Latrobe Valley Express Wednesday 19 February 2025

Big four agree to stay Basketball bonanza

The Boomersare in town tomorrow, playing the firstoftwo FIBA Asia Cup QualifiersinTraralgon.

To celebrate, Express basketball expert, BlakeMetcalf-Holt has compiled aspecial featureonthe region’s ownAustralian players Belinda Snell, Jenna O’Hea, Jack White, and Jade Melbourne.

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By TOMHAYES

NO regional bank branches will close before July 2027, after the big four banks struck adealwith the federal government.

NAB agreed to am orator ium on closures untilJuly 31, 2027, while Commonwealth Bank and Westpac will extend their agreements to match. ANZ already had an agreementinplace to stop the closures of branches as part of the takeover of Suncorp last year.

AccordingtoNAB,ithas the strongest regional presence of any major bank in Australia, with 48 per cent of its branch network dedicated to regional communities (437 branches, 210 in regional and rural areas). NAB also invested $41 millionacross its branches over the last 12 months.

“While digital banking continues to evolve, we firmlybelievethat face-toface banking services remain essential for many Australians,” NAB Group Executive for Personal Banking, Ana Marinkovic said.

“Our recent move to Saturday branch openings (inNovember2024) demonstrates our conviction that while digital is foundational,ahuman touch is just as important in the moments that matter for our customers.”

Followi ng the agree ment, Commonwealth Bank announced it will invest $100 millioninto upgrades for its branches and ATM fleet.

About 36 per cent of regional bank branches haveclosed since 2017,as datafromthe AustraliaPrudential Regulatory Authority found nearly 800

bank branch closures acrossthe country Furthermore,over 200 ATMs from the big four banks were removed in the past 12 months alone, asmall portion of the more than 8000 bank-owned ATMs removed since 2017.

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced that the deal ensured faceto-face banking services remained for people who need them.

“Banks have ar esponsi bility to regionalAustralia, and we’re making surethat theyare meeting their responsibilities,” he said.

“We know that if we want astrong nat io nal eco nomy, then region al Australia needs to be abig part of the story, and that means making sure that banking services are available to the businesses and workers andpeople and communities of regional Australia.

“This is all about making sure that banks stay open in the bush.”

The deal includes increased fundingfor Bank@Post operations at Australia Post branches. This comes after Australia Post ramped up cashservices when bank branches began to leaveregionalareas The final reportalsorecommended an expansion of the Bank@Post service. Australia Post Chief Executive and Managing Director, Paul Graham was pleased with the announcement.

“The new agreements will also help maintainthe sustainability of thousands of licenced post offices, many of which are small business run by families who play an essential role in servicing their local communities,” he said.

Mr Graham also mentioned that the arrangements wouldensure more than 3000 post officescould continue

to provide “essential banking services” to communities with no other options.

Commonwealth Bank, NAB, and Westpac have reached newagreements with Australia Post’s banking service. Macquarie Bank and HSBC will begin negotiations to join the agreement, while ANZ -which wasoriginally apart of the service until 2019 -agreed to terms to re-sign.

“We are pleased negotiations with Australia Post are at an advancedstage Under terms, ANZ customers would be abletoaccessBank@Post services from (October 1, 2025),”ANZ Managing Director, Retail Banking, Katherine Bray said.

Continued, VoxPop -Page8

Regionalissuesheard in Canberra

By LIAM DURKIN

LATROBE City Mayor, Dale Harriman, deputy mayor, Sharon Gibson andLatrobeCityChief Executive, Steve Piasente took the region’s priorities to Canberra last week.

Thetwo-daytrip included meetings with federal opposition leader Peter Dutton and Shadow Minister for Climate Changeand Energy,Ted O’Brien.

Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester and Member forMonash,Russell Broadbentwere also in on meetings,aswas Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie, and Labor senators Raff Ciccone and Tim Ayres.

Among issues discussed was economic diversification,flood recovery, commitment to action, and how to guarantee jobs for the region.

More specifically, Latrobe City representatives highlighted the Traralgon Bypass, Stage 3ofthe Moe Revitalisation Project, and Latrobe Aerospace Technology Precinct as critical projects.

Energy was also high on the agenda, with time dedicated to HESC and CarbonNet proposals.

Pertinently, the visit included talks with Labor

MP DanRepacholi, who is chair of the House of Representatives Select Nuclear Committee and a three-time Commonwealth Gamesgold medallist.

The Valley ’s possibl en uc le ar futu re and Commonwealth Games legacy projects remain hot topics among locals.

The regionwas set to host the 2026Games, before the state government was forced to withdraw due to budget blowouts.

As atrade-off, facilities slated to host events will receive upgrades. LatrobeCity Stadium (FalconsPark),Morwellisone such,along with Ted Summerton Reserve, Moe.

It is understood the new ‘main’ pitch at Falcons Park will be located behind the current Don Di Fabrizio Stand, which will be torn down to make way for anew pavilion.

Amajor upgrade to the former National Soccer League complex is sure to be welcomed, especially given one Falcons player labelled it “15 years overdue” when speaking to this masthead.

Morwell MP, Harriet Shingwas Ministerfor Commonwealth Games and Legacy from December 2022 to July 2023.

Ms Shing’s main portfolio is now the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) -the longest rail tunnel in the country and most expensive project in the state’s history.

However, muchlike the Commonwealth Games, the racecouldbeontofind all required dollars and cents.

TheAge reported last week the federal and state governments have been at odds over funding for the SRL, which has a$35 billion price tag for its first stage alone.

The federal government has released $2.2b, which was welcomed by Ms Shing.

“Australia’slargest housing project, our Suburban Rail Loop, has just received $2.2 billion in good news from the Albanese government. This means more homes and moreopportunities, closer to where people want to live,” she said.

Prime Minister,AnthonyAlbanese pledged $2.2b for the SRL in the lead-up to the 2022 federal election,and funds were included in his government’s first budget. Atotal of $400 million is available this financial year, $1b in 2025/26 and $800m in 2026/27, although that fundingschedulewas

delayed by 12 months in December 2023. Pressure is mounting on Mr Albanese to call an election, after the latestYouGov poll indicated favouritism for Mr Dutton. Afederal election must be held by May 17 this year.

Mr Dutton has said he would use former Prime Minister, John Howard as arole model if elected, dismissing any misconceptions after comparisons were made between him and US President Donald Trump (still feels weird to write that title even second time around).

Mr Howard famously (or infamously) wore a bullet proof vest while addressing apro-gun rally at Saleinthe wake of the PortArthur massacrein 1996,the same year he came to power.

FormerLatrobe City Mayor, KellieO’Callaghan wasalso in Canberra the week before, in her role as chair of Regional Development Australia. Ms O’Callaghan met with Mr Chester, although the Express understands communication between herand her former colleagues was minimal given the timing and logistics. Afull review from the Canberra delegationisexpected to be presented at next Monday’s (February 24) council meeting.

Mirboo North remembers one year on from storm

By KATRINABRANDON

LAST Thursday marked 12 months since theMirboo North superstorm.

The freak storm event tore through like acyclone, destroying virtually everything in its path and reducing the usually quiet small town in the hills to ruins.

Supportfor the townshipand surrounds overthe last 12 months has come from far and wide and from within, varying from helping clean up fallen trees and tarping roofs, to helpingcreateevents for people to take abreak fromthe severityofthe storm.

As the one-year mark came around, memories of the event became fresh, but the Mirboo North community stepped up to hold an event to help spread positivity.

Mirboo North local KatrinaFoster told the Express:“Overall support has been incredible. The councilwere awesome. They struggled because it was such abig event, and like many other organisations, it wasn’t clear how big it was”.

“You could drive through town and know there were trees on the main road, but when you went off, it was absolutely devastating. So, it wasn’t so obvious to some. It tooka lot of timeand manpower to address the damage, and mother nature needs to mend itself as well.”

According to Mirboo North and Distri ct Community Foundation Executive Officer, Ruth

Rogan, tens of thousands of trees fell, andmany houses were damaged during the storm.

She also said that feelings around thestorm’s anniversary have been different. Some are still struggling because they cannot be in their homes.

Some localsare nowbased out of town and have different rental accommodations in nearby areas.

“Each person’s journey to recovery is different, and ayear on the community’s journey to recovery continues. We can still see the storm’s impactas trees and native bush slowly regenerate,” she said.

“Anniversaries can be very challenging as they are often apoint when we assess what progress has been made and possibly compare our progress. I feel for those still workingtoreturn to theirhomes.

There is positivity in the community around the opening of key recreational assets like the Mirboo North Pool in December 2024 and the resurfaced Grand Ridge Rail Trail in January 2025.

“This was anatural disaster on amicro level, with all of the impacts that this brings. It has been avery challenging year, and the journey to recovery continues. However, we are proud of how the community has supported each other through the highs and lows.”

Ms Rogan told the Express therewould be further focus on preparedness for future storm events, and partofthat would involve consideringwhether they would do things differently.

“We have two events planned currently -an

Insurance Preparedness session and an Energy Resilience session(which will look at how to use agenerator in your home safely). There is also aproject to documentthe process of settingup and operating the storm cell volunteers so that in future those who can jump in to help will not have

to reinvent the wheel,” she said. The Insurance Preparednesssession is being held tomorrow(February 20) at Baromi Centre from 5.30pm. The Mirboo North community gathered fora stormsoiree

In depth: Discussing the region’s prioritieswith federalopposition leader,Peter Dutton. Photographs supplied

Rubbing shoulders: FederalMemberfor Gippsland, Darren Chester, Latrobe CityDeputyMayor, Sharon Gibson,federal opposition leader,Peter Dutton and Latrobe CityMayor,Dale Harriman

Photograph: KatrinaBrandon

Mill lockout comes to an end

THE 30 day lockoutofmore than300 pulp and paper workers by Nippon Paper’s Opal at Maryvale is over, after workers voted on Saturday night (February 15) to accept Opal’s improved deal.

The Maryvale membersreturned to work on Sunday (February 16) from 6am after being locked out by Opal for 30 days.

The sticking point in negotiations had been Opal’s proposal to slash wages and conditions dramatically in aproposalthat would haveleft workers worse off across the board.

The Union and Opal hammered out adeal last Friday morning that ensured wage increases for all workers and the retention of key terms and conditions.

“We are happy that our members will be returning to work with an agreement thatsees real wage growth; the retention of their existing terms and conditions and no one left behind,” Pulp &Paper Workers Secretary, Denise Campbell-Burns said.

“Our question is why did it take a30-day lockout of the entire workforce; the stand down of hundreds of contractors; and forcing Latrobe Valley families

PoliceBeat with Katrina Brandon

Information needed: Atrailer,barbecue, and twogazebos were allegedlytaken from ashed at Hazelwood Nor th Primar y School. Photograph supplied

School supplies stolen

IN the earlyhours of Sunday, February9, atrailer, barbecue and two gazebos were allegedly taken from ashed at Hazelwood North Primary School.

According to aFacebook postfrom the school, police caught the offender, but unfortunately haven’t found the items that were taken.

The school is asking for anyone with information, or has seen the trailer or other items to contact Morwell Police Station on 03 5131 5000.

Man charged

POLICE have chargedaman following several reports of threats and anti-social behaviour in January and February, in the Latrobe Valley.

Officerswill allege the 29-year-oldmade threatening remarkstowomen in the Moe and Morwell areas.

The man was arrested on Friday, February 7and charged with several sexual assault offences, and threats to kill andassaultpolice

He has been remanded to appear before Lat robe Magis tr ate s’ Cour tt omo rrow (Thursday, February 20).

Police would like to thank the public for reporting incidentstopolice and assisting with their investigations.

to spend the last 30 days living with real concerns about how to feed their families and pay their bills for Opal to bring adecent offer to the table?

“The disrespect that Opal senior management and Nippon Paper have shown their workforce has been staggering since the commencement of negotiations in October 2024, but the arrogance anddisregard over the past 30 days hasbeggared belief.

“Ourmembers are focused on getting back to workand looking forward to the upcomingCFMEU demerger vote in afew weeks.”

Opal later shared: “Opal is pleased to welcome our valued production team members backtowork

from Sunday, February 16, 2025, after reaching an in principle agreement with them and the CFMEU today (February 15) for anew Enterprise Agreement at the Maryvale Mill.

“Opal negotiated in good faith for an Enterprise Agreementthat is fairand appropriatetothe Mill’s current operations, which were forced to change significantly due to the sudden end of food supply from Victorian government owned VicForests.

“Opal is focussed on the future of the Mill, which remains an important asset for our growth as a major manufacturer of quality cardboard packagingproductsina competitive market.”

Patton steps down from role

By TOMHAYES

AN overwhelming vote of no-confidence from union members has seemingly forced Victorian Police Commissioner,Shane Patton to “step away” from the position, effective immediately.

Mr Patton’s decision to leave the role followed apoll voted on by more than 14,000 union members, showing 87 per cent voting no-confidence in his leadership last week.

The Police Association of Victoria President, Karl David urged for “changes at the top with afresh direction”.

“Our members have spoken emphatically. They do not have confidence in the chief commissioner to manage and lead Victoria Police in the future,” Mr David continued.

VictorianPremier, Jacinta Allan announced that Rick Nugent will serve as the acting chief commissioner after he completed his current position as the state’s emergency management commissioner. Untilthen, deputy commissioner Wendy Steendam will lead the organisation.

Mr Patton releasedastatement on the evening of Sunday, February 16, stating: “I have this evening advised government that given the current circumstances surrounding my positionIhave decided to step away from the role effective immediately”.

File photograph

Reprieve: Opal workershavereturned to work,after beinglockedout for30days. Workerspictured campedoutside the Maryvale Mill during the lockout.

Labor’schoicefor Monash

THE Aus tra lian La bor Par ty ha ss el ec te d

Gippslandlocal Tully Fletcherasthe federal Labor candidate for Monash.

Tully is athird generationGippslanderand lives in Kilcunda with his partner Dani and their two kids, Daph and Ted, just down the road from where he grew up.

He was educated at public schools in Wonthaggi, Dalyston, and Leongatha, and spends summers at Wilsons Prom with family and friends.

Mr Fletcher works in business and government as an adviser to ministers, chief executives, and communities.

He led work with business and unions to create Australia’s first ever wage-theft laws to make sure all workers are paid right and paid on time.

Mr Fletcher believes families, farms and businesses in Monash are under pressure and need abetterdeal.

He’ll says he’llfighthard to deliver the services, infrastructure, mobile coverage, and internet speeds locals deserve.

As akeen motorbike rider,MrFletcher also knows how bad local roads can be, and will make road safety upgrades atop priority for all drivers.

As part of the federal Labor team, Mr Fletcher says he will work to bring down the cost-of-living, protect jobs and wages, and ensure everyone in Gippsland can afford and access housing, health, education and care.

“Monashvoters have aclear choice this election: Peter Dutton-led Liberals who haven’t delivered for Gippsland in two decades, or afresh local Labor candidate raised in Gippsland, ready to tackle the cost-of-living, and fight for our fair share,”hesaid.

“All the Liberals are offering Monashare cuts andanuclear power station we didn’t ask for.

Labor hopeful: SouthGippslandresident, Tully Fletcher will be on the Monash ticketfor Labor this federalelection. Photograph supplied

“Monashcan’t afford Peter Dutton and three wasted years of Liberal cuts and neglect.

“The only way to get abetter deal for Monash, fix the cost-of-living, and stop Peter Dutton is to vote for Tully Fletcher and Labor.

“If you don’t want Dutton, you must vote Labor.”

“It is with aheavy heart that Ihave made this decision, however Ithink it is the right one to allow fresh leadership in the role.

“To the Victorian community Ithank you for giving me the privilege to haveservedyou, this is the reason Iand all police officers turn up each day.”

Senior officers have warned that the change willnot guarantee an end to the 21-month pay dispute. Members are due to vote before the end of the month on the endorsed bargaining deal, that includes aminimum annual wage increase of 4.5 per cent for four years.

Nothingtobefeared: Local science teacher DanCaffrey has pointed outthatmanypoisonous chemicals arecontained in products people use in ever yday life.

No need to worry about chemicals

COMMENT

BY DANCAFFREY

IN thelastissue of the Latrobe Valley Express, Damien Andrews argued thatwind and solar panels should not be made because they use scary chemicals and produce radioactive by-products (‘Pot calling the kettleblack’,LVE Opinion, 12/02/25). Well, Ifor one am not scared of them as Iwould have encountered many of these doing my science degree.

Many of them are naturally occurring elements listed in the Periodic Table.

Going down his list,rare earth elements like Neodymium,Dysprosium, Terbium and several othersare all used in advanced solid-state electronics like hard disk drives,LEDs, and CD players and as alloys make the strongest magnets possible. Physics students love them. Cyanide, while obviously apoison, is used in pesticides, fungicides, electroplating, and mining.Arsenic, while another poison, proves very useful in alloys with copper and lead andinglass making. Thorium, while radioactive, is useful in high strength alloysfor aircraft engines and TIG welding tips. Bothitand uranium are often by-products of mineral sands processing and are dealt with by further processing. The four-strong mineral acids like sulphuric that he mentioned are all essential for making a diverse range of products from gelatine and food dyes to plastics, fertilisers, explosives, refining of rareearth elements,cleaning brickwork,and tanningleather.

Vanadium and Tungsten are used to make hard machine-gradesteel,while chromium is an essential part of stainless steel. Galliumand Indium areusedinsemi-conductors such as transistors and the like.

We encounter many of theoxides of nitrogen every day when we’re near the exhaust pipe of cars,

while sulphur dioxide is used in fruit preserving.

While lead, cadmium and other heavy metals are toxic in water supplies, they are widely used in batteries and alloyssuchaspewter and in compounds used in electronics such as LASERs, radiation detectors and infra-red control devices.

Of the organic compounds,readers might be surprisedtolearn that phthalatesand formaldehyde are used to makecosmeticsand pharmaceuticals amongmany other everyday products.

Most PFASproducts (forever chemicals) are beingphased out now because they accumulate in the environment andare carcinogenic,while polyurethanes with isocyanates coat auto panels. Styreneisabaseconstituentofpaints, plastic packaging materials and synthetic rubber. BCBs are widely used as coolants and lubricants in HV electrical equipment.

Finally, benzene is the base material for thousands of plastics, resins, dyes, synthetic fibres like nylon and the list goes on.

If you want to ban solar panelsand wind turbines on the basis that they contain these scary chemicals, then you will need to ban all those materials that make our modern lives liveable.

We do not want to go back to the stone age do we?

Even the waste products of these are all pretty benign compared to the radioactive waste of nuclear power stations. Finally,the natural carbon cycle does not contain coal.

Mate,weneed to talk about this over acup of coffee. I’ll bring my Year 9science book.

About the author: Dan Caffrey is president of the Latrobe Valley Sustainability Group. He is a former local science and technology teacherand stood as the Greens candidate for Morwell in the 2014 state election.

Letters,Opinion -Pages 30-31

Leave forces interim change

BAW Baw Shire Council has announced the appointment of Cohen Van der Velde as the organisation’s interim chief executive.

Baw Baw Council voted to offer the temporary leadership role to Mr Van der Velde during last week’s confidential council meeting.

Martin Hopley, who was the shire’s interim chief executive officer, is currently on unplanned, personal leave.

Baw Baw Shire Mayor, Danny Goss said Mr Van der Velde would step into the role while a comprehensive recruitment process for anew permanent chief executive takes place.

“We thank Cohen for supporting us through this period and look forward to commencing the recruitment process for our new CEO,” he said.

Mr Van der Velde has been appointed interim until April 16, 2025.

Trafalgar High School

Information Evening Year 7 2026

4pm-6pm Monday17th March 2025

 View facilities and learning areas at the school.

Sports Centre - Trafalgar High School

 Discuss with teachers the work undertaken and the opportunities each learning area provides.

 Makeaninformed choice regarding secondaryschool in 2026.

Further information or enquiries maybedirectedto

Photograph: Liam Durkin

Principal: Mr BrettPedlow

Mr.JackBrown or Ms. Phipps on 5633 1733

Locals in the mix for state-wide awards

Innovative: Churchill’sTaylah Rose hasbeen nominated fora stateaward forher work prioritising people over profit.

Photographs supplied (unlessspecified)

By KATRINABRANDON

FOUR locals have been deemed finalists in statewide awards.

Up for the Volunteer of the Year -Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Award is Churchill local Den Lim, founder of the Uplift Collective, acollaboration of more than 20 organisations providing free activities for local youth; and Arfa Sarfaraz, who is president of the United Muslim Sisters of Latrobe Valley.

Youth to gain moresupport

AYOUTH Preventionand Recovery Care (YPARC)centre will be built in Traralgon.

The state govern ment announced Traralgon was one of ahost of regionaltowns and city suburbs where YPARCs will help young people across the state.

New cen tre sw il la ls ob el oc ated in Balla rat ,G eel on g, She pp art on, and Heidelberg,with three existing centres in Bendigo, Dandenong, and Frankston to be refurbished and modernised.

Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison, Member for Eureka,Michaela Settle, and Member for Ripon, Martha Haylett turned the first sod for the new multi-million-dollar, 10-bed centre, in Ballarat last week.

Delivered by the VictorianHealth Building Authority, the new centres will ensuremore young Victorians each year can access the tailored support they need.

The new Ballarat centre is part of a$141 million investment by the state government that will more than double the capacity of Victoria’s current YPARC network.

The Traralgon facility is set to feature a 10-bed centre.

Photograph: Katrina Brandon

The Volunteer of the Year award is to recognise people who have shownexceptional volunteer leadership and influence in support of people, acommunity, group,organisation, or causein Victoria.

Ms Lim is also in the running for the 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, recognising her leadership, innovation, and contribution to rural industries and communities.

The award celebrates women driving positive change in rural and regional Australia by empowering them with the skills, support, and leadership opportunities to shape their industries and communities.

Finalist: Morwell local ArfaSarfaraz, president of the United Muslim SistersofLatrobe Valley, is one of six finalists forthe statevolunteer leadership award.

Another local among nominees is Newborough’s Fiona Sorensen, who has been nominated for the 7NewsYoung Achievers Award -The Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award.

Ms Sorensen has started her own cleaning business, afoodbank and acharity system within her business.

The Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award recognises young people who have worked together as agroup to provide a service, programorproject for other young people, which is basedonconsultation and engagement

with youngpeopleand hasresultedinpositive, youth-led changes in alocal community. Also nominated for a7News Young Achiever Award in the Josh’s RainbowEggs Ethical Business Award (REEBA)categoryisTaylah Foster from Churchill.

Ms Foster runs madebytaylahrose, creating scrunchies and other products from sustainable and environmentally friendly materials.

The REEBA is about sharing stories of other youngVictorianbusiness owners who prioritise more than just profits, focusingoncontributing to the community andusing business as aforce for good.

First Nations perspectives strengthened

GIPPSLANDWater haswelcomed Glenn Pellegrin to itsboard as an Independent Aboriginal Delegate, and Laurie Marks as board committee independent Aboriginal delegate.

Gippsland Water Managing Director, Sarah Cumming said Mr Pellegrin’s appointment would furtherstrengthen the recognition and inclusion of First Nations perspectives as part of Gippsland Water’s decision-making processes.

“Glenn’s insightswill broaden our understanding of the priorities of FirstNations peopleand help to reflect those in our projects and initiatives. We’re thrilled to have him joining us,” Ms Cumming said.

“Having adiverse range of viewpoints ensures our board’s decisions align with what ourcustomers and local communities’ want.”

Mr Pellegrin, aproudNgarrindjeri/Narungga man, said he was passionate about advocating for local First Nations communities.

“The board delegate positionisanopportunity for me to follow in the footsteps of Elders who care for all Mob, help address systemic issues and achieve positive outcomes,” Mr Pellegrin said.

“My previous experience has included multiple roles at Melbourne University, Aboriginal Housing Victoria and the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.

NEW BUSINESS IN GIPPSLAND

“I look for war dt ow orki ng al ong si de the Gippsland Water Board, andcontinuing to draw on my strategic mindset, passion, and experience.”

Mr Marks will sit alongside Gippsland Water’s

Boardsubcommitteesasboard committee independent Aboriginal delegate.

Mr Marks lives in WestGippsland and has worked in the Latrobe Valley. He said the new rolewould addtohis existing experiences as a member of local boards and organisations.

“Serving on local boards has deepened my connection to the communityand its diverseneeds, and Ilook forward to adding to my journey with this new role,” Mr Marks said.

“My experiences include chairingboards with afocus on sports partnerships and hubs, and I’m passionate aboutcritical issues like men’s health.”

Ms Cumming said Gippsland Water was proud of its ongoing partnership with the Gunaikurnai and Bunurong people, the Traditional Owners of the land it operates on.

“We recognise the Traditional Owners strong cultural connection to the land waterwaysand the importance of collaboration,” she said.

Gippsland Waterisone of severalVictorianwater corporationstoappoint an independent Aboriginal Board delegate.

For information about Gippsland Water’s work with First Nations communities, visit: gippswater. com.au/traditionalownersandculturalheritage

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Welcome a-Board: Gippsland WaterBoard Chair, TomMollenkopf AO,Independent Aboriginal BoardDelegate, GlennPellegrin, and Managing Director,Sarah Cumming Photograph supplied

Honour: Churchill’sDen Lim is one of two Gippsland volunteer leadersnominatedfor a statevolunteer leadership award.

Youth: Newborough’s FionaSorensen has been nominated forthe 7News Young Achievers Award’sVictorian Government Group Achievement in theCommunityAward

Collab: Destination GippslandChief Executive, Terr yRobinson, Federation UniversityJunior ExecutiveDirector Government Relations andPublic Policy,JaimeDeAno,BassCoast Shire Mayorand One Gippsland DeputyChair, RochelleHalstead,Federal Member forGippsland, Darren Chester, and South GippslandCouncillorand One Gippsland Chair,

Gippsland priorities taken to Canberra

ROADand freight route upgrades, tourism, digital connectivity, energy security and affordability, disasterresilience, skills, employment and education,wereatthe forefront of discussionswith One Gippsland and FederalMember for Gippsland Darren Chester in Parliament.

Mr Chester met with delegates from the peak regional advocacy bodytodiscusspriority areas for investment to support community growth across the region as part of the One Gippsland 2025-26 Federal Pre-Budget Submission.

“It was apleasure to meet with representatives from One Gippsland, who do important work to promotethe region and its people,” Mr Chester said.

“One Gippsland brings together all six Gippsland councils, industry leaders, and education providers, including Food and Fibre Gippsland, TAFE Gippsland, Destination Gippsland, Federation University, and Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation.

“The body’s shared aim is to support collaboration between government, business,and community while collectivelyadvocating the interests of Gippsland and its people.

“We need to see afairer share of government funding invested in regional areas likeGippsland after three years of neglect by the Albanese government.”

Housing builds endorsed

NATIONAL housing and homelessness advocates have strongly endorsed the federal government’s announcementof$100 million in funding to build hundreds of newcrisisand transitional homes across Australia.

The funding willsupport 42 projects throughthe Crisis and Transitional Accommodation Program (CTAP),delivering critical shelter for women and children escaping family and domestic violence, and older women at risk of homelessness.

“This vital investment in crisis accommodation complements the broader expansion of community housing we’re seeing across Australia,” Community Housing Industry AssociationChief Executive, Wendy Hayhurst said.

“Coming on the same day as the announcement of 800 new socialand affordable homes, we’re seeing the government starting to deliver on multiple fronts.

“Community housing providers are ready to leverage theseinvestments,creatingpathways from crisis accommodation into permanent, stable housing -which is ultimately what people need to rebuild their lives.”

Home lessne ss Aust rali aC hief Executi ve, Kate Colvin highlighted the urgent need for this investment.

“Every night across Australia, specialist homelessness services are forced to turn away women, children and young people fleeing violence because they don’t have enough accommodation,” she said.

“Each turnaway represents afamily facing impossible choices about their safety. Every one of these new crisis and transitional homes will make alife changing difference to women and children in need of asafe haven.

“With greater investment,wecan make even more progress.”

Nathan Hersey.

Photograph supplied

Indonesian venture for Exxon Mobil

By PHILIP HOPKINS

EXXON Mobil, which is investigating carbon capture and storage off the Gippsland coast, has committed$10 billiontoIndonesia's first large-scale CCS plant.

On January 22, Exxon Mobil signed amemorandum of understanding withthe Indonesian government to build acarbon capture facility and apetrochemical plant, with an initial investment of $10 billion, withtotal investments potentially reaching $15 billion, according to the JakartaPost and Jakarta Globe.

Indonesia's state-owned power company, PerusahaanListrik Negara (PLN), distributes electricity to 98 per cent of the country's households. Only 13 per cent of the company's powergeneration is fromrenewablesources,while 60 percent is from coal-fired power plants.

The Economic Coordinating Minister, Airlanga Hartarto, said CCS technology could reduce

industrial carbon emissions by 90 per cent. The project would affect the developmentofmultiple industriesinIndonesia.

"If the projectmovesforward, it will be the first large-scale carbon capture facility in the maximum distance of 100kilometres from the carbon capture facility," he said

According to PLN's advisory and engineering subsidiary, PLN Enjiniring, the cost of carbon capture is about $40 per tonne, compared to the carbon reduction costs for natural gas plants,which range from $12 to $20 per tonne,a difference of more than 100 per cent.

PLN Enjiniring's pr eside nt, Chairani Rachmatullah, said technically, it was not an issue.

"But the cost will increase and in the end, the electricity subsidy will increase, so we must choose the CCS installation sites carefully," he said.

"PLNaims to implement CCS technology at several coal-fired power plants."

It is estimated that Indonesia has huge carbon capture potential, with depleted oil and gas fields capable of storing up to eight billion tonnesofCO2, while saline aquifers could hold as much as 400 billion tonnes. Currently,the country has15carbon captureprojects in progress, with total investments nearing $8 billion.

In Gippsland,Exxon Mobilhas greatlyexpanded its area of investigation for CSS in Bass Strait.

On August 22 last year, it and partner Woodside received agreenhouse gas assessment permit for 51 blocks with an expirydate of August 21, 2030. The designated area totals3370.77square kilometres.

The permit covers detailedsubsurface and geotechnical evaluationofpotential greenhouse gas storageformations, and CO2 reservoir and seal studies. The two companies have budgeted to spend $26.1 million on the investigations.

However, an Exxon spokesmansaidtherewas no

Branches to stay put,more servicesfunded

From PAGE 1

THE Bank@Post service allows customers to undertake basic banking suchaswithdrawing cash at post offices.

Australian Banking Association Chief Executive, Anna Bligh hopes that the moratoriumwillgive

the sector time to find along-term resolutionfor regional communities

“I’m very confident that the moratorium will effectively give us that breathingspace to look at the things that Australia is good at, finding innovative ways to service very remote locations,” she said.

Convenient: NAB branches areopenonSaturdays.The banksayscustomersstill enjoyface-toface ser vice

"As we see more and more Australians jump online to do their banking, we are going to see a continued digital transformation.

"Our job collectively is to make sure we don't leave any Australian behind as thattransformation accelerates, and that's what today's announcements will do," she announced last week.

Hub: FranklinStreet, Traralgon holds all four of thebig banks, as well as Bendigo Bank. There is also aBank Australia branch on HothamSt. Photographs: TomHayes

official updates on the company's CCS investigations in Bass Strait.

Meanwhile, the federal and state governmentfunded CarbonNet is pushing forward with its plans to build apipelinebetween the Latrobe Valley across farmlandtoGolden Beach on the South Gippsland coast. It plans to sequester carbon dioxide emissions from the Latrobe Valley in empty oil and gas reservoirs at its Pelican storage site. CarbonNet is planning to conduct limited surveys on public land and private propertywhereland access has been agreed, the company said in its latest project update.

After the completion of targeted flora and fauna surveys over January and February, the next round of surveys will start in autumn. The surveys will be conducted along roadsides, current landaccess agreement properties and Crown land. Landownersaffectedbythe works will be contacted before surveys occur.

"I prefer onlinebankingfor convenience, especially for transferring and checking balances. With less need to carry cash Idon't reallyvisitaphysical bank anymore. With more branches closing and since they're less available, Ihave become even more reliant on digital banking."

-Emily, Churchill

"Banks are shutting downall the time and now I'd have to go to different towns just to go to the bank you use. Online is much easier in this day and age."

-Zac, Morwell

"I prefer online banking as it's convenient and there's not too many of my banks around."

-Gemma, Churchill

"I don't (use physical banks) because my branch had closed down. I'm still with ANZ, the reason Ijoined ANZ is because they had abranch in Trafalgar."

-Tony, Trafalgar

"My bank only provides online banking, although since Idon't use cash Iwould see no need to go into aphysical bank. Also, my bank provides incentives when banking online which makes it more attractive."

-Karl, Traralgon

Show to support first responders

‘SOUNDS of Strength’, amusical evening to support the Code 9Foundation, featuring performances by Mick Harrington and Dane Nicholls, will be held this Saturday (February 22), from 7pm to 11pm at the Traralgon Recreation Reserve.

Theeventwillraise money for the foundation, which provides supporttocurrent and veteran professional first responders and their families living with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions as aresult of their service to the community.

Money raised will go towards initiatives such as peer-to-peer programs, respiteaccommodation, kids camps, and assistance dogs for first responders with PTSD.

Gippsland local Harrington, celebrated for his soulful performances on The Voice Australia,said music had the power to bring people together.

“I’m honoured to lend my voice to support first

responders who have givensomuchtoour communities,” he said.

Nicholls, aGippsland native and talented songwriter, said performing at Sounds of Strength was aprivilege, “especially knowing the difference we can make for first responders and their families”.

Code 9Foundation President, MarkThomassaid 10 per cent of first responders will suffer amental health injury during their career.

“Events like this not only raise essential funds but also show first responders and their families that they are not alone in their journey,” he said.

“Our mission is to ensure that current and veteran professional fire fighters, police, ambulance and 000 (Triple Zero) operators and their families know that ‘You’re Never Alone’.”

The mental health challenges faced by first responders are significant, with many carrying the emotionalweight of their service long after their

Partnership: BawBaw Big BlokesBBQ President, Andrew Schreyer; West Gippsland Hospital Group Acting Director Alliedand Community Health, SallyWilson;WGHGInterim Chief Executive, Shannon Wight; BawBaw Big Blokes BBQ committeemember,LukePatterson, and; WGHG Social Work Manager, Tina Brooker Johnston. Photograph supplied

Partnership providing packages

WEST GippslandHealthcare Group has announced anew partnership with Baw Baw Big BlokesBBQ organisers to provide ongoing care packages for male patients in need.

Baw Baw BigBlokes BBQ is an annualevent that aims to reduce prostate cancer-related deaths in West Gippsland through awareness and fundraising for early testing. The organisers approached WGHG last year following acall out for Bloke’s Business Care Packagedonationsfor patients who do not have the resources to access basic items for themselves.

WGHG social workers support between five to 10 men aged 16-70 who present to West Gippsland Hospital needing materialaid each month. While women’scare packages are available through the Share the Dignity andBetty Basics initiatives, there was no similar service for men in the area. The community generously donated dozens of care packages.

Working with WGHG, BawBaw Big Blokes BBQ organisers supplied $7000worth of carepackages

with apledge to rejuvenate supplies as they are needed. Committee member Luke Patterson and presidentAndrewSchreyer visited WestGippsland Hospital to drop off 100 carry bags to complete the care packages.

“It was ano-brainer that we get behind this. It fit with our goalsand who we seektosupport,” Mr Schreyer said.

WGHG social work manager, Tina Brooker Johnstonthanked all in the communitywho made donations andBaw Baw Big Blokes BBQ organisers for their ongoing support.

“This new partnership and having ready access to men’s care packages allows us to do our work. It provides dignity and compassion, and at the end of the day that’s what we all need.” she said.

Big Blokes BBQ events are held throughout Gippsland.

Late Latrobe Valley Express General Manager, Bruce Ellen was aspearhead of the Latrobe Big Blokes BBQ, serving as chair for many years.

shifts end. The Code 9Foundation’s mission is to ensure that these professionals and their families haveaccess to support, resources, and community.

Events like Sounds of Strengthhelp shine a spotlight on these challenges and provide critical funding to deliver programs that make atangible difference in the lives of first responders.

The mental health challenges faced by first responders are significant, with many carrying the emotional weight of their servicelongafter their shifts end.

For tickets and more information, visit: code9ptsd. org.au/sounds-of-strength

Great cause: Gippsland muso and former contestant on The Voice Australia,Mick Harrington will perform afundraising benefit in Traralgon this Saturdayfor firstresponders. File photograph

ONE POINTERS

1. Which Ancient Greek poet famously wrote the Odessey?

2. True or false: ‘A’isthe most common letter used in the English language?

3. What was the 1974 Western starring Gene Wilder?

4. What are ‘henr y’spockets?

5. Who was the original drummer for the Beatles?

6. Is the humerus abone in the lower or upper arm.

7. What is the former name of Thailand?

8. What arboreal marsupial is known for sleeping the vast majority of the day?

THREE POINTER

9. Tony Manero is acharacter belonging to what cult-classic 70’sfilm?

10 Whatisthe most populous countr yonEarth?

11. Which Peanuts character always plays the piano?

12 What does acamel store in its hump?

FOUR POINTER

13 What was the name of the crime boss who was head of the feared Chicago Outfit?

14. What month was Julius Caesar stabbed in?

FIVE POINTER

15. What are the names of the America’sGreat Lakes? 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.

N E N D O T A T I

Demand remains high

HARD working paramedics and first responders across Victoria are continuing to respond to around 100,000 critical ‘Code 1’ emergencies every three months.

Ambulance Victoria (AV)ExecutiveDirector Regional Operations,Danielle North saiddemand on ambulance crews remains steadily high -with the last quarter of 2024 being AV’s fourth busiest on record.

“We have seen a26.6per cent increase in Code 1cases since the COVID-19 pandemicbegan more than five years ago,” Ms North said.

“October to December is commonly one of our busiest times, and last year was no exception as our crews were called to 99,799 Code 1emergencies. This was also the third quarter in arow close to or above 100,000 cases.

“In the face of this sustained pressure, our highly skilled paramedics and first responders do aremarkablejob providing best care to their communities, each and every day.”

From October to December 2024, AV crews across Victoria responded to 64.9 per cent of Code 1cases within the state-wide target of 15 minutes. The state-wide average response time to Code 1emergencies was 15 minutes and 42 seconds.

In the Gippsland Region, crews responded to 6130 Code 1cases between October and December 2024. In the Gippsland Region, paramedics in the Morwell major population centre attended 85.5 per cent of Code 1patients within 15 minutes -which was the fourth best result in the state.

GippslandRegional Director, PaulJames said further improvements were imminent.

“We know there is more work to do. AV continues to work with hospitals to promptly transfer patients and ensure all Victorians receive the right care at the right time.

“More new paramedics have also hit the road to helpmeet demand. Since last November, we have welcomed 84 new graduate paramedicstoour ranks and afurther 15 new recruits willstart soon including qualified paramedics from New South Wales, Queensland, the Northern Territory, and New Zealand.

“Our people are our greatestassets. It is through them that we continue to lead the way in patient care including one of the bestcardiacarrest survival rates in the world.

“We are also giving them the latest technology

Rise: Ambulanceresponses to Code 1 emergencies has increased morethan 26 per cent since theCOVID-19pandemic five yearsago File photograph

they need to do their job and get back on the road quicker.

“In2025, we are rolling out new digital radios across regional Victoria and iPads to all our crews with amodern platform making it easier and faster to complete electronic patient care records.

“Our expertSecondary Triage team of nurses and paramedics also make areal difference by connecting patients with the care they need while helping free up crews for patients in time-critical emergencies.

Mr James encouraged Victorians to do their part to ensure AV’s highly skilledparamedics were available for patients most in need.

“In lessurgent cases, there aremanyoptions people can access when they need timely medical care and health advice all day every day -but not an emergencyambulance or calling TripleZero (000),” he said.

“Thisincludesthe Victorian VirtualEmergency Department (VVED), UrgentCareClinics and other options such as your GP or pharmacist, or Nurse-On-Call on 1300 60 60 24.”

Upgrade proposal submitted

AUSNET has submitted ap roposal to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) to approve $3.5 billion in investment to upgrade the distribution network to improve its reliability and resilience forcustomers.

It follows more thantwo yearsofengagement and research involving more than 16,000 customers to seek feedback on the investment proposals.

AusNet Executive General Manager Electricity Distribution,Andrew Linnie said this investment would provide the funding necessary to continue to meet customer and community needs to support reliability, safety and electrification.

The $3.5 billion is made up of:

 $1.35 billion to replace ageing assets so the network can continue to operate safely and reliably;

 $770 million to increase the capacity of the network, support customer growth and enable more customers to electrify and transport;

 $430 million to improve problem areas on the network network more resilient to

 $430 million on digital core services, improve responsiveness

extreme weather events, and uplift customer experience, and;

 $240 million to integrate rooftop solar and large-scale wind and solar generators, putting downwards pressure on wholesale energy prices.

“We know our customers are facing cost-of-living pressures andwebelieve we have struck abalance between investing in the network, while keeping energy prices as affordable as possible,” Mr Linnie said.

“We have seen asignificant increase in frequency and severity of extreme weather events and it’s important we makethe network more resilient to theseoccurrences.Wealsowant to improve reliability for many of our regional customers.

“The initiatives and investment proposed are an important step to enable our network to meet

Rev. Dr Moses Aransiola

James Condon

From emergency to formality

THIS year marks the 80th anniversary of alocal war timeaviation emergency event that, in avery roundabout sort of way, lead to the formation of Latrobe Valley AeroCluband eventuallyLatrobe Regional Airport.

The Express coveredthe emergencyindetail around the time of the 45th anniversary in 1998 (extracted below).

The incident

ON the night of February 24th 1945, sixteen RAAF AvroAnsontraining aircraft wereon seawards navigation exercises from RAAF Bairnsdale, when afog and low cloud rolled in.

Nine aircraft made safe landings at Bairnsdale and the Sale RAAF bases,another crashed at Bairnsdale and one was forcedtolandnear Rosedale after running out of fuel.

The remaining two found their way to Morwell, where residents were awakened at 11.30pm by the flying low planes and the ringing of the fire station bell.

The Morwell Volunteer Air Observer Corps (VAOC) Duty Observer, Mrs Glenda Billingsley, on instructions from RAAF Melbourne HQ, contacted the local police, who in turn contacted Morwell Post Master, Mr.T.J.Burley.

Postmaster Burley then had the telephone switchboard operator contact all local car owners and send them to Mr Neil Walsh’s paddock to the north of the town.

In the meanwhile Burnley attempted, unsuccessfully, to signal the planes in Morse code by switching the town lighting system on and off.

At Walsh’s paddock RAAF pilot Flight Lieutenant Fred Robinson DFC, who had recently returned from flying atour on Lancaster Bombers in Europe, marshalled thecarstolightthe landing ground.

The undercarriage of the first Anson clipped the top of afence as it landed, causing the plane to swerve into atree, where part of awing and the tail were wrenched off.

The second plane landed safely and no crew members of either plane were injured.

Shortly after the event the R.A.A.F. met with the local emergency services organisations and an AirSafetyCommittee, to deal with future such events, was formed.

At the meeting the RAAF officers advised that, following their inspection of anumberofsites, the Walsh land was the best local site for an Emergency Landing ground.

Second emergency

ON the nightofSept6th 1945,justafter the end of WW2, members of the Air Safety Committees

at Morwell and Yallourn were put to the test with another emergency.

On thatnight the crew of aRAAFHudson aircraft was unable to determine their position and circled near Yallourn, Morwell and Yinnar, firing white flares as asign of distress.

The Morwell crash-landing party reached the Emergency Landing strip within minutes of the receipt of the signal and proceeded to lay and light an emergency flare path.

Post Master Burley, who was in the first party to arrive,was immediatelyabletocontact the crew by signalling the word “Morwell” in Morse Code with the signalling lamp.

With the crew now acquaintedwith their position, the Hudson set course for Sale where it landed safely twenty minutes later. Soon afterwards, the entire nationwide VAOC organisation was reducedtoacadreand was finally disbanded in April 1946.

Lateruse of the landing ground

EVEN before the war had ended, some use was madeofthe Morwell Emergency Landing ground by civilian aircraft.

In the immediate post war years it saw use by other civilian aircraft, but was generally considered as being too rough for regular use.

Post warair safety

IN July1948, ameeting, sponsored by the

National Safety Council, was held in Morwell to form alocal Air Safety Committee to provide assistance to aircraft in distress.

Such was the enthusiasm of Morwell citizens, no doubt remembering their hour of glory in the 1945 event, that two teams, one for the north and one for the south sides of town were formed.

DesKellywas appointed captain of the southern team, while HarryLazarus captained the northern team.

Newgroundestablished

KELLY advocated achangeofsitefor the Emergency Landing Ground to the Brinsmead farm,tothe west of the town, whichwas then in limiteduse by local flyers.

The Brinsmead family duly consented to part of theirfarm south of the Driffield Road to being designated as an emergency landing ground and anumber of working bees were then held to preparethe site.

Later, following the construction of the SEC Married Quarters settlement, (consisting of 80 or so white painted pre-fabricated houses) this landing ground became knownasthe ‘White City Airfield’.

Aero club formed

IN mid-September 1949 the inaugural meeting of the Latrobe ValleyAeroClub(LVAC), washeld.

Theclubmadeanarrangement with Yarram aircraft owner/flight instructorDoug Leckie to bring his Avro Cadet trainer to Morwell on weekends to providetraining at the Brinsmead’s farm airstrip.

The arrangement with DougLeckie continued until he re-joined the RAAF in 1951.

The club’s next instructor was Fred Robinson DFC, who had organised the landing ground lighting in the 1945 landings.

Latrobe Regional Airport

IN early 195 5, und er pre ssur ef rom the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) to close the WhiteCitystrip, the LVAC begantoreinvestigate other potential sites.

In August that year, the DCA surveyed an area between Morwelland Traralgonand prepared plansalong with alist of required works.

Led by its President, Des Kelly, the aero club then engagedinanintenselobbying programat alllevels of government.

In July1957, thematterwas considered at

ameeting of representatives of Traralgon and Morwell shires, SECV, APM and LVAC.

Messrs Buchanan M.H.R. and Balfour M.L.A were also in attendance.’

On the assumption that the federal government would purchase the land required,the meeting resolved to apply to the Latrobe Valley Development Advisory Committee for agrant towards the cost of the proposed aerodrome.

This grant was to be matched by ajoint contribution from the groups represented, in cash or kind,ofa like amount, including £500 from each council.

TheLVACthentook the bullbythe horns and obtained the services of agraderand driver from the RAAF No.2 Airfield Construction Squadron, which was then re-positioning to the RAAF East Sale base.

In afew short weeks over the summer of 1958/59, the RAAF machine gradedall of the runways, taxiways and aprons and even areas marked future runway extensions.

Then, the owner of the land rightly asked for payment for his land and the RAAF was requesting payment for their grading work.

However, the councils, not having funds available, withdrewand left the aero club with the problem.

Fortuitously, Des Kelly was able to convince the Minister for Aviation that it would be in the national interest for the federal government to purchase the land and to pay the RAAF.

DCA then entered into afive year peppercorn lease with the LVAC, with the clubbeing responsible for maintenance work.

The first official landing at the new aerodrome occurred in April 1959. This was an aero club Tripacer, flown by Des Kelly, who was carrying Mr Cecil Brinsmead and the MorwellAdvertiser Editor, Mr J.G Lawless, as passengers.

In 1964, at the end of the five year lease, the aerodrome was handed over by DCA to the councils under the Aerodrome Local Ownership Plan.

This plan provided a50/50 subsidy for maintenance and approved works.

The municipalities then formed the Latrobe Valley Aerodrome Advisory Committee (LVAA) consisting of representatives of Morwell Shire, the city and Shire of Traralgon.

Later, following council amalgamation, the airport became the responsibility of Latrobe City Council.

Broken: RAAF Avro Anson N4920damaged while landing at Morwell in 1944

Photographs supplied

On the ground: The RAAF Avro Anson LV157landed

Togetherness celebrated at Storm Soiree

By KATRINABRANDON

TAKING time to rememberthe events of February 13, 2024, Mirboo North held aStorm ProofSoiree last Saturday in memory of the storm event.

The event was not to mourn but to celebrate the positives in the aftermath of the horrific storm, such as heightened community connections and support.

About 200peopleand Mary MMannequin attended the event, sharing memories through music, dancing, conversations, and food.

The free event featured the band Borderline, which helped locals groove and enjoy the evening while children enjoyed face painting, cottoncandy, games from Gippsport, andotherrecreational activities.

Due to poor weather conditions, the event,which wastobeheld at the pool as a‘Blessing of the Pool’ event, was moved to the Mirboo North Shire Hall.

Local representatives included state Nationals leader and Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien, Member for Eastern Victoria Region, MelinaBath, and Member for Monash Russell Broadbent.

“Only in Victoria do you have 35 degrees one day and 12 two days later,” Mr O’Brien commented.

“Who would have thought after all that work, $6 millionand years and years of getting the pool back to scratch again, that you wouldhave to come back and do it again? Mirboo North will and does understand that the pool is the heart of this community.

“The tragedy of lastFebruary,justhaving gotten the pool back to abeautiful state from avery big investment by the shire, the state and the federal government, was that the storm cameand knocked it again. But it also brought out the pool’sglory. It brought out what this community is already.

“It is wonderful to be here and to have the pool reopened as the heart and important part of this community. Iknow there are still scars within the community, whether it be houses with tarps

on them or trees that have been scared for avery longtime. We all acknowledgethat it will bring pain for many people, but it should come with the satisfaction of what awonderful community this is and will continue to be going forward.”

In his speech to those at the soiree, Mr O’Brien praised the community’s efforts from the firsthour of the incident and other Gippsland citizens who raced down to Mirboo North to help clear what they could.

Assembled: Organiser Katrina Foster;Memberfor Monash, Russell Broadbent; Friends of the Mirboo NorthSwimming Pool Secretary,MaryBaker;Member forGippslandSouth, Danny O’Brien; Member forEasternVictoriaRegion, MelinaBath, and; South Gippsland ShireCommunity Development Officer,Lisa Goldingenjoyed thefestivities of the night

Returning to Mirboo North, Mr Broadbent also spoke at the event, praisingthe community and local shire for their efforts and commenting on the lessonslearned from the storm.

“There are lessonstobelearnt. There are serious lessons to come out of this, of that quick storm,” he said

“Even when you try to explain it, you can’t describe what happened or the landscape of what

happened. The miracleofitwas that there weren’t hundreds of lives lost and that we aren’t mourning them this day. It was sad we lost one, but it could have been far worse from the damage.

“The trees will grow back, and the beautiful surroundings that call people back to Mirboo North just to go to the pool and sit there in that surrounding theatreofnature will return and return quicker than youknow.”

Positive response for technology,waiting on SEC

By PHILIP HOPKINS

AGIPPSLAND company that has built arevolutionary new water turbine, has received positive feedback from senior water authorities and is pushing for aresponse from the re-established StateElectricity Commission (SEC).

Sundermann Water Power (SWP), based at Cowwarr, has developed technology for pumped hydro storage that can pump water back uphill without using fossil fuel energy.

The company chairman and technology inventor, Fred Sundermann,saidthe turbineproduces 25 horse-powerdrive and afive horse-power turbine that turns into apump.

“Withaone-metre head on the larger one, we can pushthe water up 12 metres fossil-free,” said Mr Sundermann, who lives between Cowwarr and Heyfield.

“Wedon’t have to have agenerator like now; we can do it via turbine to turbine, which saves the loss of electricity and is much more efficient.”

Southern Rural Water (SRW) and Melbourne Water have responded positively. Southern Rural Water, in aletter to Mr Sundermann, described his turbine water system as an “amazing design” and hoped this innovation could be incorporated into SRW’s system.

“At this stage of the Macalister Fresh Strategy Development we’re in the process of identifying and developing future infrastructure

opportunities and their relativeprioritisation,” SRW said.

“Energyispart of the discussion. We have aworking group who are tasked with investigation of the potential future infrastructure opportunities.”

The Macalister Fresh region not only encompasses the traditional MacalisterIrrigation District, but extends across the region’s high productivesoils to incorporate land from the Latrobe to the Avon Rivers.

At Melbourne Water, Joseph Keller,the senior adviser to the managing director, Dr Nerina Di Lorenzo, thanked Mr Sundermann forsharing hisinnovative design concept.

“I wanted to get in touch now and let you know we arelooking into it at this end,” he said.

“Another suggestion could be for you to reach out to the State Electricity Commission (SEC).

Thereissignificant interest in hydroelectricity in Victoria and we know the SEC has received a number of pitches frominterested partieslooking into hydro projects.

“We are workingcloselywiththe SEC at Melbourne Water to look at mutually beneficial projects between our organisations.”

John Mitchell, aLatrobe Valleyconsultant advising Mr Sundermann, said the company had consulted the SEC.

“We are awaiting an opportunity to discuss the turbineand potential uses with an SECV officer,”

Mr Mitchell said, who is aformerchief executive of Latrobe City Council and former chairman of Gippsland Water.

“Our chairman, Fred Sundermann, has also initiated discussions with two large family farming enterprises about investment and involvement with SWP. These discussionsare still ongoing,” he said.

Mr Mitchell saidSWP had had talkswith SouthernRuralWater and Gippsland Water about the turbine potential uses within the respective water systems.

“To date no firm projects are able to be pursued given the current operational environment,” he said.

“Given the currenthigh energy costs,and even higher predicted energycosts, SWP is hopeful that asuccessful pilot project can be established and confirm the turbine performance and its ability to reduce operational costs.”

Mr Sundermann has alife-long interest in designand innovation. Hiswater pump is mechanically driven by amodular micro hydro turbinethatuses the free flow of ariver or stream. Aprototype has been made by the Morwell light and heavy engineeringmanufacturer Firmins Lane, which builds turbines for Snowy Hydro.

The submerged water turbine, which drives agenerator, hasbeen specifically designed to maximise operational efficiency in slow to medium water flows of 6-12 knots.

Mr Sundermann said this concept -the generator driven by the water turbine utilising the water flow controlled by the operator -isideal where grid power is unavailableorunreliable,or becomingtoo expensive, or canbesupplemented from accessible water flows.

By generating free electrical energy from stream flows, potentialapplicationsinclude remote off-grid locations and communities; irrigation channels and pipelines for on-farm use -generator outputcan be matchedtoflow periods; waste/ wastewater treatment plants; or tidal areas where thewater flow reverses direction about every six hours.

Each turbine delivers up to 100 kW of power, and multiple turbines can be combined to form alargerworking unit, or “bank” delivering up to 1MWper bank.

The technology’sadvantage over other turbines, says Mr Sundermann, is that the power blades tilt during arotatingcycle.The bladesrotatehalf arevolution for each full rotation of the central shaft.

Thisconfiguration allows each blade to contribute aunidirectional force to the central shaft, for virtually the entire rotational cycle. In this way, the blades can efficientlyutilise the kinetic energy of the movingwater. The central shaft drives the generator via agearbox to produce emission free renewableenergy.

All generations: Local kids had the honour or cutting the cake,celebrating the reopening of the Mirboo North Pool

Entertainment: Borderline kept thegrooves up in Mirboo Northlast Saturday night, as locals commemorated one year since the stormand subsequent recovery

Community: StormProof Soiree organisers MaryBaker and Katrina Foster had agreat time with other locals as they rememberedthe events of thepastyear

Photographs: Katrina Brandon

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www.gippslandmelanoma.com.au

Fire risks posed duetopoor practice

COMMENT

BY JOHN CAMERON AND DAVID PACKHAM

MELBOURNE risks acatastrophe

because of Victoria’s poor fire control caused by humaninduced bad policy and practise, not human induced climate change.

Blaming anthropogenic climate change is masking human failure on bushfire policy while exposing Melbournians to unacceptable bushfire risk.

Melbourne is at risk of adisaster muchw orse than Bla ck Satur day, where 450,000 hectareswere burnt, 173 people killed and more than 2000 homesdestroyed at an economic cost of $4.4 billion ($6.6 billion in 2024).

The Kilmore East fire started about 11.45am on February 7, 2009.

Melbourne’s northern suburbswere fortunatel ys av ed by as outh-west wind change about 6pm. The fire burnt 100,000 ha in about eight hours, with 48,000 ha (abouthalf) in justtwo hours after the windchange turned the 55km north east flank fire into ahead fire.

Asimilar fire startingatthe wrong time, in the wrong place, with unfavourable wind speed and directioncould create ascenario in Melbourne similar to that seen in Los Angeles earlier this year.

Houses well beyond the fire front will ignite from ember attack, followed by house-to-house ignition in densely populated areas. Fire travelling at up to 9km/hr in bush and 25km/hr in grass will cause chaotic congestion with evacuation. Cars are not designed to protect occupants from ‘burn-over’ like fire trucks.

About two million peopleand 800,000 homes in nine outer Melbourne local government areas (LGAs) are at risk of destruction from ember attack, power outages and/or water restrictions for months (e.g. Canberra in 2003).

PeopleinWyndam, Melton, Hume, Whittlesea, Nillumbik, YarraRanges, Cardini a, Casey ,a nd Mornin gton Peninsula LGAs, have only two choices -abit of whitesmoke from mild fuel reduction in autumn/spring or risk their life from intense bushfires withblack smoke in summer. Our Nati ona lP arks are being degraded, and millions of native fauna are being killed by intense wildfires becaus eo fi nsuff icien tu se of low intensity fire to reduce the fine fuel load. Much of our forest carries afinefuel load (dead leaves, twigs and bark)of20to 40 tonnes/hectare and this ‘accelerant of the forest’ is the equivalentto7000 to 14,000 litres per hectare of petrol. Wildfires develop in heavy fuels of 20-40 tonnes per hectare. Their fire intensity (the energy released) is up to 150,000kilowatts per metreand they create theirown chaotic weatherstorms, with unpredictable winds,pyrocumulonimbus clouds and lightning causing new ignitions.They are impossible to suppress by any means, including with assistance from air tankers.

Fires intensity of about 4000 kWh/m is the upperlimit foreffective suppression, thusthe need to reduce fuelload.Try different dry fine fuel loads on your fire pit. The vast majority of buildings lost to bushfireare ignited by embers,not direct flame contact. Prescribed burning removes someofthe bark shards and reduces fire intensity, both helping to reduces ember attack.

An analysis of 12 major Australian bushfiresthat impacted urban areas over 1967 to 2019-20, showed that human deaths were correlated withfire intensity,but not Forest FireDanger Index (FFDI)Both fire intensityand FFDI take into account the impact of weather,but onlyfireintensity takes into account the forest fuel load. Forest fuel can be controlled, not so the weather.

Tragic bushfiresinEastern Australia are also associated withnatural climatic and weather conditions thatexpose poor effort on bushfire mitigation (e.g. fuel reduction), along with poorfiredetection and suppression, as evidenced in the 2019/20 Black summer fires.

Climate, weather and fire

BLACK Saturday in 2009 was preceded

See foryourself: An example of an intense crownfirenearOrbost in the2019/20 BlackSummer.The bushfiretravelled from the right(area with tree crowns destroyed) and waspulled up afterentering the previously prescribedburnt area (left area with green crowns). Therewas onlyabout30metres of scorched crowns (centrearea) upon enteringthe prescribed burn area. Photograph supplied

by drought, withsuccessiveyears of well below average rainfall.

After the 2009 Black Saturday bushfire, afire-behaviourscientist, Dr Miguel Cruz of the CSIRO, offered the following comment on the fire day weather: The fire weather potential witnessed during Black Saturday and the associated level of fire intensity was not unprecedented in south-eastern Australia. The recurrence of large one-day fires, where most damage is done within aperiod of less thaneight hours, is arelativelyfrequent event in this region. Under asynoptic situationtypical of extreme fire weather potentialinsouth-eastern Australia,the (2009) Kilmore East fire exhibited rates of firespread (9 km/hr)and intensityat the top end of the fire behaviour spectrum (88,000 kilowatts/m).

It was impossible for many to escape given rates of spread of 30km/hrin grassland and spot fires starting up to 30km ahead of the head fire and chaotic wind associatedwith passageofthe cold front.

Bus hfire sh av eb een par to ft he Australian landscape for millions of yearsand our most damaging bushfires in south-easternAustralia have long been associated with the following:

 Drought leading into afire season caused by natural climatic factor, including anegative Southern Annular Mode (SAM), positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), and El Niño dry phase of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO); and,  Hot windy fire weather on days of major fire runs, are generally associated with extreme ‘cold fronts'. They generate strong hot north westerly winds before the front, followed by arapid change in wind direction as the front passes. Cold fronts (induced by aphenomenon called Roseby waves) cause flare ups in fire intensity, increased rate of spread and difficulty of fire suppression. They have been associated with most large damaging bushfires in south-eastern Australia including 2019/20.

Basically, fire needs fuel, oxygen and asource of ignition. We cannot control the oxygen (wind), nor natural ignitions such as lightning, and have only limited control over other sources of ignition. We are powerless to control climatic cycles (drought) and adverse fire day weather (hot winds), and climate change within arelevant timeframe. So, let’s focus on what we can fix -the fuel load.

Fire mitigation vs fire loss

FORESTRY Australia’s Fire Committee examined more than 50 public inquiries, reviews and royal commissions since 1939, and have called for better fuel reduction.They concluded: Theincreasing extent and occurrence of wildfire disasters in the regionindicates that current firemanagement will not sustain the full range of ecosystem processes and biodiversity, nor reduce to an acceptable level the impact of wildfires on human lives and property. There is compelling evidence for the greateruse of prescribed burning.

The south-west of Western Australia has aMediterranean climate with long dry summers, and the region has been under alongand cyclicaldry period with rainfall as low as last seen in the 1880s. However, through cost-effective and well-managed prescribed burning, their wildfireloss is substantially lower thaninVictoria,wherefuelreduction is inadequate.

Over about 60 years in southwest WA, there have been no megafires and only two bushfiredeaths.Overthe same per iod, Victo ria ha shad about six megafires and 312 people havedied (four megafires since 2009). Over the past 25 years, Victoria has witnessed wildfire in 72 per cent of our 7.8 million hectares of primarily public native forest, including national parks, compared to only 21 per cent of the 2.5 million hectares in southwest WA.

Theexcessively large bushfire loss is avoidable if we implement the Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission (VBRC) recommendation of fuel reduction on average at least fiveper centofour publicnative forest each year.Over 60 years, Victoria’s fuel reduction has averaged belowtwo per cent, farless than the VBRC recommendation of at least five per cent (and experts calling for at least eight per cent), resulting in alarge proportion of wildfire area.

Bad policy

IN 2015, the Andrews government ignored the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission (VBRC) recommendationtofuelreduceonaverage by at leastfive per cent of the forest each year, atargetthey were failingtoachieve. Instead, the governmentintroduced a new approach inappropriately called ‘Safer Together’.

Under this new approach, fuel reductionhas averagedonly 1.6 per centof

Valley and was impacted by the 1939 Black Saturday and 1944 bushfires. Over the past two years you would expect acatch-up effort’. Not so; the state government completed only 67 per cent of its planned burns and amere 26 per cent of its priority planned burns. Government advertisements ask “How well do you know fire?” If the government ‘knew fire well’ it would spend more on bushfire mitigation. Last year its fire agency, Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV),spent $656 million on bushfire control, but only $36 million (5.5 per cent) on the direct cost of fuel reduction (the most vital component of mitigation). FFMV were $225 million over budget (52 per cent) because of extra spending on disaster recovery.

Mor ei nve stme nt on mitig atio n, (particularly fuel reduction) and earlier detection and better initial attack, reduces the cost of suppression and disasterrecovery.Donot rely on high-costairtankers to suppress intense bushfires.

BlackSummer

POOR bushfire mitigation,fire detection and suppression were evidenced in the 2019/20Black summer bushfires.The following are some facts associated with the BlackSummer bushfire in East Gippsland:

 Prescribed burning in the region over four years before the 2019 bushfires averaged only 0.6 per cent (one ninth of the five per cent recommended by the 2009 VBRC) and 80 per cent of the coupes were too small;

 There was little fuel reduction across the landscape as recommended by expert Dr Neil Burrows and as a result, hardly any fuel reduction close to the points of ignition in the 2019/20 fires;

the forest each year since 2015. Under the new policy, Victoria’s objective is to maintain the statewide average bushfire risk at or below aresidual risk(now called 'fuel-driven fire risk')of70per centinthe long-term. Residual risk targets for some districts are as high as 85 per cent.

Leading bushfire behaviour and fire ecology expert,DrNeil Burrows, has suggested the risk targets should be 20 per cent to 30 per cent -well below the government’s unsafe targets. The fueldriven firerisktargetisexpressed as the percentage of risk that remains after theareaofboth unplanned bushfireand planned fuel reduction are taken into account.

The intense unplanned bushfires (unlike the low intensity prescribed burns) are creating thick understory, exacerbatingfuturefire hazard. The target of 70 per cent ‘residual risk’ represents only a30per cent reduction in bushfire risk, relativetoa ‘timebomb’ forest with absolutely no fuel reduction.

As aresult,hugeareasofVictorian forests carryfuel loads(dead leaves, twigs and bark) of 20 to 40 tonnes per hectare, equivalent to 7000 to 14,000 litres per hectare of petrol -nowonder the forest fuels explode on ignition when tinder dry. Suchforests, withnobushfire mitigation, see catastrophic wildfires even under non-catastrophic climatic and weather conditions.

To ensure an adequate contractor force to fight forest fires, the government undertook to provide fire mitigation and suppression works to contractors after the closure of native timber harvesting last year. There has been aconsiderable reduction in this contract fire-mitigation work.

After introducingunsafe fuelreduction targets, the government is now not even meeting thosetargets. This includes in districtswherebushfireshave had considerable direct and indirect impact on Melbourneorother populated areas. Critical water and electricityinfrastructureare at risk.Over thelastfive years the government has failed to meet its fire-drivenrisktargets in some of our most densely populated districts.

 Yarra District has ariskof86per cent against atargetof85per cent. This peri-urban area was affected in the 1851 Black Thursday, 1926 Black Sunday, 1939 Black Friday, 1983 Ash Wednesday and 2019 Bunyip bushfires.

 Latrobe District has ariskof86 per cent against atarget of 80 per cent. This district takes in Latrobe

 The fires started from several lightning strikes on November 21, 2019 and the ForestFire Danger Index at 3pm remained below 30 for 18 days -low enough to affect suppression;

 Four of the lightning strikes that grew into significant bushfires were not detected until five to 15 hours after daybreak the next day -an avoidable delay, given technological advances;

 Initial attack was delayed. Two Tambo ignitions were not attacked until day two and day three after ignition. They became the TamboSnowy Complex fires that went on to burn 989,000 ha; and,  Suppression was undertaken with insufficient force -fewer than 50 firefighters for the first 21 days. Unfortunately, the 2019/20 fire hit Mallacoota, where 123 homes were lost. Abushfireexpert, the late Kevin Tolhurst, indicated that with appropriate prescribed burning, Mallacoota would not have burned.

The importanceoffuel reduction is best explained by Dr Neil Burrows, who lists these reasons for stepped- up fuel reduction: bushfires drawtheir energy and ‘killing power’ from the fuel. Investment in adequate fuel hazard mitigation in the broader landscape and at the rural-urban interface is essential. Prescribedburningatappropriate spatial and temporal scales is not a panacea, but it is thecornerstoneto mitigating the wildfire threat.

Considerable real-world evidence shows prescribed fuel reduction saves hectares, homes and lives from wildfire. Examples of success in Victoria include Nowa Nowa and Bruthen 2019/20; Tostaree2011; Alpine 2003; Little Desert and Grampians 1990/91; BemmRiver 1988; Lorne-Anglesea1983; Mt Macedon 1983; Cann River 1982/83; Stawell 1980; Barkstead 1980; Dimboola 1980; and Dargo 1978. Acancelled prescribedburn would have saved Sarsfield in 2019/20. Aboutthe authors: John Cameron has an MBA and has worked in forest research, corporate development, general management and forest consulting. He served as am ember of aC FA Industry Brigadefor many years and on the board of two forest-related CRCs. DavidPackham OOM has aMaster of Applied Science and has worked on fire behaviour for CSIRO, universities and Bureau of Meteorology. He co-developed aerial ignitionfor prescribed burning, was Director of the National Centre for Rural Fire Research and is arecipient of the PhilipJ.DiNenno Prize for technical developments that impact public safety.

Honour for long-standing volunteer

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

AFIRE-FIGHTING volunteer for morethan 30 years, Yallourn North resident Mark King was arecipient of the Australian Fire Service Medal during the 2025 Australia Day honours.

Mr King admitted he wasn't expecting such recognition.

"A bit of ashock... immense pride and it's making me feel abit humble as well," he said.

Mr Kingfirst joined the CFA and his local fire brigadein1992, and has taken on plenty of roles during his time.

With concerns the brigade may have had to fold, hisbrotherLance(whohas beenaYallournNorth member for 40 years) approached him and his mates about joiningup, which initiated this phase of hislife.

"Atthe time, Lance, my older brother, come up to the football club and basically said, 'Unless we get more members, thenthe brigade willclose'. It justdidn'thave enoughmemberstomakeit viable," Mr King said.

"So, aheap of us from the football club went down and joined and that's how it come about."

The list of roles Mr King has taken on includes brigadecaptain,communications officer, sector commander, divisional commander,deputy operations officer, and health team leader. He is acurrent community liaison officer.

"I was pretty lucky there because right from the start we had to fill all those roles, so Iput my hand up for one and liked it. Working shift work, Ihad plenty of timeoff so Ihad great opportunities.

The CFA were really good in providing training and other opportunities... it helped my volunteer career certainly," he added.

Mr King has also extended his expertise to fire investigation, predominately regarding structural investigation and wildfire investigationsince 2004.

The King lineage continues with his daughter Hayley, who currently serves as captainofthe Yallourn North Urban Fire Brigade and his son Ryan, who is also amember.

"That was abig day when the brigade voted Hayley in as captain... Ifelt very proud that day, that's for sure," Mr King said. He has also led countless operations both statewide and interstate as astrike team leader, dealing with some monumental natural disasters in each of his ventures.

"I went to New South Wales to Lismore with the floods(in 2022),thatone really struck home about howitaffected all the people there,"MrKing said.

"It's abit different from abushfire, where abushfire will come through and maybe destroy ahouse

and they can rebuild, this just ruined everything (and) it was amatter of starting all over again.

"The resilience of those people, street barbecues and everything going like that in amongst what was happening... that one struck home afair bit."

Mr King's other passion within the CFA concerns firefighter health, safetyand wellbeing,ashe played apivotal partinintroducing the south-east region's first Health Monitoring and Rehabilitation Unit, which now boasts up to three in the area.

"It is agreat asset, seeing ayoung lady at afire, we couldn'tget an ambulance because (it was) a Code Blackday where nothing was available, and she was highly stressed and then acouple of days later, my own son was heat stressed and we went out and picked him up -fromthat point, Ithought there's got to be abetter way," he said.

"Fortunately, one of the brigade members had started to do abit of researchinto it and he'd given the information and Ibasically just ran with it.

"Our first kit, Igot agrant and we got akit in from America, one of the brigade members loaned us atrailer and we did abit of aroad show with that, showing other brigades, so interest sparks from other brigades as well, which is good."

Many of these developments have significantly reducedheat-related incidents and hospital treatment claims among firefighters.

Mr King has also lent his hand to train new volunteer firefighters comingupthrough the ranks at abeginnerlevel, equipping them withthe essential qualifications including breathing apparatuses, tanker licenses and general firefighting skills.

"We want to make sure thatthey are trained right and they're safe," he said.

"But it is agood feeling to see people, even in our brigade, come up through the juniors into the seniors, and help train them (and) get them on the fire ground.... it's arewarding experience."

He admitted to not being able to commit to that as much as of late, but with Mr King retiring from work at Latrobe City Council after 21 years, more time will free up for him to dive even further into his volunteering for the CFA across the board.

Mr King wished to first thank his local fire brigade in Yallourn North and the entire crew he's worked with across the journey.

"If it wasn't for those people that are past and present members, Icertainly wouldn't be where I am today," he said.

He also issued his thanks to all of the staff he's worked alongside across his time at District 9(Warragul) and District27(Morwell)CFA Headquarters.

Acknowledgment: YallournNor th’s MarkKingreceived the AustralianFireSer vice Medal during the 2025AustraliaDay honours. Photograph: BlakeMetcalf-Holt

HOROSCOPES

by Joanne MadelineMoore

February17-February23, 2025

,

t as an opportun ty to regroup, replan and re-energ se You thrive on debate and confrontation but pick your battles carefully because ( n the short term) you’re unlikely to win Compromise and a coo head w ll get you a lot further

It’s time to rev ew and renew your peer group as the Sun, Mercury, Saturn and Neptune fire up your friendship and networking zones Be nsp red by birthday great, writer Ana s Nin: “Each friend represents a wor d in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born ” When it comes to neighbours and local community connections, don’t rush Meditation, contemplation, rum nation and relaxation are favoured

Th s week Jupiter squares your ruling planet, Mercury So, if you spread goss p or jump to hasty conclusions, you could end up in hot water And avoid the tendency to take shortcuts, especial y at work A slap-dash attitude wi l only mean you have to do everything twice With a more methodical and practical approach, you can accompl sh tasks and still have p enty of time to play With Mars revers ng through your money zone, impulse buys are a temptation

It’s not a good week to nitiate amb tious projects that require heaps of energy and buckets of enthusiasm Mars is reversing through your s gn (until next Monday, February 24) so you may feel l ke a sluggish, unmot vated, cranky Crab! However, it is a suitable time to revise, rehearse and re-imagine So your motto for the moment s from writer and b rthday great, Anais Nin: “There are many ways to be free One of them is to transcend reality by imaginat on ”

Saturn is transiting through one of your money zones, so ook for ways to consolidate your finances and build firm fiscal foundations for the future Getting sound profess onal advice is best policy, as you work on man festing abundance nspiration and intuition are taking a short break, but they’ll be back soon Your motto for the week is from wr ter and birthday great Ana s Nin: “You should not give anybody the power to decide what is right and wrong in your creativity ”

Partnerships – of the romantic, platonic and business variety – are h ghlighted, as the planets activate your relationsh p zone Jupiter is v siting your career and life direction zones, so se f-belief s the key to success and sat sfaction Don’t let annoying disruptions and minor matters rattle you! Keep going on your chosen path, with confidence and determinat on Be insp red by b rthday great, writer Ana s N n: “Good things happen to those who hust e ”

It’s not a good week to initiate ambitious professional projects that require p enty of energy enthusiasm and motivation Dynam c Mars is reversing through your career zone (unt l next Monday, February 24) so you may feel l ke a lazy, lacklustre Libran! However, it is a su table time to review revise rehearse and reimagine Venus is transit ng through your relationship zone, so make sure you tel loved ones how much they mean to you

On Tuesday the Sun transits into fe low water-sign Pisces which boosts your creativ ty compass on and sensit vity However, this week much of your time could be consumed by a frustrating problem involving a chi d, teenager or friend In order to sat sfactor ly resolve the situation, you’ll need to be discreet, proact ve and patient If you are go ng away (locally, interstate or overseas), then take your time and double-check a l travel arrangements careful y

Speedy, spontaneous Sagittarius – it’s time to s ow down and tread ginger y Mars is still in retrograde mode unti February 24, so avoid be ng too b asé about a compl cated ssue (especially involv ng int macy, trust, taxes, income, property, possessions or oint finances) With Jupiter (your patron planet) squar ng communicat on planet Mercury on Thursday/Friday, be careful you don’t put your foot firmly in your mouth and end up offending a loved one

Mighty Mars is still reversing through your relat onship zone unti Monday, February 24, so be extra patient with loved ones Jupiter blesses professional projects with one prov so your heart must be n what you are doing If you’re just going through the motions, t will affect the quality of your work On Thursday and Friday, don’t ump to conclusions and assume you know what

Four planets are activating your cash zone Lett ng finances take their own course seems tempting but you really do need to keep up to speed with money matters If you increase your financial literacy then it wi l pay off handsome y further down the track, as you replace short-term whims with long-term strateg es Th s week’s pos t ve Venus vibes are fabulous for social media connections and inventive internet endeavours as you talk, text, tweet and post up a storm

Courtesy of retro Mars, be extra patient w th a child, teenager or friend On Tuesday, the Sun o ns Mercury, Saturn and Neptune in Pisces So you’ll feel l ke daydreaming and creating even more than usual as you perform, paint, draw, dance, write, s ng songs, p ay music or take photographs Be insp red by wr ter and b rthday great Anais Nin: “Throw your dreams into space l ke a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new ife, a new friend, a new ove ”

with AIDAN KNIGHT

COPYR GHT Joanne Made ne Moore 2025

50 years ago

The Express, February 21, 1975

Youth on weapons charges

AMEMBERofabikegang has been chargedwith anumberofoffences after being detained by Yallourn police on Sunday. The 17-year-old from Newborough, has been charged withcarryingapistol without alicence, shorteningafirearm and carryinganoffensive weapon, aknife. Police detained the youth in the Woods Point Road area. He will appear in Moe Court.

30 years ago

The Express, February 20, 1995 WA artist

heads to Antarctic via Moe

EN ROUTE to the Antarctic from Western Australia’s remote Kimberly Region, artist Nadeen Lovell made adetourtoMoe to finally meet up with colleague John Mutsaers. Nadeen has left her beloved Kimberly for three-and-a-half weeks on a Russianicebreaker exploring the Antarctic. Travelling through Melbourne,Nadeen took the opportunity to visit Moe and meet the man who has been interviewing her over the phone for the past12months Nadeen is one of 50 artists featured in John Mutaer’sbook on Australian artists, which is due to be released soon.Although the two artists had talked often, they had nevermet face-to-faceand Nadeen’s trip to the great southland offered the perfect opportunity. Born in 1948, Nadeen Lovell has had an interesting life,turningher back on asuccessful career in Sydney for apart-time job as aguide on four-wheel drive tours of the Kimberly. Nadeen feel in love with this remote area of Western

Australia after touringthe region in 1989. Nadeen admits she was “captivated” by the Kimberly and on returning to Sydney “threw everythingaway”, including a successful business career, to travel alone through Australia’s outback, where the seasonal nature of her job allows her to earn money while stillhavingplenty of time to pursue her art. However, Nadeen is quick to point outthatishas taken a lot of hard work to get where she is today. “People often look at me and think it looks easy. They have aromantic notion of an artist but it is not easy. So many creative people don’t have the drive to make them successful.” As Nadeen Lovell sets off to meet her next challenge of painting the Antarctic, it is obvious drive is something she does not lack.

10 years ago

The Express, 23 February, 2015

Ex-employee‘felt demoralised’

AFORMER Federation University staff member was told by management to say nothing about her redundancy. “We were made redundant, there was agoing away party and nobody was to tell people that they were leaving,” the formerstaff member said, who asked to remain anonymous. She spoke of her 20-year old career at Monash University before Federation took ownership of the Churchill campus in January 2014. In this time, she said she went from looking forward to going to work every day, to feeling demoralised. “They’re letting lecturers go, key staff go and are not looking at what you do. You don’t take it to the supervisors. The supervisors didn’t know staff were going because of the privacy,” she said. Now retired, she said she feared for the future of the Churchill campus. “I feel so sorry for the people left there, and the Valley. What’s goingtohappen with all these people going? There will be nothing left.” She said.

Committee recruitment drive

Fishermen Limited and NoweyungLimitedBruce Hammond, and work alongside government representatives that help manage the lakes.

THE Gippsland Lakes CoordinatingCommittee is recruiting people to helpcoordinate projects, activities and community engagementtoimprove the health of the Gippsland Lakes for locals and visitors to enjoy.

Ministerfor Water, Gayle Tierneyhas announced the opening of expressions of interest for community positions on the Gippsland Lakes Coordinating Committee, with five positions open for people with apassion for the Gippsland Lakes.

The committee will oversee the state government's investmentof$6million to continue improving the health of the lakes through management, improving facilitiesand community engagement.

This work is vital for ensuring the Gippsland Lakes remain avibrant wetland, supporting families to experience the great outdoors with boating and camping while providing ahome for local native wildlife.

Memberfor Eastern Victoria, Tom McIntosh encouraged those interested to put forward their interest.

“The Gippsland Lakes support adiverse range of plant and animal species and attract visitors fromall overthe world, it’svital we continue to support the health of this important site," he said. Expressions of interest are also open for an independent chairperson to lead the committee.

The Gippsland Lakes Coordinating Committee was formedin2015 to prioritiseand oversee investmentincommunity and agency projects that focus on improving the environmental health of the Gippsland Lakes.

Positionsare available for people with a background in waterway management, natural resources management, environmental science or conservation, as well as Traditional Owners and recreational water users.

Candidates will be selected by an independent panel, chaired by formerManagingDirector of East Gippsland Water andchair of LakesEntrance

The Gippsland Lakes is aRamsar listed wetland recognised for its significantcoastal wetlandvalues and features, including vital habitat for migratory bird species.

The site also supports threatened wetland species, waterbird breeding and fish spawning sites. Expressionsofinterest for the Gippsland Lakes Coordinating Committee closeat5pm on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

For more information, visit: boards.vic.gov.au

TheGuide

SOCCER:A-LEAGUE MEN

10 Bold, Saturday, 7.25pm

Finals arestill alittle wayoff, but there’severythingtoplay forinthe finalMelbournederbyofthe 202425 season, with both teams currently caught in the middle of the table and hungryfor the three points. After Victoryclinchedthe firstclash 3-1 and a65th-minute equaliser from skipper Roderick Miranda prevented City from celebratinginRound9, this third showdown livefroma packed-out AAMI Park promises to be aseason-defining match. City’s hada shocking away record of late,but their homeshowings havebeen strong in 2025 –captain Aziz Behich (pictured) will be hoping that thehome ground advantage applies despitetechnically being the “away” side tonight

MATLOCK

10, Sunday, 8.30pm

This week, Matlockdraws inspiration from the excellent Netflix comedy AManontheInside,which sees TedDanson go undercoverasa privateeye in an aged care home. Whilenot goingtothe same lengths in thename of espionage, “Crash Helmets On”seeslegal eagles Matty (Kathy Bates) and Sarah(Leah Lewis, pictured) bond after posing as family members to gatherintel about the goingsonatTranquil Pines, an assisted livingfacility beingdefended againstclaims of negligence by the Jacobson-Mooreteam. But when Sarah opens up about her childhood and real-lifegrandmother,Matty onceagain risks getting tooclose to acolleagueand endangeringher secret sabotage mission.

Wednesday, February 19

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) 1.55 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 3.00 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.25 Grand Designs. (R)

4.10 Long Lost Family (PG,R)

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

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

7.30 7.30

8.00 Hard Quiz. (PG)

8.30 Optics. (Mls) AHollywood star challengesthe team 9.05 Guy Montgomery’sGuy Mont Spelling Bee(NZ) (PG,R) Presented by GuyMontgomery 9.50 Planet America.

10.20 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R)

10.50 ABC Late News. 11.05 The Business. (R) 11.20 Aftertaste. (Ml, R) 12.20 Grand Designs (R) 1.10 Long Lost Family.(PG,R) 2.00 Rage (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.10 Parkinson In Australia. (PGa, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

PICK OF THE WEEK

SUITS L.A.

Seven Monday 9 10pm

It s a story every TV producer dreams of: four years after legal drama Suitscalled it quits in 2019 the series became the most-streamed show of 2023 (even beating Bluey) Whatever the reason for its belated surge in popularity (though razorsharp writing racy office romances and curiosity about Meghan Markles acting talents come to mind), creator Aaron Korsh can only hope lightning strikes twice with this West Coast spin-off It follows former New York federal prosecutor Ted Black (Arrows Stephen Amell), whose fresh start as an entertainment lawyer isn’t going to plan – his Black Lane firm is in dire straits and hes not at all keen on the only way to save it from ruin

NCIS

10, Tuesday,9pm

Along with fast-paced investigations, intriguingcases and snappydialogue, one of the joys in watchingthis long-running naval crime procedural lies in teasing out the details of its character’s personal lives. While SupervisorySpecial Agent Alden Parker (GaryCole, pictured) isn’t quite as mysterious as his predecessor Gibbs (MarkHarmon), we still don’t know much about the team leader when he’s not on theclock.However,Tuesday’sepisode makes one thingcrystal clear about Parker:his penchant forpastries. Directed by Rocky Carroll, who (fittingly) plays Director Vance, “Baker’s Man”sees Eleni (CSI:NYstar Melina Kanakaredes), the owner of Parker’s favourite bakery,targeted by blackmailers.

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8)

6am Morning Programs. 10.00 ShortHistory Of The English Garden. (Final,R) 11.00 Estonia From Above 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 Where Are YouReally From? (PG, R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour.(R) 3.40 The Cook Up.(PG,R) 4.10 Lighthouses: Building The Impossible. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorningShow. 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 AustralianIdol. (PG, R) 3.00 TheChase. (R) Hosted by Bradley Walsh. 4.00 SevenNewsAt4 5.00 TheChaseAustralia. Hosted by LarryEmdur 6.00 Today 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Married At FirstSight (Mls, R) 1.30 My Way. (PG) 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 Mastermind Australia. (PG, R) 6.30 SBS World News. 7.35 Lord Lucan. (Malv) 8.30 Wonders Of TheSun With Dara ÓBriain. (Final, PG)Dara ÓBriain learns about the Sun. 9.25 Miniseries: Playing Nice. (Final,Malv)

10.25 SBS World NewsLate. 10.55 Pagan Peak. (MA15+av) 11.45 Rogue Heroes. (Final, Malv,R) 12.50 Agent Hamilton. (MA15+v,R) 2.35 Barkley Manor.(Final, R) 3.05 Living With The Boss. (PG, R) 3.55 Employable Me (USA) (Ma, R) 4.45 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 SevenNews

7.00 HomeAnd Away (PG) Cash confronts Tane 7.30 The1%ClubUK. (PGd) HostedbyLee Mack. 8.30 Ludwig. (Mav) After abody falls from aconstructionsite, John investigates whether it wasjustaterrible accident or aperfectly executedmurder.However when things do notquite addup, John begins to question his abilities.

11.00 Breathtaking. (Mal) The team takes on the COVID-19 pandemic. 12.05 Covert Affairs. (Msv, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News

7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 Married At FirstSight. (Mls) The new couples attend theirfirstdinnerparty

9.00 Big Miracles. (Mam) AngieKent undergoesegg collection surgery 10.00 9News Late.

10.30 Casualty 24/7 (Mm, R) 11.30 TheEqualizer (MA15+v,R) 12.15 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.05 Your Next Cruise.(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 ACurrent Affair.(R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

Backinbusiness: StephenAmell

leads SuitsL.A. as entertainment lawyer TedBlack

(2020,PG, Korean) 9.10 3DaysInQuiberon.(2018

(2019,M)

5.40

11.20

(2016,PG, Japanese) 3.25

(1983

Caraboo.(1994,PG) 7.30 The Big Chill. (1983,M) 9.30 Oskars Kleid.(2022, M, German) 11.25 Swan Song. (2021,M) 1.25am From TheVine. (2019,M) 3.10 Punch. (2022, MA15+) 5.00 Magnetic Fields. (2021, PG,Greek)

OutbackTruckers. 3.00 Billy TheExterminator 3.30 CountingCars. 4.30 Storage Wars 5.00 American Restoration. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Highway Patrol. 8.30 The Force: Behind The

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by GrantDenyer 6.30 TheProject Alook at the day’snews. 7.30 Australian Survivor (PGa) Presented by Jonathan LaPaglia. 9.00 Elsbeth. (Ma) Elsbeth and Kaya investigate arising tennisstar and his competitivefather andcoach after aworld champion dropsdead. 10.00 NCIS: Hawai’i (Mv) Sam asks Tennant for afavour. 10.55

Thursday, February 20

ABC (2)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Foreign Correspondent. (R) 10.30 BackRoads. (PG, R) 11.10 TheRole Of ALifetime. (PG, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 The Newsreader. (Ml, R) 2.00 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 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)

7.30 7.30 8.00 Back Roads: Kangaroo Island, South Australia. (PG) Paul West visits Kangaroo Island

8.30 Sue Perkins’Big Adventure: Paris To Istanbul: Strasbourg And Munich. (PGn) Sue Perkins visits Strasbourg and Munich.

9.20 Grand Designs: SydenhamHill. (Final, R) Hosted by Kevin McCloud. 10.10 TheRole Of ALifetime. (PG,R) 10.55 ABCLateNews. 11.10 TheBusiness. (R)

11.30 Miriam Margolyes Almost Australian. (Final, Ml, R) 12.25 Grand Designs.(R) 1.15 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 2.05 Rage (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.40 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

6am MorningPrograms. 11.00 FinlandFrom Above 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBSNews. 2.00 The Abyss:The Rise AndFall Of The Nazis. (PGa, R) 3.00 Where Are YouReallyFrom? (PG, R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour.(R) 3.40 The Cook Up.(R) 4.10 SecretsOfRoyal Gardens. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 LettersAnd Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Finding Your Roots: BuriedSecrets (PG) Hosted by HenryLouis Gates Jr

8.30 Scotland’sPoshestTrain: AlanCumming. (PG) Alan Cumming’strip continues as he joins theRoyalScotsmanin Edinburgh. 9.30 MOVIE: BoilingPoint. (2021, MA15+dl, R) Ahead chef’s life balances on aknife’sedge. Stephen Graham, Vinette Robinson. 11.15 SBSWorld NewsLate 11.45 Golden Boy. (Mdln) 12.35 The Allegation.(MA15+av, R) 2.30 Earth’s Natural Wonders. (PGa, R) 3.25 EmployableMe (USA)(Ma, R) 4.15 Peer To Peer.(PG,R) 4.45 Destination Flavour ChinaBitesize. (PGa,R) 5.00 NHKWorld English News Morning 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The MorningShow.(PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 MOVIE: BadRomance: The Vicky White Story (2023,Masv) Wendi McLendon-Covey. 3.00 TheChase. (R) 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChase Australia.

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Home AndAway. (PGa) Dana nurses fresh heartbreak. Bree jumps to the wrong conclusion. Tane doubles down on hiswedding plans

8.30 MOVIE: Mamma Mia!

(2008, PGls, R) Ayoung woman invites three of her mother’s former boyfriends to herupcoming wedding on aGreek island, to determine which of the trio is her father and havehim escort her down theaisleonher big day. Amanda Seyfried, MerylStreep,Colin Firth.

10.50 To Be Advised.

12.30 Damnation. (MA15+asv) Creeley divides thefarmers.

1.30 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping (R)

4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise

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

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 RBT. (PGdl) Followsthe activities of police units

8.30 Emergency (Mm) Dr Tinnie Chang’sconfused patient has severe head and back injuriesafter ahorror fall.

9.30 A+EAfter Dark (Malm) TheBirmingham,Norwich and Maidstone A&E teams face intense challenges.

10.30 9News Late.

11.00 Resident Alien. (Malv) Harry and Asta team up with an unlikely ally

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 ACurrentAffair (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. HostedbyGrant Denyer. 6.30 TheProject. Alook at the day’snews. 7.30 GoggleboxAustralia. (Return) Opinionated viewers discuss TV shows 8.30 TheGraham Norton Show. (Mls) Graham Norton is joined on the couch by Reese Witherspoon,

Out Of 10 Cats DoesCountdown. 8.30 TWAFlight 800 9.20 The Flight Attendant Murders 10.15 Homicide: Life On TheStreet. 1am Criminal Planet. 2.50 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera. SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 5.45pm Hey Duggee. 5.55 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. 8.00 Operation Ouch! 8.30 BTN Newsbreak. 8.35 SecretsOfThe Zoo. 9.20 Chopped Junior 10.10 Merlin. 10.55 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 6.35 The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir.(2018,PG) 8.25 Fantastic Mr.Fox (2009,PG) 10.00 Linoleum. (2022, M) 11.55 Arab Blues. (2019,M,Arabic) 1.30pm 3Days In Quiberon (2018,PG, French) 3.40 Minari. (2020,PG, Korean) 5.50 Bride And Prejudice. (2004,PG) 7.55 But I’m ACheerleader.(1999, M) 9.30 Blue Jean. (2022, M) 11.20 Late Programs. SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6am Morning Programs. 2pm Kairakau. 2.30 TheCook Up 3.00 Waabiny Time. 3.25 Little JAnd BigCuz. 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 Great Blue Wild. 7.30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo 8.30 The Green Veil 9.30 MOVIE: Under The CherryMoon. (1986,M) 11.15 Late Programs. NITV (34) 6am Shopping. 6.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30

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

ABC News. Alook

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 JamesMay:Our Man In Italy: God’sApology (Premiere, Ml) 8.30 Tony Robinson’s Marvellous Machines: Mighty Machines. (R) Alookatmightymachines. 9.25 Mysteries Of TheAncient Dead: Zoroastrians, Mongolia, The Bo Alookatawell filled with bones.

10.20 SBSWorld News Late. 10.50 Bonn. (Msv) 11.45 Sisi. (MA15+s, R) 2.30 Earth’s Natural Wonders.(PGa,R) 3.30 Employable Me (USA) (Ma, R) 4.20 PeerToPeer.(PG, R) 4.50 Destination Flavour ChinaBitesize. (PG, R) 5.00 NHK World EnglishNewsMorning 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight.

8.55 Robot Wars 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Bride And Prejudice. Continued. (2004, PG) 7.05 RedObsession. (2013,PG) 8.35 Princess Caraboo (1994,PG)

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 Better HomesAnd Gardens. (R) 2.00 To Be Advised. 3.00 TheChase. (R) 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChase Australia.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Better Homes And Gardens Adam Dovile travels in Canada.

8.30 MOVIE: TheGreatestShowman. (2017,PGa, R) Aftermeetingawealthy playwright, showman and entrepreneur PT Barnum sets out to create awax museum and circus. However, as his fame grows and business ventures increase, he almost loses everything. Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron. 10.40 GetOnExtra Alook at the weekend’sbestracing.

11.10 To Be Advised.

12.50 Dr Harry’sAnimal Encounters. (PG, R) PresentedbyDrHarry Cooper

2.00 Home Shopping (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 5.00 NBCToday

The Golden Girls. 6.30 TheNanny 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: The Meg. (2018, M) 10.40 Seinfeld. 11.40 The O.C. 12.35am TheNanny 1.35 Bewitched. 2.05

Mlv,R)Nathan

Levien. 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG) 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 David Attenborough’s Mammals: TheNew Wild. (PG) Looks at howmammals mustadapt.

8.40 MOVIE: TheHitman’s Bodyguard. (2017,MA15+alv,R) Abodyguard must protect the life of a hit man who is settotestifyatthe International Criminal Court. Ryan Reynolds, Samuel LJackson, Gary Oldman.

11.05 MOVIE: No SuddenMove (2021, MA15+lv) Agroup of criminals is brought together for ajob.Don Cheadle.

1.00 Getaway (PG,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 OrNoDeal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer 6.30 TheProject Alookatthe day’snews. 7.30 Wheel Of Fortune UK Game show 8.30 TheGraham Norton Show. (Ml, R) Graham Norton is joined on the red couch by actorsJulianne Moore and Paapa Essiedu, comedian Ricky

Saturday, February 22

6.00 Rage Charts. (PG) 7.00

Breakfast. 9.00 Rage.(PG) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 Death In Paradise. (Mv,R) 1.30 Optics. (Mls, R) 2.00 Mozart: Rise Of AGenius. (PGl, R) 2.55 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R) 3.45 TheRoleOfALifetime. (PG, R) 4.30 Muster Dog s: Collies AndKelpies. (PG, R) 5.30 Landline. (R)

6.00 AustralianStory: Heartfelt –Colin Clausen And LauraAisbett. (R) Presented by Leigh Sales.

6.30 Back Roads: Kangaroo Island, South Australia. (PG, R) Paul West visits KangarooIsland

7.00 ABC News. Alook at the top stories of theday

7.30 Death In Paradise. (PG) Theteam rallies round Selwyn

8.30 Vera (Ma, R) When the badly beaten body of ahomeless veteran is found on the streets of central Newcastle, DCIVeraStanhope must piecetogether the life of aforgotten man to gettothe cause of his death.

10.05 TheNewsreader (Ml, R) Dale hostsa lavish birthday party

10.55 Unforgotten. (Mal, R) The victim’s past comes to light. 11.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

6am MorningPrograms. 9.10 Love Your Home And Garden. (PGa, R) 10.00 The World From Above.(R) 11.05 Ageless Gardens. (Md, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Figure Skating. ISU European Championships. Highlights. 4.30 Plat Du Tour.(R) 4.35 Wonders Of Scotland. (PGa, R) 5.30 The Graveyard Of Truk Lagoon.

6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Sandi Toksvig’sWoodland Restoration. Sandi Toksvig asks for help managingthe woods

8.25 Scotland TheNew Wild: Lowlands. (PG) Explores Scotland’s Lowlands, home to more than 80 per cent of the country’spopulation.

9.25 GreatAustralian Walks With Julia Zemiro: MainYarraTrail. (PG, R) JuliaZemiro heads to theYarraRiver 10.20 GreatCoastal Railway Journeys: Dunbar To Edinburgh. (PGa, R) 11.30 Home Jacking (MA15+av) 1.15 TheMan Who Died. (Mals, R) 3.00 Love Your Garden. (R) 3.55 EmployableMe(USA) (Mal, R) 4.45 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight

6am WorldWatch. 10.00 Front Up 11.35 Fashionista. 11.45 MOVIE: Sione’s Wedding. (2006, M) 1.30pm BeyondOak Island. 2.20 TenYear Old Tom. 2.50 Celebrity Mastermind. 3.55 WorldWatch. 5.55 The Food That Built TheWorld. 7.35 Impossible Engineering. 8.30 Icons Unearthed: TomCruise. 10.20 Hudson &Rex Midnight The X-Files. 3.20 NHK WorldEnglish News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.

6am MorningPrograms.

6.00 NBCToday 7.00 WeekendSunrise. 10.00 TheMorning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. Silver Slipper Stakes Day and Caulfield Blue Diamond. 5.00 SevenNews At 5. 5.30 Border Security:Australia’s Front Line. (R) Amusician has arun-in with Immigration.

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship.Round 1. Sydney 500. Day 1. Pre-race and race

9.15 MOVIE: TheBourne Ultimatum. (2007,Mv, R) Lured outofhidingbya reporter researching astory connected to his past, aformer secret agent is once again huntedbythe agency that created him to prevent him exposing their secrets. MattDamon, Julia Stiles, David Strathairn.

11.35 Motorway Patrol. (PGa,R)

A12-year-old is caught driving

12.05 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round1.Sydney 500.Day 1. Highlights.

1.05 Dr Harr y’sAnimal Encounters (PG,R)Presented by Dr Harry Cooper

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 It’s Academic (R) Hosted by Simon Reeve 5.00 My GreekOdyssey (PG, R)

1.30pm Great Blue Wild. 2.20 Nula 2.50 The Panther Within. 3.50 First People’sKitchen. 4.20 Haka Warriors2023. 4.30 Strait To ThePlate 5.05 Spirit Talker 5.35 The Last Land: Gespe’gewa’gi. 6.00 Black As. 6.05 CarpoolKoorioke. 6.20 News. 6.35 The Other Side. 7.30 AloneAustralia. 8.30 MOVIE: Housebound. (2014, MA15+) 10.30 Late Programs. NITV (34) 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. Silver Slipper StakesDay and Caulfield Blue Diamond. 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

6am The Last Wave.Continued. (1977,PG) 7.15 Kung Fu Yoga (2017,PG) 9.15 Much AdoAbout Nothing. (1993 PG) 11.20 But I’m ACheerleader. (1999,M) 12.55pm Blue Jean. (2022, M) 2.45 BrideAnd Prejudice. (2004,PG) 4.50 RedObsession. (2013,PG) 6.20 What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.(1993,PG) 8.35 L.A. Confidential. (1997, MA15+) 11.00 GetawayOfLove. (2015,MA15+,Italian) 12.40am Late Programs.

6.00

6.00 9News Saturday. 7.00 ACurrent Affair.

7.30 Space Invaders. (PGa) The team helps amotherand daughter declutter

8.30 MOVIE: AStar Is Born. (2018,Madls, R) Amusicianhelps ayoung singer findfameashis own career spirals downward. Lady Gaga Bradley Cooper,Sam Elliott.

11.15 My Life As ARolling Stone: Charlie Watts. (Mad,R) Takesa look at Charlie Watts.

12.30 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.30 Let’sEat With George. (R)

2.00 TheIncredible Journey Presents (PG)

2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 GlobalShop. (R)

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

9GEM

PG) 7.00 Rugby Union. Super Rugby Pacific. Round 2. ACTBrumbies vWestern Force. 9.30 Super Rugby Pacific Post-Match. 9.45 MOVIE: OperationFinale. (2018, MA15+) 12.15am Late Programs.

6.30 TheDog House Australia. (PGa, R) Aseniorsnaggletooth may havefoundthe perfect retirement home with an expat professional.

7.30 Love It Or ListItAustralia. Neale Whitaker and Andrew Winter help Australians renovate or findanew home 8.30 Gog gleboxAustralia. (R) Adiverse range of people open their living rooms to reveal their reactions to popularand topical TV shows, with the help of special, locked-off cameras which capture every unpredictablemoment. 9.30 Matlock. (PGl, R) Matty helps Olympia with her cousin’s wrongful dismissal case. 10.30 Ambulance Australia. (Ma, R) Aman is crushed by acrane. 11.45 Ambulance UK (Mlm, R) Paramedics deal with ahit-and-run accident 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.

Ben Fogle: Starting Up Starting Over 4.20 YoungSheldon. 5.20 MOVIE: Space Jam. (1996) 7.00 Basketball. WNBL Playoffs. First semi-finalseries. 9.00 MOVIE: She’sThe Man. (2006,PG)

Sunday, Februar y23

ABC TV (2)

SBS (3)

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8) 6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 Wknd Brekky 9.00 Insiders. 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 The World This Week.(R) 11.00 Compass. (PG, R) 11.30 Songs Of Praise. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 GardeningAustralia. (R) 2.30 Monty Don’s Spanish Gardens. (Final R) 3.30 Sue Perkins’ BigAdventure: Paris To Istanbul. (PGn, R) 4.15 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG,R) 5.05 This Is Going To Be Big. (PG, R)

6.00 AntiquesRoadshow (R) 7.00 ABCNews. Alook at the top stories of the day

7.30 Muster Dog s: Collies And Kelpies. (PG) The pups must becomeworking dogs

8.30 TheNewsreader (Mal)Rob makes acontroversial comment on air when discussing apartheid sportsboycotts.

9.25 Love Me. (Ml) AsGlen, Clara andAaron’s relationships struggle underpressure, theyeach find themselves alone again.

10.20 MOVIE: SundayToo FarAway. (1975,Mlv,R)JackThompson

11.50 YouCan’t AskThat (MA15+as, R) 12.20 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

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

6am MorningPrograms. 11.30 Britain’s Great Outdoors. (R) 12.00 APAC Weekly 12.30 PBS WashingtonWeek. 12.55 Powerchair Football (R) 1.00 Motorcycle Racing. Australian SuperbikeChampionship.Round 1. 3.00 Figure Skating. ISU European Championships. Highlights. 4.30 Beyond ThePitch.(R) 4.40 Sensei: Australia’s Karate Master.(PG, R) 5.30 The Master Of Submarines.

6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Ancient Greece By Train: Thessaloniki To Delphi (Premiere) 8.25 Emperor: Rise AndFall Of ADynasty (Premiere) LooksatLivia Drusilla. 9.20 LegendsOfThe Pharaohs: Akhenaton, TheEnigma. (Ma, R) Takesa look at Akhenaton. 10.20 GreatBritish Landmark Fixers. (R) 11.15 Death Of An Icon: Marilyn Monroe. (Mads, R) 12.15 Nadia: AStolen Life. (Malv, R) 1.50 Love Your Garden. (R) 2.40 Employable Me (USA) (Ma, R) 3.30 Sing St Patrick. (R) 4.30 Peer To Peer.(PG, R) 5.00 NHKWorld English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al JazeeraNews.

6.00 NBCToday 7.00 WeekendSunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend.(PG) 12.00 Better Homes And Gardens Summer (R) 1.00 MotorRacing. Supercars C’ship Round 1. Sydney 500. Day 2. Qualifying and support races. From Sydney Motorsport Park. 3.30 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 1. Sydney 500 Day2.Pre-race and race

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Australian Idol. (PG) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie. 8.40 TheHunters:Beaumont Children Myster y. (Mav) Takes aminute-by-minute look of the day that the three Beaumont siblings disappeared in January,1966 10.10 Murder In TheOutback: The Falconio And Lees Myster y. (Mdlv,R) Takesa look at the murder of PeterFalconio. 12.10 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 1. Sydney500.Day 2. Highlights 1.10 FridayNight Lights. (Madsv, R) 2.30 To Be Advised. 3.30 Million DollarMinute. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 Hello SA.(PG, R) 6.30 ACurrent Affair (R) 7.00 WeekendToday 10.00 Surfing Australia TV 10.30 ForThe Love Of Pets. (PGm,R) 11.30 World’sGreatest Myths And Mysteries.(PGa, R) 12.40 To Be Advised. 1.40 Space Invaders. (PGa, R) 2.40 MOVIE: Me Before You. (2016,PGals, R) Emilia Clarke, Sam Claflin, Janet McTeer 5.00 9NewsFirst At Five. 5.30 Postcards.(PG) 6am MorningPrograms. 9.30 Loving Gluten Free.(R)

6.00 9NewsSunday. 7.00 MarriedAtFirstSight. (PGls) The next commitment ceremonytakes place 8.30 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing and uncovering the issuesaffecting all Australians. 9.30 9News Late

10.00 See No Evil: Austin Serial Bomber (MA15+av) Police hunt down aserial bomber 11.00 TheFirst48: Snatched. (MA15+v) 11.50 World’sGreatestMyths And Mysteries. (PGa, R)

4.00 MOVIE: The Bridge At Remagen. (1969, PG) 6.30 M*A*S*H. 8.30 MOVIE: Rambo 3. (1988,M) 10.30 The Closer 11.30 Late Programs. 9GEM (92, 81)

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Children’s Programs. 1pm MOVIE: Mr.Peabody&Sherman. (2014,PG) 2.45 Children’s Programs. 3.00 YoungSheldon. 3.30 Basketball. WNBL Playoffs. Secondsemi-final series 5.30 MOVIE: TheLegoBatmanMovie.(2017 PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Batman VSuperman: Dawn Of Justice. (2016,M) 10.35 Gotham. 12.35am Arrow 2.30 Young Sheldon. 3.00 Beyblade

8.30 Matlock. (PGals)Matty and Sarah pose as family to gather information at aseniorliving facility facing awrongful death suit. 9.30 FBI. (Mv)The investigation into an assistantUSattorney’s death leads the team to arelated airlinewhistleblower

Monday, February 24

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Vera.(Ma, R) 11.30 Creative Types With Virginia Trioli. (PGl, R) 12.00

ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Landline. (R) 2.00

Miniseries: In Our Blood. (Mals, 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)

9.35 Q+A. (Return)Presented by Patricia Karvelas.

10.40 ABCLate News.

10.55 TheBusiness. (R)

11.10 Planet America (R)

11.40 Julia Zemiro’s Home Deliver y. (R)

12.10 Grand Designs. (R) 1.00 Long Lost Family.(PG,R) 1.50 Rage.(MA15+adhlnsv)

3.20 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

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 The Abyss: The Rise And Fall Of The Nazis. (PGav,R) 3.00 Shepherdess. (PGl, R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour.(R) 3.40 The Cook Up (R) 4.10 Secrets Of RoyalGardens. (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 To Be Advised. 2.45 Surveillance Oz. (PG, R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Sicily With Michael Portillo (Premiere, PG)Michael Portillo journeys to the island of Sicily

8.25 Wilderness With Simon Reeve: Kalahari (PG) Simon Reeve travels across the Kalahari in southern Africa, one of the last great unspoiled African wildernesses. 9.35 InsideSydneyAirport: Maintenance. (PGa, R) Alook at Sydney Airport’soperations.

10.30 SBS World NewsLate. 11.00 Wisting. (Malv)

12.45 AFrench Case. (Mas, R)

2.45 Earth’s Natural Wonders. (MA15+a, R) 3.40 Employable Me (USA) (Ma, R) 4.30 Peer To Peer.(PG, R) 5.00 NHKWorld English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Home And Away (PG) Theo ignoresJustin’sadvice.

7.30 Australian Idol. (PG) As the top 30 continues, the contestants strivetoavoid elimination and earn aplace in the liveshows.

9.10 Suits L. A. (Premiere, M) Aformer New York prosecutor opens aLos Angeles law firm that specialises in criminal and entertainment law

10.10 St.Denis Medical. (M) Joyce is smitten by aburly prisonguard.

11.10 Lopez Vs.Lopez. (PGas) George gets distracted at work.

12.10 FridayNight Lights (Madsv, R) Coach Taylor has ameeting with TMU

2.00 To Be Advised.

4.00 NBCToday 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News.

7.00 ACurrent Affair.

7.30 MarriedAtFirst Sight. (Mls) When the couples’ family and friends get together,ittests relationships to the limit.

9.00 Australian Crime Stories: The Investigators:Stolen Lives. (M) Looks at how Detective Dennis Bray solved one of Australia’s most notorious kidnapping.

10.10 To Be Advised.

11.10 9News Late.

11.40 FirstOnScene. (Mv,R)

12.05 Tipping Point.

9GO! (93, 82) 6am Kung Fu Yoga. Continued. (2017,PG) 7.00 What’sEating GilbertGrape. (1993, PG) 9.10 Basmati Blues. (2017, PG) 11.10 Baby Done. (2020, M) 12.50pm Hidden Away.(2020,M,Italian) 3.00 Tourism.(2017 ) 4.25 Whisky Galore. (2016, PG) 6.15 Topkapi. (1964,PG) 8.30 Shaft. (1971,M) 10.25 Breaking News In Yuba County.(2021, MA15+) 12.15am Late Programs. 5.55 Whisky Galore. (2016, PG)

2.30

Supercars C’ship.Sydney 500.H’lights. Replay 3.30 Motor Racing. Supercars C’ship.Sydney 500 H’lights. Replay. 4.30 Storage Wars. 5.00 American Resto. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Outback Opal Hunters. 8.30 Adventure Gold Diggers. 9.30 Late Programs.

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: KingArthur: Legend Of TheSword. (2017, M) 11.00

Tuesday, Februar y25

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

SEVEN (7,6)

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

Mornings. 10.00 Australian Story.(R) 10.30 Optics. (Mls, R) 11.00 Muster Dogs: Collies And Kelpies. (PG, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Call The Midwife. (PGa, R) 2.00 Miniseries: In Our Blood. (Mls, R) 3.00 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.25 Grand Designs. (PG, R) 4.15 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 5.00 ABite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

5.30 7.30.(R)

6am MorningPrograms. 10.55 Vienna: Empire, Dynasty AndDream. (PGas, 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 TheNazis. (PG, R) 3.00 The Weekly Football Wrap.(R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour.(R) 3.40 The Cook Up.(R) 4.10 Secrets Of Royal Gardens. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters AndNumbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational NewsAtNoon. 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 Mastermind Australia. (R) Presented by Marc Fennell. 6.30 SBS WorldNews 7.35 Who Do YouThink You Are?HeatherEwart (PGa,R) Heather Ewart explores her roots 8.35 Gloria Gaynor: IWill Sur vive. Looks at the comeback journey of 79-year-old artistGloria Gaynor as she works on apassion gospel project 10.30 SBSWorld News Late. 11.00 Prisoner (MA15+av) The clean-up campaign begins. 12.10 Fargo (Malv,R) 1.55 Ear th’s Natural Wonders (PG, R) 3.00 Employable Me (USA) (Ma, R) 4.40 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home AndAway. (PGa) Cash and Remi’stension continues.

8.00 The1%ClubUK. (PG) LeeMack hosts agame show where contestants must answer increasingly obscure questions.

9.00 TheHunting Party. (M) The team searchesfor Dr Ezekiel Malak,a hospital psychiatrist turned deranged killer,who is prowling for new victims in Chicago

10.00 TheIrrational. (Mav)Alec enters theworld of K-pop fandom when asuperfanismurdered.

12.00 FridayNight Lights. (Madsv,R) Thesemi-final has to be relocated.

2.00 To Be Advised 4.00 NBCToday 5.00 Sunrise EarlyNews. 5.30 Sunrise

6.00 9News.

7.00 ACurrentAffair

TEN (10, 5)

7.30 MarriedAtFirstSight (Mls) Meet the family week continues.

9.00 Madam. (MA15+dls) Mack searches for amissing Tui. The Sweethearts deal with their synchronised menstrual cycles.

10.20 9News Late.

10.50 My Feet Are Killing Me. (Mm) Dr Vincent faces an eight-hour surgery 11.40 TheEqualizer. (MA15+v, R) 12.35 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop:HomeShopping. (R) 2.30

Trivia night

TRARALGON Ambulance Auxiliary are holding atrivia night this Friday (February 21) at the Traralgon Tennis Asso ciat ion on Fran klin Str eet, Traralgon.

This event is to help raise money for the local ambulance branch.

All money raised will directly support the amazing paramedics to help with purchasing specialised equipment, advanced training, and professional development opportunities.

Bring your own food; drinks at bar prices. Cost is $25 per person. Tables of 10 or smaller numbers are welcome. For bookings, please call0438743 513.

Learntospin

LATROBE Valley Spinning and Weaving Club has resumed for 2025. The group welcomesnew members, and has awheel and fleecetohelp get you started.

Meetings are held every Wednesday at Traralgon Neighbourhood Learning Centre (11-13 Breed Street) from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Phone 0427 505 014 or 0438 517470 for more information.

DayofPrayer

WORLD Day of Prayer will be held at St Mary’s Anglican Church (Latrobe Road, Morwell) on Friday, March 7 from 1.30pm.

The service this year has been compiled by the women of the Cook Islands. All welcome.

Familyhistory

YOU havedoneyour DNA, what next?

Membersofthe Mid Gippsland Fami ly History Societ ywill lead ageneraldiscussion on the above topic to help those interested with an appropriate path for further research.

The meet ing will be held on Thursday, February27, beginning at 2pm at 44 Albert St, Moe.

Community Corner with Liam Durkin

All are welcome to attend. For any enquiries, call 0407 485 032.

Citizen scientists

THIS Saturday (February 22),Friends of Tarra-Bulga National Park are holding acitizen scienceevent with afocus on discovering insects.

Startingat3pm at the Tarra-Bulga visitor centre(1885Grand Ridge Road, Balook), the eventwill conclude after dark with light sheets put up to attract nocturnal critters.

Email friendsoftarrabulga@gmail. com, or phone 0488 035 314 for further details.

Spiritual centre

JOIN every Sunday for service from 2pm at 2Avondale Rd, Morwell. Guestspeaker every weekwith demonstrations from an invited medium, followed by acuppaand afternoon tea. For enquiries,phone Amanda Webb on 0411 051 044.

Creek clean-up

VOLUNTEERS are needed to help add sparkle to the Traralgon Creek as part of Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday, March 2.

Organisers The Rotary Club of Traralgon Central, are appealing for people to come and lend ahand.

The ro tary clu bisbeingjoined by the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, responsible for the creek, to promotethe day.

Volunteers will meet at 9am at the Bert ThompsonPark, off Franklin St opposite Traralgon Plaza car park. Gloves, maps of the area to be cleaned and bags for rubbish will be available. There will be as au sage sizzle afterwards.

Organiser Bob Johnson said everyone can get involved.

“No matter your age you will be welcome. The creek is an iconic part of Traralgon and we need to look after it,” he said.

For moredetails, phone 0434 998 875 or 0438 021 776.

Jazz tunes

MOE Latrobe Valley Jazz Club will host the Maryborough Traditional Jazz Ensemb le at Moe RSL thi s Sunday (February 23).

This very popular band has been comingtoMoe for more than 20 years. With the front line led by the evergreenKen Collins,patrons are assured of music whichisboth easy to listen to and easy to dance to.

For details,phoneBruce on 0427 743 516.

Artclass

TRARALGON and District Art Society offers adult art classes for beginners and advanced in afriendly relaxed atmosphere.

Learn colourmixinglight shade perspectiveand drawing techniques andmeet other like minded people

Social painting groups are alsoheld during the week.

Classes are Wednesday nights from 5pm.

Phone 5176 6000 for more information.

Prostatesupport

LATROBE Valley ProstateSupport Group will meet Wednesday, February 26 from 7pm at Morwell Club. All welcome, especiallynew members or interested persons.

Counter meals are available from 6pm, which many members take up.

For more information, phone Allan Cunningham on 0458 111 688.

Beekeeping

THE three main beekeeping associations in Gippsland are holding afield day this Sunday (February 23).

Gatesopen at 9.30am at the Latrobe Valley Beekeepers’ Clubrooms (99 Saviges Road, Moe), with the program commencing at 10am.

Theme for the day is ‘Living with Varroa’.

This parasitic mite, which kills beehives, has spread through NSW and willlandinGippsland eventually.

This day gives all beekeepersa chance to network, build their knowledge base and learn/reinforce how to test for the mites.

Beekeepers are asked to register early on the Latrobe Valley Beekeepers website at: lvba.wildapricot.org/events

Traf history

TRAFALGAR &District Historical Society willholdtheir firstmeeting for 2025 this Friday (February 21) from 2pm.

Meetings are held in the society’s room s, whicha re at the front of the Maternal Health building (30 Contingent St, Trafalgar).

Members and visitors aremost welcome.

Workiscurrentlyunderwayat cataloguing and storing recent donations and acquisitions, and extra help is always appreciated.

All enquiriescan be directed to Jean on 56331960, or Dianne(0439 655 172).

Bridgeresults

TRARALGON Bridge Club results: Tuesday, February 11: 1st Barbara Barrand Phillip Goode (59.63 per cent); 2nd Heather Henley and Maria Mactaggart (58.89). Thursday, February 13: 1st Fred

If you would like to playorlearn more about bridge, phone Traralgon BridgeClubPresident, Greg Nicholson on 0419 365 739.

Open day

LIL Bearz Early Learning and Kindergarten willhold an open day on Saturday, March 1from10am. Com ea nd me et the team and tour the centre at 33-39 Francis St, Traralgon. Sausage sizzle and face painting available.

Dance classes

JOIN La trobe Val ley Danc e Promotions Inc to learn old time and new voguedances,learn new dance skills, have fun, revise and socialise. Lessons are held at the Girl Guides Hall (18 Margaret St, Morwell) from 7pm.

Cost is $5 per person each night. Phone Len on 0439 683 834, or Lynda (0428 489 041) for more information, or email latrobevalleydancepromotioninc@gmail.com

Youcan be apartof Community Corner

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

You can address correspondence to the editor, Liam Durkin. Please write ‘CommunityCorner’ in the subject line and nothing else. Deadline is Friday 9am to appear in the following Wednesday issue.

Kaminskiand Heather Henley (68.23); 2nd Kevin Taylor and Marion Taylor (60.42).

Tunes: Moe Latrobe ValleyJazz Club will welcome Maryborough TraditionalJazz Ensemble this Sunday. Photograph supplied

Ser Do nThor pdale

Photograph: Liam Durkin

Apprenticesshineonawards night

THREE Gippslandapprentices have been honoured for the quality of their workatMasterBuilders

Victoria’s Regional Apprentice of the Year Awards, held at Kernot Hall last week.

Yarram pair AdamJanssen and TateChisholm wereamong the winners, alongwithInverloch's Jacob Strickland.

Janssen, afourth year carpentry apprentice, took home theGippsland Apprentice of the Year -Future Leader Award.

Nominated by his training provider, TAFE Gippslandand employed by Tony Janssen Builders, the judgesnoted thatAdam is afourth-generation tradie who’s beenonsite and attendingclient meetings from avery young age.

After working with his dad during school holidays, Adam decided to take on an apprenticeship and now he’s excited to continue learning, become a registeredbuilder and one day take overthe family business.

Chisolm won the Gippsland Apprentice of the Year -Junior Apprentice Award.

Tate, into his third year of acabinet making apprenticeship, is employed by Wayne Coulthard Master Builder, and wasnominatedfor the award by TAFE Gippsland.

Thejudgesnoted that Tate found his passion for carpentry after trying his hand at arange of trades during work experience.

"Tate is eager to get involved with high end,

‘Still

luxury projects to continue refining his skills and hopestobecomea registered builder and thenone day take on an apprentice of his own,” they said.

Strickland wasawarded the Gippsland Chairperson’s Award.

Apprentices nominated for the awards were judged on their preparation and presentation, work experience, knowledge and career plans, attitude on and about the job and industry representation by apanel of industry judges.

Master Builders Victoria ChiefExecutive, Michaela Lihou congratulatedJacob,Adam and Tate on their awards, noting the strength of this year’s nominations.

“It’salwayssorewarding to see the talent and passionbeing developed by theseoutstanding apprentices as they build impressive careers in the building and construction industry,” she said.

The Gippsland winners will go on to the overall Victorian State Apprentice of the Year Awards, held at Marvel Stadium in May.

Chisolm and Janssen are both local footballers with Yarram and Woodside football-netball clubs respectively.

Janssenwas apart of last year's seniorpremiership with the Wildcats in the North Gippsland Football-Netball League.

Inspired’ -a retrospective exhibition

AWARD-WINNING Gippsland artist, Marilyn Close will showcase Still Inspired, aretrospective exhibition at the Traralgon Courthouse.

Tracing the path of an artist inspiration from girlhood in the 1960s to arenowned artist in her 70s today, the exhibition will incorporate works Marilynhas retained fromthoseearly charcoal and grey lead sketches inspired by horses to the vivid acrylics depicting the natural world that inspires her today.

Remembering her earliest years when paper and pencils significantly eased the nervousness of

those first days at school, she recalls with fondness Ms McFarlane's Christmas card of 1963 thanking her for her “artistic assistance” in the classroom.

Maintaining her artisticinterestthroughout her working and early married life, Marilyn first ventured out with her art to the Yinnar Country Fair in the late 1970s.

Surrounded by the beauty of the bush and the largegarden she had created with her husband John, Marilyn felt the need to draw and paint the beauty around her. In 1981, she enteredher first exhibition and

TAFE teachers set to see improvement

THE state government is improving hardworking TAFE teachers pay and conditions, with the aim to continue to attract and retain the very best teachers in the country.

The Australian Education Union (AEU) endorsed anew in-principle agreement that will see TAFE teachers get wage increases, a modern classificationsystem and moretime for assessment and professional development. Fourinfivefuture jobs willcome through the TAFE system, and this year, there are about 90,000new students embarking on their training through TAFE.

The in-principle agreement between the AEU and Victorian TAFE Association backs the existing workforce and encourages anew generation of TAFE teachers by delivering:

 An upfront pay rise and then additional 1.5 per cent increases every six months over the life of the agreement;

 Changes to the classification structure that provides additional benefits to increase attraction and retention;

 Ensuring the time allocated for teachers to do in-class assessments is counted towards teaching, which is critical for competency-based training;

 An increase in the number of hours available for correction, assessment, preparation, planning and engagement,

so students get more support and higher quality training; and,  Improved parental leave and cultural leave, and the introduction of grandparent leave and foster parent leave.

The deal is more encouragement for those considering acareer in TAFEteaching,and follows the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment being added to the Free TAFE list -removing tuition fees for people wanting to pursue this career path.

The Victorian Budget 2024/25provided funding for amodern HR system for staff across the entire TAFE Network. That systemisnow helpingwith recruitment as well as supporting the professional development of TAFE teachers and staff.

The state government’s $4.6 billion investment in TAFE supports Victorians to get the skills they need for free, working closely with TAFEs across the state to make sure course offerings matchthe in-demand skills, creating apipeline of workers for the jobs of the future in housing, renewable technology and the care economy.

Thein-principle agreement is now subject to avote by TAFE teachers and then approval by aFairWork Commission process. Find outmore about acareer in VET training by visiting: vic.gov.au/tafe-teacher

won her first prize, the only Gippsland artist to do so that year, at the SEC/Latrobe Valley Festival Art Exhibition withher work TheView from Nadenbousch Road

Shehas been winningprizes and selling paintings all over Victoriaand in the metropolitan area ever sincelauding the volunteers that run community art shows. Marilyn said they have provided a pathway for many artists. Her latest prize was only afew months ago, when she won best acrylic at the Yarram Art Show last year.

Marilyn is putting the final touches to her latest work. It will be on display as part of the exhibition.

Aspokespersonfor the courthousesaidthey were excited to be bringing this exhibition of an artist’s lifetime work to the community.

The exhibition will open this Friday (February 21) at 10am and be on display until Saturday, March 15.

Meet the artist days will be held this Saturday (February 22) and Saturday, March 8. Entry is agold coin donation to Friends of Traralgon Courthouse.

Works: Local artist MarilynClose has anew exhibition at TraralgonCourthouse Photograph supplied

Nominations open for women’sHonour Roll

THE state government is recognising women who have made outstanding contributions to Victoriathrough the VictorianHonour Roll of Women.

Minister forWomen, Natalie Hutchins opened nominations for the 2025 Victorian Honour Roll of Women last week, calling on Victorians to nominate someone inspirational to join theRoll.

Victorians are encouraged to nominate women from allwalksoflife, cultural backgrounds and age groups to be recognisedacross four categories -Local Champion, Change Agent, Emerging Leader and Trailblazer.

The state government’s Victorian Honour Roll of Women celebrates the outstanding contributions made by Victorian women and acknowledges the many ways in which they

make lasting contributions to the community.

The Honour Roll celebrates their achievements across fields such as social justice, health science, research, arts, environment, law, media and education.

Last year’s 21 Honour Roll inductees included folk musician turnedFederal-Court judge Judy Small AM, renowned endocrinologist

AssociateProfessor Ada Cheung and Yorta Yorta artist and cultural practitioner, Aunty Rochelle Patten.

Morethan 750women havebeen inducted since theHonour RollofWomen beganin2001. Nominations are open and close Sunday, March 16.

To find out more or to nominate, visit: vic. gov.au/honour-roll-women.

Topnotch: Yarram’sTateChisholm wonthe 2025 Gippsland Apprentice of the Year -Junior Apprentice Award. Photographs supplied

Great work: Yarram’sAdam Janssen, winnerofthe 2025 Gippsland Apprentice of the Year -Future Leader Award.

Leonard listens to the region’syouth

AYOUTH forum organised by volunteersfor independent candidate for Monash, Deb Leonard has identified creative solutions to the key issues facing young people in the Monash electorate.

Transport, mental health, cost-of-living and climate emerged as the top concerns,withthe young participants proposing forward-thinking policies to address these challenges.

The forum brought together students and staff from local schools and universities to ensure youth perspectives inform Ms Leonard aheadofthe upcoming federal election.

"We need to listen to the innovative ideas of our young people to move beyond politics and develop genuine solutions," Ms Leonard said.

"I'm proud of my volunteers for creating this platform to amplify youth voices."

Forum participants highlighted the need to improve mental health servicesinthe region. They called for more interdisciplinary mental health teams in schools, combining psychologists, paediatricians and socialworkers to better support student wellbeing.

Representatives from both public and private schools expressed concern that only private schools could accessfederal funding, whilethe needfor better resources and support staff was far greater in public schools. Ms Leonard said this was one of the key inequities in federalfunding whichshe plans to correct if elected.

There was agreementfrom youngpeople attending that they would prefer to stay in the local area, but difficulties in connecting with employment

Year 7 students

rising

up

YEAR 7students at St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School are poised to grow exponentially as they begin secondary school.

As part of their transition program, students have just completed the school’s new ‘RISE UP’ (Ready to Inspire, Succeed and Excel) Program. The program began last year during the three-day orientation, and continued with another three days in Term 1. Its aim is to assist students settling into St Paul’s learning culture with confidence.

Educators delivered tailored activities and workshops, and welcomed guest speakers to inform students about the school’s values of wisdom, integrity, compassion and respect and how to embody those values.

By the end of the program, Year 7 students had gained asolid understanding of classroom expectations, social behaviours and school routines, setting them up for success and fostering their wellbeing as they embark on their journey to graduate VCE at St Paul’s Traralgon Campus in 2030.

andstudy opportunities and peers meant they inevitably considered moving. One university student described how they would drive for more thanthree hours aday so they could attend a face-to-face university course rather than give up on their local connections.

Participants also proposed creating "third spaces" for free community events and resources to foster connection and combat isolation among young people in regional areas.

"As one schoolparticipant noted:'Strong connections make strong communities'," Ms Leonard said.

Cost-of-living outpacing income was also a concern. Engaged youth put forwardsolutions including tax largecorporationsand natural resource exports to raise the moneyneeded to provide fundstoraise Centrelink payments to aliveable level, and provide afairer tax system.

“It’s appalling that in 2025, there are kids living homeless in our community," Ms Leonard said.

“We’re not giving people the basics they need to survive, let alone get ahead. This should be one of the highest priorities of government at all levels.”

Understandably, the environment and climate change were key concerns for the young attendees.

Disillusioned and let down by successive governments not being accountable for their actions, they expressed the need for consequences for environmental damage and failure to actinaccordance with recommendations of climate experts.

“Governments need to be heldaccountable for their actions,” one young person said.

On the issue of politics, all participants agreed that there needed to be more education around civics and the political system in highschool, including how to access news from credible sources and critically evaluate information in the media.

"Thisisthe kind of innovative, integrated thinkingweget when young people are included," Ms Leonard noted.

"Our youngpeople haveavitalstake in our region's future. Their voices deserve to be at the centre of this election conversation."

THE state government is delivering better libraries and library programs for Victorians by upgrading libraries, supporting education programsand delivering mobile library vans across the state.

Minister for Local Government, Nick Staikos has officially opened the Living Libraries Infrastructure Programgrants round, with successful libraries able to share in more than $4 million.

Publiclibraries are aboutmuch more than reading; they provide free services for communitiesacross Victoria, including internet access and education programs, and the state government has invested almost $50 million into 139 library infrastructure projects over the last nine years.

This funding can 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.

For more information on the Living LibrariesInfrastructure Program and application process, visit: localgovernment vic.gov.au/grants

Bring forward: Independent candidatefor Monash,Deb Leonardheard from youngvotersonthe campaigntrail Photograph supplied

Knowledge: St Paul’s Year 7students Sophie, Greta, William and Jack who took par tinthe RISE UP Program. Photographs supplied

Equipped: Rumindu, Patrik and Charlielearnt aboutschoolvalues and expectations.

Jam-packedstarttothe Harriers year

ATHLETICS

TRARALGON HARRIERS

BY BARRYHIGGINS, GARYFOX AND MOLLYIRVINE

THE Traralgon Harriershavehad atypically busy start to the year.

Runners have taken to local streets, while major events have also seen club members put theirbest foot forward.

n ON thefirstThursday night run of February 2025(held February 6), 80 participants completed the warm five-kilometre run, includingthe welcoming of new runners Adi Sacaj and David Griffiths. With the run both starting and finishing near the carpark of Latrobe Regional Hospital, the course took runners along the Traralgon to Morwell trail for two-and-a-half kilometres,before turning around and heading back the way they started. The first three runners acrossthe linewere again the ever-so-speedy Pete Cutler in atimeof17:28, who was followed by Sav Mavrofridis (18:20), and talented junior Dempsey Podmore (19:24). For the females,the fastestthree times were Courtney Ellis (20:47), followed by Kylie Murray (21:10), and third place went to Karen Graham in 24:30.

n THE January30Thursday night runwas in hills aroundTraralgon South,starting at the recreation oval. Agreat turnoutof79runners took partin perfect conditions.

The 6km course is ahilly but pleasant run around the plantation tracks, with atotalascent of 135 metres.

Great running by Peter Cutler saw him first

home in avery impressive time of 23:45, with SavMavrofridis (23:53) was followed by Miles Verschuur (24:25).

Great running by Kylie Murray saw her first lady home in 30:40, followed by Kim Janiw (33:08) and Rebecca Anderson (34:37).

n THE Harriers hada dedicated team of runners attend the Athletics Victoria VictorianCountry Athletics Championships at FloraHillnearBendigo last month.

AV Shield regulars Sarah Lewis and Marty Lynch, along with Ian Twite, Melissa Jones, and Anna Cardillocompeted in quite warm conditions. Marty had afull weekend competing in five events, takingthe silver medal in the 200m. Sarah took home gold in the women's 40+ 800m, and Anna took home silver in the 40+ 5000m.

Ian finished fourth in the men’s 60+ 3000m and Melissa also finished fourth in the Female 40+ 5000m.

n THE January 23 Harriers Thursday night run was along the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail starting from the Old Glengarry Station.

Atop turnout of 85 runners ran in great conditions with just afew drops of rain.

The 6km course is a pleasant run along the tree lined gravel surface with a turnaround point just past the Eaglehawk Creek Bridge. The course is quite flat with atotal ascent of 34m.

Great running by Peter Cutler saw him first home in avery impressive time of 21:57, with MilesVerschuurnext (22:35) followed by Dempsey Podmore (22:38).

Yani Cornthwaite was first lady home in 26:45, followed by Molly Irvine (28:50) and Karen Graham (29:58).

Fitting with the club's focus on friendship and the social sideofthings, the run was followedwith dinner at the Glengarry Pub.

n THE January 16 Harriers Thursday night run was along the TraralgontoMorwell Bike Path, starting from the Traralgon Lutheran Church.

Nearly 80 runners took part in perfect conditions.

The 5km courseisa pleasantrun alongatree lined gravel surface with the turnaround point at Airfield Road.The course is surprisingly undulating with atotal ascent of 44m.

Great running by MilesVerschuur saw him first home in avery impressive time of 19:51, with

Andrew Greenhill next (19:55), followed by Ian Cornthwaite (20:05). Great running by new member Rachel O'Brien saw her first lady home in 22:57, followed by Yani Cornthwaite (23:11) and Kylie Murray (24:26).Prospective members will find the club welcoming and inclusive.

The club invites interested runners to join us on afew Thursdaynights to havea(free trial) run or walk.

For more information, visit: traralgonharriers.org au, or visit the Harriers Facebook page: Traralgon Harriers Athletics Club @traralgonharriers

Speedy: Pete Cutler continues

State: Traralgon HarriersMellissa Jones,Anna Cardillo,Ian Twite, and Denise Twiteatthe Athletics Victoria Victorian CountryChampionships

Consistency: Kylie Murray has beensettingsome good times on her runs

Runthen pub: Harriersrunners treatedthemselvestoafeed at the GlengarryPub aftertheir run.

Locals

TRARALGON HARRIERS RACE RESULTS

5KM -Thursday,February6

FULL RACE RESULTS

PeterCutler 17:28, SavMavrofridis 18:20, DempseyPodmore19:24, Daniel Furmston 19:26, Simon Janiw19:45, Andrew Greenhill 20:25, DavidBarr20:42, Cour tney Ellis 20:47, Kylie Murray 21:10, MatthewDeppeler 21:25, Nelson Archibald 21:28, Clinton Jolly22:00, Adrian Sutcliffe 22:18, Stephen Renehan22:22, Trent Kooyman 22:25, Glenn Graham 23:37, Warren Shields 23:42, Geoffrey Francis 23:43, Chris VanUnen23:55, Shane Gavin 24:15, Ryan McLeod 24:19, Adam Riddle 24:22, Ron Verschuur 24:28, Andrew Broberg24:29, Karen Graham 24:30, Johnny Roscoe 24:59, Belkey Podmore25:02, GaryFox 25:11, Jim Cutler 25:11, Owen Notting 25:16, Michelle Sawyer 25:48, LucyMagaldi 25:48, David Hood 26:13, Samantha Riddle 27:09, Andrew Panayiotou 27:37,DaveMann 27:53, Angelo Gaudiano 27:53, RebeccaAnderson 28:33, Giuseppe Marino 28:46, PeterSanders28:57,Ree Graham 28:59, Stephen Mcleod 29:30, Liz Kenney 30:03, Toby Grzmil 31:15, Phillip Mayer31:19, Mark Lansdown 31:29, KatKent 32:41, Jason Odlum 33:40, Ben Wilkinson 34:16, Mandy Ellis 35:31, Kristine Sapkin 35:35, Shane Wilson 36:47, Catherine Leonard37:17,BjornLuxmann 37:23, Amelie Dalton 39:09, Bob Bicket39:09, Desley Gray 40:00, Des Dalton 40:32, Cassidy Francis 40:55, Tania Whitehead 43:23, Ann Bomers 45:25, PeterGrixti 46:00, Belinda Heafield 47:22, Kaye Livingstone 47:25, Ian Heafield 47:44, BarryHiggins 49:05, Kristina Creighton 49:48, Lynda Jones51:16,Anja Norwood 51:17, Michelle Colwell 51:17, KathyQuinn 51:17, Nicky Semmler 51:54, NickHodson 54:00, Kylee Earl 54:40, MariekaReillyNTR, AdiSacaj NTR, David Griffiths NTR, Seth BomersNTR, Darrel Cross NTR, MollyIrvine NTR.

6KM -Thursday,January30

FULL RACE RESULTS

PeterCutler 23:45, SavMavrofridis 23:53, Miles Verschuur 24:25, Ian Cornthwaite25:32, Andrew Greenhill26:35, DempseyPodmore 26:47,David Barr 27:34, Clinton Jolly28:33, MatthewDeppeler 28:53, Nelson Archibald 28:53, Stephen Renehan29:29, Adrian Sutcliffe 29:57,Trent Kooyman 30:01, Owen Notting 30:34, NickO'Connor 30:37,Kylie Murray 30:40, Andrew Broberg31:38, Geoffrey Francis 31:39, Jason Odlum 31:50, Chris Van Unen 31:53, RonVerschuur 32:18, Simon Janiw33:04,Kim Janiw 33:08, GaryFox 33:46, JohnnyRoscoe 33:53, Belkey Podmore 34:10, David Hood 34:22, Rebecca Anderson 34:37,Louis Flowers 35:58, Samantha Riddle 36:31, Jim Cutler 36:36, Giuseppe Marino 36:46, Toby Grzmil 37:00, Shane Wilson 37:06, PeterSanders37:45,Liz Kenney37:47, MarkLansdown 38:19, Darrel Cross 38:28, Mattias Preston 38:32, ReeGraham38:47, DesleyGray42:05,MariekaReilly42:05,Ben Wilkinson 42:40, Lauren Peter43:02, Collette Hofmann43:20, Shane Flowers 45:19, Mandy Ellis 46:32, Angeline Snell 47:34, Cassidy Francis 52:42, KylieWarner 53:08, Ann Bomers 54:35, Phillip Mayer56:00,Alfie Warner 56:44, Seth Bomers 57:08, Belinda Heafield 57:20, LyndaJones 57:58, Andrew Legge 58:00, Des Dalton 58:00, PeterGrixti, BarryHiggins 58:10, 1:03:00, Ian Heafield 1:03:59, LukeWitham 1:04:20, TimothyGraham 1:04:20, Kristina Creighton 1:04:55, Danelle Wright 1:06:00, Anja Norwood 1:06:00, Michelle Colwell 1:06:00, KathyQuinn 1:06:00, NickHodson 1:14:00, KyleeEarl1:14:00, NickySemmler 1:16:22, SarahMckie 1:16:22, RobPreston NTR, Greg Semmler NTR, BarryHiggins NTR, MollyIrvine NTR, Tania Whitehead NTR, Dave MannNTR,Peter FairbairnNTR, Catherine LeonardNTR.

6KM

- Thursday,January23

FULL RACE RESULTS:

PeterCutler 21:57,Miles Verschuur 22:35, DempseyPodmore22:38, Greg Semmler 22:45, Nelson Archibald 23:30, Ian Cornthwaite23:40, Stephen Renehan24:11, Andrew Greenhill 24:16, SavMavrofridis 24:46, RobPreston 26:36, Yani Cornthwaite26:45, Belkey Podmore26:55, Trent Kooyman 27:20, Daniel Furmston 27:23, Jack Marino 27:28, Clinton Jolly27:28,Adrian Sutcliffe 27:57,NickOconnor 28:05, Chris Van Unen 28:26, WallyLappin 28:26, Geoffrey Francis 28:35, Warren Shields 28:35, MollyIrvine 28:50, Ashleigh Dugan28:50, Shane Wilson 28:50, Andrew Broberg29:15, RonVerschuur 29:23, KarenGraham29:58,Glenn Graham 29:58, Louis Flowers 29:58, Cour tney Ellis 30:00, Peter Sanders30:14,GaryFox 30:25, JayMcGown 30:41, Johnny Roscoe 30:46, David Hood 31:00, Toby Grzmil 32:22, Giuseppe Marino 32:24, BrettVan Der Velden 32:27,MariekaReilly32:46, Jim Cutler 33:32, RemeyPodmore33:50, Mark Lansdown 33:50, ReeGraham33:59,Claire Macumber 35:09, Emma Marino 35:42, Alysha Cowley35:51,DaveMann36:07,Lauren Peter 36:24, Ben Wilkinson 36:34, Charlotte Barr 36:47, David Barr 36:48, KatKent 37:07,Paul Smith 37:11, Catherine Leonard37:31, Seth Bomers 37:48, Darrel Cross 37:51, Shane Flowers 38:01, Tania Whitehead 38:36, Phillip Mayer39:50,Kate Mayer39:50,ShayLorenz 39:51, Mandy Ellis 40:39, Matilda Lappin 41:00, Alfie Warner 41:08, Jennifer VanDer Velden 43:07,Cassidy Francis 45:56, Bob Bicket46:16, Robert Embleton 50:36, NickHodson 55:00, PeterGrixti 57:00, Andrew Legge 59:00, Ian Heafield 59:56, Ann Bomers

1:00:00, Kristina Creighton 1:02:00, BarryHiggins 1:02:20, Helen Whitby1:03:03, Belinda Heafield 1:03:03, SarahMckie 1:05:27,Nicky Semmler 1:05:27,LillyDuran NTR, AnikaRoscoe NTR, Angeline Snell NTR, Stephen Mcleod NTR, Kylee EarlNTR.

5KM -Thursday,January16

FULL RACE RESULTS

Miles Verschuur 19:51,Andrew Greenhill19:55, Ian Cornthwaite20:05,DempseyPodmore 20:23, Damien Rober tson 21:20,David Barr 21:25, Glenn Graham 22:24, Trent Kooyman 22:27,Clinton Jolly 22:27,RachelObrien 22:57,JohnnyRoscoe 23:00, Yani Cornthwaite23:11, Adrian Sutcliffe 23:12, Warren Shields 23:57,Jason Odlum24:07,Geoffrey Francis 24:09, Chris VanUnen 24:19,Scott Syme 24:21, Adam Riddle 24:24, Kylie Murray 24:26, RonVerschuur 24:29, Andrew Broberg24:34, KarenGraham 24:58,GaryFox 25:09, Belkey Podmore25:18, PeterSanders25:29,Stephen Renehan 25:41, Dave Mann 25:41, NickWang 26:03, David Hood 26:03, Andrew Panayiotou 26:23, SavMavrofridis 27:11,Samantha Riddle 27:43, GiuseppeMarino 27:46, RebeccaAnderson 28:06, Toby Grzmil 28:42, Liz Kenney 28:48, Emma Marino 28:54,MarkLansdown28:55, Lee Graham 28:57,Marieka Reilly30:00,Desley Gray 30:20, Catherine Leonard 31:49, Adam vanbaalen 32:18, Phillip Mayer32:22, Ben Wilkinson 32:39,Tania Whitehead 33:48, Angeline Snell 34:15, Callie Cook 34:49, MandyEllis35:20,Ree Graham 35:36, Ian Heafield 39:09, Ann Bomers39:50, Cassidy Francis 40:15,Alfie Warner 41:13, BarryHiggins 42:23, Kat Kent 43:25, Danelle Wright 44:24, Andrew Legge 45:00, AmelieDalton 45:22,Kristina Creighton 46:46, Timothy Graham 47:00,LukeWitham 47:11 Des Dalton 48:41, PeterGrixti 49:00, Darrel Cross 49:38, Kylee Earl54:05,KayeLivingstone 54:38, HelenWhitby54:38, Belinda Heafield 54:38, Nicky Semmler54:47,Sarah Mckie54:57, NickHodson 55:05, Mark FairbairnNTR,Peter FairbairnNTR, Megan Scott NTR, Paul Smith NTR.

VIC COUNTRYCHAMPS

AnnaCardillo5000m- Female 40+ 23:25.48(2nd), IanTwite 3000m- Male 60+ 14:45.65 (4th), Martin Lynch100m -Male 40+ 13.50 (4th),200m -Male 40+

“Laughable” return-to-office mandate

WOOLWORTHS' recent return-to-office mandate is laughable -literally.

In a meeting with the technology department, I was laughing so hard Ihad to turn off my camera.

The poor sod tasked with passing on the edict opened with: "Please don't polish up your resumes andrun out the door".

Having taken advantage of Australia-wide talent, distributed teamsare now the default, with people from Melbourne, Brisbane, and either side of Sydney.

When asked: "Will Ijust be going into the office and video call my teammates in other offices?"

The announcer confirmed that yes, that is indeed the plan.

Concerns were also raised about office facilities, including desk space and internet access. Compared to the multiple-monitor setup most of us depend on in our home offices, "When Igotothe Sydney office, Iusually can't get aseat. If Igotothe office and can't do my job, I'm just going to sit there and do nothing."

When asked about the reason for the mandate, given all the drawbacks, they stated: "all the other big companies are doing it".

One thingisclear: this is notabout performance. Thankfully, as one engineer bluntly noted: "You can't fire us all."

Bethany Drake

Morwell

Can't fightfacts

IKNOW facts are annoying distractions from the unsubstantiated and relevance-free opinions put forth weekly by the likesofJoseph Lis and Patricia Correa, but here is one set of facts theycannot ignore.

Dr DavidOsmond from Windlabs in Canberra has, every week for the last three years, taken daily wind and solar generation plus electricity demand data to pose the question: what would it take to get98per cent renewables powering the National Energy Market that week?

Theanswerissimple; about the same amount of solar and wind generationthat AEMO forecasts will be installed by 2035 plus 24 GW of installed energy storage plus two per cent of other forms of generation, such as gas.

This has proven to hold up through even the coldest, calmest, cloudiest months in his three years of data.

What's more is that theaverage delivered cost for 98 per cent renewableenergy is $107 per MWh. This is $100 cheaper than CSIRO’s mid-range estimate for nuclear LCOE.

In case you missedit, we are talkingabout renewable energy plus storage plus two per cent of other generation reliably delivering 98 per cent of current demand.

Last quarter, renewables delivered 46 per cent of total griddemand. Australiais20+ yearsinto this transitiontorenewable energy and will get to this 98 per cent level within 10 years at current rates. There is no rolefor nuclear here, evenifthey (the Coalition) can pull off amiracle and deliver nuclear energy before 2040.

Patricia Correa ('Blurred vision', Latrobe Valley Express Opinion, 05/02/25) asked“if renewables are so good, why are coal fired power stations are still in use?”

The answer is we need them in the transition over the next 10 years, even though they are losing money and spewing emissions.

Even the Coalition needs these “walking dead” to operate for another 20 years in their transition plan to nuclear.

Face the facts please folks.

John Gwyther Coongulla

Crook health

AFEW black or broken teeth often signal other health issues such as gum infections, halitosis or spells of pain.

Badteeth are bad for your self-esteem, social life and employment prospects.

Too many of us do not haveaccess to basic preventative dental care. When teeth are left, literally to rot, the resulting pain can lead to excessive use of over-the-counter medications, and conditions such as depression and the ill-effects of chronic infection. The cost of later treatment and hospitalisations for these conditions is far, far more than the cost of timely preventative dental health care. Many studies demonstrate the lifelong benefits of preventative dental care, yet our major political parties shy away from reform. Perhaps it is in fear of the lobbypowerofself-interested professional bodies.

Evidence for the need for aMedicare style basic dental health systemcan be seen in themouths of far too manypeople, and too manyyoung people in the Latrobe Valley are clearly headinginthat sad direction.

Cosmetic dentistry is best left to the private sector, but abasic standardofdental health is good for everyone’swellbeingaswell as the national economy. So far,the independent candidate for Monash, Deb Leonard, is the only politician to listen to the case for the sort of basic preventative dental system that citizens of comparable developed countries expect.

Shameonthe major partiesfor allowingthe misery of crook teeth to continue into the 21 century. Neil Hauxwell Moe

Muchyet nothing happening

IT’S been an interesting week here in the real world.

The nuclear debate overwhelmed any other local issue (Latrobe ValleyExpress,12/02/25), and Trumpcontinued to throw thecat amongst thepigeonswitheverything fromplasticstraws to Gaza.

Yet people continue to react as if any of it should be taken seriously.

Consider for amoment it’s all afugazi. Let me explain.

Nuclearhas been proposed by the Coalition, yet parties in opposition in Australia have been proposing things since 1901, it doesn’t mean they will come to pass.

The Coalition, let alone Dutton, aren’t in power. And we have no crystal ball to guarantee they will be.

Then if they are elected,itwill of course take time to make anylegislative changes to enable nuclear, if they are able to do so, and then there will be environmental studies and investigations into any proposed location. So there’s no guarantee one will be built here. And then even if they are built, they take time to build.

In reality, it’s that far off we are all 'tilting at windmills' –fighting an imaginary enemy on the faraway horizon that isn’t there. Even if it arrives there’s no guarantee renewables and coal fired generation will just stop. So it could easily be much ado about nothing.

We are gettingour knickers in atwist over something that doesn’t exist.

With Trump, I’ll focus on his discussion with Putin regarding Ukraine.

Social media platform Xwas awash with horror and accusations that Trump has just handed over concessions to the enemy without enteringinto proper negotiations –throwing away his very own ‘art of thedeal’.

But let’s consider things more deeply. Trump has long lambasted the EU for letting the US do all the heavy lifting. As Iunderstand it, the EU has loaned money to Ukraine the USA had given to them. So what better way to force the EU to unify, stump up the coin, train alarge army, and build better defence weaponry than creating a scenario where they would realise the US doesn’t have their back anymore?

It’s the equivalent of throwing your child in the deep end to see how quickly they learn to swim. Will Trump agree to Russia keeping Ukraine territory? Idon’t know.

But Idoknow it’s given the rest of the world a right kick up the pants to stop restingontheir laurels and pull their own weight.

So consider all the outrage is unnecessary. Consider it’s all misdirection. Consider it’s all theatrics, and we are only in the opening act, far away from the finale. As Shakespeare wrote, “All theworld’s astage,and all the men and women merely players.”

As for anyone hoping Dutton will be Australia’s Trump, Ican only say they are likely in la-la land. Australia is not the US. We have aGovernor General who can boot out the PM due to ‘extreme circumstance’, and has donesointhe past,and plenty of Trump’santics and showmanshipare yet to seethe test of time and legal challenges anyway Then there is AI. Its ‘IQ’ doubledin12months, and when it doubles again it will be smarter than any human on the planet.Itcan already write a10,000word essay or thesis in asecond equivalent to any PHD. So any work, including by the CSIRO, could easily be putinto theluddite basket by the time Dutton or Trump are able to do anything in reality. Research and legal challenges will take minutes.

So with the above in mind, maybe it’s time we should all take our debate and discussion to a higher level, as well as discussthings alittlemore within ourlocusofcontrol.

Interesting times ahead.

Anthony Wasiukiewicz Yallourn North

Nuclear profits minimal

IF nuclear reactors are built across Australia as the Liberal-National Coalition is proposing, it could endangerthe viability of many large renewable energy projects and deprive rural Australia of vast amounts of wealth.

Landholders can bring wealth into their rural communities by hosting wind and solar farms as well as transmission lines. Around Australia, payments to both farmers and community groups are breathing new life into struggling communities.

Ballan in Victoria is set amid four wind farms which have been built overthe last threeyears

The town has anew vibrancytoitwith more shops and businesses in the main street than there was five years ago. This shift from declinetoprosperity is thanks to some pretty big renewable projects.

Farmers hosting wind turbines in Waubra (VIC) have taken measures to drought-proof their

propertiessince the opening of the wind farmin 2009, earning enough moneytokeep sonsand daughtersonthe land and spending this extra income in local businesses.

AcrossAustralia,wind and solar farm operators are supporting their communities through community grants. Our local DelburnWind Farm, set to start construction this year, has already distributed many community grants. The Boolarra Football-Netball Club, Mirboo North Pony Club and Yinnar &District Historical Society were among the many 2024 recipients.

Renewable projects are largely funded through private enterprise with many companies keen to invest in them. In contrast, no private company wantstobuildanuclearpower station in Australia. The cost of building andoperating nuclearin Australia is prohibitively high.

If Australia does go nuclearitwillbefunded through our taxes. This will inevitably lead to cuts to other services such as education, health, social services and the environment.

Any profits from nuclear won’t go to rural communities. It will go toward paying off the exorbitant debt of building taxpayer funded reactors.

Jane Sultana Moe

Speak foryourself

PATRICIA Correawondered whetherPrime Minister, Anthony Albanese had heard of the quote “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity.” ('Albo not Einstein',LVE Opinion, 12/02/25).

If she was implying that the Prime Minister is stupid, that would be not just acheap shot, but a prime example of stupidity in itself.

Ms Correamight also be aware of Bertrand Russell’s quote: “The whole problemwith the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiserpeople are so full of doubts.”

The overwhelming consensus of experts in the field of climate science is thatweare producing excessive amountsofgreenhouse gasesthat cause global warming,which is already resulting in worsening living conditions.

The transition to alow carbon economy might entail some short term pain in terms of cost, but we need to be unselfish enough to consider the wellbeing of future generations.

It astonishes me that some contributorstothe Opinion page, who appear to have no expertise in the area of climate science, are arrogantenough to think they know better than the experts.

Iwonder if they would ignore the advice of nine out of 10 doctors if their own life was at stake.

Brian Kilday

Jeeralang Junction

Missing in action

IHOPE Morwell MP, Harriet Shing takes notice of the recentby-electionsand Labor's less than impressive support from locals.

Ms Shing is never seen in the electorate, never talks about the gains she has secured the people of Morwell -which arenil from what Ican see, and she refuses to meet with constituents like me, yet come the next state elections, Iguarantee she will be visible and makingthe inevitablepromises that she will conveniently forgetifbysome miracle she is re-elected.

Little slogans like"workinghard for us" mean little when they are empty words.

To paraphrase Donald Trump, ask yourself, "Are you better off now" under Labor or are you paying the price of their indifference, their habitual lying and their gross financial incompetence?

Patrick Ansell Morwell

Morwell's owncrazy roundabout

IWRITE regarding the impeller at the intersection of Well Street and Sherrin St in Morwell.

It looks like aroundabout when one enters the intersection via Sherrin St, but beware, you must look left and right before enteringthe intersection because, unlike aroundabout, drivers turning right into Sherrin St from WellStare instructedtoturn right before the island.

Iamaware that people from the USA often fail to understand roundabout rules. Perhaps an intern from the US designed and implemented this intersection.

Karen Drake Morwell

Fullyexposed folly

DUTTON'S fissilefolly is now exposed as the smokescreenthat the woke brigade had long suspected; that the whole purpose was as aspace filler to hide the Coalition's policy vacuum. Elections are supposed to allow for informed voters to make aconsidered choice. Not any more, it seems. We must choose between atimorous Albanese trying to find apathtolead us through the developing global morass, or Dutton attempting to joinTrump in trashing the planet, capitalism andeventually the United States and himself. The whole basis of capitalism is the civil society. Once youtrashour legal and socialframework,

capitalism too fails. Anyone contemplating aconservativevote shouldunderstandthatacquiescence to any part of the TrumpAgenda is arecipe for disaster.

Surely the NationalParty has some policy offerings independent of their vacuous Liberal bedfellows, unless The Nationalstoo haveabandonedthe need for policy. Or is occupying your allotted four government ministries at any cost the only consideration?

As for Dutton’s other policies -atax deductible business lunch; everyone knows there are no free lunches;the PAYG taxpayer pays.And thepromise to telluswhich government services willnolonger be fundedafter the election:that is more of athreat than apromise. Will The Nationals be parroting this nonsense?

Brian Burleigh Cowwarr

Safeand reliable

TIMBER-FRAMED homes haveaplaceinbushfireproneareas, and their use should not automatically raise alarm bells. What matters is how we design and build them, as well as how we manage surrounding vegetation and community preparedness. Blanket statements dismissing timber are both scientifically inaccurate and counterproductive. Timber is notthe enemy; mismanagement, reckless land practices, and misinformation are. It’s time to embrace timber as part of the solution to combat climate change -not unfairly condemn it as part of the problem.

By choosing timber, we are not just building safer, smarter homes in bushfire-prone areas, we are investing in asolution that mitigates the climate crisis and the rising severity of bushfire events it continues to create.

Kersten Gentle Frame &Truss Manufacturers Assoc Aus, CEO

Useless money

WHILE Iagree with Greg Hansford ('Throwing money away', LVE Opinion,12/02/25) that our young are committing crimes that need to be addressed, and that throwing money at the problem is not the answer, unless it is wisely spent with opportunities of full employment. Theserepeatoffenders need to be restrictedin their activities (possibly afarm camp). They keep repeating because there is no punishment.

Ifelt Mr Hansford's criticismofFederalMember for Gippsland, Darren Chester was unfair. Yes he has been our representative for 17 years, but13ofthem have been ruled by an incompetent state government which has created amassivedebt. It will be years before the Suburban Rail Loop will be in use. How many regional voters will get the use of this massive guzzler of our tax money? Yes, Andrews did some crossings ,but what else? We have potholes in our major highways, Werribee has been waiting on ahospital promised in 2018, and Melton is in the same boat, not to mention Warragul.

Labor holds the purse strings and is to blame for our neglect

Patricia Correa

Traralgon

Safer? Really?

IHAD to laugh at the attempted sanitisation of nuclear power by Phil Hopkins in his pro-nuclear reports last week.

Have you seen the amount of security required for anuclear plant?

JustGoogle 'nuclear plant security requirements' and see if your local grocer has the same security. LasttimeIchecked, my banana peels didn't have to go into aconcretecasket strong enoughtosurvive atrain crash and then be stored underground for thousands of years.

Dan Merrick

Morwell

The cult of net zero

LET me stick my ageing neck out even furtherand risk ridicule once again from the renewables-only activists by repeating that net zero is re-drafting thefabric of Australian society, culture,and the economy toward dangerous collectivist principles that have so far wreckedAustralia's energy independence and stability. This has become amassive andunnecessary drain on public money, and caused the collapse of farming and industry on an unprecedented scale never before seen, where mostly overseas green energy carpetbaggers feed on taxpayer dollars like sharks on the carcass of awhale. Thetrue extent of net zero's scythe will not be known while self-serving, career politicians base their popularity on green slogans and capitalism hides behind marketing campaigns that look awfully like saviour cults.

Thu s, as perf ect ly summ ed up by for me r Labor Minister, Jennie George "The Albanese government's energy policies are acase of 'magic pudding economics' and corporate rent-seeking, all underwritten by the public purse. Cronycapitalism, plain and simple."

Joseph Lis Morwell

What Nuclear for Australia didn’t say

COMMENT

BY ADRIAN COSGRIFF

THE Nuclear for Australia group visited Morwell on Sunday, February 2.

They even brought a22-year-old engineer with them to tell us about nuclear power. I'm not sure why.

Australians already know about nuclear power.

As DarrenChester saysonhis Facebook page, "Gippslanders have ahigh degree of energy literacy and they want arational conversation about nuclear energy which is based on facts, technology and environmental science"

Sadly, it seems Nuclear for Australia forgotto bringall of the "facts, technology and environmental science" with them to Morwell.

We know that the US has nuclear power. It's had it since 1958. They really didn't need to send Miss America over to tell us that.

Miss America did forget to talk about afew points though,even with awhopping two whole years' experience as anuclear engineer.

The US has had nuclear power for 67 years,giving it aroughly 50-year head start over renewables. Despite that, nuclear power produces less electricity per year than renewable energy does in the US today, andthe gap is increasingly widening. Texas, the famouslywell-knownhome of oil production, also has nuclear and wind power. Wind outpaced nuclearpower in Texas back in 2014, more than 10 years ago.

Also, even though the US has had nuclearpower for 67 years, at time of writing it still hasn't found apermanent solutionfor storing its waste.Instead, they continue to kick the nuclear can down the road. They did once try to do so at aplace called Yucca Mountain but that didn'tend well.Theydon't really want to talk about that anymore apparently.

Ms America did mention that shereally likes to use maths and science. Unfortunately, no one told her that the Australian maths says the east

Have your say

coastelectricity market alreadygets 40 per cent of itsannual electricity from renewables, up from aroundzeroper cent 15 years ago, and is on target to reach 82 per cent by 2030 -leaving no room for a baseload nuclear power station in the mix, which is probably just as well considering that mature, established baseload coal is demonstrating that it's slowly going broke due to the competition from renewables andenergy storage

One of the other panel members made an unsubstantiated comment that renewables will make the grid unstable.

Despite claiming to be some kind of expert on the topic, she obviously hasn't looked at the actual real electricity grid data thatcan be accessedfor free by anyone at www.openlectricity.org.au. That website shows that on adaily basis in 2025, the east coast grid will go from 25 per cent renewables to 65 per cent renewables and back. The South Australian gridwill swing from30per cent renewables to over 100 per cent renewables on aregularbasis, all the while the electricitygridremains completely stable.

It seems that the panellist thought she had more knowledge,experience and expertise than the Australian Electricity Market Operator (AEMO )who managesthe electricity market on adaily basis. That's their actual job. They don't waffle away on apanel somewhere -they are actually overseeing the electricity market every second of the day.

Someone said that 32 countrieshave nuclear power. That means that arou nd 140 don't. Somehow, as crazy as it seems, those 140 odd countries seemtobemanaging withoutnuclear Who knew ?

Also ,those 32 countries with nuclear power are currently spending many times more money on renewables than they are on nuclear. By aratio of about 10-1. Iwonder why that is ?E.g. Spain is exiting nuclear power altogether. It has had nuclear since the 1960s. It's getting rid of it .Guess what it is replacing it with?

coal plant and abaseload nuclear plant share a significant amount of equipment. If you leave the heat creation part out, they are very similar. How could anuclear baseload plant last60-80 years whenbaseload coal plants aredoing it hardin their 30s? How does that work?

I'm sureour American visitor didn't fly to Australia on a60-year-old aircraft by the way. They claimed that they would talk about all the facets, good and bad, and yet they didn'twant to talk aboutthe factthatall theAustralian electricity providers, the ones that are producing baseload electricity every day, have no interest in nuclear power and are already heavily investing in renewables and energy storage right herein the Latrobe Valley.

Another one of panel comedians suggested we could make use of the heat from anuclear power station for process heat for other industries. The funny thing about that is we have been exporting coal fired power from the Valley for more than 100 years -burning coal to produce heat in order to turn water into steam. In all that time of producing all that heat, we seem to have never found ause for all that waste heat. In fact, we've had to use copious amounts of cooling water to get rid of that heat because there was simply no other use for it. Isn't it strange that for 101 years of coal fired heat production, all that extra spare heat hasn't found ahome? But,somehow in the distant future we will find ause for the heat from anuclear power station? Truly amazing stuff

There was some talk about jobs. Ifind it very hard to believe that abaseload nuclearplant will ever be built here given that the existing baseload coal plants are slowly going broke today and theirowners are swapping to renewables as we speak.Iamyet to hear any nuclearenthusiast explainhow abaseload nuclear plant can be financially viable when amaturecoal plant isn't today. Maybe they have adifferent type of maths in America?

who tried to ask those questions. The presenters refused to answer them.

In fact ,therewere people at both the Melbourne and Morwell events that asked questionsvia the app provided. None of those questions were addressed at either of the meetings. Looks like they really didn'twant to talk aboutall the "facts, technologyand environmental science" aspectsafter all did they Darren?

About the author: Adrian Cosgriff is a Traralgon resident.

Job boom for Gippsland

COMMENT

By SENATORS JESS WALSH AND RAFF CICCONE

THERE are more jobs in Gippsland,with newAustralianBureau of Statistics data revealing 11,800 extrapositionshave been created across Latrobe-Gippsland in the past two-and-a-half years. ABS Labour Force figures released this month have revealedthat since the Albanese Labor government came to office in 2022, Gippslandhas grownby11,800new jobs, bringing local employment to 143,700. Of those new positions, 5500 were jobs for women in Gippsland.

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 entitled to one right of reply to aletter directed at them.

The views expressed in letterstothe editor are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflectthe views of Latrobe Valley Express management or staff.

The letters section is designed to allow people to hav etheir say,and not be hijacked for political agendas.

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

Email letters to news@lvexpress.com. au and include ‘letter to the editor’ in the subject line. Deadline for letters is Thursday 3pm.

The Nuclear for Australiapeople claim they accept the scientific opinion that increasing atmospheric CO2 is causing global warming. They use the argument that by going nuclear, we can lower emissions. What they once again forgot to mentionisbywaiting decades and decades for nuclear powertobebuiltand halting the rollout of renewables, Australia's emissions would actually increase. We would have to burn more coal in the interim, making our contribution of CO2 greater, not less, further contributing to global warming rather than doing something to reduce it.

Someone made acomment about how safe nuclear is using asampleofdeaths per industry. Of course, they didn't mention thatthousands of people had to be evacuated from large areas around Fukishima and Chernobyl so that they all wouldn't die from radiation poisoning. Imaginewhatthe death rates wouldbeifthey didn'tpermanently evacuate those people? Acommodity that has to encased in train proofconcrete and buried deep underground in the middle of nowhere doesn't seem very safe to me.

Can't say Ican recall seeing a50kilometre wide exclusion zone around asolar farm. Many people and their families sleep under solar panels every night. No exclusion zones required.

Someone said that nuclear plants could last 60-80-100 years. Ithought that must be the comedy part of the show. Who is driving around a 60-year-oldcar? Usinga60-year-old phone? Using a60-year-oldlaptop? Why would you want abroken down, patched up old nuclear plant today that is still using EH Holden technology from 1964? Can't remember the last time Isaw an EH Holden on theroad actually. They were everywhere once. I wonder why we don't drive them today...

Even our existing coal fired plants are struggling in their 30s .Let's not forget that abaseload

Fortunately for us, we have amassive offshore wind resource almost on our doorstep. Aresource thatwill connecttothe high voltage connection vacated by baseload coal. Aresource that investment companies fromall around the worldare queuing up to get involved in. No massive federal tax payer money injection is required. With the Bass Strait oil industry in serious decline, those Bass Strait jobs are very transferrable to offshorewind. Sparkies, fitters, mechanics, welders, riggers, crane drivers, seamen,operations people etc. All used to working in the extreme environment that Bass Strait can be. Over 50 years of experience at sea in the same area where abunch of companies want to build offshore wind turbines. Talk about good timing.

So,those people that went to the Nuclear for Australiapresentationneed to ask themselves: why are the AGLs,Alintas and EnergyAustralia's of the baseload electricity worldinvesting so heavily in renewables? The companies that have been producing baseload gridelectricity for decades -why aren't they going down the path of nuclear power? Those large professional, experienced companies that are producing your electricity right now and do so 24/7. What do those companies know that the nuclear people don't know and refuse to talk about?

Could it be that baseloadnuclear power is an old technology that is being replaced by anew, far superior technology which is renewables and energy storage?

Why is it that investment in renewables all around the world is outpacing nuclear by 10 to one ?Especially seeing that the nuclear industry had ahalf-centuryheadstart.Why have more than three millionhouseholds had rooftop solar already installed?

There was actually people at the presentation

Across Australia,anextra 444,400 jobswere createdin2024alone -the secondlargestrise in acalendar year on record. Of those, 67 per cent were fulltime positions. This strong job creation has occurred at the same time as we make substantial progress in bringing down inflation. Federal Labor’s workplacelaws- all of which were opposed by Peter Dutton and the Coalition -are delivering:

 Higher pay and stronger job security for workers;

 Real wage growth after adecade of deliberate wage suppression under the Coalition, with the average Australian worker now earning an extra $150 aweek compared to two years ago;

 Real wages growth for four consecutive quarters, acomplete turnaround from when we came to government when annual real wages werefalling;

 Increases to minimum and award wages, meaning that the 2.6 million lowest paid workers are better off;

 The lowest gender pay gap level in history;

 Same Job Same Pay laws delivering significant pay rises to labour hire workers;

 New rights for truck drivers to stay safe on ourroads;

 New rights for gig economy workers like rideshare and food delivery workers, including unfair dismissal;

 More rights for casual workers;

 The right to say ‘no’ to unpaid overtime, through our Right to Disconnect, and;  The criminalisation of intentional wage theft. Jess Walsh and Raff Ciccone are Federal Labor Senators for Victoria.

Advertising in the Express

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

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

LeighBrown

The Range Retirement Village l g

e

Business Guide

THE qualityofthe work at High Tree Tree Services is as high at the trees theyfell.

High Tree Tree Services is not onlycapable of leaving customers satisfied with howtheir garden has been pruned, butbeing reliable is a main priority.

“We’re averyfriendly, reliable service.Customersare very happy with the end result,”owner Rick Kruyt said.

The business star tedin1990, and todayRickremains at the helm with about 40 years’ experience in the industry.

As afamily-oriented enterprise, Rick’sson, Daniel,will eventually take over theoperations

High Tree Tree Services is based in both Trafalgar and Pakenham and cuts trees MondaytoFriday, butthe staff aremorethan happy to offerquotes on the weekend if need be

HIGH TREE SERVICE HIG

Services include pruning and removing of trees and shrubs, stump removal, hedge maintenance,mulching of gardensand supplying mulch.

Offering that exper tise at a reasonable rate andefficientlyis whereHighTreeService stands out compared to the rest.

“Webasicallyalwayshave customer satisfaction,”Ricksaid.

“Wealwaysliketoshow customersthrough the work we have done to makesuretheyare happy. If there’s something we’ve overlooked we’remorethan happy to come and correct it.”

Need a bit o f ex tra sparkle and shine at your place? Call

MALTESE XPoodle. 5F, 1M, 24/12/24. Vet checked, Vacc, Micro chipped, 956000018812552, 18852 60, 18814689, 18828313 18828845,1882187. RB211780, Phone Kath 0438 453 063.

MORWELL

5A Hourigan Rd. Saturday and Sunday. 8am. Lots of bargains and plenty of garden veggies.

TRARALGON, 6Field Crt. Saturday, 8am. Household items. All must go! No reasonable offer refused.

33 Bank St. Sat. 9am-1pm. Clear-out yard sale. $5

LANGWARRIN

Male, 70 y.o. widower, slim, seeking adventurous

Notice to ADVERTISERS and RESPONDENTS

Voicemail introductions advertisements and voice messages may only be submitted by persons

Landscaping Mulch

Beautify your garden. Bulk quantity available, $30m3, $50 delivery. 0412 613 443 or 1800 468 733.

...you DON’T have to make aspecial trip to Morwell to place classifiedads?

Just popinto Moe Nextra Lotto, 1-3 Moore St Moe and the friendly staff can assist you. The only EXCEPTIONS are classified adswhich contain aphoto.

These will need to be placed at the Morwell Office, 21 George Street Morwell 5135 4455

Advertise in our paper if you want to locals!

years and older. When making contact with people for the first time, it is advisable to meet in apublic place and let amember of your family or atrusted friend know where you will be. We would advise readers and advertisers to exercise caution in giving out personal details. This will be respected by genuine respondents.

Notice to ADVERTISERS and RESPONDENTS

Voicemail introductions advertisements and voice messages may only be submitted by persons 18 years and older.

GUITAR LESSONS

Gippsland Guitar School, all ages, 8-80, beginners to advanced, banjo and ukulele lessons also available. 0439 111 610.

MOBILE MASSEUR

Exp. Masseur for ladies and couples, stress/pain relief, days and evenings. Peter 0417 336 553.

We have an audience of OVER 76,000! You’re guaranteed to reach MORE LOCALS!

When making contact with people for the first time, it is advisable to meet in apublic place and let amember of your family or atrusted friend know where you will be.

We would advise readers and advertisers to exercise caution in giving out personal details. This will be respected by genuine respondents.

PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE MOBILE PHONE

BASE STATION AT WALHALLA INCLUDING 5G

Optus plans to upgrade the telecommunications facilities at the below mentioned address with the addition of new 5G equipment: off Church Hill Road, Walhalla VIC 3825 (1\TP940657) (RFNSA: 3825024)

The proposed 5G upgrade will consists of:

● Replacement of six (6) existing Remote Radio Units (RRUs) with two (2) new RRUs;

● Installation, relocation and removal of ancillary equipment, including aGPS antenna, mounts, feeders, cabling, combiners, and other associated equipment; and

● Internal works within existing equipment outdoor cabinets.

Optus regards the proposed installation as a Low-impact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 ("The Determination"), the based on the description above. The proposed infrastructure will comply with ACMA EME/regulatory arrangements.

In accordance with Section 7of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code 2020, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to: Vanessa Wan at Service Stream Limited, 0447 240 015, Optus.Submissions@servicestream.com.au or Zenith Tower B, Level 3, 821 Pacific Hwy, Chatswood NSW 2067 by 5pm,Thursday 6March 2025.

If you would like to know more about the site, further information can be obtained from: www.rfnsa.com.au/3825024.

Annual Charity Second Hand Book Sale Sat 22nd and Sun 23rd February 2025 9am to 4pm Darnum Public Hall Cropley Street, Darnum Gold Coin Entry Books sold by the bagful $20 per supermarket bag

LATROBE CITY SPORTING RESERVES WINTER 2025 SEASONAL APPLICATIONS

Seasonal applications are invited from sporting clubs and community organisations for the hire of Latrobe City maintained sporting facilities for the upcoming winter season, 1April 2025 -31 September 2025. Applications can be submitted online at: www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/Outdoor_Sporting_ Facility_Applications from Thursday 20 February from 9:00 am until midnight Friday 7March 2025. Enquiries to Denise Whittaker, Recreation Liaison and Sporting Reserves Maintenance Officer on 1300 367 700 or Denise.Whittaker@latrobe.vic.gov.au

BATHROOM

Or

Door Installer

FENCING

All types of residential fences and gates. Free quote, call or text Doug 0409 433 110.

FENCING

Much hardship and difficulty is caused to job seekers by misleading advertising placed in the employment columns. Our Situations Vacant columns are reserved for advertisements which carry aspecific and genuine offer of employment. Ads for `Business Opportunities' and `Training Courses' and `Employment Services' should be submitted under those headings. Placing misleading ads is an offence against the Trades Practices Act and state/territory fair trading acts and all advertisements are subject to the publisher's approval. For further advice, contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on 1300 302 502 or your state consumer affairs agency.

• CoordinatorCouncil BusinessPermanentFullTime

• Coordinator Industry Development and Transition - PermanentFull Time

Situations

DELIVERERS WTD

Would you like to deliver the Latrobe Valley Express newspaper to individual homes on Tuesday and/or Wednesday afternoons in Morwell, Traralgon, Moe, Newborou gh and Churchill? Please apply to the Circulation Manager 0456 000 541. Please note: Children must be 11 years or over as we will need to apply for agovernment

INTERNAL MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANT

Experienced Bookkeeper

Brownwigg is aLeading Retailer of Rural Merchandise in Gippsland servicing the Agricultural, Domestic and Industrial Sectors.

We are excited to offer aposition with flexible hours for adynamic and experienced Management Accountant or Bookkeeper to join our team.

Our ideal candidate will be able to satisfy the following qualities.

Candidate Profile:

● Excellent communication skills, self-motivated with astrong work ethic.

● Ability to work independently and unsupervised.

● Proactive "Can do" attitude.

About the Role: We seek to add ahands-on operator with akeen eye for details to manage the internal accounting and finance needs of the business.

The key responsibilities will include:

● Conduct/oversee daily reconciliations of debtors, creditors, and bank accounts.

● Manage data entry and oversee payables, receivables, and customer accounts.

● Handle end-of-month procedures and multi-entity reconciliations.

● Develop detailed costing reports to support financial decision-making.

● Work closely with the external accounting team to assist in ensuring precise financial reporting.

● Collaborate with external accountants to maintain compliance with financial reporting standards.

● Liaise with department heads to ensure accurate product and service costing.

● Monitor and evaluate inventory levels.

● Assess overall profitability and propose enhancements.

About You:

● Minimum of 3years' experience in a management accounting or similar role.

● Willing to learn Internal Point of Sales System.

● Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Outlook.

● Excellent time management and initiative.

Offer:

● Competitive salary, negotiable based on experience.

● Opportunity for immediate start.

All work will be completed onsite in the Sale Office.

This is an excellent opportunity for afinance professional looking to make asignificant impact in a well-established business. If you have the skills and experience, we are looking for please apply.

For more information please contact Michael Brown on 0428 443 503. Applications in writing will close Monday March 3rd, 2025 and are to be directed to: ted.harrison@brownwigg.com.au

• IndustryDevelopment and TransitionOfficer - Permanent Full Time AccountsOfficer - TemporaryFull Time

• Experienced Maintenance Employee- Roads- PermanentFull Time

• Trainee Arborist - TemporaryFull Time

• SeniorProjectOfficer -Capital Works- PermanentFullTime

• EarlyChildhood Educators & ChildcareWorkers – Casual

• ExecutiveAssistant Regional City Planning and Assets- Permanent Full Time

• CleanerLeisure Facilities - Casual

• GIS&Applications OfficerPermanentFullTime

Administration/ Communications Officer

Location: Old Gippstown Heritage Park, 211 Lloyd Street, Moe, 3825

Hours: Part-time (0.6 EFT) -3 days per week, including weekends.

Salary: Salary based on the Amusements, Events and Recreation Award.

Old Gippstown is seeking adynamic and enthusi astic Administration/C ommunications Officer to join our team. Reporting to the Park Manager, you will play acrucial role in ensuring smooth administrative operations and effective communicati on/market ing strategies. This position offers aunique opportunity to work in a vibrant, not-for-profit tourism environment, contributing to the promotion and success of our heritage park.

Selection criteria include:

● Experience in marketing, events management and administration, preferably in the tourism industry.

● Highly developed written communication skills with attention to detail, pride in the quality of work produced and ability to meet deadlines.

● Strong organisational skills and ability to work effectively and cohesively within abusy team environment.

● Excellent customer service, communication, and interpersonal skills.

● Proficiency in digital communication, social media, and Microsoft Office applications.

How to Apply: Further information including the position description and selection criteria can be obtained from the Secretary at secretary@oldgippstown.com.au.

Applications addressing the selectioncriteria and including acoverletter, resume and references should be sent to: The Secretary Gippstown Reserve Committee of Management at secretary@oldgippstown.com.au by Wednesday 26th of February, 2025.

Deliverers Wanted TRARALGON, andMOE

Would you liketodeliver theLatrobe Valley Express newspaper to individual homes on Tuesdayand /or Wednesdayafternoons in Traralgon and Moe.

Please apply to: The Circulation Manager 0456 000541

Please note: Children must be 11 years or over as we will need to apply for agovernment Child Employment Permit. Children younger than 11 cannot or will not be accepted. Adult deliverers also welcome

Tenders •

Forthcoming Vacancies on the Gippsland Lakes Coordinating Committee

The Minister for Water is seeking expressions of interest for up to five community member positions and one independent chairperson. The terms of appointment for members will be up to three years.

The committee provides advice to the Minister for Water on environmental issues and priorities within the Gippsland Lakes and its catchment. The committee generally meets quarterly for afull day and members attend functions and events when available.

All applications must be made through the Join a Public Board website: https://www.boards.vic.gov.au/ Applicants with further enquiries or those with difficulties in accessing the documents should contact East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority on 0477 444 863.

Expressions of Interest close midnight on Wednesday, 5March 2025.

CRAVEN, Keith Robert. Bel oved husb and of Alison. Father to Sharon and Natalie. Grandfather to Charli, Will and Milly. Died peacefully on St Valentines Day. LARKIN, Peter John. 3793067 -Vietnam

DENNISON (nee Fahey), Elizabeth Jean.

15/01/1925 -13/02/2025

Passed away peacefully with family by her side at Latrobe Regional Health, aged 100 years. Loving wife of Cleasby (Tassie) (dec.). Adoring Mother to Alex, Lynette, Noel and their families. Forever in our Hearts.

DRAPER, Gloria. Passed away peacefully on Saturday 8th February at the age of 97 years. 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

GOSS, Barbara June. Passed away peacefully on Wednesday 12th of February 2025, aged 87. Dearly loved wife of Bryan (dec.). Loving mother to Jennifer, Trevor, Shelley and Mark Forever in our hearts.

KURRLE (Axford), Patricia (Pat).

Passed away peacefully at LRH on Saturday 8th February 2025.

Passed away surrounded by loved ones at the Latrobe Regional Health Traralgon on 15 February, 2025. Aged 78 years.

Dearly loved husband of Kay for 56 wonderful years. Much loved Dad and father-in-law of Samara and Shane, Sam and Britt. Adored Pa of Ayla, Josh, Zak and Asha. Loved brother of Kevin (dec.) and Patti. Happy memories of awonderfullife. Forever In Our Hearts

LEACH, Peter Winston.

18/6/1941 -12/2/2025

Passed away peacefully at Latrobe Regional Health. Aged 83 years. Loving husband of Jean. Stepdad to Julie, Chris and families. Will be missed.

LENNOX, Kevin Harold.

20/7/1947 -12/2/2025

Passed away at Latrobe

Regional Health, Traralgon, 12 February 2025. Aged 77 years.

Dearly loved and cherished partner of Judy.

Loved father of Adam, Johann and Brian, Jedda and Tim, Josh and Annabelle, stepfather of Joanne and Shane, Michelle (dec.) and Mark, Catherine and Zol, Shaun and Hannah. Adored Grandad of and Poppy of 13 grandchildren. The long working dayis over Love you til' the cowscome home Rest In Peace For Funeral details visit: www.nielsenfunerals.com.au

PANOUTSOPOULOS, Theodora. My beaut iful yia yia, it would be selfish of me to wish you were still here, knowing how tired you were of the pain. My heart breaks knowing Iwill never get to walk into your warm home greeted with your loving kiss, the smell of your delicious food and you telling us all how much you loved us again. Iamsograteful for all the love you have shown myself, Michael and your great grandchildren. We love and adore you so much and will miss you immensely. No words can express the pain I'm feeling and how big the hole you have left in my heart is. Until we meet again, Love you always Kyrra, Michael, Hunter, Jaxon and Sonny.

Yiayia, Imiss your kisses and cuddles, Iwill miss your delicious food. It hurt to see you in hospital all the time. Ilove you.

Love Jaxon

Ilove my yiayia and already miss her alot. She was nice, kind and she is really really great at cooking and Inever liked seeing her sad. She was avery great yiayia.

Love Hunter

Ilove you yay yay yah, Love Sonny

RICKETTS (nee Lamble), Judith Mary. Passed away peacefully at Baw Baw Views Aged Care Moe on 10 February 2025. Aged 80 years Dearly loved wife of Peter (dec.) for 59 years. Much loved mother and mother-in-law of David and Deborah, and Steven. Adored grandma to Kevin, Tim ,J am al, El isa, Chantelle and Maddie. Always Treasured and Remembered

BEECHAM. The Funeral Service to celebrate the life of Matilda Beecham will take place in the Cirrus Chapel at Bunurong Memorial Park Crematorium, FrankstonDandenong Rd, Dandenong South on FRIDAY (21 February 2025) commencing at 12 noon.

BOLDING. The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Mr John Bolding will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Highway, Traralgon on FRIDAY (21 February 2025) commencing at 11am. In lieu of flowers, online donations to the McGrath Foundation would be appreciated, envelopes available at the Service.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

COBURN. The Funeral of Mrs Margaret Coburn will be held at the Traralgon and District Baptist Church, Kay St Tra ralgon, TUESDAY (25 February 2025) commencing at 11am. At the conclusion of the Service the Funeral will leave for the Traralgon Cemetery, Gippsland Memorial Park.

LAGERWEY. The Funeral of Mrs Beverley Anne Lagerwey will be held at CoOperating Churches of Churchill, 1Williams Avenue, Churchill on FRIDAY (28 February 2025) commencing at 10.30 am. At the conclusion of the Service the Funeral will leave for the Hazelwood Cemetery, Brodribb Road, Hazelwood.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

MORWELL 5134 4937 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

LARKIN. AService to celebrate the life of Peter Larkin will be held at the Nielsen Funeral Chapel, Korumburra Rd, Warragul on THURSDAY NEXT WEEK (27 February) at 11am.

The Service will also be live-streamed. To view Peter's Service please visit: www.nielsenfunerals.com.au

At the conclusion of the Service the cortege will leave for the Trafalgar Cemetery.

All Ex-Service personnel are respectfully invited to attend.

SMITS. ARequiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Mrs Josefa Flora Smits will be offered at St Michael's Catholic Church, Church Street, Traralgon on FRIDAY (21 February 2025) at 1.30 pm. At the conclusion of the Service the Funeral will leave for the Hazelwood Cemetery, Brodribb Road, Hazelwood.

Rosary will be recited at the above Church, prior to the Service, commencing at 1pm. latrobevalley funerals.com.au

Deaths •

ARMISTEAD, Glenda Florence.

21/1/1949 -8/2/2025.

Loving Mother of Scott, Tim and Cindy. Proud and loving Nana to nine beautiful grandchildren. Forever in our hearts

APrivate Funeral will take place.

BOLDING, John. Passed away peacefully at LRH on 7th February after acourageous battle with cancer. Aged 73 years Loved son of Fred (dec.) and Rieky. Brother of Fred. Much loved husband of Leonie. Loved father of Graeme, Brad, Chris and Nick (dec.). Father-in-law to Renae. Adored grandfather to Liam, Emma, Blake, Harlow and Ben. Loved and Remembered always 'Carn' The Saints

BOLDING, John. In loving memory of John. Taken from his family too soon. John, we will miss seeing you have acuppa and reading the paper at Oma's. Rest easy and enjoy a cuppa or port up in heaven with Opa and Nick XX

With love, Sheree, Shane, Maddi, Mitch and Josh XX

BOURCHIER, Lucy. Our beautiful mum and granny taken peacefully 5/2/25. You will be missed and loved everyday.

Forever in our hearts Lynette, Brett and Hollie, Tina and Paul, Melinda and Robbie and families.

COBURN, (formally Burrage) Margaret Enid (née Evans). Passed away at Margery Cole Hostel Traralgon, 11th February 2025. Loved and loving wife of John (dec.) and Stan (dec.). Much loved mother of Margaret and Peter , Rosemary and Dieter, Warner and Liz, David and Nadia, Russell and Amy. Loving Nanni of 18 grandchildren and almost 8 great grandchildren. Resting in the arms of her Lord after alifetime of service to others "For Iknow the plans Ihave for you" declares the Lord. "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and afuture" Jeremiah 29:11

Aged 86 years

Loved wife of Barry (dec.).

Dearly loved mum of Peter and Sharon, Ian and Jan, Vicki (dec.) and Sandy. Adored Nan of Ryan, Daniel, Josh, Liam, Jessica and Rebecca. Cherished Gran of her 14 great grandchildren. Our words are few, our thoughts are deep, Wonderful memories are ours to keep.

Pat's Service was held on Monday 17th February. Please visit our website to watch the livestream. latrobevalley funerals.com.au

LAGERWEY (nee Gardner), Beverley Anne. Passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Monday 10 February 2025. Aged 89 years Loving wife of Dick (dec.). Loving mother of David. Loved and respected mother-in-law of Kerrie. Sister of John, Gloria and Kaye (dec.). With tears we watched you suffer, and watched you fade away, with courage and concern for others. You fought so hard to stay, but God saw that you were weary, and did what He thought best. He gently took you in His arms,and whispered come and rest. We all loveyou

LAGERWEY, Beverley. Passed away 10/2/2025. Beloved wife of Dick (dec.). Loved sister-in-law to John and Lyn. Loving aunty to Trevor, Darren, Gavin and families. In God's Care

OSTLER, Janet Lesley. Of Eastwood, formerly of Traralgon. Passed away peacefully on the 11th February 2025. Aged 65 years. Dearly loved wife of Alistair Craven. We have had so many happy memories. Rest in Peace

PANOUTSOPOULOS (nee Drakatos), Theodora. Theodora passed away peacefully at Latrobe Regional Health surrounded by her loving family.

Aged 85 years

Lovi ng moth er and mother-in-law of Jimmy and Donna, Thomas and Karryn, Peter and Julie.

Proud and adored Yiayia to her grandchildren Kristie, Nicole, Kyrra, Jaimi, Letitia, Jasmin, Tahlia and Sierra and her great grandchildren.

May you now rest peacefully You will be deeply missed and loved forever

PANOUTSOPOULOS, Theodora. Our beautiful yia yia, we will be forever grateful for the love you always showed us and will cherish the memories we have shared together. Now resting peacefully. We will miss you Kris, Luke, Rubi and Mia

PANOUTSOPOULOS, Theodora. Our beautiful Yiayia, Your love, kindness, and strength were everything to us and the warmth you brought into our lives will stay with us forever. We'll cherish the memories we made and will miss you more than words can say. We love you always and forever Nicole, Joel, Brooklyn, Connor and Marlee

van Grieken (Broeren), Ann Mary.

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Marian van Grieken on 11/02/2025, aged 68. Beloved daughter of Nelly and Matt (dec.) Broeren, and cherished sister to Christine, Sophy, Paul, Susan, Louise, Leonie, Denise, and Andrew and their spouses.

Marian was the soul of our family -warm, generous, and always bringing love and laughter wherever she went. Marian will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Our hearts go out to Albert and their children and grandchildren during this difficult time.

May she rest in peace.

Funeral: Wednesday 19th at 11am, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Deepdene.

Memorial Service: Thursday (20th February) at 11am, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Newborough, followed by the Rite of Committal at Yallourn Cemetery.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258

Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

CRAVEN. The Funeral Service to celebrate the life of Keith Robert Craven will take place in the Rose Chapel at Gippsland Memorial Park Cr emator ium , Cemetery Drive Traralgon, FRIDAY (21st February 2025) commencing at 2pm.

DRAPER. The Committa lf or 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. This Service will be livestreamed. Please visit our website for details.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON

TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

GOSS. The funeral service to celebrate the life of Barbara June Goss will take place in the Rose chapel at Gippsland Memorial Park, Cemetery Drive, Traralgon, THURSDAY (27th of February 2025) commencing at 1:30pm. Following which, Barbara will be laid to rest within the cemetery grounds.

LEACH. The funeral service to celebrate the life of Mr Peter Leach, will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 437A Prin ces Dr. Morwell, TUESDAY(25 February, 2025) commencing at 11.30am. Private Cremation.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

OSTLER. The funeral of Mrs Janet Lesley Ostler of Eastwood, formerly of Traralgon, will leave Our Chapel, 613 Main Street, Bairnsdale, after aservice commencing at 11am on MONDAY (3rd of March 2025), for the Bairnsdale Lawn Cemetery. Please see Janet's funeral notice at: stephenbaggs.com.au for alink to the livestream. Stephen Baggs Funeral Directors Bairnsdale 5153 2150

PANOUTSOPOULOS. The Funeral of Mrs Theodora Panoutsopoulos will be held at the Greek Orthodox Church Morwell, 42-44 Elgin St Morwell on THURSDAY (20 February 2025) commencing at 11am. Following the Service the Funeral will leave for the Moe Memorial Park Cemetery.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 5126 1111 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

DAVIDSON, Robert Leslie Harley. 15/2/1954 -15/6/2017. The pain when you left will never heal, your shining light from your star watches over us. Another birthday without you here. Lots of love Janean, Warren, Storm and Rebecca.

Birthday Memoriam •

COLLINS, Pauline. 10/10/1947 -19/2/2024. One year has passed Still loved

Magpies swoop into Gippsland area

FOOTBALL

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

LAST week saw aMagpie invasion in Gippsland. Collingwood returned to the region for the thirdtimeintwo years, traversing the west of Gippsland, much to the delightofthe hundreds of footy loving kids and the local ‘black and white’ faithful.

The AFL club’s community camptook them to 24 different BawBaw Shireschools,meeting with more than 3500 primary school students on Tuesday, February 11

The 2023 AFL premiers then made their way to Western Park, Warragul for agiant Auskick, Superkick, and junior come-and-play clinic, with a meet-and-greet signing session open to the public.

Almost all of Collingwood’s 2025 playing list were present for the junior football clinic, with only a few exceptions including premiership coachCraig McRae absent on the day.

Players lent ahand to the cohort of AFL Victoria participation representatives out running the engagingdrillsfor the 250-plus kidsinattendance across the two neighbouring Warragul ovals.

Ahealthycontingent of Gippsland-born players are currently wear the famed black and white stripes, withthe likes of club games record holder

andSale’s Scott Pendlebury, Morwell’s Tew Jiath and recent recruit Traralgon’s Tim Membrey. Former Morwell premiership player Mannon Johnston is also an employee of Collingwoodasits playerengagement manager and gameday runner.

Closer to home, Jiath -the second-year Magpie -took time to reflect on aspecial day.

“You sort of forget the impact you have on the community until you’re here, like once you’re in the schools… seeing the smilesonsome of the kids’ faces, you do really remind yourself that it’s not just footy, there’s awider feeling withinthe community,” Jiath told the Express

“Once you come down here (back to Gippsland), it’s asense of pride and trying to build that connection -because I’m already from down here, getting the boys to understand how big of adeal footy is to them and just being arole model to the kids."

Jiath continued saying he felt aconnection with the younger, enthusiastic generation present, who he feels he can relate to as a19-year-old.

“Whenyou’re here, when you have kicks with thekids or you have aconversation with alocal and you lead that conversation (and see) how meaningful it is, you do feelyou’re doing something within the community,” he said.

“It’s athing that Collingwood does do really well, which is coming back to community,and one of our

Tasmania trouble Vics, Siddle

CRICKET EXPORTS

BY TOM HAYES

MEN'S state cricket has returned for 2025.

Following alengthy break, players returned to the pitches last week for the first time at state level since December 2024.

 THE four-day encounter between Victoria and Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield at Bellerive Oval came down to the wire, with the hosts claiming victory at the very last.

Morwell export Peter Siddlewas right in the thick of the action, out in the middle trying to help save the match for Victoria late on Day 4.

But back to Day 1, when Victorian skipper Will Sutherland won the toss, he threw the hosts into the middle for ahit

Siddle got intothe action soonenough, and by the time he’d struck, Tasmania were alreadythree wicketsdown. He gotthe fourth, being Tasmanian captain Jordan Silk.

Wickets werefrequent for Tasmania, but so were the runs, as Siddle claimed the last of the innings in the 87th over, bowled out for 236. Thus, Victoria were given afew overs to bat before play on Day 1was complete.

The wickets were shared quite evenly throughout the Victorianbowling attack, with two wickets going to each of Sutherland (2/61),Sam Elliott (2/51), Fergus O’Neill (2/56), and Siddle (2/43) -the most economical of them all.

Victoria would go unscathed on Day 1, but as Day 2got started, they were slow off the mark.

Acquiring runs at just over one an over, Tasmania struck in quicksuccession.Afterthe first wicket fell in the 18th over, they continued to be dismissed around every five or six overs, unable to get into their groove.

Four downfor 80 runs,Thomas Rogers and Harry Dixon had to put theirheads down to save the innings. That they did.

Although Dixon appeared to do most of the heavy lifting, Rogers posted an admirable 33 before he was thenext to go with the scoreboard at 5/168. Dixon departed shortly after for 66,leavingVictoria vulnerable once again at 6/178.

Notable knocks from Sam Harper and Elliott helped Victoria establish afirst innings lead. And as Siddle was caughtbehind for asecond-ball duck for the final wicket, Victoria led by 22 runs after posting 258.

Tasmania responded with avengeance, although that didn’t appear to be the case from the outset. In their innings that amassed 291 runs and set atargetof269 forVictoria, there was really just two stand-out performers for the hosts.

Opener Jake Weatherald blasted 155 from 212 balls, which saw him hit 20 fours, and survive the entire innings.

He was joined at the crease by tailender Raf MacMillanfor the eighthwicket, apartnership that might’ve justwon Tasmaniathe match,as MacMillan scored 47.

Siddle didtakethree of the first four wickets of the innings, trapping opener Nivethan Radhakrishnan for one in the sixth over, trapping Silk too for aduck, andclaiming the wicket of Tasmanian wicketkeeper Jake Doran for 33 to finish with 3/63.

With Victoria back at the crease, who knew it would eventually come down to the final wicket,

Man of the people: Kids were lining up to get ahigh five from Collingwood champion and Sale’s ScottPendlebur y.

mantras is ‘family first’ and trying to make people feel welcome wherever you are from.

“AFL Gippsland does areally good job at trying to make us do heaps of clinics and have them run seamlessly andget into the community and leave as better people.”

Collingwood have since headed up north for their first match simulations against other clubs, startingoff againstGold Coast Sunsand Brisbane Lionsthisweek,followed by ahit-out against Richmond on Wednesday, February 26.

The Magpies’ last visit to the region saw them stop in Morwell for an open training sessionat Ronald Reserve, Morwell East.

with Siddle and Peter Handscomb (who was also chasing acentury) trying to win the match.

Opener Campbell Kellaway, Elliott, and Harper all put in decent knocks in the 30s, but none could top Handscomb, who entered the 90s right when the game was on the line.

Siddle nervously faced ahandful of balls,but most of the heavy lifting was expected to be done by the man at the other end.

Previouslyat8/249, with two wickets in hand and needing20runs, it didn’t appear as daunting, but as O’Neill was dismissed,that task with one wicket leftjustupped theante.

Seemingly going for boundaries only, with the worry that Siddle wouldbeleft on strike, Handscomb knocked acouple that were fielded toward the rope for no runs.

Soonafter, he would succumb to the pressure, getting athick top edge toward square leg, ending the Victorian innings 20 runs short of the target. Despitethe loss,Victoria remain in second place on the table. They began another four-day match yesterday(Tuesday, February 18), this time against New South Wales at the SCG.

 TASMANIA continued to have one over Victoria, defeating them again, this time in aOne Day Cup match at Bellerive Oval on Thursday, February 13.

They did so in quite an easy fashion too after Victoriancaptain Sutherland won the toss and elected to bat.

It was asteady innings for the visitors, but unfortunately it was steadily slow. Victoria maintained arun rate of around five per over for most of the innings, only scoring more than 10 runs in an over four times-twice in the final five overs.

Despite this, some notable knocks weremade fromthe Victorians, includingRogers' 68, and opener Harper (50). Elliott made it close to ahalfcentury, but ran out of time, finishing the innings on 46 not out.

Siddle batted at 10, and was the ninth and final wicket for one run, run out with the final delivery of the innings, as Victoria posted 9/266.

Tasmania did not mess around from the get-go, as both opening bats neared half centuries. More notably, Mitchell Owen was trying to break records of sorts, eventually out for 48 from 19 balls.

His openingpartner Caleb Jewell eventually went past 50 and continued on to reach amatch-winning century from 115 balls.

Racing to the target at over six runs per over, Tasmania only needed about 100 runs in the second half of theinnings. At that stagethey had just lost their fourth wicket, the scoreboard reading 4/159

CharlieWakim joined Jewellatthe creaseand smashed 44 before he became the last wicket for Tasmania.

Jewell would reach his century in what would becomethe finalover, smashingasix andafourto hittriplefigures and win the match for Tasmania.

Siddle claimedjust 1/51, taking the wicket of Tim Ward for 22 in the 17th over. He was one of three Victorian bowlers to go at more than seven per over.

Tasmania closed the gap to Victoria on the table following its triumph. Victoria remain in fourth place with 13 points in the One Day standings, and are still within touching distance of Queensland above, but now also Tasmania below.

Victoria is back in action in the OneDay Cup after its four-day match against NSW, playing the same opponent this Sunday (February 23).

BASKETBALL

By TOM HAYES AND BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

BASKETBALL Australia haves announced an initial 25-player squad for the Under 19 Australian Emus ahead of the 2025 U19 FIBA World Cup. Included in the squad is Traralgon export Ben Waller, who has committed to the University of California, Riverside, beginning later this year.

Those selected in the initialsquad will participate in atrainingcamp from March17 to 20 at the Centre of Excellence (Australian Institute of Sport) in Canberra.

Head coach RobbieMcKinlaysays the squad will serve as afoundation for the U19 FIBA WorldCup campaign, which takesplace in Switzerland from June 28 until July 6later this year.

“This is the start of the journey towards the World Cup so it’s an exciting time for these young players,” McKinlay said in a press release.

“We are looking forward to having such a deep and versatile group in the camp.” McKinlay will be assisted by former Illawarra Hawks coach Jacob Jackomans and current Illawarra Hawks assistant Joel Khlau.

Essentially, the initial squad is made up of youngsters who played for Australia’s Under 17 and 18 national squads last year.

Twelve of theplayers, including Waller, helped Australia win the title at the U18 Asia Cup in 2024 -McKinlaycoaching them to success.

Big nameswill line up alongside Waller, with Brisbane Bullets’ Rocco Zikarsky -who has already made his Boomers debut, and Melbourne Uniteddevelopment player Dash Daniels -the brother of AtlantaHawks’ Dyson.

South East MelbournePhoenixdevelopment player Luke Fennell -astrong performer throughout the National Championships for Victoria is also in the squad, as is Tasmania’s Jacob Furphy who has committed to play college basketball at UConn.

 TRARALGON'S Will Hamilton has also been selected for the 2025 Under 18 Victoria Country team.

From April 5to13, state metro and country sides battle it out at the national championships in Brisbane.

The best young stars will take to the court, with Victoria Country pushingtoimprove from their bronze medal finish and takedown champion Victoria Metro.

Hamilton was named alongside 11 other players and five emergencies.

He recently won the Australian Country Junior Basketball Championships for the U18 Boys Victoria Bushrangers, and won agold medal representing Australiaatthe FIBA OceaniaCup in which he wasalsonamed Most Valuable Player.

Photograph: Blake Metcalf-Holt

Keenagers mark 20-year milestone

TABLE TENNIS

By KATRINA BRANDON

HITTING off to 20 years, Moe/Newborough Keenagers TableTennis(MNKTT) got togetheron Thursday, February 13 to celebrate the milestone. Celebrations went ahead on the home courts at the Latrobe LeisureMoe/Newborough Centre, and more than 60 people attended.

After opening the celebration with ahit, followed by the ceremony, players celebrated over a cuppa, cake, and aslideshow presenting the many

memories of the club and past members. Over the years, the club has gained more than 300 members. It now has 80 players and is Victoria's second-biggest Keenagers club.

The club's origins date back to February 14, 2005, when it was formed by the efforts of Latrobe City Council, Bairnsdale Keenagers Table Tennis Club (BKTT), and others eager to get it going. The BKTT supplied the necessary equipment to set up the club.

“Meg Barrett wasthe main person. She kickedit off in 2004 alongside the council,” Vice President of Moe/Newborough Keenagers Table Tennis, Pat Esse, told the Express

ATHLETICS

GIPPSLAND

Round 14 of GippslandAthletics Club

trackand field season washeld Tuesday 11th February 2025.

ROUND 14 RESULTS:

200M

Men: Open –Cameron Hughes 27.53; Masters– Andrew Rodda 27.04, Ian Twite 42.21

HAMMER THROW

Women: Masters–Fiona Saltmarsh 18.24

Men: Open –Cameron Hughes 19.26; Masters–Simon VanBaalen 41.65, Wayne Seear 25.90, StuartDalton 23.70, Andrew Rodda 20.73

1500M

Men: Open –Cameron Hughes 5:50.87; Masters–Ian Twite6:58.09

DISCUS

Women: Masters–Fiona Saltmarsh 15.24

Men: Masters–Simon VanBaalen 37.55, Wayne Seear 27.50, StuartDalton 25.80, Andrew Rodda 20.91, Ian Twite18.24

100M

Men: Masters– Andrew Rodda 13.50, Simon VanBaalen 16.00

Gippsland Athletics Round15willbeheld on Tuesday18th February,6pm at the Joe Carmody Track, Newborough Events: 800m, Hammer Throw,Triple Jump, 2000m, Shotput ,100m BOWLS

STRZELECKI NORTH MIDWEEK

PENNANT 2024 -25

Round 14 11/02/2025

Division 1W LD FA Dif Pts

Trafalgar 19 50 878 800 78 140

Traralgon RSL1 950 826 800 26 131

Traralgon 18 60 825 790 35 128

Newborough 17 70 825 751 74 120

Morwell Club 18 60 831 803 28 120

Warragul 16 80 792 861 -69102

Drouin 16 80 825 839 -1494

Moe 13 11 0730 888 -158 61

Division 2W LD FA Dif Pts

Newborough 2122 0886 720 166180

Drouin 29 50 852 740112143

Yinnar 19 50 860 76694135

Trafalgar 28 60 783 800 -17123

Neerim District 17 70 827 820 7108 Morwell 14 10 0815 852 -37 78

Traralgon 23 11 0798 829

CHURCHILL &MONASH

StrokeSaturday8th February 2025.

AGrade Winner: S. Allison 69 Nett

BGrade Winner: G. Spowart 71 Nett

CGrade Winner: W. Sutton65Nett

ScratchWinner: R. Madigan84

D.T.L: 1. G. Corponi 67,2.J.Jeffrey 68, 3. J. McCafferty69, 4. P. McGann 71, 5. R. Timbs

71,6.R.Abel 71, 7. D. Taylor 72 c/b

N.T.P: 3rdB.Kilday, 5th R. Welsh, 12th C.

Waring,14th C. Gilfillan

Birdies: 5th R. Welsh

Target Hole: A. Jenkins

StablefordCaptain/Vice Captain’sDay

Tuesday11th February 2025.

Winner: L. Brent 39 pts

D.T.L: 1. C. Carder 33 pts

N.T.P: 3rdC.Carder,5th C. Carder,12th C.

Barnes,14th L. Brent

Team Winner: Captains team

MIRBOONORTH

Tuesday11th February,Stableford

AGrade: DEllwood (13) 38

BGrade: LWeaver(18)37c/b

CGrade: MMoore(23) 38 c/b

DTL: NWhichello 37,A Quirk, TTomada 36, JConnan, SHill-Smith 35 c/b

N.T.P: 4th SHill-Smith, 6th AMcCarthy, 16th MPayne Birdies: 4th MPayne.6th AMcCarthy.

Saturday15th February,K Mc Cartin

Memorial Mixed Foursome

Mixed Winners: TomTraill &MBeruldson (30) 73 nett

Mens Winners: JTaylor&S Evison (27) 74 nett.

DTL: MPayne &M Thompson 75, S Hill-Smith &D Taylor 76.5

NTP: 4th MThompson. 6th JTaylor,13th M Payne 16th NWhichello

MOE

Sunday, 09 February 2025 OPEN Sunday

Medley

Grade AWinners: Puddy,Jacob (16) 38

Place Getters: Holt, Tom37C/B Wednesday, 12 February2025 WOMEN'S WEDNESDAY 9HOLE

Stableford

Overall Winners: Auchterlonie,Janice (54) 20 C/B

Wednesday, 12 February 2025 WOMENS

MONTHLYMEDAL Stroke

Overall Winners: Thompson, Pat(27) 69

Grade AWinners: Thompson, Pat(27) 69

Grade BWinners: O'Reilly, Christine (30)

76 C/B

PlaceGetters: Young,Gwen72C/B Shaw,Karen 72 C/B

Savige,Karyn 72

Great Score: Kaye Middlemiss Birdie @11

Nearest to Pin: 4th Christine Elliot 14th Chrissie Backman

Target Hole Winner: KarenShaw

AGrade Putts: Christine Elliot 27 Putts

Valley Express, Wednesday, 19

AMNKTT committeemember, Terry Grech, added: "The club has been going on for 20-odd years, and you can see how many people we have here. It is good. The more, the merrier".

In the late 1970s, during the removalof the Yallourn township, the State Electricity Commission of Victoria set up funds for nearby towns to obtain money to buildfacilities to replace thosedemolishedinYallourn.

One of the facilities demolishedwas the Yallourn Youth Club. This allowed Moe to extend the Latrobe Leisure Centre and add asecond basketballcourt, whichthe MNKTT currently plays on.

SCOREBOARD

BGrade Putts: Christine O'Reilly30Putts

Thursday, 13 February 2025 OPEN Medley

Stableford

Grade AWinners: Spiteri, Paul (9) 37

Grade BWinners: Webster,Jesse (13) 42

Grade CWinners: Waring,Craig (15) 37

Grade DWinners: Azzopardi, Nato(24) 38

Place Getters: Boorer,Greg40Wain, Leon

38 Hodgson, Robert37C/B Soppe,John 37 C/B Babet, Alain 36 Borg, Kathy36C/B Davidson, Craig 36 C/BRichmond, Paul

36 C/B Wilson, Graeme 36 C/B Shearing Andrew 36 C/B Schaper,Glenn 36 C/B Brien, Graeme 36 C/B WOODALL, Shane

36 Cropley, Mike 35 C/B Bassman, Jeffrey

35 C/B Schembri, Anthony35C/B McDonald, Kai35C/B

Great Score: Karl Eastaway (Birdie) @14

Paddy Sleswick(Birdie)@14Kevin Ayton (Birdie) @4 Kaye Middlemiss (Birdie) @4

Jeffrey Bassman (Birdie) @14Neil Muirhead (Birdie) @14Kai McDonald (Birdie) @4

Nearest to Pin: 4th AmyTaylor 8th Jason Shearing 14th Paddy Sleswick

Saturday, 15 February 2025 MENS

Stableford

Grade AWinners: Stansbury, Les (7) 38 C/B

Grade BWinners: Wilson, Robert(18)37

Grade CWinners: Kerr,Graham (21) 38 C/B

Place Getters: Veenman, Laurie 38 C/B Wilkinson, Wally38Scullin, Aaron 36 C/B Fitzclarence,Kallan 36 C/B Weir,Martin 36 Bechaz, Steve34Heafield, Aaron 34 C/B Goodwin, Barry34C/B Pickard,Andrew 34 C/B VanDer Meulen, Luke34

Great Score: Tony Johnson (Birdie) @8

PeterStephens (Birdie) @8

Dale Collings (Birdie) @4

Lee Wilson (Birdie) @14

RobertWilson (Birdie) @4 Les Stansbury(Birdie)@14

Nearest to Pin: 4th Kallan Fitzclarence 8th Tony Johnson 14th Lee Wilson

MORWELL

12th February 2025 Stableford

Winner: Lvan Rooy 43 pts

Runner Up: IYoshimura42pts

DTL: CBoers40pts

9Hole Winner: JRichards 18 pts

NTP: 2nd DVuillermin 8th CPeter 11th IYoshimura15th CPeter

Birdies: 11th IYoshimua

TRAFALGAR

Tuesday11/02/2025 -Irish Team Stableford

Winners: Chris Moody,Graeme Grant, Chris Griffin(42 c/b)

RunnersUp: RodPollock, GeoffFallon, Chris Barfoot (42)

DTL: AnthonyCunningham (20), Rob DeVries (20), Tony Shearer (19), Keith Owen (18), Les Pearce (18)

NTP: Chris Griffin(5th)

Thursday: 13/02/2025 -Stableford

Women’s Winner: JanGriffin (23 c/b)

Runner Up: KarenSwingler (23)

DTL: Aija Owen (21), Aileen McNair (20), SandraBalfour (19)

NTP: June Tickell (13th)

Men’s Winner: Paul Fogarty(26)

Runner Up: Chris Barfoot (25)

DTL: Wayne Dunn (24), Tony Shearer (22), Ed Hayward(22), Andy Kiss (21), Vic Hill (21), RayWilliams (21), RodBrisbane (21), Les Pearce (20), Duane Baker (20)

NTP: Tony Shearer (13th)

The YallournBadminton andBasketballClub were also asked to contribute to the extension.

Now, members come far and wide to enjoy the social interactions that the club shares, with some coming from as far as Heyfield.

"You can just come here and have fun.Some people just come in for acuppa andachat. It's not about winning; it’s about the social aspect and abit of table tennis,and it doesn’t matter what level you are at. It gets people out of the house," Esse said.

Friday, February 14th 2025, Open Men’s& Ladies Stableford

AGrade Winner: Tony Gray 37 pts

BGrade Winner: Laurie Snowball 38 pts

Women’s Winner: Angela Bayley37pts

DTL's: Jack Hasell 37,June Tickell 36, Bob Baldry36, Adrian Jones 36, UweTomski 35, Brian McKenzie 35, Sue Klemke35, Greg Evison 34, PeterMcKinnon 34 C/B Birdies: 2nd: DannyBullen 5th: Dane Ellwood 11th: Jason Xerri13th: Dannny Bullen

Saturday, February 15th 2025,American Foursomes Championships American Foursomes Champions: StewartCluning &LukeBryant 72 gross

Handicap Winner: StewartCluning &Luke Bryant 66.75 nett

DTL’s: Russ Grant &Darryl Blackshaw 69.25, Brian Wattchow& Reno Borg72.375, LukeMiddleton &Mitchell Marino 74.125, Brian Fox &Rex Daly 74.375

NTP’s: 2nd: Wayne Robbins 5th: Bob Baldry

WednesdayWomen's results 12/2/25 Singles Knockout and Stableford Knockout Winners: Congratulations to those who wonthe firstround. Sue Klemke, Cheryl Toyne,Nola Fordham, Christine Payne,Angela Bayley, LynPowell, Di Moody and KarenMacGregor

NTP: 5th Di Moody 15th JennyEvison 9Hole-Stableford Winner: Olwyn Balfour with 19 points

Runner Up: Lorna Risol c/b with 18points

YALLOURN

Ladies Thursday13-2-25 February Monthly Medal

Strokeand Count PuttsStarMedallist

PlayOff Winner: Betty Dobson

97-30-67

DTL: Lola Carter (19) 68 Evelyn Graske(39) 71 Count Putts: Lola Carter 30 putts 5th Gobbler andBirdie Lola Carter 14th Birdie Betty Dobson.

Tuesday4-2-25 9Hole StablefordWinner

Div1: (0-29) Lola Carter (19)16pts

Div 2: (30-54) JanWilson (54) 18pts

Tuesday11-2-25 9Hole StablefordWinner

Div 1: (0-27) BetsyBrown (25) 19pts

Div 2: (28-54) Sue Riches (31) 17pts

TENNIS

RIVERSIDE TENNIS ASSOCIATION

Round 12 Results

Section 1/2 Doubles

Drouin Maroon 8–53def

Team

Committed: MoeNewboroughKeenagers TableTennis CommitteemembersTerryGrech, Steve Bathgate, Ann Faulkner,Maria Harkon, PatEsse,and Helen Procak enjoyedthe 20th anniversary celebrations Photographs: Katrina Brandon

Herecomestrouble: BrothersHerman, Tony and RayBroeren continue to playtable tennis togetherafter many years.

At the net: Ann Faulkner and PeterBastlenjoy having ahit.

Finals delight and surprise: pennant

BOWLS STRZLECKI NORTH

WEEKEND PENNANT

BY MICHAEL HOLROYD

FINALS started on Saturday with threats of nasty weather whicheventuated, with mostmatches suffering interruptions with rain showers and freezing winds despite some patches of sun at other times. All games were completed in good time, yet not all clubs used their home ground advantage. In Division 1atTraralgon, the top teamfaced Longwarryonthe indoor surface. JamesScullin and his rink of Jedd Ladgrove, Ron Sherlock and Wayne Barnes won 40 to 14 to lay the foundation of a30-shot win.

Michael Yacoub won 23-13, while forLongwarry, their winners were Glenn Pask (21-19) and Jason Lieshout (21-19).

NewboroughtravelledtoTrafalgar for the second week in arow and their stars of last week Kevin Lovett and his rink of Tony Knipping,SteveGibcus and Jo-Anne Michaels won 33-16asTrafalgar won the other three rinks: Chris Bortignon (22-19), NathanCook (19-17) and Wil McIlwain (21-15), leaving Newborough the winners by six shots.

Newborough will play Longwarry at Traralgon to see who plays Traralgon in the Grand Final.

Division 2

MORWELLClubprovidedthe upset of the day, defeating Moe at Moe with Glenn Trembath and his rink of Duncan Hanlon,Sue Karleusa and LynneSmith winning 29-16, along with Tara Harle winning 26-15.

For Moe, Steve Pallot won 25-18and Michael Smogavec23-19,leaving Morwell Club the winners by three shots.

In wintery conditions at Neerim South, the locals had a40-shotwin over Traralgon(2),with Neil Adams and his rink of RussellMeehan, Gregg Chappleand Angus McGillivray winning 32-8. Peter Throup won 30-12 and Peter Brooks 20-19. Abe Roeder was the lone winning Traralgon (2) rink, winning 23-20.

Neerim District will play Moe at Traralgon to see who plays Morwell Club in the Grand Final.

Division 3

BOOLARRA had a31-shot win over Newborough (2), with Joel Andersonand his rink of Joelene Laukens, DarrenNapier and David Caldwell winning 28-11. David Stevens won 27-12 and Ron Lyfield 19-15. JeffWetzel was the loneNewborough (2) winner, 21-16.

Drouin (2) had an upset win at Trafalgar (2) by seven shots, with Brian Thorpe andhis rinkof Paul Delaney, Bev Walshand Phil Jarred winning 26-14, Rudy Kerkvliet 17-14 and Terry McFadzean

Melbourne’s40-point finish

BASKETBALL

WNBL/NBL BY BLAKE

THE final home-and-away matches of the WNBL took place last week.

Despiteavaliant end to their season, Traralgon’s Jade Melbourne and her UC Capitals ended the year fifth on the ladder, narrowly missing the finals by point differential.

The Capitals defeated Bendigo Spirit (who finished top of the ladder) at AIS Arena 83 to 74, while the team just above them, Sydney Flames, were handled easily by Townsville Fire 83-50, but still held onto fourth spot.

Melbourne ended her fourthWNBL season with oneofher best performances to date -40points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

Melbourne finishedthe season sixthinthe league for scoring at an average of 15.7 points per game and led the league in assists with 6.8 agame to go along with 5.8 rebounds anight.

WNBAtrainingcamp begins on April 27, with Melbourne’s Washington Mystics playing on opening night of the 2025 seasononMay 16 against Atlanta Dream.

 DESPITE her team in Geelong United falling off in the final weeks of the season, Moe’s Jaz Shelley completed a great debut year in the WNBL. Both her and her team completed their first

season in the league with United finishing second bottom with awin-loss recordof6-15 after aRound 16 loss to Adelaide Lightning at Adelaide Arena, 87-70.

Shelly had 12 points,two rebounds and three assists in defeat.

Completing many rolesboth as astarterand bench player in her first season, Shelley found momentum in the backend of the year and began to take charge as one of Geelong’s best players. In her final eightgames,Shelley finished with averages of 18.2 points,4.5 assists and 3.2rebounds per game. She also led the league in steals with 2.5 agame.

 FOLLOWING the NBL’s Play-In Tournament decided the final four teams of the finals -Traralgon’s Jack White and Melbourne United play Perth Wildcats in the first round series.

Top-placed Illawarra Hawks play Latrobe Valley partner club South East Melbourne Phoenix in the other pre-championship series.

Game1ofeachthree-game serieswon’t begin until next weekend (Unitedplay Wildcats Saturday, February 27) with amomentary FIBA break in between.

The Australian Boomers play two FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in Traralgon this week: tomorrow (February 20) and Sunday (February 23) -with White featuringinthe Boomers squad with an anticipated return to his home town.

19-15. For Trafalgar (2), Bruce Giles won 25- 13. Newborough (2) play Drouin (2) at Newborough to see who plays Boolarra in the Grand Final.

Division 4

LONGWARRY (2) had a13-shot win at Warragul (2), with Gerard Mitchell andhis rinkofKevin Dixon, Blake Bartrop and Mark Serong winning 24-14.Graham Woolstencroftwon 26-20 and John Majkut 19-17. For Warragul (2), Greg Mitchell won 21-16.

Yarragon continued the upsets with asix shot win at Traralgon (4) with Richard Polmear and his rink of Rhett Galley,Gary Green and Kevin Arnold winning 28-19. Kevin McLaren won 24-13 and Jason Roberts17-16. For Traralgon(4), Norbert Schroeter won 21-16.

Warragul (2) plays Yarragon at Newborough to see who plays Longwarry (2) in the Grand Final.

Division 5

TRARALGON RSL (3) defeatedTraralgon (5) by 18 shots,with MargaretGibbinsand John Farquar winning 22-11 and 23-10respectively.For Traralgon(5), Joyce Haleswon 23-17.Warragul (3) defeated Trafalgar (3) by 15 shots, with Gabrielle Draisma and Roy Hammond winning 30-15 and 21-15. For Trafalgar (3), Daryl Horner won 23-17.

Traralgon (5) playsWarragul (3) at Newborough to see who plays Traralgon RSL (3) in the Grand Final.

Division 6

MOE (3) defeated Drouin (4) by four shots, with John Kerr winning26-14,and for Drouin(4),Peter Phillips won 19-11.

Newborough (4) defeated Neerim District (3) by 15 shots withCharlie Amos winning 21-12 and Peter Bertoli 22-16.

Drouin (4) plays Newborough (4) at Newborough to see who plays Moe (3) in the Grand Final.

Division 7

TRARALGON RSL (4) defeated Moe(4) by 46 shots, with Marianne Hodson winning46-4and Ian Eddy 17-13.

Traralgon (7) defeated Churchill (2) by 26 shots with Jim Goodwin winning29-13 and Colin Stilburn 24-14.

Traralgon(7) plays Moe (4) at Newborough to see who plays Traralgon RSL (4) in the Grand Final. IN the State Singles at Newborough on Sunday, Joelene Laukens (Boolarra) defeated Karren Sheers (Neerim District) 25-12 and Nathan Cook (Trafalgar) defeated James Scullin(Traralgon) 25-22.

This Sunday(February23) the State Triples and Singles winners play the StrzeleckiSouthwinners for the Region Championships at Tarwin Lower. The triplesare at 10am and the singles around noon following the triples.

Pointy end of midweek season progresses

BOWLS STRZLECKI NORTH MIDWEEK PENNANT BY MICHAEL HOLROYD

MIDWEEK pennant continued in Strzelecki North playing Area on Tuesday, February 11.

In Division 1, Traralgon RSL repeated their early seasonwin overTrafalgar,settingupfor a rematch in the semi-final (played last Tuesday, February 18 after the Express went to print).

Phil Mustoe and his rink of Peter Barnes Titch Hore and Chris Mackintosh won 25 to 13 as they won by four shots.

Traralgon also defeated Newborough by four shotsafterNewboroughremained in fourth spot on shots difference with Morwell Club. For Traralgon, Wayne Barnes won 25-13.

Morwell Club won all rinks against Drouin to narrowlymissout on finals, with Neil Whitelaw winning21-13. Moedefeated Warragul, with Jim Lawrence winning 28-11.

 IN Division 2, Newborough (2) had a seven-shot win against Traralgon (2), with Julie Jackson and her rink of Glenys Perkins,

Carmel Goss and Trevor Kennedy winning 28-16.

Morwell, with only Col Grant and his rink of Bill Tumney, Marleen Monroeand Kerry Wright winning 38-6, defeated Yinnar by six shots, allowing Drouin (2) to sneak past Yinnar on the ladder as Drouin (2) defeated Neerim District by 22 shots, denying them aplace in the finals as Trafalgar (2) held on to fourth place beating Morwell Club (2) by 14 shots.

 IN Division 3, Traralgon (3) defeated Morwell (2) by five shots, Yarragon and Newborough (3) drew and Churchill defeated Drouin (3) by 14 shots. Division 4saw Longwarry defeat Traralgon RSL (2) by 28 shots, Warragul (2) defeated Moe (2) by 32 shots and Garfield defeated Morwell (3) by 10 shots.

Trafalgar(3) defeatedYallourn North, Newborough (4) defeated Yinnar (2) and Traralgon (4) defeated Drouin (4)inDivision 5. Division 6saw Traralgon RSL (3) defeated Neerim District (2), Traralgon (5)defeated Morwell (4) and Churchill (2) defeated Warragul (3).

PinkStumpsRound ahighlightofthe season

CRICKET LatrobeValleycelebrated itsannual Pink Stumps Round last Thursday. The usual Thursday night women's matches were all centralised around the Traralgon West Sporting Complex, with clubsplayingsimultaneously on neighbouring ovals.

Music and raffles added to the carnival atmosphere,asthe league banded together withclubs to raise money for The McGrath Foundation. Teams gathered in the upstairs function room of Traralgon West Cricket

Speedyoutsideplayers rejoice

FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

NO, these photos haven't been doctored.

The Drouin Recreation Reserve actually has grass on it.

Resurfacing works are progressing to remedy the notorious mud bath in time for season 2026.

While the Drouin Football-NetballClubwill need to vacate their home ground this coming Gippsland Leagueseason, it looks like it will be well worth the wait once the project is complete.

New turf has been laid across the entireplaying arena, making it almost unrecognisable from the usual quagmire seen during winter.

Drainagehas also been improved around the boundary, in what is hoped will stop water sitting on top of the surface once and for all.

Additionally, anew fence is part-way through installation, and is noticeably higher than 'traditional' fences around local footy grounds.

For comparison, Gippsland League officials predictthe finished project will leave Drouin Rec resembling the current facility at Garfield Recreation Reserve.

Garfield(aprevious Gippsland League club) enjoysabowling green-like surface all-year round in the moreindustrialised Cardinia Shire. Granted the Drouinfacility is squeezed into a relatively small confine, there could even be scope to host finals at the venue.

The Hawks boast six netball courtsand spacious social rooms, while change room space could be opened up by use of the neighbouring badminton stadium.

Parking remains the most obvious issue, but there is aschool car park near the 'bottom end' of the oval, and an access point could be established through the fence.

Upgradestothe coaches boxesalsofeatureas part of the upgrade, and have been moved closer to the social rooms.

Previously, the Drouin coaches box sat virtually in front of the change rooms, obscuring spectators view, while the visitors were parked close to 100 metres further along the boundary.

Quick rotations were therefore almost impossible, as players would need to walk nearly two thirds of

the length of the field just to reach the interchange gates.

Interchangeswere an unlikely realityfor ayoung Gary AblettSenior, who grew up in Drouin and cut his teeth on the oval.

AblettSrstarted playing seniors for Drouin at age 16, and was used mainly on awing for the Hawks

As a17-year-old he kicked62goals to be third in the West Gippsland Football League senior goalkicking in 1979.

Duringthe year he twice kicked bagsofsix against Longwarry, seven against Pakenham and 11 against ROC (Rythdale Officer Cardinia). Some years later he madehis way to Hawthorn, but found

the city lifestyle not to his liking, and so went bush again before being enticed to play with Geelong. Thefamous Ablett Sr reclusiveness did not start when he reached thetop level.

Astory tellsofhim catching alift to Hawthorn training with Warragul's Gary Ayres and other locals on Hawthorn’s radar. Quite often however, Ablett wouldn’t show when the car came through Drouin to pick him.Hawthorn officials would then excitedly ask 'where'sGary?' upon the car arriving intoGlenferrie, with Ayres quicklyrealisingthe Hawks were more interested in ‘the other Gary’. Drouin FNC will play acompromised fixture this season,with games at neutral venues and Trafalgar Recreation Reserve.

In something of acruel irony, money for the Trafalgar RecreationReserve Number 2Oval was taken to fund the $3.3 million needed for the Drouin project.

Baw Baw Shire councillors voted to accelerate the Drouin resurfacing works early last year. In a further twist, only two councillors were returned after elections were held later in the year.

EastWardcouncillors (representingthe Trafalgar area) Darren Wallace, Michael Leaney and Peter Kostas fought to keep funding, but found themselves fighting alosing battle given the majority of councillors (six of nine) represent Warragul and Drouin.

The Hawks will play 'home' games at Trafalgar, and use the Trafalgar Cricket Club clubrooms as amatch day bar,adding evenmore irony to the situationgiven Trafalgar and Drouin are fierce rivals on the cricket field.

The situation is sure to cause astrange paradigm for at least one Moeplayer whenthe Lions play Drouin at Trafalgar in Round 14.

CRICKET VETERANS GORDON COWLING

GIPPSLAND Goannas Over 60s travelled to Warrandyte for their Round 14 game of Victorian Veterans Cricket at the weekend.

Although the forecast was for adry day, there wasquite abit of rain on the trip west, and a few showers during the Sunday game.

Acting captain, Ray Floyd won the toss and decided to bat, sending Jim Armstrong and Rob Taylor in first.

Both retired after 30 balls, Armstrong for 30 and Taylor for 18.

Ray Smith also retired. Col Carmody was the first dismissal, stumped for six when the score was 56.

Chris de Vent and Andy Slevinfollowed quickly, allowing Taylortoreturntothe crease, joining Ian Gibson as they took the score to 6/155 at the end of the 40 overs.

Taylorwas 21 and Gibson nine whenthe innings ended.

The Warrandyte bowlingwas tight,but thankfully they did drop afew catches.

An exciting reply came,withWarrandyte passing the Goannas' score in the last over, eight down.

Successful bowlers were Murray Moore, who took 2/23 and Taylor (2/19). Other wicket takers were Brown (1/18), Meredith (1/25), Symons (1/26) and Anton (1/33).

Mark Brown followed soonafter, and when Floyd was caught for 10 the score was 3/68.

Bernie Symons (18) and Peter Anton (20) both retiredand Neil Meredithwas next out, also stumped for 20 from 25 balls when the score was 4/134.

The Goannas will travel to Hamilton for an (unscheduled) game against acombined Hamilton and SW coast team this weekend.

The Over 70s played at Sale Oval on Tuesday (February 18) against the West Gippsland Wombats (result not known at time of print).

Slash: PeterAnton from Toongabbie attacksthe Warrandytebowlers. Photograph supplied

Newand improved: Theoval, coachesboxesand fenceare all par tofupgrades at Drouin Recreation Reser ve Photograph: Liam Durkin

Joys of it: Morwell players afteratraditional mudbathatDrouinlastyear File photograph

Firstlook: Drouin areexpected to be offtheir oval this season, butGippsland League players can look forwardtoplaying therein2026. Photograph: Liam Durkin

Desperatemeasures: Themud has notjustbeen confined to theovalatDrouin Recreation Reser ve over the years. Photograph: Author’s Collection

No play in Prem, limited in AGrade

CRICKET

CLVAGRADE BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

FINE tuned by the end of the season.

Only three days remain in the home-and-away schedule of Cricket Latrobe Valley AGrade,and with weather disruptions throughout the weekend, mostsidesbattingfirstremained in by the end of Day 1. AS Imperials marchtowards finals after a momentary lapse during the course of the season, no one below seems to be able to catch them off guard.

WhileImperials enteredthe match against Latrobe at Catterick Crescent three games adrift fromtop-seeded Churchill, locked into secondplace, there’s still much to take out of the last two rounds-including dissolving one of the other clubs eyeing finals.

Winning the toss, the Sharksmadethe bold decision to field.

Given opener Tom Starkey (69) and Brett Chapman (96 not out) gained a148-run partnershipalmost instantaneouslymadethe Sharks contemplate their choice.

Starkey was finally claimed by Sam Wilson, but Imperials still remainduring first innings at 3/183.

 SITTING in the driver’s seat as we head towards postseason play, Churchill continue to look undeniable.

At Andrews Park West againstWillow Grove, the Cobras settled at 5/156bystumps-again looking worlds apartfrom every single one of their counterparts due to their depth and bravado.

Ben Kearnsopened with 27 off62ballsbefore being subdued by the Wolves’ Luke Payton, while Ric Velardi retired on 21.

Further down the line is where Churchill began to make waves through the combination of skipper Ryan Ayres (43) and John Keighran (50).

The two lasted25overs for atotalof92runs between them before Payton caught Keighran off the efforts of Darcy Walsh.

An over later, Ayres succumbed also just prior to stumps as MattHarveyand Steve Warr got through to the close.

Payton has taken 2/51, Walsh 1/48 and Joshua Hammond 1/2.

 ABUMPY road this season to say the least, Traralgon West have made strides in the final lengths of their campaign.

After experiencing atie in the opening weeks of the season and unable to pick up avictory until Round 7-they’ve shown somefight recently against adifficult line-up of opponents.

Playing Mirboo North on their home turf, the Eagles went through north of 30 overs in Day 1, making 115 only one down.

Captain Hayden Kimptonopened the day undeterred, getting to the 50-mark with relative ease, adding plenty of fours and sixes.

Season done for the over 50s

BY GRAEME RANKIN

GIPPSLAND hosted South East at Sale Oval in the semi-final of the 40 over Veterans Cricket Victoria 50s Division 1Saxon Sports Shield last Sunday.

Gippsland won the toss and sent South East in. At 3/38 the visitors were on the backfoot, thanks to the opening trio of Steve Rogers, Chris Malone and Paul Hennessy all bowling to suit the conditions.

Thehome side was well on top when it had South East4/63after 21 overs, but quality battingfrom Andrew Kahofer (47),Grant Chatfield (52 not out) and Chris Stacey (30 not

out off 17 balls) and some chances squandered by Gippslandsaw SouthEastget to avery respectable 5/177. After aquality afternoon tea, Gippsland got to 23 after eight overs before Simon Forbes was bowled by an absolute ‘jaffa’ from Tim Cherry. South East further tightened the screws and Gippsland slumped to 5/38.

Anthony Bloomfield (24) and Rogers (16) had agood crack and got the score to 72 after 26 overs, before Bloomfield skied one off Cherry. Gippslandwerenever really in thehuntafter that and finished on 9/124 after their 40 overs.

Best players for each team were Grant Chatfield and new ball off spinner'Doc' Hennessy, who took 2/11 from his seven overs. SouthEastwill play Geelong in the Grand Final this Sunday.

CRICKETLATROBEVALLEY

(ALL PREMIER AGAMES ABANDONED DUETO RAIN,ONE DAYERSTHISWEEK)

AGRADE ROUND13(DAY1)

IMPERIALSVLATROBE at Catterick Crescent

IMPERIALS 1STINNINGS

TStarkey lbwS Wilson 69

SGalea cLDuncan bSRasool 3

BChapman not out 96

AAnubhavcJ Bloomfield bSFreshwater. 3

JSkingle not out 8

Sundries (0w 2nb 2lb 0b) 4

TOTAL(48.1 Overs) 3/183

LATROBE 1STINNINGS BOWLING

SRasool 9-1-28-1, CMackay 8-0-39-0, A Bloomfield 8-2-21-0, JBloomfield 7-2-24-0, A

Antony2-0-15-0, SWilson 8-3-30-1,S Freshwater 5-0-18-1, MLawrence1.1-0-6-0

CHURCHILLVWILLOW GROVE at AndrewsPark West

CHURCHILL 1STINNINGS

BKearns bPayton. 27

BKelly cRFiddelaers bB Edebohls 7

RVelardi retired not out 21

BMason lbwb Payton 0

RAyres c&b JHammond 43

JKeighran cPaytonb DWalsh 50

MHarveynot out 1

SWarrnot out 0

Sundries (3w 0nb 2lb 2b) 7

TOTAL(49 Overs) 5/156

WILLOW GROVE 1STINNINGS BOWLING

BEdebohls 10-3-18-1, RFiddelaers 9-1-33-0, L Payton 14-2-51-2, DWalsh 15-2-48-1, JHammond 1-0-2-1

Fellow opener Matt Griffiths was subdued with just 15 off78balls before being caught and bowled by Darien Mathews.

Kimpton (76) remains in alongside Tim Fitch (12 not out).

 GORMANDALE sat as the only side across the weekend to bat and fall short before the end of Day 1.

Out at Duncan Cameron againstRovers, Gormandale were all out for just 79.

SATURDAY,FEBRUARY15

Premier B(Round15): Glengarry1/43 def Traralgon West 42 (A Hodson 4/13, PHenry 4/20, TDuncan 2/3), Toongabbie1/71 (J Love 51*) drew Morwell (washed out), CATS 3/79 (C Beaver37*) def Mirboo North 77 (M Anthofer 2/4, JBellingham 2/10, JMotta 2/10), JeeralangBoolarradrewExStudents (washed out), Thorpdale drew Churchill (washed out).

BGrade (Round 18): Centrals 3/53 (D Rode 26*, AVan Zuyden 2/17) def Rovers 51 (B Ould3/6 JDowns 2/12, JDonovan 2/15), Latrobe 197 (N Brewer 51, RHebbard 45, GHebbard37, M Whitney 3/36, DFarmer 2/32, JAtkinson 2/36) washed out vs Moe5/148 (M Johnstone 53*, R Duncan 2/28), Raiders drew Imperials (washed out), Gormandale drew WillowGrove (washed out).

Premier C(Round 14): Ex Students 3/89(J Robertson 36) def Centrals 86 (T Poursanidis 44*, TKosterman 4/18,D Millington 3/11), Rovers drew Morwell(washed out), Mirboo North 1/12 drew Moe(washed out), Glengarry3/58 (J PonnattuJohn25*) drew Toongabbie(washed out), Imperials -bye

CGrade (Round 14): Raiders 9/129 (K Hutchinson 64*, MMetcalfe3/23, JWiseman 2/20) drew Rawson 0/9 (washed out), Willow Grove drew Latrobe (washed out), Churchill drew Jeeralang-Boolarra (washed out), Gormandale drew Imperials (washed out), Traralgon Westbye.

FRIDAY,FEBRUARY14

Under 16 (Round 11 -Day 1):WillowGrove 136 (J Keily73*,D vander Stoep 32, SBlines 3/13), Ex Students 228 (D Smith 45, RConway 44, FGraham 40, LHenry25, CHowlett 2/21) vs Centrals,Moe 3/148 (T Duff 36) vs Morwell-

Roversran through the Tigers order quite comfortably, with no one but Nimesh Soyza (32) making anything of significance.

Scores were few and far in between, which was adisappointing result given Gormandale sit just agameoff Rovers forthirdonthe ladder (albeit among anumber of other teams).

Skipper Ewan Williams took 3/15 including six maidens and Lachlan Patterson 3/17. Rovers lasted2.5 oversbefore stumps and will resume at 0/1.

MIRBOO NORTHVTRARALGONWEST at Mirboo North Turf

TRARALGON WEST 1STINNINGS

MGriffithsc&b DMathews. 15

HKimpton not out 76

TFitch not out 12

Sundries (0w 1nb 5lb 6b) 12

TOTAL(30.5 Overs) 1/115

MIRBOO NORTH 1STINNINGS BOWLING

AThomas 7-1-27-0, WLawrey4-1-22-0, D Mathews11-4-24-1, IAllan 6-3-15-0, DBanks 2-0-11-0,BHeath 0.50-5-0

ROVERSVGORMANDALE at DuncanCameron

Leslie 2-1-1-1, LLittle 7-3-6-1, SDuff

N Singh 3-1-8-0

Latrobe,Gormandale-Rovers vs Toongabbie Glengarry- bye.

THURSDAY,

FEBRUARY13 PINK STUMPSROUND

Women's Championship (Round15):Mirboo North 0/67 def Rovers 5/66 (S Minster 16, S Brown14, RFrancis 2/19), Ex Students 6/80 (R Adams 20*, JLangstaff 19, CWilkie 2/5) def Morwell 5/78 (A George 14, CMayberry14), Raiders vs WillowGrove

Women's Premier (Round 15): Imperials 2/107 (K Morley 30*, AMurtagh 30*, PWheeler 16*) def Churchill 7/44 (A Hodson 3/4),Latrobe 4/60 (J Rainbow33*, MHayes15, TWilliamson 2/14) def Centrals 1/58 (L Pettie 24*, FMorrison 18*), Raiders 3/81 (Z Quinsey-Munro29, SBlines 16) def WillowGrove 5/47 (M Donoghue 21, KMann 14*, GSanders 2/10, ZQuinsey-Munro2/12).

WEDNESDAY,FEBRUARY12

Under 14 (Round 9, Day2): Jeeralang-Boolarra 95 (O O'Brien 18*,C Stanton 16, OStanton 15, JBull 2/0, BBremner 2/6, JArmstrong 2/8) def Gormandale-Rovers 8/83 (J Towers 23,BFulham 20, CStanton 3/21, SBlines 2/15), Centrals 73 (E Dissanayake 19*, NGamage 16, ANardone 2/3, LWalsh 2/15) def Moe9/58 (H Boothman 17, KMorrison 4/14, NGamage2/1, JPoursanidis 2/8), Mirboo North 2/143 (J Calafiore 50 ret, L Chila 44*) def Morwell4/63 (W Frankland17*, R Teagle 2/13), Ex Students 7/217 (B Cooper 77 ret, TChurchill 55*, LMackay 40*, JHazelman 31, N Sallee 2/8, JGrima 2/27)def WillowGrove 159 (N Sallee 52, JReavley 30, MEdebohls 17, HOuthart 3/5), Latrobe -bye

White balls, coloured clothing and field restrictions this week

CRICKET

PREMIER A BY LIAM DURKIN

ROUND 13 reverts to one dayers afterall matches were washedout last weekend. Therefore,the maximum number of points any team canachieve is four

With two rounds to go, the race to secure a home final is still mathematically alive, although Glengarry holds a10point lead at the top of the ladder

Firstplays second thisweekend when the Magpies travel to Traralgon to face Ex Students. Morwell, in third,will trail the Sharks by just one point if the Tigers beat Moe this weekend and Ex Students loses to Glengarry.

The Tigers could then potentially pinch second spot and ahome final in the last round if it outrights Raiders, who are fighting relegation (Ex Students will be favoured to defeat Moe).

Raiders (seventh) are on 17 points, fourpoints adrift from their nearest challenger and this weekend's opponent Toongabbie. Fourth-placed Centralsrescuedtheir season last round withareverseoutright, and can staveoff Moe (in fifth) by beating bottom side CATS this Saturday. If that happens, and provided Morwell beat Moe, the Traralgon-basedLions willgoto35points, and be first innings points (essentially one game) clear

of the Moe-based Lions with one round to play. Centrals' destiny could thenbeintheir ownhands when they playToongabbie (who are justabout out of finals contention) in the last round. It willnever happen, butthis writermaintains there are reasonable grounds to play the last homeand-away round as one dayers. Results in the last round often determine if teams play finals or not, and most veteran local cricketers would be able to reel off any number of stories involving teams and juicy Day 2decksin this situation.

ROUND 13 FIXTURE

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY22

Toongabbie vs Raiders (at Roger Ries Oval) CATS vs Centrals (John BlackOval) Ex Students vs Glengarry (TerryHunter Oval) Moe vs Morwell (Ted SummertonReserve)

Region anticipating FIBA basketball

BASKETBALL

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

TOMORROW (February 20) the Australianmen’s nationalbasketball team(commonly referred to as the Boomers) playthe first of two FIBA Asia Cup QualifiersinTraralgon against Indonesia and Thailand.

Locals willbeanticipating the opportunity to see Traralgon star Jack Whiteback playingin his hometown for the first time in more than a decade -who has gone on to have an impressive collegiate and professional career in the NBA and NBL.

Entering anew era of Australian basketball, the side features young, rising stars who already play across the globe ready to lead their country to unseen heights.

JENNA O’HEA Traralgon

Gold: 2018 Commonwealth Games (Gold Coast)

Silver: 2018 FIBAWorld Cup (Spain)

Bronze: 2012 Olympics (London), 2019 FIBAAsia Cup (Bangalore)

JUST 63 womenhaverepresented Australia at the Olympics since the Opals first qualified for the 1984 Los Angeles Games, and only eighthave been appointed team captain during each of the nine Olympic campaigns.

Jenna O’Heaisone of them,whenshe played in herfinal tournament forthe OpalsinTokyo 2020.

O’Hea is most likely the LatrobeValley’shighest serving athlete, who had played for Australia in different iterations since she was 16-years-old.

Atotal of 36 caps across the Gems (Under 19) and Sapphires(Under 21) from 2003 to 2008 and on scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) since she was 15, O’Hea told the Express: “You startthinking you can make acareer out of this but Ithink even my thoughts of being able to make acareer out of it far succeeded my own thoughts on what Icould achieve.”

“Early days when Ifirst made the Opals squad, there was some terrific talent around obviously andIjustsort of went in with my eyes wide open trying to learnasmuch as Icould,” she added.

Under head coach Carrie Graf, O’Hea was thrusted into the Opals squad for international tours, beginningin2009before making her Opals officialdebut at the 2010 World Championships.

“I particularlyremember playingagainst USA and playingagainst the likesofDiana Taurasi, and to be ayoung,inspiring, up-and-coming player to be able to play against the likesof some absolute superstars in the game and then alongside some superstars like Lauren Jackson and Kristi Harrower and so many greats like that -itwas agreat introduction into the Opals program,” she said.

O’Heamadeher Olympic debut at the 2012 London Games, which she claims “will forever be my favouritebasketball memory” as she stepped onto the dias and received her bronze medal.

“(It was) something that Ididn’t imaginewhen Iwas alittle girl, Ithink Iimaginedhopefully one day playing for Australia, but to then go to the Olympicswhich is theabsolutepinnacle and then to win amedal at the Olympics and to feel that aroundmyneck… still gives me goose bumps today,” she said.

O’Hea didn’t feature in the 2016 Rio Olympics but was still present in the WNBA for the LA Sparks andSeattle Storm beforereturning to the Opals in 2018 as aveteran player, taking on the vice captaincy under Belinda Snell. Australia won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and won silver at the same year’s FIBA World Cup.

“Being able to play on home soil in the green andgold, there’s nothing quite like it, so Iknow the boys are going to enjoy it getting to play in front of family and friends,” O’Hea said.

Commenting on the rise of Traralgon players to the international ranks the likes of Jack White and Jade Melbourne, O’Hea was equally proud and jubilant.

“There’s some bloody good basketballers that come out of Traralgon Itell you what! It’s super exciting and hopefully there willbemanymore,” shesaid.

Following alandmark bronze medal at the 2020 OlympicGames (played in 2021), the Boomers fell to fifthinParis upon aquarter final loss to Serbia lastyear. In 2023, Australiaplaced just 10th in the FIBA World Cup.

As forthe last two editionsofthe FIBA Asia Cup, the Boomers have displayed clear dominance over the rest of the competition -taking home gold medals in 2022 (in Indonesia) and 2017 (Lebanon).

BeforeAustraliajoined the Asian tournamentin 2017, the FIBA Asia Cup was once held every two years and was aqualifying tournament for both the FIBA World Cup and the next Olympics-itisnow astandalone tournament and runs every four years.

The Boomers have playedfour FIBA Asia Cup qualifying games over the last 12 months against their upcoming opponentsIndonesia and Thailand as well as the Republic of Korea.

The latter is the only one to get anywhere close

BELINDA SNELL Mirboo North

Gold: 2006 FIBAWorld Cup (Brazil), 2006 Commonwealth Games (Melbourne), 2018 Commonwealth Games (Gold Coast)

Silver: 2004 Olympics (Athens), 2008 Olympics (Beijing), 2017 FIBA Asia Cup (India)

Bronze: 2012 Olympics (London), 2014 FIBAWorld Cup (Turkey)

FOR being amember of the greatest team in the country’s basketball history, that alone gives Belinda Snell the honour as one of the most decorated athletes to come from the region.

Following atremendous run at the AIS alongside superstars Lauren Jackson, Penny Taylor and Suzy Batkovic, culminating in aWNBL title in 1999, Snell was added to the Opals squad in 2002.

As afresh 21-year-old, she wouldn’t make the cut for the 2002 World Championships (bronze medallists) but following hard workand determination, arrived for the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

“That’s just an incredible memory of mine having my family go over and watch, my parents in (particular), head over to Athensand watch those Olympics was definitely amemory I’llalways cherish,” Snell told the Express

Australia won silver (justtheir second Olympic medal in basketball), losing to the UnitedStates in the final 74-63.

Theperiod between 2006and 2008 in which Snell won gold and silver medalsatthe Olympics, FIBAWorld Cup and Commonwealth Games hold great significance to her personally.

The gold medal win in the 2006 FIBA World Cup is far in away the highest achievement Australia has ever earnt in basketball, going undefeated in the tournament and defeating Russia 91-74 in the final.

“We also managed to beat the US in apractice match leading up to the ’06 gold medal victory, we were all gaining confidence, alot of us were playing WNBA and we all just had agreat tournament in Brazil,” Snell said.

“Winning that gold medal is definitely something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

Snell recalled playing in apreliminary match in Traralgon prior to the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

“I remember playing in front of my family and friends… one of our first games was in Traralgon so that was afond memory playing there,” she said.

“It’s something that you dream of as ayoung kid and Iwas very fortunate, obviously with alot of hard work, to play for Australia and getting to compete all over the world, not all sports you get to do that, but basketball you do and if you work hard basketball can take you all over the world.”

All-in-all, Snell playedinthree OlympicGames, medalling in all(hitting afamous half court buzzer-beater in London 2012), and finished up with agold medal in the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games where she was team captain.

Snell has reacquainted herselfwith Traralgon even further this year, coachingGippsland United’s senior women’s team.

to Australia in these initial rounds, losing to the Boomers 85 to 71 and 98-75inNovember, while against the other two countries Australia had an average winning margin of 53 points.

The 2025 FIBA Asia Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia from August 5to17and will be the first steps in the next international cycle as Australia aims for their best performances yet at World Cup andOlympicplay.

Australiahost Indonesia tomorrow (Thursday, February20) at 7.30pm and play Thailand on Sunday (February 23) at 4.30pm with both games to be held at theGippsland RegionalIndoor Sports Stadium(GRISS).

The last time international basketball teams were featured in Traralgon was during the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

Preliminary matcheswere hosted at thethen Traralgon Sports Stadium (now revamped to

JADE MELBOURNE Traralgon

Gold: 2017 FIBAU16 Asia Championship (India)

Bronze: 2024 Olympics (Paris), 2018 FIBAU17 WorldCup (Belarus), 2021 FIBAAsia Cup (Jordan) ONEofthe most exciting players to come out of the country in the last half-decade, Traralgon’s Jade Melbourne is only just getting started.

Highly toutedasa junior player from her early yearsatTraralgon T-Birds, Melbourne won gold at the 2017 FIBA Under 16 Asia Championship in India with athrilling one-point victory, 61-60.

“Putting on the green and gold in India was such acrazy feeling and it makes you want to travel more and more for those sort of opportunities,” Melbourne told the Express in 2018.

Melbourneshowcased her future all-around game in Australia’s quarter final win over Hong Kong where she had 16 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

Following that, she won bronzeatthe 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup in Belarus.

The year 2021 was amomentous one for Melbourne, who not only captained Australia to asilvermedal in the Under 19 FIBA World Cup and was named in the All Star Five,but she was also added to the Opals roster for their FIBA Asia Cup campaign in Jordan.

“It is adream come true really, Ihave worked and dreamt of being an Opal ever since Ican remember -sotobepicked in the squad it is the start of the journey,” she told the Express in 2021.

Melbourne played six gamesduring the senior tournament as afresh 18-year-old and added six points in the bronze medal match where they were victorious over Korea.

Morework was doneand further elevating her game over the next few years in the WNBA and WNBL, Melbourne made her Olympic debut in Paris last year.

Not only that, she was starter as theOpalswent on to win bronze in a85-81 final over Belgium. Melbourne played 26 minutes and added seven assists.

Melbourne recentlyreturned home to Traralgon sporting her Olympicbronze medal, speaking to the Express

“The best two weeks of my career… the pressureofthe tournament was extra crazy,” she said.

“The whole experience was surreal, acool group of girls, we had so much experience in it, it was alot of fun. Stressful two weeks, but also the most rewarding.

“Representing my country is the pinnacle for me, there’s no higher honour.”

GRISS) where the Opals (national women’s side) annihilated India by 100 points, 146-46 and the England men’s teamdefeatedBarbados 75-59 with over 1000 in attendance on the old show court. Mirboo North’s Belinda Snell was the second leading scorer for the Opals that night with21 points and seven three-pointers, and is one of four local Australian players the Express is shining aspotlight on today as part of aspecial feature leading into the Boomers visit.

 IN addition to those below, Traralgon’s Fran Hammond played for the Australian women’s national basketball team in the 1967 FIBA World Championships in Brazil.

NBA player Josh Giddey, who’s mother grew up in Morwell, was amember of the 2023 FIBA World Cup side and featured at the Paris Olympic Gamesfor Australia

Ready: Locals will be anticipating Jack White’s returntoTraralgon in the Boomers FIBAAsia Cup qualifying match against Indonesiatomorrow

Gold: 2013 FIBAU16 Oceania Championship (Australia), 2014 FIBAU18 Oceania Championship (Fiji) Silver: 2014 FIBAU17 World Championships (Dubai)

ALLofusbackhome are hoping JackWhite can breakthroughand finally cementhis spot in the Boomers side.

Asensational basketball career regardless, White has played for the biggest college in the US (Duke),won an NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets, and is now dominating for Melbourne United this NBL season.

White has worn the green and gold on anumber of occasions across the years, beginning with a selection to the FIBA Under 16 Oceania squad that won gold over New Zealand.

In 2014, White played abiggerrole for Australia as they won asilvermedal, succumbing to USA in the final 99-92 with White playing in all seven matches.

That same year, Australia again defeated New Zealand in the FIBA Under 18 Oceania Championship in athrilling three-point victory, 84-81 with Whiteaveraging seven points and three rebounds across the tournament.

White’s final junior international venture would be in the FIBA U19 World Championships, where Australia finished seventh, however, White showed steady improvement with averagesof eight points and four rebounds.

Returning from the US following his four years at Duke University, White featured prominently in FIBA World CupAsian Qualifiers, playing three matches throughout 2021 with averages of 10 points and seven rebounds

White last played for the Boomers during their uninspired 2023 FIBA World Cup run wherethey finished 10th -hewas also one of the last omitted prior to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Speaking to the Express in December last year, White is anticipating different results as he has improved on his game with the hopes of holding aspot on the Boomers roster.

“(I’m)alwaystrying to get better and work out things that Ican improve on to be apart of these sort of teams and situations,” he said.

“There’s no better feeling, no higherhonour than supporting and representing your country at the highest level.

“It’s going to be asurreal moment and agreat opportunity that I’m looking forward to grasping playing back here in Traralgon.”

JACK WHITE Traralgon

Represent: Traralgon’s Jade Melbourne is the most recent exporttoplayfor Australia, winning abronzemedalatthe 2024 Paris Games. Photographs supplied

Trophies: Mirboo North’s Belinda Snell is perhaps themost decorated athletefromthe region throughout her career File photograph

Leader: Traralgon-bornJenna O’Hea captained Australia during the 2020Tokyo Olympics

No setback stoppingKaz

INVICTUS GAMES

By FLYING OFFICER TINA LANGRIDGE

IN aworld wheremanyshy away from achallenge, Kaz Gladysz is the embodiment of fearlessness. From retraining as amedical officer after joining the RoyalAustralian Air Force as aradiographer, to scaling the heights of Everest Base Camp and then motherhood, Dr Gladysz finds fulfillment in facing challenges head-on -nomatterhow daunting they may seem.

Putting her hand up for Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, after enduring multiple spinal surgeries, all of which required major rehabilitation, is no exception.

“I have along-standing history withback injuries since my deployment in 2013 through Afghanistan,” Dr Gladysz (40), who grew up in the Latrobe Valley said.

“I mainly used rehabilitation and physical exercise to get through, but unfortunately in 2019 it all culminatedand Ineeded to undergo two surgeries that year, which meant putting my postgraduate medicine studies on hold.

“I had agood outcome at the time. Iwas able to run after thosesurgeries and return to my university studies the next year without issue.

“In 2023, when Iwas on ahospital placement, Ihad some new symptoms appear, and it turned outthatone of the metal prosthesesthat they’d inserted had failed, and my spine had become unstable.

“I had to go in for avery significant surgery at the end of that year, which involved me starting from scratch again in terms of walking.

“It’s onlynow, about 12 months postthat surgery, that I’m getting back into sport,and I’ve found Invictus to be such agood stepping stone for me.”

Jokinglyreferred to as the female Wolverine

by her sons, Riley (12) and Brody (10), because of the amount of metal in her spine and pelvis, Dr Gladysz attributes the massivegains in her rehab journeytoher participation in the adaptive sports program, which immediatelyfollowed her medical discharge in June, 2024.

“I don’tthinkIcould havegotten throughthe rehab withoutsport,and that’s beenconsistent

with all my medical providers and physiotherapists,” she said.

“The role sport playsinrecovery hasalwaysbeen emphasised, and my goals are orientated around making sure Iget out and challenge myself each day with something different and see how my body responds.”

The challenges came thick and fast in Canada (held February8toFebruary 16) when Dr Gladysz took on the opposition in swimming, wheelchair basketball and biathlon, asport that combines the thrill of cross-country skiing with the skill of rifle shooting.

“Success takes many forms and it’s important to recognise the effort that has gone into every person’s recovery journey,” Dr Gladysz said.

“We’ve all taken different paths and we’re all at different stages on that road, but we are here together as ateam.

“To now be able to step up into this role (withcocaptain Doug Griffiths)and guide our teammates to help ensure we can all have the most amazing experience throughout this journey, means so much to me.

Dr Gladysz was just one of 33 Team Australia members who travelled to the Invictus Games.

Fellow Latrobe Valleylocal, Steven Capaldo performedthe closing ceremony (a story on his journeytothe games willfeatureincoming weeks)

The games highlight the exceptional physical skills and mental toughness of wounded, injured and ill service members, both former and current serving, from military across the world as they work towards rehabilitation and recovery.

Dr Kaz Gladysz is aformer Air Force member. Sheattended high school in Traralgonand currently lives in Brisbane but returnsoften for holidays at Hazelwood, where her mother, brother, and sister still live.

Heat and humidity doesn’t deter Harriers

ATHLETICS

TRARALGON HARRIERS

BY MOLLYIRVINE

LAST Thursday’s (February 13) night run was the Clarkes Road six-kilometre course.

The run was aone-lap course throughthe undulating trails and plantation area just off Clarkes Rd, Hazelwood North, finishing on afinalclimb situatedatthe very eastern side of Firmins Lane. Atotal of 66 runners/walkers completed the course in hot and humid conditions.

For the males, Sav Mavrofridis took line honours in aspeedytimeof23:08,followed closely by Pete Cutler (23:15). Third for the males belonged to DempseyPodmore in another great time of 24:54. In the female race, it was Kylie Murray who took line honours in 28:05. Second to her was Yani Cornthwaite in 30:52, and third was Karen Graham in 33:23. Tomorrow night’s run (Thursday, February 20) is the Traralgon RailwayReserve 6km course, which starts at the reserve on Hickox St, Traralgon. Check-in time is from 5.30pm.

Among the running events for the Traralgon Harriers over the next couple of months is the McMillans 27thLatrobeCityCommunity Fun Run &WalkonSunday, March 23.

With a1.5km option for kids (12 years and under) and the 5km event on offer, it will be agreat morning to run and/or walk, with the profits raised going to the Gippsland Rotary Centenary House.

For more information, visit: traralgonharriers. org.au

6kmRun Results: SavMavrofridis 23:08, Pete Cutler 23:15, DempseyPodmore24:54, Miles Verschuur 27:04, Andrew Greenhill 27:08, RobPreston 28:29, Kylie Murray 28:50, Clinton Jolly29:27,Adrian Sutcliffe 29:57,Yani Cornthwaite30:52, David Barr 31:00, Warren Shields 31:45, Belkey Podmore31:49, Glenn Graham 32:15, RonVerschuur32:47,Stephen Renehan 32:48, Darrel Cross 33:14, KarenGraham 33:23, Cour tneyEllis 33:50, Ian Twite34:10, Daniel Furmston 34:28, Jim Cutler 34:53, ChesneyPodmore 35:39, GaryFox 36:58, Seth Bomers36:58, Giuseppe Marino 38:06, Kate Mayer38:50, MarkLansdown 39:29, Toby Grzmil 39:31, Chris VanUnen 39:48, Liz Kenney40:43, ReeGraham 40:54, Lauren Peter

Feature matches

FOOTBALL/NETBALL

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

NORTHGippsland Football-Netball League have announced its slateoffeature matches for the 2025 season with returning fixtures and new additions. TTU and Rosedale will clash at Tyers Recreation Reserve in aFriday nightAnzac Day (April 25) match.

Likewise, Mid Gippsland FNL announced a standalone Sunday (April 27) fixture for Anzac Day, with Boolarra hosting Morwell East. NGFNL’s Pride Round will return in Round 5with Cowwarr again featuring, this time at home, against Gormandale on May 10. Mental Health Round (Round TBC), with Rosedale and Sale City as amarquee match at Rosedale Recreation Reserve.

Marking the 25th anniversary of North Gippsland amalgamating football and netball into one league, Cowwarr and Glengarry (two founding members since 1922) take centre stage at Cowwarr Recreation Reserve in Round 8. NAIDOC Round (TBC) returns, with Woodside at home against Rosedale as its feature matchup.

ACancerAwareness Round has also yet to be fixed, with atentative date in Round 6.  THE list of Gippsland League feature games and rounds were included in the announcement of the 2025 season fixture. Bairnsdale (play Traralgon)and Moe (play Warragul) will continue their FightMND matchdaysonthe King’s Birthdayweekend in Round 8.

The annual Mental HealthRoundreturns in Round2,headlined by the Moe-Traralgon rivalryplaying for the Riley ‘Choppy’ Pearce Cup named afterthe lateMoe player and Traralgon student. Round 10 is Orange Round and is an importantschedule on the GippslandLeague fixture, raising awareness regarding sexual assault, family violenceand violence against women and girls.

An Indigenous Round will take place during the season, markedasafirstinthe league’s history.

40:58, DesleyGray42:16, Emma Marino 43:15, Andrew Legge 45:00, Kaye Livingstone 45:43, Collette Hofmann 46:24, Catherine Leonard46:25, Mandy Ellis 46:39, KatKent 46:45, Phillip Mayer51:30, Alfie Warner 52:46, Danelle Wright 52:48, Bob Duljas 57:12, PeterGrixti 58:00, NickHodson 1:00:00 (5km), Kylee Earl1:00:00 (5km), BarryHiggins 1:00:20, Ann Bomers1:01:34,Angelo Gaudiano 1:02:00, Helen Whitby1:05:00,Belinda Heafield 1:05:00, Anja Norwood 1:07:37,Michelle Colwell1:07:37,Kathy Quinn 1:07:37,Sarah Mckie 1:14:34, Nicky Semmler 1:14:34, LilySanders1:29:00,Amelie Dalton 1:29:00, Ian Heafield 1:36:12, Rebecca Anderson NTR, Peter SandersNTR, MariekaReillyNTR, GeoffFrancis NTR, MollyIrvine NTR.

MoreHarriers-Pages 28-29

aeon, anion, anode,anoint, anointed, anon, antidote, antinode,atone,atoned, dato, DENTATION, ditto,doit, donate, done,donna, dote, into, intonate, INTONATED,intone, intoned, iodate, iota, nanto, nation, neon, node,nodi, none, nonet, notate, notated, note, noted, oaten, odea, tanto, tendon, tenon, toad,toea, toed,

Steps in: Traralgon Harriershavebeen clocking up thek’s to star t2025. Photograph supplied

Worldstage: Former local KarenGladysz represented Australia at the InvictusGames 2025 in Canada Photograph supplied