Latrobe Valley Express Wednesday 25 September 2024

Arrest in pine plantation

POLICEarrested an 18-year-old man after a police officer andelderly woman were injured last Wednesday (September 18).

The male detective Senior constable sustained an injury to his foot and was taken to hospital.

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Second

The arrest follows ahome invasion at aresidence on Wallace Court, Traralgon about 2.50am last Wednesday.

It’s alleged two offenders woke the female occupant and assaulted her before stealing her bank card and fleeing in her Mazda 3.

The two offenders were spotted with the Mazda 3bypolice at aservice station on Moore Street, Moe about 6.10am.

Officers attemptedtoblock-inthe vehicle before theoffending driver allegedly drove at police and subsequently ran over an officer’s foot.

Duringthe course of the incident, apolice officer discharged his firearm before the vehicle fled the scene.

The 78-year-old Traralgon woman assaulted during the aggravated home invasion was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Aman wasarrested at apine plantation after fleeing from police on Traralgon West Road just before 7.30am.

The man was not injured, and is expected to be interviewed by detectives.

The second offender remains outstanding and investigations are ongoing.

As per standardprocedure, Professional Standards Command will oversee the investigation due to apolice firearm being discharged.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Operation catches grand theft

ALATROBE Valley youth was arrested in Wonthaggi last Thursday (September 19) after he allegedly helped three South Gippsland youth in agrand theft auto incident.

Alarge scalepolice operation arrested the four offenders around 11am.

According to the South Gippsland Sentinel Times report,the incidentisbelievedto have started with the theft of two cars in the Melbourne metropolitan area -anAlfaRomeo stolenfromthe Yarraville area twodays ago, and aMercedes stolen from Newport overnight on Wednesday, September 18.

Police believe the cars and their occupants wereinvolved in aseries of crimes, including

aggravated burglaries, thefts of property and the theft of petrol in the metro area before they were spotted travelling in convoy in the Narre Warren area on Thursday morning before 9am.

Police attempted to intercept the vehicles, but the drivers failed to pull over and due to the risks involved, police disengaged.

The Police Airwing was deployed and located both vehicles in the Pakenham area and followed them.

The cars split up, with the Alfa headed towards Korumburra on the South Gippsland Highway before doing au-turn on the west side of Korumburra and heading back towards Melbourne.

auto youth

The four offenders, all of them male, were interviewed by Casey Criminal Investigation UnitPolice at the Wonthaggi PoliceStationlast Thursday afternoon.

Two of the allegedoffenders have been described as being15-years- of-age, with two 14-year-olds, three of whom are from the local South Gippsland area and one from the Latrobe Valley.

It is likely that at least some of the alleged offenders are connected with aseries of aggravated burglaries and thefts of cars and property in the local area over recent months.

TraralgonFootball-Netball Club break in

TRARALGON Football-Netball Club was broken into overnight on Thursday, September 12.

This was the fourth time the club has been broken into this season. The club estimates about $8000 worth of equipment was stolen.

"This repeated targetingistrulydemoralising foreveryoneinvolved in the club,” the Maroons posted on social media.

"If you have any information thatcould assist the police, please contact them immediately. We need your help to put an end to this."

Anyone withinformation or who witnessed anyof the incidents is urged to contact Traralgon Police on (03) 5172 2700.

Fire brigade theft

MARYVALE FireBrigade’s shipping container and storageshedwas broken intoonMonday, September 16.

Thieves allegedly stole brigade running equipment, atrailer, areel and hydrants.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Man flowntohospital

AMAN in his 60s was flown to the Alfred Hospital with lower body injuries after his leg was trapped under afour-wheel drive vehicle.

Emergency services were called to the scene at theMoe Rifle Range on Mountain Glen Drive just before 2pmonTuesday, September 17.

Police Beat with Katrina Brandon

Warrant issued

LUKE Thacker is wanted on warrant.

The 30-year-old is wanted on warrant for traffic related offences and contravening acourt order.

He is describedashaving Caucasian appearance with short brown hair, dark eyes and askinny build.

Thacker is known to frequent the Frankston, Carrum Downs, Seaford and Morwell areas.

Anyone who sights Thacker or has information about his whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make aconfidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Information sought

MOE Police are seeking assistance from anyone who may have information relating to the below incident.

Between 6pm on Monday, August 26 and 3am on Tuesday, August 27, it is alleged two forestry vehicles were broken into on Stretton’s Track,near Quarry Road Yallourn North.

Offender/s allegedly removeda‘PONSSE’ toolbox containing around $1000 worth of assorted ‘STAHL WILLE’ tools.

Apadlock was also allegedly cut to afuel tank and around 150 litres of diesel valued at $300 was stolen from the tank.

Offender/salso allegedlystole abattery worth $400 by using bolt cutters to open abattery compartment to one of the vehicles.

If you witnessed this or have any information, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential reportatwww.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Quote Incident Number: 240338301

Eyes peeled: LukeThackerisknown to frequent the Morwell area.

Nabbed: Aman wasarrested at apine plantationafter fleeing from police on Traralgon West Road last Wednesday. Photograph supplied

Nominations are in forOctober local councilelections.Novotefor Newb

NOMINATIONS for Latrobe City Council elections closed at 12pm on Tuesday,September17. Twenty peoplehave nominated for local council positions.

There are nine single-person wards to be filled, although one position has already been decided.

Current Latrobe City Councillor SharonGibson is assured aspotoncouncil, as she is theonly person contesting the Newborough Ward.

Of the nine current councillors, seven have nominated to go again. Only Brad Law and Dan Clancey have decided not to seek re-election.

The Jeeralang, Morwell and Loy Yang wards are looming as the most hotly contested, as each havethreecandidates fighting for one vacancy.

LATROBE CITY COUNCIL ELECTION 2024

CANDIDATES (IN BALLOT ORDER)

Moe Ward

Guss Lambden

Across the state, there is 2231 candidates nominated for 646 councilvacanciesin466 separate elections.The number of candidates this year is higherthanthe 2186 candidates who nominated for 622 councillor vacancies in 298 separate elections at the 2020 council elections.

The number of nominations for this year’s Melbourne City Council electionsishigher than in 2020. This year, there are 11 teams competing for the Leadership Team of LordMayor and Deputy Lord Mayor(compared to nine teams in the 2020 election) and 58 nominations for the nine councillor vacancies (compared to 59 in 2020).

As of theclose of nominations, 42 of the 466 individual elections are uncontested, where the number of candidatesisequal to the number of vacancies. All wards in Yarriambiack Shire

Preferences will not playa role in the remaining wards (Boola Boola,Budgeree, Moe, Tyers, Yallourn), given thereisonly two candidates in each.

Council(near Horsham) were uncontested,which means the general election for that council is entirely uncontested. -LiamDurkin

Guaranteed: Onecouncil spot has already beenfilled, with current Latrobe City Councillor,SharonGibson having no opponent forthe Newborough Ward File photograph

Outstanding stroke care

LATORBE Regional Health (LRH) has been recognised for its excellence in delivering care to stroke patients by the Australian Stroke Coalition (ASC).

LRH achieved accreditation as aPrimary Stroke Centre.

“This is the first time we’ve been recognised in this wayand reflects theworkthat the teamin Emergency, Intensive Care, the Avon Unit and the Nicholson Unit have been doing to identify, treat andcarefor patientsasthey come through LRH,” thecompany'schief executive, Don McRae said. LRH treats more than 200 stroke patients each year and Gippsland is overrepresented in figures around cardiovascular disease compared to other areas of the state.

“The assessors looked at the processes we have in placetoquickly identify strokepatients who present to our Emergency Department and provide initial treatment such as the prescription of ‘clot busting’ drugs, known as thrombolysis,” LRH Stroke Coordinator, Janet May said.

“They also assessed the treatment in our new IntensiveCareUnit,longer termcare in the Avon

Unit, our designated stroke ward, as well as our Allied Health team’s work.

“This accreditation signifies that we meet the highest standards of care, ensuring our patients receivetimely,effective treatment while providing the best possiblesupport to bothpatientsand their families.”

LRH is the only hospital outside the major settings of Melbourne and Geelongtoachievethis level of accreditation in Victoria.

The assessorsfrom the ASC acknowledged: “LRH stroke services are well coordinated…and are deliveringtimely, highly accessible and integrated care to the Gippsland community.”

Ongoing education for staff to provide high quality, safe care was also recognised.

“We’ve developed an educationhub wherethe team can examine what’s happeningwith current patients, learn from colleagues and develop new skills," Avon Nurse Unit Manager, Jenna Hooper said.

"Thisisvitallyimportant to ensure that the team is working with one goal and that everyone’s skills are being elevated constantly."

Boola Boola Ward

Kellie O'Callaghan

David Barnes

Budgeree Ward

Leanne Potter

Melissa Ferguson

Jeeralang Ward

Peter Duncan

Joanne Campbell

Alex Maidana

Loy Yang Ward

Paul Howden

Jimmy Ware

Dale Harriman

Adele Pugsley

Morwell River Ward

Dorothy Long

John Ellingham

Tracie Lund

Newborough Ward

Sharon Gibson

Tyers Ward

Darren Howe

David Little

Yallourn Ward

Steph Morgan

Graeme Middlemiss

LATROBE CITY COUNCIL ELECTION 2024

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

 Thereare nine wardsfor nine vacancies

 Ward boundaries have been changed forthis election, doing away with the previous three-wardstructure.

 Current councillorsBradLaw (West Ward)and DanClancey(East Ward)are not seeking re-election.

 As the Newborough Ward is uncontested, therewillbenovoting

 Voting in this election is by post only.

 Ballot packs will be posted from Monday, October 7.

 Voting closes at 6pm on Friday,October 25.

 All election results declared on Friday,November 15

Dissecting Dr Barr’snuclear discussion

By PHILIP HOPKINS

THE electricity distributionsystem will have to be rebuilt at massive cost because of the surge in intermittentsolarpowerthroughout urban areas if renewables dominatethe power system, Dr Robert Barr warned in Morwell last week.

Dr Barr AM, an electrical engineer and former national president of the Electric Energy Society of Australia, was akeynote speaker at the meeting in the Morwell RSL to discuss the Latrobe Valley's future as an energy powerhouse using nuclear power. Up to 150 people attended the meeting. At the outset, Dr Barr said the Valley'sinfrastructure was ahuge competitive advantage.

"As an electrical engineer, driving around Latrobe, it's like heaven -power stations, transmission lines, gas plants. One of the things that makes Latrobe attractive for anuclear site is the 500kv links into Melbourne. That supplywill,thathigh-capacity line, will also go to other parts of Victoria and into NSW. Latrobe is critical. It's agreat place to be if you are apower engineer, and that will continue for along period," he said.

"The dual 500kv lines are going to end up being one of the most important assets for the Latrobe Valley. High-powered connection into Melbourne is going to create alot of development and jobs in this area into the future."

Dr Barr saidhehad spenthis whole life providing low cost, regular electricity to customers, mainly in NSW, but also in Australia and overseas.

"I and many of my colleagues are very concerned at what is happening in our power system at the moment," he said.

"We've all had big increases in electricity bill. Personally, I've had increases in my home and business. For pensioners and those on low income, it's devastating. The $275 reduction in electricity promised has not materialised; in fact, across Australia most increases are of $800 even $1000 extra in electricity bill each year.Why? I'll try and explain that and how nuclear can play akey role to make some improvements."

Dr Barr said the bottom part of his electricity bill was showing that the renewable system was not delivering. The AustralianEnergy Market Operator's integratedStepchange power planbasically the government's plan -was arenewables system in progress, from 2009 to 2050. The maximum dispatchable load over the NEM

consisted of maximum demand now and in the future in the 40-50gigawatt range.

"The way the plan develops, because renewables are so dispersed, andintermittent, we endupwith alarge amount of renewables in our system to make it work,” he said.

“In the 2050 plan;86GWofpower, almost double the maximum demand of existing system, will be rooftop solar PV -twice the demandofthe existing system -anenormous amount."

About 60GW was utility solar -such as in paddocks-and connected to thetransmission system

"We've got wind, the other part that makes the system expensive, is not just planning to put alot of solar rooftop PV in, but is also planning batteries in our garages and the like. We needtotake control of that -something that will be difficult to manage and expensive. In addition,itwill still need gas. Opencycle gas plants will be around for along time," he said.

Dr Barr said the energy transition had huge cost implications.InNSW,hecompared how the current system would change with the extratransmission lines required, using asimplified conceptual diagram. (He apologised for the NSW example and not that of Victoria).

Currently, the power stations in the Hunter Valley(Latrobe Valley) are linkedtothe main loadcentre of Sydney (Melbourne) with major transmission lines, which in turn have acouple of similar lines to Canberra and one to Snowy Hydro.

In 2050, there are 100 per cent renewables in a Regional Energy Zone (REZ) at Dubbo (“Victoria has five or six, including Latrobe”) and added pumped storage at Snowy. The Hunter Valley power stationswill be closed; double the transmission wouldthen be needed to Canberra,triple to the Snowy, and anew extra sub-transmission between Snowy and Dubbo.

Dr Barr said the result was the need for this vast amount of infrastructure to move the electricity around -acomplex mixture of supplying solar to Sydney at peak midday times and redirecting energy to storage for night time. If there was no more renewable energy poweravailableinDubbo, variable renewable power may 'trip' in itsown right, he said.

"Headingfor 100pc renewables,there is alot of pushback from farmersand participants who don't want these lines builtintheir properties, and don't want the wind and solar farms built in the renewable energy zones. You can see there are

significant costs in operational aspects with these REZs," he said.

Dr Barr said projections showed that summerhad abundant solar, where there was enough power in themiddle of the day to provide power, but there was also surplus power,spillage that can't be used. With enough storage in the system -pumped hydro or battery storage -and despite low wind, "we get through".

"That's what Icall summer -things going well," he said.

However,whenthings werenot goingwell, such as aparticularly bad week in winter, there could be less solar and wind; pumped storage and batteries run out; there could be abig shortfall of power, a big manufacturer is voluntarily asked to 'load shed', cut power use -"not ideal".

Dr Barr said the electricity system had reached aworst-case position.

"The storage energy is expended, there is nothing left, the day is short, and the wind capacity is down,” he said.

"We get through to past midnight,and the wheels fall off the system; there are very large amounts of unsupplied load and the same the following day." he said.

How do you manage asystemlikethis?

"Scale up the resources, build more wind and solar, transmission,spend alot more capital to supply the same amount of load -and costs keep going up and up," Dr Barr said.

In Illawarra, for example, atypical house has six panels, 300 kilowatts each -just over 2000kw on the house.

"That's ahouse with2.5-3kw on the roof,not particularly big but the panelsare onlyfacing north," he said.

However, AEMO's plan for 2050 was so large; "the average house has to have 12kw of PV".

"The roof is not big enough -you get 15 or 18kw on someone else'sroof to average it out. You are headingtowards asystem that is almost unbuildable and unsustainable," Dr Barr said.

"When AEMO do their costings, they don't include the cost of rooftop solar PV and the cost of batteries. They will use large quantities in their modelling because it's free. This is where the modelling goes wrong."

The distribution networks -"where Ihave spent the bulk of my career", Dr Barr said -then come into the firing line.

"When you start putting solarPVon, you get voltage changes down the line. Historically, I have designed these systems, typically on 3or 5kv maximum demand, "hesaid.

"If you get the voltage drop at the end too high, it will cause disruptions to equipment in houses, so that's how the system has been designed (the) last 50 years.

"With alot of rooftop solar, things change, because

in the middle of the day, the houses are no longer drawing power down-they are pushing power into the system. In thislocalised area, within 300 metres of the substation, we get this voltage rise effect. "A 2kv is manageable with the system we have. When you start pushing past 3kv, 4and 5kv, it becomes unmanageable, andat12kvitwill be impossible. With the levels in the AEMO plan, this low voltage network has to be effectively rebuilt. It has got to have acapacity of three or four times whatisthereatthe moment. This is not patch it up; this is knock it down and rebuild it," Dr Barr said.

"Peopleare scaredatthe costs of transmission andrightly so, with 500kv being built into Snowy 2and the Hume Link, in Victoria. Those costs will pale into insignificance when you start augmenting the low voltage systemacross eastern Australia because the real demand in the system is -the real value is in the bottom end; generation is about 30 per cent, transmissionabout 10pc. Mostofthe balance in the value of the network is the low voltage and medium voltage. It will be devastated. In my modelling, those costs will have to be met."

Dr Barr said the best power systems were those that use all the available systems to the best use.

"That's the engineering approach; we spend time matchingbitsofpieces together, the transformers to the lines.Wematch generation Awith gen type Btoproduce the best outcome overall," he said.

Comparingthe variousscenarios of amixture of renewables and nuclear out to 2050 and 2060, Dr Barr said an optimum energy mix withnuclear (74 per cent)would provideelectricityata third thecost of 100 per cent wind and solar. Fifty per cent nuclear was similar.

"Best of all, asystem that includes nuclear energy has ultra-low emissions because it doesn't need gas backup and all theembodiesemissions of agrid powered by wind and solar alone," he said. However, renewables could be used effectively; solar can produce energy spikes in the middle of the day.

"Put solar into the system -it's the one that can give it the right mix -the most economic driver to supply the power in the middle of the day. Alittle bit of spillage, storage -thisworks well."

Dr Barr said the wind and solar Step Change scenario created lots of "spilled" energy.

"Step Changer spills 40 per cent of windand solar energy," he said.

"To make the same amount of energy as AEMO's Step Change by including nuclear needs only one thirdofthe capacity or 98GW and zero GW of gas."

The growth in the shareofnuclear in power output also greatly diminishes carbon dioxide output. Currently,there are 708grams of CO2/ per kilowatt hour.

"Nuclear gives us afully decarbonised electricity system.Emissions (by 2050)are only 27 grCO2/ kWh,” he said.

Clear as day: Aslide from Dr Robert Barr’s presentation.

Middlemissmakes his point clear

By PHILIP HOPKINS

LATROBE City Councillor Graeme Middlemiss, introducinglastweek's meeting in Morwell on nuclear energy for the Latrobe Valley, had aclear message: 'I'm not here to support nuclear power, I'm here to listen'.

Cr Middlemiss said the Gippsland Trades and Labour Council had told him that the unions did not support nuclear energy for the LatrobeValley. Neither did the Labor Party, of which he is alongstanding member.

"I'm born and bred in the Valley; Ilove the Valley, but am very disappointedathow the Valleyisgoing backwards, and how that will accelerate," he said.

"The reality is, we acceptAustraliawill decarbonise, willreduce greenhousegas emissions, and is now demanding biodiversity.Wehave no chance of opposing that; we will lose coal mines and power stations and have lost half the paper industry. Enormous amounts of jobs will go in the future. TheLatrobe Valley and the Hunter are bearing adisproportionateloadofthis decarbonisation," he said.

"Does anybody care? We haven't seen anything by either major party of job replacement here.The job loss has been horrendous and will accelerate.

"Weneed to listen to every opportunity that is offered to us. I'm not saying we have to take that opportunity, but we need to listen. We can make up our mind whether it's good for us or not. Talking about thesethinghas to be good forour community.

"I'm sickand tired aboutloud voices from Melbourne screaming, 'No coal, no nukes, no battery factory' and those voices are being echoed by people here in the Valley."

Cr Middlemiss saidhewas sicktodeath of "press

IATTENDED afascinating nuclear energy discussion at the Morwell RSL on Wednesday, September 18.

Fourspeakers,(including alocal councillor who spoke of Latrobe Valley's currentand future issues re job loses in power and paper industry) shared valuable insightsonthe nuclearindustry and its safety factors.

The presentations alleviated my concerns about nuclear reactors, highlighting their robust safety features and secondary backups.

Aquestion aboutthe Latrobe Valley's fault linesand earthquake risks wasaddressed, with aspeaker having contacted aUSbased expert on the subject. The experts reply whichwas read out was that the LatrobeValley fault lines pose no significantdanger.

This is great news,considering nuclear power's potential to reduce CO2 emissions significantly, even with increased electricity production and population growth.

The discussion also touched on the Fukushima

release jobopportunities". Past promises all had failed: abarramundibusiness for 180 jobs and the 500 jobs for electric vehicles. Thelatestwas offshore wind to produce greenhydrogenhere, but the richest man in Australia had now decided "it's about 40 years away", so offshore wind was not an opportunity.

"We do haveopportunities, but green forces have bullied government.The Japanesehaveoffered to spend $2.3 billion in the Valley to make hydrogen from brown coal. That involves geo-sequestration of emissions -noemissions into the atmosphere -all into empty oil fields of Bass Strait. All the research is being done by CarbonNet," he said.

Cr Middlemiss said another company wanted to make 600 tonnes ayear of urea, afertiliser, from brown coal.

"The CSIRO have checked their process -itiszero emissions, yet they cannot get permission to use brown coal. The Japanese are looking at hundreds of jobs and have aminekeeping them going. We can't get those off the ground because everybody is scared of the word 'coal'. We've accepted open cycle power stations, they'll close; there are alternative use of brown coal, but doesn't look as if they will get off the ground," he said.

In the next decade to 2035, the Valley would havelost all the high-valuejobs, which wouldlead to job losses in the retail and service trade. With an ageing population, possible jobs were in "God's waiting room -nursing homes". Nuclear?"There is an overwhelming demand for jobs here and there is nothing on the horizon," he said.

Cr Middlemiss said Latrobe's population, previously similar to Ballarat and Bendigo, had progressively shrunk since 1991.

By 2051,Ballarat was expected to growby39,000

to 118,000, Bendigo by 42,000 to 124,000, while the Valley would grow by just 2990 to 78,000. Similarly with state government housing projections to 2051 -Ballarat by 46,900, Bendigo by 37,500, even Warragul/Drouin by 24,700and the Valley at only 12,300.

"We should listen to every proposal that comes

Locals have their say

nuclearpower station deaths, with an attendee claiming fatalities. The speaker pointed out no such deaths. However, Ifact-checkedand it revealed no deaths directly attributed to radiation.Ican confirm that deaths in Japanresulted from natural causes, such as hypothermia or disrupted hospitalisation, rather than radiation exposure.

What's more, the speakers highlighted the valueofcombining solar electricity with nuclear energy. This hybridapproach provides aguaranteedbaseofelectricity and reduces the need for battery backup,making it acost-effective solution.Plus,nuclear energy eliminates the need for new power lines to transfer electricity from rural areas to cities, which is oftenoverlooked in renewable energy costs.

Alsopointed out washydro2.0 original cost $2 billion is now heading towards $20billion

The anti-nuke, pro-renewables attendee did oftenyellout, harassand disruptthe information session, finally quieting down as their fears were alleviated.

Ronnie Bernardi Boolarra

Not sold on nuclearfuture

IATTENDED the meeting to discussjobsin the Latrobe Valley this (last) week.

It was apparently run and sponsored by right wing nuclearpowersupport groupsand far right political think tanks like the IPA.

Sadly there waslittle information about any new jobs. It was apro nuclear talkfest

our way. Give these people afair hearing and then make up our minds as acommunity," he said. "I'm sick to death of other people making up their mindsfor us. We need to make up our minds. Have alistentothe nuclear guys. I'm not advocating,but have alisten, have an open mind about proposals for our future."

that seemed to be based on very questionable information.

Dr Robert Barr, OAM gave an impressive display of his modelling of future power needs andnuclear power production, he then added "Ofcourse alot of modelling goes wrong".

If 'experts' cannot find away nuclear can protect us from climate change or create long term sustainable jobs, then Ireally can't see why any sane government would plunge Australia into massive debt to pay for something that'snot going to solve the issues we face now. We need jobs and cheaper electricity to drive those jobs. Renewables like wind and solar with new generation batteriesthat are becoming available now are already providingwhat we need.

Why would they want to wait 30 to 40 years for something when we have the answers herenow ?

Doug Steley Heyfield

Turnout: People came to Morwell last week to learn more about apossible nuclear future.

Photograph: Phillip Hopkins

There could be more gas in Gippy

By PHILIP HOPKINS

AVICTORIAN gas company that has been active in Gippslandfor decadesisabout to seekapproval foraGippsland project that could provide 10 per cent of the state's gas needs from early 2027.

Lakes Blue Energy, previously Lakes Oil, maintains that if its conventional well is approved -it does not require fracking -itcould lead to the Wombat Field near Seaspray, eventually producing 50 terajoules of gas daily,ultimately providing about 10 per cent of the state's gas by 2027 when gas shortfalls are expected.

This would not only provethat Gippsland has alot more gasthan traditionally believed, but would also reinforce Gippsland's gas sector as gas production from Esso's wells in Bass Strait continues to slow. It comes as the state government has also loosened its gas policy, approving anew gas extraction project at Port Campbell in western Victoria and will support more offshore gas storage in Bass Strait.

Lakes Blue Energy's Chief Operating Officer, Tim O'Brien, told the Express that if approval was granted, drilling would begin at its Wombat-5 gas well in mid-2025.

"What we have been trying to do for the past 12 years is someconventional appraisal work at Wombat, in the Strzelecki Formationinthe top weathered zone," he said, going on to explain the background to the company's activities.

The Strzelecki Formation consists of non-marine sedimentary rocks from the Earth's Lower Cretaceous geological period. The Strzelecki Group outcropsextensively in the South Gippsland highlands and along coastal sections between San Remo and Inverloch.

"Back in the early Cretaceous alot was eroded off. Groundwater was going through and clearing out some of the clay in the formation. That's the top 100metres or so of the formation, then you get intothe tighter, more un-weatheredstuff where that would require fracking at some stage in the future, if it is ever permitted again," he said.

"We'reconfidentwecan get over 250 billioncubic feetofgas out of the top weathered section without requiring any fracture stimulation."

Mr O'Brien explained that one billion cubic feet is about one petajoule; abillioncubic feet is a volumetric measurement, whereas apetajoule is acalorific, energy content measure.

"Dependingonthe quality of your gas, apetajoule is actually slightly lessthan abillion cubic feet, but if you justuse 'one-for-one' that makesiteasier. If youare not overstating, you'll always get more energy," he said.

Daily production of about 50 millioncubic feet per day over the year is close to 20 petajoules, about 10 percent of Victoria'sannual use of 200-210 petajoules ayear.

Mr O'Brien said that Gaffney Cline and Associates, aglobal consultancy in the energysector that provides techno-commercial advice, estimated in 2008 acontingent resource (2C) of 293 billion cubic feet in the Wombat Field -"arecoverable resource". This figure was revisedupto329 billion cubicfeet in 2010 afterthe successful drilling of Wombat-4.

However, this became aproblem as the state government took asemantic attitude, stating there were 'no proven reserves' in Victoria.

"To have aproven reserve, you need to have effectivelya contractinplace, adevelopment plan; you need to be ready to sell the gas effectively. We

have contingent resources, which means we have defined avolume of gas, but haven't proven it to the commercialstage yetbut the gas is there," he said.

"Wombat 5isdesigned to prove we can get a commercial gas rate out of this formation."

Mr O'Brien said the Wombat 1, 2and 3wells werenot optimised enough for the 'magic number', but are completed and suspended gas wells which would likely be incorporated into any field development plan.

"The gas was recoverable", he said but the 'no proven reserves' argument kicked in.

"This does not acknowledge we have lots of prospectiveresources and contingent resources. There is gas there. The public does not understand that due to the mixed messages being put out there by the government," he said.

The Wombat 4well was effectively approved to be drilled at the end of 2013.

“I had done revisions with the department. Ihad the earthworks contractor ready to go, Ihad arig ready to come to the state," he said.

TheninApril2014,the Coalition government

decided to have ayear-long consultation process, but subsequently lost government. The arrival of the Andrews government led to subsequent moratoriums on onshore exploration, coal seam gas and fracking, and more studies.

"Twelve years later, I'm still waiting to be drilling," he said.

The company had now done more studies, such as environmental, stakeholder and planning.

"I hope to submitthat in earlyOctober;that gives them threemonths to assess. Hopefully we will get approved early next year -there will be some revisions and-wecan get the site built. Arig is going to be in the state doing work in Otway Basin in April-May," he said.

Mr O'Brien said their gas was very clean, much cleaner than offshore gas, which is higher in CO2, mercury and hydrogen sulphide (rotten egg gas).

"Strzelecki is below the source of the impurities; alittle bit of water and condensate is removed. We don't need to go through Longford, we can process ourselves and put it straight into the pipeline," he said.

Monash hopeful Aldred attentive to duty

WORK, family, community and the best things about living in theGippsland region were the bigtopics at ayoungprofessionals coffee catch up in Moe withfederal Liberal candidate for Monash Mary Aldredand Shadow Minister for FinanceSenator the HonJane Hume.

Ms Aldred organised the informal discussion to bring together younger people in the Monashelectorate.

Ms Aldred andSenator Hume were joined by Kate, alocal accountant working with alarge number of local business owners, Sarah, who worksina finance role at one of theLatrobe Valley power stations and Lachlan, atradie who has just recently started his own boat business in Trafalgar while juggling his young family.

"The Monash electorate is full of so many

2024 GEM SHOW

talented youngprofessionals, who have studied hard to achieve qualifications at university or TAFE in their chosen vocation, and are now makinga major contribution to our broader region," Ms Aldred said.

"I thought it was an important opportunity to bring some of them together to discuss their hopes and challenges with SenatorHume, and what they would like to see from afuture Coalition government."

“It'salwaysgreat to meet young Australianswho have decided to take that risk to tart their own business. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy andthey are especiallyimportanttoour regional communities like Moe," Senator Hume said.

Campaign trail: Liberal candidatefor Monash, Mary Aldred (blue blazer) withSenator Jane Hume talking to young locals in Moe

Photograph supplied

Gas needed to securelocal jobs

By PHILIP HOPKINS

MARTIN Ferguson, aformer president of the ACTU and formerfederal LaborMinister for Energy,has called for agas-fired power station in the Latrobe Valley to secure and generate jobs for the region in the energy transition.

He also urged amajor campaign by the federal and stategovernmentstodrive moreprivate investment as the best way to create these jobs.

"I am very worried about thefutureofthe Latrobe Valley," he said in aforthright interview with the Express.The big wind and solar projects were unlikely to create large numbers of long-term jobs, he said.

Mr Ferguson has had long-standing ties with the Valley throughhis trade unionactivityand his years as the federal Minister for Energy and Minerals from December 2007 until May 2013.

His relationship with the Valley and Gippsland has since continued through his position as chairman of the CO2CRC, which is leading research into carbon capture and storage in Gippsland, along with CarbonNet. The aim is to secure carbon dioxide emissions in empty oil and gas reservoirs under Bass Strait.

Mr Ferguson said the Valley's brown coal could be gasified in an environmentally friendly way.

"The Valley hasdoneitpreviously,theyhad already done it, "hesaid, referring to Morwell's Lurgi plant, which was successfully commissioned in 1956 to produce gas. The associatedhigh pressure gas pipeline to Melbourne was the first such project in Australia, but the plant's economic viability was undermined by the subsequent discovery of oil and gas in Bass Strait.

Adecade ago, HRL proposed an advanced 'integrated drying,gasification and combinedcycle (IDGCC) 600MW plant- worldclass technology -in the Valley, but this wasstymied on environmental grounds because it was burning coal.

Mr Fergusonsaidagas plant using coalwas viable through the use of CarbonNet.

"Withall the work done by Geoscience and other agencies when Iwas the Minister, Victoria was the standout on potential CCS because of the proximity of the existing wells and you could repurpose the existing pipeline infrastructure," he said.

"We knew CarbonNet was potentially the centre to attract other industries to the Valley, including hydrogen,hencetheJapaneseHESCpilotprojectsupportedbytheVictorianandAustraliangovernments."

Whenhewas the federal EnergyMinister, Mr Ferguson said he had an exceptionally good workingrelationshipwith Victoria's thenstate Labor Energy Minister, PeterBatchelor, and his Liberal successor, Michael O'Brien.

"Both were very committed to doing something in the Latrobe Valley, including support for CarbonNet and the idea of R&D (research and development) projectsacross different operations. Therewas no pushbackfrom eithergovernments; both were supportive,including on offshore CCS, whichwas aworld first. We were exploring every available option as we were thinking, 'Whatisthe future of the Valley?'," he said.

Mr Ferguson said the state government hadjust changed its position on gas -"you can keep your (gas)stove andweare going to facilitate offshore gas storage".

"That is interesting; Iwonder where the gas is coming from to be stored," he said.

Lakes Blue Energy is about to make an application for aconventional gas well near Seaspray.

Mr Ferguson said its predecessor, Lakes Oil, had wanted to drill in 2013-14.

"History will show the Coalition went to water with the (Peter) Ryan byelectioninGippsland and the LaborParty becausethe seat of Melbourne was in abyelection at the same time. Both these byelections have set Victoria back decades. They killed onshore gas development and then led to the Labor Party having areligious commitment to killing gas led by Lily D’Ambrosio," he said.

"With gas, including trying to attract another gas-fired power station, we don’t have to replicate the grid -what awaste of money."

Gas hasrecently gained more traction as atransitional fuel as back-up for renewables at an official level. Energy Australia'schief, Mark Collette, in a major speech in June said gas-fired power generation was integral to the energy transition as the coal-based transmission system comes to an end.

Mr Ferguson said he could not see any commitment by government to attract new investment in long-term private jobs in the Valley.

"Governments' history shows they cannot deliver on meaningful long-term jobs; that has to be driven by private sector," he said.

"The hydrogen project is aprimary example of something that the Victorian government should be hungry on, going to and from Japan at every available opportunity to tryand get thatinvestment. This is the cheapest hydrogenpotentially in

Australia as previously recognised by the former Chief Scientist, Alan Finkel. The grid is there; we should be doing everything to develop onshore and offshore."

Mr Ferguson said it was not privatisation that caused the Valley's problem.

The SEC was corporatised by the Cain government into separate units, but crucialwas the pre-privatisation decisions of the SEC to dramatically downsize and offer redundancies. The Kennett government's Treasurer,AlanStockdaleprepared the SEC for sale.

"Privatisation was not the cause of the job loss, butdecision of government to get it in shape for privatisation," he said.

"We collectively -Bachelor, O’Brien and mecould see the potential challenges for the Valley with the attack on coal-fired power. There was a potential need to attract other industries plus we were worried about the issue of energy security. In those days, there was overall consideration of all aspects of the debate -security, cost and emissions, notjustwhathas occurredinthe last decadewhere emissionshave become the number one consideration,with not proper regard for cost or reliability."

Mr Ferguson said he fearedfor the future of the Valley. In some areas, there were third generationunemployment, some moving into fourth generation; some suburbs werestrugglingand a few primary schools were in apoor state compared to Melbourne schools.

"Correctly the workers are being looked after and someget retrained in other opportunities. AGL, Energy Australia were always going to look after their workforces; I’ve read the industrial agreements -they are some of the best redundancy-and super provisions ever seen in Australia," he said.

"But they will not want to move home to where these wind farms are. The construction is for a couple of years. Are Valley workers going to take their kids out of schools and relocate down there?

It’s fly in and fly out, or drive in and driveout. They have secure jobs in the power industry that they will not have.

"Onceyou get to operation, there are no jobs -the same with the solar plant; once you do the installationusing largely imported components,there are no workers.

"Where are the meaningful long-term private sector jobs for the Latrobe Valley? The Victorian government gives us ahub with public servants that don’tgotowork in Morwell."

In general, there was agreat wasteofmoney. In agovernment officenear his work place in Melbourne, he said he hadnever seen apublic servant at work.

"The Victorian government is increasing their wages to spend more time at home!" he said.

Mr Ferguson said crucially, the Valley was not in amarginal seat.

"In essenceit'signored by stateLabor governmentsand to alarge extent by federalLabor governments, whereas Geelongisthe centre of everything from the football stadium to roads -it's all about votes in marginal seats. The Latrobe Valley is seen as second-class cousin because it does not count politically."

Mr Ferguson said he wanted to seethe heavy hand of Canberra getting the heavy hand with the Victoriangovernment to get jobsinthe Latrobe Valley -meaningful private industry jobs that are long-lasting.

"They are not there; awind farm is built in a couple of years, and it’s all over," he said.

Locals helping create great legacy

ONCE again, the annual Legacy Badge Appeal was ahuge success.

The Appeal, whichtakes in the towns of Moe, Morwell,Traralgon and surrounds, was again very well supported, and the generosity of the public and businessesinthe Latrobe Valley area wasamazing.

Given the economic hardship that alot of people are going through at the moment, the result was simply fantastic.

Iwould also like to thank the volunteers who sold badges during Legacy Week, in at times very unfavourable weather conditions.

The Army,Navyand Airforce Cadets did a fantastic job selling badges on the first and second Saturday of Legacy Week, and their contribution is very appreciated.

The money raised is used forthe welfare of deceased Veterans families,which includes the children of deceased Veterans.

Once again, thank you one and all who have supported Legacy. Our workwithin Legacyis ongoing, and the support of the general public is appreciated.

Steve Mayes Latrobe Valley Legacy President

Silent victims

IREADanarticle in the LatrobeValleyExpress

titled‘Animal shelter investigation’ (11.09.24) where aFacebook postresultedinaninvestigation into animal cruelty.

And rightly so, it should be investigated.

Iread thatcouncil takesallegations of animal cruelty very seriously and councillor Kellie O’Callaghan also reiterated that she takes these matters seriously too.

We are also bombarded with newspaper headlines,TVadvertising, billboards and posters in relation to family violence against women and children, child abuse and human trafficking, and rightly so, we need to be made aware of these things, take these actionsveryseriously, and report them to the proper authorities.

But, why isn’t domestic violence against men by their partners or spouses investigated and taken seriously?

The authorities in most cases take the woman’s side withoutinvestigation. I’m sure there are manysilentmalevictims suffering.Where are their support systems?

Family violence comes undermanyforms such as physical, coercive control, narcissistic behaviour, mental abuse, withholding children from their fathers and fathers who wish to care for their child are not given the chance because the woman has an abortion, just to name afew.

Which brings me to the elephantinthe room. Ibelievethat abortion should also come under family violence. After all, the baby is being killed. Oh wait, it is legal in this country!

Where is the outragefor the babies born alive after afailed abortion, left to die alone with no medicalattention, no palliative care, no human affection? Aviable baby born alive afteranabortion canlast from one minute to five hours or more gasping for breath. In Australiathere is no national law protecting babies born alive from afailed abortion.

Dr Elisha Broom from aQueensland hospital admitted that inducing babies alive and leaving them to die is intentional. This process was outlawedinAustralia in 2022for calves, so why is it legal to do it to babies? Don’t think it doesn’t happeninVictoria, because it does. Australia has the most diabolical abortion laws. Atotal of 4929 gestationallyviable babies over an 11-year period were killed right up until birth

in Victoria and Queensland, one of those babies at 37 weeks.

Louise Adsett, amidwife from Queensland, gave achilling and heart-breaking testimony in the Queensland Parliament of what she and other midwives experienced.

Dr Joanna Howe is aLaw Professor, and over the last two years she has been advocating for babies born alive after afailedabortiontobe given equal medical treatment as other babies. An emergency bill was put forward by Senator Ralph Babet and was rejected by Labor, Greens, Teals and fourmembers of the Liberal Party.It seems to me that animals are more important than babies in our society.

If you are outraged and take this cruelty to human life seriously and want to know more and learn what evil is coming to light, check out Dr Joanna Howe’s research (you can find her on social media platforms),and join me and thousandsofothers in the March For The Babies on October 12 in Melbourne at Treasury Gardens (corner of Spring Street and Wellington Parade). This year marks 16 years since the legalisation of the abortion till birthbillcame into practice by Daniel Andrews, who was ‘Health Minister’ at the time.

You don’t havetobeaChristian to fightfor human life.Then maybe, just maybe, if we stop this atrocity, family violence mightalsoreduce dramatically.

Josie Vitale

Morwell

Really?

JUST had to put pen to paper to express how sad I feltwhen going to Mid Valley andseeingChristmas stuff already on display.

Christmas is still three months away.

Ifeltsorry forthe mums, dads, nans, pas, uncles and aunts, as money is tightand the want from young ones will have already started.

This didn't happen when Iwas growing up.

My dad was ashearer, and got jobs enoughto make sure we had aroof over our head and food in our stomach, and most importantly -agood education.

Christmas time was special. This was the time whenweall gottogether. My two sisters and brother were all excited to get together as we all lived in different areas miles away from each other and cars didn't go as fast as they do now.

Dad would go to the market and get chickens at 50c each.

Mum, dad andIwould spendafternoons plucking them after dad hadchopped wood to get hot water to dip them in. Poor mum gotthe job dressingthem.

Ibet similar things bring back some kind of memories to your readers.

We were taught the meaning of Christmas. We didn't have alot, but family and love was always there.

Janet Harris

Morwell

Easysolution

SPAREusthe moral outrage please Neil Reid, ('Regular rants', LVE Opinion 18/09/24).

I've been aregularcontributor to the Express for more than 40 years, which apparently is more than enough to raise the ire of Neil.

Addinthe likes of Patricia Correa, Joseph Lis andthe many other 'regulars', and Neil must get positively edgy.

It's ashame agenerally reasonable letter was prefacedbyanunmotivatedanduncalledfor'driveby'

And would our "dear readers"agree they're been "barraged", atotally negativeconcept? My anecdotal evidence would suggest otherwise. What's with that, Neil?

If it's not what they say, but rather their/our regularity that bothers you, there's an easy solution: don't read it.

Writers to newspapers are driven by many and varied motivations. Personally, I'm acounter puncher, raising few issues but responding to many.

Irespectmostwriters, including Patricia,who when responding always does so respectfully, and Joseph, who generallychooses not to respond, which may be asmart strategy.

I've always been prepared for those who may disagree to take a'free swing', and it's like 'water off aduck'sback', butthe recent tactics of of the former correspondent from Dandenong, and now Mr Reid, to take copious swings at unnamedpeople, lack integrity and courage.

By the way, Mr Reid, no response on this point? Why is that?

To put things in chronological order, on 28/08/24, ('Look broadly', LVE), Neil took swings at not only regular writers, but accused one of imagining "they are the very epitomeofmoral and intellectual virtue".

Who would that be Neil? And why is that? Plus potentiallymultiple others of having only "half abrain".

At least the fact thatNeil dislikes Patricia, Joseph and myself has been flushed out. Perhaps regular writers should be "retired"?

Since at least five writers last week (of nine), including (horrors) your good self, are regulars, if we take them out we don't have an Opinion page.

What do you think Mr Editor?

In the light of Mr Reid'sown particular 'rant', his accusation of my own "rants" and "arrogance" may be filed under 'hypocrisy', but Mr Reid, who "can tell BS", may not be aware.

As for my "going the person, not theirarguments", since it's 'always', providing examples should be a piece of cake.

For Mr Reid, in casting awide but unnamed net of abuse, has taken playing the man to awhole new unaccountable and multiple level. I'mhappy to take awhack from Mr Reid, on any particular issue, as long as I'm named and the issue is specified, thus allowing an appropriate response.

And you're right Mr Reid, Idid not put up an argument against everything you wrote, as Ididn't realise it was compulsory.

Irespect your 30 yearsinthe power industry, and so when Ihave acomment on that topic, I'll let you know.

And so to my final point, and one that leaves me far more outraged than Mr Reid ever could be.

Idon't"claim to be an educator" -Iwas aprimary school teacher for 51 years, andamhappy to be answerable to my former peers and pupils, when relevant,but certainly nottoyou Mr Reid; and where'sthe respect for my contribution to my profession Mr Reid?

In my 40 years plus of correspondence to this newspaper, only three critics, now including Mr Reid, haveeverreferencedmyformer career in ways to denigrate.

Unlessthe topics are education or the power industry, our previous occupations are irrelevant and out of bounds.

I'll spell it out for you Mr Reid -tosuggest otherwise is offensive and scurrilous. Iawait your apology.

John Duck Trafalgar

Actofkindness

ON Sunday,September15, Iwent groceryshopping at Coles in Traralgon Centre Plaza.

Ifinished my shopping about 12.45pm, and stood in queue at the service checkout.

When it was my turn, Iplaced my items on the belt, and they went through the register.

Ithen swiped my Flybuys card, and inserted my credit card, but it wouldn't go through. Itried again, but it wouldn't go through, so Iasked the checkout girl what was wrong.

She said to me "you're okay to go", but Isaidmy card didn't work so Ihaven't paid yet.

Shethen said "your shopping has been paidfor". Ifelt like Iwas losing the plot, until she said the man behind me at the checkout had just paid for my shopping.

Icouldn't believe whatshe was telling me, but when Ilooked back, aman in ared checked shirt gave me awink and smiled at me. He had paid in cash for my shopping which was over $100.

Isaidtohim no, Icannot accept you paying, I have money, so thanks, but you don't need to pay for my things. His reply was "I wanted to".

Iwas in shock as nothing like this has ever happened to me before, that astrangerjust out of the blue, paid cash for my shopping..

Isaidthank you again,but why? You can't do this, we are strangers. He replied "youare welcome" He gave me asmile and said "have agood day". He paid for his own shopping and walked away. Istood there thinking,'did this just happen?'I couldn't believe someone could or would do such agenerous thing like he did.

Ithought to myself 'why didn't Ioffer to buy him lunch or at least acoffee?'

So Iwish in this letter, to say abig thank you to this kind and generous man, who gave me an unbelievable gift along with alovely smile which brightened up my day.

Judith Seymour Traralgon

No place forcruelty

IVOLUNTEER at the RSPCA Op shop, Traralgon. As aretiree, giving back to the community is a wonderful feeling.

All volunteers there work hard and Suz (the manager) is exemplary. She looks after us all. Some days aren't always rosy (short staffed) but she is still the amiably wonderful manager she is. We are all so grateful for the donations (thank you). It pulls astring in our hearts knowingthat all monies raised goes to the abandoned and neglected animals.

RSPCAstands for Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

As volunteerswestand forthem when others cruelly don't.

Jennifer Makowski

Traralgon

Well said

NEILReid,your Opinion piece ('Regular Rants', LVEOpinion, 18/09/24) wasspotonmyfriend. It certainly vindicates my opinion some time ago of our regular negative, over-the-top,scathing, mundane, boring ranter.

Your last paragraph summed it up perfectly... well said!

You hit ahome run right out of the ball park, a mightysixbeltedwayoverthescoreboardattheMCG.

The keystone of our democracy is free speech and everyone, especially in this country, is entitled to their opinion.

But sadly, some go way over the top and there's anasty, personal agenda to their words.

As Ihave said before, they don't believe in fact, they can't see the forest for the trees, and will fight toothand nail to prove the Earth is flat!

But, life goes on and for these individuals it's a case of the light is on, but no one's home.

We've all heardthe slogan, 'location, location, location'. Well, Ibelieve in "fact, fact, fact."

Aquote Iread recently caught my attention: "In order to insult me, Imust first value your opinion... nice try though."

Yes, Ithink that's abloody ripper.

Onya Neil!

Oliver Bergens

Dandenong

Political games

THE Minister'sletter ('Building abetter healthsystem', LVE Opinion, 04/09/24) was purely political. Never in my lifetime under any government has the health system ever been this bad.

The so-called aftereffects of COVID are still being used as an excuse for criminal practices by the Andrews/Allan government. There is no way they can gloss over this health crisis.

On another note, in regards to Paul Christian's letter on behalf of his wife ('No justice', LVE Opinion, 04/09/24) -volunteers are getting as scarce as hens teeth and councils should give more consideration to their worth.

Patricia Correa

Traralgon

Not all it seems

IN the Wednesday, September 11, 2024 issue of the Express, Mr DamienAndrews published an opinion piece.

He announced his election as president of agroup called Latrobe City Council Watch (LCCW).

The Express' editor, Mr Liam Durkin attached a note saying in part “Council Watch is set up to watch what is going on in the Latrobe City community and not to judge or watch the performance of council or currentsittingcouncillors.”

The next day, Mr Andrews posteda scurrilous attack on asitting councilloronthe group’s Facebook.

He has acted in bad faith with the Express and since then, these partisan attacks have continued using artificialintelligence to generate the impression he knows what he is talking about.

His groupisnot agenuine impartialoversight body as he purports it is.

The original press release authorised by committee member Richard Elkington has aphoto of the group’s executiveand includes two well known members of the Gippsland Peoples Council (GPC).

Members of GPCare candidates running in the LatrobeCityCouncil Election and Mr Andrews should close his compromised social media operation down.

Phillip Edwards Hazelwood South

The sun will come up tomorrow

COMMENT

BY ANTHONY WASIUKIEWICZ

WE’VEagaingone through aperiod where electricity and telecommunications went out fordays.

At such times somespring into action to remedy the issues at hand.

Others enjoy the peace that adisconnect from the external world brings. Either way, questionsmay arise and can get deep.

For example: Do Ireally need Netflix and to buy that new car? Maybe Ishould buy batteries, agenerator and tinned food instead. Maybe a warm house, blanket, cuddle and conversation with the family will suffice.

Am Ireallyangryatthe situation, or am I just addicted to the relationships spawnedout of my vocal discontent? Am Ireally physically exhausted, or is my resistance to reality chewing up vital energy? Or even: Do Iactually hate my job, or do Idetest the fact that Igot myself into aposition of excess materialism, whereby

I’mobligated to attend aplace Idon’t enjoy in this weather to pay for it all?

They can stir up alot of confusion. It’s a mental quandary. The reason for one’sbeingis broughtinto question; one’s identity attacked. Anxiety heightens. The compass needle begins spinning wildly and fails to find north.

This isn’t helped when one starts to seek or reflectonguidance presented by seemingly more knowledgeablepeoplethan ourselves. Books, presenters, podcasts and forums give contradictory advice.

Onesuggestsweneed more grit and to work harder. Another that we need to let go and go with the flow. One song advises us "don’t worry, be happy". Then evolutionists point out that the fear of swimming in the deep water prevented us from being eaten by the crocodiles. Did our worry ensure our survival, or do we just need to relax, trust and have faith? Are we ahuman being, or ahuman doing? Who is right?

As Neo realisesinthe Matrix during his discussion with the Architect, the problem is choice. Or moregrammatically correct, the

problem is aplethora of options. So what option do we choose?

The only answer that I’ve been able to come up with, after years and decades of considering such questions, is that it’s alittle from Column Aand alittle from Column B.

At timesweneed to work hard to get ourselves outofthe holewe’ve found ourselves in. At other times we need to look up at the sky and laugh,asthe Buddawas misquoted as saying, and just accept the absurdity of it all. Alan Watts suggeststhe world is awiggly place. Maybehe’sright.

So if you’re feeling outragedatcurrent circumstances, maybealittle perplexed, confused and uncertain, or just exhausted from it all, rest assured that the sun will come up tomorrow.

Then consider for amoment that maybe our present problems might not be as big as we’ve made them out to be.

AnthonyWasiukiewicz is aYallourn North resident.

Forced into acceptinga thirdgrade facility

COMMENT BY DAVIDLITTLE

AT the final Latrobe City Council meeting held at the start of this month, prior to the scheduled four-yearly council election, current councillors were put to the sword to agree with the council officers presentation to approve athird class pavilion for the Traralgon Recreation Reserve.

After council officers condemned the building following floods more than three years ago, they askedcouncillorstopassa motion on this subject. This wasbrought about by councilofficers issuing astatement to the Traralgon Football-Netball Club andExStudents Cricket Cricket groups that if they didn't acceptthis design then the funding would be taken off the table.

Councillors were probably given this same threat and will now have to live with the legacy of providingapavilion that is not fit-for-purpose. This situation is mostdisappointing, witha

couple of councillors indicating they will not be standing next month. Unfortunately they will also be labelled as not fulfilling their duties to the community.

Councillors may not have beenprovided adequate information or asked appropriate questions on this subject. This is also aconcern and in order to rectify this lack of information and input fromthe community, some changesare required. This is time to choose your councillor representative who will question some of the deficiencies within council.

Ihaveraised numerousconcerns and have had very little response from council.

Arecent proposal to swap the canteen/kitchen with asmall social room to provide some viewing of the oval appears to have been rejected.

This minor change, at no additional cost, provides football and cricketviewing of the oval and still enables viewing to the north. This is better

utilising the space for multi user groups and is similartorecently provided facilitiesatMorwell Recreation Reserve for cricket and netball.

Another issue Ihave raised is the fact that the changerooms are half the current size or as recommended by AFL/Cricket Australia for use by male andfemale players.

When double headers or back-to-back matches are playedatthe same venue, addition space is necessary.

This is now being provided at other regional grounds.

Editor's note: DavidLittle is runningfor council in the Tyers Ward. He has however been a consistent writer on this issue long before deciding to run, and served on the Traralgon Recreation Reserve Advisory Committee. This comment piece should not be mistakenaspart of his candidacy

ONE POINTERS

1. What is the only element beginning with the letter ‘u’?

2. What car brand has incorporated an iconic ‘jump’ into their ad campaigns since 1983?

3. The Big Merino monument in Australia is found in what town?

4. What nationality is Justin Bieber?

5. What is the world’smost visited painting?

6. What was Shakespeare’smost popular play during his lifetime?

7. What is the capital of Peru?

8. Klingons are ahumanoid species in which science fiction franchise?

THREE POINTERS

9. Of the comedy team Laurel and Hardy,who had the first name Stan?

10. How old was John Lennon when he died?

11. Whats the title of an animated film about afamily of wild rabbits trying to survive?

12. Who played Starsky in the 2004 film “Starsky and Hutch”?

FOUR POINTERS

13. The plant Belladonna is also known as what?

14. What artist became amember of Fleetwood Mac in 2018?

FIVE POINTER

15. I’ll give you five famous books, and you give me the author? One point for each answer 1. Peter Pan. 2. The Fault in Our Stars 3. The Hobbit 4. The Da Vinci Code 5. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Howtoplay...

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

Springracing headwear on auction for charity

ACOLLECTION of locally-designed bespoke headwear will be up for bids later this month just in time for Spring racing.

East Gippsland-based designer Eleanor Marguerite is offering 60 unique, handmade headpieces at silent auction in the One Woman’s Collection exhibition at the Traralgon Courthouse.

Money from theauctionwill go to Latrobe Regional Health to purchase new laser surgical equipment.

The auction is being held on behalf of awoman who collected 70 of these headpieces, but she is moving to England and cannot take them all with her.

The collector -who wishes to remainanonymous

-has donated her headpieces back to Eleanor, who has chosen to hold the auction for LRH in honour of the collector’s father who died from cancer.

Eachheadpieceisnamedand hand packaged with apersonally-written poem to reflect the sentiment of its creation.

“Thisisamazing. This ladywas well-known for wearing beautiful designer dresses and wore these headpieces to work in Traralgon every day,” Eleanor said.

“Some of these pieces won Fashions of the Field. Every piece meant something to her, and to me as the designer.”

LRH is aiming to raise $283,000 for equipment that will help urologistsmoreeffectively treat

kidney stones and prostate conditions, improvingtreatment outcomes andrecovery times for patients.

It will mean that benignorcancerous tumours can be removed without incisions for prostate patients, and kidney or urinarystonescan be removed in one procedure.

Eleanor describes herself as a“hair embellisher” and uses natural materials,millineryfabrics, crystals, beadsand precious stonestocreateher work.

One of her pieces featuredonthe front of the Herald Sun worn by British racing presenter Francesca Cumani, while another was worn by the wife of acorporate identity to greet the then Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

“It’s likewearing apiece of art on yourhead. Some pieces can take several weeks to create. It’s not just about the headpiece, but about how people feel when they wear it,” Eleanor said.

“I justwant people to be spellbound when they see this exhibition. Hopefully it will generate interest in fundraising forLRH andpeople will maketheir owndonations when placing their bid.”

One Woman’s Collection will run from September 25 to October 2atthe Traralgon Courthouse with asilentauction.

To donate to the LRH fundraising appeal, visit: mycause.com.au/p/352856/ eleanor-marguerite-one-womans-collection

Millinery: Exquisite headwearbyEleanor Marguerite will be auctionedoff in supportof Latrobe RegionalHealth. Photographs supplied

Style: An example of some of the high quality headwear piecesthatwillbeavailable

Fashion: Millineryisa staple during the Spring Carnival. Beauty: Morethan 50 piecesare up forauction

From Gippsland Plains to the Great Plains

COWWARR artist Jo Caminitiistravellingthrough Nebraska, USA this month for an exciting artistic cultural exchange.

The Arts Council of Thayer County has teamed up with talented artist Cindy Chinn to host Jo to collaborate on creating ametal art public sculpture in her three-weekresidency at the ‘Center of Creativity’ in Chester.

While in Nebraska,Jowill also be givingapublic talk at the Majestic Theatre in Hebron about her extensivebackgroundinagriculture and life ‘Down Under’.

No stranger to metal sculpture, Jo created a 10-year commemorative arch at Callignee from scrap metal salvagedbylocals fromthe ashesofthe tragic Black Saturday bushfires, and a4.5 metre tall cluster of red flowering gum blossom named 'Corymbia Dreaming' by the Drouin community where the sculpture is located in Civic Park.

Sheiscurrentlyworking on acommunity partnership commission of three scrap metal kelpie sculptures depicting the 1930s story of the GippslandRailway Dog (pictured) for the Gippsland

Plains Rail Trail Committee of Management and Alinta Energy.

Jo said that when she was offered the residency out of the blue by Cindy Chinn,who shehas admired and followed for years on social media, she hadtolook up where Chester wasonthe map.

“It's kind of halfway between ‘Little House on the Prairie’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz,’” she said.

Chester, Nebraska,inthe Midwest grain-belt country, has around the same population as Cowwarr, where Jo worksinher converted herringbone dairy studio by the Rainbow Creek.

After three decades in natural resource management and environmental sustainability, Jo bought herself awelder for her 50th birthday and taught herself to weld from YouTube tutorials.

Over several years,Johas developedasolid following on socialmediawhere she regularly posts videos of the creation of her lifelike metal sculptures, giving an insight into the meticulous planning,preparation and effortthat goes into fabricating large sculptures.

Cindy Chinn is aprolific artist of international

renown for herbreadth of artworksfrom large scale murals, to microscopic carvings of herdsof bison in the lead of carpenters pencils, to plasma cut scenesinold saw blades,and spectacular metal sculptures. Her creative output and imagination are boundless. Cindy and her business partner have worked for several years to convert the beautiful three storey brick historic schoolhouse in Chester intoaseries of studios and accommodationhousing ‘The Center of Creativity’.

“Cindy obviously clicked with our similar styles of capturing anatomicalplausibility and character in our artworks across arange of materials. Iam so thrilled she invited me to spend time with her in her studio,” Jo said.

Jo will be sharing her experiences during her art residency in the Midwest via her Facebook and Instagram accounts: Jo Caminiti Artist.

Worldstage: Cowwarr artist Jo Caminiti has takenher metalwork sculpting skills to theUSA Photograph supplied

Retelling Cook’sjourney from First Nations Perspectives

MOST Australiansfrom school children to seniors know the story of Captain Cook’s voyage along the East Coast of Australia, charting and describing the land and its people.

But how many know the same story from the perspective of those on the shore?

The Gunaikurnai people of Gippsland were the first people to see the Endeavour - and in their tellings they discovered Cook. They also began the chain of smoke signalsand message sticks that were carriedall the way up the coast to the Torres Strait, warning other peoplesofthis strange vessel.

Anew book, Warra Warra Wai,tells those stories from the many different Indigenous people who lived along the East Coast, putting back the original names and creation stories to landscapes that Cook renamed.

For instancethe first landmark charted by Cook, Point Hicks, was known as Munda Bubal and Tolywiarar to the local people.

Gunditjmara-Gunaikurnaiauthor Darren Rix, and his collaborator Dr Craig Cormick, travelled

more than 4000 kilometres, from Gippsland up to the Torres Strait islands, talking to First Nations people to learn what stories they told of the coming of Cook and his impact.

The book involved deep research in the archives as well as many oral histories, often correcting longheld assumptions. For instance, the phrase ‘Warra Warra Wai’, which were the first words called to Cook as he attempted to land at Kamay (Botany Bay) was long believed to mean, ‘go away’ -but is more accurately translated as ‘you are all dead’. This was areference to abelief the light-skinned Europeans were spirits, or ghost people.

Co-author Dr Craig Cormick said, “Most people we talked to said, yes we have stories of Cook but what we really want to tell is truth-telling."

“So the book alsoincludes stories of dispossession and violencethat areintegraltoany understanding of First Nations history.

“However the book also contains stories of hope, such as language and cultural revitalisation and returning to Country.”

Craig Cormick and Darren Rix said storytelling was important to better understand the nation's shared history from both the black and white perspectives.

Karen Mundine, the chief executive of Reconciliation Australia, has said of the book, “If we are to build better relationships and mature as anation, these are the stories that Australians need to hear.”

Warra Warra Wai: How Indigenous Australians discovered Captain Cook, and what they tell about thecoming of the Ghost People is available from Simon and Schuster Australia.

Visit https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/ books for more information.

Knowledge: Anew book has been released explaining the links between the Gunaikurnai people of Gippsland and CaptainCook. Photograph supplied

Creating safeplacesfor people on the spectrum

BY KATRINABRANDON

MORWELL mother and daughter Sharon Axen and Rhi Skye have created an onlinesocial group for peopleonthe spectrum.

The Facebook groupSocial/Friendship/ Dating For PeopleOnThe Spectrum aims to createasafeplace to socialise, make friends and date

TheideacamefromMsAxen, whohas two sonsonthe spectrum, and findingthat usual datingsites and apps weren'taccommodating.

“I havefoundthat thereare alot of parents that feel the same as me, thatthere is nowhere for our 18 to 30, which is our group bracket, there is nowhere for them to go,nowhere safe for them to seek out and make friendships, and to have romantic relationships,” shesaid.

“We want asupportiveenvironmentfor our young peopleand our parents, teaching our young people to communicate and pick up on those social cues, whichsometimes can be quite difficult whenyou are on the spectrum.”

To keep everyone involved safe, Ms Axensaid activities such as singles nights and catch-ups areheavily monitored.Some activities include an introduction to Dungeons &Dragons,chess, gaming and trivia.

Participants can share their hobbies and interests within the groupsothat otherson the spectrum who have the same passions can interact withthem. This creates opportunities for relationships, friends or otherwise. Group members come from as far as LakesEntrance, Warragul, and South Gippsland, and the group has alreadyreachedmore than 80 members

within amonth.

Ms Axen andMsSkyesaidthey havebeen happy withthe turnout.

“We have had quite afew adults over the age of 30 wanting to join,soitiscertainly something that Ihave on the backburner if there is aneed forit,” Ms Axen said.

“Unfortunately, at the moment,wehave had to say no because it is quite specific, and maybe later, we will do an oldergroup for people on the spectrumwho need to find and want to find social groups and activities to do.”

Support: Sharon Axen and herdaughter Rhi Skye have co-created asocial group for people living on thespectrum. Photograph supplied

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

“

Business case will look at expanding the line

WALHALLAGoldfieldsRailwaywillreceive$200,000

as part of the Enabling Tourism Fund 2024.

The project will develop acomprehensive business case for the reconstruction, commercial operation and income diversification of the Erica-Thomson section of the Walhalla Goldfields Railway.

The businesscase will be done in partnership with CollaborativeEvaluation and Research Centre(CERC) at FederationUniversity Gippsland campus,under the guidance of aprojectcontrol group to conduct the body of work.

CERC has amultidisciplinary team that has the flexibility and resources to undertake the project.

Professor Joanne Porter will lead the project team and be supported by the Walhalla Goldfields Railway Inc Board.

It is hoped the development of the business case will eventually lead to an expansion of the railway line from Walhalla to Erica.

Walhalla Goldfields Railway President Greg Hansford said funding for the business case was ahugely positive step forward.

"This is fantastic news for Gippsland," he said.

Mr Hansford reported demand for the current tourist railway in Walhalla was"through the roof", with some 3000 extra passengers using the train compared to this time last year.

Aparticipatory research and evaluation approach will be utilised in collaborationwithkey stakeholders, local residents and community groups during consultation through the business case for the project, which has been titled 'Rails to Gold'.

The Walhalla GoldfieldsRailwayisanot-forprofit organisation, and everyone involved does so in avoluntary capacity.

If complete, it is envisaged families will be able to leave their cars in Erica, jump on the train and avoid driving through the winding roads into Walhalla.

This project is one of 29 new infrastructure projects across the state’s regional and rural areas benefiting from the state government's Enabling Tourism Fund 2024.

Memberfor Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing welcomed the funding.

“This funding is ahugewin for Gippsland and theWalhalla Goldfields Railway Inc," she said.

"It will not only create local jobs in the area for the future but will also deliver many economic benefits across the region.

“Creating new and exciting tourism infrastructure projects across EasternVictoriawill go a long waytostrengthen our world-class tourism offering, ensuringa strong local economy well into thefuture.”

CommBank Awards launched to celebrate local businesses

LATROBE City Business Chamber (LCBC)

is excited to announcethe launch of the 2024 CommBankPeople’sChoice Awards, an initiative designed to celebrate and recognise the outstanding contributions of local businesses within the Latrobe City region.

“We are thrilledtopartner with CommBank to present the 2024 People’s Choice Awards,” said Peter Ceeney, President of the Latrobe City Business Chamber.

“These awards are afantastic way to showcase the diverse range of businesses in our community and celebrate their achievements. It’s also aunique opportunity for the public to have their say and support their favourite local businesses.”

The CommBank People’s Choice Awards aims to raise awareness aboutthe vitalrole that businesses and tourism playinstrengthening the Latrobe City economy.

By highlighting excellence in customer service, the awards not only recognise those who go above and beyond, but also encourage all businesses to strive for the highest standards in service delivery.

In addition to recognising business excellence, the awards provide aplatform for local businesses to showcase their products and services to awider audience.

“The CommBankPeoples Choice Awards is an

opportunity to foster networking opportunities between local businesses and community organisations, which strengthenstiesand encourages collaboration throughout the region," Mr Ceeney said.

This year's award categories include: hospitality, accommodation, retail, hair and beauty, wellness, homebased and mobile business, new business, manufacturing and trades, First Nations owned business and sporting clubs.

There is also individual awards categories including: employer of choice, touristattraction, community event and community service.

Nominations for the 2024 CommBank People’s Choice Awards are now open, and thepublic is encouragedtoparticipate by voting for their favourite businesses via the Latrobe City Facebook page at facebook.com/latrobechamber

For more information on how to nominate, vote, or become asponsor of this event, visit www.lcbc. org.au or call the Chamber on 0407 589 564.

The Latrobe City Business Chamberisanorganisation dedicated to supporting the growth and development of businesses in the Latrobe Valley. Through advocacy, education, and networking, the Chamber provides aplatform for local businesses to connect, collaborate, and thrive.

Coal protectionoverlays are “outdated”:Cameron

MEMBER for Morwell, MartinCameron,has urged the Allan Labor government to review “outdated” coal protection overlays across the Latrobe Valley that are blocking economic development.

Addressing the Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny, Mr Cameron said existing coal-related planning provisions across the Latrobe Valley that were introducedtopreserve coal resources more than 40 years ago must be reviewed so major projects can get underway.

“Some of these coal overlaysare outdated, obsolete, and they are stifling development right across the region,” Mr Cameron said.

“The overlaysare preventing construction of the Traralgon bypass, development of the South East Traralgon Precinct, locking up land in Morwell and Hazelwood North, and wasting hundreds of hectares of land that could be used for housing.”

In May, responding to an earlier call for areview of the 40-year-old coal overlays, the Minister described them as “contemporary”.

“It is not good enough that the Minister refuses to revisit and review thesecoal overlay provisions, and the argument they are still relevant is flawed and contradictory,” Mr Cameron said.

“In 2018, Labor removed coal overlaysaltogether on 18 square kilometres in Morwell South. It said the coal overlays were "introduced when it was envisaged the Latrobe Valley would have many more power stations”

“The former Planning Minister said review of the coal overlays “is about modernising planning provisionsintheValleytosupporteconomicdevelopment”.

“We cannotwait until the Latrobe Valley’smines are rehabilitated to get on with shoring up our future," Mr Cameron said.

“I’m againurgingthe Minister for Planning to

commit to areview of the coal overlays across the Valley and, if appropriate, rezone parcels of land that can be used to deliver major projects.”

The office of Sonya Kilkenny said Future planning scheme reviews in the Latrobe Valley will be informed by technical studies and assessments of geotechnical risks.

The final size and shape of the Loy Yang mine void and the remediation works required at the site aren’t yet known. This will play afactor in any future review of the coal overlay.

TUESDAY24SEPTEMBER

James Eden turns 8

Amber Freeman turns 7

WEDNESDAY25SEPTEMBER

Leticia-Rose Kelly turns 11

Owen Heily turns 9

Charlie Whitehead turns 9

Ava Sawyer turns 9

SATURDAY28SEPTEMBER

Isabella Michaelides turns 12

FRIDAY27SEPTEMBER

Amelia Parry turns 12

William Harding turns 11

Ava Cassar turns 7

Maleah Bertoli turns 11

Tamara Jolley turns 10

Max Vodden turns 7

Joey Chalmers turns 3

SUNDAY29SEPTEMBER

Scarlette Williams turns 5

Dreamingbig: Walhalla Goldfields Railwayhopes to extend thelineall theway to Erica. Photograph supplied

Get your nominations in: TheLatrobe CityBusiness Chamber has launchedthe People’s Choice Awards in anumber of categories to recognise outstanding businesses in the region. Photograph supplied

Jazz club

MOE Latrobe Valley Jazz Club will feature Melbourne band Whisky 'n Ice at its next function

The function will be held at Moe RSL this Sunday (September 29) from 1pm to 4pm.This is the first appearanceinMoe forthis band, which proved very popular at the recentMerimbula Jazz Festival.

For enquiries, phone Bruce on 0427 743 516.

Remembrance picnic

BEREAVED ParentsofGippsland are hosting aremembrance picnic for thoseaffected by pregnancy and infant loss.

The picnic will take place at Blue Rock Lake, WillowGrove on Saturday, October 19 from2pm.

Those attending can bring apicnic, while a flower release will be held to remember little ones no longer with us.

Children, family and friends welcome.

Register your attendancebyemailing bereavedparentsgippsland@gmail.com

Photo of interest

THE next topic of interest for members and friends of the Mid Gippsland Family History Society and others who may be thinking about researching their family tree is ‘Bringaphoto or artifact of interest relatingtoyour family history, and share it’s story'.

This will be an informal gathering, and should bring interesting stories about the subject matter brought along.

The meeting be held in the research centre at 44 Albert Street,Moe commencing at 2pm tomorrow (Thursday, September 26).

All welcome. Afternoon tea will followthe talk. The research room is open to the public each Wednesday afternoon between 1pm-4pm.

For further information, phone 0403 611 730.

RedCross round-up

MORWELL District Red Cross enjoyed an overwhelmingresponse to its annual fundraiser.

The day’s festivities began at 1.30pm in the Yinnar and DistrictMemorial Hall with aTry and Buy Fashion Show, followed by adelicious spread of afternoon tea baked by Red Cross members and served by members of Yinnar and District Memorial Hall Committee.

Withmorethan100peopleinattendanceandover

$5000 of clothes sold, the day sure was awinner.

Morwell DistrictRed Cross had two lucky door prize winners, the first being a$100postie voucher to use on the day and the second lucky winner received aRed Cross cookbook.

All proceedsfrom the day went towards the Great Cake Bake as well as 2024 Overseas Project -CruzVermelha de Timor-Leste.

Morwell District Red Cross meetings are held on the secondWednesdayofthe month in the Yinnar and District Memorial Hall at 1.30pm. New members are always welcome, so pop in and say hello.

Stoma support

DO you have an Urostomy, an Ileostomy or a Colostomy?

Okay, well there is asupport group for you. On the first Wednesday of each month, (the next gathering being October 2), the Ostomy Support Group, CoffeeBags, will meet at Moe Hotel (Leggies) in Lloyd Street, Moe from 12.30pm. This is acasual, friendly and informalgroup of Ostomates who gather to eat, drinkand exchange information in arelaxed and private setting. The group meets in the Saloon Bar Room of Leggies. For more information, call Sue Graham on 0415 751 145.

Chessresults

FORTUNESchangedfor Peter Bakker, who resigned in the first battle of Latrobe Valley Chess last week.

CommunityCorner with Liam Durkin

Ian Hamilton forfeited astrong position in two games and finished with awin against Ben Jackson, who had succeeded in the tacticalbattles against three other opponents.

Steve Ahern returnedtothe winners list when he metEmma Jackson.

The risks taken by Gerrard Dyke proved to be too dangerous.

Rohan Dyke found awin againstHannah Jackson who made major mistakes.

The strugglewas too difficult in most games for CliffThornton, but he defeated Hannah Jackson.

Phone Cliff Thornton on 0413 330 458 or Ian Hamilton (0400 221649) formore information regarding local chess.

Socialballroomdancing lessons

JOINLatrobeValley Dance Promotions Inc each

Thursday evening, including school holidays, at theGirl GuidesHall, (18Margaret Street, Morwell) for an evening of dancing, learning new skills, rehashing old ones and making new friends.

Lessons start at 7pm and finish up about 10pm.

Cost is $5 per person each night.

FollowLatrobe ValleyDance Promotions Inc on Facebook for more information, or phone Norm on 0428 543 737 or Lynda (0428 489 041).

Bridge results

TRARALGON Bridge Club results:

Monday, September 16 -1st HelenMcAdam and Moira Hecker (77.5 per cent); 2nd Heather Watt and Cheryl Halse (57.5).

Tuesday, September 17 -N/S 1st Geoff Dixon and John Marsiglio (67.14); 2nd Anna Field and Glenis Lohr (58.93). E/W 1st Heather Watt and Anne Howes (55.83); 2nd Roxy Lamond and Ken Tierney (54.58).

Thursday, September 19 -1st Greg Nicholson and Kaye Douglas (65.1); 2nd John Marsiglio and Glenis Lohr (62.5).

If you would like to play or learn more about Bridge,phoneTraralgonBridge Club President, Greg Nicholson on 0419 365 739.

Moe Meditation Group

THE Moe Meditation Group offersanintroduction to breath and movement practices to calm your body andmind. Getaheadstartand acalmer mind for arelaxed holiday season coming up.

The group meets in the Narracan Hall at the Gippsland Heritage Park (Old Gippstown) Moe from 8.30am to 9.30am Wednesday mornings. For more information, email clem@asia.com or phone 0427 262 064.

Cost is $5 per session.

Latrobe Valley U3A

WOULD you liketoknow more about Home Care Packages?

An information sessionwill be presentedat the Morwell Library on Tuesday, October 15 at 10.30am.

Places are limited, so book your seat by Friday, October 11 by texting or phoning 0493 478 044.

Get Together

GET Together is an open space for conversation and community.

The group will meet Wednesday, October 2at 10aminthe TraralgonUniting Park Lane foyer. This will be atimewhenyou can meet and chat with others over acuppa. For moreinformation, phone 5174 2398 or 5177 8107.

Comeand tryCroquet

TRARALGONCroquet Club is hosting acome andtry day.

If you would like to have atry of croquet, here is your chance. Visit66-110McNairn Road, Traralgon on Sunday, October 6between 10am and 2pm.

All equipment will be provided, just wear flat shoes.

The club is located next to TraralgonRacecourse at Glenview Park.

Animalfundraiser

FOR the third year running, Companion Pet Care will be holding its major fundraiser, which is an Animal WelfareMarket and Pets Day Out, on Tuesday, November 5(Melbourne Cup Day).

The fundraiserwill be heldinthe park in Boolarra Avenue, Newboroughfrom 9am to 1pm.

Companion Pet Care is seeking anyone with a food or market stall or afood truck, who would like to be apartofthis increasingly popular market, to come and join by registering their interest with Amy at sales@fatcatcoffeeroasters. com Companion Pet Care,aservice provided by The Ted Basarke Mercy Foundation,isa Valleybased charity, run by volunteers, who fundraise to subsidise veterinary care for the companion pets of people facing financialbarriers.

All proceeds from this market will go to Companion Pet Care to distribute back into the community.

Find the group on Facebookorvia email at basarkefoundation@gmail.com

Tramps ride

TRAMPS (Traralgon and Morwell Pedallers Inc.) met at Traralgon and rode along the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail to Glengarry.

The ride then continued on to Tyers. There was ahead wind all the way to Toms Bridge, then eventually the group rode along the path beside Waterhole Creek to Kernot Hall for lunch.

Riders saw the destructionofmanytrees along the way due to the recent storm. The return to Traralgon along the Morwell-Traralgon path was quite pleasant with atailwind.

TRAMPS welcomes new riders. For more information visit www.tramps.org.au or phone Paul on 0459 823 422 or Vance (0403 662 288).

Cancer group fundraisers

TRARALGON Cancer Volunteer Group's next Bunnings barbecuewill be heldthis Friday (September 27) in Traralgon. Come and grab yourself afamous Cancer Council sausage!

The groups Pink Ribbon afternoon tea is scheduled for Sunday, October 6atthe Traralgon Tennis Club (ticketed event).

Ticketscost$35 per person, and there will be ascrumptious afternoon tea served, with entertainment by Gavin Chatelier.

There will be raffles, trading table and plants to buy.

Tickets are available through clothing store Thomas and Jean (name of business) at 95 SeymourStreet Traralgon.

Annualdinner

THE Sir FrankMacfarlane Burnet Annual Dinner and Address will be heldWednesday, October23from6.30pm at the Vine and View Vineyard, Traralgon. Guest speaker is Dr Lisa Mielke, who is aLaboratory Head at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute.

Bookingand payment prior to the event are essential by Wednesday, October 9.

For more information, phone Doug Caulfield on 0409 008 494.

Yellow shirts a-okay at Traf

TRAFALGAR High School students and staff took part in RUOKDay? RU OK Day?takes place annually, heightening awareness surrounding positivemental health.

While every dayisaday to asksomeone 'are you okay?' the designated RUOKDay has becomerecognised as the day to increase efforts.

Trafalgar High School invited students to add asplash of yellow to their uniformfor RU OK Day? Students responded witha wide range of accessories from yellow scarfs to Richmond Tigers footy jumpers. At thefirst lunch break, students could get afreeyellow (caramel) milkshake in return for agreeing to check in with apeer.

Great work: Trafalgar High School

Principal BrettPedlow and Student WelfareManagerWombat Lyons showing theirsupportonRUOkayDay?

Photograph supplied

Young by name, senior by nature

CITY of Traralgon Band youngest member, Isabella Young (nine-years-old) won the Carole Ingwesren Encouragement Award at the Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod.

Isabella played the cornet in the brass section, and is also studying piano.

Isabella’s mum Suzy firstregistered Isabella on the City of Traralgon Band Training Program list when she was six-months-old. Band president Alan Wilson congratulated Izzy on her achievements.

“We are so proud of Izzy in winning this award, on how she has progressed and also presents herself as amember of the band," he said.

PostCOVIDlockdowns, the band has received anumberofrequests from all ages to join its Training Program.

Aspecial 'Come and Try' day coordinated by the band's senior member Caitlyn Dinsdale, will be held at the old Traralgon Court House on Saturday, October 26.

The City of Traralgon Band will also be performingatthe GPAC forecourtonthis day from 9.30am to 10.30am as part of the Traralgon Lions Club Farmers Market, which willbeanopportunityfor potential new members to see and listen to the band playing.

HOROSCOPES

by Joanne Madeline Moore

September 23 -September 29, 2024

With the Sun and Venus visiting your sign th s week, you’ l find confidence and charm are a winning combinat on It’s also a wonderful time to boost your self-esteem with a physica makeover, tap into your latent talents, and believe n yourself Even when other people disagree with you and the go ng gets tough! So your motto for the moment is from L bran birthday great, Olivia Newton-John: “When things go wrong focus on the positive th ngs in your l fe ”

cted So be pat ent and avoid mak ng any important long-term dec sions until things settle down The rest of the week ooks promising, as the universe prov des an opportunity for you to do something creat ve or learn something new Make the most of or g na , nnovative Uranus transiting through your sign!

Are you making the most of Jupiter jumping through your sign? The planet of good fortune s transiting through Gemini for another nine months And then it won’t be back aga n for eleven years So don’t rest on your love y laurels! It’s t me to turn dynamic opportunit es nto productive, prosperous projects Ultimately, it’s up to you B rthday great Bruce Springsteen (who turns 75 on Monday) reminds us: “When it comes to uck, you make your own ”

Calling all Crabs! It’s time to connect with co leagues, clients and customers at work, plus fami y and friends within your local commun ty as you talk, text, tweet, publish, podcast or post up a storm Other people are expecting you to come up with some clever ideas and smart so utions so put on your thinking cap Cancer! And don’t persist with outdated o d ways of doing things Be proactive about initiat ng adventurous and perceptive new strategies

You could find you’re walking on a financia or communication t ghtrope this week! W th the planets stirring up your money and intimacy zones, you’re primed for a spontaneous spend ng spree or a relationship gl tch In order to avoid messy problems, make sure you pause before you spend – and think before you speak There could also be some confl ct between working/studying c ose to home and travel ing/venturing farther afie d Ba ance is the key

Virgo folk prefer things to run smoothly but there’s confusing planetary energy about this week, and carefully aid plans could veer off in unexpected d rections Which could be wonderfu or stressful, depending on the c rcumstances Whatever happens, drop the perfect y planned schedule and go with the flow When it comes to money matters, joint finances, taxes or trust issues, avoid being uncharacterist cally rash Slow down and take a second look

On Monday, resist the temptat on to retreat inwards (and be moody and myster ous) to cover up your emot onal insecurities Clear and honest communication (with yourself and others) w ll get you a lot further than su ky Scorp o behaviour! Are you overdue for some creature comforts and a touch of uxe? ndulgent Venus vis ts your sign from Monday until October 17 So raid your p ggy bank and treat yourself to a restaurant meal or some indulgent body pampering

Are you wasting time worrying about all the ‘What f’s?’ Stop stressing and nstead, be proactive Regard ng a work matter or a job interview crank up the charm and original ideas Wednesday and Thursday are the best days to contemplate a current problem and come up with an innovative, perceptive plan As writer (and birthday great) F Scott Fitzgerald observed: “Either you think – or else others have to think for you and take power from you ”

This week is al about travel education and communication as Mercury links up w th curious Uranus and perceptive Pluto (in your sign) t’s also time to dream big – and often – as the p anets activate your hopes, dreams and wishes zone Be nsp red by real ife Superman, birthday great Christopher Reeve: “So many of our dreams at first seem mposs b e, then they seem improbab e And then, when we summon the w ll, they soon become inevitable ”

Restless Uranus and curious Mercury boost your bohemian side and your adventurous nature You’re itching to explore! But – f you are overly impulsive and vague (especially on Wednesday) - you could find yourself involved in a confusing argument, a financia fiasco or a domestic drama Astute Aquarians w ll choose creative prob em-solving over unpredictable shenanigans, as you slow down and think th ngs through before proceed ng

You love to chat, converse and communicate about your dreams and plans for the future However, sometimes you can confuse talking about someth ng with actually doing t! If you think things through and then act with passion and purpose, the week will go well But f you don’t walk your talk, then expect delays, disappointments and/or uncertainty Be inspired by music legend (and birthday great) Bruce Springsteen: “Ta k about a dream and then make t real ”

COPYRIGHT Joanne Made ine Moore 2024

Collaboration: Latrobe Catchment LandcareOfficer Caroline Hammondwith CommunityCollege Gippslandstudents BryceMundy,JessiahCollins,LukeMarchionne (facing camera) and CCG HorticultureTrainer,TonyBundock. Photograph supplied

Sustainabilty front of mind for students

COMMUNITY College Gippsland's (CCG) Certificate II in Horticulture students recently participated in an enriching and interactive workshop focused on sustainable horticulture practices

The workshop,led by Latrobe Catchment Landcare Network Facilitator and Project Officer, Caroline Hammond, and the West Gippsland Seedbank group, provided students with hands-on experience in seed harvesting and propagation.

The workshop began with an informative session where students learned about the sustainable methods used by the West Gippsland Seedbank team to collect seeds from native areas. These seeds are then supplied to growers for propagation and the eventual production of new tubestock plants.

The students were actively involved in identifying various plant types and applying seed removal techniques.

“It was agreat interactiveexperiencefor the students as partoftheir studies, and the seed they harvested will be sown by the same studentsas part of our growing program,which willallow them to see the full production cycle,” CCG Horticultural trainer, Tony Bundock said.

“It was such afun projecttodo, but not only that, it was wonderfultosee how the students embraced all aspects of the project," Ms Hammond added.

"I certainly hopethatthe Learning with Landcare project can continue to connect the students with this aspect of Horticulture for years to come."

Following the workshop, students took part in

atree-planting exercise on the CCG Warragul campus grounds. Under the guidance of Ms Hammond and the Latrobe Catchment Network, studentsplanted 244 native plants, deepening their connection to the local environment and their understanding of horticultural practices.

The Certificate II in Horticulture course at CCG comprises students from several local schools, including Kurnai College, Mirboo North Secondary College, WarragulRegionalCollege, Drouin Secondary College, Chairo Christian School, Marist Sion College, and ECG Secondary College. This diverse groupofstudents bringsa broad range of perspectives and experiences to the program, enhancing their learning and collaboration.

CCG Business Development Manager, Den Lim expressed gratitude for the collaboration.

“We are very grateful for the donation and support provided by Latrobe Catchment Landcare and Baw Baw Shire’s rural tree grant," she said.

"The planting session allowed our students to workcollaboratively.Theygained knowledgeof horticulture and were able to name native plant species afterwards.It’spleasing to partner with local organisations such as Landcare to provide hands-on experience for our students.”

The event not only provided valuable practical learning, but also fostered asense of stewardship for the environment among the students, equipping them with skills essential for asustainable future in horticulture.

YOUNG Victorians are being encouraged to have their say on issues that matter to them at next year’s YMCA Victoria Youth Parliament.

scheme, mandatory wearing of bikehelmets, banning the sale of soft drinks in government schools and neutral school uniforms.

Minister for Youth Natalie Suleyman opened applications for the 2025 YMCA Victoria Youth Parliament, and called for young people across thestate to apply.

The state government is investing more than $165,000 to support the program, which will give 120 young Victorians aged 16 to 25 the opportunity to experience the parliamentary process first-hand.

The program also includes the YMCA Victoria YouthPress Gallery,which providesyoung people interested in journalism with an opportunity to develop political journalism, photography, videography and social media skills.

The Youth Press Gallery is responsible for developing and publishing content for arange of media outlets, including SBS and the ABC, managing social media,and shooting and editingfootage of debates.

Participants will draft,debateand vote on bills in athree-dayintensive sitting held in chambers of the Victorian Parliament in July next year.

Bills that pass Youth Parliament are presented to government for consideration.

The YMCA Victoria Youth Parliament has been empoweringyoung peopletohave their voices heard since 1987.

Applications are open until October 13.

Youth Parliament has helped shape more than Victorian laws, includin recycling

For moreinformationortoapply, visit vicyouth u/learning-and-leadership

TheGuide

FBI

10, Sunday, 8.30pm

AFL GRANDFINAL PRE-GAME

Seven, Saturday, noon

While exactly which AFL superstars will battle it out forthe flag was still TBD at time of press, what we can tell youisthat it’swell worth tuninginearlytocatch this year’s pre-matchentertainment Katy Perry’sgravity-defying,sci-fi themedmedley of her g greatesthits (including “Dark Horse”, “I Kissed aGirl” and “California Gurls”) at the recentMTV VMAs is hopefully a sign of good thingstocome forher MCG performance, with the international popstar (pictured) joined on the lineup by Aussie singer,actor andswimmer Cody Simpson; national treasureChristine Anu and her daughter Zipporah Corser-Anu; and, of course,MikeBrady,who returns to the hallowedturftoperform “UpThereCazaly”

Youcan count on villainy,violence and valour in any given US police procedural but,justlikeinreal life, justice is notsecured. In tonight’s season finale,there’ssolace for grieving Special Agent Tiffany Wallace (Katherine ReneeKane). In this season’s shocking opener, Trevor Hobbs (Roshawn Franklin) wasgunneddown by aSomalian terroristgroup.Now,inacircular turn of events, the team is on the hunt when the group resurfaces. It’sagratifying conclusion to this sombreseason that affords Tiffany closure. “It kept me on my toes until the very lastsecond,”Kane reveals. “And it will absolutely keep our viewers on their toes in the same sense.”It’sthe much-needed conclusion to this dark chapter.

ROB & ROMESH VS SBS Viceland, Monday, 8.30pm

In thisboisterous series, British comicsRob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan (both pictured) unabashedlyplay the foolsasthey trytolearn new skillsina very amusing (read: unconvincing) way. They also hang with and interviewadiverse rangeofcelebrities from TV,art and sport.Intonight’sseason three premiere, they get to know British sportinglegend SirAndyMurray gatecrashinga shootfor his new sportswear range. The funnymen arepushed to their limitsina tennis training session and there’sphysicalcomedy galorewhen they join Andy forhis favourite hobby: road cycling.Upcoming instalments include Alan Carr and the finesse of drag alongwith aspotofgolfatthe iconic St Andrew’s.

Wednesday, September 25

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

SEVEN (7,6)

PICK OF THE WEEK

MusicloverZan Rowe, who has forged astellar career on screen after starting outinradio,has a wonderfully warm interviewing style that inspires her subjects to open up.Tonight,she returns with the thirdseasonofher fascinating forayintothe soundtrack of celebrities’lives. Themagic and emotion of songs is celebratedasguests including Powderfinger’s BernardFanning, Bump’s

Claudia Karvan, comic Bill Bailey andCrowdedHouse’s Neil Finn unwrap the memoriesand passions behind fiveoftheir favourite tunes. But first, YoungTalentTimealum and TV presenter Dannii Minogue (pictured, right,with Rowe) sits down foranilluminatingheart-to-heartthat delves into her love of music and performing, howshe has coped with the lossofa close friend and even shares what wasgoingonbehind the scenes of sister Kylie’s cancer battle

NINE (9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Four Corners.(R) 11.00 Guy Montgomery’sGuy MontSpellingBee. (PG R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 National Press Club Address 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 1.55 Anh’s Brush WithFame. (PG, R) 2.25 Back Roads. (PG,R) 2.55 The Homes That Built Australia. (PG, R) 3.50 Love Your Garden. (PG, R) 4.40 Grand Designs. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

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

7.30 7.30 8.00 Shaun Micallef’s EveOfDestruction. (PG) Hosted by Shaun Micallef

8.40 Guy Montgomery’sGuy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG) Presented by Guy Montgomery

9.30 Planet America. Hosted by John Barron and Chas Licciardello

10.00 WouldI Lie To You? (PG,R) 10.30 ABC Late News.

10.45 The Business. (R) 11.00 Austin. (PG, R) 12.00 Grand Designs. (R) 12.50 KillingEve (MA15+v,R) 1.30 Love Your Garden. (PG, R) 2.20 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.30 Catalyst. (R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

And The Kimoja Heroes. 4.30 Mecha Builders. 4.40 Peter Rabbit. 4.55 Bluey. 5.00 Peppa Pig. 5.15 Hey Duggee. 5.25 Builder Brothers Dream Factory 5.35 Fireman Sam. 5.45 Shaun TheSheep 5.55 Octonauts 6.05

JAnd

Cuz. 6.20 Bluey 6.25 Paddington. 6.40

And

6.50 Kiri And Lou. 6.55 Supertato 7.05

TEN (10, 5)

6am Morning Programs. 9.00 Paul O’Grady: ForThe Love Of Dogs. (PGa,R) 10.00 Inside The Steam Train Museum. (PG, R) 10.50 The Lost World Of JosephBanks. (Mv, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World NewsTonight. 1.00PBS News 2.00 Dateline. (R) 2.30 Insight. (R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour 3.40 The Cook Up.(R) 4.10 Queen Victoria:Love,LustAnd Leadership.(R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters AndNumbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorningShow. (PG) 11.30 SevenMorning News. 12.00 My KitchenRules. (PGl, R) 1.35 BorderSecurity: International (PG, R) 2.05 Catch Phrase. (PG, R) 3.00 TheChase (R) 4.00 SevenNewsAt4 5.00 TheChase Australia. 6.00 Today 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 TheBlock.(PGl,R) 1.15 CountryHouse Hunters Australia. (R) 1.45 Innovation Nation. 2.00 Pointless. (PG) 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 The Talk.(PGa) 7.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 TheGreatKiller Smog. (Ma) Part 1of2

9.25 Miniseries: TheSixth Commandment. (Mal) Part 4of4.Asthe case comestocourt, the victims’families discoverthe truthofwhat happened.

10.30 SBS World News Late. 11.00 El Immortal: Gangs Of Madrid. (MA15+ds) 12.50 Wisting (MA15+a, R) 2.35 Miniseries: Safe Home. (Mal, R) 3.35 Make Me ADealer.(R) 4.25 Peer To Peer.(PGv R) 4.55 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANCPhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home AndAway. (PGav)

7.30 My Kitchen Rules (PGl) Hosted by Colin Fassnidge and ManuFeildel. 9.05 TalkingFooty:Grand Final Special Trent Cotchin, JoelSelwood and Mitch Clearypresent the AFL news and analysis ahead of the Grand Final 10.05 CodeBlue: One Punch Killers. (Premiere, Madv) Takes alook at one-punch killings. 11.05 TheLatest: SevenNews. 11.35 Chicago Fire. (Mav) 12.35 Stan Lee’sLucky Man. (MA15+av) 1.35 Harry’sPractice. (R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News

7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 TheBlock. (PGl) Charlotte snoops on the other team’s bathrooms.

8.40 Human Error (Mlv) The team races to identifythe realtarget. 9.40 Footy Classified. (Mal) Footy expertstackle theAFL’s big issues 10.50 9News Late.

11.15 Law&Order: Organized Crime. (Mav)

12.00 Tipping Point. (PG,R) 1.00 Hello SA (PG) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop.(R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory.(PGa) 4.30 ACurrent Affair.(R) 5.00 TodayEarly News. 5.30 Today

7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun TheSheep 7.35 The Inbestigators 7.50 Operation Ouch! 8.20 BTN Newsbreak. 8.25 Doctor Who 10.00 Merlin. 10.45 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. 11.30 Yu-Gi-Oh!

6am

2.15 Widows’Peak. (1994, PG) 4.10 Skating To New York. (2013,PG) 5.50 Without AClue. (1988,PG) 7.50 Stockholm. (2018,M) 9.30 AHard Day’s Night. (1964,PG) 11.10 Dom Hemingway.(2013,MA15+) 12.50am DatingAmber.(2020,M) 2.30 The Orphanage.(2019,M,Dari) 4.05 The Duke. (2020, M) 5.55 TheMovie Show

9GO! (93, 82)

Pokémon. 6am Mark Berg’sFishing Addiction. 7.00 Step Outside WithPaul Burt. 7.30 Creek To Coast. 8.00 America’sGame: The Super Bowl Champions. 9.00 AFootball Life. 10.00 Storage Wars 10.30 AmericanRestoration. 11.00 American Pickers. Noon Outback Truckers. 1.00 Deadliest Roads. 3.00 Billy TheExterminator 3.30 Storage Wars:Texas. 4.30 Storage Wars 5.00 American Restoration. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.00 Football. AFL Women’s.Week 5. Carlton vNorth Melbourne 9.15 World’sWildest PoliceVideos. 11.15 Police Custody USA 12.15am Swamp People. 1.30 Late Programs.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. 6.30 TheProject 7.30 Thank God You’re Here. (ls) HostedbyCeliaPacquola. 8.40 Inspired Unemployed (Impractical)Jokers. (Maln) The jokers get convincing in abakery then gethopping mad at the zoo and bare all in the punishment 9.10 NCIS (Mv,R)NCIS comesunder attack from an old enemy. 10.10 10’s Late News. 10.35 TheProject (R) 11.35 TheLate Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 12.30 Home Shopping.(R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

TAKE 5WITH ZAN ROWE ABC TV, Tuesday, 8 30pm

Thursday, September 26

ABC (2) SBS (3)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News

Mornings. 10.00 Australian Story.(R) 10.45 Compass. (PG, R) 11.15 Outback Musical. (PG,R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 The Assembly.(PG,R) 2.00 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.30 Back Roads. (R) 3.00 The HomesThat Built Australia. (PG, R) 3.55 The Assembly.(PG, R) 4.40 Grand Designs.(PG, R) 5.30 AntiquesRoadshow. (R) 6am MorningPrograms. 10.50 Looking For Rembrandt. (PGa,R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 SuchWas Life.(R) 2.10 History Of Britain. (PGa, R) 3.00 Railway Journeys UK. (R) 3.35 Plat Du Tour 3.40 The Cook Up.(R) 4.10 QueenVictoria: Love, LustAnd Leadership.(PGas, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

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

6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.30 GreatAustralian Walks: TheBay Trail. (PG) Susie Youssef hits The BayTrail.

8.25 National ParksFromAbove: Scotland (Premiere, PGa) Takes alookatCairngorms National Park in Scotland, arugged expanse of mountains, forests andlochs.

9.20 Paris Has Fallen. (Premiere)

Aclose protection officer is thrown into action following an attackon theBritish embassyinParis.

10.10 SBSWorld NewsLate.

(PG, R) 12.10 KillingEve (MA15+v,R)

12.55 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.35 Catalyst. (R) 4.30 GardeningAustralia (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

10.40 Freezing Embrace. (MA15+av)

12.20 Unbroken. (Malv, R)

2.55 Make Me ADealer (R)

3.45 Peer To Peer.(PG,R) 4.40 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World EnglishNewsMorning 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 5.55pm Octonauts. 6.05 Little JAnd Big Cuz. 6.20 Bluey 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Ben And Holly 6.50 Kiri And Lou. 6.55 Supertato 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep 7.35 The Inbestigators 7.50 Operation Ouch! 8.20 BTN Newsbreak. 8.30 The Wonderful WorldOfPuppies 9.10 72 Cutest Animals. 9.40 DoctorWho 10.25 Merlin 11.10 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22)

Morning Programs.

2.30 The CookUp. 3.00 Jarjums 3.35 Spartakus And The Sun Beneath The Sea. 4.05 Cities Of Gold. 4.35 Motown Magic. 5.00 Our Stories. 5.30 The77Percent. 6.00 Bamay. 6.30 News. 6.40 Land Of Primates. 7.30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo 8.30 The Boy, The Queen And Everything In Between. 9.30 MOVIE: NachoLibre

The WineLovers’ GuideTo Australia. 3.25 WorldWatch 5.25 The Toys ThatBuilt The World. 6.15 The EngineeringThatBuilt The World. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 United Gangs Of America. 10.20 Epstein Didn’t Kill Himself 11.55 Late Programs.

6am The Movie Show. 6.25 Without AClue. (1988,PG) 8.25 Phil Tippett: MadDreams And Monsters. (2019,PG) 10.00 Stage Mother.(2020,M) 11.45 The Duke. (2020, M) 1.30pm Every Day. (2018,PG) 3.20 The Caine Mutiny.(1954,PG) 5.40 The Cup.(2011, PG) 7.40 Arctic. (2018,M) 9.30 71.(2014,MA15+) 11.20 Seraphim Falls. (2006,MA15+) 1.30am Mad Max Fans: Beyond The Wasteland. 3.20 Late Programs. SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The MorningShow. (PG) 11.30 SevenMorning News. 12.00 My Kitchen Rules. (PGl,

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Home AndAway. (PGav) Perri goes into hiding.

8.30 TheFront Bar:Grand Final Edition. (Ml) In the lead-up to the grand final,hosts MickMolloy, Sam Pang and AndyMaher takealighter look at all things AFL and catch up with stars of yesteryear and today

10.00 DanMuggleton: White And Wrong. (MA15+dls) Stand-up performance by Daniel Muggleton.

11.30 Air Crash Investigations: Taxiway Turmoil. (PGav,R)A look at acollision between two planes.

12.30 Magnum P.I. (Mav)

1.30 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBCToday 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News.

7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 My Room GrandFinal Spectacular (PG) Eddie McGuire,Alicia Loxley, ClintStanaway and the AFLSundayFooty Showteam deliverhours of footyfun.

10.30 TheEqualizer (Mav)

Dee asks McCall forhelp.

11.30 9News Late.

12.00 Resident Alien. (Mav) Harry and Asta’s trip is interrupted.

1.00 Explore TV:Trade Routes Of TheMiddle Ages. (R) Presented by TrevorCochrane.

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

2.30 Global Shop (R) Home shopping.

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 ACurrent Affair (R) 5.00 TodayEarlyNews 5.30 Today.

9GEM

H’lights. 1.05 Young Sheldon. 1.30 IDream Of Jeannie. 2.00 Bewitched. 2.30 The Nanny 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 TheAddamsFamily 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 IDream Of Jeannie.

Friday,September 27

ABC TV (2)

SBS (3)

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8) 6am Morning Programs. 10.30 Take 5With ZanRowe. (PG, R) 11.00 Guy Montgomery’s Guy MontSpellingBee. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 JoannaLumley’sSpice Trail Adventure (PGa, R) 1.45 Guy Montgomery’sGuy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG, R) 2.35 Poh’s Kitchen. (R) 3.05 The Homes That BuiltAustralia. (R) 4.00 The Assembly.(PG, R) 4.45 GrandDesigns. (R) 5.30 AntiquesRoadshow. (R)

6am MorningPrograms. 10.00 Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out. (PGa, R) 10.50 Looking ForRembrandt. (Ms, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Such WasLife. (PG, R) 2.10 History Of Britain. (PGal, R) 3.00 NITV News: Nula. 3.30 The Cook Up.(R) 4.00 The Lakes With Simon Reeve.(PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorning Show. (PG) 11.30 SevenMorning News. 12.00 MOVIE: HaileyDean Mysteries: AWill To Kill. (2018,PGav, R) 2.00 House Of Wellness. (PG) 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 My Grandparents’War: Emeli Sandé. (PGa,R)Part 3of4

her birthplace, India. 9.20 GuyMontgomery’sGuy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG, R) Presented by Guy Montgomery.

Shaun Micallef’s Eve Of Destruction. (PG, R)

ABCLateNews.

Grand

9.25 Lost TreasuresOfAncient Rome: Herculaneum. (Final PGa, R) Takesalook at Herculaneum, an ancient Roman seaside town that wasburied in avolcanic eruption.

10.20 SBS WorldNews Late.

10.50 Soldiers. (Mals) Traore’s investigation continues.

12.35 AClass Apart. (MA15+d, R)

3.55 Make Me ADealer (R)

4.45 Destination Flavour ChinaBitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World EnglishNewsMorning 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight.

Doctor Who 10.45 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Skating To New York. Continued. (2013,PG) 6.40 TheCup.(2011, PG) 8.40 AHard Day’s Night. (1964,PG) 10.20 Stockholm. (2018,

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Better Homes AndGardens. Johanna Griggs joins Paul Maric

8.30 MOVIE: Ladies In Black. (2018,PGl, R) Ayoungwoman learnsabout lifeand love while working at adepartment store in ’50s Sydney,when immigration wasbooming andmulticulturalism wasinits formativedays. Angourie Rice, Julia Ormond, Rachael Taylor

10.45 ArmchairExperts: Grand Final Special. (PG,R)A panel discussesall things AFL 11.45 GetOn Extra. Alookat theweekend’sbestracing.

12.15 To Be Advised.

2.00 Home Shopping (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

5.00 NBC Today.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal HostedbyGrant Denyer

6.30 TheProject. Alookatthe day’snews.

7.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia. (PGl) Presented byGraeme Hall. 8.30 GoggleboxAustralia. TV fanatics open up their living rooms to reveal their reactions to popular and topical TV shows. 9.30 TheCheapSeats (Mal, R) Presenters Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald takealookatthe week that was. 10.30 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sportand weather 10.55 TheProject. (R)A look at the day’snews. 12.00

6.00 Today. 9.00 TodayExtra.(PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: Finding Mr Right. (2023, G) Elena Juatco,Marcus Rosner 2.00 Pointless.(PG) 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 RugbyLeague. NRL.First preliminary final. From AAMI Park, Melbourne. 9.45 NRL Finals Footy Post-Match. Apost-match NRLwrap-up of the first preliminary final, with expert analysis and player interviews.

10.30 To Be Advised.

12.30 Tipping Point. (PG, R) Ben Shephard hosts aUKgame showinwhich four contestants compete against amachine

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping (R)

4.00 SkippyThe Bush Kangaroo (R) With Skippy’s help,Sonny rescues ababy wombat whose mother has disappeared.

4.30 Global Shop (R)Home shopping.

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

5.30 Postcards. (PG, R)The team finds ahidden speakeasy.

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal (R) Hosted by GrantDenyer

6.30 TheProject. Alook at the day’snews. 7.30 SortYour Life Out. (Final, PGa) Hosted by Stacey Solomon.

8.45 Have YouBeen Paying Attention? (Malns,R)Celebrity panellists compete to seewho can remember the most about events of theweek

9.45 TheGraham Norton Show. (PGal, R) Graham Norton is joined by

BACK TWOBACK

Moe has another AGrade premiership cup to go alongside last year’s. The Lions held off Warragul in athrilling Gippsland League Grand Final by two goals. MORE -PAGES 28-29

Photograph: Blake Metcalf-Holt

Young guns knock the Parrots

FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

Whether the odds be great or small, Traralgon will go and win overall.

THE odds were certainly stacked against Traralgon on Gippsland League Grand Final day.

The odds were stacked againstthem throughout the whole finals series.

In actuality, they were stackedagainstthem before the season had even started.

Yet last Saturday, the youthful Maroons left Morwell Recreation Reserve with the senior premiership cup in handafter defeating Leongatha 11.12(78) to 7.11 (53).

The odds were undeniable. Traralgonhad not even beaten the Parrots in their last 10 attempts.

The Maroons entered the decider having played three finals, two without the luxury of the double chance, against aside going for three flags in a row amid arun of eight consecutive Grand Finals.

The Parrots had lost onlyseven gamesinthe last three years.

The Maroonshaven’t evenhad proper changerooms during that length of time.

Leongathaboasted ateam full of experience and with some of the greatest names in the game: Tom Marriott, Cade Maskell,LukeBowman, Sean Westaway and Ben Willis -all over 30 years of age andall with significant finals experience.

Traralgon had afirst year coach and ateam of 20-year-olds,the resultofanexodus of senior players in the offseason.

The way the game ended, it was like the son finally beating his dad in agame of golf.

The Maroons honestlycould not have played much better.

Confidence and momentum proved just how powerful they can be in football,but it certainly took much more than that for Traralgon to eventually skip away to a25-point win.

Externally at least, the Maroons had been viewed as too young, too inexperienced and too fragile. In the end, it was more acase of too quick, too skilful, and ultimately, too good.

Most thought Leongatha would be far too superior, and when Jack Hume kicked the first goal of the game inside the first minute, such sentiments were only solidified.

The Parrotsmademostofthe running in the early stages,but were wasteful in front of goal, kicking 1.4 (10) before Traralgon had even scored. Leongatha went into the quartertimebreak with 2.5 (17) on the board-their second coming onlyafter adownfield indiscretion from Maroons defender Mitch Membrey.

Membrey, one of the few Traralgon players over the age of 27 (only seven in total) had been kept busy in defence, especially in the first 10 minutes as Leongatha continually sent the ball inside 50. On another windy finalsday, which willunfortunately more than likely be the one thingmostrank and file supporters rememberfromthe last four weeks, the Maroons settled dealing with atricky crosswind, getting their first goal at the 16-minute mark through Jordan Cunico running in for the easiest of chances.

Traralgon hit the lead when Luis D’Angelo found enough time and space to steady and drill one from 45 metres, following atimely smother from Maroons veteran Dylan Loprese that won the ball back at half forward.

Comethe first huddle, Traralgon had negotiated the initial hurdle of not getting blown out of the water by their more fancied opponents. Such afate hadseen many challengers to Leongatha over the years mentally frazzled, but forMaroons coach Troy Hamilton, he was pleased with where things sat.

“Two goals all at quartertime, I’mhappy with that,” he told his charges before instructing them further.

“Takethe extrahalf second,makethe kick count.

“Play creative, we didn’t come here to go long down the line.”

The first quarter challenge from the Maroons may have sparked the Parrots into action, as they really pushed the envelope in the second term, laying some big hits.

Midfielder Luke Bowman slammed D’Angelo onto the cricket pitch, leaving himprostrate for some time, which was followed by Cam Oldentaking Jackson McMahonhigh, resulting in some push and shove.

While D’Angelo was being tended to by trainers, Leongatha took full advantage of the outnumber and kicked agoal.

D’Angelo got up and left the ground, as it appeared Leongatha were prepared to play more like pirates than Parrots.

If Leongatha thought roughingupTraralgon was going to sow any seeds of doubt however, they were mistaken.

As it turned out, it was actually the Maroons who not only sowed the seeds, but had them firmly planted by halftime.

Traralgon responded through an unlikely source in 16-year-old Marlon Neocleous,who pulled offhis bestEddie Betts impression to duck and weave his way through traffic, snapping truly as he fell to ground to get the margin back to two points.

The Maroons regained the leadvia aplayer at the other end of the age bracket, after Dan McKenna kicked truly from aset shot right on 50.

McKenna, at theripe‘oldinfootball terms’ age of 35, had come out of retirement this year as cover when Traralgon skipper Tye Houriganwent down with injury.

Hourgianreturned in time for finals, but with McKenna playing well enough, was kept in the side.

His goal came after Maskell was blindsided by Cunico running off the bench to nab him holding the ball, which arguably had anegativeripple effect in the Parrots camp.

The first signs that Leongatha was starting to panic were evident whenplayerslikeBowman were simply kicking and hoping out of congestion, while Traralgon lifted their intensity.

Maroons midfielder Liam Willaton personified this with atremendoussecond effort tackle on Tallin Brill -aplayer twice his size.

Willaton was shrugged off initially,but didn’t

giveupthe chase, to eventuallydrag himtothe ground.

D’Angelo recovered from crash landing to kick an in goal hugged up against the boundary at the scoreboard end, slicing the ball through at the 24-minute mark.

By now it was all Traralgon, and when Harvey Neocleous made it four in arow with crumbing efforttwo minutes later, the Maroons led by 18 points.

Leongatha stemmed the bleeding with alate goal to Jesse Burns dribbling one home, but the desperation from Traralgon was still top shelf.

On the eve of halftime, Maroons vice captain Connor Ambler threw himself across the boots of Parrots midfielder Kim Drew, stopping acertain forward50entry,whilealungingtackle from Tom McMahon on Jenson Garnham prevented any further scoreboard damage.

With two goals the difference at the main break, Leongatha quickly made it one, scoring amajor in the first 30 seconds of the third term.

When that happened, there was an undeniable feelingthe Parrotswouldbustthe game open from there, however, the Maroons stayed strong.

A10minutestalemateensued,beforelong sleeve wearing Traralgon winger Tate Marsh accepted a switch kick, and drove it inside 50 where Harvey Neocleousgot out the backtoagainmakeita 12-point margin.

Worrying signs fromthe second quarter reappeared for Leongatha, with skillerrors by foot telling. Drew kicked one out on the full kicking off onestep,whichmay havebeensymptomatic of an overall feeling of helplessness.

Naturally, once that feeling becamereality, some Leongatha players defaulted to trying to do everythingthemselves, which onlymade things worse.

By contrast, the Maroons stuck to their process of handballing to generate overlap and kicking long inside 50, letting their forwards compete one-on-one in dangerous spots close to goal.

Despite clearly dominating around the ground, Traralgon could not breakaway to alead of more than two goals.

The Maroons kicked 1.5 (11) for the third ter whilethe Parrots hadthe same numberofscoringshots and registered (10).

Traralgon’s misses allowed Leongatha for end-to-end plays, and they opted do so on two occasions. The first one resulted in agoal, and the second came within inches of doing likewise. Maskell’sfirst kick out led to Bowman king advantage to Olden, who assisted Garnham getting the goal. Olden had the chance to repeat the dose, but his

Beaming: Traralgon players area pictureofpride afterwinningthe flag

Photograph: GippslandLeague

Greatness: Luis D’Angelo wonthe Stan AitkenMedalfor his performance in theGrand Final. Photograph: BlakeMetcalf-Holt

HeroHamilton: Traralgon coach Troy Hamilton is chairedby supporters Photograph: BlakeMetcalf-Holt

On high: Traralgon captain TyeHouriganand coachTroyHamilton hold the premiership cup aloft.

Photograph: BlakeMetcalf-Holt

right off their perch

kick went across the face at the 29-minute mark.

Agrandstand finish wasonthe cards, with just seven points the difference at three quarter time.

Hamilton struckavery composed figure and kept instructions to aminimum,as Traralgon supporters hovered aroundsaying “30 minutes boys”.

“Own the last kick, own the moment,” the coach said.

“Decisions that we make under pressure areeverything.”

At therisk of bringing out clichés, the first goal of the last quarter was ‘huge’.

Some Maskell magic nearly led to the opening major, but his drop punt from deep in the pocket sailed through for aminor score.

The Parrots however tied things up when Drewsnapped truly on his left at the six minute mark,althoughitwasn’t without controversy as Hourigan was not paid amark afew seconds beforehand.

The ironic danger for Traralgon was that Houriganhad been paida less controlled mark in the exact same position during the regular season against Morwell,a game that ended in adraw.

The Maroonshad no time to reflect on that, and regained the lead from the next centre bounce, with McKenna this time playing the role of small forward.

McKenna made it two in two minutes after converting fromthe topofthe goal square, following aperfect pass from Sam Hallyburton kicking to McKenna’s advantage, and an equally perfectpass from Marlon Neocleous that allowedHallyburton to take the ball without breaking stride at half forward.

McKenna’s passionate goal celebration was matched by Hallyburton’s celebration after he’d delivered the ball to him, epitomising Traralgon’s team-first mentality that someone who assisted in agoal was just as pleased as the person who actually kicked it. With their lead once again at two goals, the Maroons well and truly had the premiership in their sights.

Traralgon lifted afurther gear, and could literally do no wrong the closer the game ticked to red time.

Another desperate tacklefromTom McMahon saw Hume pingedfor holding the ball in the centre, which came after Marlon

Neocleousout-marked Mitch Bentvelzen -a man nearly 10 years his senior.

The youngster went on to kick the sealer at the 18-minute mark, following arundown tackleand subsequent set shot from deep in the pocket near the scoreboard.

Fittingly, he kicked the sealing goal right in front of the Traralgon faithful,alarge portion of which wasmadeupofhis teammates from the under 16s, who had already won a premiership earlier in the day.

His goal put Traralgon’s name on the 2024 trophy, and 21st in their history.

His older brother Harvey was among the best forthe winners,along with Max Jacobsen,Hourigan, D’Angelo, Loprese and TristenWaack.

Jacobsen was awardedbest-on-ground by the umpires, while D’Angelo claimedthe Stan Aitken Medal.

Fittingly, Traralgon premiership player

Jamie Aitken wasthere to present the medal.

Aitken had played in the Maroons’miracle 2005 premiership, agame won in similar circumstances after Traralgon had gone in rank underdogs against Maffra.

That this flag will be fresh in the memory when the 20 year reunion takes place next year perhaps adds to asense of destiny.

Bowman was named best for the Parrots, followed by Tim Sauvarin, Ned Hanily, Burns, Will Littlejohn and Ben Willis.

Asidenote likely lost amid the result was the extraordinary record of Willis in Grand Finals. He has been in the best for every Leongatha Grand Final between 2018 and 2024.

Agreater record however is the performance of Traralgon in Grand Finals.

The Maroons simply don’t lose them.

Traralgon has gone five from six since 2000, and even then, the only one they lost was after the siren.

People can dislike Traralgon all they want, but the fact of the matter is they perform when it matters most.

Hamilton and Hourigan proudly accepted the premiership cup on stage,with the coach admittinghewas “feelingpretty overwhelmed.”

“I feel like I’m sitting in acorner and just absorbing it in, I’m sure I’ll do that at some stage over the next few days,” he said.

“Thank youtoLeongatha, obviously a

fantastic club, I’ve used you guys as areference to where we want to get to.”

Hamilton paid credit to Traralgon as a whole club, before addressing his players directly.

“I could not be prouder of each and every one of you, all year we kept coming and coming and coming, we tweaked things and we adapted to things,” he said.

“(You are)always listening.Asa coach you feel like you’re being heard when you’re trying to put things in place then we go and do them.

“As ateam, if we just go and support each other,stayaspositive as we can, we keep picking each other up, loving each other, you can do amazing things.”

Hamilton may have been borrowing from TheBeatles, who sang “all you need is love”, when he leftwith those parting words. If love conquers hate, it could even be the secret to conquering the Gippsland League.

TRARALGON

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

In close: Josh Hamilton working at groundlevel during the Grand Final.

Photograph: BlakeMetcalf-Holt

Done deal: Sixteen-year-old Marlon Neocleous celebrates with Chance Doultree afterkickingthe sealing goal.

Photograph: Gippsland League

Sights, sounds and stories from deciding day

FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

THE Gippsland League Grand Final saw premiers crowned and lifelong memories created. With the 2024 season done and dusted, Express journalist Liam Durkin takes alook at some of the talking points and storylines that emerged.  Hub of the wheel

THERE are many cogs in afootball-netball club. It is big business, with big money. Even for ‘country footy’ it is not unusual for clubs to turn over half amillion dollars annually. That makes the work club officials do even more commendable.

They do it for nothing, and are often the first to show up and the last to leave.

At the risk of mentioning too manypeoplefor fear of missing someone, there are afew who would have been undoubtedly overjoyed with Saturday’s premiership.

Traralgon President Kevin Foley has been front and centre to almost all Maroons matters over the last four years.

Never seeking the limelight, he was there with gumboots on during the floodrecovery,and has spent countless hours in council meetings looking at design plans for the new changerooms.

On game day, he can often be found umpiring the reserves, and then offering aword of encouragement in the senior huddle.

Another who bleeds maroon is Leah Quenault. Leah has been Traralgon’s head trainer for decades, and was probably morenervousthan some players before the game.

There was barely adry eye when she spoke at the club’s recent Special General Meeting deciding on the new changerooms.

Leahand husbandAndrew, better knownsimply as ‘Q’, have formed astrongteam off the field, with Andrew filling just about every job at the club.

Among the most passionate Traralgon supporters is ‘Rooster’, whocan oftenbeseenatgames wearing aTraralgon jumper depicting the Maroons’ unofficial Rooster mascot.

Rooster was given aheroes reception after the GrandFinal, with the crowdchanting his name out on the ground.

 Crowded context

WHILE much is often said of the crowd for grand finals, physical attendance only tellspartofthe story in this day and age.

The Gippsland League was open in admitting this year’scrowd was downonpreviousyears, although the chilly weather certainlydid littletohelp things What is lost howeverisjusthow manypeople are tuning in to watch games online.

Many are taking the opportunity to watch games from the comfort of home, and viewership is reportedly well into the thousands.

Viewership doesn’t take into account televisions beinglooked at by multiple peopleeither (cue Anchorman scene).

For instance, apub streaming aGippsland League match could have hundreds of eyes watching, yet it is only recorded as ‘one’ person.

 Noted nobility

TRARALGON players and supporters were to be commended for their conduct during the post-match presentation.

Given most players were in theirearly 20s, it would have been understandable if afew carried on when they walked on stage.

Much like what happenedonthe field however, the youngMaroons showed maturity well beyond their years.

 Happy Hamiltons

WHAT aday it was for Troy Hamilton.

The Traralgon coach did whatnot many have done, winning apremiership in his first season.

Grand Final day 2024 might be hard to top. His son Will was best-on for Traralgon in the fourths decider, before another son, Josh, played in the senior flag. Hamilton is gaining areputation for overseeing improbable premierships.

The Traralgon underdog triumph came 10 years after he guided Mirboo North to an extraordinary

Mid Gippsland premiership.

In 2014, the Tigers turned around a90-point semi-final defeat to win the Grand Final, backing up from the year before when they narrowly scraped in over the line.

Could we have the next HarmitSinghonour hands? Everything he touches turns to gold.

 Out in force

BADGES seemtobethe latest fashiontrend in country footy/netball.

People across the leagueshave been wearing club badgesfeaturing local players and coaches in support of their teams at grand finals this year.

One especially passionate Traralgon supporter must have purchased every badge available,asher entire scarf was decked out with Maroons players.

 Grand gravitas

ANOTICEABLEimprovement at this year’s grand final was the quality of the premiership medals.

The medals featuredathick ribbon with ‘Gippsland League’ emblazoned into the stitching, much like what is seen at the Olympics.

The medalswerealsosturdier, and had the league logoengraved into the metal rather than simply ‘painted’ on.

It wasgoodtosee some thoughthad gone into this, doing away with the usual $2 shop medals handed out.

Such medals are onlyheldtogether by acheap clip, and often become detached on the dancefloor once celebrations get rowdy.

 Busy boys NOT abad six months for afew Traralgon football cricketers.

Tye Hourigan,Mitch Membrey and Jackson McMahon all won cricket premierships in March, and can now add afootball flag to the list.

Hourigan captained Centrals to abreakthrough AGrade titleinCricket Latrobe Valley, while McMahon scored acentury for Ex Students in the Premier Adecider.

 Meddling mind games

SOME eyebrows were raised last Friday when the name Jack Ginnane was listed as an ‘out’ for Leongatha.

The crash-and-bash forwardhad played 18 senior gamesthis season, and was generally thought to be in the best 22.

While there are often curveball selections come finals, to see him named in the Parrots reserves surprised many.

As it turned out, Ginnane took hisplace in the senior side, coming in for Jake van der Plight.

Van der Plight wasnamed on Thursday night, but didn’t get up in time.

Still,there was suggestion Ginnane was never out of the senior team, and his ‘non-selection’ was simply aruse.

Ironically, Ginanne was injured during the third quarter of the Grand Final, and did not return to the field.

 Most unfortunate

AS with any Grand Final, there are always hard luck stories.

Traralgon had their share of players forced to watch on from the side lines last Saturday.

Tom Hamilton perhaps suffered the most heartbreak, watching his dad and younger brother on stage with premiership medalsaround their necks

Kade Marsh also had to watch his brother Tate win aflag. Kade played 17 games this year including the qualifying final.

Kade Ruyters would have had valid reason to feel hard done by. He’d played 19 games and kicked 25 goals, only to breakhis finger in thepreliminary final.

Jacob Van Iwaarden was another to get injured, doing his Achilles in Round16after playing 15 senior games.

Joel Scholtes broke his collarbone in the first-semi final after playing 17 games for the year.

To his credit, he turned up to Grand Final day with aplaying jumper on, and was one of the most vocal supporters, not only in the football huddles, but over at the netball court where his sister Emily was playing.

One hopes those players were made to feel part of the premiership, and will get to stand in the official team photo.

 Mr Magnanimous ALL class from Dylan Loprese.

Theformer Traralgon captain, and onlysurvivor of the Maroons’ 2015 premiership, has become one of the most respected players in the competition. Ahugecompetitor on the field, he is quickto shake hands after the game and say ‘well played’. Amid the euphoria of receiving his second premiership medal, the key forward put his medal around the neckofgreat mate and injured star MattNorthe Northe, who has not played at all this year, captained the Maroons in Loprese’s absence after he spent three days in ICU following afreakish on-field collision in 2021.

 Wet n’ wild

THE weather arguably causedthe most discussion out of this year’s finals series.

For ahome-and-away seasonthat sawone of the most competitive Gippsland League’s ever, it was most unfortunateall four weeks of finals were marred by poor weather

The first week saw winds clocking more than 100km/h, while the remainingthreesaw acombinationofwind, rain and even hail during the preliminary final.

Atongue-in-cheek comment from one spectator during the second week of finals elicited some laughter when they said they were “looking forward to global warming”.

For any budding journalist, astory on theweather is always guaranteed to make the cut- because everyone talks about the weather.

 Like clockwork

THOSEinvolved with transitions aren’t usually remembered, but in the case of Jake Best, he perhaps should be.

Best coached Traralgon for three years, before stepping asidelastyear, paving the way for Hamilton to step up from the role of assistant.

Best was offered to coach into afourth year, but resigned due to family and travel commitments.

While he wasn’t there to see the Maroons win the premiership, he played apivotal role in getting senior games into most of the squad that ended up doing so.

Speaking to Best at the Mid Gippy Grand Final, he was genuinely excited to see his old club doing so well, which only seemed to further dispel allegations of aplayer mutiny taking place last year.

Best returned home to play with Foster this year, in what wasafamilyreunion where his two sisters also resumed playing netball for the Tigers.

 Delightful destruction

THE condemned Traralgon changerooms are only days away from being knocked down.

The Maroons have been beyond patient waiting for an upgrade after floods left atrail of destruction in June 2021.

At the Grand Final,there was suggestion Traralgoncouldholdalastdrinks in the old rooms on Saturday night.

In doing so, they could have killedtwo birdswith one stone, and really sent the old rooms off in style

 What will come?

TRARALGON has either done themselves ahuge favour, or made ahuge mistake.

Thiscouldbethe start of aMaroonsdynasty, or simply fuel Leongatha to even greater heights.

Mail is getting stronger that both Heppells will be at the Parrots next year, along with Buln Buln goal-kicking wonder kid Patrick Ireland, who kicked 111 goals this season.

 Fitting finale

ALWAYS nice to see reward for loyalty.

Leongatha300 gamerJoel Renden played in Leongatha’s reserves premiership at the weekend.

Renden had played as aregular fill-in (reserves playerswillknow what this means) during the Parrots premiership years of 2022 and 2023, but would always step aside come finals.

He’dalready played in afew Leongatha flags, and wasn’t seeking further glory.

This year however, he was required in September, and added to the collection.

Incredibly, the Parrots would have faced ahuge challenge in the reserves had its seniors not made the Grand Final.

Of the 22 wouldplayed in thereserves Grand

Final, six would have been ineligiblefor playing too many senior games.

With both teams in however, Leongathahad open selection.

Nick Nagel was quick to change out of his playing gear after the reserves premiership, puttingthe slacks on to then go and serve as asenior assistant.

 Righteous Redlegs

BAIRNSDALE had sentimentality on their side.

The Redlegs played in the reserves Grand Finaltheir first open-agedeciderinthe GippslandLeague since 1983.

Getting reserves players is hard at the best of times,yet alonewhenyou are tryingtoconvince people to drivemore than hour to play agame for free.

Bairnsdale alsohad three 40-year-olds and three over 35s in their team, well and truly proving that age is just anumber.

Speaking to Redlegs midfielderand Morwell junior, Jason Waddell before the game, and asking if there was any key to their success, he said it was asimple case of having astable base of 15 players every week.

In other years, it wouldn’t be unusual for Bairnsdale to go through 70 players just to get a team on the park.

As for the travel, Waddell said players made the most of it, booking accommodation in places like Inverloch for the trip over to Wonthaggi.

If Bairnsdalecan have agood seconds side, there should be no reasonwhy every otherclub in the league can’t.

 Watershed winners

SEASON 2024 could go down as the year of the drought breakers.

While Traralgon had ‘only’ waited nine years between drinks, their effortinhalting Leongatha’s runcannotbeunderstated.

Across Gippsland, anumber of clubs toasted success for the first time in along time.

Boisdale-Briagolong won its first premiership since 2001, while Woodsidewon itsfirstsince 2003. Theleague the Bombers last won aflag in doesn’t even exist anymore(Riviera).The club Woodside won their flag as doesn’t either (Devon-WelshpoolWon Wron-Woodside).

Nar Nar Goon won its first flag in the West Gippsland competition, and first in 14 years, and Omeo-Benambra their first since the two clubs merged in 2007.

Fish Creek went back-to-back in Mid Gippsland, but like Traralgon, didn’t have proper rooms for the whole season.

 Can’t win ‘em all

AS they say, you don’t have to be dead to be stiff. Moe midfielder Trent Baldi came fourth in the Gippsland League MVP, yet couldn’t find aspot in the league’s Team of the Year. His twin brother, Riley,who wonthe league best-and-fairest, might be asked to slice his Team of the Year certificate in half through aguillotine.  Scouts snooping

THE seasons no longer finish, they just overlap. With the result of the senior Grand Final beyond doubt, this writercouldn’t help butnoticethe screen of aneighbouring spectator’s phone.

On it was aWhatsAppgroup titled‘recruiting 2025’.

Who knows where that person was from, but they got up and left before the final siren.

 Final confession

OKAY, time for this writer to admithegot it wrong. Picking Traralgon to finish eighth looks horrendous in hindsight.

The loss of Mark Collison, Tom Schneider, Brett Eddy and Jake Best between seasons did little to inspire confidence the Maroons were going to go on to win the flag, and in my defence, afew Traralgon peoplesaidsimilar.

My predicted ladder wasn’t too faroff the mark otherwise. Ipicked Leongatha and Moe to finish top three (correct),Wonthaggitoplayfinals(correct) andMaffra to finish last (correct). Ihad Morwell in fifth just ahead of Sale, andthe opposite ended up happening. Ialsohad Bairnsdale in the top five, andthey would haveplayed finals had they not lost three games by under agoal.

Maroonsgothrough as fourthspremiers, champions

FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

TRARALGON gave aglimpse into just how bright its future is, completing an undefeated season in the fourths.

The youngestMaroons started GippslandLeague Grand Final day on the best possible note, edging past Maffra to win by nine points 8.8(56) to 7.5 (47). Traralgonwas forced to dig deep, trailing at each of the first two breaks, before athree goal to one third term gave them some breathing space.

Will Hamilton took anumberoftelling marks around the ground to be named best-on. Others to play well were Lachlan Pass, Hudson Anderson, Jimmy Brand, Archie Woodall and Blair Roscoe.

Maffra appears to have asimilarly bright future, as its fourths and thirds were featured in grand finals for the third successive year. Best players for the Eagles at the weekend were Darcy Scott, Lachlan Harrington, Marcus Proud, Judd Burgiel, Jett McMahon and Fabian Vera.

Watch for afew of these fourths players to be futurestarsofthe competition, or go on and do great things in football.

Moe played in the fourths decider 10 years ago. Adecade on, Harri Sim hasbecome senior vice captainofthe Lions, while Scott van Dyk was named in the league’s Team of the Year this season Future stars:Traralgon went through the season undefeated in the fourths.

Photograph: Liam Durkin

Latrobe Valley Express, Wednesday, 25 September, 2024

Parrots claim consolation

FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

THAT’S one way to win aflag.

Warragul held off Maffra in the Gippsland League thirds Grand Final in bizarre circumstances.

The Gulls had half the number of scoring shots as the Eagles, yet still led at every change to win 5.3 (33) to 3.13 (31).

Such ascoreline appeared along way off in the opening term, as Warragul kicked three goals to just two behinds.

The Gulls looked to have one hand on the premiership cup at halftime, leading by 21 points, having kicked five goals to one.

Astalemateensued in the third term, with neither side managing to split the middle.

Maffra came hard in the lastquarter,but squandered anumber of chances, registering 2.6 (18). Just one point separated the sides with four minutestogo, forcing Warragul to hold on for dear life.

The Gulls kicked just two behinds after the main break, but did enough to make it two flags in the last three years.

Warragul’s Oliver Wilson collected the medal for best-on-ground. He received good support from Lachlan Gilliam, Harry Brown, Lachlan French, Xavier Olsson and Riley Senini.

Maffra put in amightyeffort to very nearly go back-to-back,taking the long road to the Grand Final without the double chance.

Most of the Eagles thirds team had played senior football duringthe season, and came back in time for finals.

Tom Scott was namedbest, followed by Matt Rondon, Elliot Stables,Sam Anderson, Zach O’Keefe and Elijh Berry.

Maffra will likely see some of their thirds players become regular senior starters, the same outcome

thathas proven to be achallenge for Warragul in previous years.

Despite playinginthe last three thirdsdeciders, the Gulls have unfortunately not beenableto translate that into senior success.

 LEONGATHA wastoo strong for Bairnsdale in the reserves.

TheParrots madeitahat-trick of flags in the ‘lunchtime league’, winning 8.7 (55) to 3.2 (20).

In anice touch, which also naturallyled to afew light-hearted jeers, Leongatha’s Josh Schellingwon

the best-on-groundmedal, whichwas presented by his dadand competitionsponsor, John Xavier Boldge also played well for the winners, as did Darcy Hume, Jacob Lamers, Noah Fixter and Matt Borschman.

Best for Bairnsdale was Charlie Cook, Damon O’Connor, Tyson Matthews, LiamBleyswyk, Daniel Eastman and Jamie Dore.

There would have been some very sore heads at Bairnsdale races for the Lakes Entrance Cup on Sunday.

Premiers and champions: Leongatha continued its run in the reserves, winning a third successive flag

FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE BY LIAM

DURKIN

LAST Saturday was the first time in more than 20 years Sale or Maffra was not represented in aGippsland League senior or reserves Grand Final.

Local footy trivia nuts have to go back to the turnofthe centurytofindthe last timethe Magpies or Eagles did not have an open age football team represented on the big stage. Sale made the last two reserves deciders, as well as the senior Grand Final in 2022. Maffra has not made senior finals postCOVID, although its reservesteam has consistentlybeen among the top three sides in the competition. This however has not led to aGrand Final appearance, with the Eagles bowing out in the preliminaryfinal the last three seasons.

Beforethe pandemic, Maffra made four senior grand finalsina row (winning two), whileSale seniors made consecutive decidersinthe early part of the 2010s.The Eagles started that decade with asenior premiership, following on from an incrediblerun during the2000s that sawseven Grand Final appearances in eight seasons (2002-09).

Sale made three senior grand finals in arow between 2006-08, losing to Maffra in the first two of those, before saluting in 2008.

2000 -Maffra and Sale not in grand finals

2001 -Maffra reserves premiers

2002 -Maffra seniors/reserves premiers

2003 -Maffra seniors premiers

2004 -Maffra seniors/reserves premiers

2005 -Maffra seniors runners-up

2006 -Maffra seniors premiers/Sale seniors runners-up/Sale reserves premiers

2007 -Maffra seniors premiers/Sale seniors runners-up/Maffra reserves runners-up

2008 -Saleseniors premiers

2009 -Maffra seniors premiers

2010 -Maffra seniors premiers/Maffra reserves runners-up

2011 -Maffra reserves premiers

2012 -Saleseniors premiers/Sale reserves runners-up

2013 -Saleseniors runner-up

2014 -Maffra reserves runners-up

2015 -Maffra reserves premiers

2016 -Maffra seniors premiers

2017 -Maffra seniors runners-up

2018 -Maffra seniorsrunners-up/Maffra reserves runners-up

2019 -Maffra seniors/reserves premiers

2020 -nocompetition

2021 -nocompetition

2022 -Sale seniors/reserves runners-up

2023 -Sale reserves runners-up

Narrow: Warragul wonthe GippslandLeaguethirds premiership by twopoints Photographs: BlakeMetcalf-Holt

Moe maintains netball supremacy

NETBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

GRAND finals can go one of two ways.

It can simply be one of the best days of your life, or it can be one that haunts you.

Supporterswere treated to athrilling Gippsland League AGrade Grand Final last Saturday that encapsulated an epic season.

Moeearned the right to be called back-to-back premiers for the first time in the club's history after defeating WarragulatMorwell Recreation Reserve 55 to 53.

It didn’t come easy for the Lions, with the Gulls provingworthy contenders upon upsetting Moe just two weeks ago to force the reigning premier down the long road to the flag.

The Grand Final began as expected –both sides riding on the high of an incomparableatmosphere with acrowd that ironically matched or even succeeded the onlookers of the football for the period of time.

Moe and Warragul supportersstood up and showed out for their team to give them all the extra edge needed to see them lift the silverware.

Moe’s Ramayer Gourley and Warragul’s Emma Ryde traded baskets earlyasthe game continued to go back-and-forththroughout the first six minutes of action.

Bothwereconsistentlythe top shooters

throughout the season in the Gippsland League, meaning it would be along day for either defences.

The Lions continued to hunt and were showing no signs of slowing down, leading 10-7 as Gourley continued to get thebetter of Gulls goal keeper Ella Rees, showing immense competitiveness and confidence to get the job done.

Trouble hit the way of Moe only a few minutes later, with the ball flinging down the end of Warragulwhere Lions goal keeperEmma Sculley collided withaplayer, hitting the ground hard before being taken off the court -she would not return to the game.

Sculley had been battlinggreatly with Ryde, but nowco-coach Ashlea Stubbs was forced to switch the bibs around withJordan Pylemovingback into Sculley’s role and Hollie Bugejabeing brought onto the court.

Warragul proceeded to get back into shape, but with goal attack Georgia Moody getting into the game alongsideGourley, Moe led 16-13 by the end of the first quarter.

The Gulls began to shift momentum, taking the lead early in the second, with Ryde continuing to be an impossiblematch-up, especially considering Pyle was now giving up nearly afoot in height.

Tied at 20-all, Moe began to reignite through the midcourt. Centre Charlize Bird and wing attack Alex Moody gotthe ball down to their attackers greatly.

No love appeared to be lost between Gourley and Rees, who continued to tussle, but Gourley was a

smiling assassin throughout, more often than not finding ascore.

TheLions staved off agunning Gulls to still lead 30-26upon the main break.

Entering after halftime, Warragul beganto emphasise aphysical playstill being within striking distance.

There weremultiple occasions duringthe quarter where players showed no regard for their safety, and no remorse for the opposition, throwing themselves relentlessly at the ball and ramming into each other.

The Gulls went on a6-4 run, bringing it back to atwo-goal game –but just as they came fighting back, Moe was there to answer almost immediately.

The Lions launched at every attack, finding ways to deliver the ball into Gourley any which way they sawfit, whichcumulated in alate scoring spurt that gave Moe a45-40leadheading into the final quarter.

Moe extended the margin out to six goals before exactly how the previous twoterms playedout, withWarragul goingonasporadic runtotrim their deficit with the score reading 48-46.

Pyle had anumber of instrumentaldefensive acts against the towering Ryde that led the Lions to combat Warragul’s run and send them back up by four goals.

End-to-end mirroring the opening to the match saw Moe hold an again two-goal lead as Gourley missed ashot near the rim.

Centre Macy Gardiner impressively intercepted

the ball outofthe hands of Alexandra Cole and sent it back inside to keep the Lions ahead 51-48. Ryde and Warragul goal attack Jaime Rollinson again jumpedMoe, responding with two of the next three goals.

Pyle and goal defence Olivia Barnett worked well against apressing Warragul with anumber of inspiring plays, but Ryde snatched aballout of the air impossible for anyone else to touch, and dropped the ball into the net positioning the game at only aone-goal margin.

Out of the centre, Bird stretched out and got a finger in over two Warragul attackers that sent the ball to the floor. Alex Moody arrived and won the loose ball that sent the Moe cheer squad ablaze.

The Lions, with all the energy in the world, appeared home up 55-51 with limited time remaining, having been here before they were never going to let it slip away.

Aslow'Moe' chant began to build around the court, with the Lions clinging to atwo-goal lead after two quick Ryde goals.

The football and netball club support was all that was needed to see Moe over the line.

As the final siren soared, players rushed each other, embracing and soakinginthis wonderful timewith amaroon,blueand goldtsunami racing onto thecourt.

Co-coaches Stubbs and Gourley were presented the premiership trophy, after Alex Moody was recognised as best on court, and it was all celebrationsfromthere on out for the second-year running.

Triple treat: Georgia Moody wonher thirdA Gradepremiership forMoe at the weekend. Photographs:BlakeMetcalf-Holt

Scenes: Jubilation on the courtafter Moe wins theA Gradenetball Grand Final.

Leading by example: Moe captain AlexMoody, picturedpassing to sister Georgia, wasnamed best-on-court forthe Grand Final.

Score: Moe co-coach RamayerGourley hadanotherprolificseason under the post.

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE AGRADE GRAND FINAL

Moe 55 (16, 14, 15, 10) def

Warragul 53 (13, 13, 14, 13)

BEST ON COURT

AlexMoody(Moe) TEAM

AlexMoody(captain), RamayerGourley (co-coach), Ashlea Stubbs (co-coach) Olivia Barnett, Georgia Moody, Emma Sculley, CharlizeBird, Macy Gardiner, Jordan Pyle,Hollie Bugeja.

MODERN DAYGREATS

Moe AGrade netball premierships: 2018,2023, 2024

Played in all three: Georgia Moody, CharlizeBird (AlexMoodywas injured for2018)

Full voice: Moe supporters cheer on theirteam during theGippslandLeagueA Gradedecider.

Birdisthe word: Charlize Birdadded to herpremiership collection.

Love: CharlizeBird(right) andOlivia Barnettembrace afterthe game

Hugsall round: Moeplayers celebrateafter going back-to-back.

Sinking in: Moe co-coach AshleaStubbs,RamayerGourley, AlexMoody,MacyGardiner, Charlize Birdand Jordan Pyle stand proudly at the post-matchpresentation.

Again: RamayerGourley and AlexMoody liftthe premiership cup aloft.

Gippynetball premiers crowned

Netball scoreboard

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE GRAND FINALS

AGRADE: Moe 55 def Warragul 53.

BOC: Alex Moody (Moe)

BGRADE: Traralgon 43 def Moe 38.

BOC: Emily Scholtes (Traralgon)

CGRADE: Maffra 37 def Drouin 36.

BOC: Brooke Anderson (Maffra) 17 AND UNDER: Leongatha 30 def Traralgon 28.

BOC: Indiana de Dios (Traralgon)

15 AND UNDER: Traralgon 35 def Bairnsdale 32.

BOC: Sianna Wilkinson (Traralgon)

13 AND UNDER: Leongatha 28 def Maffra 23.

BOC: Ashlee Spark (Leongatha)

Courtside with Liam Durkin

Packedtothe rafters

GREAT crowds converged on the Morwell netball court for Grand Final day.

So big was the crowd, people even climbed onto scaffolding set up for the lone cameraman perched in one of the court’s corners. Signs combined with innovation made for somecreative designs among spectators. This writer even noticed acorflute of Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull being used as backing for asignbyBairnsdale supporters.

Forwardplanning

PETER Moody has seen his vision continue. Moody coachedMoe to their maiden A Gradeflagin2018, asomewhat surprise result given he was thrusted into the job at the last minute.

Sincethen,hewas adamant he didn’twant the team to be aone hit wonder, and the Lions have gone on to win two more flags under the coaching of Ramayer Gourley and Ash Stubbs. Moody played abig hand in recruiting most of Moe’s current team, while his daughters, Alex and Georgiahave become two of the league’s top players.

Twoworlds collided

THERE was some friendly fireinthe BGrade decider.

This year’s Christmas lunch will be interesting for Moe’s Meg Morris, wholostthe Grand Final against aTraralgon team containing heryounger sister Holly.

Teammates from other sports also collided, with Moe’s Carly Wood and Michelle Clarke up against Traralgon’s Emily Scholtes and Asha Nightingale. The quartet all played basketball together for Gippsland United.

Drastic dedication

ASHA Nightingale was certainly desperate to win apremiership for Traralgon. The goal shooter had WNBL commitments in Perth on Friday night playing for Bendigo Spirit against Townsville Fire.

She shot 14 points and had 10 rebounds in the tournament match, before jumping on a plane and catching the redeye home. Sheleft Perth at 11.30pm Friday night, landed in Melbourneat5.30am Saturday morning, then played the Grand Finalat 1.30pm. With aprofessional basketballer in the team, along with Scholtes who is set to play college basketballinthe US, it is probably little wonder the Maroons won agame of local BGrade netball.

Separatesides

DROUIN wasrepresented in the CGrade Grand Final. The Hawks lostthe closest matchofthe day, going down to Maffra by one goal.

Somewhatamazingly, Drouin is still not officially afootball-netball club.

While the Hawks might play football and netball at the same venue and on the same day, the football and netballclubs are not one entity. Even on social media, the name is ‘Drouin Football and Netball Clubs’.

Drouinwould have to be one of the veryfew clubs in Victoria, possibly Australia, still yet to bring both clubs under one banner.

One away: Leongatha startedthe daywitha premiership in the 13 and Under.Boysare allowedtoplayinthisage group,but must step away the next year andfind an all-malecompetition.

Photograph: Liam Durkin

When it matters most: Traralgon savedits best forlast, beating Bairnsdale in the 15 and UnderGrand Finalafter theRedlegs had gone through the season undefeated. Photograph: Blake Metcalf-Holt

No second chance: Traralgon took thelong road to theBGrade premiership,comingfromfourth on the ladder

Photograph: BlakeMetcalf-Holt

Eagles rock: Maffra made it consecutiveCGrade flags, beating Drouin in aone-goalthriller

Photograph: BlakeMetcalf-Holt

Parrots fly: Leongatha added to its junior netball premiership collection, winning the17and Under.

Photograph: BlakeMetcalf-Holt

Saturday,September 28

9.00 Rage.(PG) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 Unforgotten.(Mal,R) 1.15 Grantchester.(Mv,R) 2.05 Shaun Micallef’s EveOfDestruction. (PG, R) 2.40 Matthew Bourne’s TheRed Shoes. (R) 4.30 The Assembly.(PG,R) 5.10 Landline. (R) 5.40 AustralianStory: Making Lachlan Murdoch Pt 3–Power. (R)

6.30 Back Roads: 90 Mile Beach, Victoria. (R)Heather Ewart visits 90 MileBeach

7.00 ABC News. Alookatthe topstoriesofthe day

7.30 Grantchester (PG) An abandoned baby is discovered on the same day that ahotel manager is founddead

8.20 Vera (Mav,R)After her former colleague and his daughter are badly burnt by an arson attack on their home, Vera is determined to track down theassailant and discoverwhy someone would trytokill them.

9.50 Return To Paradise (PG, R) Three hairdressers return fromlunch to find the beauty salon owner has beenkilled.

10.45 Miniseries: Better. (Mal,R)Part 2of5

11.45 Rage (MA15+adhlnsv) Music video clips.

6am Morning Programs. Noon MOVIE: The Man WhoInventedChristmas. (2017,PG) 1.50 Land Of Primates. 2.40 NITVNews: Nula. 3.10 Great Lakes Wild. 4.40 Taste Of The Territory 5.10 Just AnotherDay In Indulkana 5.20 Kairakau 6.20 News. 6.30

6am MorningPrograms. 12.30 ABC World NewsTonight. 1.00 PBSNews. 2.00 Motorcycle Racing. FIM SuperbikeWorld Championship.Round 9. Highlights. 3.00 The Point: Road To ReferendumHistory Bites. (R) 3.05 Portillo’s Greatest Railway Journeys. (PGa, R) 4.00 Dylan AlcottInterviews. (PG, R) 4.35 French Castles:DefyingThe Nazis. (PGav,R) 5.35 Trains At War. (PGa, R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Cumbria:The Lakes & TheCoast. (PGa)Part5 of 5.

8.25 Osborne House: ARoyal Retreat. (PG) Takesalook at Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s favourite residence located on the Isle of Wight.

9.35 TheWorld’sMostBeautiful

Landscapes: TheMekong River (PGa, R) Robert Lindsay narrates a visual journey through the landscape of South-East Asia’s Mekong River.

10.30 Portugal’s Atlantic Train. (R) Chartsa journeybytrain.

11.25 Something Undone. (Mal)

12.25 RexInRome. (Mv,R)

4.05 Peer To Peer (PG, R)

4.35 Bamay (R) 5.00 NHK World EnglishNews Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6am WorldWatch.

10.00 TheMovie Show 12.05pm Scrubs. 2.10 States Of Undress. 3.05 LeeLin Chin’s Fashionista. 3.15 WorldWatch. 5.15 ExtremeFood Phobics. 6.10 Monty Python’s Best Bits (Mostly) 6.45 The Secret Genius Of Modern Life. 7.50 Impossible Engineering. 8.45 Cycling. UCI Road World Championships. Women’s elite road race. 1.15am Late Programs.

6am

Belle And Sebastian 2. Continued. (2015, PG, French) 6.50 Summerland. (2020, PG) 8.40 The Falcons. (2018,PG, Icelandic) 10.35 Arctic. (2018, M) 12.25pm Julieta. (2016,M,Spanish) 2.20 The Cup.(2011,PG) 4.20 Redu.(2017,PG, Marathi) 6.20 Roman Holiday.(1953,PG) 8.30 My Policeman. (2022, MA15+) 10.35 ATale Of Love And Desire. (2021, MA15+, French) 12.30am Late Programs.

Sunday,September29

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 NBCToday. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 9.00 AFL Grand FinalBrunch. 10.30 AFL Grand Final Countdown. 12.00 AFLGrand Final Pre-Game. 2.00 Football. AFL.Grand final. 5.00 AFLGrand Final Post-Match Presentation. Coverage of the post-match presentation. 6.00 Getaway.(PG,

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 The1%Club UK. (PGl, R) LeeMack hosts agame showwhere contestants must answer increasingly obscure questions.

8.00 MOVIE: TheMartian. (2015,Mal, R) An astronaut, believedtobedead after his crew wereforcedtoabandon their expedition to Mars prematurely,has to rely on his ingenuity to surviveinthe planet’s hostileconditions whileawaitingrescue. MattDamon, Jessica Chastain, JeffDaniels.

10.55 To Be Advised

12.30 Taken. (Mav,R)Bryan is taken.

1.30 Travel Oz. (PG, R) Hosted by Greg Grainger

2.00 Home Shopping (R)

4.00 LarryThe WonderPup (R) Followsa terrier called Larry.

5.00 HouseOfWellness. (PG, R) Alook at locationsthat highlight living well

6am Home Shopping 8.30

6.00 9News Saturday. 7.00 RugbyLeague. NRL.Secondpreliminary final. From Accor Stadium, Sydney 9.45 NRL Finals Footy Post-Match. Apost-match NRL wrap-up of the second preliminaryfinal, with expert analysis and player interviews.

10.30 MOVIE: TheExpendables 3. (2014,Mlv,R)A team of mercenaries battles aruthless arms trader with a grudge against their group.Sylvester Stallone,Jason Statham.

1.00 JourneyToEurope: Italy Monaco And Austria. (R) Alook at three European hotspots.

2.00 TheIncredibleJourney Presents. (PGa) Religious program.

2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R) Home shopping.

5.00 TV Shop:HomeShopping. (R)

5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)

9GEM (92, 81)

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Children’s Programs. 2pm MOVIE: Pokémon:The First Movie –Mewtwo Strikes Back. (1998) 3.30 MotorwayCops: Catching Britain’s Speeders. 5.30 MOVIE: TheLEGONinjago Movie. (2017,PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Batman Begins. (2005,M) 10.15 MOVIE: Species. (1995,MA15+) 12.25am The Originals. 1.25 Motor Racing. IndyCar Series. Round 17.Grand Prix of Nashville. Highlights. 2.30 Teen Titans Go! 3.30 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 1pm Blokesworld.

6.30 TheDog House. (R) Abiker looksfor anew sidekick.

7.30 Thank God You’re Here. (ls, R) Guy Montgomery, Ting Lim, Takashi Wakasugi and Melanie Bracewell step through the blue door 8.30 TheDog House Australia. (PGa, R) Follows the staff as it tries to find the right fit for awoman whowants apal forher staffy. 9.30 Ambulance Australia. (Madv, R) After aman crashes his car on an exit ramp,paramedics work out if his wife has been flungfromthe wreck. 10.45 Ambulance UK. (Mm, R) Acollision stretchesresources to thelimit. 12.00 TheCheap Seats. (Mal, R) Presented by Melanie Bracewell andTim McDonald. 1.00 Home Shopping (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8) 6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 WeekendBreakfast. 9.00 Insiders 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 World This Week.(R) 11.00 Compass. (PG, R) 11.30 Praise. 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 GardeningAust.(R) 2.25 Darby And Joan. (PG, R) 3.10 Nigella’s Cook, Eat,Repeat. (R) 3.40 George Clarke’sAmazingSpaces. (R) 4.30 Restoration Australia. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6am MorningPrograms. 9.00 JSchwanke’s Life In Bloom. (R) 10.00 FIFAWorld Cup Classic Matches. 11.30 Ageless Gardens. (PG, R) 12.00 APAC Weekly 12.30 PBS Washington Week With The Atlantic. 12.55 Plat Du Tour 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Such WasLife.(R) 3.10 Shackleton’s Endurance:The Lost Ice Ship Found. (PG, R) 4.20 India: Made LikeA Gun.(PGl) 5.35 Trains At War. (PGav,R) 6.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R) 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 TheMorning Show: Weekend.(PG) 12.00 House Of Wellness.(R) 1.00 Football. AFL Women’s.Week 5. North Melbourne vRichmond. 3.00 Football. AFL Women’s.Week 5. Brisbane Lions vAdelaide. From Brighton Homes Arena, Queensland. 5.00 SevenNewsAt5 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s FrontLine.(PG,R)

6.30 SBSWorldNews.

9.20 Miniseries:Better. (Madl, R) Part 3of5.Lou andVernon’s plans to takeCol down threaten to trigger abloodygang war. 10.15 Fisk. (Ml, R) 10.45 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 12.10 Fires. (Mal,R) 1.05 Miniseries: Ridley Road.(PG,R) 2.05 Rage.(MA15+adhlnsv) 3.05 Australia Remastered. (R) 4.00 GardeningAustralia. (R) 5.00 Insiders. (R)

7.30 TheOttoman Empire By Train Part 5of5 8.25 Sagrada Familia: Gaudi’s Challenge. Documents the ongoing construction of Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia, abasilica designed by Antoni Gaudi 9.25 AncientSuperstructures: Istanbul’sHagiaSophia. (R) Alook at the Hagia Sophia of Istanbul. 10.30 Dinosaur With Stephen Fry: Killer Dinosaurs. (PGas, R) 11.25 Devon& Cornwall With Michael Portillo (PGa,R) 3.00 MakeMeADealer. (R) 3.50 Peer To Peer.(R) 4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera News.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 TheVoice. (PGl) Hosted by Sonia Kruger 8.50 7NEWSSpotlight. An exclusivespecial investigation. 9.50 TheLatest: SevenNews. 10.20 Crime Investigation Australia: MostInfamous: ThePredator –LeonardJohnFraser (MA15+av, R) Alookatthe case of Leonard John Fraser

11.30 AutopsyUSA: Randy Savage. (Mad) Alookatthe death of Randy Savage 12.30 Lipstick Jungle. (Mds, R)

1.30 Harry’sPractice. (R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News Sunday.

7.00 TheBlock. (PGl) Hostedby ScottCam and Shelley Craft. 8.30 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysingand uncovering the issuesaffecting allAustralians. 9.30 9News Late.

10.00 See No Evil: AlaskaSerial Killer. (Mav) Alookatadouble murder

11.00 TheFirst48: Dead Stop/ Uninvited. (Malv) Documents twomurderinvestigations

11.50 Transplant. (MA15+m) 12.40 Australia’s TopTen Of Everything. (Ml, R)

TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa)

DestinationWA. (PG, R)

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 TheSundayProject. Joins panellists for alook at theday’s news, events and hot topics.

TheAmazing RaceAustralia: Celebrity Edition. (l)The six remaining celebrity teams travel to the NamibDesert in Namibia, racing through theunforgiving desert terrain. 8.30 FBI. (Final, Mv) TheSomalian terroristgroup behind thedeath of Hobbs resurfaces, sending the team on achasetotakethem downfor good. 10.30 NCIS. (Mdv,R)The NCIS teaminvestigatesthe death of auniversity student who waskilled whilerunningacross thestreet. 11.30 TheSundayProject. (R) Alookatthe day’snews. 12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBSMornings.

Monday,September30

ABC TV (2) SBS

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Landline.(R) 11.00 YouCan’t Ask That. (MA15+l, R) 11.20 Shaun Micallef’s EveOfDestruction. (PG, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.55 Mystify: Michael Hutchence (Mal, R) 2.35 Back Roads. (R) 3.05 The HomesThatBuiltAustralia. (PG, R) 4.00 The Assembly. (PG, R) 4.40 Grand Designs. (PG, R) 5.30 AntiquesRoadshow. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG,R) 7.00

(PG) Janine Perrett takes alookatthe latest issues affectingmedia consumers.

9.35 TheAssembly:Becoming TheAssembly. (Final, PG) Leigh Sales meets up with the students.

10.20 ABC LateNews.

10.35 TheBusiness. (R)

10.50 Planet America (R)

11.25 YouCan’t Ask That (Mals, R)

11.55 Grand Designs (Ml, R)

12.45 Rage.(MA15+adhlnsv) 3.30 Catalyst. (R) 4.30 GardeningAustralia. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

6am MorningPrograms. 11.00 Looking For Rembrandt.(PGa, R) 12.10 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBS News Weekend. 1.30 Al JazeeraNews Hour 2.00 History Of Britain. (PGav,R) 2.50 Railway Journeys UK. (PG, R) 3.25 Plat Du Tour 3.30 The Cook Up.(R) 4.00 The Lakes With Simon Reeve.(PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorning Show. (PG) 11.30

6.00 Mastermind Australia (R)

6.30 SBS WorldNews

7.30 Concorde: Chasing A Dream. Alook at the Concorde 8.30 8Out Of 10CatsDoes Countdown (Mls) Gameshow, featuring contestantstacklingawordsand numbers quiz. Hosted by Jimmy Carr

9.25 NeverMind TheBuzzcocks. (Mls) HostedbyGreg Davies. 10.10 Have IGot News ForYou

U.S. (M) Hosted by RoyWood Jr 11.00 SBSWorldNewsLate. 11.30 Suspect. (Malsv) 12.00 Of MoneyAnd Blood. (MA15+adsv)

1.55 The Spectacular.(Malv,R) 3.50 Make Me ADealer.(R) 4.40 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK WorldEnglishNews Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Home And Away (PG) Abigail has anew job and an old grudge. 7.30 My Kitchen Rules. (PGl) Brisbane’s modern Italians Simone and Vivianaare shooting for thestars.

9.05 TheRookie. (Mav) Following theirtimeasfoster parents, Nunehas decided shewants to have ababy.

10.05 S.W.A.T. (M) The team races to stop aviolent rampage.

11.05 TheLatest: SevenNews.

11.35 Lopez Vs.Lopez. (PGals) Quinten’s perfect dad comes into town

12.35 Miniseries:The Victim. (Malv,R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBCToday 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 TheBlock (PGl) Hosted by Scott Cam and Shelley Craft 8.45 To Be Advised. 9.45 Outback Opal Hunters. (PGl, R) TheOpal Whisperers show there’sbig money to be made hunting arare form of opal. 10.45 9News Late. 11.15 La Brea (Mav) Atraitor turns on the survivors. 12.00 Transplant. (MA15+m)

6am Morning Programs. 1.50pm Road Open. 2.00 Shortland St. 2.30 The Cook Up 3.00 Jarjums 3.35 Spartakus And The Sun Beneath The Sea. 4.05 Cities Of Gold. 4.35 Motown Magic. 5.00 Our Stories. 5.30 News. 6.00 Bamay. 6.30 News.

7MATE (73,64)

Supercars

4.

9GO! (93, 82) 6am The Movie Show. 6.30 Redu. (2017,PG, Marathi) 8.30 Roman Holiday.(1953,PG) 10.40 The Salesman. (2016, M, Persian) 12.55pm Amanda.(2018, M, French) 2.55 Belle. (2013,PG) 4.50 What Do We See When We Look At The Sky? (2021, Georgian) 7.35 Glengarry Glen Ross. (1992, M) 9.30 Berlin Alexanderplatz.(2020,MA15+) 12.50am 12 Days (2017, MA15+, French) 2.25 Late Programs.

2.30

3.30 Hustle &Tow 4.30 TalkingW 5.00 American Restoration. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Aussie Gold Hunters. (Premiere) 8.30 Outback Crystal Hunters. (Premiere) 9.30 Bamazon. (Premiere) 10.30 Jade Fever. 11.30 Late Programs.

Family 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 IDream Of Jeannie. 6.00 TheNanny 7.00 Young Sheldon. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: Rush Hour.(1998,M) 10.30 Seinfeld. 11.30 The O.C

Tuesday, October1

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8) 6am Morning Programs. 10.30 The Pacific. (R) 11.00 YouCan’t Ask That. (PG, R) 11.20 Shaun Micallef’s EveOfDestruction. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Tony Armstrong’s ExtraOrdinary Things. (PG, R) 2.00 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.30 Back Roads. (PG, R) 3.00 Whale With Steve Backshall. (R) 3.55 The Assembly. (PG, R) 4.40 Grand Designs. (PG, R) 5.30 AntiquesRoadshow. (PG, R)

6am MorningPrograms. 10.50 Being Beethoven. (PGa, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 HaveI Got News ForYou U.S. (M, R) 2.50 Plat DuTour 3.00 The Weekly Football Wrap. (R) 3.30 The Cook Up.(R) 4.00 The Lakes With Simon Reeve.(PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy!(R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG, R) 6.30 SBS WorldNews.

7.30 Shaun Micallef’s Origin Odyssey: Switzerland. Shaun Micallef heads to Switzerland.

8.30 Insight. Kumi Taguchiexplores how people’s perception of thefuture impacts their behaviour in the present.

9.30 Dateline. An investigation into how the murdersofthree Australiansoldiers in Afghanistan sparked alleged warcrimes.

10.00 SBSWorld News Late. 10.30 ThePoint: Road Trip (R) 11.30 Babylon Berlin (MA15+as) 1.20 Illegals. (MA15+av,R) 3.10 MakeMeA Dealer.(R) 4.00 Peer To Peer.(PG, R) 5.00 NHKWorld English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The MorningShow. (PG) 11.30 SevenMorningNews 12.00 To Be Advised. 1.35 Border Security: International. (PG, R) 2.05 Catch Phrase. (R) 3.00 TheChase. (R) 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChase Australia.

6.00 SevenNews.

7.00 Home And Away (PGa) Abigail andKirbyclash

7.30 My Kitchen Rules (PG) Melbourne duo and self-appointed kitchen queens Janey and Maddiestep up in their heels

9.15 Alert: Missing Persons Unit. (Return, Mav)Jason recruits ahacker to help the team as it searchesfor abus full of students that wentmissing.

10.15 Made In Bondi. (Ml) Molly receives some relationship backlash.

11.20 Chicago Fire. (Mav)Mouch vets Truck 81’s newest firefighter. 12.20 HoleyMoleyAustralia. (PGs, R)

2.00 Home Shopping (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning 12.00 TheBlock.(PGl, R) 1.15 Explore TV:Trade Routes Of The Middle Ages. (R) 1.45 My Way. 2.00 Pointless.(PG) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30[VIC]TippingPoint Australia.(PG)

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 TheBlock. (PGl) Hosted by ScottCam and Shelley Craft.

8.40 TheHundred With Andy Lee. (Ms) AndyLee is joinedbya panel of comedians and 100 Aussies to explore the fun behind the facts.

9.40 True StoryWith Hamish &Andy: Phil. (PGl, R) Aman recounts apersonal story 10.40 9News Late. 11.10 Transplant. (MA15+m) 12.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 12.50 Pointless. (PG,R) 1.40 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 The GardenGurus. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory.(PGa) 4.30 ACurrent Affair.(R) 5.00 Today EarlyNews. 5.30 Today

6.00 Deal Or No Deal Hosted by GrantDenyer. 6.30 TheProject Alookatthe day’snews. 7.30 Taskmaster Australia. (PGls) Hosted by TomGleeson 8.40 TheCheap Seats. (Mal) Presenters Melanie Bracewelland Tim McDonald takealookatthe weekthat was.

Victorian Seniors Festival 2024

. ENGAGE. EVOLVE.

ExploreEngage Evolve in 2024

The Victorian Seniors Festival is amajor statewide festival for and involving seniors.

The festival runs from 1–31 October everyyear, with free and low-cost events right across Victoria.

Victoria’slargest seniors’ festival is returning from 1–31 October 2024, with thousands of opportunities for older Victorians to take partinfree and low-cost entertainment and events across the state.

Over 2,000 events celebrating older Victorians will be delivered by the Victorian Government, all 79 local councils, community and cultural organisations, and commercial partners.

Major events will include Celebration Day at Fed Square, the Melbourne Town Hall Dance, the Aged Care Tour and the CountryConcerts.

The theme this year is –‘Explore. Engage. Evolve.’ –encouraging older Victorians to stay curious and connected by exploring new activities, meeting new people, and changing how we think of ageing.

The Festival spreads beyond the city centrewith hundreds of free or low-cost events across regional Victoria.

For moreinformation about events and activities, pick up aprogram from Coles stores, councils and community organisations.

Visit Seniors Online at www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/seniors-festival, for the calendar of Festival events state-wide in October

Eight days of free public transport

Sunday6October to Sunday13October

As a Victorian Seniors Card holder, you can get out and explore metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria with eight days of free travel from Sunday 6 October to Sunday 13 October

How to travel during the free travel period

Remember to always carry your Seniors myki and Victorian Seniors Card with you on public transport Touch on and off as usual, you won’t be charged On regional services that don’t use myki, just show your Victorian Seniors Card to the conductor or bus driver

Where you can go

You’ll be able to travel for free on all public transport in Victoria, including:

Melbourne trains, trams and buses

Regional trains, coaches and buses (including regional town bus services)

We recommend travelling during off-peak hours You’ll be more likely to find a seat

Useful information for booking travel in regional Victoria

You need to reserve a seat on long distance V/Line trains and some coaches

To book a seat on V/Line services requiring reservations, visit your nearest station or agent or call 1800 800 007 from 10:00am on Tuesday 10 September

Seats can fill quickly so book early! You’ll need to collect your tickets within 48 hours

You can only travel free in economy class

To make a group booking for up to 19 travelling on a V/Line train service or 12+ travelling on a V/ Line coach service, visit your nearest station or agent

For larger groups, please submit a group booking request from 10:00am on Tuesday 10 September at: www vline com au/ grouptravel

If you book and can’t travel, let us know prior as your seats can be relocated to other customers wanting to travel

Exercise your waytostrong Bones!

Do youhaveOsteoporosis or are youatrisk of developing it?

Osteoporosis is acondition where bones areweakened, raising the risk of fractures –but did you know that you can reduce this risk through exercise?

Our program includes Exercise Physiologists and Osteopaths leading you through safe progressive exercise and education to improve your balance and reduce fall risks.

Cost: The initial assessment is free with aMedicareTeam Care

Arrangements (TCA) from your GP

Following exercise group sessions are only $5 each.

Take the first step towards stronger bones and ahealthier future!

Email or call via the details below to register and secureyour spot.

For moreinformation contact: Control High Performance Health, Suite 10, 63 Argyle Street, Traralgon

Phone: 0435 724 455

Email: health@controlhighperformace.com.au

All aboard: Take advantage of the free eight days of travel and explore what Melbourne and Regional Victoria have to offer

Victorian Seniors Festival 2024 EXPLORE

Celebration Day at Fed Square2024

Sunday6October from 12 noon to 7pm

Cnr of Swanston and Flinders Sts, Melbourne

Come join Victorian Seniors Festival for agreat celebration of older Victorians, their friends, allies and families. All arewelcome and encouraged to enjoy and engage in wonderful performances.

On Celebration Day,the entire precinct of Fed Squarecomes to life with music, dance and workshops performed by mainly older artists sharing their passion and talents across the Main Square, Riverside Stage and The Edge.

The River Terrace will be abuzz with marquees hosted by arange of Festival sponsors, partners and organisations, who all supportolder Victorians to live their best lives.

Aspecial featurethisyear will be amass ukulele workshop and performance of two iconic hits in the Main Square. This performance will featureolder Victorians from across the state. With trains and trams right beside Fed Square, free public transportfor Victorian Seniors Card holders is the best way to get there and join in the Festival fun.

Main SquareProgram

The Main Squareisagreat place to sit and enjoy non-stop action with great music and dance from around the world. Thereare lots of opportunities for you to join in as well!

12pm-12.30pm: Colour Me Moved

12.30pm-1pm: Zumba Gold

1pm-1.50pm: SqueezeVox

1.50pm-2pm: Djirri Djirri Dancers

2pm-2.40pm: Welcome to Country and official opening of the 2024 Victorian Seniors Festival

2.40pm-3.15pm: AJ Leonard

3.15pm-3.45pm: Mass Ukulele Performance

4pm-4.50pm: Amber Joy Poulton presents Honky Tonk Queens

4.50pm-5pm: Sweet Mamas

5pm-5.50pm: Soul Sacrifice –The Music of Santana

5.50pm-6.10pm: Studio JBollywood Dance

6.10pm-7pm: Yacht Rock Revival

The EdgeProgram –hosted by Carol O’Halloran Overlooking the YarraRiver,this beautiful theatrewill featuregreat community acts on Celebration Day

12.10pm: The Chinese Cultural Dance Group

12.50pm: Explore. Engage. Evolve –U3A

1pm: Delectably Divine Divas

2pm: Melbournaires Harmony Chorus

2.50pm: Explore. Engage. Evolve –LACVI

3pm: Legends of Brass

3.50pm: Sweet Mamas

4pm: Australian Women’sChoir River Terrace Program

Below the Edge Theatre, this performance arena presents a range of artists and workshops for audiences to enjoy while visiting marquees along the stallholder alley

12pm: Frankie and Friends

12.55pm: Adam Ryan

1.30pm: Swing Valse

2.15pm: Zumba Gold

2.50pm: Frankie and Friends (set #2)

3.40pm: Adam Ryan (set #2)

4.10pm: Swing Valse (set #2)

RovingPerformersProgram

12pm-4pm: Unicycle Papparazzi on River Terrace

1pm-4pm: FaboUko

For moreinformation about Victorian Seniors Festival visit: htt t ps://ww w w. seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/festival

Victorian Seniors Festival Local Events

TENPIN BOWLING AND COFFEE MORWELL

Month of October

Monday to Friday 11.00am to 3.00pm

Youcan book in with us to receive one game of tenpin bowling, acoffee or tea and biscuits for just $10 per person. To make it even easier to bowl we have handle balls, ramps and bumpers if required.

We have ample car or bus parking and with 28 lanes we should have no problem booking you in for aSenior Month Session.

Come and enjoy our safe and comfortable indoor bowling centre.

Location: 44-88 Chickerell, Street Morwell

Bookings: phone 5134 6450

LARDNER PARK GARDEN &HOME EXPO –LARDNER PARk

Saturday5toSunday6October

9.00am-4.00pm

Jane Edmanson and Milly Ross from the ABC’sGardening Australia program will be our special presenters this year, along with afull schedule of speakers, demonstrations, lots of exhibits to see, plus food and produce.

Location: 155 Burnt StoreRd, Lardner

Enjoy agreat day out at Lardner Park

See our websitefor moredetails: www.lardnerpark.com.au

CROQUET COME AND TRYDAY –TRARALGON

Sunday6October,2024

10.00am to 12.00pm

Participants must wear flat shoes and weather appropriate clothing as it’san outside event.

All other equipment provided. Morning and afternoon tea refreshments will be provided. This is afreeevent.

Location: 61-66 McNairnRoad, Traralgon

Formoreinformation: phone 0423 659 663

PLANNING AHEAD EDUCATION SESSION

Friday11October,2024

10.00am to 11.00am

Seniors Rights Victoria and the Latrobe Community Health Service arepleased to offer aPlanning Ahead community education as partofthe Victorian Seniors Festival 2024.

Topics include Enduring Powers of Attorney,Medical treatment decision making and advance careplanning.

In essence, PlanningAhead is about formalising our wishes and putting them in place while we arehealthy and well so that our wishes areadhered to as we age or if our capacity declines.

Location: Latrobe Community Health Service (81-87 Buckley St, Morwell, VIC, 3840)

Registration for the event is essential.

Registration Enddate:

Thursday 10 October

LEARNING THE TECHNIQUE OF FELTING ONSOAP

Friday11October,2024

10.00am -2.30pm

The Baw Baw Arts Alliance invites seniors to explorethe technique of felting on soap.

No moreslippy soap to chase round the shower.Tomake for yourself or for that special someone.

Bring your own cake ofyour favourite soap. All other material supplied.

Therewill be a1 hour break for lunch. BYO lunch or purchase at one of our local cafes. Tea, coffee and morning tea supplied. This is afreeevent.

Location: ArtSpace 1Trafalgar, Trafalgar Railway Station

Bookings essential -bytext or phone

Formoreinformation: phone 0490 055 313

AUTHOR TALK WITH LISAIRELAND AND KYLIELADD

Saturday12October 12noon to 1pm

Listen to best-selling authors Lisa Ireland (The Studio Girls, The Oneand Only Dolly Jamieson) and Kylie Ladd (I’ll Leave you with This, The WayBack) as they talk about their novels, characters and writing practices. Thisisafree event.

Location: Traralgon Library, 34 –38Kay Street, Traralgon

Fortickets or bookings: call 1800 621 409 visitor.centre@latrobe.vic.gov.au

CROQUET COME AND TRYDAY –MORWELL

Sunday13October,2024

10.00am to 12.00pm

Participants must wear flat shoes and weather appropriate clothing asit’san outside event.

All other equipment provided. Morning and afternoon tea refreshments will be provided. This is afreeevent.

Location: Morwell Recreation Reserve, Travers Street, Morwell Formoreinformation: phone 0422 273 617

FORGETME NOT (An Oral HistoryWorkshop) Sunday20October 11amto4pm

History is also the everydaystories that reveal, rekindle and capturethe heartof acommunity,whatever age you are.

Cost: From $5

Location: Town Hall Theatre, Traralgon Fortickets or bookings: call 51763333 Visit: www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/gpac/ home

OPEN HOUSE -TRARALGON NEIGHBOURHOOD LEARNING HOUSE

Monday21–Friday25October,2024 8.30am to 4.00pm

Come and have achat, meet, talk with and make new friends or Join aclass Enjoy afreecuppa. This is afreeevent.

Location: Community Centre, 11-13 Breed Street, Traralgon Formoreinformation: phone 5174 6199

Applying for a Seniors Card

The Seniors Card encourages older Victorians to keep active and engaged in the community through offers and incentives that make it affordable to get out and about

The easiest way to apply for a Seniors Card is to use the online application form found at seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/seniors-card and have your Medicare card with you

Allow up to four weeks for your

application to be processed and for you to receive your card

Visit the Seniors Card ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ page for more information

If you are already part of the Seniors Card program, visit ‘Manage your card’ to update your contact details, replace or cancel a card, or manage your e-News subscription

The Seniors Card is available for

those who are 60 years or over, a permanent resident of Australia residing in Victoria, and working less than 35 hours per week in paid employment or fully retired

The Range Retirement Village is aretirement living

If you have a Seniors Card, you are eligible for free or concession public transport, and are exempt from a fishing license in Victoria

transport concessions nor does it provide free travel vouchers

Plan your social life with your new community.

All card holders can take advantage of discounts and services from businesses via our Discount Directory

Seniors Business Discount Card

The entry point into the Seniors Card program, the Seniors Business Discount card is for people who work for more than 35 hours per week in paid employment, are 60 years of age or over, and a permanent resident of Australia, residing in Victoria

This card allows you to obtain discounts on a range of goods and services from participating businesses, but does not provide public

All card holders can take advantage of discounts and services from businesses via our Discount Directory

Look out for the ‘Seniors Card

Welcome Here’ logo or ask for Seniors Card discounts when you are shopping

What is the Seniors Card program?

Commencing in 1991, the Seniors Card program acknowledges and celebrates the contribution seniors have made and continue to make to our communities and the State of Victoria

The Seniors Card program is free, and there are no application charges associated with the card

wellappointed kitchen, private courtyardgarden and single or double garage

Youwill have the flexibility and freedom to embrace life with asocialcalendar that includes, billiards, indoor bowls, craft, movie nights, trivia, bingo, cards and many moresocial

and make use of our community

to get around our

area. Now is your time to down size and embrace

Acommunity t within acommunity t

EncoreRetirement Living Trafalgar is astaged development now entering its FINAL STAGES. On completion therewill be 92 villas.

Currently home to 71 like-minded residents, who enjoy &embrace life The villa designs arebuilt to encourageindependent living, whilst enhancing lifestyle, security and freedom.

Alot of thought has been given to the interior design of the villas which Include 24-hour emergency call systems, modernkitchens, open plan living areas, spacious ensuite, comfortable bedrooms, and double garages.

The other drawcardisthe longawaited Community Centrewhich has FINALLYOPENEDtoResidents –itisthe hub of many daily &weekly activities.

The Community Centreincludes an indoor,heated, salt-chlorinated pool which is being used daily; a well-stocked librarywith aneverending supply of books donated by Residents; amulti-purpose/craft room, kitchen, dining and lounge areas to cater for abroad range of activities and get-togethers.

The HUR gym equipment which is specifically designed for seniors –is currently experiencing delivery delays. It will be well worth the wait and will enhance the health and wellbeing of residents –offering a tailored programme to suit each Residents’ capability

An undercover outdoor Billiardand BBQareaaswellasfully landscaped surrounds provide additional spaces for residents to enjoy

EncoreRetirement Living has also just commenced construction works on their next village at Paynesville. For those interested in retirement living in Paynesville, the Trafalgar Village will give you the perfect opportunity to discover the style of homes on offer

For moreinformation or to book a Village Tour and acuppa and chat at Trafalgar,aswell as information on the new Paynesville development, please contact Rosa Sinopoli, Village &Sales Manager for Trafalgar & Paynesville on EncoreRetirement Living on 1800 362 673 (1800 ENCORE) or visit encoreliving.com.au

Director,Tom Camp welcomes Residents to the newCommunity Centre

Resident, Silvija at Morning TeaMingle

Residents get-together to play

Business Guide

JOHN at JJ’sExhausts has been trading in Moe since 1990, and offers old school service with discounted prices forall muffler and exhaust systems

John stocks alarge range,and also offers afitting service while youwait with all exhaust repairs starting from $35.

JJ's Exhaust also stocks sports systems and custom pipe bending as partofhis service

Youalso receivehasslefree, twoyear warrantyonstandard replacement mufflers.

Don’t get ripped off, ring John firstorlast fora quote.

Forafreequoteand guaranteed fast service,call JJ’s Exhausts on 5127 4747,orvisit

John at 53 Lloyd Street Moe (oppositerailwaystation).

Open most Saturdaymornings

JJ’sExhausts is your one stop muffler shop

September, 2024

St Joseph’sstudents take to public speaking stage

ST Joseph'sCatholic Primary School, Trafalgar students participated in the Lions Club Public Speaking competition.

Students from Grades4to6were calledto compete in the annual event held at the school.

Studentswere tasked with writing aspeech on an iconic person in their lives. The Grade 4 and 5students' criteria was to choose abook or film character they identified with, while Grade 6students chose an inspirational personintheir life.

The school had 11 participantsstand up in front of their peers, judges and acast of onlookers from the school community as they delivered their presentations. All students did aphenomenaljob andthe

hard work and preparation wasevident to all in attendance.

At the conclusionofthe event, despite the stellar effort by all, awinner for each age group had to be awarded.

The Grade 4prize went to Lilly Harvey for her presentation of Rold Dahl’s Matilda and the Grade 6winner was Tahlia Pedemont for her moving tribute to her mum.

Lilly and Tahlia have sincerepresented St Joseph's in the secondroundofcompetition, where their presentations were pitted against other entrants from other schools.

Lilly yet again took out the win, and will now go to the third round of competitionnext month.

Dinosaurscome to St Michael’s forgrand Jurassic themed visit

FOUNDATION students at St Michael's Primary School, Traralgon were lucky enough to have Josh from the Museum of Victoria visit their school with aDinosaur replica display.

The children were able to look, touch and feel the items.

Josh providedthe children with lotsofinformation about fossils, meteorites and floods that overalong period eventually caused the extinction of dinosaurs on Earth. From these events, fossilsdeveloped. Overtime, Palaeontologistsexamined these fossils and have puttogether many displays and information about them at the Melbourne Museum.

The childrenenjoyed hearing about the T-Rex, Triceratops, Muttaburrasaurus and many other dinosaurs.

Josh explained that thereisstill much more that we can learn about Dinosaurs. In Victoria, fossil hunters are continuing to helpuslearn about them The childrenhad many questions and enjoyed their afternoon.

Gippy Water seeking feedback from customers in new survey

GIPPSLANDWater is seeking feedback from customers on its performance over the past 12 months.

The organisation recently released its 2024 Community Report, which provides asnapshot of its performance against key promisesand commitments made in its 2023 Price Submission.

Gippsland Water Managing Director,Sarah Cumming said the feedback wouldhelp shape the next 12 months and keep the organisation accountable.

“We’reasking our customers to share their thoughts on our performance, let us know what we’ve done well, and what they’d like to see more of,” Ms Cumming said.

“Keyinitiativesshaped by customerfeedback over the last 12 months included the delivery of our new and improved website and acustomercare campaign, which focused on building awareness about the types of financial support we offer.

“We also took proactive action to secure a3.3

gigalitrebulkwater entitlementfor Warragul and Drouin’s rapidly growing population to meet ongoing demand.

“Other highlights included partnering with Gunaikurnai Land and WatersAboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) to bring potable water to KnobReserve (inStratford) andincreasing support for communities during emergency events,such as theFebruary Mirboo North storm.”

Ms Cumming said the organisation valued feedback and had adapted its plans to reflect evolving customer sentiment in previous years.

“Keeping our finger on the pulse and adapting to evolvingcommunity sentiment is what helps us ensure we’re focusing on the things that matter most to our communities,” Ms Cumming said. Feedback can be providedonlineinananonymous and confidential way.

Visit www.gippswater.com.au/community/ community-reports to read the full report and share your thoughts.

Revolutionary: Gippsland Waterhopes to continue working positively with families such as the TaylorsofMoe Photograph supplied

TRARALGON, 44 Glenview Dr. Combined households. Fri. and Sat. 9am-12pm. Tools, camping gear, Star Wars memorabilia, kitchenware and more.

Shuttle Airport drop offs and pick ups. For bookings go to our website. www.gippyshuttle.net.au

Esso’s decommissioning of platforms in Bass Strait

Esso AustraliaPty Ltd(Esso), awholly owned subsidiaryofExxonMobil Australia Pty Ltd,is committed to operating and decommissioning its’ Gippsland and Bass Strait facilities safely and effectively

After delivering energy to Australia for over 50 years, many of the Bass Strait oil fields arenow reaching the end of their productive life. As planning for decommissioning progresses, Esso is focused on safely shutting-down non-producing facilities and ensuring they stay safe throughout the entire decommissioning process.

CommunityInformation Session and Drop-in

If you’d like to know more aboutactivityplansfor Decommissioning of platforms and pipelines in Bass Strait, the Esso Consultation Team will be hosting acommunity information sessionand drop-in at the following locations:

Wednesday25September 2024 -Welshpool WelshpoolMemorial Hall 49 Main Street,Welshpool 10.00 am –1.00 pm

Wednesday25September 2024 -Leongatha South Gippsland TradeSkills Alliance (SGBLLEN) 71 Ogilvy St., Leongatha 3.00 pm –7.00 pm

Wednesday25September 2024 -Foster

Manna Gum Community House 33 Station Street,Foster 3.00 pm –7.00 pm

Apresentationabout decommissioning activities will be providedat11.00 am for the AM sessions and3.30 pm and 5.30 pm for the PM sessions. We encourage you to come along and ask questions or to raiseany concerns youmay have.

To registeryour attendance, please email us at: consultation@exxonmobil.com

If these dates and timesdon’t suit, please contact us at consultation@exxonmobil.com or by phone on 03 92610000.

TheEsso Consultation Team will also be available to discuss all current activities,including: -Bass Strait Decommissioning -Jack-Up-Rig Well Plug and Abandonment

Investigations -Kipper -Sub-Sea Drilling -Turrum Phase 3Drilling -South East Australia CarbonCapture&Storage (SEA CCS) Project Bream Greenhouse Gas Appraisal Environment Plan (SEA CCS)

Liketobeconsulted about these activities?

Esso is working to identifyand consult with relevant persons[stakeholders]whose functions, interests, or activities maybeaffectedbyone or more of Esso’s proposed activities.

Please fill in the Esso Consultation Questionnaire (sli.do) in the Esso Consultation Hub to let us know if you’dlike to be consulted or have any questions or feedback.

Please refer to the NOPSEMA brochure Consultation on offshorepetroleum environment plans brochure.pdf (nopsema.gov.au) to understand moreabout consultation on offshorepetroleum environment plans assessed under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2023. Your feedback and our response will be included in the relevant regulatoryapplication documentation and submitted to the regulator

Please connect us with other interested people If thereisanyoneyou know whomay be interested in our activities, we encourage you to share this information with them.

To find out moreinformation

Formoreinformation about Esso’s activities and other projects, please go to the Esso Consultation Hub at:

https://corporate.exxonmobil.com/locations/australia/ our-approach

DONE

LANDSCAPING

ADVERTISERS

PLEASE NOTE: 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.

CUSTOMER SERVICE CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

The Latrobe Valley Express has an exciting opportunityfor aperson to join our Classified Team, on apart time basis.

Youwill be able to demonstrate the following: Aconfident phone manner

Commercial and Operations Manager Latrobe Regional Airport

3. Declaration of the poll of the election of members of the Committee. Any financial Member seeking election to the committee may obtain anomination paper from the Chief Executive Officer and which nomination paper, signed by two voting members of the club, and accompanied by written consent of the candidate must be lodged no later than the 16th October 2024 with the Chief Executive Officer. All Committee members are required to undergo police, credit and directorship checks before obtaining aseat. The following Committee member's terms will be expiring on 1st November 2024 and are eligible to nominate for re-election. Mr Andrew Lewis, Mr Michael Walshe and Mr Michael Vanderfeen.

4. Any Voting member intending to submit business for consideration at the Annual General Meeting or questions for the auditor, must submit this business in writing or by electronic transmission to the Chief Executive Officer no later than the 16th October 2024.

5. To appoint an auditor.

6. To transact any other business in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Club.

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.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including literacy

Proficient computer skills

Efficient time management and organisational skills

Must have attention to detail and some design experience would be an advantage Supportive working environment.Bepart of our friendly team.

Applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Please send your detailed resume to: classifieds@lvexpress.com.au by Friday, 11 October 2024.

Contractor

Expressions of interest are invited from cleaning contractors to clean Araluen Primary School in Sale, Gippsland.

Cleaners are required to attend asite inspection to be conducted at 1.30pm on Thursday, 10th October 2024. Contract documents will be available at that time. Register attendance on 03 5144 2111.

All applicants must have Department approved cleaning panel status to clean any Victorian Government school.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Tendered quotes will then need to be emailed to the school before 5pm Friday, 18th October: Araluen.ps@education.vic.gov.au

DELIVERERS WTD

Would you like to deliver the Latrobe Valley Express newspaper to individual homes on Tuesday and/or Wednesday afternoons in Morwell, Traralgon, Moe, Newborou gh and Churchill? Please apply to the Circulation Manager 0456 000 541. Please note: Children must be 11 years or over as we will need to apply for agovernment Child Employment Permit Children younger than 11 cannot or will not be accepted. Adult deliverers also welcome.

FORD FOCUS

Hatchback 2005, manual, good cond., can provide r.w.cert., reg. TXV-937 $2500. Ph 0439 307 678.

MOTORING SPECIAL

6lines

JAYCO Conquest FD20.1, Fiat Ducato, '13, 2.3L diesel, 65,000km, generator, d/batts, 3-way fridge, extra solar, large storage box (rear), reg. 2/25, 1UG-1YU $89,500. 0402 140 919. NOONAN, Leo Patrick. Passed away suddenly but peacefully at home on 18 September 2024. Aged 91 years Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. May your next bet be awinner!

ROCKING horse, H65cm at shoulder, L105cm, overall height 80cm. Solid construction $100. Phone 0418 753 575.

CUNNEEN, Raymond Peter. Passed away peacefully at McCullochHouse, Clayton on 18 September 2024. Aged 72 years Beloved son of Pat and Merv (dec.). Much loved partner of Lisa. Dearly loved father of Fiona, Bradley, and Aaron. Adored Poppy to Georgie, Lachie and Samantha. Cherished brother and brother-in-law of Norman, Leslie, Sandra, Judy, Suzanne, Sharon (dec.) and partners.

STORRIE (Livingstone), Julie Ann. Passed away peacefully at Baw Baw Views Aged Care Moe on 20 September 2024. Aged 72 years Dearly loved wife of Stuart. Mother and mother-in-law of Allan, Jon and Sian. Adored grandmother of Tara, Luka, Nico and Arlo.

$60 without aphoto or $74withacolour photo Total of 4consecutive editions in the Latrobe Valley Express and 4editions of the Gippsland Times paper THEY DO SELL! CUNNEEN. Family and friends are warmly invited to celebrate Raymond's life at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services at 6Ollerton Avenue, Newborough THURSDAY (26 September 2024) commencing at 2pm. Ray's service will

YOUR DOLLAR FURTHER Cars and Caravans are in demand

ROMA Poptop, caravan. 1999, electric roof lifter, electric brakes, as new, stove, m/wave, rollout awning, twin beds spacious, v.g.c. 12mthsrego. $14,000. Ph 0418 753 575.

DEAN, Marshall Ross (Marsh). Passed away suddenly at the Alfred Hospital, Prahran on 17 September 2024. Aged 47 years Dearly loved and loving husband of Nicole. Much loved father of Violet and Abigail. Much loved son of Jim and Wendy. Brother and brother-in-law to Jim and Corrie, Amy and Craig, Lara, and Blake, Uncle Marsh to all their families.

DEAN, Marshall. Our deeply respected nephew and cousin. You will never be forgotten We thought the world of you Deepest sympathy to Nicole, Violet, Abi, Jim, Wendy and families. Love Alex, Robin, Lloyd, Carmen and our family.

HOCH, David Ludwig. Passed

He'll be

For

MASLEN, Ralph James. Passed away peacefully at Traralgon Aged Care Wednesday, 11 September 2024. Aged 73 years

Loved and loving husband of Dianne.

Much loved father of Rhonda, Michelle, Jason and David.

Adored pop to his grandchildren, Natalie, Kayla, Hayden and Charli.

Loved always Missed beyond measure

MILDREN,

Cherished

your tribute on

DEAN.

The Funeral Service to celebrate the life of Mr Marshall Ross Dean will be held at the Sale Baptist Church, 283 Princes Hwy Sale, THURSDAY (3 October 2024) commencing at 10.30am. The Funeral will leave at the conclusion of the Service for the Rosedale Cemetery.

Marshall's Service will also be livestreamed, to view the livestream please visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au and click on livestreaming.

MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

HELLER (nee Weston, nee Steele, nee Quan), Shirley Lorraine. The Funeral Service for Shirley Heller, will be held on WEDNESDAY (25 September 2024) at 2pm, at Rose

MORRIS, Tom.

8/2/1940 -30/9/2023. In loving memory of our beautiful Husband, Dad and Pop. Always in our minds, forever in our thoughts. You have left our lives, but you will never leave our hearts. Missing you every day All our love Margery, Dean and Narelle, Troy and Audra, Melissa and Ross, Zoe,Georgia, Sophie, Max, Billy, Sid and Dulcie XXX.

TOOGOOD, Ray. Passed away 23/9/2014. Along ten years has passed. Remembering Ray with love. Diane, Gail and Julie and families.

LATROBE VALLEY FUNERAL SERVICES

Red Devil’shonourgreats

SOCCER

LVSL BY JOHN CARDONA

MOE United Soccer Club held its presentationnightfor season 2024at the weekend.

Presentation was held at Moe Racing Club, who have been along time supporter of the Red Devils.

It was agreat night celebrating the clubs 2024 season, with around 140 people in attendance and nearly every player making an appearance. All club award winners were announced on the night.

RESULTS OF ALLAWARD SQUAD WINNERS WERE

PeterAlbanese SeniorsPlayers Player Award: Oscar Sceney

Senior Best and Fairest: Bayden

Heusmann (17-years-old)

Senior runner-up Best and Fairest: Oscar Sceney

Senior club topgoalscorer: Riley Winkelman

Coaches award: Bayden Heusmann

Senior Women’s Players PlayerAward: Nicole Riseley

Senior Women’s Best and Fairest: Tylah Armistead

Senior Women’srunner-up Best and Fairest: MileyCooper (15)

Honour: NewMoe United Soccer Club LifeMembers, HarleyDevlin and RegPoxon. Photograph supplied

Senior Women’stop goal scorer: Miley Cooper

CorrieKoppen AwardWinner: Summer Cooper

Senior Women’scoaches award: Haley Laws

Heusmanns familyReservesPlayers PlayerAward: HarleyRobinson

Reserves Best and Fairest: Thomas Portelli

Reservesrunner-up Best and Fairest: HarleyRobinson Reservescoaches award: Bailey Sommerville ReservesLeague and club goal

scorer: Harley Robinson

2nd Division Best and Fairest: Jake Heusmann

2nd Division runner-up Best and Fairest: TimStephens

2nd Division joint club andleague goal scorers: Jake Huesmann and Zane Poxon

The Moe United Soccer Club also awarded two life memberships,which were presented by outgoingclubpresident AndrewBednarski to Reg Poxon and Harley Devlin. Best Club Person Award was presented to Frank Heusmann.

Also announced on the night was that allcoaches would be remaining for 2025, giving the club great stability heading into the next season.

Lee Dastey will again coach the senior side, assisted by Lachlan McKenzie. Anotice in the future will be posted on when preseason will commence.

On asadder note, the club will be withoutstarstrikerand popular Red Devil, Connor O’Hanlon.

He and his partner and two daughters are moving to England.

Boost forfemale sport participation

SPORT

WOMEN and girls’ sports participationin

Gippsland is set for aboost, with Latrobe City and South Gippsland shire councils securing Play Well Participation Grants with support from GippSport.

Funding is through the Australian SportsCommission as part of itsfirst National Sport Participation Strategy, which aims to ensure that everyone has aplace in sport.

GippSport Executive Officer, Dan Poynton said his organisation was proud to partner with local councils to deliver such impactful projects.

“Womenand girls have been underrepresented in community sport for too long so this is agreat opportunity for us to work with local councils as well as local clubstohighlight the importance of sport forwomen and girls in our communities,” he said.

The PlayWell Participation Grant is anational initiative designed to break down barriersand increase sports access for underrepresented groups, particularly women and girls.The program focuses on fosteringinclusive environments where women and girls feel welcome and

Venueofchoice

supported as they embark on or continue their community sport journey.

While the two councilswill focuson slightly different strategies and sports, the primary goal remains the same –to raise awareness of the sports opportunities available to women and girls in South Gippsland and Latrobe and to increase participation.

In Latrobe City, the programwill highlight opportunities in soccer, golf, and Australian rules football, aiming to create moreinclusive and accessible sports environments.

To start the initiative, afree‘Come and Try’ event will be held this November, with further events planned for next February and October.

Theseevents will be opentowomen and girls of all ages, offering achancetotry new sportsinasupportive and welcoming environment.

In additiontothese events, GippSport, in partnershipwith the councils, will offer no-cost, fully subsidised workshops and capacitybuilding support forlocalsports clubs. These workshops will focus on creatingwelcoming and inclusive club environments thatattract andretain women and girls.

SOME discussion and even conspiracy theory did the rounds in the lead-up to the Mid Gippsland Grand Final regarding Meeniyan getting hosting rights. Therewas suggestion the leaguehad given MDU the Grand Final on the assumptionFish Creek wouldbeplaying Foster in the senior Grand Final.

As it turned out, Yinnar beat the Tigers in the Preliminary Final the week before. Speaking to league officials, MDU was chosen mainly to provide an alternative.

With the Gippsland League finals in Traralgon, and North Gippsland Grand Final in Churchill, there had to be apoint of difference.

Program Coordinator Rachel Ronaldson emphasised the importance of the workshops in additiontothe come and try days.

“ThePlay Wellstrategyfocuses on creating safe,welcoming, and inclusive sportsenvironments and we encourage all clubs interestedinsupportingwomen and girls to sign up for the workshops to ensure they are ready to welcome participants that enjoy the come and try days and want to takethe next step in their community sport journey,”she said GippSport will collaborate closely with State Sporting Associations, localassociations and clubs to ensure the Play Well initiative reachesasmany women and girls as possible. This collaboration will also help to build sustainable programs that continue to benefit the community long after the initial grant period.

GippSport invites everyone to get involved in the Play Well initiative, whether by participating in events, volunteering, or attending workshops.

To learn more about the project, visit www.gippsport.com.au or phone5176 3020.

While one game was going on, the next teams scheduled had asecond court in which to warm up.

The MDU Cricket Club clubrooms are located near the netball courts, and were used as changerooms for the netballers. Those with an appreciation for local footy/netball club history should check out the MDUFNC clubrooms. There, you will find meticulous honour boards with no detail spared, and photo framesofpremiership teamsand best-and-fairest winners all perfectly spaced lining the wall.

Good-bad

NETBALL ran behind schedule, but for good reason.

Despite the weather, ahealthycrowd made its way to Meeniyan. Cars werelined to the town centre, with the carpark outside the reserve also full.

The league wished to pay credit to MDU volunteers, who did much more than simply open the gates to their ground for Grand Final day.

Topnotch

AS far as facilities go, Meeniyan offersexceptional amenities

The size of the groundisperfect for country footy, while each coaches box has elevatedseating and aseparatetrainers space. SpeakingtoanMDU member, he explainedpart of the home changerooms were actually the old clubrooms. Meeniyanwas also well-suited to host netballgrandfinals.

Incredibly, two of the three junior games went to overtime. This meant five minutes each way, and if scores were still tied, play had to continue until one team led by two goals. While things never reached that extreme, there was still plenty of excitement.

League officials were just about ready to put the Boolarra label on the 17s trophy, before Toora came from nowhere to score four goals, including one after the buzzer.

Some Magpie players thought that was in fact the winner, butthenrealised the game was going to overtime.

Last laugh

AS they say, revenge is adish best served cold. Grand Final day would have been especially satisfying for one local netballer. After not being offered aspotonarival club roster last year, said netballer joined Yinnar this season, and sure enough, walked away with apremiershipmedal.

Grand final

photo gallery

ced to usehandwarmers to tryand defrostduring

Yehthe girls: Allyssa Tangi leads th Grand Final.

Photograph: -Holt

Loprese and Paul ‘Jumbo’

Gippsland League Grand Final. Photograph: Liam Durkin

Aim:

ing successful 15 and Under Grand Fi Photograph: Liam Durkin

Fr

mentsfor MidGippsland netba sonGrand Finalday Photograph: Liam Durkin

Measur

the MidGippsland Grand Final. Photograph: Liam Durkin

Ducking forcover: LatrobeValleyUmpir the post-match presentation of the Mid GippslandThirds Grand FInal in Meeniy Photograph: Liam Durkin

Belting it out: Traralgon players sing Final

Photograph:

United: Grand Final.

Allowing level playing field

SPORT

THE state government is supporting sporting clubs across Victoria to strengthen respectful and safe environments.

Minister for Prevention of Family Violence

Vicki Ward and Minister for Community Sport Ros Spencelaunched the newSafeand Inclusive Sport: preventing gender-based violence guide. This innovative guide is supporting gender equity andfurther action to prevent genderbased violence through community sport.

To prevent gender-based violence awholeof-community response working alongside government is vital.

The guide provides strategies to help organisations –including state sporting associations, local councils and women’s health services –support local sports clubs, leagues and associations to build and strengthen safe, inclusive and respectful cultures.

The resource also includes examples of partnerships and projects that are currently driving cultural change and contributingto the prevention of gender-based violence in

workplace and sport settings. This includes the important workofGenWest in partnership with the Western Bulldogs Football Club, Women’s Health Grampians and the Western Football Netball League to run acommunity education campaign called 'Champions of the West’.

The Champions of the West campaign is levelling the playing field for women, girls, and gender-diverse footyplayers. It champions respectfulrelationships which leads to the prevention of gender-based violence. The GenWest led initiative is one of 12 community-basedsporting projects across the state recently supported witha$1.2millionfunding boost from thestate government through its Preventing Violence Through Sports Grants program.

The guide also supports the delivery of Victoria’s ground-breaking familyviolence prevention strategy Free From Violence. This strategy recognises the importance of sport in building aculture of respect and gender equality and prevents gendered violence across communities.

For more information about the Safe and Inclusive Sport Guide,visitsport.vic.gov.au/ safe-and-inclusive-sport.

Melbourneenjoys minutes

BASKETBALL

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

TRARALGON export Jade Melbourne has officially wrapped up her WNBAsophomore season with the Washington Mystics.

Aftera poorstart to the 2024 season, the Mystics won eight of their last 12 games but narrowly missed aplayoff berth, one game behind the Atlanta Dream.

Washingtonadditionally werevictorious in three of their final five games.

That run began with an 89 to 58 smothering of the Chicago Sky.

Melbourne put forth eight points, dished out three assists, one rebound and asteal in 18 minutes off the bench.

The Mystics followed up on theirseismic win, taking down conference rivals the Dream 72-69.

Melbourneplayed 14 minutes but scored seven points, grabbed four rebounds and one assist.

In adouble-header, Atlanta got the better of Washington two nights later in an overtime thriller 76-73, with Melbourneplaying limited minutes, but still finding time to notch something in every major statistical category.

In 15 minutes, she scored six points, two assists, one rebound with asteal and ablock.

The Mystics couldn’t recover from their slim loss to the Dream, goingdown on their home court87-71

GOLF

CHURCHILL &MONASH

Mulligan Saturday14th September 2024.

AGrade Winner: D. Burridge 41 pts

BGrade Winner: T. Collins 37 pts

D.T.L: 1. P. Kearns 40, 2. G. Barnes 40, 3. A. Sharrock40, 4. T. Webb 38, 5. P. Smart38

N.T.P: 3rdC.Waring,5th D. Burridge,12th

Pro-Pin: T. Webb

Birdies: 3rdG.Harvey, 12th T. Webb,12th R. King,12th A. Sharrock

Target Hole: D. Burridge

StablefordTuesday17th September

Winner: D. Burridge 32

D.T.L: S. Caldwell 24

N.T.P: 3rdC.Stevens,5th S. Caldwell,12th S. Caldwell, 14th S. Caldwell

MIRBOO NORTH

Tuesday, 17th September,Stableford

AGrade: TBradshaw(11)37pts

BGrade: GShandley(14)34pts

CGrade: DMatherson (23) 33pts

DTL: GRenwick35, PWoodall, SWoodall, SBickerton 34, RMatthews 33 c/b

NTP: 4th GShandley, 6th SHenry, 13th G Renwick16th JPickersgill.

Birdies: 4th TBradshaw, GRenwick, 16th J Pickersgill, Saturday21st September,Par

AGrade: PDraper 3up

BGrade: WReynolds 1down

DTL: GShandley, JRobbons -1, MPayne

-2 c/b

NTP: 4th DJerram 6th JSmeriglio,13th P Draper,16th WReynolds,\ Birdies: 4th DJerram 6th JRobbins,S Hill-Smith, 16th WReynolds,GShandley.

MOE

Sunday, 15 September 2024

Competition :OPEN Sunday9hole

Stableford

Grade AWinners: MarkSamson (22) 17

to the New York Liberty that ultimately cost them aspot in the playoffs.

Melbourne managed five points, an assist and a rebound in 14 minutes.

Washington did howeverfinish on ahigh note, defeating playoff team Indiana Fever by a point, 92-91.

Melbourne played 20 minutes, finishing with nine points, two rebounds, two assists and four steals in front of afranchise record 20,711 fans.

All-in-all,Melbourne finished the 2024 season withaveragesoffive points, one-and-a-half rebounds and assistswhile shooting43per cent fromthe field and 35.7 per centfrom three-point land (above league average).

In her final six games of the season, Melbourne showed off her truepotential, importantlywhenher team was winning, with averages of seven points, just under two rebounds, one-and-a-half assists and asteal while shooting 52 per cent fromfield and42per cent from deep.

Her best game of the season most definitely came in June when she dropped 21 points on the Liberty whilealsodrillingthree bombsfrom long range.

As acreative guard with strong defensive capabilities that were seen in her Olympic debut run with the Opals bronze medal team, Melbourne is no doubt only going onwards and upwards.

Place Getters: Doug Stewart16

Sunday, 15 September 2024

OPEN SundayMedley Stableford

Grade AWinners:Alain Babet (14) 40 Wednesday, 18 September 2024

WOMEN'S WEDNESDAY 9HOLE

GradeAWinners: Judy Lee (40) -3

Wednesday, 18 September 2024

WOMEN'S PAR

Grade AWinners: Christine Elliot (28) +3

Grade BWinners: Phyllis Dyt(39) -1

Place Getters: Chris Birrell -2, Pat Thompson -3

Nearest to Pin: 4th PatThompson, 8th

Sandy Tate,14thPat Thompson, Target Hole

Christine Elliot

September Monthly Medal Winner: Pat Thompson

THURSDAY,19SEPTEMBER 2024

COMPETITION :OPEN MEDLEY

STABLEFORD

Grade AWinners: Tony Johnson (1) 33 C/B

Grade BWinners: AnthonyGauci (16) 35 C/B

Grade CWinners: John Pisa (25) 35

Place Getters: Michael Ray35, Peter Rodaughan 34 C/B,Phillip Coffin 34 C/B

Brandon Moore34, Steven Fue33C/B, Wayne Yeomans 33, Allan Noppert33C/B, PeterTsebelis 33 C/B,Rob King 33 C/B, Graeme Wilson 33

Great Score: Les Stansbury(Birdie) @14, BradleyBackman (Birdie) @8,Bob Harland (Birdie) @4

Nearest to Pin: 4th Kevin Ayton, 8th Brandon Moore, 14th TerryDonnison

Saturday, 21 September 2024

Competition :MENS 4B Aggregate

Stableford

Overall Winners: Howard,Bernard& Skicko, Nick74 Bassman, Aaron &Bassman, Jeffrey 72

—The Latrobe Valley Express, Wednesday, 25 September, 2024

Generations of bocce brilliance

GIPPSTAR

LOCALbocce players FrancoFacoand Tommy Campbell were named Gippstar Award winners for the month of July and August respectively.

Franco paired with his grandson Tommy to win the Australian Doubles National Bocce Title.

The pairtriumphed overthe Redland Queensland combination before taking on aformidable Western Australian team consisting of Milan Martutinovic and Cortien Juliene in the final.

The scores seesawed throughoutthe contest whichultimately resulted in a7-5 victory to Franco and Tommy.

JuniorGippstar winners were Hannah Wilms

of Sale (July) for her achievements in Polocrosse, and Sierra Robers (August)ofMaffra for excelling in hockey.

September/October nominations for Gippstar close on November 6, 2024. You can nominate for the following categories: -Team of the Year; -Club of the Year; -Special Achiever Award, and; -Gippsland Sporting Champion.

These annual awards can be nominated at any time during the current Gippstar year. If you would like to recognise the sporting achievements of aGippsland athlete,orany of the above categories, nominations can be made online at the Gippsland Sports Academy website.

V/Line Cup on as we speak

FOOTBALL

THE 2024 V/Line Cup has been underwaysince Monday (September 23) and is running until today(Wednesday, September 25).

Ballarat is hosting its first ever V/Line Cup, with 600 of the best Under 15 footballers from country Victoria circling the annualjunior carnival.

The V/LineCup is comprised of three competitions includingtwo boysdivisions and agirls divisionfeaturing representation from seven

regions,including the Gippsland area, for a total of 21 matches (two games for each team over the three days).

Gippsland Power entered every grade with atotal of 84 juniors, with 12 playing from the Latrobe Valley.

They will be up against the likes of Dandenong Stingrays,MurrayBushrangers, GWV Rebels, Bendigo Pioneers, and NEB (North East Border) Bushrangers.

Areview of the V/Line Cup will feature in next week's Express.

SCOREBOARD

Place Getters: Johnson, Tony &Dunstan, 71 Wilkinson, Wally&Colvin, Anthony68 Harber,John &Allen, Ray67C/B Powell, Vincent &Beath, Ken67

GreatScore: Andrew Pickard (Birdie) @14, Chris Hancock(Birdie) @4

Nearest to Pin: 4th PeterStephens,8th Nick Skicko,14th Andrew Pickard

MORWELL

Morwell Golf Club Women

18th September 2024 -Stableford

Winner: IYoshimura28pts

DTL: JKing 27 pts JGriffiths 27 pts

NTP: 2nd GClark15th JKing

TRAFALGAR

Tuesday17/09/2024 -Stableford

Players:25,Women 3, Men 22

Winners: Ivan Grant (19c/b)

RunnersUp: SteveGould (19)

DTL: Tony Shearer (18), Brian McKenzie (18), Russ Balfour (17), Hank Fiddelaers (16), MickBennett(16), Vic Hill (16)

NTP: Harold McNair (5)

Bradmans: RodBrisbane

Thursday: 19/09/2024 -American Foursomes

Players:40,Women 12,Men 28

Winners: RonKeith &Helen Keith(29.5

RunnersUp: Stephen Klemke&Sue

Klemke(31.0)

DTL: Ed Hayward& Glenn Doolan (33.0), Aileen McNair &Harold McNair (33.5), Bev Keily&Paul Fogarty(34.0), Sue Williams & RayWilliams (34.5 c/b)

NTP: KarenMacGregor,Ron Keith (13)

Bradmans: NormMether&Laurie Snowbal

Wenesday Women's results: 18/9/24

Stroke/Monthly Medal

Medal Winner: BevKeily(22) with 77 nett

Medal Runner-Up: Linda Chapple (27) with 81 nett

ScratchWinner: June Tickell (10) with 99

NTP: 5th Aija Owen with an EN

DTL: Lorna Risol and JanGriffin with 83 nett and KarenMacGregor with 84 nett

Putting: JanGriffin with 32 putts c/b Friday,September 20th 2024, Open Men’s &Ladies Stableford

AGrade Winner: Stu Marriott38pts

BGrade Winner: Andrew Jenkins 35 pts

DTL's: GarryJansen 36, Ryan Mortimer 36, Paul Richer 35, RayWiseman 35, Nick Rowe 34, Neale Winter 32, NickDuncan 32 C/B

Birdies: 2nd: Ryan Mortimer 5th: Stu Marriott, Ryan Mortimer Saturday, September 21st 2024, Monthly Medal Stroke

Medal Winner: PeterGriffin 68 nett

AGrade Winner: Phil Town 71 nett

BGrade Winner: Stu Marriott70nett

CGrade Winner: PeterGriffin 68 nett

DGrade Winner: AnthonyCunningham 74 nett

ScratchWinner: Bill Williams 76 gross

Visitor Winner: Jamie Pilcher 75 nettC/B

DTL’s: NormMether 70, KenStreet 72, Josh Clarkson 72, ScottMcKinnon 72, Peter Heathcote73, Darryl Blackshaw73, Paris Christian 73, PeterCollier 73, Nathan Dart 74,John Dodorico 74,AnthonyGould 74, Trevor Perkins 75, Graeme Ayre 75 C/B

NTP’s: 2nd: AnthonyGould 5th: Scott McKinnon 11th:PatrickKuipers13th: John Dodorico 15th:MarkRobinson

Birdies: 2nd: PerryO’Connor 5th: Stu Marriott, DulanBradshaw,AnthonyGould, TimCross,ScottMcKinnon, Michael Langstaff, WarwickGriggs 11th:Peter Griffin

13th:Peter Moss,Chris Brydon, Paul Dixon 15th:Ken Street

YALLOURN Yallourn Golf Club Ladies

NTP: Target hole

Rising: Traralgon’s Jade Melbourne gotthe betterofWNBAstarCaitlin Clarkinthe Mystics final win of the season. Photograph supplied

Harriers brave the chilly conditions

Up andcoming: Junior runner Lucy Magaldi put in agood effort forthe Harrierslast week

ATHLETICS

THE Traralgon Harriers battled the return of winter during last Thursday’s (September 19) six kilometre run ‘Doughnut event’.

Blustery cold winds, then rain, confronted the 48 participantswho appeared to enjoy the exhilaration of testing themselves among natures challenge.

Thoughflattish, the only easy part of thethree-lap circuit was wind-assisted at Douglas Parade.

It was pleasing to see some absentee Harriers return to the Thursday event.

Owen Notting was back after awinter recess and willnow be working on hisfitnesslevels for the approaching summer season.

Junior Lucy Magaldi and long-termmember

Just likehome: Irishman Shane Gavin experienced chilly conditionsinTraralgon.

MichelleSawyer, running identical finishing times, were both welcomed back, while Irish expat Shane Gavin was given ataste of his native weather.

The usual suspects dominated the quickest times category, with Yani Cornthwaiteleading the women’s list, trailed by experienced marathon runner,Karen Graham, and then the cautious result by accomplished triathlete, Molly Irvine.

The males saw gun junior and Victorian state representative Dempsey Podmore lead Sav Mavrofridis –almost fully recovered after abone fracture –and then the in-form quinquagenarian Andrew Greenhill.

Tomorrow’s (Thursday, September 26) event is the Rangeview Drive -a5km circuit from St Gabrielle’s Primary School, Traralgon.

Registration is the usual5.30pm and clubapproved hi-vis vests are still required.

On Sunday, October 20, the clubwillhost the

highly appreciated Traralgon Harriers Memorial Run fromthe Maryvale Recreation Reserve in Henry Street, Morwell.

Options include 12km or 6km and entry is from 8.30am for a9.30am start.

Moneyfrom this event is gifted to Lifeline Gippsland to assist in raising awareness of mental health issues and suicide prevention.

For additional information, visit www.traralgonharriers.org.au.

RESULTS (THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19)

DempseyPodmore23:50, SavMavrofridis 24:11, Andrew Greenhill 24:58, Ian Cornthwaite25:00, Yani Cornthwaite27:53, TrentKooyman 28:10, Adrian Sutcliffe 28:11, Martin Lynch28:13,Karen Graham 28:26, Glenn Graham 28:44, Jerzey

Podmore28:49, Clinton Jolly29:02, Ashleigh Dugan29:40, MollyIrvine29:40, PeterSanders 29:40, GaryFox 29:43, Stephen Renehan 30:30, PeterFairbairn 30:39, Chris VanUnen 30:40, Ron Verschuur 30:55, Jason Odlum 31:46, Darrel Cross 31:53, Seth Bomers32:27,Belkey Podmore34:55, Phillip Mayer35:14,OwenNotting 35:31, Shane Gavin 35:33, DesleyGray35:44,LucyMagaldi 36:16, Michelle Sawyer 36:16, Giuseppe Marino 36:27,BenjaminMarino 36:27,Ree Graham 38:41, Collette Hofmann 38:41, David Hood 38:49, Mark Lansdown 39:00, Emma Marino 39:23, Catherine Leonard39:25,Tania Whitehead 39:42, Andrew Legge 43:00, Danelle Wright 45:10, Ann Bomers 49:45, Lynda Jones50:23, TimothyGraham50:42, Kristina Creighton 58:12, Kylee EarlNTR, Anthony Magaldi NTR, MarkFairbairnNTR

Double play for Redsox with multiple flags wiit t th h mullttiple

TRARALGON proved too strong for Moe/ Newborough in the Latrobe Valley Baseball Association Grand Final.

The Redsox took the title after adominate display, winning 16 to 2. Josh Grahamwas named Playerofthe Match.

This was Traralgon’s 14th AGrade premiership, and first since 2017.

The Redsox now have the most AGrade flags of any LVBA club, surpassing Morwell on 13 and Moe/Newborough on 11. Traralgon also won the BGrade premiership, beating the Dodgers 6-3. Moe/Newboroughhad better luckinC Grade, winning 11-5 against Churchill.

The Braves tookthe Under 16s

the Under 13

flag, while Traralgon won

shield.

Back: Michelle Sawyer made awelcome returntothe Harriers. Photographs supplied

Arise: Owen Notting hascome out of winter hibernationtoresume runningwiththe Harriers.

On the rise: Churchill capped offthe Under 16 season by winning the premiership

Young guns: Traralgon claimedthe Under 13 flag Photographs: NicoleWhiteunless stated otherwise

Whole club effort: Traralgon wonA Gradeand BGrade flags.

Photograph supplied

I’m blue da ba

deedabadi: Moe/Newborough took out the CGrade premiership

Moe’s“worldclass” racing facility

HORSE RACING

By LIAM DURKIN

PRIDE wasevident at Moe Racing Club, as the club’s new raceday building was officially opened.

The opening marked acrowning glory forthe club’s management and committee, who had put in amountainofwork behind the scenes to see the new facility come to fruition.

VictorianRacingMinisterAnthonyCarbines was on handtounveilthe plaque, and took atour of the state-of-the-art double storey building.

The Minister was suitably impressed, going as far to say the facilities at Moe were comparable to those seen at high calibre racing clubs overseas.

“It’s really brought facilities up to world class standard, the facilities here are top notch,”hesaid.

“It’s amassive redevelopment of the Moe Racing Club, they do some 6000 meals amonth here, so locals in Moe know the value of the racing club as acommunity hub.

“We’ve seen significant investments in the

jockey’s rooms, many female jockey’s coming into racingthat to lift the standards of thefacilities here is really important.

“There is great changes here, the social rooms, what facilities are available for hospitality for members and their guests.”

Located just off the existing Turfside Function Centre, the new elevated raceday building features two function spaces, and offers an enhanced race viewingexperience, thanks to apanoramic view of theentire track.

Alifthas also been installed to improve access to the upper level of the administration building, Downstairs, the revamped jockey’s rooms have both changeroomand social facilities, while the previous ground level members area is now open to the general public, meaning all race goers can enjoy meetings from the comfort of indoors.

The ‘new rooms’ were given atest run at Moe Racing Club’s members day last month, and with the finishing touches now in place, are fully operational.

The project was ajoint effort between Moe Racing

Club,Racing Victoria, Country Racing Victoria and the state government.

The state government contributed $1 millionfrom its Victorian Racing Industry Fund to support the project, while Moe Racing Club put up almost $2 million itself and Racing Victoria $350,000.

“Credit to Moe Racing Club, Mike Vanderfeen (clubchairman) and the team -congratulations, to bring this project in on time and on budget is a significant achievement,” Minister Carbines said.

“Italso means we are good to go for the Moe Cup in October, and we can start using these facilities to cater for thousands of locals.”

The upgrade was years, decades even, in the making, with the raceday building remaining virtually untouched since 1970.

“It was certainly due for areplacement,” Vanderfeen said.

“It is agreat day for us, it is agreat day for our members and we believe it is agreat day for the community.

“Apart from themodern racing facility,we’ve also created what we believe is acommunity hub.”

Moe hasjust shyof1000members,and Vanderfeen is confident the new building will see the club eclipse four figures.

Such afeat is viewed as aterrific milestone for acountry racing club.

Speaking of views, those familiar with country racing tracks across the statemight be hard pressed to find abetter view than the one from the second storey at Moe.

With the spring carnival ahead, Minister Carbines encouraged everyone to get their picnic baskets ready.

“We hope to see many people for the Moe Cup. Racing in Gippsland and the Valley contributes some $90 million to the economic contribution of the localcommunity, anddirectly employssome 700people across the Valley, so racing is acritical driver for the local economy,” he said. The inclusivity of country racing was perhaps no more evident thanatthe launch of the new rooms, when Nationals Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron- aparty in opposition to the state government, was asked by Minister Carbines, or ‘Carbs’ as he was called, to jump in for aphoto. Communitywill againbeatthe heart of Moe RacingClubfor its next meeting-the Moe Football-NetballClubRaceday this coming Monday (September 30). This will be the lastmeetingbefore the Moe Cup on Friday, October 18.

Modern: Newjockey’s changerooms as part of theupgrade Photographs: Liam Durkin

Centrepiece: Moe Racing Clubcommitteemembersjoined Victorian Racing Minister Anthony Carbines (centre)with this year’s Moe Cup trophyfor the occasion. Pictured is RogerTaylor,Mike Vanderfeen, Pauline Turra, DarylRidley, Brad Law, Tony Flynn, MichaelWalshe,Cassandra Rendell (club chiefexecutive), BrendanBlackshawand Robert Sim.

Leaders: Moe Racing Club Chairman Mike Vanderfeen,Victorian Racing Minister Anthony Carbines andMoe Racing ClubChief ExecutiveCassandra Rendell.

Packed: MoeRacing Club membersgot theirfirst experience in thenew roomsfor membersday lastmonth

Local connections this AFL Grand Final day

FOOTBALL AFL

BY LIAM DURKIN

GIPPSLAND will be well represented on AFL Grand Final day.

Sydney and Brisbane are set to lock horns, both eager to make up for shortcomings in recent years.

The Swans were wiped off the park by Geelong in the 2022 decider, whilethe Lions narrowly went down to Collingwood last year.

This will be thefirst non-Victorian grand final since 2006, while remarkably, it will be the first time Sydney (as South Melbourne) and Brisbane (as Fitzroy) have played in adecider since 1899.

Yarram’s Josh Dunkley is preparing to play in his fourth AFL grand final, and second as aLion. Dunkley previously played in two grand finals for the Western Bulldogs, winning apremiership in his first year in 2016.

Fellow Yarram local and current Warragul coach Jed Lamb started his AFL career with Sydney, playing 12 games between 2011-13, before moving to GWS and finally Carlton.

That this year’s grand final is againstSydneywill add some extra poignancy for Dunkley, as his dad Andrew played more than 200 games for the Swans. Similar sentiments could be relevant for current Sale Football-Netball Club coach Peter Morrison. Morrison played close to 100 games for South Melbourne,and his son Shane played ahandful for the Brisbane Lions.

Thelate, greatGippsland sportinglegend Kevin Hogan played63games for the Bloods between 1954-1960.

Humphrey and Lowanna College Sports AcademyHead Coach,

were drafted.

Traralgon's Tim Membreystarted hiscareer with Sydney, playing asolitary game before moving to St Kilda.

Former Lowanna College student Jacob Konstanty is currently on the Swans list,but is yet to play asenior game.

TheLatrobe Valley has anumberofBrisbane, andmore specifically, Fitzroy, connections.

Newborough’sSam Skinner playedthreegames forBrisbaneinthe late 2010s, while current Moe footballer Brock Smith was drafted to the Lions in 2019.

Moe’s Lachlan Sim played for the Brisbane Bears, and was apart of the club’s first premiership when the reserves saluted in 1991.

The late Rob Dickson was ateammate of Sim’s

in that premiership, before embarking on afilmmaking career that saw him produce some of the AFL’s most popular documentaries.

Dickson played in two premierships for Morwell. Current Tigers midfielderJudah Leak is his nephew.

Traralgon is home to arguablyFitzroy’s greatest player in BernieQuinlan.

Quinlan played 189 games and kicked 576 goals for the Lions, following his days at Footscray (Western Bulldogs).

All up, he played 366 games and booted817 goals, winning aBrownlow Medal, two Coleman Medals and aplace in the Australian Football Hall of Fame. According to locallegend, Quinlan once kicked atorpedo from the Traralgon Recreation Reserve oval that sailed over the railway line and bounced into Victory Park.

Another Fitzroy local was the mercurial Darren ‘Doc’ Wheildon.

Originally from Newborough, Wheildon played in aseniorpremiership for the Bulldogs in 1988 before making his way to Fitzroy.

He found instant success with the Roys, playing in their 1989 reserves premiership, and would go on to play 70 senior games up until 1994.

While his career was only relatively short lived, Wheildon became acult hero in the early 90s due to his appearance, such as an extreme buzzcut hair do, and various idiosyncrasies, such as shaking a goal post while an opponentwas having aset shot

Intertwined withall of this was an abilitytokick freakish goals, the best of which arguably came in 1992 at North Hobart Oval when he defied the laws of gravity to kick ahalf volley from deep in the pocket.

Glasgow to do what Gippslandand regional Victoria was denied

COMMONWEALTH GAMES

MUCH as we love the Latrobe Valley, it is unlikely athletes are complainingtoo much about where the 2026 Commonwealth Games have been moved to. The 2026 instalment, originally scheduled to be held in regionalVictoria, including the Latrobe Valley, will now be hosted by Glasgow. Commonwealth GamesAustralia (CGA) President, Ben Houston, has applauded Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) after they securedScottishand UK government support for Glasgow to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

“This is afantasticoutcomefor the Commonwealth sport movement,” Houston said.

“We commend and applaud Commonwealth GamesScotland for their reimagination of the Games in asustainable and cost-effective way, as well as the Scottish and UK government for their support of the concept.”

“Australia’s athletes,and those from across the Oceania region, are now expected to have the chance to compete on the global stage as the pathway to Brisbane 2032 continues.

“The Commonwealth Games are at the heart of Australia’sperformance pathway, often providing

thelaunch pad for continued and ongoing success by Australian athletes.

“They are irreplaceable in terms of providing global competition and, in the absence of an Australian host, it was in the interests of Australian sport that we make an overseas Games areality.”

In the coming weeks, final stakeholder discussions will take place to provide for the formal announcement of Glasgow as the host.

This includes Games dates for the European summer, the sport programme and the multimillion pound contribution that CGA will make to delivering Glasgow 2026.

Flanders finishes fantastic year in top three

FOOTBALL

AFL EXPORTS

BY TOM HAYES

MOE andFish Creek footballing product Sam Flanders cappedoff an exceptional 2024 season, with atop three finish in Gold Coast Suns best and fairest.

In aseason where he hit peak consistency, Flanders played acareer-high 22 games in one season, playing his50thAFL gameduring the year. Gold Coast also had one of its most successful seasons in terms of win-loss ratio,asFlanders won 11 of his 22 games played.

From astatistical point of view, he was among the best in the AFL.

Flanders tallied 680 disposals throughout the season, ranking sixth in the entire league. Ahead

The Victorian government, led by thenPremier Daniel Andrews, pulled out of hosting the Commonwealth Games last year, citing a$6 billion cost blowout.

Latrobe Valley was set to host cricket, rugby sevens, badminton, shooting and road cycling as part of the Games.

of him were the likes of Tom Green (737 disposals), Lachie Whitfield (735), Adam Treloar (725), Nick Daicos(705), and Patrick Cripps (692). Not bad company.

Bringing up names, he recorded more disposals thanLachie Neale,Caleb Serongand Marcus Bontempelli to name afew.

In terms of average disposals however, Flanders moves up into second,having only played 22 games, averaging 30.9 touches per game. Above him was onlyTreloar, who averaged 31.5 disposals per game

In comparison to the rest of thecompetition, Flanders was ranked in the elite category for disposals, kicks, handballs,and fantasy points, and he was above average for marks, tackles, and metres gained.

At the end of the 2023 season, an out-of-contract Flanders signed afour-year deal, whichkeeps him at the Suns until the end of the 2027 season.

Exciting: Former Lowanna student Jacob Konstanty(right) willhaveafront rowseattothe AFL Grand Final, when his Sydneyteammatestakethe field.HeispicturedwithMoe footballer Bailey

Allan Chandler in 2022 afterthe pair

File photograph

Makinghis mark: Moe andFish Creek’sSam Flandershad an outstanding 2024 season. Photograph: AlbertPerez/AFL Photos