Wide ball', 05/02/24) clarifying afew details regarding the 1985 SriLankan cricket match at Morwell.

To further clarify, the correct spelling of CGCA (and additionally Gippsland Zone 11 and CGCA Umpires Association) Life Member is Jeff Macdonald -myvery much missed, cricket-loving late father.

Ian Macdonald Traralgon

Comedic tragedy

MAY Isay Ihave enormous respect for Greg Hansford, ('Hansfordenters Gippsland race', LVE 05/02/24), as aformer teacher of my children, and as aperson, but for his political party? Not so much. But at least, as awell intentioned activist, Mr Hansford has the courage to put his beliefs to the ultimate political test.

However One Nation's current slogan, that "we have thegutstosay what you're thinking", is pure comedy gold, (check the last election). But perhaps not as much as the published works of the inimitable Joseph Lis; The Prophecies of Listradamus,comprising epistles "concerning the climate change hysteria hoax".

Oh well, all grist to the mill, Isuppose!

John Duck Trafalgar

Time to make ahardright

IT is now clear beyond doubt that the Western worldhas reachedand passed the point of 'peak

woke' and the people are now increasingly willing to mock this malicious and moronic ideology,which did nothing but promote division, delusion, and national self-loathing.

If one thought referring to pregnant women as 'pregnantpeople' or 'chest-feeders' to placate a deranged minority who apparently believed that men were capable of breastfeeding or childbirth was the worstofwokeideology, then aclose second would be those who perennially hijack Australia Day to suppress patriotism and incite hatred against our pioneering forbears who built this country. It was therefore very pleasing to see public opinion polling showing an increase in public supportfor AustraliaDay remaining on January 26.

John Duck observes that identifying one's political opponents with Nazis "crosses the line of decency" and "represents the most disgusting and reprehensible opinion published in the Express" in the course of his response to Mr Joseph Lis' letter regarding the federal government's energy policy ('Overstepping the mark', LVE Opinion, 22/01/25).

In essence this is arestatement of Godwin's Law: an internet adage that has been interpreted as meaning either (1) the longer adiscussion continues, the greater the likelihoodofa Nazi comparison; or (2) that whenever aNaziorHitler comparison is made, the debate ends and whoever makes the comparison loses the debate.

The underlying principle is that one should not inappropriately invoke suchcomparisons, which serve only to wrongly trivialise the gravity of the Holocaust.

Withthat in mind, John de Souza Daw'sassertion that celebrating Australia Day is akin to Poland celebrating Nazi German invasion is ashocking violation of that principle ('Change not easy, but often needed', LVE Opinion, 22/01/25).

Comparing Captain Arthur Philip's First Fleet andthose that followed with genocidal Nazis is an inappropriate comparison, totally devoid of factual merit and only serves to betray Mr de Souza Daw's own lunatic left ideological affiliations.

It must be remembered that CaptainPhilip's commandsfor settlingAustralia were embodied in the Royal Instructions from King George III, which stated: "You are to endeavour by every possible means to open an Intercourse with the Natives and to conciliate their affections,enjoining all Our Subjects to live in amity and kindness with them. And if any of Our Subjects shall wantonly destroy them, or give them any unnecessary interruption in the exercise of their several occupations, it is our Will and Pleasure that you do causesuch offenders to be brought to punishment accordingtothe degree of the Offence."

These are the wordsofa benevolent settling power -not one with genocidal intent.

It can therefore be said thatany violation of Indigenous rights was actually adirect breach of orders from the Crown.

Mr de Souza Daw should therefore follow hisown advice to "fully acknowledge our past" and admit that his allegation that Australia Day marks the beginning of agenocidal invasion is totally false.

Nicholas Tam Traralgon East

Throwing moneyaway

OUR federal member's comprehensive round up of the shocking state of law and order in our region

('More attention needed: Chester', LVE, 05/02/25)

was asad reinforcement of the Express'front page story last week concerning the tragic death of a 91-year-old in his own home at Morwell.

Darren Chester agrees that crime has increased between seven per cent to 12 per cent depending on where you live, and that Latrobe City has the second highest crime rate (it was the highest last year) in regional Victoria.

What he fails to acknowledge is that this has all occurred on his watch. He's been in office now 17 consecutive years, with time in government and in opposition. This is no new problem; he's had ample time and opportunities to do something about it.

So what solution does he offer? Why, put another $7.5 million of taxpayers' money into Crime Stoppers of course.

Now, as he points out, Crime Stoppers have done agreat joboverthe years (4000 arrestsand 10,000 charges). What he fails to comprehend is that this agency is essentially dealing with crimes that have already been committed.

Yes, there is apreventative aspecttotheir service, but this proposed solution doesn't solve the root causes of the crimes beingcommittedinGippsland e.g. substance abuse, lack of gainful employment, domesticviolence, homelessness, etc.All it does is enable us to report the crimes we see around us faster.

What's the use of all this information coming in, if there's no one around to follow it up?

How about putting more resources into increasing actual police numbers,reopening the many empty or part time police stations dotted around the region, and supporting the principleofreal consequences forserialoffenders instead of the 'catch andrelease' court policy we now seem to have?

More importantly, howabout encouragingand reopening industries in our regions again e.g. timber, power, agriculture, tourism etc to provide real employment opportunities and afuture for individuals, rather than watching themturning to crime?

This is theold "fixaproblem by throwing abucket of (taxpayers') money at it" approach.Itdoesn't work, it just builds more bureaucracy.

Greg Hansford

One Nation candidate for Gippsland

Albo not Einstein

IN answer to the letter by NF Nanos ('Besieged billing', LVE Opinion, 05/02/25) with his plea for Federal HealthMinister, Mark Butlertosave Medicare and bulk billing -itwill go on deaf ears as Mr Butler is not listening.

But there will be promises before the election and we the voters have the powertosaveMedicare at the booth.

Once more, Damian Andrews has put pen to paper common sense ('It's right there', LVE Opinion, 05/02/25). Coal can be made clean.

Iamsorry Karen Drake ('Freezing of fuel prices welcomed', LVE Opinion, 05/02/25), the many so called cost-of-livingreductions from state and federal initiatives have not come through to my pocket.

Einsteinwas correct "two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity". Iwonder if Albanese has heard of this quote.

Patricia Correa Traralgon

Great SouthernLand

HOW wonderful it was to be able to get out and about in Gippsland on Australia Day to join in local celebrations of our wonderful nation and what it is to be an Australian.

Iwas fortunate to attend events in Yinnar, Seaspray, Foster, Dumbalk,and even anew citizenship ceremony in Sale whereI was able to welcome 40 new Australians from 17 different countries including Pakistan, Russia, India, UK, Kuwait, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Switzerland, USA, SouthAfrica, SriLanka,Italy and Zimbabwe Iwas particularly moved to hear one of our new Australians quite literally squeal with delight as shetook the oath of allegiance and accepted her certificate.

It is veryeasy to take for granted all the wonderful libertiesweare afforded as Australians, and seeing someone so excited to join our nation was awonderful reminder of just how lucky we are.

Danny O’Brien

Member for Gippsland South

THE Latrobe Valley Express welcomes letters to the editor.

Preference will be given to brief, concise letters which address local issues.

The editorLiam Durkin, reserves the righttoedit lettersfor reasonsofspace and clarity, and may refuse to publishany letter without explanation.

The Express does not publish letters from anonymous contributors.

Letters must include aphone number, email addressand the author's hometown for purposes of substantiating authenticity. Readers are entitledtoaright of reply to aletter directed at them.

Whilehealthy debate is encouraged, the editorwill stamp out any that cross the line to defamation.

The views expressed in letterstothe editor are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflectthe views of Latrobe Valley Express management or staff. Readers shouldbeequally aware that facts presented in letters are selected to support aperson's point of view.

As such, statistics can quite often be fabricated depending on the pool of data used or people involved in surveys. The letters section is designed to allow people to hav etheir say,and not be hijacked for political agendas.

Letters regarding religion or the war in Gaza will not be published.

Email letters to news@lvexpress.com. au and include 'Lettertothe Editor' in the subject line.

Deadline for letters is Thursday 3pm.

Heavy lifting: Privatehospitals arecallingfor greater assistance to helpeasethe burden on public hospitalwaiting lists

Photograph supplied

Apprenticeships must allow fairness

COMMENT

BY EMERITUS PROFESSOR ERICASMITH

ANEW report on apprenticeships by the federal government began as areview of the incentive system for employers and apprentices but expanded its scope and now threatenstohit traineeship opportunities for females.

There are parallels between this governmentcommissioned and independently produced report and another independent panel’s report in 2011: Ashared responsibility: Apprenticeships for the 21st century.

The main concern is the report’s adverse treatment of traineeships -atype of apprenticeship most often undertaken by women -asopposed to traditional ‘trade’ apprenticeships, whichare almostalways undertaken by men(apart from hairdressing). Traineeships were introduced in the mid-1980s as the result of the Kirby Report -a welcome government move to include more women in apprentice-likearrangements. They are typically in business, retail and care occupations.

The main risk to women in the new report comes in Recommendation 2.1,onfinancial incentives for employers to hire apprentices and trainees. Incentives to employ apprenticeshavebeen in existence for manydecades and were then applied to traineeships. The amountsinvolved are quite minor.

While there were instancesofabuse of the incentives by employers linked to some sharp practice from training providers in the past, research on traineeships in the late2010sfound no evidenceof abuse and many examples of good practice.

During COVID, for the first time ever in Australia, apprentice and trainee wage subsidies were introduced as ajob-retention provision. This more substantial investment reignited the debate about incentives as there was profiteering by employers and training providers.

These wage subsidieshave now ceased, but the incident has helped to fuel anti-traineeship sentiment.

The report privileges ‘priorityoccupations’ which are mainly traditional trades, however the government had alreadyintroduced anew priority list in January 2025, from whichsome major feminised occupations were missing.

If Recommendation 2.1 is adopted, governments could defund all non-trade occupations at will.

But if the funding amounts are so small, why are employer incentives so important?

Let’s lookatwhathappened as aresult of the 2011 report.

The report introduced the concept of ‘eligible occupations’. Several states usedthis as implicit justification to slash funding for the actualtraining for occupations like retail, business and front-ofhouse hospitality. It was not possibletotrain students for the amounts provided.

Research on funding for service industry training found significant and long-lasting adverse effects on TAFE, training providers, students, and communities in Victoria. Training providers closed specific courses in some locations,orshut downcompletely.

In 2019, our ‘Young Futures’ project at Federation foundthat girls leaving schoolinthe towns we studiedhad no opportunities to undertaketraineeships because the courses had been closed.

It was not just Victoriaaffected. Nationally, women’sparticipation ratesfell dramatically from the mid-2010s, and total apprenticeship numbers plummeted.

Of course, girls and women can undertake apprenticeships in male-dominatedjobs, but historically, they have not doneso. Research shows that commencers in the major tradeapprenticeships in 2024 were 90 per cent or more male.

Whilethe report contains useful suggestions to assist women in these male-dominated apprenticeships, properly funded traineeships or apprenticeships are needed in jobs that women choose to do. The report itself shows that women are more likely to complete non-trade apprenticeships. This is hidden on page 212.

All the report offers for feminised occupations is asuggestion for ‘a bespoke solution’ for the care and support sector.

It is clear that most other countries offer afar morebalanced choice of apprenticeshipsthat suit women and men and also better reflect the distribution of jobs across the economy.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently mentioned findings from the report that “as anumber of apprentices havesaid, they couldearn alot more stacking shelves in their local supermarket”.

Federationresearch for the ‘CareersinEveryday Industries’ project found that the retail industry provides goodcareers for young people, with excellent promotion prospects.

The federal government has yet to announce its

response to this new report, but let’s not repeat history.

‘Eligible occupations’ have now become ‘priority occupations’ -but both disadvantage women.

At leastthe 2011 report acknowledged that its recommendationswould adversely affect women -this report does not.

About the author: Erica Smith is an Emeritus

Professor at Federation University Australia and amember of Federation’s Researching Adult and Education (RAVE) research group in adult and vocational education, one of Australia’s leading research groups in VET. She has managed many national and international research projects on apprenticeships and traineeships.

In the know: Federation UniversityEmeritus Professor,Erica Smith. Photograph supplied

Readers have their say on energy debate

Natural selection

FOR anyonewho went along to the Nuclear for Australia event on Sunday, February 2thinking that you might be able to have your curiosity sated by asking relevant questions about how nuclear power stations might fit into the Latrobe Valley, you would have come away very disappointed.

However, the drawing power of Miss America was evident as probably half the male population of Morwell aged over 70 wasthere and probably made up the biggest demographic of the audience.

The American speakers, while obviously super intelligent, were very shouty and brash and strictly conformed to the image of American nerdy engineers seen in the movies.

However, Ididn’t findthem very engaging or personableand many people who wanted to ask questions and challenge them about something that they said, couldn’t, as no one was allowed to verbally ask them from the floor.

Instead, one had to print the questions on your mobile phone and submit them through an online program called Slido.

Naturally the organisers strictly vetted them so only the Dorothy Dixers got through.

Ifor one wanted to challenge them about astatement where they claimed that nuclear generating companiesmade11per cent profit margins on average, gas eight per cent, coal three per cent, and that renewables were only there because of taxpayer subsidies.

Iwanted to know that if that is the case, why doesn’t nuclear dominate electricity production in USA?

At present its market share has fallen from near 25 per cent in the 1990s to less than 19 per cent today, while renewables went from zero in the 90s, increasing to 23 per cent for 2024 and is surging ahead.

And why are therecurrently no grid scale nuclear power plantsinconstruction in USAatpresentand why are none being planned? For some reason this was not mentioned.

Iwas also keen to hear if they thought nuclear could integrate withrenewable energy,eventhough we know that it cannot.

Will nuclear deliver cheaper electricity for consumers in Australia? We actually know the answer here. It will only be cheaper if taxpayers fund it and then subsidise it for decades after. So, expect higher taxes and fewer government services. Will nuclear in Australia fightclimate change?Not mentioned, because until the first reactors come onlineinthe 2040s at the earliest, we the taxpayers will need to spend billions on keeping the coal fired stations going for 10 to 15 years after scheduled retirement, producing more than abillion tonnes of avoidable CO2.

They also said that if we use the South Korean reactors,then they areaffordable. Iwouldhave liked to update them on this. The CSIRO Gencost report found that nuclear would be at least twice as costly as afirmed renewable grid -based on using South Korean reactors.

And Imissed anight at the folk club for this? Silly me. Dan Caffrey Traralgon

Lopsided mix

"IF you do not take an interest in theaffairsofyour government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools" -Plato.

Like an insomniacs nightmare, avote for the Coalition at the upcoming federal election (admittedly, avast improvementover Labor's ruinous one-size-fits-all-renewables-only approach)is ultimately the lesser of two evils. Or, to put it even more bluntly, "both" Labor and the Coalition are making acatastrophic mistake by pursuing net-zero and thereby abandoning fossil fuels, especiallygiven Trump's recent exodus from theParis Climate Agreement has effectively killed off the net-zero agenda for every country in the world still silly enough to stay in it.

Thus, Peter Dutton'sstubbornpledge to stay in the Paris Accord, even with anuclear twist, is deeply disappointing to me as nuclear will make only amarginaldifference to the current cost-ofliving crisis.

Zeroing-in further, good old coal currently provides60per cent of our power and is the cheapest form of energy by along, long way. By ditching low-cost coal, both major parties are putting Australia on apathtopoverty. Indeed, as Frontier Economics recently admitted, under the Coalition's blueprint, "renewables will continuetodominate the supply of electricity to households and industry in 2051," with wind and solaraccountingfor between 50 and 60 per cent andnuclear between 29 and 38 per cent (depending on the demand scenario chosen). Given that wind and solar currently count for 32 per cent of electricityoutput,their system-wide sharewill rise significantly under the Coalition's plans. This is a recipe for still higher prices.

It means that subsidies for renewables must continue to rise, new transmission networks built, and expensive back-ups must be put in place for the inevitable droughts and wind-gluts. Make no mistake, this amounts to an escalating negative supplyshock to the economy,further lowering living standards and growth rate. We are already

experiencingthis under Albanese's ideological fixation on arenewables-only policy.

At it rotten core, not only does renewables-only energy spendingcannibalise available resources but the spending itself (all of it possible only because of government subsidies-inother words,taxpayer funded, or is it taxpayer plundered? -over $16 billion ayear in Australia's case) displaces otherwise productive coal and gas capital.

As can be clearly seen in the exorbitantly higher energy costs we are experiencing, displacing coal andgas brings reverberationsincosts throughout the economy. This impacts directly on consumers and industry and indirectly in terms of "international competitiveness" -Australia much more than other countries reliedonlow-cost energyasthe key to attracting industry and investment.

To remedy this situation, the Opposition is focused on nuclear, afine sourceofreliable electricity for nations like America and China who do not possess our own coal and gas reserves. Admittedly, while far superiortothe inherently unreliable renewables,nuclear is an energy source that would mean wholesale electricity prices at least twice as expensive as those compared to energy available from new and refurbishedcoal-fired power stations. Which brings me to the Coalition's so-called "balanced mix" of energy sources which is anything but as it overstates areliance on renewables and, quite amazingly in my book, omits coal from the mix altogether!

The Coalition is proposing54per centrenewables, 38 percentnuclear, andeight per cent gas by 2050. By way of restoring"truebalance" to this manifestly lop-sided mix, Ipropose instead 54 per cent coal, 38 per cent nuclear, five per cent gas and three per cent renewables.

Crucially, this revised mix would ensure "longterm investment" in coal and, moreover, at the same time address the current cost-of-living crisis right nowbydramaticallylowering power bills for households,business and industry. This would be awin-win situation for all concerned.

To repeat and takenotice of the lit-up switchboard of public opinion, it makes absolutely net-zero economic or environmental sense for Australia to cling to net-zero and the economy-wrecking Paris Accord: it's apointless act of economic self-harm which is clearlyillustrated and accentuated by China's building of 1100 new coal-fired power stations to add to the 1200 it already has!

We see the horrors of arenewables-only policy in countries like Germany, which has 60 per cent renewables and plans to phase out all of its coalfired power stations and other fossil fuels. Once an economic and manufacturing powerhouse (think Volkswagon and Mercedes-Benz), Germany's economy and manufacturing have collapsed primarily and directly due to high energy costs. For these reasons and more, at the upcoming federal election for the seat of Gippsland, Iamvoting for One Nation's Greg Hansford.

Joseph Lis Morwell

Shortonfacts and knowledge

ANOTHER week, another bunch of empty claims from the coal fans.

Inote thatDamien Andrews ('It's rightthere', LVE Opinion, 05/02/25) omitted to mention that accordingtothe International Energy Agency, investment in renewable energyaround the world is outpacing fossil fuel massively, and the gap continues to widen, particularly in countries such as China.

So, while there is still some investment in coal underway, the increasing preference for renewables is demonstrable. Trump promising to increase coal?

That's funny.

Then there'sthe claim that meeting electricity

demand from renewables is apractical impossibility. It seems that the writer once again forgotto include any evidence to support that claim. This isn't the Sky after dark news channel where facts and journalism go to die. Readers hererequire that claims are supported by actual, verifiable facts. Ihad to laugh at PatriciaCorrea'srecentcomment "if renewables are so good, why are coal fired power stations still in use" ('Blurred vision', LVE Opinion, 05/02/25).

Sorry to have to be the one to tell you Patricia, but these large industrialprojects take quite along time to build.Loy Yang took abit over adecade to construct. Nuclear plants in western countries can take longer.

So, to answer Patricia's deep question, it takes awhile to buildareplacement and it is aprogressive process. You can't just go down to the shops and buy acomplete, ready to switch on, entire electricity generation system for the entireeast coast of Australia.

It seems that some of carbon dioxide enthusiasts are really struggling with facts and reality of late. Butdon't worry Patricia, Iammore than happy to have adebate. I'll even bring facts, figures, data, hard evidence and proof so Ican help educate you andother writers such as Joseph Lis who all seem to suffer from acaseof'nofactitis'.

Adrian Cosgriff Traralgon

Potcalling the kettle black

WOULDyou buy productsknowing this wasused for them?

Cyanide (CN), Neodymium (Nd), Dysprosium (Dy), Praseodymium (Pr), Terbium (Tb), Thorium (Th), Uranium (U), Sulphur Dioxide (SO), Nitrogen Oxides (NO),Arsenic(As), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb),Bisphenol-A (BPA), Styrene(C₈H), Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Phthalates, Synthetic Oils, Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), Polyurethane Foams with Isocyanates,Silica Dust (SiO₂, SiliconDioxide), Hydrochloric Acid (HCl), Sulphuric Acid (H₂SO₄), Nitric Acid (HNO), Cadmium Telluride (CdTe), Cadmium Sulfide (CdS), Indium (In) &Gallium (Ga), Benzene (C₆H), Formaldehyde (CH₂O), Vanadium(V), HydrogenFluoride (HF), and Hexafluorophosphate Salts.

These are the toxins from wind turbines, solar panels andbattery storage.

Rare earth element mining for ‘renewables’ produces significant thorium and uranium waste, with recent major radioactive water spills in the USA, Malaysia and China that caused water and soil contamination, health crises, and environmental destruction.

Talkabout the anti-nuclear people beingthe pot that called the kettle black.

‘Climate Change’ is the magician’s wand distractingyou from the hugedamage theyare doing. Measuring the ‘Environmental Damage’ of renewables means recognising you are pointing the Titanic straight at the iceberg while screaming "unsinkable".

Coal has not beenused as nature intended. Carbon is the most renewable element. Coal ash creates magnesium, cementand fertilisers. Nearly all carboncan be extracted from coal emissions and we use carbon extensively in medicine, agriculture, electronics, manufacturing,chemicalindustry, almosteverything,includingironically environment and climate solutions. Carbon creates alow emissions eFuel for vehicles.

But, remember to leave some in the atmosphere for plants, we need their oxygen. Coal is concentrated energy. Nature’s gift is less inputs needed for coal electricity, which flows into lower costs for everything you buy.

Wind and solar PV is not concentrated. In addition to the environmental damage; the current government gives your tax dollars to overseas

wind, solar and battery companies to ensure their financial viability and employment, which drives up Australia’s inflation and cost-of-living. Coal SEC is Australian which creates jobs here. You may be feeling the financial pain of taking blue pills right about now, so pop the red pill instead. As you go down the rabbit hole, you will also recognise you can’t live withjustaclimate. You need all of Earth’s environment to survive. Or do you still trust Albanese, Bowen, and Shing as they wave their not so magical wands?

Damian Andrews

Moe

Let's getGippsland working

IT'S great news that the offshore wind industry is progressing in Gippsland.

Having worked in coal-fired power for 40 years, Isee offshore wind as agreat way for the region to continue its traditionasanenergy powerhouse. It's agoodopportunity for our coal workers to move into aspace that allows them to continue their energy careers without leaving our region, and the guys on the boats will get plenty of work from offshore wind too.

The UK has 43 offshore wind farms and more are being built right now. It's abig industry which supplies bigpower and big jobs.

Tony Wolfe Warragul

Nuclear vaudeville

THE Nuclear for Australia event at the Italian Australian Club came across to me as vaudeville. IconfessIleft at 7pm. Maybe presentationsfrom then onwards were relevant.

Thereare many more Australianswho have far greater knowledge and expertise about the challengesand dangers of developing anuclear energy industry than me. However, even Iknow the neat, tidy small nuclear plantphoto on the Nuclear for Australia website is nothing like the realistic sprawl of areal-life example.

Even Iknow the number of global nuclear plants quoted at the evening did not acknowledge the number now being closed,projects thathave ceased because of developer bankruptcy or faults in operation.

Even Iknow acomparison with Australia’s medical nuclear production (eg Lucas Heights) and waste managementcannot be compared to full scale nuclear energy production.

Even Iknow the safety records relating to modern constructionand ongoing management in some other countries -quoted as exemplars at the seminar -are extremely concerning.

Even Iknow that given thevolatileglobalpolitical climate, any targeting of nuclear energy sites will result in unmanageable situations far worse than Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Gippslandisrepresentedbyalong term, complacent, out of touchNational Partymember who, Iunderstand, lives in Lakes Entrance.

Is he informing East Gippslandersthatthe impact of water bastardisation through anuclear industry in the Valley will further impact on the already threatenedenvironment of the Gippsland Lakes?

ManyGippsland people are very aware that Darren Chester,the Ministerfor ‘We need to have aconversation aboutthis’pushesbackonmeeting with constituents where issues do not align with right leaning LNP positions.

He uses his status to inappropriately promote non-progressive LNP positions instead of listening to all constituents. The recent historical example was his vocal stance against the Voice referendum. Morerecently,push backonachange to the dateof Australia Day events as highlighted by Ron Wall ('Notthe time or place', LVE Opinion,05/02/25). Now he appearstobedoing the same with any ‘conversation’ with thoseopposed to nuclearpower generation.

Mr Chester has beeninvolved in the recent federal inquiryinto Nuclear PowerGeneration and has had the opportunity to absorb expert and lay people’s views on this issue -both for and against. That experience should not curtailfurther ‘conversations’ with constituents.

Submissions to thatinquiryare publicly available on the Parliament of Australia website. Excellent submissions from Gippsland people are under the Victorian section and are worth reading. Request aconversation with Mr Chester on nuclear energy production.Maybe he will start to listen.

Wendy Castles Traralgon

Smokeand mirrors

IATTENDED the Nuclear for Australia information session in Morwell.

However, Iwas very disappointed that it didn’t answer any of my questions or allay any of my concerns.

How long will it take for nuclear to start reducingAustralia’s emissions? Will nuclear threaten the viability of the Bass Strait offshore wind farms predicted to create thousands of jobs for Gippslanders? Will nuclear deliver cheaper electricity to Australians? For how long will high

level radioactive waste be stored in Traralgon?

Nuclear reactors use lots of water, so during heatwaves and droughts how will the needsof nuclear reactors be balanced against those of households and farmers?

The whole evening wasacarefully staged and scripted performance.

Questions from the audience were screened and only those that had easy, appealing answers were asked.

Jane Sultana Moe

We want answers

RECENT roadshows promoting nuclear power, including the one in Morwell, have been more sparkle than substance.

The format has been thesame at meetings aroundthe country: tightly controlledaccess, carefully curated questions and no direct engagement from the floor permitted.

The Coalition’s nuclear plan holds significant risks andimpacts, especially for the Valley and Gippsland.

Multiple independent CSIRO reports have consistently shown nuclear to be the slowest and most expensive energy option for Australia.

Hard questions aroundcosts, timing,health, waterand waste remain unanswered from the forums and from the Coalition’s nuclear sales team. Gippslanders, and all of us, deserve better.

Dave Sweeney

Australian Conservation Foundation

It

will come anyway

FOR adecade, I’ve found the energy topic somewhat perplexing, if not comical.

Ican chat to one group of people, and they will bring outall the factsand science for their position.

Chat to another group, and they will bring out all sorts of stats and data that counters the first.

Addina third group, and one quickly realises that it maybepossible that noneofthese arguments are based on anylogic or rationale afterall It’s all contradictory.

If one attempts to get all the facts, dataand projections one quicklyrealises one willbeoccupied for many lifetimes.

There’saninfinite amount of informationand possible outcomes.

But for me the real understanding came with arevelation I’ve hadovertheselast12months -which is thediscovery that all fear, when taken to the extreme, is the fear of death. Ican thank Dr David RHawkins for that gem.

So let’s consider for amoment if that’s true.Bear with me.

Fear of heights ends in the fear of one falling and dying.

Fear of spiders or snakes-the fearofbeing bitten, poisoned and dying.

Fearofdogs -the fearofbeing attacked and mauled to death.

Fearoflosingone’s job -the fear of not being able to buy food, starving to death.

It seems all our fears, and preventative actions, are rooted in something much more primal.

Therefore somethinginteresting happens when oneapplies the samestep-by-step progression to the energy debate.

Climate change -fear the earth will heat up, we’ll all get cooked, and die.

Nuclear -fear there will be atoxic meltdown, we’ll get irradiated, and die.

Renewables -we’ll dig up all the minerals, cut down all the trees to install them, kill all the koalas and birds, be asphyxiated and die.

So we have asituation where everyone is presentingarguments to supporttheir case, but deep down we are all just running around like little children scared we are going to die -which,lastI checked, is inevitable anyway.

So while some pundits are lauding the new and shiny nuclearpanacea, and others are vehemently loathing it, in the end it’s highly likely no one has any idea what’s motivating them in the first place.

We are all scared of dying. And we all think our solution to not dying is the right one.

When one really gets that it’s impossible not to laugh at the absurdity of it all.

Then when we’ve had our chuckle, we can take astepbackand start to look at things much more objectively with abetter frame of reference.

Butinthe end we’ll make an emotional decision anyway. We’re human after all.

In March 2023, Iwrote in the Yallourn North Connection about Energy Domes (it’s still on Facebook). They are basically CO2 gas ‘batteries’ which can be built easily, cheaply, and using offthe-shelf parts using existingtrade skills. They compressthe gas, and release it through aturbine when needed,and then repeat -inaclosed-loop system. They are already being built overseas, but here, despite drawing alight on it two years ago, no one is talking about it.

Instead, while we are all zealous about the latest shiny panacea that’s landed in our laps -running around in apanic thinking we are all going to die if we don’t get our own way -wearen’t talking about the very technology whichmight well make the most sense for our region.

How do Iknow this? Iavoided the panic and just bothered to look.

Anthony Wasiukiewicz

Yallourn North

From the editor

WOWZAS.

Understandably, plenty discussion among readers in the wake of the nuclear roadshow making its way to Morwell.

For comparison, the letters sectionofthis newspaper is considered 'busy'ifthereistwo pages.Tohave that manydedicated solely to energy shows people are clearly passionate about the region's future.

Hot topic debate is settorageonfrom now until May at least when Australians elect their next federal government, and don't expect it to stop there.

Just last week Iattended aMelbourne Mining Clubfunction, where Woodside Energy Chief Executive, Meg O'Neill didn't hold back on the state's current energy policies.

She said: "It is really puzzling, that the state that was built on the back of oil and gas is now at astage where due to political reasons ideology has stood in the way of sensible energy policy here in Victoria.”

Iamanticipating energy-relatedletters to keep pouring in over coming weeks, and encourage readers to keep submitting their opinions.

However, be advised that due to the likely high volume, letters may be staggered over coming weeks as to not lose their potential interest. Energy letters are generally always topical, but too many can become overbearing to the point of getting tiresome.

Again, may Iput the disclaimer in that views expressedinletters to the editor are those of the writers, and do not necessarilyreflectthe views of Latrobe Valley Express managementorstaff With arange of viewpoints on any subject it will alwaysbeimpossible to reach absolute agreement, yet one hopes there is still room for harmony.

Below is an extract from Charlie Chaplin's speech from The Great Dictator

His words, first spoken in 1940,perhaps (hauntingly) fit the Valley's energy discussion nowmore than ever:

"Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical, our cleverness hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little."

How ironic the man who made everyone laugh when he said nothing left everyone speechless when he spoke.

Photo: File

50 years ago

-The Express, February 12 1975

Night

firebug worry at tip

DELIBERATELY lit fires at the Traralgon tip are causing the Traralgon Shire Council and local fire brigades alot of headaches.

Shire Engineer, Mr Humphries said last week he had beencalled to fires at the tiponfive Saturday nights since last December.

He said some of the fires were starting as a result of spontaneous combustion and others because of smouldering briquette ash. But some were beingdeliberately lit. Cr Ron Gilmour said some of the fires were being lit at the tip at 1am and 2am some mornings.

The council had earlier knocked back an offer for aman to work six days aweek at the tip.

Meanwhile Traralgon Waterworks trust has written to the councilasking if it wanted a water reticulation system to the tip.

The council decided to ask the trust to install two points connected to athree inch pipeline as long as the work was charged to City Council.

Cr Ron Gilmoursaiditwas doubtful, in view of the limited life of the tip, whether areticulation system would be aviable proposition.

“Thereisnodoubtthat, if Loy Yanggoes ahead, the tip will be closed within 12 months”, he said.

BURRAGE Street is named after one of the more well known families of Moe during the first half of the 1900s.

William Burragearrived in Moe and took up land around1899onthe newly opened up swamp blocks. Shortlyafter, he purchased afarm at Westbury overlooking the swamp.

Upon his arrival to the district, William took an immediate interest in local public affairs.

Aboutthis time, amovement was set afoot to establish aco-operative dairying company with a butter factory at Moe. William was elected secretary and organiser and after canvassing the surrounding districts, sufficient shares were sold by William to enable the company to start in 1905.

He was elected adirectorofthe company in 1907 andcontinued in that position until his retirement

Original: William Henry Burrage Senior Photograph supplied

ARCHIVES with AIDAN KNIGHT From the

30 years ago

-The Express, February 14, 1995

Toxic algae prompts water restrictions

PUBLIC access has been restricted to Hazlewood Pondage and recreational users of Lake Narracan have been asked to avoid contact with water from the lake, following outbreaks of blue green algae over the weekend.

The algaeare potentially toxic if ingested and may cause rashes and irritation if contacted skin. The Hazlewood Power Corporation has advised people should not swim, ski, or windsurf in the pondage, and should not eat fish caught from it.

Acting Hazlewood power stationmanager

David Jones said warning sig advising people to avoidusing the pondage until further notice.

He said samples last week showed algae levels rose rapidly, and after consultations with Gippsland Water Hazlewood Water Power Corporation advised La Trobe Council and the Environment Protection Authority it was necessary to restrict access to the pondage.

According to GippslandWater, algae at lake Narracan has been detected in the lake at the ski club, picnic grounds caravan park, Woorabinda Camp and Yallourn Weir wall.

Gippsland Water acting chief executive officer Alan Humphries said monitoringdownstream of thelakehad not detected any present threat to drinking water suppliers for Yallourn north and generation Victoria. He said every effort would be made to ensurethe safety of those

Burrage Street, Moe

in October 1945. He was 87-years-old at the time.

In 1912, William purchased aproperty named Pinehurst at Hill End, which was worked by his sons, William Jnr, Warner, and Thomas.

He then opened alandand estateagent business in Moe in 1913 and sold the remaining farm around 1917 and came to live at the corner of Fowler and Langford streets in Moe. It was here that his wife Emma died in 1918.Helater moved to the Moe Hotel where he lived for the next 30 years.

He was often referred to as the 'Father of Moe'.

His community involvement included:

 Five years as aNarracanShire Councillor;

 Fifteen years as secretary for the Moe Welfare League;

 Twenty-five years as Justice of the Peace and Deputy Coroner;

 Nearly 30 as amember of the Mechanic’s Institute;

 Ten years as secretary of the horticultural show, and;

 Many years as amember of the recreation reserve committee, whom he served as treasurer.

William Henry Burrage Snr was publicly recognised for his enormous contribution to the Moe community on Tuesday, August 31, 1937.

"Inrecognition by the people of Moe and District

to their oldest and most worthy citizen, Mr WH Burrage JP, in appreciation of his long and most valued service to the District, the citizenshave decided to erect in his honour an ornamental entrance (gates) to the Moe Recreation Reserve to be officially opened during the ‘Back to Moe’ celebrations (which his son was the secretary) during Easter 1938".

WH Burrage Snr retired after astroke late in 1938. His son William took overhis business interests. He died on December 13, 1951 aged 92. William Jnr followed his father’s involvementin communityaffairs.

There are seven community groups he actively participated in during his early life, many associated with the farming community.

After taking over his father’s real estate business, he was more actively involved in Moe organisations. His achievements included being secretary of the Moe Water Board, made alife member of the Moe Fire Brigade, Honorary Life Governor of the Latrobe Valley Hospital, life member of the Moe Chamber of Commerce and long time member of the Moe Recreation Reserve Committee.

The family certainly deserved recognition in the naming of astreet.

Information provided by Moe &District Historical Society

supplies. Monitoring of both the lake and pondage will continue this week.

10 years ago

-The Express, February 12, 2015

Near missinDrouin causefor concern

ASPATE of near misses between trains and pedestrians across the V/Line network has prompted astern safety warning.

V/Line figures show there were more than 20 pedestrian near misses in January, including an incident involving two youths on (January 29).Another incident in northernVictoria involved two young girls “playing chicken” with atrain.

“Thisbehaviour is extremely dangerous and it’s afrightening example of pedestriansdicing with death,” V/Line chief executive officer Theo Taifalos said.

V/Linefigures show 37 near misseswere reported across the network last year.Mr Taifalosurged customers to takeextra care and remain vigilantaround train lines and level crossings at all times.

Women participation rising for summer internship

GIPPSLAND Water’s 2024/25summer internship program has produced the highest rate of women participants in five years.

Sixofthe 12 students in this year’s program were women, including three of the eight students who worked in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) rolesacross the organisation.

Gippsland Water ManagingDirector, Sarah Cumming said it was asignthat initiatives like International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11) were raising the profile of STEM careers and highlighting pathways in STEM focused industries like the water sector.

“This year we had three talented young women take on STEM roles in our environment and asset management teams as part of our internship program, along with afurther three placed in other departments,” Ms Cumming said.

“You don’t need to be ascientist or engineer to work in the water sector, although there are many of those opportunities available."

Ms Cumming,aformer litigation lawyer, said herown career trajectory in the water industry had been deeply rewarding.

“I love working in an industry that has far reaching impacts and can make areal difference in our community while providing an essential service,” she said.

Ms Cumming saidthe organisationhoped to

inspire the nextgeneration of female leadersin STEM to explore the water industry as their next major career step by providing new and rewarding opportunities.

“According to 2023 Australian government data, women currently make up 37 per cent of enrolments in university STEM courses, but only 15 per cent of STEM-qualified jobs are held by women. This something we’re passionate about changing,” she said.

“Ourmostrecent cohort of students has givenus confidence we’re on the right path.

“Employing more women in STEM is not just agoal; it’s necessary to expand talent pools and bring in fresh perspectives.”

Gippsland Water’s annual Summer Internship program offers university students the opportunity to gain hands on experience in the water sector with three months of paid work.

Appl icatio ns open mid-yea ra t: gippswater.com.au/careers

Trio: Summer internshipstudentsZara, Ella and Emily, worked in STEM roles in Gippsland Water’sassetmanagement, asset planning and environment teams. Photograph supplied

Sequel: WilliamBurrage Junior

Community Corner

Arts scene

TRARALGON and District Art Society is back in business for 2025.

TADAS has been active for the past 34 years, andisone of the longest active art groups in Latrobe.

The group is located at the historic building adjacent to TraralgonRailway Station (2628 Queens Parade, Traralgon).

The facility will be open on aweekly basistoconduct art classes on Mondays from 10am to 12pm, Wednesdayevening 4.30pm to 7pm, andThursday 10am to 2pm.

TADAS also has after school sessions for kids, from 4.30pm to 6pm.

For further information, phone Gilio on 0444 552 175, or Jodie (0430 313 843).

Best seat in the game

WITH the 2025local football season fast approaching, the team at Latrobe Valley Umpires are back on the track and looking to recruit field, boundary or goal umpires for senior football and junior football panels.

This is agreat opportunity for people of any age or gender to get fit, make some money, and be an active part of ateam contributing to the local community -and it looks great on your resume!

Training and support is fantastic and it's not as daunting as the commentators on TV make it out to be.

If you would like to give

umpiringa go,email Latrobe Valley Umpires via lvumpires@ gmail.com.au, or call 0413 076 555.

Book launch success

MOE &D istr ict His tori cal Society's launch of their new book, AHistory of Westbury Victoria was agreat success.

The book was launched by HeatherSavige, amember of the Griffin family which has along association with the district.

More than 50 people attended the launch and the first print run was completely sold out.

People were most impressed by the aerial photos of the district.

Asecond print run has been organised and purchases can be made through the society.

Leave amessage on 5127 6264, ema il mo eh ist @a ussiebb .com. au, or call in on Wednesdayafternoons at 2 High Street, Moe.

Classic chess

FIRST placedatLatrobe Valley Chess Club, Peter Bakke r attributed these results to a "purple patch".

Arange of resultsallowed Ian Hamilton to experience both sides of acreativecombination. Therewere two early wins for Steve Ahern, who noticed the difficulty to conquer Ben Jackson.

Price Samasiea offered high praise to members for joining the contests at club meetings, as well as at other times during the week.

Cliff Thornton enjoyed the fascination of aconundrum of puzzles in achess contest.

Emma Jacksonshowed several improvements in strategic planning.

Phone Ian Hamilton on 0400 221 649, or Ciff Thornton (0438 330 458) to find out more on Latrobe Valley chess.

Eisteddfod meeting

LATROBE Valley Eisteddfod Inc will hold its annual meeting on Monday,February 24, 2025 at the Kath Teychenne Centre (Breed Street,Traralgon). The meeting will commence at 6.30pm.

Get the girls together

GALENTINE'S Affairwill be held this Saturday (February 15) at the Italian Australian Club, Morwell. Enjoy access to all activities, including classes for makeup, dance, cocktails and painting. Tickets are $15 per person or $50 for agroup of four. Commencing from4pm tilllate. This is an 18+ event.

Bridgeresults

TRARALGON Bridge Club results:

Monday, February3 -1st Roxy Lamond and Cheryl Halse (56.25 per cent);2nd Anne den Houting and Kay Baxter (56.25).

Tuesday, February 4-N/S 1st

JohnMarsiglio and Hannah Green (60.43); 2nd Rob Graham and Roxy Lamond (57.36).E/W 1st Peter Lonie and Carol Cheyne (52.5); 2nd Anne den Houting and Anna Field (52).

Thursday, February 6-1st

Greg Nich olson and Kaye Dou gla s( 65 .74) ;2 nd Rob Graham and Carol Cheyne (59.72).

If you woul dl ik et op lay or learn more aboutbridge, phone Traralgon BridgeClub President, Greg Nicholson on 0419 365739.

Learntodance

JOIN Latrobe Valley Dance Promotions Inc to learn old time and new vogue dances, learn new dance skills, have fun, revise and socialise.

Lessons are held at the Girl Guides Hall (18 Margaret Street, Morwell) from 7pm to 10pm. Costis$5per person each night.

Phone Len on 0439 683 834, or Lynda (0428 489 041) to find out more.

Alternatively, email latrobevalleydancepromotioninc@ gmail.com, or follow Latrobe Valley Dance Promotions Inc on Facebook.

Members gathering

MORWELL HistoricalSociety invites members and the general public to their members gat heri ng on Wednesd ay, February 19.

Members gathering will be held from 2pm at 12 Hazelwood Road, Morwell.

This is agreat opportunity to take atrip down memory lane,reminisce of days gone past and mingle with other guests while enjoying acuppa andsome afternoon tea.

If you can’t make it to the members gathering, Morwell Histor ical Societ yo pen days are on the first and third Wednesdays and last Sundays of the month (between February and November) from 11am to 2pm. Alo ngside the ope nd ay s is the Step Back in Time Conver satio nC af e, where visi tors can enjoy ac upp a and snack while sharing their connection to Morwell.

For any queries, call 0409 436 019.

Ride on

TRAMP S( Trara lgon an d Morwell Pedallers Inc) rode two Saturday evenings ago (February 1).

Tramps riders met at Boolarra late in the afternoon for aride up the Grand Ridge Rail Trail to Mirboo North for dinner.

Although it was awarm day therewas no discomfort. The well maintained trail is in a forest of tall trees and crosses some spectacular bridges. The support vehicle was able to supply watermelon with other fruits and biscuits at the rest stop of Darlimurla. Some went

for abrief walk to see ‘The Big Tree’(sight of world's tallest tree near Thorpdale). Dinnerat the Grand Ridge Brewery was agreat experience with awesome food served by charming staff; greatly appreciated by all 19 Tramps.

The cruise back down the trai li nt he eve ning ami d light and still air added to an inspiringstart to the year’s bike riding.

TRA MPS next ride will be from 9am this Sunday (February 16) from Traralgon South with lunch at Glengarry. TRAM PS welc omes new riders. For moreinformation, visit: tramps.org.au, or call club contacts Paul on 0459823 422, or Vance (0403 662 288).

Youcan be apartof Community Corner

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

Youcan address correspondence to the editor, Liam Durkin. Pleas ewrite 'Com mun ity Corner' in the subject line and nothing else.

Deadl ine is Fri day 9am to appear in the following Wednesday issue.

with Liam Durkin

Picturesque: TRAMPSriding along theGrand ridgeRail Trail.

Honour: HeatherSavige launching theWestbur yHistor ybook. Photographs supplied

HOROSCOPES

by Joanne Madeline Moore

February10- February16, 2025

Librans are addicted to love in all its forms – romant c, p atonic and universal And this week Venus is vis t ng your relationship zone So – whether you’re attached, searching for your sou mate, or happily sing e –Va entine’s Day is an appropriate time to reflect on the fact that love real y does make the wor d go around Do all you can to encourage and nurture more love in your life As John Lennon (a fe low Libran) observed: “Love is the flower, you’ve got to et it grow ”

the fiery Full Moon h ghights the ongoing challenge to achieve balance between your work and home life W th Uranus transiting through your sign, have the confidence to be the authentic you and isten to the wisdom of your inner vo ce Be insp red by birthday great, Olympic champion Cathy Freeman:

“It all comes down to having the confidence to be who you are ”

Wednesday night’s Fu l Moon fires up your brain power, so t’s a good time to research a sub ect that has always fasc nated you or to enrol in a course of study But restless Uranus squares Mercury (your patron planet) which pushes you to pursue more adventurous options, but you’l a so feel extra impat ent and may skip over mportant deta ls along the way And be carefu you don’t blurt out an inappropriate comment to the wrong person at the wrong time!

The stars highlight commun cat ng from the heart and saying what’s on your mind But – with Mars reversing through your sign – resist the urge to act impu sively and spread salacious gossip S ow down, think things through and try to speak as tactfu ly as poss b e t’s a good week to promote a oint venture, catch up with an o d fr end or organ se a romant c rendezvous Unhapp ly single? Sparks could fly with a work colleague c ient or customer

With the Fu l Moon n Leo and the Sun, Mercury and P uto in your partnership zone, prepare for a bold and busy Valentine’s Day Coupled Cats – why not initiate a specia romant c rendezvous w th your partner? Singles – in order to find true love, you need to be brave and step out of your comfort zone So your motto is from Chinese phi osopher Lao Tzu: “Be ng deep y loved by someone gives you strength, wh le loving someone deep y gives you courage ”

At the moment, with taskmaster Saturn moving s owly through your re at onsh p zone, love s a very serious business So your quote for Valentine’s Day is from writer Will am Barc ay: “Love always involves responsibil ty, and ove always involves sacr fice ” S ngles – it’s time to give flirtatious, superfic a su tors the flick Instead, ook for a over who has real character, depth and substance – a phi osopher (with a romantic soul) who can last the distance

Attached Scorpio – on Valentine’s Day, avoid the temptation to be bossy at home Give your spouse more space to express their ndividua ity Singles – stop ooking for love in all the obvious places Write a wishist of the important qual ties you desire n a dream partner Think outside the box and be adventurous! Then sit back and wa t for the magic to happen As actress Loretta Young observed: “Love sn’t something you find Love s something that finds you ”

Don’t take your partner

or potential partner – for granted! If you do then your neglected lover may go ooking for attention elsewhere (“Love doesn’t just sit there, like a stone It has to be made l ke bread, remade a l the time, made new,” – Ursu a Le Guin ) So plan something uniquely specia this Valentine’s Day Singles – it doesn’t matter what a potential partner ooks like, or how much money they make You need a romantic mate who is a so a friend

Monday’s lingering Mars/Saturn trine br ngs the opportun ty to complete a chal enging task But remember Mars is sti l retrograde, so pace yourself Then the fiery Ful Moon (on Wednesday n ght) shines a bright ight on se f-esteem, finances, core values and trust ssues It’s also time to don your Capricorn detect ve cap and turn on your X-ray vision, as you zero in on the cause of a l nger ng problem – and come up with a satisfactory ong-term so ution

Uranus squares Mercury and the Sun, which could lead to hasty words and impu sive actions So s ow down and think (carefu ly) before you speak and act! Then the Fu l Moon ights up your relationship zone; so this Va entine’s Day is the perfect t me to tell loved ones how much you real y care Inspiration for the week is from fellow Aquarian, avant-garde art st Yoko Ono: “The regret of my life is that I have not said ‘I ove you’ often enough ”

Attached Pisceans – you’re fee ing extra romant c as you avish attention (and money) on your partner, wear your heart on your sleeve or play out a secret fantasy with your over S ngles – don’t base your self-esteem on whether you have a partner You possess a mu ttude of ta ents and a kind nature Find ng your soulmate is ust the extra cing on an already spectacular cake! The weekend is wonderful for creative th nk ng, art stic pursuits and intu tive insights

GPAC hosts Maltese comedy: Barrese

By KATRINA BRANDON

ALMOST ashow for everyone (above 18), AFew of My Favourite Tings: Carmen the Maltese showcased at the Gippsland PerformingArts Centre Little Theatre last month.

While the audience initially didn’t interact as muchthroughout the acts, they later started with afew quickquips that startled Carmen.

“I loveitwhen they are engaging, and they shout out things because Ilikeworking with that. I engage with them,” Carmen said.

COPYRIGHT Joanne Made ine Moore 2025

The show had everything from generational to language barrier comedy. Going for anon-censored comedyshow, comedian DeborahBarrese brought to life Carmen the Maltese nanna, who depicted the stereotypical image of what you might see in today’s world.

From cleaning, gardening roses, playing bingo, visiting bookies, and sharing today's struggles, such as technology, slang, and fashion styles, Ms Barrese stopped at nothing to create the perfect Maltese nanna for the show.

“I don’t want aquiet crowd. So, Ireally like it. Idohave to sometimes stop myself from going on atangent,but then Isort of just focus. Ifind myself touching my glasses and looking down to refocus. Iremember my script and get back on track somehow.Imight notdoitinthe same order, but will get on the script. I’d rather them being involved than quiet.”

The audience's interaction allowed Carmen to make specific jokes, such as comments on reactions to her “double meanings”.

Ms Barresealsodiscussednerves, telling the Express that her key advice is to step out of one's comfort zone.

Ms Barrese said she enjoys beinginasingle show

“I think comedians these days are being censored, and people have to watch what they say because others get offended," she said.

“I always get alittle bit nervous. At every show, there are always nerves. The moment Istepout on stage, it all disappears, and Ijust bring it,” Ms Barrese said.

“I bring the energy, feed off the crowd, and the nervesdisappearbecause of theadrenaline.There are alwaysabit of nerves, and things can go wrong. For example, athunderstorm cut the power today (January 11),but we rolled with the punches, and it all worked out well.”

The show started with granddaughter Deborah on Facetime with Carmen over aprojected screen.

The pre-recorded video allowed Ms Barrese to introduceCarmen on alargerscale, especially since it was aone-person show.

The video also helped create aflawless transition between Deborah and Carmen so that when she 'arrived', it appeared as if she had been travelling The video explained how Carmen, the Maltese show, was created during COVID-19 when people started making online trends and “Ticky Tocky” pages.

“Comedy shouldn’t be like that. You should be able to express what you want; if people don’t like it, they don’t come and see you. Ithink we should bring back more live comedy. Ithink it is awesome.”

Throughout the show, it wasn’t just talking about Carmen's life but occasionally music to break up different sections, creating an illusion that the showwas shorterthan it appeared.Song parodies include AFew of My Favourite Things (Tings) and Like aVirgin(show forthe first time).

Scripted events, such as Carmen talking about taking everything notbolted down at weddings, judging her families’ love lives, and referring to her word pronunciations and anything related to “kids these days,” are also kept in conversations outside the theatre.

Overall, the show sharedpositive reactions from the audience, with all participating in the end’s online videoand callingfor an encore of more Carmen.

Comedy: Carmen (orDeborah Barrese) has come from MelbournetoshareMaltese culturewith Traralgon.

Photograph: Katrina Brandon

TheGuide

Returning to our screens on Valentine’s Day, the BetterHomesandGardens team areall aboutsharing the love this year.Joh takes us backstage at the recent OzHarvest concerttochatwithartists hoping to help the country’s largestfood rescue organisation makeadifference. In Dulwich Hill, Adam, Julietand Charlie assistthe residents of Stepping Stone House, which provides safehousing foryoung people facing homelessness –creating afunctional chilled-out backyard forthe facility.DrHarrydrops by Where PigsFly sanctuary, meetingcute farm animals andthe volunteers who maketheir rehabilitationpossible. It’sarefreshing waytospend the Hallmark holiday that’ssuretowarm your heart.

Wednesday, February 12

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Four Corners.(R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 National Press Club Address.

1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 2.00 Parliament QuestionTime. 3.00 Nigella Bites. (R)

3.25 Grand Designs. (R)

4.10 Long Lost Family (PG,R)

AUSTRALIANSURVIVOR

10, Monday, 7.30pm

Australian Survivorfans ready? There’s not one, but two seasonsof strategygames, alliancesand feats of physical strength coming our wayin2025. Before Australiavs TheWorldlater thisyear,Jonathan LaPaglia welcomesarematch of BrainsvsBrawn,with all-new contestants. Lasttime, a“Brain”took it out– will those who worksmarter notharder, prevailagain?Among the clever contendersare poker champion AJ,doctor Karin, financial analystMyles (pictured) and PhD student Kaelan. Theirrippedrivals include stonemason Ben, aviation firefighter Kristin and Olympian Morgan. Letthe games begin!

I’M ACELEBRITY…GET ME OUTOFHERE!

10, Sunday, 7pm

Mother knowsbest: Amanda Keller hosts TheRoleof aLifetime

After four weeks in the“jungle”(akaSouth Africa’s Kruger National Park), the remaining celebrities on the 11th seasonofthisevergreen reality offeringcould be forgiven forthinking they’re seeingamirage when their lovedonespay them avisit in tonight’sfinale. It’sasweet reward forthe endurance they’veshown in camp,having pushed themselves to their emotional and physical limits –onrations of rice and beans, no less –inthe name of charity.However, it’s notoveryet

There’sone lasttrial in storefor the starsand their families beforehosts Robert Irwin and Julia Morris (both pictured) crown the King or Queen of the Jungle andeveryone canreturn to theircreature comforts.

SEVEN (7,6)

5.00 ABite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow (R) 6am Morning Programs. 10.05 Great LighthousesOfIreland. (PGa, R) 11.05 Great Canal Journeys. (PGa, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Such WasLife. (R) 2.10 HistoryOf Britain.(PGav,R) 3.00 Railway Journeys UK. (PG, R) 3.35 Plat Du Tour.(R) 3.40 TheCook Up.(R) 4.10 Britain’sSecret Islands. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 Australian Idol. (PGl, R) 3.00 TheChase. (R) Hosted by BradleyWalsh. 4.00 SevenNewsAt4 5.00 TheChaseAustralia Hosted by LarryEmdur

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABCNews.

7.30 7.30

8.00 Hard Quiz (PG)

8.30 Optics. (Ml) Greta and Nicole offload aclient onto Ian.

9.00 Guy Montgomery’sGuy Mont Spelling Bee (NZ) (PG,R) Presented by Guy Montgomery.

9.45 PlanetAmerica

10.20 Spicks And Specks. (PG,R)

10.50 ABCLate News. 11.05 The Business. (R) 11.20 Aftertaste. (Mls, R) 12.20 Grand Designs. (R) 1.10 ParliamentQuestion Time. 2.10 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.40 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 GardeningAustralia (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

6.00 MastermindAustralia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News. 7.35 Lord Lucan:The Evidence. (Premiere, M) 8.30 Wonders Of TheSun With Dara ÓBriain (PG) Dara ÓBriain learns about the Sun. 9.25 Miniseries: PlayingNice. (Mal) Pete is questioned by the police.

10.20 SBS World News Late. 10.50 Pagan Peak (MA15+av) 11.50 Rogue Heroes. (MA15+al, R) 12.55 Agent Hamilton. (MA15+v,R) 2.40 Barkley Manor (R) 3.10 Inside The Modelling Agency.(PGl, R) 4.05 PeerToPeer.(R) 4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World EnglishNews Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home AndAway. (PG) Leah digs her heels in

7.30 The1%Club UK (PG) Hosted by LeeMack 8.30 Ludwig. (Mav) Anew case takes Ludwig on awalking tour of Cambridge where he is faced with an impossible question.

9.45Breathtaking. (Premiere, Ma) Follows NHS staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

10.45 TheSuspects: True Australian Thrillers. (Mlv,R) 11.45 AutopsyUSA (Ma, R) 12.45 Damnation (MA15+asv)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

2.15 JackieBrown.(1997, MA15+) 5.00 Finding Graceland.(1998,PG)

PICK OF THE WEEK

THE ROLE OF ALIFETIME

ABC TV,Tuesday, 8.30pm

Themarvellously down-to-earth Amanda Keller makes areturn to lifestyle TV,ofsorts, as the hostofthis genre-bending parentingseries. Stand-up comedian Nazeem Hussain and Gold Logiewinner Kate Ritchie star in scripted comedy sketches that cut to the heart of common dilemmas when it comes to raisingteens;which areinterspersed with real-world workshops, expert interviews and helpful insights from parenting guru Maggie Dent Bridging the generation gap with afresh,entertaining approach that effortlessly switches gears between the sincereand lighthearted, it’sthe wholesome showwedidn’tknow we needed. Tonight’s premiereleaves no stone unturned: delving into smartphones, social media and cyberbullying

NINE (9,8)

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 Today 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Married At FirstSight (Mls, R) 1.30 My Way. 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9NewsAfternoon 4.30[VIC]TippingPoint Australia.(PG) 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.30[VIC]WINNews. 6.00 Drew Barrymore.(PGas) 7.00 Neighbours. (PGa, R) 7.30 Farm To Fork. (R) 8.00 Bold. (PGa, R) 8.30 Deal Or No Deal.

6.00 9News

7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 Married At FirstSight (Mls) It is time for thesecond dinner party

9.00 Big Miracles. (Mam) Scientists help Alicia and Chris to overcome Alicia’s history of miscarriages.

10.00 9News Late

10.30 Casualty 24/7 (MA15+m, R)

11.30 TheEqualizer (Mav,R)

12.15 Tipping Point (PG, R) 1.05 ExploreTV. (R) 1.30 TV Shop:HomeShopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop.(R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory.(PGa) 4.30 ACurrent Affair.(R) 5.00 TodayEarly News. 5.30 Today

Paddington. 6.05 KiyaAnd The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts:Above And Beyond. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly 7.00 The Deep 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun TheSheep 7.35 Star Wars:Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 DoctorWho 10.25 Merlin 11.10 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. 11.30 Bakugan: Legends. Noon Gossip Girl. 2.00 The Golden Girls. 2.30 TheNanny 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 The Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 IDream Of Jeannie 6.00

TV 3.00 Bakugan:Legends. 3.30 Beyblade Burst QuadStrike 4.00 Transformers Bumblebee:Cyberverse Adventures. 4.30 Ninjago 4.50 Yu-Gi-Oh! Sevens. 5.10 Barbie: ATouch Of Magic.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. 6.30 TheProject Alook at the day’snews. 7.30 I’mA Celebrity…Get Me

BETTER HOMMES AND D GARDENS Seven, Friidaay, 7pm m

Thursday, February 13

ABC (2) SBS (3)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News

Mornings. 10.00 Eat The Invaders. (Final, PG, R) 10.30 BackRoads. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon.

1.00 The Newsreader. (Ml, R) 2.00 Parliament QuestionTime. 3.00 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.25 Grand Designs. (R) 4.15 Long Lost Family (PG,R) 5.00 ABite To EatWithAlice. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

Outback Way, NT

Pt 2. (PG) Presented by Lisa Millar

8.30 SuePerkins’Big Adventure: Paris To Istanbul (Premiere, Mn) Sue Perkins visits Paris.

9.20 Grand Designs: Dunstable. (PG, R) Hosted by Kevin McCloud.

(Ml, R)

Grand Designs. (R) 12.55 Parliament Question Time. 1.55 Long Lost Family.(PG, R)

2.45 Rage.(MA15+adhlnsv) 3.40 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

6am MorningPrograms. 11.05 Great Canal Journeys.(R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30

ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Such WasLife. (PG, R) 2.05 History Of Britain. (Final,PGav, R) 3.00 Railway Journeys UK.(PG,R) 3.35 Plat Du Tour.(R) 3.40 The Cook Up.(R) 4.10 Britain’sSecret Islands. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 LettersAnd Numbers. (R)

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

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.30 Finding Your Roots: Fathers And Sons. (PG) Hosted by HenryLouis GatesJr. 8.30 Scotland’sPoshestTrain: Alan Cumming. (PG) Alan Cumming continueshis VIPtour of Scotland on board theRoyalScotsman

9.30 TheDarkness (Malv) After discovering who killed Katja,Hulda gets trapped withthe killer

10.20 SBS WorldNewsLate. 10.50 Golden Boy. (Premiere, MA15+ds)

11.45 TheAllegation. (Mav,R)

2.20 BarkleyManor (R)

2.50 Living With TheBoss. (PG, R)

3.40 Peer To Peer. (R) 4.10 Bamay.(R) 4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World EnglishNews Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 5.55pm Paddington. 6.05 KiyaAnd The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly 7.00 The Deep 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 SecretsOfThe Zoo. 9.25 Chopped Junior 10.15 Merlin. 11.00 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22)

6am WorldWatch. 10.00 Front Up 2000 11.00 Front Up 2001. Noon WorldWatch. 12.30 Patriot Brains. 2.20 Cowboy Kings Of Crypto. 2.50 Insight. 3.50 WorldWatch. 5.50 The Fast History Of 6.15 The MachinesThat Built America. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 Big FatQuiz Of The Year 2024 9.15 The Flight Attendant Murders. 10.10 Homicide: LifeOnThe Street. 12.55am CriminalPlanet. 2.45 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 2.10pm Bigger &Blacker: StevenOliver,MyLifeIn Cabaret 2.30 TheCookUp. 3.00 Waabiny Time. 3.25 Little JAnd Big Cuz. 3.35 Spartakus. 4.05 Cities Of Gold. 4.35 Motown Magic 5.00 Our Stories. 5.30 The77Percent. 6.00 Bamay 6.30 News. 6.40 Arctic Secrets. 7.30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo 8.30 The Green Veil. 9.30 MOVIE: Purple Rain. (1984,M) 11.25 Late Programs. NITV (34)

6am Finding Graceland. Continued. (1998,PG) 6.50 The Falcons. (2018,PG, Icelandic) 8.45 The Producers. (1967, PG) 10.25 Real Genius. (1985,M) 12.25pm The Orphanage. (2019,M,Dari) 2.05 The Adventures Of BaronMunchausen. (1988,PG) 4.25 Lara. (2019, PG, German) 6.15 Capricorn One. (1977, PG) 8.30 Kill Bill: Vol. 2. (2004, MA15+) 11.00 Late Programs.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 MOVIE: Be My Valentine. (2013,PGa) William Baldwin. 3.00 TheChase. (R) 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChase Australia.

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Home And Away (PGas) Eden faces Remi. Cash lays his cards on the table. DanaconfrontsTane. Roo is determined to makea difference

8.30 MOVIE: Bridget Jones: TheEdge Of Reason. (2004,Mdl,R)Bridget Jones fears her relationship with Mark Darcy is in jeopardy aftermeeting his glamorous colleague.The situation escalates to the point where she decidestoescape to Thailand, where she encounters herex. Renée Zellweger,Colin Firth, Hugh Grant

10.45 To Be Advised.

12.15 Damnation. (MA15+asv) Localfarms face foreclosure 1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping (R) 4.00 NBCToday. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6am Shopping. 6.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30 Harry’sPractice 8.00 MillionDollarMinute. 9.00 SurfPatrol.

6.00 Today. 9.00 TodayExtra.(PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Married At First Sight. (Mls, R) 1.30 Mr Mayor.(PGs, R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 TippingPoint.(PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon 4.30[VIC]TippingPoint Australia.(PG) 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG, R) 5.30[VIC]WINNews.

6.00 9News.

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 RBT. (Mdl) Follows the activities of police units.

8.30 Emergency (Mm) Dr Michelle Thornhillworries an older man might lose his independence after falling off aroof

9.30 A+EAfter Dark. (Malm) Paramedics and police havebrought aman in by ambulance who is claiminghehas been stabbed.

10.30 9News Late.

11.00 Resident Alien (Malv)

11.50 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

12.40 Pointless. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory.(PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair.(R) 5.00 TodayEarly News 5.30 Today

9GEM (92,81)

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Children’s Programs. Noon Gossip Girl. (Return) 2.00 The Golden Girls. 2.30 TheNanny 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 TheAddams Family 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 IDream Of Jeannie. 6.00 The Golden Girls. 6.30 TheNanny 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: Overboard. (2018,PG) 10.45 Seinfeld. 11.45 TheO.C 12.40am The Nanny 1.40 Love During Lockup. 2.30 Surfing Aust. 3.00 Bakugan: Legends 3.30 Late Programs. 6am

6.30 Antiques Roadshow 7.30 KeepingUp Appearances. 8.40 Poirot. 10.40 Late Programs.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal Hosted by Grant Denyer 6.30 TheProject. Alookatthe day’snews. 7.30 I’mACelebrity… GetMeOut Of Here! (PGals) The celebritiescontinue to compete in atestofsurvival in the jungle forthe chance to claim thetitle 9.00 TheGrahamNorton Show. Graham Nortonisjoined on the couch by ReeseWitherspoon, Will Ferrell, Ariana Grande and Don Gilet. Music from Olly Alexander 10.10 10’s LateNews Coverage of news, sportand weather 10.35 TheProject. (R) Alook at theday’snews.

Friday, February14 ABC TV (2) SBS (3) SEVEN (7,6) TEN (10, 5) NINE (9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Planet America. (R) 10.30 Take 5WithZan Rowe.(PG,R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Silent Witness. (Mav,R) 3.00 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.25 Grand Designs. (R) 4.15 Long Lost Family (PG, R) 5.00 ABite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) Presented by TomGleeson.

7.00 ABCNews. Alookatthe topstoriesofthe day.

7.30 Monty Don’sSpanish Gardens. Monty Don heads to the south of Spain.

8.30 SilentWitness. (Malv) Theteam investigatesthe death of aBurmese man on adeserted beach.

10.15 Optics. (Ml, R) Greta and Nicole offload aclientontoIan.

10.45 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) Presented by TomGleeson.

11.15 ABCLateNews.

11.30 GuyMontgomery’sGuy Mont Spelling Bee (NZ) (PG,R)

Designs: County Down. (R)

(PG)

Music (MA15+adhlnsv)

6am MorningPrograms. 10.10 Ireland’s Historic Gardens. (R) 11.05 Great Canal Journeys. (PGa, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 The Abyss: The Rise And Fall Of The Nazis. (PGa, R) 3.00 Nula. 3.30 Plat Du Tour.(R) 3.40 The Cook Up.(R) 4.10 Britain’s Secret Islands.(Final, PG,R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia (R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.35 CostaConcordia: WhyShe Sank. (Final, Mal, R) Alookatthe sinking of the CostaConcordia

8.30 Tony Robinson’s Marvellous Machines: UnsungHeroes (PG, R) Alookatamazing machines. 9.25 Mysteries Of TheAncient Dead: Egypt, Rome, Nepal. (Premiere) Investigates ageold deathrituals 10.20 SBS World NewsLate. 10.50 Bonn (Mav) 11.45 Sisi. (MA15+as, R) 2.45 BarkleyManor (PG, R) 3.15 Living With The Boss. (R) 4.05 Peer To Peer.(PG, R) 4.35 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 Sunrise. News, sportand weather. 9.00 TheMorning Show. (PG) Thelatest news and views. 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 Golf LIV Golf Adelaide. Day1 5.00 TheChase Australia. Contestants race to answer quiz questions correctly to avoidbeing caughtbyThe Chaser 6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra.(PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: Love At First Like.(2023,PGa) Gina Vitori, Nate Crnkovich. 2.00 Pointless.(PG, R) 3.00 TippingPoint. (PG) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30[VIC]TippingPoint Australia.(PG) 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.30[VIC]WINNews.

6.00 SevenNews 7.00 BetterHomes And Gardens. (Return) Theteam celebrates Valentine’s Day 8.30 MOVIE: Pretty Woman. (1990,Mls, R) In needofanescortfor social events while visiting LosAngeles, aruthless, workaholic businessman gives asex worker afirst-handlook at the lives of the rich when he hires her to be his companion fora week. Richard Gere, Julia Roberts, Hector Elizondo 11.05 GetOn Extra. Alookatthe weekend’sbest racing. 11.35 To Be Advised.

1.20 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

5.00 NBCToday

6.00 9News

7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 David Attenborough’s Mammals:Dark (Premiere, PG) Sir DavidAttenboroughlooksatmammals.

8.40 MOVIE: Valentine’s Day (2010,Ms, R) Adisparate group of interconnected people navigate thehighs andlowsofloveand dating on Valentine’sDay.AshtonKutcher Jennifer Garner,AnneHathaway 11.10 MOVIE: TheSun Is Also A Star. (2019,Ml) Ahopeless romantic falls in love.YaraShahidi.

1.00 Let’sEat With George. (R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 SkippyThe Bush Kangaroo (R)

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

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer 6.30 TheProject. Alook at the day’snews. 7.30 WheelOfFortune UK. (Premiere)Game show. 8.30 TheGraham Norton Show. (Mls, R) Graham Norton is joined by Successionstar Sarah Snook, who is

Saturday, February 15

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 Rage Charts. (PG) 7.00 Wknd Brekky 9.00 Rage.(PG) 12.00 News. 12.30 Beyond Paradise.(Final, PG, R) 1.30 Optics. (Ml, R) 2.00 Mozart: Rise Of AGenius. (Ml, R) 3.00 Hippo WatchWith Steve Backshall. (Final, PG, R) 4.00 Muster Dogs: ColliesAnd Kelpies. (R) 5.00 EatThe Invaders. (Final,PG, R) 5.30 Dr Karl’s How Things Work. (Final, R) 5.55 Australian Story.(R)

6.30 Back Roads: Outback Way, NT

Pt 2. (PG, R) Presented by Lisa Millar

7.00 ABCNews. Alook at the top stories of theday

7.30 Death In Paradise. (Return, Mv) Commissioner Selwyn Patterson is shot while celebrating 50 years of police service at the yacht club

8.30 Vera (Ma, R) Vera is called to a remote lighthouse where abodyhas been discovered lashed to asailboat. Delvinginto the victim’s final days, she and the team discoverthat hislifewas not all plain sailing.

10.00 TheNewsreader (Ml, R) When news of an oil spill breaks on the day of Public Eye’slaunch, Helen is pressured to rethink her show format.

10.55 Unforgotten (Mal, R) The body in the chimney flue is identified.

11.40 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) Music video clips.

6am Morning Programs. 11.40 MOVIE: Shorts. (2009,PG) 1.15pm Arctic Secrets. 2.05 Nula. 2.35 Carpool Koorioke. 2.55 Mabo: Life Of An IslandMan. 4.30 Strait To The Plate. 5.00 Spirit Talker 5.30 The Last Land: Gespe’gewa’gi. 6.00 Carpool Koorioke. 6.10 Black As. 6.20 News. 6.30 The Other Side 7.30 Alone Australia. 8.30 MOVIE: The Shining. (1980,MA15+) 10.40 Late Programs. NITV (34)

6am MorningPrograms. 9.10 Britain’s Great Outdoors. (PG, R) 10.10 Love Your Garden. (PGa, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Surf LifeSaving. Super Surf Teams League2024.Highlights. 3.55 Grand Tours Of Scotland’sRivers. (PG) 4.25 Black Panthers Of WW2. (PGav,R) 5.20 Churchill AndThe MovieMogul.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 SandiToksvig’sWoodlandRestoration (Ml) The wood springstolife.

8.25 Scotland TheNew Wild: Islands. (PG) Takesalook at some of the hundreds of islandsthat are scattered along Scotland’svast coastline.

9.25 Great Australian WalksWith Julia Zemiro:Cape Byron. (R) Julia Zemiro heads to picturesque Byron Bay on the farnorth coastofNSW 10.25 Beautiful LakesOfNor thern Italy:From LakeComoTo LakeGarda (Final, R)

11.15 Home Jacking (Mlv)

12.40 TheMan Who Died. (Mas, R)

2.25 Love Your Garden.(R) 3.20 Living With The Boss. (PG, R) 4.10 Peer To Peer.(R) 4.40 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight.

6am WorldWatch.

10.00 Front Up 2001. 11.30 Bamay 11.50 MOVIE: Subject. (2022, M) 1.35pm BeyondOak Island. 2.25 TenYear Old Tom. 2.55 CelebrityMastermind. 4.00 WorldWatch. 5.55 The Food That Built The World. 7.35 Impossible Engineering. 8.30 IconsUnearthed: TomCruise. 10.20 Hudson &Rex Midnight The X-Files. 3.40 NHK WorldEnglish News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.

6am

Race. Continued. (2016, PG) 8.10 Lara.(2019,PG, German) 10.00 FireworksWednesday.(2006 M, Farsi) 11.55 I’mNot There.(2007,M) 2.25pm Capricorn One. (1977, PG) 4.40 Oka! (2012, PG) 6.40 Dancing Ninja. (2010,PG) 8.30 The Hateful Eight. (2015, MA15+) 11.35 Bare.(2015,MA15+) 1.15am BabyDone. (2020, M) 2.55 Death Proof (2007, MA15+) 5.00 Oka! (2012, PG)

Sunday, Februar y16

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 NBCToday 7.00 WeekendSunrise 10.00 TheMorning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. Apollo Stakes Day and BlackCaviarLightning Raceday 5.00 SevenNewsAt5 5.30 BorderSecurity: Australia’sFront Line. (PG, R) Narrated by GrantBowler

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 BorderSecurity: Australia’s FrontLine. (PG,R) Narrated by GrantBowler.

7.30 MOVIE: TheBourne Supremacy (2004,Mlv,R)A former CIA agent, suffering from amnesia, triestoclear his name afterbeing framed fora botched assassination. Matt Damon, Franka Potente.

9.45 MOVIE: Taken2 (2012, Mv,R) Aretired CIA operativeand his wife are abducted by the father of akidnapper he killed. Liam Neeson, FamkeJanssen. 11.45 Border Patrol. (PGa) Follows NewZealand border officials.

12.15 Dr Harr y’sAnimalEncounters. (PG, R) Presented by Dr Harry Cooper 1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R) 2.00 Home Shopping (R) 4.00 It’s Academic (R) 5.00 My GreekOdyssey (PG, R)

7TWO (72, 62)

6am Morning Programs. 10.00 My Greek Odyssey. 11.00 Harry’sPractice. 11.30 GetOnExtra Noon Escape To TheCountry 2.00 Better Homes. 3.00 The Yorkshire Vet. 4.00 Escape To The Country 5.00 Horse Racing. Apollo Stakes Day and Black Caviar Lightning Raceday 6.00 Dog Patrol. 6.30 Bondi Vet. 7.30 The YorkshireVet 8.30 Escape To TheCountry 10.30 I Escaped To The Country 11.30 Late Programs.

6.00 DriveSafer.(PG,R) 6.30 ACurrent Affair.(R) 7.00 WeekendToday 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday.(PG) 12.00 Destination WA 12.30 My Way. (R) 1.00 Let’sEat WithGeorge. 1.30 Your Next Cruise. (Premiere) 2.00 Innovation Nation. 2.15 MOVIE: Overboard (1987, PGals, R) Goldie Hawn. 4.30 Explore TV 5.00 9NewsFirst At Five 5.30 Getaway. (Return,PG)

6.00 9News Saturday. 7.00 ACurrent Affair.

7.30 RugbyLeague. NRL.Men’s All Stars. Round 1. Indigenous All Stars vMaori All Stars. 10.00 NRL: Indigenous All Stars VMaori AllStars Post-Match. Post-match NRLnewsand analysis of the men’s match between the Indigenous and Maori All Stars.

10.30 MOVIE: Air (2023, Mal)

Atalent scout pursuesa basketball rookie. BenAffleck, Matt Damon.

12.40 My Life As ARolling Stone: RonnieWood. (MA15+adl, R) 2.00 TheIncredibleJourney Presents. (PG)

2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop:Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)

9GEM (92, 81)

6am Morning Programs. 1.40pm MOVIE: Apache. (1954) 3.30 Invictus Games. 2025 Vancouver Whistler. H’lights. 4.30 Touch Football. Indigenous All Stars vMaori All Stars. 5.30 Rugby League.NRL.Women’s All Stars Round 1. Indigenous All Stars vMaori All Stars. 7.30 MOVIE: Bridget Jones’sBaby.(2016, M) 9.55 MOVIE: IDon’t Know How She Does It. (2011, PG) 11.45 Late Programs.

6am Children’s Programs.

12.30pm MOVIE: Ruby’sChoice.(2022, PG) 3.00 Ben Fogle: StartingUpStarting Over 4.00 Young Sheldon. 5.00 MOVIE: Stargate. (1994,PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Deep Blue Sea. (1999,M) 9.40 MOVIE: 21 Jump Street. (2012, MA15+) 11.50 Young Sheldon. 12.45am The Originals. 2.35 Ben Fogle: StartingUp Starting Over 3.30 Beyblade X. 4.00 Transformers: Prime. 4.30 Pokémon:XYZ 4.50 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 9.00 America’s Game. 10.00 The 4WD Adventure Show 10.30 Pawn Stars. 11.00 Storage Wars 11.30 American Resto Noon Golf.LIV GolfAdelaide. Day 2. 5.00 LIVGolf LeaguePost-Show Adelaide. 6.00 Pawn Stars. 7.00 StorageWars. 7.30 Aussie Salvage Squad. 8.30 Heavy TowTruckersDown Under 9.30

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8) 6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 Wknd Brekky 9.00 Insiders. 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 WorldThis Week. (R) 11.00 Compass. (R) 11.30 Praise. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. (Return) 1.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 2.30 Monty Don’s Spanish Gardens. (R) 3.30 SuePerkins’ Big Adventure: Paris To Istanbul. (Mn, R) 4.15 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R) 5.05 Maggie Beer’s BigMission.(Final, R)

6.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

7.00 ABCNews.

7.30 Muster Dog s: Collies And Kelpies. (PG) Team Collie and Team Kelpiehaveashowdown

8.30 TheNewsreader (Ml) Dale embraces his success, hosting alavish birthday party.Helen is struggling personally and professionally

9.25 Love Me. (Mls) Glen finally meets the man in Anita’s life.Peter and Clarastruggle to startafamily.

10.20 MOVIE: Love And Other Catastrophes (1996,Mdls, R) FrancesO’Connor.

11.35 YouCan’t Ask That (Mal, R)

12.05 Rage (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.05 Australia Remastered. (R) 4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 Insiders. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 RileyRocket. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Shaun The Sheep 7.35 Moominvalley 8.00 Horrible Histories. 8.30 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.10 Speechless. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs.

6am MorningPrograms. 10.00 FIFAWorld Cup Classic Matches. 11.30 Britain’s Great Outdoors. (R) 12.00 APAC Weekly 12.30 PBS WashingtonWeek. 12.55 Para-Badminton. (PG, R) 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Surf Life Saving. Next Gen Series. 4.00 Sailing. SailGP Sydney.Highlights. 5.00 Grand Tours Of Scotland’sRivers. (PG) 5.35 Churchill’s Forgotten War. (PG)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Mysteries Of Sink Holes: Ticking Time Bombs. (PGa) Delvesinto the origins of sinkholes. 9.20 Legends Of ThePharaohs: Amenhotep III, TheGreat Builder (PGsv, R) Takesa lookatAmenhotep III, who constructed some of ancient Egypt’s most remarkable monuments. 10.20 GreatBritishLandmark Fixers: Royal Alber tHall. (R) Ateam restores the Royal Albert Hall. 11.15 TheArt Of Dissent. 1.10 Photos That Changed TheWorld. (Mavw)

2.45 Love Your Garden. (PGa, R) 3.40 Living With The Boss. (PG, R) 4.30 Peer To Peer.(R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al JazeeraNews.

6.00 NBCToday. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 TheMorning Show: Weekend. Highlights from thepast week 12.00 Golf. LIV Golf Adelaide. Day3 5.00 SevenNews At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (R) Officers search an aircraft afterthe strange behaviour of apassenger

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Australian Idol. (PGl) Hosted by Ricki-Lee and ScottTweedie.

9.00 An Evening With Dua Lipa. Aconcertspecial featuring Dua Lipa’s performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

10.30 LiveAtThe Chapel: Amy Shark. AmyShark performs her hits. 11.30 AutopsyUSA: David Cassidy. (Mad, R) Alook at the death of David Cassidy. 12.30 FridayNight Lights. (Madsv, R)

1.30 Harr y’sPractice. (R)

2.00 HomeShopping. (R)

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

7TWO (72, 62)

6am MorningPrograms. 2pm 2019 Koori Knockout. Men’s.Firstsemi-final. Griffith Three Ways vWaterloo Storm. Replay. 3.25 2019 Koori Knockout. Men’s.Second semi-final. Dindima vSouth CoastBlack Cockatoos. Replay 4.45 Black As. 4.50 Soh Presents: Generations And Dynasties. 6.20 News. 6.30 Queer &Here. 7.00 Great Lakes Wild. 7.30 OurLaw 8.40 MOVIE: In The Zone.(2018,PG) 10.50 Late Programs. NITV (34) 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 TheGreat AustralianDoorstep 10.30 DVine Living. 11.00 IEscaped To The Country. Noon Escape To The Country 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 CitiesOfThe Underworld. 3.30 Steam Train Journeys. 4.30 IEscaped To TheCountry. 5.30 Escape To The Country 7.30 Rosemary & Thyme 8.30 Vera 10.30 Extreme Railways. 11.30 Late Programs.

6.30 TheDog House Australia. (PGa, R) Twodogscould be toomany for afamilywhen they meet abonded pair 7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. Neale Whitaker and Andrew Winter help Australians renovate or findanew home. 8.30 TheDog House Australia. (PGa, R) Ahusky cross couldbethe right fit for afamily.Partnersget the chance to tame astress-ball of acanine.Apocket rocket of apoochisready to leap into anew home. Narrated by Mark ColesSmith. 9.45 Ambulance Australia. (Mlm, R) SydneyCallCentre is receivingahigher than average number of unusual calls. 10.45 AmbulanceUK. (Mlm, R) An advanced paramedic responds to reports of aman found lying facedown inthe road. 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 Hello SA.(PG, R) 6.30 ACurrent Affair (R) 7.00 WeekendToday 10.00 ForThe Love Of Pets. (PG, R) 11.00 To Be Advised. 12.00 Fishing Australia 12.30 Innovation Nation. 12.40 Bondi Vet. (PGm,R) 1.40 MOVIE: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. (1988,PGal, R) Steve Martin, Michael Caine, Glenne Headly 4.00 David Attenborough’s GreenPlanet. (R) 5.00 9NewsFirstAtFive. 5.30 Postcards. (PG) 6am MorningPrograms. 8.30 Farm To Fork. (R) 9.00 Freshly Picked. 9.30 Loving Gluten Free.(R) 10.00 Pooches At Play.(PGa, R) 10.30 Are YouRVSafe? (PGa, R) 11.00 Luxury Escapes. (R) 11.30 Buy To Build. (R) 12.00

6.00 9News Sunday.

7.00 Married At FirstSight (PGls) Thesecond commitment ceremony is held.

8.30 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating,analysing anduncovering theissuesaffecting allAustralians.

9.30 9News Late

10.00 See No Evil: TooMuch Video (MA15+av) Looks at the investigation into atriple murder.

11.00 TheFirst48: Life Interrupted/Lucifer (Mav)

11.50 Iconic Australia. (PGa, R) 12.50 DestinationWA. (R)

1.20 Talking Honey. (PG) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoiceOfVictory.(PGa) 4.30 Fishing Australia. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today

9GEM (92, 81)

6am Morning Programs. 10.30 MOVIE: Nurse On Wheels. (1963) 12.15pm MOVIE: Passport To Pimlico.(1949) 2.00 Invictus Games. 2025 Vancouver Whistler.Day 6. Highlights. 3.00 MOVIE: Dangerous Voyage. (1954,PG) 4.30 MOVIE: SupportYour Local Gunfighter.(1971,PG) 6.30 M*A*S*H. 8.30 MOVIE: Rambo: First Blood Part II. (1985, M) 10.30 The Closer 11.30 Late Programs.

6.00 TheSundayProject. Joins panellists for alookatthe day’s news, events and hot topics. 7.00 I’mA Celebrity… GetMeOut Of Here! (Final, PGals) The celebrities continue to compete in atest of survival in the jungle for the chance to claim the title. 8.10 Matlock. (Return,PGl)Matty helps Olympia with her cousin’s wrongful dismissal case 9.10 FBI. (Mv) After three customs officers are shot dead in acargo heist, the team enlists OA’s old army buddy to help determine if it wasaninside job.

(R) Joins panellists for alook at theday’s

eventsand hot topics.

Shopping. (R)

s. 6am WorldWatch. 9.30 Small Business Secrets. 10.00 Front Up 2001. 12.05pm Figure Skating. ISU Grand Prix.Grand Prix of Italy.H’lights. 1.35 Fashionista 1.50 Jeopardy! 3.55 WorldWatch. 4.25 PBS Washington Week. 4.50 Queer Sports. 5.45 Domino Masters. 6.40 Abandoned Engineering. 8.30 The UnXplained With William Shatner 10.10 WWE Legends. 11.45 Hoarders. 12.30am The X-Files. 3.15 Late Programs. 6am Oka! Continued. (2012, PG) 7.00 Dancing Ninja.(2010 PG) 8.50 Thunderbirds Are GO.(1966,PG) 10.30 How To BlowUpA Pipeline. (2022, M) 12.30pm The Program. (2015,M) 2.25 Race.(2016,PG) 5.00 Meditation Park.(2017,PG) 6.50 Poms. (2019,PG) 8.30 TheGoldfinch. (2019,M) 11.15 AGood Man. (2020,MA15+, French) 1.10am Late Programs. 5.55 Poms.(2019,PG)

6am Children’s Programs. 12.30pm Basketball. WNBL.Adelaide vGeelong United. 2.30 Young Sheldon. 3.30 Children’s Programs. 3.40 MOVIE: Sing. (2016) 5.50 MOVIE: Sherlock Gnomes. (2018) 7.30 MOVIE: Sherlock Holmes 2: AGame Of Shadows.(2011, M) 10.10 MOVIE: 2Fast 2Furious. (2003, M) 12.20am Gotham. 1.15 Arrow. 3.05 YoungSheldon. 3.30 BeybladeX 4.00 Bakugan. 4.30 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Counting Cars. 11.00 Pawn Stars. Noon The Fishing ShowByAFN. 1.00 Hook,Line And Sinker 1.30 Tackling Australia. 2.00 MervHughes Fishing. 2.30 Al McGlashan’s Fish’n With Mates. 3.00 Fishing Addiction 4.00 Motor MythBusters. 5.00 LIV Golf League

Monday,Februar y 17

ABCTV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Vera.(Ma, R) 11.30 McCartney 3, 2, 1. (Final,R) 12.00

R)

5.00 ABite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG,R)

7.00 ABC News

7.30 7.30 Presented by Sarah Ferguson.

8.00 Australian Stor y. Presented by Leigh Sales.

8.30 Four Corners Investigative journalism programexposingscandals, firing debate and confrontingtaboos.

9.15 Media Watch. (PG) Presented by Linton Besser

9.35 Mozar t: RiseOfAGenius. (Final, PGl) Mozart spirals into debt and depression.

10.35 ABC LateNews.

10.50 TheBusiness (R)

11.10 Planet America (R)

11.40 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery.(PG, R) 12.10 Grand Designs. (R) 1.00 Long Lost Family.(PG,R) 1.50 Rage.(MA15+adhlnsv) 3.10 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly 7.00 The Deep 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Shaun The Sheep 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators 8.05 Dr Karl’sHow Things Work 8.30

6am MorningPrograms. 12.10 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBS News Weekend. 1.30 Al JazeeraNews Hour

2.00

R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG,R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Madrid With Michael Portillo (Final, PG) Michael Portillo’s visit to Madrid ends.

8.25 Wilderness With Simon Reeve: Coral Triangle. (PGa) SimonReeve voyagesacrossthe Coral Triangle, ahuge wilderness of tropical seas and jungle clad islands.

9.35 InsideSydneyAirpor t: Bag gage. (PGa, R) Police investigate asuspicious bag.

10.30 SBS World NewsLate.

11.00 Wisting. (Malv)

12.45 AFrench Case. (Mal, R) 2.45 Barkley Manor.(PG,R) 3.15 Living With The Boss. (PG, R) 4.05 Peer To Peer.(PG,R) 4.35 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorning Show. 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 To Be Advised. 3.00 TheChase. (R) 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChase Australia. Hosted by Larry Emdur 6.00 Today 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Married At First Sight. (PGls, R) 1.30 Getaway.(PG,

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Home And Away (PG) Levi makes inroads into closing achapter

7.30 Australian Idol. (PG) After an exhausting round of auditions,the competition continueswiththe top 30 striving to impress the judges.

9.10 St. Denis Medical. (PGals) Matt seeks appreciation for savingapatient’slife. Ron and Bruce butt heads over acandybar.Alex is forcedtofire an incompetent employee.

10.10 FirstDates UK. (Mls) Singles experience thethrills of dating.

11.15 Lopez Vs.Lopez. (PGals) Oscar seeksanapologyfromGeorge 12.15 FridayNight Lights. (Madsv, R) The Panthers prepare for agame.

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBCToday 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News.

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 MarriedAtFirstSight. (Mls) Anew couple enter the experiment.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by GrantDenyer. 6.30 TheProjec t. Alook at the day’s news. 7.30 Australian Sur vivor (Return,PGlv) Agroupof24Australian castaways battlesitout on the beaches of Samoa to becomethe sole survivor 9.00 NCIS: Sydney (Mv,R) Ahostage situation at adog café sees the team delving into the world of puppuccinos and pawtein balls. 10.00 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sportand weather 10.25 NCIS (Mmv,R)Jimmy gets competitive. 11.25 TheProjec t. (R) Alook at the day’snews. 12.30 TheLateShowWith Stephen Colber t (PG) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBSMorning s. 6am WorldWatch. 9.30 Small Business Secrets. 10.00 Front Up 2001 Noon WorldWatch. 12.30 MostExpensivest.

9.00 Australian Crime Stories: TheInvestigators: Stolen Lives. (Mv) Looks at howDetective Dennis Bray solved one of Australia’s most notorious kidnapping.

10.10 9News Late.

10.40 Forensic s: Murder Scene:Par ven. (MA15+a)

11.35 FirstOnScene (MA15+av)

12.00 Tipping Point (PG,R)

1.00 Hello SA (PG)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

2.30 Global Shop (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoiceOfVictory.(PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair.(R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today

9GEM (92,81)

ClosingCeremony 4.00 Antiques Roadshow 4.30 Are YouBeing Served? 5.30 Our Yorkshire Farm 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 Death In Paradise. 8.40 The Good Karma Hospital 9.40 The Madame Blanc Mysteries. 10.40

9GO! (93, 82) 6am Poms. Continued. (2019,PG) 7.35 Without AClue. (1988,PG)

FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. Noon Gossip Girl. 2.00 Bewitched. 2.30 IDream Of Jeannie 3.00 The Golden Girls. 3.30 TheNanny 4.30 The Addams Family 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 I Dream Of Jeannie. 6.00 The Golden Girls. 6.30 The Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE:

Tuesday, Februar y18

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

Mornings. 10.00 Australian Story.(R) 10.30 Optics. (Ml, R) 11.00 Muster Dogs: ColliesAnd Kelpies. (PG, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Call TheMidwife.(Final, PG, R) 2.00 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 3.00 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.25 GrandDesigns. (PG, R) 4.15 Long Lost Family.(PG,R) 5.00 ABite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 AntiquesRoadshow.(R)

Family.(PG, R)

2.05 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.40 Parkinson In Australia. (PGa, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts:Above And Beyond. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly 7.00 The Deep. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 ShaunThe Sheep 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The

6am MorningPrograms. 11.05 Great Canal

Journeys.(R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30

ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 The Abyss: The Rise And Fall Of The Nazis. (PGa, R) 3.00 The Weekly Football Wrap. (R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour.(R) 3.40 The Cook Up.(R) 4.10 Lighthouses:Building The Impossible. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.30 Who Do YouThink You Are? Stephen Curr y. (PGas, R) Stephen Curryexploreshis roots. 8.35 Pretty Baby: BrookeShields. (Final, Malv) After havingher confidence shattered, Brooke Shields finds her voice, only to encounter obstacles to using it.

9.50 TheArtist’sView:Guns ‘N’Roses (Mdl, R) Takesalook at the bandGuns ‘N’ Roses.

10.20 SBS WorldNews Late. 10.50 Prisoner (Premiere, MA15+alv)

11.55 Fargo.(MA15+v,R) 1.40 Barkley Manor (PG, R) 2.10 Living With The Boss. (PG, R) 3.50 Peer To Peer.(R) 4.25 Bamay.(R) 5.00

NHK WorldEnglish News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorning Show. 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 To Be Advised. 2.45 SurveillanceOz. (PG, R) 3.00 TheChase. (R) 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChase Australia.

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Home And Away (PG) Harper feels lonely

7.30 Australian Idol. (PG) The top 30 contestants undertakethe group challenge, before three contestants aresenthome

9.20 TheHunting Party. (M) In rural Montana, Bexand the team hunt down aserial killer obsessed with wolves, while dealing with local rangerswho are out fortheir own form of vigilante justice.

10.20 TheIrrational. (Mav)Simon’s mother asks Alec for help

12.20 FridayNight Lights. (Madsv,R) Jason is invitedtojoin the local rugby team.

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise EarlyNews.

5.30 Sunrise

6.00 Today 9.00 Today Extra.(PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Married At FirstSight (Mls,R) 1.30 Explore TV.(R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG) 4.00 9News Af ternoon 4.30 [VIC] Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.30

6.00 9News.

7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 MarriedAtFirstSight (Mls) Twonew couplesenter the experiment 9.00 Madam. (MA15+dls) An article in the Northland Times hailing Mack a“feministtothe rescue”causes chaos.

10.20 9News Late.

10.50 My Feet AreKilling Me. (Mm) Brad has his hands full treatingalittleboy

11.40 TheEqualizer. (Mv,R)

12.35 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping (R)

OurState On APlate. (PG)

TV Shop: Home Shopping (R)

Believer’sVoiceOfVic tor y. (PGa)

ACurrent Affair (R)

Today Early News.

TEN (10, 5)

5.30 IDream Of Jeannie. 6.00 The Golden Girls. 6.30 TheNanny 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: Mad Max. (1979, MA15+) 10.30 Seinfeld. 11.30 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs.

SBS VICELAND (31)

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

Victorian Goldfields, Walhallacloserto WorldHeritage nod

WALHALLA has been includedamong alistof six key areas in regional Victoria recognised for their significance in the Victorian Goldrush era.

The federal government included the Victorian Goldfields on Australia’s World Heritage Tentative List last week.

The Tentative Listing recognises the Victorian Goldfields’ potential outstanding global heritage significance, and seeks to celebrate and protect the region’s multi-layered history -from the First Peoples living on Country to the goldrushes and subsequent waves of immigration.

Tentative Listing is acriticalsteponthe journey to being considered for World Heritage Listing by UNESCO,which requires candidates to develop a Sustainable Tourism Program that ensureslisted sites are protected, but also that they are ready to meet the high expectations of large numbers of visitors from across the globe and within Australia

who choose to visit sites which carry the prestigious UNESCO recognition.

“We are excited by the World Heritage Tentative Listing of the Victorian Goldfields, including the Gippsland goldrush townofWalhalla. A World Heritage Listing of these towns would be asignificant drawcard for visitors from across Australia and overseas," Destination Gippsland Chief Executive, Terry Robinson said.

"Destination Gippsland is looking forward to nex steps, including developing aSustainable Tourism Program which ensures the sites are protected and preparedtohandle increased visitor numbers if formal recognition is achieved.”

Further research and consultation will be undertaken to determine sites for aWorld Heritage nomination, whichmay include additional sites not mentioned in the current Tentative List.

Applicationsopen for librarygrant

THE state government is deliveringbetter libraries and library programs for Victorians by upgrading libraries,supporting education programs, and delivering mobile library vans across the state.

Minister for Local Government, Nick Staikos visited Knox Library to officially open the Living Libraries Infrastructure Programgrants round, with successful libraries able to share in more than $4 million.

Public librariesare about much more than just reading -they also provide free services for communities across the state, including internet

access and many education programs.

The stategovernmenthas investedalmost$50 million into 139 library infrastructure projects over the last nine years.

This fundingcan be used to support library upgrades and services like mobile library vans -reaching readers that would not otherwise have access to library services.

Grant applications are now open until March 14,2025.

Formore information on the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program and application process, visit: localgovernment.vic.gov.au/grants

Remindertoget short storyentries in

STRATFORD Shakespeare Festival Committee wouldliketoremind all local writers to get their entries in for this year’s Sheila Malady Short Story Competition, before the competition’s close this Sunday (February 16).

Prizes will be awarded three separate categories, including aprize for the best story written by aGippsland resident.

This year, shortlisted entriesinthe open section will be judgedbyliterary agent Anjanette Fennell from Key PeopleLiterary Management. The winner of the open sectionwill be awarded a cash prize and aone houronline coaching session

with the director of HawkeyePublishing, Carolyn Martinez.

Other prizes include bookvouchers from Collins Booksellers, Sale, and aspectacular handcrafted wooden quill from local artist, Gavin Roberts. Winners will be announced at the opening night of the festival on Thursday, May 1atThe Stratford Courthouse Theatre. The theme for this year’s competition is 'The Dark Side'.

For information on how to enter, visi t: stra tfo rdshak espe are.c om. au/2025-competition-information

Photograph supplied

Grassfire along Princes Hwy

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLTAND KATRINA BRANDON

AGRASSFIRE ignited between the third and fourth Morwell exits heading eastbound on the Princes Highway on Tuesday, February 4.

The fire sparkedataround1.40pm,whenatrailer came off aute, eventually causing both sides of the Princes Freeway to catch fire.

Fromthe thirdMorwellexit,eastbound traffic was redirected through Morwell.

The fire stretched about two kilometres, with both on foot and air support helping to get the fire under control. Crewsincluded Fire Rescue Victoria, along with Morwell, Tyers, Traralgon, Traralgon West, Hazelwood North,Yallourn North Urban, Tanjil, Newborough, Traralgon South and Churchillfirebrigades

V/Lineservices were temporarilyhaltedinthe area due to the fire's proximity. At around 3pm, both Country Fire Authorities and FFV crews had the blaze under control.

 LATER that night, another two fires were sparked by lightning in the Walhalla area around 7.35pm.

DEECA, Forest Fire Management Victoria, and the Erika and District Fire Brigade crews worked on getting the fires under control.

One of the fires was marked 'contained' at around 10.30pm at Yangoura Fultons Creek Track,north of Walhalla, and the second fire was only marked contained at 1pm on Wednesday (February 5), located at Stoney No Four Track, Walhalla East. Battered and out of luck, abushfire also broke out on Rosedale-Stradbroke Road, Rosedale around 12pm. The fire was soon put out around 1pm.

Last Saturday (February 8) cooled down and drizzle fell during the evening.

All hands on deck: Morethan 10 different units were deployedlastweek afterafireignited along the Princes Freeway.

Weather escalated on Sunday (February 9), with athunderstorm sweeping through the Gippsland region around 3.30am, causing multiple small fires that local fire crews worked hard to get under control and labelled as safe or resolved by the afternoon.

Fires in the local area included oneinThorpdale, three in Mirboo North, and one in Hallston.

Wea ther wa rn ings st ayed in pl ace for the

Photographs: KatrinaBrandon

Gippsland area overthe afternoon and into Monday, with weather threatening damaging winds, heavy rainfall, hail stones, and lightning.

According to theBureau of Meteorology, more rain is predicted to hit the region from tomorrow (Thursday, February 13) to Sunday (February 16).

Wet weather warnings are in place for possible flooding in some areas, with similar conditions to last Sunday night.

Prevention in the spotlight

GIPPSLAND Primary Health Network (PHN) has released new primary care research about mortalityrates, avoidabledeaths, andthe cost of potentially preventable hospitalisations in Gippsland.

The researchhas been presented in two Health Insights papers, Primary Care: Mortality and health issues in Gippsland and Primary Care: keeping people out of hospital.The papers benchmark the findings against national data to provide an overview of Gippsland’s health needs and identify key priority areas. The data also emphasises the critical role of primary health care in preventing, detecting, and treating illnesses to prevent unnecessary hospitalisations and improve overall health outcomes. This helps reduce the burden on hospitals and specialised services in Gippsland.

The data showed:

 Life expectancy in Gippsland is 83.1 years for females (Australia 85.1) and 78.2 years for males (Australia 81.1);

 Avoidable deaths are 48 per cent higher for males, with 148 deaths per 100,000 compared to 100 for women in Gippsland;

 Rural Australians are more than twice as likely to die from potentially avoidable causes;

 From 2018 to 2022, avoidable deaths for circulatory system diseases were 17 per cent higher in Gippsland compared to national rates;

 There was 9783 potentially preventable hospitalisations for people in Gippsland during 2022/23;

 The Independent Hospital Pricing Authority report showed preventable hospitalisations cost Gippsland $48 million per year;

 The top reason for potentially preventable hospitalisations for Gippsland males was diabetes complications (965 admissions) and for Gippsland females was iron deficiency anaemia (868 admissions), and;

 Barriers for accessing primary care in Gippsland include the cost of healthcare, lack of availability of appropriate and accessible primary care options, extended wait times, and difficulty understanding health information and services.

Gippsland PHN's Acting Chief Executive, Ang ela Jac ob sai dt he Health Ins igh ts papers would drive primary care initiatives and inform future planning and delivery of services for the community.

“Primary care research is acornerstone of drivingbetter healthoutcomes for our region. By examining mortality rates, avoidable deaths, and the cost of potentially preventable hospitalisations, we gaininvaluableinsights into where we need to focus our efforts,” she said.

“For example, the data highlights circulatory system diseasesasakey priority -an issue that aligns perfectly with February beingHeart Health Month. This research empowers us to address these challenges head-on and createtargeted strategies to improve outcomes for our community.”

The data is part of a2024Health Needs Assessment that provides an opportunity for priority populationsinGippsland to share their stories. The Health Needs Assessment, which will be released in early 2025, will inform Gippsland PHN’s work and help drive ameasurably healthier Gippsland.

Crews attend to smoke and flames in Moe CBD

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

EMERGENCY services were calledtoMarket Street, Moe at 3.40pm last Saturday (February 8) following numerous Triple Zero (000) calls reporting smoke and flames at agroup of shops near the Moe Arcade.

Firefighters arrived on scene withinfour minutes to findthat the firehad spread fromone premises through the roofspace to multipleadjacent businesses.

Alarge cloudofblack smoke was made clear to locals mid afternoon coming from the back of the Moe discount store Star Easy and Spiders Cafe on Albert St. At the height of the incident, around 80 firefighters from Fire Rescue Victoria supported by CFA members worked together to extinguish the flames and make the scene safe.

Parts of Albert St were blocked off during the incident, with many crowding to observe what was going on. The blaze was brought under control about 5.15pm with no injuries reported.

FRVFire Investigators intend to investigate the causeofthe incident.

Aftermath: What wasleftfollowing the Princess Highway fire

On the scene:

MoeLions help Old Gippstown

MOE Lions Club members have helped repair flooring to the fire station building at Old Gippstown.

The lions club has along and productive working history of maintaining heritage buildings at Old Gippstown, with several Lions Club members involved since the park's inaugural opening more than 50 years ago.

“Moe Lions Club has been fully engaged at Old Gippstown over many years with their ready assistance and skills in repairing, restoring, and preserving the heritagebuildings," Gippstown Reserve Committee of Management Chair, Libby Scott said.

"Their latest project was conducting repairs to the floor of our old fire station (formerly atennis pavilion from Moe).

"This has been necessary due to our heavy old 1938 Dodge fire engine housed in the fire station resulting in the deterioration of the old and flimsy floorboards. The repairs required backbreaking work, with the replacement of the flooring and reinforcement of the sub floor bearers, joists and foundations.

"The refurbished fire station can now safely garage our vintage fire engine and displayour antique fire fighting equipment."

Comprisingofvolunteers, the Gippstown Reserve Committee of Management is charged withthe responsibility of the overall management of the park, buildings and collectionsonbehalf of the state government.

The invaluable support by the Moe Lions Club andother organisationsenables the committee to continue to preserveand present local heritage buildings, collections, equipment,and vehicles for Old GippstownHeritage Park visitorsand the community to enjoy now and into the future.

Before: Floorboards being replaced in the Old GippstownFireStation building Photographs supplied

After: Thecompletedproject.

Roads an international embarrassment: O’Brien

WHENthe Chinesegovernment and undertakers are warning aboutthe state of Victoria’s roads, it is clear we have amajor problem.

That'saccordingtoMemberfor Gippsland South and Nationals Leader, Danny O'Brien, who is also ShadowMinister for Roads and Road Safety, after the Chinese consulate general implored Chinese tourists to avoid drivingby themselves on Victorian roads

“Roads in Victoria are windingand some sections of them are not in good condition," the warning read.

Funeral business TobinBrothershas also gone as far to warn drivers about potholes and the dangers of roads in an advertising campaign.

The Liberals and Nationals raised Victoria’s crumbling roads network in Question Time in Parliament last Thursday.

The Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Melissa Horne struggled to respondwhenasked: “Why has the Labor government let our roads deteriorate so badly that foreign tourists are now being warned not to drive on them?”

There was also no answer forthcoming when the Minister was asked: “With foreign governments and undertakers warning about the dire condition of Victorian roads,will the government now admit it has failed Victorian motorists?”

Mr O’Brien said Victoriansdeserved answers.

“Ourroads have becomeaninternational embarrassment and undertakersare sending out warnings, yetLabor refuses to take action or accept accountability,” he said.

“The Allan Labor government can’t manage roads maintenance and all Victorians are paying the price.”

To illustrate the point, the oppositionpresented Premier Jacinta Allan and Ms Horne with acopy of the least glamorous calendar imaginable: Potholes For All Seasons 2025.

The calendar features amonth-by-month horrorshowofdamaged roads throughout Victoria Photos weresubmittedbyfed up drivers statewideinrecent months, withthe best (or worst) featured in the calendar.

Rockyroads: Member forGippslandSouth andShadow Minister forRoads and Road Safety,DannyO’Brien withacalendar detailing some of thestate’s worstroads Photograph supplied

Student leaders set the standard

NEWLY appoin ted stude nt-lea ders at St Paul’sAnglicanGrammar School are ready to demonstrate their leadership abilities during the upcoming 2025 school year.

Year 10 students Chloe Ellen and Layla Graham were inducted recently into their roles as the St Paul’s Traralgon Secondary School Captains in front of students, staff, and families.

Abi Dean and Harper Rode were also inducted

as the St Paul’s Traralgon Junior School Leaders

Achieving aleadership role at St Paul’s enables studentstogrowboth individually and collectively while guiding others to uphold school values.

During their speech, the secondary school captains Chloe and Layla emphasised the importance of inclusion.

“We are committedtofosteringanenvironment where every student feels valued, heard and

Determination: Alice andJen Morrison (left and behind) launchedBarwon Coffee Co lastyear, giving people like Benthe oppor tunitytolearn hospitalityand baristaskills

Photograph: BlakeMetcalf-Holt

Creating their own path

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

PROVIDING the opportunity to find their passions and awarm service for locals -BarwonCoffee Co is giving it their best shot.

Motherand daughter pairingJen andAlice Morrison launched the coffee van business last September, and it has grown to include ahandful of other individuals living with disability the chance to learn hospitality and barista skills.

The van has travelled to events acrossGippsland, off the back of Alice’s determination, venturing to swimming carnivals, tennis competitions, and an all-abilities basketball tournament in Sale.

The rapport with customers has been significant in every spot they’ve situated, especially in their initial meeting place in Trafalgar as well as in Traralgon West.

The idea stemmed from the two following many “dispiriting” experiences with job agencies in the effort to find Alice employment.

“(Alice would) rock up, go and do interviews and getnothing.Iwas thinking to myself that if Ididn’t do something that things would just keep going down that pathway… I’m hoping that they’ve shown that they can work independently and confidently,” Jen said.

The food provided is all vegan and homemade, entirely due to the baking efforts of Alice creating her delicious treats, such as her yoyobiscuitsfrom her own kitchen.

Alice has enjoyed the venturethus far, giving herachance to meet newpeopleout and about

empowered to make the most of their time here at St Paul’s,” Chloe said.

Layla followed on to encourage students to also look after their own wellbeing.

“Throughout the year, as well as taking care of others, remember to also take care of yourself. Afterall,self-care is the fuel thatallowsyour light to shine brightly," she said.

Aftersummarising the exciting upcomingevents

in the community and perfect her coffee-making.

“I didn’t get into coffee until afew years ago. Its payment, it’s something fun, it gets people out of their homes,keeping peoplefrom being bored, (and) it gives them an opportunity,” she said.

“The friendlinessand socialising,weall like socialising with different people.”

The small business has brought in afew extras like Ben, who comes with his carer and works throughout the day finding purpose.

“The organisationsthat support young adults realised what we’re doing and said they’d have some individuals that would love it and probably benefit from it, so that’s how we schedule (them) in,” Jen said.

Jen is hoping this will be a“long term project” whichwill involve more NDIS organisations than what theyalready have as they grow.

In termsofpersonal development,ithas been exponential for the entire group.

“That(growth)has been confidence mainly, which has been fantastic… havingsomething meaningful where you have askill to share with other people,” Jen added.

“The benefit is improving our skills, particularly confidence, but then alsothe opportunity for social connection because Ithinkthat’s what we notice is lots of youngadults just really need that connection with the community.”

Currently, Barwon Coffee Co is operatingon weekends, whether at events or in their usual spots, along with Mondays and Tuesdays.

of the year,junior school students Abi and Harper inspired students to be considerate to each other.

“All of these amazing opportunities will bring friendships and moments of joyalong withtimes of challenge requiring us to be brave, opportunities for problem-solving requiringustobecreative, and moments of difference requiring us to be compassionate and empathetic,” they expressed

Morrison joins Gippy Grammar

Grammar has appointed anew Chaplain.

With morethan 23 years’ experience in education, Tim Morrison will be working across the leading school’s three campuses (Sale and Bairnsdale), nurturing and guidingstudentsfrom Foundation through to Year 12.

Bishop of Gippsland, the Right Revd Dr Richard Treloar warmly welcomed Mr Morrison.

“Tim is ahighly experienced educator, who comes to us from the Catholic system -most recently at Warragul, and having also served three years at Catholic College Sale," the bishop said.

"He knows our context and our shared calling as servant leaders. He brings passion and expertise to the pastoral care and wellbeing spaces, among others.”

In Mr Morrison'sopening reflection, he spoke about the valuable time he and his wife Emma, and their sons,had recently enjoyedwithhis aging mother Bev.

"Spending time outdoors and engaging in simple familymomentsreminded me of theimportance of balance and the power of reconnecting with those we love,” he said.

Mr Morrison also shared asimple yet profound question that he encountered during afamily movie, Patch Adams: "What’s your name?" While this question may seem small at first, Mr Morrison emphasised that he thought it held deep significance. For him, it represented the core principle of recognising and honouring aperson's identity. He acknowledged the importance of heart-centered

learningand the role of educators and school leaders in being relational with each and every student, fostering meaningful connections beyond academics.

At GippslandGrammar, Mr Morrison'svision is to support the spiritual and emotional growth of students, helping them develop into compassionate, faith-filled individuals.

He has worked in education throughout Australia and internationally, including at schools in Armidale, NSW; Kent (England); Bathurst, NSW; Toowoomba, Queensland, and; Warragul.

Prior to embarkingonhis teachingcareer,he spent 14 years in the agriculturalsector, marketing beef genetics both domestically and internationally, and working as an area manager for an international animal health pharmaceuticalcompany based in Armidale, NSW.

GippslandGrammar Acting Principal,BoPower said he was thrilled Mr Morrison had joined the team.

“Chaplain nurturing young students in primary schooluptoour emerging adults in the senior school is asignificant pastoral role," he said.

"We have no doubtthat Tim will embrace the challenge and bring his depth of experience and personal strengths to the role to add something unique to the lives of our students. Our students need quality people and quality educators, and it is clear that Tim is both. We are looking forward him to impacting the educational experience of our students.”

Assembled: St Paul’s Traralgon Secondar ySchool Captains,Layla Graham andChloe Ellen, with PrincipalCameron Herber t, and Head of St Paul’s Traralgon Secondar ySchool, Leonie Clark. Photographs supplied

Wayofthe future: Traralgon Junior School Leaders,Abi Dean and Harper Rode,with Head of St Paul’sTraralgon Junior School,TraceyKing,and PrincipalCameron Herbert

Care: NewlyappointedGippsland Grammar Chaplain, TimMorrison Photograph supplied

GIPPSLAND

New twinsstart primaryschool journey

By KATRINABRANDON

SEEING double? You're not alone.

Many Latrobe Valley schools have introduced their new Prep studentsthis year, with twins among the cohort.

Lucky doubles include Churchill North Primary School, Morwell Central Primary School, and St Paul's Anglican Grammar School.

Kialla and Brooklyn-Lea, and Anastasia and Anthony have started their Foundation year at Churchill North Primary School, Isabellaand Alexis at Morwell Central, and Sidney and Sunny at St Paul's Anglican Grammar School.

"The Prep students at Morwell Central Primary had abusy first day," the school told the Express

"Theyenjoyed atour of the inside and outside of the school and were happy to receive their new school hat to wear during play times in the yard.

“The Preps listened to some stories and began learning some of the routines that school students follow. They alsohad fungoing to their firstspecialist classes -music, sport and computers."

The school termstartedfor mostschools after the Australia Day long weekend.

For those heading into school areas, authorities urge drivers to keep aclose eye out and to stick to the school zone speed limits from 8am to 9.30am and 2.30pm until 4pm. They also urge that dropoffs be quick, to allow traffic flow.

TheExpress wishes all new students the very best forthe school year ahead.

Festival to return next month

By KATRINA BRANDON

ENGAGING in music,artistic workshopsand more, the 2025 Y(Our)Fest is back for another year.

Y(Our)Fest is afree day for the community in Morwell and surrounding areas to connect and get creative through free live music, arts and dance workshops, festival activities, and food.

The event,open to all, was designedbylocal kids who participated in workshops and brainstorming activities.

Facilitator Artists for Kids are excited to bring the event to the region.

“Y(Our)Fest is abrilliant way to let kids tell us what they want at afestival. We have been working with kids at Morwell primary schools, and their ideas come from them. We are looking forward to agreat event in Morwell,” Artistfor Kids Chief Executive, Kylie Greer told the Express Last year was the first Y(Our)Fest, with about 60 people in attendance.

This year’s Y(Our)Fest features musicians and performers such as Yarram duo Ally Row, young Gippsland artist Billie Spokes, Cherise Ncube, and Spag Ati Ati Han Group.

The event will include face painting, wool chill, henna, art workshops, and box cities.

Y(Our) Fest will be held at the Morwell Wooden Park on Saturday, March 8. The event is wheelchai r-accessible and alcohol-free.

Times: Mamasa Bhagavatula andSreeTanai attended last year’s Y(Our)Fest and enjoyedthe activities File photograph

Students welcomed back

loving studentsdressed in party

hats and novelty glasses, and dancedtowelcome

Reminder to keep children, pets out of danger inside hot cars

TO preventchildren being locked in hot cars, RACV is appealing to all parents and carers to adopt safe behaviours this summer.

In 2024,RACV received 653 calls from parents and carers seeking help to free children accidentally locked in vehicles.

RACVGeneralManager Automotive Services, Makarla Cole warnedthat

cabin temperatures can climb rapidly, reaching over 70 degrees Celsius in just minutes if the outside temperature is 30 degrees Celsius.

“Children are morevulnerable to heat, dehydration,and heatstroke, making it essential to be cautious and act quickly if apotentially dangerous accidenthas happened,” Ms Cole said.

“It’s also important to note that our petsand furry friendssharethat same vulnerability.”

“RACV Emergency Roa ds ide Assistance are trained to prioritise calls in which children and pets are in danger above all else. We will attend as quickly as possible,regardlessof whether you are aRACV Member or not."

RACVoffers the followingadvice for motorists driving with children:

 Ensurewindows areopen before placing children in the car to prevent auto-locking, then close once driving;

 Never let children play with keys;

 Minimise distractionswhenloading the car,and;

 Keep keys securewithlanyardorclip.

If achild is locked in the car:

 Call 13 11 11 forRACVEmergency Roadside Assistance;

 Forlife-threatening situations, call 000 immediately,and;

 Stay calm, but act fast

Formoreinformation, visit: racv.com.au/ cars-transport/road-safety/child-safety html

Twotimes two: TwinsKialla and Brooklyn-Lea, and Anastasia and Anthonyare star ting their Foundation year at Churchill Nor th Primar ySchool. Photographs supplied

Double trouble: St Paul’s Anglican Grammar Schoolt wins Sidneyand Sunny.

Fun: St Joseph’s Primar ySchool, Trafalgar students Olivia(front) Sophie,Conrad and Maya with crossing super visorRosie Sawyer

Collab: St Joseph’s has par tnered with provider AfterSchool Care this year Photographs supplied

ST JOSEPH’S Primary School, Trafalgar welcomed staff and students back afterthe summer school holidays.

everyone

supervisor Rosie Sawyer joined in

strutting her impressive dance moves too. Parents also enjoyed free coffeesupplied by ‘Their Care’, After School Hours Care Program.

Nuclear for Australia visit

Ms America talks nuclear benefits

By PHILIP HOPKINS

GRACE Stanke makes an impression.

At just 22, the 2023 Miss America and nuclear engineer seeminglyhas the world at her feet. Microphone in hand, walking around the floor of the Italian-Australian ClubinMorwell, she had the rapt attention of the estimated 300 people in the audience at the recent Nuclear in Australia event.

All were thinking: ‘How did you become anuclear engineer -and why?’ As she quipped, “I don’t have the typical nuke engineer look!”

Thus began an entertaining, quirky and ‘folksy’ story, as the young nuclear expert with abubbly personality engaged the audience.

“At 16, Ihad no idea what Iwas going to do with my life. Most people don’t,” she said -but her extended family hassled her about her future.

“I decided Ihad to get it together.”

She loved science and maths -answers were either right or wrong -and luckily she had afather who wasacivilengineer with whom shevisited construction sites.

“It was exciting seeing bridges come up and down, and knowingthat my dad, using maths and science, was helping peopleintheir daily life,”

Ms Stanke said.

Maths and science buildbridges, haveasocial role; engineering was thus the broad directionshe wanted to move in. But which sort of engineering?

“Electrical? My brotherwent into electrical, no way-Iwon’t follow in his footsteps again! Civil?

My daddid that, cool, but…”

Then she saw nuclear. “Man, how cool would that be, to sayI’m anuclear engineer,” she said. Her knowledgeofnuclear wasrestrictedtoWorld War 2historyand maybe one or two reactorsinthe US.

“It was not talked about. The other option was rocket science.”

Thenthe talk with dad.“He had hisparent voice on -you know what that is. Itold him, ‘I’m thinking aboutnuclear or aerospace engineering’,” she said.

“He looks at me, ‘Grace, don’t go into nuclear, there’s no future there’. What does ateenage daughter do when told not to do something? She goes and does it! Iwent into nuclear,” she said.

What made her stay in nuclearand become such apassionate advocate for it?

Ms Stanke started her university course in 2019.

“What Ilearntinthat first semester made me change my perspective on nuclear. Iwent from knowing only two thingstoseeing it in my everyday life. Ilearnt there are more than two reactors in America -there are 94 to thepresent date producing 20 per cent of America’s power; it has been doing that for about 60 years,” she said.

“I didn’t even know Ihad anuclear plant only two hours from my hometown, creating 14 per cent of my home state Wisconsin’s electricity, keeping the lights on in cold snowy days.”

On the other side,apart from reactors, she learned about nuclear medicine, which enabled cancer sufferers, like her dad, to survive because of radiation treatment. Then there was the reality of everyday home life

“Have you eaten abananatoday? You would get more nuclear radiation than if you lived next to a nuclear plant for ayear; bananas are radioactive. Avocados, avocado toast -they are radioactive, smoke detectors useradiological isotopes,” she said. “Nuclear science plays amassively positive role in ourlife. If it’s doing this much good but we don’t talk about it, imagine how much more it would if we say. ‘Nuclear is worth talking about’. That’s when Idecided to start speaking about it.”

Nuclear plant safer than grocerystore

By PHILIP HOPKINS

HOW many industriesare safer than working in a nuclear power plant? Young nuclear engineer Grace Stanke had asurprise answer for the audience.

“Accounting, dataanalytics and fourother similar jobs; there are six industries safer thanworking in anuclear power plant,” she said

“Send a16-year-old kid to work in agrocery store, they are at higher riskthan in apower plant to get an injury. It’ safer to work in anuclear power plant thana grocery store. That’s the high standard we have.”

However, nuclear accidents still loom large in people’sfears about the safety of nuclear power plants. Ms Stankeillustratedthe emphasis on safety through her own experience as anuclear engineer. In her internship, her job was to create atestingsimulationcode, using the extensive documentation thatrecords everyindustrymistake and workplace injury.

Her work was checked and rechecked internally and sent overseas where it was extensively peerreviewed using differentchecklistsand procedures by independent experts. Afinal meeting discussed the worst-case scenario.

“If it does not work, are we ready? Unless the answer to thequestion was ‘yes’, the code would not be implemented anywhere,” Ms Stanke said.

“In reports that operators use, we promote a questioning attitude.”

Ensuring safety is dominant. In the Russian invasionofUkraine forexample, an important Ukrainian nuclear plant was captured by Russia and operators were working at gun point.

“The Atomic EnergyCommission stepped in There has been no accident, despite the active war zone,” she said.

Ms Stanke said spent nuclear fuel in the US was kept in dry concrete casts.

“Fuel rods that have gone through three cycles

creating electricity and fuel are taken out and sit in acooling pool, stays there for seven and up to 30 years, depending on plant licence conditions,” she said.

“It’s taken out and put into dry casts. It’s not very exciting -they are just giant concrete cylinders. Spentnuclear fuel doesn’t mean it’s done being used -itisn’t just ‘waste’. Youcan re-process nuclear fuel -90-95 per cent of that can be reused and put back into areactor;two percentcan be used for adifferent type of fuelthatgoes into adifferent reactor.”

Ms Stanke said this spent nuclear fuel had been temporarily stored in these drycasts in theUS for 60 years.

“Because of those dry casts and that technology, there has never been aleakage from of commercial nuclear generation industry,” she said.

The casts are thoroughly tested, dropped in the process from 20 feet onto the weakest point.

“Does it break? No. If it does, they don’t use it, Ican promise you that much. That is the type of accepted testing that goes into that temporary storage,” she said.

Permanent storage is in ageological repository.

“In Australia, you guys have aunique opportunity to build the perfect facility for that.”

In preparing and reviewing aproductthat is going into anuclear power plant, aquestioning attitude was necessary, Ms Stanke said.

“That patience,kindnessand that care, promotes civil discourse,” she said.

Nuclear was aheated subject in Australia, but a conversation with opponentsprovided ahumanistic attitude.

“We are all working towards the same goal -cheap, reliable electricity and aquestioning attitude, civil discourse, kindness and respect and awillingness to say we are all here together.”

Centrestage: Former Miss America and nuclear engineerGrace Stanke speaking in Morwell. Mining and EnergyUnion District Secretary,MarkRichards (who ranas theALP candidatefor Morwell in 2018), is pictured next to the door

Photograph: Liam Durkin

On the ground: Grace Stanketook the time to discuss nucleartopics with locals

Photographs: LiamDurkin

Not only quenches your thirst better, it tastes better: Grace Stankeneededa Gatorade afterher near half-hour speech.

Nucleartimeframe, concerns spelled out

By PHILIP HOPKINS

ANUCLEAR power station in the Latrobe Valley wouldcreatethousands of jobs in construction, operation and maintenance and be acatalyst for spin-offindustries, US nuclear exportstoldthe nuclear information night in Morwell.

With an experienced builder of nuclear plants like SouthKorea, thefirst 1000 MW unit couldprobably be built in about seven years and additional units after that within 10 years, they said.

The information meeting on nuclear power, held at the Italian Australia Club last week, was organised by Nuclear for Australia and attended by up to 300people. Thevisitwas sponsored by the entrepreneur and philanthropist, DickSmith, the patron of Nuclear for Australia.

Chief speaker was Grace Stanke, 22, the 2023 MissAmerica and anuclear engineer; an American nuclear expert, Mark Schneider, who is Chief Nuclear Officer for UBH Group in Australia; and Kirsty Braybon, Adjunct Nuclear Law Lecturer at the University of Adelaide.They answered numerous questions from the audience.

Ms Stanke said thousands of jobs would be created in construction, while one 1000MW nuclear unit would be run by 700-1000 workers. An outage could bring in another 3000 jobs.

“Add more units to the power plant, multiple reactors, that means more jobs and more electricity for the Australian grid,” she said.

“It is not only the industries they actually power such as AI data centres -there is massive international load growth now -they can create more than just electricity. District heating, hydrogen production -there are alot of differentthings added on as secondary industries, lots of avenues for growth.”

Construction time and life span

MR Schneider said he believed apower plant in the United Arab Emiratesunder the Koreanmodel was built in about seven years.

"Not more than seven, seven for one unit online, 10 years for all four units online. They got better with each one -faster and cheaper. Thatalso occurs in the US with the submarine program; the more you do something, the better you get at it," he said "The Valley is agood location, already operating power plants and cooling water source. Get the repeal to occur and the regulatory framework in place."

Ms Stanke said anuclear plant was usually licensed for 40 years, but also hadundergone power upgrades.

"Eventhough some of the plants were built in the '60s and '70s, they are producing more electricity now becauseofnew technology and upgrades. They can go through subsequent licence renewals, some go up to 60 years, you're looking at 80, 100 years," she said.

"The whole life span, we don’t know wherethe end is yet. That’s jobs for generations, dads work with sons anddaughters;that can have amajor impact on communities, jobs for generations."

Mr Schneider said it would work for communities like the Valley, enabling fathers to work with

their sons and daughters. They were well paid.

One man, for example, started work as ajanitor, then became an operator, aged 27 and making $US330,000 ayear.

"Thatisprettycommon in theindustry,"hesaid.

Ms Stankesaidinternationally, the first new nuclear build in the US for 30 years went over time and over budget due to alackofstandardisation andbeing the first of its kind. This was in contrast to SouthKorea, which has astandardised design, and astrong supply chain.

"They have built reactors for (the) past 40 years. They do it on time and on budget," she said. Both she and Mr Schneider acknowledgedthey were not experts in construction.

However, Mr Schneider cited one US company that produced gas, coal, nuclear, wind and solar.

"They sell their power at arate, and when you takethat rateand compare it to thecost associated withthe generation -these are all powerplants on the grid -nuclear has an 11 per cent profitmargin, gas seven per cent profit margin, coal per cent per cent, wind and solar sold at aloss. American taxpayers are paying out the subsidies," he said, to laughter around the room.

The lawyer, Ms Braybon,saidthere was abelief in Australia that the countrydoesn't have aregulatory framework in place to allow nuclear plants to be built.

"That’s crap," she said. "We regulate and operate the Opal reactorinSydney, which uses nuclear radioactive isotopes. There is aregulatory model in place, but we would have to makesomeamendments to the Safety Act to facilitate it -minor amendments, that would not take long."

Ms Braybon said there were other comparisons.

"Australia built the Opal reactor in nine years. That was the first of its kind. That’s not what is beingproposedinAustralia. In the Senate inquiry, some experts were saying 11 to 13 years (for construction). If Australia can deliver Opal,the first of its kind, in nine years, why can’t we build anuclear power reactor?"

Obsolescence?

COULD helium-free fusion, carbon capture and battery technologies develop faster than nuclear builtinAustralia?

Mr Schneider saidthe fact is, "you want ablended grid, no matter what you are doing".

"You don’t want 100 per cent nuclear grid. In the US, it produces20per cent of ourpower. Those reactors were licensed for 40 years, but many are on theirsecondsubsequentlicence, alicencefor 80 years of operation, with discussion going out to 100 years of operation," he said.

"Build these, they will be for along time. The demand for electricity is only going to go up -the demand for AI. There is so much more electricity demand because of this thing called the internet that everyone is using all the time. We welcome allthose new things to the grid. "

Ms Stanke said importantly, Australiashould not be building its own reactor.

"It is up to thewill of thepeople. Newtechnologies will come through, but let’s build with technologies that are proven and have been operating for decades, or amore modern Westinghouse reactor so there is proventechnology we can start building

as soon as the ban is lifted in Australia," she said.

"There will always be new technologies, but the most important thing is that it won’t be afirst of its kind in Australia."

Retrofit acurrent coal generator?

MS Stanke said thiswould only be for smallnuclear reactors.

"To have acurrently existing coal plant and take out some parts and put in new gear -it’sgot to be better to build alarge reactor that’sgoing to produce more electricity, provide more jobs, and will be more reliable," she said.

"It’sbetter to focus internationally, globally- the US, Canada, France. Concentrate on countries that are actively using nuclear."

Ms Braybon said where coal stations were located, it was not just about the technology.

"It's especially about the community, the region and the area -the existing transmission lines, workforceand ensuring jobs for communities that are transitioning through closures," shesaid.

Howcan Australia denydomestic use yet exporturanium to other countries?

"CAN Australia have its yellow cake and eat it too?" quipped Ms Braybon.

"It’s hard, we have uranium mine since 1950 in SouthAustralia.Weare well regarded aroundthe worldfor sometime. We export 100 per cent of it, and are considered around the world to be one of the best generators. Yet we ban nuclearpower, we ban uranium enrichment,weban nuclearwaste and disposal in some states. It logicallydoesn’t make sense. Uranium mines are banned in Queensland, Western Australia, NSW,and Victoria, yet we can do it safelyinSAand export it to the rest of the world?Logically it doesn’t make sense."

Civil affected by military use of uranium?

MR Schneider said it was affected.

"Particularly in theUS, Iamfrustrated in the fact, you hear about nuclearleakage,it’sfrom US weapons production. As an operator in the commercial engineer, power plant operator,I have to answer for the sins of the US nuclear weapons community," he said.

"Frankly, Iamtired of it for 23 years, Iamtired foranswering to the mistakes my US government has made in nuclear weapons production then having to answer, ‘What do you mean, it’s not going to leak?' Iagree, it’s ahugedisservice done to the commercial US nuclear industry. Nuclear wasteit’s asolid. Solids don’t leak. Ihave to explain that because there is radiated water from US nuclear weapons production."

Chernobyl

MR Schneider said it was aterrible accident.

"It’salsoaterribly designed reactor they operated in direct violation (of its conditions). The Chernobyl type reactor -there are several of them still in operation today. There have been no incidence because they fixed themselves fromhow they operated," he said.

"Noreactor of Western design could undergo the Chernobyl experience in that manner because of the design of the reactor. The physicsdoesn’t work, and you have containment structures."

Ms Braybon said Chernobyl was the reason the world has the convention on nuclear safety.

"It’s also the reason we have the joint convention on nuclearwasteand spentfuel. In response to that accident, theInternational AtomicEnergy Agency, with the rest of the world, came together and they came up with two international treaties to set up schemes to address these problems that arose becauseofthataccident. Australia has signed and implemented thosetreatiesand so has half the world," she said.

Mr Schneidersaidinthe nuclear industry in the US, "we conductannual training on Chernobyl, Fukushima and Three Mile Island". The worstUS incident was in Idaho, where three people were killed. "If you were to ask me afterwards, Iamsafer in my submarine and nuclearreactors Ioperate because of that accident," he said.

Ms Stanke said: "we get all of the information from nuclear energy operated worldwide", including Chernobyl, Fukushima and Three Mile Island.

"More people have died in America in the past 20 years alone from the fossil fuel industry than all global nuclear energy generation has done combined. That puts into perspective the safety standards," she said.

To caterfor any nuclear event, "there are allencompassing safety plans that look at all scenarios and look at what has gone wrong". "Number one priority -keep those hot rocks cool and safe."

Who would be in chargeofbuilding anuclear reactor in the Valley?

The masterofceremonies, Logan Smith,who runsa nuclear podcast, said if thelegislation was repealed, acompanywouldbeinterested in tendering.

"Twenty per cent is a'nuclear island'; the rest is steam generator, turbineball, transmission -skills that many in thisroom would have, Iimagine. When it comes to building something,a local contractor would get international assistance. Countriesallied with Australia wouldbevery interested to assist," he said.

Does the lackofaunioninthe UAE haveimplications for Australia?

Mark Richards, from the energy and mining union, said he did not represent the construction industry, but was eight years in CFMEU.

"These projects are usually fairly well calculated. As long as no expanded bills, which can happen if it's abig project. If thereare decent working conditions and decent bonus in the system, it will finish on time, "hesaid.

"I don’t think it’s abig issue. The main thing -havethe expertise of someone like the South Koreans."

Presenting opportunities for the area

By PHILIP HOPKINS

THE operation of anuclear power plantisnot that much different from acoal plant, anuclear expert told the forum at the Italian-Australia Club in Morwell.

“A coal plant uses ahot rock -coal -toboil water, to make steam, to turn aturbine to make electricity,” said Mark Schneider,who has 23 years’ of experienceinthe nuclearsector, havingworked with eight nuclear reactors, including in the US Navy on aircraft carrier and submarines. He is part of Ms Stanke’s team in Australia.

“A nuclear reactor uses hot rock, this case uranium, to boil water, to make steam, to make electricity. They are the same thing. The cooling sourcefor anuclear reactor can be the same cooling source for acoal plant. You have the Latrobe River cooling the coal plants here, right? You could use that water to cool anuclear reactor.I used the ocean when Iworkedona submarineand aircraft carrier.”

Mr Schneider, who has aBachelor degree in nuclear technology,isGroup Chief NuclearOfficer for UBH Group in Australia. UnlikeGrace,“Iwas born anerd,” he said, inspired by aschool physics teacher after aparticular lesson.

“That’s what Iwant to do, work in nuclear power,” he said upon that lesson.

Unluckily for him, the nuclear reactor in his home state of Oregon was closed down after protests -900 jobs lost, “good union jobs,highest payingunion jobs,the highest on the planet”.

Luckily for him, anavy recruiter came along

Asked whether he wanted to join the navy, “being

aspiteful 17-year-old kid, Isaid, ‘Only if you have nuclear-poweredships’. The recruiter answered, "Boy have we got ajob for you!"

“At 19-years-old,after acoupleofyears of nuclear training, Iamoperating anuclearreactor, in a converted submarine for training purposes; Iam breaking atoms at 19-years-old,” he said.

“As Iwithdraw those rods and doing calculations…. going through my mind what they have told me in two years’ of training, ‘If Istuff this up, Ishut down the six most powerful navies on the planet, Ishut down 10 per cent of electricity for the world’ -that goes through every sailor’s mind as they operate anuclear reactor. Safety is paramount.”

Mr Schneider said there’s afamous quote from Admiral HymanRickover,the father of the US nuclear navy. He was standing in San Fransisco Bay when the USS Enterprise was coming in.

Asking acertain politician what he saw, the politiciansaid, ‘I see abeautifulwarship’. The admiral said, ‘Whatyou don’t thinkabout is the eight 19-year-oldkidsoperating anuclear reactor’, Mr Schneider said.

Safetyinanuclear station is embedded in everyday work practice -protective padded clothing,fire equipment, equipmentprotected against radiation.

“We try to figure out how we can minimise our own radiation exposure and prevent exposure to the public,” Mr Schneider said.

Kirsty Braybon, also part of Ms Stanke’s team, is the Adjunct Nuclear Law Lecturer at the UniversityofAdelaide, and aspecial adviser on AUKUS-related matters.

one here in Victoria as well. It’s apolitical game. It’s not about public policy.” Ms Braybon said the prohibition was recently amended to include submarines under AUKUS.

“Nuclear law government covers safety, like coal, but extra protections are in place to manage radiation,” she said.

“It (nuclear law)governshow much uranium we have, where it is, where it’sgoing. That is to manage nuclearsecurity, to ensurenoone is going to take that material and do anything silly with it.”

Ms Braybon said there wereinternational safeguards.

“Countries, including Australia,reportbacktothe InternationalAtomic Agency, on how much nuclear material and technology we have, where it is and where it’s going. An international system is in place to record all this stuff. We do that today,” she said.

The agency comes to Australia and checks the country's plant and uranium mines.

“We know where everygramofuraniumisgoing. Alllawsare in place just to manage additional risk to nuclear. All is manageable in Australia.”

“We have aprohibition (on nuclear) at federal level,” she said, aresult of apolitical deal decades ago when the government was trying to build the Opal reactor for medical science in Sydney. With little debate, an amendment was passed to ban nuclear energy and uranium enrichment.

“We needed nuclear medicine,therewas no ambition for nuclear energy,and therewas concern about Chernobyl,” she said.

“Decades later, we are having this discussion to lift that ban. There are state bans as well; there is

Questioned whether there wasarealisticchance of lifting the prohibition, Ms Braybon said “it comes down to the numbers” in Parliament.

“Public sentiment -ifthe community thinksthere is asocialacceptance to nuclear energy in Australia, it helps change the mind of politicians who have to represent the voters,” she said.

Mr Schneider said that in West Virginia -coal country in the United States -inthe last couple of years, they had lifted their nuclear ban.

“So, it is possible,” he said.

Discussion: UBHGroup ChiefNuclear Officer,MarkSchneider addressing the forum.

Photograph: Liam Durkin

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CACHIA, Charlie. 1946-2025 (in W.A.). Loved nephew of Sylvia and Domeni c( de c.). Cousin of Ann, Mary (dec.), Joe and their families. Loved and Remembered always

CACHIA, Charlie. 3February 2025 in Perth. Formerly of Newborough. Loved cousin of Joe Palma. Akind, gentle and generous man who will remembered with love by Joe, Helen and family.

DRAPER, Gloria. Passed away peacefully on Saturday 8th February at the age of 97. Beloved wife of Jack (dec.). Loving mother to Gregory, Daryl, Elizabeth and Susan. Respected mother-in-law of Anna, Kevin and Bill. Adored grandmother of 13 grandchildren and 24 greatgrandchildren. Rest in Peace Forever in our Hearts

DRAPER, Gloria.

Our loving Mum, You were the heart of our family and have left us with special memories we will cherish forever. You have fulfilled us with love, strength and inspired us to become who we are today. Your memories will be cherished forever Love you Glor Sue and Billy XX DRAPER, Gloria.

Our beloved Grandma/ Gorgy has left us at the remarkable age of 97. Awoman of extraordinary creativity and grace, she had agreen thumb that brought life and beauty to everything she touched. Her fashion sense was unparalleled, always leaving alasting impression with her timeless style. But above all, it was her boundless love for those around her and the way her smile lit up any room that defined her.

Everyone who had the pri vileg eo fk no wing Grandma loved her dearly, and her presence will be missed more than words can express. Grandma/ Gorgy, your legacy lives on in the hearts of all who knew you. You were a inspiration, and if Ican grow into even half the woman you were, Iwill consider myself one lucky lady.

Love you forever, Grandma Love Nik, Steve, Ivy and Judd DRAPER, Gloria.

To our Gorgy, Beautiful, caringand extraordinary at anything you attempted to do. Your absence leaves ahole in our hearts and your wisdom taught us so much. Your kindness brought us a lifetime of endless love. Our memories will last forever. Iwill always miss our Fridays together, the stories, secrets, laughter and tears. We shared everything and Iwill be lost without you. You fought so hard to be here and for that Iamforever grateful.

Reunited with your true love again, say hi to Pa Lots of Love Kellie, Luke, Billy and Annie DRAPER, Gloria.

Our beautiful Grandma, known as Gorgy. You were the true definition of areallady with pure elegance.

We created so many beautiful memories with you and Pa over the years that we will all cherish forever. Love you Rest in Peace Gorgy

With love from Lot, Ben and Albie

DRAPER, Gloria Anne Elizabeth. Beloved Mother of Daryl, Beloved Granma of Jess and Mitch. 97 fabulous years of avibrant and loving life. Mum was the central loving soul in all our families. Agreat contributor to the Yallourn North community over many years. Many thanks to all at St Hillary's, Morwell.

Cherished Thoughts and love for Mum Always in our hearts Daryl, Jess and Mitch

DRAPER, Gloria Anne Elizabeth. 19/11/1927 -8/2/2025. It is with abrokenheart that we say goodbye to our mother and grandmother. Glor/Gorgy was the light in our life. A loving mother devoted to her family. She was a beautiful friend to many with awarm sense of humour. Iwill miss your wise advice and daily chats. You will live in our hearts forever. Your loving daughter and son-in-law Elizabeth and Kevin. Rest in Peace Grandma. Love from Shaun, Aaron and Aasha.

Lov ing memori es of Grandma. Love Dean, Amy, Kayla, Artan and Lara.

Grandma/Gorgy, we will cherish our special memories made with you. Lots of love Danny, Christina, Gracie, Dusty, Daisy and Polly.

Many fond memories that we will treasure with our Grandma and Greatgrandma. Love you lots Gor gy. Love Kat e, Nathan, Lizzie and Evie.

JONES, Josephine May ('Jo').

Late of Gympie, Qld and formerly of Traralgon, Victoria. Passed away peacefully at home 30th January 2025.

Aged 83 Years

Beloved Wife of Jack (dec.). Loving Mother of Donna and Evan. Avalued friend to many. Jo was well known through her work with Traralgon High School P&C, The Weekly Observer, Life Member of Gympie & District Darts Assn. and The Gympie Songbirds. Friends and Acquaintances of Jo and family are warmly invited to attend a Celebration of Her Life to be held in the Cooloola Coast Crematorium Chapel, 236 Brisbane Road, Gympie on Friday, 14th February 2025 commencing at 2.00pm. Please wear something Bright and Colourful as per Jo's wishes. Donations in lieu of flowers to the Leukaemia Foundation greatly appreciated. Envelopes available at the service. Gympie Funerals 07 5482 8400 www.gympie funerals.com.au

MORLEY, Verna (nee Christensen). Passed away peacefully surrounded by love at Marjorie Cole, Traralgon Tuesday 4February 2025. Aged 98 years Loving wife of Vic (dec.). Dearly loving mother of John and Anne. Loved and respected mother-in-law of Tracey and Harold. Cherished Nan of Josh and Danea and family, Brenton and Tash, Beau and Emma, and Travis and Melanie and Brad. Great Nan to Elsie and Isabelle and Chase and Fraser. In God'sgarden

SMITS, Josefa Flora. Died Thursday 6February, 2025. 951/2 years old Wife to Alex Smits. Mother to Pablo and Tanya Smits. May She Rest In Peace

WRIGHT, Harry. Service No. 2/701297 National Service Australian Army

The President, Committee, Staff and members of the Morwell RSL Sub Branch are deeply saddened by the passing of their valued Life Service memb er Harry. Deepest heartfelt sympathy to Kerrie, Tina and all the family and friends.

LEST WE FORGET

BLAIR. The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Mrs Hazel Blair will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Highway, Traralgon on FRIDAY (14 February 2025) commencing at 1.30 pm This Service will be livestreamed. Please visit our website for details: www.latrobevalley funerals.com.au

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

BOURCHIER. Family and friends are invited to celebrate the life of Lucy Bourchier at the Football Club hall, Willow Grove on TUESDAY (18 February 2025) at 11.30am. Aprivate Graveside Service at the Willow Grove Cemetery will precede this celebration.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

DRAPER. The Committal for Cremation and Service to celebrate the life of Mrs Gloria Draper will be held at the Gippsland Memorial Park Rose Chapel, Cemetery Drive Traralgon on MONDAY (17 February 2025) commencing at 1pm.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

MORLEY. AFuneral Service of thanksgiving for the life of Mrs Verna Morley will be held at St James Anglican Church, 100 Grey Street, Traralgon on FRIDAY (14 Februa ry, 2025 ) commencing at 11am. At the conclusion of the service the Funeral will leave for the Traralgon Cemetery, Gippsland Memorial Park, Cemetery Drive, Traralgon.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

CHADWICK, Gary. 7/7/1953 -17/2/2022. Cherished, sadly missed, loved forever. My kind, good man gone too soon. Until we meet again. "Somewhere over the rainbow" Iwill miss you. Merilyn.

ANDERSON, John. In memory of my son John Little did Iknow that God was going to call your name so soon. In life Iloved you dearly, in death Idothe same. It broke my heart to lose you and it will never mend. You did not go alone for most of me went with you. Now all Ihave left is emptiness, memories and footprints you left behind of inspiration, kindness, passion and that smile.

You were given so many gifts and yet you chose to live so humble. Though I can't see you, Iknow you are always at my side. The love we had here it will regain in Heaven. But as God calls us one by one, what peace and joy it will be!!

It's said, time is ahealer, I'm not sure that is true; there's not aday that goes by that Idon't cry and miss you. Life is not the same.

Happy Heavenly Birthday John Rest In Peace Love Mum XXX.

MUSGROVE, Gloria. 12 February, 2025 Today is filled with memories, With happiness and tears. Of Birthday celebrations, We've shared throughout the years. And though I'll always miss you, The endless joy you brought. Warms my heart with gratitude, And fills my every thought. Wherever you are resting, Ihope that you can see. How precious and uplifting, Your memory is to me. Ifeel that you are with me, In everything Ido… So I'll celebrate your BIRTHDAY, But I'll spend it MISSING YOU.

Happy birthday to a cherished wife, mother and Nan who is loved and missed every day. Percy Musgrove and Families. XXOO

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Faltum inspires Victoria’smove in WNCL top four

CRICKET EXPORTS

BY TOM HAYES

APAIR of incredible innings from localexport

Nicole Faltum was only enough to help Victoria gain one win from two over the weekend in the Women’s National Cricket League.

Victoria hosted Queensland for two matches at Junction Oval. For the first match on Friday, February 7, the visitors won the toss and elected to field.

It didn’t appear the wisest decision at first, as Victoria’s opening pair including captain Faltum and Sophie Reid were unstoppable.

The pairforged apartnership across 36 overs, with both of them closing in on centuries.

Faltum unfortunately was the first to go for 90 (off 107 balls), ending an innings that saw her smash 10 fours.

It seemed as though Reid couldn’tgoonfor much longer without her captain at the crease, heading back to the sheds soon after bringing up her ton. With 106 runs (123 balls) to her name, Victoria now had two new batters at the crease at 2/216. The home side lost three more wickets in the final 10 overs, while only adding about 80 runs for 5/295, giving Queensland atarget of 296 to win Queenslandhit Victoriawith asweet return, scoring at amuch faster rate, catching the hosts off guard. Both openers scored 50s, with Georgia Redmayne the first to go at 1/114.

Georgia Voll lasted another 10 overs but fell one boundary short of acentury on 94 (75 balls). Nonetheless,the two openershad setQueensland up for agreat finishat2/180, eight wickets left, and still 25 overs to play with.

Queensland would only lose one more of their eight wickets, as Charli Knott batted the visitors through to victory, making 87 (64 balls), reaching

the target score with more than 10 overs remaining.

 THE second time around, after winning the toss, Faltum decided Victoria would field first, perhaps hoping they could return the favour from two days prior.

Queensland struggled alot more battingearlier, fallingtoaslittle as 3/34 from 7.4 overs.

Knott and Lauren Winfield-Hill helped get the visitors back on theirfeet, getting their score close to 100 before the latter went for 36 runs, the scoreboardreading 4/99. Two overs later, they were 5/106.

The dismissal of Knott just after the 30th over proved to be amassive scalpfor the Victorians, as it stuntedthe progression of the Queensland innings

The visitors wouldonly go on to get bowled out in less than 10 overs after Knott’s dismissal, ending their innings at 167 runs. Victorian bowler Ella Hayward picked up 6/31.

Faltum got the ball rolling onceagainfor Victoria in their response, even though her batting partners continued to fall around her.

Despite this, she was able to put together a consistent innings, which was able to help her side over the line with ease.

Faltum lost the partners of Reid (17), Hayward (0), and Olivia Henry (26), all while she amassed 82 (118 balls) before her dismissal in the 37th over.

Unfortunately for her, she wasn’t able to score thewinning runs, achieved by her teammates in the very next over, as the home side picked up more important points.

The win moves Victoria up into the top four, equal on points withthird-placed New South Wales, who sit above them on net run rate.

Victoria play all-importantfixtures against fifthplaced Tasmania next week, acouple of fixtures which could shape their season, with atop two spot still available.

Helping women and young girls in sport

SPORT

THE state government is supporting more women and girls to get involved in the sports they love, withmore funds for sporting clubs and organisations to encourage and foster female participation.

Minister for Community Sport, Ros Spencehas opened applications for the 2024/25ChangeOur Game Community Activation Grants Program.

The program delivers grants of up to $10,000 to community sport and recreation clubstohelp inspirewomen and girlstotake part -including new women’s programs, hosting awomen’s round as well as opportunities for club leadership roles Now in its eighth year, the ChangeOur Game Community Activation Grants Program has provided more than $2.9 million towards 580 grants to sport and active recreation clubs and organisations across the state.

Aprevious grant recipient was the Gippsland Soccer League, which ran asix-weekRegional Female Administrator Leadership Program.

Since the program,the League’sFemale Football Sub-committee is continuing to increase participation among women and girls, with the league also achieving a50/50 gender balance on its Board of Directors in 2024.

Throughthe FairAccess Policy Roadmap, which has seen all Victorian councils and Alpine ResortsVictoria adopt local gender equitable access policies and the Community Activation Grants Program, the state government is helping achieve more equitable access and increase the number of women and girlsactively taking part in sport.

Since2018, the state government has invested more than $2.9 million in funding to 580 community sport and recreation clubs as part of the $18.8 million investment in theOffice for Women in Sport and Recreation and Change Our Game initiative.

Applications for this program close at 5pm AEDT, Wednesday, February 26, 2025. For more information aboutthe program, visit changeourgame.vic.gov.au

White, United awaiteitherPhoenix or Wildcats

BASKETBALL

NBL/WNBL

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

TRARALGON’S Jack White and Melbourne United

securedatop two finish on the ladder by the end of the home-and-away season, winning six of their last seven NBL games.

United defeatedcross town rivals South East Melbourne Phoenix 103 to 93, however White missed the game with aback injury.

Prior to that, in their second Grand Final rematch of the season,United claimed victory over Tasmania Jackjumpers 94-92 at John Cain Arena.

Coming back from double digits in the fourthquarter, White was kept quiet, fouling out in 15 minutes and adding just five points and three rebounds.

MelbourneUnited are gifted arest in the first week of finals, and will come back to play the winner of Perth Wildcats and Phoenix.

 TURNING their WNBL season around from a disastrous start, Traralgon’s Jade Melbourne and UC Capitals have climbed back into the race for finals.

In the third instalment of the season, the Capitals got the better of Geelong United for the third time, 91-77, despite the game being at Geelong Arena.

Whathas turned intoaLatrobe Valley showdown, Geelong United player and Moe’s Jaz Shelley was absent for the firsttime in her debutWNBL season.

Melbourne finished with 17 points, six rebounds and five assists in the win.

Before that, the Capitals suffered successive losses to Sydney Flames, firstly in overtime at AIS Arena 92-88 and then easily 86-71.

Melbourne had aseason-high 28 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in the narrow loss while sitting comfortably at the top of the leaguefor scoring.

Melbourne had four points, six rebounds and three assists in the next game.

Geelong United suffered two more losses against Bendigo Spirit at home, 81-60, and Perth Lynx, 95-77.

Shelleyfinished with 11 points and two rebounds in the first matchup, and then 25 points, six assists and three rebounds.

Caution: Traralgon’s

Helping hand: Thestate government has opened funding to encourage greater female participation in sports File photograph

Croquet action in full swing

CROQUET

BY ROSIE SCOTT

TRARALGON Croquet Club hosted its annual Singles Golf Croquet Tournament at the weekend, with competitorscoming fromacross Victoria and Gippsland. Participants travelled from as far as Maldon, Williamstown, Belmont, Monash, Mornington, Bairnsdale, Wonthaggi, and many other Gippsland towns.

The tournament was divided into four sections with atotal of 32 players taking part.

The Section 1winner was RichardParkes fromWilliamstown, followed by Mornington’s John Carr.

Section2was won by Belmont’s Judy Anderson, with Steve Podolak (also Belmont) finishing close behind.

Section 3was taken out by Wonthaggi’s Neil Warburton, followed by Sale’s Colin Coomber.

Traralgon’sGregPearce claimed the Section 4title over Christina Alridge.

TournamentmanagerLynette Taylor was very happy with the outcome from the weekend, and thanked all TCC members for their valuable time and input with preparingthe courts and catering time keeping duties among other jobs.

Croquetisagame played by all ages and if anyone would like to try it out, come along on a Wednesday night at 6pm during daylight saving time at the McNairn Road, Traralgon sportsclub.

Century-long flashback

FOOTBALL

By LAURIE WILLIAMS

EIGHT Gippsland FootballClubs will celebrate their centenary premierships this year after winning flags in 1925. Traralgon, Cowwarr, Yinnar, BulnBuln, Lindenow, Orbost, Loch, and Swifts Creek are the current winning clubs from that year. Sixother premiers have amalgamated since that time being Bass (now Kilcunda-Bass), Yallourn (Yallourn Yallourn North), Dumbalk (MeeniyanDumbalk United), Nilma (Nilma-Darnum), and Meeniyan-Stony Creek (Meeniyan-Dumbalk United).

An additionalsix 1925 clubs no longer exist with St Marys (Bairnsdale District Football League), Devon (Alberton FL), Newry (Heyfield DistrictFootball Association), DingoCreek(South Gippsland FA), Walhalla/Coopers Creek (Erica FA), and Fairview (Fairview/Woodside FA). (Editor’snote: Part of Devon still exists in current North Gippsland clubWoodside District. Devon merged with Welshpool, who then merged with Won Wron-Woodsidetoform Devon-WelshpoolWon Wron-Woodside. DWWWW then split, with Woodside District forming in 2008. DWWWW has been in recess since 2017, yet the historyof the Allies is recognised within Woodside District. Confusing, yes.)

In 1925, there was 21 leagues/associations operating throughout Gippsland. Theywere: Westernport, Gippsland, Central Gippsland, Cowwarr, Morwell-Mirboo, Dumbalk, Bairnsdale District, Alberton, HeyfieldDistrict, South Gippsland Hills, Erica, Neerim,SaleJunior, Fairview/Woodside,South Gippsland, and Omeo.

Now, acentury later, seven leaguesremain; Omeo District, East Gippsland, North Gippsland, West Gippsland, Mid Gippsland,Ellinbank District, and Gippsland.

In 1925, there was six teams in the Gippsland League;Traralgon, Sale,Bairnsdale, Maffra, Rosedale, and Stratford.

The season started late with the first match on May 2with the final home-and-away matchon September11.

An ambulance was called to the TraralgonStratford match on June 8whenTraralgon player TRust broke his collarbone, asimilar occurrence happened on the same date at the Maffra-Rosedale match when RDuckofRosedalealsobroke his collarbone.

Traralgon finished the season on top of the ladder with68points followed by Sale 52, Maffra 36,

SCOREBOARD

BOWLS

STRZELECKI NORTH

MIDWEEK PENNANT ROUND 13

4/02/2025

Division 1W LD FA Dif Pts

Trafalgar 19 40 823 74182136

Traralgon RSL1 850 767745 22 119

Newborough 17 60 775 697 78 118

Traralgon 17 60 771 74031114

Morwell Club 17 60 772 759 13 104

Warragul 16 70 746794 -48100

Drouin 16 70 781 780 194

Moe 12 11 0663 842 -179 47

Division 2W LD FA Dif Pts

Newborough 2112 0817 658 159166

Yinnar 19 40 800 700 100131

Drouin 28 50 782 692 90 129

Trafalgar 27 60 711755 -44109

Neerim District 17 60 779 750 29 106

Morwell 13 10 0749 792 -43 66

Traralgon 23 10 0736 760-24 63

Morwell Club 2 4 9 0 622 889 -267 62

Division 3W LD FA Dif Pts

Newborough 3103 0851 664 187154

Churchill 19 40 849 672 177138

Traralgon 38 50 799 708 91 129

Morwell 24 90 709 782 -73 74

Yarragon 14 90 657 806 -149 66

Drouin 34 90 641 874-233 63

Division 4W LD FA Dif Pts

AGrade Winner: R. Vesty40pts

BGrade Winner: P. Flanigan 41pts

CGrade Winner: J. McCafferty39pts

D.T.L: 1. B. Mathieson38, 2. A. Sharrock 38, 3. R. Timbs38, 4. A. Wright 38, 5. D. Radnell 37,6.S.Turner 36,7.R.Abel 36, 8.

S. Ainsworth35, 9. D. Taylor 35.

N.T.P: 3rdA.Sharrock, 5th J. Soppe,12th C. Waring (Propin), 14th B. Kilday

Birdies: 3rdR.Vesty, 12th C. Waring,M Allen.

Target Hole: C. Gilfillan

Monthly Medal Tuesday4th February 2025

Medal Winner: L. Brent 72 Nett

Putts: J. Clegg 30

MIRBOO NORTH

Tuesday4th February Stableford.

AGrade: TWhitelaw(7) 34pts c/b

BGrade: DTaylor(24) 43pts

DTL: PCummaudo 39, SMcKenzie 38. NTP: 4th DTaylor, 6th NWhichello 16th M Payne

Birdies: 4th DTaylor, 16th MPayne

Saturday8th February Stableford

AGrade: BBradshaw, (6) 41pts,

BGrade: NBracecamp,(18)39pts

DTL: NWhichello 38, SMills,S Woodall, P Draper,A Liebe 37 c/b

NTP: 4th TBaker,6th GShandley, 13th T Baker, 16th BBradshaw, Birdies: 4th TBaker,6th NWhichello,13th

TBaker Nbaker,NRutledge,16th JMc Farlane

Next SaturdayK Mc Cartin Foursome Championship, Overflow will be amens foursome

MOE

Sunday, 02 February 2025 OPEN Sunday

Medley

Grade AWinners: Erasmus,Nicholas (16)

Grade BWinners: Mead,Anne (28) 39

Place Getters: Stanlake, Helen 37 C/B

Wednesday, 05 February 2025 WOMEN'S WEDNESDAY 9HOLEStableford

Overall Winners: Auchterlonie,Janice (54) 22

Wednesday, 05 February 2025 WOMEN'S STABLEFORD:

Grade AWinners: Middlemiss,Kaye(15)

37

Grade BWinners: O'Reilly, Christine (32)

41

Place Getters: Weaver,Lee 40 C/B

Latrobe Valley Express, Wednesday, 12 February, 2025

Lee,Judy 40 Wallis,Elizabeth 38 C/B

Great Score: Kaye Middlemiss Birdie @4

Sandy Tate Birdie @14Elizabeth Wallis Birdie @14Leanne Donaldson Birdie @4 Nearest to Pin: 4th Leanne Donaldson

14 Sandy Tate Target Hole Prize: Helen Stanlake

Thursday, 06 February 2025 OPEN Medley Stableford

Grade AWinners: Devent, Anton (9) 40

Grade BWinners: Harland, Bob (15) 43

Grade CWinners: Comber,Paul (26) 39

Place Getters: Bassman, Jeffrey 42 Harber,John 40 Carolan, Anthony38C/B Veenman, Laurie 38 C/B Wilkinson, Wally 38 King,Rob 37 Mead, Barry37Ford, Tim 36 Coffin, Phillip 35 C/B Backman, Shane 35 C/B Cropley, Mike 35 C/B Yeomans, Wayne 35 C/B Collings,Dale 35 C/B

Great Score:Darren Morrow (Eagle) @6 Bill Hall (Birdie) @4 Michael Ray(Birdie)@ 4Tim Ford (Birdie) @14Marj Lang (Birdie) @4 BobHarland (Birdie) @4 Anton Devent (Birdie) @14Maurice Papettas(Birdie)@ 14 RobKing (Birdie) @4 Dane Ellwood (Birdie) @14Maurice Papettas(Birdie)@4 PeterGlen (Birdie) @8

Nearest to Pin:4th Bill Hall 8th Shane Williams 14th Anton Devent

Saturday, 08 February 2025 WOMEN'S

SATURDAY OPEN

Grade AWinners:Tate,Sandy (25) 39

Place Getters: Wallis,Elizabeth 38

Great Score: Sandy Tate (Birdie) @8

Elizabeth Wallis (Birdie) @4

Saturday, 08 February 2025 MENS

Stableford

Grade AWinners: Weir,Charles (11) 37 C/B

Grade BWinners: O'Farrell, Kevin(18)42 C/B

Grade CWinners: Wolski, Ted(21) 39 C/B

Place Getters: Stanlake, Peter42

Dunstan, Craig 40 Wilson, Robert39 Buckman, Peter38Rothwell, Craig 37 C/B Collings,Dale 37 Nyko, Steve37C/B Scullin, Aaron37Kerr,Graham 36 C/B

Scullin, Sebastian 36 C/B Johnson, Tony 36 C/B

Great Score: Aaron Scullin (Eagle) @3

LukeVan Der Meulen (Eagle) @5 John

Pisa (Birdie) @8 Anton Devent (Birdie) @ 4Phil Backman (Birdie) @4Gavin Kerr (Birdie) @4 TerryDonnison (Birdie) @8

Nearest to Pin: 4th Phil Backman 8th TerryDonnison 14th Graham Kerr

Bairnsdale 36, Stratford 32 and Rosedale 12. Sale defeated Bairnsdale in the first semi-final 7.17 (59) to 5.13 (43) while Maffra again prevailed over Traralgon for their second win in the second semi-final 7.8 (50) to 6.8 (44).

The Grand Final was set betweenMaffra and Sale but Traralgon as minor premiers could challenge the winner for the ultimate Challenge Final Premiership.

In the final, Maffra defeated Sale 11.6(72) to 8.8 (56), with Maffra going on to meet Traralgon in the Challenge Final.

On awet Saturday afternoon at Sale, Traralgon squeezed out anine-point victory, taking the crown 3.11 (29) to 2.8 (20).

Traralgon’s Tom Standing was the outstanding player on the day, receiving the umpire’s vote. He was ably backed by Lavery, Fogarty, Chenhall, Ryan, Cordy and Johnson.

Maffra’s best were Lanigan (editor’s note: still afamiliar surname in Maffra), May,Fleisher, Sorrell, O’Neill and Trumpf.

In the Cowwarr FL, Cowwarr finished on top of the ladder with 40 points, the same as Traralgon Creek in asix team competition.

Otherteams were Traralgon Seconds, Glengarry, Gormandale and Toongabbie.

Glengarry defeatedTraralgon Creekinthe first final, 14.14 (98) to 2.5 (17), and Cowwarr took out Traralgon Seconds 3.5 (23) to 1.2 (8) in the second.

In the final, Glengarry surprised Cowwarr to take the match 9.4 (58) to 7.9 (51), but Cowwarr as minor premiers had the right to challenge. So,for the second successive week, Cowwarr and Glengarry faced each other in aknock-out final. Cowwarr got the upper hand to win 9.7 (61) to Glengarry’s 5.12 (42).

For Cowwarr, EHawes, RPearce, McGregor, Martin, Sonderman, and Beaton were best, while forGlengarry, Alderson, O’Meara, Brown, Cahill, Edney, Membreyand Keon were best.

In the Morwell-Mirboo FA, which comprised Yinnar, Boolarra, Brown Coal Mine,North Mirboo, Morwell and Yallourn B, Yinnar won one of their many premierships with awin over Brown Coal Mine 4.6 (30) to 4.3 (27).

Horne, Reekie,Bond, Hickson, Bennett,Cray, and Davey were bestplayers for Yinnar, while for BCM, Coulsen, Abbott, Feddis, Laughteu, Whatmore and Parker were the pick of the bunch.

MORWELL

Morwell Golf Club Women 5th February

2025 Stroke- Monthly Medal Sponsor-Top Pub

Medal Winner: DVuillermin 70 nett

DTL: CPeter 70 nett

NTP: 2nd DVuillermin 8th DVuillermin 11th

SKarleusa 15th APollutro

Count Putts: DVuillermin 28 putts

TRAFALGAR

Friday,February 7th 2025, Open Men’s& Ladies Stableford

AGrade Winner: RayWiseman42 pts

BGrade Winner: Nathan Jenkins 39 pts C/B

DTL's: Darryl Blackshaw39, Peter Pankhurst 39, KevinGridley39, Liam Visser 39, Dane Ellwood 38, RobCusworth-Warner 37,Symon Lee 37,Declan Leggo 36, Garry Jansen 35 C/B

Eagle: 7th: Liam Visser

Birdies: 5th: Russell Dent, David Winfield, BarryWatkins,TonyGray, Bob Baldry13th: UweTomski, RayWiseman

Saturday, February8th 2025,Stableford

Agrade Winner: PhilTown43 pts

BGrade Winner: Jordan Chapman 41 pts

CGrade Winner: Akos Kerekes43 pts

DTL’s: GarryJansen 41, Aaron Larkman 40, AnthonyGould 40, MarkHiriart40, Ross Anderson 39, Graeme Ayre 39, Keith Owen 39, Symon Lee 39, Brian Fox 38, Peter Moss 38 C/B

Eagle: 7th: AnthonyGould

NTP’s: 2nd: RexDaly5th:Rex Daly 11th: ShaneBackman 13th:Brian McKenzie 15th: Adrian Jones

Tuesday04/02/2025 -Stableford

Players: 27,Women2,Men 25

Winner: UweTomski (24 c/b)

Runner Up: Sue DeVries (24)

DTL: Keith Owen (23), Tony Pitt (22), Geoff Thomas (22), Glenn Doolan (22), Rod Pollock(21)

NTP: SteveGould (5th)

Mystery3: Sue Devries (10)

Thursday: 06/02/2025 -Strokeand

Monthly Medal

Players: 63, Women 20, Men 43

Womens' Winner: Heather Savige (30)

Runner Up: LynPowell (36)

ScratchWinner: KarenMacGregor (48 c/b)

DTL: Cheryl Toyne (37), Helen Keith (37), JanGriffin (37)

NTP: KarenMacGregor (15th)

Mens' Winner: Max Taylor (30 c/b)

Runner Up: SteveGould (30)

ScratchWinner: SteveKlemke(39 c/b)

DTL: Harold McNair (32), RayWilliams (33), Tony Shearer (33), Russ Balfour (33), Chris Griffin(33), Duane Baker (34), Garry Jansen (34), Graeme Harris (34)

NTP: Ed Hayward(15th)

Par3Event: SteveKlemke, SteveGould, Harold McNair

Wednesday5th FebStroke/Monthly Medal, 18 Hole Stroke/Medal

Medal Winner: Sue Tabuteau (31)with 72 nett

Runner Up: Linda Chapple (29) with 73 nettc/b

ScratchWinner: June Tickell (6) with 85

Putting: Karen MacGregor with 27 putts

DTL: Karen MacGregor with 73, BevKeily and Aileen McNair with 74 and LynPowell with 75 NTP: 5th Aileen McNair 13th June Tickell 9Hole-Stroke Winner: KarenSwingler (31) with 37 nett Runner Up: Olwyn Balfour (40) with 38 nett DTL: JanJansen with 39 nett

YALLOURN

PISTOLS

TRARALGON Mon 27/1/35 Air pistol

BGrade: MTrent 518-57-575. CGrade: VPardini 478-78-556. DGrade: CBenelli

CGrade: GHarvey469-109-578. DGrade: CBenelli 481-87-568. BGoodwin 389-152-541.M Howard 310-173-483. JStringer 308. LMorris 212. Sat 1/2/25 Standardpistol DGrade: CBenelli 469-91-560. HSheils 419-150-569. VPardini 376-152-528. LMorris 339-226-565. RMiller 116.

Worthy: Traralgon Singles Golf Croquet Tournament Section 4winner Greg Pearceand runner-up Christina Alridge (both Traralgon), pictured with Traralgon CroquetClubTreasurer, Lynette Taylor Photograph supplied

Finals secured, relegation avoided

BOWLS STRZELECKI NORTH WEEKEND PENNANT

BY MICHAEL HOLROYD

THE last round of Weekend Pennant prior to finals was important for many teams, with their finals aspirations dependant on results, while for others, the thought of relegation to alower division loomed large.

Division 1

AT Traralgon, the top team faced aWarragulside that had defeated them comfortably earlier in the year, but were now in danger of being relegated. Warragul had no answer to the league leaders, whowon by 64 shots, with Matt Ferrari and his rink of Michael Morgan, Shane Chapman and Nick Turnbull winning 33 to 7. Michael Yacoub won 36-16 and Vin McIlwain 31-9 as Warragul were left wondering how other teams in Division 1were travelling.

NewboroughtravelledtoTrafalgar needing a win to cement their finals place.

Kevin Lovett and his rink of Tony Knipping, Steve Gibcus and Jo-Anne Michaels led 21-0 after 10 ends before winning 29-9, leaving Newborough the winners by four shotsand cementing their place in the four and areturn visit to Trafalgar this Saturday.

Traralgon RSL welcomed Longwarrywho had easilydefeatedthem earlier in theyear.RSL were very close to the bottom of the ladder. Dave Hodson and his rink of Garry Trewin, Rick Lukey and Kevin Durward won 25-12 as the home team won by 20 shots, ensuring they remained in Division 1next season. Longwarry plays at Traralgon this week.

Drouin travelled to Newborough to play Morwell with the hope of winning with aNewborough loss allowingDrouin to play finals whilst Morwell were desperate for awin to get off the bottom of the ladder.

DannyMcKeownand his rink of Alex Monroe, Keith Gadsby and Russell Williams won 33-7 and MoriceGardiner won 34-13 to giveMorwell a36-shot win and another season in Division 1. Warragul are sitting on the bottom of the ladder andlook like beingrelegation to Division2next season.

Division 2

THORPDALE travelled to Neerim District needing awin to remain in Division 2, whilst Neerim District needed awin to jump into the finals.

PeterThroupand his rinkofRay Throup, Jim Fallon and Pat Fraser-Aurisch won 23-16 for the home team,while forthe visitors,Ben Powell won 22-13, leaving Thorpdale agallant five shots behind Neerim District who gained ahome final against Traralgon (2).

Moe won all four rinks against Traralgon (2), with Michael Smogavec and his rink of Janine Williams, LachlanSim and Jayde Leechwinning 33-8in their 42-shot victory as they maintained top spot on the ladder. Traralgon (2) slippedtofourth place and atrip to Neerim District in the finals awaits.

Garfield had a28-shot win at home against Traralgon RSL (2), relieving any pressure aloss and win by Thorpdale would have had on their Division 2status. Shane Oliverand his rink of Graham Burton, Bob Lamportand John O’Shea won 27-18 as Garfield wonall rinks.

Traralgon (3) had agood win at home against Morwell Club,winningbyeightshotsasthe losers

head to asemi-final at Moe this week with agreat deal of improvement needed. Graham Cross won 21-14 and Roger Davey 22-15.

Division 3

BOOLARRA had a32-shot win over Newborough (3),with Dave Stevens and his rink of BruceDavey, JanetNapier and Terry Parker winning 34-8, which ensuredNewborough (3) are relegated due to being on the bottom of the ladder.

Morwell (2) celebrated their return to their home green with a12-shot victory, which dropped Trafalgar (2) to third place on the ladder,with Ian Wilson and his rink of Bill Tumney, Ross Harford and Glenda Thompson winning 33-18.

Drouin (2)had a25-shot win overMoe (2) to advance to fourth place on the ladder and atrip to Trafalgar for the semi-final. Rudy Kerkvliet with his rink of Donald Mowat,Helen Kerkvliet and Wayne Walsh won 26-15.

Newborough (2) had a29-shot win against Yinnar, with Peter Policha and his rink of Chris Wagstaff, Mary Whelan andLen Middlingwinning 29-8 Yinnar droppedout of the four and Newborough(2) advanced to travel to Boolarra for the semi-final.

Division 4

TRARALGON (4) had a22-shot win at Warragul (2) with Norbert Schroeter winning 39-16. Churchill had a35-shot win at Yallourn North, with DavidPatience winning 26-9.Yarragon had a64-shot win against Morwell (3), with Sam Mazza winning 37-9 and Richard Polmear 34-11. Longwarry (2) won all rinks against Neerim District (2), winning by 63 shots and gaining ahome final againstWarragul(2) with Gerald Mitchell winning 35-7.

We’rehere: Finals have arrivedinStrzeleckiNorth bowls. Traralgonhas qualified forfinals,and be aiming to take thefirst step toward back-to-backtitlesthisweekend. File photographs

Division 5

TRARALGON (5) defeated Garfield(2) by 28 shots. Morwell (4) had a30shotwin overYallournNorth (2). Warragul (3) had a14-shot win over Boolarra (2). Trafalgar (3) had a50shot win over Morwell Club (2) and Traralgon RSL (3) had aseven shot win at Drouin (3).

Division 6

DROUIN (4) defeated Longwarry (3)byseven shots, Neerim District (3) defeated Traralgon (6) by 31 shots andMoe (3) defeated Trafalgar (4) by 13 shots. Newborough (4) had the bye.

Division 7

WARRAGUL (4) defeated Traralgon (7), Moe (4) defeatedChurchill (2), and Traralgon RSL (4) drew with Thorpdale (2).

In the Strzelecki North State Triples finals last Wednesday (February 5) Ladies winners were R.Matheson(S)/ J.White/ K.Monroe (Morwell) 16 shots,defeatingP.Trewin(S)/ P.Francis/ E.Swan (Traralgon) 11 shots

Men's winners were J.Scullin(S)/ M.Ferrari/ V.McIlwain (Traralgon) 20 shots, who defeated R.Sizeland(S)/A.Kanavan/ C.Mackintosh (Traralgon RSL) 11 shots

In the State Singles on Sunday,Boolarra's Joelene Laukens plays Karren Sheers (Neerim District) in the final, and for the men Nathan Cook (Trafalgar)plays Jayde Leech(Moe)and James Scullin (Traralgon) plays Nick Turnbull (Traralgon) in the semi-finals.

Memorable: Teamsacross the league’s sevendivisions willbe hoping thereismuch to celebrateduring thefinals series

Morwell Club takes scalponeve of business end

BOWLS

STRZELECKI NORTH

MIDWEEK PENNANT

BY MICHAEL HOLROYD

MIDWEEKpennant bowls continuedinStrzelecki

North playing Area on Tuesday, February 4, with manyteams looking to consolidate positions on the ladder with finals approaching.

 In Division 1,Morwell Club again upset Newborough with an eight-shot victory.

TaraHarleand herrinkofDuncanHanlon, Vaughan Reimers and Lynne Smith won 22 to 16. Warragul had a27shot win at home against ladder leaders Trafalgar, with Margaret Ratcliffe and her rink of Russell Carrick, Bill Clappers and Gary Ingley winning 28-15.

Traralgon RSL won all rinks at home to regain second place on the ladder against Moe, with Phil Mustoe and his rink of Peter Barnes, Elaine Muir and Chris Mackintosh winning 34-9.

Traralgon hadaone-shot win at Drouin with Kathy Smiles and her rink of Dick Glossop, Rosie Lorenz and ShanePriestley winning 17-16 afterthe other two rinks were tied with Traralgon hosting Newborough next week and the sides sitting third and fourth on the ladder with Morwell Club close behind.

 In Division 2, ladder leaders Newborough (2)

had a27-shot loss at Neerim District, who kept in touch with the four with Karren Sheers and her rink of Heather Guppy, Kay Cousins and Chris Hogan winning 35-11.

Trafalgar (2) maintained fourth place with a13shot win over second placed Yinnar, with Rob Matthews and his rink of Carolyn Fox,Col Carmichael and Paul Gridley winning 30-13.

Traralgon (2) won all rinks againstthird team Drouin (2) and Morwell won all rinks against Morwell Club (2), leaving Morwell Club (2) bottom of the ladder trailingTraralgon by one shot and Morwell by two shots with one round to go.

 In Division 3, Churchill defeated Yarragon by 26 shots, Traralgon (3) defeated Drouin (3) by 23 shots and Newborough (3) defeated Morwell (2) by 31 shots.

 In Division 4, Longwarry defeated Morwell (3) by 49 shots, Warragul (2) defeated Traralgon RSL (2) by 18 shots, and Garfield defeated Moe (2) by 27 shots.

 In Division 5,Yallourn North defeated Traralgon (4), Newborough (4) defeated Drouin (4) and Trafalgar (3) defeated Yinnar (2).

 In Division 6,Traralgon (5) defeated Morwell (4), Neerim District (2) defeated Churchill (2) and Warragul (3) defeated Traralgon RSL (3).

Saturday pennant semi finals

STRZELECKI NORTH FINALS SCHEDULE

SEMI FINALS

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY15

Division 1

n Traralgon vs LongwarryatTraralgon

n Trafalgar vs Newborough (Trafalgar)

Division 2

n Moe vs Morwell Club (Moe)

n Neerim District vs Traralgon (2) (Neerim District)

Division 3

n BoolarravsNewborough (Boolarra)

n Trafalgar (2) vs Drouin (2) (Trafalgar)

Division 4

n Longwarry(2) vs Warragul (2) (Longwarry)

n Traralgon (4) vYarragon (Traralgon)

Division 5

n Traralgon RSL(3) vTraralgon (5) (Traralgon RSL)

n Warragul (3) vTrafalgar (3) (Warragul)

Division 6

n Moe (3) vDrouin(4) (Moe) n Newborough (4) vNeerim District (3) (Newborough)

Division 7

n Traralgon RSL(4) vMoe (4) (Traralgon RSL)

n Traralgon (7) vChurchill (2) (Traralgon)

Rules: every effort must be made to complete finals matches even if there is inclement weather or any other reason. If matches are incomplete, Strzelecki Bowls Region will make adecision regarding completing the unfinishedgames. The 60/45/30 end rule does not apply for finals, neither does the time limit rule.

Strange range of results after Day2

Express: Former SriLankanTest bowler NuwanPradeep helped Centrals to areverse outright win with threesecond innings wickets Photograph supplied

A ROUND 12 (DAY 2)

CENTRALS 1STINNINGS

CPollardbB Rivers ................................................................................0

JLittleton bR Webber...........................................................................9

BWilliamson bR Webber 22

THourigan lbwR Webber .........................................................3 MRawson lbwR

SATURDAY,FEBRUARY8

CRICKET

CLVPREMIER A BY LIAM DURKIN

DEFENCE proved harder to beat than the rain in some instances on Day 2ofRound 12 in Cricket Latrobe Valley.

Outrights,draws,and evenareverse outright and a‘winning draw’ made for something of a strange day, as not asinglefirst innings victory was recorded.

 MOE kept its finals hopes alive with an outright victory over CATS.

The Lions resumedinacommanding position, having already won on first innings, and established alead of 190 by the time CATS batted again on their home turf.

After being knocked over for 64 in their first dig, theteam from Traralgon South at least doubled that effort second time around, but it still wasn’t enough to force Moe to bat again.

Ben Hagley chipped in with 25 down the order, while three other players who made scores in the 20s would have been disappointed to get out once set.

Keenan Hughes secured10wickets forthe match, taking 4/58, working alongside newball partner Clinton Taylor, who returned saintly figures of 4/39.

The Lions took 10 points for their innings win, moving them to fifth and just two points adrift of fourth-placed Centrals.

The Lions of Moe would havedisplaced their Traralgon Lion counterparts if Raiders could bat.

 CENTRALS won reverse outright at Yinnar Turf, amid aprettyconfusing game all round.

Having seemingly done enough to at least ‘win’ the game on Day 1, Raiders resumed at 0/14 and with alead of 73.

They added only another 44 runs to the total, and were inexplicitly shot out for just 58, as Centrals’ three pronged pace attack did the damage.

Marc Fenech took 4/28, Nuwan Pradeep 3/10 and Tyron Gamage 3/18.

The bowlers had done their job, now it was up to the batters, and they deliveredfor the Lions, losing just four wickets on the run to victory.

Jake Littleton (42) and Corey Pollard (31) set

CRICKETLATROBEVALLEY

TOTAL 10 wickets for56(24.3 overs) RAIDERS1ST INNINGS BOWLING

7.3-0-22-3,

BMacfarlane bNPradeep 16

cL Speairs bMFenech 6 TRobertson cJLittleton bNPradeep ............................................0 LMaynardcB Williamson bNPradeep..........................................9 HMcColllbw MFenech........................................................................0

BRiverscNPradeep bT Gamage.....................................................8

RWebber bT Gamage 14

JDaddo bMFenech..............................................................................1

THutchinson cT Hourigan bT Gamage.........................................1

GCheshirenot out.................................................................................1

Sundries (2b 0lb 0w 0nb) 2

TOTAL 10 wicketsfor 58 (27.5 overs)

CENTRALS 2NDINNINGS BOWLING

NPradeep 7-2-10-3, TGamage7.5-3-18-3, MFenech 13-428-4 CENTRALS 2NDINNINGS

CPollardcJ Daddo bR Webber 31

JLittleton cD Stares bR Webber 42

BWilliamson bB Rivers.........................................................................3

THourigan not out 17

MRawson cJ Daddo bT Robertson 29

LSpeairs not out.....................................................................................6

Sundries (0b 6lb 0w 0nb) 6

TOTAL4 wickets for134 (44.4 overs) RAIDERS 2NDINNINGS BOWLING

HMcColl8.4-2-30-0, TRobertson 14-3-45-1, RWebber 11-331-2, BRivers 11-3-22-1 MOE DEF CATS OUTRIGHT at TraralgonSouth Recreation Reserve CATS 1STINNINGS

OPalmer lbwK Hughes ..................................................................0

JCochrane cB BlandfordbK Hughes .........2

NHarrupcL Smith bC Taylor.............................................................3

EPorigneaux bKHughes....................................................................3

TPanyangara bLSmith 27

JMoorelbw KHughes. ................................................................2

PMcGill bL Smith. ...........................................................................2

BHagley bK Hughes. 10

CMcDonald lbwLSmith .....................................................................4

HCooper bK Hughes............................................................................0

EPassnot out...........................................................................................6

Sundries (1b 4lb 0w 0nb) 5

TOTAL 10 wickets for64(29.1 overs) MOE 1STINNINGS BOWLING

KHughes 15-2-38-6, LSmith 7.1-5-3-3, CTaylor 7-1-18-1 MOE 1STINNINGS

RPhoenix lbwE Pass 17

LSmith lbwJ Moore..............................................................................0

APhilipb JMoore. 55

BZomer cN/A bBHagley 42

ESheekey cJ Cochrane bBHagley 12

KHughes not out 100

NKane not out 24

Sundries (0b 2lb 1w 1nb) 4

TOTAL5 wickets for254 (39 overs) CATS 1STINNINGS BOWLING

EPass2-0-26-1, HCooper 1-0-8-0, JCochrane 2-0-20-0,B Hagley 11-3-45-2, PMcGill 8-0-55-0, JMoore 9-0-63-2, T

Panyangara6-2-35-0 CATS 2NDINNINGS

OPalmercJShields bC Taylor 20

JCochrane bC Taylor 16

JMoore cRPhoenix bK Hughes .........0

EPorigneaux cRRitvik bC Taylor 12

NHarrupbK Hughes 20

TPanyangara cKHughes bC Taylor. 22

thingsupwith astrongopeningpartnership, paving the wayfor Mark Rawson to come in andmake 29 off 41 balls.

Rob Webber took 2/31 for Raiders.

Raiders at least got off the bottom of the ladder (swapping place with CATS), after taking sixpoints for afirst innings win, but it could be too little too late as far as relegation is concerned.

 WHAT areyou prepared to do not to get relegated? Make a30ballglobe? Or how about 13 not out off 56 rocks?

Ex Studentsgot some tasteoftheir own medicine from last season’s semi-final block-a-thon, after Toongabbie batted the best part of 50 overs to force adraw on Day 2.

The Rams decided 350 was too much to chaseeven at Terry Hunter Oval, and so set about doing theirbest impression of Rahul Dravid.

Toongabbie stalwart Rob Wheildon achieved ‘mad respect’ status from at leastone local cricketer known to fancy front dog defence, batting all day for 44 not out off 146 balls.

The situation wasn’t enoughtoforce Amal Athulathmudali into his shell, as he still clubbed 76 off 65 balls, sending three over the fence.

Splitting the points meant Toongabbie are now four points clear in sixth, which could be enough to keep them in Premier A, provided they defeat Raiders next round.

Can we foresee achange in two day rules next season...

 STEVE McQueen would have been proud of that.

Morwell pulled off their own great escape, with the match at Keegan Street abandoned after the Tigers were eightdown and heading for certain defeat.

Chasing 247 againstGlengarry, semi-regular wickets stifled any momentum. Tim Ford (42 not out) and Fayaz Homyoon (27) were the only ones really able to make much of an impression. Whoever did the rain dance for Morwell maywell be thanked come finals time, as theTigers remain in with ashot of securing ahome final. Wickets were shared in the Magpies camp, with Cam Graham, Max Merton, BrandonMayberyy and Nathan Allen all taking multiples.

SGissarabL Smith.................................................................................7 CStewartcA Philip bK Hughes

EPass not out...........................................................................................0

Sundries (4b 1lb 0w 0nb) 5

TOTAL10wickets for148 (53.1 overs) MOE 2NDINNINGS BOWLING RPhoenix 4-1-8-1, KHughes 23.1-6-58-4, LSmith 9-3-26-1, J Shields 4-1-12-0, CTaylor 13-4-39-4 EX STUDENTSDREWTOONGABBIE at

ABrady not out

Sundries (9b 14lb 1w 2nb) 26

TOTAL5wickets for346 (86 overs) TOONGABBIE 1STINNINGS BOWLING

AAthulathmudali 22-5-57-1, DBarry 4-0-15-1, RWheildon 4-0-14-0, KStoddart10-1-47-0,S Moran 8-1-41-0, MBarry 5-0-39-0, GMunasinghe 27-6-94-2, SRyan6-2-16-0 TOONGABBIE 1STINNINGS BATTING DBarry cLStockdale bA Matthews................................................0 RWheildonnot out

3-1-5-0, LStockdale 8-2-39-0, MHarris6-4-12-0, JPryde 15-5-39-1, AMatthews5-1-14-1, ABrady 11-5-23-0, MDyke 1-0-4-0

CRICKET LATROBEVALLEY LOWER GRADE SCORES

Premier B(Round 14, Day2): Ex Students 5def 303 (H Canny111, CPotalej 111, NFarley 3/79, MCooper 2/60) def Toongabbie 105 (Z Bastin 3/26, JZappulla 2/1, DChurchill 2/10), Thorpdale 208 (Z O’Connell 55*, MGraeme 38, K O’Connell 36*, BReside 4/57, NDay 2/28) def Morwell 113 (R Semmler 29, ZO’Connell 4/18, KO’Connell 3/37, MPowell 2/20) &3/151 (R Semmler 51, HStockdale 46*, SGniel 34*), Mirboo North 5dec 333 (A Scicluna 121, RKing 43, C Schellekens 42, MDaly 40, BLever-Makin 2/55) def Traralgon West 82 (B Howe 26,RHughes 6/37, GWalker4/43) &6/254 (C Glynn94, SVarsaci 51*, SCooke 37, TBasarke 2/52), Glengarry0/72 (P Henry36*, ANewton 31*) drew CATS 334 (R Hare171, THagley 42, CWilkerson 32, JBellingham 32, G Waack-Hawkins 4/46, DCochrane 2/56).

BGrade (Round 17): Centrals 7/193 (D Rode 75,SGray53, SSandhu 3/39, JBerryman-Lambert2/42) def Raiders 107 (A Joshy38, HRai 27, BOuld 3/9, JDowns 2/36), Latrobe 8/126 (G Hebbard44, JMooney 26, SDawson 4/29, MFailla 2/31) def WillowGrove 124 (S Dawson 36, PGrima 25, KHebbard

5/20, MLawrence2/6, AAntony2/20), Imperials 3/83 (J Anderson 36) defGormandale 82 (P Shrubb 34, DLoots 4/15, BSizeland 2/0), Moe5/234 (K Micallef 52, JAtkinson 50, JPheeney 28) drew Rovers DNB Premier C(Round 13): Imperials 8/218 (R Martin 78, A Smith 33, LSykes 31, NFindlay2/28, DBrain 2/36) def Rovers 77 (R O’Donnell 25, DMorris5/21, PDunstan2/14), Moe3/109 (R Straughair 42, RSemmens 23) def Morwell 9/108(TKey 26*, DBiggins 4/35, SPalmer 2/24), Toongabbie 5/213 (G McIllroy 105, JWall 27*, DMillington 2/32) def Ex Students 6/212 (S Thomson 69, PHennessy 45, DMillington 33, BHood 2/44), Glengarry7/112 (J Ponnattu John 27, L Gibbons 4/35, HPettie 2/21) def Centrals 111 (A Foley53, MCochrane 3/42, DRoulston 2/9, RRouse 2/12), Mirboo North -bye.

CGrade (Round 13): Latrobe 0/82 (D Mcdougall 41*, R Borlase37*) def Gormandale 9/79 (R Borlase5/13), Rawson 0/32 def Imperials 28 (J Wiseman 4/7, BBrouwer 2/4, M Metcalfe2/8, MWilliams 2/8), Jeeralang-Boolarra 3/152 (E Stanton 69, NSpark 44*) def Raiders 85 (C Stanton5/13, A

Baker 2/16), WillowGrove vs Churchill (no scores entered), Traralgon West -bye.

THURSDAY,FEBRUARY 6

Women’s Premier (Round 14): Churchill 6/66 (D Cole 25, T Anderson 2/13, MDuncan 2/14) def Latrobe 4/64, Imperials 0/98 (R Reid 31*, KMorley 30*, AMurtagh 29*) def Willow Grove3/78 (K Wheildon23*, Rvan derStoep 18, KMann 17), Raiders 2/53 (Z Quinsey-Munro28*, KDownes2/24) def Centrals 5/51 (S Blines 2/12)

Women’s Championship (Round 14): WillowGrove 2/65 (H Ferguson 23*) def Rovers 4/64 (S Brown22*), Ex Students 3/89 (R Adams 30*) def Raiders 5/79 (D King 30*, LRichards 2/14), Mirboo North 2/82 (K Collins 30*) def Morwell 4/77 (N Freeman 31)

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY7

Under 16s (Round 10, Day2): WillowGrove 136 (D Walsh 43, LDart20*, WFrankland 2/8, CBoys2/15) def Morwell/ Latrobe 54, Ex Students7/241 (R Conway 51*, MCropley 40, LHenry 36, KHart-Theissling 34*,KMicallef 3/17)def

Moe9/73 (K Micallef 24, MCropley 3/14, FGraham 2/11, L Bastin 2/13), Toongabbie 6/270 (B Cooper 51*, TYoung 50*, XHurley 33, MMayman 23, KPritchett 23*, TDonoghue 22, SDarby2/15) def Raiders 79 (A Ceeney 31, JWall3/8, MMayman 3/9, JHazelman 2/19),Gormandale/Rovers vs Centrals (no scoresentered), Glengarry-bye. Under 14 girls (Round 5): WillowGrove 0/60 (R van der Stoep 16*, LBlackshaw13*) def ExStudents 6/59 (R van der Stoep 2/7), Traralgon West 6/76 (A Hodson 19, CStockdale 3/10,G Cukier 2/8) def Raiders 2/73 (A Hodson 2/6). WEDNESDAY,FEBRUARY 5

Under 14s(Round 9, Day1): Moe 5/49 (K Morrison2/7, JPoursanidis 2/8)vsCentrals 9/70 (E Dissanayake 19*, A Nardone 2/3), Morwell 4/63 (W Frankland 17*, RTeagle 2/13) vs Mirboo North 2/127(JCalafiore 50*, LChila 29*), Ex Students 4/123 (B Cooper 52*, TChurchill 50*, NSallee 2/8, JGrima 2/18) vs WillowGrove 3/93 (N Sallee 48*), Gormandale/Rovers vs Jeeralang-Boolarra, Latrobe -bye.

Rovers step closer to finals

CRICKET

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

IT may be apparent who’s destined to be promoted to Cricket Latrobe Valley Premier Abyseason’s end.

However,teams coming frombelow can still offer afight against Churchill, particularly from Imperials and potentially Rovers.

 AFTER declaring for 189 at Jack Canavan, the top-placed Cobras gave bottom-ranked Traralgon West a chance to redeem themselves after being bowled out for 124 in their first innings.

While theEagles made it past the target, they stillended their secondinnings with an average take of 110.

Josh Monacella madeanunbeaten49but wasn’t supported muchbyany other.Chris Williamstook 4/28 and Stephen Warr 3/21.

Chasing 45, it took lessthan five overs to take Churchill across the line to an outright.

John Keighran made 32 not out to lead the way.

 MAKING acomfortable 206 in their first innings, Rovers look set to etch closer to Imperials over the next four weeks with awin over Willow Grove.

At Joe Tabuteau (Moe Racecourse), the Wolves began their chase with Kyan Mulley making asolid 48, which was followed by Nathan Wheildon (29), LukePayton and captain Josh Hammond(both20)

However, the back of the order were stopped in theirtracks and Willow Grove wereultimately done for 145.

Simon Duff starred for Rovers, taking 5/37 and Ewan Williams 3/22.

 GETTING through to stumps making 205, Mirboo North gained confidence against Latrobe at Mirboo North Turf.

The Sharks then push forward and began their

run -but couldn’t get any traction across Day 2.

Captain Steven Freshwater (38) did his best but was left bereft of much support.

Will Lawreytook 3/27 and Dale Banks 3/8 to help

bowl Latrobe out for 110.

 IMPERIALS continued on their merry way, easily surpassing Gormandale at Stoddart Oval.

Imperials already pasttheir target on Day 1, but bumped up to 186 for a90-rundifference against their opponent.

Nick Bulcockmade49followed by James Skingle (39) and captain Ryan Morley (35).

Lasting most of Day 2, Imperials handed the reigns back to the Tigers with little left in the day, with them only making 2/19 in their second innings before the match was over.

Imperials however, still trail Churchill by four games with just two matchesremaining before finals.

Fitting reward for workhorse bowler

DURKIN

CRICKET has an unexplainable way of working out sometimes.

After acareer plagued by countless play-andmisses,Trafalgar Cricket Club seamer Jackson Noonan was rewarded with afive wicket haul on Day 1ofhis 200th senior game at the weekend. Noonan finished withfigures of 5/62playing against Western Park in Division 1ofthe Warragul District Cricket Association.

Somewhat fittingly, his haul was taken across multiple spells, in keeping with the sheer number of overs he has bowled during anear 15-year career.

To top it off, it was also his 150th match for the First XI, which he celebrated at his home ground with family watching on.

Irish international Gavin Roulston (who has played in the under 19 World Cup) was among his wickets.

Noonan is second on the Ships’ all time wicket aggregate with more than 250 scalps,most of which have come at First XI level.

Provided he keeps playing, the 30-year-old will likely surpassclublegend Craig ‘Olly’Nielsen’s mark of 374.

During his time, Noonan has played in two First

XI premierships (2014/15, 2019/20), and an All Gippsland One Day flag (2010). Both local flags werewon when the Shipswere affiliated with Cricket Latrobe Valley (2010/11 to 2022/23).

He was senior coach in 2019/20, aseason that produced two premierships (First XI and Third XI), and he has held additional roles of selector and in First XI leadership, captaining the side on occasions.

Club awards include a First XI best-and-fairest (2012/13), and three consecutive bowling aggregates (2020/21-2022/23).

His best bowling is 6/38 and high score 86.

Ever the team man, he has opened the batting in finals, and played enterprisingknocksasa pinch-hitter in one dayers.

This team-first approach has extended off the field,where he hasserved on the committee, mainly taking care of merchandise.

He has also taken his skills overseas, playing in the UK, while he still holds the record for most wickets in asenior GCL season.

What aman: Trafalgar CricketClub bowler

Jackson Noonancelebrated his 200thgame with afivefa.

Photograph: Liam Durkin

DWilliams cN/A bN Wheildon

Haveyou seen Kooka Cup?

CRICKET GCL

BY LIAM DURKIN

EX STUDENTS’ bidtobecrownedchampions of Gippslandwas thwarted in the Kookaburra Cup at the weekend.

Taking on Warragul-based Western Park, the Sharks lost the twenty20 fixture in alow scoring game at Terry Hunter Oval. Bowling first, the home side kept the visitors to 8/94, of which52was made by Irish international Gavin Roulston. Roulston, who played at the last under 19 World Cup, played abusy hand off 58 balls.

Spinners Lee Stockdale and Jimmy Pryde took three wickets each for Ex Students.

Much like the recent Cricket Latrobe Valley T20 final, batting was problematic at Terry Hunter, and the Sharks wereknocked over for 75 in the penultimate over.

Michael Stockdale (who was unfortunately dismissed for 98 the day before after resuming on 97 overnight), made 17. Roulston took 3/13 to be named player of the match.

YoungsterJackWalsh took 3/16, while skipper Sam Batson grabbed 2/11.

The Kookabuura Cup is played for between the two highest ranking one day teams across Gippsland fromthe previous season.

The Gippsland Cricket Leagueiscurrently searching for the Kookabuura Cup perpetual trophy. If anyone knows of its whereabouts, email sec.gippscricket@gmail.com

Also missing is the under 16 player of the year trophy, named after Bairnsdale great Murray Frew, who coached Bairnsdale Football-Netball Clubtotheir last Gippsland League premiership in 1981.

ReigningFremantlebest-and-fairest Caleb Serong (from Warragul) won the award in season 2016/17.

The winning Western Park team was: Sam Batson, Sanjaya Gangodawila, GregMunro, Gavin Roulston,JackArmour, ZaneHarper, Ben Clarke, Jason Croft, Tyler McDonald, JackBarnes, Jack Walsh and Matt Roberts Munropreviously playedinCricket Latrobe Valley.

Roberts has signedwith Moe FootballNetball Club this season.

The Sharks were perhaps disadvantaged facing ateam from Warragul District in a glorified slogging competition given there are supposedlynothing but hard deck hacks in that league.

ABloomfield 44

LChila lbwS Wilson 24

MWoodall cN/A bSFreshwater ..0

BAitken cN/A bS Hanning 15

DBanks cC Mackay bS Wilson 12

AThomas notout...................................................................................9

WLawreybS Wilson. .................0 Sundries (2b 1lb 1w 6nb) 10 TOTAL 10 wicketsfor 205 (84.4 overs) LATROBE 1STINNINGS BOWLING

CFreshwater 7-1-14-0,A Bloomfield8-3-13-1, SFreshwater

7-2-9-2, JBloomfield 10-1-47-0, SWilson 10.4-1-33-3, SRasool 11-3-25-1, SHanning 17-4-35-3, CMackay14-6-26-0 LATROBE 1STINNINGS SWilson lbwA Thomas ...............................................................8

CFreshwater cZ Hollisb WLawrey. 0

SRasool lbwA Thomas.........................................................................1

ABloomfield cBHeath bW Lawrey ....9

JColtman cC Anders bM Woodall 17

RChokununga bW Lawrey.................................................................1

SFreshwater cB Aitken bDBanks 38

JBloomfield cZ Hollis bM Woodall.................................................8

SHanning bD Banks.............................................................................0

LDuncan not out....................................................................................9

CMackay st CAndersb DBanks ....0

Sundries (6b 4lb1w 8nb) 19

TOTAL10wickets for110 (43.2 overs) MIRBOO NORTH 1STINNINGS BOWLING

ZHollis 7-3-16-0, IAllan 5-0-18-0, WLawrey11-1-27-3, D Banks 3.2-1-8-3, MWoodall 5-2-15-2, AThomas

JHammond4-1-16-2, DWalsh 13-2-61-0, L Cumiskey 8-3-10-0, BEdebohls17-4-35-0, NWheildon 14.1-3-

20

JHammond cN/A bS Duff 20 NWheildonb SDuff 29

NSallee cE Williams bNSingh 10

DWalsh c&b SDuff.................................................................................0

LCumiskey cL Little bE Williams .....................................................3

AWilkes

Gippsland Showcase: ashining light

NETBALL BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

ALL levels of netball wereondisplayatTraralgon’s

Gippsland Regional Sports Stadium (GRISS) at theweekend, with Netball Victoria’s Gippsland Showcase catering to the wider regional sports community.

Beginning on Saturday, recentSuncorp Super Netball franchise Melbourne Mavericks travelled down to run ajunior clinic with around 80 enthusiastic, young netball lovers before diving into an open two-hour training session.

Across bothSaturday and Sunday, exhibition matchesfeatured at GRISS from both VNL (Victorian Netball League) and state level with the likes of the Gippsland Stars, Casey Demons, Peninsula Waves,Victoria and SouthAustralia stateteams and New Zealand’s Waikato Bay of Plenty on display.

The headline of the second day of the showcase was local supporters getting their first look at the Gippsland Stars Championship team,who featured in practice matches againstWaikato Bay of Plenty (NZ) and Peninsula Waves.

Netball Victoria’s From the Sidelines coaching workshop randuring the Mavericksopen training session by experienced netball coach and former England national coach Sue Hawkins,and was well represented by local, thriving and up-and-coming Gippsland coaches seeking further knowledge.

Melbourne MavericksstarcentreMolly Jovic spoke of the amazing opportunity for the recent start-up club to forge arelationship with the local region, as well as offer agreat preseason trip for squad.

“It’s been great to head down (here) to Gippsland and mingle with the community -anytime we can get away with our group is great bonding for the team,” she said.

“We’re in the second year of our club, so (it’s) prettyimportanttofill abase of members and that comes from the community, seeingnetballers come up through the grassrootsisreallyimportant to us as an elite netball club… it’s just about giving back abit.”

Melbourne Mavericks Head Coach, Tracey Neville relished the chance to showcase her team to regional fans.

“It’s been really enjoyable, Ithink this is agreat opportunity for the Mavericks to go out into regional Victoria and really integrate and engage with the wider community, and they’ve been so welcoming to us,” she said.

“The regional areas are really important for us, Ithink engagement of fans has been really akey builder for us over the last two seasonsand for them to start to get little pods of the Mavericks here, people to look up to as role models and see the team. Ithink that’s really important with the young girlshereisthat they get to see where they’re going to be inspiring to as netballers and Ithink

Footy features in the works

FOOTBALL

By LIAM DURKIN

THISyearmarks the anniversaries of a number of significant local football events.

It is 20 yearssince Traralgon pulled off surely the greatest grand final upset in Gippsland League history, and also 20 since Morwell East did similar in Mid Gippsland.

Rosedalewill celebrate 10 years since its senior football and AGrade netball side won theNorth Gippy flag -surely the pinnacle as farasachievements go for any 'football and netball' club.

The senior Blues team featured current WestCoast coach and Traralgonboy Andrew McQualter.

This year also marks adecade since Yallourn Yallourn North's revival -agreat storyin itself. The now Jets, previouslyBombers, wentfrombottom to top(of the ladder)in 2015, and have hardly looked back since.

The Express is intending to revisit these stories during the upcoming season.

Further abroad, it is 20 yearssince Wonthaggi Blues and Wonthaggi Rovers merged to form Wonthaggi Power. By allaccounts, therewasn't abiggerrivalry thanthat between the Blues andRoverstheir matches built up for some three weeks beforehand down south.

Fierce East Gippsland rivals Orbost and Snowy Rovers had put their differences aside acouple of years earlier,merging into one entity. How much things have changed.

Wonthaggi is smaller than Leongatha and had two teams; Orbost is smaller than Yarragon and had two clubs.

Championship side

that any weekend that has lots of netball, lots of fun is agreat weekend.”

That was one of the central purposes of the showcase, beingtoenhanceyoung, local netballers understanding of the possibilities that can be had at the top of the sport by putting it right in front of them.

One for them to look to would have to be former Moe netballer Montana Holmes, who is acurrent training partner with Melbourne Mavericks and current VNL Championship player for City West Falcons.

That also lends to the fantastic avenues Gippsland Stars now offersfor junior players, with their 17 & Under and 19 &Under sidesfeaturing prominently this year.

Both Jovic and Neville loved being able to see the lower ranks of netball that featured throughout the weekend, and watchthe thrivingyoung players that will grow in years to come.

Neville is aformer England national team player

and head coach who has won Commonwealth Games bronze and gold medals, and is the sister of former English footballers Gary and Phil Neville.

Following their training, the Super Netball side ventured to neighbouring Traralgon facility GRAC (GippslandRegional Aquatic Centre) for gym work and recovery before heading back to the city.

Netball Victoria is holding more regional events like this in the future with Melbourne Vixens travellingtoBallarat and Bendigo in thecoming weeks, but Netball Victoria Eastern RegionDevelopment Manager, Judi Buhagiar said the Mavericks were always set on Gippsland.

“The Mavericks were really keen to come down here… it’s really important for us at Netball Victoria to expose netball as much as we can,” she said.

“Itworked quitewell together Ifelt… our core businessisnetballand the growthofnetball, if you’re going to help us growbusiness and grow participation it doesn’t matter what colour uniform you wear.”

Talking about Gippsland Stars in the second yearoftheir existence,Netball Victoriacouldn’t be prouder of the growthofthe clubwho have expanded to four teams for 2025 from 17 &Under to Championship level.

“It’s such an exciting year for them, seeing their Championship team hit the court for the first time and Ithink they did extremely well… we also saw their 23 &Under teamplay,and theyhad anervous start last year Isuppose, but they went out there with so much confidence… to be able to see the difference was amazing,” Buhagiar said.

“They belong to Gippsland… they are aproduct of Gippsland and Ithink it’s really important for thecommunitytoget behindthem(because) we really want them to get that interest and they’re doing agreat job at it too.”

NetballVictoria is aiming to run more initiatives in the Gippsland region involving local leagues and associations in the coming months.

Sports briefs

CONSIDERATIONS

ABOUT that time of the cricket season where selection regardingfinals eligibilitycomes intoplay.

While ideally clubs would prefer all their teams to be playing finals, it is not always possible. What is possible however is strengthening one grade’schances come finals time.

As the home-and-away season draws to an end, fringe players might find themselves in the lower grade to make sure they don't run the risk of being ineligible.

For clubs that have multiple teams in finals, the rule governingeligibility in thelower gradedoes not take effect, unless the higher grade is eliminated. However, thereisnorulestopping bringing players up -sothere could yet be some curveballs.

Could Paul Henry for instance come into the Glengarry line-up for Premier Afinals?

The Magpiesmay or may not play finals in Premier B, but definitelywill in Premier A, and Henry has been making loads of runs.

Loopholes exist in local sporting bylaws that often permit gun players to come in for finals.

Irving Mosquito'slastgame before beingdrafted was for Maffra's reservesinthe 2018 Gippsland League Grand Final.

As he was still ajunior,and his Gippsland Power season was done, he could come 'up' agrade

SPORTS COMBINED

JUST when you thought you'd seen it all in local cricket.

Using cones as boundary markers in club cricket is nothing new, nor is the home sidesneakily bringingthem in or pushing them back furtheronDay 2.

One Gippsland club however made sure to check thoroughly at the weekend, using arangefinder to measurethe distance.

Irecall rocking up to Day 2for agame in Traralgon and finding the cones literally taken beyond alight tower.

In fairness, flocks of birds were later seen picking them up.

SHIFTING GOALPOSTS

THE local soccer season begins next month.

It is shaping as adifferent looking Latrobe Valley SoccerLeague, at least by the number of senior men's teams.

While fixtures haven't been formally released, theleague willbeminus at least one side, with Fortuna heading to the state league.

The Express understands up to three clubs might not field seniormen's teams, while Pegasus remains in recess.

If that is the case, the LVSL will drop from 10

to seven teams -the lowest for quite some time. Falcons havewon two of the last three titles, and with Fortuna(runner-up last season) gone and Moe (third) reportedly weaker, they could be looking for anew challenger.

NAMESAKE

WOODSIDE Football-Netball Club might have a new Number 1ticketholder.

The chief executive of Woodside Energy, Meg O'Neill addressed aminingconference in Melbourne last week.

Upon learning that she was an avid football fan (following Fremantle),Icouldn't pass on the opportunity to inform her that ateamcarrying the same name as her company was the reigning North Gippsland Football-Netball League premier. O'Neill was rather chuffed, and her staffer asked for ascreenshotofthe PlayHQ scores from last year's senior grand final between Woodside and TTU.

O'Neill was one of the country's highest-earning chief executivesin2023,earning close to $7 million. Saying this very tongue in cheek, there are probably some who think that amount of money has exchanged hands at the Wildcats over the last fewyears

Go time: Gippsland StarsChampionshipsquad showed out in their first appearance on the court, withlocal guns likeMorwell’sDaisyHill getting to represent the region in thetop level. Photograph: BlakeMetcalf-Holt

Meet and greet: Local netball fans got up close withMavericks players such as goalkeeper Olivia Lewis during their junior clinic and signing session. Photograph: BlakeMetcalf-Holt

Growth: In theirsecond year,all four GippslandStars teamswereondisplay at theNetball Victoria Gippsland Showcase,including the new

Photograph supplied

with Liam Durkin

Locals shine at state level

SWIMMING

TRARALGON Swimming Club competed at the two most recent state based competitions across December and Januarywith some fantastic results.

In Decemberthe team competed at the Victorian State Age Championships, where swimmers won nine gold, seven silver, and 13 bronze medals over the five day competition. Traralgon was second in everycategory behind Geelong in countryand seventh overall for clubs in Victoria -the 25th year in succession Traralgon has finished in the top 10 in this category -amightyand enduring achievement.

In January, the club then competed in the Victorian Sprint Championships -atwo day feast of 50 metre events for all ages with heats on Day 1and finals on Day 2.

Again, agreat result was achieved with six gold, 13 silver and one bronze medal at State level.

In summarising the two outstanding meets, Traralgon Swimming ClubSenior Head Coach, Brian Ford was full of praise for the team.

“We ha ve at hem ei nt he club, 'T eam Traralgon -Built by Parents, Driven by Coaches, Powered by Swimmers'. There is no doubt the combination of these three important groups in the club worked together to produce thesewonderfulresults," he said.

"A fantastic achievement which we are all proud of.”

Traralgon Swimming Club now sets its sights on the Victorian Country Championshipsto be heldinMildura, where its 78 swimmers will be up against the bestofthe best from Country Victoria.

Victorian State Age Championships

Number of Traralgon swimmers: 39 Finalists (top 10 finishes): 73

Individual medals: Lochie Bellion (16-years-old); four gold, twosilver, threebronze; Kody Said (15) three gold; Milla Said (13) one gold, one silver; Brody Cargill(15)one gold, one silver; Kayla Wilson (18) one silver, one bronze; Jayden Tran (12) one silver; Ash Nicholes (17) four bronze; Archer Marsland (14) twobronze; Jess Whiting (14) one bronze; Zayden Bur ton(15)one bronze; Isabella Slocombe (15) six finals; Kayla Pratt(17) twofinals; Olivia Baillie (17) twofinals; Phoebe Balcombe (14) twofinals; Chloe Szkwarek (13) twofinals; BaileyHeafield (13) one final; Kaiden Warne(12)one final.

Records: Kody Said: Open Out of Gippsland: 800 metreFree-8.47.05 (previous Josh Dwyer [Traralgon] 8.57.73 in 2022); 1500m Free16.58.23 (previous best Josh Dwyer -17.08.24 -2022)

Victorian Sprint Championships

Number of swimmers: 42

Top10finishes: 36

SWIMMING BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

AS partofthe AustraliaDay honours,Traralgon Paralympian Emily Beecroft was recognised with an OAM for her performance at the 2024 Paris Games.

The swimmer took home agold medal as amember of the 34 Points Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay team, and bronze in theS9100mButterfly

The buzz of the followingmonthssince herwinningest year had her forgetting she’d be an OAM recipient.

Every gold medallist across the Olympics, Paralympicsand Commonwealth Games receives the honour followingthe respective yearof competition

“It wasnever really in my mind because Inever reallythoughtIwould be able to achievesomething like that and Isuppose Ididn’t think of it until I got notifieda coupleofweeksago,” Beecroft told the Express

“It’sjustreally, really special and Idon’t think it’s really sunkinyet, Idon’t thinkitever will. Idon’t think I’ll ever reallyremember that my name (now) is EmilyBeecroft OAM, it’s not somethingyou really everthink about.

“(It) just goes to showall of thehard work not only I’ve put into my career but everyone around me (has) andI’m blessed to have the best support team in the world and Ihope thatmysupport team realisesthat this recognition is not just for me but for them as well.”

Competing in the mixed relayfinal, Beecroft swam third of the four Australians on the night, finishing with the fastest 50m split up until teammate Alexa Leary took it home, coming back from seven seconds off pace.

Beecroftand Learywere joined by JesseAungles and Timothy Hodge,withKeira Stephens and Callum Simpsonsupportinginpriorrounds

“It wassuchanamazing team to be apart of and Ifeel so honouredthatIgot the opportunitytobe in that relay and to be in suchaphenomenal team and be with suchworld classathletes,” Beecroftsaid.

Exceptional: Four-time Paralympicmedallist, Traralgon’sEmilyBeecroft received an OAM during theAustralia Dayhonours. Photograph supplied

“It was such asurreal feeling, it’sdefinitely acore memory in my brain fromnow on “I always think about getting out of the pool after my butterfly leg and watching Alexa finish the last 25 (metres) and actually realising that we could get the gold medal is just an insane feeling and somethingI neverexpected.”

Pariswas Beecroft’s third Paralympic venture, meaningshe had quitethe experience beforehand, which had already seen success with asilvermedal in the 34 Points4x100m FreestyleRelay and bronze in the 34 Points 4x100m Medley Relayatthe 2020 Tokyo Games(playedin2021due to COVID-19)

Reflecting on her elevated performance post-Paris, Beecroft felt adistinct differencebefore and after which coincided withachange of scenery

Threeyears ago, shepacked herbagsand moved

from little ol' Traralgon to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland,bothfor studypurposes and to better herselfincompetition.

“Even though it was my third games, Ifeel like I’ve almost had two separate parts of my career,” Beecroft said.

“The firsttwo Paralympics were almostlike… gettingused to thewhole international racing and just tryingtofeel comfortable where Iwas with my career and thenafter the Tokyo Games Imovedinterstate and startedtrainingwiththe high-performance program hereatthe Sunshine Coast.

“I feel like my international career’sbeentaken to awhole new level, Ithinkit’sa reallyexciting feeling… eventhoughI’ve been swimming for along time now, Ifeel like I’m only just getting started which is something reallyexcitingand motivating to keep me going.”

Beecroftcredits her coaches and supportstaff at the High Performance StudentAthleteprogramat the University of the Sunshine Coast for getting her to thispoint, and strengtheningher knowledgeas an elite athlete.

“Coming to ahigh performanceprogram has really shown me how muchasupport teamreally matters and howall the different fieldsofmysport need to be focussed on such as strength, conditioning, diet, biomechanics,physio,” she said.

“All those sorts of differentfields really impact yourcareer when you’re at such an elite level and Ithink that has justreally shown in my progress overthe past couple of years.”

Beecroft also thanked her family backhome in Traralgon as well as those at Traralgon Swimming Clubfor their supportinhelping her flourish as a young, aspiring athlete.

Beecroftisnow ramping up forthe 2025 World Para SwimmingChampionships in Septemberas her first steps towards the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles

“I’m lookingforward to (competing), it’s thefirst competitioninthe nextcycle leading up to the LA 2028 Paralympics and hopefully I’ll be able to do reallywell over there, butit’sa bit of aquiet year (2025),” she said

LVUA looking to recruit for 2025 football season

FOOTBALL UMPIRES

WITH the 2025 football season fast approaching, the team at Latrobe Valley Umpires are back on track and looking to recruit field,boundary or goal umpires for its senior football and junior panels. This is agreat opportunity for people of any age or gender to get fit, make some money and be an active part of ateamcontributing to the local community (and it looks great on your resume!) Training and support is provided and it is not as daunting as the commentators on TV make it out to be. If you would like to give umpiring ago, email Latrobe Valley Umpires via lvumpires@gmail com.au, or call 0413 076 555.

Individual medals: Lockie Bellion (16): four gold (all strokes); Jess Whiting (16) -one gold (fly); Kayla Wilson (18) -four silver(all strokes); BlakeWarne (10) -four silver(all strokes); Issy Slocombe (15) -t wo silver(back, free); Phoebe Balcombe (14) -one silver(free), one bronze (back); DarcyConnell (17) -one silver(fly). Mixed4x50FreePara-ablebodied relay: Gold -IssyHeath, IssySlocombe,BlakeWarne, HarryKurrle; Silver: Lockie Bellion, Elijah Vercoe, Kayla Wilson, Aliza Couling Best

2025.

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